****August, 2012!!!****

[KarmaLady]

Nikki ~ Please add me to the list ~ my name is Sandra! If I would have made the connection sooner, I could've met you before I got back from NJ last week. I grew up in Cranford & my parents are still in the same house right on the Cranford/Clark line by Friendly's! My brother & his family live in Garwood.

I just can't seem to get into the groove of planning this trip. I've printed out the info from easywdw & touringplans as far as crowds, park hours, etc but I just can't seem to sit down and concentrate on it.

Welcome!! I'm sure our excitement will be contagious! When ate you going?

 

[littlezar]

Welcome!! I'm sure our excitement will be contagious! When ate you going?

Thank you! Been here for a bit, just been very hit or miss with the end of school, trip to see the parents (one was recovering from foot surgery and the other ended up in the ER during my trip and had a pacemaker put in!) and the usual craziness of DH's schedule.

We are going the 19th-29th and rented a vacation home in Indian Creek. I would have liked on property again, DH wanted the vacation home...in hindsight, I probably should have waited a couple of weeks to ask him since he had just gotten home from a 10 1/2 month deployment on a ship where he lived in a maybe 8' X 10' room with a roommate. His office was even smaller. Guess I shouldn't be surprised that he wanted as much space as possible! I ended up getting YES tickets and my soon to be 11 yr old is doing the Ocean Discoveries class at Epcot on the 22nd.

 

[OneBadApple]

If anyone has Netflix they have several Disney Parks 'documentaries' on there. DH and I just watched all but the one that focused on just Disneyland. My favorite is the Behind the Scenes one. Enjoy!!

My DS14 is always watching those. We probably know them by heart. The kids don't know about our trip and he watches those as a hint that he wants to go back.

46 days to go!

I am torn this time between wanting vacation to hurry up and get here and not wanting summer to end. We get back the day before school starts and that brings back the school schedule and homework and lunch packing and getting the uniforms ready etc. I am enjoying a different routine for the summer so far.

We had an interesting development in the last week that I would love my fellow August trippers advice on.
My 8 yr old son has just started soccer this month. He had a game every night this week for a tournament. After the first one he complained that his feet hurt and was walking on his tip toes. By the end of the 3rd game he came home and would not walk at all! He was almost in tears. It didn't hurt in the mornings or all day, but was very painful a half hour or so after.

We went to the doctor and two things were discovered. One, he has completely flat feet. How did I not notice this? They are flat as a pancake.
Two, because of his recent growth spurt and his completely flat feet he has developed Severs Disease. Not really a "disease" but a growth condition.



We have been referred to a specialist for orthotics and physiotherapy.

As it relates to our trip. He is fine as long as activity is not too strenuous and spends most of his day completely ok.
It is after strenuous activity that he hurts badly.
I am not sure what to do on the trip. He is ok to go. And of course we'll take it easy but I have zero idea how the long days of walking will be.
Do you think I should be prepared to rent a wheel chair?
My understanding is that Disney only has adult size ones but I suppose it would do in a pinch.
This is very new to us. Best case scenario he will be fine to walk as always. I don't think so though because even playing in the sprinkler without shoes on for an hour yesterday gave him pain.

We won't cancel because A) this could go on until he's done growing.. 15 or 16 years old.
B) He is fine 90% of the time and we can make adjustments.

He's still cleared to play sports, he just has to stretch and ice his feet.

So what would you do?
Maybe I should post this on the disabilities board? I am so confused.

Sorry that your son has to deal with that. I would definitely head over to the disability board, they are very helpful. When my dad came with us we rented a scooter from Walker Mobility.

 

[beachmama3]

I don't know how you guys can drive. Maybe it is because I don't have air conditioning and hate sitting still but I barely make it 3 hours (even with air conditioning)

I may be crazy, but I LOVE road trips. And oddly enough, so do my kids. We drove cross country two years ago and had such a great time. After that, driving to Disney is nothing! haha

Nikki, my first name is Donia. Thank you so much for making those- adorable!!

 

[LifeIsDis]

I don't know how you guys can drive. Maybe it is because I don't have air conditioning and hate sitting still but I barely make it 3 hours (even with air conditioning)

My mom and I are driving to Disney next month for the first time (from Massachusetts). It should be interesting!

 

[netnurse31]

We will be at the Poly for 3 nights then heading over to BLT for 9 nights. How awesome that you are staying in a Royal Guest room....I was thinking about staying there instead of the Poly, but I got some really weird looks coming from my DH when I suggested it. So I am thinking maybe on our next trip we will try it out Have a wonderful trip .

LOL, my 23yo DS gave my DD and I some weird looks too. Thank goodness he is a good sport and he tolerates our princess obsession! The Poly looks wonderful. Someday I hope to try it

 

[beachmama3]

Hi everyone! I can't believe I just came across this thread now! Lol. DH and I will be going August 9-16 to celebrate our one year anniversary! We are staying at All Star Sports again (we stayed there 3 years ago when we got engaged and we loved it). We will be there on our actual anniversary so I booked dinner at Artist Point and we'll be going back to where we got engaged to watch Wishes (on the beach at the GF by the Wedding Pavilion). Hope everyone's planning is going well!!

Welcome and congrats on your one year anniversary!

Awwwwww....love where you got engaged! Have a great trip!

 

[Emteach]

Took a group bus tour down both other trips and nothing went wrong there but our last drive several years back was plagued with disaster lol. My mum had really bad swelling in her feet to the point where she could hardly walk. I spiked a fever of over 103-after developing hand, foot and mouth. Then on our way home it downpoured literally halfway back to Ontario, Canada - we also got stopped going over the border and had our car searched since we went to the truck only entrance (couldnt see through the rain). For us we thought a flight was a better plan this time around lol.

 

[netnurse31]

That's awesome! I just checked and O'Hana now has openings for while we are there. I need advice! It's my first time eating at Disney and I've done tons of research. Our dining plans now are:
8/26 Akershus 5:20
8/26 tusker house 10:15am
8/28 Aloha dinner show 5pm
8/29 crystal Palace 6pm
8/30 Cinderella's Royal Table 11:55

I would love to add OHana's but I'm out of credits. Would you a) do OHana out of pocket, b) cancel one of the above for OHana (can't cancel CP or Aloha since they with my in-laws) or c) just hope to do OHana for our next trip?
Help!

This is the first time we are eating at Ohana and we are super excited about it! All of the reviews I have read seem to be good and the fact that it's hard to get an ADR says something to me as well. All of the other ADR's I listed are for places that we have done before and we love them all. My DD insisted that we go back to all of them. He are paying out of pocket for Sci Fi for lunch because we would run out of credits on FD and it's one of the less expensive places to eat. We love Crystal Palace is one of our favorite places but that's coming from a Pooh and Piglett fan. Cinderella's Royal Table is another "must do", at least once. We enjoyed eating in the castle the time we did that. If I remember correctly Ohana is around $35 pp for dinner (someone please correct me if I am wrong). If you can afford to add Ohana and pay out of pocket I would do that. Other than that you need to ask everyone in your party what their preference is and go from there. It really depends upon what you are looking for in a dining experience and what type of food you prefer. Disney has sooooooooooooo many choices that that make it very hard to choose!

 

[netnurse31]

Just got these two shirts at Kohls today for DD and I. The gray one is hers and the white one is mine. Ended up paying 69 cents total, for them both, using Kohls cash and a coupon I had. Can't beat that!

 

[LifeIsDis]

Just got these two shirts at Kohls today for DD and I. The gray one is hers and the white one is mine. Ended up paying 69 cents total, for them both, using Kohls cash and a coupon I had. Can't beat that!

I just got this shirt last week. I love it!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Nikki ~ Please add me to the list ~ my name is Sandra! If I would have made the connection sooner, I could've met you before I got back from NJ last week. I grew up in Cranford & my parents are still in the same house right on the Cranford/Clark line by Friendly's! My brother & his family live in Garwood.

I just can't seem to get into the groove of planning this trip. I've printed out the info from easywdw & touringplans as far as crowds, park hours, etc but I just can't seem to sit down and concentrate on it.

Oh no way!! I have a friend that lives right by that Friendly's! Small world!

I will send you your tag tomorrow!

 

[beachmama3]

How far is Garwood from New Brunswick? I live in southern NJ, but went to Rutgers.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

How far is Garwood from New Brunswick? I live in southern NJ, but went to Rutgers.

Oh not too far! Half-hour, maybe a little more. It's about 10/15 mins for me to get to route 1 off the parkway.

 

[4Joyces]

I'm flying from mn on the 8th. I have driven to Atlanta so I know what you are up against. Good luck

Lots of Minnesotans here! I'm from there, too! We're going to WDW on Aug 25th and get back Sept 1, so we'll have a couple days to unwind before school starts.

Someday I'd actually like to drive to Orlando and take our time through the mountains, but we don't have that much time this summer, and with our Suburban, it actually is costing us less to fly. Got a good deal on Delta awhile ago. $1100 for 4 of us. Not bad.

 

[crostorfer]

I'm a mom with 2 "kids" but they are older....23 and 17. Not sure what your dates are but we will be at POR so if you see us around please say hello. We may be at the pool for a couple of afternoons as well.

I am! We are staying at POR, we generally take afternoon breaks by the pool and my youngest DS is 8.

ME!! We check into POR on 8/22 after a couple days at Pop. Me and my 14yr old DD, my 22yr old DS and his DGF. COCKTAILS?!? Why THATS my middle name! In fact, I BMO stash in my luggage (there was lovely conversation on this thread a couple weeks ago on it!) If you're there when I am Id happy to toast w/ ya!

How about a dad and his DD(17) only we are rope drop till the night cleaners kick us out type. My DW and DD(15) are not Disney fans so they stay home, this works best for us because their is no way they would be able to keep up with us.

Awesome! I hope to share an afternoon cocktail with everyone! Well, except for Stan the park commando, LOL! I know just how you feel though, about the non-Disney loving spouse. My husband keeps telling me he had a great time, but was a total horses butt the first three days of our last four day trip. It's better when it's just me and the princess.

Lots of Minnesotans here! I'm from there, too! We're going to WDW on Aug 25th and get back Sept 1, so we'll have a couple days to unwind before school starts.

Someday I'd actually like to drive to Orlando and take our time through the mountains, but we don't have that much time this summer, and with our Suburban, it actually is costing us less to fly. Got a good deal on Delta awhile ago. $1100 for 4 of us. Not bad.

You're in good company! The 25th-1st is a popular week around here.

 

[NightAngelX]

I remember what I wanted to ask all you WDW vets!

My DH really wants to take the monorail and boat between parks. Where can I find all the 'stops' of these? Are the stops near the bus station?

So basically we could get off our bus at spot x and get on monorail/boat the rest of the way or vice versa?

Thanks!!!!!

 

[beachmama3]

Not sure how helpful I will be, since we have never stayed in a monorail resort, but here's some info I have:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/transportation/

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...c/eng/nontheme/moremagic/golf/maps/wdwmap.pdf

I had to look this info up because we have a lot of ADRs at resort restuarants (POLY, Contemporary...) Of course, we rode around on the monorail just for fun last time we were in Disney, but I can't even remember where we went! haha! Hopefully someone else will be more helpful

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

46 days to go!

I am torn this time between wanting vacation to hurry up and get here and not wanting summer to end. We get back the day before school starts and that brings back the school schedule and homework and lunch packing and getting the uniforms ready etc. I am enjoying a different routine for the summer so far.

We had an interesting development in the last week that I would love my fellow August trippers advice on.
My 8 yr old son has just started soccer this month. He had a game every night this week for a tournament. After the first one he complained that his feet hurt and was walking on his tip toes. By the end of the 3rd game he came home and would not walk at all! He was almost in tears. It didn't hurt in the mornings or all day, but was very painful a half hour or so after.

We went to the doctor and two things were discovered. One, he has completely flat feet. How did I not notice this? They are flat as a pancake.
Two, because of his recent growth spurt and his completely flat feet he has developed Severs Disease. Not really a "disease" but a growth condition.



We have been referred to a specialist for orthotics and physiotherapy.

As it relates to our trip. He is fine as long as activity is not too strenuous and spends most of his day completely ok.
It is after strenuous activity that he hurts badly.
I am not sure what to do on the trip. He is ok to go. And of course we'll take it easy but I have zero idea how the long days of walking will be.
Do you think I should be prepared to rent a wheel chair?
My understanding is that Disney only has adult size ones but I suppose it would do in a pinch.
This is very new to us. Best case scenario he will be fine to walk as always. I don't think so though because even playing in the sprinkler without shoes on for an hour yesterday gave him pain.

We won't cancel because A) this could go on until he's done growing.. 15 or 16 years old.
B) He is fine 90% of the time and we can make adjustments.

He's still cleared to play sports, he just has to stretch and ice his feet.

So what would you do?
Maybe I should post this on the disabilities board? I am so confused.

While not the same as flat feet, we learned my DS had pronated arches in his feet. Long story short, after running the football stadium stairs during track season, his feet hurt so much he couldn't stand to walk. Doctor determined it was a combination of growing & the arches in his feet.

We got him fitted metal inserts (that fit inside any of his shoes) from a sports speciality store that provides extra support for his arches. He used them during track, during marching band and anytime he has to do a lot of walking. He said it helped him a lot.

He also grew to over 6 feet by the time he finished jr. high & I think that was part of it too, he just grew so much!

Having suffered & stretching out plantis faciatis (sp?) myself, there are several exercises a specialist can recommend to help as well, it sounds like your son was given some & if he can disipline himself to do them, hopefully they will help. One of the stretches that helped me immensely was to use a towel around my foot toward the top behind my toes, and pull it to force me to flex my foot. That helped stretch that muscle that runs under your foot. It seemed so lame, but it helped so much!

I hope your son gets some relief and you have a wonderfrul trip

 

[Tinkerbella001]

August 24 - Sept. 3 here! It really is a popular week or so with Disers... Can't wait!