Can I Survive another 11 days in WDW w/ Disney-Resistant Husband? *11/25 SURPRISE!!**

[eandesmom]

Fun stuff Trish! How exciting to be part of it. Looking forward to more.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

"Thanks Erin! Sounds like you and I will both be doing cruises in 2013 to celebrate the big 4-0. I didn't even know the 2013 cruise itineraries were released yet..."

Sorry Trish - my typo, our cruise is Nov. 2012, I'm not sure how far out the cruises are released. I booked it about a month ago - Fantasy, can't wait!

 

[hstrickland]

Hey Trish!

I'm only page 6, but had to post before I forget. I'll be looking forward to reading your review about the Wine and Dine Half!!! And like some pp's have said...go for the Disney Princess Half! Why not! It's 7 months away!!! You can meet up with us And you are right...running is dedication and lots of time,... pain, but once you push over that hump, it becomes addictive.

I'll be reading more when I get home...off to take the kids to Bible School.
Heather

 

[Disneygrl36]

Great update Trish. I still can't believe myself all we had to do to get good seats.
I am glad my pictures can help to tell the story. I joined D23 after seeing the line-up for this event specifically because I knew some of these Disney Legends might not be around alot longer. I feel very blessed to have seen all these fascinating people in person & hear their stories first hand.

 

[MEK]

First of all - Congrats on your SSR purchase. SSR is my home resort and it has served me well. I have stayed there three times, but I have also stayed at BCV, VWL, Kidani, and Vero on those points. Never had a problem getting a 7 month reservation.

I just added more points at VWL, so I am looking forward to using my SSR points for a treehouse stay. In fact, I need to start mapping that out very soon.

I think you will love DVC. I do!

The conference sounds so interesting. I would love that!!!!!! Can't wait to read more.

 

[hstrickland]

Finally caught up!!! Maybe I can go to bed now Looking forward to hearing more. We've pondered over the DVC thing, too. Thanks for the tips about SSR...I didn't realize all that. I'll have to hit the DVC boards and see what I can find out.

Heather

 

[cdotla]

Fun stuff Trish! How exciting to be part of it. Looking forward to more.

Thanks!

Sorry Trish - my typo, our cruise is Nov. 2012, I'm not sure how far out the cruises are released. I booked it about a month ago - Fantasy, can't wait!

Well 2012 sounds a whole lot better than 2013 anyway! Lucky you!!!

Hey Trish!

I'm only page 6, but had to post before I forget. I'll be looking forward to reading your review about the Wine and Dine Half!!! And like some pp's have said...go for the Disney Princess Half! Why not! It's 7 months away!!! You can meet up with us And you are right...running is dedication and lots of time,... pain, but once you push over that hump, it becomes addictive.

I'll be reading more when I get home...off to take the kids to Bible School.
Heather

Hey Heather! You are getting me thinking, that is for sure...unfortunately, I have yet to make it over the hump that you describe. I always stop before that happens. Let's stay in touch though....

Great update Trish. I still can't believe myself all we had to do to get good seats.
I am glad my pictures can help to tell the story. I joined D23 after seeing the line-up for this event specifically because I knew some of these Disney Legends might not be around alot longer. I feel very blessed to have seen all these fascinating people in person & hear their stories first hand.

Hey Mel....I am so glad at least one of us was taking some photos! They sure help to tell the story, that is for sure! Feel free to chime in if I miss anything, or if there is anything you want to add

First of all - Congrats on your SSR purchase. SSR is my home resort and it has served me well. I have stayed there three times, but I have also stayed at BCV, VWL, Kidani, and Vero on those points. Never had a problem getting a 7 month reservation.

I just added more points at VWL, so I am looking forward to using my SSR points for a treehouse stay. In fact, I need to start mapping that out very soon.

I think you will love DVC. I do!

The conference sounds so interesting. I would love that!!!!!! Can't wait to read more.

Thank you!

I have no doubt that I will be doing a lot of SSR bookings at the 11 month mark, and then switching over at the 7 month mark. Not b/c I don't want to stay at SSR - I do! Just because I love resort hopping! I have yet to meet a Disney resort I didn't like! I love them all for different reasons.

So glad to hear that you have been able to switch around to other resorts without much trouble. That is the main draw of DVC for me...being able to switch to other resorts without paying any transfer fees.

Finally caught up!!! Maybe I can go to bed now Looking forward to hearing more. We've pondered over the DVC thing, too. Thanks for the tips about SSR...I didn't realize all that. I'll have to hit the DVC boards and see what I can find out.

Heather

Heather, I should warn you. I always assumed DVC didn't make sense for me given my travel style, and considered it would be a waste of money over renting other people's points. I have heard people say that you don't buy DVC because it makes financial sense, you do it more for the emotional connection to Disney. Maybe that is the case if you pay top dollar and buy direct from Disney, but I did not find that to be correct at all based on what I paid on the resale market. It ended up making complete financial sense to me. I wouldn't have bought in otherwise. So....be prepared to want to buy in asap if you do any research on it. Especially with the resale prices right now!!!

 

[Queenofallthings]

Wow....I can't wait to hear more!! What a fantastic day!

 

[cdotla]

Wow....I can't wait to hear more!! What a fantastic day!

Thanks Queen! I should have the remaining update on Destination D up over the weekend.

 

[cdotla]

Declan's Birthday

Hard to believe, but my little guy turned 6 today.

I don't know why, but something about 6 seems soooo much older than 5. I have officially lost my babies. They are growing up all too fast, and I really wish I could slow it down. I have been saying for 2 years now that I just want to pause their current ages for awhile...anyone know how to do that?

We had Declan's Birthday Party with his friends at the movie theatre on Sunday and saw Cars 2, which was great. Here are photos of his cake (which my mom made) and cookies we gave out to all the kids:

Tonite we went out to celebrate at Declan's favourite restaurant with my parents and grandmother, and then raced to the soccor field for back-to-back games of soccor. At the end of his game, all the kids wished Declan a happy birthday, which was really nice.

As a parent it is bittersweet watching your kids pass each milestone. I love seeing them grow up before my eyes, but each passing year seems to go by a little too quickly.

 

[eandesmom]

Happy Birthday Declan!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Happy Birthday to Declan!!! I hear ya on the kids growing up too fast front - just wait until you have one that is about to drive

 

[Charleston Princess]

Happy Birthday to Declan!!! What a cute cake and cookies!

Yes, it is bittersweet to see your children growing up -- I remember when Connor was six and now he is about to start sixth grade! We won't even talk about how Chelsea will be in high school. It just makes you want to freeze time, doesn't it?

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

I'm here, but I have to go back and read!

 

[cdotla]

Happy Birthday Declan!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Cynthia!

Happy Birthday to Declan!!! I hear ya on the kids growing up too fast front - just wait until you have one that is about to drive

Thanks Michelle. Yikes...I can't even fathom driver's licenses right now!!! Poor you!

Happy Birthday to Declan!!! What a cute cake and cookies!

Yes, it is bittersweet to see your children growing up -- I remember when Connor was six and now he is about to start sixth grade! We won't even talk about how Chelsea will be in high school. It just makes you want to freeze time, doesn't it?

You are right about that Jackie....what I wouldn't give to stop time right now!

I'm here, but I have to go back and read!

Hi Rinky! Welcome!

 

[cdotla]

Hardest Pre-Trip Decision...

I kept flip-flopping on this decision in the lead up to our trip last May, and now I am doing it again.

I keep going back and forth on whether to get Lasik eye surgery.

I dream of not having to wear my contacts just about every day, particularly as my eyes seem to be getting less and less tolerant of them. But whenever I am about to go away on vacation, where I know I will be putting my contacts in early in the morning, and leaving them in until late at night, the debate in my head intensifies.

I love the thought of being able to wake up in the morning, see the alarm clock, and my family, and not have to fiddle around poking contacts into my eyes.

I would also love not having to worry about sore, dry, itchy eyes at the end of a 15 hour day in contacts, and being able to see just as clearly at 10pm as I did first thing in the morning, without the cloudy, foggy end-of-day build-up on my contacts.

And that's not even to mention the ease of not having to worry about dust getting into your contacts in the Parks, or your contacts blowing out of your eyes on rollercoasters or while swimming.

HOWEVER....I am scared of the procedure. I hate people near my eyes and the procedure itself freaks me out. Plus, I am not even sure I could stand having a clamp holding back my eyelids. Plus, I always worry I will be one of the small few people to have a complication.

Despite my fears and hesitations, I am booked for a 2 hour consultation this week to determine if I am a candidate. Then, if I am, I will have a really hard decision to make.

I know if I do it, I will go for the more advanced, "custom Lasik procedure", which involves less risk, and is only nomimally more expensive. I have been quoted $3800 for both eyes.

Has anyone undergone this recently, or do you have any words of wisdom for me? This is by far the hardest decision I will have to make in preparation for our trip.

 

[Queenofallthings]

I feel the same way you do about people or things close to my eyes! I have never had the surgery but quite a few people I know have...and they said it was the best decision they made! I haven't heard of one person who was sorry about it! I don't wear contacts or glasses, but I know I need reading glasses now....getting old I guess

Feel good about whatever decision you make....they're your eyes after all

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Hi Trish,
My DH and my mom have had this procedure, both successfully. Bret had his done in your home country 11 years ago when it was less common here in the states. One of the original doctors that perfected the procedure worked on him. We drove to Windsor, had a consultation there, then onto a town that starts with a 'M' - Missisauga (I'm sure I spelled that horribly wrong!). Regardless, he really couldn't see his hand in front of his face, and the next day, he could see great!!! I have to calm your fears with regards to the procedure itself. They gave both Bret and my Mom plenty of 'happy' medication prior to the procedure and during the short 24 hours recovery - I doubt he really remembers much - he slept and smiled! Overall we were thrilled he did it. He had to wear very expensive, irritating hard contacts. My mom had some minor difficulty due to the fact she still needed bifocals, but all went very well. After reading your experience with contacts, I would say go for it! I would make sure you tell the doctor of your apprehension about the procedure and concern about people near your eyes, I'm sure that is a common complaint and they will be able to address it during your consultation.
I just asked him if remembers any discomfort and he said 'no, it was 11 years ago!' I can tell you we paid a lot more than your quote, but that was when it was first introduced. Good luck with your decision!!!
Erin

 

[swwake]

I am afraid of doing that myself - I mean, you only get two eyes and I think sight is the second most important sense (second to touch). Not even sure if I'm a candidate, but after my coworker had it done about a month ago, I'd definitely consider it. I have the same fears as you do, and as my coworker had. Tiffany (co-worker) said that many of her fears were eased in one of the pre-surgery consults (the one where they measured the eye, etc). They spent lots of time explaining everything to her and how the risks are not as bad as it seems. She had a lot of confidence in her surgery based on his experience and numerous success stories. They even have a glass window where you can go watch a procedure before you decide. I know it's a tough decision, and I can't tell you what to do, Trish - it's an individual decision. I hope you can find the strength to make the right decision for you.

 

[DrMomof3]

It's a hard decision!
I know several people who had Lasik done who swear it was the best thing ever. One of the nurses I work with had Lasik done and had minor complications that caused her to have blurry vision for about a month (she's fine now but it was frustrating for her).
I'm terrified of Lasik!!!! I'm a surgeon so if anything went wrong it would end my career right then and there. I personally won't do it. (I'm also far-sighted and not near-sighted so it's more complicated in me anyway.)
Good luck with your decision! If you hate wearing contacts/glasses, go for it.

Amanda