~~October 2016~~Sew, it was the greatest Stitch Experience ever!~~Final Update 3/19/2017!

Link to Day 4 Part 3

D~

We toured AoA this summer. I've always wanted to go there but didn't want the hassle of getting there. This summer we actually drove to Disney and had our car so I knew we were definitely visiting this resort. It is so nicely themed. Our favorite area was the Cars section, too. We ate dinner at the food court and loved it! That said, we probably would never stay there because we have no need for a suite and the regular rooms are far from the main building and bus stop.

Link to Day 5 Part 1

D~

Sounds like you got a lot done yesterday.


It looks like you had a great day visiting AOA, the outlets and French Quarter and meeting BFF and O for a while.


My new shoes are comfortable and it felt like they worked really well on the ice today when I walked to and from the car.

When I ordered the Disney Castle it said on their website that it wouldn't ship before 5th December. Which is fine because I'm in no rush getting it built. I really have to think hard about where to display it when it's built.

You visited my two favorite resorts. We usually stay in Cars at AOA. It is a hike when you're hot and tired but we love the theming. Saying that, I really miss FQ. I do agree about the food court. Those hanging floats are a bit much.
I'm glad you got to go to the outlets. We always try to make time to go to them. My son-in-law loves to shop.
I did get the tree up before I wen to work. Even though it's on the old TV stand it still doesn't reach the ceiling. The cats 'helped' me put it up but so far they haven't destroyed it.
Have a good weekend
Liz

DMGeurts said:

I love staying at SoG for this reason - the resorts are so close, it is almost as if we are staying at the Poly too

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Is it close enough to walk? They seem to sort of discourage walking it seems...I had that feeling when we walked from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness once...we asked about walking and the CM's were all "well you could but...." like it wasn't really a good idea? We ended up doing it and it was a totally pleasant walk and not far at all.

DMGeurts said:

First we had to pass by mine, mine, mine...

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Do they make noise like the ones in front of the ride at Epcot?

Great updates BTW...such a fun trip. I love all your holiday decorating too!!

Happy weekend D! Love the pic of you and Allison; MOA looks huge, and lots of fun. Glad you got to spend some time with your cousin and aunt.

That is so sweet of Allison thinking of a trip; you and girls will always have WDW to look forward to in years to come; it will just logistically be a little harder. Interesting about Allison wanting to look into interior design. I always told my boys to take their time and pursue whatever interests them and they will then (hopefully) find a career that they like. It took a meandering path for Tyler to find his way to graduate school after 5 years of college. He is now 26 and feels like he is on the right path finally. Shane now? Hoo boy, that will take some time

Love your update and "day off"; looks like a lot of fun. We have a huge outlet mall about 40 minutes away, but the Disney store there is awful. Glad ya'll found some things there. And how can you go wrong with ending with beignets?

Hope ya'll get to go see Moana soon, it looks really cute. We are off to see Arrival this evening. I did get my tree up and the lights on!! I think decorating will be tomorrow.

Big hugs and prayers D.

MOA looks so fun! Did you get to see Moana? How was it? I am really hoping it will come to base soon. There is only one screen at the base theater, so movies have a limited showing and they are about a month behind when they come out in the states. Your "off day" looks like it was a busy one. Art of Animation is a neat resort. We've never stayed there but we were at Pop in 2013 & had a view of it across the water. I have to say, I really love your tank top tunics! I always find it difficult to find tank tops that are long/big enough but not so low cut that I feel immodest, ya know? Where do you get them? Your outfits are great and coordinate perfectly with your bags! Speaking of bags... yeah, that's really creepy to have that lady follow you around and take pictures. If she liked it, why wouldn't she just come up to you and tell you? I don't blame you for being creeped out by that! It's very cool that you got to go to the outlet malls. Yay for shopping! And to end the day with a visit with your BFF and beignets- can't really top that! I can't wait for the next installment!

Moana is wonderful -- my sister and I took my nieces to see it over Thanksgiving and we all loved it. Fabulous! I hope you're able to see it soon.

I still haven't had a chance to explore AoA -- I always want to go exploring on our non-park days but it never seems to happen.... I guess that's just one more reason I need to go back! I'm not sure when that will be, though...certainly not next year, with a wedding, a college graduation, a high school graduation, and moving a daughter out to college. It's just not in the budget for next year. But perhaps the year after? I am thinking, though, that if we do end up moving next summer, I might be able to squeeze in a Disneyland trip... I haven't been there since 1989.

Thanks for the info on the pillows. I'm really excited to do this project for my Mom and I'm also thinking of making one for each of my youth group girls. I bought the ivory and gold/copper "Joy" placemats at Target and although they're holiday in nature, I think the "joy" message is one that is applicable year-round. So I'm thinking about it.

We really love POFQ -- it's our absolute favorite resort. The beignets are amazing.

Have a great weekend!

DMGeurts said:

We checked in a little early for my favorite meal of the trip... The Wave

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DS and I ate there and he still talks about it. I think it was his favorite breakfast!

DMGeurts said:

Then Josh and I watched Hallmark Christmas movies

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Tell Josh I'm impressed he watches with you. My DH calls them "Chick Flicks" and definitely isn't interested.

andera42 said:

I have a question about SOG my son is military and we wondered about staying at SOG. Could we book more than one room? And do we always have to stay with him when we go back to our rooms?

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Your Son can book up to 3 rooms at SOG. He has to be there for check-in. After that, you are free to come and go, and you don't have to be with him at all.

DMGeurts said:

Cheap and easy decor throw pillows!

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Cute and easy!

DMGeurts said:

The Walking Dead - which i don't watch...

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My DH has watched from the beginning. I saw bits and pieces over the first several seasons, and finally got sucked in. Once you get past the zombie brain bashing, there are really good stories. Unfortunately no character is "safe" and may end up dead which is hard when you get attached to them!

DMGeurts said:

We all talked about how we don't really do this for shopping

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I will go out during Black Friday weekend to enjoy the shopping but I don't usually buy anything, too many people in line!

DMGeurts said:

First we had to pass by mine, mine, mine...

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I need to go see this resort. It's on my list. So well done! If my brother will ever agree to come to WDW with me, I'd definitely stay there--his kids would love it. They've been to Disneyland a number of times, but never WDW.

Question: When you walk from SOG to the Poly, do you walk through the "back area" to get to the front of the Poly? We always go out the front door then past the desk for valet parking and kind of behind the stairs (that they never seem to allow you to use) up to the monorail. There's a sign saying "cast members only" but we ignore it as it's the quickest way to get to path to SoG. We come back that way too.

Why don't they let you use those outside stairs up to the monorail? I wish they would so you wouldn't have to walk through lobby to stairs then back to front of resort to get on Monorail! Anyone know why they block off the stairs?

I think you need to plan another trip! I'm trying to decide if I can sneak in another May trip. If not, probably October. We'll see. Hopefully since your girls are still in the area you will have more opportunities to plan another trip!

andera42 said:

So the shady shuttle is just a golf cart? Where does the shuttle transport you to? Also,. I have a question about SOG my son is military and we wondered about staying at SOG. Could we book more than one room? And do we always have to stay with him when we go back to our rooms?

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I am so sorry I missed this the other day - I remember reading it, but I don't remember responding to it... Then when I saw that Cathy responded to you last night, I thought to myself that I didn't remember responding to it... So, I went back to look and it seems I quoted you, but I didn't respond. Super sorry about that.

Yes - the Shady Shuttle is just a golf cart... You can ask for a ride at the Bell Services window and they will take you down to the end of the property - which is where you cross the main road and then you are on Poly property - I used to have a Google map picture of this... I'll see if I can dig it up in my photobucket... Gosh - I can't believe I found it - I saved it to my PC before our 2008 trip, LOL... So, you can see - the Shady Shuttle brings you down to the main road - drops you there... You then have to walk a few paths to the Grand Ceremonial House and use Poly transportation from there.


Your DS can book up to 3 rooms, he must be there with you at check in, and he must be staying at SoG with you for your entire trip... Like, if you both checked in on Sunday, he was staying until Tuesday and you were staying until Friday - he would have to stay until Friday too. Does that make sense? Now - I don't know how it works as far as you coming and going from SoG on your own... I will say that any time Victoria came and went on her own, she was carded for her military ID and I don't know what happens if you are a civilian who is staying in a sponsored room at SoG? I would imagine if you showed your bus pass/room confirmation card, you'd be able to get on property without a problem... I've just never had it happen, so I am not sure.

Terkina said:

Sounds like you got a lot done yesterday.


It looks like you had a great day visiting AOA, the outlets and French Quarter and meeting BFF and O for a while.


My new shoes are comfortable and it felt like they worked really well on the ice today when I walked to and from the car.

When I ordered the Disney Castle it said on their website that it wouldn't ship before 5th December. Which is fine because I'm in no rush getting it built. I really have to think hard about where to display it when it's built.

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I did - it was a good day.

Yes - we had a lot of fun exploring... And it was a great day to see and do many things.

Glad to hear that your new shoes are comfy and worked well. That is awesome!

Hahaha - it is HUGE - you will have so much fun getting it put together though.

Clio said:

You visited my two favorite resorts. We usually stay in Cars at AOA. It is a hike when you're hot and tired but we love the theming. Saying that, I really miss FQ. I do agree about the food court. Those hanging floats are a bit much.
I'm glad you got to go to the outlets. We always try to make time to go to them. My son-in-law loves to shop.
I did get the tree up before I wen to work. Even though it's on the old TV stand it still doesn't reach the ceiling. The cats 'helped' me put it up but so far they haven't destroyed it.
Have a good weekend
Liz

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I bet - I love the Cars area, it's so cute and fun! I know - I do hope to stay at FQ again one day - it's a great resort... I certainly don't mind staying at SoG though - it's also a great resort.

It was fun to experience them and I am so happy that we were able to.

Yay for getting your tree set up! Hopefully your cats leave it alone.

Thanks, same to you!

KathyM2 said:

Is it close enough to walk? They seem to sort of discourage walking it seems...I had that feeling when we walked from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness once...we asked about walking and the CM's were all "well you could but...." like it wasn't really a good idea? We ended up doing it and it was a totally pleasant walk and not far at all.

Do they make noise like the ones in front of the ride at Epcot?

Great updates BTW...such a fun trip. I love all your holiday decorating too!!

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It is close enough to walk and they do encourage walking on the path - it is a main source of transportation to walk from SoG to the Poly and then take the monorail/Poly transport to other parks. They even encourage you to walk from the Poly and then call the Shady Shuttle for a ride the remainder of the way - we did that a lot... I've had the SS phone number programmed into my phone for years. LOL

Yes, they do... I remember telling V that I am not sure I would want to stay in those rooms, as they are a bit loud. LOL

Thanks!!! I am glad you are enjoying it!

Texan said:

Happy weekend D! Love the pic of you and Allison; MOA looks huge, and lots of fun. Glad you got to spend some time with your cousin and aunt.

That is so sweet of Allison thinking of a trip; you and girls will always have WDW to look forward to in years to come; it will just logistically be a little harder. Interesting about Allison wanting to look into interior design. I always told my boys to take their time and pursue whatever interests them and they will then (hopefully) find a career that they like. It took a meandering path for Tyler to find his way to graduate school after 5 years of college. He is now 26 and feels like he is on the right path finally. Shane now? Hoo boy, that will take some time

Love your update and "day off"; looks like a lot of fun. We have a huge outlet mall about 40 minutes away, but the Disney store there is awful. Glad ya'll found some things there. And how can you go wrong with ending with beignets?

Hope ya'll get to go see Moana soon, it looks really cute. We are off to see Arrival this evening. I did get my tree up and the lights on!! I think decorating will be tomorrow.

Big hugs and prayers D.

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Thanks! We all had so much fun spending a few hours together! It was a great day!

Yes - it will be fun... If we can narrow down a time... I feel a little badly that Allison wants to take a "family trip" while one family member is in Europe - so that makes me feel a little sad and want to plan it for another time - like next fall. We'll see...

I am sure Allison will have a meandering path too - I just want her to enjoy these years of school.

Exactly - there were a few other things that I wanted to find there, and didn't... but the deals I did find were good ones and I was happy that we went.

We went to see Moana yesterday - it was a cute movie... not one of my top favorites - but it was good.

Yay for getting your tree up... We just got our first fresh coat of snow - so it finally looks like Christmas out there this morning... Now I wish I could bake cookies and really get festive. LOL

Thanks Carol - same to you!

branmuffin said:

MOA looks so fun! Did you get to see Moana? How was it? I am really hoping it will come to base soon. There is only one screen at the base theater, so movies have a limited showing and they are about a month behind when they come out in the states. Your "off day" looks like it was a busy one. Art of Animation is a neat resort. We've never stayed there but we were at Pop in 2013 & had a view of it across the water. I have to say, I really love your tank top tunics! I always find it difficult to find tank tops that are long/big enough but not so low cut that I feel immodest, ya know? Where do you get them? Your outfits are great and coordinate perfectly with your bags! Speaking of bags... yeah, that's really creepy to have that lady follow you around and take pictures. If she liked it, why wouldn't she just come up to you and tell you? I don't blame you for being creeped out by that! It's very cool that you got to go to the outlet malls. Yay for shopping! And to end the day with a visit with your BFF and beignets- can't really top that! I can't wait for the next installment!

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It is fun - well, as fun as a mall can be - LOL I think us Minnesotans are a little less impressed with it than most people who come to visit - just because we can go whenever we want.

We did see Moana yesterday - it was cute and good... I'd see it again - though I wouldn't pay to see it in a theater again, once was enough. Not my top 5 Disney movies, not because it was bad or anything - just that there are better movies out there. Make sense?

It was a great resort - and it's always fun for me to visit other resorts.

Thanks - I search them out like crazy in the summer time... Almost all of them came from Target... I am always on the look-out for tops that match my Disney outfits, whether I have a trip planned or not... Since I discovered on our Nov 2015 trip that I really liked crop leggings down there, my mission all this last spring and summer was to find tunic length sleeveless knit tops (that I can wear a real bra under) to go with those for October... I was able to find most of the colors I needed - however, on days like this day off, I was stuck wearing all black - which I don't really enjoy doing... I was much happier with my other outfits. I found the cutest black with white polka dot tunic length shirt at Kohls - I loved it, it was soooo cute - but I do think this brand at Kohls (My Michelle) runs super small, as this shirt was an XL, and it was tight around my bum - I had it with, but I never wore it for that reason... Hopefully I can wear it this coming summer here...

I tried to find them on the Target website for you - but they are gone. I am hoping they bring them back in other colors this summer, because I really liked them a lot.

Yes - that lady was weird and she did creep us out... I was happy that I never saw her again.

It was a great day - we had a lot of fun and enjoyed our time with everyone!

Born 2B a Princess said:

Moana is wonderful -- my sister and I took my nieces to see it over Thanksgiving and we all loved it. Fabulous! I hope you're able to see it soon.

I still haven't had a chance to explore AoA -- I always want to go exploring on our non-park days but it never seems to happen.... I guess that's just one more reason I need to go back! I'm not sure when that will be, though...certainly not next year, with a wedding, a college graduation, a high school graduation, and moving a daughter out to college. It's just not in the budget for next year. But perhaps the year after? I am thinking, though, that if we do end up moving next summer, I might be able to squeeze in a Disneyland trip... I haven't been there since 1989.

Thanks for the info on the pillows. I'm really excited to do this project for my Mom and I'm also thinking of making one for each of my youth group girls. I bought the ivory and gold/copper "Joy" placemats at Target and although they're holiday in nature, I think the "joy" message is one that is applicable year-round. So I'm thinking about it.

We really love POFQ -- it's our absolute favorite resort. The beignets are amazing.

Have a great weekend!

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We did get to see it yesterday - it was a good movie, not one of my top favorites, but still a good movie.

Yes - you definitely have a full year next year, sounds a lot like mine. LOL We'll get through it though and hopefully will have a trip at the end of the tunnel.

I know which one you are talking about - it's so cute and will be perfect! Great idea!

I know - all of the DIsney resorts I've stayed at are my "favorite" LOL... All for different reasons.

Thanks!!! Same to you!

Ladyfish77 said:

DS and I ate there and he still talks about it. I think it was his favorite breakfast!

Tell Josh I'm impressed he watches with you. My DH calls them "Chick Flicks" and definitely isn't interested.

Your Son can book up to 3 rooms at SOG. He has to be there for check-in. After that, you are free to come and go, and you don't have to be with him at all.

Cute and easy!

My DH has watched from the beginning. I saw bits and pieces over the first several seasons, and finally got sucked in. Once you get past the zombie brain bashing, there are really good stories. Unfortunately no character is "safe" and may end up dead which is hard when you get attached to them!

I will go out during Black Friday weekend to enjoy the shopping but I don't usually buy anything, too many people in line!

I need to go see this resort. It's on my list. So well done! If my brother will ever agree to come to WDW with me, I'd definitely stay there--his kids would love it. They've been to Disneyland a number of times, but never WDW.

Question: When you walk from SOG to the Poly, do you walk through the "back area" to get to the front of the Poly? We always go out the front door then past the desk for valet parking and kind of behind the stairs (that they never seem to allow you to use) up to the monorail. There's a sign saying "cast members only" but we ignore it as it's the quickest way to get to path to SoG. We come back that way too.

Why don't they let you use those outside stairs up to the monorail? I wish they would so you wouldn't have to walk through lobby to stairs then back to front of resort to get on Monorail! Anyone know why they block off the stairs?

I think you need to plan another trip! I'm trying to decide if I can sneak in another May trip. If not, probably October. We'll see. Hopefully since your girls are still in the area you will have more opportunities to plan another trip!

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It's a great place to eat - I try not to talk too much about how great it is anymore though - as I don't want it to get too crowded. LOL

Hahahaha... I will tell him no such thing. LOL I am just enjoying the fact that he is watching them with me, without too much grumbling. LOL

Thanks for answering that question for her - I didn't realize that I hadn't responded until you responded to her too.

Hahaha... Yah - I just don't get into gory stuff... They can watch it with me in the room, I dont' mind, and occasionally - I will catch myself watching, but the minute it turns gory - no thanks.

I hope you get a chance to see AoA - it is a great resort and wonderfully done.

I always go back through the GCM, I've never taken that path - I am sure it would be easier and quicker - but I am sort of a "rule follower" LOL and never go where I shouldn't. LOL

I am guessing the stairs are just for emergency exit purposes??? That's what I always assumed - I've never known them to be used.

I know Allison is thinking July - but I am hoping for October... I just like that weather better. We'll see how it goes - but I hope you are able to squeeze in another trip.

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I had a nice day yesterday - I happened to log on to my Photopass account and I noticed that my pictures with Suzi and Bradey are still on there, so I tried to get the remainder of Alliosn's trip pictures edited and then V's, because I realized that all of the 2016 special borders will disappear soon and I didn't want to miss out on those. I am glad I logged in though. Right now, I have 1800 pictures on there, most of them have not been edited... The pics from Suzi's trip will fall off in exactly one week, so now I am editing like crazy in the hopes that I can buy one CD set and get all of my last 3 trips on there... This should be fun. LOL So, don't mind me if I am not checking in all of the time - my only time I really have to edit these is in the morning...

Then V and I went to town for lunch at Chipotle...

I did some shopping at Target, as many items I needed around the house - laundry detergent, dish detergent, paper towels... That sort of thing, were all an extra 30% off in Cartwheel yesterday... I stocked up. My bill was $107 before any discounts and $68 after - not too bad.

Then V and I went to see Moana... It was a good movie and we enjoyed it... Not one of our top favorites, only because there ARE better Disney movies out there - it was still good though.

I dropped her at work after and then I came home... We had dinner and relaxed all night.

I have nothing planned today - except to edit more Photopass pictures... I am nearly done with MK and that is where the bulk of my pictures are taken...

I also want to get up to my sewing room for a few minutes...

That's about all... I hope you all have a great day! Sending prayers and pixie dust out to all of you!

D~

Good luck on editing all your photopass photos. Crossing my fingers that you have the time to edit them all before they disappears. I hope you can get them all on one CD.

How great that you got some discounts on the items you needed around the house.

DMGeurts said:

ID and I don't know what happens if you are a civilian who is staying in a sponsored room at SoG? I would imagine if you showed your bus pass/room confirmation card, you'd be able to get on property without a problem... I've just never had it happen, so I am not sure.

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We did this last fall. I booked 2 rooms (DH is sponsor, but since I'm spouse I can book also). One of my two friends (not military) was checking in SOG and we were already onsite (arrived at different times). I went to SoG and checked into rooms (since sponsor has to check-in) and told front desk that friend would be arriving later. She was able to arrive without me being there at her arrival and get her room key. From that point forward we were rarely together (we were attending a conference together but were taking different seminars so didn't travel together much). So, long story short, once checked in by the sponsor, the civilian customers have all privileges and access. SoG sent us an email so that my friend could show it to get through the gate before check-in (not sure if she needed to use it). You just show your resort card and ID when you go through the gate for access. We found that they also checked our ID when we walked back from the Poly.

DMGeurts said:

I've had the SS phone number programmed into my phone for years. LOL

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I never thought to ask for the number. I will have to remember to get it next time! How long in advance did you call them for pick-up? (When you got off monorail? When you were at the pick-up location?)

DMGeurts said:

I know Allison is thinking July - but I am hoping for October... I just like that weather better. We'll see how it goes - but I hope you are able to squeeze in another trip.

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I'm thinking I will be there end of October--would be awesome if trips overlapped!

I for one,would love a play by play of your outfits and where each item is from (with the brand name listed). I've gone looking for some of the shirts you've mentioned at Target and been unable to find them....It may be a regional thing! who knows?

I stop by everyday, but it's a pain to comment on my tablet, so I thought I'd say hi while I was on the computer! Loving the updates

DMGeurts said:

I don't know... She is already talking about an Iphone... So, I doubt it's going to happen. But I am touched that she would ever even think of taking me... Maybe one day - when she is done with college... She is already talking about taking more classes after she is done with Cosmetology school - she still has her heart set on interior design too... I foresee lots of college in her future - as I am certain that cosmetology school was just something to do until she decided what she really wanted to do... She is a little like her mom - she can't be idle long.

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I understand. Sometimes its just nice talking about a future trip even if its not going to happen as soon as you hope. That's great that she is planning on more classes! There are so many opportunities when you are college aged, plenty of choices and experiences to be had! It's great to hear that she is enjoying Cosmetology school.

DMGeurts said:

I was able to get a picture of the back of her shirt... I just love this one!

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One of my favorite quotes by Walt!

I love all the pictures from AoA. I never get tired of that place! When I stayed there almost 2 years ago, I was in the Nemo Section, but if I ever stay there again, I would pick the Cars section, I love the layout and how you truly feel you are in the movie! And I'm like you, I was never a huge Cars fan. I always think the Cozy Cone cabanas are just too cute!

Sorry about that creepy lady...what a shame

That's great you were abel to make it to the outlets. I always say I'm going to get over there, but I never have the time. Maybe if I go for a longer trip then normal.

And thats great you were able to get to FQ and get some yummy beignets! How nice you were able to quickly meet up with your BFF as well.

Looking forward to hearing about your AK day!

I'm so glad you were able to meet up
with your BFF and her daughter. You must've turned them into Disney fans.

We saw Moana today and I really liked. It wasn't my favorite Disney movie but I still thought it was very good.

I hope you are finding success with editing all your pictures.

DMGeurts said:

I tried to find them on the Target website for you - but they are gone

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I thought you might've gotten them from Target; it was very sweet of you to check for them. I will have to be on the look out when the spring stuff starts coming out & see if I can find a few.

Good luck on the photo editing. Hopefully you can have them all added to the same order and get it done at once. We are winding down Monday night here, so wishing you a good start to the week!

disny_luvr said:

We toured AoA this summer. I've always wanted to go there but didn't want the hassle of getting there. This summer we actually drove to Disney and had our car so I knew we were definitely visiting this resort. It is so nicely themed. Our favorite area was the Cars section, too. We ate dinner at the food court and loved it! That said, we probably would never stay there because we have no need for a suite and the regular rooms are far from the main building and bus stop.

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I totally missed this the other day... Sorry about that. I noticed this morning that it was tucked in between my two updates.

I agree - I love it too, I don't know that I will ever stay there either - but it's a fun resort.

Terkina said:

Good luck on editing all your photopass photos. Crossing my fingers that you have the time to edit them all before they disappears. I hope you can get them all on one CD.

How great that you got some discounts on the items you needed around the house.

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Thanks! I sat here for almost 6 hours yesterday morning doing edits... I did make a lot of progress, which is good. I have all of MK, Epcot and DHS done for all 3 trips... I just need to do AK and the resorts. We spend a lot of time in AK and we have a lot of resort pictures from V's trip - so it will likely take me all week to get these edited.

Yes - it was very nice!

Ladyfish77 said:

We did this last fall. I booked 2 rooms (DH is sponsor, but since I'm spouse I can book also). One of my two friends (not military) was checking in SOG and we were already onsite (arrived at different times). I went to SoG and checked into rooms (since sponsor has to check-in) and told front desk that friend would be arriving later. She was able to arrive without me being there at her arrival and get her room key. From that point forward we were rarely together (we were attending a conference together but were taking different seminars so didn't travel together much). So, long story short, once checked in by the sponsor, the civilian customers have all privileges and access. SoG sent us an email so that my friend could show it to get through the gate before check-in (not sure if she needed to use it). You just show your resort card and ID when you go through the gate for access. We found that they also checked our ID when we walked back from the Poly.



I never thought to ask for the number. I will have to remember to get it next time! How long in advance did you call them for pick-up? (When you got off monorail? When you were at the pick-up location?)


I'm thinking I will be there end of October--would be awesome if trips overlapped!

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That is good to know - we haven't sponsored a room since 2008, and they have sure done a lot with security since then.

Yes - it's a good number to have... They would only come and get us if we were down there waiting... The earliest we could call is once we could see the road from the Poly - otherwise they would tell us to call back once we were at the sign. Kind of annoying, but I do understand.

That would be awesome!! Keep me updated!

DisneyTeacher01 said:

I for one,would love a play by play of your outfits and where each item is from (with the brand name listed). I've gone looking for some of the shirts you've mentioned at Target and been unable to find them....It may be a regional thing! who knows?

I stop by everyday, but it's a pain to comment on my tablet, so I thought I'd say hi while I was on the computer! Loving the updates

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Hmmm... How would I do this? Like at the beginning of each day? Only my trip outfits?

Well - so far, in this trip - I can tell you... My arrival day outfit is the striped tunic top from Target - American Eagle crop leggings and my Vionic flip flops.

Day 2 was Epcot - at the beginning of the day, I wore a red Merona tank top from Target, and my Vigoss bermuda shorts - which I ordered off of Ebay and my Vionic flip flops (I order these directly from Vionic - I get the exact same black pair every 2 years - I really like them a lot. LOL) Later in the day, I changed into a plain red sleeveless tunic length shirt from Target - I think it's Merona? A pair of my black AE crop leggings (I have 5 pairs, exactly the same)... I can't remember what I wore for shoes this night? I think I was wearing my polka-dot Vans?

Day 3 was Universal... I wore my Harry Potter tee shirt from the mens section at Target. My denim Silver Jeans shorts... And I think my vionic flip flops?

Day 4 - which is the day we are on... I wore a black sleeveless tunic shirt from Target - I think the brand on this is Merona? I'd have to double check - I looked on the website yesterday and it was no longer available - I am sure hoping they come out with them again this coming spring/summer - although, these ones, in particular didn't come out until late summer. My black AE crop leggings, and my polka-dot Vans (which I love so much!)

I think that's it for now?

I am happy to see that you are still here Jennifer and reading along.

FantasiaMagic said:

I understand. Sometimes its just nice talking about a future trip even if its not going to happen as soon as you hope. That's great that she is planning on more classes! There are so many opportunities when you are college aged, plenty of choices and experiences to be had! It's great to hear that she is enjoying Cosmetology school.


One of my favorite quotes by Walt!

I love all the pictures from AoA. I never get tired of that place! When I stayed there almost 2 years ago, I was in the Nemo Section, but if I ever stay there again, I would pick the Cars section, I love the layout and how you truly feel you are in the movie! And I'm like you, I was never a huge Cars fan. I always think the Cozy Cone cabanas are just too cute!

Sorry about that creepy lady...what a shame

That's great you were abel to make it to the outlets. I always say I'm going to get over there, but I never have the time. Maybe if I go for a longer trip then normal.

And thats great you were able to get to FQ and get some yummy beignets! How nice you were able to quickly meet up with your BFF as well.

Looking forward to hearing about your AK day!

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I know - I do hope that we are able to start planning another trip again soon... I sure miss the planning - even though, it seems, we just take the same trips over and over again. LOL

I do really like AoA too - it's HUGE though, and I am certain I would not want to stay in those far out buildings. It looks like so much fun for kids though!

That was really strange... V and I did not stay in that area for long - it really creeped us out.

It was a great experience to go to the outlets - I am glad we had the chance - and the ride!

Yes - I cannot believe how much we were able to get done on our "Day off" lol.

THanks!! I am excited to share it! Lots n' lots of pictures though. LOL

disny_luvr said:

I'm so glad you were able to meet up
with your BFF and her daughter. You must've turned them into Disney fans.

We saw Moana today and I really liked. It wasn't my favorite Disney movie but I still thought it was very good.

I hope you are finding success with editing all your pictures.

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It was fun to meet up.. They've been Disney fans all along - so I can't claim that... What I can claim though - is their love for FQ - I'll take full responsibility for that one. LOL

I agree - not my favorite, but very good.

Meh - well - sort of... I'll talk a little about it below.

*******************************************************************************************************

So... I didn't do much of anything yesterday... Except sit here and edit Photopass pictures. Oh the fun... <---- Sarcasm. I truly do NOT enjoy the Photopass website - although it has been better over the last few days than it has in the past - it's still a pain.

My biggest disappointment, at the moment, is that many of my favorite borders and sitckers are gone... And it's hugely aggrivating... Not to mention - the special event/holiday borders - there are only 3 to choose from this year. So, as I am editing the photos from V's trip - there are many borders and stickers that I am missing out on - ones that I still have on other trip pictures that I edited last year - but when I click on them, there appears to be no border on those ones at all - so I have no idea if they will download when I download them - or if they will download blank. It's very disappointing - borders that I thought would be there forever, because they have been - are just gone... Yet they have borders for every single resort - even though there are not many (or any) photopass photographers at the resorts.


All of the borders for Russel and Dug are gone... It's just too numerous to list, and Grrrrr....

So, I am doing the best I can with edits.

And that was my day yesterday... i have all of MK, Epcot and DHS edited for all 3 trips... I have AK edited for my trip with Suzi and part of Allison's trip - I still have most of Allison's and all of V's AK and also resort pics - so I still have a lot to do.

Today - I will work out this morning - my eating yesterday was less than stellar... I seemed to have a HUGE craving for chocolate... Today will be better.

I am taking Allison to the Tmobile store... She wants and Iphone (I am NOT paying for it)... I don't even want to talk about this - as she has a perfectly good phone and I feel like Iphones are really wasteful.... Sigh.

Then I will come back here and work the rest of the day - I have a lot I want to get done today.

I hope you all have a great day! Sending prayers and pixie dust out to all of you!

D~

Hello there!
So fun just to tour FL! i wanna know what you bought out of the outlet stores?!?!

Fun you ran into BFF. I can't remember.. where they staying there?

I loved loved loved Moana!!! cannot stop listening to the music! reminds me too too too much of the poly and our first trip!!
nothing beats HeiHei as a disney character. NOTHING!

cant wait to see whatever custom order your working on? you haven't posted a bag i a long time!

Sorry for the frustration of lack of borders. Disneyland did away with borders when they changed the program to a daily program. They recently added the weekly package back as a photopass option (right before we went this summer) but still no borders. Not as fun, but still nice to have the pictures.