BW Bakery Blasphemy: UPDATED TR finished with picture overload -THE END!!!!!

[lisaviolet]

Okay from the seventies to Boxing Day (our 26th in Canada).

Holy temperture change. My goodness.

I know it sounds absurd that I struggled on this day because of the temperature.

BUT I STRUGGLED ON THIS DAY BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE.

And with a comedy of errors involving sushi, bus waits, boats and a horrid TS.

There's a different kind of cold in the South. There just is - it a seeping cold. And it really was something.

 

[lisaviolet]

And despite a forecast of a HIGH of 54 - remember that's the high - well the day started off fabulous.

Well I did have to check out of 5031. Yes, I know. But you know I was excited. I had AKV Standard Jambo and I must say the Molasses boat's horns were beginning to ring in my head. Great windows though BW view - just not enough for those boats. Days one to five - lovely. But day seven - hmmnm.

I had never been to Liberty Tree Tavern. I knew it was that all you can eat deal for dinner. And remember my feelings for buffets and such.

But here's where an open mind and the DIS is wonderful. I kept hearing how fabulous lunch was there.

So I snagged an ADR there for lunch and yummy Coral Reef for dinner.

Yes, this IS the day of the horrid TS. And it's not Coral Reef or LTT. I know I'm so confusing - just follow this day of trickery.

So fabulous starts. LTT was beyond great. Simple food and HOT FOOD. I can't say enough about hot, fresh food. Our waitress was divine. She suggested the soup of the day and it was hmmm spicy chicken and sausage - and it was divine. Yes I said DIVINE for LTT. Jean and I shared everything and had the Turkey for the entree since we hadn't really had a traditional Christmas meal and Cheryl Lynn (that's how good she was - I remember her name suggested the Toffee dessert. The name/description didn't appeal to me at all but she was bang on on the soup whose description didn't appeal to me either.

And two for two! Holy delicious Batman.

And everything - service - food - was so fine that I had them call the manager as we exited. To tell her and she said that she would make sure that Cheryl Lynn would be honoured (my hand's stop on every single AM/CDN spelling - I hate it) for her service.

LOVE IT!

So we walk out and I realize something.

The parade is coming.

Remember how I'm not parade crazy and I had to sit through the NTOIW parade.

But here we are. The Christmas parade. And it was nice.

It's freezing. Crowds are low.

So get warm. Tuck yourself in and enjoy the GREAT part of my day.

And I think we'll end with HER since you all know the jokes I had about the big boy.

And somehow the cold must have killed some brain cells because sushi was calling me for takeout at the Polynesian BUT did I take the monorail?

No, I jumped on the boat.

I know. It's a lovely boat. I ADORE it too.

But not in 40 degrees and wind.

So crazy and the last time this day would be lovely.

 

[lisaviolet]

Pictures are funny though. I have a few of the trip over to the Polynesian that day. And they look so bloody TROPICAL.

That's nice though, eh?


Forties/fifties and the Polynesian still plays its part.

Our poor boat captain -

 

[lisaviolet]

Oh it's coming. It's near the end of my trip and we're almost there.

You have just made my night with your pics! I agree, amazing world.

So sweet Amiee. Thank you.

Love the TR. I wish I were going back next week.

Me too Mahusky. Me too.

Thanks for reading.

I so agree. When I see behaviour in others that strikes me (for whatever reason) I tend to make up a story about why they are doing what they are doing or how they got to the space they are in. Keeps life interesting.

I love your close up balloon picture! I'm going to have to try and do more close ups on my coming trip. You have inspired me

Oh such a good eye bbangel. You're right - I'm just a tad OBSESSED with my telephoto - well it's zoom on my camera b/c it's a point and shoot.

I will suffer if I ever decide on a DSLR. I do not want to change the lens so geez it's going to annoy me I know.

As for the above paragraph. Sighing. I wish I had the guts to tell you a story.

Forget it - I will. Maybe it will help others to know that behaviour often comes from the past - a past not dealt with and hard secrets and some simply can't help it. Their behaviour. Compassion.

(WELL I edited. It was about how I never understood my own grandmother until I learned where she came from long after it was too late and that not enough of us understand that the past not healed or can't be healed affects how people walk through life. Someone who seems this or that can be simply sad and we never ever know. How sometimes we misunderstand what we think is personality faults when it might be secrets and pain swallowed. How I got there on a WDW TR I'll never know. )

Thanks for making me think bbangel.

Ok waitt just a minute Missy, balcony or no balcony, we need food pics of Xmas dinner please?! You can't just end it there, I mean, is that the end?

Oh how I love feisty and demanding readers.

Really makes my day.

I have no pictures of the traditional Christmas staples - steak and spinach dip.

 

[lisaviolet]

I just lost a post. Crap.

And it's much too late for alcohol.

 

[nolanboys]

Loved all your Epcot pictures.All I want to do is walk around WS. DH and I did a split stay between AKV and BWV this past October and loved each resort for different reasons. Can't wait to hear your take on it. Too bad you didn't have my family at Teppan Eddo for dinner. I've inherited my mom's ability to talk to anyone, any where....and my boys have inherited that trait from me!

 

[bbangel]

Another set of lovely pics. Totally digging the horse in the parade

 

[LSchrow]

WOW...loving how your photos made the most overlooked or trivial visual elements into a beautiful composition (did i just say that? almost sounded like i have a clue about photography i really don't, so suffice to say: they're REALLY purty!!!!)
glad that you enjoyed the food despite mr pompous JA.....when around the not-so-fun ppl i just think over and over: "at least we're not related".... ppl carry their pain in different ways, so think they'll hurt less if they make others as miserable what they don't realize is that making others smile stops the hurt a lot faster....

so, did you get to shoot a bball from your balcony?

 

[Ms. WDW]

I just found your trip report and must say I will read each and every page.

But I must know now.....did you get to Germany for the Caramel??? LOL...Remember I went there for you in October just to give you all the sweet details! LOL...I had such a good time!! I have a
L-O-N-G wait till I'm back!!

 

[lisaviolet]

You know it's a sad state of affairs when the TR is WAY LONGER than the actual trip.

Lord help me - well us.

Okay, sushi. There's always sushi drama on my trips. Last time Jean and I were arguing incessently at Captain Cook's about sushi and the CR blah blah.

And Captain Cook's???? Really. I have much to say about using this man's name but really I would just go on and on and on....

What a surprise.

So I just made a boatload of mistakes on this blustery day. With no tigger to save me.

I was determined to get many sushi meals to take back for the next day. You see I had many meals to get since we shared almost everything. And midnight was the deadline. Cinderella has her prince. I have my sushi. Priorities.

I think it's becoming quite apparent why I'm single.

Just as I arrive at the fridge - another vacationer is getting his sushi fix and takes them all. Yes. Uh huh. Sighing.

I don't think the ones he took were my kind but regardless. Really?

So someone suggests the Kona Sushi Bar. But that's not a CS. It's a TS and I get sad.

But wait! Hello! I'm on the DXDP - CS/TS/CS/TS - it's MY choice.

So I run the stairs. I'm coming my sushi. And it's closed for another hour or more.

At this point I free Jean. Our AKV is beyond ready I'm sure. And yes - uh huh - it's a SUNDAY. Not church. You know what that means......

So I go over here.

I knew that they didn't have sushi but I thought WTHeck - why not try?

Oh no wait - I forgot. I didn't just get over there. The monorail. Not my day. It's freezing and it's nowhere to be found and not one CM is saying a thing. YOu know the issues it goes through once in awhile. One birthday I was trapped on one for a long, long time. Lovely place to be trapped though. Anyway, I'm not trapped on one - just waiting and waiting and waiting and it's freezing.

So finally I arrived at the CR.

 

[lisaviolet]

Let's go back to this picture:

I took it and SMILED. Broadly.

I've said this before so I'll keep it short. In 1974 my parents took all four of us to the CR. And it still mesmerizes me - the hotel yes - the memories - yes - but even more HOW THE HECK THEY DID IT. I have no idea still. My mother was a SAHM at that point and my father was a firefighter who drove a cab on his off shifts for his family. Big decision. Big trip and I'm so thankful.

Okay, so yes no sushi.

And I lingered for awhile and went back to the Polynesian.

And the Kona Sushi Bar is open. Yeah! And for those who want to know you get double sushi on the DXDP because they don't have appetizers.

This day is GREAT, isn't it?

No, it goes downhill fast.

I'm happy. I run over to the monorail and back to the MK for my bus.

So happy that I stop to take this picture.

IF only the poinsettias could talk.

The happy ended for the day.

The bus. Oh the AK bus. I won't blanket this story with the AK buses suck. Because they don't. I know they don't. But I had very bad luck with them on this trip.

It NEVER came.

And it was freezing.

Bus after bus after bus would pull in but not that one.

I swear it was about 40 minutes. The cold could make me lie - of course. But I swear.

It was awful. I know I sound like a baby. But it was a different cold that day - we had checked out - tired - checked in and ran around many places and the wait was awful.

We cheered when that lovely man pulled up. Lovely moment.

So what should have taken a half an hour - in fact I told Jean I would be right behind her took hours with the monorail and bus having issues.

I got back to AK and got on the phone and cancelled my BELOVED BELOVED CR ADR. The low was going to be in the 20s. It was an after closing reservation and the thought of waiting and freezing just made it not exciting.

I hated cancelling. I worked very had to get the ADR. And I hated it.

And I made a very poor choice.

We are at the HORRID TS. Sighing.

 

[lisaviolet]

Intuition is EVERYTHING.

All my thoughts were do room service or Sanaa. ADRs were possible because so many people couldn't get into MCO that day. The East Coast storm.

I knew I didn't want to leave the resort.

I had enough credits left to even share at Jiko for crying outloud.

But I went against myself and chose Boma.

YES I KNOW. BUT YES BOMA IS THE HORRID TS.

I had cancelled a Boma ADR before I left simply to do Kona. Yeah Lisa!

And I've been to Boma a couple of times years ago and liked it even though I'm not a buffet girl. ]

And before I speak remember that I live in ethnic heaven - I ADORE food - have not a moment of "won't eat this or that". I'll eat everything and anything and Boma is not even remotely out there for me and where I come from. In fact, nothing is at WDW and that always makes me smile.

BUT IT WAS HORRID THAT NIGHT.

One of the soups was HOT and spectacular. So there's a lovely and that's where the story ends.

I couldn't even eat most of my hot plate because everything was lukewarm. My waitress asked me about the plate and I told her - nicely. Her response was "funny we've never had that".

Funny, I'm sure most people don't talk - is what I think - when this is the problem. Lukewarm I DETEST. But lukewarm is a serious health concern at a buffet.

And I'm sorry bland. Bland at Boma. Not what I remember or expected.

HORRID is the only word I can use. It was that bad.

I came back from WDW and saw many of "I ADORED Boma". So I don't know - bad night?

But for almost $80 OOP if we didn't have the plan and so many wonderful a la carte choices at other places - I just can't do it again anytime soon.

I called for the manager at the exit and discreetly gave her the issue. I will call for "lovely and exquisite" and I will call for "horrid" because it's important that they know for both. On the horrid - many people say nothing and don't return. I will give a restaurant another chance. But some won't and they never know. So it's fair and important.

She was really stressed and asked me for specific foods. I told her one soup was exceptionally great and I was sad to say that I couldn't do specific foods - bad all around.

Even the fruit - Cape May blew them away with freshness.

She didn't even show any feelings of "I'm sorry" - she just said she would tell the chef.

Whatever. She was BEYOND stressed.

Oh well. People love it. I'm sure it will remained packed. Just not with me in it for a long time.

And I had this lovely room to go back to. Scored on view AGAIN!!!!

 

[lisaviolet]

Loved all your Epcot pictures.All I want to do is walk around WS. DH and I did a split stay between AKV and BWV this past October and loved each resort for different reasons. Can't wait to hear your take on it. Too bad you didn't have my family at Teppan Eddo for dinner. I've inherited my mom's ability to talk to anyone, any where....and my boys have inherited that trait from me!

OMG. I would have loved you guys. I'm so jealous. I would like to be more open. I'm friendly but not open - unfortunately.

AKV - it was our fourth time if I include a room I got for my parents. I love it there but I can't do many more stays because of a skin/eye issue there. I'll tell you soon.

Thanks for hanging on with me.

Another set of lovely pics. Totally digging the horse in the parade

OMG, isn't the horse fabulous? Forget Cinderella and her boy. The horse is where it's at, eh?

WOW...loving how your photos made the most overlooked or trivial visual elements into a beautiful composition (did i just say that? almost sounded like i have a clue about photography i really don't, so suffice to say: they're REALLY purty!!!!)
glad that you enjoyed the food despite mr pompous JA.....when around the not-so-fun ppl i just think over and over: "at least we're not related".... ppl carry their pain in different ways, so think they'll hurt less if they make others as miserable what they don't realize is that making others smile stops the hurt a lot faster....

so, did you get to shoot a bball from your balcony?[/

No, but I sure thought about throwing a ball at the boats at times.

I have a great arm. You should see me throw a football. Yes, I know. Watching it and playing it are very different animals.

On the bold - that makes two of us. I remember nada from my past. Someone in my life lovingly has tried to talk to me about a lens - or manual settings or blah blah blah and I start to get VERY VERY SLEEPY.

Seriously my eyes start to get heavy.

And as for the miserable. I hated it when it comes my way for sure. But what I meant is the "why?" helped the understanding.

Thanks so much for your sweet - and very funny - words.

I just found your trip report and must say I will read each and every page.

But I must know now.....did you get to Germany for the Caramel??? LOL...Remember I went there for you in October just to give you all the sweet details! LOL...I had such a good time!! I have a
L-O-N-G wait till I'm back!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And you don't have to read the whole TR you poor woman!!

I don't know why I didn't mention it.

Twice. Three times maybe.

Cupcake the first night just as Illuminations was a comin'.

Too much for me and I ADORE cupcakes. But that's a cupcake coma.

And the next time I got something cut in four pieces and I can't remember what. Oh boy. It's late.

I should check your post - when are you back?

 

[quirty30]

I couldn't even eat most of my hot plate because everything was lukewarm. My waitress asked me about the plate and I told her - nicely. Her response was "funny we've never had that".

Funny, I'm sure most people don't talk is what I think when this is the problem. Lukewarm I DETEST. But lukewarm is a serious health concern at a buffet.

I'm with you on this. I hate buffets too - and I think you're onto something. I like my food nice and HOT. And I always seem to have major tummy trouble after dining at a buffet. Maybe it's that lukewarm food that doesn't agree with me. Reading your review makes me SO happy I booked Jiko for our next AKV stay.

 

[lisaviolet]

WOW...loving how your photos made the most overlooked or trivial visual elements into a beautiful composition (did i just say that? almost sounded like i have a clue about photography i really don't, so suffice to say: they're REALLY purty!!!!)
glad that you enjoyed the food despite mr pompous JA.....when around the not-so-fun ppl i just think over and over: "at least we're not related".... ppl carry their pain in different ways, so think they'll hurt less if they make others as miserable what they don't realize is that making others smile stops the hurt a lot faster....

so, did you get to shoot a bball from your balcony?

Oh and I forgot to say - the bold - ummm I have to admit I was one of those not so fun people too!

I'm with you on this. I hate buffets too - and I think you're onto something. I like my food nice and HOT. And I always seem to have major tummy trouble after dining at a buffet. Maybe it's that lukewarm food that doesn't agree with me. Reading your review makes me SO happy I booked Jiko for our next AKV stay.

Hi quirty30.

Oh Jiko - I should have. I think WDW in general has more and more food handling issues. Unfortunately.

Even beyond the buffets -

I ADORE Earl of Sandwich. But I am forever sick after - and I hated taking time off there - but this trip I gave in again b/c I love it. And same thing. It's very frustrating.

You're up late, eh? Thanks for following.

 

[lisaviolet]

So AKV.

When I checked in in the morning the CM says "I'm sorry your Savanna view room is not quite ready".

And I said, "Oh are you giving me a belated Christmas present?". "cause I booked Standard".

He was mortified. But I thought it was funny. Not so funny if someone didn't get their Savanna view though - that's why I didn't stay quiet - just in case.

I love Jambo Standard. I've stayed Value twice and scored Savanna on that both times - lucky me. However, I feel Standard Jambo is a great use of low points. Standards there are all fifth floor pool view and I know some say you can get a pool view in any hotel anywhere. But I'm sorry AKV has a relaxing and unique pool area. It's heaven to sit out on the balcony. The sun made it feel like it was hot and I sat out there every afternoon. In the fifties.

With this exquisite magazine. HEAVEN.

But the temperature made everything look so strange. I've done AKV in the hot, hot summer most times.

And this is in the middle of high sun early afternoon.

So sit back and enjoy what I can only call The Lonely Pool Series

Some saw how lonely it was and visited.

And of course I was back into my naughty stalking behaviour.

Some even tried to tame the monster. For about hmmm - two minutes.

I was SO incredibly relieved to have NO DDP. And so relieved to have no big plans.

I bought DVC to hang out. Simply. Love doing nothing. Love swimming - oh well. But love the balconies. Love eating in. Love having a drink. Thank you DVC.

Here are some pictures of the room which I'm sure you're seen a thousand times. The purple pillows are a hint for my eye issues.

Up next: Ummm, what do people do at Evening EMH at AK?

 

[quirty30]

Hi quirty30.

Oh Jiko - I should have. I think WDW in general has more and more food handling issues. Unfortunately.

Even beyond the buffets -

I ADORE Earl of Sandwich. But I am forever sick after - and I hated taking time off there - but this trip I gave in again b/c I love it. And same thing. It's very frustrating.

You're up late, eh? Thanks for following.

Chronic insomniac here. Thanks so much for your riveting late night contributions

 

[lisaviolet]

Chronic insomniac here. Thanks so much for your riveting late night contributions

Not at your insomnia.

Just your wit.

 

[quirty30]

Not at your insomnia.

Just your wit.

I eagerly await your posts - really I do! Completely enjoy your writing style and your keen eye. And for the record, that CM at AKV absolutely should have upgraded you to a savannah view for such a quick and clever retort! Although I have to agree with you that the pool view at AKV is lovely.

 

[Ms. WDW]

(In response to a question posted my Ms. WDW about the Karamel Shoppe in Epcot........)


YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And you don't have to read the whole TR you poor woman!!

I don't know why I didn't mention it.

Twice. Three times maybe.

Cupcake the first night just as Illuminations was a comin'.

Too much for me and I ADORE cupcakes. But that's a cupcake coma.

And the next time I got something cut in four pieces and I can't remember what. Oh boy. It's late.

I should check your post - when are you back?

Oh I'm home....I have a LONG wait until I'm back to WDW...don't return until October...and I'm already counting the days....283!