The New Lizard Lounge

[Nancyg56]

Happy Spring Ladies!

Angel- it is so good to see you here. Thanks for letting us know that Tammy is well. I saw the "rumor" that free dining will start on August 26 and now I am totally depressed. Kady starts school the 29th so that won't work for me. Oh well, we'll see......

Kelly- I would love to stay at the Beach Club but the main reason is the pool. My DGD is 5 and would spend most of her time at the pool . Can you tell me what the slide is like? She loved the King Triton slide at POFQ so I never even thought about the Poly. She was way too young for it so I would not want to make that mistake again. She is a bit timid in comparison to others her age. Thanks in advance,
Nancy

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Happy Spring Ladies!

Angel- it is so good to see you here. Thanks for letting us know that Tammy is well. I saw the "rumor" that free dining will start on August 26 and now I am totally depressed. Kady starts school the 29th so that won't work for me. Oh well, we'll see......

Kelly- I would love to stay at the Beach Club but the main reason is the pool. My DGD is 5 and would spend most of her time at the pool . Can you tell me what the slide is like? She loved the King Triton slide at POFQ so I never even thought about the Poly. She was way too young for it so I would not want to make that mistake again. She is a bit timid in comparison to others her age. Thanks in advance,
Nancy

the slide is fun. Its in the ship you walk over and it goes over a walk way and shots you into the pool. It was very cool. The pool area was quite large and it has a sandy bottom. The only thing I dont like in a way is how large it is. I would stay with DS2 who is now 3 and DH took ds7 around. It is fun, but we also the waterparks. Blizzard Beach was a blast with the kids last year and we loved it. You didnt ask but the pool at the BWI was so much fun that waterslide is cool over there, its like the clown was throwing me up! I hate clowns to but it was so cool.

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks Kelly! I think it may be a while before I can stay there. I wanted BC for January but my girls really wanted the Poly and it was the right resort for us that time. The BWI is nice as well? I always see the BC/YC but not much about the BWI.

 

[MinnieSummer]

OUr last minute mini spring break Minniesummer trip (I like that too) is overand a whole week has past but I've been really busy and for some reason I haven't been receiving my notices that someone posted here. First the most important news of all

DD won her Spelling Bee this morning. OK I'm done with the smilies. In 1st grade she came in second, in 2nd grade she went out on her first word. So this year I wanted her to study but she kept saying she was the best speller in her class and wasn't worried. Well, yesterday was her adoption day (we celebrate it each year like a birthday) so I took her and DM to an arcade/park to have some fun. We got home about 6:00 and she said she wanted to go over the spelling list. I then realized that she didn't know as much as she thought she did so, from 6:00 until 11:00 we studied that list. The poor thing was half asleep trying to spell words but she refused to quit. Anyway, this morning I told her to do her best and it really didn't matter in the giant scheme of things. Afterall, how many kids can say they stayed up until 11:00 on a school night and their mom let them? And then she wins!!! I'm so proud can you tell?

A quick note on our last trip -- We stayed at FQ which was OK. We had a HA room for my DM but noone informed us that all of the HA rooms are king size beds which wouldn't have been a problem except that I was really sick and didn't want my DM to catch it -- she did. There was also the little issue of a wet carpet which was being blamed on the roll in shower but which was actually being caused by the refrigerator. Other than that the hotel was fine. My DD went park commando on us and drug us through AK (4 rides on everest, 1 on KRR, 1 on Dinosaur, 1 on Primevil Whirl) to MK (SM< SPLM, TM, JC, POC, BL, ) to DS (RnR, ToT, Stunt SHow, ect) I thought I was going to have to call for a paramedic I was so wiped out. When she got to the point that she could ride by herself I really thought it would get easier but because I'm not comfortable letting her go around the park alone yet, I have to run everywhere with her. I'm just too old for that, especially pushing a wheelchair. The really funny part was that a couple of times we would leave one ride and she would run ahead to the other and by the time we got there she was actually getting off already. My DM thinks I'm nuts for letting her ride by herself but honestly I can't keep up anymore.

Anyway, my Aunt is coming down the end of April so that means another trip to WDW. Unfortunately, AKL, CR, WL, and BWI were all booked so we are at CSR which we really love so it's alright. I just wanted my Aunt to get a taste of the better resorts -- especially AKL. Hopefully it will be a good trip.

Maybe we need to schedule a little Happy Hour here in the Lounge to catch up with everyone. It seems that quite a few people are out of touch. Pixie Dust to all.

 

[Nancyg56]

for your DD! I know you must be so proud of her!

Your "last minute mini spring break Minniesummer trip" sounds like so much fun! It's too bad about the room problems and that your Mom got sick, that is not what you count on when vacationing. I like FQ as well. For us the size and the pool were a perfect fit because I had a 4 YO with me, but with your little whirlwind, it sounds like she needs something a little more "grown up".

Now you get to plan another trip with your Aunt. I am getting a little jealous.... Not really, just happy that you can.

 

[MinnieSummer]

The really great thing about having my Aunt with us is that she will ride anything that doesn't go upside down (my DD is not planning on telling her about the loop in RnR ). So I won't have to run quite as fast to keep up -- which is a really good thing because on my last trip I wore a pair of sneakers instead of my usual wedge flip flops and developed a bone spur in the sole of my heal. I knew wearing flat shoes was not a good idea but I thought sneakers would be a good alternative as I'm always complaining about how dirty my feet are after a day in the parks in my flip flops. I learned my lesson -- I'll take dirty feet over a bone spur anytime. Anyway, the only thing "planned" about this trip is lunch at Coral Reef which my Mother just loved at Christmas time. I have to squeeze in a buffet for at least one night as my Aunt is a big buffet fan but I'm not sure where that will be.

 

[Angel16]

Maybe we need to schedule a little Happy Hour here in the Lounge to catch up with everyone. It seems that quite a few people are out of touch. Pixie Dust to all.

MinnieSummer - I think you came up with a super idea. Let us schedule a date and time to get together. We can all sign on and catch-up with eachother. I'll make my famous stuffed mushrooms mmmmm crab, cheese and mushrooms. I'll also bring a few bottles of wine from our wine cave. We can rent a drink maker or for that matter do a bar tender to serve us. You know it can be a big as we can dream and won't cost a thing.

We can do PM invites to those we haven't seen around here in a while. What do you all think??

to everyone.

Angel

 

[MinnieSummer]

Angel: Could you possibly make a few of those mushrooms without crab as I'm allergic and then I will give you my UPS account number and you can really send some to me as that is one of my favorite foods, mmmmmmm, I'm getting hungry.

I'm not sure when everyone will be available but let's work on it. I'd love to hear how Tammi's son is doing, and how recent trips worked out, and who is planning what right now. We could also take the time to remember the many family members we have lost in the past year. Considerring it's Easter, that would be appropriate.

If anyone else is interested just write in when you would be available. It would be easier for me if it was during the day, but I could always comandeer my DD's computer at home for a little visit with the Lizards.

 

[Nancyg56]

The year is going by so fast, hasn't it? Let me know when and I be here!

 

[Angel16]

Yes, this does sound like a good idea. I am out west. I can arrange just about any time. Except 3:00 AM my time. Why don't we all send out some PM's to all that have been absent letting them know we are planning a "get together" I'll start tonight after I finish with our tax guy.

I have some wonderful stories to share from our "Celebration of Life" trip.

Minnie, I would be happy to make mushrooms without crab. Nancy I have heard a rumer that you are the great cook here!!! What will you be making?

Ok ladies, it is party planning time!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

hello everyone!

well everything about our trip has changed. We are now booked at the GF and going for an extra day. So we are going for 10 nights in July. I have to finish up my dining ressies tonight.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I'm glad that someone else ends up changing their plans besides me. We're going the end of this month and I've already changed things about 4 times and just this morning my DH informed me that he wants to go to Epcot on Saturday (he'll be working the other two days and is leaving Saturday night while my DM, DD, and DA stay until Sunday) so I have to change our dining reservations at Coral Reef from Friday to Saturday and come up with something else for Friday. Which also means deciding which park we will be in. Isn't this just so much fun.

Angel: I can't wait to hear about you Celebration of Life trip. It sounded great while you were planning it.

My cooking skills are limited to what I can throw in a crock pot before I leave for work but I would be happy to make some Chicken Marsala for everyone.

 

[ang38]

Hi All,
This is my first post here!! I am planning a 25th anniversary trip for May '08. We are trying 4 hotels this time since it's the first time in 25 years that we are alone again!! First stop is WL concierge for 4 nights..then on the Contemporary Atrium for 4 nights...then we are downgrading to a waterview room at the YC w/o concierge since we will be eating all our meals at Epcot those 4 nights...then our last stop will be AKL club level for 3.
That's where the bad news comes in. I was so looking forward to a 6th floor concierge , only now to be told that the 5th and 6th floor rooms are going over to DVC and that the concierge rooms are now called standard rooms with a savanna view on the 4th floor. The thing is, the lounge is staying on the 6th floor!! Is it only me, or does this sound crazy? You now have to take an elevator up to the 6th floor to enjoy the lounge, there's no private access to your floor and the room is now smaller! I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet...the price of this New concierge room is $110 cheaper a night than the old room but still $50 a night more than a plain Savanna room. Is it still worth the money?
Thanks...
Angela

 

[MinnieSummer]

You are in the same confused state I find myself in. We had planned AKL concierge for this Christmas -- then I read about all the changes and started to wonder. I can't see paying for concierge level service when I am not really getting it. Yes I will have access to the lounge, but I could take the elevator down instread of up and pay for my food. Where will the concierge check-in be? Do they guarantee the rooms will be at least close to the elevator? It just seems that the Concierge Level, which was supposed to be all about convenience is going to be somewhat less than that with these new changes. I guess I would still have access to their pre-planning services which would be wonderful but in your case it sounds like you have everything pretty well planned out. I'm definitely staying at AKL for Christmas but the Concierge part is definitely undecided.

 

[ang38]

Glad to see some-one agrees with me! I've spoken to the AKL concierge planners. They tell me that the rooms are now located on the 4th floor. They did guarantee me a savanna view room. If you do make your reservation there, make sure you contact the AKL concierge by email to let them know what you want. The way I'm looking at it now is: I want to end our trip there, I want a savanna view room, I can't get the 5th floor no matter what. For the extra $45 a night the concierge is charging over a regular savanna view room, the cheapest of all the hotels, I'll use the lounge when I want to and not feel like I have to get my monies worth from it. I will use their services before I get there so I won't have o deal with the front check-in desk! So I am only spending $45 a night instead of the $110 it would have cost last year making it a bargain!!
Hopefully by then they will move the lounge down to the 4th floor!!!

 

[MinnieSummer]

I'm going to wait and see what people have to say after staying there before I make up my mind. I'm also thinking that, as some of those DVC rooms are going to be concierge, by December we may be able to book those rooms as concierge although I'm sure they will priced at a premium. I just hate it when they go and change things. Every year we plan on staying concierge for Christmas and every year something happens and we can't do it -- although it's usually our budget that gets blown up not Disneys fault. This year I know we've got it in the budget and Disney is going to mess me up. Oh well. I'll still be at Disney for Christmas and I'll still be at AKL, which to me is the best resort during the holidays.

By the way, havae you ever done split stays before? It just seems like way to much hassle to me. I like to settle in and enjoy the resort but if I'm worried about having to pack up again I may not be able to.

 

[Goofy's Muse]

Guess it's time for me to dance... in just 48 hours we'll be on that plane to the place where magic happens!

Time has flow since I first posted about our spring break trip. Good thing I planned the resorts because on every other score this will really be a "wing it" trip! We did have DU make a few ADRs for us, but I strongly suspect we'll be adjusting as we go. I guess I was just not up to planning this time... we live such a scheduled life these days, I'm sure like everyone else, so a bit of "take it as it comes" will be good for us!

We did decide that we won't park hop... I think we've covered that base with the resort mix we've planned. I did purchase the kids their own suitcases, so I'll report back on if/how this helps our transition between resorts. The Travel Channel had a Disney special the other night and it was fun to see highlights of things that are new since our trip 2 years ago. We've had such raw weather lately that I'm just hoping our flight takes off so we can soak up some of that FL sun without delay!

Pixie dust to all!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

how is everyone?

HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Hey everyone! I'm back from another wonderful trip to WDW. This was a long and tuff one for me. But first the good parts.

Tried Cape May Clam Bake for the first time and had a blast. I've never seen my husband eat so much. Even my DD, the world's biggest non-eater, had a good time. We also ate at Coral Reef which we all love. We did breakfast at CSR restaurant (the name escapes me) which was very good as well. We also ate at the Noodle place in MK (I'm really bad with names) and surprisingly enjoyed the food there as well. Overall, the food this trip was great. The only thing was that at Coral Reef I broke down and had the Lobster Soup and within about 5 minutes my throat started to swell. I didn't want everyone to panic so I told my husband I was going tothe first aid station to get some benedryl but didn't tell anyone else. They thought I was going to the restroom. Only problem with that was I made it to the center of the park and couldn't breath, started to panic myself, thought I was going to pass out, grabbed a CM who pulled me to Guest Relations and called the Paramedics. UGH. The only benedryl they carry is IV and if they started that they would have to take me to the hospital. Hmmm, if I go to the hospital my DH is left with my DM, DD and DA. I refused so they put me in the wheelchair and took me to first aid where I got my benedryl. After about 5 minutes I was OK. I think the dizzyness was more panic and hyperventilating than the allergic reaction. The swelling felt like a ball in my throat but never got to the point where I couldn't breath it was just difficult. Learned my lesson though. Never again. In the mean time my DH is trying to keep everyone calm until I tried to get him on his cell phone and couldn't so I had to call my Aunts cell and then everyone knew what was going on. I told them to just go ahead and use the FP for Soarin and I would meet them later but no, next thing I know they are all trooping into the First Aid station. My husband looked like a ghost -- I think he was more scared than I was, but not about me, he just couldn't imagine having to take care of three women.

My DA rode everything at MK, and Epcot, wouldn't even consider ToT or RNRC. She had a blast -- not bad for a 70 year old. We saw the new Nemo show at AK -- I thought it was cute and very well done. After the first few minutes you don't even realize you are watching puppets. We also saw FotLK which is my favorite. We also saw Fantasmic at MGM. I'm not sure but it didn't seem the same as I remember, shorter and not quite as spectacular, but still good.

OK, that's enough. Hope everyone is doing well and that we hear from you soon

Pamela

 

[Nancyg56]

Hi Ladies!

Goofy'sMuse- I missed your trip . I could not imagine resort hopping because I am so disorganized, but i know that you had wanted to. I hope that your itinerary was able to give your family the fun without the work.

Pamela- OMG! I cannot imagine dealing with that allergic reaction at WDW! My DH would have panicked if he had 3 women to tend to as well, so I understand what happened with your DH. "I am glad that your DA had a great time, she must be the poster child for 70 is the new 50 "

ang38- I was wondering the same thing regarding AKL CL. I called yesterday for some pricing info and the CM told me that there was absolutely no impact to the CL floors. I did question him about DVC taking the 5th and 6th floors and also about the "standard" room.. He insisted that the view was Savannah and that DVC construction was not taking place anywhere in the Lodge itself. Well, so much for AKL. The price was very good but I am not good with "glitches" so after discussing it with DD we decided to save AKL for later and go with another resort in October.

Has anyone stayed at Caribean Beach? The trip is for DGD 6th birthday so we need to go with a resort that is kid friendly and that has a pool that she will enjoy. We would book a preferred room in order to be close to Old Port Royale, but I would like feedback from you. Thanks for the help.