The New Lizard Lounge

[lovesdumbo]

MinnieSummer-we'll be thinking of you and your Dad!

I'm just so excited. I just bought tickets to go to Disney with my friend who helps us out with the kids when we go, her husband, her 15 year old son and my 4 year old son. We got all 5 RT tickets non stop SW out of Manchester NH for $577. Got 2 rooms at All Star Movies for 3 nights 8/28 to 8/31 with AP discount for $400. Friend, my DS, & I have AP's so her DH & DS just need 4 day passes. WOW. I'm actually shaking it is so exciting and rather impulsive. My DS needs some Mommy time-poor little middle child.

Gotta go check out park hours!

 

[ead79]

Woo Hoo! A spontaneous trip! Have a blast, lovesdumbo!

 

[Angel16]

Way to Go Lovesdumbo And it sounds like you got a good deal too. You deserve time to rest, and have fun with your DS and friends.

This weekend I am going to pay bills, get our flights and finish up the last of our plans for our Sept/Oct trip. It should be a fun weekend.....except for the bill part

I hope everyone has a good weekend. Thank you for the mimosa Minniesummer it is delish and a perfect way to start a weekend.

Angel

 

[hje4u]

I have read several posts about upgrades to concierge for little or no additional cost. I will be at the bc, last week in august, celebrating our 25th {with 3 kids}
how can i make this happen?

 

[ead79]

I have read several posts about upgrades to concierge for little or no additional cost. I will be at the bc, last week in august, celebrating our 25th {with 3 kids}
how can i make this happen?

This is actually a pretty rare occurrence. I think it used to happen a bit more in the past than it does now since Disney’s attendance is back up. The way to go about asking would be to politely inquire about upgrading to concierge when you check in. Then ask the cost for doing so. However, if you really have your heart set on staying concierge level, then you should probably go ahead and upgrade so you won’t be disappointed. Concierge levels have been filling up more than they used to though. Either way, the BC is a great resort, and I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

 

[BionicEar]

I have read several posts about upgrades to concierge for little or no additional cost. I will be at the bc, last week in august, celebrating our 25th {with 3 kids}
how can i make this happen?

I think it's a luck of the draw when getting upgraded to concierge at no cost. The BC is pretty popular, as I remember when we went last time, we were lucky to get BC. Everyone we talked to in the parks had mentioned they tried to get BC, only to find it'd already been booked up.

And there aren't that many concierge rooms, so I imagine they get booked up pretty regularly. If there was a magic word or something like that that would get you upgraded to concierge, I'd be all over that!

Unfortunately, if you really want concierge, then I recommend that you book concierge. Otherwise, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment.

 

[storybookmum]

Hello, again, all!

I am overjoyed to report that we will not be making a trip to Disney anytime in next couple of years.

This SHOULD be a cause for at least a whimper, if not tears. But instead, it's pure joy.

The reason?

DH and I have decided to start saving our money intensively, to adopt a baby girl from China.

We are so excited to experience the blessing of bringing home a new daughter to join our family. It's so much more important to us than any trip we could take.

Hopefully one day in the future, DH and I will be able to bring all of our girls to experience the Magic. Right now, it's time to bank the pennies. It's going to take a while, most likely nearly two years before we see our girl come home to us.

I would love your prayers in this...and I wish you all every blessing in your trips and your lives.

In Christ,

Kristina

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Hello, again, all!
DH and I have decided to start saving our money intensively, to adopt a baby girl from China.

We are so excited to experience the blessing of bringing home a new daughter to join our family. It's so much more important to us than any trip we could take....

Oh my gosh! I stopped in for a quick read and this is the first post I saw! It brought tears to my eyes, Kristina! We wish you and your family the very best!!!

Hugs to all... I've been remiss in posting but want to pass along my best wishes to everyone... Will try to update everyone soon but alas our upcoming vacation will be a mix of Boy Scout camp for the guys, family obligations and visiting for the girls and then a much too short trip to Lake George and Niagara Falls. Goofy and I were so very close to booking a last minute Disney trip but have been just crazed with the kids' schedules this summer. I've told myself that Disney will keep calling and one of these days I'll just have to answer!!

 

[Steph H]

Kristina: What wonderful news. Blessings to you and your family on this decision!

Minniesota: Much love and prayers are with you at this time.

I haven't been around much because I got some worrisome news about blood test results earlier this week related to the pregnancy, and I'm waiting to get the results of the re-test to see if it was a fluke or if I have to go see a specialist. I would appreciate any prayers and pixie dust that can be offered. I hope to have the news by Monday if the news is good. I hate the waiting most of all! I'll let you know. Thanks everyone!

 

[ead79]

Kristina, what wonderful news! Congratulations on your decision to adopt a precious little one from China! My prayers are with you that the finances work out wonderfully and that the adoption process is smooth.

Steph, please know my prayers are with you as you await your test results.

 

[storybookmum]

Steph, you're in my prayers! I pray everything is just fine with your baby and with you, that the test results come back quickly with news to relieve you.

Thank you for the well wishes! We're so eager to start, but we have a long road ahead of us. I'll be sure to let you know as we have something to report.

God bless,

Kris

 

[minniesota]

Steph - I hope and pray all is well with you and your little growing baby and that you only have good news on Monday. I will never turn down prayers and love from my fellow lizards but I think you meant to send those to MinnieSummer. Who I hope is coping well by the way.

Hey Steph! I also meant to reply that it would be fun to meet up with you and Angel for a cocktail at the GF (make yours virgin, of course!). We'll have to compare schedules as we get closer to Oct. I'm at the GF Oct. 1-4!

Kristina - How wonderful - and God bless you for having such an open and generous heart and home!

Goofy'sMuse - Good to see you. Sounds like you've had my summer! Just watched the last performance of DS's acting camp this morning. DD starts dance team practice on Monday and her orientation for the new private HS is Thursday. DId the uniform shopping and she HATES the slacks.
"Mom, they come up tp my armpits!" We didn't buy any... Hey, we'll be in your state in Oct. - planning a 6-day trip to Boston and Maine/NH/Vermont, etc. Any ideas you'd like to float my way? TammiMcMann has shared some insight - I'm a bit overwhlemed with all the choices!

Hello to all you other lizards - keep enjoying those great summer days!!!

 

[Angel16]

Big room wave to everyone! Here we are with summer almost over. School is getting ready to start. Goodness, it really went by fast.

I have been working very long hours at work and trying to get my fathers home ready for sale. As you many of you probably remember he passed away a while back and left a Hugh house FILLED with things. It has been a long, but very rewarding project. I have found love letters to my mom from dad that I did not even know existed. I found poems my dad wrote, which I had no idea he ever was into that. My dad was a professional photographer and very talented if I must say so myself. He was published numerous times and had shows. But I never ever thought he was such a soft heart and so romantic. It is wonderful to find out how very much your parents loved each other. I knew they cared about each other, but I certainly didn't know the depth of their love and how well my dad communicated it. sigh...

We now have the house cleaned out, and are ready to paint the inside and clean the carpets. I have already had the outside painted and we finished the yard (cleaning and planting) a few months ago. Then we are going to put it on the market. I will be good to put closer on this. But, I still have a guest room full to the brim of items I have to e-bay.

I have our flights for our fall trip. We are going to do a RED-EYE for the first time. I hope we both don't regret it. It was much less expensive as well as a non-stop flight from the west. I am going to order our Disney Dinning Plan cards today. And try to firm up our plans for the whole trip. It should be a fun day today with plans and such. We are so excited about staying at the GF RPC. It will be our first time! It will be such a nice way to celebrate our wedding anniversary and DH's birthday. I am certainly looking forward to returning (home) to the AKL. I need to get our plans firmed up there too. Just a couple of days that I don't have planned yet. We already have our reservations for Sunrise and Wanyama Safari's.

Steph I have you and your baby in my prayers. Sending good wishes and pd to you and your family. I am looking forward to your good news on Monday.

Kris What exciting news! I am so very happy for you. One of the doctors I work with just adopted a little girl from China. It was a long process, but oh so worth it. She is 18 months old, so cute and smart too. He and his wife left the middle of May with only two weeks notice to go and pick her up. They have a little boy who is five, and now this wonderful addition to their family. I will keep you in my prayers. You’re certainly saving for a wonderful goal.

Has anyone heard from #1 Hockeymom or Tess ? I miss seeing them here in the lounge. Hope they both are doing well. Also, Floridafam , but I'm sure she is busy with the new baby and family. Tammi McMann You must be on vacation. Hope you are having a wonderful time.

EAD79- Elizabeth How are things going for you and your DH? How is your family doing? I hope everyone is doing well.

Hje4uI have read several posts about upgrades to concierge for little or no additional cost. I will be at the bc, last week in august, celebrating our 25th {with 3 kids}
how can i make this happen?

First, let me say Happy Anniversary. Twentyfive is a really special anniversary. I totally agree with EAD79's post regarding upgrading to concierge if you really want to stay in concierge. However, if that is not possible there are so many things you can do to make your anniversary special. Your staying at Beach Club, how long are you going be in WDW. Perhaps you can book a concierge room for a night or two on your anniversary. Let us know what all you have planned.

Sending pixie dust and prayers to all you lizards. Have a great Saturday.

Angel

 

[Tess]

I'm here Angel16. . .as busy as we are when school is in session--it seems this year we've been busier still in the summer! We've had weekend visitors, neighbors stopping over, and loads of activities related to our kids' interests. We just haven't had much time to do the usual DISing. The weather has been spectacular here this summer and it seems we are outside in the yard or poolside from sun up to sun down. By the time we have dinner, the kids are clamoring for computer time. . .I'm sure I'll be around more as the days wane and school begins in a mere two weeks! That is not a happy thought!

I've made my Polynesian reservations for '06--we've got one child graduating H.S. in May and it's going to be a tough thing to pull off, but I've got to see the new rooms! Hopefully, we'll work out the issues and make this trip happen!

Anyway, to all and I am trying to keep up--at least reading, if not posting!

 

[storybookmum]

Thank you, Angel! I appreciate the encouragement. I'm glad to hear of so many touching moments preparing your Dad's house for sale. What a blessing to have that to get you through what must be a very difficult time!

I hope your trip "home" is everything you could want in such a special vacation!

In Christ,

Kristina

 

[TammiMcMan]

Happy Monday everyone,

We got back late last night from our "sort of" vacation to Lake Placid. The weather was beautiful and the town is absolutely adorable. Not that I've ever been to one, but it's exactly how I would picture a small European village. We stayed at the Best Western Golden Arrow and it was great. We had a very large room and it came with a small refrigerator. It seemed like the hotel had been added to many times over the years and it made for some interesting nooks and crannies. It sits right on Mirror Lake and they had a nice sandy beach area with lounge chairs, boats and swimming. They even had an indoor pool, but we only used it once or twice in the evenings. DD9 became quite the boater by the end of the week. She could take out the kayak and the paddle boat on her own. The lake is a good size, but they don't allow any gas powered engines. That was really nice.

The hotel was within 50 yards of the Olympic center, which was a good thing, as we were constantly going back and forth for competitions, warm ups and practices. DS and his partner did a great job. They finished 4th overall in the compulsory dances. They skated 3 dances in total. They had a fall in the first dance, so they got 6th place, but finished 3rd in the other two dances. For the free dance, they got the gold medal . Here is a link to a photo of them in the free dance, http://www.ice-dance.com/events-results/reports/lakeplacid05/juvenile/photos/freedance/McMc.jpg .

Now I need to go back and catch up on all the posts that I missed.

Steph, hope all goes well with your follow up tests today.

Minniesota, I sent you an e-mail. I was bad and my PM box was full so I never got your address. I have a bunch of stuff to send you. Did you decide if you're going to stay at the Residence Inn Cambridge yet? It's a great spot and you're well within walking distance to everything. I was thinking that you might want to check the Boston Bruins schedule at the Garden. That's about a 15 minute walk from the Residence Inn.

Kristina, Disney will always be there. Prayers for your expanding family.

Tess, I think the Poly would make an awesome graduation gift.

Angel, I was the recipient of many of my mother's personal items. I have hung on to many of them and enjoy pulling them out from time to time. I'm glad you have so many wonderful memories.

GoofysMuse, we drove near the Lake George area on our way home yesterday. Hope you have the same amazing weather that we experienced last week.

Hope I didn't miss anyone.

Tammi

 

[ead79]

Angel, we’re all doing very well. Thanks for asking! My birthday is actually tomorrow, so we celebrated it a little early this weekend. We all went bowling, which was hysterical because we’re really awful! We also had lunch at Benihana—yum! For dessert we had my favorite back at home—one of those really big cookie cakes.

Tess, I’m with you 100%! I can’t wait to see the new rooms at the Poly!

Tammi, welcome back! What amazing athletes your son and his partner are! Goodness, I couldn’t get my body into that position if I tried, much less do it while on ice!

Steph, my prayers for you and your little one continue.

 

[Steph H]

Hi, all! Thought I'd let you know that I don't have any news to report on the tests, yet. Now I'm told I have to wait until Wednesday--they think. Argh.

In the meantime, your thoughts and prayers are making me feel so warm and fuzzy. What a wonderful group of people we have here!!

My S-I-L (the biggest Disney nut I know!) sent me the park hours for October today, and I found, much to my surprise, that I was not going to be able to get into Magic Kingdom for one of my ADRs (Liberty Tree Tavern) because it closes at 6pm that day for Mickey's Halloween Party. I was a little miffed, but I'm trying to make lemonade with the lemons by switching to Chef Mickey's that night instead. SIL also pointed out to me that we had made ADRs at Princess Storybook dinner, whose menu is heavy on fish, and my DH is allergic to fish. Doh. So now I'm trying to get switched to Rose and Crown for that night (oh, how I love yorkshire pudding!!). It's funny to be worry so much about food reservations at a time when I sooooooo don't feel like eating anything. Hopefully the concierge staff can work some magic for me.

Tammi: Congrats on the kids' great showing! What an accomplishment!

And yes, I meant to add my prayers for Minniesota. All you Minnie's are a little hard to keep track of.

Again, thanks to all for the thoughts and prayers, and I'll let you know as soon as I hear. You're all so kind and caring.

 

[lovesdumbo]

and and PD for all!

Kristina-what wonderful news. How exciting. I agree-Disney World isn't going anywhere.

Steph-you & your baby are in my prayers. I had a high AFP result with my DS-it turned out that the cord was attached to the side of the placenta instead of in the center-they just monitored me very closely (weekly non stress tests starting at 32 weeks) and scheduled to induced me at 39 weeks but I went into labor the night before. Now he's a very healthy 4 1/2 year old who doesn't know he's going to Disney with me in less than 3 weeks.

Tammi-WOW!

My Mom is still not cooperating with PT so I think we may need to make decisions on her house soon. Good news is that she has recovered from her surgery and is actually rather healthy now. She obviously has lots of inner strength to have made it through her ordeal. Hoping she finds some more to get back on her feet.

 

[Steph H]

Thank you for sharing, LovesDumbo. I'm trying not to worry, but it's hard for a pregnant woman to not worry, KWIM?

Just an update on my ADR situation. They must have seen that I was a little less than pleased about the mix-up with my Liberty Tree reservation. Here's the response I got back after I asked to do some switching:

I have attached an updated copy of your itinerary. I have also went through all of your Advanced Dining Reservations and added comments that [dh] has a fish allergy. This informs the restaurant and they can better assist his needs. I have also called and left a message with the head Chef here at the Grand Floridian. With that being said I have kept the Princess Storybook dinner for the time being. I have also booked the Rose and Crown for you. You can discuss this with your party if you wish and we will be more than happy to cancel the existing reservation you do not want. You can also inform the Rose and Crown you would like to sit outside. It is not guaranteed but they will try their best to meet that need for you.

We enjoy planning your magical vacation and hope that this information helps. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

Yay for conceirge! I went home last night and told my husband about all that they did for his fish allergy, and he was quite impressed! It pays to mention something, even if it's an off-hand comment. I had no idea they would do that.

One thing I found surprising. . .the email above came from the Contemporary concierge, not the GF concierge (where we're staying). Do they all just work together?

To help brighten my day: 53 days 0 hrs. 24 mins. 48 secs.

To help brighten everyone else's day: Enjoy the tasty mini-sandwiches, wing-dings, and cheese and crackers I'm leaving out for lunch. Someone have a glass of wine for me, please.