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We listened and still said “no”

26 Feb 2010 by Just Precious

Its not that it doesn’t happen. It’s just never happened like this.

Today Big, age 6, acted about age 12. He reminded me of the time when I was 16 and pitched my parents on the need to buy me a Geo Tracker. (It even sounds like a toy now, doesn’t it?!) Big wanted to join Club Penguin.

Apparently, on Friday, he succeeded in defeating Sensei, a big guru penguin on the popular children’s community and games website, owned by Disney. According to Big, once you defeat Sensei, you become a Ninja, and your next step is to become a Fire Ninja, but you can’t do that unless you’re a member. And membership costs $5.95 per month.

Asking me about membership Friday, I already knew my answer was “no”, but explained that he’d need to discuss it with the Huz and me, together. And so, on Sunday, he apporached us. He was ready to go with a full-on pitch. He started out explaining what he’s learned on Club Penguin. Then he went on to tell us about reaching Ninja-status, how important this was to him, and how much he wanted to continue.

While he didn’t have the posterboards that I had describing my finances and how I planned to pay back a loan from my parents, should they purchase the Tracker for me, he did offer, twice, to pay with his own money. And while we do allow him spending money and offer him the ability to make his own choices for spending his own money, membership to Club Penguin requires parental permission, and we weren’t buying his paying the $5.95 per month, for a year. In fact, when we helped him to figure that the cost would be over $70 a year, he paused. I’m sure he considered the LEGO toy he could get in place of membership.

Still, he persisted. He continued to calmly explain how much he wanted to play. But where he got stuck was when I asked him what else he does at Club Penguin, besides the karate-style game (which is really just a dressed up rock-papers-scissors game); I’ve watched him play. I’ve seen him take care of Puffles (the penguin pets you can adopt). I’ve watched him interact with other penguins. He reads the comments and directions on the screen. Had he cited these particulars I may have been encouraged that he is getting something out of the website, but he couldn’t get past the karate game. He couldn’t get past the fact that he wanted to move up in the game to another level.

It wasn’t enough. We calmly complemented his drive, motivation and thorough pitch. But membership to Club Penguin, we decided, isn’t worth the money right now. The kids have enough toys, enough games, enough electronics. And, I pointed out, there are plenty of other websites he’ll enjoy just as much, if not more, that are free. We just haven’t found them yet.

Big wasn’t happy. He moped a bit. But he understood that we weren’t going to change our opinions on this one, and that there are other things more worth the energy.

Today he played the free area of Club Penguin. And then he asked me to find a different website that he could explore. Then he forgot about Club Penguin as he played Magic Tree House’s webpage. We’ll see what else there is to explore tomorrow.

Important Medical Care Information for Disney World

05 Feb 2010 by Just Precious

Emergency Medical Care: It was one of those things that I forgot to find out ahead of time, but, luckily, all of the information was easily accessible through the front desk at our resort. So, the lowdown if you need medical help while you’re at Disney.

Urgent Care: Available off property near Downtown Disney. If you’re staying on property and need a ride, they offer a free shuttle. We called at about 8:05 (they open at 8 am) and the estimated wait time was 1 hour after your shuttle arrived to their offices. Shuttle time would vary depending on when you called for pick-up, and how many others called.

Emergency/911 Needs: 911 will send an ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital, or treat you at the property. According to Savannah at the front desk at the Boardwalk, Disney will cover your 911 fees.

On Property First Aid: Check the park map for location. At Magic Kingdom, its right off of Main Street before you get to the Adventureland bridge. The ladies were very kind and helpful, the facility clean (of course) and calm. (We needed Bandaids). Its attached to the baby care area which is amazingly equipped with everything you’ll need with baby. Again, very clean, with deluxe changing tables, rocking chairs, play table and high chairs. Plus a quiet room, wipes, dipes and about everything else you can think of for baby.

Afterhours needs: If its an emergency, the front desk has the ability to enter the shop in your hotel. We called down to request an OTC Medical item and they were able to open and charge to our room. It has to be a real emergency, though. And they have to carry the item in the store.

Pharmacy needs: Should you need pharmacy items while staying at Disney, there is a Pharmacy that delivers. You can fax your perscription to the them through your concierge and it will be delivered for just a $5 fee. All costs are charged to your room, and you don’t need to be present for it to be delivered. Your order cannot be delivered to your room, you’ll need to pick up at Bell Services or the front desk once it arrives. You can also order OTC items that they don’t have in the gift or sundries shop.

I really, really hope none of my readers will ever need this information.

Have fun!

Category: Travel Tags: disney, emergency, medical, urgent care, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World 3 Comments

Before you go to Disney: Make an Autograph book

04 Feb 2010 by Just Precious

Showing off Buzz Lightyear's "stampnature"

Disney World was not our first Theme Park. Living in South Eastern Pennsylvania, we’ve visited Sesame Place, Dutch Wonderland, and Hershey Park. Our family has also been to two Sea Worlds (Orlando and San Antonio) and plenty of parties with characters to meet and greet. And each time had a commonality: our kids had no interest in meeting and greeting.

While for all of those trips it didn’t really matter, for Disney World, I wanted the kids to see the characters. I wanted the pictures, the hugs, the love. I worried about my kids being scared of a giant mouse like they were Cookie Monster. I was concerned they’d shy away from Pluto instead of hugging and joking. So, I researched for ideas that would help my kids get to know the characters.First, we saw every Disney movie our library had in stock. This kind of preparation takes time, weeks, months even. And we watched Disney’s free planning DVD the night before we left, showing other kids hugging, high fiving and joking around with the characters.But the most pivotal part of their character relationship was the autograph book. Having an autograph book gave them something to do with their hands if they didn’t want to hug. And it gave the boys a purpose to their visit. You can buy Autograph books at Target and area bookstores. Amazon has plenty. Or, be simple, inexpensive and unique and make your own.

Pluto signing an autograph book (yes, he really uses his eyes.)

I purchased 4×6″ spiral sketch books with thick covers at ACMoore (any craft store will do) and went to their scrapbooking section where I found an entire section of Disney stickers, 40% off. I selected a few: some had Disney terms like “the happiest place on Earth” and “the place where dreams come true” , others had pictures of the popular characters. I also purchased a few sheets of Mickey ears stickers with alphabetic letters.

On the first few pages I included stickers with the character’s stickers. There was a Mickey page, a Minnie, a Goofy and a Donald… The covers had the kids’ names spelled with the ears stickers and a title. And the inside cover included quotes about Disney. There were about 50 blank pages.

Stitch needed a bigger pen

When I gave the books to the boys, I also gave them additional stickers. The stickers made for great busy-work when awaiting meals and while on the plane (and would have been wonderful in line, had there been significant lines.)

JustPrecious2disney Remember to bring a writing utensil. We found that Sharpies worked well because the characters could grip them easily. Some characters, like Buzz Lightyear, have autograph stamps.

And include a return address somewhere in your book. I didn’t get to test this, but I’ve heard that if an autograph book is found in the parks, they are often signed by all the big-shots before being mailed to your home. (Almost wanted to bring an extra book and lose it, just to test this one.)