BAND GEEKS Takin' Over the World! LINK TO NEW TR!! Go to last page 10/17

[PrincessV]

As we pulled into the parking lot, the heavens, ONCE AGAIN, opened up. Just in time for us to have to pull our luggage and children all the way to our room.

I HATE when that happens, and it happens regularly when I go grocery shopping!

Mommy, why does this phone have a cord?

So how was dinner? Did it live up to our high O'Han-expectations?!

You know waiting on this is killing me, right?!

 

[Sooze]

Hey girl! Enjoyed all the pictures and glad the rain cleared up for you. How neat that they have a twister game at POP. We need to go take a look around there one trip. I can't wait to read about O'hana. We've never been but are thinking of doing it next trip.....whenever that may be.

POP was really a cool resort to explore! We didn't even cover half of it and should probably go back!

Loved all your pictures of the kids at POP, it really is fun to walk around and take pictures of all the huge icons. We stayed in the 50's section. I loved it, now not for every disney trip, but it was great for our group. We needed 2 rooms, and the price was great. We loved that you could have a "pool view" and "lake view" from the public balcony.

Ohana, boy I love it there, but it is impossible to get reservations. Did enjoy Kona Cafe though, that way we could get to the beach to see Wishes too. Can't wait to see your pictures.

And so as not to continue the hijack of Lesley's thread, just wanted to say that it looked like your kids all hit it off at Red Robin. s

POP is definitely a place we would use when the need would arise. But, you're right, not for every trip!!

We had breakfast at Kona a few trips ago... just LOVED it! (Tonga Toast... yummmmmm)

TimandLesley and the kids were just WONDERFUL.. even neater in person than online. The kids really DID hit it off!

Sooze,

Ohana is on the list for the next trip...at least the tentative list..

Which I'm sure will change a million more times. Try to hang on to O'hana so you can make your own opinions about it!

You know waiting on this is killing me, right?!

I do my best, V!!

 

[Sooze]

It was time. Time to head over to a classic resort. Time to meet our 'cousins'. Time to shake coconut maracas. Time to stuff ourselves SILLY with the most delicious food on Disney property. TIME FOR O'HANA!!!

We checked in a bit early, assuming our friends were just around the corner. Our buzzer went off 10 minutes later, but our friends were just getting on the monorail at the Contemporary. So we had to give up our seats and wait until they got here. That was a bummer because we had a party of 7, which isn't easy to sit!

Oh well, we had time to explore the fantastic Poly lobby, shops, and artwork:

We were finally seated and bursting with excitement to share the O'hana experience with our friends. Here they are listening intently to our cousin's instructions on the evenings events:

Shae kept herself busy showing everyone the princess autograph album we got for her. We had to keep her from drawing pictures in it herself!!

The drinks came quickly, and Dean was quite happy to be here!!

You can see we were all in sweatshirts! The rainy day just hadn't allowed it to warm up very much!

While waiting for yummys, Shae kept herself busy with drink umbrellas!!

She was such a good girl this entire meal! She is a very finicky eater and barely tried any of the delicious meats. But that bread... wow... kept her busy most of the night! Tyson and Abby were also having a great time together. They even jumped into the activities!

We absolutely stuffed ourselves. I mean, roll-me-out-the-door-and-onto-the-monorail STUFFED OURSELVES!! Dean and Adrianna were super impressed and we were on Cloud 9!! You know that FIRST NIGHT excitement!? When you are actually, really, officially there and you still have the whole vacation stretched out in front of you!?! Man.. I LOVE THAT FEELING!!!

Dessert was served.. scrumptious! They even brought out a little sundae for Shaelyn, which she devoured. Hmmmmmm... bread and ice cream..... very healthy dinner, no?

We all rolled onto the monorail and headed over to MK for EMH. Yes.. we were exhausted. But the pure Disney adrenaline was pushing us on. And, boy, were we glad we pushed on!! After riding a few favorites (HM, PotC) we decided to find a spot for the later running of the Spectromagic Parade. We had just come out of HM and caught a REALLY cool spot in front of the Hall of Presidents construction zone.

Here are the kids waiting for the parade. You can see the construction wall behind them, then a rope right in front of them. We had front row seats with no one behind us. It was a GREAT spot!

This parade is REALLY growing on me. I LOVE the music. And I'm super glad that they took the freaky masks off of the trumpet players at the beginning! Here are some shots from the parade. Enjoy!

We noticed during this parade, that Shaelyn is a complete CHARACTER MAGNET!! Every walking character on our side of the parade made their way over to her! Even the swirling little fish stopped for a wink! Here is Cinderella giving her a special wave... she even blew Shae a kiss!

See what I mean?

Minnie!!!!

Wishes was interesting this night. Shae just FREAKED OUT when she realized it was time for fireworks. We (Shae and I) had to head away from the Castle hub and into some shops for her to calm down. I should've known this age would hit... Tyson went through it too! Oh well... I know she'll come around!

We finally headed home after an AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL first day!!
Time for one last picture (Taken by Shaelyn)

Off to bed, then on to.. the SPRING BREAK CROWDS

 

[tinkerbell615]

Thanks for sharing your excitement. We have never tried O'hanas and I am thinking after reading your report, we might need to do that next year.

How cool for Shae to be the character magnet. I remember when my two were little and characters would gravitate toward them. It always made for some really great pictures!

Can't wait to hear more.

 

[PrincessV]

We absolutely stuffed ourselves. I mean, roll-me-out-the-door-and-onto-the-monorail STUFFED OURSELVES!! Dean and Adrianna were super impressed and we were on Cloud 9!!

I'm sooo glad! I was a little worried, after my last 'Ohana experience.

Hmmmmmm... bread and ice cream..... very healthy dinner, no?

It's the Disney Diet!

Off to bed, then on to.. the SPRING BREAK CROWDS

Oh no!

 

[timandlesley]

Great update Sooze. At OHana's was the lady there or was it a guy? Just had to ask based on our recent experience there. Glad you enjoyed Spectro, so sorry about Shae and the fireworks. Can't wait to read more about your adventures!
Lesley

 

[Sooze]

We have never tried O'hanas and I am thinking after reading your report, we might need to do that next year.

We really do love it. But I always try to make it known that Matt and I are NOT connoisseurs by any means! So we are not picky about food. We just love everything they serve and the atmosphere in which it is served! Give it a try and see what you think!

cool for Shae to be the character magnet. I remember when my two were little and characters would gravitate toward them. It always made for some really great pictures!

We sure are hoping to get a few more years out of her cuteness. You are right, it made for excellent pictures!

I'm sooo glad! I was a little worried, after my last 'Ohana experience.

I was so sad to hear about that bad experience! I hope things haven't changed for the worse since we've left! I recommend it to everyone I know... I'd hate to send my friends somewhere not up-to-Disney-par!

It's the Disney Diet!

Except.. she eats that way even when she's NOT at Disney!

Oh no!

ooooohhhh YES!!

Great update Sooze. At OHana's was the lady there or was it a guy? Just had to ask based on our recent experience there. Glad you enjoyed Spectro, so sorry about Shae and the fireworks. Can't wait to read more about your adventures!
Lesley

Do you mean the entertainer? If so, it was a guy. Our waiter was also a male cousin. I think we've been there with the lady, tho... but it was just Matt and me, so we didn't pay much attention to her!

We went to Spectro again at the end of the trip... hilarious time.. can't wait to tell about it.. tho it won't be as funny as when it was happening! I'll just say, my husband can be obnoxiously funny when he gets with his Band Geek friends!

 

[Sooze]

We were up bright and early for our morning at Animal Kingdom. We stopped by BCV on our way to check in. Couldn't wait to get the phone call that our villa was ready!!

Off we go!

The crowds were pouring in fast and furious. We had to keep reminding ourselves that this was no "off season" trip we were trying to enjoy... this was full-out crowd-o-rama time. Lots of patience and deep breaths!

My favorite part about the entrance to Animal Kingdom is the GREAT soundtrack they have playing around the Tree of Life. Looking at this picture, I can just hear it playing! Can you?

Matt ran on ahead to grab fast passes for EE for himself and Tyson. The kids and I hung out at a souvie stand for a while, enjoying all of the Disney stuff:

GAWRSH!!

We were just so happy that the rain and chill went away!

So we had some time to kill before the boys were going to ride the Yeti train.. so what should we do?

Hint:

You guessed it!

Can you see Shae saying "NEEEEMMMOOOO!!!"

Loved it, loved it, loved it... as always!!

Off to the boneyard playground. I've never been to the 'dig' site before.. guess I just never ventured that far into the playground. But Shaelyn just LOVED this place.... of course, we were cleaning little boneyard pellets out of her pants (and panties) all day!!

Look, ma... I pulled these out of my Belle panties!

A wide shot, in case you'd like to see it:

The boys returned from their harrowing experience. By this time, BCV had called and our room was ready to go. HOORAY! Shae, however, was not interested. She was having such a blast, and didn't want to leave. So Matt stayed with her, while Tyson and I went to get our stuff into the villa. We also planned on stopping at Hurricane Hannah's by Stormalong Bay so we could have lunch ready in the room when Matt and Shae returned. Sounded like a good plan.. until THIS happened:

What's wrong you ask? Well, LOOK HARDER (said like Rafiki).... do you see chicken strips on there anywhere? NO!? Neither did we! Not only did they replace their chicken strips with those crappy nuggets.. no they don't have ANY! Tyson was NOT happy:

We reluctantly grabbed a few cheeseburgers and made our way to the villa. Here are some pictures of our humble abode:

And my FAVORITE feature:

Tyson on our balcony:

Epcot ball through the trees:

Tyson is so happy to be HOME!!

Found a little friend on the bed:

Shae enjoyed visiting with him after eating her dumb cheeseburger from Hurricane (we don't serve chicken nuggets anymore) Hannah's:

And off for a nap. Hope she was dreaming about princesses... because she was about to have an AWESOME meeting with one... with a special twist!

 

[tinkerbell615]

Can't wait for more.

Looking forward to your continued report.

 

[PrincessV]

I love the range of attire shown here - everything from woolly sweater to sleevelss dress-top!

Look, ma... I pulled these out of my Belle panties!

What's wrong you ask? Well, LOOK HARDER (said like Rafiki).... do you see chicken strips on there anywhere? NO!? Neither did we! Not only did they replace their chicken strips with those crappy nuggets.. no they don't have ANY!

May I rant on your TR? I. Don't. Get. It. There was some speculation that WDW was going for a "healthier" menu. Hogwash. There is nothing healthy about a hot dog, but it's still there! BRING BACK OUR TENDERS AND NUGGETS!!!

Phew, I feel better, do you?!

And my FAVORITE feature:

sigh
I keep dreaming of a W/D magically showing up in my studio one day.

 

[jordanyosh]

We finally headed home after an AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL first day!!
Time for one last picture (Taken by Shaelyn)

Off to bed, then on to.. the SPRING BREAK CROWDS

Love this pic!

Oh oh...crowds.....

 

[Sooze]

Can't wait for more.

Looking forward to your continued report.

Thanks for hanging around!!

I love the range of attire shown here - everything from woolly sweater to sleevelss dress-top!

Oh, V! Only YOU would notice that stuff! That's why we love you!

May I rant on your TR? I. Don't. Get. It. There was some speculation that WDW was going for a "healthier" menu. Hogwash. There is nothing healthy about a hot dog, but it's still there! BRING BACK OUR TENDERS AND NUGGETS!!!

Phew, I feel better, do you?!

AMEN!!!! And, yes, I feel much better!

sigh
I keep dreaming of a W/D magically showing up in my studio one day.

We stayed in a studio last week... REALLY missed that washer and dryer.. the free laundry facility was nice, just SO far away!!

Love this pic!

Oh oh...crowds.....

I can't believe I posted such a ridiculous picture of myself. I guess I'm just getting so comfy with you all!!

 

[jwwi]

What a beautiful room at the BCV. You are so sweet to say the POP rooms are nice too. Heck they are nice, but when you compare to a 1brm villa, hmmmmmmm, no comparison! I am a Moderate girl, what I feel comfortable spending and staying at, but I did love when I stayed at OKW and POP too. Maybe that just means we love WDW.

Shae is so cute in the boneyard pics, and I love the Goofy hat on Tyson.

Don't apologize for liking the W/D in the villa. Every Mom needs the basics!

 

[jordanyosh]

Whaaaat! No more chicken strips at Hurricane Hanna's? Those were sooo tasty!

I do love the Flatbread Chicken Sandwich though!

BCV.....LOVE that resort! I'm hoping you had a great time there as well!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

it bugs me that they changed them to those little dinky little chicken pieces, so stupid, but at least they brought back the cheese sauce at cosmic rays.

 

[Sooze]

What a beautiful room at the BCV. You are so sweet to say the POP rooms are nice too. Heck they are nice, but when you compare to a 1brm villa, hmmmmmmm, no comparison! I am a Moderate girl, what I feel comfortable spending and staying at, but I did love when I stayed at OKW and POP too. Maybe that just means we love WDW.

Shae is so cute in the boneyard pics, and I love the Goofy hat on Tyson.

Don't apologize for liking the W/D in the villa. Every Mom needs the basics!

I LOVE Moderate resorts as well. Whenever we take a trip that is not on DVC points, we always try to get into one of those! But, I agree.. I just love WDW, so I'll find the good in wherever I stay!

Whaaaat! No more chicken strips at Hurricane Hanna's? Those were sooo tasty!

I do love the Flatbread Chicken Sandwich though!

BCV.....LOVE that resort! I'm hoping you had a great time there as well!

It was a terrible shock, let me tell you!
We adore BCV... we try to stay there whenever we possibly can. Just LOVE walking home from Epcot after Illuminations and a slow stroll around WS!

it bugs me that they changed them to those little dinky little chicken pieces, so stupid, but at least they brought back the cheese sauce at cosmic rays.

Way to find the positive, Dan!!

 

[jordanyosh]

It was a terrible shock, let me tell you!
We adore BCV... we try to stay there whenever we possibly can. Just LOVE walking home from Epcot after Illuminations and a slow stroll around WS!

I love BCV for that exact same reason. My cousins are staying at BLT this February so no BCV for me in 2010..... They did book me 4 nights at BWV for my birthday/Christmas present.....

 

[Sooze]

I love BCV for that exact same reason. My cousins are staying at BLT this February so no BCV for me in 2010..... They did book me 4 nights at BWV for my birthday/Christmas present.....

Wait... so are YOU staying at BLT?!?! I need to get over to your PTR and get caught up!

BWV is a nice walk from Epcot too! Have you stayed there before?! We love it

 

[jordanyosh]

Wait... so are YOU staying at BLT?!?! I need to get over to your PTR and get caught up!

BWV is a nice walk from Epcot too! Have you stayed there before?! We love it

Unfortunately, no. Our friend Kim and her boyfriend will be staying with my cousin Wendy at BLT. It would've been nice, but I'm not losing sleep over it.

I have stayed at the BWV 3 times...love it, but I think BCV is my favorite DVC resort so far out of the 4 we've stayed at-VWL, SSR, BCV and BWV.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

here is your yummm thought for the day, back in the day, when i was maybe in high school middle school range, i used to ask for an extra bowl that they give you your burger and fries in and i would load it up on the chooped lettuce and poor the cheese sauce on it for a salad.

mmmmmmmm cheese lettuce....