We Strapped Sea Turtles to Our Feet! A Summer of Sea & Shore - 11/13 x3 FINISHED!!!!!

[Happydog]

Do you have dates yet?

I am shooting for Wednesday the 26th or Thursday the 27th, and staying just me and the boys from then until the 3rd of July, when Matt comes and we'll stay together until the 8th. Probably taking Auto train, one way down, with Matt flying one way to meet us...

More great Vero pictures. I know I have said this a million times, but I love that place.

Glad to see your new pirate glasses got a good workout!

Oh yes, we used them nightly!!! You can say that a million more times.... we thought it was awesome!!!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

We are moving out of Jambo on the 27th over to Beach Club into a 2br... I wonder how many people we could fit in there?

 

[Happydog]

We are moving out of Jambo on the 27th over to Beach Club into a 2br... I wonder how many people we could fit in there?

It would be a slumber party for certain!!! Heck, you know we will come crash your party, not to worry!!! I would love to watch a move on that beach in particular!!! I was admiring it last week, when we walked past, and then I was telling myself that the times we have stayed there we have never stopped to see one!!!

Should be a great time, though!!! We'll come hang out! Tell Marc I will try not to cause a ruckus!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Your last Vero updates are very fun! It looks like such a relaxing part of your trip -- sand and sea -- ahhh! Too bad your NASA day was rainy, but it sure didn't look like it stopped you all! So neat to see the shuttle launching pad. It makes me a little sad to think that there won't be any more shuttle launches.

You know I love your pirate glasses -- very cool!

Now, let's go camping!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I wanted that photo of them in front of the final shuttle b/c of course that was the last one!!!

Yes, that would be a very nice shot to have......


Vero looks like an absolute blast!! I love those pirate glasses too

Sounds like you and Anita are going to overlap afterall - how fun!

 

[Happydog]

YES! I survived CAMPING in Disney World, and I could possibly do it again!!! LOL! No, I am NOT delusional. I actually had fun!!! We certainly scaled back our equipment, but we did just fine! This post will tell you all about it!!!

So on our checkout day at Vero Beach the sun was out and we were headed to try a new adventure, one we had never attempted before... CAMPING at DISNEYWORLD.

We got a late lesiurely start (intentionally) since DS9 was going to try archery one more time, and so we had a little time to spare after the room was packed, and really didn't head out before noon... I had time to get a few souvenirs from the resort, and fill my mug one more time on our way...

I was interested in this little subtle sign... FORTUNATELY we had the right mug. Seeing how I just had bought it!

We made our way to WDW, and the pretty blue sky that we left...

QUICKLY turned to ...

So instead of my Welcome to Disney World sign looking like this:

It ended up looking like THIS...

Okay, well SINCE I would MUCH rather see the sunshine as we come to the World, I will expunge the other photo (I mean I can't possibly look at that entrance with such gloomy clouds!) and have replaced it with one from last year.... SO, through the Magic of Disney, or the DISboard, we are going to IMAGINE it looked like this... TA -DA!!!

MUCH BETTER!!!!

We made our way from the main entrance to Fort Wilderness... it was only once we got to this resort, that the full impact of the evening hit me. While I had been nonplused by the weather earlier, I remember saying to myself:

WE are sleeping OUTSIDE... please don't rain!!!!

As luck would have it, it actually didn't rain at all. We got checked in, they gave us our KEY to the World Cards.... AS if we needed those to get back into our room.... But they were used for everything else, of course, I just found it amusing!!!! LOL!!!

We were able to get the tent set up with ease... Here is Team Happy Dog, setting up the tent, and I just gave encouraging words and took photos...

I forgot that at one point we had put a Mickey sticker on that cooler!!

here is OUR bed... the boys really roughed it on a pad... we have two of these blow up mattresses, but in the interest of space we didn't bring both... I piled all the sleeping bags, etc. on the mattress in the event it did rain while we were away...

MORE in the NEXT POST!!!

 

[Happydog]

SO... After we got camp set up, we grabbed our swim suits, and headed over to Wilderness Lodge. We wanted to give the kids some time to swim, and that way we could relax with a cocktail by the pool, before dinner.... Here are a few photos along the way to the pool...

Little did I KNOW, that a few months later I would be sharing drinks by this pool with ANOTHER friend!!!! Shout out to my DISpal Michelle!!! (Soonergirl)

NOT that I got any better pictures that trip, but she did!!!! LOL!!!

Really don't know why I took this photo!!! LOL!!! I guess I liked the frog!!!

Maybe if we try to go REALLY fast it will move...

So we did a quick change (or the boys did) in the changing rooms by the pool, and Matt did the same... Then we parked it with a pair of margaritas, and watched the fun.... Not too many photos at this point b/c the weather was a little dreary still, but the temps were of course summer temps, so the boys were happily playing!

After about an hour, we got changed, all of us, for dinner at the California Grill ... Remember we were roughing it, so I had packed us each a quick change of clothes, nothing too dressy, obviously, but we all looked presentable! It was on the early side, because we wanted to go back for the campfire sing-a-long at the Fort. Something we ALWAYS said we would do, but somehow never made time. So dinner was great, here are the TWO photos I took from the table!!!! LOL!

Here you can at least see that the weather held for us, in fact it was a great evening...

And then, we headed back...

NOTE: There are really only two things that make my DH happy at Disney. Cali Grill and Blue Zoo... So guess where we went on the second night!!!??

BACK AT THE FORT....

Things were JUST gearing up...

The chuck wagon!!! This is where we bought marshmallows...

The CMs started the fire pits for marshmallows...

Look at these kids, like moths to flame!!!

My kids are not shy when it comes to marshmallows! It was really reasonable, like $3.00 for a smore kit, and less for just marshmallows. Which is all they really wanted! I would have brought my own, but had forgotten to pack them.

It wasn't too long before the banjo player came out and sang some songs, and then soon after, came CHIP and DALE!!!

Photos started to get dark, because dusk was upon us...

DS6 and DH munching popcorn, and watching the show...There *might* have been something special in those refillable mugs...

And before long, we had a visitor!!!!

DS9 was still over poking the last of the fire with the last of our purchased marshmallow sticks LOL!!!


MORE FORT!!!! COMING UP!!!!!! And BY hook or by crook, I am FINISHING this TR today!!!! LOL!!!!! Stay tuned, more to follow... the day is still young!!!!!!

AND can I say.... 25 days until my Thanksgiving CRUISE!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Your last Vero updates are very fun! It looks like such a relaxing part of your trip -- sand and sea -- ahhh! Too bad your NASA day was rainy, but it sure didn't look like it stopped you all! So neat to see the shuttle launching pad. It makes me a little sad to think that there won't be any more shuttle launches.

You know I love your pirate glasses -- very cool!

Now, let's go camping!

Okay, we are!!!!

Yes, that would be a very nice shot to have......


Vero looks like an absolute blast!! I love those pirate glasses too

Sounds like you and Anita are going to overlap afterall - how fun!

Well, at least you got over there!!!! You were in it's presence....

Anita and Jen, so that will be fun. WISH you were there too...... Dag um Baseball....

Oh the Pirate glasses were fun! I don't know that we would have purchased them, but free is a nice price

MORE coming up!!! SAY, have any ideas for our TR??!! I will send you a PM!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh my, seeing the pictures of your men setting up the tent, all I can think is, just give me one of those cabins in the background

Love the pics of WL, seems like I was just there

The Chip & Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long looks like great fun! Mmmmmm, smores! Maybe we should have gone over one evening and done that

 

[jenseib]

For some reason I thougt this was over and was shocked today to come and see you stil lhad more...and it looks like so much fun too. I don't know if I could do tent camping anymore. I did it in my younger days (never at Disney though) but I think I am too old now for it. I give you a lot of credit....and it looks fun too.

 

[Native NYer]

Fort Wilderness looks like so much fun!
I wish I had it in me to rough it.

 

[Happydog]

Oh my, seeing the pictures of your men setting up the tent, all I can think is, just give me one of those cabins in the background

Love the pics of WL, seems like I was just there

The Chip & Dale Campfire Sing-A-Long looks like great fun! Mmmmmm, smores! Maybe we should have gone over one evening and done that

HA! Well, never fear. It is really painless.... or painful... depends on how you think of it!! Drinking copious amounts of wine makes our annual summer camping trip tolerable, but for this one, it was a nice dinner at Cali Grill and an extra margarita that made it enjoyable! THAT plus the fact we were going to be spending a night at the Animal Kingdom lodge... LOL!!!

Oh yes, it does look familiar, doesn't it??!!

For some reason I thougt this was over and was shocked today to come and see you stil lhad more...and it looks like so much fun too. I don't know if I could do tent camping anymore. I did it in my younger days (never at Disney though) but I think I am too old now for it. I give you a lot of credit....and it looks fun too.

Oh no, just delayed!!!! Fall got me tied up, never mind my girls trip to WDW I just returned from!!! ONE more night and day to go! I am determined to finish this so I can launch my Turkey cruise trip!!!

I am not that young, but I find it keeps me feeling young! Those boys do too... Frankly camping at Disney is practically NOT camping in many ways!!!! It was fun. Not sure I could do it for a week, NO way, actually, but for one night, maybe 2, I could do it!

Fort Wilderness looks like so much fun!
I wish I had it in me to rough it.

I barely do, but it is just all part of the fun and the experience. And it was short. Not for a regular WDW trip, but in this case, not going to the parks, etc. it worked. We went to the water park the next day, so it worked out well... WE camp regularly, though, so we have all the stuff to make it comfortable!!!

 

[Native NYer]

I barely do, but it is just all part of the fun and the experience. And it was short. Not for a regular WDW trip, but in this case, not going to the parks, etc. it worked. We went to the water park the next day, so it worked out well... WE camp regularly, though, so we have all the stuff to make it comfortable!!!

I want to try camping. I think it would be fun, but I need to make sure I have at least some comforts of home!

 

[flamestarrdust]

Love your TR! Looks like you all had a lot of fun.


We are set to stay in the Ft. Wilderness Cabins in March. So I was just wondering if you were able to swim in WL pool because you stayed at the Fort or because you are DVC members. I've heard varying opinions about the pools at the Fort so it would be wonderful if we could use the WL pool, too. I am only curious about this because of the pool hopping taboo.

 

[Happydog]

I want to try camping. I think it would be fun, but I need to make sure I have at least some comforts of home!

Well that might be a good sell for you to try the cabins, then! They are nifty. I'd stay there but only at Christmas!!! SO cozy and feel so much like the season!

Wait till you see the "comfort station" photos!!!!

Love your TR! Looks like you all had a lot of fun.


We are set to stay in the Ft. Wilderness Cabins in March. So I was just wondering if you were able to swim in WL pool because you stayed at the Fort or because you are DVC members. I've heard varying opinions about the pools at the Fort so it would be wonderful if we could use the WL pool, too. I am only curious about this because of the pool hopping taboo.

Oh the Cabins are GREAT! We stayed there once before, back in 2005. It was great! Loved it. Very quaint. Would totally do that again! RE the pool, the main pool at the Fort looks awesome!!! I have a few night photos to share... So check them out. I bet in March it will be nice! Re the pool at Wilderness Lodge, first, we are not DVC members. we just rent points. We own RCI, and for us, it didn't make sense to buy into another time share.

About the pool, I will probably get yelled at for being honest here, but whatever -- it won't be the first time!! SO let it be known, if you are lurking on my thread, please do not go and post on another thread that you read about me the rule breaker... SERIOUSLY. It has happened!!! Lord knows I don't put my stuff on lounge chairs anymore... Well, not that I let anyone know about it... SO, my point (sorry I got distracted) I know I am not the first guest to do this, but we just went to WL, and let the boys swim while we had a drink by the pool. Now I will say that this is the FIRST time we have ever done that, we usually go to our resort pool no problem, but no one said anything, no one probably knew, and in all the times I have been to Disney the only time I have ever heard of the CMs policing the guests at the pool is at Beach Club. Which I get, because they have major water features... we have stayed there and I am glad they do monitor If we had been questioned, we would have left, but it was such a short time, and in the late afternoon, our presence wasn't going to change the crowd level at the pool. And, we certainly supported the Bar! Now I am not telling you that this is okay, but this is what we did. I wouldn't have done that for the whole day, mind you, but for that hour, we chose to let them swim.

 

[Happydog]

So once the banjo sing-a-long was over the movie for the evening was The Sorcerer's Apprentice. Everyone was game to watch that, so we all sat back and enjoyed the movie. At one point I think I decided to take a stroll and see the shops, etc. So I took a few photos. I was SERIOUSLY impressed with the pool, which I recall being redone back a few years ago. Very nice!

I didn't take many, it was a huge pool, but that late at night, not really as well lit as I would have expected. BUT check out this fun feature for kids!!!

Back to the movie!! The cute sign welcoming you to the amphitheater.

If you get a chance to do this on any of your trips, I HIGHLY recommend it. It was great fun watching the movie on the huge screen, much larger than at the resorts.... And the pre-movie fun with Chip and Dale was great!!!!

After the movie, we walked back through the loop to our tent. We saw tons of RVs with 4th of July decorations, lights, flags, banners, etc. Very festive! Not as much as Christmas, obviously, but I am sure Halloween is a hoot there as well!!!!

So we all went to the "comfort station" to brush teeth, etc., and then snuggled down into our sleeping bags. Fortunately the rain had left a cool night in it's path, so I was glad to not be in the tent on a hot muggy evening. It was just fine, and I slept well.

In the morning, I took the following photos...

Something else that made me laugh... check out the name on these sleeping bags... I never put two and two together! Or shall I say Tigger and Tigger LOL!!!!

Here you can see how large the lots are for your tent, etc... these are a mid-grade gravel/sand mix, and that makes the pad easy to pin the tent down, and soft enough that it has a give to it. And not mud or dirt! BIG plus!!! Each camping location had running water and electricity... so again, something you don't get at most campsites!!! I saw sites with A/C units!!!! LOL!!!!

As I returned from the "comfort station" I saw the following, and I definitely started laughing...

Yep, you guessed it. The "bill" -- not hanging on our door, but under the windshield wiper!!!!

While Matt took down most of the tent and packed it up, I took the boys to get cleaned up and into their swim trunks. I also threw some towels into the dryer, since they hadn't dried completely from the day before. I got these photos there...

Nice bulletin board with the weekly activities, menus, etc...

Again, these had showers, A/C, sinks, dryers, toilets, cubbies, and between the men and women sets, there was a laundry with vending machines, and some chairs. It was all locked in the evening, hence the KTTW...

Sinks....

Showers...

I loved the trees with all the Spanish moss! The weather that morning was PERFECT, and the day was going to be amazing as well, or so said the forecast!!!!

So back to the site we went, packed up the car, sorted out our beach bag for the day, and headed out to Blizzard Beach, the location of choice for us that day. And boy were we excited to try it out, the boys first time in a Disney water park !!!

BUT first we had to get there... We got stuck leaving behind this rather slow line of traffic. And only when we turned a corner did we see why...

Nope, your eyes have not deceived you... there on the road, putzing along... Four or five cars and a BUS, behind them... Seriously? Seriously.

FINALLY they turned, and the rest of us actually were able to drive the posted speed limit of 25...

GOOD BYE Fort Wilderness! It was fun!!

BLIZZARD BEACH, here we come!

 

[flamestarrdust]

Well that might be a good sell for you to try the cabins, then! They are nifty. I'd stay there but only at Christmas!!! SO cozy and feel so much like the season!

Wait till you see the "comfort station" photos!!!!



Oh the Cabins are GREAT! We stayed there once before, back in 2005. It was great! Loved it. Very quaint. Would totally do that again! RE the pool, the main pool at the Fort looks awesome!!! I have a few night photos to share... So check them out. I bet in March it will be nice! Re the pool at Wilderness Lodge, first, we are not DVC members. we just rent points. We own RCI, and for us, it didn't make sense to buy into another time share.

About the pool, I will probably get yelled at for being honest here, but whatever -- it won't be the first time!! SO let it be known, if you are lurking on my thread, please do not go and post on another thread that you read about me the rule breaker... SERIOUSLY. It has happened!!! Lord knows I don't put my stuff on lounge chairs anymore... Well, not that I let anyone know about it... SO, my point (sorry I got distracted) I know I am not the first guest to do this, but we just went to WL, and let the boys swim while we had a drink by the pool. Now I will say that this is the FIRST time we have ever done that, we usually go to our resort pool no problem, but no one said anything, no one probably knew, and in all the times I have been to Disney the only time I have ever heard of the CMs policing the guests at the pool is at Beach Club. Which I get, because they have major water features... we have stayed there and I am glad they do monitor If we had been questioned, we would have left, but it was such a short time, and in the late afternoon, our presence wasn't going to change the crowd level at the pool. And, we certainly supported the Bar! Now I am not telling you that this is okay, but this is what we did. I wouldn't have done that for the whole day, mind you, but for that hour, we chose to let them swim.

Thanks for the info. If we did that, we wouldn't be staying long either. I was thinking maybe arrival day and grab some lunch from roaring forks but definitely nothing long term. And trust me, I know how serious the discussions about this can get. I've seen them. But I do imagine it would definitely be bad at the Beach Club if it wasn't enforced. So thanks for answering my question in a fun way. And thanks for the Ft. Wilderness pics and info. It definitely makes me feel better about staying there.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

That's for you and the camping business. I'll take my villa any day. So happy you all had fun and that is what's important!

I've heard really good things about the pool at Ft. Wilderness! We had some friends that stayed there and the kids loved swimming in it!

Can't wait to read the rest!

 

[Happydog]

Yep! WE made it to Blizzard Beach!! ON the way we had stopped in at Animal Kingdom Lodge, to check in, get our Water park tickets, and our room keys... we got to Blizzard Beach around 10 something I think...

Not long after they had opened. Heavily laden with sunscreen, towels, and a Mickey D's breakfast bag -- UGH -- yes, we caved! But we drove right past it, we were starving, and I like their bagel sandwiches!!! SEE how I excuse that away??!!! My kids devour their pancakes. SO, we got breakfast to go, and brought it with us into the park. I thought we would have trouble. Then I saw all the people with their coolers and such. So I guess Disney allows guests to bring food and drink inside. Or, they didn't check bags that morning??!! No matter. Breakfast was a necessity and it was gone in two seconds, simply because there was the promise of water play if they ate breakfast, and those cool water features were calling!!! Honestly, I have never seen my kids eat so fast!

I think because we were anxious to get into the park and get settled, I didn't take many photos on the way. I did take lots during the day and as we left, but my priority was getting us some chairs near the kid area where the boys would want to play. So our seats were right next to this great area...

I went to the bar, by the wave pool and grabbed DH and I a beverage, we figured it was practically noon... And we sat back, enjoyed chatting, reading, and watching...

We all went down the big family tube ride several times, THAT is great fun!!! And after several up and down the stairs, DS6 was definitely tuckered out!

NOT enough to skip lunch, however, so we decided to go have lunch, then relocate to the wave pool, after hitting a few more slides.... We took the lazy river to lunch! I wish I had a waterproof camera, and I plan to get one before the cruise... so my photos are limited when we are close to water!

In the wave pool.... two little heads!!!!

While at the wave pool, DH and I had chairs at the edge of the water, and it was a great spot for a few hours, just enjoying the sun and the water lapping at our toes! The boys played and played. I hit the shops as well, and we got some fresh donuts... OMG. GOOD. We also split a frozen coffee frappe which was very good, as good as the one they sell at Epcot near Mission Space!!!!

MORE in the NEXT POST!!!!

 

[Happydog]

About that time we figured it was getting late enough that we needed to get back to the resort to think about dinner, etc. We had big plans this evening... It was easily 5 at that point, and we had been there about 6 hours!

Here are our campy photos that we took on our way out.

BIG time pose.. LOOK at those jazz hands.... Who needs Dancing With The Stars?!!

They had fun exploring this area...

Good Bye Blizzard...

HELLO ...

OKAY, I got FOUR posts in today, but ALAS, I am going to call it quits tonight!!! I have two more updates and that will bring this TR to a close!!! FINALLY!!! LOL!!!! Though I have really had fun writing it, I want to get started on my F & W TR with Soonergirl and friends, AND, I have JUST started my PTR/TR over on the Cruise boards for our Thanksgiving cruise, so feel free to head on over there!

STAY TUNED for the grand finale at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, BLUE Zoo and Boardwalk, followed by the Kidani pool and SOUVENIRS!!!!