The ABCs of a New 'Ohana Adventure-G is for: Greetings From Teppan, Good-Byes, and Good News!!! - COMPLETED 1/7

[Steppesister]

Seeing your discussion with @Terra Nova guy and about your kids made me realize...while JRR Tolkien, was my favorite, I also read
Shannara Series
Dragon riders of Pern series
Don't think I got into CS Lewis until much later in life
Also got into D&D as a kid. It got a bad rap...it's only when people start trying to act it out or think it's real it becomes a problem. If you take it as a game...it's just a game (albeit more complicated).

Another fantasy fic afficianado.

While I only dabbled a tiny bit in D&D a LONG time ago, I agree. Just a game as with any other. Anything can be carried too far from food, to internet, to games, to work.... All things in moderation.

 

[Steppesister]

You're on your feet a lot more than I am (at work), so I totally get that.
Hmmm..

I wonder if all those people I see lying poolside every day (or on the beach) are more physical labour oriented... hmmm...

You may be onto something. That would be a very interesting poll to take!

She can get mean, ya know.

Does she refuse to give refunds if you cancel last minute or end up not staying at her place?

Nah. Just noticed they looked motion blurred. My imagination filled in the rest.

HAH! Okay! Glad it wasn't a total loss.

Actually... No?
Are you referring to Fawlty Towers?

No, the fault lines all along the west coast.

Now that would make sense.
I'm sure they'll build one soon. As soon as some kid gets hit, unfortunately.

As with most high risk intersections everywhere.

Interesting! Not surprised to see RP at the front, but am surprised that SF is before Porto.

I'm always wanting to try new things and then start repeating as experience dictates.

That reminds me... PM me for an interesting recent story about bathrooms.

Will do....

Ah! Okay, no, not the original. The Depp one? Yeah, I can see it a bit. At least with Depp's character.

For sure. But then again, almost every character he plays that's been directed by Burton has been. Dark anyway.

Not overly surprised.
They can't all be the classics!

That's true. How boring the world would be with just classics to read.

Yes they did. I may have even seen it, a while back, when the DDs were little.
Matilda

My list is quite long right now. So many movies; so little time!!

 

[Steppesister]

EXACTLY!!! The walking path they WANT you to use takes you across to the other side of Cabana Bay Beach, up some stairs and across an overpass to the other side, but I'd say it easily adds a half mile walk or so winding along the other side of the street and the back-end of the resort before you end up at the top of the hilly driveway up to the Sapphire Falls lobby. It's a beautiful path with lovely flowers and trees along the way, but an excessive amount of walking when one can run frogger-style directly across the street hotel-to-hotel, and be there in 2 minutes.

Yeah... NO one is going to do that. Most people are lazy in that area (including myself) but most especially after a long day in the parks OR before one when you're antsy to get there.

Yes. It's SUCH a great one with a feel-good ending I was nervous to see it because of how much I adored the book, and it does not disappoint. The characters are very true to their book-form. Just talking about it makes me want to go watch it (or read it!) right now

I'll have to put it on the ever-growing list! I haven't seen James and the Giant Peach yet either.

LOL, my brother got into Goosebumps, so that made me feel they were too babyish for me. I was absorbed in the Fear Street stories, most particularly The Fear Street Saga. Hmmm....I'd kind of like to find those now, too. They're around here somewhere, and I've got nothin' but time!

That you do!! Time to tackle all that reading you've been letting pile up!!

Star-bellied sneetches are my favorite

Stars make me smile. As does Suess.

 

[Steppesister]

Another fantasy reader here! At the end of 5th grade, we were assigned both The Hobbit and A Wrinkle in Time. I spent most of the summer reading LOTR and more Madeleine L'Engle. (Not all of her books are fantasy - I actually love some of the more realistic ones. A Ring of Endless Light is one of my all-time favorite books). I also read the Sword of Shannara series and all of the Pern books, but I wouldn't put the Shannara books as a favorite. I also read all of the Narnia books, of course, but I forget exactly when - I think relatively young.

So much fantasy. Which is starting to make me wonder.... I wonder if people who are truly drawn to Disney are the same folks who would be attracted to fanstasy genres because of a well-developed imagination? Just a hunch....

But, my reading habits as a kid (and an adult) were pretty eclectic. I read a lot of classics as a kid - all of the Wizard of Oz books, Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown, Little Women, Little House on the Prairie (all of them), Swiss Family Robinson, Tom Sawyer (which I recently re-read), A Secret Princess. Later, more science fiction, including Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, lots of Heinlein, urban fantasy like Charles de Lint, Emma Bull, and more recently, Gail Carriger or Lauren Willig (ok, that's more romance/historical fiction), Diana Gabaldon...

That IS quite the ecclectic mix for sure. Lots of variety there and many of the same that I read. I LOVED the Little House books (still do). As an adult I super enjoy the Bronte Sisters and Austin.

 

[Steppesister]

I really enjoyed reading about your relaxing pool/resort day, it sounds like heaven!!
Happy Nurse’s Day tomorrow, we are fearless warriors!

It sure was!! AND....

YES! We are!! Happy Nurses' Day, Caroline!

 

[docsoliday1]

Another fantasy fic afficianado.

Also a big Tom Clancy fan. His books are both realistic, but also sometimes scary. I don't recall which book, but there was a bio weapon developed that had a long incubation period to ensure maximum exposure/spread.
Scary stuff. But, then again, that could never happen

While I only dabbled a tiny bit in D&D a LONG time ago, I agree. Just a game as with any other. Anything can be carried too far from food, to internet, to games, to work.... All things in moderation.

Yep...including moderation.

That's true. How boring the world would be with just classics to read.

But...if they were all classics, wouldn't that mean they were all normal and there were no classics?

So much fantasy. Which is starting to make me wonder.... I wonder if people who are truly drawn to Disney are the same folks who would be attracted to fanstasy genres because of a well-developed imagination? Just a hunch....

Possible theory. As you mentioned about physical labor folks lounging by the pool more, this would also be an interesting poll/study.

 

[pkondz]

You may be onto something. That would be a very interesting poll to take!

Yeah... I'm not gonna be the one walking up to all these people by the pool and asking them questions!

Does she refuse to give refunds if you cancel last minute or end up not staying at her place?

I asked her and she replied "What's a refund?"

No, the fault lines all along the west coast.

Oh! Sorry. My fault for not seeing that.

As with most high risk intersections everywhere.

Yup.

I'm always wanting to try new things and then start repeating as experience dictates.

For sure. But then again, almost every character he plays that's been directed by Burton has been. Dark anyway.

My list is quite long right now. So many movies; so little time!!

You'll be busy for a while!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Our governor (voted the worst in the country according to polls over the last few months, even before Covid) is dragging her feet and doubling down on some very contradictory closures that seem to be discriminatory in nature. Loads of law suits are beginning to come forward so we'll see what that does to change her tune.

Our governor here in Illinois was dragging his feet over opening the rural areas where there are few cases. He began getting lawsuits. He finally agreed to open the state by region, but his reopening schedule is still strict. Oregon is one of the states that I really don't understand the reason why they aren't relaxing restrictions. Wisconsin is another one. I can only guess the reason Wisconsin isn't opening sooner is that they don't want the Chicagoans bringing their virus germs into their state.

I also, I have to admit, enjoyed the Hardy Boys books MUCH better than the Nancy Drew books.

We have a bunch of Hardy Boys books that my son read when he was young. I might check them out.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

The sky was blue, the breeze was soft and warm, and Uni isn’t persnickety about folks who want to have a full day of dipping in and out of multiple pools while sipping libations of the tropical variety. Unlike another Florida resort I have stayed at. Eh hemmm…..

Rules are for losers! This is 'merica!

As @Captain_Oblivious, in his recent review of this resort pointed out, it’s well done, but just not my thing either. I will say, even given that, I’d stay there because the price is right.

Price was the biggest reason we stayed there. Maybe the only reason.

No, it is not one of Uni’s “deluxes”, and you don’t get the Express Pass, but if you are committed to RD perhaps it’s worth the trade-off.

And you don't have to pay for 2 rooms...

The pool at the Cabana was moderately crowded as was the Lazy River where I started out. This, as far as I understand, is the only lazy river on Uni property except for the Volcano Bay waterpark and I wanted to make a point to enjoy it during my stay.

I think it's funny that I stayed there and you know more about their pool than I do.

So, just in case I haven’t ever mentioned this before, Disney serves up drinks an 8-year old could handle and still do pre-algebra. On the other hand, while they charge the same outrageous prices, Uni decidedly does not. They concoct drinks well worth the money and while my choices were very delicious, I’m pretty sure I actually, tossed a bit of the 2nd one so I could still swim in a straight line.

So Disney's drinks are terrible, and Universal's are good, but you dump them out anyway?

I entered the Sapphire Falls Hotel and fell in love. It is sophisticated, elegant, clean and tasteful.

I tried hard to find a way to stay there. I like the look of that one.

I didn’t pee in the pool.

Hey, good for you! There's hope for you yet!

Royal Pacific. Now THIS one… THIS one was amazing in every possible way. It’s like the Poly, in theme, not quite as well done, of course, but island-y, lush, exotic and ahhh… sand in my toes while power lounging under palm branches blowing in the breeze over my head.

If money were no object, that's where I would have stayed.

The moral of the story is: Pool Bingo is only slightly better than Poolside Dance Hour with Bruno Mars.

So, avoid both like the plague. Got it.

No trip to Uni is complete without a dinner at The Chocolate Emporium.

Whoops.

Ok, we did eat there a couple of years ago. Cool theme, decent food.

Could you see the future?

​

Wow! Look at that color! Great shot.

The salad of course cancelled all the calories and helped me feel good about myself after such gross self-indulgence.

Exactly! Vacation rules apply.

The bill was paid, I made a pit stop and apparently I have a thing about photographing public toilets nowadays.

Well, ever since you stopped using the pool...

What was your favorite book or author when you were young... say from grades 3-Jr High or so?

I was totally into the Hardy Boys for a long time.

 

[Paulaparm]

Sort of a newcomer here and just got caught up.
Hopefully some type of normalcy is on your horizon...although, what will be the new normal?
Am loving your report. Having not been to Universal since it was just Universal (no Islands of Adventure, no Harry Potter), I am seriously thinking we need a day or two on our trip! Maybe if for nothing else, to try one of those unbelievable milkshakes!
Looking forward to reading more. Stay safe!!

 

[Steppesister]

Also a big Tom Clancy fan. His books are both realistic, but also sometimes scary. I don't recall which book, but there was a bio weapon developed that had a long incubation period to ensure maximum exposure/spread.
Scary stuff. But, then again, that could never happen

OH my... .no, I can't imagine that that could EVER happen IRL. (Not ready yet to say anything about the current situation, but am saying it COULD.)

Yep...including moderation.

True dat!

But...if they were all classics, wouldn't that mean they were all normal and there were no classics?

Sound reasoning!!

Possible theory. As you mentioned about physical labor folks lounging by the pool more, this would also be an interesting poll/study.

Yes, it certainly would for sure. One I doubt has ever been done too.

 

[Steppesister]

Yeah... I'm not gonna be the one walking up to all these people by the pool and asking them questions!

No, I wouldn't want to either, but I wonder if it a FP was offered if they'd do it.

I asked her and she replied "What's a refund?"

I wonder if Dolores and Karen have drinks together after work?

Oh! Sorry. My fault for not seeing that.

It was a lame joke.

I really love this movie a lot.

You'll be busy for a while!

I've been saying since January this line. But... now I truly feel there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel. I have whittled away faithfully at some significant debt, have my Italy trip fully funded, some personal issues are finding some closure, and work should be ramping up which should mean more regular hours and a more sane work schedule.

 

[Steppesister]

Our governor here in Illinois was dragging his feet over opening the rural areas where there are few cases. He began getting lawsuits. He finally agreed to open the state by region, but his reopening schedule is still strict. Oregon is one of the states that I really don't understand the reason why they aren't relaxing restrictions. Wisconsin is another one. I can only guess the reason Wisconsin isn't opening sooner is that they don't want the Chicagoans bringing their virus germs into their state.

Lawsuits are what get their attention. Our Gov is going to face a SLOUGH of them too especially from the churches. Oregon is so jacked with a Gov who I honestly believe has never once read, or simply cannot understand, either the Constitution OR our State laws and regs. Especially the ones regarding her "power" in declaring what she has to the degree it was.

Many of our rural counties are now simply defyfing her inane orders because they are ranchers and farmers who live literally in the middle of nowhere and NEVER leave or go to the city. And no one hardly ever goes THERE... it's simply too remote and far. It's so ridiculous and now sheriffs will simply not enforce as they know it's so dumb.

We have a bunch of Hardy Boys books that my son read when he was young. I might check them out.

They are a super quick read and very predictable but cute and enjoyable for an afternoon.

 

[Steppesister]

Rules are for losers! This is 'merica!

(Although we seem to have a whole bunch right now. )

Price was the biggest reason we stayed there. Maybe the only reason.

And sometimes that trumps EVERYTHING. It's why we stayed at AoA a couple of trips back and you know what...?? We REALLY liked it!!

And you don't have to pay for 2 rooms...

Bingo!!!

I think it's funny that I stayed there and you know more about their pool than I do.

LOL! I do know your crew LOVES the pool, so am surprised you didn't go? I mean... maybe you haven't gotten there yet in your TR? But, you guys hit almost every pool you see on vacay!

So Disney's drinks are terrible, and Universal's are good, but you dump them out anyway?

I didn't dump a lot! Besides. a glass of wine seemed SO much more appropriate at the Portofino pool and I didn't want to sit there completely blottoed. But, it was nice to know that I can get my money's worth when I order!!

I tried hard to find a way to stay there. I like the look of that one.

It's good to know though that if you can't, at least at Uni you can use the pool and eat at them and generally enjoy them. They are all so close you can do that without much time away from the parks so it's like staying there (kinda) without the pricetag.

Hey, good for you! There's hope for you yet!

Yeah, except.... I'm getting old now. And we all know what that means. There is definitely regression.

If money were no object, that's where I would have stayed.

It's certainly a really nice one!

So, avoid both like the plague. Got it.

Unless you want free ice cream.

Then I'd suggest you bone up on Uni trivia.

Whoops.

Ok, we did eat there a couple of years ago. Cool theme, decent food.

That about sums it up. Not for every trip (unless you get a hankering for a shake) but fun once in a while.

Could you see the future?

I saw prices increasing at Disney.

Wow! Look at that color! Great shot.

Thanks!!! The light was just right on it!

Well, ever since you stopped using the pool...

But, but, it's so convenient!!

I was totally into the Hardy Boys for a long time.

They just never get old. I read them as an adult living in Crapistan and loved them then too.

 

[Steppesister]

Sort of a newcomer here and just got caught up.
Hopefully some type of normalcy is on your horizon...although, what will be the new normal?
Am loving your report. Having not been to Universal since it was just Universal (no Islands of Adventure, no Harry Potter), I am seriously thinking we need a day or two on our trip! Maybe if for nothing else, to try one of those unbelievable milkshakes!
Looking forward to reading more. Stay safe!!

Newcomers make me giddy!!!

I honestly don't know what ultimately will be "normal" but in the short term, my hope is that my hours will generally go back to M-F days at my jobs, call on the weekends through my trip to Italy, face masks in our workplace, socially distancing most everywhere (although I was at Home Depot today and most folks are pretty chill and passing each other in the aisles no problem.) I think gradually we'll be back to nearly what life was like and all will be good.

I"m SO glad you are enjoying the report. I've been so busy though lately that it's tough to get chapters out let alone the quality writing I enjoy more. I have a nice vacation coming up next week and hope to have a couple chapters during then.


I think Uni is VERY worth going to now that the HP lands are there. EASILY worth the ticket prices and 2 days. 3, if you want a "rest" day in between like I did. The pool hopping privileges are a game changer I think for that resort.

Hopefully another chapter soon.... stay tuned!!!

 

[pkondz]

No, I wouldn't want to either, but I wonder if it a FP was offered if they'd do it.

Perhaps.

I wonder if Dolores and Karen have drinks together after work?

And complain about us.

I really love this movie a lot.

Because it's a great movie.

I've been saying since January this line. But... now I truly feel there is light at the end of a very dark tunnel. I have whittled away faithfully at some significant debt, have my Italy trip fully funded, some personal issues are finding some closure, and work should be ramping up which should mean more regular hours and a more sane work schedule.

I'm glad all those things are happening for you!

 

[suse66]

Looks like a perfect, pool hopping, super relaxing day!

No trip to Uni is complete without a dinner at The Chocolate Emporium. If you know me at all, or have read past TRs, Steampunk theming really draws me. I love the Industrial elements, the movement of gears and pistons and steam, and the sultry vibe of places like The Edison and now this. As a kid I ate up Raold Dahl like Thanksgiving dinner and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a hands down favorite. Add in some Gene Wilder and BAM!!! My heart goes pitter pat. Yes, Depp did well at the character too, but aside from Willy, the whole concept of a magical chocolate shop makes my playful side come alive and my mouth begin to water.

As soon as you started talking about Toothsome, I immediately thought of your steampunk Alice costume from MNSSHP. I adored Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well.

What was your favorite book or author when you were young... say from grades 3-Jr High or so?

I have 2- Raold Dahl as mentioned, and E.B. White who wrote Stewart Little, The Trumpeter Swan and Charlotte's Web. An honorable mention might go to Beatrix Potter.

I was a major bookworm so I have a list.............

Nancy Drew, Bobbsey Twins, Hardy Boys, Donna Drake and Trixie Belden for mysteries.
Madeline L'Engle
The Chalet School series by Elinor M Brent Dyer (they are comfort reading to this day)
EB white...Charlotte's Web in particular.
Everything by Lucy Maud Montgomery ~ You can't grow up in PEI without reading all the "Anne" books.

Then I was obsessed with Elizabethan history, also the Plantagenets and the Tudors. I loved everything about the Russian royal family at the time of the Bolshevik revolution.

We went to the library with my Dad every Sunday afternoon and I would take a stack of books home and devour them. I still love to read!

 

[vamassey1]

Sandwiched nicely between 2 full and busy park days was a perfectly relaxing, WONDERFUL pool-hopping day at many of the resorts on the Uni property. And why not?! The sky was blue, the breeze was soft and warm, and Uni isn’t persnickety about folks who want to have a full day of dipping in and out of multiple pools while sipping libations of the tropical variety. Unlike another Florida resort I have stayed at. Eh hemmm…..

Your afternoon of pool hopping sounds so relaxing. Someday I'm going to find the time to relax in Disney.

​

Great picture!

The treats counter had all manner of chocolates and sweets to buy and let me assure you, Dear Reader, the masses of tourons were eagerly spending their hard-earned dollars, Euros, and Yen on macarons, turtles, and clusters. Fudge, tarts, and marshmellow yum-yum made their way into baggies to be consumed by the young and the old alike.

Sounds like my kind of place. I love chocolate treats.

I cruised the menu and decided on a Reuben sandwich and side salad.

I enjoy a good Reuben too.

What was your favorite book or author when you were young... say from grades 3-Jr High or so?

I do enjoy reading and started back in grade school. I know they're old fashion and really old but I liked the Beverly Cleary books, love Beezus & Ramona. I also liked "Encyclopedia Brown". As I got older I really liked "The Chronicles of Narnia". I discovered Romance in middle school and moved up to historical romance by the end of my middle school years. I just love history. I found myself reading then using the encyclopedia to look up facts, of course now it's Google. I read all kinds of books now when I can and I am a member of a local Book Club. We're hoping to start meeting again.

 

[franandaj]

Now, let’s get to the pool lounging. It’s what a California girl does best.

Explains a lot. I was born in Boston.

Uni isn’t persnickety about folks who want to have a full day of dipping in and out of multiple pools while sipping libations of the tropical variety. Unlike another Florida resort I have stayed at.

Actually DVC members can pool hop, with only a few exceptions.

Uni decidedly does not. They concoct drinks well worth the money and while my choices were very delicious, I’m pretty sure I actually, tossed a bit of the 2nd one so I could still swim in a straight line.

Blasphemy!

Now THIS one… THIS one was amazing in every possible way. It’s like the Poly, in theme, not quite as well done, of course, but island-y, lush, exotic and ahhh… sand in my toes while power lounging under palm branches blowing in the breeze over my head. The overall theming leans decidedly more towards the Indian/Thai/Indonesian areas as opposed to the S. Pacific Island locales.

This is the only one that I have visited. It's a cool theme, but the rooms were nothing special. Even the time we stayed at Club level.

No trip to Uni is complete without a dinner at The Chocolate Emporium.

Its even worth a special trip, if you don't have to pay extra, meaning for transport.

Soon enough Penelopy Toothsome made an appearance, but sadly, never made her way up to the upper story. Perhaps she was confident her companion Jacques, the robot candy maker, had things under control as I spied him busy in the factory works along the side walls.

I'm sorry you didn't get to have fun with them. They have been a hoot, both times I've been.

I cruised the menu and decided on a Reuben sandwich and side salad. Pretty standard fare in general, not amazing, not bad.

I thought it was pretty good. Not the best I've had, but quite tasty.

In the end I went with the Birthday cake one. It was big. It was delicious. I ate a very small portion and was satisfied.

That one seemed way over the top to me. I actually prefer the regular desserts or sundaes.

And that, My Friends ends the little Uni Interlude of this TR. Up next, we'll be getting back to all things Disney.

Okey dokey. I think I am caught up here now.

What was your favorite book or author when you were young... say from grades 3-Jr High or so?

I had read every book in the Nancy Drew series, and had all of them in my little bookcase in my bunkbed (that was all mine cause my sister didn't want to share a room with me.)

It's been a very busy week with getting back into working both jobs and transitioning to some form of "normalcy".

I hear ya! We just turned in our taxes to the accountant, and that has taken a load off our minds, but I still have tons of things to keep me busy, busy, busy.

 

[KathyM2]

and Uni isn’t persnickety about folks who want to have a full day of dipping in and out of multiple pools while sipping libations of the tropical variety. Unlike another Florida resort I have stayed at. Eh hemmm…..

This is awesome. I agree, if you are paying the exorbitant amount of money to stay at (any) onsite resort...you should get to use ALL the pools. It's not that convenient to do, so I don't think people would do it enough that it would become a problem, but who knows. Glad you took advantage of Uni being less...stingy on the sharing...

sand in my toes while power lounging under palm branches blowing in the breeze over my head.

This sounds SO fantastic. Especially right now....longing to be in the sun with a pina colada.

I call it Quarantine Therapy.

Hey whatever works right now to get through these crazy times!