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

[eandesmom]

Glad that you were able to get everything done that you wanted to do in DTD.

We really did, it was nice!

I've heard good things about Cooke's but for some reason I always forget about it when we are in DTD. The fish and chips look yummy! We'll have to check it out next time.

The boys loved them and they did have some nice options besides just fish and chips. I think we'd all eat there again.

Beautiful pictures on the boat ride back to OKW!

It is such a pretty ride!

I'm here, Cynthia, and all caught up! Thank goodness for your chapter links.

Woo! I can't believe the whirlwind departure that you had! Leaves me breathless! Love the sleeping kids pics from the airplane!

Jackie! I hope life is starting to settle down for you, I see you have an update today so I'm off to go read it. The pictures are my proof that they DID sleep, despite their protests otherwise.

Oh, how absolutely lovely Old Key West is!!! I want, want, want to stay there now! Especially on seeing that the one bedroom sleeps five. Perfect for us since Chelsea and Connor can no longer share a bed and Charles gets cranky if he has to share with Connor.

I can TOTALLY see you guys at OKW. It's got everything you love...except a beach but the vibe is perfect for your group I'd think and "away" enough to really chill after any kind of long hot day or melt down. This is going to sound crazy but much as I love the location of the BC and SAB, I honestly think I prefer OKW. Granted, I'd have to stay in a 1 bedroom at BCV to truly be able to say that but it is just so lovely and relaxing and oh...I wish I was there now!

Perfect coffee on the verandah view -- love the mug!

Great day at DtD -- Charles is the same way about eating.

Most people are at a certain point I think. I was probably in better shape than the rest since I'd had my greek yogurt so had a little protein going for me. The rest were fueled on sugar.

Loved that verandah.

You never forget that first Disney experience.

Not quite the same as the first view of the castle though, is it?

THis kid is good. Any chance he can negotiate with China on our national debt?

Don't tempt him.

Call me crazy, but I'm finding a pattern here.

Shocker.

1.5 hours in the shops sounds like enough waiting. Food is a fair trade.

it is

Aw, come on. Anyone who says this has obviously never tried the Hawaiian BBQ there.

He wanted a football?

That'll teach ya to turn up your nose at EOS. Next time, go for the Hawaiian BBQ.

I think he missed out. Still. But he definitely had his heart set on Cookes and I honestly don't think he even "really" looked at the EOS menu which certainly had plenty of things besides sandwiches. We were all robbed! No, not really, Cookes was on my list to try too...though I'd have preferred EOS.

Someday my sandwich will come.

I'm afraid to ask.

Lets just say the drink in the picture used to have 2 of something.

Love that Alaska pin!

Isn't that one cool? I don't think he got a cruise specific pin this summer now that I think about it

But the first one was great!

Nice one!

I got a bit better at it as time went on, they are very fun to take!

I had a very yummy meal in Cooks once, the portion was huge and I had to leave some, so unlike me! I'm glad my DH likes shopping as we do a lot of that on holiday.

The fish was huge. I am 99% sure neither boy finished their fries and Jeff took care of the leftovers.

Evan loves shopping, he's probably the worst.

The food at Cookes looked good !!I ate there once and was pleased , also had the fried candy bar which was delish but soooo rich !!!

LOL! Fried candy bar? I don't recall seeing that but then again we were stuffed. There was some special dessert they were pushing but we were too full to think about it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I can TOTALLY see you guys at OKW. It's got everything you love...except a beach but the vibe is perfect for your group I'd think and "away" enough to really chill after any kind of long hot day or melt down. This is going to sound crazy but much as I love the location of the BC and SAB, I honestly think I prefer OKW. Granted, I'd have to stay in a 1 bedroom at BCV to truly be able to say that but it is just so lovely and relaxing and oh...I wish I was there now!

That's what I was thinking, too. It has the kind of vibe we all love -- relaxing and tropical. I think we would all love it -- I am already daydreaming of drinks and dinner at Olivia's and morning coffee with Charles on a verandah -- do you know if all the one-bedrooms have balconies or was that a specific request?

 

[eandesmom]

That's what I was thinking, too. It has the kind of vibe we all love -- relaxing and tropical. I think we would all love it -- I am already daydreaming of drinks and dinner at Olivia's and morning coffee with Charles on a verandah -- do you know if all the one-bedrooms have balconies or was that a specific request?

They all have verandahs Either golf course view, or water view. Fairly sure there are a lot more golf course views than water which is why I got a little nutty on the room request. We aren't golfers and while I guess it's sort of pastoral, just not our idea of an ideal view. It is such the vibe you love...from the piped in Jimmy Buffet music on the bus to the overall relaxed feel everywhere you go. Tropical, relaxed, perfection!

I had originally wanted a marina view, when we were booked in the Hospitality House area but gave it up for the extra door/bathroom entry. If you didn't mind the door situation, then I think that would be even better.

 

[Poolrat]

Congrats and welcome home! That is VERY exciting!!! We started with 105 at SSR and will most likely be adding on in the next month or so. Since I'm already out of points. But the 105 did get us a full week in a 1 bedroom, using 2 years worth of points so it was the right number for us, to start and see what we thought before adding on more. You will LOVE it. I the BCV. THe next trip is hopefully in a Treehouse but if not, more likely to be either SSR or AKV Kidani for a variety of factors but I'm sure we will be at BC one of these days. I'd originally thought our add on would be at a different resort but am planning to keep it all at SSR instead.

Addonitis stikes early and often and there is no vaccination. I know because I just added on myself..... again...

 

[eandesmom]

Addonitis stikes early and often and there is no vaccination. I know because I just added on myself..... again...

again?



different resort or more at a home you already have?

I've been rather proud of myself I haven't done it yet. Didn't really have the need so was waiting till I did. I'd originally planned on adding in Dec but think it will be Oct or Nov instead but we will see!

 

[Charleston Princess]

They all have verandahs Either golf course view, or water view. Fairly sure there are a lot more golf course views than water which is why I got a little nutty on the room request. We aren't golfers and while I guess it's sort of pastoral, just not our idea of an ideal view. It is such the vibe you love...from the piped in Jimmy Buffet music on the bus to the overall relaxed feel everywhere you go. Tropical, relaxed, perfection!

I had originally wanted a marina view, when we were booked in the Hospitality House area but gave it up for the extra door/bathroom entry. If you didn't mind the door situation, then I think that would be even better.

A water view would be ideal!!! I was talking it up to Charles today -- I have to start early, but I don't think it took much convincing on this one.

 

[eandesmom]

A water view would be ideal!!! I was talking it up to Charles today -- I have to start early, but I don't think it took much convincing on this one.

I so hear you on starting early! I'm trying to figure out how to get a DLR trip in the spring. Lol! Just show Charles the drink menu at the Gurgling Suitcase! Conor would love community hall.

 

[Poolrat]

again?



different resort or more at a home you already have?

I've been rather proud of myself I haven't done it yet. Didn't really have the need so was waiting till I did. I'd originally planned on adding in Dec but think it will be Oct or Nov instead but we will see!

I started with only 75 BCV points last year about this time. I added on 100 SSR points a few months later. The resale prices were low so I added on another 150 BCV points. All closed and waiting for the contract to appear in my account. No 2012 points on that one but a good price so I can't complain.

 

[eandesmom]

I started with only 75 BCV points last year about this time. I added on 100 SSR points a few months later. The resale prices were low so I added on another 150 BCV points. All closed and waiting for the contract to appear in my account. No 2012 points on that one but a good price so I can't complain.

That's a nice amount! We've got 105 and I'm looking at 75-80 for the add on but really another 105 would be better. That's great on the low price!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I so hear you on starting early! I'm trying to figure out how to get a DLR trip in the spring. Lol! Just show Charles the drink menu at the Gurgling Suitcase! Conor would love community hall.

Oh, I showed him the pictures of the drinks!

I, too, am working on a DLR trip -- that's going to take a bit longer, I think. Charles just doesn't understand why we would go all the way to the West Coast when there are four parks just "down the road." He is having a hard time grasping that it's very different.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh, I showed him the pictures of the drinks!

Equally effective I'd think! There will be more pictures coming up

Of the resort that is.

I, too, am working on a DLR trip -- that's going to take a bit longer, I think. Charles just doesn't understand why we would go all the way to the West Coast when there are four parks just "down the road." He is having a hard time grasping that it's very different.

My challenge is twofold. One, I really need to figure out some kind of couples trip before I can even introduce the idea. That's the only trip on Jeff's agenda at the moment lol! The other challenge is we hope to have the huge family trip in Dec/Jan of 2013/14. It is not set or for sure but Jeff won't want "disney" 6 months apart and that could happen if I get my way on a spring trip.

Still, CA is a deal from here so am hoping the value aspect will override anything else.

 

[natebenma]

The boat ride back and forth from OKW to DTD is just SO pretty!

I'm impressed at what discriminating shoppers you all were. You found some things you really wanted, and passed on things that were more expensive than you wanted.

My family just hands over the wallet at the Lego Store!

There really are some interesting places to eat at DTD. We always end up at T-Rex due to our dino-loving boy (and we enjoy the food), but I would love to try out, EoS or WPE or now Cookes. The food looked good.

 

[eandesmom]

The boat ride back and forth from OKW to DTD is just SO pretty!

it is, if you ever decide to stay anywhere BUT the beach club, I think you'd really like it! And you'd love all the space in the villa.

I'm impressed at what discriminating shoppers you all were. You found some things you really wanted, and passed on things that were more expensive than you wanted.

My family just hands over the wallet at the Lego Store!

They did pretty well. I was worried they'd blow all their money on the first day. They've been known to do that! Especially Evan though Eric isn't much better. Kendall did blow most of hers but given that she's left money on the table before, it was ok that she did. They did a decent job rationing it out and it didn't hurt that my mom had given them each a little $$ on the way to the airport.

There really are some interesting places to eat at DTD. We always end up at T-Rex due to our dino-loving boy (and we enjoy the food), but I would love to try out, EoS or WPE or now Cookes. The food looked good.

WPE is yummy. I would eat there again, though it's kind of a funny place for me. More than I'd typically eat for lunch but I don't really like counter service for dinner.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Oh, I showed him the pictures of the drinks!

I, too, am working on a DLR trip -- that's going to take a bit longer, I think. Charles just doesn't understand why we would go all the way to the West Coast when there are four parks just "down the road." He is having a hard time grasping that it's very different.

Jackie go to DLR when we go...we can stick the men folk somewhere in front of a tv with sports and a beer and we'll go to the parks right

 

[eandesmom]

Jackie go to DLR when we go...we can stick the men folk somewhere in front of a tv with sports and a beer and we'll go to the parks right

Just park them! I love it. I'd have to park Jeff at an aerospace museum

 

[Charleston Princess]

Jackie go to DLR when we go...we can stick the men folk somewhere in front of a tv with sports and a beer and we'll go to the parks right

Heidi, that sounds like the perfect plan -- when are you planning on going?

 

[Lotjestar]

Loving the trippie!! Can't wait for more!!

 

[rentayenta]

 

[eandesmom]

Loving the trippie!! Can't wait for more!!

Thanks and

It's been a wee bit busy over here. Jeff's dad and step mom in town through tomorrow morning, K's first HS game of the season last night (they won!), Eric's 12th birthday today and Evan got his MS schedule today finally and made it in to Wind Ensemble! I am SO proud of him. He worked so hard to get there and it's a huge deal. Very very exciting.

So lots of celebrating tonight for the E's.

It will be a fun update though and worth waiting for, I can promise you that much.

I can't WAIT for school to start Monday, the E's are bouncing off the walls. Literally!

Tuesday will be a nightmare though. Evan only has a 1/2 day on monday as an 8th grader. Typically Jazz band starts 1 week after school does but not this year, it starts on day 2. To go from summer sleep times to a 7am start is going to be ugly!!! And then Algebra 1st period. Yikes.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Congrats to K on her win, and to Evan for making the wind ensemble!!

Eric!!

I bet they're excited to get back to school soon! My girls started yesterday and it's going to be good to get back into a routine. I think it will take Sarah a bit to get adjusted to the middle school routine though!