Chunkymonkey and Chubbyhubby Stuff Themselves Silly! THE END..on to the next TR!

[chunkymonkey]

I just got myself caught up on your TR. So i'm on board now. All the food pictures are making me hungry, not the best idea when you have to fast for a blood test tomorrow.

Anyways, looking forward to more from you to make me look forward to my trip in December!

Welcome! LOL I know the feeling fasting before a blood test. NOT fun! But hey you get to look forward to your trip in December! Lucky!!!

As always, beautiful pictures. Can't believe it was that warm just a month ago. Granted it was a bit cooler up here, but still... AK was not our favorite park, either. Far from it. My husband really disliked it, actually, although we enjoyed our ride on EE (not the long lines, but hey..its Disneyworld). It will be interesting to see what Max makes of it and whether it is going to make a difference to be there first thing in the morning so we hit the safari right away. Your parting shot of EE looks like it could be an official Disney postcard, btw.

Enjoyed your Boma review and your pictures of AKL. We are having dinner there one night just so that I can visit AKL. I loved it there and didn't even see a lot of it. Strange that I would love AKL and no AK itself. Oh well. We found all of the CMs there to be super nice, too.

As it stands, we have ADRs for both Boma and Jiko. I need to drop one. We are doing the deluxe plan, so I got to thinking that I should throw another signature into the mix, but Boma might be better for Max. Not sure what to do. Was the food at Boma really good? It is one of those places that gets mixed reviews (for dinner at least, their breakfast seems to be universally adored) where I wonder if its just that folks don't like the spices/flavor combinations.

Thanks Tina! You know, I think kids tend to love AK more than adults. I think it's the fact that there are a lot of animals. In a way it combines zoo and theme park into one. So all the families I know with kids spend most of their time in AK! Although the parents always complain it's so hot there! Kids don't seem to mind as much, LOL.

Hmm, since I've never been to Jiko it would be hard to determine what would be best, but the menu did look really good. I think their kids menu should have some pretty normal i.e. mainstream items right?

The food at Boma I thought was good. In terms of authenticity, probably not great, but everything tasted fresh and the flavors were clean. Sometimes when you go for buffet, the flavors kind of muddle from one thing to the next, it's like they cook everything in the same sauce. But at Boma i thought every item had a distinct flavor. They definitely had regular stuff too like mac n cheese, mashed potatoes, and nuggets for the kids. So I think either way you would be able to find something for Max!

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

I am glad you had a good time at boma. I can't wait to go there myself, I also want to try jiko. I think that animal kingdom might be the park I am looking forward to the most. I know that a lot of people don't like it but I love animals and the themeing looks great. We are also planning to stay at AKL! There might be a pattern here

 

[pookersmom]

Don't tell anyone, but I *may* have drooled when looking at your Boma plates. I can't wait till our January trip -- that was one of the first ressies I made!!!

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

I just love your trip report. By far one of the best!

 

[Krisscot]

Okay I know I am digressing...but I just got back and OMG!!!!! I can't believe how good it was... However, it did put me in a food coma. HAHAHA y girls and I went to Kona on the day my husband flew in and we had ressies for 930. After finishing our gluttony I looked at DD11 and said what do you think we go back for a nap? I honestly couldn't move I was so full. And what do you think my preteen daughter at DIsneyworld only our 2nd day said to me?
Yeah I think that is a good idea...
We were all so full we could barely breathe. SO we napped and then went to the pool. It was FANTASTIC...yummy!

and after food coma

 

[Krisscot]

Oh and we ate at Boma too and forget the zebra domes!! THose little peanut butter whatevers on top of peanut brittle were TO DIE FOR! it was kind of embaressing I went up like 4 times for them, but then I realized this other guy was too and he just looked and me and said
yeah I know they are good lets not tell anyone
hahhaaha

 

[natebenma]

All caught up on your report. Yeah!!!

What a fantastic, busy weekend you had. Bummer that the weather was so awful at the game. Sounds like you could have used a vacation from your weekend!

Super report from AK! That's great that your husband got to ride EE so many times, he must have enjoyed that! Not a fan of It's Tough to be a Bug. The last time we saw it, kids were crying and screaming about the scary bugs and some of the 4D effects. My kids aren't really into it. Maybe it is because I gave DH hints about when to lift away from the seats but I didn't tell the boys Dang, I think I am out of the running for the Mom of the Year award. Again!

The pretzel at AK looks yummy! There is a cart near the Pangini trail in Africa. Is that where you got it, or another cart?

We love Kali River Rapids! Especially when it is hot. Since our only times visiting AK have been in July and August, and I firmly believe they truck in extra heat to that park for authenticity, the ride is always a relief.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is gorgeous, and you really captured its beauty!

Great review of Boma! It think this is our favorite restaurant. It may not be incredibly authentic, but it is nice to have some out of the ordinary tastes. I didn't take the grapefruit, avocado, papaya salad on my first round, but DH had it and RAVED about it, so I got some and you are both correct. It totally works! Yum!

I am obsessed with passionfruit. I think it is because it is so exotic and not readily available. I can usually only find actual passionfruit once or twice a year at our local stores and they sell for around a buck a piece for those little shriveled delicacies, but I can't resist. The passionfruit domes at Boma were fantastic!

My only complaint with Boma is they have TOO many offerings. I want to try everything, then go back and have my favorites, and that does not leave enough room for dessert. But I manage anyway

 

[annmarieda]

AKL looks beautiful. It is the "dream" resort for my dd. I have not been there...and thus not eaten there either. I think next trip...I just might have to venture there.

Great update. Remind me...what day are you on?

 

[tankgirl427]

AKL looks beautiful. It is the "dream" resort for my dd. I have not been there...and thus not eaten there either. I think next trip...I just might have to venture there.

Great update. Remind me...what day are you on?

This should be Labor Day since we were on the same schedule. AKL is my dream resort too! I guess its a good thing its one of the cheaper deluxes to stay at right????

 

[chunkymonkey]

I am glad you had a good time at boma. I can't wait to go there myself, I also want to try jiko. I think that animal kingdom might be the park I am looking forward to the most. I know that a lot of people don't like it but I love animals and the themeing looks great. We are also planning to stay at AKL! There might be a pattern here

It's such a beautiful lodge, you will not be disappointed. And added to that, there are all these animals including giraffes which we didn't see. So jealous!

Don't tell anyone, but I *may* have drooled when looking at your Boma plates. I can't wait till our January trip -- that was one of the first ressies I made!!!

Yum! I don't think you will be disappointed. It's a lot of fun! I especially loved all the different options!

I just love your trip report. By far one of the best!

Okay I know I am digressing...but I just got back and OMG!!!!! I can't believe how good it was... However, it did put me in a food coma. HAHAHA y girls and I went to Kona on the day my husband flew in and we had ressies for 930. After finishing our gluttony I looked at DD11 and said what do you think we go back for a nap? I honestly couldn't move I was so full. And what do you think my preteen daughter at DIsneyworld only our 2nd day said to me?
Yeah I think that is a good idea...
We were all so full we could barely breathe. SO we napped and then went to the pool. It was FANTASTIC...yummy!

and after food coma

OMG YUMMMMM!!! I sooo miss tonga toast!! LOL that is so funny you guys had food coma and had to rest. But yeah I totally had that too.

Oh and we ate at Boma too and forget the zebra domes!! THose little peanut butter whatevers on top of peanut brittle were TO DIE FOR! it was kind of embaressing I went up like 4 times for them, but then I realized this other guy was too and he just looked and me and said
yeah I know they are good lets not tell anyone
hahhaaha

Haha yum!! Will look forward to reading your TR...I can't remember if I ate the peanut brittle or not but I think I ate everything, so it's possible! I was honestly too full after my 3rd of 4th trip up there that I can't remember dessert too well. Good thing I have a picture of my plate!

All caught up on your report. Yeah!!!

What a fantastic, busy weekend you had. Bummer that the weather was so awful at the game. Sounds like you could have used a vacation from your weekend!

Super report from AK! That's great that your husband got to ride EE so many times, he must have enjoyed that! Not a fan of It's Tough to be a Bug. The last time we saw it, kids were crying and screaming about the scary bugs and some of the 4D effects. My kids aren't really into it. Maybe it is because I gave DH hints about when to lift away from the seats but I didn't tell the boys Dang, I think I am out of the running for the Mom of the Year award. Again!

The pretzel at AK looks yummy! There is a cart near the Pangini trail in Africa. Is that where you got it, or another cart?

We love Kali River Rapids! Especially when it is hot. Since our only times visiting AK have been in July and August, and I firmly believe they truck in extra heat to that park for authenticity, the ride is always a relief.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is gorgeous, and you really captured its beauty!

Great review of Boma! It think this is our favorite restaurant. It may not be incredibly authentic, but it is nice to have some out of the ordinary tastes. I didn't take the grapefruit, avocado, papaya salad on my first round, but DH had it and RAVED about it, so I got some and you are both correct. It totally works! Yum!

I am obsessed with passionfruit. I think it is because it is so exotic and not readily available. I can usually only find actual passionfruit once or twice a year at our local stores and they sell for around a buck a piece for those little shriveled delicacies, but I can't resist. The passionfruit domes at Boma were fantastic!

My only complaint with Boma is they have TOO many offerings. I want to try everything, then go back and have my favorites, and that does not leave enough room for dessert. But I manage anyway

Thanks!! Boma was delicious! There were definitely so many offerings, but hey, I like to eat and the more options the merrier, LOL.

I do believe we got the pretzel from the cart in Africa. It was the best pretzel ever. It may be tied with the cream cheese pretzel from MK, but one is sweet and the other savory so I think they can both be #1 of my most delicious snack list, right?

Yum, passionfruit is one of my favorite fruits. I love all exotic tropical fruits. I used to visit Singapore when I was younger so I was accustomed to eating things like jackfruit, fressh lychees, rambutans, starfruit, etc. Stuff that few people have heard of. But I miss them so much and it's rare to find stuff like that even in NYC, it's usually not as ripe or as pretty looking.

LOL, ITTBAB is quite scary, and I always forget the moment when the ants run rampant so i'm always trying to lift my legs or my butt in the show but end up doing it at the wrong times, HAHA.

AKL looks beautiful. It is the "dream" resort for my dd. I have not been there...and thus not eaten there either. I think next trip...I just might have to venture there.

Great update. Remind me...what day are you on?

Tankgirl answered you already but yes it was Monday, Labor day. AKL is definitely a destination resort. It actually feels so serene and calm, actually quite different from the Poly. At the Poly the restaurants were so crowded that it felt a bit like the mall. At AKL, the lobby is on a different level than Boma and Jiko so it was really quiet. I'm definitely going there again on our next trip!

 

[onescgirl]

Yay! I finally read your whole TR in the past 2 days!

That is great that you were able to stay a extra day!

Ya'll two are the most adorable couple ever! It cracks me up how sweet your DH looks with all the pics you take of you two. My DH & DS always get aggravated with me taking so many pictures of them! They are learning to just grin & bear it.

All of your pictures look great & I love your b&w post.

After reading your post on Ohana, it makes me wish that we went. We will definitely go there next time.

Sci-Fi was one of my kids favorite restaurants from our trip.

And, I wish I knew about the jalapeno pretzels from AK. That thing looked soooo goooood!!!!

I'm enjoying reading your TR. I hope you have a great weekend!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Hi everyone, sorry, I have been a bit out of sync with the Disboards lately because I was suffering from some pains on the side of my hip and back and it would be painful to sit upright sometimes. I’d be ok in the morning after being in bed all night, but then by 5pm, the pain would get really uncomfortable. It made it difficult to walk and sit for long periods of time! So I went to see an orthopedist who recommended wearing a brace for support for a few hours a day, and also some painkillers. Looks like I’ve been lugging around too much weight on my right shoulder, considering I just shot a wedding with a ton of gear, and doing a lot of walking/crouching/standing over Columbus day weekend, it kind of led up to that. Good news is that the pain is going away and I can finally sit upright at my computer for longer periods of time. I am soooo looking forward to our Hawaiian vacation which is going down in only 2 weeks!! Which leads me to think that I should probably take it easy on vacation…usually I am running around, doing lots of walking and lots of picture-taking, visiting as many sights as possible, and lugging a ton of camera equipment. But I guess it wouldn’t really be much fun to be on vacation in pain, so I’m gonna devote at least a few days of vacation to just relaxing on the beach and doing…nothing. Eeps. I hope I am able to sit still for that long! I may have to leave a few lenses at home. I am always carrying a few lenses with me, but I may have to lighten my load a little. We’ll see. Most likely I will not. LOL!


Day 5 Part I: How we got to ride TSM 4x before noon.

So on Tuesday, the day after labor day, the plan was to head to DHS early in the morning, and then head to Epcot for our lunch ressies at Le Cellier (sooo looking forward to this!). We wanted to grab at least 1 or 2 rides of TSM before we left WDW! I left the dslr back in the room again today. I dunno, it was so nice to not carry around the heavy camera, that I decided 1 more day wouldn’t hurt. LOL.

This was our last FULL day at WDW, so we get up early, grab breakfast at POFQ (beignets for me, and the bounty platter for DH, plus lots of coffee!) and hop on the bus to DHS. Upon entering the park, we make a beeline for TSM as usual. We got in just after rope drop but you could already tell the crowds were much lighter than on Monday. We FP TSM, and also got in line to ride it.

When we got on line, we witnessed one of the green soldiers ordering a young girl to drop and give him 20. I didn’t think the girl would do it, but she did! Boy, was she good too! I don’t think I could do 20 push ups. And she did them regular style too, not the girlie ones on your knees.

Now during the first run of TSM, our guns didn’t work!! Argh! This was already the 2nd time it happened. So when we looped back around to the unloading dock, we had to tell a CM again, and we had to get out, wait for 5 mins and then go back on another car. This time, our guns did work, until the very last game, when our screen decides to go all fuzzy on us and we couldn't aim properly. So ODD! We didn’t bother trying to go for another round, and we still managed to get best in vehicle!

Woohoo! Not bad, imagine if our guns worked on the last bonus round!


So after TSM x 2, we walk around for a bit and decided to stop at Writer’s Block for yet another snack. Damn these snack credits keep running out on me! But we still had 3 QS left, 1 TS and 1 snack credit left between the both of us.

I decided to get an iced mocha, and a giant strawberry muffin. It was about the size of my head.

I love the interior of writer’s block! At this hour, the place was completely empty. So it was nice to sit and chill for a bit

The CM there reminded us that it was the last day for Star Tours too, before it closed for renovation! We decided we HAD to do that next, so we make our way to Star Tours. I could only manage a few bites of the muffin before I was full. That muffin was seriously larger than life. It looked a lot better than it tasted though, I think it was a little too sweet, plus paired with the mocha, it was sugar overload!

After Star Tours, we head over to RNRC. On the way, we saw Minnie! Hmm, where was she when I was wearing my Minnie-top? She wasn’t anywhere to be found when I wore it! Since I wasn’t wearing my Minnie top, I didn’t bother to get on line for the pic with her. One day I will get my picture with Minnie with my Minnie top!

We got FP for RNRC, then headed back to Pixar to ride TSM with our FP we got when we first arrived at DHS. Now, on this ride, our guns don’t work again! Plus the screen shifted around on us, and we were unable to even look at the screens because it got all fuzzy and made us dizzy. So we spent most of that ride with our eyes closed! So yet again, (we are used to it!) we told the CM when we circled back around, got out, waited for another car, and then went back on. This time, we got Hamm. I love him!

I think he also gave me some luck because I GOT THE BEST IN VEHICLE!!! Woohoo!!

My score is on the left obviously. DH was sad he didn’t break 200k. Said his arm hurt from all those previous times he beat me. Whatever!


So that’s how we ride TSM 4 times, and it was only 11am. Not bad! I guess 2 of them don’t really count though. LOL.

We head over to ride RNRC. We also walked around the stores a bit before leaving DHS.

Now here’s an outfit you don’t see too much in everyday life! I wonder if she will be a fashion DO or DON’T? They were doing one of those character moments on Sunset Blvd.

We hop on the ferry that would take us to the World Showcase gateway at Epcot. I miss this ferry! It was sooo convenient when we stayed at the Swan last year.

And off to EPCOT we go!


Coming up, pics of World Showcase and cheddar cheese soup aka the BEST SOUP EVER.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Yay! I finally read your whole TR in the past 2 days!

That is great that you were able to stay a extra day!

Ya'll two are the most adorable couple ever! It cracks me up how sweet your DH looks with all the pics you take of you two. My DH & DS always get aggravated with me taking so many pictures of them! They are learning to just grin & bear it.

All of your pictures look great & I love your b&w post.

After reading your post on Ohana, it makes me wish that we went. We will definitely go there next time.

Sci-Fi was one of my kids favorite restaurants from our trip.

And, I wish I knew about the jalapeno pretzels from AK. That thing looked soooo goooood!!!!

I'm enjoying reading your TR. I hope you have a great weekend!

Hi Amy! It's great to see you back on the boards! I'm excited to hear about your trip to. I'm going to sub to your TR. Thank you so much! You are too kind.

 

[KatGarcia]

Ok what a great TR! I LOVE your pics! I am late to the party but all caught up!

 

[QuirkyButterfly]

Looks like you had another great day, though it is a shame about TSM not always working for you.

If I could ask you a question... What do you do with your camera bags when you are on a ride? Is there somewhere to store them. If it is not a fast moving ride do you take it on with you? We are planning to go to Universal Studios and I admit to being a bit worried about what we will do with our stuff on some of the more thrill seeking rides.

Thanks

I also hope that you are feeling better, what you are going through sounds awful. Get better soon, no heavy lifting before Hawaii

 

[natebenma]

Sorry to hear about your arm/pain in the side. Yes definitely rest up before your trip! Some doctor-ordered rest and relaxation on a Hawaiin beach sounds like a great prescription to me! Oh, and some of the passionfruit beer!

Great update! I love the story with the green army man and the little girl. That is great that she could do it!!! We saw the army men a few times during our trip, and I was thrilled to get a picture of my son with one (there was no line) because Ben actually plays with army men quite a bit. This is our only character pic from the trip.

Thanks for sharing the info and pictures on Writer's Stop. Another trip report talked about it but did not have photos. It was so not on my radar, but I understand this is one of the few places in Disney with "real" coffee. Too bad the muffin was not as good as it looked.

Congrats at beating your DH at TSM!!!

Trip report teaser: I laughed when I read the title of your post- that is my title for my upcoming post on our last full day, too! We ride TSM 4x by noon!

It's nice that they have the ferry from HS to the resorts and EPCOT, but man, they need to fix the air conditioning on those things! A CM from BC told us that it is not Disney who who owns them, when they put in the AC they made it so the windows won't open (is that safe), but now the AC is broken! Did you have Mike from Lowell and his trained duck driving your ferry? He is a lot of fun. It's not the guy from your picture, but sometimes there are a couple of drivers on the trips.

 

[Tracy161]

Sorry to hear about the pain you've been experiencing lately! I think a trip to Hawaii is just what the doctor ordered though!

Ahh! Too bad Minnie was no where to be found on the day you had your Minnie shirt on! But... just another thing to accomplish on a future trip! Can't wait to hear about your lunch at Le Cellier! I've never been (it's my No. 1 must-do for restaurants though) BUT I have had the cheddar cheese soup at the Food and Wine Festival and it was AMAZING!!!

 

[Shannon84]

Sorry to hear about the pain you have been in, hope that you start feeling better soon

Great update as usual For some reason we had a hard time using up all of our CS and Snack credits...next time we have to better manage somehow

I can't believe the horrible luck you had with your TSM vehicles, but you guys got incredible scores when it did work correctly!!

 

[chunkymonkey]

Ok what a great TR! I LOVE your pics! I am late to the party but all caught up!

Hi Kat! I see you are from Brooklyn! Go NYC!! Your blog looks fabulous too...all those delicious baked goods...and so pretty too! Good luck on your business! Welcome to my TR too, it's great to have you on board!

Looks like you had another great day, though it is a shame about TSM not always working for you.

If I could ask you a question... What do you do with your camera bags when you are on a ride? Is there somewhere to store them. If it is not a fast moving ride do you take it on with you? We are planning to go to Universal Studios and I admit to being a bit worried about what we will do with our stuff on some of the more thrill seeking rides.

Thanks

I also hope that you are feeling better, what you are going through sounds awful. Get better soon, no heavy lifting before Hawaii

I don't actually have a camera bag with me per se, but what I use neoprene lens sleeves to store the extra lenses, and a neoprene camera cover, so that a bundle it up when I can't bring it on a ride. It all fits in my tote bag, and then it usually goes on the floor, under/behind my legs. It's never been an issue to date, and nothing has flown out (yet).

I'm so jealous you will be going to Universal too. I do love that place too. It's a lot of fun!

Thanks, I do feel better now, and yes no heavy lifting

Sorry to hear about your arm/pain in the side. Yes definitely rest up before your trip! Some doctor-ordered rest and relaxation on a Hawaiin beach sounds like a great prescription to me! Oh, and some of the passionfruit beer!

Great update! I love the story with the green army man and the little girl. That is great that she could do it!!! We saw the army men a few times during our trip, and I was thrilled to get a picture of my son with one (there was no line) because Ben actually plays with army men quite a bit. This is our only character pic from the trip.

Thanks for sharing the info and pictures on Writer's Stop. Another trip report talked about it but did not have photos. It was so not on my radar, but I understand this is one of the few places in Disney with "real" coffee. Too bad the muffin was not as good as it looked.

Congrats at beating your DH at TSM!!!

Trip report teaser: I laughed when I read the title of your post- that is my title for my upcoming post on our last full day, too! We ride TSM 4x by noon!

It's nice that they have the ferry from HS to the resorts and EPCOT, but man, they need to fix the air conditioning on those things! A CM from BC told us that it is not Disney who who owns them, when they put in the AC they made it so the windows won't open (is that safe), but now the AC is broken! Did you have Mike from Lowell and his trained duck driving your ferry? He is a lot of fun. It's not the guy from your picture, but sometimes there are a couple of drivers on the trips.

Thanks! I will have a passionfruit beer (or 2, or 3) for you!

Hmm, I don't think Mike from Lowell was on our ferry. He sounds like a riot though. Yeah I agree, the AC doesn't work that well on the boat, but it's better than the POFQ boat which doesn't even have AC. It was really muggy that one night we took it from DTD back to the resort.

Sorry to hear about the pain you've been experiencing lately! I think a trip to Hawaii is just what the doctor ordered though!

Ahh! Too bad Minnie was no where to be found on the day you had your Minnie shirt on! But... just another thing to accomplish on a future trip! Can't wait to hear about your lunch at Le Cellier! I've never been (it's my No. 1 must-do for restaurants though) BUT I have had the cheddar cheese soup at the Food and Wine Festival and it was AMAZING!!!

I know! Where is Minnie when you need her? LOL.

I'd go to Le Cellier just for the soup. It's that good!

Sorry to hear about the pain you have been in, hope that you start feeling better soon

Great update as usual For some reason we had a hard time using up all of our CS and Snack credits...next time we have to better manage somehow

I can't believe the horrible luck you had with your TSM vehicles, but you guys got incredible scores when it did work correctly!!

Hi Shannon, thanks, we work hard at achieving those high scores. hahaha. And thanks, I do feel better now!

I agree we had a hard time using up the CS credits although we did run out of snack credits quickly, and TS credits, forgetaboutit! LOL. We paid for 2 TS OOP, haha.

 

[Nermel9]

I hope you feel better soon!

So jealous you're going to Hawaii!!! I've always wanted to go there! PLEASE post some pics here when you get back!

Great update! Can't believe you did TSM so many times! I can't wait to finally go on it for the first time in my life in a few weeks!

Can't wait to hear about Epcot!