I need a vacation and a Dole Whip - PTR - Updated 5/29

[ariane37]

You put your clothes in them, press the seal closed, then roll the air out, no vacuum needed. So, in the large bags typically you can get three summer outfits. So, in the first bag you put PJs, shirt/shorts/underwear/socks for at least two days. Then you put that in the drawer take your own clothes off and place the dirty ones in the bag. Then repeat, trying to get 3 days in a bag. We typically have three bags for 10 days. I do put everyone's swimsuits in a separate bag and throw it in my DH bag (he has the most extra room.) Also, when you do this you have room for things you pick up along your vacation, check in/out materials, resort mugs, gifts for house watchers/mail pick up folks. We typically keep our soft sided bags in the closet and so you just rotate the bags in and out of your luggage.

Thank you so much! I am definitely going to try these Sounds like you have a great routine that saves time, is super organized and just plain makes things easier.

Hope you had a nice weekend!

Very nice thank you, chillier than I would have liked for Easter but still fun Hope you did, too!

 

[Bamfield]

Should I do a grocery order?

Just been reading on the resort forum that the BC CL no longer provides bottled water as part of their service. This typically isn't an issue for our family because we are usually drowning in unused snacks from the meal plan so we always got extra water, but no meal plan this year. My DH especially likes a Red Bull in the morning and drinks several bottle of water a day and I like one during the night. I was thinking that it might be nice to get an order of water/Red Bull so we can put in fridge and have them during the week. Has anyone done this and/or would you recommend it?

Lisa

 

[Bamfield]

Is it May yet?

I am sure I am in a unique situation that I am the only mom with teenagers that have really cluttered rooms? I am so exhausted and must be a bad mother since no one has learned to put anything away. All I wanted to do was to figure out if my younger DS had a swimsuit that fit because I am sure Disney has a strict policy regarding being clothed at the pool. There were mountains, yes Mt. Everest type, mountains of clothes. Don't worry though all the dresser drawers were empty and the hangers all available.

I just spent 3 hours with my DS in his room. Did you know he actually does have a desk in his room to do homework. He had converted the desk to a clothes receptacle (and it wasn't just for clean clothes.) What really shocked me is we only had one bag of clothes to donate that he has outgrown and one bag of garbage. However, you will all be relieved that he does have a swimsuit that fits and I have no explaining to do to any lifeguards. I feel like I just was in a triathlon but an afternoon with a teenager haggling regarding cleaning their room might qualify. (Note: there was really no haggling.)

So as we head into April, my travel heavy schedule begins so a little pressure to get things checked off my list. However, the weather today is crazy it has snowed off/on all day and at some times white out conditions, then the sun comes out and melts it all, who could tell its spring. Tomorrow it is supposed to be 60 here. Got to love the Midwest. Started the clothes review. I asked DH if he needed anything, he said no. I do want to refresh anyone's memory who may be reading this, that in an earlier post I explained that my DH doesn't pack typically until they are ready to close the door on the plane. I have picked up some shorts for both my DSs. Then, I was really bad, don't tell anyone I actually bought some things for myself. A new swimsuit, cover ups and pj's.

1. Pedicure
2. Pick our MB colors - We are done changing our minds ~ just waiting for Disney.
3. Fast+ Passes - Done!
4. Weather Watch - Started - looks like it is just getting hotter as the month goes on
5. Order MB covers - Done!!!
6. Vacation clothes review - Started
7. New tennis shoes for crew - Done!!
8. Evaluation of current swimwear -Done!!
9. Sun Screen Evaluation - Done!
10. Change ADRs (at least one more time) - Would like to change a couple but no dice not much availablity
11. Finalize tentative schedule
12. Final Payment - Plan to do this weekend.
13. Toiletry Review for crew
14. Add CB to DB
15. Ensure everything clean before in bags
16. Stage days in travel bags (space bags)
17. Pack/Weigh Bag
18. Pack Carry Ons
19. Remember SW Drink Tickets (will need it by then)
20. Get to Disney to have fun and a Dole Whip Float!

Well, I have even surprised myself, not looking bad.

Lisa

 

[ariane37]

All I wanted to do was to figure out if my younger DS had a swimsuit that fit because I am sure Disney has a strict policy regarding being clothed at the pool.

Funny, I had my boys try on a bunch of summer clothes/bathing suits today to get a jump on what I need to buy for the summer. DS10 is good, but DS14 (well, next Friday ) needs like everything And I'm sure if I sent you pictures of my boys' rooms we could go back and forth on whose rooms are worse!

AND, here in NY we're supposed to get snow tomorrow night and all day Monday! We've had the mildest winter I can remember; as in pretty much NO snow. My kids were given 3 extra days off because they didn't use snow days, and last week we had 2 70+ degree days. Now there's a chance of a snow day Monday......the weather this year is crazy everywhere, that's for sure.

Glad you're getting stuff done, especially with all your travel coming up!

 

[Skip3key]

I just saw how a winter storm in April is going to be going through the area up there this week, and feel a little guilty as the weather is amazingly beautiful here in South Texas...70's and clear all week... just FYI, we do have a goal of moving to Orlando in the next few years and buying a large area of land on which to establish a family compound... would be lovely if you guys wanted in!

We already have a few interested Michiganders in addition to us who want in... My ultimate retirement goal is to work as a boat captain at Disney ferrying happy vacation goers to and from the Magic Kingdom.... what a life that would be...

Love the idea of the vacuum-less space bags and am going to steal that one! Have been planning our own fall trip and noticed we like many of the same restaurants as you guys!

 

[Bamfield]

Funny, I had my boys try on a bunch of summer clothes/bathing suits today to get a jump on what I need to buy for the summer. DS10 is good, but DS14 (well, next Friday ) needs like everything And I'm sure if I sent you pictures of my boys' rooms we could go back and forth on whose rooms are worse!

Well you made me feel better about the state of the boys room. How is your trip for November coming along? That is my favorite time of year to go. The best Disney Cruise we went on was the week before Thanksgiving.

I just saw how a winter storm in April is going to be going through the area up there this week, and feel a little guilty as the weather is amazingly beautiful here in South Texas...70's and clear all week...
Have been planning our own fall trip and noticed we like many of the same restaurants as you guys!

The weather here is crazy. Snowing one minute, sunny and warm the next. I am starting to see the predicted temperatures rise for trip. We hate hot and humid. I was hoping it would hold off. When we were there in June 2013 there was a tropical storm that caused it to rain for 6 days straight (we were never out of our ponchos) and was in the high 90s. Haven't you guys been getting a ton of storms?

Funny you mention restaurants. I did a stupid thing last night that an experienced OCD Disney planner should never do, pass up a good time for an ADR. I am not sure we want to do Morimoto's anymore. So, I have been trying to move our Teppon Edo reservation to Friday and replace my Saturday one with something else. DH being a meat and potato guy, he likes 50 Prime Time Diner and there was a 6 pm slot. I should of grabbed it for Sat., but then I had no options cause everything is booked for Friday. Of course, no good choices today. I will have to continue to troll to see if something opens up, but kicking myself about not getting that ADR.

 

[ariane37]

How is your trip for November coming along? That is my favorite time of year to go. The best Disney Cruise we went on was the week before Thanksgiving.

It's getting there I actually started a PTR, the link is in my signature but of course it's not working! Have to have DH look at that later, other than typing really fast I'm not good at figuring computer things out lol.
Booked flights over the weekend and we rented points at BCV for our first 4 nights. Unfortunately no studios OR 1 bdrms are available for Thanksgiving or the night before so we're waitlisted. But when our rental guy's 7 month window opens up later this month he'll check and see what, if any, resorts are available our last 3 nights and if the waitlist hasn't come through we'll just go for a split stay.

I have an ADR list in my head, now just have to start working it on paper. Fall is our favorite time to go, too, and you can't beat the holiday decorations being up

 

[Skip3key]

It's getting there I actually started a PTR, the link is in my signature but of course it's not working! Have to have DH look at that later, other than typing really fast I'm not good at figuring computer things out lol.
Booked flights over the weekend and we rented points at BCV for our first 4 nights. Unfortunately no studios OR 1 bdrms are available for Thanksgiving or the night before so we're waitlisted. But when our rental guy's 7 month window opens up later this month he'll check and see what, if any, resorts are available our last 3 nights and if the waitlist hasn't come through we'll just go for a split stay.

I have an ADR list in my head, now just have to start working it on paper. Fall is our favorite time to go, too, and you can't beat the holiday decorations being up

I feel your pain- we own at AKL, but really like to stay on the Boardwalk for F&W time. When we did it 2 years ago for the middle October, we were waitlisted for about 2 weeks once our 7 month window opened and then got a 1 bedroom at BWV. This year we tried to get a 1BR at BWV the very second our 7 month window opened for the last week of September (low capacity time), and we are still waitlisted. When I check the DVC website for availability, the resort is completely booked for all studios and 1 BR for all but 1 day that week, and all out of 2BRs entirely, so we have little hope of anything opening and will just stay at AKL.Don't get me wrong, AKL is super awesome, but just very inconvenient and we find it necessary to rest a car when we stay there so we don't spend so much time waiting on the busses! Wishing you good luck on getting your waitlist!

 

[Bamfield]

Pixie Dust

Very few things go my way but I guess persistence pay off. I have been trying to find an alternative to our Morimoto reservation. Everything I keep reading is telling me they keep raising prices and wasn't sure that I wanted to go that bad. So, I have been trying to book the 50's Prime Time instead. If you been following along, I didn't snatch up a 6:00pm reservation a couple of days ago. But I was thinking that if I kept looking in the mornings something would open up as folks were making last minute changes to their plans. So, I got really lucky. I moved my Teppon Edo to my Morimoto slot and then got a 50's PT for the TE slot. So, this is what our ADRs look like now:

Friday - Think we will go to Epcot for Yorkshire chips and Illuminations.
Sat. - Cinderella's Castle (Breakfast) Brunch - 50's Prime Time
Sun. - Open
Monday - Via Napoli
Tue - Hoop Dee Do
Wed. - France
Thurs - Mama Melrose
Fri. - Japan

I also made some progress on my To Do List:

1. Pedicure
2. Pick our MB colors - We are done changing our minds ~ just waiting for Disney.
3. Fast+ Passes - Done!
4. Weather Watch - Started - looks like it is just getting hotter as the month goes on
5. Order MB covers - Done!!!
6. Vacation clothes review - Started
7. New tennis shoes for crew - Done!!
8. Evaluation of current swimwear -Done!!
9. Sun Screen Evaluation - Done!
10. Change ADRs - Done! (However, I won't promise they won't change again.)
11. Finalize tentative schedule
12. Final Payment - Done!!
13. Toiletry Review for crew
14. Add CB to DB
15. Ensure everything clean before in bags
16. Stage days in travel bags (space bags)
17. Pack/Weigh Bag
18. Pack Carry Ons
19. Remember SW Drink Tickets (will need it by then)
20. Get to Disney to have fun and a Dole Whip Float!

My plans for this weekend don't allow for much Disney planning time and next weekend I leave on Sunday for a full week business trip. That is the start of my crazy travel schedule. In April, I am in next week but then only 2 days the rest of month. Then in May, I am only in the office a total of 5 days all the other days I am traveling on business.

So, thinking of positive thoughts I would provide some pictures from a great evening on the Isola in Italy:








Lisa

 

[ariane37]

I feel your pain- we own at AKL, but really like to stay on the Boardwalk for F&W time. When we did it 2 years ago for the middle October, we were waitlisted for about 2 weeks once our 7 month window opened and then got a 1 bedroom at BWV. This year we tried to get a 1BR at BWV the very second our 7 month window opened for the last week of September (low capacity time), and we are still waitlisted. When I check the DVC website for availability, the resort is completely booked for all studios and 1 BR for all but 1 day that week, and all out of 2BRs entirely, so we have little hope of anything opening and will just stay at AKL.Don't get me wrong, AKL is super awesome, but just very inconvenient and we find it necessary to rest a car when we stay there so we don't spend so much time waiting on the busses! Wishing you good luck on getting your waitlist!

I've seen so many posts about owners not being able to get what they'd like at 7 months out this year!
Being in an Epcot resort is really so convenient for F&W. It's also my DH's favorite area to stay in regardless of the time of year.....it took a lot for me to tear him away in Jan. and do a split at AKL/Poly. We absolutely loved AKL; as you said, it's awesome! But definitely inconvenient for F&W. We didn't mind the busses in Jan. at all but we also didn't have the kids with us and were only there 3 nights. We may feel differently if we ever stay there longer and with the whole family.
I hope your waitlist comes through!

 

[ariane37]

So glad you were able to move your ADR's around and get what you wanted, and it really looks like you're moving along on your "To Do" list

Very nice pictures of Illuminations, too BTW

 

[Bamfield]

Very nice pictures of Illuminations, too BTW

Thanks for the kudos. Typically, all my pictures are blurry. Which speaks to another question I am having....

Do I use my iPhone camera exclusively or do I take my camera? There are pluses and minuses to both. If I only take my iPhone then I could possibly skip the bag check but then I don't have some of the other extras I typically take: wipes for the tables, Kleenex, lip balm, sun screen (rain ponchos). But if I take my camera I have my extras because I take a bag, but sometimes I fog the lens going in and out of air conditioning and you have to cart it around and stash on rides.

We did get the MM, so I won't miss the big pictures but will I have enough memory or battery with the iPhone. Decisions, huh?

 

[ariane37]

Thanks for the kudos. Typically, all my pictures are blurry. Which speaks to another question I am having....

Do I use my iPhone camera exclusively or do I take my camera? There are pluses and minuses to both. If I only take my iPhone then I could possibly skip the bag check but then I don't have some of the other extras I typically take: wipes for the tables, Kleenex, lip balm, sun screen (rain ponchos). But if I take my camera I have my extras because I take a bag, but sometimes I fog the lens going in and out of air conditioning and you have to cart it around and stash on rides.

We did get the MM, so I won't miss the big pictures but will I have enough memory or battery with the iPhone. Decisions, huh?

Well, as far as using just your IPhone so you don't have to bring a bag, I can't speak to that because I'm one of those who always has to have my purse lol. However, on mine and DH's kid-free January trip I only used my IPhone for pictures. It was nice not lugging around our other camera and really, the pictures came out just as nice. Yes the battery drains ridiculously quickly, so I brought DS's portable charger which isn't big at all. Also on that trip we did end up going back to the room at some point most days, so even if it was for 30 minutes I just charged the phone up again. I think his charger was $29.99 but I know you can get them for a little less, also.
I do plan on just using my phone again in Nov. One less thing to pack!

 

[Bamfield]

It was nice not lugging around our other camera and really, the pictures came out just as nice. Yes the battery drains ridiculously quickly, so I brought DS's portable charger which isn't big at all. Also on that trip we did end up going back to the room at some point most days, so even if it was for 30 minutes I just charged the phone up again. I do plan on just using my phone again in Nov. One less thing to pack!

Well I appreciate you sharing your recent experience. I think I may bring the camera and see how it goes? I got some really good pictures with the MM and I do have one of those portable chargers which is pretty light for carrying but then gotta carry a cord. Maybe I will bribe somebody wearing cargo shorts to carry my extras

 

[Bamfield]

Is it May yet?

I sometime joke around at work before someone goes on vacation and ask if they have "vacationitis" yet? That is a condition where you just are ready to go and relax and forget about the day to day. Well, I am definitely feeling the beginning of it and it is waaay too early.

So, since my last update I did go ahead and do the Garden Grocer order even though we will be at CL. My DH typically likes an energy drink in the morning and there aren't a lot of options on property for those. He also has to take some medication so, I also got some bottled water since they don't hand it out in the club anymore. The Garden Grocer seems to have gotten OK reviews and they deliver to the Bell Stand so we will see how it goes....

I have also gone ahead and done my online check-in. So, I guess I just need to be patient for my Magic Bands and Trip Package. I have been checking out the weather (yes, its too early but I like to see the trends), so far we are looking good for weather.

Well, since not much is going on and we were talking cameras above, I thought I share some of my MM pictures:

Outside the Haunted Mansion:


On Buzz Lightyear (these guys are intense, we have a hot family competition on this and TSM:


Outside the Under the Sea:

 

[Bamfield]

Well, after I went on in the last post about my pre-Disney blues, guess what I got in the mail?



My travel documents from Disney. I do have to say that the updated "booklet" that they give you is better than the single sheets of paper that I have gotten in years past. Now the next big thing are the arrival of the MB and the luggage tags. I am interested in seeing what they have done with the luggage tags. I have heard that they are "personalized." I will let you know what I find out when they get here.

 

[ariane37]

Outside the Haunted Mansion:

I love this! I have to get this one when we go

 

[Bamfield]

I have to get this one when we go

I love Magic Shots! I think the ones with the ghosts and Olaf are just fun! The one right outside the haunted mansion was during the MNSSHP. That was a blast worth the extra money.

 

[Bamfield]

I need real life Pixie Dust

Is it only Tuesday? Interjecting real life to just confirm the title of my PTR. I normally do not take 6 day business trips (you road warriors that go out every week and overseas bless you), I am an in again out again Flannigin, 3 days most trips. My DH is wonderful and holds the fort together not clean and tidy but no one starves or goes to school nekid.

My trip started out by my corporate card being declined when buying a bottle of water at the airport on my way to destination. Yes, everyone was excellent and got new card today. I have gotten the opportunity to sit in two very long meetings so far and then when going back to hotel tonight was being economical and took public transportation. It is usually very good. However the line I needed to transfer (just two stops) was running really behind. It took about a 1/2 hour and was jammed. I did wait for next train, good move not sardine like. Then get to transfer line and two different trains run there. On the other line train packed to gills and door would not shut on one car. Never seen this here before. They unloaded the whole train. Squeezed everyone back on platform. Plus one guy wouldn't get off and authorities had to come big mess. That train left empty.

Now, the can't change order of trains and other color was up next (mine), we had to get through all those others to board. Glad ours wasn't full. But did get back safe and that is all that counts.

But sure could use that vacation and Dole Whip. 4 more trips to go!

 

[ariane37]

Man I give you so much credit for all that travelling you have to do for work! I go crazy if I'm out of the house running around for like 3 days in a row between errands/PTA stuff and get behind with laundry, vacuuming, etc. But I'll bet when you go away for work it makes the countdown to Disney actually go quicker!