Life's a Happy Song! A very MUSICAL TR *NEW03/31 NEW PTR STARTED

[Blissikins]

I'm in! Love your report so far. Your wedding dresses are beautiful! I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

 

[OrangeJuice]

I'm here! I'm here! Love the updates so far! Sounds like you guys had a smooth travel experience and a great first day so far (well, except for EE breaking down on you, but at least you got to see some of the guts of the coaster!)

Yay good to have ya back . We couldn't of asked for a better first day actually. I loved it!

Glad to hear your wait wasn't too long for a ME bus...it looked like it would have taken longer based on that line. I'll have to remember that

Sharing meals is definitely a good thing to do. Last year we ended up doing this a few times and it worked out really well, so I'm hopeful we can do that more this time.

My fiance would totally aprove of your very frist ride of the trip...it's her favourite one in all of WDW! I normally wouldn't think to go to AK on the first day, but it looked like it worked out really well for you guys (even getting stuck on EE )!

We were lucky for the ME because as soon as we got in line they started boarding for the first bus so that we really only had to wait until the next bus. As for sharing meals, we soon found out that we needed to share because after weight watchers our appetites where much less then they where last year. Oh and Dinosaur is awesome!

I'm in! Love your report so far. Your wedding dresses are beautiful! I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.

Thanks for joining in!

 

[OrangeJuice]

Soundtrack: Jammin Jungle Parade

So last episode ended with a long climb down everest and the search for a drink. We found the Triple Yeti Blast at the small kiosk right in front of flight of wonders. The parade was about to start but we didn't feel like standing up for the whole time. We notice that across the street there was a completely empty seating area. People had taken most of the chairs to sit along the parade route but the area itself had some nice tables and a few chairs remaining. We had a seat there and enjoyed a GREAT view of the Tree of Life while we waited for the parade to arrive. It was really refreshing and the Slushy Margarita was great to cool us down (although I really preferred the strawberry flavored part of the drink)

The parade soon started so we got up and stood behind everyone who had pulled a chair. We basically had an unobstructed view which was great.

I had never seen Brer Rabit outside of Splash.

After the parade, the park really emptied out. We walked over to Dinosaur one more time and rode with no wait.

Then we decided to try a new one Primeval Whirl (it was closed on our last trip).

It was a fun ride but it really is a ride that I would expect to find at a carnival, not something that I would wait in line for at Disney.

We then saw Finding Nemo the Musical (my favorite!) but I didn't take any pictures. I love how they created this whole new soundtrack but kept the same story. I think that's what I don't like about Festival of The Lion King, I wish it followed the movie a bit (and had more SIMBA! (rant time: Why is everything about Timon and Pumba? I realize that Simba has four legs so he wouldn't work as a character but come-on he was the star of the show!!! Rant done)). Does anyone remember when Legend of the Lion King was a show at MK (where Philharmagic is)? Here is a link to a video of the show. Legend of the Lion King


Anyways, after that we decided to brave Expedition Everest one more time but this time we made sure to leave offerings to the yeti to make sure that we made it back safely.

And we made it!

After all that excitement we decided to walk across the way to Camp Mickey Minnie

but we found another great little spot with a view of the Tree.

then got distracted by the 0 wait time for Safari so we climbed aboard.

Elephants!

Ostrich!

They are building a new area for the zebras. We actually saw them from a distance. It seemed like their holding area during the construction may be close to the safari. Also, I don't know if this is news to anyone but there was no mention of a 2 week expedition being cut short by poachers. That storyline is gone.

AND we never made it to Camp Mickey Minnie. When we left the park, 10 minutes before close, it was EMPTY. AK was a great park to start off with (because we had park hopper our day wasn't done yet).


At this point we had a few hours before our supper reservation so we made a pit stop at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Then we caught a bus to Downtown Disney for CHOCOLATE!!!!
We got a nice Rice Krispy Mickey head covered in Milk Chocolate, mini M&M's and more milk chocolate! It survived the heat in my backpack that evening and spent the rest of the week in our fridge (which is awesome to have in a value room).

We also had a Mickey Ear Brownie (toffee flavored).

It was ok but it wasn't the best brownie. A bit dry.

I also got a few things at the christmas store (a tree topper and a Mickey Doctor ornament) as a xmas present to me from Jess. I'll post pictures of them later.

We then got on the bus with 45 minutes to go before our reservation. Just a quick word of advice. If you are in a hurry, DTD is not a good place to go for a "quick" stop. Even though we only did two stores and thought we where out of there with enough time to make it to the Polynesian, we had a change in bus drivers + a second stop in DTD + the bus was shared with the Contemporary Resort where we stopped first. We did make it just on time but I felt like we where cutting it too close.

That's it for now. I'll be back soon with our first Dining Review! Our first topic will be.....'OHANA

Here's a quick Sneak Peak:

 

[silverhaze269]

I've never seen the parade at AK, but your pictures make me want to see it this time!

Also, awesome shot of the Cheetah on the Safari! It's usually really had to get a clear shot of him/her. It's also good to see you got to complete EE

I love 'Ohana, so I can't wait to hear what you guys thought of it

 

[teekathepony]

You guys had a great day at AK! I love the parade, and DH has never seen it so we are making it one of our goals this year.
Mmmm all that chocolate at DTD looks so good!
I can't wait to hear about 'Ohana!

 

[cheekypoppins]

Now I want a brownie sundae,brownies make me want icecream

 

[OrangeJuice]

I've never seen the parade at AK, but your pictures make me want to see it this time!

Also, awesome shot of the Cheetah on the Safari! It's usually really had to get a clear shot of him/her. It's also good to see you got to complete EE

I love 'Ohana, so I can't wait to hear what you guys thought of it

The AK parade is unique and I love the soundtrack. I really think it is worth it.

You guys had a great day at AK! I love the parade, and DH has never seen it so we are making it one of our goals this year.
Mmmm all that chocolate at DTD looks so good!
I can't wait to hear about 'Ohana!

I think it is my favorite parade, your DH really needs to see it. 'Ohana dining review should be up later tonight.

Now I want a brownie sundae,brownies make me want icecream

A brownie sunday would be good right about now.

 

[OrangeJuice]

Soundtrack:
He Mele No Lilo
Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride
Aloha E Komo Mai

Three songs today because I really like Lilo and Stitch's soundtrack. They have some very fun songs.

Welcome to:

My first Dining Review

As mentioned in the last post. Our first table service meal in WDW was at 'Ohana. We got to the Polynesian with just a few minutes to spare. We entered through the main door and made our way to the staircase in the back right of the lobby. The check in podium for the restaurant is at the top of those stairs. We checked in and sat down on those nice comfy couches (by that point I was starved and ready to sleep, not a good mix, I must of been hallucinating because I think I saw the Spice Girls on tv...)

We probably sat there for 5 or 10 minutes before our little pager thing went off. We where met by our cousin at the front of the restaurant. He brought us around to the kitchen where he introduced us to the drink options and picked up our DELICIOUS smelling bread.

He then made a stop at the grill to show us how the meat would be prepared for our meal.

The meat is cooked on these big skewers and brought to your table while still on the skewer. You let your cousin know how much you want and they push it down onto your plate with a fork type utensil. Everything else is brought to the table Family style.

He then brought us to this comically HUGE table which would be fine for a big family but was a bit akward for just two people. That being said I actually like the ambiance at 'Ohana, the lights where dimmed and it wasn't too loud. We where there fairly late at night so there weren't any games for the kids.

Here is Jess demonstrating how dim the lights where.

Our cousin left the loaf of bread with us and told us that another cousin would be by soon for drink orders and more food.

Where did the bread go?

As you can tell, the bread didn't last long. Even with just the two of us it disappeared pretty quickly. It was GOOD bread. I love how it had just the right amount of pineapple taste to it and it was warm. I could of used some butter with it but that's just personal preference.

The first thing to appear on our table was a salad.

I liked the salad, it had a sweet dressing on it which I enjoyed but Jess did not. I say don't waste too much time on the salad. There are better things to come...

Our cousin also brought out three sauces but I can't say I tried them very much. Everything already had enough flavoring so no sauce was needed.

Afterwards our cousin brought out the most amazing thing my eyes had ever looked upon. It smelled like heaven and tasted even better...What am I talking about...

the noodles.

They where delicious. I think they are udon noodles with a peanut type sauce on them. The broccoli was also very good. I think it was crunchy.

Not too long after, he brought out this good looking plate of Pork stickers and wings.

The pork stickers where delicious, they where fried which gave them a crunchier texture. The wings where also very good and had a sweet sauce. I was only able to have one because another cousin came by to drop off this amazingness.

This was amongst the best steak I have ever had. It was melt in your mouth tender. Cooked at about a Medium rare level (the only way to eat a steak )
and had been marinated in something delicious ( I can't remember what the flavoring was.) I also need to point out that we where stuffed by this point and the only reason I could continue to eat was because everything was so delicious ( I even kept going back to the noodles).

Then in a wonderful parade of amazingness our cousins brought us...

Shrimp

Chicken

pork

The shrimp was tasty, the chicken had a lemony-fresh type of flavor that I didn't really care for and the pork was well cooked but I had almost no more room in my stomach by that point (but still kept eating those darn noodles, they where SOOOO good).

It was around this time that they piped in the music from Wishes, I was confused that many people didn't even notice that the fireworks where happening or that the music was Wishes ( I cry a little every time I listen to it). We had an okay view from where we where sitting but I would not count that as "Seeing the fireworks" more like I saw bits and pieces of the fireworks amongst the trees through that window way over there. So don't book 'Ohana expecting to "see" the fireworks. We where there for the food so Wishes was a nice extra.

After Wishes, our cousin brought us one final amazing thing....

The bread pudding with banana foster sauce.

Now this was good! The bread pudding was well cooked and the sauce tasted like caramel and bananas. It was heated which went very well with the vanilla ice cream. It was the perfect way to end that meal.

Overall:
Ok, this meal was AMAZING. I loved the ambiance at 'Ohana, the food was delicious (and not stuff that you could easily find back home), the way everything was served family style was really cool and the noodles where heavenly. Everything was brought out in large enough quantities that we had plenty. I loved that the plates remained on the table for the whole meal so you could always go back for more salad if you wanted to (or more noodles). We didn't try any of the drinks but I have heard that they are really good.

It was interesting watching people at the tables near us who did not know what to expect. There was a couple who where there for their first time and the guy was so excited every time something new would appear at the table. I thought his eyes would come out of his head when he saw the meat skewers. He was a happy man that night hahaha.

Final word: Great meal, must do, wether you are a small or large group GO TO 'Ohana.

After supper we went to MK for EMH, I used the Lines application to figure out where we should go throughout the night. I was very useful to have wi-fi in the parks. We rode Haunted Mansion while the park cleared out then did Aladdin, Pirates then rode Splash Mountain before heading back to the resort.

Here are a few pictures from that night.

Ready to take on one more park?

A Whole New World..

I wonder why Jess is so happy..

OMG we are walking right down the middle of Main st USA

What time is it?

First Castle Pic.

My second trip to the world, this was under construction...12 years later I finally get to ride it.

Yo Ho Yo Ho It's off to pirate we go (oops I think I'm mixing two songs)

So where are we going tomorrow? I'll give you a hint. It is a place of Joy, Hope and Friendship. It is inspired by Walt Disney's creative vision and it celebrates human achievements. It hopes to entertain, inform, and inspire, and above all (...) instill a new sense of belief and pride in man's ability to shape a world that offers hope to people everywhere.

Thanks for reading.

 

[cheekypoppins]

oooohhh you're online that excites me I hope it means more,I can't get enough of this tr I'm loving the tunes!!!!

 

[Sam33]

Yay! You started! Sorry I'm late. Sounds like and ultra-productive and awesome first day. I want to be there!

 

[silverhaze269]

Now that is one heck of a first day!

I'm so glad you enjoyed 'Ohana! It's my favourite spot to eat (thus far) on the WDW property...I can't wait to get back there!

I'm getting my ready for Day 2!

 

[teekathepony]

I can understand why everyone loves 'Ohana, the food does look amazing. I have to say though, it doesn't look like the type of food for DH and me. We're so picky and I think we wouldn't like very much there! However I'm very glad you both had a good meal.

 

[nannye]

So glAd I just red your Ohana experience. I so want to go there but now I know I will have to investigate further. I have a peanut allergy so it may OT be the est choice. I actually realized last time that when I go next to Disney I really need to declare the allergy and talk to the chef. There was a lot I wanted to try but looked questionable so I just avoided it. I really need to be better

 

[OrangeJuice]

So glAd I just red your Ohana experience. I so want to go there but now I know I will have to investigate further. I have a peanut allergy so it may OT be the est choice. I actually realized last time that when I go next to Disney I really need to declare the allergy and talk to the chef. There was a lot I wanted to try but looked questionable so I just avoided it. I really need to be better

Ohana is such a great restaurant so you really should look into talking to the chef. I would be a shame to miss out on the whole experience without knowing if they have peanut free alternatives.

I can understand why everyone loves 'Ohana, the food does look amazing. I have to say though, it doesn't look like the type of food for DH and me. We're so picky and I think we wouldn't like very much there! However I'm very glad you both had a good meal.

My wife is a VERY picky eater and this was her favorite meal. I was a bit worried that she wouldn't enjoy it but she LOVED her experience. Then again, I can see it not being everybody's cup of tea. Specially because you can't necessarily pick and choose what you will be having.

Now that is one heck of a first day!

I'm so glad you enjoyed 'Ohana! It's my favourite spot to eat (thus far) on the WDW property...I can't wait to get back there!

I'm getting my ready for Day 2!

It's way up on our list too now! We are definitely going back next time. Day 2 should be up soon

Yay! You started! Sorry I'm late. Sounds like and ultra-productive and awesome first day. I want to be there!

You'll be there soon enough!

oooohhh you're online that excites me I hope it means more,I can't get enough of this tr I'm loving the tunes!!!!

Thanks I should have a new update up in no time now

 

[OrangeJuice]

Soundtrack: Epcot Entrance Music


Welcome back!
Last week I gave you guys a hint as to where we were heading for day 2. It came from the dedication plaque located in front of this park's icon.

Always good to start the day with a little bit of trivia!

Now onto the trip report. We started day 2 with a pre-rope drop breakfast at Akershus. Here's the story of that magical morning.

Once upon a time two princesses decided to have breakfast in a castle

One of the princesses was having a really hard time waking up that morning.

They got on a magical carriage

That brought them to a place of memories...

They made in to EPCOT center before anyone else!

Took a picture with some great friends.

And quickly made their way to the Kingdom of Norway.

Where they conquered the viking in order to gain access to the castle breakfast.

Unfortunately everyone lined up at the wrong spot so the two princesses where amongst the first to be lead into the palace (seriously, line up at the booth at the entrance of the pavillion, not at the door to Akershus)

Click here to go to part 2

 

[OrangeJuice]

PART 2:
Soundtrack: Disney Princess Medley played by an Orchestra

The princesses met with her royal highness Princess Belle. Who insisted on taking a picture.

Afterwards, they where brought to their table where a handsome gentlemen offered coffee and juice.

The princesses where very hungry so they hurried over to the buffet table where they found plenty of yummy looking food.

They filled their plates with so much food it made them very happy.

They filled their plates with muffins and croissants and pastries. They even had some fish! ( which was actually very good)

Soon another plate of hot goodies was brought to the princesses. They liked the eggs and the bacon but they LOVED the potatoes!

The sleepy princess got her magic coffee drink and the hyper princess got a good glass of orange sunshine.

Soon enough, more princesses came to visit them at their table. They had the honor of meeting Princess Aurora, Cinderella, Ariel and Snow White!

Soon the magical breakfast came to a close and the princesses left the castle Akershus in search of more adventure.

and they lived happily ever after.

Final Thoughs: Akershus was a good breakfast buffet. We where amongst the first seated so the food as nice and warm in our hot plate and fresh at the buffet. The potatoes where delicious and so was the cold fish (weird! I know). The coffee was not great according to Jess. I would say that this is a normal breakfast buffet. Nothing to write home about but it served it's purpose of filling us up with good food, meeting some princesses and getting us into the park before it opened.

 

[teekathepony]

Too cute, loved the story telling!
I always forget about Akershus and then read about it and facepalm myself wondering why I didn't book an early breakfast there!
*Facepalm*

 

[OrangeJuice]

I honestly feel that Phineas and Ferb really represent the essence of EPCOT. There's so much to do at Epcot that you really can DO IT ALL! That being said we did not set foot in Future World East because I am too motion sick for Mission Space and too hyperactive for Ellen's Energy Adventure (and test track was M.I.A. during our trip) so imagine what we could of done had we of actualy visited that part of the world!

Without further ado, please click on the picture to start this episode's song.




There's only 12 hours to be spent in EPCOT
then Park closing comes along just to end it!
So the annual problem of Disney fanatics
Is Finding a good way to spend it!

Like maybe...

Meeting the Fab 5,

Feeding some fish:

Or Posing with their friends instead!

Discovering countries like Norway with Vikings (hey!)

Or drinking an avocado and queso!

Finding a Tiny Train

Wearing a mini skirt:

or looking for Dr. Heinz's lair (it's over here!)

Continued here

 

[OrangeJuice]

Part 2:

Stopping in Canada

Then in America

or driving my girlfriend (wife) insane!

A Beer in Germany

some Kaki Gori!

And meeting the famous Hat Lady!

A guiness beer for two,

A frozen drink or two

and some fireworks to end it all!

As you can see,
there's a whole lot to do
In one day in EPCOT.

So stick with us cause Margo and Jess are gonna do it all!
So stick with us cause Margo and Jess are gonna do it all!

MOM! Margo and Jess are making a trip report!

Don't touch the remote because we'll be back soon with a special treat; Another Dining Review! This time from Le Cellier Restaurant in Canada.

 

[Jiminy'sGirl]

A TR with a soundtrack? Shut up. I am so in. I'm digging your narration style.