Waited forever to go --- arriving August 2013!!!

[Denovagirl]

Just been reading through some of your PTR! Specifically the endish, lol... we will be there some of the same days!

We are the same way with trying to be cheap until Dis....we pay the phone bill that my mom and I split, so every month that money she gives us goes straight to Disney gift cards, and we will have about $500 worth saved for the trip. Just stick with it and it will work out!! And even if you do cancel some ADRs- who cares?! You will still be in Disney with your kids and having the time of your livessssss!

And speaking of, a lot of the nice character meals get mixed reviews, sounds like they have their good days and bad. So here is some helpful links to brush up on with your kids- you may find cheaper options even better!! I am sure you've seen these and done your research, but just in case:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/07/16/reader-favorites-best-walt-disney-world-counter-service-restaurants/
http://www.manylittleblessings.com/what-we-ate-using-the-walt-disney-world-dining-plan

 

[Luvchefmic]

Shannon Just checking in to see how you are doing

Ruthie

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Just been reading through some of your PTR! Specifically the endish, lol... we will be there some of the same days!

We are the same way with trying to be cheap until Dis....we pay the phone bill that my mom and I split, so every month that money she gives us goes straight to Disney gift cards, and we will have about $500 worth saved for the trip. Just stick with it and it will work out!! And even if you do cancel some ADRs- who cares?! You will still be in Disney with your kids and having the time of your livessssss!

And speaking of, a lot of the nice character meals get mixed reviews, sounds like they have their good days and bad. So here is some helpful links to brush up on with your kids- you may find cheaper options even better!! I am sure you've seen these and done your research, but just in case:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/07/16/reader-favorites-best-walt-disney-world-counter-service-restaurants/
http://www.manylittleblessings.com/what-we-ate-using-the-walt-disney-world-dining-plan

Thanks for the links. I had to stop reading disneyfoodblog. I gained 30 pounds when I was reading it daily. I am not as stressed now. I am sure it will all work out. Sorry you didn't get a ressie for the dessert party. We are doing it the 28th. Hooefully someone cancels and you get to go.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

One of the last things I need to figure out is transportation to Universal from BC. I have it narrowed down between Mears and Happy Limo. MY TA likes Happy Limo but it is more costly than Mears. So, I have been putting off booking either. I couldn't make up my mind. Yesterday, it hit me. We are going on two different days. So, we will try them both out and I can see for myself which I like better. Wasn't that a simple solution? I have been struggling with this decision for months.

So, some news regarding a certain auction that happened last week. I bid and I won three items. Well, I got the package yesterday and was sooo excited. I tried to hide it, but the girls were not having any of that. So, I opened it. The bag was Bugs Life themed. In person, it was AMAZING. I had a hard time with knowing what to bid on. It was my first auction and I didn't want to step on any toes and make any DIS enemies my first time out. I bid on the Boo bag first. It was so stinking adorable. But, I was outbid quickly. I didn't want to upset anyone, so I moved on to the Toy Story bag. Not many bids on it, so I made a bid. There was an Incredibles bag that was so perfect, but if there was anyone's toes I really wanted to stay away from, it was Chicago Mo's! She had bid first and noone bid against her. D~ thought it was because it was priced higher than the rest, but I don't think that was the case. For me, I didn't want on Mo's bad side. She seems super nice and well liked on these boards. I couldn't risk the backlash. Well, I was outbid on the Toy Story bag. There was the Bug's Life bag that only had one bid, so I bid. I won it and it is so darn cute. Bigger than I thought. Marissa claimed it. I also won two wallet / lanyard combos. Also so darn cute. Jacob will wear the Toy Story inspired one and Chelsea will wear the Dot (Bug's Life) inspired one. Next time, no more Ms. Nice. I now know why these bags are so addicting and I want more. Can't believe I end up in the park with nothing, so I am hoping for another auction. I seriously need to figure out how to do the picture thing, so I can show them off. I am just so glad that I am part of the cool crowd now. I own a custom Serendipi D~ bag.

 

[DMGeurts]

One of the last things I need to figure out is transportation to Universal from BC. I have it narrowed down between Mears and Happy Limo. MY TA likes Happy Limo but it is more costly than Mears. So, I have been putting off booking either. I couldn't make up my mind. Yesterday, it hit me. We are going on two different days. So, we will try them both out and I can see for myself which I like better. Wasn't that a simple solution? I have been struggling with this decision for months.

So, some news regarding a certain auction that happened last week. I bid and I won three items. Well, I got the package yesterday and was sooo excited. I tried to hide it, but the girls were not having any of that. So, I opened it. The bag was Bugs Life themed. In person, it was AMAZING. I had a hard time with knowing what to bid on. It was my first auction and I didn't want to step on any toes and make any DIS enemies my first time out. I bid on the Boo bag first. It was so stinking adorable. But, I was outbid quickly. I didn't want to upset anyone, so I moved on to the Toy Story bag. Not many bids on it, so I made a bid. There was an Incredibles bag that was so perfect, but if there was anyone's toes I really wanted to stay away from, it was Chicago Mo's! She had bid first and noone bid against her. D~ thought it was because it was priced higher than the rest, but I don't think that was the case. For me, I didn't want on Mo's bad side. She seems super nice and well liked on these boards. I couldn't risk the backlash. Well, I was outbid on the Toy Story bag. There was the Bug's Life bag that only had one bid, so I bid. I won it and it is so darn cute. Bigger than I thought. Marissa claimed it. I also won two wallet / lanyard combos. Also so darn cute. Jacob will wear the Toy Story inspired one and Chelsea will wear the Dot (Bug's Life) inspired one. Next time, no more Ms. Nice. I now know why these bags are so addicting and I want more. Can't believe I end up in the park with nothing, so I am hoping for another auction. I seriously need to figure out how to do the picture thing, so I can show them off. I am just so glad that I am part of the cool crowd now. I own a custom Serendipi D~ bag.

Awesome!!! So happy that you got it and you like it... Mo is just a sweetie - I assure you there'd be no backlash. There will be another auction the 3rd Thurs in July... Not even a clue on the theme yet. But I know it will be a bag set... still have the extras to pay for.

So glad you figured out your transportation issue too... I do that a lot - I dwell on things and go over them in my mind - and some of it is just silly things too...

D~

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Awesome!!! So happy that you got it and you like it... Mo is just a sweetie - I assure you there'd be no backlash. There will be another auction the 3rd Thurs in July... Not even a clue on the theme yet. But I know it will be a bag set... still have the extras to pay for.

So glad you figured out your transportation issue too... I do that a lot - I dwell on things and go over them in my mind - and some of it is just silly things too...

D~

I didn't figure there would be back lash from Mo personally. I just didn't want to risk being the bad person.

I have the 3rd Thurs circled on calendar now. So happy to hear. We are having "forgotten" Disney movie nights at the house now. Maybe forgotten is the wrong word. More like movies that don't have all the merchandise or rides for them. We watched Atlantis. Next up, I think will be Emporer's New Grove. However, Marissa mentioned she has never seen any of the Star Wars movies, so that may need to be remedied first. I know Chelsea hasn't seen any.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Not much new here. TA emailed and wanted my address to send the magical express tags. She is also going to arrange for happy limo to take us to universal for one of the days. 52 more days. Next month we are going on our first trip to WDW. Super excited. I think all I have left to do is lose weight, pack and garden grocer. Oh and I need to get my travel pharmacy supplies.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Congrats on the winning auctions...next time every woman for themselves no one will take it personally !

Glad you figured out the transportation issue, no need to sweat the small stuff Shannon

See you mentioned movie nights, not sure you saw this but this is an amazing
thread I have used some of the great ideas found there myself Lots of fun most recent posts have pictures

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1707141

yeah to Aug will be here before you know it !

Ruthie

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Today, the excitement level is out of control. Today, I can officially say, in less than 6 weeks we will be in WDW. Oh my Gosh! Look how close Tinker Bell is to the castle on my ticker. I got my ticker so long ago and she was so far away.

We went up to the factory outlet stores on Saturday. Jacob and Chelsea each bought a baseball hat. Chelsea's is a Minnie Mouse Mariners hat. No, she isn't a Mariners fan and probably doesn't even know what it is, but the hat was pink and had Minnie. Jacob's had something to do with his video game. On the way home, we stopped by the Enchanted Forest theme park. It was 2 hours before closing. We bought enough tickets for their top 3 rides. Total was around $120 for 4 of us. So, we raced up the hill. The first ride was Challenge of Mondor. I didn't know what this ride was, so I asked. I was told it was like Buzz Lightyear at Disneyland. Not quite. They put you in a ride vehicle, 2 people in front and 2 right behind. There are laser guns mounted in front of each person. The ride was slow. Jacob's gun didn't work (they refunded the 4 tickets to ride for him- $0.95 a ticket). I had the high score of 580. Not anything like Buzz Lightyear. It was dark and creepy. Next we went to Ice Mountain. I rode with Chelsea. This ride jerked you around alot and had sudden stops whenever it was about to go around a tight corner. Painful. She hated it. So much for trying to get her ready for WDW. She refuses to try a roller coaster now. I told her WDW's coasters were much better. Well, at that point, I couldn't get her on the log ride. So, Marissa and I went on that. It is part log ride, part roller coaster. You are in the water, but right before the plunge, they put you on steel track (the log has wheels) and send you down an incline and back up, so when you do get back to water and the big water plunge, you are going pretty fast. Marissa and I both don't like log rides, so we thought it was funny we were both on it. Jacob took Chelsea to the bumper cars and they rode that twice. Then it was time to go. The park closed at 6. It was fun for spur of the moment, but not sure how people spend more than a few hours there.

The little details are coming together. My TA booked Happy Limo for us to go to Universal one day, and I booked a Mears Shuttle for our other Universal day. Jacob and I went over our ADR's and decided to cancel Rainforest and Cape May for our Animal Kingdom day. We didn't want to be tied down to reservations for that day. My photopass + came in the mail. I ordered Chelsea's Guide to the Magic autograph book. I bought card stock paper to make an autograph book for Jacob and Marissa. I hope it turns out ok.

I am not going to make a Garden Grocer order until closer to our time, just to make sure our resort has fridges. If they don't I will add a cooler to our order.

I printed off my "pharmacy" list today. All the OTR medications I want to take and first aid items. This weekend, Marissa and I will be shopping for shorts, tank tops and the listed items.

I have been planning this trip for so long that the days now just seem to be screaming by and I am getting stressed (but good happy stressed) about the trip. I cannot wait. I have seriously wanted to go to WDW since I knew it existed. My Dad has been a couple of times, but he never took us. He had to work in Florida several times. He took my mom on a couple of those trips. So, now I get to go and take my kiddos.

Oh yeah, I am determined to get a photobucket account and take some pictures so I can finally post them. That is on my weekend to do list. About time I try to introduce us.

My biopsy is scheduled the same day as D~'s auction. Just saying, in case anyone feels sorry and lets me win. Worth a shot.

I have been trying to keep up with everybody's PTRs. I just haven't had time to comment.

I am sitting in my cube and all I want to do is squeel in delight that the trip is getting closer. I am getting the suitcases out this weekend. There is stuff I can start packing. My Disney box is overflowing. I just have to sort things into checked bag and carryon. I know I will want my PP+ in my carryon. The kids might need their autograph books. I need to find a book or two to read on the plane, but the bad part is I might decide to read it now, so Barnes and Noble will have to wait. Well, I should get back to work. Just thought I would update a little.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Ok. Here goes. The reason for this trip is because my son graduated. He is a goof ball and getting a picture without him making a face is difficult. Yes, that is me with him.

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Next, he is posing with his sisters. Marissa is the oldest of the two sisters and Chelsea is the youngest. Jacob wanted his sisters to wear their matching dresses. Opposite but the same.

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Marissa moved, so I will have to find one where she is still. At least I have the photo bucket account. You can get an idea of what we look like.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Here Marissa is before Prom.




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[DMGeurts]

Lovely family! Congrats to your DS!!! We are getting so close to our trips!

D~

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

United changed our flights again. We were first supposed to leave at 6:15 am with 2 hour layover and a 6:50 pm arrival in Orlando. Then it was a 6:45 am flight with only an hour layover and a 5:45 pm arrival. Now it is a 6:05 flight. Still only an hour layover and we arrive at 5:15 pm. Hopefully these will stay and not change for the next 38 days.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Lovely family! Congrats to your DS!!! We are getting so close to our trips!

D~

Thanks. It is so very close.

 

[DMGeurts]

United changed our flights again. We were first supposed to leave at 6:15 am with 2 hour layover and a 6:50 pm arrival in Orlando. Then it was a 6:45 am flight with only an hour layover and a 5:45 pm arrival. Now it is a 6:05 flight. Still only an hour layover and we arrive at 5:15 pm. Hopefully these will stay and not change for the next 38 days.

Hopefully they don't change again... Yikes - what a LONG flight... At least you are getting in an hour earlier than originally planned.

D~

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Hopefully they don't change again... Yikes - what a LONG flight... At least you are getting in an hour earlier than originally planned.

D~

Total flight time is around 7 hours. It seems long due to time change but still the thought of that long on a plane is not exciting to me.

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Biopsy is over and done. Never want to go through that again. Drove myself home crying the entire time. So I have a half day off of work. Going to check out the disney store online sale.

Nothing new with planning. I looked at the new August hours. Not many changes but I do get an extra hour at AK that I am happy about.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Biopsy is over and done. Never want to go through that again. Drove myself home crying the entire time. So I have a half day off of work. Going to check out the disney store online sale.

Nothing new with planning. I looked at the new August hours. Not many changes but I do get an extra hour at AK that I am happy about.

Im here I'm here So glad the biopsy is over Your family is beautiful ! Ok I will now make you laugh, because I don't want you to be blue...when reading your flight plans and re-schedules I was thinking my God ...get this where do they live ??? How's that for a Duh moment never said I was the brightest bulb in this pack


So happy your trip is coming up...you'll be here before you know it...move tinkerbell move

 

[OregonMomToWDW]

Im here I'm here So glad the biopsy is over Your family is beautiful ! Ok I will now make you laugh, because I don't want you to be blue...when reading your flight plans and re-schedules I was thinking my God ...get this where do they live ??? How's that for a Duh moment never said I was the brightest bulb in this pack

So happy your trip is coming up...you'll be here before you know it...move tinkerbell move

I feel much better today. We live in Oregon. I hate it when when my disname misleads people. I think it would be be funnier if I answered that we live in Alaska. The funny thing is that when I read your comment I was trying to figure out how you were able to figure out where I was from. Been a long day.

 

[LB1122]

United changed our flights again. We were first supposed to leave at 6:15 am with 2 hour layover and a 6:50 pm arrival in Orlando. Then it was a 6:45 am flight with only an hour layover and a 5:45 pm arrival. Now it is a 6:05 flight. Still only an hour layover and we arrive at 5:15 pm. Hopefully these will stay and not change for the next 38 days.

This has happened to us as well for our December flights.. I have a large note on my plans to remind me to keep checking them...thanks for the additional reminder.

Your family is so sweet (love the prom photo). You have ever right to be excited. We will be staying at Port Orleans for Christmas. I just started my PTR today and was looking at yours for information