PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[tksbaskets]

So glad you are OK. Yes, you deserve a magical vacation!!

 

[PHXscuba]

Thanks to all for your support. I am truly blessed in so many ways, even when things go awry.

I just saw on another thread (and confirmed by calling the hotel) that the PPH pool is closed until Mar. 15. It hasn't been posted anywhere, just saw it on the DIS. We get to use the DLH's pool instead.

I have mixed feelings about this. First of all, there's no guarantee we'll be able to swim at all. The kids (especially the girls -- DD10 is part penguin) would swim when I would be too cold; luckily they are all old enough and good enough swimmers that I can sit poolside and watch. The trek from the PPH to the DLH is longer than I'd like, although they said they have a changing area right outside the pool so we don't turn into popsicles walking back. The upside: the DLH's newly renovated pool is WAY cooler than the PPH pool. That was the one thing I was disappointed choosing the PPH over the higher cost of the DLH. So I guess I sorta got my wish, unintentionally -- the PPH price with the DLH pool.

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

It is a bit of a hike but there is the changing area. The pool has always been better at the DLH. I don't know about now but there used to be a place at the pool to get refreshments for both grown ups and kids. Who knows another adventure?

 

[mvf-m11c]

Glad that you weren't injured during the accident.

It makes sense to use your first day at the DLR to enjoy the hotel and DTD before you head on over to the parks. Have you ever seen RDCT fireworks?

Time will go by quickly and all of a sudden it is time for the trip. You will enjoy the DLH pool with the Monorail slide that opened last year.

 

[PHXscuba]

Glad that you weren't injured during the accident.

It makes sense to use your first day at the DLR to enjoy the hotel and DTD before you head on over to the parks. Have you ever seen RDCT fireworks?

Time will go by quickly and all of a sudden it is time for the trip. You will enjoy the DLH pool with the Monorail slide that opened last year.

We haven't seen RDCT -- I hear it's awesome! We saw Magical in summer 2010 and Halloween Screams in October 2009.

I am pretty sure we will be staying at the hotel and DTD the first night, maybe even walking over to the DLH to see what's new.

And ... just to complete my wasted week, DS7 has (drumroll please) STREP THROAT! I am trying to be patient and get a lot done at home today and tomorrow with him around. Ugh. And every time I swallow I get paranoid that I am going to get it!

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

Oh no! Think happy thoughts. Poor DS, I hope he is feeling okay. Strep is the worst.

 

[PHXscuba]

Oh no! Think happy thoughts. Poor DS, I hope he is feeling okay. Strep is the worst.

Lucky we caught it early and got him to the doctor and medicated. This morning he is his usual zany stubborn self. DD10 brought home his schoolwork so we are homeschooling this morning (I am so not cut out for it).

Random Dis-ness for today:

DD10 was asking about Grizzly River Run this morning at breakfast. She likes raft rides. (Recall that DH hates them -- he called it a floating bathtub ). I told DH we were ALL going on the ride. I got the usual excuses, "I have my iPhone with me ... I don't want to walk around wet ..." Even countering all his arguments -- free lockers nearby, walking back to the hotel to change -- it will still be a challenge to get him on. I can't push too hard, because I don't ride super-spinny rides and I would hate to be forced on one. But his isn't nausea or fear, just the wet-cat feeling.

DD13's science unit is on rollercoasters and theme parks. She simultaneously loves it and says it is making the wait go even slower. She was forced to watch another Imagineer video yesterday.

​

Stuck home yesterday, I made envelopes to leave the tips for housekeeping. I have some experience in graphic design so these took me about 15 minutes total to make the graphic, turn it into a sticker, and put on the envelopes. It will take me longer to run to the bank for the cash to put in them!

I'm not claiming they are anything special, but if anyone wants a PDF of the graphics (8 on a page), I am happy to send it along if you PM me your e-mail address. I know some people have more computer resources than others.

We leave in 8 days. I am trying to relax and not stress about this trip. No intricate touring plans, more of a "point us in a general direction" ideas.

PHXscuba

 

[mvf-m11c]

We haven't seen RDCT -- I hear it's awesome! We saw Magical in summer 2010 and Halloween Screams in October 2009.

I am pretty sure we will be staying at the hotel and DTD the first night, maybe even walking over to the DLH to see what's new.

You will love RDCT. If you are going to see RDCT, you got to be in front of SB Castle to see the fireworks from the castle and all the special effects. Are you thinking of spending some time to wait to see RDCT? Magical and HS are very nice as well.

That sounds like a good plan when you get there on Sunday. Just 8 days to go which is always exciting.

 

[PHXscuba]

You will love RDCT. If you are going to see RDCT, you got to be in front of SB Castle to see the fireworks from the castle and all the special effects. Are you thinking of spending some time to wait to see RDCT? Magical and HS are very nice as well.

That sounds like a good plan when you get there on Sunday. Just 8 days to go which is always exciting.

It's been a long time since I've seen the fireworks from a prime spot in front of the castle. DH is not a fireworks/parades nut -- he sees them as times to go on rides with shorter waits. When we went with older DS the first time, DS and I watched the parade and DH went on Matterhorn 4 times in a row during it! If I put my foot down, I can get the family to stop for a snack and secure a spot 20-30 minutes ahead, but that's about their patience limit. So it will kind of depend on the crowds what kind of a spot we get. I hear back by Small World is cool and they do projections on the ride, so that may be my fallback spot.

It is 3 p.m. here. Exactly, precisely one week from now I will be picking DS7 up from his cousin's birthday party with the car packed with luggage and people and ready to hit the road!! We'll drive to my parents in Huntington Beach and arrive around the kids' bedtime -- the time switches when we cross the border but back the next morning with Daylight Savings so we won't even reset our clocks.

Hmmm ... maybe each day this week I'll do a "where will we be next week at this time" post.

I need lots of finger crossed from all of you that I make it through this busy week without any bumps like last week!

PHXscuba

 

[rentayenta]

Your trip is so close!!!

 

[PHXscuba]

In one week, we will be ... THERE!

By 3:45 or so next Sunday afternoon, we will be checked into the Paradise Pier hotel!! It's hard to believe how close this trip finally is.

I like next Sunday afternoon's activities better than today's: putting data into a volunteer project, sewing ribbons and elastic on new pointe shoes for DD13, making dinner for my in-laws. DH is asleep on the couch, which is what he'll probably want do next Sunday afternoon too!

Tomorrow (amongst other everyday stuff like laundry), I am buying our park tickets, and going through the box of breakfast food and snacks I've been stockpiling for the trip!

PHXscuba

 

[tksbaskets]

In one week, we will be ... THERE!

By 3:45 or so next Sunday afternoon, we will be checked into the Paradise Pier hotel!! It's hard to believe how close this trip finally is.

I like next Sunday afternoon's activities better than today's: putting data into a volunteer project, sewing ribbons and elastic on new pointe shoes for DD13, making dinner for my in-laws. DH is asleep on the couch, which is what he'll probably want do next Sunday afternoon too!

Tomorrow (amongst other everyday stuff like laundry), I am buying our park tickets, and going through the box of breakfast food and snacks I've been stockpiling for the trip!

PHXscuba

WOW!! You'll be smiling all week getting ready. By this time next week you'll be in the park enjoying time with your family!

 

[Lynne G]

In one week, we will be ... THERE!

By 3:45 or so next Sunday afternoon, we will be checked into the Paradise Pier hotel!! It's hard to believe how close this trip finally is.

I like next Sunday afternoon's activities better than today's: putting data into a volunteer project, sewing ribbons and elastic on new pointe shoes for DD13, making dinner for my in-laws. DH is asleep on the couch, which is what he'll probably want do next Sunday afternoon too!

Tomorrow (amongst other everyday stuff like laundry), I am buying our park tickets, and going through the box of breakfast food and snacks I've been stockpiling for the trip!

PHXscuba

Wahoo! Love the single digit countdown. Tickets in hand is a great thing! We've always bought food with us, and for some reason, always have to leave with some uneaten. Hope all are healthy by this week-end.

 

[PHXscuba]

I've got TICKETS!!!

In our game of "where will we be, one week from today we will be eatign DS8's birthday meal at Goofy's Kitchen!!

Bonus pictures from our visit in October 2009:

I am looking forward to going back!

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

 

[PHXscuba]

I know yesterday's post was uncharacteristically un-wordy for me, but I was in a hurry to get it posted in limited time.

Potentially good news: I got the police report from my car accident and it backs up what I knew: the other driver was at fault and ticketed. The tow lot wanted to get my car out, so I had it towed to a body shop pending the expected outcome of the other lady's insurance paying for it all.

Where will I be one week from today? I hope we'll be checking out the DLH pool during an afternoon break. I fianlly checked the weather report for next week and it is low 70s and little chance of rain the whole time. Perfect!

Four days from now I'll be west of Phoenix headed for CA!!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

One week from today ... around 2:15 p.m. ... I am going to project that it's our Radiator Springs Racer FP return time and we are zipping around Carsland and getting our picture taken with our Photopass Plus!!

As for trip prep, I took DD13 to Walmart with me last night and bought her a couple cheap Disney shirts. She has grown out of all of the ones she wore to WDW a year and a half ago (she's a women's medium now ) I'm just glad she still wants to wear Mickey Mouse shirts!

I just canceled our backup hotel reservation at HoJos too. I don't know why I held it so long, knowing we got the great AP rate at PPH, but I guess I was just superstitious about canceling it until I had to.

I also bought food for our hotel room -- bagels and string cheese for breakfast. I still need milk, mini boxes of cereal, and fruit. I am taking my cooler on wheels to stick all the food in while we travel. I have plenty of (probably too many) snacks for the trip over and to take into the park.

I still have DS' birthday party to throw on Friday, and I MUST START PACKING!! Where's a magician or a fairy godmother when you need them?

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

I cannot believe how close your trip is.

 

[cristyhas3]

Yay!! Its almost time!

We're on the road right now!! I hope our paths cross!

(Eek! that's a lot of exclamation points. Can you tell I'm excited?)

 

[DizNee Luver]

Woo Hoo!! Almost time for your trip!! Take advantage of the weekdays.....come Friday, the crowds really increase!!!