New Year's Eve 2008 12/27/08 SEE POST#1 FOR LIST

[JadeDarkstar]

I couldnt belive it when i heard a tornado was there.

 

[Aisling]

Thanks for the concern, my friends. My block is fine, just A LOT of wind, lightning and thunder. My sister-in-law was driving to work about 4 AM, and she called my brother on her cell phone to tell him she loved him, because she thought she was going to die!
Other blocks got the brunt of the tornado, and trees were ripped right out of the ground, roofs torn off, but thankfully no deaths. Well, there was one death from a traffic incident due to the massive flooding. The subways were CRAZY this morning, all day. Tracks were flooded, power was out. Imagine hundreds of thousands of people trying to get to work and school in the morning, and the subways are out.

I mentioned in my earlier post that I wrote this out twice, but lost it to screen freeze, so now I have a chance to tell you about it. I was going to go over to the other blocks to take pictures, but it's Fr. Casey's birthday today, and I spent the day with him in an Irish restaurant and then at my house. Casey didn't want to go over to see, because he was worried about unsafe structures/trees that might be dangerous. But tomorrow, or tonight if I get the enthusiasm, I'll drive over and take some pics! I think I'll go right now. Everyone's out, Mel at a league event, the kids at friends. I"m going over there quickly to get some pics!

Thanks again for worrying about me. So many people have no roofs or glass in any of the windows in the homes because of this. It was so freaky, a twister here in NYC! I also heard it did some damage to Ground Zero, where the new construction has started. I'll let you know.

Cruise friends, Louise posted on the Budget Board. She's trying to plan a trip all by bherself for her large family and especially for her two cute-as-bugs nieces for WDW next summer. She's asking some specific questions, so if you please, some advice or just a word of encouragement will be appreciated. Thanks pals! Ask her to post a pic of her girls, OMG they are SO cute!!!!!!!!!

 

[CustardTart]

Glad to hear you're OK, Aisling! I've just been reading about the tornado - scary stuff! It seems we're all having some freakish weather this summer...

 

[CADZNYCHC]

OMG - So GLAD to hear you're all okay! I do know how your SIL felt....growing up in Iowa - tornadoes were more scary to me there than the earthquakes here....of course those tornatdoes were an every year occurrence...and there were a few times when we were just a little too close to them....

Happy Belated BD to Fr Casey!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Happy Birthday Fr Casey!

Glad to see you and the family are ok Aisling

I heard about the tornado late last night and was also worried about you~

Happy Thursday to all my Magic Mateys~

We had our skate pros come in to the skatepark last night, got home around 10pm...today I am going to preview the spring shoe lines and should actually be home early

TTFN, LYMI!

c.

 

[BeLLaNoTTe]

Hi all! Hope everyone is doing well

As Aisling already told you, I am looking into booking a WDW vacation next summer. I am planning on going with a large group- Do you think that it would be better if i went through a travel agent...or should i do it myself and plan a trip for 15 people.

Please send some suggestions because I trust all of your opinions =)

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Hi all! Hope everyone is doing well

As Aisling already told you, I am looking into booking a WDW vacation next summer. I am planning on going with a large group- Do you think that it would be better if i went through a travel agent...or should i do it myself and plan a trip for 15 people.

Please send some suggestions because I trust all of your opinions =)

Hi Louise~
that's a tough one...i really like working with my TA - she knows all the right questions & is sure to get me the best deal....BUT i've heard some real horror stories about people working with TA's and ended up very very disappointed. I have come to trust my TA and work with her and only her exclusively. If you have a TA that you have complete & total trust in, than i recommend going thru her. Typically they can save you lots of time & $$ BUT if you don't have one that you've worked with quite a bit, you really don't know who or what you're getting.....

Good Luck.....Aisling says you have some pretty cute nieces...post a photo sometime!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I organized a trip for 41 a few years back...my friend Rose and I took our girl scout troop to FL~

I think if you are willing to put the work into it you could do a trip for 15...

you're a smart cookie and Chad and Aisling and all of us here are here to help you if you need it.

What I do:

First: Price the trip out on Disneyworld .com.
Why: I do this to get the price I need to meet or hopefully beat to make it worth my while. You could also book packages online with disney direct. IMHO alls that does is put the planning control in your hands.

Got your dates? Is it peak or value season?

Where are you staying, can you get larger rooms for less? Do you want connecting rooms? Use WDW's website and look at your potential hotels.

Discount, discount, discount!

Mousesavers, WDWIG and The DIS all have VERY useful information. Mousesavers is best for coupon codes. Coupon codes get you discount rates on a room. AAA, AARP and Annual Pass card holders get discounts! When last I checked AAA got you 15% off hotel rates. As often as you two are traveling Disney, you may want to consider buying an AP. AP holders get great hotel rates!

Use 1-407-WDISNEY!

TA's are convenient. TA's are good if you want to plan a little and have someone there to make the phone calls for you. If you try to call Disney while using a TA they will not help you. For whatever reason, they are not allowed to help you and will turn you back to tell your TA what you want.

Tickets: To what? Where do you want to go and how many days do you have to use it? Mousesavers, WDWIG and the DIS can get you discount tickets. My friend uses eBay. I wouldn't. She gets good deals, but for all the effort and the chances you take by using ebay I'd rather find a coupon code or reputable discount ticket vendor.

I've bought tickets in the DIsneystore. You can only buy certain ones, they sell multi day passes only. The Disney Store also sells Birnbaum's official guide to WDW. I recommend you get it (bookstore or library) I use one for every trip.

Airfare? How are they getting there? Travelzoo does a good search. My Mom's used cheapo air.com. Go to the airline's sight to purchase tho. Whatever good deal you got with a search engine can be gotten for even less by buying direct.

Expect to split up. Recommend it!

Check the group rates! You will qualify.

Food: You all gonna eat together every day? ADR's need to be made accordingly. Do you want their dining plan. It's a little complicated but worth your while. In my caculations it's as much as my family would spend on food anyway and it's paid for before you get there.

I know there is more...this is all I have for you at the moment.

HTH...

I just loaded my pictures from the skate pro's visit. I'll show you all copies when it's ready. My is being sketchy tho...TTFN

colleen.

 

[CustardTart]

Giving us a *bump* as we're halfway down page 2!!!

Happy Friday one and all! Hope you're all OK. I just pre-ordered the Unofficial Guide for 2008 on Amazon. I love that book and buy it every year - can't wait for it to arrive.

Got a busy weekend coming up! Saturday see's the start of the soccer season here in England and my DH and DSs are big fans of a team called Aston Villa which is rather inconveniently based in Birmingham - a 6 hour minimum round trip from here. Despite the distance, DH splashed out on season tickets for all 3 off them this year so they're really looking forward to going tomorrow - bless 'em...

On Sunday we're supposed to be visiting Stonehenge. Only problem is I feel awful! Sore throat, tight chest, dry cough, headache and very, very tired! I think it could be a side-effect of the drugs I'm taking as the Doc upped the dose on Tuesday and I've not felt 100% since. Sooo we'll have to see. I guess the only positive thing is that Stonehenge isn't going anywhere...

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Soo I guess the only positive thing is that Stonehenge isn't going anywhere...

No i guess it isn't!!!! But DO hope you feel better soon!!!! Glad to see that your DH & DS's are at LEAST going to use their soccer tix....we have had 49er's season tickets for 25+ years....DON'T ever go...we just sell them to a guy who still likes to go no matter how horrible they are!

 

[Aisling]

Karen, sending good thoughts your way. I hope you feel better ASAP! I think I'll get the Unofficial guide, too. I usually only get the Passporter, but I'm really in need of Disney reading, KWIM?

Brenda, are you a football fan as well as a baseball fan?

we have had 49er's season tickets for 25+ years....DON'T ever go...

That's so funny!

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Karen, sending good thoughts your way. I hope you feel better ASAP! I think I'll get the Unofficial guide, too. I usually only get the Passporter, but I'm really in need of Disney reading, KWIM?

Brenda, are you a football fan as well as a baseball fan?

That's so funny!

Yeah...but it's Baseball - Football - basketball in that order...no hockey ...golf...can take it or leave it...

now my hubby is / has always been a 49er fan...i'm more of a Cowboys fan...but my first love for a football team are the St. Francis Sharks (my son's HS team). the most fun i've ever had with FB was when we had a Fantasy team here at the office for a few years. It was great every Tuesday seeing how the rank changed!!!

 

[BeLLaNoTTe]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was originally looking into booking a vacation package but i think i can get a better deal is i book everything separately. So far I have decidied on stayin at a value. Rack Rate is $640 for 4 ppl 6 days seven nights. I am hoping that a code can bring it even lower.

Do you know if you can add a DDP when you don't book a magic your way vacation package?

I haven't looked into airfare yet, but i have checked out some of the coupon sites.

I think i will book this without a TA...i think i might get a better deal with help from fellow DISers

CADZNYCHC- I will post some pics ASAP.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Friday =) Its been raining all day over here

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Hi all!

Dising from my blackberry tonight.

I don't know if you can do the Dining plan with a room only, I would call and ask if I were you. Make use of guest services, they are always there to help you.

I would presume you can.

Does anyone in your group have aaa or aarp? It only takes one member to get that discount.

I've tried the unofficial guide, I prefer birnbaums and passporter. Imo, the unofficial guide needs more pictures

 

[CustardTart]

...Glad to see that your DH & DS's are at LEAST going to use their soccer tix....we have had 49er's season tickets for 25+ years....DON'T ever go...we just sell them to a guy who still likes to go no matter how horrible they are!

Aaah, the men in my life definitely know that feeling! My youngest DS recently said he'd never seen Aston Villa win - and he's been going to their live soccer matches since he was 7 years old!!! But still they keep the faith... I've suggested they support a London-based team - after all, we've lived in South-East England for 22 years - BUT apparently they just can't do that! They gave me a speech about how it's something you're born into and real fans don't choose who to support etc etc...

...I've tried the unofficial guide, I prefer birnbaums and passporter. Imo, the unofficial guide needs more pictures

I know what you mean about the lack of pics but I love all the little hints/tips - even if I know 'em already! My DD bought the PassPorter guide for the first time last year and that's fab! Never really looked at Birnbaum's, maybe I should I give it a try...

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Good morning to all

Happy birthday to some and happy un birthday to the Rest of you!

PC is down for the weekend, still got my blackberry...

Its a beautiful day in nj, Sunny but cool and breezy. Got laundry to do, cleaned up the yard, its nice having a day to relax. We'll be at the beach two weeks from today

 

[CADZNYCHC]

Karen - i think i know what your "men" mean about being born into a team....but growing up most of my life in Iowa - (there are NO pro teams)...i didn't get into any sport or team till i moved to Cali~ plenty of CA pro teams to choose from - absolutely HATE the raiders....and the 9ers are okay - they would be 2nd fav team - but the Cowboys are/were Mary Kay Ash's "team" so they became my team...She is the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics....a product i've used AND loved since 13 y/o....

So.....i've never bought anything but Birnbaum's and only the ;05 version - for our 1st visit to the world...I had seen a friend's '04 version so went with that book.....they were so similar - never really thought about getting one for every year we go....and what does passporter & unofficial guide offer that Birnbaum's doesn't? "INQUIRY" minds want to know.....

All ready for today's crop....just waiting for everyone to arrive - they are never here at 9 when it starts...so gives me a few mins to enjoy another & catch up with all of you....have a really great Saturday!!

 

[tiggerwannabe]

Birnbaums is the official guide, it is very accurate and up to date with pricing and ride and restaurant details.

Passporter gives me real reviews, that book was most helpful when I was looking into excursions.

My team is and always will be the philadelphia flyers...I have no fav baseball or football team. Bayern munchen is the house soccer favorite. Extreme sports are big in my house too, but I think you all know that already

 

[CustardTart]

Well, their team lost! So looks like Samuel will have to wait a while longer to see that elusive, in the flesh, victory!

Guys, I have a little problem. I initially booked this cruise on the DCL website and then transferred the booking to Dreams Unlimited in order to take advantage of their stateroom credit. Today I contacted DU as I want to add the REAS package to each stateroom and they have no record of one of the staterooms despite the fact that I have individual DU reservation numbers for all 3!

I'm a little puzzled as I sent them all the pasport info they requested way back in April for all 3 ressie numbers and there were no problems then - very strange! I've checked on the DCL website and all the bookings exist so I guess I need to leave it to DU to sort themselves out. Just soooo annoying...

 

[tiggerwannabe]

I just told John today about this december, he and our ds and rose and me are going.

We fly down on our wedding anniversary.

Karen, I think you will be fine with your ressies, just stay on top of it.

I saw prices for passports today and found out we can apply at the mall my stores are in. Average time to get one is up to 4 months!