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

[Sarilas]

Spaceship Earth took 26 months to build.

The All Star Movies resort is home to a 25 foot tall Woody with Green Army Men on top of the Toy Story building.

Holy 25 days, Batman! I don't have much to update because I've been obsessively reading the Twilight series for the last two days but I wanted to check in, update the countdown and such.

One thing I did get out of the way this weekend was to put together Kyle and Tatiana's homeschool workbooks for the week we're in Florida- topic of study? World Showcase of course! It'll be fun for them to do some hands on learning for a few days, and better than taking a whole 6 days off of school altogether. I'll try to remember to take pics of their books today!

 

[JenAusty]

The All Star Movies resort is home to a 25 foot tall Woody with Green Army Men on top of the Toy Story building.

I Love ALL STAR MOVIES its my FAV.. value resort! My fav section is the 101 dalmations!

 

[TarzansKat]

Holy 25 days, Batman is right!

Wow. I love that you're using the World Showcase for their homeschooling. I think that's such a great opportunity for them to learn about different countries, and since you're so into all the trivia, you'll be able to tell them things about it the otherwise wouldn't get, you know?

 

[Lady Lallie]

Spaceship Earth took 26 months to build.

The All Star Movies resort is home to a 25 foot tall Woody with Green Army Men on top of the Toy Story building.

Holy 25 days, Batman! I don't have much to update because I've been obsessively reading the Twilight series for the last two days but I wanted to check in, update the countdown and such.

One thing I did get out of the way this weekend was to put together Kyle and Tatiana's homeschool workbooks for the week we're in Florida- topic of study? World Showcase of course! It'll be fun for them to do some hands on learning for a few days, and better than taking a whole 6 days off of school altogether. I'll try to remember to take pics of their books today!

I really can't wait to see what are in their workbooks for World Showcase, I think that is a really great idea. You are like SuperMom!

 

[Sarilas]

I Love ALL STAR MOVIES its my FAV.. value resort! My fav section is the 101 dalmations!

Hopefully I'll be able to see it one of these decades!

Holy 25 days, Batman is right!

Wow. I love that you're using the World Showcase for their homeschooling. I think that's such a great opportunity for them to learn about different countries, and since you're so into all the trivia, you'll be able to tell them things about it the otherwise wouldn't get, you know?

I think it really is an opportunity that can't be missed!

I really can't wait to see what are in their workbooks for World Showcase, I think that is a really great idea. You are like SuperMom!

Awe, how you do go on...

 

[Sarilas]

Yesterday was the last official day of our holiday season, Three Kings Day. DH took the day off of work and we spent the day at home watching movies after letting the kids open their gifts.

I am SO glad the holidays are now over! I felt like I couldn't really make room in my head for our vacation while it was still full of seasonal activities. And now that that's through, I'm free to plan away! And on that note...

My travel agent emailed yesterday- our documents are on their way! Can you BELIEVE IT? How is it possible that the trip is nearly here?!

I think we're all really looking forward to some time away from the norm; 10 days of well planned Disney in only...

23 DAYS!​

24 guests ride in each limo on rock'n roller coaster starring Aerosmith

23 countries brought water from 23 different rivers and lakes around the world to help feed the fountain in the middle of millennium plaza.

 

[TarzansKat]

Oh, I love that trivia about the different countries! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[Lady Lallie]

Yesterday was the last official day of our holiday season, Three Kings Day. DH took the day off of work and we spent the day at home watching movies after letting the kids open their gifts.

I am SO glad the holidays are now over! I felt like I couldn't really make room in my head for our vacation while it was still full of seasonal activities. And now that that's through, I'm free to plan away! And on that note...

My travel agent emailed yesterday- our documents are on their way! Can you BELIEVE IT? How is it possible that the trip is nearly here?!

I think we're all really looking forward to some time away from the norm; 10 days of well planned Disney in only...

23 DAYS!​

24 guests ride in each limo on rock'n roller coaster starring Aerosmith

23 countries brought water from 23 different rivers and lakes around the world to help feed the fountain in the middle of millennium plaza.

I just can't believe it's only 23 days! Seriously, I remember way back to when you started this little PreTrip Report. My, oh my how the time flies. I am seriously excited for you and your family for your trip, you are going to have a wonderful time and make some magical memories.

 

[MeMom]

My team teacher told me today she was taking off on the 30th to go to Gatlinburg for a long weekend. I looked at the request she had written, and I thought to myself that something else was happening on that date. Why did that date look so familiar? Then just now, I was scrolling through, saw your PTR, and remembered where else it was I had seen that date!

I'll look forward to hearing about all the cool things the kids learn about in World Showcase. The architecture is awesome within itself, and then you see the historical displays and the shops - it's a great place to learn!

 

[camara381]

Hi I love your Pre-TR. We are going to be down there the same days as you.

 

[Sarilas]

Oh, I love that trivia about the different countries! Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I love that one too- it gets me all misty eyed.

I just can't believe it's only 23 days! Seriously, I remember way back to when you started this little PreTrip Report. My, oh my how the time flies. I am seriously excited for you and your family for your trip, you are going to have a wonderful time and make some magical memories.

Tell me about it! I'm in shock!

My team teacher told me today she was taking off on the 30th to go to Gatlinburg for a long weekend. I looked at the request she had written, and I thought to myself that something else was happening on that date. Why did that date look so familiar? Then just now, I was scrolling through, saw your PTR, and remembered where else it was I had seen that date!

I'll look forward to hearing about all the cool things the kids learn about in World Showcase. The architecture is awesome within itself, and then you see the historical displays and the shops - it's a great place to learn!

Awe, you thunk of me at school! I've still got to get some pics of their World Showcase study guides- DH bound them nicely so they should survive the trip fairly well.

Hi I love your Pre-TR. We are going to be down there the same days as you.

Well hi there! You're going to be there the same days?! We should totally 'accidentally' run into one another!

 

[JenAusty]

YAY! for your trip getting closer!!

 

[MegansMom]

I gotta know Lara---do the kids suspect anything yet about the date being moved up??? I'm getting so anxious and excited for you!!! I know we all just wish we could zip ourselves up in a suitcase to join you and experience all the wonderful moments and fun that is surely awaiting you!!!! SO EXCITED!

 

[Sarilas]

I gotta know Lara---do the kids suspect anything yet about the date being moved up??? I'm getting so anxious and excited for you!!! I know we all just wish we could zip ourselves up in a suitcase to join you and experience all the wonderful moments and fun that is surely awaiting you!!!! SO EXCITED!

Kyle suspects, because he's a cynical teen. Tatiana's clueless! She skips to the countdown calendar each day announcing 40-some days till Disney World! She has NO clue how close we really are...

YAY! for your trip getting closer!!

I know! ACK!

 

[Sarilas]

Okay, first let me apologize for slacking- the majority of us are battling a bit of a cold, and when the littlest ones are sick my free time is non existent. Nobody's feeling any worse (nor any better) but they've leveled out some so I can finally jump on here to say

17 DAYS TILL DISNEY! ​

We're in the teens already! How quickly this passed by...

I fully expect everyone to be healthy in 17 days. Or at least suck it up and put on a happy face.

So I mentioned homeschool books last time I was here- I finally took a pic of the Epcot books which are really focused on world studies based around World Showcase. Here's what they look like:

There are study pages and work sheets, and we'll do something more comprehensive when we get home- I know they'll love their hands on learning experience though.

And, guess what finally arrived!

DOCUMENTS! It was kind of overwhelming to try to read through all the vouchers and Magical Express stuff for a first timer- not that it's difficult to grasp, but I think I'm trying too hard to read between the lines and make things more difficult than they actually ARE! (Shocker.)

I've really got to buckle down now- the next two-plus weeks are going to just FLY by!

22 different languages are used to say the word goodbye are written on the wall as you exit from its a small world!

The monorail track that spans from the TTC to Epcot Center is at an average altitude of 21 feet

Miyuki is one of only 20 people in the world (and the only female anywhere) to perform her rare Japanese candy art, which originated in Asakusa, Tokyo more than 250 years ago.

The King of Morocco, who wanted his country’s Epcot pavilion to be completely accurate in every detail, sent 19 Moroccan artists, known as "maalems" to Florida to work on the extensive mosaics found throughout.

There are 18 towers on Cinderella’s Castle.

It cost $17 million to build Cinderella’s Castle.

 

[GeminiAngel]

I can't wait to meet all of you!!!!! 21 days for us!!!

 

[trixiequilts]

17 days, wow!

It's good to hear that everybody's illnesses have leveled off. We've been doing well (knock wood). It probably helps that I'm not taking the girls out in public other than school and making them wash their hands 6397 times a day!

 

[JenAusty]

Great Epcot book! Do you homeschool? and did you make that whole book? It's a great idea! I would want for me to doodle and get excited while on the plane.. hehe Also, don't worry about the rereading and freaking over the ME. I am the same way.. especially when its something I haven't done. The first time my DH and I flew- I reread everything like 10 times.. hehe I will do the same with ME when we go, because its our first time. Anywho.. 17 days.. thats sooo close! I'm excited to see you trip!

 

[Sarilas]

I can't wait to meet all of you!!!!! 21 days for us!!!

ME TOO! I'm so excited to see you!

17 days, wow!

It's good to hear that everybody's illnesses have leveled off. We've been doing well (knock wood). It probably helps that I'm not taking the girls out in public other than school and making them wash their hands 6397 times a day!

Ugh, I know- the kids are sick of hand washing and Lysol spraying.

Great Epcot book! Do you homeschool? and did you make that whole book? It's a great idea! I would want for me to doodle and get excited while on the plane.. hehe Also, don't worry about the rereading and freaking over the ME. I am the same way.. especially when its something I haven't done. The first time my DH and I flew- I reread everything like 10 times.. hehe I will do the same with ME when we go, because its our first time. Anywho.. 17 days.. thats sooo close! I'm excited to see you trip!

I do homeschool; Kyle is in 7th and Tatiana is in 4th. Anastasia is learning letters and numbers (she's 3) but we're going to start learning to read- she's pretty quick!

I've been thinking about building a second book for the kids, a travel journal of their very own. I have my PassPorter but it would be fun to review the trip through the kids' eyes... I think I may try to work on that today!

A lot of the information in the books came from Disney sites, like Tour Guide Mike and All Ears. There are a lot of good resources available, ya know?!

 

[Lady Lallie]

17 Days!!! Yahoooo!!

Love the homeschool workbooks!

*** Trixie, just saw your ticker!! Only 7 days for you!! ***