Trip Report The Audrey’s 3rd Birthday Trip Trip Report…!!!!!

Who: myself (Steve), my DWifey of 35+ years (Carolyn), oldest DD (Megan, turned 33 today), DS (Matthew, 31), youngest DD (Sarah, 29), SonIL (Daniel, oldest DDs husband, 34), oldest granddaughter (Emory, “Emmy”, 5) and youngest granddaughter (Audrey, turned 3 during the trip) for who the TR title is obviously dedicated to…!!!

When: June 26th to July 2nd, 2024.

Where: Old Key West Resort. First time ever staying there…!!!

Some initial fave PP pics below…!!!!!

More to come, soon…!!!

 

[MotherofaPrincessLover]

Here to join in on the SVT talk I also have SVT but haven't actually been diagnosed. I really had no idea what was wrong with me until my daughter was diagnosed (she had to be converted with adenosine when she was 12). My daughter actually had an ablation when she was 12 and has been good since. Her episodes would literally last for hours. I don't have frequent episodes and they typically last for half an hour or less so I just haven't really sought out any treatment.

 

[donaldtoo]

Wednesday, June 26th continued…

OK, now back to my irregularly scheduled TR…!!!

We arrived at the OKW Resort entrance at 12:10p, and passed a Figment bus on the way in…!!!

Arriving at the OKW Hospitality House, and pics below of the porte-cochere/portico, and the promenade/breezeway.

This wasn’t a Park day for us, so we decided to check all our bags with bell services, go get some food (none for me though, as I had already “eaten” 2 Tito’s and tomato juice Bloody Mary’s on the flight…!!!!! ), and wait for what would hopefully be early room ready texts.
As it turned out, we also ended up checking out the Conch Flats General Store (gift shop), and hanging out in the community room off the lobby.
They had a model of the old Overseas Railroad train and bridge in there, and a chess board.
The main resort entrance bridge is themed for the old railroad bridge, and Megan and Daniel are teaching the girls chess…!!!

By 1:21p we had not yet received any room ready texts, so we decided to catch a bus to Disney Springs…!!!

Up next: Wednesday, June 26th continued…

 

[donaldtoo]

Here to join in on the SVT talk I also have SVT but haven't actually been diagnosed. I really had no idea what was wrong with me until my daughter was diagnosed (she had to be converted with adenosine when she was 12). My daughter actually had an ablation when she was 12 and has been good since. Her episodes would literally last for hours. I don't have frequent episodes and they typically last for half an hour or less so I just haven't really sought out any treatment.

Yes, I’ve heard of people having events way more often than myself. As many as several times a month, or even more often. If it’s that bad, the procedure is very necessary, as I’ve been told damage can occur.
Very glad to hear your daughter had the procedure, is fine now, and that it’s still not causing you any major problems…!!!
I didn’t have my first sustained event until I was 32. We had just finished dessert at a work lunch out when it kicked in. I’d only ever had some PVCs and very short (a coupla’ seconds) events for years previously, and always thought I may just be goin’ nutso…!!!!!
After we got back to the office 30 minutes later, it still hadn’t abated, so I alerted a coworker and asked him to please drive me to a hospital down the road, so as not to cause a big ruckus with a 911 call…!!!!!
When I got to the hospital, I told them my heart was beating really fast and that I felt strain throughout my chest. I was immediately surrounded by ER staff, and one nurse tried to take my pulse. When another nurse asked her what it was she replied “I can’t count it…!”.
With that, I was immediately whisked away, and the rest is history…!!!

 

[MinnieM123]

Wednesday, June 26th continued…

OK, now back to my irregularly scheduled TR…!!!

We arrived at the OKW Resort entrance at 12:10p, and passed a Figment bus on the way in…!!!

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Arriving at the OKW Hospitality House, and pics below of the porte-cochere/portico, and the promenade/breezeway.

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This wasn’t a Park day for us, so we decided to check all our bags with bell services, go get some food (none for me though, as I had already “eaten” 2 Tito’s and tomato juice Bloody Mary’s on the flight…!!!!! ), and wait for what would hopefully be early room ready texts.
As it turned out, we also ended up checking out the Conch Flats General Store (gift shop), and hanging out in the community room off the lobby.
They had a model of the old Overseas Railroad train and bridge in there, and a chess board.
The main resort entrance bridge is themed for the old railroad bridge, and Megan and Daniel are teaching the girls chess…!!!

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By 1:21p we had not yet received any room ready texts, so we decided to catch a bus to Disney Springs…!!!

Up next: Wednesday, June 26th continued…

Love seeing your son's intensity, as he checked out the model train! Great photo!

 

[donaldtoo]

Love seeing your son's intensity, as he checked out the model train! Great photo!

Thanks, Minnie…!!!
Yep, even with his autism, he’s still as curious as ever about everything in the world…..or, maybe I should say, due to his autism…?!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Wednesday, June 26th continued…

On the bus from OKW to Disney Springs at about 1:45p, and it was good to see the boats running again…!!!

We got a quick afternoon snack at Everglazed…!!!!!

Then, we checked out the World of Disney store, the Lego store, and just generally wandered around.

I need the mural pictured below on the side of our house…!!!!!

After all that jazz, we took a boat back to OKW at about 4p, as we had a 7p ADR at Olivia’s…!!!

Daniel and Megan got their room ready text while we were in Disney Springs, and we got ours on the boat ride back to OKW…!!!

Up next: Wednesday, June 26th continued…

 

[donaldtoo]

Wednesday, June 26th continued…
So, I edited my last post, as our ADR at Olivia’s was actually for 7p (I don’t take TR notes, so go from memory and pics ).

Between the time we got back to OKW and our ADR at Olivia’s, a good storm rolled through.

Emmy being silly at the Old Turtle Pond Road bus stop across the street from our building…!!!!!

We arrived at Olivia’s a few minutes before our 7p ADR, and Megan went to check us in.
We were all pretty hungry at this point, as the donut snack at Everglazed had completely wore off…!!!

Megan was told they were running behind because they were short kitchen staff, so it would be more like 7:30p before we would be seated.
This did not bode well from the beginning, but we all waited patiently to be called.
We were finally called and seated at about 7:35p, according to the time stamp on the menu pic below.

Carolyn and I ordered the Shrimp Scampi, Matt ordered the Signature Bacon Cheeseburger and Sarah ordered the Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken.
Megan ordered some vegan options for herself, Emmy and Audrey, and I can’t remember what Daniel ordered.

My mostly drank (the first of three) Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, and my already bit dinner roll…sorry, but by the time we were seated I was pretty thirsty and hungry, and didn’t snap to take a pic of either before it was too late…!!!!!

And then, after we ordered, we again patiently waited…..and waited…..and waited………..

The time stamp on my just-delivered entree pic below shows 8:47p…!!!!!!!

And, so…..

In hindsight, we shoulda’ probably bailed to go get some QS/CS when we were given the initial “running behind” info, but we had heard good things about Olivia’s, and this would be our only time this trip to give it a try.
Our server was prompt, friendly, and attentive, but there’s only so much she could do with the kitchen running so far behind.
The atmosphere was nice, and the food itself was pretty delicious (at least mine was), for the most part, but that could simply be because I was so darn hungry by the time it showed up.
I’ve posted about this before, but Emmy and Audrey were as patient and well-behaved as they always are, and we were so proud of them and how Megan and Daniel are raising them…!!!!!
And, finally, I’ll just blame the wait for me having had the three Cigar City Jai Alai IPAs…!!!!!

Up next: Thursday, June 27th…

 

[pkkurz]

Wednesday, June 26th continued…
So, I edited my last post, as our ADR at Olivia’s was actually for 7p (I don’t take TR notes, so go from memory and pics ).

Between the time we got back to OKW and our ADR at Olivia’s, a good storm rolled through.

Emmy being silly at the Old Turtle Pond Road bus stop across the street from our building…!!!!!


View attachment 801833

We arrived at Olivia’s a few minutes before our 7p ADR, and Megan went to check us in.
We were all pretty hungry at this point, as the donut snack at Everglazed had completely wore off…!!!

View attachment 801834

Megan was told they were running behind because they were short kitchen staff, so it would be more like 7:30p before we would be seated.
This did not bode well from the beginning, but we all waited patiently to be called.
We were finally called and seated at about 7:35p, according to the time stamp on the menu pic below.

Carolyn and I ordered the Shrimp Scampi, Matt ordered the Signature Bacon Cheeseburger and Sarah ordered the Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken.
Megan ordered some vegan options for herself, Emmy and Audrey, and I can’t remember what Daniel ordered.

View attachment 801841

My mostly drank (the first of three) Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, and my already bit dinner roll…sorry, but by the time we were seated I was pretty thirsty and hungry, and didn’t snap to take a pic of either before it was too late…!!!!!

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And then, after we ordered, we again patiently waited…..and waited…..and waited………..

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The time stamp on my just-delivered entree pic below shows 8:47p…!!!!!!!

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And, so…..

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In hindsight, we shoulda’ probably bailed to go get some QS/CS when we were given the initial “running behind” info, but we had heard good things about Olivia’s, and this would be our only time this trip to give it a try.
Our server was prompt, friendly, and attentive, but there’s only so much she could do with the kitchen running so far behind.
The atmosphere was nice, and the food itself was pretty delicious (at least mine was), for the most part, but that could simply be because I was so darn hungry by the time it showed up.
I’ve posted about this before, but Emmy and Audrey were as patient and well-behaved as they always are, and we were so proud of them and how Megan and Daniel are raising them…!!!!!
And, finally, I’ll just blame the wait for me having had the three Cigar City Jai Alai IPAs…!!!!!

Up next: Thursday, October 27th…

October???

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, June 27th…

This was also not a Park day, so we slept a little late, and then had a visit from Donald and Daisy at about 8:20a on our lanai…!!!!!

Emmy and Audrey loved AKL Jambo House so much from our previous trip last October, that we decided to head there to have breakfast at The Mara.

On the bus to AK to catch a bus to AKL.

A coupla’ shots from The Mara, below.

I ordered the same ham, egg and cheese croissant breakfast sandwich, with tater tots, as I did in October, and there was a marked difference.
This time the tots were only salted and not seasoned otherwise like last time, the sandwich dripped liquid, and it wasn’t nearly as appetizing, or as appetizing looking, as last time.
From the 2 pics below, can y’all guess which wich is from which trip…?!!!!!

Up next: Thursday, June 27th continued…

 

[donaldtoo]

October???

Yes, I’m 61+ and had a senior moment…or I was doin’ the time warp…..again…???!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, JUNE 27th continued…!!!!!

After breakfast, we wandered out and about at AKL.

Then, back into the lodge.

Then, back out for a bit, and on our way to the bus stop.

Up next: Thursday, June 27th continued…

 

[pkkurz]

Yes, I’m 61+ and had a senior moment…or I was doin’ the time warp…..again…???!!!!!

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Haha, I’m 66 so I totally understand.

 

[donaldtoo]

Haha, I’m 66 so I totally understand.

The senior moment part, the time warp part, or perhaps…..both…???!!!!!

 

[MinnieM123]

@donaldtoo , in your post # 31, (5th photo down), I never noticed before what a gorgeous hardwood floor was in that section of AKL. Wow -- the design, plus that bronze plaque in the center as well.

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, June 27th continued…

As we were waiting for a bus to Disney Springs, some busses with really nice and detailed wraps came by.
They’re definitely great to look at, but I, generally, prefer riding in a bus with no wrap (same with monorail, Skyliner gondola, etc.), as there’s a more clear view out, especially for taking pics…!
Anyway, some cool wrapped bus pics below…

We left AKL at (according to time stamps) 11:49a, and were firmly in Disney Springs by 12:11p.

Also, I forgot to mention that, as we were sitting in the lobby of AKL for a bit, a mom and her young daughter with a mylar Frozen balloon approached Emmy and Audrey. She asked them if they would take care of her balloon because she was going home, and it needed to stay at Disney World.
Yes, it was sooo darn cute, and no, I don’t have a pic of the moment because I was totally unprepared…!!!!!

The balloon is in the 2 Disney Springs pics below of Emmy and Audrey tossing coins into the fountain to make a wish, and Unkky Matt with his 2 nieces…!

We only piddled around in DS for a bit, as the main objective for going there in the first place was to simply catch a boat (Emmy and Audrey LOVE them some boats…!!!!! ) back to OKW, as Megan and Daniel wanted the girls to take a nap before our early ADR at T-Rex.
Which, I don’t think they did because they were too excited about seeing the dinosaurs at the “dinosaur place”…!!!!!

Just a few more random DS pics, below…

Up next: Thursday, June 27th continued…

 

[donaldtoo]

@donaldtoo , in your post # 31, (5th photo down), I never noticed before what a gorgeous hardwood floor was in that section of AKL. Wow -- the design, plus that bronze plaque in the center as well.

Indeed…!!!
If you (you as in anybody) have never been there before, it is definitely worth a side trip to check it out, as the whole place is gorgeous…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, June 27th continued…

Just some pics from our relaxing boat ride back to OKW…!

Up next: Thursday, June 27th continued, with our dinner at the “dinosaur place”…!!!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, June 27th continued…

Another cute bus wrap, as we waited for another bus at the OKW Hospitality House, to take us to the Old Turtle Pond Road bus stop, across from our building, after our boat ride back from DS, at 1:06p. ***takes a breath***
I hope the punctuation didn’t make that look as much like the run-on sentence that it probably is…!!!!!
Anyway, the bus wrap…

And, a Mickey wrap as we waited for a bus, at the Old Turtle Pond Road bus stop, back to DS, at 3:32p…!!!

We arrived in front of T-Rex at 4p, straight up…!!!

This was the 4th time we’ve had dinner at T-Rex, and the first 3 times were great, all the way around…atmosphere, service and food.

The dino below was near our table…

A few other random T-Rex pics…

And, Emmy and Audrey havin’ some fun with our neighbor…!!!

Up next: Thursday, June 27th and T-Rex continued…!!!

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, June 27th and T-Rex continued…!!!

As I mentioned in my previous post, this would be our 4th time having dinner here (the other times were in ‘12, ‘13 and ‘16), and it was just as great as all those previous times…!!!!!

On our first 2 visits I ordered the Triassic Trio…!!!!!

And, the last 2 times I ordered the Meteor Meatloaf…!!!!!

It may not look like much to some, but the meatloaf is wonderfully, perfectly dense and moist, and about the size of a softball…I can put away some food (although, not like when I was younger ), and I barely cleaned my plate…!!!!!

I have no more food pics from this meal, and for the life of me I can’t remember what everybody else ordered, but I know our entire family enjoyed what they had…!!!

There was a large family group on the other side of us that was occupying 2 large tables, with the adults at one table and the kiddos (I know someone on this site who just loves that term ) at the other.
About the time we were leaving, the smoking dessert pictured below was delivered to the kiddos table…it looked pretty cool, actually…!!!

And, finally…
For those that have never dined at T-Rex before, the video below shows what happens there about every 20 minutes…!!!!!



Up next: Thursday, June 27th continued…

 

[donaldtoo]

Thursday, June 27th continued…

Shortly after we were seated in T-Rex, Daniel went to the front of the restaurant to check on an item in the gift shop.
He came back and said the bottom had dropped out and it was pouring. The gift shop and front of the restaurant were filled with folks ducking the rain.
Fortunately, it was a short shower and it was all pretty much dried up by the time we left with our bellies full at about 5:30p.

We had no place to be for the rest of the evening, so we decided to just do some more wandering around Disney Springs…

We spent a little more time at the World of Disney store, because, why not…?!!!

I gotta’ admit, I still really miss the old “over the top” World of Disney theming.
It always reminded me of the mall Disney Store in our old neighborhood that we frequented, and that I was actually a CM at from August of 2009-October of 2013, including 1+ year as a Lead Manager.
It was one of the old “pink and green” Stores that had the Disney big fig scenes all around the perimeter walls, above the fixtures at the 8’ line.
It was so cool when the occasional little kid(s) would run in exclaiming “Disney World…!!!!!”…!!!
Anyway, I digress.

And, Emmy and Audrey had some fun mingling with a couple of Princesses…!!!!!

Up next: Thursday, June 27th continued…