Happy Mickey-versary for 15 yrs! An Oct. 2011 PTR NEW: 11/13 Pretend Disney? & TRlink

[exwdwcm]

thanks Jennifer!



we really should meet can't be any eaiser since we are at the same resort I had so much fun meeting Disers in Nov.

so the refurbed rooms...Ok I admit i don't know that much about them, but when i called to make our Jan 12 ressie asked. The CM actually put me on hold called BLT and said they started the refurbs in oct last yr and should be all done in early April. I didn't think to ask if they are being done or just some...but I assume only some since it's a room request not a room type like I can be guarenteed a dedicated 2 BR. I also know there is no point difference from standard studio to the refurbed or "deluxe"...I ahve been meaning to look around on the DVC-BLT threads

interesting- i had read all about the sink situation and how people hated it. so i definitely will request the refurb room if possible! that's the only thing they changed is the whole sink thing or something else too?

yes, we definitely have to meet up while you guys are there!!! once park hours are released, i'll have more of my plan and we can figure out a good night to try TOW or meet up another time.

oh my, i love the box and your binders, you are so talented!!! so darn cute. i used to be really good about keeping a binder and stuff. Now i just keep it all online instead of printing everything. since i am at a desk/computer all day at work, it is just easier. as we get closer to the trip, i print off the main info and put in a little coupon holder thing with all our ADRs, hotel confirmations, flight info, car rental etc. I found carrying a huge binder just wasn't working for me anymore since i had all the baby/toddler gear to carry now. but i love your stuff!!! do you do homemade autograph books too? i used to love scrapping, but i just don't have time now. i work full-time in Marketing (lots of writing collateral/press releases etc.) and so my spare time is spent managing the household and our 3yo son. doesn't leave me time anymore for things like scrapping. i rarely have time. boo!!!!! i miss it.

 

[mousescrapper]

Yay! The Disney Box!

A separate binder and trip organizer is a great idea! I always end up dragging the whole binder with me. I'm tucking that idea away for our next trip!

Yes Matt got these neat portfollios from work and they work perfect cause they are thin and I just drop in my printed pages into the clear display pages I'll show more pix later once it is filled

yeah! I think you'll love the train -- it certainly is an adventure. Let me know your dates once you book and we'll definitely come to DC to meet you.

awesome...that would be most fun...the kids are very excited for DC, I have never been and Matt wnet long ago as a kid. we'll have to chat before I book too, let me know if you recommend any places to stay at. We are thinking we'd love to be right in DC not planning on rental car just use public. since we are 6 I either need to "cheap" rooms or a less expensive suite. In my inital looking saw one nice place in Alexandria VA

Love seeing all your planning materials!!! The collage on the back of your binder is sooo neat! What did you use to do it?

thanks Jackie

I just googled all the images and inserted them into a Microsoft Publisher page and adjust the sizes etc and added the text. Also another cool collage program is in the Google Picasa pictures. You can download Picasa for free from Google to keep all your pictures in I like the program alot. (it by default saves in your pictures folders too)...but you can just choose the pictures or images you save and create a collage.

 

[mousescrapper]

interesting- i had read all about the sink situation and how people hated it. so i definitely will request the refurb room if possible! that's the only thing they changed is the whole sink thing or something else too?

you know I don't know

yes, we definitely have to meet up while you guys are there!!! once park hours are released, i'll have more of my plan and we can figure out a good night to try TOW or meet up another time.

I just started a basic touring plan...man it is aton harder to plan for 5 days(4 nights) then a much longer trip...how to fit it all in

oh my, i love the box and your binders, you are so talented!!! so darn cute. i used to be really good about keeping a binder and stuff. Now i just keep it all online instead of printing everything. since i am at a desk/computer all day at work, it is just easier. as we get closer to the trip, i print off the main info and put in a little coupon holder thing with all our ADRs, hotel confirmations, flight info, car rental etc.

I do alot of stuff on my computer too and adjust and then print closer too

I found carrying a huge binder just wasn't working for me anymore since i had all the baby/toddler gear to carry now.

agree I don't carry much into the parks now...I download various things straight to my phone and I carry printed touring cards too

but i love your stuff!!!

thank you so much

do you do homemade autograph books too?

I just did for the first time our last trip here is a link to a post about them in my last PTR: scroll down a little ways there is other stuff I made for that trip in the same post...

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38560923&postcount=992

i used to love scrapping, but i just don't have time now. i work full-time in Marketing (lots of writing collateral/press releases etc.) and so my spare time is spent managing the household and our 3yo son. doesn't leave me time anymore for things like scrapping. i rarely have time. boo!!!!! i miss it.

I don't have a much time as I'd like anymore either...I make a huge goal list at the beginning of the year and hope to get most of of it done...if you click on some of the special links in my siggie I have a thread and link to additional pictures of my 2008 WDW scrapbook plus I have a BLOG w/ many other scrapping and crafty projects...if you want to look

J~

 

[Marshay]

awesome...that would be most fun...the kids are very excited for DC, I have never been and Matt wnet long ago as a kid. we'll have to chat before I book too, let me know if you recommend any places to stay at. We are thinking we'd love to be right in DC not planning on rental car just use public. since we are 6 I either need to "cheap" rooms or a less expensive suite. In my inital looking saw one nice place in Alexandria VA

It's funny b/c we'll stay in DC ourselves sometimes...just b/c it's easier not having to drive back (we live about 45 min - 1 hr away). But we always use Priceline and get a hotel IN downtown DC. It's so convenient to just be in DC and walk to everything or take Metro.

Alexandria is also nice but be sure to get a hotel close to Metro. Old Town Alexandria is so pleasant to walk around and now right across the river they have a new Town Square (where the next DVC might be going!!) along with the Gaylord Hotel and other cool things. However, some of the hotels are not within walking distance to Metro.

 

[KathyRN137]

I'm certain that I've seen that Box before!!

Julie, I loved all the pix of you and Matt through the years... so much love in your faces! And to think, your love story started with a mouse (and a Genie!)


Love to read about the planning!


Kathy

 

[mousescrapper]

It's funny b/c we'll stay in DC ourselves sometimes...just b/c it's easier not having to drive back (we live about 45 min - 1 hr away). But we always use Priceline and get a hotel IN downtown DC. It's so convenient to just be in DC and walk to everything or take Metro.

that is our thinking too

Alexandria is also nice but be sure to get a hotel close to Metro. Old Town Alexandria is so pleasant to walk around and now right across the river they have a new Town Square (where the next DVC might be going!!) along with the Gaylord Hotel and other cool things. However, some of the hotels are not within walking distance to Metro.

thanks for the tips...we'll have to chat later in the year on this topic

I'm certain that I've seen that Box before!!

yep

Julie, I loved all the pix of you and Matt through the years... so much love in your faces! And to think, your love story started with a mouse (and a Genie!)

aww thanks Kathy...it really did, I guess Disney was always meant to be a huge part of our lives

Love to read about the planning!

more to come soon!!!

 

[mousescrapper]

I love, LOVE lists...and especiallyy any list that is more like little goals to keep me on track for anything I am planning You will see lot's of LISTS in this PTR...so if you are like me you will love this post too

This TO-DO list, is but a basic structure of the main things that need to get done before we go in OCTOBER...and obviously more things will be added and moved around during the planning process but this get's me started​

Our 15 yr Mickey-versary trip TO-DO LIST:

7 months out: March

* Get binders organized w/ planning pages

* Book airfare

* Come up w/ basic Park touring plan

* Come up w/ Basic budget

6 months out: April

* Finalize ADR’s and DDP plans

* Make ADR’s

* Book tours or other special things

5 months out: May

* Create Itinerary Pages

* TOP 5’s

4 months out: June

Freebee Month

3 Months out: July 6 months till family trip

Actual anniversary month

* Buy MNSSHP tickets (or when available)

2 Months out: August 5 months till family trip

* Finalize day to day plans and start creating touring plan cards

* Start getting costumes ready

1 Month out: September 4 months till family trip

* Start a 30 days countdown

* Start Packing

* Create/Finish any special trip items

Weeks to go: October 3 months till family trip

* Last minute planning

* Garden Grocer order

* Order special cake

November 2 months till family trip

December 1 month to family trip

January 2012: Next Family trip




well there you have it...wish me lots of good Disney magic to get it done!!!!

stay tuned for more...

Up NEXT: our Mouse kids

thanks for reading,

J~

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I LOVE LISTS Julie!

I made one of what I need to save each month and it got me all nervous, I should make one like this that isn't money specific! Will you make tshirts???? I always have that on my list!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Right there with ya! I love a good list! For me, it makes tackling a big task much more manageable. Looking forward to watching this list get checked off!

 

[mousescrapper]

I LOVE LISTS Julie!

I made one of what I need to save each month and it got me all nervous, I should make one like this that isn't money specific! Will you make tshirts???? I always have that on my list!

yes I have only started a prelim guessing budget...but actually need to figure out all the costs

I'd like to make a shirt(s) for us...we'll see!

Right there with ya! I love a good list! For me, it makes tackling a big task much more manageable. Looking forward to watching this list get checked off!

me too!!! I have lists all of the house...

 

[Charleston Princess]

I love lists, too!

I found myself looking at yours and seeing what I still need to do. According to your schedule, I probably need to make some itinerary pages and Top 5's!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I'll join in! We're heading down October 7-11 staying at BCV. We also plan to do MNSSHP. It looks like you're a super planner like me, so I'm looking forward to following along. Also, I'm laughing at your "Fuzzy Disney Math" because I just said that to someone who is not at all into Disney earlier and she looked at me like I had 3 heads! I'm working out a detailed-ish food budget right now...

 

[KathyRN137]

I love, LOVE lists...and especiallyy any list that is more like little goals to keep me on track for anything I am planning You will see lot's of LISTS in this PTR...so if you are like me you will love this post too

Julie, if your name wasn't mouse_scrapper, it would be mouse_lister!!


Kathy

 

[mousescrapper]

I love lists, too!

I found myself looking at yours and seeing what I still need to do. According to your schedule, I probably need to make some itinerary pages and Top 5's!

well you better get to it...oh and know what I watched on tv last night w/ Nathan....Star Wars

I'll join in! We're heading down October 7-11 staying at BCV. We also plan to do MNSSHP. It looks like you're a super planner like me, so I'm looking forward to following along. Also, I'm laughing at your "Fuzzy Disney Math" because I just said that to someone who is not at all into Disney earlier and she looked at me like I had 3 heads! I'm working out a detailed-ish food budget right now...

Hi and ...I am a super-urber planner yes it is hard to talk Disney lingo to "live" people

Love all your pix in your siggie too

Julie, if your name wasn't mouse_scrapper, it would be mouse_lister!!


Kathy

so true...so true!!!

 

[exwdwcm]

I'm a list junkie too. love it! So did you already book your air?

I can't wait for hours and ADR time, then I can actually finish planning!

 

[mousescrapper]

I'm a list junkie too. love it! So did you already book your air?

no not yet...waiting on the new dates to be released later this month

I can't wait for hours and ADR time, then I can actually finish planning!

yes that seems to when you can actually get more things figured out

 

[mousescrapper]

hey all...for those of you who don't know I have a small little BLOG dedicated to scrapbooking and other crafty what-nots...mostl;y w/ a Disney flair (but of course )

I have just updated last month w/ another huge list of my overal goals for scrapbooking this year and had time today to get several things done:

take a look if you'd like:

http://juliesmickeymemories.blogspot.com/2011/03/capturing-memories-in-new-ways.html

thanks

J~

 

[Native NYer]

You are so organized Julie.
I love your lists and how you have everything separated out into months. So smart!

Checking your blog now.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Sorry I didn't post in either place but I got caught up on your PTR & your blog yesterday. You have a lot to do this year!

 

[mousescrapper]

You are so organized Julie.
I love your lists and how you have everything separated out into months. So smart!

Checking your blog now.

thanks Jennifer...monthyly targets seems to work for me

Sorry I didn't post in either place but I got caught up on your PTR & your blog yesterday. You have a lot to do this year!

hey no worries unfortunately just because it is on a list...doesn't mean I'll actually do it