DIS Dads The DIS Dad's Club V - Man's Room

[DaveH]

Stopher happy birthday.

 

[stopher1]

Actually... my DW through a slight curve ball into our plans last night. I'm not going to divulge the information at this time... but I will write only three letters as a preview to my dilemma... MIL

Oh my!

 

[stopher1]

Happy birthday Christopher! I was wondering why the hadn't shown up on my TR yet. You've been sleeping in the woods this whole time!

Anyway, enjoy being Mr. Cool!

Thanks! Yeah, I've been a bit busy with the family stuff, work and the various Scouting things going on. I did bookmark your TR, but then never actually got back to it to read it. But I will...

 

[stopher1]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STOPHER!!!! welcome to the club, im half way to the next club all ready.

Thanks Dave.

Sorry.. I busted Christopher last week that he was turning 50. Then you said you were 1/2 way to the next 'club'. I thought the first club was 50, then the next club was 100... hence 1/2 way there was 75. Sorry there Dave, I shouldn't of drank that soda earlier.


45 huh???? I wonder if I will end up with all those symptoms in 13 years?

Thanks again for that smart remark there Tim... 13 years huh? Punk.

 

[stopher1]

Stopher happy birthday.

Thanks Dave!

 

[stopher1]

Thank you all for the nice birthday wishes both here and on FB! It was a GREAT, or even GRRRRRREAT day. My DW and a number of friends pulled off a very nice surprise party for me tonight at our Scout Troop meeting - so that was very cool. I was treated to a nice dinner last night by the wife and kids, and got some nice gifts today too. And I got a nice cash gift from them all, so I can choose what I want myself to boot! So that was pretty cool.

Today I joined the group that some people (far too many BTW) that think I'm now "over the hill"; while others think "life begins at..."; while still others think I'm just a young-un. It's amazing the perspectives you'll get when you tell someone your age. Even my own wife, who turns the same age that I did today in just a few months - turned to me last week and said, " you're not going to get all maudlin on me now that you're turning 40 are you? - I mean, just because you're about to crest the hill?" TO WIT I quickly replied, "I'm not cresting the hill, I still have a lot of hill to climb. Of course I'm not going to get all maudlin - 40 is the new 20, and life is just beginning." So there you go - I've entered my fifth decade, and am looking forward to all that it holds in the not too distant future. Like my 30's, it'll be a fun ride, I'm sure. During this time I'll have 2 kids learn to drive , and then later graduate from HS, and will head off to college... while the 3rd will turn 16 before I hit that next milestone and then want to learn to drive too; along with whatever other fun things await (dating, broken hearts, dances, and so much more). But as Jack Sparrow says - now bring me that horizon... I'm ready.

 

[dvczerfs]

Thanks Dave.



Thanks again for that smart remark there Tim... 13 years huh? Punk.

punk. these kids now days stopher, just no respect for there elders.

 

[dvczerfs]

I got it... Steve hooked me up Thanks for the backup!



Well... you win the prize for second place... because the next three letters are indeed the ones you speak of

ill wait for it. i take back the dancin banana till we here the rest of the mil story. tell her what i told my mil, the retirement home that were gonna dump you in is just gonna take it all, so we should just spend it now!

 

[trennr]

Christopher,

I forgot to wish you a Rotten Birthday...Nemisis. Think nothing of opening that ticking package in the mail.

You should know that you share your B-day with my Mother...who turn 74 yesterday. My family has the Fall 4's all wraped up...I'm Sept. 4, Mom is Oct. 4, and Dad is Nov. 4. Always thought that was neat...not to mention easy to remember.

Just wait until you reach the begining of Decade #5 next year @ 41...like me.

Your Nemisis,
Nate

 

[dvczerfs]

i just wanted to make the offer for the last time. i also posted this on another thread. i will be bringing a 6 foot, lighted christmas tree down with us for our stay at okw in december. we wont be hauling it back home with us.a customer of mine was throwing it away, it seems the needles tend to fall out of it. the lights works and everything. i will be putting it up in our room on dec1st and taking it down friday december 10th. i am just going to throw it away but if anyone wants the tree, you can have it on the 10th. all you need is your own decorations. the tree is free, we would just have to meet up some were for you to take it over. if your intrested, send me a pm on it.

 

[DisneyDadC]

i just wanted to make the offer for the last time. i also posted this on another thread. i will be bringing a 6 foot, lighted christmas tree down with us for our stay at okw in december. we wont be hauling it back home with us.a customer of mine was throwing it away, it seems the needles tend to fall out of it. the lights works and everything. i will be putting it up in our room on dec1st and taking it down friday december 10th. i am just going to throw it away but if anyone wants the tree, you can have it on the 10th. all you need is your own decorations. the tree is free, we would just have to meet up some were for you to take it over. if your intrested, send me a pm on it.

cool we can all have a meet n greet in Daves room sitting around the Christmas tree.

 

[Emma's Dad]

i just wanted to make the offer for the last time. i also posted this on another thread. i will be bringing a 6 foot, lighted christmas tree down with us for our stay at okw in december. we wont be hauling it back home with us.a customer of mine was throwing it away, it seems the needles tend to fall out of it. the lights works and everything. i will be putting it up in our room on dec1st and taking it down friday december 10th. i am just going to throw it away but if anyone wants the tree, you can have it on the 10th. all you need is your own decorations. the tree is free, we would just have to meet up some were for you to take it over. if your intrested, send me a pm on it.

Cool! I bet Mousekeeping will love trying to vacuum up all those loose needles!

 

[Emma's Dad]

OK... I guess I'll let the cat out of the bag now... it's been hissing at me all night In effect, this post is going to be my Pre-TR. Here goes...

As most of you know, next year's vacation was supposed to be Disney-free by order of the DW. Her request was to spend a week in the Tampa, FL area to see Busch Gardens, Tampa and stay at a beach-front property. I shook my head at this since we live literally 15 minutes from the beach. In the planning stages we find out that Carnival was advertising a 5 day/4 night cruise from Tampa to Mexico for under $1000 for all three of us... we booked it. My MIL was extremely upset about this since all she hears are the horrible stories coming from the media concerning Mexico. I believe she prayed incessantly for days to make sure the cruise did not happen... because, wouldn't you know it, we received a letter stating our cruise had been chartered and therefore our booking was canceled. Back to the drawing board.

A few weeks ago DW and I are on the coach and I happened to be perusing the Disney web site to see what specials were going on. DW turns to me and says "You are NOT sucking me into a Disney trip this year!" I hadn't even said a single word to her. BUT... I then inquire... "Why not?" "Because we ALWAYS go to Disney", she replies. So I reply "But I thought you LIKED Disney World and you always have fun there?" Her response... "That's not the point. Anyway, the ONLY way I would even CONSIDER staying at Disney this next year is if we can stay at the Boardwalk AND go to Tampa too for under $3500." Hmmmmm.... challenge extended... challenge accepted! I even got her to put it in writing to make sure the deal sticks!

Spreadsheet time! My first visit with Disney's reservation system had me completely heart-broken. At more than $500 a night to stay at BWI we would not be able to stay for more than 2 days to make the budget. That's when a thought occurred to me... what about renting DVC points? Would that work? Never even checked into it before... let's give it a go. So my research into DVC began. Enter Stopher1 into the picture (cue up the music for Greatest American Hero here)

After many messages back and forth with Christopher, it was determined that I could indeed fit a 5 day stay at BWV into the budget and still have 4 days in Tampa, too! Not only did we determine this would work, but he mentioned that he may even have the extra points to rent to me! The pixie dust was flying around in mass quantities at this point. A few conversations with DW later, including a detailed viewing of the spreadsheet, financial approved was met and reservations at BWV were made for 3/20 - 3/24.

Fast forward to yesterday morning. I get a call from DW while at work. Five minutes into our casual "how are you doing" talk, she says "How would you feel about Mom coming with us to Disney?". Great... not a single word about the possibility of this occurring until AFTER I (or should I say Christopher) made the reservations. Now she wants me to find out how much it is going to cost to add her to the mix. No problem... MIL is going to cover her portion of the bill. I had offered that we pay for it... but MIL insists. Who am I to argue MIL had already made a trip with us back in 2007 when we stayed at POP, so I already know what to expect. She's a great lady and I have to say she OFTEN sticks up for ME when my DW is being a bit.... shall I say... unreasonable? Plus... this may be the last vacation MIL gets to take for a long time to come. I call Christopher and have him add her to the reservation.

So... after having said all that... here is the tentative itinerary:

3/17 - Fly to Tampa, FL (Just the 3 of us - Me, DW, and DD). Rent a convertible and drive to local hotel where we will camp out for 4 days/3 nights. Visit BGT and Adventure Island. Possibly spend a day at Clearwater Beach.
3/20 - Drive to BWV and check in. Once settled in, go pick up MIL from MCO. Return car later that afternoon. Will be using Disney transportation while there. Don't get me started on why... I'll simply reply with "keeping the car is not in the budget".
3/24 - ME back to MCO and head back to Norfolk, VA.

Haven't worked out the days at WDW yet... but I have made reservations at Le Cellier and Kona Cafe already. Been a while since we have the regular dining plan... will be nice to have a few served meals again.

So... my friends... the Mouse will see our family again in 2011! Woohoo!! Now.... off to get my TR posted............

Special thank you to Christopher for his knowledge, patience and understanding in helping me out here. No wonder those scouts have you pegged as a COOL GUY!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I believe she prayed incessantly for days to make sure the cruise did not happen... because, wouldn't you know it, we received a letter stating our cruise had been chartered and therefore our booking was canceled. Back to the drawing board.

Strong in the Force your mother is.

Enter Stopher1 into the picture (cue up the music for Greatest American Hero here)

You wish it was somebody else?

Haven't worked out the days at WDW yet... but I have made reservations at Le Cellier and Kona Cafe already. Been a while since we have the regular dining plan... will be nice to have a few served meals again.

So... my friends... the Mouse will see our family again in 2011! Woohoo!! Now.... off to get my TR posted............

Special thank you to Christopher for his knowledge, patience and understanding in helping me out here. No wonder those scouts have you pegged as a COOL GUY!!

Sounds like a great trip! And nice job getting Le Cellier.

We'll look for the TR...someday.

 

[trennr]

So... after having said all that... here is the tentative itinerary:

3/17 - Fly to Tampa, FL (Just the 3 of us - Me, DW, and DD). Rent a convertible and drive to local hotel where we will camp out for 4 days/3 nights. Visit BGT and Adventure Island. Possibly spend a day at Clearwater Beach.
3/20 - Drive to BWV and check in. Once settled in, go pick up MIL from MCO. Return car later that afternoon. Will be using Disney transportation while there. Don't get me started on why... I'll simply reply with "keeping the car is not in the budget".
3/24 - ME back to MCO and head back to Norfolk, VA.

Haven't worked out the days at WDW yet... but I have made reservations at Le Cellier and Kona Cafe already. Been a while since we have the regular dining plan... will be nice to have a few served meals again.

So... my friends... the Mouse will see our family again in 2011! Woohoo!! Now.... off to get my TR posted............

Special thank you to Christopher for his knowledge, patience and understanding in helping me out here. No wonder those scouts have you pegged as a COOL GUY!!

Well at least we have an Idea of when Don's TR will be done...still a mystery on when it will actually get started...but we know the deadline.

So what day is your B-Day??? You had mentioned earlier that your B-Day might fall with-in your trip.

And for a Nemisis Christopher is alright.

 

[stopher1]

Christopher,

I forgot to wish you a Rotten Birthday...Nemisis. Think nothing of opening that ticking package in the mail.

You should know that you share your B-day with my Mother...who turn 74 yesterday. My family has the Fall 4's all wraped up...I'm Sept. 4, Mom is Oct. 4, and Dad is Nov. 4. Always thought that was neat...not to mention easy to remember.

Just wait until you reach the begining of Decade #5 next year @ 41...like me.

Your Nemisis,
Nate

Ahh yes. Thanks for nothing there oh nemesis of mine! Only a rotten nemesis would be late with lousy greetings. I guess I'll forgive you THIS time. Just don't let it happen again.

On the flip side - that's very cool that your family is so nicely, and evenly spread out. As the church lady would say, isn't that special? My family isn't so neat and tidy about such things, though my mom and dad's days are right next to one another (separated by 6 years, but right next to each other) 19 & 20 in Sept. My brother is a week before Christmas - so as a kid we just kind of ignored the entire first 8 months of the year. My own family now is a bit more spread out, but at the same time, it's just back to back to back celebrating (and spending)... Christmas, then my middle son in January, my eldest son and DW in February - along with Valentine's Day too; our anniversary in March; my daughter in April... and I'm way off alone in October. But that's okay. I like being a loner... a rebel. It's more fun that way.

 

[Emma's Dad]

Strong in the Force your mother is.

You wish it was somebody else?

Sounds like a great trip! And nice job getting Le Cellier.

We'll look for the TR...someday.

Yes... very strong is the force. Don't mess with the MIL!

Nah... he was "on a wing and a prayer"...

Don't you just LOVE the anticipation? Almost like looking forward to seeing your dentist...

Well at least we have an Idea of when Don's TR will be done...still a mystery on when it will actually get started...but we know the deadline.

So what day is your B-Day??? You had mentioned earlier that your B-Day might fall with-in your trip.

And for a Nemisis Christopher is alright.

Well... my birthday is a week before... but by the looks of things, almost every college on the east coast is on spring break that week. Figured I'd give the next week a shot instead. On of these years I will get there on my birthday!

 

[dvczerfs]

OK... I guess I'll let the cat out of the bag now... it's been hissing at me all night In effect, this post is going to be my Pre-TR. Here goes...

As most of you know, next year's vacation was supposed to be Disney-free by order of the DW. Her request was to spend a week in the Tampa, FL area to see Busch Gardens, Tampa and stay at a beach-front property. I shook my head at this since we live literally 15 minutes from the beach. In the planning stages we find out that Carnival was advertising a 5 day/4 night cruise from Tampa to Mexico for under $1000 for all three of us... we booked it. My MIL was extremely upset about this since all she hears are the horrible stories coming from the media concerning Mexico. I believe she prayed incessantly for days to make sure the cruise did not happen... because, wouldn't you know it, we received a letter stating our cruise had been chartered and therefore our booking was canceled. Back to the drawing board.

A few weeks ago DW and I are on the coach and I happened to be perusing the Disney web site to see what specials were going on. DW turns to me and says "You are NOT sucking me into a Disney trip this year!" I hadn't even said a single word to her. BUT... I then inquire... "Why not?" "Because we ALWAYS go to Disney", she replies. So I reply "But I thought you LIKED Disney World and you always have fun there?" Her response... "That's not the point. Anyway, the ONLY way I would even CONSIDER staying at Disney this next year is if we can stay at the Boardwalk AND go to Tampa too for under $3500." Hmmmmm.... challenge extended... challenge accepted! I even got her to put it in writing to make sure the deal sticks!

Spreadsheet time! My first visit with Disney's reservation system had me completely heart-broken. At more than $500 a night to stay at BWI we would not be able to stay for more than 2 days to make the budget. That's when a thought occurred to me... what about renting DVC points? Would that work? Never even checked into it before... let's give it a go. So my research into DVC began. Enter Stopher1 into the picture (cue up the music for Greatest American Hero here)

After many messages back and forth with Christopher, it was determined that I could indeed fit a 5 day stay at BWV into the budget and still have 4 days in Tampa, too! Not only did we determine this would work, but he mentioned that he may even have the extra points to rent to me! The pixie dust was flying around in mass quantities at this point. A few conversations with DW later, including a detailed viewing of the spreadsheet, financial approved was met and reservations at BWV were made for 3/20 - 3/24.

Fast forward to yesterday morning. I get a call from DW while at work. Five minutes into our casual "how are you doing" talk, she says "How would you feel about Mom coming with us to Disney?". Great... not a single word about the possibility of this occurring until AFTER I (or should I say Christopher) made the reservations. Now she wants me to find out how much it is going to cost to add her to the mix. No problem... MIL is going to cover her portion of the bill. I had offered that we pay for it... but MIL insists. Who am I to argue MIL had already made a trip with us back in 2007 when we stayed at POP, so I already know what to expect. She's a great lady and I have to say she OFTEN sticks up for ME when my DW is being a bit.... shall I say... unreasonable? Plus... this may be the last vacation MIL gets to take for a long time to come. I call Christopher and have him add her to the reservation.

So... after having said all that... here is the tentative itinerary:

3/17 - Fly to Tampa, FL (Just the 3 of us - Me, DW, and DD). Rent a convertible and drive to local hotel where we will camp out for 4 days/3 nights. Visit BGT and Adventure Island. Possibly spend a day at Clearwater Beach.
3/20 - Drive to BWV and check in. Once settled in, go pick up MIL from MCO. Return car later that afternoon. Will be using Disney transportation while there. Don't get me started on why... I'll simply reply with "keeping the car is not in the budget".
3/24 - ME back to MCO and head back to Norfolk, VA.

Haven't worked out the days at WDW yet... but I have made reservations at Le Cellier and Kona Cafe already. Been a while since we have the regular dining plan... will be nice to have a few served meals again.

So... my friends... the Mouse will see our family again in 2011! Woohoo!! Now.... off to get my TR posted............

Special thank you to Christopher for his knowledge, patience and understanding in helping me out here. No wonder those scouts have you pegged as a COOL GUY!!

your gonna be up my number of trips!!!! congrats don!!! remember to bring a pen with you in march just in case dw fulls in love with the place.

 

[dvczerfs]

cool we can all have a meet n greet in Daves room sitting around the Christmas tree.

 

[dvczerfs]

Well at least we have an Idea of when Don's TR will be done...still a mystery on when it will actually get started...but we know the deadline.

So what day is your B-Day??? You had mentioned earlier that your B-Day might fall with-in your trip.

And for a Nemisis Christopher is alright.

nate, hes all ready started a pre trip report for his march trip? we'll have to check the man law on this. i know theres no law on a pre trip report but starting a pre trip report before starting your last trips report? but, than again, it sounds like the guys been busy planning yet another trip.i guess we could go easy on him.