Tasty Planning Time with ZeBrook! A 2 for 1 PTR - 12/24 - All our bags are packed

[A.Mickey]

Hi Shanan! Thanks for reading! Ya....for Henry we'd have to bring some Gerber Puffs, Goldfish Crackers, and some chocolate and he'd be set. Can you even imagine how sick we'd all be by the end of that vacation??? Is your DS coming on PCC 2.0, or will it be another Mommy & Daddy Getaway?

It was going to be 3 of us for 16 hours, before we decided against Aaron going with us. We just wouldn't have had enough time to meet more fellow DISers with Aaron in tow. I don't really know if he would be liking the Kids Club by then.... Better not to risk it....Plus it is always nice to have some Mommy & Daddy time...but on a happier note, Nana will be taking Aaron to WDW while we are on PCC 2.0.

I finally finished reading all your green updates!
I just have to say, Nemo the Musical is a must you have done this before right? I also think you should most definitely try to see Country Bear Jamboree it is a classic! Circle of Life movie in Epcot can be missed, you really aren't missing anything, same thing with the movies in World Showcase. But if you were to do one of the movies in World Showcase I would do the circle vision in China even though Canada was just updated, China's has some very breathtaking shots! Especially after watching the last season of Amazing Race I recognized a lot of the areas they showed in the movie. Then again...you do have to stand up during the circle vision shows and Henry probably wouldn't get much out of them.

As for places to eat...I would try Sunshine Seasons over Tangerine Cafe. I have had both and there is a wider selection of food at Sunshine Seasons. Also, the combination plate I had at Tangerine Cafe pretty much tasted like lamb gyro meat and chicken gyro meat, nothing special. Although, you definitely get the most bang for your buck at Tangerine Cafe, I believe the combination plate is something like $14!!

Did Henry turn 2 yet? He has sooo much in common with my son it's great!

How is your foot feeling?!?

 

[brookelizabeth]

You have just gotta love Mickey Mail!! You got tons of it this week, so very exciting!

It was a very exciting week! But, kinda sad because I think that will be ALL my Mickey Mail for a while.

All well - at least we have the countdown starting tomorrow, right?

Hi, Brook. I am a little late jumping on board, but here I am, nonetheless! Sounds like you all have a great year of Disney travel planned. .

As for the PassPorter: I bought the spiral bound one the first year it came out. Second year I bought the Deluxe and have loved it. I have never had to replace the binder so it really is a huge money saver. Plus, you can remove pages you don't need for a particular trip and have a much lighter version.

Did you know that you can buy additional pockets? I have often done that if I am taking a few trips a year. Works like a charm. When we did our last DL trip I bought the refill for the Deluxe version only and saved money there too. Now I only save the pockets from our trips. Much easier and space-friendly than the whole book!

Hey there Elin! Thanks for joining in!
I did not realize you could just purchase the pockets! That is a great tip! Is the Deluxe Binder about the same size as the regular spiral bound book? The reason I ask is because we do like it for the maps and little tips on the rides/restaurants, and it fits perfectly in my Baggalini and we leave it open on the park map on the top of our stroller!

I do want to only save the envelopes and maybe a notes page or two from each trip - the Deluxe is looking like the way to go more and more for me.

YAY!!!! Soon you will be able to say you are going to Disney World THIS month!

And how fun to get all that Disney mail. I wish we would get those luggage tags with DVC. You get those when you book some sort of package, right?

Yep, you only get the tags with a package. I wish DVCers would get them too! I like how they change each year to match the theme. I guess we'll just have to do our DVC trip and a regular hotel room package trip each year.

Hey Brook,

Mickey Mail is the best!

And it is really hard to be a parent by yourself......(DH traveled for 6 months when DS was about 6 mos-he had to for work-and it was rough) my hat goes off to anyone who does it either because of a work situation or other family situation...)

I am a huge Passporter fan as well but they do get $$...did you know that sometimes towards the end of the year in the fall when the next one for next year comes out (which is usually Oct-Nov.) they have a $1 sale where they sell off the last year's? So when 2010 comes out say end of October-they'll have a $1 sale of all the old 2009 ones...

Btw-I've though Henry is adorable since I've seen him-but his hair color is amazing...I really noticed it in that postcard photo-gorgeous color-lucky little ginger...

Oh wow! For 6 months! That had to be really, really difficult.

Another great PassPorter tip! I am going to watch for that for our December trip if I don't purchase the Deluxe first. Perhaps they will also discount the 2009 Deluxe filler pages? I can't imagine they would discount the actual binder part....hmmm...

Thank you for the compliment on Henry! He was actually born with red hair and all the nurses were GUSHING over it since it is pretty rare at birth. It's gotten a bit lighter, but we agree-it's just beautiful! He gets quite a few comments/double takes and we ALWAYS get asked "Where is the red from?" when they look at Joe and I. (and the answer is always: "both sides!" His Dad has some red hair, and my Grandma on my Dad's side had fire engine red) I hope Henry keeps it and likes it when he gets older. The only thing we have to be VERY careful of is his fair, fair skin....

I love when they do that! I usually order a few and put them away. When a friend or one of my students starts to plan a trip to WDW and comes to ask my advice, I have that to give along with my "words of wisdom." It is a very inexpensive gift and I find that many are returned to me to give to another family or they will pass them along to someone else they know who is going.

That is such a great idea! What a perfect gift.


I have to get going to work, more replies later tonight!

 

[PNO4TE]

Brook - the Deluxe PassPorter would actually hold the spiral bound one, size-wise. Think a DayTimer binder with holes punched in the spiral bound version as opposed to the spirals. Does that make any sense at all??

 

[SoonerGirl]

Thank you for the compliment on Henry! He was actually born with red hair and all the nurses were GUSHING over it since it is pretty rare at birth. It's gotten a bit lighter, but we agree-it's just beautiful! He gets quite a few comments/double takes and we ALWAYS get asked "Where is the red from?" when they look at Joe and I. (and the answer is always: "both sides!" His Dad has some red hair, and my Grandma on my Dad's side had fire engine red) I hope Henry keeps it and likes it when he gets older. The only thing we have to be VERY careful of is his fair, fair skin....

I had to comment on this - I love Henry's red hair too! Mine was very red like his when I was little and both of my brown headed parents got the same question as you 'where does it come from?'. (mine was from both my paternal grandparents) Unfortunately, it didn't stay red, as I got older it got more and more auburn and now with the blond highlights I put in it, you can hardly tell it's red at all. I do have a cousin with beautiful red hair though, she is now in her 30s and it's as red as ever - so there is hope that Henry's will stay that way! As for the fair skin, I've got that too and I am covered in head to toe freckles from too many bad sunburns when I was a kid - so keep that sunscreen on him!

Now, on another note - I think I'm going to have to buy a deluxe passporter thanks to all of you on this thread.........

 

[Lovemy3babes]

What cool mail you got! I love any Mickey mail, even requests for payments. Fun stuff Brook!

 

[brookelizabeth]

YAHOO for Mickey Mail!!! I just love that picture of Henry reading his post card!!! I agree, it looks like he is so into it! Too stinkin' adorable I tell ya!

Isn't it awesome to say you're going next month? I can say it now too which is amazing since we booked in January! Granted we don't go til the end of the month, but still! Funny story - so of course I have lists, wants, ideas, numbers, etc all written down and I also have countdown calendars both at work and home. Well, AAA agent calls yesterday to remind me of the final payment due Aug 7th and it just felt so soon to me. I'm not complaining and I have the money saved and all, but it was like, really? Sure, take it now! I can't wait til we get our luggage tags and I'm glad they're different from last years!

Thanks for the tips on the Gran Fiesta and we will check it out this time!

I can't wait for your trip so I can hear all about it and SEE all the fall decorations in your reports!

Heather

He was pretty excited to see his Mickey and Dog on that postcard! He kept pointing at Dale too - I'm pretty sure he had no idea who he was!

Yes! It's wonderful being able to say "next month"! That is so great about having your trip paid in full - it really does make it seem all that much closer.

I love the fall decorations at MK - all the orange and yellow is so pretty!

Hi Brook!!!

Lovin' all the Mickey mail!!! Love the pic of Henry with the postcard, he was really studying that!!! Too cute!!

And glad to hear that you survived the week with Joe training, it's a lot of work! Todd use to travel cross country once a month for 4-5 days and it killed me so thankfully it only happens every other month or so now just overnight on the East coast but having him home every night, even if though it's only 1 1/2 hours each night before bedtime, still helps!!!

Yay that next month is your trip (that means mine is too!!!!)!!

Oh goodness! I'm glad to hear it has improved that your husband is only gone just an overnight now, 4-5 days every month would be so hard! Henry is so thrilled that Joe is here this week, almost every morning he asks for me, and then INSTANTLY asks for Da Da.

for Mickey Mail. I love opening the mailbox and seeing something from WDW!!!

Me too! Except when it's a bill.

Hi Brook! It's been a while since I've posted but I have been reading and trying to keep up with your PTR. Lot's going on with you! Great to hear about your trip in Sept -- you must be so excited, it will be here very soon! I will miss you by a couple of weeks as we'll be there until Aug 21 -- and then I'll be back again in Oct. Hopefully our paths will cross on another trip

Love the latest picture of Henry reading his postcard -- he is such a cutie!

Sorry to hear about your foot and hope that it is all healed up before your trip

Hi there! I am missing so many other DISers by just a few days or weeks! It's such a bummer. I hope our trips cross at some point too!

What day do you leave?

It was going to be 3 of us for 16 hours, before we decided against Aaron going with us. We just wouldn't have had enough time to meet more fellow DISers with Aaron in tow. I don't really know if he would be liking the Kids Club by then.... Better not to risk it....Plus it is always nice to have some Mommy & Daddy time...but on a happier note, Nana will be taking Aaron to WDW while we are on PCC 2.0.

I finally finished reading all your green updates!
I just have to say, Nemo the Musical is a must you have done this before right? I also think you should most definitely try to see Country Bear Jamboree it is a classic! Circle of Life movie in Epcot can be missed, you really aren't missing anything, same thing with the movies in World Showcase. But if you were to do one of the movies in World Showcase I would do the circle vision in China even though Canada was just updated, China's has some very breathtaking shots! Especially after watching the last season of Amazing Race I recognized a lot of the areas they showed in the movie. Then again...you do have to stand up during the circle vision shows and Henry probably wouldn't get much out of them.

As for places to eat...I would try Sunshine Seasons over Tangerine Cafe. I have had both and there is a wider selection of food at Sunshine Seasons. Also, the combination plate I had at Tangerine Cafe pretty much tasted like lamb gyro meat and chicken gyro meat, nothing special. Although, you definitely get the most bang for your buck at Tangerine Cafe, I believe the combination plate is something like $14!!

Did Henry turn 2 yet? He has sooo much in common with my son it's great!

How is your foot feeling?!?

I hope Henry is potty trained and likes the Kids Clubs on the ship...it won't be all that bad if he doesn't, we love having him around, and he's very well behaved, but Mommy and Daddy time is much needed! I think the cruise is a perfect little vacation away for the two of you, and even better than Aaron will be right there at WDW when you get off the ship! Are you going to be staying for a few days after again?

We have done Nemo, just once. Henry screamed the ENTIRE time. But, we were in the front row, and it was very loud and "larger than life". So, this time, if we make it, we'll sit back further and hopefully between his older age and the different seat he will like it a bit better! He knows who Nemo is, so I am thinkin' he might love it.

Thanks for the great advice on the Epcot films! The China one would be my first pick. We are in Minnesota, so it's practically Canada.

Henry hasn't turned 2 yet - his birthday is the day before we fly out! September 1. I can't believe he's going to be 2....! Has Aaron turned 2, when is his birthday?

 

[brookelizabeth]

Brook - the Deluxe PassPorter would actually hold the spiral bound one, size-wise. Think a DayTimer binder with holes punched in the spiral bound version as opposed to the spirals. Does that make any sense at all??

Yep! Makes sense. Sounds like should fit just fine in my Baggalini and makes it even more tempting to buy!

I had to comment on this - I love Henry's red hair too! Mine was very red like his when I was little and both of my brown headed parents got the same question as you 'where does it come from?'. (mine was from both my paternal grandparents) Unfortunately, it didn't stay red, as I got older it got more and more auburn and now with the blond highlights I put in it, you can hardly tell it's red at all. I do have a cousin with beautiful red hair though, she is now in her 30s and it's as red as ever - so there is hope that Henry's will stay that way! As for the fair skin, I've got that too and I am covered in head to toe freckles from too many bad sunburns when I was a kid - so keep that sunscreen on him!

Now, on another note - I think I'm going to have to buy a deluxe passporter thanks to all of you on this thread.........

We just bought more sunscreen tonight at Target (travel items purchase update coming in the near future )....it just scares me a bit to not have some on hands at all times. We lost a big bottle we had and I've been freaking for the past couple weeks every time we are outside for more than 10 minutes. I can finally rest easy a bit with the bucket hat and the sunscreen!

We are good enablers, eh? Shoes, bags, PassPorters...what else do we have to cover?

What cool mail you got! I love any Mickey mail, even requests for payments. Fun stuff Brook!

I can't say I love a bill....but, I do love that even those are usually themed to some extent! It was a great week of Mickey Mail!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I wanted to post a quick 'The Boot' update since some people have asked over the past few days....

Well, last week I was hopeless that I would be ditching the boot by this Thursday. I was in serious pain and it looked like there was a small baseball attached to my ankle.

However, having Joe back allows me to rest a LOT more and this weekend things have started to improve. Tonight I can almost see my ankle bone. The swelling is down much more than it ever has been!

I don't think I'll be home-free on Thursday; however, I do think I have a very good case of getting switched into the lighter boot where I can wear normal shoes on BOTH feet along with the boot. I might have to wear tennis shoes....but that is a great reason to go shopping, right?

 

[princess&her4princes]

Yay Brook for almost being able to see your ankle bone!! It's the little things in life, right?! Keep staying positive, get some rest, when you can and hopefully it will work itself out!!

And I'm always in for a good excuse to go shopping....shoe shopping myself online right now!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am glad your foot has gotten better since Joe got back! I will send pixie dust your way that you are down to the lighter boot on Thursday!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Yay Brook for almost being able to see your ankle bone!! It's the little things in life, right?! Keep staying positive, get some rest, when you can and hopefully it will work itself out!!

And I'm always in for a good excuse to go shopping....shoe shopping myself online right now!!!

It really is those little things! I exclaimed to Joe earlier "LOOK HONEY!" and pointed at my ankle. He said he could barely tell it was swollen at all.

I am glad your foot has gotten better since Joe got back! I will send pixie dust your way that you are down to the lighter boot on Thursday!

Thank you CP! I'll definitely check-in on Thursday with the news (and an update of course. )

 

[A.Mickey]

I hope Henry is potty trained and likes the Kids Clubs on the ship...it won't be all that bad if he doesn't, we love having him around, and he's very well behaved, but Mommy and Daddy time is much needed! I think the cruise is a perfect little vacation away for the two of you, and even better than Aaron will be right there at WDW when you get off the ship! Are you going to be staying for a few days after again?

We have done Nemo, just once. Henry screamed the ENTIRE time. But, we were in the front row, and it was very loud and "larger than life". So, this time, if we make it, we'll sit back further and hopefully between his older age and the different seat he will like it a bit better! He knows who Nemo is, so I am thinkin' he might love it.

Thanks for the great advice on the Epcot films! The China one would be my first pick. We are in Minnesota, so it's practically Canada.

Henry hasn't turned 2 yet - his birthday is the day before we fly out! September 1. I can't believe he's going to be 2....! Has Aaron turned 2, when is his birthday?

I am sure glad to hear that the swelling has gone down in your ankle!

Aaron is really well behaved also, but if Aaron came with us on the cruise I don't know how we would be able to have fun in Wavebands. I am going to make Jason's mom come on PCC 3.0! That is a good solution.

Well, I am hoping to stay a few days either before or after the cruise, depending on when others plan on staying. Most of the DISers on PCC 1.0 stayed for a few days (2-4 days) after the cruise, and came in a 1-2 days before the cruise. Lots of time to think about this! But I love thinking about it already!

About Nemo, Aaron did the same thing the last time he was there! But when we took him when he was 17 months, he really liked it! I think if we were to take him again he would like it too!

Yeah, Canada is just eh...I never have done Impressions de France, but I never heard anything good about it, other than that there are chairs in that theater and A/C...so a good place to rest and beat the heat!

Oh that is awesome that his Bday is the day before you leave!! Aaron turned 2 on April 2nd .

 

[lazydoxy66]

Yay! Disney mail. When you see that you know that everything is 'good to go'.

I wish you luck with your recently acquired accessory this Thursday. I am hoping you will not have any pain while you are at WDW.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I am sure glad to hear that the swelling has gone down in your ankle!

Aaron is really well behaved also, but if Aaron came with us on the cruise I don't know how we would be able to have fun in Wavebands. I am going to make Jason's mom come on PCC 3.0! That is a good solution.

Well, I am hoping to stay a few days either before or after the cruise, depending on when others plan on staying. Most of the DISers on PCC 1.0 stayed for a few days (2-4 days) after the cruise, and came in a 1-2 days before the cruise. Lots of time to think about this! But I love thinking about it already!

About Nemo, Aaron did the same thing the last time he was there! But when we took him when he was 17 months, he really liked it! I think if we were to take him again he would like it too!

Yeah, Canada is just eh...I never have done Impressions de France, but I never heard anything good about it, other than that there are chairs in that theater and A/C...so a good place to rest and beat the heat!

Oh that is awesome that his Bday is the day before you leave!! Aaron turned 2 on April 2nd .

Completely makes sense about having just a Adults trip on the cruise! I know I was thinking the other day that if Henry does not like the Kids Clubs, we'll be missing out on a lot of the "adult fun" - we'll be having "kiddy pool fun" with the other families, which is okay....but I'd like a good mix of the two! Regardless, I don't think there is any possible way we'll have a BAD time! Sounds like a very good plan to bring Grandma on 3.0!

We are thinking of staying a few days before (value season, hello!) and then a few days after. Joe is very into the after - so the majority of our stay will probably be after. He doesn't want to step off the ship and be like "Ugh, we have to go home now!" Which I understand! Yesterday we were discussing our DVC Points and he kept mentioning buying another 200. I have no idea where he's going to come up with that money. We'll probably take advantage of the deal that Dreams cuts with the Swolphin for at least a few nights depending on our additional vacation plans in 2010.

Was it very weird at first to think your baby was two? I can't believe how much Henry has grown up in the past few months, but I still can't grasp that he's going to be two!!

Yay! Disney mail. When you see that you know that everything is 'good to go'.

I wish you luck with your recently acquired accessory this Thursday. I am hoping you will not have any pain while you are at WDW.

I LOVE how you called it my "recently acquired accessory"! I recall just before I was getting x-rays done at the foot doctor 3 weeks ago, I was gazing at the various colors of casts they have and wondering which would best match the majority of my clothing.

Thank you for your kind words! I so better be done with this foot ordeal (or very close to!) by September. I reallyyyyyy don't want to rent a scooter...

 

[kschafer]

Hey Brook,

Just popping in to say hi from the dells. We did decide at the last minute to take the trip. I appreciate your advice and recommendations! We arrived last night and will be staying for the next 2 full days. We are looking forward to some good times! Thanks for your help!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Glad to hear your ankle is doing better! Hope you can get the smaller boot on Thursday.

 

[MeMom]

That happiness was certainly worth the 75 cents plus a stamp...and maybe even a little more!

I'm going to try to catch up with all my DIS reports today as I detox from Disney World to real world. Your comments on single parenting are interesting, as I raised three alone starting from when Drew was a year old. When I hear people talk about having the kids alone for a week or whatever, I just smile. You are very blessed to have your good husband around, and I know you know that. You have a precious family!

I hope the ankle makes much progress between now and trip time.

 

[ClaireW]

Fingers crossed for the smaller boot - then you'll be able to chase your cute little red-headed man just a bit faster!

 

[luvfigment]

YAY for Disney mail! The picture of Henry with postcard from MeMom is too cute! I like Fauxporter envelopes that you made...I am also addicted to the PassPorter and buy one for every trip.

I hope you get a smaller boot on Thurs and they you don't have to rent a scooter for your trip.

 

[LaurenMic]

Hello! I just stumbled upon your PTR and I love it!! Still need to get caught up on everything. AKL is gorgeous, you are so lucky that you got in! You'll be there when the decorations are up which is my absolute favorite time to go!!

Hope you get the lighter boot! The picture of your son reading the Disney Mail is absolutely adorable! Looking forward to more fun planning adventures