July 2012. Yes it was hot. Yes it was crowded. Yes it was FUN! ***COMPLETED***

[DisneyFreak06]

Just found your TR now! I'm loving it. I was there from July 18-25, staying at POR. I haven't started my trip report, but I hopefully will by this weekend. I'm a kindergarten teacher (French Immersion), and we started today, but the little kiddos only start on Thursday. Do you have all day kindergarten where you are?

I had to laugh, because I think I bought the same pink dress you did, and when I ate at Via Napoli, I was laughing at the frog outside my window.

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[DMGeurts]

Lots of comments - let's see if my few remaining brain cells can remember them all...

First - I just have to say that you are one of these great people in my life that I have "met" through the Dis, and I feel so badly that you were so openly and publicly attacked/humiliated. It says a lot about someone's true character if they attack you in a public forum for all to see - rather than contacting you privately through a PM and asking you nicely to remove/give credit. I have always been a Touring Plans girl - and Thanks to that lovely post by Mr. Easywdw - it shall remain that way. I know you just want to put this behind you - so I understand if you don't want to comment about it yet again - I just wanted to tell you that it was an honest mistake, you apologized - please don't let it rule your TR. We all love you here. (Where's my heart guy when I need him? How about some laundry instead?)

Secondly... Awwww... sweet lil' heartbreaker Bradey... I was reading through that part of your TR when Alli walked in - and she had to stop and tell me how cute he was. (need the heart guy again) I am glad he had a great first day! I am sorry, I couldn't read the poem - didn't feel like crying tonight.

Thirdly... Loved the latest update!!! Thank you so much for posting that great picture of you with your bag - it couldn't have been more perfectly orchistrated! For the record - I copied and pasted it to my computer so that I can publicly post it on my Facebook fan page... I will tag you - K? Then you don't have to worry about trying to send it to me later.

I hope I didn't forget anything - although I am pretty sure I did... Oh, yes, I did... Can I post a picture on your TR of the Pixie Dust you sent me???? Purty please.....

Ok - now I think I am done?



D~

 

[RHMH]

I was expecting more towel animals. We didn't get any at the Poly in Feb...other than the standard Mickey on the bed at checkin. But I had heard that was the way it was there. I thought we would get more at POFQ. But that's okay...we still had fun.

I'm not sure about the free dining bounce back. I thought all the bounceback offers were the same. We had the same thing on our desk at the Poly in Feb as we had at FQ in July. Same offer and same little pocketwatch paper. Maybe it was a PIN offer sent to their home?? I have received 3 PIN offers and one for free dining. But I like booking room-only, so I chose that offer instead. I use gift cards for my meals and that way I can save on the room and don't feel locked down to the number of meals a day that Disney specifies. It seems odd that they would get an offer for a year away already....my 3 were to be used within a few months. But I guess anything is possible with Disney [/QUOTE]

The girls want to stay at the Beach Club now. I am going to have to put a deadline on Resort decision. Yea right, - This is me saying no more Resort changes. I can see me putting my foot down... It's more like foot in mouth..

 

[Angies1274]

So glad to hear that your son had a great 1st day of school!! What a beautiful poem! I can still remember my boys first day of kindergarten...it seems like yesterday.

Anyways....great update!!

Love Sunshine Seasons! We haven't tried it for breakfast yet though. Your breakfast panini looks very yummy!

That towel animal is so cute!!

 

[solana131]

Great update and love the towel animal!!

Good to hear you loved Boma! We just decided to go back to WDW in January for a 4 day weekend and the first ADR I booked? Yup, Boma!

Yay for January! and Yay for Boma!

Yep~Boma is on my must-try list for next year!

I don't think you will be disappointed. It is soooo yummy and the AKL is just gorgeous! Not sure I would want to stay there only because it is so far out from everything, but maybe someday...

Just found your TR now! I'm loving it. I was there from July 18-25, staying at POR.

Welcome! Oh geez...I hope you weren't one of those poor unfortunate POR people we almost ran over with our surrey bike

I haven't started my trip report, but I hopefully will by this weekend. I'm a kindergarten teacher (French Immersion), and we started today, but the little kiddos only start on Thursday. Do you have all day kindergarten where you are?

We do have all day kindergarten. Not when I was growing up, but they changed it a few years back. Not sure if it is good or not. Seems like an awful long day for a 5 year old!

I had to laugh, because I think I bought the same pink dress you did, and when I ate at Via Napoli, I was laughing at the frog outside my window.

Yeah, those statues are kinda weird. But the food more than makes up for it

It's funny....my husband and I were just talking about taking a trip up to PEI in a couple weeks for our anniversary. I've only been once and it was a long time ago, but I remember how beautiful it is up there! Anyway...welcome along and I hope to post another update a little later this week.

The girls want to stay at the Beach Club now. I am going to have to put a deadline on Resort decision. Yea right, - This is me saying no more Resort changes. I can see me putting my foot down... It's more like foot in mouth..

Have you checked out the threads on here about Resort Changers?? Might be right up your alley Beach Club looks beautiful too, I just didn't like their options for quick service. I love Captain Cooks at the Poly and the larger food courts at the Moderates and Values, but most of the Deluxe resorts are seriously lacking in QS choices.

So glad to hear that your son had a great 1st day of school!! What a beautiful poem! I can still remember my boys first day of kindergarten...it seems like yesterday.

Anyways....great update!!

Love Sunshine Seasons! We haven't tried it for breakfast yet though. Your breakfast panini looks very yummy!

That towel animal is so cute!!

Thanks! The second week of school isn't as bad as the first

And you should try Sunshine Seasons for breakfast....very yummy and lots of seating in a very cool building.

Thanks, we liked our "Gertrude" too

 

[solana131]

I have always been a Touring Plans girl - and Thanks to that lovely post by Mr. Easywdw - it shall remain that way.

Thanks D!

(Where's my heart guy when I need him? How about some laundry instead?)

Works for me!

Secondly... Awwww... sweet lil' heartbreaker Bradey... I was reading through that part of your TR when Alli walked in - and she had to stop and tell me how cute he was. (need the heart guy again) I am glad he had a great first day! I am sorry, I couldn't read the poem - didn't feel like crying tonight.

Thanks....he is a pretty great kid if I do say so myself

Thirdly... Loved the latest update!!! Thank you so much for posting that great picture of you with your bag - it couldn't have been more perfectly orchistrated! For the record - I copied and pasted it to my computer so that I can publicly post it on my Facebook fan page... I will tag you - K? Then you don't have to worry about trying to send it to me later.

Okay, sounds good. Post away....you have my "official permission"

I hope I didn't forget anything - although I am pretty sure I did... Oh, yes, I did... Can I post a picture on your TR of the Pixie Dust you sent me???? Purty please.....

Sure, just maybe wait until I get to that day??? And for the record...this is why you got said Pixie Dust....a few words from you and my whole day turns around Even though you are the busiest person on the face of the earth right now, you still find time to cheer up a friend! Thanks D~

 

[DMGeurts]

Welcome! Oh geez...I hope you weren't one of those poor unfortunate POR people we almost ran over with our surrey bike

OMG!!! This make me spit out my lunch... You couldn't have been that bad of a driver?

Thanks D!
Works for me!
....he is a pretty great kid if I do say so myself

Okay, sounds good. Post away....you have my "official permission"

Sure, just maybe wait until I get to that day??? And for the record...this is why you got said Pixie Dust....a few words from you and my whole day turns around Even though you are the busiest person on the face of the earth right now, you still find time to cheer up a friend! Thanks D~

Awww... That is so sweet! Thank you so much for cheering me up today too! (found the heart guy)... And I can totally wait to post until you get to that day.

Hope your're having a fantastic day today - I had to take a break for a late lunch.

D~

 

[jennyjinx3]

So glad your DS had a good first day! I had that weepy first day yesterday...and yes your poem did make me cry!! My two older DD's don't have any of their friends in their classes and they both looked so vulnerable going in to their classes...really tugged at my heart.

My youngest has a staggered entry so her first day won;t actually happen until after our Poly trip so I still have a bit of time before my second cry!!!

 

[solana131]

OMG!!! This make me spit out my lunch... You couldn't have been that bad of a driver?

Well, of course I am a wonderful driver. But it was Dani's job that day . We actually did really well...and by really well I mean of course that we didn't kill anyone. Those things are fun, but kinda hard to get used to. You both have pedals that work, but only the left steering wheel works. Both sides have a steering wheel, but only one works. And the brake is a funny hand brake thing on the steering colum. It takes some getting used to and when people come running out in front of you....let's just say that it got a little frightening at times

So glad your DS had a good first day! I had that weepy first day yesterday...and yes your poem did make me cry!! My two older DD's don't have any of their friends in their classes and they both looked so vulnerable going in to their classes...really tugged at my heart.

My youngest has a staggered entry so her first day won;t actually happen until after our Poly trip so I still have a bit of time before my second cry!!!

Thanks...we are both getting the hang of it. I still have a ton of questions, but I guess they will get answered as we go along. Our school system is not that great about communication...very small school. It doesn't even have an office! We have to call the teaching principal if we need something (like emergency dismissal, doctor's appt, etc). We had a little confusion the first couple of days about how and when we are allowed to pick him up, but we've pretty much gotten things figured out now. It's a learning curve for both he and I.

I can't believe you are at the Poly next week! So exciting

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Welcome! Oh geez...I hope you weren't one of those poor unfortunate POR people we almost ran over with our surrey bike

I don't remember anyone trying to run us down, so I don't think so!

We do have all day kindergarten. Not when I was growing up, but they changed it a few years back. Not sure if it is good or not. Seems like an awful long day for a 5 year old!

I'm still kind of torn about all day kindergarten myself. We just started it about 3 years ago, and only then did we put it in the school system. This is actually the third year. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but I think it's a long day for some kids. And, to have 8 kids in the morning and 8 in the afternoon, I could probably teach them much more than 16 all day.

Yeah, those statues are kinda weird. But the food more than makes up for it

I agree! Yummy! (Next time I'll take some butter in my bag for the bread though! I liked olive oil on toast in Spain, but that was different! I was actually IN Spain.

It's funny....my husband and I were just talking about taking a trip up to PEI in a couple weeks for our anniversary. I've only been once and it was a long time ago, but I remember how beautiful it is up there! Anyway...welcome along and I hope to post another update a little later this week.

Oh! Let me know if you come up! We could have a Dis meet! I love traveling, but I absolutely love coming back here. Don't come in the winter though. Fall is good though, you're from ME, it's not too much colder than there!

 

[RHMH]

Have you checked out the threads on here about Resort Changers?? Might be right up your alley Beach Club looks beautiful too, I just didn't like their options for quick service. I love Captain Cooks at the Poly and the larger food courts at the Moderates and Values, but most of the Deluxe resorts are seriously lacking in QS choices.


I told the girls we are not going to change Resorts anymore. Beach Club is it... I am embarrassed to keep calling and changing our resort 300 days out. The funny thing is, we are going to have 3 ADR's at the Polynesian.

 

[solana131]

Oh! Let me know if you come up! We could have a Dis meet! I love traveling, but I absolutely love coming back here. Don't come in the winter though. Fall is good though, you're from ME, it's not too much colder than there!

Someday we will get back up there, but I guess it won't be this year He wants to stay closer to home this time. We will be going up to Acadia in a couple weeks instead. Love that place too!

I told the girls we are not going to change Resorts anymore. Beach Club is it... I am embarrassed to keep calling and changing our resort 300 days out. The funny thing is, we are going to have 3 ADR's at the Polynesian.

Well, you can't go wrong with either....both are great resorts and I'm sure the girls will have fun no matter where you are And there is absolutely nothing wrong with having 3 ADRs at the Poly. Afterall, it's easy to get to and you are back and forth from MK all the time anyway, right? Have fun!




NEW SERENDIPI D BAG......

I have the Dory backpack which I love, but now I have a new addition to the Disney bag line up courtesy of the lovely and talented Miss D~

The whole set. Mickey balloons on a black swirly background. The Mickey hand holding the strings is just a brilliant idea!

The bag is a crossbody style about the same size as a Vera Hipster....perfect!

There is a slip in pocket on the front as well as a zippered one. The interior is so fun with polka dots and a hidden Mickey print for the two pockets.

Closeup of the embroidery....even a Lime Green Mickey for the DIS!

Love it D~! Thanks so much

 

[RHMH]

Love the bags, wish it would not look to funny if I use one. I do use a mans bag if you want to call it that. I have never had a regular wallet. I have aways had a bag like a clutch.

 

[jennyjinx3]

 

[DMGeurts]

Awww.... Thanks Suzi! I am so glad you love the bag! It turned out awesome!

D~

 

[solana131]

Love the bags, wish it would not look to funny if I use one. I do use a mans bag if you want to call it that. I have never had a regular wallet. I have aways had a bag like a clutch.

Well, that's why you have Midori

I know....I know....an update is coming I promise

Awww.... Thanks Suzi! I am so glad you love the bag! It turned out awesome!

D~

Yes, yes it did

 

[KatMark]

LOVE the bag...absolutely adorable! Great job, D.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Awww~ That bag was for YOU! I am FINALLY on her wait list...I too will have a SerendipiD~ bag for my next trip!!!!

 

[solana131]

So, after talking it over with Dani last night and reviewing all my pictures and receipts....I still can't figure out what we did for that hour or so at AK, but I know we went there. It was kind of a joke the rest of the trip because on that day we had horrible luck with buses. We ended up stopping at Blizzard Beach 5 times in that one day and never once did anyone get on or off the darn buses. It just seemed that every single bus that went to either Animal Kingdom or Animal Kingdom Lodge had to stop at Blizzard Beach just in case. It was really annoying.

So we had gone back to the room around 1ish. Our ADR at Boma was for 4:30, and I wanted time to check out AKL before, so I planned to leave POFQ at 3. We showered and changed and just chilled in the nice cool room until it was time to go. After yet another stop at Blizzard Beach, we were pulling in to AKL.

This was my first time seeing this beautiful resort. You would think I took lots of pictures....right? Nope, I only have pics of the food But if you want to see what AKL looks like, you can Google it.

We only had about a 1/2 hour to spare before Boma opened, so we just walked around the lobby and out the door by Boma to see what animals there were. Just this tiny bit of exploration makes me want to stay there someday. It's so hard because I want to stay at all of the resorts and the more I see, the more I want to stay. It's a never-ending cycle

Anyway...on to the food porn...

We were one of the first ADRs of the night and they do a nice opening ceremony thing for the first few parties. They had drums and singing and "dancing", it was really neat. There were probably 4 other parties besides Dani and I, and they kept the drums and song going the whole time they were seating us. Made me feel very special.

We were seated in the far corner of the restaurant under a little thatched roof "hut" by the windows. It was a prefect people-watching table. The hostest explained how things worked since it was our first time being there. And we wasted no time getting our first course.

My "salad course" plate: watermelon rind salad at the top, little corn muffin, pasta salad, and some sort of cabbage slaw. I liked all of them except the watermelon rind salad. It was just weird. Not much flavor.

Dani's salad course: she had alot of fruit and just greens I guess she wasn't feeling too adventurous to begin with.

We each had a soup to go with our salads. Mine was the butternut squash soup.

All I can say is YUM! I have had butternut soup many times...it is one of my favorites, but this was above and beyond anything I had ever tasted before. The spices they used worked so well with the squash...it was almost sweet like a dessert, but oh so yummy.

Dani had some veggie gumbo-ish stuff....forgive me, it has been way too long and we didn't write down any of the names.

She really liked it and went back for more later in the meal.

We tried a little of just about everything. I can't handle onions, so anything I saw that looked like it had onion, I passed up. But for the most part we loved everything we tried. This was my first plate.

I know, some of the sides look a little funny, but they had alot of flavor and worked well with the meat options. And for those of you that might think Boma would have too many odd things.....just know that all their meats were just served plain. The "African" aspect to them was all the sauces you could choose from. So if you are on the edge, please try it. They also had a whole area for "kids" that had normal American meals like chicken fingers and mac&cheese.

Dani's first plate

She just raved about the salmon, so I had to try it on my next trip up.

Sorry, I can't tell you what all the stuff is....but like I said, we enjoyed almost everything. Next up was dessert. Now keep in mind....we didn't want to eat too much dessert because we had the Wishes Dessert Party later that night. But gosh the stuff just looked sooooo incredible. And I had heard so much about those Zebra Domes that I just had to try them.

This was mine, but Dani had the same things. Gotta tell you....not a big fan of the Zebra Dome. I really loved the tangy mango cheesecake thingy. And the rich gooey chocolate "brownie" thing. Sorry, once again I didn't write down the specific names...but you get the point.

Dani's second dish. She love the vanilla sauce!

After this wonderful meal, we looked around in their shop a little then hit the bus stop. After our usual Blizzard Beach stop, we were back at French Quarter. It was about 6:00 by now. We both freshened up and then headed to the bus stop for our EMH and Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom!

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Suzi. We've never done Boma for dinner (I'd be one of those just getting the meats because I don't like things with all those different flavors). I was NOT a fan of the Zebra Domes either, so I'm glad to have some company in that category.