This (DISNEY)land Was Made For You and Me - July 2016 Weight Loss and Lifestyle Change Challenge

[piglet1979]

Well the past few days have not been great eating wise. I bought cookies (Soft Batch Chocolate Chip) on July 3rd to take to the fireworks with us. I did share but did come home with more then I would have liked. These are kind of like the Tagalongs for me which is why I do not buy them. I didn't eat the bag of them at once but had more then my share of them. There were 5 left last night so I just finished them. I needed them out of the house. I have these after I had Reese Peanut Butter Cups. I was so over calories yesterday.

Today I am having Chipolte for lunch but will eat a good dinner so I should be fine. I am working out tonight and I have gotten my 10,000 steps every day. I need to get back on track with food.

 

[Flossbolna]

Ok, this is a Disney joke that was told to us by the CM at the entrance to DCA:

Why did Captain Hook cross the street?

To get to the Second Hand Shop.

 

[Dr Gunnie]

We are planners too. Well maybe just me. I have the next several planned. Now I just need to get my way. Hoping to do a disney cruise this year, the next year a beach vacation (Myrtle beach), and then a big 2 week vacation to Disneyland and surrounding areas. My husband is not sold on the Disney yet. I just threw that on him the other day. The plan is to be back to WDW for the 50th anniversary.

We usually plan a year or so in advance. I love talking vacations, planning vacations... love it!!! We were set up to spring break of next year and throwing ideas around for the next one. It was either another cruise (we have one planned for March), Dominican Republic, Key West, or California. We figure Dominican Republic and Key West will probably be better when the kids are a little older. I had to throw the San Diego in there because one of my wife's best friends from college lives there and my wife doesn't love Disney as much as I do. Give a little, take a little.

Hi... your personal tour guide is ready to help when you have a list of questions put together. I've lived in California for over 30 years (I'm nearly a native!) and have been a Disney passholder since 1994. I'll make sure you're set up right and can give you some great advice when you're ready to start planning.

Nice! First question was to stay on property or off. I'm leaning toward on even though the cost is much more. I know you get in the parks an hour earlier which I think will be very beneficial right after Christmas. First thought was the Disneyland Hotel, but open to recommendations.

 

[Flossbolna]

We usually plan a year or so in advance. I love talking vacations, planning vacations... love it!!! We were set up to spring break of next year and throwing ideas around for the next one. It was either another cruise (we have one planned for March), Dominican Republic, Key West, or California. We figure Dominican Republic and Key West will probably be better when they are a little older. I had to throw the San Diego in there because one of her best friends from college lives there and my wife doesn't love Disney as much as I do. Give a little, take a little.



Nice! First question was to stay on property or off. I'm leaning toward on even though the cost is much more. I know you get in the parks an hour earlier which I think will be very beneficial right after Christmas. First thought was the Disneyland Hotel, but open to recommendations.

Since you plan for December 2017, you could look into renting DVC points to stay at GCV. The timeframe might be a bit tricky to get a reservation, but usually renting is cheaper than the rack rates Disney charges. The most important thing is to have a request lined up 11 months before the start of your vacation. There are brokers who help facilitating the rental process and there is a whole DVC rent board here on the DIS. In any case you would have a contract with a specific DVC member who makes your reservation and in return gets a certain amount per DVC point used for your reservation. I think the going rate for points is between 12 and 15 $ per point. Depending on when and where the number of points needed varies greatly and Christmas usually requires a lot of points.

However, if you are there for just two days, I think spending a lot of money on the resort is not really worth it. Even during summer we were able to tour quite efficiently despite not being early risers.

 

[iona]

I'm awful with jokes, can never remember the punchline! I've had a good chuckle at everyone else's though.

This week has not lent itself to being healthy, I was out of the house at 5:45am on Tuesday to fly to Scotland and then got back after 9pm yesterday. There was a gym at the hotel but I had so much work stuff in my bag that there was no room for trainers. It's always really hard to eat healthily on the road too. I had a salad (with chicken, quinoa and sweet potato) on Tuesday night but my colleague ordered a burger at the airport yesterday and I couldn't resist joining her

I did make it to the gym this morning before work though and I've definitely eaten better today as well.

 

[courtneybeth]

Nice! First question was to stay on property or off. I'm leaning toward on even though the cost is much more. I know you get in the parks an hour earlier which I think will be very beneficial right after Christmas. First thought was the Disneyland Hotel, but open to recommendations.

The "Good Neighbor" hotels are actually closer than the actual 'on property' hotels (exception is the Grand Californian, which is inside California Adventure and super overpriced for what you pay!). Disneyland is very small and condensed when compared to WDW, so you could book at the Howard Johnson, walk across the street and already be at the security lines for a fraction of the cost you'd pay to stay far far far far away at the Disneyland Hotel. You're going to be in the parks, so why pay more for a room you're going to only sleep and shower in?

For time needed, you'll need three days if you want to see and do absolutely everything. I'd do two days at Disneyland and one day at California Adventure. You can skip rides like Dumbo and the Astro-orbiter since they're exactly the same at MK and have long lines for no reason. But to do absolutely everything.... two days for sure at DL and one day at CA.

For restaurants -- recommend the following:

Disneyland: Carnation Cafe is great for breakfast; Cafe Orleans is good for Dinner. Blue Bayou is neat for the experience, but realize you're eating in darkness inside the Pirate ride - so it smells like Pirate water
California Adventure: Book the World of Color dining package at Wine Country. Carthay Circle is nice but... service is slow and the food is a bit pricey
Misc: If you can get to Steakhouse 55 for breakfast, do it! Totally worth it!

​

You'll make your dining reservations at exactly 60 days to the date. And the fun part? If you made them 24 hours before you'd probably still find stuff available


As for Hollywood and San Diego - you're going to have to rent cars and stay somewhere where you will be in this area for both locations. California traffic is too heavy to be centrally located for a week. Fly into LAX, start in Los Angeles for the night or two. Then drive to Disneyland, and finish in San Diego. You can either fly out of San Diego or drive 2 hours north (sans traffic, may be 3 hours with traffic) to go home out of Los Angeles. Or you can do the reverse if the flights are cheaper!

 

[Lady Marie]

I'm not so good at these kind of jokes, but my hubby has a favorite we tell all the time (that has basically become a joke to tell the joke in an of itself):

What did the fish say when he ran into the wall?

Dam!

 

[Lady Marie]

Disneyland is very small and condensed when compared to WDW, so you could book at the Howard Johnson, walk across the street and already be at the security lines for a fraction of the cost you'd pay to stay far far far far away at the Disneyland Hotel. You're going to be in the parks, so why pay more for a room you're going to only sleep and shower in?

Word to the HoJo! That's where we stayed and it really wasn't a bad walk at all! In fact, I was amazed at how far the walk was to Steakhouse 55 when we had dinner there (the 24 layer chocolate cake made it well worth the walk though! haha!)

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

What did the fish say when he ran into the wall?

Dam!

I was going to say this one cause DS told it this morning when we went for a walk at the dam near my aunt's house lol

 

[Oneanne]

I am not a joke person. I often don't get them and take them too literal. My kids do love them and here is there favorite right now. My son even got to ask it at the Laugh Floor on our trip in June. This kid does not have a fear of talking in front of people unlike his momma. I avoid public speaking like it is the plague.

A cowboy rode into town on Monday, stayed 3 days and left of Friday.

I will come back with the answer later today.

I know this one... But won't answer so others can have fun with it.

Edit: never mind, I see the answer has been revealed.

 

[Oneanne]

I do "Friday Funnies" for the team at work, so I'm always having to look up silly jokes.

Why was 6 afraid of 7?
Because 7,8,9.

Why did the duck say "bang"?
Because he was a fire quacker.

What does the Loche Ness monster eat for lunch?
Fish and ships.

What do you call a dog magician?
A labracabadra.

What did the football coach say to the vending machine?
I want my quarter back.


Why is Cinderella always picked last for the soccer team?
She's always running away from the ball.


How much do pirates pay to get their ears pierced?
A buccaneer


Why did the Jedi cross the road?
To get to the dark side.

I'm here all week folks

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

DS 9 has Aspergers and has trouble getting jokes but he loves to make them up so here are a few from him

What did the grass say to the baseball player...
I'm rooting for you

What is a cannon's most private part...
It's balls

He is a huge civil war buff

Sorry about the bad run! Did you get fitted for the shoes? Can you return them?

I got the shoes at the running store but I didn't get fitted. I bought them a 1/2 size up this time because I keep reading you should for running but they always felt too big. They were on clearance so not a huge loss.

 

[courtneybeth]

For our resident runners...

So... runDisney posted on their FB page today that all races of the Super Heroes Half Marathon weekend (aka: Avengers Weekend, aka: Same weekend as Rock n Roll Vegas) have openings.

If you guys wanted to participate at Disneyland and missed the first time, you can go to here to sign up: http://disneyurl.com/SuperHeroesHalfMarathon2016


....I may be considering adding the 5K race to my existing 10K reservation. Presently that weekend I'm doing the Doctor Strange 10K on Saturday, boarding a plane from LAX to Vegas to run the 5K that evening through RNR, and then on Sunday evening running the RNR Las Vegas Half Marathon.

 

[4Mickeys]

Big news in our household this morning. We were looking at future vacations and thinking we might do a cruise during winter break of 2017 (I know, we like to plan way in advance), but after talking it over it looks like we are going to do a California trip with Disneyland, Hollywood, and San Diego instead. The early plan is to stay on site at Disneyland and do two days there (one day at Disneyland, one at California Adventure). Very excited that we'll finally get to Disneyland! Still trying to figure everything out, but if anyone has any tips or advice on where to stay or anything else, let me know!

How exciting!

The Elsa joke made me laugh harder than it should have.

I know - when I saw it I had to include it.

Disneyland: Carnation Cafe is great for breakfast;

Agree with this - had a very yummy breakfast here - a big Mickey Waffle

As for Hollywood and San Diego - you're going to have to rent cars and stay somewhere where you will be in this area for both locations.

We didn't get to San Diego so I have no suggestions there - for LA is can really depend on what you what to see as to where is the best place to stay - so research some of what LA has to offer and what you might like to do. We stayed in Hollywood and Santa Monica - Hollywood is very touristy (obviously haha) we stayed at the Loews in both Hollywood and Santa Monica - but it just depends on budget also.... But I was there in September so some time staying on the beach was excellent - not sure about January for that - Courtney can chime in. There are lots of fun things to do around LA also with the kids some of things we did were the LaBrea Tar Pits (to visit our Ice Age friends), the California Science Centre (to see the Space Shuttle - but you may have seen those in Florida when you have been there), the Griffith Observatory (I liked the later afternoon so you can see the sunset and lights come on over LA - you can also get a good view of the Hollywood sign), Hollywood - there are some piano steps the kids might find fun just to the right of the Chinese Theatre on the inside, Universal Studios (but you have probably done that in Florida), we did the Warner Bros Tour (but minimum age is 8 years - I can't remember how old your kiddies are, rode bikes from Santa Monica to Venice Beach and back (a nice healthy activity), Santa Monica Pier (the amusement park on the pier - also my kids had a turn at the Trapeze School there - the boys did the trapeze and my daughter did the silks - I love the photos of them doing that on the pier with the water/rollercoaster,ferris wheel in the background), we also did some self tour of tv/movie locations we like. There is plenty to see and do around the LA area.

Why did the Jedi cross the road?
To get to the dark side.

I asked DS 15 this one - he got the answer but loved it as he is a huge SW fan.

What is a cannon's most private part...
It's balls

Asked this one aloud to my boys also and DS12 got it - we all had a laugh.

The "Good Neighbor" hotels are actually closer than the actual 'on property' hotels (exception is the Grand Californian, which is inside California Adventure and super overpriced for what you pay!). Disneyland is very small and condensed when compared to WDW, so you could book at the Howard Johnson, walk across the street and already be at the security lines for a fraction of the cost you'd pay to stay far far far far away at the Disneyland Hotel. You're going to be in the parks, so why pay more for a room you're going to only sleep and shower in?

@Dr Gunnie - We stayed offsite - also going with the idea we would only be sleeping in the room - we stayed in a Parlour Suite at the Desert Inn & Suites - now it is a basic motel with outside corridors - but it was clean, air-conditioned, had a mini fridge/microwave, free continental breakfast, the bathroom had been recently remodelled and they were remodelling the breakfast room when we were there in 2014, being the suite we had a small separate lounge area with TV as well as a TV in the bedroom area - this bit of extra space was great - so if the kids were sleeping and I was still up , I didn't disturb them too much. It was only about a 7 minute walk to the front gate - it is on Harbour and about 3 doors down from the crosswalk to DL. There are lots of options - I stayed in Anaheim for 11 nights so no way could I afford a DL hotel for that lol - Aussies can get a 10 day hopper pass for not much more than the cost of a 5 day hopper ticket - we spent 9 1/2 days at DL lol and would you believe there are still things we didn't do but things we did more than once because we loved it so much.

 

[Dr Gunnie]

How exciting!



I know - when I saw it I had to include it.



Agree with this - had a very yummy breakfast here - a big Mickey Waffle



We didn't get to San Diego so I have no suggestions there - for LA is can really depend on what you what to see as to where is the best place to stay - so research some of what LA has to offer and what you might like to do. We stayed in Hollywood and Santa Monica - Hollywood is very touristy (obviously haha) we stayed at the Loews in both Hollywood and Santa Monica - but it just depends on budget also.... But I was there in September so some time staying on the beach was excellent - not sure about January for that - Courtney can chime in. There are lots of fun things to do around LA also with the kids some of things we did were the LaBrea Tar Pits (to visit our Ice Age friends), the California Science Centre (to see the Space Shuttle - but you may have seen those in Florida when you have been there), the Griffith Observatory (I liked the later afternoon so you can see the sunset and lights come on over LA - you can also get a good view of the Hollywood sign), Hollywood - there are some piano steps the kids might find fun just to the right of the Chinese Theatre on the inside, Universal Studios (but you have probably done that in Florida), we did the Warner Bros Tour (but minimum age is 8 years - I can't remember how old your kiddies are, rode bikes from Santa Monica to Venice Beach and back (a nice healthy activity), Santa Monica Pier (the amusement park on the pier - also my kids had a turn at the Trapeze School there - the boys did the trapeze and my daughter did the silks - I love the photos of them doing that on the pier with the water/rollercoaster,ferris wheel in the background), we also did some self tour of tv/movie locations we like. There is plenty to see and do around the LA area.



I asked DS 15 this one - he got the answer but loved it as he is a huge SW fan.



Asked this one aloud to my boys also and DS12 got it - we all had a laugh.



@Dr Gunnie - We stayed offsite - also going with the idea we would only be sleeping in the room - we stayed in a Parlour Suite at the Desert Inn & Suites - now it is a basic motel with outside corridors - but it was clean, air-conditioned, had a mini fridge/microwave, free continental breakfast, the bathroom had been recently remodelled and they were remodelling the breakfast room when we were there in 2014, being the suite we had a small separate lounge area with TV as well as a TV in the bedroom area - this bit of extra space was great - so if the kids were sleeping and I was still up , I didn't disturb them too much. It was only about a 7 minute walk to the front gate - it is on Harbour and about 3 doors down from the crosswalk to DL. There are lots of options - I stayed in Anaheim for 11 nights so no way could I afford a DL hotel for that lol - Aussies can get a 10 day hopper pass for not much more than the cost of a 5 day hopper ticket - we spent 9 1/2 days at DL lol and would you believe there are still things we didn't do but things we did more than once because we loved it so much.

Thanks for all your help! I think we are now leaning on staying offsite between your recommendation and @courtneybeth. The one hour early entry doesn't seem worth all the extra $$$ it costs.

 

[piglet1979]

We usually plan a year or so in advance. I love talking vacations, planning vacations... love it!!! We were set up to spring break of next year and throwing ideas around for the next one. It was either another cruise (we have one planned for March), Dominican Republic, Key West, or California. We figure Dominican Republic and Key West will probably be better when the kids are a little older. I had to throw the San Diego in there because one of my wife's best friends from college lives there and my wife doesn't love Disney as much as I do. Give a little, take a little.

I have a Boston trip completely planned just need a date. I think I plan vacations just for fun. I have also helped several friends plan a WDW vacation. I need to figure out how to make it a job.

My husband and daughter really want a relaxing beach vacation. I will have to give in and go. I don't like the wet sand on my feet. Nether one of them love Disney like I do. They like it and have fun but would love a slower pace vacation.

 

[rascooby]

I have been trying to think of a joke, but I think I'm too sleepy. My family uses a lot of dumb, inside jokes that aren't actually funny to anyone but us. I somehow missed checking in yesterday. My WooHoo is that I haven't missed my step goal yet. I have gone out of my way to use the treadmill, take the dogs on long walks and park as far away as I can handle (it is high 90s in DFW) to get my steps in.

 

[courtneybeth]

July 8 - Indiana Jones: temple of the forbidden eye

Our last stop in Adventureland is the Indiana Jones attraction, whose entrance is about 10 feet away from
The World Famous Jungle Cruise. Indiana Jones is a tricky attraction, as it's an E-Ticket alternative from the
"mountain" themed rides, but... it's incredibly unreliable. Without fail the ride will go down at least twice
while you're hoping to get on it. The lines are long and you could easily waste a FP trying to get on the darn thing.

However... it's pretty darn cool. It boasts a similar ride car to AK's Dinosaur ride. You're joining Indiana Jones
on a mission to visit the Temple of the Forbidden Eye - but one wrong move puts your entire jeep in peril.
And the best type of peril - you get to outrun snakes, arrow guns, fire, and a big rolling ball.

Seriously. This is a MUST RIDE attraction.

Ride trivia for you: there's some hieroglyphics in the caverns on the way into the ride. This is from
the original launch when lines were too long and they used to hand you a decoder card. If you stand
there long enough, you'll be able to make out what they're saying. Thanks AT&T for the sponsorship!



Question of the Day - July 8th
Indiana Jones may strongly dislike snakes and tourists (according to this ride) but he sure does enjoy
outrunning gigantic boulders and other things relevant to the plot. Dr Jones would be a great addition
to anyone's ragnar relay team. He's fit and ... hot!

What fitness activities are you focusing on at the moment to burn calories? Are you running, walking, working out with a personal trainer, shopping, rolling a cart at the grocery store, or ????
If you haven't selected an activity, what would you like to start doing in the next few months?

Bonus question: which Indiana Jones movie is your favorite and why?
(There's only three, so choose wisely! )​

 

[4Mickeys]

I love this ride! But you're right it is unpredictable and just when you think you're getting close ..... it goes down. We waited and waited and waited and down it went .... we did manage to get fast passes from a CM that time to try again. The first time we rode it we scored the front seat woohoo - the boys and I loved it ... DD not so much she spent it with her hands over her eyes and wouldn't go on it again - lol.

What fitness activities are you focusing on at the moment to burn calories? Are you running, walking, working out with a personal trainer, shopping, rolling a cart at the grocery store, or ????
If you haven't selected an activity, what would you like to start doing in the next few months?

I am focusing on walking at least 30 minutes at the moment - some days it is from shopping grocery and window! But there are other days I have managed to work in purposeful walking for exercise. I want to build in some strengthening exercises more regularly.

Bonus question: which Indiana Jones movie is your favorite and why?
(There's only three, so choose wisely! )

Its been a while since I watched them I can't recall which one I like best. @courtney is there a reason you aren't counting the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull released in 2008? It makes 4..... I heard on the radio the other day that they are making another one and that Harrison Ford will play Indi (as if anyone else could!) but that he will be about 78 when it is released.... he's 73 now so that's another 5 years to wait! I wonder if they write in a son or grandson to carry on the adventures in the future.

 

[piglet1979]

July 8 - Indiana Jones: temple of the forbidden eye

Our last stop in Adventureland is the Indiana Jones attraction, whose entrance is about 10 feet away from
The World Famous Jungle Cruise. Indiana Jones is a tricky attraction, as it's an E-Ticket alternative from the
"mountain" themed rides, but... it's incredibly unreliable. Without fail the ride will go down at least twice
while you're hoping to get on it. The lines are long and you could easily waste a FP trying to get on the darn thing.

However... it's pretty darn cool. It boasts a similar ride car to AK's Dinosaur ride. You're joining Indiana Jones
on a mission to visit the Temple of the Forbidden Eye - but one wrong move puts your entire jeep in peril.
And the best type of peril - you get to outrun snakes, arrow guns, fire, and a big rolling ball.

Seriously. This is a MUST RIDE attraction.

Ride trivia for you: there's some hieroglyphics in the caverns on the way into the ride. This is from
the original launch when lines were too long and they used to hand you a decoder card. If you stand
there long enough, you'll be able to make out what they're saying. Thanks AT&T for the sponsorship!



Question of the Day - July 8th
Indiana Jones may strongly dislike snakes and tourists (according to this ride) but he sure does enjoy
outrunning gigantic boulders and other things relevant to the plot. Dr Jones would be a great addition
to anyone's ragnar relay team. He's fit and ... hot!

What fitness activities are you focusing on at the moment to burn calories? Are you running, walking, working out with a personal trainer, shopping, rolling a cart at the grocery store, or ????
If you haven't selected an activity, what would you like to start doing in the next few months?

Bonus question: which Indiana Jones movie is your favorite and why?
(There's only three, so choose wisely! )​

I am walking. A good part of my issue is that I sit at a desk all day. I would like to get back to working out. I have skipped out on 2 this week. I need to get 9 in by the end of the month so I need to get to this. No more excuses.

Bonus Question -- I have never sat down and watched the full movie. I am not a fan of the movie. I don't even know what the movies are called.