My first attempt at a pre-trip report...

[NOLAdisneymom]

I sure wish I could remember what it was I typed as the beginning of the last update... the one I LOST.

So today is the 45 day mark!

Should I get my package in the mail sooon? Luggage tags, vouchers, etc? Anyone know what all is actually in it?

I want to do a really great TR. I've read so many on here that I'm truly inspired to share my experience in great detail as well as others have. So I sort of need advice on this. Do y'all carry a notebook and pen in the parks, or write everything down in the evenings, or what? I'm considering carrying one into the parks, and making notes on buses, or standing in lines, etc. I wonder if that would be tacky. Any advice welcome!

Anywho, to practice for my TR, I'm going to post a few pics from our 2008 trip.. If anyone's interested!

We stayed at CB the last trip also, in Jamaica 42. We had a king bed corner room, on the second floor, and previous to this, I had only stayed Value, so this was a HUGE treat. Our room was awesome, and was only a few minute walk across the lake to the food court, pool, etc.. Here's some pics from the resort.

Our first day, we drove in while it was still dark in the morning, checked in, had some breakfast as soon as the food court opened, then headed to a bus stop.. We took the first bus that showed up.. to HERE...

Our very first ride was...

I have no idea in what order we visited parks the rest of the trip, so here's some random trip pix..

Hope y'all enjoyed the pics!

Happy Tuesday!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We usually receive our packet from Disney a/k/a Mickey Mail, about 3 weeks prior to our arrival date.

I don't take a notebook with me into the parks but I do save receipts and make a few notes when I get back to the room, if I can remember. I have a pretty good memory and, because I take so many darn pictures, I use my pictures as my "where did we go next?" notes. My family just rolls their eyes at me when I take pictures.

Your pictures of the CBR are beautiful. We absolutely love it there. This past trip, we were in Jamaica 41 which was a great location.

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Hey Ang!
sorry you lost your post...hate when that happens

I don't take notes, I use my pictures to work from. But, I have heard of alot of people taking notes that evening in the room, especially if they wanted to relay something special. I don't think it would be tacky to take notes on the bus or in the lines just your group may think you have lost it...I know Danny would think that if I started taking notes outside of the room.

As for your packet, I again never purchased a package; but, if I remember correctly between day 45 - 39 you should get it in the mail...so, any day now!
MICKEY MAIL should be on its way to your place
all the things you named seems that is what Lisa (mickeytoontown) had listed last time I remember her getting one.

Great pictures! and memory recap!!!!
I have to say I don't remember (at this exact moment) seeing Harper's Mill...
I'm sure I have just don't remember at the moment...unless it is around Splash Mtn. I have yet to get the courage to ride that one.

Have a beautiful day!
45 DAYS till you are among the magic and special friends!!!
Connie

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

We usually receive our packet from Disney a/k/a Mickey Mail, about 3 weeks prior to our arrival date.

I don't take a notebook with me into the parks but I do save receipts and make a few notes when I get back to the room, if I can remember. I have a pretty good memory and, because I take so many darn pictures, I use my pictures as my "where did we go next?" notes. My family just rolls their eyes at me when I take pictures.

Your pictures of the CBR are beautiful. We absolutely love it there. This past trip, we were in Jamaica 41 which was a great location.

Dang. That's like three more weeks! Ok.. I'll start stalking the mailbox in about TWO weeks!!

I think the boys may think we're crazy, but Deshea and I are going to compete to get the best photos!

I loved CBR too.. We sprung for preferred this time, interested to see if it will be worth the extra..

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

Hey Ang!
sorry you lost your post...hate when that happens

I don't take notes, I use my pictures to work from. But, I have heard of alot of people taking notes that evening in the room, especially if they wanted to relay something special. I don't think it would be tacky to take notes on the bus or in the lines just your group may think you have lost it...I know Danny would think that if I started taking notes outside of the room.

As for your packet, I again never purchased a package; but, if I remember correctly between day 45 - 39 you should get it in the mail...so, any day now!
MICKEY MAIL should be on its way to your place
all the things you named seems that is what Lisa (mickeytoontown) had listed last time I remember her getting one.

Great pictures! and memory recap!!!!
I have to say I don't remember (at this exact moment) seeing Harper's Mill...
I'm sure I have just don't remember at the moment...unless it is around Splash Mtn. I have yet to get the courage to ride that one.

Have a beautiful day!
45 DAYS till you are among the magic and special friends!!!
Connie

LOL.. There has to be SOME crazy person besides me taking notes AT the parks! RIGHT???

Harper's mill is on Tom Sawyer's Island, or whatever they call it.. It was a really peaceful area when we went. We went over on the little raft thingy with only about 4 other people, went through the caves/mines, I can't remember what they were exactly! It was really nice though, we'll do it again!

Come with us, I'll do Splash with you!

PS. Don't we just CONTINUE to be blessed with the weather!???

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

I almost forgot!

I got two new pairs of shoes for the trip..

I ordered these today: http://www.zappos.com/crocs-patricia

and got these last week: http://www.zappos.com/sanuk-yoga-mat

Sorry, IDK how to post a pic from the net just yet. The CROCS are a bit grandmotherly, but they get AWESOME reviews, so I'll try them out.

The Yoga Mat flops are to DIE FOR... I love them sooooo much, it's like walking on a cloud..

I've got what you would call Pre-Rheumatoid Arthritis, yes, at 33. At then end of a work day, I've got achy knees, hips and ankles. My mother had her first hip replacement when she was 45, and HER mother had both hips and knees replaced. RA and degenerative bone disease run rampant in our family.
I brought this up, bc I've bought DOZENS of pairs of shoes, to find the ultimate softness and comfort. Crocs wins out almost every time. I've got them in 6 different styles, and when the Patrica comes, I'll add them to the family. So for me to say that a pair of shoes are TO DIE FOR, I really really mean it. The Yoga Flops, I actually got for 21, now they are 26, it seems. Plus Zappo's does free shipping, in case y'all didn't know.

Dang. I sound like a Zappo or Crocs commercial. Enough of that.

Sorry if I'm rambling.. at 45 days out, my head is full of planning!

 

[longing2Batdisney]

Love both pair!!!
I have the Mickey Athens crocs I bought for the April '09 trip (they gave me blisters that trip) but now I love them! I will have to try the yoga ones my flips are about shot and time to break down for a new pair. I was looking at the Crocs (site) yesterday and was looking at the same ones....thinking of getting those for MIL for Christmas to wear in her garage and yard. But, I like them for me all the time!

I have not been to Tom Sawyer's Island since 2001. We felt Ashton was too young in '09 and my mom would not have done well this last trip. So, next year when we go Ashton should really love it!

I would love to tag along with you guys this go round and I'll ride Splash with you, if you ride Mission Space with me

you see I have a new problem for riding things this coming go round...Ashton will needto ride with Danny or I and I like to ride some things (like Splash) with Danny....hmmmm don't know how this will play out, now! :confused2 guess Ashton will have to ride with me so I can pretend to be brave...

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

Love both pair!!!
I have the Mickey Athens crocs I bought for the April '09 trip (they gave me blisters that trip) but now I love them! I will have to try the yoga ones my flips are about shot and time to break down for a new pair. I was looking at the Crocs (site) yesterday and was looking at the same ones....thinking of getting those for MIL for Christmas to wear in her garage and yard. But, I like them for me all the time!

I have not been to Tom Sawyer's Island since 2001. We felt Ashton was too young in '09 and my mom would not have done well this last trip. So, next year when we go Ashton should really love it!

I would love to tag along with you guys this go round and I'll ride Splash with you, if you ride Mission Space with me

you see I have a new problem for riding things this coming go round...Ashton will needto ride with Danny or I and I like to ride some things (like Splash) with Danny....hmmmm don't know how this will play out, now! :confused2 guess Ashton will have to ride with me so I can pretend to be brave...

Ok, Splash vs. Misson space is a deal.. but ONLY if we do Green!

I should get the Crocs this week, I'll post about them soon as I wear them for a day! So far, I'm taking those, my Yoga Flops, my Mary Jane Crocs, and my Adidas sneaks. Maybe my fur-lined crocs too, in case it gets REALLY cold like it did in 2008!

I think Ashton will like TS Island, the only thing, Jarrott was 7 when he went, he didn't like the darkness of the caves. So if Ashton has a fear of the dark, be careful with that one!

 

[jenseib]

I take alot of pictures, so that helps me remember what we did and in what order. But last trip I also "journeled" each evening or when Claire was at the pool, or when I had extra free time in the morning when my 2 sleepy heads were still sleeping.

 

[BelleTinkMom]

I have a disney notebook that I write my notes in each evening in our room. Some evening, I would forget. Next trip I plan on taking it into the parks with me and while waiting for parades or fireworks, I will take notes, hopefully.

I have feet trouble also, so its hard for me to find shoes that are comfortable. Lately, I can handle Volatiles, crocs and Nike flip flops. I can't wear keds all day in the parks, I will pay for it the next day. I will have to try the Yoga Flops.

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

I take alot of pictures, so that helps me remember what we did and in what order. But last trip I also "journeled" each evening or when Claire was at the pool, or when I had extra free time in the morning when my 2 sleepy heads were still sleeping.

I think I might start out bringing the notebook with me, and then if it gets too be too time consuming, I'll try the journaling in the evening. I guess between the four of us we could remember what we did that day! I want to do a Dining Report too (ambitious, I know.), so I will be taking a TON of pics! I like the idea of doing it during pool time too.. That could be relaxing in the evenings.

I have a disney notebook that I write my notes in each evening in our room. Some evening, I would forget. Next trip I plan on taking it into the parks with me and while waiting for parades or fireworks, I will take notes, hopefully.



I have feet trouble also, so its hard for me to find shoes that are comfortable. Lately, I can handle Volatiles, crocs and Nike flip flops. I can't wear keds all day in the parks, I will pay for it the next day. I will have to try the Yoga Flops.

Definetly try them.. They are soooo soft.. I wore them to the zoo the other day, and my feet were happy! I've never heard of Volatiles, on to google I go!

 

[20thingamabobs]

I would take the notebook in with you and if you find you aren't using it for whatever reason I'd leave it behind and just write in it at night. Also, I try to take pictures of all the signs for the rides so I know what order we did them in. So, take lots of pictures!! that'll make it easier to remember later, plus you know how Disers love their pics!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I have attempted to keep notes in several different ways - first, just a plain notebook and I was really good the first two days and it completely fizzled out after that. Then I had a PassPorter on on their daily envelopes there are questions, like "Today's best moment was..." and this REALLY helped. It was super quick to fill out, but got down the highlights and lowlights and I would jot down anything unique or funny or special. Even just a few words to jog my memory. Plus I take tons and tons of pictures - many don't make it into the TR, they are there to help guide me for the TR. Like how long line waits were, where we went next, etc. This past trip I did a bit of note taking on my iPhone and that was perfect. It was right on me, so I didn't carry anything extra and could quick whip it out on a bus or whatever and type away. I just made simple notes. Plus, I Facebook/Twitter during the trip, so I use that too!

Sorry to hear about the RA! I know several people with it and man, it's not fun. I have a very mild form of arthritis in my tailbone, but it very, very rarely gives me any trouble. So glad you found shoes that work for you! I am so happy that Crocs makes a variety of styles, I never liked the original ones, but there are some really great sandals out there! I like the ones you ordered - I bet they will look even better in person. I've never heard of those flip flops, I'll have to check them out when my Teva Mush wear out!

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

I have attempted to keep notes in several different ways - first, just a plain notebook and I was really good the first two days and it completely fizzled out after that. Then I had a PassPorter on on their daily envelopes there are questions, like "Today's best moment was..." and this REALLY helped. It was super quick to fill out, but got down the highlights and lowlights and I would jot down anything unique or funny or special. Even just a few words to jog my memory. Plus I take tons and tons of pictures - many don't make it into the TR, they are there to help guide me for the TR. Like how long line waits were, where we went next, etc. This past trip I did a bit of note taking on my iPhone and that was perfect. It was right on me, so I didn't carry anything extra and could quick whip it out on a bus or whatever and type away. I just made simple notes. Plus, I Facebook/Twitter during the trip, so I use that too!

Sorry to hear about the RA! I know several people with it and man, it's not fun. I have a very mild form of arthritis in my tailbone, but it very, very rarely gives me any trouble. So glad you found shoes that work for you! I am so happy that Crocs makes a variety of styles, I never liked the original ones, but there are some really great sandals out there! I like the ones you ordered - I bet they will look even better in person. I've never heard of those flip flops, I'll have to check them out when my Teva Mush wear out!

I didn't even THINK of the iphone note feature! That's a great idea, to jot down things I may not remember to write down later! Thanks! Also, FB is a good idea, since I'll be carrying the iphone anyway!

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

Today we are in the 30s! 39 days!

So, I got the Patricia Crocs. WAY CUTE, excellent bottom cushion, but the front straps are VERY uncomfortable, and I don't have enough time to break them in. So I sent those back, and am going to order the Teva Mush for HALF the price of the crocs!

Over the weekend, the boys were watching some gory vampire movie, so Deshea and I made little index cards, one for each park, with a list of our must do's, in order of importance, and we stapled them together and decorated them with Disney stickers! I meant to take a pic to share, but I forgot.

Also, yesterday I hit the dollar general and got some of those disposable ponchos, and a bottle of ibuprofen. All I need to get now is moleskin, and I'm DONE with trip purchases!

Happy Monday, y'all!

 

[BelleTinkMom]

Woo hoo for 39 days. It will be here before you know it.

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

Woo hoo for 39 days. It will be here before you know it.

I sure hope so! But it seems like the closer we get, the slower it goes!

Hoping for Mickey Mail this week!

 

[20thingamabobs]

I Love Mickey Mail! Hope you get yours this week! I still have about 20 days before mine comes..

 

[brookelizabeth]

Have you gotten your Mickey Mail yet? It should be there ANY DAY now!!

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

Have you gotten your Mickey Mail yet? It should be there ANY DAY now!!

Not yet, but believe me.... I RUN to the mailbox every day after work!

Deshea is coming this weekend, she wants me to wait to open it if I get it today or tomorrow, until she gets here... I told her I don't have that kind of willpower!

AND - tomorrow we will be in the TWENTIES!

Have a great day!