DIS Meet Dec 8 07

[BethC1952]

Julie and Wendy: I'm glad everything worked out for you! It must be nice to have everything settled.

Well, the Jersey Shore is a winter wonderland this morning. I don't like winter and I don't like to be out in the cold, but the snow was beautiful this morning. I live at the end of a tiny street, and no one else is there during the winter, so there were no tracks in the snow when I left my house. It was like walking through an old-fashioned Christmas cards--lots of snow-covered pine trees and cardinals hopping around on the snow. I'll have to check later on and see if there's snow on the beach. I would imagine that there is.

Well, it's back to work for me.

Enjoy the day, and if you're in a bad weather area, be careful!

Beth

 

[JoiseyMom]

Julie,
Thanks for letting us know. That's great to hear!

Also, Travel Insured came through for me on the lost cell phone. They reimbursed me the full price I'd paid for the phone AND the money I'd put on the account before we got to the states (it was a pay and go phone).

Wendy

That's great for you guys!! I am still waiting to hear about DH's glasses. It is considered baggage, so that is only covered at 300/item. The glasses cost over 400, so I will be happy with the 300!! I am sure I will have to send more info..their forms were confusing .

 

[JoiseyMom]

Julie and Wendy: I'm glad everything worked out for you! It must be nice to have everything settled.

Well, the Jersey Shore is a winter wonderland this morning. I don't like winter and I don't like to be out in the cold, but the snow was beautiful this morning. I live at the end of a tiny street, and no one else is there during the winter, so there were no tracks in the snow when I left my house. It was like walking through an old-fashioned Christmas cards--lots of snow-covered pine trees and cardinals hopping around on the snow. I'll have to check later on and see if there's snow on the beach. I would imagine that there is.

Well, it's back to work for me.

Enjoy the day, and if you're in a bad weather area, be careful!

Beth

We are all home today. Last night the schools website said there would be a 90 minute delay. Then at 5:40 this morning the same thing. An hour later DH woke me to tell me that school was cancelled. DH also, thankfully, decided not to drive to Princeton. I on the other hand had a day off today...so instead of a ME day..I have EVERYONE home for 3 days... sigh... There goes my peace and quiet.

 

[pfishgirl]

Snow day!! Yeaa!!! oh wait.. I don't go to school.. pfft.. what good is a snow day then?? at least I wasn't called into work... Yet..

We had the same thing.. DS's school wasn't even on the list at first for a delay, then the radio said it was 90 minutes, his school website didn't say it was so we went by the radio.. Then about a half hour later it said Closed.. DS was getting up so I told him go back to bed.. He said, oh, Ok.. G'night!!! haven't seen him since.. He'll be asleep til Noon I'm sure..

We are getting rain right now.. and when I went out to shovel the walk and uncover my car it was rather warm.. Looks alot colder then it is..

 

[brack]

Well, the Jersey Shore is a winter wonderland this morning.

Enjoy the day, and if you're in a bad weather area, be careful!

Beth

We're having a snow day here in the Baltimore area too!

 

[plutojudy]

We have had nothing but snow and cold here for over a month. We have a couple feet of snow on the ground. We have barely been out of single digit temps. With many below zero nights. Oh to be sailing again. I would love to see another one of those St Martin rainbows.

 

[BethC1952]

.... Oh to be sailing again. ...

I was in a meeting yesterday with a friend who had to leave early. He told me that he decided to fly yesterday instead of today--to WDW for a couple of nights before his cruise on Saturday! He hasn't told his wife or his kids where they're going. They have a house near WDW, and they frequently fly down, stay at WDW for a night or two, go to their house, and then before they come back they stay at WDW again. That's what he told them was happening. He told his wife that he had special plans for her birthday dinner (some time next week they'll be dining at Palo), so she'll have nice dinner clothing with her. He doesn't plan on telling them where they're going until they're in the limo heading for the port! I can't wait to hear how the whole thing works out for them. He's threatening to send me pictures by email every hour or so to make me jealous, although I haven't received any so far.

It's raining here, too, at the moment. I was surprised at how warm it was when I went outside!

Beth

 

[JoiseyMom]

I was in a meeting yesterday with a friend who had to leave early. He told me that he decided to fly yesterday instead of today--to WDW for a couple of nights before his cruise on Saturday! He hasn't told his wife or his kids where they're going. They have a house near WDW, and they frequently fly down, stay at WDW for a night or two, go to their house, and then before they come back they stay at WDW again. That's what he told them was happening. He told his wife that he had special plans for her birthday dinner (some time next week they'll be dining at Palo), so she'll have nice dinner clothing with her. He doesn't plan on telling them where they're going until they're in the limo heading for the port! I can't wait to hear how the whole thing works out for them. He's threatening to send me pictures by email every hour or so to make me jealous, although I haven't received any so far.

It's raining here, too, at the moment. I was surprised at how warm it was when I went outside!

Beth

My kids had a blast today. I thought they would last about 1/2 hour tops, they were outside for over an hour! When the came inside their jackets were drenched!! They were cold, wet and happy!!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Happy Monday All!

I am sorry to hear about the terrible weather y'all are having. I have to admit, it is beautiful here today. I have all the windows open. It should reach 80 degrees today! The kids and I just came in from playing in the backyard. Yesterday was nice too. We went to a local park so the kids could ride their bikes. Then, we had a nice picnic. I can't believe this is February. I spoke with my Mom in Virginia yesterday. She said the weather was so nasty there on Friday that she stayed home from work. Brack, I assume you got that nasty weather too.

Two more weeks until the Hannah Montana concert. Now that it is getting closer to the concert, I am hearing more and more advertisement on it around here. Bill is such a joker. I honestly am getting soooooooooo tired of hearing the Hannah Montana songs all the time. So, what does he do? He puts the Hannah Montana cd on the XBOX 360 upstairs and downstairs. So, when Will or he plays XBOX 360 they are able to play Hannah Montana music in the background. It was funny watching Bill play Halo 3 with Hannah Montana music playing in the background.

I didn't realize that it would still be considered Spring Break while we are at WDW in April. Since, Easter is in mid-March. But, the more research I do, it seems a lot of East Coast schools have another mini-vacation then. We have yet to make an EMH AM at the parks. Has anyone on here ever attended a rope drop? Is it worth it? We expect high attendance to the parks while we are there, I am assume we will have to get up early to make it to rope drop each day or EMH AM. Any suggestions?

Time to make the kiddos some lunch (as usual). Everyone have a great day.

- Jennifer

 

[brack]

Happy Monday All!

I am sorry to hear about the terrible weather y'all are having. I have to admit, it is beautiful here today. I have all the windows open. It should reach 80 degrees today!

- Jennifer

My DS who lives in Dallas called and told us it 75 degrees at 8PM there. I told him it was 35 degrees here!

 

[JsMom2]

I didn't realize that it would still be considered Spring Break while we are at WDW in April. Since, Easter is in mid-March. But, the more research I do, it seems a lot of East Coast schools have another mini-vacation then. We have yet to make an EMH AM at the parks. Has anyone on here ever attended a rope drop? Is it worth it? We expect high attendance to the parks while we are there, I am assume we will have to get up early to make it to rope drop each day or EMH AM. Any suggestions?

- Jennifer

Yeah, Jasmine's break is in April also. I didn't realize it at first. But we are able to take 2 weeks for our Korea/Japan trip, and she'll only miss 3 days of school!

We are planning on making rope drops at Epcot, DHS, and AKV when we go in September. For MK we are just planning on doing MNSSHP (hopefully they'll have one that week) so we'll get to sleep in on that day, the day we go to Blizzard, and the day before the cruise when we rent a car and go shopping/dining off-site.

Oh, by the way we switched to BCV for Sept 14-21st. We'll do AKV in '09 before the B2B. We'll only arrive 2 nights prior, so I think AKV will be a nice place to just relax for that time. Plus they'll have the new units and pool open!

Park hours for Sept should be out soon!
Wendy

 

[plutojudy]

We had another 4-5 inches of snow last night. Another big snowstorm coming in Thursday-Friday. I wish I was sailing again.

 

[BethC1952]

We aren't having snow, but it's really damp and they're predicting rain for tonight. I saw snow mentioned in the forecast later in the week, but I think it's going to be further inland (watch out, Merryl!) and further north. Right here on the shoreline we're usually lucky.

I'm going to dinner tonight to finalize my plans for WDW in May over some pizza and beer. We really tried to squeeze in a cruise, but it just can't happen this time. I guess I'll just have to force myself to stay at WDW for about a week, and celebrate my birthday while I'm there. We're thinking about making another all-girl trip to WDW in the fall for the Food and Wine Festival. Since Jim won't have vacation time for at least another 11 months, I'll have to travel without him. I used to do it all the time when he didn't get much time, but since he retired from his first job we had a lot of free time. I really want to cruise again, and I don't have a problem going without him, but I'll have to find someone to share the cost.

Well, it's back to work for me!

Beth

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Yeah, Jasmine's break is in April also. I didn't realize it at first. But we are able to take 2 weeks for our Korea/Japan trip, and she'll only miss 3 days of school!

We are planning on making rope drops at Epcot, DHS, and AKV when we go in September. For MK we are just planning on doing MNSSHP (hopefully they'll have one that week) so we'll get to sleep in on that day, the day we go to Blizzard, and the day before the cruise when we rent a car and go shopping/dining off-site.

Oh, by the way we switched to BCV for Sept 14-21st. We'll do AKV in '09 before the B2B. We'll only arrive 2 nights prior, so I think AKV will be a nice place to just relax for that time. Plus they'll have the new units and pool open!

Park hours for Sept should be out soon!
Wendy

To all those in cold and rainy weather, I send you sunshine to cheer up your day . . .

Wendy and Jasmine - Have fun in Hong Kong. When my Dad lived in Japan, he would often take a short flight to Korea from Japan to do some shopping. He got some really great deals. He had a few leather jackets and suits custom made. Also, I benefitted from his trips.

I am waiting and waiting for the September park hours to come out (March 1st). I can't create an itinerary without know the parks hours and EMH schedule. Yesterday, Bill changed our pre-cruise stay from AKV to BWV. Also, He changed one of our after cruise days from AKV to WLV. He has to change the rest day by day this week. So, we plan to stay the days after the cruise at the WLV. We will stay at AKV for our upcoming November trip. We figure even if the DVC villas are not completed, most of the work will be internal and should not be too noisy. However, if a BCV does come open, we will most likely move to the Beach Club. That is still our favorite resort. But, we wanted to try BWV in September so the kids could finally swim in the "clown pool" (as they call it). Also, it will be nice to see the Yacht and Beach Club from our room. Bill got us a boardwalk-view room. The BCV rooms are all away from the water's view. It will be a nice change of scenary.

We changed our April reservation from SSR to a Fort Wilderness Cabin. We decided to pay cash for the lodging and plan to use the rest of our DVC points for a WDW trip in November (the week before Thanksgiving). Then, we decided to give WDW a break for a year until our cruise in November 2009. We would have used our Annual Passes for four WDW trips. I'd say we got our money's worth. Beth, when you camped at FW did you rent a boat or fishing equipment? Since this is a "Will's Birthday trip", Bill wants to rent a boat and take Will fishing while we are there. Will loves to fish and camp. Staying at a cabin in FW seemed very fitting for the occasion. Since, we will be in the area, I made an ADR at Trail's End. Bill mentioned making an ADR for the Hoop Dee Doo Review. But, I want to wait until the kids are a little older to do the Hoop Dee Doo Review. Also, I made an ADR at the Morrocan restaurant in Epcot (Marrakesh). Has anyone eaten there? It sounds interesting. Our favorite, Nine Dragons, is closed while we are there. Bill did magic with our DVC points to make the September AND November trip possible. Thank you honey. He knows it wouldn't be Christmas time, if we didn't see WDW all decorated. It has become a tradition to us for the past four years. I am anxious to see AKL all decorated for Christmas. We've watch the Travel Channel special with Samantha Brown on holidays at WDW. The tree in the lobby at AKL looks huge. I can't wait!

Do any of the DVC member on here know when the Contemporary DVC building is scheduled to be completed? Also, when do you think they will start selling there? We plan to add-on the Contemporary to our existing membership. You can't beat being that close to MK.

You are all a great resource on WDW and DCL information and reviews. Thank you for your advice and comments.

- Jennifer

 

[JoiseyMom]

We aren't having snow, but it's really damp and they're predicting rain for tonight. I saw snow mentioned in the forecast later in the week, but I think it's going to be further inland (watch out, Merryl!) and further north. Right here on the shoreline we're usually lucky.

I'm going to dinner tonight to finalize my plans for WDW in May over some pizza and beer. We really tried to squeeze in a cruise, but it just can't happen this time. I guess I'll just have to force myself to stay at WDW for about a week, and celebrate my birthday while I'm there. We're thinking about making another all-girl trip to WDW in the fall for the Food and Wine Festival. Since Jim won't have vacation time for at least another 11 months, I'll have to travel without him. I used to do it all the time when he didn't get much time, but since he retired from his first job we had a lot of free time. I really want to cruise again, and I don't have a problem going without him, but I'll have to find someone to share the cost.

Well, it's back to work for me!

Beth

ME ME ME ME!!!

We have rain here too, but I didn;t hear much about snow..and I am not that far inland. Sigh...i just want a tirp somewhere at this point .

I have got some great news.. I hope to be training soon for a new job (part time at first). I am waiting for the paperwork to arrive. I am going to be an authorized Disney TA!!!!!

Can't dicuss it too much here of course..but pm/email me for details .

 

[JoiseyMom]

To all those in cold and rainy weather, I send you sunshine to cheer up your day . . .

Wendy and Jasmine - Have fun in Hong Kong. When my Dad lived in Japan, he would often take a short flight to Korea from Japan to do some shopping. He got some really great deals. He had a few leather jackets and suits custom made. Also, I benefitted from his trips.

I am waiting and waiting for the September park hours to come out (March 1st). I can't create an itinerary without know the parks hours and EMH schedule. Yesterday, Bill changed our pre-cruise stay from AKV to BWV. Also, He changed one of our after cruise days from AKV to WLV. He has to change the rest day by day this week. So, we plan to stay the days after the cruise at the WLV. We will stay at AKV for our upcoming November trip. We figure even if the DVC villas are not completed, most of the work will be internal and should not be too noisy. However, if a BCV does come open, we will most likely move to the Beach Club. That is still our favorite resort. But, we wanted to try BWV in September so the kids could finally swim in the "clown pool" (as they call it). Also, it will be nice to see the Yacht and Beach Club from our room. Bill got us a boardwalk-view room. The BCV rooms are all away from the water's view. It will be a nice change of scenary.

We changed our April reservation from SSR to a Fort Wilderness Cabin. We decided to pay cash for the lodging and plan to use the rest of our DVC points for a WDW trip in November (the week before Thanksgiving). Then, we decided to give WDW a break for a year until our cruise in November 2009. We would have used our Annual Passes for four WDW trips. I'd say we got our money's worth. Beth, when you camped at FW did you rent a boat or fishing equipment? Since this is a "Will's Birthday trip", Bill wants to rent a boat and take Will fishing while we are there. Will loves to fish and camp. Staying at a cabin in FW seemed very fitting for the occasion. Since, we will be in the area, I made an ADR at Trail's End. Bill mentioned making an ADR for the Hoop Dee Doo Review. But, I want to wait until the kids are a little older to do the Hoop Dee Doo Review. Also, I made an ADR at the Morrocan restaurant in Epcot (Marrakesh). Has anyone eaten there? It sounds interesting. Our favorite, Nine Dragons, is closed while we are there. Bill did magic with our DVC points to make the September AND November trip possible. Thank you honey. He knows it wouldn't be Christmas time, if we didn't see WDW all decorated. It has become a tradition to us for the past four years. I am anxious to see AKL all decorated for Christmas. We've watch the Travel Channel special with Samantha Brown on holidays at WDW. The tree in the lobby at AKL looks huge. I can't wait!

Do any of the DVC member on here know when the Contemporary DVC building is scheduled to be completed? Also, when do you think they will start selling there? We plan to add-on the Contemporary to our existing membership. You can't beat being that close to MK.

You are all a great resource on WDW and DCL information and reviews. Thank you for your advice and comments.

- Jennifer

We ate at Morroco a few summers ago, and well, the belly dancer was neat...we didn't care for the food. It was nice to go once, but we won't go back. I have read many reviews of people that loved it.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

I have got some great news.. I hope to be training soon for a new job (part time at first). I am waiting for the paperwork to arrive. I am going to be an authorized Disney TA!!!!!

Congratulations! We sure could have used an "authorized" Disney TA for our last WDW and DCL trip. The TA that took over for our TA knew NOTHING about Disney.

- Jennifer

 

[JsMom2]

I am waiting and waiting for the September park hours to come out (March 1st). I can't create an itinerary without know the parks hours and EMH schedule. Yesterday, Bill changed our pre-cruise stay from AKV to BWV. Also, He changed one of our after cruise days from AKV to WLV. He has to change the rest day by day this week. So, we plan to stay the days after the cruise at the WLV. We will stay at AKV for our upcoming November trip.
:
Do any of the DVC member on here know when the Contemporary DVC building is scheduled to be completed? Also, when do you think they will start selling there? We plan to add-on the Contemporary to our existing membership. You can't beat being that close to MK.

You are all a great resource on WDW and DCL information and reviews. Thank you for your advice and comments.

- Jennifer

Jennifer,
I'm tellin' ya, check out Tour Guide Mike. He'll tell you which days to go to each park - even breaks it down by morning and afternoon. His suggestions for September aren't out yet, but you can see Sept 07 to get an idea. I've already got a proposed itinerary, and have run it by some of the folks on the TGM forum for inputs.

Also, the Savannah Views at AKV will be affected by the construction for the next 15 months! I'm so glad we just changed to BCV! I got this from DVCnews.com:

Construction work at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas has forced officials to temporarily remove animals from the resort's Sunset Savanna. Disney Vacation Club has issued a statement detailing how the situation will impact members.

As the development of Kidani Village continues at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, crews are completing the new savanna and acclimating the animals to their new habitat. To accommodate this important, exciting process, the Resort will not be placing animals on the Sunset Savanna until April 15, 2009. Members and Guests who reserve a Sunset Savanna View room before that date will be advised of this process, and confirmations for those bookings will include a notation to that effect. Approximately 30 days prior to Member arrival, the Resort will determine, based on occupancy and booking date order, which Members will be assigned to a Sunset Savanna View room. Member Services will notify affected Members, who will receive a Vacation Point credit after their stay reflecting the difference between a Sunset Savanna View and Standard View. Please note that animals on the other savannas will still be visible from multiple public locations at the Resort.

Effectively DVC is treating the Sunset Savanna rooms as Standard View for the next fifteen months. With the modifications being made according to booking date, those who are among the last to book a Savanna View room for any given date will be placed overlooking the vacant Sunset Savanna and given a credit to reflect the downgraded view.

Note that all Concierge level rooms on the sixth floor have a view of either the resort's pool complex or the Sunset Savanna. This news means that Concierge guests will be unable to obtain any sort of savanna view until April 2009.

And for info on the new Kingdom Tower at WDW visit the Mousecellaneous thread on the DVC forum!

I have got some great news.. I hope to be training soon for a new job (part time at first). I am waiting for the paperwork to arrive. I am going to be an authorized Disney TA!!!!!

Can't dicuss it too much here of course..but pm/email me for details .

Congratulations Merryl! Count me in as one who'd love to hear the details when you get a chance. PM or wendybirch@yahoo.com.

Wendy

 

[BethC1952]

.....


Beth, when you camped at FW did you rent a boat or fishing equipment?
Also, I made an ADR at the Morrocan restaurant in Epcot (Marrakesh). Has anyone eaten there? lobby at AKL looks huge. I can't wait!

...- Jennifer

We didn't rent any equipment this time while we were there. I think my son and granddaughter may have rented fishing equipment while we were cruising, I'll ask them when I get home and let you know!

Marrakesh is our second favorite restaurant at WDW (after Boma). We try to eat there every trip. We enjoyed the food and Jim loves the belly dancer. OTOH, my daughter-in-law was not impressed at all by the food. I guess it depends on what you order.

ME ME ME ME!!!


I have got some great news.. I hope to be training soon for a new job (part time at first). I am waiting for the paperwork to arrive. I am going to be an authorized Disney TA!!!!!

Can't dicuss it too much here of course..but pm/email me for details .

Congratulations on the TA! I'll PM you shortly. Maybe we can arrange to share a cruise after the summer/fall busy season here at the office.

My plans are all set for May. We'll be arriving on May 15 and leaving on May 24. We're staying at CBR. The Doll and Teddy Bear Show will take up most of our time on Friday afternoon and Saturday, and we have some receptions to go to with some of the exhibitors on Sunday. After that, we are going to be two wild, free, post-middle-age (I don't think I'll live to be 112!) women on the loose at WDW for a week, including celebrating two birthdays (hers Thursday of that week, mine Friday). We'll be having one birthday celebration at Raglan Road, and we haven't decided on the other one. I can't wait!

If anyone's going to be there during any of that time, let me know. Id love to see you again!

Beth

 

[Pooh_Girl]

ME ME ME ME!!!

We have rain here too, but I didn;t hear much about snow..and I am not that far inland. Sigh...i just want a tirp somewhere at this point .

I have got some great news.. I hope to be training soon for a new job (part time at first). I am waiting for the paperwork to arrive. I am going to be an authorized Disney TA!!!!!

Can't dicuss it too much here of course..but pm/email me for details .

That's awesome Merryl!!!!!! You'll really enjoy being a TA. My DSIL does it part time and LOVES it. She gets some really kick a$$ travel discounts for just about anything she wants. If I could do it part time and make decent money at it I would, but around here there's just not enough people for anyone to really make a GOOD living out of it.