I thought I would start some data sheets with my family's Disney World Tips. They are only our opinion but these opinions have been developed over several Disney trips.
FOOD
1. Advance Dining Reservations (ADR's) are a must for sit down meals.
2. Eat breakfast in your room.
3. Take snacks into the park with you.
4. Eat at irregular times such as 11am and 4pm.
5. Sit down meals are expensive.
6. Sit down meals can be magical.
7. Character meals are an easy way to have character interaction without the lines.
8. Disney meals typically have very large portions.
9. Allears.net has Disney menus posted.
10. Share a 'meal' and eat more often during the day.
11. Dehydration and hunger are fun killers.
12. Bring single-serve drink mix: the water has a strange taste.
13. Water is free at counter service restaurants.
14. Don't waste time or money on the "castle dinner" if you are on a budget. It isn't all that exciting on the inside.
15. DRINK DRINK DRINK! Dehydration sneaks up on you.
16. In Magic Kingdom don't get ice cream sandwich from a cart vendor; go to the bakery on Main Street; theirs' are huge and 'homemade' (better yet get a cinnamon roll)
17. Meal plans only work if you are staying at a Disney hotel.
18. Chocolate will melt, even M&M's!
19. Pack zip lock baggies & take into parks for leftovers and other items.
20. Meal plans can save you a lot of money if you are wanting to do a lot of sit-down dinners.
21. Popcorn buckets can be fun souvenirs. We use ours for lunch pails.
22. Kids meal plates, shaped like mickey, can be wiped out and taken home as a souvenir.
23. Know where you are going to eat before you leave for the park in the morning. Choosing can be a big time killer.
24. Soda's are crazy expensive; drink water.
25. You can leave the park to eat a picnic lunch that you have kept in the car.
26. The counter service lines are long and crowded. Choosing what you want to order before you get there is a good idea.
27. We don't do a lot of kids meals. We just split a grown-up meal between us.
28. Each restaurant is themed; notice the details.
29. Hotels offer 'free refill' mugs; it's cheaper just to keep drinks in your room.
Now, some of our personal favorite places to eat.
Sit-down meal: Food- LeCellier (EPCOT)
Characters- Akerhaus (EPCOT)
Theme- Oktoberfest (EPCOT)
Fun- PrimeTime Diner (DHS)
Counter Service: Variety- Sunshine Fare (EPCOT)
Food/quantity- Flame Tree BBQ (AK)
Different from norm- Yakatori (EPCOT); Yak&Yeti (AK)
Good to relax and let kids go- Pizza Planet (DHS)
Snacks: Cinnamon Roll- Bakery (MK)
Ice Cream Sandwich- Bakery (MK)
Churros- (Every park)
Hope this helps. I'll be doing other topics in the next few weeks.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Addiction
I think I may becoming addicted to facebook.com. Not really but still...
It has been a very neat way to reconnect with family and friends. I know that I have talked more to some of my cousins since being on facebook than I have in all the previous years. I know that is a sad statement but still true. All the info I've had on them before was filtered through my dad. I never really understood the personal side of each of them as grown-ups. Now, through this service, I have been able to look at their kids pictures, read about their hobbies, and catch up on how they live on a daily basis. It's pretty neat.
I also have reconnected with a lot of my old high school classmates. Some I would consider former (and future) friends, while others were just aquaintences. Some of the people that I wasn't friends with during school, I've found that I have a lot in common with them now. I just goes to prove that during school we are so caught up in our own little dramas that we don't take the time to really get to know people. Maybe it shows just how little we know of ourselves during that time. It takes years of living to finally settle into who you really are as a human.
I, at first, thought that facebook was only for college kids. I'm glad that I got over that misguided thought and dived into the techno age.
It has been a very neat way to reconnect with family and friends. I know that I have talked more to some of my cousins since being on facebook than I have in all the previous years. I know that is a sad statement but still true. All the info I've had on them before was filtered through my dad. I never really understood the personal side of each of them as grown-ups. Now, through this service, I have been able to look at their kids pictures, read about their hobbies, and catch up on how they live on a daily basis. It's pretty neat.
I also have reconnected with a lot of my old high school classmates. Some I would consider former (and future) friends, while others were just aquaintences. Some of the people that I wasn't friends with during school, I've found that I have a lot in common with them now. I just goes to prove that during school we are so caught up in our own little dramas that we don't take the time to really get to know people. Maybe it shows just how little we know of ourselves during that time. It takes years of living to finally settle into who you really are as a human.
I, at first, thought that facebook was only for college kids. I'm glad that I got over that misguided thought and dived into the techno age.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
School Update
It's now almost 3pm and we have put in a full day of learning. I think the day was a success. We did lessons in every subject. The only one that seemed to be a little thin today was Science for Drake. I found a quiz site online; I let him choose a quiz from the 7th grade choice. Well, 10 questions and like, maybe, 2 minutes later, he answered the questions, about plant/animal cells, and got them all correct. Now I know better than to do the quiz before I make him review a topic.
We even had a music lesson today. Drake showed Jilly how to play the piano. He has done the first two pages of a beginner manual. She now knows where middle 'C' is, how to hold her hands, whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes. He even showed her how to play the opening bit of Jurassic Park, for fun.
Now we will see how it goes from here on out. Maybe we will be lucky and get another snow day tomorrow.
We even had a music lesson today. Drake showed Jilly how to play the piano. He has done the first two pages of a beginner manual. She now knows where middle 'C' is, how to hold her hands, whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes. He even showed her how to play the opening bit of Jurassic Park, for fun.
Now we will see how it goes from here on out. Maybe we will be lucky and get another snow day tomorrow.
Snow day = Homeschool day
Today is our first 'snow' day of the year. I put snow in quotes because there is very little snow involved. We have 'ice' days here. The roads are terrible. The kids got out of school yesterday at noon. Since this was an extra day at home I thought it would be a good time for a trial run at homeschool.
We'll see how it goes. It has already started with Drake saying "I want to play Call of Duty" and me saying "DRAKE!" So, I guess we will need patience with each other.
I have a good plan for Jilly for the day. Drake I have an OK plan. I'll try to add a post at the end of the day to share our success or failer.
We'll see how it goes. It has already started with Drake saying "I want to play Call of Duty" and me saying "DRAKE!" So, I guess we will need patience with each other.
I have a good plan for Jilly for the day. Drake I have an OK plan. I'll try to add a post at the end of the day to share our success or failer.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Sad day....Funny story.
We had a sad day on Tuesday. We found out that a neighbor, that we didn't know, passed away suddenly. He was only 44 years old. The people had just moved and were renting this house by us. I had never seen them outside. Well, I asked one of the EMT workers if they had worked the case and who the people are. She said that it was really sad. She asked the women if she(EMT) could call some family for her. The poor lady said that all their family lived in TX. The EMT then asked if there was a friend she could call and the lady said they didn't have any friends in the area. Isn't that just the saddest thing you have ever heard? Your spouse up and dies on you and there is no one to call.
Well, this really bothered me. I felt like I should do something for the lady but I didn't want to just walk up to the house. "Hey, I hear you spouse died. I'm your neighbor." It felt intrusive to me. Well, the next day I was walking up to work and the lady was sitting on her porch. I went over and introduced myself. I told her how sorry I was about her loss and that I wish I had met her under better circumstances. I even gave her a hug freely. For those of you who know me well, you know I have some "personal space" issues, so this is a big thing. Her name is Linda and she works at the prison near by. She said that his family had arrived that morning and that it had been a very long night all by herself.
I told the kids about the situation and we all agreed we wanted to do something for her. So after school, we made up a batch of cookies. I know it's not much but it showed that we cared about her.
Now the story takes another bad turn...
We gather up the cookies and head out over to her house. She lives on the opposite corner diagonal from us. As we walk the house, on our side of the street, the chihuahua, from across the street, races toward us. Barking at us like it was a rottweiler. I told the kids "just keep walking". Of course, we said "shoo, get" to the little demon. Now guess what happens next. Yep, the dog runs back across the street, toward his home, and promptly gets hit by a car! Thunk Thunk!! We are stunned and freaked out to say the least. We cross the street and I hand the cookies to Jilly. I have to tell the people that their dog just got hit by a car. Not a fun job. I know it isn't our fault but I sure feel guilty about it.
After I tell the people about the dog, we go on down to deliver the cookies. We say all the standard stuff and offer our help in any way. Linda is obviously sad with red rimmed eyes etc. As we leave Drake comments on how sad she looked and that he really feels bad for her. Jilly says she is sad for the lady but feels really bad about the dog.
Now for the funny part (if you have a sick sense of humor like me). Drake says to me "I've never seen a animal get hit like that. It was terrible." I respond, "To tell the truth, Drake, I've never seen an animal hit either." Jilly says, "Me neither. It was so sad to see that puppy get hit." Drake in typical teen fashion yells "You didn't see him get hit! You can't see that far!" She snaps back "Well, I heard the thunk thunk! It's the same!!" For some reason this is so funny to me! Both of them indignant about what they experienced.
Well, that was our sad day. We did find out later that the dog lived, as of today anyway. I also hope this teaches us (my family) to reach out to those in our community. No one should have to go through a death or anything traumatic alone.
Well, this really bothered me. I felt like I should do something for the lady but I didn't want to just walk up to the house. "Hey, I hear you spouse died. I'm your neighbor." It felt intrusive to me. Well, the next day I was walking up to work and the lady was sitting on her porch. I went over and introduced myself. I told her how sorry I was about her loss and that I wish I had met her under better circumstances. I even gave her a hug freely. For those of you who know me well, you know I have some "personal space" issues, so this is a big thing. Her name is Linda and she works at the prison near by. She said that his family had arrived that morning and that it had been a very long night all by herself.
I told the kids about the situation and we all agreed we wanted to do something for her. So after school, we made up a batch of cookies. I know it's not much but it showed that we cared about her.
Now the story takes another bad turn...
We gather up the cookies and head out over to her house. She lives on the opposite corner diagonal from us. As we walk the house, on our side of the street, the chihuahua, from across the street, races toward us. Barking at us like it was a rottweiler. I told the kids "just keep walking". Of course, we said "shoo, get" to the little demon. Now guess what happens next. Yep, the dog runs back across the street, toward his home, and promptly gets hit by a car! Thunk Thunk!! We are stunned and freaked out to say the least. We cross the street and I hand the cookies to Jilly. I have to tell the people that their dog just got hit by a car. Not a fun job. I know it isn't our fault but I sure feel guilty about it.
After I tell the people about the dog, we go on down to deliver the cookies. We say all the standard stuff and offer our help in any way. Linda is obviously sad with red rimmed eyes etc. As we leave Drake comments on how sad she looked and that he really feels bad for her. Jilly says she is sad for the lady but feels really bad about the dog.
Now for the funny part (if you have a sick sense of humor like me). Drake says to me "I've never seen a animal get hit like that. It was terrible." I respond, "To tell the truth, Drake, I've never seen an animal hit either." Jilly says, "Me neither. It was so sad to see that puppy get hit." Drake in typical teen fashion yells "You didn't see him get hit! You can't see that far!" She snaps back "Well, I heard the thunk thunk! It's the same!!" For some reason this is so funny to me! Both of them indignant about what they experienced.
Well, that was our sad day. We did find out later that the dog lived, as of today anyway. I also hope this teaches us (my family) to reach out to those in our community. No one should have to go through a death or anything traumatic alone.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Cable Gone!
Today we turned off cable. We still (obviously) have internet but no TV. If we want to watch TV we can watch it through the internet. This does limit the amount of "live" tv you can watch but you can still get current news & weather at places like yahoo.com.
I admit to being a bit scared to disconnect the cable. When I realized that I was scared is when I really made the decision to disconnect. I thought to myself, why in the world should I worry about not having television! It's only television!! People can survive without watching American Idol! I was a bit ashamed of myself. I think the kids had the same feeling. I hope this will prove you don't need TV.
I also hope this will teach them not to fall into the "must have it now" attitude that our society has right now. I think that is a lot of the trouble with people today. They feel that there should be an instant answer to every question or problem. That's just not the way life works. Some of the best things in life take time.
It is also going to give the kids a chance to watch some "classic" TV. They have already become fans of "The Adventures of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids". I know they would NEVER have watched that if I suggested it while our friend Spongebob was still around. Now, I just have to convince them that "Macgyver" is one of the best shows ever!!
I admit to being a bit scared to disconnect the cable. When I realized that I was scared is when I really made the decision to disconnect. I thought to myself, why in the world should I worry about not having television! It's only television!! People can survive without watching American Idol! I was a bit ashamed of myself. I think the kids had the same feeling. I hope this will prove you don't need TV.
I also hope this will teach them not to fall into the "must have it now" attitude that our society has right now. I think that is a lot of the trouble with people today. They feel that there should be an instant answer to every question or problem. That's just not the way life works. Some of the best things in life take time.
It is also going to give the kids a chance to watch some "classic" TV. They have already become fans of "The Adventures of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids". I know they would NEVER have watched that if I suggested it while our friend Spongebob was still around. Now, I just have to convince them that "Macgyver" is one of the best shows ever!!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Book Review: "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
I finished reading "Outliers". It is a very interesting read. It is about what makes an outlier. An outlier is defined as 1: something that is situated away from or classed differently from a main or related body. or 2: a statistical observation that is markedly different in value from the others of the sample.
Basically it's about what makes a greatly successful person. It goes into a bunch of different aspects that help determine your life outcome. It is really detailed but easy to read.
I took away from it that anyone could become greatly successful but there is only so much we are able to control about it. Most of the determining factors are totally out of our hands. You could say that it is luck. I prefer to think of it as divine intervention.
I think that God has a plan for each of us. He puts before us a set of circumstances that lets us become what we are meant to be. We control to an extent how hard we work at something and if we choose to follow a certain path put before us. After that, it's fate. If you don't get those "lucky breaks" it doesn't matter how hard you try.
I would recommend this book to those who like to think about why we are like we are. Gladwell has a very reader friendly way of writing. His other books are just as fun to read. They really make you say "hhhmmmm".
Basically it's about what makes a greatly successful person. It goes into a bunch of different aspects that help determine your life outcome. It is really detailed but easy to read.
I took away from it that anyone could become greatly successful but there is only so much we are able to control about it. Most of the determining factors are totally out of our hands. You could say that it is luck. I prefer to think of it as divine intervention.
I think that God has a plan for each of us. He puts before us a set of circumstances that lets us become what we are meant to be. We control to an extent how hard we work at something and if we choose to follow a certain path put before us. After that, it's fate. If you don't get those "lucky breaks" it doesn't matter how hard you try.
I would recommend this book to those who like to think about why we are like we are. Gladwell has a very reader friendly way of writing. His other books are just as fun to read. They really make you say "hhhmmmm".
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Middle Age Hair
One of the questions I've always had is when are you old enough to start doing the once a week hairdresser hairdo thing? And why would you want to do that in the first place? I once asked this in front of an older gentleman that I worked with whose wife did this. He told me that when you got "old" you lose strength in your arms. That fixing your hair was just to hard to do. This seems like a good answer because I know that some days that hairdryer seems to weigh a ton!
Then I thought of my mom. She didn't live long enough to get to the hairdresser stage but she did stop "fixing" her hair. You know what I mean? She stopped curling, primping, or spending the time on her hair that I seemed to need. I wondered, at what age does this happen? Well, I think I have an answer.
I was getting ready for work yesterday when it hit me! I don't spend hours on my hair anymore. It is basically blow dry and go. Does this make me lazy? Nope. Does this make me old? I don't think so. I think that you just get to a point that you understand that God gave you what he wanted and you better stop fighting him.
I've come to grips with my naturally curly hair. I've given up the battle to make it stick straight. I understand that my hair is thick and no amount of pulling is going to make it seem smaller.
I wish that it didn't take becoming "old" to figure this out. I wish that I could save my kids the wasted time in front of the mirror. I know that I won't be able to do that though. Because I'm pretty sure my mom tired to tell me this many times while I was growing up. I was just to busy thinking that she was to old to know how the "real world" worked!
Then I thought of my mom. She didn't live long enough to get to the hairdresser stage but she did stop "fixing" her hair. You know what I mean? She stopped curling, primping, or spending the time on her hair that I seemed to need. I wondered, at what age does this happen? Well, I think I have an answer.
I was getting ready for work yesterday when it hit me! I don't spend hours on my hair anymore. It is basically blow dry and go. Does this make me lazy? Nope. Does this make me old? I don't think so. I think that you just get to a point that you understand that God gave you what he wanted and you better stop fighting him.
I've come to grips with my naturally curly hair. I've given up the battle to make it stick straight. I understand that my hair is thick and no amount of pulling is going to make it seem smaller.
I wish that it didn't take becoming "old" to figure this out. I wish that I could save my kids the wasted time in front of the mirror. I know that I won't be able to do that though. Because I'm pretty sure my mom tired to tell me this many times while I was growing up. I was just to busy thinking that she was to old to know how the "real world" worked!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Back to work
I worked today in Weatherford. It's been awhile since I've worked there. There have been a few changes and new personnel since I was last there. I really like the new people that I got to work with. They are getting ready to open up a new store, while keeping the old one open too. Things seemed a bit stressed with all that going on.
I really liked getting to see some "old" friends today. I put old in quotes because all of the friends are quite a bit younger than I am. It is really good to touch base with them. They make me smile with their stories. I know I'm far from old myself but their lives are at such a different stage than mine. I can remember being that young and excited about all the possibilities that lay ahead. I hope that their dreams come true for them. I know their lives are really going to change in the next few years. I hope they stay as positive as they are right now.
I really liked getting to see some "old" friends today. I put old in quotes because all of the friends are quite a bit younger than I am. It is really good to touch base with them. They make me smile with their stories. I know I'm far from old myself but their lives are at such a different stage than mine. I can remember being that young and excited about all the possibilities that lay ahead. I hope that their dreams come true for them. I know their lives are really going to change in the next few years. I hope they stay as positive as they are right now.
Be aware of God
Yesterday I put an assignment to the family. I wanted everyone to open their eyes and hearts to the little things that God puts in our lives. So, I asked everyone to pay attention during the day and watch for things that they thought God put before them. I reminded them that it doesn't have to be some great big move the earth kinda thing. I want them to find God "in the details" of their lives.
Jilly said that she thought God had a hand in her forgetting her lunch. She was able to call home and have me bring it to her. When I took the lunch up to her, I slipped in a little love note and some extra strawberries. She said that if she hadn't forgot her lunch she wouldn't have had the little surprise from me.
Steve said that he found the chance to help one of his customers that has some finacial difficulty. A doctor wrote a note for the patient to buy something over-the-counter (Miralax). Steve told the man that if the docotr would OK it that he could put a prescription type Miralax on the mans insurance. Steve took the time to call the doctor's office and get that change OK'd. That little extra on Steve's part saved the patient about $14. That money might be the difference between eating a decent meal or not.
Drake worked at the concession stand last night. One of his friend didn't have any money to buy a soda. I know that sodas aren't and essential part of growing up but they can be important to a thirteen year old. Drake gave the friend a dollar so that they both could have a soda while they worked the stand.
I wanted some great story to tell the kids when we reviewed the day. Well, God had other plans for me. I kept watching for some great opportunity to arrive. I was sure that God would give me a great lesson to teach the kids. Instead it was I that got taught the lesson. I was able to give advice to a little girl in Jilly's class and her mother about ways to help study for the multiplication tables. That was it. Nothing life saving. Nothing with great impact. But I was the one that was taught the lesson. God is in even the smallest kindnest we show to others. Who knows, telling them about "School House Rock" on YouTube might make the difference in her learning her math.
In total it was a good lesson that we will revisit time and again. We must all be totally aware of the tiniest chance to spread love, aid, and kindnest to the people and things that come into our lives.
Jilly said that she thought God had a hand in her forgetting her lunch. She was able to call home and have me bring it to her. When I took the lunch up to her, I slipped in a little love note and some extra strawberries. She said that if she hadn't forgot her lunch she wouldn't have had the little surprise from me.
Steve said that he found the chance to help one of his customers that has some finacial difficulty. A doctor wrote a note for the patient to buy something over-the-counter (Miralax). Steve told the man that if the docotr would OK it that he could put a prescription type Miralax on the mans insurance. Steve took the time to call the doctor's office and get that change OK'd. That little extra on Steve's part saved the patient about $14. That money might be the difference between eating a decent meal or not.
Drake worked at the concession stand last night. One of his friend didn't have any money to buy a soda. I know that sodas aren't and essential part of growing up but they can be important to a thirteen year old. Drake gave the friend a dollar so that they both could have a soda while they worked the stand.
I wanted some great story to tell the kids when we reviewed the day. Well, God had other plans for me. I kept watching for some great opportunity to arrive. I was sure that God would give me a great lesson to teach the kids. Instead it was I that got taught the lesson. I was able to give advice to a little girl in Jilly's class and her mother about ways to help study for the multiplication tables. That was it. Nothing life saving. Nothing with great impact. But I was the one that was taught the lesson. God is in even the smallest kindnest we show to others. Who knows, telling them about "School House Rock" on YouTube might make the difference in her learning her math.
In total it was a good lesson that we will revisit time and again. We must all be totally aware of the tiniest chance to spread love, aid, and kindnest to the people and things that come into our lives.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Trying to do better
I'm going to try and do better about writing. I've been posting on facebook quite a bit but it's not the same.
As of January 2009, the Drinnon family is no longer taking karate classes. This has freed up TONS of time. We have been able to eat dinner together every night for over a week now. Not only eat together but eat at the kitchen table. I don't think that my kids have ever eaten that many meals in a row at the table. I feel bad about that fact but am glad to have the chance to change it.
The kids are going to each take one night a week to cook dinner for the others. Drake cooked us chicken and rice yesterday. It was a crockpot meal so it was pretty easy and very tasty. Tonight Jillian cooked reuben sandwiches. They tasted very good. She did a very good job putting them together.
Tomorrow night we won't be able to eat together. Drake has to work the concession stand at the school. It is through the band that he has to work. I think he will do a good job at it. He is a natural salesmen.
As of January 2009, the Drinnon family is no longer taking karate classes. This has freed up TONS of time. We have been able to eat dinner together every night for over a week now. Not only eat together but eat at the kitchen table. I don't think that my kids have ever eaten that many meals in a row at the table. I feel bad about that fact but am glad to have the chance to change it.
The kids are going to each take one night a week to cook dinner for the others. Drake cooked us chicken and rice yesterday. It was a crockpot meal so it was pretty easy and very tasty. Tonight Jillian cooked reuben sandwiches. They tasted very good. She did a very good job putting them together.
Tomorrow night we won't be able to eat together. Drake has to work the concession stand at the school. It is through the band that he has to work. I think he will do a good job at it. He is a natural salesmen.
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