Coming to you LIVE from OKW ...

[Melani]

Hi Melani ...

No trouble at all! Our pillows say, "Pacific Coast" and give a website of: Pacificcoast.com ...

Hope this helps!

Dave

Thanks for checking.

 

[lazydazy8]

Thanks for checking in, Dave!

Can't wait to see the new HOP. The Voices of Liberty never get old.

Have to admit, I choke up every time you say, "wish you were here". We really appreciate the live updates!!

(BTW, 4 months, 22 days, 13 hours, 7 minutes and 12 seconds!)

 

[WEDway2002]

Thanks for checking in, Dave!

Can't wait to see the new HOP. The Voices of Liberty never get old.

Have to admit, I choke up every time you say, "wish you were here". We really appreciate the live updates!!

(BTW, 4 months, 22 days, 13 hours, 7 minutes and 12 seconds!)

Thanks, Amy ... it really is my pleasure! I've gotten so much from these boards over the years I enjoy giving back!

Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Hi All ...

Well, I feel like I have a bit more energy tonight and will jot down some thoughts, experiences, opinions and advice ...

- Discovered that first thing in the morning, the guns over at the Shootin' Gallery in Frontierland in the MK are all on. Very cool surprise ... my DS and DD had a great time ...

- Went over to the MK tonight and had a bite for dinner at Cosmic Rays ... if you go to Bay 3 they have "home-made" potato chips that are AMAZING!

- Afterward, we headed toward Fantasyland and caught "Wishes" near Winnie the Pooh ... AMAZING! ... years ago we used to watch the fireworks around Dumbo ... same idea. It's very cool because they go up behind Fantasyland. Now with the extra fireworks you're surrounded back there ... really neat!

- OH! ... get a load of this! Went to the studios today and did the backlot tour ... ok, the bad first ... the spiel is now canned ... it really stinks ... very lack luster and insincere . In fact, it didn't start until we were out of the costume and set building. Anyway ... my DD (an unabashed HSM fan ... in fact she has played Gabriella twice by us at two different professional theaters ... HSM and HSM2) ... well she missed a chance to take a pic. of Troy and Gabriella's costumes on display in the costume building (they came up so fast). So ... when we got off the tram, I asked a cast-member if she could just take the tram ride again without the special effects portion because of the missed photo. WELL ... he told us to hold on and made a phone call. Along comes a cast-member in a golf cart who offers to drive my DD,DW and DS back to the building to take photos!!! No room for me, but that was fine. So they told me that they were able to get out and take pictures ... totally amazing and typically Disney!!!

- Had lunch at Sci Fi Dine in Theater ... very cool ... lots of fun.

- Started the day with the Cape May character breakfast ... always a favorite ... then just used the launch to the studios.

- Tomorrow we hope to do some pool hopping and end up at the DVC member event over at the Boardwalk. We absolutely LOVE DVC herself! We think she's hysterical!

I'm sure I'll think of more, but for now I'll let you rest your eyes!

May your trips come quickly and pass slowly!

Dave

 

[WEDway2002]

Hi All ...

********************************************************************************************************************************
I wanted to share this news story that has been reported this week. It seems that there have been 3 arrests recently at area water parks ... the most recent at Typhoon Lagoon. Men have been finding opportunities to touch young girls (the most recent 15) inappropriately. The slime ball (oops ... not PC ) I mean "piece of garbage" at TL even removed the girl's top.
I imagine this must happen in the confusion that takes place in the wave pool or maybe even in the lazy river. They never did specify where ...
Anyway, just wanted to be sure to share this one.
********************************************************************************************************************************

We are actually hoping to do some pool hopping today to the Poly and Boardwalk and even our own Conch flats. We will then go over to join Dee Vee Cee over at the member event at the Boardwalk.

We leave tomorrow ... ... so tonight will be for anything we may have missed. Isn't it amazing that for as many times you come down and however long you stay, you always miss stuff!

Anyway ... we drove down so we have some flexibility tomorrow ... it will probably be one more "go 'round" of the MK and a stop at the World of Disney for some souvenirs.

I'll write at least once or twice more ...

Oh ... I know people are always curious about weather and crowds ... IMHO and in our experience both have been great. Like I've said ... it's been overcast so it really helped the temperature and even last night at the MK it wasn't that crowded at all.

OH ... one more thing I wanted to mention ... we had some great character photo opps. yesterday! Over at the studios in the Animation building we took photos with the gang from "Up!" (LOVE that movie), the Incredibles, Frozone and Handy Manny. All in wonderful air conditioned comfort during a huge storm that rolled by. There are also lots of interactive things the kids can do ... AND ... hold on to your socks ... BENCHES!!! WOO HOO!!! You don't have to take a tour or anything ... just enter the Animation gift shop to the right of the arch for the Animation tour. You go to the rear and sort of follow your way in ... cast-members are there to guide you. It's a little sad, though ... all of this takes place in the area where the animators used to work before they pulled out. Anyway ... the characters from "UP!" (EVEN KEVIN ... poking in ... were terrific ... Doug, Mr. Fredrickson and Russell were all there).

Ok ... talk at you later!

Dave

 

[bobbiwoz]

We waited about 50 minutes for the photo op with the UP! characters. However, it was worth it to us, as you mentioned it's a/c!!! We got to draw Goofy at the drawing lesson.

That area is a gem! I like the Mushu show!

Bobbi

PS.Your news about the happenings at the water parks is very upsetting. We all need to be vigilant.

 

[Checkers]

What a great TR, Dave! We love OKW, too. I am so glad you and your family are having such a terrific time and I know that feeling you get when you know the end of your vacation is so near. Thanks for sharing and have a safe trip home!

 

[GGOOFY1]

Great updates Dave. Sorry to hear it will be ending soon. I'm with you, no matter how long you are there, there is something you miss. I usually get home and go, "Wow, we didn't do ...... this year" Oh well, I guess we'll just have to go back

 

[Donald is #1]

- OH! ... get a load of this! Went to the studios today and did the backlot tour ... ok, the bad first ... the spiel is now canned ... it really stinks ... very lack luster and insincere . In fact, it didn't start until we were out of the costume and set building. Anyway ... my DD (an unabashed HSM fan ... in fact she has played Gabriella twice by us at two different professional theaters ... HSM and HSM2) ... well she missed a chance to take a pic. of Troy and Gabriella's costumes on display in the costume building (they came up so fast). So ... when we got off the tram, I asked a cast-member if she could just take the tram ride again without the special effects portion because of the missed photo. WELL ... he told us to hold on and made a phone call. Along comes a cast-member in a golf cart who offers to drive my DD,DW and DS back to the building to take photos!!! No room for me, but that was fine. So they told me that they were able to get out and take pictures ... totally amazing and typically Disney!!!

Wow that is so great that they took your daughter in to take the photos!

 

[WEDway2002]

Hi gang ....

Well, I thought I'd jot down a few thoughts before we begin to pack and check out ...

I may do a bit of a re-cap once we get home ...

All in all, OKW and the "World" are in great shape and as wonderful as ever!
We come away ready to go home but already talking about our next trip. The cool thing about buying in to the BLT is that by next year, with our banked points there we can have a nice stay in a one bedroom.

- We spent yesterday pool-hopping ... we managed to hit the Poly and Boardwalk ... lots of fun. We just walked in and had a good time.

- The member event over at The Atlantic Ballroom was a little disappointing because Dee Vee Cee wasn't there. They had her "daughter" Ariel Cee ...
she was nice and did a fine job but we miss Dee! I don't know if she is on vacation or is no longer doing it ... I should have asked ...
They had the usual Jeopardy style game and treats ... they also gave out nice DVC red baseball caps.

- We had lunch at Big River and a treat from the Boardwalk bakery

- We took it easy last night and went over to the Contemporary and actually were able to walk around BLT and saw the pool and took some pics. We were worried that we were doing something wrong (it's not open yet), but when we got to the pool, there was a family swimming in it! The lights were all on and the fountains were running ... it looks really cool! Maybe I'll figure out how to post some pics (I'm not so good at that!).

- Well ... we returned to the game room at the Contemporary so my kids could redeem some game tickets and we ate at the Contempo Cafe next to Chef Mickey's. It was very good ... lots of room ... cool ordering via touch-screen monitors and the food was good. Also not too pricey ...

Well ... time to get moving ... we hope to do once last MK stop and a trip over the the World of Disney for a couple of Souvenirs.
Like I've said ... thanks for all your kind words ... this really has been fun.
I hope you all can get down here soon and have wonderful, safe trips.

See ya real soon!

Dave

 

[BigEeyore]

Have a safe trip home! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us!

 

[MamaCrush]

I'm sorry to see you leaving so soon!! I'm sure going to miss your reports and timely information. Be safe in your travels!

 

[GGOOFY1]

Have a safe trip home and thanks for taking us all with you to WDW

 

[lazydazy8]

Great live report, Dave!! Thanks so much for doing this. We felt like we were right there with you!

We're going to try some of things you did in December! Have a safe trip home and an easy transition back to the real world!

 

[WEDway2002]

Thanks for all the kind words, guys!

The report was really a labor of love ... my chance to "give back".

We are home now and very lucky because DW and I teach and our vacation continues! If only the money continued! Our next paycheck comes in Sept. ... BUT ... I will never complain ... you just can't put a price-tag on all this time with our kids!

Looking back on our trip I have to honestly say we have no regrets and all is well at the Happiest Place on Earth!

As I've said before - for those of you anticipating trips, may they come quickly and pass slowly!

Dave

 

[Eeyore18]

Thanks for the report-we stayed at OKW last summer.(we own at SSR) As a teacher too, I don't mind going in the summer because I have time to pack AND don't have to return to work until September!
We leave for our Disney Magic cruise on Saturday!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Thanks Dave, I really enjoyed your trip report.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

PSST Pacific Coast pillows can be bought at JC Penney

Thanks for checking.

 

[DVC4me4Ever]

Lovely TR and thank you for sharing!!! But come on....spill the beans...how many points did you add on while at the BLT Vacation as you Wish event?

You know I only ask because I am getting bitten by that darn BLT addonitis bug....

 

[Ronald Duck]

Dave-

Your TR was the most spirit-brightening one I have EVER read! You "gave back" to the DIS boards in spades! A million thanks.

Any chance you'll be able to post any of your BLT pics?