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

[afwdwfan]

Yes, why have fish when you can have a burger AND a dog. And cookies! LOL!

Well, it is hard to argue with that logic...

And notice the mug...evidence that we definitely packed "something" for Jeff to drink. I'm still sticking with the rum idea and that he added coke from the drink station as logistically a beer sounds like way too much effort for us to have kept cold.

I don't think there's even any question. You have to have rum if you're enjoying the beach. I think that might be a law.

I do recall chastising him for the 2 bags of chips.

But it is vacation! And the food is included in the price of the cruise so you might as well get your money's worth out of it.

And said. Forget it, lets walk! We wasted at least 30 minutes on this misadventure.

Well, I can't see how this 30 minutes could possibly come back to haunt you...

Sorry, were closed.

WHAT?







It was about 3 pm. All aboard wasn't until 4:30!

Robbed. Robbed I tell you. Completely, utterly robbed. We were NOT happy. We may have begged. It didn't work.

The CM/bartender told us they closed at 3 as they needed the time to get everything back to the ship but that some of the other locations would be open until 4. Hmmph. Party foul.

Ok, that is odd. I don't understand why they'd close it so early. It doesn't seem right.

Definitely not cool.

 

[eandesmom]

I appreciate that!

Coincidentally, we were here on Feb 22, at the Cancun airport:

However, I am embarassed to admit that although:

It was 10 in the morning, on a 12 plus hour travel day, after a whopping 3 or 4 hours of sleep, so I didn't think honoring this important holiday in the way it is intended to be celebrated was such a good idea.

I'd have been forced to admit the same. On the first day of vacation I could "force" myself to have a bloody mary or a mimosa at 10 am (neither of which are remotely buffet like...the whole tequila sunrise thing is ick to me) but not on the way home. I can't believe there is one at the airport! Jeff would LOVE that!

Oh, yeah, and tickets for this years Buffett show went on sale Friday morning, while we were in transit, so I missed out on those!

Were they pricey again? We looked at it last year and it was over the top we thought price wise, wah.

This happens to us all the time. Hunger overrules photo documentation.

Yeah, I'll remember by the time I go to eat but the before shots of buffets in particular, I never seem to get.

T
I'd go with Jeff here on the menu choices. Try and act surprised.

I am shocked to hear that



However, Jeff will eat a turkey burger, a chicken burger or even...GASP, a veggie one.

T

Sitting on a tropical beach makes most things taste better, right?

Absolutely!

T
Well, hopefully that won't hurt you. It's not like they'll close the bar early or anything.

that part really was a bummer...as was the wasted time. Guess we have to go back.

I need that clock for my office.

 

[eandesmom]

Well, it is hard to argue with that logic...

Jeff apparently thought so, and Evan took a hint with the double cookies and chips

I don't think there's even any question. You have to have rum if you're enjoying the beach. I think that might be a law.

Pirate law. Most definitely!

But it is vacation! And the food is included in the price of the cruise so you might as well get your money's worth out of it.

As long as they get eaten....

Well, I can't see how this 30 minutes could possibly come back to haunt you...


Ok, that is odd. I don't understand why they'd close it so early. It doesn't seem right.

Definitely not cool.

tres uncool and a total bummer at that

 

[natebenma]

Were they pricey again? We looked at it last year and it was over the top we thought price wise, wah.

I would imagine so! I didn't even check because I assumed the show sold out quickly. And the regular prices are high enough, no way am I gonna get tickets from a scalping company. Oh, and DH won't "do" lawn seats.

I can purchase a LOT of margaritas for the cost of a couple of tickets to a show.

 

[dizneeat]

And I am caught up again! Not that I was just a little behind, but about 8 pages!
Hope you can forgive me, but I had a little travelling to do.

Quick update with some breaking news.

It's a bit of a long shot that we can pull this off but I moved our 2014 dummy cruise booking to one we really hope we can do. There are a lot of moving pieces that may or may not allow this to work out but I'm sure hoping it does!

We are currently booked on a ....

9-Night Mediterranean Cruise on Disney Magic!

Departs from: Venice, Italy

Ports of Call:
Katakolon, Greece
Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Rhodes, Greece (Greek Isles)
Mykonos, Greece
Venice, Italy



It could be 4 of us, or possibly just 2! Moving pieces are $$ (of course), other vacation plans (hoping for an adult only Australia trip but I think that's more likely for 2015) and kids schedules. Time will tell but we may well be celebrating a big birthday for Jeff in Greece!

Cynthia, I think we are on the next cruise out of Venice - the 12 night that goes from Venice to Barcelona.
If so, then we have to have a drink together in Venice. We will fly in about two or three days early, so this could work out well.

Okay, I love the updates. Your CC day sounds like a lot of fun , even thought the family beach looks terribly crowded.
SB on the other hand is empty nearly all day long. We loved it there (again) last week.
Bummer about Castaway Air Bar - they make yummy drinks there!

 

[Chilly]

Oh I got very behind but now i'm all caught up. Med cruise news is very exciting, I was hoping for the Baltics next year but it wasn't to be.

I need to do Castaway again, when we went it was January so couldn't really take advantage.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Your Castaway Cay day sounds like PERFECTION. And I neeeeeeeeed to be on Serenity Bay ASAP!

Congratulations on the Med cruise! I hope it all works out for you!!!

Any progress on what hotel everyone is selecting? My vote is Boardwalk to be right with you, or for the frugal, the Swan/Dolphin to be less expensive. (though, no ME with the Swolphin)

 

[eandesmom]

I would imagine so! I didn't even check because I assumed the show sold out quickly. And the regular prices are high enough, no way am I gonna get tickets from a scalping company. Oh, and DH won't "do" lawn seats.

I can purchase a LOT of margaritas for the cost of a couple of tickets to a show.

Seriously, and dinner to go with those margaritas! Love you Jimmy but....

And I am caught up again! Not that I was just a little behind, but about 8 pages!
Hope you can forgive me, but I had a little travelling to do.

Given that you took a whole trip, 8 pages isn't bad!

Cynthia, I think we are on the next cruise out of Venice - the 12 night that goes from Venice to Barcelona.
If so, then we have to have a drink together in Venice. We will fly in about two or three days early, so this could work out well.

well sadly (you missed the chatter) we changed our plans..again. Basically as much as we REALLY want to do the Venice/Greece itin, the cost was pretty outrageous and flights are brutal. It just seemed like such a long shot we decided to go for something we know we can pull off. Currently we are booked on the Southern Canberra itinerary for 9/20 (was 9/27 but now 9/20). Prices on both the cruise and flights are very doable for a great couples getaway. Now, that said...I am not totally ruling out the 8/5 sail date but will see if any deals are offered after the PIF date comes and goes a year from now. We'd still be able to switch at that point but the reality is that the other cruise is less than half the cost and the flights are about 1/3 so...it was the responsible choice.

Okay, I love the updates. Your CC day sounds like a lot of fun , even thought the family beach looks terribly crowded.
SB on the other hand is empty nearly all day long. We loved it there (again) last week.
Bummer about Castaway Air Bar - they make yummy drinks there!

I wonder if it is always that empty? I am glad we got to see it and was very bummed about the bar. How was the weather?

Oh I got very behind but now i'm all caught up. Med cruise news is very exciting, I was hoping for the Baltics next year but it wasn't to be.

I need to do Castaway again, when we went it was January so couldn't really take advantage.

See my above reply to Karin, sadly we've given up the Med idea (for now) and switched to the new S. Carribbean offering. Which does sound lovely too!

Warmth would be my concern cruising in Nov-Feb but at least you are well out of hurricane season! Maybe they will do Baltics in 2015.

Your Castaway Cay day sounds like PERFECTION. And I neeeeeeeeed to be on Serenity Bay ASAP!

Congratulations on the Med cruise! I hope it all works out for you!!!

Any progress on what hotel everyone is selecting? My vote is Boardwalk to be right with you, or for the frugal, the Swan/Dolphin to be less expensive. (though, no ME with the Swolphin)

I need Serenity now too...Evan is killing me these days. See my post to Karin above on the Med, we have made changes.

No progress on the hotel and it's killing me. I called and actually got member cash rates almost 2 weeks ago. Heaven knows how long they will be available and no one will move on doing anything. I can't make them but 10:1 they decide they do want it...and those cash rates are gone or there is only one room left. I'll see my folks both sat/sun and do plan to ping everyone today with a ticket price update but am not hopeful for much of a reply. Party of me wants to call and check on rates again today before I email and part of me is like why bother. Of course the great rates at the Swolphin are gone now. Doesn't mean something won't come back but why they wouldn't have jumped on the 3 great (peak) nights when the could I'll never understand.

 

[jedijill]

I missed that you moved to the 9/20 sailing! That's makes me happy. See you on board!

Jill in CO

 

[dizneeat]

well sadly (you missed the chatter) we changed our plans..again. Basically as much as we REALLY want to do the Venice/Greece itin, the cost was pretty outrageous and flights are brutal. It just seemed like such a long shot we decided to go for something we know we can pull off. Currently we are booked on the Southern Canberra itinerary for 9/20 (was 9/27 but now 9/20). Prices on both the cruise and flights are very doable for a great couples getaway. Now, that said...I am not totally ruling out the 8/5 sail date but will see if any deals are offered after the PIF date comes and goes a year from now. We'd still be able to switch at that point but the reality is that the other cruise is less than half the cost and the flights are about 1/3 so...it was the responsible choice.

I wonder if it is always that empty? I am glad we got to see it and was very bummed about the bar. How was the weather?

Caught!
I was skimming through some of the chatter.
Tell me about the price for those Med cruises, but for us it is wonderful as we are saving the long distance flight airfare. We just joked about having never had such a cheap flight Disney vacation.

To be honest, whenever we have been to CC, it was NEVER crowded. This last time last week, it was really empty. Just a handful of people there. There were more over lunch time, but otherwise very quiet.
We have only seen it "crowded" once and then only about every 4th beach chair was taken.
We had a Cabana (for my eyes sake) and it was wonderful, Tibor, the bar tender from Skyline was manning the Airbar and the drinks were out of this world. Sorry again that you missed the chance to have a nice drink there.

 

[KatMark]

I'm catching up again! So that is what heaven looks like? That beach looks so inviting and with the six inches of snow we currently have (with more on the way), I wish I was there right now.

The bar was closed? Seriously? That's just not right!

 

[eandesmom]

I missed that you moved to the 9/20 sailing! That's makes me happy. See you on board!

Jill in CO

Well, it doesn't mean we will end up on it but in theory it has less of a chance of a conflict with homecoming so I moved it now. Next year by Mid April we should know if it works or not, as well as if the med ends up offering a deal and will probably truly commit then.

Caught!
I was skimming through some of the chatter.
Tell me about the price for those Med cruises, but for us it is wonderful as we are saving the long distance flight airfare. We just joked about having never had such a cheap flight Disney vacation.

yes, the flights are horrendous, esp from Seattle. I could handle the cruise price were it not for that and if it does end up being offered as a deal after the paid in full date, we will move back to it if we can.

To be honest, whenever we have been to CC, it was NEVER crowded. This last time last week, it was really empty. Just a handful of people there. There were more over lunch time, but otherwise very quiet.
We have only seen it "crowded" once and then only about every 4th beach chair was taken.
We had a Cabana (for my eyes sake) and it was wonderful, Tibor, the bar tender from Skyline was manning the Airbar and the drinks were out of this world. Sorry again that you missed the chance to have a nice drink there.

Sigh, so jealous, that sounds just heavenly right now!

I'm catching up again! So that is what heaven looks like? That beach looks so inviting and with the six inches of snow we currently have (with more on the way), I wish I was there right now.

The bar was closed? Seriously? That's just not right!

It is what heaven looks like. No snow here it's just the Feb grey blech. I need a vitamin D infusion in a big way!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Your lunch really looked very good...

Serenity Bay really looks pretty incredible...

I'm sorry that you didn't get that last drink and that bar looked pretty cool too (I love how Disney makes up back stories for everything...)

Since you seem to have your pulse on the Disney Cruise Scene right now... What have you heard about New Orleans being a new port/departure point? I read it somewhere and don't remember but I'm intrigued because I'd really like to see NOLA...

 

[rentayenta]

I swear I thought I posted on your latest update.

Serenity Bay looks perfect aside from being dry. Looks like otherwise it was a very successful vacation day. I'm glad you all had a wonderful time. CC looks amazing.

Lunch looks fabulous and like perfect beach BBQ food. Pineapple upside down cake is one of my all time favorites.

 

[eandesmom]

Your lunch really looked very good...

Serenity Bay really looks pretty incredible...

I'm sorry that you didn't get that last drink and that bar looked pretty cool too (I love how Disney makes up back stories for everything...)

Since you seem to have your pulse on the Disney Cruise Scene right now... What have you heard about New Orleans being a new port/departure point? I read it somewhere and don't remember but I'm intrigued because I'd really like to see NOLA...

Ugh, the copy paste thing seems still messed up so, one long reply

It was! Maybe I'm a closet buffet lunch person...just not breakfast or dinner? I had 2 great buffet lunches on the cruise which has to be a first.

Serenity bay was lovely, we should have ordered drinks and just waded out with them, we had NO idea it would be so shallow.

I have heard that NOLA is courting DCL for 2015 and beyond. I would love it as well. I did a Carnival cruise that went there once and it was very cool sailing up the Mississippi!

the Carnival part, not as cool.

I swear I thought I posted on your latest update.

Serenity Bay looks perfect aside from being dry. Looks like otherwise it was a very successful vacation day. I'm glad you all had a wonderful time. CC looks amazing.

Lunch looks fabulous and like perfect beach BBQ food. Pineapple upside down cake is one of my all time favorites.

I do that all the time lately.

It was a great vacation day!!!

CC is really heavenly

 

[rentayenta]

I do that all the time lately.

It was a great vacation day!!!

CC is really heavenly

Is the BBQ on CC *free*? Do you eat at a certain time or just help yourself?

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Is the BBQ on CC *free*? Do you eat at a certain time or just help yourself?

Yup it's free and you can help yourself as soon as they open for the day. I think they start serving around 11 am.

 

[eandesmom]

Is the BBQ on CC *free*? Do you eat at a certain time or just help yourself?

It is a help yourself although I think you actually "order" the burgers and they put them on you plate versus the mahi which was a self serve. It has set hours that it is open which will be published in that day's navigator, probably something like 11-2. Drink/soft serve will stay open the whole time I think and the locations that sell beverages were also open starting pretty early.

If for some reason you didn't like what they had at Cookies/CookiesToo you could always go back to the ship for lunch, there will be things open there as well, probably Beach Blanket Buffet (you are on the Wonder, right?) and the quick serve spots by the pool.

 

[scottny]

That is too bad she couldn’t do both things at the spa.
That is a lot of planning to do.
Nice evening for a drink and a pirate party. Looked like fun.
The Mediterranean cruise sounds wonderful.
I hear you about photobucket. I signed up at Flickr and when I get back and start the next tr it will be on Flickr. Hate what photobucket did. They ruined a really good site.
Beautiful views of Castaway Cay.
The beach looks so inviting.
That bar with tables looks so nice to sit out at and watch the water and people.
Your plate of food on the island looks good.
Serenity bay looks so peaceful and relaxing.
Oh I am all caught up again. Great updates and pics.

 

[brookelizabeth]

well sadly (you missed the chatter) we changed our plans..again. Basically as much as we REALLY want to do the Venice/Greece itin, the cost was pretty outrageous and flights are brutal. It just seemed like such a long shot we decided to go for something we know we can pull off. Currently we are booked on the Southern Canberra itinerary for 9/20 (was 9/27 but now 9/20). Prices on both the cruise and flights are very doable for a great couples getaway. Now, that said...I am not totally ruling out the 8/5 sail date but will see if any deals are offered after the PIF date comes and goes a year from now. We'd still be able to switch at that point but the reality is that the other cruise is less than half the cost and the flights are about 1/3 so...it was the responsible choice.

Makes sense! The Southern Caribbean sailings look fantastic! We have those on our back burner as well, depending on discounted rates. Joe is itchin' to get to St. Lucia.