DISmoms Round TWO! Don't Axe, Don't Tell!! 4/30-5/4/10 updates 9/17

[podsnel]

WooHoo!! Loved the last trip report although i caught it after the fact since i wasn't on the dis at the time. But glad to get this one!! I need all the tips i can get. Planning my first girls Trip to the world with one of my long time BFF's from elementary school. She hasn't been in a while so we are doing a long weekend. Can't wait to hear more!!!

AWESOME!!!! When are you going? Where are you staying? For how long? It's such a great trip! When Loni & I went 2 years ago, we hadn't seen each other in a really long time, and it was just incredible to reconnect with her.

Next year I WILL be joining in the spa treatments!!!! - Stupid Bank of America mortgage process made me cancel this year. There is nothing worse than going through a mortgage right now - they are soooo nitpicky about EVERYTHING!!!! I fell like I'm under a microscope! I mean, I understand why they have to do this, but after 4 mortgages with them, you'd think they would know by now that we are a good risk.

Hope you're almost through the process...I was sad you weren't coming with us.....

Woohoo! Another DISmoms trip!

I am ashamed to say that this is my first DISboards post in 5 months! Wha??? Anyway, I just HAD to make my way back to the boards for this trip report. You see, I had the great pleasure, (and I do mean pleasure,) of meeting four of these six DISmoms on their trip last year. LOVE THEM!! I'm excited to be subbing and along for the ride.

No pressure or anything, but this is what I expect from this trip report:

- Ellen - the great narrator, OUTSTANDING photographer, and lover of all things Disney. You've set the bar too high for yourself with past reports and we expect nothing less on this one!! Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah...

- Cammie - probably my first DIS buddy and a passionate WDW lover as am I. Avid Jonas Brothers fan (although she will tell you her DAUGHTERS are the big fans...but we know the truth!) I suspect we'll see lots of good food porn pics and drink pics! Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah...

- Kara - keeps me laughing always and I totally get her since of humor! Kara is the self-proclaimed "queen of the upgrades." You go girl! Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah...

- Lonnie - uh...you're name is still Lonnie right? (just kidding! I loved the reference to the song! Just goes to show how cool you moms really are! I wonder if by "Stacy" the song is referring to the character once portrayed by Fergie?) Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah....

I don't possess the 'mom-parts' myself....otherwise I'd be right there with them. Perhaps someday I can pursuade them to "adopt-a-dad?"

Anyway, can't wait to read the report!

Well, Alan, you have had more going on this year than most with your UBER successful BF DAWGS! But I am so glad you're back- we've missed you so much!! And you are the only man allowed to be an honarary DISmom- we have had MANY MEN apply- all applications have been DENIED!!!! Anyway, thanks for all the kind words.... and ITA with Kara, YOU are one of the nicest and coolest people EVAH!!!!!!!!

 

[podsnel]

Your villa is gorgeous!!!

Did you like your Tangerine Dream? I had one this past December and didn't really care for it.

I absolutely did NOT enjoy that tangierine dream- it was like a screwdriver with tangerine instead of orange juice, & it had tons of pulp, which I hate. What idiot takes away a CREAMSICLE drink and replaces it with JUICE? How is that any kind of improvement?? BLECH!! What's next? Replacing all the steaks with hot dogs? All the lobster and scallops and shrimp with canned tuna??? Cheesecake with a scoop of cottage cheese?? Go, go, go, Disney Dining Nazi!

Rock on Mama!! Good luck! I'm on the excutive board for another 2 years myself.

Fun, fun stuff!! But I have a LOT to learn!! My term is 2 years, too.

All of you are very entertaining. I can just imagine how much laughter was occuring in the villa. You probably had folks banging on the walls trying to quiet you down. And those poor young men you were stalking...

Thanksfully, we never had a knock at the door for us to quiet down...I personally think we must have been on a vacant floor. Really, I think BCV must have great insulation in its walls- I never heard one child or anything else either above, below, or next to us while we were there. Although there was this one night that Kara heard US coming home....

Hi Alan..i've been following the new resturant. I think they might adopt you

I can only imagine Kara hanging off the balcony.

I wish I could say I had a pic, but I don't. I thought about taking one, but didn't get the camera out in time. So you will all just have to picture it in your minds....

Lol Well ya gotta have something to keep them in line

Wow Hawaii in 2012 sounds awesome, have always wanted to visit. Hope you have a great time

Great updates. The BCV look lovely and spacious and I love the look of that huge bath, was it a spa bath?

Spa treatments on arrival day sounds like the best thing to do to get everyone in the mood for Disney, esp when there are cocktails involved too

Yes, it was a jacuzzi tub. All the 1bdrm and up DVC villas have them. We will be married 25 years in 2011, and DH also turns 50...and I turn 50 in 2012, so it is a combo celebration of all of that. We would have preferred to go in 2011, but I don't think the DVC in Hawaii will be open by August that year, so we're waiting til 2012. We'll be bringing our two younger sons with us.

Oh now that would just not do! I would have demanded a room change! I'm serious. A friend of mine got married at some gorgeous old hotel on Block Island and the room had NO t.v. For two whole days and nights I was tv-less. I made DH read to me until I fell asleep because I can't stand the silence!

Well, I'm with you, I like to watch tv in bed before I fall asleep. Fortunately the remotes in the bedrooms worked- it was just the livingroom one that had a mind of its own. I can't believe you made him read to you until you fell asleep!! Should I even ask what he read??

 

[podsnel]

Wonderful pics you ladies took of the villa. All the drinks you have look and sound wonderful....it makes me wonder if I should stray from my usual beer! May not be the best idea to test those waters at Disney tho, just in case.....lol. Can't wait to read and see more!

Oh....the really good drinks have not EVEN begun to be seen in this TR! Just wait!!

Great start to your trip report! I am just so sorry I only discovered it today and you are already on page 3!

Love the photos of your villa. Can't wait to see and read more of your adventures!

I am so happy you're here!! You have hardly missed a thing- there is sooooooooooooooooo much to tell! ANd did you ever tell me what your September dates are?? I am so in awe that you are staying for 21 days!!!

Great start to your trip. I followed along last year. You gals know how to have fun! I have one question: How does "Handsome Sailor" compare to "Hot McHottie"?

From the photos I saw, HMH was more of a Hottie- but I have never had the pleasure of HMH's acquaintance, so Kara will have to tell you for sure. But, what can I say?? I'm a sucker for a cutie in uniform!

 

[manntra]

Love the pictures of your Villa....I have stayed there once before but it was before I was DVC...cute bedspreads!!
I really think the walls are extra insulated on the deluxe resorts or villas. When I was at Pop for the one night I don't even want to get into what I heard

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

Joan and I headed over to the Swalphin....did I mention the heat? It was HOT in Orlando, my friends. Hot like in July or at least late June hot. And muggy. SO by the time we got to the Mandara Spa, we were sweaty, stinky women. NICE... Right as we were walking through the spa door, my phone rang- it was the one stressful phone call from home of the trip. Perfect timing. It seems Pods (DH) had gotten a phone call from the DDD (Department of Developmental Disabilities) saying that they needed to know when our son, Sean, would be attending camp in August. Or else he couldn't go. HUH??? There was no deadline any other year, so this was all news to me! In case you don't know, my oldest son is autistic. He is almost 16, and attends school until the end of July every year. Then in August, he goes to daycamp. Because if he stayed home for a month, we would all lose it- especially him. He needs structure, and he needs to know what to expect. Sooo...Pods wants to know the dates of when he should attend the camp. Some weeks we pay for, some weeks DDD pays for- the weeks you must be in the DDD to get into the camp. Sorry if I'm confusing you. So I tell DH we want him in the first 2 weeks of the DDD camp, and the last 2 weeks of the regular camp. He wants to know the dates. I am like, "Oh, sorry, looks like they took the calendars down in the hallways at the Swalphin- I have no idea!" He calls the DDD and then tells me that Sean will be in camp the first two weeks in August. HUH??? That leaves 3 weeks of nothing, which is two weeks too many for our boy. So I ask him to call them back and then call me back. Which of course, he doesn't do. But I keep my phone with me anyway- ya know, I bring it into the massage because the stress of an anticipated horrible phone call can only enhance my massage experience, right??


So we check in- Joan is told she will be with a woman for her Hot Stone Massage, and I am told I will be with...a MAN for my Elemis Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage. Okay......

Just to be clear, I am not getting just some massage. I am getting THE massage. Here is the description-

Combining the richness of sea plants and marine algae with aromatherapy, this treatment is deeply detoxifying at all levels for women and men. A warm seaweed body mask containing a synergy of cleansing oils is applied to your body before you are cocooned in a comforting foil wrap. Let your thoughts drift away and relax with a scalp massage and foot massage while the active ingredients work to detoxify, decongest & stimulate your body systems. Then we follow with a full or half body massage. Includes a 25 or 50 minute massage.

So, here is how it is- I am sweating like a smelly pig, and some guy is going to rub mud all over me and then bake me to a stenchy finish in some very clingy tinfoil. NICE.... Needless to say, Joan and i BOTH showered before our treatments.

I set off with my therapist... who can I just say, ended up to be a full fledged, New Yawker transplant he-man with a love of football and golf. NICE... Am I creating enough of a visual image for all of you?? Please keep in mind, I have given birth to THREE children. And there will be mud slathered pretty much all over me, including on to my not-even-close-to-a-six-pack belly. HOLY. CRAP.

Well, let me just say, I would do it again in a heartbeat! This Magic Man of the Mandara Spa, named Bill, was a FABULOUS mud slatherer and scalp rubber. For everyone who is afraid to have a massage therapist of the opposite sex, can I just say...get OVER it!! Men have BIG, STRONG HANDS!!! It was...aaaaahhhhhhh..... And it was the BEST scalp massage I have ever had, it was just ...ahhhhhhhh.... In the middle of the treatment, you rinse off the mud (I was in a shower alone behind a curtain) and then hop back on the table for a massage. To which he added extra time because my shoulders, he said, were tighter than most. Can't IMAGINE why, can you?? Would my friend mind if I took a little longer??? Friend? What friend? Needless to say, I was very, very much more relaxed leaving that room than I was going in, and I tipped Bill extra because he really was THAT good.

Joanie & I relaxed and sipped our citrus water and herb tea for a while in the most beautiful and peaceful oasis of a room before getting dressed and walking back-

I give the Mandara Spa, hands down, 5 stars... it is FABULOUS!!!! I am sooooo booking it in the fall for DH & I.

But I get Bill.

 

[karajeboo]

Oh now that would just not do! I would have demanded a room change! I'm serious. A friend of mine got married at some gorgeous old hotel on Block Island and the room had NO t.v. For two whole days and nights I was tv-less. I made DH read to me until I fell asleep because I can't stand the silence!

Not that we spent much time in the room, and when we were there in the evenings the time was spent giggling like school girls while killing bottles of wine, bottles of beer, and the occasional bottle of water! But we would stand at the TV and adjust the volume from there - but it never went high enough to be heard over Ellen's laugihng!!!

Wonderful pics you ladies took of the villa. All the drinks you have look and sound wonderful....it makes me wonder if I should stray from my usual beer! May not be the best idea to test those waters at Disney tho, just in case.....lol. Can't wait to read and see more!

So far, the drinks are nothing spectacular. That will come later!!!

Great start to your trip report! I am just so sorry I only discovered it today and you are already on page 3!

Love the photos of your villa. Can't wait to see and read more of your adventures!

Believe me, we have only scratched the surface!!!!

Great start to your trip. I followed along last year. You gals know how to have fun! I have one question: How does "Handsome Sailor" compare to "Hot McHottie"?

Pretty sailor boy was nice, but he was no Hottie McHottie!!! Ellen, Lonne and Joan ended up at RR one night and I was texting them frantically to be on the lookout for HMH, cause believe me, I would have been there in a heartbeat if he was there!!!!

I absolutely did NOT enjoy that tangierine dream- it was like a screwdriver with tangerine instead of orange juice, & it had tons of pulp, which I hate. What idiot takes away a CREAMSICLE drink and replaces it with JUICE? How is that any kind of improvement?? BLECH!! What's next? Replacing all the steaks with hot dogs? All the lobster and scallops and shrimp with canned tuna??? Cheesecake with a scoop of cottage cheese?? Go, go, go, Disney Dining Nazi!

See? If cheesecake came with a scoop of cottage cheese I could sooooo lose weight!!!!


Thanksfully, we never had a knock at the door for us to quiet down...I personally think we must have been on a vacant floor. Really, I think BCV must have great insulation in its walls- I never heard one child or anything else either above, below, or next to us while we were there. Although there was this one night that Kara heard US coming home....

Of course we didn't hear any children - WE were the ones making all the noise!!! And do we really need to go into that night I heard you coming down the hall????

I wish I could say I had a pic, but I don't. I thought about taking one, but didn't get the camera out in time. So you will all just have to picture it in your minds....

I was a vision of beauty!

Love the pictures of your Villa....I have stayed there once before but it was before I was DVC...cute bedspreads!!
I really think the walls are extra insulated on the deluxe resorts or villas. When I was at Pop for the one night I don't even want to get into what I heard

Tracy

Yikes!!! I don't want to even go down THAT road!!!

 

[alan_renfroe]

Great update Ellen! I bet Pods is ready for his spa treatment this fall!

 

[CRdisMom]

a male masseuse can be THE BEST!!!! loved my guy, Uri, at my local spa. Yes a strong Norwegian with good hands. He would really beat me up but I left the spa feeling sooooo relaxed. (until I couldn't figure how to naviagate our steps in our house and went d on my bum ) I just wish I could find where he went to .

Disney is so much more than a kids place..that's why I love it.

 

[dizneeat]

I am so happy you're here!! You have hardly missed a thing- there is sooooooooooooooooo much to tell! ANd did you ever tell me what your September dates are?? I am so in awe that you are staying for 21 days!!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!! Your spa treatment sounds like heaven on earth! Never had a male therapist, but yours sounded .....

Oh, and since you asked about the dates we will be in the US again, here they are. We arrive on August 14, then stay at OKW until Aug 26, followed by 2 cruises on the Disney Wonder, and then from September 2 to 11 we are back at OKW.

I have started a pre trippie - check it out if you want to. Value Resorts and Inside Staterooms? Bah Humbug!! ...... 30 days of Disney fun!

 

[karajeboo]

With Ellen and Joan getting pampered, Pam and I headed in to get her key to the room, then up to wait for her luggage.

Before long, we get a text from Cammie that she is on DME, but getting off at BW and walking over to BCV. Pam and I wandered around a bit, and the next thing you know.......

It's another DISmoms reunion!!!! Of course, Cammie showed up with a drink in hand!!!!

We got her checked in, up to the room, drop off carryon bag, and out the door to Epcot!!!!

This is where Pam and I made BIG mistakes!!!! We did not wear our normal WDW walking shoes (or in our case CROCS!!!) and instead thought, "We won't be walking much today" so let's just wear flip flops.....

Oy vey!!!! We were blistered the rest of the trip!

We headed straight for WS, because there are a few things there we like......

First things first. Pam had never had a Grey Goose Slushie in France. So Cammie and I felt it was our "duty" to introduce her.

Pam, meet slushy. Slushy, meet Pam. And you remember me and Cammie? So good to see you again my friend!!!!

Then we wandered....

And then. The heavens opened up, a light shone down (even though we were inside the very dark Mexico pavillion) and a choir sang, "aaaaaaahhh!"

Yes. We were here. We made it. To. The. Ditch!!!!

This will not be the only photo of the ditch, I can assure you. We spent a bit of time here.......

Cammie and I split a tequila flight.....

Then grabbed margaritas to go.....

Can I just say, do NOT EVER buy margaritas from the stand outside the Mexico pavillion. Spend a couple dollars extra and buy them in the ditch, and escape to tequila heaven!!!!!! Mine was a cucumber margarita, but I can't remember what Cammie got?

Thank you, dear friend, we'll be back!

We drank and wandered, wandered and drank.......

And ended up here, to visit ANOTHER old friend. German beer and Lossburg Lemonade.

Pam, meet lossburg lemonade. Lossburg lemonade, meet Pam.

Now does anyone see why Pam and I ended up with blisters? Please notice we entered though the IG, into France...... all the way around to Mexico. BACK by IG to Germany, and THEN Ellen, Lonnie and Joan called to say they were heading to the ditch!!!!!!

So we made TWO trips around the WS, IN THE WRONG DANG SHOES!!!!! It was an amateur's mistake and I'm ashamed...... I hang my head in shame. Or maybe I was hanging my head from the slushie, tequila flight, margarita, lossburg lemonade...... and the night hadn't even begun yet!!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Hm, apart from the shoe faux pas it still seems like a great day! And those photos of the Ditch brought back such wonderful memories! Can't wait to get back there myself!

Blood Orange Margaritha, here I come!

 

[mckryan]

Love, love, love La Cava de Tequila, as well as Francisco and Nancy! That bar is worth the price of admission to Epcot!!

 

[englishrose47]

Your name is Lonnie. Remember to look at the piece of paper in your pocket, sweetheart...



Good song!! Yea- the smilies add alot when you're writing- I miss them on FB too.

Just jump in whenever you have something to say, Pam!



Now THERE'S a woman with a good head on her shoulders!! Threaten the GGS peeps with the axe! Faster drinking!! I like it....

Great to meet you, too! Didn't it all go so fast?



We thought about having the moosehead on the way to the slushie, but they were CLEARLY on a different schedule, because it was already 12:02 and they were NOT OPEN!!! And lunch sounds good- if I can figure out when. The end of year stuff is crazy this year for me at both schools. Especially Tyler & Tim's, I have to go to everything because I'm the new PTA president.





Kara's funny? I don't know...I kind of think of her as the quiet, shy type. We all spent the whole week trying to get her to come out of her shell...

Ya know that describes me too quiet , shy, reserved

Woohoo! Another DISmoms trip!

I am ashamed to say that this is my first DISboards post in 5 months! Wha??? Anyway, I just HAD to make my way back to the boards for this trip report. You see, I had the great pleasure, (and I do mean pleasure,) of meeting four of these six DISmoms on their trip last year. LOVE THEM!! I'm excited to be subbing and along for the ride.

No pressure or anything, but this is what I expect from this trip report:

- Ellen - the great narrator, OUTSTANDING photographer, and lover of all things Disney. You've set the bar too high for yourself with past reports and we expect nothing less on this one!! Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah...

- Cammie - probably my first DIS buddy and a passionate WDW lover as am I. Avid Jonas Brothers fan (although she will tell you her DAUGHTERS are the big fans...but we know the truth!) I suspect we'll see lots of good food porn pics and drink pics! Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah...

- Kara - keeps me laughing always and I totally get her since of humor! Kara is the self-proclaimed "queen of the upgrades." You go girl! Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah...

- Lonnie - uh...you're name is still Lonnie right? (just kidding! I loved the reference to the song! Just goes to show how cool you moms really are! I wonder if by "Stacy" the song is referring to the character once portrayed by Fergie?) Also, one of the nicest and coolest people evah....

I don't possess the 'mom-parts' myself....otherwise I'd be right there with them. Perhaps someday I can pursuade them to "adopt-a-dad?"

Anyway, can't wait to read the report!

Alan we;ve missed you!!! Now if you want to join the DisMoms the TuTu is a must along with flying in on a wire wearing a Tiara !!!!! By the way ya 'll need to check my Search for the Hot Italian !!

Great update Ellen! I bet Pods is ready for his spa treatment this fall!

I think you could both go wearing TuTus!!!!

 

[nenner1]

Here I am late to the party as always!

Need to catch up but I keep getting distracted by these awesome drink pics!!!

 

[Stefy]

Yes, it was a jacuzzi tub. All the 1bdrm and up DVC villas have them. We will be married 25 years in 2011, and DH also turns 50...and I turn 50 in 2012, so it is a combo celebration of all of that. We would have preferred to go in 2011, but I don't think the DVC in Hawaii will be open by August that year, so we're waiting til 2012. We'll be bringing our two younger sons with us.

Oooh your going to the DVC Hawaii resort? Very exciting :goovibes

Great updates ladies, the spa sounded like heaven and those tequila's look good, must try out the bar later on this year and get me a tequila fix

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Oh, that day in World Showcase sounds divine!! I just LOVE tasty beverages around the world!! Although I'm afraid that frosty beverage in Germany and I have not met yet either!! Something else to add to my list....

Did you try any food in La Cava? The guac was delish!

 

[podsnel]

Great update Ellen! I bet Pods is ready for his spa treatment this fall!

He is actually ready for it right now- his back is killing him!

a male masseuse can be THE BEST!!!! loved my guy, Uri, at my local spa. Yes a strong Norwegian with good hands. He would really beat me up but I left the spa feeling sooooo relaxed. (until I couldn't figure how to naviagate our steps in our house and went d on my bum ) I just wish I could find where he went to .

Disney is so much more than a kids place..that's why I love it.

That's too funny- I always feel like jello after a good massage, if there were stairs involved, I'd probably fall down them, too.

ITA, Disney is SOOO much more than just for kids- it's where adults get to be kids again! SO sad for the people out there who don't understand that!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!! Your spa treatment sounds like heaven on earth! Never had a male therapist, but yours sounded .....

Oh, and since you asked about the dates we will be in the US again, here they are. We arrive on August 14, then stay at OKW until Aug 26, followed by 2 cruises on the Disney Wonder, and then from September 2 to 11 we are back at OKW.

I have started a pre trippie - check it out if you want to. Value Resorts and Inside Staterooms? Bah Humbug!! ...... 30 days of Disney fun!

Iwent over and subbed! You write such great TRs, I LOVE your food reviews!! And sorry for having to ask a second time about the dates, I couldn't remember what you told me last time I asked! DOH!

 

[podsnel]

Not that we spent much time in the room, and when we were there in the evenings the time was spent giggling like school girls while killing bottles of wine, bottles of beer, and the occasional bottle of water! But we would stand at the TV and adjust the volume from there - but it never went high enough to be heard over Ellen's laugihng!!!

I guess I do have a pretty ummmm.... JOYFUL laugh!! Just not one for a titter or a tee-hee! Tho, it's ALL GOOD!!

 

[podsnel]

Here I am late to the party as always!

Need to catch up but I keep getting distracted by these awesome drink pics!!!

Oh...you and I are going to get along SO WELL on that Halloween Cruise!!

Oooh your going to the DVC Hawaii resort? Very exciting :goovibes

Great updates ladies, the spa sounded like heaven and those tequila's look good, must try out the bar later on this year and get me a tequila fix

Well, cross your fingers and toes, we hope to be able to get in at 7 months! It seems like they're buiding alot of DVC villas, so I'm optimistic!

Oh, that day in World Showcase sounds divine!! I just LOVE tasty beverages around the world!! Although I'm afraid that frosty beverage in Germany and I have not met yet either!! Something else to add to my list....

Did you try any food in La Cava? The guac was delish!

You'll see.......

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Really enjoying this TR.

When I was in Epcot last September I never could find the tequila bar. We looked all over Mexico. I guess the Margarita gods were against us on that trip!