Hi all!! Just FINALLY got caught up on the +500 posts that you all did while I was on vaca and then the last two weeks trying to get back to reality...
I'll give you the micro-mini trip report:
We had a wonderful trip! LOVED CBR-just the grounds and walking around the lake and the awesome pool and slides, so much nicer than the Values! Absolutely gorgeous!! The only thing I didn't like was being SO far away from the food court. The last time we did Pop we sprang for preferred and I couldn't justify it with the moderate. If we wouldn't have had our car there, I would've flipped out!! (we were in Jamaica 41).
Driving sucked, probably won't do that again. Arrival day-swam, walked around the resort, and fell asleep by 7pm. Exhausted from the drive.
Day 1: AK-Tusker House b'fast (yum!), the Safari was awesome-had a giraffe literally walk within touching distance. Kids had the most fun at the Dino playground. Saw Nemo Live for the first time and LOVED it! Lunch at Flame Tree (so-so, except for the onion rings which ROCKED). LOTS of Brazilian tour groups.
Day 2: DHS-Straight to TSMania. VERY crowded. Waited in line behind more Brazilians getting STACKS of fast passes for their tour. That was maddening. Finally got FP's to come back at 4:30pm (this was 10 am), went ahead and waited the 40 minutes to ride right then (WAY cool queue and ride). Dragged the kids (Drew kicking and screaming) to Playhouse Disney Live and two minutes after it started, they were all singing along! Lots of fun! Hubby did the art of animation which he loved (wants to frame Bolt and Minnie that he drew), watched the Parade and stunt show. MISSED my all time fave ride Tower of Terror because had to leave to get to Whispering Canyon Cafe (a blast and YUMMY!)
DAy 3: Magic Kingdom, Andy's Birthday. Much less crowded!! Did Space Mountain several times in a row with no wait. Met a fellow dis-er who saw my LGMH and our shirts (forgot to ask if she was a snowbird-oops). Lunch at Cosmic Rays. Almost vomitted on the Tea cups. Left early to go back to hotel to change to get ready for dinner at Cali Grill. Was absolutely MAGICAL! Best dinner ever! Had ordered a birthday cake that they brought out at the end of dinner. Rushed over to MK to see Wishes-I prefer to see it there than from Cali Grill.
Day 4-Epcot: Kim Possible was very cool! Walked on to everything. Lunch at Biergarten (incredible as always). I think we were all tired from such a busy week, we skipped Illuminations and grabbed some fish and chips from UK on the way out (yummy).
Day 5 we decided to stay at hotel and swim some then go to Downtown Disney. Got caught in rain storm on way back. Got back to hotel, dried off then went to Ohana's. Still one of our favorite places!
Depart day-slept in, went to food court to grab lunch then hit the road.
All in all, an awesome trip. Missed some stuff I had wanted to do (Tower of Terror, Talk to DVC people) but got to do lots of stuff we'd never done.