(WE ARE BACK! TR LINK!) The-BFF-Birthday-bash PTR turned ANNIVERSARY trip

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Hello! I thought I would add a little update this morning, my sister, her kids (18 year old twins & married son) and her grandkids are at WDW right now! I don't know much about their itinerary, my nephew's wife did all the planning, but I did get an email that they were eating with Lilo & Stitch this morning!

I'm pretty excited b/c I found out that not only am I an extraordinary planner of my own trips, apparently I can plan other's trips as well! I WON on Dani's PTR ADR guessing game! Guessed every single ADR she had planned, all 9 of them! I rock! Here's her PTR if you are interested!

Dani's PTR

In other news, we are trying to beat the massive heat wave/drought going on here, there's record temps all over the place and other than working, I've been trying to stay inside where the AC is cranked! We celebrated Dylan's 18th Birthday yesterday! I cannot believe I'm the mother of an 18 year old. I still feel 18 myself!

Here's a pic I took yesterday of Dylan.

I also took pics of the Drinking around the world booklet that I made. I put my iphone in the shot so you could see the size and the last pic shows you the thickness. It's too thick to put a ring on, as you can see, but I think I may just keep it and not make a thinner one. At least it's sturdy...so if I spill a bunch of drinks on it, at least it will survive!

The front: the back, not pictured, has a spot to write the WINNER!

the first page has the rules and points:

then I just printed out pages for each country (I will put the link below to this drinking around the world booklet I got from one of the DISigners)

the thickness:

This booklet is actually a mishmosh of stuff. It has the pages for drinking around the world, here:
Drinking around the World Passport

and the actual "game" I found here:
Party through the parks

OMGosh, my little update turned into BIG...well, that's how it works for me. AND...

I don't think I mentioned that Rey hurt his back at work. He's a truck driver, but he has to unload everything and he has to set up ramps, etc. for the ATV's that he delivers. He pulled something and has been stuck in a motel in Washington for over a week, just resting. He's back in the truck today, but still in some pain, so please send good thoughts for him! He's headed back this direction now, so hopefully he can get home by early next week and rest a few more days!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Warm thoughts going out to Rey!!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Warm thoughts going out to Rey!!!!

Thanks Ann! Headed over to read your update now!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

HAPPY 4TH!

I hope everyone has a festive day! A bit of an update on what's going on with Rey...

He's flying home today. He tried to work and his back pulled right out again (I think it's his sciatic nerve, but I'm just playing Dr.) I will pick him up in St. Louis, 2 hours away, and drive him home tonight. He has a Dr. appointment tomorrow and hopefully at home can rest his back, get physical therapy, or whatever needs to be done for him to heal!

As far as the trip, we'll go either way, we've talked about it and the flights are paid for and non-refundable and the AKL points are paid for and non-refundable! So, even if we end up not having the money for park tickets, we will go and enjoy the resort/DTD! We still have 4 months though, so a lot can happen in that time! I'm sure we'll find some way to get to the parks, at least for 1 day! I'm being positive here and believe his back will be better by then, send good thoughts b/c we're hoping it's nothing serious or permanent. I'm just so relieved that he'll be home where I can take care of him!

Hope everyone has a great 4th!!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Karen, I LOVE the Drinking Around the World passports! Thanks for sharing the links. This is why my siblings HAVE TO come to Disney with me because I really want to play that game! I like that snacks and meals are included too, because then I can get the kids in on the fun Personally, I like that the passport is on card stock. It looks really professional and you're right that it should stand up to spills Wow, you have an 18 year old! Tell us the truth. You're freaking out a little, aren't you? I know I will be when mine turn 18! I think we discussed this already... See? I'm freaking out prematurely I'm really sorry to hear about Rey's back. I hope it isn't anything serious! I hope you can get to the parks but you're absolutely right that there are so many things to do at the resorts! Especially at AKL! Restaurants and pools and restaurants and gift shops and restaurants and story tellers and restaurants and walkways and restaurants! OK, I'm hungry. I need to go to lunch. You'll have a great time at AKL no matter what, I'm sure, but I'm sending happy thoughts to you and to Rey for a speedy recovery

 

[KatMark]

Sorry I've not posted lately (my MIL has terminal cancer and life has been hectic to say the least...I've even neglected my own PTR). I love your "Drink Around the World" book.

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm sorry about Rey's back. Sending thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!
Love your Drinking Around the World passports!!! They look amazing!

Amanda

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Karen, I LOVE the Drinking Around the World passports! Thanks for sharing the links. This is why my siblings HAVE TO come to Disney with me because I really want to play that game! I like that snacks and meals are included too, because then I can get the kids in on the fun Personally, I like that the passport is on card stock. It looks really professional and you're right that it should stand up to spills Wow, you have an 18 year old! Tell us the truth. You're freaking out a little, aren't you? I know I will be when mine turn 18! I think we discussed this already... See? I'm freaking out prematurely I'm really sorry to hear about Rey's back. I hope it isn't anything serious! I hope you can get to the parks but you're absolutely right that there are so many things to do at the resorts! Especially at AKL! Restaurants and pools and restaurants and gift shops and restaurants and story tellers and restaurants and walkways and restaurants! OK, I'm hungry. I need to go to lunch. You'll have a great time at AKL no matter what, I'm sure, but I'm sending happy thoughts to you and to Rey for a speedy recovery

Uh, YES, totally freaking out to have an 18 year old! It just makes me think about how I still feel so young and how I'm not...life flying by...is half my life over already...that kind of stuff!

I think I'll keep the card stock one I made. It seems like a waste of ink to make another and I think we'll have fun with it.

I plan on finding a way to get at LEAST 1 day park tickets for us. I cannot imagine missing F&W when we love it so much!

Sorry I've not posted lately (my MIL has terminal cancer and life has been hectic to say the least...I've even neglected my own PTR). I love your "Drink Around the World" book.

So sorry to hear about your MIL. It's been hectic around here as well and I haven't had much to update on our trip!

I'm sorry about Rey's back. Sending thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery!
Love your Drinking Around the World passports!!! They look amazing!

Amanda

Thanks! I hope the MRI tomorrow will give us some more info, he hates just laying around and I'm hoping they can at least get him in physical therapy soon and get him on the way to feeling better!

 

[JDailey]

Ok so, I need a little info on renting points please. We are planning a trip for February 2013 and, I would love to take my mom but we would need to be able to pay for most if not all of her room. I was thinking maybe we could try and get a Villa somewhere but when it comes to doing that I am clueless. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ok so, I need a little info on renting points please. We are planning a trip for February 2013 and, I would love to take my mom but we would need to be able to pay for most if not all of her room. I was thinking maybe we could try and get a Villa somewhere but when it comes to doing that I am clueless. Any help would be appreciated.

Sure! Ok, we used David's Vacation rentals, he's well known on the DIS, BUT, that comes with a little bit of a price increase. He rents points for 13$ a point, where you can sometimes find owners that will rent them as low as 10-11. We wanted the more secure way since this was our first time. He also has a calculator, so it's easy to see what you would pay! So, go here: http://www.dvcrequest.com/ and on the left top you will see a calculator. It will ask your dates and you can leave it open to where you want to stay and it will show you how many points it will take! If you move your mouse over the amount of points, it will show you the total cost of that rental! Hope that helps a bit! Just remember that that price is most likely the MOST you would pay renting points b/c David charges a bit more. If you find someone renting them privately, it would cost even less!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Wow, I've been a real slacker on updating! Just a little mini-update since I haven't posted in a while... I haven't updated on Rey's back for a while, which is really all that's going on here. He has a bulging disc that is pushing on a nerve and they have recommended surgery. We're having to jump through hoops with workers comp. They are fine and covering everything...just SLOW! Rey isn't in too much pain because he's on some pain meds, but I think he's bored out of his mind in bed all day long. Luckily they are paying workers comp, so the bills are being paid and that really relieves a lot of the stress of him not working. Hopefully they can hurry up and get surgery scheduled soon so that he'll be on the road to recovery!

We don't think this will change our plans, I'm just hoping the surgery is soon enough that he can recover in the next 103 days! The room and airline is nonrefundable, so if he's not able to go, I will most likely take Savannah and do a girls trip...and Rey and I can take a trip next year instead. Right now though, I'm feeling optimistic.

 

[DrMomof3]

Poor Rey! I hope surgery goes well. Sending prayers!

Amanda

 

[JDailey]

THANK YOU!!! That was so helpful on the point system.

I am sending you guys positive thoughts and prayers....hopefully the surgery will be soon and he can make a full recovery!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Good luck with Rey's back surgery. I do hope they schedule it soon so he will be all healed up! It must be nice to have him home, though, even if he's just in bed. I'm reading right along with you!

 

[KatMark]

Sending that they schedule the surgery soon; and that the surgery is successful and he is recovered for your trip.

Prayers being sent.

 

[danimaroo]

OMG Karen! I am so sorry I have been MIA from your TR! UGH! And you even gave me a little plug to my PTR for winning my ADR game! I'm seriously still impressed with how you figured out all of those on the first shot! Hope little Norway Troll is doing well!

Anyhoot, I'm really sorry about Rey's back! Our friend had that issue recently and ended up getting surgery; it only took her I think like a month or two to recover... So hopefully they can get him in ASAP so he has time! Ugh but what a stinker. Hopefully it all works out for you guys and you can get to the parks, too... I'd love to see you pull off 4 parks in a day!

Definitely keep us updated on everything!! I'm thinking of you guys and hope you're able to do your Anniversary trip!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Poor Rey! I hope surgery goes well. Sending prayers!

Amanda

Thanks Amanda! We're hoping it does as well!

THANK YOU!!! That was so helpful on the point system.

I am sending you guys positive thoughts and prayers....hopefully the surgery will be soon and he can make a full recovery!

Oh good! It was really confusing to me as well in the beginning, but now I think I have it all figured out. We may rent in the future as well, if we all go back together. Seems like a good option for a larger family.

Good luck with Rey's back surgery. I do hope they schedule it soon so he will be all healed up! It must be nice to have him home, though, even if he's just in bed. I'm reading right along with you!

Thanks Ann! I hope they schedule it soon as well, but I think aside from the pain, it's nice for him to be home for a bit after being gone all these years. He deserves a little rest, even if it is a painful one!

Sending that they schedule the surgery soon; and that the surgery is successful and he is recovered for your trip.

Prayers being sent.

Thank you!

OMG Karen! I am so sorry I have been MIA from your TR! UGH! And you even gave me a little plug to my PTR for winning my ADR game! I'm seriously still impressed with how you figured out all of those on the first shot! Hope little Norway Troll is doing well!

Anyhoot, I'm really sorry about Rey's back! Our friend had that issue recently and ended up getting surgery; it only took her I think like a month or two to recover... So hopefully they can get him in ASAP so he has time! Ugh but what a stinker. Hopefully it all works out for you guys and you can get to the parks, too... I'd love to see you pull off 4 parks in a day!

Definitely keep us updated on everything!! I'm thinking of you guys and hope you're able to do your Anniversary trip!

I was pretty impressed with myself! I just sat down and made a list, and the Be our Guest seemed likely since it's new and one of your clues was we are 4 GUESTS! The Tepan Edo was b/c you had canceled it last trip, and the others were based on some of your favorites from last trip that I was just SURE you wouldn't pass up sharing with your friends that you are taking! I love my trollie, he sits in the little cubbie above my computer screen and I smile every time I look at him!

Oh and I have no idea how I missed 100, but today is 99 Days!!!!!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

I hope Rey can get his surgery scheduled soon. I'm sending good thoughts your way that he can recover quickly

Oh, and 99 days!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

88 Days!!

Yay!!! I finally have an update! We took Rey to a neurosurgeon yesterday and he said Rey has two ruptured discs, but they do not want to do surgery! He said it's just going to take some time with an injury like this and that he wants more rest and physical therapy. I'm so relieved that he does not have to have surgery and I'm always glad to have him home more, so we'll just go from here!

He thinks that he will be better enough by November to make the trip, so last night I ordered our tickets!!!!!! It felt really strange just buying 2 day hoppers, but I could not justify another $100 just to go to AK for 2 hours on our first day. We won't arrive at AKL until at least 1:30-2, and we have a reservation at Sanaa and will head to DTD for the evening, so I think it will be fine to just to two days of hopping! We really want to enjoy the resort as well, so this will be perfect!

All I need is money for our food, alcohol, and souvenirs, everything else is paid for!!!

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Oh, Karen, I'm so happy for you and Rey! Thank goodness he doesn't have to have surgery! I hope the PT goes well and that he'll be up and running soon Whoop whoop for park tickets! You're right that an extra hundred bucks wouldn't be worth it for one more day. If you really want to, you can go to all the parks in two days. That's totally possible since it'll just be the two of you. You're going to have so much fun! Everything major is paid off and you're on your way! Now what are you going to do for the next 88 days? Are we going to see some "It's Our Anniversary" t-shirts?