ª"˜˜ª¤.¸Official Team August 2013 Thread!¸.¤ª˜˜"ª&#9733

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I just counted and the kids have 23 school days left. Holy Moly where did this year go?!?

I'm wondering if I didn't make a mistake booking us to come home the day before school starts. We've done it before, but this year is a big year for my little guy because he is going to a new school and I wonder if an extra day to settle in wouldn't have been a better idea. I could switch flights and I would only lose about $60 for the last night at the airport hotel. But the flights are another story. Everyone wants to come home on the Sunday and the non-stops are sky high. There is a very early flight with a connection for about what I paid. But bleh.. 7 hours to get home. Not excited about that either.

My son has to go until June 14!! I really hate his school system, but such is the military life, you go where you're told.

Geez, I thought the 14th was late, but June 27 seems super late!! My little sister in Iowa gets out the last day of may. That's more what I'm used to

Jake is done on June 19th (a Wednesday), then has two exams to write. He gets off lucky this semester as he has a two-credit co-op placement which comes with a culminating project and no exam, which reduces him down to just a final in both English and religion (he attends a Catholic high school). I can hardly wait for him to be done......he has had such a busy year and has worked so hard, he has earned himself a good break from the academics.

pigletto, I can totally understand your concerns on returning home the day before school starts. I personally couldn't do it......I need that "re-adjustment time" for my own sanity.....but yet I totally get wanting to stretch the vacation time out as long as possible, too. I don't know if I would go for a connecting flight either. I am never thrilled with the journey home to begin with, and making it a connector would be just another annoyance for me. LOL, I can be a picky little brat sometimes!!

 

[Disneylover99]

new to this thread....... haven't officially booked but I'm going to this week! I'm having anxiety because I'm used to booking a year+ out and having all that time to obsess/plan. But we just came back from our big family WDW trip last month and probably won't (entire family) go back 'til 2015 and while in the throes of a severe bout of Post Disney Depression/Disney Withdrawal, I decided that I simply CAN.NOT wait that long to go back, and that I *must* go for my b-day in August -- withOUT the kids! And in case that wasn't enough to convince DH (not a uber-fan like we all are) I threw in that since I'm newly a TA and can get a decent resort rate, I simply *must* take advantage of my discount. So it will be just DH and I at I think the Yacht Club!!

I have so much to plan, my head is spinning but I don't want to officially start planning until airfare and hotel is booked but I already have all kinds of things running through my head --- park plans, tours, ADRs, etc. Ugh! This is going to be a trip of firsts - first time doing certain restaurants, shows, tours. Must. Start. Planning. We'll probably just do 4 nts. so not a whole lot of time ( ) but I'm thinking my must-dos are (in no particular order):

Cape May Cafe for dinner
Fantasmic
Keys to the Kingdom tour
Boardwalk area

that's all I can think of right now. I need to just book so I can get going already.

Hi

A couples only trip.....I can only dream!
Have fun planning!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

That "blink of an eye" thing SCARES me!! I can't BELIEVE my DS is ALREADY 17--where did THAT time go???? And although I am SO EXCITED about our August trip to WDW, I certainly don't want to wish his last summer before senior year away. This will be the first year he hasn't gone to summer school. Time is just going TOO TOO fast!!!

Sing it to me, sister!

Our boys are the same age. Sometimes its almost hard to take in the reality that my baby only has one more year left of high school. I am so proud of the wonderful young man he's become, but quite honestly, I wish I could slow the calendar down and just soak up the ability to "mother" him a while longer.

Absolutely, and well said! Besides, if it says on my tombstone "Good Worker" and "Met Societies Expectations" I will have failed. The most important thing we can do is bond with the people we love when we can, and not take it for granted. It goes by so very fast, and every moment is precious.

Wholeheartedly agree . I am one of those moms who (right from the start) gladly accepted a step down in the career department to allow myself the flexibility to be a good mom. Its a decision I have never regretted. My achievements will never be measured by enormous paycheques or fancy designations after my name....and I am totally okay with that. I was there to celebrate every achievement, cheer on my boy at every sporting event, and attend every school barbecue and parent-teacher meeting that came along. I have always said, at the end of my life, if my tombstone reads "She was a good wife and mom", then I would die a happy woman.

Just wanted to share. This semester was really tough for me, health issues, tough classes, life... So, although I gave my best effort, my school work suffered a bit.

HOWEVER. Two of my grades have been posted so far -- B+ and A. I am THRILLED! The other two classes I have to wait for still. But anyway -- yay!

That deserves a dance!!!!

Way to go!

 

[Koh1977]

Hi

A couples only trip.....I can only dream!
Have fun planning!!

I agree!! Really don't think my kids would go for us doing Disney without them right now. but someday I'd like to go for F&W without the kids...

Welcome TJ!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Koh1977]

Ok, so I just found an awesome food porn thread!! In Disney dining reviews...coming to you live...they're live updates with pics of everyone's meals and the menus, etc. awesome!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

My kids are in til june 27th at noon here! You guys are so lucky to be out early! More summer days to enjoy!

 

[4under4]

I know this is the happy dance forum, and honestly I'm really [really really] happy that August is fast approaching. But this is the worst time for me. There is nothing I need to do to make this trip better!

Resort? Booked

ADRs? Booked (though of course there are a couple I keep trying to tweak to a little better time slot )

Touring plans? Done (Yes, I know that they will be more accurate if I redo them closer to departure, so it's really just a game at this point).

Packing? It's probably too early to pack (or is it? ).

I hope you all understand what I mean. The planning is a big part of the excitement, and now that the planning's done, I feel... I feel... sad?

OK, enough whining. I'm going to go to bed and dream of castles, and monorails, and chocolate dipped confections that look like a mouse

 

[Koh1977]

I know this is the happy dance forum, and honestly I'm really [really really] happy that August is fast approaching. But this is the worst time for me. There is nothing I need to do to make this trip better!

Resort? Booked

ADRs? Booked (though of course there are a couple I keep trying to tweak to a little better time slot )

Touring plans? Done (Yes, I know that they will be more accurate if I redo them closer to departure, so it's really just a game at this point).

Packing? It's probably too early to pack (or is it? ).

I hope you all understand what I mean. The planning is a big part of the excitement, and now that the planning's done, I feel... I feel... sad?

OK, enough whining. I'm going to go to bed and dream of castles, and monorails, and chocolate dipped confections that look like a mouse

Completely understand!! I feel the same way. I have photo autograph books to make, but that's about it...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[JavArmy]

I know this is the happy dance forum, and honestly I'm really [really really] happy that August is fast approaching. But this is the worst time for me. There is nothing I need to do to make this trip better!

Resort? Booked

ADRs? Booked (though of course there are a couple I keep trying to tweak to a little better time slot )

Touring plans? Done (Yes, I know that they will be more accurate if I redo them closer to departure, so it's really just a game at this point).

Packing? It's probably too early to pack (or is it? ).

I hope you all understand what I mean. The planning is a big part of the excitement, and now that the planning's done, I feel... I feel... sad?

OK, enough whining. I'm going to go to bed and dream of castles, and monorails, and chocolate dipped confections that look like a mouse

I totally understand!! I've been driving my husband nuts trying to think of new crafts to do to fill my time!

 

[Loreli]

QOTD??

Since planning is all done (Pigletto, hold out babe!) let's have a off topic QOTD.

Who do you remember this Memorial Day? You Northern Disers too.

I remember my Dad who was in the Army Reserve between the Korean war & Vietnam.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I know this is the happy dance forum, and honestly I'm really [really really] happy that August is fast approaching. But this is the worst time for me. There is nothing I need to do to make this trip better!

I make a spreadsheet to plan each day in half hour increments. From when we wake up, to when we eat, to when we sleep, to what we do, it's all in there. I also include where we will eat (we have QS dining and are trying to use only 1 credit at most locations, so that we can eat our way around the world!), what shows and parades we will see and when, as well as what transportation we will take and how much time we need--everything! Not that it won't be tweaked before or during vacation, but it gives us a great idea of how each day will be mapped out. It takes a long time to write down every show and every parade time for every park for every day, but it helps us weed out bad times and lets us know if we may miss something. It's a great way to have reasonable expectations of what can and can't fit into a day. And, more importantly, it gives me something to plan and tweak and keep me occupied with Disney!

 

[Aleficent]

Hi fellow August Disney goer's

I don't post on these boards often but I'm hoping to change that! My name is Allison and I'm going to be in WDW with my mama Aug. 8-18 staying at AOA in TLM rooms (aka my favorite princess)! I'm super excited, we have everything completely planned and are just hoping to get 1 more ADR (BOG on my birthday) that we're clearly gonna need major pixie dust for lol

I hope everybody's trip plans are going excellently and everybody has a magical time

 

[Aleficent]

I know this is the happy dance forum, and honestly I'm really [really really] happy that August is fast approaching. But this is the worst time for me. There is nothing I need to do to make this trip better!

Resort? Booked

ADRs? Booked (though of course there are a couple I keep trying to tweak to a little better time slot )

Touring plans? Done (Yes, I know that they will be more accurate if I redo them closer to departure, so it's really just a game at this point).

Packing? It's probably too early to pack (or is it? ).

I hope you all understand what I mean. The planning is a big part of the excitement, and now that the planning's done, I feel... I feel... sad?

OK, enough whining. I'm going to go to bed and dream of castles, and monorails, and chocolate dipped confections that look like a mouse

I've been feeling slightly similar but on Saturday I went to AC Moore and picked up a box & a bunch of Disney scrapbooking stickers (they're 40% off) and made a savings box! We put extra dollars and gift cards in it to save for the trip, and we're already up to $59 saved! It was a fun way to keep the excitement up!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Hi fellow August Disney goer's

I don't post on these boards often but I'm hoping to change that! My name is Allison and I'm going to be in WDW with my mama Aug. 8-18 staying at AOA in TLM rooms (aka my favorite princess)! I'm super excited, we have everything completely planned and are just hoping to get 1 more ADR (BOG on my birthday) that we're clearly gonna need major pixie dust for lol

I hope everybody's trip plans are going excellently and everybody has a magical time

to our thread! Happy to have you along!

 

[DMGeurts]

I know this is the happy dance forum, and honestly I'm really [really really] happy that August is fast approaching. But this is the worst time for me. There is nothing I need to do to make this trip better!

Resort? Booked

ADRs? Booked (though of course there are a couple I keep trying to tweak to a little better time slot )

Touring plans? Done (Yes, I know that they will be more accurate if I redo them closer to departure, so it's really just a game at this point).

Packing? It's probably too early to pack (or is it? ).

I hope you all understand what I mean. The planning is a big part of the excitement, and now that the planning's done, I feel... I feel... sad?

OK, enough whining. I'm going to go to bed and dream of castles, and monorails, and chocolate dipped confections that look like a mouse

Completely understand!! I feel the same way. I have photo autograph books to make, but that's about it...

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I totally understand!! I've been driving my husband nuts trying to think of new crafts to do to fill my time!

Sounds like all of you need to start a PTR! I'd happily follow along... I find that doing a PTR really enhances my enjoyment of the trip planning process, gives me something to do during times like this, and helps me out when it comes to writing the actual TR (if you decide to do one).

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=144

And, of course - you are all welcome to follow along on mine if you wish (link in my siggy).

QOTD??

Since planning is all done (Pigletto, hold out babe!) let's have a off topic QOTD.

Who do you remember this Memorial Day? You Northern Disers too.

I remember my Dad who was in the Army Reserve between the Korean war & Vietnam.

My DH - who served one (16 month) tour in Iraq... So very thankful to this very day that he was sent home to us alive.

Thank you to all of the troops out there who lost their lives, those who continue to serve and also very important, to the families who serve at home.

D~

 

[pigletto]

Who do you remember this Memorial Day? You Northern Disers too.

My grandpa!
He enlisted for Canada at 15 years old (lied about his age and was an orphan). He slept in a foxhole one night of heavy bombing and lost his leg at 17.5.
He went on to marry my grandma, have 3 kids and many grandchildren. He never once missed a day of work in his whole career despite his amputation and complications from shrapnel still in his body. I have no doubt now he suffered from PTSD but there were no resources for that then. Right until the end of his life he'd wake up in the night screaming "Incoming" and pull my grandma down on the floor or try to get up in his sleep and run only to fall.

He was a proud man, who spoiled his granddaughter like crazy and loved me to pieces. I miss him, and I think about how young he was, how war affected his life and left such a huge mark on him. Not a pretty story, but reality.

 

[4under4]

DB is Army, Dad was AF, but I don't think of them on Memorial Day. I always think of the Tomb of The Unknown. I don't know why it affects me so much, but just pondering the young man there makes me proud and sad at the same time.

 

[rabeck]

Hi fellow August Disney goer's

I don't post on these boards often but I'm hoping to change that! My name is Allison and I'm going to be in WDW with my mama Aug. 8-18 staying at AOA in TLM rooms (aka my favorite princess)! I'm super excited, we have everything completely planned and are just hoping to get 1 more ADR (BOG on my birthday) that we're clearly gonna need major pixie dust for lol

I hope everybody's trip plans are going excellently and everybody has a magical time

I am also traveling as a mother-daughter duo (I'm the daughter too)! We'll be at Pop from Aug 12-20. It's exciting planning a girls trip!

I'd love to hear if you two are planning on doing anything special as a pair. I'm looking for more ideas to help make this trip extra special for my mom!

 

[Aleficent]

to our thread! Happy to have you along!

Thank you!! I'm happy to be here!

I am also traveling as a mother-daughter duo (I'm the daughter too)! We'll be at Pop from Aug 12-20. It's exciting planning a girls trip!

I'd love to hear if you two are planning on doing anything special as a pair. I'm looking for more ideas to help make this trip extra special for my mom!

Hi! Pop is right across the bridge from AOA so we'll practically be neighbors! As of right now we're not really doing anything super special-we'll be celebrating my birthday at the Magic Kingdom on the 10th so that'll be fun, but as for different activities to be perfectly honest I really haven't thought of anything yet! I'm very curious about doing Pick A Pearl in Epcot and seeing if we could get matching jewelry to set them in though. I've never done it before, and the only time I was with someone doing it I was 13 so I don't remember much of it lol but if I think of anything I'll be sure to let you know!!

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

As I promised on friday here's this year's countdown calendar!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27886220/100%20Days%20to%20Vacation2013.pptx

And this one is from 2011 it has a few more coloring pages and activities.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27886220/100%20Days%20to%20Vacation%20old.pptx

They are in public folder in dropbox so if you don't have dropbox you may not be able to open them. Dh did a great job and kept the girls occupied for the months leading up to our trip!