March 3, 2007

[michaels_mom]

Hola - we debated on where to stay for a pre-cruise trip and decided to stay at WDW for three nights (Wed to Sat) and spend 2 days at MK . We also decided that we will drive down - over a couple of days - and make this a 2-week trip. (Initially, we were also going to go somewhere over New Years, but since we've had to cancel that we decided to add to the cruise trip itinerary). How far is it from WDW to the port? I just made my dinner reservations for the WDW portion of the trip last week - makes the trip seem that much closer

 

[michaels_mom]

Is anyone else staying at WDW before the cruise?

 

[Caropooh]

Hola - we debated on where to stay for a pre-cruise trip and decided to stay at WDW for three nights (Wed to Sat) and spend 2 days at MK . We also decided that we will drive down - over a couple of days - and make this a 2-week trip. (Initially, we were also going to go somewhere over New Years, but since we've had to cancel that we decided to add to the cruise trip itinerary). How far is it from WDW to the port? I just made my dinner reservations for the WDW portion of the trip last week - makes the trip seem that much closer

I believe it's about an hour from WDW to the port.
We still haven't made reservations for the night before. I know that we'll be staying near the port, just haven't decided where! We're also still working on flights to Florida. I just wish those darn prices would come down some. We're still looking at over 400.00/person.

 

[ejkjmom]

I think you are right caropooh, it seems like it is right @ 1 hour (give or take)... That's if the traffic cooperates Just Mapquest it, and then you'll know for sure, and have great driving directions to boot

Caropooh, have you checked w/ southwest? (seems like I might have asked you that already in another post ???) I know that they are only booking till Jan 9th right now..I have also been watching for the perfect priced airfare, really hoping that Frontier will come up with a can't resist price!!!!

Michaels Mom: we are not planning any days at WDW , our girls are going to be missing a couple days of school as it is...I wish we did have a couple of extras days...

Johnna: the pre-cruise meet sounds like a great idea, like you said, we'll have to see what works w/ everyone, as the date gets closer...

Indea88: I checked out the Ron Jons, it looked like lots of fun, but I'm thinking they were booked (can't remember for sure, I looked at several before booking the Radison)

Hope everyone has a great weekend

Brenda

 

[angelabielanin]

Yes, we are planning on coming in on Thurs night and staying at All-Stars and going to Blizzard Beach on Friday if it is warm enough.

 

[michaels_mom]

Yes, we are planning on coming in on Thurs night and staying at All-Stars and going to Blizzard Beach on Friday if it is warm enough.

Awesome! We weren't planning on Blizzard Beach , just MK for the 2 days (our first time there ). We've booked Goofy's for dinner on the Fri, Cinderella's Gala on the Thurs .

 

[Indea88]

Carapooh; Download DING from southwests website, when your aiports become available for your dates, they have prices that can't be beat ( you have about two hours once your DINGED to purchase online. Last year from Philly we flew for 39.00 PP one way 320.00 RT. I don't know if Southwest has flights from Washington but it's worth a look!

Our three year old is Pooh obsessed, so it looks like we will hit the Crystal Palace in the MK before Ron Jon's. Pooh will be everywhere in there! I miss Pooh on the Magic!

 

[alanapapa]

Carapooh; Download DING from southwests website, when your aiports become available for your dates, they have prices that can't be beat ( you have about two hours once your DINGED to purchase online. Last year from Philly we flew for 39.00 PP one way 320.00 RT. I don't know if Southwest has flights from Washington but it's worth a look!

Our three year old is Pooh obsessed, so it looks like we will hit the Crystal Palace in the MK before Ron Jon's. Pooh will be everywhere in there! I miss Pooh on the Magic!

We have DING, thanks.Yes SWA flies out of SEA to MCO, but right now they just show through 9 Jan 06. It is hard to wait, we want to have everything planned. Oh well, it will happen when it happens.

 

[ejkjmom]

Southwest opened their booking date to March 9th, so I went ahead and booked a N/S flight into Orlando... w/ tax it came to $109.30 per ticket (will have to wait till they open it up past the 9th for our return)

Alanappa and Caropooh, I hope you where able to get a flight, I guess if they don't open it up past March 9th we will just have to stay forever

Just wanted to share this info w/ everyone who was waiting on SW.... We are now on step closer...

 

[alanapapa]

Southwest opened their booking date to March 9th, so I went ahead and booked a N/S flight into Orlando... w/ tax it came to $109.30 per ticket (will have to wait till they open it up past the 9th for our return)

Alanappa and Caropooh, I hope you where able to get a flight, I guess if they don't open it up past March 9th we will just have to stay forever

Just wanted to share this info w/ everyone who was waiting on SW.... We are now on step closer...

thanks for the heads-up. Still at $159.00 pp though, ouch! Maybe they wil come out with a special DING soon.

 

[Indea88]

They will have a DING closer to the departure date. It's a little risky hanging in until the last minute but most of our lowest DING's were closer to the date (within 6 weeks) 39-49.00one way PP. I'm going to wait

 

[alanapapa]

Did we all fall off the DIS? Where is everyone?? We were halfway down the 3rd page

Or are we all involved in some sort of evil plan to take over

Maybe reality snuck in for a change

HHope all is well.

 

[michaels_mom]

Did we all fall off the DIS? Where is everyone?? We were halfway down the 3rd page

Or are we all involved in some sort of evil plan to take over

Maybe reality snuck in for a change

HHope all is well.

It does seem to have been quiet in here lately...no evil plans here - just busy with life - yeah, a bit of reality, I guess Actually, we went to Indiana for a car show this past weekend, which was fun (we have a 1941 Chevy that, yes, we did drive to Indiana) and next weekend (our Canadian Thanksgiving) we're heading off to Frankenmuth, Michigan. Also new - DH got a new vehicle (a BIG pick-up truck) this week, so he's been happily driving around and playing with it

Not much else new here - can't wait until Feb 26th (our official vacation-start date)

 

[Indea88]

Ahhh a takeover...you just gave me an idea lol!! We are getting ready to take DS to DC on Fri. (he was nominated as a Junior National Scholar.). proud momma! He'll stay at the 4H center in Chevy Chase MD for a week with 200 other middle schoolers from accross the US.(I want to go!!) No parents allowed. Were staying at the Mandarin Oriental in DC for two nights before we drop him off. I'd better increase my cell minutes before this trip.
I love September, starting to cool off, leaves will soon turn. Hoping for a mild winter. Actually, living in Jersey, we don't know what a real winter is!!!
Had the whole family together on Sunday and headed to Eckerd's for passport pictures..we were on a wild goose chase after three stores trying to locate the elusive photographer, never did get the photos. Getting my DH's picture will be quite a task. Need to get those passports by October, don't want to wait to long! Just heard that the new passports will be digital with a chip placed, supposed to take place Jan.2007, doesn't affect those that already have current ones. I had had one but it expired in the late 90's.
Hope all is well with everyone!
Andie
Jeff
Devon
Derek

 

[Johnna_Story]

Ahhh a takeover...you just gave me an idea lol!! We are getting ready to take DS to DC on Fri. (he was nominated as a Junior National Scholar.). proud momma! He'll stay at the 4H center in Chevy Chase MD for a week with 200 other middle schoolers from accross the US.(I want to go!!) No parents allowed. Were staying at the Mandarin Oriental in DC for two nights before we drop him off. I'd better increase my cell minutes before this trip.

You'll be in our neck of the woods!!!! Both Mark and I work in DC; haven't been to the Mandarin, but hear it's a beautiful hotel. Let me know if you want tips on where to eat (or NOT!) and general DC info - like metro etiquitte. Nothing like pissing off an angry commuter by not walking on the left of the escalator and standing on the right! Congrats to your son - sounds like a smart kid! The 4H center is about 5 mintues from our house - if you want to stop by, let me know!

 

[alanapapa]

We just got our new 2007 version of the Birnbaum Guide to DCL, and one of the excursions is a "DUCK" tour of St Maarten. We took a "Duck" tour of Seattle last year and it was great. I am not sure, I might have posted this before, but who else is interested in taking the tour? For those of you who are unfamilar, these are amphibious vehicle (troop landings from WWII, I believe), and they have a driving tour of the area and then go out into the water and you see a different side of things. Anybody??

 

[kshabare]

Hey everyone - just wanted to say hello. 152 days until the actual cruise. I just cannot believe it! I can't actually believe today is October 1st. Yikes. We got our passports last summer. What a more convenient way to travel. I loved having them. Unfortunately, I never thought about getting them stamped! Grrrr. This year I'm going to guest services to ask how I can get that accomplished. Otherwise, I might never think I went on a trip at all!

Happy Sunday to everyone.

Kim

 

[michaels_mom]

We got our passports last summer...Unfortunately, I never thought about getting them stamped! Grrrr. This year I'm going to guest services to ask how I can get that accomplished. Otherwise, I might never think I went on a trip at all!

What a great idea! I never thought of that, but it would be a wonderful addition to the stamps in the passports! Let me know what response you get - if it can be done, I'm definately onboard ( ) with that too!

 

[mark_story]

Hey everyone.

It has been a maddening whirlwind of activity in the Story house since the end of August, when we had 13 days to move seven years of our lives, including wo kids and all of our stuff.

After some seriously stressful days, we are settled into our new house and the excellent news is that we have an offer on our old house (well below the asking price, but an offer nonetheless). I've lost a lot of sleep over the last couple of months, but am finally taking a breath and dreaming of the wonderful time that we're all going to have -- and that will sneak up on us faster than any of us will expect.

I looked for a icon of a semi-relieved and tired man exhaling, but all I came up with was this:

Mark

 

[michaels_mom]

FYI - After Kshabare's awesome post about getting passports stamped, I sent off an email to DCL asking how this can be accomplished - sadly, it does not look like it will be possible. DCL's response (quoted from the email I received from them) was as follows :

"When traveling to St. Maarten and St. Thomas, it is not customary to
have Passports stamped. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be arranged"