Disney Nomads ... 3 Resorts in 8 Nights! ALL NEW 9/2!

[cp'ersmom]

How much fun are those dang bubbles!! Oh the joys of childhood. I bet that will be a memory for many years (ok, of course it will be a memory but you know what I mean)

 

[pkondz]

Quick note! I haven't abandoned you Laura, just catching up! Back soon, promise!

 

[shan23877]

I can sense his eyes boring into me. Tentatively, I look to my right and see The Look. I guess not everyone appreciates this delightful piece of cheese called Captain EO. Some of us would rather carry around a piece of Gouda in their pocket all day, not mentioning any names, Mr. Squid.

Some people just aren't ready for EO I guess.




We’re all pretty eager to check out the new digs at Kidani so we start toward the front of the park. We stop in Mousegears on the way so Monkston can tear through some more of her money. This could take a while.

There’s a big Perry display which grabs Monkston’s attention. After some hemming and hawing, Mr. Squid convinces her to get the stuffed platypus because she needs another stuffed animal to keep the hundred already in her room company. We remember to use our AP discount this time and head back out.

We have that one too. He's cute! They had a really great selection of Perry stuff at CBR.



“Squid, I’m going to tell them at the front desk that it’s your birthday TODAY, as in right now. Maybe we’ll get an upgrade. Or at least a really great location.”

Way to work that occasion. I always try to be subtle about trying to get upgrades. Never works.


“Hi Check-in Judy! We’re the laura74 family, here to check in. It’s a special day today. It’s Mr. Squid’s birthday! Think we can get a nice location?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Great!”

This is going to be good. The upgrade gods are smiling down on us. I can feel it.

“Here you go! You’re just a short walk away.”

Good work Laura. Impressive. Did everyone need to smile? Not sure DH would be up for that.


Have you ever seen a giraffe do that? I haven’t.

Nope. My dogs sit in really weird positions though.

We go up one floor in the elevator and, wow, we’re just a few doors down. We are so close to the lobby. No long Boardwalk hallways for us! What a location! She hooked us up!

I asked DH yesterday if he remembered the hallways at BWI being really long. Neither of us does. Maybe we had a really great location? It was 9 years ago, could be that we just don't remember.

The villa is beautiful! Kitchen with granite counters, cozy seating area, big second bathroom… and holy moly! The master bathroom is absolutely cavernous! Here’s a quick tour.

“Let’s look at the balcony, Monkston.”

We step out on the balcony and we have a lovely view of the front entrance. The entrance where all the Magical Express buses stop! And when I say view, I’m not talking about distance. We can practically reach out and touch the people getting off the bus. This will not be a lovely spot to drink coffee in the morning! Bad Check-In Judy! Where’s the Disney magic?

BOOOO!


Mr. Squid gets her situated while I pour a glass of Chardonnay and relax with my dear friend iPad.

“Laura74, you have to come in here and see this!”

You guys are pretty formal with each other.

(Sigh.)

There are two things that Grandma always tells Monkston when she takes a bath in her Jacuzzi. Make sure the water goes past the jets and don’t use bubble bath when it’s turned on. She remembered one of them.

Here’s a video. You’ll see what I mean at the end.



“Monkston, how are you going to wash your hair? It’s going to be an hour before those bubbles go down.”

(Giggle. Giggle.)

I'm giggling too. Probably because your kid did it, not mine.


The Sheena family is waiting for us and after checking in, we are lead to a table all the way in the corner. (Nobody puts Baby in the corner!)

RIP Patrick Swayze and my beloved Jerry Orbach. Moment of silence.


I may have twitched a bit. They all know a surefire way to make me crazy is to rearrange the pillows on the sofas. I admit to my neurosis. I can move a pile of clothes over a sit for a little while though.

My arms feel a little itchy just reading about it.


We hang around for a little while longer and say we want to head back to our room. While they’re walking us down to the lobby, Druid says, “Let’s go to Magic Kingdom, TGM.”

Sheena says, “Druid, it’s late. We’ve had a long day…”

And before she can finish her sentence, the two of them are sneaking off for the bus like a couple of mischievous schoolboys.

I think some sort of jewelry purchase will be in order…

Poor Sheena. I hope that she had some wine of her own.

Great chapter Laura!

 

[nebo]

Quick note! I haven't abandoned you Laura, just catching up! Back soon, promise!

No, I'm beginning to think she abondoned us. Yoo Hoo, come out come out wherever you are. Olly Olly ocean free!
Come on Laura, no time to play hard to get.
Ok, um, books usually get your attentiion.

"Hey, are you, or have you, read Kingdom Keepers? I just started it, too soon to tell if I like it yet, anybody else?

 

[mmeb144]

"Hey, are you, or have you, read Kingdom Keepers? I just started it, too soon to tell if I like it yet, anybody else?

I only read the first book. Didn't like it. Too didactic for me. My DD has read all of them and really likes them. According to her, I'm just weird for not liking these books.

 

[smidgy]

I only read the first book. Didn't like it. Too didactic for me. My DD has read all of them and really likes them. According to her, I'm just weird for not liking these books.

see what you get when a Librarian is one of your fans? and Ponzi is worried about Nebo's spelling corrections.

 

[Sandy Mouse]

Too bad about the check-in magic, or lack thereof.
I would have been out the door with Druid and TGMike... Off to a secret assignation with Mickey.

And Jiko doesn't sound special. For me to go so far out of my way, it would have to be special. I really want to hear your impressions of Sanaa.

 

[bankr63]

"Hey, are you, or have you, read Kingdom Keepers? I just started it, too soon to tell if I like it yet, anybody else?

I've read all four (unless we're up to a fifth yet?) The first 3 I thought were pretty good, but for a fairly young audience. If you can use the word didactic in a sentence, you might be too old to read these. By the fourth they are starting to feel a bit formulaic. Oops, maybe I'm too old too. We're not really talking Harry Potter here, the story and plot doesn't really build across the books that much, but they are probably better read in sequence.

Of course, being the true DisneyPhile that I am, I am the only one in my family that has finished the series. My teens have fizzled on the series.

 

[cjlvsccm]

I've read all four (unless we're up to a fifth yet?) The first 3 I thought were pretty good, but for a fairly young audience. If you can use the word didactic in a sentence, you might be too old to read these. By the fourth they are starting to feel a bit formulaic. Oops, maybe I'm too old too. We're not really talking Harry Potter here, the story and plot doesn't really build across the books that much, but they are probably better read in sequence.

Of course, being the true DisneyPhile that I am, I am the only one in my family that has finished the series. My teens have fizzled on the series.

My hubby has 1-3, so I'm about to start the first one too.

 

[pkondz]

I can sense his eyes boring into me.

What? Boring already? Should I stop reading?

Nah, I'll keep going (you had your hopes up there, didn't you!), this TR hasn't been boring yet.

Tentatively, I look to my right and see The Look.

I remember Roxette. Actually, they just performed here a couple of days ago...

I guess not everyone appreciates this delightful piece of cheese called Captain EO.

I'm in the same camp as Nebo (But for the love of all that's holy, don't tell him I said so!!!) I thought it was amazing when it first came out... Now everybody and his dog are doing 3D movies.

Some of us would rather carry around a piece of Gouda in their pocket all day, not mentioning any names, Mr. Squid.

That's gouda you to not mention any names.

Maybe it started out with Michael saying, “I need to moonwalk. Can we fit some moonwalking in somewhere? Maybe a dance number? I need a new song for the album too.”

Which would've been okay... except it was Michael Moore saying it.

And then the Disney people chime in. “Can we replace the co-captain with a cuddly elephant like creature?” “Danskin is a sponsor. Can we put some of their new high cut leotards in somewhere? And do that Olivia Newton John thing with their headbands.”

What? Isn't that still in fashion? Don't forget big hair. That'll always be 'in', right?

Finally it’s over and we leave the theater, I, sheepishly.

baaaa! baaaa!

Clearly not a fan.

After some hemming and hawing, Mr. Squid convinces her to get the stuffed platypus because she needs another stuffed animal to keep the hundred already in her room company.

Hey! Even stuffed inanimate hunks of material in the shape of random creatures need loving, too!

Monkston always loves to step on the blinking lights in the walkway. She’s convinced that she’s turning them on and off by stepping on them.

And are you sure she's not? Have you ever seen what they do when you guys aren't around?

No?

I rest my case.

'cause it's tired.

Wow! Animal Kingdom Lodge’s bus stop is pretty far away. We’ve been spoiled so far this trip. Well, except for that long trek to Saratoga Springs, and that walk from Hollywood Studios. But we’ll just forget about that.

I don't remember that.

Must've forgotten.

Whenever we find a great parking space, we yell, “Birthday spot!” Maybe it’s like that.

I had no idea parking spots had birthdays. Aren't they all the same age? Or do they pour them on different dates?

“Hi Check-in Judy! We’re the laura74 family, here to check in. It’s a special day today. It’s Mr. Squid’s birthday! Think we can get a nice location?”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

aka: "The kiss of death"

“I don’t know about that but you can check with the concierge.”

Isn't that such a polite way of saying, "Go away"?

Have you ever seen a giraffe do that? I haven’t.

No... But I did see a show about a pride of lions trying to take one down. (No the show wasn't for the squeamish... but, circle of life, ya know)
It was actually very interesting. There were a lot of tactics involved.

We step out on the balcony and we have a lovely view of the front entrance. The entrance where all the Magical Express buses stop! And when I say view, I’m not talking about distance. We can practically reach out and touch the people getting off the bus. This will not be a lovely spot to drink coffee in the morning! Bad Check-In Judy! Where’s the Disney magic?

I don't know. I'll see what I can do. Check with the concierge.



That is too bad, though. I do have to wonder how many other 'birthday' people had checked in that day?

Hi! We're checking in! It's my birthday! Can I have a nice room?
Hi! Checking in! It's my son's birthday! Can I have a nice room?
Hi! Checking in! It's my mom's birthday! Can I have a nice room?
Hi! Checking in! It's my brother's cousin's friend's birthday! Can I have a nice room?

"I'll see what I can do."

“I think you might mean the pin book. She can trade for any of the pins in this book.”

He produces a large binder of pins and we spend some time looking through it. Of course we didn’t think to bring Monkston’s pins with us so we will have to back to the room.

So did you go back and do some trading? Or am I jumping ahead?

“Laura74, you have to come in here and see this!”

Did you hit him? I once called my DW and added a few decades to her age...

The results were not pretty.


I still limp a little...

“Monkston, how are you going to wash your hair? It’s going to be an hour before those bubbles go down.”

(Giggle. Giggle.)

That is really funny. I just love the mischievous look she has!

Made my day, right there.

Fast forward. The bubbles have subsided,

So we're talking 3? 4? days?

It’s very easy to get from Kidani to Jambo House. There’s an unassuming beige van that makes constant trips between the two so there’s never a long wait. We only waited a few minutes.

That seems a little odd... They have a van that constantly goes back and forth.... surely there'd be another way? Moving sidewalk... electric golf carts... I dunno.. something.

The Sheena family is waiting for us and after checking in, we are lead to a table all the way in the corner. (Nobody puts Baby in the corner!)

When do we get to see the picture of Mr. Squid lifting you into the air over his head?

I’m going to break out of present tense here because my memory of this dinner is a little fuzzy. Maybe it’s the wine, maybe it’s the fact that this dinner was 5 months ago.

It's the wine.

I know that the best dinner was the grouper.

I was a worker/volunteer for a local band when I was a kid... but we never, ever ate a groupie!

I think I had the shrimp.

Just 'cause he's short, doesn't make it okay.

What?

Oh! Grouper!


Nevermind.

Sheena says, “Brace yourselves. It’s not very neat in there.”

Dunno why, but I like that. "Brace yourselves." I'm picturing an active volcano or tornado when that door opens.

Now Sheena is normally a very neat and organized person, and her house is always very clean, so I was not prepared for what looked to be a suitcase explosion and its aftermath.

Nothing worse than a suitcase explosion.

How do you explain to all the little handbags that their momma has gone to the missing baggage room in the sky?

Oh, the humanity!

I may have twitched a bit.

Their room is on the 7th floor so while you can see the animals, they aren’t up close and personal. It would be nice to sit out on the balcony with coffee in the morning and see what the animals are up to. My option is to sit out on ours and count buses.

1. So Disney needs to do some genetic experimentation and make some 7 story tall giraffes.
2. You win! I'm betting you get to see way more busses then they do animals.

“Can’t you just show up without us if we decide not to come?”

"Can't you call and do all the legwork if and when you make up your mind?"

“Nothing. Uh. TGM Mike wanted to go over there. Yeah.”

1. Good cover.
2. When in doubt.... blame the children. At least that's what I do.

I say, “You guys should set up a tour! They do them here! They’re giving out a $100 gift card. It only takes about an hour. They don’t do the hard sell thing at all.”

Appealing to the wallet. If that doesn't do it... nothing will.

And before she can finish her sentence, the two of them are sneaking off for the bus like a couple of mischievous schoolboys.

Good for them. It's not every day you're in WDW.

I think some sort of jewelry purchase will be in order…

What? Party pooper!

Thanks for the fun chapter Laura... sorry it took me so darn long to get to it!


And for the record... sorry, CD.... sorry, MP3... I have not read Kingdom Keepers. But I did just pick up the latest Stephen King book called: "11/22/63"

 

[bankr63]

But I did just pick up the latest Stephen King book called: "11/22/63"

Not a huge SK fan, but I did just finish "Cell". I couldn't answer my phone without cringing for a week...

 

[smidgy]

I am readin 11/22/63 also. I wonder if Ponzie and I read the same paragraph at the same time, if we'll switch places or something? (it's a time travel book)

then ponzie and nebo can meet in person!

 

[pkondz]

I am readin 11/22/63 also. I wonder if Ponzie and I read the same paragraph at the same time, if we'll switch places or something? (it's a time travel book)

then ponzie and nebo can meet in person!

Let's see... It's September 10th. I just read page 48 at 5:30pm...

 

[MisterSquid]

Laura's delayed with work stuff , so I thought I'd take this opportunity to inject my before-mentioned secret world-famous taboule recipe.

During our last stay at Boardwalk, we were able to walk to Epcot's Tangierine Cafe (Morocco), my favorite Disney lunch spot.

Now after years of tasting and re-tasting their ingredients, I'm now convinced I can make a better taboule salad than they can. It takes ...

* one box of Near East Taboule mix
• two bunches of curly parsley
• some tomatoes
• an onion (big or small, depending on who you're hangin' with)
* some olive oil
• some vinegar
• lemon
• pepper
• and my secret ingredient ...

Microwave a coffee cup of water and add the taboule, the pouch of seasonings it comes with, and the hot water into a large glass bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Cut the curly parsley up with a knife.

Then, chop the tomatoes and onions in this Ronco choppy thing. I think Laura called it a mandolin.

I used to add cucumbers too, but it took me a couple years to figure out I don't like them so much. The Tangierine Cafe does not use cucumbers.

Refrigerate the tomatoes and onions for 30 minutes too.

Then pour the tomatoes and onions into the glass bowl with the taboule.

Pour in some olive oil. Then vinegar. Squeeze fresh lemon on it. Then pepper it and stir. The taboule sticks to the bottom, so use a spoon and make sure your bowel is big enough, because it gets messy.

A couple years ago, I used to add a pickle brine, which was really pretty good. These pickles sold at Whole Foods. It was "Mrs Something's Pickles" but for the life of me, I can't remember the name! Anyway, those pickles got real expensive. Nearly $8 a jar .... so I abandoned that for my NEW secret ingredient. And it's even better...

It's the one on the left! You can add it to anything, and it tastes terrific. They sell it at ACME. It's never, ever on sale, and I buy it all the time anyway. That's how good it is. I pour some on top of each serving of the salad.

There you go. If you follow these exacting instruction, you can't go wrong.

If you need gluten-free, substitute Quinoa for taboule, add basil (and rename the dish)

 

[jedijill]

I don't know about the recipe but that puppy is ADORABLE!

Jill in CO

 

[mmeb144]

It's the one on the left! You can add it to anything, and it tastes terrific.

I'm glad you indicated which ingredient we were to use. I like my dog, just not as a meal ingredient.

 

[Thumper_Man]

Whenever someone introduces me to a cinematic masterpiece, I give them "the look" of admiration.

Thanks for the song Thumperman. I can only sing the hook on that song, but I enjoyed it.

Glad you enjoyed it. Who knows, I may get the inspiration to do another down the line. Michael Jackson anyone? Kidding of course.

Keep writing and I'm sure something will eventually set off the emergency alert system in my head and remind me of a song that will go with what was written.

 

[shan23877]

Mr. Squid I appreciate you taking the time to share your recipe since Laura has been detained. Mighty kind of you.

I'm not sure that my brood would be down for the taboule, but the tip about having a large enough bowel seems really helpful.

 

[pkondz]

I'm not sure that my brood would be down for the taboule, but the tip about having a large enough bowel seems really helpful.

Nice catch!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Nice catch!

lol