Guys, I Want A Castle UPD 6/9 Trip Report Started

[creativeamanda]

Cupcakes for breakfast sound wonderfully delicious!

Cupcakes are awesome. I love visiting Starring Rolls!

I'm glad to hear you all like Narcoossees! We're going there in May and I keep reading bad reviews and wondering if we should change to something else.

Cupcakes for lunch and breakfast sounds wonderful!

I think the people who complain about the lobster have never really eaten lobster enough to know how chewy it could be.

Love your dining plans! I haven't been to Starring Rolls yet, but it is on the radar for the teen trip in June. I believe we have vouchers for CS meals, so I plan on luring them with cupcakes to get them there for lunch when we are at HS.

Beaches & Cream. I haven't been there for burgers or ice cream *ducks as an entire can of whipped cream is thrown* The only time I have eaten there was when they were testing out a CS breakfast there in July 2009. I can't believe it didn't stick! That is the one thing seriously missing at the Y&BC.

on the Boma breakfast, Cape May, Kona and Teppan Edo- all favorites! Haven't tried the other places on your list so I look forward to hearing about them!

Wow. . .no Beaches and Cream, Dee? I think you just shocked me.

I agree that the Y&BC really needs a good CS breakfast. That was the only downfall.

 

[creativeamanda]

I have been horrible about updating and I know it. I have a whole bunch of dining changes, but you can read those in my dining PTR. I promise I have good reason for there to be so many issues.

Last year, the school district I work in began consolidating the entire county into 1 district. There were 3 in the county. We hired one superintendent.

Now all of the district office personnel have to consolidate. In February, they did like phase 3 or 4 of the interviewing process. I applied for one of the jobs. I interviewed for it. I got it.

I am now the county's Low Incidence Disabilities Specialist, which involves autism, kids with the most severe cognitive disabilities, and behavior disorders. The job starts July 1. I need this vacation now more than you can believe.

I have already started laying the framework for what my job will be like next year. But it also means continuing to teach and staying up to 2am doing more work. It's okay, but I have like no time to do anything else. I don't know how I managed to continue changing dining reservations, but I have.

Either way, we have 47 days left, and the trip is paid in full, the bags have started being packed, and if I wash the truck this weekend, I'm going to do a practice pack.

 

[archdandy]

Congrats on getting the job! And it's so exciting that your so close to you trip! I jumped on board a little late but better late than never right? It looks like you guys are going to have a great time! I wish I had gotten more chances to spend time with my mother growing up.

 

[MHTeacher]

Congratulations on the new job! Is it a central office job, or will you be a school or several schools? My masters is in Special Education/Learning Disabilities, though I haven't worked in that field now for ten years. I can't imagine what the paperwork must be like now!

 

[creativeamanda]

Congrats on getting the job! And it's so exciting that your so close to you trip! I jumped on board a little late but better late than never right? It looks like you guys are going to have a great time! I wish I had gotten more chances to spend time with my mother growing up.

Thanks and My mom passed away about 10 years ago, so I spend as much time as I can with my kids!

Congratulations on the new job! Is it a central office job, or will you be a school or several schools? My masters is in Special Education/Learning Disabilities, though I haven't worked in that field now for ten years. I can't imagine what the paperwork must be like now!

Paperwork will be killer, that's for sure! I will be housed in the district office, but visiting schools three days per week. I'm thinking I'll keep office hours on Tuesday and Thursday.

 

[creativeamanda]

As many of you know, I am rather famous for my packing pictures. For instance,

October 2008

June 2009​

I think you get the picture.

This year, we have a slightly different ride:

Back seat ready!​

Since it's just Sweetie and me, everything is going in the back where it can be locked up rather than in the back where I would have to get a lock box and then lock it to the sides.

A little more wiggle room. . .

​

Take a look at our traveling music. . .

I love my iPod.​

The only problem is the difference between the gas mileage in 2010 and now. . .

40 mpg on the Ford Focus

18.8 on the Chevrolet Silverado​

I had a real good reason for trading to the truck, but sometimes I wonder. . . . I originally traded because of the sheer number of deer on the road I live on. Three days in a row, I almost hit them in the same spot.

On the third day, I traded in the car.

Anywho, that's neither here nor there. I have enjoyed it, and when I'm on the interstate, I can often get 23-24 MPG on the truck.

In other news, I got this is the mail yesterday:

And the best part:

​

Just 39 days and we are ready to go!

 

[natebenma]

Woo-hoo! Trip is getting close now!

Sorry to hear about how much work you have between your job and transitioning to the new position.

Love your packing pictures. I daresay I would pick you to be on my Tetris team (if there were such a thing)

 

[creativeamanda]

Woo-hoo! Trip is getting close now!

Sorry to hear about how much work you have between your job and transitioning to the new position.

Love your packing pictures. I daresay I would pick you to be on my Tetris team (if there were such a thing)

I am getting really excited about the trip!

LOL, Tetris team. That is so funny and I think I should use that name for something. . .just what, I don't know, but I'll figure it out.

 

[archdandy]

Woohoo! Congrats! Its getting so close. Where do you get your Disney music? Do you download it from itunes individually or do you buy albums?

 

[creativeamanda]

Woohoo! Congrats! Its getting so close. Where do you get your Disney music? Do you download it from itunes individually or do you buy albums?

I do both. I also buy park music while I am at Disney.

 

[creativeamanda]

Our favorite kind of mail came yesterday. . .Mickey Mail! Our package information!

The envelope

New design for luggage tags! I love them!​

I have also started finalizing my dining reservations and putting them in the best Disney Binder ever! Take a look--it was a steal I got last summer at the Disney Outlet in the Tanger stores in Myrtle Beach:

Love this binder

Excel document

I love the dividers in the binder, too!

Dining reservation printouts

Printout from disneyworld.com​

I can't believe we only have 32 days left! This has been a long month and I will be so happy when I can relax by the pool at Coronado Springs!

 

[MHTeacher]

YAY for the Mickey Mail! We are getting so close!

Love, Love, Love the Mickey binder, and the tab dividers are the cutest!

 

[creativeamanda]

YAY for the Mickey Mail! We are getting so close!

Love, Love, Love the Mickey binder, and the tab dividers are the cutest!

Ah, thank you!

 

[creativeamanda]

In the past few years, I have become addicted. . .

To coffee.

Good coffee.

One might call me a coffee snob.

Well, to be honest. I'll take that title. And admit it. I'm also famous around work for my most recent picture on Facebook:

I drank three of those on Wednesday morning.

Anyway, the going joke is that I need coffee to make the coffee. It's true.

So, in a place like Disney, where until Starbucks comes to town, all we have is Nescrapee, where does one find the good coffee? I've made my list, you all give me other ideas:

1. Swan/Dolphin: serve Starbucks. I will be making a trip there
2. Magic Kingdom: Main Street Bakery has decent coffee, as does Auntie Gravity. But the best is not on the DDP (or wasn't last time I went there). It's the coffee bar at the Ticket and Transportation Center.
3. Epcot: Moroccoo Coffee and Pastries, and all of the carts that sells Joffrey's coffee in Future World
4. Hollywood Studios: Starring Rolls. I hear Writer's Shop, too, but I get stuck with the cupcakes at Starring Rolls.
5. Animal Kingdom: Kusafiri, Safari Coffee, and Royal Anandapur Tea Company. The best coffee is at Royal Anandapur. It's also not on the DDP.
6. Resorts: Kona Cafe coffee bar, Boardwalk Joe's, Contemporary Grounds

I've got plenty of places to choose from, and I know these are must dos:
1. Swan--gotta have some Starbucks
2. Main Street Bakery
3. Any of the Joffrey's coffee stops
4. Starring Rolls
5. Kusafiri
6. Kona coffee and Contemporary Grounds

Hopefully with all of that coffee, I can stay up for late nights!

 

[andapanda]

I love your binder. So cute! And thanks for all of the coffee suggestions - my husband is a coffee snob also He bought some coffee pods that he thinks will work with the coffee maker in POFQ (he works in food service, so he did a little research at work). He said he refuses to drink the Nescafe stuff.

You're so close! I just paid off my trip the other day, but I went through a travel agency so I have no clue what I'll get or when I'll get it. I feel more excited just looking at your envelope and knowing I'll have stuff of my own before I know it.

 

[creativeamanda]

I love your binder. So cute! And thanks for all of the coffee suggestions - my husband is a coffee snob also He bought some coffee pods that he thinks will work with the coffee maker in POFQ (he works in food service, so he did a little research at work). He said he refuses to drink the Nescafe stuff.

You're so close! I just paid off my trip the other day, but I went through a travel agency so I have no clue what I'll get or when I'll get it. I feel more excited just looking at your envelope and knowing I'll have stuff of my own before I know it.

You should get the same documentation, just a little later as it goes to your TA first. Congrats on having your trip paid off--I paid ours so early that I sometimes think I've missed something!

 

[natebenma]

Love, Love, Love the binder and the dividers!!!

This class Disney trip is killing me planner-wise. Since so much will dictated by the school, I feel like I don't have much to do.

Just a moment ago, I finally looked up park hours and fireworks schedules for the 3 days we will be visiting the parks.

Your post about coffee was excellent. I love coffee too, but I am not a snob, I am just an addict. I totally sympathize with the need a cup of coffee to make the coffee. I am usually awake around 5 am every morning (home, vacation, holidays, weekends) so my issue is being able to get coffee as soon as I get up.

My first stay at Disney was at All Star Music- no coffee maker- so I brought a brand new 10 cup in my luggage. I had prearranged with someone running a fridge swap to add the coffee maker to it when my trip was over.

Since I am staying at All Star Movies for the class trip, I think I will once again pack my own coffee maker.

Of course, my first question to the Beach Club board was "What kind of coffee makers are in the room"

While the news about Starbucks is exciting, as a New Englander, I'm a Dunkin' gal (and former employee). I also drink my coffee black, and I find Starbucks to be a little strong for my taste.

But it will do in an emergency situation!!!

.

 

[creativeamanda]

Love, Love, Love the binder and the dividers!!!

Thanks!

This class Disney trip is killing me planner-wise. Since so much will dictated by the school, I feel like I don't have much to do.

Wow. . .sounds like the solution to that particular problem is to start planning next years trip, lol.

Just a moment ago, I finally looked up park hours and fireworks schedules for the 3 days we will be visiting the parks.

Remind me, will ya'll have park hoppers this time?

Your post about coffee was excellent. I love coffee too, but I am not a snob, I am just an addict. I totally sympathize with the need a cup of coffee to make the coffee. I am usually awake around 5 am every morning (home, vacation, holidays, weekends) so my issue is being able to get coffee as soon as I get up.

My first stay at Disney was at All Star Music- no coffee maker- so I brought a brand new 10 cup in my luggage. I had prearranged with someone running a fridge swap to add the coffee maker to it when my trip was over.

Since I am staying at All Star Movies for the class trip, I think I will once again pack my own coffee maker.

I'll actually use my refillable mug to get coffee just because I have to ingest it somehow. But I don't get a whole bunch of that stuff and I bring my own creamer to make it a little better. This time, however, I'm going to have to bring my own coffee.

Of course, my first question to the Beach Club board was "What kind of coffee makers are in the room"

While the news about Starbucks is exciting, as a New Englander, I'm a Dunkin' gal (and former employee). I also drink my coffee black, and I find Starbucks to be a little strong for my taste.

But it will do in an emergency situation!!!

.

Wow, for me, the stronger the better! But I know that a lot of New Englanders prefer Dunkin. . . Or Tim Horton's.

 

[creativeamanda]

I've given a lot of thought recently about how I'm going to do the trip report for this trip and I've made a decision: I'm going to do a completely picture report for this trip.

I don't know if that means I should post here or on the photo thread. I'm thinking here should be fine.

I'll pick my favorites for each day, but recently I've become more and more convinced that it's not cheap things I buy at Disney I enjoy most--it's the pictures.

If you are at Disney the same time as me and see a crazy lady toting around a Nikon D60, say hello. It'll be me.

 

[natebenma]

Remind me, will ya'll have park hoppers this time?

We will have 3 day park hoppers, for Tues June 5 to Thurs June 7. On Tues and Wed, the students will be in Y.E.S. classes in the morning. I am hoping I will have the opportunity to go to both classes. Then we will have the rest of those days and all of Thursday free to go where we want to.

I'm not sure yet where the Y.E.S classes will take place- at least one is going to be at the MK, though.


I love your idea of a photo only (or mostly) TR. I love your captions too, so I'm hoping we will still see some of those! I think the TR board is fine for that.

I will most certainly look for you the couple of days our trips overlap.

You'll recognize ME as the crazy lady surrounded by 8 boys who are all taller than me. Come over and say hi. Or, if you are smart, run away. FAST!

.