Free Dining Take 2 for us, or our first time at All Star Music!

[budbeerlady]

The cast of 3 is Dh (30's) DD (8 1/2 for some reason during the week she decieded to add the 1/2 to her age when people asked how old she was.) and DW (Me low 30's).

We are from Michigan, yes there was Lake Effect rain while we were on our trip. A good time to leave the state!

This was our 5th family trip, we first did Free Dining last year, booked a bounce back package to Pop while there and upgraded to APs to lessen the cost of the trip for Ausgust 30 thru Sept 7. As the time grew closer for our trip I looked at DD's newsletter from school last spring and saw that school starts August 31st! Agast!!!!! In MIchigan was ALWAYS start AFTER Labor Day!!!! Good thing I didnt buy airline tickets yet, so after many phone calls it was clear that POP didnt have room for us with our dates. It was Corondo Springs. All Star Sports or Music for us. We settled on Music and moved our trip to August 21 - 31. (Yes, I snuck some extra days in!)

 

[budbeerlady]

Since we moved our trip I started to play with airfare. I found DirectAir from nearby flies non-stop into Sanford Airport. To fly into MCO we have to drive 2 1/2 hours or pay $654 each round trip with a layover... We have always driven the 2+ hours, spent the night before in a hotel and taken an early flight, and paid for airport parking at the Park, Fly & Ride our whole trip. With DirectAir we could have family drop us off and take a direct flight that was only 2 1/2 hours, plus there was a discount code on the Budget Board so I booked it! $127 including seat picking out fees Per Person round trip!

The down side is no DME and they only fly on Fridays and Mondays. Well, I didn't want to do 5 days, and why leave on a Friday when you have the whole weekend.... fuzzy Disney thinking kicks in here.... Why NOT fly out Friday and come back 10 days later on a Monday???? Dh didn't figure it out untill right before we left how long this trip was going to be!

 

[budbeerlady]

This trip was going to be one of those where we vow to try different things, each at all new places, yada yada.... We always eat at the same 5 places so my goal was to find new ones that we could all agree on!

I poured over the menus! I had my choices, dates, etc planned on my spread sheet, I was ready for the challenge! I made my phone call that Saturday morning excitedly to learn the computer hadnt loaded correctly and I could only get Boma, any day I wanted it, I could get Boma..... That was all. I tried again at 10am, at 11am and at 1pm. Still nothing else was working. I tried again at 7pm and success, kinda! I got ADRs for most of my meals but not exactly days I wanted them all for. Good thing the AP's allow park hopping, Sci Fi on my Animal Kingdom day... You get the picture.

I called back on Sunday afternoon on a whim was and able to get it all corrected. It looked like this:

Friday Arrival Biergarten at 7:30
Saturday Sci- Fi Lunch at 12:20
Sunday Marrekesh at 5:30
Monday T-Rex at 4pm
Tuesday Tuskerhouse Breakfast at 8:10 am
Boma at 4:35
Wednesday Le Cellier Lunch at 11:50
Thursday Sanaa at 5pm
Friday - Ohana at 8pm
Saturday - Jiko at 8:00
Sunday - San Angel at 1:30


It looked alright, only 3 repeats because Dh and DD threatened not to go if we didn't do Le Cellier, Sci Fi and the Tusker House Breakfast. We were going to try new places, really we are!

 

[budbeerlady]

Remember we had to move this trip up... My summer now looked like this:

June 26-July 5 camping vacation with my parents, sister, brother, etc.
August 12-17 Rochester trip
August 21-31 Disney trip

I thought my boss might not be too excited with all my time off but he was a good guy about it, especially when it went this way!

Friday June 26 : phone call from Mother upset because my father needs to go in for a liver biopsy, the doctors office had just called and wanted to schedule it. They made it for July 1st and my parents left the trip early to get the biopsy done. My sister didnt come camping as her and her husband suddenly were on the rocks, she cries her heart out to me every night of the trip and her husband (my brother in law) showed up for the last weekend. Can you say awkward?!?!?!?

TuesdayJuly 28 : my Dad goes in for cancer surgery and is expected to be in the hospital for 2+ weeks. Surgery goes well and he is home in bit over a week. I spend 2 days at the hospital with my Mom driving her back and forth, keeping her company, etc.

Sunday August 2 : DD heads out to 4-h pirate camp that was a last minute thing and she loves it. Gets home Friday August 7th.

Wednesday August 12 : We drive from Michigan to Rochester Mn for an antique show my Mother In Law wants help with that goes from Thursday to Sunday, we will get home Monday. Friday morning I get the phone call from my Mom that my 91yr old Grandma had passed. I had seen her at lunch Wednesday and there was no signs that she was going to go. Frantic flight searches so I can be home for the funeral Monday morning. I fly into Ohare Saturday and catch a ride with family back into Michigan late Saturday Night. Visitation and family stuff all Sunday, funeral Monday morning with more family stuff to follow.

Thursday August 20th : I am dropping off our dog to my parents to dog-sit for us while we are at Disney. My Dad isnt feeling well, he might go into the emergency room if he doesn't start to feel better by 8am. He is admitted to the hospital that day with obstructed bowel and will stay there for 5 days. We fly out Friday morning.

I need a vacation!!!!!!!

 

[budbeerlady]

I read on the dis boards about the new Magic Kingdom Firework Wishes Dessert Party and I want it! I have to have that ADR!!!! I called daily for 3 weeks and then they had an opening for 3 people, for Friday! I'll take it!

It was going to be Ohana for Dinner with the day at Universal, now I have to change my plans around! I cannot get O'hana at all during the week and I need to move around Jiko or find a plan B.

Its now going to be Fridays lunch at Tonys and Saturday counter service, Sunday dinner at San Angel and late 8:45 dinner at Narcoossee's.

All this planning is hard work!

 

[budbeerlady]

Friday August 21st we were up and at 'em at 8am. We drove to my Mother In Laws at 9am to be at the airport at 10am. Drive, wait, drive, wait, check in, wait, security check, wait, load the plane, wait, fly, wait.... Alot of sitting and reading, staring, etc.

We were almost to Sanford when DD had to use the bathroom on the plane, there was a line at the front bathroom so I took her to the back. As coincidence goes both back bathrooms opened up at the same time so we didn't share as they are so small. I have NEVER smelled anything so horrid or almost lost my lunch 3 times in 3 minutes. The tank was full and it kept cycling, I think if I could have found a place to be sick I would have been. They had flown from Ocala to Sanford, to our airport and now back with out a pump out. Poor DD fell out of there almost white as a ghost, we got back to our seats and she coined a new phrase for our trip. She told me she "Almost chucked the bucket Mom!" I think it fits!

 

[MEK]

You had one crazy summer and a lot of time off from work. That's great that you got to plan such a nice, long trip to Disney. Lovely ADR's. And you were very lucky to get the dessert party.

Sorry to hear you dad has been so sick. I hope he is feeling better now.

The airplane bathrooms..... Your daughter almost chucked the bucket! Did I say that right???? Very funny.

I hope you will post pics! Good read so far!

 

[mhmcduff]

great report so far- question? We are AP holders - how did you get free dining with an AP- did you get the AP discount on the room as well? Did you have to buy a one day ticket.
Also dying to hear how you liked All Stars

 

[budbeerlady]

great report so far- question? We are AP holders - how did you get free dining with an AP- did you get the AP discount on the room as well? Did you have to buy a one day ticket.
Also dying to hear how you liked All Stars

We bought the 1 day base ticket to make the free dining package. We actually left a day after our AP expired so we used our 1 day tickets for our last day.

 

[budbeerlady]

Landing and getting luggage at Sanford Airport was a breeze. There is under 10 gates and 1 or 2 baggage claim belts, really simple to navigate... We took our time, got our bags, did another bathroom stop for Dh who wisely decided NOT to join us for our airline bathroom adventure.

I had (or thought I had based on the email communications) ordered a limo to pick us up at 3:30 and a town car to take us back after our trip. They were to meet us at the bottom of the escalator with our name on a sign. Our flight had been moved up in August so I emailed them with the new times. It was 3:45 and no one is around. I hadn't told Dh or Dd of my plan so I stepped away from them to call Sanford Transportation about our car. They would be there at 4pm, so I told the family I had reserved a car and that they would be around shortly.

The driver found us around 4 and led us out the doors into the parking lot to a nice shiny .... town car. Umm, okay. Off to Disney we go in the rain!

 

[budbeerlady]

It was raining really hard on the way to ASMU, hard enough people were pulled over and driving with their hazard lights on. I was glad to NOT be driving a rental car on a highway when I had NO idea where I was going. (Dh doesn't read map quest correctly, I know its not hard but for some reason he doesn't read straight across, and I need to drive being the control freak I am.)

We arrived at ASMU a bit after 5:30 with the weather and traffic slowing us down. The nice thing about not taking DME is the short, non-existent check in lines when we arrive. A friendly Cm quickly showed us where our room was, gave us the map and our packet and pointed us toward the pool/food court area. Dh isnt used to arriving so late (usually we have the early am flight and are at Disney by 10am) and he had stored our luggage with bell services while I checked us in???? Okay... I guess I had trained him too well on prior trips.

Dd was drooling at the main pool, it was packed with kids having fun. We kept prodding her along past Jaz, past the fountain, to boardwalk.

This is where I have to admit to being a bad Mom and it biting me in the behind so to speak. When we decided on ASMU I had shown DD pics and she was begging me to ask for the Country Fair area. She really wanted to stay there! I didnt want to walk that far, Country Fair is as far away as you can get from the bus stop, food court, etc. So I didnt request anything, I left it up to Disney fate. We ended up in Broadway 7 on the back side of it. Right across the grass from Country Fair, just as far away as I think you can get, 2nd to last room from the end. Go Mom!

The plus side to Broadway is its quiet, you are very close to the quieter piano pool and laundry and there is the scenic walk up to the front of music everyday. (We love to stay at Pop 60's section facing the lake, that is half the walk this was because the All Star resorts go directly back from their main all, Pop fans out more around its hall.)

We got to the room and called for our luggage to come down. Thanks for holding it that 15 min guys, appreciate it! Nice not to be the ones lugging it to our room, so good job Dh it wasn't such a bad idea.

 

[budbeerlady]

We unpacked a bit, Dh had a beer from our Gooding's stop, DD hit the Disney Channel and we were hoping the rain would end. At 6:30 we headed to the bus area for Epcot. Dd was itching to ride something, anything at all! It ended up being Space Ship Earth but it wasn't raining much.

On Space ship earth we have a strange habit of making the oddest face we can think of when they take your picture for "your future". Dh and DD pulled down their eyes and stretched out their mouths, I stuck my hands out from my head and crossed my eyes. Theirs looked great, I looked like I had odd horn ears since the pic cut off my hands. Better luck next time, I think we always ride it just to see how bad we can make the pictures look, we would ride it 4 times this trip... I know we are weird.

On the walk over to Germany for dinner it started to rain, and then it rained harder. We were pretty wet by the time we got there. We waited maybe 15 min for our table which was to the far, far left of the stage on the lower level. Find us some food!!!!!!

I will admit to not being excited about eating here. I came here for Dh, I knew he would love the food. The people we were supposed to share a table with looked almost afraid of us and sat as far away as possible from us. Dd doesn't bit, is well behave so maybe it was Dh or I?

We scampered up to the buffet and started with a small salad, ended up loving both of the dressings especially the creamy herb one! The leek soup was good and Dd was really into the cut sausages, I think she went back 3 times for those. The pretzel bread was a hit, as well as the roasted potatoes. I went back for 2nds on the potato dumplings, very good, odd texture but good! Dh went nuts, loved it all. We didnt do much dessert, that seemed to lacking looking. I did the fruit cup with vanilla sauce, good but average.

Once DD saw the Mac-n -Cheese she declared this the best buffet ever. I am still not sure why she was so into this place, she was digging the food and the entertainment hadn't even started.

The band was fun, the long horns very cool. Dd didn't want to go up and dance, she was too busy eating. She even asked if we could come back later in the week, it was #2 on her list after Sci-Fi.

I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised and would definitely go back again.

Dh gave it 2 thumbs up
Dd gave it 2 thumbs and both her feet
Dw gave it 2 thumbs up

 

[budbeerlady]

Dd loves Sci-Fi, talks about it all the time, all year long! Saturday was our Hollywood Studios day. Up and at em family, the phone wakeup call never came thru and its 8:35! Dd loves the opening of HS but we didnt make it, it was 9:30 when we arrived. They rode Rock -n Roll twice while I got the fast passes for Toy Story Mania. The return time at 9:40 was 1:45 for our fast pass start time. Its a cute ride and all but I dont understand the obsession with it, I could take it or leave it.

It is ME time, with them on the coaster I have time to sneak into Staring Rolls for my Chocolate Croissant breakfast. Yummy, I look forward to it all year long! Its warm and its melting all over my hands but is so worth it! I went into the bathroom and washed my hands but never looked in the mirror. When I meet up with Dh and DD inside the coaster ending area he wipes chocolate off my cheek. Cannot take me anywhere....

We saw the little mermaid, did the magic of animation (its so cute, I love it) Saw Sorcerer Mickey and the UP characters there. And here we were introduced by the CM to the Day 3 melt down. Very cute and whenever we saw people melting down we silently and discretely held up 3 fingers to each other. It became the running joke of our trip. When DD was driving me nuts I would warn her not to make me have a Day 3!

Watched the Jedi training and checked in for lunch at Sci-Fi. - Here is where an ugly trend began, crabby people without ADRs being rude to the staff. A man there was very ugly to the hostess, demanded to see a manager and was ruder yet to the manager. - DD had her mouth open in a dead stare watching the man go off after she gave me the 3 sign, and then oddly enough after we had ordered we saw the man and his family be seated near us in a car. Really, you yell at 2 people like a huge jerk and get what you want?
Other sane, normal people were told there was no room for lunch and left quietly.

Dh had the turkey sandwich, he said it was good and very filling. He didnt want dessert. Dd had the kids Mac-n- Cheese, she ate almost all of it but was so busy watching the movie we had to keep prodding her to eat. She had the normal Disney ice cream kids offering for dessert. I error-ed and ordered the mango tofu, it was good the last time... It needs a mango sauce on it, it is called mango tofu. It was tofu and veggies, tasted like raw tofu and veggies, nothing mango about it. I didn't eat much of it and had the celebration cheesecake for dessert (didn't is used to be called Dad's surprise cheesecake or something else?) It was still good!

We were walking into Muppets 3-d when my lunch decided to fight back. Who knew tofu was so violent? I skipped the show while Dh and DD enjoyed it. When they exited we were headed toward the back lot tour when it started to rain and like alot of people we headed out.


It was NOT raining at ASMU, love that at Disney, pouring here, not there...
Dd played in the quiet piano pool, as we were walking past the calypso pool it was empty and the life guards had on blue gloved and nets.... Insert Caddy Shack joke here.... 1 lucky life guard got of glove duty and was at the piano pool, lucky guy!

This is where ASMU beats Pop. Once the Calypso pool reopened there was a ton to do! We played Bingo for $1 per card, per game. DD didnt win but we had fun trying. The prizes were board games, small toys, stuff $10-15ish. They play 3 games at 6pm. After that we ate dinner at the food court, cheese pizza for me, hot dog for DD and Dh had a bacon cheese burger. AT 8pm they had a group scavenger hunt at the pool. What a hoot, we didnt participate in the hunt but helped with some finding. There were some hard items, like a finger nail clipper, an I-pod, a penny before 1980... Those kids were hustling thru the pool crowd to ask for stuff to help them win! At 9m the screen was up and we watched Bedtime Stories in the pool. It was very cool and I really like that movie!

So ASMU wins with more fun options for the family than Pop!

 

[budbeerlady]

The plan was to be up and at the rope drop for the future world part of Epcot! We stayed in the pool untill 11pm the night before and the pesky phone wake up call didnt go off, very irritating! We woke up at 9:30, a record for us because DD rarely sleeps past 8am.

Plan B, world showcase day at Epcot instead! I, the notorious over planner, am deviating from the plan, brace yourself, the world might be ending!

We arrived at the showcase at 11:05, because we rode Space Ship earth again. Really not a great ride but we are drawn to it like bugs to a bug zapper! If they cut out the pictures we probably wouldn't ever ride it again.... Got our fast pass for Test Track for later and off we go to let DD do her kidcot!

They were unroping Mexico when we walked up, nice and cool inside! DD had money burning a hole in her pocket so we had to check out every shop and veto every odd useless purchase she wanted to make.

Norway we rode Maelstrom and watched almost every person try on the viking hats with braids for photos. EVERY PERSON, SAME HAT - think about that for a while, I was pretty grossed out.

We made sure this trip to do it ALL. We had never stepped into China's tomb warriors area or watched the lady play the music. The movie was very cool, loved the circle vision, we had never done that either. We made it all the way to Germany before it was fast pass time, and it was sprinkling out. So we walked all the way back to Test Track because DD was dying to do it, we squeezed it in before any hard rain but got a little wet on the ride.

We shared 2 meals at the Cantina on the way past. Another new food place for us. It seemed to be a bit on the slow side to get our food, and the birds kinda freak me out here. I dont like to eat with them poking around us so. The nachos were alright, Dd liked her quesadilla and thinks oddly that you lick a curro.

We walked all the way back to Italy, my idea of taking a boat both times was vetoed. While Dd did more on her mask I had my Rosa Regale with some Chocolate. We heard the voices of liberty, such talent and watched the American Adventure for the 1st time.

Dd had her crushed ice in Japan, Dh and I snuck some while she did more mask work. Pretty good stuff but it melted fast! Watched the artist make candy and headed for the UK. I wanted to watch British invasion play, it started to rain again but the tree provided enough cover. Dh found a great beer, the wood pecker cider. We shared that in the rain under a tree listening to the band.

It started to rain harder so we high tailed it toward Morocco for dinner, it was about 30 min before our time but with the thunder we figured better safe than sorry. Dd did more mask work and I dont know why but Dh was out front of morocco when it started to down pour. It came down in buckets and just running into the Tangerine cafe area he got soaked. Maybe he was off smoking, I dont know... Dh isnt into crowds much and it was crowded in the shop in Morocco.

We checked into Marrakesh and were promptly seated right in front of the band. Dh decided to try the mediterranean seafood platter for an extra $5. He said it was excellent. I had the vegetable couscous, good but a bit bland. And DD the pasta with butter. She did the usual ice cream, I tried the Bastilla. It sounded better than it was. Dh had the baklava. We loved the entrees but were under whelmed by dessert. Dh loved the belly dancer, I still tease him about it. Dd went up and danced with her and the other kids.

Today's count:

Dh San Angel Inn : 1 thumb up
Dd : 2 thumbs up
Dw: 1 thumb up

Dh Marrekesh: 2 thumbs up
Dd: 1 thumb up
Dw: 1 1/2 thumbs up

 

[budbeerlady]

It stopped raining while we were at Marrkesh and we went next door to France. After seeings China's very nice circle movie, France's movie looked a bit low end. It was nice but not near as good or interesting.

I hear my favorite Off Kilter calling! We slow down to grab another cider on the way past, good cider and Off Kilter = fun night! Dd is convinced its a new form of torture. She doesn't like Off Kilter, couldnt tell me why! (I suspect its a noise volume thing with her. That will keep showing up randomly during our trip.) She enjoyed British Invasion, not Off Kilter!

We had to Canada to finish her mask, more coloring, last hang tag! We still have never seen the Canada movie, I just realized that, excuse to go back. I still have NOT done it ALL!

We are signed up for the Micky Mom's Panel fireworks party tonight. So we walk from Canada to the showcase entrance, the lady with the flashing wand directs us to the guys beyond Canada, almost to Great Britain. That Lady directs us into the pavilion for our name tags and snacks.

The snacks were canned sodas, milk, bottled water, mickey bars cookies, packages of pretzels and popcorn and rice crispy bars. People were loading up like they might need winter provisions, load the back packs up!!! It's FREE!!!!! Crazy! We were still full from dinner but DD choked down a mickey bar and I had a coke and some pretzels. Dh took a water. It was nice of Disney to do it for us all!

We were directed back to the lady at the entrance of the World Showcase for our Illuminations viewing area. We arrived about 8:45 to the roped off spot. What a great place to watch from! The best view ever! We were all in awe and it was really, really great! We did the mad mob walk back to the bus and hiked it back to our room for the night and let Dd refresh in the pool before bed at 11pm.

 

[budbeerlady]

I got a bit smarter and set the alarm clock Sunday night. We had our food court breakfast in the room and made it at 9:10 to the Magic Kingdom.

Our system is down to a science. Dh and Dd go to the food court for 2 large breakfast and coffee in the mug for Dh. I shower and get ready while they are gone. Dd and I eat while Dh showers and gets ready, Dh scarfs down the left over sausage, eggs and potatoes before he walks out the door. Everyone is fed, watered, dressed and ready to go!

Prior to Monday the parks were pretty quiet but NOT today! We squeezed 2 rides in on Big Thunder before pirates and the Aladdin's carpet ride. Jungle cruise was a 15 min wait and we had a great skipper, he was the best we have had and really made the voyage fun. We did the haunted mansion and it was almost 11 and we stopped for lunch. Columbia Harbor house was dead, walked right up and had our food in under 5 min. I got my usual Lighthouse Sandwich, DD had Mac-n- cheese and Dh tried the BLT salad. Very good and we needed a break from the heat!

I dont know who let 10 million people into the park while we ate but Wow, it was slammed when we walked out of lunch. Tea Cups were at 40 min, buzz light year was 30 min and wound all around the building in the hot sun. We dove into Mikes Laugh Floor to escape the heat and think up our next plan of action.

Mike was cute as usual, we had a good Boo and Sulley. Then it happened, right when the show was getting good I had to use the bathroom! Drat that large Coke for lunch!!!!!

I warned Dh that after the show he had to take Dd, I was bolting to the bathroom. I headed for the only bathroom I knew in Tomorrowland, rushed as calmly as I could over there. They were closed for the Space Mountain Remodel!!!!! Panic! I need to go and I dont know where else to go. (I blanked on the fact the nearest one might have been in tomorrowland terrace noodle station. Totally blanked on where to find a bathroom!) I was hustling toward Cosmic Rays, food place = must have bathrooms!!!!!! Dh was trying to catch up to me and in my rush I wasn't listening and had the Day 3 melt down on him! My Day 3 was over a bathroom. Not something to be proud of! I did however find the one Dh was pointing me to near star traders...

We gave up with the heat and crowds and headed for the pool at ASMU.

Columbia Harbor House:
Dh- 2 thumbs up for good salade
DD- 1 1/2 thumbs up for Mac -n - cheese
DW: 2 thumbs and 1 foot

 

[budbeerlady]

Dh teases me about my obsessive trip planning, dis board reading. tour guide mike subscription and my 2007 $1 Disney Pass porter book! Better to be prepared than lost and wandering... unless they surprise you by closing a bathroom.

We swim, rest, shower and hit the que for the downtown disney bus. I have a 6pm ressie for T-rex and my free $50 in Mypoints gift cards to pay for it. I am prepared!

Most of the bus people got off at Market place, like everyone but us and another family seated across from us. They hear DD talking about T-rex and say we should have gotten off at Marketplace, its going to be a long walk for our family. Huhhhh? I left my pass porter in the hotel and Dh is looking irritated at the idea of walking thru Downtown Disney to the other side. I am prepared, I know 99% of the time where I am going. Dont have a Day 3 yet...

We get off the bus, look to the right and there is T-rex, have faith people!
We arrive for our 6pm reservation at an empty restaurant. The place was dead and I think I heard Dh snickering some place behind me. (In November Dd and I had tried to eat here after Cirque and it was a 2 hour wait, the place was jammed!)

We were seated right away and told what free appetizers were for the rain forest cafe club members. We settled on the onion rings to start with. Dh went with the Cheese steak, DD the Dino shaped chicken nuggets with waffle fries. I wasn't too hungry so I had the tomato basil soup. It was very good! Our food came out very quickly and our server was awesome, right on top of things! Dd also got the large kids bone yard glass drink slushy thing, she was in heaven. Our bill was under $40 for all 3 of us, not bad! Dh left a large tip for the great service and the fact that she didnt point out the tip amount to us. That became a bit of a sore spot on this trip with Dh.

We went to leave our table and head into the gift shop but the place was so mobbed you could hardly move thru. It was a mad house! Dh realized we were NOT joking about the crowds this place attracts! We spend the remaining $10+ on a T-shirt for DD that she liked, good meal, souvenir, free gift cards to pay for it all. Good night!

We walked thru the Lego store, it was slightly raining. We did World of Disney and then hit Basin. DD and I love Basin. The best is to hit Ghirardelli chocolate first and then Basin! Dh waited patiently outside while we shopped it up. I have a girl who loves her baths and bath products, she is a tomboy but has a girly streak!

We got back to Disney abit after the 9pm movie started, we didnt want to watch it so we settled for the quiet piano pool for a bit. We were the only ones on our bus headed back from Downtown but there was a mess of people going from the resort to downtown after the parks closed.

T-rex:
Dh : 2 thumbs and 2 feet
DD: 2 thumbs adn 2 feet
Dw : 2 thumbs

 

[budbeerlady]

The plan was- 8:10 breakfast at Tusker House. Didn't happen!

In my defense, I woke up at 1:26 to see the space shuttle night launch, to find out at 1:28 it was delayed. So back to sleep I went, oddly enough the phone wake up call actually worked!

The phone rang at 7am to wake us for breakfast, I picked it up and put it down. No one else stirred so I went back to sleep. If DD had jumped out of bed and pulled the covers off and made me go we would have been there. It didnt happen, so neither did breakfast!

We woke at 9:30 and made it to Animal Kingdom at 10:30. I dont know what was going on. There were 2 sheriff's out front by then entry and a very, very extensive bag check. There were men scurrying around with ear pieces trying to blend in, we were hoping to see someone famous and fabulous! Didn't happen, might have missed them, still have no clue what was going on.

We got our safari fast passes near tough to be a bug, not as crowded or the mess I thought it would be to have some machines located there and saved my feet a trip. The only down side is you dont see the return times until you commit to a fastpass.

We walked to Kali River Rapids to see how long the wait is, DD is dying to ride it! The wait is 50 min so we head toward Africa when Dd gets hungry. Across the walkway from Tusker House is a counter service with sandwiches, milk shakes, pop.... Dd and Dh settle on huge turkey sandwiches on Focaccia bread. DD gets a milk shake for dessert so she is very happy.

I went to the bakery located in/ in front of Tusker house. You cannot just step up to the window and order, you need to order from the podium 5 feet in from of it. The same podium where 10 families are in line to order the Disney Picnic lunches.... All I want is a fruit cup and a pastry, 35 min later I had my lunch. DD and Dh were done with theirs and I was on the verge of my own mini day 3 meltdown from the heat and the wait.

Counter Service lunch in Africa:
Dh - 2 thumbs up
DD - 2 thumbs up
DW- 1 pinky barely.....

 

[MEK]

Dd loves Sci-Fi, talks about it all the time, all year long! Saturday was our Hollywood Studios day. Up and at em family, the phone wakeup call never came thru and its 8:35! Dd loves the opening of HS but we didnt make it, it was 9:30 when we arrived. They rode Rock -n Roll twice while I got the fast passes for Toy Story Mania. The return time at 9:40 was 1:45 for our fast pass start time. Its a cute ride and all but I dont understand the obsession with it, I could take it or leave it.

I have to agree with you on this! I don't think its worth all the hassel to get the FP's and wait 6 hours to use them. I decided I don't care if I ride it next trip.

Watched the Jedi training and checked in for lunch at Sci-Fi. - Here is where an ugly trend began, crabby people without ADRs being rude to the staff. A man there was very ugly to the hostess, demanded to see a manager and was ruder yet to the manager. - DD had her mouth open in a dead stare watching the man go off after she gave me the 3 sign, and then oddly enough after we had ordered we saw the man and his family be seated near us in a car. Really, you yell at 2 people like a huge jerk and get what you want?
Other sane, normal people were told there was no room for lunch and left quietly.

that's disgusting, but the manager probably thought the guy was going to go postal and decided to give him the table.

I have to laugh regarding the Day 3 sign....you know, that is probably so true, although I think I had my meltdown on Day 5 I wonder how I held off so long.

This is where ASMU beats Pop. Once the Calypso pool reopened there was a ton to do! We played Bingo for $1 per card, per game. DD didnt win but we had fun trying. The prizes were board games, small toys, stuff $10-15ish. They play 3 games at 6pm. After that we ate dinner at the food court, cheese pizza for me, hot dog for DD and Dh had a bacon cheese burger. AT 8pm they had a group scavenger hunt at the pool. What a hoot, we didnt participate in the hunt but helped with some finding. There were some hard items, like a finger nail clipper, an I-pod, a penny before 1980... Those kids were hustling thru the pool crowd to ask for stuff to help them win! At 9m the screen was up and we watched Bedtime Stories in the pool. It was very cool and I really like that movie!

So ASMU wins with more fun options for the family than Pop!

That sounds like fun. I do think that ASMu has a really nice atmosphere. Glad you enjoyed it there.

You are an updating machine. I have to go back and read some more now.