TKers Take the Fifth!

[D&DDisney]

Hey ladies!
Just stopping by really quick to let you all know that I've decided to start a trip report. The link can be found in my siggie. Not sure how good I'm going to be at telling a story but I figure it'll be fun just to write it even if nobody stops by to check it out!
I still need to do a little update to it as I am past my 90 day ADR mark and I need to post what I got.

We will check out your TR and be sure that it doesn't die. Even though we WERE tread killers, we have since become tread savers. Love the cute title you chose.

I'd go with the 2BR suite with kitchen. Breakfast in the room is soooo much easier, and like others have said, having that fridge for snacks and drinks is great. Just becuase you have a kitchen doesn't mean you have to COOK!!

Thanks for the input. I agree you don't have to cook just because you have a kitchen. Especially since it will be my b-day. The hotel I am looking at has a "sun downer reception" each week night. It includes appetizers and drinks (soda too). Okay...call me cheap if you want, but I'm thinking appetizers could make a meal - right????

OK need some help, DH & DS have decided we are going to Washington DC in the spring thanks to "Night at the Museum II...we are looking at our long weekend in May which is the weekend before Memorial Day. I've been on Expedia and found direct flights out of Detroit to Reagan on NWA, and I think we've decided to stay at the Embassy Suites by the Convention Centre...it's only about a year old. Any advice. I know we'll have to rent a car at least one day because DH will want to show the kids where he lived in MacLean. (DH lived in Washington for a few years when his Dad was the RCMP liaison). The 'boys' figure we need at least 2 days just to see the air and space museum (apparently there are 2 separate sights) ...I figure I'll go shopping!! Anyways I'll except any help...I believe D&D was there this past summer.

The Smithsonian Air & Space is just one museum. (At least 1 that we saw). It probably could be done in one whole day 8-5pm. My kids were only partially interested, so we did it in a couple of hours. There are a bunch of Smithsonian museums to see. That could take about a week. When you enter any of them, they give you a guide book that points out all the places you saw in the movie. My kids spent most of the time just trying to find those.
I will second the good walking shoes. We walked miles and didn't get to see everything. Boys were complaining too. I like Kitty's idea of doing the guided tours of the monuments after 5pm. Wish I would have thought of that this summer. Better use of time.
If you have any questions about taking the Metro, let me know. I went into DC just scared to death of trying to figure it out. Turns out it is pretty user friendly. Not a bad way to get around.

I managed to poison myself last night...I was spraying some mold in the basement last night (of course not wearing a face mask) and managed to get a good lung-ful of nastiness. Today I am absolutely suffering. I have a nice deep smokers-cough, I figure my lungs are just trying to protect themselves against the chemicals....

.I ran some errands yesterday and bought my antacids for the trip! that's about all I've done so far. I don't know why I'm putting off packing, it just seems like such an enormous task to do and I'd much rather play here on the Dis...

Oh Kitty!!!!! You be careful!!!! You know how we worry. I hope you didn't cause any damage to your lungs.

Your trip is coming up so fast. I too don't like packing until the last minute. Part of the fun of going is the pre-trip anticipation. That shouldn't include packing or housework.

[

Salmon

my favorite picture..want to put it as my avatar on Cruise critic, if I knew how..

Weather stared off drizzly then cleared up by 9 am in Ketchican. We had rain off and on for the next three days.
I'm keeping these short so they don't take to long to load (I hope). Plus yesterday I had to re log in to submit.

That would be a perfect avitar picture. Even here on the Dis. What a fun vacation you had.

D&DDisney[/B], good to hear that you have found a good bunch to work with at your school. Sounds like they are the kind of dedicated staff that every school could use.
Yay! Glad you found some reasonable airfare! You did good! I could have probably have saved some more if I had waited but it makes me panic to think that the rates might only go up. Looks like airfare has dropped some but I am still happy because this years flight still cost half for round trip for what our last trip did just one way. I have never stayed onsite so really can't offer advice on that. However, we have stayed offsite for every trip we have ever taken to DL and will be for our first WDW trip. I can attest that it is convenient for breakfast, wonderful for privacy and you can't beat the extra space for kids to spread out at the end of a long day. You absolutely DO NOT have to cook just because you have a kitchen but it does come in handy at times. I am looking forward to being able to make tea so we don't have to live off of soft drinks for 2 weeks. I also imagine I will be brewing up some coffee. However, you won't catch me cooking any meals while I am on vacation! Another plus for us will be that we will have a washer and dryer so I won't have to go to the laundry room at the hotel.

For once, the waiting paid off for us. And, Midwest's choco chip cookies are to die for. No peanuts on these flights. Just cookies and your choice of non-alco beverage. The only bad part is we are at the back of the plane with these fares. I guess we'll just bring our ear plugs

The privacy of the off-site hotel and the free hot full breakfast is very tempting. We've stayed with this chain before and were very happy.


Question for my TKer friends...
Didn't the dining plan, at one time, offer 2 counter service credits for any unused table service credits??? I posted this question on the restaurant board and of course, got some snarky answers like "It was never that way" What are you thinking? So now I am coming to the experts who have used the dining plan in the past. I am almost positive my friend and her family got to do this back in 2007 when they went. My family is not much for table service meals and I thought we could use the extra CS meal for breakfast. Especially for the kids who have to eat in the morning.

 

[Pikester]

We will check out your TR and be sure that it doesn't die. Even though we WERE tread killers, we have since become tread savers. Love the cute title you chose.


Thanks for the input. I agree you don't have to cook just because you have a kitchen. Especially since it will be my b-day. The hotel I am looking at has a "sun downer reception" each week night. It includes appetizers and drinks (soda too). Okay...call me cheap if you want, but I'm thinking appetizers could make a meal - right????


The Smithsonian Air & Space is just one museum. (At least 1 that we saw). It probably could be done in one whole day 8-5pm. My kids were only partially interested, so we did it in a couple of hours. There are a bunch of Smithsonian museums to see. That could take about a week. When you enter any of them, they give you a guide book that points out all the places you saw in the movie. My kids spent most of the time just trying to find those.
I will second the good walking shoes. We walked miles and didn't get to see everything. Boys were complaining too. I like Kitty's idea of doing the guided tours of the monuments after 5pm. Wish I would have thought of that this summer. Better use of time.
If you have any questions about taking the Metro, let me know. I went into DC just scared to death of trying to figure it out. Turns out it is pretty user friendly. Not a bad way to get around.


Oh Kitty!!!!! You be careful!!!! You know how we worry. I hope you didn't cause any damage to your lungs.

Your trip is coming up so fast. I too don't like packing until the last minute. Part of the fun of going is the pre-trip anticipation. That shouldn't include packing or housework.


That would be a perfect avitar picture. Even here on the Dis. What a fun vacation you had.


For once, the waiting paid off for us. And, Midwest's choco chip cookies are to die for. No peanuts on these flights. Just cookies and your choice of non-alco beverage. The only bad part is we are at the back of the plane with these fares. I guess we'll just bring our ear plugs

The privacy of the off-site hotel and the free hot full breakfast is very tempting. We've stayed with this chain before and were very happy.


Question for my TKer friends...
Didn't the dining plan, at one time, offer 2 counter service credits for any unused table service credits??? I posted this question on the restaurant board and of course, got some snarky answers like "It was never that way" What are you thinking? So now I am coming to the experts who have used the dining plan in the past. I am almost positive my friend and her family got to do this back in 2007 when they went. My family is not much for table service meals and I thought we could use the extra CS meal for breakfast. Especially for the kids who have to eat in the morning.

I don't think that you are dreaming about that. My DH seems to think that Yes, you could get 2 counter services for the TS credit and he thought you could also get a bunch of snacks for the CS credit. I think they may have changed that policy or it could even be up to the CM's discretion. I personally don't remember it but DH thinks he does.

Are you not wanting to do any TS? We are going to try the Quick Service Dining plan this time. We get 2 CS per day, 2 snacks per day and the refillable mug. I guess if you are staying off sit then having the mug wouldn't be a big deal. We are also paying out of pocket for 2 TS meals.

 

[D&DDisney]

I don't think that you are dreaming about that. My DH seems to think that Yes, you could get 2 counter services for the TS credit and he thought you could also get a bunch of snacks for the CS credit. I think they may have changed that policy or it could even be up to the CM's discretion. I personally don't remember it but DH thinks he does.

Are you not wanting to do any TS? We are going to try the Quick Service Dining plan this time. We get 2 CS per day, 2 snacks per day and the refillable mug. I guess if you are staying off sit then having the mug wouldn't be a big deal. We are also paying out of pocket for 2 TS meals.

We don't mind doing 1 or 2 TS. Just not all TS. Was hoping you could still split the credits so some mornings we could get the kids breakfast at CS. Then of course we'd need a lunch and dinner CS that day too. I looked at the QS dining plan thinking maybe they had 3 CS meals per day, but they just offer more snacks and the mug.

 

[MagiKitty]

DL55...great pictures! Wow, it is really beautiful. But I can't imagine having my home hanging right over the water like that! I do love your photo with DH toasting...who took it? Keep the updates coming!

D&D...I do recall some people talking about trading TS for CS credits. I know last year we had some CD left over and were able to trade those for snack credits before we left. Just ask the CM when you get there. I agree, it totally depends on what mood some CMs are in. There seems to be discrepancies on the policy....

Marie...did you ever answer your question? I know my answer...my superpower would be to look at room and have it tidy itself! I would be the chore-eliminator! I did get laundry done this weekend, and I did attempt to kill the mold, but darn if there still isn't more to do! And sadly, there will ALWAYS be chores to do....

 

[whgrn]

BKMETV All I can say is get good walking shoes! We were there for about 4 days and by day 4 my feet were killing me. I thought it was much worse than WDW. We didn't see everything either. When we went I only remember one building for the air/space museum. That was about 8 years ago though.

More of my trip report...

Salmon

my favorite picture..want to put it as my avatar on Cruise critic, if I knew how..

Weather stared off drizzly then cleared up by 9 am in Ketchican. We had rain off and on for the next three days.
I'm keeping these short so they don't take to long to load (I hope). Plus yesterday I had to re log in to submit.

Looks like you had the same weather in Ketchican as we did! DD and I had to go buy fleece vests, as we were freezing.

MK, BE CAREFUL!!!! You don't wanna mess with that stuff!

 

[Shmu]

Can't read any updates yet

Emergency......PRAY.....PRAY......PRAY


We are experiencing BAD flooding here in GA.
Many people killed.
One of my best friends house is flooding now. 26 years of stuff GONE.
Heading there now to help.

THanks TKERS

I'll update more when I can.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

Can't read any updates yet

Emergency......PRAY.....PRAY......PRAY


We are experiencing BAD flooding here in GA.
Many people killed.
One of my best friends house is flooding now. 26 years of stuff GONE.
Heading there now to help.

THanks TKERS

I'll update more when I can.

Take care!

 

[Pikester]

Can't read any updates yet

Emergency......PRAY.....PRAY......PRAY


We are experiencing BAD flooding here in GA.
Many people killed.
One of my best friends house is flooding now. 26 years of stuff GONE.
Heading there now to help.

THanks TKERS

I'll update more when I can.

 

[mariezp]

Will be praying Shmu!

 

[Bopsmom]

Be careful Shmu!!!

 

[whgrn]

Can't read any updates yet

Emergency......PRAY.....PRAY......PRAY


We are experiencing BAD flooding here in GA.
Many people killed.
One of my best friends house is flooding now. 26 years of stuff GONE.
Heading there now to help.

THanks TKERS

I'll update more when I can.

Praying for y'all Shmu!

 

[Shmu]

Thanks guys. I knew I could count on you. That's why I zipped over here real quick.

Still raining. We are fine. Praise God. My friend is VERY upset. Their basement flooded. Up to your knees. There business is down there. They make t-shirts with logos for teams.

They also have a lot of musical stuff. Drums, guitars, amps, etc..... The drums were floating. They moved it all upstairs. Hoping it dries out and is OK.

She is very upset too because she lost ALL of her Christmas decorations. Tree and everything. 26 years worth of mementos. I feel so bad for her. I just sat with her and held her while she cried. Going to try and organize some people around here to help gather her up some decorations for this Christmas. It won't be the same but it would be something.

A lot of men showed up from our church and started helping get the water out. They were pumping it out and had a bucket brigade going.

Schools are canceled again tomorrow. It's been a bad day in GA.

I'm tired, I really want to catch up with everyone but I'll have to wait. I think my bed is calling my name. I'll check in again tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.

 

[JOCAmom]

Shmu, I just wanted to send prayers your way. Take care of yourself, your family and all your friends.

 

[M&N]

Praying for your friends Shmu. Things just happen so fast...

Lighttech: Good to hear from you. It is hard to believe BL is that old! And the oldest going to school next year! Wow!

Little Walter is looking cute as usual! Hope his tummy is doing better.

Keep those pics coming from your trip DL55.

Let's not get into the age discussion again...I'm going on a decade older than what you all seem to think is old! And it's NOT old!

I subbed today and broke a nail! Bummer...it was only a half day too...putting hands into shelves to get books was never easy on the nails. It really wasn't that long either. I did have fun. Only had a 1st and 2nd grade. She had me read Bedhead. It was a new story to me. I told the kids if I would have known the story, I would not have bothered to fix my hair this morning! I had a good case of bedhead. I didn't know any of these kids since this is my 3rd year of retirement. Saw kids in the hall I knew though. One said he saw my commercial on tv. I made it 3 years ago and they are using it again. For the newbies here, I had a 5 second (if that long) part in a local pretzel company's ad. I had to say 'I have to have my Hammonds...salted and unsalted.' I go to the little factory 2 a month for pretzels and just am a friendly type and they asked me if I would do it. I got a can of pretzels for doing it! They had about 10 people in their commercials it. I really thought we would be in a group doing it. I didn't know I would have a solo part. There are 5 different commercials and I'm just in 1 of them.

Hey Marie: I think you had the super powers. I think I would like to have the power to determine if someone was being dishonest. I think I could get a lot of business and be helpful at the same time! Of course I may not have too many friends but at least the ones I would have would be great ones!

Have to save the TR from being killed...sounds interesting...I know you should never judge a book by the cover so maybe the same applies to titles of TR but I think Pikester is a very interesting person so I can't wait to read it!

HI to whoever I ignored...

 

[M&N]

I found out something else we are doing in Orlando. My friends got us tickets for The Singing Christmas Trees by the First Baptist Church in Orlando. The singers are in 2 40 foot tree shaped stands. There are I think 200 in each tree. I saw the dvd from several years ago and it was wonderful. They didn't do it the year we were there for Christmas.

 

[BKMETV]

Morning all:

Shmu...take care we're all thing of you and keeping our fingers crossed.

MK ~ the hotel is between the White House and Mt Vernon Place. I haven't been to Washington since my Grade 13 trip in 1982 so I'm not sure where Chinatown etc. is. If the arena is Verizon Center it looks to be a few blocks SE of the hotel. I'll have to look up Jaleo. I agree with the Ford Theater being a waste of time...I remember it from the last trip...especially since my kids only really know Lincoln as the big statue from the movie!!

DL55 ~ apparently the second air museum is somewhere we have to drive to and is where the big planes are...I'm SO EXCITED at the prospect!!! Love the pic, especially the balcony shot.

I do like the idea of an evening monument tour, I'll have to look into that. I'm not too intimidated by the metro...having done the Paris metro and London tube which are a nightmare. Thanks for all the imput.

 

[DL55]

Oh Shmu! Glad you're okay but so sorry for your friend.

A few more pictures...

Juneau..Mendenhall Glacier

Skagway..White Pass railroad

Glaicer Bay..

 

[whgrn]

Thanks guys. I knew I could count on you. That's why I zipped over here real quick.

Still raining. We are fine. Praise God. My friend is VERY upset. Their basement flooded. Up to your knees. There business is down there. They make t-shirts with logos for teams.

They also have a lot of musical stuff. Drums, guitars, amps, etc..... The drums were floating. They moved it all upstairs. Hoping it dries out and is OK.

She is very upset too because she lost ALL of her Christmas decorations. Tree and everything. 26 years worth of mementos. I feel so bad for her. I just sat with her and held her while she cried. Going to try and organize some people around here to help gather her up some decorations for this Christmas. It won't be the same but it would be something.

A lot of men showed up from our church and started helping get the water out. They were pumping it out and had a bucket brigade going.

Schools are canceled again tomorrow. It's been a bad day in GA.

I'm tired, I really want to catch up with everyone but I'll have to wait. I think my bed is calling my name. I'll check in again tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone. Your prayers are deeply appreciated.

Oh Shmu, that's so sad. I feel so bad for your friend. I can't imagine losing all those memories. I hope the drums and stuff dry out ok.

Maybe we could take up an ornament collection, and everyone send you ornaments for her. New or gently used. Good gussie I have so many I can never fit them all on my tree!

I found out something else we are doing in Orlando. My friends got us tickets for The Singing Christmas Trees by the First Baptist Church in Orlando. The singers are in 2 40 foot tree shaped stands. There are I think 200 in each tree. I saw the dvd from several years ago and it was wonderful. They didn't do it the year we were there for Christmas.

That sounds SOOOOO cool!!!


I am happy to report that after returning to the gym and my proper eating habits last Monday, I am now back in goal range and all my clothes fit again. I had my first session with my new trainer yesterday and she really beat me up! I am a hurting puppy today--glad I am getting a massage later!

 

[MagiKitty]

Good morning ladies!

Oh Shmu, big huge hugs and prayers for your area and especially your friends. I know its terrible right now, but thank goodness that everyone is ok and that people are still so kind to step in and offer help. The loss of tangible memories is awful.

Ev, you're absolutley right about the second air/space museum. Its out towards Dulles (and near the shopping mall).

Wendy, congrats on getting back into the groove and back into those clothes!

DL55...those pictures are incredible! How cold was it up there? The train look cool...were they included in your cruise or something that you opted to do? That glacier pictures is amazing.

I still love the tv show Northern Exposure. Imagine my dismay when I found out it wasn't taped in Alaska, actualy in Washington state, not too far from Seattle! That's still my impression of Alaska.

Somewhat better today, had rough night getting rid of all the junk in my lungs. I always seem to get sick right before vacation. I think its all the nerves and excitement!

M&N...can we see your commercial on youtube? That choir in Orlando sounds really cool! I don't blame you at all for going to the pretzel factory! Those pretzels were so yummy! We still talk about them! Nephew and I ate them all the way home.

I have some concerns about flying this weekend. There's been a few warnings these last few days. This weekend is Rosh Hashana, and the terror threat over the summer was targeting synagogues and my local airport. I'm truly not afraid, but I'm sure the security check will be insane. I should just go to the airport naked...that would definitely be terrorizing!

 

[M&N]

I would so love to go to Alaska...the glaciers coming down to the water looks no neat. I'm trying to think if the complaint about the Disney cruise was it was not going the inside passage...don't remember but some felt it was missing a beautiful area.
I was at the Air & Space near Dulles. It was fantastic.
I'm glad I don't have a trainer...I don't want to be beat up! I'll watch BL and pretend I'm getting yelled at! Glad it's inspiring you Whgrn.
Glad you are feeling better Kitty. I have a cd of the commercial but don't think it's on the internet anywhere.
I was volunteering at the middle school's book fair today...saw some of my former students...some were a lot taller! I'm going tomorrow too.