That's the first time we had to wear a poncho in Disney! A Mar./April '11 TR DONE 9/5

I still think it's crazy you guys had snow when we didn't!

How cute you saw someone from school!

Woo hoo for arrival day! :banana:

LOL, yes, the joys of living near the lake!

It was cute because I got to talk to him yesterday (he's in kindergarten!) and he was asking about my favorite ride and stuff.

Arrival days are the best. :thumbsup2

I'm here from the March FB group!!

You actually left snow?? Cool!! There was no snow on the ground when we left, but the car said 18 degrees!!! No snow when we come back either, luckily, but a lot of rain. And they did get a fairly decent snow, I think it was Wednesday 3/30 - I think 3-4 inches, so DH got to miss a plow night.

Yup, we left snow. Crazy for March considering we've gone in December and haven't had snow, atleast falling on the day we left.

I'm here! I can't wait to read all about your trip! :goodvibes

Welcome!
 
Saturday, March 26, 2011 cont'd (part 2)

When we got off the plane, we quickly made our way to the tram to take us to the main terminal. Another sign that you're really there! I'm sure many of you are thinking you know where our first stop was once we got off the tram. Are you thinking Chick-Fil-A? Well...you'd be wrong (ok not really). Before grabbing our traditional arrival day meal, we decided to visit the Universal store to check out the Harry Potter merchandise just to see if by chance they had gotten anything new since our trip in August. I thought about getting a chocolate frog but decided I better not spend all my money before we even left the airport! It kind of made me sad that we weren't going to the Wizarding World again-we had so much fun in August. But I know we'll be back. Then we went to grab our delicious Chick-Fil-A. WOOT! The food court was not busy at all so before we knew it we were on our way to the Welcome Center to hop on board the Magical Express! :goodvibes

Now, because I had been reading about how crazy busy WDW was earlier in March I was kind of wondering if there was going to be a lot of people waiting for buses. Turns out the place was DEAD. They waved us right into line and we got right on the bus (which was maybe half full at most). They must've been waiting for us, haha. The only sad part is we just got one of the boring old Mears buses, which seems to happen more often than not. Oh well.

Soon we were on our way!
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The bus was also going to Saratoga Springs and Port Orleans French Quarter but Old Key West was going to be the first stop. On the way we ate our dinner and just enjoyed the ride, and of course the ME video.

Hungry, anyone? I can just taste the juiciness. MMMMM.
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Care for fries with that?
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Just before we went under the archway, the driver gave us a heads-up. I tried to get a picture but couldn't get a good view. But we made it! Finally we were back on Disney property. All I can say is it was good to be back. :cloud9:

We drove for a little bit until we saw this sign:
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And the familiar DVC tower. We weren't too far now!
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Here's a lame video of us driving down that road (Vacation Club Way?). I wanted to get us pulling into the resort but I started recording too soon. Then, as you can see, the lady in front of us turned around and I stopped...didn't want her thinking I was taping her. :rotfl:


Before long we were pulling into Old Key West. WELCOME HOME!!! :goodvibes
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We thanked our driver and went into the Hospitality House to pick up our welcome packet. The front desk was so cute with these balloons. Gotta love seeing/hearing that phrase.

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Claire's picture was a little closer:
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I had done the online check-in before we left so it didn't take all that long (though there weren't too many other people there anyway so I doubt it would have mattered if I hadn't). I don't remember her name but the girl who checked us in was from Hawaii and was really nice. We got our room keys and she told us we were on the second floor. That means we'd finally have a balcony! Not like we ever use them but at all the other DVC resorts we seem to end up on the 1st floor and just get a little patio. So I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty excited when she said we were on the second floor. Plus, our room was in building 14 (room 1426 to be exact), aka the building right across from the Hospitality House. It was going to be awesome being so close to the bus stop/main building. Another fun little surprise was our birthday buttons, even though my bday was two weeks earlier and Claire's is in about 2 weeks. I guess Dad said something when he made the reservation but even he didn't remember. LOL. But I'll take a free Disney souvenir any day. :) Before heading to our room Claire also redeemed her voucher for her park ticket-we didn't want to save that for the morning!

Since it was our first time at Old Key West, I was looking forward to seeing the rooms. I had heard they were the biggest out of all the DVC resorts. I can't say I was disappointed when we opened the door. It was really nice and did seem more spacious than the other studios we've stayed in. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that there were TWO BEDS! Claire said she knew it was like that but I had no idea. I kept thinking about how we were going to have to alternate sleeping on the pull-out sofa. haha

These beds were so comfortable. Claire said she wished she could bring it home!
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And of course, a couple shots from the view we had on our balcony! Nothing too exciting..if you look real close you can see one of the holes on the golf course. If I'm remembering the map right, it might've been the 7th or 8th hole? I'm not sure. :confused3
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I'm not quite sure why she took a picture of the air conditioners. LOL.
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One difference that I will mention about OKW as compared to the other DVC resorts is that the sink was in the bathroom. At most of the other places there's a little vanity area outside the bathroom. But really, no big deal.

Even though we weren't going to a park that night, we didn't want to just sit around. It was time to let the fun begin!

up next: some good old Disney recreation
 
Yum, I could totally have some of those waffle fries now! Did you dip your chicken in anything? I have to dip everything!

Your video was great! I totally would've stopped recording as well; the girl turning around would've caused that immediate reaction!
 


The "Welcome Home" balloons are too cute! I'm glad checkin went smoothly and you were pleased with the room!

Looking forward to more :)
 
I'm hungry now thanks:lmao: I've not really checked out the airport before, ( I guess I'm just too excited to be going onto Disney)but now it's my new mission.
Your room and DVC are beautiful.
 
Oh, I love the 'Welcome Home' spelled out in balloons. I remember the one time I stayed at OKW there was a CM in there making balloon animals for all the kids, Jared was with me, he got a sword - typical boy, huh?

I didn't like the fact that the sink was in the bathroom myself. I was staying with a DIS friend and it made it kind of a pain for us to get ready in the mornings!
 


Hey Sarah!

I'm here...just saw that you started your TR. I can't see the pictures at work, but from what I've read, it seems you're off to a good start!

You are the second DISer that I've heard making a special trip to eat Chick Fil A. It is good, but I think its so funny since they are everywhere here. But I get it...

Rain? Rain is an understatement. Although I only had to deal with 1 day of it (but my trip was shorter than yours too).

Can't wait to see the pics when I get home and hear about the rest of your trip!
 
Yum Chick-Fil-A!! I love their food, but rarely get to eat there because ds17 is allergic to peanuts and they cook in peanut oil. Those nuggets look very inviting!

Good to know about the balloons. DS17 is also allergic to latex too. So if we ever stayed there he'd have to stay out of the lobby. Were there people carrying these balloons all over the resort? (He's had problems at Epcot from balloons at guest services.) We've stayed at SSR 3 times, I guess I'm glad I chose over there for his sake.
 
Wah..........:sad1: OKW! Can you tell I'm missing it?! :rolleyes1 I always get so excited seeing the DVC Tower!

Aren't those WELCOME HOME balloons so cute?!

Yay for a 2nd floor room! It is nice to have a balcony. And yay for being so close to the Hospitality House! While we've never really been that close, we don't mind. We actually like being back in the Resort because it's more quiet.

Good thing you weren't too close to the golf course...or your sis might yell out "FORE!" while you're taking a picture! :rolleyes: :laughing:
 
I would be excited to have a balcony, too! There's just something about a balcony that's relaxing; a perfect place to sit and have a cup of coffee or something...
 
OKW looks really nice! I've never been there, but maybe someday. I think I'd take the sink being in the bathroom to get two real beds and not have to sleep on a pullout. :thumbsup2
 
So I didn't realize you had updated!!!

I like getting up early the morning we leave also! Our flight is at 630 Am!! I really hope my 4 yr old can hAndle that!! I'm not sure if I would be able to wait around for that flight! I'd be super impatient!

I love the balloon sign! Maybe somedAy I'll invest in DVc but right now I have to aim for a house!!
 
I think MCO is my only chance of ever getting to try Chick-Fil-A. Problem is as soon as we get off the flight I'm always zooming through the airport anxious to get to ME :laughing:

Haha that lady kept sorta looking behind her shoulder throughout your video.

Aww I miss OKW! I agree, their room was so spacious and comfy!
 
It seemed like every single time we went to Epcot it rained, so on the really fun rainy extra windy day (Thursday) we went over to DHS. DD9 refused to go on Tower of Terror because it was just a little too realistic for her, but we did find most of the characters in the Animation Building which was a wonderful treat! Not pleased with the weather, but we were still at Disney so it wasn't that bad!

Waiting for an update...
 
Mmmm I've only been to Chick Fil A once in my whole life, but it was SO good! :cool1: I always forget there is one at MCO!

OKW looks really pretty, the beds seem really comfy! :)
 
Oh your room looks so nice! I love a balcony too...it really is the best to sit out there in the morning when everyone else is getting ready...I love it!!!
 
nice update!! I stayed in building 63 when I stayed there which is next to where yours was! We had a pretty good view of the golf course and our side view was of the main building and the one that you stayed in! The new rooms look pretty nice. I have to admit the old ones just looked worn down :(
 
OKW! I can't wait to be hearing "Welcome Home!" when we're there in June! Ahhh you just got me even more excited! The room looks so nice...I think I'll request a 2nd floor room because I want a balcony! :thumbsup2

Can't wait to hear what you guys did for the rest of the evening!
 

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