Photo Credit: Dennis Brown, NDU 5
So this October my family is going to experience one of the biggest ways to show your Disney addiction—my little sister will be having a Disney wedding. That’s right, folks, the tons (and tons) of Disney movies, toys, plushes, memorabilia, trips, etc. do not compare to the neurotic Disney-ness that comes with having a Disney wedding. Well, this great family event leads to my own craziness—my seven month booking window for DVC is approaching!
From the updated rooms at Caribbean Beach that are Pirate and Nemo themed to the recent announcement of the brand new Animation resort, accommodations have been getting face lift all over the Walt Disney World resort. From now until spring of 2011, it is Old Key West’s turn! This original Disney Vacation Club resort is turning 19 this December and has not gone through much in the way of updates since it opened.
These updates, which have already begun in a building on property, will focus on updating amenities within the resort rooms, including room décor. New flat-panel TVs, which have been seen in several resorts throughout property, will be added to the rooms as well as granite countertops and for the one and two bedroom Villas, a sleeper chair will be added. Some other changes to the rooms include new bedding and pillows, chairs, carpeting, drapes, lamps and some other furniture.
Quite a few of the Disney resorts have boat service to the parks and attractions. You can get to the Magic Kingdom by boat from the Wilderness Lodge as well as from the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian resorts. Downtown Disney is accessible by boat from the Port Orleans resorts, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. The whole EPCOT resort area is connected by boat to the Boardwalk, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. This includes the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resorts, the Boardwalk Inn and the Yacht and Beach clubs. Naturally, each of these boat-accessible resorts has a dock. I think the prettiest dock by far at Walt Disney World is the one directly in front of the Yacht Club. In the distance, the Boardwalk and the manicured banks of Crescent Lake make for a pretty backdrop.
The kids have been tucked in. Books have been read and the nightlight is secured in your bathroom at Old Key West “just in case”. Grandma has offered to stay with the kids for a bit and tells you and your significant other to go have a night on the town.
What better town than Disney?
Last week we talked a bit about my love affair with Boardwalk Villas so this post will just continue that love. Because one of the best spots adults can enjoy while at Disney is the Boardwalk itself!
BIRDS, BEES, AND HONEYTREES
THE ZENITH OF OLD KEY WEST
“Disney’s Best Kept Secret” reached my ear back in 1997. I was on my Walt Disney World honeymoon, strolling hand-in-hand with DH through the landscape of Downtown Disney, when an attractive kiosk caught my attention. The sign attached to the kiosk promised to reveal a carefully protected Disney confidence if I would only approach the kiosk-keeper who smiled pleasantly beside the booth.
The world is coming to an end. That must be it. There is no other reason to explain the strange feeling that has suddenly overcome me. I am afraid to go to Walt Disney World. Surely it is a sign of the apocalypse.
Now that all my weeks of hyper-focused energy have landed us a stay at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, I am paralyzed by the thought of actually going. This happening is absolutely bizarre, but there is some method to my madness.
GRAMMY’S A “GO”
Grammy is my mother who lives in South Florida where I was raised. She and I have a long, difficult history. While I am a Neurotic Disney Mom (NDM), Grammy is just a Neurotic Mom (NM). It is the “Disney” element that makes one’s neurosis an endearing quality rather than an unbearable one. For this reason, NDMs and NMs are worlds apart and often clash.
DH is speaking with Mr. Walters. Surprisingly, DH is talking up a good case and displaying promising persuasive powers. Mr. Walters seems enthusiastic about the idea because their family has not had a vacation in some time either. The situation seems ideal. DH and I enjoy spending time with the Walters, and the Walters have two well-mannered children that are playmates of our kiddos. Plus, the Walters have a slight difficulty with food allergies, so not only are they respectful of our circumstances but their food choices resemble our own. It is destiny!
The last few days have been spent gathering my thoughts. I have acquired three WDW vacation packages that meet our needs, but it is yet to be decided whether they meet our budget. Joel will be the one to deliver the verdict on that. Since his lack-lustre mentality in regard to Disney does not incline him to favor “border-line” budget breakers, I am a bit fretful.
I have spent the last few weeks doing two things. The first thing I’ve done is consistently run into dead ends. No matter how I turn it, DH informs me that the small amount of money we’ve put aside will not cover the accommodations we need. The second thing I have done is compulsively view every last item in our extensive, free Disney Vacation Planning DVD library. I know that I must keep fighting the good fight, and the DVDs—which do an incredible job of creating WDW lust—provide me with the motivation I need to press on.
