*** The Official August 2019 thread ***

[Wayland10]

I check in on Monday! Soooo close! Now all I need to do is clean my house, finish teaching, get the house sitter settled in, buy groceries, turn in grades, pick my kids up at my mom's in Pennsylvania, and drive to Disney. Oh, and maybe find time to do a varroa mite check on my bees. And write up my professional goals for next year. And, and, and...

 

[cmarsh31]

Just under 2 weeks, so I'm trying not to think about it, because I'll start changing plans again... we've already added a day a couple months ago, changed all our parks & ADRs, and just this week I changed half of our stay from CSR standard to a tower room!

 

[dancergirlsmom]

Woo Hoo just hit the single digits!!!

 

[Bama Mom]

Woo Hoo just hit the single digits!!!

Us too!

 

[Funfire240]

6 more days! I also will be working for four hours the day we leave 8am-12pm. that will probably be the longest 4 hours ever lol

We leave one week from today and I'm doing the same thing. DH is supposed to pick me up around 12:30 that day to head up to the airport. (which means I have to be completely ready to go by the time he drops me off at the office that morning!) I'm hoping maybe I can get everything in order Wednesday so I don't have to come in on Thursday but have a feeling that won't happen. The attorney I work with has been on vacation and will be back Monday so that means 3 1/2 days to get everything back in order before I leave for 7 1/2 work days then. Probably going to be a little crazy!

 

[Bama Mom]

According to weather channel it’s gonna basically seem like we aren’t even leaving home. First picture is our weather at home and the second is Orlando weather forecast

 

[luvmy2babies]

Yes. Almost 23 years at the same company. Being loyal has its perks! They let me work from home 5 - 8 (during summer, then it will be 5 - 7 during the school year, as I need to drive DD to school at 7) then in the office 8:15 - 1. I also work from home the whole day 2 days per week! Im really liking it but am so tired by 3pm I end up napping for an hour or 2, then cant get to sleep at night until midnight! Yesterday I pushed through, ran errands after work and was in bed by 10:30. Progress! My goal tonight is 9pm. Hopefully I dont get off track over the weekend.

That's really great. Being able to work from home or elsewhere is so helpful. When my children got to a certain age I remember the commute getting really rough with the hours. Fortunately in my line of work there is a growing trend with companies having decentralized workers. I can definitely see the advantage for them. It broadens the hiring pool and they save money not maintaining or renting space in a building. I was able to get a job with one such company and it has been so much better. My teenager even likes having me at home.

 

[Lakegirl]

Also from MA...we live on the south shore and noticed Boston prices were high. Luckily we are close enough to Providence and the prices were cheap. Plus I just love the ease of flying out of TF green.

I have heard great things about PVD and they are almost always cheaper than BOS when I’m checking. We are North so it’s not convenient enough for us. We are flying out of Worcester in April because Boston was so high. Everybody I know who flies out of there loves it.

 

[Mascara&MouseEars]

So excited for everyone in the single digits! We still have 27 days and it feels so far away...

 

[luvmy2babies]

6 more days! I also will be working for four hours the day we leave 8am-12pm. that will probably be the longest 4 hours ever lol

I have had a few trips like that and that work day does seem to move at a snail's pace. Our flight to Orlando is under 2 hours so there were times when we would fly out the day before the actual break begins so we could have a full day at the beginning. So I'd work some and we'd take a late afternoon flight. It definitely isn't easy. Two years ago I booked us on a 6:50pm flight. I got up early and worked from 7am to 3pm instead of 8-4:30. I thought 3:00 would never arrive. Doing the same this year. Our flight out is at 6:30; so I'm going to work until 3. Last year we flew out midday on a Sunday. That was more fun; but an evening flight on a weekday is way cheaper.

 

[Tomh]

I love PVD too. Worcester is also a good option for me, as I live in between Boston and Worcester (Metrowest). Jet Blue has non stop to MCO out of Worcester, but only once per day in each direction. The return flight is good.. close to 1pm, but going there is 4:30pm. Too late for me!!

I checked a bunch of options for a while and Boston won on price and times. Ended up with Delta 8am going there and noon coming home. Paid $240 RT main cabin w/ one bag. I bought early February.

What shocked me this time around was car rentals. Ive never paid more than $300 for Intermediate SUV 10 -12 days. This time was $460 for 13 days, and Ive been checking daily since February. Started in the $700's. Im glad it dropped, but not enough!! No choice, I have to as our first 4 days are being spent outside of Disney and while at Disney I hop around so much the buses/monorail/boats would be too much time wasted. Lucky for me I booked this trip the day before the parking fees were implemented at the Disney resorts, so Im saving $250 there.

I guess point of view is everything. We are paying $744 for a standard SUV for 15 days, and thought it was a great price. Literally half of what we were quoted for the same rental here in NY when we were planning to drive down.

I thought I had a lot to do! But somehow you will get it all done. I see a few late nights in your future!

Most of my nights are late. I get home from work around 11:00, and then spend at least an hour or two playing xbox with my son before I go to bed. I suppose that isn't super productive, but we have to get some fun time in

I pulled up our 2018 packing list and made the necessary adjustments to fit this trip. I went ahead and made a purchase I'd been putting off. Got us a new luggage set with hard shell bags. I want to make sure I can pack us in 2 bags. We're entitled to 2 bags each on Southwest; but after lots of trial, error and backaches, I learned to pack lighter while my children were young and couldn't help. Now that they can, we're golden.

We keep our packing list, and pretty much all of the information for our trip in a Google Document. We adjust information as necessary from year to year, and everyone in the family has access to it.

Looking forward to August trip! Poly 8/28-9/1 then moving to WL 9/1-9/4. Can't wait. Planning to do DAH on 8/29 and MNSSHP 9/1.

You have been added to the Roll Call. Hope you have an amazing trip!

According to weather channel it’s gonna basically seem like we aren’t even leaving home. First picture is our weather at home and the second is Orlando weather forecast

View attachment 419812View attachment 419813

If we see weather like that when we are there, we will be happy. Low 90's isn't bad for mid summer. We go expecting mid to upper 90's pretty much daily.

 

[TheLadyRohn]

6 more days! I also will be working for four hours the day we leave 8am-12pm. that will probably be the longest 4 hours ever lol

Probably the same for me - just a few hours on a Monday to make sure everything is in place. We have a red eye that leaves at 6. Pretty sure I told work we had to leave at noon...it totally takes 6 hours to get to the airport that is 15 miles away...

 

[han22735]

I have heard great things about PVD and they are almost always cheaper than BOS when I’m checking. We are North so it’s not convenient enough for us. We are flying out of Worcester in April because Boston was so high. Everybody I know who flies out of there loves it.

And add in the price to park at Logan $27 a day vs $10 in PVD it gets even more expensive.

 

[TinkerTracy]

Hi everyone!

I am super curious what everyone uses as their park bag? I am packing up all of our stuff and it made me wonder what you all use in the parks?

I will be using a Tumi backpack for my fiance's and my items this trip. This backpack seems PERFECT for in the parks!

So what do you take with you in the park?

 

[TinkerTracy]

I check in on Monday! Soooo close! Now all I need to do is clean my house, finish teaching, get the house sitter settled in, buy groceries, turn in grades, pick my kids up at my mom's in Pennsylvania, and drive to Disney. Oh, and maybe find time to do a varroa mite check on my bees. And write up my professional goals for next year. And, and, and...

Hi fellow educator! I am so close to back to school! I get back from my trip on the 10th and then I go back to school on the 12th for professional development. Yikes.

 

[Je-Ree Olenik]

WOW! I thought working until the day before was going to be rough! No way I could work morning of. My mind would just not be functional! Kuddos to you!

lol thanks! i have a few things to finish up and i will be running out of there!

 

[Je-Ree Olenik]

We leave one week from today and I'm doing the same thing. DH is supposed to pick me up around 12:30 that day to head up to the airport. (which means I have to be completely ready to go by the time he drops me off at the office that morning!) I'm hoping maybe I can get everything in order Wednesday so I don't have to come in on Thursday but have a feeling that won't happen. The attorney I work with has been on vacation and will be back Monday so that means 3 1/2 days to get everything back in order before I leave for 7 1/2 work days then. Probably going to be a little crazy!

We are driving down so after DH picks me up we head to get the rental car but everyones luggage has to be ready to go and the coolers all packed and ready.

Its going to be nuts lol

 

[Je-Ree Olenik]

I have had a few trips like that and that work day does seem to move at a snail's pace. Our flight to Orlando is under 2 hours so there were times when we would fly out the day before the actual break begins so we could have a full day at the beginning. So I'd work some and we'd take a late afternoon flight. It definitely isn't easy. Two years ago I booked us on a 6:50pm flight. I got up early and worked from 7am to 3pm instead of 8-4:30. I thought 3:00 would never arrive. Doing the same this year. Our flight out is at 6:30; so I'm going to work until 3. Last year we flew out midday on a Sunday. That was more fun; but an evening flight on a weekday is way cheaper.

omg a full day! good for you lol. yes 12pm will def take forever i can already feel it

 

[Je-Ree Olenik]

Probably the same for me - just a few hours on a Monday to make sure everything is in place. We have a red eye that leaves at 6. Pretty sure I told work we had to leave at noon...it totally takes 6 hours to get to the airport that is 15 miles away...

LOL

 

[luvmy2babies]

Hi everyone!

I am super curious what everyone uses as their park bag? I am packing up all of our stuff and it made me wonder what you all use in the parks?

I will be using a Tumi backpack for my fiance's and my items this trip. This backpack seems PERFECT for in the parks!

So what do you take with you in the park?

What we use has changed over the years. We started going when my son was 10 months old so back then I had a backpack that could double as a diaper bag. The past few trips it's been mostly drawstring backpacks and as the children have gotten older they carry their own. They're light so they're not hot on their backs and they're easy to search at park entry. And they fit under a poncho without issue. We're down to just carrying poncho, cooling towels, handheld fans, meds, money, female items when necessary, a snack and maybe a light jacket for table service meals and our phones with a portable charger.

Last year we made a change. I switched to a backpack cooler and packed it with drinks and ice in Ziploc bags. We put my poncho and other items in my daughter's bag. There's a front pocket on the cooler for my phone. I'd hit the ice machine before we left and fill 5 or so snack-sized Ziploc bags with ice. Since we can't freeze drinks in the resort room fridges, it was great. I wish I'd switched to it sooner. I had carried drinks like that before; but not in a cooler bag so the ice didn't last long. The drinks were from our in room grocery order so everyone had exactly what they wanted to drink at any time no matter where we were and it was nice and cold. It's been so hot this summer, my son started using the bag to bring Gatorade bottles to soccer camp because it stayed cold as opposed to me filling a 64 ounce jug in the morning. So it's his now. I ordered a another one for this and future trips.