I think I gained 5 pounds at the Food & Wine Festival - An Oct 2012 TR **NEW 3/18**

[wiigirl]

Awesome!

 

[khertz]

Sounds like y'all had a really fun day!! Still have never made it to a Disney water park, but we did love Winter Summerland when we did it for the first time a few years ago. Loved all the little touches on the winter course! I was sad we didn't have time or energy to try the summer side. Maybe on a future trip!

 

[jenny105]

Sounds like a fun day! I used to love Water Parks as a kid but haven't been to one in many many years! Maybe someday! (I have lots of Maybe Somedays lol!)

I love water parks but ten years from now I don't know if I'll be able to go down those slides. They're already starting to hurt

Awesome!

Sounds like y'all had a really fun day!! Still have never made it to a Disney water park, but we did love Winter Summerland when we did it for the first time a few years ago. Loved all the little touches on the winter course! I was sad we didn't have time or energy to try the summer side. Maybe on a future trip!

I like the last hole where you get to watch a video from Santa. Super cute!

 

[klacey1]

Ahh, I can't look at a picture of Summit Plummet without shuddering! Props to you for doing it haha. I have no plans to EVER.
:-( for the hockey hole at Winter Summerland. I can't wait to see your AoA pictures-- everything I've heard about the resort has been amazing.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Loved the photos at the mini golf area. Every time I go to Disney, I think I will try them. Never find the time! But it really does look very nice. Glad you felt better the next day.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

glad you liked the water park, we always enjoy them...and yes summit plummit usually hurts, but i still think it is worth it.

the family tube slide is our favorite there.

 

[Imagineer5]

What a nice relaxing day!! Looks like fun, we really need to build in time at the water parks and mini golfing. Maybe next June when Aria is a bit older. Never heard of the breakfast place, but glad it was good!

 

[jenny105]

What a nice relaxing day!! Looks like fun, we really need to build in time at the water parks and mini golfing. Maybe next June when Aria is a bit older. Never heard of the breakfast place, but glad it was good!

It was a laid back kind of day. It's always a plus to have some of those in Disney World!

glad you liked the water park, we always enjoy them...and yes summit plummit usually hurts, but i still think it is worth it.

the family tube slide is our favorite there.

Summit Plummet left me with a bruise on my leg. That was my souvenir from Blizzard Beach.

Loved the photos at the mini golf area. Every time I go to Disney, I think I will try them. Never find the time! But it really does look very nice. Glad you felt better the next day.

Hopefully next time you can squeeze in a game of mini-golf!

Ahh, I can't look at a picture of Summit Plummet without shuddering! Props to you for doing it haha. I have no plans to EVER.
:-( for the hockey hole at Winter Summerland. I can't wait to see your AoA pictures-- everything I've heard about the resort has been amazing.

It was pretty scary. I saw little kids going down it like 'weeeeeeee!' Meanwhile I'm all 'I can't see the bottom!'
BTW, Operation Hat Trick was AWESOME! If they do something else like that I'm kidnapping you and you're coming with me.

 

[jenny105]

When I l left off Kris had won the mini-golf match and we were headed to check out the new Art of Animation resort. I’ll be honest when I heard about this resort I was super excited…until I saw the rooms. Eyesore. If I had kids, I’m sure they’d love it but I don’t and see no reason to stay here. First because if it’s just me & Kris we don’t need a suite. I can stay at a mod for those prices. And second, if I did decide to stay here I’d have to settle for a Little Mermaid room. Lemme just tell you, Ariel annoys the crap out of me. I think she’s a whiny brat. So you will find no pictures of the LM section here because I didn’t even bother. But on with the rest of the tour!

End rant.

Welcome to the Art of Animation resort.

The lobby

I noticed all the pools at AoA are fenced in. You can’t get in without a room key. Or unless you just wait for someone to exit and sneak in.

Mine, mine!

Wandering over to the Cars section. I thought everything here was really cute. I loved that you could pose with all the characters.

Hey, that looks familiar! My go to hotel. Seriously when people come in and ask me to book them at a value resort I don’t even ask which one. I put them here. You want an All Star resort? Nope.

Cutting back through the Nemo section. Hi Crush!

My favorite section. The Lion King is one of my all time favorite movies.

Elephant Graveyard

Asante sana squash banana!

After touring AoA we decided it was unbearably hot and returned to AKL for some pool time. We got back to the resort around 3:45 and hung out at the pool until 6ish before going back to our room. I was happy to see some animals from our balcony.

We had enough time to shower before we had to head back out again for our Ohana ADR. Here we are ready to go!

We absolutely love Ohana. The food is yummy, the drinks are strong, and the atmosphere is fun. I made a late reservation specifically for the chance to watch Wishes from there. I love that they dim the lights and pipe in the music when they’re ready for show time. We had a table in the aisle (close enough for the coconuts to hit my feet during the race lol) but close enough to the window where we could see Wishes. Dessert came just in time for us to enjoy the show.

The must-do drink of any Ohana visit – a Lapu Lapu!

After dinner we were stuffed and decided to take a walk around the hotel. Poly is my dream resort and I’d love to stay there one day but Kris doesn’t like it half as much as I do. He loved that AKL was so remote & quiet and didn’t like that Poly is right in the middle of the action. I’m sure I can get him to change his mind! We looked around the gift shops for a bit & Kris bought his mom Mickey slippers & then we walked around the resort. We immediately got lost on the trails and it took us about 15 minutes to find our way back to the main building. So we had a nice scenic tour of the Poly before returning to AKL and turning in for the night.

Stay tuned for day 5!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

wish i knew you were going to AoA on that afternoon, we were scheduled to be in MK all day but something happened and we headed back to the room early...we spent the rest of the day at the hotel.

nothing better than ohana...we love there food as well.

enjoyed the update, candi would like that mickey dress you were wearing where did you get it.

 

[khertz]

Great pictures of AoA, and I even laughed at your Little Mermaid rant (even though I love that movie & Ariel!)

I really like all of the movies they chose when doing the resort's themeing, but I think if I were going to stay there, I'd pick the Lion King section!

Sounds like you had a great dinner at 'Ohana. It must be so nice to be there during the fireworks. The Poly is my dream resort too. Maybe one day, if we win the lottery...

 

[jenny105]

wish i knew you were going to AoA on that afternoon, we were scheduled to be in MK all day but something happened and we headed back to the room early...we spent the rest of the day at the hotel.

nothing better than ohana...we love there food as well.

enjoyed the update, candi would like that mickey dress you were wearing where did you get it.

I wish I knew! It would've been nice to meet up!

I got that dress at the Contemporary gift shop back in 2010. Not sure if they still sell it! They had a bunch of different colors.

Great pictures of AoA, and I even laughed at your Little Mermaid rant (even though I love that movie & Ariel!)

I really like all of the movies they chose when doing the resort's themeing, but I think if I were going to stay there, I'd pick the Lion King section!

Sounds like you had a great dinner at 'Ohana. It must be so nice to be there during the fireworks. The Poly is my dream resort too. Maybe one day, if we win the lottery...

I just don't like her. She's a princess. What's she have to complain about? Oh I want to be a human. Shut up.

Those are my thoughts on the Poly exactly. I wish they had a DVC section so I could rent points & save some money but it's practically the only resort that doesn't!

 

[jenny105]

I cannot believe it's December already. I left for Disney World over two months ago. Really? I need to start planning another trip...

The holidays are upon us. I am stressed as I'm sure most of you are too. I love Christmas but it's so much work for ONE DAY. Plus my Mom & sister's birthdays are both in December (on the same day!) so that's another mini-holiday that coincides with the big one. My mom and I are going to see Newsies on Wednesday in NYC and I'm going to treat her for dinner for her birthday while we're there. I think she decided on Bubba Gump so that's where we'll be headed. We're also going to walk around and look at the decorations because she hasn't seen them in a long time. Then I'm going back into the city on Friday night because I bought my sister A Christmas Story: The Musical tickets for her birthday present. Busy, busy, busy! But fun!

On with the TR!

After our relaxing non-park (unless you count Blizzard Beach, I don’t) day it was time for another big park day!

Hmm. It looks like I’m taking a picture of that woman and her kid.

We had a breakfast ADR at Tusker House for 10AM. Since we had a little bit of time to kill we walked right by TH and headed toward Kilamanjaro Safari for a fastpass. I believe the return time was between 10:45-11:45 so that worked out perfectly.

We checked in for our ADR, took our picture with Donald (which came out blurry so we didn’t buy it), and were seated in a little back room with about five tables. I thought for sure the characters would forget all about this room because we were the only two people in it! Our server came over, poured us some delicious jungle juice, and when we came back with our food the room was full. That was quick!

Daisy came around first. She gave Kris a kiss!

Then Goofy. I love that his whiskers are blocking half of Kris’s face.

And the big cheese himself.

Donald never came around since he was outside taking pictures. Bummer. I should’ve asked for a picture with my own camera. Oh well.

After breakfast we headed straight for KS to use our fastpasses. I noticed a band outside Tusker House.

I have to say, Animal Kingdom is a great park. There isn’t a whole lot to do and I consider it a half day park but the theming is top notch. The other parks do not come close to the detail. It’s beautiful!

We boarded our truck right away and we were off on our safari!

Hippos got the life.

So do crocodiles.

Pretty close to our truck. In all honesty I was a little sick of seeing giraffes by the end of this trip LOL.

AND OMG! The picture to end all KS pictures! The male lion. AWAKE. Never thought I’d see the day.

Mufasa? Simba?

After KS we grabbed fastpasses for Everest and headed in the direction of Dinosaur. We got there only to find out it was down so we decided to see Finding Nemo: The Musical to kill time. This was my second time seeing the show and I love it. I hope all of you are singing ‘In a big blue world…’ like I am now.

After Nemo it was our EE fastpass time so jumped in line. The little girl in front of me had never been on it before and kept asking me all kinds of questions. She was a little scared and I didn’t want to give anything away so I told her it’s not scary but watch out for surprises! She ended up in front of us on the train and told me she loved it afterward. So cute!

After EE Kris and I decided to head back over to Dinosaur to see if it had re-opened. It had and the wait was only 10 minutes! Dinosaur is one of the best photo ops in all of Walt Disney World. I’m expecting it but the people who have never been on the ride before? Priceless! I love it.

After Dinosaur it was time for It’s Tough to be a Bug. I have so many pictures of myself in these glasses. It passes the time while you’re waiting for the doors to open.

It’s Tough to be a Bug is a favorite of mine too because of the effects. Especially the end. I always tell clients to be wary of it. If your kids don’t like bugs, stay away!

After that we decided to head back to the hotel. I’ll leave you here. Stay tuned for another poolside afternoon and dinner in Epcot…

 

[klacey1]

BTW, Operation Hat Trick was AWESOME! If they do something else like that I'm kidnapping you and you're coming with me.

YES PLEASE! Zach was being a grump (a non-DIS appropriate word would be a better fit here ) and didn't want to make the drive on Thanksgiving weekend. I'm glad YOU got to enjoy it though!!

I'm with you on Christmas; this year especially seems stressful and hectic! I'll be in the city too on Friday--now that I don't work there anymore, I had to take a day off to go down there and go shopping. I have to go into the NHL store to get a gift for Zach's brother That will be depressing!

I think the architecture around the AoA is amazing-- so many great photo ops! I love that they included the elephant graveyard.

The pic of you and Kris ready for Ohana is a great one! I love the Poly, too, but Zach doesn't. Those silly men!

I love Kris's Epcot t-shirt!! They released some great stuff for the 30th anniversary.

You got a great lion shot-- rare moment!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

your AK day sound like everything fit right in when you needed it to. did you make any of the shows? and a great shot of the lion well done.

 

[Taya]

I seiously know!

 

[khertz]

I just don't like her. She's a princess. What's she have to complain about? Oh I want to be a human. Shut up.

Just so you know, I've had a cough coming on the past few days and when I read this I laughed so hard it sent me into a coughing fit!! I still like Ariel, but when you put it that way, you're totally right!!!

Anyway, on to the update, it looks like you had a great morning in AK!! You are so right about the themeing there, AK just blows the other parks out of the water. Since taking Paxton on trips there and learning to take it more slow, we have come to appreciate that park so much more!

That is a great shot you got of the lion! DH always tries and tries, but we have never been that lucky. We have seen him awake, but usually obscured by rocks or bushes. That one you got needs a frame! And a certificate from Disney of some sort!!

How did you like the food at Tusker House? DH was not too impressed with the food or service at our 'Ohana breakfast on our trip, and I'm hunting around for another character breakfast to try. It kind of loses major points for Donald not being one of the circulating characters though...

 

[jenny105]

YES PLEASE! Zach was being a grump (a non-DIS appropriate word would be a better fit here ) and didn't want to make the drive on Thanksgiving weekend. I'm glad YOU got to enjoy it though!!

I'm with you on Christmas; this year especially seems stressful and hectic! I'll be in the city too on Friday--now that I don't work there anymore, I had to take a day off to go down there and go shopping. I have to go into the NHL store to get a gift for Zach's brother That will be depressing!

I think the architecture around the AoA is amazing-- so many great photo ops! I love that they included the elephant graveyard.

The pic of you and Kris ready for Ohana is a great one! I love the Poly, too, but Zach doesn't. Those silly men!

I love Kris's Epcot t-shirt!! They released some great stuff for the 30th anniversary.

You got a great lion shot-- rare moment!

Hank looked like he was in mid-season form at the game. Brodeur looked like if the puck were a cheeseburger, he might have considered stopping it. I'm hoping for some good news by the weekend regarding the NHL. They have been meeting for 3 days straight. That's gotta be a good sign right?

We need to go to a Rangers game together. We'd have so much fun!

I ended buying an Epcot shirt too. We bought them that night we were there thinking they wouldn't be around later in the week. We were wrong.

your AK day sound like everything fit right in when you needed it to. did you make any of the shows? and a great shot of the lion well done.

We saw the Nemo show but that was it. Thanks!

Just so you know, I've had a cough coming on the past few days and when I read this I laughed so hard it sent me into a coughing fit!! I still like Ariel, but when you put it that way, you're totally right!!!

Anyway, on to the update, it looks like you had a great morning in AK!! You are so right about the themeing there, AK just blows the other parks out of the water. Since taking Paxton on trips there and learning to take it more slow, we have come to appreciate that park so much more!

That is a great shot you got of the lion! DH always tries and tries, but we have never been that lucky. We have seen him awake, but usually obscured by rocks or bushes. That one you got needs a frame! And a certificate from Disney of some sort!!

How did you like the food at Tusker House? DH was not too impressed with the food or service at our 'Ohana breakfast on our trip, and I'm hunting around for another character breakfast to try. It kind of loses major points for Donald not being one of the circulating characters though...

Sorry I sent you into a coughing fit. But seriously. She's so annoying!!!

I was shocked to see the lion. We NEVER see him. He's always sleeping and nowhere to be found. He was just chillin that day! I feel like I deserve some sort of a congratulations from Disney.

I like Tusker House. The buffet is in separate room when you first walk in so you're not seated right on top of it. They have the usual buffet type food - mickey waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, etc. The juice there is delicious and I've never had an issue with the service. We've been there twice and the first time I was there Donald WAS circulating so maybe it's just luck.

 

[Pixie*Pirate]

All caught up and loving it!

 

[jenny105]

All caught up and loving it!

Glad to hear it!