Value Resorts and Inside Staterooms? Bah Humbug! 30 days of Disney fun! 02/10 Day 30

[dizneeat]

Yeah!! We have finished the extra bonus trip reports!!!!!!!!! ........ now on to the real thing! ​

 

[dizneeat]

Still Day 4, August 17

The quest for water shoes Part 2

We still had an ADR for Mama Melrose, but like the day before we just did not feel like it and cancelled it.

But there was still the issue of having quite a few Table Service credits to use up, so we looked online what other restaurants had availability and chose to go to the Turf Club at the Saratoga Springs Resort.

But before that we enjoyed some fun time at our villa, watched the afternoon shower, aka downpour and watched some TV. About half an hour before our ADR we drove over to the Turf Club, signed in for our reservation and with buzzer in hand walked around the grounds to explore and enjoy.

It took about 15 minutes until our buzzer went off and we were seated. Our server was really nice and explained the menu and what we could order on the Disney Dining Plan, then went off to get our drinks. A little later she returned

with some real nice bread and butter, sprinkled with sea salt.

We both didn’t feel like an appetizer, so we only ordered entrees.

Tom wanted to try the Grilled New York Strip, topped with Crab Meat and Grain Mustard Sauce and Balsamic-Port Glaze served with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes. It was recommended by the server and did not disappoint.

I wanted to try the Mint-crusted Lamp Chops - with Honey-Mint Glaze and smoked gouda polenta, which were very good.

Since dessert was included we wanted to try it.

Tom ordered the Individual Apple Pie, served warm with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and

I ordered the Chocolate Espresso Torte - with raspberry sauce and vanilla port wine ice cream.
Once we had finished our desserts we settled the bill and walked out to the car.

It had gotten dark in the meantime and from where our car was parked we had a wonderful view of Downtown Disney.

We stopped and took a few photos and enjoyed the lights glittering in the water. When we left we decided to do some more shopping and went over to Walgreen’s and

Publix before we drove back to Old Key West. We watched a little more TV before we went to bed as we had decided to get up early the very next day.

 

[Stefy]

Yay for ToT Stitch

and Yoda too

Thanks again They are sooo cool.

Thanks for sharing your trip to DLRP with us, love seeing all the pictures and it looked like you had a great time

Yummy Turf Club dinner, those entrees look delish

 

[Linda67]

Great updates as always Karin

Turf Club looks great, I know that my DH would love the lamb entree you had.

What a great view of DTD as well

 

[YukiPhnx]

Yay, you were able to get the ToT Stitch!!

The Turf Club.....I don't think I've ever heard of it. That food looks amazing!!!! Especially the lamb chops! Makes me drool just looking at it.

I love those across-the-water views of DtD. The balloon looks so nice all lit up like that!

I think it's so nice you get ham sandwiches on your flight. I've never been on an airline like that.

Wow, you're on Day 4? I really need to get on updating my Day 3.....

 

[dizneeat]

Yay for ToT Stitch

and Yoda too

Thanks again They are sooo cool.

Thanks for sharing your trip to DLRP with us, love seeing all the pictures and it looked like you had a great time

Yummy Turf Club dinner, those entrees look delish

I am glad you enjoy them both!

DLRP was fun, but I could do with another vacation right now! Too much snow here for my liking!

Turf Club definitely gets a .......

Great updates as always Karin

Turf Club looks great, I know that my DH would love the lamb entree you had.

What a great view of DTD as well

Thank you, Linda! The food at the Turf Club was really nice, comes highly recommended!

Yay, you were able to get the ToT Stitch!!

The Turf Club.....I don't think I've ever heard of it. That food looks amazing!!!! Especially the lamb chops! Makes me drool just looking at it.

I love those across-the-water views of DtD. The balloon looks so nice all lit up like that!

I think it's so nice you get ham sandwiches on your flight. I've never been on an airline like that.

Wow, you're on Day 4? I really need to get on updating my Day 3.....

You have no idea HOW LONG we looked for the ToT Stitch! And there he was in the Starwars shop!

I think the Turf Club is a hidden gem. The food was really good and we were able to get a reservation about 2 hours before we wanted to eat there!

Most European airlines still cater, even for short flights. Even though it's nothing to write home about, it is nice to nibble while you are waiting for time to pass!

Yes, I have actually finished Day 4! After only 3 + months! I hope to finish up my dining review and trip report before we leave for WDW again! I typed out another day of my trip report while at school and waiting for the next lesson today. So YES, I AM busily working on updates!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 5, August 18

Disney Water Parks and more ……….. Take 1

The day of our first experience at a water park had come.

They offered Morning Extra Magic Hours at Typhoon Lagoon, so we were up at 6.30am,

had some breakfast, consisting of Boursin cream cheese spread onto soft bread, some pepperoni sausage and some “bread and butter” pickles. We had some tomatoes to go with it and some Diet Coke to wash it down.

By 7.30am we were out the door and on our way to Typhoon Lagoon. Since it was so early we still got a parking spot in the front row, but there was already a long line for the turnstiles.
Some Cast Members were handing out wristbands and right on time the turnstiles were opened and the line started to move. We had no idea what was in store for us and were swept inside the park with the rest of the guests.

First of all we rented a locker to put away our valuables and then we went to find some deckchairs.

We walked around the lagoon and had a fun little conversation with a Cast Member before we made our way over to the Wave Pool, where we found some chairs right at the edge of the pool.
We put our towels on the chairs and put on some sun screen and off we went into the Surf Pool.

The water was warm and the first wave hit us while we were still in knee deep water. Once we were in deeper and the waves came in we could feel their force.

I got completely swept over, but it was real good fun. We kept jumping into the waves for about 20 minutes and then we went to check out the rest of the park.
Since it was still Extra Magic Hours we decided to try out one of the water slides. Storm Slides was our first choice. We climbed up the steps and finally got on the slide. It was a lot of fun and we decided that we could try Crush’n’Gusher now. Before we got on the ride we watched guests arrive at the “finish line”. We finally picked up an 8 shaped tube and walked up the stairs to the starting point. It didn’t take long and it was our turn. This water coaster is so much fun, but the best part came when we shot down a tube and finally ended in the pool. I must have let go of the tube, as as soon as we hit the pool I went under the tube! I came up laughing and so did Tom. We actually thought about doing it again, but there were already so many people in line that we decided to try lateron, but never got around to it.

Next up was the lazy river.

We picked up another tube, tried to get on, which I finally managed with Tom’s help and off we went. One of the most relaxing experiences ever. It took quite a while to float around the whole park and by time we got off it was way past 10am. The park had filled up considerable, so we went to our chairs, dried off and went back to the locker to get the camera and walk around the park and take some photos.

On the way to the lockers we picked up a Diet Coke, which we paid for with a snack credit and then we explored the park.
There were lots of fun things to explore and it took us about an hour until we finally returned to our chairs for a little rest. So we sat and watched people in the surf pool and after a little while we got antsy and went into the surf pool as well. It was much harder now, to NOT bump into someone, as the pool was packed. After about 15 minutes of jumping and trying to avoid bumping into someone we left the pool and went in search of some lunch.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Wow, your day at TL sounds like fun so far! Really makes me want to visit it.

How big is the park? As in, how far is the walk between the lockers and your chairs at the wave pool? What did you keep on your body? Or did you just bring towels and nothing else and left everything in the locker.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

I love Typhoon Lagoon! The theme is great and it has the best wave pool I have ever been in.

Did you remember to keep your bottom up on Crush N'Gusher? The CM didn't warn us the first time my brothers and I went on that and yikes did it hurt! It was great fun though after we learned to keep our bottoms raised.

 

[podsnel]

I have never been to either of the waterparks....I am so ASHAMED!!! Pods & T&T have been to BB, but I stayed back at BC with Sean when they went- in November (when we go) TL is usually closed for refurb. Pods & I did go to River Country a couple of times waaaaaaaay back when- but every time I see pics of TL or BB it really bothers me that I have yet to go!

I loved the Turf Club when I ate there for lunch with Loni in 2008- we were staying at SSR, it was my 1st vacation using my DVC points. I agree with you- it is a hidden gem! A great place to go!

Are you getting pummeled with snow? It is supposed to be a white Christmas here, and we are sooooo excited for that! We have our fingers and toes crossed!

 

[Stefy]

Sounds like a great TL day, achieved quite a bit during EMH

 

[jenseib]

We haven't done a waterpark yet either. It's mostl yme. I'm not a fan. But Claire loves that kind of stuff, so some day we will have to cave and go to one of them.

 

[dizneeat]

It is time to celebrate Christmas!
Merry Christmas to ALL my DISfriends!

 

[englishrose47]

Merry Christmas Karin and Tom!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Merry Christmas, Karin & Tom!!

Christmas blessings to you and yours!! Hope you have a magical day!

 

[KatMark]

Merry Christmas dear friends--Karin and Tom. Hope you have a beautiful holiday.

 

[Kellybelly777]

Merry Christmas Karin!!! (and Tom of course!!!)As for the updates...

Paris sounded wonderful!!!

It sounds like you guys are havng a great time at typhoon lagoon! I might hav to convince everyone to go on our June trip!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Wow, your day at TL sounds like fun so far! Really makes me want to visit it.

How big is the park? As in, how far is the walk between the lockers and your chairs at the wave pool? What did you keep on your body? Or did you just bring towels and nothing else and left everything in the locker.

You SHOULD give it a try, Yuki! We really loved it. The wave pool is a blast and the slides are just so much fun!

There was a bit of a walk from the entrance to the lockers, where we left our cameras, money and our clothes.
We both only wore a T-shirt over our swimwear inside the park. Tom has got a water tight little pocket in his trunks, so we put one of our KTTW in there. We got some towels in the park and left them on the chairs.
The walk from the lockers to the chairs was about 2 minutes.
There is lots to do and see in the park, we picked up our cameras lateron and walked around the park for a while.

I love Typhoon Lagoon! The theme is great and it has the best wave pool I have ever been in.

Did you remember to keep your bottom up on Crush N'Gusher? The CM didn't warn us the first time my brothers and I went on that and yikes did it hurt! It was great fun though after we learned to keep our bottoms raised.

We really LOVED Typhoon Lagoon. And we quickly learned to keep our bottoms up! Next time we go, we need to do Crush'n'Gusher, we need to do it right when the park opens - the line grew loooooooooong during the day!

I have never been to either of the waterparks....I am so ASHAMED!!! Pods & T&T have been to BB, but I stayed back at BC with Sean when they went- in November (when we go) TL is usually closed for refurb. Pods & I did go to River Country a couple of times waaaaaaaay back when- but every time I see pics of TL or BB it really bothers me that I have yet to go!

I loved the Turf Club when I ate there for lunch with Loni in 2008- we were staying at SSR, it was my 1st vacation using my DVC points. I agree with you- it is a hidden gem! A great place to go!

Are you getting pummeled with snow? It is supposed to be a white Christmas here, and we are sooooo excited for that! We have our fingers and toes crossed!

Ellen, you should try the parks one day! It took us 11 years to conquer them, but we will definitely go back. So much fun!

Turf Club is just wonderful, isn't it? And it was SO easy to get in. We cancelled one ressie, checked what was available and Turf Club had quite a few times open. We are sure we'll go back!

Did you get your white Christmas?

Sounds like a great TL day, achieved quite a bit during EMH

Yes, it was a really great day! And EMH were fun too, you always get to do so much when they are really late!

 

[dizneeat]

We haven't done a waterpark yet either. It's mostl yme. I'm not a fan. But Claire loves that kind of stuff, so some day we will have to cave and go to one of them.

Jen, you would love it! It was SO much fun ......... and we are not "water" people.
Claire would LOVE it too! I am so hoping the weather in February will be nice enough to sneak in half a day at a water park!

Merry Christmas Karin and Tom!!

Thank you, Rosie!

Merry Christmas, Karin & Tom!!

Christmas blessings to you and yours!! Hope you have a magical day!

Thank you, Christine!

Merry Christmas dear friends--Karin and Tom. Hope you have a beautiful holiday.

Thank you, Kathy and Mark!
Hope you are feeling much better again and that you were able to enjoy the rest of the holiday!

Merry Christmas Karin!!! (and Tom of course!!!)As for the updates...

Paris sounded wonderful!!!

It sounds like you guys are havng a great time at typhoon lagoon! I might hav to convince everyone to go on our June trip!!!

Thank you, Kelly!
Yes, we really enjoyed Paris, even if the parks were crowded and we had to fight to be able to pick up our car after the Halloween Party.

Hope you get to go to a water park in June! It was so much fun!

 

[dizneeat]

Still Day 5, August 18

Disney Water Parks and more ……….. Take 1, Part 2

After about 15 minutes of jumping and trying to avoid bumping into someone we left the pool and went in search of some lunch. After consulting a map we realized that Typhoon Tilly’s was our best bet. Once we had found it we got in line, which didn’t seem to move at all. Well, it actually didn’t move as nothing was coming out of the kitchen. We were waiting for about 5 minutes when a manager came out, checked how long the people at the front of the line had been waiting and refunded their money. After about 10 minutes in line food started to come out of the kitchen and we were finally handed our lunch tray.

I had decided to try

the Grilled Italian Sandwich, which turned out to be very greasy.

Tom ordered the Barbeque Pulled Pork Sandwich with fries

and we both got a Fruit Cup for dessert.

We easily found a table on a little platform overlooking the dining area and had lunch. By the time we had finished lunch the park had become really crowded and we decided it did not make much sense to stay any longer. So after one last visit to the surf pool we left the park and drove back to Old Key West.

We both had a shower and chilled a little in our villa and then decided that we could hit the quiet pool at the resort for a while. So we walked over to the quiet pool, got into the pool and enjoyed the leisurely time there. Before we left the pool area we went into the hot tub for a while. Since we still had a lot of snack credits to burn we decided to get some snacks for the walk back to our villa.

I got a Mickey Bar

and Tom got a smoothie. It was such a hot afternoon that my Mickey Bar melted faster than I could eat it.