Ellen & Pods alone at last at F&W- with a twist of Vero! 9/25-10/1/09 Update12/14 p.9

[manntra]

Mmmmmmm you last meal looked wonderful!
I was laughing when you mentioned the butter with the salt and I love it that way too! The first time I think I had it was at The Wave....I almost think it might have been a chili salt whatever it was it was gone in a flash!
The rest of your meal looked so good and that was so cute of Diane to remember you...name and all!

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

We packed up in the morning, got our boarding passes from the check-in, filled our mug, and said good-bye til next time to OKW. We had a 10:10 tee time at Osprey Ridge. When we had golfed with Larry & Mary earlier in the week, they had told us that OR has the most wildlife of any course at WDW- and it was so true!

Of course, we were wondering who we'd be paired up with this time- and the people ahead of us were all men, so I was thinking..."Uh-oh- pro golfers, they're not going to like golfin' with uber-beginner me!!" I was so, so off on that assessment! As it turned out, OR has really great CMs working it, just like LBV did. And this gentleman was so nice....he put the single guy up with that threesome, and Pods & I went off....ALONE.

Almost immediately, we came upon a hole with some wildlife- deer, and they seemed to enjoy golf so much they wanted to get right in on the action.

Ok...I'll just stand here while you take your shot...just try not to hit me!

We saw tons of birds that day- this one is in a lake....the greenest lake I've ever seen. It was like a carpet!

I'm easily distracted by anything pretty-

Thank-GOD in heaven, this golf game was going much, MUCH better for Pods than any of the last ones were. What a relief, I wouldn't have to fly home with 85 year old Cranky-Pods, we were leaving him behind! Here's some of the 4 Seasons construction we saw-

We turned a corner and nearly ran over a big black snake that slithered into the bushes away from our cart. Mental note: never, never, EVER go looking for my ball in the brush!! I had been drawing Minnie heads on all my balls with the pink sharpie the CM gave me- you know, for luck. Well, I kind of lost count, but let's just say that all the snakes in all the bushes on OR are welcome to enjoy my hidden minnies as long as they'd like. Next we were at a huge water feature, tons of birds and even a pair of turtles-

Aren't they all so cool? You may be thinking it was rude of me to take so much time away from the game by taking all these pics. I was more than just a little bit snap-happy! However, what was happening was that foursome in front of us, the guys that I was intimidated to play with? Well, they were the slowest, most beginnerest golfers ever- so we had a ton of time at every hole. (Eventually we passed them and just skipped a hole). It all was good, though, as Pods played 2 balls on alot of the holes since we had so much extra time on there. And he was really enjoying the course- YIPPEE!!!!

What a gorgeous golf course. Osprey Ridge is very different from LBV, in that you see no civilization out there- no homes, hotels, nothing but trees, flowers, lakes and nature- it gives a glimpse into what WDW must have been like when Walt bought the land. The only thing you can hear other than bird calls is the far-off sound of the train whistle from MK. I am so happy we played this course- in fact, we enjoyed it so much, Pods took Tim & Tyler on it when we came back in November. But that's a story for another TR....

Finally finished, we showered and were hungry so headed to the SandTrap for lunch. We were the only ones in there. Totally, totally deserted!!

Gee, do you have a table for two?

The server was really sweet, and she seemed actually surprised to see us! I ordered a burger, Pods got a rueben-

It hit the spot. And then...it was time to go to the airport....

I am so glad Pods & I took this vacation- so much so, that he agreed without hesitation when I asked if I should book it for 2010! So we'll be staying AKV Concierge, September 24th to 29th.....no trip to Vero first this time, I'm saving that for a relaxing overnight after our Disney Cruise with the kids in November. The only downside of our next trip is that F&W dates may have been changed, which I have to say, really? Disney published dates and now is changing them?? That really bites, I can't believe they aren't better than that. But it's ok- we'll just enjoy everything else the world has to offer...I think we may try the DDxP next time. Always something new to do at WDW, right?

Thanks for reading along....hope you'll stop by when I start writing about our last trip to WDW with our kids this past November!!

Ellen

 

[podsnel]

Mmmmmmm you last meal looked wonderful!
I was laughing when you mentioned the butter with the salt and I love it that way too! The first time I think I had it was at The Wave....I almost think it might have been a chili salt whatever it was it was gone in a flash!
The rest of your meal looked so good and that was so cute of Diane to remember you...name and all!

Tracy

Citricos is really, really good- I am looking forward to many, many more meals at that restaurant in my lifetime! I want to try the Wave with Pods on our next trip- it looks interesting- did you enjoy your meal there? What did you have?

 

[manntra]

What a great last day....golfing...wildlife...snakes

I had the beef tenderloin at The Wave....didn't even have to cut it. We had the tuna there (first time, remember? ) and a crab cake for starters. The only thing was the tenderloin was on a bed of some kind of legume concoction which I thought I would like but didn't really care for at all.
They have a lot of really cool sounding drinks that I wanted to try...but I was trying to keep the drinking at a minimum since I was with my 13 yr old niece and didn't want to appear lush-like. Oh yeah and they also had the butter with the yummy coarse salt

Tracy

Are you doing a TR for November?

 

[podsnel]

What a great last day....golfing...wildlife...snakes

I had the beef tenderloin at The Wave....didn't even have to cut it. We had the tuna there (first time, remember? ) and a crab cake for starters. The only thing was the tenderloin was on a bed of some kind of legume concoction which I thought I would like but didn't really care for at all.
They have a lot of really cool sounding drinks that I wanted to try...but I was trying to keep the drinking at a minimum since I was with my 13 yr old niece and didn't want to appear lush-like. Oh yeah and they also had the butter with the yummy coarse salt

Tracy

Are you doing a TR for November?

Yes! I remember you and the tuna!!! We're going to have to go there next year...just not sure which trip, I'm guessing the one with DH, although it might be good to try with Tim & Tyler before MNSSHP in October- since then we'd be right there to walk over to the party. LOVE that Contemporary!! If I had money to burn, i would definitely want some BLT points- we loved staying there. And yes, I will be doing a November TR. Just busy trying to get Christmas together- I'm trying to bake a different cookie every morning, and that's when I usually write. But I will post a link when I start, so don't worry! Thanks so much for reading, Tracy!

 

[dvc4life]

What a great trip Ellen! As always it was great fun to read along. I can't wait for the November trip with the boys.

Thanks for all of your reports!

 

[podsnel]

What a great trip Ellen! As always it was great fun to read along. I can't wait for the November trip with the boys.

Thanks for all of your reports!

Thanks and you're welcome! I'm just trying to get all settled for Christmas before I start- once I start writing about it, I'll be doing that instead of everything else that needs to get done. But I am anxious to write about it- I was so proud of Sean!

 

[5forDiz]

So Ellen you really must tell me how you keep your family from getting at the cookies before Christmas??? My 3 and DH (although he will DENY DENY DENY ) can't keep their hands off to the point where I'm usually doing last minute batches on Christmas Eve morning to replenish supply (or running to Trader Joe's)

Very much enjoyed your TR & your dining reviews

~Laura

 

[podsnel]

So Ellen you really must tell me how you keep your family from getting at the cookies before Christmas??? My 3 and DH (although he will DENY DENY DENY ) can't keep their hands off to the point where I'm usually doing last minute batches on Christmas Eve morning to replenish supply (or running to Trader Joe's)

Very much enjoyed your TR & your dining reviews

~Laura

Hi Laura!!

I hide the cookies in my freezer- or at least I thought that's what I was doing- until I realized they were just eating them frozen! (Which I personally LOVE frozen cookies, so I can't blame them!). So, unfortunately, I have no advice for you. But, I am glad you have a Trader Joe's near you- we do too, it is the BEST!!!

Ok- I'm hoping to start a new TR soon...hope you'll all join me when I do! Enjoy the holidays!

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Ellen, wanted to let you know that i'm really looking forward to your next TR!! It should be about BLT right? my "home". Sad this one ended but ready for the next. I'm kinda bad about being on here quite a bit but never signing in to post replies.


here's me waiting..........

 

[podsnel]

Ellen, wanted to let you know that i'm really looking forward to your next TR!! It should be about BLT right? my "home". Sad this one ended but ready for the next. I'm kinda bad about being on here quite a bit but never signing in to post replies.


here's me waiting..........

Hi Leigh Anne! Yes, it will be about BLT, but that is where we stayed last, so you'll have to be a little bit patient! You really have a beautiful home. I wish all my AKV points weren't in one contract, because I would want to sell some of them to buy some BLT. I wouldn't want to get rid of all the AKV points, we love it there, too, Kidani was gorgeous and i love staying concierge in Jambo, which is an excellent perk with those points. But BLT is a place I hope we will get to visit again and again and again!

Soooo...here is the link to my new TR, it's called "Kidani, HRH & BLT in 6 nights...Yes, we are THAT crazy!!" and here's a link-

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34773551#post34773551

Please come by and say hi once in a while! I get lonely writing to myself!!

 

[limace]

Fabulous TR! Love the food and alcohol porn, and your sense of humor.

We're doing our first DVC stay, renting points to stay at Kidani and OKW soon-your report made me even more excited. No adults only trip for us for awhile, but we're hoping to dump the kids with grandma one night for dinner alone. Would you recommend CG or Citricos?

 

[5forDiz]

Hi Laura!!

I hide the cookies in my freezer- or at least I thought that's what I was doing- until I realized they were just eating them frozen! (Which I personally LOVE frozen cookies, so I can't blame them!). So, unfortunately, I have no advice for you. But, I am glad you have a Trader Joe's near you- we do too, it is the BEST!!!

Ok- I'm hoping to start a new TR soon...hope you'll all join me when I do! Enjoy the holidays!

LOL !! It does seem all attempts to ward off attacks on the cookies end up being futile Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year to you and yours Ellen

 

[podsnel]

Fabulous TR! Love the food and alcohol porn, and your sense of humor.

We're doing our first DVC stay, renting points to stay at Kidani and OKW soon-your report made me even more excited. No adults only trip for us for awhile, but we're hoping to dump the kids with grandma one night for dinner alone. Would you recommend CG or Citricos?

WOW! Hi Limace! That's alot to take in...I am so excited for you, staying in 2 great places, with 2 very different vibes, on your very amazing vacation that's coming up! Good for you, booking a "grandma" night, it will be wonderful for ALL of you! I'm wondering how much time do you have? I ask this because, on our exit from Citricos, I actually had the thought of...hmmm....maybe next time we'll just sit at the bar, and order dessert! Maybe, because we didn't have dessert that evening, maybe because it may just be so fun, I don't know! The desserts there DO look soooooooooooooo gorgeous!! But...if it were me again, and I actually have thought I would do this again, Iwould get to CG early enough to eat sushi for dinner, then, after/before wishes (if i actually could EVER see them, but that's a whole other post/story/almost "i've never -seen-wishes-at-CG-but-I've-tried-a-LOT!! )kind of a thing) I would take the monorail and then have the joy of the gorgeous, spectacular and breathtaking Citricos dessert.Yummmmm! If that's not an option- and you have not tried either yet- I would vote for CG. Final answer!

LOL !! It does seem all attempts to ward off attacks on the cookies end up being futile Happy Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year to you and yours Ellen

You Crack me up! Merry merry right back atcha!

 

[dis2cruise]

thanks for such a great report....we are going for 5 days in may and can't wait!!

 

[podsnel]

thanks for such a great report....we are going for 5 days in may and can't wait!!

Have a fantastic vacation! My stays this year are at BCV and AKV- and I'm already missing the proximity of OKW to DTD- really nice to be able to hop on that boat and be there so fast. I was just thinking the other day that I need to do OKW with the kids- I think they would really like it, very nice there, and sooooo relaxing. Thanks for finding and reading my buried report!