Christmas In The World...Dec 18, 2015 - Jan 4, 2016

[dizzy daisy]

Oh no, I hope the unwell feeling passed quickly and you were able to enjoy your night!

Thanks for the updates and the comment about the tables at Coral Reef! I think we'll try CR on our next trip and it always seems like folks are let down if they are not seated at a tank-side table so it's good to read about someone liking it

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So we checked into Narcoossee's slightly early and had a short wait.

We were seated on the raised section along the rail away from the window. We have always been at the window before but these seats gave a great view. Our server was Patty. She was a little short with us...like once she knew we weren't ordering wine and a ton of liquor and that we decided to split three meals because I still wasn't feeling well, she did not want to take too much of her time on us. This is very odd for servers at Narcoossee's. We have been here many times and never have we had a complaint about service!

Patti took our drink orders...a Sprite for me and Skyler, a Coke for Tyler and a Samuel Adams for Cary (he had two throughout the dinner actually)...and brought our bread.

Love the pink sea salt! I have almost bought it a couple of times at home but so far I haven't!

Like I said, we decided to order three meals and I'd pick off of Cary and Skye's (cause there was no way Tyler was sharing!). So for appetizers Skyler ordered Slow-poached and Chilled Shrimp ... with Citrus Remoulade.

She picked the shrimp off the top. I think Cary had one or two too. I tasted the remoulade and it was very good but she wasn't trying it. Cary also liked it.

I got the Maine Lobster Bisque ... butter-poached Lobster, Coral, and Chives...which I was toying with even before I didn't feel well.

It was very good. It has a lot of lobster in it and even though it is creamy, it wasn't heavy.

Now, let me offer a slight explanation. The kids are cheese freaks! They can blow through a block of cheddar or mozzarella or muenster lie no body's business. Grilled cheese, quesedillas, mac and cheese...all favorites. So Tyler didn't see anything that thrilled him on the appetizer list so he got the Artisanal Cheeses ... Five tasting portions from around the world with accompaniments. Figured why not??

Honestly, we know very little about fancy cheeses even after reading about them. And he wouldn't tough them! He made Cary be the guinea pig. And Skyler would jump in if Cary said they were ok. I wasn't up for tasting tonight. I am not sure which is which anymore...I think we had it figured out at the time though. I want to say the liked the block, the second from the right. I think they were ok with the middle wedge. Two of the others they just didn't like. And the last one (I think it was the small rectangular one second from the left) Skyler wouldn't even try because Cary actually look like he wanted to spit it right back out. LOL...he didn't but he said it tasted like spoiled milk. But you know what that means, right? We laughed our butts off! And no one else would taste it. And anytime Tyler did not find something he wanted on the appetizer menu, a cheese plate was his choice. And notice, HE did not eat any! But I have to say, I am glad we did this because I am always seeing these beautiful cheese plates come out and I am always wondering about them. I would never pay to find out, but since we technically weren't paying, this was a great time to experiment. I don't think out palates are quite refined enough to completely enjoy a cheese plate but it was a fun (and funny sometimes) experiment to work through when we could!

Once we got finished playing with our cheese, our entrees came. Skyler ordered the Steamed Maine Lobster and Fallen Corn Souffle ...with malted popcorn sauce and Delta asparagus finished with citrus gremolata.

She was so excited to be able to order a meal like this! She ateabout half the lobster (don't worry, it did not go to waste) and the broccoli but wouldn't touch the corn soufflé. He lobster was perfect! The corn soufflé was good but the potatoes they used to serve were much better!

The boys both ordered the filet and lobster tail which I no longer see on the menu??? It was the filet with Boniato-Idaho potato mash and green & wax beans.

That is Cary's done medium well. His filet was sliced through the center to cook it to his desired done-ness. It was perfect. I even liked it and I generally like mine red and bloody! His potatoes were really good and the beans were too. That is something Disney restaurants do really well...green beans!

Tyler's looked like this...

A little less exciting with those darned French fries on the plate! Skyler snagged his beans. He ate everything else except about half on one half of the tail. His filet was cooked whole and much more to my liking...he gave me one little bite.

All our entrees were wonderful. And there was plenty for the four of us...and we are not normally sharers! I was starting to feel a bit better but I was glad I did not order my own meal because we probably would have ended up taking most of it back with us and then not eating it.

Now it was time for dessert. We ordered the Narcoossee's Candy Bar - Dark chocolate-mocha bar with house-made guanaja chocolate gelato.

This is another one that they need to give you a big glass of milk with it...it was really chocolaty and good!

The Chocolate Torte, a no sugar added dessert - with Chocolate Crème and Raspberries.

That was also very good!

And my personal favorite dessert maybe in all of Disney World the Almond-Crusted Cheesecake ... with Lambert Cherry Sauce.

And yep, it's still my favorite! Even not feeling my best, I ate most of this!

So all in all, even not feeling well, this was a great meal! But it's not a cheap one! We were leaving about 11:30pm. I am sure we will be back here...especially when we are on the dining plan. Off of it, maybe not...only for a special occasion but we love Narcoossee's!

TOTAL = $343.00 ... TOTAL FOOD = $1645.83
USED 6 CREDITS ... USED 36 MEAL CREDITS

 

[tyandskyesmom]

After dinner we headed to check out the lobby of the Grand Floridian and to give Cary his first glimpse of the beauty that it is! Some day I will spend at least one night here...I'm determined!

It was pretty empty by now and most everything was closed but that just meant we had the lobby mostly to ourselves! It is beautiful in there.

Then we went out to catch a monorail to Magic Kingdom (it was open until 1am today) and then a bus to Caribbean Beach. It did not take long for us to all be in bed and sound asleep!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Monday, December 21, 2015 started at a 6am alarm. We were all up and showered and at the Martinique bus stop at 7:35am, on the bus by 7:39am, and arrived at Animal Kingdom at 7:55am. We walked right through bag check and into the park and were at Expedition Everest in no time!

We waited in line for 5 minutes.

Again, I got Skye and Ty and Cary rode together. I honestly don't know what she thinks my arm is going to do if something bad were to happen but whatever!

After our ride on with the Yeti and looking through the shop at the end we headed to Kilimanjaro Safari.

The kids always get the end. We had a pretty great safari and I have lots of pictures to bore you with. Personally, I love looking at safari pictures but if you don't, scroll ahead!

Okapi

Rhino

I don't think we have ever seen a hippo up and walking on solid land...they're either in the water or laying in the mud usually!

I love the Ankole Cattle! Those horns are hallow!!!

And the favorite of all the safari...ELEPHANTS!

Up and walking around! What a great picture!

***Safari continued in the next post***

 

[tyandskyesmom]

***Safari continued***

He is apparently new to the savannah.

And that concludes our first safari of the trip. We all loved it. I sometimes worry that Cary isn't going to "get it" like we do. He's a thrill ride seeker and grew up living in a world where things like this are not part of your reality...the beauty, the attention to details, etc... I just wasn't sure what he'd think. He loved it though and I needn't have worried so much about it!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We walked up through Harambe.

Cary and I stopped at Creature Comforts for a Peppermint Mocha Frappachino and an iced Caramel Macchiato ($12.44 or 2 snack credits!). And while we were stopping for those, the kids got in line to see....

Bug's Life is my favorite!

We rounded the Tree of Life a little more and took some more pics!

 

[jeeperwy]

Wonderful pictures!! I love how your kids seem to do so well together. Mine are 6 years apart and my older one is pretty great with his little brother (13). How did you like spending Christmas at DW? Or I guess I can be patient and wait for that part of the trip report!!!
Can't wait to read more!
Kari

 

[tyandskyesmom]

After pictures with the Tree of Life and Pumba and Timon we met up with some other friends...

While waiting in the short line there was a case with Doug's collar in it that you could bark into the speaker and it would tell you what you said in dog. We had some fun with that while we waited.

They were a fun meet & greet!

After meeting Doug and Russell we headed to Tyler's "favorite" attraction...he hates spiders!

It was cool as always and Skyler actually sat in her own seat this time (she was always too little to see before if she wasn't on someone's lap) so she got to experience the whole show this time. Tyler survived and we all made it out to laugh at him.

On our way out of the tree, we admired the animals carved into it. We walked arounf the base of the tree and took some pictures along the way.

Until we stumbled right onto Baloo and King Louie! They were a really fun meet & greet...possibly our best!

King Louie wanted to know how old Tyler was and my math genius had a hard time figuring out how to sign with fingers the number 17...LOL. They were really fun and did not leave anyone out. We got a lot of pictures at this one and they are all dressed for Christmas and so is the space. It was just a really great time!

 

[Terra Nova guy]

Hello Sherry! I just found your report and enjoy reading along. I especially like the food pics, of course

Up and walking around! What a great picture!

I just had to comment on this picture! The best I've seen of the lion on safari. All you need is a lion cub next to him. "Everything the light touches is ours"

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So we continued on in our path and ended up near Yak & Yeti. The kids were checking out one of the kid's areas and Cary and I wandered into a little marble looking gazebo. Little did we know, there was a photopass photographer there waiting to take outr picture.

She was very into the lovey scene that the little area created. We did not even see her when we wandered in to check it out.

We wandered around a bit more after that and found ourselves in Harambe again, just in time for breakfast!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Well, we found ourselves at Tuskerhouse a couple of minutes early. We like to schedule an early, before park opening meal here because you get in the park early but also because you don't have a wait. It seems like this one of those places that people linger. So we did have a small wait for our 10:30am breakfast seating.

Once we were called, we were seated in the main room towards the middle but in the back half. Our server was David E. We had their juice all around and I think Cary also has a chocolate milk, Tyler an orange juice, and Skyler an apple juice. I was the only on who went straight juice!

We had some time before characters started their onslaught so we got food!

Tyler's bacon, Mickey waffles, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs and a glazed Krispy Kreme donut hole.

Skyler's Mickey Waffles, tater tots, scrambled eggs, looks like a sausage but that seems odd for Skye so maybe not???, and jasmine rice.

I think this is mine?...Crossaint, donut holes, Danish, rice, plantain, Mickey waffles, cheesy egg frittata, cheese blintz with cherries, bacon, ham.

I think this is Cary...but tater tots, donut holes, bacon, bagel, and maybe a plantain???

Tyler's bowl o holes!


And Daisy was the first one around!

Waiting...and that is probably Skyler's plate with a cheese chunk, hard boiled egg, and I don't know what else!

Donald was next...

Then Goofy...

Then Mickey!

As you can see, we had a slight build up of dirty dishes on our table at times. But our drinks were always filled when needed so I guess I can let the dishes slide.

We were here about an hour. We could have been out sooner if it was just food...we tend to eat quickly...but we waited for the gang to come around.

We love Tuskerhouse...even lunch, and we don't even like many buffets for lunch or dinner to that's saying something...but breakfast is our favorite. Tuskerhouse is one our list every time. Without a dining plan, maybe not because the kids, especially Skyler, do not eat what the cost but if we are on the dining plan, it will always make the cut!

TOTAL = 127.76 ... TOTAL FOOD = $1773.59
USED 4 CREDITS ... USED 40 MEAL CREDITS

 

[tyandskyesmom]

After breakfast it was almost time for a showing of the Festival of the Lion King to start so we went over there and stood in the stand-by line. It looked like a long line but I knew the theater was big and we did not care which section we sat in (well, Tyler did, he wants elephant all the time and very rarely gets it and when we have we have been up in the top so even though he has perfected the sound an elephant makes form the time he could make a sound, he never has gotten chosen to be the demo!).

Skyler and Tawaga enjoying the show!

And here's my one blurry picture!

I don't even remember what animal we were...

It was a great show as always and leaves Skyler trying to decide if she wants to be the bird or a tumble monkey every time!

We headed out after the show and took some more pictures. This section was all new since we'd been here last.

And we started heading back through town.

And we ended up in Asia at Flights of Wonder! I grew up with a Yellow Naped Amazon Parrot, and then an African Grey parrot, and now my parents has a macaw so birds are always an interest. The kids grew up around them too.

I was on a quest that I was actually going to watch more without my camera in fromt of my face this time so I only have a few pictures of some of these things.

After the bird show we headed further into Asia.

The kids stopped for a couple of Wilderness Guide things throughout the day.

We walked through The Maharajah Jungle Trek next.

The kids always love figuring out what birds are who on the map. Cary enjoyed that too this time around. It was a nice walk through the jungle of Asia.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Next we stopped at Chakranadi for a Blue PowerAde, Mickey Pretzel, and a cone of glazed pecans.

The pretzel was hot and soft, and shaped like Mickey's head so of course it was great! The pecans lasted us a while but they are soooo good! And we needed the PowerAde...it was getting hot!

Our total was $14.35 but we used 3 snack credits.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We walked as we ate our snacks. We were headed back to Harambe for our 2:20pm - 3:20pm return time for Kilimanjaro Safari...we can never get enough of the safari!

But we took our time because we were still on the early side.

And we stopped in Mombasa Marketplace for a Monster for Cary. We used a snack credit but we didn't write down how much it was.

Then we headed to our safari and just about walked right on with our fast passes. And I'm gonna bore you with more safari pictures! LOL

 

[VACamm]

Soooooooo I'm following along .... and we were there the same week as you!! You have inspired me to write a trip report!! I love your report so far....you're doing a great job!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

After our safari we stopped at the shop right there...I forget the name but we love this store! We looked around the store and made some music...

Then we stopped at Tamu Tamu for a Mickey Ice Cream Sundae - hand-dipped vanilla ice cream with two chocolate-chip cookies

Except those aren't chocolate chip cookies.

And a Pineapple Dole Whip Cup

For a total of $9.45 or 2 smack credits. They were both good and refreshing!

While we shared our snacks, we walked towards Asia again.

As we headed to the line for Nemo! I figured without fast passes, this was our best chance to get in without having to wait forever! So we walked right in to an almost full theater but all seats are decent. We were in the back half but center. This show was wonderful as always and we all enjoyed it. Plus is was hot out so the coolness inside was welcomed.

After Nemo it was time to head back for our next ride with the Yeti. Our fast pass return time was 4:10pm - 5:10pm. We pretty much walked right on!

And got one of the best pictures of the whole trip...

Here, let me pull you closer to that...

LOL...LOL...LOL...LOL...I saw this and I could not stop laughing...I was almost crying I was laughing so hard! I'm laughing right now looking at it again!

Then there's Cary who looks like he's about to blow...

And Skyler who couldn't squeeze her eyes tighter if she tried!

And me...well I just don't like my pics so whatever!

Believe me, we all love this ride...not that you can tell from those pictures. Skyler rode this for the first time on our last trip over 4 years ago and on her first ride, she deemed it a "baby ride" and it became her favorite of that trip. So while she's squeezing her eyes shut she is still smiling!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Dinoland U.S.A. was our next stop.

One of Tyler's favorites is Primeval Whirl...and it usually has a long line. Well, it wasn't too bad so we jumped in. Skyler has never been on this because it has a very high height requirement and last time she didn't make it. Tyler has always had to ride alone. Not anymore. We waited about 15 minutes and we were on. However, Cary and I sat in the same seat and well, those seats are not made for that much butt...or legs...or knees...so this ride was painful. PSA : one adult and one child or two children can sit next to each other but NOT two adults! And we were expecting a crazy spinner but it wasn't. I was actually a bit disappointed. Maybe it was our car or the way we packed it in but with more weight on one said, it should have spun more, right?

Anyway, we did that and moved on. We went to check out Chester & Hester's Dinorama...another very fun store!

And we walked around the dino trail...

We had fast passes for Dinosaur coming up shortly (return time 5:50pm - 6:50pm).

We arrived 5 minutes early and that lady was not budging on the time...and there was no fast pass line at all...there was a stand-by line but not fast pass. So she made us and a couple of other early families stand off to the side and wait five minutes before she'd let us in line. We walked right up to the load zone. This is another of Tyler's chicken rides. See when he was about two, dinos were his favorite...he knew everything about them, could pronounce their names correctly, watched all the Jurrasic Parks on regular rotation. But he was scared of Velociraptors. He had dreams about Velociraptors chasing him through the house. Not tramatizing ones, I mean we'd laugh about it and he never woke us up in the middle of the night about them but he hates this ride. He will hide under my arm every time. One time he made the mistake of putting Skye on the side by the big scary Carnitore and it is much harder to crawl under your baby sister's arm. That picture is funny! But anyway, he rides.

Really, my kids are behind those strangers! It was so bumpy that Skyler thought she was going to fly out of the car. And let me tell you, Tyler was NOT going to stop her!

And I don't even know what to say about that one!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

After enjoying time with the dinos, we headed up towards the exit. We stopped at Disney outfitters at about 6:30pm for a bag of Skye's favorite Mickey gummies ($5.28 or 1 snack credit) and Cary bought a Darth Vader antenna topper (a couple of weeks ago he was pulled over by a cop just to ask where he got it!). We took pictures along the way.

And we headed to the bus stops.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So we hopped a bus to the Yacht Club.

We were going to ride through till Beach Club but the bus was full and we had time so we went to see the decorations at the Yacht Club. Then we walked to the Beach Club from there.

There was a choir singing Christmas Carols in the Beach Club lobby.

Then we looked at their decorations.

We checked in about 8:15pm for our 8:30pm ADR and had to wait a little bit.

 

[heaven2dc]

Love all of your pics! Esp the lion one when he's standing up so majestically! Never ever seem any of them awake when we've gone so this is truly an experience of a lifetime for you My favorite pic of AK is the last one you posted on EE - loved the expressions You are doing a great job with your TR!