DIS Dads DDC XXXII: A Dole Whip in Paradise

[AirGoofy]

Was it really crowded at SAB?

Not moreso than other pools. That first day we were there, I posted about guests throwing people's towels and clothes onto the sidewalk. But, I didn't see that the other day we stayed there most of the day. So, I'm guessing it was just a rude people thing.

Love SAB and will stay at BCV just for the pool days. Nothing like getting there in the morning, grabbing a shaded table and spending part of the day just relaxing at the pool. One of the DVC "perks" I liked was pool hopping. There are a lot of restrictions as to where and when you have that perk but we have taken advantage of it. There always is the Clown Pool as a fall back.

I never was much for pool hopping. I guess it's the same reason I didn't like park hopping. I don't want to lose vacation time traveling around.

I def wanna stay at BLT again esp for the pools, when we stayed it was the chilly month and even though DD didn't care if it was chilly and wanted to swim anyways.

Still my favorite. I'm hoping to get a couple days at VGF next year, but number of points to stay there is so incredibly high. I can't imagine I would like it more than BLT. It is 78 points for a week at BWV vs 109 at BLT vs 125 at VGF.

Been off the boards for a couple days so I have some catching up to do, but just had to jump in and brag.
I had a good buddy from college in this weekend and found out he is working on getting his pilots license. He is planning on being qualified by next summer just in time for our 2015 trip. He has access to his company plane so we only have to pay for fuel.

CLIFF. I was just wondering about a little known fact. Cool news on the transportation cost. Think he's ready for that evacuation thing in Batman where the plane flies low and picks me up with the rope?

 

[wasnotafan]

...Is that A good yield for strawberries?...

Too early to tell, but the 4 days of 85+ degree weather really hurt. This cooler weather may help get another bloom out of them. Strawberries are a cool season crop so once you hit much over 80 that switches most strawberries into vegetative growth rather than flowering for berries.

 

[wasnotafan]

...Are those Canadian strawberries?...

Actually,....yes, most of them are! Canada (Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI primarily) produces many of the strawberry plants that are sold in the US. The cool weather usually decreases the disease risk to the plants so we get healthier plants. Unfortunately there have been a few incidents the last few years, but, like good Canadians, they politely cleaned things up and we are good again.

Been off the boards for a couple days so I have some catching up to do, but just had to jump in and brag.
I had a good buddy from college in this weekend and found out he is working on getting his pilots license. He is planning on being qualified by next summer just in time for our 2015 trip. He has access to his company plane so we only have to pay for fuel.

Congrats! Does that mean you don't have to get groped by the TSA? I never disliked flying until after 2001, and then it became a major pain in more places than one.

 

[declansdad]

Evening Guys,

We were away for the last two days, one final volleyball tournament. Proud of all the boys as they finished fourth overall in Tier 2. I relied heavily on Declan as did the team and I was extremely happy with the way he responded. HE even got an invite to an ID camp (one of 2 or 3 grade 7 boys invited). Unfortunately he will be playing at basketball provincials next weekend when the camp happens.

I am glad this is a long weekend here because I'm beat.

 

[theduck619]

Morning guys.

Norm I agree, I don't like park hopping either. We did it a couple of times and it seemed the traveling time between parks was long. That was when we went in May and June though. I think we have decided that after Labor Day is our favorite. The longest wait we had for anything last trip was 15 minutes on Everest.

 

[AirGoofy]

Sunday morning ownage.

Morning guys.

Norm I agree, I don't like park hopping either. We did it a couple of times and it seemed the traveling time between parks was long. That was when we went in May and June though. I think we have decided that after Labor Day is our favorite. The longest wait we had for anything last trip was 15 minutes on Everest.

Yes, we really liked September as well as there were really low crowd levels. We wanted to go late enough in Sept to catch a MNSSHP. October is ok for crowd levels and a bit cooler temperatures, but you must stay away from Columbus Day week, as we had a MK closure on a Wed of that week. The weekends get busier with F&W at Epcot, so we avoid Epcot those days. I thought about going over Thanksgiving week with school being out out so that we cold try a MVMCP. But, I'm afraid of those crowd levels.

 

[theduck619]

Sunday morning ownage. Yes, we really liked September as well as there were really low crowd levels. We wanted to go late enough in Sept to catch a MNSSHP. October is ok for crowd levels and a bit cooler temperatures, but you must stay away from Columbus Day week, as we had a MK closure on a Wed of that week. The weekends get busier with F&W at Epcot, so we avoid Epcot those days. I thought about going over Thanksgiving week with school being out out so that we cold try a MVMCP. But, I'm afraid of those crowd levels.

In 2011 we arrived the Saturday after Turkey Day and the place was deserted. I had heard HS was busy, but we had Epcot to ourselves. There was no party that night or we would have went.

 

[moose615]

Sunday morning ownage. Yes, we really liked September as well as there were really low crowd levels. We wanted to go late enough in Sept to catch a MNSSHP. October is ok for crowd levels and a bit cooler temperatures, but you must stay away from Columbus Day week, as we had a MK closure on a Wed of that week. The weekends get busier with F&W at Epcot, so we avoid Epcot those days. I thought about going over Thanksgiving week with school being out out so that we cold try a MVMCP. But, I'm afraid of those crowd levels.

It's weird how crowd levels are projected differently for US and WDW. My Sept US trip, the crowds are expected to be lower but with the expansion it's expected to be higher then usual.

But also I imagine the Oct ToT 10 miler trip could be busy as well with all the runners around.

 

[declansdad]

Morning Guys,

here is to a lazy Sunday.

 

[AirGoofy]

But also I imagine the Oct ToT 10 miler trip could be busy as well with all the runners around.

True. I wonder if it will just be the weekend or the whole week? I try to avoid the parks on weekend anyway with the locals. I think the MNSSHP starting on Sunday evening is manageable since I'm guessing the locals go to Epcot F&W and bypass MK closing at 7.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Morning guys. I too vote for a lazy Sunday, we all wore ourselves out with all the walking yesterday. Day went well, hit all the usual stops in Frankenmuth, Zahnder's , a few of the better shops and of course Bronners.

Bronners was something of a setback to me, one thing was no Disney ornaments, some sort of licensing issues, and two, I was supposed to bring Pops there for Santa suits and was thinking a lot of how I missed him. Lastly I found it wasn't as great as it once was. A lot more ornaments but less of the other other stuff. Almost no books and CDs etc. They seemed to expand the ornament sections and shrink all the others. Oh well. We did get what we set out to get, minus this years new Disney ornament (we add at least one each year). Today I think I'm heading out on the porch with a book and wait for the prime rib dinner tonight.

For all the August trip dads this year, I was reading where they expanded the HS hours later for most of the months and added the second Fantasmic.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cj9200]

Morning Guys,

If you are headed to S. Florida this week, the weather will be fantastic. Little chance of rain, sunny but not overly hot and humid. Lots of wind though. I would be tempted to drive down to the Keys but the diving would suck. Six to eight foot seas at the reefs. No sense getting bashed around on the boat. We do have a Great White making her way down south. Her name is Katherine and was tagged in the Northeast. Yesterday she was in Miami and is probably in the Keys right now. Would be cool to see her.

Did a few things outside this morning and now just anticipating the Heat/Pacers game. Great day to be alive.

I never was much for pool hopping. I guess it's the same reason I didn't like park hopping. I don't want to lose vacation time traveling around.

We have done it a few times, not many. I like it to check out the resort and of course the pool bars. I look at it like a resort day, just at a different resort.

Too early to tell, but the 4 days of 85+ degree weather really hurt. This cooler weather may help get another bloom out of them. Strawberries are a cool season crop so once you hit much over 80 that switches most strawberries into vegetative growth rather than flowering for berries.

Actually,....yes, most of them are! Canada (Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI primarily) produces many of the strawberry plants that are sold in the US. The cool weather usually decreases the disease risk to the plants so we get healthier plants. Unfortunately there have been a few incidents the last few years, but, like good Canadians, they politely cleaned things up and we are good again.

I may be a geek, but this is interesting. Explains why our strawberries come in February/March. Never knew they were snow birds from Canada.

Hope everyone has a great day.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Actually,....yes, most of them are! Canada (Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI primarily) produces many of the strawberry plants that are sold in the US. The cool weather usually decreases the disease risk to the plants so we get healthier plants. Unfortunately there have been a few incidents the last few years, but, like good Canadians, they politely cleaned things up and we are good

Very fond memories when I was really young if mom and dad bringing home baskets of-quality fresh strawberries they'd go pick. If I can ever get around to digitizing old photos I know there is one of me and my brother posing in the backyard with some. They would pick huge amounts, and dad would take small pints out to all the widows/retirees from the fire dept. I remember doing the rounds with him. He did this on his own accord too. I did go picking with him later on, even when it was the point of picking for ourselves, including doing the entire run myself when he shattered his elbow. He said that was his favorite year, mainly because I did the work, he sat around in the shade with the dog.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[moose615]

True. I wonder if it will just be the weekend or the whole week? I try to avoid the parks on weekend anyway with the locals. I think the MNSSHP starting on Sunday evening is manageable since I'm guessing the locals go to Epcot F&W and bypass MK closing at 7.

I'm sure there are some that stay that long but I'm thinking a lot do similar trips like we are Maybe Wed through Sunday so I imagine the rest of y'all's trip would be lower crowds.

 

[Maroonag1]

Congrats! Does that mean you don't have to get groped by the TSA? I never disliked flying until after 2001, and then it became a major pain in more places than one.

Yup, that's the plan. The other nice thing is we get to fly direct, we don't have to layover and we can basically follow the interstate without having to go way around. Just have to find where the airport for private planes is because we won't be coming into MCO.

Morning Guys,

here is to a lazy Sunday.

Well there boys its a little known fact that lazy Sundays are a myth. They are endorsed by the corporations as a way to get us to work harder during the week chasing this impossible dream.
I will resist the urge and have a beer while I work on Sundays.
What do say Normie, you with me.

 

[AirGoofy]

For all the August trip dads this year, I was reading where they expanded the HS hours later for most of the months and added the second Fantasmic.

I noticed Wishes was pushed back to 10:00PM for Spring and Fall Break. It used to be at 9 for Fall Break. I guess another hour of people in the parks means more $ for WDW and more fun for me.

We have done it a few times, not many. I like it to check out the resort and of course the pool bars. I look at it like a resort day, just at a different resort.
.

We've pool hopped a few times in the beginning. Now, we've tried them all but VGF. I wish I was heading to South Florida and the Keys with you today.

Very fond memories when I was really young if mom and dad bringing home baskets of-quality fresh strawberries they'd go pick. If I can ever get around to digitizing old photos I know there is one of me and my brother posing in the backyard with some. They would pick huge amounts, and dad would take small pints out to all the widows/retirees from the fire dept. I remember doing the rounds with him. He did this on his own accord too. I did go picking with him later on, even when it was the point of picking for ourselves, including doing the entire run myself when he shattered his elbow. He said that was his favorite year, mainly because I did the work, he sat around in the shade with the dog.

My nemesis and I took our families Strawberry picking at Huber farms in Indiana. We ended up with quite a haul as well as a real good visit.

Well there boys its a little known fact that lazy Sundays are a myth. They are endorsed by the corporations as a way to get us to work harder during the week chasing this impossible dream.
I will resist the urge and have a beer while I work on Sundays.
What do say Normie, you with me.

I've read this paragraph several times and it my understanding that you are resisting the urge to work today, and want to drink a beer with me. I'm in. :

 

[budamacdvcr]

Sounds like all are enjoying a low key weekend. Getting ready for the Hawks game and laying low as I have a couple of days of business travel starting tomorrow.
We do not do the pool hopping but we do like to park hop some as it breaks up the day. Our park hops are along the lines of HS at open and then head over to EPCOT for dinner and illuminations especially when we are at BCV or BWV.

Evening Guys, We were away for the last two days, one final volleyball tournament. Proud of all the boys as they finished fourth overall in Tier 2. I relied heavily on Declan as did the team and I was extremely happy with the way he responded. HE even got an invite to an ID camp (one of 2 or 3 grade 7 boys invited). Unfortunately he will be playing at basketball provincials next weekend when the camp happens. I am glad this is a long weekend here because I'm beat.

Congrats to Declan!

 

[theduck619]

My nemesis and I took our families Strawberry picking at Huber farms in Indiana. We ended up with quite a haul as well as a real good visit

It was a good time. Next time we can stay at the wine bar and drink port while all the kids pick the fields!

Go Pacers

 

[Maroonag1]

.

I've read this paragraph several times and it my understanding that you are resisting the urge to work today, and want to drink a beer with me. I'm in. :

So my plan of confusing everyone into drinking is working. Excellent.
I am working at home but I plan on drinking thru it.

 

[cj9200]

We've pool hopped a few times in the beginning. Now, we've tried them all but VGF. I wish I was heading to South Florida and the Keys with you today.

Come on over and I'll get some steaks to put on the grill. Not a good sports day in Miami, Heat and Marlins losing badly. Would rather sit outside with my feet up, sip some good bourbon and enjoy the weather.