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

[MAGGIED]

Good morning Snowbirds... I am off to the office for the morning.... so I will check in later...

Sarah... we have a Kodak... not sure of a model number but it says it has 3x zoom, 7.2 mega pixels.... anyway,.... it was a little over $100 and it takes great photos... easy to use as well....

QOTD.... being that we have older kids.... we normally get to stay at the parks late... we actually tire before them.... many times they want to jump in the pool when we get back to the hotel... we are typically all in bed though by 11pm.... although there have been times when the kids went back to the MK by themselves when it had EMH until 3 am.... needless to say they weren't much good the next day.... my kids have been so many times they understand Disney transportation so well... and DD is almost 19... so I am okay with them going... as long as they stay together... which isn't a problem because they get along very well.....

well.... gotta run..... please no codes until I can get back this afternoon.........

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Wow! I can see I'll never keep up with this thread, but I'm going to try to read and catch up so that next week I can really participate. I'm about to go out of town and not have internet access until the weekend, so I'll be looking forward to really getting into the great planning ideas next week!

We are staying at CSR -- we have previously stayed offsite, and at BC, POFQ and POR.

Have a great planning week!
Maria

 

[Kazooie01]

QOTD:

Since the park hours are much shorter and we spend the whole day at the parks, we don't do too much. We get back to the room and if the kids are up for it, go for a quick swim (you can tell we're northerners, temps above 60 and it's pool time!). We then will check the weather for the next day, get our backpack and clothes ready, and off to bed.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Jumping in. We are staying at AKL CL 1/22-1/26. Me, DH, DD 9, and DS 5. I am getting addicted to DISboards and am trying to soak in as much info for our plans!
Karen

WELCOME to the Snowbirds!!

 

[glo]

Hey Snowbirds only 85 more days left for me! I am so excited I can burst! I just might....Been reading a post on the Theme parks board about people cutting and getting in front of people at the parades! WOW!! Sorry if I have been sitting there for an hour to get a good seat, then I can offer your child a space in front of me, if I choose, but you don't tell to! I always offer to put littler kids in front, but I would refuse if someone told me to, and then was rude about it...there is such a thing as asking politely!


Ok, off that rant! I have to call today and see if I cn make our Pooh brakfast earlier as believe it or not my 18 year old wants her hair done at the BBB!!! Her 12 year old sisters want it, and she doesn't want to be left out!!!


I can not wai!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

3 MONTHS!! ​

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

1900 Park Fare

Breakfast

An All You Can Eat Character Meal


8:00am - 11:30am

Join Mary Poppins, Alice and the Mad Hatter

COST: $18.99/adults; Children 3-9 $10.99; plus tax and gratuity



Non-alcoholic, non-specialty Beverages ARE included in the price.

Holiday Pricing May Apply During Specific Times of the Year

ALL Menu Items Subject to Change without Notice!

Breads and Pastries - assorted sliced breads, croissants, English muffins, bagels, pecan sticky bun, strawberry and apple turnovers, cheese danish, apple, granola and blueberry muffins, cream cheese, strawberry jam and grape jelly

Cold Buffet - flavored yogurts, fresh fruits, cottage cheese, ambrosia, stewed plums, chilled strawberry soup, assortment of cereals, house-made granola, Edy's Soft Serve ice cream with an array of toppings, Peaches, pears, applesauce, Jello-O, Rice Krispie Treats

Hot Buffet - Chef's preparation of custom eggs and build your own omelets, bacon, sausage links, scrambled eggs, cheese blintz, strawberry melba, apple cobbler, peach and white chocolate bread pudding with vanilla sauce, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, Spanish scramble, mini pancakes, Mickey waffles, fresh Challah bread French toast, country-style biscuits and gravy, grits, oatmeal and shredded triangle potato


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dinner

Regulars include Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine,
Anastasia and Drizella
(some characters may only be in the lobby for photos).

4:30pm - 8:30pm

An All You Can Eat Character Meal



COST: $29.99/adults; Children 3-9 $14.99

Tax and gratuity extra
Non-Alcoholic, non-specialty Beverages INCLUDED in the price

Holiday Pricing May Apply During Specific Times of the Year

ALL Menu Items Subject to Change without Notice!

Starters - spring mixed greens, Caesar Salad, Dressings, Broccoli Salad with cashews, Greek salad, ambrosia, tomato mozzarella salad, macaroni salad, apple with port vinaigrette, peel and eat shrimp

Soups - cream of mushroom, tomato florentine, and chilled strawberry

Accompaniments - sweet potato and red bliss mashed potatoe, brown gravy, carrot and broccoli medley, sauteed squash with chives, niblet corn

Entrees - Chef's freshly prepared pasta, roasted prime rib of beef, mojo marinated turkey breast, salmon with a caper butter sauce, curry chicken with Israeli couscous, apple chutney stuffed pork loin with apple glaze, portobello raviolis with a pesto cream, mussels in ginger broth, salmon with a dill cream sauce, chicken marsala, cheese lasagna, Italian sausage with peppers, chorizo stuffed pork loin with mango barbeque sauce, vegetable egg rolls, mussels in tomato broth

Children's Corner - chicken nuggets, cheese and macaroni, mini corn dogs, pasta marinara, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, niblet corn, cheese pizza and fresh vegetables

Desserts - apple cobbler, bread pudding, brownies, key lime tarts, linzer torte, rice krispie treats, chocolate chip cookies, lemon cheesecake tart, Edy's Soft Serve Ice Cream

 

[Monny2AE]

3 MONTHS!! ​

Woo Hoo for 3 Months!!!!

I get so excited to see your countdowns all the time because I'm right behind you!!!!

 

[Monny2AE]

And where are all the discount codes and free dining offers?

They're going to make me wait until next week aren't they.

 

[jenjolt]

Wow the speed of this board is even making my head spin LOL Then again things have been terribly busy with grades being due by Wednesday. (As a teacher, being a proscrastinator is not a good thing LOL)

WELCOME TO ALL THE NEW SNOWBIRDS

Shelly..Thank you for posting 1900's menu!!! I'm so excited about that dinner. I can't wait to see the stepsisters and stepmom!! That is my relaxing day. I have a spa treatment right before hand and then off to eat dinner with a princess YAY!!!

QOTD: Usually I just climb into bed and sleep after a day at the parks. This time though I will probably check in with my husband and then relay my day to him. Take a nice shower and then climb into bed with some informercial on (I hate to sleep alone LOL) and have sweet Disney dreams!!

 

[BellaSoleil]

QOTD:

Probably the same routine as every night. I take a bubble bath and lay in bed watching TV and talking.

 

[jenjolt]

And where are all the discount codes and free dining offers?

They're going to make me wait until next week aren't they.

They are all driving us crazy..come on I want some sort of code LOL!!! And yes in most likelihood we'll be waiting until next week LOL!!

Come on a decent Florida resident rate LOL!!!

 

[danceintherain]

My DH gets 'lovingly annoyed' at my Dis use. However, he is on a forum for guitar players that looks almost identical to the Dis. He has even tried to log his name into the Dis thinking it was his board. It's a good outlet for the both of us, because he doesn't want to talk about Disney all day and I don't want to hear about guitars. He says it is different because he is chatting about his talent. Wise up, my darling husband.... planning a vacation is my talent!

It's my talent too, and my soon-to-be DH really appreciates it, even though he makes fun of me. I threatened to let him finish with all the planning, and he said "No, that's ok!"

I don't know. Maybe I'm just a different breed, but going to Disney is about going to the castle, seeing Mickey, or watching my children smile when a character comes and greets them at a table. Mommy and Daddy have their time 340+ days a year. When we are at Disney, it's for the Children and the Child inside of my Wife and me. We've realized all too quickly that our Children are only young once and the memories we help make last them a lifetime. I can golf, go to my favorite restaurant, or swing in a hammock anytime. I can only high five Buzz Lightyear with my little boy or hug a Princess with my little Girl at WDW. It doesn't make my way better than another, it's just the way I'm a Disney Dad.

My soon-to-be DH and I will probably stop taking adult only trips to Disney when we have kids. I want to see too many other places...Disney seems to be the easiest place to take kids....

How many of us Snowbirds joined TourguideMike??????????

\

Not me... I joined UG a few months ago, and that has been enough information for the time being. TGM is more expensive and the only reason I could justify spending the money on UG was because it was only about $8 for a full year. Now, I just can't justify any other Disney-related expenses besides actually paying for the trip.

This is what worked for me. DH and I went over MLK weekend in 1996, before kids, for his first visit. He didn't understand why we needed to spend four days at an "amusement park" , but he went along with it to humor me. Of course he had a great time! Our very first attraction was Spaceship Earth (this was before the need to hurry to Soarin', Mission: Space, or Test Track), and after the ride he got absorbed in all the exhibits at the exit. I had to drag him out of there, assuring him that there were LOTS more cool things we needed to see!

I have to admit, though, that he doesn't know about the DIS...my secret vice! I only DIS while he's at work I feel a little guilty about how much time I spend here, but I can justify it because I KNOW we'll all appreciate everything I've learned. DH loves saving time and/or money, so DIS time is an important investment in our future vacation happiness, right?

I don't think a lot of people realize how big Disney is until they've been there. I was talking to some girls about my honeymoon plans a few weeks ago, and one of them had been to Disneyland. She was amazed that Disney World had 4 parks that are all pretty much bigger than the Magic Kingdom and California Adventure at Disneyland.

So many parties.... its like having a birthday everyday.....

A very merry un-birthday to you, to YOU!

Good Evening Snowbirds! I hope everyone has had a really great day! We arrived home a little earlier than we thought we would so I thought I would just drop in and say hi!

I know it is late but I just thought of a really good QOTD!

What is your favourite way to unwind in the evening after a busy day at the Parks?

I usually crash directly into bed, or shower and then crash directly into bed, depending on how early of a morning we're planning the next day.
This trip I hope to be a little more relaxed. We'll have 10 days, which means two full days at each park, plus we can utilize EMH if we wish too, so we can decide to Hop, Jump, and Skip around from dawn past dusk on some days, then have more leisurely days on others. Also, I haven't planned any ADRs before 10 am, so hopefully we'll be well rested every night. I'm really looking forward to my balcony at AKL, and it's pool view, so we might just have to spend our evening unwinding by throwing stuff at swimmers... just kidding... I wouldn't do that...
A nice cup of Hot Cocoa does sound good at the end of the day though.

Wow. I just tried to catch up on this thread but it is impossible. I'll just try to keep up now. Any important January news out there? Any chance there might be Pirates and Princess Party sometime in January? I guess I need to figure out how to get my signature blinged out with a countdown clock. Okay, I should really get to bed. 6:30 am will come too quick.
Karen

Nothing new to report. We're all anxiously awaiting the codes for January, and no P&PP announcements have been made.

 

[danceintherain]

They are all driving us crazy..come on I want some sort of code LOL!!! And yes in most likelihood we'll be waiting until next week LOL!!

Come on a decent Florida resident rate LOL!!!

Haha... a good code would make an amazing birthday present for me. Though I hope it's an early birthday present, because my birthday is not until the 5th.
Though Disney does know my birthday, so maybe they will send me an awesome deal for my birthday

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Ha - I feel pretty alone at times. I'm childless (by choice, though I recently found out that, yeah, I can't have children without the help of medical science anyway and, believe it or not, that's so frustrating!) though I adore everyone else's kids. (Hey, I can give them back when I'm done and I don't have to be the grown up!) I'm also not terribly religious - I say "nominally Christian."

I never was one to create my own path, as a child. So what happened?!

It does feel some days that the board drifts into a certain direction - i.e. Christian, SAHM, ministers, etc. Hopefully the cycle will come around again and be a bit more inclusive. I'm sure it's not on purpose it's just the way the conversation goes some days Hopefully everyone feels comfortable jumping in, even if their lifestyle doesn't "match" the dominant posts at the time.

A comment about the current conversation.... I don't believe anybody means to be exclusive in the conversational trend. We find common ground and want to explore it! I personally find it very exciting when I "meet" somebody who has similar life experiences as me! Whether it be motherhood, marriage, faith, work or whatever. Inside each of us we have a part that is made to desire connection with others, so when we see connection, it is only natural to want to expand on it! However, I will apologize for myself if anything I have said has caused another to feel left out or excluded! For myself, I will try to keep my part of the conversation more relevant to the Topic at Hand - DISNEY!

You took the words out of my mouth. I never mean to exclude anyone or make anyone feel uncomfortable. I'm not one to judge anyone and I don't think anyone else on here is either. I feel very comfortable talking to all of you wonderful ladies, so I'm sorry if I've excluded anyone. I'm not like that at all. I'm not trying to push anything on anyone, I'm just talking about what's on my mind. Once you do make connections with people, it's very easy to get carried away and talk about all the things you have in common. I'll keep it to PM's from now on.

I wasn't going to say anything about the conversation I missed last night, but after I gave it some though and after I received some PM's from other Snowbirds I thought I should comment.

I certainly don't feel that anyone on this thread has tried to "exclude" anyone else. It is natural that you bond better with some people more than others. Especially when you are talking to people with common interests, whether it be - Disney, faith, religion, being a SAHM, working, raising a family, having no children, working in ministry, homeschooling, going to church, not going to church, etc. . . Yes, there are a lot of us on this thread with a lot of comment interests so naturally we talk about those things. Not ever has anyone suggested that anyone else should have their interests or what someone else does or does not do is wrong. So there is no need for anyone to feel excluded. And there is no need for anyone to feel like they should have to keep their thoughts to PM's.

I am a SAHM and I talk about my family all the time and I will continue to do so. I also have strong faith and will talk about that too. Several times there have been Snowbirds that have been in need of prayer and it is nice to have such a great support group.

Please everyone feel free to talk about whatever you want to. I feel that we have all made a great connection here. If we hadn't everyone would not continue to come back here everyday.

 

[jenjolt]

Okay I have to share with you all my utterly pathetic Disney moment this morning...

Please don't crucify me to hard LOL!!!

Okay so this morning as my husband and I were getting ready for work I noticed that a case of bottled water that I had previously bought for hurrican season was opened and few were taken out. I looked at my husband and was like what are you doing with that?? And he in all of his infinite wisdom was like ...honey I don't think we'll need it for hurricane season anymore (He's right for the most part we have survived another hurricane season).

Then with the most pathetic look (or so I was told) and the most pathetic voice I said, but honey that was going to be my Disney water. The silence was uncanny and the look on his face was priceless. "You do realize you can buy more water before January right?" Well yeah I know, but that was my Disney water. LOL

Suffice to say he has the water bottles and I will be buying more a little closer to our trip...okay so I have shared with you my embarassing Disney moment of the day!! LOL

 

[Pluto_fan]

Good morning, Snowbirds!
And to our new friends!

So what is everyone's children dressing up as for Halloween? And when is your town's Trick or Treat?

We're going out of town for the weekend and will miss trick-or-treating all together! We're going back to our alma mater for a football game weekend. The boys will gladly give up Halloween for a Notre Dame game, but I did promise to buy some candy. Last week's Cub Scout Pack meeting was a costume event--DS10 wore last year's Anakin Skywalker costume, and DS8 put together a a pretty good pirate outfit. Around here they trick-or-treat on Halloween, and unfortunately there aren't set hours. Last year it seemed like many houses were not participating (ie, giving out candy!), so hopefully our empty house will be OK! I have to remember to tell the neighbors we won't be around.

What is your favourite way to unwind in the evening after a busy day at the Parks?

Like many others said...collapse into bed! If we're not too tired after putting the kids to bed, it's nice to relax on the balcony with a glass of wine (or mug of hot chocolate if it's chilly...thanks for that suggestion!)

Shelly, you should warn us when you're about to post a menu, so we can go get a snack first! Wow, that breakfast sounds fabulous. Any breakfast that includes soft-serve ice cream sounds good to me!

 

[danceintherain]

Okay I have to share with you all my utterly pathetic Disney moment this morning...

Please don't crucify me to hard LOL!!!

Okay so this morning as my husband and I were getting ready for work I noticed that a case of bottled water that I had previously bought for hurrican season was opened and few were taken out. I looked at my husband and was like what are you doing with that?? And he in all of his infinite wisdom was like ...honey I don't think we'll need it for hurricane season anymore (He's right for the most part we have survived another hurricane season).

Then with the most pathetic look (or so I was told) and the most pathetic voice I said, but honey that was going to be my Disney water. The silence was uncanny and the look on his face was priceless. "You do realize you can buy more water before January right?" Well yeah I know, but that was my Disney water. LOL

Suffice to say he has the water bottles and I will be buying more a little closer to our trip...okay so I have shared with you my embarassing Disney moment of the day!! LOL

I find it hilarious that you plan for Disney like a hurricane...
However, from reading your PTR I'm pretty sure your NDH will buy you a whole new case of water...

 

[danceintherain]

Oh... I forgot to mention Halloween... everywhere I've ever lived we've done it on Halloween, however, I have noticed lately that less and less parents are sending their kids out.
Also, we usually have a Trunk-or-Treat at church the weekend before or something, which is particularly nice for the younger kids, because they don't have to walk quite as far.

Also, I love that map site. The kids maps are my favorites... I wonder if they had them when I was little, because I would have loved to carry one of those around, so I would know where we were going.

 

[steffali]

Good morning everyone. The weather is ugly over here, I just came back from bringing my Daughter to her Day Hab, I am having a cup of coffee and on the disboards dreaming of getting to Disney