Oh me, oh my! Are we really going to WDW in.....JULY!?! UPDATES TODAY 07/19 pg 30!!

[njtinkmom]

I just caught up on your TR and had to comment on what a great job so far! We always go in July/August, this year we are going from the 9th - 15th of July and will be there for our Anniversary on the 14th!! You should do the Fantasmic package at MM for your anniversary - we did that a few years ago and since Fantasmic gets soooo crowded - it was nice to have reserved seating! Last year we stayed at Kidani (dh and me for a quick childless trip) and we loved it BUT with my dd's in tow, figured it would be toooo much walking to get to Mara for my 8yo dd. So we stayed at Jambo in a 2br villa and everyone LOVED it ! Mara is an excellent cs, and the kids enjoyed the pool at Jambo better than Kidani. They also loved Boma for breakfast and dinner as well!

Your ADR's look similar to ours Coral Reef, Ohana, Tonys, Tuscar House plus we are doing Narcoosees for our Anniv. dinner - ugh those 2 credits kill me!! So I have to say your ADR's are fab !

In the summer heat we tend to try to get out early, then do the parks with a goal of coming back to swim in the afternoon heat, and then we eat around 5p because it always seems to rain around that time, and then continue doing the parks afterwards. Now of course once we get to the parks we wind up pushing ourselves and pay the price for it later = cranky kids and adults too ! Since we bought into DVC we are really trying to go a little more laid back and let the kids have more resort time (pool time really) and we even set up a night with no ADRs (gasp!) to play it by ear. This year we are staying at Boardwalk which is a neat place to visit, and also near Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club which is a very fun must do! You should try to figure out how to squeeze that in. Last year we ordered the popular Kitchen Sink with all the ice cream and toppings you could want for the 6 of us and we finished it off and really it was only $26 or so, not a bad price considering how much you pay for a Mickey Bar !

Well I hope I did not give you too much info overload and didn't mean to hijack your thread - but if you have any questions - feel free to ask - and enjoy your planning!! BTW... I just received my Passporter binder this year, to try to do things a little different and I don't know who is more excited me or dh - I love having a dishusband!

 

[MegansMom]

I just caught up on your TR and had to comment on what a great job so far! We always go in July/August, this year we are going from the 9th - 15th of July and will be there for our Anniversary on the 14th!! You should do the Fantasmic package at MM for your anniversary - we did that a few years ago and since Fantasmic gets soooo crowded - it was nice to have reserved seating! Last year we stayed at Kidani (dh and me for a quick childless trip) and we loved it BUT with my dd's in tow, figured it would be toooo much walking to get to Mara for my 8yo dd. So we stayed at Jambo in a 2br villa and everyone LOVED it ! Mara is an excellent cs, and the kids enjoyed the pool at Jambo better than Kidani. They also loved Boma for breakfast and dinner as well!

Your ADR's look similar to ours Coral Reef, Ohana, Tonys, Tuscar House plus we are doing Narcoosees for our Anniv. dinner - ugh those 2 credits kill me!! So I have to say your ADR's are fab !

In the summer heat we tend to try to get out early, then do the parks with a goal of coming back to swim in the afternoon heat, and then we eat around 5p because it always seems to rain around that time, and then continue doing the parks afterwards. Now of course once we get to the parks we wind up pushing ourselves and pay the price for it later = cranky kids and adults too ! Since we bought into DVC we are really trying to go a little more laid back and let the kids have more resort time (pool time really) and we even set up a night with no ADRs (gasp!) to play it by ear. This year we are staying at Boardwalk which is a neat place to visit, and also near Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club which is a very fun must do! You should try to figure out how to squeeze that in. Last year we ordered the popular Kitchen Sink with all the ice cream and toppings you could want for the 6 of us and we finished it off and really it was only $26 or so, not a bad price considering how much you pay for a Mickey Bar !

Well I hope I did not give you too much info overload and didn't mean to hijack your thread - but if you have any questions - feel free to ask - and enjoy your planning!! BTW... I just received my Passporter binder this year, to try to do things a little different and I don't know who is more excited me or dh - I love having a dishusband!

WELCOME!!!!

SO glad you "hijacked!" I enjoyed your post so much....and sincerely hope there is MUCH more info like that to come! Happy anniversary to you and yours in advance! It definitely makes me feel a little better about going in July when I hear that you have been going back year after year...can't be that bad then!!! I do think our days will sound much like the way you lay out your own. When you do that kind of touring, what are the wait times for most rides realistically? I hear different amounts all over the place! Would love some REAL feedback!!!

Sorry we will be missing each other...sounds like another great trip in store for you and your gang!

Thanks so much for posting!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

MegansMom:


I finally got back in Disney mode and am getting caught up on all the trip reports I have missed. We too, are going to Animal Kingdom Lodge this summer. My Tom had the Disney bug hit again and guess what----we bought into DVC this week. It is very exciting around our house! The Disney bug must be hitting the Tom's this year--right!!!

Are you staying Savanah View? I am debating this. It takes more points so I don't know yet.

Can't wait to read more of your planning.

Hope things are going well with the job prospect at Megan's school. As much as I love being an accountant, it would be nice to be a teacher in Jeremy's school. I really miss that opportunity.

Erika

 

[wigdoutdismom]

MegansMom:


I finally got back in Disney mode and am getting caught up on all the trip reports I have missed. We too, are going to Animal Kingdom Lodge this summer. My Tom had the Disney bug hit again and guess what----we bought into DVC this week. It is very exciting around our house! The Disney bug must be hitting the Tom's this year--right!!!

Are you staying Savanah View? I am debating this. It takes more points so I don't know yet.

Can't wait to read more of your planning.

Hope things are going well with the job prospect at Megan's school. As much as I love being an accountant, it would be nice to be a teacher in Jeremy's school. I really miss that opportunity.

Erika

Congrats on the DVC!!!!
We stayed Savanah View Christmas 2009 and it was amazing! Just saying....

 

[MegansMom]

MegansMom:


I finally got back in Disney mode and am getting caught up on all the trip reports I have missed. We too, are going to Animal Kingdom Lodge this summer. My Tom had the Disney bug hit again and guess what----we bought into DVC this week. It is very exciting around our house! The Disney bug must be hitting the Tom's this year--right!!!

Are you staying Savanah View? I am debating this. It takes more points so I don't know yet.

Can't wait to read more of your planning.

Hope things are going well with the job prospect at Megan's school. As much as I love being an accountant, it would be nice to be a teacher in Jeremy's school. I really miss that opportunity.

Erika

Oh I am SO excited for you guys!!!!! Sounds like the need for some HAPPY DANCING!!!! What a GREAT reason to get our groove on!!! I am so glad that you too are heading down to the A-K-L this summer too....wish our trips overlapped, but you will have to fill me in on everything when you get back!!!

I think you guys are going to LOVE being DVC members! I know that it is probably in our future....I have a feeling staying in the 2bdrm this time might just be what it takes to push Tom over the edge! Especially with rumblings already of our "next" trip!!! SO excited for you!!! So glad to have you "here!"

We are currently staying in a 2bdrm standard view room....which I think means either a pool or semi-savannah view. At this point, I am just so excited I don't care if I have to look at the backsides of anything! I just KNOW I am going to love staying at AKL!!!

Congrats on the DVC!!!!
We stayed Savanah View Christmas 2009 and it was amazing! Just saying....

Do I hear a hint of enabling going on?????? Are you trying to tempt me to bump up to the savannah view????? You are a very persuasive woman!!!


Well gang, I am off to go update....AGAIN! I typed up this LOVELY update last night about our 150 days to Mickey's celebration, and somehow lost the whole thing when I hit the "submit" button! URGH! So, off to type it up again....and add a little more to it! Hope to "be back real soon!" STAY TUNED!!!

 

[Kara]

I just found your trip report today We are going for 2 days in early July on our way to the beach...We stayed at AKL Kidani last year so if you have any questions just let me know!!! Hope Megan is feeling better!!

 

[MegansMom]

TAKE TWO!!!!!

As I mentioned above, I typed all this update last night, hit the reply button, and *Poof* it vanished into thin air!!! So shall we try this one more time!?!?!?!?!?

How we celebrate 150 Days 'til Mickey's House!!!!
It was a Monday....Monday, February 21st to be exact! PRESIDENT'S DAY! We started the morning off with cereal and sliced fruit in Mickey plates brought back from our last trip---the black ear-shaped ones they put the kids' meals in. Tom played my favorite old WDW record with the sounds of "Main Street" on it while we ate and dressed for the day, and it DEFINITELY put us all in the Disney mood!

Later that night, we ate dinner---homemade chili---once again out of Mickey plates and to the tune of some of our other favorite Disney records and CDs. After dinner was cleaned up, we decided to have a family game night of Princess Yahtzee and the Tinkerbell Fairies game. (Yes, chosen specifically for the day!) While we played games, we drank out of our old refillable mugs, ate popcorn out of our souvenir WDW popcorn buckets, and listened to the Wishes soundtrack! If I shut my eyes really tight, it felt almost as if we were THERE!!! ...........(almost!) We had a great night---chatting about what we are looking forward to on the trip, and reminiscing about the MANY memories we have already made together there as a family! It was a GREAT way to celebrate another milestone on our way to "0 Days 'til Mickey's!" We are going to try to celebrate many more milestones....100 days, 50 days, one month, one week, etc., so I would LOVE any great suggestions/ideas any of you might have on how to celebrate......let me know!


In non-Disney related news, life has been cranking along here at a fever pitch. We have hit the third quarter of the school year, and it seems that everything has become SO full and busy! I think sometimes that is a blessing and a curse---blessing because we are so excited for the trip to get here, but also a curse because I have so much to do in the meantime. My Spring Break is at the end of this month, so the glimmer of relief from that much needed break is starting to peek its' nose through the haze---it is SUCH a welcome sight! Unfortunately, Megan and I have Spring Breaks almost exactly a month apart, but we are going to make the best of it! I am going to enjoy my time off doing some extra "Mommy" things at her school and planning fun afterschool things to do, and during her break, I am taking my personal days so that I can have a few days off to have fun with my girl! I am SO looking forward to this!

In other news, I am still waiting to hear back from Megan's school about the possible job, but the teachers there have until the end of this week to let them know if they are coming back or not. BUT, I really do think something is going to work out there.....there is a rumor that one of the 7th grade teachers is also retiring.....things just keep getting better and better!!!!

On the HAPPIEST note of all, tonight I went over to my parents' house to see them off before they leave in the morning for MICKEY'S HOUSE!!!! They are going down for a trip to celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary! That's right, they are "turning" 40 this year just like WDW!!!! They are so excited and cute, and were so touched that my brother, sister, and I paid for their lodging while on their vacation. We wanted to do something special to honor them and their amazing anniversary! We are so proud to have parents who have actually made it to that milestone, and who have been such a testament of true love for us.....I really can't put it into words how sentimental we all feel about it. I know they are going to have a great trip....I hope it is sprinkled with LOTS of pixie dust because they TRULY deserve it!!!

I will keep you posted on their trip happenings....and will be back soon with more details of our own!!! Until then, see you real soon!!!!

 

[MegansMom]

I just found your trip report today We are going for 2 days in early July on our way to the beach...We stayed at AKL Kidani last year so if you have any questions just let me know!!! Hope Megan is feeling better!!

WELCOME!!!!! I am so glad you found me! I would love to hear your report of AKL.....dish away! Are there any "Must do's" at AKL or things to avoid? Any major problems you had with the resort or things you LOVED about it???? Would love to hear it all!!! Congrats on your July trip! Megan is feeling SO much better....just hoping that the sickies STAY away!!! Thanks for joining in on the fun!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Jen:

Geez, Anita is persuasive! I already checked this morning to see how many points savanna view would be!! I have to stop the madness--I am horrible for switching things around!

It sounded like a perfect 150 day mark! I need to get something planned for our 100 mark! Jeremy would love that.

Did you get your entire spring break? We lost 2 days due to all this snow in southern Ohio.

Sending you some well wishes for a job at Megan's school! I really hope it all works out.

Erika

 

[MegansMom]

Jen:

Geez, Anita is persuasive! I already checked this morning to see how many points savanna view would be!! I have to stop the madness--I am horrible for switching things around!

It sounded like a perfect 150 day mark! I need to get something planned for our 100 mark! Jeremy would love that.

Did you get your entire spring break? We lost 2 days due to all this snow in southern Ohio.

Sending you some well wishes for a job at Megan's school! I really hope it all works out.

Erika

Anita and Jackie (Charleston Princess) are two of the BEST enablers I know! They often "inspire" me with a little enabling every now and again....always helping me to realize that new Vera that I "MUST" have! They are definitely the best kind of DISfriends to have!!! Miss Anita definitely has me rethinking our booking of standard view......maybe we really do NEED to stay savannah view....see how quickly she works her magic! AND CP would be the first one to tell you that there is no "harm" in making a few little "adjustments" to the vacation plans every once and awhile!!! Gotta love those two!!!

I am already starting to think of what I should do for the 100 day mark....I am hoping people give me lots of GREAT ideas on here!!! Maybe I should look up and see when the 100 day is.....will do that!

With all this "lovely" snow this year, I thought for sure that Spring Break would be all chopped up, but both breaks are still intact! Since I am currently teaching in a different district than Megs, we have two different breaks....almost a whole month apart! Right now, my last day is May 27th and Megs' is June 1st. I think we should be good to go for the rest of the year on snow, so hopefully those days will stick!

Thanks for the extra pixie dust!!! I hope it works!

 

[MegansMom]

I know I just updated yesterday, but I had a day that was too good NOT to update!!!! Well, it didn't start out that good, but DEFINITELY ended up GREAT!!! My morning started at my normal 5:40 alarm---ugh, I know, DREADFUL---showered, dressed, laundry, woke up Megan.......same old, same old. She started complaining of a stomach ache right away, and looked completely uncomfortable as I was getting her dressed and ready. I pulled her school skirt up for her, and she doubled over in pain saying that her belly hurt too much! SO, it started looking like we were on our way to the beginnings of the lovely "belly bug" floating around, so I made the executive call that we would both be home for the day. Well, long story short.....a couple hours passed, and the "belly bug" turned out to be a very unpleasant combination of some trapped gas (sorry if TMI) and some VERY upset "nerbs" as Megan calls them. For those of you who don't know, Megan suffers from Sensory Integration Dysfunction, which makes her oversensitive to all extraneous stimuli, and when she becomes overwhelmed by something, she will tell me her "nerbs" get all jittery inside. (My best clinical guess is that her nervous system gets WAY overloaded, and they probably really do become jittery and charged up with all the stimululating input.) Apparently---again long story short---she has been VERY overstressed this week at school about tests that she had today, and the psychological stress manifested itself in a physiological problem with her stomach! Anyhoo....long story short....she started feeling better, got some much needed snuggling with Mommy, and decided she REALLY wanted to go to school because she hates missing it so much! So by 10:30, she was dressed and checking in at school....all better! (On a sidenote, the tests that she worried so much about, she actually got perfect scores on today! Poor thing worries her little self over getting anything wrong! I just want her to try hard and do her best.....I hope she learns to cope with mistakes better as she ages, because I hate seeing her get so upset if she misses one little problem!) Anyhoo....long story short, we have quieted the "nerbs" for now, and we are getting ready to go to dance in just a moment.


BUT, before we do, I have to give you the BEST news of the day! So, obviously, after I dropped her off, I realized I was now home with nothing to do for the day. SO I WENT SHOPPING!!!!! This was a huge feat for me....I hate shopping for myself, and I very RARELY do it---ask my family, they will tell you how BAD I am about going out to buy for me. BUT, my wardrobe has gotten so bad that Tom actually told me last weekend, "Hon, you have GOT to go out and buy some new jeans!" I know you can only imagine how bad it is when your hubby tells you that, right?!?!?! SO long story short, I went shopping for some jeans...........












AND I HAVE DROPPED TWO PANTS SIZES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!











I almost cried in the dressing room when I put on the now purchased jeans that were two sizes smaller!!! Here's the craziest part......I had NO idea I had lost that much weight! I know you all won't believe me, but I have been so busy lately, and yeah, I noticed things were starting to bag on me, but I was just thinking that everything was just getting old and worn out. So long story short....I am now the proud owner of two new pairs of jeans (and two tops that I just HAD to have) that are TWO sizes smaller than the ones I wore into that store!!!! SO EXCITED doesn't even come close to how I feel right now!!!!


(And I saw them putting out a whole bunch of skorts----which I LOVE --while I was paying so it made me very happy inside!!! I was thinking I might just need one of their skorts in every color for a certain upcoming vacay!!!! What do you think?!?!?!?! More on that in another update on another day....for now we DANCE!!!!!)

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

How awesome about the smaller sized jeans!!!!
That is something to be really happy about, especially if you didn't have to diet!

About that savanah view.
We really spent a bunch of time out on the balconies enjoying the view. Harper was only 18 months and she was always out there just watching the animals! We have never used any balcony as much as we used those!

 

[Cindy-rella]

Congrats on the smaller size jeans! Wow, I hope it is contagious! Life for me has been crazy this year too, but I seem to be finding inches instead of loosing them.

 

[MegansMom]

How awesome about the smaller sized jeans!!!!
That is something to be really happy about, especially if you didn't have to diet!

About that savanah view.
We really spent a bunch of time out on the balconies enjoying the view. Harper was only 18 months and she was always out there just watching the animals! We have never used any balcony as much as we used those!

Thanks sweetie!!! I can't wait to put them on again....a great feeling indeed---especially when you are not expecting it!!!

You are becoming SO persuasive............I don't know if I am strong enough to avoid switching!!!!!

Congrats on the smaller size jeans! Wow, I hope it is contagious! Life for me has been crazy this year too, but I seem to be finding inches instead of loosing them.

I know this is not good, but I feel like I have been so busy that there is so little time to eat more than a bite here or there....I guess it has caught up with me! Good luck with all your craziness too!!!

 

[MeMom]

We have Disney Days, too!
We'll have a resort, park, restaurant, or movie theme, and it definitely does bring us happiness while we wait.

Congratulations to your parents on their 40th anniversary.
I bet they will be so cute walking around WDW together.

Hooray on dropping two sizes! That had to feel so awesome.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hi, Jen! Yes, you know I don't find anything wrong with making "adjustments" to vacation plans.

Yeay for 150 days! What a fun way to celebrate that milestone!

Spring Break is about four weeks away for us. I need it to come quickly!

Hope your parents have a fabulous 40th wedding anniversary at Disney World!

Poor Megan not feeling well yesterday. I am glad she felt better after awhile and was able to go to school.

Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! That's awesome about the weight loss!!!

 

[KristEn87]

Yahoo on dropping two dress sizes!!! Isn't it just the greatest feeling?! Your 150 Disney Day sounds great! Maybe for your 100 Disney Day you would make a paper chain link with a different character or favorite resort/attractions written on each of the links. Then each day will be a Mini Disney Day!


Hope all goes well with the job at Megan's school. I'm 3 months away from graduating with my degree in Special Education and starting to look for job openings. Could I maybe PM you sometime for interviewing tips?


It's a nasty rainy day here in Cincinnati...I think we need a Disney Day!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Hello, joining in on your fun! Congrats on your weight loss. Even more exciting that it was a surprise for you

We did Disney nights too while waiting for our last trip and will do them again as our next one gets closer, some disers on here have some real cute ideas for little parties.

We are planning our next trip for June/July 2012. It will also be an anniversary trip for us too which we are very excited about, at the beginning of our stay it will be our daugther's 13th birthday. So I can't wait to hear about your July adventures!

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

Jen:

Congratulations on dropping 2 sizes!!!! That is great!!!

Wow, 40 years for your parents---how wonderful!!! It was very sweet of you to pay for their room!

Erika

 

[MegansMom]

We have Disney Days, too!
We'll have a resort, park, restaurant, or movie theme, and it definitely does bring us happiness while we wait.

Congratulations to your parents on their 40th anniversary.
I bet they will be so cute walking around WDW together.

Hooray on dropping two sizes! That had to feel so awesome.

Disney has been on our minds so much lately with the celebration and Mom and Dad traveling to WDW.....Megan wanted another Disney night last night after dance class, so we popped popcorn for our WDW popcorn bucket, made drinks in our old refillable mugs, and watched some WDW and DL shoes we found on Netflix. It was GREAT!!!

Mom and Dad are having a GREAT time!!! I can't wait to see some pictures! I will post some on here if I can at some point.

Thanks for the congratulatory dance on the weight loss!!! AWESOME indeed!

Hi, Jen! Yes, you know I don't find anything wrong with making "adjustments" to vacation plans.

Yeay for 150 days! What a fun way to celebrate that milestone!

Spring Break is about four weeks away for us. I need it to come quickly!

Hope your parents have a fabulous 40th wedding anniversary at Disney World!

Poor Megan not feeling well yesterday. I am glad she felt better after awhile and was able to go to school.

Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! That's awesome about the weight loss!!!

Hey girlie!!! Mom and Dad are having so much fun....wish I could be there with them just to see all the fun they are having!

I think we have all gotten the "Winter bug" this year---the illness that causes you feelings of great hatred towards cold, and snow and great cravings for all things SPRING!!!! Come on Spring Break....get here NOW!

Thanks for the kudos on the weight loss!!! LOVING my new jeans!!!

Hope you guys have a great weekend!!

Yahoo on dropping two dress sizes!!! Isn't it just the greatest feeling?! Your 150 Disney Day sounds great! Maybe for your 100 Disney Day you would make a paper chain link with a different character or favorite resort/attractions written on each of the links. Then each day will be a Mini Disney Day!


Hope all goes well with the job at Megan's school. I'm 3 months away from graduating with my degree in Special Education and starting to look for job openings. Could I maybe PM you sometime for interviewing tips?


It's a nasty rainy day here in Cincinnati...I think we need a Disney Day!

Love the ideas for the 100 day mark!!! She would LOVE making that! Feel free to PM me anytime--good luck with the job hunt!!!! Hoping you find the perfect match of a position!!!

I agree about the Disney Day! Mom and Dad said it was beautiful and 77 down at WDW today.....ugh! Made me hate the rain that much more!

Hello, joining in on your fun! Congrats on your weight loss. Even more exciting that it was a surprise for you

We did Disney nights too while waiting for our last trip and will do them again as our next one gets closer, some disers on here have some real cute ideas for little parties.

We are planning our next trip for June/July 2012. It will also be an anniversary trip for us too which we are very excited about, at the beginning of our stay it will be our daugther's 13th birthday. So I can't wait to hear about your July adventures!

Thanks for joining in and thanks for the kudos on the weight loss!!! Disney nights are great....sometimes they even just help get through the blahs when you aren't there and don't know when you will be back! What a way to recapture the magic!

What a wonderful vacation that next trip will be...so many things to celebrate!! How many years will you all be married? I can't wait to share those July adventures with you all too!!!!

Jen:

Congratulations on dropping 2 sizes!!!! That is great!!!

Wow, 40 years for your parents---how wonderful!!! It was very sweet of you to pay for their room!

Erika

Thanks dearie!! I am so in love with the new jeans and the way they look on!!! Gotta love that!

We are so proud of my parents, and so excited they get to do something so special to celebrate it!!!


Mom and Dad checked in today and are already having a great time! They were so tickled with the warm welcome they got at check-in about their anniversary and even proudly donned the anniversary pins. Mom told the cutest story about waiting in line at the counter service for lunch at the hotel. She said there was a guy in front of her with an anniversary pin on too, and we he noticed hers, he congratulated her on their mutual anniversary. He told her he was there celebrating his 10th, and asked if she was there celebrating her 25th! Mom said she told him she would kiss him for that sweet comment, and when she revealed they were celebrating their 40th, he didn't believe her! Yes, that COMPLETELY made her day! I think this trip is DEFINITELY off to a good start!! Tomorrow is their anniversary, and they have chosen to go to EPCOT for the flower show and to see Genevieve from HGTV. They are eating lunch at Coral Reef, and are playing it by ear the rest of the evening. I can't wait to hear all about it!

Tomorrow is also another GREAT day in my life---not only is March 6th the anniversary of the day my parents got married---it is also the day God decided to grace the Earth with one of my greatest gifts.....my hubby Tom!!! It is going to be a great day filled with college basketball and GREAT Italian cooking!!! I will update tomorrow or Monday with pictures!! Stay tuned!!!!