A Salute to AK but mostly Dinosaur! TR 9/5-9/14/24! New TR link**

[Wood Nymph]

I got the Beer-braised beef served with smoked Gouda mashed potatoes at the Belgium booth.

I've had this before and it is one of my favorites.

We stopped to do the Muppet lab magic shot.

That shot is really cute.

We headed to SE and really didn’t need our FP, oh well you never know.

I've booked a FP for a ride that didn't need one just so I could make another FP right away.

I put the emoji over my face because I look terrible. I think the picture is when you circle the moon and by this time I do start feeling a little queasiness.

Andi is enjoying the ride.

We were rule breakers taking alcohol out of Epcot, haha

I've used my refillable mug to hide a frozen drink, too.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Really? I'm shocked! Shocked!!

I know I rarely ride Dinosaur but thought I would try it.

I have no doubt that you do.

It does help to know all the bumps and jerks to brace the old back!

Oh? I thought the photo had captured your use of your mental powers attempting to keep the ride open indefinitely.

I wish! Stay open stay open!

Cool! I'd love to see one.

Scary creature the Komodo Dragon.

The stuffing? Scares the stuffing out of you?

Yes that is it!

Whoops!
But glad it got sorted.

Yes the first choice is the combo bowl and I think she saw chicken and clicked!

A cutie? What's that?

A delicious little orange

I'm so impressed with Kevin. No idea how she... works.

I agree, and I have heard her talk a few times, well cluck? Shriek? You know bird talk

Awww... Caroline. Looking adorbs.

Dinosaur brings it out in me

 

[disneyAndi14]

Yay Dinosaur!! I'm so looking forward to my last ride on it in just a few weeks. Don't get your hopes up about seeing the baby tiger in December. I read that they keep momma and baby away from people for several months. I'm guessing (and it's just a guess) it will be after the holidays and the crazy crowds before they put baby out on the trail.

I can’t wait to ride again in December! Makes sense about the little baby tiger, good thing I am going back in early March!

Also - those photos of the 3 of you. You are a great mother-in-law. Kait is very lucky!!

Thank you We are really happy to have her joining the family!

The safari is our favorite thing at AK.

I love it, It never gets old just like Dino

The kids meals are a great value. I like that it comes with a drink. And it is enough food for me.

I totally agree and often go for the kids meal, especially breakfast

The pictures turned out great.

Thank you!

We found that we needed air conditioning breaks when we went to WDW in August or September.

We sure did! The heat and humidity does sap your energy and the resort breaks definitely helps

It is way rougher in the back.

It is! I’m going to ask for the front until it closes!

Very good photo of the Evil Lizard.

Spooky, perfect Halloween picture, haha

They are so cute, on of the babies had the zoomies when we went.

I have seen them do zoomies very cute! Our younger dog Thor does them, he is crazy at times!

I like this photo of you three.

Awww Thank you!

I would never have guessed that would be the restaurant! I have watched so many Disney dining reviews and vlogs and I don't think I've seen anyone go in that one! Interesting.

It is one you didn’t hear much about, but wow a delicious meal, we loved it!

Love seeing everyone do their probably final rides on Dinosaur, it's my favourite ever ride and I'm so sad to see it leaving. I recently did the Indiana Jones one in Disneyland and it was nowhere near as good in my opinion, I'm hoping whatever comes next after Dinosaur I'll love just as much!

I totally agree! Dino is such a great ride. It is a different experience than the west coast so I wish they would keep it, oh well If I ran Disney it would be staying! I have rode the Indiana Jones ride and it is fine but Dino is my favorite!

Dunno… it’d have to be pretty masked.

It is nothing like typical shelf rum! Super smooth and delicious

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Yumm...that bread pudding. That is so on my list for November.

 

[Steppesister]

Finally caught up again! I was cramming hard the last few days so got a bit behind. All of your pix are getting me so excited for being in my favorite park again- AK!! I love your liquor hack and getting it out of the park. I can't count how many times I've had to chug at the IG because of that inane, ridiculous rule.

Il Mulinos has been on my list for quite sometime. Perhaps someday...

 

[vamassey1]

So many good food and drinks had this night. It's lunchtime here and this is really making me hungry.

I still want to try the pretzel bread pudding. I think I would have it all to myself too since I'm the only one who really likes bread pudding.

Y'all really did get a lot done even with all the rain.

 

[pkondz]

I started having doubts about going with such heavy rain.

Totally get that. I'd probably push on, because I usually have limited days... but... I do get that.

I worked on trip notes and people watched. I didn’t see any characters in the lobby which would have been great.

Too bad!

In the meantime the girls were sending me pictures of drinks and food.

They look a little... damp.

The Florida Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine.

Two thumbs from the girls.

I'm thinking I'd like that too.

They headed to China and sampled the Pan Fried Chicken Dumplings with house made sweet and spicy sauce and the Fiery Dream, Citrus Vodka, Triple Sec, Guava Nectar, and spicy hot honey syrup.

I'd be cautious with the dumplings... I've had mixed results from China. Glad it was good. The drink sounds good.

Look who was joining the girls, it wasn’t me, lol this cutie isn’t afraid of a little rain.

Their next stop was India for the Chicken Tikka Masala with fennel spiced yogurt and naan bread.

I've seldom had chicken tikka... need to again.

Next was The Refreshment Outpost for the Impossible spicy sausage with piri piri peppers, onions and aioli.

Too bad it was cold. It sounded like it might be tasty.

I finally ventured out and met the girls at The Brazil booth. I had to get the famous cheese bread. Pao de Queijo. You get two little cheese balls, I ate one before getting my picture. I love this. Simple cheesy bread!

I'm not a huge fan of cheese bread... but I'd definitely give it a shot.

I got the Beer-braised beef served with smoked Gouda mashed potatoes at the Belgium booth.

I think I've had that... and liked it!

I also got the Belgium waffle with Berry Compote and whipped cream. The waffle was just okay, it was really cold and not very tasty, Kait had a bite and thought the same thing.

Again with the cold?

The girls shared the Grilled Charmoula Chicken Kebab with carrot-chickpea salad and garlic aioli. They did like this.

That looks super interesting.

I wanted to try the pretzel bread pudding found at Sommerfest.

Hello??? Pretzel bread pudding?

I need to get down to Disney asap.

The girls didn’t want any so I had it all to myself.

Oh, that's such a shame. I'm sure you were very sorry to have it all to yourself.

Andi wanted to try the Mango Sunrise Margarita this was mezcal, tequila, mango purée, black current liqueur with a chili-lime salt rim.

I'd try that.

Cute shot.

And a cute shot of the goyls, too.

I guess we know how I rate, the girl won’t ride with her mom saying she doesn’t want to get wet, but with Kait, no problem.

It was time for our GotG fancy ride. Kait skipped this one.

Not surprised.
I rode it twice and... yeah, twice in a row was too much.

I put the emoji over my face because I look terrible.

I highly doubt that.

The family in front of us did get wet, I heard them freak out a little bit when it happened. Better them than us!

We all three got killer brain freeze while we watched some of the fireworks We laughed after we thought we were going to die haha

Rookies!

I am surprised Kait doesn’t get motion sickness on this ride because I do sometimes.

That is surprising. Huh.

We hadn’t quite finished our brain freeze margaritas and we were able to put the rest in Andi’s big water bottle and the girls finished it off back at the room.

You figured a way to smuggle booze out!

 

[pkondz]

I know I rarely ride Dinosaur but thought I would try it.

First time?

It does help to know all the bumps and jerks to brace the old back!

I bet!
There was one time when I was at Disney and my back wasn't great... I had to skip a few rides.

I wish! Stay open stay open!

Scary creature the Komodo Dragon.

Don't get me wrong... I don't wanna be in the same cage with one.

A delicious little orange

Ah! Thanks.

I agree, and I have heard her talk a few times, well cluck? Shriek? You know bird talk

Really! I had no idea!

Dinosaur brings it out in me

 

[disneyAndi14]

I've had this before and it is one of my favorites.

I really liked this and it was a perfect little dinner for me along with the dessert of the bread pudding!

That shot is really cute.

I love the muppets!

I've booked a FP for a ride that didn't need one just so I could make another FP right away.

That is a good idea! I think at Epcot it is a good idea to book a 9am throw away so you can tap in and immediately make a Remy or FEA whichever one you need. Those two are gone quickly!

Andi is enjoying the ride.

She loves this ride so much! I really do but this trip I did feel a little queasiness toward the end even with my little motion sickness patch!

used my refillable mug to hide a frozen drink, too.

I’m so glad they carry that huge hydro flask it worked great!

Yumm...that bread pudding. That is so on my list for November.

It was really good! Try it, you won’t be disappointed

Finally caught up again! I was cramming hard the last few days so got a bit behind. All of your pix are getting me so excited for being in my favorite park again- AK!! I love your liquor hack and getting it out of the park. I can't count how many times I've had to chug at the IG because of that inane, ridiculous rule.

Yay to passing your exam! AK is my favorite park! Christmas time in AK is very magical. I’m excited to see it at this time of year again! I love it!
It worked great to use Andi’s big hydro flask for the drinks!

Il Mulinos has been on my list for quite sometime. Perhaps someday...

It is wonderful and highly recommend

So many good food and drinks had this night. It's lunchtime here and this is really making me hungry.

It really was despite the rain. The girls didn’t mind a little rain and I times it just right it really only sprinkled a few more times while I was in Epcot!

I still want to try the pretzel bread pudding. I think I would have it all to myself too since I'm the only one who really likes bread pudding.

It was really good, loved it!

Y'all really did get a lot done even with all the rain.

It was a fun evening. We didn’t really feel like we needed to stay for the full extra time since we accomplished everything we wanted!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Totally get that. I'd probably push on, because I usually have limited days... but... I do get that.

I just wasn’t feeling it with the intensity of the rain! A sprinkle is fine but downpour no thanks!

They look a little... damp.

They were wet!

I'm thinking I'd like that too.

The wine does look good and the Aluni Sunrise is really good, we had that before!

I've seldom had chicken tikka... need to again.

This was the best of the fest for the girls

Too bad it was cold. It sounded like it might be tasty.

I know, they loved it 2 years ago during the FArts festival

I'm not a huge fan of cheese bread... but I'd definitely give it a shot.

This is really delicious

I think I've had that... and liked it!

It was really good and the mashed potatoes yum!

Again with the cold?

Yeah not the best, It also seemed like it sat out for awhile

That looks super interesting.

They liked the chicken kebab

Hello??? Pretzel bread pudding?

Yes!! This is your reason, book that trip now!!

Oh, that's such a shame. I'm sure you were very sorry to have it all to yourself.

Haha I’m surprised they didn’t want to try the delicious bread pudding but I was okay with that

And a cute shot of the goyls, too.

They take really cute pictures

Not surprised.
I rode it twice and... yeah, twice in a row was too much.

I was feeling a little queasy towards the end this time around!

You figured a way to smuggle booze out!

This was perfect, no way you can drink those brain freezers quickly!

I bet!
There was one time when I was at Disney and my back wasn't great... I had to skip a few rides.

Same, I have to avoid a few rides because of the old back!

Really! I had no idea!

Yes Kevin does talk, well bird talk sometimes! Really cool

 

[pkondz]

I just wasn’t feeling it with the intensity of the rain! A sprinkle is fine but downpour no thanks!

No one wants a sopping wet Epcot.

This was the best of the fest for the girls

Really!

I know, they loved it 2 years ago during the FArts festival

Even more of a shame then.

Yeah not the best, It also seemed like it sat out for awhile

Poor quality control. Should do better.

Yes!! This is your reason, book that trip now!!

This was perfect, no way you can drink those brain freezers quickly!

If you’re from my town you can.

Same, I have to avoid a few rides because of the old back!

I’m actually surprised you can do Dino.

Yes Kevin does talk, well bird talk sometimes! Really cool

I’ll be darned!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I interrupt this report to bring you a mini pre trip report for my Christmas vacation, coming soon!

Trip stats

12/1-12/5 USO Sapphire Falls Resort. 12/5-12/9 CSR Destino Tower. AP for USO and AP for WDW.

12/1 I arrive around 2:30pm. Plan is to Lyft to SF and check in. I plan to spend some time in US and walk around Citywalk in the evening. I want to soak up all the Christmas decorations! US is open until 8pm.

12/2 I plan to have a leisurely day. I will go into the parks for a little while. I have a VIP Holiday tour this evening. It starts at 5:30pm and is 5 hours long.

Here is a little description from the Universal Website

The Universal Holiday Tour

See the season come to life with Grinch™ greetings, reserved show seating, tasty food, an after-hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle and much more.

I am really excited to do this tour! I love The Grinch and I even have a cute Grinch sweatshirt to wear to the event.

My plan is to get a hot butter beer to sip on while watching the castle show! I have never seen the Hogwarts castle show.

12/3 I am thinking of heading over to Disney for the day. I want to start at DHS and end at MK before heading back to SF.


Liesa @Steppesister arrives today and will be staying with me at SF for 2 nights. We plan to have dinner at Strong Water Tavern this evening. I love this place! We have to celebrate Liesa’s Nurse Practitioner Degree! A few drinks will be had!

12/4 Depending on the weather, I may spend some time at the pool with Liesa and I will also be going into the parks one more time to get all the Holiday vibes. I won’t have EP this trip, however, I don’t plan on doing a ton of rides. I mainly want to spend time checking out the Holiday decorations and food items in the parks.

Liesa and I will meet up for dinner on Citywalk. We are thinking Big Fire. It will be new to both of us.

I do think we have to check out the Coconut Club, it will be Christmas themed with Holiday drinks.

12/5 We head over to WDW! Liesa and I plan on going into AK to see all the Holiday decorations, magical menagerie and of course RIDE DINOSAUR!! We want to stay to see the park at night! It is very magical!


We are heading to DS after this for dinner at Frontera Cocina for dinner and margaritas!

I will be checking into Grand Destino Tower at CSR today and Liesa will be checking into AS Music.

Susan @suse66 arrives tonight! I am thinking it will be fairly late because she does work this day.

12/6 MK this morning. Susan and I have lunch at GF Cafe around 1:00pm. We plan to check out the Holiday decorations at the monorail resorts.


We will head to DHS in the evening to start our Skyliner crawl. We hopefully will have several people joining us! Irene, Liesa, and maybe KariLynn and Ariane. Our stops will be Brown Derby lounge, Banana Cabana at CBR, Bar Riva at Riviera and Crew Cup at YC.

12/7 Epcot, right now Susan and I have a 8:30am Garden Grill breakfast ADR for the CP that evening at 8:15pm.

We also have a dinner around 5:30pm at Toledo with some more Dis Friends. Susan and I are not sure if we will make it to CP tonight but I am glad we have the reservation just in case. This evening the narrator is Whoopi Goldberg.

12/8 AK for Dapper Days and MVMCP tonight! Yay!

12/9 DHS in the morning, DS for a late lunch at The Boathouse with Susan. I will be heading to the airport after lunch. My flight leaves at 6:20pm.

I’m very excited for this wonderful Christmas trip!


I also hope we can say hi to @Wood Nymph

Stay tuned for the rest of my September trip coming up soon!!

 

[Wood Nymph]

My plan is to get a hot butter beer to sip on while watching the castle show! I have never seen the Hogwarts castle show.

This is what I would want to do, too. I love Harry Potter.

I also hope we can say hi to @Wood Nymph

Thanks for posting your schedule. Right now, it looks like we won't run into you. We'll be at different parks. We'll be at DHS one night, but on a different day. Same with Disney Springs.

 

[suse66]

The Universal Holiday Tour

See the season come to life with Grinch™ greetings, reserved show seating, tasty food, an after-hours showing of The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts™ Castle and much more.

I am really excited to do this tour! I love The Grinch and I even have a cute Grinch sweatshirt to wear to the event.

This sounds like so much fun!

Susan @suse66 arrives tonight! I am thinking it will be fairly late because she does work this day.

Yup! My flight doesn't leave Toronto until 8:45 so it will be midnight before I am at the hotel.

We will head to DHS in the evening to start our Skyliner crawl. We hopefully will have several people joining us! Irene, Liesa, and maybe KariLynn and Ariane. Our stops will be Brown Derby lounge, Banana Cabana at CBR, Bar Riva at Riviera and Crew Cup at YC.

It's going to be great! Ariane isn't down until the 12th so sadly we will miss out on seeing her.

12/7 Epcot, right now Susan and I have a 8:30am Garden Grill breakfast ADR for the CP that evening at 8:15pm.

Very excited for this!!

We also have a dinner around 5:30pm at Toledo with some more Dis Friends. Susan and I are not sure if we will make it to CP tonight but I am glad we have the reservation just in case. This evening the narrator is Whoopi Goldberg.

I think we will make it over to Epcot ok. It's not long to EP from Gran Destino by Lyft.

12/8 AK for Dapper Days and MVMCP tonight! Yay!

This will be another fabulous day! Be prepared for me to randomly cry from sheer happiness during MVMCP, lol!

12/9 DHS in the morning, DS for a late lunch at The Boathouse with Susan. I will be heading to the airport after lunch. My flight leaves at 6:20pm.

I will miss you. I may pop to POFQ after our lunch for Beignets then head to AK. My flight doesn't leave until 10 pm. I am going to be TIRED at work on Tuesday!

I’m very excited for this wonderful Christmas trip!

Same here my friend!

Thanks for posting your schedule. Right now, it looks like we won't run into you. We'll be at different parks. We'll be at DHS one night, but on a different day. Same with Disney Springs.

Hopefully we can make something work. We will be hopping as well. I'd really love to see you and Dana.

 

[Paulaparm]

Your plans sound great!

 

[pkondz]

Plans sound wonderful and I don’t mind saying I’m quite envious.

However!…

I do think we have to check out the Coconut Club, it will be Christmas themed with Holiday drinks.

You don’t have to do this one. One need not suffer needlessly on vacation.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Sounds like a great trip!!!

 

[vamassey1]

Wow what an action Holiday packed trip. I'm so sorry I'm missing out.

Are you dressing for Dapper Days? I had so much fun in April doing this. It's so great seeing everyone dressed up.

This is going to be the best Trip Report when you get back.

 

[disneyAndi14]

This is what I would want to do, too. I love Harry Potter.

I am really excited for this and I also love Harry Potter!

Thanks for posting your schedule. Right now, it looks like we won't run into you. We'll be at different parks. We'll be at DHS one night, but on a different day. Same with Disney Springs

Well if we run into it will be very nice! Otherwise, I hope you have a wonderful time!

This sounds like so much fun!

It really does. I have heard wonderful things about the Grinch show and the Hogwarts castle show will be amazing

Yup! My flight doesn't leave Toronto until 8:45 so it will be midnight before I am at the hotel.

I will be excited for your arrival even though I likely will be asleep lol

It's going to be great! Ariane isn't down until the 12th so sadly we will miss out on seeing her.

I will miss Ariane! We will have many meet ups with Disnfriends and others, this is awesome

Very excited for this!!

Same! I’m glad I grabbed the reservation

I think we will make it over to Epcot ok. It's not long to EP from Gran Destino by Lyft.

I think so and with the dining package we really don’t have to get there to early. With just two of us we can slip into seats anywhere! I’m excited for Toledo!

This will be another fabulous day! Be prepared for me to randomly cry from sheer happiness during MVMCP, lol!

I’m with you, I randomly cry happy tears at WDW all the time!

I will miss you. I may pop to POFQ after our lunch for Beignets then head to AK. My flight doesn't leave until 10 pm. I am going to be TIRED at work on Tuesday!

Wow you do have a late flight! I hope it is on time!

Same here my friend!

I’m so glad we are doing this trip again this year! It will be wonderful and coming up quickly!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Your plans sound great!

I’m very excited!

Plans sound wonderful and I don’t mind saying I’m quite envious.

It will be a really nice time and I will get all the Christmas feels from both USO and WDW

You don’t have to do this one. One need not suffer needlessly on vacation.

Haha! The Coconut Club is right up your alley! It is a really cool bar and don’t you worry plenty of vodka drinks without coconut

Sounds like a great trip!!!

I’m getting really excited! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving trip!

Wow what an action Holiday packed trip. I'm so sorry I'm missing out.

I wish you were coming along! We will have to plan another meet up soon!

Are you dressing for Dapper Days? I had so much fun in April doing this. It's so great seeing everyone dressed up.

I know Susan is with all her fabulous dresses. I’m still trying to figure out what to wear. I will be less dapper I am sure!

This is going to be the best Trip Report when you get back.

It should be action packed, haha