PTR/TR - An Aussie tribe’s American Adventure Dec 9 2010 – Jan 23 2011

[JenKatt]

Smart using the subway. It really is the best way to get around NYC. Yes you can use a stroller. It must be lightweight. You won't find a lift/ elevator easily. You don't necessarily have to fold it up to go up the stairs, but you'll have to move, move, move, move with it.
Eating with 14 on the fly will be hard, especially during the holidays. I would make reservations somewhere during the day, either lunch or dinner. Sorta how you do it at Disney. Maybe not everyday, but most days. Just to give some structure, but allow for flexibilty.
One thought about the stroller, is it possible to use a baby wrap instead? For the littlest one? When we've gone into the city with Jack, that's what I've used. It makes moving around much easier.

 

[Jade+3]

Re the stroller issue - I plan to go to Toys R Us and buying a cheap lightweight stroller. I have an Ergo carrier which hold up to 18kg, so may drag that out of the cupboard too.

I am more concerned about Jack walking than Max. He is so lazy, so we are in training! Pity he can't ride around on his scooter, as I would have no trouble with him then.

 

[Jdougherty]

Can an american join in?

I'll willingly answer any questions about weather and what every you ask. I am just amazed at your planning skills. The Largest group we've ever traveled with is 18, that would be Myself, DH, DD,DS DMIL,DFIL,DH's Siblings+Spouse+childern. It usually take DMIL and I 10-6 months to plan and excute a trip for the whole group.

P.s. Your kiddo's are very cute

 

[PrincessInOz]

A concern that has come up for discussion amongst the parents was how to effectively keep track of which child each adult was responsible for at any given time. We have nearly left Jonah behind at a museum recently as we both thought the other had him! WDW around Christmas would no doubt be busy and with 7 young children we’ll have our work cut out for us.

We have found a solution. Silicone wristbands! Available in many colours, re-usable, relatively comfortable and comes in 3 different sizes to suit all involved. Luckily for us, they had exactly 7 different colours for each of the little kiddies which come in various sizes. I now have in my hot little hands a band for each child which we’ll label with name and US phone number as well as a corresponding coloured band for an adult so they remember which child/children they’ve been allocated to look after. We shall see if this works!

All you need now is the elastic to stretch between adult and child so that the children can keep tabs on their minders .

 

[shushh]

Smart using the subway. It really is the best way to get around NYC. Yes you can use a stroller. It must be lightweight. You won't find a lift/ elevator easily. You don't necessarily have to fold it up to go up the stairs, but you'll have to move, move, move, move with it.
Eating with 14 on the fly will be hard, especially during the holidays. I would make reservations somewhere during the day, either lunch or dinner. Sorta how you do it at Disney. Maybe not everyday, but most days. Just to give some structure, but allow for flexibilty.
One thought about the stroller, is it possible to use a baby wrap instead? For the littlest one? When we've gone into the city with Jack, that's what I've used. It makes moving around much easier.

Thanks for the reassurance re the subway Jen. I'm guessing NY traffic would be worse than Sydney CBD traffic!

Re the stroller issue - I plan to go to Toys R Us and buying a cheap lightweight stroller. I have an Ergo carrier which hold up to 18kg, so may drag that out of the cupboard too.

I am more concerned about Jack walking than Max. He is so lazy, so we are in training! Pity he can't ride around on his scooter, as I would have no trouble with him then.

We considered our carrier. We still have ours but I can't see us carrying Jonah for too long. He's TOO heavy! I think I'll be waving the white flag in minutes.

Can an american join in?

I'll willingly answer any questions about weather and what every you ask. I am just amazed at your planning skills. The Largest group we've ever traveled with is 18, that would be Myself, DH, DD,DS DMIL,DFIL,DH's Siblings+Spouse+childern. It usually take DMIL and I 10-6 months to plan and excute a trip for the whole group.

P.s. Your kiddo's are very cute

Of course! The more the merrier! Thanks for reading. It has been a challenge pulling everything together because not everyone is doing the same "segments" but the big things are all covered now thankfully.

All you need now is the elastic to stretch between adult and child so that the children can keep tabs on their minders .

LOL, you know I was thinking to myself the other day...I hope the kids won't prevent me from rushing to the next ride! So this may not be such a dumb idea in case certain parents try to escape.

I wish Jonah would have some sort of inkling to WANT to stay with us though. Today, we nearly lost him again. Our church is held at a local school. He managed to walk away from everyone, past the buildings, round the corner, past a playing field and was playing with a ball by himself on a basketball court. Completely absorbed without a trace of distress. Seriously considering bringing the dreaded harness and lead on our trip...

 

[PrincessInOz]

I wish Jonah would have some sort of inkling to WANT to stay with us though. Today, we nearly lost him again. Our church is held at a local school. He managed to walk away from everyone, past the buildings, round the corner, past a playing field and was playing with a ball by himself on a basketball court. Completely absorbed without a trace of distress. Seriously considering bringing the dreaded harness and lead on our trip...

He's only about one. Give it time...you won't be a real parent till you've "lost" your child..oh...three times or ten

 

[shushh]

At the moment, I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed. It feels like time is slipping away from my hands. I have so many "little" things to do that it is unsettling me.

We have managed to get reservations for Elliot's birthday on Dec 26 which was a relief. We'll be dining at Landmarc at the Time Warner Centre. I was panicking at one stage because all the recommended eateries were either already fully booked, not taking reservations over the Christmas week or only had ridiculous dining times left. Who eats at 1030pm?!?!?!

It has been another busy weekend. And the remaining weekends will be no different. We have an event to go to every single weekend day from here on end until we leave! Let's see. Some of things I have to do include...arrange an early Christmas do with family, organise and run a trivia night with our trivia gang (its our turn this year), go to a Champion of champions trivia competition, have our final Disney meeting, help Elliot with the piano for his graduation, and take Lara to multiple ballet rehearsals. I will also be attending an offsite meeting for work for 2 days before our departure date.

Amongst all this, we will also have to finalise the plans for our new home and submit it to the local council for approval. To cut a long story short, my parents have generously offered to give us our inheritance early. So my brother and I will be subdividing the property and building new homes. Because of laws that will likely change with the upcoming election (assuming a certain political party wins...), plans have to be submitted before Christmas and so for us, that means before we leave.

When am I going to have time to pack?!?!?!?! or to research the camera equipment that I plan to buy?!?!?! or to be on the DISboards?!?!?!

Do I sound like I am panicking?

 

[JenKatt]

I just realized you'll be at WDW when we are, we'd love to meet up. I can loan you our baby/ toddler sling if you'd like to try out around WDW and if it works well you can keep it until the cruise.

 

[shushh]

Jen, I'd love to meet up. When will be you at WDW? Its very generous of you to offer your sling! Jonah has just turned 2, I should weight him to see how heavy he is. Haven't done it for a LONG time. I'm wondering if he'll be too heavy?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Shushh...how fantastic and generous about your parents.

Breathe in and out...
Breathe in and out...
Breathe in and out...

You'll get there. You know you will.

You know, I did a little bit of research on the Canon lens before I left.
In the end, it didn't really matter. I got very lucky with the camera shop and the person who served me. The shop was one of those specialty shops and the guy who served me was not pushy. I walked in there and ended up spending over an hour in the shop. He let me play with the different lenses. I had brought my camera to the shop so it made it easy. In any event, he was happy to pull out a camera body so that I could try the lenses out.

I just used the same subject over and over again and kept taking off lenses and putting different ones on. It made picture comparison a snap. I hope you have the same experience in B&H.

 

[shushh]

Thanks Princess for the words of reassurance. Stress levels have been high of late! I have lost my writing mojo somewhat.

I think I will just make a shortlist of lens and look up basic prices and then decide over there.

I'm still floored by my parents decision. They wanted their land to be of maximum help now rather than of limited help in the future. That's rather progressive thinking don't you think? Amazing especially for Asians...

I'm off to the architect's now. I'm starting to resent the council because they are being so difficult. We will be spending a small fortune and unlikely to be able to build exactly what we want. ARGHHH!!!!

Will report back tonight.

 

[Jade+3]

If only you had gone with Canon, then I would be able to offer lens advice!

Goodluck with the architect.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Just put a post up on the photography section of the Boards. See what advise the prosumers come back with for Nikon lenses.

You'll get your research done that way

 

[shushh]

If only you had gone with Canon, then I would be able to offer lens advice!

Goodluck with the architect.

You know, maybe in hindsight...

Just put a post up on the photography section of the Boards. See what advise the prosumers come back with for Nikon lenses.

You'll get your research done that way

Good idea! Just put my thread in, thanks for that.

 

[shushh]

The visit to the architect was ok. It was exciting because we had the beginnings of a home with bubble diagrams. But my panic levels were rising when he kept adding on things that cost eg hydraulic engineer report, arborist report, and all this on top of your usual landscape design..blah blah...blah blah...I think my mind just went black after a while.

How am I going to afford more Disney holidays?!?!?!?!

 

[PrincessInOz]

The visit to the architect was ok. It was exciting because we had the beginnings of a home with bubble diagrams. But my panic levels were rising when he kept adding on things that cost eg hydraulic engineer report, arborist report, and all this on top of your usual landscape design..blah blah...blah blah...I think my mind just went black after a while.

How am I going to afford more Disney holidays?!?!?!?!

Perhaps your parents weren't being so generous after all.....

 

[Jdougherty]

In our house we have a motto.

"what doesn't kill you makes you stronger....."

Just don't forget to let US know how we can help YOU.

Don't forget. You can rent/purchase toddler/baby equipment in orlando. I have some websites stored if you need to. UPS and FEDX both can be picked up and shipped from any of the hotels, you just need the adress.

I can't help you on the lens choice, I'm a cannon girl.

 

[shushh]

Where are all ye Nikon users?!?!!?

Thank you all for your kind words. I feel much better today, I've been researching lens! Prices in the states are easily 40% cheaper than in Australia. Trying to convince DH that I REALLY need that new $2000 lens...what with low light and needing the wide angle to capture that castle.

I'm talking about the Nikon 24mm f/1.4

Jdougherty, I just want to confirm that UPS isn't the same as USPS? Is USPS the one that doesn't recognise Disney streets?

 

[PrincessInOz]

Shushh - I'd just go for it. Think about it this way. If the lens is about $3000 to buy here and $2000 in the US, then the savings alone has justified your airline ticket. Go tell DH you need it and that you can get it here....or in the US .

 

[shushh]

Time to get serious!

In light of recent stresses...I have relinquished all control of planning for Washington DC. And that is probably a good thing! All I know is that we are going to an ice show of sort and then having dinner afterward at Gaylord National. I shall await and be pleasantly surprised.

We will be flying back into Orlando on the 2nd of January. We're not game to take on snowstorms and blizzards. I will NEED that cruise after 4 weeks of hectic madness. I will not risk missing the boat for anything. Besides, I also need a full day of outlet shopping in Orlando. I don't think DH has been informed yet of his all day fatherly duties on Jan 3. I am wondering if I will be able to cover both Prime and Premium outlets in one day...A dinner rendezvous has been organised at Raglan Rd.

We will then head over towards Port Canaveral the next day, picking up passengers along the way and meeting the rest at the motel near the port. Someone else has also volunteered to take over organising the group dinner. Hurray!

I am now in the process of making a list of things I need to buy before I go. There are those that I need to buy about 1-2 weeks out to get delivered to our hotel. This includes many things that are not usually shipped to Australian addresses such as the tuff-luv latest generation Kindle cover, Kindle gelaskin. Then there is the device needed for wireless internet access. Last but not least, there's the camera equipment that I'm considering to get shipped as well. I'm thinking spare batteries, remote shutter release and a flash unit may come in handy at WDW.

Then there's the list of things that I want to buy when I get there...

Next...Do NOT use Cocoa Beach Shuttles!