The 5 trips of My "Disney Free Year" - A Mermaid, A Buzz, A Boat and A Steak - 7/8

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Hi there - thanks for reading. This trip report started as a report about my December 2010 trip, which was supposed to lead into a "Disney Free" 2011, but plans changed, and more trips developed, I have kept this TR going. The index links below the pictures in this first post will direct you to the correct trip.


What: Christmas at Disney; DH and my 1st Christmas married, and my parent’s 36th wedding anniversary.

When: December 18 -27th 2010

Where: 2 bedroom Savannah view, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidiani.

Why: Well if you've been following my other TRs you know this is DH and my "year of Disney" due to our "free" APs from our wedding and our newly purchased DVC points.

Christmas trips are a family tradition of ours, and because of the previously mentioned "free" APs and DVC points, we chose Disney for this year's trip!


Who:

Me – Super glamorous planner of this trip. Out and out beauty queen really.

DH – Smiley and peacful

My sister, Monica – (a.k.a. Panic – Dis name PanicAttack)

Cute and cuddly are the words I often use to describe her

My mom (a.k.a. Queenie)

Definitely the attention hog in this group, sometimes we have to physically restrain her

My Dad (a.k.a. Grumpy)

Always Grumpy, never wants to have any fun.

and a Special Guest appearance by Panic’s DBF, Greg

I'm loading the pictures right now, so hopefully I'll have the first installment ready tonight.

Index

December

Day 1

Lunching like champions!
Jiko!

Day 2

How...How...How...What the Dude?
South-of-the-boarder style
Mid-afternoon break
Ooo la la

Day 3

My Spidey Sense is tingling
How the freak out Panic...
Refresh and Refuel
Joanna Meets an old Friend
Wizarding World of Crowds
More Crowds... I Mean Harry Potter

Comments from Panic

Mummy
The Forbidden Journey (aka: wait in line forever)

Day 4

Flame Tree Yumminess
I'd like some Mayo with my Dino, thank you
Finding Fear
Adios Greg!
Chillin' at the Boardwalk
Did someone say Gingerbread?
Flyin' with the Fishes

Day 5

Magical Mornings
How Many Rides Can You Ride in 30 Minutes
Meanwhile...
Guess What We do Next...
Queenie and Panic, Reporting for Duty
Queenie and the Kona Kone
Kickin' it in the Wilderness

Day 6

I'm confused are you?
AIE-tastic!
The Art of being Panic
Naps, Cavities and Other Things
Mother Daughter Moments
Toy Story Mehym!
Are you sick of Fantasmic Pictures yet?
Fists of Rock and Osbourne Lights
More Lights...
Yep...Still More Lights - and a Little Pixie Dust

Day 7

How to do AK without actually doing anything
Merry Margarita-mas
Squishy Baby Yettis
Black Raspberry Sherbert!


Day 8

We are Here to Change the World
World Showcase-a-licious
Conquering nine dragons (at once!)
Merry Christmas, Dude from Blade Runner
IllumiNating

Day 9

Down(town) with the cold!
How many bad photos can one post handle?
Go Pack Go!
OOO...More pretty lights
Even More pretty Lights
Holiday Wishes for...that bird
Rule Breakin' and Spine Savin'
The loooooooooooooong goodbye

Day 10

Le Fin

Bonus Features

Next Trip
The Lost Photos

Panic & Joanna Conquer the High Seas
Part 2

May

Plans

Starting Plans
More Plans
Even More Plans
I promise these are the last plans

Friday

Allergy Eyes, Sandwiches and Wildfires
Welcome Home never felt so good!

Saturday

Not wastin' a single minute
No, really I just want a 1 day park hopper. Really.
Is the park open yet?
Animation Frustration
Rockin' Nap time!
Birds Nests and Band-Aids
I hope you like pictures of the AK
For the love of Pretzels
Look Ma - I'm a Yetti!
Am I allowed to ride the train without DH?
The Mildest Ride in the Future of the Past
My Prince has come!
Dynamite, Corndogs and Candy, what more could a girl want?
4 parks by 4:00 - easy!
Butter flies
Blame Canada
I smell London, I smell France
World Wanders
Hunger Pains
Finally, our Must-Do Epcot!
Good Luck Panic


Sunday
Happy un-Mothers Day
Magical Distress

Bonus!
Alaska (part 1)
Alaska (part 2)
Alaska (part 3)


September

Plans
Dining

TR

Prologue

Day 1

Animal House Airlines

Day 2

How many pictures can I take before the sun rises? ....Continued...seriously, I warned you there were a lot of pictures
So much for de-stressing
When life gives you lemons, go to EPCOT
Jounce and Squrim!
Wandering the World
This Epcot has no Catchy Post
Princess Joanna and the Force
Muppet Mayhem
Didn't your Mamma tell you there's no crying at Disney World?

Day 3

When the going gets rough - Eat lobster!
The (Bou)Tiki Gods fail me
Goldilox and the handbags
In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Room (you can thank me later)
Pirates of the Broken Rides
Should I stay or should I go?
Seriously guys, I have no idea what I was doing!
Moment of truth...dun dun dun
Hey Mister, you have a pretty nice noggin!
Splash Down
Train Rides and Crazy Crowds

A Poly-riffic Evening
Wishes and Wine Part 1
Wishes and Wine - Part 2

Day 4

Good Morning in 0-60
Stranger Danger
Gettin' Animated
The cookie of my dreams
Let the nerd be with you
Rockin' Rain-a-Coaster
Hello, my name is Joanna, and I'm a nerd
Another Thrilling Update
Food!

Day 5

Last day Blues -Part 1
Last Day Blues - Part 2
Last Day Blues - Part 3
Last Day Blues - Part 4


Interlude Joanna & Panic on the High Seas


January

Change the plans again! Will we ever get there?
Black truffle french fries and glow cubes - need I say more?

Day 2
Day 2 and I'm bored already
A Tale as Old as Time
Be My Idol
The Force is With Us
Frozen Butts and Fire
A Mermaid, A Buzz, A Boat and A Steak

Day 3

More to come...

 

[wdwgirl03]

Ooh, I get to be first. And here I was thinking I was late when I saw your post (and therefore a new TR link in your signature!) on Rachel's TR.

 

[lovealldisney]

Yea for a new TR! Can't wait to read more!

 

[meeko_33785]

Looking forward to the report.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Ooh, I get to be first. And here I was thinking I was late when I saw your post (and therefore a new TR link in your signature!) on Rachel's TR.

Yay for being first!

Yea for a new TR! Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for joining. Sorry it took so long to update, I got hit with the stupid post-plane sickness which is becoming like an every time thing. Grr.

Looking forward to the report.

Hi Meeko! Thanks for joining in!

Okay, here we goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Early morning flights just aren’t my thing. I mean I like arriving early, but getting up at 4 just isn’t for me. I drew the short straw and had to drive to the airport, and as we were driving in we learned that the entire freeway was unexpectedly closed that morning. Nothing like a little traffic nightmare to start off your vacation, right? Fortunately we found out about it early enough to change our route and go to the airport the back way, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

The line at security was outrageous, but we opted for the scan-y thing since my dad has an implanted defibulator and can’t go through the x-ray machine. It went pretty quickly – though both of my parents got stopped. My mom for having Kleenex in her pocket and my dad for not having his arms high enough. Really we can’t take them anywhere!

The flight was pretty uneventful, but we were running about 20 minutes late. Bizarrely, Panic’s flight that was supposed to land a minute after ours was also running 20 minutes late, so we still arrived at about the same time. Unfortunately, Greg’s flight was actually early, so he had to wait a little longer for us – but well we’re worth the wait.

We coordinated to meet at the giant tree – and soon we were on our way to the ME.

We actually had to wait in a line for the ME. We’re so spoiled. We waited about 15 minutes or so, and we were on our way.

And soon, we were headed through the familiar gate.

We were the 2nd stop, Even though we’d checked in online we waited an inordinate amount of time to check in. While we were checking in, we sent Panic and Queenie into the store to get lunch. It never occurred to any of us that the room wouldn’t be ready. So we ended up with 2 frozen pizzas, and nowhere to go.

It was raining, so we didn’t want to go outside, and all of the public areas were taken. So we ended up in a hallway having a nutritious lunch of cheetos and potato chips.

How classy are we?

I’m sure we looked really pathetic sitting in the hallway stuffing our faces, but we were so hungry we didn’t care.

We ended up scoring seats in the library and vegging out for a bit. I was starting to get antsy so Grumpy and I decided to go for a walk. True to form, as we were walking out of the library, I got a text that our room was ready.

So we headed back and went to check out our room.

Our luggage still hadn’t arrived, so we just half-slept, half-talked for a while., and ate cooked the pizza.

We were pleasantly surprised how comfy the furniture was, we didn’t have high hopes after our room at BLT.

Eventually, we broke out the wii, and open my Christmas present – a drawing tablet!

How does this work?

Maybe we should read the directions?

ohh is that what those things were?

We played Pictionary for a bit. It is really fun if you haven’t tried it yet?

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

We had 5:45 ADRs at Jiko. Originally I had a ADR at 7, but when we added a 6th person they made me change. I was okay with it because I figured it was a busy time of year and we’d be tired. I was kind of confused because the restaurant was nowhere near full – and ever became full the entire 90 minutes we were there.

Anyway, we headed over to Jambo House. Our first Disney Christmas Tree!

(oh hush you… okay, there’s one at Kidani, but I didn’t take a picture of it until later, so we’ll just pretend that we didn’t see it.)

Queenie Photo-bombed me!

We headed to Jiko and were seated pretty quickly.

They gave us an amuse-bouche. It was some kind of soup. I didn’t write down what it was, but it was strange and it had raisins. Not bad, not good, just weird.

We split the cheese plate (good!)

And the African Dips (Meh.)

The have taken the filet with mac & cheese off the menu, but they made it for us anyway. YUM! Although Queenie said she wishes she would have followed Panic’s order instead.

Panic had the short ribs (delicious!)

Greg had some weird vegetarian dish (too lazy to look it up now, sorry!) He really liked it.

Our old favorite Jiko didn’t disappoint, though I’m not sure it glowed either. But it was good, and ranked among our favorites of the trip.

We stopped at the store at Jambo to pick up some wine and other groceries, and discovered we could use our AP discount on it – even the wine. Awesome!

So we walked back to Kidani, and when we got back to the room and found our luggage waiting for us. So we all unpacked.

Then I set up our really pathetic Christmas tree.

Charlie Brown ain’t got nuthin’ on me!

After that, we cracked open a bottle of wine and played a few rousing rounds of Bananagrams.

Then we played wii Pictionary.

Um Queenie and I make the worst team ever – just FYI.


But the technology was really cool, and it was nice to just be all together.

A nice boring first day.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

The plan was to go to Epcot for rope drop, but you know us and our aversion to mornings, so we slept in a bit and headed to Epcot around 10:30. I was a bit worried about Soarin but I figured we had plenty of time, so if we didn’t get to Soarin’ today, we’d still be okay.

OMG it’s so early

Wait… It’s 11:30… Nevermind

We handed our tickets to DH and sent him off to get FPs for Soarin, and we headed to club cool. Which has become a strange tradition for us. Upon tasting Beverly, Queenie declared “this would be really good in an old fashioned.” Haha!

Anybody got some whisky? Seriously – she went back for 2nds!

Grumpy was not as impressed – he went for the Kinley instead.

Our whistles whetted, we headed to the Living Seas

The fountain was dry, so the seagulls weren’t moving, but they were still talking. The effect was really lost.

This is why I love Disney – all the little details. The “flowers” outside Nemo look like coral!

Next we met up with DH at Nemo. He had scored us FPs – for 7 pm! The line for Nemo was posted 30 minutes, but we go in it anyway.

I’ll admit I started to panic a bit that we’d fall victim to the awful crowds and long lines of the Christmas season. But in reality, I’m just spoiled that we’ve never waited more than 10 minutes to ride Nemo, and the actual line was maybe a 20 minute wait, but in that line you keep moving and there’s so much to see that it didn’t feel horrible.

Queenie and Grumpy have never seen Finding Nemo, so the story line was a bit lost on them, but the effects are still cool.

After Nemo, we wandered over to Crush.

There was maybe a 5 minute wait. I was a little worried about Crush, since it is so child-oriented, but they loved it. We had a great Crush. He was so good at Ad-libbing.

During the Q&A session, there was this little boy who was called on and started a bit “How…How…How…What does Squirt look like?” Crush was hilarious. He bantered back and forth with the little kid and then said “I have a question for you… How…How..How…What does your Dad look like” So funny!

Because we’re all like 12, we spent the rest of the vacation saying “Dude” as much as possible. Even my parents!

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

I enjoy your TR's - yeah, I found another

 

[norybell]

I'm here! And I promise not to slack off and disappear for two months this time!

The line at security was outrageous, but we opted for the scan-y thing since my dad has an implanted defibulator and can’t go through the x-ray machine. It went pretty quickly – though both of my parents got stopped. My mom for having Kleenex in her pocket and my dad for not having his arms high enough. Really we can’t take them anywhere!

It's a commonly-known fact that terrorists totally use Kleenex. So they really can't be too careful.

I've had two really amazing meals at Jiko, and two eh ones. (Or maybe three amazing, one eh? I'm beginning to lose track.) But one thing I've definitely noticed isn't as good as it used to be is that dips trio...I have to remember not to order it again!

Now that I know you have a Wii...have you tried out Epic Mickey? I got it for Christmas, and man, it is a pain in the ***. Of course I'm addicted to it anyway.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Oh my! I love your TR. Your sarcasm is subtly fantastic!

You remind me of me, if I were you.

And your family? Totally like mine!

We even have a Grumpy, too. Except we call him Waldo.


Very excited to read on, as we're WDW bound with my crazy family for Christmas this year.



NOTE TO SELF: Bring the Wii and the UDraw.

 

[Panic Attack]

Now that I know you have a Wii...have you tried out Epic Mickey? I got it for Christmas, and man, it is a pain in the ***. Of course I'm addicted to it anyway.

We totally have Epic Mickey! Actually Joanna got a copy of it and we were playing it throughout the trip and then our dad bought me a copy when we left Disney. I'm definitely impressed. I was a huge fan of the Kingdom Hearts games and when they announced Epic Mickey it looked like it could be a little retro, but it doesn't hold it back at all.

For the past week that's all I've been doing. Using the Wii to play Epic Mickey and watch Netflix ^_^'

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

I enjoy your TR's - yeah, I found another

Welcome aboard!

I'm here! And I promise not to slack off and disappear for two months this time!



It's a commonly-known fact that terrorists totally use Kleenex. So they really can't be too careful.

I've had two really amazing meals at Jiko, and two eh ones. (Or maybe three amazing, one eh? I'm beginning to lose track.) But one thing I've definitely noticed isn't as good as it used to be is that dips trio...I have to remember not to order it again!

Now that I know you have a Wii...have you tried out Epic Mickey? I got it for Christmas, and man, it is a pain in the ***. Of course I'm addicted to it anyway.

Welcome Back! Glad you found your way over. I forgot about the ever present Kleenex threat! I get that the have to stop you for anything -but seriously can you get more innocuous than Kleenex? You know, we ordered the the dips because I remembered them being really good. Glad to know I'm not loosing it - they are!

Like Panic says below, yes, I got Epic Mickey for Christmas too. It's cool - but I agree, it is a total PITA if you aren't used it that kind of game. But I too am totally addicted too!

Oh my! I love your TR. Your sarcasm is subtly fantastic!

You remind me of me, if I were you.

And your family? Totally like mine!

We even have a Grumpy, too. Except we call him Waldo.


Very excited to read on, as we're WDW bound with my crazy family for Christmas this year.



NOTE TO SELF: Bring the Wii and the UDraw.

Hmm.... that logic reminds me of me if I were you. Uncanny.

First off - your family is like mine? I'm sorry Secondly, I should clarify, we actually call our Grumpy "Captain Crabby Pants", but that's too long to write, so Grumpy won out

We totally have Epic Mickey! Actually Joanna got a copy of it and we were playing it throughout the trip and then our dad bought me a copy when we left Disney. I'm definitely impressed. I was a huge fan of the Kingdom Hearts games and when they announced Epic Mickey it looked like it could be a little retro, but it doesn't hold it back at all.

For the past week that's all I've been doing. Using the Wii to play Epic Mickey and watch Netflix ^_^'

Regardless of what you say, it still sort of reminds me of Bugdom. But it i super fun!

P.S. Tell Greg to send me his pictures!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

After Crush, we were hungry. So we bid the Seas farewell.

After a quick poll of what people wanted, we decided on Sunshine Seasons for the variety, so we headed to the Land.

Panic and I were the designated table holders.

DH and I split the beet and goat cheese salad and the seared tuna. Both were yummy!

Panic and Greg each got a Ruben Panini, Grumpy got a turkey Panini, and Queenie got the goat cheese beet salad. We were too hungry to remember to take pictures.

As always, Sunshine Seasons was a winner for us. I just hate how wild it gets. If only it wasn’t adjacent to Soarin’

After lunch we headed out and caught a bit of Joyful! Which was a Christmas Music concert series. They were actually pretty good.

At this point, we were ready for some serious thrills, so we headed to Mexico for the Gran Fiesta Tour. It’s a thrill a minute for realz.

See so thrilling, it was like a blur!

A new twist on a classic - Senior Portrait! Ole!

I just love these fake fireworks. I know they’re cheesy, but they’re awesome!

Wasn't that just the wildest ride ever?

 

[Caretames1]

Hello Wisconsin! ....I mean fellow Wisconsinite ( sorry, It never losses it's fun for me)

Anyhoo, Glad to see your back. I was wondering how Christmas in Disney went.

 

[pixiegirl]

Your parents face in the last picture is priceless!!

Love the senior picture throwbacks. Definitely an oldy but goody!!

 

[Princess_K]

I didn’t know you had started this TR. Luckily I saw it in your signature!

I just love Disney at Christmastime! I love seeing all the trees! Your Charlie Brown tree is too cute. At least you had some Christmas cheer in there

Too funny your mom liked the Beverley. I only tried that once and it was enough for me!

I always enjoy the Mexico boat ride. Such a nice break from my commando-touring ☺

On a side note...I got engaged on New Years Eve! We are so excited and are hoping for a Disney Wedding in the next few years. Your wedding TR was one of the ones that got me really excited about the idea!

 

[meeko_33785]

Did I read that correctly? 7pm Fastpasses and a 20 minute wait for Nemo in the morning?! Sounds like some pretty good-sized crowds at Disney for Christmas.

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Hello Wisconsin! ....I mean fellow Wisconsinite ( sorry, It never losses it's fun for me)

Anyhoo, Glad to see your back. I was wondering how Christmas in Disney went.

I so love "meeting" Wisconsinites on the DIS. The novelty just doesn't wear off!

Your parents face in the last picture is priceless!!

Love the senior picture throwbacks. Definitely an oldy but goody!!

I love that picture too. They were both looking at me like "why did you take us on that ride" Um... cuz it's awesome - you're welcome!

There are a few senior portrait poses in the group! We amuse easily!

I didn’t know you had started this TR. Luckily I saw it in your signature!

I just love Disney at Christmastime! I love seeing all the trees! Your Charlie Brown tree is too cute. At least you had some Christmas cheer in there

Too funny your mom liked the Beverley. I only tried that once and it was enough for me!

I always enjoy the Mexico boat ride. Such a nice break from my commando-touring ☺

On a side note...I got engaged on New Years Eve! We are so excited and are hoping for a Disney Wedding in the next few years. Your wedding TR was one of the ones that got me really excited about the idea!

OMG! Congratulations!! WTG dbf (well now dfi) what a great way to start the new year!

I hope you get to have a Disney wedding! I'm so going through withdrawal not planning mine anymore! Let me know if you have any questions - I know I'm an old married lady now, but I did a TON of research when we were planning.

Disney at Christmas time is so fun! I highly recommend it. I was quite please with my tree, until we went to the boardwalk, and saw a bunch of rooms with full sized trees and lights on the balcony. I so had decoration envy!

I like the Mexico ride - my family not so much!

Did I read that correctly? 7pm Fastpasses and a 20 minute wait for Nemo in the morning?! Sounds like some pretty good-sized crowds at Disney for Christmas.

It definitely wasn't January or September crowds, but trust me - we haven't even hit the tip of the crowd iceburg...

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

After our exhausting thrill-o-minute trek around Mexico, we were in dire need of replenishment. So it was off to la Cava del Tequila for us!

Hmm…. Now these are our kind of thrills

Now be honest, you haven’t seen smiles from us this big yet on the trip!

Wouldn’t you smile if these pretties were greeting you?

DH got an Avacado Margarita
Queenie had a Passion Fruit Margarita
I had the Blood Orange Margarita
Grumpy had a Classic Margarita
Panic had a Magic Blue Margarita
Greg had some kind of tequila – I can’t remember which one.

So colorful!

Okay, so lets recap. Pre-Margarita.

Post-Margarita.

Tequilla does a Grumpy dad Good!

After our cocktails, we headed to the International gateway

We hopped onto a friendship boat and headed towards our destination.

Do you have to be friendly on a friendship boat?

Um…No, don’t be stupid

We soaked in the scenery of lovely crescent lake.

Where were we headed?

The Dolphin.

This picture doesn’t do this tree justice. It was gygundo-huge-ginormous!

We were at the Dolphin to collect our rental car. Panic was able to score us a super-secret discount on the car – so we felt validated in inviting her along.

After picking up the car, we decided to head back to the room for a while. And we’re so glad we did – the animals were definately

It was feeding time, for the giraffes, and there was one giraffe that apparently had been sick for the last two weeks, and this was the first day he had been out in a while. He was so excited he was chasing the truck – I mean RUNNING – it was so funny. This giant giraffe and he was acting like a little puppy!

After we got bored with the giraffes, we broke out Epic Mickey and played for a while. A nice afternoon break.