Taking time to Smell the Roses- A June 2012 PTR

[Deesknee]

MA has been getting more and more stern in regards to the state testing. When the triplets graduated they had to pass the 10th grade ones in order to graduate. They (thank God) didn't have a problem, but the stress was ridiculous! For the 3rd gr here (dd's grade) it isn't mandatory to move up. But I think in 5th grade it is. Plus her school doesn't test well with it. They were on the warning list 2 years but the past 2 years they have made substantial progress. Due to the school doing poorly my dd is eligible for tutoring services. Which we take advantage of. She is a math wiz, but reading comp she struggles with. I feel bad for the teachers & parents when the students have that much pressure on them. Society puts too much pressure on kids these days if you ask me. Organized sports & clubs. Whatever happened to the neighborhood kids play a "pick up" game of football, or basketball, or even tag.
oh well, my rant is over. hahaha sorry.

 

[BridgetR3]

I completely agree!! Here in LA they are trying to pass a law where the teacher's salary is based on the students' test scores.

Too much stress on children who are too young to know how to deal with it!

 

[Deesknee]

I think they had thrown around the idea of basing teachers salaries on the test scores, but I THINK that was thrown out the window. But, as I'm not a teacher, I can't say for sure. I know teachers need specific licensing to teach in MA that they don't in some other states. It may be for particular grades.

We all have too much stress these days.... that is why I think family vacations to Disney are so important. And the more you go, the more you have the ability to...as you say, take time to smell the roses.

 

[BridgetR3]

Animal Kingdom is one of DH's favorite parks so we are going to live it up in this one! Of course this was also the ONLY day last trip that he felt well so that could be the reason that it is his favorite.

Here are our can't miss things in AK......

Expedition Everest (DH only....)
Safari
Festival of the Lion King (DH's favorite thing at Disney)
Kali River Rapids (probably a few times since it's going to be soooo hot!!)
Tough to be a bug (kids don't want to see this one again...but I want to share it with Nannia!)
Lunch at FlameTree overlooking the lake in front of Expedition Everest (found this last time thanks to great directions from the DIS!)

Last time we had a dinner reservation and had to leave early so we missed quite a bit. Here are some things that will be new to us this trip!
Finding Nemo
Boneyard and Fossil Fun Games
Parade
Devine
Wildlife Train
Affection Section

I can't decide if I want to ride Dinosaur or not. I get VERY car sick VERY easily so I'm afraid of it based on the descriptions. I know that the kids would not like it because they get scared easily. What do you guys think?

 

[Deesknee]

I used to love Dinosaur (prior to the vertigo). But, if you get motion sickness... there is a lot of of jerking, not sure how that would affect motion sickness. Hopefully someone else will jump in here. It does bother my vertigo.

But, if your DH likes EE, do you think he would enjoy Dinosaur? also primeval whirl. But I will say primeval whirl will induce motion sickness, but if he likes the thrill rides... my family love that one. (again, I used to).

So exciting.... with the warm weather around here, I know I am thinking FLA! hahaha

 

[BridgetR3]

So.......we purchased our airplane tickets tonight. EEK!!!! We had a rough flight last summer coming home from my brother's wedding and that has made me REALLY nervous about flying. However, if it's my only way to Disney, I'm all for it.


A few questions about Magical Express.....

1. About how long does it take to get from the airport to your hotel (approximately, I won't hold you to it!)?

2. How early do you need to be at the resort to board a bus to head back to MCO when it's time to leave?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Deesknee]

YAY! I wish we could get our airline tix. That is one thing I hate hanging over our heads.
Good for you you got yours. I love flying. We usually fly Jetblue. We seldom have any problems. I hope your flight converts you to a cloud lover!

sorry forgot to answer about ME ... or rather not answer. We've only used it once. DH says once we landed it took about 1 1/2 hr to get to our resort. That was to BLT. We didn't take it back (we rented a car at the car center at WDW & returned it at the airport). Sorry. I hope someone else can be more helpful.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

So.......we purchased our airplane tickets tonight. EEK!!!! We had a rough flight last summer coming home from my brother's wedding and that has made me REALLY nervous about flying. However, if it's my only way to Disney, I'm all for it.


A few questions about Magical Express.....

1. About how long does it take to get from the airport to your hotel (approximately, I won't hold you to it!)?

2. How early do you need to be at the resort to board a bus to head back to MCO when it's time to leave?

Thanks for the help!

I would say from the time you land until the time you arrive at your resort, probably about 1.5 hours. Factoring in time to get down to the ME check-in, board the bus, bus leaves, maybe stops at other resorts first, etc. The drive from the airport itself to the WDW area is about 30 minutes. So could be as quickly as 45 minutes to an hour also.

The ME will pick you up at your resort 3 hours prior to your departure flight time. When you arrange the pick-up, they will give you a time to be at the DME stop.

Also wanted to make a few comments... we will be at WDW almost the same time as you.. we arrive June 13, stay at Windsor Hills for 4 nights and then Old Key West June 17-22. So our trips overlap just slightly.

My oldest dd is almost 18, graduating this year, and is planning on becoming a teacher! She has done a program called "Ready, Set, Teach!" for 2 years now in high school. She wants to teach kindergarten. So she will be going to college for elementary education. She is also a NUT about Disney movies, especially the classics!!! So I thought she has a little in common with you. Of course, since she is graduating, she is way too busy this summer to go on the trip with us, so it will be just our other 3 kiddos. She has been 8 times already, though, so not exactly deprived!

Looking forward to reading more about your trip! POFQ is one place we haven't stayed yet. I have stayed at POR, once when it was still Dixie Landings and time after it became POR.

 

[Lidian]

I'm in!

I only had time to skim the pages, but will be back to read and follow along with the updates! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[BridgetR3]

Today I was able to donate 12" of hair to Locks of Love. I have been growing it out for about 6 years so it is a very different feeling to have "short" hair again but I love it!!!


The before.......

The after back.......

The after front.....

Please excuse my face. I went from the doctor for allergies and sinus infection to the hair stylist so I look a little under the weather.

 

[Deesknee]

Love it!! What a great thing you've done. But, I'm sure you are aware of that!
The style is adorable.
I am fastly approaching the 50 yr. mark, and need to desperately change my hair style, but I have a round chubby face I can't find a shorter style that looks good on me. The last time I had my hair cut short, people who didn't know me then & saw pics of me & my 3 brothers, thought my parents had 4 boys. So, I am very hesitant.

Anyway, your stlye looks awesome! Should be a lot cooler for these summer months!

 

[BridgetR3]

Love it!! What a great thing you've done. But, I'm sure you are aware of that!
The style is adorable.
I am fastly approaching the 50 yr. mark, and need to desperately change my hair style, but I have a round chubby face I can't find a shorter style that looks good on me. The last time I had my hair cut short, people who didn't know me then & saw pics of me & my 3 brothers, thought my parents had 4 boys. So, I am very hesitant.

Anyway, your stlye looks awesome! Should be a lot cooler for these summer months!

Thank you!!! My family and friends love it too!!! My hair used to curl on its own but yesterday it wouldn't so the stylist curled it for me. If it's up to me I promise it won't be curled every morning!!!

I've had one of those "boy" haircuts too!!!! In fact the last words of my great-grandfather were "I love you and I"m sure you will grow up to be a fine young man." I NEVER cut my hair that short again!!!! Talk about soulcrushing for a junior high girl!!!!

Thanks for faithfully reading my PTR!!! I"ll update it again this weekend but since I"m off today DH and I are going run errands!!!

 

[BridgetR3]

I would say from the time you land until the time you arrive at your resort, probably about 1.5 hours. Factoring in time to get down to the ME check-in, board the bus, bus leaves, maybe stops at other resorts first, etc. The drive from the airport itself to the WDW area is about 30 minutes. So could be as quickly as 45 minutes to an hour also.

The ME will pick you up at your resort 3 hours prior to your departure flight time. When you arrange the pick-up, they will give you a time to be at the DME stop.

Also wanted to make a few comments... we will be at WDW almost the same time as you.. we arrive June 13, stay at Windsor Hills for 4 nights and then Old Key West June 17-22. So our trips overlap just slightly.

My oldest dd is almost 18, graduating this year, and is planning on becoming a teacher! She has done a program called "Ready, Set, Teach!" for 2 years now in high school. She wants to teach kindergarten. So she will be going to college for elementary education. She is also a NUT about Disney movies, especially the classics!!! So I thought she has a little in common with you. Of course, since she is graduating, she is way too busy this summer to go on the trip with us, so it will be just our other 3 kiddos. She has been 8 times already, though, so not exactly deprived!

Looking forward to reading more about your trip! POFQ is one place we haven't stayed yet. I have stayed at POR, once when it was still Dixie Landings and time after it became POR.

I'm sorry I missed your comment on here somehow!!! I was going back through to see if I had posted about our airfare and realized that you answered all my questions!!! THANK YOU so much!!!

I'm so excited for your daughter. I love teaching!!! I'm sure she will be a great one!

If she loves Disney, she should sign up for the College Program! We have a friend of the family that starts in the program in May and will be there through Dec. or Jan. I think. We are excited about visiting her at "work".

Thank you for joining us!!

 

[Deesknee]

Thank you!!! My family and friends love it too!!! My hair used to curl on its own but yesterday it wouldn't so the stylist curled it for me. If it's up to me I promise it won't be curled every morning!!!

I've had one of those "boy" haircuts too!!!! In fact the last words of my great-grandfather were "I love you and I"m sure you will grow up to be a fine young man." I NEVER cut my hair that short again!!!! Talk about soulcrushing for a junior high girl!!!!

Thanks for faithfully reading my PTR!!! I"ll update it again this weekend but since I"m off today DH and I are going run errands!!!

OH NO! from your Grandfather no less. Well, he was wrong. you did not grow up to be a fine young man. Obviously, a beautiful, young woman, who has the good sense to raise her sons to be disney lovers.

 

[BridgetR3]

OH NO! from your Grandfather no less. Well, he was wrong. you did not grow up to be a fine young man. Obviously, a beautiful, young woman, who has the good sense to raise her sons to be disney lovers.

Yep he was rather old (94) and obviously senile at the time. But it still took me a while to get over it!!

My sons received a free dress day at school today and were able to dress up as what they wanted to be when they grow up. My oldest DS wore all of his Disney stuff and told them that he would like to work in the Disney college program when he is older.

I can't wait to go back and enjoy ourselves this time. I felt quite overwhelmed last time with it being our first trip and trying to learn the ropes. Now that we have been there and experienced it, I think it will make this trip SOOOOO much better. Also, hopefully DH won't get sick this time!!!

 

[nannia53]

OK just two more days in this month and we'll
have 2 months left. Oh that sounds like a long
time. Hopeful it'll pass fast. This will be the
first time I fly so I have mixed feelings about
it. But I'm excited to see what it feels like to
fly. To get there in a few hours rather than
many hours; fly baby fly.

 

[Deesknee]

OK just two more days in this month and we'll
have 2 months left. Oh that sounds like a long
time. Hopeful it'll pass fast. This will be the
first time I fly so I have mixed feelings about
it. But I'm excited to see what it feels like to
fly. To get there in a few hours rather than
many hours; fly baby fly.

I LOVE flying. Hopefully you will too. My Mom flew for the first time when she was in her late 50's. She was so so scared. She flew from Boston to Portland OR. The night before her flight we had a freak snow storm. She was petrified. BUT.,..... SHE LOVED IT!! She never became a fan of the landing, only due to her nerves, but other than that she loved it.
Two months? There is part of me that wishes we only had 2 months.... but must admit, I love the anticipation of the trip also.

"I can't wait to go back and enjoy ourselves this time. I felt quite overwhelmed last time with it being our first trip and trying to learn the ropes. Now that we have been there and experienced it, I think it will make this trip SOOOOO much better. Also, hopefully DH won't get sick this time!!!
03-23-2012 10:50 PM" No one can get sick! Have you been clued into the windows on Mainstreet having the names of Disney employees on them. That can be a bit fun to try to find Roy, or Walt. I can't remember if you are planning on having the boys hair cut in the barber shop on mainstreet. I am so excited for you all. I really hope it is truly magical for ALL of you.

 

[BridgetR3]

OK just two more days in this month and we'll
have 2 months left. Oh that sounds like a long
time. Hopeful it'll pass fast. This will be the
first time I fly so I have mixed feelings about
it. But I'm excited to see what it feels like to
fly. To get there in a few hours rather than
many hours; fly baby fly.

Two months is WAY too long!!! lol.....I'm so ready to be on the airplane now!! I can't guarantee that you will like flying because honestly I don't like flying but if it gets me to Disney, I'll take it!!!

No one can get sick! Have you been clued into the windows on Mainstreet having the names of Disney employees on them. That can be a bit fun to try to find Roy, or Walt. I can't remember if you are planning on having the boys hair cut in the barber shop on mainstreet. I am so excited for you all. I really hope it is truly magical for ALL of you.

Yep I knew about the windows on Main Street but I found that out AFTER our trip so we will know to look this time! We are not planning on getting hair cuts at the barber shop. I think the boys would rather ride than get a hair cut. My oldest DS HATES haircuts so that may be a traumatic experience!! lol......

 

[BridgetR3]

On our last trip (and our only other time at Disney), my DH got sick on our HS day so we didn't get a whole lot done. In fact, if you read my TR, you may remember that we only rode TWO rides the WHOLE day!!!! We rode TSM and Great Movie Ride. This time we have given HS two days so that we can see and do LOTS more!!!

Here are our must do's for HS -

RnRC - DH and his dad
TOT - DH and his dad
TSM
Great Movie Ride
Backlot Studios Tour
One Man's Dream
Star Tours - everyone but me?
Fantasmic - one night only....
Lights, Motor, Action stunt show - I'm excited about Lightning McQueen in this because my kids don't know who Herbie is!
Beauty and the Beast - yes I will subject the guys to this as I've heard that it's really good.
Little Mermaid
Disney Junior - I'm hoping to do the Animation while someone goes with the boys to this.
Animation - Me for sure.....I'm not sure anyone else wants to draw.
Indiana Jones
Fight Darth Vader
MuppetVision 3D
Lunch/Dinner at Pizza Planet
Cupcakes at Starring Rolls

Yep that's just about everything! lol....oh even though we will be down there during Star Wars Weekends, we have chosen not to go this year because I think that the kids would get tired of waiting in lines for the characters with all of those people. They really weren't that interested in meeting the characters last year and enjoyed the rides/shows a lot more. We may try to go back when they are older just for Star Wars Weekend because they love Star Wars.

So did I miss anything? Anything we have to look for in HS?

 

[Lidian]

Why no Star Tours for you? It's one of my favorites at DHS ... and in my March PTR claimed I wanted to ride it like a billion times.

I was torn with the change from Herbie to Lightning. On one hand, we loved Herbie!! And we loved his portion of the show. On the other hand, my kids didn't know who he was and didn't get it. When we saw it this year, the kids enjoyed the show MUCH better ... but DH was a little peeved that his beloved Herbie wasn't there (and I didn't warn him -- but I didn't know of the replacement).