~*~The OFFICIAL 2014 Dates Thread - Come Join Us!~*~

[gracer9977]

I think they are talking about DeVine. If you google DeVine and animal kingdom there is quite a few videos and images

Yes I am talking about DeVine. She gave us a little bit of a shock when she suddenly stepped onto the path in front of us. Nothing like seeing what you thought was a tree suddenly start walking. Amazing to watch her walk down the path. Got a couple of really good pictures.

 

[SAT887]

Yes I am talking about DeVine. She gave us a little bit of a shock when she suddenly stepped onto the path in front of us. Nothing like seeing what you thought was a tree suddenly start walking. Amazing to watch her walk down the path. Got a couple of really good pictures.

I have yet to see her! You should post a couple if you can.

DH and I were talking about our Jan- it's looking like we may want to add more family to the mix! I'm excited We would get a 2br Standard vs 1br Savannah.... This may change the dynamic of our Dec 14 vacation too....

Only thing I hate about DVC and planning with family - you honestly need a very firm commitment. My sister and her boyfriend (and his 2 kids) want to go Dec 14- but I honestly think they are not going to be able to afford it. We would need money from MF fees (we would be in the 2nd br with our kids, while they would get the master and the pull out couches, I think it's fair to ask to split them) Not sure what to do as far as a commitment from them any suggestions?

 

[gracer9977]

I have yet to see her! You should post a couple if you can.

I have no idea how to post pictures on here - the times I have tried in the past it was always to small to see or too huge.

 

[SAT887]

I have no idea how to post pictures on here - the times I have tried in the past it was always to small to see or too huge.

I use photobucket - have you tried that? I'm computer illiterate on here but I think it usually comes out ok.

 

[BearcatsFan]

I have yet to see her! You should post a couple if you can.

DH and I were talking about our Jan- it's looking like we may want to add more family to the mix! I'm excited We would get a 2br Standard vs 1br Savannah.... This may change the dynamic of our Dec 14 vacation too....

Only thing I hate about DVC and planning with family - you honestly need a very firm commitment. My sister and her boyfriend (and his 2 kids) want to go Dec 14- but I honestly think they are not going to be able to afford it. We would need money from MF fees (we would be in the 2nd br with our kids, while they would get the master and the pull out couches, I think it's fair to ask to split them) Not sure what to do as far as a commitment from them any suggestions?

Do they know you have to pay the yearly MF with DVC?

I have no idea how to post pictures on here - the times I have tried in the past it was always to small to see or too huge.

I agree with SAT - have you tried Photobucket? Are you using the [*IMG] tag when you post it?

 

[SAT887]

Do they know you have to pay the yearly MF with DVC?

Yep. I really only want them to pay to have a sense of responsibility with it. Does that make sense? Plus they will be using a majority of the unit. I guess I am just trying to figure out how to do it and it not get screwed. It's hard knowing how irresponsible with money she can be. However I do have time to figure it out this trip will be the first week of Dec in 2014. I do think we might invite our MIL again for out Jan 14 trip which would be fun We plan on getting APs to save some $$....

 

[BearcatsFan]

Yep. I really only want them to pay to have a sense of responsibility with it. Does that make sense? Plus they will be using a majority of the unit. I guess I am just trying to figure out how to do it and it not get screwed. It's hard knowing how irresponsible with money she can be. However I do have time to figure it out this trip will be the first week of Dec in 2014. I do think we might invite our MIL again for out Jan 14 trip which would be fun We plan on getting APs to save some $$....

Hmmm ... that's a tough one.

When we were looking into DVC, I had a relative who said, "Wow, now you'll be going to Disney and staying for FREE!" I explained the concept of the MF and it was basically shrugged off. After I patiently explained the initial investment, PLUS the yearly dues ... they finally got it.

Maybe when you ask them for their part, you could let them know what the vacation would cost if they were paying OOP at rack rate for that time of year (sort of a "look-what-you-are-saving" kind of thing).

I just don't know. Will she be offended that you are asking for a portion, or does she know going in that she'll have to pay her part? Asking for money from relatives is such a touchy subject (at least in my family) ...

 

[gracer9977]

I agree with SAT - have you tried Photobucket? Are you using the [*IMG] tag when you post it?

The picture is HUGE when I use the IMG tag from Photobucket. Do you know how to shrink it?

 

[BearcatsFan]

The picture is HUGE when I use the IMG tag from Photobucket. Do you know how to shrink it?

Log into your Photobucket account. Go into your file or library where the picture you want to post is kept. Click on EDIT, then choose the picture you want to post. There will be a menu at the bottom that says "Adjustment" - click on that, and "Resize" will be one of the options.

ETA: Once you resize it, save it under a different name or it will alter the original picture. Such as, save as MICKEYSMALL if the original picture was called MICKEY. That's how I keep it straight.

Hopefully this will help!

 

[gracer9977]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Here is the best picture we have of her. I thought I had some from when she was walking but I forgot I was filming her and I still had my old video camera that doesn't take still pictures.

 

[SAT887]

Hmmm ... that's a tough one.

When we were looking into DVC, I had a relative who said, "Wow, now you'll be going to Disney and staying for FREE!" I explained the concept of the MF and it was basically shrugged off. After I patiently explained the initial investment, PLUS the yearly dues ... they finally got it.

Maybe when you ask them for their part, you could let them know what the vacation would cost if they were paying OOP at rack rate for that time of year (sort of a "look-what-you-are-saving" kind of thing).

I just don't know. Will she be offended that you are asking for a portion, or does she know going in that she'll have to pay her part? Asking for money from relatives is such a touchy subject (at least in my family) ...

Yeah, I already gave them an estimate of tickets, room and airfare (if they choose to fly) My concern is 2 weeks out, they will go "we can't afford it" I am already imagining that! My family is so irresponsible with $$ it boggles my mind. So even if it came down to them not having money to split the dues, I don't care we would just pay it, but I don't want to be stuck with larger accomodations when we don't need them or losing the value of TiW and an AP becuase we had to reschedule...

That's the thing, I don't want to offend her, I know how she is, she is my sister, I love her, but I don't want to be taken advantage of either. You know how some people just don't grow up, that's my family. They place blame everywhere, they don't work for things, and don't think twice about thier actions. I love them, just all differently and if I didn't look like them I'd swear they found me under a rock! However, if she could keep it all together we could have a very fun time...

 

[BearcatsFan]

Devine is so neat! Thanks for sharing the photo. I've never seen her. We've only been to AK once, and that was the year it opened. I know they've added lots of stuff since then.

 

[SAT887]

The picture is HUGE when I use the IMG tag from Photobucket. Do you know how to shrink it?

I see you are from NH! I am a few hours north of you if you are still in Hillsboro.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Yeah, I already gave them an estimate of tickets, room and airfare (if they choose to fly) My concern is 2 weeks out, they will go "we can't afford it" I am already imagining that! My family is so irresponsible with $$ it boggles my mind. So even if it came down to them not having money to split the dues, I don't care we would just pay it, but I don't want to be stuck with larger accomodations when we don't need them or losing the value of TiW and an AP becuase we had to reschedule...

That's the thing, I don't want to offend her, I know how she is, she is my sister, I love her, but I don't want to be taken advantage of either. You know how some people just don't grow up, that's my family. They place blame everywhere, they don't work for things, and don't think twice about thier actions. I love them, just all differently and if I didn't look like them I'd swear they found me under a rock! However, if she could keep it all together we could have a very fun time...

I feel for you, and I totally get it. I've often thought the exact same thing - only I always put "must have been adopted" in there.

Call her up to discuss the trip. You've already gone over numbers - go over them again. Set a firm date, say 6 months out or so, by which you would need the money. That way you could still make changes if things didn't pan out, and it would give them 5 months to save.

Everything is out in the open this way. Nobody is confused about what was said when, she knows going in that you have to have the money by X-date.

I know it's hard, sometimes, with family.

 

[gracer9977]

I see you are from NH! I am a few hours north of you if you are still in Hillsboro.

Yes we are still in Hillsboro. Been here for 10 years. Love it!! Where are you at??

Devine is so neat! Thanks for sharing the photo. I've never seen her. We've only been to AK once, and that was the year it opened. I know they've added lots of stuff since then.

I just love AK. It's really great! When we were there in 2006 it was so HOT. There was little to no shade. When we went in 2011 all the trees had grown and it was so nice. So many shady spots now. Making it easier to wander around and watch the parades and enjoy the other live entertainment.

 

[SAT887]

I feel for you, and I totally get it. I've often thought the exact same thing - only I always put "must have been adopted" in there.

Call her up to discuss the trip. You've already gone over numbers - go over them again. Set a firm date, say 6 months out or so, by which you would need the money. That way you could still make changes if things didn't pan out, and it would give them 5 months to save.

Everything is out in the open this way. Nobody is confused about what was said when, she knows going in that you have to have the money by X-date.

I know it's hard, sometimes, with family.

Yeah I am thinking I need to wait until around fall and by then come up with a list of pricing for 2014, food costs, transportation etc, and see what they say. Also include a must know -deadline. Maybe by then I will be independently wealthy and can just take them with no worries!

 

[SAT887]

Yes we are still in Hillsboro. Been here for 10 years. Love it!! Where are you at??

We are in Woodsville (off of 91), we moved up here from NJ 6.5 years ago. We are looking to move though, when we bought we wanted somewhere on the outskirts of the White Mountains and a easy commute to Lebanon (I used to work there, DH still does) Needless to say with the addition of children we want to go somewhere different. Ideally NC, but if we stay in NH most likely in the Lebanon area.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Yeah I am thinking I need to wait until around fall and by then come up with a list of pricing for 2014, food costs, transportation etc, and see what they say. Also include a must know -deadline. Maybe by then I will be independently wealthy and can just take them with no worries!

Sometimes just being honest and laying it all out there on the table is the best thing. Notice I didn't say the easiest thing.

Wish you the best, of course. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for that lottery win for ya in the meantime.

 

[gracer9977]

We are in Woodsville (off of 91), we moved up here from NJ 6.5 years ago. We are looking to move though, when we bought we wanted somewhere on the outskirts of the White Mountains and a easy commute to Lebanon (I used to work there, DH still does) Needless to say with the addition of children we want to go somewhere different. Ideally NC, but if we stay in NH most likely in the Lebanon area.

We'll be here in Hillsboro till we retire (20 years from now, ugh!) After that we plan to head out west. I would like to live in AZ, NV or NM. Somewhere nice and warm, no having to worry about driving in the snow or falling on the ice and breaking a hip!! I have never lived in a place that doesn't have snow. I've lived in PA, AK, MA and NH. I was in TX for 4 months in the winter but that was the only time I missed snow in the winter time.

 

[SAT887]

We'll be here in Hillsboro till we retire (20 years from now, ugh!) After that we plan to head out west. I would like to live in AZ, NV or NM. Somewhere nice and warm, no having to worry about driving in the snow or falling on the ice and breaking a hip!! I have never lived in a place that doesn't have snow. I've lived in PA, AK, MA and NH. I was in TX for 4 months in the winter but that was the only time I missed snow in the winter time.

I lived in the Poconos! I also lived in FL for like 8 months. After moving here we have had enough winter to last us a lifetime! Also, my SIL is in NC, and it seems like a fairly affordable place to live. The school system seems decent and we will at least be an 8-10 hour drive to all of our family (minus my BIL who is in Northern Cali) DH wants to go to AZ, he loves it out there - however our current plan suits our whole family best