Goofy's Great Birthday Bash NEW 6/2 page 34

[lazydoxy66]

Hello Jay!!!
I've been so busy! I missed you and your reports. I'm happy to say I should be able to enjoy them on a regular basis now.

This is a fabulous start to what I know will be a fabulous trip! I do like the Boardwalk area. Your room and view are wonderful.

The food that you had a Kouzzina's looked and sounded delicious. I have to admit that I have only eaten at one Greek restaurant in my life. I will have to put this on my bucket list.

I can't wait to read more!

 

[marsa1969]

Your meal looked great! Even with a full belly of pizza - our dinner- I could totally eat there!! The pictures of the Boardwalk at sunset are so pretty.

 

[moparop]

That meal looks awesome! I was almost drooling on my screen!

 

[momoftriplets]

Hey Jay!

All I can say is "Thank GOODNESS for your manners!" to keep you from licking your plate. Of course, THAT would have been a great picture!

Love the photos of the Boardwalk.

Barb

p.s. Hi Heidi & Figment! Miss you guys.

 

[29apr00]

the evening at boardwalk sounds so wonderful!!

 

[hjohnson6]

Unfortunately we are still sick! I am ready to Lysol the whole house!

Based on your review, I am going to have to add Cat Cora's restaurant to our list. The food looks delicious!

 

[jaycns]

The First Evening (Part 1)...

We did a bit more poking around and picture taking at the resort.

And somehow (I cannot imagine how with a video game lover like my Goof with me) we ended up in the arcade. The BWI is wonderful in many ways. Their arcade is not one of them. It's very small and at least a third of the games didn't work correctly (when we inserted the card, they took off credits but wouldn't start). I was not impressed with this arcade at all. I didn't follow up with anyone because tracking down a refund would have been more trouble than it was worth but it was annoying to lose out on credits we had paid for. Even with all of that, it was still fun for Goofy (at least that games that would start).

You can see just how small it is in the pictures.

Note the ceiling tile that is partially down.

We took those pictures, wasted a bit of money (especially the credits that just vanished into thin air) and then both of us decided that we didn't need to ever visit the BWI's arcade again. If you are ever looking for some arcade time along the Boardwalk I have two suggestions for you. The first, head over to the ESPN Club and utilize that arcade (it's no more than 5 minutes from the BWI arcade, probably less actually). And the second (and our favorite) head across the water to the Yacht and Beach Club's shared arcade. It is a lot bigger, the games worked and it seemed to be better kept overall.

You have now read the entirety of things I didn't like about the BWI, the arcade was it. We truly did love everything else. Unless we start to talk about the bus transportation... however that doesn't have a place in this part of the report nor do I consider it a 'BWI issue' as much as I consider it a Disney issue in general. But I am getting ahead of myself, let me get back to the fun of our first evening.

One thing I really adored about the BWI were the numerous cozy seating areas located throughout the resort. We were always stumbling upon new little areas to explore.

An old fashioned penny movie player.

I loved all of the old carnival machines that were scattered here and there. The only one I didn't see was the fortune teller machine from the movie, Big. It would have fit right in.

You could tell every detail was very well thought out, right down to the carpet!

The fresh flowers that sat on a table right outside of our room door.

Our room number.

Looking from our room to the club lounge.

Looking down from the railing across the hall from our room.

A close up of the beautiful flowers down in that seating area. Such a nice thing to look down at each day!

Decorative painting on the table that was sitting next to our door.

Our destination was the club lounge. We wanted to get a few sweet treats and watch the higher parts of Illuminations from the balcony there.

Beautiful details on a mirror in the club lounge.

 

[jaycns]

More fresh flowers! I loved the vibrant color these added to the lounge. These flowers were scattered in small arrangements all over the area and I really liked what they added to the room. I really enjoy fresh flowers.

After snacking on fruit tarts, cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries (tasty ones, fresh, sweet and very juicy) we grabbed our drinks and made our way out on to the balcony off of the club lounge and watched the high parts of Illuminations.

I like how you can just make out my sweet Goof in this one.

Watching Illuminations from the club lounge balcony is one of my favorite memories of the entire vacation. It was such a relaxing time and I was so happy standing there holding hands with Goofy. I remember being so thankful we were finally there, excited about what as to come and feeling complete contentment.

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[Nicole786]

What a fun resort to look at! I've been backtracking in your old reports to get some ideas for some upcoming trips. I'm taking my brother in February for his birthday, and than we're headed to the Polynesian in August for our annual August trip just the two of us. I've heard some great things about the Contemporary arcade, can't wait to try it! Looks like we'll be avoiding the BWI arcade!

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a fabulous evening you two had! Well, with the exception of the tiny arcade. I would have been disappionted in the size and the fact that some of the games were broken.

I am sure that the arcade was forgotten when you got to watch Illuminations with Goofy. Great memories!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Jay, what a magical evening for the two of you. As a Mom, I think there is nothing finer than holding a childs hand soakin in the atmosphere. How wonderful for the two of you. The Boardwalk is so nicely decorated. I too love the fresh flowers all around. I've learned to take a tissue so I can blow my nose after sneezing like crazy. Doesn't stop me from smelling the fresh fragrance tho.

It is too bad about the arcade. Esp. when you are with the big game player too.


Note to Nicole. The arcade at Contemporary was a lot of fun for my grandsons. Good luck.

Love the thrill of your report because I know in advance the plans and anxious to see how they all play out.

Ginny

 

[jaycns]

I never thought I would like Greek food cause I know it involves lamb of which I don't like. But that looked and sounded delish. I could def. eat that stuff. I'm with you on your fav pic. of Goofy and the background. That is a framer. What a perfect evening you had. I know you and your precious Goofy were enjoying the together time.

Ginny

Greek food is comfort food to me. My grandma and my mom would cook lots of Greek food for us, so for me, the tastes are very familiar and evoke memories of happy times past. I do like lamb, however, most of the time, I don't eat lamb when I eat Greek food. I just prefer the other selections better (most of the time). There is plenty on the menu at Kouzzina that is not lamb (I think they only had one lamb dish on the entire menu).

I am going to frame that picture of Goofy. Along with a few favorited others from the trip. I got a huge picture frame with over sixty openings (it's almost door sized) in it for Mother's Day that I have yet to get up. I just need to find the time to get the pictures printed and put in the frame. That picture will definately be included!

Thanks for being here! It's always good to see you!

Wow, gorgeous pictures of the Boardwalk sunset, seriously absolutely stunning! Your meal looked delicious from Kouzzina. I loooove spanakopita and that one looked great. We are planning a breakfast there next trip but dinner looked amazing.

It was VERY tasty (the entire meal). I would love to eat breakfast there my next time down. Let me know how you like their breakfast offerings.

Great Kouzinna review! One of the many places i'd love to try when I eventually stop going back to my comfort restaurants like Kona and Le Cellier lol

I have trouble tearing myself away from my favorites too. I just make myself try at least one or two new places each trip (although this past trip we tried far more than that). I like to eat at old favorites and find new ones both.

Jay -

Goofy looks so grown up and self assured (and HANDSOME!) I think I will have to refer to him as simply "Goof" - he is too big for the diminuative! (and now I'm kinda' frightened by what Alladin is going to look like...at least we have Buzz!)

Kouzzina has never interested me, but that looked DELISH!

Thanks for the update...

Jaime

Ha ha ha. I have found myself calling him "Goof" more often for just that reason (at least in part). All of the boys are growing so fast. I feel like I blink and they have grown almost an inch sometimes!

Gorgeous Boardwalk pics, Jay! I really haven't had any interest in Kouzzina (just not into Greek food) but you almost make me want to try it!!

The menu was varied. Although Mediterranean and Greek flavors influenced the menu it had a whole lot to offer!

And thanks on the pictures! Have you gotten all of your ADRs yet?

Mrs. Jay as a woman who married a greek man and took a last name Pappas...that was the best looking Greek food I have ever seen. My husband and I will deff. check this place out next time we are in Disney!!!

Oh, you will both enjoy it! Cat Cora and Disney did it right!

Jay! You started your TR while I was in Disney, and I just realized it. I've been so busy with my own trippie I just now checked on my subscriptions!

I agree that your Goofy is growing up right before our eyes. What a handsome young man he is. I love his quiet strength. Your boys are such unique kids - how cool it is to get to spend trips with them separately.

I love seeing all the pictures of the Boardwalk. We're seriously considering buying into DVC and it's one of the resorts we're looking at.

The BWI has a lot to offer! Let me know if you do end up buying into DVC so I can congratulate you and tell dh that yet another person has bought in (I keep trying to convince him and it has yet to work).

Thanks for the kind words about Goofy. I do love him so.

Beautiful Boardwalk pictures. The food looks yummy...guess it will have to go on our "to do list."

The food was VERY good! Although, I must admit, I crave shrimp pesto pizza from the Pepper Market even more often than Kouzzina food!

What a great place to spend your 10th birthday - WDW and Boardwalk Inn! The view is fantastic and the pics of the sunset are breathtaking We just love the Boardwalk resort. I was a little sad that Spoodles was replaced but looks like Kouzinna is a hit already.

We never had the pleasure of dining at Spoodles. What was the menu like there?

Those are awesome Boardwalk pics. I can't WAIT to spend a night strolling around there. I fell in love with it the first time I went there in 1997, and I really want to stay there someday.

Thanks for the Kouzzina review. DH and I have ADRs there and Flying Fish for one night, and I still can't decide which one to cancel!!

If I had a vote, I would vote Flying Fish. I think I did lick my fingers there! I will write more about it when it comes up during the course of the trip report, but after eating at the Flying Fish we both chose to redo our ADRs to fit in another meal there. It was very tasty! Then again, you couldn't go wrong with Kouzzina either. It was also a very good meal. Have fun picking. No matter where you end up, you will have a great meal!

 

[MICKEY4EVER!]

Caught up again -

Goofy looks so big to just be ten years old! I would think like twelve or thirteen. I know - shut my mouth! He's still a baby. You can tell he's a quiet, thoughtful boy, and you can see in his eyes how grateful and shocked he is to be there. I love it! Jay, you are so blessed, honey! And your kids are so blessed to have you, as well!

I love all of the pictures. I can't decide which ones are my favorite, you got too many good ones. I love the sunset pics on the boardwalk, and I do like your favorite as well (Goofy w/ Boardwalk in background). The lighting and everything was just portrait perfect!

I love Goofy sitting on that HUGE couch! And it was nice to see a picture of you, finally.

Your dinner - not my thing, but I will say that bread looked so yummy (I could live off bread alone) and your dessert made me want to reach through my screen and grab a yummy treat. Illuminations - what a nice, relaxing way to end the night with your Goofy. And holding hands, that makes me want to cry! I'm glad to know that at ten years old, they still want to do that. I have a five year old boy, and I know it will break my heart when he quits reaching out for me.

Looking forward to more! Sorry my post was so long!

 

[MrsSpratt]

Yipee! A Jay update!

Lordy but I get confused - I thought you were staying at the Beach Club!

I was so disappointed to hear that the arcade was less than stellar - I seem to remember from past TR's that the Contemporary is one of your family's favorites...looking at the size of BWI's arcade (and seeing the hanging ceiling tile) it didn't seem comparable to other the other arcades at Deluxes on property. I'm so sorry it munched credits without giving a game - no es bueno!

Here is hoping you had a great night's sleep that night - can't wait to hear about tomorrow!

(And I love the pic with Goofy's silhouette against the fireworks, too...he looks "on the cusp" of life - how very very exciting!)

Best,

Jaime

 

[CJsMom]

Sounds like a great evening! I love your pictures of all the little details.

 

[jaycns]

Looks like your trip is off to a fabulous start! All of your food looks delicious!

The food was so very good. I wish I had a plate of the chicken right now!

Yum, what a great meal!!! And the pictures of the Boardwalk area at twilight are gorgeous!

Denise

The Boardwalk is just stunning at twilight! I wish I could have found some time to just sit and soak it all up a few more evenings during the trip!

All caught up and ready to hear about more adventures with Goofy! Great pictures so far!

Thanks!

What a wonderful start to your vacation, Jay. Add me to those who think Goofy is very handsome. Great pics. More, please!

Thanks! He was very shy about being in so many pictures but I just kept insisting and he knew it was futile to resist.

And now I think I want to add Kouzzina to my next trip!

It is a great addition to the Disney dining offerings. I give it two thumbs way up!

Jay, that looked like an amazing dinner at Kouzzinas! Whenever we get back to Disney I am planning on eating there! Love Greek food!
An evening walk on the Boardwalk is just plain fun, so much energy, excitement.. the music, the restaurants... I'm glad you guys had a good time!

That's a good way to put it. The Boardwalk area is just full of energy and fun. I can tell you that we were never even close to bored there!

Wow! The food at Kouzzina looks and sounds soooo yummy! I may need to rethink our restaurant choices for our December trip! Great report so far (of course).....great photos, great play by play!

There are so many great places to eat at WDW, it's so hard to make those final choices. I always end up going back and forth (and sometimes even changing a few while we are there).

That food looked delicious Jay!!! How exciting that your own little food critic got to enjoy it with you!!! He is so cute!

He is totally my little food critic. I don't think any of the other boys would even try some of the things he names as his favorite foods.

Hello Jay!!!
I've been so busy! I missed you and your reports. I'm happy to say I should be able to enjoy them on a regular basis now.

This is a fabulous start to what I know will be a fabulous trip! I do like the Boardwalk area. Your room and view are wonderful.

The food that you had a Kouzzina's looked and sounded delicious. I have to admit that I have only eaten at one Greek restaurant in my life. I will have to put this on my bucket list.

I can't wait to read more!

It's great to have you here! How have you been? I don't think you will be disappointed if you do try Kouzzina!

Your meal looked great! Even with a full belly of pizza - our dinner- I could totally eat there!! The pictures of the Boardwalk at sunset are so pretty.

Tell me about it. Even full of lunch right now, I think I could safely say that I would be able to eat a plate of that chicken!

That meal looks awesome! I was almost drooling on my screen!

The food was fantastic!

Hey Jay!

All I can say is "Thank GOODNESS for your manners!" to keep you from licking your plate. Of course, THAT would have been a great picture!

Love the photos of the Boardwalk.

Barb

p.s. Hi Heidi & Figment! Miss you guys.

Ha ha ha. I wish now I would have blind folded my manners and gone in for the lick.

the evening at boardwalk sounds so wonderful!!

Unfortunately we are still sick! I am ready to Lysol the whole house!

Based on your review, I am going to have to add Cat Cora's restaurant to our list. The food looks delicious!

Oh, that's really too bad. Here's some pixie dust in hopes that you are all well soon! It's been a LONG time! I bet you are more than ready for everyone to be well!

 

[DisneyJo]

The view of Illuminations looks fantastic, any photos of your club lounge goodies?

Oh BTW I have a new TR, link in my siggie

 

[jaycns]

What a fun resort to look at! I've been backtracking in your old reports to get some ideas for some upcoming trips. I'm taking my brother in February for his birthday, and than we're headed to the Polynesian in August for our annual August trip just the two of us. I've heard some great things about the Contemporary arcade, can't wait to try it! Looks like we'll be avoiding the BWI arcade!

The Contemp's arcade is flat out amazing! All of my guys say it's the best on property. The only one they like as much is at Dave and Buster's.

What a fabulous evening you two had! Well, with the exception of the tiny arcade. I would have been disappionted in the size and the fact that some of the games were broken.

I am sure that the arcade was forgotten when you got to watch Illuminations with Goofy. Great memories!

I am guessing the arcade is just not a priority for the BWI with the Yacht and Beach Club's and the ESPN Club's arcades both being within a short walk of the BWI. Those arcades both have way more to offer!

Jay, what a magical evening for the two of you. As a Mom, I think there is nothing finer than holding a childs hand soakin in the atmosphere. How wonderful for the two of you. The Boardwalk is so nicely decorated. I too love the fresh flowers all around. I've learned to take a tissue so I can blow my nose after sneezing like crazy. Doesn't stop me from smelling the fresh fragrance tho.

It is too bad about the arcade. Esp. when you are with the big game player too.


Note to Nicole. The arcade at Contemporary was a lot of fun for my grandsons. Good luck.

Love the thrill of your report because I know in advance the plans and anxious to see how they all play out.

Ginny

Ha ha ha. Sometimes it is worth sneezing! I very much cherish the time I had to stand there holding on to his hand. It was a moment to remember for always.

Caught up again -

Goofy looks so big to just be ten years old! I would think like twelve or thirteen. I know - shut my mouth! He's still a baby. You can tell he's a quiet, thoughtful boy, and you can see in his eyes how grateful and shocked he is to be there. I love it! Jay, you are so blessed, honey! And your kids are so blessed to have you, as well!

I love all of the pictures. I can't decide which ones are my favorite, you got too many good ones. I love the sunset pics on the boardwalk, and I do like your favorite as well (Goofy w/ Boardwalk in background). The lighting and everything was just portrait perfect!

I love Goofy sitting on that HUGE couch! And it was nice to see a picture of you, finally.

Your dinner - not my thing, but I will say that bread looked so yummy (I could live off bread alone) and your dessert made me want to reach through my screen and grab a yummy treat. Illuminations - what a nice, relaxing way to end the night with your Goofy. And holding hands, that makes me want to cry! I'm glad to know that at ten years old, they still want to do that. I have a five year old boy, and I know it will break my heart when he quits reaching out for me.

Looking forward to more! Sorry my post was so long!

Here's a secret, they will hold your hand (in the dark and without their friends around) at least until 13. And I hope much longer! I love the chance I am having to make these precious memories with them. I hope they will also look back on them fondly.

Ha ha ha, I don't like pictures of me but I figured that since I want to be able to print this trip report out for Goofy to keep, I should include his mom in a few of them.

Thank you so much for your words. They made my day!

Yipee! A Jay update!

Lordy but I get confused - I thought you were staying at the Beach Club!

I was so disappointed to hear that the arcade was less than stellar - I seem to remember from past TR's that the Contemporary is one of your family's favorites...looking at the size of BWI's arcade (and seeing the hanging ceiling tile) it didn't seem comparable to other the other arcades at Deluxes on property. I'm so sorry it munched credits without giving a game - no es bueno!

Here is hoping you had a great night's sleep that night - can't wait to hear about tomorrow!

(And I love the pic with Goofy's silhouette against the fireworks, too...he looks "on the cusp" of life - how very very exciting!)

Best,

Jaime

The arcade would have been an issue had two others not been located so close. As it was, we just didn't return to the BWI arcade and had fun using the other two in the area.

Even if it had been well kept and all of the games would have worked, it was still too small for Goofy's tastes so it worked out well to just go over and enjoy the other arcades.

Awww I think I might have to put that picture in his baby book and use your words to describe it (the fireworks one). Thanks for posting!

Sounds like a great evening! I love your pictures of all the little details.

The BWI is a wonderful place to look for hidden Mickeys and other Disney touches, they are just about everywhere!

The view of Illuminations looks fantastic, any photos of your club lounge goodies?

Oh BTW I have a new TR, link in my siggie

HA HA HA. I do indeed have a picture of the goodies. Here is about half of what they had out. And they kept replenishing the offerings with more of the same and a few new treats every so often.

Some of what was set out as far as adult goodies. They had wine and beer as well.

I will be clicking to read your trip report soon. You are one of my very favorite TR writers!

 

[aaaateamsgrandma]

Greek food is comfort food to me. My grandma and my mom would cook lots of Greek food for us, so for me, the tastes are very familiar and evoke memories of happy times past. I do like lamb, however, most of the time, I don't eat lamb when I eat Greek food. I just prefer the other selections better (most of the time). There is plenty on the menu at Kouzzina that is not lamb (I think they only had one lamb dish on the entire menu).

I am going to frame that picture of Goofy. Along with a few favorited others from the trip. I got a huge picture frame with over sixty openings (it's almost door sized) in it for Mother's Day that I have yet to get up. I just need to find the time to get the pictures printed and put in the frame. That picture will definately be included!

Thanks for being here! It's always good to see you!

Greek is to you like German is to me. My Dad's parents came from Switzerland and Germany in the early 1900's. So needless to say, they were very old country, as was my dad and his brothers and sisters. He was raised to always take care of your younger siblings and we were too. I'm glad I was the baby. But oh, that food my grandma made. She could slice a noodle faster and thinner than any machine I've ever seen. Such fun.

I have pictures of family all down my hall going to my bedroom. They are the last thing I see at night going to bed. I love it. On my post a few pages back from the end I have some of Austins Sr. pics posted. I'm anxious to get my big ones. I got a frame that holds 6 5x7's and then 2 8x10's. They are ready. Sheri just needs to come up with the other $600. Sr. picx are very expensive. You will see some day. You would think in this digital world they wouldn't have to be so expensive.

I will say that even Aust will still hold my hand sometimes at 18. It was sr. night at the football game Friday and he even held his mom and dad's hands and kissed them in front of everyone. It was magical.

 

[jess98ac]

If I had a vote, I would vote Flying Fish. I think I did lick my fingers there! I will write more about it when it comes up during the course of the trip report, but after eating at the Flying Fish we both chose to redo our ADRs to fit in another meal there. It was very tasty! Then again, you couldn't go wrong with Kouzzina either. It was also a very good meal. Have fun picking. No matter where you end up, you will have a great meal!

Good to hear, since we decided this weekend to go with Flying Fish! Can't wait to hear those reviews!!