March 2012: The Year I Almost Survived Spring Break

Ooooh~I so want to go back sooner than October. I just don't know if we can make it work... :confused3 There are other factors we have to consider. My parents plan to join us next time and we already told them October, plus that is when my BFF and her family plan to go back. So much to consider... :sad2:
 
I just read your whole report – your dates caught my eye because we are planning Fri 3/1/12 – Fri 3/8/12. I was anticipating low crowds until I read your report. Also, historically that first week of March is regular season so prices should be good. Now I’m worried. We did first week of March 2 years ago and it was awesome – did Presidents Week this past year – never again:)
 
Lidian, I'm so sorry I haven't been here. Once again I must have hit unsubscribe instead of last page or something along like that along the way. I clicked on your link when reading another TR. You did a great job on your table of contents! So slowly I am taking my time and reading.

Yours was the first positive Chef Mickey report I've read in a while. Makes me want to eat there some day. We've always skipped it because of the expense and complaints in the quality of the food.

Your DS's pizza picture looked really good to JJ. He wants to eat there sometime. All the food pics there looked great!

I can't get over how much the children grew in a year's time!

I look forward to reading the rest. Sorry I'm so late!!!
 
Okay, that sounds a little better. Yeah, the crowd calendars are not my friends....we are looking at 9s almost the whole week. Epcot has a day of 6.4, but that is the lowest number I have on my spreadsheet :( Oooh, wait I just checked Undercover and they actually have Saturday and Sunday at a 7. Still red color, but thats better than the 10 on arrival day :scared1: I have been studying your crowd pictures Liddy, so I feel prepared. And I bought this new kind of sunscreen that says it is a "cooling mist". Two birds, one stone. I have a bottle for each day :rotfl:

I've never heard of the sunscreen. Who makes it? Where did you buy it?

Ooooh~I so want to go back sooner than October. I just don't know if we can make it work... :confused3 There are other factors we have to consider. My parents plan to join us next time and we already told them October, plus that is when my BFF and her family plan to go back. So much to consider... :sad2:

Hey, you get to see your family and friends anytime ... you should plan to hang with your DISfriends. :p

I just read your whole report – your dates caught my eye because we are planning Fri 3/1/12 – Fri 3/8/12. I was anticipating low crowds until I read your report. Also, historically that first week of March is regular season so prices should be good. Now I’m worried. We did first week of March 2 years ago and it was awesome – did Presidents Week this past year – never again:)

:welcome:

Hmm... :scratchin I think we paid Peak rates for our room. Now I need to look. I just knew we tried several discounts, but FD was the best for us.

The biggest issue we had (aside from crowds) was the unpredictable weather. I really wanted to spend some time in the pool ... but too cold for me! I've heard bad things about President's Week as well .... Very bad things. <shudders thinking about it>

Honestly, so far, my favorite time is May. But I can't compare it to October (and such). Maybe one day. :lmao:

Lidian, I'm so sorry I haven't been here. Once again I must have hit unsubscribe instead of last page or something along like that along the way. I clicked on your link when reading another TR. You did a great job on your table of contents! So slowly I am taking my time and reading.

Yours was the first positive Chef Mickey report I've read in a while. Makes me want to eat there some day. We've always skipped it because of the expense and complaints in the quality of the food.

Your DS's pizza picture looked really good to JJ. He wants to eat there sometime. All the food pics there looked great!

I can't get over how much the children grew in a year's time!

I look forward to reading the rest. Sorry I'm so late!!!

I was wondering where you had gone to! I know you've been busy dealing with things and I know Anakin got sick and it was very worrisome! I figured you'd come back when you had spare time. :thumbsup2

We would absolutely recommend Chef Mickey's. To be honest, it's on my list for next May -- and if I get my way, it WILL be booked. :thumbsup2 I didn't enjoy every dish on their buffet, but what I did enjoy was very good! The quality was higher than our local buffets. Service wasn't 100% spot on ... but it wasn't horrid either.

I can't believe how much the kids have grown either!

Don't worry about being late. The point is, you're here now! :hug:
 

Here are some of the amazing pictures the PP photographer took of DS during the JTA. DD will get her own post. And our family DHS pictures will get its own post. :thumbsup2

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All the children waving and being presented as official new Padawans!

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And here is DS collecting his official certificate!

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Here are DD's JTA PhotoPass pictures for your viewing enjoyment!

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She's barely visible in the Padawan presentation .... but she's there!

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And DD getting her official certificate!

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WOW!!! Did your DS have his own personal PP photographer?!? We didn't get anywhere near that many shots of my DS on our card! Those are GREAT!!!

Ummm~where did the Yoda and Vader emoticons go? All I can find is the wookie, and in this situation I choose NOT to "let the wookie win"!
 
WOW!!! Did your DS have his own personal PP photographer?!? We didn't get anywhere near that many shots of my DS on our card! Those are GREAT!!!

Ummm~where did the Yoda and Vader emoticons go? All I can find is the wookie, and in this situation I choose NOT to "let the wookie win"!

I know it looks like it, but there were JUST as many pics of the other kids as there were my kiddos. I think there were roughly 1,000 pics on the JTA card alone. :scared: It's why only one of each kiddo has borders... too many to sift through and the system was SO laggy. I was trying to delete some of the other pics, but it was lagging so bad, I was terrified I'd delete a pic of my own kiddo! :badpc:
 
I know it looks like it, but there were JUST as many pics of the other kids as there were my kiddos. I think there were roughly 1,000 pics on the JTA card alone. :scared: It's why only one of each kiddo has borders... too many to sift through and the system was SO laggy. I was trying to delete some of the other pics, but it was lagging so bad, I was terrified I'd delete a pic of my own kiddo! :badpc:

That is awesome! We must have had a lazy PP photographer when Gabe did it. :laughing: There were just not that many photos to sift through of his group. :confused3 Your DD's pics turned out great too...that is one serious padawan~don't want to ever have to engager HER in combat! :lmao:
 
That is awesome! We must have had a lazy PP photographer when Gabe did it. :laughing: There were just not that many photos to sift through of his group. :confused3 Your DD's pics turned out great too...that is one serious padawan~don't want to ever have to engager HER in combat! :lmao:

The photographer had a wheeled (desk) chair and he was spinning around, flying back and forth across the ground at the bottom of the stage and his finger stayed on the shutter button. :lmao: He'd stop long enough to zoom in/out or angle for a good shot. He was AWESOME! I was worried it was mostly group shots, so I was super excited to see he got tons of individual shots of each kid! With the way some of the pics were, I'd have sworn there were 4 or 5 photographers ... but only one!!!

And yes, she took it very seriously! I love the pics of her all serious! :lmao::lmao:
 
My kiddos love JTA too! I know what you mean about it having a TON of pictures. We did not stop by while at Hollywood Studios to delete the other kids (like I should have) and I spent a good two hours at home deleting them all.

Have to tell you...I saw a little girl at Disneyworld this time that looked really familiar to me. She was the sweetest, cutest little thing but I just could not figure out where I would know her from. I tried to remember back if she was one of my students or a student in a grade I taught. Then suddenly it hit me. She looked like your daughter. :rotfl: Guess I was stalking your TR a bit much to "see" your daughter in DW.
 
My kiddos love JTA too! I know what you mean about it having a TON of pictures. We did not stop by while at Hollywood Studios to delete the other kids (like I should have) and I spent a good two hours at home deleting them all.

Have to tell you...I saw a little girl at Disneyworld this time that looked really familiar to me. She was the sweetest, cutest little thing but I just could not figure out where I would know her from. I tried to remember back if she was one of my students or a student in a grade I taught. Then suddenly it hit me. She looked like your daughter. :rotfl: Guess I was stalking your TR a bit much to "see" your daughter in DW.

The CMs told all the parents that the cards had all the kids on it, but if they wanted to have the other kids removed, to go to the PP station and they could do it quickly. But I didn't want to stop long enough to do it. I've never had any luck at getting through the PP station quickly ... my shortest amount of time spent in one was nearly an hour. And that was just to have the codes from TPL entered onto our card. It took 15 seconds and we waited over 45 minutes. I was pretty livid. So I just decided to deal with having random kids on my disc. :lmao:

Oh what a great story!!! I'm glad to know my DD has a doppleganger. :thumbsup2 D's DD V has a doppleganger in my city (I see V at Target all the time). But you said she was the sweetest ... that right there clues me in that my DD didn't sneak off to WDW. :rotfl2: (Totally kidding, btw!)
 
Having random kids on your disc helps you get your money's worth..... :confused3:lmao:

Awww your DD looks sweet!! All kiddos have their moments with mom and dad but I bet she is a really sweet girl!
 
I've never heard of the sunscreen. Who makes it? Where did you buy it?

Here it is.

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I got a bunch of the little travel sized ones so they would be easier to carry in the parks. Walgreens had them on sale for 89 cents last month. Never used it before but I was on the lookout for ANYTHING that said "cooling mist" :lmao:

Love the JTA pics! So cool how their light sabers matched their shirts!
 
Great pics of JTA! Wonder how long they have been giving out all the pictures? March 2011 we had to go to PP and get it added to our PP. That's great it saves a stop there!

We had the same for Padawan Mind Challenge, got pics of all the kids. I just deleted all the people he didn't meet while waiting. Because he "knew" the others.

Heading way back in your TR, I got through your day at IoA, ER trip, AK day and 1900 Park Fare.

Kougan sounds like a fun person!

It's a shame you got sick. I remember seeing that on facebook. If that ever happens again, see if you can get an ultrasound done on your gall bladder to make sure it's not gall stones. Sorry that you had so many onlookers. But glad it was short term and you were able to still get your vacation underway.

The TH lunch didn't look as scary as I expected. Maybe we'll have to try it one of these days. I didn't realize Daisy was there! Is she usually?

I wonder why the other chefs didn't think about cross contamination?

I love the creativity that went into your dd's meal at 1900PF! Too bad she didn't care for the balsamic vinegrette. Does she prefer creamy dressings?

I love your son's faces and expressions in those pictures!

Too bad the service at both TH and 1900PF didn't come up to par compared to the rest of the dining experience.







Here it is.

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I got a bunch of the little travel sized ones so they would be easier to carry in the parks. Walgreens had them on sale for 89 cents last month. Never used it before but I was on the lookout for ANYTHING that said "cooling mist" :lmao:

Love the JTA pics! So cool how their light sabers matched their shirts!

That's the suncreen we use! I didn't realize it came in travel size!
 
That's the suncreen we use! I didn't realize it came in travel size!

So....how does it work? Does it really cool you anymore than regular sunscreen? And if the answer is "no", don't tell me.....I am not going out and buying more at this point :lmao:
 
So....how does it work? Does it really cool you anymore than regular sunscreen? And if the answer is "no", don't tell me.....I am not going out and buying more at this point :lmao:

It feels cool when you spray it on. I never read the bottle about the cooling spray, lol. I just assumed it felt cool because it was in a metal container, but I guess it must be one of the ingredients. So yeah, for a minute or so it does feel cool.

We use Aveeno or Neutrogena because of sensitive skin. We can wear it and there's no break outs or rash after.
 
Here it is.

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I got a bunch of the little travel sized ones so they would be easier to carry in the parks. Walgreens had them on sale for 89 cents last month. Never used it before but I was on the lookout for ANYTHING that said "cooling mist" :lmao:

Love the JTA pics! So cool how their light sabers matched their shirts!

That's really cool! I'll totally have to look into that for our next trip! I wonder if there's an expiration date on sunscreen ... because I could stock up later this summer when the stores are trying to clear out their inventory ... but if they expire quick, then there's no point in stocking up. :confused3

Thanks! I was excited that they got matching lightsabers, too! I wonder if the CM did that on purpose or accident. :lmao:

Great pics of JTA! Wonder how long they have been giving out all the pictures? March 2011 we had to go to PP and get it added to our PP. That's great it saves a stop there!

I'm not really sure ... but all the parents were handed one SW PP card per family. We just had to key it into our PP account when we got home I was trying to find the card ... but it appears I've put it away for scrapbooking ... It was black and had Jedi Mickey on it IIRC. It had a slightly different PP code on the back, I think it started with SW or something. I just recalled it being more defined instead of random like the typical PP card.

We had the same for Padawan Mind Challenge, got pics of all the kids. I just deleted all the people he didn't meet while waiting. Because he "knew" the others.

Heading way back in your TR, I got through your day at IoA, ER trip, AK day and 1900 Park Fare.

Kougan sounds like a fun person!

I did keep any pics that had my kiddos in the background. But outside of that, the rest went the way of the Do-Do. :lmao:

Kouga is just a nut all around. Everyone should have a Kouga in their life. :thumbsup2

It's a shame you got sick. I remember seeing that on facebook. If that ever happens again, see if you can get an ultrasound done on your gall bladder to make sure it's not gall stones. Sorry that you had so many onlookers. But glad it was short term and you were able to still get your vacation underway.

Will do Tink! :thumbsup2 My doctor has mentioned that she thinks my gallbladder is acting up, but waiting to see how I fare. I wasn't about to let some silly ER visit ruin my trip! :rotfl2:

The TH lunch didn't look as scary as I expected. Maybe we'll have to try it one of these days. I didn't realize Daisy was there! Is she usually?

TH was honestly our BEST and FAVORITE meal the entire week. I guess I forgot to do my overview and list our bests ... but TH, hands down ... Even DH said he would love to come back -- he'd even deal with the characters for the yummy food. It is definitely on our list for our May trip. :thumbsup2 I was terrified of the food ... but I found most of the offerings to be really delish! What I didn't like was because of the taste -- not quality. Nothing on my plate was spicy, but everything was flavorful.

Yes, Daisy is a regular at TH. I'm sure there may be days when she's not present because she's not feeling well or something ... but she is regularly scheduled to appear. ;)

I wonder why the other chefs didn't think about cross contamination?

I wonder if they just don't realize the possibility ... or if they watch the buffet closely to make sure people use the right spoons/tongs and put them back where they belong. As long as people do the right thing, there *shouldn't* be cross-contamination ... but you know how some people are. Silly, lazy, uneducated, or uncaring. :rolleyes:

I love the creativity that went into your dd's meal at 1900PF! Too bad she didn't care for the balsamic vinegrette. Does she prefer creamy dressings?

It was a great experience for her! I think it was because the balsamic was so strong. She loves vinaigrette dressings (her favorite is Italian), but will eat any vinaigrette. I think it was just overpowering ... and it was on a lot of the food, so it kind of ruined the food. :sad2:

I love your son's faces and expressions in those pictures!

Too bad the service at both TH and 1900PF didn't come up to par compared to the rest of the dining experience.

Thanks! I found him to be quite the challenge. :lmao:

Even with the lacking service at TH, we can't wait to go back! 1900PF, on the other hand, will not be repeated. Which is sad, since I'm sure DN would love to meet the characters.

It feels cool when you spray it on. I never read the bottle about the cooling spray, lol. I just assumed it felt cool because it was in a metal container, but I guess it must be one of the ingredients. So yeah, for a minute or so it does feel cool.

We use Aveeno or Neutrogena because of sensitive skin. We can wear it and there's no break outs or rash after.

That's really cool. And since you'll be reapplying in the park,you can get that touch of coolness for a bit as often as needed! :goodvibes
 
I wonder if there's an expiration date on sunscreen ... because I could stock up later this summer when the stores are trying to clear out their inventory ... but if they expire quick, then there's no point in stocking up.

They do have expiration dates, but I think they last a long long time. It would be worth checking out. :thumbsup2
 
They do have expiration dates, but I think they last a long long time. It would be worth checking out. :thumbsup2

I know the bottle sitting on my desk doesn't have any expiration dates that I can find, so thought maybe it was a "rule of thumb" to discard after so long.

Maybe I'll just check the cans when they go on sale and see if they have expiry warnings. :thumbsup2
 







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