Ready, Set, Let the Games Begin! - Link to new PTR/TR!

[Luvchefmic]

Caught up again, for now, loved seeing our pictures from TPC I may have to steal them when I get to that point in my TR..I'm almost there Wal-Mart that one is the best around and I highly recommend it to anyone that comes to WDW and has a car I do my twice a month at least food shopping there

Can you believe I STILL haven't gone to F & W ? I missed the Eat to the Beat Pointer Sisters concert for the 16th & 17th for some reason I thought it was for the 18th, so disappointed I heard they were simply fabulous

Nice score for those beer steins I hopped over to see the pictures of your beautiful home that PIO posted Prettier every time I see it

Hope to talk to you soon and hope you are both feeling better

 

[franandaj]

I didn't mean that re: point and shoot but thanks for the lovely compliments. I might have to put you in my back pocket.

I meant I think I would have to be shooting with a DSLR to have the pictures clear enough, that's all.

I'm laughing about the carvings and you and me and Fran. Too funny.



Oh man - I dream of being a vegetarian and then I sit here and say, "Steak, PLEASE - LIKE NOW" to your pictures.

I can understand how a DSLR would help the clarity of the photos.

I have contemplated vegetarianism, but couldn't give up my steak!

Yum, such a great addition to the World Showcase.

I know! I make it a point to visit there early on in the trip so that we have lots of goodies in the room to snack on all week!

I forgot to say I really liked your Walmart purchases, especially the green towel, too cute

I can't wait to use them in the new house!

We have those Mickey shaped snacks at our target but we aren't that far from Disney.

Love the steins!! I wonder if my husband will want one now lol

You guys are farther from Disney than we are and we don't have any Disney snacks in our stores.

Oh your dinner at V&A looks absolutely lovely, from start to finish. It isn't Jeff's cup of tea (too long, portions too small etc) but oh it is lovely lovely lovely!

TPC looks like fun, I enjoyed seeing the pictures of it, I've always wondered what it looked like! Too cute about the beer steins (and they are cute) glad you got the last few. Your F&W selections look yummy. I could eat any, and all of them right now!

Especially that Shepards pie...

Cute kitchen goodies from Walmart. I have Walmart issues but those are darn cute!

I think the portions are just right. By the end of dinner, I am completely stuffed even with small portions!

TPC was really fun, I'm excited to see their new location once they move. I would love to have some of the F&W stuff right now! I have Walmart issues as well, but I don't question Fran. Normally I spend our money at other places if possible, but when Fran says she wants to there, I just go. Pick your battles.

Caught up again, for now, loved seeing our pictures from TPC I may have to steal them when I get to that point in my TR..I'm almost there Wal-Mart that one is the best around and I highly recommend it to anyone that comes to WDW and has a car I do my twice a month at least food shopping there

Can you believe I STILL haven't gone to F & W ? I missed the Eat to the Beat Pointer Sisters concert for the 16th & 17th for some reason I thought it was for the 18th, so disappointed I heard they were simply fabulous

Nice score for those beer steins I hopped over to see the pictures of your beautiful home that PIO posted Prettier every time I see it

Hope to talk to you soon and hope you are both feeling better

I can't believe that you haven't been to F&W yet! I'm starting to feel a little bit better, not 100% yet.

 

[franandaj]

So Wednesday morning arrived quicker than we expected, and it was time for checkout and switch to the Beach Club Villas. I repeated my breakfast of the day before Cheerios, V8 & Coffee, so I found no reason to share it again. Fran had toast with cream cheese or a ham sandwich, or maybe a bagel. Something equally as unexciting, but enough to calm the stomach.

We got our bags all packed up as well as the goodies from the refrigerator and stuff, and as usual weren’t ready until checkout at 11:00AM. The pesky maids kept coming by because I had forgotten to put out the “Do not Disturb” sign, but I think they even came by one more time after I had put it out because they forgot that they had already bothered us!

The Bellman needed two carts for all of our luggage, and while he went for a second cart, Fran went off to take some pictures in the lobby of the VWL. This time she went up to the second floor to take the pictures from a different angle. I caught her just as she was coming out of the elevator. I have grouped her pictures so that they make a little more sense, but aren’t quite in the order she took them.





















































[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]








We decided that we needed to stroll the grounds a little bit. Instead of heading directly up to the lobby, we headed out to the beach and marina.















Hello, Bay Lake Tower!





The pool area




























[Continued in Next Post]

 

[franandaj]

[Continued from Previous Post]


After covering most of the grounds that we didn’t see on our trip to the boat dock the other day, we went inside to take some more pictures. Fran was enjoying the light fixtures (very reminiscent of the Grand Californian, or vice versa). Lisa, you should be proud!





She also liked the totem pole



Now I was on a mission for a specific photo. Over 15 years ago when we first stayed at the WL, we took this photo on the bridge. Evidently they have changed things because there is not a window behind us in the photo, but I know the photo was taken on the bridge. Perhaps I can find one in my photo albums other than this one that we have on display in our home. The problem is that this picture was taken back in the ages of film, you know the kind that you actually had to develop. And then you had pictures that you either put in a photo album or a box or a frame. This one went into a frame and has been there ever since. I’m not sure if there was more than one, and if there was the box in in the attic somewhere labeled “photos”. They have probably got so hot that they are welded together and the negatives probably melted, so this one picture may be all that I have left of that memory on the bridge!



So I was determined to get a new photo on the bridge today. Now I know Captain Oblivious is not reading this, but I know you are podsnel, and this was inspired by both of your TRs. Fran focused the camera in what she thought was a perfect picture, and she flagged down a CM to take a picture of us on the bridge.



The problem is that no matter how in-sync you might be together, your ideas are not always the same. I saw the picture and this wasn’t what I was thinking of. So I refocused the camera in what I thought was the perfect sizing/focus.



And then I flagged down a gal in the lobby and asked her if she would take our picture. I explained to her that I had set the camera perfectly for the setting I desired and all she had to do was push the button with us in the center of the shot. As soon as we got into position, I saw her hand turn the dial on the lens, and we got what SHE thought was the perfect shot of us.



I tried to take the lessons learned from both of the TRs mentioned above, but we had already spent way too much time on the shot and the F&W kiosks were calling us. So instead I did what any good student of the computer age would do. Microsoft Photo Editor (or my version of photoshop).



We took some more shots of the grand lobby.















And with that we left the WL until we return again in March 2015. We were off to head out for F&W kiosks!

 

[PrincessInOz]

LOL! Don't you hate it when you set the camera up for someone to come along to push the button...and they do everything else but push the button?


Nice (photoshop) shot of the two of you.


Love the update. Lots of great details at WL.

 

[franandaj]

LOL! Don't you hate it when you set the camera up for someone to come along to push the button...and they do everything else but push the button?


Nice (photoshop) shot of the two of you.


Love the update. Lots of great details at WL.

I know! You would think words like, "I have this all set THE. WAY. I. WANT. IT. all you need to do is push the button" would sink in.

Yeah, there are so many neat little details all around the resort. Beach Club was nice, but it didn't have nearly the attention to detail as the WL. It did have location, location, location!

 

[franandaj]

This isn't really an update, but you know that I brought along TriTips for later in the trip. Well we didn't finish it all so I stuck it in my suitcase and carried it home. Since it was still cold when we arrived at home, I immediately placed it in the freezer.

We just had Tri Tip French Dip sandwiches with the last of it! OK the trip is really finally over.

 

[TifffanyD]

This isn't really an update, but you know that I brought along TriTips for later in the trip. Well we didn't finish it all so I stuck it in my suitcase and carried it home. Since it was still cold when we arrived at home, I immediately placed it in the freezer. We just had Tri Tip French Dip sandwiches with the last of it! OK the trip is really finally over.

Lol coast to coast!!

 

[PrincessInOz]

This isn't really an update, but you know that I brought along TriTips for later in the trip. Well we didn't finish it all so I stuck it in my suitcase and carried it home. Since it was still cold when we arrived at home, I immediately placed it in the freezer.

We just had Tri Tip French Dip sandwiches with the last of it! OK the trip is really finally over.

You have your Tri Tip; I have to go back to work tomorrow. Yes. The trip is really finally over.

 

[lisaviolet]

This isn't really an update, but you know that I brought along TriTips for later in the trip. Well we didn't finish it all so I stuck it in my suitcase and carried it home. Since it was still cold when we arrived at home, I immediately placed it in the freezer.

We just had Tri Tip French Dip sandwiches with the last of it! OK the trip is really finally over.

OMG.

 

[lisaviolet]

I just loved the update.

I really enjoy WL and VWL, which is strange since I hate dark.

I love the outdoor areas the most. Love the trail to FW.

One thing I'm kind of sad about though - the FW beach used to make one feel like you're in the middle of nowhere because there is - I mean was - nothing in one's sightline. Now you can see BLT from the beach - to me that's a shame.

Anyway, your pictures are wondeful, Alison. I especially loved the totem pole looking up.

I'm really missing WDW. I really never do. I'm simply content with my trips. But I wish I was there lately.

 

[lisaviolet]

[Continued from Previous Post]

This one.

And of course I'm proud of the lighting fixtures.

 

[Pinkocto]

That's too much about the second CM changing the settings, I do not think I'd happily say thank you when getting the camera back.

I missed so many of those sculptures in the villa lobby, they are so cool.

Is Fran wearing the same hat from 15 years ago?

 

[rentayenta]

This isn't really an update, but you know that I brought along TriTips for later in the trip. Well we didn't finish it all so I stuck it in my suitcase and carried it home. Since it was still cold when we arrived at home, I immediately placed it in the freezer.

We just had Tri Tip French Dip sandwiches with the last of it! OK the trip is really finally over.

This going to boost your popularity, ya know! More packed and well traveled roasts.



Love, love, love that you got the same (or close to) shot as 15 years ago. It's really a good pic even though the CM changed the settings.

The carvings are so cute. The Disney totem pole is the best.

 

[ACDSNY]

I'm cracking up over the tri-tip making the journey home too. I see something about tri-tip in your tag future.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice pictures of the WL.

That is a very nice picture of you and Fran.

 

[franandaj]

Lol coast to coast!!

I couldn't let it go to waste!

You have your Tri Tip; I have to go back to work tomorrow. Yes. The trip is really finally over.

Yup!

OMG.

What???

I just loved the update.

I really enjoy WL and VWL, which is strange since I hate dark.

I love the outdoor areas the most. Love the trail to FW.

One thing I'm kind of sad about though - the FW beach used to make one feel like you're in the middle of nowhere because there is - I mean was - nothing in one's sightline. Now you can see BLT from the beach - to me that's a shame.

Anyway, your pictures are wondeful, Alison. I especially loved the totem pole looking up.

I'm really missing WDW. I really never do. I'm simply content with my trips. But I wish I was there lately.

I can totally understand that, I was a little surprised to see BLT from the beach. I can see where it's too bad that it used to be isolated and not you can see civilization.

This one.

And of course I'm proud of the lighting fixtures.

I didn't even coach her, she took them all on her own.

That's too much about the second CM changing the settings, I do not think I'd happily say thank you when getting the camera back.

I missed so many of those sculptures in the villa lobby, they are so cool.

Is Fran wearing the same hat from 15 years ago?

This cracked me up. The second picture was just a person in the lobby and a teenager waiting while her parents were checking in. I figured she might do it, but I forget that teenagers don't listen!

No it is not the same hat, but she likes that style so she always buys that style of hat. Too funny though because I went back and looked.

This going to boost your popularity, ya know! More packed and well traveled roasts.



Love, love, love that you got the same (or close to) shot as 15 years ago. It's really a good pic even though the CM changed the settings.

The carvings are so cute. The Disney totem pole is the best.

Ha! You are too funny! I had to redo the shot, and I KNOW it was taken on that bridge, they must have changed the background because I was obsessed with that bridge on our first trip. Besides the fact that the lobby was so magical, I was entranced by the bridge.

I am totally into the nostalgia!

I'm cracking up over the tri-tip making the journey home too. I see something about tri-tip in your tag future.

Ha! After the Prime Rib, the Tri Tip is just icing on the cake!!!!

Very nice pictures of the WL.

That is a very nice picture of you and Fran.

I love Peter Dominick's architecture. I think the WL was his best, followed by the GCH and then AKL. They are all magnificent, but I think the WL is definitely the best of them all. Then I love GCH. AKL is still really cool, but the nooks and crannies of the others are really cool. Maybe I don't know the nooks and crannies of AKL so maybe it would move up on my list...

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Omg re cameragate. How come everybody walking past who look ordinary folk when handed a camera suddenly turns into one of the following..

1. Acting like you just handed them a ticking acme bomb ( omg I couldn't possibly take a photograph tooooo much responsibility....) and runs off screaming
2. Hands it to someone else to take even though you selected them and your heart sinks as you never would have selected the other person in a million years
3. Turns into photographer of the year suddenly changing elements on your camera you didn't know you had moving the camera around to an 'artistic' angles and standing on a bench saying 'oh yes baby that's great' like you are some kind of model in a bikini ( believe me this would have small children scared for days in my case )


I have taken to asking children. They do what they are told i.e just press the button, enjoy the responsibility and it seems to make their day!

The WL is a wonderful hotel. We feel privileged to have stayed there. I liked the way one moment I was looking out onto a beach and then next a path in a wilderness and finally inside with it's homely lodge style with the highest level of detail I just kept noticing each time I walked past the same place. It transforms and morphs throughout the day with it's lighting, architecture. It's both dark and light at the same time. Walking through the hall to our room reminded me of the tower of terror corridor you see or the haunted mansion. Agreed VBC have the location and I like the shape of the doors. But for theming AK and WL are just hotel porn lol.

 

[dgbg100106]

I have never been to WL but the pictures are beautiful, I will have to make it over there for a look see, the next time I am there. We tend to stay at BC, BW and Jambo House...

I guess I need to venture out some.

Sorry about the photo op... With my camera when I hand it to people they are scared to death and dont want to hold it. So DH just gives them his phone, which is just NOT the same.

When we met up I will take y'alls photo and not touch anything I promise.