Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[Native NYer]

We're planning on doing the photo session at the GF. We did it at the Poly in 2008. I figure we can try the BC next year

 

[eandesmom]

We're planning on doing the photo session at the GF. We did it at the Poly in 2008. I figure we can try the BC next year

Oh that should be beautiful! I feel kinda bad...I'm doing it at WL so it is just the 6 of us but I know we will have tons with Jeff's mom and Paul in it but...I want some of just US.

 

[MEK]

I love the Tink bag. You have a knack for finding the cutest things. I need you to do all my pre-trip shopping from now on. I don't spend that much time on ebay so I don't think I have the shopping knack.

Wow - when you add up your OOP expenses it is really scary. But at least you are organized enough to do that. I always wonder why my trips end up costing more than I anticipated. DOH!

3 More Weeks So excited for you!

 

[Flossbolna]

I just found out that Allears actually has already prices for the Via Napoli restaurant: http://allears.net/menu/menu_vianap.htm

Does look rather pricey to me. And what I don't get: I wanted to know how large these pizzas are and 20 inches are 0.51 meters - so why do they have a 20'' pizza and a half meter pizza with the later being more expensive? Do you have to pay for them using foreign measurement?? I guess we will need to watch the first reviews. I am sure a DISer will go there with a tape measure to figure that out.

 

[englishrose47]

I just found out that Allears actually has already prices for the Via Napoli restaurant: http://allears.net/menu/menu_vianap.htm

Does look rather pricey to me. And what I don't get: I wanted to know how large these pizzas are and 20 inches are 0.51 meters - so why do they have a 20'' pizza and a half meter pizza with the later being more expensive? Do you have to pay for them using foreign measurement?? I guess we will need to watch the first reviews. I am sure a DISer will go there with a tape measure to figure that out.

Yup those measurements confused me !! Like I knew that a 1/2 meter was 20.5 inches I thought it was HUGE!!!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

I love the Tink bag. You have a knack for finding the cutest things. I need you to do all my pre-trip shopping from now on. I don't spend that much time on ebay so I don't think I have the shopping knack.

That's probably a good thing (not to have the knack). I'm not on ebay very much at all actually, just for stuff like this. But I do a mean google search.

Wow - when you add up your OOP expenses it is really scary. But at least you are organized enough to do that. I always wonder why my trips end up costing more than I anticipated. DOH!

3 More Weeks So excited for you!

It's depressing! And we still end up with that same feeling of spending more than we thought. Though truthfully the Cali trip was pretty dead on

It's an expensive hobby, vacationing!

I just found out that Allears actually has already prices for the Via Napoli restaurant: http://allears.net/menu/menu_vianap.htm

Does look rather pricey to me. And what I don't get: I wanted to know how large these pizzas are and 20 inches are 0.51 meters - so why do they have a 20'' pizza and a half meter pizza with the later being more expensive? Do you have to pay for them using foreign measurement?? I guess we will need to watch the first reviews. I am sure a DISer will go there with a tape measure to figure that out.

ok yikes, that is pricey and those sizes make NO sense! I'll have to check it out. Probably supposed to be 28" or something along those lines. the 10" prices are a bit high which may hurt their lunch biz.

Yup those measurements confused me !! Like I knew that a 1/2 meter was 20.5 inches I thought it was HUGE!!!!!!

a lot of extra money for an extra half inch!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

That's why I've never bought Chaco's. Did you try Keens on for yourself?

I did. Twice now, because I really want to like them. Nope, not gonna happen. They seem to have an arch on the outside edge which feels really weird on my foot. The only thing I can think is that that particular part of my foot must be too wide. I'm still thinking about the Chaco's. They are pretty pricey, though.

Current versions yes, the ones I've been buying are "vintage" the newer stuff is a little goth for me. Still don't know what we are doing, mildly stressed about it.

I'll have to check out ebay. That bag was very cute - even if it was fake!

If you have an android phone, iphone or blackberry (I think), check it out. You can forward all your confirmation numbers from sites they support (aka Disney!) to it and it will add them into your trip for you and then manually add the rest. www.tripit.com

Wow - that's really cool - I'm going to have to try it! Although, I still need my binder

I've done a little bit of looking at the HP souvie prices and am concerned the kids souvie budget may fall short but....hopefully grandma steps in.

No kidding!

Potter lines are scary, 2 hours+ for Ollivanders, 90 minutes for FJ.....

I really need to get on the ball with my Potter research, I've been slacking. Are you just reading TRs here on Dis, or do you have a better source?

 

[mrp4352]

I'm pretty open on the DVC resort, they all have pro's and cons. SSR and OKW don't excite me by themselves but at SSR we'd have 11 months out on a tree house and I like the prices at both so...who knows!

I'll know a lot more after staying at WL and YC this trip. There is a lot about BLT that appeals to me.

Conceptually I like AKV but it might be too remote, hard to tell until I try it, which I will one of these days!

You know - we ended up buying our DVC through resale. If you decide you really want a resort that isn't offered through Disney, you can probably pick it up that way - and for much less than Disney's prices!

 

[Native NYer]

Oh that should be beautiful! I feel kinda bad...I'm doing it at WL so it is just the 6 of us but I know we will have tons with Jeff's mom and Paul in it but...I want some of just US.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of photos of the entire group. I read on another tr that the family ran into a photopass photographer at the BC and got some photos taken. You'll probably be able to get absolutey beautiful shots with Jeff's mom and Paul.

Have you ever used space bags? I'm thinking about buying a travel set.

 

[eandesmom]

I did. Twice now, because I really want to like them. Nope, not gonna happen. They seem to have an arch on the outside edge which feels really weird on my foot. The only thing I can think is that that particular part of my foot must be too wide. I'm still thinking about the Chaco's. They are pretty pricey, though.

You have to go what fits you, that's for sure!

I'll have to check out ebay. That bag was very cute - even if it was fake!

It's a cute bag, it does have bells so just make sure you want to jingle! Mine was missing 2 bells. Had it not been I'd probably have complained...but kept it lol. The other one is more Sandie I think. I know he has one more, just search for disney loop couture and you will find it (and others) some DARLING bambi ones!

Wow - that's really cool - I'm going to have to try it! Although, I still need my binder

I'm a big fan of mixed media

I really need to get on the ball with my Potter research, I've been slacking. Are you just reading TRs here on Dis, or do you have a better source?

DIS stuff, mostly the HP crowd watch thread but I need to bone up more as well.

You know - we ended up buying our DVC through resale. If you decide you really want a resort that isn't offered through Disney, you can probably pick it up that way - and for much less than Disney's prices!

Hi! Thanks, that's what we are thinking, I highly doubt we'd buy direct....unless we hold out for Hawaii lol!

I'm sure you'll get plenty of photos of the entire group. I read on another tr that the family ran into a photopass photographer at the BC and got some photos taken. You'll probably be able to get absolutey beautiful shots with Jeff's mom and Paul.

Have you ever used space bags? I'm thinking about buying a travel set.

Are you talking about Trish's report? Darling pics!!! She said the PP photographer was often around the pool and dock so I plan to snag him any time I can.

what are space bags?

 

[All7OfUs]

Chiming in on space bags..

they are plastic bags you use to pack in that have a one-way air valve on them. You pack them up with clothes (soft stuff), then roll it up to "squeeze" out the air. The scrunch up pretty flat and give you a LOT of extra packing room then. We've used them with varying degrees of luck. Sometimes they stay flat and sometimes not depending on how well the air valve thingy works.

 

[eandesmom]

Chiming in on space bags..

they are plastic bags you use to pack in that have a one-way air valve on them. You pack them up with clothes (soft stuff), then roll it up to "squeeze" out the air. The scrunch up pretty flat and give you a LOT of extra packing room then. We've used them with varying degrees of luck. Sometimes they stay flat and sometimes not depending on how well the air valve thingy works.

Ah, I had a feeling it was something like that. No, not planning to use them. I have some sweater bags and the like but end up not using them, finding it a pita to look in bags inside bags to find my stuff. The only stuff I want in bags are toiletries and supplies and heaven knows there is more than enough of that! I just try to pack flat squishable stuff to start.

which has varying degrees of success, especially the shoes.



Nice thing about a summer trip is clothing is a lot smaller and lighter! Packing for the Feb trip was a pain.

 

[Flossbolna]

The Via Napoli question might be solved, I found this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2514255&highlight=via+napoli

And it appears that the half meter is not the diameter, it should read half a square meter, so that would be a rectangular pizza of 40'' x 20''. The round 20'' pizza would be 0.2 square meters (if my math is right: 25 cm x 25 cm x pi). So if this is correct, the half meter pizza (with the incorrect name) would be 2.5 times as large as the round 20 '' pizza... This does not sounds correct either. But I guess the truth is somewhere in the different form of rectangular vs. circular... maybee it is a square with half meter sides... That would make it 0.25 sqare meter. Sorry, I will stop boring you with math!!

 

[Native NYer]

Are you talking about Trish's report? Darling pics!!! She said the PP photographer was often around the pool and dock so I plan to snag him any time I can.

what are space bags?

Yes, that's the report! I just realized you're reading & posting on it also

Space bags are ziploc bags you put your clothes in and roll the air out so it takes up less space. I got my set of travel space bags at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

 

[Angies1274]

Hi! Catching up again! Your plans look great! You are so on top of things...I'm sure you're going to have an amazing trip.

Loving your DCA updates! DH mentioned going there the other day. He wanted me to look into it for a future trip. Apparently, he heard about the World of Color and was interested to hear what it was all about.

That's so great that everyone loved California Screamin'. I love Eric's reaction after riding! What a great picture!

The Tink bag is so cute! I'm sure your MIL will love it!

 

[eandesmom]

The Via Napoli question might be solved, I found this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2514255&highlight=via+napoli

And it appears that the half meter is not the diameter, it should read half a square meter, so that would be a rectangular pizza of 40'' x 20''. The round 20'' pizza would be 0.2 square meters (if my math is right: 25 cm x 25 cm x pi). So if this is correct, the half meter pizza (with the incorrect name) would be 2.5 times as large as the round 20 '' pizza... This does not sounds correct either. But I guess the truth is somewhere in the different form of rectangular vs. circular... maybee it is a square with half meter sides... That would make it 0.25 sqare meter. Sorry, I will stop boring you with math!!

LOL! Not at all, I am now quite curious about this giant square pizza! Then the prices may not be quite as bad for a lunch pizza to share... I'll see what I can find out.

Yes, that's the report! I just realized you're reading & posting on it also

Space bags are ziploc bags you put your clothes in and roll the air out so it takes up less space. I got my set of travel space bags at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

The set of bags I have doesn't have the air valve thing, that just sounds like a lot of work! Hopefully all my stuff will fit, though I packed quite a bit for this 3 day work trip I'm on so who knows. I'll start packing next weekend most likely so we will see.

Hi! Catching up again! Your plans look great! You are so on top of things...I'm sure you're going to have an amazing trip.

Loving your DCA updates! DH mentioned going there the other day. He wanted me to look into it for a future trip. Apparently, he heard about the World of Color and was interested to hear what it was all about.

That's so great that everyone loved California Screamin'. I love Eric's reaction after riding! What a great picture!

The Tink bag is so cute! I'm sure your MIL will love it!

I hope so, it should arrive today. The other seller refunded me today and apologized. Sounds like he didn't actually look at the bag before sending it out as his comment this morning was "I see what you mean" and I'll give it to my 6 year old!

lol.

Hoping to get a DCA update in this afternoon

 

[eandesmom]

After a Screamin’ good time we decided it was time for a taxi ride…to Monstropolis

As we walked out, it began to rain, we walked past Soarin’ again and Jeff commented that he wanted some pictures with the plane.

but we all were a bit cold, and it was getting progressively wetter, not one of us had brought a jacket, knowing the room was close by. So we opted to cut through the Grand Californian, which opens right into the park and head back for our jackets.

We wanted to get a coffee and went in search of one.
We looked in the lobby, but I was distracted by the light fixtures.

We thought there might be something around here, but there was not

The fire looked really cozy, we wanted to sit in front of it, but wanted coffee while we did it

But all we could find was more lobby

Thwarted, we headed back to Paradise Pier, hit the espresso stand in our lobby and up to the room. The kids wanted a treat too! We decided to get into our rice krispy treats from the night before. We still had a whole pie but these were lot easier to just grab and eat. And with jackets on, they tasted even better I think!

Warmed up, we headed back over. We made a quick stop into the gift shop at the Grizzly River Run. It was too cold and wet to go on the ride but Jeff was on a mission to find a hat. He’s been on the mission for as long as I’ve known him and has never found the hat. The mission is for an Indiana Jones style hat but it has to be real leather. He considered this one.

Not to be outdone, Evan considered this one.

Eric though we should get a move on

Why?

TSM had opened back up!

Now, whereas the queue for Soarin’ is vastly superior at DCA then at DHS, TSM is the reverse. The wait is nothing special whatsoever, at least not in comparison. Still, we were getting pretty darn excited to get on one of these and to show Jeff what the fuss was all about.

Pretty soon, we were ready to head in!

I have absolutely NO interior pictures, but we had a blast and I had the high score. Which is of course all that matters!

Next door to TSM, something called out to us. Again.

Yep. No wait. AT ALL. The park had really emptied with the rain. Which had been pretty substantial by the way, we’d gotten a bit soaked.

As it was our third time, we knew when the camera was coming.

And with no one behind us, I could take all the redneck photos I wanted!

We’d done a lot and with TSM under our belts there really wasn’t a ton more we wanted to do. Save one thing. One thing we’d been waiting all day for. That happened to be on the complete other side of the park.

Any idea what it is?

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

With no line, it went quickly so I don’t have many pictures

Pretending to be scared

And another red neck shot. For once you can actually see Eric, he’s usually blocked in then ride photos.

I do have to say, and we ALL agreed that TOT at DCA is not as good as it is at DHS. We aren't really sure why but the drops and the ups and downs just didn't feel as intense. It's a bit odd too, as you walk up to it you don't hear any screams, unlike at DHS and we kind of missed that. It has to do with where the opening faces but still, it was eerily silent.
Mission accomplished we went to visit Jeff’s plane again

And said goodbye to Soarin’

We tried to buy Jeff the hat, but the shop had closed. We checked out Greetings, but had no luck there

With that it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner. I was excited about our plans, we were going to Ralph Brennan’s. Did it live up to my expectations?

Dinner at Ralph Brennans and Liberelvis????

 

[Happydog]

Hey! Great post -- I love how the GC opens right into the park like that! We walked around the resort a few years ago, but hadn't come to the parks, so it was just a scouting mission! Looks like you all enjoyed the afternoon, once you got a sweatshirt and a mickey rice crispie treat! Those are good.

And yeah it makes a big difference when the crowd clears out, so that was a nice surprise I am sure! I love how you got all your "ride shots"!!!! That was too funny! I have never done that, not because I felt silly, but because I never thought to!! Now I know to!


You'd think an espresso take away bar would make a killing in that lobby...


You are getting me so excited for October!!! Oh! And I have those same keen flips but in all black. I wear them camping mostly, but they are really cushie! My feet love them!

Seems like you guys got great use of your GAD passes! Can't wait to hear about dinner!

 

[glennbo123]

Love this!

As we walked out, it began to rain, we walked past Soarin’ again and Jeff commented that he wanted some pictures with the plane.

Even though it's just a picture I can hear him singing -- "Heaven....I'm in heaven".

Thwarted, we headed back to Paradise Pier, hit the espresso stand in our lobby and up to the room. The kids wanted a treat too! We decided to get into our rice krispy treats from the night before. We still had a whole pie but these were lot easier to just grab and eat. And with jackets on, they tasted even better I think!

Cue the music again! "Heaven....I'm in heaven."

Warmed up, we headed back over. We made a quick stop into the gift shop at the Grizzly River Run. It was too cold and wet to go on the ride but Jeff was on a mission to find a hat. He’s been on the mission for as long as I’ve known him and has never found the hat. The mission is for an Indiana Jones style hat but it has to be real leather. He considered this one.

That one looks good! Did he go back for it later in the trip?

I have absolutely NO interior pictures, but we had a blast and I had the high score. Which is of course all that matters!

Yep!

Any idea what it is?

No! Don't leave me in suspense!

Oh, okay. Phew.

Sorry you got rained on, but on the bright side, it cleared out the park for you!