2014 MP Hopefuls!!!

[akasleepingbeauty]

So nice to see everyone still gathering and sharing here! I have been following along but not posting since R2 announcements - just didn't feel like I belonged at that point. I applied for the first time last year and made it to R2 but then didn't make it past R1 this year. Will try again next year but not sure if I'll try for runDisney again or try for WDW instead. Anyone else struggling with applying for a specialty vs. WDW? There are tons more people applying for WDW but many more spots too. Something to give serious thought to before applying next year.

Looking forward to visiting WDW for Marathon Weekend in January. It will be great to see so many friends while visiting my favorite place! Plus, as an anniversary year for the marathon, there will be a special medal, revised course, etc. It will also be nice to spend some time at WDW with my DH as our kids are staying home with my mom. Hopefully, we can squeeze in 26.2 miles in between all that other fun

We are also waiting for DCL to open 2014 reservations. We cruised for the fifth time in March - s 5-day "double-dip" on the Dream over spring break. It was our first cruise on one of the new ships and next time we are hoping to cruise on the Fantasy. Love that DCL is cruising part-time from Galveston (we live in Tx) but wish they had more cruises that offer visits to Castaway Cay. We love CC so that is hard to get past but maybe in the future if the dates, itineraries, and prices work out then we'll sail from Galveston.

My heart is so heavy for those suffering from Sandy and her aftermath. So much destroyed and incredible amounts of recovery ahead - just heartbreaking! I hope that the power is back up and supplies are available soon so at least people can be warm and fed.

 

[mjaclyn]

Hmmm... I've been thinking a lot today. If you can dream it, you can do it. I haven't stopped dreaming it so why not just do it? I know this sounds cryptic but I have a great idea. It was an idea I was going to share with the Moms Panel if I made it on and have wanted to do this for 3 years. Since there is no guarantee I will ever make the panel, I want to make my own Disney magic and see what happens.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Good morning, my friends!!!


Well, we survived trick-or-treating.

My 3-year-old just kept wanting to go and go and go. I finally had to stop her when her fingers started to feel like ice.

We usually go out with some friends of ours and they always buy about 10lbs of candy, but nobody stays home to hand it all out. They just put a little container on their front porch. So, at 9:30 last night, as we were starting to leave, the mom started shoveling candy into my girls' bags! We brought home so much candy, I don't know what to do with it!



I hope everyone is feeling a little better today. I'm getting to where I'm starting to feel excited about our trip tomorrow, but I'm still not quite there. I'm hoping that walking into the AKL lobby will do it for me.


baseballmickey --definitely try out Vero Beach! We were there for Memorial Day and we loved it! The waves are a little rough, but the resort is wonderful. We decided on an oceanview inn studio when we went and it was lovely walking out onto the balcony to see the ocean.

And, of course, you have to make a stop at WDW...it's right there!


I'm trying to clean off my desk today since I'll be out for a few days, but I'm going to try to check in once in a while.

Trick-or-treating was not pleasant for us. Our daughter is only two, so we really limit her sugar intake. Because of this, we went to our downtown festival rather than trick-or-treating or just staying home and handing out candy. At least, that was the plan.

Turns out, our neighborhood is "that" neighborhood. The one that everyone around town likes to come to for trick-or-treating. We left the festival to come home and when we pulled into our subdivision, every street was lined with cars on both sides. Then, we got stuck behind a parent whose son was on the sidewalk going door-to-door while she followed in her car. We couldn't pass her because of cars on both sides of the street, so it took us quite a while to get to our door. She would just cruise down the street, then, when her child stopped at a house, she would throw her car in park, put on her flashers, and just sit there. Don't worry, lady, no one else has places to be.


When we finally did get home, it was dark out, but there were still hoards of families on the street. Since it was time for DD2 to take her bath and then go to bed, we made sure all of our lights were off that could be seen from the street. Didn't stop the trick-or-treaters, though. They were still ringing our doorbell after 9:00 - again, even though there was not a single light on in our house. Call me paranoid, but I am not opening the door to complete strangers that late when I have no lights on and cannot see who is at the door. I'm sure my daughter is going to be a real delight when she wakes up this morning, too, since she didn't get much sleep last night.

 

[Suzanne033]

Hmmm... I've been thinking a lot today. If you can dream it, you can do it. I haven't stopped dreaming it so why not just do it? I know this sounds cryptic but I have a great idea. It was an idea I was going to share with the Moms Panel if I made it on and have wanted to do this for 3 years. Since there is no guarantee I will ever make the panel, I want to make my own Disney magic and see what happens.

Please share. It sounds intriguing.

 

[VG9493]

Hello everyone! Here's the new thread for those of us who didn't make it to round 3. I will be posting one for those moving on as well. I plan to follow both, eventually. but some of you have expressed that you are not ready to be in the finalist waiting room, and that is certainly understandable!

Thanks for starting this thread! We were out of power since Monday just got it back this morning, it kept my mind off of my disappointment for a few days. This was the first time I made it to round 2 it was for DVC. As hurt as I am I will definitly be applying in 2014, and if I don't make it yes i'll be annoyed, but I feel like I've been very lucky to have all of you going through this with me.
GO TEAM 2014!!!

 

[DSRMary]

Okay you have me beat! Only 4 tubes of blood here!

Can you aunt adopt me? Really I am super nice

I love Disneyland. I think it is better than the Magic Kingdom. Though I love WDW too. They both have great aspects.

Fantasmic as Disneyland is better....though seating can be a pain. Go to the 2nd show. Much easier to get a good seat. Go in as people are coming out.

I also like Space Mountain better at DLR.

When you go let me know....I will fill you in

So excited for CARS land my boys are over the top!

I'd love some pointers about DL. I know WDW like the back of my hand, but we will be visiting DL for the first time next summer (on our way to Aulani!!). We're planning to spend 3 days visiting DL and GCA and would love to get some tips!

 

[DSRMary]

Thanks for starting this thread! We were out of power since Monday just got it back this morning, it kept my mind off of my disappointment for a few days. This was the first time I made it to round 2 it was for DVC. As hurt as I am I will definitly be applying in 2014, and if I don't make it yes i'll be annoyed, but I feel like I've been very lucky to have all of you going through this with me.
GO TEAM 2014!!!

I've applied every year since the MP began, always for WDW. I'm thinking about switching to DVC for next year. We've been members since 2005, added points twice and try to stay at new places each time. When I didn't make it to R3, my knee-jerk reaction was - never again! But, now I'm thinking, why not... This is the first time that I joined in on the disboards and I have to say that it really helped! Thanks to all of you!!

 

[missingFL]

Hmmm... I've been thinking a lot today. If you can dream it, you can do it. I haven't stopped dreaming it so why not just do it? I know this sounds cryptic but I have a great idea. It was an idea I was going to share with the Moms Panel if I made it on and have wanted to do this for 3 years. Since there is no guarantee I will ever make the panel, I want to make my own Disney magic and see what happens.

After seeing your answers and video, I really thought that you would be one of the ones that moved onto Round 3. You should definitely follow your heart and make your own magic. Maybe that's what you've been meant to do all along.

I'm feeling better now but still pretty sad that I didn't go further. My kids finally went back to school today but weren't too thrilled to be woken up after 3 days of sleeping in. It didn't feel much like Halloween since our trick-or-treating is postponed until Saturday and the kids' Halloween parties will be tomorrow. It's been a backwards week for me.

I do want to say thanks to all of you who were such a great support while waiting for Round 3 emails. I'm not sure that I would be planning a February trip for the Royal Family 5K if I hadn't joined all of you so I appreciate the positive influences you've all had in my life.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'd love some pointers about DL. I know WDW like the back of my hand, but we will be visiting DL for the first time next summer (on our way to Aulani!!). We're planning to spend 3 days visiting DL and GCA and would love to get some tips!

I would love some pointers about DL, as well. We are talking about going there in 2015. Many people I know keep telling me how disappointed I will be after all of my WDW trips and my internship, but I think that they underestimate the power of a Disney obsession. To me, I can only imagine how exciting it will be to walk where Walt walked, see what Walt saw, and ride on things designed by him. Please give me some idea about your experiences, though, and how to tackle the parks if you found it to need a different strategy than WDW.

 

[logpey]

Hmmm... I've been thinking a lot today. If you can dream it, you can do it. I haven't stopped dreaming it so why not just do it? I know this sounds cryptic but I have a great idea. It was an idea I was going to share with the Moms Panel if I made it on and have wanted to do this for 3 years. Since there is no guarantee I will ever make the panel, I want to make my own Disney magic and see what happens.

OK, are you going to share or is it a secret?

Hey fellow 2014ers!!
In the meantime, I should get back to my neglected TR, and there were a whole bunch of questions from the last thread that I don't think I answered about myself... I'll get to those as well.

About time, we were worried about you!!!!!Hope everything is good with your neighborhood & friends


Im finally feeling better, even though still pretty sad, but I'll get over it-what else can I do! I hope everyone is feeling better & not so upset. I know its rough, especially when your heart is set on something, we were all there, It's like having a baby---you forget the pain & do it again, just like we will again for the 2014 MP!!!!!! Glad we have a place to share & spend the nexy year together! Don't forget a lot of us use Twitter & Facebook, come on over!

 

[TheDisneyMama]

Hmmm... I've been thinking a lot today. If you can dream it, you can do it. I haven't stopped dreaming it so why not just do it? I know this sounds cryptic but I have a great idea. It was an idea I was going to share with the Moms Panel if I made it on and have wanted to do this for 3 years. Since there is no guarantee I will ever make the panel, I want to make my own Disney magic and see what happens.

Please share. It sounds intriguing.

Oh, yes!! Now I'm curious!! Do tell!!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Just got a disappointing phone call. Back in June of 2006, my grandmother was diagnosed with bone cancer. Her doctor told her that there was nothing that could be done and to go home and wait to die. My grandmother, not being one to go down without a fight, went to MD Anderson for a second opinion. Less than a year later, she was in remission. She has been going back for her check ups. 6 weeks ago, they detected the cancer protein in her at >.1. As of yesterday, it was at .1. This means her cancer is back. On the plus side, this is not a bad number, she kicked cancer's tail before and she can do it again. On the negative side, well, it's still cancer. They have put her on 50 mg of Thalomid. In a month, if she has tolerated it well, they will up it to 100mg. Not sure how this will affect our trip in early December. She has so been looking forward to it, though. If you are the praying type, please send up a prayer for her. If prayer isn't your thing, please think good thoughts.

 

[RNMAMA]

I would love some pointers about DL, as well. We are talking about going there in 2015. Many people I know keep telling me how disappointed I will be after all of my WDW trips and my internship, but I think that they underestimate the power of a Disney obsession. To me, I can only imagine how exciting it will be to walk where Walt walked, see what Walt saw, and ride on things designed by him. Please give me some idea about your experiences, though, and how to tackle the parks if you found it to need a different strategy than WDW.

We went to DL for the first time this past Aug for the DL half marathon. I was not disappointed by any means. I kept saying to DH "can you believe this is the same street Walt himself walked?" We liked it. We did CA as well. We are actaully planning on going back this spring. It is different, but by no means disappointing....

 

[baseballmickey]

Thanks for starting this thread! We were out of power since Monday just got it back this morning, it kept my mind off of my disappointment for a few days. This was the first time I made it to round 2 it was for DVC. As hurt as I am I will definitly be applying in 2014, and if I don't make it yes i'll be annoyed, but I feel like I've been very lucky to have all of you going through this with me.
GO TEAM 2014!!!

Glad to hear you got your power back!!!

About time, we were worried about you!!!!!Hope everything is good with your neighborhood & friends

All of my friends and relatives are doing well. Some still do not have power. The block we live on is in the middle of a very small pocket of the neighborhood that seems to have escaped with no damage. walk 2 blocks in either direction and the power is still out and trees are down everywhere, including on houses and cars.

It's like having a baby---you forget the pain & do it again, just like we will again for the 2014 MP!!!!!!

I can't relate to this.

 

[baseballmickey]

Just got a disappointing phone call. Back in June of 2006, my grandmother was diagnosed with bone cancer. Her doctor told her that there was nothing that could be done and to go home and wait to die. My grandmother, not being one to go down without a fight, went to MD Anderson for a second opinion. Less than a year later, she was in remission. She has been going back for her check ups. 6 weeks ago, they detected the cancer protein in her at >.1. As of yesterday, it was at .1. This means her cancer is back. On the plus side, this is not a bad number, she kicked cancer's tail before and she can do it again. On the negative side, well, it's still cancer. They have put her on 50 mg of Thalomid. In a month, if she has tolerated it well, they will up it to 100mg. Not sure how this will affect our trip in early December. She has so been looking forward to it, though. If you are the praying type, please send up a prayer for her. If prayer isn't your thing, please think good thoughts.

sorry to hear. good thoughts for your grandmother.

 

[baseballmickey]

Hmmm... I've been thinking a lot today. If you can dream it, you can do it. I haven't stopped dreaming it so why not just do it? I know this sounds cryptic but I have a great idea. It was an idea I was going to share with the Moms Panel if I made it on and have wanted to do this for 3 years. Since there is no guarantee I will ever make the panel, I want to make my own Disney magic and see what happens.

go for it!!

 

[TheDisneyMama]

Just got a disappointing phone call. Back in June of 2006, my grandmother was diagnosed with bone cancer. Her doctor told her that there was nothing that could be done and to go home and wait to die. My grandmother, not being one to go down without a fight, went to MD Anderson for a second opinion. Less than a year later, she was in remission. She has been going back for her check ups. 6 weeks ago, they detected the cancer protein in her at >.1. As of yesterday, it was at .1. This means her cancer is back. On the plus side, this is not a bad number, she kicked cancer's tail before and she can do it again. On the negative side, well, it's still cancer. They have put her on 50 mg of Thalomid. In a month, if she has tolerated it well, they will up it to 100mg. Not sure how this will affect our trip in early December. She has so been looking forward to it, though. If you are the praying type, please send up a prayer for her. If prayer isn't your thing, please think good thoughts.

I am so sorry!!! She will be in my prayers!!! And I hope you can all go on your trip.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

We spent 6 days at DLR this summer. It was our second family trip there (after many, many trips to WDW) and we had a fabulous time! In fact, we had such a great time that we are planning to alternate major Disney trips between WDW and DLR in the future. We loved Carsland and all the other changes at DCA and definitely felt the magic of Walt's touch there. So, while I am not a highly-experienced DLR veteran, I'd be happy to answer questions or give tips based on my recent trip.

 

[mjaclyn]

Just got a disappointing phone call. Back in June of 2006, my grandmother was diagnosed with bone cancer. Her doctor told her that there was nothing that could be done and to go home and wait to die. My grandmother, not being one to go down without a fight, went to MD Anderson for a second opinion. Less than a year later, she was in remission. She has been going back for her check ups. 6 weeks ago, they detected the cancer protein in her at >.1. As of yesterday, it was at .1. This means her cancer is back. On the plus side, this is not a bad number, she kicked cancer's tail before and she can do it again. On the negative side, well, it's still cancer. They have put her on 50 mg of Thalomid. In a month, if she has tolerated it well, they will up it to 100mg. Not sure how this will affect our trip in early December. She has so been looking forward to it, though. If you are the praying type, please send up a prayer for her. If prayer isn't your thing, please think good thoughts.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Cancer is one thing I unfortunately know all too well with family members. It never ever gets easier to hear that someone has it or that it's returned. Sending good thoughts to your grandmother and family for a happy and positive outcome!


As far as my 'secret' goes...lol...here is the short version:

I started listening to podcasts a couple of years ago, and once I made it to Round 3 I thought it would be an amazing idea to do a Moms Panel Podcast. I'm sure they receive thousands of questions, many that they aren't able to answer because they just can't get to all of them. Also, I'm not sure if any of you have asked a question of the panel before, but if your question is answered, you get an email notification. My thought was...if 200 people are sending in the same question, only 1 of those persons will get the email notification and the other 199 may just assume their question was never answered and not take the time to do a search on the website to see if someone else has asked that same question. I was thinking that a podcast could reach all of those 200 people at once and answer that same question they all had.

So... instead of waiting until I get onto the panel (if that ever happens), I would like to start an Unofficial Moms Panel (rejects but not really) Podcast. It would include probably 4 people who have gone through this process but not made it yet, helping as many people as possible by answering the most frequently asked questions about WDW.

If anyone is interested in doing this with me you would need a computer with Skype and a headset with a microphone or a separate microphone and earphones. I do have experience podcasting and DH already said he would do the editing for us. It might take awhile to get going on iTunes, but I think eventually we could help a lot of people with trip planning. And who knows??? Maybe it will catch the attention of the powers that be and we could become the OFFICIAL Disney Moms Panel Podcast!

I'd love to have either 2 women and 2 men or at least 1 guy on it so that we can have different perspectives. I was thinking the first 3 episodes would be explaining what the Moms Panel is, going through the process as well as our Disney story and why we want to help people plan their vacations. Then after that, we can scour the web, message boards, etc for the most frequently asked Disney questions and answer about 5 each week. We could also set up an email address so that anyone who wanted to email a question could send us one.

If anyone is interested in doing this crazy thing with me, please let me know! Recording would probably take about 1 hour each week and we could set it on a day and time that works for whoever is involved.

Is this crazy?

Maybe it is.. but I've thought it would be a great idea for a long time, and I don't want to wait until I make the panel to suggest it.

I looked on iTunes, and there are a lot of Disney podcasts. BUT I haven't seen one that is dedicated to explaining the Moms Panel process and just answering questions, so I think we would be unique. What do you think? Am I nuts?

 

[logpey]

Just got a disappointing phone call. Back in June of 2006, my grandmother was diagnosed with bone cancer. In a month, if she has tolerated it well, they will up it to 100mg. Not sure how this will affect our trip in early December. She has so been looking forward to it, though. If you are the praying type, please send up a prayer for her. If prayer isn't your thing, please think good thoughts.

Im definitely the praying type & I will surely pray for her & your family's trip in December. I'm sure she's a tough cookie & will fight this round of cancer with the same vigor, in which she beat it before......take care!