Sarilas' O-fficial Pre-Trip Report (a.k.a. Vacation, Take TWO!) - Jan. 30-Feb. 8, '09

[Sarilas]

Hey hon! I always vote for an extra day!

Just wanted to let you know I have been during the marathon several times, and never noticed an impact of increased crowds at all. Just in the GF Spa, when mom and I used to go. A lot of those runners like a good massage after the marathon!

Gee I can't imagine WHY?! (Alright that's the closest emoticon I could find to a runner!)

The closest I'll get to running that week will be dragging my kids as fast as their little legs can carry them to the doors of Pirates and Haunted Mansion! And I'm STILL thinking I'm going to need a massage myself!

 

[TarzansKat]

Gee I can't imagine WHY?! (Alright that's the closest emoticon I could find to a runner!)

The closest I'll get to running that week will be dragging my kids as fast as their little legs can carry them to the doors of Pirates and Haunted Mansion! And I'm STILL thinking I'm going to need a massage myself!

Listen, can I just say that I find you amazing what with the four kids in Disney and everything? Now, I know that's part of your everyday life, and my DH is one of four, but I'm always in awe of mothers of big families. I to your skills!

 

[willwriteforears]

So I'm currently in the 'must print everything out' phase of planning. All my e-books and worksheets are begging to be printed, but I'm going to have to hand this one off to my husband - and I REALLY don't like to hand over control of anything! But our printer died a noble death at the hands of our two year old not long ago. Here's a tip for you: Printers don't like to be fed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They're just finicky that way!

So yeah, I'm trying to decide whether to buy an inkjet or laser printer (like I really know the difference but I keep hearing there is one). Luckily for me, my husband is a graphic designer who has a bajillion styles of printers and paper at his disposal! Tonight I'm burning the eBooks and necessarry papers on a disk for him, and tomorrow he'll format them for to the correct sized paper, front and back - free book binding, you can't beat it!

I'm definitely a tactile person; I like the information available on the net but I NEED to have a book in my hand to highlight and underline. I've already gone through the Birnbaum guides, and am waiting on the 2009 PassPorter for later this fall. The eBooks and worksheets will help get me through!

So the papers will soon be printed. Next step: gather clip art and inspirational designs for t-shirts, journals, etc!

Ooh, free binding is VERY cool!

I have a color laser printer and it. Prints so much faster than an inkjet. It's a lot larger than an inkjet, costs more to buy initially, but I think it's worth it for people who print a lot... as I will be when I get to the point where I'm shopping around my novel. And it costs less to print per page than an inkjet.

Oh the stress! The self imposed drama that is setting a firm date for Disney!

With my unused PIN code burning a hole through the top of my computer desk, I'm left to star at the calendar and wonder... all along I've wanted to go to WDW the week of January 12. I have read in numerous places that the second week of January is even lesser for crowds than the first week (the first week still be winter break for many kids). But hubby's work schedule didn't seem to allow for it. HOWEVER, after bitterly calling my husband to bemoan the details of the PIN code love that was not meant to be, I mentioned it to him again, he double checked and low and behold... he COULD get away the week of the 12! So what would any self respecting DIS addict do?

I called and changed my dates of course!

We're now arriving Monday the 12, checking out Saturday the 16. Here's what I'm realizing: The weekend of the 10 is the marathon weekend... I wonder if that'll impact crowds the following week or will everyone be too exhausted to par-tay? Also, the weekend of the 16 is the cheerleading nationals... probably not much crowd difference but definitely an impact in our value resort... wonder if I can talk my husband into one night at a Deluxe!

But this question remains: Do I add Sunday night on to our plan? I keep seeing that the package deals are pretty cheap to add to once you get past 5 days - you're essentially just paying for the room for another night...

What to do, what to do...

Bwa ha ha ha ha! Disney planning has you within its firm grasp!

I always say more days at Disney is better than less. What's one more night?

More days is ALWAYS better -- because no matter how long you stay, it will never seem like enough. We went from six days last June, to 8 days this June and it still flew by with stuff left undone. I would add the extra day to your package.

Yes, more days if you can do it! I was there 6 full days, and no, it wasn't enough. But I didn't have the option of staying longer since I used up all my vacation days for the trip. *pokes job with a spork for measly vacation accrual*

 

[Sarilas]

Listen, can I just say that I find you amazing what with the four kids in Disney and everything? Now, I know that's part of your everyday life, and my DH is one of four, but I'm always in awe of mothers of big families. I to your skills!

Awe, bless you... but it really is something you just become accustomed to. I never dreamed I'd have any children, much less FOUR ("count them, four!" to quote one of my best friends!) (I'm not the typical mommy type - but I love each and every one of the little munchkins!)

Ooh, free binding is VERY cool!

I have a color laser printer and it. Prints so much faster than an inkjet. It's a lot larger than an inkjet, costs more to buy initially, but I think it's worth it for people who print a lot... as I will be when I get to the point where I'm shopping around my novel. And it costs less to print per page than an inkjet.


Yes, more days if you can do it! I was there 6 full days, and no, it wasn't enough. But I didn't have the option of staying longer since I used up all my vacation days for the trip. *pokes job with a spork for measly vacation accrual*

That's it - I've got to get a hold of my husband and call reservations back!

 

[Sarilas]

BREAKING NEWS! THIS JUST IN!

The husband has conceded to an extra night! I am on the phone with reservations as I type, because I'm all kinds of multitasking like that AND just a little bit obsessed, m'kay?

 

[TarzansKat]

Awe, bless you... but it really is something you just become accustomed to. I never dreamed I'd have any children, much less FOUR ("count them, four!" to quote one of my best friends!) (I'm not the typical mommy type - but I love each and every one of the little munchkins!)

Awww! I can barely handle my one! Although I'm dying to add another...but sooo not in the cards for us as DH's job security is on the line and financially not a good idea...:::sigh:::...can I live vicariously through your big family?

BREAKING NEWS! THIS JUST IN!

The husband has conceded to an extra night! I am on the phone with reservations as I type, because I'm all kinds of multitasking like that AND just a little bit obsessed, m'kay?

Go Lara! It's your DIS day! Go Lara, it's your DIS day!

 

[Lady Lallie]

BREAKING NEWS! THIS JUST IN!

The husband has conceded to an extra night! I am on the phone with reservations as I type, because I'm all kinds of multitasking like that AND just a little bit obsessed, m'kay?

WOO HOO!!

Next we'll have you upgraded to a Deluxe!

 

[Sarilas]

Awww! I can barely handle my one! Although I'm dying to add another...but sooo not in the cards for us as DH's job security is on the line and financially not a good idea...:::sigh:::...can I live vicariously through your big family?

Yes, please! I've got friends with no children of their own who've been claiming one or more as their own for the future; you know, when they're out of those awkward puberty or potty training stages.

Incidentally, none of my children were planned - ever! In fact when my husband and I were married he was under the impression that he was sterile! (Yeah, long story, ex wife who pulled a fast one on him.)

WOO HOO!!

Next we'll have you upgraded to a Deluxe!

I WISH! You never know... if the hubby's Christmas bonus is crazy good, it could still happen!

 

[Lady Lallie]

I WISH! You never know... if the hubby's Christmas bonus is crazy good, it could still happen!

That is why we are doing a split stay, 4 nights at Pop, 3 at Wilderness Lodge, I am easing DF into a full blown deluxe trip.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for the extra night!!!

We are always here to feed your obsession and possibly make it all-consuming!

 

[Sarilas]

That is why we are doing a split stay, 4 nights at Pop, 3 at Wilderness Lodge, I am easing DF into a full blown deluxe trip.

I love that idea! And I may still work that into the schedule (some months from now) - our biggest dilemma is that with one room, six of us will feel those mighty tight quarters. Even though a Deluxe room will sleep all of us, we're not going to enjoy being in the room! (Or so I THINK?!)

Hurray for the extra night!!!

We are always here to feed your obsession and possibly make it all-consuming!

What's this talk of POSSIBLY? I'm hooked!

 

[Sarilas]

New day... new project!

I decided to make a coloring calendar for the kids to put on the fridge - each month from June to January will be its own page, and will have coloring book clip art images of Disney characters to amp up the excitement factor that much more. So I've spent forEVER finding images and trying to figure out how to make a calendar, and now's the FUN part... putting it all together.

I'll see if I can outsmart Photoshop later and post a pic of the finished product(s)!

 

[TarzansKat]

New day... new project!

I decided to make a coloring calendar for the kids to put on the fridge - each month from June to January will be its own page, and will have coloring book clip art images of Disney characters to amp up the excitement factor that much more. So I've spent forEVER finding images and trying to figure out how to make a calendar, and now's the FUN part... putting it all together.

I'll see if I can outsmart Photoshop later and post a pic of the finished product(s)!

Sounds like a great idea, I'd love to see it!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'd love to see it, too -- I am all about projects!

 

[Sarilas]

From what I've seen you are the QUEEN of projects, Jackie!

 

[Charleston Princess]

From what I've seen you are the QUEEN of projects, Jackie!

Ahhhh...I am a Queen!

And always looking for more projects!!!

 

[willwriteforears]

BREAKING NEWS! THIS JUST IN!

The husband has conceded to an extra night! I am on the phone with reservations as I type, because I'm all kinds of multitasking like that AND just a little bit obsessed, m'kay?

Hurray! This calls for dancing produce!

New day... new project!

I decided to make a coloring calendar for the kids to put on the fridge - each month from June to January will be its own page, and will have coloring book clip art images of Disney characters to amp up the excitement factor that much more. So I've spent forEVER finding images and trying to figure out how to make a calendar, and now's the FUN part... putting it all together.

I'll see if I can outsmart Photoshop later and post a pic of the finished product(s)!

Ooh, very cool! I hope you can get it up for us to see!

 

[Sarilas]

I do believe I've completed my first trip project!

Behold... calendar pages ready to be printed and colored by little fingers. Days just waiting to be crossed off in hopeful anticipation of things to come!

I give you...

Our WDW countdown calendars!

The opaque numbers in the center of each date are our own little countdown to WDW Day!

 

[Lady Lallie]

Those are adorable!! I can't wait to have kids so I can have excuse to make those kinds of things!!

 

[Sarilas]

Yeah, I've gotta say I'm pretty tempted to print a second sheet out for myself!