“IT’S OUR MOTHER DAUGHTER TRIP!” Our Spontaneous Getaway - April 2011 COMPLETE 9/13

[Vwdiva93]

Great update! I love the zodiac topiaries, those are so neat. And that picture of your Mom and Duffy is so adorable! I really hope he's still there the next time I go. I missed him on my past trip and I'm regretting it because he just looks so huggable!

I hope your move in day went well. I moved in about 2 weeks ago and I'm already back home because my school got evacuated for Irene! Lol. But yeah it was rough for me too, I cried for a good hour and a half in the parking lot with my parents, begging them not to go! It definitely got better though, we had a welcome week too and it was very hectic but also a lot of fun. I hate those icebreakers too, they get to be kind of annoying! I really hate not knowing people, so I'm definitely going to try and join some clubs as well.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Your updates are great! I really feel like I am right there with you. I am a little sad that I wont get pics of myself with all of those cool topiaries, but I am confidant that I will still find some great photo ops. I am looking forward to meeting Duffy too.
Those chocolate covered strawberries look amazing. I am making a deer face just thinking about it!!
And I am sooo happy to hear that you bathrobe Princesses were together again and that more trip reports will follow! It is great to have that to look forward to.

Thank you! The topiaries are great... but maybe you'll get to go during F&G one day! And Duffy is adorable!
Yum - I wish I could have another one!
And yayy it as such a fun trip! I can't wait to begin that TR!

I never knew the real translation for the Circle of Life either. That's very interesting.

Hope you're having fun at college!

Haha isn't it?
And thanks! It's going okay so far... it's sort of difficult to adjust but it'll get better.

Great update! I love the zodiac topiaries, those are so neat. And that picture of your Mom and Duffy is so adorable! I really hope he's still there the next time I go. I missed him on my past trip and I'm regretting it because he just looks so huggable!

I hope your move in day went well. I moved in about 2 weeks ago and I'm already back home because my school got evacuated for Irene! Lol. But yeah it was rough for me too, I cried for a good hour and a half in the parking lot with my parents, begging them not to go! It definitely got better though, we had a welcome week too and it was very hectic but also a lot of fun. I hate those icebreakers too, they get to be kind of annoying! I really hate not knowing people, so I'm definitely going to try and join some clubs as well.

Thank you! They are really cute! And I bet duffy will still be there!
Haha aww well that's good you are already back home! I think I'm going home this weekend too... because we get Monday off for Labor Day. LOL I'm excited. Yup, I cried when I said goodbye to my parents... It's been a difficult adjustment but thankfully my roommate and the girl across the hall and I are getting along really well. So that's always good. And yup I feel the same way - I hope I know a lot more people soon! Good luck to you! Being a freshman is terrible ​

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Chapter 15 - Sanaa
April 9th, 2011

After looking at all of the beautiful and majestic animals from the viewing area, we headed back inside Kidani Village and checked in for our Dinner Reservation at Sanaa! Our ADR was for 6:35 pm. I love the Hidden Mickey in the sign!!

We were seated in the beginning of the restaurant, so I didn't get to see much of the inside. But we were right up against a window. It had a slightly blocked view, but we didn't care. It was pretty cool anyways!

We were very excited to begin our experience! There was even a Hidden Mickey in the table!

Mother started off by ordering wine. It was called Fairview Pinotage Wine from Pearl (or Paarl? I can't read my handwriting), South Africa. She said it was the best wine she had the whole trip!! (And I believe she got one almost every night with dinner)

She also got the 3 salad sampler. She got the watermelon, lime, and radish salad, the roasted beets salad, and I think the chickpeas with cucumber and tomato salad. I unfortunately forgot to take a picture, but she enjoyed them all!

Mother got the Tandoori Lamb Chops and Basmati Rice for her meal. The lamb was REALLY good! I had some haha

I got the Beef Short Ribs, Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce, and Basmati Rice. WOW. That was fantastic.

I ate everything that they gave me... the portion size was perfect!

This was probably the most delicious meal of the trip! We really, really loved it!! Everything was great - the food, service, and authentic atmosphere! And Mother loved these lamps:

We almost didn't even eat here because I kept switching my reservations around. Since it was so spontaneous I kept doing that a lot! But thanks to Faith and her Dad, we decided to eat here upon their recommendation. And I am SO glad we did!!

I had Kristen switch my reservation for me at the last minute on the computer, and she added a birthday celebration to the meal! So they all sang to me when they brought out the dessert!

The Dessert was beyond amazing too! I got the Orange Sesame Cake and it was FANTASTIC! SOOO GOOD! It was pretty light, yet extremely delicious!

And Mother got the Mango Pudding, which she really liked as well!

I think this is officially Mother's favorite restaurant in Disney. Although she can never get the name right, she calls it "Sanai." LOL Oh Mother.

Overall we were extremely impressed and left very happy! What a wonderful meal!

Overview of Sanaa Dining Experience:
Food: Phenomenal! Unbelievable! You really can't go wrong with your decision - it's all delicious! The menu is limited but I had SUCH a hard time deciding what to get because it all sounded so good! We were encouraged by our waitress to share so we could try different options. We did, and it was great! 5/5
Waitress: Kim
Service: Kim was so nice! She was such a great waitress! She reccomended dishes, gave us insight, sang to me for my birthday, and gave us the recipie for Mother's beet salad. Very good! 5/5
Overall Experience: It's Mom's new favorite restaurant! The atmosphere was good, the food was great, we saw animals outside the window, and it was just amazing! 5/5

After our meal, we went and caught the bus to go back to Epcot!

We headed straight for the Land and got in line for Soarin'. It was taking such a long time, and I didn't know if we were going to make it to IllumiNations or not!

We got off the ride at exactly 8:54 pm and booked it to the World Showcase!

We got to the UK and watched the show from there. We stood behind the Rose and Crown Dining area which was perfect!! We could see over all of the people who were sitting there and dining, and the view was great! It was very pretty.

After the show, we took the International Gateway to the Beach Club.

Seeing the Yacht Club made me miss our January trip!!

At the Beach Club people were watching Alice and Wonderland on a big screen. That was SO cool! I LOVE the Beach Club!! I have been wanting to stay there since I was like 11, and we just never have! It's going to be a necessity within the next few years. Just being in the lobby made me so happy!

After our walk through, we went to the bus stop and caught the bus to the Magic Kingdom.

We walked in and Wishes was starting! Perfect timing! We stopped right near Crystal Arts and the Emporium and watched it from there! It was beautiful.

Mother got ahold of the camera and took a bunch of great pictures! I was proud.

This one is my favorite:

You can never have too many pictures of the castle!

After the show, we headed towards Tomorrowland and went on Buzz Lightyear!

We also went on the PeopleMover.

I took a picture of this sign for the New Fantasyland! I am so excited for that!!

We went back to Main Street and got some Ice Cream, which was delicious. Ice Cream is probably my favorite food.

Mother got a Hot Fudge Sundae in a waffle bowl.

I got a Kids Cone Vanilla with little Mickey ears! So cute.

We sat in the Main Street Bakery while the Electrical Parade went by. And then we decided we were tired, so we just headed back to the room and went to sleep.

Continued in Next Post​

 

[ChattaAlley]

Awe another great post. They make my day brighter.

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Great fireworks photos!

I love how you and your Mom are always having a great time and have big smiles on in all your pictures.

 

[Jazzabelle508]

great update I think sanna looks goreous!!!!! My mom and I both want to go there but other places are much higher on the priority list that we don't know when or how we would ever eat there.

Nice of kristen to put your birthday on your reservation! I have never gotten to go to disney anywhere near my birthday so I am enjoying seeing what it is like through your TR.

Yay for soarin and illuminations

I love the beach club! I really want to stay their someday, it is on my dream resort list. I love walking around that whole epcot area, last trip was the first time i was over there and now i must vist that part of the world each trip, lol.

I didn't know they also had a movie night. I knew that wilderness lodge and fort wilderness have them and i think animal kingdom lodge has them 2 but beach club was news to me.

I also love visiting magic kingdom at night. it will be our first park on my next trip thanks to evening EMH

Your mickey ice cream looks adorable, was it difficult to eat in mickey form? I highly reccomend the ice cream cookie sandwhich there, it is easily one of my favorite disney snacks.

Can't wait for more

 

[onelilspark]

Sanaa is fantastic! I think it's probably the most underrated restaurant at Disney!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

YAY SANAA! I don't think I've mentioned this, but I LOOOOVVVEEE love Sanaa! I'm so glad you decided to go there last minute. I feel it is an under-rated restaurant, give it one chance and you will be hooked. This meal looks fantastic and that's awesome you got a window table I didn't get any of those dishes when I was last there though I think my mom got the same thing as you, but I forget. And the desserts look like they've gotten more variety since I was last there, might try some of those Glad to see you enjoyed it and you got sung to during your dessert

Wow I can't believe you got to see IllumiNations and Wishes all in one night! I love the pictures you took of the fireworks. So pretty and yeah, you can never have enough pictures of the castle. You and your mom look so sweet with the picture of both of you in front of the castle

Mmmmm... those ice creams look awesome! Well... all Ice Cream is awesome... now I'm contradicting myself...

Can't wait to read more!

 

[foodrocksluver]

There you go wearing a cute dress again!!

I'm so glad you liked Sanaa, my parents ate there last week and said it was fantastic!!

 

[I Believe In Magic]

Hi Jess!! How did today go? A little better than yesterday?

Ok back to the matter at hand. Great update!! Your pics are beautiful as always. And no you can never get too many castle pictures. Sanaa looks wonderful, I would love to go there. And oddly enough I have never heard of it until you mentioned it!! So in defense of your lovely mom, I was pronouncing it the same as her. lol

You gals have more energy than I do, I would have conked out after that meal!!

Can't wait to read more

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Awe another great post. They make my day brighter.

Aww! Thank you! They make my day brighter, too!

Great fireworks photos!

I love how you and your Mom are always having a great time and have big smiles on in all your pictures.

Thank you! And yes, we always have fun together, especially in Disney! My Mom is one of my best friends!

great update I think sanna looks goreous!!!!! My mom and I both want to go there but other places are much higher on the priority list that we don't know when or how we would ever eat there.

Nice of kristen to put your birthday on your reservation! I have never gotten to go to disney anywhere near my birthday so I am enjoying seeing what it is like through your TR.

Yay for soarin and illuminations

I love the beach club! I really want to stay their someday, it is on my dream resort list. I love walking around that whole epcot area, last trip was the first time i was over there and now i must vist that part of the world each trip, lol.

I didn't know they also had a movie night. I knew that wilderness lodge and fort wilderness have them and i think animal kingdom lodge has them 2 but beach club was news to me.

I also love visiting magic kingdom at night. it will be our first park on my next trip thanks to evening EMH

Your mickey ice cream looks adorable, was it difficult to eat in mickey form? I highly reccomend the ice cream cookie sandwhich there, it is easily one of my favorite disney snacks.

Can't wait for more

Yeah the only thing about Sanaa is the transportation issue. So I probably won't make the trek over there that often either. However, it is DELICIOUS so I hope you get to try it someday!
And yes, even though it was a month before my birthday, it was fun to celebrate!!
I love the beach club and epcot resort area too! I neeeeed to stay there soon! And as far as the movie screens, I think Saratoga Springs has one also! Those are just awesome.
Yay for MK EMH! Those are the best!! When's your next trip?
And nope it was super easy to eat! The ears were just like chocolate discs so I ate them first! Then the rest was just like a regular ice cream cone! And mmm I had one of those in february. DELICIOUS!

Sanaa is fantastic! I think it's probably the most underrated restaurant at Disney!

I completely agree with you!!!!

YAY SANAA! I don't think I've mentioned this, but I LOOOOVVVEEE love Sanaa! I'm so glad you decided to go there last minute. I feel it is an under-rated restaurant, give it one chance and you will be hooked. This meal looks fantastic and that's awesome you got a window table I didn't get any of those dishes when I was last there though I think my mom got the same thing as you, but I forget. And the desserts look like they've gotten more variety since I was last there, might try some of those Glad to see you enjoyed it and you got sung to during your dessert

Wow I can't believe you got to see IllumiNations and Wishes all in one night! I love the pictures you took of the fireworks. So pretty and yeah, you can never have enough pictures of the castle. You and your mom look so sweet with the picture of both of you in front of the castle

Mmmmm... those ice creams look awesome! Well... all Ice Cream is awesome... now I'm contradicting myself...

Can't wait to read more!

Haha you've only mentioned it once or twice.. I know, it is absolutely amazing!! It is very underrated so I'm glad I could review it and get the word out there! I recommend it to everyone!
And yes, the beauty of the mother daughter trip was that we got to do SO MUCH at a really fast pace! It was great! And aww thanks! We're always so happy when we're by the castle!
And mmm I love ice cream it's the best!

There you go wearing a cute dress again!!

I'm so glad you liked Sanaa, my parents ate there last week and said it was fantastic!!

Haha aww thanks!
And they are correct - Sanaa is WONDERFUL!

Hi Jess!! How did today go? A little better than yesterday?

Ok back to the matter at hand. Great update!! Your pics are beautiful as always. And no you can never get too many castle pictures. Sanaa looks wonderful, I would love to go there. And oddly enough I have never heard of it until you mentioned it!! So in defense of your lovely mom, I was pronouncing it the same as her. lol

You gals have more energy than I do, I would have conked out after that meal!!

Can't wait to read more

Hello! Today is going a little better... I feel like every day is just dragging, though. I am just so ready to know what I'm doing... adjusting to things take too much time. It's really hard being thrown into a new environment. But I know once a few months go by I will feel a lot better!
And thank you! Sanaa is fantastic! And haha I'm sure my Mom will appreciate that someone else mispronounced it too! I always correct her every time.
And haha yeah THERE'S NO SLEEPING IN DISNEY! As Kristen says We didn't stay up too late, though.​

 

[basketkat]

Your dinner sounds amazing! What a nice experience for you and your mom!

Two fireworks shows in one night? That's awesome!!!!


Mmmm ice cream is for sure one of my favorites!!!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

You guys seemed like you had a really great night. I love it when I'm able to see two sets of fireworks or shows in one night. Jason and I actually managed to do Fantasmic! and Illuminations in one night before. That was a lot of fun.

Dinner at Sanaa looks really good. I've only eaten there once before, but I enjoyed it. You're right, the portions there are really perfect.

Hope everything is going good for you with college. It does take some time to adjust, but you'll be used to it in no time.

 

[Beana9802]

Hello! I am a not so recent grad, (providence college, '02), and am here to give you some college advice! Enjoy your time, it flies by! Don't go home til Columbus day....trust me! If you find a good service organization, join it. Look for a Circle K (college version of the Kiwanis). They are a great organization that raises money and does service for children. I am a Kiwanian, and a teacher, so the two naturally combine.

I've read your Feb Break TR, and am all caught up on this one. I just bought DVC (Saratoga) and look forward to a long weekend trip to the boardwalk in Dec. I'll need your help! Have fun in school, and let us know if you need anything (or care packages!)

 

[TanzUnited99]

I'm happy to read another positive review of Sanaa as we are eating there on our trip!

Love the way you ended the evening - two sets of Disney fireworks plus ice cream =

 

[Disneyfreak616]

So....I had a really awesome comment on the last 323784 updates that I missed going...and then I fell asleep...and then my "token expired" and then it deleted it...and now I'm REALLY MAD. So I'm gonna be lazy and not redo it but simply say that they were all beautiful and you take great pics and yay food and Aladdin and Sanaa and your birthday and topiaries and two fireworks shows in one night. Hooray. That basically sums it all up! I know, I know, I'm a frump.

Well enjoy your first day of classes today and I can't wait for more updates that I will legitimately comment on!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Don't go home til Columbus day....trust me!

Umm Jess? Bad advice. You should definitely come home sooner than Columbus day.

 

[MarieTheCat24]

Hi Jess! I hope you're settling in well at college. I know that it's super scary at first (and if I never have to play another ice breaker in my life it will be too soon) but it gets better. I promise. Before long, you'll be living it up in the frumpy paradise that is college.

Speaking of frumps, a surprise reunion in WDW!?! I cannot wait to hear all about that.

As for your update, Sanaa looks yummy. Especially the cake. And, A+ on the whole adding a birthday celebration, Kristen.

I love the fireworks pics. They never fail to make me happy.

Eating ice cream is the best way to end an evening in the most magical place on Earth.

 

[Merida]

Good luck at college! I had the, er, unique experience of going to college with like half of my high school, so I was never really homesick (it helped that my best friend lived on the floor beneath me!) My freshman year was my favorite because everyone is awkward and has no friends and you're all stuck in the dorms getting up to crazy antics. I kinda miss dorm living! What kind of classes are you taking?

Going back a couple updates...

Topiaries! I'm year of the dragon, the coolest year of them all. They seem to put so many different topiaries in Epcot. Going to Flower and Garden and Food and Wine is my new goal - and staying somewhere on the Boardwalk! I love the Mexico ride, though it was better as El Rio del Tiempo - not everything needs video screens! However, everything is better with animatronics.

Ostriches are so cool, they always remind me of the Dance of the Hours part of Fantasia (aka the best part behind the Nutcracker Suite and Pastoral Symphony).

Disney really has the best lamps! I like the ones in Sanaa, but the La Hacienda ones have to be my favorite.

Love all the fireworks shots. I like the second one - the landscape one with the blue-y/periwinkle-y color (so technical! ). I know a lot of people on the DIS don't like EMH, but I love the parks at night. So many lights and a more fantastical experience than during the day.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

Chapter 16 - Animal Kingdom. ROAR.
April 10th, 2011

I woke up at 9:30 am this morning and was presented with this unpleasant sight:

Now, Mickey is adorable and all, but it's always sad when we receive the Magical Express "time to get ready to go home" package. It's unbelievable how fast every trip flies by!

This may have been our last full day, but that wasn't gonna stop us from having a great time!

We discussed our lunch plans (we had Le Cellier booked) and decided that we weren't really in the mood for steak. So I texted Kristen and had her change our reservation to Yak and Yeti! This was going to be our first time trying it. We cancelled it earlier in the trip and in February, so we really wanted to fit it in! So she made that switch for us! Thanks Kristen!

Once we got ready, Mother and I went to the gift shop and got some breakfast. We were so full from all of our big meals, so we just got yogurts and pineapple. Nice and healthy!

We ate our breakfast at the bus stop.

Then we took the bus to Animal Kingdom!

We took a few pictures on our way in:

And I went and got a Fastpass for Kali River Rapids!

We saw a character that we don't meet a lot - Turk! He didn't have a line, so why not?! He's very fuzzy and cute!

We headed over to Camp Minnie-Mickey and we met more characters! We learned about this lovely little spot on our January trip!

Our first characters were the lovely couple - Miss Bunny and Thumper! They are just too adorable!

I took this picture of them also and I think it's precious:

Then we met Donald Duck!

Next was the Dynamic Duo - Chip and Dale!

And lastly was Goofy, who just loved me!! He wanted to leave with me when it was time to go! The character handler told him he had to stay and he was sad. Haha what an angel!

We went to the 12 o'clock showing of Festival of the Lion King! And FINALLY after all of these years I ended up in THE LION SECTION!! And it's hosted by none other than "good looking." (I don't know his real name haha) He is sooo cute.

The Lion Section is also the best because you get to sing the "weeee-oooo-weee-ooo-weee-ooo-muh-muh-weeee" instead of the "a-wee-ma-wet-a-wee-ma-wet" part of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Trust me, even though the way I typed it out is really frumpy, the first section is just way more fun. (I usually sing it no matter where I'm sitting!)

And also... the animal noise you make for the Lion Section is "ROAR!" And it's so much less awkward than snorting like a warthog, sounding like a big 'ol elephant, or baa-ing like a giraffe. (.....?) I still don't understand that. I thought giraffes didn't make noise.

ANYWAYS... as I say every time, Festival of the Lion King is amazing. It's so beautiful!! Anyone who performs in that show is living the dream!

It's absolutely the best show in the entire Walt Disney World Resort! Applause for all of you amazing people! You rock.

After being thoroughly entertained, I grabbed some Everest Fastpasses!

Then we went on Dinosaur! We sat in the very back left corner, and it's a very bumpy ride!! It seems more intense. I don't know if it is... but that's my conclusion haha

Mother surprisingly loves this ride, and I'm so glad. Because it's one of my favorites

As you can see, we were having a very good time. We both smiled in the picture

Continued in Next Post​