I started my TR ~ A Wish Come True ~ August/September 2009 Pre-Trip Report

[brandand]

I love reading a PTR from a newbie to the Most Magical Place on Earth!!! I hope that you love it as much as we do.

Fortunately we live in Ga. and we drive just under 8 hours. It's not real close but it's easy enough to do in a day. We use the Florida line as our half way point. I don't think it is exactly half way but pretty close. I don't mind the drive because it is ALL interstate for us. I'll be making that 8 hour trip in 8 days. I'll keep reading your report. Sounds great so far!!!

Have fun planning.

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Brandand!! How fun...a week to go!!!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Hello Everyone!
Just a quick update...promise to post more later. I just wanted to let you all know that after spending some time on the budget boards, I decided to sell some of my scrap gold! Always could use more money for Disney! I sent it off to USGB today and Fedex said that it should be there tomorrow afternoon!! I will wait for the call to see how much it was worth...a couple of hundred will do me just fine...enough to get the boys clothes for vacation.

 

[mousescrapper]

Hello Everyone!
Just a quick update...promise to post more later. I just wanted to let you all know that after spending some time on the budget boards, I decided to sell some of my scrap gold! Always could use more money for Disney! I sent it off to USGB today and Fedex said that it should be there tomorrow afternoon!! I will wait for the call to see how much it was worth...a couple of hundred will do me just fine...enough to get the boys clothes for vacation.

thant will be great if it pans out for you.....


(sorry for the bad pun )

 

[KathyRN137]

that will be great if it pans out for you.....

That joke was as bad as one of mine!

Kathy

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Yes ladies I am hoping for the best...I sold some broken necklaces and single earrings.

 

[Goofy22]

Yes ladies I am hoping for the best...I sold some broken necklaces and single earrings.

I did this a few months back with old broken necklaces and rings and charms! I got near $400!!! I was excited! Hopefully you have as much luck!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

So what did I buy this week?!?!
Well I spent a couple of days in a couple of the $1 Stores in my area to see what I could find…I was looking for some of the common stuff that I read about here on the DIS. The one things I am having problems finding at the $1 store is the over the door shoe organizer . I’ve been to three with no luck. My next stop is Family Dollar to see if they have them.
Well I did have some luck with my purchases…First up: Pool FUN!!! I got some Nemo Floatees, Nemo beach ball and Nemo goggles for DS5 and some Mickey goggles for DS10. There’s also some stuff for the car and HSM pencil cases (I actually got these from Michaels).

[/IMG]
I orders some lanyards and pouches from EBAY…I think they were like $4/piece.

I stopped at Home Depot to get my LGMH and I decided to get some stuff to decorate our window!! Can Someone please tell me how to make window clings with the designs I get from the DISign boards?

They had some glow sticks at Michael’s for $1, so I picked some up while I was there. I am going to get more from the $1 store…I saw that they had the swords and I want to get some of those.

Today I stopped in the $1 and they had tshirts!!! JACKPOT!!! These will be PERFECT to use for my DISigns that I have to make!!! I am going to get more…If I can get them for $1 I am going to make them 6-7 shirts a piece! I also picked one up for myself…they are Hane’s too…

I also got a couple of fans for the kids…I am going to get like 4 more. That way if they break them I am have some spares.

I started to make up my Mousekeeping envelopes, along with my tipping envelopes for our TS meals. I am going to start adding $15 to the envelopes for the restaurants and $5 for Mousekeeping…that way we won’t have to worry about it when we get there.

I printed out some DISigns for out pressed penny more…however they are a little longer that the tubes that we have.

Okay…It’s late and I have to be to work at 8 …planning to workout in the morning. We’ll see!!!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Sorry the pictures are so BIG...should have resized them!!

 

[Goofy22]

You purchased some neat items! Those t-shirts were a steal!!! I wish our dollar store had them!!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

I did this a few months back with old broken necklaces and rings and charms! I got near $400!!! I was excited! Hopefully you have as much luck!

I would be THRILLED if I received $400...that would be PERFECT!! The wait is on, my stuff should be delivered by 3pm. Hopefully they will call me today!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

You purchased some neat items! Those t-shirts were a steal!!! I wish our dollar store had them!!

One day I am going to learn how to multitquote a message! Yes they were a steal...I am going back to get more. I need to get 2 for me and DS5 and 3 for DS10. That will make 5 shirts for the boys and 3 for me.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hello All!
Sorry I have been MIA for a few days!! We took a quick trip to Rochester to take the boys to my mom for a few weeks for summer vaca!!! We also had a wedding reception to going to on Saturday....it was a beach theme and it rained the WHOLE weekend!!!!! That's Rochester weather for you. Hopefully I will have an update later tonight...I have a 15 page paper due for school by TOMORROW?!?!?! I promise to update by the end of the week though!!

How did I miss this about a trip to Rochester?? I live in Rochester and you're not kidding about the weather. It's been awful. Where exactly were you when you were here? Are your boys till with your mom??

So we were trying to figure out what would be the best way for us to travel…

When I first starting talking about going to Disney, I was looking at airfare (I knew my Husband was not going to think about driving)…I have to tell you I found some REALLY good deals out there. At one point Airtran was offering r/t for the 4 of us for $589!!! Unfortunately we were not in the position to book then so we had to pass!?!? I was bummed…to get to the Magic in 2 hours would be GREAT!!

Well as we started discussing more and factoring in the cost of a rental car (believe me my husband needs a rental car) along with airfare prices now…it was looking to be like $1000 . That was a little bit more than we wanted to spend.

We then started talking about driving . Well from VA, it is a 13 hr driving and my Husband DOES NOT believe in stopping midway to go to sleep . So if we drive, it will be straight through!! That can be scary, but what we can do is split the drive. He drive for 6.5 hrs and me 6.5 hrs. Well I HATE to drive…Jeff always picks on me and say “what do you think you have a chauffer?”…well “YEAH, duh!” But I am willing to help with the driving…I mean he did agree to go to Disney…it the least I could do.

Another plus about driving for us, is that we pack A LOT…even when we only go away for the weekend!! So we need to take that car so that we can travel with EVERYTHING that we need. This will give me the opportunity to grocery shop before we leave and not have to worry about that when we get to Orlando.

I have to say I am excited about the car ride…We will have PLENTY of things packed to keep the children entertained…I think that we will be able to just enjoy the time together in the car!!

So I guess you can see driving it is!!


Thanks for reading!

Wow...you are braver than I ever would be! I'd love to do a road trip type vacation at some point with stops all along the way to see the sights. But...with Disney as our destination, I think we'll stick to flying. My Jeff really hates long drives..the 6 hour one this weekend was about all he can take. And honestly, it's not the boys...they are good travelers. He hates the traffic, the idle time, etc.

I hope your trip is amazing, though! I'm glad the decision is made!


As for your purchases and lists...you look like you are doing a fantastic job! I did find my over-the-door shoe holder at Family Dollar. It also came with an under the bed storage bag and I think I paid about $3. I hope you find one...they really come in handy!

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

How did I miss this about a trip to Rochester?? I live in Rochester and you're not kidding about the weather. It's been awful. Where exactly were you when you were here? Are your boys till with your mom??



Wow...you are braver than I ever would be! I'd love to do a road trip type vacation at some point with stops all along the way to see the sights. But...with Disney as our destination, I think we'll stick to flying. My Jeff really hates long drives..the 6 hour one this weekend was about all he can take. And honestly, it's not the boys...they are good travelers. He hates the traffic, the idle time, etc.

I hope your trip is amazing, though! I'm glad the decision is made!


As for your purchases and lists...you look like you are doing a fantastic job! I did find my over-the-door shoe holder at Family Dollar. It also came with an under the bed storage bag and I think I paid about $3. I hope you find one...they really come in handy!

Can't wait to hear more about your plans!

Yes they are still in Rochester...They will be there until the end of the month. My mother lives in the city right behind Franklin HS. Of course it rained the weekend we were there and the sun was shining bright the day we left!! Go Figure!!

Our drive is much shorter than your's would be coming from Rochester! I am going to check out the Family Dollar this week!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

They offered me $501 for my scrap gold!!!!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Okay so now that I am going to receive some hefty cash for my "junk" gold , sorry I needed to dance a little, I can use that to pay off the rest of my trip! This frees up that extra cash next week to make some purchases for Disney. Next week's focus is going to be my park bag and some clothing for the boys. Summer clothing is starting to go on clearance so it's the perfect time to buy.

As for my park bag...of course I am going to have to go with the baggallini!! I heard such great things about it and I think it will be perfect for my trip. I believe I saw it on shoebuy.com for $38 w/free shipping!! Here is the one I want to get:

I was looking for a neutral color, because I am not sure what my attire will be like for the week. I thought no matter what either khaki or pewter would work just fine. Don't really want to do black!

I am also going to purchase the transfer paper so that I can start to make the boys shirts for the week. I am thinnking either 10 - 14 total. What's the best transfer paper to use??

Another item on my list to get is this:

I think that the price is like $239 or $279 at Target. I am going to check Costco and Sam's Club to see if I find one cheaper!! Being that we are taking a 13 hr ride...this is a necessary item. I wanted to be sure that it's one that plays two seperate DVD's for the boys. I am planning to make a SURPRISE slide show DVD for them to let then know that we are going to Disney. I want them to watch it while we are in the car!!!

I already posted the Crocs, so I won't post again. But those are on my list to get as well...

Oh yeah and this is a NECESSARY item:

I am in desperate need of a new camera...this looks like a really good one and it seems to get really good reviews. My old camera still works, however I want something better for Disney. I am going to give my other camera to my DS10.

So I have a LOT of money I need to spend!!

 

[mousescrapper]

That joke was as bad as one of mine!

Kathy

Yes ladies I am hoping for the best...I sold some broken necklaces and single earrings.

glad you both appreciate my bad humor

One day I am going to learn how to multitquote a message!

the 3 little icons to the left of each message/post box...the one in the middle w/ the " quotes mark and a + sign, you click on each message you want copied into your post, the icon box turns red. don't want to qoute it after all...just click on it again. hope that helps!

They offered me $501 for my scrap gold!!!!

OMG!!! Wow that is alot, good for you! Makes me want to see if I have anything around...

All your Disney loot for the dollar stores is awesome! I have that little sodoku book to for my son, he keeps it in his "traveling bag" w/ a highlighter, so if we are out or just driving around he has something to do.

Love all the shirts what a steal!

to your question about making window clings...I have never done it myself but mrsksomeday says you can buy the windowcling paper at an offic store, I'm going to try that idea one of these days too!

and very smart to put your tip and mousekeeping $ in envelopes ahead of time, I do the same too that way it done and you don't have to worry about being short.

I just love this stage of the planning, buying stuff crossing off your lists...so FUN!

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Yes I was quite surprised with the offer on the gold...it was all junk! Now I am kicking myself for all the stuff I threw away!!

I will have to check out Micheal's to see about the window clings. I am going to the $1 store again this weekend to see if I can find more shirts!

Planning is SOO fun...

 

[nu2wdisneyw]

Well I had to go to the dentist today and have a tooth extracted!!! OUCH!!! I am in a little pain and afraid to take the vicodin because I don't like how they make me feel!! I just have to take it easy, that's all!!

On a brighter note...I ordered my park bag tonight!! I went with the pewter baggallini pictured above and it was only $24.70 on bagbuy.com with a coupon!!! I received that little tip from TarzansKat's PTR!! Thanks TK!!

Well I think I am going to bed now...I hope that my check from USGB will be in the mail tomorrow, so I can pay my trip off this weekend.

Oh yeah and about the weekend...it is a VERY special one for DH and I...our anniversary is on Sat and my b-day is Sun!! We were planning to spend the weekend in DC, however we are not going to stay overnight (need to save the money because we both want a new TV), but we will go to a lounge on Friday night and then drive back and spend the day in DC on Saturday! Hopefully the weather will stay as beautiful as it has been!!

 

[KathyRN137]

Well I had to go to the dentist today and have a tooth extracted!!! OUCH!!!

Trying to get even more scrap gold??

Just kidding!

I think you'll love the baggalini messenger bag... I've used one for the past two, no, three trips to Disney and it was great! The only reason I'm getting a different bag is because my pin lanyard kept getting in the way of the cross-body strap! It's the perfect size and has lots of great organizational features.

And I'd like to wish you both a Happy Anniversary and you a Happy Birthday in advance!!



Kathy

ETA: Nobody got my gold "mine" joke!! I guess it was way too bad....
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