UPDATED!! Last Year's TR added!! Celebrating weight loss with DDP!!

[michellem1118]

Hey!! I never even thought about the gym!! When my hubby and I went away for Valentine's weekend we hit the gym at the hotel and it's the first time I've EVER done that. It was great...I'm gonna do my best to squeeze in a workout at least once on our SSR stay!!

If you like to walk or run for exercise, the trails at SSR are great for walking/running in the mornings.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Thanks michellem1118!! I was hoping there would be trails for walking.

More changes made...will get to them in a minute but first things first:

Our park tickets came today!!

There's been a lot of back and forth in the last 10 days and, of course, I haven't kept my TR as updated as I should, so here is the current situation:

6 day park ticket...in spite of all the discussion and the "it's only an extra $12 rationale, I DID promise that this trip was going to be laid back and that is difficult when going to a park every day (even if it's only for a few hours). I go commando at the parks...I can't help it, that's my pace ...but I'm very relaxed around the resorts, so I had to schedule it in. Besides, I've heard that there are a ton of fun things organized at the resorts so we decided to leave time for them and only park it up six times.

DxDDP for the SSR stay (2 nights)

Meals:

April 22 dinner at Turf Club (not too excited about this one but we won't want to leave the resort only an hour after arriving, so...)

April 23 Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare , lunch at Planet Hollywood 1:15 pm, QS dinner (unless we are too full, then it would be snacks and possibly leftovers from lunch)

April 24 Snack credits for breakfast (unless QS from last night's dinner is still available), Lunch at Teppan Edo, Dinner at Le Cellier

**Planning on using any extra snack credits at Goofy's Candy Co. on souvie's for nieces/nephews and ourselves

DDP for the AKV stay (6 nights) We had contemplated upgrading to deluxe for this too...even went so far as to email our DVC members and ask them to make the switch and redid nearly ALL of our ADR's but in the end, we decided against it and kept things as they are. Thankfully our DVC members hadn't read my email and so didn't go ahead and contact Disney for us so it was no extra work for them. I DID, however need to redo most of the ADR's YET AGAIN in order to switch it all back. Can you say wishy washy?? I just thought it would be great to have the mugs for both stays and mostly, I thought it would be awesome to get appy's with each lunch/dinner. Then I realized, we can BUY a mug (DH is the only one who really needs one) and pay OOP for any appy's that interest us for far less money overall. Maybe next time we'll do some signature meals and the DxDDP will be an option.

Meals:

April 25 B-snacks, L-Sci Fi, D-QS
April 26 B-snacks, L-CRT, D-QS
April 27 L-QS, D-Saana
April 28 L-Yak & Yeti, D-Boma
April 29 L-QS, D-Ohana
April 30 L-Coral Reef, D-Chefs des France

Breakfast for April 27 through 30 will be a combination of snacks, and the remaining 2 QS credits. (I figure we can all share a kid platter, an adult platter and some fruit and pastries.)

Again, if we have any snack credits left over we are going to stock up on items to bring home and if for some reason we share the lunch/dinner QS credits (which is highly likely) we'll buy something from France or Sunshine seasons before leaving which can be consumed the following day for lunch on the drive home.

So, I'm more than satisfied with all the dining (except for Turf Club but what can ya do?? I KNOW we are not going to want to leave the resort...even to go to DTD that night...so it's for the best) and I already have the tickets so the itinerary can't change. I think therefore, that this is the final draft!!

 

[michellem1118]

Thanks michellem1118!! I was hoping there would be trails for walking.

More changes made...will get to them in a minute but first things first:

Our park tickets came today!!

There's been a lot of back and forth in the last 10 days and, of course, I haven't kept my TR as updated as I should, so here is the current situation:

6 day park ticket...in spite of all the discussion and the "it's only an extra $12 rationale, I DID promise that this trip was going to be laid back and that is difficult when going to a park every day (even if it's only for a few hours). I go commando at the parks...I can't help it, that's my pace ...but I'm very relaxed around the resorts, so I had to schedule it in. Besides, I've heard that there are a ton of fun things organized at the resorts so we decided to leave time for them and only park it up six times.

I do understand... and you can always upgrade them for the same $12 if you change your mind later!

DxDDP for the SSR stay (2 nights)

Meals:

April 22 dinner at Turf Club (not too excited about this one but we won't want to leave the resort only an hour after arriving, so...)

We ate at Turf Club on our Christmas trip, and all 8 of us really enjoyed it! And you're right, it's great not to leave the resort right after arrival!

April 23 Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare , lunch at Planet Hollywood 1:15 pm, QS dinner (unless we are too full, then it would be snacks and possibly leftovers from lunch)

April 24 Snack credits for breakfast (unless QS from last night's dinner is still available), Lunch at Teppan Edo, Dinner at Le Cellier

**Planning on using any extra snack credits at Goofy's Candy Co. on souvie's for nieces/nephews and ourselves

DDP for the AKV stay (6 nights) We had contemplated upgrading to deluxe for this too...even went so far as to email our DVC members and ask them to make the switch and redid nearly ALL of our ADR's but in the end, we decided against it and kept things as they are. Thankfully our DVC members hadn't read my email and so didn't go ahead and contact Disney for us so it was no extra work for them. I DID, however need to redo most of the ADR's YET AGAIN in order to switch it all back. Can you say wishy washy?? I just thought it would be great to have the mugs for both stays and mostly, I thought it would be awesome to get appy's with each lunch/dinner. Then I realized, we can BUY a mug (DH is the only one who really needs one) and pay OOP for any appy's that interest us for far less money overall. Maybe next time we'll do some signature meals and the DxDDP will be an option.

Meals:

April 25 B-snacks, L-Sci Fi, D-QS
April 26 B-snacks, L-CRT, D-QS
April 27 L-QS, D-Saana
April 28 L-Yak & Yeti, D-Boma
April 29 L-QS, D-Ohana
April 30 L-Coral Reef, D-Chefs des France

Breakfast for April 27 through 30 will be a combination of snacks, and the remaining 2 QS credits. (I figure we can all share a kid platter, an adult platter and some fruit and pastries.)

Again, if we have any snack credits left over we are going to stock up on items to bring home and if for some reason we share the lunch/dinner QS credits (which is highly likely) we'll buy something from France or Sunshine seasons before leaving which can be consumed the following day for lunch on the drive home.

So, I'm more than satisfied with all the dining (except for Turf Club but what can ya do?? I KNOW we are not going to want to leave the resort...even to go to DTD that night...so it's for the best) and I already have the tickets so the itinerary can't change. I think therefore, that this is the final draft!!

OK, about the mugs... (and I might get flamed for saying this ), but the mugs from SSR are exactly the same as the mugs from AKV. I would never (publicly ) promote reusing mugs from one trip to another, but ... since this is the SAME trip, and you're already going to have them, save the $15/mug @ AKV and just reuse the ones you'll get at SSR.

 

[Jitzy]

No flames from me! I totally agree!!!! You are switching resorts on the same vacation. Please don't buy another mug!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Hmmm....that's something to think about. I was under the impression that each resort had a different design so that they could be distinguished from one another.

It may not be necessary at any rate...the hubby thinks he's going to be parched the entire time we're on vacation but I remember last year...we'd pack pop and water in a backpack to take to the parks with us and we NEVER drank more than 2 each.

He also claimed he was going to be STARVING the entire time if we didn't do the dining plan!! We paid OOP last year and brought in our own snacks and beverages. Most of the time we ate dinner after we had left the park for the day so it was cheap fast food most of the time. We had one TS lunch at Hollywood and Vine and the rest of them were QS meals. Because the kids snacked on what we brought with us throughout the day, they never finished their food at lunch. The hubby and I had the option of grazing on their food once we had finished our own if we weren't quite satisfied. Besides stealing a fry or two, I never felt it was necessary and neither did my hubby most of the time. I think he finished my son's chicken nuggets once, but that's about it.

HOWEVER, when planning this trip and contemplating the OOP/Dining Plan debate, he informed me that he had been quite hungry most of the time last year and wanted to be sure of adequate sustenance. What the?!?!?! We did SO well with our food budget, that we were able to eat at two TS restaurants outside of the parks with the remaining money. So if he was still hungry at lunch...why didn't he finish off the kid's food, have more of the snacks we brought, or just go buy something else?? Oh wait, I know this one....because he's full of crap!! But, since he was gunning hard for the dining plan and I was interested in doing it too, I didn't argue.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Okay, quick diet update.

Exercise regime is right on track. I'm doing very well and have seen noticeable changes in my fitness level.

Diet though, is still uneven. I do quite well for a bit and then...the cheating begins. I gained a few pounds back last month (oops!!) and have since managed only to maintain my weight. I joined weight watchers online last week so I should see some progress again soon (I hope).

I lost around 20 pounds before our trip last year so I don't weigh much less right now than I did during our last trip (about 5 pounds) so I'm really hoping (praying) for the strength to stick to the diet over the next six weeks so I can drop a full dress size by the trip.

What can I say? It's a work in progress...

 

[stayhomemom77]

My sister just informed me that she is taking her family on a spur of the moment trip to Florida during March break next week!!!

I'm to send her all the info I can via email today if possible. They are only going to be able to manage the MK as well as DTD as they have other things on their agenda and they are only staying four full days so I've gotta get that stuff together.

She has three princess so this is going to be an amazing trip. They aren't going to worry about dining...no time and no money...so I just have to give her tips on how to make the most of their time and what day should be the best one to go to the park.

Just wanted to check in and report that...once I'm better organized I can update our plans...only six weeks left to wait!!!!!!

 

[michellem1118]

I can help you with the best park days. I just have to find my March trip folder. PM me so I don't forget to look for it.

 

[stayhomemom77]

sorry michellem1118...didn't get a chance to PM you until it was already too late.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Hello again friends...

Sorry for the absence, I've been sick and then busy playing "catch up" for the last couple of weeks so things here have been a whirlwind of activity.

The temperature has really warmed up here lately and I have moved most of my physical activity from my living room to my neighbourhood. It's been great!!

I bought two new and flattering bathing suits recently as well as some replacement summer clothes for the family, so that part of my trip is all set. We have all the American cash we need and I got sunblock on Friday, so that's done too!!

Besides some "car ride" snacks...I think the purchasing part of my trip prep is done. Now I just have to pack and wait!!

Changed the dining reservations...yet AGAIN!! Although these were just minimal ones (times adjustments mostly) and a couple of switcheroos!!

We are now going to Ohana on arrival day and should be able to watch the fireworks from the restaurant during our meal. Then the following day it's a later 1900 Park Fare breakfast, snacks for mid day sustenance and then an early dinner at Planet Hollywood. On the 29th when we were originally going to be at Ohana we will be eating an early dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe instead. That way we can have an early night, get plenty of rest for the final day at Epcot and the evening car drive home (well, part of the way home...).

My sister and her hubby went on a cruise to the Caribbean this week and left their 21 month old son in our care, so my kids have been bouncing off the wall with excitement over this visit from their cousin. It's been weird adjusting to having the little man in the house (naps, diapers, not understanding a word he says, etc.) but he is the cutest thing ever!!

DS's birthday party is a week from Saturday, so once that has been taken care of, I am going to start packing for the trip.

Small problem I just remembered!! The car charger for the DVD player has broken and we are going to be in big trouble during the 18 drive if we don't replace it. I need to remember to get my husband to look into that right away. I can't take an entire day of "are we there yet??"

Still no weight loss to report...although there isn't any weight gain to report either so I guess that's good. Exercise still going strong!!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Oy vey, what a week!!

Glad to be back to some kind of routine but I got an ear infection last week and now the ear is completely plugged which is throwing my inner ear stuff all out of whack and I stagger around kinda drunken sometimes when I first get up from lying down. I still have to pop pills and do the drops FOUR TIMES A DAY for the next couple of days and I have to say...I ain't lovin' it!!

However, we are leaving four weeks from tomorrow and the excitement has begun to build!!

 

[__disneygirl]

Totally IN for this report. I can relate! We're going in April as well. I just lost some weight myself.. wanna lose a bit more... feeling great but oh man I just can NOT diet on vacation. No way. I am a bit worried about it though! Loving the TR so far!!

 

[Ecboyd]

I was spinning around the DIS most of the morning trying to fig out what a PREtrip report was. Read a bit of this and a bit of that, nothing really cough my attention. Until Your posts. What a trip and a blast. Thank you for sharing.

I am most sorry to hear your not feeling well, get better soon, you only have 4 weeks to go!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Welcome disneygirl and ecboyd!! I can't speak for anyone else, but I sure have been having fun on this PTR adventure.

Okay, so we bought a new portable DVD player...it wasn't too tough to talk the hubby into it and we took care of it this evening. Incidentally, he's been playing with it ever since. The kids got their report cards...doing AMAZING in school, almost no room for improvement and we usually take them out for dinner but I suggested we get them this instead and he agreed.

My family lives in a town an hour away from us and we travel there quite a bit as well as other near to home excursions so this really was a good investment for us. My daughter got really excited when she saw it for like a split second and then came crashing down because she had been under the impression that it was a tv for her bedroom!! Crazy six year old!! She immediately asked for one...so now, for anyone keeping track, she's asked for an ipod, her own tv for her bedroom as well as her own notebook computer (she wants Daddy's mini when he buys a new one in a couple of years.) Just waiting for her to ask for a phone...or a tatoo...or a motorcycle. yikes!! Scared myself!!

Also.....

I moved our ADR's around a bit again!!!

For a very good reason though...I recently subscribed to touringplans.com to check out the park crowd levels for both my sister and myself and I realized that we were going to be headed to three parks on the worst days to go to them. So, first booking the dining plans...I made the switches. Now our last day is the MK...which stinks in a way because we have to leave early to begin our drive home but no one was upset about it and really, if you got on the least crowded days at the park, the quality over quantity thing is actually more significant. So, the places stayed the same, it's just that we are going to be doing the parks in this order:

Epcot, MGM, MK, Epcot, AK, MK

I actually had to look that up!! I've changed things so much that I can't keep anything straight in my head anymore.

Also, I did a bit more shopping...last week both kids had a running shoe incident...shoelace snapped on DD's shoes and velcro strap came of in DS's hand so I had to pick them up a new pair each at the local Walmart. Which led to more shopping by me...this time online at Sears...I wanted a bathing suit cover up, I have NOT lost the amount I had hoped to and I am fast running out of time (not to mention diet will power) so I thought it would be the polite thing to do for the other vacationing guests.

Anyway, that led to the purchase of a really great pair of dressy sandals (which have nothing to do with this trip but they were $22 and so hot, I couldn't resist) the aforementioned cover up and a pair of sporty walking sandals. The first two were delivered and are in my possession and I am just waiting for the walking sandals to come in. I love shopping!!

Okay, here's another new development...kind of a long story but I know you guys don't mind...

I decided to research the spa at SSR, thinking maybe I'd treat DD and myself to a pedicure while on vacation (who doesn't love pretty toes to go with new sandals??) and somehow that made me think that I'd want my toes done BEFORE we leave because we are stopping off at Daytona before coming to Orlando so I looked into it here and DD and I have an appointment the Saturday before we leave to get a Mommy/Daughter pedicure and we are both super excited about it!!

So then, I read someone's TR (I can't remember who's...shameful!!) and her kiddies did the Pirate's League and I asked my babies if they were interested in something like that and there was a resounding YES from the masses!!
And when I was showing them the details per the Disney website, DD noticed the BBB and begged to do that one instead. Now, I had never spoken to her about this option because quite frankly...she HATES having her hair done. I mean she RUNS if she sees me coming with the hairbrush. Daddy has to tame the snarls and tangles each morning because she doesn't trust me at all. I'm pretty sure I deserve such treatment.

Anyway, the begging begins and I explained that they would do her hair and located some pics for her so we were absolutely clear but a PRINCESS makeover she wanted and a princess makeover she will get. I was on the phone with Alta at Disney for a bit today (lovely woman) who booked the Pirate's League for DS and the BBB for DD for our trip. And she made a special note for each that we are celebrating birthdays. She made sure I knew to get the celebration buttons and to wear them at all times and she threw in a few other tips as well during our conversation...so nice.

Now if I could just manage to stop SHOPPING I could start packing!!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Well friends...I've finally done it! Whereas in the past pure laziness has prevented me from locating the disk that contained my Disney pics from last year and uploading them to my computer, today NOTHING could stop me!!

I don't have time to do much right now but I'll add at least one or two. I don't have much else to write about for the next month (at least I don't think I will) so I thought I could dig out the trip journal from last year and give you a belated trip report from then!!!

Ironically, we don't have a pic of our off property resort but it was in Celebration and not too far from the parks.

I'll work on a better post tomorrow but here is me and the kiddies with our feet in the Atlantic Ocean on the Bahamian cruise:

Man, I really hate that bathing suit. SO glad I have new ones to wear this year!!

 

[__disneygirl]

What a beautiful pic!! Isn't it so fun to get a new swimsuit after weight loss? I am working really hard these next few weeks before my trip and planning to go get a new one the day before I leave!

 

[Jpieces]

LOL! I'm enjoying this already! Can't wait to read the rest!! You sound like a compulsive planner like m! )

 

[stayhomemom77]

Welcome Jpieces!! Yep, guilty as charged... I can't function without a plan. I can roll with it if the plan changes but there MUST be a plan.

My hubby told me last night that he doesn't want me posting pics of the kids on here...

So on our trip I'll have to be careful what I put up on my TR...but at least you know they're be food porn and pics of the parks.

I've had to carefully screen my photobucket pics from last year's trip and if I abide by his wishes there aren't many choices left.

Sorry friends...

Will begin last year's report next week. DS's bday party is tomorrow!!

 

[__disneygirl]

My hubby told me last night that he doesn't want me posting pics of the kids on here...

So on our trip I'll have to be careful what I put up on my TR...but at least you know they're be food porn and pics of the parks.

I've had to carefully screen my photobucket pics from last year's trip and if I abide by his wishes there aren't many choices left.

Sorry friends...

Will begin last year's report next week. DS's bday party is tomorrow!!

I don't mind posting pics of myself on the DIS but my mom thinks that if you post your pic online 12 serial killers will locate you instantly! So I don't know if I will be including pics of her in my PTR & TR unless she changes her mind. I understand the concern though... the internet can be a really scary place sometimes! A friend of mine had a real-live stalker who was using her twitter and facebook page to find her... it was so scary! Everything ended up OK but I still never post details online anywhere, I learned my lesson.

On a lighter note.. happy birthday to your DS!

 

[stayhomemom77]

Birthday party went off without a hitch. He even got a bit of cash to spend at the Lego store. DTD here we come...well, we were always coming but now with spending power!! He's very excited about it.

One last dining change...after reading a couple of negative reviews about Planet Hollywood, I convinced my son to switch our dinner ressie to Cap'n Jacks. And he has already chosen his entree...he's going to get a PB&J!! What a kid!!

My ear is finally getting better. I had an ear infection and then it was plugged for like 12 days but now it is ALMOST fully back to normal. I think there's still quite a bit of wax in there but as I have been leaving it alone as much as possible...it seems to be clearing up on it's own. FINALLY!! I was really hard of hearing there for about a week...not my favourite thing!!

I have NO good news on the weight loss front...I've been eating like a pig and even my exercise regime has slowed down. I'm not going to make goal but since we are celebrating the kids' birthdays, it doesn't REALLY matter. Frankly, I'm not sure I care that much.

Now, I promised a mini TR from last year, so I guess I should get started on that...

Stay tuned!!