Oh I love it! I can taste the excitement of getting things ready to go, packing accoutrements taking over the house, making final plans and getting a case of the "last-minutes"
That's such a neat perk about the pearl diver! Make sure to take lots of pictures (oh who am I kidding, just make sure to post them!). This seems like such a unique souvenir that it would be worth the price, instead of loading up on smaller trinkets.
The VIP Check In experience sounds cool - like maybe they're working on having owners or repeat visitors bypass the main check in. Let us know how it goes! Counting down the days with you... Almost time to leave!
Yep, that's my thinking too....with this being our 10th trip, I don't need any more t-shirts, magnets, snow globes, or other knick-knacks. Other than a new Minion....or two.....or three

....I can do without another single thing. We have admired the pearl divers on every single visit to SeaWorld, so its super exciting to finally be taking part! I will most certainly take lots of pictures.....probably too many!!

... and share them all after our trip. I will have five and a half months to whittle away until our October vacation, so I'll have to stretch this April trip report out nice and long.
So soon now!
Wish I was going. We haven't gone since August which is long for us, we usually go twice a year. We're still in the middle of househunting but that should all be done relatively soon and we are planning a ten-day trip for August to make up for lost time
I am so happy to hear you'll be making another pilgrimage to Orlando in August! Have you decided if it will be Universal + Disney, or will you stick with just one or the other?
Fingers crossed that you find the PERFECT house very soon! It's a stressful time for sure....such a big purchase and significant investment.
Packing time!! You know you are close when the suitcases come out. I am determined to not check a bag on our trip. We have to change planes and it is only a 4 night trip. I am having to hunt down mini-bottles of everything for my liquids!
I love how you still can add little magic touches to your trip at this point. Go ahead and let your hubby spoil you some!
I envy anyone who can travel with a carry-on only. It will be
so freeing not to have to check a bag! Once you're off the plane, you can be immediately on your way

(do you have a rental for this little getaway?).
A friend of mine has been working hard lately to try and teach me that by refusing to accept a gift, I am depriving the giver of the joy of the gift-giving act. She has been very patiently telling me that sometimes, I need to be a good receiver.....because in doing so, that's making the giver delightfully happy, too. And you know, I saw the delight in Steve when I finally (after he has mentioned it trip after trip) agreed to make this a priority on this vacation. I had always felt that the right thing to do was decline (I am not the kind of person who yearns to be "spoiled" with material things) but yet....I guess sometimes a little indulgence can be okay too. I want my guys to be part of the whole experience, as well.....I think it would be awesome if they picked the oyster from the diver for whatever setting I choose

. I think that would just have so much meaning!
Wahoo, and the single digit count down continues!
I never bring the luggage out until the day, well, late afternoon, of the day before. The thrill of what to bring now is a good deterrent to over packing. My DSis is leaving on Wednesday for a long weekend, and you should see all she has already laid out to pack. I told her, all that? She laughed, and I told her what to bring/not to, I hope she follows what I said. I am not an overpacker.
It's almost Florida weather for us today. Close to 80. So happy for this burst of nice weather. I am thanking the jet stream. Not a cloud in the sky. Weather guy said a pretty blue sky for today. I agree. Pretty is a good word to describe the blue, so bright and so blue.
A second Wahoo for the passholder discount card. I wish it was good when we will be there. Hoping some good passholder treats during the holidays. I may also check if there's any in October too. Never did a pick a pearl from SW, but several from Disney. DD got a blue shaded one in Epcot the last time we were there. She was pleased. She said to find one that's all bumby and ugly looking. Not sure what that means, but that's how she picks one out. I hope she forgets about SW's one, when we go. LOL
Soo close.
I am so glad you guys are getting some great weather as well! We have had four simply spectacular days in a row....talk about getting us primed and ready for 10 days in the Sunshine State! Fingers crossed that we finally, FINALLY have winter behind us. Steve gets his winter tires off the Journey on Thursday, and Jake gets his swapped out on his Jetta on Friday. If it snows after we come home again in May.....I am applying to the Florida Governor for refugee status!
I have heard the same thing about the pick-a-pearl process....the uglier the oyster, the nicer the pearl they say. Of course, I think ALL pearls are so pretty.....so it will be a win no matter how big or small or what colour it turns out to be!
See my response on the Vistana thread, but IIRC the VIP checkin at SVR is on the up and up...
That is great news! I am very eager to see how this "VIP" experience differs from the regular check-in. It certainly has been a very nice touch for them to communicate so sincerely and effectively before we have even arrived at the resort. I'm just hoping that they don't blow the warm and fuzzy feeling with an aggressive effort to secure our attendance at an Owners Update (which will NOT be happening on this trip).
The pearl should be fun. We did it at Disney almost 15 years ago (I cannot believe I am saying 15 years ago!) I'm pretty sure they weren't too expensive, no divers involved. My grams wanted to treat us. How sweet of Steve
That was actually one of the things that we really liked about SeaWorld's pick-a-pearl over the ones at Universal and Disney Springs....the divers are such a unique feature!
Did you get your pearl placed in a necklace, earrings or ring? I would love to see pictures if you are willing to share!