2008, 24th/28th Aug - *Double Dipping with the Bahama Mamas*

[DVCLaurie05]

The show DH and I watched earlier (he's on evening shift this week) was on Disneyland. I saw it yesterday for the first time on the travel channel, but he wanted to see it himself and wanted me to watch it in "HD." DH has a passion for tv's and electronic gadgets like ds6 does for Star Wars.

We have been thinking of going to Disneyland next summer or 2010 for a week. The boys and I have never been, and dh hasn't been since he was 5 or 6. I think we'd do 4 or 5 days in Disneyland/CA Adventure and a day each in Legoland and Universal.

It bites that we can't use our WDW annual passes there. We were looking in the DVC planner at the resorts and DH really wants to do the Grand Californian. It would take about 240 points at this years rate for the full week in a standard view. I hope they slightly go down once they open DVC there. Our guide just moved from Florida last week to do sales out there.

Danielle - I am thinking when the open the DVC there, the points will be less. If you look at the non-DVC resorts at WDW, you will see the points difference. What kills me is the Friday/Sat points values... at Vero, I think I am using 12 points for Weds and Thurs night, and Friday night is more than both of those nights put together.. It's NUTS!!

When did you buy into DVC? Did you book your cruise w/the points? We just pay for the cruises, it uses WAY too many points! We used points one time, and will never do that again!

 

[DVCLaurie05]

GREAT pics - what a thrill - getting to battle w/Darth Vader!!!! That training has to be new, right? We were there in November for my sister's wedding, but we didn't really do too much in MGM - is it right out in front of Star Tours??? Gotta check it out next time!

Laurie

 

[mandymouse]

Great photos Danielle - he must've been thrilled to take part

 

[DVCLaurie05]

Cool pics mandy, I like the wookie..lol

Mandy -

Love the pics!! That was 05, right? I think we might have been there too - although, there are so many different weekends to go, we probably missed each other...

We actually did the ESPN weekend last year - did that for DH - any excuse to get me to WDW! LOL

Also, did someone say they went on the Sept. 06 cruise - what were the dates again? I don't remember my dates - I have to check it!

It is HOT here in NJ - almost 70 degrees!! WOW!!!! It'll be snowing this weekend!!!

Laurie

 

[Hanover]

Yes, he was more than thrilled to get to do the training once let alone 3 times now! I just hope he doesn't get too upset if he doesn't get chose in April when we are there because I know that's first on his wish list to do. Yes, it's right next to Star Tours, where the stage is that they use during SWW. They really did a nice job with the little doors they come in/out of for the show.

We bought into DVC when we were on the Med cruise. We thought with all of our WDW travels, we better go ahead an take the plunge. We bought 220 points and got $8 off each and a $500 on board credit. Of course we get home and they end up offering a better deal. My best friend bought in October using us as a referral ( you had to have one for the developer points) and got 225 points, $8 off, a $500 Disney gift card and 160 developer points. We could only get the $8 off or triple developer points. At the time we didn't think we'd use that many points and were too afraid to rent them. I don't think we'll ever cruise on points because cruises use so many. It would take 3 years worth just for the 4 of us to do one. We are going on a 7 day in 2009 but other than that we'll stick to 4 day cruises and do more WDW trips with our points. We got a great deal on the 8/24 cruise from Mouseearsvacations. It was $1100 cheaper than the same cat 6 through Disney and about $900 cheaper than DUT. DH said today that Disney's prices were even higher than last week. I also think they will lower the points once DVC is in CA. It's insane how many points it takes for a moderate (Deluxe are beyond insane) at WDW plus now there's that $95 charge if you stay at a non DVC resort on points. I think we'll eventually add on 50 more points, but right now we are happy with what we have.

 

[Hanover]

Mandy -


It is HOT here in NJ - almost 70 degrees!! WOW!!!! It'll be snowing this weekend!!!

Laurie

You are lucky it's hot there--- this is about the 5th of the last 6 days where it's rained most of the day.

What part of NJ are you in? My sister lives in Little Egg Harbor and my FIL lives in Morristown. We lived in Lakehurst when my dad was stationed there in 84-86.

Mandy-- we lived in the UK from 86-90 in High Wycombe and then Hendon. My mom's Scottish and her entire family but one sister (Australia) still lives in Greenock. I really loved it and hope to bring the kids there one day. We flew through Heathrow on the way to Barcelona, but that's as close to London as they have gotten so far.

 

[mandymouse]

Mandy - Love the pics!! That was 05, right? I think we might have been there too - although, there are so many different weekends to go, we probably missed each other...

Also, did someone say they went on the Sept. 06 cruise - what were the dates again? I don't remember my dates - I have to check it!

It is HOT here in NJ - almost 70 degrees!! WOW!!!! It'll be snowing this weekend!!!

Thanks Laurie, yes it was May '05 and I'm sure we were there during the first two weekends

I've not done a Sept Cruise before

Oh I can't wait for the temperatures to get into the 70's again - we have had so much rain lately - I'll just be so happy when Spring finally gets here

 

[DVCLaurie05]

You are lucky it's hot there--- this is about the 5th of the last 6 days where it's rained most of the day.

What part of NJ are you in? My sister lives in Little Egg Harbor and my FIL lives in Morristown. We lived in Lakehurst when my dad was stationed there in 84-86.

Mandy-- we lived in the UK from 86-90 in High Wycombe and then Hendon. My mom's Scottish and her entire family but one sister (Australia) still lives in Greenock. I really loved it and hope to bring the kids there one day. We flew through Heathrow on the way to Barcelona, but that's as close to London as they have gotten so far.

We are in Marlton, which is in Burlington County - Exit 4 on the Turnpike! UGH!

Laurie

 

[DVCLaurie05]

Thanks Laurie, yes it was May '05 and I'm sure we were there during the first two weekends

I've not done a Sept Cruise before

Oh I can't wait for the temperatures to get into the 70's again - we have had so much rain lately - I'll just be so happy when Spring finally gets here

We were there Memorial Day weekend or maybe it was the weekend before memorial day - not sure now... We would love to go back again though, but it ends before the boys get out of school in June, oh well!

 

[mandymouse]

Mandy-- we lived in the UK from 86-90 in High Wycombe and then Hendon. My mom's Scottish and her entire family but one sister (Australia) still lives in Greenock. I really loved it and hope to bring the kids there one day. We flew through Heathrow on the way to Barcelona, but that's as close to London as they have gotten so far.

Danielle - I don't know High Wycombe, I think it's between Oxford and London, and we may have driven through it a few times. Where is Hendon ? is it in the North East near Sunderland and Newcastle ? How did you end up living over here - it must've been interesting and exciting to live in another country for a while

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

Hi girls, back from shopping you guys were real chatty while i was gone.

Danielle your son looks adorable in that pic.

Laurie, you are so lucky 70 we only have 58 and rainy.

Mandy, the girls look so different in the star wars pics. They grow up so fast.

 

[mandymouse]

Mandy, the girls look so different in the star wars pics. They grow up so fast.

LOL, yes those were taken in the days before they got into eye-liner, mascara, Converse and Hot Topic

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

LOL, yes those were taken in the days before they got into eye-liner, mascara, Converse and Hot Topic

Sarah is starting to dress like nicole now. Nicole doesn't like it she wants sarah to get her own look...lol

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

I just got a card from mohegan sun casino to stay for free on valentines day weekend.......... But we will be on our way to virginia oh well i will try not to thnk about the fun i am missing while i am standing on a cold boat looking to spot a whales tail .

 

[Hanover]

Danielle - I don't know High Wycombe, I think it's between Oxford and London, and we may have driven through it a few times. Where is Hendon ? is it in the North East near Sunderland and Newcastle ? How did you end up living over here - it must've been interesting and exciting to live in another country for a while

My dad was in the Navy 26 years so we moved every couple of years. We lived in London the longest of anywhere and loved every minute of it. Our junior high /high school was located at RAF Daws Hill about an hour or so west of London.. The first year we lived in High Wycombe out in town until we could get base housing in Hendon, which was an hour and a half away. We were bussed to and from London Central High each day/night. We'd leave at 6:45 AM and get home at 7:30 PM. Most of our school students were dormatory students for kids whose parents were in the military/Government workers all over Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Russia where there were no American high schools. We had the option of graduating from there and being dorm students but we moved with my parents back to Maryland when my dad was stationed and later retired from Washington, DC.

We absolutely loved living in Europe twice (London and Sicily) and were fortunate enough to do tons of traveling all over Europe, Africa and Russia.

 

[mandymouse]

Danielle, it sounds like you were very lucky to do so much travelling when you were young - no wonder you enjoy your vacations

I just got a card from mohegan sun casino to stay for free on valentines day weekend.......... But we will be on our way to virginia oh well i will try not to thnk about the fun i am missing while i am standing on a cold boat looking to spot a whales tail

So what's this whale spotting on a cold boat all about Michele ? Is it a romantic trip for Valentine's Day with hubby (anything that involves the cold is not my idea of fun )

Is anyone else doing anything nice for Valentine's Day. Hubby & I don't do anything - as it grieves me when flower shops and restauants put their prices up for this one day

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

Mandy,
We are going to virginia to go whale watching the 16th till the 21st. Yipee i love the cold . We are staying at our westgate timeshare and doing the whale thing, some historical stuff(for hubbY),and ripleysbelieve it or not for austin. There is also a indoor waterpark in williamsburg that we will go to as well.I must say if the casino had contacted me sooner we would be there not virginia. But it's to late for that.

michele

 

[nikkyluvsmickey]

Danielle, it sounds like you were very lucky to do so much travelling when you were young - no wonder you enjoy your vacations



So what's this whale spotting on a cold boat all about Michele ? Is it a romantic trip for Valentine's Day with hubby (anything that involves the cold is not my idea of fun )

Is anyone else doing anything nice for Valentine's Day. Hubby & I don't do anything - as it grieves me when flower shops and restauants put their prices up for this one day

We are actually going out the night before valentines day i hate the crowds on valentines day. My mom is going to keep an eye on the kids so we can have a nice night out..

 

[mandymouse]

We are going to virginia to go whale watching the 16th till the 21st. Yipee i love the cold . We are staying at our westgate timeshare and doing the whale thing, some historical stuff(for hubbY),and ripleysbelieve it or not for austin. There is also a indoor waterpark in williamsburg that we will go to as well.I must say if the casino had contacted me sooner we would be there not virginia. But it's to late for that.

It sounds like a nice family break that you'll be having Michele. I'm sure you'll have a great time

We are actually going out the night before valentines day i hate the crowds on valentines day. My mom is going to keep an eye on the kids so we can have a nice night out..

Are you going out for a meal ? Will you buy each other gifts ? I doubt we'll do anything, I've never been into Valentine's Day

 

[suzannef]

Hi ladies!!
Wow three pages to catch up on!!! chatty chatty chatty

I had to work today till 2 and then off to Haley's school with a treat for her Birthday!! She is 10 today. I am going to take the girls out for dinner as DH has to work tonight. I picked her up a webkinz for a present, but her party won't be until the 16th.