Oh hey!
Here are a couple shots from the outside of the restaurant:
I was ready to eat, but I didn't want to eat at Pizzafari. I know many of you love Disney pizza, but look, I'm from New Jersey. Us NJ/NY people are very serious about our pizza. I am not a fan of mass-produced dough. I like when a jolly Italian man is throwing it up in the air, okay?
The thing I was really craving was the nectar of the Gods.
We all know I'm talking about Zebra Domes.
These things are Heaven shaped into perfect half-spheres and decorated to look like zebras. And I appreciate that.
So I hopped on a bus and made my way over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
I've never stayed AKL, but I've been there on every trip since my first visit to the resort, either to eat or just MARVEL at the freaking place. It's truly a wonder, and if you haven't seen it, make it a priority on your next trip.
I had never seen it all dressed up for the holidays before. It was beyond beautiful! Not more beautiful than Zebra Domes, but nothing is. Except Cheddar Cheese Soup. TWO WEEKS UNTIL THIS DIVINE TASTE IS BROUGHT UPON MY TASTE BUDS!!!!
No, I'm not more excited about the food than the theme parks. What are you talking about?
I hung out in the lobby for awhile before heading outside and to The Mara.
I threw some coins into the pond. Cause why not? This isn't the only money that goes to charity, either: A Cast Member once told me that all change collected from the various rides/fountains at Disney is donated.
:
If you aren't familiar, The Mara is the counter service restaurant at AKL. The menu is a bit more varied than your average Disney CS place due to the fabulous Africany vibe of AKL. I ended up ordering just a plain cheese flatbread though, because I am stupid.
For some reason I feel victim to the ruse of them calling it "flatbread" and not pizza, like that meant something. I figured it would be better than your standard Disney pizza. It was actually worse!
Blaaaaah. I couldn't even finish this. BUT LOOK AT THE GLORIOUS DOMES OF ZEBRA!!! (Note: No Zebras are actually harmed in the making of Zebra Domes.)
I admit it... I WILL eat frozen pizza in a pinch and I will eat the whole thing. I mean, even though it in no way compares to NJ/NYC pizza (aka: the best pizza in the world. Chicago people can see themselves out), I'll still eat it if I'm desperate or in Indiana or something. But this flatbread was just terrible. I wasn't expecting a culinary masterpiece here, just something edible. It was one of the only bad things I've ever eaten in Disney!
Absolutely none of this matters, though, because... Zebra Domes. *Hallelujah chorus*
I posted on Twitter:
Zebra Domes are proof that God exists and that he loves us.
*Sigh* They are just that good. I would eat crappy pizza every day if I could follow it with Zebra Domes.
I still think the Mara is pretty awesome due to the fab Disney cartoons they show, the Zebra Domes, varied menu, and also b/c they have a bunch of cheap random African wine for sale. I really wanted to get some, but we didn't have a bottle opener. I would have requested one but I doubt they have them available back at Pop Century, and it would have been weird for me to ask at AKL and crack open a bottle of African wine in the early afternoon while alone at the Mara.
Weird...or... awesome? Maybe I should have done it.
Anyway, my point is, one day when I stay at AKL I will exist on a diet of Zebra Domes and African wine and I will be in a very jovial mood.
Yeah, that was a smiley drinking what I presume to be an alcoholic beverage and then tossing the bottle away. I don't even know, you guys. I wish it came with a glass crashing on the ground sound effect.
Sidenote: Last year, my friend Lee-Anne (who, as you know, is coming with me on my trip in TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and I stayed at this really fancy resort in Maryland called the Gaylord National (owned by the same people who own the Gaylord Palms just outside of Disney World) and we requested a bottle opener for the wine we bought. They charged $12 to the room for that! Just for BORROWING something to use for 2 seconds before returning it! Needless to say, there were a few maids with empty carts that day after I got through with them. What I'm saying is this: bring your own bottle openers on all your travels. Peace.
Up Next: My mom and I reunite to
Live It Up in Hollywood.
I definitely do not eat the pizza at Disney!
!) and he refuses to eat any Disney pizza...unless it's from Via Napoli, where it's authentic. 
I always do that! 
And the regular rooms are $330 a night and I do nooot have $700 to spend on one weekend. Le sigh.
And NO, I'm not going to see myself out! 
I'm so excited for you to return to WDW in 12 days! 
I hope you have a fabulous time!
to my report! Though I was dubbed QUEEN of the Polynesian. Not princess. Get it right, bucko.
How could I not? aaand followed her on Twitter. I LOVE her updates. She is so positive and Staceyish. She truly 
