Trip Report for "Our Summer Surprise Trip", August 15-22, 2011 - COMPLETED!! 12/4 - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Old 07-11-2011, 05:01 PM   #16
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Lots of and for making the dining decision! We're DVC members and even when we have a full size kitchen, it is still understood that I don't cook. By the way there is a drink station at Samawati Springs pool at Kidani, but it is still a short walk to get refillable mugs filled up, but closer than Jambo House.
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Old 07-11-2011, 05:25 PM   #17
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We had a 1 bedroom last August, we loved the kitchen, now of course the only use was the fridge (and I do think we used the microwave to heat up some leftovers), as much as I love the ease of having a kitchen I just cannot get myself to cook when on vacation, especially when there are so many great places to eat at WDW so I can totally understand your going back and forth.

This year we are staying in a studio but I tink if we had the one bedroom again I could see maybe keeping some breakfast items there, or even some cold cuts, we find we spend more time relaxing at the resort then before and I wouldn't mind whipping up some bacon and eggs
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Old 07-12-2011, 12:59 PM   #18
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Great start. We always do the dining plan, cause we (kids) eat ALOT! The kis always seem to be hungry and this saves us money. We ever leave home without!
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Old 07-12-2011, 02:54 PM   #19
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Good luck with your dining decision. FYI, we had a large group back in Feb and stayed at OKW 2bdrm. The full kitchen was AWESOME!! Coffee, juice, breakfast in the room really jumpstarted the day. We whipped up some easy meals every nite (ok, one ADR at Cali Grill) or during our break. Tacos, stirfry, chicken marsala/piccata, beef stroganoff. Easy Peasy stuff. We packed sandwiches & snacks if we didn't anticipate getting back to the room until late. It just seemed to free up time for parks rather than being tied down to the ressie.
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Old 07-12-2011, 06:24 PM   #20
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Thanks everyone for your encouragement!

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Originally Posted by meb1020 View Post
I hear ya on the struggle to DDP or not to DDP. We always struggle with it but end up doing it because it just means there's one less thing we have to worry about. My DH loves the freedom that knowing all the meals are paid for brings. We like being able to sit down at a nice restaurant (BD is on of our favs!) and not worry about how much the bill will be, you know? And I totally agree: the food at WDW is more the half the fun of the trip!

I'm really enjoying your PTR! Thanks for sharing with us!
I totally agree!

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We will be there August 18th-29th. We just upgraded our DDP To a DeluxDDP. We love the food at WDW. Can't wait to go.
Green eye'd jealousy! lol

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Sounds like a great surprise is in store for all 3 boys!! for the DVC!! I'm trying to convince DH we should get that too!
thanks!

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Originally Posted by Cam22 View Post
Lots of and for making the dining decision! We're DVC members and even when we have a full size kitchen, it is still understood that I don't cook. By the way there is a drink station at Samawati Springs pool at Kidani, but it is still a short walk to get refillable mugs filled up, but closer than Jambo House.
Cool! I didn't know about the drink station...

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Originally Posted by mcc0313 View Post
We had a 1 bedroom last August, we loved the kitchen, now of course the only use was the fridge (and I do think we used the microwave to heat up some leftovers), as much as I love the ease of having a kitchen I just cannot get myself to cook when on vacation, especially when there are so many great places to eat at WDW so I can totally understand your going back and forth.

This year we are staying in a studio but I tink if we had the one bedroom again I could see maybe keeping some breakfast items there, or even some cold cuts, we find we spend more time relaxing at the resort then before and I wouldn't mind whipping up some bacon and eggs
Yeah, I can imagine the kitchens are used mostly for breakfast.

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Originally Posted by jennie622 View Post
Good luck with your dining decision. FYI, we had a large group back in Feb and stayed at OKW 2bdrm. The full kitchen was AWESOME!! Coffee, juice, breakfast in the room really jumpstarted the day. We whipped up some easy meals every nite (ok, one ADR at Cali Grill) or during our break. Tacos, stirfry, chicken marsala/piccata, beef stroganoff. Easy Peasy stuff. We packed sandwiches & snacks if we didn't anticipate getting back to the room until late. It just seemed to free up time for parks rather than being tied down to the ressie.
Oh yes - I can see how big groups could use all of the kitchen. I didn't want to have ADRs originally for that reason - being tied to the ressies.
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Old 07-13-2011, 11:23 AM   #21
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Yeah!!! Another trip for you guys I really enjoyed your TR last time We are DVC members (Beach Club) and I always get the dining plan. I don't like to cook on Vacation!! We usually get a 2 bedroom and bring family so we are use to having the kitchen and washer and dryer. This November we are staying in a studio and I'm really nervous about not having the washer and dryer. (Yes I'm spoiled! LOL)
Anyway can't wait to hear more and so excited you have another trip report coming up soon
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Old 07-13-2011, 11:58 AM   #22
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We usually get a 2 bedroom and bring family so we are use to having the kitchen and washer and dryer. This November we are staying in a studio and I'm really nervous about not having the washer and dryer. (Yes I'm spoiled! LOL)
Anyway can't wait to hear more and so excited you have another trip report coming up soon
Thanks! How much does having a washer and dryer change your packing/luggage?
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Old 07-13-2011, 04:08 PM   #23
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Hi Angela, just found your PTR. I'm bummed I'll miss you by a week. Anyway, it sounds like you've got a great vacation planned (and at my favorite resort!). I'm with you - I don't want to have to cook on vacation. Besides, I spend too much time in the parks. I'd never eat! BTW, convincing DH that DVC will work for you.
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Old 07-13-2011, 05:36 PM   #24
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Great plans!! Good luck on keeping the secret until the end!!
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Old 07-13-2011, 06:05 PM   #25
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Great start!
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Old 07-14-2011, 11:29 AM   #26
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Hi Angela, just found your PTR. I'm bummed I'll miss you by a week. Anyway, it sounds like you've got a great vacation planned (and at my favorite resort!). I'm with you - I don't want to have to cook on vacation. Besides, I spend too much time in the parks. I'd never eat! BTW, convincing DH that DVC will work for you.
Thanks! I've been enjoying your Italy trip report

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Great plans!! Good luck on keeping the secret until the end!!
Thanks - I'll have to figure out how to tell them while recording the moment. I think they'll get suspicious with us pointing the camera in their faces!

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Great start!
Thanks!
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Old 07-14-2011, 11:34 AM   #27
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ADRs

1 month, 1 day to go! Here are our ADRs:

8/15 Monday – Kona Café at the Polynesian 7:40pm

8/16 Tuesday – Sanaa at AKL Kidani Village 7:50pm

8/17 Wednesday – Yak n Yeti at Animal Kingdom Park 4pm

8/18 Thursday – Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club (can’t make ADR, walk up only)

8/19 Friday – ‘Ohana at the Poly 10:20am

8/20 Saturday – Hollywood Brown Derby 2:25pm for Fantasmic! Dinner Package (Still debating this. Reviews say the seats are cruddy) 2 table service credits

8/21 Sunday – Tokyo Dining at Epcot 7:20pm

I being able to make and change dining reservations online. I’ve made so many changes – it would have been annoying to have to do this over the phone. Some of the ADRs weren’t our first choices, but we had to take what we could get. I canceled ADRs for Le Cellier and Chef Mickey’s for some lucky person out there.
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Old 07-14-2011, 11:49 AM   #28
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Yum! Good ADR choices!
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Old 07-14-2011, 01:01 PM   #29
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Awesome ADR's........So yummy!
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Old 07-14-2011, 01:18 PM   #30
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Great ADR choices!
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