The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 10

[Dimk]

Thanks Jo, Robyn already changed it.

Just wanted to say thanks as the Lumpy shirt was a hit!!!!

 

[tmfranlk]

I am still fuming about that report last night!!!!

That reporter lost all respect with me and I will no longer put any credibility in his reports!! I only emailed him- maybe I should email the station - the report was just so irresponsible!!

oh and the woman - really annoyed me!!! She thought she was so smart with her tips - and they were really just common sense!! They actually said that once there was an unexpected cold spell and they had to buy sweatshirts in the park - and it cost her $120 in sweatshirts - this really annoyed me b/c this shows that she is not a planner - who would go to WDW with a sweatshirt?!?!!? and if she had a car to go get groceries - wouldn't she know that she could have jsut driven down to 192 to get $5 sweatshirts?!?!!?!?!?

Okay - vent over - for now

I hate those reports! They all seem to be full of either common sense stuff or are just wrong. BTW, I really liked your letter. It was very well written and really showed that you knew what you were talking about.

 

[tmfranlk]

I think we are going to have to take a trip to Amy and Kevin's house soon!!


Seriously - Matthew is like Baby Suri!! Does he even exist?!?!?

 

[tmfranlk]

I can't believe I didn't think about this before!!!!

The hospital where Amy delivered has a web nursery!!!!!!!

I just went and sure enough - there were pictures of Matthew

now normally - I would not post someone else's baby photos - but it has been FOUR days!! and if they can't find their camera cord - it could be a while

so here are the pictures of baby Matthew - who I think looks a lot like his beautiful big sister!!

What a cutie! He does look like Alyssa. Congratulations again Amy and Kevin!!!

 

[my3princes]

I think we are going to have to take a trip to Amy and Kevin's house soon!!


Seriously - Matthew is like Baby Suri!! Does he even exist?!?!?

Don't forget the live feed

Deb

 

[tinker1bell]

So tonight that news report with Disney money saving tips was on - and OMG - I could not believe how horrible it was -

it started out showing the DISNEYLAND castle for WDW - her big suggestions on saving money were to buy souveniors at Wal-mart before you go and to stay at Fort Wilderness or the Villas to save money on food and only have table service at lunch -

she had a DVC bag - so I am sure that she is a member so that makes sense for her - but if you were truly budgeting - it is not a good option -

he said that if you buy multi-day tickets - you can enter the parks at 6 am!!! ***?!!?!?

I sent him an email tonight - here is what I wrote: I think you will be able to see what other innacuracies he had

Good for you Kate, maybe he will ask you on the show to give the correct information!!!!!

 

[my3princes]

I can't believe I didn't think about this before!!!!

The hospital where Amy delivered has a web nursery!!!!!!!

I just went and sure enough - there were pictures of Matthew

now normally - I would not post someone else's baby photos - but it has been FOUR days!! and if they can't find their camera cord - it could be a while

so here are the pictures of baby Matthew - who I think looks a lot like his beautiful big sister!!

Thanks for posting Kate. He is a cutie. I think that the DDA Vanishing Persons Patrol should however follow up on the missing family as we all miss them

Deb

ETA: Kate has already talked to Amy. I'm glad that they are just busy.

 

[tmfranlk]

Denise - I just finished all of your beach pictures and I just have to say HOW FUN!! The beach and house were beautiful. And how nice for your family to all get together to enjoy it like that.

It amazes me how much Davis looks like John, Rees looks like your side of the family and BK seems to be a cross of the two. It's just amazing how well the two sides of the family are so well respresented in your three beautiful children.

It was so nice to see you and John looking so relaxed and happy after the rough few months that you all have had. Thanks for sharing the pictures! (Oh yeah, and I loved the muffins and donuts with candles! )

 

[tink2020]

Poor Becky. She found out today that she has to have a root canal. We leave for camp on Saturday. The only appointment they had available is on Thursday at 2:00. Of course, that really isn't going to work. It is her 18th birthday!!!! So, she has decided to wait until we get back. Hopefully, the pain doesn't get any worse between now & then. She has amoxycillin in the mean time for the infection.

Ok, I'm NOT by any means downplaying this, because I freakin hate any dental procedures. However...

I had about 4 done in a matter of a few months (great teeth, thanks to my dad). They REALLY are not that bad, IMO. The noises you hear are bad (like anything done in your mouth) but they did not hurt at all. And if she's in pain anything like I was before hand, the RC pain itself won't even be noticed, and she'll be SO relieved when it gets done that she'll think she had fun!

I hope you can get it taken care of soon!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

JENNIFER (BEAR74)

I wanted to talk to you about your rental car rate - that seems high to me - but then again - I am from a different part of the country -

what dates are you looking at and where would you pick the rental car up -

I am pretty good at rental car rates - would you like me to check it out for you?!?!?

 

[tink2020]

So tonight that news report with Disney money saving tips was on - and OMG - I could not believe how horrible it was -

it started out showing the DISNEYLAND castle for WDW - her big suggestions on saving money were to buy souveniors at Wal-mart before you go and to stay at Fort Wilderness or the Villas to save money on food and only have table service at lunch -

she had a DVC bag - so I am sure that she is a member so that makes sense for her - but if you were truly budgeting - it is not a good option -

he said that if you buy multi-day tickets - you can enter the parks at 6 am!!! ***?!!?!?

I sent him an email tonight - here is what I wrote: I think you will be able to see what other innacuracies he had

Was this John Matarese? I usually love him!

 

[kc10family]

Now for an appetizer, I only have one.

Cocktail Sausages

2 cans (8oz- Pillsbury) Crescent Rolls
48 cocktail sized sausages
Ketchup, mustard, pickle relish (for dipping)

Heat oven to 375º, separate both cans of dough into 16 triangles.

Cut triangles lengthwise into thirds.

Place a sausage on the shortest end and roll up to opposite point.

Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375º for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown, switching position of cookie sheets 1/2 through.

Serve warm, with the ketchup, mustard and pickle relish for dipping.

I love all of these, keep them coming

 

[julia & nicks mom]

Was this John Matarese? I usually love him!

yes -

and I have to say that he has NO credibilty with me anymore!!!

 

[kc10family]

Coming soon to the local news, Kate with money saving tips for Disney! And then people wonder why Disney is so expensive when there are reports on TV like this.

love it

 

[kc10family]

This one is not for the kiddies to try.

Creamsicle Drink

1 cup Cool Whip
2 Scoops Orange Sherbet or Creamsicle Ice Cream
2 cups Orange Juice (real juice not concentrate)
4oz Vodka or Cream De Coco (light color)

Put all ingredients into a blender and mix.

once again.... yum!

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I found the transcript of the report:

Almost every family loves a trip to Disney World.
But Disney World can break the budget of almost every family, if you dont plan carefully.

So in the next two minutes, I Iwill save you money on your next trip to see Mickey and his friends.

-------------------

The four Williams kids love to have fun....


....And love all things disney.
But you'd think this middle class family of 6 couldn't afford to visit walt disney world, let alone visit every two years.(with shot of DL castle)

Think again.


"So here you're arriving at the Magic Kingdom?"

Mom Kathy wWilliams has scrapbooks that cover a half dozen trips to the Magic Kingdom, a 14 hour drive from their home in Clermont County.

How does she do it? Careful planning...and some money saving secrets, such as: Buy toys and souvenirs in advance!


"They make enough Disney things that its Disney. They don care it was bought at home at Wal-Mart. It doesn't cost 8 dollars when we get there."

Backpacks, water bottles, toys.... you name it, kathy buys it before their visit.

A squirt bottle with fan? 3 dollars from a dollar store. The same bottle, but official Disney, 16 dollars at the park entrance.

Youre allowed to bring in small backpacks like this, water bottles, and snacks.

Once, during a cool spell, she had to buy sweatshirts in the park...


"I think the cheapest sweatshirt we found was 20 dollars per kid, and right there it was 120 dollar for the 6 of us."

Now she buys even t-shirts in advance.

But the biggest way to save, Kathy says, is to avoid dinner out: Cook your own when possible.


"That saves the most amount of money, the meals are the most expensive thing."

But what about those dinners with disney characters every kid loves? Pricey.

The Williams do character lunches instead.


"We stick to lunch, because its about 8 dollars per person savings."

To cook those home dinners, the Williams try to reserve a villa, or a cabin like this one at Fort Wilderness, right on the park grounds.

Kathy says you'll also find many cheaper motels off site... Just make sure they offer a free shuttle to the park. (with picture of the dolphin and swan)

As for tickets, an adult one day pass now costs $67.

But Kathy cuts that to 40 bucks by pre-ordering multi day "magic your way passes."

The longer you visit, the less per day.


"5 days is almost as cheap as 3 days in the park."

A bonus: Multi day passes allow you in the parks at 6am, before the crowds.

All the park video in our TV report was supplied by Walt Disney World.

But Kathy says the best money saving website is not run by Disney: Its called "Mouse Savers dot com." (Click link above)

Mouse Savers offers hundreds of deals and secret discount codes.

Put it all together, and this fun loving family of 6 saves...


"Easily, several hundred dollars per trip."


One final tip: If you can visit disney when school is in session, such as september or october, you'll find better weather, smaller crowds, and many more deals at hotels and restaurants.

So consider an off peak time if school schedules allow it, and dont waste your money.

 

[kc10family]

Good Morning DDA,

I've been trying to catch up but you guys are a posting machine.

Still no baby ppictures

Denise and Beth your family pictures were great

Tammy, Alyssa is absolutely gorgeous, it's been a long time since my girls were that little. I spent many years as a Dancer, Cheerleader mom, for many years those activities dictated our vacations, but we had a great time, especially at the Cheerleading contests that were held at WDW. Bringing home three National Championships was great for the girls.

Kate - what wonderful news about Nick, now you can really enjoy your DC trip.

to all in need of them

I should take notes but my life has been such chaos lately I don't know why I think I could be organized here. Gotta run, it's time to go to work again.

Have a Great Day Everyone,

Debbie

so are you saying that my future DL fixes could depend on what activities my girls do? Goodness the girls are in charge of the house! So much for thinking I ran the house.
I can't wait to see what fun things they do.

 

[kc10family]

Well I'm off to spend time with Katrina today. You all have a great day! I'll talk with you tonight. Theresa, I'll have my cell phone with me!

Have a great day

 

[kc10family]

I think everyone should quote that picture in their posts

 

[yellowfish78]

JENNIFER (BEAR74)

I wanted to talk to you about your rental car rate - that seems high to me - but then again - I am from a different part of the country -

what dates are you looking at and where would you pick the rental car up -

I am pretty good at rental car rates - would you like me to check it out for you?!?!?

Kate - Dates are 11/28 to 12/5 for Disney. I'm assuming (since she's not around to verify) that she's picking it up a day before (or evening before?)with dropoff the day after (morning after?)...best I could find was Advantage from the Austin airport between $679 and $762 but that's no discounts with unlimited milage.. Enterprise sometimes doesn't let you take it out of state and they were slightly cheaper...