Tag Archives: Disney Vacation Club

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Disney Dreaming

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Today I received a package in the mail. The return address showed that it was from Pixie Dust Delivery Service! My heart beat a little faster, my pupils dilated, and I let out an involuntary, “Woo hoo!”

A little over a week ago I messaged Amy at Pixie Dust Delivery Service and requested three, new Old Key West Resort things: a magnet, an ornament, and a shirt. (See photos below this blog.)

I really dig the new emphasis on the lighthouse, the palm trees and of course Mickey and Minnie Mouse! It was a real “treat myself” kind of moment and a much needed shot in the arm to my exhausted-from-working-out body.

You see, even though I’m being careful when I take my walks: knees slightly bent, rolling from heel through toes, tucking my pelvis under, staying as relaxed as possible, and above all breathing, breathing, breathing, I am tired! This is hard, sweat inducing, knees aching, ankles and hips protesting work! At my weight and at my age, a simple walk exhausts me.

This package today helps me to refocus, to embrace this new more active lifestyle, to savor healthier food choices. My trip to Disneyland Paris is ever closer to becoming a reality. And I am renewed in my determination to be a healthier me when I get there.

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

P.S. Thank you to http://www.disneyfoodblog.com for the photos! This is my favorite blog, and I check it out every day.

P.P.S. Thank you to Amy of Pixie Dust Delivery Service! I’ve ordered many time from Amy, and she has never let me down. Check her out at http://www.pixiedustdelivery.com.

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Disney’s Sequoia Lodge?

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Today’s featured image shows my sweaty, but happy, face after my walk. After being so sedentary for so long, it is a real challenge for me right now to take a 10-15 minute walk. But hope springs eternal, right? So each day that I take a walk is another milestone on the way to Paris. Step by step, I’ll get there.

And when I do get there, I hope to be staying at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge. I’ll use my Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points to stay there, so it’ll be like the hotel is paid for before I even get there.

Here’s What Disney has to say about it:

“Patterned after the classic inns of the American West, Disney’s Sequoia Lodge is a rustic retreat at Disneyland Paris Resort in France. Here, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty—including lush pine trees and the shimmering waters of Lake Disney.

Stay Close To The Magic

From here, the theme parks are only a 15-minute walk away—and quicker by free shuttle. Disney’s Sequoia Lodge is also located conveniently close to Disney Village.

Dining

  • Hunter’s Grill and Beaver Creek Tavern, serving country-style cuisine in a log-cabin setting
  • Redwood Bar and Lounge, a cocktail lounge with a large, open fireplace

Recreation

Discover fun for everyone, with activities and recreation to delight all ages.

  • Indoor pool with waterslide
  • Seasonal outdoor pool
  • Sauna and steam bath
  • Fitness center
  • Boutique
  • Kids play area

Services & Amenities

Enjoy an array of comforts and conveniences to help you feel carefree and cared-for during your stay.

  • Wi-Fi Internet, available at no extra charge
  • Safety deposit box
  • Currency exchange
  • Room with access for Guests with disabilities
  • Disney and international TV channels
  • Dry cleaning (fees apply)
  • Concierge services
  • Shuttle service to the Disneyland Paris theme parks and Disney Village, available at no extra charge”

Sounds great, right? I am very excited at the prospect of visiting Disneyland Paris after all these years. I was last there in 1999. At the time there was only one park (now there’s two), and there were only three hotels onsite, now there are eight. It will be a whole new adventure.

Meet me at the Kingdom!

Donna

P.S. Hey, I just discovered that there is a whole new possibility for our DVC points. Villages Nature Paris would offer us accommodations with a kitchen. And we would have a bigger living space to all hang out together.

Hmm…three hotel rooms at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge, or one two-bedroom and one one-bedroom villa at Villages Nature Paris? Stayed tuned for more details.

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Routine and Surprise

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This morning I officially restarted Noom. So I weighed in (I hate that part), I’m logging my food, I did my ten minute lesson, and I started walking. Since I am retired, I can sustain the routine pretty easily. But I’ve got to tell you, I only walked for ten minutes, and it totally kicked my butt! (See the red, sweaty face in today’s photo.) The weight that I’ve regained in the last eight months is mostly in my belly and butt. Yugh! Moving around is so exhausting! That fat used to be more evenly distributed; now it’s concentrated in my mid-section. I’m not discouraged; however, I realize that I have  a long road ahead of me. I am not at all defeated, defeat for me is defined by quitting. I will not quit!

In 21 months we hope to vacation at Disneyland Paris. As Disney Vacation Club members, we can trade our points for five nights at Disney’s Sequoia Lodge in Marne-la-Vallee, France. We’d like to go Paris rather than Orlando next time so Emi (my daughter who lives in England) and her family don’t have the expensive flights for one vacation. So we’ll spend five nights there, visit the parks for two or three days, and head into Paris for a day or two.

This trip is my long term motivation for sticking to better food choices and for keeping more movement/walking in my daily life. I have 21 months to do this, and I want to focus every day of those 21 months on a healthier, more mobile lifestyle.

Now for the surprise: we had a short, but very sweet, drop-in visit from our dear friends Wayne and Caleb. They swung in for a cup of coffee on their way to a conference. What a delightful treat! It was a slice of Yooper heaven. Mike and I grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, so we are Yoopers born and bred. This visit was such an unexpected blessing!

Thank you for you faithfulness, Dear Readers! Meet me at the Kingdom!

Donna

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To Everything There Is a Season

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Today I traveled home from Walt Disney World. It’s always a bittersweet day. After eight nights in Florida, I was ready to be home. But home meant saying good-bye to Emi and family for several months, and that is always difficult.

They are back home in England safe and sound. Jake and family are safely back in Illinois. And Mike and I are home tonight also. Mary Ann, our cat, greeted us with loud meows and lots of close contact. So, it’s good to be home after an incredible vacation. So thankful!

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Love, Tears and Thankfulness

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Today was our last full day at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. We had tickets for a park, but only Jake went in today. He chose Disney’s Hollywood Studio so he could ride Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, his favorite ride. As he entered the gate who should he see waiting there? Daniel Carlson, a dear family friend! What are the chances?? They chatted for a bit as Daniel waited for his friends to show up. Incredible! It’s a God thing.

The rest of us stayed at the resort to chill and begin packing. Ida seemed to have a low-grade fever and Linnie is still recovering from the flu. It was a nice low key day.

Then it was time for Emi, James and Ida to catch the bus to the airport. With plenty of hugs and tears to go around, I thanked God for this time together. I’ll be looking forward to our next time together, perhaps as soon as March.

Mike, Jake, Eliza, Linnie and I wandered up to Turtle Krawl for dinner. With burgers, chili dogs, and pulled pork sandwiches for dinner from Good’s Food to Go and drinks from Gurgling Suitcase we whiled away the hours in the warm evening Florida breezes. It was a perfect ending to an emotional day.

Well, Dear Readers, I am one Disney-exhausted camper. So delighted for this incredible adventure. And yet ready to go home tomorrow. Home, where Mary Ann, our kitty cat, waits for me.

Until the next time…meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Magic Kingdom Day

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Day two of our Walt Disney World adventure has been so incredible!

  1. Character breakfast at Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom. Ida was completely traumatized by the arrival of Winnie the Pooh. “Too big!” She begged to be cuddled by her mum and hid her face until Pooh went away. Tigger-same thing. Piglet-a little more interested. Eeyore-not so scared, and Ida didn’t hide her eyes.
  2. We rode Peter Pan’s Flight, and Ida and James were a bit scared. “Too dark.”
  3. We rode it’s a small world next. Ida dug it!
  4. We rode Winnie the Pooh. Ida thought it was OK, but a bit too bumpy.
  5. Finally we rode Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid. When we finished, Ida said, “Really cool!” Success at last!
  6. We finished our day with a swim and dinner at Olivia’s.

What an incredible day! What an incredible time with family! What a beautiful place!

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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We’re Here!!

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We are at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, all settled into our villa. Thank you, Jesus!! Three years of planning all come down to this day. Our flight was good. The Conch Fritters at Good’s Food To Go were delicious! Our luggage showed up at our room as if by magic. And we’re getting groceries delivered any minute now. Emi, James and Ida are due soon. I am so grateful! More news tomorrow.

Come on down and meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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One Day More

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Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya. Tomorrow, you’re only a day away…

So today is crazy, busy getting ready to go day. As I sit here watching “The Real”, I am sipping my Airborne which I hope will help to boost my immune system. I don’t want to pick up any nasty germs on the plane tomorrow.

Tomorrow afternoon, Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, I will be sipping a Diet Coke and sharing an order of Conch Fritters on the small boardwalk at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Jake, Eliza and Linnie are scheduled to arrive in Orlando within a minute of our arrival, so there’s a good chance that we will ride the same Magical Express bus to the resort. That would be a little extra magical, right?

I’m packing a swimsuit in my carry on, so if our room isn’t ready when we arrive, I may just take a dip in the main pool. It’s a very nice zero entry (beach entry) pool that I can walk right into. No ladder to climb, nor even steps. My kinda pool!

I can hardly believe it’s here at last. Three years of waiting is down to one day more. I won’t lie to you; I’m feeling blessed!

Meet me at the Kingdom. Tomorrow!

Donna

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Two Days!

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In two days I am going to Walt Disney World! I can hardly believe it’s so soon.

Yesterday, in the nick of time, the rest of our luggage tags for Magical Express came in the mail. We have to attach these tags to our luggage to have it delivered to our room by Disney. Jake’s, Eliza’s and Linnie’s tags had not yet arrived, but they finally showed up. And since today was one of my days watching Linnie for a few hours, Eliza slipped the tags into the diaper bag so they would be sure to make it home with them.

Whew! That is calling it close.

Tomorrow I finish up my packing. My whole day will be dedicated to finishing up with my suitcase, organizing my Disney purse, and filling up my carry-on.

Every vacation I over plan and over pack. And this time will be no different. Every vacation I over think all of this. Too much planning, too much plotting. Too much, period. When all that really matters is occupying the same space as some of my favorite people on the planet. That is what this reunion is all about. Sharing time with those we love. What a blessing!

Meet me at the Kingdom.

Donna

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WDW Magazine and Disney Files Magazine

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Ten days from now my vacation to Walt Disney World begins! Whoopee!!

Today I received my October issue of WDW Magazine (see featured photo) and my fall issue of Disney Files Magazine, which is the magazine for Disney Vacation Club Members. Talk about timing, right? As I’m looking through the magazines, I am getting all kinds of jacked up for my holiday!

Reading Taste the World at the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival in WDW Magazine has me drooling as I contemplate making my way around World Showcase Lagoon sampling what is on offer, both food and drink. A nibble of this, a sip of that and on to the next booth. Mike and I will be over the moon sharing the small plates and drinks of the festival. Yummy!

Perusing Halloween’s Not-So-Scary at Walt Disney World also from WDW Magazine, I can hardly wait to watch Happy Hallowishes again. There’s something about the colors of these Halloween themed fireworks that draw me in. And I am so excited to watch Mickey’s Boo to You! Halloween Parade again. It’s so fun to see all of the Disney characters in their Halloween costumes. And the Disney villains are out and about, too. But my favorite part of the parade is the gravediggers from the Haunted Mansion as they drag their shovels along the pavement. And this time, for the first time, I want to go through a few candy lines to add some goodies to my trick-or-treat bag. Then I’ll top off the evening by sharing a Not-So-Poison Apple cupcake.

This will be an overwhelmingly exciting week, and it cannot come soon enough!

Meet me at the Kingdom!

Donna