If we can DREAM it, we can do it! ..... another 30 day vacation Update 02/07

[dizneeat]

Gosh, what a swell vacation we had!
Yip, thats what it was, a swell month long vacation. It started out with a trip to the Florida Keys, then spending a few nights at the Atrium Club at the Contemporary Resort, followed by a few nights at Old Key West. By then we were nearly half way into our vacation, but we still had a back to back cruise on the Disney DREAM to look forward to and a few more nights at Old Key West.

Highlights of the trip?
Meeting a lot of DISboard friends
Being as lazy as can be at Key West

Never wanting to leave the Atrium Club Level room overlooking the MK

Being at HOME at Old Key West
Sailing through Hurricane Isaac on the Disney DREAM and not missing any of the three Castaway Cay days

Enjoying more time at relatively empty parks and
Finding those Cast Members who make your trip so extra special
Being able to peek BEHIND the construction walls of the Fantasyland Expansion

and coming home with a WHOLE NEW set of reservations for 2013.

But wait &&
I guess I need to introduce us.

Well, there is Tom, my dear brother, who works for the Austrian Postal Services and loves everything Disney.
Then there is me, Karin. During the day I try to teach my students some English, German and a few other fun subjects and once school work is done, I try to research and plan our vacations.

We are Austrians and live here as well and for the past few years we have taken two US Disney vacations a year. A one week long trip during half term in February and another four week long trip during August and September. This summer was no exception.

Florida Keys, WDW, Disney DREAM, WDW, August/September 2012

Day 1, August 11:
Lets get this show on the road .... or in the air - Part 1
Lets get this show on the road .... or in the air - Part 2
Lets get this show on the road .... or in the air - Part 3

Day 2, August 12:
Aren't you Karin from the DISboards? - Part 1
Aren't you Karin from the DISboards? - Part 2
Aren't you Karin from the DISboards? - Part 3

Day 3, August 13:
A Key West DISmeet - Part 1
A Key West DISmeet - Part 2
A Key West DISmeet - Part 3

Day 4, August 14:
A Trolley tour and a dinner at the beach - Part 1
A Trolley tour and a dinner at the beach - Part 2
A Trolley tour and a dinner at the beach - Part 3
A Trolley tour and a dinner at the beach - Part 4

Day 5, August 15:
A lovely view, a wedding and a guest in the tree - Part 1
A lovely view, a wedding and a guest in the tree - Part 2
A lovely view, a wedding and a guest in the tree - Part 3
A lovely view, a wedding and a guest in the tree - Part 4

Day 6, August 16:
Goodbye Key West! Hello Fort Lauderdale! - Part 1
Goodbye Key West! Hello Fort Lauderdale! - Part 2
Goodbye Key West! Hello Fort Lauderdale! - Part 3
Goodbye Key West! Hello Fort Lauderdale! - Part 4

Day 7, August 17:
Are you kidding me? - Part 1
Are you kidding me? - Part 2
Are you kidding me? - Part 3
Are you kidding me? - Part 4

Day 8, August 18:
Spending time with friends - Part 1
Spending time with friends - Part 2
Spending time with friends - Part 3
Spending time with friends - Part 4

Day 9, August 19:
Goodbye Contemporary and Welcome Home to Old Key West - Part 1
Goodbye Contemporary and Welcome Home to Old Key West - Part 2
Goodbye Contemporary and Welcome Home to Old Key West - Part 3
Goodbye Contemporary and Welcome Home to Old Key West - Part 4
Goodbye Contemporary and Welcome Home to Old Key West - Part 5

Day 10, August 20:
Fun at the Studios and a change of plans - Part 1
Fun at the Studios and a change of plans - Part 2
Fun at the Studios and a change of plans - Part 3

Day 11, August 21:
A fun day and extra magic at night - Part 1
A fun day and extra magic at night - Part 2
A fun day and extra magic at night - Part 3

Day 12, August 22:
A DVC meet, a DISmeet and fireworks from Bay Lake Tower - Part 1
A DVC meet, a DISmeet and fireworks from Bay Lake Tower - Part 2

Day 13, August 23:
Food overload and a sad goodbye to friends - Part 1
Food overload and a sad goodbye to friends - Part 2
Food overload and a sad goodbye to friends - Part 3

Day 14, August 24:
It's the DREAM - Part 1
It's the DREAM - Part 2
It's the DREAM - Part 3

Day 15, August 25:
Castaway Cay Day 1 - Part 1
Castaway Cay Day 1 - Part 2
Castaway Cay Day 1 - Part 3
Castaway Cay Day 1 - Part 4

Day 16, August 26:
Food, food and even more food ..... - Part 1
Food, food and even more food ..... - Part 2
Food, food and even more food ..... - Part 3

Day 17, August 27:
A little bit of shopping, a French dinner and no fireworks ... - Part 1
A little bit of shopping, a French dinner and no fireworks ... - Part 2
A little bit of shopping, a French dinner and no fireworks ... - Part 3
A little bit of shopping, a French dinner and no fireworks ... - Part 4
A little bit of shopping, a French dinner and no fireworks ... - Part 5

Day 18, August 28:
Another day in paradise - Part 1
Another day in paradise - Part 2
Another day in paradise - Part 3
Another day in paradise - Part 4
Another day in paradise - Part 5

Day 19, August 29:
See ya real soon! - Part 1
See ya real soon! - Part 2
See ya real soon! - Part 3

Day 20, August 30:
Nassau revisited &&&& AGAIN!!! - Part 1
Nassau revisited &&&& AGAIN!!! - Part 2

Day 21, August 31:
Concierge Level thieves - Part 1
Concierge Level thieves - Part 2
Concierge Level thieves - Part 3

Day 22, September 1:
Castaway Cay take 3 - Part 1
Castaway Cay take 3 - Part 2

Day 23, September 2:
From the DIS welcome center to Mickeys World - Part 1
From the DIS welcome center to Mickeys World - Part 2

Day 24, September 3:
A lazy shopping day - Part 1

Day 25, September 4:
A look behind the scenes - Part 1
A look behind the scenes - Part 2
A look behind the scenes - Part 3
A look behind the scenes - Part 4
A look behind the scenes - Part 5

Day 26, September 5:
Lets be lazy today - Part 1

Day 27, September 6:
You've got a friend in me - Part 1
You've got a friend in me - Part 2
You've got a friend in me - Part 3
You've got a friend in me - Part 4

Day 28, September 7:
Goodbye and thank you very much! - Part 1
Goodbye and thank you very much! - Part 2
Goodbye and thank you very much! - Part 3

Day 29, September 8:
It’s time to go home - Part 1
It’s time to go home - Part 2

Day 30, September 9:
Last leg of the trip

Extra trip reports:
Italy, September 2012
Day 1, September 21
Is that a water view? - Part 1
Is that a water view? - Part 2

Day 2, September 22
Shop till you drop! - Part 1
Shop till you drop! - Part 2
Shop till you drop! - Part 3
Shop till you drop! - Part 4

Day 3, September 23
Well be back soon! - Part 1
Well be back soon! - Part 2

Italy, October 2012
Day 1, October 26
Here we go again ... - Part 1
Here we go again ... - Part 2

Day 2, October 27
Is there a Disney Store in Venice? - Part 1
Is there a Disney Store in Venice? - Part 2
Is there a Disney Store in Venice? - Part 3
Is there a Disney Store in Venice? - Part 4
Is there a Disney Store in Venice? - Part 5
Is there a Disney Store in Venice? - Part 6

Day 3, October 28
Is that SNOW?????????? - Part 1

Disneyland Paris, November 2012
Day 1, November 16
A late, but great start ... Part 1
A late, but great start ... Part 2

Day 2, November 17
Plans? What plans? - Part 1
Plans? What plans? - Part 2
Plans? What plans? - Part 3
Plans? What plans? - Part 4
Plans? What plans? - Part 5
Plans? What plans? - Part 6
Plans? What plans? - Part 7
Plans? What plans? - Part 8
Plans? What plans? - Part 9
Plans? What plans? - Part 10
Plans? What plans? - Part 11
Plans? What plans? - Part 12

Day 3, November 18
Making the most of the day ..... - Part 1
Making the most of the day ..... - Part 2
Making the most of the day ..... - Part 3
Making the most of the day ..... - Part 4
Making the most of the day ..... - Part 5
Making the most of the day ..... - Part 6
Making the most of the day ..... - Part 7

 

[jedijill]

I'm in and can't wait to hear all the details!


Jill in CO

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I'm here too and so looking forward to hearing all about your trip!! So good to have you back! Love the the photos....Key West and especially that view looks like a bit of heaven on earth. I can see why your balcony on Atrium Club floor would keep you right there for hours!

No doubt, another very special trip...it is always such fun to be armchair travellers with you two!

 

[eandesmom]

I'm here!!!! I didn't realize your b2b was during Isaac. Yikes!!!!!

Sounds like another magical trip, I can't wait to read about it!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Page 1 I hope !!!!

 

[jenseib]

I'm here.

 

[englishrose47]

Okay sounds like you are off to a great start !!! Can't wait to hear all about it !!!

 

[HowieHowie]

Can't wait to read all about your trip!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Woohoo! I'm in... can't wait to hear how your trip went...

 

[dort]

Another great trip report to read...can't wait!!!

 

[amjb]

Woohoo!

I am so happy to see this report started.

I just got home after a very short (5 day) DW trip and on the sad flight home I consoled myself with the thoughts of reading one of your epic reports.

Thank you!

 

[Tink rules]

IN!

 

[wild.zinnia]

Yay! I love your trip reports.

 

[alpinemouse]

I'm in also

 

[dizneeat]

I'm in and can't wait to hear all the details!


Jill in CO

Welcome, Jill!
I am so happy to have you along for another loooooooong trip!

I'm here too and so looking forward to hearing all about your trip!! So good to have you back! Love the the photos....Key West and especially that view looks like a bit of heaven on earth. I can see why your balcony on Atrium Club floor would keep you right there for hours!

No doubt, another very special trip...it is always such fun to be armchair travellers with you two!

Welcome, Christine!
This trip went by FAR too fast and it was absolutely wonderful! So many fun things happened. We were pretty lucky.
Key West was AWESOME!!!!!! Very laid back, the perfect start to a perfect vacation.

You will love the pics from the Contemporary. We are SO hooked now and are actually trying to find ways to fit it in again next year.

I'm here!!!! I didn't realize your b2b was during Isaac. Yikes!!!!!

Sounds like another magical trip, I can't wait to read about it!!!

Welcome Cynthia!
I am so happy you joined! You did WAY better than I did on your trip report. But then I was on vacation at that time.

Yes, the first part of our back to backs was during Isaac. Lots to tell about it.

We had a LOT of fun and cannot wait to go back. SOON!! Actually we will be on our way there in exactly 5 months time. Can't wait!

Page 1 I hope !!!!

Welcome, Rosie!
And YES, you MADE IT to page 1!

 

[dizneeat]

I'm here.

Welcome, Jen!
How fun to have you along. Can't believe you are going to leave on your next adventure in a few days.

Okay sounds like you are off to a great start !!! Can't wait to hear all about it !!!

Rosie, I already have some news to share. Stay tuned!

Can't wait to read all about your trip!

Welcome Elaine!
Sorry we didn't make it back in time before you left. But I am hoping we'll overlap again next summer.

Woohoo! I'm in... can't wait to hear how your trip went...

Welcome!
So good to know that you are along for the ride as well. We had a wonderful trip and lots of fun things to share.

 

[alpinemouse]

Ups, sorry!

 

[dizneeat]

Another great trip report to read...can't wait!!!

Welcome!
I am so glad that you decided to come along to relive our summer vacation!

Woohoo!

I am so happy to see this report started.

I just got home after a very short (5 day) DW trip and on the sad flight home I consoled myself with the thoughts of reading one of your epic reports.

Thank you!

Welcome!
It's wonderful to see that you are so excited to see this report started.

Wow! If you just returned home from 5 days at WDW, then we must have missed you by a few days. Would have been fun to meet yet another DISer!

IN!

Welcome, Michelle!
Good to know that you are here as well.

Yay! I love your trip reports.

Welcome!
It is so good to know that you enjoy my trip reports. Please feel free to comment whenever you feel like it!

I'm in also

Yeah, you made it, too! Hope you can help me out with details should I forget some!

 

[dizneeat]

Okay, so here is the first (of hopefully many) real life updates!

Today we have been back from our vacation for a week (already! ) and it has been a rather stressful one for both of us.
Tom's boss had emailed him to PLEASE cut his vacation short as his stand-in had thrown in the towel about 2 weeks after we had left for the US. He agreed to start on Tuesday (of last week) as we could not see him going in on Monday. We had only arrived back at 3pm and he would have had to start work at 5am the next morning. NOT good!!
So he went back on Tuesday and he has been coming home late every day since, so he already is worn out again.
I started back to school on Monday and even though I had to get up early, it wasn't all that bad (on MONDAY!!!)
But, come Tuesday I had learned that I had a new MAIN subject to teach. I am now a German teacher too, in a class that has 4 special needs kids.
So, I had my work cut out for me, but never the less I had already started planning another short trip.
We wanted to go back to DLRP for Halloween. Well, since I already used Past Tense you will have noticed that this trip is not going to be.
Why, you ask? Well, for one, I checked hotel rooms and since this is a holiday weekend they were EXPENSIVE!!! So over 300 Euros for two nights for hotels and then I needed to check on flights. We had used up most of our airmiles on the Business Class flight in May, so we needed to use the short term offer and when I looked up availability for that, it looked GRIM! Flight out in the afternoon, flight back in the morning. So NOT what we wanted to do on a 3 day vacation. So we tried every other option and what made it even more undoable was that we would have had to play taxes on the flights and they would have come to over 500 Euros. Low and behold it just didn't make sense for a 3 day trip.

So on Friday afternoon we decided to change our plans and go somewhere else.
Out of the spur of the moment I tried if our favourite hotel in Italy would be available the next weekend. And yes, it was!!
Checked for end of October and it was available too!
Guess, you know where this is going.
Quick thoughts and we decided that we could easily swing two weekendtrips to Italy and still not spend what we would have on going to Paris. So here you have it ......

We are going to Italy in 5 days

and then again a second time in 40 days!

I cannot believe we have only been back for a week and have another trip coming up in 5 days!

And this time I promise to KEEP my promise of doing a short report on our trip to Italy, especially since I never got around to doing one for our summer trip.

 

[dvc4life]

Been anxiously awaiting your new TR Karin! So glad you have started it. And how exciting that you are going on another, two, Italy trips. Yay for you.

We go back to WDW in 36 days and can't wait.

Looking forward to reading all about this trip. Have a great day!