Day 1, Part 1 - Checking into the AKL and slurping Tea
The plan was for me to wake up early in the morning, drive over to the Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Thinking like always I would wake up early, I did not set an alarm. Light shining through a small break in the drapes woke me up. Yep. It is a little before 10 (this is a recurring theme throughout the trip). Not a problem today because we have until 11:00 before check out. Once DD is scrubbed and painted we bring our few pieces of luggage to the car and off we go.
First stop was at Wynn-Dixie for some perishables. Normally, I am a Publix snob but this is one of their newer stores and has a good selection. It is also near Lake Buena Vista. We both are dressed in our finery (not our Sunday Going to Meeting clothes) because we have Afternoon Tea at 3:30. And yes, I said Tea. I am confident enough in my own manhood to eat little dainty sandwiches and drink from a fine china cup. Anyway, back to AKL.
One of the best signs on the entire planet
Pulled in at Kidani and left the bazillion bags with bell services. I noted the bags that needed to be stored in their Refrigerator. Check-in was smooth but somehow forgot the CMs name. Naturally the room wasnt ready. Hence our pre-planning and already wearing our finery. She gave us a map with the general area of the room and told us if we would like, a text could be sent when it was ready. Sure, why not. Maybe this time they will actually send the text. Unlike BLT, Kidani has a separate check-in, bell services and valet. Like this setup better.
Home again. Well, one of them at least. My real home comes later in the week.
The store
The lobby
Sanaa. Never eaten there and probably will not for a long while. I checked the menu and nothing really appealed to me.
One the way to the resort, I had a proud Disney Dad moment. Out of the blue DD announces, People just dont get it. Get what? I had some friends say You are going to Disney again? they just dont get it. They dont know how to do Disney. All they think of is Disney means standing in lines. They dont do it like we do. There is some much more to going than the parks. We dont stand in lines, or just eat hamburgers. So you will be going to the World when you are older? Of course. Thats a dumb question. She was raised right. My work here is done.
Killed some time strolling the resort and saw the lions and tigers and bears. Well, the Giraffes, Ankole and Zebras. No Red River Hogs. Got to the car again and we headed to the Grand Floridian and High Tea. Yes, I said tea! Once at the GF, we had time so we explored.
Then a major error occurred. We were walking around and I say, why dont we check out Narcoossees? We are eating there later in the week. DOH!!! What, did you say? Ummmm. Ahhhh. I said we need to do Park Choosies. What? You know, Park Choosies where we decide what parks we are going to visit. Dad, we already know what parks we are going to each day because of the ADRs. Tough when your kid is a WDW veteran and you let her into the planning stage.
Yes, she broke me so I confessed. One of the three surprises was dinner at Narcoossees and I blew it. Oh well better luck with the other two. While the surprise blown, we went over there to check out the place.
There are a couple of things on the menu I would like to try.
We needed to head over to the Magic Kingdom so I could purchase the Table and Wonderland card. We took the boat over which is a nice relaxing way to get to the MK. Scenic too.
The Wedding Pavilion
It took more than a few minutes because everyone needed to tell the CMs at Guest Services their life stories. Im coming to Disney with my 4 Uncles, 3 Aunts, 16 Brothers and Sisters, 26 Nephews and Nieces, plus my 4 kids. Oh yea, and my husband. Anyway they have this thing called park hoppers. Can you explain how do I hop to other parks, can I take a bus or do I have to hop?... Nothing and I mean nothing bugs me more than people who wait until they are being served until they begin to think about what they want to do. Have to save the pretty purple pills for the stress when DD gets ready so I didnt take one here. Could have used it though.
I finally get to a Guest Services CM and we quickly buy the card. Then a monorail ride back to the GF. Tea started at 2, YES I SAID TEA, and we went to the podium to see if they could get us in early. No problem and we were quickly escorted to our cushy sofa and seat.
The Garden View Terrace
The waitress came by and I asked to start off with a glass of ice tea. We dont serve traditional ice tea. What? You can order any of our tea blends and we will put them on ice for you. OK. At least I will get ice tea.
See.
Mine was the Gardenview Tea Room Blend which is specially blended for them. Also available for purchase at about a billion dollars for 4 oz. of tea leaves. DD had one of the specials they were showcasing, a Lychee concoction (the lighter tea in the background). Mine was very good, hers was pretty gross. She liked it but I thought it was awful. When I asked to try it she responded, You know you are not going to like it. Smart A**. I am a tea purist, just lemon. No sugar or tea made from froo froo stuff like herbs and nuts. I tried to fake that I liked it just to prove a point but it was so awful that I couldnt pull it off. See, the Smart A** said.
For food, DD order the Buckingham Palace - Traditional tea sandwiches, scones and jam tarts complemented by fresh strawberries and cream, or a selection of freshly baked pastries, along with your choice of tea. $19.50 per guest.
She had to of course have only the vegetarian sandwiches so she got extra egg and cucumber.
Yummy.
Missed taking pics of the scones and tart. Both were good. Clotted cream is the best. She blew off the strawberries and cream for a choice of the pastries. One was hazelnut moose dipped in chocolate, and the other was this cream thing. She gave me a taste of each (nice kid). Both were very good.
I ordered a la carte with the British Cheese Plate - A selection of traditional British cheeses, served with an array of seasonal fruit $12.50 and a Plate of Assorted Tea Sandwiches Shrimp, egg, chicken, pear with cheese and cucumber $8.50.
The cheeses were varied and tasty. DD is also a cheese nut so I shared with her (nice dad).
The shrimp was the best of the bunch. The pear and cheese thing was interesting.
The waitress was kind enough to take a picture of the two of us. Thank you so much. Just what I need. I lost about 30 pounds in the hospital. Even though I have a healthy appetite, I havent gained much of it back. That is who I am right now so I go with it. No alternative.
Overall, I enjoyed tea. YES, I HAD TEA AND ENJOYED IT! This is one of DDs favorite things to at the World (and outside the World) so why not. The food was well prepared and flavorful especially the shrimp sandwich. I didnt leave there starving but was not full either. Total price was $48.02 with discount plus tax and tip.
And for all you that are wondering, no, I did not drink with my pinky out.
Out of picture space, so the room reveal will be in the next update.
Up next: Day 1 Part 2: Your room is ready. AKA Where are the Red River Hogs?
Love the pics.
(why did I think that was a good idea?)
