Life is too short for self-hatred and celery sticks: final update 12/29, p.98

[rentayenta]

I love that you gave them the basket while they waited at check in. What a cute idea!

Love the Officer and Gentleman shot, it's cute. You guys clean up ok!

Room is adorable, I will be curious to see how it worked come sleeping time, if you all managed that ok. Lunch looks very yummy but the description of the chaos of the food court is not appealing. Then again, most food courts don't appeal to me regardless.

Basket carnage

The first time I did a basket which was during our first trip, they got the basket at check in too and it seemed to work well.

The food court was good and every enjoyed their meals but it was total chaos and I am not a fan of chaos. Not that kind of chaos. The stations were too small to fit that many bodies if that makes sense; too close together. Good food but I don't know that I could handle it for a week.

The sleeping was fine actually. Now you may not know this but my goofy kids still sleep in the same room. Voluntarily. When we were building this house 7 years ago it was taking longer than expected. We had been staying with my inlaws but school started and I didn't want to do the whole commuting them to school thing so we rented a 2 bedroom condo by the school....we gave them the master and DH and I took the second bedroom. It wasn't any sort of hardship. We put 2 beds in the master; a double and a twin- girls in one, Joshua in the other. Fast forward to now and the reason we built a house with 4 bedrooms: so they could each have their own room. Currently Joshua has a bunk bed with a twin on top and a double on the bottom and hand to G-d, the girls sleep on the bottom bunk. They don't all sleep in Joshua's room is if one of them has a friend over or one of them falls asleep in my room like when Michael travels or is at the FD. They are ridiculous. But I'm glad they're close. That's not to say they don't bicker because they totally do. Oh crap, maybe I've given them abandonment issues? ​

AOA looks amazing!!!! The basket looks fab and your food looks delish. I love the picture of the 2 of you from last night, I don't think you look insane, you look like you still know how to have fun (I have 4 friends going through a divorce right now so I think knowing how to have fun is an important part of a relationship)!!!

The theme is unreal! You guys should seriously consider it for your next trip. With three of you the Little Mermaid section would be fun and I didn't find the walk difficult as some have described. The grounds are just so cool that you feel entertained, ya know?

Thanks for the compliment. We do have fun for the most part. He can be a moody one and my sensitive Pisces nature can rear it's head (blame my folks- abandonment issues ) but it works and I enjoy the life we've created. We also know a couple who just split and another who separated a few months ago.​

Great pics of AoA. Your room decor is really......fishy. But then again..Fish are friends, not food.

The food from AoA food court looks great. Seems like a varied selection there.


And yes....that officer and a gentleman picture of the two of you just rocks!

ps. Congrats to Michael.

It was a nice evening.

Fishy room decor? Thats punny. The room was darling for sure. The whole resort, what we saw of it, was. The Cars area was the neatest though by far. I can only imagine how cool Carsland in DCA must be. You'll be there soon, right? ​

 

[rentayenta]

Here are the camera photos of the walk to the room and the room. And if you look real close you'll be able to tell what we decided to do that first night.....

And who doesn't need multiple backside pics?

Master bathroom. Look Alison, no tub!

Love K in this one:

And now, it's a bed! The Nemo and Marlin mural is darling.

​

 

[rentayenta]

Okay, I about fell out laughing at the AoA bed...not because it's horrible, but because we have become so spoiled too!

Also, I'll make you pitas any time you want.

Love your Officer and a Gentleman pic. You look fabulous, dahling.

P.S.~ My wife insisted I stop in, and I'm so glad I did!

Tell your wife thank you! I'm glad you're here.

Seriously, the bed seemed so small, I think it was a double. I'll have to look it up but it couldn't have been a queen. We are so spoiled. AoA was darling but with 6 of us, we would have killed each other after 3 days I'm sure.

Pitas please. Theirs were definitely grocery store pitas. And cold too. No me gusta.

Thanks for the compliment. I went a little cowgirl that night. I've got Debra Winger on the brain. What was that cowboy movie she did with John Travolta? Clearly, I need some sleep.

And I almost forgot your ​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Pool looks amazing. Glad you stayed there one night so that I can enjoy it vicariously.

You're right...that is a right royal Wendy Darling of a Marlin and Nemo mural.

And I'll be with Alison in about 5 days.

 

[rentayenta]

Pool looks amazing. Glad you stayed there one night so that I can enjoy it vicariously.

You're right...that is a right royal Wendy Darling of a Marlin and Nemo mural.

And I'll be with Alison in about 5 days.

You ladies are going to have so much fun and I can't wait for the photos!

Michael was messing with the camera settings and that's why some of these are dark. The pics get much better.

I've got so many AoA pics. I'll get them posted soon. It really is a fun resort. It's very cheerful, very Disney, lots of stimulus though so it doesn't exude a relaxing vibe.

In all my downtime, I booked the fellas a hotel for their SF trip. It says Fisherman's Wharf and I know your not a Google map but if I post the link, can you give me your opinion? ​

 

[PrincessInOz]

You ladies are going to have so much fun and I can't wait for the photos!

Michael was messing with the camera settings and that's why some of these are dark. The pics get much better.

I've got so many AoA pics. I'll get them posted soon. It really is a fun resort. It's very cheerful, very Disney, lots of stimulus though so it doesn't exude a relaxing vibe.

In all my downtime, I booked the fellas a hotel for their SF trip. It says Fisherman's Wharf and I know your not a Google map but if I post the link, can you give me your opinion? ​

Happy to help.

 

[rentayenta]

Happy to help.

Thank you!

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...esect=rd&vsretype=c&vsrebrand=MC&vsrelink=vhw

I haven't paid anything so I can cancel if its bit good.

​

 

[PrincessInOz]

It's a good location at Fisherman's Wharf and the Marriott hotels are always consistent in their rooms.

I've walked past it most times that I've been in SF and headed to the FW area (the buses drive along North Point Street). It's about 2 or 3 blocks back from the waterfront area and pretty centrally located.

I haven't stayed there but my in-laws have. They thought it was pretty decent, the rooms were on the small side. But then they were travelling with their grand daughters and had 4 in the room.

Do you have a concern about the location or hotel?

 

[rentayenta]

It's a good location at Fisherman's Wharf and the Marriott hotels are always consistent in their rooms.

I've walked past it most times that I've been in SF and headed to the FW area (the buses drive along North Point Street). It's about 2 or 3 blocks back from the waterfront area and pretty centrally located.

I haven't stayed there but my in-laws have. They thought it was pretty decent, the rooms were on the small side. But then they were travelling with their grand daughters and had 4 in the room.

Do you have a concern about the location or hotel?

Thank you- great info. My main concern is them being in a safe area aside from the Raiders game they'll be at Sunday. The thought of Joshua, my baby, in Oakland, frogs me out but I can't change the game location.

My FIL whose 84 will be joining them so close access the the trolleys is a must. They'll be 3 in the room.

I'm totally open to any hotel ideas you care to share or ideas of other places to stay.​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thank you- great info. My main concern is them being in a safe area aside from the Raiders game they'll be at Sunday. The thought of Joshua, my baby, in Oakland, frogs me out but I can't change the game location.

My FIL whose 84 will be joining them so close access the the trolleys is a must. They'll be 3 in the room.

I'm totally open to any hotel ideas you care to share or ideas of other places to stay.​

Are they seeing the game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland? That would be travel by BART??

I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. Nice, clean and reasonable access to the Embarcardero Bart station. It's also near the California Street trolley, which is less busy that the Market/Powell Street trolley heading to FW.

Not sure about price...and whether it is in your ballpark or not (pun intended).

 

[PrincessInOz]

And I just checked the Transit.511.org website. From the Embarcadero station to the Oracle Arena, you would catch the BART Daly City / Dublin Pleasanton. No need to change transport or anything.

Of course, I've assumed that your boys are taking public transport to get around; rather than driving.

ETA...I just realised that there is quite a walk from the BART station to the Oracle Arena. Maybe not.

EETA...Actually, seems like all public transport takes the same route on the BART and the 23 minute walk from station to arena.

 

[franandaj]

Master bathroom. Look Alison, no tub!

​

That's what I'm talkin' about!!!!! I love my DVC!!!! I know I'm spoiled, but why did I spend over $75K on points (and I'm not even in the 1000 point club!) to spend $300 a night for no tub! But we have to do it too. Fran wants to try out AoA. She wants to stay in the Cars Land section. I will not let on that I know there are no tubs in the room. The place we stay on the way to Vegas has no tubs as well and I deal knowing that at least once I get to my destination there will be a tub. I'll give her two nights at AoA, just so that we can be extra uncomforatble in those small beds and have the lower thread count on the sheets, so that she does realize as much as they try to upgrade the values, they are VALUES!!!! and she really likes the amenites of the Deluxes!

Pool looks amazing. Glad you stayed there one night so that I can enjoy it vicariously.

You're right...that is a right royal Wendy Darling of a Marlin and Nemo mural.

And I'll be with Alison in about 5 days.

Less than a week and we'll be havin fun! We'll have to leave Fran behind as she is in a lot of pain but the two of us can have fun!!!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Less than a week and we'll be havin fun! We'll have to leave Fran behind as she is in a lot of pain but the two of us can have fun!!!!

I'm sorry that Fran is in a lot of pain.

 

[franandaj]

I'm sorry that Fran is in a lot of pain.

Sorry to hijack your TR Jenny, but yeah, Fran is in big pain, pretty much told me that you and I will get dinner on our own and it will be a big fight if I try to bring home take out so she wants us to go away;

Yikes! We'll figure things out as we go, but I suspect dinner on thursday will be OUT regardless!!!!!

 

[pooh'smate]

The sleeping was fine actually. Now you may not know this but my goofy kids still sleep in the same room. Voluntarily. When we were building this house 7 years ago it was taking longer than expected. We had been staying with my inlaws but school started and I didn't want to do the whole commuting them to school thing so we rented a 2 bedroom condo by the school....we gave them the master and DH and I took the second bedroom. It wasn't any sort of hardship. We put 2 beds in the master; a double and a twin- girls in one, Joshua in the other. Fast forward to now and the reason we built a house with 4 bedrooms: so they could each have their own room. Currently Joshua has a bunk bed with a twin on top and a double on the bottom and hand to G-d, the girls sleep on the bottom bunk. They don't all sleep in Joshua's room is if one of them has a friend over or one of them falls asleep in my room like when Michael travels or is at the FD. They are ridiculous. But I'm glad they're close. That's not to say they don't bicker because they totally do. Oh crap, maybe I've given them abandonment issues? ​

I love, love, love that your kids are this close. My brother and I are close and that is one of the things I wish Lexi had but it is not ment to be right now.

The theme is unreal! You guys should seriously consider it for your next trip. With three of you the Little Mermaid section would be fun and I didn't find the walk difficult as some have described. The grounds are just so cool that you feel entertained, ya know?​

It does look unreal but I am sure Lexi would want to stay in the Lion King or Cars section. I forgot to add when I first commented that the beds are double and they are the same at Pop too and that is why I slept with Lexi when we went because Jon said I kept kicking him and he couldn't sleep.

Thanks for the compliment. We do have fun for the most part. He can be a moody one and my sensitive Pisces nature can rear it's head (blame my folks- abandonment issues ) but it works and I enjoy the life we've created. We also know a couple who just split and another who separated a few months ago.​

We do have fun too for the part and my Jon can be moody too. I can be stubborn but we work at it. Communication is key!!! Most of our friends who have/are separated/ing have all said (at some point) that they just got busy and stopped talking and making time for each other. It really is sad.

 

[MomToPrincePhillip]

I've been lurking for a while, but I have to jump in and tell you how much I'm enjoying your report! Your family looks like a great bunch! Love your "Officer and a Gentleman" pic so glad you shared it.

Did you order your basket from Disney? I'd love to know the details of the basket because I'm considering getting on for my DS on our next trip to WDW or for the following week on the Fantasy.

Looking forward to more posts!

 

[rentayenta]

Are they seeing the game at the Oracle Arena in Oakland? That would be travel by BART??

I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. Nice, clean and reasonable access to the Embarcardero Bart station. It's also near the California Street trolley, which is less busy that the Market/Powell Street trolley heading to FW.

Not sure about price...and whether it is in your ballpark or not (pun intended).

Michael stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero years ago and said it was nice. I checked using my FIL's senior's rate and it's about $20 more per night. Do you think that would be a better option?​

And I just checked the Transit.511.org website. From the Embarcadero station to the Oracle Arena, you would catch the BART Daly City / Dublin Pleasanton. No need to change transport or anything.

Of course, I've assumed that your boys are taking public transport to get around; rather than driving.

ETA...I just realised that there is quite a walk from the BART station to the Oracle Arena. Maybe not.

EETA...Actually, seems like all public transport takes the same route on the BART and the 23 minute walk from station to arena.

The game is at the Oakland Colossuem not the Oracle Arena. I have no idea what either are though. They'll take BART for sure though my BIL was thinking about renting a car for game day to be able to use FILs handicap pass to get him as close as possible. He's mobile with a cane, cute old buggar, but the fact remains, he tires easily and we want him as comfortable as possible.​

That's what I'm talkin' about!!!!! I love my DVC!!!! I know I'm spoiled, but why did I spend over $75K on points (and I'm not even in the 1000 point club!) to spend $300 a night for no tub! But we have to do it too. Fran wants to try out AoA. She wants to stay in the Cars Land section. I will not let on that I know there are no tubs in the room. The place we stay on the way to Vegas has no tubs as well and I deal knowing that at least once I get to my destination there will be a tub. I'll give her two nights at AoA, just so that we can be extra uncomforatble in those small beds and have the lower thread count on the sheets, so that she does realize as much as they try to upgrade the values, they are VALUES!!!! and she really likes the amenites of the Deluxes!



Less than a week and we'll be havin fun! We'll have to leave Fran behind as she is in a lot of pain but the two of us can have fun!!!!

If Fran last two nights at AoA I'll be shocked. It's cute and the theme is magic but the fact remains that it's a Value and it lacks the amenities we've come to enjoy so much. Having said that, it's totally worth it because it is so charming. If I had little little kids and DVC wasn't an option, it'd be perfect. I'm very glad though we stayed he night. I really had been looking forward to experiencing it. The pools don't close those so be warned, it is loud and I was grateful for our non pool view for sure.​

I'm sorry that Fran is in a lot of pain.

I'm sorry too.​

Sorry to hijack your TR Jenny, but yeah, Fran is in big pain, pretty much told me that you and I will get dinner on our own and it will be a big fight if I try to bring home take out so she wants us to go away;

Yikes! We'll figure things out as we go, but I suspect dinner on thursday will be OUT regardless!!!!!

No need to apologize, hijack away. I hope Fran gets to feeling better. I know you girls are going to have a fabulous time! Photos photos photos!!! I can't think of someplace for you gals to go to dinner ​

I love, love, love that your kids are this close. My brother and I are close and that is one of the things I wish Lexi had but it is not ment to be right now.

It does look unreal but I am sure Lexi would want to stay in the Lion King or Cars section. I forgot to add when I first commented that the beds are double and they are the same at Pop too and that is why I slept with Lexi when we went because Jon said I kept kicking him and he couldn't sleep.

We do have fun too for the part and my Jon can be moody too. I can be stubborn but we work at it. Communication is key!!! Most of our friends who have/are separated/ing have all said (at some point) that they just got busy and stopped talking and making time for each other. It really is sad.

I was an only child and that had it perks too. I think we make the best out of what we're handed.

The whole resort is darling but Cars has the best exterior by far. Again though you've got to hike to Animation Hall to refill your mugs if you use those. The pool at the Cars area is super cool. I'll post pics. Seriously put some thought into every little detail.​

I've been lurking for a while, but I have to jump in and tell you how much I'm enjoying your report! Your family looks like a great bunch! Love your "Officer and a Gentleman" pic so glad you shared it.

Did you order your basket from Disney? I'd love to know the details of the basket because I'm considering getting on for my DS on our next trip to WDW or for the following week on the Fantasy.

Looking forward to more posts!

I ordered my basket from www.memoriesbybetsy.com She was great. I was able to have some Disney store stuff shipped to her to add to the things she could only get in the park. She wrapped it up cute and had it delivered as promised. She's very easy to work with and emails back quickly, shows you everything first. She a good one. DS's Mike Wazowski shirt iron on that he was going to wear for MNSSHP didn't turn out great. 3 days before we left, I emailed Betsy and that night we had options for me. She charges a little more but her customer service is quality.

Thanks for posting and joining in, the more the merrier! ​

 

[PrincessInOz]

Michael stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero years ago and said it was nice. I checked using my FIL's senior's rate and it's about $20 more per night. Do you think that would be a better option?




The game is at the Oakland Colossuem not the Oracle Arena. I have no idea what either are though. They'll take BART for sure though my BIL was thinking about renting a car for game day to be able to use FILs handicap pass to get him as close as possible. He's mobile with a cane, cute old buggar, but the fact remains, he tires easily and we want him as comfortable as possible.​

okay. I think the O Co is next to the Arena and serviced by the same BART station, only the walk is probably shorter.

If they are renting a car for game day, then it probably doesn't matter where they stay. If they are taking the BART, then it may be better to find a hotel closer to a BART station and the Hyatt Regency is probably a little bit better in that they would not need to change from the BART to another form of transport to head back to Fisherman's Wharf. Not that there is anything wrong with the transport change; but with FiL along, it may be better.

The FW area will have more options for food and entertainment than the Hyatt Regency. So, it will come down to how long the boys are in town for and what they want to do.

 

[kaoden39]

I have friends that always take BART so that they don't have to deal with parking. It drops you off real close. The walk is less than the walk from the parking garage at Disneyland. Personally that is the only way I would go if I was going to watch a game.

 

[rentayenta]

okay. I think the O Co is next to the Arena and serviced by the same BART station, only the walk is probably shorter.

If they are renting a car for game day, then it probably doesn't matter where they stay. If they are taking the BART, then it may be better to find a hotel closer to a BART station and the Hyatt Regency is probably a little bit better in that they would not need to change from the BART to another form of transport to head back to Fisherman's Wharf. Not that there is anything wrong with the transport change; but with FiL along, it may be better.

The FW area will have more options for food and entertainment than the Hyatt Regency. So, it will come down to how long the boys are in town for and what they want to do.

They arrive Friday around 1 pm and leave Monday about noon and the only thing they've got planned is the Raider game so I'm thinking the FW area may be better in terms of daily activities. My BIL is under the impression that by renting a car and having my FIL's handicap sticker, he'll be able to basically drop him off at the doors. Sometimes, he doesn't know the whole story I think they'll use BART to the stadium.

Thank you so so much for your insights. I really appreciate it.​