*** The Official July 2014 thread, join us won't you? ***

[momofboyz3]

You don't get the ride photo until after you order the cd. They just put them on your photo pass + card. The only ones you get right away are the restaurant photos.

Thanks Anjalee!!

 

[anjalee6]

Thanks Anjalee!!

No problem.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I have a Disney related question too! As DVC members we are permitted to pool hop to other Disney owned resorts. Doesn't have to be a DVC resort, just has to be Disney owned and operated. We're not allowed to pool hop to any pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas, Bay Lake Tower or Yacht Club/Beach Club. Keeping that in mind, if you could go to any Disney owned resort other than those and use the pool for a few hours, which one would it be and why? I'm thinking maybe Poly because we could go on the same day we go to Kona for breakfast but I'm very open to any suggestions for pool hopping 11 months from now!

We still do love BWV pool, but since we're planning two days away from the theme parks I thought it would be nice to check out the pool at a different resort one of those days.

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

I have a Disney related question too! As DVC members we are permitted to pool hop to other Disney owned resorts. Doesn't have to be a DVC resort, just has to be Disney owned and operated. We're not allowed to pool hop to any pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge/Villas, Bay Lake Tower or Yacht Club/Beach Club. Keeping that in mind, if you could go to any Disney owned resort other than those and use the pool for a few hours, which one would it be and why? I'm thinking maybe Poly because we could go on the same day we go to Kona for breakfast but I'm very open to any suggestions for pool hopping 11 months from now!

We still do love BWV pool, but since we're planning two days away from the theme parks I thought it would be nice to check out the pool at a different resort one of those days.

This is gonna sound corny, but how bout the pool at AoA? We were there last year and the kids loved it because of the zero entry and the underwater sound system and all the theming. It is not as good as the deluxes because no slide. Just my opinion. I liked it and I hate getting into pools and such.

 

[bangzoom6877]

This is gonna sound corny, but how bout the pool at AoA? We were there last year and the kids loved it because of the zero entry and the underwater sound system and all the theming. It is not as good as the deluxes because no slide. Just my opinion. I liked it and I hate getting into pools and such.

I just read online that AoA is one of the pools we can't hop to. Right now I'm thinking most likely Poly but would love to hear about other resorts just to be sure.

 

[photo_chick]

Last year 9 families participated in a progressive dinner for Thanksgiving. It was a lot of fun and at the end of the day, I felt like the stuffed turkey.

Also - when it snows or sleets in Fort Worth, people go crazy. One day channel 8 news report over 250 accidents in one day.

That's because most of the time we get ice and we have too many people who don't understand that you just can drive on ice. Not even 4 wheel drive helps with that stuff. They see patches of clear roads and try to zoom along like normal. And then we have storms like that one winter a couple years ago (Superbowl week) where it didn't get above freezing for a week and the ice was re-freezing faster than crews could clear it. Gotta love North Texas weather!

Now all this talk of fall and cold in this thread has me ready to ditch these hot temperatures. I'm crossing my fingers that we don't hit 100 again this year.

 

[RHMH]

That's because most of the time we get ice and we have too many people who don't understand that you just can drive on ice. Not even 4 wheel drive helps with that stuff. They see patches of clear roads and try to zoom along like normal. And then we have storms like that one winter a couple years ago (Superbowl week) where it didn't get above freezing for a week and the ice was re-freezing faster than crews could clear it. Gotta love North Texas weather!

Now all this talk of fall and cold in this thread has me ready to ditch these hot temperatures. I'm crossing my fingers that we don't hit 100 again this year.

Yes, I remember that week!!! It was crazy - we staffed over 2000 people for the Superbowl and our drivers were have a terrible time getting people to work at the Stadium.

The people in charge of that day would not and did not understand - we were late in delivering the Staff. No matter how hard we tried, we were 30 minutes late in every delivery. We did get everyone to work but what a nightmare.

Don't want to do that again.....

 

[bangzoom6877]

That's because most of the time we get ice and we have too many people who don't understand that you just can drive on ice. Not even 4 wheel drive helps with that stuff. They see patches of clear roads and try to zoom along like normal. And then we have storms like that one winter a couple years ago (Superbowl week) where it didn't get above freezing for a week and the ice was re-freezing faster than crews could clear it. Gotta love North Texas weather!

Now all this talk of fall and cold in this thread has me ready to ditch these hot temperatures. I'm crossing my fingers that we don't hit 100 again this year.

Yes, ice is the worst! We have a nice front porch with an awning. Very convenient for the rain when coming home, especially when the boys were babies. But it's a nightmare after a winter storm. During the day everything starts melting in the afternoon sun we get at the front of the house, and drips onto the steps. Sometimes during the day the temperature of our steps is cold enough for the water to freeze as soon as it hits the step. Carrying a small container of that ice melting calcium chloride in the car is a must at those times. Also in the morning our steps tend to be very icy. Can't drive on ice, can't walk on it!

Yes, I remember that week!!! It was crazy - we staffed over 2000 people for the Superbowl and our drivers were have a terrible time getting people to work at the Stadium.

The people in charge of that day would not and did not understand - we were late in delivering the Staff. No matter how hard we tried, we were 30 minutes late in every delivery. We did get everyone to work but what a nightmare.

Don't want to do that again.....

Ooh that does sound like a nightmare. That ice is so dangerous. Some people just don't get it.

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

I just read online that AoA is one of the pools we can't hop to. Right now I'm thinking most likely Poly but would love to hear about other resorts just to be sure.

That is a bummer! The pool is cool! I don't understand why they keep excluding AoA from all kinds things, such as pool hopping, discounts and such. I love the resort but if a discount comes out for July and excludes LM rooms at AoA I already told the kids we will be switching resorts. They don't really care where we stay as long as they get some pool time. It doesn't have to be fancy or even have a slide, just needs to be there and open for them to use. It just frustrates me that we can't get discounts for where we want to stay. I get not offering them on the suites, but do it for at least the rooms please!

 

[bangzoom6877]

That is a bummer! The pool is cool! I don't understand why they keep excluding AoA from all kinds things, such as pool hopping, discounts and such. I love the resort but if a discount comes out for July and excludes LM rooms at AoA I already told the kids we will be switching resorts. They don't really care where we stay as long as they get some pool time. It doesn't have to be fancy or even have a slide, just needs to be there and open for them to use. It just frustrates me that we can't get discounts for where we want to stay. I get not offering them on the suites, but do it for at least the rooms please!

My guess is that the resort is so popular that it fills up, so they don't have to offer a discount on empty rooms, due to the big demand to stay there. I know for pool hopping, Stormalong Bay at BC is the most popular pool on property and if they allowed DVC members to pool hop there, it would make it way too crowded which is not fair to guests of the resort. Especially those on cash reservations who cannot pool hop to another resort.

AoA is still somewhat new also, and the theming and fact that it's a value resort draw many people to stay there. Perhaps in due time, they will include it in resort discounts.

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

My guess is that the resort is so popular that it fills up, so they don't have to offer a discount on empty rooms, due to the big demand to stay there. I know for pool hopping, Stormalong Bay at BC is the most popular pool on property and if they allowed DVC members to pool hop there, it would make it way too crowded which is not fair to guests of the resort. Especially those on cash reservations who cannot pool hop to another resort.

AoA is still somewhat new also, and the theming and fact that it's a value resort draw many people to stay there. Perhaps in due time, they will include it in resort discounts.

Yeah, I know. It's just a bummer and my wallet is just wishful thinking.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Yeah, I know. It's just a bummer and my wallet is just wishful thinking.

I hear ya! Sometimes I sit and fantasize how it would be nice to win the lottery and stay club level at a deluxe resort! And go on more than one big vacation a year. Ok now that's really wishful thinking!

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

I hear ya! Sometimes I sit and fantasize how it would be nice to win the lottery and stay club level at a deluxe resort! And go on more than one big vacation a year. Ok now that's really wishful thinking!

Oh, you are SO not alone!!! I did that just the other week. Looking at 2 weeks in the resorts with club level and most options on tickets and to spend the most that I could. Website wasn't cooperating too much but for 2 weeks in club level with non expiring 10day tickets with all the bells and whistles and such I found one that was like $28,875 ish. If only..... Talk about a dream vacation.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh, you are SO not alone!!! I did that just the other week. Looking at 2 weeks in the resorts with club level and most options on tickets and to spend the most that I could. Website wasn't cooperating too much but for 2 weeks in club level with non expiring 10day tickets with all the bells and whistles and such I found one that was like $28,875 ish. If only..... Talk about a dream vacation.

Wow! All the bells and whistles like the Platinum package? Grand Floridian huge suite? Hey, we could dream right?!

Please, I'd be happy with the second prize of $250,000 in the mega millions!

 

[RHMH]

Have A Great Weekend Everyone

 

[momofboyz3]

Have A Great Weekend Everyone

You too!!! Love the weekends! I promised myself cleaning can wait till tomorrow... Today will be a lazy pool day

 

[bangzoom6877]

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! Today we went to the Renaissance Faire in upstate NY, about an hour and a half from home without traffic. We got there a little after 10 (it opens at 10) because although we allowed for traffic, there was tons of it both in Brooklyn and then again in manhattan where there had been a bad accident. Once we were past that it was fine. And no traffic on the way home.

We stayed at the Faire until 4:30. It's open until 7:00. We saw some jousting, a knife throwing show, sword fights, and they have a whole Robin Hood story that travels throughout the Faire the entire day. So we got to see some of that. The actors at the Faire are in full character and the boys got to interact with them. It was a fun day.

At the Faire I tried a boar sandwich. Delicious, tasted like pulled pork (which is no surprise!). DH got a turkey leg (lol, he's never had one at WDW!), and I tried a bite. It was very good. The boys shared a meatball sandwich and we all shared some beignets. DH and I drank some mead (fermented honey, tastes like a sweet wine, very good) for the first time. Later on, the boys had ice cream cones and DH had an iced cappuccino float. I was only thirsty so I had iced green tea. Food was super expensive but the whole experience was worth it. Not necessarily something I would go out of my way to go to every year but we will probably go again at some point.

We came home and the boys and I were hungry. DH was exhausted from the whole day (it was beautiful out but we were in the sun a lot and he didn't drink much water) and he was not hungry. He took a quick nap on the couch while the boys and I ordered from our local pizzeria. DS6 had a slice of pizza, DS8 had a calzone and I had an eggplant parmigiana roll (eggplant parm wrapped in thin pizza dough and baked...delicious and much lighter than a full hero sandwich!). We shared some garlic knots. Now it's time to relax and unwind! What a fun day.

Tomorrow the boys have a mini golf birthday party tomorrow for a friend. DH and I get a couple of hours to ourselves. The party starts at 11 so we might go out for a late breakfast.

What's everyone doing this weekend?

 

[momofboyz3]

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! Today we went to the Renaissance Faire in upstate NY, about an hour and a half from home without traffic. We got there a little after 10 (it opens at 10) because although we allowed for traffic, there was tons of it both in Brooklyn and then again in manhattan where there had been a bad accident. Once we were past that it was fine. And no traffic on the way home.

We stayed at the Faire until 4:30. It's open until 7:00. We saw some jousting, a knife throwing show, sword fights, and they have a whole Robin Hood story that travels throughout the Faire the entire day. So we got to see some of that. The actors at the Faire are in full character and the boys got to interact with them. It was a fun day.

At the Faire I tried a boar sandwich. Delicious, tasted like pulled pork (which is no surprise!). DH got a turkey leg (lol, he's never had one at WDW!), and I tried a bite. It was very good. The boys shared a meatball sandwich and we all shared some beignets. DH and I drank some mead (fermented honey, tastes like a sweet wine, very good) for the first time. Later on, the boys had ice cream cones and DH had an iced cappuccino float. I was only thirsty so I had iced green tea. Food was super expensive but the whole experience was worth it. Not necessarily something I would go out of my way to go to every year but we will probably go again at some point.

We came home and the boys and I were hungry. DH was exhausted from the whole day (it was beautiful out but we were in the sun a lot and he didn't drink much water) and he was not hungry. He took a quick nap on the couch while the boys and I ordered from our local pizzeria. DS6 had a slice of pizza, DS8 had a calzone and I had an eggplant parmigiana roll (eggplant parm wrapped in thin pizza dough and baked...delicious and much lighter than a full hero sandwich!). We shared some garlic knots. Now it's time to relax and unwind! What a fun day.

Tomorrow the boys have a mini golf birthday party tomorrow for a friend. DH and I get a couple of hours to ourselves. The party starts at 11 so we might go out for a late breakfast.

What's everyone doing this weekend?

Oh wow... What an awesome day you guys had!!!!!!! You are so good at describing the details and makes me want to go. We have a community pool and the plan was I was going to pack some lunches and we were to head over by 10. Ended up my boys didnt feel like it (teenagers.. Hmmm) so I ended up doing some cleaning. Made a huge batch of pasta and potato salads and for dinner I did "breakfast" which the boys always love... Pancakes, bacon, eggs, bagels.
I also looked into that DVC that's so many ppl like. And found out AKL villa would be the same as a MOD! Arghh. But, having to purchase tix and dining plan seperately seems like a hassle. I also asked my parents if they would want to go and I got a stern "no way". Hmm.
Boys are watching Roderick Rules, Diary of a Wimpy kid and can't wait for everyone to go to bed so I can catch up on some cheesy BRAVO shows!
Maybe they will want to go to the pool tomorrow ~ I might not give them a choice!

 

[think-like-tink]

We finished back to school shopping, shopping for a gift for a bday party, that was also today. I managed to it in a commissary trip. I am tired.Tomorrow has to be laundry day.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Oh wow... What an awesome day you guys had!!!!!!! You are so good at describing the details and makes me want to go. We have a community pool and the plan was I was going to pack some lunches and we were to head over by 10. Ended up my boys didnt feel like it (teenagers.. Hmmm) so I ended up doing some cleaning. Made a huge batch of pasta and potato salads and for dinner I did "breakfast" which the boys always love... Pancakes, bacon, eggs, bagels.
I also looked into that DVC that's so many ppl like. And found out AKL villa would be the same as a MOD! Arghh. But, having to purchase tix and dining plan seperately seems like a hassle. I also asked my parents if they would want to go and I got a stern "no way". Hmm.
Boys are watching Roderick Rules, Diary of a Wimpy kid and can't wait for everyone to go to bed so I can catch up on some cheesy BRAVO shows!
Maybe they will want to go to the pool tomorrow ~ I might not give them a choice!

My boys love breakfast for dinner too! They love it when I make omelettes with roasted potatoes for dinner. I do this once a week during the school year. Easy weeknight dinner!

As a DVC member, I always purchase my tickets from Undercover Tourist. They're discounted, include tax and shipping is free. I also signed up for the newsletter from Mouse Savers, and there is a link to click from the newsletter onto Undercover Tourist so you get a little more of a discount. For the dining plan, DVC members staying on points can purchase it through Member Services. Very easy! But we just buy the Tables in Wonderland card when we get to WDW. It's a better fit for our eating plans. I wish there was a dining plan somewhere in between the regular one and the deluxe. 2 meals anywhere (either TS or CS) and one snack per day per person would be a great fit for us. One could only dream!

We finished back to school shopping, shopping for a gift for a bday party, that was also today. I managed to it in a commissary trip. I am tired.Tomorrow has to be laundry day.

I have to do laundry today. Not looking forward to the folding and putting away part! We're done with school supply shopping. We just have to go to BJs before school starts to get things like juice boxes and water bottles, and school snacks.