Conference koolit::disney

    
    I needed somwhere to let out some "steam" shall we say.
    
    I got up early this morning (4:30 am, 25-Feb-89) as I couldn't sleep
    and decided to get a little work done on my VT (home, dark, sun
    coming up over Pikes Peak, Sat morning)
    
    Logged in, and as usualy decided to quick-check my notes. I saw
    80+ new notes + replys under the new DISNEY conference and of course,
    had to check it out. My first thought was that our wonderful moderator
    started transferring some of the notes from Holiday_travel (#6),
    but BOY WAS I WRONG.
    
    A lot of typing was entered on 24-Feb-89 !
    
    May hat's off to you !
    
    After reading all the new stuff, I must say, I learned a lot of
    new facts, and thanks to all for that (helps for my plans on this
    year's visit in AUG/89)
    
    BUT .... I am holding everyone (up to this point) personally responsible
    for getting my adreniline (sp?) going, and my exitement factor rushing.
    
    The Disney discussions in Holiday Travel were the MAIN reason I
    reviewed that conference.                           
   
    Creating a separate DISNEY conference was (IS) a terrific idea, will
    likely be my favorite notes-conference
                                                                    
    THANKS, and looking forward to talking 'disney-lore' with you all
                                                                    
    Mark                                                            
                                                                    
    P.S. (maybe an annual Disney-DEC-ie convention would be nice ??)
        

    re: .-1

>    A lot of typing was entered on 24-Feb-89 !

    I think I've unleashed a monster.  I thought I would start a nice
    quiet little conference and get a few tips for my next trip to WDW
    in November.  After all, HOLIDAY_TRAVEL #6 only gets three or four
    replies a week.  But over 80 notes in the first day!?  I just hope
    this poor little MicroVAX is up to the task.
    
    FWIW, I'm having a ball.

    Len, (your modest moderator).

    A thanks for opening this conference.  There's nothing like going
    over the last visit to excite you for the next one.  I did open
    the  problems in paradise note,  more as a warning.  That experience
    would not stop us from going again.  We'd live there if we could.
    and speaking of that, I searched the papers for advs for people
    wanted at WDW.  Found none.  I asked a worker at WDW where to look
    for jobs.  They said that there is a long waiting list for employment
    unless te job is very specialized.  h well, have to settle for DEC.
    
    ed
    

reply to < Note 25.2 by INDMKT::GOLDBERG "Len Goldberg" >

>    After all, HOLIDAY_TRAVEL #6 only gets three or four
>    replies a week.  But over 80 notes in the first day!?  I just hope
>    this poor little MicroVAX is up to the task.
    
    Len,
    
    As I  stated  in  a  mail  reply, I was considering doing this myself 8
    months ago when  I inherited a microvax for myself, but decided against
    it since I have a lowly  RD53  and with VMS 5.1/DECwindows/DECwrite and
    other applications it only left me with  about  17k  blocks  left,  and
    figured it would overun the disk in about  a  month  or so.  Can't wait
    for our LAVC to get hooked up and be running DECwindows.
    
    Claude

    	I've been trying to get my Wife to agree to move to Florida
    since the first time we went to WDW back in '86.  Well, it's just
    too hot for her, so I guess I'll never be a Hot Dog Vendor in The
    Magic Kingdom, and I guess I'll never get to take over for Mr. Eisner
    and move my family to the apartment that Walt had built in Cinderella's
    Castle.  Oh well, I can dream.
    	If we weren't saving every dollar right now to buy our first
    house we would be planning one of the 'everything included' trips.
    	I've only been twice, but I was hooked the moment I walked thru
    the gates of the Magic Kingdom the first time.  I don't think I
    could ever stay at WDW too long.  
    	I remember reading in the Steve B. book (1987 edition) that
    there were some houses built, that were going to be sold as residences
    right in WDW Complex, but they scrapped the idea and are now using
    them like the 'Tree Houses' and the Villas.  Does anyone know if
    the idea was revived???
    
    
    Tom

    
     Re: .5
    
       Tom,
    
        I just happened to be reading the S.B. '88 guide and the houses
      your referring to are still being rented as part of the Disney
      Village Resort. This may have changed though.
    
    George

I think this conference is great!!!!!!!!!  I took my personal holiday on Feb. 24
and was catching up on my notesfiles this afternoon.  Boy was I surprised when I
found this one.

I'm really glad to find out there are other people like us out there.  My wife
and I (and our kids) just love to be at Disney World.  Even if there are 6
million other people there, we just love being there.  We've gone over 10 times,
and we rarely go to anyplace else while we're there (Wet'n Wild is the one
exception but it may be replaced by Typhoon Lagoon).

I always said that WDW was the best place to go on vacation with young kids, but
once my kids grew up enough to appreciate other places, we would start going to
other places.  But it's like an addiction - none of us want to go anywhere else.
My son who's 7 has all these great memories of WDW, but my daughter who's 4 can
only remember bits and pieces.  If we start going to other places, she won't
have any memories like the rest of us.

But it's tough now that my son is going to school.  We just love to go during
the 1st two weeks of December when the weather's great and the crowds are low.
But we hate to take my son out of school just before the Christmas vacation.  We
don't know what to do...  Maybe we should start an organization called
Disney-holics Anonymous.

--Jay

    RE: .5
    
    Actually, EPCOT was *supposed* to have people living, working, etc.
    there but that idea was "changed" after Walt's death and EPCOT became
    a theme park.
    
    But I digress...
    
    
    David.

    Oh no,  after  writing  all those notes/replies I think I'm coming down
    with it, I'm  starting  to itch, the wife is starting to look like Snow
    White and my son like Figment,
    
    Oh well I'm late, I'm late for an inportant date with my Dermatologist.
    ;^)
    
    Claude

    
    This note is a word to Fred Hyde that just signed in in 23.33 and
    said he "just returned" 
    
    How about a trip report into note 34 updating us on the latest and
    greatest feedback, new stuff, latest passport costs, etc ???
    
    Welcome Fred, how 'bout it ?
    
    Mark
    
    

    This notes the greatest..... If only my Boss knew why those projects
    aren't completed!!
    
    I was truelly hooked on Disney on my second trip there.  I was young
    and foolish on my first trip.  The place was so clean and effecient.
    If only Disney could take over Washington... there's enough characters
    in office to be a decent supporting cast to Mickey and his friends.
    
    One of the key things that happened to us on this trip made us decide
    how great Disney really is.  On the end of the second day at WDW we
    had just left a ride and the kids needed to find a restroom.  My
    wife, in helping one of the kids, put her pocketbook down on top
    of a trash container.  Unfortunately she thought I picked it up.
    This contained the bulk of our vacation money and travellers checks,
    she kept them away from me fearing I would go crazy in one of the
    shops.  When we started to leave that area we realized it was gone.
    Immediate panic set in.  We went to the Town Hall and reported it
    missing.... they asked us to re-search the area we were in.  We
    did but with no luck.  After 45 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes we
    went back to the Town Hall, with shock now setting in, and asked
    the same Disney employee if anyone had reported finding a pocketbook.
    He and a fellow Disneyworker called us to the side and asked us
    a few questions, basically a descpription of it and what was inside.
    After this they said that it was located just outside the area where
    we were and that if we went to the shop located near Fantasyland
    and asked we would get it back. The clerk at the shop verified that
    it did belong to us with the ID's in the pocketbook and then gave
    it to us.  We then went back to the Town Hall to tell them we got
    it and to thank them for their help.
    
    The next day we went into the Town Hall to get some information
    and the same two  Disney people were working, of all the people
    they see every day both of these people remembered us and went out
    of their way to see how we were and to ensure that we would enjoy
    the rest of our stay at WDW!!!
    
    I've never seen anything like that before and probably never will
    outside of Disney.
    
    Well I've rambled enough on Disney...   I must get back doing some
    DEC work....

    I forgot to mention that everything was still in the pocketbook,
    nothing was missing....

    I loooooooooovvvvvvveeeeed it!!!!!!
    
    Get me my mouse ears...I wannnnna go back!!
    
    Lynne S.

    
    RE: .5
    
      Yes, there is a place on Disney property where 'Cast Members'
    and 'Normal People' (such as Martin Marietta or (gasp!) Sea World
    employees) can live.  It's called "Lake Vista Village" and is on
    the other side of I-4 from The Disney Village (I think it's on Fl
    435).  It's a beautiful place with the usual Central Florida ammenities
    such as:  swimming pools, jaccuci (sp?), tennis and racketball courts,
    weight training, and even an on the apartment site bar/club house.
    
      Furnished apts., 2 bedrooms, 1 � baths go for ~$450/month (at
    least, the last time I checked ~Dec. 87).
    
     Not only is there an apartment complex on 'Property', but also
    a Church/Shrine, shopping center (not including the WDW Shopping
    Village), the new movie house (as mentioned in other notes), an
    office complex for other companies (not including the Backstage
    Area for Disney) and a health clinic.
    
    
    Rich

rep to < Note 25.2 by INDMKT::GOLDBERG "Len Goldberg" >

>>    A lot of typing was entered on 24-Feb-89 !
>
>    I think I've unleashed a monster.  I thought I would start a nice
>    quiet little conference and get a few tips for my next trip to WDW
>    in November.  After all, HOLIDAY_TRAVEL #6 only gets three or four
>    replies a week.  But over 80 notes in the first day!?  I just hope
>    this poor little MicroVAX is up to the task.
    
    Len,
    
    No wonder  you asked me to help out in moderating the conference, I did
    a show entry Disney and notice it currently has 632 notes/replies since
    you created a little over 3 weeks ago, and it took 1 year and 5 days to
    get the 288 replies to  note 6 in Holiday_Travel.Note.  Did you write a
    CAR for a bigger Disk yet? ;^).
    
    Claude

    
    
    To Claude !
    
    (heh, heh, heh !)
    
    So you spend a lot of time helping moderate this conference, you
    can't help but read everything ! Then the "bug" hits. You start
    dreaming, it's in your blood, your thoughts, pulsating.
    
    Wait till '92 ya say !! ??
    
    Read more, think more, feel more. It starts knawing at ya......
    
    
    
    dum dum ............ dum dum .............. dum dum, dum dum, dum
    dum.............
    
    
    
    It's the Disney-itis bug, grwoing stronger and stronger ............
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    ......... dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum, dum ..........
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Everyone is talking about GOING !  30 more days, 10, more days,
    
    a couple more days , etc, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Finally it HITS,    I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE !!!!! 8^0
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    The man breaks down, I NEED A DISNEY FIX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    August ?????
    
    
    
    
    Fort Wilderness  ??????????
    
    
    
    
    
    Maybe ??????????????
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    (heh, heh, heh)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Mark
    
    
    
    
    

    Good one Mark, :^)
    
    Yes I'm still planning to go in '92 (it'll be the  wife  and  mine 15th
    wedding  anniversary),  along with my Brother and his Wife who've never
    been (everyone  else  in  my  familly  has),  We'll be either renting a
    trailer in FW  or staying at the Carribean Beach Hotel.  I haven't made
    the reservations yet for  this  trip,  I'm  waiting to sit down with my
    Brother and make sure he  understand why it's necessary to reserve well
    in advance and try to schedule  your  days  somewhat (especially if you
    want to do the Hoop-Dee-Doo and other  dinner  shows), my other brother
    cancelled out on my in '84, and luckily  I was able to get someone else
    to come and share the Tree House (The Jerk pulled out 3 months prior to
    going and nothing else was available etc.)
    
    Claude

    Well after  watching  the  special (taped it too) last night and giving
    the wife a  look  she  knows down pat now, she said one word and forget
    about August and wether  or  not we can afford it etc.  were definately
    leaving in the morning. ;^)
    
    Looks like I better come up with the $'s for August.
    
    Claude_tentatively_111_days_and_counting
    
    BTW, If I could just come up with a remedy to cure Disney-itis, I could
    make a bundle, going to the Stores just delays the inevitable and going
    to WDW sure is an expensive fix. ;^)

    Claude,
    
        The only cure may be to live and work within the WDW complex!!!
    If only we could convince our bosses that it would be cost-effective
    for us to work remotely from one of WDW great hotels!  Just think,
    what a life..... Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work we go!!!
    
    Tony_who_is_going_crazy_just_waiting_to_get_down_there
    
        

    
      It appears that the only cure is the proverbial yearly trip. I
    to recorded the Studio show last night and couldn't sit on the couch
    for two minutes without twitching like a dervish. Claude apprears
    to have broken into a steamy sweat. He can't hold the phone to make
    reservations, because the phone keeps slipping. The teller's at
    the CRO can't understand him because he has that Donald like slurr...
    Don't fear Claude. Your 111 days should go as fast as the " 39 "
    I have left !!!!!!!!!!!
    
      Mr. Lapointe is starting to show early signs because people keep
    asking why he wears his mouse ears while doing yard work. The
    calendar pages just don't flip fast enough do they ??????
    
    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
         I CAN'T WAIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
    
    George
     
       

I got home Saturday night and I want to go back.  Of course, the weather has 
something to do with it too.
       
--Jay

    
    AAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    I GIVE UP!
    
      I can't TAKE it anymore!
    
    This notesfile has been driving me crazy for months and then...
    
        The special on the Opening...My girlfriend saw that 'gleem'
    in my eyes.  My misty-eyed look at my Mickey Mouse Ears on top of
    the TV set, my graduation tassle hanging from it and my 15 Year
    and 'normal' Mickey nametags pinned to it.
      She sighed, "We're going, aren't we?"
      I couldn't respond, just gulp. 
      She asked, "When...When are we going to go?"
      Fever-struck and with a new purpose, I planned...all of two seconds.
      "Memorial Day Weekend!", I blurted out, "with the rest of the
    HUGE croud that will probably be there for that weekend...but...but...
    I DON'T CARE!"
       
    Rich
    (gulp)
    22 Days and Counting...
    

    Glad to  see  that  it  doesn't  just  happen  to me Rich.  ;^) Back in
    October of '86 when they had  the  grand opening special on Captain EO,
    the wife did the same thing to me, and when I called the next day I was
    able to get in to the Disney Inn the following April.
    
    Maybe we should write to Disney a request no more special grand opening
    broadcast? ;^)
    
    Claude

�   Maybe we should write to Disney a request no more special grand opening
�   broadcast? ;^)

    I see by the smiley face that you are kidding.  These TV shows,
    along with the Christmas and Easter parades are promotional genius
    as only the Eisner era Disney can do it.  
    
    All over the country the itch wells up, the mouse ears begin to sweat,
    the calendars are pulled off the wall, and the phones in Lake Buena
    Vista begin to ring.  I'll bet the CRO adds staff right after a
    TV event like last Sunday night.  I know the activity has about
    doubled in this conference in the past two days.

rep to <<< Note 25.24 by INDMKT::GOLDBERG "Len Goldberg ...198 Days" >>>

>�   Maybe we should write to Disney a request no more special grand opening
>�   broadcast? ;^)
>
>    I see by the smiley face that you are kidding.  
    
    Was I?  these shows are starting to take a tool on my wallet, I guess I
    need to pratice some self control?
    
    Claude

    
     It's all Jay's fault. He started it. Coming back and taunting us
    with his tales of the Disney/MGM Studio. Now Claude is acting up
    with talk of August. Mr. Carini is departing in "22 DAYS !!!!!!"
    
    George_who_has_38_days_to_go_!!!!!!!!

    me tooo!  me too!
    
    Another_George_who_has_46_days_to_go_!!!!!!!!
    

    groan!    I have 284 days left ;-(.
    anyone wanna trade?
    ed
    

re to <<< Note 25.28 by WORDS::BADGER "Follow the Sun Stream" >>>

>    groan!    I have 284 days left ;-(.
>    anyone wanna trade?

    Ed,
    
    Is your RV included in the trade? Heh Heh ;^)
    
    Claude
    

    
    I had a "feeling" the 'itis' bug would hit.
    
    89 shopping days to go
    
    Markus
    

    reply .27
     >>Another_George_who_has_46_days_to_go_!!!!!!!!
    
    Gee, I also have 46 days to go.  When and where is your flight (If
    you are flying) from?
    
    Alright Everyone, stop this!!!  I can't take this excitement!!!
    I wanna go tomorrow!
    
    Steve O

    Re: .31
    
    > -< I got the bug! >-
    
      Well shoo it over to Mr. Badger. 284 days is a loooooooooonnnnng
    time to wait. He needs the bug..... 8^)
    
    George

    Oh no, my hands are breaking out, if it gets any worse, I'll write lock
    this topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    ;^) Claude_tentatively_110_days_and_counting

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    
    
    I CAN'T STAND IT!!!!!!!!!!! 
    
    I gotta go....I gotta go....
    
    Somebody tell me, how do I convince my Wife????
    
    Tom

	If you can't convince your wife it's time to go to Disney than
	you must have the wrong wife. :-)

	I got my wife to make reservation last week for this November.
	Eat your hearts out. :-)

			Alfred

    
    re.34
    
    Tom,
    
    Pick out some "choice" topics and replies from this conference,
    
    print 'em out
    
    conveniently leave them lay around the house in some pre-selected
    areas for easy pick-up-and-read.
    
    This conference is loaded with enthusiasm. !!!!!
    
    
    
    
    
              ^ ^
               '
               V
    
    
    
    Mark

I'm sure glad I planned my vacation last year!  What luck to have MGM
studio open.

Marilyn  50_days_to_Disney

    The camper's not part of the trade.  only the time slot.
    284 days is long...but condiering we just got back a couple months
    ago..   ;-)  guess we can be too hogish.  gotta allows others in.
    ed
    
    

rep to <<< Note 25.34 by TIDES::TBUTLER >>>
    
>    Somebody tell me, how do I convince my Wife????
    
    Tom,
    
    One way  is  if  you  have  a terminal at home, login some evening, and
    while you are  purusing  your  favorite  notes  file, and lets say this
    particular topic, have her look over your shoulder.
    
    Claude_who_wife_had_a_chuckle_last_night_reading_the_last_15+_replies

    re: .31
    
    I'm not flying, I'm driving down with my parents, sister, and aunt's
    family staying for a week (mon-mon) at Fort Wilderness.  And you??
    
    George
    

    Well the  tent trailer is in, and I'll be picking it up next week.  Now
    does anyone know where I can get a time machine?

    re .40
    
    My Girlfriend and I are flying down early on June 17th, and staying
    5 nights in the Contemporary.  See ya there!
    
    45 Days and Counting...
    Steve O

    Re: .41
    
       Claude, when you get your time machine, say hello to H.G. and
      go ahead about 10 to 20 years. Stop occasionally to take notes
      and a few pictures, along with some video tape for effect. When
      you return all of us impacted by the "BUG" can have a party and
      discuss your findings. I'm game......
    
    George

rep to <<< Note 25.43 by USMFG::GHIGGINS >>>

>       Claude, when you get your time machine, say hello to H.G. and
>      go ahead about 10 to 20 years. 
    
    I Think I would  prefer to go back to 64-65 and talk to Walt, as he was
    walking those 27,400 some acres and find out what he really had in mind
    for WDW etc.
    
    Claude

    Re - (Claude)
    
       So you mean you could potentially be in Eisner's shoes right
    now !!!!!

    Wouldn't this be a perfect time to visit Disneyland?  What with
    everyone "attacking" Disney-MGM I'll bet the other coast has all
    but been forgotten about.  The lines for Star Tours probably still
    approach 90 minutes I'd wager.
    
    David.

    I'm hoping that the excitement of MGM will help to ease the crowds
    in Magic Kingdom and Epcot for my trip in June.  That is assuming
    that there will still be a great excitement in one and a half months
    time.
    
    Maybe wishful thinking...  I suppose it's entirely possible that
    because of MGM there will simply be more people there, therfore
    more in Magic Kingdom and Epcot too.  
    
    45 Days and counting...
    Steve O

>    I Think I would  prefer to go back to 64-65 and talk to Walt, as he was
>    walking those 27,400 some acres and find out what he really had in mind
>    for WDW etc.

    While looking at the wife's May 2nd issue of Womans World, on page 6 is
    an article on  Cryonics  titled 'Returning of the Living Dead'.  In the
    article it talks about  how  Walt  Disney  was  secretly  frozen at his
    death.  It also goes  on to talk about how Micheal Jackson, Leon Richie
    and Muhammad Ali are very interested  in  the  concept, whereas Elvis's
    uncle or whatever was to late in  getting the apropriate paperwork done
    to have Elvis frozen as well.
    
    So maybe someday in the future we may  actually  find out what old Walt
    thinks about the goings on at WDW.
    
    Has anyone else heard of about Walt being on ice?
    
    Claude

    	Having just returned from my first trip, I don't feel the frenzy
    that most of you seem to feel.  Have I now succeeded in feeding the
    frenzy some more? -:).

    	On a more serious note, I was wondering when you recognize you
    start showing symptoms of Disney-itis?  I was planning to take the
    family again either late in '91 or '92 depending on when my airline
    mileage will expire.  I rationalize this since my two sons are so
    young, six months and three and a half.  How will I recognize that I
    have the disease and need to change plans?

    	Signed,

    	Worried and wondering

    Re: .48
    
      Claude,
    
        The Walt and his sub 32 degree suit possibility has been talked
       about for years. I haven't heard anything as of late though.
       All I kept hearing was denials from folks at Disney. Wouldn't
       his rejuvenation be the ultimate attrraction ??????????
    
       George

    Ah to hell with the budget, 107 days and couting

    RE: .49
    
> How will I recognize that I have the disease and need to change plans?
    
    As with any serious illness, preventative measures are your best
    bet.  Rather than await the inevitable, I suggest you contact Delta,
    "The Official Airline of Disneyland and Walt Disney World" immediately.
    Run, do not walk, to the airport...make a bee-line for your closest
    theme park!  IT'S A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH!!!
    
    David.

    I agree, what budget?!?!?!?  Isn't thats what those little plastic
    cards in your wallet for????  Let's see, three cards all with $5k
    in credit, hell I could spend a month at the G.F. under the "grand
    plan"......... to bad the magic stops when the bills come in!!!
    
    There's still time to catch a late flight tonite Claude, and then
    you won't have to wait until August!!!

    Ok guys  rub it in, I was merely looking forward at my finacial future,
    and it says I had better buy my son's new school clothes etc., before I
    leave, since I plan  to  come home around 2 days prior to his starting.
    (What a way to end  the  summer  ;^)).    And as I said this will be my
    SECOND away from home vacation this summer (no I'm not rich ;^()
    
    Claude

    
    Some justifications -
    
        Just say;
    
              It's an early Christmas gift for the family, and we won't
              buy any presents. We'll have an early Christmas! (Sure!!!)
    
              I just know betwwen now and September I'm going to hit
              the lottery for a few $K$, so just borrowing some from
              the budget won't hurt.
    
              Say Honey, the doctor says that the kids got that rash
              due to a massive WDW deficiency.
    
              But aren't we worth it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
              ........ Some more ????

rep to <<< Note 25.39 by ATE012::CLAUDE "Claude G. Berube" >>>

>    Somebody tell me, how do I convince my Wife????
    
    Tom,
    
    You could  always have us gang up on her, like we did Ann to change her
    mind. ;^)
    
    The attached was moved here to add fuel to the Itis discusions ;^)
    
    Claude
    
                  <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note 4.78                 Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park                 78 of 84
LDYBUG::RODRIGUEZ "i/o i/o it's off to disk we go"   13 lines   5-MAY-1989 12:47
                                  -< Thanks >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Hi everyone!  
    
    Thanks for the super comments.  They were very helpful.
    
    Since it was such a dilemma, we are opting to go for 3 days
    instead of 2. We plan on wearing ourselves out at WDW then 
    relaxing on the beach near Ft. Lauderdale (fewer $$ are 
    spent outside of Orlando!).
    
    I can't wait!!
    
    Thanks again for such quick responses!
    Ann

                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note 4.79                 Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park                 79 of 84
ATE012::CLAUDE "Claude G. Berube"                     4 lines   5-MAY-1989 13:03
                           -< Want to try for 4 ;^) >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ok guys  Ann getting the bug, anyone want to bet we can get Ann up to 4
    days? ;^)
    
    Claude

                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note 4.80                 Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park                 80 of 84
LDYBUG::RODRIGUEZ "i/o i/o it's off to disk we go"    3 lines   5-MAY-1989 13:22
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Don't tempt me!!!!  :-)
    
    Ann

                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note 4.81                 Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park                 81 of 84
ATE012::CLAUDE "Claude G. Berube"                     7 lines   5-MAY-1989 14:05
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Ann,
    
    Just think,  since  it appears your going to buy the 4 day pass instead
    of 3 1  day  passes (more flexibility and only $11.65 more per person),
    All you need now is to come up with one more nights lodging.
    
    Claude_looking_over_his_shoulder_at_the_incoming_Missile ;^)

                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note 4.82                 Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park                 82 of 84
LDYBUG::RODRIGUEZ "i/o i/o it's off to disk we go"     1 line   5-MAY-1989 14:15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Oh no!  You're right!!  *sigh*  :-)   

                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;1 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note 4.83                 Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park                 83 of 84
USMFG::GHIGGINS                                       2 lines   5-MAY-1989 14:27
                            -< The Dreaded Itis ! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    She's hooked now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    
    Boy is my itch "growing" just keeping up with these notes from you
    other "itchers".
    
    		SOMEONE SCRATCH !!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    As to Ann (Rodriquez), wait till she "gets there". That'll set the
    desease in good. Esp when it comes toward the end of the 3rd day
    and early withdrawl symptoms set in (before "you leave". That'll
    opt for a strong case of 
    
    
    
    
    
    ......... dum dum dum dum dum dum dum dum .............
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    .......... the FOURTH DAY !   !    !    !     !     !   !    !
    
    
    
    
    
    Mark (86 days and itching real bad now)
    

    Is it just me or does anybody else's palms sweat when they read
    this note file???
    
    Glad to hear you changed your plans Ann!
    
    John (148 looonng days)

    I think I should change the title of this topic.  You folks are
    not suffering from Disney-itis, that would be inflammation of the
    Disney.  You have a full fledged addiction.  You're Disney-holics!
    
    Boy, I'm sure glad I'm not one.  (Of course denial is a sure sign of
    addiction.) 
           
    Len. (-195)

Well, the least I can do to *really* get all of you drooling this
lovely Monday morning is to give you my brother's report.  He and
his fiancee are down there .....  RIGHT NOW!!!!  While we're here
at work reading about it, they're there!!!  (booo hoooooo)

They said they weren't going to MGM (his fiancee has *NEVER* been
there before and he'd told her so much about the sights in Epcot
and MK that they had to cover all those first).  She was all ex-
cited because they saw Roger Rabbit Saturday.  It's been 95 and
too (??) sunny.  (How dare they complain!)  They went on Pirates
of the Carribean 3 times.....  Thunder Mountain 2 times..... 
Yesterday they were going to hit Epcot.  Haven't talked to them
since.

They leave tomorrow for back home to.....  Rochester, NY, where
they had 6-10 inches of snow last night!!!  (payback can be
sweet sometimes)


  Lorraine (who has to wait until November)

    Well it looks  like  yours  truely  (DEC)  has figured out the cure for
    Disney-itis, it's called a  wage delay (freeze, or whatever you wish to
    call it). ;^( 
    
    It looks like I may not be going  after  all  in August since I was due
    for a  Q1  hit, now pushed out into Q2?, unless the place my wife works
    give her more  hours.    I was looking towards the raise to help defray
    the amount I was  short  (isn't  plastic  great?) as well as offset the
    Property Tax hit I'm expecting this Xmas for owning a home in Goffstown
    NH.  (about a 25% increase over last year ;^( )
    
    Oh  well  being  a  multi-time visitor I can live with that, wonder how
    many 1st timers that are going this year are considering not going now?
    

    Claude 1069_days_till_April_'92
    
   

    I know what you mean Claude, we may have to back out of next Feb.
    We're already spending out of savings for our ARM and property tax
    increases.  Recreation is always the first to suffer.  I wonder
    how much a a chain reaction was started?
    I'll show you a movie of Disney at the campout, maybe that'll have
    to make us both satisfied.
    ed
    

rep to < Note 25.63 by WORDS::BADGER "One Happy camper ;-)" >

>    I'll show you a movie of Disney at the campout, maybe that'll have
>    to make us both satisfied.

    ed,
    
    Thanks, that's all I need ;^), remind me of what I'll be missing, while
    spending that time  in  a more affordable vacation in upstate NY Finger
    Lakes  and  1000  Island region,  if  I  do  go  ahead  and  cancel  my
    reservation (will wait until mid July to decide).
    
    At least I had the money for the pop-up and didn't have to borrow, just
    ain't looking forward to my tax bill come December, ;^(.
    
    Claude
    

    Claude,
    
           I volunteered for "all-hands-on-DEC".... got picked to go
    to florida(Ft. Lauderdale).  All I need now is to find the time
    to get to WDW on a weekend....  This may solve my attack of
    disney-itis but my wife and kids, who are still home in MA, have
    come down with a servere case of it!!!!!!!!!!
    

    re -1
    
    That's great news for  you,  but  the wife and kid would divorce me (if
    not worse) if I were to ever go to WDW without them.
    
    Claude

    I know what you mean....... we were planning on going down the end
    of June... last night she told me that it will be august for at
    least 2 weeks if not 3.... or else!!!!  Unfortunely the flights
    right now are really booked up otherwise I'd have them come down
    now.  Also this would require talking our son out of school for
    the last few weeks, but I think WDW would be more educational to
    him during that time.

24 hours and counting.


Am I excited??
    

Nah!


I moved the motorhome into the drive last night and Elaine and I 
started packing. 


Are we anxious??


Nah!


Our daughter is picking out all her necessities and getting them
ready to load.


Is she excited and anxious?


YOU BET!!


Tomorrow is going to be a week long.

John I.

    Have fun, but don't forget about us.  We expect a full trip report
    in note 34 when you return.
    
    Say hi to the mouse.

Just made the reservations Sunday!!!

November 6-10, hubby and I will be staying at one of the treehouses
inside the Disney Village Resort.  My mother-in-law and her husband
and my cousin-in-law (?) and his SO will be joining us, so we went
for a place where they don't charge for additional people (although
I had to remind the reservationist of that as she tried to tack on
$15 for each of the additional four people staying with us).  I'm
really looking forward to it.  We still have to buy our four-day
passes, but I got my MKC membership card from Personnel yesterday.

After that, we're heading out to St. Pete's Beach for some R&R and
beaching for the remainder of the vacation (6 days).

Mickey here we come.......!!!!

    Ok... a measley THREE DAYS LEFT!!!!
    
    -George
    
    Ps: Thanks to DASXPS::KUMPEL for his map of Typhoon Lagoon, it just
    served to "wet" (<- pretty bad, but I'm under stress waiting) my
    appetite.
    
                 

    Me too, Me too.  3 days and counting......
    
    The packing is almost done
    the check list has lots of checks on it
                                                                        
    The excitement is building...
    
    I don't think I can wait another minute.........
    
    
    
    BYE!!!!!!
    
    
    
    Steve O (who is about to run out of here and hop on the next plane!)

    So you think you've got the worst case of Disney-itis ever??
    
    Well, in the June 14, 1989 edition of the Miami Sun-Sentinel an
    article featured a man totally obsessed with the Magic Kingdom.
    
    In the past 17 years, since it opened, he has visited WDW more than
    100 times, yes that's right over 100 times.  And by the end of summer
    will probably have gone 2 to 3 more times!!!
    
    To quote him about WDW: "The money I make now is only so I can keep
    going"
    
    To quote a WDW spokesman: "Time and ability are the only things
    keeping some people from spending half their lives here." - Dave
    Herbst, spokesman for WDW
    
    (I'll reprint the entire article in note 31 when I have some additional
    time.  Right now I'm to busy day-dreaming about WDW)
    
    Tony

>   So you think you've got the worst case of Disney-itis ever??
>   In the past 17 years, since it opened, he has visited WDW more than
>   100 times, yes that's right over 100 times.
    
    Let's see...in the past 19 years I've been to Disneyland 32 times
    and WDW 2 times.  Do I qualify as a "runner-up"?    8^)
    
    
    David.

RE: .73 and 31.22

That sounds like a couple I met while we were waiting in line to buy annual
passports for my kids.  They loved WDW so much that they were going broke
traveling from Michigan so often.  So when they retired, they moved to the
Orlando area, just so they could go whenever they wanted.

The reason they were in line was to turn in their "old" annual passports (still
had 9 months left) for new ones (that included entrance to the MGM studios) at a
special pre-opening renewal rate (this was 2 weeks before it opened).  It
sounded like such a good deal that my wife and I did the same thing - we had
about 5 months left on ours.  It was very fortunate that we did, too, because we
were able to use our annuals to get in to MGM studios during their preview week.

--Jay

    As you  can  see,  I've  made it back safely from my week long waterfun
    filled vacation at  Lake  Winnepausakee  NH.    

    Why am I entering  a non-Disney trip report in the Disney-itis note you
    ask?
    
    Because on my next trip to WDW I planed to do some serious slalom sking
    on  Bay  Lake,  and  I was using this trip  to  relearn  my  watersking
    skill's, since with the exception of a few times last  year,  I haven't
    done any watersking since High School days many moons ago.
    
    Back to the trip report, the water  was running about 70-72 degrees all
    week and with the exceptions of one whole  day  and a couple of showers
    on 2  other  days, the sun was cooperating, the results of my week long
    water fun filled activities are,
    
        - After  performing  5-6 face slams, I decided to forgo the droping
          of my right ski  for  a  few weeks and concentrate on the joys of
          watersking on 2 skis, until I'm ready to try again  in the coming
          weeks, one of my runs lasted for about 10 minutes.  I will master
          getting up on one ski by the time I go to WDW next.
    
        - On  the  dueling  tube  wars (Obrien  tubes)  I  came  out  ahead
          something like 15 to  4 wipeouts.  Learned some new tricks on how
          to get your oponant out  of  his/her, tube hee hee.  Gee I wonder
          if you can do dueling tubes at WDW ;^),  and  I  don't  mean  the
          tubing/raft wars at Typhoon Lagoon as someone else mentioned.
    
        - Managed to blow out 2 pair of suits, thank God I had brought up 3
          pairs,  rumor  was  that the high visibility of the marine patrol
          was due to sightings of  the  Lake  Winnie  flasher or some such.
          ;^)
        
        - I found I  wasn't  suited  to knee boarding, for reason's I don't
          wish to get into. ;^(
    
    Overall the 3 of us had  a  wonderful time, and the wife and I resigned
    to the fact that there'll be no  WDW  this August, and we'll be heading
    to upstate New York instead.  In the  meantime  I'll  be  polishing  my
    watersking skill for the next time I make it to WDW.
    

    Claude

Well, I'm afraid it's terminal.

We went to Disneyland last October.  We went to Disneyworld last month and
now ... we're going to Disneyland in November.

As long as my husband keeps going to DECUS, I'm going to go along for an annual
fix!  This year, we're going to take our daughter.

leavin' in 106 "daze" .... 

:^) Elaine !

    
    I'm so excited --  I leave for my first trip to WDW tomorrow!!!
    
    I've gone over a things not to forget list so many times I have
    it memorized...
    
    And I still can't believe I'm going!!
    
    Happy Noting and thanks for all the great info!
    
    Debbie

    Well I've  been  cured for the moment, I've just finished cancelling my
    Aug 22th-31th '89 FW campsite reservations ;^(.  Now I'll just have '92
    to think about, hopefully all  the latest string of constuction/planned
    additions will be over and WDW will seem new to me.
    
    Claude

    Well, were committed.  I bought the airline tickets last week,
    non-refundable, non-cancelable, no changes.  What I call a drop dead
    fare.  That is, no matter what, you're going.  If you die, they ship
    your body.

    In just about 3� months we'll be cavorting with mice.

    Watch note 80 for details of our Sunday-before-Thanksgiving cook out in
    Fort Wilderness.

    I can't stand it anymore.
    
    cold sweats, goosebumps, irregular heartbeat.....
    
    visions of Mickey......
    
    the Haunted Mansion......
    
    SOMEBODY GET ME A VALIUM!!!!!!
    
    We leave in 2 days. It seems like it took forever to get here, but
    TWO DAYS!
    
    I NEED IT BAD!
    
    John ( see you real soon...)

    Of all the notes in this conference, this one reads faster and faster
    each time I go through it. Maybe I can slow down the pace a bit and
    discuss the phenomenon known as Disney-itis.
    
    * * * *
    
    I guess as adults we all wish to go back to those carefree years as a
    child and look to forget our everyday problems. Disney helps us forget
    and makes it very easy for us activate what historians call "our
    wishful suspension of disbelief".
    
    Once this happens we are in a state of mind that is very pleasurable
    and releases stress and just plain makes you happy.
    
    I know that the first time I went to Disney World back in 1975 I was
    very excited about going and never expected it to be as entertaining as
    I had found it to be. But what I remembered the most is having this
    incredible feeling come over me when I first saw Cinderella's castle.
    
    Maybe it was the rekindling of the childhood memories of watching Walt
    Disney, Mickey, Donald, Goofy, Zorro, Old Yeller, Fess Parker as Davy
    Crockett, Swiss Family Robinson, 101 Dalmations, Peter Pan, and so on
    that rushed into me at that very moment. All I know is that I liked
    what I saw and felt and went into a depression upon leaving.
    
    My wife and I were hooked and went back and stayed twice as long the
    following year.
    
    Disneyitis has been with us for awhile and we had been planning to
    return for many years. We've been trying to get down to see Mickey and
    friends for the last 5 years but something always came up...work,
    money, fixing up the house, buying a car...you name it. 
    
    Well if there is someone out there who has never been to WDW,
    especially if you have children then DON"T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU.
    
    If you have been reading this conference and have noticed an excitement
    jumping off the screen then you too are experiencing the vicarious
    feeling of exuberence we have all felt when in that magic world.
    
    If you have kids who are into Disney and have never been to WDW how do
    you prepare them for the experience? You can't. No words, no
    pictures...nothing can prepare them for such a trip.
    
    My kids listen to me and my wife talk about WDW and what lies ahead but
    they don't show as much excitement as they would had they already been
    there. They are excited...but if they only knew...
    
    For me, Disneyitis comes about after you have experienced the wonderful
    world that whisks you away from the real world of school, work,
    deadlines, taxes, bills, and so on. 
    
    I am looking forward to seeing how my children react to this trip
    because although they are looking forward to it, they have no idea what
    memories it will bring. It has always been a dream for me to take my
    family to WDW and I am looking forward to it.
    
    Don't expect a trip to WDW will cure Disneyitis...once you have it you
    can't shake it....and I thank Walt for that. It's nice to know that
    there will always be WDW for the best R & R anyone could possibly want.
    
    
    40 Looooooong weeks to go.
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
    Well said!
    
    2 days   Two days    Two Days    TWO DAYS
    
    John ( TWO DAYS)

    Well, one year ago to the day we arrived at Fort Wilderness for an
    8 day stay in WDW.  Lot's of memories flooding in today...
    
    We can't afford to go back for a few more years (going to stay for
    2 weeks next time so gotta save up the $$), so we are having a
    "DINSEY DAY" celebration this weekend !
    
    There were 11 of us (three families, all related) in WDW a year ago,
    so our family has invited the other two for a party, a Hoop-Dee-Doo
    party !  I have printed out some banners (WDW, FW, MK, Epoct), we're
    having fried chicken, ribs, beans, strawberry shortcake, we're going
    to watch some videos, listen to our disney theme music tapes, look
    at slides and photos, look at and discuss the new attrractions since
    last year (the ad in last week's Newsweek).  And generally remember
    our time together in Florida...
    
    Everyone's really excited, should be a good time !
    
    Now, I have to find a red-checked tablecloth...

Re: .84

To fill out your day.  When the families arrive make them wait a while on
the front lawn and pick them up in a station wagon with a Blue Flag on it 
to take them to the backyard.

George

    
    Re: .84
    
    If you would like, I'll send you a copy of the complete spiel from
    the Magic Kingdom Main Car Parking Lot, just to help things run
    smoothly from the front yard to the back (but I'd suggest a wheel
    barrel, that way everyone in insured of having quality time in a
    queue).
    
    Rich

    My wife and I will be there Wednesday evening.  Staying at the Disney
    Inn for 5 nights.  We're looking forward to it, but the energy level in
    this note is so high, I'm exhausted and haven't even gotten on the
    plane yet.
    
    Bob
    Colorado Springs. (Where it's snowing right now.)
    

    RE: .85,.86
    
    I wish I'd thought of that !  I could have had them park at the corner
    of the street and picked them up in a blue-flagged Caravan !  Next
    year!
    
    The party was a big success...everyone wore a disney related article
    of clothing, or a watch, or a pin.  We watched slides and listened to
    theme music while we munched on ribs and chicken.
    
    Someone had some old pictures from a visit to WDW in 1974, what a lot
    of changes since then !
    
    GR 

    Oh No!!!!
    
    I done a  few  replies  of  late, made a few confessions, made a policy
    statement or two, I'll be moderating by myself in a couple of weeks...
    
    I'm starting to itch and I thought I was cured...
    
    
    only kidding folks ;^)
    
    Claude

    
    OH MY GOODNESS!  OH MY GOODNESS!  OH MY GOODNESS!  OH MY GOODNESS!
    
    
       I need to go back to WDW!! I'm thinking the end of August. It's been
    snow/ice/yuck-o weather for a week now. I need some Florida sunshine
    with a healthy dose of mouse ear magic thrown in!!
    
      On another topic.....
    
         I just got home from seeing "The Little Mermaid". What can I say
    but "ze J'osacre"? (That's loosely translated as the ultimate
    adjective).  I can't believe it was all animation. Some parts were so
    real! In my opinion, it was btter than the old classics. I think it is
    my absolute, all-time favorite movie! You can tell I was impressed!
    
    
    By the way, just a little example of how wonderful the film is....
    
       My friend, Craig, hates anything with the Disney label attached to
    it.  (Don't ask my why, he just does)  Well he saw "The Little Mermaid"
    over the weekend and came back expounding (?) on the wonders of DIsney
    animation.  He said he was so impressed, he was going to see the film
    again as soon as he got the chance!  He even went so far as to say that
    the company who created films like that "couldn't be all bad.  Maybe
    the theme parks are pretty OK too." I found out through the grapevine
    this morning that he has made reservations for mid- March.  He plans on
    staying on Disney property with all the trimings.
     I don't think he's going to WDW just because he saw the film, but I do
    think that that has quite a bit to do with it.
    
    Anyways, I've warbled on enough for now.  I need to go back!  Save me a
    horse on Cinderella's Carosel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    

Hi,

   Last March, my girlfriend and I made reservations to visit WDW this January.
 I've been twice before but had never stayed in the park, and she'd never been
 at all, so I was really looking forward to getting some new experiences and 
 sharing some old ones with her.
 
   We bought a copy of Birmbaum's book, I faithfully followed the discussions
 of Disney in the HOLIDAY conference, and later in this one,  and we basically 
 planned out every thing we wanted to see and do.  Nary a week went by when
 we didn't mention something about the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, the Disney stores,
 or Disney movies. Yes, we were Disney-holics.
 
   Two months ago, she left me for someone she works with.  The reservations
 were in her name.  If they had been in mine, I would have canceled what I
 consider to be "our" dream vacation.  But, obviously, she and I don't think 
 alike anymore.  Right now she and her new friend are down there enjoying the 
 vacation that we planned. You know, she even had the nerve to ask me if 
 they could use my Magic Kingdom Club card!!!!???!!!   

   I hope it rains.  I hope they run out of Monte-Christo sandwiches and 
 Dole-whips.  I hope the Hoop-De-Doo is booked solid. I hope Pirates of the 
 Caribbean is closed for repairs. I hope they have to wait in line for over
 an hour at every attraction.  I hope that Mickey is always on the opposite
 end of the park from wherever they are.  I hope they get a lousy spot to watch
 Illuminations from.  I hope they lose their luggage on the way home.  I hope
 the camera I bought her two weeks before she left me overexposes every picture
 that she takes.  I hope the glasses she wears to watch Captain EO have a big
 scratch in the middle of the lens.  I hope that they can only get seats in
 smoking sections of the restaurants and I hope that the people at the next
 table always have a crying baby.  I hope they always pick the line that is the 
 slowest.  (I think this is good therapy 'cause I'm feeling better already!) 
 I hope the *next* person through the turnstile each day wins a new car.  I
 hope that a group of Brazilian tourists follows them around for the entire 
 week (see note 21.32). I hope they're stuck in lines and miss all of the 
 parades.  I hope little kids follow them around when they keep mistaking her 
 new boyfriend for Goofy.


   Thanks, I needed that!
  
  --Jeff

    
    I still can't believe it.
    I tried to make reservations last week for the Carribean Beach Resort,
    for February, dumb huh?  They are confirmed, booked solid from Feb
    16-22.  I was able to get reservations at the Howard Johnsons (Ho Jos)
    for Feb 16-19.
    The reservations clerk told me this was staying on site, but when I
    tried to make Hoop-De-Do reservations they said no.  Only people
    staying on Disney property can make reserv. more than 30 days in
    advance.
    I paid for my non-refund. non-changeable airline ticket but, it still
    hasn't hit me yet.  Maybe when I get the ticket or the confirmation
    from Disney it will.
    I booked the 4 night vacation plan.  I'll be going by myself, I have
    no idea how much fun it will be by myself.  Any other single Disney
    visitors?  (Should this note be moved to Information?, please do so).
    
    I must be in shock 'cuz I still don't believe I'm actually going.
    (I've never been to Epcot or MGM, or Typhoon Lagoon, only the MK).
    
    --Sharon_with_39_days_left_to_plan

    re: .92

>    The reservations clerk told me this was staying on site, but when I
>    tried to make Hoop-Dee-Doo reservations they said no.  Only people
>    staying on Disney property can make reserv. more than 30 days in
>    advance.

    If you made your reservations through the Disney World Central
    Reservations Office (CRO) or the Magic Kingdom Club Travel Center, then
    you should be able to get reservations for the Hoop-Dee-Doo 45 days in
    advance.  Call them back and try again.

>    I'll be going by myself, I have no idea how much fun it will be by myself. 
>    Any other single Disney visitors?  

    There is some information in the Birnbaum guide, but not much.  It
    hasn't come up in this conference yet either.  Why don't you start a
    new topic on "Singles at WDW"?

    
    Speaking of the Birnbaum guide, I don't get one.  At least it
    isn't mentioned on page 12 of my MKC guide.  I was bummed out
    when I realized it's not listed for my package.
    
    --Sharon_who_still_has_39_days

    Of course you could always buy one.  Try the travel section of any good
    book store.  You will save the $9.95 you spend on the book the first
    day you're there.  If not in money, in time and aggravation.

    re .92
    
    If you still want to try to go, wait till Sunday morning, around
    10:00am, then call.  If they say they are booked, try again.  If you
    can get only one night, take it.
    
    Once you are booked one night, then you take preference to people who
    aren't in at all.
    
    It may cost a few bucks in phone bills to Florida, but this method has
    proven useful to my family a couple of times.
    
    You see, Sunday is when the most people call up and cancel their
    reservations.  Since there is not sort of waiting list, reservations
    are on a first-come, first-served basis. (unless things have changed
    drasticly in the last 2 years)
    
    Try it, the worst that could happen is that you have some big calls to
    Florida on the phone bill.  
    
    Steve O (who promised a trip report from his trip last June and will
    write it as soon as his girlfriend is willing to part with her journal
    of the trip)
    
    P.S.  Try to keep this method a secret.  (yea, great place to put a
    secret, huh? On the net where 100,000 deccies can see it!)
    
    

    OK, Disneyphiles, you're all in trouble.  You're at least partially
    responsible for this....
    
    You see, we've been going to WDW every winter for the last 5 or
    6 years.  But, we had decided, "not this year".  No money, no time.
    The "world" doesn't change that much from year to year.
    
    But... that ol' dependable New England winter kicked in.  Friends
    started telling us about Disney/MGM (which wasn't open last February).
    And, for further punishment, I have a batch job that automatically
    sends me new notes from this conference every day.  Every cold,
    dreary, gray winter day...  
    
    Diagnosis: Terminal (no pun intended) Disneyitis. 
 
    No reservations?  Ha, just read .94.  It's a long story, and it
    took a few tries, but, this afternoon... "Yes, sir, we have ONE
    campsite available".  
    
    Well, you're not totally to blame, I suppose.  The last straw was
    a segment (Live from WDW, no less) on Evening Magazine last night.
     
    So, we're off... part of school vacation week, and the week after.
    
    Time to find out what American Express really means about "no preset
    spending limit".
    
    More later.	

    
�                                                  The last straw was
�   a segment (Live from WDW, no less) on Evening Magazine last night.

    Wasn't that great!
    
    287 days (thanks to VACATION.COM!) or us now until a big 9-night
    stay!  I can't believe we just went in October '88 and we have
    all this new stuff to see - Pleasure Island, Typhoon Lagoon, MGM,
    etc...
    
SEAN/BEER=LABATTS

    That damn bug is buzzing around my head again...

    The Rogols have booked a World Vacation Plan for right after
    Thanksgiving...  I've just paid off the last bill from the last trip... 
    Adam will be two in September, so it will be the last chance to bring
    him for free...  Harry and Noah will be in kindergarten, so it will be
    the last chance to go on at a non-school vacation time without pulling
    them out of school...  The MKC Super Club Save Dates make the room rate
    cheaper than last year...

    Buzz....buzz....buzz....

    Re: 46.17

�   I've got withdrawal symptoms already, and we're not planning to go 
�   again until 1991. Although Legoland has a "land" in the name, I 
�   don't think it's going to satisfy the need, and we'll probably 
�   have to give in and return later this year.
�    
�   Mike in Warrington UK 

    Mike, have you thought about relocating?  It might save on the travel
    some.  On the other hand, you probably have enough frequent flier
    miles by now to do the trip for free. 

    If you think I've got it bad, you should see my wife - she even 
    sleeps in her Minnie ears! I've spent hours scanning the JOBS 
    pages for every location in Florida, and the kids both have a 
    year's sabbatical working in Epcot planned into their careers!
    
    Although a lot of it is nostalgia or wishful thinking, it is 
    generated by the fact that the visits have been the best holidays 
    we have ever taken. They have been holidays taken as a whole 
    family, with every one of us in perfect agreement about the day's 
    activities, rather than the usual pattern of 'Today we do what Dad 
    wants, Tomorrow it's your turn to choose!' 
    
    A lot of the enjoyment comes from the advanced planning, and the 
    reminiscences afterwards (Last weekend, which was very wet and 
    windy, we dug out the trophy bags and let the kids loose with 
    brochures, guides, tickets etc. to create humongous Disney 
    scrapbooks. By the Sunday afternoon, we were all cutting and 
    pasting with enormous smiles on our faces and the magic of Disney 
    filled the house.), if it was too available or easily achievable 
    i.e. Disney was on the doorstep, we would probably not value it.
    For the moment I think it's better to work and save for the trips 
    rather than risk losing the magic (although if anyone wants to 
    offer me a job in Orlando, I wouldn't mind testing the theory).
    
    Mike with only 15 months to go! 

    Rep to <<< Note 25.101 by WOTVAX::BATTY "The Seaweed is Always Greener..." >>>

>        Mike with only 15 months to go! 

    Gee Mike you can't have it that bad if your counting in months ;^).
    
    Check out topic 73 if you haven't already.
    
    Claude

    GEE WIZE, I don't know if this is the proper place, but...
    
    I was watching the Disney channel last night, the Disneyland park
    history thing.   It brought back old memories of watching the park
    on TV as a kid and really wanting to go!  It didn't take long.
    Two years with DEC and I could afford to visit the newly opended
    park in Florida.  Then on to California.  
    
    Then listening to the theme music, When You wish upon a Star.
    That really had an impact on me when I was young.  And if you really
    listen to the words, its kinda like modern day goal setting.
    Knowing what you want and knowing it could be possible.  Back in
    the town I came from, you weren't even expected to go to high school.
    Even today, kids don't have that high a expectations.
    But I just gotta think that Walt reached out from that weekly show
    of his and grabbed me with his magic.  Taught me about dreams/goals.
    I know its kinda heavy, but I was wondering if anyoneelse was affected
    when they were young?
    
    ed
    
    

    Is everyone cured? Noone seems to be showing any symptoms...UNTIL
    NOW...
    
    ...lots of work...
    
    lousy weather...
    
    haven't seen Mickey and the Guys in 14 years....
    
    
    I'VE GOT IT BAD and the only cure for it comes in 96 days.....anybody
    got a time compressor?
    
    I thought it was bad when I had 400 days to go....but now I can almost
    taste it...the family is starting to buy clothes for the trip...we have
    our 5-day passes....ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!! someone knock me out and
    wake me in three months.
    
    Mike_who_is_driving_his_family_and_fellow_workers_crazy_with_his_Disneyitis
    

    It's going to get worse...

    Spring is just around the corner.  People will start thinking about
    their Summer vacations.  And then, in just under two weeks time the big
    bomb....

    

    The semiannual two hour WDW commercial hits the air: The WDW Easter
    Parade!  The phones at the CRO go off the wall!!

    Seriously folks, if you are thinking about booking a Disney vacation,
    do it this week or next.  People all over the country catch the disease
    watching that show.  Book now to assure you get what you want.

    
    We picked up our 5 day MKC passes last night at the Disney Store at the
    Pheasant Lane Mall. They still didn't have any 4 day passes...
    
    4 weeks from today we will be on our second day in WDW!
    
    		-Annie
    

    
    Well 32 hours from now the plane takes off... Now all we have to
    do is pack! -Annie
    

    Here I am on my first day back in the office.  I have scores of unread
    messages to read and a pile of papers on my desk, but what do I do
    first?  Head straight for here!!!
    
    You see, I'm suffering a very acute case of Disney-itis.  No matter how
    hard I try to think straight my mind always goes back to the Magic 
    Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...I'm in a hopeless state!
    
    If I manage to shake it off I'll start writing up my trip report.
    
    All for now
    
    Karen
    (who's already yearning to go back!)
    
    

    Well, I tell ya...
    
    There I was a couple of Sunday nights ago, sitting in front of the TV
    watching the Muppets have a grand old time in WDW.  And the symptoms
    started to show.  You know, your palms start to itch, your eyes go
    blank, your brow starts to sweat...  I had it.  A full-fledged case of
    Disney-itis.  The only problem was that the cure was still quite a few
    years down the road.
    
    But then, earlier this week, my wife came home and told me her group
    was going to send to a conference in Orlando in late June and she asked
    me (rhetorically, of course) if I wanted to join her halfway through
    the week.  And how do you think I responded??  Like any normal
    Disney-aholic, I ran out and bought the latest edition of the "Birnbaum
    Bible"...
    
    So in 40 days, I'll be in the land of sun and mice...
    
    - Skip

    I had a flash of "itis" last night. During my "attack" I called the CRO
    and attempted to extend my stay two more days. Rather than leave on a 
    Friday I figured that sticking around for that Saturday and Sunday will
    give me two more days with (historically) smaller crowds.
    
    I was able to get that Saturday but not a Sunday. I was told that they
    would do a "Waiting List/Search" for me up to 15 days in advance of my
    arrival. If the system comes up with that extra day it will
    automatically latch it on to my reservation.
    
    Has anyone ever gone through a "Waiting List/Search" before?
    
    Mike_who_is_recovering_from_his_Disneyitis_attack_just_fine
    

    Hi Mike,
    
    I have been waitlisted twice with no problems geeting what I wanted.
    However it pays not to wait for Disney to catch up with you. It is often
    best to keep trying yourself. Check out replies 13.113, 24,92 and 24.93 
    for more info. That is what I did in both cases and it worked great.
    
    Bill  (who has 83 +/- days to go)
    
    P.S. This was a hot topic a while back and I may have missed so other
    notes.

I've also found that it pays to call and check on room availability
in addition to the waitlist. I was on a waitlist for the CBR, when
I called the CRO I got the 10 nights I wanted.

I must have just caught it at the right time.

It also pays to make more than one reservation sometimes to get
the block of days you need. The person at the CRO did this for
me when I was waitlisted.

Doug

    
    	another quick hint:  try the mornig of 3 days ahead of the date you
    are trying to get.  Three days s some sort fo cancellation deadline
    where rooms suddenly become available from people who canceled and
    wanted a refund.   Hey , it was suggested by CRO and it worked for me
    to get May 27!!
    
    BERT
    
    	Disney itis!!!!  I can't help but tell everyone at work ALL the
    gory details about the trip as I try to relive it.  It's so hard tog et
    back to reality after a week immersed in Disney!!!

    ARRGHHHHH, that itch is coming back, pass the ointment.
    
    My brother just called asking for my MKC  card.    Seems  he's going to
    Disney/MGM  to  do  some  last minute post production work (sound) on a
    film he worked on last summer in Greece to get it ready for an upcoming
    film festival in Boston.   I'll  be seeing him this weekend to give him
    tips etc.
    
    Claude
    
    PS.    He work's as a sound technician for Pro-Con (I  think  that  the
    name) that services the World Trade Center (he's at DECWorld right now)
    as well as other location in Boston.
  

    You know, it all starts out so innocently.  You're at a party and
    someone notices your Typhoon Lagoon shirt and gets you talking
    about WDW.  You spend a few minutes exchanging experiences and tips.
    The seed is planted.
    
    The next day, your daughter says she wants to go visit Mickey.  You
    say something like, "Well, maybe you and mommy could go at Christmas
    time", knowing there is no way you could get a reservation this late.
    Your husband says, "That would be good.  I would only have to take a
    couple of vacation days."  You say, "Oh, you wouldn't have to go.  I'd
    take her by myself."  He says, "You're not going without me."
    
    Next thing you know, you're calling the MKC reservations number knowing
    there's no way you'll get a room.
    
    We got Dec. 23 and 24 in the Caribbean Beach Resort and Dec. 25, 26, 27
    and 28 in the Yacht and Beach Resort (or whatever it's called).  So, if
    all goes well, we'll be spending Christmas with Mickey!

    4 days to go......checked and re-checked the plan........the wife has
    threatened to burn Birnbaums if I pick it up again......check the plan
    again..............change pounds into dollars..........pack
    case........unpack case.........check Birnbaums.......put out
    fire....work out how many seconds until we leave........
    
    C.L.
    
    p.s I promise a trip report as soon as I return

    Can this note serve the same purpose as a phone call to AA?
    
    What I mean is that I'm up to here in work and I keep thinking about...
    
    ..well....you know.
    
    Are there any other 1990 visitors out there who are suffering from WDWW
    (Walt Disney World Withdrawal)?
    
    This is bad.
    
    I really don't want to return too soon but I don't know how long I can
    hold out. Hmm, maybe I'll go in '92.
    
    Gotta convince the wife...kids aren't a problem.
    ARRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHH!
    
    Jeesh.....
    
    Mike_who_may_be_650_days_from_returning_to_the_house_the_mouse_built

Easy Mike, its only been a little over 2 months since you have been there.
Wait until it has been almost a year and there are attractions which you 
have not seen yet, then the mouse will bite you.  We went last Nov and since
then I know that Star Tours, the Dick Tracy show, and the Muppets Live show
have all opened.  Now we are tempted to think about our next trip, but 
have not started planning (YET!!!)

peter

    Peter,
    
    You forgot TMNT although to some people that may be a blessing. I guess
    we all are in some kind of a planning stage. Phase I is probably that
    stage in which you contemplate returning and focus in on a year, say
    two, three, or (gasp) four years down the road.
    
    Phase 2 is when you have decided on a specific date to return.
    
    Phase 3 begins when you make the actual reservations. Phase 3 is
    probably the most exciting of the stages. During Phase 3 you really get
    down to saving $$$$, planning your days, and making lists.
    
    Phase 4 is the actual vacation.
    
    Phase 5 is post-vacation....I hate it.
    
    Mike_who_is_in_Phase_1_but_hopes_to_start_Phase_1_within_1_year

    
    
    Mike,
    
    I know exactly how you feel. I've only been back 2� weeks and am
    expirencing a mssive case of the dreaded ITIS. Not a real depressed 
    feeling, but more a warm reminicence<sp> of the Disney Expirience. I 
    don't if has to do with world or corporate situation, but I'm already
    at stage 2 of planning. When I edit my slides or especialy go over my
    notes for my trip report it hits real bad.
    
    Hang in There
    
    Steve_who_will_not_post_a_days_till_because_the_opportunity_arrives_we're_
    gone

    Steve,
    
    Depression usually hits within the first week of your last day at the
    park. You hit it right on the mark when you talk of the warm
    reminiscence of the Disney Experience.
    
    Does anyone subscribe to the theory that Disneyitis affects those of us
    who relate being in a Disney-owned park or hotel or bus or boat or
    store to a care-free, stressless, childhood?
    
    I've always  enjoyed the "family atmosphere" more than any other
    attraction, ride, etc. while down there.
    
    It's great to walk down Main Street U.S.A, stroll under Spaceship
    Earth, or saunter down Hollywood Blvd.
    
    Mike  

    Mike,
    
    Apparently you wrote .117 without reading my .115!  We got the ITIS
    so bad that we're going back for Christmas!
    
    I do subscribe to the theory that it's the carefree atmosphere that
    causes the ITIS.  WDW is the only place where I can escape from
    reality.  When I'm there I don't think about work or home at all.
    
    Oh, I've always found the ITIS to be worst just after returning.
    
    Ruth

    
    
    Mike,
    
    That's it. That's our biggest justification for the added exspence of
    staying on property. This year we stayed at the Disney Inn, nice place
    no major problems but it wasn't the same as the Poly(88). Our feeling
    that half the vacation at Disney is wking up in the morning and hearing
    the Disney RR wistle across the lagoon, seeing the castle & MK on the
    way to breakfast, or the torches and musical tiki gods at night. we
    usualy rode the monorail to Epcot because for my money there is no
    better view of it than when come out of the swamp and make that big
    slow curve towards Spaceship Earth.
    
    Steve

    STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT
    
    You are only making it worse!
    
    We've been back from WDW for less than 3 weeks (I know I owe a report)
    and I have been experiencing ITIS every day since we've returned. I
    look at our snapshots daily, plug the video tape in whenever I get
    control of the TV and the bible and brochures are still spread about
    the house.
    
    I am trying to convince my wife that we owe it to the kids to go back
    asap, but she keeps throwing trivial things in my face such as lack of
    money and bills to pay. Nag nag nag
    
    What I get off on most about WDW is the escape from reality. I agree
    with whoever said about waking up in the morning and hearing the train
    whistle and steping out of the room in the Contemporary to hear the
    music playing. It's all just too magical.
    
    Sorry for being so long winded but I needed this.
    
    John

    Let's face it...we're Disney junkies.
    
    Mike

    I just got engaged a little while ago, and although we aren't geting
    married for a couple of years, we are already talking about the
    honeymoon.
    
    A cruise is high on the list of 'wants'.... then we realized it... how
    are we going to work Disney World into this?
    
    Well, we instantly tossed all cruise ship pamphlets and books that
    don't offer Disney World packages right into to the circular file.
    
    Now I can relax and be assured that I will eventualually have a great
    honeymoon.  Phew, that was a close one.
    
    Steve

    I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!   For 117 days, I have watched my
    VACATION.COM reminder tell me that WDW was in my future.  Finally, the
    reminder says  "1  Day to Walt Disney World".  Being sooooo close yet
    being so far!!!  I had to turn off the vacation reminder;  I could't
    take it anymore.............!  I can almost taste the Dole Whip !!!!
    
    Trip Report when I get back.....if I decide to return!!  :-)

    I have a slightly different kind of case of Disney-itis than usual.
    As I was glancing through the Wall Street Journal this noon, what 
    jumped out of the pages at me? DISNEYWORLD IS LOOKING FOR ACCOUNTANTS!!!!!
    LITTLE OLD BEAN COUNTERS LIKE ME!!!!  It's like having the world's
    best job dangled in front of you just out of reach!!!! The sound you
    hear is my teeth gnashing. I CAN'T STAND IT!!!!!!!
    
    Linda

    Y'know Linda, I've thought a great deal about this, the notion of
    working for Disney, or in WDW somewhere and I've concluded that I would
    NEVER want to work there!
    
    I can see everyone's eyebrows reaching for the ceiling.
    
    But think of it this way....I consider Orlando to be the prime location
    for me to forget all the stress I encounter each and every day. It is
    the only place where I can totally leave my troubles behind. I
    mentioned to someone a few weeks back that while I was there I even
    forgot what day of the week it was. Her reply was, "Then it was the
    perfect vacation."
    
    So I've found my "Utopia" and whenever I can I will escape to it for
    the R & R I need. Why take a chance on eliminating my Utopia by working
    there? Not me.
    
    Now working for Disney offsite from the theme parks and the hotels may
    be another thing altogether. But the theme parks, especially the WDW        
    vacation complex in Orlando, should be associated with carefree fun and
    not work.
    
    I wouldn't want to work at one of the theme parks.
    
    I like my Utopia and hope to keep it as such as long as I can.
    
    It's about as close to a fantasy world as you can get so why spoil it?
    
    Mike_who_hopes_DEC_and_the_rest_of_the_economy_recovers_so_he_can_return
    

    Sometimes I feel like putting in an "I need it bad" note. TOday is one
    of those days. Actually I was dragging ysterday. The quick fix was to 
    bring in some of my pics and excess post cards from my last trip.
    
    I've posted this collage on my cubicle wall so when I need a shot of
    Disney I just turn to the left.
    
    Picture this...
    
    Top row is the CBR napkin.
    
    Under that napkin is an EPCOT Illuminations card, a scene from TGMR,
    and "The Mouse" in front of the castle.
    
    The next row has Hollywood Blvd. (MGM) at dusk, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto,
    and "The Mouse" on the side of the castle on the grass, and a picture
    of the geosphere from across the World Showcase Lagoon.
    
    The next row has a Hoop-Dee-Doo card, a postcard of the Mouse
    Ears/Water Tower from MGM, and a "Disney Afternoon" card.
    
    The last two rows have a Typhoon Lagoon card, followed by a Medieval
    Times card, and an MGM backstage tours card, followed by a Universal
    Studios card, a card of "The Mouse" standing in front a stretch limo
    (35 feet long) which is in front of TGMR, the castle at dusk, Elliot
    the Dragon from The Electrical Light Parade in front of Thunder
    Mountain, and finally a side view of the castle with the foreground
    filled with flowers.
    
    If all this doesn't work I turn to my special picture of me and Jessica
    Rabbit from the Toon Town portion of the backstage tours.
    
    It helps.
    
    Mike

    Mike!!!!!!
    
    
    CUT IT OUT!!!!!!. Its not fair to tease us like that
    
    Bill

    I'm off in the morning.....21 hours, 53 minutes.......
    
    A business trip, wtih some pleasure mixed in!!  This will be my first
    stay at the CBR.
    
    I can almost taste the banana stuffed french toast right now!!!!

    re: .133

�  A business trip.

    What group did you say you work for?  Business trips to the CBR?  And
    who are you getting to watch three kids?

    trade show at the dolphin!!  Rooms too expensive, so we all agreed to
    stay at under $100/nite.  Hence, CBR!!
    
    Kids staying with the Grandparents.....
    
    
    Len, I'll talk to you and Linda when I get back.

    Re: .32
    
    Bill,
    
    I call it my "Wailing Wall". When I get depressed I look at all the
    WDW scens and begin to wail 'cause I'm not there.
    
    Mike

    Rep to <<< Note 25.136 by COEM::SCOPA "MAJOR" >>>

>    I call it my "Wailing Wall". When I get depressed I look at all the
>    WDW scens and begin to wail 'cause I'm not there.

    Mike
    
    I like that discription, however while looking  at  them I usually have
    this warm fuzzy feeling, then after I usualy  just  sit there with this
    blank look on my face for a few minutes,  then  I start my wailing of I
    NEED IT BAD!!!!!
    
    Oh  OH,  I'm starting to itch again, maybe we need  to  writelock  this
    topic? ;^)
    
    Claude_who's_wife_asks_how_many_days_till_WDW?_How_about_this_April?
    

    I still have a long way to go before I rival Len's wall. I understand
    that anyone who can not afford even a weekend in WDW vie for the
    alternative of spending a weekend in Len's office.
    
    Hmmm....looks like I'm now under 500 days before I return. Too bad I'm
    not Rip Van Winkle.
    
    Mike_will_open_phase_0_(make reservations)_in_127_days

    
    You guys are really making it tuff. Here I had every intention of
    waiting a couple of years before I go back to WDW and now you've
    got me all wound up. Since I had been to WDW in May '88, DL in
    March '89, and WDW again in Feb '90, I though I should abstain
    for a couple of years to let the magic build a little.... Well it's
    building and bubbling now !!!!!
    
    I'm salivating over the thought of a Churro dipped in Dole-Whip !!!!
    Arrgghhh the agony... The wife is going to Nashville in June with
    relatives to go looking for Elvis and I was going to cool it for
    vacation this year.... Now it's how do I change her mind before she
    lays down the money and I crack ????? Stay tuned !!!!!!!
    
    George_the_Disney_diverter....

    I've got it too.  And I have to wait 199 days before I go.  I can't really
    go earlier because my hubby doesn't have the vacation time.  I've already
    read the 1991 guide. 

    Last night I dreamt that I was at WDW relaxing by the pool.  It wasn't
    any specific pool.  That's probably because we will be staying at the new
    Port Orleans so I don't know what it looks like yet.

    When things really get bad I look at the Walt Disney World Resort map
    on my cubicle wall and dream.  I've also got some pictures and postcards
    scattered around my walls.  

    Here's hoping the next 199 days go fast.  Especially since it's snowing
    in Colorado Springs today.  I need a WDW fix.

    mig

    Isn't Disney-itis a great disease?
    
    Mike_who_won't_receive_a_remedy_for_another_490_days

    
    Every two years there is a trade show which the last few times has been
    at the Marriott World Center in Orlando. Again, this year it is at the
    MWC. And poor me has to go there for Digital and help out. Well, the
    wife was just dying that I was going...until Valentine's Day when in
    her card was not a coupon for a box of chocolates, but a plane ticket
    to guess where???
    
    We are out of here on Friday and are taking a few extra days after the
    show. We can't wait...
    
    Thanks Digital....
    
    Jim
    

    re: .136 - .140
    
    What a bunch of cry babies!!
    
    We've been down to WDW twice in the past three years (once in '88 and
    again in '90) and my wife told me after the last time that she'd like
    to try some different vacations in the future.  And that we should go
    back to Disney World once our kids reach the right age when they could
    really appreciate it...
    
    AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE KIDS!!!!  AND NONE ARE ON THE WAY!!
    
    So it's gonna be a loooooonnnnngggggg wait...  Waaaahhhh!!!!
    
    - Skip

    re: .143
    
    Skip,
    
    There is no reason you should miss out on a trip to Disney for a silly
    reason like that.
    
    I'll tell you what... I'll loan you a few kids, they're ready for a
    return trip.  Take as many as you want, one, two, or all three.  
    
    They know WDW almost as well as I do, so it would almost be liking
    having your own little guides.  Of course their tastes run to Starland,
    Grand Prix Raceway, and Dumbo, but they also like Star Tours, Big
    Thunder Mountian, and Narcoosee's.
    

    re: .144
    
    Gee, thanks, Len, that's mighty nice of ya...  What are fellow
    Disney-philes for after all, eh??
    
    Well, it sounds like your kids' tastes run akin to mine so we ought to
    have a great time.  The only thing that remains is to convince the
    "little woman" to make the journey to Orlando with four kids (including
    the BIG kid... namely me!!)...
    
    - Skip

    Skip,
    
    Bring lots of $$$$$$$$$$...we all know from reading the Goldberg
    chronicles, erh trip reports that Len and his family like the food down
    there.
    
    Mike

    Nicole and I have got the ITIS really bad.  I'd like to make
    tentative plans to go in late October or early November 1991.
    These plans would be VERY tentative.  I'd like to make the
    reservation but not get excited about it until I know we can
    go.  Is this possible?  How do you not get psyched up about
    a Disney trip?  Help!
    
    Ruth

I think a few weeks ago I experienced a different form of Disney-itis:

I was having dinner in a nearby Indian restaurant.  Eating alone, with just
one other couple in the restaurant, I couldn't help but overhear them
discussing their plans, about the convenient location of the CBR, where, when,
and which Passports to get, and so on.

A little while later, a new set of patrons is seated.  Shortly, the 
"It's a Small World" alarm watch being worn by one of them goes off.

Still later, another new set walks in, this time carrying an Epcot Center
shopping bag.

I began to wonder whether I was in Nashua or Lake Buena Vista.  (Given
the location of the restaurant, there's a good chance some of those
patrons are Deccie's; my apologies if I've offended anyone by posting
my observations.)

   Gary

    Work, work, work.....
    
    deadlines up the ying yang...
    
    the spectre of layoffs...
    
    
    but then a nice warm day...
    
    in the 70's with a nice breeze...
    
    sort of Orlando-like weather...
    
    I decide to wear one of "The Mouse" shirts to work because...
    
          I got it Baaaad!!!

    
    Mike -
    
    Now I know why the mail messages about Disney!  When you
    get "it" bad, you want to share that feeling with someone else.
    What a friend, sharing with others!!!!  Now I got "it" too, with
    no cure in sight for over 2 more years!
    
    peter

    Mike, I know what you mean.  Character clothing can provide a small
    amount of relief for the pain.

    Now that my collection of rodent neckwear has grown to five Mickey
    Mouse ties, I wear one almost every day.  Some are more subtle than
    others.  It's gotten to be a game around here to find the mouse in
    Len's tie.

    If you ever see someone wandering around Digital with a musine cravat,
    stop me and say hello.

    Rep to <<< Note 25.149 by COEM::SCOPA "I'd rather be in Orlando" >>>

    Yup, I  know  the  feeling,  driving  home with the windows down, doing
    70+mph (late picking  up  Greg), and what do I find in the Mailbox, why
    none other than my
    
        - Receipt for my deposit on next April Port Orleans stay.
    
        - WDW Resort planning kit.
    
    Talk about getting it bad.    (I'll be updateting the Address/Tel # and
    price topics when I get the chance if needed)
    
    Wife returns home from a bad  day  at  work,  show  her  the WDW Resort
    Planning kit, and the smile starts to  appear  from ear to ear, now the
    whole  family has it bad.  Maybe I shouldn't  tape  this  Sunday's  WDW
    Easter Parade Special (Sure you won't Claude ;^)).

    Peter,
    
    Misery loves company. 
    
    
    Len,
    
    Character clothing helps...especially if it was purchased down there.
    
    
    CLaude,
    
    I told my wife that the biggest thing happening this weekend was the TV
    showing of the WDW Easter Parade. I hope the parade gets her more
    commited to returning next year. I'm gonna tell the kids that once the
    parade starts to really build it up and talk about how much fun we had
    and really push for next Summer. It's probably a done deal but I need
    to start the push now so I can book next July this July.
    
    Mike_who's_vacation.com_says_with_luck_I'll_return_in_469_days

I've got it, and I've got it bad.  I was listening to the EPCOT entrance 
theme song last night.  I could imagine the way my skin feels in the morning &
the excitement of seeing Spaceship Earth.  I can also imagine the park after
Illuminations is over and the crowds have thinned.  I can see the colored 
lights on the fountains and Spaceship Earth.  Being in a dry climate in
Colorado Springs, I can even imagine the way my skin feels with the humidity.

Only 25 weeks and 1 day to go (176 days).

I looked thru the TV guide for Sunday and can't find any stations carrying
the WDW Easter Parade.  And I so wanted to see it.  I was hoping there would
be some announcements about what is happening this summer and fall.  Please
post a note if there are any updates.

Hopefully my husband will get bitten by the bug also.  He's never been there
and I'd sure hate it if he doesn't enjoy it or if he doesn't want to go back
as frequently as I do.

Maybe I'll start rereading the official guide.  It's a little early to start
packing (especially since I usually do that the night before).

BTW, I'm wearing a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and my Mickey Mouse watch and
earrings today.

    We've got it too, but the cure is in sight - Only 88 days to go!!!
    (Sorry if it seems like I'm gloating. I promise a long report to 
    help those with acute symptoms!)
    
    We had a Disney Easter, just to build up the feeling. 
    Friday, took the kids to see Fantasia, which has just been 
    released over here. Then mowed the lawn for the first time this 
    year, with the Sorcerer's Apprentice playing on my Walkman. Green 
    waves crashing round me as I tackled the jungle, I could even feel 
    the water splashes! (Oh, *&%@ it's raining again!)
    
    Saturday, went to see Little Mermaid which is doing the rounds 
    again, then watched Disney cartoons on TV. (Still raining!)
    
    Sunday, watched our Disney Club on TV. Update on EuroDisney - a 
    huge, muddy construction site. Will it be ready for us in a year? 
    Everyone seemed optimistic. Watched Roger Rabbit on video, while 
    eating our Mickey and Donald Easter Eggs. (Still raining!)
    
    Monday, watched more Disney cartoons on TV (This is how British TV 
    designates a Bank Holiday, old films interspersed with cartoons.) 
    Still raining, so I went to the gym to burn off some of the 
    pent-up energy. First thing I see - three of the regulars in 
    competition training, all wearing Disney T's. When asked why the 
    T's, they said "Hell, working out twice a day, strict diets, no 
    booze, pouring rain! We needed cheering up, so we're remembering 
    the last visit, and planning another for after the season!" I 
    looked at those guys through new eyes (and Jessica Rabbit on the 
    rippling chest of one of them added interesting movement to those 
    curves!).
    
    Warning from the Surgeon General! Disney-itis is more contagious 
    than any other disease known to mankind, causes a serious 
    distortion of time perception, and although not usually fatal, can 
    make you feel depressed and happy at the same time!
    
    Mike.

    It's coming up for a year since we were at Disney...and the withdrawal
    symptoms are getting b..a..d..
    
    The only cure I can see is going back...
    
    Karen

    Rep to <<< Note 25.156 by XNOGOV::KAREN "when you wish upon a star..." >>>

>    It's coming up for a year since we were at Disney...and the withdrawal
>    symptoms are getting b..a..d..
 
    In my  case it's coming up to 4 years since my last trip.  My neighbor,
    after spending 2  hours  with  me  last November, is leaving early this
    morning  for her families first trip ever to that magical place we  all
    know and love.  

    Based on input from me, they will  be  staying  2 nights first with old
    neighbors of mine (the one who didn't listen  to me and ended up hating
    WDW), then spending 8 night's at CBR.  I thought since they appeared to
    be the type that would love WDW, that it be best to get the visiting of
    old  friends  out  of the way and then have a blast  and  finish  their
    vacation with WDW. 
    
    It'll  be interesting how then end up liking WDW, anyway the reason for
    this  note,  she  stops  by last night to drop off an iteniary of their
    trip in case of emergency, and here I am with 372 days left ;^(.
    
    I'm  bummed, I need it bad....  guess it's time for my Disney fix me up
    tape....
    
   

    Gee Claude only 372 days left? If things go accordingly I have a
    staggering 450 days to go.
    
    Hope your neighbor listened carefully to what you told him.
    
    My itis has peaks and valleys. This note probably needs a shot of
    medicinal points to deal with it.
    
     - Listen to music which relates to WDW.
    
     - Pull out and watch some old WDW tapes from some TV specials.
    
     - Read Birnbaum.
    
     - Get a pad of paper and draw up an itinerary of a one week trip.
    
    Not only will these help with the itis........they may lead to the
    ultimate medicine.......a trip.
    
    Mike
     - 

    Rep to <<< Note 25.157 by SALEM::BERUBE_C "GGoooodd MMoorrnniinngg WDW!!!" >>>

>    In my  case it's coming up to 4 years since my last trip.  My neighbor,
>    after spending 2  hours  with  me  last November, is leaving early this
>    morning  for her families first trip ever to that magical place we  all
>    know and love.  

    Well I  finally had a chance to discuss with my neighbor, their trip to
    WDW this past  weekend.  Turns out they had a blast and are thinking of
    saving up money for  a  trip  back  in a couple of years.  They enjoyed
    CBR, and all the parks,  did  most  of  the things I thought they would
    enjoy, did the show at the  Poly, but not HDD since they could only get
    a  10:00pm  show.   Mentioned all the  construction  going  on,  didn't
    realize that when I said WDW is big,  that  it  was THAT BIG.  Used the
    buses and had no problems etc.
    
    Well you guessed it, after talking with her for  an  hour  or  so, went
    back and popped in my tape of WDW I had  mentioned in here somewhere to
    releive that old itis feeling.... ;^)
    

    Yeah I know the pollen is bad and some of you (me included) are
    probably coughing and sneezing form it all and maybe are
    already complaining about the heat BUT I GOT THE 'ITIS BAD...
    
    Monday I wore my red Mickey shirt (red with thin blue horizontal lines
    and an outlined Mickey over the breast pocket). Tuesday I had to make a
    presentation to my management so I wore a white Mickey golf shirt with
    an embroidered Mickey (in color...white, black, red, and yellow) on one
    side. Today I have the yellow version of that same shirt.
    
    Yep I have it bad.
    
    But my first "medicine" is soon to approach as I hope to make '92 
    reservations next month.
    
    Mike

    I have to admit that I have it too.  I carry my M.M. Pocket Watch
    everywere, including when I teach my Fortran Seminar.  It has the
    greatest effect on my students when they see it and it always starts a
    conversation about DW which, as you can tell, I "just hate" :^)
    
    It's 15 days away for me and my family and already I'm having a hard
    time sleeping.  We are driving down from here (Phila area), I have 4
    kids aged 1.5 to 11 years.  We are staying at a trailer at FW ($99
    annual passholder special) for 6 nights and then 2 nights at the Grand
    Floridian ($150 annual passholder special, and yes both rates are still
    available, but only if you insist!).
    
    My wife and kids know that I'm the biggest kid in the family about DW,
    and it's true!
    
    
    John

re: -.1    
    
    
>>    I have to admit that I have it too.  I carry my M.M. Pocket Watch
>>    everywere, including when I teach my Fortran Seminar.  It has the
>>    greatest effect on my students when they see it and it always starts a
>>    conversation about DW which, as you can tell, I "just hate" :^)
    
    
    
    	I do the same thing in my classes.  Between the mouse watches,
    neckties (my editorial comment when, after several years of not
    requiring them, Customer Training [or at least my office] started
    making us wear neckties), tie-tacks, ring, and Rush-brush, it's become a
    game of "spot the Mickey".
    
    tom

    Talking of Disney clothing...I have a reversible Minnie sweat shirt
    which I adore.  It's so bright and cheerful and I love wearing it.
    My best excuse for going back is to get a watch to match :-)
    
    Karen
    (Disney_dreamer)
    
    
    
    
    

    T minus 9 hrs and counting. Yes, I will not forget the trip report.
    
    
    Dave

    I have chronic ITIS but I bet my current flare-up is worse than any
    of yours.  As proof I offer the following...
    
    How many of you scoured the local record shops in order to obtain a
    copy of the soundtrack from the movie "SHOW BOAT"?  I finally found
    a copy and have repeatedly listened to the first few seconds of
    "Cotton Blossom" which is the music that accompanies the "SHOW BOAT"
    footage in The Great Movie Ride's finale.
    
    And, it only gets worse.  After listening to "Cotton Blossom" a few
    times, I got to thinking about how much my sister's boyfriend would
    like The Great Movie Ride's finale and everything else about WDW.  I
    also got to thinking about how much fun my niece would have at WDW -
    she went absolutely bonkers over the photo we took of Mary Poppins
    and Bert.  So I talked with my husband, Randy, about how I would like
    to go to WDW with Raina, Andy and Lindsay.  Unfortunately, they can't
    afford to go.
    
    So the situation is, Ruth's got the ITIS really bad.  Whenever, Ruth
    gets the ITIS bad, the Lowells end up going to WDW.  The Lowells want
    to "share the experience" with Raina, Andy and Lindsay but they can't
    afford to go.  What's the solution?  Easy, the Lowells treat Raina,
    Andy and Lindsay to a vacation.
    
    I've got the ITIS really bad.

    Ruth,
    
    Sounds terminal...mine isn'r at bad....sure I listen to Disney CD's at
    work all day....sure I have Mickey as the Sorcer's Apprentice for my
    background screen on my workstation...sure I gaze at my wailing wall
    
     BULLETIN    BULLETIN    BULLETIN    BULLETIN    BULLETIN    BULLETIN
    
    I just received a new addition to my wailing wall. It's called "A
    Tribute To Cinderella". The card is divided into three sections. The
    first section shows one of the mosaic tile sections that tell the
    story, the middle section shows the castle lit at night, and the third
    section shows King Stephan's Banquet Hall.
    
    Okay back to the 'itis...
    
    Well...there's Mickey on my wrist almost 24 hours a day....but how's
    this for the itis........look at what Claude's vacation.com returns to
    me these days...
    
    
    11 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, away from the 1 year mark for WDW '92!
    103 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, away from the 9 month mark for WDW '92!
    195 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, away from the 6 month mark for WDW '92!
    286 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, away from the 3 month mark for WDW '92!
    347 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, away from the 1 month mark for WDW '92!
    354 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, away from the 2 week mark for WDW '92!
    370 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, away from the 1 week mark for WDW '92!
    377 days, 17:34:11 hh:mm:ss, before we take off for WDW!
    381 days, 1:34:11 hh:mm:ss, before we arrive in WDW!
    
    Too bad there wasn't a Disney Inn in New England somewhere so that
    those of us with the 'itis can find some temporary remission.
    
    Mike

    Got it badddd. One year ago I was on my way and at this time I was just
    about to cross over the border to North
    Carolina....arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
    
    Mike_who_will_be_doing_just_that_in_364_days

    Gee, Mike, is the glass half empty or half full??
    
    - Skip

    Skip,
    
    Good point.....it will be half empty until the end of this month...then
    it becomes half-full.
    
    At this time last year I was counting "South of the Border" billboards.
    
    Mike

    I heard about this notesfile months ago and never got around to reading
    it.  Well, I was looking for information early last week and I've been
    in here everyday since!  I never realized there were so many other
    people like myself - hooked on WDW!  This is great!  I've really
    enjoyed my lunchhours ever since!  The only depressing thing is my next
    trip won't be till November of 95.  Boo Hoo!!!!
    
    But I'll be in the notesfile till then!
    
    I'll be talking with you all again I'm sure!
    
    Kathy Jette
    

    
�   My next trip won't be till November of 95.
    
    That's what she says now, right guys?  Give her a couple of months
    reading this conference and see what she says!

    Kathy,
    
    Len's right....that November '95 trip will be your second or third trip
    down between now and then.
    
    Mike

    I must admit up until now my family had been going every other year. 
    In fact it started 12 years ago when my husband and I went for 2 weeks
    on our honeymoon.  That's all it took!  We are hooked.  We keep saying
    that were not going till 95 cause we have a BIG addition to put on the
    house and the moneytree is only so big.  I'm trying to use restraint....   
    I love this notesfile but sometimes it's hard to keep control!
    
    Well, I'm off to read other notes - talk to you in other places!
    
    Kathy
    
    

    Len, Mike,
    
    Gee I don't know, I been able to hold off 'till my original planned '92
    trip, though I  must  admit it was close a few times, did actually made
    reservation for summer of '89, but my finances got the better of me.
    
    Claude
    
    PS this wouldn't by any chance be  the same Kathy Jettie who was one of
    several secrataries, several years back in NIO Test  Engineering  would
    it?

    It'd be interesting so see some testimonies in here as to how the 'itis
    affected original plans.
    
    I had planned to return in '96 (yeah right!) but decided that since the
    SUmmer Olympics was to be in Atlanta that year that the whole world
    would be in Orlando.
    
    Okay so I said how about 1995? Hmmmm, college expenses will appear
    about then.
    
    Okay there's 1994....hmmm my daughter will have her driver's license
    by then...not a good idea.
    
    Down to 1993. Sounds good but by then I'll have two teenagers....hmmmm.
    
    Dues to obvious financial reasons '91 is out so '92 it is.
    
    Isn't that the way it works for everyone?
    
    Mike_who_has_to_deal_with_the_itis_for_another_48_weeks

  There have been times that I go now and pay later.  I'm trying really
  hard to stop doing.  And now there are other factors that'll stop me
  from going at the last minute (house, car, husband).

  I'm hoping that my husband enjoys it enough to want to go back every
  three years.  Right now I think he's leaning to every ten years - but
  then he has never been. 

  I didn't have the bug as bad until EPCOT opened.  It has gotten worse
  with every trip.  

  My secret desire is to be able to spend winters in Florida when I retire.
  I met a woman there in 1988 and she was telling me about all of the retirees
  who go every day to get their exercise.  Yep! they go to EPCOT and walk 
  back to the American showcase.  They now most of the cast members at the
  park and aren't really into going to the rides and attractions.  

  Dreams.  Well, it'll be a few years.  Maybe I can work on making this one
  come true.

  Marilyn

    To answer Claude - 
    Yes this is one of your former secretaries - Kathy Jette from NIO!
    It's a Small world huh? (heeheehee)
    
    And to think we worked together back then and never knew we were both
    WDW addicts!
    
    Ta Ta,
    
    Kathy
    

    I believe it is true - some of us with the "ITIS" do go now and pay
    later, I've done this myself once - but never again.  I'd rather save
    up for a big blast than go sooner for just 4 or 5 days and not stay
    where I like to etc.....  Spoiled huh?  So for now I'm just waiting...
    and am very jeoulous of the rest of you who are counting down!
    
    Kathy
    

    The Go Now - Pay Later attitude is one that many 'holics have. I too
    had that attitude way back when. My wife talked me out of it and said,
    "Let's save, save, save so we can pay as we go."
    
    This turned out to be good advice. If I had my druthers I'd prefer
    fewer upper level visits than many lower level trips.
    
    M

    Ok - I've got the ITIS bad now...
    
    I just happened to be passing by Personnel so I stopped in and picked
    up an MKC card - it's valid till 1993.  I've told myself it's to get
    things at the Disney Store at Xmas time.  Sure.......  I've also got a
    bridge I can sell to ya cheap!
    
    Just Dreaming,
    
    Kathy
    

    Well, I'm off for a week's vacation and sadly enough it is not in my
    favorite place of all time.  I sure can use this break from the
    notesfile though.  I've been reading it everyday this week and I'm
    ready to call and find a way to get there cheap!  
    
    Well, have a good week all - and I'm not logging in from home!
    
    Kathy
    
    

    Well, It happened - I've got the 'itis bad - check out the newest
    member of the 1992 visitors note!
    
    And you all can say I told you so!
    
    Kathy
    

    Rep to <<< Note 25.182 by CUPMK::JETTE >>>

>    Well, It happened - I've got the 'itis bad - check out the newest
>    member of the 1992 visitors note!
>    And you all can say I told you so!

    Kathy,
    
    I guess we told you so, but as you'll find out, a 3 night stay is not a
    cure it's a tease!!!!!!  Unless of course  your like our other mod, who
    goes once or twice a year of late ;^).
    
    Claude    

    She's going in the Summer Claude so it may be a bit more than a tease
    but certainly not a cure....do I hear 5 nights?
    
    Mike

	Only one month until I get a cure.  Two weeks at WDW.  I don't
        think I could handle going for only four days.  

        My husband has never been and he is currently reading the guide.
        I'm starting to wonder if we can do everything he wants to do
        in two weeks.  Then I have to add all the stuff my parents want
        to do.  (Maybe we'll have to spend a couple of days just eating.)

	Four days - no way could I handle it unless I got to go several
	times a year.

	Marilyn

    Well only 48hrs before I land at WDW, I promise to file a report and
    send a card.  Thanks for all the info.  It'll be nice to spend some
    quality time with Mickey et al.
    
    Signing off to all you poor souls at home.
    
    Regards,
    JP

    >I guess we told you so, but as you'll find out, a 3 night stay is not a
    >cure it's a tease!!!!!!  Unless of course  your like our other mod, who
    >goes once or twice a year of late ;^).
    
    >Claude    
    
    Hey Claude, are you referring to me?  The one with terminal 'ITIS?
    If so, it looks like our December trip will be putting an end to
    our once or twice a year trips.  It looks like "the mother of all
    Disney trips" is going to make a big dent in our savings.  I'm
    counting on you all to help me through the withdrawals.
    
    Ruth

    Rep to <<< Note 25.187 by AAARGH::LOWELL "Grim Grinning Ghosts..." >>>

>>Unless of course  your like our other mod, who
>>goes once or twice a year of late ;^).
    
>Hey Claude, are you referring to me?  The one with terminal 'ITIS?

    Ruth,
    
    Guess I  should  of  made mod plural, I was really referring to someone
    else ;^), see 80.3 for detail.
    
    Claude

    Actually,
    
    We all have terminal 'itis. Between Jan 1, 1990 and Dec. 31, 1992 we
    estimate that the mods will have logged approx. 130 days down there.
    
    One would think that "this too shall pass" but then again when you
    purchase an Annual Passport...
    
    Mike

    well, I kept saying to myself, self, you can wait until August,
    '93 for your next visit to WDWLD.  NAHHH - tentative plans for August,
    '92 being pursued.  anyone out there want to talk me out of it????
    
    peter

    Hey Pete....can I talk you into goin' in July '92?
    
    Mike

    sorry Mike - the wife says that there is no way she would go in
    July! I tried.
    
    peter

    Talk you out of it? Never!  If these guys are true to form they'll
    convince you to stay longer than you ever intended!
    
    Kathy_who_rids_herself_of_the_itis_in_297_days
    

    Well, if preliminary plans become actual, we have 339 days (just
    activated the vacation command file) until our 14 day stay starts.
    
    Before finalizing plans, we are waiting to see if there are any
    AP specials for the late august time frame.  That was the timeframe
    when Jim Pappas got the great AP deal at the Beach resort.
    
    Heck, I'll probably break down and make a reservation at the CBR
    next weekend.  gotta scratch that itch!
    
    peter

    Peter,
    
    That's too late for my birthday bash!
    
    Birthday Boy 

    Hmmm... I have 131 days until the family and I spend 2 weeks in
    Orlando...
    
    REK

    Today marks the 100 day mark.  We've been looking at all our old wdw
    movies.  The motorhome is all gassed up.  We're ready.
    Accually, I've got a favor to ask of someone.  All that talk of
    a video given out for gold club members, or such, could someone lend 
    us a copy?  It would help those last few days go by easier.
    
    just another reminder, oct 20th is the Disney special on the Disney 
    channel of past present and future wdw.
    
    ed

	I'm starting to count the hours.  

	Today is my last day of work (only 4 hours and 18 minutes to go).

	Tomorrow I pack.  

	Saturday I leave.  One day, 20 hours, and 23 minutes.

	I've got dinner reservations made thru my first three days
	there.  All that's left to do is pack.  I'm almost outta of here.

	Marilyn

	Trip report sometime in October.

    Well, this next trip is getting longer (and more expensive) every time
    I turn around.  I felt I could not pass up the offering of a 6 day-
    super pass so I have increased my nights at FW to 5 nights/6 days!
    Oh boy and I have 9 months of the 'itis to go!
    
    Kathy
    

    Rep to <<< Note 25.199 by CUPMK::JETTE >>>

    Ah Kathy I hate to be the one  to  point  this  out  to  you, but after
    meeting in Salem this morning what the heck ;^).  The 6day superpass is
    6  days in the parks and 7 days use of Typhoon Lagoon,  River  Country,
    Pleasure Island and Discovery Island. 
    
    So to really make good  use  of  the  6 day supperpass and get all your
    money's worth with TL, RC, PI and DI you need to add a  few more nights
    like 8nights/ 9 days, this way you'll have 7 full days to enjoy your  6
    day pass.  Or  better  yet  how  about  something like 13nights/14 days
    which will give you a full 12days to enjoy,
    
        Day 1 One of the Parks
        Days 2-7 RC, TL, PI, DI
        Days 8-12 One of the Parks
    
    Or better even still if  we  get  you to do 13 nights, how about annual
    passport....
    
    Claude
    
    PS How am I doing Mike, think  between  the  two  of us we can convince
    her.

    Kathy,
    
    Sounds like you'll be getting your money's worth out of that airfare
    (whatever it will be). 
    
    The 'itis has really hit you...must be something like The Disney
    Channel or video tapes.
    
    Who knows...once you get there next year and get into the Disney mode
    the 'itis may cause you to extend your stay while you're there.
    
    Mike_who_is_a_mere_284_days_to_go

    This is a WARNING to all innocents, non-DISNEY-holics, etc. Reading
    this notesfile can be hazardous to your non-addiction!
    
    I was an innocent until recently, merely checking this notesfile for a
    few suggestions and tidbits regarding a family vacation to WDW (er' I
    mean Walt Disney World) this November. Then, slowly, as I continued to
    read, research and plan the family vacation, it happened. I can hardly
    control myself!
    
    Who would've thought that you should go to that place mentioned above
    with such a detailed plan. Why not just show up and have fun! But, 
    
    NOOOOOOOooooooo! 
    
     Now, not only can I hardly stand it that I am not at WDW RIGHT THIS
    VERY MINUTE, but I must spend my otherwise idle, family, and leisure time
    daydreaming, planning, and otherwise being altogether engulfed in
    pursuit of the ultimate WDW experience! EC, MGM, MK... I needed a fix
    so I went to a nearby Disney Store, bought 5 day superpasses. That
    lasted for a couple of days... the sweat left my brow, but then it came
    back. A return trip to the STORE for Disney $ for the kids! Now I still
    have 22 days to go. How many more "fixes" will it take.
    
    AAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
    
    No, really, I'm fine. But watch out to those who start off reading here
    with the justification of "casual" interest!
    
    Tim  (I don't know whether I should ;-) or 8-|)

	I couldn't reach  CLOSET all day yesterday and wasn't sure I'd
	make it through the day!  I got into this conf. a few months ago to get
	some tips for a quick trip after Thanksgiving and I'm hooked -
	I check for new notes several times a day, now...and am so disappointed
	when there aren't any!

	I'll only be there late Sat. Nov. 30 - to the morning of Tues. Dec. 3
	and I know it's not enough time from all I've read here 8-{ but
	that's all the time I can take at the moment.

	I'll enter my ever-increasing questions in more relevant topics soon.

	Maybe those of us with "trips pending" should form a support group
	to keep us sane in the mean time... ;->


					Jean (who's go 6 WEEKS to go!)

    Well after reading topic 145 replies 55-58 and  hearing about those who
    are down there now, or are leaving today/tomorrow, and the fact that as
    of 3:30pm today I'm off on Vacation and won't return  to  work 'till An
    2nd, I've got a serious case of scratching going on right now!!!!!!!!!!
    
    No I'm not off to WDW, just spending a hopefully quiet  week and a half
    at home with my  son  (wife's working), but I'll definitely have WDW on
    my mind during that week  and a half, like reading Birnbaum and getting
    a rough itinerary ready for my  upcoming  April trip, like watching the
    WDW  Very  Merry  Christmas parade on ABC  on  Christmas  morning,  and
    looking over the various video's/photo's I have etc.

    Claude_with_somthing_like_126_days,_20:16:05_hh:mm:ss_to_go

    PS. but then again whose counting? ;^)

    Oh boy, do I have the 'itis bad these days...
    
    With all these recent trip reports (btw, thanks all for entering them
    so promptly), my palms are starting to sweat, my eyes are bugging out,
    and I can't get Disney and WDW out of my head!!  I've been popping in
    and out of this conference each chance I get...
    
    And of course, my next trip down to the Land of the Mouse won't be for
    a couple of years even though my good excuse will be born in a couple
    of months.  
    
    So what's a Disney-holic to do??  Any of you folks heading down soon
    have really big trunks you'd like to poke a couple of airholes in?? 
    Just a thought...
    
    - Skip

    This Disney holic had a yearly pass, that expired in November.
    
    Living in Daytona Beach, just 70 miles away, makes it worthwhile.
    
    We just had a baby in November, and someday he'll be old enough to go
    and enjoy it.  Abbout the worst sadists on earth, are those people who
    take an infant to Disney. About 18 months old is when the kids can
    understand what is happening.  

    re: .206
    
    70 miles away??  whimper...
    
    And aren't the people who take infants to WDW really masochists,
    instead of sadists??  
    
    Well, our next trip probably won't be 'til the summer of '94 (which is
    also the year SIGGRAPH is being held in Orlando) but by then, I should
    be showing signs of severe WDW withdrawal...  Heck, I'm starting to
    show them now...
    
    - Skip

>    And aren't the people who take infants to WDW really masochists,
>    instead of sadists??  
    
    Well... technically, a sadochist is someone who associates sexual 
    satisfaction with inflicting pain on others, or, more generally, one
    who delights in cruelty. 
    
    A masochist is one who derives (usually sexual) satisfaction from abuse 
    or physical pain, or takes pleasure from being mistreated in some way.
    
    Ed
    

    re: Ed
    
    Well, then, maybe I should've used the term, "mousochists"....
    
    :-)
    
    - Skip

    We're going again in summer, it's all booked, three glorious 
    weeks, including the fabulous 4th of July Fireworks. So why have I 
    got the 'itis' so bad? 
    
    It's my watch that's to blame! It's got some data storage, and 
    last night one of the buttons must have got knocked, so scrolling 
    across the top is the message 
    
                         "Parking Lot - Space 8"
    
    Oh! The memories! I punched it in on our last day at Epcot to 
    remind me where I'd parked, sitting in the tram with the sun 
    beating down, anticipating another wonderful day.
    
    Ain't it always the little things that get to you most!
    
    Mike B.

    We've been back 15 days and I have the -itis already!
    
    All seven rolls (no, I didn't miss much) of pictures came back in 
    today's mail. We've already looked at them three times! 
    
    On top of that, I had ordered the new MKC Gold Card video about
    Christopher Columbus discovering WDW, and that came in the mail
    Thursday. It doesn't show anything in detail, just enough to make 
    you want to see more.
    
    In desperation, I even watched the Today show at WDW 20th Anniversary
    over again just to see certain things one more time.
    
    And, unless something unexpected comes up, it will be at least two
    years until we go back! Now if my husband could only get a business
    trip to Orlando.....
    
    Linda
    
     

    Talk about having that ITCH real BAD!!!!!!
    
    As you can see above from my personal name, I just reached the 100 days
    to my trip  barrier.    What's  so  important about this 100 days to go
    thing?
    
    Well lets do a trip down memory lane shall we, it was back on April 6th
    '89 that I first posted my DISNEY.COM (later to be renamed VACATION.COM
    after several updates) in  topic  73.*, to help those who seemed intent
    on counting down the days like me ;^).  Back then on  that  day  I  had
    mentioned I had 1,115 days to go on my planned '92 trip (turns  out  it
    was really 1,122 days to go, I was off one week on the planning).

    Since that initial  posting I've had something like 3 different aborted
    attempts to go down  to  that Magical place, due to the itch I get from
    time to time moderating this great conference.  
    
      - The first was when I had bought my pop-up camper back in '89, I had
        gone so  far  as  to make reservation to FW, and then cancel at the
        last minute due to lack of funds.
    
      - The second time was when I had received that infamous little tap on
        the  shoulder back in November '90 (see topic 234.*) telling  me  I
        was  being  transitioned  into  TMP.   Thought of taking buyout and
        job-hunting in FL.
        
      - The  third time was last Summer when Elaine got laid  off  on  July
        1st, just one  week  prior to our vacations and we had to reshuffle
        our vacation weeks.
    
    So you  can  see  that  going  from  1,122  down to 100 days is a major
    milestone to me,  since  unlike  other's in here I normally plan a trip
    every 5 or so  years  in order to keep the Magic alive (the above three
    attempts were due to the  itch).  I love WDW but if I made yearly trips
    the Magic would wear off rather  quickly,  instead  Elaine  and I enjoy
    visiting new places, mixed in every so  often  with  a  favorite or two
    ;^).
    
    Claude_who_has_slightly_less_than_100_to_go_zip_a_dee_doo_daa.....

    	I read this note a lot but don't contribute much.  However, this
    Friday at 6:55 AM I'm OUTTA HERE!  Two weeks in Fort Wilderness.  Last
    time we were there was 5 years ago at the 15th anniversary and decided
    then to plan on going for the 20th.  Last time was with the kids.  This
    time it's just my wife and I.  After we got married we decided to buy a
    house instead of go away anywhere so this is kind of a long delayed
    honeymoon.  
    
    George
    
    Mickey!  Mickey!  Mickey!  Mickey!.......

    Well that's  it,  I've  done my 8 hours today and I'm heading home, but
    before I'll leave you all with these facts
    
        Disney.Notes turns 3 years this Sunday
    
        300 topics with a grand total of 8,397 notes
    
        Something like 35,481 blocks on CLOSET::NOTES$LIBRARY:
    
        Len Goldberg was the original Moderator
    
        Then Myself 
    
        Then Ruth Lowell
    
        Then Mike Scopa
    
        Then Jim Pappas
    
        And just recently our International Moderator Mike Batty
    
        And I have something like 63 Days, 15 hours, 29 minutes before I go
    
    
    have a nice weekend all.

re:             <<< Note 25.215 by LJOHUB::GOLDBERG "Len Goldberg" >>>
>>                         -< Yeah, but who's counting? >-

Well for me it's 8 days, 19 hours and 8 minutes before we hit the road.
And this time when I say "I'm not coming back" I really mean it. We're
going straight from Disney to Atlanta and I'll only be back to watch the
movers and get my car :-).

Jenna (southbound permanantly)

    Well I'm now under that magic 10 days to go, and I can't find my list
    
    
    HAS ANYONE SEEN MY LIST????
    
    Like a  fool I watched last Saturdays Euro-Disney Opening and I have it
    bad, I plan to  watch this Sundays Easter Parade on Tape (boy do I love
    punishing myself).
    
    Anyway has anyone seen my list?????????????
    
    
    
    
    
    
    only kiding I have my list and I'm in pretty good shape, all I need now
    is for next Friday to roll around so I can do the laundry, pack, and do
    any last minute chores prior to waking up on  the  25th  and heading on
    down.

    But I do have it bad.........
        
    Claude

    While going over my junk from the last time I went down I realized that
    this trip will be a 3-IN-1 trip.
    
        1. Celebrate my 15 wedding anniversary (which is today BTW).
    
        2. Help celebrate WDW's 20th Birthday.
    
        3. Celebrate 5 years to  the  day since the last time we went.  (we
           had  arrived  on  the  Plane  in  sunny  Orlando  last  time  on
           25-APR-1987, this trip starts on 25-APR-1992)
    
    Now where did I put that dam ointment.........

Does that mean we'll get three trip reports??

	Have a great trip,
		Nigel

    Rep to <<< Note 25.219 by AKO452::SNOBRD::CONLIFFE "Better Than Life" >>>

>Does that mean we'll get three trip reports??

    Well actually  I  was  planning to be the first Moderator to have never
    entered a trip  report (No Len no doing a trip report for last november
    doesn't count, since he has done them before)
    
    
    
    
    
    Just kidding, I'll probably enter a line or 2 at least ;^)

    We're under 100 days and I've made my flight reservations!
    YES!  It's official!!!!!!!!
    
    Now if I could only put these darn winter boots away!
    
    Kathy_who_has_84_days_to_go!
    

    Nothing more frustrating than being a coach for two baseball teams and
    having to cancel practice because of SNOW!!!
    
    We're talkin' serious 'ITIS here.
    
    At least when it's warm and sunny out I can close my eyes and imagine
    I'm 1400 miles South of here.
    
    Mike_who_begins_his_vacation_in_77_days

Mike,

We had our scrimmage on saturday.  Sun may not have been shinning but
the tuff Cubs practice anyway,  so where were you.  We also drove all 
over town looking for you to track down the Disney Maps.

Six more days.

Ken

Well, 48 hours from now I'll be on my way. Now if I can just get my camper 
closed before it snows again. (or rain). I hate opening a wet camper!

Steve

Have fun Claude, Steve, and whoever else is on their way this weekend...

I got my Disney-itis boosted when I received my Birnbaum book from the CRO
yeserday...less than a week after making reservations, and before even
getting the reservation-confirmation-please-send-your-deposit letter!!!!!

Bill

    In exactly 4 days I'll be boarding a Delta Airlines 737 non-stop
                             to Orlando. 
    
          Today's my last day in work and it's already draging.
    
      This conference has been great in helping me prepare for this trip.
      I've booked Hotel, Room location, Dinner shows and Rental Car based
      on discussions in this conf. Between this file and Birhnbaum's I feel
      I'm pretty well prepared. I may even enter a trip report when I
      return. 
    -dave-
    

    Hey Dave! Waddya mean 'MAY' enter a trip report! We know where you 
    are! No trip report, and your phone will mysteriously ring and 
    blast you with the dreaded Small World Theme! This will happen 
    more and more frequently until you give in (or your co-workers 
    force you to comply, 'cos you'll be humming, whistling or singing 
    the tune constantly!!!)
    
    Seriously, trip reports are a great way to retain and extend the 
    happy memories, as well as give us other 'Holics' our fix and keep 
    us going through the everlasting weeks until our next visits.
    
    Have a great time!
    
    Mike B. Co-Mod and Trip Report Enforcer!

    Wow!
    
    Talk about contracting the -itis. I finally got around to picking up
    the Official Album of DL and WDW (CD). 
    
    While listening to it while working the -itis started to creep up but
    it really hit me on the last cut on the CD..."Golden Dream" from The
    American Adventure.
    
    Len ya just gotta stay awake for that someday.
    
    Mike

    In 5 weeks I'll be outta here for The World!  I've paid for my airline
    tix, my 5 day super-passes, my hotel (CBR) and the HDD Birthday Bash!  
    All I have to do is show up!  This is great!  Can't come soon enough
    for me!
    
    Kathy
    

>    All I have to do is show up!  This is great!  Can't come soon enough
>    for me!
 
    kathy,

    the only problem is that it'll be over sooner than you think ;^(, 

    Claude_whose_speaking_from_experience

    I'll tell ya...June is going by fast.
    
    It's "MAKE YER LISTS" time for me so I don't forget to do anything.
    
    I still have about 15-20 baseball games to coach and a project to
    complete by the end of the month so things will go by real fast.
    
    I don't know about everyone else but for me the excitement starts 30
    days from the time I leave until I'm home for 24 hours.
    
    But I can't talk....gotta make lists, make lists, make lists....
    
    
    The Birthday Boy

    
    
    Sorry to put a downer on the last two replies .... but I'm afraid I
    have to disagree ... June is NOT going to go by fast - because I'm off
    to Florida tomorrow until the end of the month, and I have expressly 
    agreed with the `powers that be'  that June will go by very s-l-o-w-l-y   
    i-n-d-e-e-d!
    
    All I need now to make me happy is an emergency exit seat on the `plane
    so that I can stretch the Whitaker legs out (9.5 hours squeezed onto a
    mid-row seat on a Brittania Airlines flight is NOT my idea of a fun day). 
                                

    Rep to <<< Note 25.232 by KERNEL::WHITAKER >>>

>    Sorry to put a downer on the last two replies .... but I'm afraid I
>    have to disagree ... June is NOT going to go by fast - because I'm off
>    to Florida tomorrow until the end of the month, and I have expressly 
>    agreed with the `powers that be'  that June will go by very s-l-o-w-l-y   
>    i-n-d-e-e-d!

    Well you see, I wasn't refering to Kathy's waiting for JUNE to go by so
    that she'll be  at  WDW  in JULY.  What I was refering to is don't rush
    waiting for your trip  to  start  because  once started the TRIP ITSELF
    will be OVER SOONER than  you  think  (Kinda  like my wedding, all that
    prep and money and over in a couple of hours).
    
    Claude

    The reason June will go by so fast for me is because of all the stuff
    my family is involved in (recitals, baseball, soccer) plus I am working
    on a project that has to turn around and be out the door by the end of
    the month.
    
    All that plus I have a ton of stuff to do before I take off. That will
    make this month fly by.
    
    Heck, it's already June 5th...the bash is only 37 days away.
    
    Mike_who_is_still_making_lists

    Hey Claude!
    
    	    A Disney Vacation is just like Marriage, the ceremony may 
    be over quickly, but the effects stay with you for a long time - 
    the memories, the photos, the happiness.....the debts, the useless 
    gifts 8-)8-) and don't forget all that advance planning and lists.
    
    Mike B.
    
    p.s. for Andy W. If you want to stretch time forever, try a 
    grilling from a BSI Assessor!!!

    It's ok .. I've negotiated a two-tier time-warp arrangement.  Time in
    Florida will pass 4 times as slowly as time elsewhere in the Non-Disney
    Universe.  So now we all win!
    
    Right! ... it's 5:57pm in dear-old Blighty ... it's pi**ing down
    outside ... and I haven't packed yet .. I'm outta here!
    
    By this time tomorrow I should be tired and aching  ... but happily
    chugging along on a Brittania Airlines 767, somewhere over the Northern
    United States ... keep a look out for me.
    
    Postcard and boring trip report promised.
    
    
    Cheers, 
    
    
    Andy.
    
    
    ps Mike ... I'll look forward to seeing the video of your BSI
    `grilling' .. you DID tape it didn't you???

    ONE MONTH FROM TODAY - I leave on July 11th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    YES!
    
    :)
    
    Kathy
    

    38 days 21 hours, 5 minutes and 15 seconds!! and I'm Florida bound!!
    
    
    Tom

    Only 21,720 minutes to takeoff....Plus the mandatory 180 minutes 
    delay at the airport. Then only another 650 minutes before we land 
    in Orlando. 
    
    I HATE that journey, but it's worth it in the end!!!!
    
    Mike B.

    727 hours to go before the Bash!
    
     The Birthday Boy

I can't believe how much I've learned from this conference in half-an-hour!

I have just reserved a holiday in Orlando, followed by a cruise, starting 26th 
September.  I had loads of questions about crowds, weather, Columbus Day etc.
and the answers were all here ALREADY.  I'm going to book first thing in the 
morning...

Thank you all for the mine of information.  I look forward to being part of the 
team.

O   O
  |
 \_/

Wendy
xxxxx

    Our vacation starts in 21 DAY!!!!!!!!!!  We'll be starting with a 4-day
    Bahamas cruise (RCCL, not Premier), so we won't actually arrive in The
    World 'til Friday, 7/10, but....  It's getting closer and closer.  I
    can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Jean

    33 more days!!!!!!!  I'm at the, "What do I do first when I get there?"
    phase.  I don't know whether to just drive around to get my bearings,
    and check out the new hotels or to do TL for the afternoon.  Any
    suggestions?  We'r arriving on a Monday, is TL crowded on Mondays?
    
    
    Tom

    Tom,
    
    I believe the "Unofficial Guide" lists the best days for going to TL.
    I'll post that tomorrow....unless someone beats me to it.
    
    Mike

                 Best Days to Go          Worst Days to Go
    
                 Sunday                   Thursday
                 Friday                   Wednesday
                 Monday                   Saturday
                 Tuesday
    

    
    
    
       55 DAYS and counting!!  This is our 4th trip in 4 1/2 years, but 
    we're not Disney addicts or anything... (Thank God for the airfare
    wars!)

    Well gang the -itis made me call the CRO on Saturday and try to extend
    my stay....got one more day although I was looking for two.
    
    C'mon week....go by fast!
    
    Mike

    Well, Mike Scopa left this morning!  I have 3 more days!
    The itis is realllllllly bad!
    
    Kathy
    

I am afraid that I may be required to turn in my mouse ears.  This past weekend
I had the chance to spend the day in Tokyo Disneyland and instead worked on a 
presentation that I needed to deliver today.

I did find a folder that describes the park.  For your information, the cost 
for an adult to enter the park is 4,400 yen or about $35.77 usd.

Maybe my next trip to Japan.

    RE: .249

    Turn in your *mouse ears* for THAT!?

    I would think the *DEATH PENALTY* would be more in order...	;-}


    David.

    Well gang I decided to enter my first note upon my return to this
    discussion of Disneyitis because I still have it.
    
    Over the last few days people have asked my wife "What's wrong with
    Mike?" She just smiles and says "It's PDB" and they look horrified
    until she tells them that means "Post Disney Blues".
    
    Apparently it's even detectable over the phone. Our friends from Mass
    who followed us down there and stayed for 5 days also called up
    yesterday morning while I was at work and asked my wife if I was ok.
    
    Kathy Jette even remarked yesterday that I was "pacing" like never
    before.
    
    Well, we all know what the cure is don't we?
    
    I don't expect to return to WDW until at least Sunset Blvd. is up and
    running, The Boardwalk is open, and Fantasmic has arrived.
    
    Until then I'll need this conference with all my favorite noters and my
    video tapes to keep me going.
    
    Let me say that having the the Pappas, Batty, and Jette clan down there
    made for a most enjoyable trip and that more noters should think about
    getting together down there.
    
    I have tons of information which I will share with everyone over the
    next few weeks. 
    
    Ruth knows me so well. Why else would she take steps to compress the
    file knowing I'd be preparing a trip report.
    
    How big will the trip report be? Well...I'm on my second day in Orlando
    and I'm already hitting over 300 lines. At this pace my report will be
    close to 3000 lines....but there's a lot to share:
    
      o Picked up some trivia to ask.
      o Have several Brazillian stories.
      o Obviously a report on "The Bash".
      o Clarification on some issues presented in this conference.
      o More hints on how to make the most out of your vacation.
     
    So this moderator is back...with an expected case of Disneyitis. My
    vacation.com would probably say...
    
      1766 days until we leave for WDW
    
    because I figure to go during the WDW 25th Celebration
    (10/1/96-10/1/97)
    
    Okay enough....my next entry will be my trip report.
    
    Mike
    
         
    
    
    A few points:
    
      o If you can arrange to meet with other noters for a show or an
        attraction. It adds to the enjoyment of the attraction.
    
      o 

    Well, I'm back from the 'real' World!  I know I've been back since 7/16
    but work has been incredibly hectic and I did vacation in Maine as
    well.
    
    I'm working on the trip report - really I am.
    
    I must say - Mike Scopa's visit to Disney has INCREASED his 'itis!
    He's really suffering from withdrawal!
    
    It was wonderful meeting up with all the Mod's at the HDDR!
    My family had a blast!
    
    I'll have the pictures next week - and will start making my bribe money
    from Scopa then!
    
    I, like Mike am ready to return!  
    
    I'll be adding some comments in other notes as I get a chance.
    
    Kathy - 
    
    BTW:  Claude - being late wasn't my fault - I'll put the reason in
    another more appropriate note.
    

 VACATION.COM V2.1

 14 days, 15:12:8 hh:mm:ss, To Departure for Beach Club & Sovereign of the Sea


Just two weeks to go before we leave.... We Upgraded to world plan last
week... Beach & Yacht club 4 night/5 day plan. Then on to a cruise...

We're planning to meet up for dinner with fellow noters Ellen Doyle and
Linda Whelan, and their spouses...

I wonder if my trip report will beat some others in here!  :-)  hee hee

Bill  (& Diane)

    Low blow Bill (but aptly put).
    
       Mike Scopa
       Author of "The Official Brazillian Guide to WDW"

    It's a cold and rainy day so I shoot home to do some things and before
    I leave I turn on the tube to check out the weather channel.
    
    The TV was on channel 4 and there's Leanza Grant (not too sure I got
    her name right) Miss America, on "People Are Talking."
    
    She's surrounded by children and the host Tom Bergeron said to the
    kids, "This is the chance of a a lifetime kids. How often do you get a
    chance to have "Ariel" sing to you?
    
    With that Miss America sang Ariel's theme song. I wish I had taped it
    so I could compare her to whoever played Ariel while I was down there
    this Summer. I don't believe she is the same person.
    
    For those who have the "-itis" (hence why I've placed this note here)
    you may be able to tape a replay of "People Are Talking" at 4 A.M.
    
    Check your local listings.
    
    Meanwhile we are LESS THAN A WEEK FROM B&TB HOME VIDEO!
    
    Mike

    With several friends leaving today due to downsizing I could use a
    Disney fix right now. I think I'll be watching some '92 trip videos
    tonight and right now I'm thinking Spectro Magic Parade.
    
    Until then I'll be whistling the SMP music.
    
    Mike_who's_bummin'_right_now!

Talk about Disney-envy...

I went home for lunch today and caught the end of Price Is Right on TV.
In one showcase they had
	a 6-day trip to Disneyland with accomodations at the Disney Inn
	a 6-day trip to EuroDisney with accomodations at Disney's Hotel New York
	a 6-day trip to Tokyo Disney (I forget the hotel)
with 3-day passes for two at all three parks.  sigh.

The "top winner" acutally PASSED this showcase to the runner up to bid on,
and the runner up ended up winning this! (it cost over $16,000!)

� �ori �

    Well here's my latest definition for the "itis":
    
    Disneyitis - The overbearing need to be enveloped in the world of
                 Disney, be it music, movies, or a visit to a theme park,
                 in February, during a snowstorm, while fighting back a
                 cold that is giving you industrial post nasal drip.

    So Valentines day was tough for you too, eh Mike?  I think you need a
    "quick fix".  Put on your ears, watch your videos, read the 20th
    anniversary book, it will make you feel better!  ;^)
    

    Add to my definition "...and I have an AP with less than 4 months
    left on it burning a hole in my pocket."
    
    M

    I've got the -itis bad, too. Friday I received one of the MKC Club
    videos and have already watched it twice. The weather there is in the 
    70's (as the snow is flying here in WMO). There HAVE to be some empty
    rooms in PO, and Northwest is selling RT tickets for $229! Anyone need
    a tour guide?
    
    Linda

    Hmmm, let's see $229 for the plane ride, figure another $300 for a room
    for three nights, I have admission (AP). Hmmm, another $150 for food
    and souvenirs. 
    
    I can take two vacation days and leave on a Wednesday night and....I
    could tell my wife it's a business trip and....nope I could never live
    with myself.
    
    M

    dec does offer some seminars down in orlandow (I know I teach one there
    from time to time).  Schedule that in and write it off as a business
    trip!  8^)

    	There's a Microsoft Conference happening there in a couple
    weeks.   I know cuz my SO is going...and getting to use the
    remaining day on the pass - I'm SOOOO jealous!!

    	amy

    I'm teaching a Pathworks/MAC Class that week in NEW JERSEY!!! ACK!
    :-(
    
    John

    I know it bad when I keep doing my vacation.com all day, just to see
    the hours change.  I want to go NOW.  
    
    51 days, 16:17:55 hh:mm:ss, 
    
    Next time I'll book me trip the day before I leave. Right now I cant even
    look at the books to do any more planning because I have re done it a
    hundred times already.  I think my husband wants to take the kids
    instead of me, because if you told my two (small) children they would
    forget about it untill time came to leave.  I can not.
    
    
    Della

    Della,
    
    YOur vacation.com looks better than mine...
    
     ...1587 days, 12:36:59 hh:mm:ss, until we take off for WDW in 1997!
    
    :-(

It's amazing how many times I've heard the Disney promo "Be Our Guest..."
in the past two weeks.  I think it's temperature-related; the colder and snowier
it gets in New England, the more I hear the beckoning music of the Mouse.

				Nigel who's going in April

    I think my husband and I are just as excited as our almost 4 year old
    to go to Disneyworld!  We're going on The Big Red Boat first, and
    that's pretty exciting too since we've never been on a cruise before. 
    I agree with -.1 about hearing "Be our guest..." - but I love it!
    
    
    By this time next week we'll be on the big red boat getting ready to
    head to Nassau!  Yahoo!!  (Of course, knowing our luck, Massachusetts
    will have a heat wave while we're gone!!)
    
    Barb

    Yes, but the heat wave will still be colder then Florida and the Big
    Red Boat.
    
    
    Mike,
    
    I dont feel so bad now after looking at you vacation.com.  I think that
    would drive me crazy. 
    
    
    Della

    HOW DEPRESSING  My family and I have 119 days to go....long way off
    till 1997..

    I, on the other hand, have one more FULL day and a wake-up!
    
    April 3rd I'm outta here and on my way to Mickey!  Yaaaayyyyyy!!!
    
    Leslie :-)
    
    ...and I LOVE the WDW commercial; I jump up and down every time it's
    on!

Well, I am bummed out.  I had to cancel our family trip in August, 1993!!!  My 
son wants to try out for Freshman football and they have practice the 2 weeks
we were planning for our Disney vacation!  cancelling our reservation at the 
Disney Inn was depressing.  major itis attack!!!!

gotta start looking for the next possible oportunity, possibly April, 1995!!!
By then, who knows what else will be open?  Looking at what has opened since 
our last visit in Nov, 1989, there has been a lot that we have not enjoyed.

peter

    Oh Peter,
    
    No wonder you weren't smiling last Friday night when I saw you.
    
    Bummer.
    
    Mike

    I take it all back...regardless of whether you've read it or heard it I
    take it all back. After this past Winter and all the "stuff" that's
    been happening in this company over the last year or so I am definitely
    convinced that......
    
    ......I could spend two weeks in Orlando every year to refresh and not
    approach Disney burnout at all. If I could convince the rest of the
    clan to go with me I think I'd probably be buying some "vacation"
    duds now.
    
    Life has gotten too stressful not to want to go to a place where you
    can relax and get some therapy (Peter Karam I know you're reading this)
    so I'm admitting it here and now.
    
    Ohhh to be a Publisher's Clearinghouse Winner.
    
    Mike

as some of you may know, Mike and I both live in Merrimack, N.H.
and have discussed Disney over the years.  We discuss plans for 
upcoming trips and trip reports in person, via mail and in this
conference.  

In our latest round of mail, we both concluded that a vacation 
in Disney is such an escape for us that it could be done on 
a yearly basis and not lose its appeal.  It is a real relaxation
from the everyday concerns that we encounter at work.  If you 
plan on going there to escape you can easily shut out the "real"
world for the length of your stay.

with that said, I'm still bummed that I haven't been in 3 & 1/2
years and won't be going probably for another 2 years.

peter

I was just thinking every year would be a bit much but then I thought again.
My first trip was April 91. 
My second was February 92.
Sunday my daughter and I get the train for our third trip.

Mmmm. I wonder if this is getting to be an annual habit.

    I agree.  It hasn't been a year since my last visit (July) and every
    time Mike S comes by my office to gaze out the window and think of WDW
    I comment "How I want to go back NOW!"
    I can easily think of spending 2 weeks a year - you'll never see
    everything in 2 weeks - but if you knew you were going every year you
    wouldn't have to rush - see what you want at a slow pace and catch more
    the following year.
    
    WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!
    
    SIGH.....  
    
    Kathy
    

    HEY.........  I broke 200 today!
    
    I will be seeing the world in 199 days!!!!!
    
    M-L

    And of course today during my "daily visit" Kathy and I got into a
    conversation that had me thinking just that...a visit every year.
    
    I think that I would cut it down to one week instead of my usual two
    weeks. 
    
    There are some strong arguments for going in 1994, namely
    DiscoveryLand, The BoardWalk, Sunset Blvd. and the replacement of
    Captain EO (if it ever happens).
    
    Okay how could you afford to do it? 
    
      Step 1 - Purchase Annual Passports and use them twice over 12 months.
      Step 2 - Only stay at the economical resorts (PO,CBR,DL).
      Step 3 - Reserve your rooms well in advance.
      Step 4 - Drive down (rent a car if yours is too old).
      Step 5 - Limit your stay to between 5-7 days.
     
    Hey wait a minute....I'm getting excited here...I could do that this
    year....nope....waiting until 1997. It's getting close....vacation.com
    says I have only 1530 days, 14:58:3 hh:mm:ss before I leave.
    
    Hmmm!
    

    re: .280
>    And of course today during my "daily visit" Kathy and I got into a
>    conversation that had me thinking just that...a visit every year.
>    
>    I think that I would cut it down to one week instead of my usual two
>    weeks. 
    
    Based on experience...  I don't recommend going one week per year
    for very long.  Too much time is spent driving and settling in.
    Plus you don't have much time to deal with unexpected stuff - such
    as your kid getting sick for 3 days!  If you want to have any time
    for relaxing and and non-Disney stuff you'd need at least 10 days.
    Put it this way - my husband's favorite part of the trip is the
    drive (although he has fun at WDW he enjoys the long drive).  Even
    he now says he couldn't seriously consider going to WDW for anything
    less than 2 weeks.
    
>    Okay how could you afford to do it? 
>    
>      Step 1 - Purchase Annual Passports and use them twice over 12 months.
>      Step 2 - Only stay at the economical resorts (PO,CBR,DL).
>      Step 3 - Reserve your rooms well in advance.
>      Step 4 - Drive down (rent a car if yours is too old).
>      Step 5 - Limit your stay to between 5-7 days.
    
    We've done all of the above and it's not worth "bragging" about.  I
    recommend the following instead.
    
      Step 1 - Purchase Annual Passports only if you're going to stay for
               more than 7 or so days; if you're going during the off
               season so you can get a special rate on one of the better
               hotels; or if you're planning to go again withing the year.
               Otherwise consider the new Be Our Guest passes or the super
               passes.
      Step 2 - Either stay at the economical resorts or go in the
               off-season and use the annual passholder special to stay
               in one of the nicer resorts.
      Step 3 - Reserve your rooms well in advance but be willing to modify
               your plans (resort, arrival & departure dates, etc) in the
               event you find a better value (stock holder special, cheap
               air fare, win the lottery, etc.).  If you use the annual
               passholder special (and possibly others) request the best
               possible room when you make your reservation - such as a
               lagoon/MK view at the Grand Floridian.
      Step 4 - Drive down and do it in as few days as practical but don't
               try to rush it just to save time.  Driving straight through
               to avoid hotel costs or to maximize your Disney time will
               probably leave you exhausted on your first day so it may not
               save you anything over all.
      Step 5 - Stay at least 7 days and more if possible to avoid feeling
               that you have to rush around to see your favorite things.
               We used to stay for a week at a time because we didn't
               have enough vacation time available.  Now we'd rather go
               once every two years for a two weeks of time than once
               per year for a week.
     
>    Hey wait a minute....I'm getting excited here...I could do that this
>    year....nope....waiting until 1997. It's getting close....vacation.com
>    says I have only 1530 days, 14:58:3 hh:mm:ss before I leave.
    
    Well Mike, I've got the ITIS really bad since my last WDW trip was in
    December 1991.  We've currently made plans for three weeks in late
    August/early September but TFSO is threatening to get in the way.  If
    that happens, I expect to have the ITIS for a long time.
    
    With crossed fingers and 120 or so days to go,
    Ruth

    I agree with Ruth on all of her points.
    
    My note was to serve as a suggestion for an interim trip or two prior
    to a "normal trip" for me.  I was caught in the -itis yesterday.
    
    I strongly agree with Ruth that two weeks is something that everyone
    should try to shoot for. That may mean planning (and saving) way ahead
    but it's well worth it.
    
    It always takes me about 2-3 days to finally unwind and I can speak
    from experience that time, not money, is your most precious commodity
    when visiting The World.
    
    Mike

    I just can't stand it!  In exactly 7 days from now, at this very
    moment, we'll be entering Pioneer Hall for the HDDR on the first night
    of 10 days at the CBR, and my whole family is going crazy in
    anticipation!!
    
    Let me out of here!!!!,
    Ken
    

    VACATION.COM V2.2                                                     
    
    62 days, 8:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before calling the CRO for a possible 1994 trip!
    426 days, 18:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before leaving for WDW if we go in 1994!
    427 days, 8:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before calling the CRO for a possible 1995 trip!
    791 days, 18:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before leaving for WDW if we go in 1995!
    792 days, 8:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before calling the CRO for a possible 1996 trip!
    1157 days, 18:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before leaving for WDW if we go in 1996!
    1158 days, 8:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before calling the CRO for our 1997 WDW trip!
    1522 days, 18:8:39 hh:mm:ss, before we take off for WDW in 1997!

    Didja ever have one of those days where you'd just like to chuck it all
    and just run away to a paradise and not have to worry about bills,
    deadlines, pitching rotation (if you coach baseball) or TFSO?
    
    Well my day is today and seeing my vacation.com tell me I have 1514
    days before my 1997 WDW excursion hasn't helped me either.
    
    Yo Peter Karam....I need that escape medicine that the folks in Orlando
    have perfected so well.
    
    Oh to hear phrase like...
    
     "Yo-ho YO-HO a pirate's life for me" or
    
            "Welcome foolish mortals to the Haunted Mansion..."  or
    
                     "There was bloooood on the sa-ad-dle"   or
    
                            "Rolling, rolling, on the express...."  or
    
                                    "America, spread your golden wings"  or
    
                                          
    
                 "We hope you enjoy your 2-week stay with us"
    
    Anyone else care to submit a phrase or two they'd like to hear?
    
    Mike

    "i-MA-gin-A-tion, i-Ma-gin-A-tion........"
    
    "but I'm REALLY talking to YOOOOUUUUUUU!!"
    
    "I'm p-sychic!"
    
    
    
    Now I have to go home and watch some of the tapes again. The old -itis 
    is hitting bad this afternoon. 
    
    
    Linda 
    
    

"Congratulations on being the lucky winner, Mr Conliffe.   Your Lifetime
Disney Passport will be ready this afternoon..."

Or a real one:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls...."


there's just something about the sub-vocals on the male announcer 
that usually says this phrase that makes the back of my neck tingle.
I wonder if his voice is enhanced in some way.

			Nigel

    "So Mr. Scopa...how does it feel to win Megabucks?"

SPECIALIST SAYS SCOPA'S DISNEY-ITIS IS INCURABLE


MERRIMACK, NH - 

	A crack team of psychologists and medical specialists were flown to 
Merrimack yesterday to examine Digital employee and Disney fan, Michael Scopa, 
who has been suffering from a severe case of Disney-itis.  After a thorough 
examination, the experts believe Scopa has the worst case of Disney-itis ever 
documented.

	Disney-itis, a disease common among Disney-holics, causes normal people 
to act irrationally.  Some of the symptoms are making frequent calls to 
Disney's Central Reservations Office, subscribing to the Disney Channel during 
their Free Preview Weekends even when you already have it, wandering aimlessly 
around your local Disney Store, and buying the latest edition of the Birnbaum 
guide to Walt Disney World even when a trip is not planned.  An extreme case 
will also causes sufferers to call the Orlando Weather Bureau just to find out 
today's weather forecast.

	Some of the experts feel all Scopa needs is a two-week vacation at Walt 
Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  But Dr. Sigmund Mousekewitz, a leading 
Disney-itis specialist, feels this would only make matters worse and believes 
that Scopa is need of a more drastic treatment.  Dr. Mousekewitz explained, 
"Mr. Scopa has the most extreme case I have ever witnessed.  I dare say that he 
is beyond a cure.  The only way to stabilize Mr. Scopa is by complete immersion 
in the Disney environment."

	The doctor also believes Scopa's condition to be a danger to others as 
well.  He says, "If he [Scopa] is allowed to continue, he will only encourage 
others to follow his path.  Disney-itis is extremely contagious and addictive.  
We can't allow him to affect others in the same manner."

	Dr. Mousekewitz has appealed to top Disney executives for them to take 
some action in an effort to cure Mr. Scopa.  The doctor asked the Disney 
officials to build an apartment inside Cinderella's Castle in the Magic 
Kingdom, which allow Scopa to experience any aspect of Walt Disney World at his 
whim.

	A Disney spokes-character, identified only as D. Duck, said that the 
doctor's request was under consideration but did not offer a timeframe as to 
when a decision would be reached.  When pressed for further details, Mr. Duck 
reacted quite angrily and stormed off, speaking in an unintelligible manner.

	When asked for comment on his condition, all Mr. Scopa had to say is, 
"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow."

	Well, at least he's optimistic a cure will be found.  Today's forecast 
for the Orlando area is partly cloudy with a high of 84.

Mike- there is no sure fire cure, as you are well aware.  I did
purchase the Vacation planning tape and it helps a bit.  I am now in the
habit of mowing the yard or working in the garden with my walkman
playing a Disney tape of some form.  It makes the time pass more
enjoyably.

what do some of you other folks do to help when the "itis" hits you?

peter

    Peter,
    
    You're right, there is not cure, just remissions while down in Orlando.
    
    Here's how I try to deal with it:
    
       - I listen to Disney CD's while working (haven't done this in months)
       - I pop in one of my tapes from my trips down there.
       - I watch the Disney Channel.
       - I talk to anyone about WDW especially if they are planning a trip.
       - I send mail to Skip Williams driving him crazy about his '94 trip.
       - I moderate this file.
       - I plan for my next trip (actually this should be at the top).
       - I gaze at my wailing wall (but it's coming down 'cause I'm moving)
    
    These are just the tip of the iceberg.
    
    Mike

    This would do it for me:
    
    " Mr. McGlinchey, we would like you to take a job here at WDW
    performing Quality Control.  You will have to visit the park every day
    and tell us what needs to be fixed.  For this service we are willing to
    pay you the sum of $1,000,000. per year wit a lifetime unbreakable
    contract!"
    
    
    Why not?  It's only a dream...........
    
    .... or is it?

    So tell me, does this conference help to alleviate the 'itis or does it
    just make things worse??
    
    I ask this because I know of no other individuals who plan trips 4 or 5
    years in advance, whereas it's a common occurrence in this notesfile.
    
    Just an observation...
    
    - Skip, who wonders if he can make reservations with the CRO for '97 in
            hotels that don't exist yet...

    I think this conference helps a bit. The information hasn't been
    flowing like it used to flow but it's still a very informative 
    conference.
    
    I don't know if it makes the 'itis better or worse but it gets me
    through the day and definitely helps me look to the future.
    
    We have to plan the trips far in advance so we can save for them.
    That's such an important point for first timers to understand. The best
    way of assuring yourself of having a good time is to:
    
           - Plan as far ahead as possible.
           - Know exactly what you can afford for your vacation.
           - Budget your vacation so you csan get the max out of every $.
           - Establish a plan to save some $$$ every week towards the trip.
           - Call the CRO once you know exactly what you want.
    
    Sounds a bit obsessive but it goes a long way towards preventing
    oversights. Also, since we all know a Disney trip requires a hefty
    price tag, the sooner we can begin to save the better off we'll be.
    
    Are we a bit crazy to look that far ahead? Yeah, crazy like a fox.
    
    Mike_who_has_1506_days_to_go_before_leaving_in_'97

    
    I think it helps.  I know I won't be going to The World for a few years
    - but being in here helps me in my anticipation.  It keeps me connected
    with what's going on there even if I can't be there.  
    
    The diehards in the conference do plan years in advance.  This, I
    think, is due to us knowing that planning is a key component to having
    the most enjoyable time there.  
    
    I do admit - we are a unique breed.....
    
    TTFN,
    
    Kathy_who_has_about_1500_days_to_her_next_trip!
    

    Do you get the bug more this time of year (spring) than others?  I
    certainly do!  We (the family) spent the weekend cleaning the garage
    and basement and I used as a reward and evening of popcorn and disney
    trip video's, both purchased and home variety.  It worked!  The garage
    and basement are both clean, but I think I'll pay for it in the long
    run!
    
    Hmmmmmmm.........
    
    Question #2:
    
    	Does your family understand?  My wife thinks I'm nuts!  She really
    likes WDW, but she doesn't get into planning a trip that is 2 years (or
    more) away.  I'd like to start working up a daily itinerary and making
    reservations. (how early will the CRO take reservation anyway?
    
    John_who_is_seriously_considering_ap
    

    lying_for_a_job_at_wdw
    

    I believe there is a 5 year limit to reservations. I guess that means I
    can book my '97 trip today.
    
    Hey Kathy Jette, when you booked your '95 trip back in '90 did they
    give you a price? 
    
    Mike_who_feels_that_a_booking_to_WDW_for_'97_would_be_a_short_itis_cure

    No one in my family - except my 10 year old understands why I can plan
    so far in advance.  Most everyone I know thinks I'm nuts.
    
    But then again, maybe I am.....
    
    Kathy
    

    They did give me a price - written in that it is subject to change and
    that I would be responsible for any increases.
    
    Hmmmm - I think this July - I'll book the '97 trip.
    
    Kathy
    

    I think we should be careful about getting off on a tangent here Kathy
    (wrong topic) but in keeping with the spirit of the DISNEYITIS topic
    and making reservations ahead of time...
    
    ....if you send a bit of $$$$ every once in awhile over a period of a
    few years any increase won't "hit" so hard.
    
    Kathy, would you like to comment.....speaking from a DISNEYITIS
    perspective of course. 
    
    It sounds weird but if I had made reservations...and got the itis
    inbetween making the reservations and the actual trip, sending a check
    would help.
    
    Dunno why.
    
    Mike

    Back to the "itis".  I've got it bad.  I'm getting married in 3 1/2
    months and I should be thinking about invitations and favors and dress
    fittings....but I can't seem to get my mind off our WDW honeymoon at
    the Beach Club.  I just this week extended our reservations and upgraded
    to the Admiral Plan!!  Looks like we'll have to cut a few people off the 
    guest list to afford it, but those are the breaks.
    
    I'm a planner by nature, but the wedding plans seem to be taking a back 
    seat these days.  Instead I'm spending my time daydreaming about 
    Castaway Creek, dining at V&A's, and my first ride on Splash Mountain!!
    
    Kristen

    RE: .303 - We went on our honeymoon at Disney, three years ago
    (Wednesday)....so far we've been back every year.  Get ready to
    get hooked!   The beauty of it is you can go this time of year,
    every year, and claim it's an anniversary trip!!
    
    The ole 'itis is kicking in here too....we're leaving Saturday morning.
    
    The checklist is ready to do the final assembly Friday night, last
    year's pass with one day left AND the new 5 day passes are already
    packed and itching to be stamped.  The mickey mouse baseball cap
    I bought at the end of my triplast year figures to be a prominent
    piece of gear this year.
    
    Attentions span is short, any Mickey Mouse, or Disney "be our guest"
    commercial is lible to send us off into an hour long spasm before we
    return to normal again...!
    
    This conference helps to sooth the 'itis especially with the newest
    lenghty trip reports that have been entered in (great timing).
    
    The weather looks to be fantastic as the highs are hitting 89 today!
    The florida part of the weather screen is all we watch the last
    two weeks, dreaming about Typhoon Lagoon.
    
    We're ready.....but we only originally planned 8 days.....maybe I
    better on the phone and extend!!!
    
    --bert
    

    Ok.  Let's add up the symptoms:
    
    	You know you have the "itis" when ....
    
    
    
    You have mouse ears hidden behind your easy chair "just in case"!
    

   ...when you look at your desk phone and see a silhouette of Mickey
    instead.

    ...you have a countdown on your calendar at work of how  many days left
    to go
    
    
    ...you change your system password to something to reflect disney
    
    ...the theme songs constantly run through your head
    
    ...you get giddier than your toddler when a disney commercial or movie
    comes on (thank goodness we have the disney channel at home!)

    >...you have a countdown on your calendar at work of how  many days left
    >to go
    Yup, just checked - 92 days if I survive TFSO.  Otherwise it gets
    cancelled.  Nothing causes the ITIS more than having a trip planned
    that you can't get excited about because it may never happen.
    
    >...you change your system password to something to reflect disney
    I haven't done that yet so the ITIS can't be that bad.
    
    >...the theme songs constantly run through your head
    Not just that - you sing them too.
    
    >...you get giddier than your toddler when a disney commercial or movie
    >comes on (thank goodness we have the disney channel at home!)
    Yes, yes, yes.  Plus we have the added itch of not having told the
    kids yet (in case I get canned).
    
    My two-year old came up to me yesterday and said, "I want watch dah teebee
    with Mickey" as he pointed to the GM Make Your Own Magic tape. Thinking
    about how much he'll love the trip and knowing we might not be able to
    go is giving me the ITIS really bad.
    
    Ruth

	--- It's been 14 months since the last visit

	--- After having been to DL/WDW three times in a year and
		now having major withdrawal pains

	--- you resort to looking at pictures and comparing '84, '85,
		'89, '90, '91, '92 pictures to see how they have changed
		and it only makes the ITIS worse

	--- you spend more and more time justifying a reason to go again

	--- you have two renewed annual passport vouchers sitting in
		the cabinet, aching to be turned into real passports

	--- you have two vouchers for FREE roundtrip tickets on Delta,
		because you got bumped going to Ft. Lauderdale/cruising...
		Didn't I hear that Delta is the airline of WDW :^)

	--- you have a timeshare that you could trade for Orlando,
		making accomodations for a week only $85, and wondering
		if you could justify the trip, but not stay on property,
		making a return trip more justifiable. (The $85 cost,
		is the exchange fee, we could stay at our resort in
		Northern NH, or pay the fee and trade to Orlando)

	--- You have a condo for 6, but there are only two of you, do
		you invite anyone to join you?

	--- You now have paid tickets, free air, 1 week accomadations
		(for the equivalent of 1 night at CBR, DL, PO); so it's
		basically food, car rental, and the obligatory souvenirs.

	--- You could use the air and the timeshare trade to explore
		any other part of the Continental US, but you still
		prefer WDW...

	--- You've been in March, April, May, August, September, so
		when would you go... I've never been at Christmas
		time....

	--- By going over the holidays, you can add '93 and '94 to the
		list, and there is plenty of time to use those
		passports again around labor day '94 or Thanksgiving '94

		Help! I a hopelessly addicted :^)

		- Annie
	
	--- You were really bummed out that you found out today (Tuesday)
	    that there was a get together last night not far from home.

	--- You don't worry about making reservations for 5 years out,
		since you know you can't wait that long.0

    Hmmm,
    
    I guess my case is terminal...
    
    ...my vacation com has a line for a potential trip from now to '97 but
       officially I'm (EGAD!) 1502 days away.
    
    ...I've been using Disney-related passwords on 5 different accounts for 
       the last four years.
    
    ...I start my vehicles with keys kept together by a FW Key chain.
    
    ...I check my Mickey watch for time all day long.
    
    ...my prompt is "*WDW*".
    
    ...my workstation has a background of Mickey as the Sorcerer's
       Apprentice.
    
    ...I had (moving my office) over 120 items in my office related to
       Disney including close to 90 photos and postcards on my "wailing wall."
    
    ...when I need to check dates I refer to one of two Disney calendars in
       my office.
    
    ...when either I get bummed or i see one of my coworkers stressed out I
       whip out the pixie dust (yup I got some).
    
    ...and just yesterday I was thinking that my next vehicle will
       definitely have a Disney-related vanity plate.
    
    I'm toast...we're all toast...but it's good, clean, expensive fun.
    
    Mike 
    

    haha! I've done the system password thing before..
    
    Turn the 'part of the phone you talk into' upside down so it rests
    on the cradle with the "ears" up -- sorta looks like Mikey Mouse
    in an abstract way :)

    ...When you need to decide which of 6 disney hats to wear when leving
    the house!  (thats me)

    Last day at work today until the 21st of June. I fly out to Orlando
    Friday morning for a three week holiday, i cant help watching the
    clock going round.....
    
    Andy...B

    my wife just made it even worse....she gave me a Mickey watch for
    our anniversary today.  Now I definitely can't concentrate cause
    every time I look what time it is, I see Mick!
    
    --bert

I've got it bad too.  The next trip to the world is approximately 1830 days
away.  I'm not sure I can last that long.  But hopefully I'll be getting
a fix in 89 days.  I'm planning a trip to Disneyland in August.

-  My password has something related to Disney in it 95% of the time.

-  I just moved to a new area but will be moving again in a couple of months.
   The new cubicle will be smaller.  My current office is bigger so I've put
   up all of my large maps.  I've got one of EPCOT when Africa was planned and
   Horizons was being built.

-  I make a special trip to the Disney Store just to soak up the atmosphere.

-  I'll probably by the planning video soon.

-  I've got a Tigger, Mickey Mouse, and Brer Rabbit figurines in my cubicle.

-  There's something Disney in just about every room of my house.  I've even
   got stuffed animals on the couch in the living room.

-  The people I work are shocked if a wear a t-shirt that doesn't have 
   something with Disney on it.  The same reactions applies if I wear 
   non-Disney socks.  I'll have to work on the jewelry piece.

-  I think my husband is slowly catching it.  He's much more understanding
   since he went to WDW.  Maybe someday I'll be able to convince him that
   we need to go more often than every five years.  I'm hoping that I'll
   be able to get another trip to California in a couple of years.  There
   are relatives to stay with and the plane fare is less expensive.

-  When the department moved, someone's file cabinet was put in the hallway
   instead of his cubicle.  Several people thought it was mine because there
   was a postcard from WDW on it.

I'm sure there's more symptoms.

Marilyn

    ....I just got a call from Thomas Cook Travel that my tickets are in,
    so in only 13 days I'll be heading to Orlando!!!
    
    Yippee!  Yappee!  Yahooey!
    
    And I just went in March, so this is a real quick trip back!  Gotta
    love it!
    
    Barb

    VACATION.COM V2.2
    
    1499 days, 15:59:41 hh:mm:ss, before we take off for WDW in 1997!
    
    Mike

    VACATION.COM V2.2
    
    168 days, till I see Mickey, Minnie and Goofy!
    
    Approx. 89% less time then you Mike!!!
    
    ;^P
    
    M-L

    Heh, heh yeah but I have more time to save....hmm let's see if I put
    aside $$$$$ evey week over the next 200+ weeks then I'll have.... 

    Well, it's final.  The "official" McGlinchey 1995 trip is on.  We went
    to a picnic yesterday and I got 2 other families to commit to the trip
    with us to FW.  They even wrote checks for the site deposits.  Now we
    are working on 2 other families that also attend the Philly Folk
    Festival with us every year.  Could turn out to be a big group!
    
    Mike, Sure you don't want to go in '95 with us?????
    
    ;^)
    
    John
    

 764 days, 18:50:0 hh:mm:ss,  until Disney World '95 trip
    
    I have 4 preferred sites in FW reserved!  and only 764 days to go....

    1483 days, 8:43:25 hh:mm:ss, before we take off for WDW in 1997!

    151 days
    
    M-L

    290 for us - second trip RCI week 14 at Kissimee/Orange Lake
    
    Now my youngest can do Space Mountain - the whole reason for going a
    second time!
    
    -sandy
    

    262 days to go and I have the -itis! Sometimes it seems to be worse 
    when first returning from WDW! 
    
    The office that I use in WMO has NO decorations in it at all. Last 
    weekend I took one of the cartoon maps of WDW, had it mounted and 
    framed, and hung it in the plain office. It really livens the place 
    up! Now I can point to all of the things that are MUSTS next time:
    Splash Mountain, Typhoon Lagoon.......
    
    This is not good for concentration!
    
    Linda

    
    I used to think that you lot were crazy the way that you went
    on about Disney.. I have just come back from Orlando and I now
    feel as you describe.. I have already started to think about my
    next trip.
    
    Andy
    

    Andy, 
    
    The -itis is very contagious! Glad you had a good trip.
    
    Linda

    We got another one, eh?  Arrrrrrrrrrr me bucko, now you are in
    BIG trouble!!!   Arrrgh.....
    
    
    ;^)
    
    John
    

    45 days to go....
    
    The itis is building.......
    
    I'm still not sure if reading this file every day helps or hurts.......
    
    Does anybody else find themselves suddenly imagining being at WDW......
    
    
    John

    10 Days and counting,can't wait my daughter talks about it all the
    time.my wife is getting nervous about it wondering if we will have
    enough clothes for those HOT STEAMY days.10 days @ the CBR trip report
    upon my arrival....
    
    dick r.....

    My wife and her friend have it big time.  So far I have not yet been
    infected.  (is the contagious period like chicken pox?!!!).  But then
    we only have 136 days, 0:44:2 hh:mm:ss, Arrive in Orlando!!!!!
    according to Vacation.com!
    
    
    Rich

Only one thing worse than having the -itis... Finding out your wife was
planning a surprise trip (See my 1993 Guests Sign-in) and then CLOSET::
is unreachable for two days!!!!  Arghhh!

Bill

    Rainy, Muggy, Dreary...
    
     317 days before I start my '94 Juggernault
    
    Up to my ears in work...
    
     320 days before I start headin' points South
    
    Hankering for a Dole Whip...
    
     323 days before I see a "Welcome to Orlando" sign
    
    Spending an inordinary amount of time looking at Disney photos and
    Disney trip videos...
    
     Yup....got a case of the -itis.

    38 days before Mickey!

    leaving TOMORROW afternoon for 10 glorious days in WDW.
    Can't wait!
    
    Marcie 

 21 days and counting... and our Birnbaum book hasn't arrived YET!

It was supposedly mailed July 19.  We called a week ago and they put in
an "incident report," which, apparently, means they send out a new one.


Bill A.

    94 days and counting!!!!!
    
    Sasha

    
    I went to WDW in June for three weeks, It was my first time and 
    cant stop thinking about how good it was. I cant afford to go
    next year so I have booked up to go to Euro Disney for a weekend
    just to keep myself topped up until I can get back to Orlando...
    
    Andy..B

    
    Andy,
    
    Doesn't a weekend at Euro cost more than a week in WDW?
    
    Mike

  Not if you live in europe and have to include the airfare to wdw ;-.]

    AHA!

    
    Sorry !  I forgot to say that I'm in England... In the English 
    papers they said thats its cheaper to fly to WDW in Florida
    on Holiday than it would be to spend it at Disneyland in France..
    
    I know it wont be as good as the real thing, but at least I can
    say that I have been... I go on December the 17th, the weekend 
    Christmas. ( lets hope that it doesn't rain to much)..
    
    Andy..B

    OK - I've just signed in as a 1994 visitor to WDW!  The ITIS is really
    brewing - I'm 243 days away!
    
    Smiling,
    
    Kathy
    

    naynaynaynaynay.... Kathy.. I only have 50 days from today!
    
    M-L
    
    ;^P

As we slowly strolled past the front of City Hall in the Magic Kingdom,
on our way out one day (two weeks ago), something caught my eye.

A painted white box, with a slot in the front of it, which looked like a
trash can except the slot clearly wasn't big enough for trash.  Written
in small letters on top of the box was "Deposit your 25th Anniversary
Invitation" Here.

WHAT? 

Needless to say, I stepped inside to ask what the heck this was all about.
It seems that some publication of theirs has an invitation to get infor-
mation about the planned 25th along with special packages to be offered.

He gave me an extra, and I filled it out and dropped it in.  Has anyone
seen this in any of the Disney mangazines yet?

Bill

P.S. Hey Ruth,  I'm writing my trip report.... get crackin'!

    I haven't seen a postcard nor trip report in years!  where is everyone?
    doesn't anyone go there anymore?  how about a pointer/reminder to
    where to mail the postcards.  how about a get together?  how about
    a lunch at the world?  how about I have 5 more months to go before I
    go?   darn.
    ed
    

    Well I guess we have to assume that those who still owe trip reports
    have either TFSO'd or are putting the final touches on their notes.
    
    There are still around 35 trip reports unaccounted for and just over a
    dozen or so that involve trips over the next two months.
    
    Best way to re-live your trip is to write a trip report.

    YES! only 36 more days till we arrive in Orlando!!!!!!
    
    I must really have the -ITIS bad! Every time we get close to when were
    going, I read all the books we have on disney, and watch all the home
    videos! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The itch is coming to me finally.  We are in the TEENS!!!!!! only 19
    days 'til arrival in  Orlando.  Thanksgiving will be a day trip to
    Daytona beach....Wow! what a place to have the traditional after turkey
    walk!!!!
    
    
    Rich

    10 days, 0 hours and 24 minutes until the big bird goes airborne!
    
    But who's counting, right Rose????

    YES! Only 29 days, 15 hours, 21 minutes, and 54 seconds till we see the
    Welcome to Orlando sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT TO GO NOW!

    3 days, 6 hours and 39 minutes....... COME ON FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!
    
    M-L

    
     11 days, 3:16:21 hh:mm:ss, til we Arrive in Orlando!!!!!
    
    
    getting itchy!!!
    
    
    Rich
    

    2 days, 0 hours and 34 minutes.... COME ON FRIDAY!!! HURRY UP!

    21 days, 6 hours and 27 minutes till I can wear shorts again!
    
    YEA!

    Today's weather in the 60's helps.  We're leaving Saturday!!!!!!
    
    
    
    YAhooooooooooooo!!!

    everyone-we are in the teens! 19 more days and counting. I heard It's
    cold down there. Well, you better warm up before December!
    
    
    Hi hom Hi ho, its to Disney World we go!

    My wife and I retrieved the airline tickets yesterday from the safety
    deposit box!!!  Saturday is almost here.   I am REALLY excited now!!!!
    (not too bad for a newcomer, eh?)
    
    
    Rich

    I find myself logging into this conference more often.  The
    excitement's starting to build.  We'll be leaving for Florida early 
    Thanksgiving morning.
    
    					Steve

    Talk about a bad case of -itis! THREE of my coworkers and their
    families will be there next week! Time to break out the videos again.
    
    Linda_who_has_121_days_to wait

    Methinks there'll be some trip reports to read come December.
    
    

    Three days and counting for me.......
    
    Sasha

    
    I have done alot of reading in this notesfile and not much writing, but
    you folks have been "GREAT". My family and I are heading to WDW on Dec
    17 til Dec 27th. The worsT part of this is I also will be on a business
    trip from Nov. 27th til Dec 3rd. Guess where Orlando, Fla. My wife is
    rippin! She told me to stay away from WDW until we are all there. Now
    what would you do?????
    
    
    Bob

    Gee Bob don'tcha think you should check some things out to make sure
    you can properly show your family around WDW come vacation time?
    
    Seriously if you're a first-timer or someone who hasn't been down to
    Orlando within the last 5-10 years it may be a good idea to look into
    various areas of the resort....it may save you time when the whole 
    family goes.
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
    I think your idea is an excellent one. Even thou we have been to WDW
    some 14-15 times since it's existance, I should scout out the
    possibility of any new events etc? 
    
    Thanks,
    
    Bob

    I know 13 is usually considard a unlucky number, but not anymore!
    
    
    	ONLY 13 MORE DATILL I SEE THE "BUCKLE YOUR SAFETY BELT" SIGN!!!!
    
    HOORAH!

    Just wanted to take the time on my last day of work before VACATION
    to thank all of you for the many tips and insights you've provided for
    my family and me.  We'll be leaving Maynard @ ~5:00AM tomorrow, with
    AAA triptick in hand.
    
    I'll do my best to submit a trip report before year's end.  Don't expect
    anything Tom Clancyesque, but hopefully it will provide some of you
    a brief daydream or two.  Thanks again.
    
    					Steve

    3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
    3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
    3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    (As you can probably guess, I have only 3 days left)

    The magic vacation.com told me this morning that there are only
    
              100 days
    
    until we arrive at WDW!
    
    Linda_who_is_anxiously_counting_the_days

    Mine told me that I'll be starting my vacation in about 205 days,
    leaving in about 209 days, and arriving in 211 � days.
    
    It also says I'll be returning to work in 235 days but I don't pay
    attention to that line.
    
    Mike

    Hmmmm,
    
    Vacation.com says...
    
      69+ days before Ed Badger is back in Orlando...
    
        94+ days before Linda Gibson arrives in MickeyLand...
    
          150+ days before Kathy Jette returns to the CBR...
    
             156+ days before Skip Williams decides how to use his passes...
    
                199+ days before I start my next WDW vacation
    
    
    

    We're still on target.  and I can't get worked up over the new ticket
     policy.  I can't imagine ever going to Disney without staying on
    property!   It's like eating cake without frosting!  
    Staying off property to save money is like buying a new car and and 
    saving money by not buying the tires.  But of course we see other
    Florida attractions, but not during our Disney week.
    ed
    

    Well it is 23 more days til I fly down to Mickey Land...can't wait. 
    This time however, it looks like I will see only each of the parks for
    a (hopefully) short period of time.  If you happen to be down there on
    the morning of the 16th give me a yet....I'll be #5738 in the Disney
    Marathon.
    
    Can't wait!
    
    -Jay
    

    Well, well....1994 is here.
    
    And with the New Year and a Nor'easter on the way my vacation.com tells 
    me...
    
        50 days, 2:14:44 hh:mm:ss, before Ed Badger arrives in WDW!
    
        75 days, 2:14:44 hh:mm:ss, before Linda Gibson arrives in WDW!
    
       131 days, 0:14:44 hh:mm:ss, before Kathy Jette arrives in WDW!
    
       137 days, 2:14:44 hh:mm:ss, before Skip Williams arrives in WDW!
    
       183 days, 18:14:44 hh:mm:ss, before I take off for WDW!
    
    But before we go gang we got this potential foot of snow just around
    the corner.
    
    I see you smiling Jim Pappas!
    
    Mike

Well at 8:45 next Friday evening on the 14th I'll be arriving in the happiest
place on earth to run the Disney Marathon (on the 16th)...

I can read the trip report now...

At the 1/2 way mark (13.1 miles) I entered the MK castle  (the route actually
does go right though each of the parks!).

Will probably only be able to visit the parks for the few days that I'm down
there after the marathon recovering.

-Jay

    Jay,
    
    What is the marathon route?
    
    Mike

The start and the finish are in approx. the same place...the Epcot parking area
The first 3-4 miles runs around Epcot, through Epcot (around the lake) past all
the Worlds and out the rear.

It hten proceeds to MGM The 6th mile mark is just after entering the front gate
It looks like you run though MGM down to the back lot area (where the tour take
place) and out a back entrance and then off to the main entrance...

You run down the highway past the main gate, parking area down World Drive,
under the lagoon bridge and past the Contemporary.

You enter the rear of the MK somewhere near the race way (Grand Prix?)...around
and through the MK.  It looks like they have you run right through the castle
(and this is the 1/2 way mark).

Out the main gate and then around past the Grand Floridian and Polynesian and
off the golf course.  There is about a 6 mile loop in and around the golf
course...back on the main entrance road...and off to Epcot again.

Should be fun.  I might even set a record for this conference for "visiting
the most parks in the shortest amount of time"... (about an hour).

Now I have to figure out the rest of the logistics...

It was kind of funny I guess I caused a stir at 'marathon headquarters' during
the beginning of the week.  I was trying to figure out if I should keep my
reservations at Dixie Landings or the duplicate reservation that I made for 
a FW home.  The benefit is that the marathon start time is 6:00 in the morning
this means eating at about 3:00 in the morning. So I called the 'marathon
headquarters' and asked them where I could eat at 3:00AM the morning of the 
marathon.  That it one part of the logistics they hadn't thought about.  And
are now figuring out how to open up facilities at 3:00 or so instead of 5-5:30
as they had planned, for each of the hotels.

I've made my decision...I'll roll out of bed and make something quick at a FW
home and then go back for another hour of sleep!

-Jay

    Let's see...
    
    ...I'm swamped with work...
    
       ...I have a cold...
    
           ...there's 2 inches of ice on my driveway...
    
              ...14 out of the last 18 mornings have begun below zero...
    
                   ...and it's gonna snow for the next 48 hours...
    
    
                 ......that will bring on the '-ITIS'

    38 days to departure and the old -itis is getting bad! We just heard
    this weekend that my husband's sister and her friend are going to be 
    in Orlando on business the Monday and Tuesday that we are at WDW. They
    are going to leave Boston either mid-day Saturday or early Sunday and
    will be able to spend some time with us serving as tour guides. I'm 
    going crazy trying to decide what would impress them most:
    
                   Splash Mountain
    
                            or
    
                          Muppet 3-D
    
                                or
    
                               Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
    
                                            or
    
                                        Superstar Television
    
                                                or......
    
    You get the idea. We'll probably decide as we are leaving Port Orleans
    together. Getting impatient now......
    
    Linda     

    Linda,
    
    Errrh, wouldn't Splash Mountain be a bit cold this time of year?
    
    Mike_who_would_settle_for_a_60_degree_day_in_Orlando_instead_of_a_10
    degree_day_in_Merrimack

    Mike, 
    
    A little chilly, but not as bad as my first suggestion, Typhoon Lagoon!
    They would get more Disney flavor in one of the three main parks. These
    are people who can't understand the Disney fascination, so we have to
    hit them with something good right away. 
    
    Linda_who_thinks_even_now_Splash_Mountain_would_be_warmer_than_Hampton_
    Beach_in_August
    

    My sister-in-laaw called this morning.  85 in orlando.  kids going
    to school in shorts.  TOO HOT.  be there next week!  this is late in
    the
    year for us.  hope it cools down a bit.  maybe the snow on top of the
    motorhome will cool them down.
    ed
    

    Friday, Saturday, and Sunday here in the Northeast teased us with temps
    in the 50's and 60's. Upon leaving ZK at lunchtime I stopped in the
    middle of the parking lot to soak up some sunshine and I got a small
    bout of the -itis.
    
    Today it's in the high 20's and it's snowing like gangbusters....again
    the -itis hits.
    
    I then think about ol' Ed Badger and several other firends and
    neighbors spending some quality vacation time in FLorida rubbing elbows
    with talking mice and ducks.
    
    And then I check vacation.com and I'm told I've got almost 135 days to
    go before I check into my room at the CBR.
    
    It's days like this that I'd kill for a Dole Whip.
    
    Mike
    
    

Disney is one of the Olympic sponsors, and I really like the commercials they 
show during the Olympics.  They show various warm, sunny scenes (such as the 
wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon, people on the beach at the Grand Floridian, Goofy
water skiing, etc.) while the Disney characters sing "Let It Snow" in the
background. I thought it was rather clever.

� �ori �

    Do you think that with Nancy Kerrigan signing this big contract that if
    and when she wins the gold we'll see, "Hey Nancy Kerrigan, you just won
    a gold medal at the....."
    
    Mike

    Or...Nancy Kerigan you've just won the hearts of America...
    
    
    Too bad she can't enjoy her vacation.  She has been on just about every
    news cast I've seen since the Olympics.
    
    Glad I'll get peace and quiet when I go!
    
    -sandy
    

    We leave in 5 weeks.  I got a call from my best friend the other night. 
    They have confirmed plands to meet us in Orlando.  (They moved from
    here to Arkansas in December, and we all miss them very much).  Now I
    have double the -itis to cure!!!
    
    I think I'm more psyched than the kids!  I am really looking forward to
    sun and green grass!!!  I'll bet we don't see it here any time soon!
    
    -sandy
    

    
    
                              I hate snow!

    It's 73 in Dallas today and 83 tomorrow.
    
    By the way, I used to live up there and I hate snow too!!

    It was 87 in Los Angeles yesterday, and I'm about to be sent to NYC.
    
    I REALLY hate snow!
    
    tom

    Ah come on...
    
    Another foot or two won't hurt you, but I've already been to WDW once
    this year...and another trip planned for later :-)
    
    -Jay
    
    That reminds me I owe a trip report.
    
    PS: I've skied since I was 5 years old, but am waiting for this ice to
    melt on the rivers so I can get out there and row.

    >>>Another foot or two won't hurt you
    
       You haven't seen my driveway Jay.
    
    >>>That reminds me I owe a trip report.
    
       That's right, and the Trip Report Police are well aware of this.
    
    >>>am waiting for this ice to melt on the rivers so I can get out there
    >>>and row.
    
       Don't hold yer breath.
    
    Mike

    speaking about Nancy, I'm up to my MM ears with her.
    My daughter had her photo taken next to Nancy.  From her attitude,
    it must have cost Disney 2Mill for that photo.  Waste of film!
    
    But Hulk Hogan was filming his new tv series outside our motorhome.
    He was good.  Give him a gold metal.
    ed
    

    
    I went to Orlando last year for three weeks in june, I had some books 
    looking at going to Malta this year but it didn't seem to have the
    same appeal as Florida. So now i have managed to talk round the 
    other half and were now flying out to Orlando on the 2nd of September
    for another three week holiday and i cant wait. What would the 
    weather be like at this time of year, I think it said about in the
    80's in the holiday book. We are staying at the Los Palmas hotel
    on International drive, probably not your cup of tea but at least i
    know where i'm going when i drive out of the airport.
    
    Since i have been back from Orlando last June, i have found it very
    hard to read the Disney note but now I BACK....
    
    Andy.B

 
===================================================
Top Ten Nancy Kerrigan Complaints About Disneyworld
===================================================
 
10. Saw enough damn foreigners at the Olympics
 9. Mickey beat her out for "Employee of the Month" by one tenth of a point
 8. Had to share a bathroom with the Country Bears
 7. Incompetent security allowed Jack Nicholson to attack her float with
    a 9-iron
 6. Pressure to star with Tonya Harding in remake of "Lady and the Tramp"
 5. It's the most corniest place she's ever been to
 4. She has to stand there and smile while kids whack her in the knees with
    plastic toy pipes
 3. Scary Space Mountain ride makes her giant teeth chatter
 2. "Goofy" sounds too much like "Gillooly"
 1. Donald Duck all hands
 

    Latest vacation.com says......
         
    
    22 days before Jim Pappas arrives in WDW!
    
    31 days before Julie O'Brien arrives in WDW!
    
    51 days before Kathy Jette arrives in WDW!
    
    57 days before SKip Williams arrives in WDW!
    
    107 days before Susan Farina arrives in WDW!
    
    ...but the line I like is...
    
    99 days before I start VACATION '94!
    
    A drop from triple digits to double digits is one of those pre-vacation
    milestones that gets you a bit excited.
    
    Mike
    
         

    Oh Mike, thanks for putting that 31 days til WDW.  I can't wait, my
    kids (and Wally) say that all I talk about is Disneyworld.  I can't
    help it!  I'm now in the process of doing an itenerary for each day. 
    Currently, booked on a package but may change over to just the 5-day
    "hopper".  Decisions - decisions 
    
    Julie
    

    
    Even better is the fact that I have now only 161 days until I
    get there. AND COUNTING
    
    Andy..B

    Mike,

    98 days to go for me.

    Looks like we may be there around the same time.

    Regards,

    Tim Theo has 198 days to go and I purposely left him off 'cause I felt
    he'd be bummed by seeing numbers in the 20's, 30's, 50's, and 90's and
    then see his at 198....but he's under the 200 day mark so Tim this
    one's for you.
    
    Mike

    I have a macintosh version of vacation.com available if anyone wants
    it.  I'll upload it if there is any interest.  I have it remind me on
    startup of how many days until...   You know!
    
    Send me via internet to "[email protected]".  I can't logon here every day
    but I do get my AOL mail automatically every night.
     
    John (457 Days to go)

    Only 1500 days until my next WDW vacation.

    Boy am I bummed.  Maybe that free tape will show up soon.

    Marilyn

    
    I have had to cancel my three week visit in September due to my
    girlfriend losing her job. We are now planning to visit WDW for
    Christmas. Has anyone ever spent their Christmas at WDW, and Would
    you do it again..? 
    
    I can Imagine there been some good reasons for going at Christmas and
    some bad..?
    
    Andy..B
    
    

    Andy,
    
    I'll give you a good reason to go at Christmas...
    
    ..........A L I E N  E N C O U N T E R ! ! ! ! ! !
    
    Mike

    
    What is Alien encounters.....?
    
    I booked last night for the trip, I shall be in Orlando from the 
    17th of December until 7th january.
    
    Is it a good time to go to WDW at that time of year..?
    
    Andy..

    re .403
    
    From what I understand, Xmas vacation week is pretty crowded - but I
    went down the first week of the year a few years back ( arrived Dec
    31st at 5:00, spent New Year's Eve at Church St. Station  and left on
    the 7th ) and the parks weren't crowded at all . . .
    
    						- Jim

I'm sure there are other notes about spending Christmas at WDW in here - try
various DIR/TITLE combinations (=christmas, =xmas, etc.).

					-- Nina

    
    I'm trying to find a comic or book which has The Rescue Rangers in it,
    I have found many Disney mags with Chip and Dale but not as Rescue
    Rangers.
    
    Only about 80 days until i make my journey to the Magic Kingdom,
    leaving on December 17 until January 7.. Should be good..
    
    Andy..B

    re: .408
    
    �I'm trying to find a comic or book which has The Rescue Rangers in it,
    �I have found many Disney mags with Chip and Dale but not as Rescue
    �Rangers.
    
    In the US, there was a short string of Rescue Rangers comics.  The
    Disney comics used to be licensed to Gladstone Publishing Co., but a
    few years ago, Disney took to publishing its own comics.  During that
    time, they introduced some new lines, such as the Rescue Rangers, to go
    along with the old staples (Donald Duck, Uncle Scrooge, and Walt Disney
    Comics).  Evidently the Rescue Rangers line wasn't too successful, as
    it was discontinued.
    
    Unfortunately, Disney decided to stop publishing its own comics and
    gave the license back to Gladstone, so I don't know if the old Disney
    comics are still available.  If you like, I will try to get an address
    for you.  If you communicate with them and are successful, you might
    get your comic book by the time you get back from the MK  :^(  .
    
    --Jay
    
    PS.  If there's any interest, we might be able to start a comics note. 
    I'd be interested to see what other people think about the new
    artist/writers vs. Carl Barks.
    

    I have a serious case of -itis today. A friend was at WDW last week and
    I saw her this morning. The weather was gorgeous, the parks were 
    great, it wasn't very crowded, her first stay onsite at DL was
    fantastic...... Besides, we moved our offices Friday and today I was 
    unpacking all my Disney stuff and arranging it to best advantage (of 
    course, it's nothing compared to Mike's wailing wall). Mike, she said
    that "Grandma" was a big help choosing restaurants, since they wanted
    to do everything "right". 
    
    Anyway, maybe I'll call the CRO and see if that last night is available
    at the Beach Club yet. Will the music on hold make -itis better or
    worse? 
    
    Linda_whose_plane_takes_off_eighteen_days_from_7:30AM_tomorrow

    I think it happened around 2:30 this past Saturday. I happened to be
    shopping with my wife when we strolled into a Disney store. Hmmmm, a
    pleasant greeting by a castmember, some new merchandise, check the
    videos, and glanced at the monitor showing scenes from DisneyLand and
    WaltDisneyWorld.
    
    My thoughts began to wander and I began experiencing flashbacks of
    vacations past. A cast member, looking strikingly like a young 
    Annette, sensed what was going on and caught me as my head began to 
    spin.
    
    Two more castmembers, Cubby and Susan, came over and while my head
    was spinning I could hear them saying, "Yes he mentioned something 
    about Hoop-Dee-Doo, SpectroMagic, and kept asking for a Dole Whip."
    
    They all looked at each other and in unison said, "Disneyitis."
    
    They took my wife aside while they made me comfortable by wrapping me
    in a Lion King towel. 
    
    I could hear them talking to my wife.
    
    "Yes Mrs. Scopa your husband has an acute case of Disneyitis. Does
    he tend to ramble on about Disney-related subjects? If so you may be
    living with a person who may have full-blown Disneyitis symptoms within
    several months."
    
    "If your husband is found wearing Disney watches, jerseys, socks, and
    listens to Disney CD's, subscribes to The Disney Channel and above all
    RUNS A DISNEY TRIVIA CONTEST...we would recommend that you seek
    professional help in Orlando."
    
    "How much time does he have?" asked my wife.
    
    "Well we've seen worse cases than this. Your husband is just starting
    out with early warning signals. He probably has no more than two years
    time before he'll need to be quarantined in a WDW hotel."
    
    With that I was led out to the parking lot and as we drove away I
    looked at my wife and said, "So I guess we'll have to start making
    plans for a trip in '97 huh?"
    
    "Well it's what they described as best for you," said my wife.
    
    I scribbled some dates down in a notebook and also made a mental note 
    to return to that Disney Store and thank them...
    
     .....after all...we had time last week for just one dress rehearsal...
    
     ;^)
    
    Stay tuned.

    Here I sit....working at 9:30 pm...just 17 more days and I'll be
    landing in Orlando at this time!!!!
    

    T minus 16 days and counting !!
    
    

I'm getting psyched too!  Here's my vacation.com for today:

  Only 30 days until we leave for Disney World !!!

  Only 33 days until the Hoop Dee Doo Review !!!

  Only 39 days until the Hoop Dee Doo Review again !!!

Yup, I'm going to the Hoop Dee Doo twice; first time with my sister,
brother-in-law and my nephews (I couldn't miss it with them!) for a
5:00 show and the second time with my friend Clarissa (who didn't want
to miss it either) for a 9:30 show.  It should be fun to see if there's
a difference between the early and late shows.

Things are finally finalized.  I'll be at the Caribbean Beach Resort for
the first half with my family on a Classic package.  For the second half
with Clarissa, I cancelled our Beach Club reservations the other day :-( 
in favor of the Food 'n Fun package at Port Orleans.  We just couldn't 
justify the extra $$ for the luxury of the Beach Club this time.  I'll
miss it, but I'm looking forward to checking out PO too.  It'll also be
interesting to see how the Food 'n Fun package compares to being on the 
Deluxe package.

Besides the old favorites, I'm getting psyched to check out Blizzard
Beach, the Tower of Terror, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, and the new
Tomorrowland.  I can't believe there's so much that's new since I was
there last.  And being there for my nephews' first trip is a long-awaited
dream come true.
						Tracy

    I have you all beat....
    
      823 days, 12:19:33 hh:mm:ss, before leaving for WDW!
    

    Mike has me beat, I am heading down to WDW september 20th for a week! 
    Yahooo!

    I'm the winner!!
    
    I leave tomorrow morning April 8 at 4:00am
    
    
    Hope everything goes well. I talked with my relatives last night and
    they said it is 83 degrees and sunny. 
    
    Sure beats the 14 degrees we had last night.
    
    
    Jim

    Less than 12 hours to go!!!!
    
    A couple of more things to pack. Bye!!
    
    

    799 days, 6:35:48 hh:mm:ss, before I start VACATION '97!

	My vacation.com just went under 750 days.

	It's now 746 days, 13:17:10  hh:mm:ss until my next Disney vacation.

	I was last there in Oct. 1991.  I really need another vacation and
	have a little over two years to go.  Waiting for the kids to get
	older.  The youngest is 6 months.

	I'm looking forward to next year when I really start planning for the
	trip.  Hopefully, the dates I've picked won't be changed by the others
	going.

    I'm at 360 days and counting until my visit.
    
    I really have the "itis" right now. I just got my new copy of
    Disney Magazine, have been reading note in here today and have
    been whistling the music from The Lion King.
    
    
    Mark

I don't think I'll be going this year.
It'll be hard. We did Euro Disndey last year and WDW in each of the 
previous three years.

The closest I get this year might be the Pocohantis event at the wang.

:-(

Peter.

Well, I must be getting the -itis bad.  I've got less than a week to go,
and last night I dreamt that I arrived at the Grand Floridian (where we'll
be staying) and that they couldn't get me the lagoon view I had requested, 
but would have it for me the following night and the next nights.  
In the meantime, they loaded up our bags and transported us in two groups.  
My mother (my MOTHER?! She's not going with us!) and I were in one group 
(with one of my kids, I think) and the cast member put us on an elevator,
sitting in a cart. We went down, and when the doors opened, our cart slid out
ONTO WATER - the lagoon, where it floated like a boat and the motor
automatically turned on. We were expected to have fun while he took our bags to
our room for us.  :-} 

Interesting dream...  :-}

    Carol

    Carol,
    
    No more bedtime snacks for you!
    
    ;^)

We couldn't decide where to stay the first two nights...we had 
- 2 open
- 2 nights Dixie Landings
- 4 Nights Beach Club

We plan to spend our first two days doing park marathons braving the large
Memorial weekend crowds so we can experience Spectro, Fireworks, and
Sorcery shows.  

We figured we would stay offsite the first two nights to save some money,
but then, it would be nice to have somewhere to take a break and not to
have to drive in and out on marathon days... and so I get home and find that
my wife has already gone ahead and booked 2 nights Contemporary Tower Room
Park View... So when we arrive Friday night we can "preview" the shows
from our room.  I think I've got her trained!  Or is it the other way 'round?

Bill A.

I'm going a little Disney crazy here.  Only three days to go and I can't keep
my mind on anything else.  I keep popping in here hoping to find some new,
juicy information (or *any* information about *anything* Disney) and I just 
hate seeing that "no new notes" banner.  So this would be a good time to pick
your favorite note and make a new entry!  Please!
							Tracy

    
    
    the bags are packed, taking the train.  3 WEEKS in the area, 8 days in
    the park. made reservations today for outside the park 12 days at
    Days Inn.  Dollar will pick up at the train station.
    one last detail, how to get from home to train station.
    
    Lets go!
    
    
    Opps, gotta wait until dec 23rd.....

<    Opps, gotta wait until dec 23rd.....

I was gonna say... I thought you weren't leaving until later this year!  :-)

      Carol

I've got 738 days to go.  The 'itis is getting so bad.  It's been 3 1/2 years
since I've been to WDW.  

I think I'll buy myself a new Disney watch to celebrate my new job. 

I told my husband that I had a bad case of the 'itis.  His comment was that it
happens about every six months.  So we started talking about where we might be 
staying the next trip.  It looks as if it might be Port Orleans again.  I'd
like to try Dixie Landings.  

    Marilyn,
    
    738 days is better than 791 days which is what my vacation.com says.
    
    Buying a Disney watch will help the 'itis. Booking your rooms will 
    really help....wow 3� years. That means almost 6 years between 
    trips....that's what I call willpower.
    
    Mike

 
	Mike,

	It's not so much willpower as having a 6 month old and a 2 1/2 year 
	old.  Just waiting until it'll be more fun for mom and dad to go 
	with two small children.

	We did take a trip to Disneyland when our oldest was 13 months old.
	It was lots of fun but I can't image taking both of them right now.

	Marilyn

    Marilyn,
    
    That's a good reason. You want to be out of the diaper stage BEFORE
    you go on vacation.
    
    Mike_who_hasn't_changed_a_diaper_in_13_years

Marilyn,
	If you want to go sooner, just take me, I'll change diapers, no
questions asked :-).

Joey.

I'll be out of the office tomorrow, starting my DW vacation.  We actually
leave Saturday.

Thank you VERY much for your help.  I've been planning this trip more than
2 years.  Now I just have to keep the kids healthy...  (Oh, God, *please*!)

     Carol

    I had the "itis" really bad this weekend. And then I got something in
    the mail from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Well, next to WDW the
    Indy 500 is the nirvana. 
    
    Anyway, they are running an racing event in WDW next January. They are
    in the process of building the track right now. The race is to be held
    on January 27th. So my wife suprised me and ordered tickets for the 
    race and 4 days at WDW!  
    
    Now I get to go twice in '96! Once in January and then in April with
    the kids...
    
    Somebody pinch me!
    
    
    Mark

    I thought I had it under control...
    
     ....I was focused on my work...
    
         ...I was occupied with my baseball team...
    
            ...the Disneyitis was under control...
    
               ...until...
    
                  ...the AP renewals came in the mail!

    I'm sure everyone recognizes that point at which you know you are
    returning to WDW. It could be your initial trip to the travel agent,
    your call to the CRO inquiring about room rates, or the unexpected
    inheritance from a rich uncle you never knew.
    
    Mine is the ceremonial renewing of the annual Passports.
    
    The renewal is in the mail which means they will be used someday...
    
    ................cures the 'itis for a few days.
    
    Mike_who_is_a_long_740_days_before_leaving_for_Orlando

    Well, I've got 633 days to go until my next Disney vacation.  
    It's a long time and the 'itis was getting pretty bad.  

    So this weekend a made reservations.

    Yes, I'm going to WDW in 21 months.  It helps for a little while.

    BTW, I wasn't allowed to make Hoop-Dee-Doo reservations.  I thought 
    they could be made two years in advance but was told they could only
    be made one year in advance.  

    Marilyn

    Marilyn,
    
    Wow a reservation made 21 months ahead of time. That's the second 
    longest lead time I know of. I know of one friend who made reservations
    40 months in advance...I'd go crazy.
    
    I'm...let's see....carry the 3....wow 693 days from my next trip. I
    plan to make my reservations when I'm no closer than 500 days away.
    
    Mike

Mike,

	I just made my reservation for 6 nights starting December 29, 1999. 
I have been trying for several Months and a room opened at the Beach club, 
while the family and I were down during the hurricane (I will have a report 
on that later). The price is a bit steep, but my intentions are to try and 
tranfer the reservation to a less expensive place as they open, all that 
counts now is we are in...

While making the reservations I was told some of the restaurants are already
getting booked. So now I just have to decide what I will be hungry for in
~1596 days.....


Steve S.

	Tomorrow I'll have only 600 more days until my next trip to WDW.

	Getting the room reservation has sure helped.  

	Now it's save, save, save.  

	Maybe I should go to the Disney store today.  I did find some Disney
	Premium Trading Cards the other day.  For the price of a box I'd have
	another night at the world.  Decisions, decisions.

    
    
    i leave 7 weeks from tonite...and it can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    {ahem}
    
    sorry...  %^>
    
    -raquel
    

Yeah, but my brother works for Disney so I get in free!!

:-). Liz

    94 weeks before I leave ;^(

    
    so, liz...did i mention that i was adoptable????
    
    :> :>
    
    
    -raquel
    

    16 more days to go and I'm off to Disney World!! Taking my son there
    for his 5th birthday. At this point, even I am getting excited!!
    
    Thanks to all who have provided a wealth of information for me to use
    while planning this trip!
    
    Norma and Daniel - can't wait!

    8 days from now I'll be in the sky on my way to WDW...I can't wait! 
    I've been reading this notes file every day and it's really helped a
    lot.  Thanks for all the great info!
    
    Carol
    

    i also will going to disney oct 5-16 i will be there 7-14 only
    maybe i will see you there
    leon roberts
    

    21 days before we leave to florida, 29 till WDW.
    can't wait. need a vaction.  need a fix.
    
    one little thing we did was make matching sweatshirts for the 
    4 of us.  The front has a picture of Mickey with a suitcase
    with the words "the Badger's" on top, and "WDW 95" on the bottom,
    and on back a picture of our brick, along with our favorite
    characters.  We plan on wearing them on the train down.
    
    shirts are easy to make these days.  Cannon makes a fabric transfer
    paper that goes into an inkjet printer.  8*11.5 inches.  You just
    iron onto the shirt.
    
    ed

    I've got it bad today...Maybe it's the snow coming, maybe it's because
    it's 1996 and I'm going down in 3 weeks. Could be because I've been
    reading Birnbaum's 1996 edition too. Probably all of the above.
    
    I need a Disney fix...Guess I'll run down to the Disney Store and
    purchase my AP's.
    
    
    Mark

    I gave my wife pretty much carte blanche to find some deals, starting
    this week, for an April trip to Disney.  I believe this particular week
    in April, when the kids are out of school in winter-weary places like
    the Northeast, is Disney's busiest, period, during a normal year.  As
    you can see, the task was daunting, but it's a trip she and my daughter
    wanted, and I was ambivalent to (particularly with Christmas bills to
    pay!)
    
    She did great by using AAA Travel Services here in Syracuse, NY.  We
    leave April 20th and return April 28th.  We are staying on-site, in the
    highest rated rooms at a New Orleans-theme resort (Port Orleans?)  The
    price includes our round-trip flight from Syracuse (a notoriously
    uncompetitive market that US Air dominates), rental car, unlimited
    passes to any of the parks for any number of days corresponding to our
    stay, the rooms for 8 days/7 nights, some meals, and gratuities.  She
    got everything for five individuals, for just under $1000 per person.  
    
    We'll be thinking about you all in April as we wing our way to Mickey's
    place!
    
    Chuck
          

    Chuck,
    
    Could you break down your package into line items like room, air,
    rental, tix, and meals/gratuities?
    
    Also, could you give the ages of your children?
    
    thanks,
    
    Mike

    REL .452
    
    Mike,
    
    AAA does not break it down into individual components.  The only cost I
    am absolutely aware of is the flight; $275/person.  I did look at the
    Disney catalogs and I know that at that time, in that resort, I
    couldn't touch what AAA gave us for a price.
    
    This is the second trip we have taken using AAA.  They have done a good
    job for us on both, particularly this one, since we got such a late
    start looking for a busy week.
    
    BTW, I read in the paper that Disney World is sold out of every room
    for Dec 31st, 1999.  That's a lotta rooms!
    
    Chuck

    Wow...
    
    Just 19 more hours and I'll be in WDW....
    
    Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming!
    
    I'll be sure to give a quick trip report when I return. I'll save "the
    big one" for my excursion with the family in April.
    
    Mark

15 months to go.  Hopefully the time will go faster now.

The temperature was below zero this morning and if it gets above zero it won't
be by much.  I haven't had the courage to check the weather for Orlando.

Marilyn

I need a term similar to Disney-itis... to indicate how you feel when you
are at WDW but the weather, and the convention you are attending there, are
interfering with your desired maximum enjoyment!

It was brrrrrr-cold early last week, but warmed up gradually.  I never went
swimming.  I also have some interesting things to say about how WDW puts on
a convention.  Also, we had the opportunity to do a special shorter version
of the "Keys to the Kingdom" backstage tour...including a trip through the
Utilidors under the Magic Kingdom.  We entered the Magic Kingdom not once,
but twice without admission tickets!

All this and more coming to a trip report near you, later this week if I'm
diligent...In the meantime if anyone has questions for which they need answers,
write me at FPTVX1::ABRAMS.

Bill A.

    
    Walt-weariness?
    
    Disney-dilema?
    
    
    Hope it warms up for week for week commencing 2/26..some friends and I
    will be in the area
    
    Jackie.

Dis-trated  (Disney Frustrated)????

    
    Whats happening with 2000 leagues, is it now working again or
    will there be a change of ride ..?
    
    Andy

    
    still not open.  There's been a swirl of rumors over the last year
    of everything from total ripping out for a new ride, to some minor
    updates and reopening.  Still boarded up and closed when I was there
    in January, although the lagoon still has water and the subs were
    parked at the loading docks.....it wasn't tore up yet.
    
    
    --bert
    

    When I was there a couple weeks ago, while riding the skiway, I saw a
    bunch of guys (~6-8), some wearing suits, standing by the subs, all
    with clipboards, writing notes, talking, and pointing... so I'd say
    they're doing (or at least thinking about doing) something.
    
    -Steve
    

    500 days, 15:48:27 hh:mm:ss, before I leave for WDW!

 down to just 23 days. I've been trying not to count the days hoping it would
 make the time disappear faster. Fortunately I took on some new responsibilities
 here at work which have kept me busy. 

 It appears that we will be avoiding some of the advice given in here and attemp
 to do everything possible while we're there. We've got the 5 day hoppers. We've
 got a hoop-de-doo reservation and 2 character breakfeats reservations already.
 We're getting tickets to Universal and my wife is real pushing to go to        
 SeaWorld. 

 I suspect that it should be warm enough to give Summit Plumet a try when we're
 down there so I'll let you know which is faster. 

 Thanks again to everyone for all the advice especially Robin Watson for the
 information on Homewood Suites. Any other last minute advice or warnings
 for a first timer?????????

 mike

    I hate to break the news to you, but the 22nd of march is over 23 days 
    away!
    
    I know it's tempting to get 'your money's worth' while you are there,
    BUT with a 4 year old, you might find it a more enjoyable vacation if
    you keep a slower pace.  If you don't see and do everything, you have a
    perfect excuse to revisit.  
    
    ed
    

    working days, Ed.  Who counts the weekends anyways?  :-)
    
    Hey, depending on YOUR age, the slower pace may be for your benefit,
    not the toddler.
    
    Mark

    Taking tomorrow and Friday off to get in the relaxed mode before
    getting caught up in the whirlwind of the WDW environment.  Taking off
    Saturaday @ 7:00AM and will arrive in sunny Orlando @ 10:00am. 
    Planning to go TMK that night and see the Electric Parade and getting
    the right spot to see Tinkerbell after the Fireworks.
    
    40 hours and counting,
    Julie

    
    Perhaps I posted a wrong date in my first note. I'm leaving the 15th
    of March not the 22nd. I'll have to check my first post. 
    
    mike

    Mike,
    
    Really....don't try to do everything on this first trip. Think about
    whatyour family will enjoy the most and put those thoughts at the top
    of your list.
    
    As for you Julie O'Brien....you are my hero....this must be your 428th
    trip over the last 6 years.
    
    Mike

    If you really insist on  for everything, use some sort of barometer.
    If you are tired, not feeling that you are getting your money's worth,
    fustrated, family at eachother, re-evaluate the approach to your
    vacation.  I know, it kinda like telling the drunk to stop drinking
    when he feels he's had enough.
    
    I had a [previous] boss go to WDW, came back told about the thousands
    of dollars he spent, about the crowds, about being tired, and how he
    had an awful Disney vacation.  It was his first [and probably only]
    trip.  He trierd to see everything and do everything.
    Let's face it, a Disney vacation is expensive.  But it is not the big
    ticket items that complete the vacation.  It's Disney's attention to
    detail.  And if you rush, you can miss these things entirely.
    I know I haven't seen everything at TMK yet and I can't remember all
    the times I've visited it.  I can tell you I've sit on a bench and
    listened to a barber shop quortet.  That I love crowds becuase Disney
    adds more streetmosphere to entertain the crowds.  If there is no
    waiting for an attraction, then you miss the pre-show.  If you miss the
    preshow, then you miss out on details that add to the attraction.
    suchs, I even have fun in line listening to people talk about the ride
    and what they expect to encounter.
    just me, ed
    

well two concessions have been made, we'll only do one day at Universal and
possibly not use all 5 days on the passes. I will do my best to force my
family to pace themselves. I too would like to soak up the atmosphere as you've
suggested Ed. 

 thanks

 mike 

    Just my $.02 - heed the first paragraph of Ed's note:  re-evaluate
    based on your family!  What he's really saying, I think, is, "Be
    flexible!"  When I took my nephew many years ago, I read this
    conference like a Bible, and took everything folks said very seriously. 
    Based on that, I insisted that we go back to the rooms for "rest"
    during the busy hours.  BIG MISTAKE!  Based on my nephew and myself,
    that was unnecessary.  He was bored out of his mind, could only think
    of all the things he could be doing at the parks, and drove me crazy
    asking when we could go back!  Those rest hours were far from restful!
    
    What I'd do is tell them you'll only plan for one day at Universal and
    four days of the pass (or whatever you said in that last note!), but be
    flexible.  If they can handle it and seem to want more, go for it!
    
    All kids are NOT the same.  If it seems like they need a day to just
    hang out by the pool and escape all the sensory stimulation of a day at
    the parks, then do so.  If they seem totally bored by the idea of a day
    at the pool or once they get to the pool, change your plans and head for 
    a park!
    
    Just don't be like Martin Short in "Captain Ron," who said
    (paraphrase), "I carefully planned a spontaneous vacation for my
    family, and HE'S RUINING IT!"  ;-)
    
    
    Susan
    

    I think the younger the children the more likelihood of them needing a
    rest.
    
    Many times I'd enter a park around 4-4:30 and see families leaving the
    park and the kids are cranky (maybe 'cause they wanna stay) or totally
    wiped out because of all the excitement. Maybe if they had stopped for
    lunch, left the park, took in some water activity, or just relaxed for
    a few hours, they would get a second wind to continue in the parks.
    
    All children are different but I think that most kids under 10 need
    that break in the action.
    
    Mike

    
    I visited the Disney store in Oxford on friday, i asked about the 5 day
    hopper pass. They said that if i buy the 5 day pass from the store
    it will only cost me �130, which is a good price... I'm thinking of
    buying mine now ready for next year.. 
    
    Andy..B                              

2 days to go!!!!!!! By the way what is a Dole Whip?
Anyone got a 5 day weather forcast?

        How about a 3-day (from the Internet)- Weather looks positive:
    
        Thursday  High 75   Low 40   Sunny
    
        Friday    High 75   Low 55   Partly Cloudy
    
        Saturday  High 75   Low 56   Partly CLoudy

    What's a Dole Whip?
    
    I believe the phrase is "Heaven on Earth"
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
    
    I'd bring you one back next month if I could keep it frozen 8^)
    
    I do have to bring back those Kringla's (sp?) from the Norway Pavillion
    for my in-laws though...
    
    Wow...Only 22 days and 14 hours before departure!
    
    
    Mark

    Hey gang, only 486 days before the Great-Grandmother of all trip
    reports appears in your favorite notesfile.
    
    Mike_who_is_459_days_away_and_counting

    
    Just a note for you Disney-ites, today Oprah is having a special
    behind the scenes at Disney.  You might want to tape it.
    
    Pam

>    Many times I'd enter a park around 4-4:30 and see families leaving the
>    park and the kids are cranky (maybe 'cause they wanna stay) or totally
>    wiped out because of all the excitement. Maybe if they had stopped for
>    lunch, left the park, took in some water activity, or just relaxed for
>    a few hours, they would get a second wind to continue in the parks.


Exactly!  We (me,wife, 4 & 6 year-old boys) started every day saying "remember,
we WILL NOT see everything today and we WILL come 'home' for a break and nap at
lunchtime."   After the 1st day (when they weren't sure we really would come
back :-), it worked out great.

    Ah, but peop   le leaving at 4-4:30 os just what we count on in visiting
    Disneyworld.

    Sorry about that, something happened to my connection and the previous
    note went in by mistake.  As I was saying, those of use without small
    children tend to head to TMK about 4-4:30.  By 8-8:30 you can ride
    anything multiple times, no lines, etc.  Most of the time when we go
    there, we do the early-opening park, leave about noon, veg by the pool,
    then head back late afternoon/early evening.
    
    But please don't suggest afternoon rests for the kiddos, if their
    parents learn how much better the parks are at night, we'll end up in
    crowds.    :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)  :-)

    re: Oprah
    
    We were there the day she was taping.  Never saw her (we left
    before the parade that day), but her presence sure screwed up
    the people flow patterns in the park that day!!!  Good thing for
    us it was our last day at disney - we were dead tired by about
    2pm, and the parade was her big thing, apparently.
    
    andy
    

    According to an article I read the Oprah program is based on one
    of her studio audencies from January, that she took to WDW the
    weekend of April 26.  According to the article, they stayed in
    I believe the Sheraton, but she stayed at the Grand Floridan.  
    In addition she supposedly had a couple of the people at the 
    Sheraton, spend an evening with her at the Grand Floridan.
    
    

    415 days to go before my -itis is (temporarily) cured.
    
    Mike

    I'm feeling the pain. We had scheduled (but not booked) our trip for
    this July. We were going to use our AT&T points and stat at the Beach
    Club. 
    
    It would have been two years (a lifetime for us) since our last trip,
    so we were all looking forward to it. But... being relocated back up to
    the Boston area (Acton), and building a new house, we had to put our
    trip off until next year, OUCH!
    
    Just under 400 days to go.

    Some warm weather...a new Disney animated feature and BOOM! I get the
    itis. Raise your hands if you have imagined walking through MGM and
    hearing background music from "Hunchback" playing over the PA system.
    
    I have 362 days to go before arriving in Orlando.
    ANd you guys have 386 days before reading the Great-GrandMother of All
    Trip Reports
    
    Mike

The drum corps equipment leaves two weeks from today.  The rest 
of us leave the day after...

getting the itis bad.....

Dave V

    I guess when it comes to fighting the "-itis" we all have our unique
    ways of coping. Some watch videos, others look at trip photos, and some,
    like me, listen to Disney music all day. Yet another way of coping fell 
    into my lap this week.
    
    On Sunday morning my wife saw a Sunday paper column mention that the Adult
    Education program at the High School was looking for course offerings for
    the Fall session. 
    
    My wife said, "Well you know what you could teach." 
    
    So I made the call and talked with the Director.
    
    To make a long story short I met with him today and it looks like yours
    truly may be teaching a course on Walt Disney World and Planning Walt
    Disney World Family vacations.
    
    I put together a rough outline of the course, along with session
    descriptions, and brought it to the Director. Right now it looks like the 
    course will run one 90 minute session per week for seven weeks.
    
    It should be fun. Some courses never fly because the minimum number of
    participants for the course is never met. For this course we are
    limiting the number to 20. For some people it may be fun to gather with
    people and talk WDW for 90 minutes.
    
    It should be fun.

    50 days and counting down for the Zilinsky family. We are staying at
    Dixie Landings. 
    Last time there was last March and we stayed at Dixie Landings.
    We have and added Benifit this year. My wife started working for Disney
    last October so we can save 20% on alot of things.....We also get to go
    back stage.  Now I just hope they are running a special for cast
    members when we are down there to save some more $$$. 
    
         Tom

    you know you have Disney-itis when you make a pancake and sausage
    breakfast and both pancakes and sausage are in the shape of a Mickey
    head.  Or you spend all day Saterday watching movies from previous
    visits- boy do the kids grow up fast!
    Or you spend more and more time In Mike Scopa's office.
    or you daydream being at WDW.
    My time is coming, but not fast enough.
    ed
    

    >>Or you spend more and more time In Mike Scopa's office.
    
      I'm thre most of the time so I must have the itis ;^)
    
    Mike

    Just made reservations last week for April 23 - May 2nd of '98.
    
    Only 441 days to go...
    
    
    Mark

    Mark,
    
    Hope the Animal Park is open so you can be the first to give us a
    report on it.
    
    Mike

    I also made reservations last week for 4/22 - 5/6 of 1998!
    
    And I don't even want to know how many days away that is because
    it's too depressing (so I didn't pay too much attention to Mark's 
    note!!).
    
    Karen

    we're here!  CBR.   third straight day of rain.  crowds light.
    traffic real bad out on 4 and 192.  we're glad we're not off property.
    to get back from bill wong's famous buffia, maybe ten miles, took us
    2 hours, and that was a saturday night.  192 was all congested when we
    came in.  I don't think we'll leave property again.  we were lucky ?
    fully we'll be able to use it
    
    ed
    le at the car rental place, hopelenough to draw a convertabe

    
    
    
    
    Another month goes by and time to check the old WDW vacation.com. Hope
    I didn't forget anyone...if I did let me know!
    
    Less than a month!
    
     16 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Zilinsky family leaves for WDW!
    
     The Zilinsky family sets a record for being mentioned only once...16
     days huh? Should be thin crowds.
    
    Less than two months!
    
     34 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Tancreti family leaves for WDW!
     
     Again? That's what happens when you have family in Florida.
    
     38 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Arnold family arrives in WDW!
    
     The snow leaves after the Arnold family leaves town.
    
     51 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Hagen family arrives in WDW!
    
     A very popular time to go.
    
     52 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Toye family arrives in WDW!
    
     The Hagens will be in line before the Toyes.....by one day.
    
     55 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Reilly family arrives in WDW!
    
     Yep...behind the Hagens and the Toyes.
    
     59 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the O'Brien family arrives in WDW!
    
     "Ah Mr. & Mrs. O'Brien....welcome back....will you be enjoying the
     usuall 30% discount?" Don't laugh...Julie is the discount champ!
    
    Less than three months to go!
    
     64 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Gulliksen family arrives in WDW!
    
     May 1 is a good time to be down there....heck anytime is a good time.
    
    Less than four months to go!
    
     109 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before I order my triptiks!
    
     There's always construction waiting for me!
    
     115 days, 7:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Benard family leaves for WDW!
    
     Getting close Gene. We may have to do lunch so I can give you a quiz.
    
     115 days, 7:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Morrison family arrives in WDW!
    
     I guess the Morrison family will be ahead of the Benard family.
    
    Less than five months to go!
    
     124 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before buying my Traveler's Cheques!
    
     Buying from DCU instead of AAA.
    
     126 days, 2:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before I start VACATION '97!
    
     This is cheating...but my last day of work starts my vacation.
    
     129 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Vore family arrives in WDW!
    
     They arrive the day before I leave...read on.
    
     130 days, 13:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family leaves for WDW!
    
     Ahem...this may change by some 16 hours...check back with me in a
     month.
    
     131 days, 5:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives in N.C.
    
     This may change too.
    
     131 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the King family arrives in WDW!
    
     July...hot, hot, hot!!!!
    
     131 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives at the
     Florida border!
    
     If you've never driven to WDW you have no idea what a welcomed site
     this is.
    
     132 days, 0:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives in Daytona!
    
     I always have this in here. I think I'll drive thru...pretend you never
     saw this line.
    
     132 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives in WDW!
    
     I know...I know...how many Scopa family lines are we gonna see in this
     note? Psst....just one more.
    
    Less than six months to go!
    
     156 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Great-GrandMother of All Trip
     Reports.
    
     No more Scopa family stuff....until next time.
    
     170 days, 2:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Ames family arrives in WDW!
    
     Methinks Value Season was in mind with their plans.
    
    Less than 7 months to go!
    
     195 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Verge family arrives in WDW!
    
    Hey...you guys got sumthin' against crowds????
    
     206 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Spagnuolo family arrives in
     WDW!
    
     Hey...you guys got sumthin' against...oops already said that didn't I ?
    
    Less than 8 months to go!
    
     225 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the North family arrives in WDW!
    
     Park Operating hours begin to shorten...plan your day wisely.
    
    Less than 9 months to go!
    
     241 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Cudak family arrives in WDW!
    
     Hey...youse guys got sumthin' against heat????!!!??
    
    Less than 10 months to go !
    
     296 days, 18:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Badger family XMAS Disney
     Vacation!
    
     Watch it Ed....too many trips and you start looking like...OMIGAWRSH!
    
    Less than 2 years/18 months/14 months (pick one) to go!
    
     420 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Skavicus family arrives in WDW!
    
     I guess if I can start my countdown at 700+ days Karen can easily
     handle FOUR-HUNDRED-TWENTY-DAYS...looks awesome in caps huh Karen?
    
     421 days, 21:18:5 hh:mm:ss, before the Stevens family arrives in
     WDW!
    
     Gimmee a break Mark....somehow I think you'll find a way down there
     before next April.
    
     * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
    
    It's easy to see which time is the most popular time for our noters to
    go. 
    
    Next report...first week in April...should be about a dozen of us
    in the magical two-digit period...as opposed to the "My mind isn't
    here" single digit period.
    
    Mike

    My vacation.com prompted me to enter this reply today. Read on...
    
    LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO:
    
    8 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Tancreti family leaves for WDW!
    
    Interesting time to go down...in between the February and April school
    vacations...but Matt's an interesting kind of guy.
    
    12 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Arnold family arrives in WDW!
    
    The last time the Arnold family was down in WDW they turned to the
    castmembers and said, "I'll be back!" Get it? Arnold?!? I'll be
    back??!?!
    
    25 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Hagen family arrives in WDW!
    
    Looks like the Hagens will be ushering in the WDW April School vacation 
    onslaught.
    
    26 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Toye family arrives in WDW!
    
    And if that ain't enought they'll have help from the Toye family.
    You'll know them...they have t-shirts that say "Toyes 'R Us."
    
    29 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Reillys family arrives in WDW
    
    Pretty sneaky...just when everyone is leaving WDW and their Spring
    vacation the Reillys arrive.
    
    LESS THAN 2 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    33 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the O'Brien family arrives in WDW!
    
    And 34 days before Julie and the kids try to convince Wally to go on
    Splash Mountain.
    
    38 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Gulliksen family arrives in WDW!
    
    I think we're talkin' a bit longer operating hours when the Gulliksens
    are down there.
    
    LESS THAN 3 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    83 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before I order my triptiks!
    
    Oh Brother...the first of the Scopa ticklers.
    
    88 days, 11:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Morrison family arrives in WDW!
    
    Now we're talkin' extended operating hours.
    
    LESS THAN 4 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    91 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Benard family arrives in Orlando!
    
    Time is flying Gene...before you know it you'll be rubbing tails...erh
    elbows with Orlando rodents.
    
    98 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before buying my Traveler's Cheques!
    
    Remember...DCU not AAA for these babies.
    
    99 days, 6:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before I start VACATION '97!
    
    Yeah...this is what caught my eye this morning. I still don't leave for
    a few days but hey I'm on vacation in 99 days.
    
    103 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Vore family arrives in WDW!
    
    ...with a case of sunscreen I hope.
    
    105 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the King family arrives in WDW!
    
    Boy...I bet they'll be treated like Kings down there.
    
    106 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives in WDW!
    
    I'll probably have a few pages written for the "GGMOATR" by now.
    
    I know that the Lowells are in here somewhere....Yo Ruth...Randy!!!
    
    LESS THAN 5 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    130 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Great-GrandMother of All Trip Reports
    
    I don't know about everyone else but this is an important part of my
    trip...recalling while fresh in my mind...all the details.
    
    143 days, 6:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Ames family arrives in WDW!
    
    Can you say "Value Season?"
    
    LESS THAN 6 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    169 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Verge family arrives in WDW!
    
    I'm sure all the kinks will be out of Test Track by this time.
    
    180 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Spagnuolo family arrives in WDW!
    
    Excellent weather...just watch out for hurricanes and mosquitos.
    
    LESS THAN 7 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    199 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the North family arrives in WDW!
    
    The North's will be looking for some Southern comfort ;^).
    
    LESS THAN 8 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    215 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Cudak family arrives in WDW!
    
    If I were going now I'd be looking for some Halloween type shows.
    
    LESS THAN 9 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    269 days, 22:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Badger family XMAS Disney
    Vacation!
    
    Ed's biggest problem...decided where to stay and for how long.
    
    LESS THAN 15 MONTHS TO GO:
    
    394 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Skavicus family arrives in WDW!
    
    Been there....done that!
    
    395 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Stevens family arrives in WDW!
    
    Mark...remember that race track? It won't be where it was last time!
    
    
     
    
    
    
    

    
    > 29 days, 1:46:25 hh:mm:ss, before the Reillys family arrives in WDW
    > 
    > Pretty sneaky...just when everyone is leaving WDW and their Spring
    > vacation the Reillys arrive.
    
    I hope everyone IS leaving!  :^)
    
    We haven't been since '92, and need a visit BAD (used to go every 2
    years).  This is the only time we could fit in, and we're hoping it 
    works out okay.  Our 3 favorite times to go are Fall, Fall, and 
    Fall, but that's been out with our schedule.  
    
    All I can think is crowds, heat.... crowds, heat... crowds, heat...
    We're a little afraid of going at this time, but we're also 
    having major withdrawl....
    
    - Sean

    OK....
    
    I just passed the 365 day mark on my vacation.com. It's now under the 1
    year mark!
    
    I must really have it bad too. For the past few weeks, I go over in my
    head exactly what I'll do when I arrive from the airport to the
    property to going to the Park the first time. I haven't gotten by the
    first day yet, but I can visualize it sometimes in so much detail it's
    scarey.
    
    In fact, 1 year from today I'll be having breakfast with Pooh at the
    Crystal Palace. 
    
    I think it's time to pull out another video..Will it be "A Day at the
    Magic Kingdom; EPCOT; or MGM" tonight.
    
    Is there a Disney doctor in the house? 

Since it's been a month or so since I last reviewed my vacation.com and since
this is a big vacation week I thought it best to take a snapshot so here
goes:


 YO MICKEY!!! I'M THERE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 The Hagen's, Raymonds, Toye's, Reilly's, McMahon's, O'Brien's, and Disney
 Moderator Sue Farina are either there, on their way back, or doing trip
 reports ;^).

 The record for most moderators in Orlando at one time is still four, set back
 in 1992. 


 LESS THAN A WEEK!!!!!!!!!

 3 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Gulliksen family arrives in WDW!

 The slowest 72 hours for anyone this week belongs to the Gullickson family.

 5 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before Deb Bourquard arrives in WDW!

 The slowest 120 hours for anyone this week belongs to Deb.


 LESS THAN TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!

 12 days, 1:58:10 hh:mm:ss, before the Von Rosendahl family arrives in WDW!

 One of the nice things about the Von Rosendahl's vacation is that they go down
 to warm weather and they come back to warm weather.


 LESS THAN A MONTH!!!!!!!

 No one....or at least from the sign-in note.


 LESS THAN 2 MONTHS!!!!!!

 48 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before I order my triptiks!

 It's not the time I leave but it's a big milestone for this Disney fan.

 54 days, 11:58:10 hh:mm:ss, before the Johnson family arrives in WDW

 Just about the time when the mega crowds and extended operating hours
 really hit peak...I love it.

 56 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Benard family arrives in Orlando!

 Gene...remember that somewhere along 95 we'll meet...you'll be on your
 way home and I'll be on my way down. I'll have my people call your people...
 ..we'll do Vidalias in Georgia.

 53 days, 13:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Morrison family arrives in WDW!

 I remember another Morrison, Jim Morrison...never had problems getting on any
 attraction....he was always high/tall enough....get it? He loved "Spaced
 Out Mountain." ;^)


 LESS THAN 3 MONTHS!!!!!

 63 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before buying my Traveler's Cheques!

 Hopefully everyone knows by now that DCU sells them for free!

 64 days, 8:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before I start VACATION '97!

 If you're like me the vacation starts when you walk out the door.

 68 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Vore family arrives in WDW!

 Just missing the big 4th of July crowds...good thinking guys.

 68 days, 19:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family leaves for WDW!

 Only reason I'm leaving this late is the Merrimack 4th of July bash otherwise
 I'd leave about 64 days, 8:21:49 hh:mm:ss from now.

 70 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the King family arrives in WDW!

 Just one of several noters braving the heat, humidity, and crowds of
 July...please stand and salute these brave souls.

 70 days, 4:58:10 hh:mm:ss, before the Riccio family arrives in WDW!

 Wow..looks like late June and early July is a real popular time for noters
 to go.

 70 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa's arrive at the Florida border

 I've left this out before but I just gotta mention that this landmark is
 a big one....not to mention the Florida Welcome Center. I hope Susan Farina
 got a chance to stop and "smell the oranges."

 71 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives in WDW!

 The big question is where I will stay this first night...arriving a day
 early....gonna be interesting.


 LESS THAN 4 MONTHS!!!!

 95 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Great-GrandMother of All Trip Reports

 Somewhere a tree is cursing me...and cursing me...and cursing me...
 
 108 days, 8:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Ames family arrives in WDW!

 The Summer crowds begin to noticably thin out about the time the Ames family
 arrives.


 LESS THAN 5 MONTHS!!!

 134 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Verge family arrives in WDW!

 This may be the best time to go this year...weather still good, operating
 hours still okay, and crowds low because all the schools are open.

 139 days, 1:58:10 hh:mm:ss, before the Mills family arrives in WDW! 

 Hmmm...methinks more people and more people know how good of an idea it is
 to come down to WDW this time of year.

 145 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Spagnuolo family arrives in WDW!

 Same as above with maybe one exception...cutback in operating hours and
 maybe, just maybe, a few attractions down for maintenance...tough to predict.

 152 days, 1:58:10 hh:mm:ss, before the Wattum family arrives in WDW!

 Just under 6 months! Late September...hmmm....take some mosquito repellent.


 LESS THAN 6 MONTHS!!

 164 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the North family arrives in WDW!

 Let's see this is, hmmm, carry the three...oh October. Many people feel this
 is the ideal time to go...low crowds and low humidity....we'll find out when
 we enjoy the North family trip report.

 180 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Cudak family arrives in WDW!

 I've always thought about how neat it would be to spend Halloween in either
 MGM or TMK.


 LESS THAN 8 MONTHS TO GO!

 235 days, 0:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Badger family XMAS Disney Vacation!

 Ed will find out if that cast member was right about whether or not the cake
 will be transformed back to the castle during his Christmas visit.


 LESS THAN A YEAR TO GO

 359 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Skavicus family arrives in WDW!

 Under a year to go...soft opening for Animal Kingdom? One can hope.

 360 days, 3:21:59 hh:mm:ss, before the Stevens family arrives in WDW!

 Under a year Mark....we'll all be curious regarding how the admission media
 will run with the new park.


 Next snapshot: Right around Memorial Day Weekend.

 Mike

    
    Yup!  We're on our last night here at the Boardwalk Inn!  This and the
    the Wilderness Lodge were excellent!  We wanted to split our stay
    to see two new hotels!  Quite a bit of rain over the 2 weeks, but
    not a problem for us as it's been a very low-key relaxing vacation!
    
    Going over to the MK to buy our brick on the Walk before we leave
    tomorrow... 
    
    Post a report when we get back!
    
    - The Reilly's

Although this note is being entered on the Friday before Memorial Day (1997)
it is intended to be read on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Therefore the time
stamps are as of Tuesday, May 27th, 1997.

Time is flying and, despite the weather, Summer is just around the corner. Shall
we all take a look see as to who is where in regard to their trip?

LESS THAN A MONTH !!!

 25 days, 9:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Johnson family arrives in WDW!

 You can call them excited, you can call them thrilled, but you don't have to
 call them Johnson...remember that bit? 

 26 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Benard family arrives in Orlando!

 Hey Gene, this ain't no Rosanne final episode nonsense....it's not a book, and
 it ain't a Dallas episode dream sequence....it's real baby and you'll be in
 WDW in 26 days. You should be ordering your triptiks in a few weeks
 and also buying anti-tackiness spray....for South of the Border. Look for me
 on the way back. I'll be in the blue Voyager with the bumber sticker that
 says, "I Love Brazil!" By the way, Gene is doing something that I never thought
 would work but the way Gene is doing it...well it has some good points. The
 Benard's are staying several days on property and several days off
 property...in that order. I can see the heads shaking but wait!!! In this case
 while Gene and his family are staying on the property they are doing only
 stuff. They are then moving to an off property resort and doing non-Disney
 stuff..at least they are not doing Disney stuff while off the property. Some
 people would suggest doing the non-Disney stuff first...now that's tough,
 especially for first-timers with kids. If Gene did that I would contact some
 castmembers down there to kidnap Gene and force him to watch the Norwegian
 Air Lines Film in Norway. Have a great time Gene. 

LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AWAY!!!!!

 38 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Vore family arrives in WDW!

 The Vore family is heading down right around the first of July and they
 promise to do some advance work for me. They have agreed to calling in bomb
 threats to hotels who are booking South American tour groups, insuring there
 is plenty of pineapple for the Dole Whips, and making sure that Martinique's
 pool/laundry area is back to normal by my arrival date....gee thanks guys.

 40 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the King family arrives in WDW!

 I can't expect the Vore family to do everything so the King family has assured
 me that they will sabotage any plans to replace the Hunchback Show in MGM
 with a Herc show, mess up the clocks in EPCOT so that Future World and World
 Showcase both operate on the same schedule, and in the middle of the night on
 July 6th sneak into TMK, remove the inflatables from the castle, and restore
 it to its original color.....I'll spring for the paint. Some people will do
 anything to get a few extra trivia clues.

 40 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa's arrive at the Florida border! 

 I thought I'd throw this in because those who have driven down before and who
 will drive down and discover this year (ATTENTION GENE BENARD) know that this
 is a bigtime landmark. I have actually worked my driving schedule so that I
 will reach the Florida Welcome Center mid-day....didn't want to risk getting
 there before they opened (9 A.M.) or after they closed (5 P.M.). Gene, have an
 orange juice on me.

 41 days, 2:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Riccio family arrives in WDW!

 Phil just wheeled and dealed so this family vacation is stretching the family
 vacation dollar even more. Yo Phil, welcome to the world of Annual Passports.
 During your stay look for the guy harassing the castmembers with endless
 questions while balancing a Dole Whip on his forehead....it could be me.

 41 days, 2:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives in WDW!

 Of course you guys realize that I'm arriving a day early...I'll let everyone
 know through the magic of HOTMAIL (if my Innoventions contacts are still there)
 how I did. 

LESS THAN 3 MONTHS!!!

 65 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Great-GrandMother of All Trip Reports

 On my last trip I was happy to provide everyone with a detailed description
 of the TZTOT. This time around I hope to concentrate on Test Track and all
 areas I was unable to experience back in '94. With this most likely as being
 our last trip as an immediate family I'm sure I'll have some strong feelings
 about our experiences this time around.

 79 days, 4:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Ames family arrives in WDW!

 You can tell someone has been doing their homework regarding Value Season
 and when crowds begin to drop off.


LESS THAN 4 MONTHS!!!

 99 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Verge family arrives in WDW!

 Ladies and Gentlemen the Verge family has just dropped into the 2 digit
 waiting period....drum roll please!!!!

 109 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Mills family arrives in WDW!

 The first time I ever went to WDW was in September and the weather was
 just about perfect. Methinks that someday I'll take another September trip
 down there.

 115 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Spagnuolo family arrives in WDW!

 I wonder if the Spagnuolo family realizes that they were supposed to be in WDW
 in July with the rest of the Italian noters. We'll let it go this time but
 don't let it happen again.

 122 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Wattum family arrives in WDW!

 I think the Wattum family will be visiting during the Disneyana Convention.
 That's another reason for going in September....besides decent weather and
 low crowds.

 134 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the North family arrives in WDW!

 Too bad there isn't a Friday the 13th this October. I bet MGM would be
 interesting that night....then again, it's interesting every night.

LESS THAN 5 MONTHS!!!

 150 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Cudak family arrives in WDW!

 Now the Cudak's may be in store for some neat stuff at MGM. I think Elvira
 may be at MGM during their stay.

LESS THAN 6 MONTHS!!!

 181 days, 9:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Morrison family arrives in WDW!

 When we last left the Morrison Family they were slated to be in Orlando
 in July. However due to schedule conflicts and unavailability of rooms
 inside WDW Bill and family shifted their trip to Late November and early
 December. The good news is that he got a good deal at the Contemporary...
 ...moved up from Dixie Landings.

LESS THAN 7 MONTHS!!!

 189 days, 20:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Antry family arrives in WDW!

 Early December days...not sure when the Very Mickey Xmas stuff begins to
 show up but I'm sure that early December is a great time to see some
 neat Christmas decorations.

 205 days, 20:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Badger family XMAS Disney Vacation!

 Eddie...almost under that 200 day mark. By the way...that castmember misread
 your request. Instead of changing the cakstle back to a castle they are going
 to extend it a few weeks more. It's Ed's fault folks.

LESS THAN 11 MONTHS!!!

 329 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Skavicus family arrives in WDW!

 Now if I had reservations for April of 1998 would I change them to late May so
 I'd have a shot at checking out Disney's Animal Kingdom? Hmmmmm.

 330 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Stevens family arrives in WDW!

 Mark....read my Skavicus family comments. My AP may convince me to shoot
 down to WDW next year just to check out the park. Hey I could give my son a
 graduation gift of a WDW trip and I'd tag along.

Well folks it looks like I'll have one more update before I leave. My next
update will be filed sometime during the week of 23-June-1997.

Mike

    Hey Mike, you forgot the Lowells.
    
    Ruth

Although this note is being entered on the Friday before Memorial Day it's
intended to be read on the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Therefore the time
stamps are as of Tuesday, May 27th, 1997.

Time is flying and, despite the weather, Summer is just around the corner. Shall
we all take a look see as to who is where in regard to their trip?

LESS THAN A MONTH !!!

 25 days, 9:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Johnson family arrives in WDW!

 You can call them excited, you can call them thrilled, but you don't have to
 call them Johnson...remember that bit? 

 26 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Benard family arrives in Orlando!

 Hey Gene, this ain't no Rosanne final episode nonsense....it's not a book, and
 it ain't a Dallas episode dream sequence....it's real baby and you'll be in
 WDW in 26 days. You should be ordering your triptiks in a few weeks
 and also buying anti-tackiness spray....for South of the Border. Look for me
 on the way back. I'll be in the blue Voyager with the bumber sticker that
 says, "I Love Brazil!" By the way, Gene is doing something that I never thought
 would work but the way Gene is doing it...well it has some good points. The
 Benard's are staying several days on property and several days off
 property...in that order. I can see the heads shaking but wait!!! In this case
 while Gene and his family are staying on the property they are doing only
 stuff. They are then moving to an off property resort and doing non-Disney
 stuff..at least they are not doing Disney stuff while off the property. Some
 people would suggest doing the non-Disney stuff first...now that's tough,
 especially for first-timers with kids. If Gene did that I would contact some
 castmembers down there to kidnap Gene and force him to watch the Norwegian
 Air Lines Film in Norway. Have a great time Gene. 

LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AWAY!!!!!

 38 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Vore family arrives in WDW!

 The Vore family is heading down right around the first of July and they
 promise to do some advance work for me. They have agreed to calling in bomb
 threats to hotels who are booking South American tour groups, insuring there
 is plenty of pineapple for the Dole Whips, and making sure that Martinique's
 pool/laundry area is back to normal by my arrival date....gee thanks guys.

 40 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the King family arrives in WDW!

 I can't expect the Vore family to do everything so the King family has assured
 me that they will sabotage any plans to replace the Hunchback Show in MGM
 with a Herc show, mess up the clocks in EPCOT so that Future World and World
 Showcase both operate on the same schedule, and in the middle of the night on
 July 6th sneak into TMK, remove the inflatables from the castle, and restore
 it to its original color.....I'll spring for the paint. Some people will do
 anything to get a few extra trivia clues.

 40 days, 23:4:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa's arrive at the Florida border! 

 I thought I'd throw this in because those who have driven down before and who
 will drive down and discover this year (ATTENTION GENE BENARD) know that this
 is a bigtime landmark. I have actually worked my driving schedule so that I
 will reach the Florida Welcome Center mid-day....didn't want to risk getting
 there before they opened (9 A.M.) or after they closed (5 P.M.). Gene, have an
 orange juice on me.

 41 days, 2:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Riccio family arrives in WDW!

 Phil just wheeled and dealed so this family vacation is stretching the family
 vacation dollar even more. Yo Phil, welcome to the world of Annual Passports.
 During your stay look for the guy harassing the castmembers with endless
 questions while balancing a Dole Whip on his forehead....it could be me.

 41 days, 2:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Scopa family arrives in WDW!

 Of course you guys realize that I'm arriving a day early...I'll let everyone
 know through the magic of HOTMAIL (if my Innoventions contacts are still there)
 how I did. 

 43 days, 2:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Lowell family arrives in WDW!

 Some day in rec.arts.disney we'll be reading about a WDW resort that names
 a wing after Randy and Ruth Lowell. "Hey Dad can we stay in the Poly/Lowell
 wing this year....or the DVC/Lowell wing....or the FW/Lowell wing or the...."

LESS THAN 3 MONTHS!!!

 65 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Great-GrandMother of All Trip Reports

 On my last trip I was happy to provide everyone with a detailed description
 of the TZTOT. This time around I hope to concentrate on Test Track and all
 areas I was unable to experience back in '94. With this most likely as being
 our last trip as an immediate family I'm sure I'll have some strong feelings
 about our experiences this time around.

 79 days, 4:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Ames family arrives in WDW!

 You can tell someone has been doing their homework regarding Value Season
 and when crowds begin to drop off.


LESS THAN 4 MONTHS!!!

 99 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Verge family arrives in WDW!

 Ladies and Gentlemen the Verge family has just dropped into the 2 digit
 waiting period....drum roll please!!!!

 109 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Mills family arrives in WDW!

 The first time I ever went to WDW was in September and the weather was
 just about perfect. Methinks that someday I'll take another September trip
 down there.

 115 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Spagnuolo family arrives in WDW!

 I wonder if the Spagnuolo family realizes that they were supposed to be in WDW
 in July with the rest of the Italian noters. We'll let it go this time but
 don't let it happen again.

 122 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Wattum family arrives in WDW!

 I think the Wattum family will be visiting during the Disneyana Convention.
 That's another reason for going in September....besides decent weather and
 low crowds.

 134 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the North family arrives in WDW!

 Too bad there isn't a Friday the 13th this October. I bet MGM would be
 interesting that night....then again, it's interesting every night.

LESS THAN 5 MONTHS!!!

 150 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Cudak family arrives in WDW!

 Now the Cudak's may be in store for some neat stuff at MGM. I think Elvira
 may be at MGM during their stay.

LESS THAN 6 MONTHS!!!

 181 days, 9:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Morrison family arrives in WDW!

 When we last left the Morrison Family they were slated to be in Orlando
 in July. However due to schedule conflicts and unavailability of rooms
 inside WDW Bill and family shifted their trip to Late November and early
 December. The good news is that he got a good deal at the Contemporary...
 ...moved up from Dixie Landings.

LESS THAN 7 MONTHS!!!

 189 days, 20:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Antry family arrives in WDW!

 Early December days...not sure when the Very Mickey Xmas stuff begins to
 show up but I'm sure that early December is a great time to see some
 neat Christmas decorations.

 205 days, 20:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Badger family XMAS Disney Vacation!

 Eddie...almost under that 200 day mark. By the way...that castmember misread
 your request. Instead of changing the cakstle back to a castle they are going
 to extend it a few weeks more. It's Ed's fault folks.

LESS THAN 11 MONTHS!!!

 329 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Skavicus family arrives in WDW!

 Now if I had reservations for April of 1998 would I change them to late May so
 I'd have a shot at checking out Disney's Animal Kingdom? Hmmmmm.

 330 days, 23:24:44 hh:mm:ss, before the Stevens family arrives in WDW!

 Mark....read my Skavicus family comments. My AP may convince me to shoot
 down to WDW next year just to check out the park. Hey I could give my son a
 graduation gift of a WDW trip and I'd tag along.

Well folks it looks like I'll have one more update before I leave. My next
update will be filed sometime during the week of 23-June-1997.

Mike

    Huh? Check again.
    
    

> I think the Wattum family will be visiting during the Disneyana Convention.

I believe the Disneyana Convention takes place Sept 2-6, so we'll be missing it.
As I recall, the only thing going on during our time frame was the weightlifting
championships.  Still no space shuttle launch during our trip after the NASA
schedule changes, but I keep hoping (since the web page claims the current
schedule is still not firm).

--Scott

    I'd love to change my plans for the end of May to get in the new
    park - however, I'm stuck going around my daughter's school vacation.
    
    I'm hoping the crowds will be lighter because everyone else will be 
    waiting for the new park to open!
    
    

    One month from today I'll (finally) be on the road to Orlando. 
    
    I'm already into my lists and pre-trip schedule. You know the routine:
    
     - Servicing the car.
     - Ordering the triptiks.
     - Getting the Traveler's Cheques.
     - Planning the route/schedule down/up.
     - Collecting/Organizing all the brochures/maps/books/lists.
     - Getting a few new pairs of shorts/tops for the trip.
     - Stocking up on video tapes to collect some "memories."
     - Check this...check that...buy this...buy that.
     
    On top of all that I find myself surfing the web every day for:
    
     - Orlando Sentinel
     - Orlando Weather
     - rec.arts.disney for the latest gossip on what's happening
     - Deb's Disney Digest for any new stuff
     - Ed's Countdown page to see if I know anyone who'll be there when I'm
       there.
    
    Then of course there's:
    
     - Vacation.com
     - DisneyTime App (presently is says I'm 32 days and 3 hours from
       arriving....or 771 hours....or 46000 minutes...or 2275500 seconds)
    
    Somewhere there is a small worm peeking out from under a leaf. It is
    quickly snatched by a bird and flown high up onto a branch holding some 
    recently hatched birds gasping for food. 
    
    As they gulp down their breakfast they are unaware that sometime in the 
    next week or so their home will be upended by a man with a chain saw.
    
    After he fells the tree that man will load that tree to be sent to a mill 
    to be processed with a portion coming out as printer paper (bear with
    me on this). 
    
    That printer paper is distributed and will be loaded into printers from
    all over and eventually will be sent through those printers and come out 
    with the words from not the Mother....
    
    ...nor the GrandMother....
    
    ...but from the Great GrandMother of All Trip Reports. It's been talked 
    about for several years now...it's almost here....everyone has some
    time...make that eye doctor appointment.....gotta make sure  you have 
    reading glasses...take the phone off the hook...you don't want to disrupt 
    the flow....put on that Disney Music CD....need that music to set the
    mood. Practice this ritual for a month...you have time.
    
    That's right....your virtual trip to Orlando is coming soon.
    
    The Psychic Hotline telephone lines are ringing like crazy. "We want to
    know what the Great Grandmother of All Trip Reports will be like", ask
    the frantic callers.
    
    But the psychics don't know...they don't even dare a guess as to what
    the GGMROAT will contain. Will there be thrills? Will there be chills?
    Will there be comedy? Drama? Pathos? Will there be emotion? A theme?
    Does anyone know? Does the author know? Maybe....maybe not.
    
    What/How does an admitted Disneyholic write a trip report for a trip
    that stands as a last family trip to Walt Disney World?
    
    Rights on this work are currently being discussed by Spielberg, Lucas,
    Howard, Turner, and others. Dollars are being mentioned in the hundreds
    of millions of dollars.
    
    But the auther puts no price on this piece of work. "It's for the
    noters first," he states. "They are with me on every word, every
    experience, every Disney moment."
    
    So I'm warming up my pens and pencils, thinking about how to "package"
    the upcoming trip report so that it's not only informative, but also
    enjoyable and memorable for everyone. I'll know I'll be successful if
    I can paint a good enough picture so that you can imagine you were
    there with me. If it's not informative it falls short of my
    expectation. If it's not enjoyable reading it falls short of your
    expectations. It's a tall order.
    
    Suffice to say...it's also just another temporary cure for the "-itis."
    
    Stay tuned...and bump up your disk space.
    
    And if you've just hatched from an egg and you're looking forward to a
    juicy worm for breakfast be afraid...be very afraid.
    
    Mike

>    On top of all that I find myself surfing the web every day for:

and I've been using RealAudio to listen to WSHE Orlando for the last 
couple of weeks as well!

I can't wait for the report. If it's anything like the Scopa Rumbles you used
to post in ::Wrestling it's going to be very enjoyable and will have thrills,
chills, comedy, Drama, Patos, emotion, and a theme..............

enjoy the trip! I also doubt that it will be the last family trip, the family
will just be a bit bigger the next time............

mike

    Ah yes the rumbles...those were the days.
    
    The itis has gotten to me so badly that I'm taking my Sony Walkman
    headset with me so when I run in the morning down there I can listen to
    the WDW broadcasts. Do ya think they broadcast at 5:30 in the morning?
    
    Mike