I Paid Someone $5 for a Catchy Trip Report Title, and This is All I Got-Updated 12/29

[glennbo123]

Thanks!! I don't know what took me so long to get on these boards- I have been a WDW nut for 11 years now.

Then this is definitely the place for you!

I love new gadgets & photography, too, so that camera sounds awesome to me! You are taking some fantastic photos with it. I can't wait to see more!!

Update coming....

 

[Queenofallthings]

Another great report....love the picture from RnRC, I don't think he could close his eyes anymore no matter how hard he tried, love itI believe I have finally convinced my 9 year old niece to ride with me on Tuesday...we're also eating at 50's Prime Time Cafe on Tuesday and we can't wait. We had an amazing server last year...her name was Cindy, and we loved her. Your server can definitely make or break your meal.\

Can't wait for more

 

[glennbo123]

One thing I forgot to mention in the last installment was that at lunch, before our food arrived, my kids informed DSiL: “Dad will want to take a picture of your food.” And, “He’s going to write a trip report.” This was the first that she’d ever seen this level of documentation and I know she thought I was crazy. But I couldn’t let my fellow Dis-ers down! The things I do for you!

We left 50’s Prime Time and started to walk toward Lights, Motors, Action! Out on the street I got a congratulatory greeting from a CM who noticed my “Clean Plate Club” sticker.

We walked past Star Tours in order to get a fastpass for it for after Lights, Motors, Action! Star Tours was James’ favorite ride from our trip in 2005. I also forgot to mention in the last installment that we had gotten fastpasses to RNR before we left that area of the park to come over to 50’s for lunch, so I had to wait at Star Tours a couple of minutes before I could get fastpasses there. It’s not that busy of an attraction anymore, but hey, why not?

Further along the way toward LMA!, we passed the umbrella, so Lauren and Marlene stopped for a quick picture.

Just as we entered the theater it started to drizzle. I was hoping that it wouldn’t cause them to cancel the show, but then I remembered that the last time I saw it they had people hosing down the pavement before the show, so the drizzle was actually a good thing. We found some seats and settled in. DSiL and DN had never seen this show before, so I was hoping they’d like it. I set my camera on “continuous-shooting” since this is a fast-paced show with lots of action and jumps and things. So, I could post dozens of shots, but that’d be kind of boring, so here are the highlights.

Spinning shootout.

Driving on 2 wheels.

Some shots of the big jump/explosion at the end.

The cars take a bow.

DSiL and DN did enjoy the show, and when we left the theater and it was still drizzling. We didn’t really want to stop to take our ponchos out, so we quickly made our way to Toy Story Pizza Planet for a bathroom break and to just get out of the rain for a bit. After a short stop there we went around the corner to Star Tours to use our fastpasses. While we were in the fastpass line a stormtrooper came through the line from behind us. But he was so quiet that I had no idea he was there until he went past. And because of the rain, my camera was secured in my backpack, so no photo. Nuts! When he got up beside the kids I said, “Hey Marlene.” She turned and got a little bit of a fright. Good times!

We took our wild ride on the Star Tours spaceship and then had to run the gauntlet of the dreaded gift shop. I told you earlier that James has a thing about swords and light sabers. I somehow managed to get him herded in the direction of the exit when he passed another kid and said, “Hi Shawn”. And the other kid goes, “Hi James”. The mother of the other kid was walking behind him and we both look at each other, confused. I asked James if this was someone he met at the pool of the resort or something, but he said, “No. He was in my class last year.” It figures. The youngest member of our group is the one who runs into someone they know.

From there we headed toward the center of the park when it started to rain a little harder. We paused under the awning of a vendor and got out our ponchos. They were a little heavier-duty than the cheapos, and weighed a ton. I know ‘cause I had been carrying them in my backpack every day. Judy got Marlene a child-size, and it barely covered her. Mine, although adult-size, wasn’t much better -- the sleeves stopped at my elbows. We looked ridiculous. And by the time we got them all unpacked and put on, the rain had all but stopped. We started walking over to the Animation Courtyard, but one-by-one, starting with James and Marlene, we each took off our ponchos.

I thought that maybe “The Magic of Disney Animation” might be a good rainy afternoon activity, but so did everybody else in the park as the line was a mile long. So, we skipped that, rode Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster with our fastpasses one last time and called it a day. We left the park at about 3:30, waited 2 minutes for a bus, and were back at Kidani around 4:00.


In the next installment: My favorite restaurant, Boma, and a sneak-peek at SSR.

Link to next installment

 

[glennbo123]

Another great report....love the picture from RnRC, I don't think he could close his eyes anymore no matter how hard he tried, love itI believe I have finally convinced my 9 year old niece to ride with me on Tuesday...we're also eating at 50's Prime Time Cafe on Tuesday and we can't wait. We had an amazing server last year...her name was Cindy, and we loved her. Your server can definitely make or break your meal.\

Can't wait for more

I think if you can get the kids on RnRC they love it, but getting the nerve to go on is the tricky part. I hope you have a great time at 50's Prime Time.

 

[mjpeter]

I'm hoping to get my two older sons on RnRC, but we'll see...

We scheduled a Boma breakfast for this next trip, so I'm excited to read your report. Are you just doing one dinner there?

 

[glennbo123]

I'm hoping to get my two older sons on RnRC, but we'll see...

Try working them up to it. We did BTMRR, TT, RnRC, then EE. I kept saying, "You did (the last one), and liked it. If you can do that, you can do this." The idea of going upside-down in a loop can be intimidating, but I explained to my kids that the bars come down over your shoulders and you're strapped in really securely. You feel much more secure on RnRC than on other coasters.

We scheduled a Boma breakfast for this next trip, so I'm excited to read your report. Are you just doing one dinner there?

Yes, just doing dinner, and unfortunately, we've never done a Boma breakfast. But, I've never read an unfavorable report on their breakfasts.

 

[glennbo123]

So, when I last gave you an update we had finished up at DHS and had come back to Kidani. We were obviously very excited to show our suite to DSiL and DN. After many “ooh’s and ahhh’s” the kids went down to the Community Hall while the adults just hung out in the suite. When it approached time for our ADR for Boma, we rounded up the kids and headed over to Jambo House. I can’t remember for sure, but I think we rode a bus over, but walked back.

Boma is Judy's and my favorite restaurant, and the meal on this night of our trip will be the 4th time we’ve eaten there. Actually, the first time was also with DSiL and DN (and DN (dear niece), who didn’t come for this year’s visit). They came to visit us while we were staying at AKL in 2001, and we didn’t have any dinner reservations so we thought, “why don’t we try this place right here in the hotel?” and were blown away.

Anyway, back to Boma on this trip. Yeah, I ate a lot, despite having the pot roast at 50’s Prime Time for lunch. DW and DSiL couldn’t believe how much I ate. This meal contributed to one of the TR titles I considered, “The Fastpass Volunteer Gains No Weight”, because I ate like this (you’ll see as you page down), but when I got back home I actually lost ½ of a pound on this trip. (DW didn’t even let me finish my sentence when I started telling her. I said, “Guess what? I weighed myself today and…” And she interrupted, “Don’t you even tell me you lost weight!”) But in my defense, I really just took small samples…..of almost everything. I know it adds up, but….anyway, you’re here to see pictures, so let’s get to it.

We only had about a 5 minute wait after checking in. This is one of my favorite views anywhere.

Then we were seated, we put in our drink order with Jose, and hit the buffet. Here’s what I returned with (a hidden Mickey!). She crab soup on the left, Butternut squash soup on the right. I love their soups and could make a meal on them alone. The butternut squash soup was good, but very sweet, which some people may not like in a soup. It tasted like it could be a dessert, but I'm okay with eating dessert at any point during a meal! On the plate, starting at “2 o’clock” is pasta salad, kool slaai, calamari salad, and fried plantain corn salad (although it looks like I only got one piece of plantain). I’ve had the kool slaai before, and really like it, but believe it or not, the pasta salad was the best. It was awesome! What do they do?

I was disappointed that they didn't have Carrot Ginger soup out that night. It's one of my favorites here.

Trip number two was more soups mostly. Left to right: Chicken corn chowder, lamb potjie (Lauren's, not mine -- just put here for picture purposes. She said it was "okay"), and coconut curry seafood stew. On the plate is a little barbecue salmon. Lauren was raving over it, so I got some to try. I was planning on hitting the meat carving station, but there was a long line, so decided this was enough for this trip. That little hunk of salmon looks lonely, I know. I think my favorite item from this visit to the buffet was the coconut curry seafood stew, but Lauren was correct, the salmon was really good.

Okay another trip, but let’s not count anymore. I was able to get to the meat carving station for a piece of prime rib in the center of the plate. To the right are a couple of sauces, barbecue sauce and Boma mustard sauce. Then going clockwise around the plate, I'm ashamed to say I don't know what the next item is. It's either a hush-puppy thing or a meatball. I don't remember! Then black-eyed peas, potatoes with afritude, saffron rice, and bobotie (which was okay, but not my favorite thing).

Then I noticed another whole section of the buffet I had sampled yet, so went back for one more try. Starting at “1 o’clock” is something I don’t know. I had written a note that said, “spinach ?”, but I see only a very small amount of green, so who knows? Then, roasted vegetables, couscous Marrakesh, another complete mystery item, and fufu.

Lauren had finished dessert and went back for a plate of her favorite items, so I took a picture of it. (Not my plate! This is “Lauren’s Favorites”.) Pasta salad, barbecue salmon, and chocolate mousse cup (I think it’s called).

I honestly could have eaten more, but everyone else had finished, so figured I better wrap it up with a trip to the dessert section of the buffet. Here’s what I came back with. A chocolate mousse cup of my own, a chocolate chip cookie, peach cobbler, upside-down pineapple cheesecake, and the world famous zebra dome. I think the chocolate mousse cup was my favorite too, but I ate the chocolate chip cookie last, just to end with a “comfort food” kind of thing. It was soft too, just the way I like ‘em.

I see people post about having to be “adventurous” eaters for Boma, but I’m not so sure. There are lots of options for the “non-adventurous”. I don’t have pictures, since I didn’t eat them that night, but they have other meats, chicken fingers, salad, spaghetti and meatballs, and macaroni and cheese. I realize, you don’t want to pay buffet prices for these types of things, but I’m just saying you can try new things and not have to worry about going hungry if you don’t like them.

I think that’s enough for this installment. I know that at the end of the last installment I said this one would include a sneak peek at SSR, but I think I’ll save it for next time. This installment will just be Boma-centric.


In the next installment: An SSR sneak peek.

Link to next installment

 

[rentayenta]

Boma was one of my favorite meals of the entire trip. Bummer they didn't have the carrot-ginger soup. I had like 3 bowls. I ate more at Boma than other meal on the trip. I dug the bobotie too. And the ribs...................pork, I know but how I loved them so!

 

[verygfy]

Just finished reading the TR, sounds like you guys had a fantastic vacation. I am so excited to stay at Kidani next year. It is so good to listen to a male perspective on the TR.. Look forward to reading much more!

 

[aprilisis]

I LOVE Boma & your photos are making me hungry!!!!!

 

[glennbo123]

Boma was one of my favorite meals of the entire trip. Bummer they didn't have the carrot-ginger soup. I had like 3 bowls.

That was my only disappointment. That's one of my favorite soups there.

I ate more at Boma than other meal on the trip. I dug the bobotie too. And the ribs...................pork, I know but how I loved them so!

To quote one of my favorite comedians, Jim Gaffigan, "The pig is an amazing animal. It can take an apple -- essentially garbage -- and turn it into bacon."

Just finished reading the TR, sounds like you guys had a fantastic vacation. I am so excited to stay at Kidani next year. It is so good to listen to a male perspective on the TR.. Look forward to reading much more!

I'm glad to have you along on the trip report. You'll love Kidani.

I LOVE Boma & your photos are making me hungry!!!!!

I give you permission to go get a snack.

 

[eandesmom]

I'm late to the party and only up to day 2 but really enjoying your TR so far! Looking forward to getting further along in it!

 

[glennbo123]

I'm late to the party and only up to day 2 but really enjoying your TR so far! Looking forward to getting further along in it!

to the party!

We're glad you're here!

 

[glennbo123]

When I last left you we had just eaten a scrumptious dinner at Boma. Following that, we walked back to Kidani, which took about 10 minutes. Some people in our party were feeling stuffed, but miraculously, I felt good. The plan for the remainder of the evening was just to get DSiL and DN checked into their room at Saratoga Springs Resort, and we were going to tag-along to check it out. DSiL was using the last of the developer points we received with our Disney Vacation Club purchase for one night in a studio at SSR.

First we went back to our suite. I don’t remember why exactly -- probably someone had to get something or drop something off, or something or other. While there, we discussed how we’d get to SSR….all 7 of us couldn’t fit into her car. Eventually it was decided that Judy would accompany DSiL in the car , and I would herd all of the kids (DN included) via Disney buses. The cousins needed “together time”. So, at about 8:00 pm we started out. When we got to the lobby, Judy and DSiL had to go back to the room for something they forgot, but the rest of us continued to the bus stop. As we approached the bus stop, a Downtown Disney bus was already there, so we jumped on and I was thinking, “we’ve got a real shot at beating them there using bus transportation!” On the way I was thinking about what the best option would be to get to SSR from Downtown Disney. I thought about walking, but having never done it before, and it being night, with 4 kids, I decided to just catch an SSR bus. On the ride, DN was being a nut , and cracking my kids up, so it was good they got some time together like that.

At Downtown Disney we had to wait a little while for the SSR bus, and then it had to go to the other side of Downtown Disney, and then it had to go all the way out to Typhoon Lagoon. While heading back from Typhoon Lagoon my cell phone rang. It was Judy asking, “hey, where are you guys?” So much for my elusive dream of beating them using bus transportation.

I asked the driver which stop would be the best to reach the Carriage House, and I don’t remember what the name of the stop was, but I think it was the second stop once we got into SSR. We got off there and Judy phoned me to tell me that they had left the Carriage House and were on their way to the room, so then we had the exercise of trying to find Judy and DSiL. Lemme tell you, SSR is a big resort when it’s nighttime and you’re trying to find someone on foot and you have no idea where you are or where they are. After a couple more cell phone calls and much hiking around, we finally found their building and made it up to their room.

Well, enough discussion. Here are some pictures of their studio room at SSR.

I think DN was already trying to lay claim to the bed, but I think DSiL pulled rank and he got the pull-out sofa bed.

This shot was taken from near the balcony doors, looking back to the room entrance.

This was the view from their balcony. A nice courtyard below and a view across to Downtown Disney.

Panning a little bit to the right you can see the new “Characters in Flight” balloon.

This was the little kitchenette area, near the room entrance and across from the bathroom vanity.

The bathroom vanity. One of those shots where you get to see the photographer in the mirror -- one of the few times I make it into the picture!

I wasn’t sure that I’d like SSR, but after seeing the room, I may have changed my mind. It was really nice. Judy thought it was beautiful and I think DSiL really liked it. She mentioned that she went online when we made the reservation for her and she saw what the rack rate was (and was a little shocked ), so she was very appreciative to be able to use our points. The only drawback was, being that it was just for one night, they didn’t get to use the pool or other amenities.

After just a short visit to see the room and the view, we went out to the bus stop to head back “home”. We waited probably about 20 minutes for a bus to DD, then on to Kidani, and got back around 10:15 pm and went straight to bed.


In the next installment: Lots of resort pics on a non-park day.

Link to next installment

 

[aprilisis]

What a great day! I love Boma, too, and always eat way too much there.
SSR looks really nice- I love the view from their room at night.
Thanks for another great installment to your report!

 

[Credit Man]

Really enjoying your report. Thanks for posting.

 

[glennbo123]

What a great day! I love Boma, too, and always eat way too much there.
SSR looks really nice- I love the view from their room at night.
Thanks for another great installment to your report!

Yeah, it was a great day. I just wish my sister-in-law could have stayed at SSR a little longer to get to enjoy what it had to offer. Yes, they did have a great view -- it was nice they were assigned that room, the front desk could have put them anywhere considering it was just a one-night stay.

Thanks for the compliment!

 

[glennbo123]

Really enjoying your report. Thanks for posting.

Thanks! I'm enjoying doing it, and hearing from people like yourself!

 

[rentayenta]

I love the SSR pictures. More more more!!!! I can't wait to stay there!

 

[ScotsMinnie]

The food at boma looked delicious!!!!!

Can't wait for the next installment!