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

[swwake]

If you are one of our faithful readers, please PM me your address. I am going to TRY to be a good girl and find time to send postcards.

 

[Planning fanatic mom]

Is your binder large, like a regular 3- ring binder, or is smaller to fit in a small back pack?

If you add something from the UG or Passporter, do you copy it or just rip it out of the book?

This one is amazing as is Charleston Pincess's binder. Mine is pathetic by camparison. Now I have something to strive for next year.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[swwake]

Is your binder large, like a regular 3- ring binder, or is smaller to fit in a small back pack?

Yes, it's like a school 3-ring binder. It is a 1-inch binder with clear covers where you can insert sheets into the front, back and spine. There are 2 pockets each in front and back. I have made myself a note that it's not big enough and I need a 1.5 or 2-inch binder. I keep adding lots of paper to it and I may pare that down a bit.

I will carry it in my computer backpack on the plane, so I can study it and highlight, etc. But my idea is not to carry it to parks. My thought is that when we go to a park, I will pull out the touring plan(s), ADR confirmations, and any other info I need for that day. I can then put that into my backpack.

Oh yeah, and some things are 3-hole punched and just inserted into the binder. Other things, that I want to be portable, like maps and touring plans, are inside sheet protectors. That way I can just remove the sheet protector and take it with me and it will be somewhat waterproof and tear-proof.

All this may not be practical, but that's my vision anyway

If you add something from the UG or Passporter, do you copy it or just rip it out of the book?

I am pulling touring plans from several sources. One is the UG's website, touringplans . com, which I paid 7.95 for a 1-year membership and it has many, many plans, plus the ability to customize the plan. When I am close to finalizing, I will post which plans I have included. I know I included the "happy family" plan for MK. Also, I will be looking at Passporter and TGM touring plans and considering bringing them. I think the online version of UG is pretty much the same as what is in the book, but (1) I don't want to tear up my book and (2) the online ones might be updated for new attractions like TSM, for example.

This one is amazing as is Charleston Pincess's binder. Mine is pathetic by camparison. Now I have something to strive for next year.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much. It's really not that beautiful. But it does help me to feel more organized.

Incidentally, I don't tear up my UG Books because I keep them until infinity. You may have read several pages ago my obsession with going through the 1996 (?) guide I have and the 2008 guide and highlighting the changes. All the way down to: 1996 had phone numbers where 2008 now has web sites

I'm CRAZY!

 

[Marshay]

I bought PhotoPass last night.
I can't believe we have only 1 month and 9 days!!
I hope to be able to reply to your posts later today.

Yeah for PhotoPass -- you will love this!! I highly think it is worth it!

I know this is two posts in one day. I just got my All Ears newsletter and found out that they are closing all the Pleasure Island clubs in September of this year! Can you believe it?

DH and I were talking about it. We are SO GLAD that we will get to go before they close. I hope they keep the ones that are open...open until our trip. It will be "bittersweet", in DH's words, to visit them one last time.

I think the new plans are great and will continue to add to the Disney magic. I know they have had some issues with crime and decreasing attendance at PI over the past few years, so this makes sense. When people want to go "clubbing", they go to NY or LA or Vegas, where the scene is much different.

Also, over the past couple of years, DH and I have really started to enjoy the "lounge" type atmosphere. For example, we are looking forward to going over the the BWI and checking out the bar there, where they say the bartender is super. Nice, quieter evenings of people-watching and good fun.

But - where will we show off our salsa and swing skills?!?!

AWESOME!!! At first I was thinking you cut and pasted pictures from some dance crew on TV or something -- then I realized -- hey, that's you guys!!

Tonight I (finally) worked on the planning binder. Earlier today I decided that it is high time that I kicked this Disney vacation planning into high gear. I am such a procrastinator!

Here are a couple of pics.

Front Cover:

I googled Walt Disney font and did my best to mimic it freehand. How do you think I did?

Here is the inside first page:

And here is the first of the many tabs:

I love your pages and the detail is fantastic!!

On the binder, I have to pay homage to Marshay, who I think I copied alot of it from. I believe hers is where I first saw the "Jelly" divider tabs. Some have pockets and some don't. I love the colors. (Not even sure if Marshay is reading my PTR anymore, but still - kudos to her.)

Ok I went back and couldn't find a binder on Marshay's, so I must have gotten the idea from another one of you crafty gals. Thanks, whoever it is!

Edit: I found who I copied. It was Jackie (Charleston Princess). Here is Jackie's binder. And here's the extra spooky scary foreshadowing where I first said I fully intended to copy Jackie's. Now, mine isn't as professionally-done as Jackie's (she printed on very nice paper - I hand-scripted), etc.

Thanks for the kudos but unfortunately, like you found out, it wasn't me ... I did the Disney ABC book this trip. But I really like your binder and all the details -- also makes me feel not quite "as obsessed!"

I know I'm behind on your schedule, but since you can't do the surfing thing I could recommend one of the Segway tours. We did the one at Ft. Wilderness and loved, loved, loved it!! I definitely want to do it again. (This is not for kids though...)

They also started some new archery classes that might be cool to try.

And you could try to schedule a private photopass session at one of the resorts. Since you bought the CD, it's only $25 and you'll get some great pictures.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks again for the compliments and borrow away. Maybe it's time for you to plan the next trip!

I desperately need another Disney vacation to plan for -- just waiting on those 2009 packages to come out!

Edit: I found who I copied. It was Jackie (Charleston Princess). Here is Jackie's binder. And here's the extra spooky scary foreshadowing where I first said I fully intended to copy Jackie's. Now, mine isn't as professionally-done as Jackie's (she printed on very nice paper - I hand-scripted), etc.

Awww, I've never been linked before in someone else's PTR/TR! You made me day!

 

[Native NYer]

Ok, I'm back! And I'm going to catch up today

I'm going to run out and get Starbucks (don't really know how to work my coffee maker without getting little bits of coffee in the water ), then I'm glued to the computer.

I just took a quick look and saw some fancy footwork and a binder! Can't wait to read more.

 

[Native NYer]

I'm all caught up!

Sorry to hear about your grandmother and Paxton.

Have you decided what you're going to do now that Surf School has ben canceled?

I love your dance moves and planning binder!

What airline are you flying? We're flying American. We may run into each other at the airport!

 

[swwake]

Is anyone doing Garden Grocer, Cosco or anything else to have drinks/water and snacks delivered to your room? If so, how was the experience and how far ahead do you need to order? I think we need 3 cases of water plus some soft drinks and maybe some fruit and granola bar-type snacks.

I am also thinking about shipping some things ahead. Like sunscreen, bug spray, palmolive wipes, ponchos, etc. Maybe I can think of more. The idea is to save weight and space in our luggage. I would like to only send things that we also won't be bringing back, or either just ship them back.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[MeMom]

I am also thinking about shipping some things ahead. Like sunscreen, bug spray, palmolive wipes, ponchos, etc. Maybe I can think of more. The idea is to save weight and space in our luggage. I would like to only send things that we also won't be bringing back, or either just ship them back.

Any thoughts on this?

We did this. Jill shipped ahead diapers, breakfast food, and miscellaneous toddler needs. The box was ready when we got there. It worked very well. We had plenty of room in the luggage, since we got mostly small souvenirs, so we didn't need to ship anything back home. I thought my suitcases felt very heavy, but the heaviest one was only 33 pounds. (Upon hearing that, I was ready to go back and get 17 more pounds of souvenirs!)

 

[swwake]

Yeah for PhotoPass -- you will love this!! I highly think it is worth it!

I saw your pics and I'm looking forward to having lots of extra pics, and a way to organize and edit them.

AWESOME!!! At first I was thinking you cut and pasted pictures from some dance crew on TV or something -- then I realized -- hey, that's you guys!!

LOL Nope, that's us. We really had fun with it.

I love your pages and the detail is fantastic!!

Thanks so much! As I fill it out, I may try to post more pictures, but I am running out of time!

Thanks for the kudos but unfortunately, like you found out, it wasn't me ... I did the Disney ABC book this trip. But I really like your binder and all the details -- also makes me feel not quite "as obsessed!"

I remember the ABC book. You were working on that while we were waiting on the CMO. Yes, it is an obsession!

I know I'm behind on your schedule, but since you can't do the surfing thing I could recommend one of the Segway tours. We did the one at Ft. Wilderness and loved, loved, loved it!! I definitely want to do it again. (This is not for kids though...)

They also started some new archery classes that might be cool to try.

We may check out one of those. I have it on my "Maybe" list. Surfing is just so near and dear to what we really like to do. We have surfed a cruise ship, surfed the Pacific, and we have surfed a TON behind the boat. We are fans of all things boardsport. I saw the archery thing. Reminds me of my Girl Scout days

And you could try to schedule a private photopass session at one of the resorts. Since you bought the CD, it's only $25 and you'll get some great pictures.

Yeah, we looked into that. We might still do it if we have time, but we are going to just try to go with the flow and if we don't end up with a good Christmas Card pic, we'll just do one at home this fall with a pro photographer. Loved your session pics though! So coordinated in all your red!

I desperately need another Disney vacation to plan for -- just waiting on those 2009 packages to come out!

When do those packages come out?

Awww, I've never been linked before in someone else's PTR/TR! You made me day!

Haha that's funny! Glad I made your day!

Sorry to hear about your grandmother and Paxton.

Thank you. Grandma is in a much better place. Paxton seems to be stable now. We aren't getting much info, but I saw a few pics and I'm glad they got to do the WDW trip.

Have you decided what you're going to do now that Surf School has ben canceled?

I think we'll play that by ear. We were thinking if it's not too hot, we may rent bicycles and ride around. The segway tours Marshay mentioned sound fun too. It might just give us another park day. But since it was 5:45-8:00am, we will probably sleep.

I love your dance moves and planning binder!

thank you so much!!

What airline are you flying? We're flying American. We may run into each other at the airport!

We are on Northwest. We got GREAT fares.

We did this. Jill shipped ahead diapers, breakfast food, and miscellaneous toddler needs. The box was ready when we got there. It worked very well. We had plenty of room in the luggage, since we got mostly small souvenirs, so we didn't need to ship anything back home. I thought my suitcases felt very heavy, but the heaviest one was only 33 pounds. (Upon hearing that, I was ready to go back and get 17 more pounds of souvenirs!)

Great idea. Why have snacks shipped by Cosco or Garden Grocer when we can ship them ourselves? Another list I have to make now - list of things to ship. Thanks!

 

[Native NYer]

29 days!!!

Or 4 weeks and 1 day

 

[swwake]

29 days!!!

Or 4 weeks and 1 day

Yay! Yippee!!


Is there something like the double digits or single digits dance when we get below 30 days? It seems like there should be. This feels like the biggest milestone yet!

I better get busy. I feel so far behind on the "being ready."

 

[Charleston Princess]

When do those packages come out?

Hopefully the beginning of August!

Hurray for being under a month!!!

 

[Marshay]

Is there something like the double digits or single digits dance when we get below 30 days?

I think there's a Disney dance for every day in your countdown!!!

 

[swwake]

I think there's a Disney dance for every day in your countdown!!!

I'm Dancing!! I'm Dancing!!


(thinking about your babies )

 

[swwake]

Obviously, I am a little obsessed about our trip and all things Disney. If you have followed our Vegas TR, you know that I even found a hidden Mickey in the middle of Lake Mead!

Can you see it?

Anyway, so apparently I have rubbed off on DH. Last night we were at dinner, and he suddenly said "look! A little Mickey on my plate!". I wish I had had a camera. The chef had drizzled some of the sauce accompanying the fish on DH's plate. Three drops had formed a tiny little Mickey.

Yay! Another one converted!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

The sweet taste of victory into converting another to the joys of Disney!

 

[swwake]

The sweet taste of victory into converting another to the joys of Disney!

Exactly!!

 

[swwake]

So I went to Wal Mart today. I picked up a few items for the trip. All of these are going in my "ship ahead" box.

I also added to the box a 4-pack of Charmin, two razor blade refills and a bar of Safegard.

 

[Donald is #1]

Wow, I love those Tide packets! I don't think that I have ever seen them before.

Did the ponchos come from Walmart also?