Kidani, HRH & BLT in 6 nights- Yes! We are THAT crazy!Nov 04-10,2009 OBX 4/16/10

[Debs Hill]

Glad to know that I'm not the only mad one out there! On our last trip we did Royal Pacific, BLT, Kidani, Disney Cruise and then the Treehouses!!! All in three weeks!!!!
Debsx

 

[Tinks "SS"]

Yeah!! new updates!! i worked all weekend long and this was a nice way to relax from a hard weekend at work. I also decided to read your TR from 6/08 your first girls trip. That sounds like so much fun. I am tentatively planning a mother daughter trip in 5/2011 for my mom's bday and mothers day. Your trip with the spa, pools, shopping and drinking really sounds like what i was wanting to do with her there. So i think i'm gonna suggest us drinking around the world to her when we finally get to go. Got a while before i can even call to check on anything.

Gonna go check your dismom's TR now! i've done the last two and been watching out for this one so gonna check up on the others.

 

[podsnel]

Ok...my heart nearly stoppped when i saw the pics of Earl! We love it there. Infact Earl has become part of our family We were there the first week of December for a no park trip, and that's what we had for lunch and dinner. Can't beat 6.00 for a sandwich. I liked the Hawiian Chicken, my friends liked the All American. We saw those lines there too, but it goes rather quickly Soup is great too!

Love reading your TR, looking forward to more!

I look forward to getting to know your brother earl much, much better in the future!! Everything sounds delicious there, but I don't know how I'm ever gonna get past that 1st sandwich- I'm dreaming about having another one!! Guess I'll have to make multiple trips-and for $6????? WHAT a DEAL!! Thanks for reading!

Good to know 3 resorts in 6 days can be done Ellen, my hat is off to you ! Although I will not dare have our eldest DD19 read your post - she will be bringing along two of her BFFs on our trip in August & these girls are twisting my arm to split between 2 or 3 resorts because they want to 'keep it fresh'. Yeah right! for me all that resort hopping will translate into being ~fresh~ outta energy Our family has yet to stay at AKV, BLT & THV so DD keeps trying to play that card with me about how FUN it will be to sweep them all in one trip ( oh puh-leeeeez maybe if I was 19 like she is ). So far we are just planning to do 6 or 7 nights so I do not see this being realistic, not to mention DH, DS & youngest DD really do not seem too enthusiastic.

Soooo nice to read this TR and how much your DS Sean is enjoying things Your afternoon together at DTD sounds perfect and glad to hear you got to Earl of Sandwich my family always wishes EOS would open nearby our home.

Looking forward to your next installment !
laura

Oh...it'll keep it FRESH all right!!

That's so funny- and I hate to say it...but she IS kind of right... It IS really fun to always be trying somewhere new...there is ALWAYS the excitement of a new trip to look forward to. But it is the PITS for whoever the idiot in charge of packing happens to be...which I'm guessing would be you! Fun for the rest of them, though! Having seperate luggage DID help- but it was still a pain...Although, we had clean sheets and clean towels every 2 days....THAT was nice....

And I wish EoS would open HERE, too!! That's the only one, right? Or did I see there's one other one somewhere?

 

[5forDiz]

It IS really fun to always be trying somewhere new...there is ALWAYS the excitement of a new trip to look forward to. But it is the PITS for whoever the idiot in charge of packing happens to be...which I'm guessing would be you! :rotfl...


Yep ! that would be me! I'll be running around gathering up everyone's stuff that they swore they'd pack up themselves




Although, we had clean sheets and clean towels every 2 days....THAT was nice....


Good point




And I wish EoS would open HERE, too!! That's the only one, right? Or did I see there's one other one somewhere?



None that I know of in NY-NJ-PA There's a couple of locations in Florida, also Texas & Nevada & Massachusetts.

laura

 

[podsnel]

Laura-

 

[podsnel]

While Sean and I were having a great day, Pods and T&T were having a wonderful time themselves! Our original plan was that they would play 9 holes at Oak Trail, the 9 hole walking course. But, that course, along with the Magnolia and Palm courses, was closed because of a huge tournament that would be taking place after our stay.(The Children's Miracle Network, i think?) That left LBV and Osprey Ridge. Since Pods & I had absolutely LOVED playing OR, with its abundant wildlife and far-away feel, back in October, we chose that course for the boys. And.....they loved it!! Even better, they got to play 18 holes instead of 9, which all worked out very well. The three were allowed to ride in one cart, with the two smaller bags and DH's regular one. Pods says they had a beautiful day out on a beautiful course. Here are a few of the pics DH took of our young golfers-

You can see the Four Seasons "construction" on this hole-

Both boys have very powerful swings, they are a lot of fun to watch.

 

[podsnel]

Glad to know that I'm not the only mad one out there! On our last trip we did Royal Pacific, BLT, Kidani, Disney Cruise and then the Treehouses!!! All in three weeks!!!!
Debsx

Well, that's just SICK!! What were you THINKING??? I bet it was worth it- wow, 3 weeks- that must be amazing!! We tend to take alot of mini-vacations, and every so often we slip in a little more than a week- this summer we have a long one planned, about 10 or 11 days, Washington DC followed by a week in Pigeon Forge, Tenn in a log cabin with family. But THREE WHOLE WEEKS!! WOW!!!! Sounds like an AMAZING trip! Did you do a TR? I'd LOVE to read that...

Yeah!! new updates!! i worked all weekend long and this was a nice way to relax from a hard weekend at work. I also decided to read your TR from 6/08 your first girls trip. That sounds like so much fun. I am tentatively planning a mother daughter trip in 5/2011 for my mom's bday and mothers day. Your trip with the spa, pools, shopping and drinking really sounds like what i was wanting to do with her there. So i think i'm gonna suggest us drinking around the world to her when we finally get to go. Got a while before i can even call to check on anything.

Gonna go check your dismom's TR now! i've done the last two and been watching out for this one so gonna check up on the others.

What a great idea- a Moms trip- I bet she will LOVE it!! I think it is an awesome location for a girls trip- make sure you do the tea at the GF- Lonnie & I did it last year (if you're reading the DISmoms TR, you'll find it after Kara & Cammie leave) and it was really a great girlie time. Drinking around the world was a LOT of fun- we're going to try to do it again this April/May, along with a monorail pub crawl on another night. Thanks for reading!! Hope you enjoy the DISmoms TR- that trip was a RIOT!!

 

[manntra]

I have seen so many amazingly delicious looking pictures from EOS I must eat there now! I saw two different ones yesterday and now yours! Maybe I will have something there for my first night...
Love the picture of Sean holding Buzz's face and hugging him! Soooo sweet! Happy you both had a fun day together and the others had fun playing golf.
I am guessing IASW as their least favorite at MK....that has to be every boy's least fav....

Tracy

 

[podsnel]

I have seen so many amazingly delicious looking pictures from EOS I must eat there now! I saw two different ones yesterday and now yours! Maybe I will have something there for my first night...
Love the picture of Sean holding Buzz's face and hugging him! Soooo sweet! Happy you both had a fun day together and the others had fun playing golf.
I am guessing IASW as their least favorite at MK....that has to be every boy's least fav....

Tracy

That sandwich was sooooooooooooooo good. Ya know how the NY metro area has amazing bread? And you go almost anywhere else and the bread , the bagels, the rolls...they're just not quite right? Well, this bread is VERY all right! It's not like anything around here, it's very different, and it's VERY good. And what a BARGAIN!!! I vote you DEFINITELY get yourself over to EOS on your 1st night!

I was so happy Sean was really into Buzz- because he isn't into all the characters anymore. In the picture where he's hugging him, he is also trying to push his button! I LOVE that he's been doing that for so long.

And you got it! Even Sean HATES IASW!!! I was shocked!

 

[kid-at-heart]

HAHA- I am the same way with the room numbers- fortunately everyone else remembers where I'm going. We were on the 3rd floor- if you were facing the front doors of the resort, we were on the right side. Just a little bit down from the elevator- a fabulous location!

What an awesome view! How was the hall and lobby noise level inside your villa?

Thanks for the great "trip" break. I needed it today. First day of classes and my computer died. FOUR OF MY CLASSES ARE ONLINE ONLY, no lecture component. . Luckily I was able to borrow another prof's laptop and log in long enough to answer questions and calm first day jitters. Hopefully when I report in tomorrow the techie guys (they are always male at our school ) will have my computer up and running.

 

[podsnel]

What an awesome view! How was the hall and lobby noise level inside your villa?

Thanks for the great "trip" break. I needed it today. First day of classes and my computer died. FOUR OF MY CLASSES ARE ONLINE ONLY, no lecture component. . Luckily I was able to borrow another prof's laptop and log in long enough to answer questions and calm first day jitters. Hopefully when I report in tomorrow the techie guys (they are always male at our school ) will have my computer up and running.

There aren't any lobby/noise issues at Kidani- the villas are seperate from the lobby. It doesn't have that grand, high ceiling that Jambo does, with all the rooms looking down to the lobby. So it was VERY quiet!

Kate, I am so sorry you had such a frustrating first day!! It must have been extremely annoying for both you and your students. I hope the guys are able to figure out what's up with your computer today!

 

[dvc4life]

Great update Ellen. Those photos of Sean at DTD looks like he was really enjoying himself. I'm so glad you two had a great time. And it looks like Pods & the boys were having a great time golfing.

It is interesting to hear your perspective on the shooting in Orlando. Because that is the day we were flying in and we didn't know about it till we got to our room and our friends told us about it. They were worried we wouldn't be able to drive through the down town area from the Sanford Airport. But we got through just fine and we had to have seen the building the shooting happened in because there were sooooo many lights on in one building that I remembered commenting on why it was so lit up.

EOS looks so amazing. We have got to try it.

Can't wait to see how the rest of your day at MK goes.

 

[Debs Hill]

Yes it was crazy.............but we don't get to come to WDW that often, so when we do we like to make it worth our while!!!
Also, there were so many new resorts to try since we last came!

So, we knew that we wanted to do a few nights at Universal to get front of line access, then we loved the look of BLT, I wanted to try Kidani and we all loved the idea of the Treehouses! It was manic and I did get fed up of packing BUT it was so worth it as we were able to taste different resorts and know where we would and wouldn't want to stay for a longer holiday in future.

We all loved BLT and can't wait to go back for a longer stay. None of us were keen on Kidani, although might have liked it more if we hadn't been to BLT first! And we had mixed feelings about the treehouses! ha! ha!

I didn't do a trip report but would be happy to answer anyone's questions!!!
Loving your trip report!!!
Debsx

 

[DB&KS]

Our last 4 visits as DVC members we have moved around and I can honestly say.......I don't like it, and that is putting it mildly. We are going the last week of April/May and we are staying at Beach Club for 9 nights, so happy! But saving $1000 = more Disney trips, no brainer. EoS is a favorite of ours, my daughter loves the broccoli and cheese soup and I love the veggie sandwich! Can't wait to hear about Universal. Friends of ours always tell us to go to Universal but I just hate to tear myself away from Disney, I hate to mess with perfection

 

[podsnel]

Great update Ellen. Those photos of Sean at DTD looks like he was really enjoying himself. I'm so glad you two had a great time. And it looks like Pods & the boys were having a great time golfing.

It is interesting to hear your perspective on the shooting in Orlando. Because that is the day we were flying in and we didn't know about it till we got to our room and our friends told us about it. They were worried we wouldn't be able to drive through the down town area from the Sanford Airport. But we got through just fine and we had to have seen the building the shooting happened in because there were sooooo many lights on in one building that I remembered commenting on why it was so lit up.

EOS looks so amazing. We have got to try it.

Can't wait to see how the rest of your day at MK goes.

Oh, Chris, that's so weird that you remember that building and were driving right through there! What time did you go through Orlando? I think by night time they had the shooter, or knew who he was. Horrible, horrible stuff, huh?

Yes it was crazy.............but we don't get to come to WDW that often, so when we do we like to make it worth our while!!!
Also, there were so many new resorts to try since we last came!

So, we knew that we wanted to do a few nights at Universal to get front of line access, then we loved the look of BLT, I wanted to try Kidani and we all loved the idea of the Treehouses! It was manic and I did get fed up of packing BUT it was so worth it as we were able to taste different resorts and know where we would and wouldn't want to stay for a longer holiday in future.

We all loved BLT and can't wait to go back for a longer stay. None of us were keen on Kidani, although might have liked it more if we hadn't been to BLT first! And we had mixed feelings about the treehouses! ha! ha!

I didn't do a trip report but would be happy to answer anyone's questions!!!
Loving your trip report!!!
Debsx

You're very funny! But those are all great reasons to go to all those places in one stay- I'm kind of like that, too- not knowing what all the DVC's are like really bothers me- I like to try them all! And I agree, it is a good way to figure out where you want to spend a lot longer. We've got BCV next (but we have stayed at BC many times, so I feel like we are half-way there knowing what it's like) then all that will be left is VWL & the treehouses. And GCV, I really want to go to DL, I've never been, but who knows if I'll be able to get the DVC there.

And we all thought BLT was great, too- loved being on that monorail! I think that one was our kids favorite. But so many points to stay! But really worth it, I think- can't wait to go back...

Just curious- what were your mixed feelings about the treehouses?

Thanks for writing back!

Our last 4 visits as DVC members we have moved around and I can honestly say.......I don't like it, and that is putting it mildly. We are going the last week of April/May and we are staying at Beach Club for 9 nights, so happy! But saving $1000 = more Disney trips, no brainer. EoS is a favorite of ours, my daughter loves the broccoli and cheese soup and I love the veggie sandwich! Can't wait to hear about Universal. Friends of ours always tell us to go to Universal but I just hate to tear myself away from Disney, I hate to mess with perfection

I'm staying at BCV April 30th to May 4th!! Not 9 nights, but I'm still so happy!! No moving!! I hope we can arrange a DISmeet!

Universal is a LOT of fun- but it is really, really hard to be a Disney freak and be in Orlando...and not be in Disney. It's really nice, the food is wonderful, the hotel was great, we could walk to the parks, get on the short line, very pretty landscaping and cool themeing....just have to get over the fact that you're so close to the Mothership and not THERE.

 

[Debs Hill]

I know EXACTLTY what you mean..........I hate knowing there are DVC resorts out there that I have yet to experience!!!! We also haven't done VWL ( have stayed at WL itself and hubby not very keen, so this one is unikely!), SSR, BCV or California. BVC is definitely on our list as we've had a walk round this one and loved the look of it, have also stayed at the Yacht Club previously. What are your thoughts about BCV?

We all loved BLT for different reasons..........hubby because it was light, airy and modern and not too 'Disney' , my son because he had access to two pools, two slides, refilliable mugs and the MK within minutes and me because it felt so classy, luxurious and can't beat watching Wishes from your balcony! We will definitely go back, although not for a long stay as the points are so steep!

The treehouses: They are beautiful inside and are much nicer than they look in pictures on the net. They are huge and we loved having all that extra space, and my son thought having his own room with bunk beds was fab! The downside of the units is that they are very, very dark inside, both in decor and the lighting and I also didn't like having to go out of the front door to sit on the deck! Small things!

The pool is sweet and was never very crowded when we were there......but there is nowhere to fill mugs, get snacks etc, so you have to come prepared. Also it was quite a hike from our villa in 90 degree heat if you forgot something, when we are used to OKW where we have always been seconds from the quiet pool at South Point.

Getting around is fine if you have a car but the bus service is a bit of a pain. I am really glad that we tried them but am not sure that we would stay there again.

Can't wait to hear your HRH part of the report as we have stayed at Portofino and Royal Pacific but not Hard Rock yet!
Debsxx

 

[podsnel]

Sean and I walked over to the MK from the Contemporary bus stop and within minutes we were "walkin right down the middle of main st usa"...anyone else have this video tape? Sean has been watching the Disneyland Fun tape since he was 2, so whenever we enter the MK that song plays in my head... Anywho....I asked him to stop for pictures at least 20 times- and can I just tell you, that once again, he proved himself to be the BEST man in the family for the job (the rest of them would have been complaining after photo number 2!). Notice the Christmas garland? It must have been a busy night- as it was not there the night before-

We snagged a Photopass photographer, who took a picture of the 3 of us! (Hey- who's THAT guy???)-

I just remembered! I forgot to mention- my birthday is at the end of November, so upon Check-in at Kidani, I was presented with a birthday button. I LOVE the birthday button! CMs and characters EVERYWHERE made me feel extra special this entire vacation, wishing me "Happy Birthday". Which is kind of a big thing for me....because my birthday is right after Thanksgiving, most people usually forget about it. Never have I EVER been greeted with Happy Birthday SO MUCH (although this year on my actual BD on FB was a close second. ). Birthday buttons ROCK!

We were headed to Tomorrowland, and our usual first stop at Buzz (especially when the TEA cups are still being refurbed)

Do you notice how Sean is always holding something? We call these his friends- Blue from Blue's Clues, Thumper, and a book (which on other trips has been Green Eggs and Ham, but on this trip was PB Bear's Birthday Party). Well I said, "Sean- let's take another picture with your friends" and he pulled everything (or everyone) out of the backpack and started walking around with all 3. It was pretty funny (the big book makes this a bit cumbersome!).

Our Buzz Cheating Pic-

And one we actually bought of us from 2 years ago-

I asked him if he would go on the COP with me (yes, I am one of the ones who loves this ride because it is so nostalgic!) and he flat-out REFUSED!! I even asked him TWICE just to be sure, but the answer was still no. What about the TTA (which I still call the WEDway People Mover)- sure! He charged right up that ramp!

Over the TS-

Into SM-

Back over TS-

Oh, and in case you're wondering, the new "voice from above" STINKS!!! I hate this new guy- he doesn't sound SPECIAL!!!! He doesn't say anything FUN!!! May as well be on NJ Transit! BRING BACK THE OLD VOICE, WDW!!!!

Next up, we went to the TS- all kids love, love, love this ride, and Sean is no different-

After that, it was over to Toontown- we wanted to see the "houses" again before they're taken down.

Which leads me to a big part of our day that I forgot to mention. It occured to me in the morning that Sean would eventually need to "use the facilities" during the course of the day...and I would, too. How were we going to manage that? Sean can go into the bathroom by himself at home or at school, but in a public place? I just don't think it's a good idea for him. Fortunately, although I had never noticed (or needed) them before, there are companion bathrooms located all over the parks- they were in DTD, and they were here, in MK. Thanks, Disney, for once again making our vacation just a little less stressful, and just a LOT more enjoyable!

Cont'd next post-

 

[Tinks "SS"]

AHHH!! love that he was having so much fun! It really does show in his face that he is having a great time!

So sorry you didn't get to go on COP. I too love that ride. My kids enjoy it also so i'm good. if you ever need anyone to go with you on it, just let me know! OH, my youngest DS loves IASW. We, the others, don't really mind it at all but he loves it!

As always, can't wait for more!! Just got finished with the Dismom's TR and loved it! Sounds like so much fun!!

 

[podsnel]

We entered minnie's house, and for the first time EVER we actually looked around and touched stuff (the other MEN like to get through here as fast as possible, if they come in at ALL). Sean liked the livingroom, and had a seat on the couch-

In the kitchen, he spotted her calendar- Sean is a big lover of calendars. He actually has some savant abilities, and one of those is an extraordinary ability to remember dates and the days they fall on. As in, if I ask him what day of the week I was born on in 1962, he will think a minute and say Thursday- which is absolutely correct! He can do this into the future as well, although there's a cutoff point where he refuses somewhere after 100 years. So when he sees a calendar, he always needs to stop and have a look!

Then we went over to see Mickey's-

This reminds me of Big Murgie's Den in HHI (even though there's a pool table in BMD's, not ping-pong)-

I thought we might go say hi to some characters, but even Sean has his limits, as you can see in this pic he was not all that jazzed about anymore of this-

I think we started to leave the park, but the parade was going on, and by the time we got to Main St, Sean was feeling better ( not that he was having a tantrum, or anything close to it, I think I was just being cautious), so we turned around and once again we were headed right down the middle (sort of) of Main St USA.

We spotted Jesse and Woody, and kind of walked along, keeping pace with them-

And then my favorite princess, Cindy. Although I wish they would go the other way- a photo of them in front of the castle that shows their faces and not backs would be much, much nicer-

Through the castle and into Fantasyland, where we rode on Winnie the Pooh and PP- he refused to go on SWSA, CGC, MP (I was really bummed about that one!) and, most emphatically, he did NOT want to ride on IASW!!! So, we walked over to Frontierland, and saw the new Princess and her show, which was REALLY, REALLY good-

Then Sean made a beeline for SM- not to ride it, but to watch it!! I guess he is so used to standing there waiting for his brothers and father to come down the mountain that he thinks it's a MUST-DO on every visit- even when they're not there!

Walking on towards Adventureland, we stopped at the Outpost for a much desired ff snack-

I decided I'd like something too....something I had read about....something I had never tried before....a dole whip! It took me a little while to figure out where to go for it, but once I found it....I was in heaven!

Hey dole whip...where you been all my life??

While all this was going on, Pods called to say, "Where are you guys???" They had finished up golfing, got the rental car, and were waiting impatiently at Kidani for us. "What should we do? Where should we wait? How do I blow my nose?" Well, ok, maybe not that last one, but he was pretty much clueless as to what he should do without me...isn't it nice to be sooo needed? I told him where to go .....
and that Sean and I were on our way to the bus. I guess we were having so much fun together enjoying the park that I let time slip away....that's ok- there's not enough of that in anyone's life.

Back at Kidani, we got the luggage from BS, threw it into the minivan, took one last look around....

I always love a good hole with a couple of trees through it!

And said bye-bye to Kidani and WDW for the next 48 hours....

Up next..."Come to the DARK SIDE, Luke....."

 

[manntra]

Oooh I am scared/excited to go to the dark side!
What a wonderful afternoon you both had....love the PP pictures! Who the heck was that guy? at least he was smiling!!
Love your Buzz pictures too!!
You can really tell what a great time Sean was having
Even though Cinderella is facing the other way it is still a great picture!!
for the Dole Whip! Next time you will have to try the Dole Whip Float! Mmmmm

Tracy