A Post Open-Heart Surgery/Anniversary Trip Report!!! Updated 5/30 PTR started!!

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I say them in order, too, when telling someone the countries. A little OCD-ness, I guess. It feels to say them any other way.

Yes, let the adventure begin!

We've had Boma for dinner, but not breakfast. Yet.

Hahaha it just feels right to say them like that! (and I never go Canada to Mexico, no idea why I only recite WS clockwise )

Oooh you SO should try Boma for breakfast! I'm telling you, it's worth it for the goat cheese eggs alone, but there are a bunch of fun treats there!

What? You ventured AWAY from Epcot?? Oh Sara, my opinion of you just dropped a teensy bit. Just kidding!

AK is fabulous! But I agree, it can be confusing despite it's hub/wheel set up. Actually, I'm about to make you feel better. Ready? Ok, (deep breath here) I didn't even KNOW what AK was the first time we took our girls in 2008! We extended our trip by one day and I called to make a dining reservation for lunch. The CM on the phone suggested Tusker House at the AK and I was like, what the heck is AK? Is it a zoo? I kid you not. I'm sure that CM hung up thinking I was the stupidest person she'd spoken to that day. There, don't you feel better now?

Aw, poor Wingnut wasn't in a picture taking mood. It's ok, DH gets like that too. Usually it's because I want him to stand next to some random Disney prop or interesting thing like a lamp post.

Boma is amazing and I think I prefer the breakfast there to the dinner. I love your animal shaped pancakes! Almost too cute to eat (almost). I'm going to have to disagree with you on the juice, it's delish! Yours and Wingnut's joint review was hilarious! Apparently he was yelled at alot...

It did feel a bit out of character to not be walking into the International Gateway. Hey, I'm a creature of habit. Especially when those habits involve French pastries.

I LOVED your AK story! It's okay, it's kind of out of new and the way... That park is ridiculously confusing though. I think because I don't know it well enough to have a good grasp on landmarks. I'm just looking around like "tree...tree...person dressed as a tree..."

Wingnut usually starts to protest the constant picture-taking at some point in the trip. It is generally brought on when I've started taking photos of the mundane or "too many" of him. What can I say, I've got memories to preserve!

I agree, I prefer Boma's breakfast to dinner as well! Although I prefer breakfast to dinner on any given day...but I thought Boma's breakfast was excellent!

(And of course, nothing but love for the Wingnut )


(but...)


(he WAS taking all the good items to review. )

I've done Boma for lunch & dinner but not breakfast. Those goat cheese scrambled eggs sound yummy!

I hope your 'adventure' at AK is a good one!

They are SOOO yummy! If I could have somehow smuggled the entire tray out of the restaurant with me I may have considered it.

Caught up here and read the Boma breakfast dining review. Very cute two-part harmony in the writing of that chapter. Somehow I don't think they would've given my wife and I a strawberry for every year...they don't want to take a loss on the meal!

Thanks!!! I enjoyed the strawberries as a fun anniversary treat! I'm sure they would have figured out a fun surprise for you as well (although now I'm envisioning them bringing over a wheelbarrow of strawberries to your table...how cool would that be?!?)

 

[glennbo123]

(although now I'm envisioning them bringing over a wheelbarrow of strawberries to your table...how cool would that be?!?)

Hey, we haven't been married quite that long....we're not that old!

 

[Carol17]

I am a little late to the party, but I am loving your trip report! I have to say that the Yacht Club is like home to me! I hate to tell ya though,the staircase is MINE, not yours(LOL teasing of course!)

It is nice to read a fellow adult only trip report. I soooo agree about the bathroom at YC. Crazy the contortions you have to do to get in there without falling into the toilet!

We are a week away from our trip to the Poly, but reading your report has made me want to go back to the Yacht Club!

I have a TR from the Yacht Club as well as one at the Boardwalk for our Chilly January visit(see my signature for a link) if you would like to see more pics of our favourite place!

Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Hey, we haven't been married quite that long....we're not that old!

Oh Glennbo, of course you're not that old!

...but wouldn't a wheelbarrow full of strawberries just be awesome? Or, better yet, zebra domes?

I am a little late to the party, but I am loving your trip report! I have to say that the Yacht Club is like home to me! I hate to tell ya though,the staircase is MINE, not yours(LOL teasing of course!)

It is nice to read a fellow adult only trip report. I soooo agree about the bathroom at YC. Crazy the contortions you have to do to get in there without falling into the toilet!

We are a week away from our trip to the Poly, but reading your report has made me want to go back to the Yacht Club!

I have a TR from the Yacht Club as well as one at the Boardwalk for our Chilly January visit(see my signature for a link) if you would like to see more pics of our favourite place!

Looking forward to reading more!

Hi, welcome!!

Alright, alright, we can share the staircase. That is a wonderful little part of WDW, isn't it? So funny how we can become so enamored with a staircase!

The bathroom was a little ridiculous, every time I went in there I'd be like "could they have built this with a little less extra space???"

Have an awesome time at the Poly!!!! I've never stayed there before, but it seems absolutely gorgeous there!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

After breakfast, we took the incredibly short bus ride to the front gates of Animal Kingdom, rented the wheelchair as per usual, and began our ascent into the park.

Gee Wingnut, there seem to be an awful lot of inclines in this park. LIKE THE ENTIRE PARK IS ONE GIANT HILL THAT ONLY GOES UP.

How is this even physically possible? All poor Wingnut did was push that wheelchair up and up and up past foliage and random animals that we didn't really slow down to see for fear we would lose momentum.

On occasion, when we would find plateaus, I'd hold up the map, approximate our current location, and try to suggest something that might be interesting to do.

"Safari?"

"Sure."

We started in the (hopefully) direction of the safari, I pointing the way, Wingnut following my human compass. Everyone around us seemed incredibly confident of their plan and location, and I could feel myself getting flustered and frustrated already.

"Turn this way, I think. Um...oh!...a sign for Africa!" (thank God) "Go there, go there!"

The theming for this park makes me even more confident in my inability to survive if ever lost in Africa. Or Asia. Or any sort of place with a lot of trees and no Figment.

(I like to think that Epcot missed me too.)

Eventually, miraculously, we found our way to the Safari. We wound the wheelchair through the queue, as I remembered it being long and wanted to save my energy. The line was pretty short, and soon enough we were aboard our two-week safari ride.

Our vehicle took a moment to cruise off, and we could hear the driver of the first jeep cracking jokes and having a grand time with his group. Wingnut and I laughed along with that group, and we soon took off (our driver turned out to be very informative and entertaining as well).

Safari pic time...



The elusive tour group sighting.











Well hi there.



I was very excited when it was elephant time.











I was very excited about this one for some reason



Ok, not an elephant



I have to say, I don't really understand why Disney felt the need to add in the whole poaching plot to the safari. I think it's interesting and entertaining enough a ride on its own without hunting down evil-doers. And did the bridge get a lot less rickety than in prior years? Or was I imagining that part?

Post-safari, we got entirely turned around at the exit, and somehow ended up attempting to back up the ramp to the exit of the ride (it is not my fault everything in this park LOOKS ALIKE). Our safari guide helpfully pointed us in the right direction (the one everyone else was heading in...whoops...) and we were back on our way...to...well, let's go this way.

Hey look, DeVine!



I'm kind of wondering if the guy doesn't notice her standing right there, and is like "hey, awesome concrete"

As much as I don't know about this park, I was pretty pleased with myself for being able to point out to Wingnut the lining up of the temple/mountain.



He was mildly impressed.

We rolled on.

I'm sure at this point our feelings about using the wheelchair in AK are pretty obvious. Why on earth is it all uphill? Okay, I know it was built like that in order to have people appreciate their surroundings more, but really, I am very appreciative of the flat-level surroundings in the other parks. Hills just make Stringbean annoyed. And sometimes her ears pop. And that just makes her even more annoyed.

This was a kind of nifty thing we rolled past.



Pretty prayer flags.



Around now, we decided to swing into Finding Nemo: The Musical. We took our seats, and I hyped it up to Wingnut a bit while Nemo popped in and out of the bubbles.

"Some people say this show is good enough to be on Broadway"

I kind of regretted hyping it up as soon as the words came out of my mouth. I didn't love it, to be honest. Wingnut: "egh, I thought it was cute, but I don't think worth the hype."

All my fault, I know.

Although that stinkin' "Go With the Floooooooooooooooooooooow" song keeps getting stuck in my head.

After this, Wingnut was getting hot and tired, and we didn't really have anything else we wanted to do in the park. Well, I had wanted to see Festival of the Lion King, but another show wasn't for a bit of time, and we decided to leave.

Wingnut attempting to get a soda but only being offered them sans-lid (yes, yes, animal-friendly...I don't see those Jungle Cruise animals complaining about soda lids ) was our last little Animal Kingdom frustration. Mercifully, we found the exit soon after, and I practically kissed the wonderfully smooth flat ground. Did I mention that the ground is also BUMPY in Animal Kingdom.

Where to next? I'm pretty sure you can take a guess.

 

[glennbo123]

Yeah, come to think of it, it is pretty hilly in Animal Kingdom. I guess Wingnut would know that best, since he pushed you all through it.

I think your safari pictures turned out great.

I've never seen the elusive tour group, so yes, they are elusive.

I agree, I think the bridge is less-rickety nowadays.

Aw, sorry that Nemo didn't live up to the hype.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Oh dear Sara, AK certainly didn't treat you (or poor wheelchair pushing Wingnut!) very well. I never really noticed the hills before either.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy the safai and you captured some fantastic shots!

I laughed about how you got all turned around after you exited! So something I would do as I have zero sense of direction. The first time we toured AK, I had us walking in circles pretty much the entire time.

The first time I saw Nemo, I loved it! Then the second time I was like, it's pretty good. The third time well, I think you can see where I'm going with this! I have to agree that song is frustratingly catchy and nearly impossible to stop thinking of once you start!

Soda without lids. Darn those conservation zealots! Just kidding! Actually I was more put out that the straw feels and tastes like sipping through cardboard But I get why they do it.

Where to next? Oh good grief, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Epcot! Am I right??

I hope you and Wingnut have a Happy, Happy Easter.

 

[MEK]

Sorry you didn't love your AK day, but your pictures are great and it still sounds like you had a lot of fun!

I personally love AK because there is a picture every 6inches. Its a photographer's dream. I think I am going to be in one of those behind the scenes groups next week as I am signed up to do the African Trek. I hope I love it. I'm not even sure what day it is - better check that!

I do hate the no lids and straws rule, but I understand why they do it. People just can't maintain their trash well enough.

 

[Jennifer48]

The theming for this park makes me even more confident in my inability to survive if ever lost in Africa. Or Asia. Or any sort of place with a lot of trees and no Figment.

You got some great safari shots!

Interesting point of view being in a wheelchair. I do notice that it can be a bit hilly but uphill & bumpy I would have never noticed. I wonder if imagineering knows that?!

 

[mickeystoontown]

You know....I've never thought about how hilly and bumpy the walkways at Animal Kingdom are. But, after your description, I do remember that now. I bet that Wingnut was tired after pushing the wheelchair.

Your pictures from the safari are so good. I thought the bridge was a tad less rickety too.

 

[MeMom]

Awesome safari pictures!

Sorry you didn't care so much for Nemo. We like it, but we're Nemo fans to start with.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Forgot to add in that we weren't too impressed with Finding Nemo production either. I knew for sure we'd love it because we are Nemo fans. I could never decide if I were supposed to look at the actors or the puppets or both.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Yeah, come to think of it, it is pretty hilly in Animal Kingdom. I guess Wingnut would know that best, since he pushed you all through it.

I think your safari pictures turned out great.

I've never seen the elusive tour group, so yes, they are elusive.

I agree, I think the bridge is less-rickety nowadays.

Aw, sorry that Nemo didn't live up to the hype.

I know, poor Wingnut wasn't faring too well after AK...well...more on that to come.

Thanks!!! Hahaha I was excited to see the tour group. I'm glad it isn't just me that thought the bridge was less bouncy. I was bracing myself each time!

I'd seen Nemo before, and had kind of forgotten that I was "meh" about it. The unfortunate part was my hyping of it before the show to Wingnut.

Oh dear Sara, AK certainly didn't treat you (or poor wheelchair pushing Wingnut!) very well. I never really noticed the hills before either.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy the safai and you captured some fantastic shots!

I laughed about how you got all turned around after you exited! So something I would do as I have zero sense of direction. The first time we toured AK, I had us walking in circles pretty much the entire time.

The first time I saw Nemo, I loved it! Then the second time I was like, it's pretty good. The third time well, I think you can see where I'm going with this! I have to agree that song is frustratingly catchy and nearly impossible to stop thinking of once you start!

Soda without lids. Darn those conservation zealots! Just kidding! Actually I was more put out that the straw feels and tastes like sipping through cardboard But I get why they do it.

Where to next? Oh good grief, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say Epcot! Am I right??

I hope you and Wingnut have a Happy, Happy Easter.

Hahaha no, AK was a bit torturous to us! The hills are definitely there, I promise you that! And the bumps in the road! And the meandering pathways...

Nemo (at least in my mind) doesn't get better with repeat viewings (kind of like "The Sixth Sense" ). I think it's just too literal an interpretation of the movie for my taste. But with way-too-catchy songs!

OH MY GOODNESS I HATE THOSE CARDBOARD STRAWS!!!! They're just too weird! Too dry and too absorbant at the same time!

Hmm...Epcot is definitely a good guess . Hope you guys had a great Easter as well!!

Sorry you didn't love your AK day, but your pictures are great and it still sounds like you had a lot of fun!

I personally love AK because there is a picture every 6inches. Its a photographer's dream. I think I am going to be in one of those behind the scenes groups next week as I am signed up to do the African Trek. I hope I love it. I'm not even sure what day it is - better check that!

I do hate the no lids and straws rule, but I understand why they do it. People just can't maintain their trash well enough.

Thanks!!! I definately can see why you love photographing AK, it is beautiful. If this was one of our more normal trips (i.e: Wingnut not getting a forearm workout every step of the way ) I think we would have appreciated the scenery a bit more.

I definitely do understand the trash rules (no balloons either) - it is a good idea for them to keep things as safe as possible for the animals. We weren't really too put-out by it

You got some great safari shots!

Interesting point of view being in a wheelchair. I do notice that it can be a bit hilly but uphill & bumpy I would have never noticed. I wonder if imagineering knows that?!

Thanks!!! I had read that Imagineering did design the pathways like that on purpose, to get the guests to slow down and appreciate the surroundings more. The bumps and other texture in the pathways is just to add to the ambience, I imagine. While AK isn't my favorite park, I definitely can tell that there was a ton of thought put into every inch of it!

You know....I've never thought about how hilly and bumpy the walkways at Animal Kingdom are. But, after your description, I do remember that now. I bet that Wingnut was tired after pushing the wheelchair.

Your pictures from the safari are so good. I thought the bridge was a tad less rickety too.

Wingnut was definitely tired after AK, this was the most difficult park to use the wheelchair in. I had felt bad for him after the hill going up to The Land in Epcot, but after AK, I was practically constantly apologetic! Poor Wingnut.

Thank you!!! The bridge was so much smoother now, it was definitely appreciated (at least, by me ) that we weren't jostled around!

Awesome safari pictures!

Sorry you didn't care so much for Nemo. We like it, but we're Nemo fans to start with.

Thank you!!! I'm a Nemo movie fan, I just can't get into the musical as much. I think it's cool, but maybe just a little too long for me? (I know, I have the attention span of a gnat )

Forgot to add in that we weren't too impressed with Finding Nemo production either. I knew for sure we'd love it because we are Nemo fans. I could never decide if I were supposed to look at the actors or the puppets or both.

I always forget that I don't like it as much as I want to! The puppet/puppeteer thing didn't bother me too much though. But it is pretty easy to be like "okay, there's Crush...and a bunch of guys surrounding him...and a guy sitting on top of him singing..." .

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I knew it had been awhile since I had last updated, but I didn't think it had been this long!

So, I do have a reason for my absence lately...

Wingnut and I have been moving into our first apartment!

We have been getting everything set up, and are now with internet again, so soon enough I should be back to my usual posting frequency!

Wingnut and I in the apartment (notice the Figment shirt?)



I was very excited to find this in the floor.



So there will be more Epcot rhapsodizing to come, don't worry!

 

[glennbo123]

Congrats on moving-in to your first apartment!

How cool is that, that you found a hidden Mickey on your floor!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Congratulations on your first apartment! Moving is a lot of work so you are definitely excused for your absence from the Disboards.

How cool is it that you found a Hidden Mickey in your floor! It's a sign that the apartment was meant for you and Wingnut.

 

[Jennifer48]

Congratulations on your first apartment!!

Here is a housewarming gift

 

[Fyrecat]

Same thing and situation...only Ididn't get Disney! But it's one of the things hubby and I are looking forward to!
I found it took awhile for my strength to get back to where it was-but now it's fine!

So glad you got a great trip to Disney!!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Well, I suppose getting a new apartment is a good enough excuse for your absence! Congrats to you and Wingnut!

Nice t-shirt too, I love Figment. I actually had a stuffed one from when I was a girl. But alas, my family doesn't share the same enthusiasm over Figment and his Pavillion that I do!

Love the hidden Mickey! Totally a sign that your new apartment was meant for you. Totally.

More Epcot rhapsodizing? Shocker. Kidding, I love Epcot!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Congrats on moving-in to your first apartment!

How cool is that, that you found a hidden Mickey on your floor!

Thank you!!!

I was SO excited when I saw that!! Just a bit of Disney magic in our new home

Congratulations on your first apartment! Moving is a lot of work so you are definitely excused for your absence from the Disboards.

How cool is it that you found a Hidden Mickey in your floor! It's a sign that the apartment was meant for you and Wingnut.

Thank you!!!!

That's what I thought too!!! I definitely took it as a sign that this was the apartment for us!

Congratulations on your first apartment!!

Here is a housewarming gift

Thank you!!! Awww I love it!!

Same thing and situation...only Ididn't get Disney! But it's one of the things hubby and I are looking forward to!
I found it took awhile for my strength to get back to where it was-but now it's fine!

So glad you got a great trip to Disney!!!

I'm so glad to hear you are doing well after your surgery! It definitely does take awhile to get back to where you were pre-surgery! I'm very much looking forward to being totally back to my old self again!

Here's to a wonderful Disney trip in your future!!!

Well, I suppose getting a new apartment is a good enough excuse for your absence! Congrats to you and Wingnut!

Nice t-shirt too, I love Figment. I actually had a stuffed one from when I was a girl. But alas, my family doesn't share the same enthusiasm over Figment and his Pavillion that I do!

Love the hidden Mickey! Totally a sign that your new apartment was meant for you. Totally.

More Epcot rhapsodizing? Shocker. Kidding, I love Epcot!

Thank you!!!!

Hahaha I love Figment! How could you not? "A dream can be a dream come true, with just that spark, in me and you!"

I loved finding that Mickey, it made me SO happy!!!

Yay Epcot!!!! Nifty Epcot fact: I was reading that the two sides of Future World were designed like the two sides of the brain, the right side has more curves in its pathways, and the left side is more linear with straight lines. Cool, right?