September 12, 2009 ~ Last Call for Tortola! Thread 3

[KayR]

In my best Good morning Vietnam voice...

Gooood Morning Florida

I'm packing - for 6 weeks! We will have 2 largish cases, 1 smaller, and a garment bag just because of the cruise. I'm thinking they are going to be heavy. I'm not a light packer and I'm finding it difficult.

How many bags do you all have? I want to feel better about mine!!

We ended up with 4 large checked bags, plus the car seat bag. 2 roll ons for the plane, plus my camera bag and the computer bag. Not bad me thinks, because 2 LARGE bags are basically things that we planned to leave here in Florida.

WE'RE DONE!!!


We're picking up the car rental a day earlier again and we're leaving tomorrow at noon. All we have left to do is load the car and go. Even the last minute stuff is done. YEAH!!!

Now we're doing 2 nights in Myrtle Beach, 2 nights in Hilton Head and 2 nights in Cocoa Beach before cruise....then cruise....then 5 nights in Orlando.

I'm so ready!

Marilyn, me and John each have one suitcase and one carry on....one shared garment bag....two bags with gifts that will be empty when we return so we can fill them up with new stuff. That's it....we're going light. We'll be gone a total of almost 3 weeks....2 days short of 3 weeks. Not bad.

Woody has one carry on for both him and Mrs. Woody....haha.

Nan, John will join you for the tequila tasting and he'll drink whatever you don't want. I'll skip it....you can both have fun!



Kay, Sessions is booked from 2-4pm for the Champagne Girls....just 2 hours.

Everyone stay safe in your travels and we'll be playing together real soon!

One more thing,


HAPPY FIRST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY IAN AND SUKIE

Have a wonderful and safe trip!

Happy Anniversary to Ian and Sukie also!

Just popping by. Might get here again before we leave but just in case. Bye for now. See you Saturday. Will be online during the week I hope. Have good safe journeys everyone!!

Safe Travels.



So we are now here in Windsor Palms. The sun is shining, the sky is blue and our pool is sparkling.

Arrived around 4pm after relatively smooth flights. The pilots were putting their feet on the pedal though, trying to get us in earlier. Can't complain at getting in earlier.

Car Hire was a pain. Why do they always try it on after a long day of flying? They tried to charge me for DH as an extra driver. $8 per day extra for 14 days Luckily I had made sure DH was included before booking. I printed out the terms and conditions and had it with me at the rental desk, thank goodness. Moral of this - check the T&C and take a copy with you. I don't get that 'extra driver' charge. You are renting a car, why does it matter to them if you have one or two drivers? It doesn't cost them more... especially as they don't insure the extra driver - its all covered by our travel insurance, our cc insurance and finally our personal car insurance.


Anyway, that is done and gone. We are here. Now to phone our management company, the spa wasn't working last night

See you all in 6 days

-Kay

 

[ibouncetoo]

Good morning from the Villas at Wilderness Lodge!

The troops have headed off to EPCOT, and I'm having a quiet morning in. Felt a little 'ickey' after taking my weekly pill (often do), so I wanted some 'settling' time before eating anything and heading out. I'll join the troops later in the day.

We went to Animal Kingdom yesterday and I FINALLY got a photo of Devine. I'll have Cheri post it here for you all to see tonight. Also finally got to see the Finding Nemo Musical, which was just delightful. Now there are TWO great shows at AK....I hope to catch Festival of The Lion King on our visit later in the week.

Friday dinner at Boma was wonderful, as usual. I think it's worth the price just for the butternut squash soup and the pork tenderloin with Boma mustard. Oh YUM! We got a yummy chocolate cake with chocolate pudding between the layers for the boys anniversary. As a matter of fact...I may have a slice for breakfast today! I did slam down my first martini before dinner...official start to the vacation.

Last night's dinner (for the girls) was Coral Reef. I'd never been there before and it was fun to eat looking at the aquarium. Had grilled mahi mahi with pineapple chutney and balsamic rice with peanuts and some bok choy. It was really, really good! The mixed greens salad was also wonderful (key lime vinegerette), very fresh and lots of varities of greens, plus some sliced green apple which was great with the dressing. Crusty bread...we ate two loves! That's my food review!

We walked straight from dinner to Illuminations, then met up with the boys and headed to Beaches & Cream for ice cream dessert.

Tonight is Kona Cafe and I am really looking forward to that dinner too (I've only ever had breakfast there).


Everyone have save travels and if you are at WDW and think you see us, don't be afraid to come up and say "HI". I plan on keeping my eye out for drmom and her crew now that I've seen her wonderful shirts, they may be easier to spot!

.

 

[tinkerbelle77]

We have been down here 2 days and I think we're finally getting over the travel day, getting up at 3:30 a.m. for the 5 a.m. shuttle to Midway, which wasn't that bad in and of itself, but rather the subsequent death march in trying to pick up our rental car in DTS.

We have the best room we've ever had at VWL. We have a 2 bedroom corner lock-off on the top floor. Three balconies. Three fabulous views.

We also had a great anniversary dinner at Boma. After 22 years we can't believe it's our first year.

Are you guys at VWL til we cruise? We will be there 9/10 til 9/12. We have never stayed there before, but have heard great things and your pics are stunning! I can't wait. Happy Anniversary!

 

[ibouncetoo]

Are you guys at VWL til we cruise? We will be there 9/10 til 9/12. We have never stayed there before, but have heard great things and your pics are stunning! I can't wait. Happy Anniversary!

Yes, we are here the whole week. If you think you see us...don't be afraid to say "HI". (photos on page one)

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Looks like there will be a lot of us at VWL before the cruise!

Today is our big packing/organizing day. I did receive the kids dress clothes in the mail yesterday. Whew! The boys enjoyed trying on their five piece suits.

Mickey mouse ears and pirate hats are being worn almost nonstop around here! We're all getting very excited!

 

[sssteele]

Here's why I haven't got any packing done yet...

I made 31 t-shirts and 2 pillowcases for our trip. I still have 10 sheets of magnets to print.

The shirts are for DH, me, DS4, DS3 and DD7months. We're staying at Villas at Wilderness Lodge for 3 nights before our cruise and going to MNSSHP.

My DH and boys have WL t-shirts. Dh has a logo on the front and the bigger design on the back of his shirt. The boys just have the big design on the front.

These are our shirts for MNSSHP:
DH's and mine:

The kids' shirts:

Embarkation shirts:

Pirate night shirts:
We all have the big design on the back and little name designs on the front.

Other shirts:

And here are some pillow cases we'll have the characters sign:

WOW! Great shirts. Wish we were in your family.

I will have to try doing some things for our spring trip to The World with our Son and his family. High school band trip for our grandson scheduled in May.

Joanie

 

[sssteele]

We have been down here 2 days and I think we're finally getting over the travel day, getting up at 3:30 a.m. for the 5 a.m. shuttle to Midway, which wasn't that bad in and of itself, but rather the subsequent death march in trying to pick up our rental car in DTS.

We have the best room we've ever had at VWL. We have a 2 bedroom corner lock-off on the top floor. Three balconies. Three fabulous views.

We also had a great anniversary dinner at Boma. After 22 years we can't believe it's our first year.

Looks like you struck it rich on the view. One of my favorite places to stay in The World.

Congraulations on the anniversary. Glad the dinner was as wonderful as expected.

Joanie

 

[MickeyOCD]

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Does he turn 5 or 6? He will be in the same kids club age as DD who turns 5 next Saturday!

He turned 5. Yeah! He had quite a time yesterday. Yes, they'll be together in the kid club.

 

[drclaws]

Yep, went to a martini tasting on my last cruise. Things got a little blurry after that.

Las time I went to the martini tasting, no one joined me at my table that already had two set-ups...so the server told me to enjoy myself. I somewhat recall dinner that night. Good stuff!

 

[nskjerven]

Thanks for the beautiful pictures! We'll be getting up at 3:30am for a 5am ride to Midway on Wednesday...with 3 kids! We're staying at VWL too. Can't wait! Especially now that I see the pictures!

Ian her 3 kids beat your Sukie for a rotten travel day
(disclaimer, if Dad is the one posting sorry, but be honest mamas do the planning work

 

[crushonjessica]

From the 2 times I've been on the Magic, I have never seeing anyone checking each child. Give your son a mohawk and he should be good to go! I am sure the height requirement is just a ball park number.

Speaking as someone who used to chek heights at attractions at Walt Disney World it is not a ball park quote. The height are set as a safety measure for the child. When I would be yelled at because "I was ruining their childs stay at Disney" when their child wasn't tall enough, it made me wonder how much parents understand we were not picking heights will nilly and it was for actual safety reasons.

Enough of my Soap Box.

 

[lg3]

I was wondering when we might get the gorgeous green lanyards - Are they going to be at the Get-together Sat. at 3 in the Promenage Lounge?

Unfortunately we won't be at Fishlips, but hope everyone has a great time!

 

[nskjerven]

Speaking as someone who used to chek heights at attractions at Walt Disney World it is not a ball park quote. The height are set as a safety measure for the child. When I would be yelled at because "I was ruining their childs stay at Disney" when their child wasn't tall enough, it made me wonder how much parents understand we were not picking heights will nilly and it was for actual safety reasons.

Enough of my Soap Box.

thanks for stepping off, since I'm going to step back on and say the same thing. I'd rather have my kiddos sad that hurt. Just is common sense for me. But I'm a rule follower, okay not really but I am a freak about making sure my kids are as safe as they can be while enjoying life to the fullness

 

[rotary2808]

I was wondering when we might get the gorgeous green lanyards - Are they going to be at the Get-together Sat. at 3 in the Promenage Lounge?

Unfortunately we won't be at Fishlips, but hope everyone has a great time!

They'll be at the meet, but you can also pick them up in the terminal if you get there before boarding begins.

 

[wdwgoose]

Speaking as someone who used to chek heights at attractions at Walt Disney World it is not a ball park quote. The height are set as a safety measure for the child. When I would be yelled at because "I was ruining their childs stay at Disney" when their child wasn't tall enough, it made me wonder how much parents understand we were not picking heights will nilly and it was for actual safety reasons.

Enough of my Soap Box.

I think EVEN MORE NOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

with DISNEY under the microscope ????????????????????

I think every safety item is there for a reason.
even as a firefighter I thought some of the safety standards seemed wrong
NOTHING TO DO WITH DISNEY

anywhere

like running into a BURNING building ???????????????? when everyone else is running OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!

343 that did not make it out.

okay back to work here for me

I hope everyone is enjoying them selfs ?????????????
WE will be there soon



gaRRy

 

[TiggersPal]

We'll see you real soon....BIG HUGS in the terminal....we're huggers too....can't wait....very excited!!!

Awesome!

We have been down here 2 days and I think we're finally getting over the travel day, getting up at 3:30 a.m. for the 5 a.m. shuttle to Midway, which wasn't that bad in and of itself, but rather the subsequent death march in trying to pick up our rental car in DTS.

We have the best room we've ever had at VWL. We have a 2 bedroom corner lock-off on the top floor. Three balconies. Three fabulous views.

We also had a great anniversary dinner at Boma. After 22 years we can't believe it's our first year.

Just spoke to Jackie and love seeing the photos! Thanks for sharing we are missing you - have fun - I know you will! SAVE SOME CAKE!!! Just kidding...

 

[ragdoll]

Hi all! Well, since our flight leaves at 7:43am tomorrow I was finally forced to pack. Now I can worry about what I forgot for the rest of the evening. Sounds like those who are already there are having a great time. Beautiful photos of VWL!

Safe travels everyone!

Donna

 

[katypop]

We have been down here 2 days and I think we're finally getting over the travel day, getting up at 3:30 a.m. for the 5 a.m. shuttle to Midway, which wasn't that bad in and of itself, but rather the subsequent death march in trying to pick up our rental car in DTS.

We have the best room we've ever had at VWL. We have a 2 bedroom corner lock-off on the top floor. Three balconies. Three fabulous views.

We also had a great anniversary dinner at Boma. After 22 years we can't believe it's our first year.

Love the pics

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY IAN AND SUKIE !!!!
I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner at Boma. It is one of my favourite places!

Safe journeys to all of you who are heading to wdw a few days early!

I have tomorrow off work so will start to do my packing, but I'm not heading down until Friday. I'm looking forward to meeting up with everyone SOON

Kathe

 

[Kgroo]

Tonight's update remains good...

have you looked at it tonight? doesn't look as good

 

[wispy204]

have you looked at it tonight? doesn't look as good

Where do you see it? Just on TWC??

Nicole