WDW in October vs. Hilton Head in March: a tale of two trips NEW! 10/6 p20

[Lovemy3babes]

Look at those pretty Dis ladies!

I completely agree about the blankets Sheree. I get one every trip!

So Bucky, huh? He sounds like an interesting kid! That is a TON of candy! Wowza! Did you get those bags at the party too?

 

[jenniferreich]

What a wonderful trip report! I look forward to reading more! Thank you for sharing it!

I enjoyed reading about MNSSHP--that's not something I wanted to do too much, until reading your description!

I hope you're having a great day!

 

[petals]

catching up. I'm luvin the hennas the girls got.

I love and need that fleecey blanket from the AK shop

I loled at the warning sign about harassing alligators.. who would want to harass an alligator like

I love your MNSSHP costumes. I'm impressed with your candy haul as well

Also been meaning to say to you there is a guy that shops in the store I work in and I think he is the double of your DH. Every time I see him I think of you

 

[Poolrat]

Loved the update and wowza yes mucho candy. Great job girls!!!

Great picture of the Headless Horseman. So cool that NFL was open !!!!
When I heard Memom and crew got to look around I made sure I get there in a jiffy.

You had a great night at MNSSHP!!!

 

[jenseib]

You got a lot more better candy than we did. We were there the last party night, so some was good, but it seemed not as much of the good stuff as you. Jealous I am!!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Brooklynn was almost to the nine year old mark on Belle's height marker, and she won't be seven until August. We're hoping she'll slow down a little sometime soon. Jill has one giant girl one tiny girl, and hopefully Sophie will just fall somewhere in the average category.


Isn't it funny how different siblings can be? They are all so cute and special!

So glad you got to meet and that you got a picture. I have met 2/3 of this group - both so nice! I need to meet the other 1/3 sometime!

I'm so glad I remembered! I've forgotten more than once before. I'm looking forward to meeting you someday too! One of these days...

How thoughtful of Dave.

Yeah, he's usually one to go on the rides with the kids. I can't do some rides (no spinning teacups) and definitely can't do some more than once! He's a willing participant most of the time!


Nice for Sarah! You owe yourself a replacement t-shirt next time.

I agree!

So true.

we love our Disney blankets. Our family room downstairs is always cool so they are very handy!!

Wow! Candypolooza! That IS a ridiculous amount of candy. I see the girls were hard at work or did you and Dave help out too? I am sure Cynthia and I had no where close that amount, but then again there WERE only two of us.
Yeah, we each had a bag and collected, so we really had a lot!
So cool that you got to meet Anita and I love her costume! Also so fun that you guys got to spend so much time with Mary and the girls.
It was so fun! Marc had a costume too - he was Bert the chimney sweep and he looked great as well!
We had a great time with Mary and the girls - it was like we'd known them forever!

Bucky from Alabama? Can't wait to hear about your paths crossing again!

Uh, yeah. He was "interesting".

Nice Haul! My boys were not impressed with the amount I brought home for them


Very fun updates, I love that you explored the cottage more, I didn't see the growth chart on the wall, what a fun detail, I love those pictures of the girls. You really had some wonderful character interaction at the party and I love that you got to meet Anita, Marc and Mary!

GREAT shot of the headless horseman!

Yeah, we had candy until Christmas between that stuff and then our at home Halloween treats!

That cottage was amazing in the detail they put into it! I was VERY impressed! It was kind of nice to have a bit of a wait just to take it all in! Wonder what the wait times are nowadays?

Look at those pretty Dis ladies!

I completely agree about the blankets Sheree. I get one every trip!

So Bucky, huh? He sounds like an interesting kid! That is a TON of candy! Wowza! Did you get those bags at the party too?

Oh thanks! Those blankets are so cute and cuddly. This one wasn't quite as big as our Christmas Castle one though.
Bucky - yup he was definitely interesting!
They did hand out the bags at the party when you first entered. I've seen where people bring large ziplocs to transfer candy to and put in a backpack for easier carrying. I can understand why.

What a wonderful trip report! I look forward to reading more! Thank you for sharing it!

I enjoyed reading about MNSSHP--that's not something I wanted to do too much, until reading your description!

I hope you're having a great day!

Thank you Jennifer and
I've got LOTS more coming up! I'm trying to keep it moving so it can be done before we head out on our next trip in August! The MNSSHP was super fun! We'd done the Christmas party before and enjoyed it, but I think this was better and I am not normally a Halloween fan at all, but I love Christmas. Go figure.

catching up. I'm luvin the hennas the girls got.
Thanks! Yeah, they were cool Maybe next time I'll get one too!
I love and need that fleecey blanket from the AK shop
It's cute and cozy!
I loled at the warning sign about harassing alligators.. who would want to harass an alligator like
As my DD would say, I know, right?

I love your MNSSHP costumes. I'm impressed with your candy haul as well
Thanks! I think we hit up all the trick or treat stations - some twice!

Also been meaning to say to you there is a guy that shops in the store I work in and I think he is the double of your DH. Every time I see him I think of you

Oh, that's funny! I'm sure DH would say, "he must be a real good-looking dude"

Loved the update and wowza yes mucho candy. Great job girls!!!

Great picture of the Headless Horseman. So cool that NFL was open !!!!
When I heard Memom and crew got to look around I made sure I get there in a jiffy.

You had a great night at MNSSHP!!!

Thanks Pat! We did have fun collecting (and eating) the candy!
I was so happy I got the shot of the headless horseman! I usually don't get good parade pictures at all! I think he'd fallen shortly before we went to the party, a day or two maybe? So I was glad he was riding!
NFL was so cool! I just didn't know where to look there was so much cool stuff! I was so happy that it was open for us.

You got a lot more better candy than we did. We were there the last party night, so some was good, but it seemed not as much of the good stuff as you. Jealous I am!!!

I was pleased with the candy - mostly good quality stuff. Sorry we must have taken it all before your party!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Who's ready for another update? Anyone feel like going to MGM, I mean Hollywood, I mean "Disney Studios" today? I guess when we were there it was called "Disney's Hollywood Studios". We'll go with DHS.

Well okay, then, let's go!

Today was a sleep in day! I was up before 8:30 and made coffee and got ready. Sat out on my balcony enjoying my coffee looking at the birds on the savanna. Sadly, my giraffe and zebra friends were not out yet.
Our plan today was to head over to DHS for a while, hit up our favorites and take a break, then go back for Fantasmic, which we hadn’t seen in quite a few years. We were pretty slow moving that morning, so we didn’t get going until around 10.


When we got to DHS, we headed straight for Toy Story Midway Mania. Not sure when, but we did get some photopass shots.





I knew it would be bad, but not THIS bad! We pulled FPs and at 10:30 the return time was - 5:50!! Jeez! I think this is the only ride with THAT long of a wait to return!

So we went over to the Great Movie Ride.


I really wanted to see the cowboy side and we asked to wait for it. There was a 30 minute wait as it was! I’ve never noticed a line that long. Perhaps it was because everyone had to wait to use their FPs for TSMM! So we get near the front, asked to wait, and that took about 10-15 more minutes. We were not the only ones who wanted to get the cowboy! But in the end, we were glad we waited! I thought it was so much better! Maybe because I’d never had it before, but I liked it!
We had about a half an hour before the next Indiana Jones show, and DH had wanted to see that, but we were hungry. All the QS food places were packed and we thought of somewhere we’d hope to eat this trip. So we left the park, hopped on a boat and headed to…

Beach Club! We were FINALLY going to try Beaches and Cream!





We got there and of course there was a wait. We were told about 25 minutes. Okay, that’s not terrible. So we hung around the area – it’s very pretty, so it’s not like it was tough to just relax! After about 40 minutes, we asked and were told another 15! Grrr…We ended up waiting 50 minutes to get seated! We were seated at the counter, which was cute and fun, but not if you’re hoping to have any conversation. The good news was this was the BEST burger I’ve ever eaten at WDW! I also enjoyed the No Way Jose! Yummy, yummy, yummy!



kids' sundae


no way jose




After lunch we decided we didn’t need to go back to DHS now, so we got a bus to AK and then another from AK to AKL. We changed into our swimsuits and took a walk over to Kidani Village. Snooped around the resort a bit and then had another turn at pool hopping! This was a nice pool and even though we had a small rain shower, it was fun! They had the usual poolside games and I can’t remember for certain, but I think Sarah enjoyed the slide there too.

Kidani pool areas


zero depth entry




playing games


Outside the entrance to Kidani Village.
I think this is so cool!







well hello there!


not a bad view


nice room for activities or something. Maybe it's the community room?



Hi Zeebies!



Guess that's it for our visit to Kidani. I think next time we stay at AKV, I'd like to try it over there. I know it's a bit farther for going to The Mara and Boma, but that's okay with me.
We headed back to the room and got changed to go back to DHS for the evening. We still wanted to use our FPs and see Fantasmic!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I think I forgot this PP shot from MNSSHP

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We got into the park around 6:15 and a family that was leaving offered us their set of FPs for TSMM too! The return time? 7:25 – 8 p.m. So we would have to decide if we wanted to ride a second time or see Fantasmic.


Apparently that is the only picture I have from our evening!

We had some time before we had to make a move, so we rode with our first FPs and then went to the animation class. We drew Jiminy Cricket! Mine turned out okay. Usually I can at least tell who it’s supposed to be!

The kids voted and decided that they wanted to ride TSMM again instead of Fantasmic. I would have preferred the show, but that’s okay. I dictate enough of what we do on vacation, so I try to let them choose the fun stuff.

After our 2nd go on TSMM, we shopped our way out to the exit. I was stopped and asked if I wanted to do a survey. So of course, I said yes! They put me in this little room with a fan blowing right in my ear! I did the survey, they thanked me and we headed out to the bus stop. I was feeling a little motion sick – probably from not eating much that evening. I don’t have any notes on dinner, so we just snacked. Clearly that wasn’t enough! So when we got back, the girls were going to go back to the pool and I went into the Mara to grab a Caesar salad. It was good, but a bit heavy on the dressing.

This was our last night at AKV, so it was nice to just lounge around by the pool for a while. I had to pack up, which stunk, but I was excited for our move to a 1BR at Old Key West!! We were going to use our “new” points there for the first time! We’d just bought a small contract and had points to burn! A 1BR near Hospitality House sounded like a good way to spend them!

Tomorrow: Moving to OKW, Downtown Disney, Epcot and the BIG DISmeet!!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Beaches and Cream looks good! It's too bad the wait was so long. You are right though; there are worse places to relax.

Swimming looks fun. I need to make sure to take downtime for fun stuff away from the parks like that.

I totally didn't realize the cowboy was so rare. I've had a cowboy and a cowgirl both.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Great updates! The 1 time we ate at Beaches & Cream we lucked out with a booth and no wait .

I have stayed at AKV Kidani & Jambo. We actually prefer Jambo. Bigger lobby, Mara and we liked the pool better.

 

[MeMom]

It's nice to have some lounging around mornings and some lounging around nights. Helps you keep your sanity, and it makes you appreciate the little things and quiet times Disney has to offer.

A No Way Jose is possible my favorite dessert in all of Disney World.

We are excited about spending two nights at Kidani later this month. The girls will enjoy the pool and water play areas. They have done crafts before in the community room.

I totally would have wanted to see Fantasmic over Toy Story Midway Mania any day. You are a sacrificing Mom to give up Fantasmic for that.

 

[jenseib]

The no way jose is just pure heaven. It's now a must have for me each trip. I hope to keep that tradition up.

 

[Monny2AE]

You had some pixie dust for MNSSHP! Emily is sitting next to me and she loved the pics from Storytime with Belle! Then she saw the candy from trick or treating and said she wants to trick or treat at Disney next Halloween. Perhaps our next trip will need to be in October!

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[MEK]

Wow - that WAS a long wait for TSM, but at least you were able to score a second FP on your return.

And that was a REALLY long wait for Beaches n Cream, but I'm glad to hear it was the best burger ever. Nice! And that sundae looks amazing.

Nice PP pics!

 

[eandesmom]

You packed a lot into that day and still managed to fit in B&C! Very impressed that you waited, I've never had the patience. Very glad to hear the burger was worth the wait. I always think it's kind of fun, swimming int he rain, as long as there isn't lightening and they kick you out of the pool!

My kids would choose TSM over F! any day, then again we may have ruined F! for them with the our 2010 August, it was the most unbearable show we've ever ever sat through (heat).

Yeah for moving to a 1B!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Hey Sheree!! I'm finally here and finally getting all caught up on your TR. School's out now and I promise to be a better DIS friend!

Looks like an awesome night at MNSSHP. I really want to go to that one day. But with our school schedule it's pretty unlikely to happen. But anyway, looks like you guys had such a great time and you sure hit the jackpot on the candy!

It sure was a busy morning at DHS, wasn't it??? Yikes! I hate when I get there in the morning and get a TSM FP and it's for the evening. Pretty good indication of a bad day to come. Looks like you guys made the best of it! I can't believe you had to wait so long for B&C. Glad you enjoyed it though!

Looking forward to the rest of your TR and your move over to OKW.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Beaches and Cream looks good! It's too bad the wait was so long. You are right though; there are worse places to relax.

Swimming looks fun. I need to make sure to take downtime for fun stuff away from the parks like that.

I totally didn't realize the cowboy was so rare. I've had a cowboy and a cowgirl both.

If B&C was a little bigger, they wouldn't have such horrible waits! But that food was so good!
We've gotten much better at taking time to enjoy the pools and resorts. DH would go and do a no-park trip if we agreed, but none of us girls are willing to give up the parks!
I'd NEVER had the cowboy before. Dave didn't believe me last trip when I told him there were two versions. He went and asked the CM. Silly boy doesn't he know who he's dealing with? I have insider DIS information!

Great updates! The 1 time we ate at Beaches & Cream we lucked out with a booth and no wait .

I have stayed at AKV Kidani & Jambo. We actually prefer Jambo. Bigger lobby, Mara and we liked the pool better.

I think with B&C timing is everything! You were lucky!
I really liked Jambo too, but if I could get a 1BR with the two baths, I'd be pretty happy! I think the kids liked the pool better and being near Mara is great!

It's nice to have some lounging around mornings and some lounging around nights. Helps you keep your sanity, and it makes you appreciate the little things and quiet times Disney has to offer.

A No Way Jose is possible my favorite dessert in all of Disney World.

We are excited about spending two nights at Kidani later this month. The girls will enjoy the pool and water play areas. They have done crafts before in the community room.

I totally would have wanted to see Fantasmic over Toy Story Midway Mania any day. You are a sacrificing Mom to give up Fantasmic for that.

We have had to work hard at the relaxing time at WDW. It's taken us many trips to "find" the time. Of course, we don't often get to stay for more than 5 days, so we end up cramming a lot in! I can't wait to hear about your next trip! It's coming soon!!
I love TSMM, but I told them, next trip I want to see Fantasmic! I can only sacrifice so many times! HA!

The no way jose is just pure heaven. It's now a must have for me each trip. I hope to keep that tradition up.

Oh, isn't it? I want to go back and try some other treats too!

You had some pixie dust for MNSSHP! Emily is sitting next to me and she loved the pics from Storytime with Belle! Then she saw the candy from trick or treating and said she wants to trick or treat at Disney next Halloween. Perhaps our next trip will need to be in October!

We sure did! I hope you get to enjoy it too! Halloween at WDW is a really fun time! Plus for the grown ups, Food and Wine! What could be better? Well, for me, I'd like it if I could get all that in February when it's crappy here and I want to go to WDW! LOL

Great update!

Thank you! Glad you're enjoying. I've got more ready!

Wow - that WAS a long wait for TSM, but at least you were able to score a second FP on your return.

And that was a REALLY long wait for Beaches n Cream, but I'm glad to hear it was the best burger ever. Nice! And that sundae looks amazing.

Nice PP pics!

Yeah, I was surprised at that return time! But TSMM is one of the few rides we do at DHS. We don't do Star tours, RNR, TOT. We're kind of wimpy that way.
B&C was well worth it!
Thanks!

You packed a lot into that day and still managed to fit in B&C! Very impressed that you waited, I've never had the patience. Very glad to hear the burger was worth the wait. I always think it's kind of fun, swimming int he rain, as long as there isn't lightening and they kick you out of the pool!

My kids would choose TSM over F! any day, then again we may have ruined F! for them with the our 2010 August, it was the most unbearable show we've ever ever sat through (heat).

Yeah for moving to a 1B!!!

Yeah, it was a fun day and while it was happening, didn't seem like "too much". I really wasn't going to wait that long for B&C initially, but after 25 minutes, I figured it had to be soon! Plus we were hungry!
So excited about a 1BR!!

Hey Sheree!! I'm finally here and finally getting all caught up on your TR. School's out now and I promise to be a better DIS friend!

Looks like an awesome night at MNSSHP. I really want to go to that one day. But with our school schedule it's pretty unlikely to happen. But anyway, looks like you guys had such a great time and you sure hit the jackpot on the candy!

It sure was a busy morning at DHS, wasn't it??? Yikes! I hate when I get there in the morning and get a TSM FP and it's for the evening. Pretty good indication of a bad day to come. Looks like you guys made the best of it! I can't believe you had to wait so long for B&C. Glad you enjoyed it though!

Looking forward to the rest of your TR and your move over to OKW.

Well, Hello Shelly, what took you so long??? Did you think you could just go have a life or something? You better be good now that school's out! Try to keep up, would you? JK! I'm glad you're here!

We are fortunate that we get that October break. I would totally go every year if I could. It was a FABULOUS trip!
DHS was nuts. Since we don't usually do everything there, it's not a full day for us most times. We've skipped it on some trips that we only had a few days. So leaving and coming back worked out pretty well. I wish I liked more rides there, but I just don't think I can handle those wild ones!
OKW is coming up soon! Stick around!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Thursday 10/18

Time to say goodbye to AKL! Here's what our messy room looked like that morning:



I thought that mirror and lights were cool!




But the good thing is that we didn’t have to go home yet! We packed up all our things, and loaded up the car. Then hit the Zawadi Marketplace one last time.
Paige wanted a watch and I wanted a shirt and a cool souvenir. So I found a shirt I liked and then got the cool intertwining giraffe carving. I’ll post pictures at the end I think. But you’ve probably all seen the shirt – it’s a Mickey head peace sign with a different animal print in each section on a black shirt.


I was really excited to see the 1BR at OKW! We drove over and checked in about 11. Of course our room was not ready yet. So we decided we’d drive over to Epcot. We knew we’d end up there anyway as we had big DISmeet plans! Just as we were about to hit the gates of the parking lot, we got the text that our room was ready! So we did a u-turn and headed back over to room 2524!! A beautiful 1BR with a view of the golf course! AHHHH!
Anyone want to see some pictures?

I thought so!
Welcome!








Kind of dark - but looking in from the entry

Down the hall to the right is the bedroom and bath and laundry!




There's a TON of room in this place!!




There's even a door from the BR to the deck!


Not a bad view, eh?






cont.