Could the Dream Turn the Grump into a Believer? Charleston Update 10/13

[jeremysdisneymom]

Wow, what a great day minus a few Grumpy comments!

We loved the AKL pool. Jeremy loved the slide and the zero entry was nice as well. So glad you enjoyed the afternoon with your family.

Okay, I don't get what it is about the Heinz honey mustard but my Jeremy cannot stand it either. He often will eat ketchup with the nuggets at Disney!

Zebra Domes---ahh.. . Those things became a favorite of mine this trip! I had two packs of those babies to bring home until Tom didn't secure them in the cooler well. Let's just say, water and zebra domes do not mix!

We have never eaten at Jiko but it looks fabulous! Okay, Don sounds just like Tom. Fortunately, Tom is not a grump about Disney but he has become the Disney Food Grump! He has decided that he is tired of Disney food and for the price we pay, he would rather go off property and eat what he likes. That is even with having the meal plan. I have all these reservations made for Thanksgiving that I have a feeling will be getting cancelled. He informed me the other night that we should start thinking about what would be open Thanksgiving Day off property---.

Can't wait to hear about Earl of Sandwich and World of Disney! I really enjoyed DTD this past trip--more so than in the past.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Great update & really seems like a relaxing afternoon at the pool with adult beverages would have been enough to put the Grump in a good enough mood that he wouldn't have hurt your feelings about dinner. I love JIKO!!!! At least he redeemed himself with a kiss later.

I am looking so forward to spending time on our balcony at Kidani in January just chilling.

 

[lvstitch]

Great update...btw, I feel the same way about the honey mustard. It used to be really good, but the new stuff is some of the worst I have tasted.

 

[klacey1]

I'm glad your hubby apologized to you for not appreciating the Jiko dinner! That's so sweet about your kids becoming closer during vacations! Disney magic at work!

 

[TanzUnited99]

More great pics of AKL! That's a shame about not being able to find the cute little key chain.

Love how the underwater pics turned out though laughed at the pic taken with the underwater setting still on!

Yay on getting some zebra domes! Mmm the food at Jiko looks great and I love the photo of the two of you at your meal.

Oh no on DH saying that about the meal but am glad he realised he had hurt your feelings and made it up to you later

 

[wdwgirl03]

Oh, I love the AKL! I remember when we stayed there that slide was so much fun. And those zebra domes!! Delicious. One of those sounds really good right now...haha

 

[tch121]

Awesome so far...keep it coming!

 

[jenseib]

Don needs a swift kick in the butt!
I think he is really trying to NOT like it. He must be Skip's long lost brother!

What do Zebra domes tasters like. I want to try some..if I make it over to AKL, but I have no clue what they are like. I hate to spend money on them if I know they are not too my liking...They don't have coconut, do they?

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I've never had zebra domes either. Just may try them this trip.
My resistant husband has a Mickey on his big toe! He is trying out something that he is making for me to put on my polished toenail. Isn't that sweet?

 

[Tink rules]

Ok... someday he's gonna have to come out and admit it... He's a closet Disney fan.. I bet he'd wear Mickey Boxers if you got him some...

 

[SoonerGirl]

So much to comment on...

First off, your pictures are wonderful!

That AKL pool is beautiful! Love the picture of the boys! Glad to see you got to use your underwater feature. I think the picture if the 3 of you is wonderful even if the coloring is a little off. Forgetting to change the settings back is the main reason I stay in "auto".

Thanks! All the pool pictures were taken with my new waterproof camera, I was really happy with the quality of photos it takes.

I'm always forgetting to change the settings back on both cameras, it would serve me well to just stay in "auto" mode too!

All your Mara food looked really good! It's a good thing I don't have boys though.... they can really put back some food!

Oh, you have no idea! I am amazed by how much food Justin can eat. He is 5'10" and doesn't even weigh 140 pounds, yet he eats more than Don and I put together!

Your Jiko dinner sounds wonderful. DH and I rarely get to dine alone. And you both look great in that picture. That's a very pretty dress. I love turquoise! You should frame that picture!

That dress is a few years old, but I just love it. It has a very flattering fit too.

I was kinda teary eyed reading about your evening though. I know how you feel wanting your family to love WDW as much as you do. It can be hard when they just don't feel the magic like you do. At least he knew it meant a lot to you and wasn't obnoxious about telling you that he wasn't in love with it. It sounds like maybe it's the money part that bothers him. He must be a conservative spender. Have you guys done the dining plan before? Maybe he would like it better if he could just order whatever and not get a bill? Just a thought???

Sounds like a very relaxing evening on the balcony though. Surely he enjoyed AKL after that awesome pool and the balcony? I hope you were able to win him over more as the trip went on.

The money part definitely bothers him. He is a conservative spender on some things, like vacations, but not on others, like the boys sports or toys for himself, which is why it aggravates me so much! He grew up quite poor though and tends to think of spending alot of money on vacations as frivilous, which really it is, but to me it is money well spent for the memories we make.

We have used the dining plan before. In fact this is the first family trip that we've taken that we haven't had it. He still sees the cost though. He absolutely loved the non-priced menus on the cruise ship!

Joining in, if that's okay.

We used to live in Fort Smith, AR, and our families are in MS, so I know how badly that drive on I40 can be. So. Boring.

That filet looks amazing. Makes me want to get in the car and drive to Orlando!

Of course it's okay, the more the merrier! Welcome!!

We just got back from a baseball tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. That was boring drive too.......really, I think almost all drives are boring

That filet is melt in your mouth good!

A lovely afternoon indeed. I am sorry the Grump was Grumpy but at least he knew it meant something to you.

The Grump I know does not even want to step foot in Disney ever again. Too bad, I will just go without him.

I am sad I won't see everyone in Oct. But on the bright side, I will be there before you guys so I only have 2 months 1 week and 2 days !!!!!

It was a lovely day and the Grump was non-Grumpy for 98% of it

It's a bummer we are just missing each other!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Fantastic update, thanks for taking the time to entertain us! Love AKL and love going down that slide, I'm right there with your boys, so much fun, it really is amazingly fun given it's small size.

I should have tried the slide, but I didn't. Always more reasons to go back!

What a lovely day & evening that you had. It's a blow when one feels that everything is really working out, but it really isn't.

At least you get to go on your own, I don't know if my DH would be agreeable to that. If not at least he will go when I prod him.

Waiting to see what he thinks of the cruise.

You know, even if all the relaxed time at a beautiful resort didn't convince Don to come back, it did convince me that down time at WDW can be awesome! I have a feeling the next family trip (with or without the Grump) will be quite different than our past trips.

Michelle, your pictures at the AKL pool are great (65 days until we are there). Our boys are the same way...they barely tolerated each other at home when they were little (actually, they tolerate each other even less now that they are older), but on vacation they got along beautifully!

We enjoyed Mara the one time we ate there (although I'm with your family...don't care for the Zebra Domes at all).

I am so sorry Don/Grump is not budging on the Disney thing. Well, I'm sure you'll get lots of us to volunteer to go with you in his place.

That pool is awesome! I loved the zero depth entry!

I certainly hope that my boys get along well when they get older, it would make me sad if they didn't.

Well, I can't say for certain that Don wouldn't like the Zebra Domes because he didn't try them, but the kids weren't big fans.

As much as I want Don to love WDW too, as long as he will occasionally let me take the boys, I'm going to be okay with it.

I'm glad the family had so much fun at the pool. I love downtime like that on vacation! I'm sorry Don didn't love Jiko though. That's a bummer and I would feel exactly as you felt Michelle. My husband doesn't even have desire to try to like Disney. He just refuses to go. Oh well. I'm glad your night ended on a good note though.

That makes me sad that your DH has never even gone with you on your trips! Don really enjoyed our first trip, watching the joy it brought to our kids faces. I just pushed for another trip much sooner than I should have and it turned him off big time!

I absolutely love the pics at the pool - especially the one of your boys (in and out of the water). Everyone looks so happy to be on vacation.

Your pics of Jiko are making my mouth water. Bummer since I am at work and since it is 2:30 am, there is definitely not any place I can get some good food here.

Sad to hear that the wonderful meal didn't sway him anymore. I feel some of your pain though. We are heading to Orlando next month to check out WWoHP and I had to do some major convincing to get my husband to agree to a day at Disney. I told him that there was no way we could be in Orlando and NOT take our little girl to Disney. She would know as soon as we set foot in the airport that we were near Disney. I hope he isn't turning into a "grump" as well.

I know you know pool time well on vacation! It was alot of fun, and something we should make more time for in the future.

Jiko was really good! I think it didn't have the impact on Don that I was hoping for because he eats at nice restaurants all the time for work, something like that is a treat for me, for him, not so much.

Well of course your DD would see all the Disney stuff in the MCO airport and know where you were! You have to have at least one day to take her to the MK!! Glad you were able to make him see the light

 

[SoonerGirl]

Michelle, I loved reading about your relaxing afternoon at the AKL pool -- I could almost imagine myself there with a drink in hand!

My two are the same way on vacation -- they only tolerate each other at home, but actually have fun together when we are somewhere else.

Dinner at Jiko looks fabulous -- shame on Don for being such a Disney grump, though, with his comments about not going until there are grandchildren and the value of dinner. Other than that, the day seems wonderful!

Isn't it funny how differently our kids behave when they are out of their normal everyday routine? I always tell them that I don't understand why they can't get along at home too!

Yeah, shame on Don for sure! To his credit though, I think he realized after he said it that he sould have kept that comment to himself. He knew how hard I was trying to show him a different side of Disney.

Don's next trip can be when we have grandchildren, but he better not try and stop me from going. After all, I MUST stay on top of the goings on there for my job, right?

Great update Michelle! What a wonderful relaxing day you had. I know sometimes we get so caught up in going to the parks and such that I forget that Disney is a great place to relax too! Great to see your boys having so much fun together. My kids are the same way they have so much fun together when we get away from the day to day routines. I love your underwater shots!

I must say I am so jealous that you all are doing a girls only trip. I have always wanted to do that. A couple of years ago I ran into this group of ladies while in line at the French bakery. There must have been about 12 - 15 of them and they do an annual trip to Disney. They had matching shirts with a group name (which I can't remember) and a picture on the shirt. One of the ladies told me that they take the most embarrassing picture (of one lady) from the previous year and put that on their shirt. This picture was one of the woman bent over in the oven with her butt sticking out and she is looking so shocked as she is just starting to turn around. It was pretty funny. They were all having the best time...laughing, talking and as we say in GA, having a BIG time. I know you all will have so much fun!

Looking forward to your next installment...

TTFN
Darlene

Our past trips have been very much 'on the go' all the time. These two days without a park visit showed me how enjoyable WDW can be if you just slow down too. Future trips will look a bit different for us, I bet.

Don't be jealous of the girls trip, come along!

The group you ran into sounds like they were having a ton of fun! I would hate to be the person to end up on the next year's t-shirt though

While I like Jiko -- I much much much prefer Sanaa over at AKL Kidani. But I do LOVE the creme brulee at Jiko, good stuff that!

I haven't been to Sanaa yet, but I'd like to give it a try sometime - more reasons to go back......

Such a shame that Don didn't enjoy that gorgeous food...but each to their own.

I saw that you and Trish were just missing each other at the World this year....not to hijack your thread but I'm thinking of heading to the World again for the first week in October 2013. Any chance that you ladies would like to do another DisMeet in that year....with or without your resistors?

I wouldn't say that Don didn't enjoy his food, he did, he just felt like it was overpriced for what you got....

I'm hoping to make F&W an annual thing, so 2013 isn't out of the question

What a lovely day! MMMmmmmm zebra domes It looks like you had a lovely dinner at Jiko. Too bad your DH didn't agree but he tried to make it better at the end of the day! That's at least some bonus points.

I could go for some zebra domes for breakfast right now!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Wow, what a great day minus a few Grumpy comments!

We loved the AKL pool. Jeremy loved the slide and the zero entry was nice as well. So glad you enjoyed the afternoon with your family.

Okay, I don't get what it is about the Heinz honey mustard but my Jeremy cannot stand it either. He often will eat ketchup with the nuggets at Disney!

Zebra Domes---ahh.. . Those things became a favorite of mine this trip! I had two packs of those babies to bring home until Tom didn't secure them in the cooler well. Let's just say, water and zebra domes do not mix!

We have never eaten at Jiko but it looks fabulous! Okay, Don sounds just like Tom. Fortunately, Tom is not a grump about Disney but he has become the Disney Food Grump! He has decided that he is tired of Disney food and for the price we pay, he would rather go off property and eat what he likes. That is even with having the meal plan. I have all these reservations made for Thanksgiving that I have a feeling will be getting cancelled. He informed me the other night that we should start thinking about what would be open Thanksgiving Day off property---.

Can't wait to hear about Earl of Sandwich and World of Disney! I really enjoyed DTD this past trip--more so than in the past.

I really like the zero depth entry too. So glad that Jeremy was able to use that slide and swim, that would have been just awful if his injury had kept him out of the water!

I tired the Heinz honey mustard on the cruise ship, it does have a different taste to it, it wasn't awful, but wasn't all that good either.

Oh, I'm sad for the ruined zebra domes!

What ADR do you currently have for Thanksgiving Day? We did WCC on Christmas Day a couple of years ago and the food was really good. Still expensive though, so not sure how Tom would like that...

Great update & really seems like a relaxing afternoon at the pool with adult beverages would have been enough to put the Grump in a good enough mood that he wouldn't have hurt your feelings about dinner. I love JIKO!!!! At least he redeemed himself with a kiss later.

I am looking so forward to spending time on our balcony at Kidani in January just chilling.

You know, I think over all Don really did enjoy the day, and I think he liked dinner, just thought it was overpriced for what they served. I have to face it too, most of the food at WDW is overpriced. Difference is, I can separate the cost from the experience, he can't.

Having the balcony was great, can't imagine how much time we would have spent out there if we had had a savannah view!

Great update...btw, I feel the same way about the honey mustard. It used to be really good, but the new stuff is some of the worst I have tasted.

Maybe we need to get a petition going to get rid of the nasty honey mustard!

I'm glad your hubby apologized to you for not appreciating the Jiko dinner! That's so sweet about your kids becoming closer during vacations! Disney magic at work!

Well, he didn't actually apologize, but he did try and make it better, so he got some points for that.

Next time my kids aren't getting along I just need to jump on a plane and go somewhere, they'll probably be fine then

More great pics of AKL! That's a shame about not being able to find the cute little key chain.

Love how the underwater pics turned out though laughed at the pic taken with the underwater setting still on!

Yay on getting some zebra domes! Mmm the food at Jiko looks great and I love the photo of the two of you at your meal.

Oh no on DH saying that about the meal but am glad he realised he had hurt your feelings and made it up to you later

I was bummed about the keychain. I'm going to look for it again at AK in October, hopefully I'll find it!

The food at Jiko is really good! I've rarely had a bad meal anywhere on Disney property though.

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh, I love the AKL! I remember when we stayed there that slide was so much fun. And those zebra domes!! Delicious. One of those sounds really good right now...haha

I wish I had tried the slide, I just didn't want to get my hair all wet

I could go for some zebra domes right now too!

Awesome so far...keep it coming!

Thanks! I should have another update up before the end of the week

Don needs a swift kick in the butt!
I think he is really trying to NOT like it. He must be Skip's long lost brother!

What do Zebra domes tasters like. I want to try some..if I make it over to AKL, but I have no clue what they are like. I hate to spend money on them if I know they are not too my liking...They don't have coconut, do they?

I think you are right, Don had already made up his mind that regardless of how our time was at WDW, he was done vacationing there

Nope, no coconut. They are kind of hard to describe. I found the recipe, but haven't tried to make them. Here are the ingredients so you can get a bit of an idea of what is in them:

1 pound milk chocolate
¼ cup espresso coffee
5 egg yolks
¼ cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
6 sheets gelatin
½ cup Kahlua Liqueur
4 cups heavy cream
¾ cup white chocolate ganache
¼ cup dark chocolate ganache
sponge cake (store-bought or your favorite recipe)

I've never had zebra domes either. Just may try them this trip.
My resistant husband has a Mickey on his big toe! He is trying out something that he is making for me to put on my polished toenail. Isn't that sweet?

Zebra domes are yummy! You can use a snack credit on them too if you are on the dining plan.

Too funny that your DH put a Mickey on toe!

Ok... someday he's gonna have to come out and admit it... He's a closet Disney fan.. I bet he'd wear Mickey Boxers if you got him some...

I should get him some and test your theory!

 

[HappyontheLake]

And if you ask, they can get you gluten free zebra domes! They just use a hard piece of dark chocolate on the bottom instead of the cake. They are SOOOO good.

 

[manntra]

So excited that you are making it down for October (I have been uber busy and just skimming through TR's lately ) What are you dates and where are you staying? I don't know if I missed that or not

So happy that you enjoyed your stay at Jambo. I haven't stayed there in quite some time...my last stays at AK have all been at Kidani. It has a quieter vibe and is just a quick walk from Mara and those ZD's I love Jiko and will be sad to miss it in October...it never disappoints Sorry that Don was not feeling the magic. Too bad they don't make a Grump modifier kool aid like the DVC kool aid that so many of us have had Or do you remember the Sneetches from Dr. Seuss with the yellow guys that wanted stars on their bellies? There could be a little machine that turned the Grumps into happy non resistant DHs

Tracy

 

[jeremysdisneymom]

I really like the zero depth entry too. So glad that Jeremy was able to use that slide and swim, that would have been just awful if his injury had kept him out of the water!

I tired the Heinz honey mustard on the cruise ship, it does have a different taste to it, it wasn't awful, but wasn't all that good either.

Oh, I'm sad for the ruined zebra domes!

What ADR do you currently have for Thanksgiving Day? We did WCC on Christmas Day a couple of years ago and the food was really good. Still expensive though, so not sure how Tom would like that...

Per Jeremy's request, I booked Garden Grill. It used to be one of his favorites but that changed this last trip. The food was horrible and probably our worst meal. I am definitely canceling it. We had WCC this trip. He loves that place. I don't think money is the really big issue, he just doesn't want Disney food. He said he was tired of eating it and for what we paid for the dining plan, he would rather go off property and eat. I am going to broach the subject again with him. We are doing a split stay in Thanksgiving and I am thinking we do one with the dining plan and one without. It is going to be a lot more busier when we are there at Thanksgiving and I don't want to waste time going off property every night.

 

[jenseib]

Do zebra domes taste like coffee...another thing I don't like. LOL!

 

[SoonerGirl]

And if you ask, they can get you gluten free zebra domes! They just use a hard piece of dark chocolate on the bottom instead of the cake. They are SOOOO good.

Ooooo, that sounds good with the dark chocolate bottom! That may be even better than with the cake!

So excited that you are making it down for October (I have been uber busy and just skimming through TR's lately ) What are you dates and where are you staying? I don't know if I missed that or not

So happy that you enjoyed your stay at Jambo. I haven't stayed there in quite some time...my last stays at AK have all been at Kidani. It has a quieter vibe and is just a quick walk from Mara and those ZD's I love Jiko and will be sad to miss it in October...it never disappoints Sorry that Don was not feeling the magic. Too bad they don't make a Grump modifier kool aid like the DVC kool aid that so many of us have had Or do you remember the Sneetches from Dr. Seuss with the yellow guys that wanted stars on their bellies? There could be a little machine that turned the Grumps into happy non resistant DHs

Tracy

Don't worry Tracy, I probably didn't even give the details on the October trip! I arrive on Friday October 14, depart on Wednesday the 19th. Our accomodations are somewhat up in the air right now. Happydog is renting us points from a friend, problem is at this late date DVC has NOTHING for all 5 nights. We are confirmed at WLV for Sat-Mon, Tuesday we are at SSR, and we are currently homeless for Friday We've wait listed the 1st & last nights at WLV, hopefully they will come through and we'll be in one place for the whole trip

I was hoping to get over to Kidani to check it out, but we just didn't have time. I DO remember the Sneetches! Justin had a computer game where you put the shapes on their bellies

I need gallons and gallons of that kool-aid for Don!

Per Jeremy's request, I booked Garden Grill. It used to be one of his favorites but that changed this last trip. The food was horrible and probably our worst meal. I am definitely canceling it. We had WCC this trip. He loves that place. I don't think money is the really big issue, he just doesn't want Disney food. He said he was tired of eating it and for what we paid for the dining plan, he would rather go off property and eat. I am going to broach the subject again with him. We are doing a split stay in Thanksgiving and I am thinking we do one with the dining plan and one without. It is going to be a lot more busier when we are there at Thanksgiving and I don't want to waste time going off property every night.

I can't imagine being tired of Disney food! WCC had a special menu for Christmas, I'm sure they would for Thanksgiving Day as well. I can't even remember what all was served (it's probably in my TR from that trip, but I'm too lazy to look it up ) I think we had turkey, ham, brisket, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn - stuff like that, very much a holiday meal, and it was all really good.

Do zebra domes taste like coffee...another thing I don't like. LOL!

Nope, no strong coffee taste all - I don't like coffee either and I would have never guessed that there was coffee in them.