Sunset

Sunset
Sunset on Pensacola Beach

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Where did the time go?????

Hi All!  
I could not get the pictures to upload for a long time and then I lost interest.  But I am back today so let's see what I can get accomplished.



Ok....... So far, so good.  It uploaded the picture of the Pensacola Naval Base Lighthouse.  Cool!
Now let's see if this is going to upload to the blog on the internet.  
       AND HERE WE GO............

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Disney World #3 - and more


At Disney World we enjoy the parks, the beauty, the happy cast members, and the quality of entertainment.   We also enjoy the restaurants throughout the parks and in the individual resorts.  Food is great - but pricey - and atmosphere is incredible!  Who knows, you might just see Mickey or Donald!


Relaxing in a restaurant  after a long afternoon of fun.


Rainforest Cafe in Animal Kingdom.


One of our favorite shows, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  Because Mom is considered handicap, we sit right in front and have a wonderful view.


Very talented singers.


The colors at Disney are so vivid!   Of course, that is what Disney is known for - COLOR!


Mot of you know this guy......

And that guy.


Dinner in 50's Prime Time Cafe.   Reminds us of Grandma Kaiser's kitchen.


Mom's new jacket purchased in the Magic Kingdom.  It is warm and ever so cute!


And a Disney Vacation Club cap for Dad. 


Another great reason to stay at the Polynesian......when you walk out the back lobby door, there is the DOLE WHIP STAND!    This is a favorite of many at Disney World.  If you like pineapple, you will love the vanilla-pineapple swirl.  


You can get Dole Whip t-shirts.


I do believe this sign!


Do they look tired?  Don't feel sorry for them.   I suggested we go back to the room for a couple hours.  Dad's response......"I am on vacation!   Let's get to the next park."   Well, OK!!!



It is time to get packing and head home.  But they take great care of us by getting our car and luggage and loading us up.  They even took us on a final tour of the Polynesian grounds on the large golf cart.
DON'T MAKE ME GO HOME!




We have picked up a Kacey.  It is raining when we left.   Beautiful while we were there.    That is the Disney way.



 The castle is beautiful at day and especially beautiful at night.   It beckons you into the park and as you leave, you keep turning around to see the night beauty.

Our next trip for now is scheduled in September.  At this point when we go, we pay our gas to Disney World (Prius) and food.  We have annual passes and Disney Vacation Club.


I don't know if this video will work.  Let's try it!   Take care and keep warm up north.


Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Disney part 2


Two nights I began writing about our Disney vacation last week and I am settled at 10:20 to blog some more.  I did have a busy day with errands this morning, the doctor's appointment, and a trip to Pensacola Cordova Mall to pick up an order.
I've said this before - as do most retired people - HOW DID I HAVE TIME TO WORK?

+++++

We ate lunch at The Plaza - the end of main street in the Magic Kingdom.  You get lots of food for a good price.  (Mom and I shared a Plaza Club and had plenty to eat.)  Get reservations!


Dad loves his chocolate shakes.


On the monorail, and again, Mom is cold but everyone else is comfy.  


In the Floridian listening to an incredible dance band. Oh my gosh, the intonation and balance was superb.  


Here is the band in the balcony.  They have bands/orchestras every day.  It is a pleasure to enjoy this fine music while relaxing your tired feet.


I had read, IF you asked - and IF you were lucky - and IF they have any left you could get the DVC slider for free for your Magic Bands.  They secure the band so that it will not drop off.  In case you are not a Disney World visitor you may not realize that everyone now gets a Magic Band in the choice of your favorite color.  There is an electronic chip that opens your room door, lets parks recognize you park ticket, and it can also charge on your chosen credit card - if you wish.


Tikki Birds - I think.


Waiting for the African Safari.  That was wonderful.  We enjoyed it so much and that is amazing since we live next to a zoo and see animals all the time. 


I will tell you, not only do these look like the real safari trucks but that bounce and bump like them too.  

Just a few shots from the safari.   White rhino.   We see these in our zoo.  (No they are not white.)


We do not have elephants here at the Gulf Breeze Zoo and they have quite a few.  They are so beautiful and all the space in the world to roam.


Termite mounds.  No thank you.


We had to stop and wait while several giraffes crossed the road.   Slowly.  Very slowly.   No hurry at all!


Next is the show FLIGHTS OF WONDER.  It is all about birds and they are trained to fly certain routes but are not asked to do silly things like riding bikes, etc.....    The show is so respectful of the animals and wanting us to respect their needs.   Bald Eagle - one very beautiful bird.


The owl flew over us and I could feel the air move from his wings.
Now, the show was about a travel guide that is afraid of birds.  Of course, by the end of the show she absolutely loves the birds.  But she pretends to get frightened during the show and run off the stage.  Whose lap does she end up in?  Yep!  My Dad!

This was so cute and funny.  Mom loved it!

Are we tired and done with our Disney Blog????  NO!   I have part three to put together yet.  


These two might look tired but we are just resting up for our next park.  

+++++

Yes, I absolutely love Disney World and Mom and Dad have a great time.  They are 81 and 82 years old and are all over the parks.  And I do know some people don't get it but there are thousands and thousands and thousands  of us out these that believe what Walt started is magical!   We met people from many different countries that flew here just to spend two weeks at Disney World.
So, now with our DVC, we will be back in September.  I can't wait!
It is getting late - and as they say at the Polynesian....ALOHA!


Sunday, January 17, 2016

Disney World 1-2016

Yes, this is me thinking.

I thought about how to approach this blog........and decided to start with a short explanation.  We now belong to the DVC (Disney Vacation Club which is their timeshare.)  The decision took several weeks of study but I realized the pros SO outweigh the cons with becoming a member.  
Last Monday we headed for Disney World and stayed in our home resort - the Polynesian.  We chose the Polynesian because:

  • We LOVE that resort.
  • It is on the monorail system.
  • You can easily walk to the ticket and transportation area.
  • Largest DVC rooms in Disney World.
  • They were offering a lower cost of points for a short period of time - saved me money!
  • Small enough that walking around the outside of the resort is a short walk.


The first stop is at Best Friends on Disney Property.  Their kennel is cheaper for me to leave Kacey than the one at our vet.  But I like that she is minutes away IF there is a problem.  Yes, it is pretty fancy for the dogs.  After all, they are on vacation too!!

++++++

Then on to the Polynesian.  Loved our room and the view.  We could see the Castle from the grounds and I could sit on our couch and watch fireworks from the patio windows.  

The room included a kitchenette.  Sink, toaster, coffee pot, microwave, fridge, and dishes.

Couch opens to a bed and was pretty comfortable.  Let's face it, the bed is the most comfy way to go but I give that to Mom and Dad.


Two bathrooms -  one with stool, tub, and sink.   The other with sink and an incredible walk in shower with the rain style shower head.  I was hooked!


The next two pictures were cool.  Looks like a pretty chest.  But when you pull on the drawer it opens into a twin bed.   Best for kids but an adult could sleep on it.  Just watch your head when getting up in the morning.



++++++

We grabbed a tasty lunch at the Polynesian and headed off for the Magic Kingdom.  The weather was great.  Don't judge by my Mom with a hood on her head.   She is ALWAYS cold.  And if she is not cold, she is too hot.  But she has a great time.
It wasn't really crowded but I always think in January it should have less people.  But we never waited in line.  The most exciting part of the Magic Kingdom was that they still had the Christmas decorations up.   Even the ice cycles on the castle. I had not seen this before and was in awe of the beauty of the holiday decorations.  
The next day we began our day at Magic Kingdom and every single Christmas decoration was down - gone - holiday finished!!!!  I have read that putting up decorations and taking down all happens at night with a full work force but how amazing to see this change in person.




 

 Dancing in the Polynesian.

Mom looking like Hawaiian royalty.  




Castle on Tuesday evening and afternoon.

I have lots more but it is getting late.  After this week at Disney, I know the correct decision was made financially to buy into DVC.  The room we had would of been approx. $500.00 a night and we could never afford that sort of luxury.  
See Ya Real Soon!!!!