Mentally Preparing: A Focker, A Croc & Waldo hit POFQ! Trip Report Link is UP!

[Sabrina90744]

Ok, so since I've joined the DIS, I've become quite crafty. Well, sort of. I just steal other people's ideas.

I have to give mad props to Cathy (twob4him) and her awesome PTR. She made these darling hair bows for her little princesses and not to be left out of the hair bow scene, I made some for Maddie. I present to you my bow creations, albeit not as lovely as Cathy's!

We did some with Mickey heads and some with Tinker!

Now I just have to figure out how to attach them to a barrette!

Hey girl loving your bows!! You can probably find all the answers you need here http://bowdesigns.50webs.com/index.html or here http://www.theribbonretreat.com/custom/free_projects.aspx

Happy Belated Birthday! Thats my sons bday too! Lovin the cowboy hat!

The granny panties are just tooo funny!!

 

[sorul82?]

We would like to visit your neck of the woods sometime in the next year. We can go for up to 10 days and we have a choice of six weeks:

Last 2 in Feb
First week of March
Last 3 weeks of May

Which week, and where should we stay? We want to go to:

DL
San Diego Zoo
Sea World
Lego Land
Knott's Berry Farm
and??

Send your travel agent bill in US Lapu's.

 

[boysmom5150]

For Christmas we got DS5 the WDW monorail that rides on a track and goes around in a circle, Ill post a pic of it later. If you dont already have it you might consider it for a gift for Evan, its really cool.

Here is a pic of the "real"monorail (thats what the boys call it). Im sure you have seen them all over DL and WDW. It is kind of pricey but it holds up really well. The boys beat the heck out of that thing and somehow drag it(its not small) all over. If you dont already have it , its really great.It even talks!!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Those bows look so cute I love the Tinkerbelle buttons, Maddie will look so cute

Me too, I love the Tink ones, especially! Most of Maddie's vacation clothes have Tink in some form, so they're perfect!

I'm laughing with you, not at you... I went the opposite direction: I was so huge I couldn't get even Granny pants to stay up and started buying the tiniest, lowest rise undies I could find to fit under the Himalyan-sized protrusion that was DS's home!

I can just picture little pixie PrincessV with this huge belly!

Well indeed you have MARTHA!!!

I know! I'm starting to scare my family!!

The ones we have from WDW are die cast metal but it is only the 1st car. We have lots missing doors and they always pop off and I can never get them back on correct. Do you have the whole train(monorail) with several cars??Where did you get them???

We have the whole monorail with 4 cars attached. I got the lime one at the Poly gift shop and the green one at the toy store in DCA. They're only $15, but they break so easily.

Hey Tracy!! I just heard something on the radio so I had to log on to tell you...... Ok, so I'm just sitting here working away, thinking about our upcoming trip to Disney...and this lady on the radio said she just got back from Disney and saw a grandma wearing a harness. I busted out laughing (luckily no one is around) and immediately thought of you. Perhaps they come in Waldo size?

OMG!!!! S'late! When I read this I busted out laughing so hard, Andy and The Enabler came running! All 3 of us:
That's great!!

We have two broken monorails, too. It was a sad day around here when the first one broke in half. Then, my FIL got another for DSs birthday. The next day it was broken as well He accidentally put his knee on it and it snapped. I was considering a letter to Disney to explain my woe (poorly constructed toy if it breaks so easily) but, like so many things, I haven't had the time. I guess he'll get another one the next time we're down there.

You see? I'm glad I'm not the only with bad monorail mojo! The 2 piece are held together with this little plastic thing and they break so easily! Drives me bananas... see?

Hey girl loving your bows!! You can probably find all the answers you need here .

Oh, thanks, Sabrina! I did fine what I needed!

Happy Belated Birthday! Thats my sons bday too! Lovin the cowboy hat!

Thanks! Happy belated Birthday to your son, too!!

Here is a pic of the "real"monorail (thats what the boys call it). Im sure you have seen them all over DL and WDW. It is kind of pricey but it holds up really well. The boys beat the heck out of that thing and somehow drag it(its not small) all over. If you dont already have it , its really great.It even talks!!

Shhhh!!! Don't tell Evan, but Waldo and Enabler are buying this for his birthday!
Is this the one that you can buy The Poly, The GF and Cont. buildings?

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

We would like to visit your neck of the woods sometime in the next year. We can go for up to 10 days and we have a choice of six weeks:

Whoo Hoo!!!

Last 2 in Feb
First week of March
Last 3 weeks of May

Feb = very bad
March= - no school holidays for locals
May = mid May not THAT bad, but March is still better.

and where should we stay?

Do you want a central location or ? days in Anaheim and ? days in San Diego? Do you want a Disney hotel?
Of the Disney hotels, the Grand Californian is super nice. However, the DLand hotel has a better pool area, IMO. Don't know if pool hopping is allowed.
There's a nice Hilton that's down the highway from Disneyland/DCA. My friends from Vegas stay there when they visit. I've also heard good reviews on the Hojo's across the street from Dland.

We want to go to:

DL =
San Diego Zoo = I haven't been in years!
Sea World =
Lego Land =
Knott's Berry Farm = certainly not Disney, but great thrill rides!
and?? = Hollywood? El Capitan Theater? Universal? Six Flags? The beach?

Send your travel agent bill in US Lapu's.

 

[twob4him]

Here is a pic of the "real"monorail (thats what the boys call it). Im sure you have seen them all over DL and WDW. It is kind of pricey but it holds up really well. The boys beat the heck out of that thing and somehow drag it(its not small) all over. If you dont already have it , its really great.It even talks!!

When my DS13 was little, around 4, I stayed at the Poly with my mom. I bought him this monorail set and it was great fun! It held up well!

Ok, so since I've joined the DIS, I've become quite crafty. Well, sort of. I just steal other people's ideas.

I have to give mad props to Cathy (twob4him) and her awesome PTR. She made these darling hair bows for her little princesses and not to be left out of the hair bow scene, I made some for Maddie. I present to you my bow creations, albeit not as lovely as Cathy's!

We did some with Mickey heads and some with Tinker!

Now I just have to figure out how to attach them to a barrette!

Yaaaa.....you did it! You work fast! They came out so pretty! I love the tink one too. I am impressed sista! I am sure Maddie will love them. Take some wire and attach to the top of a clip. Check out the websites that Sabrina listed...they are pretty good.

 

[sorul82?]

Whoo Hoo!!!


Feb = very bad
March= - no school holidays for locals
May = mid May not THAT bad, but March is still better.

I could add Nov.12-Dec. 4, but I'd prefer March or May

Do you want a central location or ? days in Anaheim and ? days in San Diego? Do you want a Disney hotel?
Of the Disney hotels, the Grand Californian is super nice. However, the DLand hotel has a better pool area, IMO. Don't know if pool hopping is allowed.
There's a nice Hilton that's down the highway from Disneyland/DCA. My friends from Vegas stay there when they visit. I've also heard good reviews on the Hojo's across the street from Dland.:

If we jump off the ledge and become DVC owners, then a Disney hotel to use points. Otherwise, I was over on the DL thread and someone mentioned Tropicana. Good choice? And how far is San Diego from Anaheim? Should we stay part time in Ana, and part in SD?

DL =
San Diego Zoo = I haven't been in years!
Sea World =
Lego Land =
Knott's Berry Farm = certainly not Disney, but great thrill rides!
and?? = Hollywood? El Capitan Theater? Universal? Six Flags? The beach?

I went to Knott's when I was 8ish, so I feel compelled to take my children there.
Hollywood??? Um, I don't know if we need to tempt DD. She has already been practicing making her hand and footprints for when she becomes famous.
Universal- yes
Six Flags- no
Beach- we got em....but not with the jagged cliffs.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I could add Nov.12-Dec. 4, but I'd prefer March or May

Disneyland during Thanksgiving is and it'd make you

If we jump off the ledge and become DVC owners, then a Disney hotel to use points.

Then Grand Californian, by all means!

Otherwise, I was over on the DL thread and someone mentioned Tropicana. Good choice?

I've heard good things as well. Oh and also Hotel Portofino.

And how far is San Diego from Anaheim? Should we stay part time in Ana, and part in SD?

San Diego is about 2 hours from Anaheim. I would recommend staying in the SD area whilst you hit San Diego Zoo, Seaworld and LegoLand.

Knotts is just a short distance to DLand and Universal is a bit away, but easy enough to navigate for a day trip.

Don't forget to include and day with me!




I went to Knott's when I was 8ish, so I feel compelled to take my children there.
Hollywood??? Um, I don't know if we need to tempt DD. She has already been practicing making her hand and footprints for when she becomes famous.
Universal- yes
Six Flags- no
Beach- we got em....but not with the jagged cliffs.[/QUOTE]

 

[Lauralee131]

We would like to visit your neck of the woods sometime in the next year. We can go for up to 10 days and we have a choice of six weeks:

Last 2 in Feb
First week of March
Last 3 weeks of May

Which week, and where should we stay? We want to go to:

DL
San Diego Zoo
Sea World
Lego Land
Knott's Berry Farm
and??

Wow S'late! Good for you! We've been talking about going too, but probably not till '09. I'm JEALOUS!!!

Send your travel agent bill in US Lapu's.

Hmmm....let's see....$12 x 21 = $252!!!

Ya know, you may want to be careful about what you're offering to pay for her services!!!

 

[Disneyolic]

San Diego is about 2 hours from Anaheim. I would recommend staying in the SD area whilst you hit San Diego Zoo, Seaworld and LegoLand.

The San Diego Zoo is very nice. We all had a great time there. I compare it with the Toronto Zoo only better! There use to be, maybe still is, a Double Tree Hotel in San Diego that we really liked. It was situated in a place where there were a zillion other hotels.

I went to Knott's when I was 8ish, so I feel compelled to take my children there.

Knott's Berry Farm is nice. It's no Disney, like DLM said but very nice park.

Hollywood???

For people watching alone!

Universal- yes, Six Flags- no, Beach- we got em....but not with the jagged cliffs.

Universal Hollywood is so different from Orlando in how rides are done, unless they have changed it. Definitely fun but watch out for Fievel because he totally tried to "cop a feel" on me!

Six Flags is totally fun if you're into the roller coasters but that is where the goth teens with all the piercings, etc., hang out.

I think the Pacific Ocean is freeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing!!! Give me the Atlantic any day.

San Dimas has a cool water park called Raging Waters. It's always on the Travel Channel's best water parks.

 

[sorul82?]

Hmmm....let's see....$12 x 21 = $252!!!

Ya know, you may want to be careful about what you're offering to pay for her services!!!

After the first few, she won't know if she had 2 or 21!

 

[sorul82?]

Tracy,

I have some more enjoyment for you. I owe you a great big thanks and a hug (add it to my lapu bill) for helping me get my permanent job at the pay I asked for. Ok, so here's the story:

Back in April, I was sorta goofing off, but working too. I was multi-tasking. Anyhow, I was setting up the Quickbooks for the company. I came here during a transition: one company had just been purchased by another, and nothing at all had been established for the new company. Did I say NOTHING? No, Quickbooks, no chart of accounts, no file folders, NOTHING. I am an accountant, not a CPA. I know how to use a chart of accounts, but have never created one from scratch. So I was on-line researching chart of accounts for a rental business, and of course DISing. Well, my boss comes to check on me and walks around to see what I am doing. When she came in, I was holding a chart of accounts in my hand and of course staring at it intently. She asked, "what are you studying?" I said, "I am creating your chart of accounts and I need to know what fixed assets you have...bs, bs, bs." Anyhow, she looks at the computer and I could see her reading the programs that were open: Outlook, QB, Excel, Chart of, and Mentally Preparing. A few minutes later she is in her office on the phone with the owner (who lives in San Francisco) and is telling him, "yes, she working very hard on it, I saw it in her hand. She is doing such a great job, etc."

I came here to be a bookkeeper, but my duties kept changing and increasing. Not only was I doing data entry, but suddenly I was setting up this company's accounting system. So I told my rep at the temp place that since I was performing at a higher level than bookkeeper, then I wanted more pay. I got a $5 per hour increase. Ok, so when they asked me if I was looking for a perm job, I asked what the job description would be and the pay. $8000 less per year than what I was making as a temp. I said well, I'll have to think about it, but you are requiring more accounting duties than what you are wanting to pay for. So, a couple of days later, I said I want $XX,000 per year. I went on to say that they need someone who is capable of producing financial statements, etc. I also work with the controller who is in DC who was also saying he needed more than a bookkeeper on this end. Anyhow, I told my boss what she was getting, and I said, you know that if I don't know how to do something that I am smart enough to research it (mentally preparing). So after standing firm as to my salary requirements, here I am employed at the pay I asked for all because of the way you titled your pre-TR. So, my next thread will be titled something like IRS Forms. Hehe


Oh, while I was typing this, she walked in so I quickly grabbed the month end reports for May, and the printout went everwhere. Like 25 pages just unfolded and attacked me. She just laughed, and said, "you are so funny." She really is cool and easy to work for. I dropped the V-bomb yesterday. All she said was sure, no problem. Ok, gotta go be productive.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Yay!!! Glad I could be of service.

Let's tally everything up, shall we?

Dland trip advice = priceless, but will accept 4 Lapus.

Permanent Job = priceless, but will accept 4 Lapus and a lap dance.



I'm so happy for you that you've found that job and making some serious Disney dough!

 

[sorul82?]

Yay!!! Glad I could be of service.

Let's tally everything up, shall we?

Dland trip advice = priceless, but will accept 4 Lapus.

Permanent Job = priceless, but will accept 4 Lapus and a lap dance.



I'm so happy for you that you've found that job and making some serious Disney dough!

Wait a sec....weren't you on the naughty list for something? I think you owed me a Lapu or two? Oh well, I'll still owe you a few!!!!

Lap dance?

 

[PrincessV]

s'late, that's hysterical! And I must say, I like when the DIS title resembles something work-ish. I'll definitely read "IRS Forms"!

Congrats again - you deserve every penny!

 

[Disneygrl36]

You go Tracy helping people get better jobs & everything

Thanks for the advice & pics about Oct...I am thinking mid to late Oct 2008 sounds just perfect & those decorations are so cute with a Halloween bday how could I not love that.

Have you ever done the In Walt's footsteps tour????

 

[cmp1111]

Hey, I'm caught up! Now I can join in the fun here, too!

I am supremely impressed with your awesome organization and crafty skills!

Mad props for doing all this work for your parents, the Ducks, and your own super family.

Maddie looks gorgeous in her glasses, and I love your hat!

Thanks for being such a great entertainer. And, since I wasn't caught up, happy belated birthday!

 

[DisneyJo]

S'Late how did I miss your post yesterday your story's hilarious, good TR title T

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Yaaaa.....you did it! You work fast! They came out so pretty! I love the tink one too. I am impressed sista! I am sure Maddie will love them. Take some wire and attach to the top of a clip. Check out the websites that Sabrina listed...they are pretty good. [/SIZE]

Thanks, Cathy! I've gone bow crazy! I figure whatever Maddie doesn't want/use we'll save and put them in the goody bags for her b-day party.

Ya know, you may want to be careful about what you're offering to pay for her services!!!

San Dimas has a cool water park called Raging Waters. It's always on the Travel Channel's best water parks.

Don't go to San Dimas.... unless you've got a hankering for a shank!
There's another waterpark in Irvine, which is about 15 mins. south of Disneyland called Wild Rivers. That one's alot safer and cleaner, IMO.

Have you ever done the In Walt's footsteps tour????

I have to admit, I've never done any tours at Disneyland. But, now that you mention it, I just might this fall.

Hey, I'm caught up! Now I can join in the fun here, too!

Yay!

Thanks for being such a great entertainer. And, since I wasn't caught up, happy belated birthday!

Thanks, CE!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

NOTE: This installment is dedicated to all modes of transportation.

We still haven't figured out how in heck we're getting to the airport. I'm having a huge problem finding a car service that can transport 10 people and 13 or so pieces of luggage. : I've done the limos .com thing and haven't gotten much of a bite there. I even called my TA to see if she had any leads.

The Ducks are he!! bent on using a limo service and I'm open to any mode as long as I don't have to drive and worry about airport parking. I'd take a pack mule at this point!

I called a few shuttle services and got some decent rates. And I called a limo company that could accomodate us, but not our luggage. I may have mentioned before, but the Ducks said Daisy's dad could follow the limo with the luggage. It's been back and forth with The Ducks and Daisy's dad. Donald is afraid to depend on Daisy's dad and not really ready to commit him to the project, if you will. I'm getting impatient, so we (my family and the Waldos) decided to go shuttle and the Ducks would have Daisy's dad drop them off. Donald was pouting because he really wants to go in style via limo. I don't know why. We've done the airport limo thing, and the private jet thing several times, so it's not like we've never traveled in style before. But that's Donald!

I remembered the quote I received from the shuttle service didn't include the costs of carseat rentals and since we are not using carseats on the plane, I would need the shuttle service to provide them. Well, it's a good thing I called the shuttle service back. They do not provide carseat rentals and will not store your carseats for your return trip. Well, I'm not lugging 2 carseats around LAX just to save $20. Yup. 20 bucks. That's the difference in limo v. shuttle rates. So, the shuttle is out. The limo is back in. Now which limo?

Ok, so now it's down to choice A) limo for 10 - Daisy's dad to follow with luggage. ($336) B) limo for 6 ($250) & the Ducks have Daisy's dad take them to the airport. I emailed Donald this morning to get off his tail feathers and decide what they're going to do.

Let's hope we get this finalized today. I mean, we are like a little over 9 weeks away!

TO STROLLER OR NOT TO STROLLER:

I'm so confuzzled about the stroller situation. Of couse Evan will be in his stroller, but I'm not sure about Maddie. Last year I bought her a little cheapy $20 stroller and while she was comfortable enough, it was horrible to have to push her in that thing. The handles were so low that mine and Andy's back were killing us. We'd have to be slightly bent over trying to manuver this thing. Mind you I'm 5'9" and he's a little under 6 feet. Then the foot rest for Maddie was so flimsy, whenever she put her feet toward the outter part, the foot rest would drag on the wheels causing slow down. Not good.

Now Maddie is a tiny thing. Well, compared to Evan she is. There's no way she's going to be able to keep up with us and in that August heat, I really don't want her trying. So what do we do? Do we rent a stroller or buy another Maclaren? We figure it's going to cost around $90 to rent a stroller for only park use. Well, I can get a Mac for $20 more and have airport use and resort use. And lookie here, I've got a 15% off coupon! Now to find that lime green Mac that V's friend scored.
Let me tell you, I've hunted high and low for that lime stroller. It's sold out everywhere. I really wanted to take advantage of the 15% off coupon so I had to opt for another color. I present you with Maddie's WDW wheels.

She wanted the Salmon one, but since Evan will get it when his red Mac Triump hits the dirt, we opted for a gender neutral color. Ok, so stroller situation is handled. Let's hope we can put the limo thing to bed today as well.


Just thought I share with you what we've been doing lately. We finally got some decent weather this weekend and we opened our pool for the season. It's just an above ground pool, a mere 3 1/2 feet deep, but it serves it's purpose. The water was still too cold for me and Evan, but Maddie's a mermaid and would swim in it even if there were ice cubes floating on top! It was really warm yesterday (high 80's) and I finally took the plunge taking Evan in with me. Big mistake! I couldn't get those kids out of the pool for anything. Not the promise of cookies, soda, ice cream.. nothing. The sun started to go behind the trees when they finally got out. Both could barely keep their eyes open during dinner and knocked out super early. I love summer!