"Do You Mind?" - Disney Adventures with Teens August Trip Report

[swwake]

The walk-able options are important. If I can avoid Disney transportation, I do. Even though it's Disney, it's still mass transit

The girls are going to love it. They can go off and explore on their own. Are they doing any of the tours?

No. Caitlin isn't old enough. You have to be 16. But they don't care.

 

[Native NYer]

No. Caitlin isn't old enough. You have to be 16. But they don't care.

Have Katie and Caitlin made any plans?

 

[swwake]

Have Katie and Caitlin made any plans?

I don't think so. They see each other so rarely now that we live across town. But they're both excited. Last night, Katie was all emotional about how her friends here are so flaky and Caitlin is one of her best friends and they never fight and they totally understand each other. I think it is going to be great for them to get to spend the week together. It comes at a good time.

I am sure they will do alot of things independently from us. I know they plan to sleep late in the mornings. I figure Chris and I will almost always be together, unless he is working out and I don't feel like it. Mom will usually be with us, but she might get tired and/or bored with us and return to the room for a break now and then. Katie and Caitlin will probably hang out with us sometimes when we go to the parks. We all enjoy the thrill rides and themed rides. Katie will show us some of her faves from her mini-trip back in May. She likes to "tour guide". And our rule will be: Always have dinner together.

We may not keep all of our ADRs, but at least we have them, and even if we don't do the planned ones, we will always meet up for dinner. That's the rule we used for our cruise last year. It was a way to make sure that we all got together at least once daily as a family and shared the day's adventures.

 

[Native NYer]

I don't think so. They see each other so rarely now that we live across town. But they're both excited. Last night, Katie was all emotional about how her friends here are so flaky and Caitlin is one of her best friends and they never fight and they totally understand each other. I think it is going to be great for them to get to spend the week together. It comes at a good time.

I am sure they will do alot of things independently from us. I know they plan to sleep late in the mornings. I figure Chris and I will almost always be together, unless he is working out and I don't feel like it. Mom will usually be with us, but she might get tired and/or bored with us and return to the room for a break now and then. Katie and Caitlin will probably hang out with us sometimes when we go to the parks. We all enjoy the thrill rides and themed rides. Katie will show us some of her faves from her mini-trip back in May. She likes to "tour guide". And our rule will be: Always have dinner together.

We may not keep all of our ADRs, but at least we have them, and even if we don't do the planned ones, we will always meet up for dinner. That's the rule we used for our cruise last year. It was a way to make sure that we all got together at least once daily as a family and shared the day's adventures.

That sounds like an easy, relaxed plan!

We have lots of ADRs, but we may ditch some as well. We figured it was better to make them then not to have them. Plus I'm sure there will be some room service days.

Are you doing a dining plan?

 

[swwake]

That sounds like an easy, relaxed plan!

We have lots of ADRs, but we may ditch some as well. We figured it was better to make them then not to have them. Plus I'm sure there will be some room service days.

Are you doing a dining plan?

Nope. I did my accountant's analysis and decided that we're better off not to do it. My head hurts just thinking about it, so I don't want to revisit it. I have a huge, elaborate spreadsheet. I think it's a great idea for convenience and for getting more of the trip pre-paid, but not sure it's worth it for our family, financially.

 

[dddisrunner]

DANG GIRL! You are sure making up for all those weeks you were MIA!

Just Kidding!

Anyway, I think everything looks GREAT and I wouldn't worry to much about ME, the quote I have always gotten was 3 hours after your flight arrives! I think if you bring your dinner attire in your carry on with some swim stuff that would work out great!

 

[Native NYer]

Nope. I did my accountant's analysis and decided that we're better off not to do it. My head hurts just thinking about it, so I don't want to revisit it. I have a huge, elaborate spreadsheet. I think it's a great idea for convenience and for getting more of the trip pre-paid, but not sure it's worth it for our family, financially.

We're doing deluxe dining this year, but won't next year. We may do the regular dining plan just to prepay a couple of meals a day. It is a lot of food.

 

[Donald is #1]

It's been 10 Dispages and almost a month since I've written, but that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading the Disboards and it doesn't mean that I haven't been busy. More about all I've been doing later. Now I have to go back 10 pages and try to remember all the salient comments I would have made at the time I read your posts.

Welcome back to the thread!

 

[Donald is #1]

I noticed that Midway Airport in Chicago now has 3 lines for security: Family, Casual Traveler, and Expert Traveler. I love this. Expert traveler every time. I wish every airport had this.

MCO now has lines like this too. I was pleasantly surprised on my trip in May to find that they had changed to the 3 sets of lines.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

So, OK, my daughters went to Sin City and "sinned", but they had their father there to "protect" them......sure!!!!
I have never been to Vegas without him and we've been divorced 31 years, so the city is nothing like I remember it.
I could share some stories about when we were there in the 60's and 70's, but this is neither the time nor the place.
I'm just glad the girls had a good time on their dad's wallet.

 

[Native NYer]

MCO now has lines like this too. I was pleasantly surprised on my trip in May to find that they had changed to the 3 sets of lines.

I am SO happy to hear this!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

One Disney Trip - Paid In Full!!!!!

Well, maybe......I usually spend a lot of $$$ on souveniers.

 

[Native NYer]

Well, maybe......I usually spend a lot of $$$ on souveniers.

Are you into Disney collectibles? I really love the Disney Precious Moments.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

So here's the scoop on AAA.

Since I'm in DC at a conference, ...........

Well, I woke up this morning and panicked about the payment.

So at the end of the day it really makes no difference and all I have really lost is a little bit of time in working with the AAA agent.

And this explains why our national economy has gotten worse. Once again, Susan didn't do as her mother told her. If you read an earlier post, i specifically told her while she was there to tell the politicians in DC to fix the economy !!!!

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

I'm thinking of using our "Mickey Ears" photo from DHS for our Christmas card this year.

I like this idea. I suggested to Susan that we get Mickey Ears, spray paint them red and trim them in white fur.

 

[Donald is #1]

I like this idea. I suggested to Susan that we get Mickey Ears, spray paint them red and trim them in white fur.

I think that you can get "fur" ears at the make your own store in MK. Of course, if I remember properly, the fur may have been pink.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

We will have our camera too, and I am sure Katie will take hers.

One thing I have learned through the years of family events is NOT to worry about a camera. There are plenty of others in the group who take pictures. So I let THEM take the pictures and I enjoy everything in full view....not through a tiny window....and I don't have to worry about keeping up with the camera and chargers and batteries, etc. etc. etc.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Guess what came in the mail today?!?!

That's right, our official personalized Disney maps!! These are really neat. They came in a cool little dossier-like pouch.

But they sure are pretty to look at!!

I saw these when I was at Susan's house a couple of weeks ago. These pictures don't do them justice. They are beautiful.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Here is the snowman.....

Heck with the snowman.....I love the little boys! They are precious. I know you are proud of them.

 

[Grandma Bonnie]

Airport - I think my sister will take us. Wait! She won't be there. I guess we do need to add in parking or something. Hmmm...will talk to Mom about that. Thanks for the reminder!

When I know which airport (Memphis or Austin) is our departure site, then I'll worry about how to get there.