Hi, my name is Elaine and I'm a thread killer

[MNFootballMommy]

Sorry, I can't resist!

Happy 500th post to the ThreadKiller Thread!

Wow! Not killed yet! Feeling like winners today, aren't we?

 

[englishrose47]

Subbing to say this thread is still going so you are NOT a Thread killer Elaine!!I've seen your thread for weeks now and finally jumped on board! I don't kill threads usually but I play havoc with the computor hence I am Known as The Official TFW Computor Whiz!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Wow it was hard to find the thread today. Well I am a bit under the weather and I hope it passes soon. I have started planning meals and I am going to post them here for reviews and budget suggestions as this trip was well "way off my budget wall"... Oh well I guess I would rather drown at Disney than at home!! I am waiting for my DH to call and let me know if his boss will let him off from work.. The wait is killing me!! I can't put the deposit down or make dining til he calls... (I would be oh so disappointed if I got my ressie only to find out we couldn't go)

I will be back later with an update!!

 

[englishrose47]

Wow it was hard to find the thread today. Well I am a bit under the weather and I hope it passes soon. I have started planning meals and I am going to post them here for reviews and budget suggestions as this trip was well "way off my budget wall"... Oh well I guess I would rather drown at Disney than at home!! I am waiting for my DH to call and let me know if his boss will let him off from work.. The wait is killing me!! I can't put the deposit down or make dining til he calls... (I would be oh so disappointed if I got my ressie only to find out we couldn't go)

I will be back later with an update!!

Hi Neighbor!!

 

[Vivianne]

Hey Everybody! It's raining heavily over here.....

Subbing to say this thread is still going so you are NOT a Thread killer Elaine!!I've seen your thread for weeks now and finally jumped on board! I don't kill threads usually but I play havoc with the computor hence I am Known as The Official TFW Computor Whiz!!

Hi englishrose47,

Love your username! Yes, this thread has gone on and on........

Wow it was hard to find the thread today. Well I am a bit under the weather and I hope it passes soon. I have started planning meals and I am going to post them here for reviews and budget suggestions as this trip was well "way off my budget wall"... Oh well I guess I would rather drown at Disney than at home!! I am waiting for my DH to call and let me know if his boss will let him off from work.. The wait is killing me!! I can't put the deposit down or make dining til he calls... (I would be oh so disappointed if I got my ressie only to find out we couldn't go)

I will be back later with an update!!

I'm just curious, unless you post alot, this thread shouldn't be to hard to find. When I log on, I just click on UserCp and look on the right for subscribed threads. Sometimes, you need to click on the bar to find threads you posted on that have not been active. Usually, I find it immediately since I haven't been posting much.

I know what you mean about waiting for an o.k. on vacation. We've had problems with our dates from time to time. Once, we were at Cape Cod and my DH likes to listen to his work voicemails . His boss left a message asking where he was... He had approved DH's vacation and forgot about it.

I'm looking forward to hearing more about your vacation...

 

[LSchrow]

Wow it was hard to find the thread today. Well I am a bit under the weather and I hope it passes soon. I have started planning meals and I am going to post them here for reviews and budget suggestions as this trip was well "way off my budget wall"... Oh well I guess I would rather drown at Disney than at home!! I am waiting for my DH to call and let me know if his boss will let him off from work.. The wait is killing me!! I can't put the deposit down or make dining til he calls... (I would be oh so disappointed if I got my ressie only to find out we couldn't go)

I will be back later with an update!!

hope you're feeling better
my budget thing of the day: i went to work with a banana & a propel water ~ that was b'fast & lunch. now i'm staaaaaarving (those grumbling noises are so annoying ).
i would love to see your meal planning!! do you cook simple foods though? (i don't cook, and am always looking for quick, easy, and inexpensive meals). do share........
good luck on getting the trip

vivianne ~ i hope to actually complete one trip report in my lifetime. i always do the same thing: get up super early every morning, & write notes as i sip my coffee & watch the sun rise. then jot a few things at night (what/where we ate, parks/attractions we went to, etc). by about the 4th day, my journal notes read, "woke up. ate. went out. ate. fell asleep". it's kind of pathetic that i've been going to WDW at least 1x year (many times twice) for the past 20 years, and i still haven't written an entire trip report!! (do have quite a few journals with only a few pages used in them though ). yet so many ppl go once, & wite beautiful TRs, with pictures, restaurant & rides reviews, detailed descriptions of everything so that you feel like you're there alongside them.....
hopefully, this will be the trip that finally produces a TR

happy 500th post to everyone

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Hi kids! Checking in...I am in the same boat as Tinker...waiting to buy tickets because I don't know if the in-laws will be joining us or not. Now I see that the MNSSHP is going on, so I want to go but don't want it to just be me and DD, but not sure if DH can break away from his work commitments (why we are going to be there) in order to join us. They say waiting is the hardest part...

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Hi Neighbor!!

Hello... We are around the corner, never even looked.. Sorry!! Boy it was cold here today... Hope it goes back to warm soon, but I think I overheard snow on the TV... Say it isn't sooo


Vivianne, I looked through all the threads while looking for ours and it was on page 4 so by the time I was done being sidetracked and reading the other threads. well I guess you can say I am easily amuzed and it took me a while

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Okay so I planned for the rest of the week my meals.. I have gone grocery shopping twice since got back from Disney.. The first trip was almost $200.00 because I bled the cupboards dry before we went.. This week was $125.00 but I stocked up on alot of freezer/meats.. Now I wouldn't bat an eye at a $120.00 lunch at Disney but couldn't even blink when the grocery bill came through... Funny how your mind works.. So for those who want a few ideas here is my menu for the rest of the week..

I took out the turkey I bought at Thanksgiving time out of the freezer to make room for the meats I purchased this week... So I will be having Turkey dinner one night this week and the carcass will be used to make stock for soup..

Okay so here is the week

Monday (tonight) Mock stroganoff made w/ground beef. Includes 1/2 package of AuJus, a little flour, milk and sour cream. $3.00. Served over rice and mashed potatoes $1.00 and canned corn .50. The kids had packaged applesauce w/ theirs .50. Total $5.00

Tuesday, Turkey soup from the stock that I made last time (this will deplete my soup stock from the freezer - estimate $1.00, add leftover rice from Monday's dinner .50 and make 2 loaves of french bread $1.50.. $3.00 w/ leftovers for lunch.

Wednesday - Ravioli w/ sauce and homemade meatballs. (leftover bread from Tuesday and Wed's meatballs will be reused on Saturday) Ravioli's $3.00, Sauce $1.00, Meatballs (meat, seasonings, etc..) $3.50, salad $1.00. Total for dinner is $8.50 but leftovers for other meals will come in play.

Thursday - Soccer practice tonight so we will have Jazzy Frozen Pizza night.. I purchased a frozen pizza on sale for $3.00 after coupon. I will jazz up with onion/pepper and addition cheese on the kids side $1.00. I will make a large salad with fresh parmesian cheese and croutons (made with some of the leftover french bread) .25. I have dressings in fridge but I always est .25 when I use condiments. $4.50

Friday - Chicken something... This is a grab bag night but I will make a chicken meal $2.50, canned veggies .50, and fresh fruit medley 1.00. (I use up the fruit that would have gone bad and dash it w/ lemon juice. In the microwave I put a small amount of sour cream and brown sugar and melt to combine) $4.00

Saturday Night - Meatball subs. All items needed are leftover from earlier in the week except Mozzarella Cheese $1.00. Salad $1.00 w/chicken (leftover friday) if the kids want a caesar, and homemade applesauce $1.25 $3.25

Sunday - Roasted Turkey (free from store), Mashed potatoes $1.00, boxed stuffing (yeah I know it kills me to do this but I want to use it up as I dont buy them anymore..) $1.00, gravy .50, canned corn .50, canned sweet potatoes w/brown sugar and gravy .75. $3.75 w/ leftover everywhere. I will make stock from the carcass that requires onions, carrots, celery that will be sacraficed for the stock.. Cost $2.50 but enough stock for 24 servings/4 meals.

So for the week dinners will cost me $34.50 but with stock for meals and lunches for DH for the whole week. WE will also use leftover for lunches on the weekend. I will also be able to carry over a whole extra dinner next week from the turkey so I will divide the total by 8 dinners. Lunch budget is reduced a lot from left overs this week..

So Lunch ($15.50 budget which is the same every week as I will not go over $16.00) and dinner for the week for a family of 4 at $ 50.00 for 16 meals for $3.20 per meal or about .75 per person..

Just in case you want to know we do the usual breakfast - toast, cereal, fruit, yogurt, (eggo waffles for DS everyday). Breakfast costs me about $1.00 per day.

Drinks in our house are water, milk, coffee, OJ, Apple Juice, and Iced Tea mix and unsweetened tea from tea bags, and something like Tropicana Twister for the kids... I do NOT purchase pop.. If they want it they have to buy it themselves or see their NANA.

I have snacks in the house for everyone if they want. I make homemade granola bars, and purchase fruit snacks, pretzels, and skinny cow flying saucers.. I always have fresh fruit and veggies...

So do I compare to everyone else?? I have often wondered if I did well. And just so you know I will probably not have to purchase any meat for 4 weeks but will purchase bread, milk, veggies, and fruit each week for freshness sake..

 

[starrzone]

I like this budget and menu idea; my parents are going to Europe for 3 weeks in May/June, and I am going to be in charge of "babysitting" my almost-16 year old brother. My plan is to draw up a menu for the week (he takes his lunch to school) so that there will be no "What's for dinner?" or asking to go out for pizza or fast food. If anyone has any dishes that are well-liked by teen boys in your family, please share!

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Tinker, you are darn good girl! I only go to the grocery store every two weeks and still spend $200-300 so you did good on your budget meals there. Right now I am doing WW and have found that I am more successful if I spend a bit more for the individually packaged snacks, etc., since I tend to pop one (or more) in my mouth if I am counting them out...

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Teen boy in our family... Dinners must include, meat, potato/rice, veggie, and a fruit. Dessert/Snack is already on his mind before his plate is cleared.

Some definite staples:

Rice made in chicken/beef broth
Mashed Potatoes w/ gravy
Chicken made with any type of flavoring or with dipping sauces included
Hamburger/Hot Dogs - (I use a George Foreman grill for both)
Frozen French Fries...
Frozen Pizza with a LARGE salad (I will not let DS eat the whole pizza...)
Caesar Salad w/ croutons and grilled chicken
Grilled cheese sandwiches w/ soup
Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti...

Now my son is tall and looks underweight but he isn't. I can give him more carbs than the rest of us and it fills him up. I also include a large glass of milk with dinner (he prefers chocolate and that is okay with me). Also when the milk is gone, we switch to yep, plain water... Good luck with you new job! Good thing it only lasts a week!!

 

[Vivianne]

Hi Everyone!

Nothing new to report today...

Went to the supermarket and spent $77 yesterday. We're only 2 people, so I can stretch what I buy. Bought some items to make chicken fajitas and DH made them yesterday. Guess we'll be having leftovers today.

Tinker,

Your meal plan sounds like you have things under control.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Okay how about some help for today....

I decided to book another trip to Disney... (first ever twice in Disney in one year) so I need some advice..

Do you feel budget wise for me to change from 6 day basic to 10day Hopper/with waterparks non expiring and save 4 extra days for the parks along with 4 waterpark and mores... This way we could do DisneyQuest this year and possibly a waterpark (we usually don't do water parks because I am allergic to the sun) if I could find a shaded area....

I also need help with my dining plan.. NOTHING IS AVAILABLE and its killing me to try and get what I would like versus what I am going to get.. This is what I have so far...

Arrive September 18th..
18th. Magic Kingdom use 4 CS for dinner, use 4 snack credits

19th. Hollywood Studios breakfast oop, late lunch/dinner Sci-Fi@3:45pm 4TS, share 2CS in the evening, snack credits if needed.

20th. Epcot Late breakfast 10:25am at Askerhaus 4TS, 4 snack credits, and possibly 2CS to share (I would like a steak dinner but LeCellier is not available and I don't know if there is a park close that we could come back afterwards)

21st. Animal Kingdom - Late breakfast at Tusker House 10:30am 4TS, leave park. Snacks at the hotel if hungry, Hoop-De-Doo Review 7:15pm 8TS.

22nd. OPEN

23rd. Magic Kingdom 7CS or 3 CS and Liberty Tree Tavern (not sure if available) We will go to MNSSHP this night.

24th. DTD breakfast at hotel OOP, 4CS Earl of Sandwich for lunch, OOP (I have gift cards) for Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Need to pick a time.

25th. Open we leave this day somewhere in the late afternoon...

As of right now we have used

CS: 18 as it stands 15 is we do a TS on the 23rd.
TS: 20 as it stands...

We have a total of 28 each TS and CS and I will do fruit salad w/Snack credits for breakfast or pay OOP...

Okay give me your best, thanks, Diane

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Tinker, you are darn good girl! I only go to the grocery store every two weeks and still spend $200-300 so you did good on your budget meals there. Right now I am doing WW and have found that I am more successful if I spend a bit more for the individually packaged snacks, etc., since I tend to pop one (or more) in my mouth if I am counting them out...

I have found that it helps my budget when I buy snacks in large packages and make my own single serve.. Yes I have been known to count out a serving size of 30 tiny goldfish crackers!

 

[suevee]

Tinker,

What about the resort restaurants? We always enjoy Kona at the Poly, also there will be the new one at CR The Wave. There should be a good steak there. Sometimes we will take the boat over to WL and do a restaurant there. Would any of these work for you? If the parks close early in Sept. you could end your day at a resort then go swimming for the evening....

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Tinker,

What about the resort restaurants? We always enjoy Kona at the Poly, also there will be the new one at CR The Wave. There should be a good steak there. Sometimes we will take the boat over to WL and do a restaurant there. Would any of these work for you? If the parks close early in Sept. you could end your day at a resort then go swimming for the evening....

All these ideas are great but I still need your help. I am clueless as to how far the resorts are and how long it would take. We like to make Lunch our main meal between 3-4pm. So I would need to leave the park. Would I make it back in time. Would you mind matching up resorts close to the parks we are going to and then I could check menu's. We are not adventurous eaters but I thought for free dining we should open our horizons a bit.. Now don't get me wrong and steer me towards octopus or something like that!

 

[MNFootballMommy]

All these ideas are great but I still need your help. I am clueless as to how far the resorts are and how long it would take. We like to make Lunch our main meal between 3-4pm. So I would need to leave the park. Would I make it back in time. Would you mind matching up resorts close to the parks we are going to and then I could check menu's. We are not adventurous eaters but I thought for free dining we should open our horizons a bit.. Now don't get me wrong and steer me towards octopus or something like that!

Tinker...I have a Word doc that has that info. The times were approximate and seemed to be overestimates, imho. I had found it on a planning site and I really did think it was the Dis, but it is hard to tell now. Anyway, if you would like, you can PM me your e-mail addy and I will send it to you.

 

[Vivianne]

Hello Everyone! Hope you had a great day!

Tinker, it's great you have another trip to look forward to.

We really like Kona which is a quick trip on the monorail to the Poly. We find that a late lunch is enough for us rather than dinner. We also dined at 'Ohana. We dined there once, the only time we could get was 9 p.m. Won't do that again. We do EMH p.m. contrary to most advice given but we've never found it to be a problem for the times we go. So we had more than enough time to go back to MK.

On our Epcot day, we do the latest lunch we can get at WS.

We've also dined at Downtown Disney. Rainforest Cafe, Bongos and Raglan Road.

Keep on trying for your preference. There's always the possibility of a cancellation.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Hello Everyone! Hope you had a great day!

Tinker, it's great you have another trip to look forward to.

We really like Kona which is a quick trip on the monorail to the Poly. We find that a late lunch is enough for us rather than dinner. We also dined at 'Ohana. We dined there once, the only time we could get was 9 p.m. Won't do that again. We do EMH p.m. contrary to most advice given but we've never found it to be a problem for the times we go. So we had more than enough time to go back to MK.

On our Epcot day, we do the latest lunch we can get at WS.

We've also dined at Downtown Disney. Rainforest Cafe, Bongos and Raglan Road.

Keep on trying for your preference. There's always the possibility of a cancellation.

Thanks for the advice. I noticed you enjoyed the Kona at the Poly. I was reading up on a photo shoot they do there now. So I was thinking of doing that and I am going to allears to look at the menu. I told you we were plain, so I may be asking about the food! Diane