ABD Backstage Magic 7/31 - 8/5/11

[BonnieMB]

I think I've started getting ready to pack. I've made a doctors apoitment for my eyes. I need new glasses and contacts and would love to be able to see all the cool stuff we are going to see. I have my daily carry all bag and started thinking about clothes to take. Just trying to figure out how hot it's going to be.

Thinking about this trip is making me very happy! I remember August in NorCal was HOT and DRY. I don't expect SoCal to be much different. Cotton, linen and a light sweater for evenings is probably best.

 

[BonnieMB]

Hi Everyone!

Becky, here from the April ABD trip. I wanted to post some "tips" I learned from this last trip.

Make sure you get plenty of rest. It's a really fast paced trip and we were exhausted each day. A good kind of exhausted, though. We wanted to make sure we didn't get sick either on the trip, so we brought our vitamins & saline nasal sprays along with us. I think that helped a lot.

Also, if you are bringing your kids with you make sure you don't stay out too late. That was key. We had our DD in bed early each night making sure she got at least 8-9 hours of sleep. We are always tempted to stay out late at night at the parks, but tired kids = grumpy kids It was worth it! I guess tired adults = grumpy adults too!

Finally, another thing I did was stretched each day. Lord only knows how many miles I put on and my muscles were sore. In the morning and evening we sat down in the room and stretched just for five minutes - made a world of difference!!

Oh one more thing - they feed you,....A LOT! I pigged out - at the beginning of the week, I was good, at the end I was loading up on desserts! But keep that in mind when you eat each meal - I had a stomach ache a few times

Have fun!!

Thanks for this VERY GOOD advice! I'm thinking of taking a day or two off before we go, just to rest up. And clearly will be good to up my exercise regime!

 

[BonnieMB]

Ok for those who are interested here is David's first draft of a design - What are your thoughts?

This is a pretty snazzy design...how would it be placed on the shirt?

 

[bigmoonmullen]

SaraMC and I are staying an extra day, and arriving a day early. Does that mean we don't get ABD airport transfers and have to book our own? Anybody know what the taxi rates are? Shuttles are ok, but they can be painfully slow...

If the extra day(s) was booked through ABD I believe your transportation is still included. We booked an extra day at another hotel and used SuperShuttle... Cost was $40.00 for two including the tip.

Mark

 

[SaraMc]

SaraMC and I are staying an extra day, and arriving a day early. Does that mean we don't get ABD airport transfers and have to book our own? Anybody know what the taxi rates are? Shuttles are ok, but they can be painfully slow...

I double-checked with Kevin awhile back and because we booked them through ABD we are good.

 

[NitroStitch]

Hi,

We used SuperShuttle on the April ABD trip http://www.supershuttle.com/ and were very pleased with them. They picked us up ontime... albeit it was at 4:30AM.

Have a Great Trip... I know you will,

Mark

Mark

Thanks Mark! We're staying on with DVC points for a couple of days at the Grand Cali.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

79 days, ABDers!!! I'm beyond excited. How about you? Thinking about it just puts a smile on my face!

 

[SaraMc]

79 days, ABDers!!! I'm beyond excited. How about you? Thinking about it just puts a smile on my face!

I am soooo excited!! I cant really explain to a lot of people what we are doing without getting that look. You know that look, when they just dont get Disney. Luckily DH does and so does my sister to an extent. I've never been to California so Im really excited to see it and DL.

Work is going to be really stressful before I leave. Were about to go into a structural change and a lot of my assistants are being re-assigned or let go. We are just about to start all of this and by the time we go we will all be doing our jobs more effectively or so they say. My job stays the same, but apparently I will have more time to actually get stuff done. So Im sure that it will be a great relief to go on vacation then.

Now, it will be the first time Im leaving my husband alone with the two kids for more than 12 hours... He's done a week without me when DS was small, but Ive never left DD. So hopefully I wont be missing them tooo too much.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Sara, as I told Julie, it is good and healthy for you and the kiddos to be away. It'll recharge you both. I'm glad that you get to do that while with us!

 

[paulasillars]

60 days until we leave... and I am sort of packed. I have sorted out my clothing to come with me and I just need to fill a few gaps on my list and pack it nicely into my suitcase before I'm ready to roll.

Any requests from New Zealand...? I can't export Hobbits sorry (they are an endangered species).

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Aww, shucks. You took my idea, Paula.

Just bring yourself safely across the pond!

 

[SaraMc]

ok, Im feeling better about the kids being sans me for a week. DH James promised he would take their picture everyday and upload it to Facebook so I can see them everyday. He just asks that I take a photo of me everyday and do the same. Done.

 

[paulasillars]

Aww, shucks. You took my idea, Paula.

Just bring yourself safely across the pond!

Getting across the pond safely, no problem... getting around CA in a rental car on the wrong side of the road... that's always fun!

He just asks that I take a photo of me everyday and do the same. Done.

You might need to practice your "I'm not having the time of my life" face before you leave...

 

[NitroStitch]

You might need to practice your "I'm not having the time of my life" face before you leave...

It won't help! You won't be able to wipe the smile off your face, no matter what!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

ok, Im feeling better about the kids being sans me for a week. DH James promised he would take their picture everyday and upload it to Facebook so I can see them everyday. He just asks that I take a photo of me everyday and do the same. Done.

This is a great idea! Julie, you see this?

 

[Bornteach]

Ok folks. We are ready to order shirts. They are 12 each. If you would like one, please PM me with your size. We can settle up in Cali.

Kristin

 

[SaraMc]

You might need to practice your "I'm not having the time of my life" face before you leave...

Well, I think he would know something was up if I did that. But I will try

 

[BonnieMB]

What's this ' get it to an extent' stuff?? Sheesh...I'm going on this grand adventure aren't I?

 

[BonnieMB]

What's this ' get it to an extent' stuff?? Sheesh...I'm going on this grand adventure aren't I?

 

[paulasillars]

What's this ' get it to an extent' stuff?? Sheesh...I'm going on this grand adventure aren't I?

I think for a lot of the "couples" going - one will be a disney nut and one will be the poor, long suffering soul in for the ride. Mum loves Disney but she's no where near as crazy about it as I am