Top Secret Pixie Dust! A Surprise 13th Birthday PTR! NEW! TRIP REPORT LINK PAGE 220!

[winkers]

I thought you should know that I broke down and bought my first Vera.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

When we were down in December we saw a lot of people having picture sessions by the big Christmas trees at WL and AKL. I would have done it, but we didn't plan it and were wearing not so great clothes. Would have made a really good Christmas card. I'm sure those people doing it had thought of that!

 

[MHTeacher]

I thought you should know that I broke down and bought my first Vera.

This could be dangerous..... (I should know!)

 

[brookelizabeth]

I cannot believe the bills some of you have!!!!! Our electricity is less than $200 a month - and we live in MN, our house is kept at 70 degrees.

Water/trash is about $70.

I cannot even fathom having anything as high as what you guys are saying!! Eeek!

 

[disneyfan61]

I cannot believe the bills some of you have!!!!! Our electricity is less than $200 a month - and we live in MN, our house is kept at 70 degrees.

Water/trash is about $70.

I cannot even fathom having anything as high as what you guys are saying!! Eeek!

I hear ya!! Here in NH we pay about $140.00-$150.00 (winter months) per month for the electric bill. Our utility bills (water) runs an average of $70.00 per month (4 of us) taking showers every day. We pay a little more in the summer for electricity because we have a pool (filter) plus A/c & fans going. Actually I run the fan in my bedroom all year because I am so used to the noise now that I cannot sleep without it. Same goes for my youngest DS. I cannot imagine paying some of the bills you all pay

 

[Charleston Princess]

I just paid at $306.00 gas/electric bill. ConEd, our power supplier in NYC, actually charges in ridiculously high delivery fee. Really??? Over $100 to deliver gas and electricity? No one physically comes to my house. This is why I need to move out of NYC.

That's crazy!

Can't wait to read about your ADRs. I have to find that cake photo for you today.

I need to get that all organized for next Tuesday!

On Thursday night, we decided to change from 10 nights to just 8 nights because a resort switch for 2 nights didn't make sense with a 2 yr old. Plus, we have to get back to NY in time for salon appointments for my cousin's wedding. We switched from 8 nights Poly Garden View/2 nights Grand Floridian Garden view to 8 nights Grand Floridian Garden View to 8 nights Garden View Sugar Loaf CL Hopefully, that's it. But the BC is VERY appealing. Love the decor and SAB is definitely a good reason to switch.

Concierge sounds lovely! I hear nothing but wonderful things about the lounge offerings!

I thought I was going crazy until I realized that the pics were changed. Oy I need a vacation.

I need a vacation, too! Preferably someplace warm!

Just joining in on all the fun!!!
Getting all caught up from
Holidays
Trip to WDW for NYE
Coming back to trip reports that have taken on a life of their own
Finding new PTR that have started
Getting all pictures labeled and photopass photos bordered
Now I need a code name ???

Let's go with Dory ( I had originaly had swordfish back on p8 but that is long gone by page 20)- since I have been a bit lost

Welcome!!! I bet you had a great time in our favorite place!

Wow, both of you are at the GF! How fun will that be to read about.

I plan on taking lots and lots of pictures!

Add your's to Native NYer's and add an additional $150 and that was mine for last month. A new record high for us, bleh! I HATE THE COLD!!!!

Texans also have no idea how to drive in a snow storm, and it usually turns to ice. We had a couple of "snow" days when we lived there. I can say the one good thing about hail is... the car lots have really good sales right after!!!

That's so true! LOL!

Yep the girls have been off school since Wednesday and it looks as though they're off again tomorrow, we don't have to make them up though

They are but as we don't have all the proper clothes they're actually getting a bit fed up with it as they get cold, unbelieveable huh

Have you thawed out yet, Jo? Things are pretty much back to normal around here except it is still cold.

Hey Natasha,

Crepes here...

I did try not to laugh at your snow woes...and I didn't...

It was so lovely and poignant when you wrote about the kids and the snow and trying to save it and make the most of every last bit of it...was a magical thing for them...it should shows how we forget the beauty in things when we become used to them...and when something is novel to us...we appreciate it so much more...

Hi, Crepes! Thank you! The kids were really very endearing with the little bit of snow we had.

(I do have to say I personally hate late openings ...we had one here on Friday and I prefer either a closing or a regular start...those two hour delays just make everything topsy turvy...

I agree!

and lest you think people are better at driving in the snow further north...I think you have to get up to New England...maybe Northern CT...or so...outside of Philadelphia...where you'd think people would know how to drive...ok...some years we get less and some years more...but really people it does snow here...it always has and hopefully it always will...many people seem at a total loss...either going way too fast or driving 5mph...

Hmmm...all this snow talk makes me want a nice snow storm...enough for a snow day...so during the week and not on the weekend...

So, I gather no one really likes to drive in snow and ice? I agree that any snow days definitely need to happen during the week.

So are you and Boris all about the planning for Moose's big day...(she really would hate that...)

Should we tell her that we have been calling her that when the time comes?

updated list....

Thank you!

Well, at least now I feel better about my gas/electric bill. Although my next one is sure to be double what it usually is. With Christmas lights on, and how flippin cold it's been all December and January, it will be up there.

That's one good thing about MN. We mostly know how to deal with snow and our DOT gets things cleared pretty quick. Our city plows our streets by the time we leave for work in the morning.

I don't even want to think about what this weather is doing to my gas/electric bill.

 

[Charleston Princess]

When my son was living in Butte,Montana, the roads were not plowed unless there was snow deeper than 6". To the residents there that was nothing. We were there when he graduated college at the end of May. It snowed. I would never live there, way too cold! So where is he now, the North Slope of Alaska! He hates cold weather.

Waiting to hear about the ADRs.

Evergreen, out

I don't think I could ever live anywhere farther north than here. I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather!

I had NO idea that you guys got snow in Georgia. I am trying to find somewhere to relocate that doesn't get snow.. and though about looking into GA.. but hmmm maybe not. hehe

It's funny to hear that they let school out just because it starts snowing and stuff like that. But I understand about the resources thing. People living here in MI don't know how drive in snowy weather either-- and most of them live here and deal with this every year.

We really don't get much at all. Maybe one day a year if we are lucky.

don't worry, you'd be fine if you're from michigan. i've been in georgia since 1997 and we've only gotten one major snow since i've been here, which ironically was on march 1st last year. we've had light dustings most years but nothing like you're used to!

Hope you guys are thawing out down there, CP!
We're supposed to get in the high thirties today, and it will be very welcomed!

Hi, MeMom! We are still waiting to thaw out. They keep promising us temps in the 50's on Thursday and Friday. They better be right!

Hmmm wondering how the ice and cold is in Georgia today. Did you have school Natasha?

We did have school on Monday although a couple of counties close to us did not. I was ready to get back into the routine.

Charger has been located. Now I just have to upload the photos, and I will be all ready to start the TR! Disney at Christmas is the best. Kelly and I have decided that the trip needs to become a tradition for us, and we are already talking about planning on for next December!

Oh, I can't wait to read all about it! We are thinking Christmas 2011 for us! We went in 2004 and loved it!

I don't know, but I can always count on my Jan and Feb bills too be 100% to 200% larger than my summer bils.

Our winter gas bills are always higher.

I love your snow day pictures! The kids looked like they had a great time!

So I read on Anita's TR that you are considering DVC, huh? What's taken you so long?! j/k! I would be all over that too - but I am waiting a few years and getting my car paid for before I take the plunge.

Chelsea and Connor did have a great time, and Connor checked on his freezer snow this afternoon. Good thing I hadn't gotten rid of it! LOL!

DVC is coming this fall if everything goes as planned. Fingers crossed!

Yikes. I had a thousand dollar bill out here once...in my previous house.

I decided it was time to get new windows!

Frightening.

I. Would. Die. I don't even know how we would pay something that high!

Hi CharlestonPrincess ! I saw your pre-trip title and just had to join in. I've tried to catch up, but oh my word, there are 22 pages, and the principal will not keep my kids in lunch that long! Wonder why?

Welcome!!! There is a lot of chatter, but I put links on the front page!

I too, planned a suprise 16th birthday trip for my daughter Elizabeth just recently. I began the secret plans in August, but by October, it was all over. Her BFF reads these boards every once and a while, and lo and behold, she saw the details about the suprise trip. Well, she kind-of spilled the beans to DD. Give DD some credit, she never let on to me. My younger daughter(another eyeliner wearing 13 year old! ) found out and asked me about it; then told me that Elizabeth already knew. After that I kept all suprise details to myself and didn't post anything else!

I really hope to keep the secret until the day before we leave.

Anyway, we had such a great trip. You can read about it in my TR.

Can't wait to hear more details about all the suprises you'll be planning!

Oh, BTW....the code name I was given in the game was Cavalier. (I didn't notice if it was taken!)

I think Cavalier is still free!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow I do not check in for the weekend & there is code names????
Oh I would love one. Could I be Willow???

Sure!

It gave me Tiller, but I don't care for that name. I like Tempo, since that was Laura Bush's. Jackie Kennedy's was Lace, but that sounds a bit dirty to me! So, Tempo it is!

I was named after Jackie Kennedy, so I have to confess to liking Lace -- I will stick with Natasha though.

I wonder whose job it is to assign names to the President and VP's families? Maybe it's the same guy who names Ben & Jerry's ice creams and OPI's nail polishes!

I think I read somewhere that the Obamas all have code names that start with the letter R.

That last snowstorm you got cost my MIL and FIL a Disney day. They were flying out of Knoxville and had a layover in Atlanta, but Atlanta's airport couldn't de-ice the planes that were already there. Since their planes couldn't leave, no planes could land, so my ILs were forced to spend the night in the airport hotel and fly out the next morning. It would really stink to lose a Disney day! They weren't able to get a refund, either. It was during the B4G7 promo, so Disney considered that night as one of their "free" nights.

Jackie, I'm on board! Tempo, out!

Welcome!!! That stinks about your in-laws losing a day.

Did you get a long weekend out of the snow, Jackie? With the weather being crazy all over I honestly can't remember who had a long weekend and who didn't. We still have snow and some ice because it's been so cold that absolutely none of it has melted. I honestly don't know what's going to happen if we get more because there's nowhere to "put" it, so to speak.

We had Friday off but were back to school on Monday. I was ready though!

No, you haven't missed anything -- the other one got moved to the "completed" board because I didn't get to update for a couple of weeks because of finals craziness. My friend and I are most likely going to do a PTR/TR together for our (separate) upcoming trips if it's okay with the mods because hers got moved for the same reason -- it'll be like a 2-in-1 and we figure that if there's two of us working on it and updating more often, it's much less likely to get shut down. We haven't quite worked out all the details but we'll hopefully get to start tonight or tomorrow!

I need to head over there soon!

Hi Jackie -

Just checking in to say "Hi". Love your snow pics. Weren't you just saying that you NEVER get snow. I hope it is enough for you for the next 5 or 10 years!

Hi, Mary Ellen! Thanks! I am all done with snow now, thank you! LOL!

I would puke my guts out if I ever got a power/heating bill that high!

Me too!

The highest I've had is $600 in the summer. I think I need to move.

I really can't imagine!

Ahem...Crepes here for Natasha...

just happened to be on line and a thought occurred to me...(it occasionally happens...)

you should really think about getting a photo shoot done at the GF in honor of Moose's B-day and your stay there...they have the photogs at a station in the lobby...so you could schedule it when you get there or maybe even beforehand...they're about an hour long...and then you can choose between the $49 package...6-5x7s or you can purchase the disk and have all the photos available for $99...

(We had a very impromptu shoot at AKL last summer but I think we'll do one this October at WL...and we can have appropriate clothing...)

If you already thought of this...obviously ignore...

over and out...

Hi, Crepes! What a great idea! Thanks! I think I will plan something like that! I know I want to do an afternoon tea and thought to get pretty sundresses for Chelsea and me. Those would work for the photo shoot also!

I totally agree! We had our Christmas pictures taken at GF this December and we love them. I cannot wait to do it again at WL next December. I think Chelsea would have great birthday pictures on the beach.

Do they take pics in the lobby or the grounds or both?

I thought you should know that I broke down and bought my first Vera.

I saw that on your PTR! I am very proud of you, Cherie. I think I will need a new one for the July trip!

When we were down in December we saw a lot of people having picture sessions by the big Christmas trees at WL and AKL. I would have done it, but we didn't plan it and were wearing not so great clothes. Would have made a really good Christmas card. I'm sure those people doing it had thought of that!

I would love to do that for a Christmas card! How pretty those would be!

This could be dangerous..... (I should know!)

Me too! Ha ha ha!

I cannot believe the bills some of you have!!!!! Our electricity is less than $200 a month - and we live in MN, our house is kept at 70 degrees.

Water/trash is about $70.

I cannot even fathom having anything as high as what you guys are saying!! Eeek!

I am with you, Brook! I just can't imagine opening those bills!

I hear ya!! Here in NH we pay about $140.00-$150.00 (winter months) per month for the electric bill. Our utility bills (water) runs an average of $70.00 per month (4 of us) taking showers every day. We pay a little more in the summer for electricity because we have a pool (filter) plus A/c & fans going. Actually I run the fan in my bedroom all year because I am so used to the noise now that I cannot sleep without it. Same goes for my youngest DS. I cannot imagine paying some of the bills you all pay

There would be a lot less traveling around here if I had to pay some of these bills!

 

[eandesmom]

`
DVC is coming this fall if everything goes as planned. Fingers crossed!


I. Would. Die. I don't even know how we would pay something that high!

I didn't either. It was a nightmare. I had to negotiate a payment plan! And then finance to redo all of the windows and sliding doors and the entry glass. Man that house had a lot of windows and they were big! Single pane aluminum...22 windows, 2 sliding doors and then the entry glass. You could stand in the boys rooms, near the windows and feel the heat escaping.

The bill did go WAYYYY down...into the cough cough more manageable high 200's...

Now it's kind of a wash, our gas and electric go way down in the summer but the water goes way up so the overall cost is about the same. WAY TOO MUCH!


for DVC!

Hi, Crepes! What a great idea! Thanks! I think I will plan something like that! I know I want to do an afternoon tea and thought to get pretty sundresses for Chelsea and me. Those would work for the photo shoot also!
Do they take pics in the lobby or the grounds or both?

Oh a GF photoshoot is a great idea! I need to see if they do them at the YC, I'd read sometime ago that at some point they planned to have them at all the deluxes. We may look at the tea as well...though K doesn't like tea....it sounds so GIRLY it would be fun.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I didn't either. It was a nightmare. I had to negotiate a payment plan! And then finance to redo all of the windows and sliding doors and the entry glass. Man that house had a lot of windows and they were big! Single pane aluminum...22 windows, 2 sliding doors and then the entry glass. You could stand in the boys rooms, near the windows and feel the heat escaping.

The bill did go WAYYYY down...into the cough cough more manageable high 200's...

Now it's kind of a wash, our gas and electric go way down in the summer but the water goes way up so the overall cost is about the same. WAY TOO MUCH!

Thank goodness for being able to negotiate a payment plan though.

Our summer bills are always a good bit lower -- it's January and February that I hate.

for DVC!

I would do it right now, but I know we need to stay at the Grand in July.

Oh a GF photoshoot is a great idea! I need to see if they do them at the YC, I'd read sometime ago that at some point they planned to have them at all the deluxes. We may look at the tea as well...though K doesn't like tea....it sounds so GIRLY it would be fun.

The Yacht Club would make for some lovely backgrounds, too!

Chelsea doesn't like tea, but all those pastries they serve are right up her alley! Charles said he and Connor would go off and do something together, so I am looking forward to some mother/daughter time.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'm with Brook on the gas/electric bills. We must be doing something right in MN!!

The GF tea is a great idea!! I hope to do that with my girls some year soon. I think they may be a bit young to truly appreciate it yet, so I'll wait a few years. But it is definitely on the to do list!

 

[wsushocker]

I was named after Jackie Kennedy, so I have to confess to liking Lace -- I will stick with Natasha though.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I thought you should know that I broke down and bought my first Vera.

What did you get Cherie?

Wow Jackie I was 12 pages behind....
I'm so tired I have to go to bed.:faint:

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'm with Brook on the gas/electric bills. We must be doing something right in MN!!

The GF tea is a great idea!! I hope to do that with my girls some year soon. I think they may be a bit young to truly appreciate it yet, so I'll wait a few years. But it is definitely on the to do list!

Since our temps seem to rival Minnesota's, I hope our heating bill does, too.

The tea is one of the things I am most looking forward to -- I think Chelsea will get a kick out of it. The picture of that pastry swan and all the pretty china just about sealed the deal for me.

Yep, that's me!

What did you get Cherie?

Wow Jackie I was 12 pages behind....
I'm so tired I have to go to bed.:faint:

Get some sleep, Anita! This week seems to be going on forever -- I just said to Charles, "I can't believe it is only Wednesday!"

 

[MeMom]

I don't think I could ever live anywhere farther north than here. I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather!



Hi, MeMom! We are still waiting to thaw out. They keep promising us temps in the 50's on Thursday and Friday. They better be right!

I'm a cold weather wimp, too. Fifty used to sound pretty cool to me, but after what we have been having, I am going to appreciate a good 50 degree day!

Our summer bills are always a good bit lower -- it's January and February that I hate.


Chelsea doesn't like tea, but all those pastries they serve are right up her alley! Charles said he and Connor would go off and do something together, so I am looking forward to some mother/daughter time.

I hate those winter bills!

That will be fun for just you and Chelsea to do. I am pretty sure Jill and I are going to take just Brooklynn to do the 'Mary Poppas' and Alice breakfast this summer at the Grand. That'll be a special thing for just the big girls and will give Brooklynn a special time just to be doted on by Mommy and MeMom.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I'm a cold weather wimp, too. Fifty used to sound pretty cool to me, but after what we have been having, I am going to appreciate a good 50 degree day!

I hate those winter bills!

Ditto and ditto! Do you get paid once a month like we do? I don't know if that is standard for teachers or not. We are always poor in January and February because of the heating bills and Christmas purchases. Another strike against winter as far as I am concerned.

That will be fun for just you and Chelsea to do. I am pretty sure Jill and I are going to take just Brooklynn to do the 'Mary Poppas' and Alice breakfast this summer at the Grand. That'll be a special thing for just the big girls and will give Brooklynn a special time just to be doted on by Mommy and MeMom.

That will be fun! Brooklyn will love meeting Mary Poppins and Alice!

Is she coming to see Mary Poppins in Atlanta with you and Jill?

 

[MeMom]

Ditto and ditto! Do you get paid once a month like we do? I don't know if that is standard for teachers or not. We are always poor in January and February because of the heating bills and Christmas purchases. Another strike against winter as far as I am concerned.



That will be fun! Brooklyn will love meeting Mary Poppins and Alice!

Is she coming to see Mary Poppins in Atlanta with you and Jill?

I am poor all the time, and even moreso in the winter. Disney has taken all my 'extra' money for the last five years on a regular basis.

Brooklynn is not coming. I thought a play might be a little long for her, and I wanted to give Jill a day all to herself, too. It'll be a special treat for just grown-ups.

Brooklynn is going to love seeing Mary Poppins and having that special breakfast that is all about her!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I can't believe how far behind I've fallen in your trip report. All caught up now though. I'm so glad that your kids enjoyed their snow day. I always loved snow up until about the time that I got my drivers license and my parents wouldn't let me drive while there was snow on the ground. Luckily while we've been getting snow up here, it hasn't been too bad. I try not to complain, because I'd much rather have snow than the ice storms we seemed to get continually last year. I think this year it's just been way too cold to snow most of the time. Seriously I don't know if I can take one more morning of my car telling me it's about 15 degrees out. Someone told me it's going to be about 40 tomorrow. Heat wave!!!

The good thing about working in Manhattan is that all the snow disappears. You see it fall, and the next day they've dragged it all out of the city. Not a flake anywhere. I want them to do that at home too.

Tell Chelsea and Connor that if they ever come to New England I'll take them tubing -sledding at a ski resort with a rope tow!

I'm so in for this! My mother and I where telling my nieces that if we go up to NH with them this winter we are going to try snow tubing. I think one of the mountains near them in North Conway has the tubing. The nieces seem to think I need to try to learn to ski. Soooo not going to happen. I just know I'd kill myself.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Wow, I can't believe those heating bills some of you pay! Ours here is always under $200 for the winter & never more than $100 in the summer. We do run a spa for most of the year & keep the temps pretty high in it. I don't have a water bill due to using a well & septic system. We did get a new heat pump last year & it is very efficent.

The teachers in our distric get paid every other week. Since DH retired we are on the once a month salary. That has not been stressful for us.

evergreen out.

 

[winkers]

What did you get Cherie?

a mini hipster...it's on ;my pre tr..