5 Newbies Visit the World!! - UPDATED! - Our Last ADR and A Magical Moment

[TX Momof2]

Hi! I love reading about your first family trip to DW! My family is planning a trip in January 2014. My MIL is coming with us. How was AOA? I KNOW my kids would LOVE the resort, just not sure about MIL. How was the bus service?

 

[mom2cgj]

Hi! I love reading about your first family trip to DW! My family is planning a trip in January 2014. My MIL is coming with us. How was AOA? I KNOW my kids would LOVE the resort, just not sure about MIL. How was the bus service?

We absolutely loved AoA! We will stay there again when we go back. It was really beautiful, and I'm sure some people would find it a little overwhelming with all the theming, but we thought that was just perfect. We had a suite, which was great for the 5 of us. The bus service was really great. We never waited more than 10 minutes at the resort for a bus, and the rides weren't that long. I think the only time we waited long at all at a park was at MK after Wishes and park closing when everyone was trying to leave. I think we waited about 30 minutes, but they were constantly loading bus after bus after bus. There were just that many people! But we didn't think the resort seemed crowded at all. During the afternoon, there were quite a few people at the pool, but in the evenings it was basically empty. The food court wasn't that busy and looked good. I think if it was my MIL coming, it wouldn't be the resort she would choose (she'd want something like GF!), but she would love being there with the kids and seeing how much they love it!

 

[old lady]

I am glad you like T-Rex. I wonder if it is better than the Rainforest cafe.

 

[mom2cgj]

I am glad you like T-Rex. I wonder if it is better than the Rainforest cafe.

We haven't done the Rainforest Cafe at DTD, but we have eaten at one in Chicago. Personally, I preferred T-Rex both for food and atmosphere.

 

[rndmr2]

Glad you like AoA, I have stayed at Pop Century across the bridge before with a similar style decor. I really want to go see AOA next trip even if we don't stay there. It does really look cool.

I have heard good things about T-Rex, glad you enjoyed your dinner there.

Nice character pics at Tusker House. That Photopass+ is great when you do those Character meals and the meet and greets.

Sorry your DD didn't like It's Tough to Be a Bug, it sounds like she was on your DH's lap, you are lucky she wasn't in her chair at the end with the Bees... I like that show but it does creep me out some, I don't like bugs but animated ones are (mostly) ok...

On our 2010 trip DH decided he wanted to go on Dinosaur, I was surprised since he doesn't usually like that type of ride. Well, I had been on it before but it had been a few years (like 10) and wow it was a lot rougher than I remembered! I'm not surprised your DD was scared, I was too! LOL

 

[mom2cgj]

The Jammin’ Jungle Parade was fantastic! The kids were up dancing and waving and it was so much fun!

I’d read so much about how you have to get seats super early for the parades, but we managed to get great parade seats for all the afternoon parades at about 15 minutes prior. Probably a factor of the time of year, but it still was great! We were right on the corner of the parade route in Africa, so we had a great view. All day we’d been getting compliments on our matching shirts, and they must have been drawing attention to us for the parade, too, because we had a lot of great face-time with characters.

After the parade, we’d done pretty much everything we had wanted to do, so we asked the kids if there was anything they wanted to do again. They said “Safari!”, and since we were close, we got over there before the parade crowd completely overtook us. We only waited about 10 minutes and got back on. We saw a lot of different animals than the morning trip, so it was definitely good that we went a second time.

While we were riding around on the Safari, the guide kept talking about Rafiki’s Planet Watch. I didn’t think it was something the kids would be interested in, so I hadn’t mentioned it. Well, G-Bear decided she really wanted to see it, so we decided to try. We hopped on the railroad with a bunch of other people and headed out to RPW. We got out there right at 5:00, which was closing time. The CMs said that was fine, we could spend about 20 minutes before they would kick us out.

So, we didn’t have a lot of time to look around, but we did get to meet Rafiki! Definitely worth going out there for!

The kids also got to pet a snake on the way back to the train.

By the time we got back to Africa, it was time to leave the park. I snagged this photo on the way out.

I'm really glad AK was our first Disney park. It was absolutely beautiful, not overly crowded, and good for a relatively slow paced day. It kind of broke us in for the more up-tempo touring we would need at MK and DHS.

There was a PP photographer on the way out who took this nice photo...

And this one because Nugget wouldn’t stop with the lion hands...

And our first magic shot...

Then we caught the bus to Wilderness Lodge for our ADR at...

My opinion of WL? Well, no offense to anyone who loves WL, but it’s not my cup of tea. Just too “woodsy”, I guess. I think I managed to prove to myself and Mike that we are value people this trip. None of the deluxes seemed like us. That’s ok with me!

Dinner at the Whispering Canyon: We checked in and got our buzzer. Then we wandered around the lobby for about 10 minutes before they were ready to seat us. The inside of the restaurant was nice. It was VERY crowded when we were there. We were seated and ordered our drinks - milk shakes for me and Cubby. I had heard great things about the waitstaff here and all of their “antics”. We didn’t see a lot of that, but we did get the straws. The service wasn’t bad, just not as crazy as I had heard. For apps, we ordered the Flash Fried Navajo Bread (with citrus-honey and tomato jam) and the Slow-Smoked Pork Spring Rolls (with Sweet Chili dipping sauce). I have a seafood allergy, so the chef came out and talked to me before we ordered, and made sure our bread and rolls would not be fried in oil that had been used on fish. The spring rolls were good. I particularly liked the sweet chili sauce. The Navajo bread was OK. I thought it was a little over-done.

G-Bear ordered the cheese dippers (ie grilled cheese) and Cubby and Nugget both had the cheeseburger. Standard kids’ food. We had...oh, yeah. The only option. The skillet. Honestly, I don’t remember much about it. I know we weren’t blown away. Most of the meat seemed dry and kind of blah. The beans and corn were good. (sorry it's blurry - like I said, I don't take great food pics!)

At some point, Nugget needed ketchup...

The kids got up at one point to do the hokey pokey. Mike followed them over to take a picture and the CM stopped everyone and had them turn and wave to the camera. Mike turned a little red, but I was laughing!

The dessert sampler was pretty good. I liked the jalapeno-lime cheesecake, but no one else was thrilled with it. The chocolate cake was the favorite at our table.

After dinner it was time for the trip back “home” to AoA. We took the bus to MK and then another bus to AoA. We were all tired when we got back. One fun surprise was that our mousekeepers seemed to have fun with Nugget’s stuffed dog “Barkley”. Every night when we would come back to the suite, he would be posed somewhere!

Up next...Princesses, Ponies, and Peter Pan!

 

[court9008]

I'm glad that you were able to make a visit to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Despite mixed opinions, I visited and had a nice time. Also, I was able to meet Pocahontas and Jiminy Cricket. I wanted to meet Rafiki, but his line was too long. Maybe next time. There's also a nice area called Affection Section, which has a petting zoo for children. I found the animals to be quite entertaining.

 

[Mjp935]

Oh my gosh I am obsessed with this! I just read this tonight after updating my trip! I love AOA! I have stayed in LK and Cars! Whispering Canyon is sooooooooo goooood! I love Characters and I am 20 so I love to see other peoples meets! So cute i cannot wait to see what happens next! Especially because I see it involves Peter Pan and he is totes my spirit animal! Was Goofy not at TH? Aww at least you saw him in DinoLand, I am sure that morning he was probably getting Max ready for school!

Thanks

Mark

 

[Surfinpiratee]

Just started reading your TR! Love it! I would love to stay in the Lion King suite! Lion King is my favorite movie! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[RunningthruDisney]

Great updates!!! The shirts look adorable.

 

[sue_88]

We usually leave some plushy pets in the hotel room just for that reason. It is fun to see what the housekeeping people will do with them.
I like the name Barkley! Here is a little dis trivia: The dragon/sea serpent that is made out of legos and lives in the lake at Down Town Disney is named Brickley.

 

[Holly324]

Just started reading your TR today...love it! I am from not far from your neck of the woods...gotta love the midwest! Loved the pics of the Lion King suite! So incredibly cute!! And you guys had GREAT seats for the parade at AK. Can't wait to read more!!

 

[Viva Las Disney]

It was time! The bus was here! I was literally shaking I was so excited and it was just for the bus!

And, once again, I started tearing up. We were finally on our way! It was a dream come true. By the time the movie was over and they started showing the Donald Duck cartoons, Nugget was asleep. I think he got about a 20 minute nap. I tried to wake him up when we went through the gate to the World, but he wouldn’t budge. Oh, well. I was crying again anyway.

I was completely overwhelmed.

I am 39 year old male and going on my first trip this year and am pretty sure this will be me. I have dreamed of going for decades but never have, I think I will be wearing sunglasses most of the time I'm in DW whether the sun is out or not so I don't lose my man card.

I love reading first timers trip reports and look forward to the rest of yours, also loving the lion roar pictures and the one with your daughter staring up at Rafiki is too cute.

 

[mom2cgj]

I'm glad that you were able to make a visit to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Despite mixed opinions, I visited and had a nice time. Also, I was able to meet Pocahontas and Jiminy Cricket. I wanted to meet Rafiki, but his line was too long. Maybe next time. There's also a nice area called Affection Section, which has a petting zoo for children. I found the animals to be quite entertaining.

We definitely plan to spend more time out there next time! The kids love petting zoos, so they would probably get a really kick out of that. I would LOVE to meet Jiminy Cricket. So cool!

Oh my gosh I am obsessed with this! I just read this tonight after updating my trip! I love AOA! I have stayed in LK and Cars! Whispering Canyon is sooooooooo goooood! I love Characters and I am 20 so I love to see other peoples meets! So cute i cannot wait to see what happens next! Especially because I see it involves Peter Pan and he is totes my spirit animal! Was Goofy not at TH? Aww at least you saw him in DinoLand, I am sure that morning he was probably getting Max ready for school!

Thanks and Welcome! Cars is our next trip. Which did you like better? I loved LK, but the kids are really excited about Cars. I would have done that last time, but I thought DD would throw a fit - but she's the one who really wants Cars!

Goofy was there, but my picture is blurry. We saw him several times though...wait til you see the one at Chef Mickey's!

Just started reading your TR! Love it! I would love to stay in the Lion King suite! Lion King is my favorite movie! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

It's my favorite movie, too! I have the soundtrack in my car and play it over and over and over. I think G-Bear knew the words to Hakuna Matata before her ABCs!

Great updates!!! The shirts look adorable.

Thanks!!

I like the name Barkley! Here is a little dis trivia: The dragon/sea serpent that is made out of legos and lives in the lake at Down Town Disney is named Brickley.

Seriously?!?! I had no idea! I will have to tell Nugget that next time we go. Maybe Barkley will have to travel to DTD to get a picture taken with (well, near!) Brickley!!

Just started reading your TR today...love it! I am from not far from your neck of the woods...gotta love the midwest! Loved the pics of the Lion King suite! So incredibly cute!! And you guys had GREAT seats for the parade at AK. Can't wait to read more!!

There is just something about midwesterners, isn't there?

I am 39 year old male and going on my first trip this year and am pretty sure this will be me. I have dreamed of going for decades but never have, I think I will be wearing sunglasses most of the time I'm in DW whether the sun is out or not so I don't lose my man card.

If you are like me, you will find lots of things to cry over! I was out-and-out bawling during Wishes the last night. Thank goodness it was dark and noisy! All good tears (well, except our first morning at MK - you'll have to keep reading to hear about that), but I am an emotional nutcase! You should write a TR for your first trip! Then I can follow along...

 

[rndmr2]

Fun Update! That parade at AK looks cute, that's one I haven't seen yet, maybe next time. That's great that so many characters interacted with you.

I always liked going to Rafiki's planet watch, if you get more time there another trip there are lots of neat things there to see.

So cute that the mousekeepers would pose your little one's dog. A few years ago my parents and I took my 2 nieces on a trip and my nieces had quite the managerie of stuffed animals and Beanies (this was back when Beanie Babies were the thing). We would come back to the room every night to a different scene, one day they were in the window. It is a cute memory of that trip.

 

[Mjp935]

I personally liked Cars better because that section, unlike LK as you know, has a pool! I LOVE CHEF MICKEY'S!!!! I CANNOT WAIT!

Thanks

Mark

 

[mom2cgj]

I personally liked Cars better because that section, unlike LK as you know, has a pool! I LOVE CHEF MICKEY'S!!!! I CANNOT WAIT!

Thanks

Mark

OK...So when you mentioned that you love CM's, a lightbulb went off and I realized I've been reading your TR! You are THAT Mark!!

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

Very cute! I love that you've met so many magic CMs already on day one. That's pretty great... the random photopass pics, the special pin for your daughter... those are the nice little touches that Disney adds.
Sorry you didn't like WL so much. It's kind of our "home" resort. Never stayed anywhere but there-- except for our upcoming trip where we'll stay at POR for the first 4 days and then WL for the last two.
Loving the TR! Just the right amount of photos! Can't wait to hear about the ponies... wondering where you me them at.

 

[sue_88]

OK...So when you mentioned that you love CM's, a lightbulb went off and I realized I've been reading your TR! You are THAT Mark!!

He's the FAMOUS Mark!

 

[SuperNEMOfan]

Im back!

It looks like you had an amazing time at your first disney park! I love AK but ive never been on Dinosaur so that will be a new ride for me.

I cant wait to hear more!!!!