Another dream vacation...this time, in the making!!

[paigevz]

I have not even STARTED planning and you have how many things done now????

Geez...........I strive to be like you.

 

[jaycns]

Oh my goodness...that is way too funny. I love your scheming little mind! Hehehe. Get that video camera ready, even if you only hear their squeals of joy, it will be well worth it! I am so excited for you!!! How fun!!! Take LOTS of pictures...'cuz I wanna see it all. Hahahaha.

Now for those photo tips - remember I am not a professional but this is what I "try" to do. Hahaha.

1. Take LOTS of digital pictures. That way you are sure to get at least one good shot. (I took enough pictures to completely fill up 10 CD's...OMG!!!)

2. FILL the frame with your subject. Avoid any unnecessary stuff in the background.

3. Speaking of backgrounds - when you want to focus on the subject in the foreground, blur the background by choosing an appropriate aperture (f-stop). The smaller the f/stop the larger the lens opening & the more blurry the background. The larger the f/stop the smaller the lens opening. & the more clear background. Blurring the background makes the subject pop a little more.
(Now you will see in my TR that I screwed up on this one quite a bit on this first trip....LOL)

4. Get CLOSE-UPS of the boy's expressions when possible. For example, when my daughter was on the rides I tried to take a picture showing the ride and then I took close-ups so I could get her expressions.

5. Eyes. When shooting portraits or wildlife, try to focus on the eyes. They should be in focus and well lit.

6. Shoot both vertical and horizontal pictures. They show different perspectives.

7. The rule of thirds....sometimes subjects in the very center of a frame are boring. Think of a tick-tac-toe grid and try to place the subject anywhere 2 of the lines meet. (Note...this was hard for me to do with a toddler at Disney...sometimes I was just lucky to get the shot). Hahaha

Well there are a few for you...I will try to think of some more. What kind of camera are you using?

Now get outside and take some pictures of those adorable boys of yours and let me see them!!! Hahahahaha.

OH MY!! Those are great tips!! I printed them out...and I am going to try and do a "photoshoot" of our dogs and kids over the next week and then I will report back to you. LOL It's like an assignment...but one I will happily accept! Thanks again for the great tips! I am so happy! I LOVE PICTURES!! And you truly do have a talent with taking them!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cheerbop]

I almost peeped my pants living through it!! It was !! Not one of my favorite parts of our trip! Thanks for reading along!

We need to have a mini DIS meet! I promise you a cameo in my trip report!

Have you ever stayed at the CR before? It is my very favorite resort. I love the new rooms. I love walking to MK. I love the chocolate cake in the Food and Fun Center...YUMMY!!!

Anyways, thanks for reading along!!

We have never stayed at CR, but are slightly thinking of changing due to the Night of Joy thing. We will have a 9 month old, 3 year old and just about 10 year old at the time of travel. We don't want to lose sleep.
We have considered Poly also wonder if it would be quieter there?
We had also considered WL and AKL...
SO many choices!
We were at WDW in Dec of 2005 at the GF. LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, having a hard time staying with/choosing a resort because of the NOJ and also with our youngest 2 being so young, the transportation issue with strollers, etc....

Our 3 are all boys too!!! With the first 2 I was told they were girls and was quite surprised when they came out boys.

Well, back to reading your 2006 report. I am finishing your last day on the cruise. LOVING your report! We now want to take a cruise...........

 

[jaycns]

Hi, Jay. Just checking in. Love your sneaky little mind! Have a great day! Barb

SNEAKY?? ME??? No..it's actually a desperate attempt to keep myself from blabbing to the kids. I am HOPELESS when it comes to surprises...but I am so determined to do it this time!!

 

[jaycns]

We have never stayed at CR, but are slightly thinking of changing due to the Night of Joy thing. We will have a 9 month old, 3 year old and just about 10 year old at the time of travel. We don't want to lose sleep.
We have considered Poly also wonder if it would be quieter there?
We had also considered WL and AKL...
SO many choices!
We were at WDW in Dec of 2005 at the GF. LOVED it!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway, having a hard time staying with/choosing a resort because of the NOJ and also with our youngest 2 being so young, the transportation issue with strollers, etc....

Our 3 are all boys too!!! With the first 2 I was told they were girls and was quite surprised when they came out boys.

Well, back to reading your 2006 report. I am finishing your last day on the cruise. LOVING your report! We now want to take a cruise...........

We are staying at AKL from 9/1 (I am adding a day on...WOO HOO) until 9/9 in a deluxe room in the Kilimanjaro Club (the concierge level). MOVE ON OVER!! It would be fun to have some DISers in the same resort!

With the whole NOJ thing going on I didn't want to be anywhere near the commotion. I am sure it is not anywhere near as bad as I have read about (people tend to make molehills into mountains sometimes) and that even if it is....it would only be a few rooms at each resort (CR, Poly, WL and GF)...however, knowing my luck...I would get one of those rooms. So...we are skipping the MK area resorts in September (but I will be back to the CR at the end of Nov. for the second trip...so I can survive) . The AKL is our second favorite resort. You could NOT go wrong choosing it! Its' beautiful! It is like you are in a different part of the world...and I don't just mean Walt's world. It's so amazing! Have you ever been? It also has a ton of things for kids (and young and old alike) to do at the resort itself. So if you were planning on having a lot of resort time...it might be perfect for you guys. Also, the pool is a zero depth entry pool so your toddler would be able to enjoy it without having to be within arms reach the whole time.

If you have a huge thing against riding the bus (aka ME... ) Then you might not enjoy AKL as much. However, the bus service they have is great. It only goes to AKL (from what I have read, I have never ventured on any Disney bus since I am a bus wimp). We are going to have our own van at AKL so we won't worry much about the transportation part of it.

If you plan on returning to your room multiple times a day for naps and such you might want to not stay at AKL. You would lose a load of travel time from MK and Epcot and MGM...however, it would not be that bad from AK. Then again from the CR you have to bus it to AKL and MGM. So...

The CR is so beautiful! I don't think you could go wrong with it (other then the noise issue...but I doubt highly it would really be a problem *although we did chose to go and be at AKL just to make sure*). You cannot go wrong. You will be at WDW!

Okay, you didn't ask for my opinion...but ya got it! I am obsessed with Disney and feel the need to talk about it all of the time!

 

[blue_river]

If you are new to pin trading I would suggest looking for an auction of about 10-15 pins. If you look and wait for the right auction, you should be able to get that for about $20-$25 for the 10 pins or $30-$35 for the 15 pin lot.

My daughters started their pin collection on our first trip and had so much fun. Then for Christmas, I thought I would surprise them with some new pins and tried to order them from the Disney Shopping site but they don't send pins to Canada

Then someone gave me a link to a private seller....I was so happy and bought them each 2 pins which cost me $60.00 Canadian. Now I feel so ripped off. Thanks for the tip!!! I'm definately going to follow your advice and order some for them to trade

I am so excited about our upcoming trips. I am so glad I have the DIS boards to pour my excited trip energy out on. Dh thinks it is a bit strange (to say the least) and everyone I know "in real life" thinks it is flat our crazy to even want to go back to WDW more then once every five years. So...I truly relish having found a place where my lunacy is appreciated!

I know how you feel. At first my DH was skeptical and thought I was crazy sharing my TR but he doesn't seem to mind anymore. Can you believe he has never been to the site? When I've finished writing a new installment, I'll read it to him after posting it and sometimes I'll share some of the comments with him if they are funny. My oldest DD loves reading it and sometimes posts her own comments. That kind of scares me because I never know what she is going to say!!!!!

 

[MouseTriper]

OH MY!! Those are great tips!! I printed them out...and I am going to try and do a "photoshoot" of our dogs and kids over the next week and then I will report back to you. LOL It's like an assignment...but one I will happily accept! Thanks again for the great tips! I am so happy! I LOVE PICTURES!! And you truly do have a talent with taking them!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are so welcome! And YES, that is exactly what it is - a fun assignment for you! Hahaha. Now hurry up! JK...!

 

[jaycns]

Today is a not so good day in the land of trip planning. I finally got our AAA paperwork. And despite the fact that we are still saving hundreds of dollars (woo hoo discounts) they added in trip insurance which not only did I not ask for but in fact told her directly we did not want. Now it's non refundable through Disney....AAA better eat that expense. Second, all of the requests I had her make don't show up. Well, one does. That's it. Everything else nope.

Non smoking due to Aladdin's asthma. Which if you read my last trip report you will understand that it is a HUGE thing to us since his lungs will wig out. I am even needing to go so far as having them do a special cleaning which can be arranged through special services and a complete bedding change before we arrive (Aladdin ended up wheezing a few days into our last vacation, he has since been taken to the ER during another hotel stay with breathing issues and the allergist finally pin pointed it as dust, mold, etc. Simply put, if they don't do it...we cannot stay there...my baby (all ten years of him ) has to be able to breathe. Dumb AAA agent tells me "they won't guarantee that" YES they will. But she didn't even have it noted on the ressie. She did note Goofy's birthday...but also neglected to mention our anniversary.

How hard is it to put this one the first ressie?
-Must be guarenteed non smoking for medical resasons-asthma.*
-Savanna view requested
-Celebrating Goofy's 8th birthday and 12th anniversary.

*I could deal with the concierge and special services directly myself about the special cleaning and bedding change, no big deal....but I need a non smoking room guarenteed and for our family it IS a big deal. GRRR AAA agent.

Second ressie?
-Must be guarenteed non smoking for medical reasons-asthma.
-MK view requested.

PLAIN and simple. Nothing fancy or out of the ordinary. How hard would that have been to do?!!!!

I am so frustrated right now.

And the money thing on the insurance bugs the heck out of me. Yes, we are still saving hundreds of dollars...but had we booked through a competant agent we would have a few extra hundred dollars in our pockets.

GRRRRR. Period. Just GRRRR.

Sorry to rant and vent and rave. I swear I am not unbalanced. I am just not in my happy place right now. GRRRRRRR.

 

[paigevz]

Aw, Jay..........I'm sorry. What a bunch of headaches.

 

[PrincessAlways]

Sorry to hear about the setbacks in planning. Don't be satisfied until everything on your reservation is what you asked your agent to arrange. It will all be worth the hassle when you arrive through those magic gates! Good luck!

 

[cheerbop]

Sorry to hear about your ressie problems.

Our AAA papers don't say our requests either. Wonder if their paperwork doesn't fit more than one but maybe the actual ressie at Disney does?! Maybe I will check on that.

 

[jaycns]

I have not even STARTED planning and you have how many things done now????

Geez...........I strive to be like you.

Paige, if I hadn't started planning....I wouldn't be in the mess I am with AAA. LOL However, I also would not have the dates of my vacations and thus something to look forward too!

Dh is such a penny pincher. His answer to the AAA stuff...don't cancel we lose money. Complain and see what they will do. My only thing is...if I peeve off the woman holding control over my Disney vacation... What sort of horrors would be in store??

I have located her supervisor's name and number and will be calling in later today. Wish me luck.

And thanks for sticking with my pre trippie!

 

[Blaynexox]

Jay - we booked with AAA as well and there have been tons of minor mishaps. They didn't give us a bunch of stuff we were supposed to have, they did not put down that we requested non smoking and a certain section at POP, when we got our Magical Express books it did not have our flight on it and we called and she said that it was fine that she had checked it (im still nervous about that one) .. its just been a little bit of a mess. Im not sure if I would book with them again, although they are only 2 min. away from my house so it was slightly convenient. I hope everything works out!

 

[momoftriplets]

I feel your frustration, Jay. GGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!! Let us know how it goes with the supervisor. Here's Pixie Dust!! Good Luck!
Barb

 

[mlill]

I'm really sorry you're having trouble with the AAA ressies! I know how hard it is to let someone else take over the planning - and when they screw it up, that makes it even worse! I hope you can get it all straightened out when you call the supervisor!

Hang in there! It'll all work out and you guys are going to have two FABULOUS vacations!!!

-Michelle

 

[jaycns]

UPDATE: I finally reached one of the "higher ups" at AAA. I now have one of them personally working on my file. The insurance has been removed. Both trips have the requests added (and I will be sent a copy of the forms in the mail so that I have it in writing). They WERE able to get non smoking room guaranteed on the ressie.

Lastly, I am still nervous. BUT...I was to begin with. I am not the kind of person who can let something as important to me as my Disney vacation plans "go" without worry. However, the manager I spoke with assured me she would double check the ressie and make sure everything is now as it was supposed to be in the first place and she would triple check it a week before vacation and call me with confirmation.

In the end I really don't think the money saved was worth the worry. Not for me. I could totally see how it would be worth it if it were the difference between being able to afford the vacation or not. But in our family's case, I think paying the extra money and having peace of mind before we travel is more important. **I do reserve the right to change my mind if everything goes exactly as planned and everything is "all set" when we arrive.**

Also, in general, I have nothing against travel agents and have had great experiences with Expedia in the past. I am sure others have horror stories form using Expedia the same way I had a bad experience with AAA. I really don't knock AAA overall (unless the manager screws up...then I will be convinced it was a company thing not an agent thing). However, I feel that I spoke with a very competent person who is sending me written proof of them having completed everything that needs to be done.


OKAY...phew. And she was able to add an AKL day on to the start of our first vacation. SO...I THINK...things are okay! I feel like I need a great big dose of ...but I am at least "settled" now! Thank you all for caring! It makes my heart happy to know I have people who care about our vacation (dh, my "real life" friends, my extended family they all think I am a bit Disney nuts in the first place and tune out what I say about vacation ). So thanks....and a great big huge to all of you!!

 

[jaycns]

Sorry to hear about your ressie problems.

Our AAA papers don't say our requests either. Wonder if their paperwork doesn't fit more than one but maybe the actual ressie at Disney does?! Maybe I will check on that.

The AAA papers make no notes of requests...however, they do appear on the Disney papers that my first agent passed on to me. I would double check...but not sweat it. I hope what I had was an isolated encounter with a not so fabulous agent. WOO HOO...a Disney trip on the books is a reason to celebrate!!

 

[jaycns]

I'm really sorry you're having trouble with the AAA ressies! I know how hard it is to let someone else take over the planning - and when they screw it up, that makes it even worse! I hope you can get it all straightened out when you call the supervisor!

Hang in there! It'll all work out and you guys are going to have two FABULOUS vacations!!!

-Michelle

I have to put in a plug here...Michelle's trip report is keeping a smile on my face! If you have not yet read her trippie...take a gander! It's great!!

And thanks for stopping by! And for the well wishes! I do plan on having two FABULOUS vacations!!

 

[jaycns]

Okay...I have been doing a bit of trip report reading (ha ha ha...hours is more then a bit). I saw ELLESTER post a GREAT idea. They chose to "wrap up" a Disney gift for their kids. So...here's their super fantastic idea with my twist on it....I simply have three little boxes wrapped up. Once we hit the point when we are about two hours from WDW I will give each boy one box. **Thanks to ELLESTER for the great idea**

Box 1 will be marked "OPEN FIRST". Upon opening it they will see two little magnetic letters (artistic license, in the trippie I saw they wrote a note). The letters U and R (you are...hee hee hee).

The second box will be marked "OPEN NEXT". This box will have two word parts from our phonics set ("go" and "ing") and the number "2" magnetic frig number in it (going to...hee hee hee).

The third box will be marked "OPEN LAST". This box will have a bunch of Disney confetti (saved up from other trips) and a tiny little "world" (I have an old earth shaped eraser that will work perfectly) inside of the box (Disney World...heee heee heee).

YOU ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!! I will have a new Disney movie they have never seen (gotta think of one...HMMMM...) to hand them and tell them by the time it is over we will almost be there!! WOO HOO!!

Now I am even more excited about surprising them!! And I don't know if that is even humanly possible!! BUT... I have already gathered the "items". I have them hidden in a little bag (it's on the top of the refrigerator in case I forget and need a helpful little hint) and I will start looking for the perfect sized small boxes.

I am going to video record this moment and snap some still pictures. I think this will be a pull off at a gas station or rest stop kind of moment so dh can help me snap away!!

I will have a few small Disney stay busy type items to pass out for the last leg of the trip (after they find out of course). I am so very excited about this idea!! I think I have finally hit on the very best of the best way to make this surprise happen!!

 

[PrincessAlways]

Jay - Glad to hear the problems with planning seem to be settled for now! I think the idea with the 3 boxes is terrific! What a great way to spring the surprise!