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

[PrincessInOz]

Looks like you have your priorities straight....shopping!

Shushh - When and where exactly are you arriving in LA and what are your plans there?

 

[shushh]

We're only transiting in LA on the way to Orlando. On the way back, we arrive in the morning on Jan 21. Our flight isn't until at 1045pm so we have the whole day to kill. No plans as yet... shocking!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Are you arriving in Long Beach?

Early days yet and I still have to get leave approved; but I may be in LA around the 21st Jan. What are the chances of us having a DisMeet in LA?

 

[shushh]

We're arriving at the Port of LA which is in San pedro. I think that's right next to Long Beach!

Well, if you are in LA on the 21st, how can I refuse?!?!?! Keep me updated!

 

[JenKatt]

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?

USPS is our postal service (United States Postal service). They're the folks that deliver our mail daily. UPS and FedEx are private companies that delivery packages and sometimes letters sent through them. All will deliver to the hotels, BUT use UPS or FedEx, they are far more reliable and you can accurately track your packages online.

 

[Jdougherty]

JenKatt has the right of it.

We're military and have had things stolen out of packages my DH has sent back from depolyment shipped USPS. We ONLY shipp UPS or FEDEX if we can help it. Plus both UPS and FEDEX should have drop off locations near you, you'd have to pay to ship international but that would solve having to bring the extra coats in your luggage. You could also ship those back right before your cruise.


I'm paranoid I like to see where my packages are.

 

[shushh]

Thanks for that Jen and Jdougherty. I will be sure to check the shipping service provider carefully when I shop online.

Jen, when will you be at WDW again?

 

[Mum from oz]

Yay, not long now!

You're shopping list is giving me ideas on stuff I "need" to buy! A flash for my camera and a cover for my kindle. How did you know which one to get?

You're lucky going in such a large group so as to share the planning load!

 

[JenKatt]

Thanks for that Jen and Jdougherty. I will be sure to check the shipping service provider carefully when I shop online.

Jen, when will you be at WDW again?

We're looking to be there December 10th and 11th, but we live an hour away so its not a big deal wo drive up...

 

[shushh]

You're shopping list is giving me ideas on stuff I "need" to buy! A flash for my camera and a cover for my kindle. How did you know which one to get?

Our first cover was the official kindle leather hinge type one. ie opens like a book. It ended up cracking the Kindle where the hinge slid into the Kindle. Apparently, this is a known problem and there is a court case going on. We contacted Kindle and they refunded me the price of the cover and sent me a replacement kindle.

We did some research as we didn't want the kindle to get wrecked again and went for the tuff-luv case. It flips over like a note pad. Amazon won't ship it to Aus so I got mine from the UK on ebay. We're looking to get the same cover for our second kindle!

We're looking to be there December 10th and 11th, but we live an hour away so its not a big deal wo drive up...

We arrive on the 9th. Dec 10th might be a good day. The only things we've got planned definitely are our meals! We're having breakfast at Crystal Palace at 0815 and then dinner at Wolfgang Puck at 1800. So anytime in between would be great! It might be best not to try for after dinner as I don't know how long we will last...

 

[shushh]

I am most upset. Prices for transport which was quoted on and organised months ago were changed again by Cocoa Beach shuttle. The first one occurred about 1 month ago when I was informed that they had misquoted me for our bus to the Kennedy Space Centre. It should have been $235 and not $200. The girl who gave me the quote did the wrong thing and has been dismissed (so they say). After a few emails back and forth, I decided to let it go.

Today, I was sent an email regarding our transport from Orlando to Cocoa Beach. After confirming the price with them twice before going ahead, they now tell me that it will cost $30 more as pick ups from the Disney area have a surcharge. They also kindly told me that this price is FINAL. Hmmm yeah, so what are the other prices then that I still have for other days like our transport to the port? I was so tempted to say "screw you" a-la Kenny but thought the better of it. I need to be smart and make alternate arrangements first.

So I spent most of the morning ringing up the USA again, contacting multiple transport companies. I refuse to let them get away with it by principle. I don't care if I end up paying more. I don't want to give them my money. So far, I've managed to get 2 transport legs at the same rate with different companies, just working on the rest...

I really don't need this right now!!!

Next...A big aside...House Plans

 

[PrincessInOz]

Good on you for keeping your cool, organising your alternatives FIRST before doing the Kenny and cancelling. I hope that money has NOT changed hands yet?

 

[shushh]

Thanks Princess. No, fortunately money has not changed hands yet. Ooohhh, cancelling will be so sweet!

 

[shushh]

We went to a satisfying session at the architect's yesterday where they presented 3 concept designs for us to peruse. After a rather stressful week of arguing about what we want for our new home, we were pleasantly surprised at what came back!

We have decided to go green and build an ecologically friendly home. The plan is to only use passive heating and cooling to keep the house at constant temperatures of between 18-22 degrees C all year round. So we'll have huge waterbags underneath the house, roofs to maximise solar panelling and solar hydronic underfloor heating. Ok so the underfloor heating is not so passive! But it will only cost only about $5-$6 to run per year thanks to the lovely sun.

We are both heat averse people. DH virtually lives in a 19 degree environment being in operating theatres most of the time. So we are somewhat nervous about dropping our beloved air-conditioning unit. The other thing that I may have to give up is the bamboo floor which I love so much. It apparently doesn't have enough thermal mass...I have a week to look up the alternatives. We have 22 days to finalise the plans.

Today was kitchen and bathroom day. I am so tired of looking at drawers, shower heads, vanities and cisterns but I have to persist! We finally succumbed to sibling pressure and started a blog to communicate our likes and dislikes to the architect! If my brother has a blog...

Next...Ready, Steady, SHOP!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Your house plans sound really exciting...but then I'm sitting here reading about it rather than having to live it.

 

[shushh]

This is completely irrelevant to our trip but just had to share one of my favourite comfort foods...Max Brenner's belgian waffles. DH's treat on the weekend after continuous disagreements!

 

[shushh]

Your house plans sound really exciting...but then I'm sitting here reading about it rather than having to live it.

Wish I could share the plans and discuss it online! As you know, our close friends are in Canada at the moment so I feel like I am unable to share the exciting bits and only living through the horrible bits! DH and I have not had so many tiffs for a LONG time!!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

This is completely irrelevant to our trip but just had to share one of my favourite comfort foods...Max Brenner's belgian waffles. DH's treat on the weekend after continuous disagreements!

That is a very CRUEL picture! Now I'm going to have to go to Max Brenner's tomorrow for one of these!

I think I like the way your DH makes up for the disagreements.

Just remember - you both have to live in the house together afterwards. Whatever you choose will be in the house as well. Would you rather look at something with pleasure or look at it remembering the argument over the colour/style/pattern?

 

[Jade+3]

Designing a house sounds like fun! But probably not in the short time frame that you have. DH has just explained your heating/cooling system to me.

I have never heard of Max Brenner's but according to Google, one has just opened in Brisbane. Will have to check it out.

 

[shushh]

Jade, if you're a chocolate fan, its definitely worth trying Max brenner's! I personally prefer it to the Lindt cafe.

You're right, designing a house is fun. I'm grateful that its a "good" kind of stress, that is I'm not worrying about an illness or a tragedy or anything of that sort!