The Pursuit of Disney Magic (June 7-14, 2008) ~ UPDATED 9/30 pg. 191

[winkers]

I'm so sorry about Charle's aunt passing.

I can't believe you get out of school so early! We don't get out untill June 13th!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Yahoo! for only 5 days left of school. You'll pull it all together in the next 21 days....Early mornings or late at night is the best time to get stuff done.

It's amazing how much Indy stuff is out there...

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Wow! You have a lot going on! Just think how relieved you'll be when you're on the way to Disney in a very short time!!!!

I'm sorry about Charles's aunt.

The reviews for Indy have been good so far...

I wish my mom would go stock me up on Disney dollars before my trip!!!

 

[Beana9802]

Depression and Booking
Who is this Crazy Group?
The Last Resort?
Eatin' Time!
Yes, It Was Necessary!
Those Golden Arches and Disney!
Disney Mail!
Look! Look at What I Did!
AGGHHH!!! It's Happening Again!
RESORT CHANGE 367 and PAYING IT OFF!
100th Day Surprises or Disney Magic versus OCD Nature!
Automatic Car Wash: An E-Ticket Attraction?
Minnie, You Came!
Me and My Minnie Crocs!
She's Crafty!
The Official Itinerary!
How Today was NOT a Disney Day!
Meet the Trip Binders!
Do You Ever Find Yourself Thinking...?
Doin' Easter Disney Style
75 Days and Various Disney-esque Tidbits
Holy Pirates and Princesses, Batman!
DeSoto's Favorite Place?
Movin' Right Along!
On the Road Again!
And Now? And Now? And Now?
Copa, Copa Cabana!
The End of Day One
Le Cellier Did What???
Mind-Boggling, I Tell You!
Tonga! Tonga! Tonga!
Good Afternoon, Dr. Jones!
Are You a Pirate, a Princess, or a Pirate Princess? Part One
Are You a Pirate, a Princess, or a Pirate Princess? Part Two
Surfing the Typhoon!
Until Next Time...
A Tale of Woe and Disney Mail!
Le Cellier Becomes...
I'm a Real Diser Now!
Big Apple Disney Goodies!
The Beginning of My Pin Collection!
The Latest Itinerary!
The Trip Binder!
A Little Disney Therapy!
Now We Can Head to the Pool!
[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE]

Honestly?! Where have I been? Great PTR! I love it! I love your kids, I love your miniTR, I love everything! I asked you a q on my PTR, but I'll ask it here...

Tell me...did you put money in your Dinner Tip Envelopes? Or are you waiting until the dinner to put it in?

Just a q...



I your binder..

Sorry about Charles' aunt...

 

[TarzansKat]

So sorry to hear about the loss in your family. It's never easy, and our prayers will be with you.

 

[Charleston Princess]

21 more days!! yeah!

Hang in there! We have 13 more school days, still struggling through PACT testing.


We are almost there!!!

Yes, I made our countdown calendar today!

I'm so sorry about Charle's aunt passing.

I can't believe you get out of school so early! We don't get out untill June 13th!

Thank you!

We started at the beginning of August, though.

Yahoo! for only 5 days left of school. You'll pull it all together in the next 21 days....Early mornings or late at night is the best time to get stuff done.

It's amazing how much Indy stuff is out there...

I actually got to do trip planning today! I am so excited about that!

I did peruse the toy aisles at Walmart today and checked out all the new action figures. Do you know the Indiana Jones figure has gray hair??? That just doesn't seem right to me!

Wow! You have a lot going on! Just think how relieved you'll be when you're on the way to Disney in a very short time!!!!

I'm sorry about Charles's aunt.

The reviews for Indy have been good so far...

I wish my mom would go stock me up on Disney dollars before my trip!!!

Thank you! Charles's mom is having a really hard time dealing with it -- it breaks my heart.

My current dilemma is "do I buy tickets for Thursday night or do I wait until the weekend to go see the movie?" I know it is going to be mobbed with people no matter when we go.

Honestly?! Where have I been? Great PTR! I love it! I love your kids, I love your miniTR, I love everything! I asked you a q on my PTR, but I'll ask it here...

Tell me...did you put money in your Dinner Tip Envelopes? Or are you waiting until the dinner to put it in?

Just a q...



I your binder..

Sorry about Charles' aunt...

Welcome and thank you so much! I am glad you are enjoying it! I posted my answer over on your PTR.

So sorry to hear about the loss in your family. It's never easy, and our prayers will be with you.

Thank you -- we all told ourselves that it was going to happen anytime now, but somehow that still didn't prepare us for the reality. We are holding on to the fact that she is in a better place now and not in any more pain.

 

[julezdisney]

First of all- I want to give you this:

I work EVERY DAY with cancer patients and families and know that even when it's expected, it's still so hard.

Prayers & PD

Secondly--

....... I posted my answer over on your PTR.

I feel totally robbed.

May I please have the answer as well?

Pretty Please?

 

[Charleston Princess]

First of all- I want to give you this:

I work EVERY DAY with cancer patients and families and know that even when it's expected, it's still so hard.

Prayers & PD

Secondly--



I feel totally robbed.

May I please have the answer as well?

Pretty Please?

Thank you! That is so sweet of you!

Here's the answer I posted on Beana's thread about the tip envelopes:
Here's how sad I am: not only am I planning on going ahead and putting the money in the tip envelopes before we even leave, I also figured out what everyone would probably order (I erred on the side of the more expensive items and 20% as the tip amount) and calculated the tip. I figure if it turns out that I need to tip less, it will be easy to take some of the money out. Also, several of the meals are buffets so that makes it even easier to figure out the tip.

Yes, I am that OCD.

 

[TarzansKat]

Thank you! That is so sweet of you!

Here's the answer I posted on Beana's thread about the tip envelopes:
Here's how sad I am: not only am I planning on going ahead and putting the money in the tip envelopes before we even leave, I also figured out what everyone would probably order (I erred on the side of the more expensive items and 20% as the tip amount) and calculated the tip. I figure if it turns out that I need to tip less, it will be easy to take some of the money out. Also, several of the meals are buffets so that makes it even easier to figure out the tip.

Yes, I am that OCD.

What that's not normal?

I actually did that too, erring on the side of more expensive, plugged it all into a spreadsheet and figured out about 20% as a guideline. I figure if I break down the bills, it will be easier to take some out if service is not quite up to par. However, if it's just ducky, we'll be tipping 20%!

 

[timandlesley]

5 more days of school! So lucky, we have 10, can't wait! What Epcot passports are you talking about, you have me curious!
Lesley

 

[MegansMom]

Jackie,

I am also putting the money in the envelopes now--how much do you think we should tip for buffets? Do you still use the 18-20% guideline? I haven't figured how much I should estimate for those yet.

"Enjoy" those last five days!! You will be so happy when they are all over!!! Then you can focus solely on the trip! Happy Monday!!! Jen

 

[Charleston Princess]

What that's not normal?

I actually did that too, erring on the side of more expensive, plugged it all into a spreadsheet and figured out about 20% as a guideline. I figure if I break down the bills, it will be easier to take some out if service is not quite up to par. However, if it's just ducky, we'll be tipping 20%!

Well, I guess it is DIS-normal.

5 more days of school! So lucky, we have 10, can't wait! What Epcot passports are you talking about, you have me curious!
Lesley

I am going to post pics later today . I found them on the creative DISigns thread.

Jackie,

I am also putting the money in the envelopes now--how much do you think we should tip for buffets? Do you still use the 18-20% guideline? I haven't figured how much I should estimate for those yet.

"Enjoy" those last five days!! You will be so happy when they are all over!!! Then you can focus solely on the trip! Happy Monday!!! Jen

I went ahead and figured 20% for the buffets. In the real world, I would never dream of tipping that much at a buffet, but some of our best service at WDW has been at the buffets -- like the waiter at Boma who even cleaned the spaghetti sauce off Connor's shirt . Besides, it is very easy for me to figure out 20%, and I am definitely not a math person!

 

[askelton]

Here's the answer I posted on Beana's thread about the tip envelopes:
Here's how sad I am: not only am I planning on going ahead and putting the money in the tip envelopes before we even leave, I also figured out what everyone would probably order (I erred on the side of the more expensive items and 20% as the tip amount) and calculated the tip. I figure if it turns out that I need to tip less, it will be easy to take some of the money out. Also, several of the meals are buffets so that makes it even easier to figure out the tip.

Yes, I am that OCD.

Wow, I thought I was organized but never even thought of that!

 

[Jules3Kids]

I have enjoyed reading your PTR...I wish I had thought of sneaking off to Disney as a teen, but I wasn't the Disney Freak then I am now! So many wasted years to make up....
I look forward to reading more and gaining helpful tips from your planning, organizing, etc. I'm heading to WDW for the 1st time in June and I love reading about everyone else's past/future experiences!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow, I thought I was organized but never even thought of that!

Since I have been planning the trip for almost a year, you would be amazed what I can come up with to pass the time.

I have enjoyed reading your PTR...I wish I had thought of sneaking off to Disney as a teen, but I wasn't the Disney Freak then I am now! So many wasted years to make up....
I look forward to reading more and gaining helpful tips from your planning, organizing, etc. I'm heading to WDW for the 1st time in June and I love reading about everyone else's past/future experiences!

Thank you so much!

You are going to love, love, love WDW! Where are you staying while you are down there?

 

[Jules3Kids]

Thank you so much!

You are going to love, love, love WDW! Where are you staying while you are down there?

Well, I wish we were staying on property, but since this trip is pretty much a gift from my mom (for her retirement!) then we are staying at her time share....she upgraded for us and we have an awesome condo with 3 bedrooms, kitchen, whirlpool tubs, 7 pools, etc...it's a huge resort and it will be fun, but no one seems to understand I'm a little sad not staying at a Disney property Next time for sure!

I can't figure out how to link my trip report to my sig...I need to do that!
But maybe you can find it anyway and read more about it!
It says "taking the plunge...." Anyway its my first PTR, so not sure how good it is but it's been fun to write!
Looks like I'll be getting there just as you leave....look forward to reading about it all!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Well, I wish we were staying on property, but since this trip is pretty much a gift from my mom (for her retirement!) then we are staying at her time share....she upgraded for us and we have an awesome condo with 3 bedrooms, kitchen, whirlpool tubs, 7 pools, etc...it's a huge resort and it will be fun, but no one seems to understand I'm a little sad not staying at a Disney property Next time for sure!

I can't figure out how to link my trip report to my sig...I need to do that!
But maybe you can find it anyway and read more about it!
It says "taking the plunge...." Anyway its my first PTR, so not sure how good it is but it's been fun to write!
Looks like I'll be getting there just as you leave....look forward to reading about it all!

That condo sounds like the next best thing to staying on-site! Maybe even better with all those amenities!!!

I will head over to your PTR! Looks like you figured out how to link it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yesterday actually ended up being a quiet enough day to get some planning done.

When I went grocery shopping, I also went armed with my list of travel needs. I was able to get just about everything that we still needed. Here is a quick list:

Ziploc bags
Camera batteries
Regular batteries
Snacks and drinks for drive down
Glow bracelets and sticks
Underwear for Connor
Stamps
Swim goggles for Connor
New suitcase for Connor (he had outgrown his old one -- Chelsea has a new Vera Bradley duffle bag)
Paper towels
Ponytail elastics (my hair is almost always in a ponytail -- I can't stand it in my face)

I was also able to take quite a few pics of recent purchases:

My new travel organizer that I bought from MegansMom:

Disney Dollars:

Beach bag with goodies (a gift from one of my departing 8th graders):

Chelsea's Science Olympiad shirt from state -- I couldn't resist because it is too cute -- all the participating schools were listed as a periodic table:

Chelsea and Connor's Shirts from the Disney Store:

I also was able to finish the Epcot passports that I was making for the kids. I found them on Natalie's design site. The CMs at the Kidcot stops will sign and stamp them in each country. Chelsea has a princess one and Connor has a Mickey Mouse one. There is a page for each country, so I took pictures of just a couple of my favorites.

I also have been to the bank and filled all my tip envelopes!

Charles has to go to the doctor today, so I plan on filling in my Passporter while waiting with him. He said something to me the other day about me and Disney (I wish I could remember what it was), and I said, "Stop! You are making me sound like a weirdo!" His response? "Are you planning on taking pictures of the food while we are there?" Touche!

 

[TarzansKat]

Awesome! I'm so glad you got some planning in...it's getting so close now. I love the Epcot passports for the kids, that is great. I think my DS is still too little, but an excellent idea for when he's older.

This past weekend, they were running Indy marathons and I thought of you. Especially when my DS became absolutely mesmerized by what I feel is the scariest, Temple of Doom. He was very nervous that the lady was going into the red lava. We explained that Indy would save her...and he did! Ah, it was bliss.

 

[Tinkerbellarella]

we all told ourselves that it was going to happen anytime now, but somehow that still didn't prepare us for the reality.

It never does. Your family is in my prayers.

He said something to me the other day about me and Disney (I wish I could remember what it was), and I said, "Stop! You are making me sound like a weirdo!" His response? "Are you planning on taking pictures of the food while we are there?" Touche!

Hysterical! Touche indeed!