The *Official* February 2011 Thread - Happy Dance Time...The Park Hours Are Out!

[ScoobySMC]

Im a little late in the planning game but i decided 2 days ago that a trip needed to happen between Feb 26th through March 6th for just me and my little sister.. This will be a sisters only first trip she is 8!! And I am super excited!! I have not told her yet I am thinking of telling her on Christmas day by giving her a scrap book with all the information and a few Disney Giftcards, and a planning DVD to watch. She will then only have 2 months to wait till we leave which is not long at all. I booked 8 nights at the CBR with park hoppers and more, and got the free dining plan for 2600. I was able to get all my dining ressies for the times i wanted as well. This is gonna be the best trip ever!!

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

Susan- that is going to be her best christmas present EVER. sounds like so much fun!!!

 

[MamaJessie]

Susan - That is awesome!!

So, saw on the DIS yesterday that with 1000 mycokerewards points you can get a universal ticket. I have now started my own personal cokerewards drive and have asked my friends to start saving for me. Woo hoo! If I could get a free uni ticket that would be AWESOME. We really want to go to the WWOHP.

 

[Gina]

Happy Weekend, y'all! I am now officially sick of these germs, and am just ignoring them. I figure if I don't pay any attention to them, they'll just go away. Makes sense, right?? I hate colds that just linger.

Mandy ~ How is your little girl doing??

Alli ~ I don't anything about the barber shop... But it's one of those things that I wish I had taken my son to when he was little. I've read that if you go during a parade you can usually get in pretty easily, but for something as important as a first haircut I think I'd make an appointment, if you're able. What wonderful memories you'll have from that little experience!

What did you decide to do about the airfare thing? Are you able to use the fare predictor thingy at Bing for Cleveland? (They don't have it for Houston-Hobby for some stupid reason, so I've never used it, but have heard good things.)


Susan ~ What a neat thing for you to do for your little sister!! And what an amazing time y'all are going to have together!

Jessie ~ I am *so* happy that you've got "the feeling" back about your trip, and that you're not having to stress out as much over hubby's job.


I'm so excited -- my boss pulled me aside yesterday and asked if my son and I would like to go to the Astros game tonight. Apparently, Minute Maid Park was built on the site of the very first Stewart & Stevenson, so they get special privileges and perks and whatnot. We're all going to be in a luxury box suite, with all sorts of food, wine , beer, snacks, you name it, with a perfect view from above home plate. I am WAY excited. I still have never even been to Minute Maid Park, because it's so stinkin' expensive to go to a game. Heck, just to park semi-close by is $20. This is going to be awesome!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

[lamb616]

So DH is back to work Monday and is keeping his two part time jobs (they are each only one night a week) so my enthusiasm is sky high again!!! Woo hoo!!!

that's a relief! I'm sort of in the same boat as (not sure if I posted about this in the past) DH got a new job and took about a 40% pay cut. We were *barely* getting by on his old salary so you can imagine what it's like with his new salary. We've both desperately been searching for part time jobs to help make up the difference but there's really NOTHING out there for part time! I don't see how we can possibly pay off this trip without more money coming in, but I'm choosing to ignore that fact right now (denial anyone? lol)

 

[MamaJessie]

I feel like by the time we go on vacation I will have written the same lists 928374 times

Starting packing my third bag this weekend. If you knew how disorganized a person I am in every other aspect of my life, this would really blow your mind. Summer clothes that are in great shape have been moving into the disney bags, as the cooler weather moves in. Makes me happy knowing the next time I see these items we will be at Mickey's

 

[DisneyFirstTimer10]

still havent decided about flights- really hoping continental drops their price a bit so i dont have to deal with driving and parking the car all week in another town.....

 

[Marlynmik]

Alli, $175 sounds like a good price! (especially considering I paid $270) I'd hate the suspense! It's annoying how flights prices fluctuate so much!

Welcome to the group Susan! That is such an awesome Christmas surprise!

Gina, I'm sending some get healthy vibes your way! Did you have fun at the game last night?

Lamb, I totally know what you mean about denial. The flights I booked will be on our next credit card statement, $1800, and we'll have to borrow from the line of credit for a bit. Our entire balance is due dec 26, so Christmas will be really low key for us this year I just figure we'll do it and figure out what to do when the time comes. . .

 

[MamaJessie]

Marilyn - I understand the low key Christmas. We told the kids they are going to Disney in Feb and that is there gift from DH and I. 1800 for three of you to fly? That's hard. But I can understand why you don't want to drive from Ontario

Gina - Hope you had fun at the game last night!

Spent the morning listening to some Disradio while I made breakfast. Off to go listen to some Disradio while I clean up after breakfast.

 

[Gina]

Morning!

The game last night was SO much fun, even if the 'Stros cratered. Holy cow, that is the way to watch a game!! I was thinking in my head that the suites were closed-in little boxes way up high, like they used to be at the Astrodome, but this was right above home plate and each suite has a private terrace of seats outside. I sat there drinking white wine and eating *amazing* peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream, and thinking "Ain't nothing wrong with this!" lol Here's my son, enjoying all the free food he could stuff in his face, before we went to sit outside:

About the money/denial thing, I think we all do that to some point. I think we *have* to -- we're all grownups here and know when to say, "Ok, there is no longer any way we can swing this at this time." I thought I had hit that point when my A/C died earlier in the summer. But I crunched the numbers and decided that while it would be close, it'll be okay. It just means that between final payment in December and tax refund sometime in February, my savings will be down to nearly nothing. And I know that's just inviting Murphy to move in for those two months, but that's just how it works out.

Sometimes I stop and think of all the things DS and I could have and stuff that could be done if we didn't travel... A big ole' flatscreen tv, furniture that matches, various cosmetic home improvements, etc. But our trips mean so much to me, and to him. He's a freshman in high school -- I know it won't be terribly long before he's gone off to college and it'll be just me. These trips are my sanity insurance.

And that's enough of my rambling for today, lol.

Jessie ~ I had to at what you said about disorganization. I'm the same exact way!! Everywhere else in life, I am so disorganized... always have been. You should have seen my locker in school. My house is not much better! But with trips, I become OCD Woman. I have lists listing other lists -- color-coded, mind you -- and every receipt and confirmation within hands' reach. It's a weird disease. LOL

Off to the grocery store... Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[Ron Nelson]

Yes I will do a trip report, just did my ADR tonight. Cinderella castle Sunday night dinner, Monday breakfast at Donalds safari, chef Mickey for Monday dinner, 50's prime time for Tuesday lunch and T-Rex for dinner, Wednesday head for cruise

 

[TheArmyWife]

Hi, friends. Long-time lurker here...making my first DISboards post EVER right now!
Just made our Ressies last week for POP from 2/11-18th!!! Upgraded to Deluxe DP & I've made only one ADR as of now (for BF @ Chef Mickey's on 2/13)...would love, love, love any & all advice & opinions!
We have three girls, all still pretty young (my oldest just started K-5 this year), and this trip will be all about them, so please give any tips you'd like to offer (not only for meals, but everything). I'm trying very hard to not obsessively plan every single moment of our trip, simply out of fear that I will have a Mommy meltdown in the middle of the Parks if our plans fall apart...however, DH greatly appreciates anything I am willing to plan ahead of time. He loves having it all structurized (lol) as long as he isn't the one who has to plan & organize it!
Of course, he has a *free card* this time around, because he is currently deployed to Iraq! He is set to return sometime in January (though I'm praying for sooner), so this will most definitely be a Celebratory vacation! It has been a loooooong year already for this Mama!
Our plan is to drive from Kansas (where we are stationed now) down to SC ("Home") around the end of January, depending on when he is able to take leave, spend 7-10 days there, then fly to Orlando from SC on the 11th.
I cannot wait!!! As an Army Wife, I'm all about keeping busy to stay distracted so I'm sure that I will be here pretty much every free moment I get!
This will be my fourth WDW trip, DH's third, but our first as a family of five! The last trip was when we were expecting DD#3...so this is exciting for SO many reasons! Ooooh, DH's BDay is 2/13, as well

Anyway, I'm rambling an awful lot for my first post...sorry! I tend to type the way I talk, and you can call me "Chatty McTalkerson."

Nice to "meet" you all! Again, feel free to offer any suggestions or recommendations for us. All three of my babies are total Divas/Princesses/Girly-girls, so it's not hard to figure out what they will enjoy most! We have NEVER done any Character Dining, so I would super-appreciate help with that!
Thanks!

 

[Marlynmik]

Army Wife: We also have ADR at Chef Mickey's for BF on the 13th! (9:10am) Your "girly" girls might enjoy some pampering at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. And perhaps a meal at Cinderella's Royal table (We booked this all on the same day so my DD will be all dolled up for Cinderella) I am also being a planning freak, but this is just the way it has to be at Disney. This is my very first visit (as an adult) so I have no idea what to expect, but I want to make sure I'm prepared for anything!

 

[MamaJessie]

Welcome Armywife! Disney is a great distraction isn't it? What fun having three little girls so close together at Disney.

 

[Gina]

Hi ArmyWife, welcome!! You'll fit in just fine if you like to talk a lot. If I wasn't as busy as I always am, I'd probably be here 24/7. lol

How exciting to be taking your first trip together as a family! I'm sure everyone here will have tons of good advice for you. And we'll be at Pop at the same time! How cool!! I keep forgetting to start the mini-DIS-meet-at-Pop discussion on the Facebook page... I need to write myself a note so I can remember to do that!

I second Lynne's suggestion about doing the BBB and CRT with the girls, although it would get spendy fast with three of them... Still, would make for some awfully wonderful pics and memories! Maybe the princess breakfast at Akershus? Whatever you end up doing, y'all are going to have a great time. Welcome to the party!

 

[DiSnEyLvR76]

Hi ArmyWife!
I will be in the dis the same time as you at AKL..your kids will love POP, so many fun things to look at! If you cannot get into Cinderellas Royal Table, you should try Akershus in Norway at Epcot for breakfast with the princess'. I'm sure your girls would love it! BBB as someone else mentioned I'm sure they would love as well for the pampering!

 

[TheArmyWife]

Awwwh, thanks Ladies!
Today is cleaning day (have to recover from the busy weekend!) so I won't have as much time, but either this evening or tomorrow I plan to make the rest of our ADRs and look into the BBB. I have been thinking about it already & know they would just flip out! It will definitely get expensive, but *hopefully* that's one of the only things we'll have to Pay OOP for since we upgraded to DxDP!
I am wondering if CRT is really worth that much more (effort & TS creds) than Akershus? We have never done either one, so they will both be a HUGE surprise & super-exciting for our family...should we make time to do both? Are they very similar? (I do realize I can seek out that info, and I will, but I would still rather hear firsthand from fellow DISers!)
It won't hurt us to do both; we could just do BF in the room 1-2 days and save the extra TS. Just wondering what you guys think?
I requested to join the FB group, cause I'm a FB addict anyway; haven't been confirmed yet! I would be up for a meet-and-greet! I know my girls would love that (they love any opportunity to socialize...wonder who tey get that from? ). LOL, anyway, thanks already for the warm welcome & great ideas!
Oh, another random question: I know it's hard to predict, but based on experience, shoud we even expect swimming weather? I actually have adorable matching swimsuits put away for Christmas (clearance, baby! ), and Ella (DD, 6) gets excited about the pools every time they see pics or watch the DVD...just wondering if I should prepare her now in case the chances of being able to swim are low?

What are good "special occasion" TS restaurants? Silly question, probably...it's DW, so pretty much any of them right? LOL Just wondering what t plan for Dinner on DH's Bday, and on VDay, of course (doesn't have to be romantic...will be with all four of my Valentines )

Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[Gina]

I requested to join the FB group, cause I'm a FB addict anyway; haven't been confirmed yet! I would be up for a meet-and-greet!

Are you by any chance Stacey? Someone by that name requested to join, but their page was hidden and there was no message attached... Since there has already been a few random people try to wander into the group, I've been trying to keep it secure. If you are Stacey, please just send the request again and I'll confirm it.

 

[TheArmyWife]

No, not Stacey!
I'm Elizabeth. Just sent my request late last night!

 

[Gina]

No, not Stacey!
I'm Elizabeth. Just sent my request late last night!

Oh, ok! I got that one right before I went to bed. You're in!