Some people ARE worth melting for ….. 40 Disney days – the trip of a lifetime updated October 10

[dizneeat]

Karin, you are making really good use of your Christmas vacation! How nice to read all those updates!

I need to try and get done as much as possible before I have to get back to work and since the weather is really not nice at the moment, updating my TR is the right thing to do.

I am still in awe over all that resort hopping you did!

It turned out to be much easier than I thought. Once we got comfortable with Disney taking care of the luggage, it was a breeze.

I really like it that they are adding more and more of those resort tours now, they really sound wonderful. I did the one at the WL this trip and loved it!

The tour was really good fun and I hope there will be one at the Grand when we are there. Good to hear that the one at the WL was great too!

My family and I love to roam grocery stores in areas away from home, always fun to see what is sold in different areas and try new things.

We always try to check out grocery stores. There are so many different things sold in the US and we have come to love a few things that we always need to take home.

So nice to meet up with friends! That pizza looked so yummy!

It really made the trip extra special that we got to visit and meet so many old and new friends.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 11, August 13

That’s what we call fireworks - Part 2

We all walked over to the International Gateway where we said goodbye to Michelle, Vito and Angelina, who went to the entrance to get to their car and Tom and I went over to the Friendship boats to go to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

A Friendship had just left and another one was coming in and we were first in line, so we secured two seats at the very back of the ships.

It was a pretty enjoyable ride with a light breeze and going past all the hotels.

When we arrived at the Studios we were off the ship quickly

to beat the crowds at the security check and we were really lucky as when we got in line we could see a tram arrive and a lot more people streaming over to the security check. Soon we had scanned our magicbands and were walking up towards the Chinese Theatre.

We had a little time to kill, so we explored the shops a bit before we headed to our next FastPass. We had been lucky to grab one for Tower of Terror, earlier in the day and we were glad we did.

There were still a lot of people streaming into the regular line and we were happy to be able to just walk past them. We quickly made it to the library and into the boiler room. The wait to be assigned a row was not too bad and within a few minutes we headed into the Twilight Zone. When we got off we knew that we would be able to get into the dessert party in just 20 minutes, so we headed over to the Launch Bay to sign in for the party and get our wristbands. We were told that they would open the area shortly and we were welcome to stroll through the attraction in the meantime.
We had just made it through a small part of it

when we saw that some of the tables were already occupied. So we looked around and yip, they were letting people into the area. We walked right over, showed our wristbands and were told to help ourselves and enjoy. And this was just what we had intended to do. Tom guarded the table we had found while I went and took photos of the buffet,

then I dropped off the camera at the table and I went to get some drinks.

To be continued ....



Don't forget to open the Christmas Calendars!​

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Here are the links:​

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Food Calendar ​

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Hat Calendar ​

 

[Pinkocto]

The tour at OKW sounds very interesting. I have not seen that offered. Even nicer to get special pins.

Not fun about the magic band issues though. That was a great deal of time eaten up having to get those fixed...

Glad the bellhop was helpful getting your belongings up to the villa. Those rooms at OKW are very spacious.

Lovely to spend the day at Epcot with your friends. The DVC lounge looks beautiful. I must get there before they close it. The first time we went by the line was monstrous so we left. The second time my friends didn't want to go up. Who doesn't want to go get free drinks...

The dessert party looks soooo yummy!!!

 

[Pinkocto]

Don't get me wrong, it was nice, but it was really long and it was a REALLY hot evening. I would have liked it more if there had been some kind of script, but to me it was a lot of dancing and singing and it was HOT!!!

I understand completely, when it's that hot things are not as enjoyable.

You let us know when it is okay for you and we'll be there. We both really look forward to get together with you again.

Mom told me yesterday to say how excited she is to see you both Mom will be retired by then so there will be no issue getting her down here.

 

[dizneeat]

The tour at OKW sounds very interesting. I have not seen that offered. Even nicer to get special pins.

We were told that they had just started doing these and were checking if people were interested. We thought it was such a fun idea to give a little background on the resort.

Not fun about the magic band issues though. That was a great deal of time eaten up having to get those fixed...

The thing that stressed me the most was that we had told bell services to bring our luggage and we could not get into our room. So, once we had made sure they knew there was an issue it was easier, but it took forever.

Lovely to spend the day at Epcot with your friends. The DVC lounge looks beautiful. I must get there before they close it.

They will keep it through 2017! Maybe we can enjoy it together. It really is a nice quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle at the parks.

The dessert party looks soooo yummy!!!

It was! And it was not only desserts, they had yummy fruit scewers and cheese and grapes and some salty biscuits as well.

Mom told me yesterday to say how excited she is to see you both Mom will be retired by then so there will be no issue getting her down here.

Not as excited as we are that we get to see both of you. This is going to be another GREAT vacation.

 

[dizneeat]

Tom and I would like to wish all our friends here on the DISboards a very
Happy New Year!

May 2017 only bring happiness and joy and lots of Disney fun!​

 

[jettablonde72]

Tom and I would like to wish all our friends here on the DISboards a very
Happy New Year!

May 2017 only bring happiness and joy and lots of Disney fun!​

Happy New Year to you also! Having gone to WDW for the first time in April with DH, DH10 and DS8, I have truly enjoyed reading your TR.

 

[rteetz]

Loved hearing about the dessert party so far! I will be doing the part myself next Monday!

 

[Disneyhayes]

Just read your review so far and love it! What a trip. Can't wait to read more!

 

[Pinkocto]

We were told that they had just started doing these and were checking if people were interested. We thought it was such a fun idea to give a little background on the resort.

What a great idea! I think they do something similar at WL.

The thing that stressed me the most was that we had told bell services to bring our luggage and we could not get into our room. So, once we had made sure they knew there was an issue it was easier, but it took forever.

It doesn't make much sense to me that it would take so long. That has happened to us several times.

They will keep it through 2017! Maybe we can enjoy it together. It really is a nice quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle at the parks.

That sounds like a fabulous idea!

It was! And it was not only desserts, they had yummy fruit scewers and cheese and grapes and some salty biscuits as well.

I saw those, lots of tasty treats!

Not as excited as we are that we get to see both of you. This is going to be another GREAT vacation.

Yes indeed!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Happy New Year to you also! Having gone to WDW for the first time in April with DH, DH10 and DS8, I have truly enjoyed reading your TR.

Hope you enjoyed your trip as much as we did.

Loved hearing about the dessert party so far! I will be doing the part myself next Monday!

This was the second time we did it and both times it was great and so worth the money. The fireworks are just awesome. And since you get to go next Monday, I better get on with my TR, so you know what you are looking forward to.

Just read your review so far and love it! What a trip. Can't wait to read more!

Great to have you here and really good to hear that you enjoy it. More coming up pretty soon.

 

[Flossbolna]

Happy New Year Karin and Thomas!!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 11, August 13

That’s what we call fireworks - Part 3

Tom guarded the table we had found while I went and took photos of the buffet, then I dropped off the camera at the table and I went to get some drinks.
There was a long line, but finally it was my turn and I picked up

two drinks which were heavily spiked with alcohol and then Tom went to get his first plate of food. Once he returned, it was finally my turn. We both got a few of those little skewers, which are really yummy, some spreads and pita bread and we started munching away.

Plate cleared Tom went to get a second one, this time trying some of the salted biscuits and more of the yummy little skewers.

I wanted to try something I had missed the last time we had been to the party, the Galactic breadpudding. They had just brought out a new pan full and I got in line for some, topped it with fresh fruit and some vanilla ice-cream.

And while I was enjoying my breadpudding, Tom was getting into the ever growing line for some more drinks.

It took quite some time and when he returned we noticed some people without wristbands sneaking under the ropes, picking up some plates and filling them. It took a minute or two and some cast members jumped in and told them to leave the area since they were not actually party guests.
And they started arguing that they had been let in.
But the cast members did not budge.
They could keep their plates and what was on it so far, which was not very much, and then they were escorted to the exit and told to leave. And within a minute or two there were even more cast members walking along the ropes and turning people without wristbands away. In the meantime I had finished my breadpudding and Tom went to get some of the galactic ice-cream they make fresh.

It is a Nutella mousse which is frozen in liquid nitrogen. They put some raspberry coulis on top and it was delicious. Tom also got some desserts

which we shared and nibbled on while eating the ice-cream and sipping our drinks. The only thing we both did not like was the Swamp Milk, but there were still more treats to have. Tom went and got us some. Something hot for himself and something frozen for me. He got himself a cup of coffee

and a Mickey Bar for me.

We were both so full when we left, but so looking forward to the fireworks. People had started leaving a while ago, so we thought it might be a good idea to do the same. Last time we had been to the party it had rained and we were escorted over to the area, this time we had to fight through the crowds, especially since we did not quite know where the viewing area was. But finally we found it, showed our wristbands and were told where to go and handed a Chewbacca Stein each.

We both already had one from our last dessert party, but we knew right away who would like them. Steins safely stored in the backpack we looked for a space to view the fireworks where we could see well and would not be in other people’s way. We moved a bit to the side and behind some adults and kids who were sitting on the ground. It was still a while until the fireworks were going off and the place filled up more and more. Then cast members came and opened up the disabled area in front of our area for the kids. Well, most of the parents followed and we soon found ourselves right at the ropes where the dessert party area began. We had a perfect view and then it did not take much longer and the music set in, the light was dimmed and the fireworks were going off. It was impressive.

The fire-cannons heated up the place and kind of blinded you for a second and all the while the fireworks were lighting up the sky. Tom took a lot of photos, even though even he took down the camera now and then to just watch the fireworks. Once the fireworks were over and we were able to move again we let ourselves be swept out of the park with the masses.
The park was open for a little longer, but we decided that since we would have to wait for a bus anyway we would just leave after the fireworks. It looked like everyone was walking over to the buses and we were still throwing the idea of getting a taxi around. There were really long lines, snaking back and forth several times for most of the resorts, but when we got to the Old Key West stop we were amazed to see that there were only three people ahead of us and a bus had just pulled in. We got on and thought we would be sitting there until the bus was full, but the driver closed the door and we were moving. There were only 4 families and 12 people on the bus. We could not believe our luck. There are several stops around the resort and ours was last but one and when we left there was only one more family on the bus. A few steps and we were in our villa, plopping down on the couch and resting for a while, while watching TV.
About an hour after we had arrived back, we were in bed and fast asleep.

To be continued ....
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[dizneeat]

Happy New Year Karin and Thomas!!

And the same to you, Magdalene!

 

[Flossbolna]

Great fireworks pictures!!

And interesting what you wrote about Old Key West and the bus. I am starting to get very impatient with the WDW busses and we have done our fair share of driving this past trip. But sometimes it is just nice to let someone else do the driving. And Michael and I have talked about maybe staying at Old Key West for our next trip as we are a bit short on points and that resort is not only quite economical point wise, but also has really nice large studios. We stayed there once for one night and I really loved the space. However, the one thing I am a bit scared of is that I will be even more impatient with the busses there... How much of a nuisance is it that the busses go all around the resort first?

 

[franandaj]

The snacks all looked really tasty. You mean the area where they served you was not the viewing area? When we did it 2 1/2 years ago, it was all the same area so you didn't have to move once you had your table. I'm not sure I like that idea nearly as much.

 

[MissPrice]

Happy New Year! Great update. I can not believe the nerve some people have, sneaking in and stealing food. Really!!? I have never done a dessert party but after seeing your photos, could be in the near future. Old Key West seems like a cute resort. -Amanda

 

[dizneeat]

And Michael and I have talked about maybe staying at Old Key West for our next trip as we are a bit short on points and that resort is not only quite economical point wise, but also has really nice large studios. We stayed there once for one night and I really loved the space.

Tell me about being short on points. I used up my saved ones, the 2016 ones and most of 2017 for last summer's vacation. Will have to borrow again for this years trip.
It is an awesome resort and both studios and 1 bedroom are the largest there. We just love the 1 bedroom. It feels like this is your home. But we did enjoy the studios as well for a few days during one of our trips.

However, the one thing I am a bit scared of is that I will be even more impatient with the busses there... How much of a nuisance is it that the busses go all around the resort first?

You know that we mostly drive, but last time we used the buses quite a bit. We stayed at Turtle Pond Road and our stop was the last but one going TO the parks. Sometimes the buses were already a bit full coming to our stop, but it worked fine when using a bus in the afternoon. Going back was something else, as you drove around the resort for quite a while. I didn't mind too much when we were able to get a seat, but if you had to stand it was quite long.

You mean the area where they served you was not the viewing area? When we did it 2 1/2 years ago, it was all the same area so you didn't have to move once you had your table. I'm not sure I like that idea nearly as much.

Desserts are served in the Launch Bay. They put up quite a lot of tables there and it was nice to be able to enjoy the food and drinks in an air conditioned environment. You then head out to an area that is roped off in front of the Chinese Theatre. They have a wheelchair area right in front of it and when they did not fill it, kids were allowed to move forward.
When we went for the first time it was supposed to be outside, but since it was raining they put up the dessert party inside the Disney Junior building. It was better organized then, as we were guided outside, while we had to fight the crowds in the summer getting to the area.

I can not believe the nerve some people have, sneaking in and stealing food. Really!!?

The area was roped off and clearly marked as "Dessert Party". These people must have slipped in through the exit, which was manned most of the time. But to have the nerve and then discussing with the CMs was really something.

I have never done a dessert party but after seeing your photos, could be in the near future.

I think we have done most of them if not all of them. Started when they first offered the Wishes party and did it several times, Start Wars done twice and did the Illuminations one once - but I guess we'll not repeat that one, it was our least favourite. If you want to try one - the Star Wars one is really well worth its money.

Old Key West seems like a cute resort.

We really love Old Key West - it doesn't have that resort feeling for me. It is like a little guarded community where you come home and spend your leisurely evening.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 12, August 14

More food and fireworks - Part 1

We got up around 7.30am and after taking showers we decided to just snack a little for breakfast, as we had another brunch booked.
So we just picked some lighter fare out of fridge. Tom had picked up several different containers of breakfast cereal that he had wanted to try, so the first one to give a try were the

Lucky Charms. He also had picked up a

fruit cup and this was what he had. He was not overly impressed with the Lucky Charms and after a few spoons the rest went in the bin. The fruit on the other hand were pretty good. I like yogurt. So I picked up several yogurts and I was looking forward to this

Greek yogurt with honey. I also love raspberries and so had picked up a small container

of those as well. Well, like Tom I did not like the yogurt very much, not even after adding the honey. Then I started adding the raspberries

and they did not taste like much so after a few spoons I was done too. We had a lazy time at the villa, only the washer and dryer were working and around 10am we were ready to finally head out. We got into the car and drove over to the Contemporary for our 10.30am brunch. We arrived shortly before that time, parked the car and walked up to the hotel.
We signed in and were told they were running about 20 minutes behind, which seems to be their standard sentence. Then we were taken up to the restaurant and told that we could just walk around until our beeper would go off. We looked around the restaurant for a minute or two as we had not been up there since the remodel, but then our beeper went off and we were taken to our table. It was a small two top one table away from the window, but it was still a really nice view. We sat down and were handed a menu and told that our server would be around shortly. And she was. Kathy introduced herself and asked about drinks and gave recommendations on the menu. She also put a board with

House-made Breakfast Pastries, Caramel Apple Monkey bread with pecans, Tillamook Cheddar biscuit and Cranberry scones, with house-made Strawberry jam and Orange Blossom Honey butter on the table. She then told us that she was going to get our drinks and then we could order and start with the buffet part of the meal. Needless to say that as soon as she had left we started to nibble on those pastries, which were fresh and tasty. It did not take long for her to come back with our

Mimosas and some water and then she brought some

coffee for Tom and

tea for me. Drinks on the table we made our way over to the buffet area. There was a wide variety of things, we walked along once to take photos and to have a look at things,

then we picked up a plate and started filling it.

To be continued ....​

 

[jenseib]

breakfast looks tasty. Is that the Wave?