shhhh Dec '08 & (6/'10) pre-trip twofer

[hollybearsmom]

Yes I changed the ticker again!

 

[hollybearsmom]

WOw, I have been busy. We have a confirmation number and our second room for grandpa booked. He isn't sure yet about ddp so that's on hold for now. But for our family..WE are thinking about this...
24th DH gets home from work with presents for kids, they always open pjs on the 24th so this won't be new...except mommy is making them shirts and pants, with one of the creative disigns "we're going to disney right now" The princess will flip out for certain, monster won't know what's going on if he is even still awake then. Hop into the strategically/magically packed car (done while naps were taken and after laundry was done before school vaca started) and start the drive.
25th - pull in very tired to POP, get our tickets and go straight to the MK. Photo on Main street, Bakery for breakfast, and then just survive the crowds.
Dinner at either Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree as late as possible and more of the magic until we drop.
26th - Epcot. After sleeping in. Coral Reef for dinner.
27th. AK. Dinner the Luau.
28th DAY OFF. Tour the resorts and see the trees, go to DTD and shop a little. Dinner at Planet Hollywood.
29th DHS Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine. Not sure about the end of the day. Nothing CS looks that great to us and there is not much here for us, we may go back to Epcot in the evening.
30th AK thinking of trying the Yak & Yeti for lunch CS. Dinner of snacks or Luau if we didn't get in earlier. Back to MK for the fireworks this night.
31st. Epcot Breakfast at Akershus, Dinner is either Garden grill or Sunshine Season.
1st MK Dinner at Cosmic Rays
2nd check out, Chef Mickeys, then the long drive home.

I cannot wait!

 

[DiamondDiva305]

Enjoying your PTR can't wait to hear more.

 

[hollybearsmom]

it came! it came! it came!
I got the blue envelope!!! And the planning cd in the same day! But no pin.
Oh well, it came!

First deposit received and credited! Room on hold! Yippee! This could really happen!

And now, to hide the envelope were I won't lose it. We are not telling my dd we moved the trip from Sept to Dec. She is going to find out on Christmas Eve. How do I not disappoint her in Sept? We have talked about the free dining catch, and the room discounts, and the longer we wait the more we will have saved and the more character meals/souvenoirs she will get. So we won't wait to sept to tell her it's pushed back, we just won't tell her exactly when we are going to get to go....just later. We are still collecting little Disney things, and trip funnies, and puzzle books, so she will keep helping me on that monstrous packing list I have on excel. We just will have to watch the expiration dates of things a little closer.

I'm so happy!!!!!

 

[hollybearsmom]

I've been having so much fun on the Creative Disign and Disboutiquer's boards I forgot to plan today. AAAAAck. We did however, get to watch the planning cd twice, once with the kiddos, and once without.

We are going to watch it again this weekend and make our wish/must lists.

On the off topic side, my husbands granny is ailing and will probably pass soon. He is quite sad so I think we will probably be going to WV soon. I was goin up for Spring Break anyway with the kids to put flowers on my moms grave for the 2 yr anniversary, but now we are on pins and needles just waiting for "the call". Send prayers and well wishes for this to be easy for the family. She is 93 and suffering from dementia, she just went to respite care this past month, but the doctors have suggested the family should be gathering.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Sigh, what month. Hubbys granny did pass. I did get to put flowers on my moms grave. My father got married. If anything else happened, I don't recall. I'm on overload.

 

[stagemomx3]

Sigh, what month. Hubbys granny did pass. I did get to put flowers on my moms grave. My father got married. If anything else happened, I don't recall. I'm on overload.

I hope things get better soon.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Thanks for the hug, and I just started your trippie, it's a great laugh! I can't wait to get back to it this evening!

 

[hollybearsmom]

AAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a virus that shut me down for two months. I took in two kids. School let out. Extra car brokedown. A zillion other things happened. Including time slipping away.

This weekend? PS date is this weekend? Oh no? I haven't looked at anything for two months. What am I going to do? HELP!HELP!HELP!

Total panic mode setting in. Can't find the notebook since I set up the room for the other kids and just shoved everything into boxes to make room for another bed and dresser......can't find the other reservation envelope for the second room.....can't get a definate answer from either couple if they are coming.......oh my stars, where is my fairy godmother today? If you see her will you send her home EXPRESS?!?!?!

 

[hollybearsmom]

WE are still going round and round about our reservations!

Split TS since we all have different tastes, just go in all together and tough if you don't like the food, skip reservations and wing it (Definately not my idea), it is driving me crazy, and I know I won't sleep tonight until about 5a, then miss the 7a call time!

This is when information is deadly. Too much DIS, lead to some DIS-accord around here last night. We had family here and on the phone, conferenced with our two friends, and nobody could give me a straight answer without setting off a huge, loud, discussion. Grandpa ended up just hanging up on us, he said he didn't care if he ate poptarts all week, he was there to ride small world with his grandkids and that was all he cared about. So the three guys took over the plans, I walked out in tears, and called my girlfriend from the kitchen, which I could then hear her husband talking to my husband in the background until she went outside. And all this to keep the kids in the dark and have our credits all used up.

I am doing the devious and scheduling for our family only. I sent an e-mail letting everyone know if they wanted to eat with us, to tell me tonight, or else they probably would not be able to get in the same restaurant as us.

It gets better after this part right? And I still can't find my notebook/planner/tip holder. That is just not cool. But I have been watching travel channels season of disney to get me in a happy place. It's on the dvr for anytime viewing! Happy summer everyone, back soon.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Good Morning!!!!!!!!

It's 7:35a and I am off the phone, ADR's made, and I think we did wonderfully!
My dh and I both called starting about 5 of. He got through first at 7 after, I got through at 10 after. We had split the list in half, I got done at 21 after, he at 28 after. And of course, I had to run in here for show 'n tell!

25th D - Liberty Tree Tavern, 8:35pm

26th D - Coral Reef Candlelight Processional, eat 5:45pm, show 8:15pm

27th B - Ohana, 9:25am; D - Poly Luau 8:00pm

28th B - Playhouse @ H&V 8:10am; D - 50s Prime Time 6:00pm

29th D - Ohana 8:55pm

30th B - Princess @ Akershus 10:00am; D - H&V Fantasmic Pkg 4:30pm

31st B - Tusker House 10:00am; D - Garden Grill 7:00pm

1st B - 1900 Park Faire 11:05am

2nd B - Chef Mickey's 10:15am

Hip hip hooray! It's a pirate's life for me! Yo ho ho! Doing the happy dance!

 

[hollybearsmom]

Shout out for Kari, you have got to go check out this thread, it is hilarious!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1777391

 

[hollybearsmom]

Having a Christmas countdown is really a homage to my mother. She and I would start sometime around now telling each other how many shopping days were left until Christmas. I really miss her, but I smile each time I see my ticker. And I got most of her decorations, so my room will definately be decked out! Did the Griswolds ever do WDW?

Here's a photo of the kiddies. My dd, now 9. Princess turning into Hannah Montan Rock Star. My neice, 3. Our little Daisy Duck. My nephew 5, Super Guitar Hero, and Cars fan. And my baby, not so little anymore, 2. Loves the Little Einsteins now. It is a busy summer for us all. But we are having fun, I think.

So the planning continues. ADR's are set and ready to be changed...
Thinking about Tink bags...we bought the Easter pails this year at Wal-yuck and plan to use those each day to hold their surprise! Tricky huh? Yeah, we thought we could put them in the bathroom for each childs toiletries, and each morning, Tink would magically arrive before we wake up and drop something off, plus spread a little pixie dust on the counter. (Way to see if they got cleaned too. Yes, part germaphobe.)

And then I read about decorating your door and window, and now I'm in overdrive with these plans. How could I have not thought about hanging lights in the window or putting on window clings? Thank goodness for the DIS or what a first-timer I would look like!

 

[hollybearsmom]

Is there anyone going in July those days (10-13th) that could get an autograph for us from the Hansens in Norway? Those guys off Deadliest Catch? My nephew is crazy about this show and pretends to be a crab fisherman everyday! I would be so thrilled to be able to give him a photo and autograph. Can you make this auntie's wish come true?

Please pm me, I'll gladly trade seashells or taffy, or send something when we are there to return the kindness. thankyou, Beth

 

[hollybearsmom]

We interrupt this pre-trip to inject another trip!

I am taking the kids to WV for two weeks, to see all the grandparents, and I am going camping with a dear family friend! I don't know how I am going to do without the kids, but we'll see. So I'll see ya real soon, and I'll have pics!

 

[Leonsmom]

Wooo! Beth, I finally got through your entire report. Holy Mackeral, have you been through the ringer!!!! But in the end it looks like all is finally set and the plans are in place.

Helps explain my nick names a little though, and I am for the most part, called "Sarge". My way or the highway. I have already printed, yes printed, six different packing lists which I reduced and carry with me at all times, just in case. You never know when you are going to be in Target or Dollar Tree and see one of those most have items! Planning for Disney is like planning a wedding, and if it isn't in my book, it isn't going to happen.

Ah yeah you weren’t kidding. We must have been separated at birth!
I ALWAYS tell DH that planning for Disney is like planning our wedding!

My dh. Another thirty something who loves to say he may be getting older, but will never grow up. The life of the party, he keeps me laughing, and he loves our kids more than I could ever have hoped for in a dad. and makes a killer pretzel crusted chicken.
He will be the one to tell me to relax and put my index cards away, but then 10 minutes later ask me where we are supposed to sit for the parade and does he need to go after a fastpass. He's my Prince. .

And would you look at that …we married the same man. Only he’s seems cuter when he’s with you….
Pretzel Crusted Chicken?????????? Do tell

And our youngest, a son, one, we call the monster. Picture that child who is a mix of Piglet and Stitch. Chubby cheeks, sparkling dark brown eyes, and his fingers wiggling with the thought of pulling another dresser drawer out onto the floor! Or spin the whole roll of tp out! Or flip his cheerios into daddy's coke, you know the one. The youngest of our family, he wants so bad to be big. He has a heart of gold though, cries whenever anyone else does, and sits by his sister when she gets time out.

Twilight Zone maybe???? I could describe DS5 the same way. I have of late started calling him either Taz or Stitch.

I let her see a peek into my Disney Pre-Trip Planning Notebook. I am very connected to my plans. Not so much anyone else. I take it very personally when they say, well that won't work, or I don't like that idea. People! Trust me, I am on the DISboard, I have the inside information. You will thank me when your trip goes smoothly.

Ha ha I am the SAME way, I could not have put it better myself!

Not about the trip, but, my little monster pulled the Disney album from our last trip out of the cabinet and is "talking" to Mickey! Is there a tissue toting smiley? It's a mommy moment.

Awww, LOVE IT!!

Okay, there is so much to learn about the World. I am so excited about the planning that I copy and paste things in to my Disney folder

Ditto here!

and while my dad was driving with my brother and his kids to NC to meet the other grandparents they discussed the trip to Disney in 2010. Without me! And, my brother decides no way he will take his kids out of school. WHAT!?!?!?!?! I showed him the letters and the school worksheets already made up. Nope, just not gonna do it. Are you kidding? It is so much hotter and so much more expensive in the summer. Not to mention the lines. The only plus I see, longer park hours. And we set up a saving plan for the 2008 trip. It started this week. yippeee!

I completely agree with you – it’s why I am taking DS out for 5 days. BUT I did have a huge hesitation about doing so. For one thing DS has some issues that missing school MIGHT interfere with (mentioned on my PTR) and two: Our principle is a WITCH, I am convinced of it. She scares everyone out of taking their kids out of school. I’ve told other parents I am going to do it and they look at me like I am crazy for going against her. Go ahead lecture me, I can take it. And so what if the teachers are not allowed to give homework out in advance…. We will work it out! So there!

Okay, i decided to start with the mammoth packing list. I have taken every packing tip I can find and combined them into one huge list.

Whoa! You ain’t kidding! Yours definetly tops all my lists. I just copied yours to my notes. I am going to have to make some changes to my PTR now. LOL

. I refuse to buy day to day tickets if we happen to decide to go to a park today...I want plans baby. Lots of lists and cards and packing prep. What oh what am I going to do?
Is there not a simpler way to do this!?!?!?!?!?!
I am not feeling the magic at the moment.

I feel for you!!

WOw, I have been busy. We have a confirmation number and our second room for grandpa booked. He isn't sure yet about ddp so that's on hold for now. But for our family..WE are thinking about this...
24th DH gets home from work with presents for kids, they always open pjs on the 24th so this won't be new...except mommy is making them shirts and pants, with one of the creative disigns "we're going to disney right now" The princess will flip out for certain, monster won't know what's going on if he is even still awake then. Hop into the strategically/magically packed car (done while naps were taken and after laundry was done before school vaca started) and start the drive.
25th - pull in very tired to POP, get our tickets and go straight to the MK. Photo on Main street, Bakery for breakfast, and then just survive the crowds.
Dinner at either Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree as late as possible and more of the magic until we drop.
26th - Epcot. After sleeping in. Coral Reef for dinner.
27th. AK. Dinner the Luau.
28th DAY OFF. Tour the resorts and see the trees, go to DTD and shop a little. Dinner at Planet Hollywood.
29th DHS Breakfast at Hollywood & Vine. Not sure about the end of the day. Nothing CS looks that great to us and there is not much here for us, we may go back to Epcot in the evening.
30th AK thinking of trying the Yak & Yeti for lunch CS. Dinner of snacks or Luau if we didn't get in earlier. Back to MK for the fireworks this night.
31st. Epcot Breakfast at Akershus, Dinner is either Garden grill or Sunshine Season.
1st MK Dinner at Cosmic Rays
2nd check out, Chef Mickeys, then the long drive home.

I cannot wait!

Oh I am sooo happy you are going for Christmas, we can compare plans. All those changes sure had to be challenging, but the ressies are made so it looks like you are a definite go!!

it came! it came! it came!
I got the blue envelope!!! And the planning cd in the same day! But no pin.
Oh well, it came!

First deposit received and credited! Room on hold! Yippee! This could really happen!

Blue envelope?? What Blue envelope. I didn’t get a blue envelope… And a PIN??? What pin? I want a pin!!!

Here's a photo of the kiddies.

They are beautiful!

So the planning continues. ADR's are set and ready to be changed...Thinking about Tink bags...we bought the Easter pails this year at Walyuck and plan to use those each day to hold their surprise! Tricky huh? Yeah, we thought we could put them in the bathroom for each childs toiletries, and each morning, Tink would magically arrive before we wake up and drop something off, plus spread a little pixie dust on the counter. (Way to see if they got cleaned too. Yes, part germaphobe.)

And then I read about decorating your door and window, and now I'm in overdrive with these plans. How could I have not thought about hanging lights in the window or putting on window clings? Thank goodness for the DIS or what a first-timer I would look like!

Ha, We are on the same page with that. Once you get your decorations and shirts put together, I want to see pictures. And I am borrowing your pixie dust on the counter idea!

WE are still going round and round about our reservations!
This is when information is deadly. Too much DIS, lead to some DIS-accord around here last night. We had family here and on the phone, conferenced with our two friends, and nobody could give me a straight answer without setting off a huge, loud, discussion. Grandpa ended up just hanging up on us, he said he didn't care if he ate poptarts all week, he was there to ride small world with his grandkids and that was all he cared about. So the three guys took over the plans, I walked out in tears, and called my girlfriend from the kitchen, which I could then hear her husband talking to my husband in the background until she went outside. And all this to keep the kids in the dark and have our credits all used up.

I am doing the devious and scheduling for our family only. I sent an e-mail letting everyone know if they wanted to eat with us, to tell me tonight, or else they probably would not be able to get in the same restaurant as us.

It gets better after this part right? And I still can't find my notebook/planner/tip holder. That is just not cool. But I have been watching travel channels season of disney to get me in a happy place. It's on the dvr for anytime viewing! Happy summer everyone, back soon.

I definitely think going your own separate way and making your own plans is the way to go. you are not being devious at all. If anyone wants to join you then great otherwise you will get to see them at a later time. Remember you can’t please all of the people all the time…. But you can insure your own needs and that of your family get met.
I want to plan a second trip in Feb for my 40th Bday. I am going to plan it all out first and THEN send out my plans to my family and DH’s family. They can join us or not. Although I will need consent from DH first.

I am lovin your report! I can't wait to read more.

 

[hollybearsmom]

Back from our trip, what a great time. Go on vacation, get sick. Get home, find house torn apart by loving but somewhat disfunctional handyman husband trying to surprise me with new flooring. Sigh

What's a girl to do but DIS? I have been jumping around the boards trying to get together a game plan, join in on some late Dec park DISmeets, getting my fridge and stroller swap set up, and thinking about those matching shirts again. Dec weather is so unpredictable I will need both tees and sweatshirts. Hmmmmmm And I had dozens of Christmas disigns picked then realized we don't get there until the 25th so what good are they the day after? Oh no! Back to planning what to do the rest of the week. And planning on the welcome basket by Becky. Trying to find a cruise to join to surprise my hubby as a late aniversary thing. And finally decided how to do my 100 day countdown......

I found a set of the Disney Trivial Pursuit cards at a yard sale for 99c!!!!! I am going to write a question in the middle of my HD paint chips (not the alien green of course) and the answer on the back! Doesn't that sound like fun? Plus I'll put a few dozen questions about current things from the DIS in the mix. And after we get to 100, I'll throw them in our bag and hang them on our resort door!!!

This week I have planned on going back through the last years set of newsletters I have just set aside in my email folder. I kept them, but didn't really read them since it was so far out. Now it is time to plan! You know how the ladies magazines put out a holiday planner about 8 weeks ahead of time for what to do each week ????? I need a Disney trip one, maybe I'll make one up. Hmmmmmm

And I am going to look up the menus this week for our ADR's and start picking what we will eat. No wasted time once we sit! You will eat it and like it! Get your dessert to go, we have things to do!!!!!

Next up a quick recap of the WV trip...with photos!

 

[hollybearsmom]

Here is our arrival into Bluefield, WV.

They look pretty good for being in the car together for about seven hours, one hour of which was spent on the side of the road in construction overheated. And knowing they still had about four hours before we got to the first set of grands house. Can you guess which one jumped up on a bench and tried to climb the mountain???
((It wasn't the momma surprisingly))


So day 1 ends with my brothers kids safely delivered and us tucked in my "auntie's" for the night. Up the next morning and off to grandparents #2, stopping to visit a dear friend fighting cancer on the way, and to place flowers on my mother's grave.

Lots of kisses and hugs, then speed off to get to the campground and set up before dark. Have I mentioned yet that I hate bugs, detest them, loathe them? Well, I do. But fresh air is what you need to feel better, so off I went.

First spot, Seneca Rocks. What a beautiful site. What a climb, and I really liked the view off the rocks from below better than the view of the valley after I climbed. Weird maybe, but seen one seen them all... Seneca Caverns. So neat to go into those underground areas and see such awesome formations. That I could do over and over.

Half day of rain. Not a bad stopover, and even got my brakes changed in a day from a local. Way to go Gary!

Then we went down the Williams River and camped somewhat without luxuries....only cold water from a pump and outhouses. Yuck. Anyway, saw waterfalls, and the cranberry glades area, and hiked a lot.

Then gather all the kids, back to Clemson SC to see my dad.......and then back to Myrtle Beach. Ahh, home sweet home. And the DIS

And back to trip planning. I love buying back to school supplies to use for my growing binder! Now back to those menus...I'm having serious thoughts about dropping Ohana's. Any opinions?

 

[hollybearsmom]

Things (threads) I am reading through today for ideas and more tips & tricks....

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551 and
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1742188Listed as a first-timers tip threads, but some good reminders for anyone who hasn't gone recently like us.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1812328Pressed pennies list and index.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1800833Reminder about memory cards for digi camera.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1620846Money saving tips.


What's your favorite threads to keep up with???
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1783394

 

[SkyGirl]

I'm here! I'm so glad you put a link to your PTR! Your plans sound great and the kids are just adorable! I love how you're going to surprise them!

Can't wait to read more!