DONE 7/28!! My Life on the DVC Blacklist - an August '09 Pre-Trip.

[boysmom5150]

Sorry you had to cxl the Contemporary but $230 is alot to save!!!especially since its real $$ and not fuzzy money

So the bats are a sticking point for Leo.Peer pressure isnt always bad

My boys do think that part is WAY to loud and want to know why the bats "click" and not "squeek"

I forget is gramma on this trip with u??

OMG I LOVE the online ADR. I took a look after reading your post and WOW!!I found a new toy.I like look just to see whats avail--very cool

 

[englishrose47]

Morning V!!!!

 

[askelton]

I know, right?! I read somewhere that they go through every trash bag and separate things for recycling, but I'm not sure I buy that. Really, every?

I've been told that as well but you're right, every?

nd I did this online! Amazingly enough, the computer people at Disney actually got something right; online ADRs have been easy AND fun! I don’t think I’ve ever before used the words “easy” and “fun” to describe anything Internet-related with Disney. I’ve been able to pull up ADRs I made by phone at my 90-day mark and cancel them. I’ve been able to make new ones, cancel them, and make more! I’m an online ADR-making machine.

Must try this soon!

*Hall of Presidents

I wanted to make it out last weekend for the passholder preview, but didn't.

*Margarita
*Grey Goose Slushie
*Sake
*Bass Ale
*Champagne

Always a given!

 

[debraW76]

first of all that is crazy about the CM giving you a hard time. Talk about guilt pressure? But still saving $230 is good.

Your plans look great. this is my favorite part of planning.

Ridemax won’t even make a Plan for only two attractions.

 

[OhMari]

V: ~sigh~ “Caribbean Beach. Standard view.”

Ah, it will be okay, maybe they will see how cute Leo is, and give you an upgrade you to a Pirates room, I've just started hearing about those rooms on the Resort Board.

But you know what, I have never read a TR where people stay at the Caribbeean Beach Resort and I don't know why. So it will be interesting to hear your opinion.

 

[lazydoxy66]

Yes, wing it.

-V

As the Queen of wing it, bravo! However, I believe a few of the Fockers will be horrified by this statement.

Sorry you had to down-grade.

 

[englishrose47]

-V

As the Queen of wing it, bravo! However, I believe a few of the Fockers will be horrified by this statement.

Sorry you had to down-grade.

If you are the Queen then Judy is your deputy!!!

 

[PrincessV]

Sorry you had to change your resort to Carribean, but glad it saved yo uthe money u needed

Thanks, me too!

I love all of Leo's Reasons were the rides in DHS

He cracks me up; I love having discussions with him!

I think there is a special camp or training they have to attend to perfect this. I had one CM tell me she was so disappointed for me that I was going to miss WDW at Christmas. Like I needed that!

I'm sure they mean well, but it's a little much, right?

Do I need to ship you a bag of trail mix?

Thanks, but we're set! Leo won't eat the raisins, so I've been mixing up a raisin-free version for him.

Oh NO!!! Those are the very rides he rode with us in October. We've ruined him

No you didn't! He's been on them since then, too; I have to give him credit - he will try things a couple times before deciding they're no good.

V I have been racking my brain over those flowers you photographed in the UK, I even have some growing in my garden but for the lofe of me couldn't remember their name. Anyway it finally came to me, they're called Hollyhocks and here's a photobucket photo of some

I love them!

I don't think of it as loud. It's a smoother (on the green side, anyway) Star Tours. Not "too bashy" and my kids love getting their "assignments." FWIW.

Ooo, I forgot about the assignments! Thanks CE!

As an excustomerservice (not Disney!) rep, the part which amuses me is that you know *someone* had booked CBR and wanted the monorail.

LOL, I had the exact same thought!

Sorry to hear you had to cancel the Conteporary. I know that had to sucketh.

Thanks GB. It wasn't easy, but I'm feeling good about it now!

I'm glad the dining website is working well. I had my doubts.

You and me both! I'm still a little suspect... it seems way too easy...

OMG! I didn't realize you were seriously cancelling CR! Why didn't I realize this? I'm sure we had a full-on conversation about it, too.

We did - it may even have lasted a few days!

OMG! I said the same thing to Mads!!!

I'm having visions of our peer pressure plan failing and the two of them ganging up to refuse a bunch of rides!

D'Oh! I thought that was one day.

How about one evening?

Sorry to hear about the change of resort. It's only for part of the vacation, right?

Yep, just the first 3 nights. The last 5 are still at SSR.

I haven't tried online adrs I wonder why Rosie would be scared

It's soooo easy Rosie!

But at least you're going, right?

Exactly!

I LOVE Caribbean Beach.. I do!!

Me too - it's absolutely my fave Mod and beats out several Deluxes in my book.

Do you and Leo plan on seeing any shows? Is he into that? Nemo?

Nope, he's completely anti-show these days.

All caught up. Love your pics from Memorial Day weekend.
I was there as well. We had a great time.

It was a great weekend, despite the rain, wasn't it?!

My boys do think that part is WAY to loud and want to know why the bats "click" and not "squeek"

And you know - I think it's the loudness that's the real problem.

I forget is gramma on this trip with u??

Heck no!

I've been told that as well but you're right, every?

Yeah, I'm not buying it, especially in this economic climate.

first of all that is crazy about the CM giving you a hard time. Talk about guilt pressure?

Right?! Like I wasn't feeling bad enough.

Ah, it will be okay, maybe they will see how cute Leo is, and give you an upgrade you to a Pirates room, I've just started hearing about those rooms on the Resort Board.

Ooo, that would be neat!

But you know what, I have never read a TR where people stay at the Caribbeean Beach Resort and I don't know why. So it will be interesting to hear your opinion.

Hope I'm not jinxing it, but I loooove CBR, so expect a glowing report!

As the Queen of wing it, bravo! However, I believe a few of the Fockers will be horrified by this statement.

No doubt, lol!

 

[LouDisney]

It was, V.
We had a great time. That was my first Memorial Day. It was not bad at all, and I would go back for sure during that time. I have just about hit every holiday down there now...lol

 

[PrincessV]

Let’s talk about exercise while on vacation.





Almost sounds dirty, doesn’t it? Who wants to workout when enjoying down time?

Strangely enough - me!

I’ve been working really hard lately at getting more fit and healthy and it’s paying off – I feel better than I have in a long time! And I know that taking 9 days off would not make me feel good. At all.

I’m not particularly worried about the aerobic factor; I walk and swim enough on vacation to cover that pretty well. But the toning part always falters, because really – how can one tone at WDW?

The first and most obvious answer is to use the fitness facilities.

sigh

If only that were possible. But traveling alone with Leo, it’s not. Children aren’t allowed in the fitness centers so I’d have to send him to a Kids Club. SSR doesn’t have one of those, so I’d have to drive somewhere to drop him off, drive back to SSR, work out, drive back to pick him up, and drive back again. AND pay big bucks for the hours he’d be at the club. Um, no thanks.


I’ve tried some other methods in the past:

One trip, I brought a 5lb. hand weight. The only time I lifted it was whilst transporting it in the bottom of a suitcase from the house, to the car, to the hotel and back again.

Another time, I brought my yoga DVD to work out while Leo napped. He never napped.

Last summer, I planned on swimming laps daily. Tropical Storm Fay screwed that one up royally.



A while back, I bought EA Active for my Wii. It’s like a personal trainer in a box! It involves a bunch of programs composed of various sets including running in place, lunges, squats and upper body work with resistance bands. It’s awesome!

No, I am not bringing the Wii. But it occurred to me – I could write down the sequence of a few of the programs to follow and bring the resistance band. Leo can be watching a movie, or taking a shower, or playing with toys and I can fit in 15-20 minutes of workout in the room!

Will that really happen? We’ll see. But at least the resistance band’s a lot lighter in the suitcase than the dumbbell!




In other news, I’ve been stimulating the local economy with more pre-trip purchases. Some intentional, some, er… happy accidents.



A few weeks ago, a little voice said “Go to Old Navy.”

For the record, I seriously questioned that voice.

I’ve avoided Old Navy for years. Their stuff just hasn’t fit me well for a long time. Too long. Too narrow in some places, too baggy in others. Just made for a differently shaped body I guess.

But the voice was insistent.

So I went to Old Navy… and found shorts! Shorts that fit in all areas! Shorts that came in the colors I like! Shorts with stretch and lightweight cotton! Shorts on SALE!!!

And… I found tops! Strappy tops that pass for “dressy’ in Florida! Tops that flatter and fit! Tops that were on SALE!!!

Also… I found T-shirts for Leo! T-shirts in solid colors that he likes! T-shirts that are soft and snuggly! T-shirts on SALE!!!

The voice was right. I’m glad I listened.




And. I found two bags I just had to have.






One is not a personal, park-touring bag, but a laundry bag.

With wheels!

I'd been trying to figure out an easy way to drag our laundry around SSR without injuring myself in the process; this is perfect! I found it at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Naturally, I was without one of the umpteen 20% off coupons Bed, Bath & Freaking Beyond send me each day. But it was the last one in stock and I wanted it. C’est la vie.



The other bag just might be The Perfect Bag.

Yeah, I know I’d already decided there was no such thing. I don’t enjoy admitting when I’m wrong, but I’ll do it. And I might have been on this one.

I’ve been eyeballing a Vera Bradley Large Backpack for nearly a year. I just couldn’t get a handle on its size and thought it might be too big. But it has a bottle pocket on the outside. Do you have any idea how hard that is to find?!

I finally decided to find a local retailer and see it for myself, figuring I’d get it out of my system and be satisfied with my existing bag supply.





Oops.





They had a sale going.

And I came home with this:

And also this:

That second one is a large cosmetic bag and it’s perfect, not just for WDW, but for all travels!

As for the backpack… I washed it on Hot and dried it on High Heat and it’s now exactly the right size.


Excepting grocery items, I believe I’m done buying stuff.


Now it’s time to start thinking more about things we’d like to do, beyond rides…

 

[shannn]

I just ordered some stuff in that new VB pattern and I can't wait for it to get here!! I love it!

 

[KatGarcia]

I can always count on V to feed my VB addiction.

I too need to think about a good touring bag and am leaning towards a VB because of the softness of them - I hate itchy straps on vacation!

 

[jcc0621]

One trip, I brought a 5lb. hand weight. The only time I lifted it was whilst transporting it in the bottom of a suitcase from the house, to the car, to the hotel and back again.

I think this was the first TR of yours I read

Last summer, I planned on swimming laps daily. Tropical Storm Fay screwed that one up royally.

If Faye or anyone else comes anywhere near us this year I may have to throw a hissy fit!

No, I am not bringing the Wii.

This was my first thought of what you were going to do

Now it’s time to start thinking more about things we’d like to do, beyond rides…

 

[Hedy]

Forgive my ignorance, but why do you need the laundry bag-doesn't SSR have in room laundry?

 

[lisalonglash]

Let’s talk about exercise while on vacation.

Nope, nuh-uh, not gonna

Almost sounds dirty, doesn’t it? Who wants to workout when enjoying down time?

It is dirty!

I’ve been working really hard lately at getting more fit and healthy and it’s paying off – I feel better than I have in a long time! And I know that taking 9 days off would not make me feel good. At all.

OK, OK, that makes sense

I’m not particularly worried about the aerobic factor; I walk and swim enough on vacation to cover that pretty well. But the toning part always falters, because really – how can one tone at WDW?

You could swing your arms as you walk briskly down Main Street

If only that were possible. But traveling alone with Leo, it’s not. Children aren’t allowed in the fitness centers so I’d have to send him to a Kids Club. SSR doesn’t have one of those, so I’d have to drive somewhere to drop him off, drive back to SSR, work out, drive back to pick him up, and drive back again. AND pay big bucks for the hours he’d be at the club. Um, no thanks.

Doesn't sound appealing to me either

One trip, I brought a 5lb. hand weight. The only time I lifted it was whilst transporting it in the bottom of a suitcase from the house, to the car, to the hotel and back again.

Another time, I brought my yoga DVD to work out while Leo napped. He never napped.

Sorry, but

No, I am not bringing the Wii. But it occurred to me – I could write down the sequence of a few of the programs to follow and bring the resistance band. Leo can be watching a movie, or taking a shower, or playing with toys and I can fit in 15-20 minutes of workout in the room!

Good plan

A few weeks ago, a little voice said “Go to Old Navy.”

For the record, I seriously questioned that voice.

Bahahaha

So I went to Old Navy… and found shorts! Shorts that fit in all areas! Shorts that came in the colors I like! Shorts with stretch and lightweight cotton! Shorts on SALE!!!

And… I found tops! Strappy tops that pass for “dressy’ in Florida! Tops that flatter and fit! Tops that were on SALE!!!

Also… I found T-shirts for Leo! T-shirts in solid colors that he likes! T-shirts that are soft and snuggly! T-shirts on SALE!!!

The voice was right. I’m glad I listened.

Excellent shopping mojo going on there!

And. I found two bags I just had to have.

One is not a personal, park-touring bag, but a laundry bag.

You're so much more organized than I am! I just use one of our empty suitcases LOL

They had a sale going.

And I came home with this:

And also this:

Gorgeous! Love the colours!

As for the backpack… I washed it on Hot and dried it on High Heat and it’s now exactly the right size.

I would soooo do that too

 

[Wonders10]

Hi V!

I also love me some Vera Bradley! I love my hipster...especially the newly designed one and it is always good for me to carry around my park essentials. But then I bought the mini-backpack. Didn't like it so much...the straps always seemed so long and annoying (even with adjusting). Then for our recent trip to Ireland (see trip report below if interested), I bought the same large backpack that you bought but in the green and navy color (cambridge, maybe?). Anyway, it was perfect for carrying around in the airports and even for the touring. Good size, great fit. Loved it!

I'm heading to the world just for a few days, and I still insist on buying a couple new outfits and all sorts of other things that I feel are necessary...just doing my part to stimulate the economy. Plus, since I work in the school system, I've been off since June and I am bored! When I am bored, I go to malls/stores, and when I go there I buy stuff! Not good.

Oh I also have a love/hate relationship with Old Navy...but the other day I popped in and was able to score some cute cap/puff sleeve tees on clearance for $4.99. My biggest mistake? Not buying more!

 

[DisneyJo]

No, I am not bringing the Wii. But it occurred to me – I could write down the sequence of a few of the programs to follow and bring the resistance band. Leo can be watching a movie, or taking a shower, or playing with toys and I can fit in 15-20 minutes of workout in the room!

OMG V I can just see you in the room with your stretchy band

The voice was right. I’m glad I listened.

Fantastic

As for the backpack… I washed it on Hot and dried it on High Heat and it’s now exactly the right size.

You know I would never have thought of trying that, glad the bag is perfect now

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Always listen to the voice.



I'm kind of bummed I'm not going to get another dumb bell story. That was classic. But I do know how hard you've been working, so while I'll just slug my way through January, you have my full support if you decide to keep up the workouts while away

 

[GreatBiscuit]

on maintaining the workout schedule. I need to be little more disciplined myself. I was doing pretty well pre-trippie, but have not gotten back in the routine. Glad you found some good buys at Old Navy. It's a hit or miss store for us. I can longer go into Bed, Bath and Beyond as the Banker General has determined that it is hazardous to my checking account.

Can't wait to hear how everything comes together!

 

[1Princess1Prince2006]

V, your so close to going! Glad you found some shorts and tops that fit and were on sale! And WTG on the weight loss! Very creative solution for working out in Disney.