Podcast 2.0 Discussion Thread 3

[ADP]

Hi Everyone!

Just checking in.

Right now my plan is to get to Orlando on Wednesday, Dec 8th. I'm attending the annual DVC meeting on the 9th. The 10th and 11th I'll be hanging out with you peeps. The 12th - 16th on the Wonder. The evening of the 16th at the Christmas party and then the 17th for DATW with departure back to Indiana on the 18th.

At least that is how it looks right now. It could change.

 

[corky441]

I got a visit too. But mine is only a beach towel.

But think of the joys that beach towel will bring

 

[corky441]

Yes. He won't sit still for 2.5 hours.

Oh yeah, I remember those days - luckily they are far behind me.

With having to get the additional seat, I understand how the cost would get prohibitive rather quickly

 

[jeanigor]

But think of the joys that beach towel will bring

You think I'm actually going to use it???

 

[Dodie]

Hi there computernut friends! It's great to see the traffic on this thread, even though I've not been by much lately.

Time off around holidays is tough for DH Phillip at work too. That's typically when there's a lot of entertaining at the house. He basically had to tell his bosses that he was going to learn a lot about the way Disney decorates for Christmas in both the parks and on the ship - since he's responsible for that at work - and that he'd have the entire house decorated top to bottom before he departs on 12/12 (in case they're having parties or something while we're gone). It was by no means easy for him to get a week off in the middle of December.

For PCC 2.0 - We have a crazy early arrival on Saturday the 12th and a late evening departure on Saturday the 19th, so we'll be able to squeeze in a little park time before and after - but not much.

Depending upon what the DIS/DU plans for 2011, we're thinking we may make it a quiet year for us - maybe just a DVC week in mid-September when the parks are slow (one of our favorite times to visit). Of course, if the team comes up with some sort of must-do ABD trip - we'd probably change our minds. If PCC 3.0 is in 2011, even if it's to Alaska or on one of the new ships, I think we'd probably just sit that one out.

 

[Renysmom]

We are arriving on the evening of the 10th, Staying at S/D and will probably head over to DTD to grab EoS or maybe we will do Beaches since we have never eaten there, It’s an 11 hour drive and we do it straight through so it is usually a early night.

Saturday we have plans with Jorge before the pre-cruise meet-up, then after cruise it is back to S/D, MVMCP and DATW before heading home Saturday morning.

We will only go to the parks for the party and DATW. Like most, this is a budget tight trip for us this year due to the 2010/2011 wedding expenses (one down two to go haha). We have gone back and forth over what to do in 2011, and even though we have a cruise booked for late 2011 we may just push it to 2012 and streamline things to a short park trip in the fall and then a 7 or 10 day in 2012. We will just have to see after the first of the year…

 

[corky441]

Hi *Dodie

I understand what it's like to weazel a week off in December. Although the Marina portion of the business is shut down by then, the restaurant is going gang busters with holiday parties, etc.
This December will be unique too, because when I've been away in the past, I've taken my laptop along and have worked from wherever...
I am hoping that I will get at least a couple hours of internet access while on the ship, so I can at least process payroll. I have my fingers crossed for that big time. Trying to explain to 100 people why they didn't get a paycheck the week before Christmas might not be in my best interest
The rest of the work I usually do while away will just have to wait until I return.
I hope Dreams does plan another cruise and/or park event, I'm hoping for something late in the year. I need time to get this year's vacations paid off.
An ABD adventure would be wonderful I'm thinking/dreaming "April in Paris" 2012 . . .

 

[corky441]

You think I'm actually going to use it???

A wall tapestry perhaps - redecorating in a beach theme

 

[tlcoke]

December is generally a busy month for us with Winter Commencement, and the must have printed before the holiday printing rushes. So, for me it is easier to take the whole month off than get away for a shorter period of time.

I will work the first 3 days of the month of December then I am Florida bound. I arrive on the 4th and head home on the 21st. We are closed for our Christmas Holiday break beginning on the 24th, so I won't go back to work until January 3rd. I will be at AKV-Kidani both pre & post cruise

 

[jeanigor]

Typically December is slow for us. Can't do much roofing with snow.

Just juggling who is bringing the office lunch on what day. I'm going to miss a few office lunches for the cruise. And haven't decided if I should ask mom to book our office party for when I am away or after I'm back. I would *not* be heartbroken if I missed it.

 

[tlcoke]

Typically December is slow for us. Can't do much roofing with snow.

Just juggling who is bringing the office lunch on what day. I'm going to miss a few office lunches for the cruise. And haven't decided if I should ask mom to book our office party for when I am away or after I'm back. I would *not* be heartbroken if I missed it.

I will miss our office party (lunch at Tumbleweed) this year.

 

[Madi100]

I know Todd just said that he doesn't have a problem, but wondering how many people this date was a struggle for? I'm not exactly sure how family Christmas is going to work out since we will be gone for two weekends.

 

[Becx N Gav]

Check the grocery - Heinz makes a low-sugar ketchup. I've been using it for quite awhile - it's very good.

It tastes fine to us, I try to cut out any unnecessary sugar and salt, we use a potassium based salt (instead of the sodium)

That's my favorite for fries!! Weird I know...

We're still trying to figure out what we can do and what we won't be able to do. We're definitely planning on the cruise of course...but we're still kind of stuck on what pre and post cruise plans will be. I'm currently hopeful for other employment opportunities. Retail is not so forgiving when wanting to take time off in December...I'm happy with the job itself, but the pay and hours aren't so great and it's frustrating. Unfortunately DATW will fall on the Friday before Christmas and no one gets that weekend off at our store...so we'll see...

The plan right now...is to drive down and arrive on the 10th and probably stay at the Swan (or Dolphin if the Swan isn't available) for 2 nights. We're going to hit Universal for WWoHP on the 11th and then the Boardwalk meet that night. Post cruise...we're hoping to return to the Swan and then do MVMCP and then DATW. We'll drive home on the 18th. At least that's the plan...we'll see what actually happens...

I hope you are able to get the time off I hated working in retail, I always seemed to be working when Gav was home and at home by myself during the day - waiting to go to work

Excitement prevails -

the Big Brown Truck of Joy

has just delivered a big box from Oriental Trading Co ( the 1st of many, I'm sure)

Unfortunately, the contents are a secret - F.E. goodies & door decorations

Oh I can't wait to see what cool FE gifts we get

I put in a 6 night stay starting 12/19/10 and it charged $41.99 per night for the dining plan. I changed the dates to start on 12/22/10 and it charged $46.99 per night.

So it's what I thought, you pay based on the date you start for the dining plan.

Wow, I'm suprised! I would have expected them to charge a premium for the peak nights

Hi Everyone!

Just checking in.

Right now my plan is to get to Orlando on Wednesday, Dec 8th. I'm attending the annual DVC meeting on the 9th. The 10th and 11th I'll be hanging out with you peeps. The 12th - 16th on the Wonder. The evening of the 16th at the Christmas party and then the 17th for DATW with departure back to Indiana on the 18th.

At least that is how it looks right now. It could change.

Hi Aaron, loved your live TR Do you thing WWoHP would be worth visiting again soon, or would you leave it for a while?

 

[tlcoke]

I know Todd just said that he doesn't have a problem, but wondering how many people this date was a struggle for? I'm not exactly sure how family Christmas is going to work out since we will be gone for two weekends.

I have given work enough notice of my intentions (I told them Last year in June), they will live with it. My Leave has been approved already, so I will just have to clear and hand off everything before I leave. I make myself available if they have questions about anything I was working on, so that way they are more at ease.

They have already joked with me, that they will have to close down for the month when I am gone.

 

[jeanigor]

I know Todd just said that he doesn't have a problem, but wondering how many people this date was a struggle for? I'm not exactly sure how family Christmas is going to work out since we will be gone for two weekends.

I haven't told my step-mom or sisters of the date and my mom's side of the family hasn't paid attention. I have ALL the planning genes in the family.

This means that one Christmas will have to be celebrated with Thanksgiving. One on the 4th. The third on the 25th. And the final on New Years.

I'm so glad my family has divorced so many times and can't be pleasant enough to come together for one night....

Thankfully DP's family doesn't really celebrate anything. We can go over on a weeknight after work and visit.

 

[tlcoke]

My Christmas Plans are Gift Cards for family and leave my Sunday School Class gifts with the other teacher to hand out on the 19th.

 

[mainegal]

I am usually scheduled to present the library budget to town council the first week of December. I asked the town manager if I could do it the during the earlier budget workshop. She said it would be up to the town council. But she sets the agenda for the town council meetings!

I told her that I would be gone Dec 4 -19. Then I bought airline tickets!

 

[mainegal]

Chrstmas plans...
So much simpler with no children and three siblings with no children!

Last year, first Christmas after Mom died, we all got together at my sister's in Buffalo.

This year, partner will be happy that I am spending the day with him.

I haven't put up much in the way of decorations in years. I loved looking at the photos that DISers posted of their holiday decor.

 

[corky441]

I will be feverishly decorating the house prior to our leaving.

2 years ago for the Toy Story Party 1.0, we tired to get a Christmas tree after getting home - BIG mistake - we had a "Charlie Brown" tree

Last year for DISapalooza we we got the tree before leaving - we left it on the front porch and put it up when we got back home. That worked out well, so I'm sure that will be this year's plan as well.
DH will do the outside lights around Thanksgiving (yeah, right, sure) or shortly thereafter.

Since it is just the two of us, we don't have a ton of family obligations to co-ordinate. The only bug in the ointment this year is that my husband's company Christmas gala is on the Saturday before the cruise, hence our not being able to partake in any pre-cruise activities

 

[Madi100]

I love my family very much, but they are very hard to make happy at the holidays. Luckily, we don't do anything with DH's family. His mom lives 13 hours away, and his sisters can't be bothered to visit us, so we don't visit them. My family is another story. I was actually just thinking of this, and with us removing the middle of the month as an option, it should be no problem for the beginning and end of the month for each of my parents.