It's A WONDERful 2015 - Feb Cruise, May WDW grand tour, and France/DLP! NEW 10/25 Nice & End!

[Imagineer5]

Let's get this TR started!

January 30th, 2015

Our original plan had us leaving on January 31st, as our cruise was leaving from Miami on Feb 1st, but I started getting really nervous about New England weather cancelling our flights, so I moved it up a day! As it so happens, January 30th was Aria's 3rd birthday. So this gave us a full day in Miami assuming we got off the ground on time, and some buffer time in case of crazy weather.

Well, I'm sure you all heard about the winter we had?! By January 30th we had a couple feet of snow on the ground - and surprise, surprise that day we were getting a snow storm.

Boston flights were being cancelled left and right, but Providence ones had about a 50% cancellation rate, and ours miraculously was not cancelled or even delayed! We both had to work that day but were home by about 1PM, got in the car which is when Aria took a short (45 min) nap, parked and headed in. We generally split up because I have TSA pre-check so I usually check our bags and head through while Andrew parks the car and goes through security with minimal items.

On most trips we bring the huge but comfy Baby Jogger City Select, but knowing cruise cabin space was limited, we opted for the City Mini. Unlike most people, I really don't care for this stroller but Aria still takes great naps in it so we bring it when the city select isn't a good option. It does make for an easier travel accessory though, as it is so much lighter than the select! And we are still able to attach the car seat to the back, so that is what we did.

Our plan was to grab some late lunch/early dinner to pass the time at the airport, so that was our first stop once we were all back together.

Aria was hungry and surprisingly ate really well - a grilled cheese with apple slices. Maybe I helped her along a little bit. I had a glass of wine

Then we let her run off some steam on our way to the gate and headed for the family boarding area. I need to stop being so anal trying to get A spots, the family boarding between A and B always allows us fine seats in our own row without the hassle of lining up at the right spot.

Since TODAY was actually her bona fide birthday, I had packed a number of presents for the trip - two for the flight and then a few more to open tonight once we got to our Miami home for the next 2 nights. The weekend before we had a small birthday party (with a Jake and the Neverland Pirates cake, one of her favorites!) with the family where she opened up the rest of her gifts.

So anyway once on the flight and car seat in place, I let Aria open up her two flight gifts, which were a Toddler tote type of thing (3+, they have one for 2+ that she played with on every previous flight) and a Frozen sticker book.

The flight flew by and we finished up the Frozen sticker book just in time for landing. We landed around 7PM (Aria's usual bed time), got our suitcases and headed for the car rental that we were going to have for the next 10 days, and started driving south. We had flown into Fort Lauderdale, about 25 minutes north of Miami, because the flights were significantly cheaper.

While on the road I placed a pizza delivery order to the apartment, and shortly thereafter we were driving along Miami Beach and arrived at the building. Aria didn't fall asleep on the ride in, too excited I guess!

Once in our room I snapped a belated pic

Out that window was the ocean but it was too dark to see anything tonight. Our pizza came and Andrew ran out for some groceries (milk, wine, you know the essentials!), and I set up a mini birthday celebration in the room. Once Andrew was back Aria was fully excited to open everything and she even had to try on her new snorkeling gear.

Then it was definitely time for bed! Our next day is much more exciting as we spend a full day in Miami and hear all about the crazy FEET of snow we got from our house/pet sitter!

 

[Imagineer5]

I can't wait to read about all of these amazing trips. And I'm SO excited we will finally overlap next year!!!! Can't wait to meet up after all these years

YES!! Me too. What are your plans now? Have you booked a place yet?

I can't wait to hear all about your cruise!

The views from the places you are staying in France look amazing, and I can't wait to hear about all the planning for DLP. When I was researching it, it just seemed so much different than planning for WDW.

We'll be in WDW for a few days in May (I think May 5-6 and 14-15 on each end of our cruise). It would be awesome if our dates overlapped!

It's sort of like planning for DL, but with even less info out there. It's actually the part of our France trip that I haven't had to plan that much for - just the restaurants I want to visit (ADR's at 60 days are coming up soon!).

Aw that'd be awesome!! I'm looking at May 4-8 most likely (my AP expires May 8th).

 

[schmass]

I had actually somehow forgotten about the ridiculous amounts of snow that we had in January and February, but now I remember being nervous for you that you might not be able to fly out for your trip. I'm so glad it worked out for you. I like flying out of PVD. We only did it once, but it was so much more laid back than flying out of Logan.

Great picture of Aria with her snorkeling gear!

 

[disneygirl2785]

YAY hi!! Back to start planning your Jan trip?? I can't believe we'll miss eachother by 1 or 2 days.

I religiously listen to the DIS Unplugged Podcast for a lot of my planning, but I do enjoy reading TRs! But I almost like to get behind and then read it all at once! I'm not very patient like that! lol! I am SO bummed that we'll miss each other by one day, we fly out the 28th!

 

[wiscbugs]

That is amazing that your flight did not get delayed or anything...I have some relatives in Mass and Maine so I know how bad the winter was!

 

[khertz]

YES!! Me too. What are your plans now? Have you booked a place yet?[

We don't have park plans in place, but we will be at Disney Sunday through Thursday, and switch to a Universal resort for Friday & Saturday before going home Sunday. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, we rented from your guy and will have a 1 bedroom at AKL. SO excited!!!! Thanks for the recommendation.

Great start to the cruise TR. I can't believe how big Aria gets with each and every TR! I'm glad you had an easy travel day, and that you got a full day in Miami you weren't expecting. Great way to start off the trip! I love the pic of Aria trying on her snorkel. So cute!

 

[lilluv117]

Woohoooo! Let the TR begin!

What an amazing view that must've been out that big window! And how fun for Aria to have all those presents to open. Love the snorkel gear. Did she test it out this trip? And woah about the feet of snow! Luckily you arrived without delay! That is some travel luck you have!!!

 

[Imagineer5]

I had actually somehow forgotten about the ridiculous amounts of snow that we had in January and February, but now I remember being nervous for you that you might not be able to fly out for your trip. I'm so glad it worked out for you. I like flying out of PVD. We only did it once, but it was so much more laid back than flying out of Logan.

Great picture of Aria with her snorkeling gear!

I remember because we had a new house/pet sitter with a bad back and our neighbors didn't show up to snowblow so she had to shovel out a path for the dogs and our long drive way all by herself!! Not the best way to enter a cruise with very limited internet!

I religiously listen to the DIS Unplugged Podcast for a lot of my planning, but I do enjoy reading TRs! But I almost like to get behind and then read it all at once! I'm not very patient like that! lol! I am SO bummed that we'll miss each other by one day, we fly out the 28th!

I can get like that too, and go into and out of the DIS. I haven't really been on the attractions forum much because it is the same questions asked over and over again.

That does really stink. If I didn't have a 2 month old I would fly in early to meet up with you but I think our first trip with baby I really want Andrew to be there to help.

That is amazing that your flight did not get delayed or anything...I have some relatives in Mass and Maine so I know how bad the winter was!

It really is!! I was feverishly watching the weather all week and when the worst happened - a snow storm - I thought we were done for. I remember thinking we could just drive down and still make it if worst came to worst.

We don't have park plans in place, but we will be at Disney Sunday through Thursday, and switch to a Universal resort for Friday & Saturday before going home Sunday. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, we rented from your guy and will have a 1 bedroom at AKL. SO excited!!!! Thanks for the recommendation.

Great start to the cruise TR. I can't believe how big Aria gets with each and every TR! I'm glad you had an easy travel day, and that you got a full day in Miami you weren't expecting. Great way to start off the trip! I love the pic of Aria trying on her snorkel. So cute!

Oh yay I am so glad you were able to get points from him - the akl 1 bedroom will be so nice!! We are skipping universal this time (got my fill in May lol) but we'll have to talk about our plans for the days you'll be at Disney maybe before ADR time in case we could possibly build in a shared meal or something. I'll message you on Monday with my rough plans and we'll see if anything matches up

Where are you staying at universal?

Woohoooo! Let the TR begin!

What an amazing view that must've been out that big window! And how fun for Aria to have all those presents to open. Love the snorkel gear. Did she test it out this trip? And woah about the feet of snow! Luckily you arrived without delay! That is some travel luck you have!!!

I did get a few pics the next day

Aria opened most of her presents the week before but I saved a few for the trip that could also be used / played with on the trip - makes it a bit more of a birthday even though I know she doesn't know the difference. I've already started planning out her gifts for her 4th birthday similarly

And actually no she never had the chance to use the snorkel on the cruise or the keys. Mostly due to Colder waters and it wasn't allowed in the cruise pool. But also bc I really scared her at castaway key

 

[purplelover88]

The trip has begun! That's crazy about all that snow; being a southern girl that is luckily something I usually don't have to worry about. Glad you made it safe and on time.

 

[khertz]

Oh yay I am so glad you were able to get points from him - the akl 1 bedroom will be so nice!! We are skipping universal this time (got my fill in May lol) but we'll have to talk about our plans for the days you'll be at Disney maybe before ADR time in case we could possibly build in a shared meal or something. I'll message you on Monday with my rough plans and we'll see if anything matches up

Where are you staying at universal?

That would be great! We have been focusing more on October, but I guess it's a good idea to start looking at February too with ADR time coming up soon. On that trip, we will be going with family, and I probably won't start nailing down park plans until we have time to get together with them and figure out what we all want to do together and what we want to do on our own.

I am pretty sure on that trip we will be staying at Royal Pacific because it's the cheapest with the unlimited express pass. That weekend is crazy expensive with it being the weekend before President's Day. Hard Rock, the next step up and where we are staying in October, is $100 less per night in October than Royal Pacific in February!

 

[Dugette]

I priced out a 7-night cruise for next December from Port Canaveral and it was about $4600 for the 4 of us. If I could get it under 3K I would go.

I agree. I found that the cheapest I can get it is by using all discounts/creative savings available (on-board booking discount and buying discounted Target gift cards to buy discounted Disney gift cards, per the budget board advice). The cheapest interior cabin (not that I'd want that, but whatever) would be about $3k with all the discounts applied. For the 4B category we had last time, it would net to about $3800 after discounts. Better than $4600, but still a lot. Of course, our 4-night 4B will be about $2200 with those same discounts, so it's a big increase. I don't know what to do...might have to wait awhile and see how things look later.

Greece is definitely high on my list!! Australia is probably going to be our next HUGE trip, although with the baby it might get pushed out further, we'll see. Besides the long flight that one is very kid friendly. I also want to do South Africa but would like the kids to be older, maybe 8 and 12?

Sounds great! All places we'd like to go someday too. Dug has a cousin that is in a very serious relationship with a guy from Australia, so we're hoping that will somehow allow us an excuse to get there, but we really have no idea if that's likely right now.

I also see cheap Ireland trips pop up all the time, so we may hop on one of those in the near(er) future, but it really isn't on my bucket list (I've been to Scotland and England, although Andrew hasn't).

Yes, those cheap Ireland trips! My dad and step-mom did a spur-of-the-moment type trip there and loved it (they are big into hiking and outdoorsy stuff). My boss actually just went too (also got a cheap trip) and I think he enjoyed himself as well (not as outdoorsy or adventurous). I haven't been to any of those places, but Dug studied abroad in Scotland, so that afforded him a lot of European travel during school breaks.

OH another huge bucket list trip is the Galapagos, Amazon and Machu Picchu, but again want the kids to be older for that one.

That sounds amazing too!

So as it is, Disney and Disney cruises seem to fit the bill for now :-D

Totally agree with this. I'm sure we'll keep going to Disney in the future, but probably not as often, instead favoring seeing more of the world. But Disney just has great options for young families, so they make it easy on us at this stage.

Oh and RE next May, considering I plan to get Aria an annual pass for our Jan/Feb trip, yes it most likely will happen.

Boston flights were being cancelled left and right, but Providence ones had about a 50% cancellation rate, and ours miraculously was not cancelled or even delayed!

Yikes! So glad yours made it out on time!

milk, wine, you know the essentials!

Sounds about right.

Our next day is much more exciting as we spend a full day in Miami and hear all about the crazy FEET of snow we got from our house/pet sitter!

on the snow and your house/pet sitter's ordeal. But I'm excited to hear about your time in Miami and can't wait to hear about the cruise!

 

[Imagineer5]

Sorry for the delay in continuing on - I realized the pics I uploaded were meant for everyone to see - and thus I didn't upload the detailed pics like food and such (yes I did take photos of nearly every dish!) so I need to get on my home computer and upload those as well. We just spent the weekend at Martha's Vineyard for the 4th which was so much fun, great family time including the dogs which is always nice! Last year my husband bought a Sea Ray Sundancer 330 (which we may be selling in September), so we took that over to the Vineyard for 3 nights. So since I am late on an update for Miami, I'll post a few pics from MV, hope you don't mind!!

First day - we were renting a car but wouldn't pick it up until the next day, so today we just walked into the town of Vineyard Haven and did some shopping. We first tried to do it with the dogs but as much as we had heard the vineyard is very dog-friendly, there wasn't one shop allowing them inside and the sidewalks were full of people, so it just was not very fun. Also, the dinghy was acting up and Andrew needed to spend some time looking at it, so our first afternoon was devoted to that and some beach time.

Aria on the boat:


That evening we had tacos on the boat and watched a movie (Cars) via the ipad. We were anchored this trip & do not have a generator, so it was sort of glorified camping (with a shower, thank goodness!).

The next day the dogs had a little beach time before we headed off back to Vineyard haven for some shopping, then to pick up a rental car, then we used our new found freedom to drive around the island while Aria took her afternoon nap. We spent some afternoon time at the beach before heading into the town of Oak Bluffs for dinner and a ride on the oldest platform carousel in the country!



Dinner was at the Red Cat Kitchen, rated #1 on Trip Advisor. the food didn't disappoint and we got a little taste of going to restaurants without children's menus which I am certain we will be doing in France a lot. Aria will try anything but she needs to work on her manners when she doesn't like it. ha.. I ordered a fried tomato with curry lobster salad. She did try it, but that is as far as she got. She ended up with some of my chicken & waffles and some of Andrew's pork chop.


After dinner we headed to the waterfront park in Oak Bluffs - we had a plan for dessert - have you heard of the Back Door donuts?! They serve fresh made to order donuts from a back door of a bakery from 7pm-1am - but first we needed to digest dinner a bit.




And then we headed over to the Flying Horses carousel. Here is the description from the MV preservation website: The Flying Carousel is the nation’s oldest platform carousel and has been designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a national landmark. Constructed in 1876 by Charles Dare, it is one of only two Dare carousels still in existence. Originally operated as a Coney Island, NY amusement, it was moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884, where it has lived in its red barn, delighting generations of Island residents and visitors ever since. The carousel was acquired by the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust in 1986 to prevent it from being dismantled and sold piecemeal to collectors of antique carved horses.

Pic from their website:

What makes this one really fun and different is there are these rings (both on the outside and inside) that you grab as you go around. If you happen to grab the brass ring, you win a free ride around! I went on with Aria, and she sat on the smaller inside horse and I was on the outside one. I was worried she couldn't reach the rings but she did manage. Neither of us caught a brass one, but it still made the ride a bit more fun!



Then we went to get donuts. I don't have a pic of the line from my phone, but it was crazy long but we stood there as this was the "thing" to do. Aria was in great spirits though and just being silly making up some games. Once at the front we ordered enough for an army (and sure enough, 3 days later, I just finished up the donuts as my breakfast back at work!). We ordered a large apple fritter, 2 glazed, 2 chocolate, a coconut, jelly filled, and a few others. They were amazing! We tried a few bites right then because they wouldn't be any better than straight out of the vat. We saved the rest for the mornings though.

On Saturday July 4th we started out the day searching for a dog park (after finding zero beaches the dogs were allowed to, minus the one we happened to be anchored near), and finally found it and took a really nice walk. The weather was a bit gloomy for the beach anyway. Then we decided to head into Oak Bluffs for some shopping (with the dogs, Andrew said he just would refrain from going inside) and I picked up some rain jackets for Aria & me just in case. I apparently took one photo that morning, Andrew arriving back at the boat and letting our dog annie onto the boat. We also have a Chihuahua mix, Oliver.



After the shopping, we settled Aria into the car for a nap and Andrew ran the dogs back to the boat, then we drove along the coast to Edgartown where there was going to be a 5PM parade and fireworks. I knew it would be a zoo finding a parking spot so figured Aria could nap while we meandered the streets looking, and sure enough by the time we were ready to go into town (with a really perfect FREE parking spot to boot!) Aria was waking up after about 1.5 hours in the car. While driving we saw a free children's booth which had flags, bubbles, etc so we headed there first, then stopped for some ice cream. It wasn't raining but was a little chilly so Aria had on her new raincoat.



Then we did a little shopping - I was on the hunt for some new shoes as my flip flops were already hurting and ended up with my first pair of Sperry "boat shoes" - Andrew was proud. We found a fun toy store and Aria played in there for a while (someone talk me down off of a $100 wooden Marble run from Hape, she had so much fun playing with it though!) and eventually we grabbed some spots for the parade. Aria enjoyed her bubbles and we enjoyed relaxing!



The parade was really great - lots of different floats / cars / bands and Aria really enjoyed trying to get some candy thrown - she also got a whale hat (she wanted to bring this to daycare today lol)



After the parade, we waited a crazy long time for a table, had some dinner (just OK) and then went to see some fireworks. Aria had her ear muffs and told us she would not be afraid, and she really wasn't! Woohoo, big change from Disney in May as she has never liked fireworks (though she pretends to watch them at home). Maybe she is finally turning around?

On Sunday we had plans to leave around 1 to make our way back home in the boat. In the morning we decided to take one last road trip on the island, and headed to Gay Head lighthouse which had these really neat views.



Then we had to return the rental car, and we had a tiny bit of time left for some beach time. The morning flew by and before we knew it, we were putting Aria down for a nap and preparing to leave.

The seas were choppier than I've ever seen them and unfortunately I got sick, but even worse was that I heard Aria crying in her bed and she had woken up from her nap sick too. That was the first time she has even been sick from motion sickness and I felt SO bad for her, especially when she apologized for getting sick on her bed

But anyway, overall very fun weekend! The next two we are spending at the Cape where DH's parents live, but I'll get in an update on Miami soon!

Last "life update" - on Tuesday we have our 'big' ultrasound. Hoping everything looks healthy and baby is still a girl, haha!

The trip has begun! That's crazy about all that snow; being a southern girl that is luckily something I usually don't have to worry about. Glad you made it safe and on time.

I didn't grow up having to worry about it, it is all so new to me!

That would be great! We have been focusing more on October, but I guess it's a good idea to start looking at February too with ADR time coming up soon. On that trip, we will be going with family, and I probably won't start nailing down park plans until we have time to get together with them and figure out what we all want to do together and what we want to do on our own.

I am pretty sure on that trip we will be staying at Royal Pacific because it's the cheapest with the unlimited express pass. That weekend is crazy expensive with it being the weekend before President's Day. Hard Rock, the next step up and where we are staying in October, is $100 less per night in October than Royal Pacific in February!

Ok, well I will still let you know our plans so that hopefully we can meet up sometime in there Are you sharing the 1BR at AKL with them, or are you getting separate spaces?

RPR is wonderful! The express pass is so nice to have - we did Cabana Bay in May just because I knew I wouldn't need the EP for anything we were riding (just Aria & me).

I agree. I found that the cheapest I can get it is by using all discounts/creative savings available (on-board booking discount and buying discounted Target gift cards to buy discounted Disney gift cards, per the budget board advice). The cheapest interior cabin (not that I'd want that, but whatever) would be about $3k with all the discounts applied. For the 4B category we had last time, it would net to about $3800 after discounts. Better than $4600, but still a lot. Of course, our 4-night 4B will be about $2200 with those same discounts, so it's a big increase. I don't know what to do...might have to wait awhile and see how things look later.


Sounds great! All places we'd like to go someday too. Dug has a cousin that is in a very serious relationship with a guy from Australia, so we're hoping that will somehow allow us an excuse to get there, but we really have no idea if that's likely right now.


Yes, those cheap Ireland trips! My dad and step-mom did a spur-of-the-moment type trip there and loved it (they are big into hiking and outdoorsy stuff). My boss actually just went too (also got a cheap trip) and I think he enjoyed himself as well (not as outdoorsy or adventurous). I haven't been to any of those places, but Dug studied abroad in Scotland, so that afforded him a lot of European travel during school breaks.


That sounds amazing too!


Totally agree with this. I'm sure we'll keep going to Disney in the future, but probably not as often, instead favoring seeing more of the world. But Disney just has great options for young families, so they make it easy on us at this stage.





Yikes! So glad yours made it out on time!


Sounds about right.


on the snow and your house/pet sitter's ordeal. But I'm excited to hear about your time in Miami and can't wait to hear about the cruise!

That's true, 4600 IS for the verandah stateroom, but I couldn't do interior either. We really loved the verandah on our cruise. That is funny about the cheap Ireland trips. I only know one couple who took one maybe 3 years ago now, and they are now divorced LOL. We'd also like to return to Holland and maybe make it cheaper by just staying with Andrew's aunt & uncle the whole time, so we may look into that in 1-2 years.

 

[schmass]

Oh, looks like a great time at Martha's Vineyard. I have only been a couple of times but would like to spend more time there in the coming years.

Sorry that Aria got sick - that is no fun!

Good luck at your ultrasound!

 

[pixiemama91]

This looks like an amazing trip! Looks like you had a great time in Martha's Vineyard. I love it there, but don't find it all that kid friendly except for going to the beach and since I grew up in a beach town a lot closer, we head there and use my mom's house as our "summer home". I love traveling in Europe but are waiting for my kids to get a little older so they can appreciate it a little more. Not sure how i feel of traveling to Europe with an infant so we will wait a few year. Of course if a good deal came along, I would not hesitate to jump on it.

Good Luck on your ultrasound.

 

[Dugette]

Last year my husband bought a Sea Ray Sundancer 330 (which we may be selling in September)

Really?! Wow, I'm surprised he's willing to sell it. Glad you got out to enjoy it over the long weekend. Other than the motion sickness. Poor you and Aria! Sounds like a nice weekend otherwise - thanks for sharing!

Good luck with your ultrasound!!

 

[Imagineer5]

Oh, looks like a great time at Martha's Vineyard. I have only been a couple of times but would like to spend more time there in the coming years.

Sorry that Aria got sick - that is no fun!

Good luck at your ultrasound!

It was my first visit! We had a great time, but I'd like to take the ferry over next time!

Thank you!!

This looks like an amazing trip! Looks like you had a great time in Martha's Vineyard. I love it there, but don't find it all that kid friendly except for going to the beach and since I grew up in a beach town a lot closer, we head there and use my mom's house as our "summer home". I love traveling in Europe but are waiting for my kids to get a little older so they can appreciate it a little more. Not sure how i feel of traveling to Europe with an infant so we will wait a few year. Of course if a good deal came along, I would not hesitate to jump on it.

Good Luck on your ultrasound.

Thank you! It was fun! I didn't find it non-kid friendly aside from one instance: for the 4th of July I had reservations at the Charlotte Inn in Edgartown. Thankfully I had written we had a 3 year old on the reservation request (not sure why exactly I deemed it necessary to write it, but thankfully I did!), they called that morning and told me they cannot accept children under 12, and could I possibly leave her at home? Umm no. Other than that it was totally fine, even Red Cat kitchen was funny about it - their response was "we won't eat her if that is what you are worried about!! Of course she is welcome!" so that was cute.

As far as Europe, I am using these trips as a basis for where we might want to vacation to for longer periods of time in the future. These trips are mainly 2-4 nights in a bunch of places, which gives us enough of a taste of a place to see if we might want to return for a week or two. Our current favorite place in the world is Lake Como so I am also always seeing if we might find someplace that tops it! We'll see! I love traveling with Aria, even at 19 months it was so much fun and I know we'll be back to some of the places we visited.

Really?! Wow, I'm surprised he's willing to sell it. Glad you got out to enjoy it over the long weekend. Other than the motion sickness. Poor you and Aria! Sounds like a nice weekend otherwise - thanks for sharing!

Good luck with your ultrasound!!

Yep. He is realizing that the amount of time we have to spend on the boat vs. how much $$ we are spending on it just is not making sense. We only have 2-3 long weekends each summer to devote to the boat, and that is just ridiculous financially. It would be different if we were retired or saved up all our leave for the summertime, but we don't (because I book us trips to different places rather than spend my time visiting places in New England, ha). He already has a friend who wants to buy it, for what we paid for it, so now it is just a matter of when (and hoping that doesn't fall through).

Thank you! You already saw the ultrasound went well Baby is still a girl, and looks healthy thankfully!

 

[Imagineer5]

Ok I am trying out photobucket finally!! I think it will work better than facebook so we'll see.

Moving on to Day 2 - today was a full Miami day, sort of a bonus day as we were originally planned to fly in today.

AS with any non-Disney trip (or part of a trip) I spent a lot of time on Trip Advisor looking for restaurants & things to do. So our first order of business was a French bistro I read about in Miami Beach that got great reviews.

This was our view from our condo window in the morning

Before we headed out, we checked our email and such and had an interesting email from our (new) pet/house sitter. I don't know if I have mentioned that we have chickens, a salt water fish tank, 2 indoor cats, and 2 dogs, but yes we do have a full house. Previously, my husband's good friend and coworker used to stay at our house during vacations, but he finally confessed he was allergic to cats and could no longer watch them (wish he had told us this years ago!!). So we did an extensive search and finally found someone who was fairly reasonable price wise (some people wanted $150/ night?!?!!?!?). During the winter time, however, it was a bit concerning as she had a bad back among other issues. Our neighbors said they could snowblow our long driveway during our absence (Andrew does theirs all the time), so we thought nothing of it. However, this morning we woke up to frantic emails from her saying no one had come to do the driveway yet and she needed to get out (she is also a nanny for another family). So I guess she spent her morning manually shoveling (she couldn't get our snow blower to work). She had to shovel a path in our backyard for the dogs and then also shovel our very long driveway to get her car out. We felt so bad! There wasn't much we could do at that point though and later on in the day (it continued to snow all day) one of our neighbors did show up to snowblow finally.

Anyway...so we headed off to see the city!

Andrew was most excited to see all the boats and yachts along the marinas

We are apparently early birds compared to the rest of Miami Beach, ha

Once at the French café, Andrew informed me he was not hungry. GRR. So Aria picked out a donut and I ordered some French toast with bananas foster sauce (one of my Disney favorites, btw!). We did have some coffees which were good.

Then we found a nearby park with a marina to get out and do some walking and sight (boat) seeing.

And some more boats

Then we decided to head back to our condo - since it was situated right on the beach and it had warmed up slightly (about 68 with some wind, definitely warmer than our 25 and snow at home), we needed to go check it out!

The building had a very odd lobby, probably an old hotel turned into condos.

The pool, which we do check out later

Private beach entrance

And on the beach - Aria enjoyed running around though it was definitely too chilly to sit there and play with the sand toys we had packed (and certainly too cold for swimming).

I even took a quick video of the beach (I am not much of a video-taker but did take a few this trip!) (and UGH I switched to photobucket bc I thought I could embed videos from there, but it won't let me use any of the links they provide?) so here is a link to the video.

http://s288.photobucket.com/user/paceysgl5/media/cruise day 2/IMG_6903_zpsusj4wrqh.mp4.html


For lunch we had left over pizza from the night before, and at nap time we decided to go driving around. I will leave off here - my newly turned 3 year old ready to head out for our afternoon and evening of fun! And a celebrity spotting! <3

 

[Dugette]

Be back later for comments, but I wonder if you can actually embed video from Facebook? When I clicked the "media" button in the toolbar above, I saw this message:

You may embed media from the following sites:

• 
  
• Dailymotion
  
• Facebook
  
• Liveleak
  
• Metacafe
  
• Vimeo
  
• YouTube

The reports where I've seen video embedded used YouTube.​

Mine are just the image link to Photobucket, so it shows a thumbnail, but doesn't play the video directly in the post the way the Youtube ones do. (Cute video, by the way - I peeked at it from work )

 

[Imagineer5]

Be back later for comments, but I wonder if you can actually embed video from Facebook? When I clicked the "media" button in the toolbar above, I saw this message:

You may embed media from the following sites:

• 
  
• Dailymotion
  
• Facebook
  
• Liveleak
  
• Metacafe
  
• Vimeo
  
• YouTube

The reports where I've seen video embedded used YouTube.​

Mine are just the image link to Photobucket, so it shows a thumbnail, but doesn't play the video directly in the post the way the Youtube ones do. (Cute video, by the way - I peeked at it from work )

The video from the gender reveal was from Facebook, and I was never able to embed it no matter what sort of link I tried.

What are you using to get the thumbnail to pop up? I just made a hyperlink bc I couldn't even get a thumbnail of the video to come up.

WHY am I having so many issues with videos?! LOL.

 

[Dugette]

The video from the gender reveal was from Facebook, and I was never able to embed it no matter what sort of link I tried.

What are you using to get the thumbnail to pop up? I just made a hyperlink bc I couldn't even get a thumbnail of the video to come up.

WHY am I having so many issues with videos?! LOL.

Did you try the "media" button above and then paste the FB video link into that? I've never tried it, since I don't use any of those, but that would be my best guess. Otherwise, I could ask Leshaface - I know she embeds youtube videos, so maybe there's more to it that I don't know.

For the thumbnails that I have, I just copy the photobucket image code, then paste it into my text (same thing I do for pictures). Once I preview and/or post, it shows up as a thumbnail, but prior to preview, I think it just looks like a link.