March 2012: The Year I Almost Survived Spring Break

[Lidian]

Jedi training looks like fun! It's something we've never tried!

Only 10 a.m.? Wow, you had already done a lot of stuff-and you still have the entire day!

Wait a minute ... we had only eaten breakfast and watched the kids do JTA ... we haven't done anything yet. We've yet to step foot on a ride. (So we have acquired FPs to use for TSM and SW, but that's all.)

Just breakfast and a show.

I loved seeing the kids having fun at JTA~! So cute!

I can't believe this is just the beginning of your day... I hope you're gonna go take a nap??? LOL

D~

Take a nap? Are you crazy??!! We haven't done anything but watched the kids learn how to be Jedis and eat breakfast. We have a LONG day ahead of us ... and Kouga isn't even here yet! Silly friend.

 

[Lidian]

Okay friends ... I've used what knowledge I have learned over this semester in Excel and created a planning workbook. It's a simple workbook, and pretty much only works on rack rates, no discounts, and doesn't include taxes and fees. It's more or less a way for me to derive "max cost" when planning (and may help determine which discounts are better).

Now ... I need some testers. People who will play with this workbook and offer up constructive criticism. I'd like to make thise workbook more versatile ... but at this time, I really don't know of a way to implement special offers and such.

Hmm... I may be able to work in the "room only offers" somehow ...

But anyway, the workbook does require some data entry (as you'd have to key in resort pricing and update other prices each year). As of right now, it does have current ticket and DDP pricing, but no resort pricing (and you can just key in resorts you are interested in -- there's no need to key in all resorts).

The workbook is protected (no password is required to unprotect it), so no one accidentally deletes a formula. I really would like someone skilled in Excel and someone who barely knows how to open Excel to take a look. If you are interested, please PM your email address and I'll send the workbook over. It is in Excel format, so if you do not have access to Excel, it will not will not open or work as intended (it may look weird if opened with different software). There are no macros or anything else stored in the workbook -- just simple formulas.

P.S. No laughing (too hard) ... as I'm not the most creative person. It is a basic workbook.

All I ask is that if you PM me your email address for the workbook, you PM me after use and critique the book. Suggestions of things that didn't work right, errors found in formulas, suggestions on things to improve on, etc.

 

[dara00]

I think my kids would have been terrified of the jedi training! the storm troopers coming out and then dv himself? do any kids ever run right off the stage? lol!

 

[pharmjenn]

Much as I am looking forward to your photopass pics when you finish finals, I can say that your personal photos are pretty darn good by themselves. I am really getting the feel for your trip from them and your descriptions.

 

[johnsonginad]

Jedi Training looked like so much fun! Your kids looked like they had a blast with it, too!!!

OH, I'd love to check out the excel workbook, but alas, I don't have excel on my computer. I have some other kind of software. LOL. Yep, I have reject software.

.

 

[smellyia]

Thanks so much for the in depth look at IoA...I've searched their TR's as well and just....I dunno, not gotten quite what I was looking for.

Every time I see jedi training in a TR, I think..."must add to MY must-do" and then I remember, I'm past being a little person. Certain things are just unfair Your kids looked like they had a blast at JTA and dare I say they are light saber pros?

 

[DMGeurts]

Liddy... I would be happy to do the workbook thing for you... I do have Excel, and I do use it quite often... I can do the basics (that's what I have my bag schedule done in) - I'd be willing to test your workbook for you... But do you have a deadline on when you need the info back? That would be my only issue. LOL I have no idea when I'd find the time to play.

D~

 

[teetee830]

11:30 huh? I think we were nearby, in the area, and stopped to peek, but I think that's when DS told me to run because he might be seen by someone. I'll have to check my notes. We may have been eating lunch. How did you get to be that late? If you were at H&V with us, I would have thought you'd be doing something much earlier.


If you have pics of my kiddos, I'd love to see 'em! Now I wonder if our paths crossed any later in the day.

We got 11:30 because I had to do the TSM run as well. The original plan was for DM to take DS to sign up, but a bit before 9:00 Jake still hadn't been to our table. Everytime he would get close the music would start, I thought DS was going to have an aneurysm everytime. So I left DS and DM to see Jake and ran to TSM. By the time I got back Jake was just leaving the table so I took DS to sign up and DM paid and came to find us. Heck I needed a nap by that time.

I just checked I didn't have any pics of your kids either. After such a big breakfast we never did get lunch that day, we left HS around 2:30 or so and just had a snack on the way out.

 

[Lidian]

I think my kids would have been terrified of the jedi training! the storm troopers coming out and then dv himself? do any kids ever run right off the stage? lol!

Most of the kids seemed really excited when the Storm Troopers and DV came out. I think they all knew it was all in fun. Most were grinning ear to ear when fighting DV. I never saw any kids run off the stage or act frightened ... but during sign up, they do ask the kids if they could fight the dark side alone and if they'd be afraid of the dark side.

Perhaps have your kids watch the show first, and then see if they'd like to sign up? My kids had seem glimpses of the show (but none of us had seen the whole thing), so they kind of expected DV to make an appearance.

Much as I am looking forward to your photopass pics when you finish finals, I can say that your personal photos are pretty darn good by themselves. I am really getting the feel for your trip from them and your descriptions.

Awwww, thank you! That's really sweet!

Jedi Training looked like so much fun! Your kids looked like they had a blast with it, too!!!

OH, I'd love to check out the excel workbook, but alas, I don't have excel on my computer. I have some other kind of software. LOL. Yep, I have reject software.

It was fun! Even for us adults in the crowd.

I used to have "reject" software ... freeware ... but I had to take Excel in college (currently enrolled in advanced Excel class right now) ... so when the school offered up the whole kit-and-kaboodle (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and the other stuff -- email, notes, etc) for SUPER cheap ... I pounced on it. Otherwise, I'd still be using the freeware stuff.

Thanks so much for the in depth look at IoA...I've searched their TR's as well and just....I dunno, not gotten quite what I was looking for.

Every time I see jedi training in a TR, I think..."must add to MY must-do" and then I remember, I'm past being a little person. Certain things are just unfair Your kids looked like they had a blast at JTA and dare I say they are light saber pros?

I agree completely! It seems that people who do visit IoA are afraid to write about it, or they just don't describe the trip well. SO I really wanted to go in-depth, as IoA reviews are something some of us DISers need. It's all about creating magical memories ... both at WDW and other places!

Hey, I'd totally do JTA if they'd let me. I do need to find the cut-off age for it ... as now I'm worried DD may not get to do it again.

I dunno if I'd call them lightsaber pros ... DS uses his as a gun, a sword, a lightsaber, and anything else he can dream up. DD had never really touched one before. But she loved it and she thanked me a million times for letting her do it!

Liddy... I would be happy to do the workbook thing for you... I do have Excel, and I do use it quite often... I can do the basics (that's what I have my bag schedule done in) - I'd be willing to test your workbook for you... But do you have a deadline on when you need the info back? That would be my only issue. LOL I have no idea when I'd find the time to play.

D~

How about you let me work on it more and then I send you a future copy? I don't care to send you one now, but if I update it in a few days, then yours would be out-dated. Do you just want to text me when you have some free time to play and I can send you the current version once I get to my desk? Once I get it finalized, I plan to share it with anyone who wants it.

Or if you want one that could be out-dated by the time you play with it, I can send you this one. It's up to you. I don't mind, however you want to do it.

We got 11:30 because I had to do the TSM run as well. The original plan was for DM to take DS to sign up, but a bit before 9:00 Jake still hadn't been to our table. Everytime he would get close the music would start, I thought DS was going to have an aneurysm everytime. So I left DS and DM to see Jake and ran to TSM. By the time I got back Jake was just leaving the table so I took DS to sign up and DM paid and came to find us. Heck I needed a nap by that time.

I just checked I didn't have any pics of your kids either. After such a big breakfast we never did get lunch that day, we left HS around 2:30 or so and just had a snack on the way out.

I have checked, and I know exactly where I was when you were doing JTA.

I'm sorry that it took so long for Jake to get to your table! What time were you seated at? We were in line for JTA sign-ups at 8:50. I don't fault you, I would have needed a nap after all that stress! Poor kiddo just missing out multiple times! DS missed Handy Manny (and then he vanished and we never saw him again), so he was super upset -- but thankfully HM does meet in the park, so I promised we'd find him (guess we have to wait and see if I keep that promise).

Oddly, we were hungry at lunch time ... so we did eat. We're pigs I suppose. So you were leaving, I know where I was and what was next now ... It was shortly after 2:30 when I made a cranky post to FB.

What snack did you enjoy? Something from Starring Rolls?

 

[teetee830]

I'm sorry that it took so long for Jake to get to your table! What time were you seated at? We were in line for JTA sign-ups at 8:50. I don't fault you, I would have needed a nap after all that stress! Poor kiddo just missing out multiple times! DS missed Handy Manny (and then he vanished and we never saw him again), so he was super upset -- but thankfully HM does meet in the park, so I promised we'd find him (guess we have to wait and see if I keep that promise).

Oddly, we were hungry at lunch time ... so we did eat. We're pigs I suppose. So you were leaving, I know where I was and what was next now ... It was shortly after 2:30 when I made a cranky post to FB.

What snack did you enjoy? Something from Starring Rolls?

We were one of the first people in the door just bad luck I guess. We were to the left in the first section as you come in the door. It was actually ok, we rode TSM, GMR & Star Tours before JTA so it all worked well.

We should have had lunch, just didn't think about it. My DS has always done much better when I stick to his self-imposed schedule for meals and bed. He had a full on melt down in Starring Rolls because he wanted a sandwhich and we were just going to get a couple rolls and such. We had early ADR's at T-Rex so I didn't want him to fill up when we would be there in 3 hours. We ended up with a Fruit Tart, Yogurt Parfait, brownie and something else I can't remember now. My mom ended up walking away from us because she was embarrassed and me dragging crying DS out of the park. I know he was just really hungry and tired but that didn't stop me from wanting to beat him.

I'd love to take a look at your workbook, I'm an Excel geek love it LOL. I'll PM you my email.

 

[Lidian]

We were one of the first people in the door just bad luck I guess. We were to the left in the first section as you come in the door. It was actually ok, we rode TSM, GMR & Star Tours before JTA so it all worked well.

We should have had lunch, just didn't think about it. My DS has always done much better when I stick to his self-imposed schedule for meals and bed. He had a full on melt down in Starring Rolls because he wanted a sandwhich and we were just going to get a couple rolls and such. We had early ADR's at T-Rex so I didn't want him to fill up when we would be there in 3 hours. We ended up with a Fruit Tart, Yogurt Parfait, brownie and something else I can't remember now. My mom ended up walking away from us because she was embarrassed and me dragging crying DS out of the park. I know he was just really hungry and tired but that didn't stop me from wanting to beat him.

I'd love to take a look at your workbook, I'm an Excel geek love it LOL. I'll PM you my email.

We were sat in the same area, only we were on the "half-wall" in front of the buffet. Jake came by our table twice ... the second time we waved him on as we had already seen him. So that's odd that it took him forever to get to your table. Sigh.

Oh, wait, I think I'm backwards. Standing in the door, looking in towards the buffet, we were on the right side just in front of the buffet (the line was literally behind me and we were on the "end", near the "dessert bar").

You got quite a bit done before JTA. What was your wait for GMR? (I ask, you'll see why in my next updates.)

Sorry that DS was having a rough afternoon. I've had to carry crying kids out of stores before -- everyone stares at you like you're a horrible person. It's lame. I mean, a good parent won't give in to their child everytime they let a tear slide down their cheek. We pick our battles. And kids need to know they won't always get their way. So good for you for standing up to your kiddo and not letting him pig out shortly before dinner! I do hope he settled down soon and was able to have a better evening.

 

[Lidian]

Today starts my last week of Spring classes. Next week is finals. I'm a bit behind on some stuff because DS got real sick last week. Everyone is better now ... but it had some rough patches in the week, and I missed a lot of classes.

DS, and my baby sister's kids, all came down with Hand Foot Mouth Disease.

For two days, we were stressing over his fever, as the highest it got was 105.1 and the lowest we could get it was 102.7. My neice even had a seizure (but she's fine now) from her fever. I took DS to the doctor when the rash and blisters showed up. Since he was home all week last week, I ended up being home, too. So I'm a bit behind in my classes from material missed ... but should catch up quickly.

I have a Statistics paper to write this week, a Statistics test, and lots of cramming for finals.

I should be able to sneak another update in soon after I get caught up with a few things ... and that should hold you guys over until Finals are done. Once Finals are done, all bets are off.

I'm hoping to get my new PTR started late next month as well. We haven't picked days yet, but once I have days pretty much set, I'm going to go ahead and get started, since this will be a really cool trip with stuff that I have planned.

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and let you know where I stand with my current TR. Hope everyone has a great next two weeks!

 

[solana131]

Good luck on your finals!

 

[teetee830]

Good luch with finals! I'm sorry your DS was sick poor little guy.

I'm excited to read the rest of your TR and a new PTR. I'm toying with the idea of a cruise next time, my DS wants to go on the "Disney Boat".

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I am glad to hear DS is doing better this week. That stuff if rough! I PM'd you my email address, so I can play with your workbook, too!

Loved your play by play of JTA! Both of my DD's chose to not do it this year, just DS. You had different trainers than we did. And the funny thing about that is that we have had the same trainers both years we have done it. We didn't take many of our own pics since we knew we would be getting the PP pictures. BTW- I did stop by the photo shop to get just our pictures from JTA...it took all of 10 minutes, very quick and efficient. Thought you may want to know this for next time.

Hope you do good on your finals.

 

[kittylady1972]

LOVED the whole update on Jedi Training. That's something my kids have never done before either. I think they might enjoy it so perhaps I'll work it in on the next trip!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Finally got caught up !! I've been trying for days ... I can't believe I was so far behind ... but MY trip got in the way !

Anyway .. I'm caught up now.
SO sorry you got sick ! The more I read about it lasting so long makes me think it wasn't just something you ate (unless it was food poisoning) but some sort of tummy bug. I have horrible tummy troubles and can relate to not feeling well ... But mine rarely makes me sick for days in a row. Ugh ... What a nightmare for you .. But you really are a trooper a d made the best of it.

Rude people suck .. No doubt !

Ok ... Now that I'm caught up .. I plan to stay that way !!

 

[Lidian]

Good luck on your finals!

Thanks!

Good luch with finals! I'm sorry your DS was sick poor little guy.

I'm excited to read the rest of your TR and a new PTR. I'm toying with the idea of a cruise next time, my DS wants to go on the "Disney Boat".

Thanks!

I'd love to try a Disney Cruise ... but I'm terrified I'd get sea sick!

I am glad to hear DS is doing better this week. That stuff if rough! I PM'd you my email address, so I can play with your workbook, too!

Loved your play by play of JTA! Both of my DD's chose to not do it this year, just DS. You had different trainers than we did. And the funny thing about that is that we have had the same trainers both years we have done it. We didn't take many of our own pics since we knew we would be getting the PP pictures. BTW- I did stop by the photo shop to get just our pictures from JTA...it took all of 10 minutes, very quick and efficient. Thought you may want to know this for next time.

Hope you do good on your finals.

I know it wouldn't take long, but I didn't really have 10 minutes to spare all day.

Thank you!

LOVED the whole update on Jedi Training. That's something my kids have never done before either. I think they might enjoy it so perhaps I'll work it in on the next trip!

I think they'd love it, even if they didn't know anything about SW!

Finally got caught up !! I've been trying for days ... I can't believe I was so far behind ... but MY trip got in the way !

Anyway .. I'm caught up now.
SO sorry you got sick ! The more I read about it lasting so long makes me think it wasn't just something you ate (unless it was food poisoning) but some sort of tummy bug. I have horrible tummy troubles and can relate to not feeling well ... But mine rarely makes me sick for days in a row. Ugh ... What a nightmare for you .. But you really are a trooper a d made the best of it.

Rude people suck .. No doubt !

Ok ... Now that I'm caught up .. I plan to stay that way !! :goodvibe

How dare you take a trip while I'm busy writing a TR!

I'm just excited to read about your trip! Your FB updates were great!

I'm not sure what it really was ... to be honest ... but no one else got it, so I didn't feel like it was a virus or anything. Honestly, I kind of think all the roller coasters messed with my system somehow.





Finals are next week. I'm freaking out a bit ... but will just do the best I can. I have one Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday ... so at least I have Tuesday for cramming for the Wed/Thurs finals.

Stormy FINALLY got his cast off this week. It left some pretty gnarly sores on his leg, so he's not a happy kitty (not that he's ever happy). With the sores making his leg tender, he's still afraid to use it. I imagine it will be a week or two before he'll attempt to put weight on his leg.

Also, I'm taking bets for what day in May I decide to visit the ER. Yep, I ended up in the ER Monday night ... and as dedicated of a student I am, as soon as I got out of the ER, I changed my clothes (was wearing PJs) and went to class. I wasn't contagious, so no worries there -- it was other stuff. I'm okay now, but need to follow up with my doctor and have some tests run.

Let's see ... don't think I have anything else "new" going on ... but will definitely do an update next Thursday night, after finals.

Oh... tonight, I have to write a paper for Stats class. I don't get it ... but ... oh, well. Apparently writing papers in my English course wasn't enough. And since the guideline sheet isn't very clear, I'm lost on what to actually do (and it's due tomorrow). Waiting on my professor to email me back ... otherwise, I'll skip the steps that make NO SENSE AT ALL! I mean, really, I've never heard of a "5# summary for the boxplot". My boxplot is just boxes.

Anyway ... talk amongst yourselves until I can get through this madness!

 

[solana131]

I'd love to try a Disney Cruise ... but I'm terrified I'd get sea sick!

Try a short cruise first. The ships are so big, unless it is really really bad swells you don't even feel the movement. But I wouldn't waste the money on a Disney cruise before I knew if I would enjoy it. Try Norwegian or Celebrity first, then shell out the big bucks when you find out how much fun cruising is

Also, I'm taking bets for what day in May I decide to visit the ER. Yep, I ended up in the ER Monday night ... and as dedicated of a student I am, as soon as I got out of the ER, I changed my clothes (was wearing PJs) and went to class. I wasn't contagious, so no worries there -- it was other stuff. I'm okay now, but need to follow up with my doctor and have some tests run.

Well things happen in 3s so.....good luck!

Anyway ... talk amongst yourselves until I can get through this madness!

Too funny

 

[lbuzz52]

good luck on your finals and paper and with avoiding the ER!