DDA Chapter 22

[Steffy]

Okay, so I need opinions from you guys. I have finally conceded the fact that we will not be making a December trip this year (how that makes me want to cry!), and we'll have at least 55 DVC points that we have to use before the end of September '10, since we can't bank them.

I had just assumed we would take Austin for his first trip, likely in early or mid-May of next year. However, I would definitely like to continue the Dec. tradition, and also go in Dec. of next year. When talking with Jonathan, he mentioned maybe doing something different in May, if I'm set on December. (Blasphemous, yes.) Without dealing with a trade-out, which I have no desire to do, that leaves us only Hilton Head or Vero Beach as our non-Disney property DVC options. Plus, we have no real interest in going to Vero Beach, as we can go to my grandparent's house about an hour south of Vero for beach time, and it doesn't cost us anything.

So, anyone want to weigh in on taking a potential 8-9 mo. old to Disney, or to Hilton Head? Obviously, a trip with an infant will be new all the way around - I do know what to expect with Disney, while neither J or I have ever been anywhere near Hilton Head. I could see HHI potentially being a bit more "relaxed", but at the same time, I'm worried there won't be much we can do, other than the pool or just walking around, with an infant, while WDW has a lot of stimulation and built-in entertainment. Also, the cost for airfare to Savannah or Charleston is much more significant than what it would be to go to MCO (like almost double). And driving, IMO, would be out of the question for either location - just too long.

And the big question - could we actually hold out 19 months before returning to the World?

Hi Lindsay!

Hey, you asked. I would so go to Disney. HHI was nice, if all you want to do is relax. There's the beach and the beach house. There's Big Murphy's Den, sorta like the community rooms at any DVC resort. There's bike riding and nature walks. You can watch the grass grow.

At WDW you can do all of that plus. If you want to relax you can relax. Swim. Beach. Watch the grass grow. Play pool at the community center. Sign out a DVD. Oooorrrrrrrrr, you can ride Its a small world, go to Playhouse Disney, have breakfast with the Little Einsteins, go over to the Poly to the Neverland Club, go see a parade, watch the fireworks, go to the campfire and roast marshmallows, go for a walk, bike ride, boat ride, monorail ride... need I go on???????

We brought both of the grandsons before they were one. I'd suggest bringing your stroller that reclines and that he's used to. There are baby care centers to sit in and have air conditioning while you feed him. You could nurse there. Buy a diaper if you've used them all up. You could take a raft to Tom Sawyers Island. My grandsons LOVED the parades, the shows, the boat rides EVERYTHING. Their eyes didn't stop moving, except when they slept. They took in all the smells, the lights, the CMs saying hi.

My DDIL said she didn't want to take another toddler to the World, so we went to HHI. After the second day of biking and playing in the sand, she stated that there would surely have been a whole lot more to do at WDW.

So anyway, you asked.

 

[Tammi67]

I don't disagree with you per se. But once you have paid $562.50 for books for this high school...riding the bus for .85 doesn't really phase you. This community is of a different mind set. Sometimes, yes, it drives me crazy.

Get your own transpo, AND pay for books??? Good golly!

 

[Tammi67]

Tammi - I am loving your pics and TR! Thanks for also giving your thoughts on BLT - were you guys in a studio or a 1BR?

We were in a studio. I'd never be able to swing 1BR points!

Great recap, btw.

Hope you guys are still hanging in there. Do you have a date scheduled?

 

[Steffy]

So 2 DDA thought the dessert party was just ok.

Yeah, I saw that too Heidi.

 

[Tammi67]

Tammi what did you think of the movie Doubt?

Have you seen it? Do you know what it is about? I wasn't expecting there to be NO ending. It's all of a sudden over.

 

[Tammi67]

Hello Heidi!

The dessert party sounds like one of those "Been there, done that, once is enough" type of thing.

Yep.

 

[Tammi67]

For those of you that have a hard time cleaning the inside of your computer..........

http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

Stephanie, I think you will like this.

 

[Tammi67]

Lindsay - I'm with everyone else that thinks that you should go to WDW. If you read Jennifer's blog, I think in hindsight she would have waited awhile, but then again, she had 2 babies in tow. Just prepare that this trip is going to be COMPLETELY different. VERY slow. Maybe some character interaction, a few attractions, but that's it. Of course, it's all going to depend on Austin's temperment too. When Nicholas was 6 mos. old we flew to Arkansas to visit family. He adapted well. I said from the moment that I became pregnant that my life would continue as it always had, just with kids along. We never stopped going places, out to eat, to church, or what have you. Taking them from an early age taught them how to behave appropriately in different environments. Anyway, my advice is go to WDW, just be prepared to slow down.

 

[tinknme]

Have you seen it? Do you know what it is about? I wasn't expecting there to be NO ending. It's all of a sudden over.

Not yet, just wondering if you thought it was worth watching?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Have you seen it? Do you know what it is about? I wasn't expecting there to be NO ending. It's all of a sudden over.

I saw the trailers for it, and thought it might be a decent movie. But I like movies with an ending!

I got The Golden Compass DVD from the library and we watched it Thursday. It is a darn good thing I read the book first! DH was LOST through the entire film. DS and I were able to keep up because we read the book. It also just stopped abruptly at the end. I have heard nothing of a sequel, though it kind of looked like they planned to have one.

Heidi - The dessert party would have been a bigger hit with me if they had more varied desserts. Everything was either a tart or a cream thing of some sort. Then they had plain brownies and cookies, and fresh fruit. I like cake, pie, ice cream. Not really tarts and cream things (creme brulee, mousse, "cheesecake" in a little cup). Obviously ice cream would have melted as soon as it hit the bowl, but they could have had some other choices. If you look at it as $18 per person for a reserved seat for Wishes with dessert thrown in, it is not a bad deal. Not something I would do over and over, but still OK.

 

[tinknme]

Steph & Tammi you said what I was thinking to Lindsay, I just couldn't get it into the right words

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

For those of you that have a hard time cleaning the inside of your computer..........

http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

Stephanie, I think you will like this.

Cute!

 

[tinknme]

For those of you that have a hard time cleaning the inside of your computer..........

http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

Stephanie, I think you will like this.

Awww, I love it!

 

[Tammi67]

Not yet, just wondering if you thought it was worth watching?

It's good, and I like Meryl Streep. But just be prepared to be left hanging and drawing your own conclusion.

 

[Tammi67]

My kids will be home shortly!!

 

[Tammi67]

I feel bad for all of you with kids heading back to school. We still have another 2 weeks. Summer isn't over until AFTER Labor Day! But of course we don't get out until June 18!

 

[tink2020]

Lindsay - I'm with everyone else that thinks that you should go to WDW. If you read Jennifer's blog, I think in hindsight she would have waited awhile, but then again, she had 2 babies in tow. Just prepare that this trip is going to be COMPLETELY different. VERY slow. Maybe some character interaction, a few attractions, but that's it. Of course, it's all going to depend on Austin's temperment too. When Nicholas was 6 mos. old we flew to Arkansas to visit family. He adapted well. I said from the moment that I became pregnant that my life would continue as it always had, just with kids along. We never stopped going places, out to eat, to church, or what have you. Taking them from an early age taught them how to behave appropriately in different environments. Anyway, my advice is go to WDW, just be prepared to slow down.

Actually, in hindsight we should have taken them earlier!

As I told Lindsay in an email, if you go before baby (or babies) become mobile and are still content to be less independent, it would be a WONDERFUL trip! If you go just after they have discovered how boring it is to be held or confined to a stroller, you just have to be prepared for LOTS of downtime for them to explore on their own - and it can still be a wonderful trip!

Tammi - I mostly quoted you, though, to echo your sentiment on "doing life" in general with kids in tow. That has been SO important to us, and I think it's so good for mom, dad, husband, wife, whatever role - AND for the kids. It drives me crazy to see families who are just venturing out of the confines of their home when their kids have already missed so many opportunities for stimulation, and for learning (barring any medical conditions, etc, of course!) because they didn't want to take them anywhere. Kyle and I have always been about exposing the girls to as much as possible, as early as possible.

It makes for a more creative parent, too, rather than one like a friend of mine who STILL can't figure out how to go to the grocery store with her two kids in tow ). You just can't let your kids be that crippling!





Hello to everyone else! I hope all the DDA kiddos are as excited about school starting as most of the parents are that I've talked to!

 

[tink2020]

(How's that for a pounce, huh? Denise would be proud! )

(In actuality, I think I just logged on at the right time! )

 

[tinker1bell]

For those of you that have a hard time cleaning the inside of your computer..........

http://www.raincitystory.com/flash/screenclean.swf

Stephanie, I think you will like this.

I had seen this before but not with the Pug!!!! OMG

 

[tinker1bell]

Well, we tweaked our reservations for our rooms before and after the cruise. Before, we will stay two days at Coronado Springs and after we will be staying at the Carribbean Beach in one of the rooms with the pirate beds!!!!

When Stephanie goes home on Saturday, Dec 12, I will just stay there and my sister will join me. I am really excited!!!

I had always said I wanted to stay in each resort at least once. Might be a while before I can do the Delux but I can say I did stay at the Beach Club Villas with Stephanie.