Kidani, HRH & BLT in 6 nights- Yes! We are THAT crazy!! Nov 4-10,09 OBX updates 4/13

[tinytreasures]

what a fun side trip
we didn't make it over there and now I wish we had spent a day there maybe next time we go.
The BLT pictures are beautiful

 

[Mysteria]

Looks great to me. I'd love to stay there!

 

[podsnel]

Ahhhhh....pure bliss!

That room looks incredible! Glad there was no meltdown with Sean this time...although I don't like the ominous groan in your "up next!"

Your return to the mothership picture is just beautiful - great colors and perfectly symmetrical - good job!

I LOVE the BLT pictures. That villa is beautiful. I can't wait until I get a chance to stay there. The decor really appeals to me. And the location....can't beat it!

A small add on there....hmmmmm....I hadn't really considered BLT as a possible add-on location, but looking at those pictures is certainly enticing,

If the economy would improve a little, I think I could convince him- Pods was a BIG fan of BLT. But we really want HHI points, and (hopefully) Washington DC points one day- so we can have a DVC within driving distance to book for holiday breaks and weekend getaways. I know alot of people say the location for that one isn't ideal, but I would love to get a Disney fix in 4 hours driving time, without $200+ pp airfare.

what a fun side trip
we didn't make it over there and now I wish we had spent a day there maybe next time we go.
The BLT pictures are beautiful

It WAS fun!! Not sure how we'll do it next time- especially since they restuctured the points and weekends are not as high point wise anymore.

Looks great to me. I'd love to stay there!

I wish you would have been able to join me in the TOWL!

Here are a few pics from my recent trip to St John-

These are from the day we chartered a boat (Prowler) and spent the day in the BVI's- we had Thomas for a captain again, just like last year.

The Caves, Norman Island-

Time to do the SKI on the Willy T-

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooo Handsome Bartender!

Our guys on the Willy T-

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Captain Thomas!

Hangin on the beach at the Soggy Dollar Bar, Jost Van Dyk-

A sign typical for all bathrooms in the BVI's-

Bart got it 3 times!!!!

Jenga on the beach at the Soggy Dollar-

Leaving my mark on Jenga-

We braved the rocks in bare feet to go to Ivan's- Kenny Chesney wrote "No shoes, no shirt, no problem" about this bar-

We sent Janie back to get the boat when we wanted to leave-

The next day in Trunk Bay on STJ-

With Janie & Pam in Trunk-

Margarita Phil's-

Hope that keeps you happy until I write a TR!

 

[preschoolmom]

Oh my goodness! The water is so blue! Looks like you had a blast!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Hi 'Rita!!

 

[Mysteria]

I wish you would have been able to join me in the TOWL!

A sign typical for all bathrooms in the BVI's-

Took me awhile to think of what TOWL was. I got it though. Next time!

I love all your St John pics but this one made me laugh. What a nice way to ask to conserve water.

 

[podsnel]

We were off to Chef Mickey's. This was the one restaurant that my kids had requested we eat at- it is the restaurant that I called DD in a panic in the car on the drive home from HHI this past summer when I realized I was past the 90 day mark. Because they really wanted to go.

But I really don't know why!

Well, all I can say about it is here is a clear wake-up call for everyone who thinks their life with their kids will always be the same.

It won't. Like all else in life, kids are CONSTANTLY evolving. Constantly growing-up and changing. Lately I've been feeling like I'm going to blink my eyes and they are going to be off to college. I'd be lying if I said this doesn't freak me out, because it does. A whole lot. So when my kids said, "Why haven't we gone back to Chef Mickey's?" I didn't question anything, I just booked it. Oops.

To give you an idea of what our last visit to CM's was like, I have a few pics from 2005- when they were 11, 8 and 6-

With Chef not-Mickey

And Timmy danced when the Characters danced....Timmy danced all over Disney that year....

So, in my mind, I was looking forward to more crazy fun with my nutty kids while we shoveled in some CM buffet. I can honestly say, it's not just my kids who have changed since 2005. CM's has also changed quite a bit. All the bad food reviews it inspires? Well, let's just say that they have not been too greatly exaggerated....

yum? Never have I been more happy to see Rita-

Tyler went for his usual strawberry smoothie-

The character interaction IS still really great there- it's just that, sadly, my kids are kind of in the "I'm too cool for characters" phase of life. See? Evolving, changing....bummer. They did manage to pose for a couple of photos, though-

I do love Goofy- he's my favorite-

For some reason, throughout this meal, Timmy & Tyler were MIA ALL THE TIME. I think they may have been up at the desserts...I know they spent a LOT of time in the bathroom....I can't figure it out. So I had fun twirling the napkin by MYSELF!

I had booked this dinner as the one where they would celebrate my birthday. I meant to switch to a different restaurant, but forgot all about it until they brought out my special dessert. And my boys were still MIA. So I blew out my candle ALONE...

Well, Pods and Sean were there, but the dynamic duo were still mysteriously absent from the festivities. When they FINALLY came back to the table, they said there was a long line at the bathroom (for the MEN'S room????). Whatever. I just find it so odd that we go to Chef Mickey's for all the hokey-pokey-craziness, certainly NOT for the food, and, my boys are in a bathroom line (which I STILL question) for all of the napkin twirling nuttiness the place has to offer. Ah well...at least I know what to say if they ever want to eat there again... (And FWIW, it is my personal opinion that they were hiding out in said men's room to avoid having to dance and napkin twirl...maybe they'll confess one day when they're feeling honest in their 40's).

A couple more forced character photos-

And we paid the check (which I waited for for a LOOOOOOOOOONG time)and skee-daddled. Actually, Pods left with the boys first, because Sean was getting a little antsy. I will say this about it though- the manager of the restaurant was LOVELY and kind and gracious...even when I read the bill wrong and thought they charged us $30 for Sean to eat a plate of fries...which they did NOT. They didn't charge him at all. I was over-tired, not feeling well (did I mention I was sick all week? I was. I was just ignoring that fact because I was at WDW) and clearly not my usual fun fun fun self. I am one to barely look at the bill usually, I leave that to Pods (which is obviously a GOOD thing). Anywhoo....

Up next...Wishes Fireworks! Then TOWL! In the wrong order because I can't tell time!!

 

[areck]

Hi Ellen,
Welcome back!
I know what you mean about kids evolving in an unpredictable direction. My kids (27, 24, & 12) keep me on my toes. As a rule, however, I never let on to them about how I can't figure them out. In fact, I keep all three guessing whether I'm onto their antics or not. My oldest son, Brian, is always amazed how much power a mom can wield. Yes, these kids do change. A lot. It's ok as long as it's in a direction of being the best they can be.
Does this make sense to you?? I'm trying to convey a positive message. You do possess the "power of a mama".
Andrea

 

[podsnel]

Took me awhile to think of what TOWL was. I got it though. Next time!

I love all your St John pics but this one made me laugh. What a nice way to ask to conserve water.

There are versions of that theme all over the VI's- at Woody's (a very popular bar in STJ) the sign says "If it's brown, flush it down...if it's yellow, let it mellow." The water comes from cisterns on the roof of all the buildings- so water conservation is SERIOUS!! But still funny!

 

[podsnel]

Hi Ellen,
Welcome back!
I know what you mean about kids evolving in an unpredictable direction. My kids (27, 24, & 12) keep me on my toes. As a rule, however, I never let on to them about how I can't figure them out. In fact, I keep all three guessing whether I'm onto their antics or not. My oldest son, Brian, is always amazed how much power a mom can wield. Yes, these kids do change. A lot. It's ok as long as it's in a direction of being the best they can be.
Does this make sense to you?? I'm trying to convey a positive message. You do possess the "power of a mama".
Andrea

YES!! Makes perfect sense- thank-you!

 

[IluvXU]

I love your report. I have read the other ones (Vero because we are headed there this summer). Your Chef Mickey's makes me realize we just might need to get a reservation this summer... because someday they won't love it.

Your love of the 1 bedroom at AKV is so exciting to me. I can see though the size at BLT after being there would be crazy.

Yea for Sean handling this trip so well. Thanks for sharing your adventures, your boys are just darling!

 

[podsnel]

Oh my goodness! The water is so blue! Looks like you had a blast!

We always have a blast in the VI's...St John is a great place, and that whole area of the Caribbean is breathtaking. I feel so fortunate to go every year- we're already getting ready to buy our tickets for next year in a couple of weeks (they are MUCH cheaper when they come out).

Hi 'Rita!!

She is SUCH a nice girl!!

 

[podsnel]

I love your report. I have read the other ones (Vero because we are headed there this summer). Your Chef Mickey's makes me realize we just might need to get a reservation this summer... because someday they won't love it.

Your love of the 1 bedroom at AKV is so exciting to me. I can see though the size at BLT after being there would be crazy.

Yea for Sean handling this trip so well. Thanks for sharing your adventures, your boys are just darling!

Hi there! And thank-you so much for the compliments!! I really do love sharing my trip with everyone, it's almost as fun as the actual vacation.

We did love both of the 1 bdrms- and even though BLT felt quite smaller than Kidani, it was wonderful- it reminded me of the difference between a hotel room in...well, almost anywhere, compared to one in Manhattan!! Staying on the monorail is even better than I ever imagined. But at Kidani we felt so...away. In a good way. As in we're not in Kansas anymore away! A beautiful thing to enjoy on vacation from a busy life.

And by all means- do as many kid things as you can before they are too cool for school. It really goes waaaaaay too fast! Hope you have fun on yur trip, and thanks so much for reading!

 

[podsnel]

So, I am all happy with myself, it is just 8:00 and that means I have a whole hour to get up to the TOWL and watch Wishes, right? WRONG!! I don't know if you have ever read in my other posts, but I seem to have a knack for missing fireworks at WDW. I screw up the times, I'm in a restaurant against a wall, I am NEVER properly positioned to enjoy the spectacle of Disneylicious fireworks, or at least I haven't been in quite a while. I am NOT one of those who will line up hours in advance (I'm too busy having other fun somewhere, I suppose) and I am also in a family of non-enthusiastic fireworks admirers who would balk at the idea of missing some short line rides to stand on the perfect corner and enjoy the view. Sigh....I also am not one of those that would run in front of all the people who DO have the patience to line up an hour in advance- I would NEVER do that, it's rude!! So...I was looking forward to taking advantage of our primo BLT accomodations and getting my behind up to the TOWL in time to see Wishes in it's entirety. Except.....

Wishes does not start at 9. That is when Illuminations begins. Wishes on this night was going off at 8. You know, when I was on the bridge from the Contemporary to BLT. Of course. So here are my fireworks pics from not the most perfect place to take them, but I took them nonetheless, as this is as close as I may ever come to actually viewing Wishes...you know...because I can't tell time or read a schedule.

Back in the room, the boys were all relaxing- we would not be going to EMH at MK tonight, the day at Universal had wiped us out! That's ok- Sean was happy with his book and his "friends" back in the comfy king-size bed, and Pods was watching a game on the tube- it WAS Sunday, after all! Timmy & Tyler were itchin' to blow through some of their hard earned coins at the arcade, so I walked them over (to show them where it was- very easy, right at the end of the walkway from BLT, pretty much. Very convenient) and left them instructions to waste some money in the arcade ONLY before returning to our room.

I, on the other hand, was going up to the TOWL- and nothing was going to stop me, even if the fireworks were over!!

Next up- TOWL for me and 1 other patron- and the BEST bartender in WDW!

 

[areck]

Top of the world in more ways than one? Can't wait!

 

[podsnel]

Top of the world in more ways than one? Can't wait!

Yes- definitely!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Here are a few pics from my recent trip to St John
Leaving my mark on Jenga-

That's great!
We braved the rocks in bare feet to go to Ivan's- Kenny Chesney wrote "No shoes, no shirt, no problem" about this bar-

Gotta Love that song - especially when you're living it!

With Janie & Pam in Trunk-

Sexy!
Margarita Phil's-

Hope that keeps you happy until I write a TR!

I think having one of those Margaritas would make me happy....

Thanks for sharing - I needed a sunshine fix today.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Nice to see you back in the "real" vacation world! BLT looks very swank! I thought the mock-ups looked like the rooms belonged to Austin Powers - I'm glad to see they ARE tasteful, and I love the location!

Sorry about the CM incident. It makes us moms sad to see our babies grow up. And you're right. You will turn around twice and they'll be in college,then married with children, and they will belong to their wives, not to you! Take in every moment! I know what I'm talking about!

Your fireworks timing sounds like mine. We see them pretty much by accident. And I'm always the mom with the dead battery in my camera right when I want to take the perfect pic!

 

[podsnel]

The kids were pretty much salivating at the prospect of hanging out in that arcade- it IS huge, after all, and recently redone, so all shiny and new. I turned around and went back over to BLT, catching a glimpse of the water parade on the way-

After which I went downstairs to the BLT lobby to be escorted upstairs to the TOWL. Which had a total of 1 guy at the bar, 1 bartender, and 3 wait staff (although actually, maybe one of them was the mgr.). Pretty good ratio of drinkers to servers, I'd say! The bartender, who i believe was named Holly, was ALL THAT. She was a positively magical CM who completely adored working up there in this very, very special and exclusive lounge. She explained that usually she works the pool bar, and every so often gets to do the TOWL- too bad it's not more busy, because then she could be there all the time spreading pixie dust on the top floor of BLT. I asked her to recommend a cocktail- she said she was partial to this one, and now I can't remember which one it was!! Maybe a Pamarita? Well, I SHOULD remember, because I went back the next night to have it again, and it was just as yummy the second time around. Here's a pic-

Since we had the place to ourselves, I felt completely comfortable taking plenty of pics-

The little secluded drinking nook-

The view is breathtaking. I finished my cocktail and said goodnight to my new friend Holly and the English gentleman I was sitting at the bar with (who was on the last night of his 3 week BLT holiday. Aaaahhhh to be rich and British! Love those long vacations! WOW!!) Somewhere along the way, i took a photo of the chandelier...

OOps- I didn't need to go all the way down to the bottom, I could have just gotten off on the 4th floor. DUH. Anyway, back at the room, the Ts were still not there, so I went over to find them in the arcade. Looks like they were getting their nickel's worth!

We headed back to BLT, but first the Ts needed to take a nap in the Contemporary-

Aaahhhh...home at last-

And then to bed, where we all got a good night's sleep- well, except for Pods, of course. Who I had convinced to try staying in the king- but he got kicked out by Sean at some point that night, so once again, it was the pull-out for him!

Tomorrow- breakfast at Kona Cafe and those Tea cups are FINALLY open!!

 

[areck]

Wow Wow Wow! I love the photos. Thank you for sharing. Hopefully, some day, they'll allow non DVCers, like me, to go up and enjoy the view with a few cocktails.

This past October , my husband and ,now 13 year old, son were at the Contemporary Arcade. That particular night it was packed. They enjoyed themselves immensely. I couldn't help it, I had to play SKEE BALL (pathetic, I know).


Enjoy the snow tomorrow! Monmouth County is getting blasted again! :