Hakuna Kidani, What a Turtleful Phrase!

[MeMom]

I so enjoy your reports! And I love your consistency. I've gone through job changes and adding a new little one to our family so my DIS time has ebbed and flowed, but any time I come back to the DIS, no matter how long I've been away, there is a MeMom trip report waiting for me. I love to see how the girls have grown and changed over the years and I love witnessing your relationship with them and especially with Jill - I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of the mother/daughter relationship you two have. I've also spent countless hours reading old MeMom trip reports (when I've had the time) so I can see what fun I've missed while I've been away.

If it wasn't for you and your reports, I don't think we ever would have stayed at Pop! You are the one who put it so prominently on my radar. I also have you to thank for a little bite of heaven a got to have this past weekend - chocolate and caramel covered pineapple from Karamell Kuche in Germany. I don't think you've mentioned that particular snack, but your reports are why I ended up in Karamell Kuche in the first place!

I know there are many more MeMom touches in our Disney trips, I'll try to share them as I think of them. Your reports do have a positive impact. Thanks for taking the time to write them and share with all of us!

In our first report, Brooklynn was younger than Sophie is now, so a lot of people have watched her grow up right here. Bella wasn't even around, so our Distown friends waited for her arrival with us and then celebrated her entrance to this world. So many people encouraged and supported us through Jill's trauma when Sophie came along. We have met many of you face-to-face, but we feel like we know so many others of you that we have never met, too, just from you being here and being so kind to us so many times.

You have me thinking about chocolate and caramel covered pineapple now. Do you remember the price? I need to start making a list of things I want to be sure to do this time, and that just might have to be on it!

I'm still VERY interested! You know this but I love your reports, it gives us the bit of Disney we need to have in our daily lives!

I used to be able to check in on DIS happenings daily, but now it's more like every 2-3 days. Just catching up our own report is about the best I can do sometime, but then I feel guilty. I feel like I am so out of the loop on other people's reports, and I don't even attempt to keep up with any pre-trip writings.

I love your trip reports! I love how everyone becomes so close over the reports. I love reading about your Disney adventures.

We have made some wonderful friendships here. We have even had some instances in which readers have met each other here, found similarities in locations, likes, etc., and become really good friends, even to the point of being in each others' weddings! That's pretty cool, I think.

This is awesome news.

I have had very little DIS time in the last couple months and I am slowly, but surely, catching up on everyone's TR (including my own).

Love all your Poly pics and I know I've said this a million time, but you take the BEST gift shop pics.

We are in the same boat, MEK. Life has been very busy. I have a three day break next week, so I hope to cozy up with my computer and do a lot of catching up.

I am looking forward to lots of gift shop picture-taking next month. We'll be looking at Christmas things here (on the new report) until July!

We are all busy but come here for the company, companionship, and to hang with other people who get it.
It truly is DIStown where we gather to share news, both good and bad. We gather to celebrate and mourn, to teach and learn.

We welcome others as they join us and miss those who have gotten too busy to stop in.Thank You, Thank You, Thank You MeMom and Jill for creating such a warm and inviting place to hang out.

I used to refer to it as DIStown, because everyone was actually here in this place. So many have kind of wandered off to FB only now, so I kind of changed it in my mind to Distown. Even though they are not on the DIS, they are still very much a part of our Disney town. I do miss the 'chat' here, though, from so many who don't have the time to be here any more. It is nice to keep up the friendships through FB.

We are a community in its own right, and we have shared the triumphs and tragedies that come to all of us. It may not be as active as it used to be, but Distown is still a nice place to hang out. We have the ability to gather 'round the fireplace in a cyberspace community center (I'm thinking ours is like the lobby of Wilderness Lodge ) , but I am sorry we don't have the physical proximity that would be helpful sometimes. Just like with your surgery this week - Jill and I would have been at your doorstep with a meal, for sure.

I love the picture that you got of the zebra rolling around in the dirt. How awesome! I mean, I know my dog does that, but a zebra? Hilarious.

I will always love your reports and check on them regularly, even if I don't comment all of the time. I love this community that we have.

I know! I had never seen a zebra roll around in the dirt. I mean, I know many animals do that, but I had never been able to see a zebra do so in person.

We are glad you are a part of our little town. Wouldn't it be fun to have everyone under one big roof with long tables full of good food for a Distown Thanksgiving feast this weekend?

More wonderful pictures around the Poly.

And great animal pictures...especially the giraffes (my favorite).

Two sleepy girls...but such cute ones.

I have not seen enough of my girls lately. Between their busy party/activity schedule and my job having me work Saturdays right now, we just haven't been able to hook up. I will see them next Sunday, but only for the day. I don't envy those who live far away from their grandbabies. Even just two hours away is not fun sometimes.

The next time I enter Poly with my camera, there will be Christmas trees and wreaths, beach style!

There were plenty of giraffes to watch from our balcony. It was a fabulous location!







Hope everyone has a good day ahead! More pictures tomorrow night.

 

[lovedonaldduck]

I don't remember exactly how much the chocolate and caramel covered pineapple was - I'm pretty sure it was under $5. I'm thinking $3.45, $3.95, or $4.45 but those could all be wrong. According to the menu on touringplans.com it is $4.79

 

[Wicket's Mom]

MeMom I'm new to your TRs, but I've noticed your name on others I keep up with. Don't stop writing your report as there are many of us following along enjoying the read.

I like your sentiments about the people of the Dis as that is the way I feel also.

My granddaughters are 15 hours away from me so,I see them once a year. They visited this past summer for two weeks. We took them to WDW in 2011 for their first trip.

I loved watching the animals from our balcony on our last trip. DH became very happy with Disney because of his liking of AKL club level, now he says we can travel here every year if I want!

 

[crzy4mickey]

MEMOM!! Don't ever stop writing your trip reports! EVER!! I started reading your trip reports and liked them so much I had to go back and read them all! Baby and the Tramp and a Pop half Century, Brooklyn takes Bella to meet Cinderella, Mother May I and Red light Green Light She's out of site just to name a few! We may not always reply but I check for updates faithfully. I thoroughly enjoy them. Thank you so much for taking the time to write them and keeping Disney alive for me between trips! Also keeping up with the family stuff, weddings, new babies, saying a prayer for a stranger just because they need one...love it all!

 

[disneyfan61]

Hi MeMom I am here. It was a week ago today that I had my surgery and came home Tuesday. Still have strong pain in one area but incisions are healing well. Visiting nurses came Wed. And today. I thought I would be further behind here but all caught up now.

You now I have a package of those coconut patties that I have not opened yet. Have you had yours?

You know we absolutely love your trip reports and will never allow you to stop right? .

I love shopping through the gift shops with you.

I made my ADR's on Monday from my hospital bed for our May trip. I think my roommate thought I was crazy.

 

[MeMom]

I don't remember exactly how much the chocolate and caramel covered pineapple was - I'm pretty sure it was under $5. I'm thinking $3.45, $3.95, or $4.45 but those could all be wrong. According to the menu on touringplans.com it is $4.79

I will be checking it out. I love fruit, anyway, so that sounds interesting. I guess it depends on the size - if it looks like it's worth five bucks, or if I am having a fruit craving at that time. I enjoy going in there to browse, but I can only eat a bite or two of sweet things at one time. It takes me 2-3 days to nibble away a big Disney cookie, so I don't buy them very often. Although I will say, the white chocolate macadamia ones at Writer's Stop - I can do some damage to those pretty quickly!

MeMom I'm new to your TRs, but I've noticed your name on others I keep up with. Don't stop writing your report as there are many of us following along enjoying the read.

I like your sentiments about the people of the Dis as that is the way I feel also.

My granddaughters are 15 hours away from me so,I see them once a year. They visited this past summer for two weeks. We took them to WDW in 2011 for their first trip.

I loved watching the animals from our balcony on our last trip. DH became very happy with Disney because of his liking of AKL club level, now he says we can travel here every year if I want!

I'm sure that Disney trip holds many treasured memories!

It's nice that your husband is on board with future Disney trips. Maybe your granddaughters could fly in and meet you there sometimes.

MEMOM!! Don't ever stop writing your trip reports! EVER!! I started reading your trip reports and liked them so much I had to go back and read them all! Baby and the Tramp and a Pop half Century, Brooklyn takes Bella to meet Cinderella, Mother May I and Red light Green Light She's out of site just to name a few! We may not always reply but I check for updates faithfully. I thoroughly enjoy them. Thank you so much for taking the time to write them and keeping Disney alive for me between trips! Also keeping up with the family stuff, weddings, new babies, saying a prayer for a stranger just because they need one...love it all!

We are glad that you have enjoyed the reports. Just the mention of the old reports has me wanting to go back and scroll through some of them. We have had such good times on our trips.

It does take time to write a report and put up the pictures, and don't have so much extra of that these days. I very much enjoy writing when I can, but it's just not as consistent as it used to be. I intended to put up pictures last night, but my eyes were closing on me about 8:30. I have to work today, but I will put more up this evening. I got a good night's sleep, so I am feeling more refreshed.

Hi MeMom I am here. It was a week ago today that I had my surgery and came home Tuesday. Still have strong pain in one area but incisions are healing well. Visiting nurses came Wed. And today. I thought I would be further behind here but all caught up now.

You now I have a package of those coconut patties that I have not opened yet. Have you had yours?

You know we absolutely love your trip reports and will never allow you to stop right? .

I love shopping through the gift shops with you.

I made my ADR's on Monday from my hospital bed for our May trip. I think my roommate thought I was crazy.

Good to see you here. I worked four days this week, so nothing much has happened here. More this evening, though.

I ate one coconut Mickey one day and another about a week later. I gave the other package to my guidance counselor at school. Her son is a DVC member, and about three years ago he took her down there. She was amazed, and since then, she wants to talk Disney every chance she gets. She oohs and aahs about everything I tell her about our trips and wants to go back so badly. She is in her 60's, and her mother is in her 80's. The mother lives in TX, so every school break we get, she goes to TX. Her son got married at Aulani, and she fell in love with that place, too. I know she would love to go to WDW again, so I try to bring her back a touch of Disney from every trip. She has a coffee mug and some office supplies I have brought her back from other trips. I didn't want to be selfish with the sweet gift you gave me, so I forwarded a bar to her. She was thrilled! So, your kind thought made two people happy.

I see nothing crazy about making May meal plans. I am already formulating a 'to do' list for July.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Poly and AKL are two of my favorite Disney resorts. You got some great Poly pics, and I love the Ohana breakfast, especially the juice!

I guess it is strange for some non-Disney people to believe a resort like AKL exists. They sure are missing out on a wonderful experience and you captured some great pictures of what they are missing! The pictures of the zebra are priceless!

 

[MeMom]

Poly and AKL are two of my favorite Disney resorts. You got some great Poly pics, and I love the Ohana breakfast, especially the juice!

I guess it is strange for some non-Disney people to believe a resort like AKL exists. They sure are missing out on a wonderful experience and you captured some great pictures of what they are missing! The pictures of the zebra are priceless!

We need to do an 'Ohana breakfast again. Brooklynn was the only kid here when we went, and she was so little that she doesn't remember it.

Unlike the majority, I am not such a fan of that juice. I drink mostly water in every day life, so it tastes extremely sweet to my taste buds.

People who have not experienced how cool Disney resorts are have certainly missing something, in my opinion!




****************************************

Do you think I took enough pictures of Kidani animals?



I guess I knew the view from my room at home was not going to be quite so incredible, and I was storing up some of the incredibleness.







Cheena's dad, Ed, met us in the lobby to drop of some posters she had found that were left in a house she had moved into.



I failed to get a picture of Ed.









The girls went to let Mr. Froggy out.







Now we are on our way to Downtown Disney.

 

[MeMom]

Some favorite Disney statues.



I don't know how Donald can stay grumpy around this little girl.



Pins.























One of the best gifts ever - Disney gift cards!!!

 

[caralyn817]

Thanks, MeMom for the update and pictures. It definitely lifted my spirits this morning as I had to make the tough decision and cancel our December trip this morning. Financially, we just couldn't do it in December. I'll be waiting for the next trip report and of course possibly updates on Facebook to get me through until our trip in March. Oh yeah, I sent Jill a text yesterday. The girls will be getting a little something from Bayleigh and I this week. I hope they enjoy it.

 

[MotherandDaughter]

I love the Disney Halloween poster!
Enjoyed the update!

 

[Valgoof]

Yes Disney gift cards ARE the best gift!! . I was discussing Christmas gift ideas with my mom yesterday, and I told her we wanted Disney gift cards for our Feb trip. She said, they have those?! Lol, yes mom they have those. I discovered my Disney love as an adult so my mom does not quite understand it.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Please count me amongst those still very much interested in your trip reports. I really love hearing about your trips as well as real life updates from everyone in Distown.

One thing I'm finding is that while technology is helping me to keep up on things it is inhibiting my commenting. I just find it so hard to type out a long response on my phone. So I have been following along as best I can and commenting in my head, if that makes any sense.

I know how much work it takes to keep TRs up and really appreciate all you and Jill do to create such a fun one. I will try to do a better job of "vocally" following along.

Animal Kingdom Lodge really is a beautiful resort. I've only stayed there once, quite some time ago, and you are making me think it is time to go back!

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Let's say I struggle with attaching pictures to Disboards, still, after all these years. I apologize if this is huge, but I came across this picture of a sign that would greet folks after they got off the Verrazano Bridge, and came into Brooklyn. For those not old enough to get the reference, this was a Jackie Gleason tag line, and the Honeymooners was set in Brooklyn. Thought your sweet little Brooklynn might appreciate it. Please PM your email if you want me to send a link. Deb

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Ooh, I want the Si & Am pin! I'm trying to get mostly kitty pins, now I'm sorry I didn't look at pins this last trip.

 

[KatMark]

More wonderful animal pictures at AKL.

Love the pictures of the girls letting Mr. Frog go.

I need to spend more time at the pin shop; I've not seen the new Storybook Circus Dumbo pin...must get that for my Dumbo loving husband.

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I'm so glad that you are writing these reports, if you didn't how would I remember my own vacations?
I had completely forgotten about mr. froggy in the cup....
The girls really wanted to take that little guy home.

I agree that these reports are time consuming and that's why I stopped writing them. I would get a post all ready to go and "poof" I'd lose it!
In retrospect, it all should be done in word and the copied and pasted onto the DIS.
Oh well.
We have trips coming up very soon, luckily we will get to see each other but sadly not for very long.

Have made even more changes to the summer trip. I need to fill you in.

 

[danielle79]

I love reading all about your family in your trip reports, please don't abandon the Dis and go to Facebook, I don't FB and would be very sad! I feel like I could be your daughter MeMom and I have 3 girls of my own just like Jill. We stayed at AKL about 11 years ago and it was the coolest to get up and sit on the patio and watch the animals! You are inspiring me to do a TR this time and possibly a PTR!

 

[Poolrat]

Loving the AKL animal pictures.
Can't wait to be back there.

I am hoping for nice weather.... not too cold but cool enough for some good animal activity.

 

[MeMom]

Thanks, MeMom for the update and pictures. It definitely lifted my spirits this morning as I had to make the tough decision and cancel our December trip this morning. Financially, we just couldn't do it in December. I'll be waiting for the next trip report and of course possibly updates on Facebook to get me through until our trip in March. Oh yeah, I sent Jill a text yesterday. The girls will be getting a little something from Bayleigh and I this week. I hope they enjoy it.

How sweet! I'm excited to see what the surprise is!

So, let's make a deal - we'll get you through December with lots of pictures, and you return the favor in March. We had our first really cold day yesterday at 23 degrees. I do not do well in the cold. I do not like the cold. I despise/hate/loathe/detest/am not fond of the cold. Are you getting the picture? The only good thing about the cold is that it eventually rolls into March, when I go to Disney World to thaw out and recover. Not happening next year. I have to wait for Tennessee to warm me up in more like late April, and I have to make it all the way to July for our next Disney trip. This is not helping my mental attitude and abilities to fight through the cold that is about to settle in here. Soooo, it will help me a great deal if you and others send me lots of palm tree and flower pictures in March.

I love the Disney Halloween poster!
Enjoyed the update!

It was very nice for Cheena to think of us for the posters.

Glad you enjoyed the update. We are almost finished, and I guess we'll start the new one before we leave so that we can post live updates.

Yes Disney gift cards ARE the best gift!! I was discussing Christmas gift ideas with my mom yesterday, and I told her we wanted Disney gift cards for our Feb trip. She said, they have those?! Lol, yes mom they have those. I discovered my Disney love as an adult so my mom does not quite understand it.

Disney gift cards and anything the girls make = happy gifts for me.

Please count me amongst those still very much interested in your trip reports. I really love hearing about your trips as well as real life updates from everyone in Distown.

One thing I'm finding is that while technology is helping me to keep up on things it is inhibiting my commenting. I just find it so hard to type out a long response on my phone. So I have been following along as best I can and commenting in my head, if that makes any sense.

I know how much work it takes to keep TRs up and really appreciate all you and Jill do to create such a fun one. I will try to do a better job of "vocally" following along.

Animal Kingdom Lodge really is a beautiful resort. I've only stayed there once, quite some time ago, and you are making me think it is time to go back!

I will say that after a few unusual incidents, we scaled way back on the personal stuff and have kept it much more totally Disney trip related. I enjoy the personal aspects of reports, and I think it takes some of the coziness and camaraderie out of them, but sometimes there are people who want to invade privacy or be mean-spirited, so it was best to scale it back.

I am glad you are still reading. Occasionally, I think no one has said anything in a long time, so maybe everyone is just tired of hearing about the same old people, which is understandable. I can look back at old reports and be reminded of old friends who have disappeared, and I wonder how they are.

Even if you don't stay there, you can always go back to AKL for a visit and maybe a meal.

Let's say I struggle with attaching pictures to Disboards, still, after all these years. I apologize if this is huge, but I came across this picture of a sign that would greet folks after they got off the Verrazano Bridge, and came into Brooklyn. For those not old enough to get the reference, this was a Jackie Gleason tag line, and the Honeymooners was set in Brooklyn. Thought your sweet little Brooklynn might appreciate it. Please PM your email if you want me to send a link. Deb

We will be sure Brooklynn sees 'her' special welcome sign! She will think it's cool. Thanks for thinking of her!

Ooh, I want the Si & Am pin! I'm trying to get mostly kitty pins, now I'm sorry I didn't look at pins this last trip.

Looking at pins is a fun activity. I usually get between one and three per trip.

More wonderful animal pictures at AKL.

Love the pictures of the girls letting Mr. Frog go.

I need to spend more time at the pin shop; I've not seen the new Storybook Circus Dumbo pin...must get that for my Dumbo loving husband.

I'm so glad that you are writing these reports, if you didn't how would I remember my own vacations?
I had completely forgotten about mr. froggy in the cup....
The girls really wanted to take that little guy home.

I agree that these reports are time consuming and that's why I stopped writing them. I would get a post all ready to go and "poof" I'd lose it!
In retrospect, it all should be done in word and the copied and pasted onto the DIS.
Oh well.
We have trips coming up very soon, luckily we will get to see each other but sadly not for very long.

Have made even more changes to the summer trip. I need to fill you in.

I enjoy writing them when I have the time and am not exhausted, but those times are few and far between these days. This is going to be a good week for catching up on the DIS, since I only work two days.

Yeah, fill me in on the summer changes. Our dates will probably stay as what I told you last - Wednesday for me and the big girls, with Jill, John, and Sophie following on Friday night or Saturday morning.

I love reading all about your family in your trip reports, please don't abandon the Dis and go to Facebook, I don't FB and would be very sad! I feel like I could be your daughter MeMom and I have 3 girls of my own just like Jill. We stayed at AKL about 11 years ago and it was the coolest to get up and sit on the patio and watch the animals! You are inspiring me to do a TR this time and possibly a PTR!

Well, I wanted five kids, so come on and join us!

I think I wrote on FB one day how cool it was to be sitting on the balcony watching a zebra and a crowned crane play tag.

I think we did one PTR, but I don't remember for which trip. I can barely keep up with actual trip reports, so I don't even try to keep up with pre-trips. Be sure you let us know if/when you do a trip report, though.

Loving the AKL animal pictures.
Can't wait to be back there.

I am hoping for nice weather.... not too cold but cool enough for some good animal activity.

Me, too. I hope it is not super cold. I hope it is steady, though, so that I only have to pack a certain set of clothes. If it's all over the place, I will have to take warm weather and cold weather stuff, which includes lots of different shoes, and with my huge feet and the over-sized shoes I have to buy because they are bad, that fills a suitcase fast.