Calling all Chicago DISers #3

[roseprincess]

Rose glad to hear from you..hope you and your family have a merry christmas.

Forgot to mention, Matthew is still in Boy Scouts. He is a Star Scout ranking and is moving towards Life Scout. My husband has been treasurer for almost a year in our boy scout troop. Very proud how Matthew is doing in school, scouts!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A very Merry and Blessed Christmas and Happy Holiday wish for all our neighbors.

Sounds great, Rosemarie, the kids sound like they are doing great!!

 

[macraven]

 

[rmom50]

Hi Chicago Friends and Happy Christmas! Wow....I haven't had a Dis notice from Chicago thread in soooooooo long - glad to hear you are all well. It was pretty much a spring Christmas day here (90 mi NW of Windy) weather wise. Not sure I'm liking no winter this year.
My son is living in Logan Square now! That is Chicago proper as far as I'm concerned. What a great adventure for him. WE LOVE THAT FABULOUS CITY of yours.
I visited DWorld end of Oct. this year - it was perfect. Hit Food & Wine Festival plus Halloween party. Thinking of a May trip perhaps for my b-day 2012. Have never made it for Flower & Garden or whatever it's called. Hesitate to go in Spring when it's so gorgeous here though.
Have a great new year! I wish you all good health.

 

[roseprincess]

Great to hear from some old-timers on the Chicago DIS thread!

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years coming up!




Rosemarie

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Merry Christmas to all here!!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday. And may you all have a very Happy, Healthy, New Year!!!

 

[disneygal922]

I hope everyone had a wonderful and very Merry Christmas. Any big plans for New Years? I'm trying to think of a nice new hobby for 2012 in addition to being a Disney Travel Agent, DisneyStore part time cast member and a full time office manager for a physical therapist. I'm also thinking of picking up the piano again. IDK.

 

[TinkTatoo]

Hi

We're flying from Ireland to SFO and have a stopover in Ohare arriving at about 4pm (10pm our time). The flight times are a killer and if we took the late connection we wouldn't arrive into SFO until 9pm (5am the next day Irish time) so we're thinking of overnighting at the Hilton in the airport and catching an early morning flight down to SFO the next morning (otherwise we'd be travelling for nearly 24 hours straight )

I wonder if someone could tell me if there's anywhere near the Hilton like a mall or something where we'd be able to get dinner and what the facilities are like at the airport the next morning for breakfast

Thanks

 

[mommyrants]

Hi

We're flying from Ireland to SFO and have a stopover in Ohare arriving at about 4pm (10pm our time). The flight times are a killer and if we took the late connection we wouldn't arrive into SFO until 9pm (5am the next day Irish time) so we're thinking of overnighting at the Hilton in the airport and catching an early morning flight down to SFO the next morning (otherwise we'd be travelling for nearly 24 hours straight )

I wonder if someone could tell me if there's anywhere near the Hilton like a mall or something where we'd be able to get dinner and what the facilities are like at the airport the next morning for breakfast

Thanks

The Hilton at O'Hare is pretty nice. There is not much right around O'Hare, but the El Train into downtown is safe if you wanted to do that for the evening, it's a 35 minute ride and $2.25 a person.

At ORD, the best food is at Tortas by Frontera - it's a Rick Bayless restaurant - all fresh margaritas, juices, tortas etc. Some of the best Mexican in the city, and definitely the best food at ORD. It is in the United Terminal just past security

 

[Crissup]

The Hilton at O'Hare is pretty nice. There is not much right around O'Hare, but the El Train into downtown is safe if you wanted to do that for the evening, it's a 35 minute ride and $2.25 a person.

At ORD, the best food is at Tortas by Frontera - it's a Rick Bayless restaurant - all fresh margaritas, juices, tortas etc. Some of the best Mexican in the city, and definitely the best food at ORD. It is in the United Terminal just past security

There's also the new Rivers Casino about a mile north. About 10(-ish) miles west is the Woodfield mall in Schaumburg. When it was built, it was the largest indoor mall in the world. I believe it still ranks among the top 5.

If you get around Schaumburg, or downtown Chicago, you will find a *lot* of stuff to do. If you want a good steak, head for Gibson's about a mile from of O'Hare (everything close to O'Hare is at least a mile away as it's at least a half mile just to get off O'Hare property).

I've done the flight from Heathrow to O'Hare several times. It's a pretty easy flight, so I don't usually feel all run down when I arrive.

 

[Disney Deb]

Oh DIS Chicago people....please help!!

My college-age daughter has just accepted an internship in the Fields Museum. She will be in Chicago this summer starting around June 4th thru about August 10th. We are from New Jersey, and have never been in the Chicago area and are completely unfamiliar with the transit system as well as Chicago's various neighborhoods.

So....I've been scouting around for suitable summer housing, but have been confused by the local area. If you had a child who needed temp. housing, with her daily destination the Fields Museum....where would you feel comfortable? Something within walking distance? Or a different neighborhood with good mass transit (as she won't have a car)? Is there a college campus nearby? I can't think of another type of residence that would be furnished other then a college campus.

I've tried searching but have struck out. Would love some advice. Thanks a ton.

Debbie

 

[geffric]

sent you a pm

 

[rmom50]

Oh DIS Chicago people....please help!!

My college-age daughter has just accepted an internship in the Fields Museum. She will be in Chicago this summer starting around June 4th thru about August 10th. We are from New Jersey, and have never been in the Chicago area and are completely unfamiliar with the transit system as well as Chicago's various neighborhoods.

So....I've been scouting around for suitable summer housing, but have been confused by the local area. If you had a child who needed temp. housing, with her daily destination the Fields Museum....where would you feel comfortable? Something within walking distance? Or a different neighborhood with good mass transit (as she won't have a car)? Is there a college campus nearby? I can't think of another type of residence that would be furnished other then a college campus.

I've tried searching but have struck out. Would love some advice. Thanks a ton.

Debbie

That is an AMAZING opportunity - congratulations! I would first off call the Field Museum and ask what most kids do. University of Illinois Chicago & Columbia are down there - they probably would have the info too. I think there are at least a half dozen downtown colleges (that must provide housing?). My son is 19 and living Chicago. For the first year we made him take the CTA (Chicago Transit ~ he learned the train system and busses). No problems so far. We have since allowed him to take his car in there . It's really hard on the mom I'll tell ya, but the opportunities are endless. My oldest son did a two year museum internship (and lots of other volunteerism) that earned him a scholarship. The Field Museum is magnificent - I'd love to work there! I bet she'll love it!

 

[natashag76]

Oh DIS Chicago people....please help!!

My college-age daughter has just accepted an internship in the Fields Museum. She will be in Chicago this summer starting around June 4th thru about August 10th. We are from New Jersey, and have never been in the Chicago area and are completely unfamiliar with the transit system as well as Chicago's various neighborhoods.

So....I've been scouting around for suitable summer housing, but have been confused by the local area. If you had a child who needed temp. housing, with her daily destination the Fields Museum....where would you feel comfortable? Something within walking distance? Or a different neighborhood with good mass transit (as she won't have a car)? Is there a college campus nearby? I can't think of another type of residence that would be furnished other then a college campus.

I've tried searching but have struck out. Would love some advice. Thanks a ton.

Debbie

Hi! Congratulations! As far as housing, a little farther north is also DePaul University. I personally would not recommend UIC. It can be a VERY rough area after dark. Since you're from NJ, if you've ever used mass transit in NYC, she'll definitely be able to handle Chicago (I lived in NYC before moving here). Loyola Univ. is also almost directly north of the museum, along Lake Shore Drive. Homes in Chicago tend to have basements, and a lot of them are finished to be garden apartments. That might be another short-term route. Where does she go to school now? Perhaps they have a relationship with some of our local schools? Does she want to be near nightlife or a more family oriented area? That would at least help me make suggestions. Good luck!

 

[Disney Deb]

Thank you all for your kind congratulations.

Last year my daughter's school helped arrange housing for a student with the same internship, only for us to learn that it wasn't in the best area. That's why I'd like to sort of educate myself on different areas.

A safe neighborhood and commute is all I want for my daughter. A transit station both near her residence and near the museum would be ideal. BUT, I'm not sure if this exists. I agree that contacting the museum is a great idea.

Sometime soon, she will be meeting with intern coordinators on her campus to get some more details. Although they will give her some recommendations, it's up to us to arrange housing.

Thanks again.

 

[bookswin]

I used to live in Hyde Park. I'd recommend checking with the International House at the University of Chicago. Essentially a giant dorm primarily for non-US students, it has a ton of rooms empty in the summer. It has been years since I stayed there, so things may have changed.

http://ihouse.uchicago.edu/residency/residency_short.shtml

NOT AIR-CONDITIONED. This could be a big deal in Chicago. 700 people died here in the summer of 1995.

Also check the universities in the Loop, such as Roosevelt and Columbia. These could at least steer you in the right direction. There is also a youth hostel downtown, which is walkable from the Field (1.2 miles): http://www.hichicago.org/

I doubt you are going to find some kind of $500-a-month studio apartment, at least not in an area that would be acceptable or close.

Look at towns along the Metra Electric commuter train line, which has a stop near the Field. I'd look at Homewood, Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, and further out. Roughly an hour on the train, though. Train monthly pass should be a little over $100.

Also inquire at a 2-star-ish hotel like the Essex Inn (even closer walking).

Would be cheaper/easier with a roommate.

Someone I know suggested: "Summer sublet near DePaul? Not sure how many there are, summer sublets are very common in Evanston around Northwestern. The commute is easy, red line from Fullerton to State Street, 146 bus on State goes to Museum campus."

 

[Donald_Quackers]

I work for the U of C, Metra recently increased their fares - Homewood to the Hyde Park area is now just a shade above $130 for a monthly pass.

I-House (international house) I think recently was refurbished, but still as mentioned no A/C. http://ihouse.uchicago.edu

Metra is rather safe (I take it every day), they have emergency police call buttons on the platforms and at just about every corner. The University police are full police officers with arrest powers, not just campus security. They patrol all over the place.

 

[Disneynut71]

Hey all...not sure if any one remembers us...

Been away for awhile. Like many the economy has bit hard in my family and has prevented us from going to our favorite place in the world, Disney World.

It was depressing to look at anything Disney...

Well, things are looking up and I am hoping to get back in the Disney swing of things.

I am hoping to make my way back to Disney this year. I have planned a date just have to make it work with my job...which shouldn't be to hard.

Well, I hope to get back to the swing of things on here. I miss the meets and the threads.

Have a great day!!

 

[roseprincess]

Hey all...not sure if any one remembers us...

Been away for awhile. Like many the economy has bit hard in my family and has prevented us from going to our favorite place in the world, Disney World.

It was depressing to look at anything Disney...

Well, things are looking up and I am hoping to get back in the Disney swing of things.

I am hoping to make my way back to Disney this year. I have planned a date just have to make it work with my job...which shouldn't be to hard.

Well, I hope to get back to the swing of things on here. I miss the meets and the threads.

Have a great day!!

Hi Disneynut 71!
I think I remember you, from a DISmeet a few yrs back.

I am hardly on the DISboards, as my life with my teenage kids has gotten me quite busy.

Glad all is well with you.

I, too miss the Dismeets and this thread.

Glad to see you here, tho!



Rosemarie

 

[geffric]