Three Generations at Disney – C’mon, Grandma! WE HAVE 3 DAYS TO GO!! Update 9/21

[DexLabDeeDee]

I've given up trying to explain to people what it 'is' about Disney that keeps me going back. There are just some people in this world that are not meant to capture that Disney magic (which means more for us!!!!!)

It is so true. I'm glad that I'm not one of those people! Disney has brought so much joy to my life and it's brought some great memories of time together with my family. It's why we keep going back.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I have really started to think about what to do on one of our days off. Thursday, in particular. We also have a partial day off on Tuesday but we are going to be attending MNSSHP so I don't want to do anything to strenuous that day.

I'm not sure what everyone is going to do Thursday morning but the afternoon is tea for the ladies (excluding me) in the family. So Dad, Uncle Dan and I have the day free until our late evening reservations at Raglan Road. I was thinking that it would be nice to do something fun and different with Dad and Uncle Dan since the ladies were having tea. I'm having trouble coming up with something. I would love to do a segway tour but that is really expensive.

I'm thinking about going to Typhoon Lagoon because we haven't been to a water park at Disney since I was in 6th grade. I'm not sure that Dad and Uncle Dan would enjoy that. Then again, they might just want to do their own thing anyway. It would be more fun to go with someone, though.

I'm also thinking about going to IoA to see Harry Potter. Again, I'm not sure that Dad and Uncle Dan would want to go, the tickets cost more than Typhoon Lagoon and I'd have to find a way over there. I can do all that but do I really want to? I'm a big Harry Potter fan and it seems crazy to be that close and not go but it's only a portion of a park and apparently is insanely busy. My dad would freak from the crowds alone. Do I want to push hard to squeeze it into my vacation?

So I'm back to square one. We go to Epcot on Friday but there's so much going on that it might be a good idea to tackle some things on Thursday and then pick up the rest when we go on Friday. I could do more Kim Possible missions that way.

I'll have to keep thinking of something special for Dad, Uncle Dan and me to do. Nothing too expensive but off the beaten track, if you will.

Wish me luck!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

DOUBLE DIGITS!!!!!!



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We are finally 99 days away from our Disney trip!

I'm sending out an email to the rest of my group today with fun facts and information about PhotoPass. I was thinking that it would be a good idea for all of us to pitch in and get a PhotoPass CD. I know that I want to stop and take a lot of pictures and I'm sure that my sister, cousin and mom would feel the same way. This way, if we all are invested in the CD, then we would make a special effort to use PhotoPass. Plus, there are all the fun pictures from MNSSHP that we have to have!

I also made a video using my new Kodak PlaySport Zx3 video camera that I got for my 30th birthday. It's short but I'm sending them all my double digit dance. I couldn't find any Disney songs that really embodied the excitement I was feeling inside (shocking, I know) so I used ESPN's Jock Jams Remix - the one that starts with "Let's get ready to ruuuuuuuumble" - but only the first minute. It's pretty wacky but I think my family will get a kick out of it. Yeah, I'm 30 but Disney makes me feel like a kid!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

It's Monday and I'm feeling very blah today. Probably the weather. It's been really rainy and cloudy the past couple of weeks and I think it's starting to get to me. If I could, I would send the rain down south, where they actually need it. Many places are still flooded here. Life is not fair.

Yesterday we got together with my family for Father's Day. Happy Belated Father's Day to all you fathers out there!

Unfortunately, I learned that Uncle Dan might not come to Disney any more. His hip is really bothering him. He's in his 60s but otherwise really fit. He's doing PT and they hope that it'll help but they just don't know yet. It could come down to surgery. I know a few people at work who have gotten hip replacements and have been so happy. The doesn't help us with our Disney trip, though. They're going to talk to another specialist at the end of the month so we'll see.

I spoke to Aunt Anne and Mandy about Uncle Dan using a wheelchair. They don't think he'll go for it and just want to cancel out of the trip all together. Aunt Anne and Mandy would still go but he would just stay home. He's kind of a homebody in general so it's sometimes hard to get him to agree to go on a trip in the first place. The thing of it is that he loves Disneyland and he would have a really good time once he got down to Disney World.

My grandma is also balking at the idea of using a wheelchair. I just don't think she understands the amount of walking involved. And there are so many of us that it would be no problem to take turns pushing either of them around. I hope it all works out. I think it's going to be an interesting trip.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

3 Months to Go!! Whoo hoo!!

There is a lot going on between now and then, though. Some of the things I have going on:

Fourth of July weekend with my in-laws - sometimes this can get pretty crazy since the "cabin" is actually a trailer (like the ones that seniors stay in when they are wintering in Arizona) and it is pretty small and his extended family is large and loud. Thank goodness we don't have kids!

DH's cousin is getting married mid-July. I'm her personal attendant and I have a lot of stuff to do. Also, the bachelorette party is coming up in a couple weeks! Here I am with the bride (middle) and maid-of-honor (left):

In the beginning of August my extended family rents out a small resort in northern Minnesota that actually are log cabins built at the turn of the century. It's an awesome place and we've been going there for 25 years. The people that own the place are just like family.

We have our 45 day/deposit deadline in August and sometime after that I'm going to have another Disney meeting to discuss departure day, touring and transportation. This will probably happen after we get our Mickey Mail.

At the end of August we have the Great Minnesota Get-Together, the Minnesota State Fair. Here we eat a ton and walk a lot, so perfect practice for Disney. Any food that you can think of (and probably some you that you can't!) is available here on a stick. It's one of the largest state fairs in the country and more than 1.5 million people visit each year over the course of 10 days.

Here is me and a friend about to slide down the Giant Slide on potato sacks - a State Fair tradition!

After Labor Day, my mom, sisters and I participate in the Northshore Inline Marathon. It's a great goal to have - it keeps us motivated to skate throughout the summer. Here we are the proud finishers from last year:

And then we have our Disney MNSSHP trip at the end of September!!!! Yay!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th, I know that I did!

We had some good news/bad news this past week.

The good news is that Uncle Dan doesn't need to have surgery on his hip and the doctor said that PT should help with the pain. He said that he is feeling a lot better now and is for sure going to Disney! He also said that if he needs to, he will get a wheelchair! My grandma also said that she would get a wheelchair if she needed one. I'm shocked! Apparently, both of them have been talking to different people with mobility issues who have also visited Disney. They told them that they've had a GREAT time and that it's no big deal to have a wheelchair or ECV. While I'm glad that they have seen the light, I'm a little perturbed that they had to seek outside opinions before they believed me. Oh well, whatever - as long as they go and will get a wheelchair if they need one!!

The bad news is that my uncle (who is not going to Disney) had to have triple bypass surgery this week. It was a bit of a shock but the doctors caught the blockages in time before a heart attack or aneurism, so there was some silver lining. He's doing well so far but he probably won't be able to join the family at our cabin get-away the beginning of August. Out of the 18 of us, only 9 are going to be there the full week. Bummer.

DH's cousin's wedding is in a week and a half! Our summer is rolling along.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

This weekend was DH's cousin's wedding. I was the personal attendant, if you recall. I love this job. I love to be behind the scenes helping out and making everything go smoothly. I also just love to plan weddings in general. The bride has a theater degree and she said that I would make an excellent stage manager. I think I really would enjoy that job.

Here is the happy couple:

I am completely exhausted but it was worth it! We had a bachelorette party on Wednesday, I went to the 3D IMAX Harry Potter midnight showing on Thursday (awesome!!!). We had a full day of prep on Friday along with the rehearsal dinner and then the wedding on Saturday and then brunch on Sunday. Whew! For all that work, look what she gave to me as a gift:

A Dooney and Bourke Disney bag!!!! AHHH! I about died when I opened it!

Don't I look smashing with it? The bride said that she thought I would love to use it on my Disney trip but I am too afraid to bring it! Maybe to the California Grill but nowhere else. The way that I tour, it would be ruined!

I'm thinking that I may wear the dress that I'm wearing in the above pictures to California Grill as well. It's light and summery and a little nicer but without a lot of fuss.

I can't believe I have a Dooney and Bourke Disney bag! She picked the perfect gift for me. I've looked at them before but I've always decided against it due to price. She's waaay too generous but there is no way I'm giving it back now!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

​

60 Days Until Disney! ​

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Two months to go! And hooray! I figured out how to use the indent button!

Not much to report on the home front. We're getting ready to go on vacation up north to a resort that has actual log cabins. We've been going there as an extended family for 24 years. After we get back, our final deposit is due and then we should be getting some Mickey mail!

Sometime in August us women will go on a Disney shopping spree and snap up some end of summer sales for our trip. I could use some new clothes - I keep bringing the same ones each trip. I also have to look for pieces for my MNSSHP costume. I'm looking for a white button-up shirt for my Belle (blue dress) costume and I'm having trouble finding one with sleeves and a collar similar to hers. Goodwill, here I come!

It's getting harder and harder to wait! I don't want to wish my summer away but I'm getting really excited!

 

[ZFamily5]

How could I have missed this until now??? You're arriving on my birthday, staying at POR AND going to MNSSHP? You're trip will be epic!! We just got back from a trip with family, so I can't wait to hear all about yours!!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

How could I have missed this until now??? You're arriving on my birthday, staying at POR AND going to MNSSHP? You're trip will be epic!! We just got back from a trip with family, so I can't wait to hear all about yours!!

I'm glad you found me! I'll have to send you a mental "Happy Birthday" when I go through the Disney World gates on Sept 24th!

I just popped over to your trip report. It looks like you had fun! I am also the oldest with two younger sisters. I'm so glad that you'll have many wonderful memories with your sisters to look back on when you're 30 and old like me.

I also did hurdles (100 and 300m) in school! Love them and still miss them! My mom's favorite ride is Peter Pan just like your mom's. Sounds like we have a lot in common!!

 

[ZFamily5]

I'm glad you found me! I'll have to send you a mental "Happy Birthday" when I go through the Disney World gates on Sept 24th!

I just popped over to your trip report. It looks like you had fun! I am also the oldest with two younger sisters. I'm so glad that you'll have many wonderful memories with your sisters to look back on when you're 30 and old like me.

I also did hurdles (100 and 300m) in school! Love them and still miss them! My mom's favorite ride is Peter Pan just like your mom's. Sounds like we have a lot in common!!

Yes! You could send me a happy birthday silent shout-out while you go under the gate! We did have a lot of fun! 30 isn't old! I'm almost halfway there!! Hurdles are tons of fun! We saw a couple of really bad wipeouts this season though! We do have a lot in common!!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Hurdles are tons of fun! We saw a couple of really bad wipeouts this season though!

Wipeouts are pretty common and get more common the more years you spend at it. I went to senior prom with a large scrape on my left shoulder from a spill during practice. I have lots of "war" scars that you can still see, 12 years later!

 

[ZFamily5]

Wipeouts are pretty common and get more common the more years you spend at it. I went to senior prom with a large scrape on my left shoulder from a spill during practice. I have lots of "war" scars that you can still see, 12 years later!

That stinks! I haven't gotten gotten hurt doing hurdles yet. However, we were doing the 4x2 relay and it was my first time running in a meet with my knee brace and new orthopedic inserts for my shoes. I wiped out going around the corner and managed to scrape up my shoulder, knees and hands! Even better, Easter was 2 days away and I had to wear a skirt with huge band-aids on my knees and hands, in addition to the knee brace. I got quite a few strange looks! I was pretty upset at the time, because 1. I was bleeding a lot, 2. My parents weren't there and 3. None of my coaches helped me find band-aids/check on me or anything, my best friend helped clean me up. Sorry to ramble...things like that just frusterate me!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

That stinks! I haven't gotten gotten hurt doing hurdles yet. However, we were doing the 4x2 relay and it was my first time running in a meet with my knee brace and new orthopedic inserts for my shoes. I wiped out going around the corner and managed to scrape up my shoulder, knees and hands! Even better, Easter was 2 days away and I had to wear a skirt with huge band-aids on my knees and hands, in addition to the knee brace. I got quite a few strange looks! I was pretty upset at the time, because 1. I was bleeding a lot, 2. My parents weren't there and 3. None of my coaches helped me find band-aids/check on me or anything, my best friend helped clean me up. Sorry to ramble...things like that just frusterate me!

That is frustrating! Coaches can be great but they do seem pretty inept at dealing with spills. I always had bandaids and neosporin in my track bag just in case. I'm sorry that your parents weren't there. Sometimes you just need a hug!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

I'm back from a very lovely vacation in the Northwoods of Minnesota. The only problem was that the week went by waaaay too fast! Considering all that we do at Disney compared to a lazy week at the cabin, our vacation is going to be over in no time! Just a reminder to stop and smell the roses in Disney!

Yesterday, Grandma and I paid the balance for our package so we are all paid up!! The 45 day mark isn't until Wednesday but we thought we would end one vacation by paying for another! I did the Paid in Full dance for my Grandma in her kitchen. She laughed and said that she wanted the time to go verrrrry slooooowly because every day that passes she gets a day older. I see where she's coming from but I have to work the next 46 days!

I also helped her with some computer stuff and I had her pull out the bag that she was going to use for water, sunscreen, etc so that I could approve it. The bag is a soft cloth drawstring with two small straps for carrying. It'll work well.

Soon we'll have Mickey mail!!!!!

I'm waiting to hear from the rest of the gang with confirmation that they've paid their balance. Don't want to lose those reservations!

I'm making a booklet with lots of info plus a sheet with estimated travel time by bus to the parks and resorts. And a couple of other things so I've been trying to find a nice Disney folder for everyone to keep their paper's together. Since the back to school stuff is out in stores (HORRORS! ), I thought I would look for a folder but so far, no luck. I'm going to have to try WalMart next. Tons of Transformers, Justin Bieber, sports and cars. My back-up plan is to just have plain folders and design a sticker with a Disney character and each person's name.

I'm also looking for Disney pens but no luck either. I'll try the Dollar store.

Oh, and those shoes that I bought from Skechers that look a little like Keens? No good for extended walking. I can wear them around and to picnics and general stuff but no way can I take them to Disney. I went on a three mile walk with DH before we left and I took the shoes since I had been wearing them casually all summer and it was time to really go for it. OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH OUCH! I couldn't even finish and had to turn back early. My left foot had hot spots for days that made wearing regular shoes difficult. Ugh. So much for those. I'll still wear them around but forget Disney. Nothing yet beats my sneakers and Nike Athena sandals. Maybe I should get another pair of the sandals. Though DH will pass out if I come home with another pair of Athenas. They are all different colors and are SO darn comfortable - who can resist?? Not me.

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Oh! And here is a tee I found at Target that I like much better than any of the ones at the Disney store:

 

[crazy4mm]

Hello! Just reading thru your PTR.......LOVE the powerpoint idea!

We will be three generations at WDW too - and our trips will overlap!

We will be there Sept 27-Oct 4 (although my parents will be leaving on Oct1)...staying @ ASMu....and we will be @ MNSSHP on Sept 27th!!

I agree - I don't want Summer to end either, but I can't wait til our trip!!!!!!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Hello! Just reading thru your PTR.......LOVE the powerpoint idea!

We will be three generations at WDW too - and our trips will overlap!

We will be there Sept 27-Oct 4 (although my parents will be leaving on Oct1)...staying @ ASMu....and we will be @ MNSSHP on Sept 27th!!

I agree - I don't want Summer to end either, but I can't wait til our trip!!!!!!

Thanks! I'm working on one right now for our final planning meeting in Sept! I plan to go over the trials and tribulations of bus travel and using dining credits. I'm afraid that everyone will be confused over transfers and that parks are a preferred hub but only until a few hours after closing. I plan on having a map for each of them with the estimated travel time and we'll go through different scenarios. Of course it sounds a little overboard but I really don't want them to get lost and waste valuable time!

I see that you're going to be there for MK's 40th celebration and that you've been there for some other milestones too. That's awesome.

Are you doing costumes for MNSSHP? I'm still working on my Belle costume and I have no idea what anyone else is going to do.

 

[crazy4mm]

Thanks! I'm working on one right now for our final planning meeting in Sept! I plan to go over the trials and tribulations of bus travel and using dining credits. I'm afraid that everyone will be confused over transfers and that parks are a preferred hub but only until a few hours after closing. I plan on having a map for each of them with the estimated travel time and we'll go through different scenarios. Of course it sounds a little overboard but I really don't want them to get lost and waste valuable time!

I see that you're going to be there for MK's 40th celebration and that you've been there for some other milestones too. That's awesome.

Are you doing costumes for MNSSHP? I'm still working on my Belle costume and I have no idea what anyone else is going to do.

I think a planning meeting is a good idea. As great as WDW is, it can be overwhelming!

I'm very excited to be able to be @ WDW for another milestone - none of them were planned, they just happened. When we decided to go this year, our original plan was for a week earlier. But when I realized it would be WDW's 40th on Oct 1st, I told the family that we had to push it off a week. (Though our next milestone yr will be planned...I've already told DH that we are going back in 10yrs too...it will be WDW's 50th AND our 25th Anniversary! I'm already excited about it!)

The last time we went to MNSSHP, DH and I did not dress up...just the kids did. But this time we are....and my parents even said they would....so I was thinking the 7 dwarfs. (When will we be a group of 7 @ WDW for Halloween again?! So it just seemed to fit.) They probably won't be the best though...because honestly, I'm not a fan of Halloween in general so I refuse to spend alot of money on our costumes. Just khakis, store bought t-shirts and I'm going to attempt to sew up some hats with attached beards for us (though I'm not crafty) and write the character's names with fabric paints (and maybe if people see the names, they can use their imaginations to pretend we look like them...LOL). Hopefully they will turn out decent enough.

Are you making your own Belle costume from scratch?

 

[Disney9.9.10]

I can't remember if I have posted here or not, but I love your PTR - so much enthusiasm! How lucky are you getting a Dooney as a gift! It is beautiful! It is nice to hear that your family members have found ways to enjoy Disney! Sorry to hear about your other uncle though

I saw that Mickey t-shirt when I was shopping in the states a few weeks ago. I thought it was really cute, but I ended up buying a different one lol

Congrats on paying off your trip, and you will be there before you know it!