Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[piglet too]

Bunchkin ~ Glad to hear you made it and are getting settled in.

 

[donkortajr]

Hello all,
I've been on the board for awhile and just realized there was an area for us Chicago people. We're out in the SW suburbs. We average a trip to WDW every other year and just bought 250 DVC points for Bay lake Tower during our last trip in October 2008. Our first stay at DVC will be 3 nights in a Grand Villa at SSR this August to use up the developer points they gave us as an incentive.
-don

 

[Sk8Leigh]

donkortajr -

Bunchkin - Glad you made it safely! Sorry you had problems, but at least you're there now! Hope you get settled in quickly.

Weekend before last I went down to Indy and visited my friends. The DD9 was having her birthday pool party/sleepover, so I helped a little with that (probably wasn't really much of a help, but.... ). Then we went to see "Up" on Sunday. I really liked it! I liked it more than Wall-E. I took an extra day off from work and drove home on Monday. I finally decided to stop at Fair Oaks Farm along the way. Has anyone else been there? I was just going to get some cheese (I got Dill Havarti and Sweet Swiss), but I also got a hot fudge sundae. Everyone else had ice cream!

A few weeks ago I lost part of my Mickey key chain that I had gotten at WDW five years ago. It's a Mickey head that spins around, and periodically it gets loose and the head falls out, and I got home from work on a Friday and didn't have the head. I retraced my steps to the Chipotle parking lot and even the train parking lot, but I couldn't find it. I was sad. But then over a week later, I was walking through the parking lot to the train one morning, and I happened to look down. Hmm, it's a Mickey head, thought I. Then I realized, That's my Mickey head! And it was still in the same shape as before, even though it had been out in the rain. I was so happy!

And now, the big news. I joined D23 a couple of weeks ago when I saw that they were doing a tour of the Disney Studios & Archives in Burbank, and yesterday I actually made it onto the tour! Space was very limited, and there are a lot of angry people who didn't make it. The tour is Aug. 15, so I'm thinking of going out there Aug. 13-19, and I'll hit DL (of course), and I'm thinking that I'll do Universal, too, because I want to do the backlot tour. My friend who is a seasonal CM at WDW (used to be FT) is going to come out as my guest on the tour. So now I have that trip to plan, in addition to going to WDW in Oct. with my parents. (Haven't planned that one, either.) I'm sooo excited about DL, though! I really love it there!

 

[FLAngie]

Hi everyone. I am looking for some advice for a trip to Chicago. We are traveling there in July and wanted to do some of the touristy things. American Girl, Zoo, Museum, etc. Anyone have any advice for where to stay, how to travel (we are arriving on the train so won't have a car), and must sees. I have been looking in downtown Chicago, but there are so many hotels to choose from!

ANY advice would be welcome

TIA

 

[piglet too]

Welcome Don! I am in the sw suburbs too, as do a few others. Bunchkin just moved away, and she was down here too.

Angie ~ The American Girl Store is a lot of fun. How long are you going to be here? Some "not miss" places on my list are The Museum of Science and Industry (you can take the bus or cab there, not sure about train), the Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum and Art Institute, which are all downtown. I just love the Brookfield Zoo, and you can take a train there. My son is working there this summer, as a youth volunteer.

 

[FLAngie]

Kirsten- Thanks for the info.

We will be there from about noon Sunday to about 4pm on Wed. Traveling with the four of us, DH, me, DD6 and DD7 (we will be there over her birthday). We plan on making the American Girl store one of our definite stops. DD7 has been saving her money to purchase a second one. Do you know what meal option is better? Brunch, Lunch, Tea, or Dinner?

Also, is the City Pass a good deal? It has Shedd Aquariums, The Field Museum, & Museum of Science and Industry. Plus the Adler Planetarium & Sears Tower Skydeck OR John Hancock Observatory- are they worth the time?

We are looking at the Courtyard Chicago Downtown/ North. Anyone stay there or know anything about it?

 

[geffric]

Bunchy - so glad to see you!!!! I've been thinking about you so much!!!!! Glad the move is over and that the kids are having fun..

Welcome Don!

Great news Sk8leigh.. have a bunch of fun.. is d23 really worth it??

FLAngie don't forget the Ghiradelli in North MIchigan ave area.. YUMMY!!

 

[Bunchkin]

Hi all!


Thanks for all your concern peeps and it's nice to 'see' all of you too!

Today the kids and I went to check out where their schools were, well mostly DD's school since DS's is across the street basically. Found the local park close to us, it's right down the block. It looks really nice. Even has a fountain sprinkler thingy so the kids can play in it.

slo Glad to hear you made some loot at your garage sale!!!
We could walk to the one grocery store which is a block outside of our subdivision. There is a ton of other stores and restaurants right there too.
And down that street a bit is a Kohl's and bunch of other stores and food joints too. And in the other direction is a ton more stores and food. It's really crazy having so much stuff so close.
We are probably a good 25-30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. We are thankfully the furthest west and north of the Strip that you can be and still be in the city of Vegas. And we are at a higher elevation up here that you can see all of the hotels in the distance. That also makes us just slightly cooler!!! Our area is really new and has new homes being built all around us.

Leigh What is D23? I must be behind the times in info!!
Wave as you go over the desert on your way to DL!!!
We'll be there in a month for Hunter's 7th b-day. He's so totally excited!

esbrick Glad to hear the birthday weekend went well and that no one was mamed!!!




Time to run and cook dinner. It's Taco Tuesday here.....which is also know as Taco Wednesday or Taco Friday....just depends what day it is.

 

[Bunchkin]

We plan on making the American Girl store one of our definite stops. DD7 has been saving her money to purchase a second one. Do you know what meal option is better? Brunch, Lunch, Tea, or Dinner?

As someone who has been to the store a TON, I can say all the meals are good but our favorite is the Tea. You get a nice sampling of different items. Little sandwiches, sweet breads, savory items, veggies and desserts. All of which relate to a different girl and their time period.
Have a great time in the city!!

 

[Sk8Leigh]

Leigh What is D23? I must be behind the times in info!!
Wave as you go over the desert on your way to DL!!!
We'll be there in a month for Hunter's 7th b-day. He's so totally excited!

D23 is the "Official Community for Disney Fans". It's kind of a fan club. I didn't really think it was worth it until I saw that they were offering the tour of the studios and archives. They're practically impossible to get into, so I thought I would join and see if I could, and I made it!

You're so close to DL now, that's awesome!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Hey all. Was up in Barrington for a seminar today. Horrible traffic coming home - took 2.5 hours!!Don't know how people do that for a living.

Welcome back here Bunchkin!! Glad you made it to your new home OK. Send us some pix of the new homeland.

FLAngie, welcome aboard. I agree with Bunchkin. For the price, the tea was the best meal we've had at AG. Enjoy your Chicago visit. As far as the citypass, guess it depends if you really are going to use all the items the pass offers. Navy Pier is a great way to spend a nice summer afternoon along with a walk over to Grant Park-long walk from museums/Navy Pier, but you can usually catch one of the free trolleys(provided they are doing those again this summer)from any of the museums, to WaterTower, to shopping on State Street and out to the Pier. John here is our greatest wealth of knowledge for city things to do, and I am sure he will check in with some great links and choices for things to do. If you scroll back here some pages (not sure which it was on) we've had others ask and get answers to the same types of questions. You'll find most of us love the Science and Industry Museum and the Aquarium. Google Chicago Trolley and you may find some info that way. Also, the Metra often has great coupons and ideas for things to do. You can request an info packet from them by mail.

Leigh, when in Oct are you headed to WDW. DH said I could take a solo trip down for my birthday, so I am tentatively planning for Oct. 19-23. Would love to meet up with you if you are there then too.

Welcome donkortajr. Come visit with us often. I am a South Suburbanite as well-I do believe the farthest (well, except for Paint-she moved though so doesn't count)one aboard.

Hello piglet, geffric, DG, Crissup, Slo, and everyone else. Try to stay dry in the monsoon (but to make you feel better-it's raining right now in the Motherland as well, so we are not missing anything)
Later

 

[Sk8Leigh]

Leigh, when in Oct are you headed to WDW. DH said I could take a solo trip down for my birthday, so I am tentatively planning for Oct. 19-23. Would love to meet up with you if you are there then too.

Ooh, I forgot about the birthday thing. My mom and I both have birthdays at the end of Oct. (27 & 29) and we could get those gift cards if we went then. I really was thinking the middle of the month, because of work, something like 14-20, but I haven't planned it yet at all. But I'll post the days when I plan it!

Solo trips are great! My parents will be along with me on this one.

 

[Bunchkin]

Leigh Do you need to actually be in a park on your actual birthday? I'm trying to remember what the rules said when DH signed up Hunter. Unfortunatley, I do recall that since he is a child I have to bring his birth cert. What a hassle! I guess I'll be getting a locker that day!

 

[Bunchkin]

Tiggerrrn As soon as I figure out, or unpack, the box I put my camera cord into I will show off a picture or two.

 

[rachaface]

For those of you that haven't joined us before, please feel welcome here - we always love having new people

Wow, a Chicago thread! Well, hello my fellow chicagoans - i'm Rachel. I live in the northern burbs (Northbrook, to be exact). I love Disney so much and don't really have friends who share my adoration, especially not in my area. My original reason for coming to the boards was to meet some people who were going to go to the D23 expo (and maybe find some cuties who love disney and want to audition for the position of future DH ) but also to find some people who I can be friends with! so I'm anxious to meet all of you and try to catch up with this thread!

 

[KimRaye]

ALL!!!

I'll try not and bore you with the craziness around here lately except to say that the crummy rain has ruined a LOT of our plans/Kelly's games lately. Rain, rain, go away! It's NOT APRIL afterall.

es - Did you get your AG outfits? DD did but, she's considering selling it on Ebay! We were in the lower deck Sunday and it was chilly. We envied those of you in the sun but, if you left after 6 innings, I guess I don't envy you afterall. We stayed the whole game and saw an awesome finish!

Slo - Garage sale weekend sounds successful, despite the crummy weather!

DG - thx

Tigger - yep, DD got an AG Cubs jacket and hat, which resemble something she already has so that's why she's considering selling it.

NICOLE!!!! WELCOME BACK!! Oh, you know what I mean! You'll always be a part of HERE!! So glad you made it ok!

WELCOME DON!!! (Sorry, smilies aren't working!)

Leigh! - Have fun!

WELCOME ANGIE! - enjoy Chicago! I've only done lunch at AG and it was very nice. Expensive but, very cute and catered. As in, doll seats and doll settings that the girls loved!!! LET THEM KNOW about a BD celebration! They do something for those too!

WELCOME RACHEL!!! - You are among local friends and fellow obsessors as well! Join in!!!


We're leaving for Montana 6/27 but, we're also leaving for WDW on 10/3!! You can bet which trip is more exciting to me right now!!!

Have a great week everyone!!! No More Rain!!!

 

[Sk8Leigh]

Leigh Do you need to actually be in a park on your actual birthday? I'm trying to remember what the rules said when DH signed up Hunter. Unfortunatley, I do recall that since he is a child I have to bring his birth cert. What a hassle! I guess I'll be getting a locker that day!

There are threads about it here with more details, but yeah, it does have to be your actual birthday.

 

[slo]

I sure hope the weather is drier today - that rain yesterday was yucky!!!!


DG - Yes, Fathers Day did sorta creep up on us We are having everyone over too, but we aren't BBQing, we are having a sit down meal that Kevin's parents are bringing, so that's nice!!!

piglet -

donk -
That's pretty cool about having DVC in Bay Lake Tower
Please come by and visit often - we would love to get to know you!!!!

Leigh - I have customers that joined D23 and they are very pleased with it

FLAngie -
Thanks for coming here for advice - we always love to help people!!!
My DH go downtown alot, but we rarely stay the night, so I"m no help with hotels - I hope someone else can give some good advice. Please come here an ask any other questions.
*That pass sounds really great - I would say they are worth it!!

geffric -

Bunchkin - Your area sounds really nice!!! That's good you are farther away from the strip and all the craziness that probably surrounds it. I do think it's cool that you can see it in the distance - very nice!!!!!

TTTTiiiggggeeernnnnnnnnnnn - Are you playing softball this year?

Rachaface -
Thanks for coming by and please come by often - we would love to get to know you!!!!

Kim - What are you doing in Montana? Are you vacationing or visiting family or friends?




Well, it's time to go get ready for work
I hope I have some business today - the rainy weather kept people away yesterday.

Have a good day everyone!!!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Leigh Do you need to actually be in a park on your actual birthday? I'm trying to remember what the rules said when DH signed up Hunter. Unfortunatley, I do recall that since he is a child I have to bring his birth cert. What a hassle! I guess I'll be getting a locker that day!

Morning all. Glad the rain has stopped at least for today anyway.

Bunchkin, we did this for DD birthday this year. Yes, you have to be at one of the parks on Hunter's birthday. First thing you do is get in line all the way to the left of DL park at Guest Services and get his free birthday ticket and they will ask for the birth certificate so be sure you have it. They will give you the base one day ticket and then you can upgrade it from there if you like. Check into Mousesavers and have them send you the monthly newsletter and they have a link to Howard Johnson's for discounts. The HJ across the street from the parks has a very nice little water park for the kids at the hotel now (if you are planning to stay a night or two).

Kim, sounds like you had a great time at the game!

Welcome, Rachaface. We are a fun, disney-loving group here. Good luck on finding your Disney loving man. It's easier to love Disney with a Disney partner. My DH is Disney'd out! So it's up to me to go alone or find others to bring with me.

Leigh, if you are there during those dates, we will have to meet up for a drink or dinner.

Slo, yep playing softball. Monday nights. It's brutal!These women are out for blood. Sheesh! It's fun for me though.

Have a great day all. Need to get DD to Drama Camp and then pick up a play date for DS.

 

[donkortajr]

Hello Rachel, Welcome aboard!

-don