January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part I !!!

[AussieAngel]

Hi Snowbirdies!!

It's night-time for me right now, but morning for nearly all of you!

I had a big day at school today (I'm a teacher - I teach 5 and 6 year olds). Today I taught my kids what perimeter means, and we measured around our feet with a piece of string. It's all happening in my classroom!!

And ummm, I'm making choc-chip cookies.

That's about all my news!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Good Morning Snowbirds! I DID NOT have a good sleep last night! I am VERY TIRED today, feeling rather.... ! Wish me good luck today as I have a very busy day! Too much to do on very little sleep = !

I;ll try to check in later today and see how you all are doing!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

skjj2009--yes they do get more expensive--but that just cuts downs on the quantity!! DS 13 wants an ipod-so that an a few access will pretty much wrap him up-also,family will get things for it as well.DD5 wants the AG doll Elizabeth, so that's the majority of her gifts-that & a few access. for it. That does sort of cut down on the stress of things!!! Like a one-stop-shop!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Oh!! Good Morning to all you Snowbirds!! I am up @ 7--before I get the kids up---and wanted to shout a hello to ya'll!!Can you believe there are only 4 days left in this month? Where does the time go?

 

[backinoz]

No Halloween here! My kids usually do have a Purim party at their Arab school. They call it Spring Carnival, but it coincides with the Jewish holiday of Purim. They get to dress up most years, but no candy! They miss Halloween!

NO Halloween here either (maybe a few trick or treaters starting to come out of the woodwork over the past 2 years but that's about it). Sooooo, we create our own Halloween & have a big party each year with our DDs and about 20 of their friends (& a few of our friends and their kids too). We decided to do this each year as our girls really missed it the first year we moved back to Oz. (They went to an American School in Mozambique, and the expat community had quite a few ppl from the states so Halloween was a BIG deal, especially at school). We've built up our collection of decorations over the past couple of years, we have creepy games & snacks for entertainment, (love making gooey slimy stuff they have to stick their hands in to to pull out their (non-edible) treats). Atmosphere is easy - a small fire in a BIG terracotta pot & LOTS of candles in tin cans. Of course costumes are a must too - man am I glad I can sew!

Hi Snowbirdies!!

It's night-time for me right now, but morning for nearly all of you!

I had a big day at school today (I'm a teacher - I teach 5 and 6 year olds). Today I taught my kids what perimeter means, and we measured around our feet with a piece of string. It's all happening in my classroom!!

And ummm, I'm making choc-chip cookies.

That's about all my news!

R U going to get the kids to use the string to measure the perimeter of the cookies tomorrow?? I bet if you did they'd be quite a few that measure a bit undersize with that age group (given they'd have had a nibble or two from the outside).

My news is that we had a 'break night' at Karate tonight (our whole family started going back around Easter time), AND.... I broke a 19mm (3/4") board with my bare hand (in a fist). It didn't even hurt! I thoguht I did pretty well, but DH showed me up & broke his with the side of his hand (like the 'traditional' Karate chop), and my two DDs both broke theirs using a strike with their heel. I sorta feel like a kid again - it was such a buzz!

So now I'm cruising the DIS while waiting for the washing to finish (so I can put it in the dryer) and then in my nice comfy bed.

Enjoy your Wednesday... I'm 13 minutes away from Thursday

 

[AussieAngel]

My news is that we had a 'break night' at Karate tonight (our whole family started going back around Easter time), AND.... I broke a 19mm (3/4") board with my bare hand (in a fist).

Wow!!! Remind me to never cut in front of you in a Disney World line!!! You go girl!

It's officially Thursday now! Yay! I like Thursdays.

 

[debbieandroo]

Got this news item from the radio --

http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/08/big_mistake_wife_sells_dvd_cas.html

The poor guy was trying to stash away money in a DVD case for a surprise Christmas trip to WDW for the family - he had saved up 1,200 dollars!

Then his wife sold the DVD at a garage sale!

Now she's reporting it to news agencies to see if she can recover the money - it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

On a brighter note, good morning snowbirds! I caught your lazy bug from yesterday - didn't do much of anything all afternoon except read the boards, as usual.

 

[BellaSoleil]

I am silly and mis-counted my DP credits.

As of now, our plans are to check into POP on Saturday night (11pm) and arrive at WL on Sunday AM. That means we would have 5 DP days instead of 6 (like I originally thought and made ADR's around.)

My two options:
1. Check in WL on our first night, giving us 6 DP days. We will still be paying 2 TS meals out of pocket, but planned on eating light and sharing those meals. I love to eat, but my eyes are much bigger than my stomach. This would also mean that we wouldn't have to transfer our luggage and get a bit of a head start on our first full day.

2. Keep POP & WL, but go the Deluxe Dining route. We would not have to worry about paying for anything OOP and DH would probably like this. It would also give us a chance to eat at Cali Grill and I would love to suprise DH with that, because it was his favorite night of our Honeymoon.

From what I can tell it will only be about $50 extra to do DDP, considering that we will not be paying for any meals OOP.

What does a girl do?

Got this news item from the radio --

http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/08/big_mistake_wife_sells_dvd_cas.html

The poor guy was trying to stash away money in a DVD case for a surprise Christmas trip to WDW for the family - he had saved up 1,200 dollars!

Then his wife sold the DVD at a garage sale!

Now she's reporting it to news agencies to see if she can recover the money - it will be interesting to see how this pans out.

QUOTE]

That's SO sad!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good morning Snowbirds!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Got this news item from the radio --

http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/08/big_mistake_wife_sells_dvd_cas.html

The poor guy was trying to stash away money in a DVD case for a surprise Christmas trip to WDW for the family - he had saved up 1,200 dollars!

Then his wife sold the DVD at a garage sale!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I am silly and mis-counted my DP credits.

As of now, our plans are to check into POP on Saturday night (11pm) and arrive at WL on Sunday AM. That means we would have 5 DP days instead of 6 (like I originally thought and made ADR's around.)

My two options:
1. Check in WL on our first night, giving us 6 DP days. We will still be paying 2 TS meals out of pocket, but planned on eating light and sharing those meals. I love to eat, but my eyes are much bigger than my stomach. This would also mean that we wouldn't have to transfer our luggage and get a bit of a head start on our first full day.

2. Keep POP & WL, but go the Deluxe Dining route. We would not have to worry about paying for anything OOP and DH would probably like this. It would also give us a chance to eat at Cali Grill and I would love to suprise DH with that, because it was his favorite night of our Honeymoon.

From what I can tell it will only be about $50 extra to do DDP, considering that we will not be paying for any meals OOP.

What does a girl do?

Well if it's only a $50 difference you might as well go with the Deluxe DDP!

I am actually relieved to not have to come up with one more ADR!! Since we switched back to arriving on the original morning that we had planned instead of arriving late the night before I think I am all set with the ADR's!

 

[sharadoc]

skjj2009--yes they do get more expensive--but that just cuts downs on the quantity!! DS 13 wants an ipod-so that an a few access will pretty much wrap him up-also,family will get things for it as well.DD5 wants the AG doll Elizabeth, so that's the majority of her gifts-that & a few access. for it. That does sort of cut down on the stress of things!!! Like a one-stop-shop!!!

I've made my DD wait for her AG doll. The catalog says they are for girls 8 and up, so I've been using that for over a year to hold her off. I did get her Samantha and her friend in the 6" size last year. They fit into her doll house so I thought that would keep her happy, but NO, she still wants the big one.

My problem is that she still expects Santa, so I can't use the Disney trip as an excuse for less gifts this year. I'll load up on books, small stuff so the quanity looks high but the cost should be low.

I'm thinking of holding the AG doll for her birthday at WDW, but then I'll have to hide it in the luggage!! Not sure what to do - what do you all think?

 

[snykymom]

I'm thinking of holding the AG doll for her birthday at WDW, but then I'll have to hide it in the luggage!! Not sure what to do - what do you all think?

I wouldn't do this - it's just one more thing to lose or to leave at the hotel. My d took her favorite stuffed animal on one trip we made, and left it at the hotel when we checked out. It was a unique one, so I couldn't just get her another. Luckily, we were driving, so we turned around and went back for it. Luckier still, the staff was honest and turned it into the front desk. But I wouldn't risk it with a new gift.

And if your d is anything like mine, she'll want to lug it to the parks, and guess who'll be the one carrying it around all day?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Ooooohhhh-Sharadoc- that's a hard one!! Is the AG all she gets for her bday? If it is def. surprise her. You can wrap it up for her bday and put it in a box & ship it to your resort. When you check in ask them to bring it to your room. she won't have any idea what it is--& you can hide it til her actual bday and surprise her!!!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

As far as DDP, I thought that the credits went by the # of nights you stayed at the resorts. Is this not right? For ex., we are going to be there 8 nights, so don't we each have 8 days worth of credits?

 

[Kazooie01]

GOOD NEWS!

We just confirmed from a CM that Sunday Aug. 31st, you will be able to book Dining Reservation from the 26th of Jan. to Feb. 22nd! She said Disney has pushed back the release of the new reservation system and that they (the CMs) were notified this morning.

 

[skjj2009]

I've made my DD wait for her AG doll. The catalog says they are for girls 8 and up, so I've been using that for over a year to hold her off. I did get her Samantha and her friend in the 6" size last year. They fit into her doll house so I thought that would keep her happy, but NO, she still wants the big one.

My problem is that she still expects Santa, so I can't use the Disney trip as an excuse for less gifts this year. I'll load up on books, small stuff so the quanity looks high but the cost should be low.

I'm thinking of holding the AG doll for her birthday at WDW, but then I'll have to hide it in the luggage!! Not sure what to do - what do you all think?

I think its a bit easier to hold them off on the dolls when the doll store isn't in your backyard kwim? Here in Chicago the dolls are all the craze because they are so accessable. You don't go downtown on Michigan Ave without seeing just about every little girl walking with one or more dolls.
That would be such a nice surprise for her and no less at Disney! I'm sure our daughter will take one of her dolls with her and we have two strollers with a basket so instead of me carrying her she will have to ride in the basket. The only worry with that is if all of us went on a ride where would we keep the doll...too much money invested to get the doll stolen
Do you think she'd leave the doll home if you gave it to her from Santa?

My daughter wanted the Elizabeth doll but we had to draw the line at some point because she likes them all and wants them all but she really wanted this one so what I did was I went on ebay and bought the Elizabeth meet dress and went to AG and bought the accessories (necklace, etc) and put it on her dark hair just like you doll and said look here she is Elizabeth with dark hair At age 4 that worked like a charm So I just told her instead of the light haired Elizabeth we bought the dark haired one and right now she's appeased. My cousin has given us an over abundance of dolls...like 6 some of them she doesn't even have yet because its just too many. I must admit I love them too...we dress them together and have a good time...my dh thinks they are just creepy

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

GOOD NEWS!

We just confirmed from a CM that Sunday Aug. 31st, you will be able to book Dining Reservation from the 26th of Jan. to Feb. 22nd! She said Disney has pushed back the release of the new reservation system and that they (the CMs) were notified this morning.

WOW that is great news!!! I only have one left to make - for January 26th!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

As far as DDP, I thought that the credits went by the # of nights you stayed at the resorts. Is this not right? For ex., we are going to be there 8 nights, so don't we each have 8 days worth of credits?

Yep, that's correct! You'll each have 8 TS, 8 CS, and 8 snacks! (if you are doing the regular DDP)

 

[BellaSoleil]

As far as DDP, I thought that the credits went by the # of nights you stayed at the resorts. Is this not right? For ex., we are going to be there 8 nights, so don't we each have 8 days worth of credits?

That is correct. We are staying on property for 6 nights, but our night at POP doesn't count. Our MYW package starts as soon as we check into WL. I thought it went by the days of your trip (not nights), which will be 6 days and 5 nights at WL. That's where I messed up. I counted for 6 days on DP.