EWP group?

[helenabear]

Hi everyone, just doing a quick check in from work.

Linda, I hope you are having a wonderful time!! I am thinking of you today with the contest!!! Not sure you want my brain cells though

Lisa, glad you had fun at the NJ wine festival! Sounds wonderful. I sing in a choir for church... however within that I do get the opportunity to sing solos now and then

Lauralee, welcome to the EWP!!! Lisa mentioned what it stands for. I am so glad that Linda invited you here! When in December are you going to WDW? I'll be there the 2nd week of December (3-10th)

My husband is wanting me to look at something online... so I had better look at that.

 

[lunabkat]

Hi all.

Thanks so much for your welcome. I had read one of Linda's posts and it sounded so interesting that i figured it would be fun to have others to talk to about our Disney trip. I basically took Linda up on a kind of open invitation in her letter and not an actual invitation. Hope I haven't commited a "faux pas(?)"

I can't wait to get to disney, my husband has never gone either so i will be the captain of our disney adventure. Only 2 months away, it all started 15 months ago when i started making plans and everyone thought i was insane to start so soon, but got some awesome deals - 76$ per nite for kidsuite at Holiday Inn Family Suites and $186 for 8 days car rental, with me and hubby as drivers. Tickets were a so-so $1080 for 6 day park hoppers, with free delivery. And we are maxed on the princesses (of course) with Castle breakfast, princess tea party and princess dinner. (also Hoop Dee Doo Revue). whew! What fun!

We will be there 12/11 thru 12/8 anyone going around then?

 

[colleen costello]

Hi Lauralee, welcome. I also found this suite through Linda, and have made some nice pals here. It is fun to have other Disney-minded women to talk with

I see you are from NJ. Lisa (Rider) still lives there. I grew up in Bayonne but haven't lived in Jersey for years. Hubby and I came to Indiana for grad school and stayed. Lauralee is a pretty name. I grew up with a girl named Laura Lee Lane... a thousand years ago!

I have heard great things about the Family Suites. Affordable and with enough room so as not to have to murder the family members. You have also picked a great time to travel. The decorations are amazing at Xmastime -- we went last year at Thanksgiving -- and the crowds will be small. A friend of mine from school went last year at your time and they LOVED it. The crowds were very light and they got to see EVERYTHING. Pack some warm clothes, though -- it gets nippy at night!

Also, consider going online and getting a Passporter book. This is my favorite guidebook and it has pockets to hold tickets and receipts as well as pages to record your memories on. You will see that a WDW can be overwhelming with so much packed into every day. On a Friday you might say "What did we do Thursday?" It's fun to record stuff in the Passporter and have it as a memory later.

Welcome and hello to everyone else! Gotta go watch "Lost" -- I am HOOOKED!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Where in NJ do you live, Lauralee (or in what part of NJ do you live, if you'd prefer not to state the actual town)? I meant to ask you that when I posted before, when I noticed that you're from the Garden State, too! It looks like you and Elaine (Helenabear) may be in WDW at the same time in December! It sounds like you already have lots of great plans for your family, with all of the Princess events and the Hoop Dee Doo, too (I haven't been to that show since I was a child, but I keep meaning to take my DH, since he has never seen it before. There just never seems to be enough time to do everything that we want to do - the days and nights go way too quickly, in WDW!)!

I am "afraid" to watch "Lost", Colleen - all of the reviews that I've read about it say that it's pretty realistic (or as realistic as such a plot can get) and I'm afraid that it would be upsetting, if I watched it! Aren't I a wimp? It took me a year before I could even watch an episode of "The Apprentice" because I was afraid that every time Donald Trump told someone "You're fired!", I would have flashbacks to being laid off from my job!

Nothing to report from here, just checking in to say "hi"! Hope that Linda and Tom are having a blast in WDW! Just 211 more days 'til our next trip! Have a great day, Everyone!

 

[lunabkat]

thank you all.

ISAW I am from Bridgewater, NJ and if was bookable, I think i have booked it for this trip. The love to swim so i hope it won't be too chilly for them to get some time in. The hotel has a heated pool so i am hoping they get some swim time in. Nothing knocks 'em out for the night like a good time at the pool.



I hope my DD's will go on splash mountain, I just realized that the 5 year old though the log went UNDER the water when it landed. After letting her know that did not happen she seemed to be thinking it over again - maybe she will go, once she does it i know she will love. Oh, well, i promised her if she didn't want to ride something it was okay, i don't want to be one of those parents forcing a crying kid on a ride they are afraid of. If not this time, when we go back in a few years, right?

Less than two months away, oboy!

 

[IASW Rider]

Howdy, neighbor! I am right over here in Somerset, Lauralee! I hope that your DD's will go on Splash Mountain, too! It took me years (and lots of encouragement from the people on this thread! ) to get up the nerve to go on it for the first time, and now it's one of my all-time favorite attractions! I hope that you're able to get some swimming time in, too! There's nothing like being able to swim outside in nice warm weather, when you've just left cold winter weather! Wow - less than 2 months - I'm sure that you're all counting the days!

Hi Colleen (I hope that you don't mind my "responding" to your e-mail, while I'm here!)! That's so neat that you have one of those maps of the MK - I always wanted one of those - I know exactly what you're talking about! I always look to see if I can find one on ebay (though I try not to look at ebay too often, in general........there are too many tempting collectibles out there!)! And that's so nice that your mezzuzah has arrived and will be making its way to your home, soon! How is your unpacking coming along?

Well, as always, not too much to report from here! I think I mentioned that my sister-in-law's "side business" is running a haunted hotel during the month of October, every year. We were going to go up to it, tonight, but it's supposed to be very rainy and windy here, so maybe later in the weekend. (Here is its website, if you'd all like to see:

http://www.timesscare.com/hotel/index.htm

As I say, it's not the WDW Haunted Mansion, but it will have to do for us until next May! It IS a really cool attraction, though!) Aside from that and going to a friend's party tomorrow night, the weekend should be pretty quiet! Hope that you all have a great weekend! Talk to you soon!

 

[lunabkat]

lol ISAW. your haunted house sounds like fun. I am going to try and get the girls to go in the haunted mansion but i am not going to hold my breath about it.

is anyone going to this "mousefest" get toghther they have been talking abount on Allears? I don't know how i missed this one, but they are going to be there around the time we are, we overlap by three days. I don;t think i will be going to any of the events because they seem to be geared for older families than ours, and basically i have our itinerary sorta mapped out and don't wanna mess with it again. (hope its not too crowded, selfish of me I know).

I started plannin this thing 15 months out, i can not believe its so close! Originally i was trying to do family and friends gathering, but everyone else pooped out. Not us, i told my husband we would have a great time with just us (maybe better?) and let's go...as he already thinks i am crazy he just let me have my way with this one. lol.

Slightly Goofy, i hope you are having a blast. (Has anyone else ever been "licked " by Pluto, his tongue was wet! (ewwww.)

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

I hadn't heard about the Mousefest, Lauralee. It sounds like your vacation schedule is already so full of events that you'll all be better off on your own! And it's not "selfish" to hope that it's not too crowded down there! You just want to make sure that you and your family get to do everything that you want to do, that's all! I hope that your DD's give the Haunted Mansion a try! Once inside, they'll realize that it's funny, not scary! Even though it took me years of coaxing to get on Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Test Track - AS AN ADULT - for some reason, I was never afraid to go into the Haunted Mansion as a child! I think that I rode it for the first time when I was 6 years old (with my parents). I was a little wary of Pirates of the Caribbean, the first time around (when I was 8, I think), but it became one of my favorites soon after!

So, anyone doing anything interesting, this weekend? Today is Rutgers Homecoming, but we're not going. As much fun as Homecoming always is, we just don't want to deal with the crowds today. It's a beautiful fall day for a football game, here, though! We never did make it up to my sister-in-law's Haunted Hotel last night, since it was pouring rain. But we're going to try to make it, tomorrow night! We're just going to a party tonight and relaxing for the rest of the weekend.

Wish that I had some interesting news to report! Thinking of Linda and Tom, hopefully having a great time strolling the parks! Yesterday was our 7-months-until-our-next-WDW-trip-mark..........now we can say "just 6 months and 30 days to go!" Have a great weekend, Everyone!

 

[helenabear]

Hi all, just a very quick check in here.

Lauralee, I know of the Mousefest stuff that is going on. I may or may not make it for any of it. The activities are there so much later than usual (by about a week) so I am not going to be around for the main part of it. I have plans on the 9th and I am leaving on the 10th so I am not sure if I will make it or not. It's a good way to get to meet people though

Lisa, that looks like a lot of fun to go to! I am not sure we are doing much of anything for Halloween this year. I think we have other plans that will keep us away from most things.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Elaine!

So what are your plans for your upcoming WDW trip (besides "going home" for the first time! )? Will you be meeting up with any DIS pals, while you are down there, for any "official Meets" or just "unofficial" get-togethers? And I just noticed your Birthday cruise countdown, at the bottom of your signature - is that a Disney-oriented cruise (or an actual Disney Cruise)? Where will you be cruising?

How was everyone's weekend? Ours was fine - quiet, as predicted. We did make it to my sister-in-law's Haunted Hotel, last night though, and it was a lot of fun! She took us on a "backstage tour" before it opened for the night, then we went through when they were doing the "Slightly Scary" hour for small children (because like a small child, I'm too scared to go through when the actual "haunts" were "haunting"! ). Frank went through, again, when everything was "in action"! We're going to go back next weekend and / or the following one and dress up and help out - that should be fun!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you! Have a nice day!

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

Hope that you are all having a nice week! Things are pretty quiet, around here.

Linda and Tom should be seeing the EWP tonight - let's all think of them, around 9:00 PM!

Talk to you all, soon!

 

[helenabear]

Hi Lisa! I don't really have a lot of "true meets" or anything like that set up. I know of a DVC meet that is taking place, and I am going to MVMCP with a few friends. Oh I am doing the Segway tour with a couple other friends. I am sure I will meet up with friends down there as I always do, but not a lot has been officially planned as of yet.

As for the cruise, not a Disney one... honestly for someone who isn't sure about cruises, I couldn't justify hte cost to go on one. So we are sailing out of Mobile, AL, and will go to Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. Just a short 5 day cruise. After that, I will meet up with a friend and spend the afternoon in Mobile with him and his wife

My weekend was rather uneventful but I am happy with that Helping out at the haunted house sounds like a lot of fun! I do hope you enjoy that this weekend!

Linda, I hope you and Tom are enjoying your stay, and will enjoy the EWP tonight

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Elaine!

Great to hear from you! And glad to hear that you have lots of plans to see friends while you are "home" in WDW, in a few months! May I ask a very ignorant question, please? What IS the Segway Tour?? I've seen mention of it, around the Boards, but I'm not sure what it actually is! Do you tour around Epcot on a Segway??? Or does everyone race each other on Segways???

That sounds like a very nice cruise that you are planning for your Birthday! Have you ever been to Mexico, before? Or to Alabama? (Speaking of "Alabama", hi out there, Angie! Drop by and see us, some time, when you have a chance - we miss you, here in the Suite! ) I was never in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel, but I have been in Cancun, Chichen Itza, and Tulum, and climbed the big pyramid and the Mayan ruins! Really neat! What cruise line are you sailing with?

Well, who knows - maybe some time you might want to try the 3-day Disney cruise, just for the heck of it - just to see what it's like. I'm sure that you and Luis would enjoy it! I'm not a big "cruiser", either - I would much rather spend an entire vacation on land. But I'll tell ya, after taking that sail on the Wonder last year, I understand how "addictive" DCL vacations can be! I do enjoy the combination land and sea, though, to get the best of both worlds!

Anyway, hope that you're having a nice day! And hope that everyone else is, too! Talk to you all, soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

Just wanted to "bump" us up and wish everyone a great weekend! Anyone have any interesting plans? We're going into NYC tomorrow to see this year's Best Musical on Broadway - "Avenue Q"! We can't wait - it's supposed to be a really funny an original show - sort of like an R-rated "Sesame Street". And speaking of R-rated puppet "shows", we are going to see "Team America: World Police", this afternoon - that looks pretty funny, too!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

Just wanted to "bump" us up and wish everyone a great weekend! Anyone have any interesting plans? We're going into NYC tomorrow to see this year's Best Musical on Broadway - "Avenue Q"! We can't wait - it's supposed to be a really funny an original show - sort of like an R-rated "Sesame Street". And speaking of R-rated puppet "shows", we are going to see "Team America: World Police", this afternoon - that looks pretty funny, too!

Anyway, hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

(Sorry about the duplicate post, above - for some reason the Boards won't let me delete the duplicate!)

 

[helenabear]

Hi Lisa, I hope you have fun at the movie and the show! I cannot say I have heard of the show you are going to see this weekend, but it sounds fun!

No, I have never been to Mexico or Alabama. This will be a first for me with both. We will be flying the day before so we'll have a little time to check out Mobile before we leave. I would like to see some ruins, but it all depends on when we dock and how long we are there for. We are looking at the shore excursions now.

I admit, it probably isn't likely I will go on DCL no matter how much I like cruising. I really cannot justify the cost, just for Disney. That would be the cheap side of me

Well I hope y'all have a wonderful day!!!

 

[colleen costello]

Hi girls. Just checking in to see if Linda was back. I can't recall when she returns home... Does anyone know? I am DYING to hear the details!

I would love to do the Segway tour. I have read about it on the "AllEars" newsletter. You go to Epcot before they open and get Segway "boot camp" on how to use them. You practice a little and then the leader takes the group through Epcot on individual Segways. It sounds like SO much fun, and I guess the things are pretty hard to kill yourself with... My kids "can't wait til they are old enough" to do the Segway tour. HelenaBear, promise us you'll share all the details once back.

I agree about the COST of the Disney cruises. I have never really wanted to go on a Cruise, but of course for the Disney one I would make an exception. But I have a friend who cruises all the time (mostly Royal Carribean) and she has me interested now. But the Disney Cruise is REALLY expensive... even by Mickey's usual overpriced standards! I told the kids we'll go "someday" but not yet. You can use points for the cruise but it would take all my points for the year, instead of having 2 full weeks at WDW in great rooms... I haven't been willing to do that trade, yet. Again, "someday!"

We are spending the weekend as usual, working on the house and organizing more. Scott is replacing the kitchen sink faucet as the one there now is really cheap. I am just WAITING for him to start cursing... He is under the sink and I know it's gonna turn UGLY any minute now...

Have a great Sunday everyone.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hi Everyone!

How were your weekends? How did everything go with that faucet, Colleen? I hope that both Scott and your kithcen plumbing system came through the process unscathed!

I believe that Linda will be back from WDW next week. I recall her mentioning something about the end of October, or maybe November 1st. We received a post card from her and Tom on Saturday, and it sounds like they are having a wonderful time! At that point in their vacation, they had seen the Beach Boys in concert and were planning to see the Temptations next! I'll bet that they are having a ball! It's so wonderful that they are able to take the time to really enjoy themselves there and to experience so many different things, get together with friends and relatives there, etc. I can't wait to hear all about their trip, too!

I'll bet that you are going to have a great time on your cruise, Elaine! Will you be away on your actual birthday? They will probably do something special for you on the ship! It's great that you will have a chance to do a little exploring in Mobile, before you sail away! You'll have to let us know if you decide upon any shore excursions, too!

Now, you DVC experts already know how unsavvy I am when it comes to WDW vacation finances, but I actually thought that we got a really good "deal" on our land / sea vacation this year (and for next year, as well!). Mind you, that is coming from the perspective of someone who had only ever stayed at deluxe resorts in the past.......at "civilian" / "non-DVC" rates........so maybe ANYTHING would seem more "frugal" to me by comparison! I know that we ultimately paid less for a 4 night stay at POR and a 3 night cruise on the Wonder than we had for our traditional 6 nights at the Poly, in years past! Oh well - I would definitely recommend DCL, in general, anyway!

We had a wonderful time in the City on Saturday! "Avenue Q" was fantastic - it was hillarious, adorable, and very clever! Picture a bunch of puppets (who look sort of "muppet-like") and people living together on a street of rowhouses, that sort of resembles "Sesame Street", singing about how disillusioned they are with their lives because they either haven't found their life's purpose yet, have relationship problems, are unemployed, etc. It was just so funny to hear puppets singing "children's song-like" songs about serious issues that most people can identify with, in a lighthearted and humorous way! We were falling out of our seats, laughing! There was one song in which 3 puppets were singing about how they wish that they could go back to college, because life was so much simpler then and they really thought that when they graduated they would be on top of the world, etc........then the song ends with one of them singing that if they really DID get to go back to college, they would feel like total losers because all the other students would be so much younger than they - I could really relate to THAT song! I understand that the show has become so popular that Steve Wynne is building a new theater at his hotel in Las Vegas, with the intention of installing a permanent company of "Avenue Q" there! Anyway, we had a lot of fun at the show and then went out to a nice Italian restaurant in the theatre district for dinner, afterwards.

"Team America" was also very cute - and also not for kids - very adult political humor / satire! And - like "Avenue Q" - it contained other "adult themes", as well. I said to Frank "do you realize that we have seen 2 different types of puppets 'having sex' on 2 separate occasions, during the course of this weekend?!" You don't get to say THAT, very often!

Anyway, time to get some things done around here! Hope that all is well with all of you! Talk to you soon!

 

[IASW Rider]

Just bumping us up! Hope that you're all having a nice week!

(Things are pretty "status quo", here - not too much to report - just wanted to say "hi"! )