All I Want For Christmas Is an Okapi, a Dinosaur, a Herd of Elephants and ...

[wigdoutdismom]

Just got an emailfrom DVC. My waitlist came through. I am at BCV in July

Yay, Pat's going to be hanging at the beach with us!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Congratulations! (Dh said the vacation calendar started today. My heart paused when I read about your reservation. I haven't booked anything and I am trying not to panic! I know it will be fine, though.)

We just need to get you all squared away, when does he get to request his time off again???

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We just need to get you all squared away, when does he get to request his time off again???

He is low on the list, so hopefully, I will know dates by the end of the month. I like mid to late July trips (June to hang at pool and plan details and August to get ready to go back to school), but an end of June has the advantage of seeing my Dis friends...

 

[Tink9721]

I hope your car and your health are both doing very well this morning.

It most indeed is February. January was not horrible this year. February would be much nicer if we had a March Disney trip, of course, but maybe it will be tolerable, too.

Well, I ended up staying home on Thursday. My morning class got cancelled so I only missed one class. I felt awful and basically spent the day switching between my bed and the couch. It must have just been a 24 hour bug because I felt almost completely back to normal yesterday

As for the car...I have a love-hate relationship with my car I love it, but the stupid check engine light has come on 4 times in the past 6 months. We've taken it to the garage in town every time and they've never found a major issue. The first two times there was a leak in something(I know nothing about cars ) and the third time they didn't find anything. This time they actually found a problem. That's not really a good thing but it proves that I'm not crazy and when I say "Mom, my car just doesn't feel right" I'm not just being paranoid It's not a huge deal, but since they had to order a part for it, I won't get it back until at least Monday afternoon. My mom's gonna work from home on Monday and drive me to and from school so I don't have to miss more class.

We hit our 5 week mark yesterday! We booked the trip a little over 10 weeks away so we're officially half way there! The last two weeks have flown by. I knew the time would go by quickly once I started school!

 

[jedijill]

Well, I ended up staying home on Thursday. My morning class got cancelled so I only missed one class. I felt awful and basically spent the day switching between my bed and the couch. It must have just been a 24 hour bug because I felt almost completely back to normal yesterday

As for the car...I have a love-hate relationship with my car I love it, but the stupid check engine light has come on 4 times in the past 6 months. We've taken it to the garage in town every time and they've never found a major issue. The first two times there was a leak in something(I know nothing about cars ) and the third time they didn't find anything. This time they actually found a problem. That's not really a good thing but it proves that I'm not crazy and when I say "Mom, my car just doesn't feel right" I'm not just being paranoid It's not a huge deal, but since they had to order a part for it, I won't get it back until at least Monday afternoon. My mom's gonna work from home on Monday and drive me to and from school so I don't have to miss more class.

We hit our 5 week mark yesterday! We booked the trip a little over 10 weeks away so we're officially half way there! The last two weeks have flown by. I knew the time would go by quickly once I started school!

If you want to get your check engine light checked for free, take it to an auto parts store like Autozone or O'Reillys (not sure what you have in your area) but they will read the codes on your car for free. Most of the time, the check engine light just means your gas cap isn't on tight.

HTH

Jill in CO

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

Morning friends!

Those pics of the girls in the Toy Story Character Spot are great! Brooklynn got right into it.
It's so nice to see Bella too!

You are getting your Disney Store back!!!! That is awesome news!!!

That deserves a special celebratory Disney diner party when it opens!

I wish our trip was planned for July...I will miss out on all this beach fun.

Sleeping on Ms Wig'd's couch would probably be the closest I would ever come to staying at the BC.
She is so sweet and kind to help out her friends.
I hope Trent and Jarvis can make it. Sounds like they would be greatly missed.

Has anyone been to Las Vegas before?
There is a chance I will be going for a few days possibly next month.
I've been invited on a girls trip. I'm excited. I've never been and it's a place I really want to see.
I won't do much gambling but the hotels look gorgeous.
One of the ladies said "it's like going to different countries, there's so much to see"...and I replied I already do that at Epcot.
They are hoping to break me of Disney trips.
Little do they know, that will never happen. Ever. (some just don't get it and I understand )
I'll have to see if there's a Disney store there.

We are Disney fans for life.
I know my friends here on the DIS 'get' me and that's why I luv you all!

 

[hollisterluva92]

Brooklynn wanted to know why they had to have another baby around the house. Bella doesn't really get it, but she will be jealous. She loves having her Mommy's attention.

I don't know the price of the shirt. Maybe someone going soon can check it out.

That is beyond cute! I think I was right around Brooklyn's age when my mom had my brother (I was 5), and I remember being really excited until she told me it was a boy, and then I was crushed! I remember crying and asking my mom why she couldn't go pick out a little girl seed to put in her tummy! I guess I really wanted a sister! The family I nanny for has two boys and a girl (Jack is 7, James is 5, and Jill is almost 3) and I remember when I was watching them that James got very clingy to not just his mom, but me also. Whenever I would be holding Jill or feeding her or whatever, he would want to sit on my lap! I gave him plenty of attention, but sometimes it's hard for kids to adjust! I will definitely have to ask some other people who are going if they can pick me up the shirt! I know Caitlin (princesscaitlin) and her mom Dawn are going soon and she goes to Eastern Michigan with me, so she could probably pick it up!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Morning friends!

Those pics of the girls in the Toy Story Character Spot are great! Brooklynn got right into it.
It's so nice to see Bella too!

You are getting your Disney Store back!!!! That is awesome news!!!

That deserves a special celebratory Disney diner party when it opens!

I wish our trip was planned for July...I will miss out on all this beach fun.

Sleeping on Ms Wig'd's couch would probably be the closest I would ever come to staying at the BC.
She is so sweet and kind to help out her friends.
I hope Trent and Jarvis can make it. Sounds like they would be greatly missed.

Has anyone been to Las Vegas before?
There is a chance I will be going for a few days possibly next month.
I've been invited on a girls trip. I'm excited. I've never been and it's a place I really want to see.
I won't do much gambling but the hotels look gorgeous.
One of the ladies said "it's like going to different countries, there's so much to see"...and I replied I already do that at Epcot.
They are hoping to break me of Disney trips.
Little do they know, that will never happen. Ever. (some just don't get it and I understand )
I'll have to see if there's a Disney store there.

We are Disney fans for life.
I know my friends here on the DIS 'get' me and that's why I luv you all!

Vegas is great fun! I say go with the girls....
Right away you will see that it's not Disney or even a replacement but the weather will be NICE!
I didn't do well playing the slots, so a gambler I am not.
New York New York Casino has a fun roller coaster that comes out of the top of the hotel. We did that when we were last there.
You will find more than one Disney store, but for me best of all, there was a Basin store, the only one off Disney property in the Venetian. Wait a minute, I just checked and they just opened another Basin in Vegas at Planet Hollywood Casino and Hotel, so bonus if you are a fan of the store!
One more thing, be sure to go downtown to Fremont Street for the light show!

 

[Poolrat]

Has anyone been to Las Vegas before?
There is a chance I will be going for a few days possibly next month.
I've been invited on a girls trip. I'm excited. I've never been and it's a place I really want to see.
I won't do much gambling but the hotels look gorgeous.
One of the ladies said "it's like going to different countries, there's so much to see"...and I replied I already do that at Epcot.
They are hoping to break me of Disney trips.
Little do they know, that will never happen. Ever. (some just don't get it and I understand )
I'll have to see if there's a Disney store there.

I was in Vegas in '09. I will say in rescpects to the different hotels I feel it is very much like Disney but.... VERY ADULT oriented. A big playground with adult games and toys.

I did go to New York New York to ride the coaster. I remember finding it a bit rough but fun. I monorailed ( yes they have one too, see Disney) to the Stratosphere and the did the rides at the top of the tower. That was a bit freaky.
I am going again this year for my conference and I am staying at Bally's next to the Ventetian.
Take time to see the fountains at the Belliagio.
I am not a big gambler but the biggest thing I noticed in Vegas- very smoky, most everyone and the casinos are smoky.

For me it does not replace Disney by any means but many people love it.

 

[sunny_stace]

Has anyone been to Las Vegas before?
There is a chance I will be going for a few days possibly next month.
I've been invited on a girls trip. I'm excited. I've never been and it's a place I really want to see.
I won't do much gambling but the hotels look gorgeous.
One of the ladies said "it's like going to different countries, there's so much to see"...and I replied I already do that at Epcot.
They are hoping to break me of Disney trips.
Little do they know, that will never happen. Ever. (some just don't get it and I understand )
I'll have to see if there's a Disney store there.

Vegas is great fun! I didn't do much gambling (but I did win once - pretty good!) and I'm not about nightclubs or anything (also I went with my mum). But I saw some great shows and there is no shortage of sights to see! PM if you want and I'll try to figure out how to send you some pictures! We stayed at the Treasure Island hotel and it was very nice.

 

[MeMom]

Yippee! We're going to Dollywood!!! OK, we all know it was my 2nd choice, but Orlando airfare is up and our spring break is short this year, so no WDW. Sad, but at least I'll finally get to Dollywood. Any advice on how to make the most of our two days in Pigeon Forge?
Those Buzz meet pix are so precious, especially with Bella posing so sweetly. Buzz was DD's favorite character when she was Bella's age. Everything she ate, played and wore was all about Buzz. She even told people her daddy was Buzz Lightyear!
So glad you have your grandgirls there with you. And I do hope Brooklyn is just garden-variety sleepy and not coming down with something. Have a wonderful Saturday!

You will have to share pictures of Dollywood with us, because we are really interested in going there. Brandy and her family were here yesterday, and she says she thinks they may be going there in June instead of on their usual beach trip. I know the girls would love it!

We will let the experts and people who may have gone recently give you some insight. We have not been to East TN since the kids were little.

Brooklynn was fine - not sick at all. Just very tired. Bella got her second wind, though, and was up until 11:30!

Brooklyn's rocket picture made me laugh out loud! She is so funny!!!

Unfortunately, I don't think we will get to see Jill and Bella before they leave. We arrive July 3rd.

Shucks! I was hoping we'd have one day when the entire crew of DIS people would be there.

My Jenny was low maintenance as a baby, but high maintenance as a child. She went back to being low maintenance for the most part during her teen years.
Chris was a high maintenance baby ( he was hungry), a low maintenance child compared to Jenny and thankfully a low maintenance teen.

I hope Jill gets a low maintenance baby that stays low maintenance.

I am seeing the shift from frozen water and sugar to fruits. I hope prices stay reasonable.

I know. I do need to gets thing solid. Less thatn 5 months now.


Congrats to Jarvis!!!! Maybe he needs to see if Disney hosts any shows.

Even if the new baby is low maintenance, I hope the girls don't become too high maintenance.

It will be interesting to see all of the new choices of foods at AoA. On the summer trip, we will have so many new pictures to take - of Fantasyland and of AoA!

I'll be willing to walk across the bridge -if it is open- to get some awesome fruit. Pop is pretty good about having fruit bowls, but we'll see what AoA has to offer.



I'll have to tell Jarvis to find an Orlando contest to do. He said yesterday he will not be going this summer, as he has another show to do sometime around that time.

Woo hoo just booked pop for June. Has anyone heard if the bridge will open when AoA opens?

I sure hope it will. It will not look right to have a bridge that is blocked closed like it is now.

Hahaha Love the pic of Brooklynn blasting off to outer space.

Bella has such a cute smile. I love her little head tilt smile that she does.

I love Toy Story. And I love TSM.

I love looking at the pictures of those silly little girls and remembering those fun times being in WDW with them.

I can tell you this, Baylor will certainly feel gypped if Trent and Jarvis don't make it down for a few days this summer. Maybe he and John and plan a boys night out if the other two don't come.

I'm sure John would enjoy riding some things with Baylor. He does a lot of things as a single rider while we go do other things.

I'm super behind and working on catching up... But I just had to comment now and say CONGRATULATIONS JILL!!!!!!! That is so very very exciting!!! Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy

You'll have to update us on the newest adventure you are on.

Just got an emailfrom DVC. My waitlist came through. I am at BCV in July

Very cool.

I can't believe no more frozen cokes! i wonder why. Anyway I forgot to congratulate all of you on the new bundle of joy! CONGRATS!

The frozen Coke was very popular, but I heard that the machine was broken a lot. Maybe it was just too much of a headache to keep it going with that many people using it.

Smoothies at AoA sound good.

Congratulations! (Dh said the vacation calendar started today. My heart paused when I read about your reservation. I haven't booked anything and I am trying not to panic! I know it will be fine, though.)

Hope you get exactly what you want.

Yay, Pat's going to be hanging at the beach with us!!!!

I'm guessing one of the big DIS meets will be there, then.

He is low on the list, so hopefully, I will know dates by the end of the month. I like mid to late July trips (June to hang at pool and plan details and August to get ready to go back to school), but an end of June has the advantage of seeing my Dis friends...

We like mid to late July, too, as it gives us something to look forward to all summer, but school is starting much earlier this year for us. Teachers have to be back in late July, and the students come for their first day on Augyst 1st.

Well, I ended up staying home on Thursday. My morning class got cancelled so I only missed one class. I felt awful and basically spent the day switching between my bed and the couch. It must have just been a 24 hour bug because I felt almost completely back to normal yesterday

As for the car...I have a love-hate relationship with my car I love it, but the stupid check engine light has come on 4 times in the past 6 months. We've taken it to the garage in town every time and they've never found a major issue. The first two times there was a leak in something(I know nothing about cars ) and the third time they didn't find anything. This time they actually found a problem. That's not really a good thing but it proves that I'm not crazy and when I say "Mom, my car just doesn't feel right" I'm not just being paranoid It's not a huge deal, but since they had to order a part for it, I won't get it back until at least Monday afternoon. My mom's gonna work from home on Monday and drive me to and from school so I don't have to miss more class.

We hit our 5 week mark yesterday! We booked the trip a little over 10 weeks away so we're officially half way there! The last two weeks have flown by. I knew the time would go by quickly once I started school!

Five weeks!

I hope your car doesn't cost much to fix. It's good that your mom can take you. It is always good to have a reliable back-up.

If you want to get your check engine light checked for free, take it to an auto parts store like Autozone or O'Reillys (not sure what you have in your area) but they will read the codes on your car for free. Most of the time, the check engine light just means your gas cap isn't on tight.

HTH

Jill in CO

That's good to know. We have a family friend who owns his own business, and it is nice to be in safe, reliable hands with him when it comes to al of our car issues.

Morning friends!

Those pics of the girls in the Toy Story Character Spot are great! Brooklynn got right into it.
It's so nice to see Bella too!

You are getting your Disney Store back!!!! That is awesome news!!!

That deserves a special celebratory Disney diner party when it opens!

I wish our trip was planned for July...I will miss out on all this beach fun.

Sleeping on Ms Wig'd's couch would probably be the closest I would ever come to staying at the BC.
She is so sweet and kind to help out her friends.
I hope Trent and Jarvis can make it. Sounds like they would be greatly missed.

Has anyone been to Las Vegas before?
There is a chance I will be going for a few days possibly next month.
I've been invited on a girls trip. I'm excited. I've never been and it's a place I really want to see.
I won't do much gambling but the hotels look gorgeous.
One of the ladies said "it's like going to different countries, there's so much to see"...and I replied I already do that at Epcot.
They are hoping to break me of Disney trips.
Little do they know, that will never happen. Ever. (some just don't get it and I understand )
I'll have to see if there's a Disney store there.

We are Disney fans for life.
I know my friends here on the DIS 'get' me and that's why I luv you all!

You will have fun with friends going to Vegas. I hope they don't sway you from any Disney dreams, though.

Jarvis said yesterday he would not be able to go, and I doubt Trent will. He is going a couple of other places this year, and he doesn't like to take off of work much. He might go down for a long weekend, but if I were betting, as in practice for Las Vegas, I'd bet that he will not come.

That is beyond cute! I think I was right around Brooklyn's age when my mom had my brother (I was 5), and I remember being really excited until she told me it was a boy, and then I was crushed! I remember crying and asking my mom why she couldn't go pick out a little girl seed to put in her tummy! I guess I really wanted a sister! The family I nanny for has two boys and a girl (Jack is 7, James is 5, and Jill is almost 3) and I remember when I was watching them that James got very clingy to not just his mom, but me also. Whenever I would be holding Jill or feeding her or whatever, he would want to sit on my lap! I gave him plenty of attention, but sometimes it's hard for kids to adjust! I will definitely have to ask some other people who are going if they can pick me up the shirt! I know Caitlin (princesscaitlin) and her mom Dawn are going soon and she goes to Eastern Michigan with me, so she could probably pick it up!

Hope you get the shirt.

I may end up being wrong, and I will be glad if I am, but I think Bella is going to be a little stinker when the new baby arrives as she is trying to get her attention and time from Mommy. She loves her Mommy. She is in a stage right now where she has to know where every character's mommy is. "Where' him's mommy?" she says often.

Vegas is great fun! I say go with the girls....
Right away you will see that it's not Disney or even a replacement but the weather will be NICE!
I didn't do well playing the slots, so a gambler I am not.
New York New York Casino has a fun roller coaster that comes out of the top of the hotel. We did that when we were last there.
You will find more than one Disney store, but for me best of all, there was a Basin store, the only one off Disney property in the Venetian. Wait a minute, I just checked and they just opened another Basin in Vegas at Planet Hollywood Casino and Hotel, so bonus if you are a fan of the store!
One more thing, be sure to go downtown to Fremont Street for the light show!

Basin, Disney Store, plenty of good food, I'm sure, and friends. Being away from work, too. It all adds up to a nice time, I believe.

 

[MeMom]

Next up, all of the girls went to one of Brooklynn's favorite rides while John went to do some single rider things.

What does all of this say?

Girl, elephant, monkey.

I have so many pictures of the actors and the plane, so this time I went for the luggage. Unfortunately, they are not clear enough to tell what the stickers say.

Toto, I don't think we're in WigdandShockerland any more.

The yellow brick road begins right here.

Check the time on the mayor's watch, in case you ever need that for a million dollar win on a Disney trivia contest. You never know.

We enjoy seeing the film clips at the end. Makes you want to have a movie day when you get back home.

 

[disney<333]

I always love the GMR! I love how when the good guy comes back he says "I told you I was just going to get popcorn!"

 

[<3myfamily]

If the bridge to AoA is closed (but why, it would look wierd ), then you could just walk over on the sidewalk that is back by the far parking lot of the 50's. That's where we always parked, and it was very close to AoA buildings. I couldn't imagine how they could block that sidewalk off.

Ohhh..... I DON'T like the Wizard of Oz! Never have.... maybe it was the flying monkeys that turned me off?? Whatever it is, I always avoid it and threaten my DD's when they think it is fun to watch to torment their mother.

CanadianWDWfan: There is a Disney Outlet in Vegas! I've never been to it, so I can't tell you where it is at, but I've heard good things about it. I am not a gambler and we only stay when we make the long car trips back to see our families in South Dakota/Minnesota. I try not to spend too much time in Vegas.. it gives me a headache. But, do try and see the fountains in front of the Bellagio, the shops in the Venetian, and try the hamburgers, fries & milkshakes (fries are my FAVORITE!!! mmmmm) at IN N OUT (there is one on the street that goes by NY NY). I do love how the city is changed when all the lights come on at night! Have fun, it is definitely an experience!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Baylor loves the GMR too! Well we all enjoy it. When we get to Oz and the host tells us we aren't in Kansas anymore I always think, you have no idea!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

LOVE the GMR!!! I took pictures of signs this time to try to mix it up...

Maybe to countdown to Disney this summer, I will pick some from the montage!

 

[marDgreen88]

Oh, I love that picture of Dick van Dyke, Walt Disney, and Julie Andrews. Seriously, three of my favorite people ever.
I love the Great Movie Ride. I feel like it's so underrated these days.

 

[punkin413]

We are starting to watch Nemo in the car on the iPad and Seth always cries when Bruce shows up. Since I can't reach back there and skip to the next scene while driving, I usually turn it down to almost mute so it's not as loud to scare him. He does NOT like Bruce!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

We love the GMR too! And this would be one of my favorite movie scenes ever. I love Nemo! I think it is one of Disney's best.

We got the gangster for the first time on our last trip, but I have to say that I like the cowboy best.

I have a question though... I keep hearing people say that there is a scary alien at one point in the ride, but we have never seen it. Three times and no alien, am I missing something?

 

[CanadianWDWfan]

You got some good pics in the Great Movie ride. I enjoy the Wizard of Oz part the most.

We got the gangster for the first time this past trip and Lexi was all scared.
We were in the front row and she did not like the gun fight.
Our car broke down during the ride and it was funny to see him try to stay in character.
He was making small talk with the lady behind us...while they tried to get us fixed up and moving again.
I prayed he wouldn't say anything to Lexi. I had no idea how she would react to him.

Thanks Wig'd, Poolrat, sunnystace and <3myfamily for all your Las Vegas tips.
I will be travelling with 3 Vegas 'experts' so I know I will be shown a great time. We are definitely seeing a show.
Two of the ladies work in a travel agency so I'm waiting to see what they come up with. I think Bally's is the one they want.
I figured they would have a Disney Store there but I didn't know about Basin.
I do want to see the fountain show but I can assure you I will not be going on any roller coasters.
I know it will be no Disney...but that is okay.

I'm trying to decide on our ADR's for August...our window opens up in about 2 weeks.
It's so hard cause there are so many great choices. Somehow I need to pare down the list.