"Look at those Chompers!!" A January 2010 AKL DxDP TR...FINAL Update: 6/12 Day 8!

[gellybean]

The bus arrived at AKL in no time. For those of you that don't necessarily know the back story, my MIL can be a bit directionally challenged and doesn't always do well in new situations where logisitics are involved.

Imagine my surprise when we walk into the lobby and find her already at the check in counter. I was really proud of her!!

Sidebar: There were no issues checking her in.... until later. Apparently when you add a 3rd adult to a package reservation mid way through the trip, they have access to your dining plan. Which really wasn't an issue for us. I just panicked when I saw it on her KTTW card. But they didn't charge her for an extra set of credits or anything. She just had access to our credits and if she used the DDP, it would have deducted from our 3 people, 3 meals, for 7 days credits.

Anyway, we all said our hellos and went up to the room to show her where she'd be staying for the next few nights.

View from our balcony at around 5pm in the afternoon

MIL and Mr. I decided to go down to her van to unload all her things and I took advantage of the break in schedule to make Dash work on his homework some.

Both boys sitting at the convenient little table, eating a snack of Teddy Grahams. Dash was working on his journal.

I also made Dash read to me some while we sat and waited. MIL brought presents for the boys' birthday so naturally the boys had to open them immediately!

We loaded the boys back up and headed down to Mara to get them dinner since they were going to be staying in the room with their grandmother that night while Mr. I and I had our date night at Jiko!
We ordered the kids each a pizza and ordered MIL a turkey ciabatta sandwich. We used our Dining Credits since we were on Deluxe and had enough. We took the food back to the room and watched them all eat while we got ready for our date. I think our ressie was for 8:00pm and we probably headed downstairs around 7pm. We headed to the Victoria Falls Lounge. Love that area of AKL! I ordered a margarita off the standard drink menu. It was ok. Not as good as the cranberry one I had last year actually in Jiko. We talked and people watched. It was nice. We walked down the stairs to Jiko, and remarked what a different feeling it was to hang out at the hotel lounge and just walk down to the restaurant instead of getting ready and driving over to a different resort for a date night. This trip definitely spoiled us!

We checked in a little early to Jiko and went back up the lounge with our buzzer to wait for it to go off. I think Mr. I had another drink but I declined. Me w/ 2 drinks + stairs = bad idea!
While we were waiting, Mr. I texted his sister. She and her husband had driven in the day before. At the last minute they had extended their trip by a day earlier because BIL had a last minute meeting in Orlando on Friday. It was fortunate for us that the just happened to be in Orlando. If it had been elsewhere they wouldn't have been able to meet us.
We were trying to convince SIL and BIL to drive over to AKL from Coronado Springs to have a few cocktails with us before our dinner reservation. SIL had said they were going to but in the end they were too tired to come over. I was a little confused at this point and said as much to Mr. I. I mean, if I had driven 7 hrs to see my brother and nephews I would want to see them as much as I could while we were together. But I try not to judge until you walk a mile in someone's shoes and all that. I was disappointed though that for them to be so close and to have been there from Thursday through Sunday, that we only were scheduled to see them Saturday.

Off my soap box and on with the show...
Our buzzer went off about 10 til our ressie time so we headed downstairs and were seated at a two top on the end of a long bench that had another four top table there as well. This was my only complaint. For a couple, obviously a couple date, to be sat next to a family of 4 literally within reaching distance, kinda stunk. We could hear every thing they said. EVERYTHING! I learned more about this family that night than I knew about my own. I got to listen to an entire conversation about curry and what it was, including the ipod research. I probably should have said something when they started to seat us there and offer to wait longer for a more private table but I didn't want to make thhe family of 4 feel bad either. So we sat there. It definitely took a little away from our experience. Last year we had a big private booth to ourselves and it was much more romantic. Oh well.

Because we were on the deluxe plan we had a lot of food to order! We ordered more cocktails, this time I was able to get the cranberry one that the Jiko bartender knew from last year. Much better!! Mr. I got he Hanging in Cape Town Again. He was feeling pretty good by this point. Until he realized he had nothing to eat since Mama Melrose's at noon!! 8 hrs of an empty stomach then 3 cocktails. I admit I got a little amusement out of watching him get tipsy and scarf down our food as soon as any of it hit the table to try to counter balance the alcohol. Our server was great, but not as good as Shellie last year. We asked and she is still with the company.

The manager of the company delivered our cocktails. Mr. I of course had to start talking about the restaurant business but it was really interesting to listen. The manager said Disney spoils them. If you're working in the private sector, you have to take care of everything. At Disney, if a light bulb goes out, you call Disney's maintenance staff and they come replace it for you. Mr. I was definitely impressed and I daydreamed about us moving to Orlando for Mr. I to manage a restaurant on property. We actually talked about it hypothetically. It was nice to dream for a while.

Because we were guests at the hotel, the chef sent out an amuse bouche. It was a curried cauliflower soup. I love cauliflower but am generally not a fan of curry. It was good though! Mr. I even finished off mine. Trying to quell the alcohol effects I guess.

I ordered the Taste of Africa and Mr. I tried the Oestrich. I refused to try his. He ate all of his but said he'd probably never order it again. The olive hummus was really good but neither of us enjoyed the other two dips. I was afraid to fill up too much because I knew I had an amazing entree coming.

Last year Mr. I ordered the Kenyan Coffee Rubbed Short Ribs and I ordered the Filet. My filet was great but Mr. I's Short Ribs were AWESOME! Loved them. So I knew I wanted to order them this time, especially after having a yummy filet at Le Cellier. They changed the Short Ribs slightly. They were BBQ and not coffee rubbed and came with potato salad instead of mushroom polenta. I was bummed because I really enjoyed the polenta last year so I asked the server if I could sub their mac n cheese from the filet dish for the potatoes.

Let me tell you. That was the best decision I made all week! OMG! The Short Ribs were melt in your mouth heaven and with the rich cheesey mac n cheese (which was so much better this time than last year....creamier and cheesier by far) it was a match made in heaven. Mr. I said I out ordered him. He got the Short Ribs again but with the potatoes. They looked pretty standard for roast potatoes even though it said potato salad. I shared a few bites of the mac. Afterall, he shared with me last year.

I cleaned the plate. Literally. It was soo good. We both agreed personally we prefer the Kenya Coffee version over the BBQ version, but it was a marginal distinction. So so good.

Dessert time came. Because we had both gotten water for our drink drinks, Mr. I was able to get a whole French Press Pot of Coffee. He was determined to drink as much of it as he could. Since I don't like coffee, it was all him. He managed to finish most of it.
He ordered the Chocolate trio and I ordered the Lemon-white chocolate mousse . My dessert was better. Mr. I's dessert was chocolate soup, chocolate flourless cake and a chocolate sorbet. Mine was a cute little pyramid of lemon mousse with a blueberry sauce and a tuile cookie. After the heavy meal of BBQ Short ribs and mac n cheese the light small portion of the lemon dessert hit the spot!

Sooner than we wanted, our date was over. We took our time paying the check and walking out but decided to go ahead and take the elevator up to the 4th floor and check on the boys. MIL had driven a long way that day and the boys hadn't been around her in a long time, so we didn't want to wear out our babysitting pass!

We returned to the room to find happy boys! They were watching tv and playing, happy to have some downtime in their pjs. We visited with MIL and helped her unpack. We turned in around 11:30am with no wake up call set for the morning. The boys and MIL all slept in one queen size bed. She's prolly gonna kill me for posting this pic but...

She got all the togetherness she could have ever possibly wanted.

Up next: Our non-planned day! Would we end up at a park afterall? Would we get our shopping in? Would they enjoy my choice for dinner reservations for all of us?!


STAY TUNED!

 

[gellybean]

I love the themeing in the line of TSM too. We used a FP’s the last time we went too, and I was amazed at how long it took us to get through the line with a FP. And holding a sleeping baby on those stairs wasn’t fun or easy on the back.

The picture of the army guy walking jack jack is hilarious.


Looking forward to more.

Sleeping baby on those stairs would be nearly as bad as me carrying Jack-Jack up LMA!

I thought the army guy walking Jack-Jack was great too! I so wanted the interactive army guys that can talk to notice their shirts but they were busy.

Hey there gelly! I was wondering where you disappeared to. Glad you had a good spring break, and congrats on the new puppy

Thanks!! She's a handful, total diva. We're working on her training. Sorry for being MIA lately. It's such a busy time of year, and I joined a WISH thread, which is where I am most of the time when I'm able to DIS! Gonna make an effort though to get over here more often!

Hauling up all those stairs?? Oh boy that doesnt sound fun at all. At least he took Jack-jack back down the stairs. Because i know i wouldnt make it.

I thought I was seriously gonna pass out.

Okay, it’s like 10:49 pm and I’m supposed to be going to bed in 11 minutes…just enough time to squeeze in a TR update from my gelly and I’m cruising along at a great clip until I get to “I guess when you say "go ahead" in women's language the men hear "leave me for dead" in their native tongue.” I laughed for a full five minutes…cried a little and maybe even peed in my pants. And I did all of this as quietly as possible so as to not wake my sleeping babies…I just thought you should know.

I can’t commiserate I’m afraid…I have the opposite problem. I think my husband is missing the gene necessary to take the lead when we’re walking somewhere...he always waits politely for me. This frustrate me because I'm always thinking...just GO!!

Maybe he just likes looking at my derriere… Whatever the reason, I don’t return the favour…I’m off like a bat outta hell and I’ll wait for him once we get to where we are going…usually!! Although I do like his derriere…

Can’t wait for more…

Sounds like y'all have a bunch of butt fetishes! Sorry I made you stay up past your bedtime and lose bladder control. Really. I am. Really.



Your trip is right around the corner right!? I keep meaning to get over to the PTR board!! UGH! Time keeps on slipping!

The stairs at LMA are horrendous, aren't they?! They are steep and I was completely worried about a child hurling themselves down them accidentally. Or maybe even me because I'm not so graceful. Great update! I'd love to see a photo of your new puppy.

I'll try to post a picture of Lily soon.

Those stairs are ridiculous. I can't imagine what it would have been like in July! HOLY Carp!

All caught up again; I was breathing hard just reading about your trek up the stairs at LMA! Looking forward to hearing about your date night!

Glad you're caught up!! And thank you for commiserating with my death trek up the bleachers!

read your report in one sitting.

My girls will turn 18 and 14 on May 14th, so I know all about the strange questions from strangers. My pat answer is Cassidy told us she would get a baby sister on her birthday and she did.


Love your writing style

and thank you for the sweet compliment.

THAT'S AWESOME that you have girls with the same birthday!! I like your answer. May have to steal it!

Joining in late, but glad I'm here. I laughed so very hard at the Goofy's outing - everything from the guy with the Mickey oral fixation to Mr I getting 3 pretzels and you only getting one Absolutely hilarious!

Never too late!
Glad you're finding some amusement in my perils. AHEM! The pretzel fiasco was funny, looking back now. Then... I was MAD!

Great trip report so far. Your chidren are so cute. I am looking forward to read the rest of your trip. Take care

Aww! I think they're cute too, but I'm biased. Trying to get more updates out more often for you guys!

Finally caught up with your TR! I've been so all over the place with our upcoming trip, but I'm glad I was able to catch up.

I love how Mr. I rode TSM solo! I think my DH would most likely do the same, but we don't have a child as an excuse - he just doesn't want to listen to my whine about how bad he'd beat me.

about the Lights! Motors! Action! show. DH will totally leave me to carry a child up thousands of stairs. That's mentality of men for you.

I loved how he rode it by himself too! Really showed me how much he enjoys it. Love that he loves my happy place! @ you whining about how bad he beats you. Mr. I and I didn't get to ride together but I know what his scores were and he creamed me! He won't play PS3 with me cus he knows I'm a sore loser.

I'm glad my DH isn't the only one out there that leaves a wife behind to slep kids up a billion stairs!!

 

[goofy's_gurl]

Nice update. Well it coulda been worse they could have sat you next to a rowdy bunch where you wouldnt be able to hear each other. At least you guys had fun and went to the room to find your boys all happy.

 

[Dugette]

I love the view of the giraffes from your window!

Sorry that your date night was not as magical as last time, but sounds like you made the best of it.

Can't believe they all shared a bed!

 

[SoonerGirl]

It still sounds like you had a lovely date night I can't wait to try Jiko, less than 4 weeks now!!

 

[gellybean]

We woke up on our own around 8:30am. We had plans to meet SIL and BIL around noon. We really did have plans to sleep later, and the kids did get to sleep in more than we did, but with MIL in the room, we heard her stirring. I knew this was a possibility before we booked the trip and it was worth it to me to get to stay in AKL. If she had her own room, there was no way she would have paid full price for AKL for 3 nights. If you'll remember (PTR readers), the only way we were able to stay there at all was with the 4/3 deal and with MIL paying us what she would have paid for her own room at Pop Century.

The one issue, and like I said, we knew it coming into all this, was that MIL has to get up 3 hours BEFORE we can leave for anywhere. I figured we'd sleep through it and for the most part we did. But once I was awake, I didn't feel comfortable going back to sleep with her up and getting ready already. Mr. I and I quietly discussed what we were going to be doing that day. MIL was in the restroom getting ready and out of earshot. We mutually decided that while we like Animal Kingdom, we didn't feel we were missing out of much of the experience because of the wonderful atmosphere at AKL. We briefly thought of going into DHS just the two of us and trying to get in the thrill rides while MIL kept the boys, but ultimately decided that spending time with his family was more important. If we had decided to go into a park, it would have only been our four. In an effort to help make things easier on his SIL and BIL when they had to rearrange their schedule we offered to spend our time with them at DTD and eating at a resort hotel so that they wouldn't have to buy passes! So that's what we were gonna do!

When Mr. I finally decided to start getting ready himself, which let me tell you was funny to watch him trying to squeeze around his mom in the sink area, I puttered around the room, and starting looking for that darn tooth. It wasn't under the beds, it wasn't in the back pack, closet, bathroom, stroller, etc. I looked everywhere. I finally found it behind the entertainment center. How it ended up back there, I'll never know. We vowed to remember to put it under Dash's pillow that night! I stuck it on top of the entertainment center. And yes it was still in a ziploc bag.

I did try to call down to Boma to see if we could get in and was told the last breakfast ressie was 10:30am and we weren't going to make it so we resigned ourselves to Mara. And let me say, for the record, we hadn't eaten breakfast at Mara so I hate to sound like we were going to be shackled with nasty food. It was just the credit v. credit issue on Deluxe killed the penny pincher in me.

We were finally all up and ready to go at about 10:40am. We headed down the elevators toward Mara with breakfast intentions. It just killed me to walk past an empty Boma. I noticed they were still putting breakfast foods out on the tables, and I knew they didn't served lunch. So I asked everyone to hang on for a second and I walked up to the podium and asked if they were still accepting breakfast patrons at 10:45am. And they were!!!

So we walked in to Boma, literally, when the ADR person had told me it wouldn't be possible to eat there. Just goes to show, it doesn't hurt to ask!

We had a great server, named CJ. He had actually been recommended to us by another server earlier in the week. He was great and it made his day when we told him he had been recommended by one of his peers.

Breakfast was yummy as always. By this time, I had a signature meal I got everytime. Spoiled much? I got plain scrambled eggs with just a little bit of goat cheese and chive eggs on the side, bacon -- I actually like their bacon-- and sticky rolls. All that buffet and that's what I ate most mornings after I tried a few different things the first time. I still dream of those sticky rolls.

Dash always wanted waffles and Jack-Jack always ended up with eggs and fruit. Mr. I, on the other hand, made his way round the buffet on most mornings getting a little bit of this and that. We definitely enjoyed having the option of a buffet breakfast every morning.

MIL got her usual high protein breakfast and seemed to enjoy the buffet atmosphere. It's definitely a big difference from the morning breakfast rush at Pop Century's food court. It was nice to sit around and visit and have the restaurant to ourselves and for MIL to enjoy a second cup of coffee while we caught up and looked forward to our day.

As we were finishing up, the boys were treated to another birthday cupcake!!

After we finished our breakfast, we headed back up to the room to get ready, use the facilities one more time, figure out the weather one last time. This was the day with the greatest chance of rain. So we had umbrellas and rain coats packed. At almost straight up noon, we got a text from SIL and BIL that they were in the lobby. Mr. I explained for them to head toward the main set of elevators and we'd be right down.

Soon enough we were greeting our in-laws in the lobby. Hugs were exchanged and we headed toward the bus. We waited forever AGAIN for a DTD bus. They were by far the slowest service to AKL from anywhere.

It was nice visiting on the bus ride over. For that I was thankful the ride was longish.

The women immediately started going in shops while the men stayed outside. Was kinda comical and very stereotypical. We hit Design A Tee, and the Scrapebook store but nothing called to me.

I knew to check out TrenD this time. It was still under the construction veil last winter, so this was a must do on my list this year. That store is really cool! The only issue I had, and by no means was this a unique issue to TrenD, but it's not some place a girl in larger sizes can shop. I had gotten used to finding plus sizes at most of the Disney stores, but not at TrenD. That's ok though! With the help of the WISH thread peeps, it's a goal of mine to pick up something cute from there next trip!

Obligatory DIS shot

I had told SIL on the bus about the Dooney and Burke collaboration and she was very interested. We both high tailed it to the jewelry room in WoD and checked out the availabilty. We both liked the white designs better and she ended up with the large tote and I just got the wristlet. I had just bought a new bag for Christmas and knew Mr. I would kill me (not really, but he's a guy and doesn't get the need for more than one purse). I also didn't really like the way the bag closes, so that make it easier to turn down. I like the wristlet a lot and will probably carry it in Disney but to be honest I haven't used it yet. I'm still glad I bought it though, if for no other reason than exclusivity.

We took the boys into Once Upon a Toy next. Dash really hadn't gotten any souvies yet so this was his day to cash in. We gave him a budget and he decided on two Cars trucks/cars that aren't readily available elsewhere. The helicopter and ambulance. So he was happy. We tried to get Jack-Jack to nap and finally he fell asleep in his stroller. It's gonna be interesting taking a trip without that thing. Hopefully not for a few more years!

We headed toward the west end and wiggled through the Lego store, taking some pics along the way.

Thankfully the weather had held off. We'd felt a few sprinkles but that was it. We all decided we were geting hungry. It was around 2:30pm by this time. We headed back toward WPE. I tried to be a good host and offer other suggestions but they were fine with WPE and remembered liking it last year. We were all aware that we had a big meal ahead of us that night, so we ordered light-ish. Mr. I and I split the Beef Melt. MIL had the pepperoni and mushroom pizza, we got each kid a pizza and creme brulee and cookies for dessert. MIL is a huge creme brulee fan so she was a happy girl.

We opted to sit outside since the patio is covered. We parked Jack-Jack at one end so he could continue sleeping and we all waited for our food to be delivered. It was so windy that afternoon. We chased napkins most of the time.

The food arrived soon enough. I remembered liking Mr. I's BBQ beef melt from last year but for some reason it didn't taste good to me that day. Jack-Jack was still sleeping with no signs of stirring so I ate some of his kids pizza and MIL gave me the last slice of her pepperoni and mushroom pizza. Mr. I didn't want much of the creme brulee so I ate that too! It was just enough food. I'm glad that we didn't order another adult entree for me.

Jack-Jack woke up right at the end of the meal but instead of hanging around and ordering something else for him (his pizza was long gone between me, Mr. I and Dash finishing it off) at WPE, we'd just pick something up for him at AKL.

I was tempted to go back into Goofy's but after the last time, didn't have it in me. I think if I had run into Lucy, I'da gona all Ricky Ricardo on her butt. So the safe thing was to steer clear!

We made our way back to the bus stop and loaded up, packages, kids and all. When we arrived back to AKL, SIL and BIL decided to drive back over to Coronado Springs for a nap. It was around 4pm by this time.


Continued in Next Post

 

[gellybean]

Continued from Previous Post


MIL, Mr. I, the boys and I all headed out to the overlook and enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere of the hotel. This is a really cool perk of AKL, but anyone can take advantage since it's just off the lobby. It's worth a trip over there to get a little up close look at the animals. We never did get to take advantage of half the activities the hotel has to offer. It's on my must do list for next time!

Taking pictures along the way

Covering on the exterior staircase

The boys really enjoyed the overlook and trying to climb the fence!!

Jack-Jack was hungry by then so we walked through the lobby and down to Mara for the boys to eat a snack. It was easier to just sit and watch them eat than to slep the food back to the room, so we hung around in the food court for a bit. Mr. I ran back to the room to grab our mugs so we all refilled on soda and made sure the boys had full bellies. Dash ate grapes and jello and pickles since he'd just had a pizza at WPE. Great combo there eh? Jack-Jack downed a full kids meal of chicken nuggets and fries. For the record, this was the first chicken nugget kids meal we'd ordered the entire time. That was a pleasant surprise. I figured we'd be eating chicken nuggets everywhere!

We headed back up to the room to wait for our dinner reservation and for BIL and SIL to return. MIL and Mr. I dosed in and out and the boys played with Dash's new toys and their birthday haul. I DIS'd some from my blackberry. It was a nice relaxing afternoon break!

Up next:

Would BIL and SIL make it back for dinner?
Would I be happy with our choice for a dinner ressie for our one big meal together?

STAY TUNED!

 

[gellybean]

Nice update. Well it coulda been worse they could have sat you next to a rowdy bunch where you wouldnt be able to hear each other. At least you guys had fun and went to the room to find your boys all happy.

True!!! It was still a great evening. It just really enforced how fortunate we were last year to have a booth all to ourselves in a back corner of the restaurant!

I was very happy the boys did fine with their Mimi! Gives me hope to plan for more date nights in our future trips with her!

I love the view of the giraffes from your window!

Sorry that your date night was not as magical as last time, but sounds like you made the best of it.

Can't believe they all shared a bed!

AKL is awesome! The views spoil you, for sure!

We did make the best of it!! You know all too well how that is, eh? Sometimes things don't go as magical as we plan them but you have to go with the flow sometimes!

They did share a bed! The next day MIL said she had to eat some garlic so she wouldn't smell it on the boys breath! She claimed if she ate it too, than she couldn't smell it on them. Apparently she got garlic breath in her face all night!

It still sounds like you had a lovely date night I can't wait to try Jiko, less than 4 weeks now!!

Can't wait for you to try Jiko!!! Let me know what you think! So jealous that you're getting to go back in 4 wks. The Flower and Garden show is awesome!! You'll love it!

 

[stayhomemom77]

You found the tooth??!!!?!! Hooray!!

I've left the fact that it got lost out of the narrative for DD so I'm eagerly awaiting the resolution.

She's been wiggling her loose tooth a little more vigorously, now that our trip is only two weeks away. I think she's determined to lose it on the trip.

I was happy to hear good reviews of Boma for breakfast from y'all. I've been agonizing over whether or not to book a breakfast there for days and have finally booked it. We were always doing dinner but since we're on the regular dining plan didn't plan on doing breakfast too but I've switched stuff around (AGAIN!!) and added it in.

I've never been to DTD so I am REALLY looking forward to all the shopping there. I've mentally filed away all your comments so that I'm prepared for our trip.

I'm glad that (thus far in the narrative) there haven't been any issues with having MIL in the room. I love my MIL to death but I'd be weirded out by having her stay in the same room with us. You're a saint...of course the fact that you get to stay at AKL was a compensation. We found a way around that by renting DVC points...dirt cheap and no in laws in the room.

DH and I are going to try out Simba's clubhouse so we can have a date. We're eating at Sanaa for ours. I recently discovered Indian food and love it so this was the place we landed on, although we did consider Jiko.

Looking foward to hearing more...I do hope you'll have a chance to finish before we leave...hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Great update! DTD has so many stores to explore, I could shop there for days. LOL!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

Great updates!
Love DTD!! TrenD is a neat store inside for all the decor!
AKL looks so neat!! I can check it out I hope when we are there for Boma!

 

[gellybean]

You found the tooth??!!!?!! Hooray!!

I've left the fact that it got lost out of the narrative for DD so I'm eagerly awaiting the resolution.

She's been wiggling her loose tooth a little more vigorously, now that our trip is only two weeks away. I think she's determined to lose it on the trip.

I was happy to hear good reviews of Boma for breakfast from y'all. I've been agonizing over whether or not to book a breakfast there for days and have finally booked it. We were always doing dinner but since we're on the regular dining plan didn't plan on doing breakfast too but I've switched stuff around (AGAIN!!) and added it in.

I've never been to DTD so I am REALLY looking forward to all the shopping there. I've mentally filed away all your comments so that I'm prepared for our trip.

I'm glad that (thus far in the narrative) there haven't been any issues with having MIL in the room. I love my MIL to death but I'd be weirded out by having her stay in the same room with us. You're a saint...of course the fact that you get to stay at AKL was a compensation. We found a way around that by renting DVC points...dirt cheap and no in laws in the room.

DH and I are going to try out Simba's clubhouse so we can have a date. We're eating at Sanaa for ours. I recently discovered Indian food and love it so this was the place we landed on, although we did consider Jiko.

Looking foward to hearing more...I do hope you'll have a chance to finish before we leave...hint, hint, nudge, nudge, wink, wink!!

I wish I could get it finished before you leave! Not gonna happen! I need to finish it soon though. I refuse to start a PTR until this one is finished!

Boma breakfast is yummy but definitely something worth experiencing at least once. However, we probably wouldn't have eaten there more than once had we not been on DxDP. It's good but I don't know if it's a must do every trip good, ya know?

Have a great trip if I don't see/chat with you before then! Can't wait to read about your trip. You can write whatever ending you want for the tooth fairy at Disney for your daughter. The real ending is gonna be a bit anti climatic, I'm afraid.

Great update! DTD has so many stores to explore, I could shop there for days. LOL!!

I love DTD!! It's become another park to me. Just being there makes me happy. Lots of memories! We were going there before it was cool to go there!

Great updates!
Love DTD!! TrenD is a neat store inside for all the decor!
AKL looks so neat!! I can check it out I hope when we are there for Boma!

AKL is awesome!!! I hope you do get a chance to check it out! Definitely worth a look around or three.




So I have to get this puppy finished and soon!! I'm starting to forget things!! I do know there will be a lot of pictures though! I tend to take more pics as the trip comes to an end. I know I have a limited amount of time to capture memories.



As you may have noticed by the niffty new ticker I have in my siggie, we are going back at Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm so stinking excited. Mr. I can't go at Christmas. He'll never be able to go at Christmas as long as he's in the restaurant biz. I really want to go back before Jack-Jack turns 3 and has to have his own ticket and can't stay as an 'infant' in a normal room. I was looking at the school calendar for next year and they are getting out a whole week earlier, which is great except that means they are gonna lose a lot of their 3 days weekends. Which leaves us going MLK weekend again. Which is fine, but it's gonna get harder and harder to take Dash out of school. AND with Jack-Jack costing a whole airplane ticket now, I'd really like the option of driving it (18 hrs + stopping time). As I was looking at the calendar I noticed that with the way Christmas falls next year, we have a full week off before Christmas. So... I talked to my sister, who is in education and has the same schedule, and she'd love to go. Called my mom and invited her and voila a trip is made! I did talk to Mr. I and while he's bummed he can't go with us, he understands my desire to get another trip in before Jack-Jack turns 3 and that hopefully, they'll be plenty of opportunities to go as a family of 4 in the future.

It's gonna be fun. My sister and mom are the ones that took me as a child. My sister is quite a bit older than I am and never married or had kids of her own, so she loves to go with her neices and nephews ... and little sister. She's been taking me since I was 6!

Well, my mom is going with her best friend in May. So she's switching to an AP, saved an additional 5% off her room for this trip and we can use the AP discount for December, hoping and praying there is one! If we can get a great discount for December.... which I know may not be as great of a discount as off season but a girl can dream right? IF we can get a great discount, I'd love to stay at Wilderness Lodge. It's always been my favorite Christmas resort. If not, we'll probably try for Port Orleans FQ. That's where we stayed when I was 14 and we went for Christmas the first (and only) time.



So!! I must get this TR done so I can start a PTR and start planning our Christmas trip!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

I wish I could get it finished before you leave! Not gonna happen! I need to finish it soon though. I refuse to start a PTR until this one is finished!

Boma breakfast is yummy but definitely something worth experiencing at least once. However, we probably wouldn't have eaten there more than once had we not been on DxDP. It's good but I don't know if it's a must do every trip good, ya know?

Have a great trip if I don't see/chat with you before then! Can't wait to read about your trip. You can write whatever ending you want for the tooth fairy at Disney for your daughter. The real ending is gonna be a bit anti climatic, I'm afraid.



I love DTD!! It's become another park to me. Just being there makes me happy. Lots of memories! We were going there before it was cool to go there!




AKL is awesome!!! I hope you do get a chance to check it out! Definitely worth a look around or three.




So I have to get this puppy finished and soon!! I'm starting to forget things!! I do know there will be a lot of pictures though! I tend to take more pics as the trip comes to an end. I know I have a limited amount of time to capture memories.



As you may have noticed by the niffty new ticker I have in my siggie, we are going back at Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I'm so stinking excited. Mr. I can't go at Christmas. He'll never be able to go at Christmas as long as he's in the restaurant biz. I really want to go back before Jack-Jack turns 3 and has to have his own ticket and can't stay as an 'infant' in a normal room. I was looking at the school calendar for next year and they are getting out a whole week earlier, which is great except that means they are gonna lose a lot of their 3 days weekends. Which leaves us going MLK weekend again. Which is fine, but it's gonna get harder and harder to take Dash out of school. AND with Jack-Jack costing a whole airplane ticket now, I'd really like the option of driving it (18 hrs + stopping time). As I was looking at the calendar I noticed that with the way Christmas falls next year, we have a full week off before Christmas. So... I talked to my sister, who is in education and has the same schedule, and she'd love to go. Called my mom and invited her and voila a trip is made! I did talk to Mr. I and while he's bummed he can't go with us, he understands my desire to get another trip in before Jack-Jack turns 3 and that hopefully, they'll be plenty of opportunities to go as a family of 4 in the future.

It's gonna be fun. My sister and mom are the ones that took me as a child. My sister is quite a bit older than I am and never married or had kids of her own, so she loves to go with her neices and nephews ... and little sister. She's been taking me since I was 6!

Well, my mom is going with her best friend in May. So she's switching to an AP, saved an additional 5% off her room for this trip and we can use the AP discount for December, hoping and praying there is one! If we can get a great discount for December.... which I know may not be as great of a discount as off season but a girl can dream right? IF we can get a great discount, I'd love to stay at Wilderness Lodge. It's always been my favorite Christmas resort. If not, we'll probably try for Port Orleans FQ. That's where we stayed when I was 14 and we went for Christmas the first (and only) time.



So!! I must get this TR done so I can start a PTR and start planning our Christmas trip!!

Lucky you and the kiddos to go at Christmas!! That is on my wish list as well.....at least to go when the Christmas decor is out! I love Christmas time!!
I tried to talk DH into going during Thanksgiving break...but no luck yet!

Waiting on the pics...love looking at pics!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Yay for a Christmas trip! As you may remember, we went the actual week of Christmas. We got an AP discount on the room, if I remember right it was 35% for a mod & 40% for deluxe. Good luck!

 

[Dugette]

Awesome to going back at Christmas! We're planning to be at WDW shortly before you-the weekend of the 11th for a few days (we booked Poly bounceback at 40% off during our Jan. trip). No matter where you end up staying, I'm sure it will be awesome for you and the boys (and your sister and mom) to be there at Christmastime. I can't wait to see all the holiday stuff!

 

[gellybean]

Our reservation at Boma was for 8:00pm that evening, so we'd all agreed to meet back up around 6pm to have time to do birthday gifts and maybe get a cocktail in the lounge. I didn't feel comfortable taking the boys into the lounge, so we asked MIL if she'd mind watching the boys while the four of us went down for a before dinner drink. She was fine with it for the most part. She was really there to see the kids anyway, not us. But she did want us to get her a drink too, even if she couldn't drink it until she got down to dinner. I tried to explain she could still order cocktails at dinner, etc, but something was getting lost in translation.

BIL and SIL arrived around 6:30pm. The boys opened gifts from their aunt and uncle.

Dash's excited face this time. I think it was a bit more genuine.

We headed downstairs. It was Saturday night and you could tell MLK weekend had hit with a vengeance. The weather was warming up and since it was a 3 day weekend it was definitely more crowded in the lobby and therefore more crowded in the lounge too. We had trouble finding a seat and the line at the bar was 4 deep. We waited for our drinks to be made and while we were waiting I asked the bartender, who remembered me from the previous night if we were allowed to take the drinks up to the lobby area and she said sure! AKL has wonderful little sitting areas all throughout the lobby and that would be ideal. And my guilty concious was getting to me. I mean the one night in 6 months MIL's whole family is together and she's up in the room with the kids. So I went and retrieved her and the kids while Mr. I ordered her a drink and we all met in the lobby. Dash went over and watched the tv in the kids area, which was great for him. MIL and SIL and BIL went over to the shop and explored some. Mr. I and I sat and watched Jack-Jack crawl all over the couches. We talked about our trip thus far and reflected on the fact that it was ending. Once MIL, BIL and SIL got back from doing a little shopping, I left them with Mr. I to visit while I took some more pictures of the lobby.

(I warned y'all! Lots o pics)

Fire pit indoors

Detail on the railing looking down to the second floor from the lobby.

Thatched ceiling

Stream running behind 2nd floor lounge

Inside Sunset lounge area

Empty check in counter


I had gone down and checked us in earlier, and gotten our buzzer. I made sure it would work in the lobby area. We waited probably an hour but were still buzzed in about half an hour ahead of our reservation time.

I had requested that morning when we ate breakfast if we could sit in the back of the restaurant toward the windows. I knew we'd have a big party and we'd probably be sitting there for a while and I didn't want to be seated in the middle of the restaurant where everyone and their brother would be walking back and forth getting their next plate of food.

We were seated behind the little fenced in area for those that have been there, basically the back half of the restaurant for those that haven't. Quickly enough we were getting our first round of food. They had steak and ribs and chicken and I can't remember what else. We all tried the soups. I had the curried carrot I think and didn't care for it. I did love the olive hummus though! I got seconds on hummus but that was about it. The desserts were ok. I honestly preferred the zebra domes from Mara! The kids had chicken nuggets and the kids pasta dish and were fine. It was a great experience and fun to do a buffet for something different for everyone but I couldn't help but wish we'd done Ohana again. I know, I know. Live and learn.

There was a lady sitting at the table behind us that had obviously had a few glasses of wine that started talking to us. I, being from Texas, was friendly right back and we chatted. Except this chick would not stop chatting. The next thing I know she sits down at our table when Mr. I gets up for his second plate. It was just odd. She thankfully took the hint when 6'5 Mr. I is hovering over with a big ol plate of food, looking down at her, wanting his seat back.



Continued in next post....

 

[gellybean]

Contined from previous post!

The boys got their cupcakes, AGAIN. Mr. I would have killed me if I had told them it was his birthday dinner too, so I was good and kept my mouth shut. I know, shocker!

Jack-Jack started to get fussy so I gave him the camera to occupy himself.

One of the many pictures he took.


The server asked us if we'd like a group pic and we eagerly said yes. This was the only group shot we got all weekend.

Soon enough we were paying the bill and heading back up to the room.

Once we arrived back in the room, Mr. I stepped out on the balcony to show his sister the general idea of the non savannah savannah view. We all visited for a bit in the room, pulling in one of the patio chairs for an extra seat. The extra space in AKL really was nice at this time.

We had quickly stripped Jack-Jack down. He was a mess after all that cupcake! He enjoyed running around in just his diaper for a while. His aunt found it quite amusing!

By about 9:30pm the sounds of thunder wafted through the open door of the balcony and BIL and SIL decided they should head back to their resort before the storms that had been forecasted all day finally hit.

A few more pictures

and we said our goodbyes. All in all, we spent about 8 hrs together out of their 4 day wkend in Orlando.

We got the boys bathed and turned in pretty quickly after they left. Forgetting to put the tooth under the pillow AGAIN!!!!


Up Next!
We had an early date with Epcot the next morning for Mr. I's official birthday celebration. We had lunch plans in France and dinner in Italy! Could our bellies stand all that rich yummy food??

Would we get to ride any rides?!

Would I survive the park with my MIL???


Stay Tuned!!!

 

[martinolichfamily]

We will be trying Boma but for Breakfast...looking forward to checking out AKL! Oh! and picking up some Zebra Domes!
That's too funny about the 'talkative lady' just jumping in your DHs seat!
Jack Jacks cupcake pics!!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I would have been like you - feeling bad that MIL was in the room with the kids while the rest of you were enjoying a drink in the lounge, glad you were able to find a solution that worked for everyone!

I love the pic of Dash's excited face - I think he truely was that time! And Jack-Jack's cupcake pictures are great, so stinkin' cute!

How odd that that woman decided it was ok to just take a seat at your table, I mean I'm all for being friendly, but that's just over the top.

Looking forward to your Epcot day!

 

[Dugette]

Mmmm, yummy Boma! I remember really liking the olive hummus too! I also remember liking the little chocolate mousse cups more than zebra domes...yum!

Crazy that the lady sat down at your table with you! Maybe she thought she was at a Biergarten-seating-style restaurant?

Although it was short, looks like you had a good time with the SIL & BIL.

It's funny to read about a day where we were at WDW too...I keep thinking of what we were doing at the time. Like when you said you heard thunder, I'm thinking, "That's probably when we showed up at MK w/o umbrellas!"

Looking forward to hearing about your day in Epcot. We were at MK that next day and found it to be pretty crowded during the daytime.

Great update!