10 Days in October: Argle-Bargle or Foofarah? UPDATED: POSTS #984 & 995!!!

[animal_dreams]

Yay update coming!

 

[oybolshoi]

Saturday, October 21st - Wurra, the Day!

You'd think by this stage in our lives that Jay and I would have remembered that mixing alcohol doesn't pay...and it especially doesn't pay in 90-degree heat on the day you're switching resorts and your parents are due to arrive to partake in the vacation joy.

Hmmmm...maybe there's some truth to that myth that alcohol kills brain cells after all.

Jay and I decide to debate it tonight over drinks at Rose and Crown.


Luckily for us we had completed most of our packing last night before heading over to Raglan Road - I'd even managed to do some laundry. I don't know what it is about the vacation club, but I can't resist the urge to do laundry when I have a washer and dryer and free detergent staring insolently at me every morning after I stagger out of the bedroom. I know what you're thinking...just keep the closet door closed and you won't see the washer / dryer unit and the urge to launder will disappear.

I've tried that.

It doesn't work.

Not only do I know that the washer / dryer unit is there, skulking in the dark like some awful monster from childhood, but it knows that I'm here.

And it has a terrible patience.

All that has to happen is for Jason to take a brief, late afternoon nap and I find myself sorting the dirty clothes into color-matched, common water-temperature piles. And then, against my will, I am drawn to the hall closet...my hand reaches out slowly yet inexorably...I grasp that round little knob and pull the folding door...and there, to my eternal vacation horror....is that garish box of Tide perfectly positioned in the center of the washing machine lid with it's perky logo and hollow promises boring into my skull: Twice the Cleaning Power! Now Free of All Fragrances and Dyes!



To quote the Borg, "Resistance is futile."




To be continued...

 

[oybolshoi]

Saturday, October 21st - Wurra the Day!

Jason and I have never had to deal with the logistical nightmare that is moving from one vacation home to another. I know that I probably made it much more difficult than it needed to be, but that's what I do...I make things difficult.

It's a gift.


We wanted to check in at the Beach Club Villas as early as possible, primarily so that we could get everything taken care of before my parents arrived. But also because we were picking up the dining plan once we moved to the BCV and we thought it would give us a chance to familiarize ourselves with the "rules" before unleashing it on my unsuspecting elders. Anyway, everyone I spoke with beforehand simply told me to call bell services once we were ready to check out - tell them we were moving to the BCV - they'd issue us a receipt for our mountain of luggage - and we could catch a bus to Food and Wine Festival bliss. Eventually, I was told, our bags would find their way to the villa.

Have I mentioned my unhealthy attachment to my luggage?

There was no way that I was going to find myself checked in and with a room but sans luggage...I don't play that game. I realize that on a Saturday morning there was no way that our villa was going to be ready at 10AM, but I was going to make sure that when the room was ready, our luggage was only a phone call away.

I called bell services and asked them to give us and our bags a ride to the Carriage House, where Jay plopped himself down with all of our luggage and I went inside and asked someone to call us a cab.

Many of you more seasoned vacation club owners are probably laughing your heads off right now, and not because I've shared anything remotely amusing. That's okay - I don't mind. The twenty bucks we spent on cab fare meant that I had peace of mind for the rest of the day - we're waiting for the villa to be ready and the bags are waiting for the villa to be ready. When I call the secret phone number on that special little card and find out that we can finally access the villa, I know that a tearful reunion with our luggage is only moments away.

As a side note - we have always been very lucky with early check-in at the Beach Club Villas and at Saratoga Springs (so far). But that's probably because we've never checked in on a Saturday. We typically arrive on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, just past 12 o'clock, and our villa has always been ready.

Obviously it wasn't ready at 10AM on a Saturday morning, but a girl can always hope, can't she?

When a nice older man named Vic, who happened to be from Missouri, took our bags at the Beach Club and issued us a voucher I knew we were in good hands. I bet you can guess which team he was pulling for in the World Series, can't you?

A fellow Cardinal fan is baby-sitting our luggage? I feel better already!

You wanna see some pictures of our favorite vacation home? Of course you do!

This is just a portion of the back side of the Beach Club as you walk out of the lobby towards the pathway that will lead you over to EPCOT or around the lake to the Boardwalk. This area is actually three-sided, but we only took the one shot...and look at that sky...clear, blue, high, and hot!

A bit of potentially helpful information for those of you who may be interested: The Beach Club is painted that lovely shade of sky-blue while the Beach Club Villas are painted more of a sea-foam green. It's a big complex and that was one of the first questions that my mom asked when she and my step-dad arrived..."why are the buildings painted different colors?"

She's an observant one, my mom.

Here's a self-portrait of Jason and me on our way to adventure - we're so happy to be at the BCV again!! And if I may say so myself, I think we look pretty good for hungover at 10:30AM!

 

[LiteBrite]

Ireland...and for such a length of time...oooooohhhhhh! Color me jealous! I hope you have a wonderful time.

Whap-Your-Aunt-Sadie...

Our Ireland trips are actually part of our job (we belong to a mission organization, and our work is centered in Ireland), so that's why we're there for such obscene amounts of time. I always forget when I say a thing like that it probably makes it sound like we're the Rockefellers or something.

 

[zweihund]

I can't resist the urge to do laundry when I have a washer and dryer and free detergent staring insolently at me every morning after I stagger out of the bedroom. I know what you're thinking...just keep the closet door closed and you won't see the washer / dryer unit and the urge to launder will disappear.

I've tried that.

It doesn't work.

Not only do I know that the washer / dryer unit is there, skulking in the dark like some awful monster from childhood, but it knows that I'm here.

And it has a terrible patience.

All that has to happen is for Jason to take a brief, late afternoon nap and I find myself sorting the dirty clothes into color-matched, common water-temperature piles. And then, against my will, I am drawn to the hall closet...my hand reaches out slowly yet inexorably...I grasp that round little knob and pull the folding door...and there, to my eternal vacation horror....is that garish box of Tide perfectly positioned in the center of the washing machine lid with it's perky logo and hollow promises boring into my skull: Twice the Cleaning Power! Now Free of All Fragrances and Dyes!



To quote the Borg, "Resistance is futile."

OMG. That is so me.
I also tidy our room every single day, making piles of like-items so that when it is time to pack up I can do it in an organized fashion. Lionel has learned to live with most of my compulsions, thank goodness!

Keep those updates coming!

 

[DisneyMom5]

Thanks so much for coming over to take part in the fun, DisneyMom5!

St. Louis isn't so bad - I tend to exaggerate sometimes (what, me? never!). I love me some Imos...just had it for dinner Friday night. But I haven't had Ted Drewes frozen custard in ages...and thanks to you I'm now craving some. (that's the closest I can come to a D'oh icon).

I never thought to ask her name...and neither did Plankton...how rude! You may be on to something about Brendas and Michigan - although I've spent most of my life in St. Louis I was not born here.

Go on.... take a guess ...

(no, not the nuthouse)

That's right!

Michigan...

I think I'm beginning to see a pattern...

Anyway, thanks again for stopping by... update is in progress.

"Doh-nuts." Gurgle, gargle, drool, drool.

(That's my favorite simpsons quote. Though I also like Satan's little helper. giggle)

So, the way I see it, you and my dh are a fair trade. And he still consumes enough Anheiser-Busch to support the St. Louis economy. Helpful, isn't he?

(Where in Michigan? Do you still have relatives here?)

We were so excited when Ted Drewe's was featured on Alton Brown's "Feasting on Pavement." I love it with strawberries, dh always gets a reese's p.butter cup concrete. Ok, it's only 8:30 am, and I am supposed to be on a diet. We need to cut that out.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

ETA: Just read further and saw you referencing Star Trek, specifically NG and Voyager. LOTR, Simpsons, Star Trek, digestive issues...I think we all could get along just fine. Ya know, I was born here in Michigan and I was adopted. Could we be long lost relatives?

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

YAY for updates!

I fell in love with BCV this trip! Must go back! Must go back! (I think DVC puts something in the water.)

Also, my cat's breath smells like cat food.

 

[Karen Mouse]

More please

 

[mlill]

Have I mentioned my unhealthy attachment to my luggage?

Many of you more seasoned vacation club owners are probably laughing your heads off right now, and not because I've shared anything remotely amusing.

Huh, what?! Oh! Excuse me. I'm not laughing. Not me. Nope. Brenda, I totally understand... I have OCD, too. It's a gift, not a curse. BUT - over the years, I have learned to trust in others while on vacation. Scary, I know. When switching resorts, we always have our luggage transferred by bell services, and have never had a problem. Ever. We also used Magical Express in October and December. No problems. We even used the BWV resort airline baggage check-in for our return flight home, and it worked perfectly. Maybe we've just been lucky? Who knows!? But I just wanted to let you know that it does work, if you ever want to let go of those bags for a few hours... I'm just sayin'...

Yes, you two always look marvelous - even with a hangover! Don't rub it in! Can't wait to hear about the arrival of the 'rents! I'm sure it'll be good...

-Michelle

 

[50 years Too!]

Tonight Brenda, please!

 

[kisobel]

more please


kate

 

[Karen Mouse]

 

[Tinkerbell's Mom]

Are you trying to drive us all crazy? I think we are all getting a little antsy waiting . . .

 

[cntkg1]

No updates?? There goes my lunch break entertainment!!

 

[oybolshoi]

**Cue Dr. Nick**

Hi, everybody!

Sorry for the delay - had a bit of a flare up with the Crohns and work has just been a bear lately. The hubby has to work late tonight so the computer is all mine and you know what that means!

Yay update coming!

Hi there animaldreams! more updates tonight - so check back after 9PM or so if you have time.

Our Ireland trips are actually part of our job (we belong to a mission organization, and our work is centered in Ireland), so that's why we're there for such obscene amounts of time. I always forget when I say a thing like that it probably makes it sound like we're the Rockefellers or something.

Wow, that's so cool. Thanks for the clarification, though because I was getting ready to ask if you wanted to adopt Jason and me.

OMG. That is so me.
I also tidy our room every single day, making piles of like-items so that when it is time to pack up I can do it in an organized fashion. Lionel has learned to live with most of my compulsions, thank goodness!

Keep those updates coming!

Erica, I feel so much better knowing that I'm not the only one with this problem.

Thanks for reading!

"Doh-nuts." Gurgle, gargle, drool, drool.

(That's my favorite simpsons quote. Though I also like Satan's little helper. giggle)

So, the way I see it, you and my dh are a fair trade. And he still consumes enough Anheiser-Busch to support the St. Louis economy. Helpful, isn't he?

(Where in Michigan? Do you still have relatives here?)

We were so excited when Ted Drewe's was featured on Alton Brown's "Feasting on Pavement." I love it with strawberries, dh always gets a reese's p.butter cup concrete. Ok, it's only 8:30 am, and I am supposed to be on a diet. We need to cut that out.

Anyway, keep up the good work.

ETA: Just read further and saw you referencing Star Trek, specifically NG and Voyager. LOTR, Simpsons, Star Trek, digestive issues...I think we all could get along just fine. Ya know, I was born here in Michigan and I was adopted. Could we be long lost relatives?

I was born in Battle Creek - home of the frosted flake. I don't think it's a coincidence.

Speaking of Star Trek...my favorite is actually DS9. We just finished Season 6 last weekend...I love Captain Cisco.

Thanks for reading - I'll be updating tonight.

YAY for updates!

I fell in love with BCV this trip! Must go back! Must go back! (I think DVC puts something in the water.)

Also, my cat's breath smells like cat food.

BCV is insidious, isn't it? Stay once and you're hooked for life.

My cat's breath smells like cat food, too! And I think I ate my glue for lunch.

More please

Tonight, tonight...I promise tonight!

Huh, what?! Oh! Excuse me. I'm not laughing. Not me. Nope. Brenda, I totally understand... I have OCD, too. It's a gift, not a curse. BUT - over the years, I have learned to trust in others while on vacation. Scary, I know. When switching resorts, we always have our luggage transferred by bell services, and have never had a problem. Ever. We also used Magical Express in October and December. No problems. We even used the BWV resort airline baggage check-in for our return flight home, and it worked perfectly. Maybe we've just been lucky? Who knows!? But I just wanted to let you know that it does work, if you ever want to let go of those bags for a few hours... I'm just sayin'...

Yes, you two always look marvelous - even with a hangover! Don't rub it in! Can't wait to hear about the arrival of the 'rents! I'm sure it'll be good...

-Michelle

Michelle, thanks for the info on the luggage transfers. I think someday I will loosen up about it, but I think before that happens I will need to have several drinks. Thanks for your kind words - you're always so nice! And no rolleyes...I've seen pictures of you and your family and you look mah-vel-ous!!

Tonight Brenda, please!

more please kate

Are you trying to drive us all crazy? I think we are all getting a little antsy waiting . . .

No updates?? There goes my lunch break entertainment!!

And for the rest of you...I promise to update tonight! Thanks so much for reading and for your kind comments. It really does light a creative fire when you know people out there are enjoying your WDW story.

You guys are the greatest!!

 

[cntkg1]

 

[pixiesrule]

This is really a small world - I live about 40 minutes from Battle Creek, and spend a lot of time there for shopping and kids sporting events! Of all the places in Michigan you could be from.... When you are famous-er and St Louis tries to claim you, I will say "you know she is actually a Michigan girl"

 

[oybolshoi]

Saturday, October 21st - Hungry are the Damned...

Before I begin I'd just like to ask...have I shared with you fine DISers the verbal alcoholic joys of O'Mara's Irish Cream? If not, let me just wax slighly...I mean slightly, intoxicated for am...uh, a, moment. We tried this stuff at the Food & Wine Festival and it wash...was, good. Waaay better than Baileys in our admitedly uninformed Irish Cream drinking opinion. Baileys has a bite toit...to it, where the O'Mara's is very smooth and creamy; it tastes especially good poured over ice as you are wokring...crap...working on a trippie update. So join mt...me in a relaxing after-dinner drink and if you enjoy uIrish...Irish Cream, both Jay and I suggest that you give this a try - only $9 per botthle...son-of-a-b$@#!...bottle.

**The previous message brought to you courtesy of the Scotch-Irish-American gene pool - I have to drink, it's part of my heritage!**

Editor's note - this is simply appalling! Our embarrassment knows no bounds and quite frankly we're not sure why you're still even reading at this point although you certainly have our everlasting gratitude for doing so. Never again will we allow the author to post while simultaneously imbibing and hicoughing. Once she awakens from her alcoholic stupor we fully plan to have her post an apology of the most sincere and flowery kind. Thank you for your continued patience - we now return you to the report, which in our opinion is self-indulgent claptrap of the worst kind.


Jason and I are agreed - it is very hot today. This weather reminds us of when we were in St. Martin last fall on our Disney Cruise (hello anyone from the Molar Express!!). Before we go too far we decide that some food and water would probably be a good idea. Considering our location and the time of day, the Boardwalk Bakery sounds like a tasty option.

I smiled at my hubby and grabbed his hand as we sauntered around Crescent Lake on our way to the bakery. "I don't know about you, Mr. Man, but I could sure go for a croissant and an iced mocha right about now!"

As many times as I have been to WDW over the years, I was humbled on more than occasion during this trip by how much I still have to learn...or learn and then immediately forget.

In this case, it should have occurred to us that on a Saturday morning the bakery was going to be ridiculously busy, even at 10:30AM. But for some reason we didn't even think about it - probably because we've never had a Disney trip carry over a weekend. We're usually leaving on Saturday morning, so this was a novel experience for us. And by novel I mean that the line to get inside the Boardwalk Bakery was longer than War and Peace.

In addition to the wait we were very disappointed by the selection - the croissants looked extremely dried-out, and since when is a Krispy Kreme the only donut for sale at a bakery? Bakery, by definition, means a place where baked good (breads, cakes, and pastries) are produced and / or sold. I like a Krispy Kreme every now and then but it sure isn't my idea of a baked good.

The last time we were lucky enough to eat here way back in aught-four they had fresh, hand-made donuts of the most drool-inducing variety. I'm talking about the kind of donut that sticks to the roof of your mouth and can only be dislodged by a tidal wave of ice-cold milk.

Farewell sweet donuts, you've obviously been sacrificed to the gods of corporate oversight.

OK, we don't want to wait around at the Bakery so let's go to Seashore Sweets and at least get a mocha - they have a huge sign outside the store talking smack about their gourmet coffee.

D'OH!

They don't open until 1PM.

Why are you closed on a Saturday morning? Why are you advertising coffee drinks that no one is going to want at 1PM? Why in in the name of all that is holy does Disney not have a Starbucks somewhere on property???

We share an annoyed sigh with each other and park it on a bench for a moment...what are our choices?

ESPN Club?

Not open yet.

Sci-Fi?

That's over at MGM and we don't have ADRs...probably a lost cause on a Saturday.

Beaches and Cream?

Nah, we want to go there when we can enjoy the desserts and this is definitely not that time. You may think I'm weird (actually if you don't think that already I'd venture to say you haven't been reading the entirety of this report) but I don't like ice cream in really hot weather. It's too sweet to be enjoyable and it just sits in my stomach refusing to digest and then, take it from this old Crohn, things get nasty.

Thank goodness for Plankton, who is quite the take-charge vacation mascot.

"You two are pathetic! Find those park hoppers and get your moronic rear ends over to EPCOT. If you can't find something to eat over there you don't deserve to be on the top rung of the food chain!"

You know, insults aside, he's actually made a good point. What are we waiting for? Let's go to EPCOT!!

TBC...

 

[Tiiiigergirl]

Completely enjoying your report!

Saturday, October 21st - Wurra, the Day!



Luckily for us we had completed most of our packing last night before heading over to Raglan Road - I'd even managed to do some laundry. I don't know what it is about the vacation club, but I can't resist the urge to do laundry when I have a washer and dryer and free detergent staring insolently at me every morning after I stagger out of the bedroom. I know what you're thinking...just keep the closet door closed and you won't see the washer / dryer unit and the urge to launder will disappear.

I've tried that.

It doesn't work.

Not only do I know that the washer / dryer unit is there, skulking in the dark like some awful monster from childhood, but it knows that I'm here.

And it has a terrible patience.

All that has to happen is for Jason to take a brief, late afternoon nap and I find myself sorting the dirty clothes into color-matched, common water-temperature piles. And then, against my will, I am drawn to the hall closet...my hand reaches out slowly yet inexorably...I grasp that round little knob and pull the folding door...and there, to my eternal vacation horror....is that garish box of Tide perfectly positioned in the center of the washing machine lid with it's perky logo and hollow promises boring into my skull: Twice the Cleaning Power! Now Free of All Fragrances and Dyes!



To quote the Borg, "Resistance is futile."




To be continued...

And you are so not alone. Sadly my husband shares from the same malady. At home he procrastinates the washing of undies until they are threatening to throw themselves in hot water and go for a tumble all by themselves.

But there is something about that cute washer and dryer stacked. Plus I think the FREE soap gets him. He manufactured reasons to wash.

Himon't you want your bra washed?

Me:No, I'm wearing it right now but thanks.

Him:Are you sure you need it? I'm just washing a few things (including every other bra I brought and haven't even worn!).


I was hoping that he was alone in this, but apparently you all need some kind of miniature washing machine support group. If you want to start one then please let me sign him up.

 

[Kay7979]

I don't know what it is about the vacation club, but I can't resist the urge to do laundry when I have a washer and dryer and free detergent staring insolently at me every morning after I stagger out of the bedroom. I know what you're thinking...just keep the closet door closed and you won't see the washer / dryer unit and the urge to launder will disappear.

I've tried that.

It doesn't work.

Not only do I know that the washer / dryer unit is there, skulking in the dark like some awful monster from childhood, but it knows that I'm here.

And it has a terrible patience.

All that has to happen is for Jason to take a brief, late afternoon nap and I find myself sorting the dirty clothes into color-matched, common water-temperature piles. And then, against my will, I am drawn to the hall closet...my hand reaches out slowly yet inexorably...I grasp that round little knob and pull the folding door...and there, to my eternal vacation horror....is that garish box of Tide perfectly positioned in the center of the washing machine lid with it's perky logo and hollow promises boring into my skull: Twice the Cleaning Power! Now Free of All Fragrances and Dyes!

Great writing. I am enjoying your report. We typically vacation in timeshares so I understand the lure of the laundry. Actually, it's not a bad thing to go home with a suitcase full of clean clothes instead of a suitcase full of wilted shirts, smelly socks, and crumpled, creaseless pants.