You silly, funny, wonderful people
...... I have literally laughed out loud at some of your posts today!! I will be back to answer them all either later tonight or earlier tomorrow (
@bankr63 , you KNOW I've got a comment or two about the visual you created for us all
) but for now, the update I promised!! (before I get sidetrack yet again
.... seems to be my bad habit lately)
So, that leads us to..........
Accommodations 
While every once in a while we stray from the norm and stay somewhere different (usually on those years where we’re fortunate enough to squeeze in 3 trips versus our customary 2), this May it will be “the usual”: we are returning “home” to Sheraton Vistana Resort
.
As those who regularly read my reports already know, we fell in love with SVR on our first stay in 2013, and its been hard to consider any other property since. It really is the place that just wraps us in that warm feeling that everyone searches for on vacation: it’s relaxing, and peaceful, and so incredibly beautiful
.
With all the great amenities on the property (7 pools, 6 hot tubs, 13 tennis courts, mini golf, shuffle board, surrey bike rentals, scheduled daily activities, and a whole host of other features) there’s also no shortage of fun for those seeking recreation or entertainment. In fact, for our autumn trip, we are pledging to FINALLY do an (almost) exclusively resort vacation.....other than perhaps a
MNSSHP or HHN, it will be no parks and all SVR.
Our villa, at 1260 square feet, is always more than the two of us really “need”……yet, after enjoying all the space and amenities of the timeshare life (a full kitchen with a breakfast bar, two full bathrooms, a screened in balcony, in-suite laundry, a king sized bed and jacuzzi tub in the master, and three flat-screen TV’s) we can’t fathom spending a week in a regular hotel room. I know that sounds bad, but we’ve become woefully spoiled
.
The Vistana is a very large resort, with multiple sections, but we know we will be in Fountains I as that’s where our ownership is. Over the years, we’ve actually been able to try out several different areas of the resort: in addition to Fountains, we’ve also had the pleasure of enjoying vacations in the Spas, Lakes, and Fountains II. Without question, Fountains I is our preference: the Fountains pool, with the 7’ middle depth, in-water volleyball net and beautiful waterfall (not to mention, the proximity to the Tacky Tiki Bar) is our favourite pool among the “big 3” -- the Fountains, Cascades, and Super pools.
We also LOVE the way the hot tub area is incorporated into the Fountains pool complex: two separate tubs, one upper and one lower, tucked discretely into the rock behind the waterfall, just far enough from the hullabaloo of the pool to be peaceful but close enough to be steps from the action. It remains our favorite way to finish off the day: and we can pretty much devote time there after each day at the parks, at the pool and hot tubs in Fountains are both open daily until 1 am.
While our timeshare week allows us to enjoy a 7 night stay as our ownership entitlement, this stay will actually be 8 nights in length: and that extra night is not costing us a dime this time around
. After a very unusual (but major) disruption suffered on our May 2016 vacation, the resort security manager sent us a letter of apology along with an offer of a complimentary 2 night future stay; a gesture that was not expected but very much appreciated. While our schedules (and the cats) didn’t permit us staying the full extra two nights on this trip (darn it), it allowed us to tack on at least one extra day and arrive on the Friday evening versus the Saturday night. An extension is an extension, even if it’s a short one
.
Two weeks before our arrival, we will submit our room requests via the resort’s online pre-arrival system (Diamond Lane) and put in our customary request for a top floor unit, close to the pool area: we love the third floor villas in Fountains, as they have wonderful vaulted ceilings with skylights that make the rooms feel absolutely massive and bright.
It does mean that we have to walk up and down the stairs every time we enter and leave our villa, but lord knows we can use the extra exercise with all the indulgent meals we enjoy in the south
.
Anything that makes me feel a teeny tiny less guilty about my hot fudge sundae at Twistee Treat is a happy bonus
.
102 days until we are greeted with the two sweetest words in the world:
Hey @dancin Disney style is your daughter still dancing?
. And, I'm proud to say he's doing awesome. He's a strong one, my Jake.
. Let's just say we will REALLY need a holiday by the time we board that plane!!
