Bags, Busses, and Booze - A Where has all the Rum gone Girls 2013 F&W TR

[KatMark]

LOVE your studio room at AKL/Kidani. It looks very familiar. Oh wait, we were in one last week.

It is far from everything but, to us, it is worth staying there anyway.

 

[annmarieda]

Very cool medal from the race.

Thanks The windows glow in the dark and the elevator actually moves up and down.

Sorry all the girls had to check out early due to a storm. That stinks, but better safe than sorry.

It did stink... but they made it almost to when they originally planned to stay. So I am pretty happy about that. At one point I didn't know if they were going to be able to even make it to the race.

That picture of CBR is so pretty. I think its a really lovely resort but I agree that the check-in is weird.

It really is pretty there. I just think it is overly complicated.

I'm glad you still had your post race breakfast.

And despite the poor service... it was a great peaceful meal.

Yay for F&W! I just love seeing all the yummy samples. It looks like it was a beautiful day.

It was an amazingly beautiful day.

Oh yeah - your studio at AK is so cute! And the view is perfect. I just love that resort.

I really loved it there. I was tempted to book a 2 bedroom there for our fall trip... and probably would have if it had been a host resort.

LOVE your view! I'd have gotten a drink from the pool bar or something from the store and gone back to the balcony

If I had not been so tired, I think that would have been an excellent thing to do! Sadly, I was tired.. had a dinner reservation to get to.. and packing.

Hmmn. So that leaves me with Cape May: pro = buffet and Jeff likes that. Con = overpriced, characters (cute but don't care) and I'm not a buffet gal or Captain's Grille...again.

Or we leave the BW area and go somewhere totally different.

ya know.. Kouzzina breakfasts still are my favorite... and why I keep planning on Kouzzina as post race celebration. The service is just what has been lacking... but if you can get past that, the food is VERY yummy!!!

We land at almost 10. It will likely be 11 by the time we get to the resort. We may have issues getting breakfast anyway. I am told F&W should have soft opening that day of kiosks I suppose there is Askerhaus but the menu has never really appealed to me much.

And askerhaus has that half buffet half family style breakfast.... or at least they did. I still vote for Kouzzina

Much as I really LOVE to go out for breakfast after the red eye I have a feeling we may just have to get a coffee and a pastry at the bakery and then snack our way around the world if kiosk are really open a day early. Or we just play it by ear depending on what time we get to the resort and how we feel.

This works too. I am never opposed to a good pastry and coffee in the morning.

I kinda want to go to Kona the next morning anyways, have never done it for breakfast and that might be fun. We will see.

I haven't done Kona before either, but have read so many good reviews.

There are some super cute racks you can get. I don't know that I would as I just won't do enough to fill it up and am not sure where I would hang it but...you never know!

I have a rack... I have yet to hang it up.

LOVE your studio room at AKL/Kidani. It looks very familiar. Oh wait, we were in one last week.

It is far from everything but, to us, it is worth staying there anyway.

I know! And when I saw you would be staying there... can I be honest and say I was just wee bit jealous.

 

[Woth2982]

Love the room! I also love AKL however I do not love the location so that is always my hesitance with booking it a second time. It is very scenic and definitely takes you away from wherever you are.

PS Have I mentioned I am seriously considering TOT? Having a hard time pulling the trigger but really want to!

 

[annmarieda]

Love the room! I also love AKL however I do not love the location so that is always my hesitance with booking it a second time. It is very scenic and definitely takes you away from wherever you are.

Yeah... I love the room. The resort is amazing... but it is a bit out there.

PS Have I mentioned I am seriously considering TOT? Having a hard time pulling the trigger but really want to!

I am sorry to say... but I think if you didn't pull that trigger it is too late. (unless you do the 5k) It is now sold out.

 

[afwdwfan]

Wow... horrible service from Kouzzina. Definitely not what you expect on Disney property.

It looks like a nice day in EPCOT though. Sometimes I love just having some time to wander around the parks on my own like that!

Congrats on the DVC purchase, and it looks like you got a room with a great view for your first stay. You made a good point at the end about AKL though. As beautiful as it looks, it really is just kind of on it's own. As much as I'd love to stay there, I love the proximity to the parks of the other deluxe resorts and the alternative transportation options they all offer. It really is too bad that AKL doesn't have anything like that.

 

[annmarieda]

Wow... horrible service from Kouzzina. Definitely not what you expect on Disney property.

It was not what I have come to expect, but it was still a great meal.

It looks like a nice day in EPCOT though. Sometimes I love just having some time to wander around the parks on my own like that!

I agree. It is nice to have some time alone in the parks.

Congrats on the DVC purchase, and it looks like you got a room with a great view for your first stay. You made a good point at the end about AKL though. As beautiful as it looks, it really is just kind of on it's own. As much as I'd love to stay there, I love the proximity to the parks of the other deluxe resorts and the alternative transportation options they all offer. It really is too bad that AKL doesn't have anything like that.

Thanks. DVC definitely will afford us more trips. I feel kinda silly for not pulling the trigger on it years ago. And yes... that room was a great way to experience my first DVC stay. It was beautiful. If I planned to go back and forth to the parks all week though, it would have been a pain. I guess if you leave the room in the morning and then do not come back til night it would not be such a hassle since you would be already out. However... if you are not going to spend any time in the room, it defeats the purpose of that nice view.

 

[annmarieda]

Once back in my room, I tried to get some more pictures from my balcony. It was getting dark quickly though and my camera had a hard time picking up what I was seeing. It was a shame because there were some nice animals to watch.


Then I had to get to dinner. I had made a dinner reservation at Sanaa. I figured it would be a good choice after a long trip. It turned out to be even more convenient than I had anticipated. All I had to do was head out of my room, down the hall and then walk down the stairs. I think this is the shortest travel time to an ADR that I have ever had.

Once I was checked in for my dinner, I made use of the restroom. I am not sure why (my room was after all just up the stairs). I guess I like this restroom a lot. I took some pics...



Then it was time to be seated. I ordered a mango lassi. YUM


I ordered tandori chicken and had them substitute white rice for the coriander kind. Only when it first came to me, it had the coriander kind. My server was super nice though and quickly fixed it for me.


After so much food from the last week (and not being on the dp any longer so not needing to get one) I opted not to get dessert.

I went back to my room and did enjoy some candy from my massive bag that I had received from the party.

I called Steve and talked while I strategically repacked everything. I am not sure how I ended up with so much more stuff to take home... well, yes.. maybe I do. When you travel with ladies and we focus on some shopping.. things are bound to come home. It was a challenge getting everything into my suitcase. If my memory serves, my checked back was almost to the limit in weight. I even emptied out boxes to try and fit things in my case better.

Sadly, it was soon time for me to hit the hay.

Next Up: 10/7 - Final Day

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Now um I seem to remember a broken suitcase in all this moving from one room to the other and final packing..... I might be imagining but I remember a text regretting not getting the big suitcase at the outlet mall because something has split open. And that was part of the "bags" of the title! Lol

 

[annmarieda]

Now um I seem to remember a broken suitcase in all this moving from one room to the other and final packing..... I might be imagining but I remember a text regretting not getting the big suitcase at the outlet mall because something has split open. And that was part of the "bags" of the title! Lol

Yes! In fact every single bag or piece of luggage that I brought on this trip did not survive the trip. The zipper area of my carry on came unstitched and although I was able to finish out the trip with it... yeah, it was done. My checked piece of luggage technically is still sound. It just has the zipper pull that is gone and there is a back pocket (only like slip in papers type pouch) That zipper won't zip. My personal bag had the magnetic clasp pull through... so that one is completely done. Then the strap on my travel wallet broke. So all piece just needed replacing. They have seen a lot of travel... but all the "extra" going it didn't help.

 

[afwdwfan]

It looks like a nice, relaxed last evening for you! Definitely no need to get dessert at dinner, especially when you have candy back in the room!

 

[annmarieda]

It looks like a nice, relaxed last evening for you! Definitely no need to get dessert at dinner, especially when you have candy back in the room!

It was pretty relaxed (except the repacking part where I didn't know if I would be able to fit everything in.)

And yes... what better way to not have to pack quite as much? Just eat some of that massive bag of candy.

 

[mickeymouse108]

joining the fun of a all girls trip

 

[annmarieda]

joining the fun of a all girls trip

Glad to have you join! If ever miss Ashley posts her updates there will still be lots to read. My next update will be about my last day. I have another girls trip coming up though...so you can follow along in my PTR or wait for the TR to come. Girls trips can be a lot of fun!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

I promise to get some updates after this move and the Internet it set up!

 

[annmarieda]

I promise to get some updates after this move and the Internet it set up!

I just tease you! I know you have a lot on your plate.

 

[MEK]

I love Sanaa! I have had some super delicious meals there. I absolutely LOVE the bread service with the dipping sauces. So good!

So here's the trick to NOT bringing home extra stuff. Pack your bag to 49.5 lbs before you even leave. That's what I did on my last vacation and I brought home no souives.

Actually, I laugh, but I have got to figure out how to pack better. Is it just me or do you feel like your running clothes take up too much room in your suitcase? Mine always seem to and then putting my running shoes in at the last minute is always a dilemma because they never seem to fit. I'm going to work on this for May!

 

[KatMark]

Well I can certainly see why you waited to use the restroom by Sanna...it is gorgeous.

We have yet to eat at Sanna...I keep getting mixed reviews on it. But your food looks really good. And that drink sounds extremely appealing.

We always seem to come home with more than we went with (and this is after we throw out our shampoo, conditioner bottles, etc.).

 

[annmarieda]

I love Sanaa! I have had some super delicious meals there. I absolutely LOVE the bread service with the dipping sauces. So good!

I went in thinking I would be getting that bread service. However once I got there I realized that I was not that hungry. Needing something more than just bread though I opted for the meal... and not needing more..I left off bread service.

So here's the trick to NOT bringing home extra stuff. Pack your bag to 49.5 lbs before you even leave. That's what I did on my last vacation and I brought home no souives.

I think that is part of the trouble...I over pack to begin with!

Actually, I laugh, but I have got to figure out how to pack better. Is it just me or do you feel like your running clothes take up too much room in your suitcase? Mine always seem to and then putting my running shoes in at the last minute is always a dilemma because they never seem to fit. I'm going to work on this for May!

Definitely! AND add in a costume or running gear... it is just a lot! And shoes... don't even get me started. I am bad enough about how many shoes I pack to go into the parks.... the running shoes just add to that craziness.

Well I can certainly see why you waited to use the restroom by Sanna...it is gorgeous.

It really is one of the nicer restrooms on property!

We have yet to eat at Sanna...I keep getting mixed reviews on it. But your food looks really good. And that drink sounds extremely appealing.

Honestly, my meal was great...but had they not substituted the jasmine rice for the coriander one (I think it is corriander...the green rice.) I would not have enjoyed it. In general, the spices are a bit overwhelming... but it is suppose to be.

We always seem to come home with more than we went with (and this is after we throw out our shampoo, conditioner bottles, etc.).

I am usually pretty good. I think this trip though I wasn't just because I had everyone at home that I was brining things to.

 

[veggiemama]

Love your room at Kidani. I know everyone says AKL is out of the way but honestly that is why DH and I love it! We really enjoyed our stay there and loved relaxing on the balcony with morning coffee, loved the animals, the quiet... just loved it

With all your talk about DVC it got me thinking about it too - We would so do Kidani/AKL if we could but get this - they only offer DVC to 2 provinces in Canada and we are not one of them!

 

[annmarieda]

Love your room at Kidani. I know everyone says AKL is out of the way but honestly that is why DH and I love it! We really enjoyed our stay there and loved relaxing on the balcony with morning coffee, loved the animals, the quiet... just loved it

It really has me wanting to go back! It was so nice and quiet!

With all your talk about DVC it got me thinking about it too - We would so do Kidani/AKL if we could but get this - they only offer DVC to 2 provinces in Canada and we are not one of them!

There are weird rules for sure. I guess there is even a thing about how one of the resorts can't sell into the state I live in. So if it works the same way, you would have to make your purchase from in one of those provinces.