Kick'n It at Kidani (aka Am I Becoming a Resort Snob?)Final Update 8/20 p.54

[SLM]

Still enjoying your TR and pictures-you all looked so happy in your Epcot pictures-and after a week together!
Surviving the teenage years looking back, I wonder how we made it-and we only had one! I bet all the wives in SE were thinking he MUST have done something to deserve it and were thinking supportive thoughts!
We have a place in Ocean City, MD and love to whack crabs! May I join the Rehobeth DisMeet in 2010?

 

[erinch]

Okay I'll admit it I have washed my Hubby's cell phone and his wallet a couple of times

This is why my hubby does his OWN laundry

 

[MEK]

Okay I'll admit it I have washed my Hubby's cell phone and his wallet a couple of times...now we both check his pockets before we do the laundry LOL!!!!Good Idea, Jen. There is nothing worse than the sound of a cell phone banging around in the dryer!

Yes this SE ride looked a lot more enjoyable...I just love that ride and love any pictures of it I can get LOL!!! So thanks for sharing!! I love it, too. It's just one of those Disney "comfort" rides!

Wow your crocs were melting...ewww that is no fun at all...it has been quite hot in Florida recently...I'm hoping it will cool down a bit by my next trip at the end of Sept/Oct!!!!! I hope so, too. I want eighties with low humidity when I'm there.

Ewww...to the vomit...that just makes my tummy churn just reading about it!!!!

Great update, even though I don't want it to end any time soon! Thanks!

That vomit was nasty!

MEK-

I read this in US Weekly and thought of you. Brad Pitt apparently has a new movie coming out (with a DIS unfriendly title) where he plays something less than a gentleman. So apparently he was "in character" and giving advice on various things including camera phone etiquette:

Don't take a picture of your wife's butt. That's silly. Take pictures of other people's wives' butts.​

Thought of you and your DH right away!

Will have to come back and read your latest update- but couldn't resist sharing this quote.

I will have to show DH this quote. I guess that does give him permission to start photographing other butts. Who knows what will show up on camera next trip. Thank goodness for the delete button.

Great pictures from Spaceship Earth, sure brings back great memories, always take pictures from the outside but have never thought to take them on the ride....will be doing that this year

I feel for you with your meltdown...why do we feel it's so bad when that happens when we're in WDW, we don't think twice about it at home I guess we put so much into it we expect perfection and when it doesn't happen we loose it. Been there done that. I remember in 2006 just DD and I went, and one day I remember thinking, we aren't doing anything I want to do. It's all about her....when I mentioned this she said well I want to do fun things and a fun thing isn't IASW....I made her do it 3 times just to get even

Another great report......

Thanks for the compliment on the pictures. Good point about the meltdown. I would probably think nothing of telling my DH to "shut up" at home, but at Disney it just sounded so terrible rolling off my lips. IASW three times - Uck! That's two times two many for me!

Your almost done I hope your going to do your free dining trip!!

I am, but I'm dragging my feet a little. I will definately report on the free dining trip, which is now officially the "Eat Fest" now that we upgraded to deluxe dining!

Still enjoying your TR and pictures-you all looked so happy in your Epcot pictures-and after a week together!
Surviving the teenage years looking back, I wonder how we made it-and we only had one! I bet all the wives in SE were thinking he MUST have done something to deserve it and were thinking supportive thoughts!
We have a place in Ocean City, MD and love to whack crabs! May I join the Rehobeth DisMeet in 2010?

Thanks. We did have a really nice evening at Epcot! Happy to find another crab lover. You are definately in for the 2010 Rehoboth DISmeet! That's four so far. I think this could really be popular! Lucky for you to have a house in OC!

This is why my hubby does his OWN laundry

 

[MEK]

So when I left off last my crocs were melting in the parking lot of Epcot. I still felt overwhelmed by the heat when we reached Walmart. I asked DH to drop me off in the front of the store. I never do this, but the 2pm heat was killer. WE got some fruit and pastries for breakfast, some water, and I bought T-shirts for the rest of my nephews. I think we picked up a sandwich for Nick who hadn't eaten yet.

Next stop.....the quiet pool at the Casitas:

I have to tell you that I really like the quiet pools. I think that's why I have always had a fondest for the mod resorts. It was a perfect afternoon for hanging by the pool. LJ and I even had a swimming race. I think I won....barely!

I also took some pictures around the resort:

I never realized that CSR was so close to the Boardwalk/Swan/Dolphin:

Look..... I found some more boats:

Somebody is chillin:

After our pool time DH and I walked over to the check-in area to have our boarding passes printed for the next day. I finally took some video. I brought my video camera with me, but this was the first time I took any. We struck up a nice conversation with the CM who commented on the great rate we got on airfare. He said he had been searching, unsuccessfully, for a cheap fare to philly. I wonder if he had any success!

DH and I decided to explore the Pepper Market. We needed to figure out a plan for dinner. Unfortunately, I thought the prices were a little steep for counter service now that we were off the dining plan. The kids wanted to find a pizza place, but since it was already 5:30 I wanted to do something quicker so we could get back to Epcot. So, DH took another on for the team and let Ellie lead him to the nearest Taco Bell. Yeah - it wasn't Disney, but it was cheap and fast. We ate in the room and all drove into Epcot together.

DS16 and his friend had a great time at Blizzard Beach. I told them that I had 6 FP's and we were all going to ride TT together.

Here we are in line:

I have some days when I really feel like this.......

We had a fun ride and we obviously had a whole car to ourselves. It was quite dark out when we hit the outside track, but the evening air felt really refreshing.

Here is our ride pic:

After TT, we took a few more pics outside of the attraction:

Yes ....he is too young to drive:

After TT we headed over to Mission Space. There was no wait. I still wasn't ready to let LG ride the orange side, so the four of us went on the green side which actually felt a bit boring. Nick wanted to ride the orange side so he went back on with DH and I took LJ over to use the last two FP's for TT. By now it was night time. I love the ride at night. Its just way cooler. I'm pretty sure it was park closing by the time we got off the ride. Illuminations was finishing, so we set out to parking lot. You know .... I was in Epcot on three separate evenings. I should have picked an EMH for at least one of those nights. What was I thinking?????

Well, that concludes Day 7. Up next....Day 8...the final day. What do you think a group of six decide to do when they can't take the heat anymore?

 

[Charleston Princess]

The quiet pool wasn't looking quite so quiet in those pics, Mary Ellen!

I Taco Bell, and at least it was still themed to your resort!

Sounds like a lovely night at Epcot with TT and Mission:Space.

My guess is that you head for someplace completely air-conditioned -- and with that many boys -- Disney Quest, maybe?

 

[KathyRN137]

I never realized that CSR was so close to the Boardwalk/Swan/Dolphin:

You know .... I was in Epcot on three separate evenings. I should have picked an EMH for at least one of those nights. What was I thinking?????

I never imagined CS was that close to Swan/Dolphin, either! I always associate it with the Animal Kingdom area.

Beautiful resort, though.

You were probably thinking you would avoid the evening EMH crowds... we rarely do evening EMHs for that reason.

Hmmm. I'm guessing you either spent the day swimming or at a another water park!


Kathy

 

[SunnieRN]

Can you believe it???? TR almost over. but..wait....not yet......I still have a few mor installments to go. I'll need at least one more for Day 7 and then a couple for Day 8, then final thoughts, then Niagara Falls, then my PT info. Oh, I have some more things up my sleeve!

It felt like a big meltdown, trust me. There was venom in those two words.Glad you like the Epcot pics.

The gnomes were right near the Behind the Seeds Tour Desk. There is a small Kiosk there with batteries and souveniers. They were all lined up along the wall.

Yes - the boys loved their T-shirts!

Woo hoo!! You have to put a link to your pre-trip report at the end of this one so I can find it please!! I am dis search impaired.

I really enjoyed the pictures. They were gorgeous!

Thank you for the gnome information!! I am going to check those out for sure!

You are such a good Aunt!!!

Been there done that. I remember in 2006 just DD and I went, and one day I remember thinking, we aren't doing anything I want to do. It's all about her....when I mentioned this she said well I want to do fun things and a fun thing isn't IASW....I made her do it 3 times just to get even

Thee times?? In a row??

When will I learn NOT to read the dis and drink my iced tea at the same time! ewwww

Loved the quiet pool at CSR. We played while my son in law got his hair cut, at the shop right next to it. He had to leave for Iraq the next day, so the barber fit him in. He said she was SO nice and cried when he told her he was upset about having to leave again after spending 17 days at wdw. Talk about a culture shock!! I think that was the hardest time he has had leaving the family to go overseas. But at least he got to have a great R&R!!

What a great idea to get Taco Bell!! I bet the boys enjoyed it also, even if they did want pizza. It amazes me how many times my son in law wants pizza. I bet he would eat it 5 days a week if he could.

Darn, edited to ask how marching is going?? Good thing my heads attached!

 

[MEK]

I am going to post a few more CSR pics. I will respond to comments when I get to work!

this is in front of the Casitas 5 building where we were staying:

these are pictures I took on the morning of my last day. DH and I got up early, went for a walk, and took countless pictures. I will post more this evening. I have to do a little CSR research because I don't know if those were pictures of the cabanas or another section.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

CSR looks so pretty! I also had no idea it was so close to the Swan/Dolphin! Last day?? Really? Good thing you're going again soon so we can enjoy another TR!

 

[dawnbu40]

Great pics of CSR! I can't believe that you're already up to the last day! Most people (myself incuded!) drag their reports on for months! Looking forward to hearing how you all beat the heat!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Beautiful pictures of CSR! They are the Ranchos section, by the way.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Absolutely stunning pictures of CSR....I helped a lady that I work with plan her first WDW vacation last January and the only resort that was available at the time was CSR. I told her I had never stayed there or furthermore, never toured it either, so it was up to her if she wanted to take a chance or not. They have since returned twice and won't stay anywhere else. They love it there, and now from your pics, I can see why

 

[kschafer]

Love, Love, Love CSR! (I will never have the opportunity to be a resort snob so I will just dream of the moderates)

I was just reading a dining TR last night of a solo tripper who did the deluxe plan because her goal was to do all the signature dining restaurants in one trip. I love that idea! I may have to think about it for my 40th b-day bash in 2011 I can't wait to read all about your eating adventures!

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

NOOOOOOO! I can't believe we are reaching the end! It has been so much fun! I can't wait until you get back and start your next trip report! I will def be keeping and eye out for it!

 

[MEK]

The quiet pool wasn't looking quite so quiet in those pics, Mary Ellen!

It was way better than the big pool. It was like grand central station over there!

I Taco Bell, and at least it was still themed to your resort!

Yum. Me, too! It is my favorite FF place. God knows we didn't need anymore french fries.

:

Sounds like a lovely night at Epcot with TT and Mission:Space.

It was a lovely night, just too darn short!

My guess is that you head for someplace completely air-conditioned -- and with that many boys -- Disney Quest, maybe?

It was air conditioned, that's for sure!

I never imagined CS was that close to Swan/Dolphin, either! I always associate it with the Animal Kingdom area.

Beautiful resort, though.


Kathy

I didn't either. I did a double take when I saw that. I should look at a map sometime, though!

You were probably thinking you would avoid the evening EMH crowds... we rarely do evening EMHs for that reason.


Kathy

I rarely do EMH's either, but I was ready for one by my last night. I would have liked to hang in the park another hour or two.

Woo hoo!! You have to put a link to your pre-trip report at the end of this one so I can find it please!! I am dis search impaired.

I really enjoyed the pictures. They were gorgeous!

Thank you for the gnome information!! I am going to check those out for sure!

You are such a good Aunt!!!

I am Dis search impaired, too. Glad you like the pics. I have quite a few more to post of CSR!

I hope you find a gnome during your visit!

Loved the quiet pool at CSR. We played while my son in law got his hair cut, at the shop right next to it. He had to leave for Iraq the next day, so the barber fit him in. He said she was SO nice and cried when he told her he was upset about having to leave again after spending 17 days at wdw. Talk about a culture shock!! I think that was the hardest time he has had leaving the family to go overseas. But at least he got to have a great R&R!!

Wow - 17 days at WDW then Irag! That must really have been a culture shock! I hope he gets a first class WDW vacation in the future for all he's done for our country! Kudos to him!

Darn, edited to ask how marching is going?? Good thing my heads attached!

Not bad. I only go 4 out the ten nights cause I live so far away. Saturday was a bit crowded and I skipped last night so I will return this Thursday and Saturday. I only do the exact number of events I need to get my income tax break!

CSR looks so pretty! I also had no idea it was so close to the Swan/Dolphin! Last day?? Really? Good thing you're going again soon so we can enjoy another TR!

CSR was really pretty and I think it photographs really well.

Yup - last day, but there will be more to come in my next TR. Plus I'm going to drag this one out a bit longer!!!!!!!

Great pics of CSR! I can't believe that you're already up to the last day! Most people (myself incuded!) drag their reports on for months! Looking forward to hearing how you all beat the heat!

Thanks Dawn. Ya know - I really didn't want to drag my TR out too long because I thought I might lose interest. I like to keep it going. I was happy with the way this TR turned out. I made a bunch of new "faceless" friends and I enjoyed retelling the tale. That's what its all about!

Beautiful pictures of CSR! They are the Ranchos section, by the way.

Thanks CP. I kept wanting to call them the Rachero section, but I knew that had to be wrong!

Absolutely stunning pictures of CSR....I helped a lady that I work with plan her first WDW vacation last January and the only resort that was available at the time was CSR. I told her I had never stayed there or furthermore, never toured it either, so it was up to her if she wanted to take a chance or not. They have since returned twice and won't stay anywhere else. They love it there, and now from your pics, I can see why

Thanks for the compliment on the pictures. I have quite a bit more I hope to post tonight!

I see you have a trip planned in a couple weeks - for you. I will expect a TR on your return!!!!!!

Love, Love, Love CSR! (I will never have the opportunity to be a resort snob so I will just dream of the moderates)

I was just reading a dining TR last night of a solo tripper who did the deluxe plan because her goal was to do all the signature dining restaurants in one trip. I love that idea! I may have to think about it for my 40th b-day bash in 2011 I can't wait to read all about your eating adventures!

Oh.... I am not really a resort snob, although I thought I was after leaving AK. I still like the mods a lot. I think they have a lot to offer, especially the gorgeous walking paths. That appeals to me.

I definately think you deserve a birthday bash at the world. Katie's 40th Food Fest!

NOOOOOOO! I can't believe we are reaching the end! It has been so much fun! I can't wait until you get back and start your next trip report! I will def be keeping and eye out for it!

Don't give up on this TR until I actually finish, then post some Niagara Falls pictures and tell you about my next trip. I want to know what everyone thinks.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Mary Ellen, I so enjoyed your trip report! The positive of being so late is that I didn't have to wait for new posts. (I stumbled across Jackie's report maybe a week ago. No, complaints, though. I just finished my Aug 08 report yesterday on my blog!) The negative, of course, is I kept reading so nothing has been accomplished yet today.

We stayed at the Poly for our "trip of a lifetime". (We didn't think we'd make it back for years)... six months later we celebrated our twin daughters' 7th bdays at CSR... We are planning a June 2010 visit and my DH wants to stay at AKL for at least part of our visit (if we can swing it, maybe the whole 12 days.) This helped add to my excitement!

 

[muppetmom]

I really really enjoyed reading your trip report. We are getting so close to our August trip now and everyone is super excited. Your issues with lost/misplaced room keys/cell phones is giving me worry wrinkles, but I am hopeful that we won't have too much of that.
As I started reading your reports and discussions of soccer/odp, I thought....wonder if my son ever played against her son. We are from Maryland and he played region 1 and many top level tournaments around the area. I know we played some Delaware teams because my DH is from Newark and we met at U of D. Luckily, it took me several days to read the report because along the way I realized that my son is about to turn 20, and has played 2 years of college soccer already. Of course he never played your DS.....duh.....totally blonde moment.....where did those years go?
Even my DD who played travel soccer is older. My youngest son plays, keeper, but not at that high a level. I miss those soccer days!

 

[HockeyMomR]

MEK - I have not had a chance to search for the thread with the Siemen's lounge pics, but you can just post a link in your reply. I open another page on my browser, copy the address bar and then paste into my post. Hope this helps.

Love the CSR pics, the quiet pool does look nice!

 

[MEK]

I really really enjoyed reading your trip report. We are getting so close to our August trip now and everyone is super excited. Your issues with lost/misplaced room keys/cell phones is giving me worry wrinkles, but I am hopeful that we won't have too much of that.
As I started reading your reports and discussions of soccer/odp, I thought....wonder if my son ever played against her son. We are from Maryland and he played region 1 and many top level tournaments around the area. I know we played some Delaware teams because my DH is from Newark and we met at U of D. Luckily, it took me several days to read the report because along the way I realized that my son is about to turn 20, and has played 2 years of college soccer already. Of course he never played your DS.....duh.....totally blonde moment.....where did those years go?
Even my DD who played travel soccer is older. My youngest son plays, keeper, but not at that high a level. I miss those soccer days!

Oh ....don't worry...hopefully your family is more organized then mine. Your trip is going to be great!

Yeah - my son is a little too young to have played with your son, although he did sit on the bench in 8th grade for the state tournament team. That was funny when they let him play a few minutes against seniors. He ended up on his butt in no time!

I still have four more years of soccer. Too soon to miss it yet!

 

[MEK]

MEK - I have not had a chance to search for the thread with the Siemen's lounge pics, but you can just post a link in your reply. I open another page on my browser, copy the address bar and then paste into my post. Hope this helps.

Love the CSR pics, the quiet pool does look nice!

OK I will try that. Have to go somewhere now and will try later tonight! I hope I can find the actual page though. that would be good!