Can we make it a week with no arguing?? The Mom report.

[ILMICKEY]

Hello Everyone!

Any help from you wonderful dissers will be greatly appreciated. We still need flights and a car. The cheaper airlines don't come out with flight information for our dates for a couple months yet.

I do, however, have our condo all picked out! We are staying in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo at the Windsor Hills Resort. I'm pretty excited about that. Having a kitchen will be really helpful to make this trip less expensive.

We are going on our fabulous vacation December 17, for 7 nights. Leaving Christmas Eve. My birthday. Does anyone know if you are able to get the Birthday extras from Disney if you aren't staying on property??? Hopefully time will allow me to go pick it up!!

So anyway, there is the start to my report. I will come back and do introductions later!

Have a great day!!!

 

[OhMari]

Disney is not doing the Birthday celebration for 2010. In 2009 you could get a free one day ticket, or a card to use for Fast Passes, or a $75 gift card.

There promotion for 2010 is doing charity work for a day. You have to do a charity that Disney has set up. It is on their web page.

Other than that, if you make an ADR you can note it on your ressie, that it is your birthday. You may receive something, but not always--like confetti or a cupcake. Some people, just order a cake and have it delivered to the place you are eating at.

Hope this helps.
OhMari

 

[ILMICKEY]

YES! It does help A lot!! I was thinking about an extra night just for that reason. No need now.

But wow, what a bummer. Of course the year I can go, they stop it. Oh well, it's disney. AND I GET TO GO!!

 

[disneyaddicted]

Hey girl, glad you started a PTR.
Budget is the word, here is a cheap chic idea, I picked this up on somone elses PTR last year. Pecos bill has an awesome fixins bar, just bring your own dressing, I was able to pick up the individual packets at walmart and I know it's sad, but I made myself a salad from the fixins bar at Pecos Bill.

Even though this is a budget trip it'll be fun, soon you'll get caught up in ways to save money, it'll become a game almost.

I've thought about staying offsite, not on this trip but a future trip with the whole family, I guess it's much cheaper, yay? Nay?

 

[ILMICKEY]

Ty it is a LOT cheaper. $729 for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo for 7 nights. The only bad thing is we have to rent a car. Right now those are looking quite expensive. I'm doing a lot of investigating though. Can't really do anything until we find out if we are flying into MCO or Sanford.

Glad you found me!!

 

[ILMICKEY]

So I guess it's time for introductions.

This is my daughter Brandi. She is the oldest. Fellow Disney lover. We went on a Mother/Daughter trip in 2008 and had a wonderful time. She is a full time college student and works full time as well. She's doing a really good job!

This is Robby. My middle child. He loves Disney too! He is a part time college student and lives with Brandi. Sometimes that doesn't go so well, but they love each other. I JUST KNOW IT!!

This is Matt. My baby. Does not want to go to Disney. He says he will stay at the condo all day. I'm thinking he will change his mind about that when we get there.

This is Jay. My husband of almost 7 years. He doesn't seem real thrilled about going, but he is. I think he just likes to complain, a true man through and through. I'm pretty sure he is a closet Disney lover. He will come out some day.

AND.....this is me. A full time student do to being laid off for over a year.

So there you have the "who". I'm excited about all of us going together.

Here are some random pics for your entertainment!

 

[ILMICKEY]

Okay for some reason that didn't work out so well. I guess you will just have to guess what we look like!!

KIDDING~~

Brandi, enjoying a fine Animal Kingdom refreshment!!

Robby, he's such the model.

Matt, trying really hard NOT to smile.

Jay, standing in front of a waterfall??? Not much else to say.

Me, being, well, ME!

Random Pics

Aren't they purdy??

 

[disneyaddicted]

very purdy picture of all. who's butt was that? I'm thinking from the clothing it had to be Capt. Jack sparrow, leave it to you to get the butt shot, I never even thought to do that? I've given his hiney many thoughts, just never thought of preserving it on camera. Did you frame it? Is it hanging above your bed? Did you print out a smaller one for your wallet? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Simba22]

I'm here! I can't believe you have a PTR already for December and I haven't even finished my TR from October! I need to get a move on! Although I only have more day to write about, I guess!

I hear ya on the cheap thing though... My brother is thinking of coming with us but in order to afford it, we'd have to share a room (gross! His feet smell!! )

Did you sign up for Kayak.com? They send you emails with cheap fare alerts and Southwest is the only airline I'll fly on now because bags fly free!

 

[disneyaddicted]

bump to the front, now come back and update. no rush, no pressure, just puttin it out there. take your time but hurry up

 

[disneyaddicted]

SOOOooooo.....you were saying something about a trip to disney...go on....

 

[ILMICKEY]

very purdy picture of all. who's butt was that? I'm thinking from the clothing it had to be Capt. Jack sparrow, leave it to you to get the butt shot, I never even thought to do that? I've given his hiney many thoughts, just never thought of preserving it on camera. Did you frame it? Is it hanging above your bed? Did you print out a smaller one for your wallet? Inquiring minds want to know.

But of course it was Jack Sparrow's butt!! He was looking mighty fine that day. Nope, the picture over the bed was vetoed out. I can't say where I have it posted though. For fear of incrimination.

 

[ILMICKEY]

I'm here! I can't believe you have a PTR already for December and I haven't even finished my TR from October! I need to get a move on! Although I only have more day to write about, I guess!

Oh take you time! I love reading about your adventures! It gives me something to do when I'm missing Disney!

I hear ya on the cheap thing though... My brother is thinking of coming with us but in order to afford it, we'd have to share a room (gross! His feet smell!! )

Ewwwww, no smelly feet. My kids are happy that they dont' have to listen to me snore. Not that I snore, just sayin.

Did you sign up for Kayak.com? They send you emails with cheap fare alerts and Southwest is the only airline I'll fly on now because bags fly free!

I did sign up for Kayak. I wish Southwest would get their dates for December out there. I just want to get the planning done.

 

[ILMICKEY]

bump to the front, now come back and update. no rush, no pressure, just puttin it out there. take your time but hurry up

SOOOooooo.....you were saying something about a trip to disney...go on....

I know, I know. I forgot I am supposed to keep up on this stuff. I have a great following don't I? That's alright, you guys are my buddies!!

So I am having a dilema today. Flights are down to $157 today! Great deal I'm thinking. I just can't seem to book. I'm trying to get Jay excited but it isn't happening. I told him I was going to come on here and talk to people who CARE!! You get it right?? Anyway I'm struggling because baggage fees are $23 each way. But $203 is still pretty good right? This is only the second time I have ever flown so I am no expert on any of this.

If you just read this and think it is a good deal, please please please let me know. I can't imagine the price going any lower. I just don't know whether or not to wait for Southwest to put dates/prices out there!!

School is going pretty well. I forgot how hard algebra is. OH MY GOSH! My brain hasn't worked this hard in a long time. I guess maybe if I would have paid attention in High School it might not be so hard.

On another note, I made the deans list last semester. I got a certificate and everything. I was teary eyed when I got it. I'm getting a 4.0 so far this semester too, so maybe I will get another one. I just hope I can find a job when this is over. I check the papers and websites and there just isn't anything around here. I would love to relocate but Jay owns a business with his dad and can't go anywhere.

 

[disneyaddicted]

I'm thinking those flights sound like a pretty good deal to me, Mom paid twice that when she flew to Disney last Dec.

Jobs are a plenty out here, you can relocate, you and Jay can just do that long distance thing, I've heard it makes the heart grow fonder, plus you would be closer to Disney and I have a spare room, it's Disney decorated. Let me know, I'll hold it for ya.

Good Job on making the deans list, no wonder you're hardly on the boards, you're off being a good student, congratulations. I want to go back to school so bad, first I have to get the kids situated in their future, we can only afford 1 future at a time, my time is coming though, 4 years maybe?

How's the rest of the trip planning coming? are you stocking up on bread and bologna? You know you can always stop at McD's every few days and load up on free condiments.

 

[ILMICKEY]

Jobs are a plenty out here, you can relocate, you and Jay can just do that long distance thing, I've heard it makes the heart grow fonder, plus you would be closer to Disney and I have a spare room, it's Disney decorated. Let me know, I'll hold it for ya.

I may just take you up on that! It's kind of scary around here.

Good Job on making the deans list, no wonder you're hardly on the boards, you're off being a good student, congratulations. I want to go back to school so bad, first I have to get the kids situated in their future, we can only afford 1 future at a time, my time is coming though, 4 years maybe?

Thank you! It's kind of scary at first, but now I love it!

How's the rest of the trip planning coming? are you stocking up on bread and bologna? You know you can always stop at McD's every few days and load up on free condiments.

I got a great deal on tuna fish!! So now we have that to go with our bologna! SCORE!

 

[ILMICKEY]

I bought all of our plane tickets. Round trip on Delta for $157!!!I just wish the bag charges werent so ridiculous. I bought the insurance too. My thought was if there is a huge snowstorm here and we can't get back they will cover us.

I also booked a car. A G5. I realize how small it it, but we will make it work. Suitcases on the lap. I, however, won't have to worry about that. I'm the driver. See how that works!!

I'm trying to come up with ideas for cheap quick dinners. I doubt frozen pizzas are going to cut it for the week. Jay is already sick of listening to my planning. But I know I can come here and you will care.

We went to see Alice in Wonderland this weekend, in 3D. I'm really not sure I liked it. The 3D was pretty cool, but I have been spoiled by Disney's 4D. I kept waiting for things to pop out at me. Tim Burton is one freaky dude.

I sure do have a lot of readers but know posters!! What's up with that? Talk to me!!!!!!!!!

 

[Simba22]

If you just read this and think it is a good deal, please please please let me know. I can't imagine the price going any lower. I just don't know whether or not to wait for Southwest to put dates/prices out there!!

Yes i think that is a good deal and I see you booked it so good job! We chose JetBlue for this year because they give you one free bag and the fare was $100 per person cheaper than Delta. $188 per person...$209 after all the fees...$418 total. AND we got to PICK our seats! AND they only seat 2 per row so I get the window and Lumar gets the aisle so he can access the potty at will without falling into anyone's lap (at least not accidentally...if he does it INTENTIONALLY, that's another story)

On another note, I made the deans list last semester. I got a certificate and everything. I was teary eyed when I got it. I'm getting a 4.0 so far this semester too, so maybe I will get another one. I just hope I can find a job when this is over. I check the papers and websites and there just isn't anything around here. I would love to relocate but Jay owns a business with his dad and can't go anywhere.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! That's amazing Nik! Great job! All of that hard work WILL pay off for you! I'm thinking about starting my class soon so I have all summer to work on it, and I'll be prepared when the layoff comes.

I just wish the bag charges werent so ridiculous.

That's why I left Delta in the first place. They're crazy.

I sure do have a lot of readers but know posters!! What's up with that? Talk to me!!!!!!!!!

Now you feel my pain! LOL

 

[ILMICKEY]

AND we got to PICK our seats! AND they only seat 2 per row so I get the window and Lumar gets the aisle so he can access the potty at will without falling into anyone's lap (at least not accidentally...if he does it INTENTIONALLY, that's another story)

We got to pick our seats too. I was kind of surprised because when we flew NWA we couldn't do it until 30 days before. YES, keep the potties accessible to Lumar. They should just give him a seat assignment in there, that would save a lot of effort. Just attach a seatbelt.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! That's amazing Nik! Great job! All of that hard work WILL pay off for you! I'm thinking about starting my class soon so I have all summer to work on it, and I'll be prepared when the layoff comes.

Thank you!! I am going to kill myself this summer and take 6 classes over 3 months. I just feel the need to get this over with so I can hopefully get a job that doesn't pay 8$/hour. I wasn't scheduled to graduate until 2012. As of my meeting yesterday and some major rearranging, I will graduate May of 2011. I so can't wait. You should get started soon. At least get your feet wet so it isn't so overwhelming when you go full time.

That's why I left Delta in the first place. They're crazy.

Crazy?? They are good to fly with right? I am so scared to fly. I will have my little friend Xanax with me.

 

[ILMICKEY]

So..........we may have some changes to our trip. Robby's partner might go with us too. This is good because it will keep us even. No odd rider out. I've already explained to Jay that he will be riding the bigger rides this time. He can't get away with It's a small world all week. (really he despises this ride)

I have started filling my envelopes! I made one for each day for parking and food. I can't believe it's 14$ to park. They are making some serious money there aren't they? I wish there was a way to buy a pass. Oh, well, it's in the budget now. I also bought a handy dandy notebook to keep all my info in. I like to stay organized. Jay gives me the eyeroll when I pull it out. I guess he will appreciate it when the time comes and everything goes smoothly.

Speaking of Jay, he went back to work yesterday. THANK GOD! We have been cooped up all winter together. That is waaaaaay to much time together. He has a lawn and landscaping business and all the snow it melted, so he is off to work. It's pretty early in the year, normally he doesn't start until April. $$$$$$$$$$$!! I LOVE it!

I think we are going to do 2 table service meals. A breakfast at Chef Mickeys and a dinner at Biergarten. I've seen pictures of the inside, it's just gorgeous. I also love me some sausage, and it looks like sausage heaven!

Well I guess that's enough rambling for today. Have a great Tuesday!!