The New Lizard Lounge

[TammiMcMan]

Exactly the reason we stayed away from the Yacht Club for so long. When I was growing up, we used to have summer vacations on the Cape every year. It seemed like it was too much like home. Funny though, while we were at the resort, I didn't think it compared to Cape Cod at all. Well, the design is similar, but Disney has definitely put their stamp on it.

lovesdumbo, it's actually pretty typical for boys to develop their fine motor skills at such an early age. In my experience, it's usually the girls who are the talkers and boys are the explorers. They like to figure everything out. They have the larger size Legos, I think they are called Duplos, so less of a choking hazard for your younger ones. You might want to try puzzles too. Trust me, he will eventually be a whiz on the computer and video games, so there's nothing wrong with holding off on that for a while. What types of games does he use for Leapster? You might want to try something a little more challenging, either along the puzzle solving or just an age group higher.

We'll be contemplating a move when DS finishes high school. That gives me a little over 3 years. I'm raising my kids in the house that I grew up in, so it's going to be very hard to leave it. My DH really wants to move to Texas. My youngest DD will probably love the South because of high popularity of cheerleading. We'll see how it goes. I tend not to plan very far in advance.

Tammi

 

[#1hockeymom]

We were going to stay here 5 years and it has been 16! The first house we said three, and we meant it! I remember when we first moved in we looked at each other and said "why would we ever want to leave, this house is perfect!" *laughing* For two newly married and a baby it was.... for two and a toddler... HA! I keep on pushing a move OUT of Michigan, but its the only place we know! Granted, it doesn't have a "great reputation" but we do know it and half our family is still here! The other half got smart and moved! LOL Car industry still has us here *shaking head* maybe one day...

Has anyone seen Alice lately? KAC'smom? I wonder where she has been hiding herself!

TGIF!
Debbie

 

[lovesdumbo]

I did it! Made a reservation for 9 nights Poly GVC with a AAA discount and bought plane tickets. With all the taxes I got 6 tickets for a total of $455.40. I'm so excited!

Tammy-actually all 3 of my children have had really good fine motor skills and none have been early talkers. My son was a bit late talking and the baby (do I have to stop calling her that now that she's 2? My mom still calls me her baby) is a very late talker. She's finally getting help-we had to wait over 4 months for a speech therapist but now she's making HUGE strides. She used to call Eeyore "oye". So cute and so fitting for Eeyore's personality. Now its E-oye and I'm happy to see her improvement but I liked "oye" better. We do have the really big Legos and he's only moderately interested in those. We also have bristle blocks and still just moderate interest in those. He's very into art and painting. He's working on staying dry for 4 days to earn some new crayons that look like glue sticks and color like pastels. I'm hopeful today will be day 4 he's been trying for the past 2 weeks. I'll have to get some puzzles out. I put them away when the baby started emptying all the boxes into 1 happy pile.

Hope all is well with everyone. I'm on Now I've got to figure out how to to a counter.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

lovesdumbo, I sent you a pm about your children.

Lori

 

[Goofy's Muse]

I did it! Made a reservation for 9 nights Poly GVC with a AAA discount and bought plane tickets. With all the taxes I got 6 tickets for a total of $455.40. I'm so excited!

Now that's worth celebrating!

 

[steveanddonna]

Way to go, lovesdumbo! Crossing my fingers that my cousin will be able to get a good deal on airfare in December - I hate to think of her driving down with four little ones.

DH is in Orlando without me this week, but vengeance is mine: he won't have any time to visit WDW, even for a quick dinner! Even worse, he's at Portofino Bay doing technical production for a big conference for insurance agents. He will really need his long weekend in the World come May.

Leaving out some pineapple bread and Kona coffee before heading to work. It's going to be a long and busy week.

 

[Steph H]

Most parochials now require kids to be 5 before they begin kindergarten--at least that's been our experience. When my son entered, they recommended boys be 5.5 before beginning.

Tess: I guess I'm good there, since my son will be 5.5 when he enters school. But wow, the tests! Now I'm going to be nervous for the next two years! But thanks a bunch for the info.


#1HM: Holly--wow, that's about as far away from me as you can get. My mom teaches in Lincoln Park. Your drive to Flint must be a real trip. Ugh.

Our plan was to be outta here in 5 yrs... so now it's been 15... it seems that having 3 kids has adversely impacted my ability to count!

Having kids adversely affects a lot of my intellectual skills!

I'm still dealing with potty training issues. Our DS(4)

Ack!! My DS is 3 and I'm struggling with those issues too. I shudder to think that I could still be dealing with them a year from now.

LovesDumbo: Woo hoo!!! Doing the happy banana dance for you.

Happy to enjoy the Kona coffee. . .mmmm. Had a busy weekend making a birthday cake for the 3-year-old twins next door. But I definitely didn't forget about the Dis board while I was doing it--it was a Minnie Mouse cake! And just to give me something to smile about this morning: 207 days 13 hrs. 24 mins. 21 secs.

 

[samnbilly]

Help! I'm thinking of changing my ressies in August to AKL-concierge or maybe splitting my stay. Can anyone tell me if they have bunk beds when you stay concierge and how big the rooms are? How is the transportation? Can you request your view? Do the kids love the pool? I feel like I have so many questions. Are there only 1 bdrm suites in concierge or can you have a standard or deluxe room? What is the best AP rate anyone has rec'd for value season last year for concierge? What is the Sunrise Safari? Oh dear, I'm so confused-breathe

 

[lovesdumbo]

Ack!! My DS is 3 and I'm struggling with those issues too. I shudder to think that I could still be dealing with them a year from now.

I was asking a friend for advice and she said her 7 year old grandson was doing the same thing. She thinks it is a pure control issue with her GS because his mother is very controlling. I'm sure its a control issue with my DS because he was all trained but of course I'm not controlling. I don't know how to get my poor DS not to feel so controlled. At least is ONLY pee! And only at home. I can't imagine dealing with this issue 3 years from now.

Samnbilly-I've never stayed at the AKL but we did have breakfast there one morning and spent a fair amount of time enjoying the grounds. The pool looked great-zero entry so you can walk right in and there is also a nice playground. The hotel looked very relaxing. I'm sure others will address the room issues and have more first hand info on the pool.

I miss the old counters too. I liked seeing the exact number of days/hours/minutes.....

 

[teentoddlermom]

Thanks for the info on airfare, Lovesdumbo. I had been looking on Song and seeing nothing but $124.00 one way for our August Trip. (they have better times than Jetblue) So now most are down to $69 or $79 on Song so I booked it! We're staying at the Boardwalk (not concierge! yikes!) but maybe we'll change our minds before August.
Ellen

 

[lovesdumbo]

teentoddlermom-doing a little happy dance for you. Doesn't it feel great to have your tickets purchased? Makes the trip feel so much more real. I like the Song times too. I'm flying with my DD on Friday at 11 am and my DH, DS, DD and friend are flying on Sunday at 3PM. My friend wants to go to church and maybe my DS, DD will nap on the 3PM flight and it will give older DD & I more time together. It's so nice to be able to think about this trip instead of the MORE snow forecasted for tonight. I've had enough! I think the long cold winter may be getting to my DS who hates the cold. We need spring-yesterday's 40+ degrees was just a tease.

 

[Steph H]

Good morning, everyone! I feel like some cranberry-orange muffins and fresh coffee. Feel free to have some.

What does "zero entry" mean for the pool?

 

[lovesdumbo]

What does "zero entry" mean for the pool?

The pool is sloped gradually so you can walk right in like at a beach-no stairs. At the Polynesian they have special water wheelchairs for special needs-I'm sure they have them at AKL too. Its great for small kids because they can sit in just a little bit of water.

 

[minniesota]

Good morning fellow lizards!
Well, did any of you wake early enough yesterday to get your AP rate for upcoming travel? Imagine my surprise when I logged in at 6:55 a.m. and saw that several people already had their discount. Wah! But perseverance paid off - after a 1-hour wait on hold and more Disney music than I can handle at that hour!- I got GF and saved $400 which pays for airfare. DH says to me last night - "didn't you book concierge?" What??? Since this is a mom and daughter trip, I figured garden view in Sago would be lovely. But now he has me thinking....I wonder what the wait times will be today....

Hope all of you that were trying were successful. And have a great Thursday. There's warm banana bread, blueberry muffins and a great fruit compote on the sideboard! The orange juice is freshly squeezed and the cap machine is ready- enjoy!

 

[floridafam]

I posted this on another thread but thought I would post here as well.

We are going to WL in May. We currently have a suite booked. MIL is coming down to help out with the new baby and will be staying for our trip. Should I just book the connecting room to the suite or book 2 connecting rooms?

We are going to have a ton of stuff-stroller, pack n' play, formula, diapers, DH's bike, etc.

I just don't think there will be room even if we book 2 connecting rooms.

Any advice. I'm on hold waiting to book the connecting CL room.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mom_rules]

We folks-last day of sub zero temps for us. We're off bright and early. Will try to post from WDW. I'll make sure that CL is well stocked for all of you following us!

 

[steveanddonna]

We are going to have a ton of stuff-stroller, pack n' play, formula, diapers, DH's bike, etc.

I just don't think there will be room even if we book 2 connecting rooms.

Any advice. I'm on hold waiting to book the connecting CL room.

Wow, where's Fred when you need him? He's travelled to WL with young children in tow, so he'd probably be the best source of info. Is the triathlon around the time all the Lizards will be there for our mini-meet? We have lots of stuff planned from May 18-22. I know it would be tough for you to join in with the new baby and all, but we'd sure love to meet you!

 

[floridafam]

steveanddonna,

I ended up booking the connecting room for the suite. We have traveled to WL with our 2 kids and I thought the rooms were small then. I don't even know where we would put everything. It's just so hard not to book rooms when you can get them at a discount.

When is the meet? I have no idea what it is going to be like traveling with a newborn but maybe I can try and be there.

 

[minniesota]

floidafam - I'd go with the suite and connecting room. It's just a more realxing trip if you have that extra space to "get away" from each other when you need to. In October, there were plenty of times when my folks were in their room relaxing, the kids were in the bedroom watching TV and DH and I had the lovely living room to ourselves. Everybody's happy!

Donna - Looks like DD and I will be there at the same time as you - the 20th-24th. I'm hoping for weather that is not yet too hot - I really hate hot weather! Have you made your PS's yet? I've got to do that this week. DD has been a little non-commital about that. Guess I'll just have to decide!

 

[steveanddonna]

floridafam & minniesota I am at Poly CL May 18-22. Some other LL's will also be there, including VAGal and Kerry CM, as well as the "birth Mom" of the Lizard Lounge. PM me for details of the tentative itinerary if you'd like. There are a couple of dinners, a Norway princess breakfast, and an AK Wildlife Discovery Expedition planned, as well as a few other things. I'm trying to leave some time open for lounging by the pool, wandering aimlessly around the World Showcase and relaxing in the lounge!