Our little thread of BIG Resort changes*OLD THREAD link on last pg. to new thread!

[jennyjinx3]

Oh, darn! I'm so sorry I missed the talk about your visit to Boston! It is my home and know it inside and out. . We lived in Cambridge when we moved to NC (not a fan of NC) walking distance to MIT and Harvard. Be still my heart. I lived on Beacon Hill and in Back Bay when I was younger...it is not only home, but home of my heart as well.

If I can be of help, please pm or message me on FB ... Sounds like a wonderful trip!!

Thanks Christine! I may take you up on that offer to pick your brain! does my plan sound doable then? Was looking at lobster places near where we are going whale watching and there seems to be a spot called Bob Lobster nearby. Looks pretty authentic, have you heard of it? I am going to look at the Legal Seafood menu too!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Jeanette I just had to stop by to say I love AKL and they have wonderful activities for the kiddos too. I love the Flamigoes too

We visited the cemetary then off to grocery shop and boy were you right it got HOT in fact I told Bob we have to start going at night of course little chance of that since he suffers from night blindness

Jenny Your trip sounds fun, we did Howe Caverns with the boys many years ago

Did you really? Aw, I hope it is fun, it looks really neat.

I love Boston!! The aquarium was fun, definitely didn't take a whole long time. Legal Seafood is awesome for dinner if you like seafood!! We loved walking around Harvard too.

Going to check out the Legal Seafood menu right now! Good to know the aquarium won't take too long to check out.

Jenny sorry about your mom, it is very hard to watch them loose it, especially when your children are involved. My mom has Alzheimer's and a few years back, she was still in her condo (in Lauderdale) with aide support. We came to visit, staying with her. One night she came into the living room where my youngest DD was watching TV. I was down at the pool with other DD. mom came out telling my DD to get out, and why was she there, then locked herself in her bedroom. Totally freaked DD out. but the next morning mom came out and had no recollection of the previous evening.
So maybe your mom really doesn't remember what she did

We stayed at a Hyatt Place on I Drive, and liked it.

Jeanette we loved the AKL pool view. Love the resort.

Mousemommy have a great trip

wookie sounds like some good shopping.

Thanks Sue. So sorry about your DD's experience with your mom, how upsetting for her. It is just hard now knowing what is just getting older silliness and what is really concerning. Glad you enjoyed the Hyatt Place. Hope it is nice for us.

Time for a bit more of a reply...

Jen: Poor you and poor DD! Y'all will have lots of fun together though. (Hubbo and I don't even know what to do with ourselves when we have time off without the kiddo -- last time was our anniversary. We went out to a movie and had lunch whilst she was at school. Livin' the high life. ) So feel for ya. My parents aren't up to the task of watching Miss M. Not that they wouldn't do it if we needed to and we were actually living close enough, just my dad has no energy for it (lots of naps, etc.) and my mom's not really with it enough mentally though it's the smoking which is the real issue (a lot. ALL the time. to the point where it dictates how often she can be inside.) Blah. Anyway, you'll have to do a Boston review when you get back; would love to know what the girlies enjoyed most.

Jeanette: Back home where you belong. Ch-ch-changed AKL, huh? Well, you know how I feel

I adore that place. Hubs STILL talks about how nice it was there. Those activities for the kids are so cool. I'm all that I won't get my BWI review but I know we'll get the scoop on wherever the Pas Clan winds up.

Janet: Did you get your torture in? I'm still waiting for the mythical AC to get installed at our Y. It's as elusive as the Sasquatch, apparently.

~~====================~~

So, we didn't do much of anything yesterday. Miss M was buggin' her daddy. all. day. long. since she missed out on bugging him for the previous 4 days. (Had to make up for lost time. Better him than me, I say. ) We put her to bed to get a few minutes of sanity time... but then the city's fireworks started and we had those pesky little "parent guilt pangs" so I ran upstairs to wake her up. She sat outside in her PJs being held by her daddy with the biggest grin on her face watching fireworks.

As a side note, she doesn't like the flag we fly because it's "not the REAL flag" We have a 13 star "Betsy Ross" flag -- no offense to the other 37, of course. The real reason I chose it was I can't resist a little ribbin' of the hubbo on our patriotic days. Need to buy that guy a shirt to wear for next 4th, one that reads (Front, with a Union Jack)"We Celebrate Independence Day Too." (Back) "The Day We Finally Got Freed of You Lunatics." (He'd never wear it though ... and he loves all our holidays really. Especially getting to snuggle with his girl watching fireworks.)

Oh my latest DIS news... I booked our January flights a few days AGO! I guess we're going again!

And, in no particular order...
Kookster, Wookster, Candace, Sheila, Lacey, Deena, Sue, Koh, Christine, BlueJasmine, Heather, Linda, Magic (Linda 2.0), Willow, Alysa... (if I missed you, my apologies! I blame the heat.) you ladies have a good one. Edit: Mariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie!

Yay for flights!! You guys are all set! Oh I loved the fireworks story on Daddy's lap. I too get those pangs of guilt and have roused them from their beds for stuff. What a good mommy. so sorry to hear about your Mothers smoking issues, what a worry that must be! I actually feel really bad for talking about her.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Thanks Christine! I may take you up on that offer to pick your brain! does my plan sound doable then? Was looking at lobster places near where we are going whale watching and there seems to be a spot called Bob Lobster nearby. Looks pretty authentic, have you heard of it? I am going to look at the Legal Seafood menu too!

There are loads of places for "Lobsta" on the North Shore (Newburyport). I have a friend who lives there and will send her a note today. Best price and Lobsta in Newburyport especially? Are you going to Rockport? If driving up to New unreported it would be easy to stop in Rockport...one of my favorite places in MA, next to the Cape!

Legal is one of my all times faves...but, although very good, it is not the best...and very pricy....but there is several locations so it pretty easy to find one within a reasonable distance. My closest friend and I went to Legal for every occasion we could dream up. If you'll be going to Copley Sq, there is one right in the Prudential Center. Also one in Kendal Sq, Cambridge (by the way, Kendall Sq would be a great hotel location...there is a Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott ..a few others as well...).

Better stop...or I'll babble on and on!

 

[Koh1977]

Just had an idea!! 4 nights at CBR pirate room and 4 nights at POR Royal Room...pirates and princesses! Hmmm...ADRs might possibly need changed again, but it would definitely be doable! AND I wouldn't lose a night, nor the dessert party, and we'd still get to check out another resort...

 

[Willows909]

There are loads of places for "Lobsta" on the North Shore (Newburyport). I have a friend who lives there and will send her a note today. Best price and Lobsta in Newburyport especially? Are you going to Rockport? If driving up to New unreported it would be easy to stop in Rockport...one of my favorite places in MA, next to the Cape!

Legal is one of my all times faves...but, although very good, it is not the best...and very pricy....but there is several locations so it pretty easy to find one within a reasonable distance. My closest friend and I went to Legal for every occasion we could dream up. If you'll be going to Copley Sq, there is one right in the Prudential Center. Also one in Kendal Sq, Cambridge (by the way, Kendall Sq would be a great hotel location...there is a Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott ..a few others as well...).

Better stop...or I'll babble on and on!

Ditto everything she said! Especially Rockport...beautiful!!

 

[jennyjinx3]

Just had an idea!! 4 nights at CBR pirate room and 4 nights at POR Royal Room...pirates and princesses! Hmmm...ADRs might possibly need changed again, but it would definitely be doable! AND I wouldn't lose a night, nor the dessert party, and we'd still get to check out another resort...

Yes! That sounds fab! I like the theming of this trip of yours!

 

[Willows909]

So....I added another night to our trip. Revised, Sept. 19th arrival....heading home on September 28th. Five nights AKL Pool view, and four nights WL CL......80 days! Here's hoping this one sticks! Hubby is tired! Perhaps we'll be able to sneak a beach getaway up here in NH at some point when this project is finally done! Hope everyone is having a great day!

 

[jennyjinx3]

There are loads of places for "Lobsta" on the North Shore (Newburyport). I have a friend who lives there and will send her a note today. Best price and Lobsta in Newburyport especially? Are you going to Rockport? If driving up to New unreported it would be easy to stop in Rockport...one of my favorite places in MA, next to the Cape!

Legal is one of my all times faves...but, although very good, it is not the best...and very pricy....but there is several locations so it pretty easy to find one within a reasonable distance. My closest friend and I went to Legal for every occasion we could dream up. If you'll be going to Copley Sq, there is one right in the Prudential Center. Also one in Kendal Sq, Cambridge (by the way, Kendall Sq would be a great hotel location...there is a Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott ..a few others as well...).

Better stop...or I'll babble on and on!

Yes! More tips please! Rockport.....checking it out!

 

[jennyjinx3]

There are loads of places for "Lobsta" on the North Shore (Newburyport). I have a friend who lives there and will send her a note today. Best price and Lobsta in Newburyport especially? Are you going to Rockport? If driving up to New unreported it would be easy to stop in Rockport...one of my favorite places in MA, next to the Cape!

Legal is one of my all times faves...but, although very good, it is not the best...and very pricy....but there is several locations so it pretty easy to find one within a reasonable distance. My closest friend and I went to Legal for every occasion we could dream up. If you'll be going to Copley Sq, there is one right in the Prudential Center. Also one in Kendal Sq, Cambridge (by the way, Kendall Sq would be a great hotel location...there is a Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott ..a few others as well...).

Better stop...or I'll babble on and on!

So....I added another night to our trip. Revised, Sept. 19th arrival....heading home on September 28th. Five nights AKL Pool view, and four nights WL CL......80 days! Here's hoping this one sticks! Hubby is tired! Perhaps we'll be able to sneak a beach getaway up here in NH at some point when this project is finally done! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Yes my DH gets "tired" of all my changes too. Even though we were upset at the turn of events that led to this trip not being just us, he knows that secretly I am in my element now! I get to plan things all over again!

 

[sjs314]

Just had an idea!! 4 nights at CBR pirate room and 4 nights at POR Royal Room...pirates and princesses! Hmmm...ADRs might possibly need changed again, but it would definitely be doable! AND I wouldn't lose a night, nor the dessert party, and we'd still get to check out another resort...

Sounds like a great plan to me and if a day or night at DTD is planned you have the water launch

 

[Missoutandabout]

Just had an idea!! 4 nights at CBR pirate room and 4 nights at POR Royal Room...pirates and princesses! Hmmm...ADRs might possibly need changed again, but it would definitely be doable! AND I wouldn't lose a night, nor the dessert party, and we'd still get to check out another resort...

Looooooooooooooooove POR! The Royal Rooms are flippin' CUTE! Love this idea. (Is that enough of an "enabling" reply? )

Jen: Don't feel bad. You weren't mean... and she upset the DDs -- and the two parents in the process.

We need that RC compound, ya know?

 

[Koh1977]

Yes! That sounds fab! I like the theming of this trip of yours!

Thanks. probably means I should scale back on the pirates stuff, maybe return a few things and get a few princess things for DD instead of all pirates... Awesome!!

 

[Missoutandabout]

By the way, the Royal Rooms -- whilst a tad girly -- aren't totally over-the-top princess. I think a little dude would be perfectly happy there.

 

[Koh1977]

Sounds like a great plan to me and if a day or night at DTD is planned you have the water launch

Definitely might have to flip a few things around with ADRs and planned park days, but I'm actually liking the idea as well...

Do you think afternoon breaks are doable if staying at CBR and POR? I want to make sure we get in pool time and some naps (mainly DS who otherwise would go until midnight and completely turn into mr. Grouch and/or sick by the end of the trip).

 

[Koh1977]

By the way, the Royal Rooms -- whilst a tad girly -- aren't totally over-the-top princess. I think a little dude would be perfectly happy there.

DS will love it as well I think. (He probably plays with DD and her princess/girly toys as much as his cars and Avengers).

Now the question is...do we do the pirate cruise at CBR or POR? Hmmm...

 

[chimo2u]

Woohoo! Jeanette well if you're not at BWI, I know you'll love AKL!
I'm partial to CL there though since its so economical to add on and we get our use out if it! I love the extra space to hang out in too....
I'm having a hard time deciding BWI deluxe CL or AKL Kidani 1 Bdrm for our Grad trip with DS and his GF in Jan 2015 -- the location of BWI is drawing me there but the washer dryer, extra bathroom, king bed and seperate bedroom is drawing me to Kidani!
I hope there's discounts too -- I usually get a good deal in January (free dining would be great) -- but I can see this trip being costly!
I'd think about DVC rental at Kidani, but I love my daily housekeeping!
Although if we're there for only 5 or 6 nights, I could pay for every other day housekeeping and make due with that!

Marie

 

[chimo2u]

PS...some good news DS21 got the job!!!! He's a full time employee at Home Depot!!!!! Working night shift - 10pm to 6:30 am ! I'm so happy he was hired! It's full benefits too! Woohoo!!!

 

[letthewookiewin]

For the values, preferred isn't worth the extra. The values aren't too big IMHO, and I actually am looking at Sports with those fresh new rooms. I LOVE my value resorts!!! And the family loves the food courts!

When we stayed at the Pop, I loved the location of our preferred room, but then again we were there for an entire week. I just wasn't sure if it would be worth it for one night.

I'd love to try a new resort too! (Hence the CBR/CR split) And part of me wants to try CR this trip because we won't be back for a few years it sounds like but part of me wants the extra day and the dessert party for the same reasons...originally, we were only going to do 6 days when we were at CR. Then when I changed to AKL, we made it 7 days. Then I snagged BOG, moved our dates back and changed us to CBR so we made it 8 days. I don't want it to be too long of a trip though. We're already doing a day at Sea World before Disney...

This is the main reason we are doing the AKL for this trip. I know we won't be back at WDW for a while, and I have been bugging the DH to try the AKL.

Wookie I sure will let you know about the pizza. I love a good pizza so now I have to keep Pop, so I'll get out to try the pizza . It's true about not wanting to leave if I add on a day to GF!

Thank ya much.

Aye, no bueno! It's Friday, so that's a bit bueno.

I know, right? I thought today was Thursday.

After the gym, I will venture over to a very large outlet mall where upon I will search the Disney Outlet for a goody or two, (though I usually come out empty handed). But, they've just opened up a new Vera Bradley outlet

Great having an update from Deena!

I love Vera Bradley!!

Hi Ladies, hope you all had a lovely independance day! I need some help here. My DM and DD watched the girls yesterday, we have arranged for them to watch them on MOndays and Thursdays while I go to work. My mom insisted upon this so that I didn't have to go back to working all evenings.
Well, she had DD9 in tears yesterday and so worked up after DH got home.

They were only here for 3 hours but she managed to convince DD9 that our eldest cat was DYING!! My mom has always been obsessed with death, negative things, sickness etc. She has not been feeling well, and can hardly walk without almost falling down, and she also cannot breathe right. She says she has pneumonia. Anyway, she told DD9 that the cat had lost weight, look at her eyes they look deathly, and she was not moving. Ummm...the cat was sleeping. I honestly thing she is starting to lose it, she is worse then ever. Very hard to be around.

The girls also said she was very snippy with them all. So, I was really upset. I grew up hearing my mom talk about death and dying all my life. It is kind of a theme, but I really don't want my girls to have to hear this. DD9 was hysterical last night.

I tried talking to her last night nicely about what happened but she denied everything and said DD9 made it all up. Then I asked if they were truly up to watching the kids while we went away and she said probably not. So I have looked into it and I will only lose $100 if we cancel with Jetblue.

So DH and I have decided to take them to Boston with us. But now the hotels are nearly all booked up, and we only have a couple of options. To stay in Medford at the Hyatt PLace which looks nice, has free breakfast, parking and is affordable. But far from the downtown and a 40 minute journey to Fenway Park by public transport.

Or the Hilton downtown Fanueil Hall. It is in the financial district, is pricey and the reviews are not great. But easier to get around with the kids to things. More direct. I would just have to figure out how to get there with the van!! any thoughts?

DH is not happy. Very annoyed in fact. But he wants to make this work now. Sorry for the novel. Ugh.

Jen

I'm so sorry you're losing your adults only weekend. I wouldn't want to leave my children with them either. I'm sure neither you, or your DH, would have a good time worrying about if your DDs were upset or not. My DH and I are so lucky in that we have two set of grandparents, that live within an hour of us, that are both willing to watch the boys for us.

Have a great weekend, and thanks for the transportation encouragement. I did end up booking the Medford Hyatt. Just couldn't pass up the free parking, breakfast and a bed for everyone. So we are good for now. Here is what it looks like:

Leave Monday July 22, drive about 4 hours. Planning on stopping at Howe's Caverns. Drive on to Albany to hotel.

Tuesday: Wake up and head to American Girl Store , then onto Hyatt in Boston. Explore and dinner in the city!

Wednesday: city day, either duck tour, aquarium, childrens museum, shopping, DH wants to see Cheers. Ball game at night.

Thursday: Head to Newburyport for Whale watching, then head back to Albany hotel that night.

Friday: head home.

It sounds jam packed but I am hoping it all runs smoothly!

Sounds like a great trip!! I know it wasn't what you were looking forward to, but I'm sure it will be amazing just the same.

I know I would love to do a trip for our 20th wedding anniversary, just the DH and I, but I don't think that is going to happen. Unless we are able to take the DSs on a vacation that year, in addition to the one for our 20th, it won't happen. Our boys are getting so close to being out on their own, that he wants to make sure we do at least one family vacation with them each year.

So, we didn't do much of anything yesterday. Miss M was buggin' her daddy. all. day. long. since she missed out on bugging him for the previous 4 days. (Had to make up for lost time. Better him than me, I say. ) We put her to bed to get a few minutes of sanity time... but then the city's fireworks started and we had those pesky little "parent guilt pangs" so I ran upstairs to wake her up. She sat outside in her PJs being held by her daddy with the biggest grin on her face watching fireworks.

It sounds like a lot of your day was about as difficult as mine, but I'm glad it ended on a good note.

As a side note, she doesn't like the flag we fly because it's "not the REAL flag" We have a 13 star "Betsy Ross" flag -- no offense to the other 37, of course. The real reason I chose it was I can't resist a little ribbin' of the hubbo on our patriotic days. Need to buy that guy a shirt to wear for next 4th, one that reads (Front, with a Union Jack)"We Celebrate Independence Day Too." (Back) "The Day We Finally Got Freed of You Lunatics." (He'd never wear it though ... and he loves all our holidays really. Especially getting to snuggle with his girl watching fireworks.)

That shirt would be too funny!!

And, in no particular order...
Kookster, Wookster, Candace, Sheila, Lacey, Deena, Sue, Koh, Christine, BlueJasmine, Heather, Linda, Magic (Linda 2.0), Willow, Alysa... (if I missed you, my apologies! I blame the heat.) you ladies have a good one. Edit: Mariiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie!

It was a rough day around our house. My sil (the one I had gotten into an argument with) had told my mil that they were coming over for the 4th. Her son is JM's favorite cousin and they are more like brothers than just cousins. So, yesterday, JM kept asking me when his cousin would be at our house. I finally got sick of the question and told him to ask his mamaw and his uncle. This was when we found out that the sil had found out Rick Springfield was going to be in town, giving a concert, and she decided to go and take her son. Now I have this child, with mild ASD, that has been looking forward to his cousin coming over, and now he's not. I'm sure y'all know how well Autistic children do when sudden change, especially when it was something they had their heart set on...which goes about as well together as Rob Zombie trying to make a G movie for Disney. Only the fil's sisters came over, so we weren't as crowded. Luckily, the inlaws only bought about $150 in fireworks, so we weren't outside all night. Unfortunately, people around us were still popping them after midnight.

 

[jennyjinx3]

PS...some good news DS21 got the job!!!! He's a full time employee at Home Depot!!!!! Working night shift - 10pm to 6:30 am ! I'm so happy he was hired! It's full benefits too! Woohoo!!!

CONGRATS to your son Marie! That is great news!

When we stayed at the Pop, I loved the location of our preferred room, but then again we were there for an entire week. I just wasn't sure if it would be worth it for one night.



This is the main reason we are doing the AKL for this trip. I know we won't be back at WDW for a while, and I have been bugging the DH to try the AKL.



Thank ya much.



I know, right? I thought today was Thursday.



I love Vera Bradley!!



I'm so sorry you're losing your adults only weekend. I wouldn't want to leave my children with them either. I'm sure neither you, or your DH, would have a good time worrying about if your DDs were upset or not. My DH and I are so lucky in that we have two set of grandparents, that live within an hour of us, that are both willing to watch the boys for us.



Sounds like a great trip!! I know it wasn't what you were looking forward to, but I'm sure it will be amazing just the same.

I know I would love to do a trip for our 20th wedding anniversary, just the DH and I, but I don't think that is going to happen. Unless we are able to take the DSs on a vacation that year, in addition to the one for our 20th, it won't happen. Our boys are getting so close to being out on their own, that he wants to make sure we do at least one family vacation with them each year.



It sounds like a lot of your day was about as difficult as mine, but I'm glad it ended on a good note.



That shirt would be too funny!!



It was a rough day around our house. My sil (the one I had gotten into an argument with) had told my mil that they were coming over for the 4th. Her son is JM's favorite cousin and they are more like brothers than just cousins. So, yesterday, JM kept asking me when his cousin would be at our house. I finally got sick of the question and told him to ask his mamaw and his uncle. This was when we found out that the sil had found out Rick Springfield was going to be in town, giving a concert, and she decided to go and take her son. Now I have this child, with mild ASD, that has been looking forward to his cousin coming over, and now he's not. I'm sure y'all know how well Autistic children do when sudden change, especially when it was something they had their heart set on...which goes about as well together as Rob Zombie trying to make a G movie for Disney. Only the fil's sisters came over, so we weren't as crowded. Luckily, the inlaws only bought about $150 in fireworks, so we weren't outside all night. Unfortunately, people around us were still popping them after midnight.

Sorry Wookie, I always hated it when relatives (cough...DH's family) would stand the kiddos up after they had been waitin at the window....literally. Not easy for them.

Koh: do you have to book this pirate cruise in advance or can you do it at the resort? The girls would like this a lot!

 

[Missoutandabout]

PS...some good news DS21 got the job!!!! He's a full time employee at Home Depot!!!!! Working night shift - 10pm to 6:30 am ! I'm so happy he was hired! It's full benefits too! Woohoo!!!

Congrats to your son, Marie!

It was a rough day around our house. My sil (the one I had gotten into an argument with) had told my mil that they were coming over for the 4th. Her son is JM's favorite cousin and they are more like brothers than just cousins. So, yesterday, JM kept asking me when his cousin would be at our house. I finally got sick of the question and told him to ask his mamaw and his uncle. This was when we found out that the sil had found out Rick Springfield was going to be in town, giving a concert, and she decided to go and take her son. Now I have this child, with mild ASD, that has been looking forward to his cousin coming over, and now he's not. I'm sure y'all know how well Autistic children do when sudden change, especially when it was something they had their heart set on...which goes about as well together as Rob Zombie trying to make a G movie for Disney. Only the fil's sisters came over, so we weren't as crowded. Luckily, the inlaws only bought about $150 in fireworks, so we weren't outside all night. Unfortunately, people around us were still popping them after midnight.

Eep. I'm sorry she bailed, especially when he was looking forward to hanging out with his cousin. Will he get to see him some point soon-ish? How's your sunburn faring?

Whoa, that ol' Springfield gets AROUND. He's playing our local Rib Fest tomorrow night! (Slash is headlining tonight and Lynyrd Skynyrd on the 7th. We can hear it from our backyard so no need to go. )