The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 29

[tinknme]

Got my Disney Insider email this morning. The Haunted Mansion will be re-opening soon, with some spookier (according to the person writing the article) affects.

I received this as well, I can't wait! For those of you who do not receive the Insider, this is what it had to say:


Making the Haunts Even Happier

That old, creepy, uninhabited mansion -- you know, the one where you sometimes hear mysterious sounds and see eerie apparitions? I think something's going on up there. Ever since June, I seem to hear weird noises in the dead of night ... noises suspiciously like hammering and sawing. But none of the 999 permanent residents seem to be leaving the joint. Is it possible that that place is going to get even SPOOKIER?

That's right -- in case you haven't heard the news through the ghoulish grapevine, the Magic Kingdom Park's venerable Haunted Mansion is getting a facelift. New details are being added to reward sharp-eyed spookhunters, and some high-tech magic is being put to use to create old-fashioned thrills. Kathy Rogers, Senior Show Producer for the attraction, told us what to expect if you dare to venture through the doors of this most beloved attraction, which is slated to reopen this month.

"For several months, our team has been "illusioneering," making the invisible, visible," explains Kathy. "For example, a previously unseen...

... wing of the Mansion has been revealed for the first time. Observant Guests will see more of the 999 happy haunts cavorting on a seemingly endless staircase leading to secret realms. Watch closely and you'll see evidence of these residents -- their glowing footprints, candles going out -- is it the wind or did someone blow them out? It's for you to decide. Other haunts reveal themselves in the mansion's infamous Corridor of Doors -- don't blink or you'll miss the clues!"

The Haunted Mansion is one of the Disney Theme Park attractions that have inspired legions of passionate fans. The last thing anyone wanted to do was to change the experience in a way that would disappoint Guests, and Kathy and her team were acutely aware of the necessity to "strengthen the story, and not change it." So in many cases they expanded on the lore that already existed -- as in Kathy's own favorite addition: "In the attic the long, sad tale of Constance on her wedding days finally comes to light. For almost 40 years, our Guests have come face to face with Constance the bride. Now it's time for them to meet her and her grooms face to face -- all five of them! They all loved Constance," she laughs. "In fact, you could say they lost their heads over her."

In addition to adding to the story, the Imagineers are taking advantage of some technological advances since the Mansion first saw the light of day. You won't be overwhelmed with high-tech bells and whistles that disturb the eerie atmosphere, but, Kathy promises, "Imagineers constantly look for new ways to combine compelling stories with new technologies. As we've worked to enhance Haunted Mansion, we've added a few surprises that may make the ghosts seem a little closer than before."

So whether it's your first visit to the Mansion or your hundredth, when Guests are allowed to enter that elegant but eerie house again, keep your eyes peeled. You never know when you'll stumble across the evidence of a haunt you haven't encountered before! And remember -- there's always room for one more.

 

[tinknme]

Yippie!

I am already having trouble going to sleep at night, how pathetic is that!

Good morning, DDA!

And in case anyone wondered....

we go to WDW 6 weeks from today!

 

[Tammi67]

Kim - since everyone is picking your brain on scrapbooking, I will, too! I wanted to buy scrapbook-quality books for my 3 nieces and nephew to decorate and have them use as autograph books/picture albums for our big trip this Dec. My thought would be to have the custom autograph pages on cardstock for ease in carrying around the parks for each child, but then that they would each have their own album after the trip that their moms can place the card and pic together. Any thoughts on what would be best to use for this? I'd love to add some embellishment/decorations to the exterior of the album to make it personal to each child, but as I don't SB at this juncture, I'm lost as to where to start! (And time is ticking away!)

Lindsay - I'm not Kim but I will share with you what I did. I apologize to those who've already seen this.

I bought plain mini albums at either Michaels or AC Moore (can't remember). They held 6x6 pages. Then I bought lots of cardstock 12x12, which was easy to quarter into 6x6. On the front of the page my kids got autographs. When it's in the album, the back page is blank, so that is where I put their picture with the corresponding character. Then I decorated them with embellishments. I found the Mickey and Minnie appliques at a craft store too, and added them to the front of the albums. Here are a few pictures:

 

[tinknme]

Yea on being potty trained! Have fun shopping

Today we're off to go "pantie" shopping .. my baby girl's no longer a baby and has FINALLY caught onto the potty training. so today we're going so she can pick out her new big girl panties YAY! ( I know little hings amuse me lol ). Have a great Thursday everyone !!

 

[tinknme]

Kristine thanks for stopping by. We are here for you! Sending lots of love & your way.

Hi everyone...

Thank you all for thinking of me! I just haven't had the mental strength to post much.

I am still trying to get my head on straight since this negative IVF cycle..even though I knew the odds with IVF (25% success rate in general) I couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed that it didn't work.

Not 100% sure what we will do next...I guess time will tell. Maybe try again, maybe do nothing....depending on the day you ask me...the answer changes!

I will try to check in again soon.....

I appreciate all of the friendships here on this thread....you are definitely a group of kind, caring & compassionate individuals!!

Kristine

 

[tinknme]

That is good to hear, maybe the DDA will have the park to ourselves

Oh, and Vicki - I just bought my MNSSHP ticket on Tuesday. The CM gave no indication that party is getting full, so no worries!

 

[tinknme]

Hi Kelli!

Fly-by post...

Hi DDA!!!

 

[Tinkaroo]

Lindsay - I'm not Kim but I will share with you what I did. I apologize to those who've already seen this.

This is exactly like I'm thinking, Tammi! Thank you so much for sharing yours!!!!

 

[tinknme]

A very late good morning to you all

I have been up since 6, just have not had time to post.

Garrett looks like a chipmunk on the left side of his face, so we will be making a visit with the dentist this afternoon Still have not heard about the Jimmy being ready to pick up, I am crossing my fingers they call today!


On a happy note I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family:

I must be crazy getting another cat, but I couldn't resist. We have not named her yet, hopefully we will decide on something soon. I have an appointment for her to see the vet on Monday, her eyes are a little watery & I want to make sure all is well. She is 8 weeks old

 

[mommykds]

Thanks, Kim.
DH was screaming "Is that in your planner? Is it?" What difference does that make? DS KNEW he was supposed to read and write a short summary of whatever he read. Am I supposed to believe DH looked in the planner? I know he didn't! I fail to see what difference having it in the planner would make if DS KNEW but just chose not to do it. He didn't forget, he just didn't do it. When he finished his other homework DH told him to go play. DH ASSUMED there wasn't anything else to be done, DS assumed DH didn't care if he did the reading right then and there because DH SAID to go play! The two of them are worse than siblings. I would pick him up and bring him to Princess's house to do homework, but by the time school gets out she is awake and there is no way she would leave him alone to let him do homework. If DH would just shut up and LISTEN to what DS says to me on the phone I bet he would learn a lot.

I hope things calm down soon. Sounds like you are having a rough start to the school year. Sending for you all.

Anne Marie I am sad to see your TR end Thank you for sharing with us, I enjoyed reading & seeing your wonderful pictures Leaving is always so hard to do, we just plan for the next one to cheer ourselves up

Thanks! I am so glad I get to go back with you & our DDA friends. It made leaving this August alot easier knowing I would be back so soon. I am still looking at adding 3 nights at Disney in April after our cruise. All depends on the airfares. I would have to take the kids out of school for 2 days also & I am always worried about doing that...

Before I forget, I won't be around this week-end. Chuck & I are going camping again. Next week, I'll be working a night and week-end migration. They are pilot sites and I'm the manager oversight. I don't know that I'll have much time to get on to chat. I'll just keep reminding myself that it is money for my March trip.

Take care!!!

I called the Principal this morning to discuss the bus seating issue. He is a new Principal this year and readily agreed that the older kids cannot make the younger ones move. He told me that he would talk to the kids before the bus ride home. So the boys came home and the Principal did not go onto the bus. Nick had spoken to a couple of teachers during the day and he did not know that I had in fact called the school. The teachers told him that he did not have to move from his seat. So when he got on the bus this afternoon a 7th grader told him to move and he said "NO" and told him that he had talked to several teachers and he didn't have to. The kids went to the bus driver who confirmed that the Principal had told him that the rules had changed and no one needed to move for anyone. That caused the kids to call Nick a brat and one even said that it was a good thing that he was on the bus (insinuating that he'd do something to him otherwise) I was not happy to hear this. Nick wants me to not call tomorrow and to see what happens. He says that he is not afraid of the older kids and that he can handle it himself. The boy that I feel made threatening comments is the son of a man that I went to high school with. If this keeps up I'll be having a chat with his Dad. His Dad was never a bully. Chris wants to get on the bus and handle things himself, but that would not be a good solution for anyone. So send a few prayers our way that things blow over.

I am glad Nick wants to handle it. He is very mature that he can tell an older kid "no" when he knows he is right. You have a great boy there. I hope the bus bullies back off on their own.

1 DAY

I think I gotta go work on the dreaded packing. It is my least favorite thing to do. Good night everyone. Tomorrow is gonna be here bright and early.

I have a request for you all.

My niece, Alyssa, is starting a new school today. Can you all send good thoughts her way. Anyway, this will be her 4th school since she started kindergarten in 2005. I feel for her as she has had very little stability in her life since her and my sister moved out of here in Nov 2005. My sister just cannot get her act together and just this past weekend moved back home with my parents. Unfortunately, the one that suffers the most is Alyssa.

You got it!!!!

Good morning, DDA!

And in case anyone wondered....we go to WDW 6 weeks from today![/CENTER]

Yippie Skippie!!!

Hi everyone...

Thank you all for thinking of me! I just haven't had the mental strength to post much.

I am still trying to get my head on straight since this negative IVF cycle..even though I knew the odds with IVF (25% success rate in general) I couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed that it didn't work.

Not 100% sure what we will do next...I guess time will tell. Maybe try again, maybe do nothing....depending on the day you ask me...the answer changes!

I will try to check in again soon.....

I appreciate all of the friendships here on this thread....you are definitely a group of kind, caring & compassionate individuals!!

Kristine

We have all been thinking about you.

I bought plain mini albums at either Michaels or AC Moore (can't remember). They held 6x6 pages. Then I bought lots of cardstock 12x12, which was easy to quarter into 6x6. On the front of the page my kids got autographs. When it's in the album, the back page is blank, so that is where I put their picture with the corresponding character. Then I decorated them with embellishments. I found the Mickey and Minnie appliques at a craft store too, and added them to the front of the albums. Here are a few pictures:

These are wonderful Tammi, I'd love to try that sometime.

Thank you all for the kind words on the trip report. I wanted to add more but I had to rush through it so I could get it done. I am glad you enjoyed it.

 

[mommykds]

A very late good morning to you all

I have been up since 6, just have not had time to post.

Garrett looks like a chipmunk on the left side of his face, so we will be making a visit with the dentist this afternoon Still have not heard about the Jimmy being ready to pick up, I am crossing my fingers they call today!


On a happy note I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family:

I must be crazy getting another cat, but I couldn't resist. We have not named her yet, hopefully we will decide on something soon. I have an appointment for her to see the vet on Monday, her eyes are a little watery & I want to make sure all is well. She is 8 weeks old

She is the cutest little thing!!!

 

[my3princes]

Lindsay - I'm not Kim but I will share with you what I did. I apologize to those who've already seen this.

I bought plain mini albums at either Michaels or AC Moore (can't remember). They held 6x6 pages. Then I bought lots of cardstock 12x12, which was easy to quarter into 6x6. On the front of the page my kids got autographs. When it's in the album, the back page is blank, so that is where I put their picture with the corresponding character. Then I decorated them with embellishments. I found the Mickey and Minnie appliques at a craft store too, and added them to the front of the albums. Here are a few pictures:

Those came out great. I need to create those picture pages with the kids I'm not so crafty when it comes to scrapbooking. Yours look so professional.

A very late good morning to you all

I have been up since 6, just have not had time to post.

Garrett looks like a chipmunk on the left side of his face, so we will be making a visit with the dentist this afternoon Still have not heard about the Jimmy being ready to pick up, I am crossing my fingers they call today!


On a happy note I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family:

I must be crazy getting another cat, but I couldn't resist. We have not named her yet, hopefully we will decide on something soon. I have an appointment for her to see the vet on Monday, her eyes are a little watery & I want to make sure all is well. She is 8 weeks old

She is so cute. What's her name? I bet it will be Disney related

 

[tinker1bell]

A very late good morning to you all

I have been up since 6, just have not had time to post.

Garrett looks like a chipmunk on the left side of his face, so we will be making a visit with the dentist this afternoon Still have not heard about the Jimmy being ready to pick up, I am crossing my fingers they call today!


On a happy note I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family:

I must be crazy getting another cat, but I couldn't resist. We have not named her yet, hopefully we will decide on something soon. I have an appointment for her to see the vet on Monday, her eyes are a little watery & I want to make sure all is well. She is 8 weeks old

How about Boots? It also looks like on her belly she is wearing a bikini by the placement of the white!!!

Anyhow she is adorable.

 

[Glynis]

1 DAY

Let's just say I am kind of panicking. Packing is still not done although I have a pile of stuff in the living room ready to pack. My list of things to locate is shrinking. I have to work tomorrow, I will probably go in early so I can leave early as I have a pedicure at 5:45pm. I will probably not be relaxing but what can you do.

They should do pedicures and massages and things at the airport or in the plane. Once I am too the airport I start to relax once I am in Florida I should be good once I have my luggage. Then I am hitting the store, then Lunch, UCF to realize how bad I don't recognize it and then dinner at Sonny's on Alafaya trail at 6pm, with some of my friends from college.

Then hitting the road to Port Canaveral as we are staying at the Residence Inn at the Port. Depending if we are still awake, maybe hit Ron Jon's Surf Shop or the Beach. Bed although I will be too excited to sleep and Magic in the morning.

Oh yeah hoping that there is absolutely no Tropical activity or Hurricanes in the Atlantic or Gulf.

Sending prayers, to everyone.

I think I gotta go work on the dreaded packing. It is my least favorite thing to do. Good night everyone. Tomorrow is gonna be here bright and early.

Have a marvelous time, Becky!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!

 

[mommy2emmersNmo]

Thanks everyone for the good thoughts for Alyssa!

I knew I could count on you all and she can use them. I haven't said much about the whole thing because every time I think about it just gets me so frustrated and angry at my sister and my mom as well. My mom enables my sister to no end which obviously doesn't help matters. My dad tries but the fact that my mom or sister fail to tell him the truth 90% of the time makes it difficult.


Anyway, enough about that!

 

[Tammi67]

This is exactly like I'm thinking, Tammi! Thank you so much for sharing yours!!!!

You're welcome. Good luck with yours!

On a happy note I would like to introduce you to the newest member of our family:

She's so cute, and she reminds me of a cat that I used to have. Her name was Magic, as in Black Magic.

These are wonderful Tammi, I'd love to try that sometime.

Those came out great. I need to create those picture pages with the kids I'm not so crafty when it comes to scrapbooking. Yours look so professional.

Thank you both.

 

[tinknme]

I have been trying to come up with a Disney name that will suit her

She is so cute. What's her name? I bet it will be Disney related

 

[Glynis]

Good luck with the bus! I don't see what is so hard to understand about "you sit in a seat that is open". I think they need to send a letter home outlining rules for riding the bus. We have a sheet of rules for carpool. Everybody ignores them, but the school DOES send it home.

Our district sends home a "contract" that both parents and students have to sign in regards to riding the bus. It outlines the rules, and what will happen if the rules are broken. We've been doing this for 5 years, and only once have I seen a disciplinary action taken. One of my neighbors sons, has Asberger's Syndrome, and he was being bullied by another boy in the neighborhood. The bus driver sent warned him once vocally, the next day it happened again, and the driver sent a note to the parents (actually walked the note to the door), and when it happened a third time, that boy was taken off the bus for a month. After the month was up, he was on probation for 2 months. If there was another infraction, he would be banned from the bus for the duration of the school year. After being driven to school by "mommy" for a month, this 6th grader was grateful to get back on the bus, and there was never another problem with him.

I always go over the rules with my kids, and stress that they need to listen to the driver. If they have a problem with any of the other kids, to talk to her, and she'll take care of it. Gayle has been driving the bus on our route forever, and she knows all the kids and their parents, so that helps!

 

[tinknme]

I hadn't thought of that

I did mention Boots & both the boys said no

How about Boots? It also looks like on her belly she is wearing a bikini by the placement of the white!!!

Anyhow she is adorable.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Hey DDA!!!

This sounds like a perfect opportunity for so many here: http://www.mousesavers.com/disneymoms.html