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

[tinkerbell60]

So, by the way, my SIL and brother had their baby....I am now an aunt to 8 lbs 3oz, Gannon Michael!

My pics aren't showing up. (I was able to link to fb before but not now?) I'll work on it.

Congratulations!! New babies are always exciting.

Love the pictures of your girls, those moments are so special.

 

[MeMom]

Looking forward to seeing these this Saturday!

That's Lilly. She has gotten a lot of publicity not only for being the new baby, but for the therapy is she is getting due to her special needs.

Love it! I am a teacher, so I love to see kids excited about learning. I also love that she watches the video often.

That fruit platter is one of our Flame Tree favorites. Sometimes the light, cool fruit is the best thing on a hot Animal Kingdom day.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Welcome!

Looking forward to seeing these this Saturday!

This Saturday! Lucky you!!! Enjoy- as if you need to be told!

That's Lilly. She has gotten a lot of publicity not only for being the new baby, but for the therapy is she is getting due to her special needs.
I asked when we were there if her name was Lily! I thought I read it, but the cast member couldn't confirm. Ugh! I'll have to read about her special needs.
Love it! I am a teacher, so I love to see kids excited about learning. I also love that she watches the video often.


You'd love my kids; they love to learn! What grade do you teach? I teach 11th graders (the love of learning isn't quite the same for all of them )
That fruit platter is one of our Flame Tree favorites. Sometimes the light, cool fruit is the best thing on a hot Animal Kingdom day.
I think it is a great summer option; it didn't get devoured like I expected this past trip.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Old Key West...

I wanted to try OKW to see if we should spend our summer trip there...I was worried about the lack of a good counter service' and I was concerned about the size of the resort...

We hoped the AK bus and chatted with another couple. They only stay at OKW and love it...

Soon, we arrived.

We go inside to check in,

and the CM who helped me must have been new...or very slow to process. This had the disadvantage of being the slowest check-in EVER, but had the advantage of learning that our room was not a renovated one. ALSO we were able to select where our renovated room should be. Now, we had never even been on property at OKW, and I am not good at reading maps. (I should have called over dh who has a degree in geography, no seriously from the University of Delaware...) I looked at multiple buildings and choices and selected...Turtle Pond building 39...Finally,

We headed to bell services who loaded us up

and took us to our room. Okay, so I think this is quite cool. On the way, I chatted with the CM who was personable and helpful.

(I took the pics after we moved in and tried to make the room presentable!)

After a bit of down time, we walked to the bus stop, which was close (yeah me!), and hopped a bus to Epcot.

We went to Sum of all Thrills first...stopped at Club Cool while they were still open, and then headed to find a place to eat. No set plan, could have been disastrous! We were going to eat counter in China, but menu didn't appeal to me...hungry dh (almost as bad as hungry dd), add some crowds and cold weather! We headed back to Mexico and ate at the new La Cantina. It was crowded; I went up to order and the girls went to find a table (while dh watched them and stood to help me as needed.)

Cheese Empanada - me

Nachos - girls to share (along with hot chocolate)

Taco de Carne

Churros all the way around!

Kids enjoyed dinner...

I highly recommend this counter service restaurant! I imagine that in the summer it is going to be ridiculous the number of people who try to get a table and stay there to see Illuminations. It did seem that cast members were nearby, probably to make sure no one just sat for a long time, but can they really make you move? Two could start at 7 with an app. get a meal around 8 and dessert at 8:45, right?

OKW- more on our opinion in the next couple of posts as we developed it.

 

[Queenofallthings]

OKW looks beautiful ... I can't wait to hear more about what you thought!

We will definitely be trying out that CS this summer...the food looks amazing!

 

[tinkerbell60]

I am looking forward to the OKW reviews -

What are Lily's special needs?? I have pictures of her when she was first born - just a couple weeks old, during spring break last year, and then last July. Amazing how much she had grown.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Congratulations on becoming an Aunt!!

The photos of OKW look fab though I'd be scared of getting lost in such a big resort! Those nachos do look tempting...may have to pay La Cantina a visit.

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

So far OKW looks really nice. Funny, it isn't a resort I have ever really looked into, I think when we were planning our September holiday we looked and rejected most resorts at least once or twice, but OKW never came up. I am interested to see how you enjoyed it, can't wait for more photos.

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

great update! I must admit, we greatly disliked OKW but were there with free DVC points from a friend so we weren't going to complain but we had so many issues at check-in and the room that we were supposed to get we never got since it was never check off as being clean. We thought the rooms were very run down but after seeing your pics, it looks much better! We have never been able to get late check-out at any resort but were denied there saying that we weren't the DVC members so we couldn't get the late check-out but if we were DVC they could give us an hour or so..wow.

So anyways, I'll be curious to see what your thoughs were on it as well. We thought it was not so great that they didn't offer a counter service but if you go into it with the idea that you have a kitchen and can cook and serve small meals, you don't need a decent CS. Just my opinions!

 

[mgsmom]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You're an aunt! It's the best job EVER!

I'm loving the pics of OKW - it really has a beach-y, outer banks kind of look to it. Very homey (for me anyway).

I can't wait to check out the new CS at Mexico - looks great! We are big fans of San Angel, but weren't able to stay and eat last time because it scared DD - I think it was the volcano...

Good call on people waiting for Illuminations - I wonder how they handle that? Geez, I'd be so hopped up on margaritas waiting that long... fireworks? What fireworks?

 

[Charleston Princess]

Old Key West looks absolutely gorgeous! I hope you fell in love with it!

We have an ADR for the new TS in Mexico -- I hope it is as good as your CS was!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

OKW looks beautiful ... I can't wait to hear more about what you thought!

We will definitely be trying out that CS this summer...the food looks amazing!

The food was delicious and the atmosphere was cool. I am toying with trying La Hacienda for a dinner this summer. I can't decide.

I am looking forward to the OKW reviews -

What are Lily's special needs?? I have pictures of her when she was first born - just a couple weeks old, during spring break last year, and then last July. Amazing how much she had grown.

Hopefully, Memom will come back and fill us in. (She is a little busy in our favorite place right now!)

Congratulations on becoming an Aunt!!

The photos of OKW look fab though I'd be scared of getting lost in such a big resort! Those nachos do look tempting...may have to pay La Cantina a visit.

Thanks! It was large, but well laid out- although with a wrong turn, you could get mixed up. La Cantina not only had good food, but the atmosphere was cool. I think you should add it to your list.

So far OKW looks really nice. Funny, it isn't a resort I have ever really looked into, I think when we were planning our September holiday we looked and rejected most resorts at least once or twice, but OKW never came up. I am interested to see how you enjoyed it, can't wait for more photos.

Without giving away too much...you won't miss out.

great update! I must admit, we greatly disliked OKW but were there with free DVC points from a friend so we weren't going to complain but we had so many issues at check-in and the room that we were supposed to get we never got since it was never check off as being clean. We thought the rooms were very run down but after seeing your pics, it looks much better! We have never been able to get late check-out at any resort but were denied there saying that we weren't the DVC members so we couldn't get the late check-out but if we were DVC they could give us an hour or so..wow.

So anyways, I'll be curious to see what your thoughs were on it as well. We thought it was not so great that they didn't offer a counter service but if you go into it with the idea that you have a kitchen and can cook and serve small meals, you don't need a decent CS. Just my opinions!

My opinions coming up!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! You're an aunt! It's the best job EVER!

I'm loving the pics of OKW - it really has a beach-y, outer banks kind of look to it. Very homey (for me anyway).

I can't wait to check out the new CS at Mexico - looks great! We are big fans of San Angel, but weren't able to stay and eat last time because it scared DD - I think it was the volcano...

Good call on people waiting for Illuminations - I wonder how they handle that? Geez, I'd be so hopped up on margaritas waiting that long... fireworks? What fireworks?

It was very beachy and nice...The CS is one I'd recommend, and in the summer a margarita would be ideal!!! It was pretty with lights hanging, right on the water. Maybe that's the plan, sell so many drinks people don't notice that they are being escorted for others to use their table or have the need to use the lavs so great, they have to leave their tables.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Old Key West looks absolutely gorgeous! I hope you fell in love with it!

We have an ADR for the new TS in Mexico -- I hope it is as good as your CS was!

We didn't fall in love, which is okay. I am considering an ADR for La Hacienda, but I can't decide!? The menu seems limited. I really only want to go there to see Illuminations, but what if we get seated in the room with no view??

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Today's early morning was required - Hollywood Studios! (Not that we aren't early birds every other day!)

We got up and got dressed. The girls ate oatmeal for breakfast. (I packed a couple of instant single serve packs and saved them for OKW since I knew the CS wouldn't be convenient.) Made coffee for me and dh. Aside from easy food for girls, I also bring disposible travel coffee cups for us to take our coffee on the go! The night before dh stayed on the bus to get creamer for our coffee. He ended up walking back to the room. He said it was probably quicker than the bus. I forgot to add to that I ran over to spend our snack credits that would have expired at midnight. I picked up a chocolate chip muffin and cinamon roll at Sunshine seasons while dh and girls went to do test track. So dh and I ate those for breakfast.

We headed for the bus stop to hit opening at HS. We arrived in time to do the Toy Story Mania Dash! (I sent dh ahead to get FPs while we walked at a normal pace!) The girls and I cued up and were almost entering the line part where dh wouldn't be able to join us with passing people in the ropes...biting my nails... we pulled over a bit and let a family or two pass and dh walked up. whew! The family in front of us had the same situation but kept going and the cm let their dad go under the rope to be with them.

We had a blast as toys as usual, and we headed to RnR

With such a low wait time, we went again! This time I took some pics of ToT. From the highway, I saw the scaffolding, but I didn't read anywhere before we left that TOT would be refurbed. I asked the CM at the entrance, and she looked to make sure that it wasn't closed. I read on someone else's report that when the window opened they saw a worker in a hard hat standing there, which prompted hysterical laughter from them. We didn't have that experience, but I thought it was funny.

Picture of me and Hannah:

What dh looks like while waiting in line...

My budding photographer (LOVE that their Memom bought them iTouches!)

Over to the scaffolding...

After the ride, the girls wanted to go again, and I decided to go off on my own... continued in next post.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I promise to come back later and allow everyone to virtually shop with me!!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Interruption to your regularly scheduled program...Hannah had a friend sleep over...they played spies and dressed the part...(not comfortable posting her friend's pic...)

Then it was on to fashion model - to which mom painted nails, curled hair, etc. After changing out of fancy dress... Hannah went for the casual look...

Then, Emma wanted her hair curled and a photo shoot...she wanted the sneakers included in her shot. (BTW - this is Emma's daily style.)

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Also, here is the NEPHEW!!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Aww, sooo cute that the girls dressed up! That's really adorable!

Get this....so I have a twin in my class and one day the sister comes in with a birthday treat! So I say to the one in my class, "Kayla! Today is your birthday?!?!" She says, "No. It's tomorrow!"

Kelly was born at 11:45pm and Kayla was born at 12:05am! They are identical twins with different birthdays! I thought that was the coolest thing!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Aww, sooo cute that the girls dressed up! That's really adorable!

Get this....so I have a twin in my class and one day the sister comes in with a birthday treat! So I say to the one in my class, "Kayla! Today is your birthday?!?!" She says, "No. It's tomorrow!"

Kelly was born at 11:45pm and Kayla was born at 12:05am! They are identical twins with different birthdays! I thought that was the coolest thing!

That is awesome for them. From watching mine, I think it has to be so hard to share everything...it is a bit more than siblings because people sometimes forget their identity.

I think it would be cool for one to be born Dec 31 and the other Jan 1 - just to have different years and blow people's minds! Kelly and Kayla probably already deal with a bunch of confused people not understanding how their birthday isn't the same. haha.

 

[TanzUnited99]

on riding all three of the top rides at HS!

The pics of the girls in their different roles look great and your nephew looks gorgeous