What's all this Chit-Chat, Yik Yak & Flim Flamming About?

[Villainess]

Give me a little intro there Gomer.

Howdy folks! Welcome to the one and only (at least for 2014) original Villainess PTR featuring a bit of WDW planning, A DIS'ers favorite pasttime (when not actually in WDW itself!)

But enough of this chit-chat, yik yak, and flim flam. Just refrain from hibernating and we'll all enjoy the show, because we have lots of planning to share!

And now, I give you an assortment of exectutioners of ADR's and FP+ arranging: The Five Disney Bounders plus Gomer. Hit It!

The Disney Bounders will play now in the good ol' summer 2014 - Danielle, and Cibella, and Luca, and Nonna, and a Pop Pop named Gary.

(feel free to clap along ... it's fun and no one will look at you strangely, I promise!)

Danielle is tickling the keyboard to make ADR's and juggling her business and 2 kids while clicking the shutter button to never miss a photo beat.

Cibella is dancing through the days with her arabesques and échappés. When the music moves that girl she can bring a dance to life.

And Luca is a swimmer. Now I mean that boy has grown gills. He also plays soccer with a good handle on the ball.

Nonna's on her tablet. She reads all the time. She just got a smartphone and never took a lesson, but is picking up the ropes from the kids.

And good ole Pop Pop is known for his jokes and hugs and giant pin wall. You should see all the trader pins he brings!

So clap your hands and stomp your feet and try to keep right with us. One sure thing this group's got is good old Disney rhythm!

(Beep! Beep!)​

 

[Villainess]

The FP+ option to jump ahead of the line and get right to the attraction itself!


Chapter 1 - How'd you do? Very Nice to Meet you!
Chapter 2 - Welcome Home!
Chapter 3 - The Long Absence Part I
Chapter 4 - The Long Absence Part II
Chapter 5 - The Long Absence Part III

 

[MeeskaMomma]

I am in! What a start! Can't wait read more.

 

[Villainess]

With our musical intro out of the way, it would probably be proper to have some formal introductions about our main and supporting cast of characters.

Main Cast

Me, Danielle, 34

Co-planner and official photographer for the group (if I'm lucky I'll have 2 or 3 photos with me in them that are “useable,” the rest make for hysterical sequence shots that I’m sure the Photo Caption Contest thread here on the DIS would have a wild time with!). When I’m not planning Disney trips, I have my own business in invitation & event design. You could basically say that I eat, sleep, and breathe planning (whether that be for parties, weddings or Disney). Yes, that means I my OCD moments and pay attention to the slightest details. As you have probably guessed, I love the villains! While I was the girly girl growing up, even my earliest trip at age 2 1/2 I became enamored with the Big Bad Wolf (of course, the princess craze and costumes and merchandise were nowhere near as prominent back in 1982). My absolute favorite it the Mistress of all Evil herself, Maleficient followed by the Evil Queen. To be fair, Mickey and Chip and Dale have soft spots in my heart too so I'm not all bad - I promise!

DD, Cibella, 7 1/2

My ballerina princess who is wise beyond her years. She is the quintessential girly girl: sparkles, pink, and dancing - that's her life! She just wrapped up her 3rd year on a competitive dance team and is eager to start rehearsals again for next season in June (mind you that she is currently in rehearsals for the school's recital and year-end production of West Side Story). She dances 7 hours a week currently and it looks like we will be adding another 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 hours for next season. She is finishing 2nd grade and just made her First Holy Communion 2 weeks ago. Aurora is her favorite character since the age of 2 (works well with my favorite, right?). She enjoys pin trading which I started with her at 1 1/2 to help her be more social and less shy (also why she began dancing too). DD chose the hotel we are staying at this trip (more on the later ...) and has impressed me with her desire to help plan our vacation.

DS, Luca, 6 1/2

As DD is my girly girl, DS is very much all things boy! Pink, frills and anything girly are icky and dumb. His daredevil antics - climbing and jumping - leave mommy a nervous wreck and he is known to dig in the dirt and giving his mom worms, "as a surprise." Even though he has that tough boy demeanor, he is my snuggle bunny and enjoys cuddling; the little girls in his kindergarten class always say how sweet he is (which causes DS to wrinkle his nose and make weird faces). He has taken a hiatus from ice skating lessons and discovered the world of swimming. When he enters the water, that boy grows gills! I'm excited to see him enjoy and take to the water so much as this was my sport growing up. On our last trip, he was just shy of riding EE and was completely devastated! He has declared that EE is our first attraction of the trip. He collects Muppet pins and has a range of favorite characters including Buzz, Mickey, and Olaf.

Nonna, my mom, 61

Cinderella and Minnie Mouse are her favorites and it is fun to watch DD and her debate over who the 'better' princess is! A non-thrill, non-spin rider, we can sometimes get her on Splash if weather conditions, ADR's, and the planets all line up. Her favorite park is MK with POTC her favorite attraction; she would love to live on Main St. above the Ice Cream parlor and have a balcony that looks out over Cinderella Castle. A DVC member since 1994 and former TDS CM, she tolerates our pin trading habit (and we don't talk about her former Disney beanie addiction), occasionally finding one she keeps for herself. However her idea of relaxing for a while is a massage at the SSR Spa! If an airline needed a poster-child for overpacking and the Do-NOTs of packing to meet the weight limitations - I nominate her. Currently on a 3 night, 2 day trip with my father, she packed a garment bag, a carry-on suitcase stuffed that it barely zippered, and 2 duffle bags of shoes and other stuff.

(Nonna & Pop Pop)

Pop Pop, my dad, 62

Co-planner of the group. If Goofy could be an actual person, it would be my Dad. It seems only fitting that Goofy would then be his favorite character. Golfer and pin trader, DVC'r, and best Pop Pop in the world. He is adored by my children and sometimes I don't know who gets who into trouble! He will go on most E-ticket rides, but will sit out on Mission Space and RNR. Can be caught taking naps during any dark theater show! He is not a minute by minute planner (actually, none of us are); deciding where to eat is enough, so this whole FP+ system is a bit 'over the top' for him. He will have a birthday on our first whole day of our vacation and therefore, some extra pixie dust must be planned for him! Ironically, it wasn't until he turned 60 that he would even acknowledge or celebrate his birthday (but he certainly enjoys it now - maybe the grandkids had something to do with it?). Nevertheless, tune in to see what I have up my sleeve for his bday (and maybe by then I will know too! )


Supporting Cast
Not officially booked for the trip, but you will see them mentioned a lot, so they deserve some intro's too!

Gibbs - our almost 8 month old Yorkie - I surprised DD and DS with a puppy when they came home from Thanksgiving break. The kids and I had talked about the possibility of getting a puppy, but they had no idea that I was doing my research. I woke up Black Friday and while most of the country was scouring deals at the malls, Target and Best Buy, this was me 'shopping' for a puppy. I drove to Maryland on Saturday morning to bring him home and he was certainly a welcome surprise for DD & DS on Sunday!
This was when he came home - only 1.7lbs

and now

He is playful and friendly and has this cute personality. He can be found at my computer when left alone and I have been scouring the web looking for this dog's blog! Much to my kids dismay that he cannot come to stay at the hotel with us, he will have fun staying at my grandparents with frequent visits from my DSis and DNiece.

DSis, 31

If my Dad could be Goofy in person, then my sister is Donald. No, seriously and she would take that as a compliment. Never the girlie girl or princessy type, Donald is her hands down favorite and makes sure to tell Mickey that Donald is #1 in her book. She was in WDW this past November with her DD, DH, and in-laws. Unable to join our summer trip due to both her and DH's job restriction on summer vacations (it's their busy times). As mentioned, she will be visiting Gibbs while he stays with my grandparents. Namely, she will take him on walks so he can get some outdoor exercise.

DNiece, 3 1/2

This adorable little girl with a set of chubby cheeks I could give kisses to all day adores my DD and DS. She went on her 2nd WDW trip in November and loves Minnie Mouse and Sofia the First. Recently, you can find her with DD and DS singing 'Let it Go!' at the top of their lungs while she and DD choreograph a dance to it. I'll admit, I am bummed she will not be coming with us, but I don't think DSis of DBil would go for her coming with us while they stay behind.

Mom Mom - my grandmother
Dee Dad - my grandfather

After an 7 year absence on our WDW trips due to the need to take care of my great-grandmother, they were once again able to join us on our trip in 2010. My children adore them and we are beyond blessed that they are able to share and enjoy their great-grandparents. We had a wonderful trip with them in 2010 as I know they cherished seeing Disney through the eyes of children, and am hoping that they will reconsider at the assurances of afternoon breaks to help beat the heat and join us.


So there is our formal, "How'd you do's?" Coming up ... Where to stay!
​

 

[Villainess]

I am in! What a start! Can't wait read more.

YEAH!!! Thanks for joining in!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Hi Villainess. Cute family, we have a Yorkie, too. No matter where I sit he is either at my feet, in my lap or behind my head on the back of the couch.
That's so great that your DD wants to help plan, my family seems to think that Disney trips are truly magical to include the planning of them. They just wait for me to tell them when and where to show up and how much they owe.
I can't wait to read more about your plans.
That's so funny about your and your DD's favorite characters, hope it's not foreshadowing to the teen years.

 

[VBelle68]

I'm in
I love that you are an event planner and get paid! I just do it for free!

 

[Villainess]

Hi Villainess. Cute family, we have a Yorkie, too. No matter where I sit he is either at my feet, in my lap or behind my head on the back of the couch.
That's so great that your DD wants to help plan, my family seems to think that Disney trips are truly magical to include the planning of them. They just wait for me to tell them when and where to show up and how much they owe.
I can't wait to read more about your plans.
That's so funny about your and your DD's favorite characters, hope it's not foreshadowing to the teen years.

This! Yes! As I am typing he is on the back of the couch and has his paws on my shoulders as if he is reading the DIS!

Oh my - I certainly hope it isn't a foreshadowing!

I'm in
I love that you are an event planner and get paid! I just do it for free!

Hi! Thanks for joining in! It is a lot of fun, sometimes stressful but lots of fun too!

 

[Villainess]

Let's get down to business! (HAHA! Like my Mulan reference there?)


Anyway, some of the important details that would otherwise not make this PTR complete.

Travel Dates ...

After much deliberation between Pop Pop and I, we finally decided on a departure date of July 28th with a late afternoon/early evening flight. This is a change from our usual departure tradition; typically we leave on the first flight out of Newark around 6 - 6:30 am and are on Disney soil by 10am. This year, however, Pop Pop will be working a half day and we declared July 28th as our 'bonus' day'. We will not get to Disney until around 9 - 9:30pm and plan to just grab some snacks and walk around the resort soaking up Disney magic. (I really wish I could flip the direction of Tinkerbell so she was sprinkling pixie dust onto my words here for better effect).


We will be spending 15 days/nights at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort!

(view from our room on our trip in 2010)​

DS and DD chose the hotel location this year; they said they wanted to stay where the horse statue was. This is one of 2 'Home' resorts in DVC for us; the other is OKW, where we stay 99% of the time.

I'm looking forward to exploring more of this resort, being within walking distance of DTD (or whatever they are calling it now?), and after many trips with DSis and DBil claiming the 2nd bedroom as theirs leaving me to the pull out couch (seriously, I must have missed that 'plan Disney' meeting where it was voted the older sister sleeps on the couch ), I'm thrilled to have the 2nd bedroom and sleep in an actual bed! DS, however, has claimed the pull-out couch to be his. I'm sure he is envisioning spending late nights at the park followed by all-nighters watching TV with the remote in his control

Yeah, right!

Coming Up ... The Long Absence ...
​

 

[MeeskaMomma]

That looks like a greasy resort! I can't wait to hear more about your plans!

 

[addictedtothemouse]

Yeah shouldn't there be an automatic rule that the oldest child gets first pick, and if that child happens to be a boy then the oldest daughter.
Kids are great, they just have no concept of how totally exhausted they will be.
I've never stayed at OKW or SSR but it is one of my desires to stay at all of the resorts at least once.

 

[Villainess]

Perhaps you are curious about the title. Since Nonna and Pop Pop purchased DVC, we have been fortunate to go to WDW at least once a year, many times twice a year spending anywhere from 10 to 19 days at a time.

One year, my exDH and I made 4 trips to WDW in one year, 2 of which were decided like this:
exDH: “Weather is looking bad this weekend; no July 4th fireworks.”
Me: “Ugh. That stinks. Oh well. Guess any plans are shot.”
exDH: (on computer looking at weather.com – remember this is BS (Before Smartphones!) ) “Weather in WDW is sunny and 90’s.”
Me: “Wanna go?”
exDH: “I’ll pick you up in 2 hours, call Disney and get a hotel.”
And BAM! We would drive from Jersey, and be in WDW 16 hours later for a 4-6 day ‘mini-vacation’.

Aaahh … the days of being in your early 20’s with relatively little worries.

Rewind back to 2011; we planned this trip to depart on Black Friday and spend 10 days to enjoy all of the Christmas and Disney magic. This was the farthest in advance trip we have booked since I was in college - booking at 8 ½ months out! (My business schedule varies and booking 6 months in advance is tough – hence why this trip was only booked 3 weeks ago!). All was going along swimmingly. DD started kindergarten and DS was in pre-K in September 2011. I remember walking out of the bathroom and my father was standing at the foot of the steps and was visibly upset – actually crying. My first thought was, “Oh god, who died?” He then proceeds to tell my mom and I that he was just laid off from the employer that he worked with for 44 years. It was a punch in the gut to him as I’m sure over the course of those years he had opportunities to go to different companies, but he was of the old-school, loyal to the company who gave him a job while in high school and upon his return from his service in the Army, helping him work and get his bachelor’s degree and later offering him the opportunity to receive his master’s (which he did!).

He was devastated and distraught, and embarrassed all at once. I sat down with Nonna and we decided that our scheduled trip would go on and not be cancelled – we both felt that it would hurt Pop Pop’s already wounded self even more by feeling it was his fault for the need to cancel. He was adamant too that the trip not be cancelled and was optimistic that by then he would have a job, but was accepting that if this was the case he possibly may have to bow out of the trip. So we went on our trip and had a wonderful time, but there was no new job on the horizon for him and it certainly wasn’t for lack of trying.

In all, he was out of work for 26 months, and began a new job this past November. Kids being kids, they would ask when we could back to WDW and while I could certainly take them myself, my parents wouldn’t be able to go and I just couldn’t leave them behind (they have helped and supported me through some hard times, my divorce and being my cheering squad to get my business off the ground). It just didn’t sit well with me to leave them behind and the kids wanted them to go too. So we waited with the promise from Pop Pop that once he had a job, we would again be able to go back to WDW … and so here we are!

What did we do during our long absence you ask? Oh, there was certainly LOTS going on!

Holiday concerts & pageants

DD completed her first year on the competition dance team and recital extra parts cast …

Hmmm … wonder if this still fits her? Would be a great ‘Minnie Mouse’ dress!
DS took up ice skating

DS played his first year of tee ball

We had water balloon fights

Made Uncle Sam sundaes

Put on silly faces contests

Notice the pin lanyard?
Went to the boardwalk & beach

DS went to the new Yankee Stadium with Pop Pop and Dee Dad

while DD went to NYC with me

There was more ice skating

We had a birthday party for DS

and the following day Superstorm Sandy slammed the Jersey Shore

leaving us without power for 12 days, a severely damaged roof (but still a home standing), humbled and grateful at the sight of these trucks in a local Lowes parking lot

​

 

[Villainess]

Lost a tooth

Built a ‘campsite’ to sleep in

And another year of dance competitions and recitals …

DS was registered for Kindergarten

School Projects

DD lost her 2 front teeth within 3 days of each other

More baseball

Had a surprise 60th birthday party for Nonna

DS graduated Pre-K

Celebrated the 4th

Lots of beach days

Were photo-bombed by a clown

Went to Six Flags

And tried out their safari

… not the same
Had our pool liner replaced after Sandy destroyed it

Picked Peaches

Both kids started full-day school

DS had a cool Halloween costume

​

 

[Villainess]

And started swimming lessons

DD brought in the most food for the Holiday Food Drive

Added a new member to our family

Too much snow fell upon us this winter

And we spent a lot of time building Legos

DD & DS helped raise money for Pop Pop to take the Polar Bear Plunge

My Valentine cooked dinner for the family

Another year of dance competitions (with her 5th dance recital only 2 weeks away).

Dyed more Easter Eggs

I built decor with the help from Pop Pop for DD & DS’s school gift auction fundraiser

DD made her First Holy Communion

We celebrated Mother’s Day and Nonna’s bday

DS added soccer to his list of sport activities

Even more school projects and presentations

Yes, we went through some major Disney withdrawal, but with New Fantasyland and the kids taller to go on more ‘big kid’ rides, it is a rebirth trip, so to speak ...
(getting all philosophical hear - I was a Philosophy Major, just the way I roll! ) ...
... the infant/toddler stroller days are gone, DD & DS have new interests but still retain that innocent curiosity and excitement within them to still want to dress up and be small, new attractions to be seen to make us feel like it is our very first visit, but still our favorites and classics to feel like home too, and finally putting these last 2 ½ years of hardtimes behind us.

As the wise baboon Rafiki says, “It is TIME!”

 

[MeeskaMomma]

Great photos! I can see how that would be a punch in the guy, a company can become like a family. Glad things are on the up swing and you his are retiring to Disney!

 

[Villainess]

That looks like a greasy resort! I can't wait to hear more about your plans!

I enjoy SSR -2010 was my first real stay there. I had been 1 other previous time for 3 days but honestly, took the bus to the parks, came back to the room and repeat. I really didn't see much of the resort itself.

Yeah shouldn't there be an automatic rule that the oldest child gets first pick, and if that child happens to be a boy then the oldest daughter.
Kids are great, they just have no concept of how totally exhausted they will be.
I've never stayed at OKW or SSR but it is one of my desires to stay at all of the resorts at least once.

Yes! Love that rule! Unfortunately the Disney pull out sofa beds aren't too magical and comfy, even the newer OKW couches (I actually grabbed a taxi and went to buy an inflatable mattress to sleep on in 2011).

That's a great goal to stay at every Disney resort - I would like to do that too. I think it helps keeps things different and interesting with us die hard Disney fans! OKW is very nice - it is quiet and I know my parents appreciate that peacefulness and overall atmosphere. I just wish they could put a food court somewhere on that property. Olivia's is very nice, and the staff is wonderfully friendly but sometimes you just want to grab & go.

Great photos! I can see how that would be a punch in the guy, a company can become like a family. Glad things are on the up swing and you his are retiring to Disney!

That's exactly how he felt. His boss was at my wedding and my sister's wedding. You don't see that kind of loyalty (company to employer or employer to company) anymore nowadays. He is also not one to sit still - he has to stay busy. Thank you Things are doing much better!

 

[Villainess]

Moving right along in the planning of this adventure, I began to think about some things that I absolutely had to do on this trip. They are the things that you have walked by a million times and never paid any attention to, have never eaten/seen/been on/experienced, or perhaps are the 'my Disney vacation wouldn't be complete without ... ' things. Those things that put the extra pixie dust into the magic of Disney.

I jotted down a list and limited myself to only 10, because, well let's face it, there are thousands of must-do's at WDW! I have also asked DD & DS to write down theirs, and I'm glad I did - there was 1 or 2 on DD's list that I never would have thought about!

I will share DD & DS lists soon, but for now, I have I give you ...


(((drumroll, if you please .... )))

(thank you Animal!)


Danielle's Top 10 Must-Do's in WDW
(in no particular order)

1) Be at MK for Rope Drop and Opening Show
My exDH and I were always at park opening or just after - I prefer an early start; Nonna has a different touring style - she likes to relax in the morning, sleep in, eat her breakfast on the balcony and talk to Mom Mom on the phone, and around 11am she is ready to head out to a park. Pop Pop, DD, DS (usually), and I are early risers and with the hot Florida heat, we plan to take advantage of early openings and breakfast ADR's. Bonus: be at opening at least one day for each of the 4 main parks!

2) Spend an afternoon at a waterpark
My last visit to a waterpark was Blizzard Beach back in Dec. 2004. I'm not much of a lay by the pool/waterpark person on vacation, especially in summer months. Why? Well, we have a pool in our backyard and a beach 5 minutes away. Also, from my years lifeguarding, I could never enjoy a public pool, beach or waterpark because I would go into 'lifeguard' mode (and there were times, I'm glad I did).

I have eased the lifeguard mode (just a tad) and as I am confident that DS & DD are strong enough swimmers to enjoy the slides and tubes, I admit, I'd like to try some of the larger slides out myself!

3) Stop to enjoy DHS street performers
I usually do this, but our last trip was a bit more chaotic and traveling with 4 other adults, 1 infant, and 2 young children, there were lots of opinions on what to see/where to go, and exercises in patience (or lack thereof) . I think DS would especially find some of them hysterical.

4) Learn a new phrase in each WS country.
In 2010, it was Christmas season, so in addition to seeing many of the holiday season tradition skits (Norway's Singrid & Julennissen and Italy's La Befana were our favorites), I asked a CM in each country to tell us a holiday phrase in their language. Unfortunately, I didn't write them all down (take note: will do so this year!) but DD, DS & I really enjoyed it. I will again do this, only asking to learn a phrase and hoping perhaps my kids will practice a bit of Spanish they have been learning in Mexico.

5) Enjoy a Dole Whip in 'my patio'
Some people would love to have that dream home on Main Street (Nonna for one). Me? I have my house all picked out - in Adventureland - right next door to Aloha Isle with a fabulous balcony and a nice private patio. Wanna see 'my house'?

and the patio

photo credits: here


Only steps away from Dole Whip central, and just a short walk over the bridge, is the Castle and Main St. (for fireworks and parade viewing).

photo credit: Tom Bricker
Have you seen his pics here on DIS or his blog? UN- BELIEVABLE!!! I am in awe of them and use them as inspiration for mine - and no mine are so not of that level, but hey I try! He and his DW are also just adorable together!

6) Have Silhouettes made of DD & DS in Liberty Square
I have an obsession with silhouettes lately. I've been using them a lot in my work for invitations. I've watched the artists before (bc let's face it using scissors only to take a piece of paper and turn it into a profile silhouette - that is an artist) but have never gotten one made.

7) Close MK, watch Kiss Goodnight & get a pic of DD & DS
Picturing it as: kids from behind walking up an empty Main Street towards Train Station (holding hands??), bonus: same set-up but walking (or maybe skipping/running) towards Castle) - thinking this shot in vicinity of Casey Corner and Ice Cream Parlor.

8) Spread some pixie dust to a stranger
Disney is full of magic and pixie dust, it is just contagious to want to join in and spread some magic too!

9) Enjoy a resort campfire
Since we have 2 weeks, I would like to enjoy the resort and what it offers as well as the parks. I can be a park commando but I certainly don't want to burn out the kids as that will make everyone's lives miserable and we will then be "THAT Family."

10) Find an adult beverage in WS that I can have (and hopefully have never tried before).
This one could possibly be difficult; I have food allergies (will go into further details when we talk food), so there are certain things I know are out - beer (though I never liked it anyway), Grey Goose Slushie (that is rough, I was a fan, not just the slushie, but Grey Goose in general when something needed vodka).


So there are my Top 10 Must-Do's. What are some of yours?​

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi there Danielle! Your kids are adorable! Do you ever watch Dance Moms? My DD sucked me into that show. I can't imagine that is real life for anyone but what do I know.

I'm glad your dad's work story had a happy ending. What a great way to affirm everything good about life by celebrating with a Disney trip. You are a good daughter!

I love the spacious SSR villas! That's too funny how you were relegated to the pull out in trips past - I agree, where was your vote in that planning session!!

Number 7 of your Must Do list will be awesome. I've only caught the good night show twice and both times by accident so it was a great way to end the evening.

Happy planning - for the trip as the case may be!!

 

[Villainess]

Yes, we have 61 days left until we leave for WDW! Why so significant? Ahhh, yes! You got it! FP+ will be opening up for me.

Here I sit, T-minus 4 1/2 hours away from midnight and stare at my ADR's and tentative plans jotting down preferences for our FP+ use. A must: Anna & Elsa meet & greet (yes, I know along with everyone else! but I'll be darned if I'm waiting in a 3.5 hour line! Do you know how many pictures I could take in 3.5 hours? Or how many Dole Whips that could be consumed - but won't because then my clothes won't fit? )

Am I ready for the mission?

​

 

[Villainess]

Hi there Danielle! Your kids are adorable! Do you ever watch Dance Moms? My DD sucked me into that show. I can't imagine that is real life for anyone but what do I know.

I'm glad your dad's work story had a happy ending. What a great way to affirm everything good about life by celebrating with a Disney trip. You are a good daughter!

I love the spacious SSR villas! That's too funny how you were relegated to the pull out in trips past - I agree, where was your vote in that planning session!!

Number 7 of your Must Do list will be awesome. I've only caught the good night show twice and both times by accident so it was a great way to end the evening.

Happy planning - for the trip as the case may be!!

Thanks for reading along!

I've never watched Dance Moms - I actually refuse to. I am fortunate that DD's dance school is not like that (or I would be looking for a new one); they are very much like a family and offer lots of support and encouragement, not the chastising and bundles of pressure I've seen from commercials.