Divas, Zebra Domes, and Pixie Dust! A Week in an African Paradise! New TR Link Pg.145

[Charleston Princess]

Sounds like ya'll had a good time even though Charles was being a pain. Glad he did at least show up later so he and Chelsea could ride ToT and RnR. Low blood sugar huh? What did he expect when he doesn't eat??!!

It was all I could do not to say, "I told you so!"

Chelsea's box turned out great. We've done the paint your own pottery before. Clay did a castle for Hannah years ago and it turned out really nice.

We have done the paint your own pottery before here in town, but it just seemed more fun at Disney for some reason.

Love the little green men! Hannah and I were in Target the other day and they had a bucket of army men, some Buzz Lightyear stuff and a Woody doll. I seriously thought about buying the army men but reconsidered since Hannah probably wouldn't play with them. LOL When Alison was 3 or 4 she had a Woody doll and a Jessie doll. Toy Story was her favorite movie. When she got older I went through some of her toys and got rid of Woody and Jessie. Yes...I'm now regretting that decision! LOL

Have you seen where Disney is rereleasing the first two Toy Stories in 3D in October? We can't wait!

Glad the school year has started out smoothly for you. We've got a few more weeks before school starts here. I'm ready! LOL

I think most parents usually are -- the kids, too -- they tend to get bored those last couple of weeks!

Oh my goodness, Charles missed the Brown Derby?! Although I can't believe it and I would have been upset also, you handled it well. You still got to enjoy your delicious looking meal with all of the members of your family who really wanted to be there.

That's what I told myself.

Connor's little green men are adorable! And he and Chelsea indeed look like young movie stars.

Thank you!

I'm an Alfred Hitchcock fan too, but I've never heard of Rebecca. Off to Netfliks to add it to my queue!

Rebecca was Hitchcock's first American movie (based on the novel by Daphne du Maurier) -- it won the Academy Award for Best Movie in 1940 (or '41). It is wonderfully melodramatic and creepy!

I am SO glad that you enjoyed Brown Derby so much. I generally order the very same thing - the Hollywood, the Cobb salad and the grapefruit cake. And aren't the rolls just delish?!

Yes, the rolls were delicious -- and that Hollywood! Mmmmm! In fact, just about everything was, "Mmmmmm!" Brown Derby is definitely a repeater!

Too bad Charles wasn't feeling it (pfffffttt as LL said!) but I'm glad you didn't let it get to you for too long. His big fat loss.

Yes, LL summed it up perfectly!

LOVE the little green men. I almost want a set.

We have so many, we could probably share!

to the snake. That would totally freak me out.

I was so creeped out all the way back to the room!

I think green aliens at the table is precious!

I thought they were pretty cute myself.

That er/or/ar ending is difficult for even a lot of adults. It's great that he's running it around in his brain, though. It is hard for kids to get which is which ending. The lawyER gave the doctOR a dollAR. Not a lick of difference in the ending sounds, yet all different! This education stuff 'ain't' always so easy!

That's the truth -- and something my students like to complain about when I give them the chance.

Can't believe Charles missed Brown Derby!

Connor was funny with his little green men!

Yuck snakes! I'm right there with you! I probably would have screamed!

Connor took to taking one of those LGM with him every day in his pocket.

I think I was too startled to scream -- I never thought I would see a snake at Disney (although I knew that others had seen them from time to time).

Great update. I would have been LIVID too, I just don't understand it...

Thanks! Charles often does things that I just don't understand.

Funny the little green men keep making appearances throughout the day - where did he buy those?

Connor found them at the little open-air gift shop across from Toy Story Mania. He was so excited about them!

Funny how people have different experiences at different restaraunts, I am glad you guys enjoyed Brown Derby and the grapefruit cake - just not for me but that's what Disney is all about, so many choices you can find something that you just love! Can't wait to hear what your blunder is tomorrow.
Lesley

Disney does have so many choices -- it's great!

Yum! The Brown Derby sounds delicious!

It was -- I sure wish it was closer to my home! LOL!

Connor's little green men knew what they were doing appearing at a dinner at the Brown Derby. They're no fools!

They are quite smart even if they do tend to have a mob mentality.

I just love those Little Green Men enjoying the elegant Hollywood Brown Derby!

I think that garter snake was the one I tried to capture in our bathroom at Saratoga!

I think the LGM were eyeing Chelsea's creme brulee.

Gee, thanks, for sending the snake our way -- greatly appreciated.

Just getting caught up , we were out of town for a week visiting our family Looks like I missed 3 updates but you made it easy to catch up with the links on your first page , Thanks

Welcome back!

Great try at the Sorcerer's hat picture , I need to try this shot on our next trip also soo cute ! Cute pic from the Muppet's queue , this one of our kids fav attractions The AT-AT pictures are too funny , you guys are such the rule breakers ! The pictures w/ Bo and Chelsea are too cute , we will have to look for him also on our next trip !

Thank you! We had a lot of fun taking pictures at DHS.

Ceramics Activity looks like so much fun and not a bad price for WDW also ! Chelsea's box turned out so pretty , she should be really proud of her work Beautiful AKL pictures !

She has her box on her dresser. I love taking her clothes into her room and seeing it sitting there -- it reminds me of our great trip!

Sorry DH didn't want to do dinner at The Brown Derby or alot of things you wanted to do What a party popper ! LOL Great pictures of the Brown Derby and the meal . The food looks delicious !Love the pictures of Sunset Blvd. and it is soo cute how Connor is putting his little Green Men in all his pictures now LOL

Connor was cracking me up with the LGM!

Can't wait to hear about your next adventure !

Hopefully this week will be calmer and I can update mid-week.

Hmmmm dinner at the Brown Derby sounds yummyyyy!! I wish it didn't take up 2 DP credits! Oh well, one day when we get deluxe dining we'll definitely be going there. I'm glad you made the best of it even though Charles didn't come too.

OMG, snakes?!?!?! Ahh I will freak out...not a good sign LOL

Brown Derby was such a neat place -- I was so glad we had tried it!

Just remember, it was only one snake -- very skinny -- and I didn't see another one the whole time we were there. Thank goodness!

 

[jillyb]

Have you seen where Disney is rereleasing the first two Toy Stories in 3D in October? We can't wait!

Yes!! I can't wait to see them!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yes, I love that he's thinking about stuff like that. I'm just a little worried that he will forever want to spell his name ER, when we specifically chose the OR because that's how we like it!

Just tell him he can't -- it would be against the law since it's spelled OR on his birth certificate.

Getting caught up with all my subscriptions! What a cute ceramic box Chelsea made!! That is cute that she is keeping her pressed pennies in there. So sorry Charles did not go to HBD with you. My DH says the best thing about going to Disney is eating at all the different places. I am starting to plan our 25th anniversary trip & he asked me the other night "So when can we make dining reservations"?? The trip isn't until May!!! Trying to decide if we want regular dining or deluxe.

And what blunder did you make??

Thank you for the compliments on Chelsea's box -- I think it is pretty cute, too. I was very surprised that Charles did not want to go to dinner because he is all about the food as well!

You'll see about the blunder...

The Brown Derby looks wonderful!...I think your food selections sound delish...and after seeing that Pink Grapefruit cake-I must try...we don't have ADRs for it on this trip but it will be a must on our next trip...

You are like me -- I am always planning the trip after the current one.

I also read on a thread in the restaurant thread that if you go into the bakery next door-Starring Rolls (?) you can ask them to go over and get a slice to take away-I've already been contemplating the possibilities...

That's a great tidbit of information -- I will have to remember that for future trips!

Personally, I think the little green men look like charming dinner companions.

They were very quiet and well-mannered, too!

I think your attitude about not letting Charles' decision to not come to dinner not ruin it for you or the kids-was very positive and mature and I applaud you for it...

I was trying very hard to be mature.

Your photos again are lovely-Studios is such a detailed, interesting park to really look at-you really do get a sense of that "Hollywood that never was but is in the minds of so many" -ok not "the quote" but gets the idea across...it is such a romantic idea of Hollywood in the 30s.

I always enjoy being in DHS from the standpoint of all the glamorous Hollywood theming!

Another Hitchcock lover-& I forgot about Rebecca-another netflix request (love the Birds, Vertigo and North by Northwest...)

Rear Window is my all-time favorite Hitchcock film. I know you will appreciate this story -- one day, in the fall, we were driving to school and there were huge flocks of crows -- in the fields, on telephone wires, just everywhere. Well, Connor was watching them all out his window, and said, "Mom, I just had a great idea for a movie! It could be about all these birds that attack a town." I about died laughing, but managed to gasp out, "That is an awesome idea, Connor, but somebody has already beat you to it!"

A snake huh? Too bad they don't make spray for those like they do bug spray cause I'd be going out tomorrow to get some...

Me too! If only it were that easy!

I really, really need to eat at the Hollywood brown derby!!!! That grapefruit cake look soooooooooo good!

The grapefruit cake was absolutely divine!

Man that Buddy of mine is getting dragged over the coals for the HBD dinner isn't he??? You know I have been reading where a lot of folks just love it there......but Cobb Salad and "Grapefruit" Cake doesn't really sound that good to me either........now that is NOT to say that I wouldn't have tagged along with my beautiful Bride and my two daughters (assuming I wasn't as cheap as I am and was willing to dine in those fine eateries). Maybe he just knew that it was going to be one of those meals where he was going to be like.....yuck.......is this what all the fuss is about it?? Which, would have likely made the meal even worse for you??? OK, I ADMIT IT.....I am grasping at straws here!!!! I like my new buddy, but goodness, he really does need to give me a little something to work with!!! I will also send out my congrats to you on the way in which you handled it........forge ahead and leave that lasting shot that will help him learn that sometimes, "we" just have to go with the flow too, even when we really, really don't want too!!! It was nice of you to allow Chelsea to answer the phone when he called, I know she appreciated it, since it meant she could get her THRILL on!! Especially, since somebody else is "scared" of them there rides!!

Maybe that's what Charles was thinking...maybe. There's no telling! Oh, yes, Chelsea needed her daddy to ride those scary rides! No way was I going to do it!

I am so glad that Connor got to get his green men, they looked like they were as happy with the dinning choice as you were!! I suspect that little green men spread across the table, isn't anywhere near the top of the list of shocking things seen at Disney's finest eateries full of children who are being entertained by their parents in hopes that they won't disturb the entire place!! [/QUPTE]

Good point about shocking things at Disney restaurants. I probably don't want to know what is the most shocking thing some of those CMs have ever seen!

Wow, who would have thunk that they have "snakes" at AKL??? I hate snakes, I really do!! However I am willing to ride ANYTHING Disney has to offer....so I am NOT as Chicken as YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! At least at that point, Charles was there to protect you........geez, how I wish he had!!!! Anything to work with I tell you, anything at all????

Well, I am sure Charles would have protected me had it been necessary and had he been able to stop laughing long enough.

I am glad you enjoyed your meal. It was great that you got some, one on one time with Connor and that the two of you just did your own thing.....and three green men on the car is better than two.........I GUESS!!!!

Or fifteen -- I think Connor wanted to line up all of them on the car, but I was able to convince him that would take a REALLY long time!

Looking forward to the BLUNDER.........for Charles' sake, can you post it soon??????? PLEASE????????

I'll try...

Great Tr so far. How lucky you got to stay at AKL thats one of the top 3 resorts I dream about staying. First 2 are WL And GF.

That Stay Four Nights, Get Three Nights Free was a wonderful way for us to enjoy Animal Kingdom Lodge for a week!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yes!! I can't wait to see them!!!

We'll be there with our 3D glasses on! (I have a feeling the Little Green Men will be tagging along as well! )

 

[Lynn5700]

OOH I love Brown Derby!!!!! HAHA I love the aliens on the table, and on the car in the parks LMAO!!! Love it!!!!!

Awesome pictures, love the TOT one.

OMG I saw a snake at SSR before!! It was crossing a path way, and went into the water. EEK.

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I can't believe it anyone would want to miss out on the brown derby. You're right though. It's his loss.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I bet Charles regrets missing the Brown Derby now, huh? Especially since you aren't hitting up DHS in October. Hopefully he has learned his lesson!

I LOVE those little green men, so cute! I think it's great he had them out at the dinner table-hey whatever keeps a child happy and passes the time, you are in Disney World, you are allowed to be a kid everywhere!!

I'm glad by the end of the night you were feeling a bit better and not allowing Charles' absence to get to you any longer. It's hard to do when you have dreamed of the trip, and imagined how it would go.

The snake would have so flipped me out too!

 

[carissanboys]

A very bright observation! So, I have to know, what did you say to him? My Connor has never tried that one before, but recently Chelsea has been trying to shorten her name -- I notice she writes Chels on most of her papers.

I mainly laugh and tell him, "You can't do that!" I've seen him write it Conner once and hopefully it's just a passing fad. I will definitely pull out the law/birth certificate tactive if I must.

 

[TarzansKat]

I love so much about this chapter. With the exception of Charles' missing, of course. What a bummer.

But, hey, you enjoyed yourselves! I have a little tidbit to share with you here, I'm trying to get caught up on the DIS after days of not signing on. So, I'm reading your chapter and DS walks up.

And says, "Who's that?"

TK - "That's Connor."

DS - "What does Connor have there?"

TK - "Those are little green men, like from Toy Story."

DS - "What's in the bag?"

TK - "The bucket that the little green men came in."

DS - "Can I borrow that bucket from Connor?"

So cute. This is because we go to the library all the time, so we're working on the concept of borrowing and returning things. I explained that we could not borrow that from Connor, but since he got that at Disney World, maybe we could get him a bucket of little green men, too.

I love the Brown Derby, so reading about your meal there is like a little slice of heaven for me. And I'm with you, I don't care whether or not it's a good use of meal credits, I love the Cobb Salad, and I love the Grapefruit Cake.

 

[jmamom]

A last minute change in dinner plans - sounds like something my DH would do - except my DH would have recruited my kids to stay along with him! Glad you enjoyed dinner anyway, it looks delish! Love the little green men, but are you finding them all over the house now? I'd probably be stepping on them everywhere if my kids bought them. I'll have to steer them away from that part of the gift shop. And - - on the snake. So startling, hope it didn't take too long to catch your breath.
Good luck on the new school year. I wish we started earlier up here. My kids are getting bored already and we have a month left. Then in June, they are dying to get out, and we have to go almost the whole month. Oh well, I suppose the grass is always greener.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Jackie, I was so excited to read about another day! I hope your school year is off to a great start. Mine begins in two weeks. I look forward to reading more!

 

[DWGal210]

Oh Charles! Why no Brown Derby? Sounds like you guys had a great meal, though! That cake looks awesome!!

 

[jillyb]

I love so much about this chapter. With the exception of Charles' missing, of course. What a bummer.

But, hey, you enjoyed yourselves! I have a little tidbit to share with you here, I'm trying to get caught up on the DIS after days of not signing on. So, I'm reading your chapter and DS walks up.

And says, "Who's that?"

TK - "That's Connor."

DS - "What does Connor have there?"

TK - "Those are little green men, like from Toy Story."

DS - "What's in the bag?"

TK - "The bucket that the little green men came in."

DS - "Can I borrow that bucket from Connor?"

So cute. This is because we go to the library all the time, so we're working on the concept of borrowing and returning things. I explained that we could not borrow that from Connor, but since he got that at Disney World, maybe we could get him a bucket of little green men, too.

I love the Brown Derby, so reading about your meal there is like a little slice of heaven for me. And I'm with you, I don't care whether or not it's a good use of meal credits, I love the Cobb Salad, and I love the Grapefruit Cake.

Funny! He wants to borrow the bucket but not the LGM!!!

 

[MegansMom]

LOVE the update, but CAN'T BELIEVE CHARLES SKIPPED OUT ON THE BROWN DERBY!!!!!!!!! What was UP with him?!?!?!?!?!?!

SO glad you enjoyed your meal though....it looked and sounded so good!

I TOTALLY would have jumped out of my skin if I had seen a snake....I HATE SNAKES!!!!! I really hope that little guy doesn't find his way over to the POFQ in September....I won't be able to sleep if I see one!!!!

There is NO WAY you could possibly have made a "blunder!" You are too hard on yourself!!!

 

[If U Had Wings]

I'm so glad that you still got to enjoy your Brown Derby meal even though Charles didn't want to go. I've just Brown Derby back into my plan specfically so I could try the Cobb Salad. Can't wait!

 

[LISAMWDW]

So glad you enjoyed your meal at the Brown Derby! Sounds like a fun time! Without Charles even!

Sorry about the snake! That would freak me out too!


Can't wait for more!

 

[Nicole786]

Do you think brown derby is better suited as a 1TS credit restaurant? That dessert looked yummy!

 

[dddisrunner]

Hi Jackie! WOW, I can't believe you are back in school already! I hope it is all going well! Your TR is SO popular that I must have missed where you are going to Food and Wine! That is AWESOME, how fun!! Sorry Charles missed out on the Brown Derby! I am so glad you had a better experience there then we did! I think our server put a HUGE damper on our experience, I think he left my salad sitting a bit too and that is why I didn't enjoy it very much! I LOVE the picture of Connor and his little green men...so cute! Looking forward to more!

 

[MEK]

Ohhhhhh! I missed your update. I can't believe Charles missed the BD dinner, but I wonder if his diabetes is playing a game with his digestive track so that he gets hungry / not hungry at weird times when he is away from home. IDK....I'm just trying to give him the benefit of the doubt because that meal sounded wonderful. I have to try that cake because I'm pretty sure LL or Jen recommended it as well.

Anyhoo....I can't see your pics now, but I will when I get home. I'm glad Chelsea and Charles did get their thrill on!

 

[KatGarcia]

I can't believe Charles missed Brown Derby! I am dying to try that cobb salad!