The Perils of Piper--Disney During Pop Warner Week!-Dining Dilemas & Plans #30

[Piper]

The last few months have been very stressful! On May 15th, I moved into a new apartment for "active seniors." Moving is very stressful.

On June 4th, the school year ended and I oficially retired from teaching! Both are very stressful.

On June 7th, I went to my first appointment with my new doctor under Medicare---and had a stroke in her office. Strokes are the result of too much stress! Oh, and if you are going to have a stroke, do it in your doctor's office--take a tip from someone who knows! My blood pressure went from 140/100 when I first arrived at her office to something over 223/?? when they were loading me in the ambulance.

I am a fighter and have made a much quicker recovery than expected--like Tigger, I bounced back! One thing that spurred me on is:

We're going to WDW!! During the Christmas Season!! To see all the decorations!! December 4-11th!!


Who is "we?"

Me--Piper (65) and have lost count of how many times (9 or 10) I've been to WDW and DL.

Nancy--my sister (she is the one giving us all this trip as a Christmas present!!) She has been 3 or 4 times to WDW and DL.

Dan--Nancy's husband--this is his second time to WDW. Dan is a very literal guy--he has very mild Asperger's. He laughed at Nancy and me for all the planning we did the last time the family went--but soon realized how much easier it made things!

Paul--Nancy's oldest son--this will be his second time to WDW--he has recently changed jobs and moved to the San Antonio area. We are very glad it won't affect his going with us.

Jared--Dan's son--he also has Asperger's (a little farther on the spectrum.) He is not a risk taker and enjoyed pin trading the last time we went--don't know if he will still be into it this time.

Daniel--Nancy's youngest son --a firefighter/paramedic in Houston. He is still a newly-wed--It will be a year and a half when we leave!

Kalyn--Daniel's wife--and the one who got Nancy thinking about the trip. She has never been to WDW and always wanted to go. Since we don't have kids coming with us, she has promised to act like a five year old!! She is very excited!

We may have another 1 or 2 people joining us. My brother Paul C. and his girlfriend May (who lives in New Zealand) may come with us if Paul can get her a flight to Houston and back to NZ. We won't know for a while because Paul is in Peru distributing supplies to villagers who live high in the mountains. He won't be back for a couple of weeks.

How will this all work--We will have at least 7 adults on this trip--I will have an ECV --we may have 9 adults!

Will we be able to plan for so many people?? Will we survive Pop Warner Week?? Will everyone get along?? Will there be drama?? Will Paul C. and May join us?? Will Paul C. decide to come alone?? Where are we staying?? Where are we eating??

Stay tuned for the next chapter of the Perils of Piper

 

[Piper]

As you know, plans for Disney change a lot! We've had reservations at the Dolphin, Pop. and currently at POFQ. Nancy wanted to do the dining plan and we couldn't at the Dolphin--so we went to Pop. Then she got a 40% pin and we went to POFQ--then last week. I got a free dining offer during our dates -- she checked it out ----------- and saved $1800!!!! I think we're set--but you know how that goes!

Pending information from the Candelight Processional, we have our ADRs set. We are planning on spending the mornings and some evenings together, but built in time for people to go off on their own. Most of the restaurants will stay the same, but Mama Melrose will probably turn into 50's Prime Time. Hopefully we will get Tepan Edo for the processional package--we already have it reserved for dinner one night.

We plan a grocery delivery of sandwich stuff, drinks, breakfast stuff--people can either take advantage of the stuff we buy or buy their own counter service!


Here is our current "meal plan":
Saturday--arrival dinner: 1900 Park Fare 7:20 P
Sunday--Epcot (May do CP this day--otherwise just CS meals)
Monday--MK Royal Table 2:40 P
Tuesday--AK Tusker House 8:10 A Lunch--Flame Tree BBQ
Wednesday--MK Crystal Palace 8:15 A
Thursday-HS-Mama Melrose 2:25 (May change to 50's Prime Time)
Friday--Epcot Teppan Edo 7:10 P
Saturday--DTD--Rainforest 1:00 P (Have My Points GC for this one)

We plan to make rope drop every day and are taking advantage of early ADRs for MK and AK. We are also planning some CS meals together, but the majority of those will be up to the individual--after they run out, you're on your own!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Hi Piper, I am so sorry you had a stroke , I pray your stress is gone and things are better now.

So great to see you doing a PTR!! Your plans look great. We are both going to be in MK on the 6th. Bill and I would love to meet up with you. Hannah is still wearing her dresses. She loves them so much. We can never thank you enough.

 

[Piper]

Great, Tracy! W'll see what we can work out. Thanks for your prayers. I am doing very well--just a little weakness on the right side and slightly blurry vision in my right eye. I have BP meds now and I was lucky that there isn't heart damage or artery problems. With no teaching this fall, the stress will be majorly reduced!!

I am very excited to be going to WDW during early December. I've only been once during a non-school time. I met the Disboutiquers for a couple of days one February. It was really nice.

Now I get to see the Christmas decorations and programs before it gets super crowded--XXfingers crossed that Pop Warner doesn't complicate things!!!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Great, Tracy! W'll see what we can work out. Thanks for your prayers. I am doing very well--just a little weakness on the right side and slightly blurry vision in my right eye. I have BP meds now and I was lucky that there isn't heart damage or artery problems. With no teaching this fall, the stress will be majorly reduced!!

I am very excited to be going to WDW during early December. I've only been once during a non-school time. I met the Disboutiquers for a couple of days one February. It was really nice.

Now I get to see the Christmas decorations and programs before it gets super crowded--XXfingers crossed that Pop Warner doesn't complicate things!!!

I am so happy that there isn't any heart or atery problems!!

Going to WDW with the Christmas decorations up is truly magical. We love it so much.

Don't worry about the Pop Warner people, you and Bill can run them over with your wheels if you need to .

 

[Piper]

I am so happy that there isn't any heart or atery problems!!

Going to WDW with the Christmas decorations up is truly magical. We love it so much.

Don't worry about the Pop Warner people, you and Bill can run them over with your wheels if you need to .

I'm going to have bigger wheels! I've decided to rent a Victory 10 during my stay. My little GO Go just doesn't last all day. It is one of the older models (like me ) and doesn't have the lasting power of the newer ones (again like me!!!) I think I will bring my WC for the airport.

So....with a bigger and more powerful model of wheels, those Pop Warner people better watch out!!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Hi there! I hopped over from Tracy's PTR, and to stay consistent, my name's Tracy too. My family is going to be at Pop for our first Christmas visit from November 27th to December 7th. We'll be at Epcot on the 5th and MK on the 6th.

What a wonderful gift to receive! Joining in!

 

[Piper]

Thanks for joining in. I hope to get some pictures posted soon. I spent the day with my sister planning--I'll tell what we planned tomorrow.

 

[wlake]

Congratulations on your retirement! I teach K and, according the the state board of ed, can retire in 2032. I've never been to WDW during the school year -- can't wait to hear about your trip!

 

[Piper]

Okay--some pictures so that you can put faces to names! First: here is my sister, Nancy and her "boys" Paul, husband Dan, Daniel, Nancy, Jared

Here is Kalyn and Daniel last Christmas

My picture is in my profile.

Here is my "baby" Lucy. She would like to just stay in the basket and come to WDW with us----not gonna happen!

She is my "rescue" puppy that I have had for 3 weeks now. She was literally skin and bones when I got her, but she weighs a whopping 5.4 lbs as of yesterday. She is very smart and learned to sit and fetch in just a couple of days. We take a long morning "walk" every day. She walks (or runs) on her leash and I am on my ECV. When it is mail time, she rides in the basket to the mail room.

She was very afraid of people when I first got her, but has really warmed up and become socialized quickly. Living in a place where everyone is a senior citizen and not loud or abusive has made a big difference. Everyone wants to pet her when we go out and she just eats it up!

Thanks to the people wo have joined me. I hope the pictures help you to "see" us a little better!

 

[Rozz]

Sounds like an exciting trip in the making!

Lucy is so adorable! She has movie star dog looks so watch out!

Looking forward to reading about the planning!

 

[Piper]

Thanks. She is a smart cookie. Several people have said they want her if I "get tired" of her--ain't gonna happen!!

Back on the Disney front, my sister and I made charts listing every ride, show, "attraction", etc at every park. The people ging have rated 1,2,3 in each "category." We are going to tally the results this weekend--then we can begin actually making some firm plans. I just wish they would open the dinner bookings for the Candelight processional!!

I'll report on our findings on Monday.

 

[Piper]

I love Alice in Wonderland (the orig. version) and have since I was a child. I can remember playing "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" and "You Can Learn A Lot of Things From the Flowers" on my record player somewhere before the age of 7. I read Lewis Carroll's book so many times as a child that I can still quote the first few pages . (Came in handy when we had to memorize "Jaberwocky" in high school--I already knew it!)

Anyway, I had an Alice doll collection that I used in my classroom and over 10 years ago, I began collecting Alice pins. Then a couple of summers ago, I began collecting Fairy Godmother pins because I can relate to Cindy's!!

I had to sit the middle doll down because when she stood up, my room didn't meet the firecode! Things need to be at least 18 inches below the ceiling!

Here are my Alice pins:

A few were cropped off, but you get the idea.

Here are my other pins:

Lucy decided that since I was putting things on the floor nd taking a picture, she would contribute a toy!

and yes--he toy is almost as big as she is!

Anyway, I just ordered 50 "trader pins" to split among the group. That should be 7 pins each--enough to get them started. I don't know if they'll "be into it" but this way they can see if they are!!

The last time we went, Jared collected Mad Hatter pins. I wonder if he still has them --hmmm--I'll have to ask......10 years is a long time for a "kid" to hold on to something--but who knows?

Okay, the washer stopped and I need to make a "quick" run to the grocery store for bread and dishwashing soap. If I put the clothes in the dryer, then I have 30 minutes to get back and I won't be tempted to buy more than I need........sneaky, huh!

 

[wlake]

Your classroom looks so cheery! Right now I job share and thus share a classroom, but I'm looking forward to having a room I can decorate the way I'd like to again (but not the working full-time part! ).

I love the Fairy Godmother too! I didn't get to meet her last year because I didn't know you could, and when I saw her, she was just getting ready to go in for the day. Sigh. This year, she's on my list!

 

[Piper]

Your classroom looks so cheery! Right now I job share and thus share a classroom, but I'm looking forward to having a room I can decorate the way I'd like to again (but not the working full-time part! ).

I love the Fairy Godmother too! I didn't get to meet her last year because I didn't know you could, and when I saw her, she was just getting ready to go in for the day. Sigh. This year, she's on my list!

I retired at the end of last year and I gave all my stuff away to new teachers. I hope they enjoy it as much as I did!

 

[jessica52877]

I am very excited to be going to WDW during early December. I've only been once during a non-school time. I met the Disboutiquers for a couple of days one February. It was really nice.

Hey! That was me! Well me and 11 others and their husbands and kids! We were a pretty large group! I really enjoyed meeting you and wish you could have hung with us longer.

I am so glad you'll get to go and see all the Christmas decorations. They are so pretty and this will be such a wonderful trip with family! You have a very nice looking family!

I love your collections too! I love to collect! I am trying to not like so much stuff though! Not enough room.

Your little dog is so cute! Will she stay that small? I like little.

 

[mrsksomeday]

I love your collections!! I am totally in love with your dog, how adorable!

 

[Piper]

Thanks on the compliments on the room and Lucy. She is going to stay small--she is already a little over 5 months old. I am trying to get a little "meat on her bones" so I feel more comfortable getting her spayed. The vet said to do it before she is 8 months old.

The other day I couldn't find her--looked everywhere. When I was down on my hands and knees looking under my bed, I caught a movement on the bedspread. It was Lucy! She had managed to jump on it and fall asleep (I imagine trying to jump onto a bed that is 30 inches high tired her out!) I put her on the floor and she went as far back into the bathroom as she could, ran as fast as she could, took a running leap, and voila on the bed! My sister says she is part circus dog! Now that she knows how to jump nothing is safe--couch, my lap, nothing!!!

My apartment is small -- only 729 sq feet, but well planned. It is the perfect size for me. Here are some pictures:

Lucy on the bed--she matches the comforter!

rag quilt I made to cover the electric panel--I used all the materials from other things in the apt. Since it is so small, I coordinated everything.

The big closet--it really is huge!

My sewing closet.

vanity area in bathroom

tub and shower -- I take the pillow out before I shower--I just wanted to bring some of the bedroom in so it wouldn't be so bland

the living room area (note Lucy on the couch)

the dining room area--note the Mickey fleece on the desk--I am going to hand sew a cover for the back of the rental scooter I'm getting at WDW

kitchen (first view)

second view--I use the wall to make up for having such small space--my own form of art!

the view from my windows--I also have a very small patio. I'll be glad when it isn't so hot and I can enjoy it!

As you can see, I made much of the "stuff." Fortunately, I had the measurements I needed and did it mostly during spring break. I was finished before the move! Nothing is fancy, but it looks very "homey"

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

 

[Mickey_Mom]

Bit of catching up..... Lucy is ADORABLE! Love how she blends into the bed and couch Your collections are great!

 

[Piper]

I am renting an ECV this trip instead of bringing my own......the poor little thing just has too much trouble making it up the mountain to the monorail!! It does great for around here, but doesn't last all day at WDW.


I made a cover for the seat back of the rental ECV to personalize it a little.

It is a fleece material. This is my neighbor's ECV that I hope has the same size seat as the one I've rented!!

I will also bring the sign that goes on my basket. It says: "My other coach is now a pumpkin!"

If you see me, say "Hi!"
__________________