08 DEC 2007 - 7 Day Eastern Magic Part 2

[TheTXTaylors5]

Wendy:

Congratulations on your DVC membership!

We are soooooooooo close to making a decision too.

- Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Bill was on the phone today with our DVC contact. He had a whole list of questions to ask her. We always like to look at all our options and then make an educated decision. We are impressed with the DVC discount for an AP.

- Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Okay, this site is acting up more than usual today. . . all my smilies went away!

- Jennifer

 

[brack]

The generation of children growing up right now are very sheltered and are going to be very anti-social if we aren't careful.

- Jennifer

One of my very favorite sci-fi writers Isaac Asimov wrote stories about a future world where every human lived alone and had no live contact with other humans. Maybe this is how that started.

 

[JsMom2]

Bill was on the phone today with our DVC contact. He had a whole list of questions to ask her. We always like to look at all our options and then make an educated decision. We are impressed with the DVC discount for an AP.

- Jennifer

Yep the last thing you want is to find an unpleasant "surprise" later. Even though I've made up my mind to do it, it is subject to me reading the fine print in the contract. But its nice to be able to talk to others who are currently using it. Have you been on the DVC forum at all?

 

[brack]

It is a shame that nowadays people that are suppose to be "safe" can't always be trusted. It use to be go to a policeman or the nearest house. I totally understand you telling Jasmine to go to a "Mommy".

- Jennifer

As a "non - mommy" I am sad that I can't help but I fully understand. What's going to happen when we can't trust all "mommies"?

 

[JsMom2]

Okay, this site is acting up more than usual today. . . all my smilies went away!

- Jennifer

Yeah, I thought it was just me. I brought my laptop upstairs so I could do some final DISing before bed. And the wireless connectivity isn't the best up here.

 

[coastgirl]

Oh, I'm sitting here thinking about the cruise, all you folks planning on uninterrupted dinners and such, and praying the kids will be happy in the clubs! We chose this particular vacation on this particular cruise line b/c I was hoping for some grown up time!! Funny reason to pick Disney, I know, but I trust them to keep the kids safe and happy. We don't have relatives we'd trust to leave the kids and have never left them overnight. ("Trust" sounds funny; MIL is too frail to be physically capable of keeping them safe, responding in an emergency. I have a sister and brother I'd trust but they live on the other side of the country.) Dh's sister has her dh's extended family and they've already left the kids (4 years and...6 mos), several times and I reeeeally don't get that, if I'm on vacation it's family time, but you know, a few hours here and there sounds *wonderful* . (SIL and BIL don't vacation with the kids, ever. I suppose that will change as the kids get older.)

Ds (7) has "sensory issues" (sensory integration disorder) and is absolutely fine when we run interference for him, not sure how the counsellors will be. Have heard varying reports...if he's "forced" to participate not on his terms, it'll be a disaster, but if they give him the freedom to join when he feels comfortable, there are so many things that look like they'd be so much fun for him. Who here has experience with the clubs? I've posted in some threads on the main board about the clubs, but I'm always interested in more experiences...Dd is a sunny little person, I worry less about her though she's still only 4. The worst that will happen with her is a little separation anxiety, something that's easy enough to fix if it comes up.

One thing I've never seen posted is how many kids will actually be around at a given time. I know it varies, but curious to know what the sort of "max" is, what the working ratio of kids:counsellors seems to be.

Anyway, just rambling...time to go make pizza. (Pizza night is Friday but it's Thursday today b/c we're going away for the weekend. The kids would mutiny if we missed pizza night just for a TRIP!)

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

One of my very favorite sci-fi writers Isaac Asimov wrote stories about a future world where every human lived alone and had no live contact with other humans. Maybe this is how that started.

We're not too far off from that now with the internet giving people the ability to buy whatever they want, pay bills and chat with others online (the DISboards is not helping with this matter! ).

- Jennifer

 

[JsMom2]

What's going to happen when we can't trust all "mommies"?

Unfortunately, we can't even trust all the Moms Its always a gamble, but statistically a woman who has children with her is a safer bet than some of the other options.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Yep the last thing you want is to find an unpleasant "surprise" later. Even though I've made up my mind to do it, it is subject to me reading the fine print in the contract. But its nice to be able to talk to others who are currently using it. Have you been on the DVC forum at all?

I have looked a little on there but to look more would take away from time on this board. I am curious about the difference in home resorts...specifically VWL.

Brack (or anyone else ), do you own points at that resort? If so, how does it compare to the others? Thanks.

- Bill

 

[coastgirl]

We talk about mommies too, but when we go somewhere we often play "find the helper". E.g., in an airport--we find someone with a security badge and a uniform. Usually the "helper" that we're pointing at gets what we're talking about and gives the kids some positive interaction, which is good. We also play this at malls or whatever, they know to find "the person behind the desk".

 

[brack]

DH was in radio and did not go by his real name on the air. He was a producer/sidekick and writer. He also has been the victim of ID theft which took 10 years to clear up. So I respect his wishes.

We live in a development which is still under construction. I do not let DD out of my backyard without being out there until the construction has slowed down . Too many cars going by that could easily snatch a four year old who does know about strangers, but still talks to everyone.

We lived in a neighborhood with a girl who we just knew was going to be a girl who "Cried wolf" for attention and DH used to come home from work at noon and be home all day. When we had a litter of puppies, he would NEVER let the girl come into the house when he was alone no matter how much she wanted to see the dogs. He either took them outside in a pen in front of the house or waited until her parent could come over. He never wanted to be in a situation where there was any doubt.

I fully understand!

I have had ID theft and thank goodness it didn't take long to clear it up.

Just this past weekend my home computer that I use the most got a virus. It took me all weekend and half of Monday to clean it all out. It is really not good for these things to happen.

As a minister when I had a church (I am in administrative work now) I used to drive the bus or van to take people home. I never drive a child or a woman home without someone else with me. This has actually saved me from court (or worse) on more than one occassion. When a female employee or member wants to talk to me my door always stays open or my wife sits in. I know that my actions are going to be pure but it is a problem on both sides of those situations sometimes. It also protects me.

Still I say it is a shame that we have to live like this and it will only get worse for our children.

Now I am totally down and need to think happy thoughts for awhile. Maybe I'll watch Lilo & Stitch or Toy Story!

 

[JsMom2]

Oh, I'm sitting here thinking about the cruise, all you folks planning on uninterrupted dinners and such, and praying the kids will be happy in the clubs! We chose this particular vacation on this particular cruise line b/c I was hoping for some grown up time!! Funny reason to pick Disney, I know, but I trust them to keep the kids safe and happy. We don't have relatives we'd trust to leave the kids and have never left them overnight. ("Trust" sounds funny; MIL is too frail to be physically capable of keeping them safe, responding in an emergency. I have a sister and brother I'd trust but they live on the other side of the country.) Dh's sister has her dh's extended family and they've already left the kids (4 years and...6 mos), several times and I reeeeally don't get that, if I'm on vacation it's family time, but you know, a few hours here and there sounds *wonderful* . (SIL and BIL don't vacation with the kids, ever. I suppose that will change as the kids get older.)

Ds (7) has "sensory issues" (sensory integration disorder) and is absolutely fine when we run interference for him, not sure how the counsellors will be. Have heard varying reports...if he's "forced" to participate not on his terms, it'll be a disaster, but if they give him the freedom to join when he feels comfortable, there are so many things that look like they'd be so much fun for him. Who here has experience with the clubs? I've posted in some threads on the main board about the clubs, but I'm always interested in more experiences...Dd is a sunny little person, I worry less about her though she's still only 4. The worst that will happen with her is a little separation anxiety, something that's easy enough to fix if it comes up.

One thing I've never seen posted is how many kids will actually be around at a given time. I know it varies, but curious to know what the sort of "max" is, what the working ratio of kids:counsellors seems to be.

Anyway, just rambling...time to go make pizza. (Pizza night is Friday but it's Thursday today b/c we're going away for the weekend. The kids would mutiny if we missed pizza night just for a TRIP!)

After our first cruise I told everyone that "Disney is great, because you can go on vacation with your kids and never see them!" As a single Mom I was only half joking. I purposely booked a week at WDW prior to each of our 7 day cruises to get in our family time. And then while we spent some time together on the cruise, she spent a lot of time in the club. At 4 (and again at 7) she didn't want to leave the Oceaneer Club (both times she was in the 5-7 group so she had the same activities both cruises.)

On the Med cruise we spent more time together because we had excursions in all the ports, and we went to more of the parties in studio sea. When she did go to the Lab she didn't seem to participate in the different projects. But this was the first time that she fit the kids clubs in around other stuff, usually its the other way around.

The CMs are used to dealing with kids with all sorts of issues. Before you board, why don't you take some time to write down some instructions for them, something they can refer to? They will do everything they can to avoid paging you, as they know that parents need their alone time!

I know this is hard, but try not to worry about it. Because if the kids sense any stress in you, you're done for! And you can start building up the excitement for them by letting them watch the podcasts online.

Or maybe use some sublimal tapes while the little darlings are sleeping?

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Oh, I'm sitting here thinking about the cruise, all you folks planning on uninterrupted dinners and such, and praying the kids will be happy in the clubs! We chose this particular vacation on this particular cruise line b/c I was hoping for some grown up time!! Funny reason to pick Disney, I know, but I trust them to keep the kids safe and happy.

Last year, Bill (DH) surprised me with a cruise for our Tenth Anniversary. He knew I didn't want to leave the children for an extended period of time (DS2 was a little over 1 then). So, he chose a Disney cruise much to my surprise (and enjoyment)! It was the best of both worlds. The kids were happy in the clubs and we had some "alone time" too. There was never any doubt after being onboard for one day, that we would be re-booking while onboard. It was an amazing family experience. I wish my parents had taken me on a Disney cruise when I was younger (then again, it wasn't around then!).

- Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Unfortunately, we can't even trust all the Moms Its always a gamble, but statistically a woman who has children with her is a safer bet than some of the other options.

Trust is such a delicate thing too. It doesn't take much to shake it, but can sure take a lifetime to repair it. I am not sure what "flipped" in our society, but as much as I love modern advances and technology , this is one of those things that makes me yearn for days gone by.

- Bill

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Last year, Bill (DH) surprised me with a cruise for our Tenth Anniversary. He knew I didn't want to leave the children for an extended period of time (DS2 was a little over 1 then). So, he chose a Disney cruise much to my surprise (and enjoyment)! It was the best of both worlds. The kids were happy in the clubs and we had some "alone time" too. There was never any doubt after being onboard for one day, that we would be re-booking while onboard. It was an amazing family experience. I wish my parents had taken me on a Disney cruise when I was younger (then again, it wasn't around then!).

- Jennifer

They didn't have the Disney Dinghy?

- Bill

 

[JsMom2]

I have looked a little on there but to look more would take away from time on this board. I am curious about the difference in home resorts...specifically VWL.

Brack (or anyone else ), do you own points at that resort? If so, how does it compare to the others? Thanks.

- Bill

I was also trying to compare the different resorts. For instance some have kids clubs and some don't. But then I realized its not just about what works for us now, but also the future since the membership is for 45-50 years! I actually like the SSR location, because you can walk to DTD which offers so many different types of activities. And as long as you don't travel at peak times - which I try to avoid anyway, can't stand the crowds - I don't think its too hard to book another resort 7 months out. I want to try them all!

 

[JsMom2]

Trust is such a delicate thing too. It doesn't take much to shake it, but can sure take a lifetime to repair it. I am not sure what "flipped" in our society, but as much as I love modern advances and technology , this is one of those things that makes me yearn for days gone by.

- Bill

And statistically, was it even safer back then? Or were we blissfully ignorant because some incidents went unreported?

 

[JsMom2]

I promised myself I was going to get to bed early tonight, but after missing the last , I can't stop now!