(tap tap...crickets chirping) Anyone out there reading our PTR? October 2010

[Chelley00]

October 24. Now our last day


We have a breakfast reservation at Ohana, as a send off to the Poly, and to use that last TS credit. Brother and SIL are planning on leaving super early I think, which means we can send them off, then go stuff ourselves with Lilo and Stitch.

After that, who knows. We can leave anytime, but the earlier we leave, the farther we make it towards home, the earlier we make it home on the 25th.

I went ahead and got 9 day tickets. I figure if nothing, we can visit which ever park we didn't go to the day before, at least for a couple of hours to wear the kids out really well for the trip



After that, we're done. 17 hours back in the van towards home.

 

[Chelley00]

It must be frustrating to not know exactly how your last few days are going to go. Will R have to miss school if you do end up staying an additional day?

R and O both will miss 5 total days of school if we stay that additional day (which is their allotment for vacation days) They are already out 2 days for Fall Break.

October 21st is my birthday so I hope you think of me as you stroll down Main Street!
Your plans are coming together nicely!

I'll have to send you a picture on facebook!




SIL and I have been rearranging some plans, of course. I've changed my dining reservations so many times I should be banned! One thing I did was to move Chef Mickey's to Wednesday night and canceled 50's Prime Time. That makes me sad because I know mom would love 50's, but it's the first night my brother is in town and it will be a good start to their vacation. We also changed it so we could free up Thursday night for MNSSHP! I'm so thrilled SIL wants to go. We adore the party, and I know Halloween is my SIL's favorite holiday too.

This takes the pressure off of me trying to "theme" our costumes Now I just need to get R & O something to wear, that they'll be able to wear again on Halloween night.



Yesterday I worked with Betsy from memoriesbybetsy. She did a basket for R on our trip in Nov, and she LOVED it. She still thinks it came from Mickey So now I ordered 4 little baskets.

Mom's: black Mickey ears (her first pair!) character mug and a 2010 photo frame

Riley's: Nemo sand pail (for the Poly beach) magic towel, Light Up Toy of some sort and a pin. I'll send the autograph book I had made to be included.

Owen's: Nemo sand pail, magic towel, light spinner and activity book. I will send the autograph book, bag and pen I had made from etsy

Nephew's: Light spinner, Mickey ears, Magic Towel. He also has an autograph book, bag and pen that will be included.



Yesterday at Target I snuck a bunch of $1 spot things in my cart to go in the kids travel boxes for the van....right under their noses. I love how clueless they can be I found flash cards, coloring books, activity books and sticker books. That should keep them busy for, oh, maybe 20 minutes of the 17 hour drive, right?

 

[Chelley00]

I need help with a decision!


We have Whispering Canyon Cafe booked for our first full park day, after AK closes. I'm a little nervous about the recent reviews. We ate here on our first trip, and while it was okay then, we didn't feel the need to repeat it again on our next trip. So now I'm rethinking that ADR and wondering if I should book something else instead.

My mom's not picky, just not adventurous....more of a home cooking kinda gal. If I do change, it would have to be to a non-theme park restaurant. We'll have the van so we can drive if need be. OR, we could eat somewhere at AK.

So, another restaurant? Or, I could give up one of our breakfasts and use that credit to do a 2TS dinner show. Hoop De Doo? Luau? Ohana is my first choice I think, but nothing available until 9:30pm.

 

[Chelley00]

I think I'm talking to myself!


Today has been a sad day at our house. We had to put our boxer to sleep today O is mad at us, R is devastated. DH is a total mess. I have to keep reminding them that it was for the best. Poor Duke couldn't walk anymore, wasn't eating and had lost a ton of weight. He just looked so sad and laid around all day. It was time. Still not easy.


But, something good still happened today. Last night I set up a Disney account for my mom, using her address and my email address, and ordered her customized maps. I thought it would be fun for her to get something pre-trip. Today I checked my email, and they had sent her a pin code. Not just any pin, but the 40% off deluxe resort pin. I called to price it, and it saved us over $600!!! My brother tried the 20% value, but the free dining code was cheaper for them.

Now my mind is racing. That would buy our Universal tickets to be able to see Harry Potter with my brother's family, who is going there on their last day. Orrrrrr, we could upgrade our room to a lagoon view. Orrrrrrr, we could send the kids to the kids club and have a spa day with my mom.

Orrrrr, I could be an adult and save my money.

 

[laashley]

I'm still here! Looks like we will be going to the same MNSSHP! I can't wait. I think I will end up with a long list of must does. So happy the rest of your family wanted to go too!

About WCC, we went in April and the food was good and the waitress was really fun and sweet... But it took about 2 hours and our poor waitress had way too many tables. Not a quick meal by any means. We weren't in a hurry, so overall we enjoyed it. We are trying 1900 Park Fare, but don't think the food gets rave reviews. I know Kona Cafe and Boma are supposed to be very good. Don't know much about the luau or hoop dee doo, but with the dining plan I hear the seats aren't great. I don't know if I have been any help though. Guess if I were you I might try for Kona or Boma.

Sorry about your dog. We get so attached to our animals; they are part of our family.

What to do with the extra money? Saving it would probably be the smart thing, but this is a vacation I am having similar issues. I'll let you know what I decide if I ever do Universal does sound tempting doesn't it? Good luck slowing your brain down!!!

Please make your way to my ptr when you have time.

 

[DrMomof3]

I've been having a tough week so I haven't been here much.
Sorry about your dog. That's so sad. I can't imagine my DH when Buffy's time has come.
That's awesome news about the 40% off!!!!
We've never eaten at Whispering Canyon so I don't really have an opinion. It wouldn't be my 1st choice because DH and the kids don't eat pork.

Amanda

 

[Chelley00]

I'm still here! Looks like we will be going to the same MNSSHP! .

How fun! I'm working on costume ideas right now.

Sorry about your dog. That's so sad. I can't imagine my DH when Buffy's time has come.

I think DH is worse than the kids, although Riley has had a tough day today




Costumes: I was thinking of theme costumes when it was just the kids, mom and I. (Peter Pan, Toy Story etc) but it's so hard to plan for 7 people. SIL was talking about Buzz for my nephew, and it was just going to be too hard to plan 6 more Toy Story characters (affordable and not hot!) I off-handed mentioned to SIL that we should go as the SEVEN DWARFS, and she thought it was a great idea. (as long as my brother is Dopey...that made me laugh!)

So, for now, that's our tentative plan.

I found $8 dwarf hats

Okay, honestly, when did the 8th dwarf "Druggy" show up?

$5 belts

and figure we can pair it with a longish t-shirt and just shorts or pants. Cheap, easy and not too hot. I have tons of tshirt transfer paper, so I could always screen on the dwarfs name on each shirt.

Thoughts??

 

[DrMomof3]

Love the dwarf idea! Super creative and not expensive!!!

Amanda

 

[starann]

Ok..all caught up as promised!

I darn near peed my pants.....the 8th dwarf..."Druggy" LOL!!!!!!


So what did you end up deciding about the extra $$$?

Sorry to hear about your dog....it is never an easy decision. We have 2 dogs that are the same age, so I have a bad feeling that when we loose 1, the other won't be too far behind....very bad plannign on my part.

 

[Mrs T 2009]

I think I'm talking to myself!


Today has been a sad day at our house. We had to put our boxer to sleep today O is mad at us, R is devastated. DH is a total mess. I have to keep reminding them that it was for the best. Poor Duke couldn't walk anymore, wasn't eating and had lost a ton of weight. He just looked so sad and laid around all day. It was time. Still not easy.


But, something good still happened today. Last night I set up a Disney account for my mom, using her address and my email address, and ordered her customized maps. I thought it would be fun for her to get something pre-trip. Today I checked my email, and they had sent her a pin code. Not just any pin, but the 40% off deluxe resort pin. I called to price it, and it saved us over $600!!! My brother tried the 20% value, but the free dining code was cheaper for them.

Now my mind is racing. That would buy our Universal tickets to be able to see Harry Potter with my brother's family, who is going there on their last day. Orrrrrr, we could upgrade our room to a lagoon view. Orrrrrrr, we could send the kids to the kids club and have a spa day with my mom.

Orrrrr, I could be an adult and save my money.

So Sorry to hear about your dog! Never is it easy to lose someone close to you wether they are people or pets!
MY mother got our pincode for free dining! LOL And My family and I will be there the same time that you and yours are at WDW! Small World!!!

 

[Chelley00]

Love the dwarf idea! Super creative and not expensive!!!

I'm still not supersold on the idea. We'll see

So what did you end up deciding about the extra $$$?.

Nothing yet. I'm so undecided.

And My family and I will be there the same time that you and yours are at WDW! Small World!!!

Yay!




So, dance with me

PAID IN FULL ​

 

[kelmac284]

Hi I found you! I didn't read the whole thing but skimmed it and it sounds like fun! I see you are going before us and during halloween. We did that in 05 and LOVE it during that time of year. You will have a blast! LOVE MNSSHP. We did that and loved it. Did the Christmas party last time and not only was it rained or more like POURED out but I just didn't like it nearly as much as the halloween party. I will look forward to reading your plans and hope to see you over at my "place"

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Woo hoo!!! Isn't it the best feeling when the trip is paid off!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

No better feeling than Paid in Full!!!

Amanda

 

[starann]

No better feeling than Paid in Full!!!

Amanda

I agree!!!!

 

[Chelley00]

LOVE MNSSHP. We did that and loved it.

We love MNSSHP. This will be my 4th time!

Woo hoo!!! Isn't it the best feeling when the trip is paid off!!!

Absolutely

No better feeling than Paid in Full!!!

Amanda

It makes it seem real!

I agree!!!!

Me too

55 Days!​

I received my mom's check for her portion on Monday and paid our trip in full Wednesday night. It just makes it seem like it's really going to finally happen. My brother is also paid in full now too, so we are ready to go!

I really haven't had much time to trip plan. We've been busy getting everyone back in school. DS14 started his first day of high school on the 12th. He's happy that most of his friends are going to the same private school he is, plus he made friends with some new kids and upperclassmen playing soccer over the summer. They've already had 2 games, and are currently 1-1.

Riley went back to school on the 18th. She's always been in private school, but this year we pulled her and put her in public school. Our whole area redistricted, so it was a good time (and I was sick of paying almost $400 a month for her to have bigger class sizes than the free public school!) So far she's enjoying it, but it's been a big adjustment. Luckily, she got a teacher that was highly recommended by her first grade teacher, and 2 of the girls from our neighborhood are in her class as well.

Here's R on her first day of school

Owen went today for Kindergarten introduction It was only 40 minutes, but he got to meet teachers, and "new friends". Easy for him. He goes to school at a church where I work, and has been there since he was 10 months old, so all the teachers know him. His first actual day is Monday.

Last to go back is DS17. He starts next Wednesday. His senior year. I cannot believe my baby is going to graduate this year.


On the trip front:

I cashed in our Visa debit card reward points and got a Shell gas card. There's free gas to and from Florida

I spent the rest on a new DS game for R to take

After the Disney charge goes through, I'll have enough points to cash in and get O a Leapster game. I also have enough Mypoints for a giftcard. Probably will do Shell gas as well. If we don't use it on the trip, we can always use it later!

 

[kelmac284]

That's awesome that your trip is paid for. What a great feeling. We are doing the free dinning so mom is going to be paying the balance in Sept. (she is paying for this trip and I will be paying for incidentals). Last time we paid for all our food and "extras" which for my family of 5 still was over 3000!! We were there almost 2 weeks and I also bought the christmas party tickets, candlelight procession package, universal tickets etc. Plus we had a room at the doubletree at Univ for 2 nights etc.

But this trip is ALL my mom this time so she is paying for most of it.

She has airmiles for 2 of the flights and we found a pretty decent airfare on continental. This will be new for us as we have only flown American and Delta before. I have flown Southwest to Baltimore but not Florida. NONE of these were great for those long flights but it will be interesting to be on a totally new airline and going through Houston will be new for us as well.

My girls don't start back to school till Monday. They are going to a sleepover tonight and are SO excited. One last hurrah before school. It also means mom and dad get a night to themselves! We will prob do dinner and a movie but whatever it will be nice since we NEVER get any time to ourselves!!

Look forward to hearing more of your plans and as I stated in mine other than buying our plane tickets and making my ADR's we don't have a whole lot to do. So it's just sit back and wait.

 

[DrMomof3]

I can't believe that school is starting for your kids already! We never start until after Labor Day.

Amanda

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

WOW!!! Look at you all rearing up with only 55 days to go!! I have that x's 2!! Glad all the kiddos are enjoying the start of school, Devon still has 3 weeks till school starts!

 

[laashley]

I think the seven dwarves plan is a good one. I haven't come up with a good one yet that would appease all 4 of us. You are leaps and bounds ahead of my thinking.

Doing a dance for you paying off the trip. It really does make it seem more real when the trip is paid in full.

Hope all 3 kids are having an easy transition to the new school year!