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09-04-2011, 09:32 PM
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#1 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Disney, The Dream...and WHAT?!? Disney AGAIN!?! *Updated 2/20*
WELCOME!
To our very first trip report! (with some dining reviews included. Everyone loves food!)  Our trip began on August 20, and lasted...well, you'll have to read along to find that out. We had a few unexpected bumps along the way, but it turned out great. The trip was to start off at WDW and then we were cruising on the Dream. Stay tuned to see what happened after that! But first, let me introduce you to the CAST:  Here we are, on the Dream on Pirate Night. Me, Mum (or Melissa) and Meg. I am a single, divorced mom to my one and only child. (thankfully, the only one, or else I'd REALLY be broke!) I am now the proud owner of a DVC! Read more about that in our PTR This was our 1st stay as official owners, and it was great! Meg is a huge Disney fan, and loves Pooh  ,cruising, nice hotels, and being waited on. We have determined on this trip that she hates quick service meals, and now is also a pizza snob (she was already a hotel snob!). I tell her she better get a really good job, or find a rich guy, or both!Stay tuned for much more to come!
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Last edited by melmar136; 02-20-2012 at 07:22 PM. |
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09-04-2011, 09:34 PM
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#3 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 255
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Sounds like a fun trip - can't wait to read more!
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 2012 - Disneyland Paris - Newport Bay Club - Better late than never? 2009 - Disneyland - Desert Inn and Suites 2007 - Disneyland - Anaheim Plaza Inn 2005 - Disneyland - Super 8 on Katella 1998 - Disneyland Paris - Hotel Santa Fe |
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09-04-2011, 09:45 PM
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#4 | |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Quote:
 to our 1st reader! I hope you will enjoy our report!
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09-04-2011, 10:08 PM
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#5 |
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Waiting for the Lights
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: 913 Miles from Home.
Posts: 401
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I found you I found you! Can't wait to read more
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 (87) Offsite (91) Disney Inn (95) Port Orleans (99) Dixie Landings (02) Contemporary (05) Wilderness Lodge (08) Boardwalk (09) All Star Movies (10) Dolphin (11) Bay Lake Towers (11) Caribbean Beach (11) Coronado Springs (11) Boardwalk Villas |
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09-04-2011, 11:14 PM
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#6 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Leaving for Disney 8/20
Our flight was leaving from Boston's Logan airport at 1:30 pm. We arrived in plenty of time, and figured we should grab some lunch before sitting and waiting at the gate. We saw an Earl of Sandwich, and thought that would be a great place to start our trip, since there is also one at Downtown Disney.
I got the Original 1762, with roast beef and cheddar cheese, but I passed on the sauce.  I should have had them include some lettuce and tomato for some crunch. It was a little boring, and the roast beef was a little fatty. So, I give it a 3.5 out of a possible score of 5. Meg got Earl's Club, with turkey, bacon, swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and "sandwich sauce". She thought the sauce was a little sweet, so it scored a 4.5 out of 5. What's in that sauce anyways?  001 by mlm313, on Flickr The menu wasn't nearly as extensive as the "real" Earl of Sandwich, but it was a pretty good start to our trip. After we ate, we went to sit near our gate, and I pulled out my netbook. Free Wifi! I have to say, Logan was the only airport where we were able to pull up free Wifi. Not that I'm biased or anything!  I checked out Facebook to waste time, and saw some VERY good news! My company had been on strike for 2 weeks, and I really hadn't been all that excited about our trip because of it. Worrying about money, etc. was taking up more of my time. BUT, when I checked out Facebook, I saw that the strike had ended! And although we did not have a new contract yet, everyone was going back to work. Well, not everyone, because I was going on vacation! But, now I could ENJOY it! So, here I am, doing the happy dance! 003 by mlm313, on Flickr I couldn't WAIT to get to Disney after that great news. We boarded the plane soon after, and had to stop in Baltimore to change planes. Our next flight left around 4:30 and we arrived in Orlando, finally, around 7pm. We had to take the "fake monorail" as Meg calls it to the baggage claim area.  008 by mlm313, on Flickr We decided to grab our own luggage and bring it to the Magical Express. It was after 7pm at this point and we were afraid it would show up in our room really late. So, we found it all (we had one whole suitcase filled with mostly 3 days of FE gifts for the cruise!) and got in line for our bus.  009 by mlm313, on Flickr Here we are on the bus.  010 by mlm313, on Flickr We were the very last stop (we told the bus driver he saved the best for last!) after 3 other hotel stops. We fianlly got to Kidani around 8:30. Whew, what a long day! We were starving at this point, since we only had some little bags of peanuts on the planes. Well, Meg didn't. She can't eat nuts with her braces, and told me she was "jealous of my nuts...honey roasted that is!"  Unfortunately, next, we had the worst meal of the entire trip.....
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Last edited by melmar136; 09-05-2011 at 02:46 PM. |
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09-04-2011, 11:15 PM
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#7 | |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Quote:
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09-05-2011, 08:51 AM
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#8 |
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Waiting for the Lights
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: 913 Miles from Home.
Posts: 401
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DBF is obsessed with sandwiches. Quiznos is like his idea of Mecca. But can you believe he has only just tried Earl of Sandwich a few days ago! Yeah, his family is kinda like your daughter... they don't like QS and want to be waited on
 So he never got the opportunity to try it.And I'm sorry to hear your worst meal is coming up so soon!  At least you got it out of the way quickly!
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(87) Offsite (91) Disney Inn (95) Port Orleans (99) Dixie Landings (02) Contemporary (05) Wilderness Lodge (08) Boardwalk (09) All Star Movies (10) Dolphin (11) Bay Lake Towers (11) Caribbean Beach (11) Coronado Springs (11) Boardwalk Villas |
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09-05-2011, 09:27 AM
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#9 |
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Too far from The World
Posts: 159
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Can't wait to hear about your trip!!! I LOVE food!!!
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09-05-2011, 11:00 AM
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#10 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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The EPIC FAIL and then our room
So, when we left off, we were headed to get something for dinner. We were starving, and at 8:30 at night, at Kidani, there aren't many options. So, we took a walk over to Jambo House. It took about 10 minutes to get there. We wandered around for a few minutes and looked for their quick service place. We wound up seeing a few people carrying the refillable mugs and figured they would lead us there, so we followed them to Mara.
I knew I had to get some Zebra domes after reading about how good they are, so I picked up a package. We decided to split a cheese flatbread, and Meg got a chocolate chip cookie. We added 2 drinks, and let's just say the drinks were the best part of this meal.  To start off this horrible dinner, here is the cheese flatbread:  013 by mlm313, on Flickr It actually doesn't LOOK that bad. But, really, once you bite into it, it is like frozen pizza....the bad kind the school used to give you at lunch, that is barely warm, and really gross. The crust was really, really crunchy (burnt almost, on the bottom). We rate it a 1.5, but I think it could have gotten a lower score if we weren't so hungry! After that, Meg and I were really looking forward to a good dessert. Too bad it wouldn't be tonite! I had the zebra domes:  014 by mlm313, on Flickr And they, too, looked really good. But looks are deceiving. I don't know if it was an off night or what, because I have read such great things about these. They had a weird texture, and were good, but not great, and not at all what I was expecting.  They get a 3 out of 5.So, I was anxious to try a bite of Meg's cookie. I mean, how can you go wrong on a chocolate chip cookie?  015 by mlm313, on Flickr Again, looks good, right? Oh, I wish! It really had no taste. Maybe a little like cardboard. Blah. We gave it a 1 out of 5. Mara was an EPIC FAIL! So sad.  We walked back over to Kidani, and luckily when we checked in, we got a great room! 5th floor, 1st room once you got out of the elevator, room 7901. It's a studio room, and was our first time using our DVC. We booked only 3 months before, because we hadn't know we'd be able to use the DVC at that point, and our options were Kidani, SSR, and OKW. We chose Kidani because of the animals, even though we didn't get a savannah room. Here is what our room looked like:  022 by mlm313, on Flickr  025 by mlm313, on Flickr  026 by mlm313, on Flickr  027 by mlm313, on Flickr  023 by mlm313, on Flickr  030 by mlm313, on Flickr (those were all taken the next morning) So, like I said, luckily our room was close to the lobby. Because on our walk from Jambo back over to Kidani after "dinner" I started to feel really sick.  I was actually thinking, "oh no! I am coming down with something on the 1st night of our vacation!". I really just wanted to change, and get into bed, which I did, after taking some Tums.Thankfully, the next morning I felt totally fine. But for the next few days, every time Meg would mention the word Mara, I would feel sick. So, of course she had to keep doing it!!! Brat. We woke up to a great sight, right outside our window in the morning.  017 by mlm313, on Flickr  018 by mlm313, on Flickr It was right after sunrise and there were 9 hot air balloons total. So pretty! It would have been great to be up in one! We started to get ready for the day, and ate breakfast in our room. I had ordered some stuff from Garden Grocer about a month before, and it worked out great. They had sent me a text the day before when our order was delivered, and it was all set when we arrived at bell services. Great job, Garden Grocer! We had bagels (yummy cinnamon ones with butter), and Meg had juice, while I had tea. (I brought tea bags and sugar packets from home). We didn't take pictures, because I think everyone has seen a Thomas' bagel! After eating and finishing up getting ready, we were off to Downtown Disney!
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Last edited by melmar136; 09-05-2011 at 03:11 PM. |
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09-05-2011, 11:02 AM
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#11 | |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Quote:
Who doesn't love food, right!?!
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09-05-2011, 11:10 AM
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#12 |
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No, no,no, those red signs with the word STOP on them are optional if they have a white border.
I hope you like Debbie Gibson? I did not and got busted at a DECA National Convention for skipping her concert! 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: MO
Posts: 7,769
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Signing up to read more~! Great so far!
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09-05-2011, 12:08 PM
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#13 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Downtown Disney
On our way to Downtown Disney, Meg decided to stop and take some pictures of the lobby and a hidden Mickey. The CM pointed it out to us the night before, while checking us in. I couldn't see it then, because it was dark and I didn't have my glasses. Meg says it is just because I have bad vision.
Here it is the next morning:  087 by mlm313, on Flickr It was way up, on a light fixture, here:  086 by mlm313, on Flickr A few more pictures of the lobby:  088 by mlm313, on Flickr  089 by mlm313, on Flickr Then we went down to the bus stop. We had seen in another TR, 2 people who were staying at AKL, making animal faces while waiting for the bus. We thought it was funny, and so here we are copying them:  092 by mlm313, on Flickr Don't we look ferocious? Here is the first of many buses we rode around on:  091 by mlm313, on Flickr We arrived at Downtown Disney to do some shopping and browsing:  094 by mlm313, on Flickr We had to take a look in Goofy's Candy Shop. Look at these apples!  095 by mlm313, on Flickr So cute! We saw Pooh and friends, Meg's favorite, so of course she had to take a picture with them. She says this is the picture of her and her peeps!  096 by mlm313, on Flickr and then an awkward photo moment with her and Pooh!  097 by mlm313, on Flickr oh, Pooh. What a big tummy you have! It must be full of honey! We saw a tattoo place, and right away, Meg spotted one she had to have. This was her first purchase of the trip!  098 by mlm313, on Flickr Very cute, and he lasted a week, but got really dark! I think he got a tan. Next, we had to go into World of Disney  099 by mlm313, on Flickr Meg saw some shirts she really liked, but not enough to spend her own money on!  101 by mlm313, on Flickr  102 by mlm313, on Flickr  103 by mlm313, on Flickr On the way by the Lego store:  104 by mlm313, on Flickr  105 by mlm313, on Flickr We had a 12pm ADR for lunch at Planet Hollywood. Meg wanted to try it here.  106 by mlm313, on Flickr Here is a glimpse of the inside:  107 by mlm313, on Flickr They have to take a picture of you before you enter, by a limo. They bring it over to your table later, and it was around $20 maybe. I don't really remember because it wasn't a good picture at all. We were taken to our table, which was a squishy little 2 person table, squeezed in next to a wall. The whole area seemed really crowded. I'm not sure why they made it so squishy in there, as there are 2 more floors of seating. Here is Meg, next to a wall, at our table:  110 by mlm313, on Flickr She couldn't get into her seat at first. The hostess had to move the table back a few inches. Good thing I stuck Meg on that side! Here I am:  109 by mlm313, on Flickr Meg ordered the garlic shrimp.  112 by mlm313, on Flickr It had noodles, with red peppers, pea pods, onions, shrimp, and a garlic chili sauce. Meg liked it, but thought it was a little too spicy, so it got a 4 out of 5. I got the BBQ bacon burger with the BBQ sauce on the side, and fries:  113 by mlm313, on Flickr It was huge, and the BBQ sauce was good but the burger itself was somewhat dry. The fries were good, not great. I rate it a 4 out of 5. The server was Hunter, and he was ok. He never asked how our meal was, but did bring over drink refills without being asked, so that was good. Overall, it was better than I thought it would be. We used the ladies room on the way out, and Meg liked the mirror:  114 by mlm313, on Flickr Downtown Disney continued in next post
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Last edited by melmar136; 09-05-2011 at 03:12 PM. |
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09-05-2011, 12:49 PM
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#14 | |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Quote:
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09-05-2011, 01:36 PM
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#15 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Mass.
Posts: 695
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Downtown Disney and hotel tour
We didn't get dessert at Planet Hollywood, as we really wanted a sundae at Ghirardelli. We walked around for awhile, and stopped in lots of stores, to browse AND for the air conditioning! It was HOT!
 117 by mlm313, on Flickr  116 by mlm313, on Flickr I just liked Minnie's disapproving look towards Mickey, on the wall of one of the stores. We hardly ever saw the Characters in Flight balloon up in the air. But for $19 per person, I didn't think it would really be worth it. How long do you get to stay up for?  115 by mlm313, on Flickr It was getting really hot, so we figured, what better way to cool off than to get ice cream?!? We walked back towards Ghirardelli, taking another picture of a Lego creation along the way.  118 by mlm313, on Flickr We arrived at the chocolate mecca:  119 by mlm313, on Flickr We settled on the Gold Rush sundae to split, since they are over $8 a piece. I ordered while Meg grabbed a table outside. There were none left inside in the nice A/C. The waitress brought the sundae out to us.  121 by mlm313, on Flickr We rated it a 4 out of 5. It had A LOT of peanut butter. Too much, actually, and the chocolate was more like dark chocolate. We are fans of milk chocolate. Of course we ate it all though! We decided we had enough of Downtown Disney at this point, and wanted to go to the hotels on the monorail. We like to ride around on the monorail and visit the hotels. Plus, we like to hear the "Please stand clear of the doors...." announcement. It's the ringtone on my phone! (free on Phonezoo.com if you want it too!) We took the bus to the Contemporary Resort, and looked around in there for while. Of course, Meg had to take some pictures:  122 by mlm313, on Flickr  124 by mlm313, on Flickr She's trying for some artsy shots! Then we hopped on the monorail:  127 by mlm313, on Flickr She got this shot on the way:  128 by mlm313, on Flickr We arrived at the Polynesian.  130 by mlm313, on Flickr  131 by mlm313, on Flickr  132 by mlm313, on Flickr Then, we headed down to Captain Cook's for what else? DOLE WHIPS! Yeah, I know we just had a sundae, but after all, it's vacation!   134 by mlm313, on Flickr Oh, if I had this self-serve machine at our hotel, I may never leave!  135 by mlm313, on Flickr  136 by mlm313, on Flickr I have to say, this was my first Dole Whip. It will not be my last! Sooooo good, and refreshing!  Meg had one before and told me I had to try one. Our rating: a 5 out of 5!After that, we got back on the monorail and journey over to The Grand Floridian.  137 by mlm313, on Flickr Here's Meg, acting snooty because the GF is so fancy!   138 by mlm313, on Flickr Right after this, we had some drama! Meg bought some soap for her grandmother at the Basin store and was trying to juggle her wallet, the camera, and her backpack. Well, the camera fell onto the hard floor. When we picked it up, and made sure it still turned on, the pictures were gone! The 50 she had taken before were gone. I yelled at her for dropping it, and she started crying because she felt so bad about her missing pictures. I told her there was nothing we could do about it, after I checked out the camera and couldn't figure out why we couldn't see any of the pictures, and then said if she wanted to continue using it, she'd need a strap. We had seen one in the store earlier, so we went back, and I spent $17 on a cute Mickey strap. Best investment I made. It saved the camera a few times! We headed out to the bus stop, to take a bus to DTD and then catch one to the Wilderness Lodge. We were going to take a boat from there to Fort Wilderness for that night's dinner at the Hoop dee doo Revue! While we were on the bus, I checked out the camera one last time and figured out that the memory card had slipped out a bit. The pictures Meg was taking after that were going right into the internal memory. I fixed the card, and the crisis was averted!!! Meg was happy once again! All her pictures were there!
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Last edited by melmar136; 09-05-2011 at 03:13 PM. |
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