PTR: A Spring Fling on the Dark Side ...2 Muggles Celebrate in Diagon Alley!

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Good news, more money for your holiday

That was my thought exactly .

Yay!! Good car Karma day then-my service engine light is likely a defective repair part (from last time) also under warranty!

I think that is "Good vacation" karma for you too with trip so close!!

Well, that deserves a little dance for BOTH of us! I am so happy to hear you had good success at the garage, too!

Gina will have more money now for her butter beers......

car repairs...........0
butterbeer.........+1

I love it when butterbeer wins out. Its like good conquering over evil .

Wahoo, good news on the car.

So close, almost 2 weeks now.

It was marvelous news!

Also wanted to ask....did you have any success in finding your DD a new wet suit at an affordable price?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Wow, that's coming up so fast! Glad to hear you got good news on the car.

 

[macraven]

WOOT.........!!

 

[disney ny]

Gina- I saw today there is a groupon deal for Earl of Sandwich that expires May 31st. Couldn't remember if you were planning to go to Downtown Disney at all but I thought of you! Apparently there are $5 or $10 coupons.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Gina- I saw today there is a groupon deal for Earl of Sandwich that expires May 31st. Couldn't remember if you were planning to go to Downtown Disney at all but I thought of you! Apparently there are $5 or $10 coupons.

I saw that today over on the budget board!

Now I have to decide if I want to go the Groupon route, or sign up for their the email club (which is supposed to give a free sandwich for each registration).

Oh, the painful decisions I am faced with these days!!!

 

[Portugal1000]

I saw that today over on the budget board!

Now I have to decide if I want to go the Groupon route, or sign up for their the email club (which is supposed to give a free sandwich for each registration).

Oh, the painful decisions I am faced with these days!!!

If you are planning in being in DTD more than once I'd definitely do both as there are so many great sandwiches at EoS that I always find it hard to choose which one I want. Also they do lovely soups and desserts so don't think you will have any problems spending them.
It's a shame deal only on till May as I would have bought a few of these.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

If you are planning in being in DTD more than once I'd definitely do both as there are so many great sandwiches at EoS that I always find it hard to choose which one I want. Also they do lovely soups and desserts so don't think you will have any problems spending them.
It's a shame deal only on till May as I would have bought a few of these.

We were only planning on hitting DTD once....on our departure day, since we have virtually the whole day to kill....so we really only need one offer or the other. The construction woes there make it less than appealing to visit more than one time on our vacation.

Which is why I am on the fence about which way to go. If we buy the Groupon, we're locked into sucking up the parking issues and going for sure. With the freebie via the email club, we're not out anything if traffic is a nightmare and we say forget it. Hmmmmm.....what to do, what to do?

Those Groupons have been amazing sellers so far. The $10 option is already sold out. I am going to have to make up my mind shortly or I'll be out of luck on the $5 vouchers, too.

In the meantime, we're down to:



Tomorrow I get to submit our Diamond Lane requests!!

 

[bankr63]

Which is why I am on the fence about which way to go. If we buy the Groupon, we're locked into sucking up the parking issues and going for sure.

In the meantime, we're down to:



Tomorrow I get to submit our Diamond Lane requests!!

Okay, now just think of where you will be waking up two weeks from tomorrow morning....


We didn't find DTD that bad in March. Yes there is still a lot of construction outside as they widen the road, but the parking was easy-peasy. The parking garage is a technological marvel that can get you in quicker than anything I've seen. There are signs to say how many spots are currently open on each level. On each level there are signs to point you down the aisles with available spots. Then there are the green lights attached to the sensors on the ceiling at each spot to tell you which spots are currently open. The speed of finding a spot and parking more than made up for any delay getting into DTD. Leave it Disney to come up with a technology to get you parked and spending money as quickly as possible...

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Okay, now just think of where you will be waking up two weeks from tomorrow morning....


We didn't find DTD that bad in March. Yes there is still a lot of construction outside as they widen the road, but the parking was easy-peasy. The parking garage is a technological marvel that can get you in quicker than anything I've seen. There are signs to say how many spots are currently open on each level. On each level there are signs to point you down the aisles with available spots. Then there are the green lights attached to the sensors on the ceiling at each spot to tell you which spots are currently open. The speed of finding a spot and parking more than made up for any delay getting into DTD. Leave it Disney to come up with a technology to get you parked and spending money as quickly as possible...

Just the reassurance I needed. I bit the bullet and bought the Groupons.....the 2 $10 vouchers for $10 was back showing as available after being "sold out" early today, so I figured it might be now or never. Earl of Sandwich is now inked in for our departure day.

Two weeks from tomorrow, I will still be waking up in Syracuse. We leave for Syracuse two weeks from....well.....almost right now (maybe a little sooner). Then we fly out the Friday morning at 7:50 am. So I don't officially wake up in paradise until Saturday morning, May 2nd. Syracuse is okay, but let's be honest. It's no Orlando!

 

[donnajherren]

Come to think of it ...you're right. I can't say I've ever seen a clothesline full of fresh laundry on any of our drives around the Orlando area.

I wonder why Florida folks don't dry their laundry on the line? Its hot and sunny enough in the summer that it would be dry in an hour or two!!

We don't live too far north of Florida, and it's hard to hang out wash here during the summer because of the humidity. It actually takes longer than you would think to dry because the air itself is just wet.

 

[macraven]

Just the reassurance I needed. I bit the bullet and bought the Groupons.....the 2 $10 vouchers for $10 was back showing as available after being "sold out" early today, so I figured it might be now or never. Earl of Sandwich is now inked in for our departure day.

Two weeks from tomorrow, I will still be waking up in Syracuse. We leave for Syracuse two weeks from....well.....almost right now (maybe a little sooner). Then we fly out the Friday morning at 7:50 am. So I don't officially wake up in paradise until Saturday morning, May 2nd. Syracuse is okay, but let's be honest. It's no Orlando!

good girl !!!

how can you turn down a bargin like that.
it's like getting free food...

well, kind of as you won't be giving them a lot of cash since you have the sandwiches covered with the groupon coupon.

 

[schumigirl]

Nearly time Gina.........

I always meant to try Earl of Sandwich in the distant past days. Always gets good reviews. And a good deal too you got there

 

[macraven]

i love earl of sandwich.
it is cheap and great tasting.

one of the best things to buy right before you leave the motherland for the airport.
those sandwiches are great to have on the flight back home.

gina, be sure to buy an extra sandwich to take with you.
eat one at earls and take the other one for the flight back home.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

good girl !!!

how can you turn down a bargin like that.
it's like getting free food...

well, kind of as you won't be giving them a lot of cash since you have the sandwiches covered with the groupon coupon.

I am a sucker for a good deal.....and admittedly, a bit of a Groupon addict. But in my defense, we've enjoyed some real gems at deep discounts thanks to my Groupon obsession, from mini golfing to jet skiing. So I might be nuts, but its workin' for me .

Nearly time Gina.........

I always meant to try Earl of Sandwich in the distant past days. Always gets good reviews. And a good deal too you got there

It does get a lot of Dis love, doesn't it? Our resort is so close to DTD that we really have no excuse (except for the parking woes) not to stop and give it a try. We're trying to make almost every restaurant on this trip something new and different, so it seems like a good time to see if it lives up to all the hype.

i love earl of sandwich.
it is cheap and great tasting.

one of the best things to buy right before you leave the motherland for the airport.
those sandwiches are great to have on the flight back home.

gina, be sure to buy an extra sandwich to take with you.
eat one at earls and take the other one for the flight back home.

Ooohhh, good idea! It will go nicely with my supply of Krispy Kremes that we pick up at the airport .

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Diamond Lane requests were submitted this morning .

Swimsuits are ordered for delivery to Syracuse.

I purchased myself a pair of new Dr. Scholls sandals yesterday for schelpping around the parks....hoping they will keep my feet happy with all the heat and walking. I am going to try wearing them around the house as much as possible over the next two weeks to break them in before we travel.

I even managed to find sandals in men's sizes 14 and 15 at our local Payless . Big Foot says he will stop by the store this weekend to see which pair of flippers....I mean, footwear ... he needs.

Jake finished his last exam of the semester this morning, so he's officially done his first year of college. I cannot believe how fast time has flown!!! He's now eagerly awaiting his marks......his average after first semester was 89%, and he hopes to equal that this term as well (he already knows he scored a full 100% in one of his classes.....a feat of which he is super proud, and I am too!).

A busy weekend is on the horizon. Jake and Sweetie are headed to the Jays game in Toronto tomorrow to celebrate the end of his college year. Steve and I have shopping, house cleaning, and yard work to accomplish. This spectacular weather week that we have enjoyed has coaxed my tulips, daffodils and hostas to all start making appearances. Time to get the remainder of the leaves and sticks from the lawns and gardens so that we can fully enjoy the beauty of spring .

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

What size feet?? My DH is only an 8

I hope Jake has done well, but it sounds like he has worked hard and will get good grades. I bet you are both so proud.

Well the 13 days will fly by, especially with so much house work to do ( nothing changes) . Have a great weekend

 

[macraven]

gina has a lot done now.
i should learn from her on how to manage my time..........lol


fantastic news about son.
a great proud mama moment!

 

[ArwenMarie]

Yay getting close now!

Congrats to your son on finishing his first year of college up

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

What size feet?? My DH is only an 8

I hope Jake has done well, but it sounds like he has worked hard and will get good grades. I bet you are both so proud.

Well the 13 days will fly by, especially with so much house work to do ( nothing changes) . Have a great weekend

Steve's feet are humonstrous. Long and W-I-D-E . Finding shoes for him is usually a challenge and a half. We normally buy all of his footwear in the states, because their selection in larger sizing is so much better. Its exceptionally odd for us to find a 15 here at home.

Thankfully, at a size 11 or 12, Jake is somewhere in the middle between Steve's super sized feet and my size 7.5.

gina has a lot done now.
i should learn from her on how to manage my time..........lol

fantastic news about son.
a great proud mama moment!

Thanks mac!

I don't know if I'd recommend learning anything from me as far as time management goes. Some would say I'm a little over the top in that regard .

Yay getting close now!

Congrats to your son on finishing his first year of college up

Thanks, ArwenMarie! I know he is extremely happy to have his exams done. Its been an intense couple of weeks as everything drew to a close!!

 

[JaxDad]

Hi Gina! I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. I've been checking in to read though, and I'm so happy for you and Steve to be so close to another great trip. I love your reports (pre and post)!

Definitely try EOS. I had a conference at a DTD hotel several years ago and discovered that place and kept going every day! Hopefully it's still good.

I haven't figured out any vacation plans for this Summer yet. I have a new job and other scheduling issues with the kids, so it's been hard. My latest thoughts are a short Royal Caribbean cruise or a road trip to the Keys, but I'm really in the early stages of planning anything.

I'll make sure to stop by before you leave. I'm so excited for you!