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

[jenjolt]

I just googled "fuel calculator". You put in where you are going from/to and the make/year of your car and it estimates it based on current gas prices and the fuel economy of your car. Mine said 169$ r/t and I just guessed it would be about 50$ r/t for tolls. It will probably be less than that.

WoW thanks!! According to the AAA fuel calculator my trip will be $70 in gas round trip!! I'm not sure about the tolls!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Oh Andrea Here's a huggie from me to you!! I am sorry you are having to maybe cancel. I have had to cancel before, and it's hard,but sometimes it's the only thing to do. Here's my 2 cents! If I had to drive and do most of it in one day, I don't know if I would go. That's just a long way to be in the car with little kids!!! I know people do it, and they enjoy it, but I don't think I would be enjoying that!!!

Are your kids going on the Hawaii trip, or just you and hubby since it's your anniversary? If they are going, then I would probably skip Disney. If they aren't that would make it even harder to decide!!! What about the Texas wedding? Weren't you kinda riding the fence on that trip anyway? It's hard to know what to do, especially with so many people facing job losses. That does seem like a lot of traveling--I don't know!!! Disney is hard to give up!!!! I would probably do Disney before I did Hawaii! Mike and I actually talked about that last summer. We both wanted to do Disney because it's sooooo family!! We can do Hawaii after they are older or grown. They won't be little for long- so that keeps us going to Disney year after year!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Well...hubby and I were seriously considering cancelling our trip in January I know.... Well we have a lot coming up next year including an anniversary trip to Hawaii, a wedding in Texas..bla bla bla

So my husband was trying to cut the disney budget. So we decided to forgo the train cost of 960$...and DRIVE I am a little reluctant about this to say the least.

Here is the plan....
Leave on Jan 3rd 7am and drive 11 hours-ish to Hilton Head an stay at the disney property there on points (no money spent)
Leave early the next morning and drive the rest of the 5-ish hours to disney.
Enjoy our 5 days at AKV 1BR
Drive to Hilton Head and spend 2 nights.(also with our DVC points)
Drive home on the 10th.

His mom is giving us $500 for christmas so there are our park tickets paid for.
Website says cost to drive is 110 each way including tolls.
We will have a full kitchen so we can have breakfast and maybe 2 dinners in.

Would you guys do this??? or would you rather just cancel? Advice please.

Welcome back! I would do that plan. I of course, would try to make it work so I could still go, but just cut back whatever I could. It sounds pretty reasonable the way you outlined it. We are driving from MN and have one night on the road and one night at a relative's home. You will have to decide what works best for you, but I sure hope you can do it!!

 

[PEANUT1]

thanks guys for the support.

Shelly..we are not sure about the kids on the Hawaii trip. Originally we were not bringing them....then we were...now I am thinking no again. The flight is going to be probably about 900 r/t so x4 is a lot of money and I already got my mom to agree to babysit.

We drive to Vermont a few times a year which is about 7 1/2 hours and the kids have done really well so I am thinking 11 in one day will be hard but doable.

The wedding in Texas would be just me...I would leave hubby at home with the kids and I'd go with my mom.

 

[pamouselover]

I just googled "fuel calculator". You put in where you are going from/to and the make/year of your car and it estimates it based on current gas prices and the fuel economy of your car. Mine said 169$ r/t and I just guessed it would be about 50$ r/t for tolls. It will probably be less than that.

Hi, we drove last year from Pa. right over the bridge from you. The total in tolls going down was like $10.oo.Coming home well it was a bit more . Inside joke..Well I will share. We spent our last cash at the chickfil-a on dinner. Got to the toll and did not have enough. We hit a toll coming home that we did not hit going down. DH pulled over at the toll but they had no Mac machines. Lady told us to go through and stop so it can take a picture of your car plate, and they would send you a bill. We got the picture of our car a month later. Funny thing was I had all these sign saying Disney or bust RNRC here we come etc, and they were in the pic. Anyway I would budget more like $25, and that is high. I hope you can still go!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

We have friends that have 2 boys and a girl almost the same age as our kids. My middle one went to their house to play with their middle boy, and the oldest boy and the girl came to stay with our older son and daughter!! So, guess who got the quietest 2!!!! My friend has the 2 that are sooooo quiet when they play together!!! You forget they are in the room. So, I will probably not get to be on here much more tonight!!!! If not---have a blessed weekend---hopefully we can all get some Christmas decorating / wrapping done!!!! Talk to you later!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

My DH is working tonight, so DD7 and I got our flu shots this afternoon (DD5 is holding out for the nasal mist so they couldn't do her at the walk in clinic). Then because she was so good about it, I took them to dinner at Culvers. We came home, got all bathed and are going to have girls movie night!! I hope everyone has a good night! I may check in later and see if anyone is around, otherwise, have a great weekend!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Just got back from Rochester and the DVC travel show. We had so much fun! My DD didn't want to go in the kids clubhouse (babysitting) so she sat through the presentation with me.

When we first arrived, we handed in our confirmation email so we got free admission to the museum. We were then given lanyards instead of the sticker you normally have to wear showing that you paid. We also got free passes for the little train they have there and the carousel. Then, we got DVC Mickey ears! How fun! We got to play at the museum for awhile since we were early, then it was onto the theater for the presentation. The CM's that were there were spectacular! They asked my DD her favorite character and she said Tinkerbell. EVERY CM we then saw called her Tink! She just loved it.

She was given a coloring book and crayons and the adults got a binder with info. Of course, Deevy See was there, and she's a little annoying if you ask me. Two other CM's did the presentation and I won a free DVC pin for simply catching a soccer ball! They have some AWESOME promos going on right now if you buy in. Depending on how many points you buy depends on the free trip you get. My DH doesn't want to buy for a few more years, so I'm bummed. They informed us that the price per point is going up in Jan.

After the presentation, Mickey and Minnie came on stage. I'll say it. I nearly cried! I was so excited! We then got to go meet and greet with Chip and Dale. My DD was acting shy, so I got to hug Dale instead of her. So great! For listening to the whole thing, everyone got a free one year membership to the Strong Museum. Awesome! I didn't tell my DD where we were going and she was so surprised and excited. She said it was the best day she's ever had in the whole wide world! If she was excited about this, I just can't imagine what she'll be like come January! Sorry my post is so long, but I just wanted to tell everyone what an awesome time we had this evening. This was their first travel show, so if you get an invite to somewhere near you, you should go for sure!

 

[sarbah77]

Hi all! i'm home and have been for a few hours. Things went really well and... get this... early! I had to check in at noon for a 1:30 surgery and they said "Oh! They're ready for you!" And they were so by the time everything was done (I met two new surgeons and two anesthesiologists, 3 nurses, and someone who is doing medical reasearch), it was probably close to 1 when things started. We were on our way home around 3, with me dopey as anything because I did have general anesthesia (which I HATE). I got home, napped for a few hours, got up, napped some more, reacted to the general anesthesia, and then slept until 10 past 8. We live 20 minutes from the hospital. I hope I get to bed tonight!!

OK, you got me beat! My folks never forgot my birthday (at least my mother didn't)! The rest of my family did, though. And there are never work parties for my birthday. It's always lost in the rush of holiday parties, and people are always like, "Oh, no! Not another cake!" Oh, well, like I said, I'm over it.

Good luck today!

Thanks!! In my last department, in December, I would attend two holiday parties (one for each department I worked for), a staff holiday party, and occasionally my DH's. My supervisor's b-day was 12/16 and my coworker's was 12/23. I ended up suggesting we do breakfast and it worked out SO WELL. I think I got a giant danish and made (er, bought) a fruit salad... so that way she got to celebrate, it wasn't cake, and people got to eat. See if people will swing for that?!

Sorry for being mushy - my anniversary is next week and I was just remembering how much I love him, I guess even more today. We'll be married 21 years on the 21st , and together 24 years this January .

Awww!

That's so wonderful! I love that you are being mushy and I think it's wonderful that your DH is a SAH Dad.

I'm very mushy about my DH, too.

It's always good to remind ourselves how blessed we are..... I know how easy it is to get annoyed and bitter at the little things DH does (shaving above an open tube of toothpaste, not wiping the peanut butter of the knife and leaving it in his office to dry, ect. ) and doesn't do. It's always important to try and see the things that really matter.

I agree! Like my DH took the day off from work today for my surgery. And then I'd given him the okay to go to the hockey game tonight but when he asked me how I was feeling and I said "Oh, I don't know," he immediately grabbed the phone to tell his buddy he wouldn't be there! (And while doing so, I got ill... so his timing was great)

It's the little things we can get complacent about and I try to say thanks when I realize what he's doing. it's always easier to complain than be positive and I think the internet lets everyone jump on a "yeah, that's TERRIBLE!" bandwagon and I'm trying to change for the better as often as I can. But I'm not perfect!!

I want some but I think I need to wait until tomorrow, to be 100% sure my stomach is settled. I also want chocolate and mozzarella sticks. Oh, the sad sad side effect of being told "you cannot eat!"

 

[storybookmum]

We're booked! January 29th to February 5th, POP.

This all came up in the last WEEK, we had no plans to go (well, we knew we were going to Fort Myers, but didn't think we'd do Disney). I feel dizzy and need to get my butt in gear organizing my ADRs!!!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Sarah- So glad to hear that you're home and doing well. It's great that you were able to be taken early. That's always nice.

 

[KatiebugsMom]

Well...hubby and I were seriously considering cancelling our trip in January I know.... Well we have a lot coming up next year including an anniversary trip to Hawaii, a wedding in Texas..bla bla bla

So my husband was trying to cut the disney budget. So we decided to forgo the train cost of 960$...and DRIVE I am a little reluctant about this to say the least.

Here is the plan....
Leave on Jan 3rd 7am and drive 11 hours-ish to Hilton Head an stay at the disney property there on points (no money spent)
Leave early the next morning and drive the rest of the 5-ish hours to disney.
Enjoy our 5 days at AKV 1BR
Drive to Hilton Head and spend 2 nights.(also with our DVC points)
Drive home on the 10th.

His mom is giving us $500 for christmas so there are our park tickets paid for.
Website says cost to drive is 110 each way including tolls.
We will have a full kitchen so we can have breakfast and maybe 2 dinners in.

Would you guys do this??? or would you rather just cancel? Advice please.

You know I was in the same thought as you. (Cancel trip) But you know, I am not. Just going to cut some corners and enjoy. This is my 10th anniversary trip and after the year I have had, I need it.

We are driving also. I figured even with gas at $4/gallon it would still be cheaper then any airfare out there right now. As for food, I have decided to forgo the DDP and pay out of pocket. Have some room food (we are also DVC and will have refrigerator and microwave) and eat CS with just 2 meals as TS and one meal at the Cali Grille I chalk up to as my anniversary dinner for the year.

I can totally sympathize......and only you know what you can do....but either way WDW and our points will always be there!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We're booked! January 29th to February 5th, POP.

This all came up in the last WEEK, we had no plans to go (well, we knew we were going to Fort Myers, but didn't think we'd do Disney). I feel dizzy and need to get my butt in gear organizing my ADRs!!!

Any help you need planning, we snowbirds are here for you!! I am going about the same time - Jan 26 - Feb 1 at CBR.

Hi all! i'm home and have been for a few hours. Things went really well and... get this... early! I had to check in at noon for a 1:30 surgery and they said "Oh! They're ready for you!" And they were so by the time everything was done (I met two new surgeons and two anesthesiologists, 3 nurses, and someone who is doing medical reasearch), it was probably close to 1 when things started. We were on our way home around 3, with me dopey as anything because I did have general anesthesia (which I HATE). I got home, napped for a few hours, got up, napped some more, reacted to the general anesthesia, and then slept until 10 past 8. We live 20 minutes from the hospital. I hope I get to bed tonight!!
ree! Like my DH took the day off from work today for my surgery. And then I'd given him the okay to go to the hockey game tonight but when he asked me how I was feeling and I said "Oh, I don't know," he immediately grabbed the phone to tell his buddy he wouldn't be there! (And while doing so, I got ill... so his timing was great)

I want some but I think I need to wait until tomorrow, to be 100% sure my stomach is settled. I also want chocolate and mozzarella sticks. Oh, the sad sad side effect of being told "you cannot eat!"

Glad to hear it went well Sarah!! Congrats and here's to a speedy recovery!! Thanks for keeping us posted!

Just got back from Rochester and the DVC travel show. We had so much fun! My DD didn't want to go in the kids clubhouse (babysitting) so she sat through the presentation with me.

When we first arrived, we handed in our confirmation email so we got free admission to the museum. We were then given lanyards instead of the sticker you normally have to wear showing that you paid. We also got free passes for the little train they have there and the carousel. Then, we got DVC Mickey ears! How fun! We got to play at the museum for awhile since we were early, then it was onto the theater for the presentation. The CM's that were there were spectacular! They asked my DD her favorite character and she said Tinkerbell. EVERY CM we then saw called her Tink! She just loved it.

She was given a coloring book and crayons and the adults got a binder with info. Of course, Deevy See was there, and she's a little annoying if you ask me. Two other CM's did the presentation and I won a free DVC pin for simply catching a soccer ball! They have some AWESOME promos going on right now if you buy in. Depending on how many points you buy depends on the free trip you get. My DH doesn't want to buy for a few more years, so I'm bummed. They informed us that the price per point is going up in Jan.

After the presentation, Mickey and Minnie came on stage. I'll say it. I nearly cried! I was so excited! We then got to go meet and greet with Chip and Dale. My DD was acting shy, so I got to hug Dale instead of her. So great! For listening to the whole thing, everyone got a free one year membership to the Strong Museum. Awesome! I didn't tell my DD where we were going and she was so surprised and excited. She said it was the best day she's ever had in the whole wide world! If she was excited about this, I just can't imagine what she'll be like come January! Sorry my post is so long, but I just wanted to tell everyone what an awesome time we had this evening. This was their first travel show, so if you get an invite to somewhere near you, you should go for sure!

Wow! That sounds pretty cool! If my DH went, he'd SO want to buy!! He went through a presentation at Boardwalk about 5 or 8 years ago and of course, we wanted to do it, but had no financial means! Wish we could have managed it! How did you find out about this event? I want to keep an eye out for it around here! Glad you had a fun day! Have a great weekend!

Good night everyone!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Sarah!! Glad you are able to Dis!!!! I am so happy for you that you got in there early!! That way you didn't have to sit and twiddle your thumbs and think about food! That always seems to happen when you can't eat. Hopefully you will be right as rain super-quick!!! Have you talked to Kayte? I wonder how she did? Okay, off till tomorrow or Sunday!!! Nighty-night.

 

[sarbah77]

Sarah!! Glad you are able to Dis!!!! I am so happy for you that you got in there early!! That way you didn't have to sit and twiddle your thumbs and think about food! That always seems to happen when you can't eat. Hopefully you will be right as rain super-quick!!! Have you talked to Kayte? I wonder how she did? Okay, off till tomorrow or Sunday!!! Nighty-night.

I have not talked to Kayte, but I suspect she'll be in the hospital overnight (at least). I do hope that all went well for her today!!!

 

[peach3es]

Can you all accept me, the snowbird who can't keep up? I keep trying to hop on and off, but you all just talk to much and I can't follow the thread!

I am trying...honest! I don't want to lose my Peeps! Forgive me when I can't. I beg of you!

And I hope you all have a great day!

 

[snykymom]

Can you all accept me, the snowbird who can't keep up? I keep trying to hop on and off, but you all just talk to much and I can't follow the thread!

I am trying...honest! I don't want to lose my Peeps! Forgive me when I can't. I beg of you!

And I hope you all have a great day!

Consider yourself forgiven! Besides, you posted enough on Part II to be forgiven anything!


Sarah, glad all went well for you and hope you have a better day today (and get your mozzarella sticks, , and whatever else you crave! )

And, please folks, notice my ticker:
49 days (aka 7 weeks) TO DISNEY!!!!
PARTY!!!!


Well, Carrie, I guess you're not totally forgiven - look who got out in your absence!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Good morning Snowbirds!

Sarah - So glad you are home and all went well.

Kayte - Hope you are doing well also. Check in when you can.

Katiebugsmom - We ended up getting flights from PIT to MCO for $64 on SW!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We're booked! January 29th to February 5th, POP.

This all came up in the last WEEK, we had no plans to go (well, we knew we were going to Fort Myers, but didn't think we'd do Disney). I feel dizzy and need to get my butt in gear organizing my ADRs!!!

to the Snowbirds!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hollywood Brown Derby


Dinner

Appetizers

Cold Water Lobster Corn Bisque- with truffle creme fraiche and snipped chives $8

Cremini Mushroom Chevre Raviolo - with spinach, veal stock reduction, and shaved parmigiano $9.00


Blue Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Potato Crust, green cabbage slaw, dijon mustard and remoulade sauces $11

Market Greens Salad with asparagus, tomato grapes, candied pecans, midnight moon goat cheese and cabernet vinaigrette $8

Roasted Sea Scallop With hardwood smoked, corn risotto, English peas, and lemon aioli $9.00


Cobb Salad for Two with finely chopped greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing $14


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Entrees
Roasted Sterling Silver Pork Rib Chop with mustard spaetzle, white cheddar, rainbow chard, vinegar onions and pan juices $27

Hijiki Crusted Ahi Tuna seared "rare" with snow pea stir fry, amazu diakon, soy and wasabi sauces $28

Pan Roasted Duck Breast and Venison Sausage with crimson lentils, natural reduction, and Fresno chili jam $27

Noodle Bowl with Wok Fried Coconut Tofu, soy beans, sugar snap peas, bok choy, and shiitake mushrooms in a red curry broth $18

Pan Fired Black Grouper - With Provencal vegetables, crispy capers, and citrus juices $29.00


Char-Grilled 12 oz. New York Strip Steak with herb-roasted red potatoes, cremini mushrooms, tiny onions and cabernet syrup $33

Split Roasted Half Chicken with rice pilaf, almond cranberry polonaise and maple vinegar sauce $22

Grilled Atlantic Salmon on soft mascarpone polenta with gorgonzola, balsamic glaze and Sicillan olive tapenade $24


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Desserts

Flourless Chocolate Cake with port wine chocolate sauce, fresh berries, and sweetened creme fraiche $8

Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower on cocoa almond cookie and bananas "foster" $8

Double Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee with a dark chocolate dipped biscotti $7

Pistachio Cheesecake - with dark cherry puree and kirshwasser whipped cream $9

Grapefruit Cake - A Brown Derby Original! Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit Cream Cheese Icing $8


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Kids Menu

All meals served with choice of 1% milk, bottled water, or juice


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Appetizers
Chicken Noodle Soup $3.00

Chopped Salad with tomato, cucumber and carrots $3.00

Celery and Carrot "Dippers" with ranch dressing $3.00


Entrees


Grilled Chicken Breast - with barbecue sauce, red potatoes, and green beans and carrots $9.00

Meaty Macaroni - Macaroni, ground turkey, marinara and mozzarella with broccoli $7.00

Grilled Cheese on Whole Wheat Bread with brown sugar apples $6.00

Tempura Fish Strips with steamed broccoli and dipping sauce $11.00

Grilled All-Beef Hot Dog $6.00

French fries and soft drinks available upon request



Desserts

Hidden Treasures - Vanilla ice cream, Oreo cookie crumbles and gummy snakes with a Tollhouse cookie $4.00

Fresh Cut Fruit with mango ice $3.00

Strawberry and Yogurt Parfait with granola $3.00