CHRISTMAS VACATION (The Trip, Not the Movie): 12/19 - We're back, TR link on p. 25

[lurkyloo]

I wouldn't say that dropping the Deluxe DDP means you'll miss out on all those great dining opportunities - you can still go to them, just split meals or skip the dessert (which you say you'd prolly do anyway) or sodas/alcohol. How much does the DDP cost per day? $72/person? (I can't remember - maybe you have free dining reducing that cost). We can eat at a Signature restaurant for $60 *total*, which would still leave $84 to "eat up" the rest of the day to make DDP worth it.

I know - I'm a big anti-DDP person - but I just love the freedom of being able to eat where I want (bluezoo.... :rolleyes1) when I want and not have to crunch credits and pore over menus to maximize my value... :flower3:

[AlohaPolynesian]

I think the food is part of the experience at Disney and you should keep the DDP!! BUT, you are going twice so you might not need to do it since you'll have two chances to experience all the great places to eat. Like the PP said, just go for dessert or share a meal!

[annnewjerz]

I wouldn't say that dropping the Deluxe DDP means you'll miss out on all those great dining opportunities - you can still go to them, just split meals or skip the dessert (which you say you'd prolly do anyway) or sodas/alcohol. How much does the DDP cost per day? $72/person? (I can't remember - maybe you have free dining reducing that cost). We can eat at a Signature restaurant for $60 *total*, which would still leave $84 to "eat up" the rest of the day to make DDP worth it.

I know - I'm a big anti-DDP person - but I just love the freedom of being able to eat where I want (bluezoo.... :rolleyes1) when I want and not have to crunch credits and pore over menus to maximize my value... :flower3:

No free dining here since we're staying on DVC points. I guess part of the predicament is that we: (thinking out loud here)

A. don't know our eating styles (60% of the time at home, DH and I split an app/entree/dessert and the other 40% we'll do our own entrees and an app, or sometimes just apps and desserts and no entrees). I'm worried that if we plan to split (which was the original idea) we'll get there and not want to, or we will and the portion sizes will be tiny (in which case we could each get our own dessert or a snack afterward I guess); and

B. we'll be there as a party of 3, so even if two could split, the other one still has to get another entree just for themselves; and

C. we have a $500 budget per person, part for the DDP and part for tips/our first day in WDW since we won't be on the DDP yet. For some reason, no matter how I slice and dice it still comes out to $500. Split meals and apps? $500. Deluxe DDP with lots of TS meals? $500. Deluxe DDP with some CS meals instead? $500. I must be really bad at math or somethin!

The only benefit of not being on the DDP that I can see at this point is the ability to go to bluezoo, because I've really wanted to try it.

Ughhhhh, I'm really ready for this trip to just get here already.

[annnewjerz]

I think the food is part of the experience at Disney and you should keep the DDP!! BUT, you are going twice so you might not need to do it since you'll have two chances to experience all the great places to eat. Like the PP said, just go for dessert or share a meal!

In October, I know it'll be harder to split meals because DH is a big(ish) eater. However, in December, splitting meals would be SO EASY because DM and I could just split an app and entree and then if we wanted to get a dessert we could split or get our own depending on how hungry we still were.

I guess my fear is that if I plan to split, I won't want to when I arrive. I don't even know why I'm worried about that though because I split VERY often in real life.

This decision is going to take a while. :surfweb:

[MissMet]

I used to be a fan of the dinning plan, but then I started to hate feeling like I was being told how & where to eat. Now I no longer get it.

I don't know how you're doing your park tickets, but since you are taking two trips, you may want to think about getting an AP. They say if you are going to wdw for more than 10 days in a year it's worth it. Even if just one of you get it, then you can still get the TIW card, which saves 20%. Plus, if you take a trip next year you'll have your tickets & you'll get a discount on your hotel room.

We have used the TIW card for all our trips & on every one we ended up saving more money with it than we would have on the DDP. Plus, we aren't being told what & where to eat. :goodvibes

If that's not an option... Personally, I would drop the DDP & just enjoy the restaurants you REALLY want to go to. Then you'll feel better about the finical aspect of the trip and you & your mom can share meals. :goodvibes

Either way I know you'll have a good time. :thumbsup2

[annnewjerz]

I used to be a fan of the dinning plan, but then I started to hate feeling like I was being told how & where to eat. Now I no longer get it.

I don't know how you're doing your park tickets, but since you are taking two trips, you may want to think about getting an AP. They say if you are going to wdw for more than 10 days in a year it's worth it. Even if just one of you get it, then you can still get the TIW card, which saves 20%. Plus, if you take a trip next year you'll have your tickets & you'll get a discount on your hotel room.

We have used the TIW card for all our trips & on every one we ended up saving more money with it than we would have on the DDP. Plus, we aren't being told what & where to eat. :goodvibes

If that's not an option... Personally, I would drop the DDP & just enjoy the restaurants you REALLY want to go to. Then you'll feel better about the finical aspect of the trip and you & your mom can share meals. :goodvibes

Either way I know you'll have a good time. :thumbsup2

Even though you're a NYM fan, I may still have to take your advice. ;)

Unfortunately, APs don't make sense for us (we were able to get military tickets and won't be in the parks more than 8 days total and no trip next year :sad2:), so TIW is not an option even though I'd love to get it.

With the Deluxe DDP I just figured, there aren't really any CS options that I'd really really like to have, so why not replace them with some fun TS options? But the more I think about it, if I'm just so-so on CS and so-so on some of our TS, might as well save 30 minutes and a few bucks and do some CS. I know there are a lot of great ones in The World, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed with them.

[annnewjerz]

I really dropped the ball, folks. In all of my obsessive planning, ADR making, park hour stalking---I completely forgot about booking our tour!! :headache:

I realized it this past Friday and forgot about it again this weekend. After dealing with over an hour on hold on Friday, can you blame me?

Well today I called and after a pleasant 5 minute wait, I was put through to the WDW Tour Department and with fingers crossed, told the CM what I was looking for. I ended up booking the Behind the Seeds tour at 11:15am on our Epcot day. Apparently, this is the first tour time of the day. Bologna, I say---wdwinfo.com has the first time listed at 9:45am and running every 45 minutes.

WHATEV! :rolleyes:

This will give us time to hit Future World for two hours for some rides, take our tour and head over to World Showcase for an all-day country exploring extravaganza. :hyper:

For only $48 for three adults, I'm thinking there is no way I can feel like this is a waste of my money. It's about an hour long, it's a tour through one of my all-time guilty pleasure rides (I have to do Living with the Land each trip, dorky---I know) and best of all they allow photography so hopefully I'll come back with some cool shots of veggies and such. :goodvibes

On a site note: Since when did CMs get so pushy? I called today and just wanted to book the tour, that's it. In my 10 minute phone call, I was asked if I wanted to book Cirque du Soleil (we have already), any other tours during our stay, MVMCP (which I said no to and was asked if I'm sure because the tickets go really quickly :rolleyes:), Wishes Dessert Party for those MVMCP days.......

ENOUGH ALREADY!!!

All I want to book is my stinkin' $48 tour. That's it, Serenity!!! (yes, that was her name)

Don't get me wrong, she was very nice, but I felt like I was at a car dealership or something with the hard sell tactics.

Thank goodness for the DIS, otherwise after making everything seem so fantastic I may have been sucked in and spent another $400 on this black hole of a trip. :santa:

[khertz]

I did the same thing when it was time to book our KTTK tour! Haha I'm glad you were able to get it booked. I didn't find my CM to be pushy, he only asked about MVMCP, but of course, we have tickets already so maybe that is why? Either that or he was eager to get off the phone with me because of my choppy cell phone connection. :confused3

I hope you figure out what you want to do about the DP. I'm not much to help because I have never had the DP, can't have it this trip, and am not big on TS restaurants! And to add insult to injury, I'm a SAINTS FAN! I'm only marginally sorry we beat your Eagles, and that is only because I feel bad that you are mad about it! ;) I shouldn't even be posting, should I? :lmao: In all sincerity, though, I hope you figure out what is best for y'all so that you don't have to be stressed about it!

[annnewjerz]

And to add insult to injury, I'm a SAINTS FAN! I'm only marginally sorry we beat your Eagles, and that is only because I feel bad that you are mad about it! ;) I shouldn't even be posting, should I? :lmao: In all sincerity, though, I hope you figure out what is best for y'all so that you don't have to be stressed about it!

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

No hard feelings. The Saints played a good game and we had a quarterback who was playing their first ever NFL start---so I had extremely low expectations for Sunday to begin with. :)

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

So, what was the final verdict??? DxDDP or no?

[annnewjerz]

So, what was the final verdict??? DxDDP or no?

HAHA, final verdict schminal verdict. I won't have a decision on that for a long while. Since we are staying on DVC points, we only have to know something like 2 days in advance of the trip. :goodvibes

I went through all of the menus again last night and wrote down what we would each order, calculated the costs, added in some extra $$ for a cushion, took away some ADRs and added in CS, figured out what it would cost if we split meals v. getting our own. Basically I did it all. Any combo you can think of, I did.

Here is what I came up with:

PLAN A (DxDDP w/ all original ADRs)

Includes the Deluxe DDP for 5 nights + 1 day of food when we first arrive + tips for TS meals + some snacks around the World Showcase out of pocket = approximately $550 per person.

PLAN B (DxDDP w/o 4-5 original ADRs, but replaced with CS)

Includes the Deluxe DDP for 5 nights + 1 day of food when we first arrive + tips for TS meals + snacks around the World Showcase out of pocket = approximately $515 per person

*the only savings here is the $40 in tips per person we wouldn't spend because of removing 4-5 TS meals

PLAN C (No DxDDP. Cancel 4-5 original ADRs but keep all Signatures & must-dos)

Includes meals at 8 TS restaurants w/ entrees split between me and DM + 5 CS meals + out of pocket costs for snacks/refillable mugs = approximately $465 per person


This is exactly why I am hesitating to drop the DxDDP. For about $50 more per person than "Plan C" where we split meals and sort of mind what we are ordering, we can do "Plan B" where we still use the DxDDP, do a few CS meals instead of all TS so the pace of the trip is a little more relaxed, still eat where we want and be guaranteed an app, entree, dessert of our own for every meal, even if we don't want to eat it.

I think "Plan A" is officially scrapped, because my DM just decided she may use a wheelchair while we are in The World. She was diagnosed with Plantar Facsiitis a week or two ago and is worried that non-stop all day walking may be too much. Because of this, we will probably take it slower through the parks since we will be pushing her---and that leads me to believe that maybe we should toss just a few of our ADRs and eat CS instead.

Ugh.

[annnewjerz]

Today was an exciting day in the world of Disney trip planning. Not only did I book our Behind the Seeds tour, but I also received some very special mail from Carrie (Lurkyloo). She had a contest in her PTR and the 100th person to follow her on Twitter won a special D23 Expo souvenier.

Well, the 100th person was me---and look what I got!!! :hyper: :hyper:

(please excuse the crappy iPHONE photo)

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VaHhKb5UpA8/SrfNCzxgevI/AAAAAAAABJo/9MOvxiWwpx0/s320/photo-763119.jpg

I'm very happy to have a new pin to add to my collection, since I have been practicing self-control recently and haven't purchased any in a few months.

Thanks, Carrie! :woohoo:

[lurkyloo]

I'm just so glad you weren't disappointed not to get a flashing bouncy eyeball like the winner of my last contest! :banana:


Here's a pic of it I stole from the Internets for my trip report...

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/D23%20Expo/D23ExpoPin.jpg

[KathyRN137]

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t63/lurkyloo/D23%20Expo/D23ExpoPin.jpg



Super-cool prize! Congrats!

I wonder if some of the BTS tours are being bumped because of the new behind the scenes Holiday Tour they have going on? :scratchin

"final verdict, schminal verdict!" :lmao:


Kathy

[annnewjerz]

Super-cool prize! Congrats!

"final verdict, schminal verdict!" :lmao:


Kathy

Thanks---it was definitely worth signing up for Twitter (even though I swore I never would) for the free D23 pin. Very cool! :thumbsup2

You know what they (I) say about Disney trips, nothing is final until either A. deposits are due B. you are within the penalty period for cancelling or C. you arrive on property. For anything to be really final at just a staggering 3 months out would just be insaaaaaaaaaaaaaane. :crazy:

[annnewjerz]

Today while at work (on my lunch break, of course...I would never DIS during the day ;)) I noticed that the Wishes Dessert Party had been opened in December for non-MVMCP days. :eek:

Figuring that this was too good to be true or I was already way too late and would most certainly speak to a CM who would tell me the party was sold out, I decided to call WDW-DINE to see what was up.

Lo and behold, the rumors were true! The dessert party was, in fact, taking reservations for non-MVMCP days and even more fantastic is the fact that they had my day available!!

So after a very pleasant 5 minute telephone conversation with a CM, we are all booked to attend the Wishes Dessert Party on December 14.

Did I really need to spend the extra $70 when I've already shelled out so much on extras? Probably not. However, I keep ruining all of the surprises that I have planned and I feel compelled to replace the ruined surprise with a new one.

Here's hoping that I don't ruin this one also!! ;) :santa:

[inkedupmomma]

Hi, I am here! It is a lot to read so I will catch up over the next few weeks! I think I may need to talk to you about the whole dvc rental thing with dxdp etc...

[annnewjerz]

Hi, I am here! It is a lot to read so I will catch up over the next few weeks! I think I may need to talk to you about the whole dvc rental thing with dxdp etc...

Welcome!! So glad you stopped by. A lot of my posts are just rambling random crap, but there may be something substantive in there somewhere. ;)

If you've got any questions---ask away! Renting points was an awesome deal for us and even though I'm still undecided on the DxDDP, I'm looking forward to reading some more reviews of it first before I make any final decisions.

[inkedupmomma]

Welcome!! So glad you stopped by. A lot of my posts are just rambling random crap, but there may be something substantive in there somewhere. ;)

If you've got any questions---ask away! Renting points was an awesome deal for us and even though I'm still undecided on the DxDDP, I'm looking forward to reading some more reviews of it first before I make any final decisions.

FYI- we have done the DxDP this year and last year! and booked it again for next year! we LOVE it! More on that later!

[skier_pete]

I had to jump on your PTR bandwagon. I was flipping through PTRs, looking for folks that will be there at the same time...and while I haven't read the whole thing...but I had to join in because:

1) We are both starting out at POP on December 12th (our group is STAYING there the whole week as we are on a budget trip).
2) You are traveling with DM - we are bringing along DMIL (We also have a DD6, though)
3) Our park days actually line up sort-of close...even including MK on Dec 14th - which is my 40th Birthday.

So, I thought I better "get to know you" so to speak...in case I spot you and DH and DM while wandering around. You can check out my PTR to compare plans if you like. (I will try and read more of your PTR here - but its LONG.)

BTW - we did "Behind the Seeds" many years ago - and thought it was well worth the money! Very interesting to be able to talk one on one with a CM and see the Land from without drifting by it in a boat. This has got to be one of the best value tours at Disney World.
SkierPete

[skier_pete]

Holy Moley! I dug a little deeper on your PTR - We have ADRs for the California Grill on the same day AT THE EXACT SAME TIME! (12/15 @ 7:40 PM) What are the odds of that! It's just DW and I for dinner that night (DMIL will be watching DD) - but I hope we can find a way to say "hello" while watching Christmas Wishes!

SkierPete

[annnewjerz]

I had to jump on your PTR bandwagon. I was flipping through PTRs, looking for folks that will be there at the same time

Welcome!!! :wave2: I'll definitely have to check out your PTR. If you see a girl lugging a camera bag, with a man carrying a tripod and possibly pushing a wheelchair with a woman in it---that's us!! :thumbsup2


1) We are both starting out at POP on December 12th (our group is STAYING there the whole week as we are on a budget trip).

Ah, POP. Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it) we will no longer be at POP. You will see this somewhere in the PTR. I was looking forward to getting some photos of all the colored generational icons, but we were able to get a room at BWV for the first night of our trip as well with fall room-only code, so we'll be at BWV the whole time. :santa:


3) Our park days actually line up sort-of close...even including MK on Dec 14th - which is my 40th Birthday.

Well happy early birthday and maybe we'll see ya there! We're doing the dessert party on the 14th, very excited. I'll be in WDW for my birthday in October this year. What better way to deal with getting older than spending the day at the happiest place on earth?? :goodvibes


BTW - we did "Behind the Seeds" many years ago - and thought it was well worth the money! Very interesting to be able to talk one on one with a CM and see the Land from without drifting by it in a boat. This has got to be one of the best value tours at Disney World.
SkierPete

So glad to hear it. I have heard nothing but good reviews for this tour (I mean c'mon---it's like $15 per person, you can barely get a cinnamon roll for that price anymore ;)) so for anyone to complain would be a little outrageous! I'm really looking forward to it, since Living with the Land is a guilty pleasure of mine. I have to do it every trip!

[annnewjerz]

Holy Moley! I dug a little deeper on your PTR - We have ADRs for the California Grill on the same day AT THE EXACT SAME TIME! (12/15 @ 7:40 PM) What are the odds of that! It's just DW and I for dinner that night (DMIL will be watching DD) - but I hope we can find a way to say "hello" while watching Christmas Wishes!

SkierPete

Freeeeeeeeaky. That kind of stuff only happens in DHS while you are about to enter the Twilight Zone!!! Definitely do say hello if you see us. As of right now, I couldn't pick you out from another other Joe Schmo, but if you have pics in your PTR (which I'm heading to check out) I'll definitely say hi!

Now I have to add a PS too, since I just saw yours. My DM did go to the doctor, got a cortizone shot and wears some special sock/boot thing to bed every night. The doctor said that she shouldn't have to use the wheelchair around WDW unless it turns out to be a chronic condition---which they will know in a few weeks after the shot wears off. I think her plan now is to start walking around and at the first sign of pain, hop in some wheels to make sure she doesn't over-do it. Honestly, I'm a little bummed by the fact that she may walk---I was really looking forward to hanging my camera gear on her chair while we walk through the parks!!! ;)

[skier_pete]

Freeeeeeeeaky. That kind of stuff only happens in DHS while you are about to enter the Twilight Zone!!! Definitely do say hello if you see us. As of right now, I couldn't pick you out from another other Joe Schmo, but if you have pics in your PTR (which I'm heading to check out) I'll definitely say hi!

Actually - it's Pete Schmo I look nothing like Joe - and there are some pix in my PTR. I will typically have a rust colored camelback with my LGMH on the back....but probably not at CG. How about I just stand up and shout "Is there an Ann from New Jersey here?" Nahhh...my DW will throw me off the deck before the fireworks start - and unlike Tink I won't have a wire!

Another thing in common - with your mom this time. I have had problems with Planar Fasciasis (can't spell - but let's call it a heel spur) right before our Disney trip last year. I went to the Pediatrist with about 3 weeks to go - and he wrapped my foot - gave me stretches - did the cortosone shot thing - and by the time I got to Disney it was near 100 % better. (A little pain, but didn't stop me from doing anything.) Don't know your DM situation of course, but assuming she has insurance - get to the doctor - they can do something about it and make everyone's trip more enjoyable.

I am reading your PTR to piecemeal - gotta make it through start to finish...

SkierPete

[annnewjerz]

Hmmm. I'm wondering if I need to cancel my dinner at The Wave on 12/14 since we will be doing the Wishes Dessert Party that night.

Here's my two thoughts:

1. I should cancel the dinner ressie and make a lunch ressie for Kona instead. This way, we will have time to digest and fill up on as much dessert as we can for the party.

2. I should keep my dinner ressie since I really wanted to do The Wave. The reservation is at 5:30 and if we skip dessert with dinner (nothing looked too fantastic anyway) we can just go ahead and eat dessert at the Dessert Party at 7:30.

Opinions? Our other reservation that day is for a 8:15am breakfast at the Crystal Palace, so we definitely will be hungry by the time the afternoon rolls around---I just figured we'd grab a snack and head to dinner. The main appeal of the dessert party (for me) was the fact that DM didn't care to watch Wishes in the first place, so I thought sitting at a table versus fighting the crowds might make it a little more enjoyable for her. The dessert was just an added bonus---the icing on the cake, so to speak. (pun intended) ;)

[inkedupmomma]

Hmmm. I'm wondering if I need to cancel my dinner at The Wave on 12/14 since we will be doing the Wishes Dessert Party that night.

Here's my two thoughts:

1. I should cancel the dinner ressie and make a lunch ressie for Kona instead. This way, we will have time to digest and fill up on as much dessert as we can for the party.

2. I should keep my dinner ressie since I really wanted to do The Wave. The reservation is at 5:30 and if we skip dessert with dinner (nothing looked too fantastic anyway) we can just go ahead and eat dessert at the Dessert Party at 7:30.

Opinions? Our other reservation that day is for a 8:15am breakfast at the Crystal Palace, so we definitely will be hungry by the time the afternoon rolls around---I just figured we'd grab a snack and head to dinner. The main appeal of the dessert party (for me) was the fact that DM didn't care to watch Wishes in the first place, so I thought sitting at a table versus fighting the crowds might make it a little more enjoyable for her. The dessert was just an added bonus---the icing on the cake, so to speak. (pun intended) ;)

I would skip dinner and possibly try for a Kona or maybe even a Wave lunch?? We did the Dessert Party, but were stuffffed from dinner to really totally enjoy it! Also, we had an early dinner, and pretty much skipped dessert at Le Cellier, and we were still stuffed!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I would do the dinner and just skip dessert there. I have an issue with the dessert party too. Only, I had a res for Boma that I had to cancel because it was during the party!! Now I think we are just going to do a light CS dinner and have the desserts as our main course!!!! LOL

[AlohaPolynesian]

Why don't you keep dinner but see if the have any earlier times? Otherwise I would say keep dinner and skip dessert at the Wave. It's so fun to try new restaurants and if you really wanted to go to the Wave then I think you should! Otherwise maybe try to get a lunch reservation there.

[annnewjerz]

I would skip dinner and possibly try for a Kona or maybe even a Wave lunch?? We did the Dessert Party, but were stuffffed from dinner to really totally enjoy it! Also, we had an early dinner, and pretty much skipped dessert at Le Cellier, and we were still stuffed!

Bummer. I could get a lunch ressie at Kona (I checked) but I have one for the next day that I'm still up in the air about and really don't want to do Kona twice. I also wasn't impressed with the lunch menu online for The Wave, so don't want to do that either. AND---I know it's vacation, but just eating dessert for dinner is making me feel a little guilty. I feel like we should eat some meat and taters before we stuff ourselves full of chocolate and cheesecake like the gluttons we are. :laughing:


I would do the dinner and just skip dessert there. I have an issue with the dessert party too. Only, I had a res for Boma that I had to cancel because it was during the party!! Now I think we are just going to do a light CS dinner and have the desserts as our main course!!!! LOL

My thought is that 5:30 dinner, we'd be done eating around 6:30 and desserts don't even really start until 7:30, so we'd have an hour to digest a little and then we'd try a few different desserts. After all, just because it's a dessert buffet doesn't mean we have to stuff ourselves full of as much dessert as possible---does it?

Why don't you keep dinner but see if the have any earlier times? Otherwise I would say keep dinner and skip dessert at the Wave. It's so fun to try new restaurants and if you really wanted to go to the Wave then I think you should! Otherwise maybe try to get a lunch reservation there.

Unfortunately, dinner at an earlier time than 5:30 at The Wave is considered lunch, and I'm not interested in their lunch entrees. I agree---trying new restaurants is fun and since breakfast is so early we'll definitely want something for dinner.

Hmmmmmmm. Decisions decisions.:headache:

[lurkyloo]

Split a meal at dinner and keep the dessert party! You don't have to stuff yourselves at either place - you can just taste! :thumbsup2

[annnewjerz]

Split a meal at dinner and keep the dessert party! You don't have to stuff yourselves at either place - you can just taste! :thumbsup2


Very great suggestion---but here's the predicament I face. With 3 people in our party, 2 of us would split and the other would get their own meal. Typically, DM and I would split and DH would get his own. However my Mom looooves chicken pot pie. I do not. The Wave has chicken pot pie for dinner (which is one of the reasons I picked this for her), so our normal splitting situation would have to be slightly re-worked. If I order an extra app, I think I can probably convince DH to split with me....

.....maybe. ;)

See all the conversations I end up having (with myself, naturally) to come to a final decision?

[MyMuse]

Hmmmm...... :scratchin

Keep Wave and order less as per your above post. It sounds like a good solution.

If you wanted The Wave and your DM love chicken pot pie and Kona is the next day, then I think you have a winner and a lower food bill. :thumbsup2

I checked out The Wave as well and really wished I booked there as well! I thiink it will be on my Wish List for any future trips. :goodvibes

[inkedupmomma]

Ok.. stick with wave, see if you can get an earlier time slot and split meals with an extra app!

[exwdwcm]

Hmmm. I'm wondering if I need to cancel my dinner at The Wave on 12/14 since we will be doing the Wishes Dessert Party that night.

Here's my two thoughts:

1. I should cancel the dinner ressie and make a lunch ressie for Kona instead. This way, we will have time to digest and fill up on as much dessert as we can for the party.

2. I should keep my dinner ressie since I really wanted to do The Wave. The reservation is at 5:30 and if we skip dessert with dinner (nothing looked too fantastic anyway) we can just go ahead and eat dessert at the Dessert Party at 7:30.

Opinions? Our other reservation that day is for a 8:15am breakfast at the Crystal Palace, so we definitely will be hungry by the time the afternoon rolls around---I just figured we'd grab a snack and head to dinner. The main appeal of the dessert party (for me) was the fact that DM didn't care to watch Wishes in the first place, so I thought sitting at a table versus fighting the crowds might make it a little more enjoyable for her. The dessert was just an added bonus---the icing on the cake, so to speak. (pun intended) ;)i would keep the WAVE- i have heard great things about it- just eat light? share a meal? just skip dessert at the meal and save it for the party!

congrats on the pin- love it-so awesome!!!!

so happy you got the wishes party- i am excited about it. i read they cap it at 35 guests per night, have you heard that? that seems really low, but then again that isn't a huge area there either. if it is 35, that is pretty cool, since my party will basically be half of that number ! lol

[disneygirlinnj]

hmm... I say keep the Wave. While we didn't have dinner there (yet!), the service and restaurant and breakfast we had was all VERY good. I was never impressed with Kona's lunch though. Skip dessert at the Wave (or take a small bite!) and then you'll be ready for the party!

[annnewjerz]

Alright everyone, we're back from our October trip, so it's time to get this Christmas PTR back on track!!!

I'm having a serious problem. After having a grand old time at MNSSHP, I'm debating whether or not I should add MVMCP back onto our trip during December. There are still tickets available for the December 15th party and I can just go ahead and switch around a few ADRs and we'd be set.

Thoughts?

[exwdwcm]

welcome back- can't wait to hear all about it!

we are actually booked already for the 12/15 party- so my vote is yes!!!! :thumbsup2

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Have you done the MVMCP? If not, I'd say to add it. It's a different holiday, different season, different party!!! Plus, your mom didn't get to go with you in Oct!!

[creativeamanda]

I say go for it!

[annnewjerz]

welcome back- can't wait to hear all about it!

we are actually booked already for the 12/15 party- so my vote is yes!!!! :thumbsup2

Have you done the MVMCP? If not, I'd say to add it. It's a different holiday, different season, different party!!! Plus, your mom didn't get to go with you in Oct!!

I say go for it!

Thanks for the input, everyone! I've never doen MVMCP and didn't want to because we aren't big fireworks/parade people, but after attending MNSSHP I think we would have a really good time. Even if we don't want to partake in the special events, if the rides are even half as empty as they were during MNSSHP, we'll have a great time just doing attractions. :thumbsup2

So, I guess it's official. I'm off to WDW's website to buy my MVMCP tickets for the 15th right now. :santa: Who knew they had an advance purchase discount? Not me---BONUS!

Now I just have to rearrange some pesky ADRs. I have a feeling California Grill is going to be the toughest to change, but we'll make it work. :thumbsup2

[khertz]

I know I didn't comment on whether you should or not, but I'm happy y'all are going to the MVMCP! I'm glad you had a good time at the Halloween party...gives me high hopes for our Christmas party! I'm heading over to your Oct TR right now... :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

Congrats on getting the tickets! I am really excited about the party simply because of the shorter ride lines!

[annnewjerz]

Sooooo...

Now that I have added tickets to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on December 15th, that suddenly changes some of our other plans. Because I have absolutely nothing of interest to write about, I'm going to do an updated itinerary that now includes our new dining reservations, as well as the changes in park days. :santa:

Day 1 --- Dec. 12, 2009
9:30 - 11:30am / Flight arrives, take Magical Express and check-in @ Boardwalk Villas
11:30 - 2:00pm / Relax around the Boardwalk, unpack if our room is ready
2:00 - 5:00pm / Downtown Disney (lunch @ Earl of Sandwich)
5:00 - 8:00pm / Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba
8:00 - 10:00pm / Dinner at Todd English's bluezoo @ the Dolphin hotel

Day 2 --- Dec. 13, 2009
9:00 - 2:00pm / Disney's Hollywood Studios (lunch at Brown Derby @ 11:30am)
2:00 - 7:00pm / Relax at Boardwalk Villas (dinner at Flying Fish @ 5:30pm)
7:00 - 10:00pm / Disney's Hollywood Studios (shakes/onion rings at Sci-Fi @ 9:00pm)

Day 3 --- Dec. 14, 2009
7:30 - 1:00pm / Magic Kingdom (pre-opening breakfast at Crystal Palace @ 8:15am)
1:00 - 3:00pm / Relax at Boardwalk Villas, change for dinner (lunch at ESPN Club)
3:00 - 5:30pm / Tour Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridinal Hotel
5:30 - 8:30pm / Magic Kingdom for Spectro @ 7:00, Wishes @ 8:00pm
8:30 - 10:30pm / Dinner at California Grill in Contemporary Resort @ 9:00pm (hoping to snag an earlier time)

Day 4 --- Dec. 15, 2009
9:00 - 11:00am / Breakfast at Kona Cafe @ 9:30am
11:00 - 3:00pm / Relax at Boardwalk Villas, prepare for MVMCP
3:00 - 12:00am / MVMCP (dinner at The Plaza @ 4:00pm)

Day 5 --- Dec. 16, 2009
(sleep-in morning after MVMCP)
11:30 - 7:00pm / Animal Kingdom (lunch at Yak & Yeti @ 12:30pm)
7:00 - 9:30pm / Dinner at Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge @ 8:00pm

Day 6 --- Dec. 17, 2009
9:00 - 11:00am / Epcot's Future World
11:00 - 12:00pm / Behind the Seeds tour
12:00 - 9:30pm / Epcot's World Showcase (dinner at Le Cellier @ 8:00pm)

Day 7 --- Dec. 18, 2009
8:00 - 9:00am / Breakfast at Kouzzina on the Boardwalk @ 8:00am
9:00 - 11:00am / Pack, check out of Boardwalk Villas
11:00 - 3:00pm / Magic Kingdom (lunch at The Plaza @ 1:30pm)

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Your new and improved itinerary looks good. I'm glad you were able to get your MVMCP tickets. Are they going to be a surprise, or does everyone know?

[annnewjerz]

Your new and improved itinerary looks good. I'm glad you were able to get your MVMCP tickets. Are they going to be a surprise, or does everyone know?

Nah, everyone knows---had to get the okay for such a late night, plus I'm horrible at keeping surprises anyway (as I've demonstrated multiple times in this TR) so at this point, why even try? :rotfl2:

[skier_pete]

Well, I guess we'll miss seeing you at CG on 12/15....but maybe we'll see you one of the other days! (12/13 at DHS evening - 12/14 at MK - 12/17 at Epcot) If not, it still seems like a great itinerary! Personally, MVMCP doesn't turn me on at all...whereas I would love to try MNSSHP. But I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

SkierPete

[creativeamanda]

OHHH. . .it looks like we are going to be at Epcot the same day--I have 4:10 dinner reservations for Chefs, but I am hoping to try for a Le Cellier at 45 days out.

[annnewjerz]

Well, I guess we'll miss seeing you at CG on 12/15....but maybe we'll see you one of the other days! (12/13 at DHS evening - 12/14 at MK - 12/17 at Epcot) If not, it still seems like a great itinerary! Personally, MVMCP doesn't turn me on at all...whereas I would love to try MNSSHP. But I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

SkierPete

Yup, no more identical reservations but it looks like our park plans will overlap quite a bit, so I'll still keep an eye out!

OHHH. . .it looks like we are going to be at Epcot the same day--I have 4:10 dinner reservations for Chefs, but I am hoping to try for a Le Cellier at 45 days out.

Good luck with the Le Cellier reservation. I was going to try this week to get a better time for California Grill since our current ressie is at 9:20, so far nothing---but I know people sometimes have luck getting something this close to their trip. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!

[annnewjerz]

A bit of a vent---sorry guys!

We got back from The World on Monday night and noticed on Tuesday that our water was draining from the sinks/tub/washer/toilets craaaaazy slow. Thinking it was just a normal clog, we got some Drano and plunged a bit, but still no dice.

So the next day when trying to do laundry, we hear a splashing and go into the powder room to see the toilet overflowing with water as the washer was draining. :scared1: This would happen every time we flushed another toilet, used the dishwasher, etc.

Soon enough, not only was the toilet overflowing---it was starting to get backed up. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that things that should be heading out to the sewer seemed to be gurgling back up through the sewer line and into our powder room toilet.

DH went out and bought some like industrial strength blockage breaker stuff, as well as a snake to run through the plumbing. It didn't work.

We ended up calling Roto-Rooter and had them come out to take care of it.

The grand total for them to snake our sewer line and put a bottle of chemical down the drain to clear everything out was...


$400!!! Insane.

Combine that with the $50 DH spent on supplies and today was a definite financial hit---so close to our trip and more importantly, so close to Christmas. My Christmas gift may end up being a trip to Disney and a clean sewer line. It's times like these I hate being a home owner. :headache:

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I second that!! Last February we all of a sudden woke up one morning to no water. NONE! So, a family friend that has a plumbing business came to check it out. Well, the well pump went. However, our pump was too deep for him to switch out. So, we called a larger company. They had to use a crane truck...our well is apearently really deep! And, what we were thinking would cost about $600 turned into $2000!!!!! :scared1::scared1:
On top of all that the day after the pump issue, out daughter was hopitalized for pnuemonia!! What a week we had!
Point being...if we were renters...never would have had the $2000 expense!

[AlohaPolynesian]

Ugh, that IS insane! I'm sorry you had to deal with that :(

Also, I am glad you got tickets to MVMCP! I think it looks like so much fun and I will be there on Dec. 10th. Your plans so far look awesome!

[creativeamanda]

You must have told your house you were going on vacation, lol. That's what happens when you let it know--something breaks.

[disneygirlinnj]

Whew...ok...caught up on this one! Sucks about your plumbing issues! :(

[happenin2you]

Sorry to hear about your plumbing problems. It's really horrible, but it's things like that that make me really happy to live in an apartment. My parents thought I was crazy when my husband and I were looking to buy a condo. They just don't understand how we could want to live in a place with no yard. My point of view is: no upkeep on a yard, i have concierge service, a pool i'm not responsible for maintaining, a gym, a maintenance staff on premise if something in my unit breaks, continental breakfast on sundays, and lots of other perks. Plus we don't want to stay in Las Vegas forever, just until we're both done with school. When we start having kids, we'll move somewhere where grass grows (far from this dry desert!:banana:), and buy a real house with a yard. Until then, I'm thankful I don't have to worry about all those other things.

And congrats on choosing MVMCP!!! I've never been, but I'm so excited for you and I can't wait to see the awesome pictures you bring back from there. I'm loving the MNSSHP pics on your other thread!

[WDWRocksMySocks]

So sorry to hear about your plumbing issues. It's definitely the worst side of being a homeowner. But, what Christmas gift could be better than a clean plumbing and Disney? :rolleyes1

Glad to hear you added MVMCP back into the itinerary. I think it's something to do at least once in your Disney career. Plus, the "snow" on Main Street and the special Wishes is pretty cool! The shows...eh, they were ok. I'm not huge on shows so maybe not the best person to comment on those. Oh, and the parade was pretty cool too. I think I like "Boo to You" better, but the Christmas one is up there.

[annnewjerz]

I second that!! Last February we all of a sudden woke up one morning to no water. NONE! So, a family friend that has a plumbing business came to check it out. Well, the well pump went. However, our pump was too deep for him to switch out. So, we called a larger company. They had to use a crane truck...our well is apearently really deep! And, what we were thinking would cost about $600 turned into $2000!!!!! :scared1::scared1:
On top of all that the day after the pump issue, out daughter was hopitalized for pnuemonia!! What a week we had!
Point being...if we were renters...never would have had the $2000 expense!

Ugh---that majorly sucks. I know I wouldn't have the expense if I was a renter, but I wouldn't have (hopefully) a good investment either---so with the good you take the bad, I guess. It doesn't make it any easier a pill to swallow though!

Also, I am glad you got tickets to MVMCP! I think it looks like so much fun and I will be there on Dec. 10th. Your plans so far look awesome!

I'm glad I got them either. I kept going back and forth and back and forth and purchasing them made me finally nail down my plans, so it was a bit of a relief.

You must have told your house you were going on vacation, lol. That's what happens when you let it know--something breaks.

That must be it, that was the house's way of paying us back for leaving for the weekend. Oh well---I guess it's a small price to pay for a weekend of Disney fun!

Whew...ok...caught up on this one! Sucks about your plumbing issues! :(

Yeah, tell me about it. But, they're all taken care of now---so that's one less thing to worry about in the upcoming months while we finish getting ready for The World.


And congrats on choosing MVMCP!!! I've never been, but I'm so excited for you and I can't wait to see the awesome pictures you bring back from there. I'm loving the MNSSHP pics on your other thread!

Thanks! I'm super excited about MVMCP now, even though I am reading that last year, the second to last party was one of the busiest ones. :eek: I'm glad you're enjoying the pics. I should come back with much better shots in December, now that I have a better grasp on what I'm doing.


Glad to hear you added MVMCP back into the itinerary. I think it's something to do at least once in your Disney career. Plus, the "snow" on Main Street and the special Wishes is pretty cool! The shows...eh, they were ok. I'm not huge on shows so maybe not the best person to comment on those. Oh, and the parade was pretty cool too. I think I like "Boo to You" better, but the Christmas one is up there.

I agree! Who knows when we'll be back to The World during the holidays (if ever) so I guess it makes sense to do it now while we can. Plus, I love being in the MK at night and with this built into the plan, we'll have two nights at MK instead of 1 night and 2 days---so it's all good! :santa:

[annnewjerz]

A small update in the trip planning world for everyone.

The past few days, we had been getting FedEx door tags left at our house, saying that they were attempting to deliver something that had to be signed for. Well, I haven't ordered anything online (unfortunately) and after checking with DH, he hadn't either.

I tracked the number on the door tag and it was coming up as a package from somewhere in Georgia. Hmmmmmmmm. I started to think that maybe they were attempting delivery at the wrong address. We aren't home during the day, so I figured we'd have to go into Pennsylvania and try to pick it up at the FedEx location.

Well, DH came home from work for lunch today and happened to be here when the FedEx man came a-knocking. I got an e-mail that the package was from DVC. Another big hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I had taken a phone tour a month or two ago, so I assumed it was probably just another information/sales package.

I got home and what to my wonderous eyes would appear?! A Disney gift card!!!! :woohoo: :woohoo:

I completely forgot that I took the phone tour for the gift card deal they were offering. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet. $25 more in my pocket to spend in Disney. :thumbsup2

Between my DH's Mastercard points, the change I've been collecting and the $25 Disney card that I just received, we now have just over $200 in basically "free" money to spend on this trip. AWESOME.

I'm definitely starting to feel the first bits of real "we're going back to Disney!!!" excitement about this trip. Can't wait! :santa:

[minniecarousel]

Congrats on the Mickey Mail - $$ - that's the best kind.

Sorry to read about your plumbing problem. I think we have to replace our water heater. Trying to convince DH to replace it before it completley conks out is a hard sell. I really don't want there to be a problem with hot water while we're gone. (One of my sisters will stay with my Mom while we're away & I think they'll need hot water!)

[creativeamanda]

Hooray for Mickey mail! My favorite kind!!!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Not only did you get Mickey mail...the best kind of mail...but Mickey money in that Mickey mail!!!!!!!

[praisehisname]

Hi Ann! I'm coming along for your pre-trippie! We'll be at the Pop from the 10th - 14th, so maybe we can arrange a quick meet!


Edited to add: Ok, I posted before I actually *read* the report, so now I know you got rid of the Pop. Oh, well! Maybe we'll run into each other anyway!

Denise

[raider97]

WooHoo! I love Mickey mail... and Mickey mail with Mickey money is even better. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

Sooooo...

Now that I have added tickets to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on December 15th, that suddenly changes some of our other plans. Because I have absolutely nothing of interest to write about, I'm going to do an updated itinerary that now includes our new dining reservations, as well as the changes in park days. :santa:

Day 1 --- Dec. 12, 2009
9:30 - 11:30am / Flight arrives, take Magical Express and check-in @ Boardwalk Villas
11:30 - 2:00pm / Relax around the Boardwalk, unpack if our room is ready
2:00 - 5:00pm / Downtown Disney (lunch @ Earl of Sandwich)
5:00 - 8:00pm / Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba
8:00 - 10:00pm / Dinner at Todd English's bluezoo @ the Dolphin hotel

Day 2 --- Dec. 13, 2009
9:00 - 2:00pm / Disney's Hollywood Studios (lunch at Brown Derby @ 11:30am)
2:00 - 7:00pm / Relax at Boardwalk Villas (dinner at Flying Fish @ 5:30pm)
7:00 - 10:00pm / Disney's Hollywood Studios (shakes/onion rings at Sci-Fi @ 9:00pm)

Day 3 --- Dec. 14, 2009
7:30 - 1:00pm / Magic Kingdom (pre-opening breakfast at Crystal Palace @ 8:15am)
1:00 - 3:00pm / Relax at Boardwalk Villas, change for dinner (lunch at ESPN Club)
3:00 - 5:30pm / Tour Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridinal Hotel
5:30 - 8:30pm / Magic Kingdom for Spectro @ 7:00, Wishes @ 8:00pm
8:30 - 10:30pm / Dinner at California Grill in Contemporary Resort @ 9:00pm (hoping to snag an earlier time)

Day 4 --- Dec. 15, 2009
9:00 - 11:00am / Breakfast at Kona Cafe @ 9:30am
11:00 - 3:00pm / Relax at Boardwalk Villas, prepare for MVMCP
3:00 - 12:00am / MVMCP (dinner at The Plaza @ 4:00pm)

Day 5 --- Dec. 16, 2009
(sleep-in morning after MVMCP)
11:30 - 7:00pm / Animal Kingdom (lunch at Yak & Yeti @ 12:30pm)
7:00 - 9:30pm / Dinner at Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge @ 8:00pm

Day 6 --- Dec. 17, 2009
9:00 - 11:00am / Epcot's Future World
11:00 - 12:00pm / Behind the Seeds tour
12:00 - 9:30pm / Epcot's World Showcase (dinner at Le Cellier @ 8:00pm)

Day 7 --- Dec. 18, 2009
8:00 - 9:00am / Breakfast at Kouzzina on the Boardwalk @ 8:00am
9:00 - 11:00am / Pack, check out of Boardwalk Villas
11:00 - 3:00pm / Magic Kingdom (lunch at The Plaza @ 1:30pm)

We will be at Epcot on the 17th and MK on the 18th!! Hopefully, we will see you around the world. :)

Stephanie

[raider97]

A bit of a vent---sorry guys!

We got back from The World on Monday night and noticed on Tuesday that our water was draining from the sinks/tub/washer/toilets craaaaazy slow. Thinking it was just a normal clog, we got some Drano and plunged a bit, but still no dice.

So the next day when trying to do laundry, we hear a splashing and go into the powder room to see the toilet overflowing with water as the washer was draining. :scared1: This would happen every time we flushed another toilet, used the dishwasher, etc.

Soon enough, not only was the toilet overflowing---it was starting to get backed up. Without going into too much detail, let's just say that things that should be heading out to the sewer seemed to be gurgling back up through the sewer line and into our powder room toilet.

DH went out and bought some like industrial strength blockage breaker stuff, as well as a snake to run through the plumbing. It didn't work.

We ended up calling Roto-Rooter and had them come out to take care of it.

The grand total for them to snake our sewer line and put a bottle of chemical down the drain to clear everything out was...


$400!!! Insane.

Combine that with the $50 DH spent on supplies and today was a definite financial hit---so close to our trip and more importantly, so close to Christmas. My Christmas gift may end up being a trip to Disney and a clean sewer line. It's times like these I hate being a home owner. :headache:

Ugh!! I feel your pain... our house must have found out we are going too because our garbage disposal just went out. Hopefully, dh will be able to switch it out or we will have to add on some hefty install fees. Yuck!!

Stephanie

[Todd_H]

Hey Ann! I hadn't taken a close look at your planned itinerary until just now... WOW you've got some great ADR's! Between the Cali Grill, Jiko, and Le Cellier, you guys are hitting all my favorites!

Can't wait to hear your reviews of Kouzzina and the Brown Derby (and Bluezoo for dinner).

[creativeamanda]

Oh, I am so sorry about the sewer cost. That is just terrible. At least it's behind you now.

[creativeamanda]

Oh, and I'll be at EPCOT on the 17th and MK on the 18th. Look for the woman carrying the Nikon D60 and looking like she's just taking pictures of everything. That will be me! :)

[MyMuse]

Sorry about the plumbing issues! Home ownership does indeed suck. I had a heating prob and then a gutter prob, which I still didn't solve yet. *big dramatic sigh here* LOL!

Yay :yay: for Money Mickey Mail. :thumbsup2 That's the very best kind.

[annnewjerz]

Congrats on the Mickey Mail - $$ - that's the best kind.

Sorry to read about your plumbing problem. I think we have to replace our water heater. Trying to convince DH to replace it before it completley conks out is a hard sell. I really don't want there to be a problem with hot water while we're gone. (One of my sisters will stay with my Mom while we're away & I think they'll need hot water!)

It really is the best kind. I love free money! :banana:

I totally understand about not wanting anything to happen while you are having someone watch the house. The hot water heater and regular heater breaking is something I think about all winter long. Luckily, no issues with that yet. :rolleyes1

Hooray for Mickey mail! My favorite kind!!!

I didn't know I loved Mickey Mail so much until now. It has been all "Mickey e-mail" at this point---so having a FedEx with a gift card arrive was definitely an unexpected pleasantry. :goodvibes

Not only did you get Mickey mail...the best kind of mail...but Mickey money in that Mickey mail!!!!!!!

Could there be anything better than free money? I think not---especially when I thought I was taking the DVC phone tour for nothing. That'll show me to be skeptical of the Mouse! :santa:

Hi Ann! I'm coming along for your pre-trippie!

Edited to add: Ok, I posted before I actually *read* the report, so now I know you got rid of the Pop. Oh, well! Maybe we'll run into each other anyway!

Denise

WELCOME! Thanks so much for hopping over to this PTR. As you can tell by now, I did in fact change our first night's stay from POP to BWV. But that doesn't mean we won't see ya around---you never know who you may bump into in The World! :thumbsup2

We will be at Epcot on the 17th and MK on the 18th!! Hopefully, we will see you around the world. :)

Stephanie

The 17th we'll be in Epcot all day, starting in Future World and heading into the World Showcase around noon, not leaving until after dinner---so you may very well see us mozying around, attempting to drink/snack around The World! :faint:

Ugh!! I feel your pain... our house must have found out we are going too because our garbage disposal just went out. Hopefully, dh will be able to switch it out or we will have to add on some hefty install fees. Yuck!!

Good luck with the garbage disposal. Honestly I would be scared to replace the garbage disposal myself---just seems like a dangerous task. Leave it to the men, they can do with one or two less fingers if something goes wrong. ;) :rotfl2:

Hey Ann! I hadn't taken a close look at your planned itinerary until just now... WOW you've got some great ADR's! Between the Cali Grill, Jiko, and Le Cellier, you guys are hitting all my favorites!

Can't wait to hear your reviews of Kouzzina and the Brown Derby (and Bluezoo for dinner).

Hey Todd---thanks for dropping in. I'm glad to hear that Le Cellier is one of your favorites. I only booked it since it's the "it" place to eat in the World Showcase, but I'm not even sure if I'm looking forward to it yet.

Bluezoo for dinner was mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmmmm good in October and I'm sure it will be again. I've got a review in my October TR, it most definitely gets two thumbs up!

Oh, and I'll be at EPCOT on the 17th and MK on the 18th. Look for the woman carrying the Nikon D60 and looking like she's just taking pictures of everything. That will be me! :)

Okay and you keep an eye out for the woman lugging the D90 with a huge rented lens attached that looks like she's going to pass out from lugging it around all day. :rotfl:

Sorry about the plumbing issues! Home ownership does indeed suck. I had a heating prob and then a gutter prob, which I still didn't solve yet. *big dramatic sigh here* LOL!

Yay :yay: for Money Mickey Mail. :thumbsup2 That's the very best kind.

Ugh, that stinks. I've convinced myself that owning a home will pay off in the long run, but who knows at this point! It's like that movie "The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks---nothing is going right and it's just SO MUCH WORK.

I'm going to pop over to your PTR right now, but wanted to see if you planned to do a Christmas Carol Train Tour mini-review in your PTR (for all I know, one is already started, I've been slacking). I followed your tweets and it sounded like you had a good time. I can't wait to see the movie to put me in the holiday mood.

[AlohaPolynesian]

That's awesome that you got the giftcard!

[creativeamanda]

Who are you renting from? I'm looking at renting a 18-200mm so I don't have to change lenses.

[annnewjerz]

That's awesome that you got the giftcard!

:banana: :banana:

Who are you renting from? I'm looking at renting a 18-200mm so I don't have to change lenses.

I'm renting from ziplens.com, but over on the Photo Board people have had success with lensrentals.com, borrowlenses.com and rentglass.com. As long as they have good ratings on resellerratings.com and they offer insurance, I wouldn't hesitate to rent from any of them. I only picked ziplens because they were the only ones that carried the lens I wanted to rent.

Good luck!

[annnewjerz]

Hi everyone :wave2:

Sorry I've been a little MIA for the past few da....er....weeks. :guilty: I promise I haven't been neglecting my trip in December, there's just not much to plan right now. Once we get under the 30 day mark, I think things will speed right up. Last minute trip shopping, Christmas shopping, putting up our tree, etc.

In the meantime, I have been working on planning another trip!! :woohoo:

Unfortunately, not another trip to Disney :eek:, but a trip nonetheless!!

For our Christmas presents to eachother this year, DH and I decided that we'd take a 4-day weekend trip to Boston to go to the 2010 Winter Classic. For those non-hockey fans out there, the Winter Classic is a game that the NHL has once each winter where two hockey teams play a game outside. This game will be between the Flyers and Bruins at Fenway Park in Boston.....

.......on New Year's Day. Can we say F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G?!! :scared1:

The Winter Classic is something that I know Erik will love going to and will remember forever, so even though it will probably be freezing cold I'm sure it'll be an experience to write home about!

We'll be up there from New Year's Eve (anyone know what goes on in Boston for NYE?!) and will be coming home that Sunday. We'll be staying in the Quincy Market neighborhood of Boston and plan on doing a bunch of sight-seeing, etc. so in the middle of my Christmas TR when I eventually start it, I think we may have to take a slight detour and do a little Boston weekend TR. :santa:

So, that's all the news for now. I'll be back soon enough with trip updates, I promise!! :goodvibes

[creativeamanda]

:banana: :banana:



I'm renting from ziplens.com, but over on the Photo Board people have had success with lensrentals.com, borrowlenses.com and rentglass.com. As long as they have good ratings on resellerratings.com and they offer insurance, I wouldn't hesitate to rent from any of them. I only picked ziplens because they were the only ones that carried the lens I wanted to rent.

Good luck!

Thanks. I'll look at all of them.

[skier_pete]

Hi everyone :wave2:

Sorry I've been a little MIA for the past few da....er....weeks. :guilty: I promise I haven't been neglecting my trip in December, there's just not much to plan right now. Once we get under the 30 day mark, I think things will speed right up. Last minute trip shopping, Christmas shopping, putting up our tree, etc.

In the meantime, I have been working on planning another trip!! :woohoo:

Unfortunately, not another trip to Disney :eek:, but a trip nonetheless!!

For our Christmas presents to eachother this year, DH and I decided that we'd take a 4-day weekend trip to Boston to go to the 2010 Winter Classic. For those non-hockey fans out there, the Winter Classic is a game that the NHL has once each winter where two hockey teams play a game outside. This game will be between the Flyers and Bruins at Fenway Park in Boston.....

.......on New Year's Day. Can we say F-R-E-E-Z-I-N-G?!! :scared1:

The Winter Classic is something that I know Erik will love going to and will remember forever, so even though it will probably be freezing cold I'm sure it'll be an experience to write home about!

We'll be up there from New Year's Eve (anyone know what goes on in Boston for NYE?!) and will be coming home that Sunday. We'll be staying in the Quincy Market neighborhood of Boston and plan on doing a bunch of sight-seeing, etc. so in the middle of my Christmas TR when I eventually start it, I think we may have to take a slight detour and do a little Boston weekend TR. :santa:

So, that's all the news for now. I'll be back soon enough with trip updates, I promise!! :goodvibes

We had the 1st winter classic here in Buffalo, it is an awesome event, though the hockey itself (the view and the game) is pretty awful. Boston has for years a massive New Years Eve party called "First Night", there's lots of these around the country now, but Boston really started it. They USED to anyways get dozens upon dozens of theatres / galleries / plays open that you could tour around and watch. I don't know how it has changed over the years, I haven't been in about 12 years, but it is quite a lot of fun..finishing with fireworks over Fanieul (sp?) Hall. Check out firstnight.org.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Hmmm...my DH and smallest son love hockey...that would be a great thing for them to do!! Hope you enjoy it!

[annnewjerz]

We had the 1st winter classic here in Buffalo, it is an awesome event, though the hockey itself (the view and the game) is pretty awful. Boston has for years a massive New Years Eve party called "First Night", there's lots of these around the country now, but Boston really started it. They USED to anyways get dozens upon dozens of theatres / galleries / plays open that you could tour around and watch. I don't know how it has changed over the years, I haven't been in about 12 years, but it is quite a lot of fun..finishing with fireworks over Fanieul (sp?) Hall. Check out firstnight.org.

I remember that Winter Classic---they were sweeping/shoveling snow off of the ice like no one's business! I forewarned DH that if he wanted to see a great hockey game, this probably wasn't the event to go to. He understood that the view may not be great and I think just wants the experience and bragging rights to tell all of his family/friends that he went and they didn't. :thumbsup2

I did see First Night in Boston, they have those in Ocean City, NJ that we have considered doing in the past. I'm considering it---not really sure how much I want to commit to since after a 6 hour drive I'm not even positive we'll be able to stay up until the New Year. :rotfl2:

Hmmm...my DH and smallest son love hockey...that would be a great thing for them to do!! Hope you enjoy it!

It takes place once per year---two teams are selected to participate. Luckily, this year was the Flyers and since Boston isn't too far it just made sense to go...or at least that's what DH said in order to convince me. :rolleyes1 :rotfl:

[inkedupmomma]

How fun! I keep saying I want to go to Boston..just to listen to them speak lol!

[annnewjerz]

Saturday in my mailbox I found even more Mickey Mail!!! :woohoo:

I'm excited because of the fact that it was our Disney's Magical Express packets. Now most of you would think, who cares, it's just luggage tags. I, however, care so much because we never received our packet for the short weekend in October that we took and it was a headache once we arrived. :headache: It still only took about 45 minutes total, but we arrived late, had to stand in two lines and it just was annoying. This time I can bypass the first line and walk straight into the line for people who already have their packets. Considering we're arriving on a Saturday morning, I think having the paperwork will save us a little time.

In other news, I can't believe our trip is getting so close. In only a few short days, it will be less than a month until we leave. :eek:

Okay, just typing that out gave me a mini-panic attack. A month?!?! :scared1:

I have so much left to do and what seems to be so little time. We have to clean, get the yard ready for winter, get the dog sitter to come over and get the "routine" down, finish buying trip stuff, pack, print everything, confirm everything, UGH! AND---that's not even including the fact that I have to Christmas shop, buy a tree, decorate the tree and house, wrap, do Thanksgiving.....:faint: I think I'd better stop now.

Deep breaths. Everything will be fine. :upsidedow

[annnewjerz]

How fun! I keep saying I want to go to Boston..just to listen to them speak lol!

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Our neighbor is from New England and she's hilarious. Brawr (bra), pizzer (pizza), cah (car).....it's like learning a whole new language!!

[creativeamanda]

I know about the mini panic attacks--I am usually pretty much packed a month out. I just realized Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks and after Thanksgiving I have 2 more weeks!

I understand completely.

[skier_pete]

I remember that Winter Classic---they were sweeping/shoveling snow off of the ice like no one's business! I forewarned DH that if he wanted to see a great hockey game, this probably wasn't the event to go to. He understood that the view may not be great and I think just wants the experience and bragging rights to tell all of his family/friends that he went and they didn't. :thumbsup2

Hah, I was just the opposite. I had 4 tickets to ours (I'm a season ticket holder.) and I gave them to my friends, I wasn't that into the idea of the game, and DW, DD and I were actually travelling back to Massachusetts for the 1st, but ended up back in Buffalo a day early to avoid the snow. I watched it on TV. Many, many, many people I know went and loved it, so I would say go while you have the chance.

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I am panic attacking right along with you!!! I have as much to do and only 23 days to do it in!!!

[inkedupmomma]

:rotfl2: :rotfl2:

Our neighbor is from New England and she's hilarious. Brawr (bra), pizzer (pizza), cah (car).....it's like learning a whole new language!!

yes it is! I'm from NY and people say I have an accent! although after so many years in pa I think it is completely gone..unless I get mad lol! but hearing someone say cah will make my life!

[annnewjerz]

Alright everyone, it's time for the Happy Dance because today, we hit the point of.....

30 Days Until Our Trip!!!!!!

My initial reaction to this post is :woohoo: :woohoo: ......

...... but the more what I wrote just sets in, the more my reaction to it becomes :scared: :scared: instead. Or maybe even :faint:, who knows.

I'm having another little mini-freak out, but I've controlled it a little today by going shopping at Target on my lunch break. I have been looking for some more trip clothes, basically tops to wear with jeans in the event that the weather is really cold. So today I picked up a few things on clearance. I got a cute Anna Sui for Targer shirt that has stars and moons on it that I figured I could wear to Hollywood Studios since we have a reservation at Sci-Fi.

I'm hoping that since it has short sleeves, I can wear a cardigan over it with jeans and lose the sweater if it warms up.

I got another one to wear to Jiko for dinner with a pair of jeans and nice shoes. It's purple with some sort of print and kind of sheer, I'd have to wear a tank underneath. I can't decide if I like it or not----it's a little, billowy maybe. But for $4 I figured I would give it a shot. :thumbsup2

I still need to find an acceptable pair of jeans, all of the ones I own currently are completely destroyed at the bottom---ripped, faded, etc. I'm hoping I can find two pairs, maybe one in blue and one in black, but jeans are something I hate shopping for, so I'll take one pair if that's all I can find.

I also need to buy another fleece, I'm thinking in black. I have one in brown that came in handy for our October trip since it got down to 50 degrees, so I'd rather pay $15 now for a fleece than spend $50 on a Disney hoodie when I get there.

Lastly, I saw some really cute Christmas t-shirts at Target today. Normally, I don't "do" t-shirts, I just find them too short/too wide/too cheaply made, etc. but I saw a few that I thought were cute and thought maybe I'd pick one up for me, one for my DM and find one for Erik to wear for MVMCP. :santa: I'm sure we'll have to bring sweatshirts to wear also, but we can wear our t-shirts to show our "holiday spirit" until it gets too chilly.

More updates to come, I'm sure. With only 30 days left there is so much to do and so little time!!!! :eek:

[creativeamanda]

Yay for 30 days!

I found great jeans at JC Penney and Old Navy. I need to go back to Target and Old Navy this weekend to look for more. I hate shopping for jeans, as well, but for some reason, I like the look of the real dark heans enough to buy them.

I still need 1 more pair of jeans and since you mentioned the Christmas t's at Target, I figure, what the hay?

[annnewjerz]

Ack! :scared:

Before I forget, I wanted to post the link to my Dining Review thread over on the Dining Reviews/Restaurant board. For anyone who is reading my PTR, feel free to pop over there and join me for a culinary adventure!

Here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34313952&posted=1#post34313952) is the link.

See ya over there, I hope!

Ann

[happenin2you]

Compulsive planner, don't stress it! It will all come together. WooHoo for inside 30 days!:cool1: and extra cash, and anything else i might be behind on :)

[boBQuincy]

We take the layer approach to clothing at WDW in cooler weather. On my February 2009 trip all I had for the day was whatever I left the room with in the morning! On trips like those REI is your friend! They have plenty of backpacking gear including packable jackets, convertible pants, gloves, hats, etc. that are very lightweight but are also good to whatever temperature it gets down to on a typical WDW December evening.

On nicer days I stash the jacket and pants legs in a locker (along with the tripod) to be reclaimed as evening sets in. If it gets *really* cold we will pay $$$ for a Disney hoodie. Yeah, I don't worry about fashion (I'm a guy, what's fashion?) but for a 14 hour day when I am carrying 8 lb of camera gear I sure want to be comfortable! The people at REI always think we are going on some far-off expedition with all that we buy! I tell them we are going to a most hostile environment: heat, cold, wind, rain, snow (fake), angry natives... Walt Disney World!!! ;)

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Yay for 30 days!! I have 13! I am feeling a bit more calm now because I took a step back and reorganized and got everything straight! I too made a nice little trip to Target. I hit up the travel size section...gotta love it! And, I bought 2 of the Christmas shirts there! They had some cute ones!!

[creativeamanda]

OMG--22 days?!? Time speeds up when you have bunches and bunches to do.

[annnewjerz]

Oh my, I've been a veeeeeeery bad PTR writer. I can't believe I haven't been over here in like two weeks! There is so much going on, so much still to do, it's just exhausting :faint:

Compulsive planner, don't stress it! It will all come together. WooHoo for inside 30 days!:cool1: and extra cash, and anything else i might be behind on :)

I'm trying very very hard not to stress about it. I'm sure it'll all be fine and work out in the end, it's just hard to not get a little crazed about it!

We take the layer approach to clothing at WDW in cooler weather. On my February 2009 trip all I had for the day was whatever I left the room with in the morning! On trips like those REI is your friend! They have plenty of backpacking gear including packable jackets, convertible pants, gloves, hats, etc. that are very lightweight but are also good to whatever temperature it gets down to on a typical WDW December evening.

On nicer days I stash the jacket and pants legs in a locker (along with the tripod) to be reclaimed as evening sets in. If it gets *really* cold we will pay $$$ for a Disney hoodie. Yeah, I don't worry about fashion (I'm a guy, what's fashion?) but for a 14 hour day when I am carrying 8 lb of camera gear I sure want to be comfortable! The people at REI always think we are going on some far-off expedition with all that we buy! I tell them we are going to a most hostile environment: heat, cold, wind, rain, snow (fake), angry natives... Walt Disney World!!! ;)

Thanks for the advice, boB. I agree that comfort is key when walking around WDW. I checked the forecast and it seems like weather isn't going to be too bad (as of right now), but I know that can change in the next 10 days. I'll pack a bit of everything and hope for the best---no way do I want to spend $$$ on a Disney sweatshirt if I don't have to!

Yay for 30 days!! I have 13! I am feeling a bit more calm now because I took a step back and reorganized and got everything straight! I too made a nice little trip to Target. I hit up the travel size section...gotta love it! And, I bought 2 of the Christmas shirts there! They had some cute ones!!

Oh my gosh you must already be gone (or going) by now! I'm so sorry I missed the official send-off (or at least I think I did) but thank you so much for following my PTR and I hope you have a fantastic trip---can't wait to read all about it when you return! :santa:

OMG--22 days?!? Time speeds up when you have bunches and bunches to do.

Ugh, yes it most definitely does. I went from posting that I had 30 days left to posting that I have like 12 days left.

Must......not......think.......about......it. Will........freak.......out. :rolleyes1

[annnewjerz]

It's update time, everyone!

First, I apologize to all of you for being so MIA recently. With Thanksgiving, Christmas rapidly approaching and being super busy at work---it's been a very stressful few weeks.

First, we are down to 13 days until our trip. :scared1: Saying that we are under two weeks feels so weird considering we started this countdown at eleven months!

Second, I have been making some semi-serious trip progress. Last weekend, DH and I did all of the fall yard work. We pulled weeds, raked and cut the grass one last time in preparation for our trip and the upcoming winter season.

Then came Thanksgiving. It was a reasonably fun day, went to my Mom's house for brunch and my in-laws' house for dinner. On Black Friday I was able to check another goal off of my list and that goal was to accomplish as much of my Christmas shopping as possible. I didn't buy everything I needed, but I got a lot bought and spent way too much money. Now comes the task of picking up all of the last odds and ends and wrapping all of it, but I think I may save that for when we return from vacation.

Next was our Christmas tree. We usually get it the first or second weekend in December, but since we will be gone we decided to get it this week. It's currently up and decorated in our living room---we just have to put on the finishing touches. We'll have to take it down Christmas weekend since it will have been up almost a month, but putting it up this weekend is allowing us to really enjoy it before we leave for WDW.

In terms of trip planning, there isn't too much going on since everything is basically planned. Our ADRs are finalized (I can't stand to even look at them one more time), our parks are planned for each day and our events such as Cirque du Soleil and Behind the Seeds are comfirmed. Now, it's on to packing!

In three days, I'll be able to do my online check in at BWV. I'm hoping that they assign us a room that we can stay in for our entire trip, rather than switching from a standard view studio to another standard view studio after only one night---but we'll see. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I still have some stuff I need to buy for the trip such as:

- Toiletries
- Christmas shirt from Target for MVMCP
- Sweatshirt
- Converse sneakers (maybe)
- A few more memory cards, just to be safe
- A new pair of jeans since all of mine are a bit ratty
- Ziploc baggies

That's all I can come up with right now, which actually seems not so bad.

Well---that's my update for now. I'm sure I'll have more in the way of updates later this week after I check in online, etc.

Thanks for reading and I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend!

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

You didn't miss me....I leave on Wednesday evening!!! So, in three days!!! Anyway, you are moving along quite well!!! Very good! I have tooooo much left to do and have got to weed out what can wait vs. what must be done! Anyway, if I don't get to come on here again before you leave, have a fabulous trip!

[Todd_H]

I still have some stuff I need to buy for the trip such as:

- A few more memory cards, just to be safe
- Ziploc baggies



Forget all the other stuff... ^^^this is all you really need ;)

Wow, only 13 days left, huh? I'm excited for you guys!

[annnewjerz]

Forget all the other stuff... ^^^this is all you really need ;)

Wow, only 13 days left, huh? I'm excited for you guys!

Oh how I wish I could live my that philosophy, but if I did, I fear I would be in WDW with a dry camera and empty memory card, but sans pants and trust me, that would be no good for all parties involved. :rotfl2:

I'm excited for us---sort of, I've still got that feeling though. You may not know that feeling depending on whether you are an obsessive trip planner or not, but it's the feeling that all of this planning and stressing is going to be for nothing and something will totally ruin your trip.

Those feelings will be gone as soon as we arrive at Boardwalk Villas though, I'm sure. :santa:

[boBQuincy]

13 days to go! Ratty jeans will do but we really needed to order more SDHC cards! B&H had a decent sale on Sandisk Extreme III (our standard cards) so we ordered a few 4 GB cards, that (plus the 64 GB we already have) should get us through a 4 day trip. ;)

Ok, I won't bring the ratty jeans (just the North Face convertibles), since we might get to meet Ann! ;)

[skier_pete]

I know the feeling as we have 13 days left too!

What's weird is doing this at Christmas time....we are scrambling to do all our holiday stuff in the two weekends we have instead of the usual 4...it makes it hard to get too psyched up about the trip or to feel like it is really just about here.

We did all the decorating this weekend...and have all the cards ready to mail...next, need to get my shopping started so I can get it done in the next 12 days. (Except for the Disney shopping, I plan on some purchases at the parks!)

Still hoping to see you there.

SkierPete

[raider97]

Oh how I wish I could live my that philosophy, but if I did, I fear I would be in WDW with a dry camera and empty memory card, but sans pants and trust me, that would be no good for all parties involved. :rotfl2:

I'm excited for us---sort of, I've still got that feeling though. You may not know that feeling depending on whether you are an obsessive trip planner or not, but it's the feeling that all of this planning and stressing is going to be for nothing and something will totally ruin your trip.

Those feelings will be gone as soon as we arrive at Boardwalk Villas though, I'm sure. :santa:

I've kinda got that feeling also. I've been planning this trip for the last 18 months what if something goes wrong. Hopefully the last min. jitters will pass soon!!

Stephanie

[annnewjerz]

13 days to go! Ratty jeans will do but we really needed to order more SDHC cards! B&H had a decent sale on Sandisk Extreme III (our standard cards) so we ordered a few 4 GB cards, that (plus the 64 GB we already have) should get us through a 4 day trip. ;)

Ok, I won't bring the ratty jeans (just the North Face convertibles), since we might get to meet Ann! ;)

I've got 38GB of SD cards and another 8GB on order that I hope will get here before the trip (although I picked Amazon's Super Save Super Slow Shipping. Right now they're coming from Arizona all the way to New Jersey via Postal Service and are scheduled to arrive on December 10th. Here's hoping! :rolleyes1

It's not like I think I'll need so much memory, I'd probably be good with less than the 38 I have---just like to have extra in case of a photo emergency!

I know the feeling as we have 13 days left too!

What's weird is doing this at Christmas time....we are scrambling to do all our holiday stuff in the two weekends we have instead of the usual 4...it makes it hard to get too psyched up about the trip or to feel like it is really just about here.

We did all the decorating this weekend...and have all the cards ready to mail...next, need to get my shopping started so I can get it done in the next 12 days. (Except for the Disney shopping, I plan on some purchases at the parks!)

Still hoping to see you there.

SkierPete

CRAP! Christmas cards! I totally forgot about doing Christmas cards before we leave. Uggggggggh. Thanks for the reminder, though.

I totally agree about feeling super crunched as a result of vacationing during the holidays. This is the first year we've attempted to do so and when we booked---I said this could end up wonderful or disasterous. My mind still isn't made up.

I've kinda got that feeling also. I've been planning this trip for the last 18 months what if something goes wrong. Hopefully the last min. jitters will pass soon!!

Stephanie

I think the last minute jitters have passed. I've been so crazy busy at work that I haven't had time to stress during the day and by the time I get home at night---my thoughts are elsewhere. This weekend, I'll be kicking it into overdrive and getting everything done with the exception of packing and last minute buying for the trip (or at least, I hope). I hope your hitters are gone also. I'm sure we're both going to have a blast!! :santa:

[annnewjerz]

First, let me start this post with something that I just have to get off of my chest---the urge to do this has been eating at me all day and I've finally given in.



It's the....


SINGLE DIGIT DANCE, BABY!!!!

:woohoo: :yay: :woohoo: :yay: :woohoo: :yay: :woohoo: :yay: :woohoo:

We're finally into single digits and in only 9 short days, we'll be arriving in (hopefully) sunny Orlando, Florida. In fact, at this time in 9 days I should be strolling through Downtown Disney, maybe polishing off a drink from the margarita stand and preparing to see Cirque du Soleil for our first time ever.

Banana man for that!! :banana:

Now, onto trip news. :rolleyes:

Yesterday, I was able to do online check-in for our first night on cash at Boardwalk Villas. That really sort of made it hit me that in only a little over a week, we'll be in WDW----and for my Mom, for the first time in like 13 years! I can't wait to watch her enjoy it. :santa:

I'm really hoping that we are able to get into our room early. The plan for the day is to arrive at MCO around 9:30 a.m. and head to BWV where we will relax for a few hours and then head to DTD. While I would be more than happy relaxing on the Boardwalk---having a room to maybe take a quick power nap and change in rather than using a bench and a bathroom would be nice. Here's hoping!

Today, I should be able to check in for the second part of our stay at Boardwalk Villas, which we are renting points from a fellow Photography Board DISer for. I haven't tried yet, but I'm hoping it doesn't give me any problems. If it does---meh, who cares.

On my lunch break today, I did manage to accomplish some trip stuff, which was refreshing. I bought our travel sized toiletries. We didn't need as many since we will be checking a bag with our shampoo/conditioner, but I got toothpaste, mouthwash, band-aids, TUMS in case DH hits the nachos at ESPN Club too hard, two bars of soap, some SHOUT wipes and some travel sized Q-tips---can't leave home without em!

I also bought some clothing items for the trip. Yesterday I got the pair of jeans that I ordered online and decided that I needed a few comfy casual shirts to wear with them. I got maybe 3 and then also purchased some Christmas t-shirts for my Mom and I to wear during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Erik has a Nightmare Before Christmas shirt that I had purchased for him a while back, so he can wear that. :santa: AND, in the event that the forecast does a complete 180 and we end up going during 40 degree weather, I bought a cheap HANES hooded sweatshirt as a just in case, so that I didn't feel the need to buy one for $50 at WDW.

I still have a bunch of stuff to buy for the trip, but I think that we're starting to make some progress.

I still need to buy:
- Socks
- Ziplog baggies
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Undershirts for me (I can't help it, I just think men's Hanes undershirts are so comfy!)
- Hair ties in case it's actually warm out
- Bare Minerals foundation
- Mascara
- Dog and cat food
- Cat litter

I still need to do a lot as well:
- Get a haircut
- Get a pedicure
- Get Panda, our Persian cat, groomed
- Go over the list of animal to-do's with the house sitter
- Clean the whole house
- Do laundry
- Fold about 7 loads of laundry that have built up over the past few weeks
- Pack camera gear
- Print confirmations for trip
- Enter trip confirmations into TripIt for my iPHONE
- Check into BWV online for second part of our trip
- Print out schedules from Steve Soares' website

I also have to debate whether I should ship my tripod again (it cost roughly $7 to ship plus $5 to receive at the resort) each way last time. If I don't ship the tripod, I will just wrap it up in a bunch of clothes and put it in my checked bag---but then if we head out to Cirque du Soleil before our bags arrive from the DME, I won't have it for any night shooting at Downtown Disney (although I can't guarantee I'll do any regardless of if I have it or not).

Decisions decisions.

[scoot241]

I also have to debate whether I should ship my tripod again (it cost roughly $7 to ship plus $5 to receive at the resort) each way last time. If I don't ship the tripod, I will just wrap it up in a bunch of clothes and put it in my checked bag---but then if we head out to Cirque du Soleil before our bags arrive from the DME, I won't have it for any night shooting at Downtown Disney (although I can't guarantee I'll do any regardless of if I have it or not).

Decisions decisions.

That's what I did. Our luggage arrived just as we were leaving our room on arrival day. Even though I should have gotten it, I said "I have the Gorillapod" and left without it, using a trash can as a stand for the Gorillapod instead. Not my brightest move.

[annnewjerz]

That's what I did. Our luggage arrived just as we were leaving our room on arrival day. Even though I should have gotten it, I said "I have the Gorillapod" and left without it, using a trash can as a stand for the Gorillapod instead. Not my brightest move.

Here's the thing---I don't even like Downtown Disney. When we went in October, I took pictures of my sandwiches at EOS and that was it. The only thing I can see wanting my tripod for is a shot of the Lochness Monster Lego guy coming out of the water---and I don't even really care if I get a shot of that. So I should probably just leave it. Who knows. My brain hurts.

[scoot241]

My brain hurts.

No time for that, you've got things to do! That cat isn't going to groom itself. ;)

[skier_pete]

No time for that, you've got things to do! That cat isn't going to groom itself. ;)

Really, our cats groom themselves all the time. :goodvibes

I did the single digit dance today too! I am so excited...for me....Hah!...and you too!

[annnewjerz]

Again, for the five of you that may still be reading my PTR, I apologize in advance for not updating more often in the recent weeks---but you all know how important crunch time is!

We leave in exactly five days. At this time in five days, I should be about to depart the Boardwalk Villas (to the surprise of the rest of my group, because they still think we're staying at POP the first night) to head to Downtown Disney for some shopping, some picture taking, some Earl of Sandwich and most importantly some Cirque du Soleil. :yay:

I have accomplished a bunch of things on my "to-do" list that I posted last time, but still am not even close to being ready. This, my friends, is going to come down to the wire.

Now for the actual point of this post, my live blog and Twitter!

As anyone who may have read my October trip report knows, I am going to be live blogging and "Tweeting" around The World during this trip. In October it was a fun way to keep records of what we did during our stay and keep people back home connected and up to date on the fun---so I figured doing it again this trip was only logical.

Without further ado, here are the links for anyone who is interested:

Here is the link to my Twitter (http://twitter.com/annnewjerz).

And here is the link to my live blog (http://anngoestowdw.blogspot.com/).

[skier_pete]

5 days here too! Argh I can't wait! At least you don't have to have the fear of LES (that's Lake Effect Snow) that might affect your trip! I haven't had much to put on my PTR either...it just so busy with trying to get ready for the trip and be prepared for Christmas when we get back and clear my plate at work. I can't wait to be on that plane and releive all this stress!!

I don't tweet or live blog...but hopefully still we will see you around the parks. IF not, see you here when we get back!

[scoot241]

I'm ready for more tweeting! :thumbsup2

[norybell]

Five days! I'm so jealous!

[annnewjerz]

5 days here too! Argh I can't wait! At least you don't have to have the fear of LES (that's Lake Effect Snow) that might affect your trip!

I don't tweet or live blog...but hopefully still we will see you around the parks. IF not, see you here when we get back!

I may not have any fear of LES down here in New Jersey, but I have a fear of AFS (that's Any Freakin Snow ;)). We got an inch or two over the weekend and I'm hoping the weather holds out so we aren't delayed on the 12th. We have Cirque du Soleil to see, after all.

No tweeting or live blogging? No worries. Just make sure you wear the hat from your avatar at all times while in The World and it will make you much more visible to another DISer like me. :thumbsup2

I'm ready for more tweeting! :thumbsup2

:woohoo: I'm going to be a tweeting fool, a fool I tell ya! I have no clue how to post pictures to my Twitter, so I have to do the stinky Live Blog AND Twitter, but that's alright. The Live Blog is actually super dee duper easy.

Five days! I'm so jealous!

Ah, only four days now. ;) You just returned from a trip---so you can't very well be jealous yet! This is my first real trip of the year. My other trip to WDW in October can't possibly count because it was only three days, after all. :santa:

[annnewjerz]

Four more days people, just four more days (almost three actually, since the day is almost over). :santa:

In exciting trip news, I had rented a lens AND purchased a few additional memory cards for this trip. Yesterday in the mail, I got the lens. Today in the mail, I got the memory. Consider me stoked! Finally, some things are starting to take shape.

On the not so exciting trip news front, I have a stye on my eye. People tell me it's not noticable, but I feel like a monster. Okay that's an exaggeration, it's actually pretty small and it's starting to go away---but if it isn't totally gone by Saturday, someone is going to have to face the wrath of Ann and that's not purdy at all. :rotfl2:


Tonight, I have to run down to a shopping center just south of my house to return some stuff that I bought on Black Friday. I also have to stop by the craft store to see if they carry a special Mickey-head shaped paper punch. I can't say what I want it for juuuuuuust yet, but if all works out I'll have pictures to post when I return. :thumbsup2

[scoot241]

:woohoo: I'm going to be a tweeting fool, a fool I tell ya! I have no clue how to post pictures to my Twitter, so I have to do the stinky Live Blog AND Twitter, but that's alright. The Live Blog is actually super dee duper easy.

What app do you use to post your tweets? What phone, too?

Many apps have a button to add the picture to the tweet and it uploads it to twitpic or somewhere similar and automatically inserts the link into the tweet.

[annnewjerz]

What app do you use to post your tweets? What phone, too?

Many apps have a button to add the picture to the tweet and it uploads it to twitpic or somewhere similar and automatically inserts the link into the tweet.

I have Tweetie and Twitterific---using the iPHONE.

[scoot241]

I have Tweetie and Twitterific---using the iPHONE.

I know Twitteriffic has a button. Let me pull it up...

Ok, so when you press the speech bubble icon 2nd from the left on the bottom of the screen, the "Posting New Tweet" screen comes up. On the top in the middle there's a camera icon; press it and it asks if you want to "Create Media with Camera" or "Select Media from Library". If you choose the first it pulls up the camera; the second pulls up your photo library. Once you take or select a picture it will upload to yfrog by default (you can set different sites like twitpic in the Advanced settings) and insert a link into your tweet.

I don't have Tweetie, but I'd imagine it's something similar.

[annnewjerz]

I know Twitteriffic has a button. Let me pull it up...

Ok, so when you press the speech bubble icon 2nd from the left on the bottom of the screen, the "Posting New Tweet" screen comes up. On the top in the middle there's a camera icon; press it and it asks if you want to "Create Media with Camera" or "Select Media from Library". If you choose the first it pulls up the camera; the second pulls up your photo library. Once you take or select a picture it will upload to yfrog by default (you can set different sites like twitpic in the Advanced settings) and insert a link into your tweet.

I don't have Tweetie, but I'd imagine it's something similar.

Thanks, Scott! That was super simple and now I don't have to worry as much about having to blog and Tweet every single thing I want to post.

[annnewjerz]

So, Scott---now you can see why I had to take my cat to get groomed the other day. Cats may be able to groom themselves regularly, but if she was ever able to shave herself and stick a bow in her hair---I'd be shocked. :rotfl:

http://www.andrealusasphotography.com/For-Fun/Furry-Friends/My-Pets/Panda-2/735903199_HjgBi-L.jpg

[scoot241]

So, Scott---now you can see why I had to take my cat to get groomed the other day. Cats may be able to groom themselves regularly, but if she was ever able to shave herself and stick a bow in her hair---I'd be shocked. :rotfl:

http://www.andrealusasphotography.com/For-Fun/Furry-Friends/My-Pets/Panda-2/735903199_HjgBi-L.jpg

:rotfl: Your cat doesn't look too happy...

[exwdwcm]

ah, your kittie looks so cute. i bathed our doggies tonight too before their kennel stay.

yeah on getting your lens and memory cards! i can't wait to see all the awesome photos you will take!

so only a few more days- what's left to do? :santa::thumbsup2:wizard:

[annnewjerz]

Hi everyone!! Quick update from my phone.

1. The stye is gone. :)
2. We almost had to cancel our trip today, but we didn't. Still may have to come home early for a funeral but we'll see.
3. I am so busy, I still haven't packed. Doing laundry and cleaning for the housesitter right now. Going nuts.
4. We go to Disney tomorrow!!!! Even if we only get one day there it's better than zero.
5. Don't forget to check out my blog and Twitter to see what were up to!

Talk to you all in a week and for those of you going on trips as well---ENJOY!!

Ann

[annnewjerz]

Hi everyone! :wave2:

We're back from our trip and have been for longer than we expected, but you will have to hop over to my TR to read more about that. :santa:

Hope to see you over there---here (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34709066#post34709066) is the link!

Ann