If your heart is in your DREAM a Aug/Sept 2011, NEW - links to dining/trip report

[debsters41]

Hi Karin! I was wondering if I might pick your brain in August as to how to rent a villa for DLRP?? We also will not be able to go back to the USA for a while after this summer and I was thinking of DLRP next Easter.... Especially if Greek Orthodox Easter falls on a different week from Catholic Easter, it should be doable *fingers crossed*

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Karin! I was wondering if I might pick your brain in August as to how to rent a villa for DLRP?? We also will not be able to go back to the USA for a while after this summer and I was thinking of DLRP next Easter.... Especially if Greek Orthodox Easter falls on a different week from Catholic Easter, it should be doable *fingers crossed*

Sure we can do that! We just love the freedom of the villas around DLRP and since we always rent a car it is a no brainer!
There will be lots of time on the DREAM to discuss the pros and cons of staying offsite!
I'll keep my fingers crossed it works out for you!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

just finally caught up...I have been away from Disboard b/c I joined another board (cruise). My son has been asking to go on a cruise so 2 months ago I looked into Disney cruise during the Easter break but no availability during that time perios (plus airfare would be additional cost). So 3 weeks ago my husband booked the Norwegian Nicklodean cruise that leaves from NYC. So I have been researching (but of course that board is not as friend as here)
Thanks for the wonderful updates and I love the pictures you shared with us.
My husband and I went to Austria about 7 years ago and we loved Salburg (we visited country side) and had fabolous meals.
Thanks again...it brought back many amazing memories.

 

[jenseib]

just finally caught up...I have been away from Disboard b/c I joined another board (cruise). My son has been asking to go on a cruise so 2 months ago I looked into Disney cruise during the Easter break but no availability during that time perios (plus airfare would be additional cost). So 3 weeks ago my husband booked the Norwegian Nicklodean cruise that leaves from NYC. So I have been researching (but of course that board is not as friend as here)
Thanks for the wonderful updates and I love the pictures you shared with us.
My husband and I went to Austria about 7 years ago and we loved Salburg (we visited country side) and had fabolous meals.
Thanks again...it brought back many amazing memories.

Do you go to Cruisecritic. if not, check it out. They have a lot of cruise info on those boards.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Do you go to Cruisecritic. if not, check it out. They have a lot of cruise info on those boards.

Thank you,

 

[dizneeat]

just finally caught up...I have been away from Disboard b/c I joined another board (cruise). My son has been asking to go on a cruise so 2 months ago I looked into Disney cruise during the Easter break but no availability during that time perios (plus airfare would be additional cost). So 3 weeks ago my husband booked the Norwegian Nicklodean cruise that leaves from NYC. So I have been researching (but of course that board is not as friend as here)
Thanks for the wonderful updates and I love the pictures you shared with us.
My husband and I went to Austria about 7 years ago and we loved Salburg (we visited country side) and had fabolous meals.
Thanks again...it brought back many amazing memories.

Yeah for catching up!
It's nice to hear that you made travel plans while being absent here, even if it isn't with DCL!
You should definitely think about DCL in your future though! They are awesome!
I am glad to hear that you enjoyed Salzburg! It is a wonderful area and Salzburg as a city is just beautiful. Linz is more of an industrial town, but the surrounding area is beautiful too!

Do you go to Cruisecritic. if not, check it out. They have a lot of cruise info on those boards.

Thank you,

I looked into Cruisecritic too, thanks to Jen's advice! More info on my favourite cruise line! Thank you!

 

[dizneeat]

Real life update!

Sorry I have been missing a lot last week, but we had a few problems, CAR problems to sort out!

As you all well know, Tom had to get a new car and I decided on getting a new one.
We had a lot to choose from and had kind of made our minds up before we went to "deal with the dealers".
Tom had three cars that made the final round of choosing -

The Nissan Note, financially the best option, but a considerably smaller car than Tom likes, but very well equipped with every little gimmick Tom wants in a car.

Then there was
The Nissan Juke, a fun car, larger than the Note, still in the desired price range, medium configuration of "car fun things".

And last there was
The Nissan Qashqai, larger size car, not really the price we wanted to pay, but Tom really wanted it. IF we were to buy that one, we would have to go with the minimal configuration!

I just wanted what I have had so far, the Nissan Micra.

So after a lot of talking and looking at pictures on the internet, we went to the largest dealer here in the area, hoping that he would be willing to go with a discount.
Once we told the dealer what we wanted to spend, he kind of lost interest, showed us some cars, then priced them for us, told us that was what it was, no more discounts, (he had some specials) and we were left with those options - I got the car I wanted for about 18000$, delivery in July. Tom had the option of getting a new Qashqai with the smallest configuration, the colour he wanted and a delivery date of September/early October or a used model, about 1000 km driven, medium confirguration for about 30.500$

We left to sleep on it and to discuss it even more.

On Friday we decided to head to another dealer, maybe get a quote and try to negociate a discount with the first dealer we had been to.
The dealer we went to is a smaller one and we did not think we would be in luck. We found a salesman and once we told him what we were willing to spend on two cars, he was quite positive he could find something for us that would meet our expectations and fit our bill.

We looked at all the new models, then set down to get a quote. First we got a quote for Tom. He could have the Juke with every little bit of technology they can fit in for about 28000$, or a NEW Qashqai in the medium configuration for about 30000$ ....... actually cheaper than the used one at the other dealer. Turns out that he has two of those in Tom's favourite colour - black and he can get it within a few days time. Yippie!

Then he went on to give me a quote for my car. I decided to go with the least expensive option and just add the "cool" extras. Once the salesman was done he looked at me and asked if I would mind taking one, that the car dealer had registered for a day, but it was not being driven, brand new, medium configuration, but the colour was black instead of the red I wanted. Would I mind terribly? No I would not!!!!!!!!!! So he gave me a quote and it was 16000$, which fit our budget perfectly.
I signed the contract there and then!

Tom wanted to think about it for the night and check out WHAT was included in both options. But in the end he decided on the Qashqai.

So here is what we have already signed he contract for!

MY car!

TOM'S car!

And, Tom has already decided that both cars need a little bit of personalisation! So this is what he came up with and what we will get done, lateron in the year!

Doesn't that golden border look familiar - fit for a DREAM!

He signed his contract yesterday and lateron we went to a new Japanese/Chinese Restaurant here in the area.

Thought you might like to see what we had ..........

Tom had the deep fried calamari with a wasabi yogurt sauce over mixed greens with asian vinaigrette. The calamari were very tender, the sauce had a nice kick to it and the greens were just that, greens!

I haven't had an eggroll in a long time, so I got the pork and chinese leaves eggrolls with sweet chili sauce. Crispy fried freshly made eggrolls and the sauce which was mild at first, but had a good kick after some time. Loved them!

Tom's main course was the Crispy Duck with garlic sauce over fried noodles. I tried a little bit and the duck was very nice and tasty, the garlic sauce had a very nice light garlic scent and the noodles were really yummy and tasty. He nearly succeeded in cleaning his plate.

I had the Noodles with chicken and peanut sauce. It didn't look all that appetizing when it arrived, but let me asure you that things that don't look nice can taste great!
Once you mixed in the thick gravy type like sauce on top it gave the whole dish an ever so light peanut scent and taste, the chicken was cut very finely and still so tender and moist. I loved it, but the portion was HUGE!!!!!!!

We decided to share a dessert - to be honest I had most of it! Fried bananas with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Yum, yum, yum!

Later that afternoon, we had some Earl Grey Tea with lemon and some Austrian croissants, made from puff pastry and filled with apricot jam! Yummyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!

We will be able to pick up our cars in early May - the salesman went on vacation right after we left and it will take some time to get the paperwork with the insurance done, but once my birthday rolls around, I will be driving around in my new car! Yippie!!!!!!!!!

 

[KatMark]

Karin, congrats on the new cars!!! They both look great. I fear we're going to need a new one, but I'm hoping we can hold off another year or so.

Lunch looks yummy too.

 

[debsters41]

Matching Cars!! I never would have considered having a black car until I saw the idea for the trim! How cool is that!! Congratulations!! I am so glad that it all worked out better than you had been imagining!

 

[annmarieda]

Love the cars!

Love the food pics... and unless I am totally desperate to see some hidden mickey's... are there not a few in your food??? Maybe I just need a trip back to my favorite place sooner than December!!!

 

[englishrose47]

Great update Karin !!Loved both cars although I am with Tom I like the bigger cars !!Have a feeling my next will be smaller as Gas prices give me no choice.
I had a laugh about the Hidden Mickey as I was searching your 2 entrees thinking " Am I blind "Then I looked at the Calamari and saw it11

 

[dizneeat]

Karin, congrats on the new cars!!! They both look great. I fear we're going to need a new one, but I'm hoping we can hold off another year or so.

Lunch looks yummy too.

Thank you, Kathy!

We were hoping and praying for the last two years for Tom's car to get through the inspection we have to have done every year. Once it got to 10 years old, even though it was running like clockwork it would stress us out as we never knew how much money we had to invest to get it repaired or we would not have gotten through the inspection.
Tom had it checked at ARBOE (our AAA) and they said he would have to invest A LOT of money and it would only last him another year, so this is why we decided to buy one for him in the first place.
The one I am currently driving is 8 years old and nearing the 100000 km mark. I was really dreading any larger repairs that would come my way, so after we crunched numbers we decided to buy cars for both of us. If they just weren't SO damn expensive AND if we hadn't such an expensive vacation planned as well.
I don't usually sum it all up, but with the cars "on the horizon" I had to and it will be A LOT of money!

We loved lunch! And we had such a laugh. Because when the owner saw we were taking photos of the food they became extra friendly explaining how things were done and how it took some time, as everything was made fresh! I guess they mistook us for food critics!

BTW, Kathy ........... I still miss you over on my dining review!

Matching Cars!! I never would have considered having a black car until I saw the idea for the trim! How cool is that!! Congratulations!! I am so glad that it all worked out better than you had been imagining!

Yes, we ended up with matching cars, even if it was unintentionally! Black wasn't my first choice colour but then all I wanted was a colour that would NOT stand out. I am driving a "Kermit" green one at the moment!
And I LOVE the idea of the trim! Tom has a friend who does those for a living and we will see how long it will take until he can fit us in!

Love the cars!

Love the food pics... and unless I am totally desperate to see some hidden mickey's... are there not a few in your food??? Maybe I just need a trip back to my favorite place sooner than December!!!

Thank you, Ann! We are pretty happy with our new cars!

And yes, there is one very intentional Hidden Mickey in our food! Can't help myself, but whenever I have round things I need to come up with a Mickey!
Your trip will be here before you know it, Ann! And planning it is half the fun!

Great update Karin !!Loved both cars although I am with Tom I like the bigger cars !!Have a feeling my next will be smaller as Gas prices give me no choice.
I had a laugh about the Hidden Mickey as I was searching your 2 entrees thinking " Am I blind "Then I looked at the Calamari and saw it11

Thank you, Rosie!
I do understand, that he wants a bigger one! Would I live in the US I might make a different choice myself! But here the space to park your cars is just tiny and as long as you don't go long distance those little cars are very fuel efficient and you can literally turn them around in the tightest places.
Guess what, I had to go back and look at the pictures and there IS a Hidden Mickey in the calamari as well! I thought I was pretty clever with the croissant plate and tea mugs!

 

[Stefy]

Yay for the new cars They look great, esp with the added extra mods that Tom will apply (V cool)

 

[dizneeat]

Yay for the new cars They look great, esp with the added extra mods that Tom will apply (V cool)

Hi Stefy!

Thanks for sharing our excitement! I love the added Disney touch we are going to apply to the cars! Should be fun!

I just posted on your thread! Great minds, think alike!

 

[tinacaplan]

Nice job on the cars! I cannot get over how long you have to wait to get the whole process done. Its much quicker here in the states, but we're all about instant gratification, which isn't always the best thing.

Personally, I love small cars. I drive a VW Beetle, and have for nearly ten years, and I love it. Its easy to park and easy to maneuver practically anywhere. Plus, I don't feel like I need a step stool to get in and out of it!

We're also a bit concerned about our cars. Mark both a used car for his last one, several years ago, and its got a little over 180,000 miles on it. We're debating whether or not to get another round of repairs done, or to buy a new car. We're trying to hold off for as long as possible. We haven't had car payments in a long time and I'm not looking forward to making them again! Less money for future Disney trips! I have been trying to explain to some of the more skeptical people in my life that when it comes to Disney, its all about priorities.

 

[dizneeat]

Nice job on the cars! I cannot get over how long you have to wait to get the whole process done. Its much quicker here in the states, but we're all about instant gratification, which isn't always the best thing.

Personally, I love small cars. I drive a VW Beetle, and have for nearly ten years, and I love it. Its easy to park and easy to maneuver practically anywhere. Plus, I don't feel like I need a step stool to get in and out of it!

We're also a bit concerned about our cars. Mark both a used car for his last one, several years ago, and its got a little over 180,000 miles on it. We're debating whether or not to get another round of repairs done, or to buy a new car. We're trying to hold off for as long as possible. We haven't had car payments in a long time and I'm not looking forward to making them again! Less money for future Disney trips! I have been trying to explain to some of the more skeptical people in my life that when it comes to Disney, its all about priorities.

We could actually have it earlier than that, but the salesman is going on vacation and we don't want him to loose his bonus!
It takes a day or two to have the insurance changed, but before that we need to have our old cars checked and discuss what they are willing to pay for them and then it is going to be a problem with both of us working again after Easter. Here shops close at 6pm sharp and if I work until 4.30 I will be in town not before 5. 30 - 5.45 and by then the repair shops, that evaluate the cars, will be closed.

I don't mind waiting those few more days!

My thoughts about getting a new car were that now at the age it is it is more than likely that I need to have more costly repairs and would it make sense to do those or invest in a new one - the new one won!

I know what you mean when it comes to less money for Mickey! Exactly what I thought!
See, getting a new car will cost me my February trip!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Thanks for sharing on the life update. So glad you guys got new cars...Nice Easter gifts

 

[Native NYer]

Joining in!
Your trip sounds just heavenly!

 

[dizneeat]

Thanks for sharing on the life update. So glad you guys got new cars...Nice Easter gifts

Thanks for sharing the excitement! I never thought about the new cars as Easter Gifts! But that makes them extra special!

Joining in!
Your trip sounds just heavenly!

Welcome!
We are so looking forward to our trip! I cannot wait to go back to OKW and to set foot on the DREAM.
It's even more special now that you are on board here too!

 

[Swalphin]

Karin,
I am sure you are happy car shopping is finished. I love my car and luckily I think I will have it for several more years, I only have about 50,000 miles on it. New car shopping not one of my favorite things. Your cars look great I like the paint detailing that Tom plans to add, sure does add some pizazz. Your meal looked lovely.