All the makings of a disaster I’m bringing two reluctant teens and the in-laws!!

[lurkernj]

A belated Happy Birthday!!!

Glad you had such a good day.

Thanks Jenny!

 

[lurkernj]

I have been a bit absent, as I had a few days off from work. Hope you all had a fantastic fourth!

Ok, so I just have to tell you about this whole tweedledee being away thing. After the birthday text on Wednesday, I tried not to bother him. I waited til Thursday, and just texted to ask if he was doing ok. He responded "if this is how it's going to be when I'm in college, I'm going to disconnect my phone" . What a rotten kid. I didn't bother him again after that except to give him his work schedule for when he returned. So those of you with little ones, enjoy them while they are sweet, cause eventually they become this. I didn't think it could happen with this kid, cause he is a really good kid, responsible, respectful (except to his parents apparently), rule following, good student. But even the best fall.

Anyway, so I was so upset by the time monday rolled around (he was coming home on Tuesday), that I sent him a text in the morning that he should take a cab to the train and I'd pick him up at our local train station . This was purely for my enjoyment, as I had every intention of picking him up, I"m just evil sometimes. He responded back "is this some kind of joke", when I said no, he said ok. Around 8:30pm, he was very concerned, and was texting if I was serious, cause he was concerned about finding a way to the train So I let him off the hook and said we'd be there.

The old saying what goes around comes around is alive and well, cuz then God punished me for my evil deed. On the way home from getting him, my airconditioning broke in my car, with two hours left of the trip .

Anyways, he had a great time, showed me some photos (with his arms around various girls), and told us some of what went on. It sounded more like I sent him to Miami beach instead of nerd camp. But he did say he was glad we sent him and he was sad to be leaving. It honestly did make me feel better (and him too I think) about sending him off to college next year.

 

[lurkernj]

Ok, so moving on with the trip portion of my report,

I also mentioned some specific things I wanted to do in DHS. I did want to do the mania that involves Toy story. So we will get there at rope drop to do that and probably get a fastpass for later. Once we’re done, I’m going to go off on my own so I can get a picture with Phineas and Ferb, which I will take with my phone so I can text it to my kids. Then I want to go see Voyage of the little mermaid, draw something in the Animators studio, Great movie ride, get lunch at Starring rolls, mmmm, red velvet cupcake, and go see Beauty and the beast. I also want to do the American Idol experience, maybe Muppets 3D (I know I’ll be doing this with DH and the boys since this is a fav). Then I want to see the Pixar parade at 3p.

Afterward, I will meet up with the in-laws to take a bus to AKL for our 4:30 Boma res. I am sooooo looking forward to this res. Afterward, I want to wander around the resort and check out the animals and giftshop, then I’ll probably take a bus to DTD so I can wander a bit there. Then I will take the boat back to POR and wait for the family. I’m suspecting the in-laws will want to head back to DHS to see Fantasmic after dinner, so I will probably be solo for my evening antics.

 

[shalom]

Ha! Caught you with the title, didn’t I???

Yes, you totally did!

I have great hopes of hauling the troops to WDW in 2013 while it's still possible, because my oldest is already eight-- I mean, nineteen. (When'd that happen? ) Not that she shows any inclination to move out any time soon. Eldest son, however, is champing at the bit to get out on his own, so if we want to go with him, has to be fairly soon.

Plus we've never gone to WDW as a family. And if I don't get my act together, we never will! Eldest son is too cool for WDW, while second son seems to think going to WDW and actually enjoying it would be a betrayal to his One True Love, SeaWorld. My girls are looking forward to it, though.

I’m not a big “bag” type of person, but I have been coveting those Dooney bags for about a year, I really liked the cross-body one.

I am usually not a big D&B bag fan, but I like that one. Especially for that price!

So those of you with little ones, enjoy them while they are sweet, cause eventually they become this. I didn't think it could happen with this kid, cause he is a really good kid, responsible, respectful (except to his parents apparently), rule following, good student.

My brother and my eldest son went that route. I think at some point in their teens, they decide being nice makes them a pushover, but because they've had no practice asserting themselves, they go straight from "obedient and kind" to "flat rude." My second son's generally laid back, but he's also never had any problem completely ignoring parental guidance when it fit with his agenda, so I'm assuming he's had enough practice demanding his own way it won't hit him quite so bad.

Knock wood.

 

[lurkernj]

Yes, you totally did!

I have great hopes of hauling the troops to WDW in 2013 while it's still possible, because my oldest is already eight-- I mean, nineteen. (When'd that happen? ) Not that she shows any inclination to move out any time soon. Eldest son, however, is champing at the bit to get out on his own, so if we want to go with him, has to be fairly soon.

Plus we've never gone to WDW as a family. And if I don't get my act together, we never will! Eldest son is too cool for WDW, while second son seems to think going to WDW and actually enjoying it would be a betrayal to his One True Love, SeaWorld. My girls are looking forward to it, though. My motto is to always go as soon as possible!! You never know when life is going to throw something unexpected in the plan and wreck a trip!


I am usually not a big D&B bag fan, but I like that one. Especially for that price! Thanks! Can't wait to use it in the parks



My brother and my eldest son went that route. I think at some point in their teens, they decide being nice makes them a pushover, but because they've had no practice asserting themselves, they go straight from "obedient and kind" to "flat rude." My second son's generally laid back, but he's also never had any problem completely ignoring parental guidance when it fit with his agenda, so I'm assuming he's had enough practice demanding his own way it won't hit him quite so bad.

Knock wood.

Thanks for joining in

"flat rude" about sums up his attitude often lately. The good news is that everyone outside of our home tells me what a good kid he is and that I should be proud, so he only reserves his abuse for us, which is better than inflicting it on all mankind. I'm assuming it will pass

 

[lurkernj]

I must comment how I"m dying inside over this new Free Dining being announced. I really really want to plan another trip in December, but DH would kill me. I've done some fake spreadsheets with fake plans. If I could just win some money

I just can't justify it, especially with the trip in Sept. And next summer we are in discussion with a bunch of our friends with kids going into their senior year about doing a big graduation cruise on the Oasis. I might need to sell a limb in order to go on that.

 

[shalom]

My motto is to always go as soon as possible!! You never know when life is going to throw something unexpected in the plan and wreck a trip!

That's our motto at this point. Plus we didn't vacation when my kids were little, for various reasons, and now we're trying to make up for lost time.

I'm assuming it will pass

I'm hoping so. Although my brother turns fifty next week, and he's still pretty obnoxious. But, on the upside, he's also still a great guy at heart.

 

[lurkernj]

So, my dreams of sneaking in a winter trip are dead. I wasn't seriously considering it anyways, good thing. Remember when I mentioned last week that my AC stopped working in my car on our way back from Maryland???? We had it fixed this week and the cost was $2000. Apparently this is a somewhat common problem. The compressor explodes and shoots schrapnel into the surrounding parts and they all need to be replaced. I've researched this on-line after we were told this. I drive a 10 yr old CRV, but it only has 92,000 miles on it, so I know there's still a lot of life left in it, and I'm not in the market for a new car at the moment (besides, DH drives a 13yr old pickup truck, so he's next). Luckily we have an emergency savings account, so this does nothing to my September trip, but now I've got to get some more money in that emergency account for when something else happens, because it always does.

To make myself feel better, I ordered my MNSSHP tickets this week. We are going on the 28th. It will just be me and prince charming

After ordering the tickets, I began to think more about my plan that day. Currently the plan is to be in Epcot during the day since it's the first day of F&W fest. I've never been to the feast, I mean fest, so I'm really looking forward to that. I scheduled dinner at Coral Reef at 4p so DH and I can hop on the monorail afterwards and go to the halloween party (I'm planning to go on Ellen with him so he can get a nap before the party). Now I'm rethinking my plan (of course, it's what we Dis'ers do)

Coral reef must remain, as that's Tweedledum's favorite restaurant in all the land. But I'm thinking that maybe I will try to move it back to 5p, and DH and I will skip it(and let MIL/FIL use our credits) and get the monorail to MK around 4:30-5ish, then get a Dolewhip and get in line for the Dwarfs. Maybe get some Pecos Bills when the parade starts later.

I think the new plan allows for a nicer pace, plus I'm not sure we'd even be hungry at 4p after feasting at the fest. But, I do hate to miss Coral reef. It is the one restaurant I've been to all three of my prior trips. I know it gets mixed reviews on here, but I've always been very happy with my meal/service there. I will probably have to make the sacrifice though.

To make matters more complicated, Prince charming has agreed to wear a costume to the Halloween Party goodvibes. He's specifically requesting something haunted mansion related. I tried to talk him into being mouseketeers, since that would be easy, but he was having no part in that. So, I've been looking on-line for some simple ideas. I really don't want to trek back to the room to change, so I'm looking for something that would fit in a backpack, and also not too heavy/hot. I'm thinking of packing some facepaint and grey/white spray, and cobwebs, and just being gouls, but I've got to think of some clothing options to go with it.

 

[lurkernj]

Wow! I'm almost at the two month mark!!!!!! Getting so psyched!

I've noticed that I actually get a little depressed right before a trip (as you can see, that hasn't happened yet though). The planning is so exciting. Then once the trip actually is over, I just don't know what to do with myself. I guess I get to drag it out a bit whilst doing my FIRST EVER ACTUAL TRIP REPORT, but then what? I can't plan a trip for a while since next year is DS17's graduation trip. I'll probably just linger on the DIS living vicariously through you all.

Ok, enough of that whining. Now I have to brag a little. DH and I dropped the kids off at church on Sunday for a mission trip until Friday night So we are childless this week. While of course I miss them, it's so nice that the house isn't getting dirty and I haven't cooked a meal. DH and I spent the day in NYC on Sunday, just drove right in, wandered around a bit, had lunch, saw a strange play (A Perfect Crime), then just drove home. It was quite relaxing. Last night we went out for dinner, just to houlihans, but I didn't have to cook.

Unfortunately, DH ruined our perfectly romantic week by knocking my iPhone off the night stand and completely shattering the screen(and it was in a case, though apparently not very effective). I handled it very well and did not flip out since it was obviously an accident, it still works, but is hard to see what's on the screen. So today I have an appointment at the Apple store to discuss my options. I believe they will sell me a refurb for $199. I had an issue with my Ipad last fall, which was totally my fault, but they gave me a free Ipad anyway. Made me want the Iphone since their customer service was so great. I'm not expecting a freebee, as they already have a record of having given me the Ipad. I love their products, but they're not made sturdy enough, they really need to put in a different kind of glass. DH and I have had cell phones for over 12 years, never even in a case, and never had any issues. I've had this phone for less than 2 months, in a case and here ya go.

I have been very excited about using my Aps in the parks in September. I've got to do some research about what ones are the best options. I'm also looking forward to using it for my food porn.

Oh, I almost forgot, here's some treats we had in NYC, sort of practice for my TR...

Breakfast (butterscotch and pineapple/coconut):

This one was mine:

Mine was delicious. It had pineapple filling and was very moist. I didn't try DHs, but he said it was just ok.

This was lunch, Chicken Pad Thai, at a Tom and Toons:

 

[lurkernj]

Just popping in to announce that I am exactly at the
TWO MONTH MARK!!!!!!

That's right folks, just 8 weeks and 6 days away

 

[BearcatsFan]

Joining in!

I have to admit, I've giggled all the way through thus far. Your DH wanting to have his pic taken with the 7 Dwarves, then consenting to wearing a costume ... you sure he's not a Disney Freak like the rest of us?

Also love his "It's just food!" That's the point where my DH has gotten to, I'm afraid. They just don't understand!

Anyhoo, can't wait to read more details - great report thus far!

 

[lurkernj]

Joining in!

I have to admit, I've giggled all the way through thus far. Your DH wanting to have his pic taken with the 7 Dwarves, then consenting to wearing a costume ... you sure he's not a Disney Freak like the rest of us?

Also love his "It's just food!" That's the point where my DH has gotten to, I'm afraid. They just don't understand!

Anyhoo, can't wait to read more details - great report thus far!

Thanks for joining in BearcatsFan!!

I know there are lurkers out there, it's ok, I'm often a lurker too.

I'm thinking DH must be thinking it's not manly to love Disney. He can pretend all he wants, I know he likes it too, maybe not as much as me, but I'm working on it.

Yeah, they don't seem to get the Disney food obsession, which is why I love the Dis.

 

[lurkernj]

I think I left off where DH broke my phone the other day I went to the Apple store, and as suspected, they charged me $199 for another phone. They also sold me the applecare+ plan for $49, normally $99. With this, I get two more breakages covered for $49 each. So if it gets wet, or DH abuses it again, I can get another for $49. I guess this is ok. but it was almost $300 that I wasn't planning on spending last week

I also forgot to mention last week when we were in NYC, and again while in the mall for the phone, we stopped in the Disney stores in each location. Sadly, I bought nothing. In fact, both stores are quite disappointing(probably because I love World of Disney). I do want to get a new Disney shirt or two, but I might just wait til I'm in Downtown Disney, or the Emporium since I have a few to start my week with.

Now that my countdown is really starting to look like a real trip, I guess I need to start thinking about packing and the little details. Last trip we used Garden Grocer and had beverages, crackers/cheese, breakfast items delivered. I don't think I'll do that this trip, unless MIL wants to, since I won't have enough to make the $40 min myself. Since my guys won't be there the first two nights, we'll have all those CS credits (I'm going to stockpile their snack credits for food/wine fest), plus with the mug being provided, not a lot of need for beverages. I'm thinking I'll put a 6 or 12pk of water in my checked bag, and maybe some granola bars for a quick morning start, just to have something available in the room.

I also need to go through the suitcases to see if we have enough for all of us. I want to each have a carry on, then one collective checked bag for toiletries and other liquids. The zipper broke on my favorite carry-on last year, I think I am going to try to take it to get fixed, maybe a tailor would do this. I just love this bag, it's pretty big for a carryon, and can expand 3-4 inches if needed. Since we are taking SW down, we'll check everything except backpacks, but on the way home we are taking Airtran, which charges $20/bag, so I just want one getting checked on the way home. Details details...

I've still been unable to move the Coral reef res back. I've checked several times a day. I honestly didn't think this would be that difficult since it's the first day of F/W, I thought a lot of people wouldn't even want dinner res, but alas, apparently they do! Worst case, they go at 4p, and we have the option to join them or not, no big deal.

I'm feeling pressure to get moving on my Disney movie watching, as it's been pretty slow moving. I'm feeling Beauty and the Beast coming up this week. I would love to see Cinderella, but I only have it on VHS, and I don't believe I have a VHS player that works anymore. Can't wait til this comes out in October.

Once the trip gets this close, time just starts slipping away til I'm at the 2 week mark panic stricken It's always fine though, I just need to start my lists of what I need. Strange, but the first thing on my list is always earplugs. I would be lost without them. I actually use them at home too, since I have a giant dog that sleeps on my bed and snores like a wilderbeast.

I also will go over my park plans a dozen times and tweak them a bit, maybe I'll do that today. I actually picture myself going through the park while doing the things on my list to see if my plan has flaws, I know, it's a little kooky, but come on, you probably do it too. Then a week before, I print them out and make them into index card size so I can take it with me. I can't imagine how I could forget to do something when I've studied it a million times, but it makes me feel better.

I'm enjoying doing my pre-trip report since it lets me talk about my trip without my family getting annoyed listening to me, so thanks to all my readers for making this possible

 

[lurkernj]

Sort of Disney related....

My friend had surgery last week and a bunch of us have been taking turns cooking food and sending it over for her. I was trying to be a little creative the other night and decided instead of making regular mashed potatos, I made the cream cheese potatos from Le Cellier...OMG, THEY WERE INCREDIBLE so creamy, I could have eaten them all myself. I got the recipe from Allears. I'd just suggest using much less milk than they call for as they were soupy initially.

Oh, and just 59 days left or it's equivalent 8 weeks and 3 days

 

[shalom]

I really don't want to trek back to the room to change, so I'm looking for something that would fit in a backpack, and also not too heavy/hot. I'm thinking of packing some facepaint and grey/white spray, and cobwebs, and just being gouls, but I've got to think of some clothing options to go with it.

So what did you decide on? I think the facepaint, spray and cobwebs option is good, but I'd want long sleeves and pants with that, which doesn't sound fun in September.

I can't plan a trip for a while since next year is DS17's graduation trip.

I totally plan trips two years out. I start with all the stuff I wanted to do the last one that gets pushed ahead! And the details tend to change, sometimes radically, if you start that far back, so plenty of things to fiddle with.

That pineapple cupcake looks gooood! My hubby has no sense of smell, so he's got "it's just food" with a vengeance! I'm pretty much resigned to not eating out much, but I do want to do the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Faire next time. And the Wishes Dessert thingie at the MK, but I think we'll be going months earlier than planned, so that may not be possible.

I love their products, but they're not made sturdy enough, they really need to put in a different kind of glass.

I think they're more fragile because I-Pads and I-Pods have such big screens. The other ones have more non-glass on the face to take the flex if it hits on the corner.

I'm feeling pressure to get moving on my Disney movie watching, as it's been pretty slow moving. I'm feeling Beauty and the Beast coming up this week. I would love to see Cinderella, but I only have it on VHS, and I don't believe I have a VHS player that works anymore.

I feel your pain. My older ones saw tons of Disney flicks on VHS; we're slowly introducing youngest to them with Netflix. I hate buying stuff I already own. But I will say I love getting DVDs that have extras, and some of the Disney movies have as much extras as movie, which I really appreciate.

I actually use them at home too, since I have a giant dog that sleeps on my bed and snores like a wilderbeast.

We had a cat who started snored when she got older -- she would get loud enough to wake me up, even though I slept in the back room and she was usually sleeping out in the living room! How do they get such big snores out of such (comparatively) little bodies? Although some dogs can weigh as much as hubby -- or my grandpa, who takes the human snoring prize in our family. Grandpa would snooze out in the living room every afternoon, and I'd tell my brother horror stories with grandpa supplying the sound effects. It was our own private radio show!

I actually picture myself going through the park while doing the things on my list to see if my plan has flaws, I know, it's a little kooky, but come on, you probably do it too.

I did this even before I'd seen the parks -- and, between the maps and poring over so many stunner pics at the Dis, I had a fairly accurate mental image of stuff, to boot.

I'm enjoying doing my pre-trip report since it lets me talk about my trip without my family getting annoyed listening to me,

I'm thinking about doing a pre-trip report for perzactly that reason.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Under 60 days - woohoooo!

 

[lurkernj]

So what did you decide on? I think the facepaint, spray and cobwebs option is good, but I'd want long sleeves and pants with that, which doesn't sound fun in September. We're definitely going to go with the facepaint, spray and cobwebs, but yeah, long sleeves and pants goes better, but it will probably be too hot. I was contemplating some sort of dress or hospital gown for me, I have no idea what for him. It will have to be shorts, but maybe a long sleeve button up shirt that's been shredded in some spots. I need to do some more research on this.



I totally plan trips two years out. I start with all the stuff I wanted to do the last one that gets pushed ahead! And the details tend to change, sometimes radically, if you start that far back, so plenty of things to fiddle with. Haha, I do have some fake trips planned out for various times of year, I imagine that maybe one year I'll get an Annual pass in December, then go during the flower/garden festival in the spring, then maybe a summer trip, then another f/w trip, but then reality sets in

That pineapple cupcake looks gooood! My hubby has no sense of smell, so he's got "it's just food" with a vengeance! I'm pretty much resigned to not eating out much, but I do want to do the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Faire next time. And the Wishes Dessert thingie at the MK, but I think we'll be going months earlier than planned, so that may not be possible. I can't imagine not being able to smell/taste food, that really stinks! I did do Park Faire when I went with my BFF, food was ok (but not what was listed in allears), characters were cute, but since we were two adults, we got glossed over, with the exception of the stepmother - she was hilarious since BFF is a stepmother too



I think they're more fragile because I-Pads and I-Pods have such big screens. The other ones have more non-glass on the face to take the flex if it hits on the corner.agreed



I feel your pain. My older ones saw tons of Disney flicks on VHS; we're slowly introducing youngest to them with Netflix. I hate buying stuff I already own. But I will say I love getting DVDs that have extras, and some of the Disney movies have as much extras as movie, which I really appreciate.





We had a cat who started snored when she got older -- she would get loud enough to wake me up, even though I slept in the back room and she was usually sleeping out in the living room! How do they get such big snores out of such (comparatively) little bodies? Although some dogs can weigh as much as hubby -- or my grandpa, who takes the human snoring prize in our family. Grandpa would snooze out in the living room every afternoon, and I'd tell my brother horror stories with grandpa supplying the sound effects. It was our own private radio show! Lol, what is it about old men and snoring, my FIL is the same way, I'll be able to hear him through the walls of our rooms in POR, yet another reason for the earplugs. I'll have to post a pic of my giant dog, he is pretty cute



I did this even before I'd seen the parks -- and, between the maps and poring over so many stunner pics at the Dis, I had a fairly accurate mental image of stuff, to boot. And in my mind I'm skipping through the park tossing rose petals from a basket




I'm thinking about doing a pre-trip report for perzactly that reason.

I'd highly recommend it. It is helping kill the time, while sharing with others who love Disney, instead of feeling compelled to discuss it with my family, who get sick of hearing me

 

[lurkernj]

Well, another weekend passes by. Sadly, I am just wishing this summer away so I can be closer to my trip (only 55 days!). I can't believe August is in 2 days!! I'm thinking I really need to get myself motivated so that I'm not trying to get trip stuff done along with back to school stuff. The kids both go back on Sept 5 and it's my youngests first year in high school, and oldests senior year. Big year for us!

I need to start writing my to do lists and checking things off. This weekend I need to take the suitcase to see if it can be fixed, then figure out if I have enough suitcases for carryons. I have a few other things that need attention like my drivers license expires in August and God forbid if I get to the airport and can't get on because it's expired, and the kids passports expire in Sept (not that they need them anytime soon, I just like to keep them up to date in case we need to leave the country for any reason)

Oh, and I have to pay off my trip next week. I actually find this exciting as it means I'm getting closer

Let's see, Friday I ordered a cute Mickey notebook and pen so I can take it with me in the parks to keep my notes for my TR.

This weekend I got DH to watch Tangled with me, but he fell asleep, I know, how could he??!!

Friday I decided I needed to lose some weight before my trip (well, it's not like I didn't know this, but I just decided to do something about it). DH and I went to runners world and got some new sneakers so I started running on the treadmill on Saturday. OMG, these new sneakers fit like Cinderella's slipper. I need to lose about 35lbs. Obviously I"m not going to lose it all in 8 weeks, but I'd like to lose about 15ish, then I won't feel too guilty pigging out on cupcakes all week. I tried running in the fall, even had a journal on the wish board, but I kept getting shin splints and blisters. I think this went on for 5 or 6 weeks before I called it quits (when I couldn't even walk down the steps anymore due to the pain). Hopefully a good pair of sneakers will make the difference this time.

My other motivation to losing weight is the photopass. There will be photographic evidence of me on this trip and I'd prefer to not look like the 8th dwarf, Chunky

 

[shalom]

I'd highly recommend it. It is helping kill the time, while sharing with others who love Disney, instead of feeling compelled to discuss it with my family, who get sick of hearing me

You talked me into it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2966813

Oh, and I have to pay off my trip next week. I actually find this exciting as it means I'm getting closer

I love paying off the room or whatever because then it feels more real, somehow.

I tried running in the fall, even had a journal on the wish board, but I kept getting shin splints and blisters. I think this went on for 5 or 6 weeks before I called it quits (when I couldn't even walk down the steps anymore due to the pain).

When I'm having trouble with pain, sometimes using the rebounder (mini-trampoline) works better. It absorbs more of the jolt, I think. I'm more of a walker than a runner anyhow. When I was younger I was Plumpy -- now I'm Dumpy.

 

[lurkernj]

You talked me into it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2966813

Oh! Good for you! I'll have to jump on over and check it out


I love paying off the room or whatever because then it feels more real, somehow.






When I'm having trouble with pain, sometimes using the rebounder (mini-trampoline) works better. It absorbs more of the jolt, I think. I'm more of a walker than a runner anyhow. When I was younger I was Plumpy -- now I'm Dumpy.

Oh, two new dwarfs! I've been running on the treadmill everyday since Saturday and so far no pain, so I'm hopefull these sneakers a the right ones for me. I'll still be "chunky", but at least my clothes will button while I"m stuffing my face with cupcakes.