Chicago area Diser's - check in here Part 4

[slo]

I said I was going back to work, but I lied

I finally have pictures of the store that I would like to share with you all



These were taken on the day of our Grand Opening party

These are just of the store

This is a "before" and "after" thing that I did for my article in the paper that's coming out in September. These are items from when we took Stephanie to the AG Store for her birthday.

This is the header on my webpage

I hope you liked them
Now it's time for me start looking for Stephanie - she should be here soon
Later gaters!!!

 

[SamIAm21]

The big difference was with the characters. That was the place where I might have really wanted to have a photog there, since I was by myself and I would have maybe liked some pics. But DL is so different, they don't even have a handler or necessarily even a line, let alone a PP person. So there really isn't anyone to take your pic unless you just impose on someone. You seriously would not even believe it if you haven't been there. Minnie was at the entrance (when I got my pic taken there) and didn't even have a line, it was just a small mob.

I know a lot of people really dislike the way they do this character interaction thing at DL and I can see how it would be infuriating if it is busy and you've been waiting a while to see the character and then someone cuts in, but when Megan & I were there in early June 2006, it was hardly crowded at all and I found the characters just out roaming around, no handler, no lines, just stopping and saying hi, taking a pic, signing an autograph. It seemed so much more like they "lived" there and were just out for a stroll in their "town". Different princesses just merely mosied around the castle and people would go up and talk with them, take a pic, move on and the princess would just keep walking around, sweeping her gown around and plopping down on little benches.

At one point, we caught Snow White playing by her fountain with no one else in sight. The fountain actually sings "I'm Wishing" and this Snow White was actually sort of lipsyncing it and Megan was spellbound... She wasn't acting like we weren't there, but it was more like we were watching her do a scene from the movie, but then she took Megan's hand and asked if she'd like to make a wish. I gave her a penny and she tossed it in. It was really adorable.

Mary Poppins was riding the carousel, waving at people, she would get off after the ride and esort a young child on with her. She would talk and interact with guests, but the funny thing was that I noticed, she and many other characters weren't mobbed for autographs and either were the Princesses. People just wanted to interact with them, maybe get a picture, as if they were/are celebrities in town. The only lines for characters I noticed were at Villain's Lair in Fantasyland. And, the best part is they still have the Sword and the Stone ceremony at DL. Merlin comes out and chooses a hulky guy, who of course can't budge the sword, and then a young boy, who pulls it out with ease... very cute!

In DL, the tea cups aren't covered by a roof and it's more "gardeny" around the ride. The characters from Alice were literally chasing each other around, goofing off, Alice fell back in the garden into the grass as she does in the movie and was asking people where Dinah had gone off to. It just seemed so much more informal, impromptu and less stressful than hurrying from one character to another to get an autograph. It was as if they were all just acting out little parts of their respective movies.

That was one of the things that captured my heart about Disneyland. The characters are "alive" there, not just there to be led around, sign autographs and take pictures.

 

[Debbie6221]

Finally, I got a link to share my PhotoPass pics from DL.

http://www.disneyphotopass.com/share.aspx?share=a43e2670-1bbe-4313-9494-f9b6d2663ced&site=DisneyLandResort

Thanks for sharing! Great shots! I love photopass! I love looking at fellow disers pix too!

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Leigh & Sandy great pics!!!

This weather is yuckyyyyyy!!

My legs are feeling better only to be traded for back pain! I feel like i'm 100 years old!!! But today i actually woke up really energized!! we played outside in the puddles and rain and I was still feeling good So let's hope this feeling is here to stay!

 

[Sk8Leigh]

Leigh - Great pictures!!! Thanks for sharing them with us!!! Have a great rest of your time at DL, and I can hardly wait to hear about your trip when you come home.

Oh sorry, I am home! I got home late Tuesday night. And I mean late. My flight to Minneapolis was fine, but then my connection was delayed because the crew had been diverted to Rochester. So around the time we were supposed to land in Chicago (11:15pm), we started to taxi. I started to nap, and woke up about 1/2 hour later and we were still taxiing! I still don't know what that was about. Finally we landed at a little before 1am, and I got home at 2am. I was sooo sleepy yesterday!

OMG, there's a squirrel smiley now!!! I LOVE squirrels!

 

[piglet too]

We are safe after the first round of storms. Lot of trees down, supposed funnel cloud sighting just down the road from us. Stay safe everyone with the next batch coming in. Laptop battery almost out, so I am outta here.

 

[macraven]

looks like the north line trains are stuck.
mr mac just called at 6 and has been sitting on the train since 5:03 downtown.

tracks have debris and trees on them and they have just started to move north.

we missed the rain up here for the most part. just a little sprinkle around 3:30 this afternoon.

 

[HERSEY]

Streets are flooded around here. We just got home went to pick up chinese at 5:00 we only had to go 10 minutes roundtrip and it took over a hour.

Leigh glad you are home.

What a wild day we have had. I need a vacation.

 

[HERSEY]

looks like the north line trains are stuck.
mr mac just called at 6 and has been sitting on the train since 5:03 downtown.

tracks have debris and trees on them and they have just started to move north.

we missed the rain up here for the most part. just a little sprinkle around 3:30 this afternoon.

Poor Mr Mac he is going to be one tired hungry puppy when he gets home.

 

[macraven]

i know mr mac will be wiped out.
2.5 hours on the train tonight.

 

[bigben]

I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto.

Holy snikies what a storm.

 

[Becky2005]

I don't think we're in Kansas anymore Toto.

Holy snikies what a storm.

You aren't kidding!!!! My poor DD didn't get home from school until around 5 pm because they wouldn't release them. Usually she's home around 4. Makes for a memorable first full day of school, that's for sure.

What was kind of funny (not for the kids) is that they *just* had a tornado drill as they do every year first thing at school and then 5 minutes later DD said, the alarm went off again, with the Principal coming on going "THIS IS NOT A DRILL" -- I guess that's one way to have a memorable first full day of school. They have a fire drill scheduled for tomorrow -- the kids were saying maybe they should hold off on that if today is any indication. They would hate to do a drill and then have to turn around and do the real thing.

I had walked to pick up the boys and they were telling us that severe weather was coming so to leave & don't dawdle. We were 3/4 of the way home and the tornado warning whistle went off -- my poor 10 year old went into absolute panic. We did finally make it in the house and head straight to the basement, then we lost electricity (that pushed my poor DS over the edge -- he was convinced we were all going to die). It was an interesting evening here.

I actually ended up calling DD on her cell phone to see if she was actually ON a bus since it was so late for her to get home. I knew they were holding the busses but the fact that I saw OTHER busses going around made me panic (and of course, the offices were closed, the transportation department had their answering machine on & DD's cell phone went straight to voicemail the first 2 times I called her.) I really, really, really hate actually calling her cell phone if she is on the bus as I figure that distracts the driver but this was the exact reason we got the phones. If she calls me that's fine (but she didn't think to call to tell me she's on the bus! Last year she would call me to tell me things that could wait until she gets home (I got this paper!!! type of things) -- this year she doesn't think to call and say "Hey mom, we just got on the bus", even though she knew they weren't released until way after dismissal time. As long as I knew she was on the bus and on her way, then I was happy.

Of course, then a few minutes later she does call me to tell me there were several downed big trees in the forest preserve and that it was a mess and she could only see the entrance part and has no idea what the rest of it is like since that is where they always hold their Girl Scout daycamps.

 

[Debbie6221]

Crazy weather!!
I hope you are all safe and sound and untouched!!!!!!!
We are all good here on the NW side of Chicago!

 

[Debbie6221]

Slo...I ment to mention how great your store looks! I admire your work! Wish you weren't so far from me!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Good evening all. Last night I had a whole post up and ready to add and my computer pooted So let me see if I can remember the highlights.
Thanks to all of you for your continued care and thoughts and prayers and pixie dust for the kids. They are doing fairly well. DD today was doing better than DS. She is also doing better with fluids, so that is probably what helps.

Bunchkin, about Kyle and Ebay: he found it by accident one day (same way he found youtube) . Typing in the search engine looking for Pokemon. It took him there for trading cards. It's amazing what these kids can do with computers and what they learn in their computer classes for how to do searches. He just knows he can't go there unless I am watching. Plus, we don't have an account, so at least I know he isn't bidding $$$$ on Aunt Dolly's furs. He just spends hours looking at Star Wars minifigs.
Glad to hear your kids have had good days back to school. And that is just awful about the playground equip. I, too, hope they find those kids and send them up the creek. (Lord knows, there are enough around here these days).

The auto body shop called day kids had tonsils out and said they got the OK from insurance to fix the van. Don't know if it is my insurance paying or if they convinced the owners of the service station that did the damage to pay for the repair. I'll call them tomorrow and find out.

John, hope you are enjoying a "dry" CA stay. I also hope you enjoy your time at DL. Try to get a ressie at the Blue Bayou if you have never eaten there before. Bunchkin can clue you in about the food. We weren't able to eat there-no advance ressie, but the ambiance is awesome. Candlelit and on the water of Pirates.

Ok that wraps last night, I think.
Hope you are all faring well after these storms. I had little visitors in bed last night again. Hope tonight is better, although it is still storming here now. I went to PT today and as I left, I could see the storm coming off to the west. Thought I had plenty of time to get to the library and ice cream shop before heading home. Barely walked into the library and the tornado sirens were going off. They had us all go to their storm area and stay til the all clear. Then the power went out, so the ice cream shop wasn't open for business. DS and DD were home with the GPs freaking out. We have more than enough water to share with the countries in drought. I keep waiting for the pool to collapse with overflow

Sandy, LOVE what you did with Steph's pix. What a cool idea. And it really turned out great!!!

DMM, glad to hear you are doing well. Just a few more weeks. Hang in there.

Leigh, thanks for sharing the pix. Would love to see more when you get a chance.

Mac, how are things up by you?

Becky, did your DD teachers get the head's up about her brace? Communication is the key that always is missing. Don't get it.

And Sam, stop wishing away the only weeks of summer I get!!!! Even though they are moist, rainy and not what I had planned, I can still leave my house in shorts and T-shirt, and that is major. I hate dressing everyone to go out. And I hate coats on in the car. Just the thought of cold weather coming gives me a and sends me straight into

Well, gonna browse around here a bit. Enjoying my little bit of alone time. It's rough being the "Beck and Call" girl.

 

[HERSEY]

Good morning hope everyone is ok. I'll make a fast post since I think it will be interesting to be driving this morning and I want to get a head start.

Becky Alex didn't get home until 5:00 also. I thought several times of going to get him. But everytime I called the school they told me they would be leaving in a few minutes. I thought I would miss him if I left the house.
I'm having issues with the school and communication. They don't seem to have any.

Yesterday I got a phone call at 1:00 to ask if Alex was sick I said no why. They said cause he wasn't at school My heart sank. I told them to check again. Long story really short there are 2 kids with similar names. Today the school office and I are going to be fast friends. I don't like them much right now. I nearly had a heart attack. How come there isn't a smilie about them(school) walking the plank.

Ok off to the shower after checking if the school is closed or open.

 

[slo]

What the heck is going on with this weather????
I don't know how much more we all (as in all of us DISers here) can take
I've been so worried about all of you, and have keeping you all in my prayers.


The weather here was at an all time worse yesterday and last night.
Our retention area in front of our house is 7/8 full - that is scaring me Especially since I'm not home to keep an eye on it today. We were all up until 2am last night, so I'm exhausted this morning - I'm sure you are all in the same boat. I just heard the weather and today is suppossed to be just like yesterday - OMG!!!!!! All I want is a good nights sleep - that's all I want


Boy, I wish Stephanie's school was either cancelled or delayed (streets have got to be flooded somewhere), but they're not All of these kids are going to be like walking zombies, because I'm sure most of them didn't get much sleep


Sam, geffric, and all those that work in the city - I've been thinking of you!!! It had to have taken you forever to get home yesterday. So many hugs to you!!!!

Bunchkin - I called and left a message on your cell phone last night. Someone told me that Joliet had 3 tornado sirens during the course of the day yesterday, and I was very worried about you and your family. Please check in and let us know that you are okay.
**Also...how did your doctors appt go yesterday?
**How was Hunters first full day at school? Did he enjoy being on the bus?

DMM - I"m glad your leg is feeling better. Take care of yourself!!!

Mac - I hope your DH made it home okay. He must have been exhausted!!!!

HERSEY - Keep thinking to yourself that pretty soon you'll be at The WL, and they'll be saying "welcome home" to you It'll be here before you know it!!
**OMG if the school called like that about Stephanie, I would have felt instantly nautsious (sp?). How scary for you, and I"m so glad they were wrong!!!!!!

bigben - We had some massive storms here too

Debbie - Thanks for commenting about the pictures I'm so proud of that store!!!

Becky - If we were walking home, and the tornado siren went off here, my DD would have freaked too I'm glad you were almost home when that happened.

Tiigggernnnnn - I've been thinking so much about your kids. Still sending lots of hugs to them and PD
**Thanks for the compliment about the AG collage that I did. I have it now hanging in the store by the computer on the example wall - it looks great there!!!!! You'll be able to see it when you come back in




Well, I gotta go and start waking Stephanie up for school
She looks so peaceful on my floor - I really hate having to wake her
I carried Katie off to here bed, luckily for her, she can sleep until 8:30am but she'll still be exhausted. I feel sorry for the daycare teachers - can you imagine having a room full of crabby, overtired, 3 & 4 year olds God Bless the daycare teachers!!!!!


Be careful today everyone, and please check in, even it's a I just want to know you are all okay

Luv ya guys!!!

 

[geffric]

Morning..

well yesterday was interesting.. I was in Milwaukee at a client's site left about 4:30.. the drive home was bumper to bumper on the expressway once I hit Ill..but I did wave to you MAC.. and then once I got off and starting driving on street - trees down, streets flooded, power out.. it was a mess took me until 8 pm to get home..

The kids were held at school until 5 pm..Eric said he was in one of the hallyways and Geoff was in the locker room..What a mess.. half the town didn't have power...


I am working from home today.. thanksfully that I didn't have to train it..

Mac what time did you Dh make it home?

SLO great pic.. the store looks so cute..

Skateleigh.. super pictures. How was the segway tour?

Hope everyone is okay today..

Gotta work.. be back soon..

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Hi everyone Hope everyone is alright!!!!

Becky, I heard it was pretty bad by you guys for a bit??!!! My parents are in the process of having their roof and their siding re-done and this happened while it was all half way done!! The guys pretty much have to start all over again

 

[SamIAm21]

Wow, what a bumpy ride. Before I left work last night, round 1 of the storm hit downtown Chicago. Full sheets of drywall flying through the air like newspaper, debris flying everywhere. There were alerts in my building to move away from windows due to the debris flying through the air. I waited for it to let up and made it home with no problem, except for wet pant cuffs. Megan's school had them in the hallway, but she said, she wasn't really very scared. She said lots of other kids were though and that made her upset. Megan is fairly good about storms, not overly anxious. I've learned to dial down my fear and anxiety in order to keep her from going overboard.

I got home at about 5:30 and we were milling around out in front (which faces east). We weren't even looking to the westward sky as Dan has torn up the front of the house and we are now in the midst of designing a new front entry way. So, I go in the house and stop dead in my tracks as I can see the sky to the west through my sliding doors at the back of the house.

I ran back out front and said, you better start wrapping things up because we are about to get the mother of all storms. It was amazingly scary looking. Megan was actually fairly non-plussed about the whole thing probably because Daddy was home, which made it easy. I was running around the yard taking pictures when the sirens went off at about 6:30 p.m. Okay, enough pictures!! When the storm hit, I got the feeling I knew what a hurricane would be like. The sky was black, gray, and green, in layers, but neither Dan or myself ever saw any rotation. Some clouds were moving north and some seemed to be moving south, but never swirling.

So, we get round 2 again today huh! I'm glad this is all supposed to be over by tomorrow morning. Really, how much can one region take???

I finally fell asleep at 9:30 only to get woken up again at 2:00 a.m. by another storm. Sheesh!

I'm thinking about all of you out there too, so stay safe and keep an eye to the sky this afternoon!