DH is a mailman...neither snow nor rain-Jan '11 TR (UPDATE 3/31)

[disneydreamingdebby]

The OKW pool looks like fun! Great WPE food pics...am looking forward to eating there on our trip.

Thanks for your thoughts on OKW...have read that it is not very Disney like but I suppose some people would prefer it that way!

It was beautiful and when we want a getaway to relax (which we know is not a Disney vacation hehe) we will stay there again.

great update!!!!

I was interested to hear your thoughts of OKW!! We thought the same thing. It was nice but if we were prepared to stock a mini kitchen (just like going to the beach) and planned on not going to parks and just hanging out (just like going to the beach), it would be a great place for us. We also disliked the lack of counter service, mousekeeping, and check-in process (we even got some attitude!)

The food looks good!

Staff was nice, but it isn't conducive to commando park goers like us!

I know we definitely should be!! I am currently trying to talk my mom into it, but the initial price is just a bit of "sticker shock" for her. We are hoping to join within the next 2-3 years. I definitely want to be a DVC member!

Oh yes and I believe we were there in January at around the same time! Feel free to follow along with our TR, we had a blast!

Wow I wish my teachers would have Disney Friday!!! That would be such a blast! I wouldn't ever miss one of those! I was quizzed by my Biology teacher the other day to see if I knew what EPCOT stood for, and I said "Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow," and my entire class turned around and looked at me like I was nuts. A few of my close friends just laughed because they already knew how Disney crazy I am. My Biology teacher was very impressed.

I only have one or two Disney fans of my 140 students...most of the others tolerate my Disney obsession (they just can't understand...)

Your TR is on my reading list for this weekend...you are included with Salman Rushdie, D'Arcy McNickle, and Richard Peck...hehe

Does your mom know about DVC resale? That's the only way we were able to buy into DVC...prices might be even lower soon with the changes to the rules. Please tell your mom that if she has any questions about it, I'd love to answer them...she can pm me.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I only have one or two Disney fans of my 140 students...most of the others tolerate my Disney obsession (they just can't understand...)

Your TR is on my reading list for this weekend...you are included with Salman Rushdie, D'Arcy McNickle, and Richard Peck...hehe

Does your mom know about DVC resale? That's the only way we were able to buy into DVC...prices might be even lower soon with the changes to the rules. Please tell your mom that if she has any questions about it, I'd love to answer them...she can pm me.

Haha well they just don't know what they're missing.

I hope you enjoy the TR!

I do not really know too much about DVC resale myself! If you don't mind, she would like to PM you! Thanks so much!!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I don't mind at all! I am glad to answer a million and two questions!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

All caught up! Comments from the beginning

Okay, so here are my comments for your 2009 report- I guess this gives subscribing late a new meaning!

I read PTR May and jumped ahead to your daughter being ill and your worry over not being able to go.

The airport will be so much easier for you now, or in a couple of years. With the nine year olds it is seemless (well for the most part.)

I am so excited to go to BLT now! Love that your daughter wanted to play in the sand and relax at BLT and YOU TOTALLY LET HER!!! You rock as a MOM! I think DVC really helps me and dh relax and not have to do it all.

I don't know how you passed up the FREE tixs to the party, but it has been a while since I had an eight month old.

Very cool about the survivor bag - I didn't know about it!

Debby

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Haha well they just don't know what they're missing.

I hope you enjoy the TR!

I do not really know too much about DVC resale myself! If you don't mind, she would like to PM you! Thanks so much!!

Okay- so I am reading your trip report--yours (Kristen, right?) and 508 (Jess?). So your mom Sue, is not the one in the TR, right?

I do better keeping track of my dis friends when I can place a pic to a name... I can see the differences in you and Jess, but I can see why people think you are sisters... (Your mom looks liek Snow White - or Katy Perry depending. hehe)

Okay, going back to the Port report!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Okay- so I am reading your trip report--yours (Kristen, right?) and 508 (Jess?). So your mom Sue, is not the one in the TR, right?

I do better keeping track of my dis friends when I can place a pic to a name... I can see the differences in you and Jess, but I can see why people think you are sisters... (Your mom looks liek Snow White - or Katy Perry depending. hehe)

Okay, going back to the Port report!

Yes, I am Kristen and Jess is the other one. Sue is my mother, but she is not the mom in the TR, that is Jess' mom. Yes, Jess and I are definitely distinguishable, but we do often get comments about how alike we look/are. Have fun with the Port Report! I am just about to respond to your PM.

 

[Charleston Princess]

We have never eaten at the Studio Catering Company, but it looks very tasty! Was the buffalo chicken sandwich very spicy?

Had to laugh when you wrote, "I am only that mom until people walk up." Same here!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

We have never eaten at the Studio Catering Company, but it looks very tasty! Was the buffalo chicken sandwich very spicy?

I don't think it was too spicy...but we like spicy. So, I guess it depends on your tastes...I didn't want my one dd to eat it- she doesn't like spicy, but the other one didn't think it was too hot.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

So, here we are, our last full day. Originally, we were taking a flight home around 4 pm, but around 30 days before I convinced dh that we should stay an additional night and leave in the morning. I am so glad that we did.

We woke up with the whole day ahead of us, and no worries about fitting it in. It is so nice when you know you' ll be back soon!

We decided to head over to Captain Cook's for some Tonga Toast for breakfast...quick bus ride to the MK, a monorail to the Poly!

Enjoy these pics...I LOVE them!

Good Morning MK! We will see you real soon (like right after breakfast!)

Well hello there BLT - we will see you this summer!

I thought this was a beautiful shot for my dear friend, but I'm not sure.. Is this Fort Wilderness?

The convenience of the Poly...

And at last...TONGA TOAST!!!

Dh's platter

Posing at the Poly

 

[mgsmom]

I thought this was a beautiful shot for my dear friend, but I'm not sure.. Is this Fort Wilderness?

[/IMG]

Thank you so much for the shot - it really is a great one!
But - I believe that is the boat dock for Wilderness Lodge. The FW boat dock is actually right off of a long beach (Clementine's Beach) with beach chairs, tether ball poles, and volleyball nets. There is also a small marina there with boats for rent. It is around the corner from WL. It's kind of tucked away. Best kept secret... shhhhh!!!

Tonga toast looks mighty good! Looks like a great start to the last day! Your girls are really so cute!

Nice pictures, too. I told DH we need to look for a new camera for our next trip - a good P/S as we are terrible photographers. There are a couple of Canons that look interesting.

I bet you guys will love BLT - being in the middle of everything like that will be right up your alley!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Thank you so much for the shot - it really is a great one!
But - I believe that is the boat dock for Wilderness Lodge. The FW boat dock is actually right off of a long beach (Clementine's Beach) with beach chairs, tether ball poles, and volleyball nets. There is also a small marina there with boats for rent. It is around the corner from WL. It's kind of tucked away. Best kept secret... shhhhh!!!

Tonga toast looks mighty good! Looks like a great start to the last day! Your girls are really so cute!

Nice pictures, too. I told DH we need to look for a new camera for our next trip - a good P/S as we are terrible photographers. There are a couple of Canons that look interesting.

I bet you guys will love BLT - being in the middle of everything like that will be right up your alley!

Wilderness Lodge makes sense! Thank you.

I love my Nikon Cool Pix P&S...highly recommend it! (And I really think the reason my pictures are so good is because of the Canon Xsi.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Love all the pictures - they are so good! Was glad to see one of the Tonga Toast after it being mentioned at the start of the post - can't wait to try one

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

great update!! The dock is from WL which is a fav of mine so I love the pic!!!

Glad to see that BLT will be your home this summer!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Gorgeous pictures of the early morning boat ride!!! Love how it is all foggy!

What a phenomenal picture of the monorail! That's an awesome shot!!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Beautiful pics of the early morning on the lagoon! I LOVE that picture of the Wilderness Lodge boat dock! Can't wait to see what the rest of your last day was like!

 

[tinkerbell60]

Catching up......we always have trouble getting back from DTD too.....always seem to take forever! I love the early am pictures at the Poly.

Could you explain the Dining Plan? Were the TS meals separated on each card? And how do you do a different dining plan every other day?

 

[Queenofallthings]

I love early mornings in the World and your pictures actually make me feel like I'm right there....I can't pick a fav That tonga toast looks devine and of course the girls are a precious as always

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Beautiful shots, there is just something special about early morning photos. I can't wait to try Tonga Toast! I hope that it lives up to the expectations. It is sad that this is your last full day but I am sure that you made the most of it, I can't wait to hear about how you spent your day.

 

[Marshay]

I think the last week of January is the best! We went that week this year. It was perfect. Its a little more crowded for MLK cause all schools have that day off.

We just decided Jan 20 - 28th!

Okay, so here are my comments for your 2009 report- I guess this gives subscribing late a new meaning!

I read PTR May and jumped ahead to your daughter being ill and your worry over not being able to go.

The airport will be so much easier for you now, or in a couple of years. With the nine year olds it is seemless (well for the most part.)

I am so excited to go to BLT now! Love that your daughter wanted to play in the sand and relax at BLT and YOU TOTALLY LET HER!!! You rock as a MOM! I think DVC really helps me and dh relax and not have to do it all.

I don't know how you passed up the FREE tixs to the party, but it has been a while since I had an eight month old.

Very cool about the survivor bag - I didn't know about it!

Debby

You will LOVE, LOVE BLT!! It is the perfect resort IMHO. We can't wait to go back!!

Yeah, when she said she wanted to go play in the sand...my 1st thought is What?!? Let's go to the parks! But as you said, DVC has changed the way we do Disney. I think I actually learned that lesson in Nov 2010...it finally became true for me that we'll be going back every 1-2 years...maybe even 2x a year.

Our May trip is at Kidani (our 1st for Kidani...stayed at Jambo previously 2x) and we plan to really relax more...walk around the resort...go swimming and do the bead activities they have for kids.

They don't have the survivor bag anymore. The person running it moved out of state.

I know -- I really wanted to go to the MVMCP -- and free tickets!!! But it was not the right thing for us at the time...we were battling colds/flus, the girls were really young, etc.

Your pictures are just simply gorgeous!! I love the palm trees in the fog!

So glad you guys got to stay another night..le

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Love all the pictures - they are so good! Was glad to see one of the Tonga Toast after it being mentioned at the start of the post - can't wait to try one

It is certainly a large serving; I recommend sharing!

great update!! The dock is from WL which is a fav of mine so I love the pic!!!

Glad to see that BLT will be your home this summer!

Glad to bring back a memory for you. Excited about BLT.

Gorgeous pictures of the early morning boat ride!!! Love how it is all foggy!

What a phenomenal picture of the monorail! That's an awesome shot!!!

Most pictures were actually taken from the monorail- we only rode DTD boat from OKW... Too chilly to go from Poly to MK...

Beautiful pics of the early morning on the lagoon! I LOVE that picture of the Wilderness Lodge boat dock! Can't wait to see what the rest of your last day was like!

Thanks - I think these pics are cool.

Catching up......we always have trouble getting back from DTD too.....always seem to take forever! I love the early am pictures at the Poly.

Could you explain the Dining Plan? Were the TS meals separated on each card? And how do you do a different dining plan every other day?

I think we will drive to DTD in the summer...

Each card has all of the credits. (I use my daughter's cards to pay for our meals to avoid any extra charges.) So for five nights for two adults and two kids, you have 10 Adult TS credits and 10 Children Table Service Credits; 20 Counter Service Credits and 20 snack credits. DVC is allowing members to segment their vacations to have dining options of different plans, different days. Cash paying guests either take the same plan for the entire stay OR you can do a split stay and have different dining for different parts of your trip.

I hope this answers your question, if not ask again.

I love early mornings in the World and your pictures actually make me feel like I'm right there....I can't pick a fav That tonga toast looks devine and of course the girls are a precious as always

Glad to give you a quick trip to Disney! and thanks!

Beautiful shots, there is just something special about early morning photos. I can't wait to try Tonga Toast! I hope that it lives up to the expectations. It is sad that this is your last full day but I am sure that you made the most of it, I can't wait to hear about how you spent your day.

I hope it does too - but I worry about your expectations not being met because of all of us hyping things so much!!

We just decided Jan 20 - 28th!

You will LOVE, LOVE BLT!! It is the perfect resort IMHO. We can't wait to go back!!

Yeah, when she said she wanted to go play in the sand...my 1st thought is What?!? Let's go to the parks! But as you said, DVC has changed the way we do Disney. I think I actually learned that lesson in Nov 2010...it finally became true for me that we'll be going back every 1-2 years...maybe even 2x a year.

Our May trip is at Kidani (our 1st for Kidani...stayed at Jambo previously 2x) and we plan to really relax more...walk around the resort...go swimming and do the bead activities they have for kids.

They don't have the survivor bag anymore. The person running it moved out of state.

I know -- I really wanted to go to the MVMCP -- and free tickets!!! But it was not the right thing for us at the time...we were battling colds/flus, the girls were really young, etc.

Your pictures are just simply gorgeous!! I love the palm trees in the fog!

So glad you guys got to stay another night..le

Great dates! (We might see you there...I won't know until next Nov. (when dh can put in for the dates) but I will check in with you then!

I love the hustle and bustle and FOOD (which is why OKW wasn't a fav.) so I keep picking Jambo.