Monorail Drink-A-Thon

[robinb]

Laugh O. Grams: Going with the flow is the only way to make it through that first year of parenthood! You'll do fine . I also love AKL. We stayed there for the second time last August in a Savanah View. It's dark and it's far away from the rest of WDW but I feel transported away to another place when I return to AKL after a day at the parks. That's a good thing.

WLL: Victoria Falls doesn't accept the DDE card?!? Bummer . They make the best dirty martinis. Do you know where these is a current list of DDE locations? We're getting one for our August 2005 trip as we are AP holders. I have no clue which lounge you are talking about at Jiko's. Is it to the right of the main dining room? I thought the Map Room, the private dining room was over there.

 

[Aidensmom]

Hi Everyone...hope you don't mind if I jump in. WLL, good to see you, long time, no post, and I promise, no black olive talk!!
Question for some of you: The wife and I have been doing the Monorail Drink-A-Thon for quite some years now...10 in fact (since Freshman year in college). Here's the rub: We're expecting our first rugrat, a girl, in July and I'm hoping that this is not the deathknell of our Drink-A-Thon days!!! Anyone have kids and can give me a few pointers or am I just an heartless scumbag?

Sometimes kids are just a good excuse for NEEDING a drink!

When we stayed at POR for a week last year when DS was 2, we took my MIL along, and at night she and DS went to bed around 8, leaving DH and I plenty of time to do whatever we wanted, drink-a-thons included.

We have annual passes to Busch Gardens (I know its not the same as Disney, but its right down the street from us and they have FREE beer). DS knows that mommy and daddy's first stop is always the hospitality house to get our beer.

 

[sprite]

Cristy- can't wait to hear about SSR. We are new owners there, too. Because of DVC we are making an embarrassing number of trips this year to WDW. My oldest dd thinks we've completely lost it.

Laugh - Congratulations - it is sooooo exciting to have a newborn. We would spend hours just looking at them when they were little. You can't imagine your life without them.

This August we are taking a whirlwind two night AKL concierge anniversary trip. (without the kids guess I can imagine life without them after all ) Glad to see it gets such great reviews.

 

[TheNerdyMinnie]

How's the pool (i.e. the pool bar) at AKL?? After spending so much time in the snow I'm dying to put on a bikini, grab a margarita and kick back in the pool.

AIIEEE! I'm so excited about this trip!


Thanks for the hair compliments

 

[lillygator]

LOG - we just had our second baby girl...2/10/05, she has already been to WDW twice!! Our eldest is 2 1/2 already....she is a WDW expert!! Taking the babies have been quite fun for us...we usually do the parks till mid morning and then head back to the pool for the afternoon before enjoying a nice meal in the evening. Luckily both girls are kind of go with the flow types....although having some structure really helps them. The 2 yr old is very well behaved in restaurants - she loves her food - that we usually always eat at nice sit down meals for dinner and the baby just sleeps through everything. I have just learned that you have to go with it and everything seems to work out great.

We usually take a cooler for our room with sodas, water, wine and beer....Last month my mom came with us and we got to go to PI for the night childless!! It was so much fun. She is going to meet us over there next week as well, so we will have one night without the girls... but even if you don't get a night off it is still great fun...I enjoy just hanging by the pool with my DH and girls ~ tropical drink in hand of course!!

 

[lillygator]

How's the pool (i.e. the pool bar) at AKL?? After spending so much time in the snow I'm dying to put on a bikini, grab a margarita and kick back in the pool.

AIIEEE! I'm so excited about this trip!


Thanks for the hair compliments

I thought the pool bar was adequate...nothing over the top....I had a drink or two from there - then DH and I bought a six pack from the gift shop and took it by the kiddie pool...we ended up meeting another nice couple and split our beers with them!!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

LOG - we just had our second baby girl...2/10/05, she has already been to WDW twice!! Our eldest is 2 1/2 already....she is a WDW expert!! Taking the babies have been quite fun for us...we usually do the parks till mid morning and then head back to the pool for the afternoon before enjoying a nice meal in the evening. Luckily both girls are kind of go with the flow types....although having some structure really helps them. The 2 yr old is very well behaved in restaurants - she loves her food - that we usually always eat at nice sit down meals for dinner and the baby just sleeps through everything. I have just learned that you have to go with it and everything seems to work out great.

Congrats on your newest! You hit the nail on the head about introducing your kids to your lifestyle right off the bat. We lived far away from family and friends when my kids were babies, so I took them with us everywhere we went by necessity. They learned to go with the flow and behave well in nice restaurants better than some adults!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

WLL: i tried to make it easy for ya, but ok here you gooooo

i introduce to you all the lovely and beautiful WLL and her adorable daughter

and another shot of WLL and her Husband at Fultons

wheeeeeeeee

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

THANK YOU AHHHHHH! I really appreciate you posting them for me! I don't think I would have ever figured it out! Thanks!

lilygator-Well, we are just gonna have to get our booties over to TL or BB! See, I have a SP, so when I am in Orlando, I just don't feel like paying however much it costs to get into the waterparks. How much does it cost, BTW? Anyone know? BTW...I have never been to PI! So you are one up on me!

Nerdyminnie-I did not hang out at the pool bar at AKL...I was not drinking that day and I had my DH buy a six pack at the gift shop...made a big difference pricewise! I think a six pack is like $10 and a beer at the bar was $5!!!

Robin-I just found out recently that VF stopped taking the DDE. It really does not make any sense to me. The bar at Jiko that I am talking about is the little lounge area to the right when you are at the hostess' podium. There are a few tables and chairs and also an actual bar with usually two bartenders behind it. The actual bar probably seats about 6...it is pretty small.

Cristy-I know, i know! I gotta get to a waterpark! Maybe we will go this summer, since we cannot go to any parks from June 11th -Aug 18th due to SP blackout dates.--and yes, those solid balconies are ridiculous. DH and I love to sit on the balcony with a nice drink and take in the sights. I would rather have a lesser view and have a slatted balcony, than have the best view and have the solid balcony. blech!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

LOG - we just had our second baby girl...2/10/05, she has already been to WDW twice!! Our eldest is 2 1/2 already....she is a WDW expert!! Taking the babies have been quite fun for us...we usually do the parks till mid morning and then head back to the pool for the afternoon before enjoying a nice meal in the evening. Luckily both girls are kind of go with the flow types....although having some structure really helps them. The 2 yr old is very well behaved in restaurants - she loves her food - that we usually always eat at nice sit down meals for dinner and the baby just sleeps through everything. I have just learned that you have to go with it and everything seems to work out great.

Aidensmom & sprite- Thanks for the well wishes. Although, the wife's doing most of the heavy lifting with the pregnancy. I've got the easy part-all the cooking and cleaning

Lilygator- Congrats on the new arrival!!! That is so great!!! Before the wife got pregnant, we were considering having 3, but now that I've researched the cost of Manhattan private schools ...we're thinking 2...maybe 1 . I've read that you've got the kids out to the restaurants early (5pm-ish) and often to get them used to the experience. We have a number of friends who are head chef or owners of some of the restaurants here in the city, so you can imagine that a majority of our cash goes to eating (and drinking) out. At first, there were concerns from our friends that we might fall of and lose interest in hanging out, but we're determined to not let that happen. And everyone exited that we have a new member at the table for Sunday brunch!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

How's the pool (i.e. the pool bar) at AKL?? After spending so much time in the snow I'm dying to put on a bikini, grab a margarita and kick back in the pool.

We stayed 11 days at the AKL end of November and spent the first 3 days of our vacation hanging by the AKL pool...didn't even hit the parks until midway through the 4th day. All part of the November thawing out process we northerners are required to do . Even though there were a bunch of people in the pool, it was so peaceful and quiet, I loved it. However, good rule to keep in mind...after many Grey Goose and Tonics and a couple Pina Coladas, I tried to make my way into the pool with my Pina Colada to enjoy while I cooled off. The lifeguards stopped me, citing Florida law that you cannot consume "adult libations" in the pool. "Uh yeah...my friend, I happen to be in the middle of a vacation here" didn't cut it as an excuse to continue my lawless ways either!!

 

[1MegMeg]

Great pictures WildernessLodgeLover (Ahhhh, thanks for posting) - it's great to see Florida folks in this thread.

Ahhh - somewhat unrelated, but I noticed you're location of f.l.o.r.i.d.a is remarkablely similar to Rabbit in the Moon's album F.l.o.o.r.i.d.a - do you by chance listen to them (or other electronic music)? Just curious

~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere in here, but I did read the 53+ pages at a whirlwind speed yesterday.....

Where, in the world (park, resort, etc....can be anywhere), is your favorite place to get a drink (or two), and why?

Me:

Territory Lounge at WL - every time my parents come to WDW the same time as us we all always end up at Territory Lounge for some drinks. It's lots of fun to hang out, but mainly I think I love this place so much because it brings back great family memories.

Beer Garden in the England Pavilion at Epcot - there's nothing like swinging by, getting a cold beer, and strolling around the world showcase.

And of course we love Jellyrolls at the BW, but that's more of an experience than just "getting a drink".

 

[TheNerdyMinnie]

Ahhh - somewhat unrelated, but I noticed you're location of f.l.o.r.i.d.a is remarkablely similar to Rabbit in the Moon's album F.l.o.o.r.i.d.a - do you by chance listen to them (or other electronic music)? Just curious

~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm sure this has been discussed somewhere in here, but I did read the 53+ pages at a whirlwind speed yesterday.....

Where, in the world (park, resort, etc....can be anywhere), is your favorite place to get a drink (or two), and why?

Wow, Rabbit in the Moon is being mentioned on Disboards. Awesome.

As for the drink, I always enjoy our afternoon margaritas and lobster bisque at Coral Reef. Their margaritas are definitely top notch...even when compared to Mexicos. Plus, coral reef is a wonderful place to sit and relax...beautiful even

 

[1MegMeg]

TheNerdyMinnie - RITM *is* awesome! Even more awesome that my question wasn't met with peculiar looks and stares. Hehe! I love a high quality margarita (and I also happen to loooove lobster bisque), and if Coral Reef's are better than Mexico's - wow!

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

***WLL scrambling to record store to check out "RITM"***


Ummm...do they even CALL them "record stores" anymore? LOL! Guess I am showing my age!

Megmeg-Oh how I LOVE LOVE LOVE the TL! I find it so cozy. the reason I prefer it to VF at AKl is because I like the fact that it is a cozy room. The VF is cool...but it is loft like and open...which is also a wonderful experience, but there is nothing like the TL. Of course I have not had drinks in all the lounges yet...but I am working on it! I also enjoyed the Rose and Crown Pub on this last trip DH and I took.

NerdyMinnie-I have heard mixed reviews of Coarl Reef. Have you ever eaten dinner there? I want to try it just for the scenery alone, but I thought I heard it was way expensive and the food was not so great...and I DO NOT want to go thru another "Fulton's" experience! I still feel violated by that meal!

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

Coral Reef is AMAZING. The food, the drinks, the views...it was all good! So I definitely recommend it for lunch or dinner!

1megmeg: Yes, the reference does go back to the F.l.oor.i.da (or however they do it ) album that RITM put out...nice catch!

 

[1MegMeg]

Ahhh - Cool! Happy to see that my observation (re: Rabbit) was correct.

I've been to the Coral Reef, but not in a loooooong time! It sounds like it's time for my husband and I to go back.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

I think a quick lunch at the Coral Reef is in order on the next trip for sure...I just cant get enough of their lobster bisque.

 

[lillygator]

we are heading to the Coral Reef on the 19th for dinner...I haven't been there probably since the early 90's....(that's when the parents used to pay!) Now, we are taking our two DD's - my 2 yr old loves sea life!!
I just hope all the bad reviews I have read don't come true!!

 

[ctrabada]

I've never eaten there because we find it so expensive (like Cali Grill and Portobello aren't, right?), but maybe I should give it a try for lunch in Sept.... I love lobster bisque...