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

[GoofyFan1515]

six days??? Nice!

Any attempts to leave that comment open to interpretation were purely intentional................

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Sorry I have been out of commission so long! I'm trying hard to catch up.

There will be surprizes for the Wiener. Maybe even a chicken deener.

Hmm. That chicken dinner could be pretty cold and slimy by the time it gets here.

Sorry, I'm all out of whips.

Well, I know one person who will be disappointed.

Apparently, when I made the reservations, I made one for Mike flying out on the same day. I've known for like EVER that he wasn't going to be going with us on the first bunch of the trip, so what was I thinking?!

D'oh!

from what I understand The Depress leaves 3 hours before departure. True?

Extra bonus points (5): Do I e-mail Brook tonight and have her add it?

Sure, why not. Boma breakfast it is.

Oh, my guess: B) 7/8. Have to go with 88%. Also, I think BOG would be the only one you'd have difficulty with. And I didn't have time to guess on the actual ADR times.

Speaking of points, an extra 5 points to whomever adds a 'D' photo to their guesses.

Very well then. How about dwarfs?

I'm also about to make that dreaded switch from a Day Dweller to a Night Crawler.

Good luck. I know I would struggle big-time with that.

We found out that my husband's aunt is in her last month or so of lung cancer (never a smoker, but breast cancer survivor from 30 years ago) that was diagnosed around Christmas. It is a very aggressive form that's metted out and she was only given 4 months at that time. I took my FIL (his sister) to visit her today and she's already on Hospice and on oxygen and pretty weak. I fear that may be one of the last, if not last, times we will see her. We are an extremely close family, even the in-laws, and while we do very well at being very open, honest, and supportive through tough things, this is a tough thing.

She's 88, and was until Thanksgiving a super avid traveller who has visited more countries than most people will ever get to see. She was a Professor of Microbiology at Oregon Health Sciences University (the biggest major teaching hospital in Oregon) for many years and is one of my biggest cheerleaders and encouragers. I'll be losing an amazing woman in my life all too soon.

I'm so sorry to hear that news. It sounds like she has lived a very full life. Prayers that she will not suffer too much.

 

[mom3sonstt]

Just got an email today that I can start booking my ADRs for my October trip.
I have been thinking about it as "your" trip for so long I didn't even think about what ADRs Ryne and I might want

 

[Steppesister]

1) Night shifts aren't too bad; not being a functional member of my family sucks.

2) It's going to take a day to readjust. But "E" is written and I have lots to share and pointys to give from ADR Day.... patience, my pets.

3) 1/4 done of Preceptorship! 9 more nights of Awesome Nursing Care to give.

 

[pkondz]

1) Night shifts aren't too bad; not being a functional member of my family sucks.

No headaches? No short term memory problems?
If you answered no, then... good!

2) It's going to take a day to readjust. But "E" is written and I have lots to share and pointys to give from ADR Day.... patience, my pets.

woof

3) 1/4 done of Preceptorship! 9 more nights of Awesome Nursing Care to give.

All right!

 

[Steppesister]

No headaches? No short term memory problems?
If you answered no, then... good!

Actually, I'm firmly planted in a recliner under a quilt just finishing up some write-ups due at the end of each week and battling the beginnings of one. I have a kind hubby blending me up a pina colada, a kitchen savvy son who just cooked me up some tuna casserole comfort food, and some Hollywood Studios music (Benny Goodman stuff) playing, and a hot bath waiting after dinner.

Yes, short term memory issues happen(ed). The further I get into the run of 3 nights, the more I know I have to write down on my brain sheet. But nausea is a bigger issue. I don't know if it's a mixed up meal time thing? or the smells in the hospital? or...? But at 2:00 every night of the 3, I've gotten a horrible upset stomach. Weird!

 

[pkondz]

Yes, short term memory issues happen(ed). The further I get into the run of 3 nights, the more I know I have to write down on my brain sheet.

Good idea. Focusing.... it gets tough in the wee hours.

But nausea is a bigger issue. I don't know if it's a mixed up meal time thing? or the smells in the hospital? or...? But at 2:00 every night of the 3, I've gotten a horrible upset stomach. Weird!

Hmmm... I usually get the nausea thing after I've slept (when I don't get enough... which is always.) but not with the upset stomach. Could it be that you're hungry? Everything shuts down when you sleep, you typically won't wake up in the middle of the night because you're hungry.
Don't worry, you'll figure out what your body wants and doesn't want.

 

[Steppesister]

E is for Essential Excursion Equipment​

Spring is in the air. And that means birthdays at the Steppe Homestead! Oodles of birthdays. Birthdays for everyone! And for at least 2 of us, they are very special birthdays. One birthday boy is turning 18, and a certain birthday girl is turning 14. And yet another is turning 29. Again. (Unless you ask her back. Or bladder.) But that's not what makes these birthdays special- it's that these are birthdays that happen to be just a few months before a BIG, FAT, HAIRY trip to WDW.

What more could a birthday prince or princess want than a brand spanking new carry-on and all the goods to slip inside, including a new ditty bag. That's what everyone calls a toiletries bag, right? Ok, good, just making sure.

This was not a cheap birthday, by a long shot, but these birthday goodies should last a good long time. If they last as long as my own very first carry-on, they'll give these kids 30 years of solid use. Gramma knew what she was doing.

The shopping spree started off at the local TJ Maxx where I purchased these little beauties:



Not bad for $49.99. Swiss Army puts out a solid product; I know because my parents gave us a set not too long ago, and it's definitely seen a trip around the old block or two. Being nearly identical, there shouldn't be any confusion or petty tantrums over whose is whose. (Actually, my kids don't throw petty tantrums. That's my department for instances where say... coffee is late in consumption, dishes are stacked in the sink when I've been out all day, or laundry stench wafts out of the washing machine because everyone else was too lazy to move it over.)

Rolly bags are hands down the way to go. These gems should make traversing the length of any airport a breeze. And you KNOW we'll be doing that at least 6 times. Furthest gate. Every airport. Every time. They are also really great for tripping over and getting unwanted attention in the Starbucks line. Then again, that may be a special talent only I possess. Back to birthday gifts...

But wait, that's not all, Boys and Girls. The next stop was JC Penny's. Every carry-on needs a ditty bag, right?



Of course it does. And every savvy traveler needs to organize their crap, and these screamed “crap organizer perfection”. They even hang up, see? Don't be too jelly, k?




But what has it got in its pocketses, eh?


Stuff. 3 guesses... Oh, not ready for another game quite yet?


Fine, I'll just show you. I'm FAR too excited about this Birthday Bag in a Bag in a Bag (you'll understand that in a moment) to make you wait. The next, and last, stop was the Dollar Tree. Generally, it’s a lot of dis and dat that the average intrepid traveler would need on a trip to the Land 'O Walt. Just a beginning, mind you. Because Mooooootherrrrrrr Knows Best, lots of other essentials will be added like moleskin, scissors, eye of newt, and WAY more ponchos (because rain will NEVER stand in the way of a full day in the parks, EVER.), and for Mama's bag... the Scent of the Trip Necessities. (Stay tuned if you have no clue what that is...)





Also to be added to each bag before gifting will be a typed up list of what else needs to be packed in this bag like a change of clothing, swimsuit, iPod/charger, Kindle/charger, phone/charger (they only have one each of those electronics to share), sunscreen, water bottle, Magic Bands, etc....

But the piece de resistance: A little booklet of laminated schedules on a ring-clasp so they'll know where to be when. I imagine they'll want to go their own way at times. And at other times, I'LL want them to go their own way. Those obviously aren't done quite yet, as some minor details are still being honed, but imagine, if you will, cute little laminated cards about 3x4, with the color-coded Excel schedule with all of the details they'd need to know for each day including where we're eating, park hours, etc...

Lastly, Here are the luggage tags that I did up for both their checked bags and carry-ons. My phone number is on the back and they are laminated and zip tied on. I'm actually rather proud of how these turned out. It took some doing to get the letters on as I could not find Disney font stickers. I had to print them on white, cut them out, stick them on white Mouseheads, and then photocopy it all on the green.



It's all wrapped up in a gigantic birthday bag- a ditty bag in a rolly bag in a birthday bag.

There ya have it. Birthday gifts for 2 for the Birthday Bunch. I wonder if the Birthday Bunny should buy the Mama something equally fun and useful. Like an Annual Pass.

Now, it's off to a Japanese Steakhouse to celebrate birthday #1. Replies and thread ketchup tomorrow.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[Steppesister]

And? Saw on FB that you weren't feeling 100%.
How'd the tummy handle the grub?

It was delicious and I ate liberally. Tummy handled lasagna... there's just something about lasagna.

I can do calculations by hand.
I have two of them.

I do calculations by calculator. I have 3 of them.

Don't do it on my account. At least not yet.
I'm just starting to think that maybe, possibly I might look at if it's feasible to possibly think about maybe think about it.

Think hard.

Ah, yes. I have been there many... many times.
As in, always.

It's just part of the deal. That and finding a small amount of exhilaration when a patient is finally hacking up sputum.

What is that?

Dutch Brothers is a local coffee chain. It's better than Starbucks and a bit cheaper. Then again a moonflight is also.

I suspect it won't be boring. Go Liesa, go!

Nursing is anything but boring. On a really downtime the other night when all the charting was done and during a VERY rare moment when all the patients were actually sleeping, my Preceptor showed me GoGuessr- Look it up; pretty fun!

You got this! You'll do great!!!

I'm learning and doing better each day; still a long ways to go.

I am getting close too!!! But have to do it 1 day at a time YUK!!!

Let us know!! I'll be over to your thread soon and check it out.

 

[Steppesister]

My thoughts for this trip are that I don't plan to make a lot of ADRs, only because I'd like to do a lot of NATW. I probably have 3-4 selections over the course of a nine day trip. Also, I'm waiting for the F&W events to be announced because we'll want to do some regional pairings and lunches or dinners.

I don't blame you a bit! I think if it were just me, I'd do the same, but the kids won't want to spend all their time in EPCOT and I want to show them a variety of places. I thinking I'm going to do a huge splurge on a Tour- and that you'll be surprised which one. Given a bit of the unexpected shenanigans I'm dealing with in the way of planning right now.

However, if there is something fun and special going on (ie DISmeet), I would be more than happy to get in on it! My only request would be that it not be at Jiko or Boma, as those two would be a hard sell to Fran. Other than that I'm good with just about anywhere!, the more festive the better I say!

Marv, Pat, and I have come up with a pretty good idea for that night that I think everyone can get on board with. I"ll share more after I can wrap my head around some of the changes.

Will PM you when I get to my computer.

Standing by...

ssshhhh.... be vewy, vewy quiet. Liesa's sleeping.

I found a cute little .gif to put in here like all the fun ones on your thread, but can't figure out how for the life of me. I've tried all the linky things on top... Any hints??

Whispering...
Hope your first night went well...just a few more to go! HaHa!
I hope Brook did as good as I did with ADR.
Quick guesses:
Answer: C

RR-6:00
Coral Reef -7:00
FF -no
V&A - 6:45
Sanaa -12:15
BOG -1:30
Artist Pt -7:00

You won't have to wait much longer. Still digesting...

Hmm....making me curious, but I guess I'll have to wait. ..

Coming soon! Still organizing thoughts.

curiouser and curiouser

Can I be the Cheshire Cat?

Hang in there Nurse Liesa..... this too shall pass!

25% done! Going quickly!

 

[Steppesister]

My guesses. Overall a B. How could I not guess 88%?!

Monday; 10/10- Raglan Rd; 6:05

Thursday; 10/13; Getting an ADR at Coral Reef; 6:00

Friday; 10/14; Flying Fish; nope, not happening

Saturday; 10/15; The Edison at Disney Springs; 12:45 Lunch AND Dinner at Vic and Al's. 7:15

Sunday; 10/16; Via Napoli; 6:30

Monday; 10/17; Sanaa; 12:45 Lunch

Tuesday; 10/18; BOG; 12:45 Lunch AND Artist Point Dinner for 2 at 6:45

Wednesday; 10/19; None

Thursday; Travel- none

Why no! How could you not??! LOL! I think everyone, including me is in for some surprises. All noted.

...and as far as a picture...

Love this picture of your sweet mom!

six days??? Nice!

Why do I get the feeling I'm missing something...?

I check out on the 19th - but plan around when you get the bigger group. I will be around for some of the other merriment!

I will make sure you get some updated deets when things become more solid- today they are... NOT.

 

[Steppesister]

Any attempts to leave that comment open to interpretation were purely intentional................

Like I said, why do I get the feeling I'm missing something...? Is this a raunchy movie inference?

Sorry I have been out of commission so long! I'm trying hard to catch up.

Completely understandable! I hope you're settling into that new and awesome job nicely without too many tears.

Hmm. That chicken dinner could be pretty cold and slimy by the time it gets here.

No way! Overnight shipping and a little dry ice? No problem!

Well, I know one person who will be disappointed.

From the riff-raff I get in and out of here (if you fall into that category, you know who you are) it could be any of you.

Sure, why not. Boma breakfast it is.

Oh, my guess: B) 7/8. Have to go with 88%. Also, I think BOG would be the only one you'd have difficulty with. And I didn't have time to guess on the actual ADR times.

All noted!

Very well then. How about dwarfs?

So then, although you don't get any extra points for using lots of "D"s, you hold the record for 5 (at least I see 5) D's in one photo.

Good luck. I know I would struggle big-time with that.

It's not been too bad really. Not fun, but doable.

I'm so sorry to hear that news. It sounds like she has lived a very full life. Prayers that she will not suffer too much.

Yes she has- many places, a good career, a loving family, travel, and even a companion in her old age (after her husband died). I'd say she's done well.

 

[Steppesister]

Just got an email today that I can start booking my ADRs for my October trip.
I have been thinking about it as "your" trip for so long I didn't even think about what ADRs Ryne and I might want

LOL! You better get moving, GIRL!! It'll be fun to see what you come up with. Feel free to post on here if you'd like!

Hmmm... I usually get the nausea thing after I've slept (when I don't get enough... which is always.) but not with the upset stomach. Could it be that you're hungry? Everything shuts down when you sleep, you typically won't wake up in the middle of the night because you're hungry.
Don't worry, you'll figure out what your body wants and doesn't want.

Yes, it could be. I thought I was taking a lot of food, but yeah, I'm still hungry. I guess being on my feet for 14 hours can burn some KCals. I think my rhythm is just off and my tummy is saying, "I don't know what to do now!"

Happy Birthday Season to one and all!

Thanks!!

Well this princess certainly would be thrilled! Nice choice with the fabric - I got beautiful shiny hard sided luggage for my last set, and apparently the airlines are less than careful with my prized possessions. They now look as if they have been shields in an airline medieval jousting contest.

Luckily these are only carryons and they'll be treated far nicer than what the monkeys handling baggage do to bags. I know they have to be in a hurry, but maybe some padded landing zones would be nice.

Very smart. I have lists galore on my phone started months before any trip.

Lists. Lots and lots of lists. Phone, back of toilet, super secret Disney drawer, spreadsheets. Yeah.

Nicely played. Now that I have sworn off travelling with DH, I will not need this idea, but maybe one day...

HAHA! If anyone is going with me, they'll need to know the plan. They can choose to be on board, or catch me at the next stop.

 

[mom3sonstt]

etter get moving, GIRL!! It'll be fun to see what you come up with. Feel free to post on here if you'd like!

I'll probably wait until we get back from our April trip. We're going to Hoop Dee Doo for the first time, so I'll have to see if we will have to repeat it. Besides with F&W going on I won't want many and I plan to join in some of your festivities.
I only have Hoop Dee Doo and garden Grill booked for next week.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I wanted to mention with the group ADRs, I don't know who all has what as far as qualifying discounts, but I have DVC, AP, and Disney Visa. If anyone wants to take advantage of the discount they're welcome to join my "ticket"

 

[cinderkelly]

What a great idea to get them luggage! And a pretty good score at that for Swiss Army brand. I just might have purchased a new piece of luggage myself recently.. I'll show it to y'all on my PTR later

My DD is also turning 18 this month! On 4/20, can't believe she is that old.
Hope all your ADR's went well, can't wait to hear what you ended up with.

 

[englishrose47]

I started making mine yesterday and had NO luck with what I wanted , but did get what I wanted for today!!! Check out my thread

 

[Steppesister]

E- Pt. II- Exclusive Excursions!!!​

I've decided to wait until the 20th to post the points for the contest. Like someone posted (who's WAY smarter than me), Brook was only able to make ADRs up until the 17th, and can't try to make the last 3 until then. So stay tuned for that...

But I will give you one piece of news that was both disappointing and awesome at the same time:

The Trains will be under refurb the entire month of October, which meant the Behind the Steam Tour I wanted to take the kids on is kaput. That is disappointing as it was in my price range and sounded like a lot of fun.

BUT!!!!!!

Brook, as any good business-woman would do, asked if I'd be interested in another tour. I naturally, like any good DisneyDork would do, started poking around in dangerous places. There, lurking in the darkest and most sinister places was....


The List.

Like some black book of forbidden contraband, it beckoned; a Pandora's box of Disney Crack waiting to suck the very life out of your bank account, only to be traded for exclusive photo ops and memories not oft found.

I was weak. I succumbed.

There were 2 that stood out as doable- a stretch, but possible. I posed both options to Thing 1 and Thing 2, and naturally, like any set of siblings would do, they each chose something different. And so naturally, I did what any mom-gone-nuts would do, and chose both... partially. (Spoiled rotten brats) Zachadoo chose the Behind the Seeds Tour which is only $20 bucks a pop and a super cool tour. I've done it before and can't wait to have my kids join me for it. What's not to love about feeding a tank full of baby alligators??! All 3 of us are going on that one, because I can't very well leave a 14 year old to wander around alone. That's just not right.

When I described the Wanyama Tour, Zach said he thought it sounded "boring", Anara thought she'd just died and gone to Heaven. Guess who's going. If you guessed Zach because I love to find new and creative ways to torment and torture my children, you'd be wrong. But only about the who's going part. Here's the deal:

I did not get a certain ADR- which ended up being fine. I'm not even sure I mentioned I was trying for it, because it was another that I was planning "just in case", and probably was gonna cancel it. It happens that AFTER Mike gets there, and he won't have done a ton of Park stuff, it'll be a good time for Nariloo and I to take off on an adventure. She's all about adventure, and keeps threatening to be homeless. Which is fine, she'd last about 4 minutes before dumpster food got old. Anyway, where was I? This one is pretty danged expensive, but yeah, up close and personal with the animals. And topped off with dinner at Jiko, where Mike and Zach can join us after the regular tour part if the want. It's exclusive to AKL Guests, and I doubt we'll pass this way again.(I love that word: "exclusive". Sounds like I'm actually a real contender in this game. I kinda like pretending to be a stuck up rich snob who gets "exclusive" stuff. Probably because I shop at Walmart most of the time, and don't feel rich at all.)

This was seriously a MAJOR detour from the BFP. I'm talking gargantuan, in proportions that I was absolutely NOT expecting! It's a good thing I'm working on Monday to make most of the difference in the tours' costs. It's actually not officially booked yet, but that's the plan for her to check on and book tomorrow- or the 20th, as the case may be.

 

[Steppesister]

I'll probably wait until we get back from our April trip. We're going to Hoop Dee Doo for the first time, so I'll have to see if we will have to repeat it. Besides with F&W going on I won't want many and I plan to join in some of your festivities.
I only have Hoop Dee Doo and garden Grill booked for next week.

Might be a good plan. You will LOVE HDDR! I've been 3 times and loved it every single time! The later show can get a little racy- but not over-the-top. Just plain funny! And the food is super yummy!

I've got our ADRs and yeah, some surprises coming... Yeehaw still planned, but dinner before will be different unless FF opens. Of course the Ditch is calling my name. Just saw @MEK post a picture on FB of a nice cold, salt-rimmed beauty.

I wanted to mention with the group ADRs, I don't know who all has what as far as qualifying discounts, but I have DVC, AP, and Disney Visa. If anyone wants to take advantage of the discount they're welcome to join my "ticket"

That would be so awesome! I think Pat and Marv have AP discounts as well, and I have a Visa, but it'll be great to share the wealth. I think some of us are going in on a Memory Maker as well.... But need to figure out how that works.

What a great idea to get them luggage! And a pretty good score at that for Swiss Army brand. I just might have purchased a new piece of luggage myself recently.. I'll show it to y'all on my PTR later

OH yes, please! I look forward to seeing it!!

My DD is also turning 18 this month! On 4/20, can't believe she is that old.
Hope all your ADR's went well, can't wait to hear what you ended up with.

My son is 18 on the 19th, but we celebrated last night at a sushi place (are you on FB? I posted a photo there). All of mine are getting older and starting to leave the nest. I"m ok with that- I may actually have a clean house someday. Weird that they are 1 DAY! apart!!!

It went...ok.

I started making mine yesterday and had NO luck with what I wanted , but did get what I wanted for today!!! Check out my thread

I'm going to slowly start making the rounds today and a little tomorrow. Although I'm working the swing at REAL work tomorrow too, so we'll see how much I can squeeze in.