August 1, 2001

As usual, it was quite at the camp as everyone worked on writing her agenda. And when I say quite, I mean real quite! The producers put out the call to the ladies to make sure they were still there and hadn’t sneaked off to the water parks.

When they were given their discussion question, there were several replies. But then the ladies went right back to their task. The discussion question was “Your best friend is going to WDW for his/her birthday and you are able to suggest a birthday itinerary for him/her. What things (no more than 3) do you suggest as "don't miss on your birthday" while onsite?”

One lady suggested “Breakfast at Cindy's (hopefully we'll be able to get PS's).” She also went on to add perhaps “a sushi dinner alone for her and her hubby (meaning we are taking her kids off her hands) at the sushi restaurant at the Kimono's at the Dolphin, where we are staying. (she is a big sushi fan - ewww).” She was also quick to comment that “I don't have this planned since we are all Dollarless, but if we weren't, I would get her a spa treatment at the GF. :)”

Another Koko suggested to “get a birthday button from City Hall at the Magic Kingdom that says, "Today is my Birthday". (They'll also have Goofy wish you a "happy birthday" from a special dial up recording.).” This well informed Koko also knew that you can “call 180 days in advance to book the Chef's Table at Victoria and Albert's.” Hey, why not, “you only live once!” She told the other Koko that she didn’t call exactly 180 days out for her birthday, so she had her birthday dinner a day earlier. You see, the main restaurant takes seating 120 days out. The ladies also mentioned going to “Pleasure Island the evening before, and celebrate the "New Year's Eve" into your birthday!” The Koko who did this did it on her 30th birthday.

“Geez, this is as bad as trying to pick only 13 things for the challenge. It is hard to pick the 3 things for a birthday” one undecided Koko remarked. “I would also say to pick up a birthday button. Since it is my best friend (so to say) she would be a big kid just like me and love it when the CM's noticed her.” Other suggestions were “special dinner at Chef Mickey’s timed so that right as the special-ordered cake comes out, the fireworks start” as well as getting “chalk drawing done of us together to remind her of her special day.” Other members felt this was also a hard question to answer as well. “Wow, this is hard. I'll have to think on this some more” one lady Koko exclaimed.

One of the remaining Koko’s had it all figured out. First she would “have dinner at Ohana and make sure they know it's your birthday. Then second- go to city hall on Main Street and get an "it's my birthday" pin so everyone knows- magic usually ensues. Last, be sure to ride all your favorite rides at least once, no matter what everyone else wants to do- it's YOUR birthday.” They also discussed ideas such as getting “a souvenir photo of yourself on a ride (Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Dinosaur, etc.) so you will always have a photo to remind yourself where you spent your special day!” and going “to that store at Downtown Disney where you can make your own shirt, and have a special birthday shirt made for yourself.” These were all great ideas.

The ladies interrupted their week by listening to one ex-diva’s entertaining story about being chased, and caught, but some unfriendly bees while hiking with a family member. Although they sympathized with her, they also felt that if they were watching it on t.v., they would be in hysterics! Hope you are feeling better stung Koko.

Once all submissions for the challenge were received, the voting began. All of the entries were great! Members of the Dollarless list had a tough time deciding which one to vote for. Aunt Binnie opened the game up to the list and asked members if they would like to contribute to any future challenge ideas.

When the voting was over, elimination time came. With only 5 members submitting this week and one of them with immunity for winning last week’s challenge, it came down to voting one of three ladies out. Linda, formally of Kungaloosh, was voted out of the now all-but-one-ex-diva tribe. This should make for an interesting next few weeks as the ex-divas are alone again at the camp. Will they stand together as they have in the past; practically giving the game to their pseudo-leader or will they become vicious and manipulating, as each one attempts to be the TheMouseForLess Survivor? We shall see…