Sand and Sun ~ Trip Number Ten Was Lots of Fun! Clearwater Beach & YC, August 2013

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Single digits!!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Well you know it's usually on day 10 but those dang doggies were begging to make an appearance yesterday bc you needed to start packing up.







Send me a postcard.

You know I will!! It may not get to you until I'm home since this trip is so dang short, but I'll send it anyway!

Single digits!!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Sunday, August 25:



The day was started with this ugly thing...




Nothing like the Envelope of Doom to get your last day off to a bad start. But, we had a flight on Soarin to take and a breakfast at Kona to eat, so that stupid envelope wasn't going to get us down!!!







We headed off to Epcot around 8:20 and got to the International Gateway before 8:30. It was blazing hot already. The security CM came out and greeted us all and then started to talk about WDW. He told us he lived nearby and was a huge Disney fan. He told us how LMA would soon be gone at DHS to make way for the new Cars Land. He told us how all the FP machines would soon be gone (looks like he was right since they are now gone from MK & AK!) and everything would be changed over to the new FP+ system and that each and every attraction would have a FP+ line. He talked about all the changes over at MK, with the new Fantasyland and all that. He was very informative and very matter of fact with his statements, like he knew all this for a definite fact. Very interesting.







At about 8:50 we were let in and we reached Soarin right around 9:00. We did the stand by line with no wait and our ride was awesome as always! It was even better considering we had another one to look forward to with our FP+!!





After Soarin we walked up towards the front entrance. It was about 9:30 and we had a Kona Cafe breakfast ADR at 10:30.








We went out and got on the monorail and took it to the TTC and then transferred to the resort monorail and went to the Poly. Normally we would walk from the TTC to the Poly, but it was so hot and we didn't want to get all sweaty before breakfast!

We arrived at the Poly about 5 minutes before 10:00. 35 minutes before our ADR time. I went up to the podium and asked if we could check in early and the CM wasn't very friendly at all. She barely said 2 words to me and handed me a pager. Unfortunately we have noticed a decline in the customer service at Kona over the last few years.





We waited about 10 minute and then were seated. We were seated to the left of the Kona entrance. That seemed weired to us, in all the times we have dined there we have always been seated on the right.






Continued in next post....

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Continued...


DH got the Big Kahuna. Let me tell you, this has really shrunk over the years. It used to come on 2 plates it was so big. Now it is all on one plate, with a lot less food, and a bigger price tag. I got the Tonga Toast of course and so did DS12!! He usually gets a kids meal here and then eats some of my Tonga Toast, but he thought it was time to get his own Tonga Toast this time! And DS14 also ordered an adult meal of French Toast. His was the smallest meal and I really didn't think it was worth the price for all the more he got.









DS12 ended up finishing more of his Tonga Toast than I did of mine!

I must have mentioned our anniversary on this ADR, even though I don't remember doing so. They brought us out these little cupcakes! So cute, but we were all way too full to eat them.




Our waitress was okay. Nothing great. We used to have the best service here. Sadly, that's not the case anymore. The food was still very good though, even though I find the portions (other than the Tonga Toast) to be shrinking. We will continue to go back though!



Total Bill: $57.13
Rating: 8 out of 10



After breakfast we went out to enjoy the Poly beach once more before they mess it all up with DVC.













We noticed the new fire pit. That had been put in shortly after we stayed there last December.








We spent about 20-30 minutes on the beach and then walked back to the TTC to get on the monorail.














Up Next: Back to Epcot

 

[JoBird]

What a wonderful morning!!!

That's so interesting what that CM was telling you. I would love to see Carsland in DHS but I'll believe it when I see it.

Nothing like Soarin first thing in the morning to get to off to a great start!

I'm sorry your service was not so nice at Kona. And the Incredibly Shrinking Kahuna…. We've talked that one to death in the past few years, but I can't believe everything else is shrinking too. Just like everything else- you pay more and get less. We have always had great service there- in fact one of the chefs there remembered us from breakfast when we had eaten w Ru one morning- (since we both have awful food issues-) we had gone back for supper another night later in the week and he came out and said he remembered us!! I wasn't very hungry and only ordered a side of Risotto and they only charged me $2.50 for it!! I was a cheap date that night and he made it sooooo good.
Anyway--- I have had very memorable experiences other than that one at Kona, so I'm sad to hear it's going down hill.
Your breakfast looked really good, though!!

Sad to think of the Poly not being the way it was. It's been there since forever.

Thanks for the update!!


PS-- I just got a pin. 35% off for my possible dates, GF included. Now what the heck am I gonna do??? I have until Feb 15th to book. That gives you time to work on me a bit.

 

[MEK]

So were you able to get a decent price on your car rental since you picked up at Tampa and dropped off in Orlando. When I checked prices for late Feb it was about $100 more to pick up in Tampa and drop off in Orlando.

Anyway - I am slowly getting caught up. Having those FP's for HS is huge. I really found them to work great in October. Good to know that you were able to use your BTMRR FP a little late.

SAB looks so peaceful in the morning - that was a good plan.

Your meal at BOG looks yummy. That lemon cupcake looks relish!

 

[JoBird]

8 DAYS!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

What a wonderful morning!!!

That's so interesting what that CM was telling you. I would love to see Carsland in DHS but I'll believe it when I see it.

That's what I was thinking -- that is probably a LONG way off. Especially since they just broke ground on the new Avatar Land at AK.

Nothing like Soarin first thing in the morning to get to off to a great start!

Best. Ride. Ever.

I'm sorry your service was not so nice at Kona. And the Incredibly Shrinking Kahuna&. We've talked that one to death in the past few years, but I can't believe everything else is shrinking too. Just like everything else- you pay more and get less. We have always had great service there- in fact one of the chefs there remembered us from breakfast when we had eaten w Ru one morning- (since we both have awful food issues-) we had gone back for supper another night later in the week and he came out and said he remembered us!! I wasn't very hungry and only ordered a side of Risotto and they only charged me $2.50 for it!! I was a cheap date that night and he made it sooooo good.
Anyway--- I have had very memorable experiences other than that one at Kona, so I'm sad to hear it's going down hill.
Your breakfast looked really good, though!!

Sad to think of the Poly not being the way it was. It's been there since forever.


Well I'm glad you have continued to have good service there. Hopefully this time will be better. We will be there soon!!

Thanks for the update!!


PS-- I just got a pin. 35% off for my possible dates, GF included. Now what the heck am I gonna do??? I have until Feb 15th to book. That gives you time to work on me a bit.

Well, I know what the heck you are going to do!! Or should I say, I know what the heck you just did!!!

Thanks for booking with me -- you are the best!!!

So were you able to get a decent price on your car rental since you picked up at Tampa and dropped off in Orlando. When I checked prices for late Feb it was about $100 more to pick up in Tampa and drop off in Orlando.

Anyway - I am slowly getting caught up. Having those FP's for HS is huge. I really found them to work great in October. Good to know that you were able to use your BTMRR FP a little late.

SAB looks so peaceful in the morning - that was a good plan.

Your meal at BOG looks yummy. That lemon cupcake looks relish!

We were able to get a decent price. I don't remember exactly what right now, but it was under $100 for the 2 days we had the car. At first when I priced it out several months in advance it was insane. Like $400 or something. But it eventually came down and when it did I jumped on it!!

Yes, the FP+ is a great thing to have. Especially on days when you aren't going to the park in the morning.

BOG was very good!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

8 DAYS!!!!

 

[JoBird]

Awwwwww.

Of course I'd book with you! You know that girl.


Okay so… I got a ticker and it's not showing up. What I need to know is-- do travel agents work that problem out for their clients as well??

KIDDING!



Thanks for being AWESOME!

 

[JoBird]

OMG THERE IT IS!!! IT'S THERE!! YAY!!!! Totally official now.


This morning I said to Belle-- (after the whole dancing display ) I'm calling Shelly this afternoon and booking the trip! And she didn't say awesome, she didn't say yay, she said--- oh mom, why can't they go with us?

Waaaah!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OMG THERE IT IS!!! IT'S THERE!! YAY!!!! Totally official now.


This morning I said to Belle-- (after the whole dancing display ) I'm calling Shelly this afternoon and booking the trip! And she didn't say awesome, she didn't say yay, she said--- oh mom, why can't they go with us?

Waaaah!!

That's hilarious!! When my kids got home this afternoon I said -- I just booked Jodi's vacation, and they said - when? I said - three weeks after ours. And they were like - aaaahhhh what? Why?

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Awwwwww.

Of course I'd book with you! You know that girl.


Okay so… I got a ticker and it's not showing up. What I need to know is-- do travel agents work that problem out for their clients as well??

KIDDING!



Thanks for being AWESOME!

Yes, yes we do. It's there and I see it right now. Fixed!!

 

[JoBird]

i don't know if I should



or



or



or



or



So I'll just













I cannot believe I just did all of what I just did. I need wine.

 

[JoBird]

That's hilarious!! When my kids got home this afternoon I said -- I just booked Jodi's vacation, and they said - when? I said - three weeks after ours. And they were like - aaaahhhh what? Why?

Sniff!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

i don't know if I should



or



or



or



or



So I'll just













I cannot believe I just did all of what I just did. I need wine.

Sniff!!!!

I know!! I told them we would get it together again one of these times.

 

[rusafee1183]

OK, I haven't had much time to read through everything, but I scanned through pics - and you have had some fabulous outfit choices!! I especially love the purple dress in the last update. Super cute

Hi Heather! Hope you get caught up soon!

I can't wait to see how we like the WL. I really hope we love it!! Are you staying at the WL or the VWL next December?

We're staying at the villas! If you get a chance on your trip, you should take a walk over there. It's a super short walk, and it's really cute in the lobby area. Not nearly as massive and over the top as the main lodge, but it has a train room and cute little nooks with pictures and momentos. We really loved it



And congrats on all the TA bookings! That is amazing news!!!

 

[MEK]

I'm slowly catching up. Just got done August 22nd.

You got a great seat for lunch, but I have to agree with you that the food there is not very good. Blah!

I can almost feel the heat as you are circling the world showcase. I have been there so many times in the summer when it is blazing hot. I bet you are looking forward to your upcoming trip where you don't have the fight the heat every day.

Love the pictures from your room. I belong to DVC and found out my wait list came through for BCV. It's just one night, but I'm looking forward to visiting SAB.

Love your pictures going back into Epcot for Illuminations. That is my absolute favorite night time show. It's nice when your kids get old enough that you don't have to drag them with you when they don't want to go.

Cute necklace that your DS picked out!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Just checked the weather for our trip:


Jan 25
Mostly sunny
69° Lo 50°

Jan 26
Partly sunny
69° Lo 44°

Jan 27
Sunny to partly cloudy
66° Lo 47°

Jan 28
Mostly cloudy
71° Lo 51°

Jan 29
Cloudy
68° Lo 55°

Jan 30
Showers around in the p.m.
77° Lo 59°

Of course it gets warm the day we leave!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

OK, I haven't had much time to read through everything, but I scanned through pics - and you have had some fabulous outfit choices!! I especially love the purple dress in the last update. Super cute

Thank you!

We're staying at the villas! If you get a chance on your trip, you should take a walk over there. It's a super short walk, and it's really cute in the lobby area. Not nearly as massive and over the top as the main lodge, but it has a train room and cute little nooks with pictures and momentos. We really loved it

We'll have to walk over there if we get some free time!

And congrats on all the TA bookings! That is amazing news!!!

Thanks, it is going VERY well lately!!

I'm slowly catching up. Just got done August 22nd.

You got a great seat for lunch, but I have to agree with you that the food there is not very good. Blah!

Yeah, it was a nice view. Too bad the food wasn't better.

I can almost feel the heat as you are circling the world showcase. I have been there so many times in the summer when it is blazing hot. I bet you are looking forward to your upcoming trip where you don't have the fight the heat every day.

It will be nice to have it cooler this time! Just hoping we don't need to lug around coats everyday.

Love the pictures from your room. I belong to DVC and found out my wait list came through for BCV. It's just one night, but I'm looking forward to visiting SAB.

Congrats!! Have fun!

Love your pictures going back into Epcot for Illuminations. That is my absolute favorite night time show. It's nice when your kids get old enough that you don't have to drag them with you when they don't want to go.

It is nice, we don't have to miss out and they don't have to go if they don't want to!!

Cute necklace that your DS picked out!

I really liked it too!