Does Pixie Dust Help with Decision-Making? A 2012 PTR! NEW! 6/30 pg.85

[jillyb]

Oh Jackie that beach house is AMAZING!! What a great idea for Thanksgiving!! I'd love to talk my family into that some year. I'll start working on em for 2013.

Chelsea is such a gorgeous knock out!! Is Charles polishing his gun?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Chelsea is such a gorgeous knock out!! Is Charles polishing his gun?

 

[lovedonaldduck]

The beach house looks amazing! What a great way to spend Thanksgiving.

We usually do the dining plan but we are looking for a little bit more flexibility this trip so we are going to take the money we would spend on the dining plan and put it on Disney gift cards. The best of both worlds - prepaid but we can eat exactly what we want (no dessert at every meal). And if we happen to end up under budget we'll have prepaid souvenirs too! This is not my original idea, I got it from someone on another Disney board.

 

[Native NYer]

Hi Jackie!
How are you? How is the end of the year winding down for you?

 

[nannye]

So, on our third day at Tybee (which was Wednesday), we started the day in the same way. I was the first one awake and enjoyed my coffee in peace and solitude on the porch. Charles was the next one up and joined me. We decided we would head to the beach in the morning and eventually woke the children up. The previous night Connor had made it to his own bed, but Chelsea had slept on the couch again.

We gathered our beach things and headed to our spot on the sand. While we were crossing the dunes, I noticed Connor did not have his bucket of toys, so I asked him where it was.

Connor: Chelsea told me not to bother bringing them since it was high tide, and there wouldn’t be any sand to play on.

Grrrr. Of course had I known that conversation had been taking place, I would have stepped in. I knew there would still be plenty of sand for playing even with high tide. I told Connor not to listen to his sister anymore.

Good morning, Atlantic Ocean.

Chelsea and Connor boogie boarded for awhile, but Connor became bored with that. Chelsea stretched out on her towel happy as a clam, but Connor was chafing for something to do. I suggested we take a walk along the beach. We walked quite awhile, collecting seashells, spotting several horseshoe crabs, and even seeing a school of fish swimming in a tidal pool.

The funniest moment of the morning came when Chelsea was eating gummy worms and a bee came too close to her. She screamed and went running, scattering gummy worms in her wake. Well, the birds swooped in almost immediately thinking those gummy worms were the real thing. I think they were quite disappointed to find they weren’t because they wanted nothing to do with them. Thank goodness since I don’t know how gummies would be digested by birds. Yikes! We did pick them up afterwards.

Those birds were everywhere and this group was enjoying some cooling down of their own.

Around lunchtime we left the beach and decided to head to a little pizza place some friends had told us about -- Huck a Poo’s. Another beach shack of a place, but the pizza was huge and excellent. Large pizza, breadsticks, drinks, and tip for $25. We shopped in the little shops nearby -- souvenir pics at the end of the trip -- and then headed back to the cottage. Charles napped, the kids did whatever, and I took some more pictures. None of the master bedroom since Charles was sprawled out, and I forgot to take pictures of it any other time. Darn it all!

The little sun porch when you first come in.

Our beach walk finds.

Kitchen.

The blackboard got a lot of use.

Before and after shots of Fish Camp Cottage! I wish I was that talented!

Chelsea’s bedroom.

The back of the door of the bathroom in the master bedroom.

The fish net on the screened-in porch.

Outdoor shower decorations.

Outside pics.

The afternoon passed lazily by and soon it was time to get ready for our sunset dolphin cruise.

UP NEXT: Dolphins and turtles!

I NEED that patchwork quilt!!!! it's so pretty and is EXACTLY what I'm looking for for photosessions

 

[nannye]

subscribing
All caught up on your TR (well the updates, not the chatter). I feel your nervousness about being there that week. We arrive on the 5th and leave on the 12th. I am terrified of the crowds. We went the last week of august last year and crowd levels were like a 2 or less. I am NOT looking forward to level 10, but We can do it!

I am totally in love with Tybee after seeing all the pictures and reading about your beach vacation it just looks so lovely. Can you by chance PM me the rental company info? I'd love to check it out and maybe go someday.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Jackie! I haven't been here much, but I've kind of kept up on facebook. I'm sure Chelsea is really enjoying having her braces off by now!

Congrats on making it through another school year - AND while studying yourselft! Now the planning and packing for your trip can go full speed ahead!

Did you say Star Wars weekends will still be happening when you get there? I will be interested to see how it goes for you, crowd-wise. We are planning for next year with all 10 of us - end of June with teaching and school schedules. I guess you can do the test run for us!

 

[Happydog]

Okay, Miss... SCHOOL is OUT!!!! UPDATE??!! PLEASE??!! I updated for us...

 

[MEK]

Okay, Miss... SCHOOL is OUT!!!! UPDATE??!! PLEASE??!! I updated for us...

My thoughts exactly!!!!!! Or are you hung over from partying too much last night now that the school year is OVER ??????

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'm sure you guys will have a blast despite the crowds! Just keep cool and relax

That's what I keep telling myself.

As for meal plans... I've always upgraded from the quick service to the normal dining plan because I find there's not a lot of options in quick service for me. Even on the normal DP with one quick service per day, I get really sick of chicken strips! Also I really love taking time out of my busy day to go into an air conditioned restaurant, sit at a table, be served my food, relax and chat. But that's just me. If you guys were already planning on eating at QS most of the time, then perhaps it is right for you! Especially if you only have the one TS planned. As for meal plans in general, I do like having my meals paid for.

I think we have decided against the dining plan, and I am just going to get a gift card to pay for meals. That way we aren't tied to anything.

Chelsea's teeth look fantastic! She must feel so good to have them off. Hope her appointment goes well.

Thank you! It did. She doesn't have to wear her back brace anymore.

I am so glad you were talked down off the ledge. I will admit, as my June trip approaches I keep having flashbacks about June 09 (remember that week - I know you DO) and the scorching temps! At least I know it can't get any worse this year. At least I think it can't.

I keep thinking if we survived the heat on that trip, we can survive the heat on this trip.

Funny you should ask about the CS plan. I was looking at it myself because I thought it might make it easier for my brother's family since we are doing all CS with the exception of a CRT breakfast and a LeCellier date lunch for my bro/SIL.

I like the idea of everything being prepaid with that large of a group. I crunched some numbers and I don't really think it is a cost savings. I figured it out with including the most expensive CS places (like the Sunshine Seasons, Wolfgang pucs, & the Pepper Market). Eating the more expensive items, dessert at every meal, and including those three restaurants did result in breaking even of a savings of maybe $4 or $5 per person. Still - its a convenient option and I am going to let my SIL decide.

We decided against the dining plan. I just don't like the idea of desserts at the CS places when there are better snack options for sweet things. I cannot eat chocolate cake from those little round containers.

Congrats to Chelsea for getting her braces off.

I can't see pics and I'm sure you posted one.

She is so happy!

Tybee at Thanksgiving sounds so wonderful. What a great idea!

We are very excited about that!

I have been to Disney in June, July and August and the only memory I have of bad crowds was waiting almost 3 hours in line for Splash Mountain when it was a brand new attraction. But we found out that there had also been techincal problems causing the line to stall. I expect you guys would have a blast even if there were a million people in the parks! You know what to do to avoid crowds and you know your way around! I'm sure things will work out perfectly! Like you said, your stars are aligned!

I am just not going to think about the crowds. LOL!

I also cannot wait to hear more stories from Tybee Island! That house looks amazing! Gorgeous! As does Chelsea without her braces! I bet she's enjoying that freedom!

We are very excited about Tybee at the Thanksgiving.

You're just covering all my old stomping grounds. I was born and lived in Savannah until I was about 10 (when we moved to Athens). We spent a lot of time on Tybee Island. My parents actually bought some land there, back when there wasn't much there. The plan was to retire there, but they ended up staying in FL. It's a beautiful area!

Too funny that we keep doing things from your childhood. We fell in love with Tybee last summer, so we knew we wanted to go back soon.

I used to really love the dining plan when it first came out, not so much now. We do have it for the next couple of trips, just because it is so much more convenient. I actually liked the counter service plan - there are lots of places you can maximize the value, like the Pepper Market at CSR!

I think we are just going back to OOP for our meals.

I think you'll have a blast in July - you'll have lots of DIS July experts that can help you deal with the crowds and heat We usually rent a condo at the beach for that week, or I might try it myself one of these years! I'd love to see the fireworks on the 4th.

The fireworks were the thing that made me want to do it in the first place. Last year I really wished I was there.

I read your UGA post and I cracked up. Oh little Chelsea....that's exactly what people do at colleges! Walk around and visit. Teenagers and their desire to not be embarrassed....my Dad made it his mission to embarrass us constantly, so it was kind of hard to avoid...

It was funny how self-conscious she was that day. Glad she got over it.

I say go with the QSDP. We did it in July and did three OOP meals and we were too happy that we did. Because it was so hot, we loved the fact that we didn't feel so full all the time. Plus, with the heat and crowds, we liked not being set to a schedule.

I think we are just doing OOP -- we don't like the CS desserts, so it just doesn't make sense to spend the money on that.

You're going to have an amazing 4th at Disney!
Charles' Easter bunny story is hilarious.
Love the Tybee house. So adorable!
Chelsea looks beautiful! She must be so happy to have the braces off. Hope her appointment today went well.

Thanks, Jen. We are so looking forward to both the 4th at Disney and Tybee at Thanksgiving.

Jackie you will have an awesome time in July!! You are used to the heat more than this NH girl here. It will be so much fun meeting up with Anita & everyone else. I am very jealous but at the same time I cannot handle the heat. I cannot go down there after the end of May. Even that is pushing it. I was getting nervous as they were predicting 90's next week but luckily it has changed to low to mid 80's. It was warmer here in NH today than it was in Orlando. We reached 88 here today.

It has been hot here lately, too, and everytime Charles and I are out together, one of us makes a comment about how Disney will be hotter. We are a little nervous about it.

Chelsea looks great with her nice straight teeth!! It must be a great feeling to get those braces off. I know Cody was really excited & what a difference!!

Thanks! She is so happy!

Oh my gosh what a HUGE porch that beach house has!! I can see why you are so excited. I would be too. You will have a great time there also.

We plan on spending a lot of time on that porch!

You will enjoy being in Disney July 4th week! It is fun, the hours there are awesome, and Disney seems to be at the height of open. We've been there around the same time before, and we were glad we did it.

Good! We are excited but a little nervous about crowds and heat.

You just have to go in knowing you will need plenty of down time and some cool treats along the way, and neither of those is a bad thing.

I don't know why I am so nervous -- we have done Disney in the blistering heat before and had a great time. I think it is the crowds that I am most scared of.

About that golf game - when is it, and do you need photographic evidence of what happens? Or maybe you guys absolutely do NOT want photographic evidence.

LOL! I don't play mini-golf all that well at the best of times.

Chelsea looks beautiful, of course! I hope she got good news from the doctor.

Thank you! Yes, no more back brace for her! Hurray!

The Thanksgiving house - wow! I would be excited, too! Love that sun porch!!!

Me too! We have been doing a lot of planning for that trip!

WOW, How beautiful Chelsea is with the braces removed! I know she she is so relieved to have those things off! My one son was so happy to finally have his gone.

Love that beach house! That is going to be a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thank you! Chelsea is very happy! Can't wait for our Thanksgiving at the beach!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Too much to say!!!

Love the Thanksgiving plans!!! Great house and an awesome porch!

We have been coming up with lots of plans for that trip!

Chelsea looks terrific!!!

Thank you!

I missed the panic about July... early morning touring and the fact that you don't have to do it all will make the trip still enjoyable!

I just need the crowds to stay away. LOL!

I didn't read what others said about the counter service, but here's my thinking... the reduction of a snack makes it less of a value. I don't suggest it, though, because I think you will have extra credits left and you won't want every dessert. (Well, you think you will, but it is HOT!) We share meals and had to work at using the credits. You would be paying for four adults and I just don't think it's worth it. $140 a day...

Earl of Sandwich would cost you around $50 for sandwich, drink and dessert for each for four... It looks like Studio Catering would cost about $65 for the same (four entrees, four desserts and four drinks). Add $16 for snacks...you're still at $132...

I think you'd be better off buying a gift card to use for food if you want to pay ahead.

I think that we have decided to go the gift card route. It just makes more sense for us!

OOH - Chelsea looks gorgeous!
The Tybee Thanksgiving plan sounds wonderful! I want to come too!!

We are super excited about Tybee!

I'm sure you can handle the 4th at WDW! Think of the fun with all those DISers! I can't wait to read those TRs!

We are so looking forward to hanging out with everyone!

Hope Chelsea's scoliosis appointment went okay.

It did! No more back brace!

There are a lot of great reasons for you to be going to Disney for the 4th...don't let the crowd calendars worry you!!!

That's what I keep telling myself. I just don't want the parks to close due to capacity.

Your Thanksgiving plans look awesome! That house looks so nice!

It should be fun. We haven't traveled with family since 2006, so we are looking forward to that aspect.

Yay for Chelsea getting her braces off! Fingers crossed that her scoliosis appointment goes well!

No more back brace!

I missed the "crowd freak-out". But I would rather be hot and crowded in Disney that not at Disney at all. Plus I'm super jealous you get to be there with such great Dis friends.

Good point!!! At Disney is always better than no Disney.

Chelsea look great without her braces. I hope her appt went well.

It did! No more back brace!

Your Thanksgiving plans sound perfect. I would love to spend a special family holiday in a big house near the beach. You'll be like the Kennedy's.

LOL! Yes, we will be, only not quite so posh!

Can't help you with the Quick service plan. We've only done the regular dining plan. I like that one just fine.

We loved the regular dining plan in years past, but it isn't such a great deal anymore.

Great picture of Chelsea (finally checking back to see it). She really looks a lot like you in that picture!

Oh - BTW - my SIL decided she wanted to do the QS dining plan, so we'll have to compare notes!

Thanks!

And we decided against it. LOL!

Jackie-Don't worry too much about the crowds. Our 2003 trip was July 5-12, and yes, it was crowded. But you know that, and are prepared for it!

I just don't want any of the parks to close. Namely the parks we are planning on being in.

Love the idea of spending Thanksgiving at the beach. That back porch is awesome. I could really enjoy sitting there, drinking my coffee, reading, and laughing with my sister!

That's the plan for my SIL and me!

Chelsea's "braceless" smile is beautiful!

Thank you!

Enjoyed the last 2 updates

I remembering visiting ISU campus (went there for a semester before needing to medically withdraw) for the first time w/ a friend and her family...quite intamadating...

2 of my nephews go to GT

Is the mascot the bulldogs and the school she is interested in? Matt's work supports many universities all around and we have a few Georgia bulldog items

Love the Varisty...

Yes, they are the Georgia Bulldogs.

We love the Varsity, too. One of my favorites places to eat!

In answering your question for QSDDP or not...I am sure you can do it OOP for less but may simplify your trip to purchase it

I think we are going to do the gift card option -- that way it is prepaid but we don't have to feel hemmed in by the parameters of the plan.

Love the beach house for Thanksgiving

Thank you!

Can I come for thanksgiving too? Looks heavenly!

Sure! We are planning on having lots of fun!

Hi there Jackie!!!

So sorry that I have been missing in action! Life has a way of getting in the way sometimes, and I just had a lot to focus on the past month, and frankly some pretty big news, all of which isn't entirely settled yet, so I am waiting to see what comes of what for now! SO, I just wanted to let you know that I caught up on your PTR as well as FB And YEP you will be coming to Disney in July or I will make that Autotrain STOP so I can drag you with us!!! I think we will have a tremendous time.

LOL! Okay, I don't want to have to make you stop to get us, so I guess we will come. A tremendous time is right!!! Lots of fun memories and pictures will be had!

SO it is very funny that three years ago you were talking about braces eating into your vacation budget! SO funny... And now they are off!

Now we need to tackle Connor's teeth.

And the Beach for Thanksgiving! How fun! We will be home this time, our cruise is early November. Christmas plans have changed for us, but more of that on my PTR when I get time to update, which I hope will be SOON!!!

You are just full of news!!! You are leading a very exciting life right now!

I have a ton more to say, but all the nice weather, my Disney CD in the car, and your FB chit chat has got me itching for DIS time, and of course when I saw my ticket and it say LESS than three months, I was shocked!!! Summer is coming up fast, but even faster for YOU!!!

Cant wait for our fun countdown to summer at DISNEY to continue!!

Can you believe we are now at a month and a half??? Time is flying!!!

I'm glad you didn't make any changes to your July trip! It's a little crazy to make changes, and ultimately end up changing back.

You are right about that!

Congratulations to Chelsea (and your wallet) for being done with braces!! Alex starts in May. [/QUOTE]

Connor is next!

I think your Thanksgiving plans look amazing!!

Thanks! We are pretty excited about that beach trip!

I hope Chelsea's appointment went well yesterday!

It did! No more back brace for Miss Chelsea!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Catching up around ... well everywhere...


Love Chelsea's smile!!! Hope the scoliosis appt. went well.

July 4th will be busy but surrounded with family, friends and fun all will be fine.

Thanks! Chelsea is very glad to be out of braces -- both for her teeth and her back!

The story of my DIS life lately is I read an update, think I've posted and then clearly never did. Lame! So going back to your road trip. Oh my!!!! What a total utter nightmare and something I know I can see happening at some point.

I understand completely! I am so behind on everyone's PTRs/TRs.

I'm glad you splurged on the shorts and tee, very cute. I'd have gone to bed the minute I got home that's for sure.

I definitely needed one!

Very glad to hear you are off the ledge regarding the July trip. I do think there will be something magical about actually being there on the 4th. I'm not the best resource on QSP as we aren't really counter service folks so I'd have a hard time filling enough meals with it but that really depends on where you stay. As long as you've got a good food court to balance it out at your resort then I think it can work out well. Since you planned to do mostly CS anyway it very well could make a lot of sense.

I am a fan of the pre-pay even if it just means breaking even and a bigger fan of not having to add as I go and worry about total cost, and tell kids they can't have this or that based on the pricing. Something about those snack credits seem like such a huge treat to the kids, we just wouldn't do it daily and that seems like such a splurge that it just makes their day.

For those reasons we've really loved the regular DDP the last few trips and I will probably do it for our 2 days in August.

The Fourth should be fun with all the festivities and friends.

I think we are going to prepay with a gift card instead of a plan. That way we have a bit more flexibility.

That house is awesome!!

Thanks! We were so pleased to find it!

What a funny story about the Easter Bunny! Charles must have surprised him....
So glad we talked you off that ledge. Now stay off it!

Charles was in rare form that morning. LOL!

Trying to stay off the ledge. Saturdays seem to be Ledge Days. Yesterday I was teetering again. I am okay now, though.

Well, I am SO glad that you were effectively talked down from the "ledge," but I still think my idea to move it back to June was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!! You can't possibly disappoint that sweet little Connor face by cancelling the trip!

I can't do that to Connor. Especially since he tells me every day how excited he is about going to Disney. We need this trip to get some magic.

Okay...how...time...flies...while on the DIS and having FUN!!! I can't believe it has been THAT long since Chelsea got her braces!!! WHY?!?!?! Because I REMEMBER when she got them on!!!! It feels like it was just yesterday!!!! She looks even MORE gorgeous! You and Charles are SO in trouble!!!

It does seem like yesterday! How do we slow down time???

That house at Tybee is AMAZING!!! What a fun way to spend the Thanksgiving holiday!!!

We are excited to do something different for the holiday!

I am glad you were talked off the ledge Jackie! I have had to cancel more than one Disney trip before and it's so depressing.

It is depressing, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I love the idea of being at the beach on Thanksgiving. That house is adorable.

We are looking forward to walks on the beach after Thanksgiving dinner.

Your smile is beautiful Chelsea!

Thank you! She is very pleased to have those braces off.

Hey Jackie!

Glad to hear you're not going to cancel this trip! You and your family are seasoned Disney pros...you know how to handle the crowds and summer heat so I think you'll be just fine!! I'd say that you should go with the QSDP. The convenience can't be beat and you'll have nothing to worry about, besides the 'Ohana dinner, when you get there.

I keep telling myself that we can handle the heat and crowds. We shall see!

Chelsea looks great without her braces! I had mine for 3.5 years and remember the excitement of getting them off! I hope her scoliosis hasn't gotten worse.

No more back brace for Chelsea -- so no braces for that girl. LOL!

Oh that house in Tybee looks great! So cute and quaint!

We are counting down to our stay there!

Oh I am so bad...I keep reading your updates and then I swear I post but I never do!

I have gotten very bad about reading and not commenting. I am hoping life returns to normal now that school is out.

That house on Tybee is awesome! I'm going down the Cape with my boyfriend and a bunch of his family for a week this summer, and staying in a nice big house near the beach...seeing that picture made me so excited for it!

That will be a fun summer trip for you!!!

I'm so glad you were talked out of canceling the trip. You guys are pros, I know you'll be fine

Thanks! We will just gird ourselves for any craziness that comes our way.

Hi Jackie! I think I'm officially caught up, just read the updates and skipped all the chatter though, since I've got about 5 months of trip reports to catch up on!

Hi, Michelle! Glad to have you back on the DIS!

Funny you had to be talked down off the ledge, I'm so jealous of you being able to be there with Anita and Jennifer, you guys are going to have a blast! If I didn't have a cruise booked for that week, I might head down myself

The cruise will be a lot of fun!!!

Love Chelsea's braceless smile, what a pretty girl she is! Hope her appointment went well.

Thank you! It did -- no more back brace!

I'm so glad you were talked off the ledge! You will have a great time, you know how to tour to avoid those crowds, don't worry about it!

I just don't want parks to close due to capacity and for us to be on the other side of the entrance gates!

Congrats to Chelsea! I'm sure that feels wonderful! I hope her appointment went well too!

Thanks! It did go well -- no more back brace!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh Jackie that beach house is AMAZING!! What a great idea for Thanksgiving!! I'd love to talk my family into that some year. I'll start working on em for 2013.

We had talked about it for a couple of years, and this year we decided it needed to be done.

Chelsea is such a gorgeous knock out!! Is Charles polishing his gun?

He needs to -- the boys have been flocking a little too close.

The beach house looks amazing! What a great way to spend Thanksgiving.

We usually do the dining plan but we are looking for a little bit more flexibility this trip so we are going to take the money we would spend on the dining plan and put it on Disney gift cards. The best of both worlds - prepaid but we can eat exactly what we want (no dessert at every meal). And if we happen to end up under budget we'll have prepaid souvenirs too! This is not my original idea, I got it from someone on another Disney board.

That's what we decided to do, too. I think it will work out better.

Hi Jackie!
How are you? How is the end of the year winding down for you?

It has wound down almost completely now!

I NEED that patchwork quilt!!!! it's so pretty and is EXACTLY what I'm looking for for photosessions

We loved it, too!

subscribing
All caught up on your TR (well the updates, not the chatter). I feel your nervousness about being there that week. We arrive on the 5th and leave on the 12th. I am terrified of the crowds. We went the last week of august last year and crowd levels were like a 2 or less. I am NOT looking forward to level 10, but We can do it!

Welcome!!! Yes, we can do it! Deep breaths and forge ahead!

I am totally in love with Tybee after seeing all the pictures and reading about your beach vacation it just looks so lovely. Can you by chance PM me the rental company info? I'd love to check it out and maybe go someday.

We fell in love with Tybee! We went with Mermaid Cottages. They have a great website with lots of cottages to choose from.

Hi Jackie! I haven't been here much, but I've kind of kept up on facebook. I'm sure Chelsea is really enjoying having her braces off by now!

Hi, Tammie! Yes, Chelsea is enjoying life without her braces.

Congrats on making it through another school year - AND while studying yourselft! Now the planning and packing for your trip can go full speed ahead!

And I have a LOT of planning still to do!

Did you say Star Wars weekends will still be happening when you get there? I will be interested to see how it goes for you, crowd-wise. We are planning for next year with all 10 of us - end of June with teaching and school schedules. I guess you can do the test run for us!

Nope, no SWW for us in July, but we have been in the past. It is a lot of fun!

Okay, Miss... SCHOOL is OUT!!!! UPDATE??!! PLEASE??!! I updated for us...

I saw your update! I was very excited to see that you had gotten to the day when we would be meeting up!

Yes, school is out, and my first official act of celebrating school being finished is updating on the DIS (well, besides the consumption of Cheerwine yesterday).

My thoughts exactly!!!!!! Or are you hung over from partying too much last night now that the school year is OVER ??????

LOL! No heavy partying for us this year, but we are pretty excited to be finished with school. We are making root beer floats today, and I am ordering an ice cream maker.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yesterday was our 45-day mark! I was a little shocked and realized maybe I should start getting a bit more serious about getting organized (how many times have I said THAT on this PTR?).

Hope everyone had a lovely Mother’s Day last week. Here are my goodies from Charles and the kids:

A Keurig coffee maker and two Disney cookbooks.

Connor was so funny because Charles, Chelsea, and I were standing around watching the Keurig make the first cup of coffee. He walked by and said, “People, it’s a coffee maker, not a concert.”

He kills us!

We are making the Chef Mickey Breakfast Pizza this morning -- well, it will be more of a brunch since I am updating first.

Friday was our last day with students! Hurray! Hurray! I am in need of the break!

We celebrated with summer drinks.

Cheerwine and Nehi! Yum!

Okay, so in exactly 44 days, we will be arriving at Disney World! Yippee!!!

And checking into Port Orleans Riverside.

As soon as we can get everything unloaded, I want us to hightail it to the Magic Kingdom.

I have been pretty lax with planning in general for this trip. I think it would be better to just go with the flow since I don’t really know how bad the heat or the crowds will be. However, I do have some ideas.

The major thing for July 3rd will be seeing the fireworks from inside the Magic Kingdom and meeting up with Happydog, Wigdoutdismom, MeMom, Jenjolt, and all of their crews. We are so excited about this!

We might see the Main Street Electrical Parade.

Since we have another full day at MK planned, I am thinking of just sticking to Adeventureland, Frontierland, and Liberty Square this night.

We can have dinner at our favorite Pecos Bill’s.

Pretty sure we need to stop at Aloha Isle and say hi to the Orange Bird who has now returned to the Sunshine Tree Terrace.

Speaking of the Orange Bird, he is now residing in our kitchen. Love this print I ordered direct from WDW.

As far as rides, we have to visit some favorites.

The Haunted Mansion. There is a new queue for us to explore.

The Jungle Cruise.

A visit with Captain Jack and his crew.

The Tiki Birds -- back to their original management.

That will probably be about all we can fit in that first day as we begin our celebration of the Fourth of July.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Woo hoo for the end of the school year!!

And an extra large WOO HOO for only 44 days until Disney! I think your laid back plans will work out well with the 4th of July heat & crowds. You know Disney well enough to know which attractions you need to hit early and/or FP and which you can check out whenever you want.

Your plans for fireworks on the 3rd sound perfect!

 

[Happydog]

Good Grief, "cheerwine" Is that short for Cherry vine or with a southern drawl? I would think "CHEERwine" is something people brew in their bathtubs.... you people in GA never cease to amaze me... I distinctly recall going into a gas station and seeing a big vat of oil for fried peanuts, or some weird delicacy like that... BOILED peanuts... that is what it was!!

Oh I was very excited to read your update, too!! We will probably ditch dinner, and just come over and QS it at MK too, I have not made a full decision about that yet, but it sounds like a plan...

I am looking forward to figuring it out!

I think WigD and MeMom are going to watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly, but I am sure we can coordinate something that day!!!!

 

[MEK]

Yeah for an update!

Double yeah for a keurig. Tell Connor it is most definitely NOT just a coffee maker. It's the greatest invention ever for a caffeine addicted adult who has to get up at 5:30am. Perhaps one day he will understand.

Great first day! And yeah for 45 days!

 

[Happydog]

OH I forgot I LOVE your Mother's Day gift!! VERY COOL! nice books and nice coffee maker! I have a friend who has one and really really likes it! HAD a good laugh at Connor's comment, very much something Griffin would say!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Woo hoo for the end of the school year!!

And an extra large WOO HOO for only 44 days until Disney! I think your laid back plans will work out well with the 4th of July heat & crowds. You know Disney well enough to know which attractions you need to hit early and/or FP and which you can check out whenever you want.

Your plans for fireworks on the 3rd sound perfect!

I really think being laidback and just doing whatever will work best for us. Otherwise, I am liable to get all knotted up and tense because we aren't doing everything I have planned.

Good Grief, "cheerwine" Is that short for Cherry vine or with a southern drawl? I would think "CHEERwine" is something people brew in their bathtubs.... you people in GA never cease to amaze me... I distinctly recall going into a gas station and seeing a big vat of oil for fried peanuts, or some weird delicacy like that... BOILED peanuts... that is what it was!!

Cheerwine is just cherry-flavored soda, but it is like gold here! Not many places sell it in GA. The farmer's market where I found it also had a vat of boiled peanuts -- I should have taken a picture for you. Next time! Next time!

Oh I was very excited to read your update, too!! We will probably ditch dinner, and just come over and QS it at MK too, I have not made a full decision about that yet, but it sounds like a plan...

We could all meet up at Pecos if you want. Connor and your two could start getting to know each other. We can decide the day of, of course.

I think WigD and MeMom are going to watch the fireworks from the beach at the Poly, but I am sure we can coordinate something that day!!!!

Agreed!

Yeah for an update!

Double yeah for a keurig. Tell Connor it is most definitely NOT just a coffee maker. It's the greatest invention ever for a caffeine addicted adult who has to get up at 5:30am. Perhaps one day he will understand.

Great first day! And yeah for 45 days!

So true! The Keurig is quite nice first thing in the morning!

OH I forgot I LOVE your Mother's Day gift!! VERY COOL! nice books and nice coffee maker! I have a friend who has one and really really likes it! HAD a good laugh at Connor's comment, very much something Griffin would say!!

I would never have splurged on it myself, but I have learned to love it. Charles says it is the Ferrari of coffee makers. He'll walk into the kitchen and say, "Oh, look at that nice Ferrari parked in the kitchen." He is a dork.

Connor and Griffin should get along just fine. He informed me the other day that he was a cynic. At 12! 12! Seems a bit young for that.

 

[Native NYer]

Yay for the end of the school year!
I have never heard of Cheerwine. I may need to make a trip to the south to try it. I'll ask my dad if he's ever had it since he grew up in the south.
What great Mother's Day gifts!
Relaxed plans are so much more fun. And less stressful! You're going to have an amazing trip!