I am a Penn Stater - I work for Penn State and as of this coming Saturday afternoon, I will also be a graduate (M.Ed.).
Congratulations! 
Is anyone else having a really tough time with their itinerary?
The whole thing is giving me a headache. Which days to go to which park? Avoid EMHs or aim for them? Ugh.
Plus, the night I'd like to see Spectro is the night we're in Epcot with LeCellier ADRs. I think I've made a whole big mess out of our itinerary
. But then I'd be warm and comfy and spend another hour checking out the DIS 
- not good. Nope, I shall be STRONG , if only I could remember how to operate the washing machine 
.
But I'm hoping! The P&P party is terrific! We were at the first party for 2008, actually fell on MLK day, the crowds were easy. We weren't able to see the parade because we waited in line for almost 2hrs for DS to meet Jack Sparrow. Loved the fireworks, I highly recommend those, some of the best fireworks Disney's done IMO. 
Ditto - my head hurts too
You're not the only one hoping for the upgrades, and feeling the frustration - I purged myself by doing a big long post on my pre-trip report - It helped me figure out what I really WANTED to do, but not what I SHOULD do - AAARRRRGGGGHHHH! I thought WDW Planning was meant to be FUN????
If you'd like to help me sort of my dilemma - please read here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=26857891#post26857891 It's mainly concerning what I should do for our anniversary dinner - Trying to sort out which will be best for us, (esp DH who may well have had enough of the Disney 'magic' - read waiting in lines, or watching parades - by now)
As for being a Snow Bunny... hmmmm... If I was leaving today then I would definately qualify. I have woolly socks and a woolly cardigan on, and am seriously considering 'borrowing' my DH's beanie to keep my head warm. Or I could turn on the heating.....
Haven't heard about the P&P parties
You are both right, we are very excited about going to the WL, always were! And now Mama Snowbird Shelly doesn't have to change any adr's either
Jan 18-24, I thought about having the ta check the day before/after but that was too many adr's to juggle and we had gotten the times and dates we requested for all of them from the itinerary planning office with no trouble, so why mess with perfection?
Just leave some 'junk mail' in the box for him to get when he gets off the bus, that way it will seem 'normal' to him
I will get you added to the list! How exciting for your cousins first trip! 
Agreed - we went once during the Christmas party and it was lovely and all decorated, but it's WAY too hilly! The rides are very typical if you're not a coaster fan. There's just not enough to do if you don't like the thrill stuff. We live about 30 minutes from Lancaster to the east and we LOVE Dutch Wonderland, although the kids are too old for it now. Love the atmosphere and the people. Go during the week and about a third of the kids at the park are Amish or Mennonite, so it's a very calm feeling - no pushing, shoving or rudeness. Weekends, another story
Hershey's chocolate is the best! But the park isn't worth the drive for us.
I dreamed that instead of our non-stop flight to Orlando we had to stop at Atlanta and then there were no flights from there to Orlando so we flew back to PA. 
I don't think we ever made it to FL by the time I woke up this morning. Oh and there was a lot of snow in there to, in Pittsburgh and Atlanta. 
I've actually started worrying about our flight out of Detroit, too. It could be really bad! The thing that made me think about delays, etc. was the fact that we had an ADR at 1900 Park Fare at 5-something on the day of our arrival and I'll need to get autograph books for the girls before dinner. Potentially I could still be sitting in the Detroit airport when it's time for dinner! Just something else for most of us to worry about for the next 5 months.
