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

[babynala]

First I have one question for you: do you sleep?

I read your updated trip plan and it sounds perfect. It must be such a relief to have your flights booked - no more fretting if they will raise the prices of the flights, etc.

One bit of advice - don't go on Splash Mountain at night if it seems that the ride is stopping or if logs are not coming down the hill at a consistent rate. On our past two trips my DH has gotten stuck on this ride with our kids at night. This is our son's favorite ride so we try to go on it as many times as possible but on both trips they got stuck for over an hour. Of course it was after the big drop so they were already wet! We have a theory that this ride can't handle the hours of use since it seems to work just fine all day long and just seems to break down at night. Then again, maybe it is just our dumb luck.

If you make it to Toy Story Mania at rope drop go ahead and get in line after you get your fast passes. When we were there in Oct the first FP return time was not until about 40 minutes after park openning (I asked the CM at the line when the first FP return time was) so the stand-by line moves pretty quick because there are no FP riders yet. I'm not sure if it will be the same during your visit or not since Oct park hours are shortened.

Now that you have your airfare I think you need a new chapter called: My Amazing Husband Part 3

 

[miprender]

So... tell me about your favorite CS meals in the 4 main parks and DTD.

D~

Epcot: We ate at the Mexican CS in July and it was great. I too have a sensitive stomache and I was fine. The food was really tasty.

MK: Peco Bills for their Taco Salad DH got some pulled pork sandwich and he loved it too.

AK: Flame Tree BBQ

DHS: I like the Back Lot Tour CS (I think that is the name) They have great wrap sandwiches

DTD: Earl of Sandwich though our last trip it wasn't that great

And by the way McDonalds is no longer at DTD so that won't even be an option

Ok... I am at work and I have HUGE trip news....

Airfare dropped last night for our 'perfect flights'. I about died when I logged in this morning and saw that. However, eventhough it's on sale it's still about $50 over my budget. So I left for work this morning, and didn't buy airfare.

So, I've been kicking myself since and lamenting over it...

DH just came to see me at work... He bought the girls and i our airfare this morning as our Christmas gift!

Have I told you all how wonderful my dh is recently???? He's the best! We are now, officially, going to Disney... Window seats to boot!

D~

And glad you were able to fix the dates.

 

[DMGeurts]

it seems like forever since I have posted. Just know I have been following! Great news on the airfare!


For counter service (and this is with an EXTREMELY picky eater):

DTD - I agree with everyone else...Earl of Sandwich...my picky eater was able to get a plain PB sandwich and a shake which made him happy. The ordering is not as confusing as it seems...the people are friendly and helpful...We have not tried Wolfgang Puck Express, but if it is anyting like the table service it should be yummy too,,,and I have heard nothing but good things about them.

Studios...we like Starring Rolls Bakery. I have only heard consistent good things about Backlot Express. We did not like ABC Commissary. We used to eat at Fairfax Fries when it was a McDonalds sponsored place, but don't know about it know.


AK...I was not impressed with Yak & Yeti. Again we went to the McDonalds places which are no longer in exsistance...have always heard good things sbout Flame Tree...Pizzafari is generic pizza

EPCOT...we love the are in the Land (LOTS of CHOICES for everyone)...I have enjoyed the chinese counter service too.

MK...Casey's Corner, Cosmic Rays...never been to Columbia Harbor House, but people say it is good and has a quiet place to sit upstairs.

Lynn

Thanks for all the advice.


Glad to see you posting again - I was about to ask if anyone had seen you.

Now if I can just find Cheryl and Athene.

First I have one question for you: do you sleep?

ROFL, Why yes, I do. DH would tell you that with out question. I am a very early to bed, early to rise person. I never used to be that way until I had Allison - she has gotten up at 4-5am every day of her life (until now, because she is a teenager) - and now it's a habit. I got up earlier today because I was having my rib cage pain again, and it woke me up... so I had to get up and take something and I couldn't get back to sleep.

I read your updated trip plan and it sounds perfect. It must be such a relief to have your flights booked - no more fretting if they will raise the prices of the flights, etc.

One bit of advice - don't go on Splash Mountain at night if it seems that the ride is stopping or if logs are not coming down the hill at a consistent rate. On our past two trips my DH has gotten stuck on this ride with our kids at night. This is our son's favorite ride so we try to go on it as many times as possible but on both trips they got stuck for over an hour. Of course it was after the big drop so they were already wet! We have a theory that this ride can't handle the hours of use since it seems to work just fine all day long and just seems to break down at night. Then again, maybe it is just our dumb luck.

If you make it to Toy Story Mania at rope drop go ahead and get in line after you get your fast passes. When we were there in Oct the first FP return time was not until about 40 minutes after park openning (I asked the CM at the line when the first FP return time was) so the stand-by line moves pretty quick because there are no FP riders yet. I'm not sure if it will be the same during your visit or not since Oct park hours are shortened.

Now that you have your airfare I think you need a new chapter called: My Amazing Husband Part 3

Thanks for all the wondeful ideas... I really really want to ride SM at night - it's my goal to ride it over and over at night. Better bring a poncho and a lap quilt???

And I will definately do that for TSM.

That would be a great chapter... I can't do it when he can see me though - we don't need any ego problems here.

Epcot: We ate at the Mexican CS in July and it was great. I too have a sensitive stomache and I was fine. The food was really tasty.

MK: Peco Bills for their Taco Salad DH got some pulled pork sandwich and he loved it too.

AK: Flame Tree BBQ

DHS: I like the Back Lot Tour CS (I think that is the name) They have great wrap sandwiches

DTD: Earl of Sandwich though our last trip it wasn't that great

And by the way McDonalds is no longer at DTD so that won't even be an option



And glad you were able to fix the dates.

Awesome, thanks! Glad that McD's isn't an option - because I really don't want to eat there on vacation.

JoAnn's complaint ahead...

OK, so I dislike going to JoAnn's - to me, it's very much like going to Walmart - crazy, hectic, too many people and parking sucks (it's amazing that I love WDW - since it's much the same)...

So, this morning, like a good JoAnn's shopper... Went around to all my various places online to collect my JoAnn's coupons... Email, Joann's.com, hancocks, michaels... Printed everything on my printer... Even had my real live ad from JoAnn's with the coupon in it.

So... I stop at the PO on my way out of town... Get to JA - it doesn't open for another hour (their store hours on the website were wrong - grrrr) - so I went across the street to a Target that I don't work at... Got myself a handy-dandy $50 Disney GC for $36 (Um, had a $5 off coupon, plus my employee discount, plus my Target debit card discount - NICE)... Only 45 more GCs to go...

Still had 45 min to kill....

So, I go into the Target Cafe, get myself a cappuccino, and a breakfast sandwich - surf Disboards on my phone for a while...

Drive back across the street, and wait for JA to open.

As I am sitting there, I realize I forgot all my printed coupons at home.

So, I try to log on to my email, so I can at least get ONE coupon for one item I came for... Still trying to log on, as I am shopping. Get to the fabric area and they only have one of the fabrics that I drove 35 miles for. At least they had that one, because it was the most important.

My store is totally picked over, looks like is hasn't been restocked in months... The cotton I normally get is stocked in about 50 colors, they had 5 left.

Crazy annoyed, at this point... still trying to get my email to load.

Had to get a couple other necessary things, which I had to pay full price for.

I would have gotten a whole lot more, if I would have had my coupons. It really annoys me that JA is so stingy with their coupons... really, they are horrible - and so rude about it. You tell them that you forgot your coupons (which I am sure they hear all day long), but they just look at you like "it sucks to be you...."

Really, I know better than to go to JA - I could go to Hancocks - which is the same distance in a different direction, where the store is super clean, super organized, and they always have what I need. But I didn't.

Grrrr... So, basically a wasted trip - to be treated rudely and not get what I needed.

Only to get home and have my nice stack of coupons sitting on the table waiting for me.

Sorry for the rant...

Off to hibernate in my sewing room and create something.

D~

 

[ivey_family]

One bit of advice - don't go on Splash Mountain at night if it seems that the ride is stopping or if logs are not coming down the hill at a consistent rate. On our past two trips my DH has gotten stuck on this ride with our kids at night. This is our son's favorite ride so we try to go on it as many times as possible but on both trips they got stuck for over an hour. Of course it was after the big drop so they were already wet! We have a theory that this ride can't handle the hours of use since it seems to work just fine all day long and just seems to break down at night. Then again, maybe it is just our dumb luck.

This happened to us in Sept, but during the day. It was actually the first time we'd ridden SM (inspired by D, actually. I've never been a fan of water rides, but I didn't know there was such a cool story and animatronics inside until she mentioned it!) My ds and I rode first with no problem, but then dh and ds got stuck inside (pre-drop) for about an hour. The funny thing was that the other kids and I got in line to meet Woody and Jessie while dh was on the ride, and even being stuck on it for an hour, we were STILL waiting for Woody and Jessie. That is a SLOW line, (but worth it!) My kids loved meeting them!

So, this morning, like a good JoAnn's shopper... Went around to all my various places online to collect my JoAnn's coupons... Email, Joann's.com, hancocks, michaels... Printed everything on my printer... Even had my real live ad from JoAnn's with the coupon in it.

D~

I didn't realize Joann's would take everyone else's coupons. And, you can use more than one at once, too? Cool! Thanks for the great tip!

Sorry you had a frustrating visit to Joann's! But, way cool about Disney GCs for such a good discount!

Regards,
C.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Glad you got your card...I had to put a little of Jim included with Goofy!]/quote]

I did see that.

thanks!

He wants the B&N Nook - touch screen but not color. So, he is definately getting that. It won't be a surprise though - which I don't like - but I was really clueless on which one he wanted, so he did a lot of research for me. I really wanted to make him an awesome cover - but he wants a purchased one - because he wants the hard case.

I always had a tough time getting things for Jim too


We did this last time too. I agree, it worked out wonderfully... the girls even had some of their own cash, just because, we didn't want them to come home with just Disney GCs that they could only spend in Disney. So, the spent the GCs first, then they worked on their cash - then when we came home, if they had any leftovers, they were free to spend anywhere. I don't think they had any leftovers though.

yup we do the same if Megan has cash! but she usually spends it all

Thanks for the tip. I did go look at their menu last night... the ordering process looked a bit confusing. It looks like everything is prepackaged, but the sandwiches are made fresh? It looks like you go through a cafeteria type line to order, then you wait for your sandwiches at the end? And it also looks like there are free refills - is that for the whole day or just while you are in the restaurant? And is it cups with lids and straws that you can take with you around DTD???

yes, you order your sandwich or salad....then go down the line getting your sides, pay, get your soda cup and wait for your sandwich, they give you one of those buzzer things....you can refill your cups, has lids and straws....have never gone back to refill after we leave so not sure if you can or not...we refill before we leave.


Besides, he fully admitted last night that he is looking foward to 11 days of a quiet house.

as long as he cleans up after himself

Well, I officially have a week off of work. I am using this week to complete some of the girls' Christmas gifts. I have to run to JoAnn's this morning and get some fabric, and I also have to run to the PO. I really want to get to JA's and get right home, so I can get the fabric washed up and start cutting out pattern pieces.

I am just even more excited about our trip now that we have airfare - it just seems so real. We are definately going.

D~

I'm excited for you too, you and the girls will make lots of fun memories!

sorry to hear you are having your pain again, take it easy!
bummer about your shopping trip and the lack of fabric at J's!
enjoy your week of creating can't wait to see the results!

 

[dianemom2]

ROFL, Why yes, I do. DH would tell you that with out question. I am a very early to bed, early to rise person. I never used to be that way until I had Allison - she has gotten up at 4-5am every day of her life (until now, because she is a teenager) - and now it's a habit. I got up earlier today because I was having my rib cage pain again, and it woke me up... so I had to get up and take something and I couldn't get back to sleep.


JoAnn's complaint ahead...

OK, so I dislike going to JoAnn's - to me, it's very much like going to Walmart - crazy, hectic, too many people and parking sucks (it's amazing that I love WDW - since it's much the same)...


Really, I know better than to go to JA - I could go to Hancocks - which is the same distance in a different direction, where the store is super clean, super organized, and they always have what I need. But I didn't.

D~

Sorry hear that you are having pain again. I hope that it goes away very soon.

Interesting that your Joanns is picked over and the people there are rude. I don't like going to our Hancocks for the same reasons. I think their prices are higher, they aren't very helpful and the lines at Hancocks are horrendously long. Always!!!! Plus it isn't in a very nice shopping center and I have had my car scratched when I parked in their lot. The person left a big scratch on the side of my car and then just left!

Some of the ladies at our Joanns are not very helpful but there are one or two ladies there who are very nice. One in particular is a real sweetheart whenever I go in there. Our store is starting to look a little picked over because of all the holiday shopping but I did see that they had several stacks of new bolts of fabric waiting to get put out.

I know that some of the Hancocks are much nicer than ours because that is where I got that beach fabric. I had to call to Hancocks all over the country to find what I needed. There were a few stores out in the mid-west where the ladies who answered the phone and helped me were WONDERFUL! So I can easily believe that Hancocks in other locations are very, very nice.

 

[nowellsl]

I really don't like my Joann's, they usually only have a couple of people working and if they're both cutting fabric you have to wait forever to pay for something! I know ours had a big fabric sale after Thanksgiving so they're probably pretty picked over as well! That stinks that you left your coupons at home! Definately something I would do, only I can't make myself buy something for full price when I know I have a coupon for it I probably would have just gone on home How far do you drive to get there?

 

[DMGeurts]

This happened to us in Sept, but during the day. It was actually the first time we'd ridden SM (inspired by D, actually. I've never been a fan of water rides, but I didn't know there was such a cool story and animatronics inside until she mentioned it!) My ds and I rode first with no problem, but then dh and ds got stuck inside (pre-drop) for about an hour. The funny thing was that the other kids and I got in line to meet Woody and Jessie while dh was on the ride, and even being stuck on it for an hour, we were STILL waiting for Woody and Jessie. That is a SLOW line, (but worth it!) My kids loved meeting them!

I am glad you rode it because of me. That's awesome.

Sorry your DH and DS got stuck inside though, if there was ever a ride to get stuck on, for me it would be that one.

I didn't realize Joann's would take everyone else's coupons. And, you can use more than one at once, too? Cool! Thanks for the great tip!

Yep - they are picky about what coupons they will take for which item - and I usually have to fight with them to take the Hancocks coupons - because the nearest one to that particular JoAnn's is about 20 miles, but I just tell them that I could go there instead. And I would. LOL

Sorry you had a frustrating visit to Joann's! But, way cool about Disney GCs for such a good discount!

Regards,
C.

It's OK - I am almost over it. I just know I won't be going back any time soon.

I wish I could get many more $5 off coupons from Target, that would save me a ton. Oh well, I will take what I can get. I did all my figuring last night so I know how many more GCs I need to buy.

I'm excited for you too, you and the girls will make lots of fun memories!

sorry to hear you are having your pain again, take it easy!
bummer about your shopping trip and the lack of fabric at J's!
enjoy your week of creating can't wait to see the results!

I know, I can't wait to go. I am sure the girls will make it into one big fight fest - but I will try to breathe deep and relax.

You are going to flip when you see what I am making for dd - and I am serious - I was so sad when I had to stop yesterday afternoon because the girls would be home, it was turning out so awesome - I can barely stand to get them on the bus today so I can get back to work! I know I won't finish it today, but maybe tomorrow - it has a huge applique that will probably take me a day to do by itself.

Sorry hear that you are having pain again. I hope that it goes away very soon.

Me too - I need to go back to my primary Dr. because I haven't been seen for my follow up, we were just so busy with TG...

Interesting that your Joanns is picked over and the people there are rude. I don't like going to our Hancocks for the same reasons. I think their prices are higher, they aren't very helpful and the lines at Hancocks are horrendously long. Always!!!! Plus it isn't in a very nice shopping center and I have had my car scratched when I parked in their lot. The person left a big scratch on the side of my car and then just left!

Some of the ladies at our Joanns are not very helpful but there are one or two ladies there who are very nice. One in particular is a real sweetheart whenever I go in there. Our store is starting to look a little picked over because of all the holiday shopping but I did see that they had several stacks of new bolts of fabric waiting to get put out.

I know that some of the Hancocks are much nicer than ours because that is where I got that beach fabric. I had to call to Hancocks all over the country to find what I needed. There were a few stores out in the mid-west where the ladies who answered the phone and helped me were WONDERFUL! So I can easily believe that Hancocks in other locations are very, very nice.

It's weird how some stores are very different in various parts of the country. I've heard that Targets in other parts of the country are disgusting, but around here they are all very nice and upscale - probably because we are so close to corporate.

I really don't like my Joann's, they usually only have a couple of people working and if they're both cutting fabric you have to wait forever to pay for something! I know ours had a big fabric sale after Thanksgiving so they're probably pretty picked over as well! That stinks that you left your coupons at home! Definately something I would do, only I can't make myself buy something for full price when I know I have a coupon for it I probably would have just gone on home How far do you drive to get there?

Well, I was able to pull up one coupon on my phone for the one item I needed. And I needed a couple of notions that I just couldn't live with out until my next trip to a fabric store... but honestly - I would have spend A LOT more if I would have had my coupons with me. Oh well, their loss - I'll keep my $$ LOL.

I've been working feverishly on youngest dd's Christmas gift. I cut it out yesterday, which took hours because there were so many pieces, and of course - I had to alter a few things on the pattern to suit my purpose. I was able to start assembling though - and it is super awesome! I am certain I will get it mostly assembled today, and hopefully start on the massive applique. I truly doubt I will finish it by the time I need to pack it up - but I hope to have a good start on it and finish tomorrow. I can't wait to show you all because it's super cool!

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Here's our first AK day... We are so excited for this day. Even though we are spending a lot of our day eating, we are excited about trying out these two restaurants that we've never tried before!

And, of course, Donald...

D~

 

[miprender]

I didn't realize Joann's would take everyone else's coupons. And, you can use more than one at once, too? Cool! Thanks for the great tip!
Regards,
C.

My Joanne's will take up to 3 coupons in 1 purchase.


D sorry you had such a terrible experience. I have to say I love my Joanne's the workers always seem so nice and the store is clean. That is too bad that yours is that way.

 

[cajunfan]

Tusker House for breakfast...LOVE the Mealie Pap!!!!

This is one of our must do's whenever we go!

 

[Lidian]

I tried to post this yesterday .... but gave up when the DIS wouldn't load.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with Jo-Ann's and then leaving the coupons at home. We used to have a Jo-Ann's in our local mall, but it moved out ... sheesh, 10 years ago? Forever it seems like. I know there's one in Knoxville, but not exactly certain where ... and I hate going to Knoxville. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. Have you written in any complaints to their corporate office?

Anyway, can't wait to see what you're into! I hope you feel better soon!

 

[karebear23]

That totally stinks about the Joann's coupons!
I hate when I leave them at home. I'm getting pretty good about putting them in my purse right away.

Our store is ok. The ladies there are friendly...and well I go so often they know me and my kids LOL.

They pretty much take any coupon I give them. Thank goodness....but like you said I seem to spend more when I have the coupons with me!

I'm trying to just get some gift certificates for Christmas to anywhere that has fabric! LOL! It's my weakness!

 

[mommy2mrb]

I know, I can't wait to go. I am sure the girls will make it into one big fight fest - but I will try to breathe deep and relax.

You are going to flip when you see what I am making for dd - and I am serious - I was so sad when I had to stop yesterday afternoon because the girls would be home, it was turning out so awesome - I can barely stand to get them on the bus today so I can get back to work! I know I won't finish it today, but maybe tomorrow - it has a huge applique that will probably take me a day to do by itself.

Me too - I need to go back to my primary Dr. because I haven't been seen for my follow up, we were just so busy with TG...

I've been working feverishly on youngest dd's Christmas gift. I cut it out yesterday, which took hours because there were so many pieces, and of course - I had to alter a few things on the pattern to suit my purpose. I was able to start assembling though - and it is super awesome! I am certain I will get it mostly assembled today, and hopefully start on the massive applique. I truly doubt I will finish it by the time I need to pack it up - but I hope to have a good start on it and finish tomorrow. I can't wait to show you all because it's super cool!

D~

hope the girls don't fight during the trip
you do need to get it checked out again!

can't wait to see the gift!

 

[babynala]

Please get back to your doctor soon. Can you sew while you are sitting in the waiting room because I can't wait to see what you are making.

Mabye the girls will get a dose of pixie dust and won't fight during your trip. I guess they are a little too old to bribe with "rocks in the good boy jar" like I did on our trip with my DS so he would get his picture taken with the princesses. He never said one peep about princesses but it seems that some boys in first grade felt it was necessary to point out that princesses were for girls and were yucky. He gave me a bit of trouble about getting autographs in the MK but by our breakfast at Epcot with the princesses he was chatting them up at the table and marching around the restaurant in the Princess Procession. About 10 minutes after we got home he reminded me about all the rocks he had earned

 

[DMGeurts]

Gift update...

I've finished assembling what I can assemble, and I am getting ready to prep my applique. I definately won't finish today, but it should be done by this time tomorrow. Yay!

D~ <--- Who is so excited to get back to work, that she is having trail mix for lunch...

 

[mommy2mrb]

Gift update...

I've finished assembling what I can assemble, and I am getting ready to prep my applique. I definately won't finish today, but it should be done by this time tomorrow. Yay!

D~ <--- Who is so excited to get back to work, that she is having trail mix for lunch...

can't wait!

healthy lunch....I had pumpkin bread! been working on our NYC trip, only 3 more layouts to finish should be done by tomorrow too!

 

[ivey_family]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with Jo-Ann's and then leaving the coupons at home. We used to have a Jo-Ann's in our local mall, but it moved out ... sheesh, 10 years ago? Forever it seems like. I know there's one in Knoxville, but not exactly certain where ... and I hate going to Knoxville. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. Have you written in any complaints to their corporate office?

Lidian - any chance you are near Maryville? My parents live near there and I remember the Joanns in Foothills Mall going out. It seems like my mom is always trekking to Knoxville for something!

Mabye the girls will get a dose of pixie dust and won't fight during your trip. I guess they are a little too old to bribe with "rocks in the good boy jar" like I did on our trip with my DS so he would get his picture taken with the princesses. ... About 10 minutes after we got home he reminded me about all the rocks he had earned

Ok, this is hilarious! Please tell more how to bride kids with rocks! I bet mine would totally fall for that!

Gift update...

I've finished assembling what I can assemble, and I am getting ready to prep my applique. I definately won't finish today, but it should be done by this time tomorrow. Yay!

D~ <--- Who is so excited to get back to work, that she is having trail mix for lunch...

Can't wait to see!

Regards,
C.

 

[Lidian]

Lidian - any chance you are near Maryville? My parents live near there and I remember the Joanns in Foothills Mall going out. It seems like my mom is always trekking to Knoxville for something!

You found me!

Yep, I'm in Maryville, and recall Jo-Ann's being in Foothills Mall. (Can you believe they're building a movie theater in it now? Sheesh ... guess they're trying to do anything they can to attract people to the ghost-town mall.)

Did you grow up around here? Now I'm wondering if we've crossed paths... And I'm sure my dad knows your parents. My dad knows everyone in a 100 yard vicinity. It's why I can't take him anywhere.

 

[DMGeurts]

can't wait!

healthy lunch....I had pumpkin bread! been working on our NYC trip, only 3 more layouts to finish should be done by tomorrow too!

I can't believe how close your trip is! Have you told Megan yet?

I made great progress on my gift yesterday, I managed to finish prepping the applique, so all I have to do is satin stitch now. It is one of the largest appliques I have ever done... Very comparible to my Donald outfit. The only part that concerns me, is that the fabric piece I am appliqueing on is quite large (and has very think stabilizer on it), and I am hoping that I will be able to maneuver it in my machine. I think I might roll up the end I am not appliqueing and paper clip it or something, so it's not as large???

Anyways, I am hoping to finish and post pictures before lunch time.

D~