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

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

oooh Rinky--- it's ok, you have vacation brain!!!! Congrats BTW! Sounds like a fun trip!!

My mind must be in the same place as Rinky's because I was thinking that you were leaving that day too. Can I use the 'I have vacation on my mind" explanation too?

It's okay!! We'll blame it on vacation brain! [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

Thank you ladies for making me feel better about my ever growing senility!

Congrats to you too Jo on booking your trip. I just happen to know for a fact that you have chosen the most awesome TA on the planet!

And 2 more days for you Shelly!!!!!! I'm predicting that if there is a bit of a chill in the air, that will only make you enjoy the WL even more since it's got that cozy feel. No worries though, it's going to be great! No matter what, it's got to be better than being in PA right now. It's even CRAZY cold here, so I know it's miserable there. After this super cold winter, 65 just might feel like 80 to you!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Lol at your DS, it really is just the Happiest Place on Earth that makes us want to buy our kids $9 funnel cakes!

I hope the weather gets warmer for you, sending lots of warm vibes across the pond for you

It sure is!!

Thanks! The forecast is looking a little better today. Still not hot by any means, but a little better.

Looks like a lovely time your family had, so funny about the funnel cake. Sounds like something my sons would have said on vacation.

My oldest son went to WDW on Jan. 2, it was the first time he had been there since before Epcot was built. The funny thing is when be returned home he was given an all expenses paid trip to WDW. One of his stores was in the top ten in the nation for sales! The manager of said store also got the same trip for her & her two daughters. The accommodations are BWI, I was so thrilled for my son. He can't believe it had been so long since he had been to Disney & now he will be taking his second trip Valentine's Day.

Wow that is awesome!! What a great company to work for! Congrats to him for such a great job. The BWI is one of my favorites.

Thank you ladies for making me feel better about my ever growing senility!

Congrats to you too Jo on booking your trip. I just happen to know for a fact that you have chosen the most awesome TA on the planet!

And 2 more days for you Shelly!!!!!! I'm predicting that if there is a bit of a chill in the air, that will only make you enjoy the WL even more since it's got that cozy feel. No worries though, it's going to be great! No matter what, it's got to be better than being in PA right now. It's even CRAZY cold here, so I know it's miserable there. After this super cold winter, 65 just might feel like 80 to you!

Two days!! Hard to believe. Doesn't feel like it's really happening. Maybe it will sink in after I print my boarding passes tomorrow morning!

I'm sure it will be a nice time. I'm a bit worried about what our room/view will be like at the WL and the weather not being super warm, but if those are my biggest worries in life I'll probably be alright.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Monday, August 26:


We got up and got ready and packed up the last of our things. We headed down through the lobby and out to the ME bus stop around 9:15, for our 9:30 pick up.



















Our bus came on time and us and one other family got on. Then we waited. And waited. Apparently there were more families that were supposed to board, but they never did. Then we stopped at the BC and a few families got on. Then the BWI, where a few families got on. And finally CBR, where a ton of people got on and the bus was nearly full now. Then we were finally off to the airport.

The bus was stopping on side A and then B of the airport, and of course we needed side B. After all the stops we really weren't left with a ton of time. We stood in a huge line at AT to check our one bag and then went over to security. The line there was long as well.

We finally made it through all that and to our gate and didn't have too much time to spare. ME usually gets us there with lots of time to spare, but not this time. We wanted to grab some lunch before we left and had originally thought we would have time to get lunch and eat before we left. I could now see that we were barely going to have time to grab lunch. So the kids and I ran to McDonald's and luckily their line was pretty short and they didn't take too long. We ran back to where DH was with the luggage, just as they started boarding the plane. Good grief. Talk about stressful!

Our flight home was pretty uneventful and we were back home in no time. Then we picked up the dog. He loved his new oven mitt!!

Some souvenirs ~

And thats it!! I did it!! Finished before the next trip. Woohoo

I probably won't get to final thoughts and all that until I get back. Unless I find myself with some free time tomorrow!

Thanks to everyone who read along and commented, and especially to those of you who stuck it out clear to the end!

 

[JoBird]

2 DAYS!!!!!!!!





So super jealous!! I remember when you were in the early stages of thinking about this trip. Seems like yesterday.

I'm sure it will be a nice time. I'm a bit worried about what our room/view will be like at the WL and the weather not being super warm, but if those are my biggest worries in life I'll probably be alright.

Feel free to text and whine if it's bad.
I do owe you one after all.

 

[JoBird]

It's over.

What the heck am I supposed to do while you're gone??? clean out the closets and scrub baseboards??? I just can't. It's not spring yet.

I can't believe your trip report is finished and now you have a new one to go on. That's cool, actually!!!

Jack looks like-- 'oh, okay thanks for the oven mitt mom, I'm off to bake a cake now.'




I am so surprised that it took so dang long to get to the airport and to the gate. I bet you were stressed out.

Well thanks for doing all of the updates and the whole report. I enjoyed reading it all. And I'll be bored till you get back and start the new one.

Hoping that this trip will be your best yet!!!

 

[JoBird]

Forgot to say I love the Clearwater Gator shirt!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

2 DAYS!!!!!!!!





So super jealous!! I remember when you were in the early stages of thinking about this trip. Seems like yesterday.


I know. I remember when I first started thinking about it. And then I booked it, but didn't really expect to go.




Feel free to text and whine if it's bad.
I do owe you one after all.

Well you know I will be giving you daily updates and I won't leave anything out!!

It's over.

What the heck am I supposed to do while you're gone??? clean out the closets and scrub baseboards??? I just can't. It's not spring yet.

I can't believe your trip report is finished and now you have a new one to go on. That's cool, actually!!!

Jack looks like-- 'oh, okay thanks for the oven mitt mom, I'm off to bake a cake now.'




I am so surprised that it took so dang long to get to the airport and to the gate. I bet you were stressed out.

Well thanks for doing all of the updates and the whole report. I enjoyed reading it all. And I'll be bored till you get back and start the new one.

Hoping that this trip will be your best yet!!!

Yes, clean while I'm gone! And don't start planning that trip until I get back!!

I'll try to check in here some and keep everyone entertained when I'm gone!


Poor Jack. They stopped selling dog toys at Disney a few years ago. Now he gets stuck with oven mitts!! He thinks they are puppets though, so it's all good!

Forgot to say I love the Clearwater Gator shirt!

Thanks!! That is DS12's! He wonders why he can't wear it to school though.

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Aw, Jack with his oven mitt! He is too cute! So I'm curious, did you name him after Captain Jack? (You may have already told me the answer to that, but remember my mind is getting feeble. ) We have named all our pets after something Disney. It's just become tradition with us. In fact, we just got a kitten for Christmas and named her Kali... yes, after Kali River Rapids. We love that ride!

I can't believe ME got you to the airport so late! That would freak me out! So did you take the McD's on the plane with you? I didn't know you could do that. I am so flying illiterate! I had forgotten about that whole A/B side thing too. Better go see where I need to be. I think I just need you to come along with me on this trip and be my guide... what do you say????

I went looking for an Ohana ressie again this morning and noticed that there was a 5:00 available for today, so you might be able to get a ressie the day of. Let me know when you get back if you were able to snag something.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get a PERFECT view at WL! I hope you can send us some updates directly or through Jo. I LOVE live updates! Have a wonderful time and be safe!!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Aw, Jack with his oven mitt! He is too cute! So I'm curious, did you name him after Captain Jack? (You may have already told me the answer to that, but remember my mind is getting feeble. ) We have named all our pets after something Disney. It's just become tradition with us. In fact, we just got a kitten for Christmas and named her Kali... yes, after Kali River Rapids. We love that ride!

Yep, he is actually Captain Jack Sparrow!

I can't believe ME got you to the airport so late! That would freak me out! So did you take the McD's on the plane with you? I didn't know you could do that. I am so flying illiterate! I had forgotten about that whole A/B side thing too. Better go see where I need to be. I think I just need you to come along with me on this trip and be my guide... what do you say????

It was stressful!!

Yep, you can take anything you buy (after going through security) with you on the plane.

Well I think that sounds like a fabulous idea!! Especially since I just found out that all my Disney trips are tax write offs!! The more trips the merrier!

I went looking for an Ohana ressie again this morning and noticed that there was a 5:00 available for today, so you might be able to get a ressie the day of. Let me know when you get back if you were able to snag something.

I just looked. Still only 9:45 available. I'd be sick if I ate that late.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get a PERFECT view at WL! I hope you can send us some updates directly or through Jo. I LOVE live updates! Have a wonderful time and be safe!!!!

I probably won't check in a ton with this being such a short trip. But I will definitely try to pop in from time to time. And post a room view pic!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm looking for a few suggestions:

CS dinner in MK. Casey's is closed. We done Pecos Bills to death. Although we may end up back there. Would rather not do Cosmic Ray's. Any ideas??

And a CS lunch in Epcot... Definitely not La Cantina de San Angel. And we don't really love Sunshine Seasons. We done Electric Umbrella a few times and it's okay. We can go there if we don't find something else. Same with the Liberty Inn. Any suggestions!



Thanks

 

[JoBird]

Your trips are tax write offs?!? Holy cow I could deal with people for that. Where do I sign up??

Awesome news!!


Now as far as updates and not leaving anything out& uh, have we ever left anything out? At all? On anything???


Okay so my suggestions for CS--

What about BOG for MK? If not there, now would be a good time for CHH. My favorite!
Or what about Pinnochios village haus? We had pizza there last year. It was ok.


And Epcot--- I don't know. What about a panini in the wine cellar in Italy? A sandwich in France? A brat in Germany? Sushi--- wait I don't think you like that. Scratch that then. Um, egg rolls in China? Ooh, what about Morocco? Their CS offers kids hamburgers and chicken fingers. And shwarma platters for adults.

I'm not a big help there bc if we ever eat anything, M and the kids will grab sushi and I will chicken or salmon at Sunshine Seasons.

We always find stuff there to eat, but I know you don't care for it.

Okay maybe just walk till you find something that you want to try!!




ETA--- Just realized you wanted a dinner CS. Never mind the BOG suggestion then!!
You could try Pinnochios village haus. We ate pizza there last year and it was okay!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Your trips are tax write offs?!? Holy cow I could deal with people for that. Where do I sign up??


Yep!!!

Awesome news!!


Now as far as updates and not leaving anything out& uh, have we ever left anything out? At all? On anything???

Um..... NO!!

Okay so my suggestions for CS--

What about BOG for MK? If not there, now would be a good time for CHH. My favorite!
Or what about Pinnochios village haus? We had pizza there last year. It was ok.


And Epcot--- I don't know. What about a panini in the wine cellar in Italy? A sandwich in France? A brat in Germany? Sushi--- wait I don't think you like that. Scratch that then. Um, egg rolls in China? Ooh, what about Morocco? Their CS offers kids hamburgers and chicken fingers. And shwarma platters for adults.

I'm not a big help there bc if we ever eat anything, M and the kids will grab sushi and I will chicken or salmon at Sunshine Seasons.

We always find stuff there to eat, but I know you don't care for it.

Okay maybe just walk till you find something that you want to try!!




ETA--- Just realized you wanted a dinner CS. Never mind the BOG suggestion then!!
You could try Pinnochios village haus. We ate pizza there last year and it was okay!

Actually I do have a FP lunch booked at BOG one day!!! Hoping it's good. I really just want to go back in there though. It's so nice!

So yeah, I need a CS place for dinner at MK. I was just looking at the Pinocchio Village Haus menu. We may end up there. CHH doesn't look that good to me for some reason.

Not sure about Epcot. We may just do like you said and walk around until we see something interesting. Although, I am a little intrigued by the Morocco CS place...

 

[Wood Nymph]

I'm looking for a few suggestions:

CS dinner in MK. Casey's is closed. We done Pecos Bills to death. Although we may end up back there. Would rather not do Cosmic Ray's. Any ideas??

And a CS lunch in Epcot... Definitely not La Cantina de San Angel. And we don't really love Sunshine Seasons. We done Electric Umbrella a few times and it's okay. We can go there if we don't find something else. Same with the Liberty Inn. Any suggestions!

Thanks

Epcot:

The bakery in France has some great food options, like ham and cheese croissants and soup and a lot of other lunch type foods. It also has delicious desserts. Be sure to check it out.

We haven't tried the cs in Morocco but it is supposed to be good.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Pluto0809]

If your family likes seafood, I highly recommend Columbia Harbor House in MK and Yorkshire Fish in Epcot. Both are very good although Yorkshire wins of the two.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Epcot:

The bakery in France has some great food options, like ham and cheese croissants and soup and a lot of other lunch type foods. It also has delicious desserts. Be sure to check it out.

We haven't tried the cs in Morocco but it is supposed to be good.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

How's your trip going?!!

Thanks for the suggestion. We haven't been there to eat since they opened the new place. DH went in there to get an iced coffee, but that was it.

If your family likes seafood, I highly recommend Columbia Harbor House in MK and Yorkshire Fish in Epcot. Both are very good although Yorkshire wins of the two.

DH is the only one who likes seafood. He would probably like both those places. We may stop by the one in Epcot, just for him!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

CHH is hands down our favorite place at MK. I know you don't like seafood though and I'm not sure if they have non seafood items on the menu??? When we were there in Oct., I saw that Tortuga Tavern was open. That's the first time it's ever been open when we were at MK. It looked like Mexican type food. It smelled really good, but we didn't get anything. There's also Gaston's Tavern. We only got a cinnamon roll there, but they had a full meal or two on the menu also.

As for Epcot, I've heard the sandwiches in France are excellent. We've only had dessert there though. Same with the bakery in Norway. We are going to try the BP in France for sure next time though because the sandwiches did look really good! I've heard people rave over the food in Morocco, but after 5 trips to WDW, that is still the only meal I've had that I HATED. The meats were funky and it had spices and seasonings that were just weird to me. I didn't recognize anything on the plate and I can't even pronounce shwarma! It was just gross to me and I consider myself a fairly adventurous eater. I'd vote for the bakery in France or Norway!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Boarding passes printed!!!

It's a whole 1 degree here. Wind chills well below zero. Another 2 hour delay this morning. This winter is getting ridiculous.


Temps aren't looking too bad down there if I go off of the local forecast instead of accuweather. Upper 60's and low 70's. Hoping that one is right because the other one doesn't look as pretty.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

CHH is hands down our favorite place at MK. I know you don't like seafood though and I'm not sure if they have non seafood items on the menu??? When we were there in Oct., I saw that Tortuga Tavern was open. That's the first time it's ever been open when we were at MK. It looked like Mexican type food. It smelled really good, but we didn't get anything. There's also Gaston's Tavern. We only got a cinnamon roll there, but they had a full meal or two on the menu also.

As for Epcot, I've heard the sandwiches in France are excellent. We've only had dessert there though. Same with the bakery in Norway. We are going to try the BP in France for sure next time though because the sandwiches did look really good! I've heard people rave over the food in Morocco, but after 5 trips to WDW, that is still the only meal I've had that I HATED. The meats were funky and it had spices and seasonings that were just weird to me. I didn't recognize anything on the plate and I can't even pronounce shwarma! It was just gross to me and I consider myself a fairly adventurous eater. I'd vote for the bakery in France or Norway!

Thanks for the suggestions!! That is what I am worried about with Morocco - too many spices. I don't need anyone having an upset stomach on our only Epcot day of this trip.

We may end up in France at Epcot. We'll see.... Still not sure about MK. I don't think I have ever seen Tortuga Tavern open. We always walk by it and it's closed. I don't expect it will be open in January. Too bad, I like Mexican food!

 

[JoBird]

Everybody now…

ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER THAT COULD EEEEEEVER BEEEEEEEE….







SQUEEEEE!!! Tomorrow, it's tomorrow!!!




Yay!!!!

 

[JoBird]

Rinky you made me laugh saying you couldn't pronounce shwarma. It sounds like someone's name to me. Hi, nice to meet you, I'm Shwarma Renee Smith. It just fits.




Shelly------
I keep forgetting to tell you---- get a henna tattoo in Morocco!!!! It's $20 but in Disney it's okay. You can spend that much.
I got the butterfly and loved the heck out of it. I can't wait to get another one. It lasted until after I got home. If you get it, make sure you let it sit on your skin for as long as it can. Don't pick at it, even though you will want to. It kind of bubbles up and stays on until it falls off in pieces and you're left with the dye on your skin. Love it.

Ru got the sun. They all have meanings, you can look thru the book they have.