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

[Charleston Princess]

Believe me, time absolutely flies. It's crazy. Best advice I can give is: enjoy every moment. Soon you will be doing what I did today (hint: obgyn with a 16 year old)

I have definitely always tried to enjoy every minute.

However, what you did today -- don't know how much I will enjoy that one!

 

[swwake]

Just a note. Katie and I had fun this evening going through the old photo albums finding Disney pics for me to scan. But she kept saying "Mom, why did you DRESS me like that???"

My response: "I stopped picking out your clothes the day you started having an opinion, dear. You shopped for all your own clothes back then, just like you do now."

She doesn't believe me. She won't believe me in 10 years when we look at pictures of her skinny jeans and tank tops from today. I will then pull out her debit card statements to prove that she does all her own shopping.

 

[swwake]

I have definitely always tried to enjoy every minute.

However, what you did today -- don't know how much I will enjoy that one!

It was really not bad. They didn't do an exam. Just pee-on-a-stick, blood pressure, and a lot of discussion. It was the first appt. We talked about taking care of yourself. We got a breast self-exam card. We discussed Gardasil and Katie was told to go home and research it, then decide for herself. The NP was AWESOME!! Katie thought the whole thing "sucked" and was "gross" and "discusting" and "ewwww". I often marvel at her sense of humor. Chris and I were talking at dinner tonight about how funny she is and how much we enjoy being around her. She was making the NP laugh saying "when I'm on the rag, it really suuuuccccckkkksssss..." I could tell the NP was holding back a huge cackling laugh, trying to be professional. Me? I just let it all out and totally cracked up.

See what you have to look forward to?

 

[swwake]

Last one. This was from Disneyland in 1999, I think. I was in San Diego on business. Chris went surfing for the day. Mom and Jo took Haley and Katie to DL.

I haven't been to DL since 1988 and I don't have pics from that trip. I was 21 and we did Beverly Hills, Venice, DL, and Vegas. Needless to say, DL was the least exciting part of my trip!

 

[swwake]

The matching fanny packs are making me CRAZY!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

That's too funny! I can totally see Chelsea acting like Katie in a few years!

 

[Native NYer]

You hit the nail on the head. It was July 1997. We always take our Disney trips together, don't we?! I don't know for sure the dates though.

I will look in my 1998 UG to find out what it was called.

Yes, Test Track was World of Motion and Horizons was where Mission:Space is now and Wonders of Life was still running. My, how things change.

I am trying to post replies on your PTR but I can't keep up. And I'm trying to keep up here on my own PTR too!!

How funny that our trips crossed even before the DIS. I think we went toward the middle to end of July. I remember being in Disney for my birthday that year.

Oh I remember World of Motion!!!! It was all about the history of transportation. And I LOVED Wonders of Life. Do you remember Body Wars? Wasn't that the simulator where you were in someone's blood stream?

I'm on vacation with a toothache, so I have lots of time to post
That's why my ptr is moving fast.

Just a note. Katie and I had fun this evening going through the old photo albums finding Disney pics for me to scan. But she kept saying "Mom, why did you DRESS me like that???"

My response: "I stopped picking out your clothes the day you started having an opinion, dear. You shopped for all your own clothes back then, just like you do now."

She doesn't believe me. She won't believe me in 10 years when we look at pictures of her skinny jeans and tank tops from today. I will then pull out her debit card statements to prove that she does all her own shopping.

Definitely save the statements!!!

Last one. This was from Disneyland in 1999, I think. I was in San Diego on business. Chris went surfing for the day. Mom and Jo took Haley and Katie to DL.

I haven't been to DL since 1988 and I don't have pics from that trip. I was 21 and we did Beverly Hills, Venice, DL, and Vegas. Needless to say, DL was the least exciting part of my trip!

What a great pic!!

 

[Native NYer]

The matching fanny packs are making me CRAZY!!!

Fanny packs make me crazy PERIOD! They must have been designed by a man that thought it would be funny to wear bags around the one part of the body a woman doesn't necessarily want to bring attention to. Fanny packs are EVIL!!!

 

[swwake]

Is that a word? Impatience?

I am impatient about the following:

- I don't have my travel docs yet, but TWO people who are going the same time as I am have theirs. What gives?

- What on earth is the correlation between the numbers on my ticker and the monorail and the actual number of days until my trip? Someone tell me quick!

That's it.

Oh, and in 1995's UG, it says that the area was called "Mickey's Starland". Mystery: Solved.

 

[Native NYer]

Is that a word? Impatience?

I am impatient about the following:

- I don't have my travel docs yet, but TWO people who are going the same time as I am have theirs. What gives?

- What on earth is the correlation between the numbers on my ticker and the monorail and the actual number of days until my trip? Someone tell me quick!

That's it.

Oh, and in 1995's UG, it says that the area was called "Mickey's Starland". Mystery: Solved.

OMG no travel docs yet?? Not even Magical Express tags? What's going on with AAA? Can you call Disney? This just makes me NOT want to book through AAA EVER.

And your ticker confuses me. What do the numbers mean? The days are correct, but it doesn't seem to correlate at all. And my ticker counts in weeks even though it's under a month. So strange! I'd go back to Ticker Factory, but their tickers are so un-Disney!.

Mickey's Starland!!! YES! I can see why it was changed. Mickey's Starland sounds like a second rate show in Las Vegas.

 

[swwake]

OMG no travel docs yet?? Not even Magical Express tags? What's going on with AAA? Can you call Disney? This just makes me NOT want to book through AAA EVER.

I know, right? Just give me a carrot! Please!!

And your ticker confuses me. What do the numbers mean? The days are correct, but it doesn't seem to correlate at all. And my ticker counts in weeks even though it's under a month. So strange! I'd go back to Ticker Factory, but their tickers are so un-Disney!.

Glad to know it confuses others too. I just thought it was a cruel joke they were trying to play on the accountant in me. I don't feel like changing my ticker. I haven't gotten the change fever from scottny yet. I don't want to change anything. (He doesn't read my PTR. He deleted it months ago from his subscriptions)

Mickey's Starland!!! YES! I can see why it was changed. Mickey's Starland sounds like a second rate show in Las Vegas.

I totally agree. But Toontown Fair sounds so Warner Bros. Can't Disney be original? (she says in jest - as if everything Disney hasn't always been original)

 

[swwake]

Katie is still INSISTING that she wants to go to Universal. Especially now that we're not surfing on Thursday. She says the day is wide open. I am holding my ground by saying "if we're bored by late in the week, we can consider US". I really don't think we'll be bored. But I guess we'll see.

I just feel like US is another Six Flags. I can't see that they've updated much on the studios side since we went in '97, and the Islands of Adventure just reeks of Six Flags.

Plus, we aren't renting a car. Yet.

 

[Native NYer]

I know, right? Just give me a carrot! Please!!

Glad to know it confuses others too. I just thought it was a cruel joke they were trying to play on the accountant in me. I don't feel like changing my ticker. I haven't gotten the change fever from scottny yet. I don't want to change anything. (He doesn't read my PTR. He deleted it months ago from his subscriptions)

I totally agree. But Toontown Fair sounds so Warner Bros. Can't Disney be original? (she says in jest - as if everything Disney hasn't always been original)

C'mon change the ticker. Who knows where that monorail is going

Toontown Fair does sound very Warner Bros.-esque.

Katie is still INSISTING that she wants to go to Universal. Especially now that we're not surfing on Thursday. She says the day is wide open. I am holding my ground by saying "if we're bored by late in the week, we can consider US". I really don't think we'll be bored. But I guess we'll see.

I just feel like US is another Six Flags. I can't see that they've updated much on the studios side since we went in '97, and the Islands of Adventure just reeks of Six Flags.

Plus, we aren't renting a car. Yet.

Islands of Adventure was a glorified gift store with a few rides sprinkled in. We went last June, got there at opening, and were done with all the rides within two hours. We were bored, ended up leaving early, and went back to the resort pool.

If you decide to go to US you could rent a car for the day from the onsite Alamo rather than paying for a car for the entire week.

 

[Native NYer]

Crockett and Tubbs, making pastel suits cool in the 80s! I think the NYPD should dress like this:

 

[swwake]

C'mon change the ticker. Who knows where that monorail is going

Toontown Fair does sound very Warner Bros.-esque.

Islands of Adventure was a glorified gift store with a few rides sprinkled in. We went last June, got there at opening, and were done with all the rides within two hours. We were bored, ended up leaving early, and went back to the resort pool.

If you decide to go to US you could rent a car for the day from the onsite Alamo rather than paying for a car for the entire week.

Not changing my ticker. I am standing firm.

Thanks for the info on IofA. (I made up that acronym) Exactly as I thought it would be. I will share that with Katie and hopefully she will believe me.

I do have a rental car reserved at the Swan/Dolphin, but have no intentions of using it. I just figured if we get there and want it we will get it. I don't want to go offsite. I want to stay in my Disney frame of mind.

Crockett and Tubbs, making pastel suits cool in the 80s! I think the NYPD should dress like this:

Wow! A celebrity guest appearance on my PTR. I kinda like the t shirts under jackets and the pastel colors. Let's start a movement to bring them back. What will we call it?

 

[swwake]

You were thinking we got our travel docs today, weren't you?

Well...












PSYCHE!!!

I called AAA today. The agent had asked me to provide our flight information sometime when I could find it, so that was my excuse for calling her.

I asked her if our docs were in yet and she rustled some papers and made it sound like she was looking, then said "no, they're not here yet. With Disney, they usually come the week before the trip."

She had said that to me before, but I didn't want to believe it. Why would Disney wait to send travel docs to AAA?

If it wouldn't complicate things, I'd switch the ressie back over to Disney. This is such bs. I want my docs!!

 

[Native NYer]

Not changing my ticker. I am standing firm.

Thanks for the info on IofA. (I made up that acronym) Exactly as I thought it would be. I will share that with Katie and hopefully she will believe me.

I do have a rental car reserved at the Swan/Dolphin, but have no intentions of using it. I just figured if we get there and want it we will get it. I don't want to go offsite. I want to stay in my Disney frame of mind.



Wow! A celebrity guest appearance on my PTR. I kinda like the t shirts under jackets and the pastel colors. Let's start a movement to bring them back. What will we call it?

If you're keeping your ticker, then we have to figure out how it's calibrated. Maybe there's something on the website tha explains it.

What rental company did you use to reserve your car at the Swan/Dolphin? I'm going to keep that in mind for next year.

Hmm I'm not sure what we should call the movement. Do men wear tight pastel t-shirts anymore? I do like the shirt for myself.

You were thinking we got our travel docs today, weren't you?

Well...



PSYCHE!!!

I called AAA today. The agent had asked me to provide our flight information sometime when I could find it, so that was my excuse for calling her.

I asked her if our docs were in yet and she rustled some papers and made it sound like she was looking, then said "no, they're not here yet. With Disney, they usually come the week before the trip."

She had said that to me before, but I didn't want to believe it. Why would Disney wait to send travel docs to AAA?

If it wouldn't complicate things, I'd switch the ressie back over to Disney. This is such bs. I want my docs!!

I cannot believe your AAA travel agent still does not have the documents. I would be upset. When you book through Disney directly, you get your documents about a week or so after the 45 day payoff mark. Why would it take longer with AAA?? We're leaving the exact same date and I got my travel documents on July 5th and Magical Express tags came the weekend before.

I would call Disney just to inquire about how long it takes for AAA travel agents to receive the documents. I wonder if they are on her desk in a pile.

I will NOT use AAA for next year's trip, even if it means no discount.

 

[dddisrunner]

WOW, I am sooooooooooooo far behind!

Yay for all the nostalgic pictures

Katie is flippin adorable! Gotta LOVE a lifetime Disney fan

I agree fanny packs are HIDEOUS!

I CANNOT believe how close you are, I remember when you were in the 100's!

I was cracking up about Katie at the dr's

Our AAA trip documents came about 2 weeks before we departed!

SKIP IOA because if you aren't staying in their hotels, you will have to WAIT IN LINE!

Maybe do Disney quest instead

I can't wait to hear your review of the BC! The pics. look beautiful!

 

[swwake]

If you're keeping your ticker, then we have to figure out how it's calibrated. Maybe there's something on the website tha explains it.

I broke down and changed my ticker.

What rental company did you use to reserve your car at the Swan/Dolphin? I'm going to keep that in mind for next year.

It's Alamo at the Swan (I just looked). I booked it before I had started all this crazy online research and now I know there are rate discount codes. I may change it, but I honestly don't think we'll use the ressie.

Hmm I'm not sure what we should call the movement. Do men wear tight pastel t-shirts anymore? I do like the shirt for myself.

They are the colors of those candy necklaces. Easter eggs. I don't know - I'm at a loss.

I cannot believe your AAA travel agent still does not have the documents. I would be upset. When you book through Disney directly, you get your documents about a week or so after the 45 day payoff mark. Why would it take longer with AAA?? We're leaving the exact same date and I got my travel documents on July 5th and Magical Express tags came the weekend before.

I would call Disney just to inquire about how long it takes for AAA travel agents to receive the documents. I wonder if they are on her desk in a pile.

That is what I suspect. I know she was on vacation for 2 weeks or so. Just getting back, getting organized. I know how it is, but just be honest with me, right?

I may call Disney and ask them, but Diane said (below) that she got hers 2 weeks out. When we get 2 weeks out (next Friday) and I don't have them, I will call again.

WOW, I am sooooooooooooo far behind!

Yay for all the nostalgic pictures

Katie is flippin adorable! Gotta LOVE a lifetime Disney fan

I agree fanny packs are HIDEOUS!

I CANNOT believe how close you are, I remember when you were in the 100's!

I was cracking up about Katie at the dr's

Our AAA trip documents came about 2 weeks before we departed!

SKIP IOA because if you aren't staying in their hotels, you will have to WAIT IN LINE!

Maybe do Disney quest instead

I can't wait to hear your review of the BC! The pics. look beautiful!

Thanks for the compliments again. I just loved her little years.

I remember the 100s. I remember 180 and making ADRs.

I have to talk Katie out of US/IOA. Any ideas? We have the park hopper water fun and more, and we're already planning an afternoon at DQ. (not Dairy Queen - lol)

 

[swwake]

So here's the latest dilemma. I will have to backtrack a little and fill you all in on what's happening in our family and why Mom hasn't been actively posting.

I've lived in Austin with my family since 2000. Mom has been wanting to move here for several years, but has been waiting until Jo's kids are a little older so she won't be needed to help get them to appointments, babysit, etc. so much.

So earlier this Spring, Joann decided that it is very important to raise (rear?) their kids in a city other than Memphis, due to the current political climate and other factors. They thought about Nashville, but they decided on Austin, mainly because we're here and are knowledgeable about good areas, schools, etc. As Jo says "there aren't as many unknowns, and moving, alone, is a huge step and stress".

So the decision was made to move here before Haley starts 9th grade. She is going into 8th now. Joann decided to start checking out career opportunities here and floating her resume, so the school districts will know her next year when she's ready.

Well, she received a few opportunities, did a handful of phone and live interviews, and got an offer. She has already started her new job in Austin (remotely). That put things into high gear.

They have spent the past month getting their house fixed up and on the market for sale. Mom is buying a condo here, which Jo's family will rent from her until they sell their Memphis home and find a new home here. Mom is getting her house ready to go on the market.

Mom's condo close is August 4th, but Jo needs to be physically here July 25th. So she and the kids are moving here, into my house, for a couple of weeks. This will be no different from their vacation here in our house earlier this summer.

So, that all said, Mom (and Jo) have been very, very busy over the past couple of weeks.

AND, it adds a new dilemma to our Disney vacation. I will start another post for that, because I don't like reading long posts without pics, and I don't want you to have to either.

Here's a picture, to boot.