January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Remmy]

I saw this tonight and thought I was pass it on to you

http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2009/01/kim_possible_world_showcase_ad.html

This is great information. I can't wait to try and check this out. I just know my family will be right into this. I think my DD will have the most fun as she loves watching Kim. I am going to hope we can do this numerous times as this adds some excitement while exploring the World Showcase pavilions.
Thanks again for finding this for us. Remmy

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

We have about a 22-24 hour drive depending on the boarder crossing, how long our stops are and driving conditions. We are leaving from close to London, Ontario, Canada. I will take the first part of driving to Windsor to cross the boarder. We will switch there as I am terrified of driving over large bridges, wimpy I know, but it is easier for everyone if he drives from there. DH will then drive through the night and then it is my turn. We hope to hit the mountains (Jellico, Tennessee-I hope I put it in the correct State, please forgive me if I didn't) by morning. I get the happy mountain drive, another fear of mine and hopefully to Orlando by sunset or shortly thereafter.

We are leaving on the 21st around supper time and getting it on the go. Thus no dishes to be left to clean. We hope if we can drive straight through then we will try to find a hotel on the 22nd in the Orlando area. I went online and found that the All Stars still have some preferred rooms available or there are others close by that still have availability. We will then shop the next day go down to West Palm for a free nights stay with DH's Grandparents. They will love seeing the kids. Here is where we pick up the items I ordered online to save paying extra taxes and duty. We then drive back up on Saturday to check in at the POP.

Hopefully all is well with our driving and no big upsets. We have purchased our "Along Interstate 75" book by Dave Hunter who breaks it down mile by mile and has good tips on where to stop for breaks and other good items. Last trip we went with DH's extended family who swore they knew their way. We find out that they only knew to Ohio. Imagine my surprise when I found this out. Anyway we did find our way down there with some unexpected side stops that didn't need to be. That is why we have this book. We traveled down with it the first time we went together and it was a huge help.

I think I have Disney overload and I hope I have packed all we require, have all the information to have a great trip and be able to apply it when down there. This is a trip of firsts-dining plan, photopass, trip with just us and the children (except one night and 2 days MIL is driving up to be with us). I think I am extremely stressed. I am a worry type of person and I can't wait to be able to be in our resort room and take a deep breath and relax knowing we have finally arrived.

Sorry to unload.

I have a few questions for those who are doing trip reports as I have never done one before. How or where do you post a trip report? How do you get the trip report to show in your signature? Do you type it out in a word processing program first then paste it in here as a quote or do you type it all in here? How do you add photos to your trip report?

I am sorry for all the questions but would love to do a trip report but I am challenged when it comes to technology.

Thank you Remmy

SHOOOOOOO...I'm exhausted just thinking about your trip!!

I can't believe I am on the "list" We leave THIS Week

WWWOOOOOHHHHOOOOO!!

I saw this tonight and thought I was pass it on to you

http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2009/01/kim_possible_world_showcase_ad.html

That looks like a blast! I think my 6 yr old (and hubby) would really get in to it!

 

[Remmy]

For those of us left to go, look at our tickers.

I always thought our Stitch and Lightning were slow movers but they seemed to have picked up steam lately!

Right now I am looking at the weather reports online and wondering if leaving Wednesday is the best bet and when. I will have faith that there will be no snow storms when we wish to leave. I don't like driving in strange places in the dark so we may have to leave a bit earlier. DH has no worries, I do all of it for him.

Since we are leaving earlier than our ticker will show, I won't get to see it go past 3. I can't wait to get there. As always, I am looking forward to the magic and the family time we get to spend together.

I wish everyone a good, safe and healthy day today.

Remmy

 

[dundeehunter]

Hope it warms up in FL for you! I hate the cold now, but I will admit that I'll take it since I got the high 70's to low 80's last week!

; my DMIL passed away today. It was not unexpected, but it's still tough.

I'm sorry for your loss. Unexpected or not, I understand you loss.

I'm also hoping for warm weather this week...I want the 70's to 80's!

I saw this tonight and thought I was pass it on to you

http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/2009/01/kim_possible_world_showcase_ad.html

Thank you for posting. This looks GREAT for older children like my two DD's! Maybe we will see you there!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Hi all!

We're back - our flight landed early today and we made it home, despite the weather.

So while it was cool in WDW, especially yesterday, it was miserably cold here in Michigan... glad I was south! DH and I are thinking we might become snowbirds somewhere- anywhere!- every winter!

Short wrap-up:
DH ran this marathon 14 minutes faster than his last one. Can you imagine?

Unfortunately, he missed qualifying for the Boston marathon by (get this!) NINETY FOUR SECONDS. But did I mention the 14 minute improvement?

The parks were WAY WAY more crowded than the same week in 2005.

We were on the DDP - it was a lot of food. The lowlight was Rose & Crown - overrated!, followed by the breakfast platters at any QS location. Spoodles was aiming for rock bottom, but we spoke to the manager and got moved/better waiter, and it was a much better meal. I really enjoyed Boma and Crystal Palace.

The weather was cooler than we'd like BUT it was so much warmer than home.

I never did manage to see Kayte - I think time just got away from me.

I'll have a much longer write-up at some point!

Congrats on the time! And I am sorry Rose & Crown didn't work out for you--it's one of our favorite places to go!!!

Snykymom~ Sorry for your loss.Visit us when you can, we know you are going to be very busy.


Happy Sunday Snowbirds!!Our last one before departure day!!!!! This time next week we will be waking up in the Poly!!!

 

[west&east]

I rarely post, but thought I would drop everyone a quick note! We leave on Wednesday!!!!! In the meantime, I am hosting a Pampered Chef party, and my neighbor and I decided at the last minute to combine the party with a last minute 2 day neighborhood food drive in honor of MLK Day and the Day of Service. The kids are home tomorrow and I am trying to get one quick trip to the Disney store before we leave. The weather forecast is looking great for the end of the week (high 60's Thursday moving into low 70s). I am still concerned we will be chilly in the evenings, especially Thursday night when we have our illuminations cruise. So I want to find some Disney sweatshirts for layering. All this planning and still lots of last minute things. DH will get the suitcases out today! Happy Day everyone!!

 

[dklam]

CAN YOU BELIEVE - ANOTHER 4-8 INCHES OF SNOW TODAY!!​

I am SO ready to fly south this week! We have had more snow so far this year than the last two winters combined. Right now, you can barely see out the windows it is coming down so hard. DD is kind of freaking out over an IM conversation - she was due to take a 1:30 bus home from NY today, but doesn't want to "end up in a ditch on the side of the highway" or take 8 hours to get home instead of 4. So, she booked AMTRAK to leave tonight instead - said she would rather "cool her heels in Penn Station on a train instead of being on a highway with crazy drivers in the snow!" I can't blame her - I'm not exactly crazy about the idea of her coming home in a snowstorm by bus either. The good news - the drive to the train station for us is only 20 minutes instead of the drive to Boston, which is an hour. So, keeping our fingers crossed that she doesn't have any travel delays. The snow is supposed to stop by mid-afternoon, so we'll see what happens.

4 MORE DAYS!!​

 

[MAGGIED]

I believe it... we got about 8 inches overnight..... still snowing out...but much lighter than earlier.... the weather is looking better for next week for us...

 

[Dancegrl624]

Good morning Snowbirds!!! Speaking of snow, it's snowing here today. We got a few inches overnight as well. I don't mind snow, I'm just happy it's in the 20's today! The last few days were just brutal.

I can't believe I leave in 6 days!!!!! Unbelievable!!!! At this time next week, we'll be finishing up our Princess Storybook Breakfast. How exciting!!!

 

[crzyred]

Good morning everyone!

To everyone leaving this week: HAVE A GREAT, ENJOYABLE, SAFE AND WARM TIME!!!!!!!!!!

It's supposed to warm up this week! Yay!

I realized this morning in the middle of church that last week at this time I was wearing shorts because it was in the 70's....

 

[MelXThree]

Only 2 more days!!

I have a small venting I must do....

So we decided to go to Disney LAST Christmas and have been planning ever since When we decided to go we asked my parents and my DH parents if they would like to come...my parents said YES and my DH parents said NO. So this week they decided to go to flordia 3 days after us and say for TWO weeks They now would like to meet up with us...my problem is after a year of planning and making ADR's and them saying NO (more than once) NOW I have to change everything around?? I will do it because they are my DH parents and my kids grandparents but HOW RUDE??

OK, OK I am done venting now

 

[MelXThree]

This is great information. I can't wait to try and check this out. I just know my family will be right into this. I think my DD will have the most fun as she loves watching Kim. I am going to hope we can do this numerous times as this adds some excitement while exploring the World Showcase pavilions.
Thanks again for finding this for us. Remmy

That looks like a blast! I think my 6 yr old (and hubby) would really get in to it!

Thank you for posting. This looks GREAT for older children like my two DD's! Maybe we will see you there!

It does look like fun...I didn't really understand what it was either until I saw that article!! My DS5 is really "into" that kind of stuff

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hello Snowbirds!

Snowing here too. A lot.

 

[Tropigal]

We are having a blast here in Disney!!

We did MK yesterday and it was SOOOO crowded! We got to the front at Rope Drop and hit Fantasyland right away and walked on all those rides...headed over to Toontown to see the Fairies at 10am and waited over 1 hour to see them. After we got out of there and did the Barnstormer we ate lunch in Tomorrowland and from there on it was LINES! It was as crowded or more than when we were here in June. We hit all the rides and our longest wait even with using FP was only 40 minutes, except the Fairies.

We had dinner at Chef Mickey's and then headed back to MK for fireworks! It was so crowded and trying to get back into the park after was a nightmare. Most left and lines were way shorter since it was open til 11pm. We managed to hit almost all open rides/shows!

Weather got into the low 60's and today it's supposed to hit 70 by mid afternoon.

Today is our off day, had to do a timeshare owner lecture and are waiting for our friends to arrive today.

Hitting Animal Kingdom tomorrow!!!

I'll post more later!!

Don't want to come home!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

But I do have to report a sad tiding - my h just called; my DMIL passed away today. It was not unexpected, but it's still tough. I'll be on occasionally, but again off the boards as we attend to all the details involved, particularly since Jewish law requires burial within 24 hours of death.

So sorry for your loss.

 

[PrincessDez]

Snowbirds leaving THIS WEEK!! Have a safe and magical trip!!

Uagirl ~ Jan 18-23 WL
Splashmtncrew ~ Jan 18-24 WL
Disalicia22 ~ Jan 18-25 Poly
Upanova01 ~ Jan 18-25 ???
Katieam1 ~ Jan 18-25 POP
Amaley01 ~ Jan 18-28 CSR
GPA1015 ~ Jan 18-30 POP
Krolyat ~ Jan 19-23 SSR
Tinkbyday ~ Jan 19-24 YC
Wdwmaiselfamilywdw ~ Jan 19-25 POR
Pluto_fan ~ Jan 19-25 SOG
Laurainsem ~ Jan 19-27 POP
Northerndisneygirl ~ Jan 19-29 WL
Tybrilinja ~ Jan 19-29 ???
Sharadoc ~ Jan 19-30 ASMu
Bunsenh ~ Jan 20-24 YC
Dundeehunter ~ Jan 20-26 POP
Melxthree ~ Jan 20-27 CBR
Momof2disneyboys ~ Jan 20-27 CBR
Katiebugsmom ~ Jan 20-29 OKW
Heimlichfan ~ Jan 21-25 OKW
Rfrank9504 ~ Jan 21-25 POFQ
Fire14 ~ Jan 21-26 POP
West&east ~ Jan 21-26 AKL
Doryandnemo ~ Jan 21-27 ???
Grammyjudy ~ Jan 21-27 POP
Trixiequilts ~ Jan 21-28 AKV
Minniemom09 ~ Jan 21-28 POFQ
Jnykly ~ Jan 21-28 Poly
Kazooie01 ~ Jan 21-28 POP
Lovepoohbear ~ Jan 21-28 POP
Disneygroders ~ Jan 22-25 POFQ
MickeyNicki ~ Jan 22-26 Poly
Dklam ~ Jan 22-26 POR
Distherapy ~ Jan 22-27 WL
Mousecat ~ Jan 22-27 Poly
Singinglizzie ~ Jan 22-27 CSR
Momathome ~ Jan 22-28 POP
Mom2kazkids ~ Jan 22-28 ASSp
Jimmyc0000 ~ Jan 22-29 POR
Cinderellamom123 ~ Jan 22-Feb 1 Cabins
Minniemommy ~ Jan. 22-Feb 1 POFQ
Eacatwork ~ Jan 23-26 ???
Rfrank9504 ~ Jan 23-26 POFQ
Holleetigerlilly ~ Jan 23-27 POP
Debbieandroo ~ Jan 23-28 ASMu
Desnik ~ Jan 23-29 AKV/BWV
Petuniamilz ~ Jan 23-30 Offsite
Chime ~ Jan 23-30 CBR
Carrousel35 ~ Jan 23-30 POFQ
2tinks2pirates ~ Jan 23-30 POP
Mamaoftriplets ~ Jan 23-30 PO
Daruss ~ Jan 23-30 BWV
Momatater ~ Jan 23-30 AKL
WDWlifelong ~ Jan 23-30 VWL
Lil'mermaid75 ~ Jan 23-Feb 1 CBR
3amigos ~ Jan 23-Feb 1st ???
Rfrank9504 ~ Jan 24-27 POFQ
Ppan77 ~ Jan 24-29 Poly
Denily ~ Jan 24-29 POP/AKL
Waltdisneyworlders ~ Jan 24-30 CBR
Bridgie04 ~ Jan 24-30 BWV/CT
Momto2prncchrmgs ~ Jan 24-30 CBR
Billysmommy ~ Jan 24-31 BWV
Gourmetgirl ~ Jan 24-31 WL
Cheshireqt ~ Jan 24-31 ???
Brobrosmom ~ Jan 24-31 ASMu
Monny2AE ~ Jan 24-31 CBR
Rmzlvacationers ~ Jan 24-31 CBR
Canluvpooh ~ Jan 24-31 AKV
Phairest1 ~ Jan 24-31 POP
Anonymousegirl ~ Jan 24-31 GF/BC
Dancegrl624 ~ Jan 24-31 Offsite
Jensen ~ Jan 24-31 ASMu
Shock13 ~ Jan 24-31 AKL
Maggied ~ Jan 24-31 CBR
Corkery719 ~ Jan 24-31 POP
Tkme4ard ~ Jan 24-31 Poly
Princessdez ~ Jan 24-31 YC
Disneymommy3 ~ Jan 24-Feb 1 Poly
Reneedisney ~ Jan 24-Feb 1 BC
Remmy ~ Jan 24-Feb 6 POP

Yipppeeee!!!! I am on the list!!!
I just got my docs yesterday. I am soooo excited they told me when I booked they may not arrive in time so they would give them to me upon check in. I guess that is what happens when you only book 2 weeks out. So, I am so happy they are here. Now the trip feels real!

Not to mention, the forecast looks good too!

HAPPY SUNDAY everyone!

And for all of us on the list, the countdown has begun .......

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Detailed ten-day forecast


Today
Jan 18
Details Clear
Hi: 70° Lo: 52°
Day: Sunny skies. High 70F, humidity 35%.
Night: Chance of light rain showers.


Tomorrow
Jan 19
Details Clear
Hi: 68° Lo: 48°
Day: Sunny skies. High 68F, humidity 50%.
Night: Clear skies.


Tuesday
Jan 20 Clear
Hi: 57° Lo: 34°
Slight chance of moderate rain showers.


Wednesday
Jan 21 Clear
Hi: 57° Lo: 34°
Sunny skies.


Thursday
Jan 22 Clear
Hi: 65° Lo: 44°
Sunny skies.


Friday
Jan 23 Partly Cloudy
Hi: 71° Lo: 52°
Sunny skies.


Saturday
Jan 24 Fair
Hi: 70° Lo: 52°
Mostly clear skies.


Sunday
Jan 25 Fair
Hi: 72° Lo: 60°
Partly cloudy skies.


Monday
Jan 26 AM Rain
Hi: 71° Lo: 57°
Cloudy skies.


Tuesday
Jan 27 Partly Cloudy
Hi: 78° Lo: 52°
Partly cloudy skies.

 

[2disneygirls]

Well, we're home....and I am SO SAD!!

When I woke up this morning, right before I opened my eyes, I thought I was still at Disney...........

I know I'll get over this......and I can relive it all through scrapbooking, right??

We had a great time, except for dh becoming VERY ill on our last night....in fact, he is still there! He went to the clinic and the dr. said he could not fly home with us yesterday. The CMs at POR were very nice & helpful & booked us an extra night so he could stay (actually 2 nights, "just in case").

I think I'm going to write a full trip report, but here are highlights!

Day 1 ~ Epcot ~ we love Love LOVED Soarin'! We got our very first autographs (Chip 'n Dale) and ate at Tutto Italia for supper (very yummy!)

Day 2 ~ MK ~ Cinderella's Royal Table for lunch! This was everything I had imagined it would be. We got through way more of the park than I thought we would ~ all of Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, most of Fantasyland, and part of Tomorrowland! dd7 and dd10 went on their first roller coaster ever, BTMR, and loved it! We also did SM.........dd7 loved it, dd10 did NOT.

Day 3 ~ DHS ~ as soon as we arrived, HSM show was 10 minutes away, so we got front seats for that ~ and dd7 got picked to dance with the cast! She was thrilled. dd7 and dh did RnR TWICE! (couldn't talk dd10 into it after her traumatic SM experinece!) We ate at 50's Prime Time for supper and our server was very funny ~ had the whole section sign a bday card for "Her cousin" (my dh). We were very sad that Fantasmic was standing-room only.....the kids would not have been able to see at all. I was so bummed, b/c it was *my* decision to take a chance to forego the package....I really wanted to eat at Prime Time...... Right then and there I decided we WILL be going back......and I'll book a package!!!

Day 4 ~ AK ~ our only rainy day. We rode KRR before it started raining, so we were almost dry again...and then it rained. We all rode EE.......3 of us loved it.....dd10 did NOT! We ALL loved the Festival of the Lion King! We left earlier than we'd planned so we could get into some dry clothes before dinner, so we missed a couple of things I'd wanted to do.....mainly the Nemo show. :-( We ate at 1900 Park Fare for dinner ~ the stepsisters were very funny & Druisella made dh dance with her. If I can figure out how to post that on YouTube, I'll let you know.

Day 5 ~ DHS again ~ The main reason for going back was that we couldn't get a FP for TSM and really wanted to ride that..mission accomplished! We all loved it. Also caught the B&TB showdd7 and dh did RnR twice more....and dd10 and I shopped. For dinner we did Chef Mickey's, which was WONDERFUL...our server was so nice! She reminded us of our next-door neighbor.

Day 6 ~ MK again ~ Finished tomorrowland....at Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor, dd10 got featured! He made fun of her Mickey Ears.....it was hysterical! Later, a little girl pointed at her and said, hey I saw you!! She felt like a celebrity! Then we hit Toon Town and waited an HOUR for the fairies (our longest wait all trip; I can't complain) We watched the Dreams Come True parade & ate at Crystal Palace, which was great ~ Pooh's my FAVE! ooh: Then we shopped at the Emporium & watched SpectroMagic. I headed home after this since I was feeling illish (much less so than dh would eventually get it, thank goodness!) and dh and the girls ran back to Frontierland and rode BTMR three times in a row!

Day 7 ~ Epcot again ~ Soarin' again! dh and the girls did Mission Space and Test Track, which I skipped b/c I still wasn't feeling that whippy. We toured some of the countries and did Nemo and Crushes Turtle Talk. We ate dinner at the Coral Reef, which was fabulous! We stayed for IllumiNations and headed back to the POR.....where dh's longest night ever began........

Day 8 ~ Departure Day ~ the girls and I packed quickly and headed over to MK to give dh some peace & quiet and to escape his germs. We rode the WDW Railroad, BTMR for the 4th time.....the girls got their last Mickey-head ice cream and I got my Dole Whip. We headed back to the resort when he texted me that the dr. said he couldn't fly so I could work out all of the arrangements with the resort and his flight etc. We ate our last Disney meal at the food court at POR and I swear, the MINUTE our Magical Express bus pulled out, he called & said he was walking back in the front doors, we JUST missed him, and we left for home without even getting to say goodbye. :-( Poor man! He gets home later tonight.

So there it is! I can't WAIT to go back!!!!

 

[PrincessDez]

But I do have to report a sad tiding - my h just called; my DMIL passed away today. It was not unexpected, but it's still tough. I'll be on occasionally, but again off the boards as we attend to all the details involved, particularly since Jewish law requires burial within 24 hours of death.

I am so very sorry to hear that! It is never easy when a loved one dies. Our thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Well, we're home....and I am SO SAD!!

When I woke up this morning, right before I opened my eyes, I thought I was still at Disney...........

I know I'll get over this......and I can relive it all through scrapbooking, right??

We had a great time, except for dh becoming VERY ill on our last night....in fact, he is still there! He went to the clinic and the dr. said he could not fly home with us yesterday. The CMs at POR were very nice & helpful & booked us an extra night so he could stay (actually 2 nights, "just in case").

Welcome back!! So glad to hear you had such an awesome trip! Sorry your DH is still there and sick. Hope he will be better and able to get home soon!