“Embarrassing My Children, Just Another Service I Provide” Trip Report

[Applemomma]

Surely nine months out is the perfect time to start a pre-trip report isn’t? :surfweb:Since I’ve already been planning this trip for more then a year it feels like I’ve held off long enough!:laughing:

First off, I can’t take credit for the title. I saw this saying in a picture of a t-shirt in a thread somewhere here on the Dis Boards quite a long time ago. I’ve taken it to heart and if you ask either of my kids what my personal motto is they will tell you this is it….and they will testify that I live up to it too!

Of course this isn’t the only saying I’ve incorporated into my life from the Boards. Two others of my personal favorites are:

“You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit”

“I want to live my life in a way that when my feet hit the floor in the morning the Devil shudders and says ‘Oh snap, she’s up’”

If those responsible for sticking those sayings in my vocabulary are reading this trip report then THANK YOU!:worship:

So the details….

The “Travelers” ….

Myself, Applemomma (a.k.a. Dawn)….
The kids ….Rae , the eldest daughter, who at the time of travel will have graduated to teenhood (how did that happen!:scared1:) and is my serious one, though don’t let her fool you too much…she can get just as silly as her mother! Lindsay…..my free spirit and will be a comfortable nine, halfway to 10, when we travel to the World. They were last at Disney as 6 and 10 year olds so this will be even more fun now that they are that much older!

The “Stay-at-Homers”…..

My DH….the non-Disney lover. He went in 2007 because he had a conference in Orlando and we tagged along but has no desire whatsoever to return. Once was enough he says. Well that ain’t stopping the rest of us! He will probably be doing his own vacation this summer to a car rally in the States so he’s happy with that and we do go camping together and plan a whole family trip every second year. So Disney is a girl thing to do in our house.:thumbsup2

The “Hopeful Traveler”

My mom…. She’s had a rough year (my dad has been ill) and she really needs a break. She’s a reluctant traveler though so still needs a little time to decide. I told her she’s got until I need to book air tickets and then it’s crunch time! In the meantime, I’m cajoling her with pictures of the resort, videos of the activities and humming “when you wish upon a star” in her ear. No pressure Mom!:love:

Alrighty…that ‘s enough for my first post….I need to get off the computer and start supper anyway.

Next up, the where and the when of it….

Question of the day: What kind of point and shoot camera should I buy myself for the trip?

[disneylovin24]

Sounds like it will be a fun trippopcorn:: Can't wait to read all about the planning!!!

[michellem1118]

I'm in!

As for the camera question... we really like our Olympus SW1030 (now marketed as the Shock, I think). It's waterproof to 10 meters, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof, which makes it a great camera for travel. It also takes really good pictures, and wasn't too expensive (~$300).

[Native NYer]

Can't wait to read more!

[MHTeacher]

First off, I can’t take credit for the title. I saw this saying in a picture of a t-shirt in a thread somewhere here on the Dis Boards quite a long time ago. I’ve taken it to heart and if you ask either of my kids what my personal motto is they will tell you this is it….and they will testify that I live up to it too!

:rotfl2:Love the title---I had to come over and check it all out!


“You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit”

I believe I've said this on some number of occasions to my three kids.....

“I want to live my life in a way that when my feet hit the floor in the morning the Devil shudders and says ‘Oh snap, she’s up’”


:thumbsup2 Always my mom's advice to me, when I was growing up!

[MainStMandy]

I'm in too!!! I have a Canon point and shoot that does a pretty good job. I'll have to check which one it is.

[Applemomma]

Sounds like it will be a fun trippopcorn:: Can't wait to read all about the planning!!!

Welcome! :wave2:

I'm in!

As for the camera question... we really like our Olympus SW1030 (now marketed as the Shock, I think). It's waterproof to 10 meters, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof, which makes it a great camera for travel. It also takes really good pictures, and wasn't too expensive (~$300).

Hi! Is it skinny? :scratchin That's mostly why I'm thinking of a point and shoot so it doesn't take as much space as our regular camera....

Can't wait to read more!

Welcome aboard! :flower3:

:rotfl2:Love the title---I had to come over and check it all out!

Hi...my kids are hoping the title won't kick in until the actual trip but I'm pretty sure I'll embarrass them at some point just in the planning stages! :rotfl:


I believe I've said this on some number of occasions to my three kids.....

:thumbsup2

[QUOTE=MainStMandy;35255130]I'm in too!!! I have a Canon point and shoot that does a pretty good job. I'll have to check which one it is.

I've heard good things about the Canons....does yours take short videos?

And now for another installment....

[Applemomma]

On our last family trip to Disney we had stayed at Pop Century, which I love, :love: but by the end of the week DH was probably finding it a bit much. Though the theming is great, the rooms are a little small so you’re always in each others way. Plus it definitely isn’t a quiet resort. Not that we noticed any noise in the room but by the end of the week I felt like I couldn’t get away from people (people in the pool, people in the food court etc. etc). So in an effort to make this upcoming trip a different kind of vacation for DH (who if you recall I had originally thought would be coming with us) I thought I’d give off site a try.

** Side bar….if you were to ASK DH if he was originally coming with us he probably would say no, he never was. That I had just assumed he was going…that I had never actually asked if he was going….silly me…I thought when we said we’d go back in 2010 I thought “we” included him…my bad. Doesn’t matter. He finally spoke up and said he didn’t really want to go and I spoke up and said okay….we’ll leave you home! Everybody’s happy!:banana:

Back to your regularly scheduled trip report…..

Now, if you are someone like me who is addicted to the DIS, addicted to the DIS Podcast and addicted to Disney where would the logical place to stay if you had to stay off site? :idea: Why Dreams Villas of course! For those of you not familiar with these town homes they are owed by John Magi, part owner of Dreams Unlimited Travel, the company which brings you the DIS Boards, and his partner Kevin Klose, both of whom you can get to “know” through the Podcast. So I booked us in there, extremely excited about it and telling the girls we were staying at “Kevin and John’s House”.

Then what should suddenly appear in my email in box but one of those coveted “PIN”’s for 20-40% of room rates on property! :scared: I do not delete the email ….I can’t….there’s something physical that happens to me when I even try and delete something from Disney because something very, very bad could happen if I do that. But it was getting to me. Then another one appears ….amazing. People wait a life time for ONE of these and I have two? For the whole of 2010! Not just Jan- June! But I can’t use it…..I’m staying (I mean “we”) are staying at Kevin and John’s House. But I don’t delete….

So with the booking of Dreams Villas I’ve set a date. Last time we were there it was September. I’m Canadian…in late September, in my part of the country, the leaves are changing colours (you can tell I’m Canadian by the way I spelled “colours" and by the way my little American spell check threw that nasty “you spelled it wrong” red line under it ….twice now) and the geese are flying south and we haul out a sweater or two.

In Orlando in late September, at least according to our last trip, you still worry about heat stroke, fogging up your glasses and camera lenses when you go from air conditioned hotel rooms into the outside and 90-100 degree temperatures!

So I decided November will be a kinder, gentler time. And there’s the Remembrance Day holiday in there and chances are the school system might throw me a bone and toss a school inservice day in there too. And if I play my cards right some, if not all the Christmas decorations will be up, not to mention the castle lights! :santa:

After our Christmas Break discussion of who really wanted to go to Disney….and who didn’t ….ahem….I realized that if it was just going to be the girls and I going, then I needed to make some changes. One of these changes would mean shorting up the time I’d be there….so our ten day trip shrunk to seven. And I decided if it was going to shrink then I would take advantage of one of those undeleted email PIN’s and use it.

And this is where “Fuzzy Disney Math” kicks in (another term I picked up from the Boards). If I was going to put out $1200 for an off-site property what could I do with that same amount of money ON property …… low and behold ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE! Yes, I know I’m not saving myself any extra from my budget because I’m staying fewer nights but Fuzzy Disney Math points out that the 40% off means I’m saving $800 off the regular room price of a deluxe! A deluxe, people! So with sorrow in one part of my heart (because I really, really, really did want to stay there) I contacted Kevin and John and cancelled Dreams Villas and turned right around and booked AKL through Dreams Unlimited (so they are still getting part of my money!)

So the plan now….if I haven’t lost you yet…is to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge November 10-16th. Now those dates might change slightly, depending on when I can get good airfare (a challenge in our part of the world). The other part of my logic is that my best friend actually lives just about an hour from Disney so I’m hoping to drive up to see her for the day so I’ll be extending the trip a day or so one side or the other. If I do that though I’m hoping to book Gaylord Palms (ICE!), and if I do that at the end I figure it will be a good weaning from Disney before we have to go home…to real life……

Next up….finding the perfect park bag and trying to explain to my mother about the invisible people I know…

[xkwisit]

I love the title.... had to check it out because I too look for ways to embarass our children 17, 15, 12, 9 & 3.......

And have many many time used to don't throw a fit comment to all of them.....

As for the camera... I have a sony cyber shot..... I love love love it.... Take great pics & is small enough to fit in my fanny pack (that embarasses the kids) & was only $200. It takes videos too.

Can't wait to see more of your trip report.

[Applemomma]

Question of the Day.....why can't I get my link for this trip report to work in my signature???!! Is it just me? :mad::badpc:

[MainStMandy]

I have a Powershot A570 and love it. Yes it does take short video's!!!

Love that you upgraded to AKL!! We are also staying there for part of our upcoming trip...we just love it!!

Make sure you link your title in your signature using the little button thatlooks like a globe (?).:goodvibes

[Applemomma]

Question of the Day.....why can't I get my link for this trip report to work in my signature???!! Is it just me? :mad::badpc:

FIXED! Had an extra "http" in there .... got to love the new search feature on here!

[michellem1118]

Yep, the Olympus is pretty thin. It fits fine in a pocket or small park bag.

I can't wait to hear how you explain the invisible people to your mother... I had quite a time explaining the DIS to my MIL on our trip in December, LOL. :rotfl:

[Applemomma]

Good morning!

From poking around other people's trip reports and checking out the "Happy Dance" forum it looks there's lots going the same week as we are so there's bound to be a Dis Meet! Should make the "invisible people" a little more real for my mom :lmao:

Off to volunteer to paint the inside of our new church expansion for the day....hopefully I'll post again later, though I'm trying to check out all your trip reports too! So much Disney....so little time....not to mention the fact I really need to finish my blankets for GetADay....and I have a grant application to do....not to mention Housework....okay I'm tired already. Can I go back to bed?

[RockinDisney]

It makes me fill good to know I am not the only one who plans this far ahead!!!

Love the title!!

[jenniferkeala808]

i'm here! Can't wait to hear more!!

[Applemomma]

Okay, I’m back for a quick post! Basketball is ruling the roost this weekend and between painting the church, kids stuff, my own soccer game (at 8am Sat morning! UGH!) and all the regular stuff I’m having a hard time sitting down here.

So for now just a quickie….

Last trip I searched for months for the perfect park bag and ended up getting an Overland Donner bag (in DIS lime green no less). Loved it….still use it! But it is getting old now so I wanted something else and maybe something not so big since I don’t plan on being anyone’s pack mule this trip.

So with ten months to go the search was on. I checked out a few that I didn’t really like and one Saturday on a whim (actually after another 8 am soccer game!!!) I wandered into Walmart and found this baby….

It’s a Buxton bag and the price was right at only $14.98.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/p_00025.jpg

Here's a shot of the front pocket with a clip for your car keys:

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/p_00029.jpg

A shot of the back where I'd keep my park maps, time tables, etc.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/p_00027.jpg

I put my Passporter in the middle pocket to show the size (I don't take it to the parks but it shows you the height)

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/p_00028.jpg

And my favorite pocket. It's got all kinds of slots for Keys to the Kingdom cards, credit cards ect. The water bottle isn't one of those huge ones but it's average size and the zipper comes right up over the top of it. I also tucked a rain poncho in the opposite side so you can sort of see the pockets there. Lots of other little pockets in this section too.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/p_00026.jpg

Here's a shot of my daughter wearing it. She's a little shorter then me (about 5'1") and the strap is almost fully out. The strap feels softer then the Overland Donner bag I have so hopefully it won't bug my neck as much and the material is nylon so it should take some rain/splash action.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/p_00030.jpghttp://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/p_00031.jpg

Now the worst part is the waiting to be able to use it!!!! Maybe I should try it out for a bit to make sure it's a keeper :)

[michellem1118]

I would definitely load up the bag with the amount of stuff you expect to carry in the parks and see how it goes. There's nothing worse than getting to the park, only to discover that your bag is horribly uncomfortable... and you don't even have another option in the room!

[MHTeacher]

Now the worst part is the waiting to be able to use it!!!!

Isn't that the truth! :)

[Diamondintheruff]

Don't you just hate that red squiggle under colour or favour?

Followed you over from my TR thanks to your link.

I'm off to WDW with the kids sans Dh this summer. I stayed at AKL last year and loved it. But then I love fuzzy math too. In fact I'm cooking up some of my own and trying to reason out a split stay at WL and then CSR (where the dance competition is being held and the real reason we are going to Disney).

I've got an old park bag. It's a travelmate by Hey's. It's lime green. But I've been eyeing up those Vera Bags everyone raves about. Only I don't really need a new bag. I just want one. I've seen yours at Wallymart. It looks good but maybe a little small for me. I always get cold in the air conditioning so I need a bag that will hold a long sleeve cover for me. And the kids. When do they start carrying their own stuff anyhow?

[RockinDisney]

I always get cold in the air conditioning so I need a bag that will hold a long sleeve cover for me. And the kids. When do they start carrying their own stuff anyhow?

32??Seems about the age :goodvibes

[Diamondintheruff]

32??Seems about the age :goodvibes

I should have called myself packmule on boards here. Cause that's what I feel like most days.

[Applemomma]

I should have called myself packmule on boards here. Cause that's what I feel like most days.

Told Rae to get her own bag this year so she can carry her own stuff....suppose there's any hope? :rotfl2:

[RockinDisney]

When I went with my best friend and her three year old last year, I thought the stroller was the best thing on earth cause we could stow our backpack underneath:rotfl:

[raec1234]

your welcome for posing for you mom!! :)

i'm thinking about getting my own bag this time... maybe ;)

[Applemomma]

Okay folks...this isn't good....I thought the bag issue was settled for me but Diamond mentioning carrying a sweater got me thinking and now, dang it, I'm drooling over the Baggallini! :rotfl:

Not good......they are hard to get here and I'm not willing to pay as much in fees to get it over the border as the bag itself costs!!!!!!!! :scared1:

But they look so nice....especially the tomato coloured one.....:upsidedow

[RockinDisney]

My thoughts on the Baggallini- for what they are worth- is that once it was loaded it was heavy and uncomfortable...after using it for one trip, switched back to a Back pack that could be passed around for carryin, for some reason no one else wanted to carry the baggallini :confused3

And my other hint of the day-instead of a sweater I started carrying a windbreaker type pull over that folds down into its own little "bag" it is all one piece and I am not doing a very good job of explaining it but I find it perfect for either being cold in the AC or at nights when the sun goes down. can double as a rain coat if needed and very light weight.

[aboveH20]

I like the name of your title. My grown :sad1: son is joining me for a few days of my upcoming SOLO! trip and I signed off the last email to him saying I had to go finish making our matching T-shirts :) .

[RockinDisney]

:woohoo::rotfl:I like the name of your title. My grown :sad1: son is joining me for a few days of my upcoming SOLO! trip and I signed off the last email to him saying I had to go finish making our matching T-shirts :) .

:rotfl: I bet he is LOVING THAT:woohoo:

[Diamondintheruff]

Perhaps sweater was the wrong word. I usually carry a long sleeve "dry-fit" shirt with me. So it's pretty thin. It would probably still fit into your wally bag.

Myself, I have a small bagallini. It's more of a wallet really. But I've been drooling over the Vera Bradley bags.

I'm off to the states in a couple of weeks for a dance competition with the kids and I just might, maybe, if I can get away to do some shopping (yeah like wild horses would stop me) pick one up.

[Applemomma]

So I think I’ve almost got my mom hooked on going with us. :thumbsup2She says she’s “leaning” towards it….keep leaning, Mom, eventually you’ll fall for it! Had to break the news toher that at that time of year it’s doubtful we’ll get a direct flight to Orlando, but that I would try for a flight that lets us clear customs in Halifax and with a long enough layover we don’t have to be panicked about finding our gate, etc. Keep deep breathing Mom.

I’ve also tried to explain a little bit about “Dis Meets”. “So Mom, there are these people I’ve never met and don’t really know anything about but some of them are really great and friendly and I really, really, really would like to hang out with them for coffee or dole whips. Can I? Can I? Can I?”. These are met with “ummhumm”s.

Rae totally gets it because we are both avid listeners to the Dis Unplugged Podcast. Quite frankly if one of the Podcast members and a Jonas brother walked up to her she’d probably not give the Jonas a second look. Mind you she’s not really going through that stage anymore…..maybe I should have picked a comparison more the liking of an extremely “cool” 13 year old (like that honey?) but you get my point.

Lindsay, however, would make the Jonas brother run for his life and take refuge in ‘it’s a small world” hiding behind the dolls…..:scared1:

Anyway, looking at some other pretrip reports and the “Who’s Going in November” thread there should be ample opportunity for meeting some of you! Even if there’s nothing formal don’t forget to where your Lime Green Mickey Heads people!!!!

Question of the day….can I find a discount on a rental car that would be better then using an Air Miles gift certificate? I think I feel a spreadsheet being opened! :surfweb:And I’ve suspended my frantic internet search for a local baggallini….Heading to Halifax next weekend so I’ll keep my eyes open for something….I’m thinking now of taking both bags so I can have options. And if I don’t spend money on one now then I have the possibility of spending it on one is Disney ……:laughing:

[ShannonMB]

Hey Dawn! Count me in on the meet. I hope some of the others who are going during 'our' time from my TR will come over, too! :thumbsup2 Never done a DISmeet before!

My DH (who doesn't do Disney with us, either) thinks its 100% Twilight Zone to want to meet up with people from the internet. I told him, 'it's not the internet, it's the DISboards!' :laughing: Whatever, I think it will be kinda fun to put some (user)names with faces! So count me and Lily in!

I'm enjoying your PTR so far. The whole Dream Villas then 2 pin code thing has me wondering now if Disney doesn't somehow hijack the guest list from over there and start sending PIN codes! I got one, but it's only till June. Wonder if I should do some *inquiring* offsite. :confused3 :laughing:

[SplashMom]

Hey Applemomma!:goodvibes I have the exact Buxton bag and I love it! I bought it for our first trip (several years back) and in two weeks, we leave for trip 7 and the bag is still perfect! It fits just enough and isn't uncomfortable to wear. I wouldn't part with it.

Hope your mom decides to join you. That would be such a nice trip for you and your girls. We have stayed at Pop several times and once at AKL and you are in for a treat! We really loved it there. There have been some excellent air prices out of Halifax recently but I'm not sure if they went into November or not. Friends of mine booked for September and the flights were $402 (taxes in) out of Halifax. That is a great price. Hopefully, you will get something similar. Happy planning!

[cinderella crazy]

Joining in! I hope you can convince your mom to go. Sounds like she would enjoy some time away. We went in November a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. Low crowds, weather wasn't too hot. It's a good time to go!

[DisneyMomma09]

I love your title! My DS is only 10 months old, so nothing is too embarrassing to him yet...but he could probably do a good job embarrassing DH and I at this point:lmao: I will need to start working on this, though, so when he gets older I am good at it.

November is a great time to visit Disney! We were there in November 2008. It was a bit cool the week we were there, though. We each ended up buying a new sweatshirt because we had only brought one each! The Christmas decorations were lovely! And it was extra magical because each morning you would wake up and go to a park and there would be new decorations. We were staying at WL and one morning we woke up to the huge Christmas tree in the hotel lobby!

[buzz for boys]

hey i found u guys still gutted i miss you all maybe next year x

[Applemomma]

Hey Dawn! Count me in on the meet. I hope some of the others who are going during 'our' time from my TR will come over, too! :thumbsup2 Never done a DISmeet before!

My DH (who doesn't do Disney with us, either) thinks its 100% Twilight Zone to want to meet up with people from the internet. I told him, 'it's not the internet, it's the DISboards!' :laughing: Whatever, I think it will be kinda fun to put some (user)names with faces! So count me and Lily in!

I'm enjoying your PTR so far. The whole Dream Villas then 2 pin code thing has me wondering now if Disney doesn't somehow hijack the guest list from over there and start sending PIN codes! I got one, but it's only till June. Wonder if I should do some *inquiring* offsite. :confused3 :laughing:

:banana::banana: Welcome! I was a little bummed that I wasn't staying at Dreams but now I'm pretty excited that I'm staying at AK. Can't wait to meet up!

Hey Applemomma!:goodvibes I have the exact Buxton bag and I love it! I bought it for our first trip (several years back) and in two weeks, we leave for trip 7 and the bag is still perfect! It fits just enough and isn't uncomfortable to wear. I wouldn't part with it.

Hope your mom decides to join you. That would be such a nice trip for you and your girls. We have stayed at Pop several times and once at AKL and you are in for a treat! We really loved it there. There have been some excellent air prices out of Halifax recently but I'm not sure if they went into November or not. Friends of mine booked for September and the flights were $402 (taxes in) out of Halifax. That is a great price. Hopefully, you will get something similar. Happy planning!

Glad to hear about the bag! My plan now is to pack it and my Mickey drawstring back pack for one of the girls to wear and if I find something down there then I might just have to snatch it up :thumbsup2

I'm hoping Continental will come through for us on airfare since I'd rather connect through the US then Canada, just so I can preclear in Halifax.

Joining in! I hope you can convince your mom to go. Sounds like she would enjoy some time away. We went in November a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. Low crowds, weather wasn't too hot. It's a good time to go!

Mom is really starting to lean towards coming I think. Welcome to my PTR!

I love your title! My DS is only 10 months old, so nothing is too embarrassing to him yet...but he could probably do a good job embarrassing DH and I at this point:lmao: I will need to start working on this, though, so when he gets older I am good at it.

November is a great time to visit Disney! We were there in November 2008. It was a bit cool the week we were there, though. We each ended up buying a new sweatshirt because we had only brought one each! The Christmas decorations were lovely! And it was extra magical because each morning you would wake up and go to a park and there would be new decorations. We were staying at WL and one morning we woke up to the huge Christmas tree in the hotel lobby!

Oh just give it a couple of years! You'll be able to embarrass him left right and centre! Just start off by dancing in the aisle at the grocery store....gets them every time :):banana:

I've been telling my mom about the Grand Floridian Gingerbread House so hopefully that is up when we're there if nothing else....

hey i found u guys still gutted i miss you all maybe next year x

That's the beauty of Disney...there's always a next time. So glad to hear Cam is doing better and eating some....hang in there Super Mom!

[weezy26nm]

Where in NS are you from? I was just wondering which Walmart you got your bag at because I live near Truro and our Walmart doesn't have a lot of the same stuff as say the Walmarts in Halifax. I think depending on the size that it is exactly what I have been looking for. Oh and how long ago did you purchase it? And I too have been hoping for good airfare prices, the best ones I've found are still over $600:scared1:

[Applemomma]

Where in NS are you from? I was just wondering which Walmart you got your bag at because I live near Truro and our Walmart doesn't have a lot of the same stuff as say the Walmarts in Halifax. I think depending on the size that it is exactly what I have been looking for. Oh and how long ago did you purchase it? And I too have been hoping for good airfare prices, the best ones I've found are still over $600:scared1:

I'm in the Annapolis Valley and got it at the Walmart in New Minas, so by no means is it a "big" one by comparison to Halifax :rotfl2: I just got it in January so it should still be fairly current as far as stock goes. There was only one though, without a tag so if I were you I'd search the backs of the racks and where stuff falls on the bottom shelf (like it always does in Walmart!). It was in the section with the purses/ backpacks, not in the travel section.

Airfare is the kicker isn't it? I give my right eye tooth for fares like they have in the States. If it wasn't for my mom's reluctance to drive I'd be making a run for the border to catch a flight out of Maine. Mind you you have to really watch those fares too....the prices certainly aren't the $79 one-way's I paid in 2007 but still better then Halifax!

[Applemomma]

Well I've booked....a whale watching trip. Nope, not in Disney. Right here in good old Nova Scotia. Lindsay was watching a piece on whale watching in BC while we were watching olympic coverage (sorry to my American friends but Canada ROCKED during these Olympics....and now back to your regularly scheduled humbleness) and said she wanted to do it. Well, sweetie we do live a couple minutes from an ocean and there are whales in the Atlantic.

So a quick check on the internet :surfweb:, low and behold a special is being run by a tour company my mom and dad highly recommended and bada boom bada bing I booked it.....July 24th! I'm making it my birthday present to me (that's not my birthday though but it is the anniversary date of the whale watching company and hence the special and thus the excuse :goodvibes)

So now in an effort to make the passing of time I have the following events to look forward to this year up to and including our Disney trip....

Harlem Globetrotters this month!
Can make my ADR's in May!!
Whale Watching in July!
Camping in August!
And the Mouse in November!

I'm sure I'll find something else to occupy my time between now and this fall as well :woohoo:

[Diamondintheruff]

Whale watching?

Disney has Whale watching? Where? I need to book it. Pronto.

This is what was going through my head as I scanned (cause I was multi-tasking) through your last post.

After I focused on one thing at a time (namely your post) I realized you were talking about somewhere other than Disney (I often forget there are other places).

Yes, it does indeed sound like fun and a lovely indulgence for your (or the tour companies) birthday/anniversary. Might have to go reread that part.

[Applemomma]

See, that's why I refuse to multitask! :lmao: One lazy activity at a time!

[weezy26nm]

Thanks so much. I will have to check our Walmart and if I can't find one I am going to Halifax on March Break so I will check there.

My DH has family in the Valley, a brother in Kingston and uncles in the Kentville area.

We went Whale Watching a few years back off Digby neck and it was a blast. Your family will really enjoy it. We saw a mother and baby humpback and they were swimming right under our boat. I thought the baby was the big whale until I saw the mother. :scared1:

How close to your trip do you wait to book your flight? I don't want to wait too long but I don't want to book and then have the prices drop.:scared1:

[RockinDisney]

:goodvibes Whale watching sounds ASESOME!

[SplashMom]

Hey Weezy. I got my bag at Walmart several years ago (Sydney) but I saw the same one there about two weeks ago. I also saw it at Zellers recently so it isn't too difficult to find. I'm sure the Halifax stores would have it.

I just noticed that Westjet has a seat sale on now--$462 taxes in from Halifax to Orlando. I believe it is just until end of June but it may be extended soon. Keep watching!

[weezy26nm]

Thanks SplashMom! West Jet and Air Canada have the lowest prices right now, but still over $600 for my dates. I am hoping for a Canadian airline as the American ones have that baggage fee which will add on additional $50 roundtrip. So I have to factor that in too. Would really like to have something around the $400 mark. I thought I saw something on here where someone is going in Sept and got them for just over $400. I guess I just have to keep watching and hoping.

[RockinDisney]

Do they have priceline in Canada? I have done that a couple of times here in the States to get the price I wanted...The only down side is you have to be willing to go with what they give you in terms of flight time and check Cheapflights.com I have had ALOT of luck with them :wizard: Crossing my fingers for ya

[cinderella crazy]

I bet whale watching will be so much fun! I've always wanted to do that but we don't have many whales in Tennessee. ;)

[ethansmommy]

Just joining in and I love your title! My family and I will be in disney Nov 13-20th. I would love to join everyone for the dismeet.

[Applemomma]

Thanks SplashMom! West Jet and Air Canada have the lowest prices right now, but still over $600 for my dates. I am hoping for a Canadian airline as the American ones have that baggage fee which will add on additional $50 roundtrip. So I have to factor that in too. Would really like to have something around the $400 mark. I thought I saw something on here where someone is going in Sept and got them for just over $400. I guess I just have to keep watching and hoping.

I'm hoping for a good deal through an American company, bag fee or no, as I'm thinking that clearing customs at the beginning of the trip and the earlier arrival times through some of the american airlines, compared to the Canadian ones, will make it worth it.

Do they have priceline in Canada? I have done that a couple of times here in the States to get the price I wanted...The only down side is you have to be willing to go with what they give you in terms of flight time and check Cheapflights.com I have had ALOT of luck with them :wizard: Crossing my fingers for ya

I've wondered about using them too, and if it was only me going I might be willing to give them a try but in my case "the devil you know is better then the devil you don't" since I might be bringing a nervous traveler along.

I bet whale watching will be so much fun! I've always wanted to do that but we don't have many whales in Tennessee. ;)

Well you'll just have to plan a trip to Nova Scotia!

Just joining in and I love your title! My family and I will be in disney Nov 13-20th. I would love to join everyone for the dismeet.

Welcome! Stick around and I'm sure we'll start nailing down details of a meet once we get closer to November!:thumbsup2

[weezy26nm]

Do they have priceline in Canada? I have done that a couple of times here in the States to get the price I wanted...The only down side is you have to be willing to go with what they give you in terms of flight time and check Cheapflights.com I have had ALOT of luck with them :wizard: Crossing my fingers for ya

I'm too chicken to risk getting a bad arrival time. But thanks for the suggestions and for the crossed fingers.:thumbsup2

[Applemomma]

Weezy, have you been following this thread about flights out of the Maritimes?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2334539

[weezy26nm]

Thanks applemomma. I hadn't seen this. There is so much to see on the Dis, I don't always get to everything.

[Applemomma]

Not so much a planning post but here's one reason why I dream of warmer places :lmao:

Actually we had some snow fall here on Thursday that was just beautiful so I took the dog for a walk in the woods across from our place. There's a grove of trees that in my mind I call "The Cathedral", one of the few places around here that has trees that are as close to old-growth as you can get. While I'm chomping at the bit to get to Florida, scenes like this make me glad I live where I do. The picture doesn't really do it justice though.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Random%20pics/p_00049.jpg

Forgive the non-Disney post but I wanted to share with my Dis friends :flower3:

[RockinDisney]

The Cathedral is BEAUTIFUL and looks so peaceful!!

[Applemomma]

Quick Update!!!!!!!!!!

Mom let me know yesterday that she is indeed planning on going with us :banana::banana:

Not all the appropriate people have been "notified" so to speak yet so we're kind of keeping it on the down-low but let the planning commence!!!!!!!!!!!

And if my calculations are right park hours will be released in about 7 weeks....that should kick me into overdrive! :lmao:

[RockinDisney]

GOOD NEWS:yay:

[Applemomma]

GOOD NEWS:yay:

Just noticed your date in your siggie...one week and counting!!!!!! :wizard:

Have a terrific time!

[RockinDisney]

I actually leave tomorrow but have to work :( BLAHHH in Orlando before I get to go to Disney...BUT I do have my first Dis meet on friday night so way cool!

[buzz for boys]

Yay to your mom coming with you - proper girlie trip now !!
Take care x x x

[Applemomma]

Sometimes planning too far in advance gives you too much time to think! And that is certainly true in my case ..... :surfweb:

I was thinking about our arrival day and how I can make it as stress free as possible. This was also about the same time I was reading posts on the Transportation Board about returning rental cars to MCO being a pain. So it struck me….why not bypass the rental counter at the airport and let Magical Express take us to the resort. That would certainly be less stressful for my mom since driving around Orlando would not be on her top ten list of things that don’t stress you out! Great no problem…I’ll do Magical Express and pick my rental car up on property since we do want one (or at least I do) for grocery runs, getting mom around to the parks with the scooter in the truck instead of worrying about waiting for buses.:thumbsup2

But then it occurs to me again…wait now, I didn’t book a Disney Hotel for the lst night of our trip because I figured we’d spend a night at on off property resort after going to Ocala to visit my best friend so now Magical Express back to the airport and returning the car to the airport was something I was kind of thinking I’d avoid. Well then there’s nothing else to do but extend our stay on property…no-brainer right?

But wait…if I’m going to extend the stay it’s only a short mental leap to “why am I only staying at one resort?”. Why aren’t I doing a split stay? After all who knows when I’ll ever have a deal like the 40% off code again. Well…bad news…my Dreams agent tells me that I can extend the stay at AKL probably no problem but doing a split stay is considered a new booking and as I had already figured out that the pin code email I got for the discount expired the end of February a second booking at the discount is a no go. Dang.:confused:

But wait again! I never, I repeat never, throw out anything Disney sends me discount-wise because you never know when I’m going to hit the lottery….okay I only ever win $2-$3 free tickets but a gal can hope can’t she? So I go digging in my in box and low and behold there’s a second code….that has NO EXPIRY!!!! Can you hear the heavens opening and the angels singing? :banana:

So a second email fired off to DU and cha- ching!!! It’s done! We are now booked at AKL for four nights and then WL for the last three! I’m so excited! Initially I had a tough time deciding which of these two resorts I’d like to try and now I get to do them both! I told me mom that the next time we do this if there’s code we’ll try out the monorail resorts.:laughing:

Also went ahead and booked out rental car that I'll pick up at the Double Tree. Got a good deal through a link on the Dis’s transportation page for Budget and saved $100! And then just to top things off I booked a scooter through Walker Mobility for Mom, even though she hasn’t fully agreed to it yet….easier to cancel a reservation though then scramble for one at the last minute right?

And now I only have 230 days to fill …..time to start my binder….and of course there’s ADR’s coming up on May. Which means park hours will be out and I can get our rough game plan going!

And let’s not forget it’s going to take 200 plus days to teach my father how to use the microwave. :lmao:

Just realized I started counting down more then 400 days ago…..which means I’m half way there!
:cool1:

[buzz for boys]

Fab update and woo hoo on staying at both resorts !!

[ethansmommy]

It’s done! We are now booked at AKL for four nights and then WL for the last three!

Woohoo for extending the trip and for staying at the WL. That is where we will be so hopefully we can meet up at some point!! :cool1:

~Jen

[Diamondintheruff]

I tried hard to book a duel stay too. But the darn dinning plan (which I wanted once I got a code for free quick service) just doesn't make it worth while. But WL was on the list. I've stayed at AKL and it's lovely.

[monorail girl]

Hi! Just found your pre-trip, love it:banana: My family and I are also going in Nov. 13-20. We went that week last year and it was beautiful. I alsolove to plan way in advance:thumbsup2 Looking forward to making my ADR's next:)

[Applemomma]

Woohoo for extending the trip and for staying at the WL. That is where we will be so hopefully we can meet up at some point!! :cool1:

~Jen

Hi! Just found your pre-trip, love it:banana: My family and I are also going in Nov. 13-20. We went that week last year and it was beautiful. I alsolove to plan way in advance:thumbsup2 Looking forward to making my ADR's next:)

Sounds like we might have to plan a Dis Meet or two!! :thumbsup2

I tried hard to book a duel stay too. But the darn dinning plan (which I wanted once I got a code for free quick service) just doesn't make it worth while. But WL was on the list. I've stayed at AKL and it's lovely.

I was kind of surprised when it worked....I figured there'd be a minimum length of stay with my PIN code but I guess not. :banana:

The dining plan isn't really a great option for us since we're pretty light eaters and I plan to do breakfast in the room, lunch on the fly etc. I think I'm only doing 3 adr's all week at this point. However, I'm hoping the Wishes Dessert Party will be one of them since they've extended it with no end date listed :banana:.....you can have dessert for a meal right? I hope so because we're having ice cream at Beaches and Cream another night! We are on vacation after all :)

[Diamondintheruff]

However, I'm hoping the Wishes Dessert Party will be one of them since they've extended it with no end date listed :banana:.....you can have dessert for a meal right?

Of course you can have dessert for a meal.

In fact we're going to head to beaches and cream for lunch one day. We might just have ice cream. Who knows? Dairy has protein in it right? Throw some fruit on it and we can round it out even more.

I called my TA about adding on the dessert party yesterday. She wasn't big on the idea. In fact she talked me out of it. I had heard some not so great reviews about it on the boards lately. Instead we are going to go to the poly and get some dessert type things (possibly a dole whip too) and watch the fireworks from the beach.

[MinnieMommy]

Great PTR so far! :cool1:

We were there Nov. 09, similar dates... the Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian was constructed and open for business! (bought quite a few Christmas gifts there!)

Are you considering Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?

[Applemomma]

Down to 197 days! I’m under the 200 mark!!! :banana::banana:

Two things have happened since I left off...

One....knocked another chunk off my car rental! :thumbsup2 Keep checking your rates folks! I happened to go on after reading that other people were seeing rates going down an various car rental places and low and behold the amount for the car I reserved was down $40 AND the next size up was the exact same price (still through the Dis link)! So with a quick book and cancel round of emails I booked the next size up, making my amount come to under $200 and with a trunk size that should have no trouble accommodating Mom’s scooter.

Two....I succumbed to the Baggallini obsession. I’ve been carrying around the Buxton bag I got as my regular purse and I’ve realized it just won’t cut the mustard for the parks. It’s a definite one for in the airport but just won’t hold what I want touring. So after finding out from another Disser that the delivery company BagsBuy uses won’t charge an arm and a leg for brokerage fees I checked them out. Found a code for a discount, signed up as a member on the site and got another discount and with a Baggallini that was already on sale hit “Buy”. At last check there’s a red ripstop Baggallini crossbody bag crossing the border as we speak :) . I really hope I like the bag since I usually like to hold something before I buy but oddly enough my last park bag I did the same thing (succumbed to the Overland Donner bag obsession at that time).

Now I’m stalking the park hours since I can make my ADR’s in 17 DAYS!!!! Chef Mickey is a must do and at this point is my only adr to make but of course you all know how much thinking goes into one simple decision for the obsessed planner :laughing: And of course I'm living on Continental's website ready to pounce on a good fare....things are looking up....they came down $12 this week :rotfl2:

[Applemomma]

Great PTR so far! :cool1:

We were there Nov. 09, similar dates... the Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian was constructed and open for business! (bought quite a few Christmas gifts there!)

Are you considering Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?

Hi MinnieMommy...no we aren't thinking of MVMCP this time but I am completely excited that Festival of the Masters is the same week and we'll catch the last day or two of Food and Wine! :wizard:

[Applemomma]

It came! It Came! My Baggallini Messenger bag came!!

I think the delivery guy thought I was nuts as I came running out of the house with the COD fees and followed him all around the truck while he was looking for it :)

So far I think I'm going to love it! Definitly a nice size and having modeled it for the dog (noone else home at the time :) ) we both agree (the dog and I that is) that it looks and feels like it will be really comfy to wear. Feels like it would take a really good splash too!

Happy Happy Happy :banana::banana::banana:

Now if they would just release those park hours!!!!!:surfweb:

[buzz for boys]

Hi Dawn,
All caught up now !! I cant believe theres no picture up of the bag - come on girl !!:lmao:

Im so excited about park hours too - wish they would hurry up with yours because then mie will be out !!

Louisex

[Applemomma]

Here's your pic Louise!

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Bag%20for%20the%20Parks/p_00096-1.jpg

Took the new Baggallini for a test run on a hike today. Granted I only put a good size bottle of water in it, my wallet and some bug spray but I quite liked it!

It feels like it will sit well when fully loaded but not hold so much that I'll feel like I'm carrying a big back pack. I like how it sits on "the girls" too....much better strap for that then my Overland Donner did. This doesn't feel like it would be a skinny girl bag though. I've got some meat on my bones and I had the strap shortend up all the way. A tiny person might feel like it was chaffing or swinging on them too much.

192 days and I get to use it for what it was intended for! :banana:

[LuvMyEAR]

Hi there!

Just followed your link from the Atlantic Canadians thread and enjoyed your pre-trip to date! High points all the way, it seems...not just 1 but 2 deluxe resorts, your Mom coming along, and the arrival of that ever-so-Dis status symbol - the BAGGALLINI! Very cool.

In only a few days we'll be closing in on that 180 day mark. Do you make a lot of ADRs or play things more by ear? I think we have decided to lunch at the CP on our first day (Nov 7) since I have taken the stand that our Day 1 just has to be Magic Kingdom. I may go the ADR route for this, although I have never made one before. Seems I have been missing a key experience all these years. :rotfl:

Looking forward to sharing these pre-trip months with you.

[Applemomma]

Hi there!

Just followed your link from the Atlantic Canadians thread and enjoyed your pre-trip to date! High points all the way, it seems...not just 1 but 2 deluxe resorts, your Mom coming along, and the arrival of that ever-so-Dis status symbol - the BAGGALLINI! Very cool.

In only a few days we'll be closing in on that 180 day mark. Do you make a lot of ADRs or play things more by ear? I think we have decided to lunch at the CP on our first day (Nov 7) since I have taken the stand that our Day 1 just has to be Magic Kingdom. I may go the ADR route for this, although I have never made one before. Seems I have been missing a key experience all these years. :rotfl:

Looking forward to sharing these pre-trip months with you.


Welcome! :flower3: If you're going to be there over the same time we are I'm hoping to have a dismeet so hopefully we'll get to meet in person!

When we were there during free dining in 2007 I made lots of ADR's (kind of a must in "free dining") but I found it so stressful trying to make sure we were there by the right times I found it very stressful so this time I'm only making a few, especially since my mom and girls are fairly light eaters. I'm doing a grocery run so we'll have lots of snack type stuff to keep us going and small breakfast stuff in the room. I'm with you and it has to be MK the first day so we plan to eat counter service (probably Cosmic Ray's or Pinnocio Village Haus....love them Figaro Fries!). At this point I'm booking a late breakfast for day two at Chef Mickey's, Planet Hollywood for our Downtown Disney Day when we go to Festival of the Master's and if they have extended it...the Wishes Dessert party for whichever night we can get. Other then that it Beaches and Cream for supper possibly our last night, though you can't make ADR's for there. Everything else will probably be snacking or eating at whichever place we happen to be standing in front of :)

How long are you going for? Staying on property?

[michellem1118]

Welcome! :flower3: If you're going to be there over the same time we are I'm hoping to have a dismeet so hopefully we'll get to meet in person!

When we were there during free dining in 2007 I made lots of ADR's (kind of a must in "free dining") but I found it so stressful trying to make sure we were there by the right times I found it very stressful so this time I'm only making a few, especially since my mom and girls are fairly light eaters. I'm doing a grocery run so we'll have lots of snack type stuff to keep us going and small breakfast stuff in the room. I'm with you and it has to be MK the first day so we plan to eat counter service (probably Cosmic Ray's or Pinnocio Village Haus....love them Figaro Fries!). At this point I'm booking a late breakfast for day two at Chef Mickey's, Planet Hollywood for our Downtown Disney Day when we go to Festival of the Master's and if they have extended it...the Wishes Dessert party for whichever night we can get. Other then that it Beaches and Cream for supper possibly our last night, though you can't make ADR's for there. Everything else will probably be snacking or eating at whichever place we happen to be standing in front of :)

How long are you going for? Staying on property?

Would this be a bad time to mention that the Figaro Fries are no longer on the menu at Pinocchio Village Haus? :sad2:

[LuvMyEAR]

It would be fun to meet up with some fellow Dis-crazy Nova Scotians. We are staying at Windsor Hills, Nov 6 - 20. I understand what you are saying about the ADRs. I may love to plan but we would not do well trying to make a reserved dining time every day.

It's a little embarrassing to admit, but we already have a grocery list well underway. We breakfast as people are up and ready to eat, and get out the door when we are ready to go. Lunch is usually in a park, whatever appeals whenever we get hungry. It has worked well in the past to head "home" mid-afternoon for a swim and rest, then whip up some supper before heading out for the evening. Even though we never thought we'd be cooking much on a vacation, it doesn't seem like a chore at all.

Sorry to hear that your Figaro Fries have been discontinued, but maybe they will make it back on the menu before your trip. Here's hoping! :wizard:

[buzz for boys]

Wow Apple momma - I do love the bag !! :love:

I know what you mean about ADRs too im keeping them to minimium this time and trying to adopt a kind of go woth the flow approach to food !! ( fingers crossed )

You keep lucking out on the car hire too - if only us Brits had such good luck !!:rotfl:

Cant wait to read more once that crucial 180 day mark comes round !!!

[hockeymomNS]

Just found this report and am enjoying it very much. It also reminded me that I was suppose to do a trip report or at least give you info on my trip with my mom in January. I am sooooo sorry........gonna get on that.

[Diamondintheruff]

How are those ADR's coming along?

[Applemomma]

How are those ADR's coming along?

I've been on hold this entire time.......Just kidding :lmao:

Actually I've had my Dreams agent on hold :lovestruc

I only made a couple because we're not big eaters and we won't be on the dining plan. One for the Friday of our trip for Chef Mickey's as a brunch/lunch and one for Planet Hollywood on our festival of the Masters day for an early supper. The rest will be counter service for the most part I think.

The only other is trying to get into the Wishes Dessert Party if it's extended to November. Again, my DU agent (God love you Mindy!!!) is keeping an eye on that for me because we'll need to jump right on that. Looking at the park hours the only night they are scheduling Spectromagic and when there isn't a MVMCParty is the Monday. If we get it great; if we don't....well it won't ruin our vacation :)

On the home front my father manageed to spend a night alone a few weeks ago with out blowing up the microwave so that's progress towards his week long bachelorhood in November.....ladies, do your future daughter in laws a favour and teach your sons to cook! Mid 60's is not the time to start learning :laughing:

Now all I have to plan is when to try and fit in a Dis Meet!!! Any suggestions?

[LuvMyEAR]

Oh, wouldn't it be lovely to see the Wishes Dessert Party offered in Nov? Just my inquiring mind, but I would love to know how they make decisions on the timing of so many things like this. Are you planning to see Fantasmic?

I laughed at your comments about your father and cooking! I know my DGSs will be learning their way around a kitchen. DH, on the other hand, had another woman in his life for many years... her name was Wendy and she'd make him french fries EVERY NIGHT, if he wanted them. It was very tough to get him to give her up. :rotfl:

[claryche]

Hey Dawn! Count me in on the meet. I hope some of the others who are going during 'our' time from my TR will come over, too! :thumbsup2 Never done a DISmeet before!

My DH (who doesn't do Disney with us, either) thinks its 100% Twilight Zone to want to meet up with people from the internet. I told him, 'it's not the internet, it's the DISboards!' :laughing: Whatever, I think it will be kinda fun to put some (user)names with faces! So count me and Lily in!

I'm enjoying your PTR so far. The whole Dream Villas then 2 pin code thing has me wondering now if Disney doesn't somehow hijack the guest list from over there and start sending PIN codes! I got one, but it's only till June. Wonder if I should do some *inquiring* offsite. :confused3 :laughing:

I'm finally writing something on here, because we have booked for November 12-20. I was waiting to post here, until I knew we would be there around the same time. I probably would be interested in a DISmeet, and I'm hoping to start up a pre-trip report soon. Love your ptr so far.

[Applemomma]

Score!! Got my flights to Orlando out of Halifax on Continental last night for $273 ($375 taxes in)! That works out to be less then when we flew out ouf Portland in '07 when you add in the cost of the drive and hotel to go down!

Pays to keep checking! Especially late in the evening mid week!

Now I've got to spend some time updating this trip report and start getting all my details in order!! Especially a DIS Meet!!!

[Diamondintheruff]

Congrats on the flight. That sounds like an awesome price.

Any luck with the dessert party? I heard it was extended but honestly I didn't pay any attention to the actual dates.

[Applemomma]

Congrats on the flight. That sounds like an awesome price.

Any luck with the dessert party? I heard it was extended but honestly I didn't pay any attention to the actual dates.

All in my next update which I'll have done soon......cliffhanger for you :)

[buzz for boys]

Pick me pick me pick me !!

I know what the surprise is !! :-)

lmao x x x

[Applemomma]

Pick me pick me pick me !!

I know what the surprise is !! :-)

lmao x x x

:rotfl2::rotfl2::hug: Did you have any luck Louise?

Okay....so last night didn't end up going as planned and I never got to do what I wanted to do for my update so I'll spill the beans.

In answer to Diamond's question - YUP! another SCORE! Once again my obession to check this late at night pays off. I'd been watching a thread on the dessert party where kind Diser's had been calling disney Dining each day to see if they had exgtended it and then posting on the thread. At 11:00 Saturday night suddenly there were two posters saying they'd booked into Sept and Oct and I beleive one of them said they had heard from a CM they were doing select dates until December.

So I whip off an email to my dreamUnlimited agent, Mindy, who I could hug and told her the rumor. Planner that I am Minday and i had set up a contingensy (I have no idea how to spell that right) in the event of this happening. There was only one night of our trip that I'd want the party since there were MVMCP's happening a lot during our trip and Spectromagic was only happening on the Monday night so that's the night I wanted. By 7 am Mindy had emailed me back that she got it!!!!

The reservation is for 7 and the parade starts at 7 but I'm not concerned. I figure I'll do my usual 10 minutes early arrival and even if we don't get in until a little after 7 we'll still see most of it.....from the comfort of the terrace instead of killing my butt on the curb!

okay, this post is full of typing errors but you'll have to forgive me....I'm flying out the door on the next in the line of things we're doing to occupy ourselves until disney. My plan is to share those diversions with lots of pics with all of you very soon.

and for those of you going to Disney the same time as us the only thing i haveleft to plan is a Dis meet so put your thinking caps on!!

[buzz for boys]

:rotfl2::rotfl2::hug: Did you have any luck Louise?
!!

I have not phoned yet as Im waiting for pay day :headache:
I also need to revamp my iterinary as there are many surprises in the making that mean the origional one just wont work !!!

Will keep you posted :thumbsup2

[Applemomma]

Okay, I’ve neglected this long enough!!!

So here’s where we stand:
ADR’s at Chef Mickey’s, Planet Hollywood and the Wishes Dessert Party all booked!
Airline tickets booked!
Travel insurance purchased!
Beginning to pull in odds and ends of packing (plus 100 days out isn’t too soon for that is it?)!

So now it’s really down to the details and I’m really not stressing park planning that much. It’s going to be a “what do we feel like today” kind of trip. The only twist to that plan will be our HS day as I want to be sure we ride Toy Story Mania so we’ll have to plan for the possibility of grabbing fast passes early and staying there for awhile or coming back. But if it doesn’t work it doesn’t work…..I know I’M coming back at least so it can always be done next week.

Monday will officially be 100 days away! The girls and I are going to begin a countdown for my mom to help get her in the spirit of the whole thing. I would have preferred to start this at 400 days out but saner heads prevailed….. Anyway, I think my mom is still nervous about the whole thing but hopefully this will help to pull out the Disney Adventure Spirit in her…. I know it’s in there somewhere. For our countdown it will be simple things for the most part; emailed pictures, tips and tricks etc. but we’ve also got a few surprises up our sleeves. Sorry folks, she reads this so no hints here! I’ll let you know once she knows.

With my addiction to my Disney trip being what it is I’ve found that everything I’ve been doing is somehow tying in with “The Mouse” and so pretty much everything this year has been part of my own personal countdown. This includes the end of school, birthdays and how many haircuts left (like I said…..addiction). Thankfully so far this has been a summer full of unusual activities so I’m being kept well distracted. I thought I’d share a few of the neater, more unusual things I’ve been doing to help pass the time. Plus, having taken the plunge and bought the Baggalinni, I’ve been able to try it out several times and know without question that this is the PERFECT bag for my trip!

First up, in June, besides the usual rigamaroll of end of school activities, I got to attend my great-great grandfather’s funeral! I can hear you now…..my great-great grandfather? How is that fun and how is it even possible? No, we don’t have several generations of people having babies at the age or ten, nor was he an exceptionally old man. He actually passed away in 1908 and no, it didn’t take this long to bury him…

My great-great-grandfather was actually a veteran in US Civil War and there is a military regiment with re-enactors (spelling) who are actively seeking out those who were in the war but went home and when died were not given a proper military funeral. They actually came to the area and did five that day but of course I like to think ours was the best :)

Now I can here a few of you muttering “but she’s in Nova Scotia not the US”….okay maybe none of you are but I’ll point it out anyway so I can give a little history lesson…..At the time of the Civil War Canada wasn’t the country you have today. In fact “Canada” proper was mostly just considered to be the area of parts of Ontario and Quebec; the Maritimes were pretty much considered a colony and because of our shared history with the US, many having close family ties to New England, fears of what could or couldn’t happen as a result of the war, and some for just plain old money, ten’s of thousands of men from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (and possibly Prince Edward Island….I’m not sure) went to fight for the North. Approximately 500 actually went to fight for the South too! My gggrandfather was actually studying to be a doctor at Harvard at the time and they offered the class early graduation and a quite handsome salary for their participation. It was just what he needed for his sense of adventure when you read his letters home to his fiancé and certainly helped finance their ability to wed. No doubt he gained a lot of scary, no holds barred experience as well. He went on to become a good old fashioned country doctor, lived a long life, married his sweetheart Emma, had his daughter, May, who in turn had my grandfather Karl and so on.....

So while it’s not Disney related it certainly gave me something to help mark the passage of time…..

Here’s a few pictures from the experience. They did an excellent job! My apologies if they are huge....photobucket isn't behaving itself today!

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Civil%20War%20Ceremony/2010_06120134.jpg

Assistant Surgeon Frederic Newton Burgess - my great-great grandfather - graduated early from Harvard Medical School and served at Fort Munroe from Feb 1865 to the end of the American Civil War. The Union Jack is drapped on the stone along with his daily rations and muskut as he is considered to have still been on duty until this ceremony

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Civil%20War%20Ceremony/2010_06120138.jpg

Members of the Maritime Civil War Living History Association, 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company I with Chaplain Peter Gillies who gave us a great history lesson.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Civil%20War%20Ceremony/2010_06120172.jpg

Firing a salute.....civil war rifles are LOUD!!!

Next up....my second favorite Happy Place...

[buzz for boys]

100 days out already !! :yay::yay::dance3:

The pics of the funeral are so surreal and defiantly an experience to remember !!

I cant wait to find out whatthe second happy placce is - if teh first was a funeral how happy can it get ??:rotfl2: ( only joking )

[Applemomma]

100 days out already !! :yay::yay::dance3:

The pics of the funeral are so surreal and defiantly an experience to remember !!

I cant wait to find out whatthe second happy placce is - if teh first was a funeral how happy can it get ??:rotfl2: ( only joking )

Well my FIRST favourite happy place is of course Disney! :woohoo:

But it was pretty funny watching people's faces when I was telling people I was excited about going to a funeral....then I'd explain further :laughing:

[LuvMyEAR]

Hey there... I can see I am not the only one distracted by summer activities and spending less time on the Dis! It seems like Nov is right around the corner, now that we have slipped into the double digit countdown, doesn't it? Thank heavens we are avdance planners, because there is so much going on between now and then that I sometimes feels like I won't be ready!

Great score on the airfare, Applemomma, It certainly paid off for you to wait. Awesome news, too, about the Wishes Dessert Party. It's soooo tempting...

[Applemomma]

Working on my next "distraction" installments but wanted to update on our coutdown first! Yesterday for our 100 day celebration we gave my mom a certificate pronouncing only 100 days to her Embarrassing My (Grand)Children Ultimate Vacation, which I think helped to get her in the mood. Today we gave her the planning dvd and the girls spent the afternoon going through it with her which I KNOW got her in the spirit because she promptly played "Zipideedoda!" on the piano and best of all....signed up on the DisBoards!! :banana: So if you see TheFairyGrandmother on here say hi! :rotfl:

On another Disney note some friends of ours helped me get over the "Disney Blues" this past spring by letting me help them plan their trip and they just presented me with the cutest Mickey Disney pin :)

Back later with another update soon!

[Applemomma]

Now for my next “distraction” update…..

I know most of us have an emotional reaction to Walt Disney World; why else would we be so eager to get back! My last trip I burst into tears on the tram from the parking lot for heaven sake! There is only one other place on earth that brings out that kind of reaction in me and that is McLeod’s Campground in Dunvagan, Cape Breton Island.

This little piece of heaven in on the north-west side of Cape Breton only 45 minutes from the beginning of the world famous Cabot Trail. We discovered it about 8 years ago and have made it our only destination for camping ever since.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Camping%20July%202010/2010_07040108.jpg

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Camping%20July%202010/2010_07040036.jpg

It never fails that when I step on this beach tears come to my eyes and I have a sense of peace and of “home-coming”. I think it stems from sitting here with my then 6 and 2 year old and watching them play in the sand and water and thinking “what joy! What more could a child want!” Now of course I realize how much work camping was with them at that age!! It’s so much easier now that they can disappear on their bikes for rides to the camp store on their own, take themselves to the washroom (or stay put while I take myself!), stay up way past a proper bedtime with out needing twice the nap the next day and best of all…..fetch their mom a cooler when I’m too lazy to leave the side of the campfire :lmao:


Rather then remember our times here by the “year” we always remember them by the event such as “the year Lindsay fell in the fire pit” (no fire in it at the time), “the year the fireworks caught the beach grass on fire” (not our fireworks!) or “the year we spent the whole day watching pilot whales circle the island”. This year will be remembered as “the year Daddy took his motorbike”. DH was excited about the prospect of going around the Cabot Trail on his bike so we decided why not. I drove the girls and the dog and all our supplies and Joe got his fill of riding on two wheels. It worked out great and though we didn’t really plan it, managed to stay together most of the time.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Camping%20July%202010/2010_07040312.jpg

It’s normally a 6-7 hour drive from our house to campsite but we stretched our return trip out quite a bit as we decided to take the Marine Route home along the eastern shore of Nova Scotia. Word to the wise…..there is no transcanada style highway in this part of the province, in fact at one point you have to take a ferry across a river or go an hour out of your way, and this turned our 6 hour drive into 12.

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Camping%20July%202010/2010_07040317.jpg

Of course we did have to stop at a lighthouse museum and at a bakery housed in the building that used to be the home of DH’s grandmother, Ellen, who Rae shares a name with. So a little family tree inserted itself into this trip as well :)

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Camping%20July%202010/2010_07040370.jpg

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Camping%20July%202010/2010_07040374.jpg


http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af76/EmbarrassingMyChildren/Camping%20July%202010/2010_07040300.jpg

My next distraction has a whole lot of history and crosses a big item of my “Bucket List”!!

[Gina35]

Bumping in to come along for the ride. Thinking of going to DW the 1st week in November; but if we don't get decent air prices, we can't go. If only, by some miracle......:worship:

[Applemomma]

Bumping in to come along for the ride. Thinking of going to DW the 1st week in November; but if we don't get decent air prices, we can't go. If only, by some miracle......:worship:

Welcome to the crew! Don't forget to check late at night and clear your computer history when looking for those airline deals!!

[LuvMyEAR]

Hi Applemomma,

Summer's behind us now - officially! We made our annual pilgrimage to the beautiful Annapolis Valley for apple picking last weekend. Have you made a list/started on the pre-trip chores yet? We have. Made the list that is. :rotfl:

Actually, we did start packing the deck furniture, dismantling pool pump, digging out the winter tires - if only to have space to store that deck furniture! Changing the tires is definitely on my list for late Oct. We returned to ice and snow after our Nov 2008 trip, and our house/dog sitter was very glad that we'd left a well-prepared car for her.

I definitely get emotional when I see many Disney sites, and a few not-so-Disney ones. The countryside in Utah took my breath away at almost every turn. Your photos are beautiful, thanks for sharing!

[Applemomma]

Oh wow! I am seriously behind here! In my defense I did have an apple harvest to get taken care of :) I’ll forgo the “how I spent my summer” stuff and get right to the point …..I’M GOING TO DISNEY IN 2 DAYS

At times the last 100 days have crawled by and then others just seemed to disappear in a flash! I’ll be so glad to fret on the road though so I can stop fretting that something is going to sabotage this trip. Oh wait….something is…ME! After worrying about everyone else I managed to pull a hamstring reaching for a bottle of laundry detergent on the floor of all things. Now, in defense of the laundry detergent it wasn’t entirely it’s fault. I had been rolling 200 pound round bales of hay to mulch the orchard with by hand they day before so perhaps I can blame it on that….not laundry….and not the fact that I’m getting old…..:confused:It’s not too bad as long as I don’t push something (like a bale of hay) with my leg and walking doesn’t hurt so I’ll pack my Tylenol, ice my leg and suck it up…..we’ve planned a slow pace anyway.

So the plan now is for our wheels to leave the driveway at 4pm on Tuesday. We all know that’s the OFFICIAL start of vacation! We’ll do a little shopping in the city (Halifax), take Mom’s dog to my sister’s house (otherwise known as the dog-spa), have dinner with her and head for the airport hotel. It’s “Glee” night so once we get our “Gleek on” it’s a mandatory early lights out because we need to be at the airport at the ungodly hour of *gasp* 4:30 am. I have my suspicions that we’re going to arrive before Continental or PreBoarding customs is open but I like to be early for anything that’s time sensitive so if I’m supposed to be there 2 hours before then I’m standing in that line at 2 hours on the dot!

6:30 flight, connecting in Newark, gets us to Orlando and that lovely Magical Express Bus at 2:00 in the afternoon and to the Animal Kingdom Lodge around 3:00!!! I’d be doing a serious happy dance but my hamstring doesn’t like that LOL so I’ll let some bananas dance for me…..:banana::banana::banana:

We’re taking a netbook so I’ll try and do a bit of a live trip report, though we won’t have it everyday. I’ll make the best use of my 24 hours use of the internet hookup so won’t have it arrival day, resort switch day or departure day. I do promise to do a full report when I get back….I’ll need to so I can sooth my Disney Homesickness….mind you, we’re already planning our next trip :surfweb::thumbsup2