Sssh....don't tell anyone...we're cheating on CSR -- Contest -- Days 6 & 7--#3516

[MeMom]

Kona breakfast is a great start to a day. We keep putting Plaza on our list, but still haven't gotten to it. Maybe we can get in in July. We really want to try it.

So nice that you honor your dad in your sweet gesture to others.

Leaving Disney World has to be easier when you know you are going to have another vacation and time with friends instead of just going straight back to work.

 

[KatMark]

Your last day plans sound great! The Plaza really is a perfect end of trip meal. And your balloon tradition is beautiful.

Thanks, Tina. I love having Plaza as the last meal.

I'm glad you've worked in the Plaza as the last meal again. Does this mean you'll be going to the Plaza twice this trip, or did you change the ADR earlier in the week?

I think the balloon tradition sounds really cool, too. I'm sure that will make some lucky little kid very happy.

Thank you, Kate. I don't think you were in on my last TR. My dad died in 2008 (a week before our 25th wedding anniversary trip). Dad always bought my boys balloons wherever they went so I thought this would be a nice way to remember his trips to Disney with us.

What a sweet gesture with the balloon for your Dad. It's a very special way to honor him.

Thank you, Dawn.

I love the tradition of giving a balloon in memory of your Dad! You know- I've never eaten at the Plaza. I HAVE TO try to fit that in one of these days because I have heard nothing but good things about it.
Your last day plans sound great!!!

April, you MUST try the Plaza...it really is good (and the desserts are heavenly).

Sounds like a great last day and I am glad to hear you guys will be able to eat your traditional last day meal too

I think your balloon tradition is so sweet, what a great idea

Thanks, Shannon. I'm glad I was able to change the ADR.

Joining in! I read through your plans and they sound great!

Lessa, thanks for joining in. I'm delighted you are here.

 

[KatMark]

Morning, Kathy!!!

Good afternoon, Leisa. Hope all is well on your end.

Looks like a great last day in Disney! It's sad that you have to leave Disney, but at least you get to look forward to hanging out with Nicki and Todd for a while!

Yes, I like these trips a lot more now that we have somewhere fun to go after Disney.

Whenever you mention your dad and the balloon tradition I get very teary eyed

I cannot wait for you guys to get here! No way is Todd going to pick the restaurants, unless you want to eat at DaRuMa every night!

Did you want to go back to the Dock? That is the place, well, on the dock I know we said to skip Kellys this time so I will do some thinking on it and come up with more seafood restaurants on the water of course!

Just got the new laptop and of course we had to get a new router, modem, battery pack and everything else under the sun...still trying to get used to it, the keyboard is so different. Now I am back online and ready to catch up on everything I have been missing around here!

Don't get teary-eyed...you'll run your mascara.

As discussed on the phone the other night, yes we would love to go back to the Dock.

Glad you got a new computer, but, of course, who needs the expense (as you know with our air conditioner breaking down again!).

Hi Kathy and Nicki, Just butting in here but how about the Turtle Club at Vanderbilt Beach? Loved, Loved tables right on the sand with the sun setting in the background. Have a good night you two. Elaine

Thanks for the suggestion, Elaine. We'll take a look at the menu.

Hey Kathy! Do you have chapter links somewhere that I might have missed? As I much as I love all of the banter 100+ pages is a lot to catch up on. If not, no worries - I will just skim and speed read!

Hi, Jen. Thank you for coming over. I don't have chapter links. But here is the important stuff:

Page 1, Post 1 (introductions)

Page 114 -- Posts 1700 and 1704, Page 117 -- Post 1745, Page 119 -- Post 1773 and Page 121 -- Post 1802. These have the daily plans for the Disney portion of our trip.

And the reason for the title -- we always stay at CSR, but I've always wanted to try AKL. I have a friend I work with who owns DVC and she gave us a really GREAT price on a one-bedroom villa in Kidani so we are just hanging at the resort for those two days.

Kona breakfast is a great start to a day. We keep putting Plaza on our list, but still haven't gotten to it. Maybe we can get in in July. We really want to try it.

So nice that you honor your dad in your sweet gesture to others.

Leaving Disney World has to be easier when you know you are going to have another vacation and time with friends instead of just going straight back to work.

I'm so looking forward to Kona. You really ought to try Plaza in July.

I like the balloon gesture too...it puts a smile on the face of a child which is what my dad always wanted.

Yes, not having to go back to work is always a plus.

 

[eandesmom]

wonderful last day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved our plaza lunch but I can't imagine room for dessert. They sure looked good though!

 

[KatMark]

wonderful last day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved our plaza lunch but I can't imagine room for dessert. They sure looked good though!

Thanks, Cynthia. I'm glad you loved your Plaza lunch too. We may have to cut back on some of our "out of pocket" meals (our central air has officially died and we'll have to do something -- window unit, fans???), but that definitely will not be one of them.

 

[goofy4prez]

Hi Kathy!

Just wanted to let you know that even though I am here in Hawaii I am still keeping an eye on this thread. I just love reading how your plans are all coming together. You and Mark are going to have a great time. I have to admit my internal clock is all messed up. Right now it is almost 3am and I feel as though I should be walking out the door and heading to the office.

We have spent this week at the Kahala Resort in Oahu and have loved it and the ocean front view from the room. I have to admit that Honolulu is a bit crazy and typical of a tourist area, but still very nice. To stand at the Pearl Harbor Memorial though is a very solemn experience and really makes one appreciate what the many men and women have sacrificed for our nation. We also took a drive to the northern end of the island and loved it. Later today (if I ever get to sleep) we are heading over to the island Maui and will be staying at the Grand Wailea Resort... I can't wait for that.

Well, enough from me, sorry to hijack your thread....... Ok, no I'm not.

 

[KatMark]

Hi Kathy!

Just wanted to let you know that even though I am here in Hawaii I am still keeping an eye on this thread. I just love reading how your plans are all coming together. You and Mark are going to have a great time. I have to admit my internal clock is all messed up. Right now it is almost 3am and I feel as though I should be walking out the door and heading to the office.

We have spent this week at the Kahala Resort in Oahu and have loved it and the ocean front view from the room. I have to admit that Honolulu is a bit crazy and typical of a tourist area, but still very nice. To stand at the Pearl Harbor Memorial though is a very solemn experience and really makes one appreciate what the many men and women have sacrificed for our nation. We also took a drive to the northern end of the island and loved it. Later today (if I ever get to sleep) we are heading over to the island Maui and will be staying at the Grand Wailea Resort... I can't wait for that.

Well, enough from me, sorry to hijack your thread....... Ok, no I'm not.

Thanks so much for checking in. I am so glad to hear that you are having a wonderful time in Hawaii! Maui -- it's been so many years -- but we loved it there. Enjoy!

 

[jenjolt]

Your last day plans look fabulous!! I love eating at the Plaza such a great restaurant!! Then time with friends, can't get much better than that!!

 

[KatMark]

Your last day plans look fabulous!! I love eating at the Plaza such a great restaurant!! Then time with friends, can't get much better than that!!

I agree with you -- the best of both worlds.

 

[marvali]

Hey Kathy! Well, I bit the bullet and made some changes to our dates for the upcoming trip! The Plaza was one of the first ADRs I remade once I got the new dates booked! Booked our first trip to breakfast at Kona too. Still got some more to try and get later.....

 

[KatMark]

Hey Kathy! Well, I bit the bullet and made some changes to our dates for the upcoming trip! The Plaza was one of the first ADRs I remade once I got the new dates booked! Booked our first trip to breakfast at Kona too. Still got some more to try and get later.....

We must have been posting on opposing threads at the same time. Glad you got Plaza and you'll have to fill me in on Kona before I go.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Kathy just checking in !!I took a night off from scrapbooking so may have to do double duty tomorrow !! Only 3 more to go and Mail on Monday.

 

[marvali]

We must have been posting on opposing threads at the same time. Glad you got Plaza and you'll have to fill me in on Kona before I go.

Yeah, I noticed we were posting on each other's thread at the same time! We loved our dinner at Kona, but this will be a first for breakfast so looking forward to it!!!

 

[jenb1023]

Good morning! Thanks for giving me the post numbers! I read the early ones and about the last ten pages so I think I am up-to-speed!

We stayed at AKL and loved it! They do place a tips board in the lobby with activities for the day. When we were there it was mostly kids activities but there was the storyteller at the fire pit and they used to do night-vision goggles to see the animals at night. Of course, there are the animal viewing areas, the pools, etc. The next place we want to stay is Yacht/Beach Club!

As for food, I would pick 50's PTC over Mama Melrose but we too had a good experience at MM. My DH loves the Cape May dinner buffet - I hope you can squeeze it in! We also enjoyed Yak and Yeti TS (sorry Liesa but we loved the fried wonton dessert!).

Sounds like a perfect last extra day at WDW! Kona is on our must-do list for next trip and we've never tried the Plaza either.

 

[All7OfUs]

We also enjoyed Yak and Yeti TS (sorry Liesa but we loved the fried wonton dessert!).

Yeah, I sorta think I am in the minorithy here on this one... I just don't care for uber rich dessert that are super sweet, and the contrast with the WAY-too-sour pineapple was just ick.

 

[All7OfUs]

Good afternoon, Leisa. Hope all is well on your end.

IT is SOOOOOO busy this month. After my trip, the summer should really settle down for us, and we can take a breather before school starts again. And then, maybe then, I can keep up on everyone's threads....

 

[jenb1023]

Yeah, I sorta think I am in the minorithy here on this one... I just don't care for uber rich dessert that are super sweet, and the contrast with the WAY-too-sour pineapple was just ick.

Gotta say I kinda of ignored the pineapple - maybe that's the trick - not mixing healthy fruit with super rich artery clogging desserts!

 

[englishrose47]

Iwasn;t overly impressed with Yak & Yeti !! The steak was overcooked for me (Ilike it RARE) and they rice was blah !1Iasked to substitute for chiken fried rice and they said No !! I did however love the wontons although the wontons were the BEST!! The pineapple was okay!!

 

[KatMark]

Hi Kathy just checking in !!I took a night off from scrapbooking so may have to do double duty tomorrow !! Only 3 more to go and Mail on Monday.

Hi, Rosie. We all deserve a night off. That's amazing that you have so many done already.

Yeah, I noticed we were posting on each other's thread at the same time! We loved our dinner at Kona, but this will be a first for breakfast so looking forward to it!!!

Tim has raved about Kona so many times. I hope it lives up to his hype.

Good morning! Thanks for giving me the post numbers! I read the early ones and about the last ten pages so I think I am up-to-speed!

We stayed at AKL and loved it! They do place a tips board in the lobby with activities for the day. When we were there it was mostly kids activities but there was the storyteller at the fire pit and they used to do night-vision goggles to see the animals at night. Of course, there are the animal viewing areas, the pools, etc. The next place we want to stay is Yacht/Beach Club!

As for food, I would pick 50's PTC over Mama Melrose but we too had a good experience at MM. My DH loves the Cape May dinner buffet - I hope you can squeeze it in! We also enjoyed Yak and Yeti TS (sorry Liesa but we loved the fried wonton dessert!).

Sounds like a perfect last extra day at WDW! Kona is on our must-do list for next trip and we've never tried the Plaza either.

My pleasure. I do a chapter link for TR's, but this thing has been all over the place (with my son's graduation, our dog being diagnosed with cancer) that it was impossible.

I am so looking forward to the AKL...have wanted to stay there forever.

I still haven't been able to get 50's, but I won't give up.

You really ought to try Plaza...such a nice change of pace from all the heavier meals.

IT is SOOOOOO busy this month. After my trip, the summer should really settle down for us, and we can take a breather before school starts again. And then, maybe then, I can keep up on everyone's threads....

I hear you, Leisa. I'm still using Andy's computer because mine is not fixed and I've not been able to keep up on everyone's threads.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Ack! I'm so behind everywhere. Ugh, story of my life it seems!

First off, good morning sweet Kathy! How are you?

Your plans look wonderful. I think you'll really enjoy Kona for breakfast, it's scrumptious! Tim isn't lying! At least not about Kona, I cannot vouch for anything else.

As far as DHS goes, we've never tried Mama Melrose but have eaten at 50's PT many times! The food is very delish, makes you want to just suck on your fingers to get every last drop! Though of course I don't do this, I'm a lady.

TSM is such fun! The last time we rode, DH was like "that was exhausting!" He's quite competitive. Actually, so am I which is probably the only reason I read Marv's TR...for the contests of course. Goodness knows updates on there are few and far between...

The Plaza is certainly on our list from now on, we loved our lunch there on our last MK day too! We were even treated to a show by that lady who's name I cannot remember at all, the loud one. Anyhow, she was a real hoot and my girls thought she was very funny.

How utterly sweet your tradition of giving away a balloon is! It makes me want to tear up actually, I'm sure your dad would be so happy you do that. What a wonderful tradition Kathy.

I'm still impressed that you're keeping the last day a secret from Mark! I'd be so excited I'm sure I'd blurt it out! Yes, I am that kind of person. One who still peeks at her Christmas presents like a five year old girl!

Plans are looking good! And after your Disney trip, you still have a fab time coming up at Marco with Nicki! I'm already looking forward to the TR and you haven't even left yet.