The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[addictedtothemouse]

HAHA DH and I just had a "discussion" about dinner. It irritates me to no end when I ask him "what do you want for dinner?" and he replies, "I don't know, what are you in the mood for?" If I knew what I was in the mood for that's what we would have and I wouldn't even ask! So I said, "Let me get this straight, I have to decide what's for supper, do the shopping for ingredients, make said supper, put away leftovers and clean the kitchen up afterwards and all you have to do is eat it?!" To which he said,"Why don't you get yourself a steak and make me hot-dogs."

My brother is an ubber planner but even he laughs at me for the amount of planning I put into a trip. But hey, if I'm spending that much on a trip I want to get my money's worth out of it. Yeeaahh I don't relax much at Disney. And I hate when I'm leaving and I remember a snack or drink I wanted to try but forgot about until I'm checking out.

 

[Steppesister]

Now caught up on the update and I see my post count is finally back. Hope things continue to improve.

The SPAT - Yes I know it well except mine is the P- pat or the PP-PAT

Sometimes on the home front it is about what is not exploding at the moment.

Feels like forever since I've gotten to be on here at all, and it's good to see people hanging in there with me. I know it's a terribly boring thread- . Hopefully, Tate's things wil arrive soon, and he can keep things going for me.

The PP-Pat. Isn't that for the new Tangled bathrooms?? Ok, seriously, a good plan can't hurt anyone, RIGHT?!

Whoa! Still trying to get how this new DIS works! They still have techno color so I'm happy! Where are our little smiley friends? Do like the "like" button!

We don't SPAT about Disney plans - we just do what Mama says. Well, mostly. A couple of times the group has strayed from said plan, and it wasn't pretty - so they've learned. ABP - love it! I think they should make in an option like the DDP for a Disney trip. They do it on crusie ships.

Keep up the good work - that pic reminds me that the last time I saw someone in that garb, I was in for a world of hurt.

ETA: I found them! All partying away under that innocent looking face at the top!

I KNOW!! This really threw me for a loop! It's going to take a while to get used to this!!

I like the like button too, but I hope it doesn't discourage good old fashioned replied and the banter!! I can see using it to say hi or to "tell" someone they'll be back, but DON"T STOP REPLYING!!!!!!

That's generally what we do too, but I do try to be fair and let them in on the planning on the front end, but in true fashion, no one really ever seems to care about the plans of the trip, UNTIL WE"RE THERE!!!!! Then everyone seems to have an opinion.

I guess sometimes we have to have a little more pain in order to get better.

HAHA DH and I just had a "discussion" about dinner. It irritates me to no end when I ask him "what do you want for dinner?" and he replies, "I don't know, what are you in the mood for?" If I knew what I was in the mood for that's what we would have and I wouldn't even ask! So I said, "Let me get this straight, I have to decide what's for supper, do the shopping for ingredients, make said supper, put away leftovers and clean the kitchen up afterwards and all you have to do is eat it?!" To which he said,"Why don't you get yourself a steak and make me hot-dogs."

My brother is an ubber planner but even he laughs at me for the amount of planning I put into a trip. But hey, if I'm spending that much on a trip I want to get my money's worth out of it. Yeeaahh I don't relax much at Disney. And I hate when I'm leaving and I remember a snack or drink I wanted to try but forgot about until I'm checking out.

It' ALWAYS like that! Always. At least you're not alone.

And I totally agree on how much planning needs to go into trips, particularly Disney trips in order to really get your money's worth. But hey, when you forget something, it's always another reason to go back!

 

[Flossbolna]

Ah, I have an addition for your list! That's because your last trip was soooooooo long ago that you don't know of the joy of FP+ planning just yet. Maybe you need to add "researching everything that is new" in your plan?

By the way, once you have found your way around the new software, you will like it. I know it from a different board and love it. In the end it is far easier to use. And it has some really neat feature (like threads stay new until you really read them) you can even "summon" people by tagging them: @Steppesister you should now have an alert that I tagged you.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

There are so many things to consider when planning anything. On a scale of 1-10, cooking dinner, for example, is about a 1. Figure out what everyone is in the mood for (which is pretty stupid, because in my household everyone usually eats what I'M in the mood for, unless there's a special request, and even then I reserve the right to deny it based on my mood and how long it's been since we've had macaroni and cheese- a staple since I started school), procure the necessary ingredients (that's joke, since I have time to shop about once every 2 weeks, and we eat macaroni and cheese bought from the neighborhood store anyways), and I actually find time to cook it (repeat dumb joke about having time, blah, blah, blah)...

So this always begs the question: if I can't get what I'm in the mood for, why ask me?

We'll call this Steppe's Planning Assessment Tool or SPAT for short. Had any SPATs with your significant other recently?

Who, me? Um...no. Not at all. Nothing to see here. Move along.

One that's been asked approximately 127 million times, give or take a couple million, and that's only counting the Type A Planners who don't want to spend an hour and a half in each queue, way too much money on every meal, or end up with a parking lot view from their resort room.

Hey, these things are important to us Type A Planner Types.

6) Adult beverage plan- kind of like ADRs, but these are ABPs. Remeber that.

If the VP is such a VIP, shouldn't we keep the PC on the QT? Because if it leaks to the VC, he could end up MIA, and we'd all be put out on KP.

11) And BEST OF ALL DISMEET planning! We already have people onboard for WDW or BUST (phew, almost mistyped that- close call), Oct, 2016! Be there or be square.

I'm glad I've had a few minutes tonight to just hang out here! You wouldn't believe the insanity I experienced of last week. Seriously, I was kind of hating life there for a spell. But I think for now, I'm in a place that I can take an hour off and look at all of your lovely threads that I've sorely missed. If you are posting here, and I have not been to your hood yet, post your link here and I'll try to get over there ASAP.

I'm glad you at least had a little bit of a break to come up for air. Hope that things balance out so you aren't feeling stressed!

 

[-Hope-]

So many decisions to make... but I've gotta say that's what I actually LOVE about WDW. Other vacations are too easy to plan and I don't get to extend the trip for months and months through my obsessive planning...

 

[Steppesister]

Ah, I have an addition for your list! That's because your last trip was soooooooo long ago that you don't know of the joy of FP+ planning just yet. Maybe you need to add "researching everything that is new" in your plan?

By the way, once you have found your way around the new software, you will like it. I know it from a different board and love it. In the end it is far easier to use. And it has some really neat feature (like threads stay new until you really read them) you can even "summon" people by tagging them: @Steppesister you should now have an alert that I tagged you.

But of course! And I don't even know why exactly I omitted that. What a massive oversight! And when I'm not weeping and gnashing my teeth and asking myself why on earth I did this to myself, I am quietly looking at threads seeing what's new. There are actually a fair amount of new restaurants to browse, and the all-new-terror-inducing FP+ system to contend with. I don't have the energy for that quite yet. And who knows, but the time I go, they'll proabably have v3.0 out.

I am already liking a LOT of the new features here. I like the "like" button (saw that you had stopped by earlier- before you replied). Just hope that doesn't keep people from actually posting. I like the notification system- YES! I got your note (that was FUN!), and kinda like the smilies being hidden until use. I was always wondering how I could "find my place where I'd left off" in everyone's threads (especially useful for when you can't visit often).

So many decisions to make... but I've gotta say that's what I actually LOVE about WDW. Other vacations are too easy to plan and I don't get to extend the trip for months and months through my obsessive planning...

So very true!! Makes the trip last SO much longer!

 

[Steppesister]

So this always begs the question: if I can't get what I'm in the mood for, why ask me?

It's kinda like when hubby asks where I wanna go for dinner.

I don't care.

Pulls into just about anywhere.

No. NO!! Anywhere but there!

Who, me? Um...no. Not at all. Nothing to see here. Move along.

They wouldn't have anything to do with who takes the 3:00 AM, do they?

Hey, these things are important to us Type A Planner Types.

DUH.


If the VP is such a VIP, shouldn't we keep the PC on the QT? Because if it leaks to the VC, he could end up MIA, and we'd all be put out on KP.

I knew there was SOMEONE who would understand this!!! Would you a side of Viagra with that?

I'm glad you at least had a little bit of a break to come up for air. Hope that things balance out so you aren't feeling stressed!

Yup! I was even able to go to bed by midnight last night! Go me.

 

[Flossbolna]

But of course! And I don't even know why exactly I omitted that. What a massive oversight! And when I'm not weeping and gnashing my teeth and asking myself why on earth I did this to myself, I am quietly looking at threads seeing what's new. There are actually a fair amount of new restaurants to browse, and the all-new-terror-inducing FP+ system to contend with. I don't have the energy for that quite yet. And who knows, but the time I go, they'll proabably have v3.0 out.

I am already liking a LOT of the new features here. I like the "like" button (saw that you had stopped by earlier- before you replied). Just hope that doesn't keep people from actually posting. I like the notification system- YES! I got your note (that was FUN!), and kinda like the smilies being hidden until use. I was always wondering how I could "find my place where I'd left off" in everyone's threads (especially useful for when you can't visit often).
!

Just as you say, I would not worry about FP+ just yet. It still might be tweaked in so many ways before your trip.

I don't think the like button will keep people from replying, but it is a nice way to add a little bit interaction.

 

[afwdwfan]

cooking dinner, for example, is about a 1.

Seems more like a 0 to me. I mean you're having mac & cheese regardless, right?

3) I also reserve the right to change my mind. It's my trip, and it's my way or the highway. (Really, I'm not that unreasonable unless you A) stand between me and my DoleWhip B) don't cry with me when we're watching MSEP, or C) tell me that the Donald ride isn't worth it- EVERY ride/attraction/experience at WDW is “worth it”. (insert chorale Amen!)

Amen!

Except for Tomorrowland Speeday or Stitch... totally not worth it.

3) Restaurants and the general eating plan- I can be a foodie, not gonna deny it. I can also be very happy with a pretzel for lunch if I have a FP. Love it, or I can politely show you the way out.

I'm totally on board with this one. I love a good meal at one of the table service restaurants... but I'm always good with the other offerings. Gotta experience it all.

5) Souvenirs- This is about a 2 on the SPAT.

Really? A 2? That's generous.

6) Adult beverage plan- kind of like ADRs, but these are ABPs. Remeber that.

9.5

I'm glad I've had a few minutes tonight to just hang out here! You wouldn't believe the insanity I experienced of last week. Seriously, I was kind of hating life there for a spell. But I think for now, I'm in a place that I can take an hour off and look at all of your lovely threads that I've sorely missed. If you are posting here, and I have not been to your hood yet, post your link here and I'll try to get over there ASAP.

I'm glad you've maintained your sanity and finally found some time to visit the DIS... as screwed up as the DIS might be right now.

Just for fun, I'll leave you with this:

Scrubs selfies... nice. I'm glad to see you're taking school seriously.

 

[eandesmom]

"J" is for Just in Case You're Wondering...​

There are so many things to consider when planning anything. On a scale of 1-10, cooking dinner, for example, is about a 1. Figure out what everyone is in the mood for (which is pretty stupid, because in my household everyone usually eats what I'M in the mood for, unless there's a special request, and even then I reserve the right to deny it based on my mood and how long it's been since we've had macaroni and cheese- a staple since I started school), procure the necessary ingredients (that's joke, since I have time to shop about once every 2 weeks, and we eat macaroni and cheese bought from the neighborhood store anyways), and I actually find time to cook it (repeat dumb joke about having time, blah, blah, blah)... so yeah, basically no planning because it probably isn't going to happen. Planning a kitchen remodel takes a little more though, and although it's pipe dream way up high on the list of to-do's after graduation and the paychecks start coming, I'd probably put that somewhere around a 7 on the Planning Scale. We'll call this Steppe's Planning Assessment Tool or SPAT for short. Had any SPATs with your significant other recently?

Yeah. About the lack of food and cooking and bare pantry in MY house. LOL!

And...I could eat Mac and Cheese almost every day.

Or a scramble.

1) These are listed in absolutely no order of importance; randomosity rules.

Loves, Steppe.

I just like that you used randomosity

I've not been able to keep upp with the chatter but I am here!

 

[KatMark]

Okay, I will have to say I agree with you on almost everything Liesa (except the Dole Whip -- -- NOT a fan at all).

I am so glad it is only Mark and I now when it comes to meals...we are usually pretty agreeable; the kids made it so difficult at times.

 

[Steppesister]

Just as you say, I would not worry about FP+ just yet. It still might be tweaked in so many ways before your trip.

I don't think the like button will keep people from replying, but it is a nice way to add a little bit interaction.

It may one of the later things I plan. I am pretty close to getting ticket #3, which will be fun! Since we're still at only 4 going that *I* have to pay for, we'll be 75% there. Meantime, I'll keep reading TRs and learn from y'all.

I'm liking the format here more and more each day!

 

[Steppesister]

Seems more like a 0 to me. I mean you're having mac & cheese regardless, right?

Well, that IS true. Although, tonight it was a nice batch of spag which lauched the dinner SPAT up to about a 3.

Amen!

Except for Tomorrowland Speeday or Stitch... totally not worth it.

Never done Stitch. So I suppose my previous comment was just rendered invalid. Speedway gives me a massive headache. Every. Single. Time.


I'm totally on board with this one. I love a good meal at one of the table service restaurants... but I'm always good with the other offerings. Gotta experience it all.

Yes. And that does happen to include snacks of all kinds. The best one being Rice Cream in Norway. It is like heaven, and I'm sure it will be there. Right next to my lasagne.

Really? A 2? That's generous.

I"m a generous person. What can I say?


I'm glad you've maintained your sanity and finally found some time to visit the DIS... as screwed up as the DIS might be right now.


Scrubs selfies... nice. I'm glad to see you're taking school seriously.

It won't feel that way for long. Although it did come as a surprise. Starting to get the feel of it, and I especially like the notifications feature! Now I can stalk all my good friends.

Hey, I learned about 4th stage decubitis today. Look it up, and you'll thank me tomorrow. I think. And the hat came AFTER I accidently wandered into a Restricted Area without one, only to be scolded. I was mortified; kinda like when I wandered into the men's room at the Hoop de Doo. Except in that case, after the requisite I'm sorries, I left laughing so hard I almost wet myself.

 

[Steppesister]

Okay, I will have to say I agree with you on almost everything Liesa (except the Dole Whip -- -- NOT a fan at all).

I am so glad it is only Mark and I now when it comes to meals...we are usually pretty agreeable; the kids made it so difficult at times.

It's ok. You can still be my friend. LOL! Hope you're recovering from all of your recent snow! Looked like quite a mess!

I can see how only 2 would be so much easier! Probably a lot less "think factor" that needs to go into it. Here at my house, there's always 2 choices for every meal. Take it or leave it. But I do try to make healthy stuff (until lately) and now I"m home so little now, it's a little like Every-Man-for-Himself.

 

[Steppesister]

Yeah. About the lack of food and cooking and bare pantry in MY house. LOL!

And...I could eat Mac and Cheese almost every day.

Or a scramble.


I just like that you used randomosity

I've not been able to keep upp with the chatter but I am here!

It's tough these days to get to the store at all. It hate to do the "what can I pick up quickly on the way home"?, but sadly, there's a lot of that going on. I have to keep reminding myself... this isn't forever.

And, well, yes I could too. So it's really not so bad. That and lasagna.

There are so many great words out there! Fun I get to use them here and there.

You're as busy as me, I think. And yes, I know you've started the East Meet's West, and will get there soon. But not for a bit... exam on Tuesday. Again.

 

[ursalita]

Hey! Love your attitude about dinner, I think I need to adopt a similar approach. I put way too much effort into shopping, planning, and making dinner to have my kids tell me they hate it. Of course I have all the time in the world to do it so I'm not complaining.

I am so curious about "scents."

Looking good, nurse.

 

[Steppesister]

Hey! Love your attitude about dinner, I think I need to adopt a similar approach. I put way too much effort into shopping, planning, and making dinner to have my kids tell me they hate it. Of course I have all the time in the world to do it so I'm not complaining.

I am so curious about "scents."

Looking good, nurse.

Dinner is easier when you just give up. I didn't get home until 11:00 last night and have no idea what they ate. Ther were a couple steaks in the fridge, but I doubt anyone actually had the motivation to cook them. If they're happy with pb&j, why do I even bother?

Once we really get rolling on planning for reals, I think you'll enjoy the scents chapter. It really adds to the memory making!!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

I"m home so little now, it's a little like Every-Man-for-Himself.

My kids loved when we had a fend for yourself night, they for to eat what they wanted and not worry if they liked what I made.

 

[RunnerMommyof4]

Subscribing and happily spent the better part of my morning reading your thread . I am currently planning our "1st WDW Trip", did I just say that? My family of 6 does not get my dry sense of humor but I must admit they looked at me questioningly this morning as I laughed many times while reading. Can't wait to keep reading and for the ABC adventure to continue.

 

[Steppesister]

My kids loved when we had a fend for yourself night, they for to eat what they wanted and not worry if they liked what I made.

Loads of those lately. Luckily tonight I pulled out some stuffed peppers that I'd frozen last time I cooked for reals.

Subscribing and happily spent the better part of my morning reading your thread . I am currently planning our "1st WDW Trip", did I just say that? My family of 6 does not get my dry sense of humor but I must admit they looked at me questioningly this morning as I laughed many times while reading. Can't wait to keep reading and for the ABC adventure to continue.

It's over-the-top wonderful to have a new friend on board!! So glad to have you here!!

My other TRs were so much better with a TON of fun banter, but I just have the time or energy right now to invest in this as much as I'd like to right now! But I WILL! I promise things will get more lively here and the action will pick up! My last threads had to spill over to 2 and 3 threads cuz, well, we talked a lot. And it was fun!!!

Your FIRST TRIP!!??!! Oh boy!! I'm so excited for you! You will LOVE IT!! Please pay attention here; the folks around here will help you so much and make your trip so much more enjoyable becuase of the little tricks they apply. It's all about the research and being willing to get up early, but finding that sweet spot of balance between getting stuff done and feeling like you get your money's worth and relaxing enough to call it vacation.

You have a big family too! Isn't it great?! I love my older kids, and love that I still have younger ones. And love even more that I don't have even younger ones.

I'll probably update Wednesday... hang in there with me!!