Dad's graduating and mom's 57th bday = let's all go to Disney, June 2011

[jegsnakkernorsk]

DSis just purchased a digital camera - just in time for the trip! It is waterproof, small, light-weight, and cost around $75.

 

[speedo]

The small laminated itineraries will be good for the park. They will hold up better than paper and help helps us remember what we planned to do once we are inside the park.

Last year I tried bringing my full page print out paper itineraries but they got pretty soggy and unreadable hoping these will stand up better!

 

[speedo]

I think this camera is new to the market as of this spring. It was well under $100 so I won't have to worry about it too much. It is waterproof up to 10 feet. But it does not have an optical zoom or stabilizer. So it is a basic point and shoot with the best feature being waterproof.

But I think it will be perfect for Disney! Can't wait to test is out at Typhoon Lagoon.

Will post pictures that I take with this camera after we get back!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

My parents drove up to Rochester, MN from south Florida so my mom could have some tests done at Mayos. Ten years ago or so she had a hysterectomy and has been having troubles ever since. The doctor left staples in her that have worked there way into her bladder and causing her infections and problems there now. She found out yesterday that yet another staple would need to be removed.

Spoke to dad this morning and he said she had been taken into surgery all ready. Can't stop worring about it.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Just heard from dad that mom is out of surgery and doing well!

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Oh my goodness! So glad your mom is ok!!! You guys will be really ready to celebrate in a couple of weeks - will she be ready to go for it?

I have many thoughts for you, now that I've read the whole thing! Will write again soon.

Yay for unexpected PIN code WDW trip!!

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

Have done a very brief stay at CBR - in the pirate rooms! Which we absolutely loved!! (Have you seen photos of royal room and haunted mansion rooms I hope?) So I'm sure Nemo room is just as cute. Can't speak to much of the resort though. QS food was surprisingly decent . . . I think DH even had fish there and liked it. It is very large, so the bus travel can take a long time.

DME works pretty well, I think esp. for an early AM arrival. We had a late, late evening arrival our 1st time, and it took us about an hour and 45 mins from landing to WL arrival. The system seems fantastic though . . . and yes, everyone will definitely advise you to bring essential items in your carry-on. We had to take our own luggage off the bus b/c of our late arrival (theory being that they're not going to awaken you at 1 am to deliver your bags, and that makes sense).

Cosmic Ray's is pretty darn decent. Definitely had the chicken . . . can't remember if DH tried the ribs or not. We first discovered it at Grad Nite oh so many years ago.

Ok, now I'm taking issue - you've never watched the fireworks from Main St.???????????? Good heavens. Glad you are planning this. The greatest place is supposed to be from about the Casey's Corner/Ice Cream Shop area. We often stand further back midway down Main St. or closer to the flagpole in order to get to the buses a touch earlier. But - if the Magic, Memories and Me preshow is still ongoing, I would recommend Casey's Corner, or even closer (like the hub). I saw bits and pieces of it our last trip, but then finally was standing right near the castle for my final viewing. The technology on that thing is amazing! And some of it gets lost on you the further away you are.

Also never seen Beauty & the Beast at MGM. Still taking issue Jeg! It's my fave stage show, but I haven't seen it recently due to DH. Glad you are seeing this as well.

We enjoyed 1 Man's Dream a lot. I could have taken even more time to view all the memorabilia and info. MofDA was cute. And I don't mean that derisively. It had its charm to see it once, and I've always liked Mushu. What I meant to also try and didn't have enough time to see was the drawing class where an animator teaches you to draw a character. It's in the exit area (which is very large and winding). I'm assuming you can go into it w/o sitting through MofDA a 2nd time?

Ok back to work. I'll have to add more random thoughts later.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Oh my goodness! So glad your mom is ok!!! You guys will be really ready to celebrate in a couple of weeks - will she be ready to go for it?

I have many thoughts for you, now that I've read the whole thing! Will write again soon.

Yay for unexpected PIN code WDW trip!!

Thanks! Don't know yet if mom will be up for joining us as planned in Orlando. Parents are coming for dad's graduation on May 27th and we will probably know more then about how she is feeling. It was all a bit of a surprise to DSis and I that she wasn't well.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

I'll have to add more random thoughts later.

Can't wait to learn more!

Now what is this about haunted mansion rooms? where is that???

In planning for this trip I realized how much I still haven't done at WDW. There is just too much to do and never enough time. This trip I'm making a special effort to try new things and not just revisit what I know I love. I'm even willing to miss some of my favorites in order to try something else. But not Haunted Mansion - that is a must do.

 

[sassyredhead]

Love the picture of your sister as Leia!

Which day are you going to SWWs? We will be there Saturday, June 4th.

 

[CindyIsMyFave]

It's just a rumor . . . but they've done concept art. See link:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Wal...and-Disney-Princess-moderate-resort-rooms.htm

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Love the picture of your sister as Leia!

Which day are you going to SWWs? We will be there Saturday, June 4th.

Thanks - she made that costume by hand! She's very creative. I posted a story on the Star Wars tips thread about how another guest thought she actually was a Disney CM!

We're planning to be there on Friday. We're hoping that might be a little less crowded than Saturday. And DSis is not dressing up this time

I hope you have a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

It's just a rumor . . . but they've done concept art. See link:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Resorts/Wal...and-Disney-Princess-moderate-resort-rooms.htm

OMG I would totally stay at either of these. What a great idea - they should do this!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

I haven't worn a fanny pack since 1980 something, but this was only $7 and I do like the idea of being hands free and not carrying a heavy bag for a change. We'll see how it goes. I feel like Disney is the one place I can be a dork and not worry what people will think.

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Two weeks out and I'm already packed!!!

 

[sahm2two]

Two weeks out and I'm already packed!!!

man, I thought I was doing pretty good being about 50% packed at 13 days out

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

The draw back of being packed so early is that I keep thinking of things I want that I already packed. I've decided when I reach three things that I need out of there, I'll open it. I'm at two now...

My parents are coming on Saturday to stay for a little more than a week (though Dad is flying out to a convention in Texas during a lot of that). So I really had to pack now because when they leave, is the day before I leave for Disney. And when my parents stay, I give up my room and sleep on a blow up in the den. So getting packed early was a must for me this trip.

Plus I can't wait to be on vacation!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

About a month or more ago I went to the cheap paper store and climbed through all their boxes of graduation stuff piled up in the back to get party decorations. Dad and mom arrive Saturday morning and they are always early - so Friday night is not out of the question. Hence tonight I decorated.

Here's my evening's work - hope it hangs in there til they arrive!

 

[sassyredhead]

Love the graduation decorations!!!

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Well my parents called to say they are thinking of coming tonight (see - I told you they would!). But they said they they would stay about two hours from here for the night and arrive in the morning - phew!

now if you want to read about what else we have up our sleeve...
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41186780&postcount=3138