Tasty Planning Time with ZeBrook! A 2 for 1 PTR - 12/24 - All our bags are packed

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Hope you guys are having fun, if you aren't home already! Is this a water park like the Great Wolf Lodge I hear so much about? I bet little Henry will have a blast - looking forward to seeing your great pictures!

Heather

 

[jenseib]

Hope you guys are having fun, if you aren't home already! Is this a water park like the Great Wolf Lodge I hear so much about? I bet little Henry will have a blast - looking forward to seeing your great pictures!

Heather

Yes, very similar.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Yes, very similar.

Thanks Jen - hope you're doing well....

Heather

 

[jenseib]

Thanks Jen - hope you're doing well....

Heather

Sure am, but would be doing better if I was at Kalahari with Brook! LOL!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We are back!
We had a GREAT weekend...and even extended it by a day!

We headed out on Friday, came back on Monday - in 4 days I took 835 pictures. I joined SmugMug.com (thanks for the suggestion LL!) tonight and will be doing the mini-TR using it instead of Photobucket to see how they compare. I should be able to start the Dells TR on Thursday (along with a PTR update).

Have a great trip! It sounds like you have wonderful weekend planned out!

Oh and a belated Happy Birthday to Joe!

Thank you! And a BIG thanks for the link in the PM! I haven't had a chance to read through it all yet, but really look forward to it. I can't believe you remembered that I have a degree in City Planning! You have a great memory. The link was a very sweet surprise!

Have fun!!!

Thanks! We had a blast!

Have fun on your weekend trip!

I enjoyed reading all the 'Nawlins talk! Years back, DH and I didn't have too much money to spend on a honeymoon, so we chose New Orleans!

We went in mid-January, though, so we missed the Sugar Bowl and were just ahead of Mardi Gras. What a fabulous city! We had so much fun! And the food! Amazing!

I'm glad that you are thinking about using TGM for your WDW trip... I highly recommend it!

Kathy

I've heard so many great things about New Orleans, I'm excited to experience it! It's been on my list of Cities to See for quite a while. My pastor from my church back in NYC went down to the area often (and to Mississippi) after Hurricane Katrina to assist and brought back stories of the people-it made me really want to go, but the timing never worked to travel with him and our church for a trip back then.

TGM-I'm glad to hear you like it! I kinda want to research the pros/cons of the three I hear about, TGM, touringplans.com and ridemax.com. I'm tempted to email the DISPodCast for advice. Maybe my email will get read on the PodCast!

I hope it's a great weekend in the Dells! I am looking forward to doing the indoor waterparks with my kiddos soon as well.

I loved NOLA when I was there. That was back in my 20s during Mardi Gras. Yep, Mop was a little wilder, crazier in those days.

We had a really fun weekend! The indoor waterparks are such a great idea-Joe and I want to go back when the snow is falling so we can walk around in just a swimsuit and shorts and laugh in the face of winter!

Mardi Gras, eh? I can only imagine how CRAZY it would be from stories I hear...are the stories exgarrated, or true?

LOL! I never heard of Wisconsin being known for Fireworks. Around here I would say Michigan is the one known for it. Also when traveling I always see sign in Tennesee.

I would say to me, Wisconsin is known for Cheese/Dairy, Tractorpulling, and the Dells. LOL!
Oh and the Packers. My grandfather grew up in GreenBay so even though I was never into sports he was ,and would talk about them all the time.

Around here Wisconsin is THE place for fireworks, but that's because even sparklers were illegal in Minnesota until about 5 or 6 years ago. Everyone snuck in fireworks from Wisconsin!

But yes, it is very well known for the cheese and dairy! Tractorpulling I don't know much about....but ya, the Packers. I don't know anything about football, so I didn't even think about them! The cheeseheads!

I think the best is the banana dog with peanut butter and jelly!

That is a GREAT idea! Wow. I haven't seen that one yet. Henry would loooove it (but I don't let him eat too much peanut butter yet, so it will be a treat after he turns two!)

Have fun at the Dells Brook! I have only heard good things.

It was a really fun time. There is so much to see and do-it's kind of a quirky place too!

Being from Wisconsin, I had to check on your PTR when I saw Off to Wisconsin Dells in your title! I've been there a couple times (usually just to go to Noah's Ark, the main water park in the Dells)...it is pretty cheesy! Hope you have fun! Can't wait to see the mini TR.

Now I've got to go back and catch up on the Disney stuff. How exciting you are staying at AKV. That is awesome it's your home resort!

I have been to Noah's Ark twice-once I almost drowned in the big wave pool there! Thankfully it didn't give me a fear of water, just of BIG waves. The Dells can be kinda cheesy-it's got some weirdddd stuff, but there are lots of fun things too! We had a great weekend and I have lots of pics to share!

I am VERY excited about staying at AKV!! All the pictures look so beautiful. I'm sure we are going to love it!

Have a great trip and enjoy the waterpark. I am hoping our pool is warm enough for the kids to swim this weekend. My DD10 has been begging her dad to make sure the pool is ready!!

Surprisingly it was warm enough here in Minnesota (and Wisconsin) this past weekend to even swim outside! Of course today it's back down into the 60s.

Just wanted to say enjoy your trip and.... we share a birthday (although next year is my 30th - sure it's not as bad as it first sounds!)

Yay! For YEARS I never met anyone with my same birthday, but you are the fourth person now!! I think 30 will be just fine. It's kinda strange saying "30" though...I think I need to start acting more like an adult.


Nah!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Have a great time this weekend!
Does that mean the third contest is "How many stops will Brook have to make on the drive?"

YES! We did have to stop a few times...

Have a great trip!

And 30 isn't that bad! I spent my 30th one week overdue with my first son. Went into labor the next day. Forty was the year I had to go back to work. So for fifty, I had enough money to really be able to do something great (also 25th anniversary year)! There's always so many exciting adventures to look forward to, why worry about aging? It's just another adventure!

GREAT ATTITUDE! And you are RIGHT! Everyday is an adventure. Age is true beauty in my book anyway. I always wonder what my years ahead will hold...it will be fun to look back in 10 years!

Seven pages already...where have I been? The trip sounds great so far! Have a great time at the waterpark capital of the world - my kind of trip!

Hey you made it! Wisconsin Dells has SO many waterparks. Even the cheapy hotels have little waterparks in them!

brookelizabeth, I'm jumping in on your PTR, too. There's nothing that I love more than planning for an up-coming trip to The World. I'm so psyched about our December trip, I can hardly stand it. I haven't even told our friends and family because I know what they will say..."What...you're going to Disney AGAIN???" If they only knew that I was also planning actual details already, they would think I have a screw loose. What's great about the DIS is we all feel the same way. A trip that's 6 months away is practically next week!!!! Am I right?

Hello there! Welcome and thanks for reading!!
What dates are you going in December?

I know what you mean about not telling friends and family. None have commented to us, but I'm sure inside they are rolling their eyes or something! Especially since we went in November AND January. I did have one co-worker comment "Is she planning another trip?" one day when I was talking to DVC Member Services on the phone during a break! But then it was followed by "Can I come?"

I love the DIS for the same reason. We do all feel the same way! A trip that is so far away will be here before we know it due to all the planning and advice taking/researching. I love it!

Hope you guys are having fun, if you aren't home already! Is this a water park like the Great Wolf Lodge I hear so much about? I bet little Henry will have a blast - looking forward to seeing your great pictures!

Heather

Yep! Jen already commented, but the Great Wolf Lodge is very similar to the Kalahari. It's a nice hotel with a HUGE waterpark inside and out.

Sure am, but would be doing better if I was at Kalahari with Brook! LOL!

 

[brookelizabeth]

 

[Flossbolna]

Thank you! And a BIG thanks for the link in the PM! I haven't had a chance to read through it all yet, but really look forward to it. I can't believe you remembered that I have a degree in City Planning! You have a great memory. The link was a very sweet surprise!

TGM-I'm glad to hear you like it! I kinda want to research the pros/cons of the three I hear about, TGM, touringplans.com and ridemax.com. I'm tempted to email the DISPodCast for advice. Maybe my email will get read on the PodCast!

I guess I remembered that you were interested in city planning because that is something which I find very interesting, too.

I used both TGM and touringplans on our previous three trips. I was afreaid of missing out on valuable information if I did not get both. But to be honest, I think you would be fine which ever one you chose. I actually love reading the Unofficial Guide and therefore I would have bought that book anyway. If you have the book, you can access everything on their site, too. TGM was fun to read through, too. But sometimes it was a bit difficult to find the information I was looking for. Also I found that TGM is not very quick in updating his advice. There were a few areas where I found information that was rather outdated. Both offer sound advice on how to tour the parks. While touringplans objective is to hit every attraction once, TGM offers more advice on how to get to see the big attractions again. That's why I liked to combine them! With regard to best day at which park: I think they usually were very similar for our time frame. All in all I tend to believe touringplans more than TGM - they actually do scientific research and have an statistician doing this. And I am someone who likes scientific approaches.

What a cute picture! Once again Henry looks so much older!! I am looking forward to hear about your weekend!

 

[lazydoxy66]

It's good to see your planning another trip to WDW!!! Good luck with those crowds. Count to 10 when it's too much. It really does work.

Your preview looks wonderful! I love the Dells too. There are so many things to do. The Travel Channel had a special dedicated to it. I think they said something about all the water parks and the fact that a lot of them are indoors. I think they are trying to get more tourists to come up there in the winter.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks for the preview of the Dells! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Love the teaser pics! And your new siggy pics are sooo cute!!! When were they taken?

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hey Brook,

I thought I was subscribed to this and somehow I wasn't! I think I was the 1st person to comment on this new PTR, too! Hmm, something went wrong, cause I missed a lot!!!! I just came over from my PTR to see what was new and to tell how ADORABLE your new siggie is with the pics of Henry!!!!! Too cute!! I have to go back and read and see where these were done, assuming you commented on them already? Sorry about that....off to catch up!! And now, I swear, I'm subbing!!! I can't miss any of your PTR/TRs!!!

 

[moparop]

We had a really fun weekend! The indoor waterparks are such a great idea-Joe and I want to go back when the snow is falling so we can walk around in just a swimsuit and shorts and laugh in the face of winter!

Mardi Gras, eh? I can only imagine how CRAZY it would be from stories I hear...are the stories exgarrated, or true?

I love it!! Laugh in the face of winter... sounds like an excellent plan! I can't wait for more pictures and stories from the Dells trip!

As far as Mardi Gras goes, the French Quarter really is as crazy as they say it is. It was solid people, lots of drinking and quite a bit of nudity. As a pretty naive sheltered girl, it was an eye opening experience.

For the rest of the city, it was really nothing more than a good time. In neighborhoods, families sat on their lawns to watch the parades go by and we were still able to hit markets and Cafe du Monde.

 

[SoonerGirl]

OK - this is just too stinkin' cute I love the new pics in your siggy too!

 

[jenseib]

I guess I remembered that you were interested in city planning because that is something which I find very interesting, too.

I used both TGM and touringplans on our previous three trips. I was afreaid of missing out on valuable information if I did not get both. But to be honest, I think you would be fine which ever one you chose. I actually love reading the Unofficial Guide and therefore I would have bought that book anyway. If you have the book, you can access everything on their site, too. TGM was fun to read through, too. But sometimes it was a bit difficult to find the information I was looking for. Also I found that TGM is not very quick in updating his advice. There were a few areas where I found information that was rather outdated. Both offer sound advice on how to tour the parks. While touringplans objective is to hit every attraction once, TGM offers more advice on how to get to see the big attractions again. That's why I liked to combine them! With regard to best day at which park: I think they usually were very similar for our time frame. All in all I tend to believe touringplans more than TGM - they actually do scientific research and have an statistician doing this. And I am someone who likes scientific approaches.



What a cute picture! Once again Henry looks so much older!! I am looking forward to hear about your weekend!

I bought the book too, and thought you got complete access to the site, but all I got was the hours and said I had to pay for a membership to get anywhere else. What am I doing wrong?

Brook, the pics look fun and great. Your new signature is awesome too.

 

[Flossbolna]

I bought the book too, and thought you got complete access to the site, but all I got was the hours and said I had to pay for a membership to get anywhere else. What am I doing wrong?

Brook, the pics look fun and great. Your new signature is awesome too.

Oh, sorry, I guess that was wrong information then!! I actually have the subscription, too, I guess I needed to check dates before I bought the book... But the subscription is actually quite affordable, especially if you sign up for the Allears.net newsletter, you get a discount code for the subscription.

And, Brook, I agree the pictures in your signature are great!!

Actually just went back to touringplans and this here is from their FAQ:

Subscriptions

I Bought the Book - Do I Have to Pay to Subscribe? Beginning with the 2009 edition of the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, book owners receive free website subscriptions that last through the end of that edition's year. That is, those subscriptions will last through December 31, 2009. Owners of Unofficial Guides published before August 20, 2008 require a subscription to access the premium content on the site. Here are the steps to get your free subscription:

1. If you don't already have a username on TouringPlans.com, create a free basic subscription account on the website, including a username and password. Having a username allows us to remember you, and that you're a book owner. (If you already have a username on TouringPlans.com, sign in to the site first before continuing to Step 2.)

2. Answer the two questions shown on the Crowd Calendar page to validate your edition of the book.

 

[jenseib]

OK, now I'm more confused. I have the 2009 edition and answered the book questions, but it still only let me see the hours and that it?

 

[MeMom]

I believe he is quite liking the car ride. How cute!

What kind of boo-boo did he get on his elbow in the sandpail picture?

Can't wait to hear all about your fun!

 

[jenseib]

OK, now I'm more confused. I have the 2009 edition and answered the book questions, but it still only let me see the hours and that it?

OK, I figured it out. I never had signed up for th basic before hand.

 

[Flossbolna]

OK, I figured it out. I never had signed up for th basic before hand.

I am glad it finally worked for you!!