From Europe to Africa in America - A Sisters' Expedition

[All7OfUs]

I can totally understand your not loving nuggies. Really. I think it's a comfort food that you like because you grew up with them. Also, for me Caseys is just a package deal- the theming, the food, the cartoons, the view, and, as you'll see in my TR (in about a year! ) , the piano player.

Anyway, such a bummer you were so cold. Must have been as frustrating as those who call it quits because of the heat.

I spent a TON of time on MS this time around, and LOVED IT!! It's definitely a place to be explored a lot more!

Love the idea of asking for hot water and bringing your own teabags. I wonder if they'd do it?

 

[Millie12591]

You see, Germany has a problem with its history – a wrong sense of German nationalism was one of the reasons for both world wars. Especially the Nazis really exploited it. When being proud of your own country changes into feeling superior over all other countries and therefore giving you the perceived right to invade your neighbours in order to claim ground for the expansion of the German race, things have gone really wrong. This is the reason why a lot of Germans have difficulty in showing national symbols, there is this fear of getting on a slippery slope. I think many people feel that it is a bit like for someone with an alcohol problem who really can't drink any alcohol – many feel that Germans need to stay away from any public display of affection for their nation. And therefore those political right-wing groups who claim that Hitler was great and that the death of 6 million jews is a lie are the ones who try to reclaim all these symbols. And the gothic font used for these t-shirts is one of the symbols, which here in Germany are associated with the Nazis. So, if you buy a t-shirt like this, don’t bring it to Germany, if people don’t recognize you as a tourist, they might be sceptical about your political views a be very reserved towards you.

I know that's a long explanation for two t-shirts...

And this also concludes our visit to Germany.

Continued here

Wonderful reports!!! I must ask a couple of questions.....when you mention the "political right wing groups", do you mean in Germany or else where? How are political groups seen in Germany, what's considered liberal and what's considered conservative there? I'm always sooo fascinated by politics in other countries where your allowed to have an opinion. If this is treading into a place you'd rather not go into on here I totally understand, if you want you can always PM me the answers.
I use to be heavily involved in politics here (which may or may not mean the same thing to you in Germany), but got away from it for a while....sort of a long story. I realized I wanted to be apart of it in a way that was less "Washington," if you will and more wanting to approach it from the side of wanting to please God and less of man. Taking a volunteer position in Texas Capitol (during the house session) and being able to prayer walk the halls or pray with or for the Rep. that I worked for was the way I wanted be effective. It was amazing!! The office job was beyond boring (can't stand being locked up in an office all day-MUST BE AROUND CHANGING FACES-my only saving grace was the abundance of people coming in and out of the office all day) but the praying and being effective in that way, was amazing!!

January, 31, 2010

Once again we got up at 6:30 am to get ready for rope drop at the Magic Kingdom! Personally this is might least favourite park at WDW. I still love some attractions there, but I just like Disneyland in California and Disneyland Paris much better, they are the more beautiful parks.

I so agree. I love things about MK in WDW, but love DL better. I think it's because Walt actually had his hand on it while it was being built, more magic there for sure. It was also the first Disney park I had ever been too, that might have something to do with it.

And possibly because I know that this type of park is not exclusive to WDW, it is less special?
What do you mean? Are you talking about other Disney parks, or parks else where? I'm fascinated.

Still there are two attractions I love at WDW's MK which cannot be experienced like this in the other parks: Splash Mountain (which in my opinion is much better at WDW, but which was closed during our trip for refurbishment) and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, which recently has gotten its old name back: Peoplemover!

Totally agree!!! I love, love, love Splash Mt. in WDW best, and loooove going on TTA, don't ask me why it's just one of those rides that I have to do while there.

Thank you DH, for your Playstation I and Crash Team Racing which introduced me to this kind of games

Your DH and mine would get along well. Although he does more video games on the computer now days.

So we continued our touring in Fantasyland. We had fun with Winnie the Pooh, checked out It's a Small World (it still amazes me that I really go on that ride voluntarily now, after our first trip to DL in 1992, Katharina and I thought this was the worst nightmare of an attraction!).

Do you mean you like the one at DL better than at WDW? If so another thing we totally agree on!! DL's IASW blows any other away!! And it makes me greatly upset they put only one tiny little display of Israel in there too. Although it's been a while since I've been to DL (almost 9 yrs. this coming Nov.) so I can't even remember if they represent Israel in that attraction.


We got one cheeseburger without the cheese to share and lots of toppings, as well as two hot teas (which in my opinion were extremely overpriced at 2.09 each):

Actually looks pretty good. I'm kinda surprised they offer so much to go with this, impressive!

When we sat down Katharina and I had the first not so magical moment of the trip. I think we were both rather grumpy from being cold and hungry and we got into a stupid argument on how to arrange the food so that we could cut the burger in half. Pretty silly, wasn't it? Luckily we have known each other for long enough that a short outburst of unfriendlyness wouldn't go away very fast!

Uh oh, sounds like a drop in the blood sugar is to blame for this.

Nothing to add here, so true...

At least y'all can admit it.
If my sister and I get into it, it means we don't talk for many, many, months at a time, sometimes up to a year. I wish it weren't that way. She's so much younger and raised by a different mom who has passed on the toxic trait of being a master manipulator, it's very hard to be around. There can be no trust with someone bent on being destructive.
Waaaay more dirty laundry than you ever wanted to know about my life!

We really were not looking forward to get outside again into the cold... So what is the nearest indoor attraction to Peco's? Pirates of the Caribbean of course!

Do you like this attraction here better or at DL?

It was nicely toasty in there with all the fire burning! Our boat was stopped for quite some time at the end, but we really did not mind too much, we were enjoying being warm! Outside we were freezing again and we realized that we needed more fuel, one hamburger shared between the two of us wasn't really enough. So we decided that it was time to try one of the famous WDW snacks we read about on these boards. This one was to be served warm (very appealing to us on that day!) and came highly recommended by Brookelizabeth. Some my already have an idea what it might be: Casey's corndog nuggets.

So at 11:53 am we had our second lunch of the day. We shared one cup of corndog nuggets:

We did eat them with mustard, perhaps that was not the right way?

It most certainly is the right way!! I actually eat them with a ketchup and mustard mix, more heavy on the mustard. I don't think there's a right or wrong way to eat them.

They were really fresh and warm. But we could not really get used to the taste of them. What a strange combination of the sweet corn dough on the outside and then the mini hot dog inside. Also the mini hot dog did not live up to our standards. You see, we come from the country which invented these sausages!! And for us they tasted like canned sausages, not fresh ones... I know that Liesa once posted a recipe for making them at home and I think Katharina and I need to try this once with real sausages from a German butcher! But possibly, they just are too ethnic for us!!

Actually, these are some of the worst tasting corn dogs I've ever had. I wish it weren't true, but it is. Although I've never had a dog German style either. They may all taste gross to you.
If your ever in the states and happen to see a food court that has "Dog on a stick," you must try one of these along with the fresh lemonade that they make daily. It's probably one of the best corn dogs you can get here in the states.

However, I decided that we needed some photopass pictures before leaving the park!

More horrible pictures....

And asked for one with the balloons, which we got! In case you don't notice, I am desperately holding Katharina down because she would otherwise fly away since she is so skinny and I am so heavy!!

This one is really cute!! AND I AGREE.... your NOT heavy!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I am glad you two had a little spare time in your very busy lives to update your report! Loved the photo of the balloons. And congrats on your DC purchase, Magdalene!!

 

[shannn]

Congratulations Neighbor!! We bought at BWV last year and took our first trip home 2 weeks ago. Hope you make it through ROFR quickly.

 

[Millie12591]

We can't have you on page three.

BUMP!!

How's that for spelling?!?

Hope all is well, you must be really busy.

 

[Flossbolna]

We can't have you on page three.

BUMP!!

How's that for spelling?!?

Hope all is well, you must be really busy.

Thanks for the bump - or should I say bmup? I hope to get replies done soon (including one to you!) and otherwise am waiting for Katharina to find some time to put her comments into the newest update.

 

[RachelTori]

Thank you!! I must admit that I feel a bit guilty that I did not buy at AKL, but I just could not justify to spend about 10 $ more per point. Also, I think the more often I will be at WDW, the more I will enjoy spending time at the resort and while AK has a lot to offer, I am just more a person who enjoys lots of activity around than quiet. So BWV had a bit more appeal to me. But I do hope to be able to use my points regularly at AKL as well!!

We own at SSR and I think most of our DVC stays have been at AKV!! You have to wait till 7 months out to book there (as opposed to 11 months at your Home resort), but it's usually not a problem! And if AKV is booked, there's always the "wait list"!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Yes we all are waiting anxiously for the dirndl picture.

I am still waiting for pictures of the new appartment and Katharina said something about the appartment possibly being nice enough to take pictures off on Sunday, so there might be a chance for Dirndl pictures this weekend!

This sounds delishious! Maybe I'll make this for Christmas. My mother used to make a stollen that was so good made all by memory. Of course she never wrote anything down so I have no clue how to make this.

They are very good! If you are interested, I can find a stollen recipe for you and translate it. Your DD's German cookbook does not have one?

I am so excited for you and completely jealous! This means many more trips to Disney and many more TR!

Thanks! I am really excited! I am not so sure wether every trip will be interesting enough to write a TR about, though??

Say it isn't so! I love MK it's my favorite park of all. Maybe because I went as a little girl the year it opened, I went with my aunt and parents.

It's not that I don't like the MK - I still enjoy all four parks at WDW very much! I think having very fond memories of a park certainly will make you like that park specifically. I think I just compare the MK too much with the other two Disneylands I know (California and Paris) and both of them are prettier and appear more magical to me.

You don't like SM?? I love it it's my favorite in MK! Maybe because this was the first coaster I was ever on?

So sorry, I don't mean to talk all the things down which you love!! I think you will enjoy what I have written about another ride on Space Mountain.

I must admit I had a fit of giggles with you mentioning this ride was the nightmare of an attraction! But yet we still continue to ride

Yes, for some weired reason there is something about it which is the essential Disney!!

Not to sound cheap but I am wondering if you could have asked for a cup of hot water (they give out free cold water) then you could have brought in your own tea bags? 2.09 is really overpriced.

Interesting idea... Which reminds me that there is an Asterix comic (I don't know wether they are known in the US, it is a French comic which takes place around 50 BC) where Asterix travels to Great Britain and everyone is drinking hot water with a drop of milk there.

I giggled again when I read this because after meeting the two of you I could picture this scene in my head.

Thanks!

I have to agree that Germany has the BEST sausages, then NEVER try packaged hot dogs when you are here. Corndogs are better when made fresh like at a fair where the hot dog is dipped in the batter then fried fresh. I do love corn bread on it own though!

I think the corn bread is an unusual taste for us as well.

You can buy packaged sausages here as well and I don't like those very much either. I would love to try one day those sausages you once posted a link to - I think it was a factory in Wisconsin specialising in German sausages.

Ummm you are not heavy!

Thanks! Also for the compliments on our pictures!

 

[Flossbolna]

I like the face the guy is making behind you.

It was an early morning! It makes you wonder on who's WDW pictures oneself might appear in an awkward position! Do you think I should have given him these funny glasses you used on the lady in your TR?

Don't tell me Katharina wanted the top half?!

How did you know? She always wants the better half!! No, really, we are pretty good at sharing equally, we were well trained by our parents. The rule was always that the one who splits something is not the one to choose first. It was more the fact that we only had this one plate which was full of condiments and it was all wobbly - after the lesson I learned with getting a second cup I think in the future when we share, I will just ask for a second plate.

Hmmm, a little out of focus, but at least it's level! Well, maybe it could be better even in that department.

I wonder why so many are out of focus?

I like this one!

Thanks!

Hooray on your upcoming DVC purchase! That is so exciting! I hope you make it through ROFR, I believe that Boardwalk is the toughest to pass right now....they must have a waiting list of buyers. For all of the other properties it looks like they're saving their cash and letting almost everything pass.

BCV appears to be the hardest to pass right npw, it is the only one they have ROFR'ed regularly this year. On the thread on the DVC board there is only one ROFR for BWV from March this year. But who knows wether my contract might be the first of a new trend???

Congratulations!! I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you that everything works out okay. I love that you bought BWV. Even after my recent trip to the Beach Club, it's still my favorite. It's just a great location for going to both Epcot and DHS.

Thanks for the thumbs up on BWV! I am a bit nervous that I did buy somewhere where I had never stayed before... But the general consensus on the DVC board appears to be to buy somewhere where you won't mind to stay. I know that I will love walking to two parks, so I am sure that I won't mind staying there.

I'm really enjoying your updates and pictures.

What wonderful news about your DVC purchase. Here's some pixiedust that everything goes well.

Kathy

Thank you Kathy!

I can totally understand your not loving nuggies. Really. I think it's a comfort food that you like because you grew up with them. Also, for me Caseys is just a package deal- the theming, the food, the cartoons, the view, and, as you'll see in my TR (in about a year! ) , the piano player.

Anyway, such a bummer you were so cold. Must have been as frustrating as those who call it quits because of the heat.

I spent a TON of time on MS this time around, and LOVED IT!! It's definitely a place to be explored a lot more!

Love the idea of asking for hot water and bringing your own teabags. I wonder if they'd do it?

The thing about the comfort food makes a lot of sense! I think I even might have them again next time at the MK! Just because I heard so much about it from Brook and from you. And that might even lead to me getting them regularly - like going on Small World. I don't really love it, but a visit to the MK without it would not be complete! I still intend to make use of that recipe you posted on your TR and try to make them myself.

I am glad you two had a little spare time in your very busy lives to update your report! Loved the photo of the balloons. And congrats on your DC purchase, Magdalene!!

Hi Elin, great to see you here! I love the balloon Photopass opportunity and there will be a few more. These pictures are what I love about photopass.

Congratulations Neighbor!! We bought at BWV last year and took our first trip home 2 weeks ago. Hope you make it through ROFR quickly.

Thank you! I hope you had a great stay there! Katharina and I nearly stayed at BWV for this past trip (we were thinking about renting DVC points), but then opted for AKL nevertheless. This ROFR waiting is starting to getting a bit on my nerves...

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Originally Posted by Flossbolna
Lebkuchen - gingerbread is mainly made from nuts. Here is a recipe:
Nuremberg Gingerbread
(Elisenlebkuchen)
Ingredients:
5 eggs
400g (14 oz) sugar
zest of 2 lemons
3 tblsp lemon juice
4 tsp cinnamon (ground)
1 tsp cloves (ground)
¼ tsp of mace
¼ tsp of cardamom
(or 5 tsp of spice mixture, adjust amount of spices according to taste!)
650g (23 oz) ground almonds or half ground almonds, half ground hazelnuts
100g (3.5 oz) candied lemon peel (finely chopped)
100g (3.5 oz) candied orange peel (finely chopped)
round, very thin wafers (like the host for communion), they can be made without, but then you would need really good baking parchment paper to prevent them sticking to the baking tray
Beat the eggs and the sugar with the mixer to a cream. The cream should be light yellow and very smooth. Add all other ingredients to the cream. The mixture ought to be spreadable. Spread it on the wafers, about ½ inch thick. If you don't have wafers, form little balls and press them flat on the baking tray lined with baking paper. Let the gingerbread sit for a few hours so that they can dry on the surface.
Preheat oven to 150-160° C (300-320° F). Bake the gingerbread for about 20 minutes. It will still be soft and moist inside, but dry on the surface. It can be glazed with chocolate or with a simple and thin icing made from 200g (7 oz) powdered sugar and 4 tblsp liquid (water, rum or lemon juice). But they taste great without icing as well. In an airtight container they easily keep 4 to 8 weeks.
They are delicious! There are numerous gingerbread factories/manufacturers here in Nuremberg and they already started baking for the Christmas season. One is on my way to work and every morning I can smell the fresh gingerbread!

Oh, this sounds incredible! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe - will definitley try this for Thanksgiving. My DD, SiL and DGD will leave Thanksgiving morning, returning late the next day, so this will be the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving Day and what a nice surprise for them when they arrive home.

What a delightful way to begin the day.

Back home (Cambridge, MA) on my way to school (work), I could smell fresh bread baking every morning from the Italian and Portuguese bakeries. Heavenly...but gingerbread during the holidays is even better.

 

[glennbo123]

It was an early morning! It makes you wonder on who's WDW pictures oneself might appear in an awkward position! Do you think I should have given him these funny glasses you used on the lady in your TR?

No, he'll be fine.

BCV appears to be the hardest to pass right npw, it is the only one they have ROFR'ed regularly this year. On the thread on the DVC board there is only one ROFR for BWV from March this year. But who knows wether my contract might be the first of a new trend???

Ooops, I got my "B" resorts mixed up.

 

[Flossbolna]

Wonderful reports!!! I must ask a couple of questions.....when you mention the "political right wing groups", do you mean in Germany or else where? How are political groups seen in Germany, what's considered liberal and what's considered conservative there? I'm always sooo fascinated by politics in other countries where your allowed to have an opinion. If this is treading into a place you'd rather not go into on here I totally understand, if you want you can always PM me the answers.

You are right, I think I should clarify this a bit more. In Germany "right wing" is the same as what we call "Neo-Nazi". Meaning someone who thinks that the politics of Hitler were right and were justified. Who claim that there weren't any jewish people murdered by Germans (this is called the "Auschwitz-lie" and it actually is a criminal offence to publically say so in Germany). They are generally prepared to use violence and think that Germans are a superior race. There is some information in this Wikipedia article.

Regarding your further interest in the German political landscape and your personal political experience I will send you a PM!

I so agree. I love things about MK in WDW, but love DL better. I think it's because Walt actually had his hand on it while it was being built, more magic there for sure. It was also the first Disney park I had ever been too, that might have something to do with it.

I think DL was still planned as a small park and therefore it has so many different things! WDW was built larger for bigger crowds, but they forgot to fill the space with details it seems. In DLP they learned from their previous mistakes and built it at a time when Disney felt that they had all the money in the world for their new park. That's why it is soooooo beautiful!! Now DLP is broke and can't maintain the park as it should be...

What do you mean? Are you talking about other Disney parks, or parks else where? I'm fascinated.

Yes, I was talking about MK being the "same" as Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland: They are all Magic Kingdoms. And of the three I know, the MK has a very honorable third place...

Totally agree!!! I love, love, love Splash Mt. in WDW best, and loooove going on TTA, don't ask me why it's just one of those rides that I have to do while there.

The TTA is so brilliant! I think it is such a lovely break from running around and you can just people watch from there. I remember that Katharina and I loved the Peoplemover at Disneyland in 1992, which unfortunately has gone away since then...

Do you mean you like the one at DL better than at WDW? If so another thing we totally agree on!! DL's IASW blows any other away!! And it makes me greatly upset they put only one tiny little display of Israel in there too. Although it's been a while since I've been to DL (almost 9 yrs. this coming Nov.) so I can't even remember if they represent Israel in that attraction.

I think the DL facade is so beautiful. When we were there in 1992, we had a Birnbaum guide to DL in the tour package my aunt booked and it said that there is real gold used on this facade. I was really impressed by this! I was dissappointed when I saw SW in DLP where it is just pastel colours, but still a pretty facade, while at WDW it is hidden behind these circus tents. I can't really comment on the ride and the differences though...

Actually looks pretty good. I'm kinda surprised they offer so much to go with this, impressive!

Pecos Bill has this fantastic condiment bar where you can help yourself to lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions, fried mushrooms, pickles, cheese sauce. It's the reason why it is the favourite CS burger location for many!

Uh oh, sounds like a drop in the blood sugar is to blame for this.

Yes, that's what we thought as well! Being hungry and cold makes people grumpy...

At least y'all can admit it.
If my sister and I get into it, it means we don't talk for many, many, months at a time, sometimes up to a year. I wish it weren't that way. She's so much younger and raised by a different mom who has passed on the toxic trait of being a master manipulator, it's very hard to be around. There can be no trust with someone bent on being destructive.
Waaaay more dirty laundry than you ever wanted to know about my life!

I am sorry to hear that! I always feel very priviledged that I have a sister who is so close to me. My parents must sometimes wonder about this, because we sometimes drove them nuts because we were fighting so much as kids. But I sometimes think that this helped us to learn how to deal with conflicts between the two of us.

Do you like this attraction here better or at DL?

I really can't say. I think I like Disneyland Paris the best, it's layout has more drops, but it does not have the new Johnny Depp enhancements... One thing I really don't like about PoC at WDW though, is the escalator thing at the end - it does not fit at all!!!

It most certainly is the right way!! I actually eat them with a ketchup and mustard mix, more heavy on the mustard. I don't think there's a right or wrong way to eat them.

Good to know!

Actually, these are some of the worst tasting corn dogs I've ever had. I wish it weren't true, but it is. Although I've never had a dog German style either. They may all taste gross to you.
If your ever in the states and happen to see a food court that has "Dog on a stick," you must try one of these along with the fresh lemonade that they make daily. It's probably one of the best corn dogs you can get here in the states.

I see, I need to travel more in the US outside of WDW to get to try more "ethnic" food!!

This one is really cute!! AND I AGREE.... your NOT heavy!!

Thank you!!

 

[Flossbolna]

We own at SSR and I think most of our DVC stays have been at AKV!! You have to wait till 7 months out to book there (as opposed to 11 months at your Home resort), but it's usually not a problem! And if AKV is booked, there's always the "wait list"!!

Good to know! I read on the DVC board the advice to buy where you won't mind to stay and I think for me the BWV really fit into that category - and I can always try to get to stay somewhere else at 7 months, too. Not so sure how much a wait list person I am, though...

Oh, this sounds incredible! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe - will definitley try this for Thanksgiving. My DD, SiL and DGD will leave Thanksgiving morning, returning late the next day, so this will be the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving Day and what a nice surprise for them when they arrive home.

What a delightful way to begin the day.

Back home (Cambridge, MA) on my way to school (work), I could smell fresh bread baking every morning from the Italian and Portuguese bakeries. Heavenly...but gingerbread during the holidays is even better.

You're welcome! I hope they turn out good! I think this recipe might be mentioned soon on another thread around here...

The fresh bakery smell is one of the best smells around!

Ooops, I got my "B" resorts mixed up.

Well, they are very close to each other in location as well!

 

[Flossbolna]

We were still in good spirits when we were on that bus, even though the cold weather was really getting at us. On the trip back to AKL I had this dream about warming up in the hot tub...

But first we finally did some shopping at AKL! For those of you who don't know AKL Jambo House: They have a pretty smart setup: From the bus stop you walk along the building to the main entrance. But before you get there, there is one door, which directly takes you into the resort shop from which you can then enter the lobby. So it is a „shortcut“ to walk through the shop and I think we used this shortcut nearly every time. Of course this also really helps you to get to know all the offerings in this shop pretty well. So now it was time to finally buy some of the things we had seen so often already:

T-shirts!!

They had these organic cotton t-shirts, which we really liked and got one each. I got a blue one (this is my colour):

It appears to be an AK shirt as can be seen by this small mark on the back of the shirt:

And Katharina got a red one (her colour):

She also bought a magnet for her fridge at home:

It was rather interesting because it was really like a batch you could sew on your cloths made from material, not plastic.

I like it a lot. I have some „normal“ Disney magnets as well, but this one is special, because it is Disney, but not typical Disney. Unfortunately it is still in a box, I should find some time soon to unpack the fridge magnets!

I also took some pictures of other t-shirts I liked:

And I was intrigued by these snacks:

Why would I want my chips to be multigrain??? Seemed rather strange to me.

When we got to our room, we realized that it was not made up yet. We were a bit annoyed but thought that it might be a reason to finally really enjoy the lobby. So we got our refillable mugs and packed our books, got some tea and settled in the lobby. Unfortunately those sofas aren't really comfy. But then we had the brilliant idea to move to the library, the small room to the right of the check-in desk where there also is an overlook over the Sunset savanna. We got some chairs at the window there, read, drank tea and now and then just watched was going on outside. We saw zebras, giraffes and ostriches. It was actually quite relaxing, I think at some point however, we really wanted to go to our room, but when I checked it was still not made up. I think we got back to the room after 3:30 pm. By then, it was getting time to get ready to go out again to dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. We had an ADR there for 5 pm. I was really disappointed that we did not get to go in the hot tub that afternoon and the morning had not been that great either, so I was hoping the evening would really improve.

We thought we were smart and put on more layers (but did not put on our winter coats) and set off by bus to the MK to catch the boat to WL from there. We got one of the small boats to take us to WL – and those boats are open. I loved those boats in 2009 when it was warm and they took me to the Polynesian Resort when I was staying there. But as soon as the boat left, Katharina and I wished we had put on our winter coats! It was soooo cold – again!! While we had put on more layers, the evening already started and it was going to be a cold night!!

Walking up from the boat dock we took the obligatory pictures of the Wilderness Lodge:

And one picture inside:

I checked us in at the WCC desk and requested to be seated in the main dining room. I have eaten at WCC twice before and have always been seated in the small room behind the main dining room. I think I must look like someone not into the fun stuff going on there... I told them this and that I really would want to be seated in the main room! Since WCC wasn't opening until 5 pm we had a short wait. We checked out the store at the WL and liked it. But it is much smaller than the AKL store. I also told Katharina that we had until 5pm, so she went off to call her DH. Of course the beeper started to go off before 5 pm! And I had to go and fetch Katharina from the other side of the lobby...

The girl who was taking us to our table led us along one side of the dining room and then I realized where she was heading: to that small room next to the main room!! I was really disappointed and then she showed us the table: it was next to a fireplace!! When she put her paper slip down on the table she realized that it had not only Katharina's allergies noted, but also the request for the main dining room and she asked whether we would want her to find us another table. But Katharina and I decided that on that day nothing could be better than sitting next to a fireplace!!

I really liked the screen:

Our server was ok, but did not make a lot of fun with us. That was fine, though. I think Katharina was a bit scared...

... of what she might do, but nothing bad happend

A chef came out immediately to speak to Katharina and he was fantastic! His name was Eddie and he was cheerful and helpful and all that what we had expected from reading reviews about special dining needs. We both wanted to eat the famous skillet and he said that he could adjust one for Katharina to fit her needs.

The full description of the skillet according to allears.net: Smoked Pork Ribs, Pulled Pork, Oven-roasted Chicken, Beef Brisket, Mashed Potatoes, Cowboy Beans, and Corn on the Cob Mixed Greens Salad with Apple Vinaigrette, Coleslaw, and Fresh-baked Cornbread

So we ordered one normal skillet and one skillet without tomatoes and without dairy. Katharina had the pomegranate lemonade as her drink and she did not like it. I had to have the milk shake (and Katharina had to endure to watch me have it while she had that not so nice lemonade... I was feeling rather sorry for her). The milk shakes at WCC are bottomless, so you can get as many refills as you want and can change flavours between them. My first one was caramel and that was really good. But the second one was chocolate and I did not like it. It tasted of cheap chocolate pudding.

Very fast after we ordered, I was served a salad. It was the same size that I had been served for two on previous visits. Katharina was told that her salad would follow. Because mine salad was not safe for her! It had three tiny tomatos on top!

Since she only has a food intolerance, she could easily just have put these to the side. But very soon Eddie appeared and was shocked to see that I had alrady been given a salad. He had prepared a safe salad for Katharina and had made a portion to share between the two of us – which was even larger than the normal two person serving which I had gotten:

You won't be surprised that we did not manage to eat all of the salad! However, we really liked it. It had a bit too much dressing on it, but this was very nice! We also really liked the croutons, which had a definite garlic taste to them.

I also really like the corn bread, it is so sweet. The reason for eating the skillet for us was that this is food we don't get at home. And it started with he corn bread.

Then the skillets came out:

Katharina's special one:

And my normal one:

The only difference is that Katharina got roasted potatoes instead of mashed ones.

Which is strange – they made me a special salad without tomatoes but brought me the beans? I don’t remember what I told them exactly...

I think you told them that a bit of tomato in a sauce is fine, you just should not eat loads of tomatoes.

The brisket was something new for both of us, the last time I was at WCC; I got a sausage. We did not like the brisket very much... It was rather cold, tough and dry. This is the same type of meat, which we boil to death in water and then all the flavour goes into the water making a lovely bullion, while the meat ends up being rather flavourless. I prefer that method to the brisket. But possibly I need to give brisket another try when it comes from a proper barbecue place? The pulled pork on the other hand was just delicious! The chicken had some spices on it which we did not like that much. It was interesting, but not our favourite taste. My ribs were fanstastic, but Katharina's were rather fatty. We liked the corn (no corn on the cob in Germany! except when you prepare it yourself, you can buy good corn on the cob when in season at the local markets ) the roasted potatoes were ok and the mashed ones were good. They weren't very creamy, but I liked them that way. I would have loved to get seconds, but I was just too full!

So I did not get dessert either. But Katharina was seriously considering the apple pie. When Eddie came out to find out how we liked our meal and asked us about dessert Katharina asked wether this was safe for her. And he very enthusiastically told her, that it was just fine for her! He kept telling her about the sugar cookie crust – we had no idea what this might be. So he went on to explain how it is made. He really tried to work around our lack of culinary language skills! He also said that Katharina could get a scoop of ice cream with it – non-dairy ice cream made with rice milk (called ricedream). And she jumped at this offer. I think she really enjoyed her dessert!

I honestly don’t remember, whether I liked the desert, or whether I was just so happy that there was a dessert offering for me, that was no sorbet or fresh fruit. But I’m quite sure I found it too sweet. Why do they put sugar on top of a cookie crust?

sorry, I forgot to tell you what the trip notes say: "Granny Smith apples taste a bit artificial, ricedream very good, just as vanilla ice cream"

And the answer to the question in the title of this chapter: Eddie really brought the magic for us into that otherwise really cold day!

Just before we were leaving our server came over and made an announcement to everyone in our small room (I think three or four other tables, two of them rather large). She announced that it was Katharina's 35th birthday and she had requested that everyone should sing Happy Birthday to her. The people happily obliged and she got a really bad choir singing to her. I wonder whether she was secretly scheming to kill me at this point?

It was a nice surprise at this point, because we were not in the big dining room and most of the other people in this smaller room seemed not to be disturbed by someone wanting them to sing for a stranger. They were all smiling and some even shouting some congratulations afterwards. For me this was a very American Disney moment.

Our receipt from WCC is from 6:11 pm, so it took us a bit over an hour to eat there. Our plan was to go back to the MK to spend some more time there since the morning was so short.

After another very cold boat ride back to the MK we had to get some more pictures taken of us:

(I think this border went really well with the color of the castle!)

Then we headed off to Space Mountain to make use of the Fastpasses we had gotten this morning. Their window was long expired, but so far I had always been lucky to arrive after my FP window on that day and it was accepted. But just when we got there, I realized that these FPs were in my other bag... So no Space Mountain for us.

Remember, it was cold that night. So what is the next warm attraction from Space Mountain? The Carousel of Progress of course. It is very cheesy, but I think the song is very neat and it is a classic. So Katharina had to see it. From there we ventured to the next indoor attraction (Tomorrowland is quite good for those!) - Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. It was very funny! They had quite a few jokes that weren't there during my last visit.

And finally it was late enough to find a spot on Main Street to see Wishes! I love Wishes, it is such a wonderful show! My favourite spot is just at the end of Main Street where there is a bridge over the canal which runs around the hub. When you stand on that bridge, there is a slight slope down to the hub. It's the perfect spot for me!

Ah – did I mention that I love Wishes!!!

It was an evening EMH hour day at the MK and our plan had been to stay around for the EMH. But no way would we want to spend more time than necessary outdoor! Therefore we speedwalked out of the park immediately after Wishes, arrived at the AKL bus stop where a bus was loading, entered the bus, after us another family got on, the doors closed and we left with the bus being only about 3/4 full. Wishes was at 8 pm that night and we were back in our room at AKL at 8:45 pm!!

We once again had our cup of tea before going to bed and then were so tired that we were both asleep at 9:30pm!!


Next: Chapter 23: A warmer Day at the MK?

 

[jedijill]

You should defineately try brisket from a real BBQ place someday...it will change your mind! I'm from Kansas City which is known for its great BBQ and so I'm a bit of a BBQ snob.

Great update! Too bad your room wasn't ready.

Jill in CO

 

[All7OfUs]

Yippeeee!! A new update to pour over!! I have one about half done, but that'll have to wait now.

 

[Flossbolna]

You should defineately try brisket from a real BBQ place someday...it will change your mind! I'm from Kansas City which is known for its great BBQ and so I'm a bit of a BBQ snob.

Great update! Too bad your room wasn't ready.

Jill in CO

Hi Jill, from everything I have heard about WCC so far, I understand that it really isn't the best BBQ place. I am sure that at one point I will visit areas of the US which are known for their BBQ and I intend to eat as much of it as I can!

 

[All7OfUs]

First I have to comment on "chips". That word (I"m sure you already know this) can be used for anything of a flat round-ish nature from wood to potatoes, and now apparently multi-grain mash. Now adays they sell, sweet potato "chips", tortilla "chips", and hey, at summer camp we would even toss around "buffalo chips" at each other thinking it was great sport.

I"ve read more than one TR lately in which the rooms weren't made up until well into the early evening. What is WITH that?? I'd say if it's not done by 1:00 or so, when you're ready for a swim or getting ready for lunch, a call needs to be made. A friendly one, but a call nonetheless.

I really wish you had worn your coats! You could have eked out a few more hours at MK and not frozen your tails off on the boat.

But WOW!! you really scored a beautiful table!! That right there is the quintessential cozy Pacific Northwest ambiance! (As I sit by my nice fire on my couch.)

Your salad was gorgeous, and I think just one of those, some ribs and beans would have made me a very happy girl!!!

YOu know, I hear over and over about how the Europeans- especially Brits, come over and rave about cornbread. Is it not possible to make it there?? It's so VERY easy!! Or is cornmeal just not available?? Can I send you some?

I have now started drooling for ribs. My family is all gone today (ahhhh the bliss of a day all to myself!) and I'm thinking I may need to take Bek and Zach out for Tony Romas (a rib joint) for dinner. Ok, that didn't make sense. Mike and the 2 younger girls went to Salem to help Dad today and wont' be home until after dinner. Bek will be home around 2 and Zach around 3 respectively, from school.

And what is with NO CORN ON THE COB?? That is such a dreadful shame! Farm fresh with loads of butter and salt and pepper. Seriously, this update is inducing way too much slobber. I need to figure out how to employ the slobbering Homer.

I must confess, to GB's utter dismay, I've never had brisket, but the cooking method of boiling until the flavor drains sounds a lot like making corned beef to me. We use the soup base for potato soup a lot in March- (St. Patrick's Day, when they practically give corned beef away).

Yes, your pie looked way too sweet for my taste too. And too rich after that skillet laden with meat and starch. I think had I do choose from what I saw, I'd have just gone with the RiceCream. Which I adore, by the way!

Now, I need to call you.... I have a devious plan....

 

[lovealldisney]

But first we finally did some shopping at AKL! So now it was time to finally buy some of the things we had seen so often already:

T-shirts!!

They had these organic cotton t-shirts, which we really liked and got one each. I got a blue one (this is my colour):

It appears to be an AK shirt as can be seen by this small mark on the back of the shirt:

And Katharina got a red one (her colour):

I really like both of these. Something I would have bought to. And I was intrigued by these snacks:

Why would I want my chips to be multigrain??? Seemed rather strange to me.

I think America for health reasons is trying to offer more things that are made with multi grain, verses things made with white flour. I like the cheese flavored Sun Chips

Walking up from the boat dock we took the obligatory pictures of the Wilderness Lodge:

The girl who was taking us to our table led us along one side of the dining room and then I realized where she was heading: to that small room next to the main room!! I was really disappointed and then she showed us the table: it was next to a fireplace!! When she put her paper slip down on the table she realized that it had not only Katharina's allergies noted, but also the request for the main dining room and she asked whether we would want her to find us another table. But Katharina and I decided that on that day nothing could be better than sitting next to a fireplace!!

With it that cold I would have wanted to sit next to the fireplace.

A chef came out immediately to speak to Katharina and he was fantastic! His name was Eddie and he was cheerful and helpful and all that what we had expected from reading reviews about special dining needs. We both wanted to eat the famous skillet and he said that he could adjust one for Katharina to fit her needs.



So we ordered one normal skillet and one skillet without tomatoes and without dairy. Katharina had the pomegranate lemonade as her drink and she did not like it. I had to have the milk shake (and Katharina had to endure to watch me have it while she had that not so nice lemonade... I was feeling rather sorry for her). The milk shakes at WCC are bottomless, so you can get as many refills as you want and can change flavours between them. My first one was caramel and that was really good. But the second one was chocolate and I did not like it. It tasted of cheap chocolate pudding.

You should have sent both your drinks back if you didn't like them.

Very fast after we ordered, I was served a salad. It was the same size that I had been served for two on previous visits. Katharina was told that her salad would follow. Because mine salad was not safe for her! It had three tiny tomatos on top!

He had prepared a safe salad for Katharina and had made a portion to share between the two of us – which was even larger than the normal two person serving which I had gotten:

That looks really good!

I also really like the corn bread, it is so sweet. The reason for eating the skillet for us was that this is food we don't get at home. And it started with he corn bread.
I love corn bread my family not so much
Then the skillets came out:

The brisket was something new for both of us, the last time I was at WCC; I got a sausage. We did not like the brisket very much... It was rather cold, tough and dry. This is the same type of meat, which we boil to death in water and then all the flavour goes into the water making a lovely bullion, while the meat ends up being rather flavourless. I prefer that method to the brisket.

This is something I haven't tried making here, I have seen receipes on how to grill it. I'm afraid it will turn out tough.

We liked the corn (no corn on the cob in
Germany!

except when you prepare it yourself, you can buy good corn on the cob when in season at the local markets

We love corn on the cob! It's especially good when you can by it fresh from the farm stand. We had some nice corn growing in our veggie garden this year until the squirels got a hold of it!

) Katharina could get a scoop of ice cream with it – non-dairy ice cream made with rice milk (called ricedream). And she jumped at this offer. I think she really enjoyed her dessert!

I honestly don’t remember, whether I liked the desert, or whether I was just so happy that there was a dessert offering for me, that was no sorbet or fresh fruit. But I’m quite sure I found it too sweet. Why do they put sugar on top of a cookie crust?

I have never tried Ricedream. Maybe my DD would like it she has a bit of lactose intolerance.

And the answer to the question in the title of this chapter: Eddie really brought the magic for us into that otherwise really cold day!

Just before we were leaving our server came over and made an announcement to everyone in our small room (I think three or four other tables, two of them rather large). She announced that it was Katharina's 35th birthday and she had requested that everyone should sing Happy Birthday to her. The people happily obliged and she got a really bad choir singing to her. I wonder whether she was secretly scheming to kill me at this point?

Happy Birthday Katharina! Was it your actually birthday?

It was a nice surprise at this point, because we were not in the big dining room and most of the other people in this smaller room seemed not to be disturbed by someone wanting them to sing for a stranger. They were all smiling and some even shouting some congratulations afterwards. For me this was a very American Disney moment.

After another very cold boat ride back to the MK we had to get some more pictures taken of us:

(I think this border went really well with the color of the castle!)

Love the pictures, I like the one with the red border best to.

Sounds like you had a nice day even though it was cold. We really did have some odd weather last winter even here in Wisconsin. Not sure how it will be this winter. It's been rather warm still here. So maybe a warmer winter than normal?

 

[If U Had Wings]

I love the store at AKL too. It seems to be one of the few resort stores that really ties in to the hotel it's in. One of my favorite souveniers is a carved giraffe wine bottle stopper. Everytime I use it I remember staying at the AKL.

I agree with you too about how cold it is out on those boats. In December I thought I was going to freeze taking those boats across the lake. Brrrr!