A Disney-addicted mom plans a trip in August, 2010! *New pics #574*

[DrMomof3]

Hey Amanda...just getting caught up. Great news on the taxes! I wish something like that would happen to me!

So happy to hear that the January trip is full steam ahead!

Is Quickrewards where you do those surveys that Teresa spoke about? Sounds great! How much time did you spend on it to get the $25? (Of course, I won't remind you that your hourly rate as a doctor is probably much higher than what they paid you for the surveys - LOL!)

Not exactly the pay-rate I get at work!
Yup, it's the stuff Teresa spoke about. It took me about a month to get the 1st gift card but I could have spent more time. I'm not as motivated now so it's taking longer to work towards the 2nd one!

We're going to do a countdown chain this week- Thursday is 100 day mark.

I'd also like to hear more about the quickrewards...

Quickrewards is a website where you earn rewards $$$ for completing surveys, clicking on websites, etc. Some people have gotten $50 or even $75 per month if they are motivated!

Yay for a countdown! You're getting close now!

I've never heard of quickrewards, but you should do swagbucks...I'm sure it's the same sort of thing.

I'll check out swagbucks. Sounds interesting.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

My 6 year old just had his annual physical. He's 43 inches tall without shoes. I really hope he grows another inch by August because he's dying to go on Mission:Space and Space Mountain. Poor kid! He's solidly in the 5th percentile for both height and weight (always has been). My DH is 6'4" tall and built like a football player (but I'm 5'2" and small). My other 2 children are big for their ages. Zachary is 75th percentile height/weight (not bad for a preemie!) and Jessica is probably around 75th percentile also (her visit is on Wednesday). Nathaniel and Jessica are basically the same size even though they are 2 years apart!

Amanda

 

[cdotla]

Don't worry Amanda - if he is 43 inches without shoes now, he will be fine. They measure them with shoes. Just be sure that he is wearing sneakers or sandals with a thick sole!

I was thinking about buying Dr. Scholls inserts for Declan if he was close, but turns out he just hit 44 inches for our trip!

 

[starann]

Popping in to say "HI" I am a fellow Disney addict mom!

I have about 26 more pages to read, but just can't do it right now!

Your trip is a few weeks before ours.

 

[DrMomof3]

Don't worry Amanda - if he is 43 inches without shoes now, he will be fine. They measure them with shoes. Just be sure that he is wearing sneakers or sandals with a thick sole!

I was thinking about buying Dr. Scholls inserts for Declan if he was close, but turns out he just hit 44 inches for our trip!

We all wear sneakers to the parks every day! Thanks for the encouragement!!!

Popping in to say "HI" I am a fellow Disney addict mom!

I have about 26 more pages to read, but just can't do it right now!

Your trip is a few weeks before ours.

WELCOME!!! I'm an erratic poster but a true Disney addict!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Here are today's internal debates. (Internal bc DH doesn't really have an opinion and I don't know when I'll see my work-friend who's a DVC member.)

#1: Maybe I should make an ADR for a sit-down lunch at MK. I find QS meals difficult with 3 kids and once my kids get hungry, they need to eat. It'll give us a little extra time at MK if we don't have to rush back to the room to make lunch. I'm debating between The Plaza and Liberty Tree Tavern. I know LTT's dinner is family-style but when we had lunch there (a year ago) it was a very nice, relatively healthy menu. I think I had a yummy sandwich. The Plaza is also relatively healthy and has a nice location. I hate the bathrooms at LTT - not enough stalls and in a bad location. Opinions? (DH is fine with either choice as we've had nice lunches at both places.)

#2: I won't purchase in advance but I'm starting to wonder about a day at a water park. I did a bit of research and it seems that BB might be the better choice with little ones. Opinions?

Amanda

 

[starann]

Here are today's internal debates. (Internal bc DH doesn't really have an opinion and I don't know when I'll see my work-friend who's a DVC member.)

#1: Maybe I should make an ADR for a sit-down lunch at MK. I find QS meals difficult with 3 kids and once my kids get hungry, they need to eat. It'll give us a little extra time at MK if we don't have to rush back to the room to make lunch. I'm debating between The Plaza and Liberty Tree Tavern. I know LTT's dinner is family-style but when we had lunch there (a year ago) it was a very nice, relatively healthy menu. I think I had a yummy sandwich. The Plaza is also relatively healthy and has a nice location. I hate the bathrooms at LTT - not enough stalls and in a bad location. Opinions? (DH is fine with either choice as we've had nice lunches at both places.)

#2: I won't purchase in advance but I'm starting to wonder about a day at a water park. I did a bit of research and it seems that BB might be the better choice with little ones. Opinions?

Amanda

We are not DVC members (YET!) but we have eaten at LTT for lunch and it was very good! In fact we have plans to go there this year. We have too many ADR for the DDP so I asked DH this weekend (while we were out to dinner for our annv, so I knew he was in a good mood!) if he wanted to cancel some or pay OOP....his vote was OOP, so it looks like LTT for lunch for us!!!

I'll be interested to hear which water park you go to. We have 1 day at a water park, just not sure which one yet!

 

[DrMomof3]

We are not DVC members (YET!) but we have eaten at LTT for lunch and it was very good! In fact we have plans to go there this year. We have too many ADR for the DDP so I asked DH this weekend (while we were out to dinner for our annv, so I knew he was in a good mood!) if he wanted to cancel some or pay OOP....his vote was OOP, so it looks like LTT for lunch for us!!!

I'll be interested to hear which water park you go to. We have 1 day at a water park, just not sure which one yet!

I was thinking NO water parks since we're staying at BCV specifically for the awesome pool. But it will be August and H-O-T so I don't want to rule out a water park either. Now it's starting to appeal to me.
It's a tough call between LTT and Plaza. Both good. Plaza is much smaller and more on-the-way to the park exit (which is where we'll probably go after lunch)....

Amanda

 

[lexmas]

I've never been to both of those places, but if you find QS stressful with 3 little ones, then I think it's a great idea to book a table service meal.

I've been to blizzard beach and loved it. It had the cutest kids area, and I loved the atmosphere. I think people normally promote typhoon lagoon as a better kids park though. I've never been to TL, so I can't say.

 

[-Hope-]

When I was doing my research BB seemed better for little kids or those who don't like the super fast slides (my kids don't!). I haven't actually been though so I couldn't say for sure. I'm no help with restaurants either but I think booking a TS would be a lovely break in the AC without having to go back to the room.

 

[DrMomof3]

I've never been to both of those places, but if you find QS stressful with 3 little ones, then I think it's a great idea to book a table service meal.

I've been to blizzard beach and loved it. It had the cutest kids area, and I loved the atmosphere. I think people normally promote typhoon lagoon as a better kids park though. I've never been to TL, so I can't say.

Thanks! BB sounded fun to me.

When I was doing my research BB seemed better for little kids or those who don't like the super fast slides (my kids don't!). I haven't actually been though so I couldn't say for sure. I'm no help with restaurants either but I think booking a TS would be a lovely break in the AC without having to go back to the room.

That's what I thought, too. I don't think it's worth the time/money since we do have SAB.

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Time to return to my trip planning. I'm home with food poisoning today so I might as well use my time wisely...

I think I finished with Sunday dinner at San Angel Inn. I know it gets mixed reviews but we had a very nice meal there last year.

Monday, August 23
DHS day. We plan to take advantage of am EMH at DHS. If TSM is open (scheduled to be closed), we'll start there. My son is really hoping to do JTA. Opinions: I was think he'd head there at regular park opening or right before rather than "wasting" EMH standing in line. The older kids will want to ride Star Tours. Jessica says she wants to do ToT but I'm not sure. I want to do Voyage of Little Mermail, Playhouse Disney. We've never done the Beauty and the Beast show.
What else am I missing?

Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

I'm not really sure about the JTA line with EMH, you might check on the main boards for opinions. If you wait to get in line you could be too far back for the first show and have to stay in line for a lot longer. With the EMH though it may not be an issue.

Do you plan to see the Muppets? What about the HISTK play area? My kids are really looking forward to both of those. Of course my ds11 wants to see LMA and Indiana Jones so those are on our list as well.

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm not really sure about the JTA line with EMH, you might check on the main boards for opinions. If you wait to get in line you could be too far back for the first show and have to stay in line for a lot longer. With the EMH though it may not be an issue.

Do you plan to see the Muppets? What about the HISTK play area? My kids are really looking forward to both of those. Of course my ds11 wants to see LMA and Indiana Jones so those are on our list as well.

We'll probably do HISTK play area, unless it's really hot. We haven't seen Muppets before. I'll call this a big maybe! I don't know if the kids will be interested in either LMA or Indiana Jones. They do like The Great Movie Ride (which I forgot to include earlier).

Amanda

 

[BippityBoo]

We LOVE LTT!! However, with your problem of your kids wanting to eat soon, I would probably go with The Plaza. I have read they have very quick service. I would think that LTT is more of a nice, long dinner experience. HTH

 

[DrMomof3]

We LOVE LTT!! However, with your problem of your kids wanting to eat soon, I would probably go with The Plaza. I have read they have very quick service. I would think that LTT is more of a nice, long dinner experience. HTH

Thanks Katie! DH is voting for LTT since we had a yummy lunch there last year. He tends not to have opinions so I try to accommodate him! We'll see what ADRs are available...

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

We officially have an ADR for LTT on Tuesday for lunch. My DH even thanked me when I told him!
I will eventually get back to trip planning (and I'm starting to think ahead to January ) but work is super busy and I'm still recovering from food poisoning....

Amanda

 

[lexmas]

Glad you got your ADR!

Obviously, I think no worries about slacking on the planning, since I've all but abandoned my PTR. TR's are easier, lots to talk about!

Hope you're feeling better!

 

[-Hope-]

Yay for ADRs and double yay for appreciative husbands.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[DrMomof3]

Thanks Hope! My ADRs have changed so many times now!

My TA emailed me on Friday that she was able to apply a new AP discount to our 1st night room at CSR. She saved us a whopping $9.22! But hey, that's probably at least one child's meal...
We've been discussing the pros/cons of DVC again. They lowered the minimum buy-in to 100 points. Still don't know if we'd choose BLT or BCV as our home resort. We're trying to buy our house so that obviously is more important than DVC (or that's what my DH tells me anyway... ).
I made my final payment on our minivan so I can snowball that payment next month! WOOHOO! And next month is the last payment to my mom for a loan for my daughter's preschool. Little by little the debt we acquired during our long years of residency are going away! I'm so happy we're doing Dave Ramsey and budgeting because I can already see a difference.
I think our January trip may be a go. I need to start getting back into training. Between the food poisoning and a particularly busy week of work, I've gotten behind on my running. Hoping to go for a bike ride tomorrow morning and then get some running in next week.

Amanda