~ Aug 2013~ Sew what... We've gotta find a way back! Part I!!

[WDWCP96]

There are some really nice hotels in Reston by the Metro station and most of those hotels have shuttles that will pick you up at Dulles airport but you would need a car to drive to the metro. In Arlington there is a Holiday Inn by the Rosslyn station that is nice but you would have to fly into Reagan which can be expensive. So it will all depend if you want to rent a car or not. If you rent a car I would say stay in Reston as there are tons of restaurants out there and prices can be lower for hotels as well as flying into Dulles. If you want more help in planning let me know. A lot of it will depend on what airport you fly into, you have 3 to choose from.

I just wanted to post this again in case you missed it. I know you said public transportation might not be the best for you but it is the easiest when visiting DC. Really the only time you will need public transportation is to get in and out of DC to your hotel. While in DC it is very walkable for the various attractions.

I can't multi-quote on my iPad but if you were to stay at the Gaylord in National Harbor I know they offer some great deals usually and the resort itself is a destination. If you want other recommendations let me know.

 

[kittylady1972]

Anyways - we had dinner and the neighbor boy went home... then Josh was on the phone with his step-mom, then his dad called... It was kind of hard to find the right moment to talk to him- but we did.

All of us sat on the swing together (including MM... ) and Alli started off with "So Dad.... We were thinking.... We all really want to go to Disney again...." Followed by a big long 10 minute silence... Then Allison followed up with a high 5 for V and I - because no answer = Yes? Well, not quite... Josh told the girls to "go away"... Uh-oh... Once they were gone, I reassured him that is was't just me... I promise!

So, this followed with a big long discussion about how the girls and I enjoy doing this together, and we have a lot of fun. Josh understands. And he compared it to his fishing/hunting trips. But at the same time, he really wants to do family trips with all of us together. We were supposed to go to South Dakota this summer - but we never made it, we just ran out of time. And this is a trip that he really wants to take together. He also wants to take the girls to D.C. - And I would LOVE to go there too. I also begged him to go to Disney with us again - but he refuses - it's getting to the point where he detests Disney. I asked him if he would come if we did a cruise/WDW and just came down for the cruise portion... That was a firm "no" too. Most of it is because he wants the girls and I to experience other places, and he feel like we are always "doing Disney" so we don't know what else is out there, I explained to him last night, it's like no other place... Yes, we can go to SD and D.C. and those are vacations, but I can't go there and set my worries aside, at Disney I get to be the child too. I think he understood that.

So, in the end, the girls and I got "Official permission" to plan another trip to Disney... With 2 conditions... I also have to plan 2 other trips over the next 2 summers - one to SD and one to D.C. Then - we also have to get a code of some sort... No code = no trip. On the plus side, if we don't get a code for Spring Break, we do have permission to go at another time, when there is a code.

Josh truly understands that we only have a few years with our girls left at home. But both of us understand that we will have lots of time to travel once the girls "grow up" - and there are many other places we want to see. The sad part, is once the girls leave the nest, I will have no one to go to Disney with anymore.

Josh also understands that I didn't have much of a childhood growing up - so Disney is that place I can go to relive the way it should have been. And even though it doesn't hold the same appeal to him, I think he finally sees why it does for me.

So, the official count down is on, and I have a ticker!

D~

So I HAD to try to jump over and read your report and I got through most of it and had to just stop here and comment! So glad you got "permission" to go and I feel the same way regarding our kids...they will be grown up and no longer want to spend time with us before we know it, so we try to do as much as we can with them now. Plus my DH didn't go on vacations as a child either so it's easier to convince him to go...since he loves it too! Although he did comment just recently that he's kinda getting tired of the parks...sorta been there done that...which made me a bit sad. It just means I may have to start going without him! We also travel with his parents a lot, and they are not getting any younger so we try to include family and always invite them and my side whenever we can so it makes it more fun to do Disney together! I can't wait to read more as your continue to plan and who knows...maybe we'll swing a trip for next year too! Oh and if you come to DC just let me know...since I'm right around the corner from there!

 

[kittylady1972]

If possible, I would recommend not driving while you are in the DC area. It is very crowded and congested to drive around here. Plus, parking is terrible in DC, especially near the attractions. There is very little parking near the Smithsonian museums and the monuments. The garages that are available can be far from the attractions, expensive and get filled quickly. Many of the buildings on the mall are government buildings so regular people can't park there. Plus, with the White House and all the government buildings around the mall, because of security issues, they closed some of the parking garages that were closer to the museums. The subway here is clean and very safe and not hard to navigate. It is also not crowded if you ride at off peak hours. If you are riding at rush hour, it will be very crowded but still manageable.

That said, if you really want to drive in this area, there are some hotels that are closer to DC but of course the closer you get to the city, the higher the prices go. There are some nice hotels in Alexandria, which is just across the river from DC. There is the Key Bridge Marriott which has great views of DC and is also right across the river. There are also several hotels in Bethesda including a nice Doubletree with a rooftop pool. In DC there are some very nice hotels. I've heard good things about the Hilton Garden Inn that is downtown. Of course there are the the famous hotels like the Hay-Adams or the Willard but they are going to be very expensive. You can also check out the hotels at the National Harbor, which is a new area just south of DC. But I believe that is quite expensive although from time to time, they have some good specials. I think they have a water taxi that goes from there in to the city.

Just wanted to SECOND everything she said! We do short day trips to DC a few times a year, we drive to a Metro station and then take that into the city. It's pretty easy to navigate, maps at each stations show you the routes and trains and fairs from that station to the one you want to visit. All of the museums are all in the same general area for the most part, so easy enough to get there and then walk around!

 

[cajunfan]

So...LOVE the new bags....maybe I need to get a new one too...

do you have something open for May?

Send me a pm regarding the travel wallet you made that was big enough to keep you boarding passes and money, etc in...would you make another one of those? If so tell me the cost...pondering it...

Lynn

 

[sewmess]

Josh was watching a movie I didn't care to watch, so I snuck back up to my sewing room for a while. I hope to get back up there this afternoon for a bit.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

D~

Tomorrow is my sewing room day. DH will be watching football & with my room door open, I'll still be able to hear and keep up when he remarks about a play, but I don't really have to follow every down.

Hope the rest of your weekend is great too!

 

[dianemom2]

I just wanted to post this again in case you missed it. I know you said public transportation might not be the best for you but it is the easiest when visiting DC. Really the only time you will need public transportation is to get in and out of DC to your hotel. While in DC it is very walkable for the various attractions.

I can't multi-quote on my iPad but if you were to stay at the Gaylord in National Harbor I know they offer some great deals usually and the resort itself is a destination. If you want other recommendations let me know.

Absolutely agree with all this! You will probably only need to ride on the Metro to get into DC. Then you can walk or pay for a Tour Mobile (which I recommend for the first day). The attractions are all pretty much clustered around the mall.

I too have seen some great deals at the Gaylord Hotel. We were just down in that area last weekend to see Cirque du Soleil. It was the first time I'd been down there in quite a while and it was really nice!

Just wanted to SECOND everything she said! We do short day trips to DC a few times a year, we drive to a Metro station and then take that into the city. It's pretty easy to navigate, maps at each stations show you the routes and trains and fairs from that station to the one you want to visit. All of the museums are all in the same general area for the most part, so easy enough to get there and then walk around!

Yep! We are at the end of the Red Line on the Metro. It takes us about 45 minutes to to get into the city.

Of course if you go to Williamsburg also, you will need a car. But you'd be able to rent a car just for the days you are traveling down to that area. So that would save you some money.

We also found out when we had out of town guests last spring, that there is a way to take a train from Union Station in DC and go to Baltimore. The train takes about 40 minutes. Baltimore is a great day trip. They have that wonderful Inner Harbor area with a great aquarium, shopping, restaurants and a ton of attractions. I used to take my class on a field trip there every year to see the aquarium and the Museum of Industry or the Baltimore Science Center.

 

[tatar63]

Love the Ray bag! It is so unique and navy is my favorite color, do you choose the color or do we? I am having a hard (but fun) time choosing a theme for mine!
I was surprised to read you have only been sewing for two years!
Monica

 

[nannye]

Love the ray bAG!!!!

I reached a decisions d and I posted on dis boutiquers.

Insuck at hand appliqués. I have tried a few but to no avail I still suck. Lol

Edited to add, when my words do not make sense, please understand I am typing on the ipad which sucks! also because it is not easy to fix mistakes sometimes when the cursor won't go where you want it to and there aren't any arrow keys. I really do know how to spell!

 

[smile5sunshine]

I have been very behind on your thread but am all caught up now.

I LOVE all your recent bags. They all look fantastic.

HURRAY for "official" trip dates! Crossing my fingers and toes with you that some sort of pin or discount comes your way so you can get to go.

WOO HOO for getting to plan the other trips too! I'm sure you will figure out all the details to make the perfect trip for your family.

And I am on pins and needles waiting to find out what this super secret project you are working on is! You are such a TEASE about it!

Sunshine

 

[DMGeurts]

If possible, I would recommend not driving while you are in the DC area. It is very crowded and congested to drive around here. Plus, parking is terrible in DC, especially near the attractions. There is very little parking near the Smithsonian museums and the monuments. The garages that are available can be far from the attractions, expensive and get filled quickly. Many of the buildings on the mall are government buildings so regular people can't park there. Plus, with the White House and all the government buildings around the mall, because of security issues, they closed some of the parking garages that were closer to the museums. The subway here is clean and very safe and not hard to navigate. It is also not crowded if you ride at off peak hours. If you are riding at rush hour, it will be very crowded but still manageable.

That said, if you really want to drive in this area, there are some hotels that are closer to DC but of course the closer you get to the city, the higher the prices go. There are some nice hotels in Alexandria, which is just across the river from DC. There is the Key Bridge Marriott which has great views of DC and is also right across the river. There are also several hotels in Bethesda including a nice Doubletree with a rooftop pool. In DC there are some very nice hotels. I've heard good things about the Hilton Garden Inn that is downtown. Of course there are the the famous hotels like the Hay-Adams or the Willard but they are going to be very expensive. You can also check out the hotels at the National Harbor, which is a new area just south of DC. But I believe that is quite expensive although from time to time, they have some good specials. I think they have a water taxi that goes from there in to the city.

I forgot to say that the idea of going to Disney with your dad sounds nice. After I finished school and started working, my dad and I went to Florida together. It was mostly to visit family but we stopped at Disney for a couple of days. It was so much fun and is a really nice memory for me.

Thank you very much for all of this infomation... I did look up the Gaylord - it looks amazing!

I totally love this. I love Ray and this is one of my new favorite Disney movies. I only saw it a few months ago and am totally in love with it.

Your appliques are flawless.

Yep I can't decide so I told D to do whatever she wants when my name comes up.

Thank you Chiara... And thank you for all your helpfulness!!! As you can see, I am running waaaay behind this morning.

~ LOVE the new bag! My wheels are spinning for an idea on a bag.
~YAY! on the compromise on the trips. I completely understand your time with the girls are short. My DD is off to college next year and I know things will change.
DC is a lot of fun. I lived just outside of DC in Alexandria many years ago. I would suggest staying outside of DC and if you end up driving or with a rental car try to park at/near the metro stations. Driving around DC can be a nightmare. The Metro is a great way to get around!
We have never been to Williamsburg but that is on our Bucket List; along with a few other places.

Thank you! And thank you for your opinion on DC and Williamsburg.

I LOVE the new bag. I especially like how Ray is reaching for the star. I can't remember her name. Anywho awesome bag. I will be breaking out my sewing machine for the first time in YEARS today. Wish me luck!

Thank you!!! How did it go?

I just wanted to post this again in case you missed it. I know you said public transportation might not be the best for you but it is the easiest when visiting DC. Really the only time you will need public transportation is to get in and out of DC to your hotel. While in DC it is very walkable for the various attractions.

I can't multi-quote on my iPad but if you were to stay at the Gaylord in National Harbor I know they offer some great deals usually and the resort itself is a destination. If you want other recommendations let me know.

I did miss it... I pulled up the Gaylord website and that hotel looks magnificant - I told Josh yesterday "this is where we are stayig" LOL

So I HAD to try to jump over and read your report and I got through most of it and had to just stop here and comment! So glad you got "permission" to go and I feel the same way regarding our kids...they will be grown up and no longer want to spend time with us before we know it, so we try to do as much as we can with them now. Plus my DH didn't go on vacations as a child either so it's easier to convince him to go...since he loves it too! Although he did comment just recently that he's kinda getting tired of the parks...sorta been there done that...which made me a bit sad. It just means I may have to start going without him! We also travel with his parents a lot, and they are not getting any younger so we try to include family and always invite them and my side whenever we can so it makes it more fun to do Disney together! I can't wait to read more as your continue to plan and who knows...maybe we'll swing a trip for next year too! Oh and if you come to DC just let me know...since I'm right around the corner from there!

Well - we can always go together if your DH is bored with it. I will totally let you know when we are planning on going to DC... Thinking spring 2014.

Just wanted to SECOND everything she said! We do short day trips to DC a few times a year, we drive to a Metro station and then take that into the city. It's pretty easy to navigate, maps at each stations show you the routes and trains and fairs from that station to the one you want to visit. All of the museums are all in the same general area for the most part, so easy enough to get there and then walk around!

This is good to know - thank you!

So...LOVE the new bags....maybe I need to get a new one too...

do you have something open for May?

Send me a pm regarding the travel wallet you made that was big enough to keep you boarding passes and money, etc in...would you make another one of those? If so tell me the cost...pondering it...

Lynn

I sent you a PM Lynn.

Tomorrow is my sewing room day. DH will be watching football & with my room door open, I'll still be able to hear and keep up when he remarks about a play, but I don't really have to follow every down.

Hope the rest of your weekend is great too!

Thank you! I hope you have a great weekend, as well!

Absolutely agree with all this! You will probably only need to ride on the Metro to get into DC. Then you can walk or pay for a Tour Mobile (which I recommend for the first day). The attractions are all pretty much clustered around the mall.

I too have seen some great deals at the Gaylord Hotel. We were just down in that area last weekend to see Cirque du Soleil. It was the first time I'd been down there in quite a while and it was really nice!


Yep! We are at the end of the Red Line on the Metro. It takes us about 45 minutes to to get into the city.

Of course if you go to Williamsburg also, you will need a car. But you'd be able to rent a car just for the days you are traveling down to that area. So that would save you some money.

We also found out when we had out of town guests last spring, that there is a way to take a train from Union Station in DC and go to Baltimore. The train takes about 40 minutes. Baltimore is a great day trip. They have that wonderful Inner Harbor area with a great aquarium, shopping, restaurants and a ton of attractions. I used to take my class on a field trip there every year to see the aquarium and the Museum of Industry or the Baltimore Science Center.

WOW _ Diane - you have been a great resourse for this trip! Thank you!

Love the Ray bag! It is so unique and navy is my favorite color, do you choose the color or do we? I am having a hard (but fun) time choosing a theme for mine!
I was surprised to read you have only been sewing for two years!
Monica

Thank you Monica! Yup - not even 2 years... Gosh, now I can't remember when I started... might have to go read my old PTR.

Love the ray bAG!!!!

I reached a decisions d and I posted on dis boutiquers.

Insuck at hand appliqués. I have tried a few but to no avail I still suck. Lol

Edited to add, when my words do not make sense, please understand I am typing on the ipad which sucks! also because it is not easy to fix mistakes sometimes when the cursor won't go where you want it to and there aren't any arrow keys. I really do know how to spell!

LOL I figured that... I did run over to the Disbou and reply to you - I think?

I have been very behind on your thread but am all caught up now.

I LOVE all your recent bags. They all look fantastic.

HURRAY for "official" trip dates! Crossing my fingers and toes with you that some sort of pin or discount comes your way so you can get to go.

WOO HOO for getting to plan the other trips too! I'm sure you will figure out all the details to make the perfect trip for your family.

And I am on pins and needles waiting to find out what this super secret project you are working on is! You are such a TEASE about it!

Sunshine

Glad to see you are all caught up! You'll be waiting a while for the Super Secret project... I plan to reveal it mid/late-Oct.

Busy day yesterday... Never even made it to Valleyfair! We stopped at the mall on the way, and by the time I looked at the time - it was after lunch... And we had to leave Valleyfair by 2... So it just didn't make sense to go all the way there, to turn around and come home.

We had a nice dinner last night... Lasagna... we have pleanty of leftovers for tonight's dinner.

Then, the jaw-dropping news of a lifetime... You all are NOT going to believe this... I am looking into DVC! Seriously... With all of the trips I have coming up, Josh told me to go ahead and look into it... Now, I doubt I will actually get to do it, but it does make good financial sense... And once it's paid for - it's actually very resonable, and I can totally see where it would pay for itself. But - you all know - I like to pay cash for things like this... So, I will have to see if it is something I can make work... Clearly, we would have to buy very small, and then add on as we go along.

Oh, and then, Josh also said he would go back to Disney if I would schedule him the Tom Petty Driving Experience every day of the trip... I told him that I would be more than happy to do that for him. If it meant that he would go with us and be happy about it.

So, I have done some research... and Alli looked at our options with me this morning... She loves AKV, and I love VWL... I think Josh would love VWL too... Ideally, I would like to have 3 home resorts and cycle through one every 3 years. I would be happy with one, and have a guaranteed trip every 3 years though.

I wish I could find a dedicated website for VWL though... Kind of like the Poly and POFQ have... Does anyone know of such a thing?

OK - I better get to sewing my Super Secret project... I hope you all have a fantastic day!

D~

 

[WDWCP96]

I want to stay at the Gaylord as well! During Christmas time they offer great deals and the resort is so beautifully decorated.

How exciting about DVC! I love having ours. The nice thing is that depending where you stay you can get away with a studio so you don't have to use a lot of points. We are staying one night at AKV in November and that is where my SIL bought.

 

[cogero]

Oh, and then, Josh also said he would go back to Disney if I would schedule him the Tom Petty Driving Experience every day of the trip... I told him that I would be more than happy to do that for him. If it meant that he would go with us and be happy about it.

So, I have done some research... and Alli looked at our options with me this morning... She loves AKV, and I love VWL... I think Josh would love VWL too... Ideally, I would like to have 3 home resorts and cycle through one every 3 years. I would be happy with one, and have a guaranteed trip every 3 years though.

D~

Oh the Tom Petty Driving experience would be fun but it is Richard Petty honey and as a DVC member I think we get a discount or they periodically run discounts LOL.

The one thing I love about AKV is that is removed from everything and quite peaceful. I love having 2 home resorts.

 

[DMGeurts]

Oh the Tom Petty Driving experience would be fun but it is Richard Petty honey and as a DVC member I think we get a discount or they periodically run discounts LOL.

The one thing I love about AKV is that is removed from everything and quite peaceful. I love having 2 home resorts.

ROFLMAO~!~~~~~~~~~~~~ Um yah - I doubt DH would want to drive Tom Petty.

Ok, fine... We'll do the Richard Petty one... I was just trying to make it interesting for DH.

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Oh, and then, Josh also said he would go back to Disney if I would schedule him the Tom Petty Driving Experience every day of the trip... I told him that I would be more than happy to do that for him. If it meant that he would go with us and be happy about it.



D~

Oh the Tom Petty Driving experience would be fun but it is Richard Petty honey and as a DVC member I think we get a discount or they periodically run discounts LOL.

The one thing I love about AKV is that is removed from everything and quite peaceful. I love having 2 home resorts.

ROFLMAO~!~~~~~~~~~~~~ Um yah - I doubt DH would want to drive Tom Petty.

Ok, fine... We'll do the Richard Petty one... I was just trying to make it interesting for DH.

D~

LOL...I was wanting to comment...but I was at church! LOL!

I doubt that Josh would be interested in a Tom Petty driving experience...but I know a lot of people who would!

LOL...

Hubby wants to do the Richard Petty driving experience too...although I can't figure out why...he used to be a race car driver...and he routinely drives in excess of 120 at work now... To me it would seem too much like work!

Nini

PS...thanks for the good laugh...I'm sure that people wondered what I was snickering at while at church...bad Nini!!

 

[DMGeurts]

LOL...I was wanting to comment...but I was at church! LOL!

I doubt that Josh would be interested in a Tom Petty driving experience...but I know a lot of people who would!

LOL...

Hubby wants to do the Richard Petty driving experience too...although I can't figure out why...he used to be a race car driver...and he routinely drives in excess of 120 at work now... To me it would seem too much like work!

Nini

PS...thanks for the good laugh...I'm sure that people wondered what I was snickering at while at church...bad Nini!!

I can't believe you surf The Dis in church.. And they LET you. I need to come to your church.

D~ <--- who is going to Google where we can buy into a time share that HAS a Tom Petty driving experience.

 

[cogero]

I WILL say it made me chuckle and DH wants to do it someday too.

 

[NiniMorris]

I can't believe you surf The Dis in church.. And they LET you. I need to come to your church.

D~ <--- who is going to Google where we can buy into a time share that HAS a Tom Petty driving experience.

I wasn't actually surfing at church...I have it set so that I get an email whenever there is a post on a few of the TR that I follow. I got a buzz letting me know I had an email...so I had to check, since my son and daughter in law are traveling...(it makes the same sort of sound when there is a text) I had to make sure it wasn't from them with a problem...

But Miss B did ask me why I was smiling.... and she did give me a dirty look...I hate it when the daughter becomes the mother! LOL!

 

[Iamthequeen]

We also found out when we had out of town guests last spring, that there is a way to take a train from Union Station in DC and go to Baltimore. The train takes about 40 minutes. Baltimore is a great day trip. They have that wonderful Inner Harbor area with a great aquarium, shopping, restaurants and a ton of attractions. I used to take my class on a field trip there every year to see the aquarium and the Museum of Industry or the Baltimore Science Center.

The MARC train goes from Union Station to downtown Baltimore. It stops just outside of Oriole Park at Camden Yards which is just a couple of blocks from the Inner Harbor.

I also recommend using the Metro while in DC. Its very easy to use and goes most everywhere you would want to visit. I do not recommend driving in Washington, unless you know where you are going. My cousins stayed at a Comfort Inn that was near the Air and Space Museum and were very satisfied with it.

 

[dianemom2]

Oh the Tom Petty Driving experience would be fun but it is Richard Petty honey and as a DVC member I think we get a discount or they periodically run discounts LOL.

The one thing I love about AKV is that is removed from everything and quite peaceful. I love having 2 home resorts.

I'd definitely do this if it was the Tom Petty driving experience! LOL!

We stayed in studios twice at the Wilderness Lodge Villas. We really liked it. The kids were little then though. It was quite tight in the room with the sofa bed pulled out. The bed wasn't all that comfortable but the girls were very little so they didn't complain.

 

[babynala]

DVC sounds so cool. We looked into it on our last trip because we ate lunch at AKV and chatted With the guy at the model at the beach club (???). I think my DH is just too cheap and would rather horde our money. LOL. I think if our kids were younger and we could take them it of school more easily it would be worth it for us.

I think that the Richard Petty thing is no longer at Disney. Based on the adds I have been seeing on the disboards and touring plans I think that Disney might have their own driving school and Richard Petty has his own somewhere else in Orlando. I think on our last trip the sign job longer said Richard Petty. Of course we noticed because my DH and my dad really think it wood be awesome.

Nini, I did not know your DH used to race cars, I guess that is good training for his current job. :driving: