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

[annmarieda]

I have been trying to think of a place to grab dinner on 2/21 and I think hopping over to the Poly and trying Captain Cooks (yes..trying as in...for the first time ) sounds good. That way we won't be constrained by servers or waits. Plus, don't they have dole whips there? And... can they be used for the dessert in your dp meal?

Too bad the chocolate covered pineapple wasn't from Captain Cooks... it looks quite yummy!

It must have been hard to say good bye to that view...

Isn't AoA interesting? It is very similar to the other values... but then not. The theming is outstanding. We only stayed one night... but every little detail was there! We stayed in a LM room though...so outside corridors for us. (with the new door locks though )

 

[Mom&RN]

Finally all caught up on your TR. Was gone on vacation for 3 weeks (8 days at Disney - hooray!). I can't believe the fantastic view you had from your balcony at the Contemporary. What a great view of the castle, the fireworks pictures really told the story of how good your view was.

 

[MEK]

Those pictures from the Contemporary of all the landmarks are so great! That's a great shot of the DVC construction!

I also love your pictures of AoA. My DH and I did the same thing - we went over in June and walked around taking pictures. We loved it!

 

[KatMark]

Beautiful pictures of Arts of Animation; if Mark does his business trip in April, I promised him one night there (it's all I could bare).

And, as for the one-bedroom at OKW, unless we get an upgrade that isn't going to happen. I checked and it's twice the price of a studio (I'd rather have an additional trip).

 

[WDisneyMom]

AoA looks amazing but wow!! It really is theming in your face, huh?! It really does look like its geared for smaller children. I would love to stay there just one night, though. Someday!

Kathy, you make me laugh! I know you aren't a fan of values but is it that or the fact that the theming is really just out there at every single turn that you could only do one night?

 

[dizneeat]

Thanks for sharing your AoA pictures! I love them We were going to take a little visit over there in December, but we didn't have enough time. Maybe next trip!

There are lots more pics to come. We were pretty impressed with the theming. Kids must go wild seeing it all. It's like you stay right in the middle of the movie set.
I actually wanted to stay our first night on the February trip, but there were no discounts, so we are staying at Pop and will just cross the Generation Gap bridge to pay a visit.

Love the pics of the AOA! Thank you for sharing. I love the way the buildings are themed. I can just imagine driving up to it with children and seeing their reaction when they get to stay THERE!

The theming is just out of this world. I was so impressed with the theming of ASMo when we first stayed onsite (yes, we have come a long way! ) but AoA is just over the top! Kids must love it there.

This is the first CL lounge post, on any thread, that has actually made me even consider it. Typically I am not impressed with the food I see in the pictures. I'm seeing lovely, unique options in your update, seriously yum! It made me want to go make a plate of cheeses and pate to go with my wine. But since we had the Boma Coconut Curry Chicken Stew simmering on the stove, I didn't. And that verandah, yes, I could live out there!

It's funny, I love the fact that AoA has inside corridors, I can't stand outside ones unless the room has a balcony of it's own but it seems a lot of people aren't happy about the inside corridors. I wouldn't mind staying there someday for a night.

Cynthia, I was never drawn in by club level myself. Having stayed at the Contemporary one I am no a convert.
They actually get their food from the CG kitchen and it was really good. The flatbread we had was wonderful and so were the chicken strips. Really moist with a yummy crispy coating.
Lots of wine to choose from, even cognac and other digestives. It was amazing.

I loved the fact of the inside corridors too! Unfortunately the LM rooms have the outside corridors, so we would either have to bite the bullet and book a family suite or put up with the outside corridor at the LM rooms. But I guess it would be worth it for a night or two.

I have been trying to think of a place to grab dinner on 2/21 and I think hopping over to the Poly and trying Captain Cooks (yes..trying as in...for the first time ) sounds good. That way we won't be constrained by servers or waits. Plus, don't they have dole whips there? And... can they be used for the dessert in your dp meal?

Too bad the chocolate covered pineapple wasn't from Captain Cooks... it looks quite yummy!

It must have been hard to say good bye to that view...

Isn't AoA interesting? It is very similar to the other values... but then not. The theming is outstanding. We only stayed one night... but every little detail was there! We stayed in a LM room though...so outside corridors for us. (with the new door locks though )

Ann, if you haven't tried Captain Cooks, I can strongly recommend it. It has some yummy options.
And YES, they do have Dole whips over there and they are a dessert on the DDP. They will hand you a small cup and you fill it yourself! As high as you want it! Some people REALLY get their money's worth out of the machine.

It was really sad to say goodbye to the view and the whole service at the CR. Tom and I definitely want to return one day, but it would be in the middle of a vacation so we can enjoy it to the fullest again. (We have been thinking of using the CR CL at the start of this year's summer vacation, but since we will only come in late the first night and leave early after three nights it just didn't make sense to shell out all that money, if we "kind of lose" two half days. )

We just loved the theming of AoA! What a great job they did there. I would LOVE to stay in the Cars section - so cute - unfortunately they only have family suites and as long as there are no significant discounts I do not see that in our future.

 

[dizneeat]

Finally all caught up on your TR. Was gone on vacation for 3 weeks (8 days at Disney - hooray!). I can't believe the fantastic view you had from your balcony at the Contemporary. What a great view of the castle, the fireworks pictures really told the story of how good your view was.

for being all caught up again.
8 days at Disney during your vacation? How fun!!!!!!! Lucky girl!

The view from those rooms was just so amazing. I could have lived out on the balcony.
We really didn't spend much time elsewhere and enjoyed the CR and our room to the fullest.

Those pictures from the Contemporary of all the landmarks are so great! That's a great shot of the DVC construction!

I also love your pictures of AoA. My DH and I did the same thing - we went over in June and walked around taking pictures. We loved it!

You know, when we first walked out and Tom pointed them all out I just could not believe the view we had. I was like a little kid, even considered jumping up and down, but that is not something I'd like to do on the 12th floor.
That GF DVC add on really grew fast. When we saw it again from the CG at the end of our vacation it had already changed again.

Beautiful pictures of Arts of Animation; if Mark does his business trip in April, I promised him one night there (it's all I could bare).

And, as for the one-bedroom at OKW, unless we get an upgrade that isn't going to happen. I checked and it's twice the price of a studio (I'd rather have an additional trip).

Kathy, it's a beautiful resort and apart from the outside corridors at LM it has a real hotel feel. We walked inside the Lion King and Cars buildings and it was amazing.
I would love to spend a night or two, but would not go with LM, so I am not sure I want to pay the price they charge for the family suites yet. If they come with a discount though it's definitely in the running.

I hear you on the price of a 1 bedroom at OKW, but for the lenght we stay it is so wonderful to have all that space and the amenities.
And squeezing in that extra trip is not an option for us as airfare would be far too much to even consider that. Maybe if we ever overlap you can come over and have a look at it. It's one of the luxuries I do not want to miss.

AoA looks amazing but wow!! It really is theming in your face, huh?! It really does look like its geared for smaller children. I would love to stay there just one night, though. Someday!

Kathy, you make me laugh! I know you aren't a fan of values but is it that or the fact that the theming is really just out there at every single turn that you could only do one night?

It is pretty bold theming. But wait until you see the Cars section - that is really my favourite part.
I guess it appeals to all kids who like those movies. It's like stepping into an oversized movie set.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 9, August 19

Goodbye Contemporary and Welcome Home to Old Key West - Part 3


Once we had finished our walk through we headed over to the next section,

the Lion King buildings. Again, the outside theming and icons were just awesome

and we watched some kids playing

before we headed inside the building again, the check out the inside décor.

While walking through, some of the doors, of obviously unoccupied rooms were open and we peeked inside while walking by and the rooms really look great. Our next stop was the Cars section,

which was again so well themed, with all the cars from the movies and so many different icons.


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

 

[jenseib]

More awesome pictures. It's such a fun place

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I love the look of AoA, it might do for a couple of days. We don't like to stay any place with a lot of children, I know, it's WDW!

We got a look at AoA when riding ME. That was one of the stops on the way to AKL.

 

[Linda67]

I love the look of AoA, it might do for a couple of days. We don't like to stay any place with a lot of children, I know, it's WDW!

We got a look at AoA when riding ME. That was one of the stops on the way to AKL.

This is exactly what we are doing, just staying there for three nights to experience it before heading off to Wilderness Lodge
I'm really looking forward to trying Landscape Of Flavors

 

[dizneeat]

More awesome pictures. It's such a fun place

Yes, it is! And there are more to come - I just need to finish up with school work (and like our pupils I will do replies here, rather than finish up marking tests ).

I love the look of AoA, it might do for a couple of days. We don't like to stay any place with a lot of children, I know, it's WDW!

We got a look at AoA when riding ME. That was one of the stops on the way to AKL.

Doris, that is exactly what I said - I would LOVE to stay at AoA, but I could do without all the kids.

This is exactly what we are doing, just staying there for three nights to experience it before heading off to Wilderness Lodge
I'm really looking forward to trying Landscape Of Flavors

Are you staying in a LM room or a family suite, Linda? My first choice would be the suite, esp. in the Cars section - so cute!

 

[KatMark]

Loving the pictures of Arts of Animation. I can't remember...which one is the suite? Little Mermaid? Mark wants a "Nemo" room.

 

[dizneeat]

Loving the pictures of Arts of Animation. I can't remember...which one is the suite? Little Mermaid? Mark wants a "Nemo" room.

Little Mermaid is regular rooms. All the others (Nemo, Lion King, Cars) are family suites!

 

[englishrose47]

Lion King Theming is awesome !!!

 

[HowieHowie]

Day 8, August 18

Spending time with friends - Part 2

While we were still happily munching away, I heard a familiar voice and looked up and saw some friends we had gotten to know on the Disney Dream the summer before, Elaine, Howie, Scott and Rachel.
We had decided to meet up later in the day, but they had had breakfast at Chef Mickeys and had noticed us in the restaurant. After talking for a short time they decided to wait outside until we had finished our meal and then we would all go up to our room.
A few minutes later we all went up to the Concierge Level, they all had a look around and then we headed to our room.

Aww...DISMeets are great, and not one meet, but two is even better!! I was saying to Howie as we left Chef Mickey's.. wouldn't be it nice if I see Karin & Tom, so I looked for you and sure enough there you were. It was a great afternoon, we had a lot of fun together.
I know I have been out of touch lately, and finally had some time to catch up on your TR. Our Christmas vacation to WDW had it's ups and downs. Of course, the beautiful castle and the decorations can't be beat. It was crowded, but it didn't matter to us and we loved being there for New Years Eve. Being delayed 1 hr sitting on the plane in NY, waiting on the Dollar car rental line only to be told that Hertz took over Dollar and now we have to wait on the Hertz line, so it took 1 hr to get a car. Finally got to Beach Club around midnight. The following week Rachel was sick for 2 days in bed and then I didn't feel too well. Then I get a phone call from my mom that both her and my dad fell and were in the hospital. I was ready to take the next plane home, but my mom said they were being taken care of at the hospital. They are in rehab now, but I am running back and forth to see them. It has been a crazy start to the new year!

 

[annmarieda]

You got some great pictures of the Lion King section as well as the cars section! I do think they did an awesome job with the theming. I just was shocked at how long it took to get to the LM rooms!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Karin, than you for all the AOA photos! Absolutely love the Cars section!!

 

[Linda67]

Hi Karin

We are going to be in a Little Mermaid room

It's only for three nights, just to check it out then it's off to the Villas At Wilderness Lodge

Did you eat at Landscape Of Flavors? I love the look of the menu - tons of veggie options !

Lx

 

[kmaria]

Hi Karin - long time lurker on your trip reports here! I just want to say, in the past, I've been lucky enough to stumble upon your completed trip reports. Reading a new, uncompleted one and waiting for updates is a killer!

But I love your reports, and my favorite part is the food!!! Can't wait for the next update

Kristi