If we can DREAM it, we can do it! ..... another 30 day vacation Update 02/07

[jenseib]

I am loving the castle at the top of a mountain. Pictures.....gorgeous!!!!!

 

[jenseib]

I am finally caught up. The drive to key west is beautiful.....but so long.
that rain storm looked scary. I drove through one like that about 15 years ago and it was so stressful.

 

[pas130]

Jeanette, I really hope you get some when you return to WDW soon. Please have one for me too. It'll be another 4 months until we will have some more of them ........ AND try some WPE breakfast! It is delish!

WPE is a great idea for a different WDW breakfast!!!!

Karin, I love the pictures of the drive to Key West, but such a long trek....how cool to be driving in the middle of the ocean...until a storm I went to the Keys once I was 12 maybe (my grandparents lived near Miami) and I even remember the road that lasted forever....

 

[dizneeat]

Just wanted to let you know that we are one step closer to our February vacation.

The only parts still missing to that vacation are/were the rental car - which will be a midsize something, not sure yet, and our first night accommodation. We were toying with the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista for that night, but never really committed to it.
Now today I saw the General Public discount and played around with it. In the end we decided to spend the first night at POP. It is way cheaper than the Wyndham and we will stay in the Disney Bubble!

 

[dizneeat]

Wonderful photos Karin

What a great drive to take, it looks beautiful

Thank you, Linda!
It is a really beautiful drive over all those bridges and Key West itself is just beautiful, and very laid back.

The scenery on your drive to Key West is absolutely beautiful! I can certainly see why you two enjoy driving there so much.

That drive is so awesome and we both cannot believe we get to do it again next summer!
The Southernmost at the Beach lured us back with a discount (reminded me of the Disney bounceback) if you booked while you were still there and yip, even though it is still expensive, we will go back. Same room and everything.

So beautiful Karin! Looking forward to more!!!

So glad you enjoy it, Mary Ellen! That drive is just so awesome .... you and Joe would love it too!

Hi Karen,

I am really enjoying your report... thank you. The photos of Italy are lovely.

In your spare time (when you are not in Italy or jetting off to Paris) perhaps you can provide us with a tour of the wonderful Austrian konditorei for a Kaffee und Kuchen report.

Or a Tee and Kuchen report.

I am glad to hear that you are enjoying the report and that you liked the photos of Italy as well.
I had never thought of taking my camera to a Konditorei (coffee shop Austrian style) but you might have got me up to something. There is a really wonderful Konditorei, which we usually go to and they know us well, so we will not look "weird" if we take pics of all the food.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Karin! I'm all caught up again. I just love to see all your "picnic purchases" Not sure why, just looks so relaxed, I guess.

It was fun to see your Italy pics - your drive home looks so beautiful!

OK, now you are on your big vacation again. I remember hearing about Key Largo in a Beach Boys song, I think. I didn't really know it was so close to Key West. Looking forward to more, and hopefully I'll be able to check in more often.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

It was Kokomo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5_AD9wXuY

 

[YukiPhnx]

I was finally able to get my internet working and I'm all caught up!

That aiport Hyatt looks really nice! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay there, I've always liked the Hyatt hotels. I don't think I've ever had S'barro pizza though...

Wow, what a drive to the Keys! I hope you didn't get soaked in the rain with the cover down. It sucks when you're stuck in traffic for hours and you don't even know why. I was once stuck on the side of a road in the middle of summer. A lot of people just slept in their cars for that hour we didn't move.

It's so cool to see those shots on the bridge! I'd love to make that drive one day. I've been to Key West once with my family but it was with a cruise.

 

[jenseib]

Yay for a night at Pop....and probably a stroll over to AoA if I know you.

 

[dizneeat]

I am finally starting to get caught up. I was so far behind....I am only through page 13 now.....so still more to read.
I am glad you got through immigration so fast. I wonder about taking sleeping aids to. I wonder if it would relax me. I get jumpy o. 2 1/2 flights.
Italy looks beautiful. I love the scenic route.

Tell me about having to get caught up. Been there, done that!
We could not believe how fast we sailed through immigration. Usually we line up for an hour at least, so that as a perfect start.
I am not sure the sleeping aid would work on a shorter flight, Jen. It's nice to have it to sleep through 4 - 5 hours on a 10 hour flight, but on a shorter one - I just don't know!

Gay for dlp!!!!!!. I have to admit I was hoping it would be to Orlando though.

We are so happy about DLRP too! And especially staying onsite again after so many visits offsite.
I don't think we'll stick to the onsite though - boy, it IS on the expensive side.

Yum, breakfast at WPE looks yummy as usual. Do they open at 9? For some reason I thought it was later.

It must be pretty cool to get recognized from the boards at Disney. I always keep my eyes open for Disers I know are traveling at the same time, but so far haven't seen any.

The traffic and rain in Miami sound horrible. Sometimes I think I would travel to Miami since they have DCL there but I have heard nothing good about the airport, port and now the traffic.

How nice that you got to pick your car from the one available It looks like you picked a good one though

Yes, WPE opens at 9am. Perfect time for me, when I am on vacation.

We were actually recognized a few times and I was STUNNED. I could not believe that there were actually people out there who read my reports and would even recognize us!

Actually we try to avoid Miami if it is possible. But the flight prices into Orlando were much more reasonable than the ones for Miami, so Orlando won the race ...... and it let me have breakfast at WPE too!

I guess we'll go back and book with Hertz again, as the pick whatever you like kind of does not work for us. They either have ONE car or empty isles whenever we try to rent. Hence the upgrade to the Camaro one year.

I've got to go to Key West, I've been on the causeway before, but not as far as Key West. I used to live in Miami when I was very small. My mother went to high school there & my grandmother lived there. Our oldest son is going to Key West again in Nov.

I don't get the KKs unless they are hot either. I get mine in Pigeon Forge,Tn. when going to Gatlinburg. I may get back there in a few weeks, but now have some health issue that has caused doctors some concern, but I'm not worried.

What fun seeing some other Disers. I tried to see if some Disers about, but had no luck.

Key West is really worth the long drive. Then I have to admit, once you hit the actual keys the drive is pretty scenic. The drive from the main land to Orlando not so much.

I could not believe that we had run into some DISers, and then some we actually knew, since we cruised together, on our second day. But it was SO much fun and made our day!

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Karin! All caught up again!

I am enjoying the pictures of the ride to Key West. And I am really looking forward to your hearing about your visit to the keys. I lived in Miami for almost a year and never got down to the Keys.

I also just love the way you two vacation - you really know how to take a calm approach, stopping when you see something interesting, not rushing through everything. I need to take lessons from you - whether it's real life or vacation, I have such a hard time not rushing around like there is some kind of emergency.

for being caught up again! Tell me about playing catch up.

We just love the drive from Miami to Key West. It is so peaceful and so scenic. You really need to drive there one of these days. It's really worth it. But I don't blame you for not going to the Keys while living in Miami. I am always so surprised about the places tourists go here in Austria - it would never occur to me to go there as it is always there.

That is one of the blessings of having a 4 week vacation - no rush. We used to do commando park trips some years ago, but since we go twice every year and one of those trips is 4 weeks long we really can kick back and relax and enjoy.
This is one of the reasons I'd rather invest in a nice hotel, so I can enjoy a lot of time on balconies.

Your hotel in Key largo looks really nice.

Yeah for being on the way to Key West. I have never been there, but its on my bucket list.

We were pretty impressed with the hotel in Key Largo. It was just like the photos on the internet. And staff was very friendly and helpful.
You really need to visit Key West - it is so beautiful and laid back. We really enjoy our time there.

I have to say I am a little grosser out by the fish and shrimp. I don't think I could eat something staring back at me. But the harbor pictures are really neat. I love all your purchases too.

Palates are different, Jen. Thank god. I feel the same way about biscuits and gravy in the US. Just can't eat it ..... looks like vomit to me.

I am loving the castle at the top of a mountain. Pictures.....gorgeous!!!!!

Those types of castles are very typical for Austria. Many of them are very well kept up and there are usually cable cars going up to them.

 

[dizneeat]

I am finally caught up. The drive to key west is beautiful.....but so long.
that rain storm looked scary. I drove through one like that about 15 years ago and it was so stressful.

You did really well, catching up, Jen!
The drive to Key West is not that long at all, considering that you could start it in Miami.
We just don't like Miami International very much and flying into Orlando was cheaper too, so that decided it for us.
But it's only a 4 hour drive from Miami, well, could be longer, depending on how often you stop to enjoy the surrounding.
I hate driving in a rain storm like this. And the other thing that really irked me was the fact that no one seem to bother to turn on the headlights. It is the law here in Europe to turn headlights on when visiblity is low. No one in Miami seemed to bother - very stressful.

WPE is a great idea for a different WDW breakfast!!!!

Karin, I love the pictures of the drive to Key West, but such a long trek....how cool to be driving in the middle of the ocean...until a storm I went to the Keys once I was 12 maybe (my grandparents lived near Miami) and I even remember the road that lasted forever....

We just WPE breakfast. So yummy and always big enough to share if you are not as "greedy" as me. I do NOT share my breakfast pizza.

It's not as long as it seems. It was our choice to drive from Orlando. Would have been much shorter if we had flown into Miami International, but it is NOT my favourite airport.
Thankfully there were no storms on the way to the Keys and there always seems to be one in Miami.
We just love the drive from Miami to the Keys - very picturesque!

Hi Karin! I'm all caught up again. I just love to see all your "picnic purchases" Not sure why, just looks so relaxed, I guess.

It was fun to see your Italy pics - your drive home looks so beautiful!

OK, now you are on your big vacation again. I remember hearing about Key Largo in a Beach Boys song, I think. I didn't really know it was so close to Key West. Looking forward to more, and hopefully I'll be able to check in more often.

for being all caught up. It sometimes is so hard to stay on top of it all.
We just love those picnic items. Most of them we cannot get (just like this) in Austria, so we make it a point to have these kind of things quite often.
More pics of Italy coming soon, Tammie - we'll head there again in two more weeks.

You would LOVE Key Largo and Key West! The Keys are just wonderful. Maybe you should consider it some day.

It was Kokomo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5_AD9wXuY

Thanks for the memories, Tammie!
I really loved that song, along with a lot of other Beach Boys songs. They were really popular when I was WAY younger.

 

[dizneeat]

I was finally able to get my internet working and I'm all caught up!

That aiport Hyatt looks really nice! I'm glad you enjoyed your stay there, I've always liked the Hyatt hotels. I don't think I've ever had S'barro pizza though...

Wow, what a drive to the Keys! I hope you didn't get soaked in the rain with the cover down. It sucks when you're stuck in traffic for hours and you don't even know why. I was once stuck on the side of a road in the middle of summer. A lot of people just slept in their cars for that hour we didn't move.

It's so cool to see those shots on the bridge! I'd love to make that drive one day. I've been to Key West once with my family but it was with a cruise.

Ah, patchy internet service sucks! Glad you have it all sorted out and are caught up again.
We really enjoyed staying at the Hyatt at the airport. It was so relaxing NOT to have to worry about travelling on. And we left all relaxed the next day.

That drive to the Keys is so impressive, Yuki! And thankfully we had the top closed as it was very noisy driving on the highway with the top down.
I really hope you get to make that drive to Key West rather sooner than later and be sure to stay at the Southernmost at the Beach, Yuki! Such a wonderful hotel - photos coming soon.

Yay for a night at Pop....and probably a stroll over to AoA if I know you.

Thanks for sharing our excitement, Jen. We were all set to staying offsite and even checked out the Wyndham in September. But who can resist Disney if they lure you in with an offer. And 25% off of a value is quite okay to me. We will get in late (around 8 - 8.30) and just need a place to lay our heads for the night. In the morning we will be gone early as the DREAM will be calling our names loudly!

 

[dizneeat]

....and probably a stroll over to AoA if I know you.

whoops ......... forgot that part.
We will definitely hop over to AoA. We visited the suites portions in August and it was awesome! I would have stayed in a Little Mermaid room if they had opened that up for discounts too.

 

[HowieHowie]

The ride down to the Keys looks so pretty. YAY...for your night at POP. We also went to visit AOA in August and really loved it there, thought they did a fantastic job. We might stay there next summer for a few days before our DVC hotel.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 3, August 13

A Key West DISmeet - Part 2

We both love the drive over the many bridges to Key West and stopped ever so often to walk down to the beach or to walk up onto one of the sidewalks along the bridges.

We took a lot of photos and then we decided that since we had our convertible, why not open it up and use it the way it was supposed to be.
It took quite some time to get to Key West and shortly before we arrived we received a text from our friend Joh and her family if we could meet earlier than we had originally planned. We texted her back that we were still a little way away and after a few texts back and forth we all decided to keep things the way they were.
So, when we finally arrived at Key West we decided to make a lunch stop at Denny’s before heading to check in. There was ample parking in front of the restaurant, so we closed the car and headed inside the restaurant. It looked funny as there were just a few people our age and the rest of the guests seemed to be “older”.
But we were both pretty hungry, so we stayed. We were led to a booth near, with a view of the pool of the Holiday Inn this restaurant was a part of and soon our order was being taken. While I was sticking to my trusted

Diet Coke, Tom wanted to try something different the Blackberry Orange Twist, Blackberry and Orange mixed with Sprite. Our drinks arrived very quickly and we were both happy to sit and enjoy them. It didn’t take long at all and our entrees arrived. Tom had ordered the

Midwest Meat and Potato Sandwich, which was a special from their “Tour America” menu. It was Grilled Prime Rib and Wavy cut French Fries, smothered in brown gravy, topped with Swiss and American cheeses and Mayo. It was served in a Cheddar bun with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy. I had opted for something a little lighter,

the Avocado, Chicken Caesar salad, grilled seasoned chicken breast, diced Avocado, crisp bacon crumbles and shredded Parmesan cheese on top of fresh romaine lettuce tossed with Caesar dressing and served with dinner bread. We both enjoyed our lunch and once we were done we headed back to the car and finally made our way into Key West.
A little later we finally arrived at the Southernmost at the Beach Hotel, parked our car and headed inside to check in. We were the only guests checking in at that time and were greeted in a very friendly way. Everything had been prepared beforehand, we were handed our room keys and the map, a voucher for the Southernmost Beach Café and off we went. We had the same type of room we had had the last time we had stayed there, it was just one building over. We headed upstairs with only hand luggage and took a look at the room.

It was as beautiful and peaceful as we had remembered it.

To be continued ............

 

[dizneeat]

The ride down to the Keys looks so pretty. YAY...for your night at POP. We also went to visit AOA in August and really loved it there, thought they did a fantastic job. We might stay there next summer for a few days before our DVC hotel.

The Keys are such a wonderful part of Florida, you really need to see it for yourself one day, Elaine.
Isn't AoA awesome? We walked inside the hotels and some of the rooms were open - we were in awe!
I really considered AoA, but the suites are far too expensive for the two of us and there was NO discount for the Little Mermaid rooms, so Pop won, hands down - just around the corner from DTD as well. Need to stay close to my friend Wolfgang!

 

[Rafikifan]

Loving your trip report! Can't wait for more.

 

[wilma-bride]

The room looks lovely Karin, we are definitely going to try and stay there next time we go to Key West

 

[dizneeat]

Loving your trip report! Can't wait for more.

I am glad to hear that you enjoy it! Given that we are only at day 3 of 30 there definitely IS lots more to come!