*December 2012 Roll Call* Group TR! A very, merry thread!

[geckodani]

Here's my submission for "Awe" face. This is BDLsgal's sister (aka BDLssil). This is her expression from coming around the bend, on the bus, and seeing Spaceship Earth for the 1st time since she was a little girl.

Let me set the scene for you...

During the whole process of planning, I'd routinely ask questions about what everyone wants to do. BDLssil would always answer the same, EPCOT.

Which parks do you want to make sure we get to? EPCOT.
Where do you want to eat? EPCOT.
What kind of souvenirs or Xmas gifts do you want to pick up? EPCOT

You get the point. I found out that during their childhood trips to WDW, BDLssil was enthralled by everything EPCOT/Figment. So fast forward to our 1st morning onsite, riding our 1st bus, to our 1st destination... EPCOT. 1/2 way on the ride, BDLsgal turns to her sister, insistent. "Gimme your camera... Gimme your camera..." It took me a minute to realize why she was doing it, but when BDLsgal kept asking me how much further, I knew what she was doing.

This picture is the exact second when the "golf ball" came into view. It is very cute and heart warming.

Aw!!! Love it!!!

 

[SAT887]

Here's my submission for "Awe" face. This is BDLsgal's sister (aka BDLssil). This is her expression from coming around the bend, on the bus, and seeing Spaceship Earth for the 1st time since she was a little girl.

Let me set the scene for you...

During the whole process of planning, I'd routinely ask questions about what everyone wants to do. BDLssil would always answer the same, EPCOT.

Which parks do you want to make sure we get to? EPCOT.
Where do you want to eat? EPCOT.
What kind of souvenirs or Xmas gifts do you want to pick up? EPCOT

You get the point. I found out that during their childhood trips to WDW, BDLssil was enthralled by everything EPCOT/Figment. So fast forward to our 1st morning onsite, riding our 1st bus, to our 1st destination... EPCOT. 1/2 way on the ride, BDLsgal turns to her sister, insistent. "Gimme your camera... Gimme your camera..." It took me a minute to realize why she was doing it, but when BDLsgal kept asking me how much further, I knew what she was doing.

This picture is the exact second when the "golf ball" came into view. It is very cute and heart warming.

Awwwww Disney Magic at its finest! My favorite kind too, the kind we make ourselves!

 

[geckodani]

I don't think so at all. Personally I think the extra couple hours will give you time to relax, to stop and get dinner etc... I m not a big follower of those crowd calendars- my thought process is you are going in Jan a low volume season, maybe if it was the summer or Xmas week I would feel differently

Good point. Plus, Saturday is going to be a non-park day, so we'll be nice and fresh for MK on Sunday! If we want to hit Epcot Monday we can, and if not, MK will already have happened!

 

[molitva]

Dec Disers! I hope everyone had a wonderful trip.

I have lots of catching up to do. I'm just so swamped at work right now. I won't ever take 3 weeks off of work at a time again. Can't wait to read about everyone's trips. We had a blast. I haven't had a chance to look through my photos yet.

We're pondering whether to go back in Dec 13 or Dec 14. We know we want to go during Halloween, but the earliest that can happen is 2015 so we want to sneak a trip inbetween. I priced out similiar dates to our last trip and I'm scratching my head on why it seems so much more expensive. When I have time (this weekend?) I'm going to look into it more.

 

[SAT887]

Dec Disers! I hope everyone had a wonderful trip.

I have lots of catching up to do. I'm just so swamped at work right now. I won't ever take 3 weeks off of work at a time again. Can't wait to read about everyone's trips. We had a blast. I haven't had a chance to look through my photos yet.

We're pondering whether to go back in Dec 13 or Dec 14. We know we want to go during Halloween, but the earliest that can happen is 2015 so we want to sneak a trip inbetween. I priced out similiar dates to our last trip and I'm scratching my head on why it seems so much more expensive. When I have time (this weekend?) I'm going to look into it more.

Welcome back!

 

[dawnmichele]

So, you're not going to believe this, but I'm going back... next week. Jan 24 - 29!

How awesome! I'm ready to go back too, but I have a much longer wait. I'd say have an incredible time - but of course you will!

 

[dawnmichele]

Hello fellow DecDisers!
It's sad to be back, of course, but what a wonderfun vacation we all had.

I've been back for a month so I figured I was past due for getting my Trip Report rolling. I'm a few posts in, and determined to keep it going until I've told all our stories (good and bad (but mostly good)).

You'll find it here: Everyone! Come See How Handsome I Am!
I hope you'll read it and enjoy. Please comment if you have something to say and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions. This trip was so much better due to the collective wisdom, helpfulness and friendliness here. Thanks so much!

 

[cybrkitn]

cybrkitn I have to ask, where in the world did you get your Doctor in your siggy? I love Doctor Who and Tennant is my favorite

Sorry it took me a few days to answer. I started a temp assignment yesterday.

Another DISer had it and told me where I could find it. Here's the link for the Doctor Who Smilies: http://gopher65.com/images/drwho/drwhosmilies.html

 

[geckodani]

How awesome! I'm ready to go back too, but I have a much longer wait. I'd say have an incredible time - but of course you will!

Thanks! I'm actually stressed about it, LOL. DH isn't nearly the Disney fan I am, so it adds an extra layer of.... interest. That's why we're doing SeaWorld and Medieval Times as well! Only 2 Disney park days. I'm still oh so geeked!!!

 

[Valgoof]

Hi everyone! I dont know where I have been, but I'm back! . Major PDD and I swear every show I watch has a Disney commercial now. But good things are happening too. Had my official interview on Friday, still not sure when I start, but it should be in the next couple weeks. Bought a new to me car on Saturday. 2011 Kia Rio. It is cute and little and so much better than my old one.
Congrats on the pregnancy sunnysideup!! Congrats on the weight loss and getting back to work cyberkitn!! Congrats on the wedding and engagements!!

Loving the pictures!! Mine have not been looked at yet. I just told DH earlier tonight that I think I am ready to do that now. Maybe tomorrow. I was sick and didnt take as many as normal. I took a ton the first day and then after a few days, I wasnt taking any.

Someone asked if anyone else is ready to go back already. YES!!! Even DH has been talking about the next trip......in 2015. New job this year=no vacation. I think 2014 will be Vegas. DH has been dying to get out there. I guess he can pick a destination once in a while.

 

[SAT887]

Hi everyone! I dont know where I have been, but I'm back! . Major PDD and I swear every show I watch has a Disney commercial now. But good things are happening too. Had my official interview on Friday, still not sure when I start, but it should be in the next couple weeks. Bought a new to me car on Saturday. 2011 Kia Rio. It is cute and little and so much better than my old one.
Congrats on the pregnancy sunnysideup!! Congrats on the weight loss and getting back to work cyberkitn!! Congrats on the wedding and engagements!!

Loving the pictures!! Mine have not been looked at yet. I just told DH earlier tonight that I think I am ready to do that now. Maybe tomorrow. I was sick and didnt take as many as normal. I took a ton the first day and then after a few days, I wasnt taking any.

Someone asked if anyone else is ready to go back already. YES!!! Even DH has been talking about the next trip......in 2015. New job this year=no vacation. I think 2014 will be Vegas. DH has been dying to get out there. I guess he can pick a destination once in a while.

Yay for the new car! Vegas sounds fun one of these days we want to go out there, but have a lot of other places we need to go first

 

[jwgm2012]

Good point. Plus, Saturday is going to be a non-park day, so we'll be nice and fresh for MK on Sunday! If we want to hit Epcot Monday we can, and if not, MK will already have happened!

Hi there! My understanding about crowd levels are that parks with EMH will always get a higher crowd level number by default since that's where everyone will go when the other parks close - HOWEVER this doesn't mean it's crowded at all! Believe me when I tell you that during EMH last June and even in December we were able to ride everything and anything without more than a 20 minute wait.

You're gonna love the weather and I know Jan will be a great time to visit!

 

[geckodani]

Hi there! My understanding about crowd levels are that parks with EMH will always get a higher crowd level number by default since that's where everyone will go when the other parks close - HOWEVER this doesn't mean it's crowded at all! Believe me when I tell you that during EMH last June and even in December we were able to ride everything and anything without more than a 20 minute wait.

You're gonna love the weather and I know Jan will be a great time to visit!

I hope so! DH seems to think that I'll be sad if we don't do MK on our last day; he might be on to something, LOL. Trying to play it by ear a bit and see how we feel when we get there!

I find myself trying to plot how to also get to HollyWood Studios, but I'm having a hard time justifying it just so I can ride ToT, LOL! I mean, I could add hoppers to our tickets for only $35 if I did two separate transactions...

Bah. No Dani. No. Don't drag DH all over creation, you were just there.

 

[jwgm2012]

Dec Disers! I hope everyone had a wonderful trip.

I have lots of catching up to do. I'm just so swamped at work right now. I won't ever take 3 weeks off of work at a time again. Can't wait to read about everyone's trips. We had a blast. I haven't had a chance to look through my photos yet.

We're pondering whether to go back in Dec 13 or Dec 14. We know we want to go during Halloween, but the earliest that can happen is 2015 so we want to sneak a trip inbetween. I priced out similiar dates to our last trip and I'm scratching my head on why it seems so much more expensive. When I have time (this weekend?) I'm going to look into it more.

Welcome back! I thought about you and wondered how things went when you returned. I remember you had some major drama at work right before you left... hope all is well!

Hello fellow DecDisers!
It's sad to be back, of course, but what a wonderfun vacation we all had.

I've been back for a month so I figured I was past due for getting my Trip Report rolling. I'm a few posts in, and determined to keep it going until I've told all our stories (good and bad (but mostly good)).

You'll find it here: Everyone! Come See How Handsome I Am!
I hope you'll read it and enjoy. Please comment if you have something to say and I'll be more than happy to answer any questions. This trip was so much better due to the collective wisdom, helpfulness and friendliness here. Thanks so much!

Welcome back! totally agree with you - I definitely feel like my trip was so much better than I could've imagined due in large part to the folks here... Can't wait to read about your adventure...

Hi everyone! I dont know where I have been, but I'm back! . Major PDD and I swear every show I watch has a Disney commercial now. But good things are happening too. Had my official interview on Friday, still not sure when I start, but it should be in the next couple weeks. Bought a new to me car on Saturday. 2011 Kia Rio. It is cute and little and so much better than my old one.
Congrats on the pregnancy sunnysideup!! Congrats on the weight loss and getting back to work cyberkitn!! Congrats on the wedding and engagements!!

Loving the pictures!! Mine have not been looked at yet. I just told DH earlier tonight that I think I am ready to do that now. Maybe tomorrow. I was sick and didnt take as many as normal. I took a ton the first day and then after a few days, I wasnt taking any.

Someone asked if anyone else is ready to go back already. YES!!! Even DH has been talking about the next trip......in 2015. New job this year=no vacation. I think 2014 will be Vegas. DH has been dying to get out there. I guess he can pick a destination once in a while.

Hi Val! Missed you! First, when you get down to planning Vegas - I'd love to help with minutia and all things Vegas. I'm a total Vegas geek and LOVE everything about it... I've been about 18 times in the last 7 years? Anyway, that's my home and I'll give you the scoop and skinny on anything you wanna know! Heck, I'll even meet you out there and tour you around myself!

I hear you about the pictures... I'm super sad I didn't take as many as I should've especially when I got back and my photopass card was missing some and now they're all gone! I went to purchase some before they expired and I was off by a day... talk about serious sadness...

 

[jwgm2012]

many of you know we've been planning on planning (yes, just the talking phases) a 15th birthday trip to WDW for Christmas for my DD... anyway, after a lot of back and forth on cost, number of days, where to stay... we've decided to go in a completely different direction but kinda the same... so after much hemming and hawwing... (no clue on spelling) we will be celebrating DD's 15th birthday at....

the BAHAMAS via the DISNEY DREAM

Amazing, right?!?

We're leaving Dec. 19 for 3 nights/4 days and returning on the 22nd...

Ok, so um... remember the post above a few days ago??

Well, um that's not the plan anymore...

Imagine that?!? BUUUUTTTTT, we're still going to Disney and much sooner!

So after looking at the "real" picture... Cruising in December was wonderful in thought but the reality of making it happen was another story... Cruise is leaving Thursday, Dec. 19 and that's two days before our kids get out for Christmas break. I don't think it's horrible for them to miss two days (especially the Friday because the day before holiday break is usually a wash) but given we'll have two high schoolers in all Pre-AP classes and two middle schoolers, those two days can come with a hefty price. Then there's the cost associated with the trip and it being two days before Christmas... anyway, you get the idea...

So we looked at the same cruise in August and the cost was $1200 more (same ship/itinerary). While we considered it and thought we could work it out we learned that high school volleyball tryouts are that Monday. Can't miss that...

Fast forward to last night we get an email from our bank's travel group and they're offering 40% off hotels across the country and yes, WDW had some on the list... so that kinda sealed the deal and when I asked DD what she wanted more - a return to the parks versus a cruise was the winner... by far!

So our new vacation is now June 8-12 staying at AKL and it's almost a year to the week we took our first semi-blended family trip last year when we stayed at CSR...

our countdown is now 141 days... yay!

 

[beatlesblonde]

Sorry it took me a few days to answer. I started a temp assignment yesterday.

Another DISer had it and told me where I could find it. Here's the link for the Doctor Who Smilies: http://gopher65.com/images/drwho/drwhosmilies.html

Thanks!

 

[geckodani]

Ok, so um... remember the post above a few days ago??

Well, um that's not the plan anymore...

Imagine that?!? BUUUUTTTTT, we're still going to Disney and much sooner!

So after looking at the "real" picture... Cruising in December was wonderful in thought but the reality of making it happen was another story... Cruise is leaving Thursday, Dec. 19 and that's two days before our kids get out for Christmas break. I don't think it's horrible for them to miss two days (especially the Friday because the day before holiday break is usually a wash) but given we'll have two high schoolers in all Pre-AP classes and two middle schoolers, those two days can come with a hefty price. Then there's the cost associated with the trip and it being two days before Christmas... anyway, you get the idea...

So we looked at the same cruise in August and the cost was $1200 more (same ship/itinerary). While we considered it and thought we could work it out we learned that high school volleyball tryouts are that Monday. Can't miss that...

Fast forward to last night we get an email from our bank's travel group and they're offering 40% off hotels across the country and yes, WDW had some on the list... so that kinda sealed the deal and when I asked DD what she wanted more - a return to the parks versus a cruise was the winner... by far!

So our new vacation is now June 8-12 staying at AKL and it's almost a year to the week we took our first semi-blended family trip last year when we stayed at CSR...

our countdown is now 141 days... yay!

Yay!!! Congrats!

 

[1stvisit0909]

Hey everyone!!!

Been out a few days, my BIL passed away suddenly Late Friday night. 5 months to the day their dad died. Ugh.

Anyway I've updated my TR 2x in the past two days.

weddings, babies, new jobs, new cars - Ive missed a lot!

 

[jwgm2012]

Yay!!! Congrats!

Thanks so much! I just popped over and read your TR and love it! Your mom reminds me so much of my mom... my mom is much shorter than I am and they just share that warm face... can't wait to read the rest!

 

[jwgm2012]

Hey everyone!!!

Been out a few days, my BIL passed away suddenly Late Friday night. 5 months to the day their dad died. Ugh.

Anyway I've updated my TR 2x in the past two days.

weddings, babies, new jobs, new cars - Ive missed a lot!

I'm sorry for your loss...

I'm off to read