December 2009 - A Celebration of many things

[MadilynnsMomma]

Count me in!

You may bump in to me at MK on 12/7 or AK on 12/9!

Your plans look great and your pup is adorable (minus, of course, the yankees hat - I write this as I am wearing one of my many Red Sox tees!)

But Disney love over rules baseball history in my heart!

P.S. - the shoes are now $39.50 - so good steal for you!!!

 

[nic100308]

Hey shortie!! I'm glad you find the tips helpful. I try to find some good ones to put into effect and then share with everyone. I have to admit that we have saved a ton of money (for our Disney vaca and then some) just being frugal and cutting back. I was almost shocked, but it's been working. And you're right, no one ever did say it would be easy but it has been worth it. Every once in a while I'll turn to DH and I'll say, "Hey, it's been really fun being poor with you." LOL and it has been. I know one day we'll look back and laugh about all of this, I keep that in mind when the pitty party starts to force it's way in!!

Hello Momma!! You are right, Disney beats baseball any day of the week!! And poor B knows not of any of this (she's a good sport when I torture her!) I do love that dog like she was our real child, sometimes I have to laugh at myself. but I just love that dog to pieces!!! The shoes were an excellent deal, I'm such a bargain shopper. I love to feel like I pulled one over on "the man."

Thanks to everyone for reading and for the kind words!!!

 

[JoJo1980]

Hey sweetie I'm so glad you managed to get everything you wanted especially Le Cellier. We couldnt get it so we are going to try Marakesh and Garden Grill instead - i'm such a big kid, I love chip n dale, they are so squishy

The pirates cruise and yuletide tour sound great!! Can't wait to read your report about them and see your photos - I'm sure you'll have lots of fun!!

Your wedding photos are beautiful You look stunning!!

Brynn is adorable too, fur babies are great arent they

 

[ammeador2]

Hello! You such a positive person. I have been married for 6 years and life definately has its ups and downs. The important part is to ride out the storm and let the good out weigh the bad. I hope you have a wonderful trip and I look forward to hearing more!

 

[nic100308]

Your wedding photos are beautiful You look stunning!!

Brynn is adorable too, fur babies are great arent they

Hello gorgeous! So nice to hear from you. Thanks for the compliments, I don't look like that everyday though, it took a long time to get like that. And yes, fur babies are the bestest!!!

Hello ammeador2!!! Welcome to my pre trip report. It's always nice to hear from the marriage veterans. The funny thing is that the day we were married I told DH it was going to be a wild roller coaster ride, but I'm glad he'd be next to me for it (we love coasters so it was a little metaphor) but I have to say the sweet has been so great because of the sour. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy all to come!! Enjoy your Halloween trip, we were the in early Oct in 2006 and had a blast. MNSSHP is definitely worth it!!!

 

[nic100308]

Friday was our ARD day, and if you have read my previous posts you know that I started out with only 3 ADR's, and if you didn't well now you do. Well I had the long weekend to think it over and I saw how silly it was to NOT take advantage of all our TS credits. So I added more, enough to use all our TS credits to be exact. I think at first I was afraid of having our days too structured. LOL I know, you can probably tell already I sort of like to be in control of things, and if you haven't I will tell you right now that that last statement is almost laughable to anyone who knows me. Ahhh, but DH is the only one that knows the Disney me! Everyone has a Disney me, mine is the exact opposite of the regular me. Now, leading up to our Disney trip I research and plan everything ad nauseam, but with the exception of dining, I DO NOT delve any deeper. In fact, if it weren't for the free dining we would have just stuck to our 3 ADR's. You see, once we step foot on Disney property, DH and I kind of switch roles. Sure, I plan out what days we're going where and I take care of the reservations and any special tickets and or tours and "excursions" we need, but DH is a touring/fastpass wiz!! He has been to WDW MANY times and just knows where a good place to start is and what to get a fastpass for first and how to get around the best way and what a good order to do things is. I think it's a sixth sense. He just KNOWS, he said that there is no pattern and specific way to do it. He just uses is Spidey senses, or Mickey senses, and just knows where to go and what to do. And I happily follow along, at that point I have no need to lead or control. Anyway that is the reason I never set up a touring plan. There just is no need and even I have to let go a little bit.

Okay, so back to where this was originally going, FOOD. I am an absolute foodie at heart, Yeah, yeah I gotta do the whole portion control thing and the exercise thing, but I love food and this is vacation, and free dining (if you can't tell I loves me a deal!!) I love to eat it, I love to cook it, I love the smell of it, I just love food!! Maybe it's the Italian girl in me, but even my earliest memories as a child were in the kitchen. I essentially learned how to cook from watching my Dad cook. Yes my Dad, he's the Italian! And a very good cook! I look forward to good food so much that when we're going out I will always review the menu very carefully and at length and decide before I go what I am having. So here it is, the revised list of our ADR's and what I plan on having when I get there:

12/4 Rose & Crown - (late lunch) Fish and Chips (of course) and a Guinness (mmmmmm Guinness, it was just made for fish and chips, trust me!) and for dessert Chocolate Guinness torte, I thought about the Baileys Irish Coffee Trifle, but we have a family recipe for homemade Irish cream which is way better than Baily's (my mom is Irish)

12/5 Mama Melrose's - (late lunch) app Mozzarella and Tomatoes (mmm fresh mozzarella and basil...mmmm), Wood-grilled Tuna, Honey-Hazelnut & Ricotta Cheesecake

12/6 Yak & Yeti - (late lunch) share an app Wok-Fried Green Beans, Tempura Shrimp, dessert fried wantons

12/7 Tony's - (late lunch) Grilled Salmon, dessert - Tiramisu

12/8 Chef Mickey's - breakfast buffet

12/9 - I didn't want you to think I forgot a day, I just don't have a sit down for us

12/10 California Grill - (dinner) Yoshie's Deluxe Sushi Platter, dessert Valrhona Chocolate Cake and Apricot

12/11 CP Dinner Package Le Cellier (early dinner) - app Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon, Chocolate-on-Chocolate Whiskey Cake

12/12 departure day

Okay, so it's a lot of food but I love food and it's vacation so it's okay. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, I am very open and willing try anything. I also have a pretty varied palate and like lots of different things. LOL but I hate to say it I think I am kind of set on my decisions. I'm a little crazy!!

PS I do realize that only dessert is covered on our dinning plan, but some things just look so yummy we'll splurge!

Cheap Chic tip - This one came from my Pass Porter: For those on the dinning plan, if you don't take the dessert with your CS meal you can have the cashier mark it on your receipt and go back later to get it. Kind of a smart way to get another snack out of your dinning plan.

Thank you for reading and have a magical day!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

I too love the food! The app's are my favorite!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Thanks for the tip for desert!

 

[JoJo1980]

I love the sound of all that food * drools * mmm mmm mmm

Thanks for the tip about dessert, I'm not normally big on desserts, just a cheesecake or ice cream kinda girl but my DH is chocolate obsessed so will try anything as long as chocolate is in the mix Can you use a dessert credit for fruit? Then I could take it with me for munching later. (DH goes mad when I mention fruit, when we went to vegas I couldnt get enough of this orange flavoured ice cream and he kept shaking his head and saying its so wrong for fruit to be a dessert desserts shouldnt be fat free in his opinion )

 

[nic100308]

Can you use a dessert credit for fruit? Then I could take it with me for munching later.

You know I'm not sure. I would actually prefer this myself. Anyone know if they offer fruit for CS snack?

 

[shordiebecka]

I would like to know too about the fruit, that would be awesome! Your eating update made my mouth water..sooo much good food! Heres a good hint- dip the pretzel bread you get at Le Cellier into the cheddar cheese soup...it makes both of them 1,000 times better!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

If the CS restaurant that you are eating at has fruit, you can use it as a dessert. But, you can always get fresh fruit as a snack credit also!!

 

[JoJo1980]

You know I'm not sure. I would actually prefer this myself. Anyone know if they offer fruit for CS snack?

Great minds think alike

If the CS restaurant that you are eating at has fruit, you can use it as a dessert. But, you can always get fresh fruit as a snack credit also!!

Thanks!! That's great

 

[nic100308]

If the CS restaurant that you are eating at has fruit, you can use it as a dessert. But, you can always get fresh fruit as a snack credit also!!

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Thanks a bunch!!

You are very welcome!!!!

 

[nic100308]

Why is it that short weeks always seem longer than regular weeks?

Efficiency, it's an art! I have told you all that I am a pretty organized person (okay, I'm an overly organized person). If I ever met the person that invented Excel, I would have to kiss them!! Excel is my best friend, I use it for everything. I don't balance my checking account by paper, I use excel. Each week is set up with the money coming in, the money going out, the money going to Disney, and the money going to savings (right now Disney and savings is pretty much the same thing). My entire wedding was organized with Excel. Our Disney plans, our packing list, important numbers and confirmations to remember; all Excel. It really is such a wonderful tool, I must say it is something you may want to learn, if for nothing else it's great for calendars and schedules (do I hear Disney itinerary - some of my favorite words!! )

As I have said, my control is relinquished the second I step foot onto Disney property. That is the point at which I let go and DH takes over. Well funny story, DH isn't the touring wiz I thought he was. We were talking the other day and I commented on how he's the leader in the World because he just knows where to go and what to do in the best order. Well he started to laugh and finally admitted he just kind of goes with the flow and goes wherever he wants to go next. He said it's just so amusing to have me follow him wherever thinking he's an expert because he very rarely is in "the drivers seat" so to speak. LOL I'm glad this amuses him. I'm also glad he doesn't mind me being a control freak. Endearing, isn't it, a man that loves in in spite of your flaws (although I don't really see it as a flaw, per say, more a small idiosyncrasy along with picking the bagel with the hole directly in the middle, except if there is one with no hole at which point I will wrestle someone to the ground for it, and never walking on sidewalk grates, that's a family trait!) [Ty, you with me buddy!?!?!]

Anyway, I found a thread about CM best tips, and the main one that kept popping up was to just kind of relax and go where you want, do what you want, but not to tour like a commando. This was so interesting to me because as much of a control freak that I am (I fully admit it) even I just let go while we're in the world. Yes, I do figure out what days will be spent where (that's just common sense) and I do make ADR's, and there are specialty things we do (tours, La Nouba, ect) but I'm talking like actual park time. I think it is the magic of Disney that just makes me let go. I don't even stress about getting on things because we always seem to, lots of times!

I'm a big shopper! (JoJo, where are you chickie!?!? Loved your shopping thread, I'm with ya girl!) DH is very patient, as I do need to go into EVERY gift shop I see and spend my time looking. Also love to "stroll" through World Showcase. We are very much looking forward to the new tequilla bar in Mexico. mmmmm margaritas!!!!

I just thought it was so strange that I never really thought about touring plans. I mean I know there are thing that I MUST go on, but I never really put an order to them. Is this wrong!?!?! I'm going with no because that's what makes me happy!! If you like to tour like a commando and that's what makes you happy then darn tootin' you should tour like a commando! (Please be careful not to run over the little ones or push people out of the way) If you sort of like to meander around and that's what makes you happy, then that is what you should do! (ps- just stay out of the way of a DISer on a mission!!) I like to think we fall somewhere in between. Plus it's nice to have a vacation from being a control freak!! While I love that DH (Greg, we're pals now so I suppose I can refer to him by name ) if the ying to my yang, sometimes it's nice to not have to decide on something, and every once in a while (Disney vacation being that time) I like to take a break from myself and follow!

Anyway, there's my shpeel about taking a vacation from my life and our "touring plan." Just thinking about our plans, and being in Disney and going on the rides and just enjoying my FAVORITE holiday in DISNEY, I can just barely contain myself!! We are under 3 months at this point, 2 month and 3 weeks to be exact!!! WOO HOO COUNTDOWN

Cheap Chic tip: I will admit I stole this one, not sure where from because I have seen it mentioned a few times. This one is regarding beverages. Now I drink A LOT of water! And my original plan was to bring my water bottle and refill it, seriously with the amount of liquid I consume on a daily basis we'd go for broke! However I heard the water in Disney tastes kind of nasty, so someone suggested those drink mixes and I know for a fact that they can be found in the $1 store. You gotta love Dollar Tree!! This will also stay hydrated for anyone who's not into water.

 

[JoJo1980]

I'm here honey I'm 100000% with you on the amount of love excel deserves That thing is a wild planning beast! I love it! And you are not the only one that planned your wedding on it, we did too It's funny you should mention that because I was only looking at it the other day, ahhh memories It's our anniversary next week (Me & Den not me and excel )

I'm a control freak too so dont worry, my other half is the exact opposite - he's too laid back We manage to sort of balance each other out that but once in the disney parks we seem to switch roles He wants to run around like commando lunatics whereas I like to take it slow and see the sights. So, this trip he's agreed to do at wifeys pace

Shopping is the thing I love to do most in disney, well, that and eating / drinking * drools * I've been doing some toning exercises to get me warmed up for disney, such as buying things off ebay And whats this dollar store you mentioned? I'm gonna have to find me one of those whilst we are there You just reminded me actually that I wanted to do some research and try and find the disney outlets this trip

YAY for being under 3 months!! We fly 11 weeks today

 

[nic100308]

Hey JoJo!! So funny we sound like twins from across the pond!! Greg isn't so much a commando but he is definitely the ones that says "Hey lets go here next." Kind of nice to sort of sit back and say "OKAY!!!"

So I am from NY (Long Island to be exact, it's a suburb of NY City) and we have the chain around here called Dollar Tree. And it's like the dollar store on crack!! They have everything, and they're not as scary and some dollar stores can be. So I did a little research for you and it seems that there is one in Kissimmee. AND I just realized that they must let you shop online!!
http://www.dollartree.com/home.jsp

Anyway, good luck with the research and I'm glad I found a fellow Excel-aholic. I too still have our wedding stuff saved, ahh the memories. Our anniversary is in 3 weeks!

EDIT - oops, side note, I just noticed you can buy in bulk online, but if you ever need 36 black current and orange candles, they are very reasonably priced!!

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Great pre trippie. I read the CM thread today too! I was at work and it was slow so was able to read the whole thing. I work midnight shift sometimes at a social service hotline. The CM thread did have a lot of great tips.

I will be there about the same time as you. I have been having reading other Diser's plans now that I have my ADR's complete. We will be staying at POP. We are also on a budget so I like all your Cheap Chic tips. Those shoes were up to $39.95 when I just checked. You got a great deal. Too bad for me though. I am still trying to figure out the shoe thing. In the summer I just wore sandles. Not Teva's but Teva like. There were great but I can't do that when the temp can get as low as 40 degrees. Tennis shoes will be fine until it rains. I agree that this is a three shoe trip.

Anyway, have fun planning.

 

[nic100308]

Hey Nancy!! Welcome to my PTR, thanks for reading!! I couldn't believe i got such an awesome deal on those shoes!! LOL my luck not usually that good. Anyway I find if you are an amazon stalker, you may come across deals such as my "sneakers". However, I also think that overstock.com is a great resource. If you have never used it, you must go there now!! They have EVERYTHING!!