Year of Million Dreams -- anyone else get something yet? Post your wishes won here!

[TracieD]

I just registered and came over from another board. We go dec 14th, and I was so excited. But now, after reading all this, I am WAY too excited. And I love the idea of handing out glow sticks to kids. So, I guess if I see someone handing them out, I'll know it's a disboard member.. ha ha ha

 

[tinkerbell87512]

I just registered and came over from another board. We go dec 14th, and I was so excited. But now, after reading all this, I am WAY too excited. And I love the idea of handing out glow sticks to kids. So, I guess if I see someone handing them out, I'll know it's a disboard member.. ha ha ha

Welcome to the Disboards!!

 

[wenpop]

Anyone else win any wishes this week??? Can't wait to here more about it!!
Have a great weekend!!

 

[cabanafrau]

We are taking a camera with 2 gb of memory space, but plan on having pics burned to a CD at the Kodak places. 120 pics burned to CD for $11.99. Not a bad deal, should be cheaper then buying more memory sticks.

Just had to comment, $11.99 spent on the CD is spent & gone forever. Memory sticks are incredibly cheap & that is an asset that's yours forever.

 

[gabbyrosebud]

I just registered and came over from another board. We go dec 14th, and I was so excited. But now, after reading all this, I am WAY too excited. And I love the idea of handing out glow sticks to kids. So, I guess if I see someone handing them out, I'll know it's a disboard member.. ha ha ha

We did something similar with my DD. In 2004 she was a little witch(for MNSSHP ) and she was carrying a little caldron full of little spider rings. She went up to little ones and asked if they would like one. The kids really loved them and my DD had so much fun!

 

[Haeg]

Just had to comment, $11.99 spent on the CD is spent & gone forever. Memory sticks are incredibly cheap & that is an asset that's yours forever.

Understood....
But if I purchase another memory stick I want a 4 or more GB size. These currently run about $250. or more.
A 2 GB sony memory stick is $99.
$12.00 x 8 CD's (approx 5.6GB) = $96.
Makes more financial sense right now. And knowing me I take a ton of pics I would fill up a 4 GB stick and still have to burn off to CD's. 10 mega pixel camera fills up a stick pretty quick.

 

[cabanafrau]

Haeg, you seem to have planned what best works for you. I hope you guys have a great time & lots of pixie dust!

But you might want to have that camera looked at -- it seems to do strange things w/ people's heads!

 

[bdtracey]

Understood....
But if I purchase another memory stick I want a 4 or more GB size. These currently run about $250. or more.
A 2 GB sony memory stick is $99.
$12.00 x 8 CD's (approx 5.6GB) = $96.
Makes more financial sense right now. And knowing me I take a ton of pics I would fill up a 4 GB stick and still have to burn off to CD's. 10 mega pixel camera fills up a stick pretty quick.

You got your math correct but you need to take into account what your time is worth and the reuse of the memory stick. If you can burn over the CD's you're fine but chances are you won't be able to burn over the ones that you get at WDW. Also, I personally know how long it takes to get those CD's (~20 minutes), it is not a quick process. If it were me I'd be buying the bigger stick and just leaving all of your pictures on there until you can get to a computer and dump them all onto your hard drive. From there you can make your own CD's for a lot less. Heck, that's what I'm doing on our next trip, our memory stick is only 256 MB (5MP camera) so we get ~100 pictures per card. I'm buying a 1 GB card before we go and I figure between the 2 cards I'll have more than enough storage...just as long as I don't format the card unexpectedly.

Sorry for being off topic but that was just how I made sense of the issue.

 

[Haeg]

You got your math correct but you need to take into account what your time is worth and the reuse of the memory stick. If you can burn over the CD's you're fine but chances are you won't be able to burn over the ones that you get at WDW. Also, I personally know how long it takes to get those CD's (~20 minutes), it is not a quick process. If it were me I'd be buying the bigger stick and just leaving all of your pictures on there until you can get to a computer and dump them all onto your hard drive. From there you can make your own CD's for a lot less. Heck, that's what I'm doing on our next trip, our memory stick is only 256 MB (5MP camera) so we get ~100 pictures per card. I'm buying a 1 GB card before we go and I figure between the 2 cards I'll have more than enough storage...just as long as I don't format the card unexpectedly.

Sorry for being off topic but that was just how I made sense of the issue.

CD re-writables are worthless, I burn to a CD and keep the pics forever, catalogged in a CD case.
My biggest concern was the amount of time it might take to get the pictures burned to CD by a CM. I really wished the hotels had the kodak machines for burning CD's. I have a laptop I could bring to off load pics to, but using the magical express and didn't want to walk around MGK with a laptop bag. Any other suggestions, besides purchasing a ton of memory sticks.

 

[cabanafrau]

Maybe if you hit it @ park opening while someone else in the family heads for fastpasses for the group you wouldn't have much of a delay?

DTD might be a good option, we did our Photopass purchase there after our trip was completed, so we wouldn't waste any park time.

Also, maybe check w/ the GF, I seem to recall that I read something about them having a Photopass location there, so maybe they can handle your own pictures, as well.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Just back this week from a 9 day trip. Lots of magic and pixie dust.
Arrival at WL on 10/8: upgraded from standard to woods? We overlooked the villas and their pool and could see the lake. Plus we had bunk bed for the kids. Great suprise.
10/10 at MK all the people on our boat at Jungle Cruise received Dreams Mickey Ears.
At MNSSHP on 10/10 we were chosen to be the BonVoyage family at IASW and got to stand in the tower and wave to everyone and DS got to launch the boats from the loading spot. We received a certificate there. Then, DD was asked trivia questions twice and answered them correctly and was sprinkled with pixie dust (mickey confetti). Finally, that night, DH and kids left party to go back to hotel and I stayed behind to wait in line for photos. I was last to leave for the boat launch, and I received a moonlight cruise of Bay Lake, some collectors cards of the boats for the kids, and stickers for them as well as a certificate. Bay Lake is beautiful and peaceful at that hour. It was a little chilly, but a wonderful treat.
At MGM the family right beside us on Star Tours was chosen by the Dream Squad and pulled aside. Not sure what they were given. But I think it may have been something big.
Oh, and at CP breakfast, I was wearing my Happy Birthday button and the CMs brought a birthday cupcake/candle for me and sang. Fun!!
We witnessed a lot of little moments for families for Dreams. It was a special trip.

 

[jencav5]

CD re-writables are worthless, I burn to a CD and keep the pics forever, catalogged in a CD case.
My biggest concern was the amount of time it might take to get the pictures burned to CD by a CM. I really wished the hotels had the kodak machines for burning CD's. I have a laptop I could bring to off load pics to, but using the magical express and didn't want to walk around MGK with a laptop bag. Any other suggestions, besides purchasing a ton of memory sticks.

I don't go anywhere without my laptop and a small portable hard drive. We checked all our bags with the hotel, including laptop bag, regulator bag (dive gear), etc... and told them what it was and that it was delicate. We didn't have any problems-they even refrigerated our milk! (all at a Disney hotel, of course.)

 

[pigletforever]

Wassn't us but we saw a very excited family today. DS and I were shoppign on Main Street. We saw a family win a shopping spree. The "dream maker" was following behing them - her hands were full of princess dresses and shoes and the little guy was franitcally hunting for "pirate stuff" It was really cute.

Also this AM while we were shopping I was talking to a CM and we got on the topic of my nephew who has had a sudden onset of Junveille Diabetes. The docs can't get him regulated and this has been ogoing on since May. He is now at Children's hosptial getting an insulin pump. I was telling the CM about him and the CM told me to pick any two pins on his lanyard to take to him. He pointed me to the rare ones on his laynard. It was really sweet.

Last night at the Halloween party I fell and hurt my ankle. Guest relations arranged a van to take me back to the AKL. I was loaded into the van behind the scenes and got a mini tour of backstage and got to see lots of props and old parade items. not really a wish but still really cool.

 

[TracieD]

Just have to say how much I am enjoying (most of, hate the "why not me" ones) the posts here.

We are going on Saturday and not taking the kids. I know, I know . . . we're very torn about it. I'll be missing them like crazy especially when I see other people's children with the magic in their eyes. I have to say though, there will be times when my husband and I will be glad to experience some things solo!

In an effort to get my "kid fix" whilst there w/o children, I headed to my local Dollar Tree store and loaded up on all things Disney so that I can pass them out to other kids & ADULTS (for all you worried about the adults not getting in on the action) who might just need a little extra magic. So if you see a crazy lady coming up and offering some stickers or Ariel notepads and crayons, etc. don't run - she's just a harmless Disney fan.

It is a great thing going on down there and I want to be a part of it - and not necessarily on the receiving end of it. If it happens, it happens. . . if not, I will still have memories of making some other guests and even CM's smile, even if only for a moment.

Disney is a magical place and that's why we all keep coming back - who says "WE" can't be a part of it???



Wendy

You know what, you may have just confirmed something for me. While we were there this summer, for two weeks, I didn't see any guests give anything out. But then I read all about guests giving out glow sticks and such. Which I think is VERY cool. Anyway, I started thinking..... well, chances are, from all the stories, we may be lucky enough to recieve something, but if not, I don't want the kids to be disappointed. They will understand, but they may still be disappointed. So.... I would like to use this opportunity to further teach them how much fun it is to GIVE and how much fun it is to SPREAD the magic. Well, when we go in Dec, I don't think I can get a big box of glow sticks on the plane. So, what if I made little Mickey icon shaped Christmas cards, with a little ribbon tied on it... with Merry Christmas from us, our name and town, and hand those out? Do you guys think that is a lame idea? I mean, you are right! This is about spreading magic. That IS why we go! And if we are not there, we are wishing we WERE!

 

[Haeg]

I don't go anywhere without my laptop and a small portable hard drive. We checked all our bags with the hotel, including laptop bag, regulator bag (dive gear), etc... and told them what it was and that it was delicate. We didn't have any problems-they even refrigerated our milk! (all at a Disney hotel, of course.)

Taking my laptop would cure all my problems. Trusted them with the expensive equipment??

 

[mmeb144]

TracieD: "So, what if I made little Mickey icon shaped Christmas cards, with a little ribbon tied on it... with Merry Christmas from us, our name and town, and hand those out? Do you guys think that is a lame idea? I mean, you are right! This is about spreading magic. That IS why we go! And if we are not there, we are wishing we WERE!"

Not lame at all! We passed out Christmas ornaments that my daughter had assembled before we left home. Look for those foam door hangers at Wal-mart. We gave them to CMs. It rocks!

Marie

 

[TracieD]

YAY, that's an awesome idea Marie! Thanks!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Taking my laptop would cure all my problems. Trusted them with the expensive equipment??

i have to bring my laptop when we vacation for work purposes. Don't have a choice in the matter. I have never had an issue with Disney (or any other Hotel) messing with my electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, phones, etc. I use a TSA lock on my suitcase and place the items there. I know people who leave them out. It's what you are comfortable with.

Good luck!

 

[Haeg]

i have to bring my laptop when we vacation for work purposes. Don't have a choice in the matter. I have never had an issue with Disney (or any other Hotel) messing with my electronic equipment, cameras, laptops, phones, etc. I use a TSA lock on my suitcase and place the items there. I know people who leave them out. It's what you are comfortable with.

Good luck!

What is a TSA lock?

 

[ckckc2000]

What is a TSA lock?

since my DH works for TSA,lets see if I can answer this-it's a lock that is mastered keyed so it can be opened by the TSA and then resecured-prevents them from having to cut the locks if they need to do a bag check and your not there