Adventures of the "Moms" Panel

[5/4Disney]

I'm still here too guys, just busy. And I thought things would slow down after Christmas break HA.....
Kim, Sorry to hear about your loss also, the weather down here in Houston has been nasty and the roads are a mess. We southern folk "South Texas talk that is" freak out when it rains too much and add the cold to it, well you can guess....
I'm trying to slow down on my panel watching because it leads me right to the vacation planning. We have told ourselves we are going to see other parts of this country. However; I don't know if I can stand it. I can't remember which mom on the panel said it but "I think Disney is in our DNA also"
We are doing bathroom updates and our kitchen is next. One of my BFF's asked me the other day, You would rather go to Disney than do your kitchen? I don't get it she said. My response was, NO, I want both my DH on the other hand said "the kitchen works doesn't it?" Who knows maybe we'll be strong and not go this summer after all we swore we would never go during the summer heat again.
Take care guys,
Julie

 

[Twende]

Was your friend Bethany a DISer, too? (I hope you don't mind my question.)

No,I don't think she had a user name here, but some of her best friends are members here. And I do not mind answering questions about her or the accident. I wish I could find a way that their deaths would make a difference in this crazy world.

The drunk driver pleaded Not Guilty yesterday. I just can not wrap my brain around that one. I sometimes hate the legal system here in the good ole US of A.

 

[WishesQueen]

The drunk driver pleaded Not Guilty yesterday..

I didn't even think that was possible! Once again, this is inconceivable to me!!! I don't even know them and I can't stop think about them!!

Obviously Disney talk helps you. So lets do what we do best and hopefully it gives you a minute or two of peace!!!

 

[Twende]

I didn't even think that was possible! Once again, this is inconceivable to me!!! I don't even know them and I can't stop think about them!!

Obviously Disney talk helps you. So lets do what we do best and hopefully it gives you a minute or two of peace!!!

Thanks WishesQueen! You are right though, I do not want this to be a downer on this thread or change the drift of the happiness here!
I love Disney and it is a great distraction for me right now!

I have not read all the pages on the Mom's panel web site yet but I think letting more than one panelist answer a question is a great idea. You all are doing a great job at this. Keep up the Mousey work!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

The drunk driver pleaded Not Guilty yesterday. I just can not wrap my brain around that one. I sometimes hate the legal system here in the good ole US of A.

That is so wrong! (...And some lawyer likely counseled the guy to plead "Not Guilty." I wonder how well he/she sleeps at night... )

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

One of my BFF's asked me the other day, You would rather go to Disney than do your kitchen? I don't get it she said. My response was, NO, I want both

HA! Yeah, I think there are plenty of people out there who just "don't get it"!

I received a similar response when my family took two trips to Disney last year in quick succession. (I might add that we're not typically so spontaneous, but it was well worth it. ) Upon our return from the second ("quickie") trip, at least three people asked variations of the same question (with smug looks on their faces): "So, was it as good/magical the second time?"

And, I'm thinking to myself, "Huh? You mean you had to ask? I couldn't possibly accomplish everything I wanted to try. And, of course, there was barely enough time to see/do the abbreviated list of everything I'd hoped to try. Give me another trip (or three ), and maybe I'll start to scratch the surface...."

I politely explained to one person that I'm a planner. There are so many activities available, plus seasonal events and decorations that necessitate a return trip. She kindly offered that it's great I have a passion for something... I know she still thinks I'm a bit nuts, but at least it's a happy (and harmless) kind of crazy...

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

...but at least it's a happy (and harmless) kind of crazy...

Hmmm.... I think this is the first time I've ever quoted myself on the DISboards. Anyway, I wanted to mention that my husband -- who finances these trips -- isn't so sure that it's so harmless! (If he ever read this post, I'm sure he'd want me to add that!!)

 

[WishesQueen]

Good to know husbands tend to be the same.

I have to explain myself way to much regarding our countless trips to Disney. I love when you tell someone that your going to WDW they moan. They comment "Thats no vacation to me" or "Aren't your children getting too old for the that"


Heck no!!!! If they think that Disney is only work, then they don't have a clue. I come home very relaxed and my children will NEVER be to old!!!

 

[5/4Disney]

I must say, I have learned to let those types of comments roll right off my back. When someone asks, Did you have fun again? I say you'll never know. Just once I wish I could take "those people" on a trip with me! I would drag their butt around until they passed out at night. I just can't stand it when people insinuate there is nothing different to do or those who assume you could accomplish everything on 1,2 or even 3 trips. Sorry to ramble on, but like you all I'm passionate about this stuff. Oh well, I'll keep having my fun.

 

[DVCsince02]

I'm still lurking here too. I read this thread almost daily but as you can see by my new siggy at the bottom, I have been a bit busy spreadin' our good news. Baby numero 3 is due in September (and yes, it really is a souvenier from our trip in December). But I had to cancel our adults only trip in October .

So wanna-be-panelists (and posters alike), what should I do now? We have annual passes that expire at the end of May, BUT our DVC points won't kick in until June 1. Yes, I can borrow them, but if I cancel, I loose them. When should we go?

HELP!!!!

 

[BellaBuggy]

Twende - I am so sorry about your friend. That was a horrible horrible accident.

DVCsince02 - How soon can you go? I'd vote for February! Good weather, minimal crowds (as long as you avoid Presidents' weekend). We love going in Feb.

 

[WishesQueen]

DVCsince02

Congratulations!!!!!

 

[DVCsince02]

DVCsince02 - How soon can you go? I'd vote for February! Good weather, minimal crowds (as long as you avoid Presidents' weekend). We love going in Feb.

We can go anytime, but the details around it can be sticky.

1. We won't get a "vacation" from daycare until March (basically that week free).
2. Our DVC points for 2007 are all used, so we would have to borrow from 2008 of which is only 121 points can be borrowed (due to borrowing from last year), and if I cancel we loose those points.
3. There are additonal points in 2008 but I can't borrow them because they have already been banked.
4. We have annual passes that expire at the end of May (luckily we have already used them for two week long trips).

I really just want to ge the most bang for our buck.

 

[BellaBuggy]

What's your use year?

 

[DVCsince02]

What's your use year?

June

 

[EEFOSTER]

Hey all. Back from my trip!

Twende, so sorry for your loss. It's so hard to make sense of the world sometimes.



Not going to do a big trip report because my life is one big trip report now.

Mini trip report follows:

It was empty around the parks over the whole weekend. Only a 30 min standby wait at EE at 11:30 in the morning! I think one of the big factors in the low crowds was the icky weather. It was either cold or rainy or thunderstormy or really really really cold the whole time. No pool time for me.

I did have some fun though. Broke my record on Buzz. Had my joke used at Monsters Inc. Was able to ride the new Spaceship Earth. It was open all weekend. Very cute new ending.

I did lots of info gathering for the Panel. I went to the resorts that I don't usually stay at. Walked around. Talked to the CMs there. Got every map and brochure I could find. Took photos of every sign and price list.

Basically I talked to the CMs in every random job I could find. Bike rental guys, gardners, pin traders, whoever looked like they had a free moment to tell me what they do. Also I took the 7.5 hour Backstage Magic Tour. This was expensive but worth every penny to a Disney geek like me. There were several other solo people on the tour, so it was nice to hang out with them.

Overall, it was a good trip. But not really as relaxing as I might have liked. Partly this was my fault and partly Mother Nature's. I did feel like I came back even more prepared to do the Panel job. I think all of us on the Panel thought we were super-knowledgable about Disney. (I've been nearly 25 times as an adult.) But seeing some of the questions people are coming up with makes me feel like a cluess newbie sometimes. I think I'm better prepared now after having done all this info gathering. So, it was a trip well spent.

I'm going to have a super busy two weeks ahead of me. It's school play time here in my town. Two intensive weeks of 4 hours after school each day. I am very involved behind the scenes. So, with the Panel and my regular life. I'm not sure I'll be able to be here much over the next little bit.

But I'll be back later (and be thinking of you guys when I'm away).

Erin

 

[WishesQueen]

Welcome Back Erin

Sorry to hear about the weather!!!

I still wish I was there!!!

Enjoy the school play!!

 

[deekaypee]

Welcome back, Erin! It sounds like a great (productive, eye-opening) trip. Thanks for putting so much time & energy into the Panel; you know people really appreciate all you (all the panelists) do!

(I just had to come out of lurking to tell you that.)

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Hey, Erin! Welcome back!

'Bummer about the weather, but it sounds like you made the best of it!

There were several other solo people on the tour, so it was nice to hang out with them.

Was this whole visit a solo trip for you? I've never been to the World by myself, but it certainly would be the perfect time for behind-the-scenes tours and such.

I hope you're finding it easy to transition back into the daily grind - and the bazillion mundane tasks that always await at home!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

deekaypee/Debra: This is a bit OT, but I noticed that you just completed both the Walt Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon. Wow! (I always figured that it's called Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge for a reason! ) Seriously, though, that's pretty impressive!

I just ran my first half marathon in the Fall, and I've been flirting with the idea of someday running a Disney Half Marathon. (It was the Virginia Beach Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon, and I'm certain that all of the music/entertainment -- which contributed to my adrenaline rush -- made the distance manageable. It's the farthest I've ever run... ) Anyway, aside from being a good excuse to travel to Disney, I figure that the setting would probably make it a fun run!

I do have a question, though: How do you dress for the race, considering it starts in the wee hours of the morning but likely gets pretty humid as the sun rises? Any advice?