Now Approaching... Sleepingbooty's Sept. PTR (We're BAAACK! 9/26)

[Sleepingbooty]

Now Approaching… Sleepingbooty’s September PTR

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. (You're here!)
Chapter 2. The Details (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34832391&postcount=8)
Chapter 3. Resorts: Will We Ever Agree? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34847310&postcount=16)
Chapter 4. Shameless Wilderness Lodge Sales Pitch (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34868696&postcount=24)
Chapter 5. A Little Background Fluff (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34902399&postcount=35)
Chapter 6. "And this here's the TV..." (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34970589&postcount=70)
Chapter 7. And the Award for Best Picture Goes to... (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35057393&postcount=88)
Yikes! Help! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35147858&postcount=115)
I'm Back, Baby! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35202942&postcount=138)
Chapter 8. A Side Trip to Outer Space (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35214083&postcount=147)
Chapter 9. Cuz I'm the Decider! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35290431&postcount=161)
Chapter 10. More Background Fluff (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35346832&postcount=189)
Is Wilderness Lodge Sold Out in September? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35395246&postcount=214)
Chapter 11. It's Official! We're Booked Baby! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35408780&postcount=223)
Chapter 12. What Kind of Disney Diner Are You? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35499109&postcount=247)
Chapter 13. Taking the Planning to Another Level (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35572257&postcount=278)
Chapter 14. Disney Dining Utopia vs. Disney Dining Reality (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35670059&postcount=308)
Chapter 15. Disney Dining PowerPoint (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35745178&postcount=337)
Chapter 16. The Results Are In! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35824470&postcount=367)
Chapter 17. Sorting Out the Mess (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35895518&postcount=423)
Chapter 18. A Little Twist (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35926605&postcount=457)
Chapter 19. Back In Action (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36084013&postcount=486)
Chapter 20. Real Life (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36135541&postcount=503)
Chapter 21. A New Toy (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36213775&postcount=520)
Chapter 22. Everyone in Your Seats, It's Time for Class (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36240370&postcount=528)
Picture of the Day 4/14 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36260991&postcount=543)
Picture of the Day 4/15 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36274197&postcount=551)
Chapter 23. Should I? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36375504&postcount=576)
Chapter 24. Fortune Cookies (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36461311&postcount=610)
Chapter 25. 1000th Post Party (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36516126&postcount=636)
Chapter 26. I Need Your Help! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36703758&postcount=682)
Chapter 27. Really? 1's, 2's, and 3's?? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36747849&postcount=699)
Chapter 28. A Spooky Twist (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36798279&postcount=719)
Chapter 29. Vintage Goodies (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36853136&postcount=747)
Chapter 30. In the Meantime (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36929705&postcount=769)
Chapter 31. Cocina Espanola, Ole! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36966083&postcount=787)
Chapter 32. School's. Out. for. Summer! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36998076&postcount=807)
Chapter 33. I Heart Amazon (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37025257&postcount=828)
Chapter 34. Eat My Bubbles! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37197761&postcount=857)
Chapter 35. Shhh...Its a Surpise! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37232008&postcount=888)
Quick Update - I'm back - 7/12 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37353044&postcount=903)
First Day of School (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37396934&postcount=912)
Chapter 36. A Mini TR - Lake Trip pt1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37467919&postcount=940)
Chapter 37. Transportation Fascination (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37497572&postcount=968)
Chapter 38. Shoes & Bags! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37591036&postcount=999)
Chapter 39. A Mini Lake Trip TR, part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37673423&postcount=1033)
Chapter 40. 25 Day To Do List (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37949170&postcount=1059)
Chapter 41. Intravenous Tie Dye (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38067579&postcount=1081)
Chapter 42. In Two Weeks I'll be....(Day 1) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38086713&postcount=1095)
Chapter 43. In Two Weeks I'll be....(Day 2) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38093129&postcount=1101)
Chapter 44. In Two Weeks I'll be....(Day 3) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38116164&postcount=1107)
Chapter 45. In Two Weeks I'll be.... (Day 4) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38129480&postcount=1114)
Chapter 46. 6 More Sleeps! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38176784&postcount=1121)
Chapter 47. Leaving Today! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38257393&postcount=1128)
We're BAAAACK! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=38370469&posted=1#post38370469)

Chapter 1. New Toilets – Could you ASK for a better Xmas gift?

Hey Everybody, and welcome to my Pre-trip report. Let me introduce myself:
I am Sleepingbooty: 35 year old mom, wife, trip planner and WDW fanatic. In the non-Dis world I go by Rebecca, Becca, Becky, etc.

Okay, here's me, you won’t see many other pics, as I’m usually the photographer. Oh, and I'm not blond now, and my hair's much longer, but that will probably all change again:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/beckywallet.jpg

Hmm… now you’re wondering how I came by the screen name Sleepingbooty. No, the name doesn’t actually refer to my tired derriere. I first started my Disney obsession back in 2005 when I was planning our first family trip to WDW. I joined another Disney message board and had to think of a name. My youngest daughter was about 18 months old at the time, and her favorite princess was Sleeping Beauty, or as she pronounced it, “Sweeping Booty.” Which I naturally thought was adorable and quickly appropriated for my screen name. I don’t know if they ever ‘got it’ over there, they are quite a proper bunch and I think they were a bit scandalized. I think I have found a group of ….. more accepting (read: juvenile, potty-humor loving, and all around fun)…. People over here on the Dis. No one ever questioned my name here.

Joining me on this trip are my husband, Scott. He has learned to love WDW, of course not to my level of obsession, but he humors me:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Scottwallet.jpg

My daughters Jenna (9) and Lucy (6). Jenna is my sweet, sensitive soul, and Lucy is a fiesty, spirited little bundle of energy:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/wdw09041.jpg

My parents, henceforth to be known as Nana and Papa. Papa is the reason for this Chapter's title. He is on my list right now.:sad2: He bought my mother 3 new toilets for Christmas. Yes, toilets. No, she didn't ask for them. No, they didn't need them - the house is only 5 years old. Oh, but these are special TALL toilets, you see, who wouldn't swoon over a gift like that? Yeah, I'd say he owes her a nice vacation, wouldn't you??!!

And possibly my brothers, who went with us in 2007:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_1429.jpg

The dark haired one, Bart, is more likely to go. He is living in a state of arrested development: almost 30, still living at home (with no desire to leave), and working for my dad. The blond haired one, Ben, is less likely to go – since he has a real job. If he goes, he’ll likely bring his live-in girlfriend, Melissa. Maybe by that time she’ll be his fiancé, who knows. Here they are together:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/MelissaandBen.jpg

So, that’s the cast. I’ll be back soon with the when, where, what and why...

Chapter 2: The Details (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34832391&postcount=8)

[GreatBiscuit]

Wohoo! Did I make it in first? Going back now to see and actually read the installment. I'll be back!

Okay I'm back.

Hmm… now you’re wondering how I came by the screen name Sleepingbooty. No, the name doesn’t actually refer to my tired derriere. I first started my Disney obsession back in 2005 when I was planning our first family trip to WDW. I joined another Disney message board and had to think of a name. My youngest daughter was about 18 months old at the time, and her favorite princess was Sleeping Beauty, or as she pronounced it, “Sweeping Booty.” Which I naturally thought was adorable and quickly appropriated for my screen name. I don’t know if they ever ‘got it’ over there, they are quite a proper bunch and I think they were a bit scandalized. I think I have found a group of ….. more accepting (read: juvenile, potty-humor loving, and all around fun)…. People over here on the Dis. No one ever questioned my name here. :lmao: Sad but so VERY VERY true!


My parents, henceforth to be known as Nana and Papa. Papa is the reason for this Chapter's title. He is on my list right now.:sad2: He bought my mother 3 new toilets for Christmas. Yes, toilets. No, she didn't ask for them. No, they didn't need them - the house is only 5 years old. Oh, but these are special TALL toilets, you see, who wouldn't swoon over a gift like that? Yeah, I'd say he owes her a nice vacation, wouldn't you??!!
Woohoo! You have a Nana & Papa too! The toilet story was cracking me UP. (Which I guess proves the theory you espoused in the first quote. )

[OhioDisneyLover]

Subbing...... popcorn::

I think I was hooked at the chapter title. :lmao: Toilets....:scared1:

I am joining in...maybe for the simple reason........I got a Roomba from my DH for Christmas. :sad2:

:lmao:

[Sleepingbooty]

Wohoo! Did I make it in first? Going back now to see and actually read the installment. I'll be back!

Okay I'm back.

:lmao: Sad but so VERY VERY true!

Woohoo! You have a Nana & Papa too! The toilet story was cracking me UP. (Which I guess proves the theory you espoused in the first quote. )
Woohoo, you are first! :woohoo: Of course you did have a heads up that I'd be starting a ptr ;)

GB, would Tracy ever forgive you if you bought her toilets for Christmas??!!

I suspect you would NOT make that mistake :lmao:

Subbing...... popcorn::

I think I was hooked at the chapter title. :lmao: Toilets....:scared1:

I am joining in...maybe for the simple reason........I got a Roomba from my DH for Christmas. :sad2:

:lmao:

Thanks for joining in!:wave2:

Oh no, a Roomba! Well, actually for a domestic item, those are pretty cool... does it really work? Where does all the dirt go in that little thing? Hey, maybe this means he plans to be in charge of the vacuuming from now on?

[OhioDisneyLover]

There is a little holding place for all of the dirt in the Roomba. You have to empty it before using.

They work okay, but not like the cleaner that we already have.

Yep, he is in charge of the vacuuming now!

Happy New Year!

[jordanyosh]

Okay, at least I'm on the first page...darn that Biscuit!

[Sleepingbooty]

:cheer2:!!Happy New Year!!:cheer2:

There is a little holding place for all of the dirt in the Roomba. You have to empty it before using.

They work okay, but not like the cleaner that we already have.

Yep, he is in charge of the vacuuming now!

Happy New Year!

Then it was a good gift after all! Hey, I guess that means my dad is now in charge of cleaning their toilets! I'm SURE he didn't intend that!

Okay, at least I'm on the first page...darn that Biscuit!

Yep, he's quick on the draw! But hey, first page - no shame in that!
Thanks for comin over, Jordan! I'll be heading over to yours in a bit, as soon as I get the update posted...

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 2. The Details

Well, as the title states, this is a September PTR. So, you guessed it. We’re going in September. We’ve been September people since the first free dining deal in 2005. That was our first trip to WDW, and as I didn’t know a whole lot about it, I only scheduled 3 days there before we headed to the beach. Here’s a picture of us on our first trip:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_0100.jpg

Well, you never saw a group of people so bummed to be heading to a beach! We so wished that we’d booked the whole week at Disney. But you live and learn. We came back for a week in September of 2006 and 2007. Scott and I also did a 5 day trip in August of 2007 for our 10th anniversary. The girls STILL do not know we went to WDW. We just said Florida.:rolleyes1

2006:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_0696.jpg

2007:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_1535.jpg

Then in 08 we skipped it in favor of 10 days in So Cal (we managed 2 days at Disneyland, of course). Here we are in 08:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/California172.jpg

So, in 2009 we were really ready to go back to WDW. We ended up going in May instead of our usual September – what a mistake that was! We had rain every day but one. Torrential rain. Monsoons. By the end of the week, we’d almost finished building our ark. Many Diser’s can attest – May 16th-23rd was the wettest week Orlando has ever seen. This day in Epcot was probably the wettest – the water in World Showcase was ankle high:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Disney200700533.jpg
So, yeah, we were anxious to get back to our usual week in September for our 2010 trip. We are in a year-round school district. The school year starts around July 20th. We are in for 9 weeks, then have our first 3 week break around September 20th. Then we come back for 9 weeks, off 3 weeks for Christmas, back for 9, off 3 for spring break – you get the drift. They get a 6 week summer. Some people find it a bit strange (mostly just people in other districts) but we love it. Fall is such a great time to go to Disney. No crowds, still summer weather, good discounts, love bugs… hmmm, I guess its not PERFECT, but still…

We are tentatively planning for September 18th – 25th. The only thing that might throw a monkey wrench in that is if my mom puts pressure on us to go the week of Labor Day. See, she only has a limited amount of vacation days from work, and she’s trying to finagle three trips out of it: a cruise, a week at the lake, and our Disney trip. I guess the only way it would work is if she took a week off over Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day, to take advantage of the built in holidays.

I’d rather not do that, I really like going during break. Plus, I’m thinking the week of Labor Day might be a lot more crowded than the end of September. Also, it kind of annoys me, because although Scott gets about 5 weeks of vacation time, we cannot afford to go on a cruise AND Disney – so I’m not real sympathetic to her dilemma.:rolleyes:

Anyway, either week, we’d likely be able to snag a good deal. Either free dining (we’ve gotten that 3 times), or something else. This past year we got in on the buy 4, get 3 deal. The only time we’ve never gotten a great deal was on our anniversary trip, when the best we could do was a AAA rate.

Anyone else hoping for free dining again in the fall? Back soon to talk resorts….

Chapter 3: Resorts: Will we Ever Agree? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34847310&postcount=16)

[OhioDisneyLover]

Hey, our days will cross in September! We have been going in September for nearly 10 years now. This September is our 10 year anniversary trip (just started my PTR -- link in my siggy).

We were also there at the same time you were in May. Wasn't that rain incredible!!??!! It was my brother's first trip. He is joining us in September again and we told him that normally the rain isn't anything like it was last May.

Love your pictures from year to year.

Looking forward to learning more about your trip.

[Sleepingbooty]

Hey, our days will cross in September! We have been going in September for nearly 10 years now. This September is our 10 year anniversary trip (just started my PTR -- link in my siggy).

We were also there at the same time you were in May. Wasn't that rain incredible!!??!! It was my brother's first trip. He is joining us in September again and we told him that normally the rain isn't anything like it was last May.

Love your pictures from year to year.

Looking forward to learning more about your trip.

Oh really? What are your dates? Nevermind - I'll just pop on over to your PTR!

Yes, the rain was unbelievable. We still had a good time - but I'm really hoping we do not have to wear ponchos every day on this trip :thumbsup2

[All7OfUs]

Just wanted you to know, I'm gonna be keeping you company here! Need to go get lunch started now, but will be back very soon to read the whole thing and comment. Be back soon :)

[All7OfUs]

First of all, I"m proud to be called "more acceptable", or was it more accepting in the roll call. This is a mighty fun bunch over here. And yes, we do love our potty humor. But we also care about one another a great deal.

Now, onto more important things. I like the way this started out- a huge "what they hey were you thinking?!" on your dad. Toilets?!! :scared1: Dude! how ever do you swoon your dear wifey? puhleeze. Tall toilets for "tall orders" is all I can imagine.

Your dates will miss the TC3 by about a week or less. That stinks!! A meet would have been over-the-top great!! Do re-think. Think group Grey Goosies...

[ladybugmom]

YAY!! I made the first page!! I'm excited about reading your PTR, Rebecca!! :goodvibes (BTW--did you know that my first name is Rebekah--spelled differently of course--but I've always gone by Becky)

[eandesmom]

I'm here! We will see if I make on page 1 or start up page 2!

Your girls are ADORABLE!

3 toilets? Your mom deserves a trip.

[Sleepingbooty]

First of all, I"m proud to be called "more acceptable", or was it more accepting in the roll call. This is a mighty fun bunch over here. And yes, we do love our potty humor. But we also care about one another a great deal.

Now, onto more important things. I like the way this started out- a huge "what they hey were you thinking?!" on your dad. Toilets?!! :scared1: Dude! how ever do you swoon your dear wifey? puhleeze. Tall toilets for "tall orders" is all I can imagine.

Your dates will miss the TC3 by about a week or less. That stinks!! A meet would have been over-the-top great!! Do re-think. Think group Grey Goosies...

More accepting IS more acceptable :thumbsup2

Oh, I forgot one "magical" detail - the toilets have special lids that you cannot slam, no matter how hard you try - swooning yet? Of course, my dad and brother would have to actually start putting the lid down for us to verify that:rolleyes:

YAY!! I made the first page!! I'm excited about reading your PTR, Rebecca!! :goodvibes (BTW--did you know that my first name is Rebekah--spelled differently of course--but I've always gone by Becky)

No, I didn't - but I thought it was probably SOME for of Rebecca/bekah, etc. Although, when I was working at my first teaching job in Nashville, I had a friend named Becky -and that WAS her full name. There were 3 of us - two Beckys and a Becca (me). Popular name in the South, I guess!

Glad you made it over here!

I'm here! We will see if I make on page 1 or start up page 2!

Your girls are ADORABLE!

3 toilets? Your mom deserves a trip.

Welcome!!

Thanks, of course I think they are, too, hee hee.

Yes, she does deserve a trip! And I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that my dad, God love him, will spend $1500 on toilets, but will balk at upgrading resorts. He says he was perfectly happy at "Toy Story" (we stayed at ASM our first trip) :sad2:

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 3: Resorts – Will we Ever Agree?

I think of myself as a pretty good planner, but man – some of you are WAY ahead of me. We are going in September, but we haven’t booked – or even CHOSEN our resort yet! Of course, I’ve been thinking about it since we got back from our last trip (okay, before that). But if I start talking about it out loud too soon, I get a lot of flak from the others in my family. You know what I’m talking about: “Didn’t you just go?” “Don’t you think about anything else” “We still have a year to plan” etc, etc. Plus, a lot of the decision is budget based. And I technically don’t know my budget until I do our taxes.

So, on our first trip we stayed at All Star Movies, in the Toy Story section (before it was an upgrade. We loved it, but we didn’t have a whole lot to compare it too, and we were only there for 3 nights.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_0112.jpg

In 2006, we went with another family, but didn’t stay together. We stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter, the other family stayed at Coronado Springs – he had to have a gym – you can see why in this pic:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_0667.jpg

We REALLY liked POFQ. The smallness, the beautiful grounds, bus transport was quick. When we went in August of 2007 for our anniversary, we stayed at Coronado. Although it was very pretty, and the buses were great – never had to wait, ever- the resort kinda left me cold. There was a big convention going on, and there were people in business attire all over. On the buses there were big groups of them talking about their conference – it just killed the buzz a bit. I want a complete escape from reality when I’m there – and the convention goers kept bringing me back to earth.

Anyway, in September of 2007 we went with my parents again, and this time my brothers joined us. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, in the Alligator Bayou section. I LOVED this place! It was so lush and green. Just really, really pretty. We had quite a long walk to the main building, but we did have a bus stop close to us. Now, the bus service wasn’t as quick as POFQ, what with having so many stops, but it wasn’t too bad. I really liked the the boat to Downtown Disney, also.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_1568.jpg

In the fall of 08 we went to California instead of WDW. So in 09, I was really excited to go back. Originally the plan was to go during our regular week during fall break. Then, I decided I was going to go to graduate school in the fall (Lucy would be starting kindergarten, and I was struggling with what I wanted to do with myself :sad2:). I figured that I wouldn’t be able to take a week off from classes, so what to do? Well, they had that 4/3 special going so I convinced Scott we should go in May (I was jonesing for a WDW fix, it had been since 9/07!). We booked at week at Pop Century.

I was really excited to try Pop, as so many people really love it. And we did like it, but let me tell you, we'd gotten used to some of the perks at the moderates. We missed the extra sink, the coffee pot, the close bus stop, the slide at the pool. Okay, we didn’t miss the slide so much, because it rained everyday, so swimming was not something we spent a lot of time doing. Pop was fun and funky, and I'd stay there again. But I think we decided to stay at a moderate again on the next trip.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/wdw09129.jpg

Until we had dinner at Whispering Canyon Café on one of our last nights of the trip. We fell in love with Wilderness Lodge! We knew that we really wanted to stay there the next time. I loved everything about it: the rustic lodgy-ness, the multiple areas to hang out in the lobby, the view of the lake, the pool, the fact that it was all one building and we wouldn’t have gotten near as wet if we’d been staying there…. You get the drift.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/100_3878.jpg

So, that’s my first choice. Unfortunately, I still have to see if it will fit into our budget. I think it will run us about $700 more than a moderate. And, even if it fits into our budget, I’d have to convince my parents that it fits into theirs. It shouldn’t be a problem, they don't really have to budget like we do – its just the mindset, you know what I mean?

I’ve got to work on my sales pitch, but I’ve also got to have some other options ready. I'm workin' on a plan. We’ll talk about that next time…..

Chapter 4: Shameless Wilderness Lodge Sales Pitch (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34868696&postcount=24)

[eandesmom]

:thumbsup2 for Wilderness Lodge!

That's definitely Jeff's dream resort! With FD it makes it a WHOLE lot easier for me to justify a deluxe :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Gotta love fuzzy Disney math.

I'm hoping our tax return pays for the US part of our trip, we will see!

[OhioDisneyLover]

My vote is WL. C'mon, boat ride to the MK!!!! :thumbsup2

:lmao::rotfl2:

[Sleepingbooty]

:thumbsup2 for Wilderness Lodge!

That's definitely Jeff's dream resort! With FD it makes it a WHOLE lot easier for me to justify a deluxe :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Gotta love fuzzy Disney math.

I'm hoping our tax return pays for the US part of our trip, we will see!

Oh yes, I know ALL about fuzzy Disney math! :rotfl:

Problem is, we've ALWAYS had either free dining, or a similar good deal - so those prices have become what we've come to expect - I don't even look at what it would cost without some special going! (Yes, I also only buy clothing on sale:rolleyes:)

The US part of your trip? Are you going out of the country also?

My vote is WL. C'mon, boat ride to the MK!!!! :thumbsup2

:lmao::rotfl2:

I know! I have to remember to list that on my "pros" column in the PowerPoint. BIG pro!

[eandesmom]

Oh yes, I know ALL about fuzzy Disney math! :rotfl:

Problem is, we've ALWAYS had either free dining, or a similar good deal - so those prices have become what we've come to expect - I don't even look at what it would cost without some special going! (Yes, I also only buy clothing on sale:rolleyes:)

The US part of your trip? Are you going out of the country also?



lol! No, US is Universal Studios. The Dark Side. We will have 3 nights on the Dark Side before we go to Disney. And it's peak season over there. I had a cheap deal all figured out but got overruled in favor of the Hard Rock Hotel and the fast passes that come with staying at a US hotel. But it's very pricey since we have to get 2 rooms...so it's going to cost us almost as much as our 7 nights in Disney!

Really hoping some deals come out but it's not looking good. Found something yesterday that should knock about $120 off so that's something. I did look at switching those nights to Disney but since it's before the rest of our party get there, we'd have to pay for 2 rooms or a pricier villa there as well. We'd save about $300 (well only $180 now if we apply the new deal I found yesterday) but would give up a lot so are sticking with the HRH.

I couldn't go to Disney without a deal! We actually have what is 99% a "free" week without a soccer conflict but it's during peak season so even with our PIN the cost would go WAYYY up so we aren't considering it as an option! Not to mention I have no desire to fight the crowds on the 4th of July!

[Sleepingbooty]

lol! No, US is Universal Studios. The Dark Side. We will have 3 nights on the Dark Side before we go to Disney. And it's peak season over there. I had a cheap deal all figured out but got overruled in favor of the Hard Rock Hotel and the fast passes that come with staying at a US hotel. But it's very pricey since we have to get 2 rooms...so it's going to cost us almost as much as our 7 nights in Disney!

:lmao: OOOhhhhh! Okay, I KNEW you were going to Universal - I have been reading your PTR, I guess I'm just not well versed in non-Disney abreviations!

Is that where they have the new Harry Potter land? We were watching the 6th Potter movie last night and they did a spot about that. Now my girls want to go there! It does sound cool, but I don't think we'll fit it on this trip. We are HUGE HP fans in this house!

I couldn't go to Disney without a deal! We actually have what is 99% a "free" week without a soccer conflict but it's during peak season so even with our PIN the cost would go WAYYY up so we aren't considering it as an option! Not to mention I have no desire to fight the crowds on the 4th of July!

Yep, I could never go without a sweet deal. Well, we did only get a AAA discount on our room for our 10th anniversary trip, but it was just the 2 of us for 4 nights, so we bit the bullet.

[All7OfUs]

More accepting IS more acceptable :thumbsup2

Oh, I forgot one "magical" detail - the toilets have special lids that you cannot slam, no matter how hard you try - swooning yet? Of course, my dad and brother would have to actually start putting the lid down for us to verify that:rolleyes:


HA! I know why they did that- getting the no slam lids! Whenever one of my boys leaves the lid up I make sure they understand my displeasure by SLAMMING the lid down as hard as I can, and announcing it to the house. I hate that!! (My screaming could be sometimes misinterpreted as my surprise when I get that unexpected plunge.)

[Sleepingbooty]

HA! I know why they did that- getting the no slam lids! Whenever one of my boys leaves the lid up I make sure they understand my displeasure by SLAMMING the lid down as hard as I can, and announcing it to the house. I hate that!! (My screaming could be sometimes misinterpreted as my surprise when I get that unexpected plunge.)

You know the worst part - they will actually argue (and I think they are only HALF joking) that because there is two men living there, and only one woman - that the default position of the lid SHOULD be up, not down! :headache:

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 4: Shameless Wilderness Lodge Sales Pitch

I’ve been working out a prospective budget for the trip. I’m operating on the assumption that they will offer free dining again in September, so it’s easy to plug in dates on WDW’s website and get the rack rate. It would cost us about $700 more to stay at Wilderness Lodge than at one of the moderates.

Here’s my idea: we make up most of the difference by driving instead of flying. We drove in 2005. It’s about 16 hours from St. Louis. We started Friday after work, drove about eight hours, then stopped at a hotel somewhere in Georgia (split a room with the folks), then drove eight more hours on Saturday. Did the same thing on the way home. I was fine with it. In fact, I like to drive. I think its fun. I guess I’m just used to it. We NEVER flew when I was growing up, just couldn’t afford it. We drove all the way across county several times in the old Family Truckster (“You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it.”). 10 points if you can name the quote – 20 if you can find a picture to go with it! But, Scott doesn’t enjoy the drive so much. He kinda hates it. Every time since then we’ve flown.

See, driving can be fun, right? Here we are at a rest stop in '05:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_0045.jpg

But see, it would cost us about $800 to fly – assuming we fly Southwest, that’s usually about what it runs us for four. With gas, food, and hotel, it costs about $300 to drive. So, that’s a $500 savings right there! I could easily give up the park hoppers and save another $200. See my logic? It’s so obvious, right? Still gotta convince the peeps, though.

Here’s where my shameless sales pitch comes in. Jenna, my 9 year old, is helping me make a PowerPoint presentation on the different resorts. We have dinner at my parents every Sunday night, and we’ve started talking about the vacation plans at dinner. Usually, I just pull up stuff on the computer, and they crowd around me and look at the tiny pictures – not very effective. I thought it would be fun to do up a PowerPoint, and play it on the big screen TV.

There will be a slideshow of all the different resorts we’re (I’m) considering. Lots of gorgeous pics of Wilderness Lodge that I’ve found online. Here’s the zinger – Jenna will run the presentation and narrate. She REALLY wants to stay at WL, so she’ll do her best puppy dog eyes, and “please, Papa?”

I’m including four resort choices. #1 Wilderness Lodge, then, in no particular order: POFQ, POR, and Caribbean Beach Resort. I’m including that one because I do enjoy trying new places, and it’s the one moderate we haven’t tried yet. I loved both Port Orleans resorts, and would be more than happy to stay at either one of them. The size of CBR does make me a bit nervous, though. I think they have like 7 bus stops! It must take an hour to get out of there, no?

Any thoughts on CBR, in case that ends up being the vote getter? How about pros and cons of each resort to include in the PowerPoint? We’re going to finish it this week and show it next weekend. If I knew how to do it, I’d link it on here. I’m sure there’s a way – I get silly emails with PowerPoints in them all the time!

Back later for more resort talk…..

Chapter 5: A Little Background Fluff (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34902399&postcount=35)

[ladybugmom]

Ooooh--Wilderness Lodge--nice!! I hope you can persuade your family!! Is it sad that a Power Point presentation excites me?! That's right up my OCD alley!!! :lmao: Can't wait to hear how it goes!! :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

If I were to go Deluxe, I'd go with Animal Kingdom. But Wilderness L. would be a very close 2nd. It IS so beautiful, and homey.

Your "sales pitch" sounds fun to put together and present. I love how your DD gets to be part of it!

Yes, driving would save you a ton of money!! I'd say go for it! With good tunes, good company, and well-timed potty breaks, it might even venture into the realm of fun.

[GreatBiscuit]

Woohoo, you are first! :woohoo: Of course you did have a heads up that I'd be starting a ptr ;) Shhhh. Don’t steal my thunder!

GB, would Tracy ever forgive you if you bought her toilets for Christmas??!! Speaking of thunder….not so sure I’d survive that particular stunt.

So, yeah, we were anxious to get back to our usual week in September for our 2010 trip. We are in a year-round school district. The school year starts around July 20th. We are in for 9 weeks, then have our first 3 week break around September 20th. Then we come back for 9 weeks, off 3 weeks for Christmas, back for 9, off 3 for spring break – you get the drift. They get a 6 week summer. Some people find it a bit strange (mostly just people in other districts) but we love it. With a wife, two parents, a grandmother, two sisters, two aunts, an uncle, a cousin and a sister in law ALL teachers, we’ve discussed that many times. The consensus is that we’d all love it.


We are going in September, but we haven’t booked – or even CHOSEN our resort yet! Given that you haven’t booked yet, I’m totally impressed that you have done 4 chapters already!

There will be a slideshow of all [/B]the different resorts we’re (I’m) considering. Lots of gorgeous pics of Wilderness Lodge that I’ve found online. Here’s the zinger – Jenna will run the presentation and narrate. She REALLY wants to stay at WL, so she’ll do her best puppy dog eyes, and “please, Papa?” I like your style.

[eandesmom]

Love the sales pitch! And the fuzzy Disney math. It definitely works. For me Queen beds is worth the increase alone! lol.

WL is gorgeous. I've never stayed, or been to any of the others so I am of no help there!

[jordanyosh]

wilderness lodge-stayed there. loved it, but not sure if we'll stay there again in the immediate future. I mean, I have yet to stay at so many other resorts.

here's the rub on WL. It's beautiful. If you are planning on a lot of time at MK, then it's a great location. However, it is pretty isolated, making travel to other parks a bit more inconvenient. Although busses were pretty good as I recall.

location wise POFQ, POR and CBR are a bit more centrally located to the following: DTD, Epcot, DHS and Typhoon Lagoon.

For dining choices, if you have a car, it'll be fine. If you don't, then WL is again a bit inconvenient for dining around WDW.

If given the chance, I would stay at WL again in a heartbeat. But like my solo portion of the upcoming trip at AKV, I'm looking for a different experience and realize that what I gain in ambience and atmosphere, I give up in convenience.

Didn't mean to be a buzzkill, just offering up some insight since I've stayed at WL, actually VWL.

[jordanyosh]

I've stayed at CBR 3x. Loved it, but it IS spread out and depending on where you're staying the walk to the food court, Old Port Royal, can be far.

It was the first moderate built so I think they learned some things when it got to POR and POFQ, landscaping being one of them. You can't beat the grounds at POR or POFQ.....

[OhioDisneyLover]

OMG, I love the PowerPoint idea! It's awesome!

I've stayed at all of the resorts that you mentioned and my favorite moderate is definitely CBR. We enjoy their food court and their shops. We didn't have a great experience at POR, however, POFQ was awesome for us.

While CBR is a huge resort, if you drive and have your car, it's not a big deal. We always rent a car and never found the size of the resort to be a problem, however, we never use Disney transportation so that could be why. :confused3

All that said though....go for WL. We love it. We have stayed at AKL more than WL but it has been because WL wasn't available. Don't get me wrong, AKL is AMAZING, but you can't beat the boat ride to the MK from WL. It was awesome. We are staying there in September and I can't wait.

[Sleepingbooty]

Is it sad that a Power Point presentation excites me?! That's right up my OCD alley!!! :lmao: Can't wait to hear how it goes!! :goodvibes

Not at all! (well, unless I'm just as sad myself;))


Yes, driving would save you a ton of money!! I'd say go for it! With good tunes, good company, and well-timed potty breaks, it might even venture into the realm of fun.

That's what I think! Its just a matter of whether I can bend the others to my will... mwuhaha


Given that you haven’t booked yet, I’m totally impressed that you have done 4 chapters already!


I know - I'll probably run out of things to talk about by February!

Love the sales pitch! And the fuzzy Disney math. It definitely works. For me Queen beds is worth the increase alone! lol.


Ooh, thanks - that's a good one for my "pros" column


Didn't mean to be a buzzkill, just offering up some insight since I've stayed at WL, actually VWL.

No, I need it - because there is a VERY good chance I will be outvoted, so I have to be happy about the other options, too

I've stayed at CBR 3x. Loved it, but it IS spread out and depending on where you're staying the walk to the food court, Old Port Royal, can be far.

It was the first moderate built so I think they learned some things when it got to POR and POFQ, landscaping being one of them. You can't beat the grounds at POR or POFQ.....

I know, I love the grounds at Port Orleans - beautiful.

While CBR is a huge resort, if you drive and have your car, it's not a big deal. We always rent a car and never found the size of the resort to be a problem, however, we never use Disney transportation so that could be why. :confused3


See, that's what I'm concerned about - we won't be getting a car. I guess we could be in for some long walks at CBR. Hmmm...

[OhioDisneyLover]

I don't think the walks will be too bad at CBR. There seem to be stops all over the place. :confused3

Hmm, I know we never used the buses, but I swear there were frequent stops. I remember my DH yapping about how many dang buses there were. :lmao:

[Sleepingbooty]

I don't think the walks will be too bad at CBR. There seem to be stops all over the place. :confused3

Hmm, I know we never used the buses, but I swear there were frequent stops. I remember my DH yapping about how many dang buses there were. :lmao:

I know, I think I counted like 7 bus stops on the map! I'm just thinking that might make for a lengthy bus ride to the parks and back, having to stop that many times. Plus, unless you are the first stop - you never get a seat.

Of course, If I were picking resorts based on quality of bus service alone - I'd pick Coronado Springs. But I'm not even considering CS - just didn't dig the vibe there. So although bus service is important, its not at the top of the list. I don't know what is though....:scratchin

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 5: A little background fluff

Jenna and I are still working on the PowerPoint. I’m thinking maybe we need a themed dinner to go with it – any ideas?

So in the meantime, since I don’t have anything new on the planning front, I thought I’d fill in the background a bit. I think the only thing I said about myself was my age! I’ll try not to bore you into oblivion…

Lucy, my youngest, started kindergarten this year, so I’ve kind of been in a transition mode. Before my girls were born, I was a high-school art and photography teacher. For the past couple years, I’ve been trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my time when both girls were in school. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to teaching. Last spring I was toying with the idea (actually, I was pretty serious at the time) of applying for optometry school. I know, what a leap, huh?! I had developed this fascination after I had my lasik surgery.

Jenna and Lucy on the first day of school:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/school004.jpg

Anyway, I’ve sort of backed off that idea. Not sure if I’m up to four more years of school – plus, there’s no guarantee I’d even get in, they are VERY selective. So, since school started, I’ve been substitute teaching a couple times a week, teaching an after-school drawing class, and working in my little basement studio. I’ve got a potter’s wheel and a kiln down there. Not that I could make a living at it. At some point, I really need to get a job! I’m starting to warm back up to the idea of teaching again – you can’t beat the hours. I really like being off when the girls are off – what other job can you do that? Let me know if you think of one – seriously!

So, what else? I love to read – just about anything. I like mysteries – Sue Grafton, Lawrence Block, Harlan Coben are my three faves. I like historical fiction, I recently read Pillars of the Earth and World Without End and they were both fantastic. After getting hooked on The Tudors on cable, I started reading Phillipa Gregory (she wrote The Other Boleyn Girl) and I’ve been working my way through her books. I also love the classics – especially Jane Austen and Louisa May Alcott.

You’d think I’d be able to get so much done at home now that both girls are in school, but I guess I have too many other little projects going – the laundry still gets neglected. I am the troop leader for Jenna’s Brownie troop and Lucy’s Daisy troop, and it is SO much fun, but a lot of work. On Thursdays (if I’m not subbing) I volunteer at the girls’ school. I also work for an outreach program for the school for the blind – but I don’t have any families right now, so technically that’s not taking any time at the moment. I help out with our church’s food pantry and shelter mission. And my favorite: in the summer, I help out with our neighborhood swim team, of which both my girls are members.

Lucy's first swim meet:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/july2009055.jpg

So I manage to stay busy, but I do feel sort of guilty that I’m not working full time – we could certainly put the extra income to good use. Even though I’m still sort of ambivalent about it, I went ahead and applied for my Missouri teaching license (I went to school in TN) and I will probably start looking for a teaching job for the fall. I don’t know, it might put a real damper on my Dis time, though!

Alright – I’m sure those of you that are still reading are bored to tears by now, I’ll try to get that PowerPoint done and I’ll let you know how it turns out in my next update!

Chapter 6: "And this here's the TV..." (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34970589&postcount=70)

[OhioDisneyLover]

Cute update. Not bored to tears! Waiting to see this PowerPoint presentation though! popcorn::

And I agree with CSR. We stayed there last September and I have to say it is my least fav MOD resort.

[jordanyosh]

so NOT bored.

How about a BBQ dinner in honor of Whispering Canyon Cafe...? or at least baked beans, corn on the cob or cornbread.

[All7OfUs]

When I read your title, I had to laugh OUTLOUD at the first thought that popped into my head. I think you know I"ve had company for a week, and so haven't been able to be as "free" or "uninhibited" shall we say, with my fluffing. Can I just tell you that I am very much looking forward to tomorrow when my NO-Fluff-Zone is once again expanded to my entire house. Then I wont' have to always have "Background Fluff"- it can go back to front and center!:banana::banana::banana:

On a more serious note, don't ever think any of us would be bored here! We live for these kinds of updates (we wouldn't be here otherwise!). Anyway, hope you find just the place and thing He wants you to do. Ask and He will show you!

Those girls are cute!! I think if you got a full-time job, you would be seriously overloaded with all you have going now. Something woudl have to go. :confused3

[Sleepingbooty]

Cute update. Not bored to tears! Waiting to see this PowerPoint presentation though! popcorn::

And I agree with CSR. We stayed there last September and I have to say it is my least fav MOD resort.

Thank you!

Yeah, yeah.. I'm working on it;)

[Sleepingbooty]

so NOT bored.

How about a BBQ dinner in honor of Whispering Canyon Cafe...? or at least baked beans, corn on the cob or cornbread.

I WAS thinking of WCC - or maybe Ohana?

[eandesmom]

I love the background fluff!

And it's fabulous that you can substitute now, it's nice to have options!

I WAS thinking of WCC - or maybe Ohana?

Are you including the Poly in your presentation?

I was going to suggest a WL themed menu ala WCC as well. It's be hard to serve it in skillets but you could do ribs, BBQ chicken, corn bread and baked beans (corn on the cob might be tough this time of year) and a nice salad.

[Sleepingbooty]

When I read your title, I had to laugh OUTLOUD at the first thought that popped into my head. I think you know I"ve had company for a week, and so haven't been able to be as "free" or "uninhibited" shall we say, with my fluffing. Can I just tell you that I am very much looking forward to tomorrow when my NO-Fluff-Zone is once again expanded to my entire house. Then I wont' have to always have "Background Fluff"- it can go back to front and center!:banana::banana::banana:

Oh no, I didn't even think of that! I had a friend when I was a little girl who said "fluff" - we say "toot". :rotfl:

Yep, you better keep those fluffs in the background for now!

On a more serious note, don't ever think any of us would be bored here! We live for these kinds of updates (we wouldn't be here otherwise!). Anyway, hope you find just the place and thing He wants you to do. Ask and He will show you!

You are so right. I just need to give it up to Him and take the backseat!

Those girls are cute!! I think if you got a full-time job, you would be seriously overloaded with all you have going now. Something woudl have to go. :confused3

Thank you! I know, my Brownie co-leader was about to kill me when threatened to go back to school!

[All7OfUs]

Oh no, I didn't even think of that! I had a friend when I was a little girl who said "fluff" - we say "toot". :rotfl:

Yep, you better keep those fluffs in the background for now!



You are so right. I just need to give it up to Him and take the backseat!



Thank you! I know, my Brownie co-leader was about to kill me when threatened to go back to school!

Fluffing may now resume; my guests just left, and ah, I"m basking in the returned freedom of fluffing at will.

[Sleepingbooty]

I love the background fluff!

And it's fabulous that you can substitute now, it's nice to have options!



Are you including the Poly in your presentation?

I was going to suggest a WL themed menu ala WCC as well. It's be hard to serve it in skillets but you could do ribs, BBQ chicken, corn bread and baked beans (corn on the cob might be tough this time of year) and a nice salad.

No, Poly is not a choice - I wish! That is my dream resort. Someday - maybe when I have a job :laughing:

It's just that Ohana has always been a favorite of ours, we typically go there our first night in. And, its the only Disney meal I've ever tried to recreate. I can do a MEAN bread pudding. I don't do a bananas foster sauce, though. Don't care much for nanners. I just make a caramel sauce.

I'm thinking it will be too cold to grill meat outside on Sunday, though. Right now its 5 degrees! So, Ohana style meal is out.

I'd like to do a Whispering Canyon type meal, but my mom is NOT a fan of bbq- althought the rest of us all love it. It might not do much to endear her to the idea of Wilderness Lodge. Although, she's the one that needs the least convincing. So, that might work. Hmmm, I don't know how to make ribs - I know a lot of people smoke them, but we don't have a smoker, and again, that would be outside. Are they good in the oven?

[Sleepingbooty]

Fluffing may now resume; my guests just left, and ah, I"m basking in the returned freedom of fluffing at will.

Commence moving said 'background fluff' directly to frontlines, General.:ssst:

[eandesmom]

No, Poly is not a choice - I wish! That is my dream resort. Someday - maybe when I have a job :laughing:

It's just that Ohana has always been a favorite of ours, we typically go there our first night in. And, its the only Disney meal I've ever tried to recreate. I can do a MEAN bread pudding. I don't do a bananas foster sauce, though. Don't care much for nanners. I just make a caramel sauce.

I'm thinking it will be too cold to grill meat outside on Sunday, though. Right now its 5 degrees! So, Ohana style meal is out.

I'd like to do a Whispering Canyon type meal, but my mom is NOT a fan of bbq- althought the rest of us all love it. It might not do much to endear her to the idea of Wilderness Lodge. Although, she's the one that needs the least convincing. So, that might work. Hmmm, I don't know how to make ribs - I know a lot of people smoke them, but we don't have a smoker, and again, that would be outside. Are they good in the oven?

Mnnn! Bread pudding!

I do my ribs completely in the oven, I can post the recipe if you want! I'll trade recipes actually as I've yet to find the "perfect" bread pudding. Though I did find the perfect bourbon cream sauce for it!

[elizabethswan]

We drove all the way across county several times in the old Family Truckster (“You think you hate it now, wait til you drive it.”). 10 points if you can name the quote – 20 if you can find a picture to go with it

OMG we love that movie, national lampoon's vacation, they're at the car lot, having just crushed the trade-in, yelling for "Davenport"!

great PTR, hope your powerpoint goes well! will keep reading! we are headed for pofq in feb, having never stayed there so your recommendation was great!

[Sleepingbooty]

Mnnn! Bread pudding!

I do my ribs completely in the oven, I can post the recipe if you want! I'll trade recipes actually as I've yet to find the "perfect" bread pudding. Though I did find the perfect bourbon cream sauce for it!

I'd love to have it! Thanks!

Here is the Bread Pudding Recipe I use, its from allearsnet:


Ohana Bread Pudding
Ingredients
5 eggs
3 cups whole milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cup sugar
8 cups french or 'Ohana breakfast bread

1. In bowl mix eggs, milk , salt, sugar and nutmeg. Set aside.
2. Cut bread in medium pieces, place on cookie sheet pan put in 350 degree oven.
3. Bake bread until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes. Remove bread and place in egg and milk mixture.
4. Place mixture in a greased 10-inch cake pan and bake at 325 degree for 1 hour.
5. Let stand 5 minutes, serve hot with ice cream.

BANANA FOSTER SAUCE
4 oz sugar
4 oz brown sugar
4 oz corn syrup
4 oz unsalted butter
1cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1cup spiced rum
1cup banana slices

1. Combine sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and half of heavy cream in a large pan. Bring to a boil and slowly add remaining heavy cream keeping mixture at a steady boil.


2. Add spiced rum and flambe.

3. Candy will brown slightly; cook 3 minutes until candy forms into a firm ball in cold water. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Add sliced bananas. Serve warm.
___________________________________________

Now, I don't make that sauce - I just buy smuckers caramel sauce and it works great. I've also used the thicker caramel in the jar and heated it on the stove with heavy cream to thin it out some. Also good. On the bread - I've used french bread and I've used plain old white bread. Both are fine. And, I use skim milk instead of whole, because that's what we keep on hand. Can't tell the diff. Never tried to make the Ohana breakfast bread - but I'm sure there is a recipe out there for that somewhere as well.

[eandesmom]

here you go!

These are not very traditional BBQy if that makes sense, which is what I love about them. I offer sauce on the side (I have a group of sweet baby rays fanatics, I prefer it without that) and then add sauce to about half of them, and keep the others with just the Bourbon sauce

Baby Back Ribs

Courtesy of Dave Lieberman and Food Network

Ingredients

* 2 racks baby back ribs (about 2 1/2 pounds)
* 1 recipe Bourbon Barbecue Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.


Cut the racks of ribs in half crosswise. Rub the ribs, paying special attention to the meaty side, with 1/2 cup of the sauce. Lay the rib pieces meat side down in an 11 by 13-inch baking dish. The pieces will overlap slightly.

Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake until the meat begins to pull away from the ends of the bones and the ribs are just tender, about 1 hour. You can bake the ribs up to a day before and keep them refrigerated. Bring refrigerated ribs to room temperature about 1 hour before you grill them.

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill the ribs, brushing them with about half the remaining sauce, until they're crispy and heated through, about 10 minutes. Move the ribs around as they grill, the sugar in barbecue sauce makes it easy for them to burn. Let the ribs rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting them into 1 or 2-bone pieces. Put out the rest of the sauce for dipping or brush it over the ribs.

I've made these to take to picnics so just have them in the oven a bit longer and, wrap them in foil, take them with us and we are good to go! We eat right from there, so they are soft fall apart versus crispy and no grill needed.

I've also done them with just using the Tom Douglas Rub and then baking as above, serving those with the sauce but do grill them for the 10 minutes with the sauce added to juice them up a bit. For those I use his sauce as well. My group is divided on which ones they like better.

Also, here is the sauce I used on my Bread Pudding, it is SOOOOO good!

Kentucky Bourbon Sauce

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
* 1 cup half-and-half
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1 tablespoons cornstarch
* 3 tablespoons bourbon

Directions

Heat the cream, half-and-half, vanilla, and sugar in a saucepan over high heat, whisking, for 3 minutes. Dissolve the cornstarch in the bourbon. When bubbles form around the edges of the cream, whisk in the bourbon mixture. As the cream boils up, remove the pot from the heat and continue whisking vigorously until thoroughly blended and slight thickened. Place over low heat and simmer for 1 minute. (This is not a thick cream sauce; it's meant to be fairly thin.)

It's funny. We don't drink bourbon but boy do I have several recipes that use it!

[jordanyosh]

mmm.......all these recipes are making me hungry.

[ladybugmom]

Thanks for the O'hana Bread Pudding recipe!! That was the best dessert I had at WDW by far!! YUM!!!! :lovestruc

[All7OfUs]

Did I just see and excuse to go buy a bottle of bourbon? My family lives in Kentucky, I would think I could go right to the source next time I"m out there!! :confused3;)

[Sleepingbooty]

OMG we love that movie, national lampoon's vacation, they're at the car lot, having just crushed the trade-in, yelling for "Davenport"!

great PTR, hope your powerpoint goes well! will keep reading! we are headed for pofq in feb, having never stayed there so your recommendation was great!

:yay:Welcome to my ptr!! :yay: Thanks for joining in....

Hey, you are the only one that got the quote - 10 points!

You will love POFQ, its just beautiful. I can't really think of anything I didn't like about it. I had a hard time coming up with anything to put on the "cons" list on my powerpoint. Which, by the way, is finished! :woohoo:

[Sleepingbooty]

here you go!

These are not very traditional BBQy if that makes sense, which is what I love about them. I offer sauce on the side (I have a group of sweet baby rays fanatics, I prefer it without that) and then add sauce to about half of them, and keep the others with just the Bourbon sauce



Thanks! Can't wait to try it. We are Sweet Baby Ray's lovers here, too. That recipe for the bourbon sauce is for bread pudding, right? Not the bourbon bbq sauce mentioned above? I can't imagine put that on ribs, but you never know!

[eandesmom]

Thanks! Can't wait to try it. We are Sweet Baby Ray's lovers here, too. That recipe for the bourbon sauce is for bread pudding, right? Not the bourbon bbq sauce mentioned above? I can't imagine put that on ribs, but you never know!

Yes, the 2nd one is a bread pudding sauce!

[Sleepingbooty]

mmm.......all these recipes are making me hungry.

I know! I've been sitting here trying to figure out if I could make a bread pudding for one.... no one else needs to know...

[Sleepingbooty]

Yes, the 2nd one is a bread pudding sauce!

Just making sure!;) How do you make that 'rub'?

[Sleepingbooty]

Thanks for the O'hana Bread Pudding recipe!! That was the best dessert I had at WDW by far!! YUM!!!! :lovestruc

Isn't it, though?! The only problem is, we are always so full after all the meat that we can hardly make room for it!

[Sleepingbooty]

Did I just see and excuse to go buy a bottle of bourbon? My family lives in Kentucky, I would think I could go right to the source next time I"m out there!! :confused3;)

If your family is from Kentucky, you don NEED an excuse! Just horse race and a pretty hat!:goodvibes

[Native NYer]

Joining in!
Now going back to read :surfweb:

[OhioDisneyLover]

Thanks for the Ohana Bread Pudding recipe. We LOVE bread pudding!!! :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

If your family is from Kentucky, you don NEED an excuse! Just horse race and a pretty hat!:goodvibes

Funny you should say that! Last year my BIL got free tickets to Derby Days pre-races shin-dig, and they ordered Mint Juleps all around.

Ever since I worked at the Blue Bayou Restaurant in DLR, I wanted to try one. They used to sell a non-alcoholic one from a kiosk just near there in NOS and they just sounded so good. Never did try one.

Now that I'll be staying at POR, it just seems to be a given that I'll be trying to round up a nice cool Mint Julip while I"m there. Maybe while I"m watching YeeHaw Bob or something.

[Sleepingbooty]

Joining in!
Now going back to read :surfweb:

:welcome:

Thanks for joining! I'm going to try to get an update up sometime today :thumbsup2

[Sleepingbooty]

Thanks for the Ohana Bread Pudding recipe. We LOVE bread pudding!!! :goodvibes

No problem! I've gotten a lot of Disney recipes online, but this was the only one that tasted JUST like the original when I made it. Couldn't possible be the skill of the chef...:rolleyes1

[Sleepingbooty]

Funny you should say that! Last year my BIL got free tickets to Derby Days pre-races shin-dig, and they ordered Mint Juleps all around.

Ever since I worked at the Blue Bayou Restaurant in DLR, I wanted to try one. They used to sell a non-alcoholic one from a kiosk just near there in NOS and they just sounded so good. Never did try one.

Now that I'll be staying at POR, it just seems to be a given that I'll be trying to round up a nice cool Mint Julip while I"m there. Maybe while I"m watching YeeHaw Bob or something.

I didn't know you worked at Blue Bayou! I've ALWAYS wanted to go there. But we didn't want to take time out for a table service meal when we were there in 08, since we only had 2 days.

I used to think a mint julep sounded good, too. I guess I had no idea what it was, and I was picturing some frozen, ice-creamy thing. Like a McDonald's shamrock shake with a kick. Then I went to a Derby party a couple years ago and discovered that it was basically straight bourbon - with a little bit of sugar, mint and lime juice :scared1: As a former bartender you'd think I'd have known that. :rolleyes:

[All7OfUs]

I didn't know you worked at Blue Bayou! I've ALWAYS wanted to go there. But we didn't want to take time out for a table service meal when we were there in 08, since we only had 2 days.

I used to think a mint julep sounded good, too. I guess I had no idea what it was, and I was picturing some frozen, ice-creamy thing. Like a McDonald's shamrock shake with a kick. Then I went to a Derby party a couple years ago and discovered that it was basically straight bourbon - with a little bit of sugar, mint and lime juice :scared1: As a former bartender you'd think I'd have known that. :rolleyes:

IT was a fantastic job!! I had so much fun there.

OMGosh, Shamrock Shakes! There's a blast from the past.

YOU were a bartender?? I always thought I'd do ok at that. I can multitask well, and memorize well. But, I don't think I could tell a drunk off if I needed to.

[3princesses+aprince]

Hello!! Joining in! We are going back to Disney in September as well. 9/20-9/28! We are now deciding between CBR and POP! Too funny, we also went this past May with the torrential rains. We were there from the 12th to the 19th though, so we had quite a few days at first with no rain at all. In fact by the time the rain came we were burnt to crisps and it wasn't so bad to cool off,although I would have much rather done without it! Hoping for good weather in September.

Are you doing MNSSHP? We are, we can't wait, it will be the first time!

Good Luck with your powerpoint presentation, can't wait to hear about how it goes and what resort you choose!

[Sleepingbooty]

IT was a fantastic job!! I had so much fun there.

OMGosh, Shamrock Shakes! There's a blast from the past.

YOU were a bartender?? I always thought I'd do ok at that. I can multitask well, and memorize well. But, I don't think I could tell a drunk off if I needed to.

Yes, I was a bartender. When my hubby and I were first married I worked for a company in Nashville that supplied waitstaff for private events and banquests, so I got to work in some pretty cool places like the Carnton Plantation (haunted!), the Belmont Mansion, Belle Meade Plantation, the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was a pretty fun job!

I really miss those Shamrock shakes!

[Sleepingbooty]

Hello!! Joining in! We are going back to Disney in September as well. 9/20-9/28! We are now deciding between CBR and POP! Too funny, we also went this past May with the torrential rains. We were there from the 12th to the 19th though, so we had quite a few days at first with no rain at all. In fact by the time the rain came we were burnt to crisps and it wasn't so bad to cool off,although I would have much rather done without it! Hoping for good weather in September.

Are you doing MNSSHP? We are, we can't wait, it will be the first time!

Good Luck with your powerpoint presentation, can't wait to hear about how it goes and what resort you choose!

:welcome: Thanks for joining!

Hey, we may end up at CBR together, that is one that we are considering. Have you stayed there before?

Not sure yet if we are doing MNsSHP. We never have before, but its definitely up for discussion!

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 6: “And this here’s the TV…”

“And this here's the TV. Two hours a day, either educational or football, so you don't ruin your appreciation of the finer things.”

That quote’s a little tougher than my first one, but I bet at least ONE of you will know it. I spent about two hours yesterday trying to figure out how to get the dang TV and computer to communicate with each other with no luck. I was SO looking forward to showing our resort PowerPoint presentation at my parents house after dinner. I guess I’m not that tech saavy. I thought I’d be able to snake a cable from the laptop to the TV, easy-peasy. Nope. My parents have an older Sony rear-projection, and it just doesn’t have the right kind of jacks. So, I guess I will have to have everyone over here for dinner next Sunday so we can view it on our TV, which is pretty new and hopefully more compatible.

So, since I can’t report on how the PowerPoint went over, I’ll pick back up where I left off last time, with more background fluff:

Last chapter I was lamenting about my indecision on the career front, but I really do feel the need to get back to full time work sooner or later. Number #1 reason for getting a job? More Disney trips, of course! Okay, maybe not the #1 reason – there’s always personal fulfillment, making a contribution, taking some of the burden off my DH, yada yada yada. No, I guess it is the #1 reason after all!

I fell in love with Disney when I was very young. We lived in Southern California (Garden Grove, to be exact), and we went to Disneyland all the time. It was practically in our back yard. You actually could see the fireworks from the backyard. My mom was born a two weeks before Disneyland opened, and her first date with my Dad was to Disneyland at Christmastime. So it’s definitely in my blood!

The first time I went to WDW was when I was 12. By this time, we were back living in the Midwest. My grandparents took me and three cousins (we were the four oldest grandkids) down for a week in Florida. This would have been about 1986. I remember thinking that MK was huge compared to Disneyland, but it seemed sort of sterile. I don’t feel that way now – so I don’t know what led to that impression. I remember thinking there weren’t any trees. No shade, like at DL. Epcot was super cool. I distinctly remember Universe of Energy, Living Seas, World of Motion (I think?), Spaceship Earth, and the Mexico pavilion. We ate at the Biergarten and had a blast dancing in front of the stage. I also have some vague memories of some other extinct attractions.

I think this pic is from the airport. I'm the awkward pre-teen:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/florida86.jpg


I didn’t go back again until 2005. After Jenna was born, I had an idea that it would be fun to take her to Disneyworld on her fifth birthday. So for several years I’d had a vague notion that we would go, but I didn’t start doing any research or planning until about 5 months before our trip. Prior to this, our annual ‘big’ vacation had been renting a beach house on the gulf for a week. I didn’t want to give this up entirely, so I planned to go to Disney for 3 days, then drive over (7 hours) to the gulf and stay the rest of the week.

Boy, when I got online to start researching for the Disney portion of our trip, I was in for quite a shock! I had no idea these huge, comprehensive websites devoted solely to Disneyworld even existed! I quickly got hooked, and started reading the message boards. I couldn’t believe there were so many people who actually went to Disney every year, or even – gasp – multiple times a year! Naturally I became obsessed with the idea (I can say that here – you guys get it!) of going back as soon as possible. One thing led to another, many arms were twisted, and it has since become our de facto vacation destination. Bye bye beach! Thanks for the red tide!

Most of my friends don’t get it. But honestly, even though there are many other places that I’d like to take the girls, at the age they are now I really think it’s the best family vacation for the money. Of course, we do Disney pretty frugally. We go during value season (usually), and don’t stay deluxe. We don’t even usually get park hoppers. And we definitely give up some other things to make a yearly vacation happen.

But even as the girls age, I can’t imagine not wanting to go to Disney. And maybe just add on another trip – maybe to somewhere educational, or outdoorsy, adventurous – whatever. I’ll probably need to get a job for that to happen, which I guess brings us full circle in this chapter! Anybody hiring?

Chapter 7: And the award for best picture goes to... (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35057393&postcount=88)

[Sleepingbooty]

Good news - I finally figured out how to show my PowerPoint on my TV. So, I'll be having Sunday dinner at our house this weekend. I bought a couple slabs of ribs today- think I'm gonna go for the Whispering Canyon Cafe theme dinner!

[eandesmom]

Bummer that the laptop/tv didn't work but yay that you figured it out at your house! We try to find a balance of Disney trips and other places but I am happy to report that I've been able to get my DH there more frequently than he'd ever have thought!

Let me know how the ribs turn out, it's a wonderful meal in the winter, I need to do it myself soon!

Most of my friends don't get it either. My family does but they aren't quite as obsessed with the planning aspect, i.e. they wouldn't dream of making ADR's 6 months out!

[ladybugmom]

Yay for getting the Powerpoint to work on your TV!!!! :banana: My friends don't really get it either!! That's why I think many of us are so close here on the DIS!!! :hug: I can't imagine not wanting to go to Disney either!! :goodvibes

[jordanyosh]

sorry that the powerpoint presentation didn't work....

ribs...mmmmm.....do they travel well?;)

Garden Grove in da house. I live in Garden Grove now.

[All7OfUs]

Ribs!? You've hit my soft spot now! MMMmmmm! With Carolina sauce.

Yes, you must go with the WCC theme. It'll be perfect for your presentation. Hip-hip-hooray that you got it all figured out. Now you just have to hope they are convinced!

So, what concrete things have you done to look for work yet? Anything?
or are things in the planning stages still?

[3princesses+aprince]

A whispering canyon cafe themed dinner sounds like a lot of fun. Glad you figured out how everything works and can give your powerpoint this weekend. I know you asked if I ever stayed at CBR. I have not, but just looking through the pictures threads of it, it looks so beautiful. Not sure if we're going to end up staying there though, might end up at Pop! We are a family of 6 and need two rooms, so CBR will cost us 1300 more than Pop. We are getting married in July as well, so I need to think a little more frugally. :goodvibes That's hard for me to do!


I love the picture of you at the airport!

[OhioDisneyLover]

Nice update. :thumbsup2

Love the airport picture. :goodvibes

[Sleepingbooty]

Bummer that the laptop/tv didn't work but yay that you figured it out at your house! We try to find a balance of Disney trips and other places but I am happy to report that I've been able to get my DH there more frequently than he'd ever have thought!

Let me know how the ribs turn out, it's a wonderful meal in the winter, I need to do it myself soon!

Most of my friends don't get it either. My family does but they aren't quite as obsessed with the planning aspect, i.e. they wouldn't dream of making ADR's 6 months out!

Okay - so one more question about the ribs - if you bake them first, then put them on the grill, how long on the grill? Looks like it'll be up in the 40's Sunday so I can actually do that part of it!

[Sleepingbooty]

Yay for getting the Powerpoint to work on your TV!!!! :banana: My friends don't really get it either!! That's why I think many of us are so close here on the DIS!!! :hug: I can't imagine not wanting to go to Disney either!! :goodvibes

I know! Yay for the Dis - at least here were "normal"! :upsidedow

[Sleepingbooty]

sorry that the powerpoint presentation didn't work....

ribs...mmmmm.....do they travel well?;)

Garden Grove in da house. I live in Garden Grove now.

I know. It was a bummer, but at least I got it going now - I just have to show it at MY house. But the ribs will make it all worth it. If there are any left over I'll fedex them to you - sauce on the side?

I thought you lived there, I remembered it from your very first TR. How is da Grove?

[Sleepingbooty]

Ribs!? You've hit my soft spot now! MMMmmmm! With Carolina sauce.

Yes, you must go with the WCC theme. It'll be perfect for your presentation. Hip-hip-hooray that you got it all figured out. Now you just have to hope they are convinced!

So, what concrete things have you done to look for work yet? Anything?
or are things in the planning stages still?

Well, I'm completed all the paperwork to get my license in Missouri (including requesting transcripts for all 7 :scared1: colleges I attended) and had my fingerprints done. Now I'm waiting to hear if they will grant me a license or not. And I spend A LOT of time at my daughters' school, so that if an art teacher opening does come up, they might think of me. One of the art teachers said she plans to retire in the next year or two, and she said she'd recommend me for the job (I sub for her and the other art teacher occasionally). So, its sort of a waiting game on that front. But... do I really want to do that? I'm leaning towards it. But I'm also keeping my eyes peeled and my ears open for anything interesting that might come my way.

[Sleepingbooty]

A whispering canyon cafe themed dinner sounds like a lot of fun. Glad you figured out how everything works and can give your powerpoint this weekend. I know you asked if I ever stayed at CBR. I have not, but just looking through the pictures threads of it, it looks so beautiful. Not sure if we're going to end up staying there though, might end up at Pop! We are a family of 6 and need two rooms, so CBR will cost us 1300 more than Pop. We are getting married in July as well, so I need to think a little more frugally. :goodvibes That's hard for me to do!


I love the picture of you at the airport!

Oh yeah - definitely save the money and stay at Pop. We stayed there last May. You'll have a blast there, and $1300 is a big difference!

[Sleepingbooty]

Nice update. :thumbsup2

Love the airport picture. :goodvibes

:laughing: Did everybody have bad posture in middle school - or was it just me?

[eandesmom]

I had bad posture in middle school.

Then again I prefer to think of it as deliberate slouch. I think we thought it made us look cooler....

re: ribs on the grill. About 15 minutes to get sauce and edges a little crispy ought to do it :)

I'm visiting Garden Grove in April....does that count for anything?

[Sleepingbooty]

I had bad posture in middle school.

Then again I prefer to think of it as deliberate slouch. I think we thought it made us look cooler....

re: ribs on the grill. About 15 minutes to get sauce and edges a little crispy ought to do it :)

I'm visiting Garden Grove in April....does that count for anything?

That's right, you are! What hotel are you staying at again?

I think I slouched because I thought I was too tall. I'm 5'7" now - so its not like I'm TALL, but at the time, all the boys were shorter than me. I always wished I was 5'4" or under (still do sorta, silly I know:blush:)

[All7OfUs]

hey Rebecca! I was thinking about you this weekend, and wondering how your "presentation" went over. Did you convince them of WL??

Also, I was fomenting ideas with my DH about working when I get back. I was wondering which direction I should go, and was just sorta in a quandry!

Anyway, it reminded me of you a little. Hope you're well!

[Sleepingbooty]

hey Rebecca! I was thinking about you this weekend, and wondering how your "presentation" went over. Did you convince them of WL??

Also, I was fomenting ideas with my DH about working when I get back. I was wondering which direction I should go, and was just sorta in a quandry!

Anyway, it reminded me of you a little. Hope you're well!

Hi Liesa! Thank you! Hope you and the fam are well, too! So are ideas fomenting, or fermenting? :cutie:

Are you thinking of working outside the home when you come back? That might be a challenge with the homeschooling, no?

I was just getting ready to post my update, which is all about how the presentation went - so you'll find out shortly!

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 7: And the award for best picture goes to…Sleepingbooty, for her groundbreaking Disney Resort PowerPoint presentation!

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/roundup_18jan10_480x250.jpg

Thank you, thank you, thank you all so much. I’d like to thank my daughter Jenna for her excellent voice-over work, and to countless, nameless Photobucket users whose photos I borrowed. I couldn’t have done it without you! I also want to thank the guy at Best Buy, who helped me pick the perfect cable to connect my computer to my TV, and Amit Argarwal, whose tech blog inspired and motivated – wait! Stop! Don’t start the music – I’m not done yet!

Ah yes, as you have undoubtedly surmised, last night I was finally able to show everyone the resort PowerPoint that Jenna and I created. And yes, it was a big hit. Well, except for when my brother Ben said, “Is that it? With all the buildup, I expected video tours at the very least.” And THAT’S why I’ve decided he is no longer invited on this trip! So there, Ben. No, actually I really DO want him and Melissa to go – but I guess they’ve decided that it isn’t in their poor college student budget. And Melissa has applied for a job in Alaska – so they may be very far away by next fall.

Oh, since the producers so rudely cut me off to go to commercial, I didn’t get a chance to give a shout out to eandesmom, for her contribution: Thank you Cynthia, your rib recipe was a smash hit! First time I’ve ever made ribs and they turned out very well. To recap – I’d decided to do a theme dinner before we’d watch the PowerPoint and talk about which resort we were going to choose. I decided to try to recreate the Whispering Canyon Café skillet – since my number 1 resort choice is Wilderness Lodge. The actual skillet is comprised of bbq ribs, roasted chicken, pulled pork, brisket, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and cowboy beans. With salad on the side, and corn bread. I used Cynthia’s rib recipe, my mom brought chicken, and I skipped the pork and brisket. I did make everything else, though, and it turned out to be a great meal. My only regret was that I didn’t have a cast iron skillet to serve it in. My mom also made a cherry crisp for dessert which was excellent, and although not on the WCC menu, seemed to fit the overall theme.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_3064.jpg

After dinner, and after whatever football game they were watching was over, we put on the PowerPoint. I didn’t really do anything to fancy with it, it was just a slide show set to Disney music. We had a section on POFQ, POR, CBR, and WL. Each section had 10 or 15 photo slides of the resort, and then a page noting pros and cons. At the very end, I had a budget spreadsheet showing the cost for several different options. I assumed free dining (or a similar promo) and priced out staying at WL, or any of the moderates, with and without hoppers, driving or flying.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/resortcomparisonjpeg.jpg

We had a lot of fun debating the pros and cons of each resort, and examining the different budgets, but ultimately we didn’t come to a decision. My Dad seemed to think the cheapest option was the best (this is not surprising), my Mom was leaning toward staying at WL and flying but not getting hoppers, Scott liked the idea of CBR because we’ve never stayed there. He also liked the option of WL, but driving to save money.

So no final decision yet – but I still consider it a success, because by the end of the discussion my parents said that they would be happy with any of the resorts, and would let it be up to us and what we could afford to do. I think my dad really liked the looks of WL, so bearing the extra cost of it, when he was perfectly happy last time with POR, doesn’t seem as pointless to him as it did before. Here are a few of the pics that I used in the slide show:

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Wilderness%20Lodge/100_2680.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Wilderness%20Lodge/photobucket031.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Wilderness%20Lodge/bearfall1.jpg

Click here for the next update: Yikes, Help! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35147858&postcount=115)

[eandesmom]

That's right, you are! What hotel are you staying at again?

I think I slouched because I thought I was too tall. I'm 5'7" now - so its not like I'm TALL, but at the time, all the boys were shorter than me. I always wished I was 5'4" or under (still do sorta, silly I know:blush:)

oh how funny on the slouch! I always dated tall guys so it was a non issue....until now! Not that Jeff is short but I'm about a half an inch shorter than you, he's 5'10" and when I have heels on...I feel like a giant!

We are staying at the Crowne Plaza in GG.

I am SO glad the ribs turned out! :cool1:

Wonderful job on the resort presentation. :thumbsup2

Out of curiosity, did you price out the 2bedroom Villas at WL? Since you have 4 adults and would need 2 rooms anyway it might come out about the same plus you'd get the kitchen which is great to supplement the regular dining plan with. There is also a deluxe room at WL (CL level I think but very reasonable...) that sleeps 6, though every time I've tried to actually price it out as an actual ressie, it wasn't available. You can see the rates for it on the website though but it looks like a good deal.

How long would your drive be?

[Sleepingbooty]

oh how funny on the slouch! I always dated tall guys so it was a non issue....until now! Not that Jeff is short but I'm about a half an inch shorter than you, he's 5'10" and when I have heels on...I feel like a giant! I know exactly what you mean - Scott is MAYBE 5'9". Yeah, I don't wear heels much;)

We are staying at the Crowne Plaza in GG.

I am SO glad the ribs turned out! :cool1:

Wonderful job on the resort presentation. :thumbsup2

Out of curiosity, did you price out the 2bedroom Villas at WL? Since you have 4 adults and would need 2 rooms anyway it might come out about the same plus you'd get the kitchen which is great to supplement the regular dining plan with. There is also a deluxe room at WL (CL level I think but very reasonable...) that sleeps 6, though every time I've tried to actually price it out as an actual ressie, it wasn't available. You can see the rates for it on the website though but it looks like a good deal.

How long would your drive be?

I did price out doing a 2bdrm villa - using rented points at $10/pt. The only thing is, we'd have to then pay for the dining plan and wouldn't be able to get it free (if they offer that), so when I added the price of that in, it would be about $150 more, total. Is there a cheaper way to do it than renting points? I thought I remember reading in someone's TR or PTR, and I can't remember who now, that they were able to stay at AKL villas for cheaper than Pop Century - how is that humanly possible?

I didn't know that there was a deluxe room that sleeps 6 - I'll look into that. I'm guessing just one bathroom though -right?

Our drive is about 16 hours. We've done it once before and I thought it was actually kind of fun (at least on the way down). We left on a friday after work, drove til 1am, stopped at a hotel in Georgia, then drove the rest of the way on Saturday. We got in about 5. I'd definitely do it again, but I know Scott doesn't want to.

[eandesmom]

I know exactly what you mean - Scott is MAYBE 5'9". Yeah, I don't wear heels much;)



I did price out doing a 2bdrm villa - using rented points at $10/pt. The only thing is, we'd have to then pay for the dining plan and wouldn't be able to get it free (if they offer that), so when I added the price of that in, it would be about $150 more, total. Is there a cheaper way to do it than renting points? I thought I remember reading in someone's TR or PTR, and I can't remember who now, that they were able to stay at AKL villas for cheaper than Pop Century - how is that humanly possible?

I didn't know that there was a deluxe room that sleeps 6 - I'll look into that. I'm guessing just one bathroom though -right?

Our drive is about 16 hours. We've done it once before and I thought it was actually kind of fun (at least on the way down). We left on a friday after work, drove til 1am, stopped at a hotel in Georgia, then drove the rest of the way on Saturday. We got in about 5. I'd definitely do it again, but I know Scott doesn't want to.

Not cheaper than renting points but is the 2B assuming free dining still more than the total of your two rooms, also assuming FD?

16 hours is doable especially with a group and significant savings. It always comes down to how much the flight prices are.

This is the room I was talking about. Rack rate for value is $540, if you are in standard rooms then you are $480 for the 2 rooms so it'd be more. Of course it would include breakfast! So probably not the best deal, though if memory serves it's cheaper than the 2b villa. It is a one bathroom....

* Club level with concierge service deluxe room is located on the first six floors of the Resort and offers a view of Bay Lake, woodlands or interior courtyard areas of Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
* 2 queen-size beds and one queen-size sleeper sofa
* Table and chairs
* Private balcony or patio
* Ceiling fan
* Vanity area with 2 sinks and bath
* Sitting area, separated from bedroom by French doors
* 2 televisions
* Alarm clock
* Coffeemaker
* DVD player
* Hairdryer
* High-speed Internet access (for an additional fee)
* Iron, ironing board
* Pack 'n Play playard
* Refrigerator
* In-room wall safe
* Voice mail
* Wheelchair-accessible rooms available
* All rooms are non-smoking rooms
* Access to Old Faithful Club, located on seventh floor of the Resort
* Old Faithful Club benefits:
o Advanced Walt Disney World Resort Itinerary Planning service
o Personalized Front Desk and Concierge service from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
o Evening turndown service with chocolates
o Secure key access to the Club Level floors and Lounge, which serves refreshments daily:
+ Continental breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
+ Midday snack from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
+ Evening wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
+ Evening cordials and desserts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
o Complimentary Health Club access
o Weekday newspaper delivery of USA Today
o Complimentary fax assistance
o Opportunity to book and experience Wildlife Discovery Excursion at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

[jordanyosh]

while the moderate prices look good, Option1 looks the most attractive.

Great job on the meal!!!!!!!

[klacey1]

Hi, Rebecca! I followed you over here from another PTR and am loving your writing style!
Glad the PP presentation went over so well-- really seems like your family can be convinced to do WL! I told DBF that for our 2011 trip, we have to stay at either the WL or the Poly. Both are just so beautiful.
Good luck, also, in finding a job! Have you thought about working in an art museum? I'm not sure the hours would be akin to what you want, or if there are any nice museums near you, but a good friend of mine works at the Met and really loves it! With your background in art, I'm sure you'd be more than qualified!

[disneylovin24]

popcorn:: Can't wait for more!!!

I'd just go with WL and drive down to save money. You only go on vacation once a year and I think you should really spend the money to stay at the resort you will love the most:lovestruc I'd also suggest driving not just to save money:laughing: A drive to disney is always a fun experience!

[Charlefours]

Hello! :wave2:! I have just finished reading your PTR and loving it!! I hope you get to stay at WL--that's my dream resort. With everyone going on our trip in September, it is not possible to stay there. We are driving--I am looking forward to it!! :goodvibes

LOVE the theme night you did. I want to start doing a similar thing starting in March. Looking forward to reading more!! :surfweb:

[3princesses+aprince]

Wow, sounds like you did a great job!!! And the comparisons you had set up are awesome!!! Glad to hear that even though you didn't make a decision, it went well!

[ladybugmom]

Impressive Rebecca!!! VERY impressive!! I'm so glad that everything went well and that it was successful for you! I can't WAIT to hear what you end up deciding! :goodvibes Oh--and that food looks AMAZING!!! YUM!!!

[All7OfUs]

Hi Liesa! Thank you! Hope you and the fam are well, too! So are ideas fomenting, or fermenting? :cutie:

Are you thinking of working outside the home when you come back? That might be a challenge with the homeschooling, no?

I was just getting ready to post my update, which is all about how the presentation went - so you'll find out shortly!

Depends on if you've eaten raw shrimp or not. :lmao:

I'm thinking that my 2 youngest may go to school for a spell when we get back, and I"d only do this part time anyway. It's all really up in the air right now.

[All7OfUs]

I tried ribs about a month ago, but they turned out really bad. I boiled them first to get the grease out, then baked them, but blech! They were still very fatty and yucky. Your WCC post made my mouth water!! So glad yours turned out.

It will be fun to watch as the family churns the choices around and comes up with one. I vote for the WL, no PHs, flying option. As if it was up to me. :lmao:

[Sleepingbooty]

Not cheaper than renting points but is the 2B assuming free dining still more than the total of your two rooms, also assuming FD?

16 hours is doable especially with a group and significant savings. It always comes down to how much the flight prices are.

This is the room I was talking about. Rack rate for value is $540, if you are in standard rooms then you are $480 for the 2 rooms so it'd be more. Of course it would include breakfast! So probably not the best deal, though if memory serves it's cheaper than the 2b villa. It is a one bathroom....

* Club level with concierge service deluxe room is located on the first six floors of the Resort and offers a view of Bay Lake, woodlands or interior courtyard areas of Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
* 2 queen-size beds and one queen-size sleeper sofa
* Table and chairs
* Private balcony or patio
* Ceiling fan
* Vanity area with 2 sinks and bath
* Sitting area, separated from bedroom by French doors
* 2 televisions
* Alarm clock
* Coffeemaker
* DVD player
* Hairdryer
* High-speed Internet access (for an additional fee)
* Iron, ironing board
* Pack 'n Play playard
* Refrigerator
* In-room wall safe
* Voice mail
* Wheelchair-accessible rooms available
* All rooms are non-smoking rooms
* Access to Old Faithful Club, located on seventh floor of the Resort
* Old Faithful Club benefits:
o Advanced Walt Disney World Resort Itinerary Planning service
o Personalized Front Desk and Concierge service from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
o Evening turndown service with chocolates
o Secure key access to the Club Level floors and Lounge, which serves refreshments daily:
+ Continental breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
+ Midday snack from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
+ Evening wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
+ Evening cordials and desserts from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
o Complimentary Health Club access
o Weekday newspaper delivery of USA Today
o Complimentary fax assistance
o Opportunity to book and experience Wildlife Discovery Excursion at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

Well that's a lot to think about! I guess I need to go back into the WDW website and price out some additional options. Concierge would be really nice - if you paired that with the dining plan, you really wouldn't need to bring or purchase ANY additional food.

[Sleepingbooty]

while the moderate prices look good, Option1 looks the most attractive.

Great job on the meal!!!!!!!

Oh yes, definitely! However, I'm not sure my bank account will agree. What needs to happen is for the W-2's to arrive so I can do my taxes - then I'll know realistically what I'm working with.

[Sleepingbooty]

Hi, Rebecca! I followed you over here from another PTR and am loving your writing style!
Glad the PP presentation went over so well-- really seems like your family can be convinced to do WL! I told DBF that for our 2011 trip, we have to stay at either the WL or the Poly. Both are just so beautiful.
Good luck, also, in finding a job! Have you thought about working in an art museum? I'm not sure the hours would be akin to what you want, or if there are any nice museums near you, but a good friend of mine works at the Met and really loves it! With your background in art, I'm sure you'd be more than qualified!

Thank you! And thanks for comin' over!

It does seem like they could be convinced to do WL - which actually kind of scares me - puts the weight of decision on OUR shoulders! I would love to stay at the Poly too - that's my dream resort. Maybe in a few years.

A museum job would be VERY nice. When I first started my art-ed program, we had a visiting lecturer from the St.Louis Art Museum. According to this person, just to be a docent you practically need a Phd. I'm sure that's not true in all cases - but I think in general the museum community is very exclusive. With only a bachelor's degree, from a second tier state university - I'm probably not "museum material" - but I'm not bitter;) But you do remind me that I need to look outside the box a bit. Thanks for the encouragement!

[Sleepingbooty]

popcorn:: Can't wait for more!!!

I'd just go with WL and drive down to save money. You only go on vacation once a year and I think you should really spend the money to stay at the resort you will love the most:lovestruc I'd also suggest driving not just to save money:laughing: A drive to disney is always a fun experience!

Hi! Thanks for joining in!

Right now, that's what I'm leaning towards. I think the drive is fun, too - more time for the excitement and anticipation to build up!

[Sleepingbooty]

Hello! :wave2:! I have just finished reading your PTR and loving it!! I hope you get to stay at WL--that's my dream resort. With everyone going on our trip in September, it is not possible to stay there. We are driving--I am looking forward to it!! :goodvibes

LOVE the theme night you did. I want to start doing a similar thing starting in March. Looking forward to reading more!! :surfweb:

Thank you, and Welcome!! I see you have a ptr started, too - I'll have to check it out. September is really a great time to go.

I've also done an Ohana theme night before - we'll probably do that one next month when we start deciding on ADRs.

[Sleepingbooty]

Wow, sounds like you did a great job!!! And the comparisons you had set up are awesome!!! Glad to hear that even though you didn't make a decision, it went well!

Thanks. It was a lot of fun to do. I'm a numbers person, so I like to see it all laid out.

[Sleepingbooty]

Impressive Rebecca!!! VERY impressive!! I'm so glad that everything went well and that it was successful for you! I can't WAIT to hear what you end up deciding! :goodvibes Oh--and that food looks AMAZING!!! YUM!!!

Thank you, thank you! Yes, the food was pretty good, if I do say so myself;) But... I don't want to mislead anyone - that pic of the Whispering Canyon Skillet is of the original, not mine :blush:

[Sleepingbooty]

Depends on if you've eaten raw shrimp or not. :lmao:

I'm thinking that my 2 youngest may go to school for a spell when we get back, and I"d only do this part time anyway. It's all really up in the air right now.

Now I'm really curious! I'd love to hear more, if it's something you can share!

[Sleepingbooty]

I tried ribs about a month ago, but they turned out really bad. I boiled them first to get the grease out, then baked them, but blech! They were still very fatty and yucky. Your WCC post made my mouth water!! So glad yours turned out.

It will be fun to watch as the family churns the choices around and comes up with one. I vote for the WL, no PHs, flying option. As if it was up to me. :lmao:

Ooh, that doesn't sound too good. I'm not big on boiling meat of any kind.

As for PH's - I can give that up easily. We've only used them one trip out of five. And that was when it was just Scott and I there for our anniversary. We were only there for four days, so they came in handy. Other than that - I've always planned out park days based on the touring plans crowd calendar, and then chose ADRs either at those parks or a nearby resort.

[All7OfUs]

Now I'm really curious! I'd love to hear more, if it's something you can share!

All I know, is that I'm feeling a need for a break. I'm a tired homeschooling mom. I know that Zach needs some extra TLC and services and he may be only allowed to get them IF he's IN school. My DD, 7, would die to get to go to school. She is a smart cookie and would really thrive there. I don't think it'd be a permanent thing, just enough time for me to get life into a manageable routine again.

If we take on the mortgage of buying DH parent's home, I may need to work to help with the bills as well. Time will tell. :confused3

Ooh, that doesn't sound too good. I'm not big on boiling meat of any kind.

As for PH's - I can give that up easily. We've only used them one trip out of five. And that was when it was just Scott and I there for our anniversary. We were only there for four days, so they came in handy. Other than that - I've always planned out park days based on the touring plans crowd calendar, and then chose ADRs either at those parks or a nearby resort.

Those are way easy for me to give up too. We had a beautiful time without them last trip!

[OhioDisneyLover]

Glad to hear your PPT presentation went over well! :yay:

I vote for WL. We're staying there in September for our 10th anniversary. We love it there so I guess my vote is biased. :rolleyes1

I am really enjoying your PTR!

[Sleepingbooty]

All I know, is that I'm feeling a need for a break. I'm a tired homeschooling mom. I know that Zach needs some extra TLC and services and he may be only allowed to get them IF he's IN school. My DD, 7, would die to get to go to school. She is a smart cookie and would really thrive there. I don't think it'd be a permanent thing, just enough time for me to get life into a manageable routine again.

If we take on the mortgage of buying DH parent's home, I may need to work to help with the bills as well. Time will tell. :confused3

I know what you mean. And if you are tired now, I'm sure the upheaval of moving halfway across the world back to the U.S. isn't going to leave you feeling refreshed. And I hear you on the need to help with the bills.

Those are way easy for me to give up too. We had a beautiful time without them last trip!

Yep. Hoppers are a luxury for me - not a neccesity. Sometimes I like a little luxury though....

[Sleepingbooty]

Glad to hear your PPT presentation went over well! :yay:

I vote for WL. We're staying there in September for our 10th anniversary. We love it there so I guess my vote is biased. :rolleyes1

I am really enjoying your PTR!

Thank you!

I would so love to stay there! We'll see how the budget shakes out.

[The4bits]

Hi subscribing. Love your PTR. Nice to see a fellow St. Louisian that loves WDW as much as myself. We are going to WDW in September also, from the 26th to the 29th. A small little trip, it's all I could get out of my DH. We are going to stop in Daytona so he can lay on the beach and relax before we head back home.

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the very first time and are looking forward to being so close to MK. Two years ago we stayed at the BCV and since our kids are little (at the time they were 2.5 and turning 4) felt we needed to be closer to MK even though DH and I love BCV.

Can't wait to read more.:thumbsup2

[Sleepingbooty]

Hi subscribing. Love your PTR. Nice to see a fellow St. Louisian that loves WDW as much as myself. We are going to WDW in September also, from the 26th to the 29th. A small little trip, it's all I could get out of my DH. We are going to stop in Daytona so he can lay on the beach and relax before we head back home.

We are staying at the Wilderness Lodge for the very first time and are looking forward to being so close to MK. Two years ago we stayed at the BCV and since our kids are little (at the time they were 2.5 and turning 4) felt we needed to be closer to MK even though DH and I love BCV.

Can't wait to read more.:thumbsup2

Hi, and :welcome: Thanks for joining in!

Looks like we will be there right before you - if we stay at WL, that is... still unsure. Are you doing a PTR?

[Sleepingbooty]

:scared1:Well, I had a whole update ready to go earlier today. I had copied it from Word onto the the dis, and was in the process of working with the pics on Photobucket, when I got hit with a virus! :headache::headache::headache:

I ran my antivirus software (AVG Avast) and it didn't find it. I ran Ad-Aware, and it didn't find it (although my definitions needed to be updated). So... I'm at a loss. I have exhausted the extent of my computer knowledge, and Scott knows even less than me, if that is possible (sorry, hubby).

I've backed up all my photos and docs and my itunes, luckily. I guess I could just reinstall Windows? If I can find the disc, that is. Will that do it? Anyone have any ideas? Biscuit?

I'm Back Baby! (1/28) (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35202942&postcount=138)
:scared1:

[All7OfUs]

Oh NO!! Rebecca!! That sucketh!! How horrible and what a big fat pain in the patooty!

I hope someone here (Biscuit?) can help you out?? 'did you PM him??

[The4bits]

Hi, and :welcome: Thanks for joining in!

Looks like we will be there right before you - if we stay at WL, that is... still unsure. Are you doing a PTR?

Not sure about the PTR, they are a little intimidating. We'll see. So sorry about your computer. Wish I knew of something to help but I get frustrated when my pc takes to long to boot. Hope you find help soon.

[glennbo123]

Hi Rebecca! I'm caught up and signing on. Any PTR that has recipes for ribs and bread pudding is all right in my book.

Our computer got a virus also, about a month ago. Whenever I'd go to a webpage it would re-direct itself to an antivirus (so-called) page saying that I needed to buy their antivirus software (ransom money). I kept running Norton scans and they never were able to fix it. I procrastinated a little while, and was about to re-install Windows, when one morning the regular Norton scan had caught it and fixed it. It's been fine ever since. I think we were really lucky.

I hope you're able to get yours resolved without too much difficulty or expense.

[Sleepingbooty]

Oh NO!! Rebecca!! That sucketh!! How horrible and what a big fat pain in the patooty!

I hope someone here (Biscuit?) can help you out?? 'did you PM him??

I know! I posted that update on my moms 'puter last night, and I'm using Scott's laptop now, so I do have some access - but I really need to get it fixed! Been working on it for the last two hours to no avail. I have to get ready for a half day sub job that starts at 12:30 - so no time now, but I'll pm GB later.

[All7OfUs]

Then we can feel sorry for each other! My bathroom faucet hose thingy under the sink just broke!! I kept hearing a drip and went in to check it out. Stupid me, ended up snapping the connection off, and so we had to turn off the water completely to the house.

Of course this had to happen when DH is gone. :sad2:

[glennbo123]

Rebecca, I should have mentioned in my initial post....my oldest daughter used to call Sleeping Beauty Sleeping Booty too. Of course we encouraged it after that because it was just so much fun to say. Aurora was her favorite princess, but it was hard to find toys with her featured, they usually go with other princesses.

Then we can feel sorry for each other! My bathroom faucet hose thingy under the sink just broke!! I kept hearing a drip and went in to check it out. Stupid me, ended up snapping the connection off, and so we had to turn off the water completely to the house.

Of course this had to happen when DH is gone. :sad2:

Liesa, you don't have a shut-off for the sink itself?

[All7OfUs]

Liesa, you don't have a shut-off for the sink itself?

Sorry for this unexpected teesy weensy hijack, Rebecca!

Nope, no shut offs to be found. I think I can call my DHs water project assistant and have him come help me out tomorrow. Afterall, water is our business :) But you know what they say... "The cobblers kids never have any shoes."

[jordanyosh]

Viruses are going around.....hmmmmm......

Hopefully it all get resolved.:thumbsup2

[Sleepingbooty]

Not sure about the PTR, they are a little intimidating. We'll see. So sorry about your computer. Wish I knew of something to help but I get frustrated when my pc takes to long to boot. Hope you find help soon.

Thanks! Computers are so frustrating. And complicated. And confusing. I feel like I need to go get an advanced degree in computer engineering just to keep my pc running:confused3

[Sleepingbooty]

Hi Rebecca! I'm caught up and signing on. Any PTR that has recipes for ribs and bread pudding is all right in my book.

Our computer got a virus also, about a month ago. Whenever I'd go to a webpage it would re-direct itself to an antivirus (so-called) page saying that I needed to buy their antivirus software (ransom money). I kept running Norton scans and they never were able to fix it. I procrastinated a little while, and was about to re-install Windows, when one morning the regular Norton scan had caught it and fixed it. It's been fine ever since. I think we were really lucky.

I hope you're able to get yours resolved without too much difficulty or expense.

:wave: Hi Glenn! Glad to have ya!

That sounds similar to my virus. I was on photobucket, when out of the blue, windows started popping up everywhere saying I had a virus. Of course, these weren't windows from MY antivirus software. I ran a scan with my AVG Avast, and it didn't find anything. So my system is totally crippled, but my antivirus software can't find anything - wierd?! Maybe what happened to yours will happen to mine. At this point, I'm thinking of just reinstalling Windows myself:confused3

[Sleepingbooty]

Then we can feel sorry for each other! My bathroom faucet hose thingy under the sink just broke!! I kept hearing a drip and went in to check it out. Stupid me, ended up snapping the connection off, and so we had to turn off the water completely to the house.

Of course this had to happen when DH is gone. :sad2:

Oh crap, really?! That's terrible! Now I feel bad for complaining - at least we still have water, I even have ONE working computer. Yes, I'm a whiner - bring some cheese and we'll have a pity party!

[Sleepingbooty]

Rebecca, I should have mentioned in my initial post....my oldest daughter used to call Sleeping Beauty Sleeping Booty too. Of course we encouraged it after that because it was just so much fun to say. Aurora was her favorite princess, but it was hard to find toys with her featured, they usually go with other princesses.



Liesa, you don't have a shut-off for the sink itself?

Isn't it sad when they outgrow their speech impediments? I loved Lucy's little lisp - ooh, try saying that five times fast...

[Sleepingbooty]

Sorry for this unexpected teesy weensy hijack, Rebecca!

Nope, no shut offs to be found. I think I can call my DHs water project assistant and have him come help me out tomorrow. Afterall, water is our business :) But you know what they say... "The cobblers kids never have any shoes."

Not at all, my friend!

I wonder, does that expression hold true for other professions?

[Sleepingbooty]

Viruses are going around.....hmmmmm......

Hopefully it all get resolved.:thumbsup2

Thanks!

I think I've caught the swine flu of computer viruses. You better wash your hands after you read this post!

[ladybugmom]

Oh no!! I'm so sorry Rebecca! That stinks! I know nothing about the technical side of computers (especially when things go wrong)!! I hope you can figure it out!

[All7OfUs]

HA! Cheese at our pity party. I don't know. If Jordan's invited we'll have to be very, very careful! :lmao: and make sure there's a balcony!:rotfl2:

[Sleepingbooty]

Oh no!! I'm so sorry Rebecca! That stinks! I know nothing about the technical side of computers (especially when things go wrong)!! I hope you can figure it out!

Thanks! Things are looking up this morning. Got an email from Dell today that even though our computer is five years old and out of warranty, they WILL send us the Windows restore disks - so at least I'll be able to clear everything out and start again if I can't get rid of this nasty bug.

HA! Cheese at our pity party. I don't know. If Jordan's invited we'll have to be very, very careful! :lmao: and make sure there's a balcony!:rotfl2:

No tacos either! Heading over to your ptr to see if your sitchy-ation has improved...

[All7OfUs]

Thanks! Things are looking up this morning. Got an email from Dell today that even though our computer is five years old and out of warranty, they WILL send us the Windows restore disks - so at least I'll be able to clear everything out and start again if I can't get rid of this nasty bug.



No tacos either! Heading over to your ptr to see if your sitchy-ation has improved...


Progress! Hooray!

I should post an update- thanks for the reminder.

[OhioDisneyLover]

Good news from Dell!

[Sleepingbooty]

Good news from Dell!

And guess what - the disks came today! That was insanely quick. First bit of decent customer service they've given me!

[All7OfUs]

Yeah for disks!!! Hope they work for making things all better!

[Charlefours]

Sorry to hear about your computer troubles! I hope you are able to get it worked out soon! :wizard:

[Sleepingbooty]

Yay! I have successfully fixed my pc! I tried a couple different tools that never did find the virus, and then when I was trying to download another tool - everything shut down altogether. So, I decided to reinstall windows and start over. Apparently, computer saavy people do this all the time to keep their systems running well. I found this out in one of the umpteen articles and blogs I read trying to figure this stuff out. I didn't have the windows disks, but luckily Dell graciously sent them too me, even though my system is five years old and well out of the warranty period. So, with the instructions on how to do it pulled up on Scotts laptop, I went to work. At 9:00 this morning, after the girls left for school. And its now 2:45. Don't laugh, Biscuit. Took me forever, but at least its done. Of course, an hour of that was spent on an extremely frustrating phone call to ATT tech support. But I eventually got it all worked out, and now my Outlook is busy downloading 4303 emails from the server. I have no idea why they were all still on the server when they'd long been deleted from my computer.

Hopefully, I will soon be able to post the update I was working on when everthing crashed on Sunday. I'm afraid to go back on Photobucket, though. Thats where I was when I got hit. I probably won't have time today, so look for a new update sometime tomorrow. Until then:wave2:

Click here for Chapter 8: A Side Trip to Outer Space (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35214083&postcount=147)

[jenbear123]

Hi Rebecca :goodvibes I'm signing on from word about your PTR over at All7OfUs PTR. She does a good job spreading readership, doesn't she?

I'm all caught up and have lots to comment on, so here goes!

You're not the only one that gets those comment from people about Disney. I went 4 times last year so you can just imagine the words I was getting from people :laughing: I can't help it though! I just had to visit my sister who went to work for Disney for the passed year. Her contract is ending this March. :sad1: That doesn't mean I'll stop going to Disney World! I've already got two trips planned this year with potentially two more in the works. I know, I have a sickness :angel: Anyways, you're not alone in the Disney obsession!

The powerpoint idea was great. Too bad no decision came out of it. I LOVE WL as well. :cloud9: It is still my favourite deluxe, even after staying at AK. And I'm an animal lover. Figure that one out. I stayed in the villas in November at WL. If you want to see some pictures, check out my TR in my signature :goodvibes I really hope you all decide on WL. Just get Jenna to do some more major puppy dog eyes.

Here's an idea to fix your computer problems forever..... GET A MAC! :rotfl2: No, no I'm not one of those Apple cult people. However, I have had a mac now for almost 4 or 5 years. It's still running strong. You could never do that with a PC (aka Piece of Crap) Once you go mac, you never go back. Okay, okay I'll stop. Glad you got everything fixed because I'm dying for another update!

[ladybugmom]

YAY for fixing your computer!! I'm impressed you were able to do it by yourself!! I know I would not have been able to do it!! :goodvibes

[jordanyosh]

YAY for fixing your computer!! I'm impressed you were able to do it by yourself!! I know I would not have been able to do it!! :goodvibes

I completey agee. I wouldn't have been able to do it myself. I don't think I would've had the patience.
:worship::worship:

[eandesmom]

YAY for fixing your puter, I know all too well how frustrating and time consuming it can be!

Glad you're back :goodvibes

[Sleepingbooty]

Hi Rebecca :goodvibes I'm signing on from word about your PTR over at All7OfUs PTR. She does a good job spreading readership, doesn't she?

I'm all caught up and have lots to comment on, so here goes!

You're not the only one that gets those comment from people about Disney. I went 4 times last year so you can just imagine the words I was getting from people :laughing: I can't help it though! I just had to visit my sister who went to work for Disney for the passed year. Her contract is ending this March. :sad1: That doesn't mean I'll stop going to Disney World! I've already got two trips planned this year with potentially two more in the works. I know, I have a sickness :angel: Anyways, you're not alone in the Disney obsession!

The powerpoint idea was great. Too bad no decision came out of it. I LOVE WL as well. :cloud9: It is still my favourite deluxe, even after staying at AK. And I'm an animal lover. Figure that one out. I stayed in the villas in November at WL. If you want to see some pictures, check out my TR in my signature :goodvibes I really hope you all decide on WL. Just get Jenna to do some more major puppy dog eyes.

Here's an idea to fix your computer problems forever..... GET A MAC! :rotfl2: No, no I'm not one of those Apple cult people. However, I have had a mac now for almost 4 or 5 years. It's still running strong. You could never do that with a PC (aka Piece of Crap) Once you go mac, you never go back. Okay, okay I'll stop. Glad you got everything fixed because I'm dying for another update!

Hi! :welcome: Thanks for joining in!

You have totally read our minds on the Mac thing! Wednesday night, before I got it fixed, Scott was showing me this Mac mini online. He said if I wasn't able to reinstall, that we were definitely going to get a Mac. Of course, now that I did get it fixed, we can put off that purchase (which is good as it would have eaten into our Disney budget!), but we still plan to go to the Apple Store this weekend and check them out. It won't be too long before I join the ranks of the isheep (thanks for that one, Jordan;))

[Sleepingbooty]

YAY for fixing your computer!! I'm impressed you were able to do it by yourself!! I know I would not have been able to do it!! :goodvibes

Thanks! I felt pretty good about it. But seriously, it took me a full day of researching to figure out what to do. I have a couple friends and family members who are tech people, and I've had them do stuff for us before, but I always feel bad asking because I know that everybody hits them up for help all the time and it must get old. So, after paying someone to fix Scott's virus on his laptop last month - I just didn't want to lay out the cash again. I'm a do-it-yourselfer through and through!

[Sleepingbooty]

I completey agee. I wouldn't have been able to do it myself. I don't think I would've had the patience.
:worship::worship:

Oh no, you think that took patience? Its nothing compared to my current project - stripping the wallpaper from my bathroom!

I think teaching little kids has instilled at least a little patience in me. I definitely wasn't born with it!

[Sleepingbooty]

YAY for fixing your puter, I know all too well how frustrating and time consuming it can be!

Glad you're back :goodvibes

Thanks!

Its made me want to learn more about how these dang things work, so I can keep my system running better day to day. That, or its made me want to scrap it all and get a Mac!

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 8: A Side Trip to Outer Space

Okay, so here's the update I was working on when I was so rudely interrupted by a computer virus:

Since I still haven’t made a decision yet on resorts (have to do my taxes first so I know what I’m working with), I thought I’d do a short detour. Last weekend, we took Jenna’s Brownie troop on the coolest field trip: The Challenger Center St.Louis. Its part of the Challenger Center for Space Education which was founded by the families of the astronauts lost during the last flight of the Challenger Space Shuttle in 1986. They have learning centers in something like 50 cities.

The center does a lot of different programs, including summer camps and programs specifically designed for scout groups. We took part in a 4-hour session to earn their “Space Explorer” badge.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10005bl.jpg

The ‘commander’ who led our group was dressed like a Nasa astronaut. We spent about two hours in a classroom learning about Nasa and the history of the space program. The girls designed their own mission badge, designed and built space stations out of random junk, and made rockets. Then we got to take the rockets outside and ‘launch them.’ This was so cool – I couldn’t believe how far they went.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10014bl.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10020bl.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10034bl.jpg

The best part was the last hour or so, when the girls got to do a simulated space mission. They were each assigned a job; Jenna was the medical officer. Then we went into the shuttle for our flight. They’d done a great job recreating a shuttle, the girls were even a little nervous as we prepared to take off. Each window had a little video screen that showed footage of the take off and flight into space. After we docked with the space station, we exited the shuttle into an ‘airlock,’ which was basically a short hallway leading to a large circular darkroom door that led us into the space station.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10045.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10046bl.jpg
Look Ma, no gravity!
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10054bl.jpg

I felt like I was in the mission control room in Mission Space. Each girl went to her station and began working on her assigned job. Jenna had a computer monitor at her station and she had instructions to complete medical tests (hearing and vision) on herself and three teammates.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10057.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10068bl.jpg
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10075.jpg

They spent 20 or 30 minutes working on their tasks, and then we had an ‘emergency.’ The navigator had discovered a foreign object in our orbit and we had to stop everything and go to work determining what it was. For this, we all had to don special glasses so we could look at its radioactive spectrum (I’m probably remembering all these terms wrong). I think we determined that we had spotted a comet.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/Jan10078.jpg

The girls wrapped up their tasks and we returned to earth via the shuttle. I think some of them were convinced that we actually had gone into space. I had thought that four hours might be a bit long for these third graders, but they were never once bored and the time flew by. I highly recommend checking out the Challenger Center if you have one in your area. The only problem is that now Jenna wants me to send her to Space Camp in Huntsville! $$$$$$! Of course, she can’t even make through a sleepover without calling me to come get her, so I somehow can’t see that happening in the near future.

I'll be working on the taxes this weekend, which means I'll know my vacation budget, which means I should be able to make a decision on which resort, so stay tuned!

Click here for Chapter 9: Cuz I'm the Decider! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35290431&postcount=161)

[All7OfUs]

I'm a do-it-yourselfer through and through!

Me too!! If you can't fix it yourself, it's not worth having! I'm proud of you for sticking with it, and getting the job done!! Major Kudos!

That field trip looked ultra mega cool!! They must have really learned a lot in those 4 hours! Good to see scouting still going strong. :thumbsup2

[jenbear123]

That space center looks super neat! It's great to see the kids getting involved and actually enjoying themselves in something educational.

Oh good. I'm so glad you're considering purchasing a Mac. I guess it's a good thing you got the one you have now fixed. Wouldn't want anything eating into the Disney fund! What do you think of the new iPad? IMO, it's just a glorified iPhone :rolleyes:

Hope it's good news for the outcome of your taxes. Can't wait to hear the resort decision.

[glennbo123]

Thanks for sharing this side trip. Looks like fun and education wrapped-up in one!

[ladybugmom]

WOW! That trip looks amazing!! The girls look like they're having a BLAST!! My DH has always talked about taking Ally to Space Camp (more for him, I think)!! :goodvibes

[eandesmom]

what a great field trip! Eric would be in heaven if he got to do that! He hasn't realized that space camp exists....it might be best if I keep it that way!

Good luck on the taxes, I know we are hoping ours pays for the US part of the trip!

[jordanyosh]

Can adults do it...;)

[klacey1]

What a fun day! DBF is a space nut, so I'm sure he'd enjoy that as much as the girls did! ;) Four hours does seem long for little girls, but kudos to them for being to interested and kudos to the museum for knowing how to entertain and educate at the same time!

[Sleepingbooty]

Me too!! If you can't fix it yourself, it's not worth having! I'm proud of you for sticking with it, and getting the job done!! Major Kudos!

That field trip looked ultra mega cool!! They must have really learned a lot in those 4 hours! Good to see scouting still going strong. :thumbsup2

Thank you! It felt pretty good to have done it myself.

Scouting rocks!

That space center looks super neat! It's great to see the kids getting involved and actually enjoying themselves in something educational.

Oh good. I'm so glad you're considering purchasing a Mac. I guess it's a good thing you got the one you have now fixed. Wouldn't want anything eating into the Disney fund! What do you think of the new iPad? IMO, it's just a glorified iPhone :rolleyes:

Hope it's good news for the outcome of your taxes. Can't wait to hear the resort decision.

We went to the Apple Store on Saturday - OMG I REALLY want one now! Not the iPad, though. I couldn't use that as my main computer, so it would just be a really expensive toy. I don't even have an iPhone (or any kind of smart phone, yet)

Thanks for sharing this side trip. Looks like fun and education wrapped-up in one!

It definitely was. Glad you enjoyed reading about it.:)

[Sleepingbooty]

WOW! That trip looks amazing!! The girls look like they're having a BLAST!! My DH has always talked about taking Ally to Space Camp (more for him, I think)!! :goodvibes

I know! Scott was really bummed that he had to miss out on it. I told him he could go when Lucy's troop is old enough.

what a great field trip! Eric would be in heaven if he got to do that! He hasn't realized that space camp exists....it might be best if I keep it that way!

Good luck on the taxes, I know we are hoping ours pays for the US part of the trip!

Cynthia, they have a Challenger Center near you - check it out!

Starting taxes this afternoon. I think I finally have everything I need.

Can adults do it...;)

Yep!:thumbsup2

What a fun day! DBF is a space nut, so I'm sure he'd enjoy that as much as the girls did! ;) Four hours does seem long for little girls, but kudos to them for being to interested and kudos to the museum for knowing how to entertain and educate at the same time!

It went by super fast. I couldn't believe it, but they were never bored.

[All7OfUs]

Just spreading the word that we started our 2nd thread. You can find it

HERE (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2386737)

Hope you'll join us!

[3princesses+aprince]

Wow, what a great field trip. I'd love a trip there myself. Looks like they all had fun!

And glad you got your computer fixed! It really is a bummer when things like that happen. I had a virus a few years ago and they are nightmares!

[Sleepingbooty]

Just spreading the word that we started our 2nd thread. You can find it

HERE (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2386737)

Hope you'll join us!

Thanks for the handy dandy link - now I don't have to go looking for it. Oooh, wonder which name you went with? I'll head over in a sec...

[Sleepingbooty]

Wow, what a great field trip. I'd love a trip there myself. Looks like they all had fun!

And glad you got your computer fixed! It really is a bummer when things like that happen. I had a virus a few years ago and they are nightmares!

It was such a pain. I'm just glad that my husband had one first, last month. If it weren't for that, I probably wouldn't have backed up all my pics and documents like I had just done before the virus hit. That would have been so sad!

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 9: Cuz I'm the Decider!

I’ve been waiting to make a decision on which resort to book until I did our taxes. We usually pay for the bulk of our trip out of our tax return, so I wanted to know what I was working with. I know, a lot of people say you should adjust your withholding so that you don’t get a return at all, the rationale being that you are giving the government an interest free loan. I’ve thought about that, but we are only talking about a few thousand – we wouldn’t earn much interest on that. And besides, if that money came home spread out throughout the year, I doubt I’d be earning any interest on it anyway. I’d be spending it, and have nothing to show for it. So, we like to do it this way.

I’d finally received all of the paperwork in the mail, so I set aside Monday to work on it. I love Turbo Tax. It actually makes it fun to do your taxes. Yes, I’m a dork. By late afternoon, I had everything finished, but it just didn’t look right. We were getting back quite a bit more than last year. I looked at everything again, and I found an error on a 1099 we received from the Housing Authority. We own a rental house, and our tenant receives Section 8 assistance. She actually gets the entire amount of her rent paid for by them, so its not hard to figure out the amount we received from them. The amount on the 1099 was less than half of what we received. I’m not sure how they made that mistake, but I called and left a message in their accounting department. Of course, no one has called me back yet. I went ahead and changed my Turbo Tax entry to the correct amount. I guess I’ll have to wait to get a corrected 1099 in the mail before I can file, but at least I know what we’ll be getting.

Of course, changing that amount lowered the amount of our return quite a bit, but, drumroll please…… it’s still enough to cover the Wilderness Lodge option! Hold on, not so fast. Scott and I had a date night over the weekend (went to the Container Store, nice dinner, then the Apple Store. Sexy date night, huh?). We discussed our different resort options. He said he was leaning towards staying at a moderate and flying (rather than Wilderness Lodge and driving). I asked if that was just an inclination or a strong preference…. Apparently it’s a strong preference. He really doesn’t want to drive. Okay fine, I can live with that. Lately I've been trying to give up some control. I can be a bit of a control freak, and I know that can't be fun to live with. So in the interest of familial harmony, I'm trying to let my dear husband take the reigns. Occasionally. Like, actually cede to his wishes once in a while (whereas my usual modus operandi is to just make him THINK he's making decisions, while I'm subtly steering him towards my choice). How long will this last? I don't know. We'll see how the ADR selection process goes.

So after some more discussion, we both seemed to be leaning towards Caribbean Beach Resort. We’ve never stayed there, and if we were able to add it to our list, we’ll have stayed at all the moderates, All-Star Movies, and Pop Century. As much as I loved both of the Port Orleans resorts, it would be very tempting just to stay there again, but it would also be exciting to try something new.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Caribbean%20Beach%20Resort/CB_EST_1_998.jpg

So after I finished the taxes and told Scott how much we’d be getting back, he was very impressed. I asked him if we should reconsider our resort options, since our return was larger than anticipated. He gave me that look you give your teenager when they ask if they can stay out past curfew. Yeah, I knew I was pushing it. And when it comes down to it, I guess I’d rather save the money too. Hopefully by next school year, I will be working full time, and the vacation budget will be much more elastic. For now, we are perfectly happy staying at the moderates. Heck, we had a great time at Pop last spring. So, CBR it is! I’ll talk to my parents this week and we can coordinate our booking. They really enjoyed having connected rooms last time, so I imagine its best to book together if we want to request that? Anyone have any tips on CBR? Best non-preferred building to request?

Click here for Ch.10: More Background Fluff (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35346832&postcount=189)

[All7OfUs]

First off congrats on making the all important decision on your resort!! That's a biggie!

Taxes! OY! :headache:

Sorry I can't give any advice on CBR, but I know you're going to have a great time. The pool looks amazing!


HA! :lmao:The "you're pushing your luck" look! :rotfl2: I know that one!

[OhioDisneyLover]

LOVE CBR! It's our fav moderate. I have stayed there a couple of times so far. Since we rent a car, we aren't very picky about where we stay when we are there. There are quite a few bus stops and there seems to be buses coming and going all of the time.

I like Aruba best personally. I don't really have a specific reason though. :confused3

I know you will love it!!!!!!!!!!!

[glennbo123]

I'm with you on preferring to get a tax refund to help out with vacation costs -- and I was a Finance major. There's theory and there's reality -- if we got it in small portions over the year, it'd be spent, not earning interest.

I've never stayed at CBR, but that picture you posted looks gorgeous.

[Sleepingbooty]

First off congrats on making the all important decision on your resort!! That's a biggie!

Taxes! OY! :headache:

Sorry I can't give any advice on CBR, but I know you're going to have a great time. The pool looks amazing!


HA! :lmao:The "you're pushing your luck" look! :rotfl2: I know that one!

The pool DOES look really nice! And I hear it now has two slides. I think my girls, at 6 and 9 (almost 7 and 10 by our trip) might be too big for that piratey area with the little ship and the bucket that tips over, but I still think the theme is really cool.

[Sleepingbooty]

LOVE CBR! It's our fav moderate. I have stayed there a couple of times so far. Since we rent a car, we aren't very picky about where we stay when we are there. There are quite a few bus stops and there seems to be buses coming and going all of the time.

I like Aruba best personally. I don't really have a specific reason though. :confused3

I know you will love it!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, that's the only thing I'm worried about - the buses. I spent a lot of time on the 'Official CBR thread' before I cemented the decision. There seemed to be a lot of people saying their experience with the buses was good. Of course, some said the opposite - but you get that wherever you stay. We've had great, not-so-great, and everything in between when it comes to bus service -- regardless of where we were staying. And ultimately, it didn't really affect the overall enjoyment of our trip. So I've decided not to stress over it. :)

[Sleepingbooty]

I'm with you on preferring to get a tax refund to help out with vacation costs -- and I was a Finance major. There's theory and there's reality -- if we got it in small portions over the year, it'd be spent, not earning interest.

I've never stayed at CBR, but that picture you posted looks gorgeous.

Yes, theory and reality are often polar opposites, aren't they?!

[Sleepingbooty]

Oh! I just realized that was my 500th post. Do we have a 'patting yourself on the back' smilie?

[All7OfUs]

Oh! I just realized that was my 500th post. Do we have a 'patting yourself on the back' smilie?

:dancer::dancer::dancer::dancer::dancer:

The 500 post club!!!!

[glennbo123]

Oh! I just realized that was my 500th post. Do we have a 'patting yourself on the back' smilie?

I searched for "patting smilie" -- nothing. Then I tried "back smilie" and got this Quasimodo guy (hunchback). Not exactly what I was looking for, but I like it!

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/surfinamma/smiliehunchback.gif

[jenbear123]

So I remember reading your last update but for whatever reason I didn't post! Oops! Let's fix that now.

Congrats on choosing CBR. Even if it isn't WL, you'll still have a great time. I was going to stay there in April but decided to save and stay at Pop so we could afford two nights at Poly. It all balances out ;) I did all this research on where the best non-preferred rooms are at CBR and for the life of me I can't remember now. I think it was Jamaica? Aruba? I'm no help here. What I can help with though is with the resort bus routes. It took me forever to find this so here you are:

CBR Bus Routes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1994851)

If that helps you decide where to stay, maybe? :confused3

Yay for 500th post! :yay: I'm shooting for my 1000th. Might take a while longer...

[Charlefours]

Somehow I missed your updates: :confused3 Anyhoo...

SO glad you were able to fix your computer!! The space education program you did looks so much fun! Was it expensive?

CBR--great choice!! We almost picked there over POR. We will stay there at some point I imagine. WL would be incredible too but it is not going anywhere! That's what I told myself multiple times!! :rotfl:

[Sleepingbooty]

:dancer::dancer::dancer::dancer::dancer:

The 500 post club!!!!

I searched for "patting smilie" -- nothing. Then I tried "back smilie" and got this Quasimodo guy (hunchback). Not exactly what I was looking for, but I like it!

http://i706.photobucket.com/albums/ww63/surfinamma/smiliehunchback.gif

Thanks, guys!

I appreciate the effort, Glenn! Wait, is Quasimodo supposed to be me, ringing my own bell? :lmao:

[Sleepingbooty]

So I remember reading your last update but for whatever reason I didn't post! Oops! Let's fix that now.

Congrats on choosing CBR. Even if it isn't WL, you'll still have a great time. I was going to stay there in April but decided to save and stay at Pop so we could afford two nights at Poly. It all balances out ;) I did all this research on where the best non-preferred rooms are at CBR and for the life of me I can't remember now. I think it was Jamaica? Aruba? I'm no help here. What I can help with though is with the resort bus routes. It took me forever to find this so here you are:

CBR Bus Routes (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1994851)

If that helps you decide where to stay, maybe? :confused3

Yay for 500th post! :yay: I'm shooting for my 1000th. Might take a while longer...

Thanks for the link! That is VERY helpful! From what I've read so far, Jamaica and Aruba do seem to be big favorites. Maybe because you can just cross the bridge right over to OPR? I like the looks of Jamaica (the yellow, gingerbread style buildings) the best.

[Sleepingbooty]

Somehow I missed your updates: :confused3 Anyhoo...

SO glad you were able to fix your computer!! The space education program you did looks so much fun! Was it expensive?

CBR--great choice!! We almost picked there over POR. We will stay there at some point I imagine. WL would be incredible too but it is not going anywhere! That's what I told myself multiple times!! :rotfl:

The space explorer program was $20 per scout. Kinda pricey - I guess that's why we'd never done a school fieldtrip over there.

You will love POR. I had a hard time not just picking that one again, but I'm trying to be adventurous and try something new.

[eandesmom]

Yes, theory and reality are often polar opposites, aren't they?!

So so true!

I was so used to getting a refund that these past several years of owing have really messed with my head! We keep thinking we've made the right adjustments and then...NOT.

:rotfl:

We were really expecting a refund this year but...it is what it is. I'm glad yours was bigger than expected!

CBR looks lovely

[ladybugmom]

:dancer: YAY for 500 posts!!! :dancer:

CBR looks beautiful!!! :lovestruc Congrats on your decision! (and hey--I'd LOVE to go on a date with my hubby to the Container Store & Apple Store!! :goodvibes)

[glennbo123]

I appreciate the effort, Glenn! Wait, is Quasimodo supposed to be me, ringing my own bell? :lmao:

No, no, no....just some random smilie celebrating with you.

[All7OfUs]

I would have guess $30 for the field trip, so in my book it's a bargain.

I thought the Quasimoto was funny! NO! he doesn't look like you, he's only celebrating with you! And let me tell you, THAT guy can ring bells!! :lmao:

[OhioDisneyLover]

:woohoo::woohoo: for 500 posts!

I think you will like CBR. Our family really does. The shop in Old Port Royale is the one of the best resort shops on property if you ask me. I go there even when we don't stay there.:lmao:

[Sleepingbooty]

So so true!

I was so used to getting a refund that these past several years of owing have really messed with my head! We keep thinking we've made the right adjustments and then...NOT.

:rotfl:

We were really expecting a refund this year but...it is what it is. I'm glad yours was bigger than expected!

CBR looks lovely

I know, it seems like it would be really difficult to figure out how to adjust things so that you get no refund, and don't owe anything. I guess that's why people go to accountants? :confused3 Of course, like everything else, I'm a tax do-it-yourselfer too.

[Sleepingbooty]

:dancer: YAY for 500 posts!!! :dancer:

CBR looks beautiful!!! :lovestruc Congrats on your decision! (and hey--I'd LOVE to go on a date with my hubby to the Container Store & Apple Store!! :goodvibes)

Isn't it sad - I thought it was a great date, too! Usually we go to a Mexican restaurant where husband plays a couple times a month. They pay him, of course, but they additionally give him a $25 gift card every time he plays, too. So we always have a couple of their gift cards - and its really hard to go and pay for a meal when we can go there for free. So it was nice to eat somewhere different. Of course, we had gift cards for this place too. He just started playing there in December, so this was the first time we'd eaten there.

[Sleepingbooty]

No, no, no....just some random smilie celebrating with you.

Hey, at least you didn't search for a smilie of someone 'tooting their own horn' - I can only imagine the images that would bring up!;)

[Sleepingbooty]

I would have guess $30 for the field trip, so in my book it's a bargain.

I thought the Quasimoto was funny! NO! he doesn't look like you, he's only celebrating with you! And let me tell you, THAT guy can ring bells!! :lmao:

I did think that $20 was a bargain for the experience we recieved. Its just unfortunate that it is priced out of the budget of most school fieldtrips. Although they do all kinds of programs, they probably have something different for schools.

Hunchback was funny! I love you guys for celebrating with me!

[Sleepingbooty]

:woohoo::woohoo: for 500 posts!

I think you will like CBR. Our family really does. The shop in Old Port Royale is the one of the best resort shops on property if you ask me. I go there even when we don't stay there.:lmao:

Thanks for the woohoo!

So the shop is really good? Is it just bigger than average, or do they have some unique things there? I actually could not find many pics of the shop. Or of the eating area for the food court. Most of the OPR inside pics were of the food window area that looks like an outdoor market (which is really cool). I'd like to see some more pics, do you have any?

[glennbo123]

Hey, at least you didn't search for a smilie of someone 'tooting their own horn' - I can only imagine the images that would bring up!;)

Why didn't I think of that? :idea:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/theogrit/1sm175trumpet.gif

[All7OfUs]

I did think that $20 was a bargain for the experience we recieved. Its just unfortunate that it is priced out of the budget of most school fieldtrips. Although they do all kinds of programs, they probably have something different for schools.

Hunchback was funny! I love you guys for celebrating with me!

Then it's too bad it wouldnt' work out that the school could pick up most of it or even half of it, and the families pick up the rest. :confused3 $10 isn't that much- most people spend twice that on a McDonalds run at least once a week. ;)

[Sleepingbooty]

I know. It would be a really great school trip. I'd definitely fork over $20 for it. It seemed like a fun place to work, too. Our 'commander' was a retired high school science teacher.

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 10: More Background fluff...

Inasmuch as I have nothing new to report on the planning front, I thought you might like to meet my hubby, Scott. I know I introduced him back in the first chapter, but looking back I see that’s all I did. Well, since there is no way I could get him to join in the fun here on the Dis (stick in the mud), you won’t really get to “meet” him – but the least I can do is to give him a proper introduction.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/August09030.jpg

Do you remember that song by Human League, back in the 80’s, that went: “You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar, when I met you......yada yada yada.....Don’t you want me, baby…”? Well, we used to joke that it was our song. I actually was working as a cocktail waitress in the club that his band played in 3 nights a week. And, he actually sang that song. He’s got the perfect voice for 80’s British pop. He had been playing guitar full time in bands around St. Louis for about 10 years since college (where he majored in Jazz performance), and was starting to get a little burned out when we met. After we married, he started to focus more on his day job (which up until then had been of little interest to him, just something to help pay the bills). He had stumbled into a very entry-level job in the brokerage industry, thanks to a friend, and had been working there for a few years already when we met. But when he realized the the life of a full time musician isn’t really conducive to starting a family, he made an effort to turn his ‘day-job’ into a career.

So, he has now been working in the brokerage industry for 18 years, and thankfully he made it through some really scary times in the last few years when it looked like layoffs were imminent. Through all of this, he has continued to play music – but more for his own enjoyment. He’s played in big bands, jazz bands, wedding bands – you name it. The last two years or so he’s been doing solo acoustic guitar gigs, and a jazz duo. He typically plays about 4 or 5 times a month. He also subs in our church’s praise band occasionally.

With all the time he spends focused on music, he doesn’t have time for a lot of other leisure pursuits, but he has discovered a new passion: fly fishing. This just started last month when his friend from work who is an experienced fly fisherman took him out fishing on MLK day. He fell in love with it, and now is eyeing all this gear at Cabela’s that he just has to have. Of course it is all very expensive. Why are men’s hobbies all so expensive? I think I’m going to try to find a fly-tying kit or something like that for Valentine’s Day. Nothing says romance like fake insects. At least he isn’t out for catfish – I don’t think I could bring myself to wrap up stink bait in a heart-shaped box.

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/2ndRainbowMeremacRiver01-2010GuideS.jpg

I really can’t complain about how he spends what little free time he has, though. He is such a great dad and husband. I don’t know many men that will spend a whole afternoon playing barbies with a 6 year old. Or put up with my Disney obsession. He is also very supportive of my constant home projects. He’s not necessarily very handy around the house – but he is always willing to give it a try. A lot of husbands, for instance, might not have been too pleased to come home from work on New Years Eve and find that I’d taken down the upper kitchen cabinets. I’m lucky he is sooo laid back.

So, Scott in a nutshell: Music lover, family man, baseball fan, and most of all, a great sense of humor. I wish I could have made that last part rhyme as well. Hmmm. Liesa, you’re good at rhymes, where are you when I need you?

Next: Is Wilderness Lodge Sold Out in September?!? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35395246&postcount=214)

[All7OfUs]

But you've already done it! See look- it was an order thing...

So, Scott in a nutshell: Music lover, family man, baseball fan, and most of all, a great sense of humor. I wish I could have made that last part rhyme as well. Hmmm. Liesa, you’re good at rhymes, where are you when I need you?


Scott in a nutshell,
What can I tell?
Music lover, family man,
Hubby with humor, and baseball fan.

;)

[glennbo123]

I had two roommates in college that took a fly fishing class (I think it counted as a Phys. Ed. class) from this guy who it turns out is like the "god" of fly fishing....Joe Humphreys.

It looks like he still teaches some weekend courses.

http://www.joehumphreysflyfishing.com/index.htm

Maybe a good gift idea for hubby? (We guys gotta look out for each other.)

[eandesmom]

Nothing says romance like fake insects.

:thumbsup2

whatever works!

Fun update and info :)

[ladybugmom]

What a sweet post!! :lovestruc He sounds like a wonderful daddy and husband!! :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

Hi LadyBugMom!!

Hey, I just wanted to let you know that a few us are planning a DISMeet in late Sept. in Nashville! We'd love for you to think about it. Dates aren't firm yet (neither is my trip :lmao:), but the meet is a sure thing. We just need to nail down the details.

[jenbear123]

Sounds like quite the catch you got there :lmao: sorry couldn't help myself.

At least your man puts up with your Disney obsession. My DBF is trying anything and everything to rid me of my love for all things Disney :sad2:

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hi Rebecca!! Just found your PTR and I'm subbing! We have a few things in common! I grew up in St. Louis (what highschool did you go to???? LOL...only a true St. Louisan would laugh at that.) but we moved out to St. James, MO. 6 years ago. My mom still lives in the city though! We're also headed to WDW at the end of September!

I love your PTR! I should have done a powerpoint, but then that would have meant they actually got a SAY in where we were staying or what we were doing...and they don't! :laughing: Can't wait to read more!

[Sleepingbooty]

But you've already done it! See look- it was an order thing...

So, Scott in a nutshell: Music lover, family man, baseball fan, and most of all, a great sense of humor. I wish I could have made that last part rhyme as well. Hmmm. Liesa, you’re good at rhymes, where are you when I need you?


Scott in a nutshell,
What can I tell?
Music lover, family man,
Hubby with humor, and baseball fan.

;)

Excellent! I knew you'd be able to work it out!

I had two roommates in college that took a fly fishing class (I think it counted as a Phys. Ed. class) from this guy who it turns out is like the "god" of fly fishing....Joe Humphreys.

It looks like he still teaches some weekend courses.

http://www.joehumphreysflyfishing.com/index.htm

Maybe a good gift idea for hubby? (We guys gotta look out for each other.)

Wow, Glenn - he would love that!

:thumbsup2

whatever works!

Fun update and info :)

The things we do for our guys, huh!

[Sleepingbooty]

What a sweet post!! :lovestruc He sounds like a wonderful daddy and husband!! :goodvibes

Aww, thanks! He is! :thumbsup2

Sounds like quite the catch you got there :lmao: sorry couldn't help myself.

At least your man puts up with your Disney obsession. My DBF is trying anything and everything to rid me of my love for all things Disney :sad2:

Oh, I just now got it after reading it a second time.. "catch" ha! :lmao:

Oh no, you must not let boyfriend try to rid you of your love for ANYTHING (especially Disney ;)) that is important to you - that's who you are!

[Sleepingbooty]

Hi Rebecca!! Just found your PTR and I'm subbing! We have a few things in common! I grew up in St. Louis (what highschool did you go to???? LOL...only a true St. Louisan would laugh at that.) but we moved out to St. James, MO. 6 years ago. My mom still lives in the city though! We're also headed to WDW at the end of September!

I love your PTR! I should have done a powerpoint, but then that would have meant they actually got a SAY in where we were staying or what we were doing...and they don't! :laughing: Can't wait to read more!

:welcome::welcome: Thanks for joining in!

:lmao: How funny! You know, I didn't even know, until I lived in other places, that it wasn't typical to ask someone in your first conversation where they went to high school! Only in St. Louis!

When are you guys going down to WDW? Oh wait, I see you have a ptr - I'll check it out....

[All7OfUs]

Rebecca, it sounds like JenBear needs an intervention!!

Don't let him kill a love or passion of yours for anything! If you enjoy something now, it's not like it's just going to go away because you love him too. See what I mean?? You might avoid something for a while, but eventually you will want that thing again, and if he thinks you've given it up, it will cause problems in the end. I'm not talking about unhealthy things like smoking or overeating or drinking too much, but hobbies or stuff like that- don't give in!!

[kcandbella]

Hey! I just noticed on another PTR that you live in St. Charles. I live on the IL side of St. Louis!!! Just thought I would pop in and say hello! Now I am off to catch up on your plans! :goodvibes

[Sleepingbooty]

Rebecca, it sounds like JenBear needs an intervention!!

Don't let him kill a love or passion of yours for anything! If you enjoy something now, it's not like it's just going to go away because you love him too. See what I mean?? You might avoid something for a while, but eventually you will want that thing again, and if he thinks you've given it up, it will cause problems in the end. I'm not talking about unhealthy things like smoking or overeating or drinking too much, but hobbies or stuff like that- don't give in!!

I could not agree more! Jen, he needs to love you for who you are - warts and all... I mean, Dis-obsession and all!

[Sleepingbooty]

Hey! I just noticed on another PTR that you live in St. Charles. I live on the IL side of St. Louis!!! Just thought I would pop in and say hello! Now I am off to catch up on your plans! :goodvibes

Hi! and :welcome: neighbor! Thanks for joining in the fun! Are you enjoying the snow days?

[kcandbella]

We were only off today, not yesterday, but I am very much enjoying it!! I had to go pick up my nephews and the roads are just fine. There is supposed to be more tonight though!

I just got all caught up and was very glad to read how much you loved POR! That is where we are staying. We have 5 adults and 3 kids and wanted the extra space of a mod over value plus the trundle bed. We had also looked at CBR and it looks really nice!

[klacey1]

That was an adorable ode to your husband <3 Sounds like a great guy!!

[Sleepingbooty]

We were only off today, not yesterday, but I am very much enjoying it!! I had to go pick up my nephews and the roads are just fine. There is supposed to be more tonight though!

I just got all caught up and was very glad to read how much you loved POR! That is where we are staying. We have 5 adults and 3 kids and wanted the extra space of a mod over value plus the trundle bed. We had also looked at CBR and it looks really nice!

Oh, well it sound like YOUR school district has some brains - there was definitely no need to call school yesterday. So we are supposed to get more snow tonight, huh?

You will love POR - It's just beautiful. The boat ride to DTD is especially nice in the evenings. :thumbsup2

[Sleepingbooty]

That was an adorable ode to your husband <3 Sounds like a great guy!!

Thanks! Yeah, putting it all down on paper like that made me realize it all over again.:lovestruc

[jenbear123]

Oh no, you must not let boyfriend try to rid you of your love for ANYTHING (especially Disney ;)) that is important to you - that's who you are!

Rebecca, it sounds like JenBear needs an intervention!!

Don't let him kill a love or passion of yours for anything! If you enjoy something now, it's not like it's just going to go away because you love him too. See what I mean?? You might avoid something for a while, but eventually you will want that thing again, and if he thinks you've given it up, it will cause problems in the end. I'm not talking about unhealthy things like smoking or overeating or drinking too much, but hobbies or stuff like that- don't give in!!

I could not agree more! Jen, he needs to love you for who you are - warts and all... I mean, Dis-obsession and all!

Thanks guys :hug: Really, it's not terrible. He's accepted the fact that it's something I love and that that love will never die. He doesn't like it but he'll put up with it. He loves me for who I am, for sure. Disney is probably the only thing that we disagree on (except minor other things in everyday life) but that's what makes us individuals. He's obsessed with music, my obsession is Disney. I'm never going to give that up because that is what makes me, me. I really appreciate your support guys but no worries over here. DBF and I have our likes and dislikes but that's what makes us individuals :hippie:

[Sleepingbooty]

Thanks guys :hug: Really, it's not terrible. He's accepted the fact that it's something I love and that that love will never die. He doesn't like it but he'll put up with it. He loves me for who I am, for sure. Disney is probably the only thing that we disagree on (except minor other things in everyday life) but that's what makes us individuals. He's obsessed with music, my obsession is Disney. I'm never going to give that up because that is what makes me, me. I really appreciate your support guys but no worries over here. DBF and I have our likes and dislikes but that's what makes us individuals :hippie:

That's good to hear, Jen. I think at first it sounded like it was a major bone of contention between you, so we got all mother hen-ish. Of course, we all have our "issues" in our relationships. My husband certainly doesn't understand why I need to spend all this time on the Dis!

[All7OfUs]

That's good to hear, Jen. I think at first it sounded like it was a major bone of contention between you, so we got all mother hen-ish. Of course, we all have our "issues" in our relationships. My husband certainly doesn't understand why I need to spend all this time on the Dis!

Mother hen-ish! :lmao: Yup, that's us!

Seriously, you're right, we all have our issues. Mine recently "informed me" that he was now going to be "more authoritative" in my exercising. One of our issues. He's right, I do need to be more active, but the way it came across was a little (Ok, a lot) offensive. And mine must be in cahoots with yours, Rebecca- mine doesn't "get" the DIS thing either. I'm sure if I spent as much time running or exercising it wouldn't be an issue at all. :confused3:rotfl2:

[Sleepingbooty]

Mother hen-ish! :lmao: Yup, that's us!

Seriously, you're right, we all have our issues. Mine recently "informed me" that he was not going to be "more authoritative" in my exercising. One of our issues. He's right, I do need to be more active, but the way it came across was a little (Ok, a lot) offensive. And mine must be in cahoots with yours, Rebecca- mine doesn't "get" the DIS thing either. I'm sure if I spent as much time running or exercising it wouldn't be an issue at all. :confused3:rotfl2:

I need to get on that myself! A friend here in the neighborhood has roped a bunch of us into doing a 'bootcamp' style workout together on Saturday mornings in April. She teaches classes at a local gym and I know she is not going to go easy on us. I've got a month and a half to get in shape for this (yes, I need to get in shape to get in shape;)- and I can't even do 5 pushups! What have I gotten myself into? :headache:

[All7OfUs]

I just saw a typo in my post, that said NOT, when it should have been NOW. He is NOW going to be "more authoritative. Just wanted to clear that up so it made sense.

I think you'll like your time exercising with the ladies. Well, as much as exercising can be fun. :lmao: Seriously, it's no fun over here with just little ole me, and some buffed out super model on a video who has obviously had a few tucks and sucks here and there. I can't wait to get back and get to a 'class' with others to suffer with me.

And you're wayyyy ahead of me. I can do exactly 1/2 a pushup!

[Sleepingbooty]

That makes a lot more sense now, I didn't really get it before.:lmao:

Oh, maybe I made myself look too good when I said I can't do 5 pushups. I also can't do 2 pushups!:rolleyes1

[Sleepingbooty]

Okay, what's the dealio? I was just on the WDW website messing around with different resorts and ticket options, just to see if perchance a 2 bedroom suite at a deluxe might pop up for $300 a night. Didn't happen. So dropping that idea, I removed the number 4 from the 'how many adults' box and changed it back to 2 adults, 2 kids. I mean, I don't really want to share a room with my folks anyway. Not unless we got a stellar deal on a suite.

Now, I know I said we'd decided on CBR. But as we have not yet booked - a girl can still play around right? CBR and I are just dating right now - no commitments yet.;) So, I plugged in our dates for Wilderness Lodge and.... NO ROOMS! How can that be? None? That makes no sense to me whatsoever! They were willing to sell me a Deluxe Concierge room for 4 adults and 2 kids, so why couldn't I stay there with just the four of us? Not that I would, but I want to see all my options.

Is it me, or does anyone else find the Disney reservations site a bit vexing?

Click here for Chapter 11. It's Official! We're Booked Baby! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35408780&postcount=223)

[glennbo123]

Now, I know I said we'd decided on CBR. But as we have not yet booked - a girl can still play around right? CBR and I are just dating right now - no commitments yet.;)

:lmao: Now, don't lead CBR on!


So, I plugged in our dates for Wilderness Lodge and.... NO ROOMS! How can that be? None? That makes no sense to me whatsoever! They were willing to sell me a Deluxe Concierge room for 4 adults and 2 kids, so why couldn't I stay there with just the four of us? Not that I would, but I want to see all my options.

Is it me, or does anyone else find the Disney reservations site a bit vexing?

That doesn't seem right that Wilderness Lodge would be out of rooms this far in advance. I don't like the reservation site either. For the non-DVC portion of our trip last year I just called the reservation phone number.

[eandesmom]

Okay, what's the dealio? I was just on the WDW website messing around with different resorts and ticket options, just to see if perchance a 2 bedroom suite at a deluxe might pop up for $300 a night. Didn't happen. So dropping that idea, I removed the number 4 from the 'how many adults' box and changed it back to 2 adults, 2 kids. I mean, I don't really want to share a room with my folks anyway. Not unless we got a stellar deal on a suite.

Now, I know I said we'd decided on CBR. But as we have not yet booked - a girl can still play around right? CBR and I are just dating right now - no commitments yet.;) So, I plugged in our dates for Wilderness Lodge and.... NO ROOMS! How can that be? None? That makes no sense to me whatsoever! They were willing to sell me a Deluxe Concierge room for 4 adults and 2 kids, so why couldn't I stay there with just the four of us? Not that I would, but I want to see all my options.

Is it me, or does anyone else find the Disney reservations site a bit vexing?

I hate to break it to you but that room class very well could be sold out.

When I booked the YC back in Sept, for an August trip, the rooms were going like hotcakes starting on the 15th in anticipation of FD. If I try online I can get one at full price but with the PIN they are gone for the standard rooms. They've been sending out that PIN quite a lot and people may have snapped up the standard rooms between the PIN that's out and the FD bounceback.

I can't believe the deluxe was available though, there aren't very many of those rooms!. I would call them. You might want to book just to hold it since you can always change to the other hotel

[jenbear123]

Maybe you should try and call them? The site might just be buggy. I would be devastated if one of my options was gone! :scared1:

[ladybugmom]

Really?! That's crazy!! It makes me nervous since we'll be booking WL for our Nov/Dec trip. Let me know what you find out!!

[klacey1]

I would call-- I feel like you're not going at a very busy time and really there SHOULD be standard rooms left. We waited kind of a long time to book POR last year and still had the option of many types of rooms/views-- about a month after they publically announced Free Dining!

[All7OfUs]

K, officially freaking out!! Sounds like we needed to make ressies for our alternate dates like yesterday!!! Calling maroo now!!! :scared1::scared1:

[OhioDisneyLover]

I've had the same thing happen in previous trips where I'd hoped to get one resort and they were sold out nearly a year in advance. :scared1:

I've been booking as far as a year in advance now so that doesn't happen again. It is frustrating though, isn't it?

[Sleepingbooty]

:lmao: Now, don't lead CBR on!


I know - I'm such a tease!;)

I hate to break it to you but that room class very well could be sold out.

When I booked the YC back in Sept, for an August trip, the rooms were going like hotcakes starting on the 15th in anticipation of FD. If I try online I can get one at full price but with the PIN they are gone for the standard rooms. They've been sending out that PIN quite a lot and people may have snapped up the standard rooms between the PIN that's out and the FD bounceback.

I can't believe the deluxe was available though, there aren't very many of those rooms!. I would call them. You might want to book just to hold it since you can always change to the other hotel

Wow, so you mean 11 months in advance rooms were selling out? That's insane!

Maybe you should try and call them? The site might just be buggy. I would be devastated if one of my options was gone! :scared1:

That's what I was thinking...

Really?! That's crazy!! It makes me nervous since we'll be booking WL for our Nov/Dec trip. Let me know what you find out!!

Becky, you may want to go ahead and reserve something now!

I would call-- I feel like you're not going at a very busy time and really there SHOULD be standard rooms left. We waited kind of a long time to book POR last year and still had the option of many types of rooms/views-- about a month after they publically announced Free Dining!

I does seem that they should have some left - we're talking rack rate! I wasn't even trying to use a pin or anything.

K, officially freaking out!! Sounds like we needed to make ressies for our alternate dates like yesterday!!! Calling maroo now!!! :scared1::scared1:

Well, I didn't mean to freak you out - but.. um... I was a little freaked myself - had to share!

I've had the same thing happen in previous trips where I'd hoped to get one resort and they were sold out nearly a year in advance. :scared1:
I've been booking as far as a year in advance now so that doesn't happen again. It is frustrating though, isn't it?

A year in advance? That is crazy!

Yes, after this experience, I was genuinely freaked out. Not because I really wanted WL - like I said, we'd decided on CBR. But I started thinking that if I didn't book soon, I might be out of luck. So........

[Sleepingbooty]

:woohoo::woohoo: It's Official! We're Booked Baby! :woohoo::woohoo:

I called the travel agent last night and tied it down. I just didn't want to leave it hanging out there any longer. With my weird (to me, anyway) experience on the WDW reservation site, I'd started to think maybe I needed to bite the bullet and make our reservations - just in case September had exploded in popularity. It has been just a bit busier every year we've gone - so you never know. With people booking on Bounceback offers or in anticipation of free dining, things certainly could fill up and I don't want to be left out in the cold. So, this September 18th through the 25th, we will be staying...............................
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Here!

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Caribbean%20Beach%20Resort/WDWCBRJamaica2008111401.jpg

Gotcha! Yep, we went ahead as planned and booked Caribbean Beach Resort. That picture is of the buildings in Jamaica - which I requested. I decided not to request a specific building. I figured, if we end up on one end, we'll be close to the walkway to OPR. On the other end, we'll be close to the bus stop. We also requested a ground floor corner room. Ground floor for no other reason than that it so tiring at night carrying a sleeping six-year-old up the stairs (heck, a nine year old too, possibly). I threw the corner room thing in there at my travel agent's suggestion. We've had a corner room before, and it is nice. I also made the reservation for my parents and had them link the two together and request connecting rooms.

We went with 8 day base tickets. I suppose we may upgrade at some point. But honestly, we've never had a problem without hoppers. And I feel like it gives me a little more structure, which helps when planning. I usually check the Unofficial Guide's website to find out what the best days are to visit each park, and then use that to select two or three days each at Magic Kingdom and Epcot, then a day each at MGM and AK. With that in place, I plan my ADR's accordingly. We either eat in the park we plan to go to that day, or a nearby resort. If we had hoppers, I'd feel a little confused. If I don't know where I'm going to be, how do I know where I should eat? We've only done hoppers once and it was for our 4 day anniversary trip in 07, so we left the planning really loose and everything worked out fine.

I asked my travel agent if we should add the dining plan now, since we were hoping for the free dining promo to come out in April. She said that it DOES actually make it easier to switch you to the free dining promo if you are already on the plan, so I did book the plan. And honestly, we'll do the dining plan no matter what. If we don't get free dining, then they'll likely have some other discount, and we'll just pay for the dining plan. I've done the math, and it definitely pays off for us. This will be the last year that Jenna is a child under the plan, though, so we'll have to re-evaluate next year. Of course, if its free - its a no brainer.

Whew. I'm so glad I've finally gotten it nailed down. Now we can concentrate on other things, namely ADR's! 38 days until I can make them. Or, let me rephrase that... 38 days until my superstar travel agent will be making them for me! Let the dining discussion commence!

Click here for Chapter 12: What Kind of Disney Diner Are You? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35499109&postcount=247)

[jenbear123]

I thought the dining plan was non-refundable? i.e. once you book the dining plan, it can't be switched? :confused3 At least that's what I advise my clients (I'm a travel agent too) to hold off on the dining plan to see if free dining comes out if their dates fall during that time. Unless you've booked with a Disney specialist agency, I would double check....

[glennbo123]

Congrats on booking!

[ladybugmom]

YAY!!! So glad you were able to book!! :woohoo: So did you find out if the WL thing was a glitch?! I was kind of holding off wondering if we should wait and book in May while we're there with the Bounceback offer?! What do you think?

[All7OfUs]

The boards went down just as I clicked submit, so here's take 2-short version.

I think you'll be really happy at CBR! If it were me, I'd rather have a sure room, than nothing at all in hopes of something- does that make sense??

The pictures of this resort look very alluring. I know you're going to have a great time! :goodvibes

[Sleepingbooty]

I thought the dining plan was non-refundable? i.e. once you book the dining plan, it can't be switched? :confused3 At least that's what I advise my clients (I'm a travel agent too) to hold off on the dining plan to see if free dining comes out if their dates fall during that time. Unless you've booked with a Disney specialist agency, I would double check....

Oh REALLY! I didn't know that?! I thought EVERYthing was refundable until 45 days out? Well, if that IS so, I guess it is not that big of a deal, because we would definitely still do the plan. I figure if free dining doesn't happen, there will be some other promo. And if there isn't, at the very least we can use a AAA discount, right?

Congrats on booking!

Thanks, Glenn! It feels good to have it nailed down.:thumbsup2

[Sleepingbooty]

YAY!!! So glad you were able to book!! :woohoo: So did you find out if the WL thing was a glitch?! I was kind of holding off wondering if we should wait and book in May while we're there with the Bounceback offer?! What do you think?

Well, if you were to book now, and only put down the $200 deposit, you could still make another ressie if you do get a bounceback. You'd be able to get your deposit fully refunded for the initial booking, or have it credited to the new ressie, right?

The boards went down just as I clicked submit, so here's take 2-short version.

I think you'll be really happy at CBR! If it were me, I'd rather have a sure room, than nothing at all in hopes of something- does that make sense??

The pictures of this resort look very alluring. I know you're going to have a great time! :goodvibes

I totally agree. And really, we've been happy at every resort we've stayed at during our trips to WDW. The "cons" at each resort have been so minor - it was hard to come up with them for my PowerPoint. Don't you love the looks of the Jamaica section? So cheerful!

[klacey1]

Yay for booking!! It's always such a load off to have the trip booked! I've never stayed at CBR, but it's very tropical and pretty!!

[eandesmom]

having that reservation booked is the best feeling!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost as good as when it's paid off.:cool1:

ADR's in 38 days, how fun to start planning!

I didn't know that about the dining plan being non-refundable, seems odd to me but we waited to add it last time and plan to do so this time as well.

[Sleepingbooty]

Yay for booking!! It's always such a load off to have the trip booked! I've never stayed at CBR, but it's very tropical and pretty!!

Thanks! I just hope we like it as much as we liked POR!

having that reservation booked is the best feeling!!!!!!!!!!!! Almost as good as when it's paid off.:cool1:

ADR's in 38 days, how fun to start planning!

I didn't know that about the dining plan being non-refundable, seems odd to me but we waited to add it last time and plan to do so this time as well.

Yep, paying it off will be a great feeling. Shouldn't be long - I e-filed my taxes last week, so I imagine we'll be getting our refund soon. I wonder if I should be looking at airfare this far out?

[jenbear123]

Oh REALLY! I didn't know that?! I thought EVERYthing was refundable until 45 days out? Well, if that IS so, I guess it is not that big of a deal, because we would definitely still do the plan. I figure if free dining doesn't happen, there will be some other promo. And if there isn't, at the very least we can use a AAA discount, right?

I'm sure you'll be able to apply a AAA discount. At least you're positive you'll want the dining plan regardless of if it's free or not. Still double check with your TA

[kcandbella]

Congrats on booking! I'm sure it makes it feel more "real!" Sooo exciting! :banana:

[All7OfUs]

That's what I thought too; refundable and cancellable (yeah, so it's not a word- it sounds legit) until 45 days out. Can someone confirm???

[jenbear123]

I found this directly from Disney on their website:

"Disney Dining Plan meals and snacks may not be redeemed for cash in whole or in part, sold separately, transferred or refunded."

Although, just reading that makes me think they mean the meals that you redeem your credits towards cannot be refunded.

Click here (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_GB/tickets/packageDetail?id=DisneyDiningPlanPage) to go to Disney's website, then click on whichever dining plan you'll be on. In the PDF, there's a little blurb on the left hand side that explains the terms and conditions. Nowhere does it mention anything about 45 days prior....

[All7OfUs]

Hmmmm... now, I'm worried, cuz maroo booked our first part with a DDP. And now we may be switching our dates. Maybe she better call just to clarify if we CAN switch without a problem. :eek:

[GreatBiscuit]

I confess! I have been remiss in my "First Poster" duties! :headache: I'm all caught up now and :cool1: that you are finally booked! Sorry to hear about your computer bug, but glad you were able to get it restored. No laughing here. We had a PC once at work that I wound up having to reformat / reinstall windows TWICE on before it would behave properly. Spent a good two days farting around with that dumb thing. Anywho, glad the Power Point was a success and that the ribs turned out okay. Congrats again on your booking. I'll be more diligent in my posting duties!

[Sleepingbooty]

I'm sure you'll be able to apply a AAA discount. At least you're positive you'll want the dining plan regardless of if it's free or not. Still double check with your TA

Yes, we definitely still want it - but I will check with her when I call to put down my deposit.

Congrats on booking! I'm sure it makes it feel more "real!" Sooo exciting! :banana:

Thank you! Yep, very exciting! :woohoo:

That's what I thought too; refundable and cancellable (yeah, so it's not a word- it sounds legit) until 45 days out. Can someone confirm???

Anyone? Bueller?

I found this directly from Disney on their website:

"Disney Dining Plan meals and snacks may not be redeemed for cash in whole or in part, sold separately, transferred or refunded."

Although, just reading that makes me think they mean the meals that you redeem your credits towards cannot be refunded.

Click here (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_GB/tickets/packageDetail?id=DisneyDiningPlanPage) to go to Disney's website, then click on whichever dining plan you'll be on. In the PDF, there's a little blurb on the left hand side that explains the terms and conditions. Nowhere does it mention anything about 45 days prior....

I just wonder though, if that only means that you cannot get a cash refund for meal credits you didn't use - that's kind of how I read it :confused3

Hmmmm... now, I'm worried, cuz maroo booked our first part with a DDP. And now we may be switching our dates. Maybe she better call just to clarify if we CAN switch without a problem. :eek:

I will let you know what my TA tells me - I'm calling tomorrow...

[Sleepingbooty]

I confess! I have been remiss in my "First Poster" duties! :headache: I'm all caught up now and :cool1: that you are finally booked! Sorry to hear about your computer bug, but glad you were able to get it restored. No laughing here. We had a PC once at work that I wound up having to reformat / reinstall windows TWICE on before it would behave properly. Spent a good two days farting around with that dumb thing. Anywho, glad the Power Point was a success and that the ribs turned out okay. Congrats again on your booking. I'll be more diligent in my posting duties!

The Biscuit's back! :banana:

Yeah, you better be more diligent, buddy!;) We're all gonna miss you when your TR is finished - hope you don't forget about us!

[All7OfUs]

That's the way I read it too. That if you had left over credits, you couldn't turn them in on the last day for cash. If you didn't use them, so sorry, sort of thing.

:confused3

[Sleepingbooty]

That's the way I read it too. That if you had left over credits, you couldn't turn them in on the last day for cash. If you didn't use them, so sorry, sort of thing.

:confused3

Just got official word from my travel agent: You CAN cancel the dining plan at no penalty up until the 45 day mark (just as you can cancel your entire package). After the 45 day mark, there may be a $50 change fee, if the cost of your package is reduced.

I'm sure we will keep the dining plan regardless, but it is good to have it all cleared up.

[eandesmom]

right, you can remove the plan, or change plans (go from DDP to QSP or DDP) anytime before the 45 days without penalty. After that if the value of the plan goes down you MAY have a fee. Any unused credits cannot be refunded.

[ladybugmom]

Well, if you were to book now, and only put down the $200 deposit, you could still make another ressie if you do get a bounceback. You'd be able to get your deposit fully refunded for the initial booking, or have it credited to the new ressie, right?

I have no idea--I've never had to change anything before. I will have to ask Angela about that!! :goodvibes

Just got official word from my travel agent: You CAN cancel the dining plan at no penalty up until the 45 day mark (just as you can cancel your entire package). After the 45 day mark, there may be a $50 change fee, if the cost of your package is reduced.

I'm sure we will keep the dining plan regardless, but it is good to have it all cleared up.

Good to know!!! Thanks for sharing the info!! :goodvibes

[Sleepingbooty]

right, you can remove the plan, or change plans (go from DDP to QSP or DDP) anytime before the 45 days without penalty. After that if the value of the plan goes down you MAY have a fee. Any unused credits cannot be refunded.

And I kinda already knew this, but when it got brought up I wanted to confirm.

We've yet to leave any credits unused. Sometimes, on the last day, we'll have to load up on snacks to take home - but I always plan out how we'll use the TS and CS credits, so those are always used up.

[Sleepingbooty]

I have no idea--I've never had to change anything before. I will have to ask Angela about that!! :goodvibes



Good to know!!! Thanks for sharing the info!! :goodvibes

I think as long as you are before the 45 day mark, you're fine. And even if they couldn't take your old deposit and credit it to your new reservation, they could just refund it to you. Either way, it would be to your advantage, I think, to go ahead and book something just in case.:thumbsup2

[Sleepingbooty]

Chapter 12. What kind of Diner are you?

So, what kind of Disney diners are we? I love our table service meals at Disney – it’s a big part of our trip, so I’d like to think we are adventurous eaters who love to try new places and dishes. But, really…. Not so much. Scott and I both do enjoy a wide variety of food, but I guess we shy away from things that are unfamiliar. We like to think we like ethnic food – but I imagine the stuff we prefer is the Americanized version of ethnic.

On the other hand, if you compare Scott and I to my parents, then we are foodies to the max. My dad is a meat and potatoes kind of guy. The man loves steak. He also happens to love ketchup on his steak. Sometimes this provokes a raised eyebrow or an upper lip curled into a sneer in the nicer restaurants, as you can imagine. This doesn’t bother him in the slightest.

Nana and Papa at Ohana in 2007, I think they're wondering what kind of dressing is on the salad
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_1430.jpg

When I was a kid, I thought my mom was an adventurous eater – because she liked her food spicy, and she liked Chinese food. But now I’ve come to realize that’s ALL she likes. Enchiladas, sweet and sour chicken, salads, Cheezits, Oreos, and red licorice. Oh, and caffeine-free Diet Coke.

So given that Scott and I take comfort in the familiar – we will probably be repeating quite a few restaurants that we’ve already been to. I hope we can pare that list down a bit, as there are still many places at WDW that we’ve never dined at that I’d like to try. Choosing those new places is where things might get a bit sticky, since my parents will probably not be interested in any menu that lists ingredients like anchovy marmalade or figs smothered in garlic yogurt. Heck, who am I kidding? Neither would we.

Sci Fi in 2007, front row Jenna & Nana, middle Lucy & DB2, last DB1 & Papa, Scott next door:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/rschwesig/Trip%20report/IMG_1477.jpg

Luckily, this jives well with the dining plan, as we could probably skip all of the 2 ts credit joints without regret. I imagine our list will include several buffets and family-style restaurants, although we probably won’t go out of our way to include character meals. The girls are sadly growing past that – so I think we’ll be choosing based on menu and ambience more so than characters.

One new thing I’m considering: Hoop De Doo Review. We’ve never done this before, and I’ve heard so many great things about it, that I think we may just have to give it a try. If so, that would mean we’d only have 5 other TS meals to choose (unless we wanted to pay out of pocket – probably not). I wonder if it would be worth it?

So, what kind of Disney diner are you? Not necessarily what restaurants, but what TYPE of restaurants do you prefer? Is it hard for you to choose where to eat? Do you try new places each time, or stick with what you know?

Click here for Ch.13: Taking the Planning to Another Level (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35572257&postcount=278)

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Rebecca, I would consider myself an ethnic eater. I like to try new things, but I only do this on vacation as I'm a raw vegan most of the year. BUT, when at Disney, I love more "exotic" places like Boma, Tusker House, & Marrakesh. I can't get this food where I live very often, so I really look forward to it. My husband is the same. We avoid any of the Mexico restaurants b/c my husband IS hispanic and we can eat that anytime! ;) My oldest likes to try new things, but my younger 2 not so much. They joke about how Tusker House had the best Mac-n-cheese EVER! :laughing:

I love those buffets though b/c there's something for everyone!

[The4bits]

Great question. We definitely prefer sit down table service. We really enjoy the character meals because the kids get into it. My DH is the only adventurous one in the family. He would try all of the unusual restaurants if we let him.

This year I'm looking forward to trying Liberty Tree Tavern because of the family style. We did the Garden Grill last time and really enjoyed that so maybe we are more family style eaters. :confused3

Great question though can't wait to see what everyone else says.

[The4bits]

Rebecca, I would consider myself an ethnic eater. I like to try new things, but I only do this on vacation as I'm a raw vegan most of the year. BUT, when at Disney, I love more "exotic" places like Boma, Tusker House, & Marrakesh. I can't get this food where I live very often, so I really look forward to it. My husband is the same. We avoid any of the Mexico restaurants b/c my husband IS hispanic and we can eat that anytime! ;) My oldest likes to try new things, but my younger 2 not so much. They joke about how Tusker House had the best Mac-n-cheese EVER! :laughing:

I love those buffets though b/c there's something for everyone!

I had to smile when you mentioned your husband being hispanic and you don't eat in Mexico cause you can have that all the time... My hubby is 1/2 Japanese and we have to eat in Japan every stinkin year. Good thing I'm growing to love the cuisine. :rolleyes1