Kevin Stringer
Chat Host
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
Here we go again. A brief introduction to the happy band of wanderers for all of those that don't know us.
Me, Kev. 42. Handsome, articulate, staggeringly clever and really just all round wonderful. No, really I am.
Tam, my wife. 36. Trying to belie the ravages of time and not doing a bad job. Of course, compared to me she struggles, but then again who wouldn't. Stop that s******ing now!
India, daughter. 9. Top Disney fan and all round good girl. (Most of the time).
Georgia, daughter. 6. Will become 7 while on holiday. Getting a sunnier disposition the older she gets.
If you want to know more about this wonderful family, (and let's face it who wouldn't?) check out our previous trip on my web site at <A HREF="http://freespace.virgin.net/kevin.stringer/index.htm" TARGET="_blank">http://freespace.virgin.net/kevin.stringer/index.htm</A>
DAY 17 FRI. 27th OCT.
Everyone wakes up at 8:00 but nobody wants to get out of bed. The journey home is never pleasant. We have breakfast and are packed by 10:00.
We are trying something different this year. In an attempt to extend the holiday until the last possible second we are spending our last hour and a half by the pool. Bell services pick up our luggage and store it for us while we go and relax. The girls go for a swim and I ponder on why we always feel so depressed on returning home from WDW.
I think it is because Disney creates a magical fantasy world, bright exciting and vibrant. We experience battles between good and evil, spectacular parades and shows, resorts of luxury and opulence, beauty, happiness and an assault on the senses that is amazing. All of this creates an 'other worldliness' that makes a return to our everyday lives more difficult because of the extreme contrast between normality and Disney.
Probably a load of rubbish but it works for me.
After swimming for an hour or so we go to the health club to shower and change. Lunch is supposed to be a sandwich from the Boardwalk Bakery but there are none ready. When we ask how long they will be we are told about half an hour. This is cutting it a bit fine so we opt for the ESPN club instead. Ironic really as this is the place we had lunch after our DVC tour in January. You could say we have come full circle.
Tam and I share a burger which is excellent and the girls share a kids chicken fingers meal. Along with a last beer for this trip (snivel) sodas and tip, the cost is $38.
The rest is boring. Load up the car, drive to the airport, get the plane to Cincinnati, get the plane to Gatwick, drive home. YEUK!
Sorry this last part is a bit downbeat but that's the way I feel.
SUMMARY
A ha. Caught you. Just when you were breathing a huge sigh of relief and thinking that it was all finally over, I sneak in with a summary at the end. Fiendish but effective!
Weather - As I'm British this had to come first. I would definitely recommend this time of the year. We had large amounts of sunshine and no real rain to speak of. With daytime temperatures in the mid 80's and evenings around 70 it was as close to perfect as you can get.
Crowds - In the parks we noticed a considerable difference between this time and our last trip in January. There were definitely more people around this time although I wouldn't say that the crowds were in any way unmanageable.
The Boardwalk Villas - Wonderful. A beautiful place that has everything I want in a resort. It can be loud, quiet, exciting, tranquil, just about anything you want it to be really.
The valet parking is a real boon, something that I did not think I would use very much but ended up taking advantage of all the time.
You get a better class of person at the Boardwalk, at least you did until we arrived. None of your All Star riffraff here. I'm only joking, I spent many a happy time at the All Star resorts, I'm just feeling a bit smug and superior now I've got into the DVC.
Vero Beach - Quiet, laid back, relaxed and very pretty, this is the perfect place to unwind and take things slowly. There is not a huge amount to do at night and nothing within walking distance outside of the resort.
Everything is based around the pool and the beach but it never seems that crowded. There are plenty of sun beds and seating areas, of course it still helps to get there early if you want the prime spots. (Early means pre 10:00).
We enjoyed eating at the Riverside Cafe (in Vero Beach), Captain Hirams (in Sebastian) and Shutters (on site).
I had read a lot about how friendly the staff are supposed to be at Vero and I have to say that I agree with them. I think the relaxed atmosphere must rub off on them too!
Both DVC resorts are staggeringly well thought out, being both beautiful and luxurious. We will probably never stay anywhere better.
This was a slightly strange trip for us in that we spent only 4 days in theme parks. It is likely that this will be the way that we will approach our holidays here in the future. Relaxed rather than hectic.
Well, I hope you have found this trip report interesting even if you haven't agreed with everything within. This is because you are wrong and I'm right. Stringer rule No.47a - I am always right even when I'm wrong.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment on my reports either by posting or via e-mail. It is very much appreciated and it helps to know that there is someone out there prepared to slog their way through my endless drivel.
See you in November 2001.
Regards
Kevin Stringer
Me, Kev. 42. Handsome, articulate, staggeringly clever and really just all round wonderful. No, really I am.
Tam, my wife. 36. Trying to belie the ravages of time and not doing a bad job. Of course, compared to me she struggles, but then again who wouldn't. Stop that s******ing now!
India, daughter. 9. Top Disney fan and all round good girl. (Most of the time).
Georgia, daughter. 6. Will become 7 while on holiday. Getting a sunnier disposition the older she gets.
If you want to know more about this wonderful family, (and let's face it who wouldn't?) check out our previous trip on my web site at <A HREF="http://freespace.virgin.net/kevin.stringer/index.htm" TARGET="_blank">http://freespace.virgin.net/kevin.stringer/index.htm</A>
DAY 17 FRI. 27th OCT.
Everyone wakes up at 8:00 but nobody wants to get out of bed. The journey home is never pleasant. We have breakfast and are packed by 10:00.
We are trying something different this year. In an attempt to extend the holiday until the last possible second we are spending our last hour and a half by the pool. Bell services pick up our luggage and store it for us while we go and relax. The girls go for a swim and I ponder on why we always feel so depressed on returning home from WDW.
I think it is because Disney creates a magical fantasy world, bright exciting and vibrant. We experience battles between good and evil, spectacular parades and shows, resorts of luxury and opulence, beauty, happiness and an assault on the senses that is amazing. All of this creates an 'other worldliness' that makes a return to our everyday lives more difficult because of the extreme contrast between normality and Disney.
Probably a load of rubbish but it works for me.
After swimming for an hour or so we go to the health club to shower and change. Lunch is supposed to be a sandwich from the Boardwalk Bakery but there are none ready. When we ask how long they will be we are told about half an hour. This is cutting it a bit fine so we opt for the ESPN club instead. Ironic really as this is the place we had lunch after our DVC tour in January. You could say we have come full circle.
Tam and I share a burger which is excellent and the girls share a kids chicken fingers meal. Along with a last beer for this trip (snivel) sodas and tip, the cost is $38.
The rest is boring. Load up the car, drive to the airport, get the plane to Cincinnati, get the plane to Gatwick, drive home. YEUK!
Sorry this last part is a bit downbeat but that's the way I feel.
SUMMARY
A ha. Caught you. Just when you were breathing a huge sigh of relief and thinking that it was all finally over, I sneak in with a summary at the end. Fiendish but effective!
Weather - As I'm British this had to come first. I would definitely recommend this time of the year. We had large amounts of sunshine and no real rain to speak of. With daytime temperatures in the mid 80's and evenings around 70 it was as close to perfect as you can get.
Crowds - In the parks we noticed a considerable difference between this time and our last trip in January. There were definitely more people around this time although I wouldn't say that the crowds were in any way unmanageable.
The Boardwalk Villas - Wonderful. A beautiful place that has everything I want in a resort. It can be loud, quiet, exciting, tranquil, just about anything you want it to be really.
The valet parking is a real boon, something that I did not think I would use very much but ended up taking advantage of all the time.
You get a better class of person at the Boardwalk, at least you did until we arrived. None of your All Star riffraff here. I'm only joking, I spent many a happy time at the All Star resorts, I'm just feeling a bit smug and superior now I've got into the DVC.
Vero Beach - Quiet, laid back, relaxed and very pretty, this is the perfect place to unwind and take things slowly. There is not a huge amount to do at night and nothing within walking distance outside of the resort.
Everything is based around the pool and the beach but it never seems that crowded. There are plenty of sun beds and seating areas, of course it still helps to get there early if you want the prime spots. (Early means pre 10:00).
We enjoyed eating at the Riverside Cafe (in Vero Beach), Captain Hirams (in Sebastian) and Shutters (on site).
I had read a lot about how friendly the staff are supposed to be at Vero and I have to say that I agree with them. I think the relaxed atmosphere must rub off on them too!
Both DVC resorts are staggeringly well thought out, being both beautiful and luxurious. We will probably never stay anywhere better.
This was a slightly strange trip for us in that we spent only 4 days in theme parks. It is likely that this will be the way that we will approach our holidays here in the future. Relaxed rather than hectic.
Well, I hope you have found this trip report interesting even if you haven't agreed with everything within. This is because you are wrong and I'm right. Stringer rule No.47a - I am always right even when I'm wrong.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment on my reports either by posting or via e-mail. It is very much appreciated and it helps to know that there is someone out there prepared to slog their way through my endless drivel.
See you in November 2001.
Regards
Kevin Stringer
Your detail is wonderful. I feel like I was right there with you and your family!
I have enjoyed reading each one. Now I feel like I know you. 
