Food & Wine & Friends, or 'Wishing a Year Away'. October 2012 PTR *NEW 11/18 TR link!

[Joyciemc]

Uh, there is no way I'd ever get on a plane like that! No way!

Awww, the little baggage claim is so cute!

Your room looks really nice, but that's annoying that there were no shades or blinds or anything! Can't wait to hear about the beach!

I second the "no way" that plan looked too WAY too tiny!!!

The lack of blinds.. hmm.. I think I would cause irreparable damage to anyone outside that room who caught a glimpse of me..so blinds for me are a must.

The house is wonderful!! Still not completely unpacked but at least I made a dent in it! Its really a beautiful house!!

I dunno that I could do a tiny plane like that! I don't have issues with commercial planes but something so tiny sounds scary! As far as the no blinds... when sharing a house that sounds really weird! Currently the master bedroom of our house doesn't have blinds on one side but we are up in the hills and unless someone was spying on us with really good binoculars they can't see anything anyways!

You would never be able to get me on a plane that small. No way.

LOL at the baggage claim. So tiny!

Yay awesome to read your mini tr! Lol to the no blinds! And the little baggage claim. Weird taxi driver!

Oooh, I don't know about that plane....


The room looked great, but I could only imagine how annoying the window situation was. Who doesn't put blinds or curtains on a window overlooking the pool?

What an adorable little baggage claim!! It would have taken a LOT of convincing to get me on that teeny tiny little plane though.

Wonder what the heck had the taxi driver's panties in a twist? How in the world did he think your luggage was going to get where you were going if he didn't allow it in the cab?

The room looks pretty, but I can see the no blinds being a big problem come sunrise!

I'm sure the plane was an interesting experience.

The room with no curtain, yikes! Looks cute otherwise.

I think it is hysterical that everyone is in such agreement about the plane and the blinds!
I have to admit that I was nervous about the flight, but because it's really the easiest/quickest way to get to the Island and it would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I agreed to it! And it was amazing!

The windows were annoying- during the day you couldn't see in because the sun was so bright, but at night when I changed I usually did it in the dark. The rest of the folks we were traveling with new about the issue though, and it wasn't in a spot where you had to walk by unless you were at the pool.

 

[Joyciemc]

Day 2 of our Vieques adventure started with Ben and I waking pretty early. That tends to happen when bright sunshine is streaming into your room. But no big deal, we were happy to get up and start our strenuous day of lounging around

After foraging for breakfast upstairs in the main house, we quickly realized something about the others we were traveling with: they would often rather play games on their iPhones (with each other) than actually interact. Sitting in the living room with them while they played got pretty boring, so I took my book and headed to the pool.

I mean, look at the view from the deck right outside the living room that they were ignoring in favor of playing on their phones:

Everyone else joined eventually and we had a good time out there with some drinks.

At some point during the morning, we made a run to one of the 2 markets on the island. We stocked up on food for the week and got the essentials: beer and rum.

After having lunch at the house, we got ready to head to a beach, finally!

We headed to Sun Bay, which is probably the most accessible and popular on Vieques. It's also the only one that charges for parking, FYI. It's beautiful and very calm.

We brought a cooler with provisions, of course, so plenty of rum & Coke was at hand

Once we'd had our fill of the sun (and it is STRONG there!), we packed up and headed home. Deb made dinner for everyone (this became a trend throughout- she never stopped cooking or cleaning!)
I'm pretty sure I passed out after eating, exhaustion (and rum!) finally catching up with me!

Tomorrow, we'd do it all again!

 

[Imagineer5]

Yay! Awesome first day, looks beautiful! Sorry to hear about the phone playing. That would annoy me too, though one of my biggest pet peeves is traveling with ppl who not only don't drink but make you feel bad for doing so. Doesnt sound like that was the issue at least!

Looking forward to more!

When's the bachelorette party?

 

[smile4stamps]

Looks Beautiful!!!

And you had my husbands favorite drink!

 

[Joyciemc]

Yay! Awesome first day, looks beautiful! Sorry to hear about the phone playing. That would annoy me too, though one of my biggest pet peeves is traveling with ppl who not only don't drink but make you feel bad for doing so. Doesnt sound like that was the issue at least!

Looking forward to more!

When's the bachelorette party?

Everyone on the trip had a healthy respect for alcoholic beverages!

The bachelorette is this weekend. I think everything is finally squared away, hopefully it'll be fun!

Looks Beautiful!!!

And you had my husbands favorite drink!

Rum & Coke is Ben's favorite, and we usually drink plenty of them on vacation!

 

[Joyciemc]

Exciting news for October!
We have flights! We're getting into Orlando at 9:40am on 10/13 and leaving 7:55 on 10/21

Ben had enough points for his flights, and the others were right around what we usually pay. They may go down a little, but since we are flying Southwest, we'll be able to get the lower fare if it changes.

I having flights booked, it makes everything feel more real. And it means I can tweak our itinerary that much more.

In other news, it's just about a week till we can call Member Services about switching resorts. Once that's done, we'll really be official.
Well, I guess booking ADRs is the official official last part of planning
There's plenty to keep me occupied with Disney until the trip, I think!

 

[jenny105]

Booking flights dance! I need my points from Southwest. I can't wait to book my flights! It makes the trip seem more real.
I can't believe I can book my ADRs in 4 weeks!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Your trip is looking good so far. I loved the pic of your drinks with the sand and the trees in the background. Now THAT is great scenery no matter what country you are in!

for booking your flights!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

Your vacation spot (Vieques? I'm sorry if it's spelled incorrectly) looks like Heaven on Earth! Your view is breathtaking. I hate those little planes, too, but I'd totally risk life and limb in one to get to that little slice of paradise.

Yay for flight reservations...one step closer to being there!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay for booking flights! I've been checking prices for October/November and they're not great right now, so I can imagine how much they'll go up once I settle on dates for Fall (if we even go back)!

Your first day of your beach vacation looks amazing! That water is so beautiful!

 

[ronnmel]

Great day of relaxing by the beach!

It annoys me so much how some people *cough*ron&hisdaughter*cough* are playing on the phone/listening to their Ipod while in the presence of other people. I mean it's one thing to do it on the plane, but in a social situation like a party, dinner at a restaurant, or hanging out with friends? What happened to interacting, or even comfortable silence?

Rum & Coke is the drink I got drunk (and sick) with the very first time I tried alcohol (at a way too young age) so I cannot drink it anymore.

 

[Joyciemc]

Booking flights dance! I need my points from Southwest. I can't wait to book my flights! It makes the trip seem more real.
I can't believe I can book my ADRs in 4 weeks!

I love our flights! We are getting in super early and leaving late- anything to maximize WDW time

I am so excited for ADR day!

Your trip is looking good so far. I loved the pic of your drinks with the sand and the trees in the background. Now THAT is great scenery no matter what country you are in!

for booking your flights!

Vieques is incredibly beautiful. It doesn't look real!

Your vacation spot (Vieques? I'm sorry if it's spelled incorrectly) looks like Heaven on Earth! Your view is breathtaking. I hate those little planes, too, but I'd totally risk life and limb in one to get to that little slice of paradise.

Yay for flight reservations...one step closer to being there!

Yep, that little plane was SO worth it!

Yay for booking flights! I've been checking prices for October/November and they're not great right now, so I can imagine how much they'll go up once I settle on dates for Fall (if we even go back)!

Your first day of your beach vacation looks amazing! That water is so beautiful!

We paid more for these October flights than I did for my May trip, but not by a whole lot... and Ben's 'free' flight booked w/points helped a bit!

Great day of relaxing by the beach!

It annoys me so much how some people *cough*ron&hisdaughter*cough* are playing on the phone/listening to their Ipod while in the presence of other people. I mean it's one thing to do it on the plane, but in a social situation like a party, dinner at a restaurant, or hanging out with friends? What happened to interacting, or even comfortable silence?

Rum & Coke is the drink I got drunk (and sick) with the very first time I tried alcohol (at a way too young age) so I cannot drink it anymore.

They were all playing 'Scramble with Friends', Ben and I started joking about how they should try 'Interacting with Friends' and 'Drinking with Friends'. Later on we would 'Snorkel with Friends' they did get a little better about their phone obsessions by the end of the week.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yay for booking flights!!!!

Wow that was a teeny tiny plane!! And a teeny tiny baggage claim area!! I'll admit, I did laugh when I saw that picture!!

The rental house looks like it was beautiful (if not entirely outfitted with curtains... ) I'm glad you had a great time on your trip!! Can't wait to hear more about it!

 

[khertz]

Congrats on booking your flights! That always makes a trip feel more "real" to me.

 

[Joyciemc]

Yay for booking flights!!!!

Wow that was a teeny tiny plane!! And a teeny tiny baggage claim area!! I'll admit, I did laugh when I saw that picture!!

The rental house looks like it was beautiful (if not entirely outfitted with curtains... ) I'm glad you had a great time on your trip!! Can't wait to hear more about it!

It was a very good trip! More is coming, I swear!

Congrats on booking your flights! That always makes a trip feel more "real" to me.

Now I just need park hours and ADRs, and I will really be feeling good!

 

[Joyciemc]

It's been kind of a while since my last update... sorry about that! Between work and my friend's upcoming wedding, I've been very busy. Not to mention a recently developed addiction to True Blood... I've spent most nights I have been home watching episode after episode of that show. It takes up a lot of my time!


Before I move on to Day 3 of our Vieques trip, I thought I would give a little update on the October WDW trip that this PTR is supposed to be about!
Today we are officially 7 months out- that meant we could call this morning to try to get a reservation at a non-home DVC resort.
We were hoping for a split stay at Boardwalk or Beach Club... well, Boardwalk had a couple days available, but right in the middle of our week. We don't want to move twice, so we opted to be wait listed for the first part of the week at BWV. If it comes through, we'll have the first 4 nights at BWV, then move to BLT for the rest.
If not, then we will be at Bay Lake Tower for the whole thing (remember, this is what I actually would prefer!). The wait list could come through up until the week before we go, so it'll all be a bit up in the air. I am going to plan on BLT for the whole time, though- weekends during F&W usually fill up at BWV.

One more month till ADRs can be made!


Let's travel back to sunny PR...

Our third day found us heading to the beach pretty early. We went to Blue Beach and packed a cooler with sandwiches and beer and we stayed for quite a while.

The snorkeling here wasn't all that great, but Ben took the camera and walked down a ways with his cousin and found some pretty neat stuff:

That's our group's set up. The house had plenty of beach chairs- that was a definite bonus!!

We really couldn't stop oohing and ahhing over how gorgeous everything was!

Once we had all had enough of the sun, we packed up and headed home. We ate dinner at the house again and then spent some time up on the roof deck enjoying the sunset

We played some cards and drank some more before heading off to bed. A very relaxing day!

 

[AKL LOVER]

I know what you mean about True Blood. I actually don't think the show (more like the acting really) is all that great, but for some reason I am addicted to it. I do not like the actor that plays Bill--it's something about the way he talks that bothers me. Even so, I can't wait for the next season this summer! What season are you on right now?

I guess since you really want to be at BLT the whole week, then not getting a split stay at BWV is really no big deal.

Can't wait to see what ADR's you make!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Oh by the way, I forgot to ask. Was that you doing your best wave impression in your first PR picture on this update?

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

It sounds like things are coming along well for your October trip!! It makes sense that the Epcot resorts would be difficult to get around F&W - but it's good you'd rather stay at BLT instead!

Your beach pictures are so pretty! They make me long for somewhere tropical...

 

[amazingact21]

Your beach day in PR looks so relaxing! I can see why you flew in a tiny plane...totally worth that view!