A Pre-Trip Report...July adventures in the World...LOTS of Shopping updates!

[irky416]

I'm waiting for those shopping pictures!

 

[Artist]

I bought my bag!
Today my DD had off for election day (GO OBAMA!)…which for the first time in memory is important here in PA during the primaries. (Of course, I always vote!). So I took DD out shopping and to lunch at Friendly’s (love the PB cup sundae).
While at Marshall’s I found it- my perfect park bag. Now, I’ve done a lot of research here on the dis and online (ebags, ebay, etc.). I checked out the ever-popular baggalini, but it just wasn’t me. I had been looking online at the Travelon bag, but couldn’t decide based on the pictures. Lo and behold…at Marshalls….

THE TRAVELON.
It’s purple and perfect. It even came with a cool little wallet/lanyard thing that matches.

And it has a little flashlight/keychain too!
At $15 it was a steal..and did I mention it’s purple? I love it!
On to another issue- my crocs. I bought these lovely “brown” (they seem more gray/brown than chocolate brown) Minnie maryjanes a few weeks ago.

This is my first crocs purchase. They are very comfortable. So I have been wearing them around. At soccer on Sunday, I sprayed my son with sunscreen. One of the other moms loved my shoes and was asking me about them; she said something about the “sparkle”. (But they aren’t sparkly, I thought)…I looked down and discovered the sunscreen has speckled my crocs!

Since it’s waterproof sunscreen it wouldn’t wash off. I’m going to try some armor-all later. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it works.
…busy day today. I’ll post more results of my shopping addiction soon.

 

[5dwarves]

Cool...shopping! You weren't kidding were you . Did I read correctly? Did you say you MADE those passports? I am totally impressed! They are awesome! I thought you must have bought them from the laughing place or something....we need a link to the dis board section where they tell you how to do that...too cool!

 

[5dwarves]

Now, dear readers, I have a question for you… Do you know about the “lime look”? I had been seeing references to it in TRs for a while, and just the other day read a TR that specifically described it. Well, it cracked me up because we do that to our kids all the time! And now I am wondering if I give the “lime look” to other dissers I see in the parks if they will think I’m crazy. So how many of you out there know it and would respond in kind?

Do you mean the "Meet the Fockers" pointing at your eyes thing? Someone even did it as they were dropping on TOT for the photo! She said she was afraid she was going to poke herself, but she had to try....I saw bits and pieces of info on the lime green, eye pointing thing, last year before our trip, but never got the full details as to why.....I would love to be more informed.

 

[Artist]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1509917
Here's the link for the thread to make these super cute passports. Its a long thread, and you sort of have to read through it, as there are additions and different versions posted and the front pages- for the kids pics- were added by a different poster on the thread. Plus, the directions to print them out and stuff are sprinkled throughout. It took me a couple of tries to get it lined up correctly off the printer but it was worth it!
I was super impressed with myself- even though I'm an artist I have never been able to get anything neat and trimmed so nicely before.
Good luck!

 

[Artist]

Do you mean the "Meet the Fockers" pointing at your eyes thing? Someone even did it as they were dropping on TOT for the photo! She said she was afraid she was going to poke herself, but she had to try....I saw bits and pieces of info on the lime green, eye pointing thing, last year before our trip, but never got the full details as to why.....I would love to be more informed.

YES! This is what I mean. I read PrincessV's trip report and she described it. I'm glad to know others are aware of it.
If I can find it again I'll post a link to her TR or quote it.
It just cracks me up because we do that to our kids all the time...as in "I'm watching you-behave!" or sometimes just as a joke.
Now I might be brave enough to do it to strangers with LGMH's in the parks. Maybe.

 

[Artist]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1737876
This is the link to a brief description of the start of the "lime look" for those of us who weren't in the know.
Now we are!

 

[5dwarves]

Thanks for the links...the passport is really impressive!...

 

[Artist]

Welks for the links.

If I recall somewhere in the passport thread there is a link to a download for a word doc to make them. I had to then add in the kid photo front pages, which I edited in photoshop to put my kids names and pictures on.
It wasn't too hard to make them, to print double sided you need to make sure when you add the kid pic pages in you do it correctly.
Good luck making them for your 5 dwarves! (I've been reading your TR- excellent!)

 

[5dwarves]

Welks for the links.

If I recall somewhere in the passport thread there is a link to a download for a word doc to make them. I had to then add in the kid photo front pages, which I edited in photoshop to put my kids names and pictures on.
It wasn't too hard to make them, to print double sided you need to make sure when you add the kid pic pages in you do it correctly.
Good luck making them for your 5 dwarves! (I've been reading your TR- excellent!)

Uh oh...I am double sided printing challenged...Looks like HP will be making some $ off of me on ink cartridges. I glanced at the 40 some page passport link...wow! Cool stuff...

Yes, my 5 dwarves and I may be making a do over trip this summer...my sister and her DH have a time share and want us to join them. Lodging would be covered, but we would need to do the tix, food and sundries (I need more potato head people...especially the new Star Wars , only at WDW, ones!) Not sure yet if we are going...need to get the doctor's blesing for my special needs DS, and that tax check to pay for it all .

Glad you are enjoying my TR. Wish trip families have the same desires, but a whole different set of challenges when they make the trek to Florida. I read a great wish family TR and felt like I needed to do one for the other wish families that will follow. It was a lot of fun to do.

I think I may have to rename one of my dwarves, considering he is about 6'3" now....Enjoy this trip...you will blink your eyes and yours will be talking about driver's ed and the spring dance at school...it truly happens at lightning speed!

 

[Artist]

My husband teaches high school and I used to work with special needs high-school students, we know what the future holds for us and we are frightened. Tell me they're still sweet sometimes! Nah, really, we like teenagers. Well, MOST teenagers, anyway!
I'm sure it must go at light speed since it seems like they were babies just yesterday!
If you want to pm me your email address I'll send you the word doc I used for the passports. It's set up for the double sided printing. You just have to print each page individually and the flip the paper, print the next page, repeat as needed. You'll want to change the kid pic page but it might save you some hassle.
It seems with a possible trip coming up less hassle would be good for you.
Glad to hear your goals for the trip include shopping I too want those potato head star wars parts. I have to figure out how to fit DTD into the trip plans.

 

[5dwarves]

Yes, they are still sweet. My DS almost 15, is a big help. He mows the lawn without complaining, takes out the trash without being asked, and actually makes his bed before school every morning... I know...shock and awe! I am amazed! If I can only get him to write neater and organize his Algebra notebook before the teacher does notebook checks, then life would be perfect! It always looks like his school work like has gone through a natural disaster of some sort, and has been written in hieroglyphics. My DS 12 is a completely different story. Her handwriting is perfect and her school work is tidy, but I don't think she has seen the carpet in her room since Valentine's day. She is a big help with her little brothers, but man oh man, she is a slob.

Yes, I am very hopeful that we are going to WDW in July...I am still waiting though because my DS9 with special needs is a transplant patient and is immuno compromised, so we have to double check with doctors and look at current lab work before we get the blessing to go. He has been doing very very well (yesterday was his 2 year transplant anniversary ) so I think they will give us a green light.

I have already started my shopping plan of attack...LOL...We definintely need new crocs and jibbitz. There are also these really cool flip flops I read about on the boards called Montrail Molokini's. You put them in your oven (yep, oven) and bake them for a few minutes then take them out and stand on them. The squishy sole conforms to your foot and they are suppossed to be the "end all" in comfort. I am giving it a great deal of consideration. Now I need to go find international Mickey Head stickers to make some cool passports too .

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who needs to buy Luke Frywalker, Yam Solo, Princess Tater, Spuda Fett and Darth Mash. They are bound to be cheaper at Disney than they are on ebay. If you are looking for potoato head parts, I have been told that the toy store in Toon Town also sells them, and I believe someone said something about the Toy Story store in Hollywood Studios that also sells them. Not sure though.

There were things we didn't get last time, that my boys are anxious to spend their allowance on this time. DS 8 has started a stuffed mickey collection. He has Jedi Mickey and is looking for the pirate and the safari mickey. DS6 wants a Yeti and DS9, wants to finish his squished penny collection.

I also LOVE the Star Wars shirts they have at the exit to Star Tours...there was this awesome one with Yoda on it and he is wearing Mickey Mouse ears...he is standing next to one of the "you must be this tall to ride this ride" signs and the saying is something like "Judge me by my size do you." It cracks me up. There is another one with Darth Vadar on it that says "Who's your daddy..." love that one too....oooooo what fun...just pretending to shop has me grinning!

 

[Artist]

Uh oh. Star wars stuff is one of the few things my DH will buy. Looks like I'm gonna have to up his souvenir budget now!
And I will be looking into those shrinky dink shoes. Er...oven bake and custom fit....

 

[irky416]

I bought my bag!

While at Marshall’s I found it- my perfect park bag. Now, I’ve done a lot of research here on the dis and online (ebags, ebay, etc.). I checked out the ever-popular baggalini, but it just wasn’t me. I had been looking online at the Travelon bag, but couldn’t decide based on the pictures. Lo and behold…at Marshalls….

On to another issue- my crocs. I bought these lovely “brown” (they seem more gray/brown than chocolate brown) Minnie maryjanes a few weeks ago.

…I looked down and discovered the sunscreen has speckled my crocs!

Since it’s waterproof sunscreen it wouldn’t wash off. I’m going to try some armor-all later. Keep your fingers crossed for me that it works.
…busy day today. I’ll post more results of my shopping addiction soon.

I love the bag!

I actually wished you wouldn't have posted that... I don't need another bag!!! First thing I did when i saw the picture, before even finishing the rest of your post, was to head to ebags to check it out!

I love the purple, too. I wonder if they have any more at the Marshalls near me?

Nice Crocs, too! I did the same thing to mine! I used spray sunscreen (waterproof, also!) on the first day of our trip last year and it stained the Crocs. My black ones were now a "sparkly" gray! I was bummed. I tried washing them a few times and it didn't come off.

Within the last month I got mine back out and was determined to get them clean. I filled the tub and let them soak and then got a washcloth with soap on it and scrubbed while running it under the bathtub faucet. After some scrubbing and soaking, they came clean.

Don't give up if it doesn't come clean right away just by wiping them down. I think they should warn you about that! Good luck!

 

[pixiefairy]

I'm joining you on your pre-trip...lol.

I love the bag..I don't think I NEED another bag/purse/pair of shoes, but you know, I'm a girl.......

I got the black and red minnie janes..love em!

Those passports are so incredibly cool....I need to check those out.

 

[5dwarves]

Uh oh. Star wars stuff is one of the few things my DH will buy. Looks like I'm gonna have to up his souvenir budget now!
And I will be looking into those shrinky dink shoes. Er...oven bake and custom fit....

Try Zappos.com for the shrinky dinks....LOL.... Did you know that in the toy store in DTD you can build your own lite saber? Choose the color, single or double blade, handle, sound effects, etc....This isn't a high dollar, fancy, sharper image kind of lite saber, but you do get to customize it...I think they are about $20

 

[Artist]

I love the bag!

I actually wished you wouldn't have posted that... I don't need another bag!!! First thing I did when i saw the picture, before even finishing the rest of your post, was to head to ebags to check it out!

I love the purple, too. I wonder if they have any more at the Marshalls near me?

Nice Crocs, too! I did the same thing to mine! I used spray sunscreen (waterproof, also!) on the first day of our trip last year and it stained the Crocs. My black ones were now a "sparkly" gray! I was bummed. I tried washing them a few times and it didn't come off.

Within the last month I got mine back out and was determined to get them clean. I filled the tub and let them soak and then got a washcloth with soap on it and scrubbed while running it under the bathtub faucet. After some scrubbing and soaking, they came clean.

Don't give up if it doesn't come clean right away just by wiping them down. I think they should warn you about that! Good luck!

Sorry to have inspired you to spend more money! Marshalls had it in white, too, but of course purple's more practical!

Thanks for the advice- I'll give it a try. And you are right, they should warn you about that! If it doesn't come off maybe I'll just have to buy another pair! j/k I'm ok with sparkly shoes- I frequently wish they made cool sparkly sneakers for adults like the ones my daughter has.

I'm joining you on your pre-trip...lol.

I love the bag..I don't think I NEED another bag/purse/pair of shoes, but you know, I'm a girl.......

I got the black and red minnie janes..love em!

Those passports are so incredibly cool....I need to check those out.

I always think I need another bag and a new pair of shoes- just ask my husband!

Try Zappos.com for the shrinky dinks....LOL.... Did you know that in the toy store in DTD you can build your own lite saber? Choose the color, single or double blade, handle, sound effects, etc....This isn't a high dollar, fancy, sharper image kind of lite saber, but you do get to customize it...I think they are about $20

Ok now, STOP telling me more stuff my DH can buy! Just kidding...I mentioned those build your own light sabers to him and he got really excited.
I zappos! I'll be checking into the shrinky dink shoes- as mentioned above, I ALWAYS need a new pair!
...how come there's no "new shoes" smilies?

 

[5dwarves]

Ok now, STOP telling me more stuff my DH can buy! Just kidding...I mentioned those build your own light sabers to him and he got really excited.I zappos! I'll be checking into the shrinky dink shoes- as mentioned above, I ALWAYS need a new pair!
...how come there's no "new shoes" smilies?

Well, I am afraid I have one more Star Wars thing he will need. I dont know if you saw it in my TR or not, but at Tattooine Traders as you exit the Star Tours ride, there is a photography set up. They photoshop your face into a scene from Star Wars (any episode...they have lots to choose from). Your DH's mug can be in jedi regalia....My wish kid got his for free, but they are normally $30 each. They have some with space for more than one face in a photo...like 2 jedi together, etc....It is one of my favorite souvenirs from the trip.

 

[Artist]

I have already added those Star Wars pictures to my agenda for the trip.
But OUCH I didn't realize they were that expensive.
My son has been talking about doing that. Somewhere we saw some images of people's jedi photos and he wants to be a Jedi.
In fact, we decided to include Hollywood Studios and NOT Animal Kingdom this trip for exactly that reason- the Star Tours ride.
Everything else there we could give or take, but all those Star Wars moments- Jedi Training, the pictures, the ride...those made us decide to skip AK and just do DHS this trip.
I sure hope it's worth it, cause I really wanted to do the safari!
Oh, well, now I have to look forward to something for our 2009 trip!
ETA: Elisa, I didn't get that far into your TR yet...still reading and catching up...but now I have to head over there and zoom ahead until I find your star wars pics!

 

[Artist]

Elisa,
I just spent the last hour finishing up your TR. It was great! I laughed, I cried tears of joy, I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the pics, I ran out of time to post my own PTR update! You have a lovely family and some great kids!
And the Star Wars pictures are a must- do. But so expensive! I'm going to see if I can put DH, DD and DS all into one, maybe that would keep the cost a little more reasonable.
Thanks for sharing your wish trip. What a great trip report!
-Danielle

PS Loyal Readers (I know you're out there), soon I will post my next installment, tentatively titled "Of Scrapbooks and Spacemen"...and yes there is more shopping involved!