3 Families doin' a Surf & Turf Trip! AKL CL & Dream...Good-Byes

[hstrickland]

I'm jealous of you hopping in your Ferrari-like van and magically arriving about 4.5 hours later at WDW - I'd be there all the time - how do you show such restraint?!

Your arrival is shaping-up to be a near perfect landing! A TEN for sure!

Hmmmmm......."Ferrari-like"...Next time I jump in the driving seat, I'll picture myself driving one...And as far as restraint goes...it's actually quite easy. I just look at my checkbook and that speaks volumes

Far, far away, eh.....
We had a suite on the second floor ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL the way down the hall at the very,very end. It was a super duper hike to the lounge....but it sure is a nice walk

I believe that I might could make the daily trek if I had a suite....just maybe...

Looks like the trip is off to a smooth start - other than the rain. But you are right, a rainy day in Disney is better than a day anywhere else!

Sorry your hubby couldn't get the time off... although I have a hard time believing those angels do any yelling & screaming...

Totally agree AKL feels like it's in another world and you forget you're in Orlando. Looking forward to hearing more about staying CL.

Faith looks so cute in the arrival picture with her doll. They are ready to go!

As always love the borders and other effects you add to the pictures!

Oh, and good memory... I am in CT! All is well here. Nice and sunny & hot for the holiday weekend!

Looking forward to more!

Ok...glad I had CT right My sister's up there in Glastonbury.

Faith carried that doll everywhere at WDW! Sophia is her name You would think she is actually part of the family. I probably should have introduced her as well...

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm here!!! I'm late, but here!! Can't wait to read all about it!!!

 

[hstrickland]

We must have been posting at the same time....

Love the update! AKL looks amazing!

Glad to have you join in!

Hi! All caught up and anxiously awaiting the next installment! We have never stayed at the AKL so it is great to hear (and see) all about it!

You have a beautiful family

Thanks a million! Happy to have my RC friends tag along

 

[hstrickland]

I'm here!!! I'm late, but here!! Can't wait to read all about it!!!

We were posting at the same time!! Late!!?? I'm never late to your TRs...ok...just maybe once or twice...

Can't believe you have time to keep up with all these threads!! You're life is like really busy now....decisions, decisions

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

New to your TR, but loving it! We are doing the Dream in March '13, with a resort stay beforehand (though I keep changing my mind as to where we'll stay). Can't wait to read more!

As for the GPS, my DH refers to that speed shown on yours as "the speed at which our car drives to Disney"

 

[mirage0306]

Oh, great update. Nice start to your trip! I am so excited to hear more about AKL, especially club level. DH and I have agreed that if we were to do CL again anywhere, it would only be AKL, because of the sunrise safari.

Beautiful pics, too! Can't wait to read more!

 

[ljcrochet]

Hi there You must be using an iPad, too. Why don't the signatures show up on those things? Do all the smilies and all pictures appear? Can you tell I'm iPad illiterate

In the app there is a under settings an option to turn sigs on.

Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

 

[Missoutandabout]

Hi there You must be using an iPad, too. Why don't the signatures show up on those things? Do all the smilies and all pictures appear? Can you tell I'm iPad illiterate

Nah, just a glorified scientific calculator so I've got mine turned off or each page takes roughly 8.5 years to load.

Between your comment about ignoring the speed on the GPS, Kook's comment on the Ferrari and noticing it's a Honda, I can't get that commercial out of my head. So, just think of flames bursting behind it with heavy guitar riffs playing each time you get in!

I have to say, with all these gorgeous photos and your excellent beginning, I've got a hankerin' for MORE AKL! Breaking out this...

 

[DisneyDoc5]

LOL about the GPS speed in your Ferrari van!!!

Great pics Heather - is photobucket where you store your pics and add all the borders and such? LOVE it!!!

Happy day after the 4th! It's hotter here in MI than FL!!!

Hello to many of the familiar posters on this thread - Missoutandabout - did you ever find that stuffed animal you wanted from a previous trip? If I recall you are in the Chicago area - stay cool!

Having a magical day!
Erin

 

[Janet B]

Hi Heather!!

Great TR so far! Lovin' all the pictures .. you are so creative with all the right special touches on each one and every on... (oh and it helps that the subjects are all beautiful, stunning, adorable, cute, handsome, etc...)

Speed??? Didn't even notice my dear!!

Looking forward to reading more!

I'd be Happy to help...let's recruit Sheila, Dani, Candace, Janet, Sarah....hmmm what other NE DISers...

Yay! No problem, be happy to help!!

 

[hstrickland]

Well.....a cold front has moved into South Georgia today....it's only 93 Holy cow!!! I need to move NORTH for the summer....would any of you be interested in boarding a family of 4 (Bill can't get off work....just me and the kids) We don't require much room....

Anyway....

New to your TR, but loving it! We are doing the Dream in March '13, with a resort stay beforehand (though I keep changing my mind as to where we'll stay). Can't wait to read more!

As for the GPS, my DH refers to that speed shown on yours as "the speed at which our car drives to Disney"

Happy to have you follow along! You have the Poly on your ticker (as of now) Nice choice!! And I like the way your husband thinks....Disney Speed My Ferrari Van travels nicely at 80+...very smooth

Oh, great update. Nice start to your trip! I am so excited to hear more about AKL, especially club level. DH and I have agreed that if we were to do CL again anywhere, it would only be AKL, because of the sunrise safari.

Beautiful pics, too! Can't wait to read more!

Thanks...if I'm not mistaken, AKL CL is one of the less expensive ones...and worth the money (JMO)

In the app there is a under settings an option to turn sigs on.

Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

Thanks for the answer. I'll have to relay the info to my friends. Perhaps one day I'll join the rest of the world and get one! Until then...the lap top will have to do...

Nah, just a glorified scientific calculator so I've got mine turned off or each page takes roughly 8.5 years to load.

Between your comment about ignoring the speed on the GPS, Kook's comment on the Ferrari and noticing it's a Honda, I can't get that commercial out of my head. So, just think of flames bursting behind it with heavy guitar riffs playing each time you get in!

I have to say, with all these gorgeous photos and your excellent beginning, I've got a hankerin' for MORE AKL! Breaking out this...

You're crackin' me up! Now I have a Ferrari-Flame-Throwing Heavy Metal Mini-Van....I like it

When Bill gets in the driving seat, he likes to sing this song to me and the kids...

Family Mannnn, Family Mannnnn,
Driving round' in my mini-van!

and he doesn't crack a smile...

LOL about the GPS speed in your Ferrari van!!!

Glad you've found humor for the day! Bill thinks it's hilarious, too.


Great pics Heather - is photobucket where you store your pics and add all the borders and such? LOVE it!!!

Photobucket...they changed it recently...I like the old version better, but it's fine. I'm just having to re-learn some things.


Happy day after the 4th! It's hotter here in MI than FL!!!

WHAT??!!!

Hello to many of the familiar posters on this thread - Missoutandabout - did you ever find that stuffed animal you wanted from a previous trip? If I recall you are in the Chicago area - stay cool!

Having a magical day!
Erin

Hi Heather!!

Great TR so far! Lovin' all the pictures .. you are so creative with all the right special touches on each one and every on... (oh and it helps that the subjects are all beautiful, stunning, adorable, cute, handsome, etc...)

Speed??? Didn't even notice my dear!!

Looking forward to reading more!

You're sweet, Janet Thanks! Glad you made it over!!!

 

[rustytss]

Ok...I am on! Let's hope I remember how to do all of this. Hopefully I am posting this to your thread and not someone elses thread!! Oh, and how do I change my ticker? You set it up for me last time.

 

[Snoopygirl]

I'm looking forward to reading your TR! We've only stayed @ SSR & BWV so far since being DVC members so I love hearing about other resorts. We are going in 2013 and doing a split still and still can't decided where to stay.

 

[hstrickland]

Ok...I am on! Let's hope I remember how to do all of this. Hopefully I am posting this to your thread and not someone elses thread!! Oh, and how do I change my ticker? You set it up for me last time.

Well...it's about time! You ARE part of the TR, for heaven sakes. I was wondering about the ticker....I wasn't sure if you secretly booked another cruise without your hubby knowing. Oh wait....that would be something I would do (just kidding, Bill)

Everybody, ....please welcome....Stephanie, one of the featured stars of the trip report and new members on the DisBoards!​

I'm sure her husband is lurking somewhere....come out, come out wherever you are!

 

[hstrickland]

I'm looking forward to reading your TR! We've only stayed @ SSR & BWV so far since being DVC members so I love hearing about other resorts. We are going in 2013 and doing a split still and still can't decided where to stay.

Happy to have you follow along! We ventured over to Kidani one day for lunch(have that review coming) and looked around for a bit....very nice We got lots of pictures, too.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Ok...I am on! Let's hope I remember how to do all of this. Hopefully I am posting this to your thread and not someone elses thread!! Oh, and how do I change my ticker? You set it up for me last time.

Welcome Stephanie - your children and ADORABLE!!!

 

[hstrickland]

Day 1
TRex & Downtown Disney


After a very smooth check-in, we jumped in my Ferrari Van and breezed over to DTD…I’m not big on the buses (unlike Bill, who loves them) The parking lot was rather full, but we found a parking space not too far from TRex. It looked like it might rain at any minute!

Our ressies were for 1:30, but we arrived around 12:45ish. The hostess politely told me to come back at 1:15 and she would check us in. There were quite a few people waiting. No problem….we walked around a bit and took in the sites. LOTS of people everywhere!!!

I was a mean mom and refused to allow the kids to enter the Lego Store…I knew they would never want to leave AND it was completely packed out. I’ve always wondered how they make these Lego sculptures. The Loch Ness Monster (or whatever that is in the lake) has been the same for a while, but the others seem to change frequently.

I did quickly get to visit the World of Disney for a brief moment…had several things that were ‘must buys’…shirts for the boys, shirt for Bill, hats, and a Mini Mouse Doll outfit.

Upon arrival at TRex, the hostess outside checked us in then sent us inside to another line with another hostess. Not real sure, but I think we were in a line for reservations and the other people standing around were walk-ups.

Jesse was simply amazed at all the dinosaurs! Especially the ones that moved. At first he thought they were real and wouldn’t touch any of them…Faith, being the motherly hen, quickly said “Jess…it’s all just fiction…don’t be scared.”

While we waited in line, I took the opportunity to get some photos……over to the left of the restaurant is the bar area.

Just a few facts about TRex….(taken from the Disney Website)

T-REX is a dinosaur-themed family eatery serving lunch and dinner amid prehistoric creatures, fun displays and merchandise in Downtown Disney area.

Location: Marketplace
Cuisine: American
Experience: Special & Unique Dining
Service: A la Carte
Price Level: $15 to $35.99
Times: 11am-until??? (seasonal hours)


We waited in line about 10 minutes, then they took us to our table….waaaaay in the back….by a huge dinosaur!

Actually the location was more than perfect! We were in the back left against the wall and away from the masses. The triceratops was a huge hit!!!

The kids were cooped up in the Ferrari Van for almost 5 hours, so they needed to play a little…..and no, these are not pictures of bats…they are my children.

We finally managed to coax the bats down from roosting so we could order our food….we were starved!!!

Continued in the next post…..




​

 

[hstrickland]

Continued from previous post....



The restaurant is really quite large with tons of tables. Every 15 minutes or so, the lights start to flicker and the animals go wild (much like Rain Forest Café) except this is a meteor shower…not a rain storm. Rooms change colors, too…very cool. If you’re not into loud, you might want to stay clear of TRex…not exactly what I would call quiet and romantic.

For an appetizer we ordered….

For an appetite as big as T-REX! Spinach and pepper jack queso with tortilla chips, Brachiosaurus Bruschetta, T-Rexadillas and Onion Rings ,Add Ribs for $5.99

It was good…not outstanding. Just your basic bar type food. Stephen thought it was wonderful, though.



Mom ordered….

Traditional sherry-based onion soup baked with a large crouton and bubbling Swiss cheese

It must have been good because she ate all of it…



For the two little ones, they had….

Basically fried chicken strips with cinnamon apples…they liked it.



Would you believe I don’t have a picture of my meal!!?? What in the world was I thinking?? I had the Bronto Burger - A 100% beef burger piled high with a fried onion ring, pickles, lettuce, tomato and your choice of cheese. It was REALLY good….cooked perfectly.


Dad ordered…..

And yes, I know…it doesn’t appear to be very appetizing. However, Pop said it was excellent!! I tried to find this dish through online menus, but no luck. Basically, it’s just typical paella…rice, beans, chicken, shell fish, etc.


No desserts….we had too much food!



While we ate lunch, Stephen decided to grab Pops camera and snap a couple of pictures…he’s following in our footsteps (does my heart good) These giant bugs were located throughout the restaurant. By each figure was its name and a description of the animal.

The service was pretty good…she was a very nice lady that kept our drinks full and table cleared…no complaints here. Would we return?? Probably....for lunch.


After lunch, we were going to leave and go directly to World of Disney….however my plan was interrupted. Before we could even exit the restaurant the kids spotted this…

This isn’t one of those ‘look and leave’ things….so if you’re in a hurry and have small children, run the other way! Check out the man with his head down....poor soul! He's probably been there for hours!

Actually it was kinda cute. They had a place that you could pan for gold/gems. Of course you had to buy the kit to do it….I did manage to bypass that money pit.

After what seemed like an eternity, there was no other option…it was time to shop! I managed to find 4 or the 5 items I was hunting for…so it was a fairly successful venture.

Up next ….AKL CL Rooms and views!

 

[i_heart_the_mouse]

Great T-Rex review!

I can't wait for your next installment!!!!!!

 

[DisneyDoc5]

can't stop laughing over the Ferrari van - must...get...air!

Josh and I had TRex last summer and we also really enjoyed it for lunch - great service for us too. I think this is a win win for anyone with children, there is so much to look at and enjoy! If you can, just bypass the gift shop area and save your money for Disney souvenirs!

I love the vibe at DTD - but I also LOVE to shop, so go figure! Great pics!