POP Goes the DVC Couple! Single Digit Dance! Less than a week.

[dallastxcpa]

So this is my first attempt at writing a trip report here on the DIS.

First I will give you a little back story. In July 2003 I married my Prince at WDW. This was a second marriage for both of us:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Wedding.jpg?t=1240457002

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/WeddingCastle.jpg?t=1244086987

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/WeddingCastle2.jpg?t=1244087030

We were very fortunate that just a year and a half later we were able to visit WDW at Christmas:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/LD006112-21-04.jpg?t=1244087137


http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/LD011712-21-04.jpg?t=1244087194

So we were Me, DH, DD 28 + Significant Other, DS 27, DD 12

My baby:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/LD011012-21-04.jpg?t=1244087253

In between getting married and last year Dave and I have been fortunate to take a few couples trips. Unfortunately the last one was in January 2007 aboard the Disney Wonder.

[dallastxcpa]

So fast forward to July 2008. We booked the amazing GV at Old Key West and invited family to join. Well we had those that were invited and then some others that kind of invited themselves.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/image103.jpg?t=1244087375

Oh another fact. Since our last family trip we added another member to our immediate family. My Neice has come to live with us. She is truly a blessing and life wouldn't be the same with out her.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/image222.jpg?t=1244087441

Sometimes they act too much like sisters!:rotfl2:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/image231.jpg?t=1244087474

Me and my DH:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/image064.jpg?t=1244087561

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/image235.jpg?t=1244087616

My DM and DS who were on the trip:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/image386.jpg?t=1244087661

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/image071.jpg?t=1244088328

Now don't get me wrong we had a great time, but there was a lot of drama with those Who Shall Not Be Named. In fact sometimes I think some members of my family could put Jerry Springer guests to shame. :scared1:

Some of the fun:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/OKW_0031.jpg?t=1244088433

[dallastxcpa]

OKAY, OKAY I know I am on the third post and there is no mention of any pending vacation!


So here it is:

FIRST TRIP: Beach Disney Hilton Head Island Resort June 7 - 12

Me, DH, Coco 14, Sky 12, Lil Man 12, and GMa.

I am also trying to recruit this little cutie:

http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/th_OKW_0051.jpg

Her Mom is my Lil Sis who is in nursing school. Mom has some hesitations though as Dakota will only be 18 months and that would be a long week without her. However, Sis is in school 4 days a week during the summer and will have to find someone else to watch the baby due to the fact that I am taking her babysitter (aka Gma).

The kids had a couple of snow days and don't get out of school until Friday June 5th. They usually let them out at noon so I will bring them home and have them finish packing. We will go to bed early and get up and leave sometime around 3 or 4 AM on Saturday morning.

My plan is to drive at least 12 to 14 hours in order to get us within 4 hours of Hilton Head. We were going to rent a minivan so we could all travel in one car however the prices just seem to be unreasonable so I will keep checking and if nothing comes through we will take two cars.

I have no real plans yet other than laying at the pool or beach and reading a few good books. I would like to eat out a couple of times that week. That is the joy of the wonderful two bedrooms you have a full kitchen so you can grab a quick sandwich or make a pot of spaghetti.

I will rent everyone a bike but I want one of these:

http://s715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/th_ThreeWheeler2.jpg

I just think it looks like a lot of fun and the basket looks nice for transporting beach items.

I will post more tomorrow including information on the Couples trip. Can you guess which resort we are staying at?

[Cinderelly5507]

Those are gorgeous pictures! You had my dream wedding! :goodvibes I can't wait to see your plans for September!

[dallastxcpa]

I am a bad Dis’er I have completely abandoned my trip report, but with good reason.

First, one of our kids was married two weekends ago:

Bride and groom
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Wedding%20Pics/IMG_5919.jpg?

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Wedding%20Pics/IMG_5919.jpg?



DH and DD
http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Wedding%20Pics/_MG_6672.jpg?



A fun wedding picture

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Wedding%20Pics/_MG_6845.jpg?



One of my favorite Country and Western singers

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Wedding%20Pics/_MG_6702.jpg?

Okay so my second excuse is that my DH is a photographer and my job is photographers assistant, second camera, and marketing. So I have been in the process of learning all about Facebook, Twitter, and the world of blogging.

So since my Hilton Head trip is now less than two weeks away the next post will be an update of our plans for Hilton Head.

[dallastxcpa]

Cast of Characters:

Me – CPA who really needs a nice relaxing beach vacation
DH – my significant other – Dave – or as we like to call him Super Dave. He truly is a hero to me and I don’t know what I would do with out him.
DM – my mother also known as Gma
DD - Coco – 14 – actually my niece but she has lived with us for two years
DD – Sky – 12 – has gone through the Scene stage and we survived
DN – Jacob – 12 – a young man who loves fishing.
When we went to the wedding we had some time the next day Jacob went fishing and caught a rather large catfish. He was so disappointed when his Gma and I both said he had to put it back in the creek. :fish:

My youngest niece will not be accompanying us as her Mom worked out the child care issue while she goes to class.

The rates on minivans never came down so we will be taking two vehicles. The first is a Ford F150 extended cab and the second is my Honda Element. I love my car because the back seats recline completely and the kids tend to sleep and sleep and watch movies and sleep.

Total miles this trip 1035 – estimated total drive time – 16 hours 39 minutes

I will attempt to get all my work done by Thursday so that I can take Friday off and spend the morning packing the truck up while the kids finish their last day of school. They get out at noon and we will pick them up from school and be on our way. We should be on the road by 1:00. We will drive from Lewisville Texas (a suburb of Dallas) to Jackson Mississippi. I am planning on booking a suite at the Homewood Suites. Estimated drive time 6 hours 42 minutes.

The plan is to get up and enjoy the continental breakfast at the hotel and then be on the road Saturday morning by 8 A.M. Next stop Savannah Georgia. We are planning on staying at the Holiday Inn – Historic District. Estimated drive time 9 hours 35 minutes. This should put us into Savannah in time to have a nice dinner. Any suggestions on dining are greatly appreciated.

Some extra items we plan on taking with us. Beach umbrella and chairs, sand buckets, spices for cooking, and fishing poles.

I have told everyone to pack light and this shouldn’t be a problem as we are going to the beach and only really plan on one evening out. Also, we will have a washer and dryer in our unit so we can do laundry at some point.

It looks like I will be reading my books on Facebook and Twitter during the trip but if anyone has any suggestions on good fiction books please let me know.

Next up the September couples trip.

[dallastxcpa]

So on to the couples trip:

Dates: September 22 through September 28

Cast:
Me – I was born less than two weeks before the opening of WDW
DH – a tad bit older than me but a true kid at heart

We are DVC members, but we used a boat load of points last year for the big family vacation when we stayed in the GV at OKW. That left just enough points for the Hilton Head vacation. So this trip was booked using airline points and cash. We will be staying at the POP Century hotel and enjoying the free dining.

We are traveling US Airways out of Dallas Fort Worth Airport. We will be leaving at 10:15 A.M. have a layover in Charlotte North Carolina and will arrive in Orlando at 4:07 P.M.

The plans are as follows:

Tuesday September 22:

We will be taking the Magical express to POP Century. I have requested a King room non-handicapped, top floor, lake view. In other words I would like a quieter room.

With the package we had to buy one day tickets. We will use these to upgrade to the DVC AP and also purchase the Tables In Wonderland card

We will head to DTD for dinner using QS credits at either Earl of Sandwich or Wolf Gang Puck Express. Depending on the park hours we may go to the EMH park and ride a few rides.

Wednesday September 23:

DH birthday. Plans DH gets to pick today since it is his birthday. We plan on going to AK. We are not rollercoaster enthusiasts so our goals our Kilamanjaro Safari, Festival of the Lion King, Nemo, the bird show, and generally just walking around and taking in all the details that we normally miss in this park. Lunch is planned for Flame Tree Barbeque and Dinner will be Boma at the AKL. I have heard about the way they put the Gorillas up each night and would like to be there at park closing to observe this. I had planned on doing this last summer, but there was a torrential down pour the night we were going to go so we just went to AKL and had Zebra Domes at the Mara and explored the lobby. Depending on what time the park closes we will either have an early dinner at Boma or a very late dinner (this would be our preference).

Thursday September 24:

My birthday. Plans: I would like to make rope drop at DHS in order to get a FP for TSM and then ride it once. We would then grab a quick bite at Starring Rolls and grab a bus to Fort Wilderness. I want to do the Segway tour this morning. We have done the Epcot tour twice and I would like to try the FW one now. Not sure about lunch as it will be a QS. Back to DHS. Things on our to do list are: TSM, Lights, Motors, Action, the Magic of Animation, Walt One Man’s Dream, Muppet Vision, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. I am going to try and book 50’s Prime Time for dinner.

Friday September 25:
Plans: Epcot for rope drop. To do list: Food and Wine Festival, Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, world showcase entertainment, Oh Canada, the France movie, the Grand Fiesta tour, Off Kilter. Basically we want to take in all the small details we have missed in the past. My DH doesn’t drink at all and I only have an occasional drink so this is more of the Food Festival for us. We will have a QS lunch in the World Showcase. Suggestions are greatly appreciated. Dinner is planned as either Ohana’s or Crystal Palace depending on the dining hours. In the evening we plan on attending MNSSHP. We will be dressing up as Alice and the Mad Hatter.

Next installment the plans for the last three days.

[Laurabearz]

The plan is to get up and enjoy the continental breakfast at the hotel and then be on the road Saturday morning by 8 A.M. Next stop Savannah Georgia. We are planning on staying at the Holiday Inn – Historic District. Estimated drive time 9 hours 35 minutes. This should put us into Savannah in time to have a nice dinner. Any suggestions on dining are greatly appreciated.

Savannah is a LOVELY city. I highly suggest just walking over to either the city market and grab some pizza while people watching, or head over to river street and pick a place that strikes your fancy.

I am not sure exactly where your hotel is, but If your within a few blocks of the above areas, it's so nice to just walk around and enjoy the feeling of the city.

The City Market is a wonderful place to explore with a huge homemade candy store, carriage rides, and friendly locals.

We are driving to Hilton Head too!! But Via a few days in Atlanta. (14 hours to Atlanta and then 6 hours to Hilton Head)

I am bummed we are missing each other by just a few days.

[Laurabearz]

Oh and I have to add... your daughter is a true blushing bride!! Thanks for sharing!!

[dallastxcpa]

Oh and I have to add... your daughter is a true blushing bride!! Thanks for sharing!!

Thank you so much! The wedding was so much fun and so many family members contributed to make it a very beautiful day.

[dallastxcpa]

Okay so I am one day away from packing up and hitting the road.

So we are planning on leaving the Dallas area Friday at noon as soon as the kids get out of school.

We will be stopping in Jackson Mississippi and staying overnight at the Staybridge Suites. We have never stayed at this hotel chain before so I am a little anxious.

We have decided to check in to the DVC HHI resort a night early. I got a DVC member rate of $342 a night for the two bedroom villa.

Today I reserved on of these:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/ThreeWheeler.jpg?t=1244088715

I really loved the comfy looking seat and the basket between the wheels.

If you are going to Hilton Head you can rent one here: http://www.patriotbikerentals.com/

[dallastxcpa]

I have to get up bright and early this Wednesday to book my ADRS:

Here is a brief overview. POP September 22 - 28. I have booked more ADR's than I have credits because my DH and I are planning on getting AP's and the TIW card which we will use next July also.

Tuesday 9/22
Dinner: Ohana 7 PM - our flight gets in at 4. Alternate is to do CS at Wolf Gang Puck Express in DTD.

Wednesday 9/23 - DH Birthday
Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ
Dinner: Boma 7PM - Alternate Jiko

Thursday 9/24 - My Birthday
Breakfast: Crystal Palace 7:30AM or before park opening EMH
Lunch: Cosmic Rays
Dinner: California Grill 8 PM Alternate Narcoosee's

Friday 9/25
Lunch: CS at either DHS or Epcot
Dinner: Artist Point 5 PM Alternates Narcoosees or Cali Grill
We are planning on going to MNSSHP this evening

Saturday 9/26
Breakfast: Cape May 10 AM Alternate Princess Story Book
Lunch: CS at Epcot
Dinner: Yachtsman Steakhouse 7 PM

Sunday 9/27
Lunch: Undecided this will depend on what I am able to book early in the stay.
Dinner: Coral Reef 6 PM Alternate Biergarten

Monday 9/28
Lunch: 50's Prime Time Cafe 11 AM
Dinner: Sandwiches to go from Earl of Sandwich
Flight leaves at 8:45 PM

Okay please let me know what you think. My goal was to try and eat at as many new restaurants as possible. We do have a few reapeats Cali Grill and Yachtsmen.

Thanks - Lorrie

[dallastxcpa]

I book my ADR's in less than 24 hours. :cool1: Any suggestions for meals? Would anyone make any changes to my plans? :)

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Hi, just found your PTR. I believe your trip to Hilton Head is over, how did it go? I'm sure it was beautiful there! You had such a beautiful wedding, it is in fact my dream wedding! You look absolutely gorgeous!! Oh and your daughter look beautiful as well, she looks so happy in that first pictures, it's wonderful!! Ok onto ADRs...I love Cali Grill, it has such a wonderful view of the castle and I loved the food, it was amazing. Are you staying to see Wishes from there? It is absolutely beautiful, one of my favorite meals. I enjoyed Artists Point as well, good choice. I've never been to Narcoosee's so I can't help you with that one, sorry. Haven't been to Coral Reef in quite a few years, but I remember the atmosphere to be really great. Have you thought about any places in World Showcase besides Biergarten? A lot of the restaurants are really nice. I like LeCellier and the Japan restaurant where they cook in front of you (sorry I can't remember the name), pretty much any of the restaurants in WS are good! I hope you get the ADRs you want!!

[dallastxcpa]

Hi, just found your PTR. I believe your trip to Hilton Head is over, how did it go? I'm sure it was beautiful there! You had such a beautiful wedding, it is in fact my dream wedding! You look absolutely gorgeous!! Oh and your daughter look beautiful as well, she looks so happy in that first pictures, it's wonderful!! Ok onto ADRs...I love Cali Grill, it has such a wonderful view of the castle and I loved the food, it was amazing. Are you staying to see Wishes from there? It is absolutely beautiful, one of my favorite meals. I enjoyed Artists Point as well, good choice. I've never been to Narcoosee's so I can't help you with that one, sorry. Haven't been to Coral Reef in quite a few years, but I remember the atmosphere to be really great. Have you thought about any places in World Showcase besides Biergarten? A lot of the restaurants are really nice. I like LeCellier and the Japan restaurant where they cook in front of you (sorry I can't remember the name), pretty much any of the restaurants in WS are good! I hope you get the ADRs you want!!

Hilton Head was wonderful. I am working on my trip report, but I took over 500 pictures so it will take a while to get started.

Thank you so much. Our wedding was a dream and I am so glad we decided on Disney. The funny thing is we didn't spend anymore money than we would have if we had stayed in our area to get married.

I am about to post the actual ADR's that we got. Tepan Edo was one of my alternatives.

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Ooo I'm excited to see the pictures from Hilton Head. I've never been but my family has been talking about going down there next summer if we don't do a disney cruise! I bet it's beautiful! I'm excited to see what ADRs you got as well!!

[dallastxcpa]

The online system did not work for me this morning. I did not call the dining reservation line until 2:30 PM CST. Here is what we wound up getting.




Tuesday 9/22
Dinner: Ohana 9:40 PM This is really late to be eating dinner and I may cancel this one.

Wednesday 9/23 - DH Birthday
Dinner: Boma 7:35PM

Thursday 9/24 - My Birthday
Breakfast: Could not get a good time for Crystal Palace. I will keep trying.
Dinner: California Grill 9:15 PM

Friday 9/25
Dinner: Artist Point 5:30 PM
We are planning on going to MNSSHP this evening

Saturday 9/26
Breakfast: Cape May 9:05 AM
Dinner: Yachtsman Steakhouse 7 PM

Sunday 9/27
Lunch: Biergarten 1PM
Dinner: Coral Reef 7:45 PM

Monday 9/28
Lunch: 50's Prime Time Cafe 11 AM

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Wow looks like you got pretty much what you wanted! Lucky you. Ohana is kinda late but hey it's up to you! And the Cali Grill one you'll be able to see Wishes from there (I'm assuming Wishes is at 10 it usually is), I loved seeing them from the Contemporary! Glad you got all of your ADRs!!!!

[dallastxcpa]

Wow looks like you got pretty much what you wanted! Lucky you. Ohana is kinda late but hey it's up to you! And the Cali Grill one you'll be able to see Wishes from there (I'm assuming Wishes is at 10 it usually is), I loved seeing them from the Contemporary! Glad you got all of your ADRs!!!!


Yes. I was very suprised that I got so close on the times on so many. However, I am going to keep trying for either a Crystal Palace breakfast before park opening or a better time for O'hana. We eat at O'hana almost every trip so if we can't get it no biggie. :cool1:

[Laurabearz]

Well Now I am hungry!!!

Try popping on line every once in a while. I was just able to book Le Cellier in Canada for lunch for August. Just keep plugging in days and times.

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Yep same thing happened to me too, so keep checking!!

[dallastxcpa]

I have been casually checking the only problem is the system will still not pull up my reservation so right now I can only check for 9/22 and 9/23. Oh well I still have 88 days left. :thumbsup2

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Hmm, I didn't put in my reservation when I looked them up. I just put the dates in, don't know if this is different but I got a reservation number when I booked the ADR, hope I didn't do anything wrong!

[dallastxcpa]

Hmm, I didn't put in my reservation when I looked them up. I just put the dates in, don't know if this is different but I got a reservation number when I booked the ADR, hope I didn't do anything wrong!

Well, The problem I am having is that I can't pull up my room reservation so I am not able to book using the 90+10 feature. So right now I am only able to look up the first three days of my trip and nothing is available. But as the week goes on I will be able to check all the days.

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Well, The problem I am having is that I can't pull up my room reservation so I am not able to book using the 90+10 feature. So right now I am only able to look up the first three days of my trip and nothing is available. But as the week goes on I will be able to check all the days.



Ahh I see. Yeah when the online ones came out it was already far past my 90 day mark so it wasn't a problem now. I see where you're problem is. Phewww at least I didn't do something wrong!!

[MEK]

Hi there!!!!

I think you stopped by my TR tonight and now I have stumbled upon yours. My DH and I are also DVC'rs who are doing POP for free dining. Are dates are 9/20 -24. Only four nights, but it still should be a fun time. Looking forward to reading more and seeing the HH pics!

[podsnel]

Yours is the second PTR I've seen tonight where you'll be dining at the same restaurant as us in Sept...exactly 23 hours before!!:upsidedow We're having dinner at the Yachtsman on Sunday the 27th (actually hitting VB for the weekend first before WDW).:banana:

Well, hope we see you eating & drinking around F&W!!!:woohoo:

[dallastxcpa]

Yours is the second PTR I've seen tonight where you'll be dining at the same restaurant as us in Sept...exactly 23 hours before!!:upsidedow We're having dinner at the Yachtsman on Sunday the 27th (actually hitting VB for the weekend first before WDW).:banana:

Well, hope we see you eating & drinking around F&W!!!:woohoo:

Ohh! How exciting. I have read your trip reports in the past and really hope we run into each other.

On a side note I did change a few of my reservations and will be posting that shortly. pirate:

[dallastxcpa]

So I started thinking and decide that DH and I are not really breakfast people and there was no way I wanted to eat at O'Hanas at 10PM.



Tuesday 9/22
Dinner: Ohana 9:40 PM Cancelled this one and we are thinking of doing MNSSHP this evening. If so we will just grab CS somewhwere. Maybe Wolf Gang Puck at DTD or Cosmic Rays.

Wednesday 9/23 - DH Birthday
Dinner: Boma 7:35PM Changed this to Jiko. I didn't think it was right for me to eat at California Grille on my Birthday and make DH eat at a buffet for his.

Thursday 9/24 - My Birthday
Dinner: California Grill 9:15 PM I am still trying for something in the 8 o'clock hour.

Friday 9/25
Dinner: Artist Point 5:30 PM May make this one later if we decide to do MNSSHP on the 22nd.

Saturday 9/26
Breakfast: Cape May 9:05 AM Cancelled this one and we are eating at Tepan Edo.
Dinner: Yachtsman Steakhouse 7 PM



My only other teter totter I am riding is about Narcosees. I so want to go here, but I would have to give something up. Do I give up Cali Grill or Artist Point. I have eaten at both Cali and Narcosees before and the goal was to try new things.

:confused:

[dallastxcpa]

Hi there!!!!

I think you stopped by my TR tonight and now I have stumbled upon yours. My DH and I are also DVC'rs who are doing POP for free dining. Are dates are 9/20 -24. Only four nights, but it still should be a fun time. Looking forward to reading more and seeing the HH pics!

Oh hopefully we will run into each other. I have not started my HH trip report yet as I am waiting to get some pictures from my Mom and DH.

We bought at SSR. At the time they had SSR and a few points left at the Boardwalk fromt the rooms that were being converted from the models. I have a very fond place in my heart for the boardwalk and sometimes think we should have bought there, but I have no doubt that we will eventually add on.

In fact DH and I were discussing it the other day and I said "well, in a few years all the kids will be out of the house so we won't need the 2 bedroom any more and will be able to stretch our points further." He proceeded to tell me that once the kids were gone we were going to need MORE points. :scared1: i think he may be planning on living at WDW.

[dallastxcpa]

A helpful hint for online ADRs:

As I posted earlier the first day my ADRs were available I couldn't retrieve my reservation from the online system. :mad: Someone else on the DIS boards posted to use any number you have had. Well, it didn't dawn on me until about a week ago and I tried our home number from 4 years ago. My reservation pulled up with the old number.

So if your reservation doesn't pull up for some reason be sure and try ANY number you have had. Work numbers, cell phone, house, etc. :cool2:

[stacikristine]

Hey! I've subbed :thumbsup2 I can't wait to hear about your HH trip!!! My DH and I were looking at all of the DVC info...all of those places are just so gorgeous! :goodvibes

[oregonmommyof2]

Hi. Just happened upon your PTR... We will be at Pop September 15th to the 28th... If you do decide to do MNSSHP on the 22nd, we will be there too...

We are down to 46 days until vacation... :banana:

[dallastxcpa]

Many years ago when I worked for an international accounting firm I had the great opportunity to work with a few ladies from Canada.

I am a southern girl and we have a very unique language and dialect. I have no problem with people ribbing me about my use of Ya'll, fixin' to, and other Texas slang. So I LOVE Canadians because they are a kindred spirit. They have such unique sayings, Eeehh, About (sounds like abut to me), and my favorite bum.

So fast forward a few years and a dear friend of my DH and I decided to start a Candian American Chamber of Commerce here in the Dallas area. So on Canada Day he hosted a mixer for local business and professionals and my DH and I attended. Part of the festivities was a silent auction. I waited a while to give others an opportunity to bid and then placed my bid for two Cirque tickets in Cypress Texas (near Houston). :)

Here is the website for the Canadian American Chamber if you are interested:
http://dfwcanadianchamber.com/

And here is his facebook page address:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=37962694538&ref=search

I have never been to Cirque so I thought this would be a great opportunity to sample it and decide whether it was worth the money to take the family on our next big vacation.

Well time ticked on and......

I WON the auction.

I have never met a Canadian I didn't like and Joe Scott the founder of the Chamber summed it up perfectly. Canadians and Texans are similiar and that is why I think we get along so well and have such great relations.. including those that involve commerce.

[dallastxcpa]

So on Wednesday July 15th I left work early and my DD and I took off for Houston. Now if you aren't from Texas let me tell you that it is a long drive from Dallas to Houston almost 5 hours.

We made it though, picked up our tickets, got some nachos and drinks and sat in our seats right as the show started.

Here is my favorite character the jester:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Cirque5.jpg?t=1249349584

He did some interaction with the audience and at one point pulled this really big guy out of the audience. The interaction was great and the audience guy really got into it until the jester got scared and jumped up in his arms. You should have seen the look on the guys face.

These guys were neat too. They were called dreamers, but they looked like monkeys to me.

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Cirque3.jpg?t=1249349763

The cast:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Cirque4.jpg?t=1249349806

The above pictures came from the Cirque website. They are very serious about not using cameras in the auditorium.

And here are two of my daughter:

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/Cirque2.jpg?t=1249349897

http://i715.photobucket.com/albums/ww157/lorriegalliher/cirque1.jpg?t=1249349931

The show was phenomenal. The music was like rock opera. I was really afraid that my DD who had just turned 13 would not be into it. She sat on the edge of her seat the whole time and absolutely loved it.

The drive was hard on the 30+ Mom but so worth it as it gave me over 5 hours uninterrupted of time spent talking with my DD. (She apologized for not keeping me company on the way back and then slept till we got home)

Verdict: Cirque is worth the money even with the freaky clowns. The ones in Simbaltico were wearing lamps from their heads.

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

I'm so glad you liked Cirque. I've seen LaNouba in Disney and it was amazing. There really are no words to describe it. What a nice mother daughter trip too!

[stacikristine]

I'm so glad you and your DD loved Cirque! I've seen one of the shows once, and just LOVED it! :goodvibes

[dallastxcpa]

I'm so glad you liked Cirque. I've seen LaNouba in Disney and it was amazing. There really are no words to describe it. What a nice mother daughter trip too!

I am really looking forward to La Nouba next summer now. I will have to start working on my budget within the next month. We will be booking DVC next summer so I have to wait until the end of August.

[dallastxcpa]

I'm so glad you and your DD loved Cirque! I've seen one of the shows once, and just LOVED it! :goodvibes

I have heard a few mediocre reviews and was worried, but after Simbaltico i am ready for more. :)

[dallastxcpa]

Yeah! :cool1::banana::cool1::banana: I paid off my trip this weekend. Now all I need to do is buy MNSSHP tickets and put money on a Disney gift card to cover the annual passes.

Has anyone done that before. Used gift cards or prepaid visa/amex to pay for annual passes or other ticket media?

I have three amex gift cards coming for :banana:$75.

[DisneyFaeriePrincess]

Congrats on paying off your trip!!

[dallastxcpa]

My DH and I went to dinner on Friday night. During the evening we began discussing our plans for September. I told him that our trip was paid for but we may only be able to go to the parks for 2 days. He then proceeded to ask me if we had a room with the kitchenette.

I told him that no we are staying at the POP and they don't have microwaves or refrigerators. He then said well if we had a kitchenette we could save money on food. I then told him that the food was free on this trip and explained the one CS, one TS, and one snack a day.

DH never plans the trips. I can only imagine what it would be like if he had to plan it. :lmao:

[stacikristine]

That is hilarious! Yes--you'd be in big trouble if he planned it. I would be in trouble if my DH planned it too. Just the other day he was talking about rides and he said something about waiting in line for 30 minutes in the FP lines...and I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Well...he's never used FPs and let's just say he was a little confused about how it all works :confused3 Good thing they have us! :thumbsup2

[dallastxcpa]

Yeah! Only 29 more days! :cool1::yay::banana::cool1::yay::banana:

[dallastxcpa]

Yahoo. I am doing the single digit dance. Less than one week to go.

:cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool 1::banana::banana::cool1::banana:

[MEK]

Yahoo. I am doing the single digit dance. Less than one week to go.

:cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool1::banana::cool 1::banana::banana::cool1::banana:

I see I subbed to your PTR back in June. Looks line your plans are all finalized and you are ready to go!!!!!! Yeah for less than a week!:thumbsup2

[KELLY]

I read your ptr. But wanted to tell you to have a nice trip.

[racefanof88]

I am so glad you found my report, that way I was able to find yours :thumbsup2:thumbsup2. Your wedding pictures are beautiful. I want to have a vow renewal at Disney. Dale says he didn't know our vows expired :confused3. MEN :lmao:.

I know you are packed now. Right? Maybe we will run into each other at Pop. That would be fun :thumbsup2.

[podsnel]

Soooo...how were your trips? Missed seeing you around WS! Too busy hiding from the rain that day, I think!