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

[mickeysmyboy]

Wow! What a tough dining decision!!

I'll basically say the same thing Brook did! We've never done Brown Derby so I can't comment on that. BUT, we have had breakfast at Kona Cafe and it was sooooo darn good! Tonga Toast and Kona Coffee are an incredible combo!!

I will give you a little, tiny suggestion that may aid in your decision and help you do both!

You could, if you wanted, skip doing an ADR at Kona, and make an ADR for BD. Go to Poly for breakfast, get the Kona Coffee at the coffee counter right inside the door from the monorail stop then go downstairs and go to Capt Cooks and get the Tonga Toast! Then you can even take it outside a have a nice, beautiful, peaceful breakfast looking at the castle (given you sit at the right table) and enjoying Poly!!

Also my dear friend MEK, you have inspired me, well you and a few other of my Diser friends. You most come take a look at my recent PTR updates

 

[MEK]

I dream about Tonga Toast.

But now that I've seen that Grapefruit Cake picture (and the drink, and the salad) I want to shamelessly copy CP's entire meal!

Not helping either am I?

Cape May is on my breakfast wish list so I do hope you go there, so I can read a review!

I can relate to the clothes fitting right, in order to be able to eat what you want while you are there! You look great though. It isn't about the number, just about how you feel, that's what matters.

I think you should try out for AI, just not this trip.


I love your DHS plan!!

Can your younger DS get on the team mid year? I know you can here if there are slots open, it might not be out of the question.

I have had the Cobb salad and it is very good. I'm sure CP wouldn't mind if you copied her dinner!

I'm pretty sure I'm sticking with CMC because I need at least one character meal. When you go without kids the characters are FORCED to pay attention to you.

It is about how you feel...I completely agree.

I am hoping my DS can change teams mid year, since high school boys play rep soccer in the spring anyway. In the meantime, I just have to be patient.

Well, first up, Capt'n Cookes (sp?), the QS at the poly has Tonga Toast in the morning. Just go a little early on you HS morning and buy one oop to share with DH and than forego the pastries!! That way you can try TT and still have grapefruit cake! Not that you will be able to get pressed coffee, but you can fill up your mug anyway.

Hey .......this is a GREAT idea! I forgot the Captain Cooks serves Tonga Toast. That may solve the dilema and I wouldn't mind having some TT by the pool at the Poly. What a wonderful suggestion.

That sounds like a really logical decision! If you would be regretting not spending the time in the park it would defeat the purpose of "having fun and trying out." I am also sure you would be a contender for the finale which would take even additional time!!

But..... (Isn't there ALWAYS a but....), when we were in the park last time we saw a contestant filming a segment in ABC Commissary with one of her friends. I noticed she had a pass around her neck. She said that it was was a front of the line pass for her and her party, as the competition took so much time, between performing, rehearsing and the segments they film ahead of time. You may want to check into that as that would allow you access to your favorite rides and a chance to perform!! And this is not meant to be any kind of pressure at all, despite the fact that I could arrange my trip to be there to watch you in the competition, or anything like that. (Just that I'd mention that idea.)

Looking forward to more trip planning!!

Wouldn't that be cool....if AI contestants got FP's for the park? Maybe that's just for the people who make it to the finale, since they are truely tied up all day. I should investigate that further, but despite your vote of confidence I can't see me making it to the finale. Most of these folks have the full-on pop voice and I am such a folky. I really appreciate you saying that you would arrange your day to cheer me on. That is so awesome of you. I have to tell you. I really wanted to go back and audition when I say the CM outside the back gate just standing there looking for people. It was tempting. Let's just say, if the spirit moves me at the right time anything is possible.

Wow! What a tough dining decision!!

I'll basically say the same thing Brook did! We've never done Brown Derby so I can't comment on that. BUT, we have had breakfast at Kona Cafe and it was sooooo darn good! Tonga Toast and Kona Coffee are an incredible combo!!

I will give you a little, tiny suggestion that may aid in your decision and help you do both!

You could, if you wanted, skip doing an ADR at Kona, and make an ADR for BD. Go to Poly for breakfast, get the Kona Coffee at the coffee counter right inside the door from the monorail stop then go downstairs and go to Capt Cooks and get the Tonga Toast! Then you can even take it outside a have a nice, beautiful, peaceful breakfast looking at the castle (given you sit at the right table) and enjoying Poly!!

Also my dear friend MEK, you have inspired me, well you and a few other of my Diser friends. You most come take a look at my recent PTR updates

Another vote for Tonga Toast from Captain Cooks and the Kona Coffee from the coffee counter. This is so doable. This might be just the right way to spend our last morning at the world. Then we can sneak and park our car at the Poly parking lot again while we go to MK. We are sooooooo bad.


Up next......Day 4 and Day 5 plans.

 

[MEK]

I started Day 4 at HS and my biggest dilema was whether to cancel my Hollywood Brown Derby ADR to free up a TS to eat tonga toast at Kona. My I think you have all solved my dilema since I was gratefully reminded that Tonga toast can also be purchased at Capt Cooks. Thank you! Thank you!

So back to day 4.....thrill rides....check
animation studio......check
Voyage of the little mermaid.......check
TSM (if FP's are available).......check
At least one show.........LMA or the Backlot Tour ( I
think that is like a show, sort- of).........check
And the old stand bys.......Star wars and the GMR.....
but not until everything else is done.....check, check

I think that will pretty much fill up the day. It always seems to take a long time to do things at Hollywood studios. Not sure why. It's just the way it is.

So that brings us up to dinner. I am actually hoping that we will have time each afternoon for a brief siesta back at POP. I do better when I have break time. Even if its just a few minutes in the pool and a shower and a change of clothes. That just helps me chill.

Dinner is 6pm.... Artist Point....Wilderness Lodge. See why we need a car for this trip! We will be visiting several different resorts....GF, Poly, BC (won't drive there), Boardwalk, and WL. Not only is it a food fest, it will be a resort fest. I think the WL would be the trickiest one for us to get to without a car. In 2006 my GF and all four of our kids went to the world for free dining. On our last night we ate at the WL at the Whispering Canyon Cafe (which, BTW, was my all time least favorite meal of any trip). I just didn't like it, but that's a whole other story. Anyway....we took the bus to DTD to go to Disney Quest. About 45 minutes prior to our ADR we went out to wait for the bus to WL. 50 minutes for a bus. We were 1/2 hour late for our ADR. But that wasn't as bad as our return trip..... 1 1/2 hours to get from WL back to POP. We just missed a boat and then the next one took us all the way to Fort Wilderness and then we stood in the eternal POP century MK Saturday night bus line. All that for my least favorite meal at WDW....ever. Never again will I use Disney transportation to get to the WL. I am scarred for life after that experience!

I am really looking forward to this dinner. I am also looking forward to really poking around the WL. We have no plans for the evening. MK closes at 8pm. Epcot is open the latest (till 9pm). There are no evening EMH anywhere. So it wouldn't even be worth it to try to get to MK for Wishes, but maybe we can find a place to watch it from WL. Any suggestions for that would be helpful. Maybe we can also see the electric Light Parade.

After that our evening is free. I suppose we both may be pretty tired by then (after 3 days of rope drops and tons of food). But if we aren't too tired we could always go to DTD to burn up some snack credits. I should research that. Again.....suggestions, please.

The other option is swinging over to the AK for some night vision animal viewing. We did not do that in June and I am very interested in trying it. It might be the perfect way to end our evening.

So, give me your thoughts or how you think we should end Day 4.

Up next.....Day 5 / Departure Day...

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

WL has horse and carriage rides every half hour from like 5:30 until 9:30ish I think every night. We did it back in 2006 and it was sooo nice! It's about a 30 minute ride and very relaxing. I think it was around $35 plus we tipped the driver. We did ours in December and they even had a couple of blankets in the carriage for us.

 

[SunnieRN]

My I think you have all solved my dilema since I was gratefully reminded that Tonga toast can also be purchased at Capt Cooks. Thank you! Thank you!

Never again will I use Disney transportation to get to the WL. I am scarred for life after that experience!

I am really looking forward to this dinner. I am also looking forward to really poking around the WL. Any suggestions for that would be helpful. Maybe we can also see the electric Light Parade.

After that our evening is free. I suppose we both may be pretty tired by then (after 3 days of rope drops and tons of food). But if we aren't too tired we could always go to DTD to burn up some snack credits. I should research that. Again.....suggestions, please.

The other option is swinging over to the AK for some night vision animal viewing. We did not do that in June and I am very interested in trying it. It might be the perfect way to end our evening.

Glad I could actually help for once, I've learned so much from you!!

I ubderstand you can see the MK fireworks from the WL Beach, The electric water parade also. I saw a TR with a lot of great photos. The huge trees block the view from most of the rooms though, from my understanding.

To your WL experience, both the food and the transportation. Did you have the skillet, by any chance? In reading EandE's Mom's TR it seemed lie they had pretty good transportation, especially for a holiday week. Maybe they have improved things?

Snack credits, Goofys make your own pretzel rods and other treats!!

I think AK would be a great way to spend the evening also. I have never had zebra domes, but you could use snack credits at Mara for them that evening. Lol I can't even finish planning my trip yet and I'm giving you my $ .02 worth. Feel free to wander past this post with blinders on.

 

[MEK]

WL has horse and carriage rides every half hour from like 5:30 until 9:30ish I think every night. We did it back in 2006 and it was sooo nice! It's about a 30 minute ride and very relaxing. I think it was around $35 plus we tipped the driver. We did ours in December and they even had a couple of blankets in the carriage for us.

Oh.... carriage ride sounds like a good idea! Thanks for that great idea.

 

[MEK]

Glad I could actually help for once, I've learned so much from you!!

I ubderstand you can see the MK fireworks from the WL Beach, The electric water parade also. I saw a TR with a lot of great photos. The huge trees block the view from most of the rooms though, from my understanding.

To your WL experience, both the food and the transportation. Did you have the skillet, by any chance? In reading EandE's Mom's TR it seemed lie they had pretty good transportation, especially for a holiday week. Maybe they have improved things?

Snack credits, Goofys make your own pretzel rods and other treats!!

I think AK would be a great way to spend the evening also. I have never had zebra domes, but you could use snack credits at Mara for them that evening. Lol I can't even finish planning my trip yet and I'm giving you my $ .02 worth. Feel free to wander past this post with blinders on.

Oh that was a good suggestion about Tonga Toast. Good to know about the pretzels at goofy's. That would be a good use of snack credits. Zebra domes at the Mara is another good idea.

I did NOT have the skillet, but other people in my party did. It didn't look that great to me. I actually had fish which looked a lot worse than the skillet. It was just blaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

I think I just had a bad transportation experience and I'm sure people have had much better. it just makes me more sure I want to use a car.

 

[MEK]

Well yesterday I got my trip package. It interesting how everything is inside a little booklet. Even the AAA parking pass is in there and it has the dates listed on it! what's that all about?????? Those passes used to have the whole year on them, not the individual trip dates. I don't need my pass for later this year, but still.

So my trip is a little over 4 weeks away. I am almost starting to have second thoughts. I wonder if we should be going later in the fall. I wonder if we should be going at all. It feels like blasmephy to say this, but maybe we shouldn't be going at all. Shudder! Maybe we should just wait until May. Yeah...I know....the trip and flights are paid for. What's my problem today?????

I think its because I have been off this week and I haven't gotten much done on my list. I am also shopping for a new car and its not going nearly as well as I planned, because its harder to get a 5 speed transmission at the end of the year then it is during the year. They're virtually non-existent and the one price that was quoted to me was $600 over dealer invoice. That is an OK deal, but I was trying to negotiate better. I may just wait for the 2010's to come out. Also note: that price is with the cash back incentive. That's what the dealer should be willing to negotiate without any end of the year incentives.

whatever....I can't dwell on it. It will work out somehow. I put a deposit down at another dealer but it is taking them forever to arrange a dealer trade. However, the price they quoted me is very, very good. The problem is I am not optimistic that they will even find me the car.

So.....Day 5:

I think we will go to Captain Cook's for breakfast. We'll get the Tonga Toast and probably use up some more snack credits. Then....off to the Magic Kingdom. It is a morning EMH so the park opens at 8am. Needless to say, I doubt we will be there for park opening. I would like to visit the attractions in Fantasy Land and basically hit whatever we didn't do during MNSSHP and during our other night time visit. I would like to see the revamped hall of presidents. I wouldn't mind visiting Tom Sawyer's Island. I will try to do the two mountains and Philarmagic.

Lunch is at Liberty Tree Tavern. I am looking forward to this since I've heard that LTT serves a good lunch.

Our flight leaves at 4:35pm, so I think we will try to hit the road in a reasonable time. (I don't want to be arriving at the gate just as the plane starts to board again ) We'll catch the monorail back to the poly and if we have any free time, we'll poke around the poly to say our last good byes.

What a short trip. Writing down our plans makes me realize how really short our trip is. And it reminds me that I said I would never do a 4 night trip again unless it was completely solo. Oh well, I broke my own rule.

So that's it. That's our 5 day, 4 night, DDXP food fest to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I'm not sure if we'll put the pins on since our anniversary will technically be one month later. But its really the best we can do, since I can't go away in October due to my coworkers 3 week safari.

Well, it's been so fun writing this TR and talking to everyone. I've met a ton of new internet friends and I really appreciate everyone following along. So until the next TR, I bid you farewell!

p.s. Just for the record LJ and his younger brother are visiting me for the next couple days. So nice to see his smiling face again!

 

[eandesmom]

I started Day 4 at HS and my biggest dilema was whether to cancel my Hollywood Brown Derby ADR to free up a TS to eat tonga toast at Kona. My I think you have all solved my dilema since I was gratefully reminded that Tonga toast can also be purchased at Capt Cooks. Thank you! Thank you!

I think that will pretty much fill up the day. It always seems to take a long time to do things at Hollywood studios. Not sure why. It's just the way it is.

So that brings us up to dinner. I am actually hoping that we will have time each afternoon for a brief siesta back at POP. I do better when I have break time. Even if its just a few minutes in the pool and a shower and a change of clothes. That just helps me chill.

Dinner is 6pm.... Artist Point....Wilderness Lodge. See why we need a car for this trip! We will be visiting several different resorts....GF, Poly, BC (won't drive there), Boardwalk, and WL. Not only is it a food fest, it will be a resort fest. I think the WL would be the trickiest one for us to get to without a car. In 2006 my GF and all four of our kids went to the world for free dining. On our last night we ate at the WL at the Whispering Canyon Cafe (which, BTW, was my all time least favorite meal of any trip). I just didn't like it, but that's a whole other story. Anyway....we took the bus to DTD to go to Disney Quest. About 45 minutes prior to our ADR we went out to wait for the bus to WL. 50 minutes for a bus. We were 1/2 hour late for our ADR. But that wasn't as bad as our return trip..... 1 1/2 hours to get from WL back to POP. We just missed a boat and then the next one took us all the way to Fort Wilderness and then we stood in the eternal POP century MK Saturday night bus line. All that for my least favorite meal at WDW....ever. Never again will I use Disney transportation to get to the WL. I am scarred for life after that experience!

I am really looking forward to this dinner. I am also looking forward to really poking around the WL. We have no plans for the evening. MK closes at 8pm. Epcot is open the latest (till 9pm). There are no evening EMH anywhere. So it wouldn't even be worth it to try to get to MK for Wishes, but maybe we can find a place to watch it from WL. Any suggestions for that would be helpful. Maybe we can also see the electric Light Parade.

After that our evening is free. I suppose we both may be pretty tired by then (after 3 days of rope drops and tons of food). But if we aren't too tired we could always go to DTD to burn up some snack credits. I should research that. Again.....suggestions, please.

The other option is swinging over to the AK for some night vision animal viewing. We did not do that in June and I am very interested in trying it. It might be the perfect way to end our evening.

So, give me your thoughts or how you think we should end Day 4.

Up next.....Day 5 / Departure Day...

You can see wishes, and the boat parade from the WL Beach. I do think you'd be ok without a car, we were able to make it to WL, AKL, Poly for our resort dinners from FW with no issues (if you ignore someone telling us about a bus that didn't really exist!). Our AKL back to FW was the one I was most concerned about but it's really all about timing and luck, but then again we never really tried the bus line at MK during the entire trip! One of the great advantages of the MK resorts is the multiple options, if you miss the MK boat you can take the one that goes to the contemporary and then hop on the monorail....or take a bus to DTD and transfer there. Which, mind you, we never did so I can't speak to how well that works!

But by having a car it does give you a lot of freedom.

It if were me, I don't think I could pass up dessert at AP! Which wouldn't leave room for any kind of snack at DTD...unless it was an adult coffee drink lol!

Decaf at that hour.

Well yesterday I got my trip package. It interesting how everything is inside a little booklet. Even the AAA parking pass is in there and it has the dates listed on it! what's that all about?????? Those passes used to have the whole year on them, not the individual trip dates. I don't need my pass for later this year, but still.

So my trip is a little over 4 weeks away. I am almost starting to have second thoughts. I wonder if we should be going later in the fall. I wonder if we should be going at all. It feels like blasmephy to say this, but maybe we shouldn't be going at all. Shudder! Maybe we should just wait until May. Yeah...I know....the trip and flights are paid for. What's my problem today?????

I think its because I have been off this week and I haven't gotten much done on my list. I am also shopping for a new car and its not going nearly as well as I planned, because its harder to get a 5 speed transmission at the end of the year then it is during the year. They're virtually non-existent and the one price that was quoted to me was $600 over dealer invoice. That is an OK deal, but I was trying to negotiate better. I may just wait for the 2010's to come out. Also note: that price is with the cash back incentive. That's what the dealer should be willing to negotiate without any end of the year incentives.

whatever....I can't dwell on it. It will work out somehow. I put a deposit down at another dealer but it is taking them forever to arrange a dealer trade. However, the price they quoted me is very, very good. The problem is I am not optimistic that they will even find me the car.

So.....Day 5:

I think we will go to Captain Cook's for breakfast. We'll get the Tonga Toast and probably use up some more snack credits. Then....off to the Magic Kingdom. It is a morning EMH so the park opens at 8am. Needless to say, I doubt we will be there for park opening. I would like to visit the attractions in Fantasy Land and basically hit whatever we didn't do during MNSSHP and during our other night time visit. I would like to see the revamped hall of presidents. I wouldn't mind visiting Tom Sawyer's Island. I will try to do the two mountains and Philarmagic.


So until the next TR, I bid you farewell!

p.s. Just for the record LJ and his younger brother are visiting me for the next couple days. So nice to see his smiling face again!

UGH. Car shopping. UGH is all I have to say! That would be enough to put me in a funk for sure! How fun to see LJ, he will make the UGH go all away I am sure.

I know for me if I feel "off" it trickles over into everything and car shopping would make me down enough to question a trip. You have a lovely, adult only trip planned and you will have a magical 4 days. Sometimes the best thing to do is just not think so much.



Say it isn't so...goodbye? WAH! I'll look forward to the next TR!!

 

[dawnbu40]

Your plans sound great and I look forward to reading all about your trip! Have fun and enjoy your visit with your nephews!

 

[jenjolt]

Great Updates MEK!!! I think you guys are going to have a great time on your anniversary trip!! I love your WL plans and for a relaxing evening!!! I love DHS so I hope you're able to cross everything off your list that you want to do!!!!!

I'm very excited for you!! You will not regret this trip once you are down there!!! SO go and ENJOY!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

No second thoughts! Those aren't allowed! (That's what I keep telling myself anyway! )

What kind of car are you looking at?

 

[MEK]

You can see wishes, and the boat parade from the WL Beach. I do think you'd be ok without a car, we were able to make it to WL, AKL, Poly for our resort dinners from FW with no issues (if you ignore someone telling us about a bus that didn't really exist!). lol!

I remember that part.....the non-existent bus. That was funny (though not at the time).

! One of the great advantages of the MK resorts is the multiple options, if you miss the MK boat you can take the one that goes to the contemporary and then hop on the monorail....or take a bus to DTD and transfer there. Which, mind you, we never did so I can't speak to how well that works!

But by having a car it does give you a lot of freedom.

Yes.... I agree a monorail resort gives tons of freedom. I would probably be OK without a car, but my DH really feels like a captive if he can't leave Disney property volunteraly. I don't plan on leaving, but I guess its like having emergency Xanax. It's nice to know its there.

It if were me, I don't think I could pass up dessert at AP! Which wouldn't leave room for any kind of snack at DTD...unless it was an adult coffee drink lol!

Decaf at that hour.

UGH. Car shopping. UGH is all I have to say! That would be enough to put me in a funk for sure! How fun to see LJ, he will make the UGH go all away I am sure.

I know for me if I feel "off" it trickles over into everything and car shopping would make me down enough to question a trip. You have a lovely, adult only trip planned and you will have a magical 4 days. Sometimes the best thing to do is just not think so much.

[/QUOTE]

The car thing really did get to me today, but my DH reminded me that the Cash for Clunkers program is now going to end after the weekend. He suggested I don't do anything for a couple weeks because the dealers feel their demand for cars is high now. So I will just ease back into waiting mode. If dealer A finds the car, great. If not.....I would rather pay $600 over dealer invoice for a 2010.

Say it isn't so...goodbye? WAH! I'll look forward to the next TR!!

I know....so sad. I'm actually surprised I stretched my TR out this long and I got over 800 posts - definately a record. I appreciate you leaving so many great comments. And I expect YOU to start a PTR soon after I do my next TR. I really am looking forward to the adults only trip. You're right, I should not over think it.


Back with more comments in AM.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Your plans look really great! I completely forgot about Cap'tn Cooks having Tonga Toast - perfect! Do they serve the Kona coffee too? I guess that's always up at the coffee bar though. :

When we stayed at WL we had a courtyard room; we could see the very high fireworks of Wishes over the trees...at toward the end of the dock you could see more. Sitting on the beach is really wonderful as the EWP goes by. The WL is beautiful-there is a small balcony off the lobby (I cannot recall what level though...) with a couple chairs and it overlooks the courtyard/lake. So peaceful.

 

[MEK]

Your plans sound great and I look forward to reading all about your trip! Have fun and enjoy your visit with your nephews!

I look forward to comparing "notes" on both our upcoming trips since we'll be writing our TR's at the same time.

My nephews are so cute. Its so funny when they both start telling two different stories at the same time. I don't know who to listen to first!

Great Updates MEK!!! I think you guys are going to have a great time on your anniversary trip!! I love your WL plans and for a relaxing evening!!! I love DHS so I hope you're able to cross everything off your list that you want to do!!!!!

I'm very excited for you!! You will not regret this trip once you are down there!!! SO go and ENJOY!!!

jen:

You're right. Once I'm there I will not second guess anything. I'm just going to totally enjoy! I hope we cross everything off the list, too. And I hope its not really hot. Actually, I hope the humidity is not high. The temps can be high, but keep that humidity LOW!

No second thoughts! Those aren't allowed! (That's what I keep telling myself anyway! )

What kind of car are you looking at?

Oh....so does that mean you have a few second thoughts sneaking in there, too????

My tastes in cars are pretty simple. I have owned 4 Honda Accords and now I want to buy my 5th one. I have had very good success with them in terms of reliability, ect. I've really never had any major mechanical problems. Maybe I should try a different type of car, but I see no reason to.

I've always had a stick, and even though the ratio of manufactured automatics to sticks is 30:1, I've always been able to get one without a problem and I've been able to bargain a good deal. I think I'm buying too late in the year. And the reason I started looking was because DS16 will be driving by himself in November. I want him to use my current car and I want a new one. I drive A LOT between work and soccer, so the Honda makes sense to me because of the good gas mileage. MY DH thinks I should just go automatic, but I want one more stick. I just think they are much more fun to drive. And now that I can't find one, it makes me want one more! LOL!

I also like to do my own negotiating. Weird, I know. But my DH stays out of it and lets me do the work. So, I'll just see what happens with my deposit and the price they quoted me at the original dealership and if it falls through, I'll bargain for a 2010 when I get back from Disney.

Your plans look really great! I completely forgot about Cap'tn Cooks having Tonga Toast - perfect! Do they serve the Kona coffee too? I guess that's always up at the coffee bar though. :

When we stayed at WL we had a courtyard room; we could see the very high fireworks of Wishes over the trees...at toward the end of the dock you could see more. Sitting on the beach is really wonderful as the EWP goes by. The WL is beautiful-there is a small balcony off the lobby (I cannot recall what level though...) with a couple chairs and it overlooks the courtyard/lake. So peaceful.

I don't think they serve the Kona Coffee at Capt Cooks (accordingly to Melissa who is a Poly expert), but I will get some at the Coffee bar. After 3 mornings of Nescafe it will be a welcomed treat.

I am looking forward to seeing more of the WL. That is another resort that is on my list of DVC places I want to stay!

 

[manntra]

You are going to have a great time and you just need to stop overthinking everything!
I think you should wear your pins....or at least a "what are you celebrating" pin or such because you ARE celebrating your 20th anniversary! And each other!
Ahhhh good you decided to go to MNSSHP....I think I must have missed that....I am really looking forward to it and my trip....I haven't really had much time off since January (also my last Disney trip) and so I am getting a little hyper!
I would wait a bit on your car purchase....I sell cars at an independent dealer in NYS and the cash for clunkers has taken a huge chunk out of available cars. A lot of NYS dealers have pulled out b/c of lack of inventory and mainly because they have not gotten their money back. I think that after this dies down they won't be doing a lot of business and will be more willing to negotiate.....really don't know though b/c the market is really out of whack right now...prices on used cars are very high and there isn't a lot out there to buy...and YES you should get a five speed! Much more fun to drive and MORE CONTROL!! I have a Mini Cooper S and I wouldn't dream of having anything other than a stick!!

Tracy

 

[SunnieRN]

Oh that was a good suggestion about Tonga Toast. Good to know about the pretzels at goofy's. That would be a good use of snack credits. Zebra domes at the Mara is another good idea.

I did NOT have the skillet, but other people in my party did. It didn't look that great to me. I actually had fish which looked a lot worse than the skillet. It was just blaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!

I think I just had a bad transportation experience and I'm sure people have had much better. it just makes me more sure I want to use a car.

Ick, I hear more bad then good about WCC unfortunately!! I can understand about the car as that gives you numerous options!

Hi LJ and bro!! I hope you all enjoy your visit!

Wear the buttons!!! That will make the trip even more special!!!

Good luck with all the car shopping snafus!! I hope the dealer finds the one you want!

 

[Glendamax]

Number "A" - I know I'm SUPER-DUPER later in catching up.
Letter "2" - I'm off from work tonight so I've finally had a chance to comment! So here we go:

We did better getting back to Kidani this time. In other words, we didn't end up on Rt. 194 (or is it 192?) again. However, we did exit the park and then we had to go back through the toll booths and then.....finally......we found the very non-descript, unmarked road that took us back to Kidani. I think the problem may have been that we were parked in the AAA lot and we exited the park differently.

So it wasn't just me! I felt SOOOO STUPID not being able to find the resort when leaving the park! The next time, I'll probably just catch the bus over there!

Would you believe they were filming some type of promo vidoe for DVC. That film crew was around the lobby and near the pool ALL WEEK! I was surprised at the amount of equipment and personnel that was required for filming the shortest segments. Not that I paid that much attention to what was going on, but most of the time there was no filming going on....just set up and standing around........

I actually saw them filming in the lobby! You know I took my time and SLOWLY walked through in case they needed a Sexy Single DVC owner to interview! LOL!

The rest of us chilled on the chaise lounges. I actually took a 10 minute power nap. I really didn't mind that we weren't in the parks. That's whats so great about being a frequent Disney flyer. Now the down time is as important to me as the park time. I was really enjoying my "chillin". By this time the teens had walked over to get lunch at the Mara, then they went back to the pool at Kidani (which they liked better). This is when I discovered that Kidani does not have any CS dining plan options. I hope this changes because I don't think its convenient for folks at Kidani to have to go to Maara for CS. There are sandwiches and such at the Kidani pool bar, but nothing is on the dining plan.

- Now I understand why people go to WDW multiple times. When you are tired, you feel no pressure to catch "that" show, or ride "THE" ride, cuz you know you'll be back soon! It's great having down-time in an awesome room!

- I think it is absolutely CRAZY to build a resort, with NO WHERE to grab something to eat. I even told one of the managers that. After a LONG HOT day at the park, you really think I'm then going to catch a bus over to Jambo house to eat, then catch a bus back? And what about breakfast? We should be able to go to the lobby or somewhere CLOSE and grab something to eat before starting the day. I REALLY hope ALOT of people are complaining!

Let's see now.....dinner at 5pm.......bathroom at 1pm! Fortunately, I had the super huge bathroom all to myself and my DH must have been so tired that I never even woke him up. Do I blame it on the food????? Probably. I sometimes have IBS when I change my diet suddenly, but I think this was a little more than a dietary change. So, I am going to blame it on the mussels, or perhaps one of the multitude of salads I ate. Would I eat at H&V again? Probably.

Blame it on the heat! That day, with the heat index, it was about 106! What happend to you, is what happens to me when I eat alot, and it's HOT!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

WOW! Your waits for transportation to and from WL were crazy! YIKES! I will say in 2 stays at WL we've never really had any troublw with the bus and ferries. Except in Jan on marathon weekend but that wasn't just WL and it was super crazy! People were getting soooo angry

Anyway, I hope you love WL! It's so beautiful and peaceful! I get peaceful, happy feeling just thinking about WL! I can't wait to stay at WLV one day!

Wear the button! Our annivesary had already passed when we went in March, although only by a few days. We wore them! DH actually yelled at me for not putting wearing mine at one point! It will only make your trip that much more magical!

 

[MEK]

You are going to have a great time and you just need to stop overthinking everything!
I think you should wear your pins....or at least a "what are you celebrating" pin or such because you ARE celebrating your 20th anniversary! And each other!

Tracy

Sold.....I am wearing the pin!

Ahhhh good you decided to go to MNSSHP....I think I must have missed that....I am really looking forward to it and my trip....I haven't really had much time off since January (also my last Disney trip) and so I am getting a little hyper!
Tracy

Yup! I decided to go. I doubt we will do costumes, but we ARE going!
Jan to Sept/Oct is a long time to wait between trips, so you deserve to be getting hyper!!!!!

I would wait a bit on your car purchase....I sell cars at an independent dealer in NYS and the cash for clunkers has taken a huge chunk out of available cars. A lot of NYS dealers have pulled out b/c of lack of inventory and mainly because they have not gotten their money back. I think that after this dies down they won't be doing a lot of business and will be more willing to negotiate.....really don't know though b/c the market is really out of whack right now...prices on used cars are very high and there isn't a lot out there to buy...and YES you should get a five speed! Much more fun to drive and MORE CONTROL!! I have a Mini Cooper S and I wouldn't dream of having anything other than a stick!!

Tracy

Good news on this front. Just when I thought I would bag the idea of getting an end of year clearance car and go for the 2010, I got a call from Dealer A and they located the car. I am getting it tomorrow - Monday! I'm excited about it. It seems a little surreal cause I originally did not want a new car until we got back from Disney, but its cool. I'll probably garage it for awhile and keep driving the old one to work because my son will want to drive when I pick him up from practice and he's NOT driving the new car!

Ick, I hear more bad then good about WCC unfortunately!! I can understand about the car as that gives you numerous options!

Hi LJ and bro!! I hope you all enjoy your visit!

Wear the buttons!!! That will make the trip even more special!!!

Good luck with all the car shopping snafus!! I hope the dealer finds the one you want!

Really......I thought a lot of people liked WCC? I feel bad even saying anything bad about it, so I just wrote it off to a bad night. I will try breakfast there sometime, but not dinner. Too many other good places to eat.

We had a nice visit with LJ and bro'. They just left a few hours ago. LJ completely fixed my friends computer that had a major bad virus. The kid is amazing. His little bro' is a cutey, too. Nick spent a lot of time with the boys and they were in heaven!

I am wearing the button! Decision made.

See above re: car....it all worked out.

Number "A" - I know I'm SUPER-DUPER later in catching up.
Letter "2" - I'm off from work tonight so I've finally had a chance to comment! So here we go:



!

Hey GMax....thanks for stopping by!

So it wasn't just me! I felt SOOOO STUPID not being able to find the resort when leaving the park! The next time, I'll probably just catch the bus over there!

Ditto. I can't believe how long it took us to figure out how to get back to AKL. I thought it was just us! Glad to hear we weren't alone!

I actually saw them filming in the lobby! You know I took my time and SLOWLY walked through in case they needed a Sexy Single DVC owner to interview! LOL!

If I was the producer I definately would have casted you in that role!!!!!!!

- Now I understand why people go to WDW multiple times. When you are tired, you feel no pressure to catch "that" show, or ride "THE" ride, cuz you know you'll be back soon! It's great having down-time in an awesome room!

Agreed. AKL villas are perfect for down time!

- I think it is absolutely CRAZY to build a resort, with NO WHERE to grab something to eat. I even told one of the managers that. After a LONG HOT day at the park, you really think I'm then going to catch a bus over to Jambo house to eat, then catch a bus back? And what about breakfast? We should be able to go to the lobby or somewhere CLOSE and grab something to eat before starting the day. I REALLY hope ALOT of people are complaining!

couldn't agree more. It just seemed very inconvenient to go over to Jambo house for decent food. I hope they remedy it, but who knows whether they will or not.

WOW! Your waits for transportation to and from WL were crazy! YIKES! I will say in 2 stays at WL we've never really had any troublw with the bus and ferries. Except in Jan on marathon weekend but that wasn't just WL and it was super crazy! People were getting soooo angry

Anyway, I hope you love WL! It's so beautiful and peaceful! I get peaceful, happy feeling just thinking about WL! I can't wait to stay at WLV one day!

Wear the button! Our annivesary had already passed when we went in March, although only by a few days. We wore them! DH actually yelled at me for not putting wearing mine at one point! It will only make your trip that much more magical!

I think our transportation woes were isolated. I just don't want to risk it. We aren't there very long and I think our trip will be much more efficient with a car. I know we will love seeing more parts of the WL. I think I have only ever been there once and it looks like such a lovely place to stay.

I can't wait to stay at WLV as well. It is so on my list of DVC resorts to try.

For the record....I am wearing that button!