It’s Not Christmas Till We Visit The Mouse! Dec. 2006

[KangaFan]

Really enjoying your TR! You're DS is Mikey from Life cereal cute!

 

[S.Poppins]

Hey, I just found this trippie! I loved your other one. I will try to catch up quickly!

 

[S.Poppins]

Okay, I just read your day one where you said that your DS was taking off all his clothes to go to the bathroom. My DS is 7 and still does that if he really needs to spend "time" on the toilet. Very weird. And it use to be really interesting when he stripped at school in the bathroom stall.

 

[PrincessV]

Really enjoying your TR! You're DS is Mikey from Life cereal cute!

Thank you so much! Glad to have you here

Okay, I just read your day one where you said that your DS was taking off all his clothes to go to the bathroom. My DS is 7 and still does that if he really needs to spend "time" on the toilet. Very weird. And it use to be really interesting when he stripped at school in the bathroom stall.

LOL, yeah - Leo started at a new school last fall and they pulled me aside that first week to tell me he was stripping in the stalls every time he went potty. I was like "Oh, did I forget to tell you about that?"
Thanks for joining in!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Well, I loved the first one & here I am on this one. We were there on Dec 2nd at EPCOT & then Dec 7-10 after our Disney Wonder cruise. It was hot when we got there & COLD when we came back from the cruise.
Lovin' your report so far!!!!!!!
Leo is such a cutie-patootie.
I had my LGMH & didn't meet the first DISer

 

[mlill]

Oh no, forget weaning off the DIS once you've entered the TR section. We're all enablers here!

So true! So true! Once you venture over to the TR board, that's it! It starts innocently enough... you read one, maybe two trip reports... and then you finally get the nerve to actually post a comment... and before you know it, you're writing your own trip report... and then the second... all while you are trying to juggle everyone else's TR!!! But you can't help yourself! Everyone is so nice here, especially PrincessV!

OK now get back to work and give us another installment!

-Michelle

 

[Lauralee131]

...Still waiting...

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

...Still waiting...

Me too!

 

[DisneyJo]

And me!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Thank you so much! Glad to have you here



LOL, yeah - Leo started at a new school last fall and they pulled me aside that first week to tell me he was stripping in the stalls every time he went potty. I was like "Oh, did I forget to tell you about that?"
Thanks for joining in!

We have several of those "strippin' potty goers" at our preschool as well. I don't mind as long as they go in the potty and not their pants.

Your light is on.....does that mean we might get another installment?

 

[PrincessV]

Well, I loved the first one & here I am on this one. We were there on Dec 2nd at EPCOT & then Dec 7-10 after our Disney Wonder cruise. It was hot when we got there & COLD when we came back from the cruise.
Lovin' your report so far!!!!!!!
Leo is such a cutie-patootie.
I had my LGMH & didn't meet the first DISer

Thanks so much for joining me! Wasn't the weather so weird that week+? I have to say, I never saw a LGMH while I was there - but others saw mine, so there's hope yet!

So true! So true! Once you venture over to the TR board, that's it! It starts innocently enough... you read one, maybe two trip reports... and then you finally get the nerve to actually post a comment... and before you know it, you're writing your own trip report... and then the second... all while you are trying to juggle everyone else's TR!!! But you can't help yourself! Everyone is so nice here, especially PrincessV!

OK now get back to work and give us another installment!

-Michelle

Awww, thanks Michelle! Wait... are you butterin me up to get another installment posted?!

...Still waiting...

Me too!

And me!

Okay guys... no PRESSURE or anything, right?! School started again this week, but I am working on the TR, albeit slowly.

We have several of those "strippin' potty goers" at our preschool as well. I don't mind as long as they go in the potty and not their pants.

Your light is on.....does that mean we might get another installment?

Ummmm.... maybe?! I need to stay off the DISappearing Peeps thread for a while so I can get something accomplished!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Ummmm.... maybe?! I need to stay off the DISappearing Peeps thread for a while so I can get something accomplished!

Don't stay gone too long, or you will be 50 pages behind!

If you ever need a quick summary let me know, I'll fill you in. I took the weekend off to take care of my new dog, and I found myself 11 pages behind! Boy we talk a lot!

I will wait patiently for that next installment. .....Maybe....

 

[PrincessV]

Day 3 continued
Let’s see, where were we now… oh yes! The V’s had just passed up the AK parade, met pbnjrockette and were heading out of the park for dinner.
But wait…

Wasn’t someone missing???

Poor Pal. We started Day 3 with a vote on whether to bring Pal with us this day.
I lost.

Pal spent his day in the confines of Gramma’s locked suitcase. Because, while she didn’t want him around, she was worried that he’d be stolen if left out in the open. Frankly, I was hoping someone would take him off our hands and give him a home where people actually liked the guy. Whatever.

Back to the AK. As always happens with me, I got us lost trying to find the exit. Does anyone else have this problem? Really, I’ve been to the park no less than a dozen times, and never once successfully found the exit on the first try. I never have this problem at the other parks. I think they hide it purposely to force you to stay and buy more carp. Notice the complete lack of directional signs? And it seems like you’d exit straight back from the tree, but it’s actually a tad to the left. Or right. Or possibly West.

What I mean is, we exited the AK. For about 25 minutes.

But, exit we did, and made our way back to the car and over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Where, for the first time ever, I found a parking space right in front, 3 cars in from the end!! This was shaping up to be the best trip yet for my vehicle.

We’d all been to AKL before, either for an overnight stay or dinner at Jiko, but the lobby never fails to impress. Disney got this one RIGHT, I tell ya’. I always feel transported to a new place when I’m there.

But I didn’t think to take pictures. I think I was getting tired by this time, and my photographic instincts vanish completely when I’m tired. Sorry. There won’t be any from dinner, either. TFI.

We spent some time looking around the lobby, then exited downstairs to get a look at the pool and find the playground. This was my first look at the AKL pool and it’s fabulous! I’d love to go back there for a warm-weather stay. And, with Leo’s penchant for sinking like a rock, the zero-entry makes a nice touch.

We looked out at some of the animals, but Leo had really had enough gazing at things and was in need of a physical outlet, so we headed over to the playground. Leo found a little girl to run around with on the jungle gym and Gramma and I took a load off on a bench. The rocks behind us were playing gentle, soothing African music and I found myself getting sleepier and sleepier…… wait a second, I know that music…. A former CM burned me a CD with the AKL background music and I use it to help Leo get to sleep! No wonder I was nodding off.

It was time to check in for our Boma ADR, so we headed back in. I just love the area outside the restaurants. The subdued lighting, rich woods and flowing waters make me feel so relaxed!

As we were checking in, pbnjrockette and her DH arrived for their ADR! We had about 10 minutes to talk and get to know each other a bit. What a great lady she is! So sweet and friendly, as was her DH. She told me a bit about their experiences at the Poly, (which I won’t share here in the hope that she’ll soon be presenting her own TR for our reading pleasure!), and that they were at WDW celebrating their anniversary. Awww! I’m not sure where the pbnj’s were seated – I didn’t see them from our table – but I did see them a couple more times as they waited in the buffet line. Because the line stretched all the way back to our table, which was NOT near the buffet.

Which brings us to the dinner, itself. One word: YUUUMMMY!!!!! All those rave DIS reviews? Right on target. Everything was delicious, and I’m so sorry that I didn’t write down what we ate, because now I can’t remember and the allearsnet menu is not helping. I DO know I had a flight of S. African red wines and all were fantastic. It was either 3 or four wines, served on a paper placemat that detailed the attributes of each wine. I should have kept the placemat, but I failed on that one, too. Leo, not unexpectedly, enjoyed some spaghetti and chicken tenders, two items he’d not seen on a menu yet this trip. And he was a really, really, REALLY good boy. He finished first, of course, but busied himself looking around the restaurant and commenting on things, and by looking through a little booklet he got at AK. Made MommaV proud!

The only negative of the evening were the Buffet Nazis. I’ve read numerous reports on the DIS about Boma and haven’t seen comments on this, so maybe it was a freak thing that night. But, instead of “grazing” at all the different pods, as Boma is designed to encourage, people insisted on lining up at one end and working their way down. Even though it isn’t really a line buffet at all. Hence the endless line next to our table. We figured people were starting their line at the meat pod, which I had no interest in. So Leo and I walked up to the next pod and tried to get our plates. Nothing doing. The Buffet Nazis parked themselves in front of the plate racks and wouldn’t let us in. One of them gave me a dirty look and told me “The line starts over THERE.” I informed her that this isn’t a traditional buffet and we were all free to roam about the food pods and help ourselves, just like the animals on the savannah. You know – like when the lions “encounter” a wilderbeast and chow down. Didn’t her server explain this? Fortunately, a gentleman next to her, (and not with her), DID get the concept and passed me two plates. Thank you – have a Magical Day! But the poor pbnj’s, and Gramma, wanted some items from the meat station and got stuck waiting behind the Buffet Nazi’s.

Y’know, the thing that really bothered me wasn’t that they didn’t know how it worked. That was the fault of the server or of their own for not paying attention. What bothered me was that I clearly had a 4 year old and was trying to get to the kids’ foods. Regardless of how the buffet worked, it would have been decent to let us in to get some spaghetti. Oh well. The Buffet Nazis probably wound up sitting in front of the Mean Loud Lady later on. You know – Karma and all.

I know you’re wondering, and I’ll now spare you any further wait… we finished off the meal with the infamous Zebra Domes. And yes, they were good. But not the best dessert there. Sorry Zebra Dome fans, but I had some kind of bread pudding that put all other desserts to shame. Even washed down with steaming hot Nescacrap, it was simply divine.

We all three left Boma and the AKL with bulging tummies and huge grins. The family was Happy and ready for another day. We drove back to POR and found…. My perfect parking space still open, just waiting for our return! Did someone sprinkle my car with pixie dust when I wasn’t looking??

This was to be our final night at POR, and we were sad. Crazy, isn’t it? The next night, we’d be sleeping with the upper crust at the Boardwalk, yet we’d have gladly stayed right where we were. And we should have. Really.

Up next: What is that SMELL??????

 

[Lauralee131]

HA HA...DMama - I'm first this time!!

Ok, now I'm gonna go read it!!!

 

[monymony3471]

I just shake my head at those people. You are so right about charma. They'll be the ones waiting in a long line somewhere and you'll just fly by them with your fast pass, right?


I know how to get out of AK, but I think that it's just a long trek back no matter where you are.

 

[Lauralee131]

Yep - another GREAT installment! What a fabulous story-teller you are!

Gotta be honest...I'm missing the pictures though...

And yes, like you, I keep getting lost trying to get out of AK as well! Phew! I thought it was just me!!

Oops...here comes the boss!!

Gotta run!! Back later!!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

HA HA...DMama - I'm first this time!!

Ok, now I'm gonna go read it!!!

Shenanigans!! Shenanigans!!!

I believe in article 12.4 of the Disboards code, you must read the installment before you can post thus claiming to be "FIRST".
Besides, I would have been first if I didn't pause to clean DH's bathroom.

LY, MI!

Day 3 continued

Wasn’t someone missing???

Poor Pal. We started Day 3 with a vote on whether to bring Pal with us this day.
I lost.

Pal spent his day in the confines of Gramma’s locked suitcase. We spent some time looking around the lobby, then exited downstairs to get a look at the pool and find the playground. This was my first look at the AKL pool and it’s fabulous! I’d love to go back there for a warm-weather stay. And, with Leo’s penchant for sinking like a rock, the zero-entry makes a nice touch.

The only negative of the evening were the Buffet Nazis. I’ve read numerous reports on the DIS about Boma and haven’t seen comments on this, so maybe it was a freak thing that night. But, instead of “grazing” at all the different pods, as Boma is designed to encourage, people insisted on lining up at one end and working their way down. Even though it isn’t really a line buffet at all. Hence the endless line next to our table. We figured people were starting their line at the meat pod, which I had no interest in. So Leo and I walked up to the next pod and tried to get our plates. Nothing doing. The Buffet Nazis parked themselves in front of the plate racks and wouldn’t let us in. One of them gave me a dirty look and told me “The line starts over THERE.” I informed her that this isn’t a traditional buffet and we were all free to roam about the food pods and help ourselves, just like the animals on the savannah. You know – like when the lions “encounter” a wilderbeast and chow down. Didn’t her server explain this? Fortunately, a gentleman next to her, (and not with her), DID get the concept and passed me two plates. Thank you – have a Magical Day! But the poor pbnj’s, and Gramma, wanted some items from the meat station and got stuck waiting behind the Buffet Nazi’s.



Up next: What is that SMELL??????

Awww... poor Pal. Locked away in Gramma's suitcase!

When we had Boma for dinner, we also checked out the pool. Funny thing is Waldo said it looked dirty. I told him it's the themeing (sp?), you know to look like it's a real watering hole in the Savannah. None doing... refused to believe me and said, I wouldn't swim in it.

I also noticed that long, long buffet line. And got in it, like the uninformed until my DH reminded me to just go from food pod to food pod.
Bwahahahaha! I tell you, a whole lot of others followed us!

The smell is DH's bathroom. Gross. Why are men gross?

Great installment.... so when can we expect more?

 

[mlill]

Back to the AK. As always happens with me, I got us lost trying to find the exit. Does anyone else have this problem? Really, I’ve been to the park no less than a dozen times, and never once successfully found the exit on the first try. I never have this problem at the other parks. I think they hide it purposely to force you to stay and buy more carp. Notice the complete lack of directional signs? And it seems like you’d exit straight back from the tree, but it’s actually a tad to the left. Or right. Or possibly West.

What I mean is, we exited the AK. For about 25 minutes.

OK, I got one for ya! I just realized on this trip that Discovery Island is the name for the central area by the tree, and the way to the Exit. Duh! All this time when we would try to find the exit, I would see the signs pointing to Discovery Island and say, no, we don't want to go THAT way! It's amazing we ever made it out of that place!

I just LOVE Animal Kingdom Lodge! I could sit in that lobby forever! Boma is one of our favorite restaurants, too! But, I have to ask, WHY WHY WHY didn't you get a press pot of Kenyan AA coffee??? You could have saved yourself from the "Nescacrap" and had one of the best coffees on property!

Great chapter, as usual!

-Michelle

P.S. Hey - are you callin' me crusty? I love my BWV! (or did you mean Boardwalk Inn? - if so, then that's OK.)

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

V,
I love the photo of you and Leo in your signature. Too cute!

And Boma....Yumma! We went there to celebrate my last birthday. The dessert plate they brought me was awesome!

Can't wait to hear about the Boardwalk. That's one of those places I could simply move in to.

 

[Tinkerbell's Mom]

I am totally hooked on your TR, can't wait to keep reading!!!!!!!!