Can a PTR be therapeutic?YUP!!Addictive?**2/14-I'm home...**

[jordanyosh]

This is awesome

I am very sad to hear about your losses.

Please keep writing

Thanks for stopping by........thanks for the kind words

I'll be looking forward to more from your PTR as well

Jordy...

Is Mandara Spa on Disney property? I tried GF last time and wanted to try a different spa in 2 weeks and 2 days . Was thinking about Saratoga...

Mandara Spa is on Disney property. It's at the Dolphin which is an Epcot resort. Like going to the Boardwalk, you'd take the bus to MGM and then boat to the Dolphin. Saratoga Spa--you'd take bus to MGM (or really any theme park) and then transfer to a bus to Saratoga. Mandara might be a little closer.....You may be able to check out their sight www.mandaraspa.com for more info. Good luck. I may get a treatment at Mandara when we go. Let me know how it was--wherever you go. It may help me make a decision.

 

[Avivasmom]

What a great beginning....you definitely deserve this trip...Erin is just to cute.

BTW, which Sweet Tomatoes in Fort Lauderdale did you work in? We go to the one on University Dr...it is the Plantation/Sunrise area.

So are you the one in charge for making all the ADRS? And what a good uncle to babysit.

 

[pierresgirl]

Our younger days. This is Ramona, our favorite hostess at the Adventurers Club who was there year after year after year. We discovered now we're too old for Pleasure Island and now we've moved on to Matt, at the ESPN Club.

Jordan corrupting a minor. At CA grill offering Erin her first martini at the tender age of one.

Then, when you've had too much to drink, things like this happen:

We turn into giants at the Boardwalk.

Then this... Jordan and Fred caught in the act

And finally... things happen when you are totally out of it....

These pics are great! I love old pics! Oh, and excuse me but is that MY martini there??!! I'll admit to 1 today my first since my bd in June. The kids went back to school today so we went out for lunch to celebrate.

 

[jordanyosh]

What a great beginning....you definitely deserve this trip...Erin is just to cute.

BTW, which Sweet Tomatoes in Fort Lauderdale did you work in? We go to the one on University Dr...it is the Plantation/Sunrise area.

So are you the one in charge for making all the ADRS? And what a good uncle to babysit.

I worked for 3 months at 3 stores in FL. I spent a week or 2 in Plantation, but worked most of the time w/ new mgr trainees out of Coral Springs. The Davie Ale house was a place I became familiar with. The corporate apartments were near the Plantation store. Sweet Tomatoes is a great company to work for....

Wendy is making all the ADRs. She's lagging....

These pics are great! I love old pics! Oh, and excuse me but is that MY martini there??!! I'll admit to 1 today my first since my bd in June. The kids went back to school today so we went out for lunch to celebrate.

Old school pics.......The one w/ Ramona at the Adventurer's Club is 2001. The one with YOUR martini and the other drinking ones are from 2003. The last one with Ross (this references an episode of Friends) is from 1999.

It's 100 degrees here in the San Fernando Valley today (Burbank, home of The Mother Ship, Walt Disney Studios). I need a cool one, preferably a beer, but a martini or even a water will do....

 

[KathyRN137]

If you write a pre-trip report, you probably fall into the category of obsessive planner.

If you start writing a pre-trip report more than 5 months out, you probably fall into the category of addicted,obsessive, planner.

If you are always thinking about your next WDW vacation, even when you are on your current one, you probably fall into the category of Needs immediate medical care.

I can check off all three, thank you and then some......

Jordan,

We must be patients in the same ward, my friend, because that describes me to a "T"!! Just crazy about WDW!

You certainly have had a difficult and spiritually exhausting year... I will keep your DBIL and DN in my prayers. I feel so bad for them; and for you. I wish you peace in the next year.


You asked if anyone had any opinion on Mandara Spa. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Mandara this past January and it was a truly sublime experience. I had a spa pedicure there and enjoyed some relaxing down time in their "meditation garden" (lounge). It was very restful. I'm sure that "the girls" will love it.

Since you mentioned your TR addiction, I will play enabler by telling you that I wrote about it in my "Half-and-Half" trip report (see below) if you would like more detail!

Your family and friends sound like a lot of fun; I'm looking forward to reading about your WDW exploits, past and future!!

Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

Jordan,

We must be patients in the same ward, my friend, because that describes me to a "T"!! Just crazy about WDW!

You certainly have had a difficult and spiritually exhausting year... I will keep your DBIL and DN in my prayers. I feel so bad for them; and for you. I wish you peace in the next year.


You asked if anyone had any opinion on Mandara Spa. I was fortunate enough to be able to visit Mandara this past January and it was a truly sublime experience. I had a spa pedicure there and enjoyed some relaxing down time in their "meditation garden" (lounge). It was very restful. I'm sure that "the girls" will love it.

Since you mentioned your TR addiction, I will play enabler by telling you that I wrote about it in my "Half-and-Half" trip report (see below) if you would like more detail!

Your family and friends sound like a lot of fun; I'm looking forward to reading about your WDW exploits, past and future!!

Kathy

Yes, I am borderline...in need of intervention. I am at my friends right now and I am supposed to be working.......but as you can see...well, let's just leave it at that.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. Everyone has been so supportive; it's a bit overwhelming.

Thanks for the Mandara Spa information. It puts your mind at ease when you hear good things about it.

I actually read your Adventures in Autism TR and that's one of the inspirations for me to write a PTR. I'll check out the Half and Half tonight.....

Thanks again....and get ready for the Wildest ride in the west...our PTR.

 

[WendyO]

Wendy is making all the ADRs. She's lagging....

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm still finishing uploading, organizing and captioning my Dis Med pix. Then making plane reservations for WDW 2008. Then making ADRs.

Just made PS ressie for Ariel's Grotto on Monday for Erin's belated-birthday and celebration of starting kindergarten the next day. Whoopee! Want to go?

w

 

[WendyO]

Yes, I am borderline...in need of intervention. I am at my friends right now and I am supposed to be working.......but as you can see...well, let's just leave it at that.

Yeah, don't tell Kim that. I think it's not best to call her and tell her "yeah, I should be cleaning but instead I'm watching TV."

Just a suggestion. Hee hee.

 

[jordanyosh]

How it all began

To get to the root of my WDW obsession, you have to go back to my childhood. I grew up in CA. So DL was the place to go. I don't really remember too much about my visits to Disneyland when I was younger. What I do remember is this big map of Disneyland that my parents bought for me when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I used to sit and look at the map all day....I'd make up stories about getting trapped at DL after closing. I would dream about my next visit. Then every visit I would get a new map....

Fast Forward to 1979--I attended Anaheim High School...so of course, I applied to DL. I was hired to work in Adventureland/Frontierland Merchandise. I worked there for 3 years until I became a Resident Assistant for the dorms at UC Irvine.

1986-After graduating from UCI, I went back to DL for one more summer of fun. I ended going into management and stayed until 1989.

Fun celebrity sightings over the years at DL: Ted Koppel-very tan. Billy Dee Williams--very nice. Rhea Perlman--very nice. Sally Field--very nice. Dustin Hoffman--didn't talk to him. Eddie Murphy--couldn't see him because of his entourage.

A little off topic, but when I worked for Sweet Tomatoes/Souplantation I had a short stint at our store in LA near alot of the studios. I had the chance to meet Jennifer Aniston pre-Friends--very, very nice (smoked, I wonder if she still does), Muhammed Ali--nice, but very quiet. John Ritter--not so nice. Saw Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Reiser walking down the street near our restaurant.

Okay back on topic. In 1991, my cousin, Wendy and I were sitting at my aunt and uncle's 50th anniversary. She was kinda bummed because her roommate and her were supposed to go to WDW for their college graduation. However, for some reason her roommate was not able to go. Wendy wasn't going to go by herself. So she wasn't probably not going to go until..........I came along to save the day. I told her I'd go. She was surprised and I was actually surprised those words came out of my mouth as well. Wendy and I weren't close up until that point. She's 7 years younger than me; so up until that point, we travelled in different circles. We were older now, so the age difference wasn't as big a deal..

We went in June 1991. We stayed at Summerfield Suites. We rented a Chrysler convertible. I believe we ate somewhere at the Mercado that first night. I can't believe we would drive back and forth a few times a day, every day.

We had a great time and we were hooked........

I will continue tomorrow...gotta go to sleep....

 

[jordanyosh]

How it all began Part II

Why WDW? Why did I become crazy in love w/ WDW? I often ask myself the same question. Since I worked at DL for so many years, there are so many things that WDW fans love about WDW that I could really care less about. Things such as:

1) Character interaction/pictures: As you can see from the pictures I've posted, I don't take too many pics w/ characters. When I worked at DL, you would walk around backstage and see characters w/o their heads on and well......let's just say, for me the illusion is gone. So unless there isn't a line for a character pic OR we have an idea for a funny pic, we usually pass characters by.

2) Fireworks/Parades: As part of being a CM back in the day, you were assigned to work GC, Guest Control, for parades. I did this for the Electrical Parade for a summer as part of my summer shift. I saw the parade EVERY night; I saw the fireworks EVERY night. So for me, the magic is gone here as well

3) Seeing the castle and the MK in general, see 1 and 2 above. For me, it really doesn't invoke any emotions.:sad1

So why do I love WDW?

When you step off the plane in Orlando and you get on your first ride, the airport monorail.

When you step out in the the humidity for the first time.

When you see the exits signs for the first time.

When you pull up to your resort.

Sitting in the lobby watching all the hustle and bustle of people going to eat or going to a park or checking in, feeding off that energy and excitement.

Walking into the room and plopping down on the couch.

Unpacking (much better than packing back up) and finding a home for all your clothes, camera, toiletries.....

Walking in your first park that first day.

Having your itinerary memorized, knowing exactly where you're going to go.

Eating your first meal at the parks....

Walking into Mouse Gear at Epcot or Keystone Clothiers at MGM, my favorite stores at WDW.

ESPN Club

Walking around the resort, checking everything out.

For me taking a walk around Crescent Lake (Epcot resort area) late at night or early in the morning. So peaceful, quiet and yes, magical.

To be continued....

Gotta go to work...feel free to add the reasons why you love WDW.

 

[jordanyosh]

I could go on and on about why I love WDW...maybe I will list more reasons as the trip gets closer.

FDM--I read the term somewhere on these boards. FDM, Fuzzy Disney Math--I laughed when I saw it, but I can totally relate.

Here's my current situation. I am looking into flights for Jan/Feb. If I leave my dates as they are, I can currently get a flight for 292 on Delta. With a 133 credit, that's 159--not bad. HOWEVER, if I fly back to CA on Wednesday rather than Monday, I can get a flight for 218 or 85 bucks after the credit.

Now, I could stay 2 more nights at POP but that would put me out another 180 bucks, but using FDM really only another 116 dollars because I would be saving 74 dollars by flying out later. Still with me? Confused?

OR

I have friends that live in Orlando and I could possibly stay with them for a few days. That 74 dollars I would be saving could go towards meals for those 2 additional days....

Either way I would probably not buy additional park tickets. I would still have my plus options that would get me into Typhoon Lagoon and DQ, although I probably wouldn't use them if I stayed with my friend and his family.

Okay, I am plotting as I am writing this........ OR I could use 1 of the 2 FREE park passes my cousin (Pixar employee) got me for either Tuesday or Wednesday. Hmmm......

Well, in any case, I go from potentially saving some cash to plotting on how to spend more ,but rationalize it to make it seem like I'm still saving.....FDM for sure.

 

[KathyRN137]

Well, in any case, I go from potentially saving some cash to plotting on how to spend more ,but rationalize it to make it seem like I'm still saving.....FDM for sure.

LOL I can so relate to this!!

Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

LOL I can so relate to this!!

Kathy

I don't feel so bad now, knowing it's a common affliction among those that visit this site often....

 

[jordanyosh]

Update

I am probably not going to stay the extra days at POP. I just talked to my friends and I WILL be staying with them in Orlando for a few days. It will be nice to see my friend and his family as I rarely see them, even when I am WDW. Bad friend I know.

 

[KathyRN137]

Don't your friends like to go to the parks with you? Ha! If I lived that close, I'd be at the World every weekend!


Kathy

 

[Suzimom]

Hello!

First let me say how sorry I am for your losses. I am a true believer that therapy happens in many forms. Being on the Disboards has to be one of the best! My DH and DS get a little worried when they can't pry me off the computer!!!! I really should just tell them I'm doing it for them since good mental health for me translates to a happy household for them!! ...

I'm enjoying your PTR! Love the pictures and stories! It's a joy to see/read about how close you are with your family...

Thanks for sharing!

Susan

 

[jordanyosh]

Don't your friends like to go to the parks with you? Ha! If I lived that close, I'd be at the World every weekend!


Kathy

Apparently not everyone shares our love for WDW...who knew?

Hello!

First let me say how sorry I am for your losses. I am a true believer that therapy happens in many forms. Being on the Disboards has to be one of the best! My DH and DS get a little worried when they can't pry me off the computer!!!! I really should just tell them I'm doing it for them since good mental health for me translates to a happy household for them!! ...

I'm enjoying your PTR! Love the pictures and stories! It's a joy to see/read about how close you are with your family...

Thanks for sharing!

Susan

Thanks for your support.....your kind words were a wonderful way to start the day.

 

[jordanyosh]

Okay so today, Labor Day, it is 107 degrees outside. Our home does not, I repeat, DOES NOT have A/C. We do have a wall unit. However, the house doesn't have great insulation which means it holds in the heat ALL day and it's hard for the A/C to keep up. So....it's a cool 90 in the house today....I'm melting. I am trying to stay very still and really, I shouldn't be using the laptop because it produces more heat.......but I do need my crack fix for the day.

 

[jordanyosh]

Here are some more pics from our Feb 05 trip.

I am thinking cool thoughts right now and this pic helps. Pretty funny to associate cooler weather with WDW.

Another rain shot from our Evening Magic Hour trip to the MK.

Another great way to cool off...a yard of beer.

 

[jordanyosh]

Important Question

How do you go about writing your trip report? Do you write it while you are on your trip and then just post when you get home? OR do you take notes and then add commentary when you get home? OR possibly a combination of both?