DIS Dads DDC XVII - Leap year edition

[AirGoofy]

I posted the following over at the Podcast threads in response to a dicussion about how annoying it was to hear someone complain about some trivial annoyance 'ruining their whole trip'. Might give you all a chuckle. DisFed seemed to like it.
Sheesh.

Ah, the complaints. I stayed at WDW and didn't get a free upgrade. It ruined my whole year. People just like to complain.

Major dilemma here.

I have my wife and kids all ready for a trip to Disney this August. We orignially planned to go after 8/15 because the southern schools are back in session and it will be less crowded. My daughter has figure-skating camp in Massachusetts on 8/24. We don't want to have her go to Massachusetts the day after she gets back from Disney, so we figured we'd go down to Disney on the 13th or 14th and come home on the 21st or 22nd. So far, so good.

Here's the rub: my wife now wants to go down with her sister and her sister's family who don't want to go in August. I've been bugging her since January to figure out something with her sister so I can make the reservations, etc. I don't want to get into a fight with my wife, but I also want to get these things set ahead of time. PLanning for Disney should be fun and exciting, not stressful.

I am afraid that what will happen is we either don't go at all or we go for a much shorter time in June or July. I don't want to be mean about it, but I can't figure out how to walk this fine line between sticking with our original plan and accomodating my sister-in-law and her family.

Help.

This one is easy for me. We book the trip when we want to go. If inlaws or friends want to go, then great. Let's plan some time to have fun at WDW. Can't go? Maybe next year. We're still going.

 

[Disney Commando]

I posted the following over at the Podcast threads in response to a dicussion about how annoying it was to hear someone complain about some trivial annoyance 'ruining their whole trip'. Might give you all a chuckle. DisFed seemed to like it.



I can remember an incident during a trip a few years ago that was quite unnerving. We are DVC members and were staying at OKW. Things were going quite well, good weather, reasonable crowds at the parks. About half way through the trip the wife and I were walking along the sidewalk when this gecko darts out of the underbrush and across the sidewalk. It damn near scared me to death. I mean come on, this is a controlled Disney environment and they have these little scruffy lizards running around. After regaining my composure we kept walking and I noticed the things were EVERYWHERE. The place was literally crawling with the things. What was this? Jurassic Park? The next thing you know we'll have velociraptors and T-rexs roaming around the place. When we finally made it back to our room unscathed I fired off a letter to GEICO insurance to see if there was a copyright infringement thing going on here. I've yet to hear back from them, but i'm hoping for a finders fee of some kind.

We still go back each year, but i'm bound and determined not to let the little buggers get the drop on me again. I make sure to make my footsteps very loud (although the shock is causing some ankle and knee issues) and use a stick to stir up the bushes to scare the things away. I still can't believe they let lizards run wild around the place. The next thing you know I'll find out they have alligators on the property. Sheesh.

Some people love it complain, I love trying to catch those little guys, they are really quick but I have caught a few, one time one crawled under the door into our room, we all thought it was funny

Boy I hope she never gets hit by bird poop, she would question why WDW isn't a no fly zone

 

[AirGoofy]

Doing the single digit dance OWNAGE.

I highly recommend a quick trip to Disney with your wife the weekend after a family trip. Really helping with withdrawal symptoms...

Is that what the Doc ordered?

On a related note, any chance you wouldn't mind watching a 4 and 1 year old for a weekend in October???

I think we should just all take our kids to Doc's house for free babysitting.

DW gives me a loving look and makes a comment about how she is finally rubbing off on me. I'll let her keep on believing it. It would probably be a blow to her ego if she discovered that my utilization of spreadsheets and other documents in our vacation planning is inspired by the DDC.

The next step is that your spread sheet moves inside your head, and you can plan whenever and whereever.

Don't have time to check the boards lately. I have a construction project that's kind of blowing up on me right now. If you think of it, keep praying for me and my family. When it rains, it pours.

Prayers for you. You all have had a lot going on.

I talked to my son in central Kentucky yesterday. His family spent part of the morning hiding in the bathroom while a thunder storm/tornado blew past. It went south of the town and they had no damage but I know the mid-west got hit pretty hard. Did any of our group have damage? Everybody okay?

The county over had the roof ripped off the H.S. gym, but that is all I heard of so far.

Sounds nice Norm. Best wishes on getting what you'd like. No, I mean that. I'm not being sarcastic here. I hope you do. That'd be cool for you.

Thanks. That's the only WDW DVC resort we haven't stayed, but am fearful that F&W will prevent us from getting it. We'll see.

I might just have been able to steal Norm's "highest post count in a single thread" title away from him if I had been here all day long. But still 684 is my personal highest. I'm not complaining about that. I'm good with being #2 to Norm on that one...
at least for now.

You are the #1 overall poster, but am surprised you didn't. But, it took me many more days and the thread went to 375 pages. I'm 4th all time in posting and will not go any higher for quite some time.

I feel very motivated today. It's that, "hey, I achieved something, now let's see what else I can do!" feeling.

Today is March 1. We cruise on August 1. 5 months from now. I'm going to try and get in shape and shed some weight for it.

would you think losing 25lbs total is a reasonable goal? I currently weigh in around 240. Ideally, I'd love to weigh right around 200. losing 5 lbs per month would put me at 215 for the cruise. (and i know i'd come off the cruise weighing 225!)... hmm... perhaps i should shoot for 200 then!

Diet must change!! no more Pepsi and Reese's!! And i think it's time to utilize the Wii Fit.

I have now managed to exercise 30 minutes a day for 11 days. It has been really difficult. If you have as much dedication to that as your posting, you'll do excellent.

What dates in Oct are you targeting? We'll be there the first week...

October 6 to 12.

Here’s how all that foolishness skewed our “general stats”

Ah, the spreadsheets. Wonderful.

I leave you with this one.Cause if not for these two people(well one person one mouse)our group would not be here today

Bravo.

 

[that's nice]

Hey everyone. Spent all day with family- today was my grandfather's funeral. We had a nice lunch after. It was sad but I know he is in a better place. My uncle told me something that happened last Thursday (the day before my grandfather passed). He was sitting with my grandfather and out of the blue, my grand father looked up and said 'Go away'. Then about 15 minutes later he looked up again and said 'I told you not now'.

Maybe he was talking to my grandmother who was coming to take him home.

I will try and muster up Team Tim and we could use this as part of his training for the ultimate challenge.

No can do... I gotta work. I have Disney money to make.

Doing the single digit dance OWNAGE.

I highly recommend a quick trip to Disney with your wife the weekend after a family trip. Really helping with withdrawal symptoms...

Have a great trip Chris!

(this is like deja-va.. I feel like I just told you that. )

 

[AirGoofy]

My uncle told me something that happened last Thursday (the day before my grandfather passed). He was sitting with my grandfather and out of the blue, my grand father looked up and said 'Go away'. Then about 15 minutes later he looked up again and said 'I told you not now'.

Maybe he was talking to my grandmother who was coming to take him home.

 

[wasnotafan]

...I have now managed to exercise 30 minutes a day for 11 days. It has been really difficult...

Great job Norm!

Keep up the good work, and if you feel real motivated, through in another 15 or 20 minutes for me.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Hey everyone. Spent all day with family- today was my grandfather's funeral. We had a nice lunch after. It was sad but I know he is in a better place. My uncle told me something that happened last Thursday (the day before my grandfather passed). He was sitting with my grandfather and out of the blue, my grand father looked up and said 'Go away'. Then about 15 minutes later he looked up again and said 'I told you not now'.

Maybe he was talking to my grandmother who was coming to take him home.

I'm going to be thinking about this a lot tonight....prayers...

 

[Disney Commando]

Got a heads up from my dad Seems like my sisters family has booked a trip to WDW, OK so whats the problem

My Dad thinks it is the same week I am going

There last trip was a basket case, when I found out last year they were going, since it was my niece & nephews 1st trip to WDW I tried to give them pointers, but I fell on deaf ears, they had the unofficial guide book and knew everything, so a few days before the trip when they wanted me to give them a plan, I gave them next to nothing

I've never read that guide, but it must not work, since I had to ask after there tales of the trip, So what DID you do

If what my Dad is telling me is in fact the right week, My sister is not giving up any info about it, but I know how she thinks, she would hit me with it a few days before the trip and try to collaborate with the Commandos, well the joke will be on her, since it's not going to happen, I would be able to get more done with 50lb weights on me ankles then with there turtle speed

I don't think it would be to hard to dodge them the whole trip, since I like to dig in deep into the parks

 

[RodBelding]

Tomorrow is the end of year-end earnings season for me, which is our busiest time at work, by far. I am quite excited for it to be over... Just need to get through tomorrow morning, lets hope it goes well.

 

[Disney Commando]

Hey everyone. Spent all day with family- today was my grandfather's funeral. We had a nice lunch after. It was sad but I know he is in a better place. My uncle told me something that happened last Thursday (the day before my grandfather passed). He was sitting with my grandfather and out of the blue, my grand father looked up and said 'Go away'. Then about 15 minutes later he looked up again and said 'I told you not now'.

Maybe he was talking to my grandmother who was coming to take him home.

Tim I think you may be right, a similar thing happened last year before my grandmother passed

 

[twokids0204]

Hey everyone. Spent all day with family- today was my grandfather's funeral. We had a nice lunch after. It was sad but I know he is in a better place. My uncle told me something that happened last Thursday (the day before my grandfather passed). He was sitting with my grandfather and out of the blue, my grand father looked up and said 'Go away'. Then about 15 minutes later he looked up again and said 'I told you not now'.

I am sure you have a lot of fond memories him. It's always tough to get together for these, but it gives you a chance to celebrate his life and achievments, with those who cared and loved him most.

 

[stopher1]

Hey everyone. Spent all day with family- today was my grandfather's funeral. We had a nice lunch after. It was sad but I know he is in a better place. My uncle told me something that happened last Thursday (the day before my grandfather passed). He was sitting with my grandfather and out of the blue, my grand father looked up and said 'Go away'. Then about 15 minutes later he looked up again and said 'I told you not now'.

Maybe he was talking to my grandmother who was coming to take him home.

Oh my Tim... that is so very similar to what my first grandmother who died 20 years ago, did the night before she died. Sometime remind me, and I'll tell you all about it in detail.

 

[twokids0204]

Got a heads up from my dad Seems like my sisters family has booked a trip to WDW, OK so whats the problem

My Dad thinks it is the same week I am going

There last trip was a basket case, when I found out last year they were going, since it was my niece & nephews 1st trip to WDW I tried to give them pointers, but I fell on deaf ears, they had the unofficial guide book and knew everything, so a few days before the trip when they wanted me to give them a plan, I gave them next to nothing

I've never read that guide, but it must not work, since I had to ask after there tales of the trip, So what DID you do

If what my Dad is telling me is in fact the right week, My sister is not giving up any info about it, but I know how she thinks, she would hit me with it a few days before the trip and try to collaborate with the Commandos, well the joke will be on her, since it's not going to happen, I would be able to get more done with 50lb weights on me ankles then with there turtle speed

I don't think it would be to hard to dodge them the whole trip, since I like to dig in deep into the parks

Unofficial Guide is not a bad book at all.

It gives you really good insight to each attraction.

What it doesn't do, is help you properly plan a day.

I will keep my eyes open for her, cause it sounds like she's going the same week as me.

 

[that's nice]

I'm going to be thinking about this a lot tonight....prayers...

Thank you.

I am sure you have a lot of fond memories him. It's always tough to get together for these, but it gives you a chance to celebrate his life and achievments, with those who cared and loved him most.

It was a nice service and it was nice seeing my cousins who live far away. I just wish I could of seen them under different circumstances.

Tim I think you may be right, a similar thing happened last year before my grandmother passed

Oh my Tim... that is so very similar to what my first grandmother who died did the night before she died, 20 years ago. Sometime remind me, and I'll tell you all about it in detail.

Wow.. that's crazy that that happened to both of you too.

During the homily, the priest was saying how people are scared of death because they are afraid of being alone. But you are not alone once you die because He has a place reserved for you. I'm sure my grandfather's place is next to my grandmother and she showed him the way there.

 

[that's nice]

There last trip was a basket case, when I found out last year they were going, since it was my niece & nephews 1st trip to WDW I tried to give them pointers, but I fell on deaf ears, they had the unofficial guide book and knew everything, so a few days before the trip when they wanted me to give them a plan, I gave them next to nothing

I've never read that guide, but it must not work, since I had to ask after there tales of the trip, So what DID you do

The UG has great info in it but I don't follow their touring plans.. I kinda make my own. I know the rides that are going to be mobbed later in the day so I hit those first as well as grabbing FPs for bigger 'adult' attractions. Keep in mind that I have a 5 year old as well as a 7month old. So we do spend some time in FantasyLand...

I don't think it would be to hard to dodge them the whole trip, since I like to dig in deep into the parks

Tomorrow is the end of year-end earnings season for me, which is our busiest time at work, by far. I am quite excited for it to be over... Just need to get through tomorrow morning, lets hope it goes well.

I think you deserve a drink tomorrow night!

 

[DisDr.]

Please continue to pray for the family of my friend, Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, USCG.
He was the pilot involved in the Tuesday PM Coast Gaurd Helicopter crash in Mobile Bay, AL. His body was recovered today.

My heart breaks for his wife and two sons. They were friends of ours, in our Sunday school class and Dale coached Upward basketball. Dale was a great husband, father and friend. He exemplified integrity and hard work in all he did.

The last conversation I had with Dale was about WDW. We sat and talked in the church gym while watching our kids play one Wednesday night. He loved taking his kids to WDW, and we discussed activities, resorts, restaurants and rides.

Anyway, thanks guys.

Godspeed Dale.

 

[DisDr.]

Just an example of what Dale was like:


Taylor, Dale T., Lieutenant, USCG

Date of Action: *9 December 2003
Date of Award: *12 March 2004

Lieutenant TAYLOR is cited for heroism on 9 December 2003 while serving as aircraft commander of HH-65B helicopter CG 6523 during the rescue of two survivors from the S/V JA'DA, located 47 nautical miles south of Key West, Florida. Launching from Naval Air Station Key West, the crew encountered 45-knot winds and 15-foot seas exacerbated by heavy rainsqualls. Lieutenant TAYLOR flew to the last known position of the distressed vessel and located the 27-foot sailboat helplessly adrift and violently pitching and rolling in the heavy seas. Unable to establish communications, the crew delivered a hand-held radio, by which--in broken English--the two survivors revealed they were sinking and pleaded to be rescued from their vessel. Despite numerous hoist attempts, the sailing vessel's instability and rigging precluded any type of basket hoist. Confronted with a sinking boat and no other reasonable rescue alternative, Lieutenant TAYLOR recommended to the survivors to enter the water for rescue basket recovery. After the successful hoist of one survivor, the second survivor's flotation device was swept away by the wind-whipped waves. Overcome by fatigue and unable to climb into the rescue basket or return to the sailing vessel, it was evident this 81-year-old survivor would surely drown in the crashing waves. With no rescue swimmer aboard, Lieutenant TAYLOR determined to rescue the otherwise vanquished survivor, quickly but methodically briefed his crew of his intent to vacate the copilot's seat and to be hoisted into the tumultuous seas. Lieutenant TAYLOR, fighting heavy seas to remain afloat, reached the remaining survivor just as he was going under the surface. Despite jeopardizing his own safety, Lieutenant TAYLOR grabbed the victim and with all his remaining strength, swam to the basket and lifted the exhausted survivor to safety shortly before the survivor would have surely succumbed to the seas. Only after this last survivor was safely aboard the helicopter was Lieutenant TAYLOR hoisted aboard. Lieutenant TAYLOR demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and bravery in spite of imminent personal danger during the rescue of two survivors from the S/V JA'DA. His courage and devotion to duty are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard.

 

[that's nice]

Please continue to pray for the family of my friend, Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, USCG.
He was the pilot involved in the Tuesday PM Coast Gaurd Helicopter crash in Mobile Bay, AL. His body was recovered today.

Prayers going out to Dale and his family and friends.

 

[Disney Commando]

Please continue to pray for the family of my friend, Lt. Cmdr. Dale Taylor, USCG.
He was the pilot involved in the Tuesday PM Coast Gaurd Helicopter crash in Mobile Bay, AL. His body was recovered today.

My heart breaks for his wife and two sons. They were friends of ours, in our Sunday school class and Dale coached Upward basketball. Dale was a great husband, father and friend. He exemplified integrity and hard work in all he did.

The last conversation I had with Dale was about WDW. We sat and talked in the church gym while watching our kids play one Wednesday night. He loved taking his kids to WDW, and we discussed activities, resorts, restaurants and rides.

Anyway, thanks guys.

Godspeed Dale.

Prayers going out to his family, it's a real shame when someone who sacrifices so much to help others, is called early

 

[Disney Commando]

I will keep my eyes open for her, cause it sounds like she's going the same week as me.

Don't worry I'll point them out to you if we see them, but if you hear me say Danger Will Robinson Danger, they are close by