Mom and Dad's Dream Trip-34 Yrs in Making-Jun08 SOUVIE PICS PG 51 NEXT TRIP!!???!!!!?

[jwwi]

I am so jealous that you got to the VB sale. Looks like you got a lot of nice stuff. We had a new VB store open in our area, it is the prettiest store. I just love it there. I have 3 different items in Petal Pink, and I really like all of it. I probably would not use an organizer, but the Hipster bag is cute. I have a black leather fossil hipster, it really worked great on my last two trips to WDW. I just got a new catalog with many new summer items...............maybe I will have to make a trip to the store.

 

[MegansMom]

I am so jealous that you got to the VB sale. Looks like you got a lot of nice stuff. We had a new VB store open in our area, it is the prettiest store. I just love it there. I have 3 different items in Petal Pink, and I really like all of it. I probably would not use an organizer, but the Hipster bag is cute. I have a black leather fossil hipster, it really worked great on my last two trips to WDW. I just got a new catalog with many new summer items...............maybe I will have to make a trip to the store.

The Petal Pink pattern really is pretty!! I do have a few more things in that pattern too---let me know if you are looking for anything in particular--I might have what you are looking for cheaper than the store since I got it at a discounted price. I keep debating on whether or not I should just list what I did get--might be helpful to some, but annoying to others. What do you think?

 

[cherbear]

thanks for the welcome. And yes, we have Dollar Tree but I've never seen spray sunscreen there. I may have to go check that out next time I'm there. I love Dollar Tree! It's the only TRUE "DOLLAR store" around here

 

[MegansMom]

thanks for the welcome. And yes, we have Dollar Tree but I've never seen spray sunscreen there. I may have to go check that out next time I'm there. I love Dollar Tree! It's the only TRUE "DOLLAR store" around here

I want to say that I found it near the shampoo and medicines--that is if yours are set up like ours. It is not the continuous spray kind--bummer--but it does spray out easily and is somewhat more compact for tossing in the park bag--YEAH--AND it was only $1!!! Now HOW can you beat that---okay, maybe if they started selling the continuous spray kind for a $1, that would be the GREATEST!!!!!!!!!! Happy FRIDAY!!!!!

 

[cherbear]

I want to say that I found it near the shampoo and medicines--that is if yours are set up like ours. It is not the continuous spray kind--bummer--but it does spray out easily and is somewhat more compact for tossing in the park bag--YEAH--AND it was only $1!!! Now HOW can you beat that---okay, maybe if they started selling the continuous spray kind for a $1, that would be the GREATEST!!!!!!!!!! Happy FRIDAY!!!!!

oh okay, cool. Thanks for the info!

<~~he's hoping it's BANANA BOAT sunscreen

 

[MegansMom]

Hey Gang!!

I hope everyone has had a good weekend!! Tom, Megan, and I were very busy--a big Derby party at a friend's house yesterday, and mulching and landscaping today. It was a lot of hard work, but it looks good outside!! I am so glad that is done!! I can't believe how close the trip is getting--we talk about it more and more each day!! I feel the packing jitters creeping up--meaning that I can almost feel like it is time to pull out the suitcases and start packing!! Oh how I love that part!! I pack for several days--I enjoy it so much!!! Anyway--more to come tomorrow!! Have a great Monday! Jen

 

[IluvXU]

We had the same sort of day yesterday.... trimming bushes and planting flowers...boy it looks better but it took forever. Tired and sore today! Happy Monday.... just watch that ticker winding down!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hey Gang!!

I hope everyone has had a good weekend!! Tom, Megan, and I were very busy--a big Derby party at a friend's house yesterday, and mulching and landscaping today. It was a lot of hard work, but it looks good outside!! I am so glad that is done!! I can't believe how close the trip is getting--we talk about it more and more each day!! I feel the packing jitters creeping up--meaning that I can almost feel like it is time to pull out the suitcases and start packing!! Oh how I love that part!! I pack for several days--I enjoy it so much!!! Anyway--more to come tomorrow!! Have a great Monday! Jen

We had the same sort of day yesterday.... trimming bushes and planting flowers...boy it looks better but it took forever. Tired and sore today! Happy Monday.... just watch that ticker winding down!

Must have been landscaping day all over the country -- that's what we did a lot of, also!

 

[r4blessings]

I pm'd you back Jen, but wanted to thank you again for sending me the organizer! And even though I have the capri sun pattern, I started my dd on the pinwheel pink pattern! I got her the tiny little bag (Katie is the name of the bag and dd's name so I thought it was perfect!). I love that some of the proceeds go to breast cancer research....and I thought I would pick her up the backpack and lunch bag and before you know it she will have the entire line! Thank goodness I only have one girl.......I don't think I could afford another one! I love my boys, but I have yet to go into a store and find something that I "had to have" for any of my boys!

 

[IluvXU]

Thank goodness I only have one girl.......I don't think I could afford another one! I love my boys, but I have yet to go into a store and find something that I "had to have" for any of my boys!

That would be why my dh is excited for me to have a boy... my girls are costly souls!

 

[tigereye]

Jen,

Sorry, I haven't been able to get on this week. Work has been absolutely crazy. I would say that not only will we not be doing the autographs, but we will be doing our best to avoid anyone that looks even remotely unusual (good luck, I know). Maddie is probably going to be full on panic attack mode with all of those characters there, so I'd imagine that it's probably going to be a quick day for us. Since this day is mostly about the boys, I think we'll follow you to head to TSM first, but then split from there so that we can hit the other things the boys want to hit (Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Lights Motors, Action, etc.). Maddie is still undecided about Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast, so we'll just take the rest of the day in stride, depending on her overall mood and how she's dealing with everything.

Mike

Thanks so much for hopping over here!! SOOOOOOOOOOOO glad to have you!! Thanks again for the information--priceless in my opinion! We are going to take in Star Tours, I am just not sure what time we will hit it. Like I said in the itinerary, I know that it is probably way too ambitious to take all that in, but we will give it our best shot!! I am also looking forward to seeing my brother Mike hop on and add his two cents in on the itinerary. This will be the first time he gets to take his kids, so I am hoping that they get to take in as much as possible that they want to do since the kids haven't been there before. I am going to pass on the SWW info onto him, but I am not sure what events he will want to take in. I don't know if he will want autographs from the actors or not--we will just have to wait and see what he says!!!

Feel free to add your two cents in at any time as the PTR continues on--I LOVE hearing from others who have been there at the same time, it gives me a much clearer understanding of what to expect.

Talk soon, JEN

 

[MegansMom]

We had the same sort of day yesterday.... trimming bushes and planting flowers...boy it looks better but it took forever. Tired and sore today! Happy Monday.... just watch that ticker winding down!

I know what you mean about sore--Tom and I both were talking about how much our backs were hurting Sunday night. He laughed at me because Sunday night when we turned the TV on to watch some shows, I started doing my normal weight exercises that I usually do while watching TV, and he said "Don't you think digging holes, planting bushes, and mulching is good enough?" He was probably right, but I want so desperately to lose more weight that I went ahead with the exercising anyway. I CAN'T believe how close we are!!!! I want to tell EVERYONE I meet how soon it is that I am going back TO DISNEYWORLD!!!

Must have been landscaping day all over the country -- that's what we did a lot of, also!

The weather was just right for us in the Greater Cincy area--I think for most other areas too!!! The only thing I have left to do is to pot my annuals--but I always wait until after Mother's Day to do that. So one more day and then I will be DONE!!!!!!

I pm'd you back Jen, but wanted to thank you again for sending me the organizer! And even though I have the capri sun pattern, I started my dd on the pinwheel pink pattern! I got her the tiny little bag (Katie is the name of the bag and dd's name so I thought it was perfect!). I love that some of the proceeds go to breast cancer research....and I thought I would pick her up the backpack and lunch bag and before you know it she will have the entire line! Thank goodness I only have one girl.......I don't think I could afford another one! I love my boys, but I have yet to go into a store and find something that I "had to have" for any of my boys!

I got your PM, and I will be sending it out tomorrow!!! I know what you mean about shopping for girls--I just can't stop myself sometimes!!!

That would be why my dh is excited for me to have a boy... my girls are costly souls!

Congrats again for your bouncing baby boy on the way!!! Don't tell your DH, but he and your son are still going to be WAY out-voted!!! Just ask my brother--he was the only boy in our family!! BUT I just KNOW how much he LOVED having two little sisters!!! RIGHT MIKE?!?!?

Jen,

Sorry, I haven't been able to get on this week. Work has been absolutely crazy. I would say that not only will we not be doing the autographs, but we will be doing our best to avoid anyone that looks even remotely unusual (good luck, I know). Maddie is probably going to be full on panic attack mode with all of those characters there, so I'd imagine that it's probably going to be a quick day for us. Since this day is mostly about the boys, I think we'll follow you to head to TSM first, but then split from there so that we can hit the other things the boys want to hit (Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Lights Motors, Action, etc.). Maddie is still undecided about Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast, so we'll just take the rest of the day in stride, depending on her overall mood and how she's dealing with everything.

Mike

YEAH MIKE'S BACK!!! Thanks for hopping on here!! I know you have been having a long week--I hope it ends soon for you--don't they know that you are going to Disneyworld in a Month?!?!?!?!? I figured that you probably wouldn't be hitting the autograph lines, but I think Megs is still looking forward to doing that again, even though she just got all their autographs in November. It is funny when I go through the things at DHS, there really isn't ALOT that Megs WANTS to do. It goes a little like this:
Me: Do you want to do TSM?
Megs: YES!!!!!!
Me: Do you want to do Little Mermaid?
Megs: No--Ursula SCARES ME!!!! (We pretty much put that in there for Maddie's sake--so we won't mind if we need to bypass that this year.)
Me: Do you want to do Playhouse Disney?
Megs: YESSSSSSS!!!!!
Me: Beauty and the Beast?
Megs: NO! The Beast scares me.
Me: Great Movie Ride?
Megs: NOOOOOOOO!!! I don't like all those scary guys!
Me: Indiana Jones?
Megs: NOOOO!!! I don't like those scary faces on the wall!!!
Me: Motor Cars?
Megs: NOOOOOOO!!! That's tooooooo noisy!
Me: Star Tours?
Megs: OKAY!! I like the little robot!

I think you get the picture!!! I just want you to know that we are TOTALLY okay with missing some of the same things too due to the "fright factor" of our 4-year old. I want you to know that Maddie is more than welcome to join us if at anytime she doesn't want to do what the boys are doing. I think it could turn out to be an early out day for us too!!! Does that help????

 

[MegansMom]

I just wanted to post a small update----LOOK AT MY TICKER!!! ONE MONTH TO GO!!! YEAH!!! Happy dance for us!

Today was also a special day--it was Megan's last day of school for the year! It was such a lovely day--they do a little picnic for the end of school year celebration for the 3yo group. It was a lovely day, so the kids had a ball outside. It was a LOT of fun for all--even the parents. I have some pics of the day that I will need to upload later--too cute!!! The biggest treat of the day for Megan was getting to take home Buddy Bear for the summer. He is a teddy bear that the class uses during the year to "travel" to everyone's house and have adventures. He has visited us twice, but after the last time, Megan asked her teacher if she could "babysit" Buddy over the summer. Her teacher was so touched--she said that no one has ever asked to do that--so she let Megan take Buddy home for the summer to enjoy all our summer adventures with us!! Her face was priceless as she carried him out to the car--couldn't wipe that smile off her face if you tried! SO GUESS WHO'S GOING TO DISNEY???? That was the first thing she told her teacher she was going to do with him--so look forward to seeing LOTS of pics with Buddy at Mickey's house!! Just had to share!

I will hop on again later and update you with more!! Stay tuned, Jen

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay for the end of the school year for Megan!!!

Hurray for one month until Disney -- I know what you mean about wanting to tell everyone! Thank goodness for the DIS where everyone understands that need!

That is so neat that Megan gets to keep Buddy for the summer -- I know he will love his time at Mickey's House!

 

[Charleston Princess]

By the way, Jen, did you give Megan her Snow White dress today?

 

[cherbear]

By the way, Jen, did you give Megan her Snow White dress today?

ooh! good question!! Did ya? Did ya?

 

[Leger13]

Sorry I haven't had a chance to keep up. I'm a slacker But I did want to come over and let you know that I recieved my All Ears newsletter yesterday. Not sure if you're a subscriber, but there were tips in it about SWW's


Here they are:

Recently we asked for your best tips for Star Wars Weekends! Here is the first batch:

Suzanne Friedenreich: I've been there twice already. If you are a Star Wars fan it's great.

For NON Star Wars Fans: Go to the park Monday through Thursday and avoid Hollywood Studios on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I can't tell you how many times I see parents with little kids complain about all the Storm Troopers and scary Star Wars characters. The Stormtroopers will interact with the crowds and if you think your child will be frightened by them then go to Magic Kingdom instead. They usually have the right side of the park set up with the "Dark Side" characters. Remember a Wookiee can also be scary to a small child not familiar with the Star Wars characters.

For Star Wars Fans: Have patience. It will be very crowded. Many characters will be present and they will all have long lines, and they are timed because of the heat of the summer. So you may be waiting on line for a certain character, but by the time you get to the front of the line there will be another character there. Ask the Disney cast members who will be next, they are very helpful.

If you want limited edition merchandise, you WILL need to be on that line one hour prior to opening.

If you plan on staying the whole day in the Hollywood Studios, make dinner reservations prior to getting there. The restaurants fill up fast for Star Wars Weekends.

If you can get away with not renting a stroller, do it. IT IS VERY CROWDED and pushing a stroller through all those people is very difficult and frustrating.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The Kuesters: Make sure you arrive early. When we were there last year, before the gates opened, we were surprised by a special performance from stormtroopers that were guarding the Studios. For about 15-20 minutes we were "held captive" and ridiculed by them until they were given permission to let us pass. It's just one more unexpected surprise from Disney that makes them the leader in the industry and why we come back again and again.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

yulady Rodriguez: I have been to Star Wars Weekend for four years in a row now and I love it! Being a Star Wars fan I love to see the interactions with the characters and meet the celebrities. If you are hoping to get a Fastpass for a celebrity's autograph, get there around 6:30 a.m. and line up for the desired celebrity.

Remember to get a special map with the times and info on all the events.

If you desire general merchandise that is not Limited Edition you can wait until the end of the day. Last year I saw a lot of people lining up early and they waited for hours to enter the store. When I walked up later that day there was no line.

If you just want to attend the festivities (see characters, the parade or Jedi Training Academy, celebrity Q&A) you can get there around opening time and head to the Star Wars section.

My last tip is take breaks and drink plenty of water. Most of the events are outdoors and the Florida heat during June is unforgiving. Take it easy and have fun.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Sharon Koehn: Please tell your readers if you go there with intentions of doing specific activities, you must be very flexible and prepared for disappointment. Disney hypes Star Wars weekend so much they really fell short on bringing the magic. There weren't as many costumed stars as you would think, Chewy, Darth, Stormtroopers, Luke and Leia and the lines to get a picture with them all were 40-50 minutes long all day. We learned that it is more geared to the teenage and adult crowd. There wasn't anything geared for children, my sons were 7 and 9 years old. The only activity was Jedi Training Academy (a handful of older kids were picked throughout the day to train). we couldn't get close to the action and waited all day, it was jammed and the boys were very disappointed. After months of research to get the autographs of the weekend "celebrities," we were shocked to learn that you have to get to the Studios at 5 a.m. in the morning to secure a wristband that will let you get in line later in the day for that specific "celebrity" signing. MANY people were upset and complaining to the cast members about it. Many of us arrived at rope drop to find the signings were closed off all day -- no one was signing without a special wristband! Overall a bad experience, which normally never happens in the World!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Coleen: My son and I are big Star Wars Weekends fans. We have learned over the years that if you want a celebrity autograph you need to be in the parking lot at the crack of dawn – literally. We aren't that devoted to do that. What we do is make sure we get to the Stars of the Saga. They only do this show once each day and it is not to be missed. The celebrities for that weekend will be there in a talk show type setting and they tend to be very relaxed and usually very funny. It is a great way to feel like you met a celebrity even if you didn’t get their autograph. May the force be with you!

 

[MegansMom]

Yeay for the end of the school year for Megan!!!

Hurray for one month until Disney -- I know what you mean about wanting to tell everyone! Thank goodness for the DIS where everyone understands that need!

That is so neat that Megan gets to keep Buddy for the summer -- I know he will love his time at Mickey's House!

Thanks for letting me celebrate our One Month!!! Megan is too excited about Buddy, but she is already worried about when exactly September is--she doesn't want to have to give him back yet!!! I can't seem to get her to understand that September is still a while away for her!!!

By the way, Jen, did you give Megan her Snow White dress today?

ooh! good question!! Did ya? Did ya?

We did give Megs her Snow White dress, headband, shoes, and wand yesterday morning. She was so CUTE!!! She was really excited just to see the bag when she came out to the family room in the morning--it is this great big Disney gift bag with almost every Disney character on it--then when she opened the bag, she squealed!!! She said it was "her dream come true!" HOW CUTE!! I will ship out some pictures tonight or tomorrow--very busy around here, but I promise the pictures will come!!!

Sorry I haven't had a chance to keep up. I'm a slacker But I did want to come over and let you know that I recieved my All Ears newsletter yesterday. Not sure if you're a subscriber, but there were tips in it about SWW's


Here they are:

Recently we asked for your best tips for Star Wars Weekends! Here is the first batch:

Suzanne Friedenreich: I've been there twice already. If you are a Star Wars fan it's great.

For NON Star Wars Fans: Go to the park Monday through Thursday and avoid Hollywood Studios on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I can't tell you how many times I see parents with little kids complain about all the Storm Troopers and scary Star Wars characters. The Stormtroopers will interact with the crowds and if you think your child will be frightened by them then go to Magic Kingdom instead. They usually have the right side of the park set up with the "Dark Side" characters. Remember a Wookiee can also be scary to a small child not familiar with the Star Wars characters.

For Star Wars Fans: Have patience. It will be very crowded. Many characters will be present and they will all have long lines, and they are timed because of the heat of the summer. So you may be waiting on line for a certain character, but by the time you get to the front of the line there will be another character there. Ask the Disney cast members who will be next, they are very helpful.

If you want limited edition merchandise, you WILL need to be on that line one hour prior to opening.

If you plan on staying the whole day in the Hollywood Studios, make dinner reservations prior to getting there. The restaurants fill up fast for Star Wars Weekends.

If you can get away with not renting a stroller, do it. IT IS VERY CROWDED and pushing a stroller through all those people is very difficult and frustrating.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

The Kuesters: Make sure you arrive early. When we were there last year, before the gates opened, we were surprised by a special performance from stormtroopers that were guarding the Studios. For about 15-20 minutes we were "held captive" and ridiculed by them until they were given permission to let us pass. It's just one more unexpected surprise from Disney that makes them the leader in the industry and why we come back again and again.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

yulady Rodriguez: I have been to Star Wars Weekend for four years in a row now and I love it! Being a Star Wars fan I love to see the interactions with the characters and meet the celebrities. If you are hoping to get a Fastpass for a celebrity's autograph, get there around 6:30 a.m. and line up for the desired celebrity.

Remember to get a special map with the times and info on all the events.

If you desire general merchandise that is not Limited Edition you can wait until the end of the day. Last year I saw a lot of people lining up early and they waited for hours to enter the store. When I walked up later that day there was no line.

If you just want to attend the festivities (see characters, the parade or Jedi Training Academy, celebrity Q&A) you can get there around opening time and head to the Star Wars section.

My last tip is take breaks and drink plenty of water. Most of the events are outdoors and the Florida heat during June is unforgiving. Take it easy and have fun.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Sharon Koehn: Please tell your readers if you go there with intentions of doing specific activities, you must be very flexible and prepared for disappointment. Disney hypes Star Wars weekend so much they really fell short on bringing the magic. There weren't as many costumed stars as you would think, Chewy, Darth, Stormtroopers, Luke and Leia and the lines to get a picture with them all were 40-50 minutes long all day. We learned that it is more geared to the teenage and adult crowd. There wasn't anything geared for children, my sons were 7 and 9 years old. The only activity was Jedi Training Academy (a handful of older kids were picked throughout the day to train). we couldn't get close to the action and waited all day, it was jammed and the boys were very disappointed. After months of research to get the autographs of the weekend "celebrities," we were shocked to learn that you have to get to the Studios at 5 a.m. in the morning to secure a wristband that will let you get in line later in the day for that specific "celebrity" signing. MANY people were upset and complaining to the cast members about it. Many of us arrived at rope drop to find the signings were closed off all day -- no one was signing without a special wristband! Overall a bad experience, which normally never happens in the World!

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Coleen: My son and I are big Star Wars Weekends fans. We have learned over the years that if you want a celebrity autograph you need to be in the parking lot at the crack of dawn – literally. We aren't that devoted to do that. What we do is make sure we get to the Stars of the Saga. They only do this show once each day and it is not to be missed. The celebrities for that weekend will be there in a talk show type setting and they tend to be very relaxed and usually very funny. It is a great way to feel like you met a celebrity even if you didn’t get their autograph. May the force be with you!

Thank you so much for sending out this info--I do get the newsletter, but haven't had a chance to read it yet!!! Now I will know what to look for!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Thanks for letting me celebrate our One Month!!! Megan is too excited about Buddy, but she is already worried about when exactly September is--she doesn't want to have to give him back yet!!! I can't seem to get her to understand that September is still a while away for her!!!

Time is such a hard concept for kids to grasp.

We did give Megs her Snow White dress, headband, shoes, and wand yesterday morning. She was so CUTE!!! She was really excited just to see the bag when she came out to the family room in the morning--it is this great big Disney gift bag with almost every Disney character on it--then when she opened the bag, she squealed!!! She said it was "her dream come true!" HOW CUTE!! I will ship out some pictures tonight or tomorrow--very busy around here, but I promise the pictures will come!!!

Megan's comment is priceless! Looking forward to the pictures.

 

[Leger13]

Thank you so much for sending out this info--I do get the newsletter, but haven't had a chance to read it yet!!! Now I will know what to look for!!!! YOU ARE THE BEST!!

Not a problem at all. I figured you did subscribe already but wanted to make sure you knew the info. Hope some of it helps