Dr. Jones and the Spitting Camel - Link to Alaska Cruise TR 9/18

[eandesmom]

You are such a great mom for keeping your COOL through all of that. I'm sure I would have more than one meltdown by that point. SAB looks amazing... still not sure I can get past the New England theming, which being from New England, I find a little...well, familiar, let's say. Although, it does look gorgeous. And the proximity to EPCOT can't be equaled, I'm guessing, particularly if you're like me and that's your favorite park.

I'm not sure I kept it with Evan but I think it was Jeff he pushed over the edge so I got grounded too. Actually I didn't entirely keep my cool with Jeff when he made that announcement as it meant I didn't get pool time or food right away but....it was the right punishment at the time and ultimately worked out for the best.

I can see that about the theming, we feel a little bit like that at WL although we still love the resort theming. It's interesting though, at WL to me the best part of the pool is really the view of the Lodge whereas at SAB you don't really see the resorts at all. SAB has so much more than the other pools with the river, the slide, the sands, the volleyball, everything and of course just in pure size. It's really unique.

And I really hope you all liked Tutto. We went there for lunch last year and it was really good. I'm not going to say it was the best food I've ever eaten, as I'm Italian and from the Northeast where Italians are not exactly in short supply (although many of us are pretty short....), but our meals were very fresh and delicious. It was among the top three meals of our trip last year.

It can be hard when you are an "expert" in a certain cuisine to have something live up to the status of "best" on vacation, that's great that it made top 3!

I would love to be at Stormalong Bay right now! I think it has something to do with the snow Mother Nature has been dumping all over New England that's tickling my pool fancy.

No snow here, just wet and grey but I'd love to be there now as well. Although I need to get my workout groove back on before I put on a swimsuit. Gym drama has caused me to lose ground but I hope to be well on track for May!

Looks like a great time, and I'm hoping everything at Tutto works out!

It was a great, albeit late, afternoon!

Oh, I love the look of SAB! I will make sure that I will stay at the BCV at least once to be able to go to this pool!

Oh you'd love it! It is just lovely!!!

Which reminds me that I did not want to post about the DVC changes on Jen's and LL's thread (did not want to take it too off topic), but happily will reply to you on your own thread on this:

I saw it, I had read about the rumors just after I put my offer in and then was very afraid of what it might be and that I might close after they announced a change, some of those rumors hinted towards early December. And it wasn't certain that contracts bought previous would be grandfathered... I was therefore very relieved when my resale closed in late November!

I am very happy that finally we know what is going to happen! I am also slightly happy to know that I will not be affected by this change even though it would most likely not make me rethink my decision. Once I saw how many points you need to stay at the non-DVC Disney hotels, I really could not see myself going for this. I understand that there are some circumstances where it might make sense (points in holding accounts etc.). And of course having to fly across the Atlantic to use my points, there might be times when it will be difficult for me to actually use them. But my plan is to rather rent them out if this is the case and use the money for another vacation. I even have some friends here in Germany who might be interested in renting my points if I can't use them. Of course, I am lucky and nothing has changed for me since I will be grandfathered in. I am not too concerned about resale value, I rather see this as a nice bonus that I could even get some money back in case I need or want to sell. The only thing I would be concerned if I would not be able to sell my points at all in a case when I could not afford to pay the annual dues and thus really had to sell. I don't see that happening in the near future, though...

Ok, now I have rambled on for quite a bit, but you asked about it!!

I found it interesting what they chose to restrict and agree that for most it wouldn't impact much as in general it is not a good use of points. I guess my fear is continued changes and diminishing value on resale. I wouldn't be surprised if someone fights that and Disney loses, it will be interesting to see. I just got the new incentives from Disney yesterday and while it's mildly better than the December offer, not enough to make me bite quite yet. I find it interesting that they aren't offering developer points for Aulani, that seems like a miss to me.

Wow what a stressful way to start the transfer of resorts, hopefully swimming in SAB made up for it...it looks gorgeous!

Can't wait to hear what you guys thought of tuttua italia

SAB was just what we all needed!

 

[Native NYer]

Thanks Jennifer! Which ones did you like better? GF or Poly? See, this is why you should do a TR, we never get to see any pics!!!

Beaches and Cream huh....

Maybe a tr for this summer's trip. I haven't attempted one for our August trip because I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up.

I did post Photopass pics on FB

Now, I have to go read your update

 

[Native NYer]

Oh I'm so glad everyone got experience SAB and Sandie and Paul were on their way!

So smart to just use Taylor's KTTW to get Evan into SAB.

Thank goodness you didn't have a major swimsuit malfunction!

I liked the burgers at B&C. Not sure if they are the same at HH. I just had a hot dog at HH.

 

[eandesmom]

Maybe a tr for this summer's trip. I haven't attempted one for our August trip because I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up.

I did post Photopass pics on FB

Now, I have to go read your update

I'll need to go check out your pics, I've seen some as they've gone up but must have missed the photo session

Oh I'm so glad everyone got experience SAB and Sandie and Paul were on their way!

So smart to just use Taylor's KTTW to get Evan into SAB.

Thank goodness you didn't have a major swimsuit malfunction!

I liked the burgers at B&C. Not sure if they are the same at HH. I just had a hot dog at HH.

Yes, thank goodness is right! It wasn't really in danger of a malfunction though but an adjustment was definitely in order! Poor Kendall got a wedgie on the slide at TL...which is why I wore shorts but this was a different issue entirely.

Yeah, I'm not sure why we didn't think of just swapping cards before...DOH!

 

[Happydog]

I realize that I didn't say much about your SAB post, and after our fabulous summer I know it is an easy sell for anyone with kids around ours in age! Wasn't it nice to just relax knowing they were able to keep themselves occupied and safe until whenever!?!? It was very easy to just hang out at that pool our last day in Disney b/c without a park pass, that pool gave us plenty to do!!! Glad you enjoyed it, and I am sure there are more pool days/nights/afternoons in store!!!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

that pool sounds like alot of fun, i didnt realize it was so big.

and didnt know theyhad kind of a jet type pool...sorta like a lazy river?

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, great update. I don't know how you stayed so "cool" through all that. Glad to hear the other travelers got on a plane, but sorry for such a late arrival.

One of the main reasons I want to stay at the Beach Club is for the pool. It just looks like so much fun.

Sorry about the squirrel and your cheeseburger. Obviously, he/she thought it was pretty good.

 

[Native NYer]

Cynthia,

I'm still debating BCV and YC. I the YC, but the space in the villas is nice. However, will we really use a kitchen and w/d for 3 nights? We're paying for those 3 nights and not using points (we don't want to borrow points). While I'm hoping for an AP discount, YC is still way cheaper than a 2 br at BCV.

Your tr is definitely pushing me towards YC. The rooms are so nice.

 

[glennbo123]

What a day! I was afraid you were going to say that you went to Yacht Club via Downtown Disney. Yikes, we know how that can turn out.

that you happened upon Club Cool at just the time you needed it. I wonder how much product gets dispensed from that little oasis on an average day?

Mr. Cool got in trouble? Say it ain't so!

That'd be awesome to see your hamburger-stealing squirrel show up in another TR.

And on the DVC discussion...I saw that too and immediately thought of Magdalene's recent purchase. Talk about perfect timing! Our current points were purchased through Disney, but I was thinking about an add-on through resale, so this whole thing throws a wrench into that. I agree, that it won't affect us in how we plan to use our points, but I'm not happy with what it might do to our potential resale value, and I'm worried about what's next.

 

[eandesmom]

I realize that I didn't say much about your SAB post, and after our fabulous summer I know it is an easy sell for anyone with kids around ours in age! Wasn't it nice to just relax knowing they were able to keep themselves occupied and safe until whenever!?!? It was very easy to just hang out at that pool our last day in Disney b/c without a park pass, that pool gave us plenty to do!!! Glad you enjoyed it, and I am sure there are more pool days/nights/afternoons in store!!!

It is! Although you can actually lose a child there. Or at least I can. Or Eric can (get lost) depending on how you look at it. That thing is so HUGE it's easy for them to move to a totally different area and you (I mean me) have no idea where they went and with that many people, hard to spot them. And, while unlikely they'd get out due to the limited entries...not impossible.

I can easily see a full resort day there and not missing a thing elsewhere!

that pool sounds like alot of fun, i didnt realize it was so big.

and didnt know theyhad kind of a jet type pool...sorta like a lazy river?

Two different hings actually. A lazy river that's actually pretty fast and quite deep. You need a flotation device to be in it..which meant renting, which we didn't do. We tried to go float around it but it was a bit awkward without a tube as it's so deep. The sinking sands have swirling waters...as well as sinking sand under your toes. So it swirls you around gently but it not nearly as deep.

Cynthia, great update. I don't know how you stayed so "cool" through all that. Glad to hear the other travelers got on a plane, but sorry for such a late arrival.

We were just relieved they were on the plane at that point otherwise someone would have been sleeping on the floor!

One of the main reasons I want to stay at the Beach Club is for the pool. It just looks like so much fun.

Sorry about the squirrel and your cheeseburger. Obviously, he/she thought it was pretty good.

Happy to feed the wildlife, at least it was just a squirrel and not the snake that Trish saw. I can't say enough about the pool!

Cynthia,

I'm still debating BCV and YC. I the YC, but the space in the villas is nice. However, will we really use a kitchen and w/d for 3 nights? We're paying for those 3 nights and not using points (we don't want to borrow points). While I'm hoping for an AP discount, YC is still way cheaper than a 2 br at BCV.

Your tr is definitely pushing me towards YC. The rooms are so nice.

Since you'll have the kitchen and w/d once you leave I'd probably go for the YC myself. You'll have a fridge and coffee maker which should get you through the 3 days. Definitely if you are paying that seems a better way to go unless you get a great PIN of some sort.

What a day! I was afraid you were going to say that you went to Yacht Club via Downtown Disney. Yikes, we know how that can turn out.

I think the moral here is DTD to anywhere takes forever. Kind of a bummer but UGH. Not a quick way to anywhere except maybe the resorts that connect to DTD via boat.

that you happened upon Club Cool at just the time you needed it. I wonder how much product gets dispensed from that little oasis on an average day?

That would be good trivia to look up!

Mr. Cool got in trouble? Say it ain't so!

Mr. Cool gets in trouble all the time and more often than not a direct result of trying to be cool.
That'd be awesome to see your hamburger-stealing squirrel show up in another TR.

And on the DVC discussion...I saw that too and immediately thought of Magdalene's recent purchase. Talk about perfect timing! Our current points were purchased through Disney, but I was thinking about an add-on through resale, so this whole thing throws a wrench into that. I agree, that it won't affect us in how we plan to use our points, but I'm not happy with what it might do to our potential resale value, and I'm worried about what's next.

I'd been looking at resale and honestly with the change feel it's off the table for us but it really impacts resale value for everyone which is not good at all. I just received the recent incentives and they aren't good enough to make me bite yet, we will see if what's offered on the cruise is better. But I don't like the change. At all. I agree about worrying about what's next. I mean is Disney going to guarantee the direct purchasers that they will exercise ROFR to protect the investment? I'm annoyed they aren't offering developer points at Aulani. Without them there is no rush for me right now.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Two different hings actually. A lazy river that's actually pretty fast and quite deep. You need a flotation device to be in it..which meant renting, which we didn't do. We tried to go float around it but it was a bit awkward without a tube as it's so deep. The sinking sands have swirling waters...as well as sinking sand under your toes. So it swirls you around gently but it not nearly as deep.

looks like they found yet another way to make some money off people, make the floating river to deep to walk and make you get a floating device to enjoy it.

they are prettysneaky arent they.


but they do sound really cool both of them.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey C!

Great update. SAB looks AWESOME! I’m glad to hear the Paul and Sandie got themselves on a plane. I hate it when you have those “thanks for coming, but we aren’t doing anything” visits to the ER. Such a profound waste of time. Hope the meds start working for him. Can’t wait to hear about Tutto. I read the photo post, but now I can’t remember if I commented. If not, I declare them to be a nifty thing.

 

[eandesmom]

looks like they found yet another way to make some money off people, make the floating river to deep to walk and make you get a floating device to enjoy it.

they are prettysneaky arent they.

that is SO funny Dan! That's exactly what I thought. It was like "what the heck? this thing is deep...and fast!" They are trying to make me rent a tube! At one point some of the big kids snagged one somehow but I didn't want to ditch Eric and it was far too deep and fast for him.

I may rent one (or find an abandoned one) in May though, it looked like fun!

but they do sound really cool both of them.

They are!

Hey C!

Great update. SAB looks AWESOME!

Hey Matt!!! It is AWESOME! My pictures don't do it justice. There will be more in the days to come but, they don't do it justics.

I’m glad to hear the Paul and Sandie got themselves on a plane. I hate it when you have those “thanks for coming, but we aren’t doing anything” visits to the ER. Such a profound waste of time. Hope the meds start working for him.

Profound waste of time is right. It's an interesting phenomena we are seeing with our folks...the emergency room and walk in clinic trends...we had a similar thing with Jeff's dad over the holidays and same thing, nothing they could do, should do or would do (or needed to be done). But, I guess it made Paul in that case (and Jeff's dad and stepmom at Christmas) feel better so they could relax and enjoy the rest of the vacation.

Can’t wait to hear about Tutto. I read the photo post, but now I can’t remember if I commented. If not, I declare them to be a nifty thing.

Tutto shall be next! And thank you for the declaration, I'm rather pleased with them myself!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I would have been a WRECK in that whole ordeal!!! I HAVE to eat! But, overall, sounds like your crew made it through no problem. So glad you finally got to that relaxation point!

I love all the pictures of SAB. While we are at the BW in Feb/March the clown slide is closed, so they are allowing us to go to SAB I can't wait to check it out! Hopefully the weather cooperates.

 

[eandesmom]

I would have been a WRECK in that whole ordeal!!! I HAVE to eat! But, overall, sounds like your crew made it through no problem. So glad you finally got to that relaxation point!

Jeff gets by FAR the grumpiest if he doesn't eat, he's a first thing in the morning kind of guy...Taylor to a lesser extent. The rest of us wake up quite slowly and can easily wait for a late breakfast or early lunch. In the interest of being a responsible mom I do make the kids eat breakfast on schooldays but on the weekends it isn't uncommon for them to forget to eat it.

I love all the pictures of SAB. While we are at the BW in Feb/March the clown slide is closed, so they are allowing us to go to SAB I can't wait to check it out! Hopefully the weather cooperates.

oh I hope the weather will cooperate! You will all love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[eandesmom]

After refreshing showers and change of clothes, we headed off for our first entry though our new “private” entrance to epcot. Ok, I guess it’s really Christine and Anita’s but we were taking it this trip and calling it ours. I have to say, going IN was even more exciting than going out. I’d thought our reservations were for 7:25. And we were, as we so often do, running late. I directed the gang to sit in the very full lobby while I checked us in. I want to say that we checked in at 7:35. Checking in we had to let them know we were only 6, instead of 9. They appeared confused at first. Turns out our reservation was for 7:15! Which almost gave me a heart attack on the spot. Thankfully, and I think largely because the original ressie was for 9, our table had been saved. WHEW! We were seated quite quickly.
For those who have not been, here are a few interior shots. Not my photos but they give you a much better feel of just how gorgeous it is in there!

Taylor was NOT happy with me. He’d asked what the dress was and I’d said casual. As casual as any sit down restaurant we’d been to in terms of how to dress. Not as in sloppy ripped shorts casual but not dress up per-se either. He had seen what we were wearing, (K and I in skirts/dresses, everyone else in nice polo’s and shorts or at least a clean t shirt for Eric) and I’d indicated that what we had on was appropriate. He made a different choice in attire and was feeling underdressed as a result. Could we have told him what he was wearing didn’t really work? Sure. Was it worth the battle at the time? No. Was it far more effective for him just to feel uncomfortable?

Yes.

The view from our table.

We were greeted immediately and quickly placed a drink order for the kids and a wine order for Jeff and I. I don’t know what it is about Italian restaurants and the paper on those tables but in my family it inspires one thing. And a LOT of one thing.

Hangman.

You can see in this picture that the bread/breadsticks already arrived and have been inhaled…empty basket! Funny considering how late everyone ate!

Jeff couldn’t figure out the word, wine helps!

We ordered.

For Evan
Lasagna al Forno - with meat ragu, bechamel and parmesan $25

For Kendall. This one surprised me, branching out for her!
Casareci - cavatelli pasta, sweet sausage ragu, tomatoes, Pecorino Romano $26

For Jeff and I:
Tortelli Di Vitello Al "Chianti" - veal and Chianti ravioli, parmesan cheese, sage butter, roasted tomato $25

For Taylor
Penne Caprese - with crushed tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil $24

For Eric, off of the kids menu
Piccolini alla Panna - Farfalle pasta, cream and parmesan $9.50.

His came with a “strawberry salad”
Eric’s salad (and lovely blurry photo with my camera and inside lighting, bleh! The bread has been replaced, hazaah!

Jeff and I also ordered a Caesar and shared a little with Evan. Yet another lousy picture

Salads couldn’t stop hangman.

Clearly Evan was amused

And Jeff perplexed

And then…the food arrived!

Evan’s lasagna. It was as big as his head! He’d been given strict instructions that if he blew this, now that he was off the DDP, he’d be on the kids menu for the rest of the trip

The ravioli

Kendall’s casereci

Taylor’s penne

I have to say, I think the pictures speak for themselves. YUM YUM and WOW! Such a beautiful setting, amazing service, fabulous food! And Evan DID eat that entire thing. I'm getting the ravioli again in May. That's how good it was!

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

For dessert we all had a very hard time deciding! It came down to a selection of these. I had the Copetta, it was outstanding!!! One of my favorite desserts of the trip.

Zuppa Inglese - trifle cake with candied fruit, vanilla cream and meringue $9.00

Gianduja - Chocolate Torta - chocolate and hazelnut torte with whipped cream and raspberry sauce $10.00

Mocha Tiramisu - mascarpone cheese, espresso coffee, savoiardi biscuits and chocolate $9.00

Copetta Sotto Bosco - berries, zabaglione cream gelato and chocolate sauce $14.00

Gelati and Sorbetti $8.00

Flavors:
Gelati - zabaglione, pistacchio, and Gianduja chocolate
Sorbetti - Melograno-Pomegranate, chocolate, blood orange and lemon

Jeff and I each had a dopio as well, knowing it would be a long night.

When we’d been seated I had alerted them we had 2 birthdays. Cute waiters singing and all So Kendall and Eric each got a 2nd dessert!

While we were eating dessert, somehow and I’m not sure why, the staff started up with the “ole ole ole ole” song. Complete with napkin waiving. Around the entire restaurant! I felt like we were at a soccer match! Right there in Italy, bringing back memories of waving my Firenze v Roma flag at a match Jeff and I went to in Florence. It was so much fun and the entire staff SO into it! With “ole” finished and us closing down the place, as we are wont to do, we headed back to the YC to await Sandie and Paul’s arrival. Arriving back everyone got settled, K made herself at home on my bed with a book (why not hers I’ve no idea, I recall it annoying me at the time lol) T and Jeff headed down to scope out the quiet pool and see how late SAB was open while I put E’s in bed and headed out to the balcony with a book to let them settle down. All of a sudden, at around 11, I found this occurring right above my head!

MORE crummy pictures but you get the idea!

Tay came out to see what the heck was going on. Clearly the dinner wine impacted the angle of this shot.

It was 11pm and for the life of us, we couldn’t figure out why there were fireworks! Certainly nothing was scheduled for that hour. All I can think of is that there was a private party at DHS which is the direction the seemed to be in from our balcony. Why was irrelevant, it was pretty darn cool!

What was less cool was the wait for Sandie and Paul. They had landed and were on DME. Somehow at this point, Jeff realized that their room had never been cleaned. I can’t recall how that came about as we obviously didn’t have access to it but somehow he figured it out and got mousekeeping on it. Which made for some loud noised next door at Midnight and hopefully didn’t wake up any other rooms. Thankfully the E’s slept through it.
We waited. And waited. I gave up and got on the bed next to Kendall to read. I wanted the bed to myself but couldn’t really make her go to bed as she’d want to see Sandie and Paul. Jeff and Taylor headed to the lobby to wait. And wait.

About 12:30-12:45 they finally arrived. DME had taken quite a long time and the YC had been the last stop.
But…they were HERE! We got everyone settled as quickly as possible but you know how that goes…nothing is quick when people just arrive. Taylor moved in and after ascertaining that they were ok (more than ok, they’d been upgraded to first class so had a lovely flight) and that Paul was ok (feeling pretty good) we all headed to bed. We had decided to completely revamp the following day. Our original plan had been for an AK morning, with the goal of rope drop. That seemed pretty impossible with our late arrivals health concerns. Instead we decided that an Epcot morning made a lot more sense. Jeff, the E’s and I would hit Future World in the morning and then meet up with everyone for lunch in the WS, letting teens and weary travelers sleep in.

Next.
The unintended consequences of a bagless morning

 

[tinacaplan]

So happy to hear that you enjoyed Tutto and that Paul and Sandie arrived safely...and happily!

I don't understand why Tutto gets crummy reviews on the boards sometimes. We had one of our best meals of our trip there last year. Everything was fresh and delicious and the service was great. I had fish that was just so lemon-y and perfect.

What an amazing sight...fireworks from the balcony. I have to say that I can clearly see what we miss out on at the mods without a balcony. It must be nice to have any extra space, no matter how small, to go and relax on.

 

[glennbo123]

I love the last line: "....letting teens and weary travelers sleep in." You'd think that teens wouldn't be on the sleep schedule as weary travelers, but it's so true!

I'm glad you had a great dinner at Tutto.

 

[manntra]

Okay...no cameras in SAB.... but don't worry Trish, I will be there to vouch for everyone's slide ride

Thank you for the great review of Tutto....as I said I have shied away since Alfredo's.....The ravioli does look delish and the caprese does too....I love fresh mozzarella and tomatoes Mmmmm And of course I can just amuse myself with the waiters

Wonder what the fireworks were for? Oh I know....something to do with the Kingdom Keepers The last one I read had to do with HS

Happy that the rest of your crew arrived and everyone is rolling with the changes.

Tracy