And these are the {Resort} Changes of our Lives ~In Memory of JungleCruiser <3

[i_heart_the_mouse]

O...M....G. I just heard on the news that a meth lab was found a few blocks from my house. 2 of the kids go to school with my boys. I am seriously freaking out. Crime is usually nonexistent in my city. I guess you never really know what is going on behind the closed doors of your neighbors.

[disneydreamin247]

Originally Posted by Missoutandabout

Good morning ladies!



Dani: You know, all this talk about your Vitamix has got my curiosity piqued! You'll have to tell us all the good stuff you make with it once it arrives.

Wookie: Just noticed the bit you posted about MNSSHP. Like Dani said, I'd not worry about going two days in a row since you can relax the morning of the party -- then go over at 4pm.

Jen: LOL at the Tim Horton's thing. I've been to Toronto, Victoria Island and even saw them in Detroit ... never did I get a chance to try it!

Ginny: Let us knoooooooooow!

Pas: Pshaw, no worries busy momma! We're holdin' down the fort for ya.

~~------------------------~~

Can't seem to shake the ick my little petri dish shared with me. Eesh. She's almost 100% though! Darn kids and their uber-germs.

So, we stayed up until almost 2am talking about annual passes. (What is wrong with me?!) Hubbo, being the numbers nerd that he is, talked through the options as I entered them on a spreadsheet. We've basically sussed out that we need to go for at least nine days to make it "worth it" -- which is something we already kinda knew.

We ruled out the driving down bit since it would take two days out of the fun on either side of the vacation; long gone are the days of 18 hour drives straight through! He knows about the fall trip (though not where we're staying) and we've decided we want to go again in January -- so this leaves the question of when would we want to go again.

More questions for you ladies:

For those of you that go in summer and have been in the fall when school's in session... how do the crowds compare? Are they mega-ginormous in the summer? With the kiddo being taken out in October for that trip and for a day in January, we kinda decided that we'd not take her out again. Honestly, having gone to HS on January 3rd and Epcot on January 5th, the crowds weren't what we would consider unmanageable and we really enjoyed ourselves-- although, it WAS Epcot and HS ... and it wasn't the summer. Mind you, we'd steer clear of Labor Day and July 4th. Just not sure if the summer is totally or not. What do you summer pros think?

I will definitely let you know! I have tons of things pinned on Pinterest and I can't wait to try them all! I had been eyeing a Vitamix up for years. I had seen a presentation at Costco once and have wanted one since. Every time it's been on QVC I didn't have the money because they are so pricey. I am so happy to finally be getting one!


Summer was definitely tough for us. It was way more crowded than I though it would be. Even though I knew the crowd calendars said 8, 9, and 10 for most days I didn't think it would be that crowded. I figured if Disney prices it so cheaply, it can't be that bad. Well, I was WRONG. I will gladly take October over August any day!

[Missoutandabout]

Thanks I_Heart and Dani. Giving me stuff to ponder about the crowds. On a related note, we did find with the January trip compared with our September trip, we're more "morning" folk -- though I'm sure the husband-person would disagree with that assessment. We definitely feel like we've had better days at Disney when we got up early and took it easier in the afternoon. In September, with that late arrival we had, it kinda started things off on the wrong foot. We couldn't get ourselves up and out the door until after 11am.

I_Heart: Wow! So true, you just never know about people. My parents -- who have retired and now live out in the sticks -- had the police knock on their door one evening to ask them questions about the house 3 doors down. These folks were running a meth lab and it caught fire.

[letthewookiewin]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Wookie, I'm sorry your DH and his co-worker had such an uncomfortable experience. Unfortunately, there have always been ignorant people in the world, and there probably always will be. Being a person of many different races/nationalities (Italian, Cuban, Portuguese, and American Indian), I have always been around all races at all times and race never even crosses my mind. But, I have family down south...who are white, and who realize that they are related to people of color, and have no issue with it but will still use the "N" word.

I'll never forget when I brought DH down there for a family reunion. He is Greek, Irish, and French Canadian....and pretty pasty as you've seen from pics.... But my very mixed family was all at this party and an older white great aunt of mine was dropping the "n" word like nobody's business and thought nothing of it, it's just how she was brought up....my DH was like I kind of had to laugh, because knowing this aunt I expected what was coming out of her mouth...

My girls are aware of race, and we do talk about political issues with them, such as gay marriage, etc...we have gay friends who have kids that our girls are friends with and they have asked why so and so has two moms... well, we explained that all families are different and unfortunately not everyone is treated equally and what matters is that there is love....then we pointed out that about 50-60 years ago, mommy and daddy wouldn't have been able to marry because of our skin color....it really clicked with them then.

I am glad I am raising my kids to be tolerant of others and I think that the majority of people do, but there are those bad apples out there...

Anyway, I just totally rambled....probably too deep for a Tuesday night....

I was still stewing about it last night when the DH got off his computer for us to go to bed. My DH just finally said, "hun, you know you can't fix stupid". If only there was a way. Luckily, the DH is extremely easy going, just kept quiet and worked even faster to get out. Me, I can be a hot-head and probably would had said something.

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

I made a fantastic dinner last night in my pressure cooker and it was a smash hit. Everyone loved it, and it was all whole foods. I was pleased. That recipe is staying in rotation! It was Hawaiian BBQ chicken. I've been doing pretty well. I usually do very well with lifestyle changes. In my early 20's I went vegan. Then I downgraded to vegetarian. Now I eat meat. I just want the blender to get here already!!!

Sounds yummy!! I play SW:tOR with a man from Jamaica who is supposed to be giving me his jerk chicken recipe. I love trying new recipes!! I did one I found in a Rachel Ray cooking with your kids cookbook and it was amazing!! It was shrimp and chorizo over manchego orzo pasta with oven baked crispy green beans.

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

August was the absolute most crowded I have ever experienced the parks being, and I have gone over Easter break a few times. I remember one day pas' DH didn't want to go to the parks because of the crowds. It was pretty intense! I am looking forward to lower crowds in October!

I would probably be the same way.

Originally Posted by jennyjinx3

Hi ladies, just finished laughing here watching a comedy show here called "This hour has 22 minutes" It makes fun of a possible Canadian Pope...just thought I would share a laugh. Hope not to offend anyone...we really do love our Tim Horton's!

look at the video around 1 Min 21 sec, I think there is an advertisement first.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/ID/23...rt=MostPopular

I tried to watch it, but it wouldn't let me. My two favorite sit-coms of all times are British ones. The names are Coupling and The IT Crowd. I could watch the same episode over and over and still laugh my rear off. There is a new one, on Hulu, that the DH and I watch called Spy. I started watching it because I saw Robert Lindsay (who was in another favorite Brit-com called My Family) was in it.

Originally Posted by pas130

wookie

All my sweeties I am so DISficient I will get back on track soon

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

Good afternoon RC family. I spent the morning preparing a stew. It's now on in the crockpot and I'm cuddling up with Princess Fancy Pants. The Princess And The Frog is coming on so I hope she will watch it with me. I love that movie.

Her birthday presents I bought from the Disney Store sale are out for delivery today. I can't wait to try them on her!!!

It's cold and rainy here today, stew sounds perfect. I love The Princess and the Frog, but when I read the name it made me think of a movie my sister and I loved as kids. It's called The Frog Prince, and the little girl from the movie of Annie is the main character in it.

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

I wouldn't count MNSSHP as technically being a MK day since it's a totally different experience.

Originally Posted by Missoutandabout

Wookie: Just noticed the bit you posted about MNSSHP. Like Dani said, I'd not worry about going two days in a row since you can relax the morning of the party -- then go over at 4pm.

I know, but that's not how the DH looks at it. He thinks if you walk into the MK for more than a couple of hours it's an MK day. He decided he didn't want to change the MK day to Thursday anyway since it was going up to a whopping 3.3.

Originally Posted by Missoutandabout

So, we stayed up until almost 2am talking about annual passes. (What is wrong with me?!) Hubbo, being the numbers nerd that he is, talked through the options as I entered them on a spreadsheet. We've basically sussed out that we need to go for at least nine days to make it "worth it" -- which is something we already kinda knew.

We ruled out the driving down bit since it would take two days out of the fun on either side of the vacation; long gone are the days of 18 hour drives straight through! He knows about the fall trip (though not where we're staying) and we've decided we want to go again in January -- so this leaves the question of when would we want to go again.

More questions for you ladies:

For those of you that go in summer and have been in the fall when school's in session... how do the crowds compare? Are they mega-ginormous in the summer? With the kiddo being taken out in October for that trip and for a day in January, we kinda decided that we'd not take her out again. Honestly, having gone to HS on January 3rd and Epcot on January 5th, the crowds weren't what we would consider unmanageable and we really enjoyed ourselves-- although, it WAS Epcot and HS ... and it wasn't the summer. Mind you, we'd steer clear of Labor Day and July 4th. Just not sure if the summer is totally or not. What do you summer pros think?

Out of all the WDW trips we have been on, the one with the best crowds was the one we went in October. We were there 10/8-13/13. This past June we were there from 6/4-10/12. I didn't think it was bad considering we didn't do a single rope drop, EMH, or use any Fast Passes. We even walked right onto a few things without waits like, Muppets 3D, the Indy Stunt show, and Space Mountain (during MK PM EMH until 2 AM). I'm thinking the average wait was around 30 - 45 minutes. The exceptions (I can remember) were Kali River Rapids (over an hour), and TSM (just over 2 hours).

Originally Posted by i_heart_the_mouse

O...M....G. I just heard on the news that a meth lab was found a few blocks from my house. 2 of the kids go to school with my boys. I am seriously freaking out. Crime is usually nonexistent in my city. I guess you never really know what is going on behind the closed doors of your neighbors.

I would be too. The good new is, they did find it.

Well, I'm going to finally get some school work done. When I came back into the house, after getting JM on the bus, my DH was still getting dressed for work. Since it's cold and rainy, I snuggled up in bed to talk to him. Well I guess I fell asleep, and he made sure I was snuggled in nice and tight. Next thing I know it's almost 12:30. I am seriously thinking of taking a super hot shower because I can't seem to get warm today.

[Janet B]

Hi Peeps!!

Wookie, wow, a scary situation for your DH and co-worker, could of been real trouble, thankful nothing came of it.

Ginny, have you released your breath yet? Any updates on your airfare?? Inquiring minds need to know!!

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

Good afternoon RC family. I spent the morning preparing a stew. It's now on in the crockpot and I'm cuddling up with Princess Fancy Pants. The Princess And The Frog is coming on so I hope she will watch it with me. I love that movie.

Her birthday presents I bought from the Disney Store sale are out for delivery today. I can't wait to try them on her!!!

We love Princess and the Frog!! And you get to watch it with a princess enjoy that cuddle time...

Originally Posted by Missoutandabout

For those of you that go in summer and have been in the fall when school's in session... how do the crowds compare? Are they mega-ginormous in the summer? With the kiddo being taken out in October for that trip and for a day in January, we kinda decided that we'd not take her out again. Honestly, having gone to HS on January 3rd and Epcot on January 5th, the crowds weren't what we would consider unmanageable and we really enjoyed ourselves-- although, it WAS Epcot and HS ... and it wasn't the summer. Mind you, we'd steer clear of Labor Day and July 4th. Just not sure if the summer is totally or not. What do you summer pros think?

Miss, we have gone late August for the last few years (for Free Dining) (this timeframe covers most of my Disney experience). Yes, you will still have families vacationing but the local (southern schools) are back in session. So during weekdays crowd levels drop to moderate... weekends you do see a rise back up.

That being said, you have to strategize like Iheart posted...try to get to the parks early and plan to have some downtime in the afternoon.

It's going to be hot/humid... but central florida is May thru mid Oct. We have learned to make it work since the other option would be pulling her out of school... which we tend to not want to do. Her school district does not have blocks of time off .... only week is between Christmas/New Years.

I believe Dani has traveled earlier in August (correct me if I am wrong Dani), which will typically will see higher crowd levels... I would rule out July as it is the heaviest traveled summer month (and typically more expensive seaons/less discounts too).

For us, we have been accustomed to the late summer crowd levels... but you can look at it that you can divide park time/pool time and the vacation can be longer without the worry of Miss M. losing any school time .... Oh, we really like evening EMHs.

There is a silver lining to everything!!

[Janet B]

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

After Howard takes his class send him right on over to my house. Send Sam too! She and I can have smoothies and do yoga.

will do BTW, Sam and I will begin yoga (and pilates classes) next week!!

Originally Posted by pas130

Ad I have a secret (not so secret) December trip...which my girls decided they want to go visit their friend Deena...and meet Mommy's friends we aren't telling Daddy yet

Pas, I think that is your motto.. And your girls will love another mommy trip!! So, does that mean Sam should come to??

[Mousemommy1]

Page 2 Ladies!!!!

So, our trip is 57 days away and all of a sudden I'm feeling anxious!!!
I feel like usually by now, I have started the packing lists, starting buying stuff we need for the trip....
I still need to order our Photopass + !!!!
I'm waiting for the dates to open up for the dessert party (IPO is supposed to be monitoring that for me, and I gave them dates and told them to just book on any of those dates...)

I feel like, yeah, it's 57 days away, but that's going to go by in a heartbeat!! I know that all of the major planning is done...but, I've still got stuff to do. I'm usually more on top of it than this.

I also got nervous that my BFF husband won't like our touring style....we are so chill and laid back and honestly don't shy away from a long line. We sleep late and miss rope drop. We get Fastpasses when we can but really do just do things when we feel like it. Her DH hates lines and I was trying to come up with a "touring plan"....I gave up. I told her, "we don't do that and I'm not going to". She was fine with that . She couldn't believe that I was stressing about it and said that they are super excited to go and think they will have a great trip!! . She doesn't want us to change our style for them.

That did take a load off.

[letthewookiewin]

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Page 2 Ladies!!!!

So, our trip is 57 days away and all of a sudden I'm feeling anxious!!!
I feel like usually by now, I have started the packing lists, starting buying stuff we need for the trip....
I still need to order our Photopass + !!!!
I'm waiting for the dates to open up for the dessert party (IPO is supposed to be monitoring that for me, and I gave them dates and told them to just book on any of those dates...)

I feel like, yeah, it's 57 days away, but that's going to go by in a heartbeat!! I know that all of the major planning is done...but, I've still got stuff to do. I'm usually more on top of it than this.

I also got nervous that my BFF husband won't like our touring style....we are so chill and laid back and honestly don't shy away from a long line. We sleep late and miss rope drop. We get Fastpasses when we can but really do just do things when we feel like it. Her DH hates lines and I was trying to come up with a "touring plan"....I gave up. I told her, "we don't do that and I'm not going to". She was fine with that . She couldn't believe that I was stressing about it and said that they are super excited to go and think they will have a great trip!! . She doesn't want us to change our style for them.

That did take a load off.

I can't wait for your trip either!! Are you going to let us know how they sprinkle y'all with pixie dust or are you going to make us wait until you get home?

I just can't wait for our tax return to finally hit our checking account. I really want to get the trip paid off.

[gwynne]

Happy Thursday RCers!

Originally Posted by Missoutandabout

Good morning ladies!
Ginny: Let us knoooooooooow!

Originally Posted by Janet B

Hi Peeps!!
Ginny, have you released your breath yet? Any updates on your airfare?? Inquiring minds need to know!!

Hi Missout And Janet, And here's the rest of the story. I checked, waited for dh to see about vacation time, got the go ahead. So far so good. I carefully opened two browsers, (each of our accounts), clicked with extra care, and...
dh comes upstairs and says, "Hey, I need to print some things for the tax guy right now, k?" So I hold my breath some more, (he finally leaves) I get back to my bookings, still there, and...they went through! 25,000 each round trip to MCO.

I was so excited call Disney reservations. I was able to get most of our trip at YC/CL and then the last two nights at WL/CL.
We've not stayed CL at WL yet, so we are excited. We are hoping to try California Grill for the first time, it should be re-opened by our trip. Our window opens end of March, so I will have fun with some more dining reservation planning.

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

Summer was definitely tough for us. It was way more crowded than I though it would be. Even though I knew the crowd calendars said 8, 9, and 10 for most days I didn't think it would be that crowded. I figured if Disney prices it so cheaply, it can't be that bad. Well, I was WRONG. I will gladly take October over August any day!

Dani-Agree that October is very nice, and there's the added fun of Epcot Food and Wine.

Originally Posted by letthewookiewin

I was still stewing about it last night when the DH got off his computer for us to go to bed. My DH just finally said, "hun, you know you can't fix stupid". If only there was a way. Luckily, the DH is extremely easy going, just kept quiet and worked even faster to get out. Me, I can be a hot-head and probably would had said something.

Wookie- BBM-Exactly. Those are wise words.

Originally Posted by Janet B

will do BTW, Sam and I will begin yoga (and pilates classes) next week!!

Janet-Have fun!

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

I also got nervous that my BFF husband won't like our touring style....we are so chill and laid back and honestly don't shy away from a long line. We sleep late and miss rope drop. We get Fastpasses when we can but really do just do things when we feel like it. Her DH hates lines and I was trying to come up with a "touring plan"....I gave up. I told her, "we don't do that and I'm not going to". She was fine with that . She couldn't believe that I was stressing about it and said that they are super excited to go and think they will have a great trip!! . She doesn't want us to change our style for them. That did take a load off.

MM-Good you talked to them. You guys are going to have a wonderful time!

Waving hi to all the RC peeps! Have a great day friends!

[pas130]

Originally Posted by jennyjinx3

No worries, we will be here!!

Thanks! It's bad....being on the DIS with no trip booked.... no es bueno

Originally Posted by gwynne

I'm holding my breath, crossing my fingers, maybe we can use miles for a trip!
Will check in later, but if the dates will work for hubby, we may be able to book round trip on Delta at 25,000 miles each.

Ginny...did I miss it

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

Good afternoon RC family. I spent the morning preparing a stew. It's now on in the crockpot and I'm cuddling up with Princess Fancy Pants. The Princess And The Frog is coming on so I hope she will watch it with me. I love that movie.

Her birthday presents I bought from the Disney Store sale are out for delivery today. I can't wait to try them on her!!!

First of all...YUM!

The Princess...is this her 2nd birthday?? She's so darn cute, I wanna say 3...how bad is that, did I miss a whole year.

Originally Posted by Missoutandabout

Pas: Pshaw, no worries busy momma! We're holdin' down the fort for ya. ~~------------------------~~

Can't seem to shake the ick my little petri dish shared with me. Eesh. She's almost 100% though! Darn kids and their uber-germs.

So, we stayed up until almost 2am talking about annual passes. (What is wrong with me?!) Hubbo, being the numbers nerd that he is, talked through the options as I entered them on a spreadsheet. We've basically sussed out that we need to go for at least nine days to make it "worth it" -- which is something we already kinda knew.

We ruled out the driving down bit since it would take two days out of the fun on either side of the vacation; long gone are the days of 18 hour drives straight through! He knows about the fall trip (though not where we're staying) and we've decided we want to go again in January -- so this leaves the question of when would we want to go again.

More questions for you ladies:

For those of you that go in summer and have been in the fall when school's in session... how do the crowds compare? Are they mega-ginormous in the summer? With the kiddo being taken out in October for that trip and for a day in January, we kinda decided that we'd not take her out again. Honestly, having gone to HS on January 3rd and Epcot on January 5th, the crowds weren't what we would consider unmanageable and we really enjoyed ourselves-- although, it WAS Epcot and HS ... and it wasn't the summer. Mind you, we'd steer clear of Labor Day and July 4th. Just not sure if the summer is totally or not. What do you summer pros think?

I think the whole Summer thing is why I am not AS upset to be at US/IoA..We get up, have breakfast..hit the parks (crowds are light in the morning...then when I start melting we head back to the pool...Literally it's 3 hours in the parks, then we don't head back until after dinner.

We ate at Crystal Palace (with sis 2 tables away) started walking to Fantasyland and DH was like, I wanna swim. I went over to SM...80 min wait yep back to the resort we went

We did end of October and first week of November...no wait, no crowds...still warm. Perfect

Originally Posted by i_heart_the_mouse

O...M....G. I just heard on the news that a meth lab was found a few blocks from my house. 2 of the kids go to school with my boys. I am seriously freaking out. Crime is usually nonexistent in my city. I guess you never really know what is going on behind the closed doors of your neighbors.

Yeah..our town was on the news as well..ex-police chief in cyber scandal with a HS gal Scary stuff

Originally Posted by letthewookiewin

I was still stewing about it last night when the DH got off his computer for us to go to bed. My DH just finally said, "hun, you know you can't fix stupid". If only there was a way. Luckily, the DH is extremely easy going, just kept quiet and worked even faster to get out. Me, I can be a hot-head and probably would had said something.

Yeah...I am like that..can't keep my mouth shut.. Glad your DH can take it with stride

Originally Posted by Janet B

Pas, I think that is your motto.. And your girls will love another mommy trip!! So, does that mean Sam should come to??

Of course!!! I would LOVE to have Sam along

So I leaked to DH the idea of a Spring trip...I even quoted him a price....DENIED!!!

Originally Posted by Mousemommy1

Page 2 Ladies!!!!

Thanks for the bump up Candace!! My DH wouldn't want to go with another family, but it sounds like you will all have a great time

[pas130]

Originally Posted by gwynne

Hi Missout And Janet, And here's the rest of the story. I checked, waited for dh to see about vacation time, got the go ahead. So far so good. I carefully opened two browsers, (each of our accounts), clicked with extra care, and...
dh comes upstairs and says, "Hey, I need to print some things for the tax guy right now, k?" So I hold my breath some more, (he finally leaves) I get back to my bookings, still there, and...they went through! 25,000 each round trip to MCO.

I was so excited call Disney reservations. I was able to get most of our trip at YC/CL and then the last two nights at WL/CL.
We've not stayed CL at WL yet, so we are excited. We are hoping to try California Grill for the first time, it should be re-opened by our trip. Our window opens end of March, so I will have fun with some more dining reservation planning.

So October???

[disneydreamin247]

Gwenn I love Disney in the fall. I am happy to be able to hit MNSSHP and F&W again this year. In 2011 we missed F&W by ONE day.

sis you didn't miss a year! She will be 2 next month. Little miss diva lol. She is totally a riot. Yesterday she tried on her swimsuits and nightgowns and she was twirling around like a ballerina and posing. I really have no idea where she comes from!

[gwynne]

Originally Posted by pas130

So October???

End of Sept--24 Sept thru 1 Oct. You know us, we can't seem to schedule a trip unless it includes a few days of Epcot F&W.

[pas130]

Originally Posted by disneydreamin247

Gwenn I love Disney in the fall. I am happy to be able to hit MNSSHP and F&W again this year. In 2011 we missed F&W by ONE day.

sis you didn't miss a year! She will be 2 next month. Little miss diva lol. She is totally a riot. Yesterday she tried on her swimsuits and nightgowns and she was twirling around like a ballerina and posing. I really have no idea where she comes from!

Phew! She was brought up on the Dis..of course she is a natural Princess

Originally Posted by gwynne

End of Sept--24 Sept thru 1 Oct. You know us, we can't seem to schedule a trip unless it includes a few days of Epcot F&W.

Nice!!!! I did give the kids the option of changing back to November Nope the sooner the better

[pas130]

I've started my US PTR

My August 2013 "Darkside" PTR