FOOD, WINE, AND SANDERSON SISTERS OH MY!

[vamassey1]

Welcome home from what looked like a fantastic trip.

Thank you! I've been trying to get caught up at work and home and getting ready for Christmas. I love going to WDW near Christmas but it really puts me behind for the holidays.

 

[vamassey1]

Sunday, October 11, 2020- Exploring Asia

I know it's been awhile but I'm ready to get this report done.

We left off finishing breakfast, leaving Africa and heading to Asia via the backside of the Tree of Life. We were headed to Expedition Everest but took some time to enjoy Asia on the way. The next 2 pictures are things I had never seen or paid attention to in the past.





We even stopped for some more Photo Pass Pictures.




We wanted a photo in front of Everest by the temple. We took a photo of a family who wanted one too and then they took one for us. I think this is my favorite picture from this trip. The light was so different.



We took our time and took more pictures of the area. The low crowds really helped us take our time and really look around. When I compare these photos to the trip we just took, it amazes me how empty it was in 2020.










Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

We entered the Everest line around 9:39 am.



Our ride photo was taken at 9:55 am, so not too bad. I don't see Michelle so I'm guessing she didn't ride. It 's been so long ago I really don't remember.



We caught some Cavalcades before heading to Kali. We were hot and ready to cool down.




I do not ever remember actually seeing the que for Kali in many, many years. It was such an amazing que with so many details. I'm really glad we had the chance to see it. There's no way I would wait in a long line to do that now, but back then we had no choice.







The ride was toned down so we didn't get as wet as normal, but it sure was nice to cool down a little.

I'm going to stop here. It's getting late.

We still have some more Animal Kingdom to share.

Thanks so much for sticking with me .

 

[pkondz]

heading to Asia via the backside of the Tree of Life.

Ladies and gentlemen! The... Backside... of the Tree of Life!

Wait...

Different ride.

I don't think I've seen that either!

You're all pointing with two fingers! What good Disney CMs you all are.
Did you do that unconsciously, or did Danielle or the PP tell you to use two fingers, like Walt would want?

I think this is my favorite picture from this trip. The light was so different.

I like it too! Nice photo of you all.

We entered the Everest line around 9:39 am.
Our ride photo was taken at 9:55 am, so not too bad.

Not bad at all.

We caught some Cavalcades before heading to Kali.

Oh, man. I haven't been on that ride in years... almost 20 years ago.

I do not ever remember actually seeing the que for Kali in many, many years.

Thanks for those. Didn't recognize any of it.

The ride was toned down

How so? Some water jets turned off or... ?

Thanks so much for sticking with me .

Wouldn't miss it.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I love the photos in these last updates. I also love the whole area around EE in AK. Many's a time we have sat on the stone seats (at least I'm remembering them as stone circa 2018). eating a Mickey bar or having a drink and just watching the world go by. Only my youngest and I ride EE so we usually find the rest of our party in there lol
Those cavalcades look like so much fun.

 

[vamassey1]

Ladies and gentlemen! The... Backside... of the Tree of Life!

Wait...

Different ride.

I don't think I've seen that either!

Maybe because of all the people around? I now see it every time I pass it. I can't remember exactly where it was but I'm thinking close to where we took the picture with Kaa. I know it's to right near a place you can sit by the water.

You're all pointing with two fingers! What good Disney CMs you all are.
Did you do that unconsciously, or did Danielle or the PP tell you to use two fingers, like Walt would want?

When the CM told us to point up, Danielle reminded us to use the correct pointing method. She honestly does it without thinking. I was hoping someone would notice that.

I like it too! Nice photo of you all.

Thank you!

Oh, man. I haven't been on that ride in years... almost 20 years ago.

Why not? I admit I don't ride it every trip especially if it's cold but we do it every few trips. I don't think we have ridden without a FP since 2002.

Thanks for those. Didn't recognize any of it.

I wish I had more photos. I remember seeing an area with lots of bells but didn't get a photo.

How so? Some water jets turned off or... ?

It seemed to be less jets or pressure maybe? The area where you can squirt people was shut down too.

Wouldn't miss it.

 

[vamassey1]

I love the photos in these last updates. I also love the whole area around EE in AK. Many's a time we have sat on the stone seats (at least I'm remembering them as stone circa 2018). eating a Mickey bar or having a drink and just watching the world go by. Only my youngest and I ride EE so we usually find the rest of our party in there lol
Those cavalcades look like so much fun.

Thank you! Yes, there is so much detail in this area. I could sit and people watch here too.

We really enjoyed the cavalcades. I'm so glad they are still doing some.

 

[pkondz]

Maybe because of all the people around? I now see it every time I pass it. I can't remember exactly where it was but I'm thinking close to where we took the picture with Kaa. I know it's to right near a place you can sit by the water.

I know exactly where it is based on the prayer ribbons in the background, but have never noticed this before.

When the CM told us to point up, Danielle reminded us to use the correct pointing method. She honestly does it without thinking. I was hoping someone would notice that.

I did!

Why not? I admit I don't ride it every trip especially if it's cold but we do it every few trips. I don't think we have ridden without a FP since 2002.

When we rode it, my youngest DD was not happy about being wet... just never went on it again. Maybe some day.

It seemed to be less jets or pressure maybe? The area where you can squirt people was shut down too.

Hate that place on the ride... love that place off the ride.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Animal Kingdom is my favorite park! I love your pictures and the low crowds must have been awesome!
I remember riding Kali when Jack was with and he was 17 and got so mad when his precious Nikes got wet!

 

[vamassey1]

I know exactly where it is based on the prayer ribbons in the background, but have never noticed this before.

Now you have to go back and see it.

I did!

When we rode it, my youngest DD was not happy about being wet... just never went on it again. Maybe some day.

It's so refreshing on a hot day.

Hate that place on the ride... love that place off the ride.

Oh yes!

 

[vamassey1]

Animal Kingdom is my favorite park! I love your pictures and the low crowds must have been awesome!

Thank you! I didn't appreciate back then how nice the low crowds were. When we went crowds were starting to pick up compared to when the parks first opened, but no where near what they are now.

I remember riding Kali when Jack was with and he was 17 and got so mad when his precious Nikes got wet!

I've gotten more than my shoes wet on this ride. If you're sitting in just the right spot you get drenched.

 

[pkondz]

Now you have to go back and see it.

 

[Paulaparm]

Enjoyed your updates! I can't remember the last time I rode Kali. It was when my kids were little (baby is 28 now). No one ever wants to get wet! (including me at times)

 

[vamassey1]

Enjoyed your updates! I can't remember the last time I rode Kali. It was when my kids were little (baby is 28 now). No one ever wants to get wet! (including me at times)

Sounds like you need another ride too.

I have to be honest I usually ride it with a disposable poncho on.

 

[vamassey1]

Was today not an exciting day in Disney news?

I'm so happy to see these small changes especially since we booked another trip.

I'm shocked that Dennis has agreed to go back so soon. He really hates giving more money to the Mouse but I think he also hates being left out. He knows if he doesn't go with me, I'll go without him again. We actually booked our trip before all the news was released so this just makes it better.

We lucked out and Danielle was able to get us another reservation with her 50% off CM discount. The reservation is in her name and she is listed in our room. If she uses her discount but is not in the room the discount is only 40%. We also really like for her to be able to stay with us when she can.

I priced out rooms with the AP discount but hers is so much better. We looked at POR in the regular Mansions rooms, CBR and Pop. Of course Pop had the best price and the skyliner. CBR was just $2 more than POR and it has the skyliner, but we didn't enjoy our stay there in 2021 as much as past stays at POR. Dennis has stated this trip will not be about running around in the parks riding everything so transportation to the parks isn't a top priority, so of course we went with POR. We really enjoyed our one night stay there in December. It was our first stay in the Alligator Bayou area and it was so pretty. I know POR isn't for everyone but we have always enjoyed our stays there, it feels like home. The penny pincher in Dennis is still debating if we should switch to Pop.

We plan on driving again. We seem to always need to bring Danielle something or bring something back. I'm thrilled not to have to worry about the parking fee charge on the backend. We didn't pay for parking on our last trip and I wondered if it was due to having the reservation in Danielle's name. CM are not charged for parking on reservations but I know I paid to park in 2021 when we used her discount. We had a total of 3 cars parked at AOA and was not charged. That was a big win.

Dennis is a creature of habit and wants to spend the first night at DS. It will be great to take a relaxing boat ride there. We did this when we stayed last month. We plan to do a park day on Sunday and Monday then take Tuesday off to finally enjoy the resorts. We'll head back to a park on Wednesday and Thursday and drive home Friday. Our trip dates are April 15th - 21st. I would love to stay longer but we have a St. Jude Car Show fund raiser on the 22nd with the corvette club. I missed it last year since I was in Disney and we both missed it in 2021 because it was during the time we were in Disney with Danielle for her college graduation trip.

I don't know what parks we'll do when yet or where we will eat. Dennis has requested Be Our Guest since we cancelled it in favor or doing Liberty Tree. He would also like to do Skipper Canteen but I've told him he can only have 1 in MK. I know there are going to be other Disers there around the same time so I'm hoping to have some meets since it's just the 2 or us and Danielle at times. She has been having us meet and tour the parks with her friends so she should be ok with meeting some of my friends.

I'm over the moon on getting to see Happily Ever After and thinking of doing the Desert party just to have a not so crowded area. I'm excited to try Tron since it will already have opened and see Epcot Forever again. I'm really looking forward to Flower and Garden and hoping to spend more evenings in Epcot. Dennis will be using Danielle's free pass so we will have to plan on when she can get him in. She has to scan in before someone with her free passes scans in. She doesn't have to stay with us and Dennis can hop with the pass without her.

I'm hoping to push Dennis to try some new restaurants. He wants to eat at Via Napoli in Epcot. We haven't been there since 2017 so I'm ok with that. So far he has requested 3 places he has already eaten at so that doesn't leave with many other days for trying something new. I've suggested we eat at a Resort on Tuesday our day off instead of DS. I'm trying to push him toward Steakhouse 71. I'm also hoping Woody's Roundup with be open when we go.

Anyone else excited about all the news released in the last 2 days? Is anyone planning a trip so they can take advantage of the new perks or ride Tron or see HEA?

 

[amazingact21]

So many announcements yesterday!

Glad Danielle was able to get you the 50% off at POR. That's awesome! I'm sure since this trip is going to be a little more laid back, you'll enjoy having a well-themed resort to stay at. And hopefully you'll be able to sneak in a few new restaurants.

I'm planning on doing Via Napoli for dinner the 16th, and I'll be in the Mk on the 17th. I'm seriously debating doing the firework dessert party now that HEA is back.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I love your plans. The PO resorts are so much fun and that boat ride to DS (it was DTD when we stayed there lol) is so relaxing and makes for a lovely stress-free way to travel.
The changes announced yesterday made me love Disney a wee bit more again even though the parking fee drop wouldn't really impact a trip for me. It just made me think they are starting to value their guests again and are trying to bring some magic back for us all.
Btw I think both you Vanessa and Alicia should book that dessert party. You know what they say-you're a long time dead (or life is short if you prefer ).
So good that Danielle got you a great rate and that Denis is going too. Exciting times ahead

 

[disneyAndi14]

I’m really excited for the changes! We are thinking of a dessert party at MK as well.
I got charged for parking last trip and didn’t have a car, ugh! I did get a refund for it but I wouldn’t have if I didn’t look closely at the charges.
We will have to meet up! We could have a drink at F&G that would be nice!
I’m a little nervous about Tron the vehicle does not look comfortable to me. I should be fine since I have rode Hagrid’s motorbike at USO.
I hope more changes emerge before our trip like park hopping before 2pm, I hate that.
I want to try for up close with rhino tour. Andi and I did it in 2019 and I think my sister would love it.
If Jack comes along I will have to focus several days on HS with SW being the primary thing we do.

 

[amazingact21]

We are thinking of a dessert party at MK as well.

I think the 17th would be a great night for a dessert party...


As far as the motorbike shape goes, I was thinking it would be similar to Hagrid's too.

 

[Woth2982]

I'm trying to push him toward Steakhouse 71

I JUST booked this today for this Sunday night! I am so excited to try it. DH and I have a "date night" this evening so we are hoping to get into the DVC lounge for the fireworks, then go to dinner at 8:50

Anyone else excited about all the news released in the last 2 days?

Yes! I actually just cancelled my shuttle reservations and booked a rental car. Traveling with the two babies DD2 DS10 months, DH and my brother our "manny", so essentially traveling with four children! We are flying in Southwest so we would have to go down to baggage claim A, then over to the B side and it is a LOT. So I am thrilled to have a rental. I will take the babies and get their car seats installed and the boys can get the luggage!

nother reservation with her 50% off CM discount.

Oh I miss these days when my Best Friend was a CM!