Ferb, I know What We're Going to Do Today! - Updated 9/30

[If U Had Wings]

:hippie:Hi and welcome to my trip report.:hippie:

I am recently back from a week of pre-holiday fun down at the world. :santa:My chronicles of my quest for adventure can be caught up on in my PTR -

Looking for Adventure in the Great Wide Somewhere (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=31318919#post31318919)

I had really been looking forward to taking it easier on this trip and letting myself "enjoy the details." I wanted to take the time to explore the parks, and not just see them at my usual commando pace. My last trip had been filled with family stress, and I wanted nothing to do with that this time. Rest, Relaxation, and Exploration were going to be my key words.

Did it happen?

You'll have to stay tuned to find out. I will say that ended up being different from what I was expecting. That's not to say it was a bad trip. Iit just didn't end up being the trip that I had really been longing for. I think I may have been hoping for a bit too much.

I promise I'll be as honest as possible, even though I'm pretty sure that I'm going to come across as a bit whiney and selfish occasionally. By the end of the trip I was starting to feel a bit diva-ish in spite of attempts to curb it.

So The Who, the When, the Where and the Why about this trip -

The Who -

Me - I just turned 39 this year, am single and have no children of my own. I do have two amazing nieces that I adore and borrow as often as possible. Sadly they weren't able to come on this trip. I'm from CT, but work in my favorite city in the world, NYC. I'm a complete Disney addict who was the sole planner of this trip, which may have led to a bit of stress and aggravation during this trip.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/IntroMe_opt.jpg

My BFF - (remaining photoless) Like me single with no children. We've been friends since meeting at a summer job back in our college days. Turned 40 earlier this year, and when I found out her original trip plans for her birthday had been cancelled, invited her along for what was originally going to be a solo trip for me. Completely opposite of me - has no interest in the planning of the trip at all. Gave me completely free reign to make whatever plans I wanted. Basically only needed to book her airfare and meet me in Orlando.


The When -
December 5-12, 2009

The Where -
3 nights at the All Star Sports Resort and 4 nights at the Boardwalk Inn Concierge Level

The Why -
It's Disney! I can't think of a better reason why!

[If U Had Wings]

The Who, The Where, The Why and the How (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34744376&postcount=1)
Day 1 - 3AM for the Non-Morning Person (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34794276&postcount=14)
Day 1 - Time to Celebrate with an Upgrade a Parade (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34888034&postcount=32)
Day 1 - Pirates, Tikis, and Voodoo - Oh My! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34899481&postcount=42)
Day 1 - Are All the Lines this Long? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34982394&postcount=73)
Day 1 - Why Yes, Yes They Are! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34982450&postcount=74)
Day 2 - A Start of a Tree Obsession (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35036403&postcount=85)
We Interrupt this Trip Report for... (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35069957&postcount=97)
Day 2 - Tigers and Cool Weather (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35075180&postcount=102)
Day 2 - The Least Number of Pictures Ever Taken on Safari (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35098449&postcount=118)
Day 2 - A New Found Gorilla Fear (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35157860&postcount=130)
Day 2 - Dinner at Boma (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35169301&postcount=139)
Day 2 - Wrapping it Up (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35186108&postcount=150)
Day 3 - A Rainy Begining (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35217584&postcount=164)
Day 3 - Eat Like a Princess (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35256932&postcount=173)
Day 3 - Soarin through Future World (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35561237&postcount=198)
Day 3 - POP Excursion (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35575313&postcount=201)
Day 3 - MGM for the Holidays (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35743505&postcount=209)
Day 3 - Yumminess at the Brown Derby (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35758111&postcount=220)
Day 3 - Wrapping up our AsSp Stay (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35775198&postcount=231)
Day 4 - The Start of a Day for Me (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35790410&postcount=241)
Day 4 - Aimless Wandering (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35802298&postcount=246)
Day 4 - A Bit of Pampering (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35838788&postcount=258)
Day 4 - Holiday Cheer at the Grand Floridian (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35853802&postcount=271)
Day 4 - Checking Out Our New Digs (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35879591&postcount=280)
Day 4 - A Stroll Around the Boardwalk (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35945001&postcount=292)
Day 4 - Wings Starts to Get a Little Cranky (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35990769&postcount=299)
Day 5 - Sailing Our Way Into the Day (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36186606&postcount=310)
Day 5 - Running Away with Buzz (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36224307&postcount=319)
Day 5 - Am I Too Old to Make it to Last Call? (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36319937&postcount=335)
Day 6 - The Start of My No Good Very Bad Day (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36420454&postcount=346)
Day 6 - My No Good Very Bad Day Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36435506&postcount=356)
Day 6 - My No Good Very Bad Day Part 3 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36447677&postcount=364)
Day 6 - My No Good Very Bad Day Part 4 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36462898&postcount=370)
Day 6 - My No Good Very Bad Day Part 5 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36538042&postcount=385)
Day 6 - My No Good Very Bad Day Part 6 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36564095&postcount=402)
Day 6 - My No Good Very Bad Day Part 7 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36602492&postcount=416)
Day 7 - First Hop - DHS! (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36624782&postcount=430)
Day 7 - Christmas in the Wilderness (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36675718&postcount=443)
Day 7 - Wrapping Up in the Magic Kingdom (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36686419&postcount=454)
Day 7 - Getting Our Money's Worth Out of the Hopper Option (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36713803&postcount=468)
Day 7 - Some Well Needed Magic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36721996&postcount=475)Day 7 - A Bit More Magic (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36722026&postcount=476)
Day 7 - And the Award for Best Meal of the Week Goes to... (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36749128&postcount=491)
Day 8 - Breakfast with the Big Cheese (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36760245&postcount=503)
Day 8 - Final Resort Hopping Before Returning Home (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36772179&postcount=514)
Final Thoughts and Souveniers (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36835918&postcount=530)
A Surprise Mini-Trip to Disney (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37000939&postcount=556)
Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let ist Snow (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37012630&postcount=569)
Let's Try This One More Time (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37088313&postcount=588)
Leisurely Making Our Way Through DHS (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37357187&postcount=608)
Planless Magic Kingdom (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37747300&postcount=637)
Tiptoeing Through the Tulips at Epcot (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38027102&postcount=649)
Flower and Garden Festival Part 1 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38027129&postcount=650)
Flower and Garden Festival Part 2 (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38027141&postcount=651)
Animal Kingdom in 5 Pictures or Less (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38388844&postcount=667)
Finally, Wrapping it All Up (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=38421851&postcount=680)

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, I am so here, Crissy!!! I love the TR title, by the way!

[TarzansKat]

I'm happy to be here and looking forward to reading it! :goodvibes

[Lady Lallie]

I'm here!

I love that picture of you with Donald.

Can't wait to hear all about your trip. :goodvibes

[reyasmommy]

Looking forward to reading more. popcorn::

[skier_pete]

Ahhh..love your title! Finally caught the Phineas and Ferb Christmas Special today! Yeah for P & F.

And looking forward to hearing about your trip too!

[All7OfUs]

Crissy! I"ve been wondering and waiting for this!! So glad you're up and running, and we can follow along on all your pre-holiday adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere!

Where you lead, we will follow...

[Flossbolna]

I am here and am looking forward to your TR!!

Have a wonderful Christmas!! :goodvibes

[nodnol]

I'm here! Looking forward to your TR!

[micandminforever]

Joining in on the fun, and I made the first page.

[aprilisis]

Subscribed! popcorn::

[If U Had Wings]

Egads, I'm off to a slow start with this trip report aren't I? After knocking the cold I had right before I left for Disney, I managed to get sick again as soon as I got back. :sick:After living with a horrible cough all through the long holiday weekend, I called in sick to work yesterday and dragged myself to the doctors office for the second time this month. (I hadn't been to the doctor in 10 years, and now I've been twice in one month. :confused3) Turns out I have bronchitis. I'm on antibotics again so hopefully I'll be back to normal soon. It will be wonderful to be able to do something without it triggering a coughing fit again!

I had a wonderful Christmas though, bronchitis notwithstanding. I had a ball playing Toy Story Mania with my nieces on their new Wii unit. So much fun! My older niece was whooping my butt though. I'm so lousy at video games. :rotfl:My folks surprised me with an ipod touch this year. :banana:I'm having a ball with it. I had to download the Phineas and Ferb and Toy Story Mania apps for it right away!

But enough of this nonsense! On to Day 1!

[If U Had Wings]

First off let me just be completely honest about one thing.

I am not a morning person.

At all.

I am completely a 100% night person. Why I've only worked at jobs that require me to set my alarm for times like 5am is a mystery to me, as is the fact that when going to Disney I need to book the earliest possible direct flight to Orlando. On this trip that happened to be 6:20 am. Unfortunately the airport closest to me doesn't fly many commercial flights, so to make it to the airport an hour before my flight I had to leave my town at about 4am. (Leaving plenty of time in case there was some kind of freaky traffic or problems on the road). My alarm went off at 3 am.

:sick:

That's just about what I looked like at that hour too. I tried to focus on the fact that I was going to Disney, but really at 3am that's really difficult to do. My freaky morning loving father volunteered to give me a ride to the airport (with a reminder that I owe him big for this :rotfl:) so to make the morning a bit easier I spent the night before at my parents house. This way there was someone to be sure that I didn't hit snooze on the alarm and roll over and fall back asleep. (I know I'm on the way to Disney, but I just know that I would do this if left to my own devices).

The ride to the airport went smoothly. No traffic. I think we had the entire parkway to ourselves. In a little over an hour I was being dropped off at the entrance to White Plains Airport. I love flying out of White Plains. It's a pretty small airport in a fairly ritzy area, which is why there is very little (very expensive) parking. If I had to drive myself to the airport and park I'd drive up to Hartford to fly Southwest because I refuse to pay $24 a day to park. With someone to drop you off, White Plains is much more convient.

The Jet Blue counter was right next to the front door, and even more wonderful there was absolutely no one in line. I had printed by boarding pass online, so they did a quick check on my paperwork, weighed my suitcase and in less than 5 minutes I had made it from the car and through checkin. I had intended on having a bite to eat for breakfast at the coffee shop, but I guess I still was battling the last of my pre-trip respritory infection because I found I had no appetite at all. Since I didn't want to eat, I decided to just go though bag check to wait for my flight. I started chatting with a couple sitting near me, wearing Disney gear. I was telling them about my track record of always getting stuck sitting in front of the one screaming, unhappy child on any flight. :eek: They laughed. Turns out their seats were in the same row as mine, and they tried to convince me that my luck was going to change this time. Wishful thinking on their part. :thumbsup2

Emmm….no such luck. My luck held true, and the one crying unhappy kid's seat was once again located directly behind me, but compared to some of the ones I've been near, this one wasn't too bad. The flight itself was awfully bumpy. We hit a ton of turbulence the entire flight to Orlando, which wasn't making anyone too happy. I think we had all of about 5 minutes of the 3 hour flight where they turned off the seatbelt light. Mine wasn't being loosened up at all. I tried to focus on my Ally McBeal episodes I had loaded on my ipod and ignore the turbulence as much as possible.

We landed pretty much on time, and the nice thing about being one of the last people to board a plane, is that you’re one of the first ones off. After a small pitstop in the restrooms I was on the wannabe monorail and heading to Magical Express to meet up with my BFF. She had actually been due to land in Florida about 20 minutes before me, but I beat her to the counter by a few minutes. The area was pretty quiet, compared to my last visit to the ME area. A CM checked our paperwork, and directed us to the lane for the All Star resorts. It's so much nicer now that you don't have to wait in line for the counters. We were able to board a bus immediately and only had to wait a few minutes before we were off. Perfect timing! We spent most of the ride chatting, so once again I didn't catch any of the welcome video they play on the buses. It had started raining by this point, and it was really chilly as well.

All Star Sports was the first stop. It was early when we got there, but the lobby was filed with large bunches of people wearing matching clothing checking in with the Pop Warner groups. Disney's website hadnt' let me check-in online before leaving, even though I had tried on multiple days at varying times, so I had to wait in the regular line. It ended up not being a problem at all. The line moved quickly and in no time we were up at the counter checking in. Since it was only about 10:30 am I wasn't expecting our room to be ready, but we really lucked out and our room was ready for us.

We hadn't booked a preferred room, but couldn't have ended up with a better location if we had paid for it. We were in the Touchdown building in the area closest to the main pool area. Here's a map showing our spot with a red X.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/allstarsports-ncropMAP_opt.jpg


http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsRoomPlaque_opt.jpg

I was a bit nervous about having a room in the Touchdown section. With the resort overrun with young football players I was expecting it to be one of the noisest spots at the resort. And it would have been if we had been facing the football field side. Our room was on the opposite side from the field area and just faced grass. It ended up being a pretty quiet spot for the 3 nights we were there.

When we walked up to the room this guy was waiting in the window for us -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsTowel2_opt.jpg

We left him there all week. We loved having him welcome us home every night. We had another towel figure waiting for us in the room.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsTowel1_opt.jpg

This was my first stay at a value resort. Overall the room was more than adequate. Very snug though. I can't imagine how crowded it must feel with a family of four staying in there. I had the bed nearest the window and whenever the door opened you'd hit the bed. The bathroom was a bit snug too. You had to be sure to walk around the toliet to be able to close the door without knocking the door into yourself. All in all though the room was fine for the two of us.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsRoom_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsVanity_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsArt_opt.jpg

We toyed with the idea of taking a nap and getting some rest, but the call of Disney was too strong. We changed into shorts (which in hindsight was a bit of a mistake), put on our raincoats and headed out to the parks. I couldn't resist taking a few shots of the resort first.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/Touchdown_opt.jpg

Me, very happy to be at Disney, finally!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsHelmetMe_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/SportsMickey_opt.jpg

[TarzansKat]

Yay, you're there!

I'm with you, girl, I hate early flights too. I have since decided for our family, even if it means taking a flight that wastes a day, that's what we'll do, because otherwise you just have crabby people at the happiest place on earth! Not fun.

I can't wait to see where you go first. :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

Yay, you're there!

I'm with you, girl, I hate early flights too. I have since decided for our family, even if it means taking a flight that wastes a day, that's what we'll do, because otherwise you just have crabby people at the happiest place on earth! Not fun.

I can't wait to see where you go first. :goodvibes

Your smarter than me. I'm obviously a glutton for punishment and keep booking early morning flights.

Since most of the time it's just me, or alternatively me with my parents (who are morning people - I don't know how I ended up with them), it's not too bad. If I'm ever traveling by plane with the nieces, I'm booking later flights. Of course they are weird morning people too. I'm the oddball night owl in the family.
:lmao:

[miprender]

Stumbled across you TR by your title. I love it. We are big Phinn and Ferb fans in this house.

Can't wait to read more.:surfweb:

[Flossbolna]

I hope you will feel better soon! Something similar happened to me last year: I was sick just before and after my WDW trip, actually had to stay in bed for quite a few days.

Great start to your TR! I wouldn't want to be on a 6:30 am flight either! Here in Germany many of the flights for package holidays to Spain/Italy/Greece for the beaches are leaving at horrible times. Friends of mine once had to get on a flight at 3:30 am! :scared1: One of the reasons why I don't go on package holidays! :lmao:

[Native NYer]

I love early flights, especially when traveling with my nephews. They just sleep the whole flight.

I'm thinking of trying the airport in White Plains. It's a lot cheaper than JFK. Hmmm might have to look into it now.

Love your room photos. I didn't realize the values are THAT small that the door hits the bed when opened. Does the sink area of the bathroom have a door?

[Flossbolna]

Love your room photos. I didn't realize the values are THAT small that the door hits the bed when opened. Does the sink area of the bathroom have a door?

Thanks for reminding me that I wanted to post something about the rooms as well: I really like the new All Stars design! I think it makes Music and Sport so much more desirable than Pop! I think it looks very modern and sleek! Pp rooms just look way to busy to me and have strange colors. :confused3

[Charleston Princess]

Hope you feel better soon, Crissy! Those antibiotics should start working their magic soon!

I am with you on getting up at the crack of dawn -- not a big fan of it at all!

Yick to all the turbulence -- I would have been a nervous wreck the whole time!!!

Yeay for reaching the resort -- the room looks nice, but I am rather anxious for you to get to the Boardwalk. :laughing:

[If U Had Wings]

Stumbled across you TR by your title. I love it. We are big Phinn and Ferb fans in this house.

Can't wait to read more.:surfweb:

I was definitely the Phineas of this trip. My friend was constantly asking what we were doing each day. I love that show. :lovestruc

I hope you will feel better soon! Something similar happened to me last year: I was sick just before and after my WDW trip, actually had to stay in bed for quite a few days.

Great start to your TR! I wouldn't want to be on a 6:30 am flight either! Here in Germany many of the flights for package holidays to Spain/Italy/Greece for the beaches are leaving at horrible times. Friends of mine once had to get on a flight at 3:30 am! :scared1: One of the reasons why I don't go on package holidays! :lmao:

Get on a plan at 3:30 am! I'd never be able to make it.

I'm just happy that I was healthy for my week at Disney. My doctor told me that I should have stayed in Florida. :lmao: Next time I'll know better. Usually I get sick while at Disney. This was a first for the before/after.

I love early flights, especially when traveling with my nephews. They just sleep the whole flight.

I'm thinking of trying the airport in White Plains. It's a lot cheaper than JFK. Hmmm might have to look into it now.

Love your room photos. I didn't realize the values are THAT small that the door hits the bed when opened. Does the sink area of the bathroom have a door?

I wish I could sleep on a plane. I'm always wide awake the entire trip.

White Plains is wonderful for flying out of. I haven't flown from JFK, LaGuardia, or Hartford in ages. I love that it's so easy to get in and out of. My first time flying out of there I was off the plane and in the car in about 1/2 an hour.

The value room was small. It was fun dragging out our bags when it was time to switch resorts. The sink area didn't have any kind of door, or even a curtain like the moderates. Luckily we both got up at the same time the entire trip so it wasn't really an issue.

Thanks for reminding me that I wanted to post something about the rooms as well: I really like the new All Stars design! I think it makes Music and Sport so much more desirable than Pop! I think it looks very modern and sleek! Pp rooms just look way to busy to me and have strange colors. :confused3

I was pleasantly surprised by the room decor. It was very clean and sleek looking, fitting for the size of the rooms.

Hope you feel better soon, Crissy! Those antibiotics should start working their magic soon!

I am with you on getting up at the crack of dawn -- not a big fan of it at all!

Yick to all the turbulence -- I would have been a nervous wreck the whole time!!!

Yeay for reaching the resort -- the room looks nice, but I am rather anxious for you to get to the Boardwalk. :laughing:

Thanks! I can feel the antibiotics working already. I'm not coughing nearly as much overall. Now I'm mostly triggered by exercise so I'm trying to be careful.

The turbulence was awful. I was trying not to grip the hand rests too hard. Luckily the take off and landings went smoothly, and those are what make me the most nervous.

I was feeling a bit anxious about getting to the Boardwalk too! :rotfl: All I kept thinking about all week was getting there.

[Lady Lallie]

I hate plane turbulance. It freaks me out and I start to get panicky. :scared1:

I am one of those weird morning people. I like to get where I'm going as early as possible. It kinda irked me to wait until a later flight in May when I was leaving Disney. I mean, I didn't want to leave but it killed me wait around all day to leave. Does that make sense? :rotfl2:

[All7OfUs]

Hi THere!

So glad you've started; I was looking forward to hearing about how your travel and arrival went!

EArly morning flights- no early morning ANYTHING stinks! EXCEPT getting on your way to Disney! Yay!

Glad that baby didn't completely wreck your whole trip. Love that you got in and out of check-in in 5 minutes. Sweet!

So, where'd ya go first??

[If U Had Wings]

I hate plane turbulance. It freaks me out and I start to get panicky. :scared1:

I am one of those weird morning people. I like to get where I'm going as early as possible. It kinda irked me to wait until a later flight in May when I was leaving Disney. I mean, I didn't want to leave but it killed me wait around all day to leave. Does that make sense? :rotfl2:

My BFF is usually one of those people, but this trip I was the one dragging her out of bed in the morning. Very odd.

Leaving Disney I like an early evening flight, but usually get stuck with the morning ones. Seriously I hate mornings anytime!

Hi THere!

So glad you've started; I was looking forward to hearing about how your travel and arrival went!

EArly morning flights- no early morning ANYTHING stinks! EXCEPT getting on your way to Disney! Yay!

Glad that baby didn't completely wreck your whole trip. Love that you got in and out of check-in in 5 minutes. Sweet!

So, where'd ya go first??

I've finally accepted the fact that I'll never be a morning person. Getting up and going for a run this summer was horribly painful for me. As far as I'm concerned the human body wasn't made to get up at that time.

The sad thing is that it's never a baby sitting behind me, but older kids in the 6-7 years old range. Old enough to behalf better than they do.

Getting my next installment up soon, I promise!

[TarzansKat]

Your smarter than me. I'm obviously a glutton for punishment and keep booking early morning flights.

Since most of the time it's just me, or alternatively me with my parents (who are morning people - I don't know how I ended up with them), it's not too bad. If I'm ever traveling by plane with the nieces, I'm booking later flights. Of course they are weird morning people too. I'm the oddball night owl in the family.
:lmao:

I'm actually a morning person (I didn't used to be, four year olds will do that to you) but I still would like a later flight so the non morning people can be...more...pleasant. :lmao:

[princess&her4princes]

I'm here, too!! Going back to read!:goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

I'm here, too!! Going back to read!:goodvibes


Glad your here! I'll be posting the next chapter soon. :)

[DisneyBride'03]

Hello there!!! Fellow Wine runner:)

I hate early morning flights...I never go to bed..stay up all night..then exhausted the whole day! lol

However, I like to be on Disney property no later than 11 am on arrival days!!!

I should have no problem staying awake for the upcoming wine run....think it was made for Night Owls....!!!

Cant wait to hear about BWI!!!!

[Native NYer]

The value room was small. It was fun dragging out our bags when it was time to switch resorts. The sink area didn't have any kind of door, or even a curtain like the moderates. Luckily we both got up at the same time the entire trip so it wasn't really an issue.


No door or curtain for the sink area :scared1: Is that true of all the values?

Out of all of the mods, I love the set up of the new rooms at CSR. Queen beds, flat screen tvs, and sliding doors for the sink area.

[If U Had Wings]

No door or curtain for the sink area :scared1: Is that true of all the values?

Out of all of the mods, I love the set up of the new rooms at CSR. Queen beds, flat screen tvs, and sliding doors for the sink area.

This time was my first time at a value, but I think so. With a family that wakes up a different times, I can see it really being a bit of an issue.

I was hoping to try out a new Mod this trip, but POFQ is the only Mod that's an official resort for the Wine and Dine Marathon. I was hoping for CSR or CBR to try something new.

[If U Had Wings]

Rain was falling as we headed out to the bus stop, but it was really light and looked like it was going to stop. I decieded to live dangerously and leave the poncho in the room and just go with my light rain jacket. Our first day in the parks was Walt Disney's birthday so there was really only one option for a park.

The Magic Kingdom!

In hindsight another park may have been a better option, as that day had been a Christmas parade filming day. I knew that going in, but decided to go for it anyways. We had two non-park days scheduled, and if we didn't make it to the Magic Kingdom on day 1 we probably wouldn't get to see Wishes or Spectromagic.

We had barely waited more than a minute or two before the bus showed up. I have to say that I really like how AsSp has their bus stop. Having separate lines for each park with a maze keeps things well organized. Later in the week we had a bit of a mess at a deluxe resort over the buses. If only the values covered the bus areas it would be perfect. I can't imagine how hot it must be waiting in the middle of summer. :sick:

I always love that first moment at a park on my trips. The entire week still lies ahead filled with promise, and the trip can still be anything. It's a bit of a magical moment. :wizard:

We made it through the gates, but before doing anything else I had to make a pitstop at town hall to do a bit of upgrading of my tickets. A printer jam, and a little bit of time later and I am now the proud owner of a Disney Annual Pass. :woohoo:Seriously, I was so happy I felt like doing a little banana dance. :banana::banana:I also purchased a Tables in Wonderland card and we were ready to go!

We headed up Main St. doing a bit of window shopping. I was eyeing one of the new Dooney & Bourke Disney tassel bags, but reminded myself I was not going crazy with souveniers this trip and regretfully said goodbye to the cute bag. Main Street was crowded, but not overwhelmingly so. We went to head over to Adventureland, but got held up by a parade passing down Main St. I thought it was the Dream Come True Parade, but we saw that later in the week and it was different. I usually don't see the afternoon parades, but this one was a really quick, fun parade.


http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/CelebrateDonald_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/CelebrateBaloo_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/CelebrateWoodyJesse_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/CelebrateMickey_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/CelebrateIncredible_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/CelebrateGoofy_opt.jpg

Enough was enough at this point. We were both itching to hit an attraction, but where would we go first?????

[Native NYer]

I always love that first moment at a park on my trips. The entire week still lies ahead filled with promise, and the trip can still be anything. It's a bit of a magical moment. :wizard:

I completely agree! Even the ride on ME seems magical at the beginning of a trip.

Congrats on your AP and TiW purchases :yay:

[verygfy]

Love your title, big Phineas and Ferb family... Can't wait to hear the rest!!

[MRYPPNS]

Late to the party as usual, but I'm here and ALL caught up!! I have a feeling this is going to be a good story.....popcorn::

[Charleston Princess]

I am with you -- I love that the value bus stops are queued -- I do think it makes things so much more fair instead of everyone trying to push and shove their way onto the bus.

[Flossbolna]

AP and TIW sound wonderful!! I hope you get to use them a lot! :banana:

The parade you saw must be the Celebrate parade, it's not the normal afternoon parade. It looks like it's very festive. :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

I completely agree! Even the ride on ME seems magical at the beginning of a trip.

Congrats on your AP and TiW purchases :yay:

The two times I've taken ME, I've completely missed most of the ride. My BFF lives in another state, so we are usually spending the entire ride getting caught up with each other. :)

I'm hoping I get lots of use out of them! Since I'm planning on taking another trip in the fall upgrading the 5 day/no expiration passes I had to the AP was the best deal since I was going to need to add the hopper on as well. I love that I'm all set for the next trip already!

Love your title, big Phineas and Ferb family... Can't wait to hear the rest!!

I'm completely addicted to P&F! I think I've seen every episode, but still can't turn the show off when it's on. One of my co-workers and I both love Isabella. "Whatchadoin?" has become our little catch phrase at work when we need a break. :rotfl:

Late to the party as usual, but I'm here and ALL caught up!! I have a feeling this is going to be a good story.....popcorn::

It will be. I had a bit of a meltdown near the end of the week. :sad2: Luckily nothing as crazy as the family meltdown on last years trip.

I am with you -- I love that the value bus stops are queued -- I do think it makes things so much more fair instead of everyone trying to push and shove their way onto the bus.

Much more fair! The mess later on in the week at the Boardwalk was horrible, and people nearly got trampled - all for a bus. Crazy!

AP and TIW sound wonderful!! I hope you get to use them a lot! :banana:

The parade you saw must be the Celebrate parade, it's not the normal afternoon parade. It looks like it's very festive. :thumbsup2

The next trip is in the works for October, so I'll be using them then. I'm hoping to sneak in another trip before that if possible. I was planning on heading to Florida for a long weekend to visit my grandmother in March. My parents were planning on heading to Disney for a week before visiting my grandmother as well, so I may try to sneak out a few days earlier and tag along with them for a day.

If not I'd love to sneak in a long solo weekend before my passes expired on 12/5. Any Disser's up for a Disney weekend? ;)

[jewels1916]

Hi! :wave2: We were totally there at the exact same time! Looking forward to reading your TR! :)

[skier_pete]

The parade was the "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It" Parade that they do a few times a day. We caught that too...it was actually much better than the daytime parade. It was as if the HSM crew made a parade. It stops around the hub, and the characters pull people from the audience to join in. We caught it right before the castle lighting ceremony, and it was a great way to spend a few hours.

[If U Had Wings]

Hi! :wave2: We were totally there at the exact same time! Looking forward to reading your TR! :)

Welcome! :hippie: Hope you enjoy.

The parade was the "Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It" Parade that they do a few times a day. We caught that too...it was actually much better than the daytime parade. It was as if the HSM crew made a parade. It stops around the hub, and the characters pull people from the audience to join in. We caught it right before the castle lighting ceremony, and it was a great way to spend a few hours.

I was surprised how much we enjoyed it. I loved how they really pulled people into it.

[If U Had Wings]

Off we were headed to Adventureland, with every intention of making this our first stop -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3Pirates_opt.jpg

Every good trip should start with a little bit of Jack right? :thumbsup2 On our way to Pirates though another attraction was just about to start so we just had to stop.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2Tiki_opt.jpg

The picture came out lousy, but that's in the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room. (Sung of course!) I love the singing/dancing tikis on the totems. I will admit here a fondness for the Tiki birds attraction, more so the original version than the under new management version WDW runs now. Still, I have to stop once per trip to see the show, if only so I get a chance to sing the theme song. It's easily one of my favorite Disney songs, and once you hear it, just try to get it out of your head. :rotfl:You can all thank me later for putting it there.

Much as I enjoy the show, Disney really needs to do a bit of freshening up in here. Some of the birds are getting to look like well loved stuffed animals. I got my first glimpse of how busy the park was today, as the Tiki birds were playing to a nearly full house.

Once done with our visit to the aviary, we headed over to pirates to visit Jack. Sadly the pirate tutorial was just ending as we got there, and Jack was making a run for behind the scenes. The line for pirates was moving right along and we only had to wait about 15 minutes or so to ride.

By the time we got off, hunger was beginning to set in. It was getting close to 1:00 and I hadn't eaten anything more than a bag of cookies on the plane. I had really wanted to try Caseys or the Columbia Harbor House for lunch today. We didn't really want to head all the way back to Main Street in the crowds, and my friend didn't really want to go the Columbia Harbor House. We headed over to Pecos Bills. I love the burger bar with the mushroom so I wasn't too disappointed. I had the bacon cheeseburger with fries and a soda. Then I loaded it up with mushrooms. Yum!!! :love:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PecosBill_opt.jpg

Food porn!

Just a bit of a side note about the food porn. My first few days of the trip I didn't want to explain to my friend why I needed pictures of my meals, so I was snapping pics when she was away from the table. :cool2:So sneaky! Which is why I'm missing a few meals. Finally I just admited to what I was doing, and let her get a good laugh out of it. She thought I was nuts, but by the end of the week she was artfully arranging my place settings and volunteering her plate up for photography. Seriously the DIS is a collective. You can't help but get sucked into it. :lmao:

Now well fed and feeling a new burst of energy we set off to ride BTMR. On the way there the Tiana riverboat show was just starting, so we found a spot on the bridge in Adventureland and hung out to watch.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5Showboata_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5Showboatb_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5Showboatc_opt.jpg

It's a shame that the show is ending (has ended?). It was a lot of fun, and everyone around us seemed to really be enjoying it. I haven't seen the movie yet, but the guy playing the bad guy was fantastic. Very creepy, but the overall show was upbeat and fun. The riverboat was the perfect setting.

After the show ended we headed over to BTMR for our first big ride.

Or not.

[MRYPPNS]

If not I'd love to sneak in a long solo weekend before my passes expired on 12/5. Any Disser's up for a Disney weekend? ;)

IF I could get my DH to agree I'd go with you in a heartbeat!

[MRYPPNS]

I love the holiday themed soda cup!

I would imagine that there will be a Princess and the Frog show at some point in the future....it would be a shame not too!

[Native NYer]

The burger looks so good.

I wish they'd keep the Tiana riverboat show. Hopefully, something else is in the works.

[MyMuse]

Great, you've started! popcorn::

I was also there at the same time, so it'll be nice to see what you were doing. :goodvibes

And, I'm definitely want to hear your views on POP. Hoping your trip was awesome! :wizard:

[If U Had Wings]

IF I could get my DH to agree I'd go with you in a heartbeat!

Just say when! :) I'd love a low key shortie trip.

I love the holiday themed soda cup!

I would imagine that there will be a Princess and the Frog show at some point in the future....it would be a shame not too!

I wish I had gotten a chance to meet Tiana, but she was never out when we were in the area with free time.

The burger looks so good.

I wish they'd keep the Tiana riverboat show. Hopefully, something else is in the works.

I'm so easy to keep happy. Most of the time, I'm happy with a simple burger. I hardly ever eat them at home, so when I'm in Disney it's a special treat.

Great, you've started! popcorn::

I was also there at the same time, so it'll be nice to see what you were doing. :goodvibes

And, I'm definitely want to hear your views on POP. Hoping your trip was awesome! :wizard:

I was only at POP for one day, but had fun checking it out.

I'm going to have to head over and check out your trip report.:)

[Flossbolna]

I would have loved to see the riverboat show - but you are right, it ended January 3rd. :confused3 I have seen video of it and it sounds like a lot of fun. Also I have read that it attracted quite a lot of crowds!

I also just noticed: Do you have a new avatar? I really like it! :thumbsup2

[TarzansKat]

Every vacation SHOULD start with a little bit of Jack.

Or a whole lot of it as the case may be. ;)

You know, I think at some point I'm going to have to try Pecos Bill's. I've never seen a bad burger review from that place, and I do love a good cheeseburger every now and then.

By the by, I love the Dooney and Burke Disney bag and am kicking myself that I didn't get in September. So stinkin' cute. :goodvibes

[MRYPPNS]

You know, I think at some point I'm going to have to try Pecos Bill's. I've never seen a bad burger review from that place, and I do love a good cheeseburger every now and then.

By the by, I love the Dooney and Burke Disney bag and am kicking myself that I didn't get in September. So stinkin' cute. :goodvibes

I can't believe in all your trips you have never tried Pecos Bill's!

Does anyone have a picture of this D&B bag? How did I miss it???? You all know I would have come home with it!

Wings-I'll have to see how the addition to the house is coming along before I even suggest that I go to Disney again before DH, but there is a chance....slim but a chance!

[Charleston Princess]

I saw your update this morning at home, but figured I would read and comment once I got to school -- now I can't see the photos. Grrrr! Will be back tonight to read and gaze at the photos! :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

I would have loved to see the riverboat show - but you are right, it ended January 3rd. :confused3 I have seen video of it and it sounds like a lot of fun. Also I have read that it attracted quite a lot of crowds!

I also just noticed: Do you have a new avatar? I really like it! :thumbsup2

The show was alot of fun, and I liked that there was plenty of space for everyone to view it without having to wait in lines to go into a theater.

Thanks about the avatar. I ws getting a bit bored with the old one and wanted to change things up a bit.

Every vacation SHOULD start with a little bit of Jack.

Or a whole lot of it as the case may be. ;)

You know, I think at some point I'm going to have to try Pecos Bill's. I've never seen a bad burger review from that place, and I do love a good cheeseburger every now and then.

By the by, I love the Dooney and Burke Disney bag and am kicking myself that I didn't get in September. So stinkin' cute. :goodvibes

Lot of Jack never hurt. I think Pirates is always my most rode ride at the end of every trip.

For me the toppings bar makes Pecos Bill's. I only wish they'd make the burger a bit smaller. Way too big.

I'm still kicking myself about the bag. I should have, especially as they had the 20% off for AP holders deal going on. :confused: What was I thinking?


Does anyone have a picture of this D&B bag? How did I miss it???? You all know I would have come home with it!

I didn't take pics, but I found some links from the boards here.

The Tassle tote and wristlet (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=34145061&postcount=386). - I would have been happy with either of them. I actually tried to pick up a wristlet later in the week, but they were long gone.
Cindy Tote (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33814502&postcount=1) - I'm pretty sure the style was called the Cindy. Cute, but a bit big for me.

For anyone who is going soon and wants one, I belive they carried them at Uptown Jewelers on Main St., Summer Lace at the Grand Floridian and at World of Disney and TrenD in DTD. (I was looking up this info on my cell phone down in Florida:)). Some people have said they saw them at HS too, but I never saw any of them there.


Wings-I'll have to see how the addition to the house is coming along before I even suggest that I go to Disney again before DH, but there is a chance....slim but a chance!

I understand completely. Once the weather gets better, we need to have a meet-up at least. :)

I saw your update this morning at home, but figured I would read and comment once I got to school -- now I can't see the photos. Grrrr! Will be back tonight to read and gaze at the photos! :goodvibes

:)

[If U Had Wings]

I'm not quite ready for my next post yet, but I've started my next PTR report! :woohoo:

13.1 Before I Hit 40 - Running My First 1/2 Marathon at Disney (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34913137#post34913137)

[lovegrumpy]

Your trip title made me open it. Can't wait to read it.

[TarzansKat]

I can't believe in all your trips you have never tried Pecos Bill's!

I know! :lmao: I used to go to Pinocchios Village Haus when they had the most awesome burgers ever, before they changed it to pizza. The last thing we Italian folk want to eat on vacation is pizza. ;)


Lot of Jack never hurt. I think Pirates is always my most rode ride at the end of every trip.

Me, too.


For me the toppings bar makes Pecos Bill's. I only wish they'd make the burger a bit smaller. Way too big.

That is so funny. Most people would be all BRING ON THE BEEF!!! and you wish it was smaller. :goodvibes I'm lucky in that I have DH and DS to finish off things I don't eat. :thumbsup2


I'm still kicking myself about the bag. I should have, especially as they had the 20% off for AP holders deal going on. :confused: What was I thinking?


You could have gotten 20% off???? I would have asked you to buy one for me!!! :lmao:

[Native NYer]

Those bags are so cute. Gotta get one :):)
The DIS just enables my spending :lmao:

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray! I can see the pictures now!

I am also a fan of the Tiki Room! I hope Disney refurbs it before the stars start molting. :laughing:

Pecos Bill's is another of my favorites! I love that Christmas themed cup!

You must see The Princess and the Frog! It's wonderful!

[jennJK]

Love the TR so far, thanks!! :)

[All7OfUs]

OK, I"m back, for real. Pecos is one of my all-time faves for CS, next to Casey's and CHH. If it were just those 3 I"d be very , very happy indeed. The toppings bar was amazing! Such a bounty of delectable heaven. Mushrooms for me, all the way! :banana:

[aprilisis]

GREAT update! I wish they still had the riverboat, too- I'm sad I missed it. I loved your photos of it- thanks!:thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

Your trip title made me open it. Can't wait to read it.

Welcome! :wave:

I know! :lmao: I used to go to Pinocchios Village Haus when they had the most awesome burgers ever, before they changed it to pizza. The last thing we Italian folk want to eat on vacation is pizza. ;)

Especially Disney pizza! I'm horribly particular about my Italian food. I rarely eat it at places like Disney because I'm always disappointed. There are so many phenomenal places up here in the Northeast that I don't feel like I'm missing it when I'm on vacation and use that time to try new things.

I miss the burgers at Pinocchios too! I was thinking of that this trip.


That is so funny. Most people would be all BRING ON THE BEEF!!! and you wish it was smaller. :goodvibes I'm lucky in that I have DH and DS to finish off things I don't eat. :thumbsup2

I need to pace myself of vacation. I like to leave room for Dole Whips. ;)

You could have gotten 20% off???? I would have asked you to buy one for me!!! :lmao:

I may have an ultra mini trip coming up in March, but of course the special is over. :headache: I'm going to be kicking myself for this one.

Those bags are so cute. Gotta get one :):)
The DIS just enables my spending :lmao:

The DIS is responsible for many of my purchases, all bought in the name of my trips. :rotfl: It's very scary.

Hurray! I can see the pictures now!

I am also a fan of the Tiki Room! I hope Disney refurbs it before the stars start molting. :laughing:

Pecos Bill's is another of my favorites! I love that Christmas themed cup!

You must see The Princess and the Frog! It's wonderful!

I have this image of Iago molting and exploding like the Harry Potter phoenix now. :rotfl:

I've stuck my head into the movie on my breaks a few times, but haven't seen the whole thing. I'm going to try to see it this weekend. I'm still battling left over fatigue from my bought with bronchitis and have problems getting up the energy to do anything. I somehow need to pull down my Christmas stuff this weekend too. I dread the thought of all the trips up and down to the basement to put it away.

Love the TR so far, thanks!! :)

Thanks! It was a fun trip. Even with my mini-melt down. I'm feeling better about it now that some time has passed.

OK, I"m back, for real. Pecos is one of my all-time faves for CS, next to Casey's and CHH. If it were just those 3 I"d be very , very happy indeed. The toppings bar was amazing! Such a bounty of delectable heaven. Mushrooms for me, all the way! :banana:

It's one of my few "must stops" in the way of counter service on my trips. My only other one coming on day 2. During last years trip, all the nieces wanted was the mushrooms. I don't even want to know how many we ate.

GREAT update! I wish they still had the riverboat, too- I'm sad I missed it. I loved your photos of it- thanks!:thumbsup2

I really liked the show. They really did a wonderful job with it, and it really felt like one of those "little" things that sometimes seems to be lacking around the parks.

[jewels1916]

Great start! And I was glad to see your pics from the riverboat show. We missed that while we were there. My last trip was my first meal at Pecos Bill's as well! I enjoyed the burger bar, and will definitely be visiting again! :)

[If U Had Wings]

Great start! And I was glad to see your pics from the riverboat show. We missed that while we were there. My last trip was my first meal at Pecos Bill's as well! I enjoyed the burger bar, and will definitely be visiting again! :)

Welcome! I think my last trip with my BFF our first meal was at Pecos Bills too. I end up there an awful lot.

[praisehisname]

Jumping onboard and loving it!!!

[skier_pete]

Especially Disney pizza! I'm horribly particular about my Italian food. I rarely eat it at places like Disney because I'm always disappointed. There are so many phenomenal places up here in the Northeast that I don't feel like I'm missing it when I'm on vacation and use that time to try new things.
.

I totally agree. I grew up in Agawam, Mass, which is a mafia stronghold, and there are some plain awesome Italian restaurants in the Springfield area. (Not to mention Boston's North End.) I find Italian food so unspectacular most places, and I can't even imagine that Disney Italian would be anywhere near acceptable, so I go no-where near Mama Melrose or Tony's, or even Tutto. Same goes for Pizza, even Buffalo has some great Pizza places. The Pizza at Disney looks and tastes horrible...though DD likes it!

[All7OfUs]

It's one of my few "must stops" in the way of counter service on my trips. My only other one coming on day 2. During last years trip, all the nieces wanted was the mushrooms. I don't even want to know how many we ate.


I can't even IMAGINE how your guts handled such quantities- or not. :confused3:lmao:

[MEK]

Enjoying your TR so far. I hope you will continue to post ASSp pics. It's one of the values I have never stayed at and I would like to give it a try. You are brave staying there during Pop Warner.

Can't wait to read about BWI. Congrats on your AP! Looks so you and your friend are off to a magical start. I hope you guys have a good trip. Looking forward to reading more!

[Lady Lallie]

I completely agree with you on the Tiki Birds. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the under new management version of the show I have to go see it for the song. I have the Tiki Bird Show on my 4 Parks One World CD and I listen to it for the Tiki song part and then skip the track. :rotfl2:

That burger looks so GOOD. Yummy! I have never been there.

[skier_pete]

I completely agree with you on the Tiki Birds. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the under new management version of the show I have to go see it for the song. I have the Tiki Bird Show on my 4 Parks One World CD and I listen to it for the Tiki song part and then skip the track. :rotfl2:

But you won't here this anymore:

The boys in the back are called macaws.
Because of their caws? No, because they're macaws.
And our fine feathered friend is a jolly toucan
and two cans sound better than one toucan can.

The bird of paradise is an elegant bird.
It likes to be seen and it loves to be heard.
Most little birdies will fly away,
but the Tiki Room birds are here everyday.

Our show is delightful, we hope you'll agree.
We hope that fills you with pleasure and glee.
Because if we don't make you feel like that,
we're gonna wind up on a lady's hat!

(Hey, I miss the old Tiki Birds too! I find it painful to sit through the new show, but have finally discovered a slight fondness for it. There are a lot of lines from the original sprinkled throughout - which I find myself listening for. The oriignal show is still in Disneyland, though! Someday I intend to go there and watch it half a dozen times!)

[TarzansKat]

That does it.

Now I have the Tiki bird song in my head.

For those of you who are interested, the original song in its true form can be found on the Disneyland 50th Anniversary CD. It contains songs from Disneyland and World, but it's got that one on it. :thumbsup2

[Lovemy3babes]

Hi there! I followed your TR link from my report and wanted to read along. :) We were there the exact same dates! How neat. What a great start, I can't wait to read more!

[If U Had Wings]

I totally agree. I grew up in Agawam, Mass, which is a mafia stronghold, and there are some plain awesome Italian restaurants in the Springfield area. (Not to mention Boston's North End.) I find Italian food so unspectacular most places, and I can't even imagine that Disney Italian would be anywhere near acceptable, so I go no-where near Mama Melrose or Tony's, or even Tutto. Same goes for Pizza, even Buffalo has some great Pizza places. The Pizza at Disney looks and tastes horrible...though DD likes it!

Agawam, home of Riverside! (It will always be Riverside to me, especially as I haven't been up there since it became Six Flags. I live right near New Haven, home of some pretty famous pizza at Pepe's and Sally's. The whole area here has some pretty good pizza. So not worth it to eat bad stuff on vacation.

My family who lives in Florida is convinced that it has something to do with the water down there. They always say they can't get any good bread. The horror!

I can't even IMAGINE how your guts handled such quantities- or not. :confused3:lmao:

I swear those kids could eat anything. I think it's a family trait. ;)

Enjoying your TR so far. I hope you will continue to post ASSp pics. It's one of the values I have never stayed at and I would like to give it a try. You are brave staying there during Pop Warner.

Can't wait to read about BWI. Congrats on your AP! Looks so you and your friend are off to a magical start. I hope you guys have a good trip. Looking forward to reading more!

I took a few more pics one night so I'll be posting those too. I was happily surprised with AsSp. I had made the reservation grudgingly, but I ended up being fairly happy with it.

Pop Warner didn't end up being as bad as I was expecting, but I think it had a lot to do with our room location. Some spots were awfully loud. BWI though was just heavenly.

I completely agree with you on the Tiki Birds. Even though I'm not a huge fan of the under new management version of the show I have to go see it for the song. I have the Tiki Bird Show on my 4 Parks One World CD and I listen to it for the Tiki song part and then skip the track. :rotfl2:

That burger looks so GOOD. Yummy! I have never been there.

It's one of those attractions I always have to hit. I love the dancing tikis on the totem poles. I usually like to hit the treehouse too, but sadly I never made it this year.

But you won't here this anymore:

The boys in the back are called macaws.
Because of their caws? No, because they're macaws.
And our fine feathered friend is a jolly toucan
and two cans sound better than one toucan can.

The bird of paradise is an elegant bird.
It likes to be seen and it loves to be heard.
Most little birdies will fly away,
but the Tiki Room birds are here everyday.

Our show is delightful, we hope you'll agree.
We hope that fills you with pleasure and glee.
Because if we don't make you feel like that,
we're gonna wind up on a lady's hat!

(Hey, I miss the old Tiki Birds too! I find it painful to sit through the new show, but have finally discovered a slight fondness for it. There are a lot of lines from the original sprinkled throughout - which I find myself listening for. The oriignal show is still in Disneyland, though! Someday I intend to go there and watch it half a dozen times!)

I just love that song! I have it on my ipod, and I love when the shuffle ends up on it. I know I just have to go to Disneyland to see it. I swear my must do at Disneyland list has all my favorite ex-Disneyworld stuff on it. Tiki birds, Mr Toad, and most of all the Main Street Electrical Parade.

That does it.

Now I have the Tiki bird song in my head.

For those of you who are interested, the original song in its true form can be found on the Disneyland 50th Anniversary CD. It contains songs from Disneyland and World, but it's got that one on it. :thumbsup2

I think my friend was ready to kill me. I went around most of the day singing that song. :laughing:

Hi there! I followed your TR link from my report and wanted to read along. :) We were there the exact same dates! How neat. What a great start, I can't wait to read more!

Welcome!

[If U Had Wings]

After catching the Tiana show we decieded to head over to hitch a ride on BTMR, but when we got over there the ride was temporarily shut down. We snagged ourselves a couple of fastpasses for later and watched the crazy people riding Splash Mountain in the increasing cold weather for awhile. Seriously, as much as I love Splash Mountain, there was nothing that could have dragged me on that ride when it was about 40 degrees out. Brrrrr!

The crowds around us seemed to be multiplying as the temps were dropping too. We heading towards Liberty Square and managed to walk right into the Country Bears Show. Like the Tiki's, they aren't a favorite, but I do confess a love for Big Al. It doesn't matter how often I see that show I always laugh when he stars singing, and I feel like a kid again seeing it for the first time. It's just one of those attractions that I identify with being a kid at Disney. I will admit though, that like the Tiki birds, Disney really needs to step in and do a freshening up of the bears. I only wish that they had been doing the Christmas overlay on the bear jamboree. I remember seeing the summer vacation show when I was a kid, but I've never seen the Christmas version. Every time I leave the show when it's over, I always expect to see the animal heads repeated on the wall of the restaurant still singing the songs. Does anyone else remember that?

After the bears we only had to wait a few minutes before the next HoP show was about to begin. They did a wonderful job updating HoP! The updates really kept the heart of what the show was about before, but brought it very much up to date. Excellent! The theater was actually pretty full, which I don't think I've seen in ages. Our seats were way over at the edge opposite the entrance, so I didn't get a good a view of all the Presidents as I would have liked, but I did get to check out the new Obama one. I didn't think it looked much like him.:confused3

After that we tried to do a bit of shopping in Liberty Square, but the stores were so jammed it wasn't enjoyable at all. We thought of meeting Tiana, but the line was just crazy. Instead we headed over to Haunted Mansion, where the line was backed up to nearly the Columbia Harbor House. The time posted was 20 minutes, which even though I was convinced was wrong, we waited for. (And it was longer than 20 minutes).

By the time we got off and headed into Fantasyland, the lines had begun to really get out of control. We were going to ride It's a Small World, but the post wait time was an hour. An Hour for It's a Small World!!!!! Needless to say we chose to pass. Philharmagic seemed to be our best choice, and we got in without too much of a wait. I'm a huge Donald fan so Philharmagic is one of my favorite attractions. Can I just say how much I dislike the people who stop in the middle of a row? As we were sitting they were announcing that it was going to be a full house so please keep moving all the way to the end. Needless to say nearly every row had that one group that can't follow directions:headache:We actually got that a lot this trip, probably because so many of the shows were playing to full houses. I'm used to being there in the fall when they even tell you just to go 3/4 of the way across.

It was nearly time for our dinner ADR at the Plaza so we headed through the hub to get there and managed to catch the castle lighting ceremony. It was very cute, and what a Wow moment! The castle lit up was one of the things I was really looking forward to seeing and it didn't disappoint.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8CastleShotc_opt.jpg

Our dinner at the Plaza was really good. Sorry but no food porn from there. I still hadn't fessed up to the fact I was photographing food yet at this point in the trip, and didn't get any minutes alone in there. :rotfl:We skipped appetizers and desserts in there, and just had meals. I had the Philly cheesesteak sandwich and my friend had the strawberry chicken sandwich. Both got big thumbs up from both of us. Good food, large servings, and at (for Disney anyways) a decent price. I don't know if I would use DP credits for it, but on a cash basis The Plaza is a good deal.

After dinner we headed over to the Jungle Cruise for our two week excursion. In all my years going to Disney I had never been on at night before. It was fantastic at night! All the effects felt so much more real, and you no longer felt like you were in the middle of an amusement park. Very cool! After my night ride this trip, I'd be hard pressed to chose a daytime ride again.

We headed over to BTMRR to use our fast passes. We had just handed over our fastpasses and had been waiting in line for about 5 minutes or so when all of a sudden the line came to a screeching halt. There was some kind of a glitch, and they had to shut down the ride. We waited while they emptied the regular line having everyone back out of the line before they had the fast pass line walk through the ride (climbing across the cars) to get out. They gave us each a fastpass good for any ride in the MK that was good for one week. I felt horrible for some of the people waiting in the regular line. I think the wait time had been posted at something like nearly 2 hours at the time it got shut down. The rollercoasters getting shut down ended up being a bit of a regular happening this trip. There was one point that first day that BTMRR, SM and Barnstormer were all down at the same time.

It was getting later, by the time we got out of the line so we headed over to Main Street for one of my favorites - Spectromagic!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroMickey_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroMerry_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroPeacock_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroAriel_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroCin_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroFish_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroGarden_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6SpectroMinnie_opt.jpg

As much as I love Spectromagic parade, I hate what it turns people into. My last trip with my BFF I had some woman leaning on my back the entire parade. This time I got to witness people showing up as the parade was starting shoving their kids down to the front where there was nowhere for them to go. The place was jammed and all the curb seats were gone by the time we got over to Main Street. We managed to snag a good viewing spot right at the hub behind the stroller of a family sitting on the curb. The people shoving the kids up to the front were annoying me. Yes, I know you want your kid to see, but really you need to make a small effort to get a spot more than 5 minutes before the show starts. CMs had to keep coming through to tell these people that they couldn't let their kids sit in the middle of the street.:sad2:

[If U Had Wings]

When the parade was over we headed to Tomorrowland, where the lines were only slightly better than Fantasyland. We tried to ride Space Mountain, but it was down. :sad1:We went to ride the Peoplemover, and there was actually a line for that. I don't think I've had to wait in line for that in years! It was pretty chilly riding it that night. Temps were down in the 40s that night, and I was wishing I had brought my fleece jacket into the park with me. My thin rain jacket just wasn't cutting it.

Buzz had a 20 min. wait time posted so we hopped in line. The line was out the door, and all the way over to the left hand side through a small maze, so I was thinking that the wait time wasn't quite right. That was the last time on this trip I believed the wait times. :confused: Usually when I go to Disney the wait times posted are usually shorter than the actual wait times. This trip they all seemed to longer waits than actually posted. I think we ended up in line for nearly 50 minutes.

By the time we got off the fireworks were just about to start. People were backed up all across the bridge into Tomorrowland, but I switched into my New York City walking mode, dragging my friend along with me and made it across the bridge to my favorite spot along the pathway between Tomorrowland and Main Street in no time. Luckily, while my favorite spot was taken, we got a great spot just a bit further down right along the railing.

Wishes just never gets old. I love it!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7Wishesa_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7Wishesb_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7Wishesc_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7Wishesd_opt.jpg

By the time Wishes was over we had both just about had it. The park was open until midnight, but the fact that I had woken up at 3am was starting to catch up with me. We headed back down Main Street, along with what felt like everyone else in the park. We were both in the mood for a snack so we stopped off at the bakery to bring something back to the room with us.

I saw this and couldn't refuse -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/9EveningSnack_opt.jpg

Mmmmmm, apple turnover! It was delicious. Lots of apple, and just the right amount of icing. Yum!

It was about now that we learned the downside to staying at the All Star Sports. The buses. Ugh!! They were just horrible. We stood there, exhausted, watching buses show up for the other resorts, but nothing for ours. I think CBR had about three show up before one showed up for Sports. We didn't make that one, so stood their waiting more and more impatiently. The line was now backed up down the walkway, while the other stops near ours had emptied out. One another one finally showed up it got a lovely bronx cheer from the crowd waiting in line. :rotfl:

Back at AsSp the party around the pool bar was going strong. It seemed like all the Pop Warner parents were hanging around over there. We grabbed some sodas and headed back to the room for some much needed rest. Day 2 and the Animal Kingdom were waiting for us!

[skier_pete]

Great Updates!

It's funny, we had no crowd problems at all to speak of...did you go to MK on Saturday? I always find that the crowds build something awful by the afternoon there. Our trip we did Monday (14th) and Friday (18th)...Monday was moderate crowds, but it was an EMH night. Friday was just DEAD...simply awesome. Saturday the 19th was bad, but we didn't really try to ride anything, so I can't comment on the lines. We never saw a wait time posted that was longer than the actual wait, though.

Loved the Castle lights....1 million times better than the cake overlay.

[MRYPPNS]

You got to do 2 things that night that I had planned to do on my trip and didn't: eat a steak & cheese at The Plaza and ride JC at night.

I'm so glad you at an ADR that night with the crowds! Good planning.

[TarzansKat]

I'm so afraid you're all going to laugh at me, but I swear, as a pregnant woman who's just getting over the first trimester, the first thing I notice in everyone's posts is food. LOL

That apple turnover looks absolutely divine.

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time with wait times. That is kind of a bummer when they're not consistent with the signage.

On the upside, you got some beautiful pictures of Spectro and the fireworks! :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

Great Updates!

It's funny, we had no crowd problems at all to speak of...did you go to MK on Saturday? I always find that the crowds build something awful by the afternoon there. Our trip we did Monday (14th) and Friday (18th)...Monday was moderate crowds, but it was an EMH night. Friday was just DEAD...simply awesome. Saturday the 19th was bad, but we didn't really try to ride anything, so I can't comment on the lines. We never saw a wait time posted that was longer than the actual wait, though.

Loved the Castle lights....1 million times better than the cake overlay.

We hit crowds all week. MK on that Saturday was one of the worst. I haven't seen crowds like that in a long time. I'm too used to my fall trips now. I knew I was in trouble when It's a Small World had an hour wait. Most of the other Fantasyland stuff was at least 90 minutes.

I loved the castle all lit up. Much, much better than the cake.

You got to do 2 things that night that I had planned to do on my trip and didn't: eat a steak & cheese at The Plaza and ride JC at night.

I'm so glad you at an ADR that night with the crowds! Good planning.

We would have been doing counter service that night if we missed the Plaza. They had big signs up that everything was filled for table service. The Plaza was one of the few places that was actually full on our trip.

The night ride on JC was one of the few things on my list that I actually did on this vacation.

I'm so afraid you're all going to laugh at me, but I swear, as a pregnant woman who's just getting over the first trimester, the first thing I notice in everyone's posts is food. LOL

That apple turnover looks absolutely divine.

I'm sorry you had such a difficult time with wait times. That is kind of a bummer when they're not consistent with the signage.

On the upside, you got some beautiful pictures of Spectro and the fireworks! :goodvibes

Your defintely allowed to focus on the food. You have the perfect excuse. I don't think I had ever been in the Main St. bakery before. Everything looked so good, but I'm a complete apple addict. The turnover had my name written all over it.

I've never had a problem with the signs before at the parks. This was a first. Hopefully it was something they will be able to fix.

I was pretty happy with my night time pics this trip, especially as I left my gorilla pod home. I finally figured out how to use the night time settings.:)

[Charleston Princess]

Seriously, as much as I love Splash Mountain, there was nothing that could have dragged me on that ride when it was about 40 degrees out. Brrrrr!

Cold and wet do not mix in my eyes!

Every time I leave the show when it's over, I always expect to see the animal heads repeated on the wall of the restaurant still singing the songs. Does anyone else remember that?

I do! I do! :laughing:

I didn't think it looked much like him.:confused3

I have heard that from a few people! Looking forward to seeing the new changes in July!

By the time we got off and headed into Fantasyland, the lines had begun to really get out of control. We were going to ride It's a Small World, but the post wait time was an hour. An Hour for It's a Small World!!!!!

I can't believe how crazy crowded it was! That wait time for It's a Small World says it all!

The castle lit up was one of the things I was really looking forward to seeing and it didn't disappoint.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8CastleShotc_opt.jpg

So magically pretty!

After dinner we headed over to the Jungle Cruise for our two week excursion. In all my years going to Disney I had never been on at night before. It was fantastic at night! All the effects felt so much more real, and you no longer felt like you were in the middle of an amusement park. Very cool! After my night ride this trip, I'd be hard pressed to chose a daytime ride again.

Connor's first ride on the Jungle Cruise was at night and he still talks about it. It's one of the few things he remembers from his first trip in 2004.

There was one point that first day that BTMRR, SM and Barnstormer were all down at the same time.

That couldn't have helped with the crowd levels!!!


I saw this and couldn't refuse -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/9EveningSnack_opt.jpg

Mmmmmm, apple turnover! It was delicious. Lots of apple, and just the right amount of icing. Yum!

Yum is right! I will take one of those for breakfast, please!

[TarzansKat]

Wow you're just using night time settings? Do you have a point and shoot or a more souped up camera?

[micandminforever]

The pictures from your first day were great, especially the apple turnover. I love all of the old rides, that I remember from my first Disney trip back in 72. To me they are what Disney is about, before the age of the thrill rides.

[If U Had Wings]

Cold and wet do not mix in my eyes!

I'll admit I was momentarily tempted earlier in the day. I was going to put my rain poncho on and everything, untill my BFF reminded me that getting at all wet might not be the best option for someone recovering from a respritory infection. :)

I can't believe how crazy crowded it was! That wait time for It's a Small World says it all!

I was amazed. I was expecting busy, but not like it was.


Connor's first ride on the Jungle Cruise was at night and he still talks about it. It's one of the few things he remembers from his first trip in 2004.

It was amazing the difference it made.

Yum is right! I will take one of those for breakfast, please!

I was tempted to get another one later in the week, but never did. :confused:

Wow you're just using night time settings? Do you have a point and shoot or a more souped up camera?

I just have a point and shoot Sony Cyber-Shot that's a few years old. It doesn't even have a fireworks setting. I was using the night-time landscape setting. I got a lot of really lousy shots too.

I found that I needed to be really close to things to get the shots without a tripod of some sort. I also used the timer button. I'd set it for the shortest time (on mine it's something like 2 seconds) so I could focus on holding the camera steady when the shot was taken. I picked up that hint somewhere on these boards, and I was pretty happy with how they turned out.

The pictures from your first day were great, especially the apple turnover. I love all of the old rides, that I remember from my first Disney trip back in 72. To me they are what Disney is about, before the age of the thrill rides.

Riding those older rides is always a blast to the past. It's part of why I love them so much.

[Lovemy3babes]

Wow! What long waits you encountered. I wonder if many of those were there for the parade taping?

[If U Had Wings]

Wow! What long waits you encountered. I wonder if many of those were there for the parade taping?

I'm thinking it must have been. I was looking at the Touring Guides crowd calendar for this December on that day and they gave it a 10 (out of 10). :scared1: I'm not really surprised.

[If U Had Wings]

After a good night sleep I was ready for my first full park day. My BFF, I'm not so sure. :rotfl: She made it up though and we hit the food court for breakfast. Sorry, but no food porn. All I had was a yogurt parfait anyways, so really it wasn't all that exciting. :sad2: It was good, but I prefer the ones made to order at POFQ. The granola was a bit soggy in mine.

I'm pretty predictable on my Disney trips, and my Sundays are always spent here -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKWelcome_opt.jpg

We were running a bit late, but we still made it there just as rope drop was going on. Still we had to stop and take a few pictures of the beautiful tree just outside of the gate. I think the AK tree was one of my favorites.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeMe_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeD_opt.jpg

The AK trip really started my obsession this trip with all the gorgeous trees around Disney. Here's a few close ups of the ornaments. So beautiful!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeOrnamenta_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeB_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeC_opt.jpg

Like everyone else it seemed, we were all heading over to Everest -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/EverestClose_opt.jpg

We picked up fastpasses for later and then hopped into the regular line. I love the queue at Everest. This was actually my first time going through the regular queue.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1EverestFlags_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/EverestBudda_opt.jpg

And my rednecked ride photo (hands up of course!)-

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1EverestRedneck_opt.jpg

After Everest we wandered over to Dinoland. I know many people find it a bit tacky and un-Disney, but iI get the biggest kick out of some of the detailing over there.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2DinoSign_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2DinoSnowman_opt.jpg

I rednecked a photo over there on Dinosaur too.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2DinoRedneck_opt.jpg

I had brought along touring plans for the AK, but really we ended up not following them. There were bigger crowds than I was used to at AK, but compared to the previous day's crowds they were small. It was very comfortable walking around AK. It was another very cool day. It was nice not walking around AK when it felt like the hottest place on earth.

[TarzansKat]

Thank you for the beautiful photos of the tree at AK! I didn't get to that park when I was there during the holiday season, so it's wonderful to see how they decorate.

Seems like your morning is off to a good start, and I'm glad the touring was a bit easier and less crowded. :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

Thank you for the beautiful photos of the tree at AK! I didn't get to that park when I was there during the holiday season, so it's wonderful to see how they decorate.

Seems like your morning is off to a good start, and I'm glad the touring was a bit easier and less crowded. :goodvibes

There weren't tons of decorations at AK, but what they had was beautiful.

It was such a relief to have a quieter day after the craziness the day before. I think everyone was probably over at the MK to watch the Jonas Bros. parade filming.

[TarzansKat]

There weren't tons of decorations at AK, but what they had was beautiful.

It was such a relief to have a quieter day after the craziness the day before. I think everyone was probably over at the MK to watch the Jonas Bros. parade filming.

In that case, I would say good planning on your part! :thumbsup2

[micandminforever]

My favorite day for AK is Sunday also. Your pictures were great and I love the redneck pictures of you on the fun fun rides.

[Charleston Princess]

I'm pretty predictable on my Disney trips, and my Sundays are always spent here -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKWelcome_opt.jpg

Do you avoid the EMH parks? We always do Animal Kingdom on a Tuesday since they don't have any EMHs on that day. We've been pretty lucky with crowds.

I think the AK tree was one of my favorites.

The AK trip really started my obsession this trip with all the gorgeous trees around Disney. Here's a few close ups of the ornaments. So beautiful!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeOrnamenta_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeB_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKTreeC_opt.jpg

I want my tree to look like this one! Big surprise, right? ;)

After Everest we wandered over to Dinoland. I know many people find it a bit tacky and un-Disney, but iI get the biggest kick out of some of the detailing over there.

I think most people miss the idea behind it. It's supposed to be a bit tacky, and I love the story the Imagineers came up with for it. I get a big kick out of this part of the park as well!

It was very comfortable walking around AK. It was another very cool day. It was nice not walking around AK when it felt like the hottest place on earth.

One day I hope to be able to type these sentences. I don't know what Animal Kingdom feels like when it isn't hotter than the jungles of Vietnam! :laughing:

[Native NYer]

The ornaments on that AK tree are beautiful. So unique, love it!

[MEK]

Loved your last update, but the crowds sound almost unbearable. And all the mountains going down at once ....What's up with that? :confused3

I also CAN't Stand when people stop in the middle of a row when it's going to be a full house. What's up with that? Especially if they are difficult to climb over. And I never know.....Am I supposed to wait for them to mover OR just climb over them. Hate that! REally annoys me (can you tell?)

Last June we actually had a wait to get on the peoplemover. First time ever!

That pastry looks so yummy.

I hope you guys get a good nights sleep. I am looking forward to your AK day!

[ladybugmom]

Hi!! I just found your TR!! I'm excited to read it as we're planning a trip to WDW this December!! :goodvibes

[Flossbolna]

Love your AK pictures, that snow man at Dinoland is just fantastic! I think Dinoland is so much fun and it's great that the christmas decortations are just as tacky as the place itself. :thumbsup2

I am really excited to go on the Wild by Design tour at AK during our trip, I think they cover a lot of Dinoland. So hopefully we will get to see many of the jokes they have there.

[All7OfUs]

I'm so sorry, Crissy! I got 2 updates behind over here!!

Funny that you call your trips "predictable" and that Sundays are your AK days. It'd be nice to get to go often enough someday to have certain days I call this or that.

I can see why you love the decorations so very much!! They are so beautiful just in your pictures- i can only imagine how lovely they are in REAL life. Again, someday, I'll get there during the holidays. Meantime, I'll enjoy what I see here on TRs like yours :)

Admittedly, I am one of those who doesn't LOVE Dinoland, but will also say that the theming detailst the Imagineers put in are very clever. Clever enough to make me go there every trip?? Probably not; but fun nevertheless.

[If U Had Wings]

My favorite day for AK is Sunday also. Your pictures were great and I love the redneck pictures of you on the fun fun rides.

The rest of the parks I mix up, but AK day is always Sunday. I guess it's most predictable, because it's the one park I always hit just once.

My SIL got me renecking photos. I never like any of them enough to actually buy the pic. :)

Do you avoid the EMH parks? We always do Animal Kingdom on a Tuesday since they don't have any EMHs on that day. We've been pretty lucky with crowds.

I'm a big believer in avoiding EMH parks. I like to cut out the crowds as much as possible, especially at the AK.

I want my tree to look like this one! Big surprise, right? ;)

I was thinking of you when I saw that one. ;)


I think most people miss the idea behind it. It's supposed to be a bit tacky, and I love the story the Imagineers came up with for it. I get a big kick out of this part of the park as well!

My dirty little secret is that I love tacky, kitchy tourist stuff. It's the part of me that loves watching for all the South of the Border signs on the drive South, and who wants to stop no matter how yucky it is there.

What in the world does that say about me? :rotfl:


One day I hope to be able to type these sentences. I don't know what Animal Kingdom feels like when it isn't hotter than the jungles of Vietnam! :laughing:

It was wonderful. It was the one day I didn't really mind it being cold.

The ornaments on that AK tree are beautiful. So unique, love it!

It was one of my favorites. I loved all the theme trees.

Loved your last update, but the crowds sound almost unbearable. And all the mountains going down at once ....What's up with that? :confused3

It seemed like they were having lots of issues with the mountains our entire trip. After one too many bad experiences I wasn't even going to try to get in line without a fastpass again.

I also CAN't Stand when people stop in the middle of a row when it's going to be a full house. What's up with that? Especially if they are difficult to climb over. And I never know.....Am I supposed to wait for them to mover OR just climb over them. Hate that! REally annoys me (can you tell?)

That's exactly how I feel. Especially when they are tellling you it's a full house. If you want to be in the center of the row, hang back and let everyone else go in first, don't run them down to enter the row first and then stop. Ugh!

Hi!! I just found your TR!! I'm excited to read it as we're planning a trip to WDW this December!! :goodvibes

Welcome! It was definitely a new experience seeing Disney in December. I'm glad that I got to try it once.

Love your AK pictures, that snow man at Dinoland is just fantastic! I think Dinoland is so much fun and it's great that the christmas decortations are just as tacky as the place itself. :thumbsup2

It was fitting, wasn't it? I loved it!

I am really excited to go on the Wild by Design tour at AK during our trip, I think they cover a lot of Dinoland. So hopefully we will get to see many of the jokes they have there.

I can't wait to hear all about the tour!

I'm so sorry, Crissy! I got 2 updates behind over here!!

Funny that you call your trips "predictable" and that Sundays are your AK days. It'd be nice to get to go often enough someday to have certain days I call this or that. [/quote

I use to average a trip every 5 to 7 years, but the past 4 years or so, I've been taking a trip a year. I've really been enjoying it, but part of me is really feeling like I could use a bit of a break. I think I need to go and check something else out.

Maybe...

:rotfl:

[QUOTE=All7OfUs;35052138]I can see why you love the decorations so very much!! They are so beautiful just in your pictures- i can only imagine how lovely they are in REAL life. Again, someday, I'll get there during the holidays. Meantime, I'll enjoy what I see here on TRs like yours :)

I loved the uniqueness of all the decorations. They put so much thought into decorating each area.

Admittedly, I am one of those who doesn't LOVE Dinoland, but will also say that the theming detailst the Imagineers put in are very clever. Clever enough to make me go there every trip?? Probably not; but fun nevertheless.

My favorite part of dinoland is actually the simplest thing. I get a huge kick out of the ground, and how it looks like a traveling carnival set up in a parking lot. For some reason it just makes me smile.

[If U Had Wings]

a mini pre-trip report!!!

:banana::banana::banana:

Yes, in a little over a month I'll be heading to Disney for a spur of the moment vacation!!!

Woo Hoo! :woohoo:

How'd this come about so quickly?

My parents had been talking about going down to Florida for a vacation for awhile. Their plan was to head to Disney for a week, and then rent a car to drive down to visit my grandmother for another week. They'd been discussing this since last fall, but no plans had ever been made. After the New Year they finally set a time for March to head down.

Meanwhile everytime talked to my grandmother on the phone she'd automatically ask me when I was going to come down to visit her. She's 93 years old and has dementia, so she can no longer make trips up north to visit. I'd been wanting to visit, but timing wise nothing was working out.

Then a bit of luck came my way. At work we got the good news earlier this month that after nearly two years of no pay increases or bonuses we'd all be eligible for bonuses in June and would be receiving a one time "transitional" payment in February. :yay:

A smarter person would probably use that payment to pay a bill, but my first thought was to use it to visit my grandmother. Since my parents were going to be in Florida, my original plan was to fly to Orlando, have them pick me up and then drive down to my grandmother's with them. Flights were cheaper to Orlando, than the airport near my grandmother's and I wouldn't have to worry about transfers either.

That's how it started. Before I knew it my mother was talking me into joining them in Disney before heading to my grandmother's. At first I was a bit resistent because I didn't want to "crash" their vacation, but they both were insistent that they really wanted me to come.

So...I'm heading to Disney for a bonus trip this year! :yay:

I'll be in Disney from Feb. 26th to March 3, and then I'll be driving down to visit my grandmother until March 7th. I won't be doing a regular pre-trip report for the trip, but I will check in here with some of the details.

I'm loving that I'm getting some extra use out of my AP!!!

[Charleston Princess]

Woo hoo for a mini-vacation to Disney!!! :banana:

I love tacky, kitschy, touristy stuff, too, so whatever it says about you, it's saying the same thing about me. :lmao:

[Flossbolna]

:cool1::cool1::cool1:

I just was about to post asking about your new ticker! How wonderful! It is so funny how everyone with an AP ends up going much more often than originally planned... :rotfl:

:woohoo: for the bonus as well! Besides the money side I think it is always also a great way of feeling appreciated by your employer!

[Lovemy3babes]

Great Animal Kingdom pictures, especially the tree! I took many photos of it as well. We rode EE for the first time this year and it scared the bejeezus out of me. I think it was the backwards part! I can't believe you had your hands in the air and not hanging out for dear life. LOL!! ;)

[If U Had Wings]

Woo hoo for a mini-vacation to Disney!!! :banana:

I love tacky, kitschy, touristy stuff, too, so whatever it says about you, it's saying the same thing about me. :lmao:

I'm so happy to be going to Disney again. :banana: When I got home in December I was telling myself I needed a Disney break, but as soon as the oppourtunity came up I jumped all over it. I guess I didn't need a break that badly. :)

:cool1::cool1::cool1:

I just was about to post asking about your new ticker! How wonderful! It is so funny how everyone with an AP ends up going much more often than originally planned... :rotfl:

:woohoo: for the bonus as well! Besides the money side I think it is always also a great way of feeling appreciated by your employer!

It worked out perfectly. If I didn't have the AP I would have never thought to add on the extra days. This way all I really have to pay for is the airfare and the food. My folks told me they'd cover the room. I think my dad is excited that he'll have someone to go on the rides with. ;)

Great Animal Kingdom pictures, especially the tree! I took many photos of it as well. We rode EE for the first time this year and it scared the bejeezus out of me. I think it was the backwards part! I can't believe you had your hands in the air and not hanging out for dear life. LOL!! ;)

I think AK is the most photogenic park. I took more there than anywhere else.

When I was a kid I was the biggest ride wuss out there. I didn't even want to ride the carousel horses that went up and down. :lmao: I got dragged on a few "big" rides by my brother and a guy I liked when I was about 12 or so and became a convert. Now I'll pretty much try anything. The only ride I can't stomach are those spider/octopus rides at carnivals. :sick:

I'm actually better if I'm going backwards and can't see where I'm going. :)

[If U Had Wings]

After Dinoland we headed back to Everest to use our FastPasses before heading over to Asia to see some tigers.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailP_opt.jpg

I just love the signs around AK!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaSignsB_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaSignsC_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaSigns_opt.jpg

The weather at the Animal Kingdom on our second day, was much like our arrival day. Cool and damp, just a little less so on both counts than our first day. Normally when I visit the Animal Kingdom the only tiger I see on the Asian trail is this one -
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailF_opt.jpg

With the cooler temps, the tigers were out and actually active. One of them was playing around the fountain while we were watching. We spent a lot of time just hanging back and watching the tigers. It was fairly crowded around the windows, but people were actually being courteous and giving everyone a turn up close to the glass.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTraild_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailE_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailI_opt.jpg

I love the Asian trail because of the detailing and scenery.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailJ_opt.jpg

I love the prayer flags they have hanging around. I wanted to buy some and bring them home with me, but forgot. It's probably a good thing, as I live in a second floor condo and have no where to put them.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailM_opt.jpg

Tigers weren't the only ones out and about enjoying cooler temps. These two looked like they were going to get a bit "friendly" for awhile.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailL_opt.jpg

Unfortunately not everyone loved the cool day. The aviary seemed practically empty. All the birds were off hiding trying to keep warm I guess. All the pretty birdhouses were empty.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailO_opt.jpg

The only birds brave enough to hang around in that weather were the ducks. At least they were much prettier ducks than I see at home on the town duckpond.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailN_opt.jpg

At the end of the trail we realized the Flights of Wonder show was about to start, so we decieded to go and see the show checking out some of the few Christmas decorations around Animal Kingdom.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3SignsChristmasFish_opt.jpg

For anyone who hasn't seen the Flights of Wonder show I highly recommend it. It was wonderful. Very informative, and really entertaining. At the end of the show they bring out a beautiful bald eagle. I think I'll call him Sam.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4FlightsEagle_opt.jpg

We even found some hidden Mickeys in the stone stage.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4FlightsHidMickey_opt.jpg

By the time the show was over, we were both getting pretty hungry so we headed out to lunch. On the way we ran across Divine. My BFF had never seen her before and really enjoyed it. Sorry about the bad shots here. By the time I thought to take out my camera she had completely wrapped herself around a tree.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5DivineB_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5Divinea_opt.jpg.

It's just amazing. If you hadn't seen her climb into the growth along the paths you would never know she was there would you?

I don't plan my counter service lunches in the parks. I always play it by ear, and whatever looks good that day I'll go with. My only exception to this is my AK day. Counter service at AK is always at the Flame Tree BBQ. I love the seating area, nestled along side the river on the windy paths. I've never been able to snag a seat near the river, but I usually end up along side the fountain amid the ducks.

The reason for my Flame Tree love isn't the BBQ. It's the fruit plate that garners my undying love and devotion.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6FlameFruit_opt.jpg

So good. They give you plenty, and they also give you a cup of honey yogurt for dipping. It's my favorite CS meal on a hot day at the AK. It was pretty good on a cool day too. I don’t know why there aren't any other CS locations that offer something similar. I find it a perfect light lunch.

For some reason though I had a craving for onion rings, so my friend and I split an order. They were so good! Yum!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6FlameOrings_opt.jpg

I don't usually do dessert at lunch when I'm not on the meal plan, but one of the options here was Key Lime mousse. I heart key lime anything so I had to endulge a bit. (I felt justified. I did have a fruit plate didn't I?)
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6FlameLime_opt.jpg

[MEK]

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 for the extra bonus trip. that is so awesome. I am going to come back and read your update when I can see the pics. I am staying late at work and am getting tired of looking at words with no visuals!

[Charleston Princess]

I am a sucker for all that signage around Animal Kingdom as well! I have more shots of signs in all the different areas than any other type of photo! :lmao:

The tigers were extremely active and you were able to get some great shots of them! Well done!

Your lunch at Flame Tree looks great especially those onion rings and key lime mousse! Mmmmm!

[TarzansKat]

First, congrats on the mini trip!

Second, the update.

That tiger looks so sweet, and so up close! I think they're beautiful creatures.

I would love that fruit plate right now. It looks so yummy. :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2 for the extra bonus trip. that is so awesome. I am going to come back and read your update when I can see the pics. I am staying late at work and am getting tired of looking at words with no visuals!

This trip came up so suddenly. Luckily all the plans are coming together so easily.

I am a sucker for all that signage around Animal Kingdom as well! I have more shots of signs in all the different areas than any other type of photo! :lmao:

The tigers were extremely active and you were able to get some great shots of them! Well done!

Your lunch at Flame Tree looks great especially those onion rings and key lime mousse! Mmmmm!

The mousse was yummy. Not quite as good as the key lime pastry at the Sunshine Seasons in Epcot but pretty good.

I love taking pictures of the signs too. My favorite subject is still to come though. :)

First, congrats on the mini trip!

Second, the update.

That tiger looks so sweet, and so up close! I think they're beautiful creatures.

I would love that fruit plate right now. It looks so yummy. :goodvibes

Thanks. I'm amazed at how easy it has been to make plans for this trip. Maybe I need to plan all my trips at the last minute.

I loved seeing the tigers so close. The one at the fountain came up so close!

[Flossbolna]

more wonderful AK pictures! I have only ever seen the tigers sleeping, but you actually saw them walking around, that's great!! :thumbsup2

I think it is intersting what you wrote about how you came to love thrill rides. I was very similar. It was my sister who got me on those thrill rides in the first place. And I loved the Space Mountains as they were in the dark - if I don't see where I am going, I feel much more relaxed about my ride! DLP's Space Mountain got me to enjoy inversions on coasters that way! :goodvibes

[TarzansKat]

Thanks. I'm amazed at how easy it has been to make plans for this trip. Maybe I need to plan all my trips at the last minute.

I loved seeing the tigers so close. The one at the fountain came up so close!

Well, I'm definitely a fan of the last minute trip. ;)

[All7OfUs]

My one true wish is to catch DeVine on our trip!! To me she just embodies grace and beauty!!

We too, ordered a lust-inducing fruit plate! So yummy, and the yogurt really makes it just a perfect munchable for AK!

[praisehisname]

We were going to ride It's a Small World, but the post wait time was an hour. An Hour for It's a Small World!!!!!

Yikes, that's crazy! :eek:


Yes, in a little over a month I'll be heading to Disney for a spur of the moment vacation!!!

Disney AND a visit with your grandmother! Woo Hoo! :woohoo:


http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3AsiaTrailE_opt.jpg

I love the tigers! :love:


I love the prayer flags they have hanging around. I wanted to buy some and bring them home with me, but forgot. It's probably a good thing, as I live in a second floor condo and have no where to put them.

Do you have a balcony you could hang them from?

[If U Had Wings]

more wonderful AK pictures! I have only ever seen the tigers sleeping, but you actually saw them walking around, that's great!! :thumbsup2

I think it is intersting what you wrote about how you came to love thrill rides. I was very similar. It was my sister who got me on those thrill rides in the first place. And I loved the Space Mountains as they were in the dark - if I don't see where I am going, I feel much more relaxed about my ride! DLP's Space Mountain got me to enjoy inversions on coasters that way! :goodvibes

I had to laugh a little at this. Space Mountain was actually the ride that scared me off of the bigger rides for years. I rode it the first time when I was about 8 years old with my aunt. At that time the seating was a bit different. Two people would straddle one bench style seat, so the smaller person actually sat between the bigger one's legs. There must not have been a restraining device, because on the first hill I slid off the seat and rode the rest of the ride on the floor of the vehicle. Scared me out of my mind.

For years I wouldn't go near practically any ride. When my father and brother would ride Space Mountain, I'd ride "If You Had Wings" over and over again with my mother.

The ride that brought me back to thrill rides was a wooden rollercoaster called the Cyclone at Riverside Park. I loved it so I tried a simple one loop coaster and before I knew it I was a thrill ride junkie. Never underestimate the power of a pre-teen girl trying to impress a boy. :laughing:

Well, I'm definitely a fan of the last minute trip. ;)

I was thinking of you while making my last minute plans.:)

My one true wish is to catch DeVine on our trip!! To me she just embodies grace and beauty!!

We too, ordered a lust-inducing fruit plate! So yummy, and the yogurt really makes it just a perfect munchable for AK!

DeVine is one of my favorite things about AK. It's such a unique, beautiful little touch in the park. I could watch for hours.

I actually got to enjoy the fruit plate all to myself this time which was great. Normally my nieces are always walking away with all the good stuff.


Disney AND a visit with your grandmother! Woo Hoo! :woohoo:

She has no idea I'm coming. I can't wait to surprise her. She's been asking for me to come for awhile now, and I hated that I couldn't afford it. I'm looking forward to seeing all my family down there. We grew up really close to each other, and I never realize how much I miss them until we are together again and fall into old habits in seconds.


Do you have a balcony you could hang them from?

I do, but I'd have to hang them really low and discreetly if I bought them. We really aren't technically allowed to hang anything off our decks. My deck is pretty much in full view of a main area of the complex so it would be pretty hard to hide. Which is not to say I'm not comtemplating it! :)

[skier_pete]

The ride that brought me back to thrill rides was a wooden rollercoaster called the Cyclone at Riverside Park. I loved it so I tried a simple one loop coaster and before I knew it I was a thrill ride junkie. Never underestimate the power of a pre-teen girl trying to impress a boy. :laughing:

Ah...the "Loop Coaster" the lamest roller coaster in the history of roller coasters. (One loop down, one loop back. Rinse. Repeat.) The Cyclone was (and still is, as it is still there) an awesome ride though. Bet we were there at Riverside at the same time 20 years ago! I had a season pass for many years, grew up not 5 miles from the park. I keep saying someday I have to bring my Daughter there, and see what remnants of the old days remain. Not til she's old enough for the Cyclone though!

That's awesome that you get a bonus trip! You should've bought an AP like us! Our bonus AP trip is just 3 months away, it's kind of amazing to think of going back so quickly...no post trip let-down!

[MyMuse]

Ok, all caught up! :goodvibes

re: Spectro
I LOVED it. I have never seen it before, but I was bound & determined to see it from a decent spot. And argh! to all the alte-comers who push their kids in. Can't stand it. I sigh & breathe. I deliberately stood next to a lamp post to avoid all that/ It semi-did the job. But, ooohhh, Spectro was the coolest! :thumbsup2

re: The Plaza
I ate here solo & it was awesome. I do believe I had the cheesesteak. However, they were 30 min late in seating me, but I listened to the Dapper Dans, whom I've never seen before and listened to the castle show. So, all was good. :thumbsup2 I would happily go back.

re: AK - Sun
I went Sunday too! I wonder if we passed each other? LOL
I think Divine is great! I didn't see her this trip, but I have in the past.

I ate at Yak & Yeti - it was delightful! The food was really good.

re: rollercoasters
Nope, won't do them. I have a horrible irrational fear of high open rides. I feel completely unsecure. I did try Rock n rollercoaster since I was strapped in and I hated it. It was the only ride I was very nearly sick afterward.
However, this fear does help me with touring plans. :thumbsup2

re: mini-trip
YAY! for the mini-trip!! :yay:
I always try to tie-in with family visits. Well, for 2009 anyways. I only started going to Disney in 2009; I go down to FL a few times a year for my fam and now they have to wait until after my Disney-ness is done before they get a visit. Disney has been without me long enough. :rotfl2:

Looking forward to more! popcorn::

[Flossbolna]

I had to laugh a little at this. Space Mountain was actually the ride that scared me off of the bigger rides for years. I rode it the first time when I was about 8 years old with my aunt. At that time the seating was a bit different. Two people would straddle one bench style seat, so the smaller person actually sat between the bigger one's legs. There must not have been a restraining device, because on the first hill I slid off the seat and rode the rest of the ride on the floor of the vehicle. Scared me out of my mind.

For years I wouldn't go near practically any ride. When my father and brother would ride Space Mountain, I'd ride "If You Had Wings" over and over again with my mother.

The ride that brought me back to thrill rides was a wooden rollercoaster called the Cyclone at Riverside Park. I loved it so I tried a simple one loop coaster and before I knew it I was a thrill ride junkie. Never underestimate the power of a pre-teen girl trying to impress a boy. :laughing:


It's funny: this Cyclone is the coaster which nearly made me never go on a roller-coaster again!! When Katharina and I were in the US in 1992 we visited family friends in Massachussetts and they took us to Riverside park (I still have the ticket from there in my photo album) and on this wooded coaster: I absolutely hated it!! The same trip took us to DL and the Matterhorn was the right way to get me started on coasters again if my 50 year old aunt would want to go on it, it couldn't be too bad! :lmao:

[aprilisis]

Great photos! I noticed ridiculously large crowds this past weekend, too. Every other year I have been in January, it was practically deserted. I wonder what's up with major crowds all of a sudden. :confused:

[If U Had Wings]

Ah...the "Loop Coaster" the lamest roller coaster in the history of roller coasters. (One loop down, one loop back. Rinse. Repeat.) The Cyclone was (and still is, as it is still there) an awesome ride though. Bet we were there at Riverside at the same time 20 years ago! I had a season pass for many years, grew up not 5 miles from the park. I keep saying someday I have to bring my Daughter there, and see what remnants of the old days remain. Not til she's old enough for the Cyclone though!

That's awesome that you get a bonus trip! You should've bought an AP like us! Our bonus AP trip is just 3 months away, it's kind of amazing to think of going back so quickly...no post trip let-down!

That's exactly the loop coaster I did, and you had to climb the steps all the way to the top just to ride it. Was it called the Thunderbolt? That may be what they called it at Great Adventure. That first hill on the Cyclone will always have a special place in my heart.

I did get an AP in December since I knew I'd be going back in October.


re: Spectro
I LOVED it. I have never seen it before, but I was bound & determined to see it from a decent spot. And argh! to all the alte-comers who push their kids in. Can't stand it. I sigh & breathe. I deliberately stood next to a lamp post to avoid all that/ It semi-did the job. But, ooohhh, Spectro was the coolest! :thumbsup2

We waited way too long to get a good spot with the crowds that were there that night, so I was happy with got a pretty good spot. I hate the crowds though.


I went Sunday too! I wonder if we passed each other? LOL
I think Divine is great! I didn't see her this trip, but I have in the past.

I ate at Yak & Yeti - it was delightful! The food was really good.

Maybe! I haven't tried Yak & Yeti yet. I always do Boma on my AK nights and never want to try anything new.


re: rollercoasters
Nope, won't do them. I have a horrible irrational fear of high open rides. I feel completely unsecure. I did try Rock n rollercoaster since I was strapped in and I hated it. It was the only ride I was very nearly sick afterward.
However, this fear does help me with touring plans. :thumbsup2

I have no problem with being up high, but I do have problems looking up at high buildings. I get very discombobulated and dizzy and feel like I'm going to have to fall over. Makes working in NYC fun. I just have to be like a true New Yorker and never look up. :lmao:


re: mini-trip
YAY! for the mini-trip!! :yay:
I always try to tie-in with family visits. Well, for 2009 anyways. I only started going to Disney in 2009; I go down to FL a few times a year for my fam and now they have to wait until after my Disney-ness is done before they get a visit. Disney has been without me long enough. :rotfl2:

Looking forward to more! popcorn::


I should start that. My family is about an hour and a half south of Orlando - not far at all, and it's just as easy for me to fly home from West Palm Beach.

It's funny: this Cyclone is the coaster which nearly made me never go on a roller-coaster again!! When Katharina and I were in the US in 1992 we visited family friends in Massachussetts and they took us to Riverside park (I still have the ticket from there in my photo album) and on this wooded coaster: I absolutely hated it!! The same trip took us to DL and the Matterhorn was the right way to get me started on coasters again if my 50 year old aunt would want to go on it, it couldn't be too bad! :lmao:

I think 1992 was about the last time I was at Riverside. Too funny how our thrill ride issues are tied to the same rides. :) One of these days I'm going to make it out to DL. I really want to try all the rides that WDW doesn't have.

Great photos! I noticed ridiculously large crowds this past weekend, too. Every other year I have been in January, it was practically deserted. I wonder what's up with major crowds all of a sudden. :confused:

[If U Had Wings]

Great photos! I noticed ridiculously large crowds this past weekend, too. Every other year I have been in January, it was practically deserted. I wonder what's up with major crowds all of a sudden. :confused:

I'm hoping the crowds are a little less on my next trip. It will make it a bit easier on my parents walking around. My father tore the meniscus in his knee while on our last family vacation and is going through therapy for it right now. He's going to have to take it slow. I'd really like less crowds to help out a bit.

[If U Had Wings]

I don't think I realized how many pictures I took on the first few days until I started to upload them. I had to laugh at myself a few times, as I was taking pictures thinking specifically that I'd be using them for trip reports. :lmao: Do other Disers do that?

After filling our bellies at Flame Tree, we headed over to pick up fastpasses for the safari. My friend was getting really anxious to catch the Bugs Life show. As we were walking by a show was about to start. Of course by the time we made it down to the theater (the line was empty) the show had already started and we had to wait for the next one to go in. No matter. It gave me time to wander around the lobby area.

As a theater lover I really got a kick out of the posters around the waiting area -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7BugsFairLadybug_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7BugsWebSide_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8BugsHoppers_opt.jpg

I'd never really noticed them before, but they were all tied to the bugs in the movie. Cute!

After checking the show times for Nemo and Festival of the Lion King we realized that we were only going to be able to catch one show. Luckily we were in agreement, and we both wanted to see FotLK. Lion King is hands down my favorite show at Disney, and my last trip I was pretty upset that I had to miss it for the Nemo show.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/9CampSign_opt.jpg

As we headed over to Camp Minnie Mickey we checked out some of the Christmas decorations along the way. I loved all the character trees.

The nemo tree was one of my favorites.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8NemoTree_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8NemoOrnaments_opt.jpg

I thought I had taken pictures of the Simba tree that Pete had taken pictures of, but looking at this one it has bears all over it. I'm not sure whose tree this one was, but I liked it. :thumbsup2
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/9CampTree_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/10HarambeSign_opt.jpg

After the show we headed over to use our safari fastpasses. What follows will probably be the least amount of pictures taken on the safari you'll ever see on the disboards.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/10HarambeSafariC_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/10HarambeSafariA_opt.jpg

Yep, two pics. Honestly, my camera takes the worst pictures on the safari. I've tried a few times, but it's always too bumpy and my point and shoot camera always ends up with blurred messes. I've given up. I'll live my Disney safari life vicariously through other Disers, but I'm sitting back from now on and just enjoying the ride. :)

It was really turning out to be an easy, relaxing day.

[MRYPPNS]

Thanks for the picture of the fruit plate....Liam would love that!

[Charleston Princess]

:lmao: about your safari pics! That's too funny! One of these days, I am going to do the same thing and just enjoy the ride.

[Lovemy3babes]

I adore the posters at the Bug show. They are so cute!! FOTLK is also my favorite show. I didn't think my kiddos would enjoy it but they were just quite and captivated throughout the entire thing. :) Great update!

[ladybugmom]

How cute are those posters in the Bug Show?! LOVE them--especially the ladybug one!! And those trees are adorable--especially the Nemo one! :goodvibes

[Lady Lallie]

Whew. I'm caught up!

Congrats on the mini trip! That is so awesome. :cool1:

Your food from Flame Tree looks really delicious! Yum Yum!

[Shmily01]

Joining in now. Just subscribed. Sounds like you had a great time so far. Can't wait to hear more!!popcorn::

[All7OfUs]

Hi Again!!

2 pix of the Safari. Yep, I think it's a record. That gave me a chuckle!! :rotfl: I would have had even less on the ONE ride I took. We saw exactly 2 animals total, and my camera probably would have done even worse than yours, bringing my total to ZERO. :lmao:

Glad you guys agreed on the show; that could have turned ugly. :eek: Haven't seen FoLK yet, but sure am excited to.

Great update, Crissy!!

[If U Had Wings]

Thanks for the picture of the fruit plate....Liam would love that!

I know my nieces loved it last year. They ate more of my food, than whatever the kid's item was that my brother ordered for them. They are not shy about walking away with my food. :)

:lmao: about your safari pics! That's too funny! One of these days, I am going to do the same thing and just enjoy the ride.

Every trip prior to this one I would try and end up with big blurrs. This year I just gave my BFF the seat on the end and just enjoyed watching the animals. I enjoyed the safari much more as a result.

I adore the posters at the Bug show. They are so cute!! FOTLK is also my favorite show. I didn't think my kiddos would enjoy it but they were just quite and captivated throughout the entire thing. :) Great update!

My two nieces enjoyed it much more than I thought they would have, especially as the younger one is completely bug phobic. Ones up on the screen don't seem to bother her too much.

How cute are those posters in the Bug Show?! LOVE them--especially the ladybug one!! And those trees are adorable--especially the Nemo one! :goodvibes

Skierpete pointed out there were a variety of character trees. I was a bit sad after that I missed them. I love that Nemo ornament right on the front of the tree and the starfish on the top.

Whew. I'm caught up!

Congrats on the mini trip! That is so awesome. :cool1:

Your food from Flame Tree looks really delicious! Yum Yum!

Thanks! It's hard to believe that in a month I'll be down there again, when I just got back. I truly think more vacations is the key to life happiness. Work isn't phasing me at all now that I have a vacation booked. :rotfl:

Joining in now. Just subscribed. Sounds like you had a great time so far. Can't wait to hear more!!popcorn::

Thanks. It was a fun trip. My BFF and I really embraced being big kids for the week.

Hi Again!!

2 pix of the Safari. Yep, I think it's a record. That gave me a chuckle!! :rotfl: I would have had even less on the ONE ride I took. We saw exactly 2 animals total, and my camera probably would have done even worse than yours, bringing my total to ZERO. :lmao:

Glad you guys agreed on the show; that could have turned ugly. :eek: Haven't seen FoLK yet, but sure am excited to.

Great update, Crissy!!

Last year I was voted out with my family so I was really hopeful this trip that FoLK would win.

[skier_pete]

That's exactly the loop coaster I did, and you had to climb the steps all the way to the top just to ride it. Was it called the Thunderbolt? That may be what they called it at Great Adventure. That first hill on the Cyclone will always have a special place in my heart.

I did get an AP in December since I knew I'd be going back in October.

The Thunderbolt! Nope, that was a different coaster. It was another wooden coaster over behind the Rotor in the middle of the park. (The Rotor was that ride where you stand against the walls and it would spin and the floor would drop out...no more rides like that in today's suit-happy world.) I loved the Thunderbolt! I think the Loop Coaster was simply called the Loop Coaster.


I thought I had taken pictures of the Simba tree that Pete had taken pictures of, but looking at this one it has bears all over it. I'm not sure whose tree this one was, but I liked it. :thumbsup2
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/9CampTree_opt.jpg

Hey, thanks for the TR shout-out! You beat me at "Whose tree is this?" though. I am stumped! I see bears, snowflakes, sunflowers, and slices of apple, what looks to be oil laterns and some white circles - perhaps representing the moon. I have no clue at all what they have to do with eachother. Could it be something to do with "Brother Bear"? I have never seen that movie, but the symbolism here doesn't match. I just don't have a clue. I looked all over, and I had to give up. :confused3

[TarzansKat]

I gave up taking pictures on the safari after years of getting relatively the same photos. I decided to just enjoy it. :thumbsup2

I love the character trees, how much fun is that?? :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

The Thunderbolt! Nope, that was a different coaster. It was another wooden coaster over behind the Rotor in the middle of the park. (The Rotor was that ride where you stand against the walls and it would spin and the floor would drop out...no more rides like that in today's suit-happy world.) I loved the Thunderbolt! I think the Loop Coaster was simply called the Loop Coaster.

That's right. I use to love the Thunderbolt too. I remember they'd run 2 tracks, one of them backwards. I never did the rotor. I was convinced I'd be sick if I tried that. I had to look up the loop coaster - it was called the Black Widow. What surprised me when I looked it up was that Riverside use to have a monorail. I don't remember that at all.


I gave up taking pictures on the safari after years of getting relatively the same photos. I decided to just enjoy it. :thumbsup2

I love the character trees, how much fun is that?? :goodvibes

It was much more enjoyable than trying to take bad photos.

[If U Had Wings]

I am not an afternoon parade person. Sometimes I'll watch them if I happen to come across them, but I never make it a point to hang out and watch parades when I’m at Disney.

With one exception.

The afternoon parade at Animal Kingdom. I really love this parade. The music is catchy, the floats are amazing, and I always find the characters in it very interactive with the guests watching the parade. The Christmas, Jingle Jammin, version of the parade is no different - only to Christmas music. We didn't think we were going to be able to catch the parade because of the timing with our safari fastpasses. We lucked out though. The AK parade starts and finishes in the same spot to the left of the safari entrance. The parade was just heading out as we got in line for the safari. When we got off, the parade still hadn't made it back. We ran and ducked under the ropes and snagged a great spot right on the corner near where the parade finished. (Near the hairwrapping station, and the overflowing fountain). It ended up being a perfect spot. We had the whole area to ourselves, while the other side of the street was packed. The perfect place for snagging some pics - no heads in your way! I even managed to snag a hug from Baloo as he was walking by.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleBrer_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleFloatC_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleDonald_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleFloatB_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleGoofy_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleFloatA_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleMickey_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleMinnie_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JinglePluto_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/11JingleTimon_opt.jpg

The Pangani trail was the last thing that we really wanted to see at AK. It was nice to take our time and walk through it leisurely, although I had a few issues with some of the other guests in the gorilla area. As you enter one part of the gorilla area there are signs all over the place asking you to please, for safety reasons, keep quiet. They even had a cast member there, repeating the same thing, hushing people. This didn't seem to stop this one group that was in the glass viewing area the same time we were. They were so loud, and didn't even bother to quiet down until this guy -
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/PanganiB_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/PanganiC_opt.jpg

Suddenly came at the glass window. To say I jumped about 3 feet might be an understatement. The CM reassured us that it was fine, and that he was just showing off a bit. I wasn't feeling very secure. It did finally shut that group up (a little bit). I couldn't get out of the gorilla area fast enough.

I tried to get a few pics of the merkats, but they were patroling the landscape in front of them, so none of my shots ended up being better than this -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/PanganiA_opt.jpg

He didn't care that I wanted a shot of something other than his back. :lmao:

At that point I didn't care much. My belly was begining to grumble. A yogurt parfait and a dish of fruit wasn't going to cut it much longer.

[Flossbolna]

Thanks for the update, I will be at AK on Thursday this week!! :scared1::banana::banana:

[princess&her4princes]

Hi Chrissy!
I'm here and just caught up, went MIA from DIS for a bit, but trying to get my groove back! :cool1: What a great trip so far! LOve all the pics and I'm SO excited you get to go back soooo soon!! WOOHOO! I tried to get to your newest PTR but couldn't post, are you still postong to that?? Hope you're well!!:goodvibes

[Charleston Princess]

Your pictures really make me want to see the Animal Kingdom parade! Good job snagging a great spot to enjoy it from!

I would have high-tailed it out of the gorilla viewing room, too. I would have had scenes from Congo dancing through my head! :lmao:

Looking forward to reading about your afternoon snack!

[micandminforever]

Great parade pictures the shows and the parades are one of the things that makes Disney special.

[ladybugmom]

Wow!! The parade looks like sooo much fun!! Can't wait to see it in May. And YIKES on the gorilla!!! :scared1: That's scary!!

[Lady Lallie]

I love that you were able to catch the end of the parade! :thumbsup2

[All7OfUs]

So happy that you caught the parade! And you scored a great place too! :thumbsup2 I think there's some eats in your near future...

[If U Had Wings]

Thanks for the update, I will be at AK on Thursday this week!! :scared1::banana::banana:

Hope your having a great time!!!

Hi Chrissy!
I'm here and just caught up, went MIA from DIS for a bit, but trying to get my groove back! :cool1: What a great trip so far! LOve all the pics and I'm SO excited you get to go back soooo soon!! WOOHOO! I tried to get to your newest PTR but couldn't post, are you still postong to that?? Hope you're well!!:goodvibes

I need to get an update up on my PTR. Right now I've been focusing on my bonus trip, and getting all the plans set for my parents. They are pretty much go with the flow kind of people, but they keep coming up with crazy things for me to take care of.

Your pictures really make me want to see the Animal Kingdom parade! Good job snagging a great spot to enjoy it from!

I would have high-tailed it out of the gorilla viewing room, too. I would have had scenes from Congo dancing through my head! :lmao:

Looking forward to reading about your afternoon snack!

The spot was perfect for the parade, and it was nice not to be crowded in while watching it.

The CM near the gorillas tried to convince us it was okay , but I wasn't going for it. You don't put up keep quiet signs for no reason as far as I'm concerned. :rotfl:

Great parade pictures the shows and the parades are one of the things that makes Disney special.

I was like a little kid when I got the hug from Baloo. So much fun!

Wow!! The parade looks like sooo much fun!! Can't wait to see it in May. And YIKES on the gorilla!!! :scared1: That's scary!!

I enjoy it so much more than the other afternoon parades. The song gets stuck in my head for hours.

So happy that you caught the parade! And you scored a great place too! :thumbsup2 I think there's some eats in your near future...

I think most people watched it as it was begining, so the area was far less congested when it was on the way back. When we claimed our spot about 10 minutes before the parade came through there were tons of open spots.

[If U Had Wings]

After a long day walking around the Animal Kingdom, we were both looking forward to sitting down for a nice relaxing dinner. (I'm convinced that I walk more in the AK than any other park. I always feel like I'm walking back and forth just to catch everything.) On my Animal Kingdom days at Disney, I always head over to Boma for dinner. Boma has become one of my few dining "musts". Everything else I'm pretty flexible about, but I just love the food at Boma, and my trip is not complete without a stop there.

We got there on time, but had a bit of a wait before our table was ready. I love the lobby at the AKL and never mind a chance to wander around and explore a bit. It looked even more beautiful decorated for the holidays. Sorry about the quality of the tree picture. The lobby's a bit dark, and I couldn’t get a good shot.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/13AKLodgeArt_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/AKLodgeTreeB_opt.jpg

Love the ornaments on the tree!
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/13AKLodgeOrnamentsB_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/13AKLodgeOrnaments_opt.jpg

Finally our pager buzzed, and we were seated in a nice seat by the windows. Our waitress came around and I just had to order one of these -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/BomaStar_opt.jpg

A glowtini. I'd been wanting to try one for ages, primarily for the glow cube. :cutie:I'm such a kid at heart. I'd probably order just about anything to get a blinky, glowing cube. Luckily it was pretty good tasting too.

On to the good stuff -

Plate #1 - Soup and Salads
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/Boma1_opt.jpg

Clockwise from the bowl of soup -
- Chicken pepper pot soup with a small piece of pita bread on the side
- Ghana Tomato Salad
- Cous Cous Salad - I believe that it was the Tunisian Cous Cous

Soup is my favorite part of the meal at Boma, and this one was to die for. It was slightly sweet, but nicely tangy at the same time. Yum! I had some she-crab soup later as well, but never got a picture of it. Both were just heavenly. I could go here and eat nothing, but soup, salad and dessert. I really liked the tomato salad as well. Cous cous was good, but I would have liked it better served hot. This cous cous was served cold. It was good, but it's just one of those things I prefer hot. (Like soup - I can't get into cold soups at all).

Plate #2 - Main Course
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/Boma2_opt.jpg

Clockwise from Very Top -
- Unknown Side at the top (with corn) - I didn't make notes and I can't remember what this was called. It was good though.
- Durban Chicken
- Banana Wrapped Salmon
- (more) Ghana Tomato Salad
- Pap & Chakalaka
- Saffron Rice
- Cornmeal
- Bobotie

This was my first time trying salmon, and this was just delicous. Not fishy at all. The chicken was good too, and I really liked the bobotie. The only item I really didn't care for was the Pap & Chakalaka, mostly because of the Pap. (The white part in the pictures). The taste was okay, but I couldn't get past the texture. I have issues with hot mushy food. I can't stomach things like oatmeal lat all. It wasn't horrible, but wasn't soemthing I'd eat again.

Plate #3 - Desserts :lovestruc
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/Boma3_opt.jpg

Clockwise from 1 o'clock -

- Pumpkin Cheesecake
- Cinnamon Mousse
- Zebra Domes
- Apple Crumble
- Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

I heart desserts. I swear I'd be skinny if it wasn't for desserts, but alas I have a huge sweet tooth and Boma has such good ones. It makes me happy that it's a buffet so I can try a bit of all different ones.

The pumpkin cheesecake and the cinnamon mousse were okay. Nothing really special about either of them. I had a small taste of both, but didn't finish either of them. I had to save up for the rest of the stuff that I liked much more.

The zebra domes are my favorites. Yum! I just had to have 2. :love: The apple crisp was really tasty too. It was nice and warm, and the crisp was crisp. My second favorite dessert though would be the bread pudding. The bread pudding at Ohana is still better, but this was really good too. The vanilla sauce added just the right touch to it.

I'm getting hungry just looking at these pictures. Thank goodness only a month until I'm there again.:thumbsup2

[TarzansKat]

I feel the same way about AK. Always that I am walking back and forth, and I can still get lost in that park. :lmao: Every other park, I don't even need a map, AK, stick one in my hand because I have no clue.

I love your dessert plate. :thumbsup2

[Lady Lallie]

I feel the same way about Animal Kingdom. It doesn't seem to flow as well as the other parks. I still need a map and I still get confused.

The soups from Boma always looks so good! I really need to get over there.

[If U Had Wings]

I feel the same way about AK. Always that I am walking back and forth, and I can still get lost in that park. :lmao: Every other park, I don't even need a map, AK, stick one in my hand because I have no clue.

I love your dessert plate. :thumbsup2

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who can't seem to find her way around that place. I'll be convinced I'm heading in the right direction only to be on the opposite side of the park.

Yumm, Zebra domes!!!!

I feel the same way about Animal Kingdom. It doesn't seem to flow as well as the other parks. I still need a map and I still get confused.

The soups from Boma always looks so good! I really need to get over there.

It has so many twisty paths. I've given up keeping them straight.:)

[Lovemy3babes]

I always hear such great things about Boma but I'm kind of a picky eater. Is there some non-adventurous stuff on the buffet for wimps like me? LOL!

[Charleston Princess]

Crissy, Crissy, Crissy. Don't you know it's not nice to flash pics of Boma at me when we aren't eating there this summer? :rotfl: You're making me want to change my ADRs. ;) This will be the first summer trip in four years that we haven't eaten there. :eek:

The Chicken Pepper Pot soup is my absolute favorite there! I have no doubt that if I was stranded on a warm deserted island with only Chicken Pepper Pot soup and Zebra Domes, I would have no problem happily surviving. :lmao:

[MRYPPNS]

I'll happily guide you all around AK without a map if someone can please help me with the Studios - that's my map park.

Wings I laughed when you wrote that you had to have 2 zebra domes! Please girl! I would have had a plate full!!!!

[All7OfUs]

Boma is one of our upcoming Extravaganza Dining places that I'm super psyched about!! I just can't wait. I hear nothing but great things about the soups there, and am dying to finally catch me a zebra dome. :banana:

Part of me is so excited because I'll also get a chance to see what the AKL is all about. Woohoo!

I'm with Heidi! DHS confounds me!

[ladybugmom]

I'm with you on the dessert thing!! I LOVE sweets and those desserts look wonderful!! I'm also curious if a picky eater like me would enjoy Boma?!

[princess&her4princes]

MMMM.....desserts!!:love: I'm with you, I'd be skinny too if it weren't for them!:headache:

Btw, OT,how's the running going?

[If U Had Wings]

I always hear such great things about Boma but I'm kind of a picky eater. Is there some non-adventurous stuff on the buffet for wimps like me? LOL!

I don't really consider myself to be an adventurous eater at all. As much as in theory I'd love to try places like V&A, I just know that my list of things I won't eat would make it difficult.

I think Boma is a good balance. It's really basic food items spiced differently than I'm used too. I also like that it's buffet style which makes me much more receptive to trying new things.

There are plenty of more "normal" things as well. The durban chicken was really a basic chicken, and there were other meats at the carving station. Much more normal salads and sides too. I think there would be plenty for someone less adventurous.

Crissy, Crissy, Crissy. Don't you know it's not nice to flash pics of Boma at me when we aren't eating there this summer? :rotfl: You're making me want to change my ADRs. ;) This will be the first summer trip in four years that we haven't eaten there. :eek:

The Chicken Pepper Pot soup is my absolute favorite there! I have no doubt that if I was stranded on a warm deserted island with only Chicken Pepper Pot soup and Zebra Domes, I would have no problem happily surviving. :lmao:

Sorry CP! I don't know what I was thinking. :rotfl: Just try and focus on the new places you'll be trying this trip.

The soup and zebra domes combo sounds like a great meal. Yummm!

I'll happily guide you all around AK without a map if someone can please help me with the Studios - that's my map park.

Wings I laughed when you wrote that you had to have 2 zebra domes! Please girl! I would have had a plate full!!!!

That sounds like a deal. I'm pretty good at the studios.

I would have felt a bit less guilty about the 2 zebra domes if I wasn't munching away on the other goodies as well. At least next time I know to focus on the domes and the bread pudding. :thumbsup2

Boma is one of our upcoming Extravaganza Dining places that I'm super psyched about!! I just can't wait. I hear nothing but great things about the soups there, and am dying to finally catch me a zebra dome. :banana:

Part of me is so excited because I'll also get a chance to see what the AKL is all about. Woohoo!

I'm with Heidi! DHS confounds me!

It is definitely a must for us now. My BFF already told me we need to go there again in Oct. No complaints from me!

I'm with you on the dessert thing!! I LOVE sweets and those desserts look wonderful!! I'm also curious if a picky eater like me would enjoy Boma?!

My mother is very picky. While Boma isn't her favorite, she was able to find plenty of things to eat.

The desserts alone at Boma make it worth the trip. :thumbsup2

MMMM.....desserts!!:love: I'm with you, I'd be skinny too if it weren't for them!:headache:

Btw, OT,how's the running going?

I just am baffled by people who don't like dessert. How does that happen?

As for the running...not very well right now. I've been battling my upteenth cold since Thanksgiving, and it's really held me back on running. When I get sick it tends to settle in my chest and give me bronchitis and make my asthma act up. Not really conducive to breathing and running. I was supposed to start my training plan last week, but I wasn't able to even get to my aerobic classes last week.

I'm hoping to get back on plan tomorrow if my lungs cooperate for awhile.

[If U Had Wings]

After dinner we wandered out to the savannah and watched the giraffes feeding a bit. This was about the time that I started realizing that I was going to miss out on doing some of the things on this trip that I had been wanting to do. I wanted to head down to the pool area to check out the animals with the night vision glasses. I've been wanting to do this since I stayed at the AKL back in 2003, but never had the chance. My friend though had no interest. She said that we could see the animals from the viewing areas, and there was really nothing going on out there.

:confused3

I didn't want to really push the issue if she didn't want to do it. It wasn't something terribly important, and an early night wouldn't kill us, so I agreed to head back to the resort.

Easier said than done.

On my prior trips to Boma for dinner I'd been staying at POFQ, and found it fairly easy to get back to the resort. We'd take the bus back to DTD, wander around and shop for a bit and then take the boat back to POFQ.

It wasn't quite that easy staying at AsSp. My friend wasn't in the mood for DTD, so we just hopped on the first bus that showed up so we could transfer to an AsSp buss. The DHS bus showed up pretty quickly and in no time we were at DHS waiting for our next bus. Once again we were a bit disgusted with the bus service to the AsSp. The line was already backed up through the maze and down the sidewalk. We waited nearly an hour to get on a bus. Meanwhile we watched buses pick up for AsMu, and AsMo and several buses for just about every other resort (with the exception of SSR - their bus service seemed as bad as AsSp). It was horrible. The family in front of us was letting their kid crawl and lie all over the pavement in front of us, while they were juggling a sleeping second child. I'm not a germaphobe my any means, but it was even giving me the willies.

AsSp was hopping when we got back. It wasn't quite as cold as the night before. The pool was filled with pop warner kids, and their chaperones seemed to be getting a lot of mileage out of the bar as all the tables were filled. Lots of people out and about on the grounds, and lots of kids playing in the courtyard areas. I was afraid it was going to make for a loud night, but luckily our room was in a quiet spot. I was really glad we didn't have a room facing the courtyard areas with with over-sized props.

I ran over to the food court to get a soda, and had to snap a few picks of the Christmas decoations in the lobby. I really liked the star wreaths.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/15AsSpWreath_opt.jpg

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http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/15AsSpDesk_opt.jpg

We were both happy to get some rest. We had an 8 am ADR for the next morning so it was early to bed for some shut eye before a long day 3.

[All7OfUs]

An HOUR for a bus??! :scared1: That's a seriously long wait no matter where you are!

I'm sad that you had to forego a few things that you really had your heart set on. You needed some solo time. Even just a little.

Glad your room was in the quieter section so you could get a good night's rest before the next day's early wake up call! :angel:

[aprilisis]

I love your photos! Where was that Nemo tree?? That was so cute. Your Boma post & photos from AKL made me "homesick" for that resort. I miss it. I love all of your Christmas decoration photos- thanks! :thumbsup2

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm sorry you weren't able to animal watch like you wanted to. Things like that would make a solo trip really fun I think. The infamous Pop Warner kids, eh? We had a not-so-fun run in with some of them in Magic Kingdom. I'm sorry your bus service was so cruddy!

[If U Had Wings]

An HOUR for a bus??! :scared1: That's a seriously long wait no matter where you are!

Sadly it wasn't our worst bus experience of the week, but we did overall find the bus service at AsSp to be far worse than the buses at Boardwalk.

I'm sad that you had to forego a few things that you really had your heart set on. You needed some solo time. Even just a little.

Glad your room was in the quieter section so you could get a good night's rest before the next day's early wake up call! :angel:

I actually ended up foregoing quite alot of things which I'll try to mention as I go along. My trip "for me", ended up with me feeling like a trip for my friend. I still want to get in a trip for me. One of these days.

I love your photos! Where was that Nemo tree?? That was so cute. Your Boma post & photos from AKL made me "homesick" for that resort. I miss it. I love all of your Christmas decoration photos- thanks! :thumbsup2

I can't remember now if the Nemo tree was by the Nemo show, or Camp Minnie Mickey. It was near a major walkway though because we didn't really go any further into the camp other than to see FotLK. I love the Nemo ornament on the front.

I just love AKL too. One of these days I hope to stay there again.

[MRYPPNS]

I wanted to head down to the pool area to check out the animals with the night vision glasses. I've been wanting to do this since I stayed at the AKL back in 2003, but never had the chance. My friend though had no interest. She said that we could see the animals from the viewing areas, and there was really nothing going on out there.



I didn't want to really push the issue if she didn't want to do it. It wasn't something terribly important, and an early night wouldn't kill us, so I agreed to head back to the resort.

This is exactly why you need a solo trip! I hope your friend took a couple for the team and did some things that she didn't want to do just because you would have liked them.

[TarzansKat]

Not to be totally negative, but this is one of the reasons I don't like the values (even my beloved Pop). Sometimes the bus service royally...stinks. :hug:

[ladybugmom]

YIKES!!! You had to wait an hour for a bus!!! That's insane!! :scared1:

[If U Had Wings]

This is exactly why you need a solo trip! I hope your friend took a couple for the team and did some things that she didn't want to do just because you would have liked them.

Not really. One of the reasons why by Thursday or so I wanted to scream.

Not to be totally negative, but this is one of the reasons I don't like the values (even my beloved Pop). Sometimes the bus service royally...stinks. :hug:

I agree completely. We never had a problem getting on a bus from the resort, but at the end of the night the waits were crazy at the parks. It would be even more aggravating to watch bus after bus pull up for all the other resorts.


YIKES!!! You had to wait an hour for a bus!!! That's insane!! :scared1:

By the time a bus showed up people were giving them a bronx cheer. It was pretty bad.

[skier_pete]

I've never been to the All-Star resorts, but if I was waiting there 30 minutes, and kept seeing busses for the other 2 All-star resorts, I would've hopped on one of them and walked back to my room from those resorts.

We were at POP for the week, and never had a bus wait of more than 20 minutes going anywhere. (To or From the resort.) There was one morning when we were going to Epcot, and several buses for the other parks came through (2 to 3 each) when an Epcot bus finally showed up - in only 20 minutes- another one joined it right away. Honestly, we've had worse bus experiences at POFQ each of our last 3 trips than any of the problems this trip.

I call it "Bus Karma", as long as you get 1 instance of "good bus Karma" for every "bad bus Karma", it's all good.

[Charleston Princess]

That's too bad that you weren't able to do the night vision. :( I guess it will have to stay on your next time list.

Early nights are sometimes good at Disney especially since you have an early ADR the next day! :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

I've never been to the All-Star resorts, but if I was waiting there 30 minutes, and kept seeing busses for the other 2 All-star resorts, I would've hopped on one of them and walked back to my room from those resorts.

We thought about that, but there were lines for those too. With our luck we would have hopped out of our line, and a bus would have showed up.

We were at POP for the week, and never had a bus wait of more than 20 minutes going anywhere. (To or From the resort.) There was one morning when we were going to Epcot, and several buses for the other parks came through (2 to 3 each) when an Epcot bus finally showed up - in only 20 minutes- another one joined it right away. Honestly, we've had worse bus experiences at POFQ each of our last 3 trips than any of the problems this trip.


That's good to know. The bus service was the thing that I didn't really like about AsSp. At the end of the night we dreaded heading to get on the bus, because we knew how bad it would be. I've never had any issues at POFQ. My worst experience is still to come, and happended at the Boardwalk. I had made a few comments about it at the time on Facebook, but it was just horrible.

That's too bad that you weren't able to do the night vision. :( I guess it will have to stay on your next time list.

Early nights are sometimes good at Disney especially since you have an early ADR the next day! :thumbsup2

It's definitely on the to-do list. I'm actually not planning alot of to-do's on my next trip with my BFF. After the disappointment of not getting to do so many of mine this trip, I'm not setting myself up for that again. I'm keeping in on my future solo trip.

Early nights are a good thing! That alarm clock always seems to go off so early.

[Lady Lallie]

An hour for a bus!! Eeeeek!! :scared1:

I'm sorry you weren't able to check out the night vision goggles. That is a bummer.

[If U Had Wings]

An hour for a bus!! Eeeeek!! :scared1:

I'm sorry you weren't able to check out the night vision goggles. That is a bummer.

No worries, it's on the to-do list. You always have to keep a few things on your Disney to-do list. :rotfl:

[If U Had Wings]

The alarm went off bright and early on our third day, and again I beat my BFF to the bathroom. I was a little excited for my first ever character breakfast. :cool1:

My BFF was still a bit tired and was having problems getting going this morning. I was getting a bit afraid that we were going to miss our 8 am ADR. Luckily we didn't have to wait long for a bus. (We might have had bad luck with buses at the end of the day, but in the morning we never had any problems at all). We hopped on and found ourselves sitting near a wonderful couple and their adorable daughter who were from Wales. They were staying for about 2 and a half weeks. :worship:So lucky! We had a lot of fun chatting with them on the drive to here -

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1EpcotSE_opt.jpg

Epcot! It was so nice getting to take a few pictures without a few hundred of your not so dearest friends milling around in the background. Even though we were barely making it there in time, we had to stop for a few pictures.

Me. It was a rainy, gloomy morning that day. It wasn't a heavy rain, but enough to be a bit miserable. Luckily it cleared up by the time we were finishing breakfast.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1EpcotMe_opt.jpg

I loved the display they had set up in the front of Spaceship Earth. Very festive with all the fab 5.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1EpcotDisplay_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1EpcotDisplayGoofy_opt.jpg

I don't think I've ever walked through here with a view like this. No one around. :banana:I was just a bit sad that they didn't have the big light display set up this year. I've always loved the pictures.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1EpcotTree_opt.jpg

We were on our way to meet the princesses! :woohoo:

[ladybugmom]

Sorry it was so rainy! Can't wait to hear about Akershus!! We LOVE eating there!! :goodvibes

[MRYPPNS]

I'm looking forward to your review because we might have to go to that breakfast now that we have Danica :lmao:

[TarzansKat]

Ditto what Heidi said. If I'm having a girl... :goodvibes

I can't wait for the review.

[Charleston Princess]

A rainy day at Epcot is better than a rainy day in the real world especially if it means having breakfast with the princesses!

[Lady Lallie]

I've really been wanting to try the Princess Breakfast too. I really want to meet Ariel! Hehehe.

I love the Fab 5 Christmas display, I was a little disappointed on my trip because there was NOTHING in there except teeny tiny little plants. I had never seen it so empty.

[If U Had Wings]

Sorry it was so rainy! Can't wait to hear about Akershus!! We LOVE eating there!! :goodvibes

Luckily the rain was a light rain and cleared up. I think it's because I thought positively and refused to cart along the poncho with me. ;)

I'm looking forward to your review because we might have to go to that breakfast now that we have Danica :lmao:

It was one of my favorite meals of the trip. A must-do if you have a little girl.

Ditto what Heidi said. If I'm having a girl... :goodvibes

I can't wait for the review.

It was the far better of the two character meals we did. I'm so glad I did it.

A rainy day at Epcot is better than a rainy day in the real world especially if it means having breakfast with the princesses!

Exactly! I never really mind the rain at Epcot, as long as I get a ride in on Test Track. If I'm at WS it's a bit of a nusance, but I don't really mind. (Baring downpours of course!)

I've really been wanting to try the Princess Breakfast too. I really want to meet Ariel! Hehehe.

I love the Fab 5 Christmas display, I was a little disappointed on my trip because there was NOTHING in there except teeny tiny little plants. I had never seen it so empty.

She was one of my favorites while we were there.

I can't believe that they had nothing up. I'm hoping that my next trip I'll get to see a bunch of F&G stuff even though it doesn't officially start until my last day. Fingers crossed! :thumbsup2

[All7OfUs]

You can really see how rainy it was, but am glad it did clear out for you by the time you finished up breakfast. Your "stranger-less" pix are great! Even better, in fact, with all the festive decorations. The topiaries have always caught my fancy! :thumbsup2

Can't wait to see your Akershus photos. I"m sure you had fun; at least I really hope so!

[If U Had Wings]

You can really see how rainy it was, but am glad it did clear out for you by the time you finished up breakfast. Your "stranger-less" pix are great! Even better, in fact, with all the festive decorations. The topiaries have always caught my fancy! :thumbsup2

Can't wait to see your Akershus photos. I"m sure you had fun; at least I really hope so!

We basically had the same weather all week. Cold and damp. Still it was better than my 2007 trip when it poured all week long and was horribly humid. That trip I wanted to cry at the end because I didn't want to put the hot, stickey poncho on anymore.

[If U Had Wings]

We made our way over to Norway for our breakfast at Akerhaus. This was my first character meal ever, and even though I've done plenty of research about them here on the boards I wasn't entirely sure of what to expect. I was a bit nervous that I would feel silly as an adult with no child at one. Particularly a meal with all face characters that I'd need to chat with. I can be quite shy about meeting people, and am not particularly good at small talk so I was a bit anxious.

Before we checked in at the restaurant, we paused to take in some of the holiday decorations. Norway was looking quite beautiful and festive. The decorations were simple, but beautiful. Very festive!

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After we checked in, we only had a few minutes to wait before they called us up to meet Belle. Belle in her gold dress! I was so excited. :banana: Hands down my favorite princess. Beauty and the Beast came out when I first started working at my movie-theater part time job when I was in college and always brings back such happy memories for me.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2AkerhausBelle_opt.jpg

Sadly, of all the princesses at the breakfast that morning, she was probably my least favorite to meet in person. I don't know if it was because she wasn't one of the ones making rounds around the dining room, or if it was just this particular Belle, but she wasn't very interactive at all. We got a bit of a perfunctory hello, thank you for coming and that was about it. I thought at first that it was because we were a party of just adults, but our table was close enough to watch her great everyone, and it wasn't just us. I have a feeling that she may have been a bit new, or the powers that be were really trying to keep the line moving as quickly as possible. It was a slight disappointment though. Luckily the rest of the princesses more than made up for it.

We were seated after that and our server came up to explain how the restaurant is set up. They had a cold bar with all kinds of fruit, cereal, pasteries, bagels and that kind of thing. You were free to visit as often as you liked. She took our drink orders and then started to bring us our food items family style. They had scrambled eggs, meats and a fantastic cheesy potatoes side. Yum! So good. I completely forgot to take some food porn picks, but really scrambled eggs are scrambled eggs. :lovestruc The potatoes were to die for.

The princesses started coming out nearly immediately, and they were all wonderful. LL's favorite, Ariel, was the first to visit our table.

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None of the same issues with Belle at all. Ariel was probably my favorite of the princesses that morning. All of my apprehensions disappeared about the breakfast and I was able to enjoy it completely. She made it so easy to play along. She was the perfect Ariel.

Aurora was next to come around. Again, wonderfully charming. The little girl at the table next to us was completely enchanted with Aurora and wouldn't stop chatting with her. Aurora was wonderful with her, and deftly handled it. She really took plenty of time to interact with the little girl, before finally moving on to the next table.

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Next was Snow White. I don't know how she did it, but she sounded nearly exactly like Snow White.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2AkerhausSnow_opt.jpg

Cinderella was the last to come around. I told her that I just had to meet her on this trip, because she was my younger niece's favorite princess. She laughed and told me that she'd love to take a picture with me to show my niece, but she wouldn't tell the other princesses or they'd be jealous. :rotfl:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2Akerhauscin_opt.jpg

I'd recommend Akerhaus for breakfast to anyone. Belle was a bit of a disappointment, but all of the other princesses were just wonderful and I felt silly after that I had been anxious at all. They really were adaptable to all different kinds of groups they visited. With the families and kids they took plenty of time, interacting and chatting with the kids. I didn't see anywhere where it looked rushed, or that they were just taking quick photos and moving on. With parties like my BFF and I they worked it perfectly. A little bit of chatting, a few pictures, and I even saw a few tables that had no interest in taking pictures so they'd just stop by to say hi for a few moments. It was all a nice balance. They came around at a nice pace too which was nice. We were able to eat in between visits, and were never waiting too long before the next princess came around.

The room at Akerhaus didn't seem to big either, and while not exactly quiet it wasn't overbearingly loud. We were able to have a normal conversation without any problems. The setting was beautiful though. It did feel like you were right in the middle of a castle.

We liked it so much we've but a breakfast there on the to-do list for next year, although we are toying with the idea of trying CRT instead. I can't imagine that it would be any nicer than Akerhaus though. (And Akerhaus is a bit cheaper too).

[skier_pete]

Sounds like your experience was pretty much like ours. We had dinner there. I really enjoy the Norwegian cold bar, and several of the meals are quite good. I presonally would rather spend $35 for dinner than $30 for breakfast, as to me breakfast food is pretty much all the same, plus I get annoyed in the morning that we should be out hitting the parks while the lines are short.

Anyways, Belle didn't seem like much for chatting. We did feel like the princesses came through pretty quickly, though when we saw them they were all running through right on top of each-other. The interaction was pretty decent, except Ariel who was a bit brief. Actually, I am almost up to that meal on our TR, so it should be coming soon!

Interfacing with characters is tricky business, but we've gotten better at it through the years,especially the face characters. Cinderella was one of our best of the trip at Akerhaus, as we told her how we had been outside her castle the other day, and we had seen her step-mother and step-sisters skulking around. She responded about how the guards wouldn't let them into the castle unless they were on their best behaviour...and we said that that didn't seem very likely, and she agreed. Ha! DW always talks to Aurora about the color of her dress. (DW loves pink.)

[ladybugmom]

Ok--LOVE this update!! It brings back such wonderful memories of our breakfast we had there last May!! Glad you had such a wonderful time interacting with the princesses!! princess:

[Native NYer]

Great update!
I've wanted to try that breakfast. I think I'm going to book it.
Did they have waffles/french toast? My nephews don't eat eggs so I need to make sure they eat SOMETHING.

[MRYPPNS]

Great review! I think there is one not-so great character at every meal. For us it was Goofy at Chef Mickey's.

[Charleston Princess]

Great breakfast review!!! We ate there in 2004 and thoroughly enjoyed our time there as well! The princesses are always a lot of fun to meet, but what a shame that Belle wasn't more outgoing. The picture of the three of you is a cute one, though. :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

Sounds like your experience was pretty much like ours. We had dinner there. I really enjoy the Norwegian cold bar, and several of the meals are quite good. I presonally would rather spend $35 for dinner than $30 for breakfast, as to me breakfast food is pretty much all the same, plus I get annoyed in the morning that we should be out hitting the parks while the lines are short.

Anyways, Belle didn't seem like much for chatting. We did feel like the princesses came through pretty quickly, though when we saw them they were all running through right on top of each-other. The interaction was pretty decent, except Ariel who was a bit brief. Actually, I am almost up to that meal on our TR, so it should be coming soon!

Interfacing with characters is tricky business, but we've gotten better at it through the years,especially the face characters. Cinderella was one of our best of the trip at Akerhaus, as we told her how we had been outside her castle the other day, and we had seen her step-mother and step-sisters skulking around. She responded about how the guards wouldn't let them into the castle unless they were on their best behaviour...and we said that that didn't seem very likely, and she agreed. Ha! DW always talks to Aurora about the color of her dress. (DW loves pink.)

I was surprised how much I enjoyed the breakfast. I was a bit worried about the price and it being a waste, but we both really ended up liking having a larger breakfast a few times. We had an 8am ADR, so we didn't miss rope drop at all.

We definitely got better at interaction as the trip went on. Once we did it a few times we were both having alot of fun at them.

Ok--LOVE this update!! It brings back such wonderful memories of our breakfast we had there last May!! Glad you had such a wonderful time interacting with the princesses!! princess:

It was alot of fun. I loved watching all the kids interact with the princesses as around the dining room. I loved seeing the looks on their faces.

Great update!
I've wanted to try that breakfast. I think I'm going to book it.
Did they have waffles/french toast? My nephews don't eat eggs so I need to make sure they eat SOMETHING.

I don't think they had anything else. You'd probably have to check. There was no menu or anything. They just kept bringing out food. My friend isn't a huge egg eater, but was happy with the items at the cold bar and the potatos and meats.

Great review! I think there is one not-so great character at every meal. For us it was Goofy at Chef Mickey's.

This meal was much better than the one at Chef Mickeys. They really ran it so much better. I just wish it had been any other princess than my favorite who was a bit cool.

Great breakfast review!!! We ate there in 2004 and thoroughly enjoyed our time there as well! The princesses are always a lot of fun to meet, but what a shame that Belle wasn't more outgoing. The picture of the three of you is a cute one, though. :thumbsup2

I think the problem was that she wasn't really getting into being Belle. She was pleasant, thanked us for coming, took the picture and that was about it. Next trip I'll just have to meet up with one of the Belle's in the park. I've always been a little impartial to blue dress Belle anyways. :)

[skier_pete]

Just added our Akerhaus review to my TR! With Pictures!

[Lovemy3babes]

Akerhaus is one I'd really like to try with my girls. Great review. :thumbsup2

[miprender]

We've eaten lunch there twice and I think the Princess that is taking the pictures doesn't say much. At least that was our experience each time.

I love eating there, but DH won't go back after a bug was in his food.:scared1: I told him it was just a little gnat!
But I just find eating here more relaxing than some of the other character meals.

[If U Had Wings]

Just added our Akerhaus review to my TR! With Pictures!

I can't wait to check it out!

Akerhaus is one I'd really like to try with my girls. Great review. :thumbsup2

I was happily surprised. I thought it was well worth the money. My brother has said that he likes it there more than CRT. A bit more relaxing.

We've eaten lunch there twice and I think the Princess that is taking the pictures doesn't say much. At least that was our experience each time.

I love eating there, but DH won't go back after a bug was in his food.:scared1: I told him it was just a little gnat!
But I just find eating here more relaxing than some of the other character meals.

Eek a bug! I don't know if I'd be too anxious to return either, even though logically I know that it could happen anywhere.

I had a feeling that the quiet greeting princess was a Disney rule thing. I'm guessing they want to keep the greeting moving along as much as possible.

[Miabug]

Love your title! DS5 and DD 14 mos love Phineas and Ferb! Too cute!!:thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

Love your title! DS5 and DD 14 mos love Phineas and Ferb! Too cute!!:thumbsup2

I'm completely addicted to P&F. I think I've seen practicaly every episode about 10 times.

[aprilisis]

I love your Norway photos!!! I miss going over the holidays. That's it! You have made up my mind that I am going to book for December on Friday. :thumbsup2

[All7OfUs]

I'm so glad you had a really nice time at Akershus. Too bad Belle was not really as friendly and interactive as she could have been. I do think it may have been dictated to her though, as to get folks seated as quickly as possible. I hate when you get that "mill" feeling, and we definitely had it here at our lunch meal.

Norway is always so beautiful to me. Simplisticly beautiful. Charming, I guess is the right word.

[If U Had Wings]

I love your Norway photos!!! I miss going over the holidays. That's it! You have made up my mind that I am going to book for December on Friday. :thumbsup2

I'm definitely glad that I got to see the Christmas decorations at least once. I really loved the Norway ones.

I'm so glad you had a really nice time at Akershus. Too bad Belle was not really as friendly and interactive as she could have been. I do think it may have been dictated to her though, as to get folks seated as quickly as possible. I hate when you get that "mill" feeling, and we definitely had it here at our lunch meal.

Norway is always so beautiful to me. Simplisticly beautiful. Charming, I guess is the right word.

I love the Norway pavillion anyways. Like the Morocco one, it just feels really immersive to me. I love a bunch of the other ones too, but for just a "you are there" feeling Norway and Morocco feel a bit better to me.

[MiaBella05]

popcorn:: joining in popcorn::

[TarzansKat]

What a great review! I love Ariel's dress, I no that has no bearing on anything, but I think it's gorgeous. :lmao:

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself and overcame your initial apprehension. :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

What a great review! I love Ariel's dress, I no that has no bearing on anything, but I think it's gorgeous. :lmao:

Glad to hear you enjoyed yourself and overcame your initial apprehension. :thumbsup2

I loved her dress too. Perfect for the character. I'm glad I went too. We both ended up really enjoying the characters this trip. It felt good to just act like a kid for awhile.

[praisehisname]

All caught up again. :thumbsup2 I loved reading about Boma and Akershus, as they are two places I want to try on future trips!

Denise

[If U Had Wings]

All caught up again. :thumbsup2 I loved reading about Boma and Akershus, as they are two places I want to try on future trips!

Denise

They are both do-overs for us. Boma is one of the few places I like to hit on every trip.

[dawnbu40]

Just came across your TR and I'm all caught up!
I'm really enjoying it and your pics are lovely! So glad you enjoyed your first character meal! And the potatos there are wonderful! :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

Just came across your TR and I'm all caught up!
I'm really enjoying it and your pics are lovely! So glad you enjoyed your first character meal! And the potatos there are wonderful! :thumbsup2

Thanks! I'm so glad that I took the chance and booked a meal there. My friend and I ended up having a ball with the characters this trip. So much fun!

I promise a new post soon! Life has been a bit crazy. Work issues, and a knitting Olympics thingy on a knitting board I'm involved with.

[All7OfUs]

Hope you'll post whatever knitting project you're working on!!

[If U Had Wings]

Hope you'll post whatever knitting project you're working on!!

I've been participating in multiple "events". My main one was a stuffed toy event. I made this kitty.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Ravelry/DSC03477_opt.jpg

I'm not really happy with the head, and I think she needs new cat style eyes, but I'm going to have to order more yarn to fix it.

My other finished event was a work in progress event. I finally finished what I call my "Dis" sweater since it's lime green.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Ravelry/DSC03481_opt.jpg

My last project was to fix a sweater I actually finished last year. It won an honorable mention ribbon at the Big E fair in the fall, but when I went to try it on it was too short. I had to cut off the bottom and knit a new bottom for it. I've got the back side done, now I have to finish the front.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Ravelry/Inishmoresurgery_opt.jpg

It's amazing how much you can get done, when you put your mind to it. I'm anxious to be done with it, so I can get going on frogging the quilting on this:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Ravelry/JewelboxA_opt.jpg

I started handquilting it ages ago, and hate the job I've done so far. The backing is a bit bunched up because I didn't baste it very well, and my simple 1/4" quilting isn't terribly even in places. I want to rip it out and start over with a more intricate quilting pattern.

[If U Had Wings]

The park was just opening as we made our way out of Akerhaus, so we headed over to Soarin to pick up some fast passes. We were happy to see that the rain had stopped, and the day looked like it was going to clear up a bit. Crowd wise this was probably our best park/day of the week. Epcot wasn't bad at all this morning. We got over to the land and were able to get our passes and then wait in the standby line for Soarin without more than a 20 minute wait. :cool1:Sweet!:cool1: After Soarin' we rode the Land and then wandered out to the Imagination pavillion. We were able to get right on the ride, I know no big surprise there, and then right into a Honey I Shrunk the Kids show. The movie is getting a bit old, but I still really enjoy this 3-D show. The mice part does give me a bit of the willies though.

After the show we headed over to Innoventions, where I was hoping they still had the history of Epcot exhibit set up. I really enjoyed it when I saw it last year, and had been kicking myself afterwards for not taking any pictures. Alas, the door was all locked up. :sad1:Since we were in Innoventions, we went to see what the wait was like for the character spot. There was barely any wait, so we got in touch with our inner children and hopped in line. It was some of the best character interactions we had all trip. All of the characters took just as much time with us as any of the kids. It was lots of fun.

First we met Mickey.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3Mickey_opt.jpg

Then my favorite, Donald! I don't know how Donald always hones in on how excited I am to meet him, but he's always such a flirt with me. I just love the duck. :love: I think my picture from 2007 is practically the same as the first one. I have to say I'm thrilled I got to have my pic taken with Donald in his classic outfit. I love the costumes, but part of me is a purist when it comes to him. :)
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3DonaldA_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3DonaldB_opt.jpg

Minnie treated us as if we were her best friends that she hadn't seen in ages. She welcomed us with a big hug, and then insisted on holding hands with us for the pics.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3Minnie_opt.jpg

Lastly we met Pluto and Goofy.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3Pluto_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3Goofy_opt.jpg

With our inner children satisfied, we headed back to the Land to use our Soarin fastpasses, and then over to the seas to see Nemo. We never even made it over to the other side of Future World. My BFF let me know that she didn't want to ride Test Track (a ride I love just for the last few minutes) because her legs feel crunched in the car. If we had a bit more time I would have rode myself, but we were a bit pressed for time, and she doesn't like hanging around by herself. I was a bit disappointed that she wouldn't ride as a favor for me, especially as it's not as if the ride made her sick, or that she just hated it.

We did a bit of pin shopping at the pin traders station, and then headed for the exit. It was getting near 1 o'clock and we had a mission at POP Century.

[All7OfUs]

Your projects are awe-inspiring!!! Your quilt is fantabulous!! I made a similar one for my son a few years ago that has similar colors, just stars instead of squares.

Love your photos of the Fab 5 and you. You really got a lot done in fact that morning. Always an extra treat when the lines are short. :thumbsup2

Hmmmm... a 1:00 mission??!! Can't wait... popcorn::

[aprilisis]

I LOVE the kitty! You are so talented. Where did you learn to knit like that?? That's too bad about Test Track. It was closed down during my trip. You got some great photos with the characters, though!

[If U Had Wings]

Your projects are awe-inspiring!!! Your quilt is fantabulous!! I made a similar one for my son a few years ago that has similar colors, just stars instead of squares.

Love your photos of the Fab 5 and you. You really got a lot done in fact that morning. Always an extra treat when the lines are short. :thumbsup2

Hmmmm... a 1:00 mission??!! Can't wait... popcorn::

Thanks. It's my first full quilt. I pieced it together a few years ago when I was out of work one summer. Then I taught myself to knit, and my quilting fell by the wayside. I've made it a resolution to work on it this year.

It was a good morning. We just took our time and saw what we wanted to see most.

I LOVE the kitty! You are so talented. Where did you learn to knit like that?? That's too bad about Test Track. It was closed down during my trip. You got some great photos with the characters, though!

Thank you. I actually taught myself a few years back. I bought myself a learn to knit kit and just branched out from there.

I love TT! I can't wait to ride it this week. :woohoo:

[If U Had Wings]

One of my BFF's only requests for this trip was to go over to POP Century to see the Lady and the Tramp statues. Lady and the Tramp is her favorite Disney cartoon, so she misses out on getting to see her favorite characters around the park. I had never been to POP before, so I was up for heading over there for a bit of lunch to check things out. I don't think that I quite realized just how big those figures are. They never seem quite that big when you see them in pictures. They are huge! :eek:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopTramp_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopLady_opt.jpg

We didn't spend much time really checking out more of the grounds. I would have liked to,but my friend wasn't really into the whole wandering around soaking up the atmosphere thing. I had been hoping to do a lot of that this trip, but when we did a little walking around I could tell she really didn't want to be doing it. It ended up taking the joy out of it for me, so I just gave up on it after awhile. I found I couldn't really enjoy soaking up the details when I couldn't get more than a minute or two alone. Does that make any sense? :confused3

We stopped and had lunch while we were there. No pictures, but my chicken fingers were pretty good. While she was in the ladies room I wandered around the main building enjoying the decorations. POP had some of my favorite decorations from the entire trip.

My taste in Christmas decorations is a bit puzzling to most of my friends. Usually my taste in things like clothes and home décor would be classified as tastefully simple and low key. When it comes to Christmas decorations though, the brighter, the shinier, the …well, tackier for lack of a better description is what I love. :lovestrucI love all the shiney 1950's/60's style of decorations. My favorite ornaments on my tree at home are the vintage glass indent ornaments that my mom let me take for my first Christmas tree when I moved out. It kills me that you can't buy those anymore, and I live with a bit of paranoia every year about breaking the ones I have.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopTree_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopWreath_opt.jpg

I loved this garland!
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopGarlandA_opt.jpg

Right down to the vintage style tag on it. **********
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopGarlandB_opt.jpg

I chaneled my inner LL when I saw these lamps. (And thought of her while taking the pictures!) I heart both of these lamps. I'd love to have the second one hanging over my dining room table.
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopLights_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/4PopLightsB_opt.jpg

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about leaving the parks for lunch, but I ended up loving it. It was a nice break, and I loved getting to see a resort that I had never been to before. Highly recommend!

[micandminforever]

Great pictures from Pop, maybe next time you can wonder around a little more and see the rest of the icon. Mr and Mrs Potato Head is one of my favorites.

[If U Had Wings]

I completely missed the potato heads! All I saw was the 50's area. I'd love to go back again.

[skier_pete]

We loved the decorations at POP. I thought the whole lobby area was really neat, with the shadow boxes of the different decades. It really brings back memories going through those things. We didn't get to see most of the icons, but Lady and the Tramp were right by our room and the bowling pin pool. DD wouldn't try any of the other pools, so we walked by Lady to get to the pool each time we went swimming. I hope next time I can find the time to wander around a bit.

In general, spending a week at POP was a great experience, I was nervous about staying at a value, but actually I liked it a lot. The worst part is the larger # of people for things such as the food court and the bus stop, but overall it was a lot of fun. I would recommend it for a budget trip.

I feel bad that it seems like you had some problems with your friend...like you had to do the things that she wanted to do, but whenever you wanted to do something, your friend either protested found an excuse why they couldn't. That is too bad...I hope next time if you go with her, you give yourself some time apart so that you CAN do some of those things. Or maybe finally taking that solo trip is the way to go.

[Charleston Princess]

Every time I see your lovely projects, it makes me want to learn to knit! :goodvibes

Soarin' first thing in the morning is such a lovely way to start the day!

Your character pics are adorable especially the one with Donald! Connor has really begun to identify with him -- probably because he can relate to his frustrations! LOL!

I have a penchant for those 1950s/1960s Christmas decorations, too. I would love to have an aluminum tree during the holidays. :laughing:

[All7OfUs]

I"ve been thinking about you today, and was wondering if you ever made it out on a flight or not!!

I can't wait to do some POP solo days and do just that- soak up the atmosphere!! Little by little, and not rushed.

Crissy, are you sure you don't want to join us for our trip??? You could have a good mix of solo time AND fun ladies time!! ;)

[If U Had Wings]

We loved the decorations at POP. I thought the whole lobby area was really neat, with the shadow boxes of the different decades. It really brings back memories going through those things. We didn't get to see most of the icons, but Lady and the Tramp were right by our room and the bowling pin pool. DD wouldn't try any of the other pools, so we walked by Lady to get to the pool each time we went swimming. I hope next time I can find the time to wander around a bit.

In general, spending a week at POP was a great experience, I was nervous about staying at a value, but actually I liked it a lot. The worst part is the larger # of people for things such as the food court and the bus stop, but overall it was a lot of fun. I would recommend it for a budget trip.

I feel bad that it seems like you had some problems with your friend...like you had to do the things that she wanted to do, but whenever you wanted to do something, your friend either protested found an excuse why they couldn't. That is too bad...I hope next time if you go with her, you give yourself some time apart so that you CAN do some of those things. Or maybe finally taking that solo trip is the way to go.

I really liked the parts of POP that I saw. The food court was great, and had some really nice options. I would definitely try a stay there.

If I don't squeeze in a solo trip this year, I'm definitely scheduling more free time for myself. The more trips I take with family and friends the more I realize how much I want to have some more solo time in the parks.


Every time I see your lovely projects, it makes me want to learn to knit! :goodvibes

Soarin' first thing in the morning is such a lovely way to start the day!

Your character pics are adorable especially the one with Donald! Connor has really begun to identify with him -- probably because he can relate to his frustrations! LOL!

I have a penchant for those 1950s/1960s Christmas decorations, too. I would love to have an aluminum tree during the holidays. :laughing:

Knitting keeps me balanced. At the end of the day it really helps me to relax.

I just love Donald when he gets frustrated. He's kind of the Disney everyman.

Love aluminum trees! I have nowhere to put anymore trees in my place at Christmas. (I already have 3 in my 765 sq. ft. condo). I have to content myself with my gaudy glass bulbs and my beloved bubble lights.


Crissy, are you sure you don't want to join us for our trip??? You could have a good mix of solo time AND fun ladies time!! ;)

Hmmmmm. When are you guys going again? :rotfl: Time with Disers might be as good as solo time. :rotfl:

[If U Had Wings]

After our sojourn over at POP we headed over to MGM for the rest of our day. (It will always be MGM to me. Disney's Hollywood Studios just doesn't flow for me). We really got our monies worth out of the hopper option on this trip. :)I really enjoyed leaving the park for awhile, and then moving over to another park. It is definitely something I'm looking to repeat on our next trip in the fall. It broke the day up, and really helped alleviate the overwhelming feeling from the crowds.

First off though I had to meet up with Bo and get my picture taken with him. I thought of CP and her DD when I made my friend take my picture. I think she thought I was a bit nuts. :lmao:

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMBo_opt.jpg

I loved the way MGM was decorated. Both my BFF and I thought they had the best holiday decorations of all the parks. I think the theme just lent itself so well to being dressed up for the holidays. We had been a bit let down over the decorations at Epcot and MK. I loved the city streets all decorated up, and we didn't even see the Osborne lights this night.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMDecorationsB_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMDecorationsC_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMDecorations_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMMuppetsChristmas_opt.jpg

We wandered around the park taking in the decorations and riding a few rides. We were able to ride ToT without a major wait, but RnRC was a bit too long for us to wait standbby, and TSM had about a 120 minute wait and no fast passes left. We passed right by. We had no desire to spend 2 hours waiting in line, when we had another morning planned in the park.

We did wander to the back of the park to see the Muppets show. I'm a sucker for the muppets and this is a don't miss attraction for me. We got there just after a group had been let in, so we had a lot of time to wander around the holding pen checking out all the detailing. I loved this poster hanging down in the front. I don't think I ever noticed it before.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMMuppetsHenson.jpg

After the muppets we waited and rode Star Tours. I use to really love this attraction when it first opened, but really now I can't wait for them to update it. It needs it. The film is in such bad shape, and the ride never seems to be as enjoyable as it used to be. There was no one over on the props outside when we exited so I had my BFF take one of me on the Endor speeders. (I've always wanted one of these pics - I'm such a kid at heart!)

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMStarWars_opt.jpg

The weather was getting quite chilly out. We had a bit of time before our dinner ADR so we stopped at the Backlot Canteen for a drink. They had some really neat holiday themed drinks, so I just had to try the special Merry Margarita. (It was blue and came with a star shaped glow cube, how could I resist?) It was really tasty, and surprisingly very potent. I have to give Disney credit. Of all the drinks I tried on this trip, none of them were at all watered down. All the ones I tried were very strong.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/5MGMMerryMargarita_opt.jpg

We took our time enjoying our drinks and slowly making our way over to the Brown Derby for our much anticipated ADR.

[skier_pete]

Yeah, an update!

I totally agree on Star Tours, while I still enjoy the ride, the idea of a re-boot has me thrilled. While I think this whole 3-D push in movie theaters is mostly a load of crap, I LOVE the idea of a 3-D Star Tours ride. I gotta assume it will be a major overhaul...I can't picture they are going to stick with those little ships and those even smaller screens. I just don't understand why they are waiting over a year to get started on it. Just shut it down and give us 2.0!

Love your speeder shot,too. I always think there should be a way to make it look like your actually moving in pictures. Like they should have a big fan in front blowing your hair back. (Wouldn't do much for me though!)

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for an update!!! :banana: You know I loved seeing Bo this afternoon, and I know Chelsea will feel the same way when she sees your pic! :goodvibes DHS does have very glamorous holiday decorations! Your speeder shot is adorable! How could anyone resist a Merry Margarita? I would have been all over that, too. :thumbsup2

[MRYPPNS]

Just got caught up again. i know what you mean about taking a mid-day break from the parks....I really enjoyed going back to the resort to re-charge before heading out for the evening.

[Flossbolna]

I think I would agree with you on the DHS decorations. Perhaps they have more freedom there to try different things? Those yellow and red trees at the Muppets entrance are just wonderful! :goodvibes

[praisehisname]

All caught up again! Love the updates and the pics from Pop!

[TarzansKat]

Your Merry Margarita looks fan-freakin-tastic!

Of course, take this from a pregnant woman who hasn't had a drink in about five months. :::SIGH:::

I love living vicariously through trip reports! ;)

[micandminforever]

Good to have you back. I look forward to your review of Brown Derby, I have ADR there in June.

[If U Had Wings]

Hurray for an update!!! :banana: You know I loved seeing Bo this afternoon, and I know Chelsea will feel the same way when she sees your pic! :goodvibes DHS does have very glamorous holiday decorations! Your speeder shot is adorable! How could anyone resist a Merry Margarita? I would have been all over that, too. :thumbsup2

I had to take another one last week when I was at the studios. It's becoming a new tradition for me!

Just got caught up again. i know what you mean about taking a mid-day break from the parks....I really enjoyed going back to the resort to re-charge before heading out for the evening.

It really made a difference. Best thing I did on this trip!

All caught up again! Love the updates and the pics from Pop!

Thanks!

Your Merry Margarita looks fan-freakin-tastic!

Of course, take this from a pregnant woman who hasn't had a drink in about five months. :::SIGH:::

I love living vicariously through trip reports! ;)

It was so good! I'm a sucker for blue drinks. Especially if they have blinky lights in them.

Good to have you back. I look forward to your review of Brown Derby, I have ADR there in June.

I love the Derby. I've yet to have a bad meal there.

Yeah, an update!

I totally agree on Star Tours, while I still enjoy the ride, the idea of a re-boot has me thrilled. While I think this whole 3-D push in movie theaters is mostly a load of crap, I LOVE the idea of a 3-D Star Tours ride. I gotta assume it will be a major overhaul...I can't picture they are going to stick with those little ships and those even smaller screens. I just don't understand why they are waiting over a year to get started on it. Just shut it down and give us 2.0!

Love your speeder shot,too. I always think there should be a way to make it look like your actually moving in pictures. Like they should have a big fan in front blowing your hair back. (Wouldn't do much for me though!)

3D on that will be great. The update can't come soon enough!

[All7OfUs]

Hmmmmm. When are you guys going again? :rotfl: Time with Disers might be as good as solo time. :rotfl:

Sept. 2-13th. :rolleyes1

That margharita takes "We wish you a merry Christmas" to a whole new level, doesn't it??!! :love:

[If U Had Wings]

Sept. 2-13th. :rolleyes1

That margharita takes "We wish you a merry Christmas" to a whole new level, doesn't it??!! :love:

That may be a bit too close to my Oct. trip to be really feasible. I think my job actually expects me to show up occasionally and not spend all my time at Disney.:eek: Seriously I need to get them to start sending me to Orlando as part of my job. :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

My BFF and I had tried the Brown Derby for the first time back in 2007 and both fell in love with the place. It has now become one of my "must-do's" on my Disney vacations. The food never fails to disappoint, and I love that once your in the restaurant you feels like your miles away from the crowds and craziness of the park. If someone blindfolded you and left you in the middle of the restaurant, you would never guess that you were in an amusement park restaurant. It's just wonderful and classy. Like the rest of MGM the Brown Derby was decorated for the holidays. The decorations were simple, but beautiful.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6BrownTree_opt.jpg

I finally fessed up to my friend that I wanted to take pictures of food and why. She thought it was a bit nuts but humored me.

For my appetizer I had the blue jumbo lump crab cake. It was utterly delicious! Also no photo, but I had a glass of the Coppola Vineyards Merlot. I have it everytime I come here, it's a wonderful Merlot.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6BrownCrab_opt.jpg

For my entrée I had the cobb salad, which is listed on the appetizer menu (for 2) on the dinner menu. This was my first time trying the cobb salad, and it was just wonderful. My new favorite Disney meal. Seriously, I've had dreams about this meal since. I normally don't eat avacados, and I usually hate ranch dressing but I ordered it exactly as is and am so glad I took the chance and tried it. So, so good!

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6BrownCobb_opt.jpg


For desert it was the banana white chocolate toffee tower. Again, wonderful, and I normally don't like white chocolate. The blending of flavors was perfect.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/6BrownBanana_opt.jpg

I can't recommend the Brown Derby enough. It's a bit more expensive than the other table service options at the studios, but I find it well worth every penny. Actually I thought the salad was a deal at $15. It could have easily been split, especially if you had an appetizer with it.

The park was closing by the time we finished dinner. We ran across a photopass photographer on the way out and stopped for a photo in front of the hat. (Grudgingly, I still hate the location of the hat blocking the view of the theater.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7LeavingMGMEdit_opt.jpg

I got a kick out of the MGM tree outside the entrance. Not very Disney like having a huge blacked out section like that.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/7MGMTreeOutBlurry_opt.jpg

We had another agonizingly long wait for a bus back to AsSp. We were both really glad that this was the last night we were going to have to deal with the nighttime buses back to our resort. As good as the buses were in the morning they were an evil monstrosity at night.

[Flossbolna]

I think the Brown Derby is on my list of restaurants to try for my next trip. :thumbsup2

I think it is quite interesting how many people end up ordering things at Disney that they normally don't like and then end up loving the dish at Disney. Must be the pixie dust! :goodvibes

[Lovemy3babes]

Great update!!! What day was this last update? We saw a section of the DHS tree blacked out too. I wonder if it was the same night? Your food pictures look delish. :)

[dawnbu40]

That meal looks delicious! We haven't eaten there in years and now I'm thinking we need to go back!

[TarzansKat]

I am so glad that you enjoyed the Brown Derby. It's without a doubt, one of my favorites, and I'm glad you got to try and like the delicious Cobb Salad. :thumbsup2

[If U Had Wings]

I think the Brown Derby is on my list of restaurants to try for my next trip. :thumbsup2

I think it is quite interesting how many people end up ordering things at Disney that they normally don't like and then end up loving the dish at Disney. Must be the pixie dust! :goodvibes

I always get a bit adventurous on vacations with my eating. I think it helped that everything was chopped so fine. It really mixed the flavors up and blended them together.

Great update!!! What day was this last update? We saw a section of the DHS tree blacked out too. I wonder if it was the same night? Your food pictures look delish. :)

It would have been Monday the 7th. We were really surprised to see that blacked out. The food was so good!

That meal looks delicious! We haven't eaten there in years and now I'm thinking we need to go back!

It's one of my favorites now. I used to always eat at 50's Prime Time, now I haven't been there in ages!

I am so glad that you enjoyed the Brown Derby. It's without a doubt, one of my favorites, and I'm glad you got to try and like the delicious Cobb Salad. :thumbsup2

I love how classy it is. I always wish I could be dressed 1940s style when I'm there.

[Charleston Princess]

That Cobb Salad is to die for! I dream about it, too! :goodvibes

[All7OfUs]

THAT'S exactly what I was hankerin' for: a good HBD review!! BONUS ALERT; a picture of exactly what I'm planning on ordering- Cobb Salad, come home too Mama!!

Gorgeous! :thumbsup2

[praisehisname]

That Cobb Salad really does look amazing; I have GOT to have it someday!

[MRYPPNS]

I have never gotten the chance to eat at the Brown Derby but they do have the best bathroom in a theme park!

[If U Had Wings]

That Cobb Salad is to die for! I dream about it, too! :goodvibes

THAT'S exactly what I was hankerin' for: a good HBD review!! BONUS ALERT; a picture of exactly what I'm planning on ordering- Cobb Salad, come home too Mama!!

Gorgeous! :thumbsup2

That Cobb Salad really does look amazing; I have GOT to have it someday!

It is so good! I had it again last week. I feel almost decadent that I'll have the chance to have it 3 times this year. Really filing too. I couldn't finish it when I had it last week.

I have never gotten the chance to eat at the Brown Derby but they do have the best bathroom in a theme park!

They do have a pretty nice bathroom!

[If U Had Wings]

I was still wide awake and had lots of energy when we got back to our room. My BFF on the other hand wasn't in any mood to go out that night. She was tired and was has having problems with soar feet and a bit of chafing. Luckily the perpetual girl scout in me was prepared with a supply of Gold Bond powder and body glide. I left her with both, and went off to take a walk of the grounds under the guise of looking for a bottle of Coke Zero.

The weather was slightly warmer than the previous nights, and there was no rain so there was a lot more activity around the resort that night. The bar area outside of the hangten pool was packed with the parents and chaperones of the Pop Warner groups. They seemed well behaved, but a bit loud.

The rest of the grounds were running rampant with the Pop Warner kids. The pool was packed, and the football field and tennis court areas were very loud with all the kids playing out on them. I'm very glad that our room didn't face these areas, as they were awfully loud.

I had heard lots of really bad things about the Pop Warner groups before going, but I didn't find the kids to be unruly or wild while walking around. They were just excited, and a little bit loud. In short, just being kids. I can't fault them that, but still I'm glad that my room wasn't near any of the areas they were hanging out. Supervision seemed a bit lax too. It seemed as if there were more adults around the bar than keeping an eye on the kids. I don't know if I would have been happy with the supervision going on, if I was a parent who had sent their kid on this trip.

Would I intentionally book a room at a Pop Warner hotel again? Yes, but only if another hotel wasn't available. My experience wasn't bad, but I can see where it could be really awful if you had the wrong room location. It's possible it got worse as the week went on as well. I was on the grounds of POR later in the week (another Pop Warner hotel) and thought that Riverside was even worse. It felt chaotic and horribly loud. Much, much worse than what I saw at AsSp.

The grounds at All Star Sports looked wonderful at night. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how much I ended up liking my stay at the resort. I hadn't really been looking forward to staying there. I had always found the photos of the big statues a bit garish and tacky and couldn't really imagine staying there. I'm glad I gave it a chance. I still would prefer to stay at least at a moderate, but I'm glad that I gave a value resort a chance. For a short trip that your not expecting to spend much time at the resort it was perfect. I actually really liked the way the statues looked all lit up at night. They looked a bit softer at night, and I loved how they glowed at night.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8Coke_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8Hoop_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8Homerun_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8Surf_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8Tennis_opt.jpg

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/8Touchdown_opt.jpg

I think the Homerun area was my favorite, but that might be because baseball is my favorite sport. It was a bit farther away from the main building, but didn't feel too far. The Surf area was the loudest, and the hoops area felt the most removed from the action.

Still I was really looking forward to moving over to my dream resort - The Boardwalk Inn the next day, but I had my morning of solitude to look forward to first. :banana:

[praisehisname]

I like your pictures of the resort at night! I agree with you about the "feel" even though I feel guilty saying it...:laughing: It's great with small children, but really not our style now that the kids are older. Also, DH says it just feels too crowded to him.

[MRYPPNS]

I think you'd enjoy AS Music if you ever do a value again. POP is my first choice in a value but that books earlier than the rest.

Did you ever find that Coke Zero?

[TarzansKat]

Did you ever find that Coke Zero?

That's what I want to know.

What a lovely evening stroll you had! :goodvibes

[If U Had Wings]

I like your pictures of the resort at night! I agree with you about the "feel" even though I feel guilty saying it...:laughing: It's great with small children, but really not our style now that the kids are older. Also, DH says it just feels too crowded to him.

Kids must love the values. I'm glad I took the chance and tried it out.

I think you'd enjoy AS Music if you ever do a value again. POP is my first choice in a value but that books earlier than the rest.

Did you ever find that Coke Zero?

That's what I want to know.

What a lovely evening stroll you had! :goodvibes

It was a wonderful night to walk around the grounds.

And they did have Coke Zero in the food court and in a number of the machines. So expensive though in the machines. $2.75 for a bottle. Crazy!

[Charleston Princess]

Hurray for moving to Boardwalk the next day!!! :banana:

[All7OfUs]

I am really glad this resort grew on you!! I know how much you were ambivalent (at the very least) about it. Finally some alone time! Even if it was to "find a coke".

I think for me, I'd have to see a value to really get it. I mean i see the pix, but I really can't wrap my mind around it. I hope the POP will grow on me too..

[If U Had Wings]

Hurray for moving to Boardwalk the next day!!! :banana:

I'd been impatiently waiting for it all week!

I am really glad this resort grew on you!! I know how much you were ambivalent (at the very least) about it. Finally some alone time! Even if it was to "find a coke".

I think for me, I'd have to see a value to really get it. I mean i see the pix, but I really can't wrap my mind around it. I hope the POP will grow on me too..

I'd been more excited about my original reservation at POP. Sports would have been my last choice. In the end I was happy because the room was a beautiful recently refurbished one, and the bus service in the morning was great. The resort had an unexpected, unusual beauty.

[aprilisis]

Hooray for your move to Boardwalk...AND your morning of solitude!!

[If U Had Wings]

Hooray for your move to Boardwalk...AND your morning of solitude!!

I couldn't wait! I had been looking forward to this day for so long!

[If U Had Wings]

Of all the plans I had made for this trip, today was the day I was most looking forward to. It was the one day in which I was ensured a bit of the solo trip I had originally been planning. I had a morning all to myself! :lovestruc

Originally my friend was planning on taking the Behind the Magic tour this day, but she put off booking it, and by the time she did the tour was full. Instead she was heading off for the Keys to the Kingdom tour. This was to be a solo breakfast as well, but since her tour didn't start until 9:30 she was joining me for breakfast. Bright and early we got all of our stuff together and left our bags with bell services so they could transfer them over to the Boardwalk Inn. I grabbed the small bag I was planning on taking to the spa with me and we were off to the Polynesian.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1FavGuy_opt.jpg

This was my first time eating at Kona, and it didn't dissappoint. The tonga toast was delicious. I don't know how much it really qualified as breakfast food, but it involved three things I adore - bananas, sugar and strawberries. Deep frying never hurts either.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/1TongaToast_opt.jpg

Soooo good, and lived up to everything I had heard about it. The sausages were tasty too. The strawberry compote really made the meal for me. It cut down on the sweetness of the dish and added a nice flavor to it. I don't drink coffee, but I really enjoyed the lilikoi juice I had ordered. We had a leisurely meal, and my friend was off to the MK for her tour. I had plenty of time before my spa appointment at the GF so I set off on a leisurely tour of the Poly's grounds.

I love the fountain in the middle of the Grand Ceremonial House. I remember it being much taller as a kid, but it's still spectacular.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyFountain_opt.jpg

The Christmas decorations were great too, not as extravagent as some of the other deluxes had, but very beautiful and themed wonderfully to the resort.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyTree_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyGarland_opt.jpg
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWreath_opt.jpg

[micandminforever]

Great start to your day of luxury and peace, now to some alone time.

[If U Had Wings]

Great start to your day of luxury and peace, now to some alone time.

It only got better as the day went on. :)

[All7OfUs]

I"m so glad you loved your breakfast! That's one sweet way to start your morning. I hope it gets even better, Crissy!!

[If U Had Wings]

I"m so glad you loved your breakfast! That's one sweet way to start your morning. I hope it gets even better, Crissy!!

It did! I've got the next post already to go.

[If U Had Wings]

As beautiful as the lobby of the Poly is, I find the grounds even more enchanting. As a kid I loved all the windy pathways, and beautiful nooks around the property. I still do as an adult. One of these days I'm going to have to stay there again. :thumbsup2

Some pictures from my walk -

I just wanted to plant myself here for the rest of the morning and people watch.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkA_opt.jpg

I watched the ferry bringing everyone to the Magic Kingdom.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkB_opt.jpg

The grounds were pretty quiet for it being about 9am. Not too many people were out and about, other than a few of these.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkC_opt.jpg

The pool had people in it already, even though it was a bit chilly. I guess kids don't really care. :)

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkE_opt.jpg

I love the tiki's at the Poly. This one was one of my favorites on my walk.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkF_opt.jpg

I would have loved to take a boat out on the lake later, but I was finding it a bit too chilly. The building on the far right, at the end of the dock, is the first place I ever stayed at on Disney property when I was 8 years old. Funny how that has stayed with me all these years.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkG_opt.jpg

The dock heading out to the boats to the park and other resorts.

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkH_opt.jpg

I was enjoying my walk so much that I forgot to pay attention to my watch. Luckily I looked in time, but I was going to have to hustle a bit to make my spa appointment over here-

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/3GFSpa_opt.jpg

[miprender]

Ohhh! I just love the Poly. Someday I hope to stay here. We just love this resort and we love walking the grounds too.

I love the picture with all the fog. You can barely see CR.

[If U Had Wings]

Ohhh! I just love the Poly. Someday I hope to stay here. We just love this resort and we love walking the grounds too.

I love the picture with all the fog. You can barely see CR.

I was about 17 the last time I stayed there. Back before the rates went out of control. Maybe for a split stay one of these days.

It was pretty foggy that morning. It burned off nicely later, and was one of the best days of the trip.

[All7OfUs]

You did the exact thing I'm hoping to do one morning while staying there! Just wander the grounds, soaking in the beautiful landscaping, listening to the BGM, taking lots of pix. How thoroughly wonderful!

EEK! Glad you were roused out of your revelry in time for the spa time! :eek:

[MRYPPNS]

http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z126/Seastorm2/Disney%202009/2PolyWalkA_opt.jpg

This has my name written all over it for our next trip!