AKL 20th Anniversary Trip, Very GAY, NOW COMPLETE!!!

[PennyW]

Hey Viki!

How's it going?

I just spent the last hour getting caught up on your wonderful anniversary trip! Good times indeed!

Keep it coming woman!

A lost afternoon in Mexico sounds so good right now

Penny

 

[Cass]

walking right at the front of the pack, arm raised high, shouting, “This way to FIGMENT!”

You are incorrigible

 

[wallyb]

8! 9! 10!
Let's go! Let's go!

 

[wallyb]

Sorry.
Over stimulate.
Your fault.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Just catching up. What a great trip you had. What is this area where you see the animals released. It sounds really cool I would like to check it out. Please share your secret!!!! Your dinner at Jiko looked Fabulous!

 

[Viki]

Just catching up. What a great trip you had. What is this area where you see the animals released. It sounds really cool I would like to check it out. Please share your secret!!!! Your dinner at Jiko looked Fabulous!

Hey, friend, every morning between 9:15 and 9:30, as the keepers ring the triangle, the animals leave their Savannahs, and line up at the back gates, waiting to go back into their pens for a couple of hours so that they can be fed and properly accounted for.

You can see if - in the lodge - say on the 5th floor, you go all the way down the Zebra trail hallway and go outside the door when there is no hallway left - you'll be standing on a balcony overlooking that area where they line up. If this isn't clear enough, ask a CM I'm sure they'll be able to direct you.

Yes, we had dinner at Jike four times - more photos of more meals to come!

 

[MassMom94]

DAY SIX
Did I mention that this was the day Hurricane – oh, I’m sorry – Tropical Storm – oh, I’m sorry – an ittie bittie passing rain, named Ernie, was in town? Well, it was and we were so scared that all we did the rest of the day was sit in the lounge, reading, watching Disney movies – Yeah! In honor of the rain they killed the never-ending cartoon loop – and regularly checking on the really, really nasty weather which never even happened, but which did not stop them from canceling flights. All in all there was a bit of drizzle, a few clouds, and persistent breaks of sunshine, all very threatening!

We were one of those whose flight was cancelled by Southwest, the chickens. (Unlike most other airlines, they decided not to fly any planes into Orlando that day, hence there were no planes available to fly out when it was clear that Ernesto was just an ittie bittie passing rain.) But since we got to stay two extra days at WDW, , who could be too upset? Having not heard about what was happening with Southwest, we were at MK in the morning (before we went to the airport) and everything was a walk-on; we came back, got a new room at the WL, went back to the MK - and everything was still a walk-on. Multiple re-rides on Buzz Lightyear, never thought I'd see that day...anyway, Spectro was cancelled but Wishes went off and we had an amazing view right on Main Street, for which we waited NOT ONE MINUTE. I still think I'm dreaming.

DH, who grew up on the Florida Gulf Coast (and remembers Camille and other storms) was quite amused by the hysterical weather reporting on the Weather Channel and local news. Sheesh, you would have thought it was the second coming of Katrina. Ridiculous.

Glad you had a nice day hangin' in the lounge...love the report...

 

[Boston5602]

So far still loving the trip report ,

and I want to add ( not that I want anyone to get hurt or receive damage to their possessions ) but I like WDW when theres a threat of hurricane , alot of people cancel or go running home leaving me in the park with less of crowds.

Lost in MEXICO , why didnt I do that ooohhh yeah I had a kid to tend to , darn it <G>

 

[Viki]

So far still loving the trip report ,

and I want to add ( not that I want anyone to get hurt or receive damage to their possessions ) but I like WDW when theres a threat of hurricane , alot of people cancel or go running home leaving me in the park with less of crowds.

Lost in MEXICO , why didnt I do that ooohhh yeah I had a kid to tend to , darn it <G>

Friend, we so HAVE to vacation at the same time!!!

Tell me you are planning to come for our Disboard Gay and Lesbian Meet the week post Thanksgiving 2007!!!!

 

[mikayla73]

Just subbin so I can keep track .. so many TR's so little time

 

[serendipity]

Oh I'm so loving this trip report! We love the circle of life too! I actually cried last time, but I'm sentimental!

 

[wallyb]

Stoped in to see if there's new "stuff".
But no.
Rats!
Double Rats!

I may need my own intervention.

 

[Viki]

And let just remember, friends, that's winies - not winos!!!

In any event, here's a bit of good news: I found our wine pairing list from our Wanyama (Sunset) Safari.

So, here are the meals again - this time with the approprite wines:

THREE AFRICAN DIPS AND BREADS

SAUVIGNON BLANC, FAIRVALLEY, WESTERN CAPE '05
Light, refreshing wine, nice with an appetizer

JIKO APPETIZER PLATTER:

Lentil Pastillas, Sweet Potato Tamales, Lamb Patis
CHARDONNAY, BRAMPTON UNOAKED, COASTAL REGION '05
Crisp, with no oak, nice with fish and chicken

FAMILY STYLE DINNER:
Filet with Mac and Cheese, Chicken with Smashed Potatoes, Halibut and Vegetables

SERVED WITH THE WINE WINNER OF THE WEEK: SHIRAZ, RUST EN VREDE, STELLENBOSCH, '01 - WOW, WOW, WOW.
I ended up ordering this wine with three different meals that week. It's full and rich, with BLEU CHEESE undertones. And who doesn't love a good BLEU CHEESE!!!

JIKO DESSERT PLATTER:

Pistachio Creme Brulee, Mascarpone, Mocha Cake Stack
PINOTAGE - SOUTH AFRICA'S NATIVE RED GRAPE, ANURA, SIMONSBERG PAARL '04

 

[Viki]

DAY SEVEN (CONTINUED)

Oh, I’m not sure this was the best idea we had all week. I mean it was on the schedule, “Lost Afternoon in Mexico.” But did we really need to get lost in Mexico when, by evening, we had to resurface in Britain, fit as a fiddle, for our second Dis-Boards mini-meet??? It has not escaped my notice that I’ve gained a bit of reputation for being able to enjoy a drink or two – but, really, I can’t drink TWICE in one day. I really, really can’t. And who doesn’t want to enjoy a drink (or two) while in Britain? I mean we don’t go there for the food, eh?

Still, behind us was a wonderfully full morning at Epcot and in front of us was …. Mexico.

Sigh. It wasn’t pretty. I mean, it WAS:

But the real problem was that it was pretty THREE times. On a day when we should have, at the very least, been pacing ourselves, we decide that there would be nothing better than THREE frozen margaritas, with a few chips (oh, OK, full combo platters – our favorite!). Ah, well, what I can I say? Obviously, we are a couple of geniuses and probably even more so after THREE frozen margaritas.

So, after our lost afternoon in Mexico (I wonder how many neurons we did lose???), we somehow found our way back to AKL; I’m sure it wasn’t pretty, and somewhere along the way we picked up these guys:

where we promptly passed out for two hours, finally roused ourselves, cleaned up a bit, and reversed the steps we had just taken BACK to Epcot – in close contact, the entire trip, with Orlando Mike, who had called us every five minutes or so to make sure that for this minimeet we actually did succeed in meeting up, that being the definition of a MEET!!! Such persistence.

With time to spare, and confident that we had assured Orlando Mike of not only our good intentions, but of our good actions (we are on the way!!), I convinced DP to ride Spaceship Earth, a ride in December I was so embarrassed by, after we had taken friends on, that I wrote should be refurbished ASAP. But, hey, I’m nothing if not flexible and whaddayaknow? We liked it again. We really liked it. We got positively sentimental. It may have been the sheer relief of having actually had the integrity to get back to Epcot for this long-planned Gay and Lesbian Board Mini-Meet. Who knows? In any event, good times.

Still in constant contact with Orlando Mike, we learned that he was by now sitting outside the Rose and Crown and I keyed him in on my appearance: a large woman, with red hair, dressed like a rose garden (get it, in honor of the Rose and Crown), that really resembled nothing so much as a salad bowl (I mean, really, green roses??? Those crazy Germans.). Apparently that flattering self-description was more than accurate because as we rounded the corner from Canada, dear Mike was already launching himself straight at us!

And what a super, super guy, together with all the folk we had the great pleasure of meeting and sharing a meal with that evening.

Here are their awesome mugs, which included Orlando Mike, cast member extraordinaire (and Cedar Park aficionado), world-traveler Carmi, who was kind enough to set up our mini-meet, Dave, a sweetheart and one of the managers at Rose and Crown, two good friends of globe-trotting Carmi who were great to tag along, Boston 5602 and his terrific niece Kaida, and DP and myself. Unfortunately, one of our CMs from the Poly got sick at the very last moment (you know who you are!) and Kathy (Valentine) and her dear niece begged off to enjoy a few fading last moments of good times at the MK. We missed you guys!

As I mentioned, it was our second Gay and Lesbian Board Mini-meet and it was great fun. A very big thanks to Carmi and the staff at Rose and Crown, who were so gracious and very flexible. We did manage to share a few refreshing ales before dining and were then seated at what I consider to be the very best table to view Illuminations in the whole, entire World Showcase.

(And while we are on the DisBoards Meet theme, the Gay and Lesbian board is currently planning for a weeklong meet for November 2007, the week after Thanksgiving. Plan to be there! The more the merrier.)

Finally, the night drew to a close. We said our goodbyes and I closed out the evening talking with my Mom and Dad, to make sure we put the finishing touches on our planned get together with my niece for the next day. What a blast that would turn out to be. Stay tuned!

 

[PennyW]

Loved the wine pairings! Always good to learn something new in that regard.

I actually felt a little drool about to come out of my mouth at the sight of the margaritas - yummy, indeed!

Sorry we missed out on your mini-meet ... it looked like a lot of fun! But we'll be there in Nov '07!

Enjoying the report very much Viki Keep it coming!

 

[Viki]

Loved the wine pairings! Always good to learn something new in that regard.

I actually felt a little drool about to come out of my mouth at the sight of the margaritas - yummy, indeed!

Sorry we missed out on your mini-meet ... it looked like a lot of fun! But we'll be there in Nov '07!

Enjoying the report very much Viki Keep it coming!

Thank you, friend and I so glad you gals are planning on the November 2007 Meet - we'll have to start planning for that in earnest. I've had some discussion backstage with MamaTwinkles and my TA. More to come!

 

[wallyb]

No Rick and Joe at the meet?

 

[Viki]

No Rick and Joe at the meet?

No, remember we met up with them earlier in the week for dinner at Jiko and fun times at the AC because they had to fly out Wed for Joe to get back in time for the beginning of the school year.

 

[Viki]

We were one of those whose flight was cancelled by Southwest, the chickens. (Unlike most other airlines, they decided not to fly any planes into Orlando that day, hence there were no planes available to fly out when it was clear that Ernesto was just an ittie bittie passing rain.) But since we got to stay two extra days at WDW, , who could be too upset? Having not heard about what was happening with Southwest, we were at MK in the morning (before we went to the airport) and everything was a walk-on; we came back, got a new room at the WL, went back to the MK - and everything was still a walk-on. Multiple re-rides on Buzz Lightyear, never thought I'd see that day...anyway, Spectro was cancelled but Wishes went off and we had an amazing view right on Main Street, for which we waited NOT ONE MINUTE. I still think I'm dreaming.

DH, who grew up on the Florida Gulf Coast (and remembers Camille and other storms) was quite amused by the hysterical weather reporting on the Weather Channel and local news. Sheesh, you would have thought it was the second coming of Katrina. Ridiculous.

Glad you had a nice day hangin' in the lounge...love the report...

I hear you, I didn't grow up in FLA, but spend the heart of my teen years there and sure got used to hurricanes blowing through. Some, of course, are bigger than others, but after having just moved there and spending a very hot, sweaty weekend laying new sod with my Dad, Agnes came blowing up and over our canal, taking out all of our hard work in one fell swoop!!!

Since then, I've learned to respect, but not fear, them. We've been at WDW when they've landed right on top, blown by, or come whimerping through.

 

[Viki]

So far still loving the trip report ,

and I want to add ( not that I want anyone to get hurt or receive damage to their possessions ) but I like WDW when theres a threat of hurricane , alot of people cancel or go running home leaving me in the park with less of crowds.

Lost in MEXICO , why didnt I do that ooohhh yeah I had a kid to tend to , darn it <G>

Yes, but what a nice kid she is!

Still, you are going to have join us in Mexico one of these days? Any plans to join us the week after Thanksgiving next year?