If I say it out loud, will my wish come true.. PTR May 2011(Link to TR pg41)

[crostorfer]

Hi Diane, just checking in.

We got all of our vacation clothes over the weekend. I had a Gymboree coupon and they had a sale on top of that, so I got Kassidy all covered! And, sadly, it's already packed in her suitcase, lol! I know it's way early, but you can't really wear shorts up here until late June anyway, (if that), so if I leave them out in her room she'll just either stain them or lose them. This way, I'm already packed AND I know where everything is, LOL.

I bought a new swimsuit for me too. I needed something with more coverage for the SAB slide. I can't fit into a one piece because I have a freakishly long torso but I found a great tankini that will hopefully stay in place.

 

[bouncycat]

I need a new bathing suit too, I've been shrinking, and mine is now too big LOL Been looking for one, but I want to shrink a little more, don't want to get one too small just in case I don't lose more weight, the one I have now is cute, but it's a 12. And DH will need some shorts, I got Tyler covered. That boy has more clothes than most girls I know!!! But, it's fun getting new clothes for vacation and stuff. Love shopping period!! LOL I hope everyone had an awesome long weekend, weather here has been PERFECT!!!!!!

 

[pinkxray]

Hi Diane, just checking in.

We got all of our vacation clothes over the weekend. I had a Gymboree coupon and they had a sale on top of that, so I got Kassidy all covered! And, sadly, it's already packed in her suitcase, lol! I know it's way early, but you can't really wear shorts up here until late June anyway, (if that), so if I leave them out in her room she'll just either stain them or lose them. This way, I'm already packed AND I know where everything is, LOL.

I bought a new swimsuit for me too. I needed something with more coverage for the SAB slide. I can't fit into a one piece because I have a freakishly long torso but I found a great tankini that will hopefully stay in place.

Congrats on finishing your clothes shopping! I can't believe you already have the suitcase packed. It is a good idea though. We won't really need shorts and tanks until after our trip so maybe once I do some shopping I'll load up the suitcases. Although I do need to buy new suitcases first.

Ugh, bathing suit shopping. Don't remind me. I've given up on bathing suits. I can never find anything with enough chest support except an underwire bikini top, and the rest of my body doesn't work in a bikini. Last year I worn an underwire bikini top with a rash guard over it and a skirt bottom. I'll probably do that again this year. It was nice having the rash guard since I always get sunburn too.

I need a new bathing suit too, I've been shrinking, and mine is now too big LOL Been looking for one, but I want to shrink a little more, don't want to get one too small just in case I don't lose more weight, the one I have now is cute, but it's a 12. And DH will need some shorts, I got Tyler covered. That boy has more clothes than most girls I know!!! But, it's fun getting new clothes for vacation and stuff. Love shopping period!! LOL I hope everyone had an awesome long weekend, weather here has been PERFECT!!!!!!

Must be nice to need a new bathing suit b/c you are shrinking! You don't hear that much. I'll probably start my clothes shopping next month. I feel so far behind. Everyone else is getting their shopping done now.

Glad you had nice weather. We got maybe 2 inches of snow Monday. I can't wait for Spring. It's coming, I can feel it.

 

[bouncycat]

OH this whole shrinking thing has been a VERY long and VERY painful road, but it's been worth it. I started a size 14/16, and now am a 8/10. I'm hoping to be a solid 8 by our trip, or heck, even a 6. The less weight I lose, the better my body feels, even tho it hurts LOL Good luck with shopping, I'm not done, but close! After shopping is done I start putting $ on these gift cards and such for everyone!! A planner's job is never done!!!

 

[crostorfer]

76 Days, 12 hours, 14 minutes and counting...

I am having a mini existential crisis here. I was at work yesterday and had a ton of cancellations due to weather, so I had a lot of time to think. I really crunched some numbers and realized that I am in a little over my head here, I CAN pay the balance off by the time it is due, but it really leaves me in a hole. So, something has to give here. Either I downgrade resorts, or I ditch the dining plan. I don't know what to do. I've pro/conned both options and I don't know what is better to do. With Aaron going too, the resort could really make or break our experience here, and the short distances to Epcot, DHS, and the proximity to the Boardwalk may just make the vacation tolerable for him. However, the cost of meals and snacks may make his eyes bulge out of his head and his face turn blue. Its a lot easier to eat at some of these places when you know all you have to do is give them your Key to the World and pay for your beer only. Idk, I need help, what should I do?

 

[AKL LOVER]

76 Days, 12 hours, 14 minutes and counting...

I am having a mini existential crisis here. I was at work yesterday and had a ton of cancellations due to weather, so I had a lot of time to think. I really crunched some numbers and realized that I am in a little over my head here, I CAN pay the balance off by the time it is due, but it really leaves me in a hole. So, something has to give here. Either I downgrade resorts, or I ditch the dining plan. I don't know what to do. I've pro/conned both options and I don't know what is better to do. With Aaron going too, the resort could really make or break our experience here, and the short distances to Epcot, DHS, and the proximity to the Boardwalk may just make the vacation tolerable for him. However, the cost of meals and snacks may make his eyes bulge out of his head and his face turn blue. Its a lot easier to eat at some of these places when you know all you have to do is give them your Key to the World and pay for your beer only. Idk, I need help, what should I do?

Can't you add the dining plan as late as 48 hrs before your arrival day? That means, you could take the dining package off for now and then pay off the balance of your trip (at 45 days out). Then you still have 40ish days to save up enough money to add the dining plan back on before you actually leave. If you add it on to your package and you are within your 45 day window, you just have to pay the balance of the DP cost when you book it. Not sure if you could swing this or not, but it's just an idea. And if it turns out that you can't save all the $$ you need to add the cost of the DP back on, at least you'll have some $$ saved up to cover the cost of food OOP.

 

[pinkxray]

OH this whole shrinking thing has been a VERY long and VERY painful road, but it's been worth it. I started a size 14/16, and now am a 8/10. I'm hoping to be a solid 8 by our trip, or heck, even a 6. The less weight I lose, the better my body feels, even tho it hurts LOL Good luck with shopping, I'm not done, but close! After shopping is done I start putting $ on these gift cards and such for everyone!! A planner's job is never done!!!

Great job!


Ugh... you are making me look bad. Weight loss and disney planning. I've had such a bad week I can't even think of going on a diet right now. I can't wait until this month is finally over.

 

[pinkxray]

76 Days, 12 hours, 14 minutes and counting...

I am having a mini existential crisis here. I was at work yesterday and had a ton of cancellations due to weather, so I had a lot of time to think. I really crunched some numbers and realized that I am in a little over my head here, I CAN pay the balance off by the time it is due, but it really leaves me in a hole. So, something has to give here. Either I downgrade resorts, or I ditch the dining plan. I don't know what to do. I've pro/conned both options and I don't know what is better to do. With Aaron going too, the resort could really make or break our experience here, and the short distances to Epcot, DHS, and the proximity to the Boardwalk may just make the vacation tolerable for him. However, the cost of meals and snacks may make his eyes bulge out of his head and his face turn blue. Its a lot easier to eat at some of these places when you know all you have to do is give them your Key to the World and pay for your beer only. Idk, I need help, what should I do?

I feel your pain. I had such a BAD night at work last night and I am so mad about it I don't even want to pick up extra shifts for money for Disney. I just want to add the qsdp and be done with it. I'll tell you want happened tomorrow when I have some time and once I calm down about the whole thing. If I say it now some swears might slip out on this family board.


I read AKL lovers response and she is right. Maybe you could add the dining plan on later if you decide you want to spend the money.


As for switching resorts Tough call. BC looks great and you can walk to EPCOT. Then again CSR and POFQ might be good options with the queen size beds. How is Aaron when it comes to resorts? Would he mind a moderate? I know that when John came how after being overseas as long as the shower had hot water he wouln't have cared where we stayed.

Also, how does he like to eat? Is he happier doing a TS meal or will he be happy with qs. If he doesn't care about the TS I might just skip the dining plan. DH and DD don't care about TS meals and I am wondering why I want to do them so bad.

I was thinking of dropping the ddp and just paying OOP for a few TS then I remember meals like Ohana. Stupid Ohana making me want the ddp. Why can't I just let Ohana go. Yummy bread pudding gets me every time.

Hmmm. I guess I have been no help. I have my own Disney vacation planning issues. I need a vacation from this vacation planning.

Let me know when you decide. Good luck!

 

[crostorfer]

Now I am dying to hear about your night at work!!! I'm so sorry it sucked so bad!

I thought it over and I'm dumping the dining plan. It saves me $626 bucks. I went through my reservations and decided what was expendable and what isn't. Akershus will be sacrificed, and so will La Hacienda, Cape May, and alas, probably even Ohana because Aaron won't care for it anyway. *SIGH*. That leaves me with my must do's of Tusker House, Via Napoli, and Le Cellier lunch. I am also keeping my 1900 Park Fare for no other reason than it's the best place to meet Alice and Kass missed her autograph last time. And of course the Dessert Party that is paid for OOP anyway.

If it was just me and Kassidy going I would downgrade to the CBR and keep the dining plan, but with the picky hard to please hubby coming along, staying in the resort with the larger room and the extremely close proximity to the beers of the world and the ESPN Club will be essential. He's a really basic eater, so CS will be fine with him. I will miss Ohana, but hey, it gives me an excuse to go back again sometime soon.

 

[pinkxray]

Now I am dying to hear about your night at work!!! I'm so sorry it sucked so bad!

I thought it over and I'm dumping the dining plan. It saves me $626 bucks. I went through my reservations and decided what was expendable and what isn't. Akershus will be sacrificed, and so will La Hacienda, Cape May, and alas, probably even Ohana because Aaron won't care for it anyway. *SIGH*. That leaves me with my must do's of Tusker House, Via Napoli, and Le Cellier lunch. I am also keeping my 1900 Park Fare for no other reason than it's the best place to meet Alice and Kass missed her autograph last time. And of course the Dessert Party that is paid for OOP anyway.

If it was just me and Kassidy going I would downgrade to the CBR and keep the dining plan, but with the picky hard to please hubby coming along, staying in the resort with the larger room and the extremely close proximity to the beers of the world and the ESPN Club will be essential. He's a really basic eater, so CS will be fine with him. I will miss Ohana, but hey, it gives me an excuse to go back again sometime soon.

Sounds like a good plan. I am bummed to skip Ohana but I figure next time I am staying at the Poly and can eat there twice (I can dream right?) I am going to add the dxdp to 2 nights at the end of the trip but I am thinking the other days will be mostly cs with a few ts breakfast. I just don't want to be tied down to dinner adrs.



Ugh. Work. I decided to be nice and took a midnight- 8am shift this weekend for a coworker. I signed up for the 26, but the way the dates work totally confuse me on overnights so I went by my bosses schedule which said I was working 12-8 Fri. When I left Tues. the other guy working Fri said "I'll see you Fri" Since DH has to work super early this weekend Caitlin went to sleep at Grandma's. I get to work at midnight and see my coworker who says "What are you doing here?"

Apparently, the girl I was working for needed Sat off, not Fri. She told my boss on Thurs. My boss changed my name on the schedule but no one thought to tell me that I was now on Sat. not Fri.

I had to call my boss at home Sat. and explain that I can't really work another night. She didn't really get the inconvience of it all. Couldn't I just have Caitlin sleep over grandma's again? Ugh,no. I was pretty pissed about the whole situation and the way she had this non chalant attitude as though waking up and driving to another town in the middle of the night was no big deal. Then, I agreed to work 12-5 but it ended up getting covered.

It just really annoys me that she changes my schedule and doesn't think maybe to give me a call. And then to just assume that I can show up at midnight on Sat.

Right now I have a weekend in March I already signed up for 12-8, but from now on I am not working that shift anymore. I'm done.

 

[pinkxray]

Whoo-hoo, it’s finally March! I am just thrilled that Feb. is over. It’s starting to warm up and most of the snow is melting.


We finally got our taxes done and while I am bummed none of it is going to our Disney trip, it will be put to good use. After living in our house for 4 years we are finally getting new siding! For some reason the people who lived here before thought it would be a good idea to have regular siding on 3 sides of the house and the shingle look on the front of the house. Finally, our siding will be the same on all sides. They weren’t supposed to come until tomorrow but they showed up bright and early this morning. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.



I think that I finally have all my ADR’s and the park days figured out. It’s about time!


I also bought our Disneyworld tickets yesterday! 7 day park hoppers
I was going to wait a bit but I really need to get on the ball here. May will be here soon!

I also ordered a new set of luggage. I’ll post pictures when it comes. Of course Caitlin insists she needs a new suitcase. I am thinking of letting her use the new pink one I got and just using my old one. I really just needed 2, doesn’t matter who is rolling it on the plane.



Day 1 Arrival Day
We should arrive at VWL around 12:30pm.

I'm not going to have a set plan since it will depend on if our room is ready or not. I am hoping it will be and going to plan as though it will be.

Since it will be lunch time we will most likely head to Roaring Forks and pick up some lunch. I am going to purchase the refillable mugs again this trip. I know it is pathetic but I saw the pictures of the new mugs and I am so happy they have a new design with a pink handle. Of course, Caitlin wants the pink one too. She says she will bring a marker and write her name on hers and Mom on mine. Always thinking, that girl

After lunch we will head back to our room, put on our swimsuits and head to the main pool.

After a few hours of swimming and relaxing it will be time to head to EPCOT. This will be the last weekend of the Flower and Garden Festival and I really want to check it out. I don't really have anything in mind for EPCOT that day. We will probably have a counter service dinner somewhere in WS. John and Cailtin will probably vote for somewhere boring like the USA place. I really want to try the fish and chips or Lotus Blossum. Any other recommendations?

We will most likely head back to the room early so we can get in a good night sleep to get ready for our first full Disney day!

 

[bouncycat]

Sounds like a plan to me!! I'm glad February is over with too. Makes the trip seem that much closer!! LOL Another 30 days we can start saying NEXT MONTH!!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Hey... so sorry about the frustration at work. That's tough.

I won't be sharing this in my TR for awhile, but here are my new thoughts on the Dining Plan, and Disney dining, in general...particularly with children. The DxDP worked well for our anniversary trip mainly because we usually did a breakfast or lunch (not both) and then a signature at night. I know we came out ahead moneywise and we used up all of our dining credits.

Fast forward to this trip. I thought I had it all figured out. Yeah...um...no. Here's the reality: I cancelled California Grill and a couple other ADRs because Max just wasn't feeling a long TS dinner. I somewhat regret not pushing on the Cali Grill, especially since we had a truly awful meal at Maya Grill in its place. I cancelled Biergarten the first night we were supposed to go and we were able to walk in a couple of days later.

I thought that the character interaction at the Garden Grill was great for Max; he loves Chip and Dale. That said, the food was really not very good and the meal itself felt very rushed and a little chaotic. Don't think I'll be doing that again.

Our breakfasts at Crystal Palace, Beach Club, and Tusker House, in particular, were great. Max had a great time and the Beach Club and Tusker had really great food. I thought Crystal Palace was OK. Worth it for the characters and getting into the park ahead of everyone else.

We loved 'Ohana. It was fun and the food was good. Max loved it.

But, in the end, when we go back (and we will go back! ) I think we will forgo the Dining Plan completely. It would be great to spend more time doing what we (ok Max) want to do and not be tied down to a million ADRs. Because we only did one signature (Jiko..it was very good), we left several credits on the table. So right there, you know we lost money. Prior to this trip, I didn't realize what great CS options there are, or that you can make a meal out of the snack options in the parks. And bottom line: a lot of the food just wasn't worth it to justify the cost and time involved.

Sorry I went on and on and on with this, but it is one of the major lessons learned on this trip!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Maybe we will see you at Epcot!

 

[ksl5f123]

for getting your tickets ordered.

Spring is just around the corner now. It was warm and sunny here today, so we spent most of the afternoon outside. Unfortunately, with all of the rain we have had recently, we all came in covered in mud.

Your first day sounds nice. Counter service in WS? Hmmm. The only one I have eaten at is Sommerfest in Germany. It was good. Just basic sausages. Dessert in France is good. I have heard good things about the food in Morocco, but I don't think your family would go for it.

 

[crostorfer]

HOORAY FOR MARCH

73 Days left! I just realized my room package payment is due on the 28th and panicked, LOL!

We will be arriving about 5 hours after you. We aren't doing a park that first night, we will just be tooling around the Boardwalk. We are checking out the last day of Flower and Garden first thing Sunday morning!

 

[pinkxray]

Sounds like a plan to me!! I'm glad February is over with too. Makes the trip seem that much closer!! LOL Another 30 days we can start saying NEXT MONTH!!!!

I can't wait until we can say next month

 

[pinkxray]

Hey... so sorry about the frustration at work. That's tough.

I won't be sharing this in my TR for awhile, but here are my new thoughts on the Dining Plan, and Disney dining, in general...particularly with children. The DxDP worked well for our anniversary trip mainly because we usually did a breakfast or lunch (not both) and then a signature at night. I know we came out ahead moneywise and we used up all of our dining credits.

Fast forward to this trip. I thought I had it all figured out. Yeah...um...no. Here's the reality: I cancelled California Grill and a couple other ADRs because Max just wasn't feeling a long TS dinner. I somewhat regret not pushing on the Cali Grill, especially since we had a truly awful meal at Maya Grill in its place. I cancelled Biergarten the first night we were supposed to go and we were able to walk in a couple of days later.

I thought that the character interaction at the Garden Grill was great for Max; he loves Chip and Dale. That said, the food was really not very good and the meal itself felt very rushed and a little chaotic. Don't think I'll be doing that again.

Our breakfasts at Crystal Palace, Beach Club, and Tusker House, in particular, were great. Max had a great time and the Beach Club and Tusker had really great food. I thought Crystal Palace was OK. Worth it for the characters and getting into the park ahead of everyone else.

We loved 'Ohana. It was fun and the food was good. Max loved it.

But, in the end, when we go back (and we will go back! ) I think we will forgo the Dining Plan completely. It would be great to spend more time doing what we (ok Max) want to do and not be tied down to a million ADRs. Because we only did one signature (Jiko..it was very good), we left several credits on the table. So right there, you know we lost money. Prior to this trip, I didn't realize what great CS options there are, or that you can make a meal out of the snack options in the parks. And bottom line: a lot of the food just wasn't worth it to justify the cost and time involved.

Sorry I went on and on and on with this, but it is one of the major lessons learned on this trip!

Thanks for the great thoughts on the dining plan. Everything that you wrote is exactly what was going through my mind when I thought about my plans. Just too much time and always being in a certain places. We are going to 2 nights of the dxdp spend over our last 3 days at the BCV so we will have 2 meals each day. The rest of the trip will be TS breakfast, counter service for lunch and dinner and I think 2 TS lunches somewhere in there. We will have 2 TS dinners the whole trip which leaves our nights free. I feel much better with that than having to be in a certain place at a certain time.

I ended up dropping Garden Grill. The food really doesn't look very good and Caitlin just doesn't like Chip and Dale enough for us to bother. It looks cute but I wish the menu was a bit better.

You missed California Grill! I can't believe it

 

[pinkxray]

Maybe we will see you at Epcot!

I am sure I will be able to recognize your brothers in a crowd.

for getting your tickets ordered.

Spring is just around the corner now. It was warm and sunny here today, so we spent most of the afternoon outside. Unfortunately, with all of the rain we have had recently, we all came in covered in mud.

Your first day sounds nice. Counter service in WS? Hmmm. The only one I have eaten at is Sommerfest in Germany. It was good. Just basic sausages. Dessert in France is good. I have heard good things about the food in Morocco, but I don't think your family would go for it.

I can't wait for spring. I can feel it in the air.

I hear good things about Morocco, but there is no way my family would eat there. How did you know? I am the most adventurous and even I don't really want to try it. I don't like how everything is slopped together on the plate. I don't really like when a bunch of foods our shoved together and get mixed in. Ew.

mmmmm... Dessert in France. I will have to make a stop there. Oh and the caramel shop in Germany. I almost forgot

HOORAY FOR MARCH

73 Days left! I just realized my room package payment is due on the 28th and panicked, LOL!

We will be arriving about 5 hours after you. We aren't doing a park that first night, we will just be tooling around the Boardwalk. We are checking out the last day of Flower and Garden first thing Sunday morning!

Wow, so the 28th will be down to 45 days It really stinks March is 31 days. It is going to take forever!

I wasn't going to hit the parks the first day either, but I don't want to go to EPCOT on Sunday and we'll miss the Flower and Garden if we don't check it out Sat.

Are you getting excited? I am getting very annoyed waiting to tell Caitlin. I just want to say 72 more days till Disney. I don't know if I can wait for Easter. I need someone to share in my excitement around here. Maybe I should just her. I would love to be able to put up a countdown chain.

 

[bouncycat]

OMG the caramel shop in Germany is AWESOME!!!! We stopped by there the last time we were at Epcot, and I got a vanilla caramel fudge square, and chocolate caramel strawberry, and WHOA!!! They were BOTH awesome!!! All the goodies in there look good, I think I'm gonna spend ALL my snack credits in there on our Epcot day!! LOL