~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[disneydreamingdebby]

I don't mind the coffee in the room - not sure if the DVC villas have different coffee packets...

The instant Nescafe is awful!!! There are some locations in each park that sell real coffee though. No worries, you can find a cup of Joe!

 

[DMGeurts]

and cancelled my trip.



















































































































Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously... I called Disney and gave them all my GC #'s... It only took about a half hour, and the gal was so nice. She even spoke very good english - which I was happy about. I was already prepared to ask for someone I could understand... Normally I don't mind accents, but when I am calling in that many gift cards, we need to be able to undertand eachother (as I am sure I have an accent too) ya know (said in my best MN accent).

So, I have a very small balance left to pay off. Then I got the quote for how much it would cost to add 8 more days to all of our tickets... $363 (I think she said - I wrote it down)...

I still need to pay for my Photopass share, and my luggage fees...

Which brings me to my next question... I have figured out how much I need for tips (based on the average cost of our meals), mousekeeping, baggage and all that. I really don't know how much to bring for souveniers. I dug out all of our trip stuff from 2008, and I looked through everyone's receipts (I had them seperated out by person), and the girls spent just under $200/each, and I was right around that too... So, do I just budget $600? Or should I bring more just in case, I am so afraid I will run out of $$. I know I could put it on a cc - but I just don't want to do that - I will have it for emergencies, but that's it. I will be brining most of our trading pins with us, so the only pin expenses we should have are if we get trip specific pins (which we usually do). We are brining all of our hats from previous trips, so unless we want a new one, we probably won't be getting any new hats. But we LOVE to shop - and that worries me...

So, feel free to give me some opinions...

D~

 

[Corrine 1973]

Very funny D, you almost gave me a heart attack.

Congrats on getting all those GC's in and being almost paid off on your trip.



As for the money, it's always good to bring to much than not enough, right?

 

[mphalens]

You're hilarious!!!

I love to shop - you know this, because how often do I text you while I'm out doing just that? Like today text: donald sweatshirt text: donald t-shirt text: goofy t-shirt text: donald t-shirt text: haunted mansion pens . . .


That said, I knew I had a very limited budget of what I'd spend in Disney . . .so I went into the huge Emporium in MK on our first day and I took my time and looked at everything. . . I had some ideas in mind of what I might buy or what I was looking for, but really I browsed. But I didn't buy anything. I didn't let the boys buy anything. "Looking only!" I told them
If I knew there was a chance it might be our last day at a park, I'd go through the shops and if there was anything "park specific" I wanted to look for, I did. . . and then I decided if I really wanted it or not.
So, on our last day at MK, I shopped a little but decided I'd wait for DTD because the things I was considering they had at my resort and in DTD . . . our last day I bought my two little treasures and Dave was shocked. He kept asking if there wasn't anything else I wanted . . . but by that point in the week I knew I really wanted those two things, so that's what I bought

 

[WDWCP96]

That was just mean, I was fearful something happened. Ok I am over it but still it wasn't nice!

As for the money I am thinking maybe $50 extra per person would be good just in case because like Corrine said it is better too have more than not enough and if you don't spend it all you can tell DH you were so good with your spending you even came home with money.

 

[Lidian]

$200 for souveniours?

Okay ... I guess here is the big question. Look at how much space you'll have to bring home stuff. Then determine how much money you should take for your souvvies. Or you can just set a limit and be done with it. We set limits each year: a Mickey ear hat, a shirt, and a toy (under $XX). Otherwise, we'd go crazy! However, this year, I'm spending a bit more on myself ... because I've yet to really buy ME anything. Last year, I spent less than $10 on myself. I got a keychain and an antenna topper (that doesn't fit, and my current car doesn't have an antenna).

So some options are:
1. Bring lots of money. Too much is better than too little.
2. Set limits for each person.
3. Set limits for each day (and what isn't spent can carry over).
4. Tell the girls they are on their own and spend the $600+ on yourself.

But keep in mind ... if you plan to buy gifts for family and friends (I always buy for my mom, dad, nieces and nephews), then add that to the budget. If you want to get estimates on prices for items, just check similar products at the Disney Store website.

And I knew better than to fall for your trick. Now stop giving the rest of the DISers a heart attack.

 

[DMGeurts]

First... I should probably apologize to everyone for my little prank yesterday - super sorry - but sometimes I just can't resist.

Very funny D, you almost gave me a heart attack.

Congrats on getting all those GC's in and being almost paid off on your trip.



As for the money, it's always good to bring to much than not enough, right?

That's what I was thinking too...

You're hilarious!!!

IKR...

:I love to shop - you know this, because how often do I text you while I'm out doing just that? Like today text: donald sweatshirt text: donald t-shirt text: goofy t-shirt text: donald t-shirt text: haunted mansion pens . . .

I know you do... Because I get all excited when you text me... LOL - I was just lucky you moved on to the lego store, because I had time to come to my senses.

:That said, I knew I had a very limited budget of what I'd spend in Disney . . .so I went into the huge Emporium in MK on our first day and I took my time and looked at everything. . . I had some ideas in mind of what I might buy or what I was looking for, but really I browsed. But I didn't buy anything. I didn't let the boys buy anything. "Looking only!" I told them
If I knew there was a chance it might be our last day at a park, I'd go through the shops and if there was anything "park specific" I wanted to look for, I did. . . and then I decided if I really wanted it or not.
So, on our last day at MK, I shopped a little but decided I'd wait for DTD because the things I was considering they had at my resort and in DTD . . . our last day I bought my two little treasures and Dave was shocked. He kept asking if there wasn't anything else I wanted . . . but by that point in the week I knew I really wanted those two things, so that's what I bought

That was really good self control you showed there. The problem with shopping at Disney - is that it's so much fun. It's a total marketing ploy - and I am OK with that.

On our last trip - we saved for soooo long - for this trip, even though I booked 6 months out, I feel like I am just scrambling to get everything in order financially. Really, I am not, but it just feels that way.

I guess, the reason I am so nervous, is on our first trip in 2003, I did very little research, and I really had no idea how much it would cost us for food and necessities. Literally, I gave my last $5 cash (that I had budgeted for our trip) to our town car driver as he was pulling up to the airport. So then when the baggage guy was standing there to take our luggage (and tip), I had to tell him that I have our last cash to the driver - I was so embarassed.

I didn't make that mistake in 2008 - I budgeted for EVERYTHING - I even figured out tax on each of our meals - and exactly what we were most likely to order. Then I brought an excessive amount of back up cash for other things.

Since I haven't been saving for that long for this trip - and I've been paying for the majority of it on my own, I don't have very much back up cash to bring along, and this makes me very nervous. I guess, we will just have to try harder to not spend anything in the shops when we are looking.

That was just mean, I was fearful something happened. Ok I am over it but still it wasn't nice!

As for the money I am thinking maybe $50 extra per person would be good just in case because like Corrine said it is better too have more than not enough and if you don't spend it all you can tell DH you were so good with your spending you even came home with money.

That's what I am thinking too... I just don't want to bring too much or not have enough.

I know there are a few things that we will want to get... I know I want a sweatshirt (hopefully a DD one)... I also know I want a 2012 spinner pin... And I want to spend a lot of time in the Philharmagic store (can we say DD heaven???) Oh and I need a MK pin... When looking through my pins the other night, I realized I have one for every park, but MK - and MK is my favorite...

$200 for souveniours?

Okay ... I guess here is the big question. Look at how much space you'll have to bring home stuff. Then determine how much money you should take for your souvvies. Or you can just set a limit and be done with it. We set limits each year: a Mickey ear hat, a shirt, and a toy (under $XX). Otherwise, we'd go crazy! However, this year, I'm spending a bit more on myself ... because I've yet to really buy ME anything. Last year, I spent less than $10 on myself. I got a keychain and an antenna topper (that doesn't fit, and my current car doesn't have an antenna).

So some options are:
1. Bring lots of money. Too much is better than too little.
2. Set limits for each person.
3. Set limits for each day (and what isn't spent can carry over).
4. Tell the girls they are on their own and spend the $600+ on yourself.

But keep in mind ... if you plan to buy gifts for family and friends (I always buy for my mom, dad, nieces and nephews), then add that to the budget. If you want to get estimates on prices for items, just check similar products at the Disney Store website.

And I knew better than to fall for your trick. Now stop giving the rest of the DISers a heart attack.

ROFL... Leave it to Liddy to take the fun out of it...

So, I guess I'll have to set some limits???

I know that souveniers are such a personal thing, and each family has their own way of doing them...

I wish I could find Allison's Epcot passport... I was going to have them do the same passports again, so we wouldn't have to buy more. LOL I have Victoria's, and I thought I had them in the same place, but appearantly not.

I have to work all day today. I finished up my little project last night. I will try to post pictures before I leave for work.

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

WOW! $600 for souvenirs? My kids would be in heaven!

I'm cheap (very much so!) We wait until the last day to buy souvenirs. The kids are allowed only one! They look all week to decide what they want. Since we usually go during Mr D's birthday, he gets to spend just a tad bit more than his sister. Last year he choose a lego set of Mater and Lightning McQueen. Miss B got a cute pair of Mickey earrings.

I usually also get a couple of stocking stuffers for the kids while I am there and we always get 4 new Christmas ornaments. That is it!

Yes, I am a mean mom, but somehow my kids always have a great time. (maybe it is because we always go every year....)


Nini

 

[dianemom2]

We also typically do one souvenir. When the girls were younger they picked out dolls in Downtown Disney. When they were in elementary school the souvenir was to have caricatures done by the artist at the hotel. I have to say these were my favorite souvenirs ever!!!! Last time they got sweatshirts. M was just there and she picked out two pins. Lots of times since we have a car we will go to the Disney outlet in the outlet mall nearby. They don't have everything but they girls usually find some cute t-shirts and last year I got a really nice hoodie there. I don't budget much for souvenirs. Probably $25 or $30 per kid. DH usually get the same amount.

 

[DMGeurts]

I've decided that I am keeping a journal of our trip, this time, so I can write a TR easier when I get home...

So, I wanted a journal cover... I followed the Toy Story theme. It was a fun and easy accessory to make. I designed this pattern myself, but there are many out there, I was just too cheap to buy one.

I quilted the cover, added a magnetic snap to the end of the closure, and a pen loop for a pen. I made it to fit a 5 Star small notebook, not the really small ones, because those are too thick and small, it's the next size up, I chose the 5 Star because they are more durable front and back.

Have a great day everyone!

D~

 

[mphalens]

First... I should probably apologize to everyone for my little prank yesterday - super sorry - but sometimes I just can't resist.

I know you do... Because I get all excited when you text me... LOL - I was just lucky you moved on to the lego store, because I had time to come to my senses.

That was really good self control you showed there. The problem with shopping at Disney - is that it's so much fun. It's a total marketing ploy - and I am OK with that.

I wish I could find Allison's Epcot passport... I was going to have them do the same passports again, so we wouldn't have to buy more. LOL I have Victoria's, and I thought I had them in the same place, but appearantly not.

You were just full of pranks yesterday - yours here, yours to me telling me I didn't update my TR . . . It's all good, I thought it was funny

As for the shopping via text message - maybe I should patent the idea I think it'd be awesome for impulse buying issues, right?
The problem with yesterday was that Phalen got really into it and started hunting for stuff for you guys - just be glad I didn't buy his PILE of stuff It would have taken care of your souvenir budget easy peasy!
The Lego store was NOT so good for my wallet Why am I like a little kid when it comes to "sets" of things and wanting the whole thing? Phalen's latest obsession is Ninjago from Lego. He wants all of the Lego Ninjago guys with their spinners and cards . . . and since he got into it "late" he knows there are ones they don't sell any longer that he might never get, so when the new ones come out or he finds an old one he doesn't have we both go nuts


As for self control - see above

And - passports for Epcot - have you looked in the DISigns forum lately? There are some AWESOME AWESOME Epcot things - you could print them each a new one and that won't cut into your budget! I printed one for Phalen (well, I requested one for Phalen, then my printer decided it didn't want to cooperate before we left so I couldn't print it so we took the file to Staples in FL but they couldn't print it because their systems were down. We finally had it printed at the Poly but only in B&W . . . Anyway, it was loads of fun!!!

 

[mphalens]

I've decided that I am keeping a journal of our trip, this time, so I can write a TR easier when I get home...

So, I wanted a journal cover... I followed the Toy Story theme. It was a fun and easy accessory to make. I designed this pattern myself, but there are many out there, I was just too cheap to buy one.

I quilted the cover, added a magnetic snap to the end of the closure, and a pen loop for a pen. I made it to fit a 5 Star small notebook, not the really small ones, because those are too thick and small, it's the next size up, I chose the 5 Star because they are more durable front and back.

Have a great day everyone!

D~

OMG! Super CUTENESS! I wish i'd kept a journal - it would make my TR a lot easier!!!

 

[miprender]

Yeah for starting to pack. I have a box that we keep in our closet that is our Disney box so when I find things on sale or clearance I just throw it in the box even if I don't know when our next trip will be which is no longer the case

Happy New Year by the way!

We have one of those too. I keep all our rain ponchos and stuff like that in it.

I have no comments on the Keurig... We are regular ol' coffee drinkers - so we just have the Cuisinart one I got at TG time. Is coffee in Disney that bad? I know we had it good when staying at SoG - every morning DH would get up and go get me a Starbucks, that was OMG delicious... I have a feeling that this won't be the same.

D~

Disney's coffee is We bring our own DnD coffee with us and just get the cream from the food court.

I've decided that I am keeping a journal of our trip, this time, so I can write a TR easier when I get home...

So, I wanted a journal cover... I followed the Toy Story theme. It was a fun and easy accessory to make. I designed this pattern myself, but there are many out there, I was just too cheap to buy one.

I quilted the cover, added a magnetic snap to the end of the closure, and a pen loop for a pen. I made it to fit a 5 Star small notebook, not the really small ones, because those are too thick and small, it's the next size up, I chose the 5 Star because they are more durable front and back.

Have a great day everyone!

D~

So talented as usual

And - passports for Epcot - have you looked in the DISigns forum lately? There are some AWESOME AWESOME Epcot things - you could print them each a new one and that won't cut into your budget! I printed one for Phalen (well, I requested one for Phalen, then my printer decided it didn't want to cooperate before we left so I couldn't print it so we took the file to Staples in FL but they couldn't print it because their systems were down. We finally had it printed at the Poly but only in B&W . . . Anyway, it was loads of fun!!!

I was going to suggest that too but I can never get it to print out right

 

[WDWCP96]

Love the journal cover. I would love to keep a journal but not sure how well I would do. I always buy the Passporter and then towards the end of the week forget to update it.

It definitely would make writing a TR so much easier.

 

[Lidian]

I love the journal cover! Why, oh why, can I not be as creative as you?

 

[cogero]

I adore the Toy Story theme.

I want to clean my space so I can play again.

 

[dianemom2]

I've decided that I am keeping a journal of our trip, this time, so I can write a TR easier when I get home...

Have a great day everyone!

D~

Turned out super! I love those smaller 5 Star notebooks. I keep one in my desk at home. It is a good idea to keep a trip journal. Then you won't forget what you did each day. When my kids were little they used to have to keep a journal about what they did on vacation as part of their school assignments when they missed school. I like re-reading their journals almost as much as they do when they pull them out now. Next time we travel, I might keep a journal so that I remember details. I love the Toy Story theme. It turned out great!

 

[Corrine 1973]

I just Loooovvvveee the book cover. You better be careful though or you are going to have to change the title of your PTR to American Girl Outfits, custome park bags, and journal covers.

Liam earned money through chores before our trip that we put on a gift card for him for our trip this year. He was able to get $100 dollars on his card and once it was gone it was gone. He could buy what ever he wanted but couldn't ask me for any other money once it was gone. Planning on doing the same thing with my DD.

I am so jealous, I don't have anyone to text when I am spending money at the Disney Outlet Store. Maybe if I did I wouldn't spend so much money there.

 

[DMGeurts]

WOW! $600 for souvenirs? My kids would be in heaven!

I'm cheap (very much so!) We wait until the last day to buy souvenirs. The kids are allowed only one! They look all week to decide what they want. Since we usually go during Mr D's birthday, he gets to spend just a tad bit more than his sister. Last year he choose a lego set of Mater and Lightning McQueen. Miss B got a cute pair of Mickey earrings.

I usually also get a couple of stocking stuffers for the kids while I am there and we always get 4 new Christmas ornaments. That is it!

Yes, I am a mean mom, but somehow my kids always have a great time. (maybe it is because we always go every year....)


Nini

See... And I was feeling like we were going to spend too much on Souvies... But I would rather bring too much than not enough... And $200/each is only $20/day - which, now that I type that out, I don't think that's overly unrealistic... That $20 would have to cover any souveniers they wanted + if they wanted any extra snacks...

We also typically do one souvenir. When the girls were younger they picked out dolls in Downtown Disney. When they were in elementary school the souvenir was to have caricatures done by the artist at the hotel. I have to say these were my favorite souvenirs ever!!!! Last time they got sweatshirts. M was just there and she picked out two pins. Lots of times since we have a car we will go to the Disney outlet in the outlet mall nearby. They don't have everything but they girls usually find some cute t-shirts and last year I got a really nice hoodie there. I don't budget much for souvenirs. Probably $25 or $30 per kid. DH usually get the same amount.

This makes me think of Victoria's blue WDW sweatshirt, as seen here in 2008:

And here in 2011...

And last night, when I was going through our receipts from our 2008 trip and found the receipt that said she paid $37.50 for it - and how Dh made fun of me because I made her get it in the biggest size possible - and how 3 years later, when I tell her to pack a sweatshirt - that is the first one she grabs.

It's starting to get too small now, I am trying to think of a way that I can make it last longer - extend the sleeves somehow...

You were just full of pranks yesterday - yours here, yours to me telling me I didn't update my TR . . . It's all good, I thought it was funny

Honest... It wasn't there - I promise.

As for the shopping via text message - maybe I should patent the idea I think it'd be awesome for impulse buying issues, right?
The problem with yesterday was that Phalen got really into it and started hunting for stuff for you guys - just be glad I didn't buy his PILE of stuff It would have taken care of your souvenir budget easy peasy!

ROFL - thanks Phalen!!! I'll bet he found some awesome Donald stuff too... Tell him he can Disney shop for me any time - he has great taste (I've seen his hats).

And ROFL again... DH just came by and read over my shoulder he said that I am a bad influence on my friends... "You're dragging them down and making them buy paraphernalia to feed your addiction..." Then he walked away shaking his head in shame. I am just wondering whose addiction he thinks I am feeding - really...

The Lego store was NOT so good for my wallet Why am I like a little kid when it comes to "sets" of things and wanting the whole thing? Phalen's latest obsession is Ninjago from Lego. He wants all of the Lego Ninjago guys with their spinners and cards . . . and since he got into it "late" he knows there are ones they don't sell any longer that he might never get, so when the new ones come out or he finds an old one he doesn't have we both go nuts

I can totally relate... Ahem - our AG collection.... Same thing there - seriously. It's so hard, because we are having fun too - and we enjoy seeing our children enjoy things.

And - passports for Epcot - have you looked in the DISigns forum lately? There are some AWESOME AWESOME Epcot things - you could print them each a new one and that won't cut into your budget! I printed one for Phalen (well, I requested one for Phalen, then my printer decided it didn't want to cooperate before we left so I couldn't print it so we took the file to Staples in FL but they couldn't print it because their systems were down. We finally had it printed at the Poly but only in B&W . . . Anyway, it was loads of fun!!!

I will go look... But I really don't want to print anything off for them - they are 12 & 13... I was just hoping to find my Disney scrapbook stash - because I think it's in there...

OMG! Super CUTENESS! I wish i'd kept a journal - it would make my TR a lot easier!!!

See... You should have made a journal - you had pleanty of time... Since you chose not to bring your machine on the trip, you could have started creating a journal. Next time, you'll think of it.

So talented as usual



I was going to suggest that too but I can never get it to print out right

Thanks... You guys are going to force me back over to the DISigners aren't you???

Love the journal cover. I would love to keep a journal but not sure how well I would do. I always buy the Passporter and then towards the end of the week forget to update it.

It definitely would make writing a TR so much easier.

I dug out my Passporter, and I was amazed at how much information I'd actually written in it on our last trip. I spent time every night filling it out - looking back, I am glad I did, because there were a few special memories I'd forgotten about.

Also, when we got home, I'd tallied up all of our receipts and figured out how much we had spent on food and souveniers every day, and put it on a post-it on every page... So when I opened it up last night, all my info was right there. Kind of nice.

So, I am hoping to carry the journal with me every day, and when we take breaks, I will just spend a few minutes adding a few notes???

I love the journal cover! Why, oh why, can I not be as creative as you?

You are very creative Liddy... Remember, my kids are much older than yours - when my kids were that age, I had no time for creativity (muchless sanity)... but now that they are older - I have the time and the ambition. Your day will come, probably sooner than you think.

How's that machine running for you? Is it still giving you problems?

I adore the Toy Story theme.

I want to clean my space so I can play again.

We want you to play again.

Turned out super! I love those smaller 5 Star notebooks. I keep one in my desk at home. It is a good idea to keep a trip journal. Then you won't forget what you did each day. When my kids were little they used to have to keep a journal about what they did on vacation as part of their school assignments when they missed school. I like re-reading their journals almost as much as they do when they pull them out now. Next time we travel, I might keep a journal so that I remember details. I love the Toy Story theme. It turned out great!

Thanks, I am glad you like it. Those trip journals would be fun to have, I wish my girls would have kept trip journals. Awww... so fun to go back and read.

I just Loooovvvveee the book cover. You better be careful though or you are going to have to change the title of your PTR to American Girl Outfits, custome park bags, and journal covers.

LOL... Maybe I'll just do Amerian Girl outfits and Disney travel accessories - that should cover everything.

[Liam earned money through chores before our trip that we put on a gift card for him for our trip this year. He was able to get $100 dollars on his card and once it was gone it was gone. He could buy what ever he wanted but couldn't ask me for any other money once it was gone. Planning on doing the same thing with my DD.

That's a good idea... If only my girls had ambition to do any more chores than normal... We are one of those families that don't believe in allowance for doing daily chores... We feel that daily chores are just a natual part of being a family... However -there are extra chores the girls can do to earn $$. I should tell them that all that $$ will go towards souveniers. It's getting close enough, they might actually go for it?

[I am so jealous, I don't have anyone to text when I am spending money at the Disney Outlet Store. Maybe if I did I wouldn't spend so much money there.

You can text me and I'll Disney shop with you any time. Just don't show me any Donald items, unless you plan to make a trip to the PO to send it to me.

Had a great day. Didn't sew a thing. Back at it tomorrow.

D~

 

[mphalens]

OMG! It's a good thing I HADN'T taken a drink of water right before I read your post . . . I would have choked on it or snorted it out my nose!!!