8~) WARNING ~ My very 1st PTR! ~ WE POPPED and TR started! Link in 1st post

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

thanks for the great tips on the noise factors. I definitely will not try dinosaur until my boys are at least teenagers, the first time I went on it I was 18 and I almost had a heart attack it was so scarry. I think I remember pulling my neck muscle from holding onto my dad so hard. I think we will keep the headphones handy. this is a pic of my son wearing them at fireworks this 4th of july.

there not the most fashionable item but they let him enjoy the fireworks. we sat directly under them this year and he loved them. We also used them this winter when we visited hershey parks chocolate world. If your not familiar with the ride its kind of like being on figment except going through a chocolate factory seeing how they make choc. He cried so hard to just walk down the hallway to it. I am not totally sure if it was the fear of it being loud or the fact that he had watched charlie and the choc. factory and he was saying he didnt want to see the chocolate man. But either way we let him put the earphones on and he stopped crying and enjoyed the ride.

My husband was contemplating taking his mom on Dinosaur last trip. I was like ARE YOU CRAZY! She is 70, prim and proper, was born and raised during World War II in Berlin and she is too nice for her own good too. She would join Gabriel over at the HM as an apparition too! We did get her on the family raft ride at BB and I swear I almost peed my pants laughing so hard at her. She was a good sport and I love that ride

You have a very nice looking family and your son seems very happy in that pic

Great shopping! Love your park bag and taking two pairs of sandals is always a great idea

I can't wait for our Chefs de France dinner - the only con is that Remy won't be there anymore (however, I hadn't told anyone here about Remy anyway, so the only person a wee bit disappointed is me!).

Get my bag tomorrow I hope I like it. Honestly, the Keens are so great and I wouldn't bring another pair of shoes but I am worried if they get wet and it's really humid - they won't dry. Plus Crocs can be shoved in my back pack they are so light.

I know - I am bummed about Remy too. I could have tried to get an ADR for the 4th or 5th but I really want to keep my plans as is. Even if they extend him I think his last appearance is 5:45???

I am sure we will be kaput after Discovery Cove swimming all day.

Have you been for Chef's before??

 

[princess&her4princes]

Hi! Saw you just posted on my PTR, so thought I would join yours!! Going back to read yours now, looks like we're just going to miss each other!!

 

[Gabes_mommy]

Hi Carol! I made it over here today.

Great start so far! I just got the Keens for my Gabriel too. They were on sale on Nordstrom and he seems to love them already.

I am totally a drop hater too and my DH is also a thrill junkie! Thankfully my DH doesn't pressure me to do things I am afraid of. It will be great if DS grows up loving thrills and they can ride together.

Discovery Cove sounds so fun! I can't wait to see all your pictures from that day.

Can't wait for more.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Hi! Saw you just posted on my PTR, so thought I would join yours!! Going back to read yours now, looks like we're just going to miss each other!!

Hi there!

Thanks for joining - hopefully we will be interesting

Yes - you are going I believe the following week! Have you stayed at POP before and do you have any pointer/tips? Favorite food in the food court? I have read so many reports I can't remember if you were the one who asked about room location??? So maybe you've never been??

Hi Carol! I made it over here today.

Great start so far! I just got the Keens for my Gabriel too. They were on sale on Nordstrom and he seems to love them already.

I am totally a drop hater too and my DH is also a thrill junkie! Thankfully my DH doesn't pressure me to do things I am afraid of. It will be great if DS grows up loving thrills and they can ride together.

Discovery Cove sounds so fun! I can't wait to see all your pictures from that day.

Can't wait for more.

Jeez - maybe we should plan our next trip together and our hubby's can ride together

Now my husband DOES push a bit and pouts so I end up feeling so bad that I will suffer it and go ONCE (hence my one time on TOT). My sister may join us for Sea World (she lives in Port St Lucie) and if so I am definitely gonna get the pout to try MANTA!

I am so super protective of Gabriel and don't want to push with him. I show him some rides on Youtube but he says oooo, they are too scary. I am so excited to see what he will try this year. I think the headphones may help.

 

[DisneymoonJess07]

We are going to overlap by a few days!

We are going Aug. 30 to Sept. 6!! Can't wait to see how your trip turns out! Sounds like you will definitely be enjoying yourselves!

 

[deslynnpatterson]

ust found your PTR and i am joining in!! i love your plans so far!! you have a beautiful family!!! Can't wait to read more!!

 

[SilverL]

We're flying down on the 15th of Sept. SO EXCITED!

I took a family trip in Sept. in 2007. Let me tell you: It's HOT HOT HOT and HUMID HUMID HUMID! I don't know what that means in terms of your appetite. Personally, all the walking leaves me starving regardless of what the weather's doing, but we're pretty gung-ho. You're going to get out of the shower and dry off, dry off, dry off and realize it's just humid and you're already sweating. It's okay. Pack deodorant, light clothes, sunblock, a mister fan, and a poncho. We're from the Pacific NW and hate the heat and humidity, but we survive.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

We are going to overlap by a few days!

We are going Aug. 30 to Sept. 6!! Can't wait to see how your trip turns out! Sounds like you will definitely be enjoying yourselves!

Thanks and hello!

ust found your PTR and i am joining in!! i love your plans so far!! you have a beautiful family!!! Can't wait to read more!!

Thank you - I get my bag today so I should have another update with what I can cram in there

We're flying down on the 15th of Sept. SO EXCITED!

I took a family trip in Sept. in 2007. Let me tell you: It's HOT HOT HOT and HUMID HUMID HUMID! I don't know what that means in terms of your appetite. Personally, all the walking leaves me starving regardless of what the weather's doing, but we're pretty gung-ho. You're going to get out of the shower and dry off, dry off, dry off and realize it's just humid and you're already sweating. It's okay. Pack deodorant, light clothes, sunblock, a mister fan, and a poncho. We're from the Pacific NW and hate the heat and humidity, but we survive.

That's why we do waterparks during the day and I think I better bring my misty mate too

I would rather have the heat then don't curse everyone that goes my week or near my week with the other dreaded "H" word.....Hurricane! That is kind of my luck.

Discovery Cove sounds sooooo cool! I'm jealous, make sure you get a waterproof case for your camera or a waterproof disposable one so I can live vicariously through you.

Sorry, I missed responding to you!

Actually, I purchased my husband a digital waterproof camera! It's his first digital. I made this purchase AFTER we went to the bahamas and all of our snorkeling pictures were ZIPPO because the camera stopped advancing after one picture! While on the snorkeling catamaran(sp?) a woman had a Pentax Optio w30. She said her sister got it for her and it was only $130. She said it was cool because you can take video too.

I went home and did my googling and I found it for $129 no tax and free shipping

What is REALLY cool is that if I take a video I can edit out a still shot right on the camera! Plus you can edit the pictures very easily on the camera as well!

The pictures are fine and for the money I thought it would be a good learning camera.

Hopefully, we will come back loaded with Discovery Cove pictures and videos. I will take my regular digital as well.

Thanks for reading

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Whoah.....time is flying by.....25 days to go

We haven't gotten our ME paperwork yet because for some reason my TA didn't get my email about our air information. I got that all squared away last week and hopefully we'll get it soon.

I've been so busy lately so Disney has been put on the back burner (I KNOW BLASPHEMY!)

A little off topic but this past Saturday I drove 3hrs one way and 3hrs back in order to pick this up for my mom:

He is part Toy American Eskimo and part Pomeranian. Her Eskie (SPCA adoption) passed away May 2008 at 18yrs old (she had him for 15yrs). We tried the Rescue and the SPCA but were having a really bad experience.

My mom almost died last August and had to have emergency surgery. She amazed every single doctor with her recovery. She underwent 9 rounds of chemo and we had a running joke that it was time for her Spa treatment. She is 73! She is a tough cookie and is doing very well.

Anyway, she really needed a new companion and Gabriel (her little ) is getting ready to start back to school so she will only see him maybe once or twice a month.

We haven't pinned down a name but I like Teddy and I also thought "MICKEY" because of his big black ears Although "Trouble" would fit too.

Back to the trip....I received my new bag and it is great

So for now, I am on the lookout for some headphones for Gabriel.

 

[SilverL]

HE IS SO CUTE! I WANT ONE!

I'm so glad your mom is still with you. Is she completely recovered?

My family had a 13-year-old dog pass away a little over a year ago. It was bad. My mom told me she couldn't sleep at night after it happened. We always said our dog was our buddy, and we had to visit three shelters before we found the right dog to be our new buddy. He is a very hyper, always happy, two year old yellow lab named Jake. He got a bit hot in the 90 degree weather a few weeks ago and ended up finding a creative way to cool off:

Dogs can really bring joy in a dark place. I hope your mom loves her new buddy.

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

HE IS SO CUTE! I WANT ONE!

I'm so glad your mom is still with you. Is she completely recovered?

She is recovered but you never know with Cancer.....I was so happy she took the Chemo so well. The only problem she had was neuropathy - kind of tingly pain - in her hands and feet. But nothing horrible. She actually GAINED weight!! Kept her hair.....it was crazy.

A friend of ours mother also in her 70's with Lung Cancer just went through Chemo and Radiation last year. Unfortunately, hers in inoperable and while it reduced the growths they are back now. She will be starting an experimental treatment next week. She had no problems with her treatment either and did not lose her hair....she looks great and feels fine.

Dogs can really bring joy in a dark place. I hope your mom loves her new buddy.
Ain't that the truth! What character your dog seems to be

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

18 more days

We have been pretty busy and it is just hitting us now how close this trip really has gotten.

I received all of our docs in the mail and I actually changed our departing flight so we can enjoy our last day in Disney a little bit longer.

Still haven't found headphones but I haven't been able to really look. My brother gave me his PSP for Gabriel so he will be plenty entertained on the plane and during meals (hopefully). I plan on picking up some used games before the trip and maybe even a movie for it.

We have a vacation home in OC MD (one reason we are super busy and on the go in the summer - it's a three hour drive to get there) and I took the new waterproof camera to the beach/waterpark for testing this past weekend. We took my nephews (6 and 7) and WOW were they a handful. Gabriel is so easy for the most part and we are not used to the bickering and constant communication. Kudos to those of you who have more than one kiddo!

The camera worked pretty well. I will try and post some pics later this week.

Thanks for reading!

 

[lisalonglash]

Woohooo, 18 more days! That deserves a happy happy joy joy dance!



Yay for getting all your Mickey mail - can't wait! And another wooohooo for being able to stay at Disney longer!

I'm glad you've been enjoying your summer at your vacation home

Yes, having two (two boys, in my case) can certainly be busy and loud

Looking forward to seeing your pictures!

 

[princess&her4princes]

WOW...18 more days!!! It's sneaking up on you for sure, especially with a busy summer like you're having!! But that makes it even more fun, the time flies!

I can relate to the constant bickering for sure....with three boys...ugh!!!! I actually said today, I'm ready for school to start...didn't think that would come out of my month this Summer, it's been a great one with lots of playdates and beachtime, but I said it....I"m ready!! And so are they! LOL!!

Oh and you asked me about POP last week and sorry for not getting back to you...yes, we've stayed there last trip with 6 kids under the age of 6!! And we loved it there and the convenience of their own bus, etal. We did pay for the preferred room since there were so many of us and stayed in the 70's building, it worked out great, close to the Classic Hall and bus stop, it worked out just fine. Favorite food in the food court? NOthing sticks out in my mind....to be honest, with the 6 kids, it was just eat and get out when we were in there! LOL!! We did our sit down meals at lunchtime in the parks with the kids since some were missing naps and they would cool off some and relax and did a quick service meal at POP or on the way out of the park, worked out perfectly!!! You'll have a great time, I'm sure of it!!!!

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

Hi Kristen and Lisa!

Well, here are a couple pics from the Water Park and beach.......I am pretty pleased with the camera and can't wait to take video and pics at Discovery Cove and Blizzard Beach!

Nephew on the starfish float

Gabriel with the Mr. Ray float

Picture of the Rain Forest to show the color

Nephew making sand castles

Close up of Nephew

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

great pics it looks like the camera is working good. We love going to OC but havent been there in a few years. You are so lucky to have a beach house there.

 

[princess&her4princes]

Great pics!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Is Gabriel missing his two top teeth? He looks so cute....my oldest (Ethan who is 6) is missing them and I think it's the cutest smile ever!!!

 

[Gabrielsbigtrip]

great pics it looks like the camera is working good. We love going to OC but havent been there in a few years. You are so lucky to have a beach house there.

We were extremely lucky to buy right before the market exploded upwards.
It's funny but we enjoy OC much more when the season is over!
Sept, Oct and April, May are my favorite times. It much easier to ride bikes everywhere. We are getting two scooters so that will make it even more fun! Peak season is a bit crazy on the boardwalk.

Great pics!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Is Gabriel missing his two top teeth? He looks so cute....my oldest (Ethan who is 6) is missing them and I think it's the cutest smile ever!!!

Thanks - yes he is missing both top and the bottom two are just growing in so he looks quite comical sometimes

It is taking forever for his top two to come in.....he goes to the dentist next month so I guess I ask them what's up!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Ethan's are taking forever to come in, too! He lost one early June and one late June and they are still not there.....I was beginning to wonder myself, the other 4 he lost came in fast. Don't you wish they would stay as cute as they are today forever!?!

 

[KathyRN137]

Ohhh, that actually sounds more fun and Peter does love to explore.....I have never seen that resort either so that would work out great. How much time do you think I should allocate for our little adventure? We have a 7pm Adr at Epcot. I would think maybe leave HS at 6pm??

Thanks for the information

Sorry it took so long to send a reply! We've been away for a week and I'm terribly behind on my DISing!

I would leave at 6pm at the latest. On "off hours" you can never tell how long you will have to wait for a bus or boat. The walk from Beach Club to France should only take about 15 minutes if you go directly; If you'd like to take your time I would budget more.

Wow! Your trip is really getting close!!


Kathy