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[TarzansKat]

Happy Thanksgiving, Liesa!

 

[maroo]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Are you talkin' about me?!

I'm here! Last night I was busy flunking mom of the year going ballistic on a certain childs progress report. Which apparently (now) is mostly incorrect according to the teacher (so why send it home and cause heart attacks? ) so Eric got an earful for mostly..nothing.

I say mostly b/c a little fear and a little more taking things seriously and not being quite so lazy and frankly, arrogant, is not a bad thing for that little boy.

And then OF COURSE after beating up the recumbent bike to try and get over my complete freak out, I had to watch Donny win the Mirror Ball trophy. And V. Quality TV night at my house!

I have LOTS of ideas! for DISMeets around here and of course, as already discussed Great Wolf Lodge would be about halfway (though a bit farther for Cherie!). I am a bit concerned about your 'hood Liesa. Can you sell that house and buy elsewhere? Really good time to buy over here but selling...not so much.

I am in Portland at least once a year my godmother/aunt lives there.

Cheesecake Factory at Washington Square (or Downtown Seattle, or Bellevue!) So many options....

Poor kid! Ah well, a dose of reality never hurts! But how can a teacher make that kind of mistake!? OOPS!

Yeah, my hood stinks, but we'll have to make a move decision sometime after we get back, not from here. The economy changes all the time, so we'll have to see what's it's doing then.

I'm liking this DIS meet idea. Let's keep this idea brewing!

Wow, Liesa, you are certainly dealing with some weighty issues. I know what you mean about wanting to know what the plan is - I am exactly that way myself. Heck, maybe we all are - thats why we spend so much time planning our Disney trips. Speaking of, I hope we can at least be here for you on the boards to provide some much needed escape! Happy Thanksgiving!

They are weighty, but luckily my DH is NOT one to make any quick decisions, so we won't be doing anything rashly. It's hard not to have a plan right now, but I trust whatever works out will be a good thing.

Glad I can have this one place to have some nice diversion and entertainment- a gel out place is a good thing!

Liesa - Lauren asked about you last night. Completely out of the blue in the middle of working on her science fair project. I updated her and she said to tell you that she is praying for you guys.

So add another to the long list of those praying for you guys!

Awww, that sweet Lauren!! Tell her thanks so much!! I just love her to pieces!

 

[All7OfUs]

happy thanksgiving

You too, Jordan!

I hope everybody has a blessed Thanksgiving.

Thanks a bunch! You too!

Happy Thanksgiving, Liesa and fam!! I actually read your update the day you posted, and have been chewing on it a few days trying to come up with the right thing to say. I still haven't, lol..but..I think everything happens for a reason and things will go the way they're supposed to whether or not you agree that they're supposed to go that way. A bit cliche, I know, but also true. I am sorry you're having to deal with all that stress on top of what you deal with on a day-to-day basis, you're a strong woman, because I would prob be curled up in a corner somewhere. Okay, maybe not completely true, but I would def be wishing I was! LOL Anyway, hopefully the boards can continue to give you a bit of a break

Perfect words!! They always happen for a reason, I do believe that!

I'm actually doing ok now, there won't be any quick decisions anyway, so I'm thankful for that!

Liesa- Happy Thanksgiving!

I'd invite myself over for dinner but your Thanksgiving is already over by now.

It is. You missed helping to consume, 4, count them, 4 pies! Tasty ones too!

Happy Thanksgiving, Liesa!

Thanks!, TK!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Hey maroo! THanks!! You too!

 

[All7OfUs]

Well, the pies are almost gone, the mashed potatoes and stuffing are neatly waiting to be consumed as leftover dinner tonight, and the riduculous amount of chicken we cooked is happily sitting on a platter to be turned into soup tomorrow. We had a great Thanksgiving!! Local and American friends joined us, we played games, and ate- a lot!

Thanks to all for your well wishes!

So, here's where we stand with all the upheaval. Thankfully (in this case) my DH is not one to make hasty, quick decisions, and as per last night's talk on the subject, he agrees, we probably will not make it out of here by June. He will be meeting with our area leader again next week at a meeting he needs to go to in the big city, so will be able to process more then.

Given that, I'm am just going with the plan to "stick with the plan". As I see it right now, as far as this trip is concerned things are still a go, with me heading back to the States in August to get DS settled in.

That also means that my solo POP portion is likely still on, yet remains the most tenuous portion of the whole thing. If we do not end up going to Thailand, then that portion will be off. I'm hoping not, but it's possible. Hopefully the POP won't be going POP!

Regardless, I will proceed as if nothing has changed and plan as I would have. Which brings me to the next installment of my TOP 10's- although, I will readily admit, the POP holds very little appeal overall. I honestly don't think I can come up with 10 things I really want to do here. So, I'll just list out the things I've found in others' TRs, guide books, and websites that sound fun, and you can add things as you think of them.

Here we go:

1) Take my picture beside my birthyear marker thingy on some walkway. Do you guys know what I"m talking about? Can someone explain where these are?

2) I want to eat in the food court.

3) I've heard that all the courtyards are super fun to explore and take pix in, so I'll do some of that.

4) I want to also check out the shadow boxes from year decade/ era and see which one brings back the most memories.

5) My trusty HM book will be my constant companion, so finding some of those will be fun.

6) I'll walk over to the Generation Gap Bridge and lament that they don't have plans (as far as I understand) to complete the section I would have chosen (the 40's).

7) Hmmmm... this is where I run out of steam. ?? Oh, yeah, I will definitely be wearing my tie-dye shirt from TK when I check in here. Maybe I"ll wear it when I eat some tie-dye cheese cake too.

Let me hear from you!! Anything I'm missing here?

 

[jordanyosh]

You pretty much covered it.

The year markers are along Hourglass Lake.

I think most of the things to catch are the same things, but a different times of the day. I love walking along Hourglass Lake either late night or early morning.

Most of the large icons look different lit up at night.

 

[All7OfUs]

Yeah, for me there just wasn't a lot to "cover". Maybe I just need to see it to "get it". I have a feeling that this part of the trip will be less at the POP than at other places that have more attraction.

 

[tinkgurl]

Wish I could help with the POP list, but I can't!

 

[All7OfUs]

That's ok, TG. There are only a handful of people that I know who've actually stayed there- at least who post over here. So, I may not get much help here. Jordan did come up with a great suggestion (a while back) that the 50s was the best section, but other than that, the whole thing with hardscaping just doesn't appeal to me that much.

But, it is the least expensive option...

 

[maroo]

no clue on the Pop!!! but i am glad ur plans r still on. sorry so short!!

 

[jordanyosh]

Here's my rambling on Pop.

Here's my WDW onsite History:

94, 96, 00: CBR

97, 99, 03: BWV

2001: YC

2002: VWL

2005: BCV 2x

2007: Pop

2008: Pop/BCV

2010: Pop/AKV

After staying at a deluxe, I thought I could never go back to a moderate. I also never thought I'd ever stay at a value. However, I had a choice. I could continue to stay with my cousins in the Deluxe Villas, but sleep with kids and on a couch or I could stay at a value and have my own space.

After staying at Pop, I have to say. It is what it is. The rooms are small and not really decorated like a moderate or deluxe. However, the Disney Magic is still there. I have always had friendly CMs there and people make the difference. The Food Court, being the newest one on property, is easy to manage if you hit it at the right time. The food is good too. I was pleasantly surprised.

After POR and Poly, it will be hard for sure, but I think being solo changes everything.

You'll have a good time...

 

[eandesmom]

I believe if you climb inside and up to the top of the Rubik's cube you can get some pretty cool pictures, it has a great view.

That's about all I know and it's second hand knowledge from MEK's TR!

 

[jordanyosh]

I believe if you climb inside and up to the top of the Rubik's cube you can get some pretty cool pictures, it has a great view.

That's about all I know and it's second hand knowledge from MEK's TR!

I'll do that the next trip! Thanks Cynthia

 

[StefaniLyn]

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving! It sounds like your family had a wonderful time! I love your plans for POP! I am sure Tim will have some advice for you as he was recently there but unfortunately, I can not be of much assistance as I've never been there!

 

[MKBekka]

Hooray for tie-dye! what the heck are you going to make me make for you to wear with a tie-dyed t-shirt?? what kind of jewelry did hippies wear? little help!

 

[All7OfUs]

When all is said and done; planned and done up on spreadsheets; dreamed about and saved for; there are still a zillion little details that remain to be discovered and learned about at Walt’s World. When it comes right down to the pocketbook, one needn’t even have a park ticket to enjoy a great day on property; in fact, I think a great day wouldn’t necessarily even have to be tied to spending time in a certain resort. There is THAT much to do and explore.

I never get tired of the magic created by the Imagineers and all the details they throw at us in the form of textures, colors, kinetics, even down to the way a cast member says hello. The variety is endless, and never fails to transport me to a different world by means of background music, scents piped in, or props and décor. How can one get weary of seeing something new at every turn?

Given that built-up excitement, I have a list of some Must-Do’s that aren’t tied to a park or resort we are staying at- just general things around the World that I’ve already done and feel the longing to do again, or things I’d heard about and need to see for myself.

**I love the monorail! I really do! I want to ride it whenever possible, and actually enjoy the spiel that might drive others crazy.

**Last year I snuck away after the kids were in bed (before you call the CSD, my sister WAS there with them, what kind of mother do you think I am?) to watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at the Fort. Cheesy?? Yeah, a little. Worth it? Totally!

**Can you believe I’ve never even stepped foot into any other resorts’ properties except the Poly and Wilderness Lodge!? That will have to be remedied. I’m thinking the best way to get this done is to make several ADRs at a variety of resorts to make sure it gets done.

**Along with item #3, I want to check out the shops and pools from those resorts. (I don’t mean pool hopping, just taking an amble around the lovely grounds of each and doing re-con work for future trips.)

**I think it’s no secret that the TC3 is making a MNSSHP a HUGE priority!! I can’t tell you how excited we are about this!! Will we be dressing up? YOU BETCHA~~ But what kind of crazy, goofy costumes can we come up with?

**A couple of installments ago, I mentioned that I am toying with the idea that I want to start looking into tours of various kinds. Cirque, although not a tour, is an extra “goodie” that we can tack on, but I’m also intrigued by doing the Garden of Eden tour (OK , it’s not really the Garden of Eden, but it sure comes close, I think), or maybe even a Segway Tour. The possibilities are driving me crazy with excitement!

**To make sure I place myself firmly in the uber-geek category of Disney Touron, I’m looking forward to planning out my outfits and accessories for each occasion. Bekka has been charged with the jewelry duties, and a few orders have been placed already for some new outfits. Merry Christmas to me. Mre on this later.

**Stealing a wonderful idea from TK, who I think actually got it from someone else (?), I am pondering what will be my trip’s “signature scent(s)”. More on this later too.

**Because I live where I live, I have become much, much more appreciative of natural beauty, and cognizant of the aesthetics of my surroundings. Therefore, I am (most of you won’t be able to understand or “get this” unless you lived overseas) looking forward (which is perhaps the most grossly understated thing I’ve said in this update) to walking on clean sidewalks free of trash and spit and mud; hey, just having a sidewalk will be nice in and of itself! I am almost ready to leak over watching people throw their trash away in a trash can, (I know there’s been increasing griping over this, but by in large Disney is a pretty clean place) standing in line instead of a mob scene of screaming people. In short, I need things beautiful, interesting, and orderly to look at!

**This place is reserved for your suggestions for non-Poly, non-POR, non-POP, non-DTD, and non-park things that you’ve enjoyed doing at WDW. What am I missing??

 

[All7OfUs]

no clue on the Pop!!! but i am glad ur plans r still on. sorry so short!!

Me too!!! You must be having a busy weekend!

Here's my rambling on Pop.

Here's my WDW onsite History:

94, 96, 00: CBR

97, 99, 03: BWV

2001: YC

2002: VWL

2005: BCV 2x

2007: Pop

2008: Pop/BCV

2010: Pop/AKV

After staying at a deluxe, I thought I could never go back to a moderate. I also never thought I'd ever stay at a value. However, I had a choice. I could continue to stay with my cousins in the Deluxe Villas, but sleep with kids and on a couch or I could stay at a value and have my own space.

After staying at Pop, I have to say. It is what it is. The rooms are small and not really decorated like a moderate or deluxe. However, the Disney Magic is still there. I have always had friendly CMs there and people make the difference. The Food Court, being the newest one on property, is easy to manage if you hit it at the right time. The food is good too. I was pleasantly surprised.

After POR and Poly, it will be hard for sure, but I think being solo changes everything.

You'll have a good time...

So, you've been there 3 times. Sounds like you fall into "expert" category to me- so I'll take whatever you say, and put it into the good advice column.

I totally hear what you are saying; given the choice of "own space" or "sleeping with kids", I'd say it'd be an easy choice. And the whole bit about still "feelin' the magic" is just what I needed to hear. Granted I most likely won't be there all that much, but what time I am there, I want to be feelin' it.

If the circumstances were different, I'd have rather worked up from really great, to nirvana great. But it is what it is, and may not be at all.

I believe if you climb inside and up to the top of the Rubik's cube you can get some pretty cool pictures, it has a great view.

That's about all I know and it's second hand knowledge from MEK's TR!

Now that's what I"m looking for!!! Little hidden secrets like that, to do the unusual and fun.

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving! It sounds like your family had a wonderful time! I love your plans for POP! I am sure Tim will have some advice for you as he was recently there but unfortunately, I can not be of much assistance as I've never been there!

We really did. I'll do something up on my blog on Monday, but need to get my photos downloaded to the puter first. You can even see what we wrote for our thankful things in our local language.

Tim hasn't been around AT ALL. I have no idea what's up with that. I hope everything's ok, and that he's just busy with the holiday and family and all kinds of great fun!

Anyway, hopefully we can all learn something fun and new about the POP as people pipe in about what they've found interesting.

Hooray for tie-dye! what the heck are you going to make me make for you to wear with a tie-dyed t-shirt?? what kind of jewelry did hippies wear? little help!

Hmmm.... hemp me thinks. with wooden beads. Oh yeah, and mood rings. But personally, I was not in the hippie generation. So, can only go by pictures and movies.

 

[All7OfUs]

This space is for the Reserve Corps of Table of Contents- Pt. III

A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style- Pt. I
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style, Pt. II
The Russian Circus vs. Cirque
9 Months- Lieutenant!
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style, Pt. III
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style, Pt. IV
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style, Pt. V
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #1
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #1: Columbia Harbor House
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #2
A Really Horrible Dream + Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #2: Biergarten
A Newbie's Tour of the World, Clueless Style- Pt. VI
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #3
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #3: Kona Cafe
Life Adventures and Rations Drop- Clue #4
More Random Babbling and Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #4: Teppan Edo
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #5
A Newbie's Tour of the World, Clueless Style- Pt. VII
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #5: Wolfgang Puck Express
New Year's Day Musings
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #6
A Bucket Full of Reflux- Leading a Life of Unknowns
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #6: Beaches and Cream
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Cluesless Style Pt. VIII
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #7
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #7: Riverside Mill Food Court
Dang! A Demotion!
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #8
Rations Drop Pt.II- Clue #8: Sanaa
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #9
Rations Drop Pt II- Clue #9: California Grill
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #10
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #10: Starring Rolls
My Dear MIL Rests in Heaven
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #11
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style, Pt. IX
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #11: Boma
Rations Drop Pt. II- Clue #12
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style, Pt. X
Language Bloopers and The Funniest Birth Story Ever!
Yet Another Amazing Disney Find
A Revue of Reviews
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style- Pt. XI
Let's Review, Shall We? Pt. 1
Let's Review, Shall We? Pt. 2
Let's Review, Shall We? Pt. 3
A Newbie's Tour of the World- Clueless Style- Pt. XII
Naming the Next Heap of Fun

 

[tinkgurl]

We really love monorail Resort hopping. We'll start at the Contemporary and work our way around to the GF. We'll hang around in the lobbies..check out the Resorts..then find something to eat/drink at that Resort and soak it all in.

 

[jordanyosh]

if you get the chance, go to the boardwalk in the evening and just grab a bench and enjoy the view. Nothing. Like. It.