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May 2010

29
May

Day 7 recap

in Live from Disney 2010,Our Disney Trip 2010,Our Disney Trip Report 2010

We had one last Give A Day ticket to redeem for Fastpasses. We decided to do it on Friday at the Magic Kingdom again. Can you tell that Magic Kingdom is our favorite park? We redeemed for the Fastpass option and my husband and son took the monorail and my daughter and I took the ferry boats. We both got to the entrance at the same exact time! How funny!

We arrived in time to watch the Welcome Show. I just love this show that they do. I highly suggest you make it to the Magic Kingdom before Rope Drop and see it. It’s such a great way to start your day!

We decided to take it slow this morning and concentrate more on meeting the characters then on anything else. We waited there in front of the train station after entering the parks to meet both Daisy and Pluto. The kids just love to meet the characters! Then we jumped on the Horse and Trolly to go down Main Street. This really isn’t the fastest way to get to the castle, but we had never done it before.

When we reached the castle, we headed to the right side and up the path there. We stopped to say hello to the Step Mother and Step Sisters from Cinderella. They NEVER disappoint! Then we walked up the path a bit more and met Snow White. She kissed Jacob on the head and we couldn’t get the kiss off all day! It was too funny.

I sent Jason to Fastpass Peter Pan while we made our way to Toontown for Rope Drop. Emily and Jason went to meet the Princesses and Jacob and I went to hug Mickey and Minnie again. Yes, that boy is obsessed! We were first in line to meet them. Unfortunately we didn’t get a tour of the house. They actually allowed a family to go back (I’m thinking it was Make a Wish) so while we made it as the first family after Rope Drop, we didn’t get the tour. Which is more than fine with me. I’d gladly give every spot I have in line up for another kid.

We then rode The Barnstormer twice before catching the train to Adventureland. I sent Jason to fastpass Big Thunder while we waited to meet Woody and Jessie. Everytime we wait, the character has to go potty or check on their horse or their cheesecake or whatever. I think it’s happened at least 10 times this trip! Which is fine….. but still. Why does it always end up being us? :P

After meeting them (and they are very well worth the wait), we grabbed a quick snack and then headed over to meet Pirate Goofy. Jacob is now terrified of boat rides (thanks to my husband convincing me to let him go on Splash), so he wouldn’t ride Pirates. But Jason took Emily on a quick ride. We hung out in the awesome gift shop.

Then it was off to meet Frontier Donald while Jason ran to fastpass Splash Mountain. It was so hot! So after seeing him, I sent Jason and Jacob back to the room while Emily and I waited THIRTY minutes for Princess Tiana. She is a long wait. Which was fine. We were more than willing to wait for her. Emily was so good waiting in line.

We caught the Celebrate! Street Party on our way back to the bus. I met the nicest lady at the bus stop and we had a great conversation about touring the parks. I love striking up conversations with people around us. I’ve talked to a LOT of people from England.

We came back to the hotel and started another load of laundry while we ate lunch. Then I got the kids to lay down for a nap before we headed back to the Magic Kingdom around 5.

We got there and split up. Jason and Emily went to ride both Big Thunder and Splash Mountain twice while Jacob and I browsed. We fastpassed Pooh and then rode the Carousel twice before eating dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern (it was okay). Jason and Emily still weren’t finished so we rode Aladdin while we waited. It took them 1 hour and 45 minutes to ride it all! And they had Fastpasses. Blah!

We then were ready to use our Give A Day Fastpass option. We rode Peter Pan three times (once with a Fastpass from earlier in the day) and we even noticed something else new! This was like our 1 millionth time to ride it. HAHA!

Then we rode Pooh twice (once with a previous Fastpass). This is Jacob’s favorite ride. He has started covering his eyes on it though during the flood. (Thanks a lot Splash Mountain!)

We also squeezed in 3 rides on Buzz Lightyear before hightailing it out of there because the rain was coming. We made it back to the room before the rain! Woo hoo!

Recap:

Met Daisy – 5 minutes
Met Pluto – 5 minutes
Trolley to the castle – no wait
Met the Step Sisters – 2 minute wait
Met Snow White – 2 minute wait
Toontown Rope Drop – 15 minute wait
Met Mickey Mouse (Kristin and Jacob) – 2 minute wait
Met the Princesses (Jason and Emily) – 3 minute wait
Barnstormer – no wait
Barnstormer – no wait
Train to Adventureland – no wait
Met Woody and Jesse – 15 minute wait (5 minutes of it was while they were gone)
Met Pirate Goofy – 3 minute wait
Pirates (Jason and Emily) – 2 minute wait
Met Frontier Donald – 5 minute wait
Met Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen – 30 minute wait
Celebrate Street Party – no wait
Break – 3.5 hours
Jason and Emily ride Big Thunder twice and Splash twice – 1 hour, 45 minutes total
Kristin and Jacob ride the Carousel twice (no wait) and Aladdin (10 minute wait)
Peter Pan – 5 minute wait. Used Fastpass
Peter Pan – 5 minute wait. Used Give A Day Fastpass
Peter Pan – 5 minute wait. Used Give A Day Fastpass
Pooh – 5 minute wait. Used Fastpass
Pooh – 5 minute wait. Used Give A Day Fastpass
Buzz Lightyear – 5 minute wait. Used Give A Day Fastpass
Buzz Lightyear – 5 minute wait. Used Give A Day Fastpass
Buzz Lightyear – 5 minute wait. Used Give A Day Fastpass

Catch Up

Day 1 morning recap

Day 1 evening and Day 2 morning recap

Day 2 evening and Day 3 morning recap

Day 3 evening

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

{ 22 comments }

29
May

Guest Post: Don’t compare yourself with the Joneses

in Guest Posts

Do you ever feel like you just can’t compete with the posts that show “$60 worth of products for just 2¢”? Ever feel like you are failing compared to other couponers?

My advice to you – Don’t Compare Yourself to the Joneses!!

I used to do this – big time! It was horrible. I would come home from the grocery store and feel like I failed because I didn’t get it all for only a few dollars – even though I had saved 50% or more!

Focus on Your Family

I was cutting my family’s grocery budget in half – and that was our goal! Once I stopped focusing on what everyone else was doing, I was able to be content with our goals and spending.

Pick and Choose

I still love to get products for free or better than free – and do so often. But I don’t feel as though I have to do all the deals and money savings tips that are published out there on the web. I pick and choose what is right for our family. This is what I want for you.

Try to think of the ways to save as a buffet. You pick and choose what fits in with your family dynamics.

Set Goals

You need to have some goals in mind of what you are trying to accomplish by couponing. Do you want to cut 50% off your monthly grocery budget? Are you saving for a vacation? Do you need to cut your monthly bills by $400? Write your goals down. Make them specific. Make them attainable.

Let’s face it, couponing and going out to get the deals takes time. Hopefully, we help you save time by bringing you a lot of the great deals in one place. Mike and I both work full time and have 4 boys – there is no possible way we could run out and do every deal that we see. We have had to learn to work the deals that work for us.

Find Your ‘Mojo’

It is our desire that you will find your ‘Mojo’ – your groove if you will – in the couponing world. Go get your ‘Mojo’ on and remember, the best deal is your deal – the one that works for your family’s dynamics!

Lisa and Mike blog at MoJo Savings. Their goal is to help others (as well as our family) to be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. These hard economic times, combined with such a large family, has provided us with the inspiration needed to really delve in and tighten our belts and to help others accomplish the same.

{ 21 comments }

29
May

Gift Card Winner for Friday

in Posts

May 28th – a little over 400 comments

Tanya – thudson@

{ 11 comments }

29
May

Buy any Sundae on Sunday and get one free at Krispy Kreme

in Posts

Every Sunday this summer, Krispy Kreme is offering buy one, get one free sundeas! You can choose from the Very Vanilla, Deep Chocolate or Swirl Kool Kreme soft serve topped with classic hot fudge, fresh fruits and berry sauces or cookie and candy pieces. Or the doughnut topped with Kool Kreme soft serve and smothered in strawberry, caramel butterscotch, or hot fudge sauce.

(Thanks Saving with Amy!)

{ 9 comments }

29
May

Extra Cash: Get paid to complete surveys with Survey Savvy

in Posts

Survey Savvy is another great survey site. The surveys are in dollar amounts (so no figuring out how many points you need to get $1) and the minimum payment is just $1! They do require verification over the telephone when you register.

This is one of the many ways you can add cash to your fund. Be sure to see all the ways to earn extra cash.
Go here to read to the Getting Started “Couponing to Disney” page.

{ 6 comments }

29
May

Find out what is in Sunday’s paper today!

in Posts

There are no coupons in Sunday’s paper, but if you want to see what is coming in the future go here.
Look for the Coupon Resources drop down menu in the middle of the green toolbar.
Select Coupon Previews.

{ 9 comments }

29
May

Guest Post: Save money by making your own cakes

in Posts

The following is a guest post from Michelle who blogs at Money Saving Madness:

Over 8 years ago, when my oldest had her very first birthday, I decided that I would become a cake decorator! I had never made a cake for kids before and never thought I could. But the journey began as something I would do for my kids that would become a special memory-and it most certainly has!

Baking cakes for my kids has become a wonderful tradition over the years.  It has been a real money saver too!  I have created over 20 custom cakes with no training or special skills.

When I ask my kids what they want for their birthday, they automatically start planning the cake I will make (this seems to take priority over gifts!)  My kids actually start thinking of what cake I will make them next year while we are cutting and eating their cake!

The cost cost of baking these “special cakes” made by mom is far less than a sheet cake decorated by Walmart!  While the average store cake is $25, I have created most of mine for less than $5!  If you have cake mixes, frosting, and food coloring in your stockpile, you will have very little into your cakes!

I have found the internet to be my best friend when I am dreaming up my next cake.  I also have a very basic Wilton Beginners Book and a few of the popular cake tips, but they are not necessary.  This dinosaur cake was created from an idea at Betty Crocker.com.

http://www.howdini.com/howdini-video-7073677.html

The step-by-step video made this so quick and easy.  Anyone can do this!

My kids think I am a super awesome cake decorating mom and your kids will too!

You might also want to look into making this castle cake:

http://www.howdini.com/howdini-video-7094674.html

{ 21 comments }

29
May

Hot Prints – Get a free photo book

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It’s a new month and that means you can get another Hot Prints photo book for this month! Remember they give you one free book every calendar month!

Go to Hot Prints and create your own free Hotbook. Just click on the right side where it says “Make Your Own Hotbook”.

(Thanks Save the Coupons!)

{ 10 comments }

29
May

Summer Shopping at the Tanger Outlet

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Three times the savings at Tanger Outlet!!!

If you are planning a trip to the Tanger Outlet now through June 30th you will want to sign up for the Tanger Outlet Summer of Savings Pass. This is a free coupon which will be mailed to so order one now so you have it when you need it.

You may also want to purchase the Tanger Outlet coupon booklet which is $5, and good until 12/31.

If you have a store in mind you will also want to check the list of mater store coupons that are available for printing now. These change and vary by location.

Coupons are good at all locations, if vacation shopping is on your list of summer activities you will want to look at your destination city and get a copy now so you are ready to shop!

(Thanks My Springfield Mommy!)

{ 3 comments }

29
May

It’s Day 27 of 50 days of Disney music!

in Posts

Disney is giving away an MP3 every day for the next 50 days on their Facebook and/or Twitter page! Since I am at Disney World, I’m not sure what the song is… but check out their status message and see!

{ 5 comments }

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