DIS Meet Dec 8 07

[TheTXTaylors5]

We just got home not too long ago from dropping Bill off at the airport. He's heading to San Diego for a couple of days on business. However, he looked at the weather forecast and it is suppose to be rainy while he's there. So, he doesn't expect to be at the beach too much (or at all). He joked about driving to Disneyland while there. But, I know better. He won't go without us. We have a roadtrip planned to the west coast (Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Disneyland) for 2010 or 2011.

We have decided to fly to Florida this September for our WDW trip and DVC cruise. This is going to be the first flight for Cole and Emily. Luckily, it will be a fairly short flight. Bill is calling tomorrow to change our AKV reservation before the cruise. We want to stay at the BCV or BWV. Wendy, I know you stayed at the BWV after our December cruise. How was it? Has anyone else stayed at the Boardwalk? We love the Beach Club (our favorite Disney resort ). But, wanted to try the Boardwalk for a change. We are also going to try and change our AKV reservation for after the cruise to WLV. If we are not able to change it to WLV, we will keep the AKV (savannah-view) room for after the cruise. Can you tell I love to plan? I am driving Bill crazy. I have the date in March marked on my calendar to call WDW for our CRT dining request for September. We have to eat there in September for Emily's birthday celebration. We are always doing "boy things" at WDW and have yet to wait in line to see the Princesses. This is "Emily's Trip". I already have a pin that says "Birthday Princess" with a crown on it. It is cute. I still need to make it to the Disney store to work on Will's WDW birthday shirt. Also, I want to get/make the kids t-shirts for the Hannah Montana concert. Wal-Mart always has a Hannah Montana section with t-shirts and toys. However, all the shirts I see are VERY girly. So, I may buy Emily one and make Will one. Cole is indifferent. Of course, we'll still have to get them concert t-shirts too. We are all very excited to make the trip to Houston. The concert is at the rodeo. So, the kids get to experience the fair too. "The Best of Both Worlds".

It is almost time to make the kiddos lunch. Everyone have a great day!

- Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Thanks for the update Jennifer, I remember when you told us of his plans. Great to hear he said yes!! Ah, romance is in the air...

I am glad you are all doing well in NS. Keep warm. Please tell Bridget . . .

"Happy 5th Birthday Bridget"


From Your Friends,
Will, Emily and Cole.



Emily asked the same thing about going to Kindergarten the day after she turned 5. - Jennifer

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Tina, I like your Winnie The Pooh. I'll have to show it to a co-worker, she is a big Pooh fan.

Tina, I like the Pooh in your signature. He is just so cute and bright. We have four Pooh pictures hanging in Cole's room. Every morning, he points to the pictures and says "Pooh". It is such a cheerful way to start the day. Pooh puts a smile on Cole's face every morning.

- Jennifer

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Tina, I like the Pooh in your signature. He is just so cute and bright. We have four Pooh pictures hanging in Cole's room. Every morning, he points to the pictures and says "Pooh". It is such a cheerful way to start the day. Pooh puts a smile on Cole's face every morning.

- Jennifer

Thanks!!!!!! I took this quiz somewhere. I think it was quizilla.com or something like it. It is supposed to tell you which character you are like. It fits me to a tea!! If I was to ever be a character, I would be Pooh Bear!!!
I totally understand about the whole planning thing. We just booked our trip to WDW for October and the past couple of days I have been doing nothing but planning. I know I'm driving Robby nuts, but it is just so much fun!!!

 

[JsMom2]

I am sooooo excited guys!!!!!! Robby and I booked our WDW vacation for October!!!! We are going October 11-18. I can't wait!!!!!!! I know we are doing breakfast at CRT (I'll never grow up ) and the KTTK tour. Anyone else going around this time???

We are going in September! We're going to try the character dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern.

Miss B celebrated her 5th birthday yesterday. This morning I was driving her to preschool and she asked if she was starting kindergarten today. I said no, it's a preschool day. But I go to big school when I'm five! She's also said, a couple of times, "first day as a 5 year old, you know!"
Anyway, nice to "see" you all!

Joanne, nice to hear from you! Tell Bridget "Happy Birthday" from us! Yes, the first day as a 5-year old is a very important day!

We have a roadtrip planned to the west coast (Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Disneyland) for 2010 or 2011.

Wendy, I know you stayed at the BWV after our December cruise. How was it? - Jennifer

Jennifer, I think if you go to CA in 2011, the construction on the GCV and CA Adventure will be done! If we're in the States then, maybe we'll meet you there.

We had ressies at BWV after the cruise, but it was in a 1BR the first night, and a condo the second. I really wanted the in-room washer/dryer for the last night - plus wanted to avoid the hassle of being homeless for most of the second day. So I waitlisted a 1BR anywhere for both nights. They ended up moving me to SSR when a 1BR opened up there. I really want to try the other resorts, but it really did feel like coming home when we went back to SSR after the cruise.

Tina, I like the Pooh in your signature. He is just so cute and bright. We have four Pooh pictures hanging in Cole's room. Every morning, he points to the pictures and says "Pooh". It is such a cheerful way to start the day. Pooh puts a smile on Cole's face every morning.

- Jennifer

Jas had a Pooh nursery and toddler room. During her 1st 12 months, I took a picture of her each month with her pooh friends. When we started out, I think they were bigger than she was!

When she was 6, we changed her room to Tinkerbell. I told her the next time we move (she'll be 12), we can redecorate again.

We just booked our trip to WDW for October and the past couple of days I have been doing nothing but planning. I know I'm driving Robby nuts, but it is just so much fun!!!

Tina,
I know what you mean, I'm donig the same thing to Jasmine for our Sept trip! She's like, "yeah Mom whatever..." Have you checked out Tour Guide Mike? He charges $22 per trip to sign up for his services online. If you signup from the Disboard it's $19. You have access to all of his planning info, and he's got a forum where you can talk to others who are traveling the same time you are. I wasn't sure if I'd use it, but he had a money back guarantee so I signed up. I'm REALLY happy with it. As a former CM at Disneyland, I can tell you that he everything he says really rings true as far as tips and tricks at WDW. And Joanne was telling me that when he takes folks to the parks personally he charges $1,000/day!

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Tina,
I know what you mean, I'm donig the same thing to Jasmine for our Sept trip! She's like, "yeah Mom whatever..." Have you checked out Tour Guide Mike? He charges $22 per trip to sign up for his services online. If you signup from the Disboard it's $19. You have access to all of his planning info, and he's got a forum where you can talk to others who are traveling the same time you are. I wasn't sure if I'd use it, but he had a money back guarantee so I signed up. I'm REALLY happy with it. As a former CM at Disneyland, I can tell you that he everything he says really rings true as far as tips and tricks at WDW. And Joanne was telling me that when he takes folks to the parks personally he charges $1,000/day!

I was looking at some posts about him on the attractions board and talked to Robby about him, but we decided that since Robby's brother and SIL were both cast members a few years ago, they probably have almost the same information planning wise and since SIL is a TA, she does everything for us!!! It's so nice having connections in the family!!!!! They are the same ones who are helping us with the plans to move to FL as well.

 

[coastgirl]

Ah, but Tour Guide Mike gives you one more place to obsess on-line! ;-) I know I had a voracious appetite for Disney-related sites, so got my money's worth. But truly, I wish I'd found it before our first trip, rather than our 2nd.

 

[brack]

Howdy! We've been really busy and on the road.

We do have some good WDW visits coming up though. In April (2nd week) we are "slumming" at Pop Century with our 35yo DS. The 1st week of June we are at AKV, 1st week of September at OKW and the last week of December at SSR just before our January 3rd cruise on the Magic.

I can't wait.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Hi Brack! Please give Annette our best.

Happy Wednesday all!

I had to put a big note on my backdoor to remind me to take the kids outside at 9 PM to see the lunar eclipse tonight. I went online and found Will some information on lunar eclipses and exactly what is going on up there. Now, he's intrigued and wants to see it tonight. However, with my absent-mindness lately I seriously had to put a note on the backdoor.

Bill said San Diego is cold and rainy. So, he is a little bummed with the weather. He joked about driving to Disneyland and taking a picture for me. My Disney "fix".

Wendy, I forgot that the DVC properties in CA will be ready in 2011. That would be great if we could use that for our west coast trip.

Angie, I bet you are happy to have DVC on the west coast. When you go to DL, do you drive or fly? Did you ever put your house back on the market?

Tina and Robby, I am glad you are going to WDW in October. Isn't it fun having a WDW trip to look forward to? Sometimes that is what keeps me sane, in my chaotic life.

- Jennifer

 

[brack]

We were in Ocean City, MD last week. It is a BEACH resort town an it snowed

Here are some photos of the beach front from our hotel.

 

[BethC1952]

Brack: Your pictures are beautiful. We had snow on the beach here, too (possibly the same day), but I didn't have my camera with me. They're predicting a bit of snow for Friday night and Saturday. Maybe I'll see if I can get some nice pictures!

I haven't really started planning my May trip yet. My friend made the hotel reservation (CBR), and she's made some ADR's, but I have not idea where! We both like to eat, and we both like the same kinds of food, so whatever she picks should be fine with me. I know that she made an ADR at Boma at my request. She's never eaten there, but I love it, and I'm sure she will.

It's much too cloudy to see the eclipse from here. We had a few snow showers this afternoon, although none of the snow stuck to the ground!

I already have some "spring things" coming up in my garden. I can't wait until it's gardening season again. I love being outside in digging in the dirt and making things grow.

Beth

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Well we didn't get to see the eclipse last night because it was so cloudy. Robby was a little bummed out. He really wanted to see it. It's still pretty cloudy today and we are supposed to get an ice/rain mix at some point today. We never get the pretty stuff, we just always get the yucky stuff.

 

[plutojudy]

We watched the lunar eclipse last night, it was fantastic to see. It was a very cold and clear night here. I watched from kitchen window with binoculars. Fred & Melissa were out in the driveway with her telescope and the video camera on a tripod.

 

[plutojudy]

Brack, I love the pictures of snow on the beach. Thanks for sharing.

 

[MrsMork]

Angie,[/B] I bet you are happy to have DVC on the west coast. When you go to DL, do you drive or fly? Did you ever put your house back on the market?


- Jennifer

We do both, depending on how much time we have and who we are going with. It is an 18 hour drive, so two days for us old folks! For short trips we fly - around $200 each. We plan to drive in May to DL, spend 2 days there, fly to Orlando for 2 days at WDW then take the 15 day cruise back thru the canal and do 3 more days at DL. Our Month of Magic as our DGS18 calls it. We will leave our car at Dennis' sister's house and pick it up to drive back home at the end of May. Our house is on the market, still waiting......

 

[MrsMork]

It was a clear night in Oregon! We were supposed to have rain, but it stayed clear and we were able to see the eclipse. Beautiful from our deck.

 

[JsMom2]

We plan to drive in May to DL, spend 2 days there, fly to Orlando for 2 days at WDW then take the 15 day cruise back thru the canal and do 3 more days at DL.

Now THAT's a plan!

 

[plutojudy]

Angie, are you retiring before your month of Magic? I know you mentioned retirement but I'm not sure when you decided to retire.

 

[Cruise]

Hey guys!

Just wanted to catch you up on what was going on with the luggage claim since I promised I would.

Just as background, it was the big pink luggage I got the Christmas before this past one...meaning it was just short of being only a year old when we took the cruise. The morning we got off, we found that one of the wheels was torn completely off. We filed a claim, Disney gave me a reciept and took pictures and we were on our way. Once we got home and actually opened the bag, we discovered the internal frame had also been bent into the luggage about 4-6 inches which couldn't be seen from the outside. I'm not sure what gorilla was jumping on this stuff in the cargo hold, but there you have it.

When we got home, we got a letter within a week from Disney saying to have it repaired and they'd pay for the cost or, if it couldn't be repaired, to send my receipt of purchase or information regarding the date of purchase and store where it was bought. Well, even though it was less than a year old, the luggage company had quit making it, therefore no replacement wheel was available. I just happened to actually have the receipt since Mom is a big believer in "Now..if you don't like it, take it back" kinda Christmas presents. So I sent off my receipt with a note from the repair shop saying it couldn't be repaired. That went into the mail on Feb. 5th.

I got a letter from Disney today which says:

Enclosed is our check which is sent in full and final settlement of all claims in the incident noted above.

Please note that we have stamped a form of release on the back of this check. Your endorsement or other negotiation of the check will serve to forever release and discharge Disney Cruise Line and others indicated in the form from all such claims.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Please call me at XXX if you have any additional questions.

So, the legal-ize of it makes it sound a bit unfriendly, but the check is for the full amount of my receipt for the luggage So Disney came through on that one, even though I never really doubted they would.

Now the only problem is that I kinda don't wanna cash the check cause it's just too cute. It has a picture of Mickey in the upper left hand corner as the "issuer" of the check.

 

[JsMom2]

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