3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[hstrickland]

I'm sorry dinner was so hectic. Have you considered the TiW card? I think that would have saved a bundle. But if you usually do the dining plan that wouldn't work for those trips. I agree, a 40 minute wait when you have an ADR is unacceptable.

Thankfully I used a giftcard for our dinner at Boma, the price tag is a bit oppressive.

I laughed out loud at the man in the corner, he just caught me by surprise

We don't have APs so no TiW card for us. If we did APs, that would be a great option. I never even noticed the man in the corner of the pic until I was editing pictures....it appears that he's smiling for the camera on purpose. Who knows, but it makes me laugh every time I see it.

I know! I am toying with the idea right now. But I would have to get a pin code or something though - way too $$$ given the sort of vacation I am tentatively planning right now.

The reason we did CL was because of a discount...I think we got 30% off rooms. Even if you don't want to spend the money on a savannah view, the pool views look great. I would totally take one! So what exactly are you tentatively planning???

When I go, I'm going to have to ask and make a note of what day they serve the She Crab soup. It's outstanding
I'll prob post live reports on AKL thread, so stay tuned!!

Would love to hear about AKL live! I'll check out that thread.

We've dined at Boma several times. So far we've been lucky to get tables in the back, by the windows where it doesn't seem to be as crowded, and I've enjoyed the food. ESP all the salads. But I know what you mean about the kids, and my daughter was in early 20s first time we ate there, so I wasn't watching what she put on her plate. When she got back to the table with Mac & cheese and chicken nuggets, I wasn't amused so not paying those prices for that!!!! nOw she's banned from that stuff when we eat there, lol.

Mac & cheese for $40 Nice!! If we had been sitting in a quieter location and didn't have to wait for 40 miinutes, it would have made the experience much better...those two issues combined didn't start things off on the right foot. Too bad they didn't have SheCrab Soup I love the stuff!!!

Y'all have an awesome time!! Aren't you leaving tomorrow for Ft. Lauderdale?

 

[Pinkocto]

Oops, I didn't think you needed APs to get the TiW card, just that it cost a little more. You're right, I just went to check on it.

 

[hstrickland]

Oops, I didn't think you needed APs to get the TiW card, just that it cost a little more. You're right, I just went to check on it.

I was actually hoping your were right I checked on it, too!! Oh well...

 

[hstrickland]

Day 4
A Very, Very Late Arrival!​

Throughout the day, we were constantly checking the weather. It wasn’t looking good in FL with rain forecasted all day. My sister’s family had to take a train into NY to JFK to catch the flight to Orlando. Spending the day riding planes, trains and automobiles is NOT what they had anticipated.

As a former flight attendant, I know what it’s like to be stuck in an airport. However, I have NO clue what it’s like to add 2 young kids to the mix!!! I can only imagine….


After a lengthy sit, they finally called for passengers to board. By the way….the plane was delayed (no big shocker) It was supposed to leave at 7:00pm. No such luck….they sat on the runway for an hour

To be quite frank, I wasn’t holding my breath for a departure. My level of concern wasn’t going to diminish until the doors were closed and wheels were up!

Stepping on Florida soil at 11pm had to be sweet relief!!!

Now….let’s just hope the Magical Express is quick. (I’m tired)

I believe they made several stops before arriving at the AKL....Pop, maybe AoA...I don't recall what Stephanie said. My mind was a blur since it was after midnight.

We’ve never been happier to see a group of people than we were to see our CT family!

I was assuming the kids would be exhausted and ready to go to sleep…..ya know what they say about people that assume….. They were raring to go!!!!

While I was trying to keep my eyes open and listen to the chitter–chatter of two very excited children, Stephanie was having a few minor issues with the reservations (nothing that couldn’t be resolved in a few clicks of the key pad).

I’m quite certain that Sean was ready to hit the bed and go to sleep….however, MaHopie thought we all needed to escort them to the room AND venture in (sorry Sean). When the kids stepped onto the balcony, there was a giraffe literally staring at us….eye level. Even though the room was considered a standard view, it was located in the corner of the Sunset Savannah.

We could rest easy now….the entire family was all accounted for and ready for a week of cruising Time to hit the bed!!! We would be rising very early……and don’t act surprised….did you expect anything less?



Up next…..a complete review of the AKL, then we board the Dream!!






​

 

[amandaw]

Thank goodness your sister & her family made it Florida. But, man, what a journey they had. That had to so hard on all of them, especially the kids. And speaking of the kids - they are so adorable!!

 

[basketlacey]

I knew they would make it or I would have already heard about it but you had me worried! I was stuck in NY a couple of weeks ago. I spent the whole day at JFK only to have my flight canceled around 10 pm. It was crazy!

I can't wait to hear about the dream!

 

[Pinkocto]

How wonderful they finally got there! What a tiring way to start a vacation.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Yay for everyone getting there! What a time your they had!

 

[emma212010]

Yay! Finally everyone's together!! What a pain that was!!

 

[Sue M]

Would love to hear about AKL live! I'll check out that thread.



Mac & cheese for $40 Nice!! If we had been sitting in a quieter location and didn't have to wait for 40 miinutes, it would have made the experience much better...those two issues combined didn't start things off on the right foot. Too bad they didn't have SheCrab Soup I love the stuff!!!

Y'all have an awesome time!! Aren't you leaving tomorrow for Ft. Lauderdale?

Yes, we leave Tues morning, or tonight in the middle of the night, depending on how you look at it. We have to leave for the airport at 3:15 AM I should just sleep in my clothes, Canceled my airport hotel, the hubs said he'll drive us (daughter 27 & me). I didn't want to bother him with driving at that hour so had booked hotel. He's staying home with the animals.
Disney isn't his thing I'm meeting up with a friend from LA at AKL. And the Ft. Lauderdale portion is a working trip, have to move my mom into a different assisted living that can better care for her (Altzheimers).

 

[happy2012]

They made it!!!!!

 

[RGirl]

Phew! I'm so glad that your sister and her family finally arrived. What a nightmare!

Can't wait for the cruise!!!

The reason we did CL was because of a discount...I think we got 30% off rooms. Even if you don't want to spend the money on a savannah view, the pool views look great. I would totally take one! So what exactly are you tentatively planning???

When do discounts like that usually come out? Was it a pin code or something else?

I will be starting a PTR before long - I need you all to help me with some of these major decisions!

 

[pas130]

Day 4
A Very, Very Late Arrival!​

So glad to read they finally made it!!!!!!!!!!!!And everyone was still smiling!

 

[rustytss]

Yeah!!!! we made it!!! The most stressful day and a half of my life!

It only took you 6 weeks to make it to our arrival in your TR! So we have 6 more days in the trip which means about 10 more weeks before you complete the TR!

 

[Yellowbellow]

Yeah!!!! we made it!!! The most stressful day and a half of my life!

It only took you 6 weeks to make it to our arrival in your TR! So we have 6 more days in the trip which means about 10 more weeks before you complete the TR!

I figure more like between Thanksgiving and Christmas or New Years. to completely finish this thing. I like reading it and remembering our 'Family Vacation'

 

[pas130]

Yeah!!!! we made it!!! The most stressful day and a half of my life!

It only took you 6 weeks to make it to our arrival in your TR! So we have 6 more days in the trip which means about 10 more weeks before you complete the TR!

Seriously, I am sorry it was such a stressful adventure to get there

 

[DisneyDoc5]

I'm finally back to the boards, first stop, this TR!!!

Praise the Lord that day when the family finally arrived, I was thinking about it all day wondering and worrying for you!

Love the Boma report - we have never tried it even though I have booked it TONS for clients and they always want to go back again?!? So, I bet the crowds and long waits might have influenced the overall experience (not to mention the rainy day, worry for the family, etc.)

Looking forward to my easy chair and the rest of the evening on the Disboards catching up while I do (don't ya love how many of us say this, 'catching up' when we have been away for a few days - only fellow Disers would understand!!!)

Keep the updates coming, we them!!! Erin and crew (kiddos love the pics too!)

 

[jennyjinx3]

 

[Sue M]

ok, sitting in my hotel room in Ft Lauderdale after an exhausting day hoping for a TR update

 

[hstrickland]

When do discounts like that usually come out? Was it a pin code or something else?

I will be starting a PTR before long - I need you all to help me with some of these major decisions!

Not sure how the pincodes work...it's a secret that everyone would love to know. I usually just save a couple of trips on the Disney website and then we get these emails from Disney Destinations. But be careful....sometimes those codes are at the very bottom and hard to see. OR, you can get the Disney Visa and they'll offer discounts, OR you can wait for the general code (which always appears). Not sure that really answered your question

Looking forward to my easy chair and the rest of the evening on the Disboards catching up while I do (don't ya love how many of us say this, 'catching up' when we have been away for a few days - only fellow Disers would understand!!!)

I totally get the 'catch up'!!! That's what I'll be doing in the morning....or after karate.......a weeks worth of it!!!

ok, sitting in my hotel room in Ft Lauderdale after an exhausting day hoping for a TR update

I know, I know!!! Sorry!!! Would you believe me if I said there will be a post tonight??? I'm working on one now. Give me several hours....between washing clothes, cooking and cleaning up, I'll get it done