Live from Orlando (aka living like the locals)

[castleri]

If anyone has any questions I can answer, just post here. I'm glancing back whenever I have a free minute or two.

If you get a chance could you inquire about the flower arranging class at CH. I think it is Wednedsay afternoons - don't know if it is every Wed. or only one or two a month. I would be curious about what type of things they do as this Sept. may be the first time I can do this. We have been flying Wed to Wed in the past but this year it will be Thurs - following Sat. May also try the ceramics this time.

Thanks- hope you are all rested up and have a great day.

 

[BroganMc]

If you get a chance could you inquire about the flower arranging class at CH. I think it is Wednedsay afternoons - don't know if it is every Wed. or only one or two a month. I would be curious about what type of things they do as this Sept. may be the first time I can do this. We have been flying Wed to Wed in the past but this year it will be Thurs - following Sat. May also try the ceramics this time.

Thanks- hope you are all rested up and have a great day.

I believe it's being held today at 2:30p but I was planning on being in the pool. I'll pop over and spy a little. I planned on doing it myself come October when I return.

According to the schedule it's here at SSR the 2nd, 4th and 5th Wed of the month and at BWV the 1st and 3rd Wed.

Dad and I got some good rest last night though we chased each other back to bed a few times. You know when you go to bed early then wake up middle of the night and start doing something (usually web surfing). Next you know it's 3 hrs later. Had to make sure neither one of us stayed up all night and had vampire hours.

We went out for an early morning walk today around 8am. Took the Congress Park route and back. Saw the pool manager Scott reclaiming chaises at HRS pool all morning. People started chair squatting at 7am, but the rule is 30 minutes and then he collects them for lost & found. We passed by a table and 4 chaises claimed right at the zero entry. Scott was heading over to yank them off right then. Also learned more tidbits about the accessible pool thing. OKW will get some lifts but they are debating where. Also the manager at the Contemporary (Mike) used to be here. (I believe I met him last Fall.) He and Scot are the ones pioneering the effort for pool lifts. Even to the point of trucking pool lifts all over property looking for the most ideal pool mount spot and taking pictures for management. I'm exchanging info with them so I can keep in touch on the subject. If it works, the plan is to have all the pools on property accessible for us wheelies. Feedback here has been overwhelmingly positive.

Met the kids I encountered at my ceramics class for a morning game of giant Jenga. (They've become pseudo nieces and nephews for my own, I guess.) Had Grandpa Mohawk in on it too and another new kid. So we had 4 kids (9-11), a 76 yo and me all playing Jenga for an hour. Longest game ever. They gave puzzles as prizes. Here's a pic of some of us (the one with me didn't get snapped apparently ):

Also some other snaps...
The new exit line at AP. After I snapped it the CMs realized they forgot to put the exit sign up.

The new line (this is broken down when it's not so busy in the day).

A pretty view from Congress Park walkway about 9am this morning. I missed capturing the flying swans by meer moments.

Gotta go. Breakfast is getting cold.

 

[kid-at-heart]

I love your reports. Thank you. I can understand why the young people want to hang out with you and Grandpa Mohawk. We are a multi-generational family, consisting of Grandma (81), Sarah (10), Dad and I (44-54). Sarah and her friends would rather hang out with Grandma or our neighbor Ms Merle (96) than go to the park. I think it is great for them to be comfortable and friends with people of all age groups. And I think it is great for you and GM to offer your friendship to these young folks.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Brogan,

Still enjoying your mind trip of a report.

It is so vivid like I was there. I know you have a true love for SSR because you see it the way my family does.

When you say Scott, I see his face and Mike, he's the most energetic Recreation Manager ever. He is constantly improving the programs. I was sad to see him leave SSR but he has vastly improved BCV recreational activities (Ping Pong, Movies, Campfires etc) and he left good people behind at SSR to carry on. And now we look forward to seeing him at CRV!

I cant wait to see everyone in June. My boys would much rather make play dates and hang out at SSR then go to the parks. So its funny you found some little friends too.

Mine will tell me, Mom we need to meet our new friend at CH at noon! We hang out in that area all day. I have to drag them to the parks

Hope the rest of your trip is just as much fun!

 

[rascalmom]

This is the BEST trip report - I am enjoying every minute!

Since we won't have a trip home this year - you are really filling my SSR/WDW "fix". Saving up points for a big family trip over Christmas 2009 - can't wait!!!

 

[corinnak]

Wow - those new lane markers at AP look like just the thing. Have you been over there during prime time?

I am glad, though not surprised, that you are having such a good stay at SSR. Also, great news about the pool lifts.

Are we going to get to see a picture of your dolphins when they're done?

 

[disneymotherof3]

Tried the crabcake appetizer. Being Maryland crab snobs we were very critical of that dish but it was a definitely thumbs up. Nice crispy coating and just the right seasons for we Old Bay veterans.

I love that comment!! I was born and raised in MD, and moved almost 4 years ago (DH is Active Duty Navy). I can't tell you how many times my DH has said something like that to me when we have crabcakes anywhere other than in MD! We just know what a perfect crabcake is supposed to taste like, right?

Love the trip reports! Keep 'em coming!

 

[BroganMc]

OK the dish on the Floral Experience class. I popped in just as they were starting, talked to the teacher a bit and watched. It is a very informal type of class so they take walk-ins. I was invited to join but really wanted to get some pool time in. I'm definitely doing it when I return in October.

They give you a planter (the ones today were 6" pots in bright spring colors: orange and blue), a selection of fresh cut flowers and then start teaching you the basics of good flower design. All about shape, perspective (including false perspective), the ideal imaginary working area for floral arrangement size based on the pot. You make an arrangement to take home and they try to use things that you'd have growing at home (or at your local grocer). It costs $50 but based on the size of the roses they had to use and the nice ceramic planter I think it's worth it.

The teacher said they are thinking of making it a permanent fixture at SSR only. The reason being that classmates tend to find SSR easier (being across from DTD) and they often make a day of it by going to DTD after for meals or shopping. It's a great ladies day out sorta thing.

They did try it at BCV (in the solarium?) but found it too distracting with all the people walking by. BWV's CH was apparently too hard to find. And they are playing with the hours. Right now it is at 2:30pm but they may move it around in the next month to accommodate what guests want to do before or after.

Like I said, I was very tempted to dive right in and do the class. Only one other lady was there for it and she was a bit lonely. But I have dinner at Yak & Yeti at 5:15 and wanted some pool time. I also didn't take pictures because I thought it was inappropriate since I wasn't actually attending.

You can sign up for the class by calling ahead or just walking in. So if you're here on a Wednesday, just escape the heat and walk right into CH. It's held on the arts & crafts tables. (The kids are mostly in the play room next door, so if you have young ones they will be plenty entertained there.) CH is amazing close to HRS pool though. It's very easy to pop over. (Just not wearing a wet bathing suit since they have carpeting.)

Ok, gotta change. We're driving over to AK because I don't care to stop at BB en route via bus.

Any more questions?

 

[ChelleinNC]

Looking forward to a review of Yak & Yeti, we've got an ADR there in June

Thanks for the pics you posted this morning! This report is tiding me over until I get home

 

[dgaston]

BroganMc: still loving your TR and the floral arrangement class sounds great.

 

[castleri]

Thank you for taking the time to check out the class. I hope they do keep it at SSR. Our trip is for the 11th-20th of Sept so it would be the third week of the month which if I read correctly would now be at BWV. I really want to do it as we took the tour that included the Disney florist and it was very interesting seeing them making hundreds of centerpieces for a convention as well as the arrangements for a wedding. It seemed like the kind of place I would like to work. l would also be interested in the ceramic painting so it looks like Sept could be a very different type of trip. Thanks again for taking time out from your pool time.

 

[JaxDisneyFans]

Thanks so much for your great posts. We are getting really excited about our SSR visit in June. DD, G-Ma & I will probably do some CH activities. Thanks for the all the info on the activites there.

Hope the rest of your visit is great!

 

[Liljam]

Subbing because you write some of the best reports/info I've read here and I have to put my lil guy to bed before I can read this!

...And it will help with my anticipation

 

[BroganMc]

Wow - those new lane markers at AP look like just the thing. Have you been over there during prime time?

I've been over for breakfast twice. First time I was a bit confused because it was new. I went in at 9am and saw no line. I thought perhaps I'd missed the crowd until I was vetted into the new line. Now the hardest part is just waiting your turn. I sent Dad up to get breakfast and drink refills while I hung out in CH. He returned 30 minutes later saying the line snaked back to the toy wall. (I suspect he also took about 10 minutes doing the drinks.)

No one seems to be having any problem with the criss-crossing though you do forget kids meals come with drinks. For some insane reason, they need to know what kids drink you want before they can ring up the charge,

Are we going to get to see a picture of your dolphins when they're done?

I got my dolphins back today. They're all wrapped up in bubblewrap but I'll se if I can photograph them tomorrow if you like. Depends where the wind blows me. FWIW, they came out really nice. I wanna do more ceramics. Maybe they'll let me sneak one in tomorrow. I know my dad already got permission to sneak in a beaded key holder (he was eyeing those badly today).

All the activities staff is so sweet. But if college student Lily calls me "Ma'am" one more time, I'm gonna tickle her.

 

[BroganMc]

Looking forward to a review of Yak & Yeti, we've got an ADR there in June

Thanks for the pics you posted this morning! This report is tiding me over until I get home

We arrived late for Yak & Yeti (Dad was having issues) but they still sat us within 5 minutes. In fact they called us just as I was switching outa my sunglasses and he was outside parking his scooter. At 50's Primetime we waited an hour to be seated (and ended up in an unlit corner) and arrive 30 minutes before our ressie. Maybe I should just show up late in future.

The theming detail in this place is gorgeous. You'll find yourself stopping just to take a picture or study the little Tibetan knicknacks. Even the tables have mosaic tiles.

We did eat at the counter service last week so we cheated a little. We got the pork egg rolls for appetizers because they were so good counter service. Dad's not a big Asian food fan but said they were the best egg rolls he ever tasted. I agree.

For dinner I got the chicken low mein (a favorite) and he got the sweet & sour chicken. We also go drinks. (I tried the sake.) The food is delicious.

Probably the only thing I woulda changed was our dinner time. But the time we finished it was after 7 and all the animals were back in their houses for the night. All that was left to do was see Lion King (which we did last week), do Bug's Life, go to DinoLand or ride the thrill rides. I can't do Kali without someone to lift me in and it was far too chilly anyway. I won't do Everest (though that was INSANELY popular) and Dinosaur has left me enough bruises. So we walked around a bit, did Bug's Life, Dad shopped a bit and then we came home.

Bottomline, AK is a good day park and Yak & Yeti makes a good mid-day lunch or end of evening dinner. Oh and they don't take DDE yet. Our DVC Member card got us 10% off though.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Absolutely loving this trip report! So nice of you to take the time (and get the internet access) to give us all a fix. We ate at Yak and Yeti in Dec and just loved the food. Only problem for us was the DH just had to have an unplanned breakfast at the Trails end in the morning and we had a late lunch ADR. I swear the man never has anything more than coffee until 1PM, but no, not that day!!! At least I had left overs. It's one TS I'm looking forward to going back to. They actually had only been open for a few days then and were big into the spiel about the building. Are they still heavy into doing that?

 

[Maribel]

I'm glad to see they are doing something about the AP lines. It used to be kind of crazy and confusing. How does it work for the ones that are not waiting for CS food? Do you still have to go through the gift shop to get grocery items?
Great reports. I specially loved the first part. I always like to read trippies with lots of pictures on them.

 

[BroganMc]

How does it work for the ones that are not waiting for CS food? Do you still have to go through the gift shop to get grocery items?

Most folks still enter through the exit lines and then figure out they join the CS line over by the gift shop. There's a ton of room in the grocery store and drink counters to move about and the registers are also free unless you get a glut of people all waiting to pay. They have three registers running throughout the day and all take food or other purchases.

Oh, and AP values the DDE card so we get 20% off all our CS food. Breakfast has cost us a whopping $9 for two and that includes eggs, bacon, sausage, Mickey waffles, grapes, juice and biscuit or potatoes. That's the cheapest meal we've had onsite.

 

[Brenle]

Can't believe I just find your report today!!! Truly enjoying it. My kids will be disappointed they won't see your dad's mohawk in person this year. (They were asking about the two of you recently and our upcoming trip) He made quite an impression on them with his cool doo and all. Glad the weather's warmer for you both. Can't believe it was that cold in April. It will probably be in the 90's when we get there next month.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I know my dad already got permission to sneak in a beaded key holder (he was eyeing those badly today).

What is it with Men and Beads?!!

I could not pull my DH out of there once they brought out that bucket of beads!

That was the 1 crafty activity the boys did as well. They wear their beaded key holders all the time (even on DCL) and they get lots of compliments!

Still loving it!