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

[annmarieda]

OMG! I LOVE the waffles at WL. Those strawberry topped ones with the orange whipped cream!!! YUM!!!

The DVC meet sounds like it wasn't as informative as maybe you were hoping....

 

[englishrose47]

Those waffles look wonderful!!!!I think I wanrt to try both!!!

 

[eandesmom]

I admit, I've never had the waffles at RF! Now I wish we would have when we were there as a family. Of course since the kids wouldn't get up on that trip, there loss.

UGH. Your DVC story reinforces my fear of that event and honestly, for a hat, I don't want to lose an hour for that. Bummer. Still, breakfast and shopping sounds like like they were quite productive.

 

[dizneeat]

Karin, I've not been back to DL since DCA opened, but have seen many photos of that Ferris Wheel. Sounds terrifying! You can always say you've been up there!!

Interesting DVC Meet - very nice they opened the upstairs and you could watch the goings on instead of being in the midst of it all.

What did you think of BWV? I enjoyed our stay as it is so convenient and I prefer some of the std views over the BCV views, but BCV has of course SAB. Best of all, BWV is less points than almost any other DVC. Works great for me!

Would you believe in 30+ years of visits we have never come across one of those frogs!

Ahhhh....RF - I've read so many complaints about it but we really enjoyed it when staying at VWL. It was perfect for early breakfast before the
park, food was always good. Tom's waffle looks especially yummy...yours a bit too sweet for me, but so happy you enjoyed your Mickey waffle.

Nice little shopping trip! I'd love to get to the Vera Bradley outlet! Oh, and can you hardly wait to see the VB Mickey designs?! Hoping the Dream gift shop will have some on our cruise.

Fun update, Karin!

As fun as it was to ride the sunwheel, it was terrifying in that little "cabin", which was rocking and moving around - running back and forth. SCARY!!! even for me!

That DVC meet was "different". Don't think we will head back any time soon.

I really liked the BWVs, but we have yet to really branch out. We just LOVE OKW and all the space you have in a 1 bedroom, so it will always win, especially since it is the "cheapest" DVC resort pointwise.
We are going to BCVs this summer but mostly for SAB we were really going for OKW, but wanted to at least try one "new" resort.

You have not seen the frogs before? One year we had several frogs at POR every time we walked back to our room. It was so fun .... we kept giving them names.

Yes, I might see a new VB bag in my future! Tom insisted on going to the outlet store while we were at WDW in February and I did NOT find anything I wanted, but I guess, seeing the Disney VB changed that.

Your breakfast looks amazing! Even though its dinner time here, I could eat that right up! YUM!

Yeah for a fun shopping expedition!

I had seen reports about the Mickey Waffles here on the DIS and was determined to head over to the WL to try them. They were soooo good, and it's good they give you something savoury with it, as it cuts the sweetness a bit. Mine were really sweet, but still SOOOOOO good!

We just love to check out the malls as well. We do not have many of the stores here in Austria, so those offsite shopping sprees are another vacation treat.

mmm breakfast looks delicious.
You mean you didn't participate in the kiddie games?

You really need to try the waffles at RF, Jen. But be warned they are sweet.
Yes, I would so have loved to take part in those games - NOT!!!!!!! We're not heading back there any time soon.

Mmm, I just love the waffles at Roaring Fork and I'm pretty sure I will be eating plenty of them when we stay at WL in December

I had no idea that the DVC get together would be like you described! Don't think we will be heading there any time soon!

I know, Linda, you were one of the reasons I HAD TO head there for breakfast.
We were expecting something totally different at the meet. I am not at all into those kind of games, so we sat upstairs in horror and happy that we WERE upstairs and away from the "action".

 

[dizneeat]

Those waffles are making my tummy grumble (good thing dinner is in ten minutes). They look super yummy.

They were very good Mickey Waffles, not dry at all and I just LOVE banana fosters. SOOOOOOOOOOO sweet, but soooooooo good.

OMG! I LOVE the waffles at WL. Those strawberry topped ones with the orange whipped cream!!! YUM!!!

The DVC meet sounds like it wasn't as informative as maybe you were hoping....

Ann, they stopped orange whipped cream two days before we went there. I asked about it and they said that too many people didn't like it, so it's regular whipped cream now.
The meet was absolutely NOT what I expected it to be ........

Those waffles look wonderful!!!!I think I wanrt to try both!!!

You really should put RF on your list of restaurants for breakfast. Those Mickey Waffles were very good.

I admit, I've never had the waffles at RF! Now I wish we would have when we were there as a family. Of course since the kids wouldn't get up on that trip, there loss.

UGH. Your DVC story reinforces my fear of that event and honestly, for a hat, I don't want to lose an hour for that. Bummer. Still, breakfast and shopping sounds like like they were quite productive.

Cynthia, I am sure you will get a chance to try the waffles at WL. They are worth the trip there.

They had nice hats and we got to look at the BWV rooms, but apart from that there was nothing I particularly liked about the meet. Not rushing back either.
Shopping on the other hand was a lot of fun.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 12, August 22

A DVC meet, a DISmeet and fireworks from Bay Lake Tower - Part 2

Purchases in the bag we headed back to our car and then over to Old Key West. We were back within a few minutes and headed upstairs to our villa

for our snack and a short break.

Tom had picked

the Ham and Swiss Panini which came with a bag of chips, while I had ordered

the Coffee Mocha Cupcake which was one of the very best cupcakes I had ever had at WDW. After filling up our bellies again we were ready to head out and over to Downtown Disney again for another DISmeet.
We had said to meet at Ghirardelli’s and were a little early. It looked a lot like rain and we hoped it would not start until we had met Michelle and her daughter Angelina. It didn’t take too long and they arrived. In addition to her daughter, Michelle brought her sister Tracy along and we instantly bonded and had a blast.
We found a table along the lake, which was sheltered by an umbrella and it didn’t take long for the heavens to open up, but we had fun and chatted and were looking forward to our cruise together.
We had so much fun we did not even notice how fast time had gone by. When we finally said our goodbyes we were surprised that we had sat there close to two hours. And after some hugs we went our separate ways again, forgetting completely that we should have taken a photo of the event.
Tom and I headed back to Old Key West to get changed because despite the umbrella we both had gotten a little wet. Around 8am we were in the car again, this time driving over to the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower.

DVC members were allowed to use the Top of the World Lounge, even if they didn’t stay there and we had loved the lounge when we had stayed at Bay Lake Tower in February.
The BLT parking lot was rather empty, so we parked our car there, walked up to the hotel and showed our membership cards at the desk. We were then pointed towards the elevators and told to wait for a Cast Member to take us up. Within a minute the elevator doors opened and a very friendly young lady welcomed us and asked us to step inside the elevator. She took us up to the lounge and we were surprised to find it pretty crowded.
We looked around and were happy to see some guests departing, so we headed over to that spot and sat down. We were still trying to look through the menu when a server came to take our order. Tom wanted

a Budweiser, while I tried one of their Speciality Cocktails,

the Bay Lake Sunset, Stoli Vanil Vodka, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and Pineapple Juice with a splash of Grenadine. While the server went to pick up our drinks we had a look at the food menu and decided to order some things to share. We wanted to share

the Cheeseburger Flat Bread, bison, rootbeer glazed onions, Tillamook Cheddar, Bibb Lettuce, Toma Tomatoes, Dill Pickle Mayonnaise, Mustard, Ketchup and

the Chicken Sliders, a trio of burgers with herbed goat cheese, local tomato jam, and jalapeno ketchup. Both were really tasty and enjoyable, even though I would have loved some cutlery to make eating a little easier, but we managed. While we were still munching our snacks the fireworks went off and it was fun to see them from the comfort of the lounge. Some parts were a bit cut off, but it was so nice to be able to see them and sit there munching flatbread. When Tom had finished his beer he ordered a Diet Coke, while I wanted to have another one of their cocktails. I ordered

the Key Lime Coconut Martini, Midori Melon Liqueur, Stoli Vanil Vodka, Pina Colada mix, Pineapple Juice and a drop of fresh lime juice. It was delicious and we sat and talked and enjoyed the lounge.
Once we had finished our second drinks, we asked for the bill, applied the Tables in Wonderland to the bill, paid and went outside to enjoy the view from the deck.

Shortly before 10 we went back to our car

and drove back home to Old Key West. We watched a little more TV, had a few drinks out of the well stocked fridge and munched some chips and Tortilla chips with dip sauces. Around half past 11 we were in our beds and ready to fall asleep.

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

 

[WDisneyMom]

Oh my! That cheeseburger flatbread sounds interesting! And now I need that coffee mocha muffin, yum! Great update, Karin!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Karin, that has to be the prettiest towel creation I have seen. Lovely! OKW is special!

I must be hungry because Tom's sandwich, the Black Cherry natural soda (one of my faves) and that cupcake all look sooooo yummy! I swear I can smell it all!

Access to BLT Top of the World Lounge is a very nice perk to DVC owners. Fabulous view!

As you probably know, years ago there was a Top of the World Lounge at CR. We so enjoyed going up evenings when we did not stay at MK - we'd have a snack and drinks and watch the fireworks. Back then guests could walk outside to view the fireworks - it was wonderful. Although we were staying there, anyone could go outside on the observation deck. (Used to be a Broadway type show in what became The California Grill). Brunch was fabulous! It was so pretty having Brunch up there early and see the beach before guests had walked through the designs in the sand made during the night. Great memories.

A look back:
"Top of the World: Also known as the Top of the World Supper Club. It featured celebrity entertainers such as Carol Lawrence, Jack Jones and Phyllis Diller and dancing until 1981 when a show called Broadway at the Top premiered. The entertainment charge for this show in 1981 was $7.50 for adults and $3.75 for children age 3-11. Dinner cost between $9.50 and $13.50. There was a Sunday brunch (with the fondly remembered "make your own" strawberry shortcake) and lunch during the day. There was also a lounge for sipping drinks while watching fireworks. Top of the World closed September 30, 1993 and became the California Grill in May of 1995. The Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort has a Top of the World Lounge as a tribute."

 

[jenseib]

You know it's a good meet when you sti for 2 hours and totally lose track of time.

 

[englishrose47]

Your meet went well Karin !! I just LOVE Dis Meets!! Also those random ones are a lot of fun!! Especially when Judy cringesMy other is talking to strangers again
All your food as usual looks yommy!!!
I will definately NOT be going on THAT Ferris Wheel!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Oh my! That cheeseburger flatbread sounds interesting! And now I need that coffee mocha muffin, yum! Great update, Karin!

It really was yummy and better than the one we had at the SS CS.
Unfortunately the Boardwalk Bakery was closed in February or we would have had to make a stop there for the Coffee Mocha Muffin. It was really wonderful.

Karin, that has to be the prettiest towel creation I have seen. Lovely! OKW is special!

I must be hungry because Tom's sandwich, the Black Cherry natural soda (one of my faves) and that cupcake all look sooooo yummy! I swear I can smell it all!

Access to BLT Top of the World Lounge is a very nice perk to DVC owners. Fabulous view!

As you probably know, years ago there was a Top of the World Lounge at CR. We so enjoyed going up evenings when we did not stay at MK - we'd have a snack and drinks and watch the fireworks. Back then guests could walk outside to view the fireworks - it was wonderful. Although we were staying there, anyone could go outside on the observation deck. (Used to be a Broadway type show in what became The California Grill). Brunch was fabulous! It was so pretty having Brunch up there early and see the beach before guests had walked through the designs in the sand made during the night. Great memories.

A look back:
"Top of the World: Also known as the Top of the World Supper Club. It featured celebrity entertainers such as Carol Lawrence, Jack Jones and Phyllis Diller and dancing until 1981 when a show called Broadway at the Top premiered. The entertainment charge for this show in 1981 was $7.50 for adults and $3.75 for children age 3-11. Dinner cost between $9.50 and $13.50. There was a Sunday brunch (with the fondly remembered "make your own" strawberry shortcake) and lunch during the day. There was also a lounge for sipping drinks while watching fireworks. Top of the World closed September 30, 1993 and became the California Grill in May of 1995. The Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort has a Top of the World Lounge as a tribute."

We got a few really cute towel creations. But just wait until you are on the cruise, Christine, you'll have a terrific towel creation every day.

You know, I had no idea that the top of the Contemporary was used as a lounge before it became the CG.
I only started to research into WDW a short time before we went for the first time in 1999 and by then it already was the CG. I remember a friend telling us that you could go up to the platforms to view the fireworks, but they had closed that loophole shortly before our first visit to CG.
I love those facts. Thanks for sharing Christine.

You know it's a good meet when you sti for 2 hours and totally lose track of time.

You are right, Jen, it was a wonderful meet. And since we got to spend some time on the ship together, we became really good friends. I cannot wait to see Michelle and her family again this summer.

Your meet went well Karin !! I just LOVE Dis Meets!! Also those random ones are a lot of fun!! Especially when Judy cringesMy other is talking to strangers again
All your food as usual looks yommy!!!
I will definately NOT be going on THAT Ferris Wheel!!!

It was a wonderful DISmeet, Rosie. There is something about the people on the DIS. Since we all share the love for Disney it is so easy to bond. And we had such an awesome time on the Dream together lateron. We met again in February and it was like meeting old friends, hugs and all.

 

[englishrose47]

Karin you are soooo right Dissers are the best and they think it perfectly natural to go on trips with starngers , to meet starangers etc !!! I love it but can see how others would be LEERY!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Karin you are soooo right Dissers are the best and they think it perfectly natural to go on trips with starngers , to meet starangers etc !!! I love it but can see how others would be LEERY!!!

Strangers??? Maybe strange, but certainly not strangers after all these years!

 

[annmarieda]

Ann, they stopped orange whipped cream two days before we went there. I asked about it and they said that too many people didn't like it, so it's regular whipped cream now.
The meet was absolutely NOT what I expected it to be ........

Oh no!! No more orange whipped cream? I am so sad!!! It ranks among my top favorite things I have tried in WDW!

You cupcake looks amazing! I need to try one of those.

All your other food pics are amazing too. YUM.

Sounds like a nice time both with Michelle and watching fireworks in the lounge.

 

[HowieHowie]

One year we came back to OKW and had tons of frogs on our door that we couldn't open it. We had a wash cloth and Howie was waving it at the frogs so they would move. When most of them hopped off, we ran inside hoping none followed us in. Well, one must have because I was in the bathroom that night and guess what I saw....a frog. Howie scooped it up with a towel and put it outside.

We have been to DVC meets, but they were not like the one you went to. We wouldn't have like that either.

What a great DISmeet. Waffles look yummy, but that muffin looks amazing. I have been in the Boardwalk bakery many times and I don't know how I could have passed up that muffin....anything coffee and mocha I have to have.

 

[Linda67]

Oh the view from the Top Of The World Lounge looks spectacular

Hope to get up there on our next trip if it's still open to all DVC members - it is right now so fingers crossed they keep it that way

 

[MEK]

I think its so great that all DVC members can go to the TOWL. Is it still like that or did they end it? Cynthia and I briefly entertained it, but we had so much else on our agenda that we pretty much forgot about it. Love the view from up there.

 

[KatMark]

Love that you had a DIS meet and were so comfortable that two hours went by and you didn't even realize it.

Love the towel animals in your villa...so adorable.

 

[Marsheliz]

I am just now reading your TR!

Looks like you guys had lots of fun and I absolutely love how relaxed you guys are vacationing! I wish I was more like that but we tend to cram everything in within those 4 to 5 days..

cant wait to read more!

 

[Caseheidi]

So I discovered this past week that I really need to read your TR on the computer instead of my phone to do your photo's justice. I went back and re-read your DLP trip to check out the photos. They really are great.

DH and I are not DVC owners, but have always wanted to be. Reading your TR makes me really wish we were. We got to stay at OKW two years ago, and loved it. Now that I am learning some of the other perks from your TR, it just seems so worth it. Oh well, something to dream about and look forward to in the future!