Why does Flight of Passage always make me cry? ~ An 11 day August/24 Disney extravaganza! complete 01/25 + new TR link

[suse66]

I have rented (once) from a friend, but... never from a rental store. Should. (If/when)

I am glad I got three trips in this year. I am on a wait and see approach for US travel after January.

Don't know how you do it.

Says an open to close park goer! It's basically the same thing.

Library?!?!?

Right beside Le Petit Cafe. It's a great coffee/work space dring the day and has a more lounge vibe in the evening.

That is such a cute shot.

Thank you!

Oh, heck... You look pretty happy in all your photos.

I am always my happiest self in the bubble.

I assume the (presumably) cooler weather made the animals more active.

They always seem more active after rain.

Wait... you did 4 parks and pool and hot tub????

This is the way!

Oh, how you must have suffered so, being there.

I managed to get through it even though it was difficult.

We love the Frozen Sing Along, too. The last time we were at the show we had the cutest baby in front of us. He was probably about ten months old. He was so much fun to watch when the snow started. And his parents were delighted by their son's amazement at the snowfall. It was so much fun to see his reactions.

Oh my gosh, that's adorable!

That meet in greet looks like so much fun. I'm surprised people can find its hidden entrance.

The entrance is definitely tricky but the meet is well worth it!

That is very cute.

I love these! I am going to print and frame the four I have from each park.

I've heard that the animals love the rain.

They sure do!

 

[pkondz]

I am glad I got three trips in this year. I am on a wait and see approach for US travel after January.

I wonder why...

Says an open to close park goer! It's basically the same thing.

My way has way less travel.

I am always my happiest self in the bubble.

This is the way!

(and yes, I know you mean The Mandalorian... need to catch up with that, actually.)

 

[suse66]

I can't WAIT to have this again. I find it perfectly delicious, and vacation-appropriate lunch!

It's so good!

That sounds like such a dreamy, relaxed Disney day!

It really was perfect!

I wonder why...

Hmmm, no idea!

My way has way less travel.

Resort bus > Skyliner > Skyliner > Inter park bus > Resort bus > 10 minute walk > 10 minute walk. Very manageable.

(and yes, I know you mean The Mandalorian... need to catch up with that, actually.)

It's great!

 

[pkondz]

Resort bus > Skyliner > Skyliner > Inter park bus > Resort bus > 10 minute walk > 10 minute walk. Very manageable.

Need to throw a monorail and a boat in there.

 

[suse66]

Rest, relaxation and favourite things!

After a busy 4 parks day, I was more than ready to relax. So I spent a lazy morning sipping coffee on the balcony, watching a little HGTV and enjoying the pool. I was also quite curious about seeing some of the DVC rooms at Bay Lake. So I set up an appointment with one of the reps for a tour of a 2 bedroom villa and let me tell you, I could move in there tomorrow! If only I had unlimited funds....BLT is selling direct at about $227 a point and resale between $135-$155. Not for the faint of heart! However the dues are reasonable at just a shade over $8/point. Well a girl can dream and I will pop ownership here on my "maybe one day" list.

Looking at things I can't afford right now gave me an appetite so I hopped on the monorail and headed off to Gasparilla Grill for the Mac and cheese. I had heard amazing things about this Mac but sadly it did not live up to the hype. It was okay but I had my heart set on ultra creamy deliciousness and this was just not it.


After lunch I browsed around the GF for a while and checked out the pin boards. I got back on the monorail and went to the Poly where I perused Boutiki. That store has to be my favourite resort store ever! I saw many cute things but sadly all were all out of my budget with the exchange rate.

Now it was back to the monorail to return to BLT and hang out on my balcony. It was a perfect late afternoon to sip wine and read.

By around 6:00 dinner was calling my name so I went down to the boat dock for a leisurely cruise over to my beloved Wilderness Lodge and Geyser Point! You didn't think I could be at Disney and not dine there at least once, did you?


Of course I went for my favourite Cascadia Sangria.

My other favourite, the grilled salmon salad was my choice for dinner. Perfection!



After dinner I popped into Boulder Ridge to say hi to my home away from home, then dropped by the main lobby and the Mercantile. A sunset cruise back to BLT was lovely.



Arriving back at the hotel I decided to pop up to the 16th floor to just see where Top of the World was located. When I first purchased my contract, resale members were allowed access to this lounge. However since reopening after the pandemic they restrict it to only DVC direct members. Yes, I'm still a bit salty about this. I took a few pictures of the view then headed back down to my room to enjoy HEA from my balcony.





Another perfect Disney day!


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[pkondz]

After a busy 4 parks day, I was more than ready to relax.

I bet!

I could move in there tomorrow! If only I had unlimited funds....

Ah yes... We all need a (very) distant, (very) rich uncle to leave us (very) large sums of cash in his will.

Looking at things I can't afford right now gave me an appetite

I hopped on the monorail and headed off to Gasparilla Grill for the Mac and cheese.

First I've heard of this! I had to look up where it was.

I had heard amazing things about this Mac but sadly it did not live up to the hype.

Unfortunate.
But... I seldom am impressed with Mac n Cheese. 8 Spoons' shrimp mac was amazing (so of course they took it off the menu. grrr.) but generally, they tend to fall flat. Hmmm... Homecomin' was good, though.

I got back on the monorail and went to the Poly where I perused Boutiki. That store has to be my favourite resort store ever!

Interesting. I've never been in there, I don't think.

Now it was back to the monorail to return to BLT and hang out on my balcony. It was a perfect late afternoon to sip wine and read.

You sure are vacationing right!

Geyser Point! You didn't think I could be at Disney and not dine there at least once, did you?

No. Of course not. But... I was beginning to wonder!

Big portion, too!

Pretty shot.

When I first purchased my contract, resale members were allowed access to this lounge. However since reopening after the pandemic they restrict it to only DVC direct members. Yes, I'm still a bit salty about this.

I can see how that wouldn't sit very well.

 

[suse66]

Ah yes... We all need a (very) distant, (very) rich uncle to leave us (very) large sums of cash in his will.

Right????

First I've heard

I am a big fan of resort QS when I want a break from the parks.

Interesting. I've never been in there, I don't think.

It’s one of the best resort gift shops. Definitely worth a visit!

You sure are vacationing right!

Time for myself is one of the ways I practice self care.

I can see how that wouldn't sit very well.

It’s the main reason I will never buy direct from Disney. Any perks they have on offer can be taken away at any time. I’d rather save the money and buy resale instead.

 

[Wood Nymph]

By around 6:00 dinner was calling my name so I went down to the boat dock for a leisurely cruise over to my beloved Wilderness Lodge and Geyser Point! You didn't think I could be at Disney and not dine there at least once, did you?

I love the resort boats. And I love the Cascade Sangria that you recommended.

Arriving back at the hotel I decided to pop up to the 16th floor to just see where Top of the World was located. When I first purchased my contract, resale members were allowed access to this lounge. However since reopening after the pandemic they restrict it to only DVC direct members. Yes, I'm still a bit salty about this. I took a few pictures of the view then headed back down to my room to enjoy HEA from my balcony.

They should allow lounge access to current tower guests, too.

 

[pkondz]

I am a big fan of resort QS when I want a break from the parks.

Break from parks??? What is this?

Time for myself is one of the ways I practice self care.

It’s the main reason I will never buy direct from Disney. Any perks they have on offer can be taken away at any time. I’d rather save the money and buy resale instead.

Doesn’t seem right. Removing services without compensation.

 

[mickey916]

I had heard amazing things about this Mac but sadly it did not live up to the hype. It was okay but I had my heart set on ultra creamy deliciousness and this was just not it.

By the looks of that photo, you got a bad one! I've had it a couple times and it's really cheesy and creamy. Mine have looked nothing like your photo. I would suggest giving another try sometime. Sorry you got a bad one!

My other favourite, the grilled salmon salad was my choice for dinner. Perfection!

That looks delicious! It's now "on the list" for our spring trip!

 

[suse66]

I love the resort boats. And I love the Cascade Sangria that you recommended.

We are two peas in a pod in our favourite things.

They should allow lounge access to current tower guests, too.

Exactly! That would make sense.

Break from parks??? What is this?

Self care and nourishment.....not always a fan of in park QS.

Doesn’t seem right. Removing services without compensation.

Well, it's what DVC does best. In the 90's having DVC also included APs for the whole family!I'll take my $13,000 USD that I saved buying resale and be happy with that. The only thing you are really guaranteed is your accommodations. Which is a good deal as I pay about $1377 USD a year in dues which gives me 9 nights in a studio or 5 nights in a 1 bedroom.

By the looks of that photo, you got a bad one! I've had it a couple times and it's really cheesy and creamy. Mine have looked nothing like your photo. I would suggest giving another try sometime. Sorry you got a bad one!

I really should have taken it back.

That looks delicious! It's now "on the list" for our spring trip!

I think you will really enjoy it.

 

[pkondz]

Self care and nourishment.....not always a fan of in park QS.

TS usually beats QS

Usually...

Well, it's what DVC does best

In the 90's having DVC also included APs for the whole family!

I had no idea!! What a perk to lose!

I pay about $1377 USD a year in dues which gives me 9 nights in a studio or 5 nights in a 1 bedroom.

Not bad!

 

[suse66]

TS usually beats QS

Yes but also it is so much more expensive. I've really cut down on the amount of TS meals on my WDW trips lately.

I had no idea!! What a perk to lose!

It really was. This was back in the early 90's when Old Key West was called Disney Vacation Club Resort upon opening in 1991 then changed it's name to OKW in 1996. It was very inexpensive to buy in back then at about $50/point but I think the minimum buy in was 165 points. Now it is about $227/point before incentives for a direct contract. I wish I could have bought in earlier but we really didn't have the funds to do so. I am lucky I was able to purchase my contract in 2019 even though it was a very sad loss that led to me having the money to do so. I like to think I have tied my favourite person and favourite place together forever by using the money left to me for that purchase. It's a gift I am always very grateful for.

 

[suse66]

Two days away!!!!!

So excited to be heading out on Thursday evening to my favourite place! I am home today from work with Kindergarten cooties.....honestly our classroom is a total germ fest these days. So a day of rest to kick this bug was definitely in order. I can't be sick for Disney!

I am looking forward to seeing Caroline, meeting up with Liesa (@Steppesister ), Kelly ( @buzzrelly ) and Sue (@Wood Nymph ). Fun will definitely be had on the Skyliner Crawl!
As well we will be celebrating Billie's birthday with her with a special dinner Saturday night!

We did splurge and buy MLPP for each day in the park plus SLPP for Gurdians and FoP. I justified the cost by not having to buy tickets due to my AP. It was about $176 total which isn't too bad and judging from what Caroline told me about the crowds at DHS today, well worth the cost.

Caroline and I will be doing another joint TR for this trip so I am looking forward to that as well.



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[pkondz]

Yes but also it is so much more expensive. I've really cut down on the amount of TS meals on my WDW trips lately.

Cost savings is definitely a reason to stick to CS.

I am lucky I was able to purchase my contract in 2019 even though it was a very sad loss that led to me having the money to do so. I like to think I have tied my favourite person and favourite place together forever by using the money left to me for that purchase. It's a gift I am always very grateful for.

So excited to be heading out on Thursday evening to my favourite place!

I bet you are! How could you not be???

Caroline and I will be doing another joint TR for this trip so I am looking forward to that as well.

Yay!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I justified the cost by not having to buy tickets due to my AP.

I love your Disney math.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I’m late to the party but here now. Read your whole report over the last couple of days and it was such a wonderful trip. Great company, tasty food and drinks and fab photos- what else could a girl want!
One of these days I will get myself a solo trip though, like you, we are less inclined to book travel to the US until we see what 2025 looks like.
Can’t believe I’m here just in time to wish you a great holiday as you head off tomorrow! Have a fabulous trip. Loved your last joint report with Caroline and looking forward to this next one. Have fun

 

[suse66]

Cost savings is definitely a reason to stick to CS.

I find resort QS, especially at the deluxe resorts, has really improved. Plus having lunch at one of the resorts is a nice way to check it out and see if it might be somewhere you would like to stay in the future.

I bet you are! How could you not be???

I love your Disney math.

Disney math is the best math!

I’m late to the party but here now. Read your whole report over the last couple of days and it was such a wonderful trip. Great company, tasty food and drinks and fab photos- what else could a girl want!
One of these days I will get myself a solo trip though, like you, we are less inclined to book travel to the US until we see what 2025 looks like.
Can’t believe I’m here just in time to wish you a great holiday as you head off tomorrow! Have a fabulous trip. Loved your last joint report with Caroline and looking forward to this next one. Have fun

Hi Moira!!! So happy to see you here! I still have 4 days to go on my summer TR so lots of fun, food and general shenanigans will be shared. I am very happy to be leaving tomorrow evening, just keeping my fingers crossed for good travel weather and the last of this bug to disappear.

 

[Jabroniville]

Nice report!

It's sad that in 5+ years of making regular visits to Disney World, I only just recently learned that Snow White & sometimes Elena of Avalor meet in that garden. It's so close to the entrance I just bolt right past it nearly every visit. Not just that, but I barely knew there was a whole restaurant in that building, too!!

It sure beats having to haul all the way over to Germany in Epcot (the furthest pavilion) to see Snow!

I'm also jealous of the "close to MK" parks. Nothing would beat avoiding the long bus lines. If only I could afford staying at the super nearby hotels! Also, the older I get, the more I value Disney Springs as a great place just to walk around and visit- plus the restaurant options are usually better & easier than at the parks. I should have made more plans to go there at nights... but then I always wanted to cram in more rides and meet & greets, lol. There's simply just too much to do, I always make one big 8-hour visit to the Springs and then that's it!

 

[suse66]

Thanks for joining in!

I'm also jealous of the "close to MK" parks. Nothing would beat avoiding the long bus lines. If only I could afford staying at the super nearby hotels! Also, the older I get, the more I value Disney Springs as a great place just to walk around and visit- plus the restaurant options are usually better & easier than at the parks. I should have made more plans to go there at nights... but then I always wanted to cram in more rides and meet & greets, lol. There's simply just too much to do, I always make one big 8-hour visit to the Springs and then that's it!

The only way I can afford staying on the monorail or at Crescent Lake resorts is that I own DVC. If I was paying cash, no way! Especially with the current exchange rate.

I'll be back to wrap up this report and get started on my December Christmas weekend trip!