Another DR? And yes, it was live! Now complete..!

[slk537]

We woke up this morning and had doughnuts and cereal at The Fountains. We really did love our rooms here and enjoyed the large space. But we were ready for our DVC! We packed up and left to check in to Kidani Village around 9:30. We left our bags back at The Fountains, because we didn't want to leave them with Bell Services and there was no way we'd get into our room before 4:00.

Well prove ME wrong!

Our room was ready and I would not be surprised if we're the first family to stay here (probably not, but let me dream, okay?). We are the first to open up the couch and break out the extra blankets.

Anyway, online checkin has been awesome at both OKW the first night and now Kidani and as we walked to our room with our brand spankin' new room keys and DDP burning holes in our pockets, where do you think we ate first?

Guesses?

Yeah...nowhere WDW...

We went back to The Fountains to get our bags, and swung through Super-T to pick up some more breakfasty cereal and doughnuts and shampoo. Afterwards DH decided he wanted to swing through an old favorite of his when he lived in Chicago (before I imported him to Wisconsin): Popeyes Chicken.

Sigh.

It was good, but I didn't even bring the camera in. We had a small snack and then went back to get our bags...then back to Kidani to unpack. We then had 3.5 hours before dinner, so we got the car and headed to DTD.

But first...a few food photos from Kidani:

A very bad few photos of the grocery items at Johari Treasures - I will try to get better ones later:

And the refillable drink options - can you hear the angels singing? COKE ZERO!!!

 

[slk537]

We hit the Lego store for DS and then stopped at Ghirardelli for a snack. I took a few shots of the menu and then one of the hot fudge sundae we shared...DH's favorite, it was okay:

 

[slk537]

We stopped here to use up one of DS's snack credits - he picked a rice krispy treat with milk chocolate, mini M&M's, chocolate drizzle. Due to a mistake, she used the room charge so we still have 24 snack credits left. I have no doubt we'll use them... I swear to God this think weighs about 10 pounds!

We also saw this on the counter - we thought it would be an excellent treat to bring home for DS's first grade class, until we saw it was $50. But it's cute! Sorry about the angle...I'm not the tallest person...

 

[slk537]

That is pretty much it for food photos tonight...we had dinner at Boma, but I don't usually take photos there since there are so many on the DIS. But after dinner, we came back here and went to the Kidani pool to swim...DH took the camera and took a few photos of the pool bar menu - enjoy!

It was closed when we were there, but while it's not a big menu, it looks good! As do many of the bevvies.....

 

[Donald is #1]

But first...a few food photos from Kidani:

A very bad few photos of the grocery items at Johari Treasures - I will try to get better ones later:

And the refillable drink options - can you hear the angels singing? COKE ZERO!!!

Awesome! You are the first person that I have seen to post pictures from the gift shop besides the soda machine. These look like the standard offerings. Did you notice any breakfast type options besides the stuff that you make in your room yourself? Something tells me that I will either be eating a lot of bagels in my room for breakfast or heading over to Maras.

 

[slk537]

Awesome! You are the first person that I have seen to post pictures from the gift shop besides the soda machine. These look like the standard offerings. Did you notice any breakfast type options besides the stuff that you make in your room yourself? Something tells me that I will either be eating a lot of bagels in my room for breakfast or heading over to Maras.

Thanks! I always love seeing what's available so I thought others may appreciate it. And nope, nothing other than grocery items for breakfast. But I'll check tomorrow morning.

And did you say breakfast items from the Mara?? I didn't post this because it's a horrible photo, but I shot this tonight when we stopped to get some zebra domes after dinner:

 

[slk537]

I'm heading off to bed now - we have a big day planned. I have uploaded some Kidani photos, so I'll post tomorrow. If you have any requests to check out, let me know!

Up tomorrow: All DDP, all the way!

 

[wilma-bride]

Great update Jen - what a relief to be on WDW property and 'home'

Thanks for the photos of the store's offerings and the bonus Mara photo. What got me the most excited was the drinks menu at the pool bar - yum, yum - guess that's where Natalie and I will be spending most of our time in October Or maybe just drinking in WDW generally

Looking forward to seeing more pictures of the resort - and glad to hear you're going home again in December - aren't you lucky, two trips in one year

 

[svalencia1]

Awesme reviews! You make me want to try eating off property! I can't wait for the rest of your reviews. Hope you are enjoying Kidani.

 

[LiteBrite]

Just joining in the fun - what great reviews!

We were just finishing up our trip when you were arriving, and so far I'm seeing several things in common between our trips. We were offsite for the first time in a long time - at a hotel for a conference the first few days, then in a beautiful timeshare while we were doing WDW. I decided not to photograph and review our offsite meals, but you ate at a couple of the places we did - Bubbalou's and Sweet Tomatoes. I thought Bubbalou's was awesome (I had a veggie plate including that awesome roasted corn).

I was super excited to try Sweet Tomatoes, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't love it. It felt kind of hectic to me, and the food was good, but not great. I'm glad you had a good experience there, though!

Looking forward to more reviews, even though I'm extremely jealous that you're still there and I'm not!

 

[jacksonsmom]

I've been loving this review! Keep it up!

 

[natalielongstaff]

Great update Jen - what a relief to be on WDW property and 'home'

Thanks for the photos of the store's offerings and the bonus Mara photo. What got me the most excited was the drinks menu at the pool bar - yum, yum - guess that's where Natalie and I will be spending most of our time in October Or maybe just drinking in WDW generally

she's right ! i will have a passion fruit Mojito please

Thanks for the report and pics x

 

[skellingtonfreak]

Ohh....I can't wait to stay there in September! That Fusion Lemonade sounds faboo...I might have to make that my drink of choice while hanging out at the pool!

 

[shellywalker]

Totally subbing! Love the food porn! Where in Wisconsin are you from? There are no Macaroni Grills around here!!!

 

[lynn46356]

Okay, I ate at Arby's, where did you eat today???? I bet not Arby's. Can't wait to see photos and here how your day went. I love these LIVE reports. As always, thanks for sharing.

Lynn

 

[TXMomof3boys]

All caught up on your reviews so far! I am loving them - makes me so excited about a upcoming trip! Thanks for all your detailed information - looking forward to more. I hope you are enjoying your day at the parks with your family!!

 

[java]

Oh this is a good one and making me want to maybe force an offsite dining experience into the mix. (Bonefish Grill is the one I want to try- think you can go eat there and tell me how it is?) Have a wonderful trip.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

All caught up now and loving your review. I have heard of sweet tomatoes but never eaten there. Sounds like a Souper Salad restaurant. hmmm...

 

[slk537]

Great update Jen - what a relief to be on WDW property and 'home'

Thanks for the photos of the store's offerings and the bonus Mara photo. What got me the most excited was the drinks menu at the pool bar - yum, yum - guess that's where Natalie and I will be spending most of our time in October Or maybe just drinking in WDW generally

Looking forward to seeing more pictures of the resort - and glad to hear you're going home again in December - aren't you lucky, two trips in one year

You are so welcome! And you will love the pool area - it is beautiful! The spa at the top near the slide is right next to a water area (non swimming) and the theme is perfect!

I have my eye on the orange creamy drink myself

Awesme reviews! You make me want to try eating off property! I can't wait for the rest of your reviews. Hope you are enjoying Kidani.

Thanks! And we love it - it is just wonderful! Spent some time out on the Savanna overlook today and got great photos and viewing of the zebras, giraffes, ankole cattle, ostriches, wildebeests and more all together!

Just joining in the fun - what great reviews!

We were just finishing up our trip when you were arriving, and so far I'm seeing several things in common between our trips. We were offsite for the first time in a long time - at a hotel for a conference the first few days, then in a beautiful timeshare while we were doing WDW. I decided not to photograph and review our offsite meals, but you ate at a couple of the places we did - Bubbalou's and Sweet Tomatoes. I thought Bubbalou's was awesome (I had a veggie plate including that awesome roasted corn).

I was super excited to try Sweet Tomatoes, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't love it. It felt kind of hectic to me, and the food was good, but not great. I'm glad you had a good experience there, though!

Looking forward to more reviews, even though I'm extremely jealous that you're still there and I'm not!

I would like a Sweet Tomatoes at home for lunches...nice and fresh food! But you are very right about the hectic atmosphere.

How long were you here?

I've been loving this review! Keep it up!

Thanks and will do!

she's right ! i will have a passion fruit Mojito please

Thanks for the report and pics x

Sigh...I love mojitos....they have an area with a men's fragrance inspired by mojitos in the France gardens for the F&G fest...I need to get some for DH!

Ohh....I can't wait to stay there in September! That Fusion Lemonade sounds faboo...I might have to make that my drink of choice while hanging out at the pool!

DH has his eye on that one!

Totally subbing! Love the food porn! Where in Wisconsin are you from? There are no Macaroni Grills around here!!!

We're not too far from the twin cities and Rochester. That's where we find all our chain places we don't have at home.

Okay, I ate at Arby's, where did you eat today???? I bet not Arby's. Can't wait to see photos and here how your day went. I love these LIVE reports. As always, thanks for sharing.

Lynn

HA! Arby's will be back to reality for us next week! Today was Artist's Palette, Flame Tree BBQ and Cape May Cafe.

All caught up on your reviews so far! I am loving them - makes me so excited about a upcoming trip! Thanks for all your detailed information - looking forward to more. I hope you are enjoying your day at the parks with your family!!

Thank you - we are having a great time! The only thing that would make it better would be less heat. The humidity is not as bad as I remember from July though, thank God.

Oh this is a good one and making me want to maybe force an offsite dining experience into the mix. (Bonefish Grill is the one I want to try- think you can go eat there and tell me how it is?) Have a wonderful trip.

Hmmm...what is Bonefish Grill?

All caught up now and loving your review. I have heard of sweet tomatoes but never eaten there. Sounds like a Souper Salad restaurant. hmmm...

That's exactly what it is! We saw someone today coming into DAK with a Sweet Tomatoes cup...it wasn't the strawberry lemonade but it made us jealous for a moment.

 

[slk537]

Today was Spa Day for me...I had an appointment at SSR to get the peppermint pedicure and I couldn't WAIT! We got up and ready and decided to have breakfast at Artist Palette before my appointment.

We all wanted different things, so we decided to share two bounty platters and a boatload of drinks:

One of the platters (the other took a fall off my tray and was caught by a very quick and very nice woman who saved it. It didn't spill, but was all mushed up so I took a photo of the one:

Scrambled eggs were good (I like my eggs very dry, but even though these weren't, they were very nice), bacon was okay, potatoes were REALLY good, I didn't eat a biscuit, the Mickey waffles were excellent and the sausage is my all time favorite (think it's the same at the Poly...?).

DH also requested a cinnamon roll - used a snack credit on this. I had one a month or so ago at Panera that looked the same and was dry and eh. This one was NOT the same...it was wonderful! I stole the soft inside part before I left for my appointment.

And finally, the beverages - two per CS meal: