Loved Dec07 so much...we're going back for Dec08 12/6-12/14.

[Melissa79]

Hi! I came on here to share my excitement about receiving the ME packet and saw you posted an update...you got it on Friday too! Your plans look good! You will enjoy spending some time on your balcony, the GF is sooooo peaceful. Sometimes you can hear things from the MK, like the whistle of the train and last Dec we could hear the howl coming from the Haunted Mansion at night! I hope you find a good deal on suitcases. Our flights are almost the same time, we are at 7:10. I'm scheduled to take off a few minutes before you but land a few minutes after you...I'll wave as your plane passes mine!

 

[Lcaemom]

Did some shopping for my dd last night. I had two bonus cards for Limited Too. She's only 7, I'm trying to keep her in Gymboree as long as I can. So, I didn't think I'd use them but, she needs a warmup suit so, I figured I just look to see what they had. I ended up buying her 4 summer outfits that were on clearance...they were very age appropriate and so cute. I had her try them on and they fit perfectly. So, we have begun our packing...they went right into the suitcase.
Off to work...ughhh! I'd much rather stay home and scrapbook. I finished day #4 yesterday and had day #5 printed. Can't wait to start!!! Probably won't be today...if I don't get moving. I am a visiting nurse and my first patient lives around the block. It's good in that my job is so flexible and I can work around my life but, not so good in that I could sit on these boards and procrastinate as long as I want...and then I'm rushing at the end of the day. I am here though, because I just checked online for availability at the GF for our first night and there was a GV room. I thought great, if I can get that then we won't need to switch resorts. I called WDW and was then told there is still nothing. Oh well...I'll keep trying.

Our flights are almost the same time, we are at 7:10. I'm scheduled to take off a few minutes before you but land a few minutes after you...I'll wave as your plane passes mine!

That is strange that we take off after you and we land before you. Hmmm...Wonder what terminals we're in. I'll wave to you as you board your plane.
Have you started your itinerary? What are your plans that day?

 

[Melissa79]

Have you started your itinerary? What are your plans that day?

I have started our itinerary but it is pretty basic. We always do MK and Epcot the first two full days and repeat at the end of the week. In the middle we'll throw in HS, AK, and a day of whatever we want. We've got dinner reservations each night and we pretty much work around that. Don't know if I said it before, but we are bringing my parents along this time for our first DVC experience. They don't care how we plan out the days, I think my dad is still stuck on the idea of going to Disney and staying in a two bedroom villa to think about anything else. He's too funny.
The day that we arrive is going to be a relaxing day around the hotel. We'll probably grab some lunch when we arrive, wander the hotel and grounds, hang out in the lobby, maybe go swimming, and check into our villa once it is ready. We'll head over to the Contemporary in the evening for dinner at the Wave. I'm getting excited just thinking about the first day!

 

[bellasmommy0]

1 month for you today also!!!

 

[Lcaemom]

I am so excited today, I can hardly stand myself!!! Does that even make sense?!? I have been giddy-happy about this trip getting closer and closer for months...I remember feeling elated when the countdown went to single digit months, and then double digit days. Today, we are counting down only in days...no more months...the radio station here is playing 24hr/day Christmas music...Christmas is popping up everywhere...it feels surreal that it is as close as it is. I almost can't believe that it is now, so close. I really need to get on the ball, with packing and planning. What I really want to do is get the bags packed and sit by the backdoor until it's time to go...but, that would be strange, wouldn't it?!?

We have received all of our documents. I have the suitcases out of the attic and they're starting to fill up. I still need to buy another one. I actually just haven't made the time...but, as we get closer...that is one of the things I need to accomplish. I never did the custom maps...I think I might be too late for that, now. I need to find out about the Photopass photo shoot, at the GF. I opted out of school pictures this year with the hopes of getting portraits of each of my girls, one of the three of them together and one of all five of us. Planning the outfits for that...need them to coordinate with my walls in my living room...which are currently eggplant and sage green. Read on...there are major house renovations ready to screw up my fashions plans. I may just need to stick with white and khaki.

We will actually be quite busy until we leave. My DH suggested last weekend...Halloween night, sitting around the fire, to our contractor neighbor that we need to do our bathroom. DH says, "How do people live without a bathroom for so long?" The neighbor says "I could get that done for you guys while you're away." I said "If we're going to have you do the bathroom...why don't you frame in a familyroom and mudroom, too." Neighbor says "yep...could definately get that all done within a week." Another neighbor (who is in the mortgage field) says "we could refinance you guys...pull out the equity...could have it done and closed within two weeks." So, we are in the throws of refinancing...and planning for construction...while we're gone. We have been planning this for a very long time. We have completely outgrown our house...and our bathroom is just gross...5 shades of green...from 1950. I have pages and pages of ideas, pulled out of magazines, and lists...nothing is narrowed down. Once I started envisioning my living room moving out to the backyard (where the new family room will exist) and the existing space turning into a dining room...I started thinking about a new dining room and then doing a small renovation to the kitchen...and then my mind is off and running. So, I have started with the bathroom planning...we were at Restoration Hardware last night...got some nice ideas...$4000 for a shower head$$$ We might go to Home Depot and Lowe's today...hopefully more reasonable. My main issue will be the vanity, the medicine closet, the lighting and the colors...the fun stuff. So, we're off to plan that today.

Earlier this week someone posted a picture of a pink, Sleeping Beauty Tshirt, with a light up Christmas tree on another thread...thanks Bellasmommmy. However, I have been to three Walmarts...one twice...and I still haven't found it. I even have my mom scouring the Walmarts down in Florida...haven't heard back from her that she has found it. She must be in heaven though, any chance to go on a mission to Walmart and she'll jump at the chance.

Melissa79, our plans sound pretty similiar...begin and end at MK and Epcot and everything in between is kind of 'play it by ear.' You should have a great first day just relaxing at the resort...it is so beautiful, so much to see. We ate the Whispering Canyon Cafe last year, and toured the grounds for a bit after lunch...loved the Christmas music playing outside. The fireplace and the tree inside were absolutely breathtaking. I know you will love it. Have your parents been before? I'm sure they will love it!!! I'll need to look up The Wave. I haven't heard about that place. Have you eaten there before? We still have a day in the middle without any plans...always looking for ideas/suggestions. Can you believe that we have 28 days to go?!?

 

[bellasmommy0]

I am so excited today, I can hardly stand myself!!! Does that even make sense?!? I have been giddy-happy about this trip getting closer and closer for months...I remember feeling elated when the countdown went to single digit months, and then double digit days. Today, we are counting down only in days...no more months...the radio station here is playing 24hr/day Christmas music...Christmas is popping up everywhere...it feels surreal that it is as close as it is. I almost can't believe that it is now, so close. I really need to get on the ball, with packing and planning. What I really want to do is get the bags packed and sit by the backdoor until it's time to go...but, that would be strange, wouldn't it?!?

We have received all of our documents. I have the suitcases out of the attic and they're starting to fill up. I still need to buy another one. I actually just haven't made the time...but, as we get closer...that is one of the things I need to accomplish. I never did the custom maps...I think I might be too late for that, now. I need to find out about the Photopass photo shoot, at the GF. I opted out of school pictures this year with the hopes of getting portraits of each of my girls, one of the three of them together and one of all five of us. Planning the outfits for that...need them to coordinate with my walls in my living room...which are currently eggplant and sage green. Read on...there are major house renovations ready to screw up my fashions plans. I may just need to stick with white and khaki.

We will actually be quite busy until we leave. My DH suggested last weekend...Halloween night, sitting around the fire, to our contractor neighbor that we need to do our bathroom. DH says, "How do people live without a bathroom for so long?" The neighbor says "I could get that done for you guys while you're away." I said "If we're going to have you do the bathroom...why don't you frame in a familyroom and mudroom, too." Neighbor says "yep...could definately get that all done within a week." Another neighbor (who is in the mortgage field) says "we could refinance you guys...pull out the equity...could have it done and closed within two weeks." So, we are in the throws of refinancing...and planning for construction...while we're gone. We have been planning this for a very long time. We have completely outgrown our house...and our bathroom is just gross...5 shades of green...from 1950. I have pages and pages of ideas, pulled out of magazines, and lists...nothing is narrowed down. Once I started envisioning my living room moving out to the backyard (where the new family room will exist) and the existing space turning into a dining room...I started thinking about a new dining room and then doing a small renovation to the kitchen...and then my mind is off and running. So, I have started with the bathroom planning...we were at Restoration Hardware last night...got some nice ideas...$4000 for a shower head$$$ We might go to Home Depot and Lowe's today...hopefully more reasonable. My main issue will be the vanity, the medicine closet, the lighting and the colors...the fun stuff. So, we're off to plan that today.

Earlier this week someone posted a picture of a pink, Sleeping Beauty Tshirt, with a light up Christmas tree on another thread...thanks Bellasmommmy. However, I have been to three Walmarts...one twice...and I still haven't found it. I even have my mom scouring the Walmarts down in Florida...haven't heard back from her that she has found it. She must be in heaven though, any chance to go on a mission to Walmart and she'll jump at the chance.

Melissa79, our plans sound pretty similiar...begin and end at MK and Epcot and everything in between is kind of 'play it by ear.' You should have a great first day just relaxing at the resort...it is so beautiful, so much to see. We ate the Whispering Canyon Cafe last year, and toured the grounds for a bit after lunch...loved the Christmas music playing outside. The fireplace and the tree inside were absolutely breathtaking. I know you will love it. Have your parents been before? I'm sure they will love it!!! I'll need to look up The Wave. I haven't heard about that place. Have you eaten there before? We still have a day in the middle without any plans...always looking for ideas/suggestions. Can you believe that we have 28 days to go?!?

I really hope either you or your mom one can find the t-shirt for your DD!!

 

[Lcaemom]

OMG!!! The clock just struck 12am...we're leaving in 3 weeks!!!!

 

[lookingforward]

OMG!!! The clock just struck 12am...we're leaving in 3 weeks!!!!

You must be so excited! We went to the holiday party at the Magic Kingdom and it was great! The decorations were going up last week and were beautiful. You will have a great time!

 

[Ageout96]

We're going the exact same days as you! We're actually at DHS the same day as you! Maybe we'll run into each other

I'm subscribing ... a little late, but isn't this when all the fun starts???

 

[pamouselover]

three weeks!

 

[Lcaemom]

Only 19 days to go!!!

I can't believe how close we are. Yet, these days seem like they are dragging. We added our own wrench in our plans. The bathroom. We will be having that done while we are gone. We went out to pick out bathroom things the other night...thinking it would be a quick trip to Home Depot. Well, it turned into a three hour nightmare...I picked out what I liked, put it all together and thought I had a great plan going. Wrong!!! The vanity can only be 18 inches deep...only three of the 50 vanities that we had to pick from come in that size. The only one I liked has to be special ordered...which takes up to 28 days...and we don't have 28 days. Nothing I picked out would fit together. Every step we took added on new questions about what would and would not work. Thank God I only have a bathroom to do...I don't know how people build whole houses. I would be horrible at that!!! We were actually planning to add a whole room onto the back of the house...DH said "we can get that banged out in a week." HUH?!? What does that even mean?!? Do I want someone to bang out anything when it comes to adding a room onto the house??? NO! Thank God our appraisal came up short...way short...our house devalued by $92,000 in the past 6 months...so, we presently do not have the equity anymore that we thought we had. Bad because that is never good to lose all that equity...but, good because that will turn around when the real estate starts to improve and then I won't need to worry about someone "banging it out" while I'm enjoying myself at Disneyworld. So, that is how we have spent the last week. We should have everything in place with the house by the end of the week...and then I can really focus on Disney!!!

Due, to the house there was no scrapbooking this weekend...oh well it will eventually get done. I just don't know if last year's trip will get done before this year's trip is here. There won't be a Disney trip in 2009 so, I will have plenty of time to finish both before 2010.

Ageout96 and Lookingforward thanks for joining me in my excitement...I have been counting down to this trip since Dec 26, 07. I can't believe it's almost here!!!
Where are you staying Ageout? This is where all the fun starts, you're right...I may need to wait til this weekend, actually but, yes that point is finally here!!!

PAmouselover I thought of you yesterday...did you get snow??? We watched the Pittsburgh game and it looked like it was snowing pretty hard. Yeah!!!

OK, off to work...

 

[Lcaemom]

WOW!!! 1 week and 6 days to go!!! I am so excited, I can't stand it!!! I have begun the real packing and planning. The suitcases are started, making my real lists to take to Target and grocery shopping. Still haven't bought suitcases...trying to decide if we really need one more. Checking the forecast...15 days out is not the most accurate but, it's something to go by. Paid all the bills and transferred all the spending $$$ to a separate account. I don't have the willpower to keep the spending $$$ in our primary checking acct...it would probably be gone when come home and there would be nothing left to pay next month's bills. I need to set limits!!! I still need to call and book a photopass photoshoot. We have been so busy with this bathroom project...which is now on hold until February. Trying to plan for something to take place when we are not here was awful. We were rushing to get everything ordered...no one would promise that things would be here by the time we left...it the sink/vanity/whatever was not here that would have increased time with the plumber = more $$$. We have lived with our 1952 bathroom for eight years, we can handle it for another month or two. We are thinking of doing it during school vacation in February...we always go skiing for a few days and that is plenty of time to get everything ordered and get everything up and running. And if anything goes wrong we are two hours away by car...not three hours away by plane.

I started my Christmas shopping yesterday. I was so excited to have presents my possession, I wanted to come home and give them all out right then and there. But, something to look forward to come home to. At any given moment I can rattle off how many hours we have left on the Disney countdown but, my DD keeps asking how many days til Christmas ...I think it's 33. I'm not keeping track of that but, yesterday I figured I'd better start. Once I started really thinking about Christmas I was glad that we'd have something to really look forward to when this trip is over.
I got my 7yo DD a HSM3 bike and a Hannah Montana/Jonas Brothers MP3 player; I did my American Girl order...free shipping til 11/25. I did a Target order...online for the fake Ugg slippers, they are sold out in the stores. I got my 12yo a pair of BC sweatpants, and my 11yo DD the Magnetix Icoaster. The Target sale ends this Wednesday so, I figured I'd give my wallet some time to cool off until then. Supposedly they have the Wii MarioKarts game with the steering wheel for $44.99, that is a great deal...hope that they are not sold out, and the Wii Fit. Cha Ching!!! Provided there are no more great sales...that should be it until we get to Disney. Looking forward to seeing what will be on sale on Black Friday. I went out at 4am one year and actually had a great time in line at ToysRus. It was a blast, got everything I went for, saved a ton of money. But, the past few years there hasn't been anything I've wanted that is worth getting up at 4am for. We'll see this year. My DD turns 13 next Saturday and she wants a digital camera...I might find a great deal for that, even though that is cutting it really close.

No more scrapbooking has been done and it looks like day #5 of last year's trip will be as far as I get for now. That is something to look forward to in Januay. Plenty to keep me busy through the winter.

Well, off to cook...going to our first Thanksgiving dinner in 4 hours.

 

[Melissa79]

Melissa79, our plans sound pretty similiar...begin and end at MK and Epcot and everything in between is kind of 'play it by ear.' Have your parents been before? I'm sure they will love it!!! I'll need to look up The Wave. I haven't heard about that place. Have you eaten there before? We still have a day in the middle without any plans...always looking for ideas/suggestions. Can you believe that we have 28 days to go?!?

Hi! Our plans are quite similar...yay for Bostonians who "do it right" My parents came with us to the WL in Sept 2006 for their first Disney trip and we had so much fun together. They enjoyed the WL and are so excited to go back. I really think they may be more excited then my husband and I, if that is possible! I have never been to the Wave, it opened this summer but I have heard good things about it. We mainly picked it because we always went to the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary the first night but that closed this summer. Do you ever go onto Allears.net? They have a dining section and you can look at all of the menus, we find that very helpful when deciding on restaurants. I love eating in Italy and France...but I believe you are already eating in Epcot a few times. Did you ever try the GF Cafe? That has a variety of basic American foods, and it is well priced. The next two weeks should go by fast for me with it being Thanksgiving week and then the first week of the month (at work that is the craziest week). Then you throw in packing and finishing my Christmas shopping, it will be Dec 6th before we know it (at least that's what I'm hoping for)! Have a good First Thanksgiving meal!

 

[Lcaemom]

I'm getting so excited!!! Only 11 more days!!! If days go by the way yesterday it will be here in the blink of an eye. Had so much to do...I worked but, I am a visiting nurse so I can run errands in between seeing all my patients. I did the grocery shopping...boring but, the last order before I go out to buy all the stuff (snacks, sunscreen, travel size items, petfood...need to stock up for the pets...my dad always overfeeds them, and runs out) for Disney. Then I went to Limited Too...got an email that everything is buy one get one free plus 30% off the total purchase. After I made my purchase they gave me two Too bucks and two Bonus cards...wow!!! I thought, "are they going to start giving everything away?" I did some more Christmas shopping and bought two new bathing suits for this trip. Not very successful though, DD age 12, didn't like hers and once I checked DD age 7's bureau I realized she was already well stocked on bathing suits. So, now I need to return them...and they were so cute, too. Then I did some more grocery shopping, in a different store...I know, crazy!!! But, that is partly how we are able to save for Disney. Once I got home, I had to chart on all of my patients, help with homework, made a Rachael Ray dinner...Hula chicken over brown rice...pretty good. Then I made Amish Friendship bread. A friend gave me a bag of batter, which you leave out on the counter for 10 days...squish the bag everyday and let out the air and then on day #10, which was yesterday, you add the rest of the ingredients and cook the bread. YUMMMMM!!! If you can get over the feeling of food poison from leaving this stuff out at room temp for over a week, it is worth it. On that day, you also pour off enough to make 4 more starter bags, you keep one and pass the other three on to friends. This new bag, will need to be made the day before we leave for Disney. Hmmmm...alot of work that I'm not sure I'll have time for.
Once dinner was cleaned up, it was time for bed and then I realized I was on call...we have call once per month and last night was my night...and of course, I got a call at 9:01pm...call starts at 9pm. But, that was it...went to bed and woke up feeling like yesterday was one big blur. Hope today is a little less crazy but, that it goes by just as fast...maybe I'll get a few more Disney related things done today...crossing my fingers.

 

[pamouselover]

Hi Yes we got snow. It came and left! Thank god! Too early, made me scared about flying in Jan. I started thinking flight cancellations.
LT2 always gets you with those two bucks. I am trying to stay clear of there; I paid off my CC from there. DD I should say, because I buy nothing of course in there for me.
You will be with mickey in no time!
Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Lcaemom]

We have officially hit single digits...the clock just struck midnight so, technically it is tomorrow!!! I am absolutely wide awake and so excited to be going in 9 days. We were at a cocktail party tonight and around 11pm everyone started to get ready to leave and I thought can't wait to get home and jump into bed. When we got home and I looked at the clock and realized it was 11:30...I got the girls all revved up by jumping around saying "in a half hour we'll officially be 9 days away from Disney!!!" Of course, they are all sleeping now and I am totally wide awake and excited beyond belief. I'm thinking I should give up on sleeping and get up and start packing or something. I really should get some sleep though...I just can't...I'm too excited to sleep!!!

 

[Lcaemom]

Just back from Black Friday shopping. I got my DD, who will be 13 tomorrow, a digital camera and a memory card to go with it. There really wasn't anything else that I saw, that I needed and the lines were soooooooo long that I came home with just that. But, I saved about $50 so, I guess it was worth getting up at 5am. Good practice though...we'll be up around this time next week!!! ONLY 8 DAYS TO GO!!! We'll be up at 4:30am...provided we sleep at all...leave by 5am for our 7am flight. I'm so excited!!! I am finding that right now I am sleeping every other night. One night I'm up because I'm too excited to sleep...the next night I'm exhausted from not sleeping the night before.

I have to work today...hoping for a quick, uncomplicated day. I'm going to pick up an extra suitcase while I'm out...lots of good deals on luggage today...none I wanted to wait in line for this AM. Tonight I'll probably be in bed early. Tomorrow DD has a 7am soccer game, after that I'll probably do some laundry and cleaning, then my neice's bday party...we'll do cake and presents at the neice's bday party for my DD, as well. Very nice of DSIL to offer to let me do that. She is having her DD's party on my DD's bday but, her DD is 1, and mine is 13 so, the 1yo takes priority and a 13yo can understand. As long as she gets her camera she really doesn't care where we have her cake. Then we'll come home and put up the tree, and watch a movie with the kiddos. Sunday we'll officially pack!!! Then I'll spend the week at work tying up loose ends, with my patients...it is like having 24 additional children...need to make sure that I don't leave anything undone with them, while I'm gone for a week. I have Thursday off...that will be crazy...lots of last minute things to do here for my three real children...and the pets...pay all the bills that will be due when we're gone. And then...it will be here!!!!

PAmouselover hope you had a great Thanksgiving, too. I wonder if I'll have to give back my Too bucks if I return the bathing suits...great deal...but, I can't believe I am about to return a free bathing suit. Oh well...we just don't need them. I got my 7yodd a cute velour warm up suit...and that was it. I want her to stay in Gymboree for another year...she's too young for some of those styles. My other two don't want to shop there anymore...they've moved onto Hollister, A and F, and AE...talk about $$$!!! NO MORE SNOW!!!

Melissa79 hope you had a great Thanksgiving, too. We leave NEXT WEEK!!! Did you practice getting up today, too?!? I have not heard of The Wave...is it in the place of the Concourse Steakhouse? I will have to look into that. Hope you enjoy it. I was showing my mom my scrapbook from last year's trip, yesterday. She thought POR was nice and that the GF was pretty but, she LOVED the WL. We might have to plan a trip there next...if that will get them to come along. She thinks WDW is very overwhelming...I need to fix that!!! Some of our friends are leaving right now to stay there through the 4th. I can't wait to hear all about it. Pray for no snow next week...there are showers in the 10 day forecast for Saturday...hope they stay raindrops and not snowflakes!

 

[bellasmommy0]

How many hours!!

 

[Lcaemom]

How many hours!!

181!!!

 

[pamouselover]

Boy you best get packing. Whatis the weather going to be like?
Yes, my DD is into the same stores, thatis why I paid off the LT2 CC. Hollister stuff falls apart so easily. I just order her a jacket for x-mas last week from aero. I got a deal on it. Have a safe and magical trip. Take lots of pictures.