We're doing what??? A Wonder-ful PTR

[stephielela]

You got me hooked Stephanie! Dang you!
I started rereading tie dye posts last night and today I went and bought some cheap stuff to play around so I can hopefully get better and order the Dharma colors I like.
I think I know where you went wrong. Well some of it. it is VERY important to soak in soada Ash. That makes the color actually adhere, so with out it, it won't stick very long. Second, you used Michaels shirts...right. They are 50.50 cotton poly blend (I looked at some today). You have to have 100% cotton, or the ywon't stick as well and they wil lbe very dull in color.
So today, like I said, I got some dyes on clearance to play with. I bought a few things and also a hanky for $100. I just put die on it and we'll see what kind of mess it turns out like tomorrow. My worries...the Mickey head. I see very few who actually get a good nice shape. I'm sure mine will be a blob. 2nd, when I wrapped the hanky into a danish, it was alike a little ball and I don't know if the dye got through very well. So I may have a lot of white when I unwrap it. And it is hard to control the color too. It's amazing how fast it seeps and bleeds.
I think you are also supposed to rinse first then unwrap. I'm gonna try that.
If I can get this al ldown, then my gola is to do a couple of pillowcases for Claire and my neices to have signed on our cruise next year...so I have a year to practice!

But I may get too frustrated and give up before then.

Aha! Thanks Jen!! The Mickey was the easiest part for me, mie actually turned out very well, before it faded I just drew the line and then went over and under it. It's hard to describe... rinsing before unwrapping makes sense too... I can't wait to see how it goes!

 

[stephielela]

I really wish I could post about what I am doing for my FE gifts, but I suppose it will have to wait till the TR!

This is the FE I ordered:

And the tote bag to have signed:

Pillowcase:

Free gift she sent:

And a lovely local billboard advertising our cruise!! I get giddy everytime we drive by!

 

[stephielela]

Jack's school had a open house a few weeks ago. It was pretty cute, all the kids performed songs they had been practicing for WEEKS!

There was a bounce house:

A real fire truck they got to sit in:

Face painting:

On with the show! The girl in pink is Claire, Jack's girlfriend...

But he has been checking other options...

On another note, there are some seriously different names in his class. Very few of them are what I would consider mainstream, which is kinda nice actually!

 

[stephielela]

Last Tuesday Jack had his first ever field trip. Naturally I went with since I had the day off. We went to a locla pumpkin patch. It was FREEZING and the kids were far more interested in the dozen or so baby kittens running around the area than they were in learning about pumpkins, but oh well.

 

[jenseib]

I love all your items. You are going to have so much fun.

Love the pumpkin patch pics too. They are so cute.

 

[stephielela]

I love all your items. You are going to have so much fun.

Love the pumpkin patch pics too. They are so cute.

Jen, did you have to provide the Sharpies to get the pillowcase signed?

 

[jenseib]

Jen, did you have to provide the Sharpies to get the pillowcase signed?

I provided a pack of fabric makers. I heard they last longer and I sent the whole pack to get multiple colors. But if you don't send any they sign with a black sharpie...so I heard at least

 

[stephielela]

I provided a pack of fabric makers. I heard they last longer and I sent the whole pack to get multiple colors. But if you don't send any they sign with a black sharpie...so I heard at least

Good to know!! I will try and pick some up this weekend!

 

[stephielela]

Get ready for it...I don't think I am going to have a touring plan!

I usually have at the very least a loose order of attractions. This time I am trying a different approach.

We are getting to the parks after they open. I am going to spring for the park hopper, simply because it's not much more, and since DLR is only having Fantasmic and the Memories show (no fireworks that day) I really want to see WoC. It will be doable, we will do the 8 pm WoC and then the late Fantasmic at 10:15.

My current plan is to make a list of attractions that Jack hasn't ridden before and attractions that aren't at WDW. Then we will do as many of those as posisble. Obviously a lot depends on when we actually get to the parks, but I plan on having a big breakfast so we can hit the ground runnign when we get there and get a few things knocked out before stopping for food. Then we will probably grab food at DCA and eat while we are waiting for WoC. I'm not going to try for some amazing viewing though, I am just wanting so see what I can, and I can put Jack on my shoulders if need be.

So now my task is coming up with a list of rides we want to attempt. We will spend the majority of our time at Disneyland so I will probably only pick one or two rides to really try for at DCA. I would like one of them to be Soarin' but I don't know if it's still so popular that there is no way we will get in? Once I have my list compiled, I will post it for review

 

[stephielela]

My last purchases (knock on wood) have been made! I finished buy the stuff for the FE, and I got fabric markers... and more shirts. This time I am sticking with a small simple iron on design which I haven't found yet The shirts are red. I am going to head over to the DISign threads next, I am sure I will find something suitable.

I am on my last work day!! I do have to come in tomorrow for a meeting, and then tomorrow night we are having a happy hour(s) for my boss who is leaving. So while I am done with work, it does not appear my schedule is getting any less hectic so I beginning to panic a bit Here's what I have so far...

Tonight:
Scoop pumpkins (so we can carve them)
Do laundry
Make dinner

Friday:
Meeting at 12 ish
PACK
Happy hour
CLEAN
(not in that order hopefully, because I am relatively certain I will be useless after Happy Hour)

Saturday:
Check in for flight at 7 am (after being out late...)
Boo at the Zoo at 10 am
Visiting Grandma 1, grandparents 2, grandparents 3, aunt and uncle 4 so they can see Jack in our infamous clown costume
Church
Home in time for call from Mickey (DCL lets you have 2 of these per reservation!!)

Sunday... leave

Sounds peaceful right?

 

[stephielela]

Here are the things we will attempt to accomplish in order of importance:

@Disneyland:
BTMRR
Nemo
Matterhorn
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain (if Jack has changed his mind about it)
Mr. Toad
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Alice in Wonderland
Star Tours
Peter Pan's flight
Buzz Lightyear

@DCA:
Monster's Inc
Soarin'
Toy Story Mania
Disney Jr. Show

If Jack freaks out at BTMRR, we won't attempt Matterhorn, but I seriously doubt that will be the case. Pirates is closed for refurb, which is kind of a blessing since it's one less ride to be sad I am missing Any tips/advice?

 

[Leshaface]

Wow! You have a CRAZY busy weekend ahead of you. Sounds like you need a vacation!

The only suggestion I want to put out there, is if you're hitting Disneyland first thing when it opens, is to hit Fantasyland first. All the Fantasyland rides get busy during mid-morning/afternoon, so knock those out first (Plus it will build him up for the bigger rides ). And from what i've gathered on the boards, grab FP's for Star Tours as soon as possible. They go quickly.

Do you think you should do Matterhorn before BTMRR? Hmm, maybe not...there's a big scary abominable snowman. Is it more the fastness/jerkiness of a ride that may scare him? Because IMO, BTMRR is way faster and has more drops and fast turns than Matterhorn.

I think you'll do just fine over at DCA with the attractions you chose. Maybe as soon as you get into the park, grab FP's for Soarin', then head over to Monsters Inc (LOVE that ride )

 

[stephielela]

Here's what the schedule is looking like:
10/30 Depart MCI @ 7 am, change planes in Denver, arrive LAX @10 am
Bus to port
DIS Meet and Greet 3 pm Studio Sea

-We have the early seating, 5:45 pm. We will also probably try to catch most of the live shows

10/31 Halloween!! @ Sea
-Champagne Girls Meet- 1 pm (we get to wear pink boas and tiaras!!)
-Various evening Halloween activities... I did end up getting some cool tights to wear with my pirate shirt and jeans so while it's not a full costume, it will suffice for Halloween and Pirate night

11/1 @ Sea -Formal Night
-I have my Palo Brunch this day! I think after brunch I might head to the Spa to use my Rainforest room pass
- Formal night!! Yay for dressing up!

11/2 Puerto Vallerta
- Jack and I are doing the Paradise Beach Adventure which I have heard great things about, so I am super excited, despite having to put on a bathing suit after months of not dieting...

11/3 Cabo San Lucas
-Originally Jack and I were doing an excursion, but after reading reviews, I think we will just take a water taxi to a beach and hang out a bit and maybe grab some snacks

- Normally Pirate night would have been the second day, but since it was Halloween they pushed it back so it will be this night. I can't wait to see the piratey stuff

11/4 Cabo San Lucas -I might get off the ship if I decide I want to go back for shopping or something, otherwise I won't bother since it's a short day anyways

-This is Semi-Formal night!

11/5 @ Sea
- Our DIS group is doing a Mixology class this day at 3 pm

11/6 LA/Disneyland
-It is my intention to be waiting at the railing for the second we pull into port and then we will leap over the side onto the pavement and start running. Well, not quite, but there will be NO dawdling getting off the ship. We will grab the first cab we see and head to our hotel to drop our luggage and then run across to Disneyland!! We will pick up our tickets and head right in, since the park will have been open for awhile. We will knock as many things off our list as possible by about 6:00 pm
-At 6 we will head over to DCA. If possible we will try and grab FP's for Soarin (though now that I think about it that's pretty close to park closing so they might not have any) and ride Monster's Inc before grabbing some food to eat while waiting for WoC. WoC starts at 8 and we are not trying to get prime viewing spots so we will probably not even get there until 10 minutes before or something, so I apologize in advance since I probably won't be able to get any decent pictures.
-As soon as WoC is over we will try Soarin if we can and then head back over to Disneyland and maybe hit another ride before getting last minute spots for Fantasmic!
-I'm sure this all sounds nuts, and we will just have to wait and see I suppose... Once we are done being crazy we will head back to the hotel to crash.

11/7 Departure Day -Despite our late night we are getting up early and heading to Rainforest Cafe for breakfast at 8:15. After breakfast we will wander around until World of Disney opens and then shop a bit. I MUST grab a Jamba Juice before leaving, it's one of the things I miss the most about living in CA. Our shuttle doesn't pick us up until 12:50, so we will hang out at DTD till about 12 and then head back to the hotel and go potty etc before getting on the shuttle. Our flight leaves LAX @ 3:30 pm so we will probably grab a late lunch at LAX. We don't get in until 10:15 so we will crash hard when we get home. I may still send Jack to school on Tuesday so I can get stuff unpacked, laundry done, (TR started) etc.

Whew! I'm exhausted just writing this! Luckily the cruise portion will be pretty relazing so those last two go-go-go days won't kill us

 

[stephielela]

Wow! You have a CRAZY busy weekend ahead of you. Sounds like you need a vacation!

The only suggestion I want to put out there, is if you're hitting Disneyland first thing when it opens, is to hit Fantasyland first. All the Fantasyland rides get busy during mid-morning/afternoon, so knock those out first (Plus it will build him up for the bigger rides ). And from what i've gathered on the boards, grab FP's for Star Tours as soon as possible. They go quickly.

Do you think you should do Matterhorn before BTMRR? Hmm, maybe not...there's a big scary abominable snowman. Is it more the fastness/jerkiness of a ride that may scare him? Because IMO, BTMRR is way faster and has more drops and fast turns than Matterhorn.

I think you'll do just fine over at DCA with the attractions you chose. Maybe as soon as you get into the park, grab FP's for Soarin', then head over to Monsters Inc (LOVE that ride )

Thanks for the tips! We won't be at the park right when it opens, so I know we will probably have to either wait in lines or forgo pmost of Fantasyland. I had already cut some rides liek Dumbo for that reason. Ultimately, i have decided I will let it be up to Jack. If he freaks out about wanting to ride Dumbo, we'll ride it. I do really want to do Nemo because I know he will love it and it's not at WDW, but most things I can live without.

Your advice about DCA is great, thanks, and I'm glad to hear you love Monsters, I'm relaly excited about that one!

 

[Leshaface]

Thanks for the tips! We won't be at the park right when it opens, so I know we will probably have to either wait in lines or forgo pmost of Fantasyland. I had already cut some rides liek Dumbo for that reason. Ultimately, i have decided I will let it be up to Jack. If he freaks out about wanting to ride Dumbo, we'll ride it. I do really want to do Nemo because I know he will love it and it's not at WDW, but most things I can live without.

Your advice about DCA is great, thanks, and I'm glad to hear you love Monsters, I'm relaly excited about that one!

For some reason, I thought you had a day in between the cruise and Disneyland..not sure where I got that from

I LOVE that you're having a few DIS meets, including a Mixology class meet! How did you guys plan that one out? Did you just look at past Navigators? This may be a great idea to bring up for our DIS group...

 

[stephielela]

For some reason, I thought you had a day in between the cruise and Disneyland..not sure where I got that from

I LOVE that you're having a few DIS meets, including a Mixology class meet! How did you guys plan that one out? Did you just look at past Navigators? This may be a great idea to bring up for our DIS group...

It's a private Mixology session. One of our DISers contacted DCL about it. It's $20 per person and they won't do it for a group smaller than 25. Then they schedule the time and place and let you guys know. If there is someone in your DIS group that is already in contact with DCL they can inquire about it or I can give you the info I had and you can shoot them an email!

 

[Leshaface]

It's a private Mixology session. One of our DISers contacted DCL about it. It's $20 per person and they won't do it for a group smaller than 25. Then they schedule the time and place and let you guys know. If there is someone in your DIS group that is already in contact with DCL they can inquire about it or I can give you the info I had and you can shoot them an email!

Oh what?! That is NEAT! Well before you posted this, I had no idea they did private sessions. So when I posted to my DIS meet thread, I just asked if people wanted to join us for any of the mixology sessions (martini, tequila, etc) I doubt that we would even have that many people to have a private session. But this is good to know for next time

 

[stephielela]

Oh what?! That is NEAT! Well before you posted this, I had no idea they did private sessions. So when I posted to my DIS meet thread, I just asked if people wanted to join us for any of the mixology sessions (martini, tequila, etc) I doubt that we would even have that many people to have a private session. But this is good to know for next time

Yeah we had some trouble getting enough people, but they pulled through in the end!

 

[jenseib]

You are going to be so busy.. My head is spinning. But it will be so much fun too!!!!!!

Take a ton of pictures! I just cannot even wait to hear about it.

 

[stephielela]

Well, I have to be up in about 6 hours to head to the airport, so naturally I can't sleep! I made it through the past two days, but just barely! It's been nuts! I'm so looking forward to relaxing! The plane leaves at 7 am and we arrive at LAX AT 10:10! I can't believe its finally time!