Live From Old Key West!!!!!

[RLRDA]

I'll be arriving a couple days after you guys.

See ya at the pool!!

 

[lotsofkids]

I'll be arriving a couple days after you guys.

See ya at the pool!!

Cindy, thanks again for the live trip report. It's definitely getting me pumped!

We'll be spending a lot of time at the pool! We'll be the ones swimming in circles like a whirlpool. See you soon - single digit dance starts tomorrow

 

[cindyf]

Today was another hot one for sure. We went over to AK at 9:00, did the safari (got fp, then rode, then got 2nd fp) so we rode it 3 times! By the third one, the animals were already getting HOT! The safaris were AMAZING though...giraffes and rhinos right up at the vehicle! The girls also did Exped Everest and dinosaur as walkons during EMH! We went out the rafikis planet watch and visited our "pet goat" that my daughter swears has been there since she was 3~~~

Spent time at the main pool today which they must have put magic ice cubes in over night because it was so much "cooler" today...mind you, it's still the warmest pool I have EVER been in and I am 51 years old!!!

Took the boat to DTD tonight and had a Great dinner at Wolfgang Puck express on teh dining plan...fabulous value on the QS plan!

The girls are still shopping....yikes!

The whole resort is in tip top shape! The staff is friendlier than ever and the atmosphere is overall and Aplus!

Tomorrow...DHS....DD is going to audition for American Idol for the fun of it!!!

 

[miksicnarf]

We were at OKW from 7/27-8/3, in building 39 on Turtle Pond and our 2BR was not renovated. It looked like some work was being done in nearby buildings in our loop, not sure of the exact status or order of completion but I can say for sure that all of Turtle Pond is not done yet.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Great TR!!! I hope she makes it! I can't wait to read more!

 

[eeyoresnr]

Cindy, loving your trip report! we arrive Sept 24 for a 6 night stay and your report is getting us excited! we live in Florida and this week has been a scorcher with record high temps...we went to WDW in Aug 2005 and vowed 'never again' we are hoping late Sept is a bit cooler as this is our 1st Sept trip..thanks for the frozen wash cloth idea! can't wait to hear your next update!

 

[cindyf]

Can't believe how much fun getting you all psyched up is!!!!

Yesterday was labeled a 9.7 out of 10 on touring plans for DHS. It was vERY crowded but we managed to work around it! The girls did R&R and TOT right at rope drop with little wait. Dad got FP for them so they were able to do them again at lunch time. We went back to animation as the girls couldn't get enough of the animation character drawing classes. I would consider this a "best kept secret". It is a wonderful 20 minute class in a fullly outfitted disney classroom complete with mickey shaped desks. They draw a different character in each class and we all had great laughs at how our characters looked. They make a great take home souvenier!

We took a break at the resort/pool and took the boat back to dtd to have dinner at Cookes of Dublin...good fish and chips but not as good as Enland pavillion!

Still haven't gotten up in the hot air balloon. too much wind!

Magic moment of the day...knock on the villa door, florist box outside the door. long stem pink rose with all disney ribbons and bows..the card read "thanks for 20 years of magic, here's to 20 more, and a black velvet box with a beautiful silver bracelet inside...What a lovely gift from DH...he knows how to create magic!!!

Okay...the troops are almost ready to leave me behind. Off to Epcot.
Oh, bus service has been outstanding except to DHS...we have had long waits to and from...strange...

more tonight...off to fast track and soarin!!!!!!

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks for the great report! We just got back and I already miss being there...well, except for the heat. It is a pleasant 75 today here at home and it was nice letting out the dog without feeling sticky.

It really sounds like you are making the most of your time in the parks. We also found that if you plan things correctly, the lines are not that bad and you can get a lot done in such a short time!

Have a great day at Epcot!!. Soarin is one of my favorites!!

 

[cindyf]

I'm really sad that my Friday night report somehow didn't post after I wrote it!!! So now I am back home in South Portland Maine and it just won't have the same magic that the reports live from OKW did!

First, thank you all for following our trip. It was so much fun reading all of your responses.

If you are heading down soon...I would highly recommend doing Epcot on a Friday. It was simply amazing how much we were able to do with NO lines at all. We started by getting FP for test track, then did mission space and Ellen. Back to test track and then over to the Land to get FP for soarin. Did imagination and Captain EO, over to England for fish and chips, came back to The seas...did our clammobile ride, visited with the manatees and did crush talk. Then did the movie at the Land, the boatride and soarin. Had a 4:30 dinner time at The Garden Grill...food was excellent and the character interaction was super!!!! WE were on our way to World Showcase by 6pm. The girls did the new Kim Possible adventure (twice).. They loved it!!!! They said it was really fun! We walked the loop and were on the bus home before 9pm. It was a long day , but worth it to get everything in and we did it in a leisurely way!

We finished our trip in the MK. Went over in the morning and did TS Island, DD friend found a paint brush and got 4 fast passes for both Thunder Mountain and Splash MOuntain!!!! The girls also had a 12 noon ressie at BBB...we had a ball. I cried as I watched my baby transform to a pop princess....she's 16...tear, tear,,, It seems like she just took her first steps on Main Street when she was 1!

All in all, it was an amazing week. I little more park time than usual as we like to spend more time on R&R at OKW, but being that it was a birthday celebration for a 16 yo, we were willing to Do It All!!!

If you have any final questions for me, I'd be glad to continue to share...it will help me to extend the magic!!!!!

Cindy

 

[El&Asmom]

Wonderful TR Cindy. Thank you. I hope my dds get to spend their 16th at disney. (I hope they still love Disney at that age).

Sounds like you had a blast. And what a wonderful dh you have surprising you with the flowers and gift.

 

[mrs. sparrow]

Great trip report Cindy. I enjoyed reading it, it's getting me psyched for my trip starting tomorrow. 3 nights in Universal and 5 nights in OKW GV. I am gonna quote one little girl in our party, "I'm feeling all tingly inside". lol

 

[Tinks Girls]

Good Morning everyone!

It's my turn to report that Old Key West is as beautiful as ever! Arrived on the magical express about 6;30 last night. We are in building 43 in a refurbed 2 bedroom lockoff! EVERYTHING is FABULOUS....the "ugly" tan sleeper chair is NOT ugly at all, the new hardwood floor "doesn't make lots of noise" unless you jump on it with tap shoes, and the "Uncomfortable" bed was made for a princess! Honestly folks...it's just lovely here!!!
We are here to celebrate our 2oth anniversary and dds 16th birthday. She brought her best friend who is BLOWN away by how gorgeous OKW is!
We have already received about 25 welcome homes along with our wakeup call from mickey and goofy!
Off to the Magic Kingdom this morning! Oh and did I mention, it is about 85 degrees at 6:30 am? We are from Maine and I have to say...it is NEVER 85 at 6:30 am in Maine!

Question??? PLease ask. I've lurked on the boards for 6 months during my countdown...It;s my turn to answer your questions...LIVE from OKW!!!
earfully, Cindy

Great info. We will be staying at OKW for the first time this September. I am so excited. I have stayed in everything from the value resorts to Deluxe.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, GREAT trip report! OKW is one of our home resorts and I was so sad reading all the negative reports on the renovations. Your report REALLY made me feel better. We spent alot of time at OKW when my children were young and it remains a favorite in my heart. I also LOVE the size of the rooms!! Joan

 

[jblrn2b]

Thanks for the trip report. I really loved reading it!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I loved reading your report, and thanks for the tip of doing Epcot on Friday. Also, I was glad to read that you enjoyed the Garden Grill, food and character interaction. We'll be doing that for our first time ever in December with the DGC! I can't believe that we've never eaten there!

Bobbi

 

[shreked]

Thnaks.. We are arriving in early Nov... looking forward to seeing the renovations!

 

[y2kdave]

Thanks for the great report....OKW in October!

 

[Dee77]

Great trip report Cindy!! It was so refreshing to read a truly joyful report that emphasized the positive! We loved our stay at OKW and I kind of wish we had bought there instead. Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary and your DD's 16th birthday!

I hope you don't mind that I ask, but how did you organize the wake up call and card from the Fab 5? Someone sent a card to my in-laws room from the Fab 5 and we never figured out who it was or how they did it. It was kind of unique because it was in honor of my FIL serving in the Marine Corps and was delivered to him on the Marine Corps birthday, that would not have been flagged on their reservation so I am curious. TIA

 

[diddldonna]

Thanks for your trip report we will be at OKW for the first time sept 25th, can't wait. Glad to here the buses seem to be okay.

 

[dvc at last !]

Thanks for your TR.
We love, love and love OKW, too !