June, July, August PLANNING thread

[tripplanner2]

EEyore and Mky: So pretty much we are on the fence with the water parks as far as the ages of the girls. DD7 is a pretty good swimmer and is curious but nervous of the shark pool. I think she will want to do it once we get there. Sorry to say it but she is the "smart" one. DD5 does not want to swim w/o a life jacket and says when she gets married she will just get a bigger one. I am not kidding, so she is probably a no go on the shark pool. I guess I will wait to add the plus passes once we get there. I can do that right? I checked on WDW website and it said $187 to add to all of us for our stay. I will assume that the price stays the same once we get onsite. Does anyone know for sure?

EEyore: I can't believe your trip is coming so soon. You should go and have fun packing. All I know is that with all the extra time I have until our trip in August instead of July, I am going to blow all of the savings on stuff to bring with us. And I am trying to pack light this year.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I'm trying to enjoy the time before leaving. It's sort of a love/hate relationship right now. I know we will be going at Christmas for a week, but I love WDW and will hate not being there after this summer for such a long time. It will be after the kids are out of high school when we can return again so it's sad at the same time it's a happy time. At the earliest, it will be 3 summers from now. I listen to Fantasmic! and remember all the great memories from our trips and know they will be coming to an end soon for some time.

There is a lot to do at TL besides the sharks and the wave pool too. The lazy river is fun. DD and I spent a good long time in there one day. The time there flies! I have to try to mini doughnuts there this year I've heard such great things about them.

DD actually got DS to go when he was 10 in the shark pool. She was only 8. She's the risk taker of the two, but once he learned that she did, he knew he had to go. They give them a life jacket to wear. They can't kick in the shark pool...only use they arms and float along to the other end. It's not very far. I let DD sit on the edge and do it at her own pace. It took about 30 minutes before she worked up the courage to go. There is a sub (from 20,000 Leagues) to look at the sharks too. Make sure the mask is good and tight or water will leak in. It takes a bit to use the snorkel as well, but they can practice on the edge before they start. DD just sat off to the side and waited till she was ready.

Yes, I think you can add the water parks to the tickets, but I'd ask on the theme park board to be sure. Someone in the know will be able to tell you and be sure to ask where you can do that. I would bet you can't at TL. Then perhaps "do the math" and maybe it's better to just buy a one day admission rather than the entire to your MYW tickets. We hit Quest a lot so it's worth it for us. TL is around $37 with tax. If you don't use all the options, it might be better to just buy a one day for the water park.

 

[EEyorelover22]

I have to add:

I have found that packing in ziplocs keeps me from over packing. I pack everyone's clothes for the day in a bad and toss it to them DH rolls them back up at night for the dirty clothes. I have a massive list too and stick to it. I want maximum room for trinkets to bring home.

I must say though with all the dusting I've done, I don't think I'll buy much. I have enough Disney junk in this house for 5 houses!! It's good that I can keep telling myself..."you don't need anything this year."

I'll let you know how I do when I get back

 

[tripplanner2]

After this trip I am not sure when we will go again. DH says we should go somewhere else next year. I agree but at the same time I really love WDW and have no problem going back each year. Maybe we can work it out that we take 2 trips per year. One place new, and one to WDW. It is really amazing how quickly life changes. Enjoy this trip with your family. I bet you will be back again sooner than you think. I know what you mean about the love/hate thing. I enjoy the planning so much and so love to look forward to the trip, I almost get sad when the trip comes real close. I finally booked flights today using Ding but really am not in love with the itinerary. I am going to continue to keep my eye on them to see if the better flights become available for the cheaper fare.

 

[EEyorelover22]

We went to DC last August and had a good time. It wasn't the same though. Fun, but not the same. The night before we left I kept asking myself why we were going!! I do know people who go to nice places over spring break in Mexico for a lot less than a Disney trip. The thing I didn't like about the DC trip was the big city. We were there Friday thru Wednesday and on Tuesday when we were coming in for the night, my step mom laughed when I said, "okay, I'm tired of the weirdos, let's go home." The guy dancing in the street between traffic started to really creap me out and then there was the guy by the metro entrance. DD and DS did get an education!! and not just from the Ford Museum either. Funny coming from the girl who spent 20 years living near Detroit. Iowa is such a different pace. Today DD and I went to a play in the Amanas and there were all these tractors coming down the 2 lane highway!! Only in Iowa I found out at the play that there was a tractor parade nearby. I'm depressed we missed it

 

[tripplanner2]

Being that DH is a teacher and I am a SAHM, we have lots of time over the summer. We plan road trips each year and but NOTHING has come close to our trip last year to WDW. I know EXACTLY what you mean about the trip to Washington. We hit Virginia last year in August after going to WDW in July and we ended up coming home early. There was just nothing to do compared to our other trip. I will try to play his game and try something else but hopefully the kids will break him and he will take them back again sometime soon. I am trying to add some other things into our trip instead of just theme parks. I want to go horseback riding at Fort Wilderness and that is why I was looking into the shark pool. I figure if we spend less time in the parks he will be more likely to go back. I hope it is not just wishful thinking.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

EE22 & TP2,

I know exactly what you are talking about. Sis & I take care of (and live with) our 70 something parents, and our trips to wdw, will be either very short (long weekend) types or non-existant. They need us more and more. (role reversal). Mom had pneumonia last year, we got off the disney cruise, and called home to check in, found out she was in ICU. By time our 2nd trip for the year hit, she was sick again. Just don't feel right being gone so long. We talk about doing something around "here" but that is very sorely lacking, when compared to wdw. Just doesn't feel like a real trip. The last "vacation" other than disney was a long weekend in 95' to vegas, or a long weekend to the W. dells. (yuk) When we go to wdw, we always have rented a car, hit all the malls, outlets, other resturants, etc.... . Feel very comfortable where everything is at. Doesn't take a week to feel like you know where to go, what to do. Or, find the seedy part of town. Looking over your shoulder, thinking is this a safe area. (can you tell we leave close to chicago) I feel extremely comfortable and secure at wdw.

What is exactly "lite packing" I have yet to find this concept? Wish I could figure it out. We fly too, and feel like the Beverly Hillbilly's with our bags & suitcases. I like to use the ziplocks too. But have not used them that way. Just divided up underwear, socks, etc... . This is a good suggestion for my nephew, having his clothes all picked out and ready to go. Thanks!

As for the tickets, I am almost positive you can upgrade them at the parks. One year our ap's where about to expire, and I wanted to change the "date" on them, so we Upgraded to PAP's and did it at the ttc. No problem's.

Happy planning, mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

Morning!

I meant I didn't think you could upgrade the tickets at TL. Not sure about that though. I think it has to be at one of the 4 parks.

I have a busy day today! I must hit the math books

Who here is going to AKL? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to go read I have some hidden Mickey pics I want to send them if they haven't seen them from the resort.

 

[bbmema]

What is a code?

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Good morning everyone !!
Hope you guys had a great weekend !
It`s been cold and nasty here in NJ, all last week, the only day it was sunny all day was yesterday, (but cold) !
Seems that i`ve missed a great disscussion here this weekend !!
I`m in the " Zipcloc ", baggies faze of the packing !
Like EE22, I put one outfit in a 2 gallon ziploc bag (shorts, tank, undies, even flip flops, if thier new )into the bag, let the air out and press it in the luggage.
then I label the bag for the corrilating day, and, THAT my friends, saves us the "what am i going to wear today" problem (which i hate cause it wastes alot Disney time)
MKY- I was sorry to read about your mom being ill while you were away, I hear you about taking care of your parents, my mom turned 80 yrs old this year, and she thinks she is a spring chicken (god bless her). She still wants to drive, and it DRIVES me nuts, because, I know her reflexes are not what they should be, on the other hand, I feel like I`m clipping her wings if I force her to give up her license I`m happy that she`ll have to take another written test when she renews, mabe it won`t have to be MY dissission after all I AM grateful though, that she is in fairly decent health at this time of her life, (even though she`s had a stomach proceedure a couple of years ago)
anyway guys, gotta get back to the "Ziplocs" (god bless ziplocs)

 

[mkymouse4ever]

What is a code?

Welcome bbmema! A code = discount disney comes out with mailings, annual passholders sometimes get special rates (codes), or Public codes that anyone can use. Check out www.mousesavers.com and lookup where it says wdw and go to resort discounts / codes. usually has the latest info.

Tommar@SSR and EE22, are you guys going down at the same time? Seems you are both close and packing! I am so excited to see my counter down to 50! Tommar, my mom has glaucoma, and very poor (any?) vision. But still wants to drive??? She knows she can't, but absolutely hates the idea, of needing a ride anywhere. Dad had his cataract's done a few months ago, and before I could switch with someone at work to go with them, they where hatching a plan for her to drive, and he would see for her. I had almost fell over when i heard this plan.

The best place to exchange tix = international gateway

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Tommar@SSR and EE22, are you guys going down at the same time? Seems you are both close and packing! I am so excited to see my counter down to 50! Tommar, my mom has glaucoma, and very poor (any?) vision. But still wants to drive??? She knows she can't, but absolutely hates the idea, of needing a ride anywhere. Dad had his cataract's done a few months ago, and before I could switch with someone at work to go with them, they where hatching a plan for her to drive, and he would see for her. I had almost fell over when i heard this plan.

OH MY GOODNESS! You better watch those two, they may plan the escape yet!! (somehow I think that`s soooo cute) , but I know how frustrating it must be for you!

also, I think that EE22 and I are leaving at the same time, But, We`ll be flying to our son`s home in SC, first, for 2 weeks, then driving to WDW on 7-10. Yep, I`m starting to get excited now !!

 

[EEyorelover22]

I guess these will be my next stages in life...taking care of my parents and driving to my son's house! I'm taking my son for his permit today. God help me!!

I finished half of the first chapter in my text yesterday. I went to seed after lunch and had to stop! Packed a bit more.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya

Just had the best mail today. Got 3 different emvelopes from wdw, all the new ap ressies. Feel like things are settled. I can't believe we are in the 40's now. Makes you feel like the summer is almost over, and we will be heading into fall again.

EE22 > did you finish your text yet? You have a week and a half?

We are sending thee best weather East! It has been beauitful here the last 2 days. sunny warm and not to hot. suppose to be getting really hot this weekend? Hope everyone is having a great week. Keep packing. mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

Morning!
I finished chapter one and I'm halfway through chapter two. I work all the problems for the chapter in each section, quizzes and tests with the chapter too. 7 sections with 25+ problems per section, 3 quizzes and 3 tests per chapter. Ick! But, I'll have a head start on the year. I guess Chapter 4 gets ugly so I think I will try to get through 3 before we leave. I have most stuff done and cleaned the house so I can concentrate on it more.

I have a load of stuff in the livingroom to ziploc

 

[tripplanner2]

How did you get stuck reading the math text. That sound grueling. My DH has never brought anything like that home (that I know of anyway). I really hope it is something you are getting paid extra for.

 

[EEyorelover22]

No extra pay. It will make the school year go better though if I've gone through the book or at least part of it. If I can get through 6 chapters I'll be sittin' pretty. Then I can do 2nd semester during 1st semester. I've never been paid for the curriculum work I've done. Last summer I rewrote all my quizzes for geometry and advanced algebra...84 in all. No pay. I need to redo my algebra ones too, but that won't happen this summer. We wrote all the quizzes for this new course (book) this spring. The guy I work with did the first 5 chapters and I did 6-13 over spring break when the family had the flu which I'm glad I did that with the mass confusion that took place with the one department member injured on Easter. Since he's taught the course before, he worked all the quizzes and we revamped them after he worked them finding better questions, cutting stuff out. We also made the 1st and 2nd semester tests and reviews. It was a busy, busy spring!! All I know is thank goodness for computers and the software that now comes with our texts. Each one takes about 30 minutes to make and if I had to hand write or type those the old fashion way, I'd be 107 before I would finish!!

I need to buy him a gift certificate to his favorite place to eat. Next year is his last year and he thought he'd make it through on the old book. We didn't have enough books for the number of students signed up so we had to buy the new text which is a rewrite and not just a newer copyright.

Ok...gotta go get something done now!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Wow EE22, I guess I never realized what a teacher did. Never occured to me that you have to do homework, and work out the problems. You sound like a wonderful teacher.

EE22 > I tried to PM you but your box is full, so it would not let me. You need to clean up (here too).

 

[EEyorelover22]

Okay...I've cleaned up here too!! I can't keep up with regular mail, dust bunnies and email and pms!!! You should see my delete foler on my regular email. It has over 19,000 messages. I told you I have OCD. I think I might need them!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

EE22 > what are you doing up at this hour? I woke with a migraine, so was trying not to fall asleep again. (i am off today, working weekend) makes the headaches worse. So using the computer with my sunglasses, & ice bag.

Although I really do enjoy quiet mornings before anyone else gets up.