Coffee on the Verandah -The Last Slide, Recap & Souvies 5/29 - Link to Aulani TR 5/31

[cdotla]

Such a bummer! Who will all be at the 30th? Carrie? I miss another group by 1-2 days but there will a lot of folks you know there during our dates, Anita (Wigd), Pat( Poolrat), Tracy (Manntra), Brook, and some others you may not know but will "meet" on this tr

A bunch of us connected on FB, via Brook and were able to coordinate dates that way which helped.

Yes, Carrie will also be there with me. I am also meeting up with a bunch of friends for Lou Mongello's event and the Tower of Terror run. It should be so much fun!

One of these years though I wld love to meet up with your gang for F&W. I have met Christine and Tracy on trips past (actually, I think Christine and I may have met up on 2 separate trips...) but wld love to meet the rest of you someday. Unfortunately I think I am the only holdout who still hasn't joined Facebook....yet another reason to get with the program!

 

[Angies1274]

What a nice afternoon at the pool! Love the slide at OKW!

So happy you liked Olivia's! Everything looks really yummy!

Sorry about the bus confusion. Glad that everything worked out! Disney service is the best!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I can't believe with your supreme awesomeness you didn't know the internal bus schedule! Nice to see you liked Olivia's! I tried to get DSIS to take her girls there on her last trip - one of them is named Olivia - but they never made it there.

I love to see you just making family togetherness time and nothing is rushed! Good job, Mom!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Cynthia,

You created quite an evocative picture of your last hours before leaving... The thought of you in a dress, running errands... And shoving the cats in the carriers... Had me chocking coffee out over my keyboard ( I have two cats too - and that look was priceless...)

I love that your family views you as the supreme keeper of all the travel/ vacation info... I mean really now- what's up with that bus situation? Don't you have every piece of travel info imbedded in your head

Oliva's sounds really great- I've never been cause we haven't stayed there but it sounds it's worth making the trip over...

Looking forward to reading more of your adventures....

 

[rentayenta]

Looks like i missed 2 updates. Good thing I've got a 4 hour teleconference right now so I have plenty of time to catch up.

 

[eandesmom]

Just kidding. We can take our obsessive research only so far.

So true!

Save that one for the rehearsal dinner!

Oh I have far better blackmail shots than that!

Different strokes for different folks. Apparently some people even enjoy IASW.

Till they get stuck on it.

Even with the bus confusion, it sounds like the CM's were on the ball and very helpful. So you've got that going for you, which is nice.

Across the board, the CM's at OKW were some of the best I have ever experienced at any resort.

for trying new stuff! I'm still learning that.

He's a total foodie and adventuresome so it wasn't that much of a stretch. Plus he loves shrimp. We did have to have a conversation about some of the ingredients though.

Sauteed Shrimp with Vegetables, Tasso Ham, and fresh Herbs in a rich sauce, served over Olivia's Famous Grits

What is Tasso Ham?

A special ham often used in grits. I have no idea but it adds some cool flavor to it. It's kind more like a cajun sausage than ham the way you think of it. I think.

What are Grits?

Uh...kind of like a cross between polenta, cream of wheat and risotto...you cook them forever and they are creamy and delicious. Some people eat them for breakfast but at dinner they are usually cheesy and rich with the tasso ham (or at least that's how I've had them)

And then it got down to...

I really love grits. If you get them, can I have a bite?

Only if you let me try your crab cake and chowder

What's conch?


He is awfully fun to eat with!

That sounds wonderful! I've thought about trying Olivia's before but never wanted to make the effort to get over to OKW. I might have to try this on the next trip. It sounds great![/QUOTE]

What a great day!
Olivia's sounds great, and it sounds like you really liked OKW. That's good to hear.

Loved loved loved both! Really perfect for a non park part of the trip too. Not sure if I'd love it as much in the winter as the vibe wouldn't be quite the same but we really liked it. I'd stay at OKW and eat at Olivia's again, in a heartbeat! It was pretty fascinating to compare 3 different DVC resorts in one trip.

We didn't have enough towels when we checked-in to Vero either, come to think of it.

Neither did we, though I hadn't gotten there yet.

What a great way to end what started out as a hectic day! I'm so glad that you posted pictures of your meal at Olivia's. I have it on my list of possible "new" restaurants to try for our upcoming May, 2013 trip.

It was a perfect end to a very long day! I mean really, we are still on day one since we didn't leave until 12:50am! I'd be interested to see what you think, it might not be "as" great since you have much more experience locally with some of the foods they offer but we absolutely loved it.

What a terrible Mom you are not knowing the bus times or letting E1 rent a bike, shocking

I know, a total utter failure huh. And it was "his" money too! Patience does not come easy to a 13 year old.

Its funny to think of you watching the opening ceremony in Orlando while I was there. Did you like it?

Thanks to tape delay we missed up until the parade of nations. We did spend an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out what the folks escorting the athletes were carrying and why in some countries there were more coach/official looking folks than actual athletes. And then discussed that we didn't agree with all the hub bub about the American outfits...we rather liked them and it felt appropriate to us and not french at all if you look at our hsitorical outfits.

Yeah...we focused on important stuff. Like what were the Germans thinking, those outfits are awful and where was Michael Phelps. Oh wait, he had to swim in the morning.

We did at least get to see the torch lit!

Great pool day at OKW.

Olivia's sounds great. I would have loved those shrimp and grits! Yum. We will have to give it a try sometime.

I didn't try the shrimp but the grits were heavenly! And RICH! So so good. I "helped" Evan with them and we still had leftovers.

It was a great pool day.

Can't wait to see if you tried the paddle boats. They look like fun.

Evan has been wanting to try one of those forever, it was cute that it was one of the things he wanted to save money for, along with bike rental.

 

[rentayenta]

We also loved Olivia's! Best steak of the trip. We also really enjoy the pool at OKW. It's such a fantastic resort. Every time I read a trip report, it makes me want to change resorts.

 

[NoOrdinaryPrincess]

Lovely update! I've always wanted to try Olivia's but never have. I should do that next time.

 

[eandesmom]

Really nice, low key arrival day. Phew!

It was! And given that we'd been going since 1am, I am eternally grateful that it was.

Ouch! on the (unnecessary) wait for the bus on the way to the pool.

What a dope. Why I didn't just ask the first bus driver that stopped is beyond me.

I don't think I have ever seen pictures of the OKW pool. The sandcastle slide is just TOO adorable!

It is a GREAT pool. Nice and big and spread out and plenty deep. And according to Evan, the slide ranked pretty high up there on his list. He ranked all the ones on the trip for me. LOL! I wanted to get pictures of them poking/peeking out through the sandcastle but it seemed like everytime they did, I was in the water myself and missed the shot.

I have more pool pics coming up.

The Turtle Krawl looks amazing, and sounds amazing based on the recipe MaryEllen posted. MMMMMMMmmmmmm.

Very yummy!

Nice that you got a lift back on the golf cart(s)- how many?

We actually fit in one

That is so sad about Jeff's shorts. I hope they are salvagable.

It was upsetting, they were the one nice "dress" shorts he'd brought so he was NOT happy at all!

Dinner at Olivias looked wonderful. Sounds like it was just the perfect atmosphere. I have to agree- those Shrimp and Grits look really good. Everything else does too, but especially that.

Glad to hear you had a nice relaxing night. No need to push it to the limit.

Those grits were to die for, I must have them again at some point. It was odd to go back and watch TV...I can honestly say I've NEVER done that at WDW before but it just felt right and with the villa we could all spread out and be comfy and just relax like in our own family room. It was wonderful and the perfect ending to the day.

Why does the family always think we know everything.?

I mean , sure we usually do but it alays seems like I am EXPECTED to know everything. Then I feel bad when I don't.

Exactly, like not only did you fall off the pedestal but you've managed to ruin things as well.

Those are always my favorite shots.

I guess OKW is the ONLY with a sauna??? Go figure

To be honest I didn't check it out to see if it is even still operable. I'd always thought it was just for decoration, kind of funny to see the sauna sign.

YUM I just bought the rums to make some.

it's quite the variety!

Good note about the bus. Seems like everything is laid back there.

I have heard great things about Olivia's. May need to try it in Jan.

SO yummy!! And yes, very laid back, everywhere!

That's a bummer about the bus, but you figured it out soon enough. Bummer about Jeff's shorts. I hate suitcase accidents.

I do too, I ziploc everything inside my toiletry kit, even though it is a water resistant kind of outer material. It's such a mess to clean anything htat leaks or explodes even if it is contained.

The only real bummer about the bus was the lost pool and changing time but, it happens.

Don't you just love bell services?

Sounds like a wonderful afternoon at the pool. I love that pool. Dinner also looks especially yummy. Shrimp and grits. Yum! It's so great that your kids are adventurous easters.

And the Turtle Crawl really is heaven in a glass.

They are great eaters, all of them. The E's are more adventuresome than K is but she does ok too. I love that pool and the entire vibe of the resort. I might not like it quite as much in Dec -early Feb when it's cold out but the rest of the year it's pretty darn perfect if you ask me! A tradeoff of course, that kind of laid back relaxation compared to being able to walk to the parks but it was certainly the perfect choice for this trip.

What a fun pool afternoon. The clouds in your pics look almost fake!

After all the clouds and grey and rain and thunderstorms and HEAT we had during our August 2010 trip, I was in awe at the weather. It was truly perfect that day. Sure, it was hot but it wasn't unbearable and the pool was heavenly and not too warm. I'd been mentally prepared that we'd get all settled, head to the pool and BAM, thunderstorm.

Totally agree- that laundry room is a nice feature!

It really is. The door situation did make for some funny wrong turns though I will admit.

So nice to hear such positive comments about Olivia's. I've never eaten there but have OKW on my return list so when I do, will put that on the list!

Gotta love that Disney service!!

I would eat there again in a heartbeat, it'd be worth the trip even if not staying there. Ideally heading there from DTD to make it less painful.

Sounds like a great first nite at OWK. Isn't is lovely???? I agree with you...it is truly where I feel the most relaxed in all of WDW.

It feels so "away" compared to some of the resorts. They all have pro's and cons and heaven knows I haven't stayed at or even visited most but OKW really has a special vibe of it's own.

Isn't the piped in caribbean, regae and Jimmy Buffet music awesome?!! I love, love, love it!!!

LOVED the music, it made us very very happy!!!! It's funny, I don't often notice pool or even bus music and we definitely did at OKW.

 

[saintstickets]

I'm so glad the beginning of your trip at OKW worked out so well. Our stay at OKW is what convinced us to buy into DVC. You captured the feel perfectly...it's a laid back resort and not a high-rise hotel. I can't say enough about Olivia's and the CMs. The menu is geared to Key West but is fairly eclectic so there should be something for everyone. The CMs there are some of the friendliest and most attentive in all of WDW. Great TR...keep it up!

 

[Happydog]

Yeah you basically took the time to write what we all experience that day you leave for a trip!!! So funny. I felt that pain this time being the only adult for departure, too... Of course you hit Starbucks. It's vacation!!

 

[eandesmom]

Oops! Bus schedules - you can't be expected to know that!!

Mom knows all, sees all. Didn't you get the memo?

I fully intend on getting a Turtle Krawl on my October visit. Hoping to get a meal at Olivia's too!

Definitely have dinner there if it fits with your park plans, it was SO good! And relatively reasonable.

So glad to hear about the full laundry at OKW - sorry to hear about Jeff's shorts. Hope they were salvageable.

He was pretty bummed, they were his one pair of "dress" shorts. That laundry room was the bomb. Nice to have space for folding and sorting, heck you could even unfold the whole ironing board and still have enough room to walk through to the bathroom! And thanks to the split bath we could leave them soaking in one sink and still have one available to use.

Yes, Carrie will also be there with me. I am also meeting up with a bunch of friends for Lou Mongello's event and the Tower of Terror run. It should be so much fun!

The ToT run would be so much fun! I am not a fan of runs...while I'm not a runner, I could do a 5K, but the idea of the whole betting up early, waiting in line, corrals, crowds...bleh. However, ToT and F&W runs do have a certain appeal. That sounds like a fun group and trip!

One of these years though I wld love to meet up with your gang for F&W. I have met Christine and Tracy on trips past (actually, I think Christine and I may have met up on 2 separate trips...) but wld love to meet the rest of you someday. Unfortunately I think I am the only holdout who still hasn't joined Facebook....yet another reason to get with the program!

This will be my first F&W with the group though Tracy and Christine have been doing it a while. I've been to F&W only once, back in 2004 on our large family trip, it was wonderful. It will be very fun to do with with Mary Ellen, it's her first! We did sign up for 2 food seminars and I"m looking forward to those.

I don't think you are last, I have friends just joining now. I probably wouldn't have but had to for work at my previous company and now am glad...I can keep an eye on my kids!

What a nice afternoon at the pool! Love the slide at OKW!

I admit that I didn't go down it. Didn't have my slide "on" as Eric would say. I feel a bit guilty about that. Maybe next time!

So happy you liked Olivia's! Everything looks really yummy!

Loved Olivia's!

Sorry about the bus confusion. Glad that everything worked out! Disney service is the best!!

We had incredible service at OKW, some of the best anywhere, even for Disney!

I can't believe with your supreme awesomeness you didn't know the internal bus schedule! Nice to see you liked Olivia's! I tried to get DSIS to take her girls there on her last trip - one of them is named Olivia - but they never made it there.

Yeah, my supreme awesomeness is rather superficial. We absolutely loved Olivia's. I'd looked at going there before but it was too much work to get there. I think we'd make the effort next trip, no matter where we are staying.

I love to see you just making family togetherness time and nothing is rushed! Good job, Mom!

It was different, and weird, to go back and watch TV. We have never done that at WDW but it really meant for a nice end to the evening. It was a great first day. At least once we got of the 2nd flight.

Hey Cynthia,

You created quite an evocative picture of your last hours before leaving... The thought of you in a dress, running errands... And shoving the cats in the carriers... Had me chocking coffee out over my keyboard ( I have two cats too - and that look was priceless...)

Patricia!!!!!!!!! so happy to see you back on the DIS.

The errands in the dress, not such a big deal. The cat wrangling...that was a different story. Even in the moment I knew how ridiculous the whole thing was and was amused. I still am grateful I didn't snag my dress.

I love that your family views you as the supreme keeper of all the travel/ vacation info... I mean really now- what's up with that bus situation? Don't you have every piece of travel info imbedded in your head

Microchip! That's what I need.

Oliva's sounds really great- I've never been cause we haven't stayed there but it sounds it's worth making the trip over...

Looking forward to reading more of your adventures....

It is worth the trip. Such a complete change of pace from most of the resort and park restaurants. It reeks of relaxation.

 

[englishrose47]

Just checking in been super busy at work with a State Inspection !!I am exhausted but at least it went pretty well !!We weren't shut down

 

[eandesmom]

Looks like i missed 2 updates. Good thing I've got a 4 hour teleconference right now so I have plenty of time to catch up.

One of my favorite things to do during webinars and teleconferences. 4 hours? BLEH!

We also loved Olivia's! Best steak of the trip. We also really enjoy the pool at OKW. It's such a fantastic resort. Every time I read a trip report, it makes me want to change resorts.

So many good options! I'm glad you aren't changing though, I'd be so excited for those treehouses I might burst if it were me!

Olivia's has a fun menu, lots of good things to choose from!

Lovely update! I've always wanted to try Olivia's but never have. I should do that next time.

It is really yummy, might be the kids favorite from the trip. We will be going back on the next trip, whenever that might be.

I'm so glad the beginning of your trip at OKW worked out so well. Our stay at OKW is what convinced us to buy into DVC.

I can see where it would! It really suited this trip, more than any other resort I think would have.

You captured the feel perfectly...it's a laid back resort and not a high-rise hotel. I can't say enough about Olivia's and the CMs. The menu is geared to Key West but is fairly eclectic so there should be something for everyone. The CMs there are some of the friendliest and most attentive in all of WDW. Great TR...keep it up!

I couldn't agree more. I expect a high level of service from Disney. OKW was above and beyond and Olivia's one of the best Disney dining experiences all around that we've ever had. And we usually have good experiences!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Sounds like a perfectly lovely afternoon/evening, well, all except the unnecessary waits for the bus!

That Turtle Krawl looked really good. Was it MEK that posted the recipe not that long ago? I printed it off but haven't tried to make them yet.

What fabulous service you got at OKW! I stayed there once on a short trip and really enjoyed it, although we didn't really have much time to enjoy the resort. You've got me wanting to go back!

Unfortunately I think I am the only holdout who still hasn't joined Facebook....yet another reason to get with the program!

Do it Trish, do it! I resisted forever, but joined a little over a year ago and I'm really glad I did.

 

[eandesmom]

Yeah you basically took the time to write what we all experience that day you leave for a trip!!! So funny. I felt that pain this time being the only adult for departure, too... Of course you hit Starbucks. It's vacation!!

Yeah, departure day is nutty for everyone I think!

Are you all moved and settled in?

Just checking in been super busy at work with a State Inspection !!I am exhausted but at least it went pretty well !!We weren't shut down

very glad to hear you weren't shut down!

Sounds like a perfectly lovely afternoon/evening, well, all except the unnecessary waits for the bus!

Talk about a serious DOH moment!

That Turtle Krawl looked really good. Was it MEK that posted the recipe not that long ago? I printed it off but haven't tried to make them yet.

She did!

What fabulous service you got at OKW! I stayed there once on a short trip and really enjoyed it, although we didn't really have much time to enjoy the resort. You've got me wanting to go back!

I always feel like we short change our resorts and don't explore them nearly as we should. It was nice to have the time to actually really check it out and enjoy it. I am especially glad that we changed it to 2 nights at OKW and 3 at Vero instead of 1 there and 4 at Vero, it really let us relax, settle in and enjoy OKW.

Do it Trish, do it! I resisted forever, but joined a little over a year ago and I'm really glad I did.

I think that's about when Mary Ellen finally joined!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I think that's about when Mary Ellen finally joined!

Yeah, Mary Ellen was my partner in resistance, when she caved I didn't have the support anymore and I followed soon after

 

[eandesmom]

Yeah, Mary Ellen was my partner in resistance, when she caved I didn't have the support anymore and I followed soon after

oh that is SO funny!

 

[Millie12591]

Yeaaaah, you got the room local that you wanted!! it's a perfect place for the next two days.

It feels so good to start of a vacation with what you request.

Glad your grocery order was mostly what you asked for, did you use Kelly PDS? I've heard a lot of good things about her.
I like personal service and GG just doesn't go that extra mile, not that I expect a lot but when you list many of your other soda's in 20 oz. bottles I don't think it's out of the question to ask for the particular soda your requesting in the same bottle size. They don't even call or email to say they can't or won't do it, you get what you get. Oh well. GG does a good job, I just prefer a little more personal service at times.

Olivia's get's a lot of good reviews, but I mostly hear about breakfast, good to get some opinions on dinner! The shrimp and grits look right up my alley, along with the crab cakes.

and a baggie with quarters and pennies to make pressed pennies with a little note explaining. I copied that idea from Julie (mousescrapper) and it was a huge hit and a new twist!

Such a great idea, isn't it?!? We do something similiar to this. I buy the little M&M tubes for either stocking stuffers or just before the trip, with one's with the flip top lids. They have the tiny M&M's inside, the kids just hate it when I ask them to eat up the contents so I can have the tubes.

I get them in their favorite colors so we know who's is who's (they come in lots of colors). Mackenzie's is Mermaid blue-, and Tyler's is or was (when he use to do this) lime green- Now I carry the lime green one for extra quarters and pennies. I take off the outside wrapper and then I stack them from the bottom with two quarters and a penny and so on. This way when Mackie finds a penny press all she has to do is get her tube out of her baggallini and grab the first three coins and she's all set! I can't remember who I got this from, I'm sure one of the other amazing Dis'ers on here.
All I know is it's perfect for keeping the coins together and penny pressing.

Can't wait to read more about your trip!!

 

[eandesmom]

Yeaaaah, you got the room local that you wanted!! it's a perfect place for the next two days.

It feels so good to start of a vacation with what you request.

It is! I was absolutely thrilled with our location

Glad your grocery order was mostly what you asked for, did you use Kelly PDS? I've heard a lot of good things about her.
I like personal service and GG just doesn't go that extra mile, not that I expect a lot but when you list many of your other soda's in 20 oz. bottles I don't think it's out of the question to ask for the particular soda your requesting in the same bottle size. They don't even call or email to say they can't or won't do it, you get what you get. Oh well. GG does a good job, I just prefer a little more personal service at times.

I did use Kelly

It was really nice because some of the things I wanted just weren't offered with GG. Certain brand/flavor of yogurt, size of salsa, lunch meat from the deli case not in a package, half of the bananas on the green side...stuff like that. LOL! I used GG in the past and now they offer beer and wine though the site but it used to be a special request. You wouldn't know what brand or the price until you were charged. You'd just send a list and then get what you get. And it didn't count towards your total for the free delivery which bugged me. I do recall having an issue with something and GG did take care of it right away (after the fact) but for the life of me can't recall what it was. It's more of an issue with them not having what I want and in the right size.

Olivia's get's a lot of good reviews, but I mostly hear about breakfast, good to get some opinions on dinner! The shrimp and grits look right up my alley, along with the crab cakes.

I mostly hear about breakfast too so it was wonderful to have such a great experience at dinner and I'm so glad we didn't try and go to DTD that first night. It would have been sensory overload for sure.

Such a great idea, isn't it?!? We do something similiar to this. I buy the little M&M tubes for either stocking stuffers or just before the trip, with one's with the flip top lids. They have the tiny M&M's inside, the kids just hate it when I ask them to eat up the contents so I can have the tubes.

I get them in their favorite colors so we know who's is who's (they come in lots of colors). Mackenzie's is Mermaid blue-, and Tyler's is or was (when he use to do this) lime green- Now I carry the lime green one for extra quarters and pennies. I take off the outside wrapper and then I stack them from the bottom with two quarters and a penny and so on. This way when Mackie finds a penny press all she has to do is get her tube out of her baggallini and grab the first three coins and she's all set! I can't remember who I got this from, I'm sure one of the other amazing Dis'ers on here.
All I know is it's perfect for keeping the coins together and penny pressing.

Can't wait to read more about your trip!!

That's a good idea. I always worry after the fact that they will lose their pressed penny as they like to put them in their pocket which drives me nuts!