January 2009. . . Calling all Snowbirds ~ Part V

[Lil'Mermaid75]

Originally Posted by BellaSoleil

Hi Everyone! I'm back from a wonderful trip. I'm still getting back in to the swing of things, so I'll try and resume my weather reports tommorow.

It was VERY hot the first few days we were in Orlando. I think I heard something about a record high on the television one morning. I wore flip flops pretty much every day.

Hope everyone is getting excited about their trips!!!!

WELCOME BACK!!! Glad to hear you had a great time! Can't wait to read the Trip Report!

[Mndisneygirl]

Originally Posted by MelXThree

Thank you very much! I have even more respect for the DISigners now! It's a long process!! but it's fun

Mndisneygirl yours came out great! Isn't it addicting!!

Thanks! Yes, it is addicting - especially for DH!!

Originally Posted by BellaSoleil

Hi Everyone! I'm back from a wonderful trip. I'm still getting back in to the swing of things, so I'll try and resume my weather reports tommorow.

It was VERY hot the first few days we were in Orlando. I think I heard something about a record high on the television one morning. I wore flip flops pretty much every day.

Hope everyone is getting excited about their trips!!!!

Glad to hear your trip was so great! Welcome home! Shelly subbed for you on weather, so we've still been getting our reports! Are you going to do a TR? I'll be looking foward to reading it!

[MelXThree]

I want to do a little single digit dance today too!!

[Singinglizzie]

Right behind you @ 11 days! Here's another Single digit dance for you:
!!!!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by BellaSoleil

Hi Everyone! I'm back from a wonderful trip. I'm still getting back in to the swing of things, so I'll try and resume my weather reports tommorow.

It was VERY hot the first few days we were in Orlando. I think I heard something about a record high on the television one morning. I wore flip flops pretty much every day.

Hope everyone is getting excited about their trips!!!!

Welcome back! Glad to hear you had nice weather. Hoping for the same in 9 days!!

[Dancegrl624]

Originally Posted by crzyred

GREETINGS FROM DISNEY WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm having a great time. The weather has been amazing. ***It has been "cooler" at night. Easily sweatshirt weather.*** Warm during the day with sunshine. It's supposed to rain on Monday, that's our Fantasmic night.

The parks were great on Wednesday evening and Thursday. Wednesday evening was MK and we walked on Thunder Mountain 4X and walked on Pirates. Thursday was AK- walked on the Safari at 1pm, did Everest 4X between 4 and 5 pm (park closing). Dinosaur had a 40 minute wait but they were only running one side, so it would have only been about 20 minutes.

Today we hit up TOY STORY MANIA - which is GREAT! HS had morning EMH so we got there at rope drop and walked right on it. Walked on Rock N RollerCoaster and Tower of Terror. Headed over to AK, little more crowded, but still were able to do: Safari, Everest, Nemo Musical, Lion King, and then we were back here at Saratoga Springs by 4:30. So it was swimming then dinner at Wolf Gang Puck Express in DTD.

The resort is great. We are a 5 minute walk from DTD, and there is a bus stop basically right outside our building.

So now we are spending the night here in our Villa just relaxing. I didn't sleep very well the past few nights, so I'm getting a tad tired by this time.

Ok, I'm off to make some microwave popcorn and sit on our balcony (with just a sweatshirt on ) and read. Ahhhh....I love vacation!


Hope all is well with everyone. See ya soon!

Sounds like you're having a wonderful time! I hope that we're able to walk onto rides in 13 days!

Originally Posted by MindyLuvsMickey

Also sending greetings from sunny Florida. We are here at the Wilderness Lodge and are having a great time. The weather has been nearly perfect and the crowds are managable.

Although we are enjoying the Wilderness Lodge and think it is a beautiful resort, we'll be going back to the Poly for our next trip. We REALLY appreciate the luxury of the monorail.

I'll check in on Tuesday when we get back.

Thanks for checking in!!! I hope it's sunny and warm for my trip too.

Well, we're having a lovely day so far. My DH and DD just went outside to shovel/play in the snow. It's not to cold today and the sun is shining beautifully. We went to church this morning and our secret was almost blown. We picked our DD up from her classroom and another mom who is going the same time as us asked (quite loudly), "So, you're going to Disney the same time as us?" I had to shush her and shake my head. We both covered it well. She said, "Oh wait. I'm thinking of someone else." My DH had managed to rush our DD out the door, so thankfully, she didn't hear anything. This secret is getting harder and harder to keep! I guess it's my own fault for telling everyone I know! So, we made the decision that we're probably not going to church next Sunday. One of her boys is in the same classroom as our DD and we don't want to risk it.

Also to keep things from getting out, we're going to email her teacher about the trip instead of sending in a note. I know that my DD will question the sealed envelope I would have sent the note to school in. Then, we'll just fax in a note to the office letting them know she'll be missing school. We don't want to risk it! We've kept it a secret for so long and worked so hard to keep quiet about it. I don't want this secret ruined!!!

[jenjolt]

Originally Posted by Lil'Mermaid75

You can do it Jen!!!

Originally Posted by Mndisneygirl

Very COOL!! If I had boys, I'd do that too! I'll post pictures of mine soon I promise!

Oh just throw it in - it doesn't take up hardly any space!
I agree with the hot tub idea!! It doesn't need to be very warm for that!

CONGRATS to those in single digits!!
I'm off to shower (I just did 35 minutes on Wii Fit!) and throw in some (story of my life!) Think I'll have the girls try on a few summer things and set them aside.

Originally Posted by Momto2PrncChrmgs

Bring it! You may not use it but if you don't bring it you wished you would've! And I'm sure if it's like mine, it's some hot little string bikini number that won't take up much space.

Originally Posted by Disney Mommy 3

Morning all! Thanks for all of you who are 'Reporting Live' !!!! Glad you are enjoying it!!!

Jen-Go ahead and bring that bathing suit!! It may be really warm one day and you'll wish you could be sittin' by that pool with a magazine resting!!!! Or--in the hot tub!!! They don't take up that much room anyway!

Well, I got lots of my snax at Target last night-kids were home with Mike, so I broke out!! I am gonna steal an idea from someone-----I have NO idea who's this was, so TIA! But, I am gonna make tiny snack bags for each kid per day. The little snack size Ziplocks-with a couple of Starburst, tiny M&M bag, and one or 2 other tiny pieces of candy. We have trail mix already bagged. That will just keep the "I'm STARVING" comments pushed back a little bit!! I like to use my snax credits for apples & stuff like that. My goal is to pack these up, and finish my box to be shipped this week---I will ship it by next Monday. Of course, I have to do all this in secret. So, I am happy that's done.

I am going to work on my Park Days today--they will play PSP and watch movies with Mike---or a friend after church today, so I may get to lock myself in my room & plan myself silly!!!!As for clothes... gotta just keep checkin' that weather!! I will have us in Jeans and bring the jackets with us on the plane---it's usually chilly when we fly out. So, I won't have to put that in a suitcase. Everyone has good tennis shoes, & I gotta get me and one of the kids a new pair of crocs---other than that we are great on footwear!

Alright I threw the bathing suit in the suitcase...no promises it will get used but I did pack it...now I just have to hope my flip flops get here this week!!!!

Shelly your packing list totally reminded me I need to pack my capris...I completely left them off...so THANK YOU!! Good luck with your packing!! And stay warm in all that snow!

[Dancegrl624]

Originally Posted by jenjolt

Alright I threw the bathing suit in the suitcase...no promises it will get used but I did pack it...now I just have to hope my flip flops get here this week!!!!

Shelly your packing list totally reminded me I need to pack my capris...I completely left them off...so THANK YOU!! Good luck with your packing!! And stay warm in all that snow!

Yea for packing the bathing suit!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Originally Posted by jenjolt

Shelly your packing list totally reminded me I need to pack my capris...I completely left them off...so THANK YOU!! Good luck with your packing!! And stay warm in all that snow!

Glad I could help! I packed every pair of capri's I own - all 3 of them! It's hard to find capri's that fit you right and don't look like flood pants when you are only 5' tall!

[Mndisneygirl]

Way to go Jen!!! You succumbed to our peer pressure, huh? I wish I was going to be there with you so I could encourage you to use it! I really hope you get some good warm weather and you do use it!

I'm going to go organize the office/spare room so I can put suitcases in there and start packing soon!! I already have my "box" of trip "stuff" in there. I have to do it before DH starts in and moves my stuff around so I can't find anything!

Later all!

[Dancegrl624]

I'm a little bored right now so I was just checking out some other threads. I was looking at one that had pictures in the park at different times of year. Some of the early Jan and early Feb pictures from 08 are amazing! Hardly anyone in the parks! I'm really crossing my fingers for light crowds.

[Disney Mommy 3]

Originally Posted by crzyred

Good morning my fine feathered friends. This afternoon we will be heading over to MK. I'm a "little" disappointed because Pecos Bill is my absolutely favorite restaurant however it closes the 11...which is today. I wanted to eat there the first day but no one else wanted to, so now I don't get to eat there. Shelly may not be a completely happy person today. Ugh. Oh well I guess.

Have a great day everyone! It's sunny and warm here....

I love Pecos Bills too!! Glad you are having great weather and lots of fun!!

Originally Posted by Dancegrl624

Sounds like you're having a wonderful time! I hope that we're able to walk onto rides in 13 days!



Thanks for checking in!!! I hope it's sunny and warm for my trip too.

Well, we're having a lovely day so far. My DH and DD just went outside to shovel/play in the snow. It's not to cold today and the sun is shining beautifully. We went to church this morning and our secret was almost blown. We picked our DD up from her classroom and another mom who is going the same time as us asked (quite loudly), "So, you're going to Disney the same time as us?" I had to shush her and shake my head. We both covered it well. She said, "Oh wait. I'm thinking of someone else." My DH had managed to rush our DD out the door, so thankfully, she didn't hear anything. This secret is getting harder and harder to keep! I guess it's my own fault for telling everyone I know! So, we made the decision that we're probably not going to church next Sunday. One of her boys is in the same classroom as our DD and we don't want to risk it.

Also to keep things from getting out, we're going to email her teacher about the trip instead of sending in a note. I know that my DD will question the sealed envelope I would have sent the note to school in. Then, we'll just fax in a note to the office letting them know she'll be missing school. We don't want to risk it! We've kept it a secret for so long and worked so hard to keep quiet about it. I don't want this secret ruined!!!

Make SURE you put that this is a surprise on the fax--that news will travel the school quite quickly!! I never tell anyone at church until we are on our way!! Too many mommies talk in front of their kids--we have had to be very careful about our church friends. Kids just find out everything!! HA!!!

Originally Posted by Momof2Disneyboys

Glad I could help! I packed every pair of capri's I own - all 3 of them! It's hard to find capri's that fit you right and don't look like flood pants when you are only 5' tall!

Shelly- I am 5'2", so yes, it's hard!! In fact, I just got another really cute pair(making my denim capri total 3 also!) from JCPenney. The American Living line is on sale and the little denim capris are perfect!!! You may want to check your local mall!! I looooove these--but am saving them for the trip!!!

[jenjolt]

Alright ladies I have a question for you...can any of you give me the exact location of the Disney VISA rewards photo op in Epcot!! I have a general idea but maybe give me an idea of what attractions are closest to it and what not...I'm drawing a blank and can't picture EPCOT at all right now...I'm off to find my maps and see if they will be helpful at all.

[dklam]

Hi Everyone:

Do you all remember the old commercial "Calgon, Take Me Away"?? Well, mine is now "Disney, Take Me Away"!! It has just been a horrendous day. Had about 6 inches of new snow that changed to sleet - OK, we can deal with that. But, woke up this morning - flushed the toilet, and immediately knew that something didn't sound right. It flushed, but no new water came into the bowl. So, opened the tank cover and could see that something had come disconnected. Woke DH up - he tried to shut off the valve to turn off the water to try to fix it, and the handle wouldn't budge, even with pliers. So, he knows that he is not a "Mr. Fix-it" type of guy, so we decided to call a plumber (on a Sunday morning - YIKES!) We looked in the Yellow Pages, found one that advertised 24-hour emergency service, called, left a message with the answering service, and waited two hours and still no call-back. Oh, did I mention that we live in a 1 BATHROOM HOUSE?? Luckily, the MacDonald's down the street is open and has relatively clean facilities - LOL! I just knew when we bought this house 12 years ago that someday, this would happen. We have always talked about adding another bathroom, but things always came up, and now with college tuition to pay - no way is there any extra money lying around for major home improvements.

Then, I had to drive DD to Boston (one-hour trip) to catch her bus back to college in NY for the week, where she decided to go and work because she is bored at home - she is flying back to school directly from Disney after our trip. So, she and I leave, but DH had to stay home to wait for the call from the 2nd plumber we left a message with after getting the run-around from #1.
We get to Boston relatively smoothly, even though the highways weren't exactly snow-free and had plenty of time to spare. I wait until she is on her bus, and I take off for the return trip home. I am making EXCELLENT time (will make it home in 50 minutes, not 60) - and just as I was approaching my exit, I hear a popping sound, and then a gush of air. I think the back window is open, but it's not. I get off the ramp and pull over to the side of the road as soon as it is safe, and yes - A FLAT TIRE!!!! I am literally a mile from home, but DH cannot come and help because he is still waiting for the plumber to arrive.................

So, I tell him not to worry, I will call AAA Road Service. They tell me maybe an hour, but 1 1/2 hours later - finally they arrive and change the tire. In the meantime, I am absolutely amazed at how fast the cars are flying down the hill after coming off the highway - the speed limit is 30 - cars are going 50-60 easily. I have to be very careful when I get out the car to clean the junk out of the trunk so the driver can get to the spare tire. And, there is all of this new snow piled up on the side, so the roadway is even narrower.This was in our old neighborhood, and I remember how someone's dog got loose and got hit by one of these idiots driving 60 through a residential neighborhood.

Well, finally got the tire changed, called DH who told me that the plumber had arrived and yes, I should go to McDonalds first for another pit stop (after sitting in my car for 1 1/2 hour, I needed a pit stop - LOL!) Get home, the toilet is finally fixed (and ONLY $170.00 for the labor and parts - I had envisioned well over $200). Then DH says "BTW - I had to run the load of towels through the dryer 3X before they dried"!! WHAT??? - We just paid $125.00 three weeks ago to that repairman..................

To make an even longer story short - I missed my play rehearsal (I'm missing several already due to our vacation), and now, I have decided that I am going to relax for the rest of the day and have a nice (large) cocktail and do some more Disney planning!! I am enjoying reading everyone's trip reports, and trip planning. I am very sorry that this is SO long and whiny, but I just needed to vent somewhere, and I knew that all of my Snowbird buddies could identify with how I just can't wait to get out of here and head south next week!!

Oh well, it's time for that cocktail..............................

Have a great night (and wish me luck getting my tire fixed tomorrow!!) The little donut tire is not exactly safe in the snow!

Edit - BTW - I forgot to add that when I called AAA, they told me that there were 5 other flat-tire calls that had just come in from that area of highway where there was some kind of metal strewn in the road right around the time I called. That is one reason it took 1 1/2 hours to get the road service.

[Dancegrl624]

Originally Posted by jenjolt

Alright ladies I have a question for you...can any of you give me the exact location of the Disney VISA rewards photo op in Epcot!! I have a general idea but maybe give me an idea of what attractions are closest to it and what not...I'm drawing a blank and can't picture EPCOT at all right now...I'm off to find my maps and see if they will be helpful at all.

This is from the disney rewards website:

-Character Meet 'N' Greet photo opportunity offered daily between 1:30 PM and 4:30 PM at Innoventions West at Epcot®.
-Must present a valid Disney Rewards Visa Card for admission (limited to 6 people per card).
-Enjoy a personal photo experience with some of your favorite Disney Characters and receive a complimentary 5 x 7 photo. It's one of the most unique benefits of being a Cardmember at the Disney Parks.
-Separate Theme Park admission required.
-Operating times, days of week, and appearance of Characters may vary. See Guest Relations for more information.

Innoventions is right by Spaceship Earth.