The New Lizard Lounge

[MinnieSummer]

Nancyg56: Please consider CSR instead of CB. We've done both and found that the pool at CB is way to small for the size of the resort. It's also in a weird location -- just off the main building so everyone walks by it all the time. I also don't like the size of the resort which is huge. If you end up in one of the further buildings the walk to the main building (which means pool and food) can be 15 minutes at a normal pace. You can choose to use the busses that circle the resort but that means waiting for one and frankly, I'm not fond of their bus service either. CSR is not as big and has an internal shuttle service. The pool is huge and has a playground right beside it as well as a food center and arcade. CSR also has a wonderful food court with far more variety than any of the other resorts. But, either way you will be at WDW and will have a wonderful time.

 

[Nancyg56]

Minniesummer- now you gave me more to think about and now I want to stay at CSR. I was not planning on another trip this year but DD wants to take Kady for her 6th birthday on October 16. It would be a surprise for her, but she has been telling her mom and Dad that she wants to go back...yup she is a Disney Junkie....and she told them she does not want to go without Nana.
I am not sure that I can get away bt I am really going to try after that little request.

Do you know what bus situation is like. We would use the buses to get to the parks and DSIL was worried that travel time from CSR would be lengthy. Also, do you know how hard it is to get a preferred room close to the pool or food courts? I appreciate your help here because I have a difficult time picturing the area from the map.

(I am still sulking about AKL. I think it is my favorite resort. My family loved the Poly, and it was nice, but ..........)

 

[MinnieSummer]

Nancy: Pop over to the CSR thread and find one of Buzz's post. He has a link to his CSR web site that has the most thorough info I've ever seen on CSR. My choice for a room is always in the Casitas first just because the landscaping is breathtaking at night. It's the most beautiful area to walk through inthe early evening or early morning and it's very close to the main building. It is a hike to the main pool though -- it is very quick on the internal shuttle though. The Cabana's are closest to the main pool. With the exception of this last trip I've always been able to get my request. This trip I couldn't because I neede connecting rooms with one being Handicapped Accessible and I had to take what was available.

The transportation is excellent. None of the trips take more than 10 minutes even though the stated times are more. And the service is beyond great. We were waiting for a bus early one morning and the bus that came up already had a wheelchair so they couldn't take us. The driver for called for an additional bus and two showed up within 5 minutes.

Mouse Keeping was also great, no towel animals but clean rooms everyday. And when I complained that the shower curtain was dirty it was replaced within 10 minutes.

Let them know at check-in that it's your DD's birthday and you will get a card on your pillow from the characters.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions let me know.

Pamela

 

[Angel16]

Good Morning Everyone It 8:00 AM out here in the west. I have been at work for an hour and half, so I deserve a little break right?

First, ANG38 to our little lounge. Have you decided what you want to do regarding AKL and your upcoming trip? I think I may make a call to the resort and see what all is going on there. I would love to do a trip next year when they are finished with all the building and dirt. I LOVE AKL and just hate to see the main lodge change! But, I guess we all must learn to live with change. Usually, when Disney makes a change it is for the better. Yes, I must just keep repeating that to myself.

I am so happy to see the lounge is busy. I got up early this morning and baked fresh banana bread. So I am starting the Friday party with a few of my favorites. Kona coffee and a nice selection of tea's, fresh fruit compote with yogurt/honey topping, there is also a nice bowl of home-make granola. I have the drink containers filled with fresh passion/pineapple juice and the sideboard has fresh orange juice and Champaign for anyone who doesn't have to work. Please help yourself to a nice mimosa

I have some news and would appreciate any ideas, suggestions or help with my news. No I am not expecting - whooooh

Tim and I are celebrating a MAJOR wedding anniversary this October. We would like to renew our vows and have a small party/get together. This can NOT be at WDW Dear Tim feels we need to experience new and different places this year before we are both retired. He has rented a beach house on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. What I am looking for is anyone who has been to the Outer Banks. I need ideas for vow renewal, I want it to be romantic, fun, and spirit filled. Can you all help me with ideas for the renewal itself as well as things to do for the week we will be there? We have rented a 6 bedroom house with 6.2 bathrooms (I will be interested to see what a .2 bathroom is?) Maybe just a toilet? Anyway, any and all thoughts, ideas and suggestions will be SO appreciated.

Got to run, but I will be back later to post more. Enjoy the morning goodies.

Hugs to all,
Angel

 

[claribella]

Hello...so is this like a chat thread? Only the elite or can a new comer join in? I'm not a biting lizard!

 

[MinnieSummer]

Claribella: Welcome to the Lounge. This is a friendly bunch of Lizards and while we are supposed to discuss the Concierge Levels of the deluxe resorts you will find that just about anything goes here. I've never met a great bunch of people and hopdefully, one day, will meet some of them in person. You don't have to be elite to chat -- I know I'm certainly not -- just join in.

 

[Nancyg56]

Hi Claribelle! I hope that the LL is not just for elite because then I would be bounced out ! This is a nice group and they certainly pointed me in the right direction when I came looking for advice. Now they also have been very supportive when I needed a shoulder to lean on.

 

[claribella]

Thanks for the welcome! Just checking in for today, nothing else really to report but that it's SUPER windy here!

 

[MinnieSummer]

I'm on the opposite side of the country and we are having severe winds here as well. The beaches are suffering severe erosion due to it. The news reports this morning said that a life guard station and a life guard storage facility have been lost because of the sand washing away. As much as I'm enjoying the cooler temperatures the front is bringing, the damage being done is scary.

Ang38: How is the planning going for your trip? What have you decided about AKL? I called and asked a few questions about the impact on Concierge Level due to the DVC build out and got different answers. One said no impact at all another said minimal, one actually had no clue what I was talking about. Oh well. On my next trip I may just run over and see for myself.

Hope everyone is well. I'm sending Pixie Dust to everyone -- I'll just attach it to one of the winds down here and I'm sure it will get blown to everyone.

 

[Angel16]

Happy Mother's Day EVERYONE


Just wanted to drop in and wish everyone a wonderful day with your family,friends and pets.



Angel16

Mom to:
Cindy
Terri,
two grand childern: &
and Holly, Quigley and Kealy

 

[larkles]

Angel-
The Outer Banks are lovely! I have been going there with my family since I was a kid. Now I go with my DH and 3 kids, my sister, her DH and her 3 kids and the grandparents every year

It is very family oriented, quiet with sandy beaches. Great restaurants to indulge your appetite and historical sites if you are into that. There is a special restaurant in Duck's Scarborough Faire that offers 2 seating s a night with fabulous food paired with different wines for each course- SO GOOD

You will enjoy the laid back atmosphere albeit a big change from Disney

 

[Angel16]

Thank you Larkles and ! The restaurant Scarborough Faire sounds interesting. I will have to research it. Perhaps we can have a nice dinner there one evening after touring Duck and that area.

We are renting a cottage in Hatteras for the week. I am really excited about this trip. We both love nature and the ocean. Are there any seafood places your recommend? If you don't mind sharing what are the top five things you have to do while you are there? We love to fish and hope to charter a boat for a day. Any suggestions?

There will be 12 adults, DGD 5, and DGS 2. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Angel

 

[larkles]

Hatteras is actually pretty far down the island. Very secluded and I haven't been down that far since the year a hurricane sliced the road in half
It's fixed now

Most of my list is from the Northern Outer Banks
1. Hatteras Lighthouse
2. Wright Brother's Memorial in Kitty Hawk
3. Sand dunes in Nags Head- not as massaive as they were but still big
4. Check about Lifeguard Safety Camp that runs every couple of days for the 5 yr old- may be too old for her- you can ask. My 6 and 8 yr olds loved it last year!
5. Fresh cinnamon rolls and olive bread from the German baker in Scarborough Faire!
6. Sunday Brunch at the Sanderling Inn is a family tradition. We started when I was in college and there were 4 of us. Now there are 12

I'll check with my folks for recommendations in Hatteras- they usually take a day away from all the boys (5 of them!) and have some quiet time together

Have fun

 

[larkles]

You all convinced me to go for it

We are officially at Ft Wilderness for the week of June 2-9 (with a condo on the side).
Includes DH, , DS9, DS7, DS4 and MIL, FIL. They leave Saturday AM to drive back to NC. I leave Sunday on a business trip, so I had to stay somewhere

I decided that it needed to be quiet, relaxing and not at all like camping. I'll need some quiet time after all that family togetherness

Thanks for the advice. Now, what is my next step... spa reservations, tour times....

 

[MinnieSummer]

larkles: Please let us know how things are with the construction and everything. I'm hoping that AKL remains wonderful and unique even with the DVC addition. If I close my eyes I can feel myself moving into the lobby, catching the first sniff of that wonderful smell that permeates the first floor, see the mask off to the left and the fire pit off to the right, hear the footfalls on that beautiful floor. I really want to go back NOW not wait until Christmas.

 

[latinqt]

larkles: Please let us know how things are with the construction and everything. I'm hoping that AKL remains wonderful and unique even with the DVC addition. If I close my eyes I can feel myself moving into the lobby, catching the first sniff of that wonderful smell that permeates the first floor, see the mask off to the left and the fire pit off to the right, hear the footfalls on that beautiful floor. I really want to go back NOW not wait until Christmas.

How is the GF in Dec. We're going this year in concierge and hope it's great

 

[larkles]

I am so tickled to be going and staying at AKL even if it is for just one night!

I'll let you know how it goes- didn't I hear that Raspberry Mojito's were on the menu? You'll see me at the pool, mojito in hand, oblivious to the sound of children because mine will be in the car with DH and the inlaws

Really, I do LOVE my children and my inlaws but I am so psyched to have some quiet time, I can hardly stand it! I own a business and have worked 6 days a week for the last 3 years with just a week or two off. One day just for me is simply blissful

 

[minniesota]

Greetings to all!
It's been awhile since I've been in the lounge - life sure happens sometimes!
We have been adjusting to not having my dad in our day-to-day lives..we have our good days and bad. He was such a big presence. I don't know if any of you believe in such things, but we have sure been getting a lot of "signs" from him. He told us he would send them! Very comforting.

I'm glad to see some of you are still making trip memories with your families. We have two trips in the planning. We are going to WDW in October and will be staying at RPC at the GF. It will be just my family and we are taking my niece who just graduated from nursing school (she was awesome in helping us keep my dad at home). We are also planning our 3rd DCL trip on the Magic Oct. 2008. Seems like a long time away but with my DD finishing her sophomore year, everyone tells me these years just fly by.

I hope all of you are enjoying the month of Mayhem! My DH had a spinal fusion and decompression surgery Monday and is still in the hospital. He is having a very slow recovery with lots of pain. Looks like I will be wearing my nursing hat again..Add that to the hectic life of two teens and it's Mayhem! In the meantime, enjoy some rhubarb coffee cake and french roast coffee this morning. (I may add a little something to mine as I prepare for the impending General Hospital life!)

latinqt-I have stayed at GF's RPC (main building club level) in early December and LOVED it. The orchestra plays Christmas music, the tree in the lobby is gorgeous and the gingerbread house is a must-see (and sample!) The grounds are beautiful, adorned with lighted white deer and beautiful red poinsettias everywhere! I love the GF but I love it even more at Christmas..enjoy your stay!

 

[MinnieSummer]

How is the GF in Dec. We're going this year in concierge and hope it's great

What a question and how do I answer it? Well, I was unimpressed. I think, had we been there in early December when the crowds weren't so bad we might have enjoyed it more but --- We could never sit and enjoy the entertainment in the lobby due to the huge volumes of people crowded in visiting the resort. The lobby was total chaos. Considerring this was the main reason we wanted to stay there, for my Mom to be able to relax and enjoy, this was not a good thing. We never were able to get through the lobby without going all the way around as there was never enough room for the wheelchair. (The area where the Gingerbread House was is a nightmare. They really need to put that on the other side not in the middle of traffic.) There weren't enough CMs to handle the volumes of people, lines were long to check out in any of the shops so we ended up not doing the Christmas shopping we had planned on. The CMs that were there were not in the best of moods -- I couldn't really blame them as it seems like people who stay there seem to think they are entitled to be rude. Even with reservations for breakfast one morning we waited 45 minutes for a table (not good when I have a diabetic with me who took her insulin when we checked in at the desk and were assured we would be seated within 15 minutes). I also was not impressed with the decorations this year. Everything seemed old and dusty -- almost like the decorating was an afterthought, they found it and threw it up. I was there for dinner two Christmasses ago and thought it was spectacular and not nearly as crowded.

The rooms were nice, although not great. The beds were comfortable. Mousekeeping did a great job and left several towel animals but we tipped them big because they were working over the holidays. I just wasn't impressed.

As I said that was for Christmas. People who were there earlier in the month may have had an entirely different experience. But basically, we won't stay there again. Not for those prices. I expect to be WOWED when I pay that kind of money and I just wasn't. I'm sure others will weigh in with their experiences and they will be positive ones. I keep telling myself I set my expectations too high and couldn't help but be dissappointed.

 

[ang38]

Thanks for the welcome!! I've been busy lately and haven't had time to come back and chat. I emailed the concierge at AKL and the nicest people have emailed me back! I have been assured that I will have a Savannah view room on the 4th floor and they will do everything in their power to make our stay a fantastic one!! How can I resist that?! So I guess we will end our 25th anniversary at the AKL after all!!! Now to wait till next May!!!!