When you wish upon a star, a FAMILY trip comes true. May 2011 UPDATE 6/21 p.10-2posts

[klacey1]

So sorry about your husband's job I hope you'll both be able to find one soon.
Love the PJ print! Super cute. The pictures of Tony's chicken parm looks REALLY good, too. The decor is really nice, too, I've always thought.

 

[TinksThree]

Love the pj print and the Mickey necklace!! Your mom did a good job!!

Stinks about Austin's job but hopefully it will all work out soon!! I have been in the same situation so I know the feelings you have to deal with so sending !!

 

[Moonies]

Sorry about Austin's job, good vibes that he gets a new one soon and so do you.

 

[dancin_princess]

30 days!! That deserves a happy dance!

Sorry to hear that your hubby lost his job. Wishing you both tons of luck.

That's a cute pajama print. I ever would've guessed Avon had Disney jewelry.

 

[RhZarkis]

Congrats on graduating from school. My husband and I have been going to school for the past four years. We both are nurses and it has been crazy. The one thing that our family focused on to help lift our spirits was our trip to Disney World. We told our children Anna 10 and Nicolas 8 that when we were done our thank you to them woud be Walt Disney World. We will also be arriving on May 27th and staying through June 3rd. This is our first trip and I have so much fun planning this vacation. I wish you and your family a magical time.

 

[JMat]

Hang tough girl, it's always darkest right before dawn

 

[Moira222]

YIPPEEE for 30 days..
and for cute pj's.

boo for nasty job news. on the good side, it frees DH up to really actively search for jobs, and even new apartments. AND since he didn't quit, he can apply for unemployment, right? believe me, it's a blessing. Something is always better than nothing and it gets you over the rough spots!

I completely understand the guilt you feel about continuing to plan your WDW vacation.....been there, live that! But you know, life goes on despite bad markets, stupid bosses, and the rest of things you deal with. maybe you will end up doing something awesome or life changing in Florida.

30 days!!!

 

[xoktenox]

for 30 days!!! (now 29 lol) I can't wait to hit that mark!!

so sorry your DH lost his job. But, at least it's done now and you guys can move on. It's good that you still have Disney to look forward to and you're 100% right, it's no use to cancel it now so don't feel badly!

I love your Disney PJs! I hope you enjoy Tony's! We have to make sure to exchange phone #s before we go so we can try and meet up on June 3

 

[JenAusty]

well good luck with work for both of you and I hope it all works for the better in the end.take care. Jeff.

Thank you so much, and I hope you can return to read my TR in June. You take care as well and thanks for reading!

Sorry about Austin's job! Sending lots of pixie dust that he finds another one soon

You know, you could probably just show up to the ADRs you already have booked and ask to add one more person, I bet they wouldn't turn you away

Thank you- I think the pixie dust is helping- I've been in better spirits lately, and Austin has gotten a few call backs.. so we will see.

I thought about doing that, but it scared me to show up and then they say "we can't do that" for whatever reason and then we would have to miss that dining experience and go somewhere else. Especially if it was as at a resort- and we took the time to travel there. I worked everything out- and I'll share in my next post!

I'm sorry about Austin's job. I can only imagine how stressful it must be for the both of you Thank goodness you have your Disney trip to look forward to.

Thank you, and yes it has been very stressful. I cried at least once every day for the last week. But I found myself in good spirits on Friday while subbing, and then on Saturday I was in an even better mood. I think I am done mopping and have moved on to being able to cope with the situation. Its just things are soo stressful and up in the air that it makes me crazy!!

I am extremely happy I have WDW to think about. I organized my planner binder last night and was talking with DH about our dining. I was extremely excited last night!

So sorry about your husband's job I hope you'll both be able to find one soon.
Love the PJ print! Super cute. The pictures of Tony's chicken parm looks REALLY good, too. The decor is really nice, too, I've always thought.

Thank you! Austin is having better luck finding jobs to apply for.. but we are doing ok right now.

I believe I have something similar to chicken parm at Mamas Melrose.. or at least I had it last time and it was delicious! I think I'll prob. go with the spaghetti-- its been calling my name since I saw the picture.

Love the pj print and the Mickey necklace!! Your mom did a good job!!

Stinks about Austin's job but hopefully it will all work out soon!! I have been in the same situation so I know the feelings you have to deal with so sending !!

Yes she did! I was extremely happy with items! I'm excited to go back to my parents and see whatever goodies she buys! hehe

and thank you! I know that we will get through it because we are both hard working people- and we are both trying hard to work through this and find new employment and cope with the situation. DH is dealing with it better than I thought and even though I've been a wreck- its only because I really don't want to leave my employment-- unless I got a teaching job. I love the place I work at.

Sorry about Austin's job, good vibes that he gets a new one soon and so do you.

Thank you.. I appreciate it!

30 days!! That deserves a happy dance!

Sorry to hear that your hubby lost his job. Wishing you both tons of luck.

That's a cute pajama print. I ever would've guessed Avon had Disney jewelry.

Thank you- We are feeling a lot better now, and hopefully we will get some things figured out before WDW.

Yes, they do have Disney jewelry and many other things. My aunt has sold Avon basically my whole life and we always get the new ad booklet that comes out. My parents bought me a disney duffle bag from Avon for Christmas 2008- for our 2009 trip. They also had flip flops at one point.. I don't know if they still have them. When I was really young, my mom use to buy me all the charm bracelets they had for little girls. I still have a minnie charm bracelet that I wear when I visit WDW.

Congrats on graduating from school. My husband and I have been going to school for the past four years. We both are nurses and it has been crazy. The one thing that our family focused on to help lift our spirits was our trip to Disney World. We told our children Anna 10 and Nicolas 8 that when we were done our thank you to them woud be Walt Disney World. We will also be arriving on May 27th and staying through June 3rd. This is our first trip and I have so much fun planning this vacation. I wish you and your family a magical time.

That is an amazing gift to give your children! I can't imagine how crazy busy you both have been going to school and taking care of you children! Kudos to you! It looks like we are going the exact same time, except I am coming back on June 4th. So we both can say YAY for 25 days today!!

Hang tough girl, it's always darkest right before dawn

Yes, I know. I've been way worse then my DH dealing with this, and he keeps telling me- it's going to be okay and we will probably be happier. We are trying to find jobs closer to my parents- and if that happens, I'll be near my hometown, one of my best friends, and DH family. Then we are discussing still planning to relocate for teaching positions for me.

 

[JenAusty]

YIPPEEE for 30 days..
and for cute pj's.

boo for nasty job news. on the good side, it frees DH up to really actively search for jobs, and even new apartments. AND since he didn't quit, he can apply for unemployment, right? believe me, it's a blessing. Something is always better than nothing and it gets you over the rough spots!

I completely understand the guilt you feel about continuing to plan your WDW vacation.....been there, live that! But you know, life goes on despite bad markets, stupid bosses, and the rest of things you deal with. maybe you will end up doing something awesome or life changing in Florida.

30 days!!!

Yes, it does! DH has been basically sitting at home during the day looking and applying for jobs. Before he was home, thats what I did for both of us and I was getting so warn out. Yes, he has applied- he thinks he will have problems because it seems that, that employment fights unemployment.. and it has been a mess for others that have quit. But we will see.. DH said if he gets umemployment- if I get a good job- he might just finish his schooling (it takes 12 months) and then find a job in that. We are definitely keeping are options open.. especially about FL!

for 30 days!!! (now 29 lol) I can't wait to hit that mark!!

so sorry your DH lost his job. But, at least it's done now and you guys can move on. It's good that you still have Disney to look forward to and you're 100% right, it's no use to cancel it now so don't feel badly!

I love your Disney PJs! I hope you enjoy Tony's! We have to make sure to exchange phone #s before we go so we can try and meet up on June 3

Its a darn good thing we still have Disney to look forward too! This is the main reason I haven't went crazy! I have spent a lot my extra time researching and planning and organizing for Disney lately!

Yes, I will PM you!

 

[JenAusty]

YAY for 25 DAYS!

and I can offically say- "I'm going to Disney this month"!!! Happy May Everyone!

Thank you all for the kind words! I really do appreciate it and it makes me feel a lot better!

I forgot to post the countdown calendar I created. I made one for Austy and I and then for my parents. Theres is exactly the same except on neon orange paper. After I created these- I thought of many other ways I could/should of done to it. But it will do! (the mickey heads are my own created stamp..hehe)

I originally created it so you would remove the mickey head when each day passed- but DM and I decided we didn't want to remove the mickey heads and would just mark them when they passed. I think next time I'll incorporate stickers or something!

and guess what I got on Friday--

I still haven't received my ME vouchers but my parents did.. so if I don't get them in a few days I'll call.

As I mentioned to a few of you, the last week I have spent quite a bit of time reading about our trip and figuring things out. Last night I finally conquered the dining plan- "where to dine" issues. I believe I shared this, but since my Gma and my best friend decided to make a visit during out trip- I've had to add different reservations, change other ones and its been very difficult being less than 30 days ahead of time. Don't they realize we make those reservations 180 days in advance?!!
....Well I don't think my mom gets it. But I got it all figured out!

So last night I had my dining reservations, dining menus I printed out, and a list of QS meal ideas all spread out on my island. I was determined to get this figured out since its been constantly lingering my mind. I decided to start with writing out each day- and each dining place- and whether it was QS or TS or Cash. I've kind of did this before, but it is constantly scribbled on and changed- so its not really clear.
As I got half way through the week I realized that we weren't using many QS meals and that we just might have extras at the end of the week; and sure enough- we were only planned to use 5/8 QS... this made my day!

So-- I added 1 to our arrival day, and used the other 2 to use for 1 TS. and this easily fixed my issue! I am still going to talk it over with the parentials because I am using 2 of our meals for 1- but I'm pretty sure they will say what they always do "that's fine- we don't care"

Here is the new eating plans:
Friday, May 27th- Arrival Day

1 QS- Food Court or somewhere yummy in DTD.
1 CASH- we are getting a $15 GC to Planet Hollywood..

Saturday, May 28th- MK DAY

1 QS- Columbia Harbour House or Cosmic Rays Starlite Cafe
1 CASH- Cinderellas Royal Table 5:25pm

Sunday, May 29th- AK DAY! and my best friend Amber is coming to visit me!

This is 1 of the days I had to change the dining reservations. This one was surprisingly easy- and I was able to change the reservations for 5 instead of 4 for the same time.

1 QS- Flame Tree BBQ or Restaurantosaurus

1 TS- Boma- Flavors of Africa 4:30pm

Monday, May 30th- Epcot DAY

1 QS- Sunshine Seasons

1 TS- Coral Reef 4pm

Tuesday, May 31st- HS DAY

1 QS- Backlot Express or Studio Catering or Sunset Ranch Market

1 TS- Mama Melrose Restorante- Fantasmic Dinner Package 4:15

Wednesday, June 1st- WATERPARK/FREE DAY

1 TS- Breakfast at Tuskerhouse (AK) 9:10am

1 TS- Raglan Road 7pm.

I figured this day we can use 1 S in between breakfast and dinner. If we are still hungry- because it is a late dinner- then we can just buy something else.

Thursday, June 2nd- MK DAY 2- and Gma and possibly my uncle and his friend are coming to visit. My Gma requested MK; this is the only part she has been to (with us when I was in 3rd-4th grade), but she said she wanted to go to this part. and I understand why (Sadly, no pic of her on my computer).

1 TS- Tony's Town Square (lunch) 12:35pm

1 TS- Whispering Canyon Cafe 6:35pm

Friday, June 3rd- Epcot/ AK Day- basically "where we want to go" day.

1 QS- Sommerfest or Yorkshire County Fish Shop or Yak & Yeti CS ( this is an iffy- my dad would prob. say no).

1 TS- San Angel Inn 6pm

Saturday, June 4th- "where we want to go" day 2- prob. MK or AK if we don't go Friday.

2 QS for 1 TS- Le Cellier Steakhouse 1pm


Now you may have noticed that I added ideas or several ideas of QS meals.. I also started my list last night too- or actually narrowed my list of choices. I focused on where I thought we would be and then listed out those ideas. Besides a select few "must dos" I am just going to make a list of ones I want to eat at- and then when it comes to that time- we can decide as a group.

*= "must dos" or "we are doing this for sure"

MK:
Pinocchio Village Haus (this is another tradition place- but I think I a willing to give it up to try something new).
*Columbia Harbour House
Cosmic Rays Starlite Cafe

AK:
Flame Tree BBQ
Restaurantosaurus
Yak & Yeti CS

Epcot:
*Sunshine Seasons
Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Sommerfest (I'm pretty set on this place because I love German food and don't get to return to Biergarten-- but curious what the clan will say).
Lotus Blossom Cafe (Chinese)- a lot of ratings are bad, but DM, DH and I love chinese food.. but DD not so much.


HS:
Backlot Express
Sunset Ranch Market
Studio Catering Co. Flatbread Grill

DTD:
Earl of Sandwich- is this QS or TS or nothing?
Wolfgang Puck Express

As I read, I'm sure I'll add more to the list. If you have any suggestions or favorite food items as any of these places- please share. I have to go back through my old comments and write down suggestions that were made before.

Next posting- my snack credit list. and info about our job status and what has been going on with that.

 

[xoktenox]

Hey Jen, I responded to your PM this morning!

I just wanted to invite you and all of your readers over to my new PTR for our June trip.

Celebrations Galore! A June 2011 Joint PTR!​

Thanks Jen, for letting me do my shameless plug on your PTR! lol

 

[thmar]

Love the Disney plans!!

Also here's another one wishing for good luck in the job department.

 

[JenAusty]

Hey Jen, I responded to your PM this morning!

I just wanted to invite you and all of your readers over to my new PTR for our June trip.

Celebrations Galore! A June 2011 Joint PTR!​

Thanks Jen, for letting me do my shameless plug on your PTR! lol

Yes, I got it! and I also joined your PTR!

Love the Disney plans!!

Also here's another one wishing for good luck in the job department.

Thank you!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Your ADRs sound great! I had no idea that you could use 2 QS credits for a TS, have they always allowed that?

Earl of Sandwich is QS

 

[Moonies]

Echoing the amazement that you can use 2 QS for 1 table service, hm, now I am tempted to see if I can some how magically open a time space continuum up to go to WCC during this trip.

 

[TinksThree]

Your ADRs look good. We will be in MK on the same day! (Saturday, May 28th)

We love Tusker House, Le Cellier and San Angel Inn so I think those are very good choices! Earl of Sandwich is QS and so very good! We will probably eat here on one of our DTD trips!

I had to laugh because you ADR planning strategy sounds so familiar!!

 

[klacey1]

Sounds good! Definitely try Cosmic Ray's-- it's our fav CS in Disney!!
The 2 QS for 1 TS must be BRAND new! Disney has always been so against that.

 

[JenAusty]

Your ADRs sound great! I had no idea that you could use 2 QS credits for a TS, have they always allowed that?

Earl of Sandwich is QS

Ok... now I'm worried. I swear someone told me before that you could use 2 QS for 1 TS... if I recall, I used it at the Food Court.. DH and I used it for pizza credit.. now I must call and make sure! AHHH.

Echoing the amazement that you can use 2 QS for 1 table service, hm, now I am tempted to see if I can some how magically open a time space continuum up to go to WCC during this trip.

Ok.. don't panic but I'm worried because everyone was unaware of this process.. I swear that someone told me before that we could do this and I just never did because I felt like it was a waste of 2 credits.. I'm going to have to call. Don't change anything until I call!!!

Your ADRs look good. We will be in MK on the same day! (Saturday, May 28th)

We love Tusker House, Le Cellier and San Angel Inn so I think those are very good choices! Earl of Sandwich is QS and so very good! We will probably eat here on one of our DTD trips!

I had to laugh because you ADR planning strategy sounds so familiar!!

YAY- I'm happy that EOS is QS.. I'm probably going to MAKE my family go there even though they will probably just want to eat at the food court because we will be starving at that point.

I'm also glad to hear that you like those places because all three of those are newbies for DH and I.

Sounds good! Definitely try Cosmic Ray's-- it's our fav CS in Disney!!
The 2 QS for 1 TS must be BRAND new! Disney has always been so against that.

Yes, I swear someone told me that we could use 2 QS... but I need to call because now I'm worried. I've never heard that they were against it.. if they don't then I'll have to switch everything again!! ahh

Cosmic Rays is highlighted as a for sure for ME... now just hoping my parents and DH choose it as well.

 

[Moira222]

Your plans look great. and I'm sorry but I am so at you very clearly freaking out online about the whole 2 QS = 1 TS math.

Don't Freak Out (its a Chuck thing)



You have a lot of the same places on your list that are on mine. Can't wait to compare TR's after the fact!

We agreed to skip Cosmic Ray's this year so that we try something new,but I have to say their lunches are quite nice, and fairly well balanced. I love their roasted chicken.

Your poster looks great and WHAHOO to getting Mickey Mail.

When you are at Whispering Canyons, be sure to talk someone (but not you) in to asking for ketchup...you will not be sorry.