11 nights! 3 resorts! A goose egg at Biergarten! A 9 year old IN A STROLLER! New 8/6!

[Kat in GA]

When were you there? We were at Disney from May 24 - June 6th - and we had a few days of miserable rain. The worst was June 1st when I wanted to enjoy people watching with the combined Star Wars Weekend and Gay Days at Hollywood Studios- but alas - it's not too entertaining to watch others in their ponchos I wonder if you were there the week after us which seemed to have miserable rain all the time. The worst part for me was no photopass pictures and I hardly used my own camera.

I am a fellow LOST lover - such an amazing, amazing show. We still make references to it (as in so many boats at DW are not Penny's boat - okay - so we mostly just amuse ourselves.) And the references are with me and my 14 year old daughter - who might actually be more obsessed with it than I am. Maybe. My husband didn't watch it either.

We did Tusker House for the first time this past trip - and did it for lunch - it was amazing! I thought it would be like Boma - but it's not - except that they are both delish! My husband and I are going in October for an adults only trip and we are doing breakfast there one day - can't wait!

And I can't wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[monymony3471]

Score on the Br'er Freaking Rabbit autograph!

Now I have to find Devine and Br'er Freaking Rabbit next trip!

Oh the pressure!



Great Freaking report!

 

[megveg]

Awesome pics with the characters! Im not one to make character dining a priority but I really wanna try Tusker House now ive never made an ADR early morning in a park before so I think TH will be it cant wait for more!

 

[PennyLane1084]

Great Update! It makes me sad that kids don't really know who Br'er Rabbit is now-a-days. But good score on the autograph!

 

[mirage0306]

What's up, chickadees!!? How is everyone? it is SO hot here. Everyone is grumpy. I've been watching more LOST and catching up on True Blood (but I haven't seen yesterday's yet so PLEASE DON'T SPOIL ME K??).

On to responses.

Great updates!!

Tusker House breakfast is my new favorite in all of the World. It's incredible! I do wonder why Donald won't sign outside though.

Way to stick it to the know-nothing CM, you scored your FPs! Love the line about Daisy fixing her lashes, the eyelashes are Maddie's favorite thing about her.

You saw some great characters! The Jungle Book guys are pretty rare I think, and I've never seen B'rer Rabbit on anyone's TR. And I read a LOT of TRs, I'm addicted to them.

Sorry the weather didn't cooperate for your afternoon in the pool, but the hot tub is nice too!

Isn't M,M,Y amazing???? I love it,and cry every single time I see it.

So sorry about that lobster roll.

That was one fun-filled day! Can't wait to hear more!

It was a pretty good day! You will see--the stupid lobster roll continues to elude me for a bit. I am not giving up easily, though.

MMY was just beautiful. Amazing effects and music. Just so moving (like with pretty much all the nighttime Disney shows).

Yeah, after Br'er Rabbit showed up I did some googling and it really does seem like he doesn't appear for autographs much at all! The fact that Liam saw a somewhat rare character made his character stalking a very high priority for the rest of the trip.

Tusker House is so awesome. I can't wait to eat there again someday! Om nom nom.

I love this park too. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's so hot and the walkways are always crowded. And even after all our visits I still have a hard time remembering how to get to Asia from Africa.

it *is really hot there. And i think the fact that they often have street performers makes the walkways extra crowded.

I am totally stealing this line.

Me too! I can go after FPs like my life depends on it.

I am probably a leeeeetle too ruthless sometimes.

You crack me up.

Likewise

I think if people don't see a line, they don't know they can get autographs.

That is a really good point!

Stealing this one too.

Steal anything you like, my dear.

Me too and it's disappointing when you get a ho hum reaction from the recipients.

Oh, that happened to us once. And it was for TSMM too. It really left me feeling sour--I remember thinking how irritated I was that the people I gave the FPs too barely said thanks, and they had of course run out hours before, and I was a little irritated. But then I remembered I don't give FPs away just to make myself happy. Maybe they didn't know at the time how hard it was to get TSMM FPs. Maybe they'd just had a fight. Maybe their kids were cranky. I can only hope that later on they realized they could ride it without waiting two hours and that it brightened their day.

Good parenting right there.

Oh yeah. Watch me blow you away with my amazing parenting. Next installment: Oops, I Waited Until The Kids Were Overtired To Put Them To Bed (Again).

Happens to me every time.

Disney is amazing about bringing out my inner sap.

Yay! Lobster roll time!

Boo! I wanted to hear about the lobster roll!

Phew. There's still hope.

Oh, yes. Not to fear. We're not done with the lobster roll yet--oh, no no no.

Do these guys ever get sick of fries?

Let me ask Tim. Hold on.

He says, "I was sick of fries the first day."

He actually would rather eat salads, but the salads at Disney are often lacking, so fries it is. With the occasional salad.

I dislike that choice too, just for the fumes alone.

YES! SO stinky. Yuck.

Great chapter and photos!!

Thanks!!

Animal Kingdom is one of our family's favorite parks. Especially now that they have EE.

I'm glad that you enjoyed Tusker House. We are really looking forward to eating there!!

Love the pictures of them by the lake.

I've always loved the corny jokes on the Jungle Cruise. LOL! Ohhhh, ahhh.... LOL!! Makes me smile thinking about them. LOL!!

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks!! I am such a sucker for those corny jokes. I'm the one in the back of the boat laughing my *ss off, while everyone else is kind of like "What the flip is wrong with her??"

Animal Kingdom rocks. We really love it!

Thank you so much for sharing. It is great reading about someone that has had the same experiences as my family. I tell you it rains everyday when we go down, weather it is in December, June, July or even October. But that is ok, we are not made of sugar and just keep moving forward.

Now I am stealing that. Great phrase and great attitude!!

We love Tusker House. It is my favorite character meal. The food is great and the character interaction is awesome.

We have given away FP for EE, also. My dd will ride RRC but not EE because of the drop. I am going to try to bribe her next time.

Love all of the pictures of your boys. Especially the ones by the lake. Great report!

Thanks!! Okay, I am that your daughter has made a distinction between RNR and EE. That is hysterical.

Enjoyed the update, and seeing all the pics of the boys and the characters.

We've only eaten breakfast at Tusker House one time, but we enjoyed it. Seeing as how the dining choices are so limited at AK, it's probably the best one for table service in my opinion.

I think so, too. It really meets all our TS criteria--breakfast, nice selection, characters. Awesome ambiance and decor, too!

When were you there? We were at Disney from May 24 - June 6th - and we had a few days of miserable rain. The worst was June 1st when I wanted to enjoy people watching with the combined Star Wars Weekend and Gay Days at Hollywood Studios- but alas - it's not too entertaining to watch others in their ponchos I wonder if you were there the week after us which seemed to have miserable rain all the time. The worst part for me was no photopass pictures and I hardly used my own camera.

I am a fellow LOST lover - such an amazing, amazing show. We still make references to it (as in so many boats at DW are not Penny's boat - okay - so we mostly just amuse ourselves.) And the references are with me and my 14 year old daughter - who might actually be more obsessed with it than I am. Maybe. My husband didn't watch it either.

We did Tusker House for the first time this past trip - and did it for lunch - it was amazing! I thought it would be like Boma - but it's not - except that they are both delish! My husband and I are going in October for an adults only trip and we are doing breakfast there one day - can't wait!

And I can't wait to hear more about your trip!

We were going to do Boma, but after the 'Ohana fiasco were worried that it wasn't a good choice for this trip. I really wanted to eat there, but I have learned that at least for now, it's not about what I want. We need to go to places where my kids will eat happily. When they're older, and (pleaselord) hopefully better eaters, we can try some of the places I have on my list, and Boma is one of them.

OMG, making references to "Not Penny's Boat" is exactly what I would do!! I am always bringing everything around to Lost (BEATL) and I know it drives my family nuts.

One time, I was in Sam's Club with Quinn, and I was going off about something related to LOST, or John Locke, or whatever, and he just looks at me and goes "MOM. THIS IS NOT THE ISLAND." He couldn't have been more than five.

Yeah, we were there June 5 - 16. The worst days for rain were the 6th, 7th, and 8th. After that it really did just become more typical afternoon or evening showers, which is what I was more prepared to deal with (we did have one crazy storm at MK the following week, though!). It didn't rain the whole time you were there, did it? I could handle a few days, but the whole time would have been really hard for me. I have a friend who is there now and I feel so bad that TS Debby is there, too.

People watching in ponchos is sad indeed.

Score on the Br'er Freaking Rabbit autograph!

Now I have to find Devine and Br'er Freaking Rabbit next trip!

Oh the pressure!



Great Freaking report!

Thanks!!

I know--can't believe we stumbled upon someone outside of the regular meet and greet guys. Liam was so excited! I love when rarer characters pop up--so cool to see them!

Awesome pics with the characters! Im not one to make character dining a priority but I really wanna try Tusker House now ive never made an ADR early morning in a park before so I think TH will be it cant wait for more!

Try it! I don't think you'll regret it. It's just a good, solid character breakfast. Good character interaction, good food, great ambiance, awesome smells, nice CMs. If only Donald signed autographs out front--but I can get over that.

Great Update! It makes me sad that kids don't really know who Br'er Rabbit is now-a-days. But good score on the autograph!

I know! We often talk about Splash--do many kids even know what movie the ride is from anymore?

It's nice to stumble upon something awesome like that once in a while.

 

[smidgy]

mony.. you never saw Devine??!! wow. r member it took nebo and me about 8 trips to finally find her?

mirage, thanks for the tusker house review.. it appears we are having a character lunch there in august with our grandson.

 

[laura74]

Let me ask Tim. Hold on.

He says, "I was sick of fries the first day."

He actually would rather eat salads, but the salads at Disney are often lacking, so fries it is. With the occasional salad.

There are some good salads around. I enjoyed the POR make your own, Wilderness Salad at Wilderness Lodge , Mandarin Chicken Salad at Yak and Yet counter service, Broccoli Peppercorn Salad at Columbia Harbor House.

We were going to do Boma, but after the 'Ohana fiasco were worried that it wasn't a good choice for this trip. I really wanted to eat there, but I have learned that at least for now, it's not about what I want. We need to go to places where my kids will eat happily. When they're older, and (pleaselord) hopefully better eaters, we can try some of the places I have on my list, and Boma is one of them.

We've been there a couple times with picky eaters and there is plenty of stuff for kids. They have a whole kids section with macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, french fries, etc.

 

[nilla]

LOVE giving away FPs! Not as much as I love using them, but still. I also have wanted to ask for them back on those rare occassions where the recipients don't kiss my feet for giving them.

I agree 100% on the walking thing. I, too, am a fast, snaky walker, and am annoyed by all the things you mention, but will add the "party walking five-wide that refuses to fall out of rank to get out of the way of one-wide me." I've come close to shoulder blocking people. Not being much of a tough guy, it's probably best these things just stay in my head.

Br'er Rabbit! I would've loved to see him. We've seen Br'er Fox in MK, but never his nemesis. We've NEVER stopped in Camp Minnie-Mickey, so who knows what else we've missed? Safari Giselle?

Sounds like you had a great day, in spite of the rain. Speaking of, was sunscreen necessary?

Loving the TR so far!

 

[RachVH]

Joining in a little late! Love your trip report so far. Can't say that I was a LOST fan (as the first season was on against The West Wing and that was non-negotiable at the time), but I always like to find fellow knitters!

 

[mirage0306]

mony.. you never saw Devine??!! wow. r member it took nebo and me about 8 trips to finally find her?

mirage, thanks for the tusker house review.. it appears we are having a character lunch there in august with our grandson.

No problem! I hope you like it--I really think you will.

There are some good salads around. I enjoyed the POR make your own, Wilderness Salad at Wilderness Lodge , Mandarin Chicken Salad at Yak and Yet counter service, Broccoli Peppercorn Salad at Columbia Harbor House.

Oh yeah, there definitely are a few good ones. Last year when we stayed at WL he had that one at Roaring Fork a few times and said it was pretty good. Most places have a chicken caesar; sometimes it's decent, sometimes it's not. There was a grilled chicken salad at the Boardwalk Bakery he had a few times that he said was actually really great. They just don't seem to be offered as often as pizza, nuggets, or fries.

We've been there a couple times with picky eaters and there is plenty of stuff for kids. They have a whole kids section with macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, french fries, etc.

Hey, that's great to know. Boma is definitely on our list for next time!

LOVE giving away FPs! Not as much as I love using them, but still. I also have wanted to ask for them back on those rare occassions where the recipients don't kiss my feet for giving them.

I agree 100% on the walking thing. I, too, am a fast, snaky walker, and am annoyed by all the things you mention, but will add the "party walking five-wide that refuses to fall out of rank to get out of the way of one-wide me." I've come close to shoulder blocking people. Not being much of a tough guy, it's probably best these things just stay in my head.

Br'er Rabbit! I would've loved to see him. We've seen Br'er Fox in MK, but never his nemesis. We've NEVER stopped in Camp Minnie-Mickey, so who knows what else we've missed? Safari Giselle?

Sounds like you had a great day, in spite of the rain. Speaking of, was sunscreen necessary?

Loving the TR so far!

Ha!! Yes, giving away FPs you can't use is something I love. But ITA--I will always remember how I gave that family the TSMM FPs last year and they were just like "oh, meh." I was all, SAY WHAT NOW!? You just got TSMM FPs, they are GONE for the day and you are acting like I handed you a poopy diaper!??



Br'er Fox would be another awesome one to see!! It's so cool to run into less often seen characters. We didn't go to Camp Minnie Mickey last year, but I'm glad we decided to head down there this year. I think that was probably the highlight of Liam's trip. That, or the BWI waterslide. Actually, the waterslide might have been the highlight of *my* trip...

Oh yes, we used sunscreen, because of course when it wasn't dumping on us the sun was bright and high in the air. Start the day with sunscreen, end it hiding under an archway in the MK as lighting practically hits City Hall. Now that was fun! I must be getting close to that day now...Would help if I actually got around to doing another update.

Oh heck yes, the people who walk with the entire party taking up the walkway are irritating to my speed walking self. I do not think so, people. You cannot hold hands like a loving family and walk 4 to 5 across in Disney. Oh, no. Two and two, or two and three, and let's get moving because those Winnie the Pooh fastpasses don't just pop out of the machine by themselves, now do they!? Chop chop!!!

I truly do need to work on my patience.

Joining in a little late! Love your trip report so far. Can't say that I was a LOST fan (as the first season was on against The West Wing and that was non-negotiable at the time), but I always like to find fellow knitters!

Welcome!! Hey, it is never too late to start watching LOST. It's all on netflix instant, if you have that. Not that I'm enabling or anything. Oh no.

Yay! A knitter!! I have to admit, I've been slacking on my knitting projects recently. Do you ever find in the hotter summer months that you don't knit as much? I really do knit more in the fall and winter, and early spring. Something about 100 degree weather makes me not want to mess around with wool, I guess.

Thanks for reading!!

 

[shan23877]

I missed that you knit! I don't know how, but it's been my new year's resolution to learn for the last two years. I did manage the learn to quilt resolution though, and I don't tend to do that much in the summer either.

 

[mirage0306]

I missed that you knit! I don't know how, but it's been my new year's resolution to learn for the last two years. I did manage the learn to quilt resolution though, and I don't tend to do that much in the summer either.

Oh, you should learn!! It's such a great hobby--relaxing, portable, you can stop and start projects whenever. I love knitting with beautiful yarn. It feels so luxurious.

I taught myself using books and the website www.knittinghelp.com - you should check it out!! I could attempt to help you remotely.

Seriously, I love it!

What is quilt resolution, exactly?

 

[shan23877]

Oh, you should learn!! It's such a great hobby--relaxing, portable, you can stop and start projects whenever. I love knitting with beautiful yarn. It feels so luxurious.

I taught myself using books and the website www.knittinghelp.com - you should check it out!! I could attempt to help you remotely.

Seriously, I love it!

What is quilt resolution, exactly?

I'll check that out, thanks! I really do want to learn.

I worded that really badly. I also made a resolution to learn to quilt. That one I followed through on. I make quilts.

 

[mirage0306]

Omg I can't believe that went over my head.

You didn't word it badly. I, however, am an idiot.

 

[mirage0306]

Seriously, I just reread it and it's clear as crystal. I need to go hide under a rock for awhile. Gah! Where's that embarrassed smiley?

 

[Fantasyland Mom]

I am all caught up and subbing!

First of all, I never watched LOST, but I have a son named Sawyer. I hear that's a character on there, but I just named him after Tom. Can we be friends anyway?

Your Quinn reminds me of my Brynn. Quirky, sensitive, hilarious. (And also the cause of many of my asterisks.) Our last trip involved allergy dining for her dairy issues, but this year she's able to tolerate everything except yogurt. Woot! BTW, I just said that out loud because I'm trying to convince my friend that people can, in fact, say that out loud and not just type it. I'm starting a trend. WOOT!

 

[mirage0306]

I am all caught up and subbing!

First of all, I never watched LOST, but I have a son named Sawyer. I hear that's a character on there, but I just named him after Tom. Can we be friends anyway?

Your Quinn reminds me of my Brynn. Quirky, sensitive, hilarious. (And also the cause of many of my asterisks.) Our last trip involved allergy dining for her dairy issues, but this year she's able to tolerate everything except yogurt. Woot! BTW, I just said that out loud because I'm trying to convince my friend that people can, in fact, say that out loud and not just type it. I'm starting a trend. WOOT!

Hi!!

There is indeed a character named Sawyer on Lost. He's one of my very favorites. I love the name! And list I said upthread, it's never too late for Lost.

IMO, you most certainly can say things like WOOT! out loud. Especially when they have to do with your child being able to tolerate foods she couldn't before. That's so awesome!! Here, I'll type it and say it out loud at the same time. WOOT!!

 

[mirage0306]

Day 5

Day 5 starts with us sleeping in, since we were at the MK late for EMH the previous night. I am pretty sure we didn't even get back to the room until after 1:30. I also couldn't tell you how I managed to walk to the room, because my feet no longer felt attached to my body.

Our original plan had us eating breakfast this morning at Kona cafe. I was very excited about this, because I was going to order me some pineapple macadamia nut pancakes, and I was jonesing for those pancakes, people. The tonga toast sounded good, but the pancakes sounded *really* good. But due to late EMH, we decided it was better to get some rest, so no Kona for me this trip.

(Cue the tiny violins.)

So we slept in, which was good, because, really, we all needed it. I got up and shed a tear for Kona, and then the kids and I walked over to OPR for some breakfast. They were delighted to learn that they could get the full size Mickey waffles here (no dining plan, you may recall, so the food selections are their oyster). Both gobbled their breakfast up.

I must have eaten, but thanks to my lack-of-Kona-inspired depression, I don't even remember what it was.



Oh this particular morning, OPR also boasted Nescafe (ack) and a little girl a couple tables away who got sick at breakfast (double ack). We hightailed it out of there, got back to the room and lounged a bit.

Today, you see, is Family Reunion Day. In all honesty, I had not really been looking forward to this. Not only was it taking away a park day but I had never met any of these people. They are all members of Tim's family, and even he had only met a few of them before—his aunt and uncle, of course, and I believe his cousin. Aside from that, we didn't know anyone (besides his parents, who were going to be accompanying us), and to tell you the truth, we didn't even know who was going to be there. I am kind of an introvert, and Tim is REALLY an introvert, so we were apprehensive.

However, it turned out really well. Tim's aunt and uncle had arranged for a Mears van to swing by the Beach Club to get Tim's parents, and then to come by CBR to get us in the early afternoon. We had them meet us at the bus stop, which worked out great. It was nice to see Tim's parents, and the kids were, of course, thrilled they were going to be joining us for a few days.

Anyway, this part is really boring, so let me just say there were lots of people at the house, I still don't know how Tim is related to some of them, pretty much everyone was crazy nice, Tim's aunt made sure there was lots of food available for Quinn (I just couldn't thank her enough!), we snacked, chatted, the kids "swam" in the pool, it stormed (BUT WE WERE IN A HOUSE!!) and then it was time to leave. I'm glad I met everyone—it turned out much better than I'd thought.

See--"swimming":

Oh, but Liam did catch a frog!

But enough about that, because it has nothing to do with Disney. At 6 pm, we got back in the Mears van and headed back towards WDW. We didn't know what we would be doing that evening, so that morning, we made sure to pack for the parks so we didn't have to go back to our room. And that turned out to be a great decision.

We decided that we'd all get off at the Beach Club and walk over to Epcot for the evening and watch Illuminations. My MIL wanted to go up to the room to get a couple of things. I took the opportunity to tag along to check out the room and their views.

They had gotten a 1 br suite at the Beach Club and I apologize for not snapping pics of the interior but IT WAS GINORMOUS. Two flat screen TVs, a sofa, bathroom, large bedroom, large closet, and, since it was on the corner, THE BIGGEST BALCONY IVE EVER SEEN. I am a balcony fiend, and I was standing out there practically drooling at the view.

Here, drool with me.

After I wiped my face off, we all met up and began our walk over to Epcot. It only takes about four minutes (love that about the Epcot resorts), even with the slowpokes that cannot possibly be related to me, MOVE YOUR FEET PEOPLE, and soon we were in France! Ooh la la! We walked around for awhile, and eventually made our way over to Mexico, where we staked out a spot with a totally awesome view, dude.

We could have had this entire pavilion to ourselves a couple of nights ago when the park was bleeping empty, but let's not go there. Let's stay here in Mexico.

Not a bad view, eh? And to make things double awesome, even though the sky looks terrible, it didn't rain.

Anyway, it was probably 7:45 or so. My Ils took the kids over to ride the Gran Fiesta tour (no drops, so rest assured, everyone is safe) while Tim and I discussed dinner options. I decided to run over to the Cantina, where we got a couple orders of nachos, some beef tacos (those were for Tim—Look mom, NO FRIES), and what I believe to this day may have possibly been the most amazing Mexican food I've ever had.

That would be the cheese empanadas with a green sauce. Listen, I ordered these on a total whim. Empanadas are not really my thing. But it's like they were calling to me, singing a siren song of gluttony.

They were outstanding. I may go on record here to say that those empanadas were the best thing I ate the entire 11 days we were at Disney. Maybe the tiramisu from Boardwalk Bakery would come close--*maybe*. I mean, they were that good.

My Ils came back from the ride with the kids, and while we all settled in, my MIL darted across the walkway to get us margaritas. She was trying to buy three, but Disney has a very hard and fast TWO DRINKS ONLY rule, so she had to gesture wildly at us to get our attention. My FIL noticed and waved back that one of the margaritas was for him, and crisis (TERRIBLE ALCOHOL CRISIS!!!) was averted.

So, here we are. Imagine the scene: Amazing view, good food, drinks, and family. The sun was setting, the booming loudspeaker voice dude was welcoming us to World Showcase Lagoon, and I was a happy camper.

Illuminations was amazing, of course. In fact, Quinn and I just watched it on youtube, and as always, I teared up. Those dang WDW fireworks shows get me every time, even if I'm sitting in the study in front of the computer, 2000 miles away from Epcot.

After Illuminations ended, we called it a night. I apologize that this installment of the trip report has such a sad amount of pictures, but seeing as we weren't in Disney for the majority of the day, I don't think there's much that would interest you guys.

But tomorrow, we'll be switching resorts, and heading to AK, which is always a picturepalooza. So don't give up on me yet, mmmmkay?

 

[shan23877]

I'm glad that you had fun at the family reunion!


WOW! That's some view! I don't blame you for drooling, that's incredible. I love the walk from the Epcot resorts too, so nice. I'm big on moving under my own power, I hate,hate,hate getting stuck on the bus or monorail and watching all the other people who are getting to the parks while I'm stuck.

I really want to eat at one of the Mexico pavilion restaurants, but since Mexican food is so readily available outside of Disney, we always eat somewhere else. One of these days we'll try it-especially since DD's favorite food is Mexican. (That was my pregnancy craving-ate Mexican 3x a week when I was preggers. Now she'd eat it every day if I let her. Isn't that crazy?)

Yay for a nice spot (and adult bevs) for Illuminations! I cry every time too.

 

[MHTeacher]

Sorry you missed Kona during this trip. It's probably our favorite place to eat at Disney. I have seen pictures of those macadamia nut pancakes on several reports recently, and I am convinced that I must try them.

Can't wait to see pictures of the new resort!