March 06th, 2015: Tanya's Lake Tahoe Road Trip: Day 4

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Total Change of Plans

Hey Guys!
How many ways can you say screwed up?  Well, this weekend has certainly turned into one big disappointment.  

First the flights get cancelled to Las Vegas.  Then we decide to turn it around and go into the city - stay in a hotel, see a concert.

Now, after spending time making a plan of action, Danielle and I just decided that the best thing would be to just get together at her house tonight (with the kids - some girls' weekend!)  

Why?  
a) The weather is a big factor - it's pretty disgusting out with all this snow.  Is it really the best day to go schlepping through the city?
b) Now that Vegas got canceled, Danielle's husband is giving her a hard time about not being home.
c) Danielle was supposed to attend a bar mitzvah tomorrow night, which she was going to have to miss with our booked trip to Vegas.  Now that she is home, she feels obligated (and understandably so) to attend.

I'm trying to just accept that maybe this whole weekend is just a big "not meant to be."  
It's so frustrating and disappointing. 

Not having a good week, to say the least.  Feels like a number of things I was looking forward to are just not turning out the way I had hoped. 

The good news in all this is that Tanya and I have a few new contacts and prospective internet partners to potentially work with to expand the reach of our Travelin' Cousins blog!!

On a very different and upbeat note, I managed to compile yet another 15 for '15 List - this one is about Disney World.  Inspired by my trip 2 weeks ago, I wanted to share this with you.

Elisa’s Top 15 Tips for Disney World Travel

1. Plan to be at the Park(s) when they open in the morning to avoid attraction lines
2. Get Fast Passes in advance online
3. Plan to dress in layers if you go during the Winter months 
4. Bring Slickers (weather changes happen quickly in florida - better to be prepared)
5. Purchase the Meal Plan - in the end, it’s well worth it
6. Make dinner reservations in advance (most restaurants require holding with a credit card, and will charge it for approximately $10 per person for no shows or non-cancellations, but in the end, you can always cancel) - it’s not as easy to find a table service place to eat last minute.
7. Visit one Park per day: although Disney offers the park Hopper allowing you to go from one park to another, it’s more costly. Visiting one park per day allows you to thoroughly see the entire Park and you can build your meal reservations and Fast Passes around that day.
8. For Disney Vacation Club Members who want to stay in properties that are not their home resort - you have a very short few hour window to do so - On the morning of the “6 months Prior” to your visit - you need to call to reserve. It books up fast!!
9. Catch the Fireworks Show at Magic Kingdom and Epcot at least once
10. Dine in Cinderella’s Castle at least once - it's expensive, but the experience is fun.
11. Let your daughter dress up as a princess at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique
12. Always grab a map and show/attraction timetable schedule for each park
13. Bring sunscreen
14. Forget the big handbags - backpacks and fanny packs are the way to go
15. Go at least once during the Food and Wine Festival (at Epcot) during the month of October

Please let me know if you are planning a trip to Disney World and if you have any other questions!!

I'm gonna get my day started and try to keep smiling.

-E
xoxo
(please don't forget to vote)-->>>>-->>>>

Tanya's Daily Scoop

Mountain Life

Greetings from 7,500 feet! 

We're still up in the Sierra Nevada mountains sitting above Lake Tahoe and staying right next to the Heavenly Ski Resort Stagecoach Lodge, and with a magnificent view of the Carson Valley.

Speaking of views, this place is just full of them! 
It's a photographers and artists dream...
I just can't get over how beautiful it is, and I've been coming every year for the past 14 years!!

Yesterday we drove out to the north side of the lake.

To Northstar Ski Resort for a day of fun and a day of "breaking" Dave. 

This poor guy...ugh!
He has taken more than his share of tumbles and falls. Which is bad enough. 
But then when he's got the kiddos trying to coach him and that pretty much tops it off!

These kiddos are little experts out there, but Dave (their Dad) has been skiing for years before they were even born and was there when I was first teaching these kids to even stand on skis! 

Yesterday Dave even admitted to when he use to look forward to the kids getting better than he is, but now after this experience he said that he preferred it before they knew why they were doing!

After a day of skiing, off we went to the beach at Incline Village to skip stones and watch the sunset, before the drive back, and it was just amazing!

Click on this picture to see more in my Photo Gallery!

And so in good time, today is our planned "day off"! 
Which I know Dave really NEEDS! 
But even still, he thinks that yesterday was it for him, and that he won't be joining us out on the slopes tomorrow or Sunday. Boo!
 
But better safe, then hurt and sorry. Been there, done that.

Our "day off" will consist of hanging out, playing games, watching movies, going to the indoor sports court for some tennis and some basketball, a few games of ping pong and then after dinner I'll be heading to Reno to go pick up Dave B! 
Hope we don't "break" him! 

And lastly let us not forget that today is Friday and that only means one thing here at Travelin' Cousins - FOODIE FRIDAY!!!
Today we are featuring a special guest, teen writer Gigi Balsamico! Check out her review HERE!

Hope you have a great weekend ahead of you...
I know that there is more fun on the horizon over here!

Catch y'all tomorrow!
-T