Is 304 Days Too Soon to Start Planning??? (with chapter links!!!)

[tyandskyesmom]

Which translates to 881 hours 18 minutes until we head to the airport...cause let's face it, that's when vacation really begins!!!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

...and the countdown continues...





It gets better, believe me...but we ran out of time...

 

[PirateKate]

Cool countdown calendar! I don't know if I've seen as many designed like that. Not much longer now!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

WOW...what a weekend! But we are that much closer...

Skye had a dance convention this weekend...she danced for 17 hours over the three days (Friday - Sunday)...and loved every minute of it!!!

Ty and I sat around waiting for her most of the time...we played Uno, read, played on the computer and PSP, shopped a little at a mall (the hotel was about 28 miles from us) that we had never been to before (lots of good summer sales going on!), and had a couple of nice mom-son meals out...while Skye was working...

We have been going like crazy so we are behind on getting up countdown pictures...I'll catch up tonight!

33 MORE DAYS!!!!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Cool countdown calendar! I don't know if I've seen as many designed like that. Not much longer now!

Thanx! But that is just our "we-didn't-work-hard-enough-to-get-the-real-countdown-calendar-done-in-enough-time" countdown calendar...it gets much better in a few more days!!!

Can't wait to show you guys!

And I am loving your TR, by the way!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So catching up with the countdown...

36...




35...




34...




33...




So, at lunch today I was reading through some posts on the countdown boards where people going around the time we are have said they are starting to get their Mickey Mail...we hadn't.

So, I get home and check the mail with high hopes for our Mickey Mail. When I pull it out the pile is really small and the bulk of it is sales adds and such. There's two skinny envelopes, nothing thick enough to be what I wanted...neither were from Mickey. So, I was disappointed. I started going through the mail and wrapped inside one of the ads was



Woo hoo...so the fight between the kids about who was going to open it ensued...so I opened it. And guess what???

IT WAS WRONG!!!!!!​

Way to burst my bubble!

What we received was four tags, one for each of us to arrive on August 19th and go to Caribbean Beach. And it has our return pick up from Caribbean Beach on August 28. Well, only Lou is arriving on the 19th and going to Caribbean Beach...the kids and I arrive on August 13 and will be going to All-Star Movies first. And we will all be picked up to back to the airport on August 29th from Yacht Club.

So you can see why I was disappointed right?

We got it...but it's not right.

I e-mailed my on-line travel agent and she said I should still get the correct ones for me and the kids for our arrival...and Lou can use as many of the tags as he needs (which could only possibly be 2 but we are hoping all he will need is a carry-on if we can pack right). And she said the return date is easy to fix.

So now I am waiting on the rest of them and I'll feel better. Of all the times we have used Magical Express we have never had a problem and I don't want to start now. I also don't want to have to have the three of us have to hike it to baggage claim to get our luggage and bring it to Magical Express with us. I don't know how much we will have but I am betting at least three checked pieces (on Southwest we are each allowed 2), our carry-ons, and the stroller.

So maybe tomorrow we'll get the other Magical Express info and hopefully it will be correct.

But with 33 days left, It has to all come to a close soon.

And today Lou got the stroller out of teh garage where it was wrapped in a plactic bag and duct tape. It is in perfect condition and not dirty at all...but, and this is my second disappointment, the rain cover is not there. But at least that one is easily fixed with a trip to Babies R Us and a few bucks...now just to find the time to get there.

I keep intending to get upstairs to get the suit cases out becasue the pile in my room is getting larger every day of things we need to pack bit don't need in the meantime. I also need to get the kids ready for school becasue they will have their first full day of school the day after we get home (they will miss the first half day that is really more like an hour). Skye has gotten all her school supplies and the clothes she needed (they wear uniforms of white or light blue collared shirts and navy or black dress pants and mostly white or black gym shoes) but Tyler has almost nothing...and part of that is becasue his new junior high has not put out a list yet of what they expect the kids to have (or not have as the case may be).

So we're getting closer but not close enough but it has already proved to be a different type of trip!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

And no Magical Express info today...bummer!

Our ticker now says one month and one day...that seems so much sooner doesn't it?

Today Ty had his second day of Bears Camp and then we dropped him off at the pool on the way to gymnastics. Then Skye and i ran to the grocery store and then picked him up. We came home and preped for Taffy Apple Salad for my friend at work's first baby shower we are throwing her on Thursday. I think I am going to do Taffy Apple Salad, seafood pasta salad, and sandwich stuff. It was partly my idea so I kinda feel obligated...to pitch in a bit more. Then this weekend is my mom's surprise 60th birthday party and I am thinking of doing the same except not the sandwich stuff...so we prepped two double batches of Taffy Apple Salads. Then we made grilled cheese for dinner, washed dishes and put away dishes...so I guess this is my long way of saying we did not do anything else to prep for vacation tonight!

It always seems like I plan and plan trying to not have tons of things to do at the last minute and that never quite workd out for me...

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Yea!!!



Yea!!!



Yea!!!


30 days from right now we will be in the air on our way to the mouse's house!!!!

And, of course, we are behind a day on our countdown calendar...I was not feeling well yesterday and I had to make Taffy Apple Salad and Seafood Pasta Salad for a Baby Shower at work today. So I did that and went to bed. We'll catch up tonight and it will be our first of the good countdown! We had fun making it...so I hope you all enjoy looking at it!

I still cannot believe we have only 30 days!!!!!​

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[tyandskyesmom]

[IMG]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd239/tyandskyesmom/Pics for TR 2011/DSCN0517.jpg[/IMG]

And now the beginning of the real countdown calendar. I wanted to get to 100 but it just wasn't happening.



I don't know what we will do with them when we're done but I'll think of something!!!

We also pulled a few books off the shelves...



Ty wants to hunt Hidden Mickeys this time around. I mean, we are always on the look out but he wants to bring the book and really hunt!



And just for fun because we love trivia...expecially Disney Trivia!!!



And that is the book we are thinking of bringing for autographs. I don't know if it's worth lugging because there are more characters in it that we will not see that we will see. But, we have done the regular book and we have made our own with pictures of the kids with the characters and if we don't bring the book, we're not doing autographs at all. And we are going to a lot of character meals so even if we only see those characters, we're good. So the jury is still out on that one.

So remember my husband? The one that has no interest in talking to me about vacation? Ya, that one. Well the one thing he wants in Disney is a massage. So today I booked him a 50 minute massage at the Ship Shape Massage and Fitness Center at the Beach Club on our last day (the 29th) at 11am. I figure, we have breakfast at Cape May at 9:05am and that gives us about two hours before his appointment...plenty of time. Then we can go to the pool and he can go for his massage. He hates swimming...so this all works out well. I am figuring on a 4:30pm or so Magical Express pick-up so we'll still have time for lunch or whatever before being picked up.

I have also decided to upgrade to Deluxe Dining for part one for the three of us. It has practical reasons and selfish reasons. Selfish because I just wanted to be able to enjoy all the extra dining venues but practical becasue it is going to be hot. I don't really want to have to wait on myself and my kids at an outside counter service in all that heat, hope we don't have a problem finding a seat (which at this point I am really feeling good about by the way), and then possibly having to sit outside to eat. Solution??? Deluxe Dining.

And I got all the ADRs I wanted to add. So let me update you on our dining...

8-13
Grand Floridian Cafe @1pm
Jiko @7:15pm

8-14
Crystal Palace @8:05am
Tony's Town Square @1pm
Kona Cafe @6:55pm

8-15
The Wave @7:30am
Chefs de France @1pm
Coral Reef @7:35pm

8-16
Kona Cafe @7:30am
50's Prime Time @11am
Flying Fish @5:30pm

8-17
Tuskerhouse @11:30am
Sanaa @7:45pm

8-18
Chef Mickey's @10:50am
Captain's Grill @7pm

8-19
Boma @8am

Then the new Deluxe Dining Plan kicks in...
Whispering Canyon Cafe @2pm
California Grill @7:50pm

8-20
Hollywood & Vine @10am
Mama Melrose @5pm

8-21
Crystal Palace @8:05am
Teppan Edo @2pm
Citricos @8pm

8-22
Yak & Yeti @11am
Boma @7pm

8-23
Ohana @7:55am
LeCellier @2pm
La Hacienda de San Angel @8pm

8-24
Tuskerhouse @10:20am
Cape May Cafe @5:50pm

8-25
Brown Derby @11:30am
Cinderella's Royal Table @6:40pm

8-26
Akershus @9:45am
Marrakesh @2pm
Narcoossees @8:40pm

8-27
Chef Mickey's @7:45am
Liberty Tree Tavern @2:15pm
Artist Point @8:40pm

8-28
1900 Park Fare @8am
Tutto Italia @12:55pm
Yachtsman Steakhouse @6:40pm

8-29
Cape May Cafe @9:05am

and lunch will either be ESPN or Beaches & Cream...or by Stormalong Bay!!!!

So what do you think? It's a lot of eating, I know, but we've done 14 and 15 days deluxw before, and loved it! Some of those are new for all of us, some are new only for Lou, and some are places we've loved in the past.

The new ones are...

Jiko
Tony's Town Square
The Wave
Kona for breakfast
Sanaa
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Teppan Edo
Hacienda de San Angel
Cape May for dinner
Cinderella's Royal Table
Yachtsman Steakhouse
Beached & Cream (if we choose this one for lunch on our last day)

All the other ones we have been to before...Lou hasn't been to a lot of them, if not most of them, becasue he has not been with us when we have been the last three times and that is when most of our dining has taken place.

The only thing I am thinking is that I might consider 1900 Park Fare for dinner. But the day I was willing to do it I could not get in. And I really don't like buffets for dinner. We have been to 1900 Park Fare for dinner before...once. The food was horrid...I mean, not many options and not that great tasting...but the characters...WOW...unique and awesome!!! So if we were able to get in when I am willing to go, it will completely be for the character interaction...not that we couldn't find enough to eat but we woudl find better somewhere else. So I am up in the air about continuing to try to get into 1900 Park Fare for dinner...hhhhhmmmmmmmm?!?!?!?!?

 

[justakrazymom]

I can't believe we are sooo close now!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I can't believe we are sooo close now!

I KNOW!!!!!!!!!

We have been planning so long and counting so long and saving so long...and IT'S. ALMOST. HERE!!!!!!!!!

 

[mousetravel]

Love the updates and the 30 day countdown calendar!!!!

You do know, that now you've got to post that Taffy Apple Salad recipe, don't you!???

 

[tyandskyesmom]

And still no corrected Magical Express mail.

Went to Babies R Us and get the rain cover for the stroller...hopefully having it wards of any bad rain...but we'll be ready if it does hit!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Love the updates and the 30 day countdown calendar!!!!

You do know, that now you've got to post that Taffy Apple Salad recipe, don't you!???

Ok...here goes...enjoy!!!!

1 large can crushed pineapple
2 cups small marshmallows
1/2 cup sugar
1Tbls flour
1 egg
1 1/2 Tbls vinegar
1 8 ounce cool whip
2 cups unpeeled diced apples
1 1/2 cups peanuts or walnuts

Drain juice from pineapples into small saucepan.
Mix the pineapple and marshmallow and refidgerate overnight.
Mix pineapple juice, flour, sugar, vinegar and egg in saucepan and heat slowly till thick (around 10 minutes) stirring constantly.
Refridgerate overnight.
Next day, mix cool whip, apples, nuts and both other parts.
Sprinkle some nuts over the top and chill.

 

[mousetravel]

That recipe sounds yummy!!!!

I'm just wondering about the vinegar, though, does it add any kind of flavor to it? And what kind of vinegar do you use (white, maybe)??

I'm gonna have to try that!
Thanks for the recipe!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Went to see Harry Potter today...it was killing us to wait this long!!! It was pretty awesome...a bit different than the book but pretty right on.

Then we had my mom's 60th birthday party...my dad kind of blew a little bit if the surprise becasue the party started at 3pm and he was supposed to bring her ar 3:45pm but did not remember that and they showed up at like 3:05pm...when only some of the guests were there.

We have another birthday party tomorrow...but a 12 year old one this time...a pool party. Should be interesting.

I was hoping to get the luggage out tomorrow morning but we'll see how it goes...

 

[tyandskyesmom]

That recipe sounds yummy!!!!

I'm just wondering about the vinegar, though, does it add any kind of flavor to it? And what kind of vinegar do you use (white, maybe)??

I'm gonna have to try that!
Thanks for the recipe!

Flavor wise, you don't notice the vinegar...but I think it is what keeps the apples from turning yucky in there...and yes, white vinegar...

I have been told I make the best Taffy Apple Salad so enjoy!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

And we have another party this afternoon. Tyler has baseball camp all next week at the high school he wants to go to but otherwise, we have a pretty slow week, at least for us!

This morning I am hoping to locate those suit cases...if I could get my 12 year old to stop acting like a 2 year old before I send him to his room where I don't have to listen to him anymore! He is driving me nuts!!!!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Well, the kids and I made a lot of progress yesterday morning. We cleaned both their rooms, cleaned out Lou and Tyler's closet, the toy closet, and found most of our luggage. I think we are going to borrow my mom's large suit case and her rolling carry on...it is more like a large purse on wheels than a suit case...I don't want to fight with a small suit case on the plane so we don't bring those on. I am also waiting on my red one like my mom's to come in the mail. It was one of those gifts you get when you've hit a milestone at work so they give you a catalog to choose from...well, after 10 years (really 11 but they count weird!) I chose a red carry on bag.

It has been super hot here...actually, niumber-wise, hotter than Orlando!!!! So we've been practicing! And sweating!

We still have not received the correct Magical Express mail for the kids and me. Our on-line travel agent said to let her know if we have not received them by August 1 but I fear if we get there it is too late and we will either have to put our trust in the Magical Express to go gather our untagged luggage or we will have to go get it ourselves...and I really don't want to have to do that!

And I am starting to hear about people getting their package info from Disney. Mine will go to my travel agent first and then she will forward to me so I am not expecting that yet but it would be a nice suprise any day now. And I should get two!!!

So has anyone ever had to allow Magical Express pick up their un-tagged luggage? Did everythign go ok? If we end up doing that, what shoudl I pack in my carry on? Usually we go with swim suits, any valuables we are beinging, and electronics we are bringing, contact stuff, activities to do while waiting, things like that. But if we end up without tags, should we pack pajamas and extra change of clothes and things like that? Just in case?

I'll add today's picture when I get home...

 

[tyandskyesmom]

25
is another big one, right????
​

And guess what I just got as I was pulling up the DIS???

Come on.....



GUESS!!!!!

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An e-mail from my on-line travel agent that she just received and sent out my package info package for part one. She did say that it was printed prior to the upgrade to deluxe dining and she does not know if Disney will print and forward a corrected one or not so he included a confirmation of the upgrade. It's comng form Colorado so I am guessing Thrusday?!?!?!?

We still are hoping to receive the correct info from Magical Express for our departure...I am not spazing out but it does make me really nervous to not get it and have to trust that my luggage will show up as planned. I am not worried about having a ride because I know that would not be affected by not receiving the package...they'll just print us our bus boarding passes right there (althoug we will have to go to the counter and not just walk into the correct line) but I don't want to have to chase around my luggage and waste my vacation time doing that...and I don't want to have to go get the luggage either and lug it...that is wasting my vacation time also! But I don't want to lose anything either. So I am still crossing my fingers that it comes. I did get a confirmation a long time ago from my on-line travel agent when she put through the flight info to Magical Express and it is all correct on there so I don't know what actually happened.

So I would think shortly after receiving the part one package I should get the part two package. I think I am going to pre-order the photopass...I know the package has a pre-ordered photopass card in it but I am still assuming you can combine cards right? We usually end up with at least two different ones for some reason. Are the mini-golf coupon and Planet Hollywood coupon dated? I was thinking we might be able to use one of them on the 29th (check-out day) at Fantasia Gardens since we will be so close...but it is the day after our package ends...so do the coupons have to be used by midnight on the check out day of that package? I don't think we're going to make it to Planet Hollywood though since upgrading to the deluxe dining plan for that part too. Planet Hollywood does not really cut it for me as far as wasting good meal credits on...I think we have Jiko that night instead...not even comparable!

So I need to start getting organized...I feel like i am all over the place...with as long as I have been planning, you'd think I was all under control! NOT!!!

I'd love to start throwing thing in the suit cases as we come across them but we are still using so much of what isn't packed in my little box that it almost does not seem worth it.

And Time is going to just speed on by for the next 25 days becasue we have so much everyday type things going on...Skye has Dance Camp from 1:30pm - 3pm Wednesdays and Fridays (her last day is the day before we leave), she also has gymnastics Tuesdays at 5:45pm - 7:30pm and Wednesdays from 4pm - 5:45pm. Tyler has baseball camp at St. Lawrence (the private, catholic, college prep high school he'd love to go to but we most likely cannot afford) the rest of this week (thru Thursday 3pm - 5pm and Friday noon- 2:30pm) and then football practice starts August 1st from 5:30pm - around 7:30pm Monday thru Friday. Lou is finishing up a side job...gutted and re-modeled a kitchen. And we still have to get Tyler's school supply list (whenever the school feels it is a good time to let parents know these things) and get that stuff...and then label everything for both of them and have everything ready and laid out to go the day after we return. And tomorrow night I have to call to see if I have to go downtown for Jury Duty....I got a stand by notice. I HATE Jury Duty...despise it...so making me go downtown is really horrible. Don't get me wrong, I love going downtown but not on a schedule during rush hour, to sit and wait to see if I am picked to go into a room to be chosen for a jury! I am a suburban girl and don't know how to use public transportation...and I don't think Thursday would be a good time to learn! My mom said she would take me on the train but she has to work overnights the night before into that morning so I don't know if that will work out. I have a friends that works near there and I could tag along with her on the El but she does not know if she is going in becasue hs eleaves for Vegas the next day with her family and may need the day off for organizing.

So many people have told me to just throw it away...I cannot do that.

So I'm not in a good place with all of that! I am crossing my fingers for a "not needed" recording when I call tomorrow night!!! Cross you fingers for me!


And then there are a few little things the kids and I just wanted to do...not stuff we have to do...like painting the hallway between their rooms upstairs in metalic paint and then chalk board paint.