TR May 2010-An Aussie's Journey - California Here we Come

[TokyoDina]

You can do it! I know you can and before you know it you'll notice that maybe you didn't lose any weight cause it turned into muscle and muscle weights more than fat. But you'll notice that your body will begin to change. I've seen it many many many times in the work out class I take. People come in out of shape and over weight and then boom x amount of months later they are smaller than ever! I always tell them how much they've grown and changed since eating right and coming to the work out class! I know you can do it!

Also where are you did you stay when you went to DL? I want to go for my birthday this July by I'm having no luck for budget hotels that are close to DL. I don't want to stay anywhere gross but I know it's just somewhere to crash......but I'd like to be able to walk to DL rather than depend on a bus to come and get us.

 

[PrincessInOz]

You can do it! I know you can and before you know it you'll notice that maybe you didn't lose any weight cause it turned into muscle and muscle weights more than fat. But you'll notice that your body will begin to change. I've seen it many many many times in the work out class I take. People come in out of shape and over weight and then boom x amount of months later they are smaller than ever! I always tell them how much they've grown and changed since eating right and coming to the work out class! I know you can do it!

Also where are you did you stay when you went to DL? I want to go for my birthday this July by I'm having no luck for budget hotels that are close to DL. I don't want to stay anywhere gross but I know it's just somewhere to crash......but I'd like to be able to walk to DL rather than depend on a bus to come and get us.

How COOL! To have a trip to WDW and then one at DL! I'm envious...and the new World of Colour is likely to be up and running by then. I've been keeping an eye on when this opens because if it coincides with when I'm back in LA, I'm going to have to go in and fight the crowds to see this Pixar water/light show!

I've stayed at Candy Cane Inn, which is very pretty and more like a moderate at WDW. CCI have their own bus that runs VERY promptly every half hour. You can walk there and back in about 5 - 10 minutes and at night, if you time it right with the bus, it may save you this little bit of walking.

I've also stayed at the Residence Inn Maingate, which is marginally further away. Without kids, it takes me about 10 minutes to walk to DL. Not a bad location as it is close to the Garden Walk and if you wanted to have dinner at a different location to DTD, this place has eateries like Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Bubba Gumps etc..and you'll be right across the road. The ART takes you to the back of RI; but we always walked. I like RI a lot.

Both places come with breakfast. CCI breakfast is continental; but RI comes with full hot breakfast.

I have also contemplated staying at HoJo...maybe next time.

Good luck with your DL plans and I'd love to know where you end up staying!

 

[kcandbella]

Yay for being so close!

You are doing great with the weight loss...keep up the good work! I am sure you will see results soon, it just takes time!

 

[heidispidi]

I'm joining in on your planning here rather late - but better late than never, right? You answered my post re what to do besides DL while I'm there for a week in Jan, now it's my turn LOL.

A few things you've said on here have made me post. Firstly, my DH turned 45 today - so he's out of the 35 - 44 age bracket a year ahead of you! He and the kids are all at home on holidays today while I'm at work - though that's difficult to remember when I'm on here! Also my b'day is the day before yours, but I'm a smidge younger (OK, I"m turning 34!).

We are staying at Hojo in Jan, I'll let you know how that goes, if January EVR comes around!

Re the weight loss - good on you for making a start, and I'm sorry the results weren't there the 1st week. Extending your bike ride is a great thing to do, and just remember, if your heart rate is elevated, you'll burn calories - so don't be scared of riding up hills! Reducing carbs will help, this includes fruit as well as the usual pasta, rice, bread etc. If you like nuts, these are all good snacks, and the protein will help you stay fuller for longer. It's worked for me, and look at it this way, you will be fitter when you go to DL, and most likely more toned.

Better do some more work now. But I look forward to reading more about your trip

 

[PrincessInOz]

Yay for being so close!

You are doing great with the weight loss...keep up the good work! I am sure you will see results soon, it just takes time!

Thanks! I weigh in again on Monday. Fingers crossed!

I'm joining in on your planning here rather late - but better late than never, right? You answered my post re what to do besides DL while I'm there for a week in Jan, now it's my turn LOL.

A few things you've said on here have made me post. Firstly, my DH turned 45 today - so he's out of the 35 - 44 age bracket a year ahead of you! He and the kids are all at home on holidays today while I'm at work - though that's difficult to remember when I'm on here! Also my b'day is the day before yours, but I'm a smidge younger (OK, I"m turning 34!).

We are staying at Hojo in Jan, I'll let you know how that goes, if January EVR comes around!

Re the weight loss - good on you for making a start, and I'm sorry the results weren't there the 1st week. Extending your bike ride is a great thing to do, and just remember, if your heart rate is elevated, you'll burn calories - so don't be scared of riding up hills! Reducing carbs will help, this includes fruit as well as the usual pasta, rice, bread etc. If you like nuts, these are all good snacks, and the protein will help you stay fuller for longer. It's worked for me, and look at it this way, you will be fitter when you go to DL, and most likely more toned.

Better do some more work now. But I look forward to reading more about your trip

Welcome!! Always happy when someone else wants to join in my planning thought processes. I've been amused by you and Aust; both posting similar questions...
Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[PrincessInOz]

So I just found out that the slide at StormAlong Bay is going to be CLOSED from early May; with no re-opened date.

I only chose to stay at BCV because of the pool and the slide figured heavily in the decision process. My 9 yo DS and I sat through a number of youtube posts and figured that was the slide for us. Now, I've just told him about this and yup....there were tears in our house this morning.

I also found out that guests at BCV will be bused to BW pool to use their slide.

What would you do? Would you see if there was room at BWV and change the reservation across? I understand that the views are better there. Would you stay at BCV and have the use of the SAB pool and the BW pool?

I tried to show DS the youtube of the BW slide...he didn't like it as much...more tears.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Awwww, poor guy! I'd be bummed too! I would probably just keep my ressie at BCV and use the pool at BWI a couple of times, I'm not sure how often their bus will run, but the two resorts are not that far apart, it might be faster just to walk over there.

 

[franandaj]

There's more to SAB than just the slide. I would stay because the lazy river is one heck of a draw, plus the sand pool is awesome. You could probably walk to the Boardwalk faster than the bus would get you there, the slide at the Boardwalk is great, we stayed there in September. Plan on a couple days to go to Boardwalk, but also plan some time at SAB it's fun without the slide.

 

[TokyoDina]

Oh no! Well there is nothing that will compare with the slide but if the purpose of booking the hotel was to have the slide and another resort has a slide. I think I would change it. But I guess it depends on if there is an additional cost to do so.....

 

[cdotla]

I am disappointed right beside you on the slide at SAB. Like you, this was a major draw for us, and a big enticement for months for the kids. However, we are going to stick with BCV. Unlike your son, my kids are still young enough to use the kiddie slide, and we will of course likely make at least 1 trip over to the BW to use their slide.

I am not sure what I would do in your scenario. It is so disappointing, that's for sure.

 

[lovesdumbo]

So I just found out that the slide at StormAlong Bay is going to be CLOSED from early May; with no re-opened date.

I only chose to stay at BCV because of the pool and the slide figured heavily in the decision process. My 9 yo DS and I sat through a number of youtube posts and figured that was the slide for us. Now, I've just told him about this and yup....there were tears in our house this morning.

I also found out that guests at BCV will be bused to BW pool to use their slide.

What would you do? Would you see if there was room at BWV and change the reservation across? I understand that the views are better there. Would you stay at BCV and have the use of the SAB pool and the BW pool?

I tried to show DS the youtube of the BW slide...he didn't like it as much...more tears.

I'm so sorry!

I would stick with BCV that way you can use both SAB & BW pool.

I wasn't even paying attention to this - I had read thread titles about it but didn't think too much about it but now I realize that since we're at BWI the pool will be busy there. I chose BWI over BC because I thought the pool would be less crazy. Maybe we'll try the quiet pool.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Awwww, poor guy! I'd be bummed too! I would probably just keep my ressie at BCV and use the pool at BWI a couple of times, I'm not sure how often their bus will run, but the two resorts are not that far apart, it might be faster just to walk over there.

There's more to SAB than just the slide. I would stay because the lazy river is one heck of a draw, plus the sand pool is awesome. You could probably walk to the Boardwalk faster than the bus would get you there, the slide at the Boardwalk is great, we stayed there in September. Plan on a couple days to go to Boardwalk, but also plan some time at SAB it's fun without the slide.

I'm so sorry!

I would stick with BCV that way you can use both SAB & BW pool.

I wasn't even paying attention to this - I had read thread titles about it but didn't think too much about it but now I realize that since we're at BWI the pool will be busy there. I chose BWI over BC because I thought the pool would be less crazy. Maybe we'll try the quiet pool.

3 votes for sticking with the BCV. Thanks!

Oh no! Well there is nothing that will compare with the slide but if the purpose of booking the hotel was to have the slide and another resort has a slide. I think I would change it. But I guess it depends on if there is an additional cost to do so.....

1 vote for changing...nice to have the other side confirmed as well.

I am disappointed right beside you on the slide at SAB. Like you, this was a major draw for us, and a big enticement for months for the kids. However, we are going to stick with BCV. Unlike your son, my kids are still young enough to use the kiddie slide, and we will of course likely make at least 1 trip over to the BW to use their slide.

I am not sure what I would do in your scenario. It is so disappointing, that's for sure.

I so love this Board...you sure get the full gammut of opinions.......

Thanks everyone.

24 hours on and DS is still disappointed about the slide but definitely coming to terms with it. DH and I talked over this and we will stick with BCV. This way, we get to use SAB and get to pool hop to BWV Clown pool.

 

[heidispidi]

I'm glad you and DH have come to a mutual decision. I feel bad for your son, but hopefully once you get there, everything will work out better than you all can imagine right now. Here's to thinking positive!

I'm with you, I love getting everybody's differing opinions on this board

 

[disbugsmomma]

That's going to be very irritating to those of us staying at Boardwalk. I may have to check out the quiet pools too, but I don't think it would be too quiet anymore if I took dd there. I was quite annoyed last year when we stayed at BC and most of the pool was closed. It opened back up the day before we left, although it was supposed to open almost a week earlier.

 

[kcandbella]

That is disappointing, but as many have said, the pool is really cool too. And you can use the extremely scary clown slide . Hopefully your DS won't be too disappointed when you get there and are having lots of fun!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I'm glad you and DH have come to a mutual decision. I feel bad for your son, but hopefully once you get there, everything will work out better than you all can imagine right now. Here's to thinking positive!

I'm with you, I love getting everybody's differing opinions on this board

DS is coming round to the idea; so it probably won't be too bad when we finally get there.

That's going to be very irritating to those of us staying at Boardwalk. I may have to check out the quiet pools too, but I don't think it would be too quiet anymore if I took dd there. I was quite annoyed last year when we stayed at BC and most of the pool was closed. It opened back up the day before we left, although it was supposed to open almost a week earlier.

Maybe we'll catch you round at one the BW pools. We'll be the quiet ones screaming down the clown slide. I know...I'm with you. Whilst it's all fine when the individual resort pools are fully operational, when one of them goes down, it puts the neighbouring ones in a bit of stress from additional traffic. Oh well, DS says he might only want to visit once....so we'll try to keep to SAB as much as possible. The rest of the pool is still opened.

That is disappointing, but as many have said, the pool is really cool too. And you can use the extremely scary clown slide . Hopefully your DS won't be too disappointed when you get there and are having lots of fun!

Thanks!! He's also been paying a bit more attention to the POR pool and slide; now that he knows the SAB slide is closed. I think he'll be fine when we get there .

 

[PrincessInOz]

19 days to go! Suddenly, we're in the teens!

Preparations have now shifted to the more practical and tangible aspects.
1. I GOT A CAMERA!!! We purchased the Canon 550D this weekend (Rebel T2i) and I've been feverishly reading the manual and playing with it. We also decided on a slingshot bag to put all the different bits and pieces; plus the point and shoot cameras into.
2. We pulled down our bags from the attic today and realised that we have a LOT of bags that are broken. DH and I spent the better part of this morning checking all the 21 bags (yes, 21!!!!) and turfing out the ones with broken zips and holes. We are now left with 10. For this trip, we plan to take 2 carry-on trolleys. DS will have one, DH and I will share one; leaving us with the slingshot for the cameras, and my handbag. We will also take 2 check-in bags; one a 27" trolley case and the other an international sized carry-on trolley case. I'm thinking of packing a soft 25" bag inside the large trolley for all the shopping I know we're going to do and will only make my mind up when I get round to packing (which I'll do around the 25th of April) if I take it or not. In the event that we purchase another 27" case in America (this will happen even if we have the soft bag with us or not!) or have delicate items that we want to take as carry-on, we have the additional smaller bag as back-up.
3. I've been working on the Mousekeeping envelops and have ended up decorating them with Aussie animals and reptiles. They are pretty much finished now and that's one less thing for me to worry about.
4. I'm stressing about shoes. I had planned on taking my sketchers (closed shoe) to walk around the World; my crocs for the pool and resorts (and as a backup in the event of rain) plus a good pair of sandals for "going out" purposes. I'm now starting to think that I might need to buy a decent pair of walking sandals....
5. I've been printing out all my accommodation reservations and car hire details. Somehow, I've printed 3 copies of all the non Disney accommodation confirmations - and I'm still missing them! Oh well, back to the printer next week!
6. I'm starting to write the addresses and contact details of all the places we want to visit. I'm also starting to look at Google Maps and working out best routes between A and B. I'm also printing out the routes and will decide if I take the paper copies with me (later).
7. I'm writing down all passport numbers, insurance numbers and reservation confirmation numbers in a separate place. This way, if I lose the paper copies, I'll have the back-up numbers on hand without having to find an internet cafe.
8 I've checked our US electronic tourist visa and they are still valid.
9. I've also started purchasing toiletry items e.g., shampoo, bandaids, aspirin, wet ones, tissues etc.

I'm going to need to take copies of our passports and other documents and leave them with DH parents this week.
I'm also going to have to complete the Australian Foreign Affairs travel plans on-line in the event of an emergency; so that the Aussie Government know how to find us.
I'm also going to have to start pulling summer clothes out for DS and working out if they need to be washed (again) or ironed.

Oh - eating plan and exercising? We'll find out on Monday.....

 

[SoonerGirl]

Sounds like you've got everything under control!

About the shoes - a girl can never have too many pairs of shoes........

 

[TokyoDina]

Need shoes? Geez I've got far to many! You can't go wrong with extra shoes. However. DH limited me to just two pairs this trip!

 

[franandaj]

Need shoes? Geez I've got far to many! You can't go wrong with extra shoes. However. DH limited me to just two pairs this trip!

That's proposterous! You need to wear shoes for one day and another pair the next day, just to give your shoes a chance to dry out after a days wear. That's two pairs of tennies and a pair of dress shoes minimum!