Add on or Kitchen Remodel? Plus a TR...

[arthur06]

I have been absent from these boards a lot lately.

We have been trying to decide between an add on or a kitchen remodel. I have voted for the add on and DW voted for the kitchen remodel... you can guess who won...

We just got back about 2 weeks ago from a week at OKW. Our 3rd trip in under 11 months (got the most of our AP). So, DW said we don't need more points if we are taking 3 trips a year. I thought... don't need more points

So a week before our trip we decided on a spur of the moment "spruce up" of our kitchen. When it was all said and done, I'm pretty sure it was almost a full remodel.

I did get my way with a couple of Mickey's in our new kitchen...

So, without further delay here is what I got instead of an add on...

We have a new table that is showing up this week and I still have a few small projects to finish up tomorrow. So what do you think, did we make the right choice.

 

[castleri]

Don't know what it looked like before but think you did a good thing. Now you can start saving your change for that add on. It will just come about a little later than you had hoped. I was just looking at my kitchen today thinking it needs a complete redo and wondering how to pay for it. Guess I could sell one of my contracts but don't think I want it that bad. Will have to look into other options. Enjoy the new kitchen and all your future Disney trips.

 

[dis-happy]

Really nice!! Love the tile backsplash....assuming that is part of the reno?

 

[lah3hh]

You know we all are noticing 'the touches of the magic' and loving it!!! Good job...it looks beautiful.

Now time to start saving the $$$ for the add on...it is never too late.

 

[robertdangelo]

Very Nice! We have the Maytag Double Oven too(except in electric with glass top) and we love it! It's great on thanksgiving. We have the same microwave too.

 

[arthur06]

I don't know why, but I forgot to do the before pics... probably the spur of the moment decision to do the project didn't help.

I only have a few on my computer, here is one that shows wall color, old countertop, cabinet color, old backsplash and flooring...

 

[MErnst]

Looks great!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

1) Your boys are PRECIOUS!
2) Kitchen looks great.
3) Kitchen renos will add value, and resales continue to trend downward in price, so you may get both!

I understand your pain. We just did a full replacement of the windows in our home, and I could have purchased a REALLY nice DVC add-on for the same price! Man, I HATE it when real life and necessities creep in! I have a son who turns 16 on 10/29, and it makes me sick to think of what college is going to cost! That will make our renos look like token expenditures! Ugh!

 

[ToddyLu]

The kitchen is lovely and I love the hidden Mickey's--took me a couple of times through the pics.

 

[jupers]

Looks great!! DH keeps telling me we could redo ours if I stopped planning trips!!!!!...I'll Wait!!!!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Well, I love DVC but I love to cook more, so you made the right choice! You can add on anytime and by the way I've succesfully fought off the urge for over 10 years! I'm not paying more dues!

Love the back splash!

 

[steffaknits]

Your new kitchen is beautiful! Did you just paint the cabinets? You have to look at your kitchen every day, I'd say it was a fair trade.

 

[Muushka]

Kitchen looks great. Looks like granite counter tops? We did our kitchen last spring and every day I go in there, I thank my husband.
And every 4 or so days I thank him out loud. Otherwise I would become obnoxious if I told him every day.
Your wife appreciates you! Trust me!!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I LOVE your backsplash!

 

[arthur06]

I promised a TR so here is Day #1...

We left Friday September 23rd our first night was at Bonnet Creek in a 2br (our flight didn't land until after 11pm, so we rented a reservation for one night) then we were off to OKW for 6 more nights.

Here are a couple of excited boys to be going... (in our old kitchen)

A couple of boys excited to be flying...

We had no problems with the flight of getting the rental car and arrived at BC at about 12:30am. It was off to bed after a long day.

We had to be out of our room at 10am, so I really didn't get much of a chance to walk around, but from the limited amount that I did see, we were impressed with BC.

 

[arthur06]

Day #2 (our first full day at Disney)

We did much of this trip without a whole lot of firm plans. We kinda knew what we wanted to do and when and just went from there. The weather was hot almost all week, usually in the lower 90's.

We decided Saturday morning that our first stop would be MK. Of course, where else would you start off???

We only did about 4 hours at MK today, the kids were tired and the hear wasn't helping. We were able to do Buzz Lightyear, People Mover, Go-Carts, Space Mountain (grandma stayed with the boys), Philharmagic, and POTC with no more then about 10-15 minute wait for any.

We headed over to OKW about 3pm. We had a 1BR at Turtle Pond (Building 38). We had a "pink house" as my 2 year old called it and he LOVED it. I don't know why but he loves pink!

After settling in, the kids took a nap with mom and Grandma and I headed to Wal-Mart for some groceries. Spent the afternoon/evening unpacking and swimming.

Day #3 - Hollywood Studios

Entrance...

Again, another HOT day. Grandma and DW did TOT and RnR and I stayed with the boys when we first got there.

After a few minutes we were in Playhouse Disney Live...

The boys loved the show. They are huge Jake and the Neverland Pirate fans (and we can't find anything with him and Crew on it for souvenirs)

We went over to TSM and it was closed. I think it was just a maintence issue for an hour or so. We kept on going over to Lights, Motors, Action and this had to be the biggest hit of the whole trip. 2 boys, lots of fast driving, jumping, shooting, need I say more???

After a few hour cool down, we headed to DTD for supper at Planet Hollywood and to walk around many of the shops. DW has a shopping problem!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Your sons are precious! I'm enjoying reading your report, it sounds like a fun trip!
Bobbi

 

[arthur06]

Back to add on Day #3...

We skipped Disney today...

There is just so much going on and so many people that the kids need a break from being in lines and around people. I could use it too!

We headed over to Siesta Key for the day. Everyday that we were there it was in the 90's... except for today! It was only in the low to mid 70's, imagine that... We spent the day at the beach and going to a few shops in the area, and then headed over to Yoder's for lunch. It was a lot of driving for the amount of time we spent at the beach with the weather.

Here are a few pics... from today

You could tell they were getting cold...

After the long day of salt water and sand, it was fun in the tub time!

 

[supersuperwendy]

Such sweet pics of your boys! We'be never been to a Florida beach....nice idea!

 

[arthur06]

Day #4

We started today at AKL, and again it was hot. It seemed like there was a lot of people in the park, but wait times were not that bad.

Here are some safari pics...

We walked around AK for a while and took in the shops and did a few rides. We ate at RFC on our way out and had a very nice meal.

We went back to the room about 3pm and cooled off and took naps until about 5:30 then headed over to MK for MNSSHP. We wanted to stay out of the heat as much as possible and the kids with late naps would be ready until midnight.

I was traveling to the party with Scooby and Superman...

I will add the parade pics in the next post