The New Lizard Lounge

[MinnieSummer]

Kristina: CONGRATULATIONS! Adopting is a wonderful thing and brings you such intense feelings. It is truly an amazing experience that, I truly believe is just as special as having a child of your own. And, my take at least, is that you don't have to go through the delivery, and your not tired after the delivery, and the sleepless nights (if you get an infant like we did) aren't as bad because there is no recovery. However, the emotional swings are still there -- even though people tell you they are caused by hormones during pregnancy don't believe them. I went through tears, fears, and frustration, just like every other new mom I talked to. A side note, the day the judge made our daughters adoption final, we got in the car and drove to WDW where my entire family was waiting to celebrate with us. She had just turned 6 months and had more fun with the Pooh Characters than anyone expected. Absolutely no fear. She also got a stuffed Minnie that day and has carried it with her every day since (except to school). Minnie even sits on the boards while she skates.

Everyone else, things are going well up here with my parents. My dad started chemo yesterday. It will be two day on and twelve days off with a 44 hour bag at home. A little extensive but if it works it will be worth it. He is so far doing well.

Hope everything is well with everyone. FOr those of you who have trips planned enjoy and for those of you who don't, one will come up soon enough.

 

[Angel16]

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.

Elizabeth Happy, Happy Birthday Dear Friend

Hope you had/have a wonderful day :thewave:
God Bless

Angel

 

[Steph H]

Hi, all! Just thought I'd let you know that my test results came back decidedly negative. Yay!! That was such a major relief. Now I can get back to focusing on the important things in life: my Disney trip!

MinnieSummer: Glad to hear your dad is doing well so far. I'll continue to keep him in my prayers.

{hugs} to all. Thanks for all the kind thoughts and prayers this week!

 

[ead79]

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Angel!

Steph, I’m so glad the results were negative! Now you can relax and enjoy planning your trip. Yes, the CR and GF share planning offices, so don’t worry. Actually several of the resorts share planning offices (Poly and WL, YC and BC and BWI, etc.).

 

[lovesdumbo]

Steph-thanks for sharing that GREAT news!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Okay folks, I'm back from PA and things went well there so now I can focus on planning my DD's birthday. (I'm at work now and have nothing to do as the girl who filled in for me was way too efficient) We will be staying at AKL and I wanted to have something in the room for her but I know I can't do balloons so ----- ANY IDEAS? Her favorite character is Minnie and she loves any of the thrill rides. She's not into pin collecting. I thought about having a chocolate chip cookie made to look like Minnie but I don't know where to get such a thing.

I hope everyone's good news continues to hold -- the Prayers and PD must be working for all of us. I thought of all of you often while in PA but only got to use a computer one time the entire two weeks so I couldn't check in.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Her favorite character is Minnie and she loves any of the thrill rides. She's not into pin collecting. I thought about having a chocolate chip cookie made to look like Minnie but I don't know where to get such a thing.

I've never tried them but Cookies by Design does Disney cookies. Here's a link: Disney Cookies

There is also a Diser that does gift baskets that everyone raves about.

I'm taking my DS in just 2 weeks and have to bring something special back for my DD(6). I was thinking of getting her a charm bracelet. I was also thinking of getting her a pressed penny book. Both of those are something she can add to on our Oct trip.

Have you seen the T shirt thread over on the Theme park board? You could make her a cute T with Minnie.

 

[lovesdumbo]

There is also a Diser that does gift baskets that everyone raves about.

Found the link:
Gift Baskets

 

[MinnieSummer]

There is also a Diser that does gift baskets that everyone raves about.

Do you. or does anyone, know where to find her? That might be interesting.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Soory Lovesdumbo, you're quicker than I am. I asked before you link showed up. Thanks for your help.

 

[Angel16]

Hi everyone!

I got some good and not so good news yesterday. I had an appointment with a new orthopedic surgeon. I have severe degenerative arthritis. It is genetic, both of my parents had it and my maternal grandmother had very bad rheumatoid arthritis. I have been on medication for years now and started getting steroid injections in my knees about a year ago. The degeneration has been getting worse; I am having a great deal of pain in my right knee and limited mobility in both knees. The results of my appointment is I need to have both knees replaced, and soon!

The good news is they can do both knees at the same time. I am a good candidate for the minimal invasive knee replacement. Which means only a 3-5 inch incision instead of 10-12 inches. They can do the surgery here in my hometown. Which is great as my DH and myself have a support system if we stay in state.

The bad news is we have to cancel our Thanksgiving WDW trip. We also have to cancel our trip to Hawaii for the Christmas/New Years holidays. We were going at that time to bury my parent’s remains. And have a family service.

I am not sure when they will want to do the surgery. The orthopedic surgeon is sending in everything to the insurance, and then they will come back with a surgical date. They say I have to be off work 3 months GEEZ I told my surgeon that I was not having the surgery until after our GF RPC & ALK CL trip in 5 ½ weeks. I am not going to cancel that trip.

Now, here is my dilemma. DH is saying maybe we should cancel the RPC and go for something less expensive due to the upcoming expenses. He suggested switching over to Shades of Green or a regular room at the Poly. What do you all think? We have never stayed at GF and really have been looking forward to our time in the RPC. I am thinking that this will probably be our last trip to WDW for some time, as my DH is going to take an early retirement with his company next year. (he has been with them 25 years, but is does not want to work for them for another 15 years to the normal age) retirement with his company next year. He is planning on starting a at home business.

I would really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions. I really need to think and talk this through. Help!!!

Angel

 

[TammiMcMan]

Angel, sorry to hear your news. Sometimes, when it rains, it pours . It's never much fun to cancel a trip or downsize, but realistically, you might have to crunch some numbers first. You have insurance, so you know what part of your medical bills will be covered and you should check with your company on short term disability benefits. That way you'll know if you will be receiving a reduced check or no check at all during your 3 month absence.

My heart says to keep your upcoming trip as is, considering what you'll be coming home to and having to cancel your other trips. Your bank account might have to be the deciding factor on this one though. We're here if you need us.

Tammi

 

[ead79]

Angel, I’m so sorry for the knee problems you’ve had that are resulting in surgery. I’m glad to hear that the less invasive procedure will be possible for you though. I will remember you in my prayers. As far as your trip goes, I think that I would run some numbers to see how much out of pocket expense you’re likely to have between the medical bills and the time off work. Let that help guide your decision about where to stay. Perhaps you could keep the RPC since you’ve been wanting to try it so badly, but downgrade the other half to Shades of Green or a regular room at the Poly.

 

[MinnieSummer]

ANGEL: I know the pain you are in as I watched my mother suffer through it. She has had both knees and her shoulder replaced and, 20 years after the first knee, she is still able to walk -- although her hips are now the problem -- and her knee is still holding up. my father also had his knee replaced three years ago and is doing very well with it. Neither of my parents had a difficult time in recovery and my dad was driving only two weeks after the surgery. Having two done at once will obviously require more of a recovery but if he can do it at 81, you can do it too. I will keep you in my prayers. I would also keep your reservation as is if it is as all possible. You're cancelling all of your other trips so this one will mean that much more to you. Obviously, finances cause difficulties for all of us (my airfare alone this summer could have paid for 4 weekends at Disney so we wont be doing any last minute weekend trips), but if there is any way around changing your plans I would find it.

Finally, could someone explain to me what Lodge Concierge is at GF -- I want to make reservations for Christmas but can't find anything in the reservation area of the WDW site that would indicate whether it is Main Building or Sugar Loaf concierge. Also, which is better Yacht Club or Beach Club for viewing Epcot fireworks? Those are our three resort choices for our Christmas stay and I want to get this done today if possible. Thanks for your help.

 

[Steph H]

Angel, I'm so sorry to hear of your health troubles. Hopefully the surgery will be not too difficult and you can be on your feet again in no time.

I can't really say whether you should cancel the GF trip or not. Tough choice, to be sure. Sending you thoughts and pixie dust for making the right decision.

 

[ead79]

Finally, could someone explain to me what Lodge Concierge is at GF -- I want to make reservations for Christmas but can't find anything in the reservation area of the WDW site that would indicate whether it is Main Building or Sugar Loaf concierge. Also, which is better Yacht Club or Beach Club for viewing Epcot fireworks? Those are our three resort choices for our Christmas stay and I want to get this done today if possible. Thanks for your help.

Lodge concierge is Sugarloaf concierge, so it’s not in the main building. Are you familiar with the differences between main building concierge and Sugarloaf concierge?

As far as the fireworks view goes, I’m not positive. We could see the high fireworks from our room at the YC, but that would obviously depend on which room you got. I would imagine that both the YC and BC have some rooms that offer a view of the high fireworks in Illuminations.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Finally, could someone explain to me what Lodge Concierge is at GF -- I want to make reservations for Christmas but can't find anything in the reservation area of the WDW site that would indicate whether it is Main Building or Sugar Loaf concierge. Also, which is better Yacht Club or Beach Club for viewing Epcot fireworks? Those are our three resort choices for our Christmas stay and I want to get this done today if possible. Thanks for your help.

Hi MinnieSummer, Lodge Concierge is located in the Sugar Loaf building at the GF. Over the summer, they upgraded the services and it is basically the same as the main building. They now serve wine and beer with the evening offerings and have late night desserts and cordials available. The lounge is a bit smaller and I'd describe the feeling as more of a bed & breakfast. Views from Sugar Loaf are either marina or garden. You won't see the castle from a marina view, but you might see the fireworks. I think there are 6 lodge tower rooms located in this building which you can request at no additional charge.

As to the Epcot fireworks, Boardwalk is actually better for viewing. Just because of the way the buildings are situated on the property, there are very few Illumination views from the YC or BC. If you are considering concierge, I'd have to go with Boardwalk again. We stayed YC concierge last December and I wasn't overly impressed. They do have an amazing IPO department though, which services all three Epcot resorts.

Tammi

 

[Steph H]

Hi MinnieSummer, Lodge Concierge is located in the Sugar Loaf building at the GF. Over the summer, they upgraded the services and it is basically the same as the main building. They now serve wine and beer with the evening offerings and have late night desserts and cordials available.

Tammi! You have me excited now! But I'm not sure if I'm staying "Lodge" concierge or if I'm just staying "regular" conceirge at the Sugar Loaf. Is there a difference? DH, DS3 and I are staying concierge at the Sugar Loaf the first week of October--does this mean we'll get the beer, wine, and cordials (not important to this pregnant lady, but DH will enjoy it), and, most important to me. . .the DESSERTS?!?!

Oh, Tammi, tell me true!

Thanks!

 

[TammiMcMan]

Steph, Sugar Loaf is all lodge concierge rooms. If you go over to the GF FAQ site and look through the last 6 or 7 pages for a post by Janet2K. She visited Sugar Loaf recently and put up some nice pictures of what's available. I saw fudge and strawberries & whipped cream on the dessert table. Yummy!

Tammi

 

[MinnieSummer]

After much debate and confusion, we decided to stay at Boardwalk which wasn't really one of our choices but -- we liked the idea of being able to walk back to the hotel after seeing the CP and seeing some of Illuminations from the hotel. Booked the ressie yesterday through the Best Rate program and was really impressed with the rates I got. I didn't book concierge yet because I'm not sure how much money I'll have after all the trips I'll be making to PA for my dad but at least I'm in the system and I can always upgrade later if things work out. I just hope I don't have to cancel and lose the deposit.

Anyway, I now have two trips to look forward to -- DD's birthday in September and Christmas.