Pre-Trip, Disney in August...am I nuts?!? - Trip Report!!

[HeatherBelle614]

Hello!

I'm so glad to hear your ADRs went smoothly; I'm SO stressed about those right now!!!

Do you mind me asking what area of Plano you're in? Apartments or house? We wanted to buy a house right now with the great rates, but I'm not sure where I'm going to end up for law school next year, so we're sticking with apartments. We used to be over in West Plano (near Willowbend), but we recently moved to East Plano (right near the Dart since I take that to work.)

We should do a mini-meet! We're not nuts, I promise! Staci can vouch for us.

 

[Belle2007]

Yay on your ADRS!!!! They sound great. After reading some of the threads on here, I'm beginning to worry... but that's okay.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

I also made ADR for Sci-Fi and Boma... I can't wait to go there... And of course T-Rex, my DD really wants to try that one! ha!

Hey Nat! I am so excited about them! I think Sci-Fi will be perfect for J (he's such a science nerd, hehe)!

Hello!

I'm so glad to hear your ADRs went smoothly; I'm SO stressed about those right now!!!

Do you mind me asking what area of Plano you're in? Apartments or house? We wanted to buy a house right now with the great rates, but I'm not sure where I'm going to end up for law school next year, so we're sticking with apartments. We used to be over in West Plano (near Willowbend), but we recently moved to East Plano (right near the Dart since I take that to work.)

We should do a mini-meet! We're not nuts, I promise! Staci can vouch for us.

Hey Heather!! Try not to stress about the ADRs. It was soooo much easier than I thought it would be!
We're in far north Plano, almost to Allen! Off 75 and Legacy! What about you? Buying a house would probably be smart now. We're thinking of moving sometime, but not soon since it's not exactly a seller's market. And I told Staci a meet would be so cool after I saw y'alls pics from Snuffers!! Keep me posted if anything comes up!!

Yay on your ADRS!!!! They sound great. After reading some of the threads on here, I'm beginning to worry... but that's okay.

Thanks so much!! I had some back ups just in case, but didn't need them! I think people get stressed from thinking too much about it and expect the worst. Then they call and everything's good! You should be fine!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Hey everyone!
I've meant to post some pics but been super busy!! What else is new, I know.
First thing, my cousin's wedding last weekend! The wedding was in Waco and my cousin wanted a very Southern wedding, which is exactly what she got! The grounds were a beautiful old plantation with lots of land! After looking at the pics I told my cousin (Ashley) she looked right out of "Gone with the Wind". Minus the rain, I'd say the weekend and wedding went off without a hitch! Here are some shots!
Here's a pic of the boys! My hubby is second from the left and my precious nephew, Trey was the ring-bearer (there were actually two, but the other little guy couldn't hold still long enough!)

The wedding was originally planned for outside, but the rain forced us in. It was still beautiful (and very Southern) (fyi, that's me right next to the Father of the Bride as he waits to give her away )

Here's a family shot of the bride's side!

And the only decent shot I took of the reception. Sorry, I think I was distracted by the music, food, champagne, etc.

So even though the ceremony was inside, the reception was still outdoors under a huge tent. Lots of fun for everyone!
This past week has been fairly busy for everyone. It's the end of the school year and everyone's trying to get all the fun paperwork and junk done! I admit things aren't too bad at my school. We just have to review the kids for their exams and hope for the best (ie, hope they study, ha!). Poor J has to actually make his own review sheets and exams. Things are a little different for him since he's at a private school. So I promised to stay out of his hair and keep myself busy while he worked. What to do? What to do? I know! I'll work on my Disney Binder!!
I'll admit, it didn't turn out quite like I expected, but it'll do! The people on the DIS boards are so great! I got tons of ideas from them and thank everyone for being so generous! It got a little frustrating when I wanted to start it Saturday. I had everything I needed: paper, stickers, a binder! Then I got to work and realized I didn't have the correct type of glue! Well I wasn't going to just sit and do nothing. So I did as much as I could without glue. Hence why some of the pages might look a little weird. I bought some glue yesterday and worked thru the afternoon. I figure it's a good place to start. And whatever materials I have leftover will be used for our scrapbook!
Anyway, here are some (crummy) pics:

Inside the folder I put some cards with our daily ADRs along with small park maps.

The first section is general information (dates, phone numbers of family/friends back home, hotel info, credit card info, etc)

The next section is titled "reservations". The main part to this would be the ADRs!!

Then we have the "plan" section. I hope to have a day-by-day agenda for parks, rides, shows, etc

The BIG section is for Trip Report stuff. I hope to keep notes on everything that happens each day.

Not too bad, eh? I hope to insert more pics/images over the next few weeks. Just see what I can find on the internet. And I may need some input from Disney vets about our plans at each of the parks. I developed a little strategy for the parks but not sure if it'll be effective since I haven't been in a while.
Oh! I finally started the "Movie Night" with J yesterday! I had planned on starting with Finding Nemo and have J go on some sort of scavenger hunt. Well, my creative energy was fried and I flat-out told J my plans. But I promised the other "nights" would actually have something else to do. So we watched Nemo and J really liked it!! YEA!! I also bought Ratatouille this weekend and may watch it next weekend. Maybe the theme will be us making dinner together...hmmmm....
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their holiday weekend! Can't wait for our cook-out a little later!! YUM!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

What a cute planner! It turned out great.

 

[jenny105]

I love weddings! Great pictures, you look so pretty!

I think the binder came out cute. I don't know if I would have the patience for that.

 

[stacikristine]

Very cute binder!! Good job! I've been so busy with moving and planting flowers that I haven't had any time. But Michael will be gone tomorrow through Saturday so maybe I'll distract myself with a little Disney! Very good wedding pics too!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

What a cute planner! It turned out great.

Hey! Thanks so much! The more I look at it, the more I like it! I'm sure I'll add a few more things before our trip!

I love weddings! Great pictures, you look so pretty!

I think the binder came out cute. I don't know if I would have the patience for that.

Thanks!! It was a lot of fun!
I worked on that little binder for what seemed like FOREVER! J would come in the room occasionally and tell me how cute I was. Uh, thanks, but what about the binder?!

Very cute binder!! Good job! I've been so busy with moving and planting flowers that I haven't had any time. But Michael will be gone tomorrow through Saturday so maybe I'll distract myself with a little Disney! Very good wedding pics too!

Hey Staci! Thanks so much! It doesn't compare to some of those other ones out there on the boards, but it'll do! And be sure to post a few pics when you do yours!!

 

[jenny105]

Is there a thread where you got the binder idea from? I'd like to check it out.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Is there a thread where you got the binder idea from? I'd like to check it out.

This is the one I subscribe to! Lots of cute stuff!!
My Disney Binder

 

[jenny105]

This is the one I subscribe to! Lots of cute stuff!!
My Disney Binder

Thank you!

 

[pinkpixie0920]

Hi! The pictures from your cousins wedding were beautiful! I love the binder you made. You may have inspired me to start one. I have the passporter but it would be fun to make my own.

 

[lizet313]

Sounds like a great wedding. I like your binder. I love the bridesmaid dresses

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Hi! The pictures from your cousins wedding were beautiful! I love the binder you made. You may have inspired me to start one. I have the passporter but it would be fun to make my own.

Thanks! The wedding was lots of fun! You should make a little binder! It really is cute (and a lot of work!), but it's so fun to have it!

Sounds like a great wedding. I like your binder. I love the bridesmaid dresses

It was! Thanks! The dresses were great (weird thing was, they had a weird smell to them probably from the plastic they sat it, hopefully it'll go away soon so I can wear it again! )

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Hey all! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I just finished up my last week of work/school!! And I'm so glad I can sleep in past 5am! Although J and I are taking graduate classes this summer, it's still time off!
Also, one year ago I married the love of my life! We were in Puerto Rico and I believe at this time I was getting my hair done. It was such a beautiful day and went over perfectly!
Here I am with my bridesmaids, Taya (my now sister-in-law) and Rachael (best friend since 7th grade)

And here's Johnny with Andy on the left (his brother) and Scott (one of his best friends since high school).

And here we are during the vows and such.

And afterwards, having a little bubbly to celebrate!!

Gotta throw in a shot of me in the dress on the beach!

And we danced the night away! So fun!!

And a kiss for the best hubby in the world! I love you Johnny Mack!!

Ok, enough wedding stuff! I promise I'll post more info about Disney soon! I hope everyone has a great day!!

 

[jenny105]

Great pictures! You look gorgeous! Happy1 year!

 

[stacikristine]

Happy anniversary!! You were an absoulutely gorgeous bride! I love the picture of you on the beach. What a romantic wedding destination!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Great pictures! You look gorgeous! Happy1 year!

Thanks so much!! It's been a great year!!

Happy anniversary!! You were an absoulutely gorgeous bride! I love the picture of you on the beach. What a romantic wedding destination!

Thank you!! It was perfect! I highly recommend beach weddings to everyone (or at least, beach honeymoons, hehe!). I hope to go back some day, it was beautiful!!

 

[my2disneyboys]

Amanda,
Hi! I am all caught up with your Pre Trippie... Great job!

I LOVE your planner. I am going to have to copy that!! and I also LOVE your wedding pics. You and your hubby are such a cute couple!!

I have a question for you!! I am planning on going again in August 2010... I am wondering about renting DVC - but if I go in August during free dining, I do not think you can rent DVC and get the free dining! I think I saw on a thread here that you are renting DVC points. What do you think... Should we rent DVC and pay out of pocket for dining plan in August OR stay at a disney hotel Contemporary has a rack rate of 280 for their garden room and get the dining for free? Sorry for the questions... but I thought maybe you might know as you are staying at the Boarwalk villas! I have NO IDEA about renting DVC we have always stayed with a package at a Mod or Value but this time wanted to go deluxe!

THANKS!!
Nickie

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Amanda,
Hi! I am all caught up with your Pre Trippie... Great job!

I LOVE your planner. I am going to have to copy that!! and I also LOVE your wedding pics. You and your hubby are such a cute couple!!

I have a question for you!! I am planning on going again in August 2010... I am wondering about renting DVC - but if I go in August during free dining, I do not think you can rent DVC and get the free dining! I think I saw on a thread here that you are renting DVC points. What do you think... Should we rent DVC and pay out of pocket for dining plan in August OR stay at a disney hotel Contemporary has a rack rate of 280 for their garden room and get the dining for free? Sorry for the questions... but I thought maybe you might know as you are staying at the Boarwalk villas! I have NO IDEA about renting DVC we have always stayed with a package at a Mod or Value but this time wanted to go deluxe!

THANKS!!
Nickie

Hi Nickie! And welcome aboard!! Please feel free to copy any ideas from my binder! It's mostly thanks to all the wonderful people on the Creative Boards (and to Stacie!!).
As far as the best option, we liked it because I really wanted to stay in one of the Deluxe style resorts (I'm a brat, I know!) and this was sooooo much cheaper than paying through Disney. So if you do like we did and rent through DVC, you can't get free dining. It also depends on what kind of dining you want to do. We just did the regular (1 snack, 1 counter service, and 1 table service per person per day). If you wanted to upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan, you might not save as much. I think the best thing would be to compare EVERYTHING and see how much each way will cost (and I'm not sure what Free Dining entails). Hoped that helped! And again, thanks for joining!