"You're Going WHERE on your 50th Birthday?!?

[princess&her4princes]

Sounds like we've had the same kind of weather wise Joelp! At least the sun has been around these last few days!! Ahh, this is what Summer is all about!!

I'm with you about organizing our December pics! I have all mine printed (and there are a TON of them!!! I'm talking at leat 500!!), just sitting in a box, not sure what the next step is....lol!! It's a bit overwelming to say the least!!! Oh no about the autograph pages! Can you order them from Snapfish or someplace like that for the 3x5 pages?? That stinks, if not!!

Can't wait to hear your touring plan for MK..... and yay for almost 2 months away! I'm am dancing with you for sure!!!

 

[joelp]

Check out Lillian Vernon - they have these photo albums that can hold 240 photos - and you can personalize the cover.

That's what I used for our May 2007 trip - and will use for the Dec 08 trip (once I print them out!! ... )

 

[princess&her4princes]

Check out Lillian Vernon - they have these photo albums that can hold 240 photos - and you can personalize the cover.

That's what I used for our May 2007 trip - and will use for the Dec 08 trip (once I print them out!! ... )

Thanks for the tip, will do!! Btw, we were there in '07, too! But in September....so when are you going in 2010? LOL!! We have to keep this trend going...lol!!

 

[joelp]

My DW has threatened me if I consider a trip in 2010 ... ... but you never know ... (so 2011 will be a definite!! )

... and telling you when would "spoil" the "surprise" ...

 

[princess&her4princes]

My DW has threatened me if I consider a trip in 2010 ... ... but you never know ... (so 2011 will be a definite!! )

... and telling you when would "spoil" the "surprise" ...

I hear you, we're actually not "suppose" to go in '10 either! It's our 10 year anniversary next year, so just DH and I are suppose to go away without the kids, my parents will take the boys for a whole week! and do the Carribean or something.....I mentioned Disney, but DH wants to try something new...lol!! And I would like to go somewhere without kids, since I won't have mine with me, so we may not go until '11 either...bummer!!! But, never say never.......lol!! If I can work some magic, we'll go....lol!!

 

[joelp]

Hey! - our 10th anniversary, too!! (May ...)

[ ... and I think we had this discussion before ... ]

We're thinking of (maybe) going back to the Montreal Jazz Festival and Quebec City ... and then maybe bop around NE (no hiking though - the DD will last about 100 yards ... A 45 lb backpack I can carry up a mountain, but a squirming 6-year-old!?! ...)

I tried a "how about a 2nd Honeymoon" in London ... with a few days in France (with a day in Disneyland Paris - for the kid!! Really!! ...) but that's a "no-go" ...

We'll figure somethin' out ...

We couldn't leave the DD with anyone for a week - it's bad enough we have to leave Ranger behind!!

Another milestone tomorrow ...

 

[KathyRN137]

Another milestone tomorrow ...

They're wonderful, aren't they?
Today was the first time it really felt like hot sticky summer weather here in Jersey!


Kathy

 

[joelp]

They're wonderful, aren't they?
Today was the first time it really felt like hot sticky summer weather here in Jersey!


Kathy

Those hot, sticky NJ summer days are "wonderful"!!! ??? !!!

 

[joelp]

2 Months to Go!!!

2 Months to Go!!

2 Months to Go!!

2 Months to Go!!




[It's the "Yellow Man Group" ... ]

 

[princess&her4princes]

2 Months to Go!!!

2 Months to Go!!

2 Months to Go!!

2 Months to Go!!




[It's the "Yellow Man Group" ... ]

 

[joelp]

Dec 2008 photo update:

We got an e-mail from Shutterfly - 50 free prints!! So that inspired me to go through the Photopass photos and print them - well, I printed 91 of them (of a total of 354 ... )

Working on choosing the photos the DW shot (and then hoping for another deal from Shutterfly ...)

Gotta get the Dec 08 photos done before September ...

 

[princess&her4princes]

Dec 2008 photo update:

We got an e-mail from Shutterfly - 50 free prints!! So that inspired me to go through the Photopass photos and print them - well, I printed 91 of them (of a total of 354 ... )

Working on choosing the photos the DW shot (and then hoping for another deal from Shutterfly ...)

Gotta get the Dec 08 photos done before September ...

 

[joelp]

8 WEEKS ( - 1 day ... ) TO GO!!!

Paid off the trip yesterday ... well, put it on the Disney VISA (though the $$ are sitting in the bank ...)

The Disney Junior Character Encyclopedia arrived from B&N yesterday - it had been on back-order for a few months ... Instead of using one (or more ...) of those photo-autograph books for Character signatures, I'm going to have them sign their page/picture in the Encyclopedia ... It's paperback and not too heavy, so it shouldn't be a problem carrying around the parks ... And it'll be another surprise for the DD ...

So with only 8 weeks to go, I should sit do and make a "To Do" list ... so to get started ...

Week 8 - finish "draft/final" MK touring plan

Week 7 - finish "draft/final" AK touring plan

Week 6 - review Disney and All-Ears web sites for attraction updates

Week 5 - review Disney and All-Ears web sites for attraction updates

Week 4 - revise "draft/final" touring plans based on Week 6 and 5 reviews ...

Week 3 - review MK CS restuarant reviews on All-Ears and narrow down list of options;

Week 2 - make packing list (why wait so long? - see "24 hours" to go ... ) and buy anything needed (sunscreen!! ); ? - order Photopass CD and book?

Week 1 - update/finalize touring plans with the "live entertainment" schedules; get Ranger and Mel's "vacation" stuff together; start checking the Orlando weather forecast ... ; organize all the "kid's "stuff" (books, pins, travel crap ...);

24 hours to go - pack [I know - but this trip is a surprise for the DD - so we have to wait until the last minute!]; take Ranger to his "resort";

12 hours to go - try to sleep ...

6 hours to go - give up trying to sleep ... get up ... shower ... breakfast ...

5 hours to go - wake the DD up and tell her we're going on a trip!!

4 hours to go - start driving to Mom's house

3 hours to go - arrive at Mom's house and pile into her van with the rest of the gang ...

... and tell DD "We're going to Disney World!!!"

2 hours to go - sit and wait at the airport ... ... watch kids going crazy with excitement ... refrain from joining them and running around the terminal ...

Later ...

 

[princess&her4princes]

8 WEEKS ( - 1 day ... ) TO GO!!!

Paid off the trip yesterday ... well, put it on the Disney VISA (though the $$ are sitting in the bank ...)

The Disney Junior Character Encyclopedia arrived from B&N yesterday - it had been on back-order for a few months ... Instead of using one (or more ...) of those photo-autograph books for Character signatures, I'm going to have them sign their page/picture in the Encyclopedia ... It's paperback and not too heavy, so it shouldn't be a problem carrying around the parks ... And it'll be another surprise for the DD ...

So with only 8 weeks to go, I should sit do and make a "To Do" list ... so to get started ...

Week 8 - finish "draft/final" MK touring plan

Week 7 - finish "draft/final" AK touring plan

Week 6 - review Disney and All-Ears web sites for attraction updates

Week 5 - review Disney and All-Ears web sites for attraction updates

Week 4 - revise "draft/final" touring plans based on Week 6 and 5 reviews ...

Week 3 - review MK CS restuarant reviews on All-Ears and narrow down list of options;

Week 2 - make packing list (why wait so long? - see "24 hours" to go ... ) and buy anything needed (sunscreen!! ); ? - order Photopass CD and book?

Week 1 - update/finalize touring plans with the "live entertainment" schedules; get Ranger and Mel's "vacation" stuff together; start checking the Orlando weather forecast ... ; organize all the "kid's "stuff" (books, pins, travel crap ...);

24 hours to go - pack [I know - but this trip is a surprise for the DD - so we have to wait until the last minute!]; take Ranger to his "resort";

12 hours to go - try to sleep ...

6 hours to go - give up trying to sleep ... get up ... shower ... breakfast ...

5 hours to go - wake the DD up and tell her we're going on a trip!!

4 hours to go - start driving to Mom's house

3 hours to go - arrive at Mom's house and pile into her van with the rest of the gang ...

... and tell DD "We're going to Disney World!!!"

2 hours to go - sit and wait at the airport ... ... watch kids going crazy with excitement ... refrain from joining them and running around the terminal ...

Later ...

YAY for paying off the trip!!!! Good job!

LOVE it! Great list!!! You'll have to let me know what DD thinks about this Encyclopedia..maybe my boys would like it for Christmas this year? Sounds neat!!!

You made me smile reading your 24 hour countdown...that's me to a "t" counting down.....yay, we're on serious countdown now!!!!!!

Does DD start school in August or September? I just found out my boys start 9/1 (before Labor day!) this year, usually it's after Labor day. Summer is really starting to fly by.......

Have a nice day and an even better weekend!!

 

[joelp]

Well - according to my "to do" list, during Week 8 I'm supposed to finish my "draft" MK Touring Plan ...

... and since Week 7 starts tomorrow here we go ...

Day 3 - Sep 19 - MK

5:00 am - wake up, stretch ... and go for a run ...

OK - I know what you're thinking: "Go for a run?? On the day he's gonna go to the MK? Is he crazy or what?!?"

Well - kinda ... but it is my birthday, and I traditionally "have" to go for a run on my birthday ... and since I'll probably be awake anyway (I don't sleep too well at night at WDW - afternoon naps - yes! - at night???) ... I'll put in a couple miles - 20 minutes or so, just to get the heart pumping ... maybe check out the empty AK parking lot ...

Quick breakfast at The Mara (after calling my Mom and Jed/Mindi's room to make sure they're up ... if not ... break out the water pistols!! )

8:15 - Arrive at MK and grab our spots on the planter/bench dead smack center in front of the Train Station ... go get my birthday gift card ... and wait [im]patiently for the Openeing Ceremony!!





On Main Street, keep an eye (or three) out for Daisy - the DD's been dying to meet her the last two trips ...

9:00 to 9:40 - Fantasyland: Peter Pan amd Winnie the Pooh (+ Dumbo or Mad Tea Party [sans yours truly - spinning in circles makes my tummy go Aaargherrrrrorrruuuup!!!] if time permits ...)

Why the time limit? - cuz we gotta get to the Toontown rope drop and then dash to Pixie Hollow - cuz the girls want to meet some Fairies!!

I figure we'll spend most of the morning waiting for and hangin' with Tink and her buds ... and otherwise hitting the Toontown attractions ...

Or - depending on what the crew wants to do - we can jump on the RR and head over to Frontierland for Big Thunder Mtn RR and/or Splash Mtn after checking out Tink's wings ...

Around noon - lunch will be at a CS restuarant depending on where we are when we get hungry (probably Columbia Harbor House or Cosmic Ray's ...) - but also try to check out the "Move It! Shake It! Street Party" at 12:30 ...

I'll be staying in the MK - but at this point anyone who wants can head back to the AKL for an afternoon break - where they may (or may not - we haven't figured this part out yet ...) meet up with Claire, Jim, and Grace for some relaxin' ...

1:00 to 3:00 - BTMRR, SM (if we hadn't already done 'em ...), Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear, and Monsters, Inc ... [in theory ... in practice? ... we may end up taking a nap in the Country Bear Jamboree ... !!)

3:00 to 4:00 - afternoon parade

4:30 - dinner at 1900 Park Faire in the Grand Floridean

6:30 - back to the MK: take the RR to Toontown and walk into Fantasyland for Mickey's Philharmagic, IASM, and Cinderella's Carousel (with the DD on Cindy's horse!! )

7:30 - get a spot on Main Street for Spectromagic

8:30 - get a good spot for Wishes

a little shopping afterwards - then its back to the AKL ...

... and sleep ...

I know - a little ambitious ... but probably doable if the crowds aren't too bad ... If they are? ... go to "Plan B" ...

So - a little over 3 hours from now, it'll be:

7 Weeks to Go!!!

 

[princess&her4princes]

Well - according to my "to do" list, during Week 8 I'm supposed to finish my "draft" MK Touring Plan ...

... and since Week 7 starts tomorrow here we go ...

Day 3 - Sep 19 - MK

5:00 am - wake up, stretch ... and go for a run ...

OK - I know what you're thinking: "Go for a run?? On the day he's gonna go to the MK? Is he crazy or what?!?"

Well - kinda ... but it is my birthday, and I traditionally "have" to go for a run on my birthday ... and since I'll probably be awake anyway (I don't sleep too well at night at WDW - afternoon naps - yes! - at night???) ... I'll put in a couple miles - 20 minutes or so, just to get the heart pumping ... maybe check out the empty AK parking lot ...

Tradition is tradition....and it's a good way to start the day!!

Quick breakfast at The Mara (after calling my Mom and Jed/Mindi's room to make sure they're up ... if not ... break out the water pistols!! )

They better be up....water pistols!!!!

8:15 - Arrive at MK and grab our spots on the planter/bench dead smack center in front of the Train Station ... go get my birthday gift card ... and wait [im]patiently for the Openeing Ceremony!!

Sounds like a great way to start your MK day!!!





On Main Street, keep an eye (or three) out for Daisy - the DD's been dying to meet her the last two trips ...

9:00 to 9:40 - Fantasyland: Peter Pan amd Winnie the Pooh (+ Dumbo or Mad Tea Party [sans yours truly - spinning in circles makes my tummy go Aaargherrrrrorrruuuup!!!] if time permits ...)

Why the time limit? - cuz we gotta get to the Toontown rope drop and then dash to Pixie Hollow - cuz the girls want to meet some Fairies!!

I figure we'll spend most of the morning waiting for and hangin' with Tink and her buds ... and otherwise hitting the Toontown attractions ...

Or - depending on what the crew wants to do - we can jump on the RR and head over to Frontierland for Big Thunder Mtn RR and/or Splash Mtn after checking out Tink's wings ...

Around noon - lunch will be at a CS restuarant depending on where we are when we get hungry (probably Columbia Harbor House or Cosmic Ray's ...) - but also try to check out the "Move It! Shake It! Street Party" at 12:30 ...

Looking forward to checking out Move It! Shake It! Street Party, too!!! How did you know that it' s at 12:30? I'm missing something here....good thing your my DIS friends, you have some "ins" I don't know about!!

I'll be staying in the MK - but at this point anyone who wants can head back to the AKL for an afternoon break - where they may (or may not - we haven't figured this part out yet ...) meet up with Claire, Jim, and Grace for some relaxin' ...

1:00 to 3:00 - BTMRR, SM (if we hadn't already done 'em ...), Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear, and Monsters, Inc ... [in theory ... in practice? ... we may end up taking a nap in the Country Bear Jamboree ... !!)

3:00 to 4:00 - afternoon parade

4:30 - dinner at 1900 Park Faire in the Grand Floridean

Can't wait to hear all about this dinner!!!

6:30 - back to the MK: take the RR to Toontown and walk into Fantasyland for Mickey's Philharmagic, IASM, and Cinderella's Carousel (with the DD on Cindy's horse!! )

7:30 - get a spot on Main Street for Spectromagic

8:30 - get a good spot for Wishes

a little shopping afterwards - then its back to the AKL ...

... and sleep ...

I know - a little ambitious ... but probably doable if the crowds aren't too bad ... If they are? ... go to "Plan B" ...

So - a little over 3 hours from now, it'll be:

7 Weeks to Go!!!

WOW...that is QUITE the plan, I'm impressed!!! But somehow I think you'll do it all! And I think you'll sleep good that night, that's a lot to cover in just one day!!!

And WOOHOO 7 more weeks from today!!!!!!!!!

 

[joelp]

Good morning!!

Seven Weeks to Go!!!




Check out this site for show/events times:

http://pages.progidy.net/stevesoares/

Later ...

 

[princess&her4princes]

Good morning!!

Seven Weeks to Go!!!




Check out this site for show/events times:

http://pages.progidy.net/stevesoares/

Later ...

You're awesome, thank you!!!!

 

[lisalonglash]

I'm in! Now, to go back and read what looks to be a very entertaining PTR!

 

[joelp]

Welcome!!

Where in BC?

I went to graduate school at UBC way back when ...