Having a GRAND time - The Official GF Chat Thread PART 2

[m&pForever]

Mandy, that is hysterical! You have a great birth story (or at least start of labor story to tell your DD when she is older)!

We have a Honda Odyssey and right now DS3 and DS 2 are in the second row, with DSS in the back. When this new little guy comes, we are going to move DS3 and DS2 in the back and put the baby and DSS in the second row.

We have 2 car seats in the middle row of our Odyssey and the other 2 kids in the back seat. But you can fit 3 back there and I told my wife we have room for at least one more child but she didn't answer me


Gotta love that GF IPO.

With 2 friends now coming with us to the GF we had to change our 12 or so dining reservations to add them and we leave in less than 2 weeks!

There was nothing at our original times but they checked nearby restaurants in the parks and resorts and got us the ADRs for all of us.

 

[mandymommy4]

Mandy, that is hysterical! You have a great birth story (or at least start of labor story to tell your DD when she is older)!

We have a Honda Odyssey and right now DS3 and DS 2 are in the second row, with DSS in the back. When this new little guy comes, we are going to move DS3 and DS2 in the back and put the baby and DSS in the second row. After that, we have NO MORE ROOM! We will either have to get a bigger car or start strapping kids to the roof rack!

Well believe it or not her birth was the most normal, LOL!
My first one was just a night mare, really bad. Second was actually the craziest b/c I was in labor and did not know it, it felt like I had eaten something bad and just had stomach cramps! I cleaned house all day with these cramps and my sister cam over to visit and noticed my cramps were coming at regular intervals and made me go to the ER, they sent me up to labor and delivery and checked me in a room the size of a broom closet and peeps began running around like crazy, I was like oh I think I need to push and the doc ran in a caught Emma. The table was TINY not even as big as a exam table ot the OBs office! LOL! From the time I walked into the hospital till she was born was like 10 min! My third was just me being stubborn, I had to be induced at 36 wks because she was not growing well, I had fetal growth restriction and I refused the epidural because I could do it naturally like #2, LOL! Poticin is a b***h! I screamed and hollered like a animal for the epidural but never got it my labor went way too fast, It is funny to hear me begging the nurse to knock me out on the video and hilarious at the sailor language I used Needless to say when the doc said they were gonna induce me with #4 I said "I want the anesthesiologist and the epidural to greet me in the parking lot"!

BTW my SIL was suppose to have a home birth and the midwife could not get there in time and her hubby delived there DD while the midwife told him what to do! Now that is a story!

We have 2 car seats in the middle row of our Odyssey and the other 2 kids in the back seat. But you can fit 3 back there and I told my wife we have room for at least one more child but she didn't answer me

At least she didn't smack you like I would have!

BTW we have a mazda mpv and I hate it, if you have seen Jon and Kate+ 8 it is the same one as their white one, I think it is the smallest van on the market! I want a Odyssey but at the time we had a truck that was still pretty new and had to pay it off so we did not go upside down in our van! so we went with a cheaper van. I told the guy I need six seat belts, cruise control, and power sliding doors and could are less about the rest! We had a Chrysler Town and Country that was very nice and fancy and had all the bells and whistles but it was junk, the driver seat belt broke and then cost me and arm and a leg for a new latch and I had major problem with the stearing shaft! DH's work truck was in the shop and he drove our car to work and got hit by a garbage truck that totaled it! I was kinda happy to learn it was totaled to say the least, I hate Chrysler

 

[K&C]

Can anyone tell me if the new Camp Rock film is being played on the Disney Channel at the moment?

I seem to remember from Brook's trip report that it is out in the US but over here in the UK it's not being released until the second half of September.

DD really wants to see it but DS is more interested in going to DTD to see the new Star Wars film during our trip.


Kirsty

 

[mandymommy4]

Can anyone tell me if the new Camp Rock film is being played on the Disney Channel at the moment?

I seem to remember from Brook's trip report that it is out in the US but over here in the UK it's not being released until the second half of September.

DD really wants to see it but DS is more interested in going to DTD to see the new Star Wars film during our trip.


Kirsty

I just check my direct tv guide and the next showing of Camp Rock is Aug 9th at 9pm.

ETA I just checked the DC schedule online and it is only up to the 19th.

 

[BlueSkies]

Welcome!

Sounds like a fun family trip! I often travel with extended family and it's the best. We usually visit the GF in fall and winter as well and have never done the summer touring. I have a couple of paris of Clark's flip-flops and I do like them but not sure I could do hours in the parks in them. I would think your mesh sneaks from LE would work great. Maybe alternate with a supportive FF! Have a great time and again - welcome!!!

Minniesota thank you for the lovely welcome. Its been a hectic couple of days and I am just taking the time to enjoy the DIS today. I just saw SleepningUgly's post about the Tevas, sounds pretty good, maybe I'll try a pair...Have another summer at Wdw question, thinking of doing two photo sessions,one with DH and my lovely children ,another w/Dniece and extended family...saw some posts on photo session thread that look like they were take at dusk at the GF, just beautiful with all the lights on...worried about the rain though...about what time does it rain each day would hate to be stuck trying to take pix in the rain!!! Mandy-the photos of your children are beautiful,what great shots,hope we are as lucky

 

[K&C]

I just check my direct tv guide and the next showing of Camp Rock is Aug 8th at 9pm.

Thanks for that quick reply.

We don't arrive in the US until the 9th and we are staying at the Portofino Bay for a few days (don't think they'll have the Disney Channel in the rooms)
We transfer over to the GF on the 11th for 12 nights so I am sure it will be on at some point during the trip.

DD will be so pleased it's on the TV in the US. She will be bragging to all her friends when we come home that she's seen it before it's even out over here.

 

[mandymommy4]

Thanks for that quick reply.

We don't arrive in the US until the 9th and we are staying at the Portofino Bay for a few days (don't think they'll have the Disney Channel in the rooms)
We transfer over to the GF on the 11th for 12 nights so I am sure it will be on at some point during the trip.

DD will be so pleased it's on the TV in the US. She will be bragging to all her friends when we come home that she's seen it before it's even out over here.

Actually you may still be in luck! My son was looking at the Disney channel web site and and was looking at DVDs and I happened to notice that the Camp Rock DVD! It is coming out Aug 19th! Are you still in town then? If so I would head to DTD to get it! How cool is she gonna be to have it on DVD!

 

[K&C]

Actually you may still be in luck! My son was looking at the Disney channel web site and and was looking at DVDs and I happened to notice that the Camp Rock DVD! It is coming out Aug 19th! Are you still in town then? If so I would head to DTD to get it! How cool is she gonna be to have it on DVD!

Unfortunatley DVD's bought in the US don't work in UK, European and I think Japan DVD players as they are region coded. Ours have a small map of the world on them and a number 2 and I think yours have a 1. It's all a money making scheme from the film companys. DH thinks US DVD's might work on the laptop or if played through the PS3. We are there until the 23rd so it might be worth buying a copy. Then again I could end up with a house full of kids wanting to watch it when we come back
Thanks again.


Kirsty

 

[arbonnette]

Unfortunatley DVD's bought in the US don't work in UK, European and I think Japan DVD players as they are region coded. Ours have a small map of the world on them and a number 2 and I think yours have a 1. It's all a money making scheme from the film companys. DH thinks US DVD's might work on the laptop or if played through the PS3. We are there until the 23rd so it might be worth buying a copy. Then again I could end up with a house full of kids wanting to watch it when we come back
Thanks again.


Kirsty

The DVD should work on the laptop. My sister lives in the UK and can play my DD's DVD's for her on the laptop when we go out of town. I think it involves changing the region on your laptop, but your DVD player should prompt you to do this when you insert the DVD. I am not sure about PS3 as we don't have one of those!
HTH!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Minniesota thank you for the lovely welcome. Its been a hectic couple of days and I am just taking the time to enjoy the DIS today. I just saw SleepningUgly's post about the Tevas, sounds pretty good, maybe I'll try a pair...Have another summer at Wdw question, thinking of doing two photo sessions,one with DH and my lovely children ,another w/Dniece and extended family...saw some posts on photo session thread that look like they were take at dusk at the GF, just beautiful with all the lights on...worried about the rain though...about what time does it rain each day would hate to be stuck trying to take pix in the rain!!! Mandy-the photos of your children are beautiful,what great shots,hope we are as lucky

It rained the day of our pics (I think our session was at 3pm or so) We just took them indoors and in the covered areas outside so it wasn't so bad.

 

[BlueSkies]

It rained the day of our pics (I think our session was at 3pm or so) We just took them indoors and in the covered areas outside so it wasn't so bad.

Hi Cinderumbrella thanks for the info...I'm hoping that if we take the pics alittle later (I think the last appt time is 7pm) that we'll miss the rain...I never thought of the covered areas outside...I'll just be hoping for sunshine...

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi Cinderumbrella thanks for the info...I'm hoping that if we take the pics alittle later (I think the last appt time is 7pm) that we'll miss the rain...I never thought of the covered areas outside...I'll just be hoping for sunshine...

It is hard to say since that late summer rain is unpredictable. Some days it comes and last for hours, some days it comes and lasts for 20 minutes and some days it doesn't come at all!!!

When we walked from Conch to the main building, it was dry, but you could see the rain coming. While we were doing the indoor shots, it started to drizzle. We took all the other "covered area" shots first and then a couple quick ones on the beach before it REALLY started. (I really wanted that beach shot, but wanted it to be last since the humidity was going to ruin my straight hair do!!!) The one good thing about the overcast, however, was that no one was squinting in the pictures.

 

[minniesota]

Hi Cinderumbrella thanks for the info...I'm hoping that if we take the pics alittle later (I think the last appt time is 7pm) that we'll miss the rain...I never thought of the covered areas outside...I'll just be hoping for sunshine...

BlueSkies- I think I've read that some of the better times are either early in the am or later in the day when the sun isn't as much of a factor. We took ours around 10 a.m. in October and we did have some issues with sun squint. There are some lovely gardens in the front with trellis type coverings that worked well for us. Also, one of the large balconies off the 2nd floor. I'm sure you will love the pictures because they will be of your family!

 

[BlueSkies]

It is hard to say since that late summer rain is unpredictable. Some days it comes and last for hours, some days it comes and lasts for 20 minutes and some days it doesn't come at all!!!

When we walked from Conch to the main building, it was dry, but you could see the rain coming. While we were doing the indoor shots, it started to drizzle. We took all the other "covered area" shots first and then a couple quick ones on the beach before it REALLY started. (I really wanted that beach shot, but wanted it to be last since the humidity was going to ruin my straight hair do!!!) The one good thing about the overcast, however, was that no one was squinting in the pictures.

I had no ideas that the summer rain could last more 20- 30 minutes. I thought it was just a given that every day it rained for just a bit Havent been to Diseny in the summer in a long time....We've always preferred the fall and now I remember why.....But heat and rain its still disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I had no ideas that the summer rain could last more 20- 30 minutes. I thought it was just a given that every day it rained for just a bit Havent been to Diseny in the summer in a long time....We've always preferred the fall and now I remember why.....But heat and rain its still disney

There is definitely some of that, but not always. We went last August and had more than 1 day where it rained for 3-4 hours...

The best weather we have ever had was our Halloween week trip in 2005. We flew in the day after Hurricane Wilma so it was cool, not humid and only rained our last day (when we were at he MK bus stop heading back to POR to catch the ME bus) The weather this past May was a close second- hot but not humid and I think only one morning when it rained for a couple of hours.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I had no ideas that the summer rain could last more 20- 30 minutes. I thought it was just a given that every day it rained for just a bit Havent been to Diseny in the summer in a long time....We've always preferred the fall and now I remember why.....But heat and rain its still disney

hi, Blueskies. ..I have to catch up on this thread...but we've been to WDW the past several summers for a couple weeks each time and this summer weather was funky! It rained a few days all day (we were there for two weeks)...and others not at all...mostly not at all. BUT the nicest thing was it was not nearly as hot as in previous years...that was weird but GOOD. Noticably much more comfortable temp and humidity wise this year. Last summer it would just rain for a little bit and the sun would come out again...the summer before...it was sunny all day every day - no rain BUT it was SO HOT it was unreal!!!

You never know with the Florida weather...although I have heard that this year the summer has been strange.

Happy travels! I bet you're getting excited!!

Lives4Disney

 

[BlueSkies]

BlueSkies- I think I've read that some of the better times are either early in the am or later in the day when the sun isn't as much of a factor. We took ours around 10 a.m. in October and we did have some issues with sun squint. There are some lovely gardens in the front with trellis type coverings that worked well for us. Also, one of the large balconies off the 2nd floor. I'm sure you will love the pictures because they will be of your family!

Hi Minniesota The last time we did a photo session at the GF we did midday and everyone had sun squint-we have some interesting shots...got some good ones too though and you are right I do love them because they are family pictures That was 4 yrs ago, my children are teens and 4 yrs makes a big difference !!! Now they all look like adults (now dont get me wrong they dont act like adults!!!) We only have 2 wks to go -cant wait

 

[BlueSkies]

hi, Blueskies. ..I have to catch up on this thread...but we've been to WDW the past several summers for a couple weeks each time and this summer weather was funky! It rained a few days all day (we were there for two weeks)...and others not at all...mostly not at all. BUT the nicest thing was it was not nearly as hot as in previous years...that was weird but GOOD. Noticably much more comfortable temp and humidity wise this year. Last summer it would just rain for a little bit and the sun would come out again...the summer before...it was sunny all day every day - no rain BUT it was SO HOT it was unreal!!!

You never know with the Florida weather...although I have heard that this year the summer has been strange.

Happy travels! I bet you're getting excited!!

Lives4Disney

Hi Lives4Disney I guess now would be the time to get to Target and pick up some rain ponchos (a whole day of rain-we'd definately need them...)Although with 2 ds (19) and dd (16) they'd probably rather be soaked than caught in a rain poncho!!! DH and I would rather be dry than look cool...I dont mind the heat but humidity is not my friend...especially for my hair (ponytail weather). During your July trip did you find that you needed a light sweater or jacket especially coming in from the heat to the air conditioning....Am very excited cant wait to get there

 

[Lives4Disney]

Hi Lives4Disney I guess now would be the time to get to Target and pick up some rain ponchos (a whole day of rain-we'd definately need them...)Although with 2 ds (19) and dd (16) they'd probably rather be soaked than caught in a rain poncho!!! DH and I would rather be dry than look cool...I dont mind the heat but humidity is not my friend...especially for my hair (ponytail weather). During your July trip did you find that you needed a light sweater or jacket especially coming in from the heat to the air conditioning....Am very excited cant wait to get there

Hi, again! First ...about those Target rain ponchos...did you know that the Disney ones are $7.50 and if you tear them they are replaceable anywhere they are sold with the original receipt? That has saved us a few times and a lot of money. I don't know about the TArget ones, but the Disney ones tear easily!!!

I did bring a lightweight cotton sweater...I only used it once though. I hate when I get hot and sticky and go into AC and FREEZE,, but I just didn't get as hot and sticky this time around. The weather was almost comfortable!! Be prepared though...I would bring one lightweight longer sleeved layer.

Happy packing!!

Lives4Disney

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Hi, again! First ...about those Target rain ponchos...did you know that the Disney ones are $7.50 and if you tear them they are replaceable anywhere they are sold with the original receipt? That has saved us a few times and a lot of money. I don't know about the TArget ones, but the Disney ones tear easily!!!

Lives4Disney

I never knew this?! I go through about 1 per trip (since I am a dork and wear them on water rides!!!)

FYI: We have some of the 99 cent specials from Walmart (you get them in the camping section) and it is like wearing a Hefty bag. DH tried them once and won't do it anymore. I much prefer the WDW ponchos since they are vinyl or something, so they don't "cling" like the cheapies do!