Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW *July 2013 Trip Report Link*

[natebenma]

It's the same district that I live in. It's just 5 days before we leave. If I get the position it starts the day after we come back UGH!! AND we're not getting home until around midnight UGH again.

off topic- Have you ever had a late flight into MCO? We're landing at 9:30- just wondering if it'll be quicker getting out and on our way?

No, we have never flown into MCO late. Well, actually on our first trip in 2004 we landed around 10 or 11 pm but it was an offsite trip and we rented a car, so I don't think our experience is really relative. We are normally early morning flyers- We love the 7 am to 10 am flight times.

Again, good luck with the interview!

CHOCOLATE

I'm not a fan of eggs lol

Nothing wrong with a chocolate egg!!! I do believe I will be consuming one or two myself today.

Glad the show went so well!
Sounds like a lovely afternoon at the beach. Dinner looks good, too! I'm not a huge fan of tomato-based chowder either.
Can't wait for your camera reviews!
Happy Easter!

Amanda

The show was great, but it is always good when the run is over. I'm still somewhat wiped out from all the work and late nights. I ain't as young as I used to be! We don't have another major show until next fall, we don't know what it will be yet.

We had a really wonderful day. From the spectacular rainforest tour, a nice visit to Palomino Island and a fantastic dinner, it was truly paradise.

I'm glad to hear not all New Yorkers are wild about tomato based chowder. When I was in college, I worked at a local, but expanding seafood restaurant, Weathervane Seafoods. We opened a couple of branches in NY, and when I went to help train the staff, I had to emphasize that they needed to explain to customers that the chowder was milk-based and that eating NE steamed clams is different from eating littlenecks.

I'm not sure if any of the New York branches are still open.

 

[natebenma]

The next day (Wednesday), I woke to pouring rain. By the time Mark woke up, the rain had stopped but it was pretty gray and wet.

We had plans to go on a snorkel tour with the resort dive shop this afternoon. We had to meet at the marina at 1:30, so we decided to take it easy that morning, have breakfast and do a little shopping around the resort for gifts to bring back for the kids, the family watching the boys and for our neighbor who was taking care of our cats.

We are not shoppers- I really don’t like shopping back home and I’m not a big fan of doing it on vacation, either. Nate was easy- he likes Tortuga Rum Cakes and we saw them for sale in a couple of places, so we got a large one for him and a few small ones to bring back for miscellaneous gifts. We thought a swim shirt would be a nice present for Ben, especially with our trip to Atlantis on the horizon. They had a cute swim shirt with a frog on it that said Coqui Water Park. It was over $40. Um, no! We found another nice shirt in a store connected to the dive shop. $20. That’s better! The local rum, Don Q, and a rum cake were the gifts of choice for Cindy and Danny. After a few days with my boys, I’m sure the liquor would come in handy!

Shopping completed, we went back to the room to deposit our purchases. While we were there, the phone in our room rang. It was the dive shop, cancelling our snorkel tour. The water was too rough to go out. They offered to reschedule, but since we were leaving the next day at 11, this was not going to happen.

Plan B- we decided we would go back to Palomino Island and then visit the resort’s water park later in the afternoon.

This time, I had my camera for the trip to the island. It was a very windy day, and we snorkeled in the quiet harbor that was to the right of the ferry dock.

Once again, the snorkeling was ok, nothing very impressive.

Fairy basslet

urchin

We took a walk around the island

and then decided to have a small lunch at Iguanas, the little bar/restaurant on the island. We ordered a virgin Mango Colada and a drink called The Reef. We shared a Cajun grilled fish wrap.

The Reef: Don Q coco rum, coconut cream, Midori liquor, Pineapple Juice, served on ice with a splash of Myers Dark Rum.

The drinks were super yummy! The colada was full of mangoey goodness and The Reef was awesome too. The wrap was decent, the fries were crisp and delicious, the only problem was that we had to hold everything down with one hand so it wouldn’t blow away. A few of our fellow diners had drinks that spilled or flyaway napkins.

BTW- Iguanas is appropriately named. A bunch of these lizards surrounded the restaurant and there were even a few of them who were obviously used to handouts at the feet of unsuspecting diners. Pretty funny to watch!

After lunch, we took the ferry back to the mainland and headed right over to the water park.


Next up: Coqui Water Park

 

[mickeystoontown]

Too bad that the waters were too rough for you to go on the snorkeling tour. But, it looks like you two were able to make the best of the day anyway.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

too bad about the dive, but looked like you had a really nice relaxing day. Those are always good on vacation.
I think I would be a little freaked out with those iguanas.
I got a long term sub position this morning but not the one I thought I would get. I'll PM you

Deb

 

[DrMomof3]

Too bad that the dive shop had to cancel. I think it's cool to have iguanas just hanging around!
Can't wait to hear the watermark review.

Amanda

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Dee I tried to PM you, but your box is full
I wrote like a small book and didn't want to lose it. I tried sending it to beachclubdee. I thought I had seen you use that username before??? Hope you get it!! If not give me your email.

ttys
Deb

 

[MHTeacher]

Too bad you had to cancel your dive tour, but looks as if y'all had a fun day anyway!

 

[Missyrose]

Thanks for posting the pictures of "Bye Bye Birdie," looks like Ben did an awesome job!

The pictures of the resort are gorgeous, so tranquil!

That stinks that your snorkeling tour was canceled, but your guys definitely made the most of it with a lovely afternoon out on the island.

The pictures of the iguanas made me giggle because my dad and sister think it's a fun game to throw fries under my chair in Aruba to attract the iguanas and make me scream. Seriously, those things are CREEPY. I'm quite convinced they're plotting to take over the world.

 

[natebenma]

We were really disappointed about the cancellation of the snorkel trip. One of the things we were looking forward to the most was being able to snorkel together again. When we are on family vacations, we have to take turns going out while the other stays behind with the boys.



But cancelling was the right decision. We had watched the news/weather that morning and they were reporting 7 to 8 foot waves, so the boat trip would have been rough and the conditions would not have been great anyway.

So what do you do? You just have to roll and make the best of it!

Too bad that the waters were too rough for you to go on the snorkeling tour. But, it looks like you two were able to make the best of the day anyway.

We did end up having a nice day.

too bad about the dive, but looked like you had a really nice relaxing day. Those are always good on vacation.
I think I would be a little freaked out with those iguanas.
I got a long term sub position this morning but not the one I thought I would get. I'll PM you

Deb

I was cool with the iguanas. Although I probably wouldn't have loved having them crawling under MY table.

Congrats on the position! Can't wait to hear about it.

Dee I tried to PM you, but your box is full
I wrote like a small book and didn't want to lose it. I tried sending it to beachclubdee. I thought I had seen you use that username before??? Hope you get it!! If not give me your email.

ttys
Deb

Sorry about the full PM box. I try to keep one space open but someone from the BC board PMed me last night. I did not get your message through the BeachClubDee account. I PMed you during the night so hopefully you can respond to that.

Too bad that the dive shop had to cancel. I think it's cool to have iguanas just hanging around!
Can't wait to hear the watermark review.

Amanda

I love that the iguanas are not spooked by people. I am lucky that I have boys- Reptiles don't creep me out, but I am frightened by the thoughts of braiding hair and tea parties.

Too bad you had to cancel your dive tour, but looks as if y'all had a fun day anyway!

We certainly were not going to let the cancellation ruin our day!

Thanks for posting the pictures of "Bye Bye Birdie," looks like Ben did an awesome job!

The pictures of the resort are gorgeous, so tranquil!

That stinks that your snorkeling tour was canceled, but your guys definitely made the most of it with a lovely afternoon out on the island.

The pictures of the iguanas made me giggle because my dad and sister think it's a fun game to throw fries under my chair in Aruba to attract the iguanas and make me scream. Seriously, those things are CREEPY. I'm quite convinced they're plotting to take over the world.

You must not be a big fan of Jurassic Park!

There was definitely a different vibe between El Conquistador and Las Casitas. The villas were definitely the right choice for an anniversary getaway.

 

[natebenma]

Coqui Water Park

We arrived at the waterpark around 3 PM. The normal admission is $16 per person. After 2 PM, it drops to $12 and from 4:30 to close the price is $5 per person. I think the admission is less for kids.


There is a main structure that has one very steep body slide, another winding body slide to the left and then a raft slide to the right. There is also a small lazy river, and infinity pool, a small kids slide.

We started out on the lazy river.

I’m not a big fan of body slides because I don’t like getting water in my face, I am always afraid I will bump my head and let’s not even talk about the wedgie factor! I waited while Mark tried out the big slide.

Then we both tried out the raft slide a couple of times.

I was debating whether to try the big slide. With our trip to Atlantis coming up, I decided to pull up my big girl panties/bathing suit bottom and give it a try. A boy who looked to be about 10 years old and had watched me struggle with the decision encouraged me as I climbed the stairs. “Are you going to try it? It’s a little scary, but really fun. You can close your eyes if you need to”

I did it and I will post the photographic evidence. Horrifically, it looks like I have a major frontal wedgie, so I asked Marlton Mom if she would Photoshop in a privacy dot for me.

And this is the result…

We spent a little time in the infinity pool:

Here is a view up at the rooms from the waterpark. I think our room is in the pinkish building on the left, behind the palm tree

It was getting cool at the waterpark, so we made the trip back to our room and got ready for dinner. We returned to Bella Vista, the open air Italian place that overlooks the pool and the ocean.

The sun set while we were dining.

I ordered the Chicken Parmesan, Mark got the Shrimp Fra Diavalo and we shared an Amaretto cheesecake for dessert.

Food took a while to get there, it was not all that hot, but we did enjoy our meals.

We took a final romantic stroll in the dark through the resort and then returned to our room to get ready for our departure tomorrow.


Next up: Whatever happened to that bottle of champagne, bus ride to San Juan and Would You Rather?

.

 

[mickeystoontown]

The water park looks like it's a lot of fun. I didn't know they had mermaids there! Seriously, good for you trying the body slide. I can't believe how empty the water park looked. I didn't see another soul besides you and Mark.

Who cares if your food is just lukewarm when you have a view that like to eat by? The resort is simply gorgeous.

 

[DrMomof3]

Was the waterpark as empty as it looks in your pictures?
Good for you going down the slide! Way to practice!!! I'm impressed that you can transform into a mermaid when the occasion arises.

Amanda

 

[MHTeacher]

I was already cracking up at the ten year old having to reassure you about going down the big slide, and then.......

I lost it!

Beautiful!

 

[dtr_angel]

I'm loving your TR, as always! The pools and food look heavenly. I absolutely love your privacy dot kudos for trying the body slide. After my experience on Summit Plummit I think my body slidin' wedgie days are over.

 

[natebenma]

The water park looks like it's a lot of fun. I didn't know they had mermaids there! Seriously, good for you trying the body slide. I can't believe how empty the water park looked. I didn't see another soul besides you and Mark.

Who cares if your food is just lukewarm when you have a view that like to eat by? The resort is simply gorgeous.

It looks like Disney has not cornered the market on mermaids!

We were at the waterpark for around an hour and a half, I think, longer than we expected to be there. It was not crowded at all. I'm not sure if it was because it was so late in the day. Or it could be because the resort was just not very crowded while we were there.

At the end of my replies, I'll show you why I was practicing on the steep slide.

We did have a beautiful view during dinner.

Was the waterpark as empty as it looks in your pictures?
Good for you going down the slide! Way to practice!!! I'm impressed that you can transform into a mermaid when the occasion arises.

Amanda

Yes, the waterpark was pretty empty. I didn't really see others on the lazy river when we were floating. The biggest line we encountered on any of the slides was 2 kids in front of us.

Oh, I can transform into lots of things in a moments notice when the occasion arises. Not all of them pretty. Ask my kids!

I was already cracking up at the ten year old having to reassure you about going down the big slide, and then.......



I lost it!




Beautiful!

Glad I could bring a smile to your face!

I love the picture too (the one of the water at sunset, not the mermaid one)

I'm loving your TR, as always! The pools and food look heavenly. I absolutely love your privacy dot kudos for trying the body slide. After my experience on Summit Plummit I think my body slidin' wedgie days are over.

Thanks so much, and

I hope all is going well with you!

I have not attempted Summit Plummet. Yet. /\ \/

But this is why I was so determined to try out the slide.

Next week, I will be working up the courage to try "Leap of Faith"

This is a steep slide that takes you through a tube in a shark pool. How cool is that?!?


When we were in Atlantis in 2009, who was the only one who did this slide?

Ben, age 7.

Taking bets on which members of my family will be attempting it this time.

.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

OMG Dee-so glad you were brave enough to ride the slide and even happier with Marltonmoms photographic skills

 

[Missyrose]

The water park looks like a lot of fun! And congrats on getting up the courage to try the body slide, I could never do that!

 

[natebenma]

OMG Dee-so glad you were brave enough to ride the slide and even happier with Marltonmoms photographic skills

Have I turned into a slide junkie? We shall see, soon. But I think not!

Yes, I appreciate MM's, *ahem* help.

The water park looks like a lot of fun! And congrats on getting up the courage to try the body slide, I could never do that!

Never say never! Who loves Space Mountain now???

 

[natebenma]

Hey, Dee, What happened to that bottle of champagne you received on your first night?

I have a little confession to make. Mark and I are not big drinkers. We will have an occasional drink if it sounds good and the mood is right, but most of the time, I would rather have an iced tea. On this trip, we had a total of 3 drinks- a mojito we shared on the first day, The Reef and a virgin mango colada. So actually, just 2 drinks.

We didn’t spend a lot of time just lounging around our room, and after dinner we were so exhausted every night that we just went to bed. So, we never got around to drinking the champagne.

So what have I learned from numerous trips to Disney? Spread some magic!

At breakfast, I watched the other diners to try to find a “nice” couple to give the bottle to. It would be best to find someone who would be returning to their room after breakfast instead of heading out to the beach or elsewhere.

Lisa- your backsack played a part in this. I hid the bottle inside until it was time to reveal it to the chosen ones.

I stealthily approached a young couple at a table, asked them if they were returning to their room after breakfast, flashed the bottle and quickly launched into “the resort sent this to us for our anniversary, we are leaving today, would you like it” They were stunned but pleased.

That bit of “business” out of the way, we were ready to start our return home.

The bus ride to San Juan was a lot different than the one we had taken to the resort. First, there were more passengers than just the two of us. Thankfully, the bathroom door was not slamming for the whole trip. And finally, since it was light out, we were able to enjoy the views. We went through the town of Fajardo, passed by Luquillo Beach with all of its restaurant and souvenir stands and we had some great views of the rainforest:

We arrived at the airport, checked in without any problems and waited at the gate for our flight.

We had a couple of issues once we boarded the plane.


Would you rather…

Have a seat stealer sitting next to you or a yipping puppy a row behind you?

Lucky us, we didn’t have to choose!

I had booked a window seat for our flight and when Mark and I boarded, there was a woman sitting there. I said that's my seat. She looked at me, smiled and said "I no speak English". I pointed to the seat and then to me and she just smiled and shook her head. I was going to either talk to the flight attendant or stick my camera in the window when we took off, but she got up for the bathroom a few minutes later so I took the seat. I handed over her bag when she got back and she never said a word.

Later in the flight she told the flight attendant "I'll have a Sprite" in perfect English!

Here are the pictures of the takeoff from Puerto Rico from MY window seat:

I really liked Jet blue, except... Not sure I love the pet friendly policy. On our flight was a yippy dog with a very high-pitched bark. Wouldn't stop barking for the first 15 minutes of our flight and then as we descended again. Thank goodness it settled down during most of the flight. I think we would have gone crazy if it barked for the entire 4 hour flight!


That pretty much wraps up our trip. Thank you all for following along on our getaway!

Was it absolutely wonderful? YES!

Do we want to get away without the kids again? ABSOLUTELY!

But first, the family will be rediscovering the “lost city” of Atlantis. Read all about it right here!

.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Dee - great report. Was very nice of you to share the Champagne. Thank you for sharing your trip. Looking forward to more sharing with your upcoming trip! Best wishes with the slide.

Rebecca