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

So far so good but we've been mildly busy enough to stave off the nerves. We did see the movie and went out to lunch after. The boys loved it though we did spend all of lunch discussing the differences. Which, although they were to be expected, were a little disappointing. I would say it met my expectations but didn't exceed them. Uma was by far the best part though we all got a kick out of Smelly Gabe. A few things (like how Poseidon looked, no Clarice, the camp itself not to mention what they were wearing etc) really annoyed/surprised all of us. Granted, Posiedon was easy on the eyes (love him on Grey's) but talk about a departure from the book. We wanted Jimmy Buffet lol. I did get a kick out of Hades though. Would have been better if he actually played one of those guitars.

What did you think? I think the boys loved the Hydra so much it made up for almost everything.

Yesterday was haircuts & baseball, today the gym, dentist, vet, TKD and Costco.

Super exciting stuff.

:rotfl:

They do have playdates the next 2 days though, thank heavens, and I do think we will do some baking tomorrow.

Well, I have to admit I was kind of disappointed in the film. I felt like there were a lot of changes made that didn't really need to be made. For me, the charm of the book lies in the little quirky touches that were added -- like the Minotaur wearing tighty whities and Medusa's head being placed in a plastic shopping bag. All of that was left out. Not to mention, the plot was completely changed, Dionysus, Ares, and the Oracle were left out, and Hades was made into the bad guy. On the other side, I loved Uma Thurman as Medusa, Persephone cracked me up, and the Lotus casino was spot on.

I had been somewhat on the fence about my 7th graders going to see it since we read the book in the spring. After seeing the movie, I said, "If you want to see the movie that's fine because it won't ruin the book for you at all." :rotfl: It was a nice way to spend the afternoon, and I enjoyed the movie for what it was.

Hi Jackie, just catching back up! How cool about the Main St. Electrical Parade!!! So excited that I will get to see it too!! Also, WOW to your snow! I heard on the news that at one point last week every state in the US except for Hawaii had some snow!!! CRAZY!!!!! I am SICK of the white stuff!!:thumbsup2

Hi, Diana! Isn't that crazy that every state had snow? I am blaming El Nino! I hope the worst of the snow is over for you now. I can't believe how many snow days you have had this year! It will all seem like a bad dream when you are watching the Main Street Electrical Parade in a few months!

I was just looking longingly at my flip flops yesterday. :laughing: Now the bathing suit....I may have to pass on that one! :rotfl:

It's supposed to be 65 this weekend -- I just know my flip flops will be clamoring to come out! :laughing:

Maybe we need to turn the heat up real high, throw some beach towels out on the living room floor, grill a few burgers, and have an indoor beach party. :beach:

We are supposed to get up to 44 tomorrow, I think. That is going to feel good!

Having sunshine the last few days has been lovely! I like the indoor beach party idea! Maybe we can find an old beach movie with Annette Funicello!

I know that comment was intended for Jen, but ... SERIOUSLY?? I had not heard that. I'm gonna have to watch that series. I think Brett has become an official reality TV junkie. (and not the kind that WATCHES it!)

I was cracking up over the commercial that showed him sweeping in the hallway or something.


OMG That sounds like such a great idea ( my husband on the other hand would look at me like I was nuts if he came home and found me lounging in a bathing suit and flip flops on a beach towel in the middle of the living room :rotfl: I would just tell him that the Dis made me do it!:rotfl2:)

I am desperate for spring here in NC too! I moved from NY to get away from this biting cold weather and it seems to have found me :mad: and it's not going away!

Soon, we should be getting some spring-like weather, I hope! :goodvibes

That stinks! Everyone should have a winter break. The week has been great. I love getting up late, but it's going so fast.

OMG Bret and Donald! Wig and a comb-over. What a combo! :lmao: You know I just have to watch. I've missed Bret and Rock of Love.

Time off always seems to go faster than time at work. So unfair.

Yes, you must watch Celebrity Apprentice! You know Bret will make us laugh!

We had the same one when I was a kid. I actually went over to my parents house and stole it a while back. :)

I think my mom probably got rid of mine. :(

Me too!!! All those new YellowBox flip flops are in the stores, and they keep calling to me.....BUY ME, BUY ME!!

YellowBox flip flops???

I had to go look them up -- I had never heard of them either. I found a really cute pair with a giraffe print strap! :laughing:
 
Ooooh I love me a fresh new pair of yellow Box flip flops...the problem is I can never choose just one!

I saw a lot of really cute pairs when I went to find out what they were.

this is too cute....

our snow is melting again...please let it be over

any more secret plans in the making?

popcorn::

Thank you! Yes, more plans in the making, but maybe not a lot of fun plans. :rolleyes:

I'm so far behind, so I'm just going to jump in now and pretend I know what's going on.

You'll catch on very quickly, Cherie! :rotfl:

I noticed in your sig. today is your 5 day dance!:dance3::dance3::goodvibes

Less than five months now! :eek:

I need to Google what Yellow Box flip flops are! :rotfl: :confused:

Found 'em! Cute!

I had to also! They are cute, aren't they?

Wacky weather. It's really mild up north here. We're starting to rethink our Spring break get-a-way. It might be milder to just stay here.

Where are you thinking of heading for your spring break? Spring break for us seems a long time away.

I think this sounds like the best idea I've heard in a long time!! :thumbsup2

Me too!

So I had a thought about revealing the destination to Chelsea. It involves Bo a birthday tiara, and a posterboard with the Grand Floridian on it.

Since we are going right before you. I thought we could get Bo ready for a birthday and let him have a sign that says "Happy Birthday Chelsea!" with a picture of GF. We can then send it to you through e-mail and you can stickit in a birthday card for the reveal.

Just a thought. Let me know what you think.

Oh. My. Goodness. Jill! I love it!!! Absolutely love it!!! This would be such a great way to reveal the trip to Chelsea! As you will see, things may be getting changed around a lot, but even if my original plans don't happen, I do think Bo should send birthday greetings to Chelsea! :rotfl:

Hey Jackie! I'm back to the DIS! I've been away so long and I've missed it.

Anyway, glad to see you've started another PTR. The best news? We'll be there at the same time as you! We're staying at Pop from July 20-27 :) We have to try and meet up!

Hi!!! I wondered what you had been up to lately! Yeay for being there the same time as us!!! We HAVE to meet up!!! That will be so fun!!! :banana:

OMG that is brilliant! Can you imagine the looks you would get from passers by while you are dressing Bo in a Tiara! :rotfl: Maybe you could have him holding one of those claustrophobia inducing trapped mickey balloons, if Memom will allow :lmao:

i think Chelsea would die!

I love it!!! It just made my night to read about it!
 
For several years now, we have paid for our vacations with our tax refund and Charles' coaching stipend from soccer. That was what I have been planning to do this year as well.

Sunday I did our taxes and was completely shocked and disappointed when I discovered we would be getting approximately $1000 less than previous years. This has sent the trip plans into complete disarray.

Added to our dismal tax return, this year has been a rough year for us financially. I lost a huge chunk of my salary when the county did away with extended day pay. Then, our esteemed governor mandated three furlough days for educators the first semester, and then, came back and mandated another three furlough days for this semester in an effort to save Georgia's state budget some money. Well, we are looking at approximately $8000 less from my salary between the lost extended day pay and the furlough days. To say things have been a little tighter around here is an understatement.

So, what does this mean for our Disney trip?

Grand Floridian is out. There is just no way for me to make that one work. I am glad that Chelsea didn't know about it because it would be even harder for me to deal with her disappointment. At least I have just had my disappointment to grapple with over the last few days.

We do have some options for our trip.

1. We can rent points from a DVC owner and stay someplace neat like Bay Lake or the Boardwalk.

2. We could stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Chelsea has said over and over again that she would like to stay there. I know she and Connor would like the pool and tropical theming.

3. We could buy DVC ourselves. There is a deal right now that makes it very affordable. While I am dying to own DVC, I just don't know if I can justify the cost right now. The county, while waiting to see how much money the state will be giving us for our budget, has said that cuts in personnel are likely. While I would like to think I am pretty safe since I have been here for ten years and have several key certifications, I am also a Piglet at heart. Do I really want to saddle our family with another payment with things so up in the air? Probably not the smartest move and the state has passed a new law that says we don't have to be given contracts until May 15, so there are several months of waiting to see what will happen.

4. We could not go to Disney this year and head someplace like Hilton Head for our vacation. This is my least favorite option because even the thought of not going to Disney makes me mope around like Eeyore. When I mentioned this option, Charles said we would make a Disney trip work no matter what. He said we could even stay at Pop if we needed to do so. In a classic Charles comment he said to me, "What's a hotel room really?" I couldn't help but quip, "For you, it's where you spend the majority of your vacation. :rotfl:"

Anyway, we have lots to think about and decide with in regards to the trip. Hence, the rather depressing and long update on this sunny Saturday. :rolleyes:
 
Oh, Jackie. :hug: I'm so sorry that GF is out... but it's just out for now. It's a Disney dream you get to keep to look forward to at some future date!

I think you have some really exciting options but I'm sure it is difficult to sort through them. I have not rented DVC points but I've heard of lots of people finding good success with it. It seems quite economical and you get to stay at such nice places. Boardwalk area in the summer = :cloud9: Think you know my favorite... :rolleyes1

I've also heard super nice things about CBR. Tropical theme would be great fun!!

The DVC dilemma. SO very tempting but I know where you're coming from with the uncertainty. Still, you know you're going to keep going to Disney...

Oy! I'm no help!! :laughing:

:rotfl2: on your comment about Charles and the hotel room!!

Good luck with your decision! I think all the options sound great. I know it wasn't "the" dream but it's going to be great!! :goodvibes
 

Oh!! I'm sooooo sorry to hear that plans have fallen through. Hopefully things will come together!! I think you folks should still go to Disney if it allows. Even if you can't stay at GF, just being at Disney will be just as good!! Can't wait to hear what's next! Hopefully everything works out okay!!
 
Oh, Jackie, that is very sad!

I hope you don't cancel the Disney trip all together.

Caribbean Beach sounds good to me!
 
Jackie, I am so sorry that you have had such a rough year and that the GF is now not do-able. Don't rule out Disney, I think Charles is right, kids do not really care about hotel rooms, they just want to be with the mouse!!! (Take it from me, my DD wanted to stay at AKV for her 6th birthday and after day 2 the panache had worn off!) I hope that you are able to make it work, maybe even 1 night at GF (say her birthday night) and then Pop for the rest of the time? Or CBR the entire stay. Maybe there is a deal to be found somewhere!

Good Luck! I will send some happy thoughts your way!:goodvibes
 
Oh Jackie!!! Don't be glum for long! Lets figure it out with you!!!! Remember I told you I could give you more tips on those rentals.... If you can be flexible about dates, you can really really get a good deal.... or yes! Carribean Beach! My kids LOVED it there!!! What about AK again? IF you really liked it there, is the discount enough? I would tell you that ALL the DVC locations are wonderful.. That I have stayed in!!! Some more Disney-ish than others but I had the same feeling when we went to OKW that summer.... You will have a great trip! Owning DVC is a great option too, I know, but I would say if you are on the fence then don't. Because like you say it can cause more worry than enjoyment if it is a stress later.... Chelsea can still do something special, infact going to Disney will be special regardless!!!!!
 
mounds.gif

Now if these were the MOUNDS we were talking about, my yard would be the cleanest yard on the street!!!! :rotfl: I LOVE chocolate covered coconut candy.... the bars at Disney being the BEST, of course... ;)
 




2. We could stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Chelsea has said over and over again that she would like to stay there. I know she and Connor would like the pool and tropical theming.

4. We could not go to Disney this year and head someplace like Hilton Head for our vacation. This is my least favorite option because even the thought of not going to Disney makes me mope around like Eeyore. When I mentioned this option, Charles said we would make a Disney trip work no matter what. He said we could even stay at Pop if we needed to do so.


Either of these would be good. Pop is getting completely refurbished, so you know it would be nice and clean - a great time for you to try it out brand spankin' new!

Caribbean Beach would be a nice tropical getaway, and they have that awesome pool now.

The option of not going on a Disney trip makes me shudder! :scared1:
 
Oh, Jackie. :hug: I'm so sorry that GF is out... but it's just out for now. It's a Disney dream you get to keep to look forward to at some future date!

That's what I keep telling myself. It's hard since I had a vision in my head of what this trip would be like.

I think you have some really exciting options but I'm sure it is difficult to sort through them. I have not rented DVC points but I've heard of lots of people finding good success with it. It seems quite economical and you get to stay at such nice places. Boardwalk area in the summer = :cloud9: Think you know my favorite... :rolleyes1

I've also heard super nice things about CBR. Tropical theme would be great fun!!

Yes, staying at a DVC resort would be a lot of fun! Charles and I had a great time at CBR, and I know the kids would like it there.

The DVC dilemma. SO very tempting but I know where you're coming from with the uncertainty. Still, you know you're going to keep going to Disney...

Oy! I'm no help!! :laughing:

I would so kick myself if something happened with my job.

:rotfl2: on your comment about Charles and the hotel room!!

Good luck with your decision! I think all the options sound great. I know it wasn't "the" dream but it's going to be great!! :goodvibes

I couldn't help myself! :lmao: At this point, as long as we make it to Disney, I will be happy! :goodvibes


:welcome:

Oh!! I'm sooooo sorry to hear that plans have fallen through. Hopefully things will come together!! I think you folks should still go to Disney if it allows. Even if you can't stay at GF, just being at Disney will be just as good!! Can't wait to hear what's next! Hopefully everything works out okay!!

Thank you! I hope so, too! Now, I really just want to make it to Disney this summer!

Oh, Jackie, that is very sad!

I hope you don't cancel the Disney trip all together.

Caribbean Beach sounds good to me!

Canceling is the last resort. I will be moving heaven and earth to get down there.

Jackie, I am so sorry that you have had such a rough year and that the GF is now not do-able. Don't rule out Disney, I think Charles is right, kids do not really care about hotel rooms, they just want to be with the mouse!!! (Take it from me, my DD wanted to stay at AKV for her 6th birthday and after day 2 the panache had worn off!) I hope that you are able to make it work, maybe even 1 night at GF (say her birthday night) and then Pop for the rest of the time? Or CBR the entire stay. Maybe there is a deal to be found somewhere!

Good Luck! I will send some happy thoughts your way!:goodvibes

Thank you! I know I shouldn't get hung up about the resort, but that's something I always seem to do!

Oh Jackie!!! Don't be glum for long! Lets figure it out with you!!!! Remember I told you I could give you more tips on those rentals.... If you can be flexible about dates, you can really really get a good deal.... or yes! Carribean Beach! My kids LOVED it there!!! What about AK again? IF you really liked it there, is the discount enough? I would tell you that ALL the DVC locations are wonderful.. That I have stayed in!!! Some more Disney-ish than others but I had the same feeling when we went to OKW that summer.... You will have a great trip! Owning DVC is a great option too, I know, but I would say if you are on the fence then don't. Because like you say it can cause more worry than enjoyment if it is a stress later.... Chelsea can still do something special, infact going to Disney will be special regardless!!!!!

Thank you, Happydog! Charles and I enjoyed our stay at CBR, so I know the kids would like it there. That's where Chelsea really wants to stay although AKL isn't much more with the discount. My head is spinning from all the options right now.

Now if these were the MOUNDS we were talking about, my yard would be the cleanest yard on the street!!!! :rotfl: I LOVE chocolate covered coconut candy.... the bars at Disney being the BEST, of course... ;)

I need to try those, I think.

Either of these would be good. Pop is getting completely refurbished, so you know it would be nice and clean - a great time for you to try it out brand spankin' new!

Caribbean Beach would be a nice tropical getaway, and they have that awesome pool now.

The option of not going on a Disney trip makes me shudder! :scared1:

Oh, it makes me almost cry to think of not going this year. I will make my family eat pinto beans and cornbread from now until July rather than give that trip up completely.
 
Jackie - so sorry to hear about all that you're going through. IT seems like it's mostly the uncertainty of things that has you down. Maybe when you are able to get some answers, things will fall into place.

I would agree with the others about CBR. We have stayed there before and loved it. We also stayed at ASMu many years ago and it was just fine for our family.

Just a thought - have you thought about staying off-property? Since I know you have a car, it might be an even more economical option.

Sorry about the GF but you're right - it's a good thing Chelsea didn't already know about it. Save that one for a future date. Maybe Sweet 16?!?!
 
Oh Jackie, I'm sorry! I know how excited you were to surprise Chelsea with a stay at the Grand Floridian :hug:

But, don't be too glum, you can still have a great trip staying somewhere else! If you can get a good deal renting points I'd say go for one of the Boardwalk hotels. We've stayed at CBR before and really enjoyed it though, it's very tropical and pretty! Either of these options would be great!

Don't worry, it'll come together!!
 
That really, really stinks Jackie. :( I agree that CBR sounds like a good option especially since Chelsea has mentioned wanting to stay there. :goodvibes
 
Oh Jackie...:hug:...

this really is the "winter of our discontent" isn't it?

I'm sorry about the $ woes...I feel just about every other person I know is going through some kind of financial problem right now...:confused3

(Doesn't it just stink sometimes being the grown up?)

I think that if you can still swing the trip...without the GF...you should still go...it will be a different trip but it doesn't have to be any less special for that...it just takes more creativity and thought...trip planning when you are flush is easier it takes smarts when you have less $$$ to work with-but that can be fun if you approach it right...(you just can't compare it to GF in your mind...)

Being the creative soul (if I do say so myself...:rotfl:) I can think of lots of cute 13th bday tie ins for any of those other hotels you mentioned...:goodvibes

and btw kudos on the hotel remark to Charles...I almost spat at my coffee...:surfweb:...:lmao:
 
Jackie - so sorry to hear about all that you're going through. IT seems like it's mostly the uncertainty of things that has you down. Maybe when you are able to get some answers, things will fall into place.

I would agree with the others about CBR. We have stayed there before and loved it. We also stayed at ASMu many years ago and it was just fine for our family.

Just a thought - have you thought about staying off-property? Since I know you have a car, it might be an even more economical option.

Sorry about the GF but you're right - it's a good thing Chelsea didn't already know about it. Save that one for a future date. Maybe Sweet 16?!?!

Thanks, Susan! It is the uncertainty of it all that is making me crazy. If I had a decision and the trip was all paid for, I would feel much better! Staying off-property is not an option for us -- a big part of the fun for me is staying in a Disney resort plus we always like to do the dining plan. I know I will sound a bit spoiled, but if I can't stay on-property, I don't want to go. Yep, that does sound completely spoiled. :laughing:

Oh Jackie, I'm sorry! I know how excited you were to surprise Chelsea with a stay at the Grand Floridian :hug:

But, don't be too glum, you can still have a great trip staying somewhere else! If you can get a good deal renting points I'd say go for one of the Boardwalk hotels. We've stayed at CBR before and really enjoyed it though, it's very tropical and pretty! Either of these options would be great!

Don't worry, it'll come together!!

Thank you, Michelle! Charles and I stayed at CBR when we went down for the Food and Wine Festival. We really liked it, and I know the kids would enjoy it. Staying DVC would be fun, too, though. I'll figure something out eventually. At least I have all of our ADRs squared away. :laughing:

That really, really stinks Jackie. :( I agree that CBR sounds like a good option especially since Chelsea has mentioned wanting to stay there. :goodvibes

Thanks, Carissa. Chelsea was helping me get dinner together last night and was talking about how much she would like to stay at CBR. I really think that might be what we end up with once the dust settles a bit, and I can think coherently.
 
Oh Jackie...:hug:...

this really is the "winter of our discontent" isn't it?

I'm sorry about the $ woes...I feel just about every other person I know is going through some kind of financial problem right now...:confused3

(Doesn't it just stink sometimes being the grown up?)

Thanks, Patricia! :hug: Winter of Our Discontent is very appropos! Being a grown-up completely stinks right now -- if I could be a little less responsible, I would be calling our DVC guide right now. :laughing:

I think that if you can still swing the trip...without the GF...you should still go...it will be a different trip but it doesn't have to be any less special for that...it just takes more creativity and thought...trip planning when you are flush is easier it takes smarts when you have less $$$ to work with-but that can be fun if you approach it right...(you just can't compare it to GF in your mind...)

Being the creative soul (if I do say so myself...:rotfl:) I can think of lots of cute 13th bday tie ins for any of those other hotels you mentioned...:goodvibes

I may be calling on your creativity to help me plan birthday theming at a different resort. I know we will have fun no matter where we end up!

and btw kudos on the hotel remark to Charles...I almost spat at my coffee...:surfweb:...:lmao:

:lmao: It was just something I couldn't pass up! Even Charles laughed when I said it.
 
Grand Floridian is out. There is just no way for me to make that one work. I am glad that Chelsea didn't know about it because it would be even harder for me to deal with her disappointment. At least I have just had my disappointment to grapple with over the last few days.

We do have some options for our trip.

1. We can rent points from a DVC owner and stay someplace neat like Bay Lake or the Boardwalk.

2. We could stay at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Chelsea has said over and over again that she would like to stay there. I know she and Connor would like the pool and tropical theming.

3. We could buy DVC ourselves. There is a deal right now that makes it very affordable. While I am dying to own DVC, I just don't know if I can justify the cost right now. The county, while waiting to see how much money the state will be giving us for our budget, has said that cuts in personnel are likely. While I would like to think I am pretty safe since I have been here for ten years and have several key certifications, I am also a Piglet at heart. Do I really want to saddle our family with another payment with things so up in the air? Probably not the smartest move and the state has passed a new law that says we don't have to be given contracts until May 15, so there are several months of waiting to see what will happen.

4. We could not go to Disney this year and head someplace like Hilton Head for our vacation. This is my least favorite option because even the thought of not going to Disney makes me mope around like Eeyore. When I mentioned this option, Charles said we would make a Disney trip work no matter what. He said we could even stay at Pop if we needed to do so. In a classic Charles comment he said to me, "What's a hotel room really?" I couldn't help but quip, "For you, it's where you spend the majority of your vacation. :rotfl:"

Oh nooo I'm so sorry Jackie :sad2: This economy is the worst and working at a bank I see just how much it's affecting EVERYONE. Our esteemed govenor is contemplating holding back our state tax refunds for a few more months in order to make interest on the money to close our state's budget deficit. Crazy!

Anyway, it's definitely good that Chelsea didnt know about the potential GF stay. If I had to chose one of the options you chose I'd 110% say to rent DVC points. Chris and I did that in December and it's amazing. I wish we could do it again this time but renting point in December is a lot cheaper than in July and for us, Pop was cheaper in July than the points. Anyway, there's a lot of really great point renters out there. I'd highly, highly, highly recommend that. The next option I'd go for is to stay at Pop...because that's where Chris and I will be :lmao: Good luck in whatever decision you chose!
 
I am here for you...not that it is any consolation but literally 5 minutes ago DH asked what the date is to change our hotel if needed. He is trying to justify the cost of AKL. He sugested downgrading to POP as well :sad2: but I just ignored him. The sad thing is that AKL is absolutely where DS wants to stay and I made the mistake of telling him we were.

On a funny note, you made me :lmao: with the Charles/ Hotel room comment....CLASSIC!!!!!

Whichever way it goes, I am sure you will make the best of it and Chelsea will have the best 13th birthday ever!
 














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