Less than 1 week, I think I might pee myself!.......a PTR

[starann]

I FINALLY got around to taking the money to the bank.....the change jar had around $42!!! Total deposit was $360!!!!

They put my change thru the change machine and there was a warped penny that it wouldn't accept.....so they wouldn't take it!!!! Oh well! Guess I will have to try and use it. Our change jar is empty again but that just means we can fill it again! It's so cute to see the boys get so excited about finding a coin and putting it in the jar!

There has been some family drama going on (when isn't there!) and I've been a little down on things, but this trip has really been lifting my spirits. The planning options, reading my passporter, making checklists have been occupied. It's over a year away, but to me, saving the money is a challenge, getting other bills paid down is a challenge and it's so rewarding when I can get somewhere with it all!

My SR account is up to $13!! Wahoo right, but it is $13 more than what I had before (I should have about double that once my shopping rewards go thru).

I go in for surgery next month, so no OT next month for me.....blech. But that mean I just have to work really hard THIS month!

 

[starann]

DH and I were talking about our trip at lunch today. He really isn't as big of a fan as I am, so often he gets sick of hearing me go on and on about it! However today we were talking about the places we want to eat. He surprised me by saying Coral Reef! We ate there our 1st trip and I didn't think he was impressed, but it seems like he was, cause he wants to go back!!!!

So on our list of returns are

Coral Reef
Whispering Canyon
China (for dinner)
Germany (his choice, not mine, I didn't care for it)
Tutto Italia


There are some new places we want to try, well, I want to try, as well. What are some of your fav places to eat? A must do on every trip?



Our Disney fund is up to $470!!!! Who thought saving money would be so easy!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

DH and I were talking about our trip at lunch today. He really isn't as big of a fan as I am, so often he gets sick of hearing me go on and on about it! However today we were talking about the places we want to eat. He surprised me by saying Coral Reef! We ate there our 1st trip and I didn't think he was impressed, but it seems like he was, cause he wants to go back!!!!

So on our list of returns are

Coral Reef
Whispering Canyon
China (for dinner)
Germany (his choice, not mine, I didn't care for it)
Tutto Italia


There are some new places we want to try, well, I want to try, as well. What are some of your fav places to eat? A must do on every trip?



Our Disney fund is up to $470!!!! Who thought saving money would be so easy!

Boma at AKL, we love it! We also see the Spirit of Aloha at the Poly every trip. For cs we love Earl of Sandwich at DTD.

 

[starann]

Boma at AKL, we love it! We also see the Spirit of Aloha at the Poly every trip. For cs we love Earl of Sandwich at DTD.

We did EOS on our last trip and really enjoyed it. I'm sure that will be a CS we use when were are at DTD! I will check out Boma. We stayed away from interesting food last trip as my in-laws wouldn't have enjoyed it (actually they enjoyed very little). We might have to add it to the list this time! Thanks!

 

[starann]

1 year!!!!!!!!!

WE have about $700 in the Disney account as of pay day today!!!!!


I spent a good hunk of today cleaning the playroom (I should have done before and after picts....you couldn't see the carpet before I started!) and boxing stuff for our Spring Disney Yardsale!!!!! Of course I ahd to do this while the kids were in school, otherwise all I hear is Mom...I want that, I want that.

Hopefully I can convince the family to give them DD for Xmas and B-days cause they REALLY don;t need anymore toys!

 

[starann]

Opps, it's been 2 month since I posted here!!!! I'm not even sure where to start.

The begining of the month we got a new van!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE got a red Kia Sedona. My old van had 200,000 miles on it and would not pass inspection come Dec, so a new van it was. Why does this matter to a WDW trip you wonder? DH had wanted to fly to WDW, but with the van he said we will drive!!!!! I was not thrilled with flying, I like having a car to go to Sea World and other places, plus that allows us to bring what ever we need. So now with a monthly car payment, to save money, we are driving down!!!!!!!

I'd post more, but my mom is on the phone, My Granddaddy isn't doing well

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Yay for the new van!! I always drive too. I like having the freedom of my own vehicle. (I hate waiting on the busses.)
We're going to Disney in May for DD graduation and 18th b-day. I got a pin code for 40% off for our resort.
Hope granddaddy gets to doing better.

 

[starann]

Thanks for the thoughts for my Granddaddy. He is currently on hospice at home and is not doing well. The nurse told his lady friend (and I use the term Lady, loosely) she gives him about a month, tops. It's hard for my mom, being in NY when he is in NC, and it's hard for me as a nurse I know the care he SHOULD be getting, but the care he has gotten is another story (for 2 years he had what the drs diagnosed as a blood clot, turns out it was a tumor and now he has metastatic disease).


Usually when everyone asks what they can get the kids for Xmas, I tell them TRU cards, this year, Disney Gift Cards, this way when we go down, they can get what ever they want and my house isn't overrun with toys this Xmas!!!

DH almost had me convinced to fly, as it would give us 'extra' Disney time, but I much rather drive! We, in the past, have driven thru the night, taking turns while the kids sleep. With the new van, we will not have to rent a car to drive down in, it will have plenty of room and we might even be able to stop in OBX to see some good friends!!!!

 

[starann]

Woot, Woot, we got about $300 in GC for our trip for Xmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually another $100 is also coming (from my Nana, who is pictured with the boys, her and Papa live in Margate Fl and might come visit us when we go), so that brings it up to $400!!!

We still haven't booked our trip yet, although now that the holidays are over, I plan to Most likely early Feb (once my comission check comes), then we can pay off the balance with our tax return, and I can save plenty for spending.

We had been hoping to stay at FWL or a AS Suite, but money being what it is, I told DH today we might be just doing a room at ASMo. We have stayed there for our past trips and enjoyed it. And as far as I'm concerned as long as we are in Disney I don't don't give a darn where we sleep.

DH did say that if we stay in 1 room, he wants to fly.....blech. I told him we would wait and see airline prices and then decide if we were flying or driving. Sigh, that man can not make up his mind!!!

I was talking with my boss about our trip yesterday, in which she yelled at me for taking the boys out of school for it!!!! Ummmm, hello, these are MY children and I will do with them what I please. Getting vacation in the summer at work is not that hard, if I put it in as my seniority request, BUT DH is a building inspector and they are VERY busy in the summer (not so much this time of year) so vacation is not as easily given in the summer. We prefer going when we go for our own personal reasons, just as those who won't pull their kids out of school go when they go for their own personal reasons. I respect that people are free to decide what is best for THEIR family!!!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Yay for Disney money! I think I would have to tell my boss to mind his own business.

 

[starann]

Got a 2010 Passporter Book yesterday.....haven't gotten a chance to read it, but maybe this weekend?

that is all!!!!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

I love filling in the passporter for a new trip It helps to make it feel real.

 

[starann]

Things are getting close (but not close enough ugh).....so DH and I have started talking about meals....mmmmmmmmmmmm Disney food.

So DH's must have picks are China for dinner and Germany.

I am down with China....we ate lunch there last time and we all enjoyed it, so dinner is fine by me.

Germany on the other hand....I could take or leave. DH forgets the kids ate bread, and not 13.99 worth of bread either. So I will try to get him to pick something else, otherwise the kids will have to eat more bread (which if you know my kids, is fine by them!)

Cody picked WCC, infact when I asked him what he wanted to do on our 1st day there, he said ride Buzz Lightyear (the one with Zurge in MK) and eat at the place with Lincoln Logs. Not sure how he feels about the food, but he LOVED those Lincoln Logs! Now that I think of it, he liked the milkshakes as well!

Shane hasn't really said where he wants to go, but he is easy like that.


I want to try new places, like Ohana for dinner (had b'fast there last time), but looking at the menu it's another place I doubt my kids would eat at. Crystal Palace for dinner would be nice and new...any comments on CP? We also enjoyed Italy and Coral Reef so those might be other options.

Any other ideas or suggestions?

We need to book soon, but I have been waiting for a PIN or something...looks like I'll be booking without a PIN and hoping a good deal comes out

So fill up my PTR with dining suggestions!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Will DH do counter service in Germany? I haven't done CP for dinner only breakfast, but I do like the atmosphere. With it being a standard buffet I would think that your kids could find something to eat. What about 1900 Park Fare? That might be fun. Oh what about Teppan Edo, they might get a kick out of watching the chef.

 

[starann]

Thanks for the suggestions ATTM! I just saw your sig line and saw you are only 3 months from your trip!!!! I am so envious!

I've decided we will try Kona for dinner (the cocconut almond chicken sounds yummo!). I looked at the menu, as did DH and he approved, although he did balk at sushi....neither of us eat sushi!

My Nana and Papa live in Margate, FL. I talked with hubby to see if he would be ok with them coming for a day if they wanted to, he said ok!!! I have to email my Nana and see if they will be up to driving and coming for the day or even just lunch (although it is a lil long for jsut lunch!). I hope they will be able to make it, but my cousin is getting married a few weeks before in upstate NY, so I'm not sure if they will have traveled hoem yet (they are both retired and travel all the time, and often are gone for weeks on end).



Off to email my Nana while I think of it!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Let me tell you these three months are taking their sweet time in passing.
I don't like sushi either and had a really good meal at Kona's. DH on the other hand, not so much. He ordered the pork chops and they were served rare. I heard of another person ordering pork and it was served the same way, so my only suggestion is if you order pork ask for it to be well done.
That would be so great if your nana and papa could visit for the day. I love sharing Disney with family.

 

[starann]

It would be nice to see them and have these memories with them (as they are getting older and the only great-grandparents my kids have other than my Granddaddy, but he is in hospice care and not doing well)......BUT my Nana is not a people person....at all! She loves me and the boys (them esp, she can't get over what happy go lucky, loving kids they are), but other people not so much! Did I mention she is NOT a people person!!!! I emailed her and left it up to her and Papa so we shall see.

In the meantime I have looked at menus and have decided on more dining place!!! However, looking at menu's this far in advance is a REAL tease!

So in no certain order....

Epcot
Tutto (Italy).......dinner
Coral Reef....dinner
Germany...dinner (it might get cut, up for debate!)
China....dinner

MK
Crystal Palace....dinner or lunch
LTT...lunch

AK
Yak and Yeti...dinner (gotta pass this one thru DH)

Resorts
Kona...dinner (those wings sound yummy too!)
WCC...dinner
CM...b'fast or dinner, or both!


We are only there 9 nights, so as of right now we are over 1 place, which may be dropped or paid for OOP.

Looking at the list I also see a LOT of Epcot places. Epcot is once place we all LOVE and we would probably go a few days, but I'm not sure if we will go that many, so park hopping and a later dinner might have to be arranged. Then again, DH may look at my list and veto any options.


With the DDP we tend to do dinner to make it 'worth it' but some placed have the same things for lunch.


So basically I have narrowed down my choices, but they can change when DH changes his mind (which often happens....book it now, wait, book it now, wait.....this place to eat, nah we can skip it, it's a MUST do)

 

[addictedtothemouse]

It would be nice to see them and have these memories with them (as they are getting older and the only great-grandparents my kids have other than my Granddaddy, but he is in hospice care and not doing well)......BUT my Nana is not a people person....at all! She loves me and the boys (them esp, she can't get over what happy go lucky, loving kids they are), but other people not so much! Did I mention she is NOT a people person!!!! I emailed her and left it up to her and Papa so we shall see.
Sounds like DH! He made me promise to not make him go back. I told him that as long as my mom was able to go he didn't have to. He told mom that she had to live forever!

In the meantime I have looked at menus and have decided on more dining place!!! However, looking at menu's this far in advance is a REAL tease!

So in no certain order....

Epcot
Tutto (Italy).......dinnerI haven't eaten here but DD15 and DNiece did last year and LOVED it.
Coral Reef....dinner YUM!!!
Germany...dinner (it might get cut, up for debate!) This was ok. I liked the entertainment more than the food.
China....dinner The food was ok here also, the drink was

MK
Crystal Palace....dinner or lunch I've omly had breakfast here.
LTT...lunch Mom and I both realy enjoyed the atmosphere here, bu tit was a loooong wait to get seated.

AK
Yak and Yeti...dinner (gotta pass this one thru DH)We got CS from here and it was a little spicy.

Resorts
Kona...dinner (those wings sound yummy too!)UMMM.....they are!!!
WCC...dinnerSooo much fun, especially for kids.
CM...b'fast or dinner, or both!We did dinner and the food was fair but the character interaction was great.


We are only there 9 nights, so as of right now we are over 1 place, which may be dropped or paid for OOP.

Looking at the list I also see a LOT of Epcot places. Epcot is once place we all LOVE and we would probably go a few days, but I'm not sure if we will go that many, so park hopping and a later dinner might have to be arranged. Then again, DH may look at my list and veto any options.


With the DDP we tend to do dinner to make it 'worth it' but some placed have the same things for lunch.


So basically I have narrowed down my choices, but they can change when DH changes his mind (which often happens....book it now, wait, book it now, wait.....this place to eat, nah we can skip it, it's a MUST do)

I'd book what you want at the 180 day mark and cancel later if you have to.

 

[starann]

Yay!!!!!!

 

[starann]

Ok, like I said we are now booked!!! It's actually official!!!!

Cehck in Sept 25th, check out Oct 4, 9day waterpark/park hopper tickets, preferred room at ASMo with MYW Dining!!!!!!!!!!!

I checked, no current PINS attached to my name, but she told me to call back if I get one. So as of now everything is set....unless I get a PIN!!!! Or Free Dining is announced.

She told me I could book my ADR March 29th, but I will double check that jsut to be sure, although I may have to book some, then see the EMH once they are posted and make revisions if needed.


Do you try to plan restuants at parks that have EMH that day or parks that don't? Some tour guides say to stay away from parks with EMH, but if we are taking time out to eat, it might make more sense to go on an EMH day...

I also have to see what day my Nana and Papa are coming, so I can make reservations for all of us that day.


Off now to get more 'real life stuff' done.....


But so excited we are now ofically booked!