DDA Chapter 22

[lovesdumbo]

Bernadette you are to dang busy at work, I say just skip making anything this trip.

I do know that we will have a great trip even if I don't make anything but I do want to give it a try. One dress I want to make Emma will only take about an hour so that is easy. I also really want to make her a dress with Dug from the Up movie on it. It is a jumper style that she can wear as a sun dress now and then use it in January with a t-shirt or turtleneck in January for her birthday. I've made that pattern before so the dress itself won't take too long. It is the making of the applique for Dug that makes me nervous. I bet even it Dug wasn't perfect she would LOVE him so I really want to try it. Then I want to make myself a Toy Story Mania T-shirt. I really want to do it and rarely make myself anything so I'm hoping I can find the time to do it.

I do have the entire weekend. I think I'll start the laundry tonight and then I can start packing as I fold the clean laundry.

I do also need to take care of backing up my photos so I can erase all my memory cards. I was having trouble backing up my May photos off my Mac so I may try uploading them to my new laptop to make a backup.

I am usually pretty good about giving up on projects if I'm making myself too stressed. I know we'll have a good time even if I don't get anything more than a couple of shorts & t's packed-all the "extra" stuff is in my Owner's Locker so I don't have to worry about that.

I did just fax the room assignor. I would really LOVE a 3rd floor room at the Polynesian as the 2nd floor rooms don't have balconies.

We've decided not to go to Santa's Village today. The weather forecast changed from a potential storm at 10 AM to heavy rains through 2 PM No point in driving all that way to stand in the rain. Most things would be closed anyway. I'll have to plan to get the boys there another day. We will still be going camping this weekend, but we won't be leaving until Chris gets out at 5 PM. I guess I now have plenty of time to clean my house.

This weather is a bit much isn't it? At least it is supposed to be nice this weekend. Have fun camping!

Bernadette - We bought those Purex 3-in-1 sheets for laundry. Guess we'll see how it goes! Good luck getting you creations finished!

Zazu is doing pretty well - he is eating, drinking, using his litter. Arabella is still being horrible to him. DH said it is like she completely forgot Zazu in the 24 hours he was gone. I have been holding him and petting him to try to get my scent on him, but she hisses and runs if he gets within 6 feet of her! I expected her to hiss when he FIRST came home, but now her behavior seems kind of odd. They played together ALL the time, so I hope she gets used to him again soon.

You'll have to let me know what you think of those. I still have powdered laundry soap & dryer sheets in my box. When those are used up I think I'll try those new 3-in-1 sheets.

Nice to hear Zazu is doing well!

Our school is closed next week so I suppose I am "officially" on vacation. However, I have about 20 compositions from the last two weeks to finish up before I feel like there is nothing hanging over my head. I also finished up my class schedule for fall and will start on private lesson scheduling this coming week too. So... I guess that means I am having my own little version of a staycation!

Hope you get things wrapped up quickly so you can relax!

Good morning!
Yesterday was so much fun at the shore--it rained ALL day long, but itw as nice sitting with my four closest friends at work--we chatted for hours and didnt realize it had gotten to be 8:00--We had over an hour drive home to my house and one of the teachers had an hour ride from my house! But it was a great day

Today,I have alot of errands and running around to do..TGIF

Sounds like a fun day! When do you go back? My kids go back 9/2-the first time before Labor Day.

Saw this elsewhere and I didn't get an email about it. Sorry if you all already knew about it.

New Disney Visa Free Dining Offer! - Disney Visa cardholders booking a special Magic Your Package at a WDW Value Resort can receive the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan FREE! Moderate resort guests and above can get the Regular Dining Plan Free. This offer is limited and valid for travel from 09/27/2009 to 12/17/2009.

I didn't get that either. I'm thinking of a December trip but thankfully Dorinda got a free dining pin so we'd get the regular DDP at a value. We haven't decided on dates (flights) yet so we haven't booked anything.

Elin, thanks for posting! We did NOT get that e-mail, even though DH and I both have a Disney Visa! Sooooo tempting. Airfare is about $200 round trip. I looked at it last night. Sigh. I wonder if the free dining is a better deal than a room discount?

That would depend on the room.

Anyone have thoughts on dining at Tony's at the MK? I am looking for a MK TS before MNSSHP.

We have an ADR for our first night but I'm not sure if we'll go because we also have the dessert party.

Ann Marie give it a try and then let me know how it was.

I wish they would bring back the breakfast, it was so good.

I was thinking I didn't know they did breakfast. Guess they used to do it!

Hello, DDA!

Nothing too much here today. Just some general work around the house and a couple of quick errands. We're headed to The Muny tonight to see The Music Man. A couple of friends play various kids in the show and one is performing before the show as well. Should be fun!

Anne Marie - I'd be interested in hearing if you try Tony's. I've only done breakfast there and it was several years ago.

Elizabeth - Glad Zazu's doing well. I hope Arabella calms down about him soon.

It's about to get unquiet here as the baby will be here soon while her mom has another interview. Plus, Kristi's will probably be here with her kids in a bit as well. Guess I'd better go savor my time. Oh yeah, and go get clothes to fold.

Enjoy the Music Man!

 

[PNO4TE]

Well, I booked for Dec. and I have airfare on hold. I went with the AP rate. Not sure if we will actually do this or not, but we might.

We save $250 if we go early Fri. AM as opposed to Thur. PM, so we would just be there Fri-Mon. We would still have full days Sat (Ep) and Sun (MK + MVMCP).

The "free" dining would add $600 to the price if we stayed 4 nights. That does include the one day park passes that we don't need. I know we can upgrade them later, but this is more about making this trip SUPER cheap.

Airfare, hotel, MVMCP would run about $1250. Plus 9 meals, 6 CS and 3 TS. Hmm. Definitely need to ponder this.

Super cheap does not compute when one books AKL, missy!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well, I booked for Dec. and I have airfare on hold. I went with the AP rate. Not sure if we will actually do this or not, but we might.

We save $250 if we go early Fri. AM as opposed to Thur. PM, so we would just be there Fri-Mon. We would still have full days Sat (Ep) and Sun (MK + MVMCP).

The "free" dining would add $600 to the price if we stayed 4 nights. That does include the one day park passes that we don't need. I know we can upgrade them later, but this is more about making this trip SUPER cheap.

Airfare, hotel, MVMCP would run about $1250. Plus 9 meals, 6 CS and 3 TS. Hmm. Definitely need to ponder this.

What dates?

 

[PNO4TE]

This weather is a bit much isn't it? At least it is supposed to be nice this weekend. Have fun camping!

This is what Kathrin has to say about your unusual NE weather:

Dear Summer season: You know you're my favorite. We used to have so much fun together! Laughing, vacationing, day drinking. But your behavior over the past few months has me thinking that you don't love me anymore. I think we should break up. I've been seeing Fall, and I think it's getting serious.

 

[bear74]

We ate there several years ago, and I can barely remember it. So there you have it, nothing memorable, neither great nor horrible.

We are eating at The Plaza this trip. It was a toss-up between there and Tony's. I decided on The Plaza since their burgers get rave reviews.

we ate at the Plaza. I got the special which was meat loaf, mashed potatos and i think corn. It was yummy

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Super cheap does not compute when one books AKL, missy!

Eh, well, then there's that. How did you know it was AKL?

What dates?

Dec. 3-7, or 4-7.

I *think* free dining is actually $100 more if I separate out all of the components. It is so flippin' confusing to try to compare apples to apples. Free dining gives us tickets we don't need - already addressed that. It pays for the food, BUT the tips are what get us. It seems silly to pay higher airfare and a night of hotel just to gain a few hours of park time Friday morning.

If we go Dec. 4-7, MVMCP Dec. 6, AP room only, we could get by on about $1800. That sounds high, but it's because I am including the airfare in it.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Eh, well, then there's that. How did you know it was AKL?



Dec. 3-7, or 4-7.

I *think* free dining is actually $100 more if I separate out all of the components. It is so flippin' confusing to try to compare apples to apples. Free dining gives us tickets we don't need - already addressed that. It pays for the food, BUT the tips are what get us. It seems silly to pay higher airfare and a night of hotel just to gain a few hours of park time Friday morning.

If we go Dec. 4-7, MVMCP Dec. 6, AP room only, we could get by on about $1800. That sounds high, but it's because I am including the airfare in it.

We were thinking like Dec 1 to Dec 7 but we don't like the airfare. Dorinda doesn't want to pay $119 to fly down but the only "cheap" flight ($84) gets us into MCO around 11pm or midnight. We aren't crazy about that during the winter when flights could be delayed. If we are going to do free dining it actually does make sense for us to go the night before as we would get $120 worth of dining from a value room with Dorinda, her DH, me & Lizzy (Disney adult). We haven't even called yet to see if we could even book a value room. I think she wants to wait til after Labor Day to book air fare because she'll have enough miles for a free ticket. I won't have enough mile for a while. I have 40 points on Jet Blue but you need 100. She thinks airfare will drop but I'm not too sure about that. I supposed I could try to book a room.....

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We actually do better getting up super early than we do trying to go out on an evening flight after DH has worked that day. By the time we get to AKL there is no food available, everybody is cranky, etc.

I want to make another chart comparing costs just to make sure there really isn't something about "free" dining that I am missing. I am pretty sure there isn't.

I am conflicted on airfare. The prices right now are not bad. I doubt the price on American will drop. Airtran doesn't have nonstop flights at the times we need and they aren't any cheaper anyway. SW doesn't offer nonstop to MCO, and their prices are higher than American.

DH and I need to talk about it more when I get home. I can leave the room ressie until after we get back from the Aug. trip if I want to - I don't HAVE to decide right now. I just hope airfare doesn't go up if we decide to think on it for a few weeks.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It really is pretty close to break even either way.
But we come out $440 cheaper NOT doing free dining and only staying 3 nights instead of 4.
That's because we aren't paying for 1) an extra night of hotel where we would arrive really late or 2) park passes we don't need.

If I felt strongly about arriving Thur. PM as opposed to Fri. AM then it would be even closer to break even once you subtract out the full cost of the park passes from the package. But this is about paying less up front for the same basic experience, so I'll stay with the AP rate and figure out the rest later.

 

[tinknme]

This is what Kathrin has to say about your unusual NE weather:

Dear Summer season: You know you're my favorite. We used to have so much fun together! Laughing, vacationing, day drinking. But your behavior over the past few months has me thinking that you don't love me anymore. I think we should break up. I've been seeing Fall, and I think it's getting serious.

Love it

 

[babytrees]

dam, dam, dam, he's doing it again....promising money we don't have and won't have.

 

[bear74]

dam, dam, dam, he's doing it again....promising money we don't have and won't have.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Sounds like a fun day! When do you go back? My kids go back 9/2-the first time before Labor Day.

We are allowed in our classrooms to set up Aug 17--so im going to go the 17th and 18th and get as much done as i can, since i go away on the 19th and i dont want that hanging over my head.
We have inservice Sept 1-3 and school starts the 8th

ditto!

 

[lovesdumbo]

dam, dam, dam, he's doing it again....promising money we don't have and won't have.

I'm so sorry! Does anyone actually believe him????????

 

[bethbuchall]

dam, dam, dam, he's doing it again....promising money we don't have and won't have.

Sorry, Theresa! That must be very stressful.

 

[bethbuchall]

Hi, DDA! I've been trying to pop on to read, but I always seem to run out of time before I can reply.

Like now, I really need to go get a meatloaf in the oven and the potatoes going if we are going to eat tonight.

to everyone! and I am thinking about you!

 

[lovesdumbo]

I booked a package for December just to have it.....

Dec 1 to Dec 7-6 nights standard room at Pop Century for Dorinda, Ralph, Lizzy & I. 1 day base tickets and regular DDP. TOTAL $948. So for $474 I get about $150 worth of tickets to use in the future (it isn't like I won't be going back....). That leaves a balance of $324 for 6 nights and free dining. We've all traveled in one room before and got along fine.

I'm hoping they will allow Lizzy to purchase a kid's meal out of pocket and then we can do an extra TS buffet breakfast with those points. I know she has to pay adult pricing at all you eat places.

We'll wait a little while on the airfare. Right now for the times we can live with it is $229 RT per person-that really doesn't sound too bad to me but Dorinda thinks we are safe waiting for her to have a free ticket. I don't want to book and end up on different flights.

 

[bear74]

so how much do Disney Tickets normally go up?

yes I am trying to make my budget for next year. Thinking of driving down leaving the sat after Thanksgiving giving us 2 days to get to WDW. Checking in on the 29th and checking out on Dec 7th and heading back home. Giving us 2 days coming back. Jeff really wants to go back at Christmas time which means I will Miss Theresa and her girls but I loved WDW at Christmas time.

 

[babytrees]

I'm so sorry! Does anyone actually believe him????????

yes, because he will pay it and then look at me to find the money.

It only got worse this afternoon...because it took him less than a half hour to forget something I've asked of him at least 5 times...something very important. He's a donkey's butt.

One somewhat bright side was a friend stopped by right after I typed out my last post and listened and hugged...she said that something brought her by my house and I believe her.

I am broken.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Theresa, I am sorry things are still such a mess.