The, "I'll pose for pics & sign autographs" B-day tour! WEEERE BAAACK!!!!

[Princesskeyblade]

Awww thanks for sharing the pictures.

Treyner looks very handsome.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

Oh to be young and gawgous!

What beautiful children you ladies have.

And Dan's mustang. Yum.

Glad they had a good time.

 

[winkers]

What a good looking kid you have!

I do have to say......that's the strangest looking prom dress I've ever seen.....not very formal..........

That was nice of Dan to lend him his mustang! My poor ds will have to use the family mini van!

 

[askelton]

Glad to hear Treyner had a good time at prom and that the sports issue is worked out...for now.
​

 

[Dizneydawn]

Great pictures!

Thanks...I may actually hav etime to go read the last of your TR this week..and finally get caught up!

Awww thanks for sharing the pictures.
Thank you for following along our crazy journey...
Treyner looks very handsome.

Oh to be young and gawgous!
Imay have been young once but never as gorgwous as those 2!
What beautiful children you ladies have.

And Dan's mustang. Yum.
Here Here!
Glad they had a good time.

What a good looking kid you have!

I do have to say......that's the strangest looking prom dress I've ever seen.....not very formal..........
IActually it was more formal than you think...I don't think the pics do it justice...more of an evening gown...My daughter Carsyn loved it saying when she goes she wants to be a little unusual also...sooo many girls had the short dress that gathered at mid thigh with a wider band...almost like a balloon dress...there were maybe 20 dresses out of 250 that I even slightly remember! It also fit Sara's personality and although I agree not traditional...it fwas totally her...I am jealous they have so many choices now...I hasd the Bo Peep choice and that was it! Some were long..some short..some evening gown...some bo-peep...some even came in boots and a cowboyish dress...regardless of my personal preferance...i was admiring the girls that did that...cause I would never had the cahuna's to be that different!
That was nice of Dan to lend him his mustang! My poor ds will have to use the family mini van!

There was 9 couples that went to dinner and hung out in a group...1 guy had a mini van too...Treyner had wanted a limo but no one else wanted to pay up for it...I was surprised he ended up being the cruise director and organizing after prom stuff and the dinner..he usually can't figure out where his soccer shorts are.....

Glad to hear Treyner had a good time at prom and that the sports issue is worked out...for now.
​

Thanks...I am awaiting a call from the HS Football coach...we shall see what they decide...they will be none too happy...

 

[Dizneydawn]

Hi guys...

So there are 2 colleges now vying heavily for Treyner...can we spell stress???

I am so looking forward to December...I have a quick question...


What are your ideas of Epcot for the Christmas season? Is the dinner pkg for the candelight processional needed? How early do you need to get there if you do not have the pkg?

Thanks...

 

[3DisneyKids]

The CP has gotten so popular that yes, you really need a package to get a seat. I can't even imagine how early you have to get there without the package. Even those WITH the package need to get there an hour early.

 

[Dizneydawn]

The CP has gotten so popular that yes, you really need a package to get a seat. I can't even imagine how early you have to get there without the package. Even those WITH the package need to get there an hour early.

Okay so it is settled..
BTW...anyone wanting to rent points for Feb-2009 and on...let me know...I have a Rent posted on the DVC rent trade area...

 

[twob4him]

Hi Dawn,
I am 14 pages late for your pre-trippie. And I have one thing to say.....you're my idol Seriously! You are soooo hilarious and you are such a wonderful mom! I really need to give kudos to your friend, stagemom, for directing me here.

I have to say that I am so sad about not being in Disney in Dec 2008. My best friend and I had planned on going before my DH put a stop to our dreams of going. Darn it. We would have been there on the 5th -8th and could have possibly made the meet. Now I have to save up for 2009.

Well I just wanted to check in and say that I am really enjoying everything, especially the pics and the hilarious stories. (I could barely catch my breath and my DD3, who I stayed home with today cause she is sick, kept saying..."what, mommie, what???" ) You do realize I have had four children and laughing so hard has consequences

Oh yeah I remembered I wanted to tell you too how impressed at the fact that you are so high up in the Tupperware business. Wow! I couldnt sell water to people dying of thirst in the desert. Very cool


So about your trip. I have been to Disney once last summer and twice the summer before. I love your dining choices. Have you decided about the regular or deluxe dining plan? I have only done the regular but I was a park commando and didnt want to sit around eating two sit down meals. Now that I have done that, the next trip will be a bit different. Thats the cool thing about Disney. You can do different things each time. I must say in retrospect that the counter service meals were quick but not as nice as the sit-down....so I like your idea of splitting the deluxe with the OPP. And I love the idea of surprising the kids.


OK I am done rambling! I will check in frequently~

 

[hlrababy]

Hi Dawn!! I just joined your trip report and it is great!!!! You have such a great sense of humor, I was laughing so hard I fell off my bad and DH looked at me like I had a huge bug crawling on me!!! Anyways, you have a beautiful family and I am definately joining your report!! You rock!

 

[westie22]

Hey Dawn,

I just finished reading the 14 pages thus far of your PTR ! Keep up the funny stories in between the updates!
We're going for our first family trip at Thanksgiving this year and I've already gone through the dining planning. In fact the rest of our ADRs will be made this Sunday! We decided on the basic dining plan, leaving the timing and flexibility of CS meals for whenever we're hungry in the parks and most of our TS meals for character dinners (my DD will be 5 when we go). We also bought tix for MVMCP. Can't wait!!!

Take care and post more stories soon!!

Laura in Austin

 

[Dizneydawn]

Hi Dawn,
I am 14 pages late for your pre-trippie. And I have one thing to say.....you're my idol Well if that's the case...start passing the hat cause this idol needs some money for Disney! No need to Scoobie Doo tiki God me or anything...a playdough look-a-like is fine thankee... Seriously! You are soooo hilarious and you are such a wonderful mom! Talk to my kids...I fail many days unfortunatley! I really need to give kudos to your friend, stagemom, for directing me here.
She is a great lady with funny stories of her own!

I have to say that I am so sad about not being in Disney in Dec 2008. My best friend and I had planned on going before my DH put a stop to our dreams of going. Darn it. We would have been there on the 5th -8th and could have possibly made the meet. Now I have to save up for 2009.
Do not give up hope - I sent ya a pm!

Well I just wanted to check in and say that I am really enjoying everything, especially the pics and the hilarious stories. (I could barely catch my breath and my DD3, who I stayed home with today cause she is sick, kept saying..."what, mommie, what???" ) You do realize I have had four children and laughing so hard has consequences
I did not have anything to do with the births of your children or said ramifications...I was nowhere near you when you got pregnant and that baby looks nothing like me....

Dear Maury Povich....
Oh yeah I remembered I wanted to tell you too how impressed at the fact that you are so high up in the Tupperware business. Wow! I couldnt sell water to people dying of thirst in the desert. Very cool
Believe it or not it is the easiest job because everyone knows Tupperware...I am not selling anything new or convincing people they need to know the brand name...it truly sells itself...But I thank you...I love my job...6 cars in 5 years...trips all over the world and I average $70 an hour at parties on the low end...so...unless I can get in shape and become a stripper...(I don't think the term pole dancing refers to telephone poles )..it is the best legal money I can find working 20 hours a week. Plus he greatest gift is tha my kids can come first...I DECIDE MY SCHEDULE...thank you GOD!

So about your trip. I have been to Disney once last summer and twice the summer before. I love your dining choices. Have you decided about the regular or deluxe dining plan? I have only done the regular but I was a park commando and didnt want to sit around eating two sit down meals. Now that I have done that, the next trip will be a bit different. Thats the cool thing about Disney. You can do different things each time. I must say in retrospect that the counter service meals were quick but not as nice as the sit-down....so I like your idea of splitting the deluxe with the OPP. And I love the idea of surprising the kids.

Yeah...I think about late OCT. I will act like we can't afford to go...then surprise them on the day we leave....I don't know how to change them from knowing...I have enough medical issues that I can say we are delaying it...they would buy that...we shall see...


OK I am done rambling! I will check in frequently~

Look forward to you being here..

Hi Dawn!! I just joined your trip report and it is great!!!! You have such a great sense of humor, I was laughing so hard I fell off my bad and DH looked at me like I had a huge bug crawling on me!!! Anyways, you have a beautiful family and I am definately joining your report!! You rock!

Hi...thanks for laughing..which part knocked you off the bed? You should have turned to your DH and said ..."It has been a long time since you knocked my socks off..wanna try tonight?! Just call me Dr. Ruth!

Hey Dawn,

I just finished reading the 14 pages thus far of your PTR ! Keep up the funny stories in between the updates!Will do silly Sue...
We're going for our first family trip at Thanksgiving this year and I've already gone through the dining planning. In fact the rest of our ADRs will be made this Sunday! We decided on the basic dining plan, leaving the timing and flexibility of CS meals for whenever we're hungry in the parks and most of our TS meals for character dinners (my DD will be 5 when we go). We also bought tix for MVMCP. Can't wait!!!

Take care and post more stories soon!!

Laura in Austin

Great ideas and this weekend if it kills me I will have decesions made about Disney...

Update on the soccer saga...

I talked with a coach from a D3 school here in MN...he want's Treyner to go there...but after 2 hours of talking with me about treyner's wants and aspirations...he is saying to have him go NAIA..practice all year long and then head to Europe in a few years to give the Pro's a shot.

This is the consensus I am hearing from coaches who have seen him...

The deal is that Minnesota does not have any D1 schools and D3 schools here have the top players from MN...very competitive....but....coaches cannot give practices all year...they cannot give athletic scolarships...only academic..and thus the kids are usually in it for college play...with no aspirations of playing farther...and the dedication he has found is not as high..because there is no $ on the table to push them athletically in the off season...

The other factor is that Treyner is not the best student...realistically a solid B student but he does not test well...and if he wants to push his career in soccer..he needs to be at a school that will allow him to foccus on that...give him an education too...
but it is time that he decides what he wants to pursue...and that is to be a professional athlete...

I know some people think he needs to not look at that as realistic..but the truth is it is realistic for some people...and if he can really have a shot at it...I would be doing him a disservice to not encourage that...I am seeing such a difference in athletes at his age...all his teammates could play at the collegiate level somehow...but none want to...they are ready to be done...party in college...none want the extra hours of weight lifting etc...and Treyner is their early and stays late...

He has said since he was 3 that he wants to play professional sports...he has put in hours and hours training his body...20 hours a week in gymnastics from 8-13...dance for flexibilty and agility...basketball, baseball, football, and the scouts can see that in the way he plays....

I guess I am just venting a little because a part of me felt like I was not being a "good mom" for putting education before his athletic hopes...but...after searching myself hard...I realised that I would fail him more for not believing in him and his talent...then by pushing him to be a person he is not...a student he is not...and when he is 36 like I am today..I do not want him to say..."I should have.." or "I wonder what could have..."

If he doesn't make it..then it is time to find a new dream....but if he does make it...and I did not help him in every emotional, spiritual, physical and financial way I could...then I was not a good mom..and I was not listening to his dreams...I was hiding behind my fears.

Okay...sorry for the SAP..but I can't afford a diary and you guys are free!!

Thanks so much for everything!!!!

 

[stagemomx3]

I say send him to Europe to play there and see what happens. School will still be there in a few years.

 

[Dizneydawn]

I say send him to Europe to play there and see what happens. School will still be there in a few years.

Thanks Michelle - I honestly feel like I am being pulled in 2 over this..His senior year of HS isn't even here yet....

I did not have this issue...No academic or athletic scholarsips were for me at all...I just applied where I prayed they would let me in...and then did a happy dance when it happened. Treyner has so much riding on choices....truthfully...all academics/coaches aggree that a college degree is important...school it came from not as much...because after a while..your work history and thic will stand for what you bring to a company...and unless it's Harvard...which it won't be...a degree is a degree....but his athletic career will be impacted by how good his coach is and what he can get from a team....

 

[Dizneydawn]

So how many of you can say minus a few interuption... ....that you have planned to the finest of details...for 4 hours...how much and where you will be eating....at Disney...

Okay...so most of you...that's why we are here aren't we...compulsive...slightly obsessed...derranged in fact in 39 states...

So here is the grand decesion..finalized...not subject to change...unless the wind blows...

Again...a refresher since this pre-trippie began in 400 B.C. when the price of Gas was 2 sticks and a stone...not a kidney and left eye thrown in...(Jodi tried with the re-attached piddiple...but the gas attendant said no go Idaho..we don't take no scroungy, waterlogged, amputee piddiples...we only take viable organs...and re-attached doesn't count...)


We are at OKW 2 Bedroom for 5 nights (7-12th of Dec) and then to the Ply for 2 nights (12-14th)


Soo...after figuring out where we want to eat...how much food 3 teens will consume etc...here is the final tabulations...

Based on the stars aignment, monitary factors and the fact we do no not eat things that swim in it's own feces...(fish, shrimp, lobster... etc) here is the plan...

Do the reg Dining plan for the 5 nights at OKW....then the Deluxe Dining for the 2 nights at the Poly... This will give us enough TS meals we want...and we will pay OOP for the cheaper places for 1 person...we have found that 4 TS is more than enough to share with 5 people... Plus the last 2 days we will
only be having 4 at the POLY...

A few things to figure out...buffets we need to use TS for all 5...do we want Appetizers at Yachtsman or Jiko??? That may change when in the days mix we will use it.....so please give me your opinion...plus I am not sure what to do with a few extra TS credits we will have... so start...giving advice... cause I wanna smash the computer cause I am sick of running numbers and the wind just blew....


1st 5 days.. days of the week is not in stone...it will depend on what days the parades etc are...
Okw - reg 5 nights (5 people) 25 ts 25 cs 25 snacks

This is TS credits
S Biergarten- 5 buffet
Le Cellier 4
M T Prime Time - 3
W Ohana’s - 5
Th Yachtsman (2TS each) - 8

Poly deluxe 2 nights (4 people) 24 ts 0 cs 16 snacks 4 refill mug

Fr Chefs De France 4
Tutto Italia - 4
Sat - Jiko (2 TS each) - 8



This means we have 8 dining TS left... for a Fri/Sat we can move Yachtsman down again...move France and Italia back up....ugh....

Here is the deal...I am not sure what to do...I don't want to pay for the hopper pass. So the 4 Epcot resies need to stay on the same day...

I am not sure if the Yachtsman and Jiko are only open for nights...

any suggestions....

 

[wdwnomad]

Hi Dawn, I am enjoying your pre-trip report so far. I will be there during the same week you are. I'll be staying at the All-Star Music.

I like your ADR listing. I haven't even gotten to mine yet. I know I better soon because the ADR date is fast approaching. One reason I haven't done it yet is because the park hours haven't come out yet. This is my first trip in December and there is so much to do and so little time. With that, are you planing on doing MVMCP and/or the Candlelight Processional Package? If you are doing any of them then you need to take that into consideration. Also, are you planing on spending all day Sunday and Friday at Epcot? You could always do the Candlelight dinner on one of those days. If you aren't doing MVMCP then I would do Prime Time on the Tuesday because that is a party night for the MK. Your Monday night would be free to do the MK at night to see Wishes and SpectroMagic if they are offering that night. With so many parties being offered that week seeing the normal MK nighttime shows is going to be tough esp, since SpectroMagic isn't offered each night.

The one thing that I would change if it was me I would try to do the O'Hana's dinner while I am at the Poly. If you are going to be at Epcot all day on Friday then this might not be possible. However, if you aren't, then eating right at your own resort would be so nice because you don't have to travel anywhere. And, by then, it might be a welcome relief. I am pretty sure you would be able to do this because the dining credits from the OKW reservation would still be active. You should have one left that you can use. Then you use the credits on the new reservation for the balance. Hmmm...not sure if this would be a good idea because you don't want to park hop. What would be the sense going back to the Poly just to eat?

Well, those are my thoughts. It might be just better to wait until the park hours come out and then plug in the places around that. That is what I do. Hopefully, everything fits. If not, then some tweaking needs to be made.

 

[Dizneydawn]

Hi Dawn, I am enjoying your pre-trip report so far. I will be there during the same week you are. I'll be staying at the All-Star Music.
Okay - so we need to meet to then!
I like your ADR listing. I haven't even gotten to mine yet. I know I better soon because the ADR date is fast approaching. One reason I haven't done it yet is because the park hours haven't come out yet. Exactly - that is why my days are not finalized either..I was jsut plugging in to get a tally..ugh! This is my first trip in December and there is so much to do and so little time. With that, are you planing on doing MVMCP and/or the Candlelight Processional Package? Yes to both..that will need a factor as well... If you are doing any of them then you need to take that into consideration. Probably do the candelight after Chef de France..or whatever else we choose on the 2nd day at Epcot...so then we can be seated in the VIP area... Also, are you planing on spending all day Sunday and Friday at Epcot? You could always do the Candlelight dinner on one of those days. If you aren't doing MVMCP then I would do Prime Time on the Tuesday because that is a party night for the MK. Nope..will probably be doing the MVMCP that Tuesday..so I will have to figure that out... Your Monday night would be free to do the MK at night to see Wishes and SpectroMagic if they are offering that night. With so many parties being offered that week seeing the normal MK nighttime shows is going to be tough esp, since SpectroMagic isn't offered each night.
Yeah..I need a calendar with all the specials..my kids are older so I don't know how many parades they will want to indulge me in...


The one thing that I would change if it was me I would try to do the O'Hana's dinner while I am at the Poly. Ohana's is family style so the app/dessert is included...I was planning on using the Deluxe to visit places I knew I wanted an appitizer at and that would be expensive...Ohana's is all in 1 like a buffet or that would be great...I had it that way to originally.. Same w/ Boma's for B-fast and Kona's for bfast...no app or dessert...so why not pay OOP..instead of wasting a TS... If you are going to be at Epcot all day on Friday then this might not be possible. However, if you aren't, then eating right at your own resort would be so nice because you don't have to travel anywhere. And, by then, it might be a welcome relief. I am pretty sure you would be able to do this because the dining credits from the OKW reservation would still be active. You should have one left that you can use. Then you use the credits on the new reservation for the balance. Hmmm...not sure if this would be a good idea because you don't want to park hop. What would be the sense going back to the Poly just to eat?

So any suggestions on another place to eat...how bout Raglan Road or Portebello Yacht club...
Well, those are my thoughts. It might be just better to wait until the park hours come out and then plug in the places around that. That is what I do. Hopefully, everything fits. If not, then some tweaking needs to be made.

Thanks for the help..glad you joined this rag tag group!

 

[wdwnomad]

We are planing on going to MVMCP on Tuesday too. It is the cheapest! So far the only places we have decided to eat are Boma and Coral Reef for dinner. I am going to make a regular reservation for Coral Reef and then, hopefully, when the packages come out book dinner for there and cancel the regular reservation. Other than that I have no plans for anything else just yet. Normally by now I know what I at least want.

You know the funny thing is with all that is going on during the holidays down there my biggest worry is when am I going to see SpectroMagic. I have seen it many times and will again in September. For some reason I just can't let it go. I love it and would see it everynight if I could.

Let's hope Disney releases the park hours on Sunday so you finalize your plans!

 

[Dizneydawn]

We are planing on going to MVMCP on Tuesday too. It is the cheapest! So far the only places we have decided to eat are Boma and Coral Reef for dinner. I am going to make a regular reservation for Coral Reef and then, hopefully, when the packages come out book dinner for there and cancel the regular reservation. Other than that I have no plans for anything else just yet. Normally by now I know what I at least want.

You know the funny thing is with all that is going on during the holidays down there my biggest worry is when am I going to see SpectroMagic. I have seen it many times and will again in September. For some reason I just can't let it go. I love it and would see it everynight if I could.

Let's hope Disney releases the park hours on Sunday so you finalize your plans!

Really thought of the Coral Reef as well but we have soooo many EPCOT Rest. already and like I said...fish tends to be the theme of many great places and we just are not a fish family...I need to purchase those MVMCP tickets soon...and make resies for the candelight processional...and wax my ......
oh I almost forgot that would not be okay to share that and I could have been banned....

I meant legs people not the coochie coo... cause I have seen that done on and it looks like in 2.2 and I am not talking the good 2.2 like Chuck Woolery would have!

 

[Dizneydawn]

I have decided we will for sure go to the MVMCP on Tues the 9th...plus the Candelight Processional dinner PKG at Epcot...we will not do the Park Hopper...an extra $500 it looked like almost for flexibility instead of enjoying each park... get a 7 day magic Your Way ticket for everyone...make sure I ssee the 6pm tree lighting at Epcot on the day we are there that we are not seeing the processional...

ANY OTHER HOLIDAY MUST SEES???