Next trip I'm booking a resort w/out a pool! *Pg 25 Final DxDP numbers & last update!

[AKL LOVER]

Hi all! I cannot believe that it has been so long since I've written an update. I even told myself that I wouldn't be one of those TR people that went weeks between my updates. I mean really, how hard is it to write an update every few days??? And here I am...2 weeks since my last update! HA HA little did I know, but it really does take a lot of effort and time (at least for me!) to write each update--between checking my trip notes, coordinating with photobucket, summarizing what I have to say so I don't bore you all to death, trying not to write a whole book on just one day of my trip and checking for typos...well you all know what I'm talking about!

Gee, I'm not anal retentive about each post being perfect or anything.

So after a couple of busy weeks--planning DD's 7th birthday party, planning our annual 4th of July camping trip and then going on our annual camping trip for almost a week...

Yes, that's right, camping for a week. In a tent. With bears and skunks and bobcats! It's no Disney, but it is fun!!!! In fact, it's nice to be able to take a trip like this after our Disney vacation because then we don't feel so bad about not relaxing on our Disney trip, because camping is all about relaxing....

...And hiking 10 miles in one day, but THAT is a whole different TR right there!

So I am back and ready to get this TR finished. I have my photopass CD in hand (finally!) and have an update almost finished. I just wanted to let you all know that I haven't forgotten about my poor TR, it's just a little neglected.

Here's a pic of DD's Tangled themed sleepover to tide you over:

Thanks for hanging in there with me and understanding that sometimes, real life really does need to take the front seat, instead of the DIS boards (BLASPHEMY I tell you--I am now open to verbal flogging...)

 

[mrssmith06]

Real life over the DIS?!?! Are you sick?!?

Glad your back and updating!!! Love the Tangled party, that is what my daughter wants to do for her birthday in September. I'm also thinking of doing a sleepover since she's never got to do one before.

Waiting to read more

 

[Aburns8]

That's OK. I am the person who goes weeks without updating my TR. I need to get my update up tomorrow. Love the Tangled theme party!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Real life over the DIS?!?! Are you sick?!?

Glad your back and updating!!! Love the Tangled party, that is what my daughter wants to do for her birthday in September. I'm also thinking of doing a sleepover since she's never got to do one before.

Waiting to read more

I know, I know, shame on me...hey! I've just realized that I've really been not reading regularly--you have a new ticker!! Nice

That's OK. I am the person who goes weeks without updating my TR. I need to get my update up tomorrow. Love the Tangled theme party!

Glad to hear that my TR isn't the only one suffering from lack of updates

 

[disneylovin24]

Just saw your TR and started reading...LOVE it Ive enjoyed catching up on the whole thing.

I can't believe your van got stolen like that, that is unbelievable! So happy they found it though, but I dont blame you for getting a new van, I would have done the same!

Glad to hear you enjoyed your first time at Ohana's, it is so good! I agree though that in our experiences the meats take awhile to come and you always end up filling up on the appitizers and salad that are out of this world! The first time we went we didn't get leied either, so next time I made sure to chase a person down and ended up getting too many

Can't wait to read more!

 

[AKL LOVER]

So, if you recall, I was doing a breakdown at the end of each day, so I could in the end figure out if the DxDP was really worth the $$ we spent on it this trip. My last update of day 4 ended with dinner at Jiko and a fabulous server named Stephanie. Which reminds me...anyone been to see Stephanie recently?? Shame on you if you haven't gone back to Disney JUST FOR THAT. Seriously. She was that good!


Day 4


Water before breakfast in Fantasyland
Bottle of water--2.59
Bottle of water--2.59
Total w/ tax--5.60


Breakfast at CRT
2 Adults at 40.99--81.98
2 Kids at 26.99--53.98
Total w/ tax--144.81


Lunch at Mara
2 meals for the kids and I to split. DH wasn't hungry.
Chicken tenders--7.89
Chicken flatbread--8.19
Fruit cup--3.19
Fruit cup--3.19
Bottle of water--2.50
Bottle of water--2.50
Total w/ tax--29.25


Snack at Mara
Mickey Rice Crispy Treat--2.69


Dinner at Jiko
For DH and I only--the kids got dinner @ Simba's Clubhouse.
Boar App--16.00
Jiko Salad--13.00
Taste of Africa--9.00
(Again, not really sure how we were entitled to 3 apps but that's what Stephanie gave us, so we weren't arguing!!)
Filet--41.00
Side of Mac and Cheese--3.50 (included!)
Beef Short Ribs--39.00
Cheesecake--9.00
Chocolate Dessert--10.00
Pressed Pot of Coffee--6.29 (included as well!)
Total w/ tax--158.87

Bottle of Bukkatraube (the name of this wine was so much fun to say!)--39.00


Total for Day 4: 341.22 (not including the wine)

At a cost of $202 a day, we really made out on the dining plan this day! Of course, it helped that we ate at 2 different 2 TS credit restaurants this day! Again, we'll have to wait and see what the final totals tell us to see if the DxDP was worth it for this family of 4 or not. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that we at least break even by the end of the trip. We still have quite a few yummy meals and snacks to go!!

 

[AKL LOVER]

Just saw your TR and started reading...LOVE it Ive enjoyed catching up on the whole thing.

I can't believe your van got stolen like that, that is unbelievable! So happy they found it though, but I dont blame you for getting a new van, I would have done the same!

Glad to hear you enjoyed your first time at Ohana's, it is so good! I agree though that in our experiences the meats take awhile to come and you always end up filling up on the appitizers and salad that are out of this world! The first time we went we didn't get leied either, so next time I made sure to chase a person down and ended up getting too many

Can't wait to read more!

Glad to have you follow along w/ my TR!

I really didn't mind filling up on all the appetizers--they were fabulous! And much better than most of the meat in my opinion. And then of course there's the dessert. Definitely going back on our next trip! And I will be sure to look out for someone to get leied by...

(HAHAHA! That statement was so suggestive! )

 

[AKL LOVER]

Friday May 6
Day 5

Friday morning started nice and early as we had a 'before the park opens' ADR to make! I took a few more pictures of the animals in our 'backyard' this morning while the kids got ready. Hope you aren't tired of seeing Savanna pics!

These guys were having a hard time getting up that morning!

We were on a bus and on our way to AK by 7:30. Because the ride to AK is so short from AKL, we were at the main gates by 7:40. We had to wait a few minutes before they started letting guests w/ ADR's into the park. I took a few pics to pass the time...

They started letting us into the park at 7:50. We headed towards the back of the park, but took our time. I wanted to stop and take a photo or 2 along the way. We always do an early morning ADR in AK and there's one particular place we always stop at to take a pic of me and the kids. Didn't want to miss out on that this trip!

A CM saw DH taking pics of me and the kids and offered to take one of the 4 of us.

Early morning view of EE:

Finally we made it to our breakfast destination:

Upon crossing the bridge before TH there was a really nice male CM who greeted us good morning (Jambo!) and welcomed us to Africa. He had a wonderful accent...I was practically in with him. And it didn't hurt that he was good looking too! As we were walking towards the podium to check in for breakfast, DH made a comment about the CM's accent, saying that it sounded like he was from South Africa. I said I didn't care where he was from, I felt that ANY guy with a foreign accent was extremely attractive. He took it in stride

Picture taking didn't take too long because we were checking in by 7:59! They called us right back and we got our picture taken with Donald. The family picture turned out so well, that we actually bought the package. They gave us a big one, 2 small ones of the family and 2 small ones of just the kids with Donald. Then of course b/c we bought the pics I was able to add them to our photopass account.

Did you know that Donald is no longer signing books as you get your picture taken with him? Boo. The CM said, 'you can go see him in the park to get his signature'. That is so silly. We book character meals to get pictures and autographs of the characters so we don't have to wait in line in the parks! Sure enough, Donald's line later that morning in the park was 30 minutes! Yikes!

We were seated and got a table in the small room to the left as you walk in the restaurant. We ate in this same room last year and really liked it, so we were glad to be in the same area again. The chef came to our table immediately and showed me what DS could have on the buffet. He had mickey waffles with no egg made especially for DS and they came out pretty quickly. DS was SO EXCITED to finally get some mickey waffles--he's always wanted them! However, last trip I didn't know to ask for waffles with no egg because I didn't know that they could make them. Learned that on the DIS reading a TR of a person who had a child w/ allergies. See DH--reading the DIS really isn't just a distraction, I actually learn important things!

He also had a couple packages of allergy free cookies sent out to DS since he couldn't have any of the desserts from the buffet. We saved these for later since it was still early in the morning.

Characters started coming around pretty quickly:

Kisses from Daisy:

High 5's and I think a pinky promise (?) w/ Goofy:

Breakfast at TH was good as always! We were especially impressed with the chef and how he delt with DS's allergy, how he interacted w/ DS and how he made DS feel so good by getting him Mickey waffles and cookies. He also stopped by later in our meal to make sure that DS didn't need anything else! He was fabulous!

Well, we haven't made it very far into this day yet, but I'm going to have to end because I'm at my picture limit for this post...I will however, leave you with one of my favorite pictures from this trip:

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

Love pre-opening ADR's.

That's great that he was able to finally try some Mickey waffles, it is wonderful how the restaurants will accommodate stuff like that.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm glad to hear that Tusker House was so accommodating of the food allergy! I've always had a great experience at Disney restaurants with my food allergies. Looks like you guys had a great time! (although that is bizarre that Donald won't sign autographs..)

 

[lbuzz52]

You did great in the ddxp for day 4!
I'm not tiring of the Savannah pictures. I'm living deluxe thru you lol!
Great family photo at Tusker House! I think it's silly that Donald doesn't sign. it's his breakfast.

 

[Becc1]

Love your Tusker House breakfast! I've seen so many great pictures of it lastely in peoples TRs that I may have to talk DH into it next trip!

 

[Elcheetah]

I´ve just read through your TR and I´m enjoying it. Can´t wait to find out if you break even with the DxDP.

 

[amandaw]

That's great that your DS was able to get Mickey Waffles! What a nice chef! One day, I will get us a breakfast ADR @ TH. I haven't had any luck on our last 2 trips!

 

[Aburns8]

Tusker House looks like fun! I am going to have to check it out the next time we do AK. That is a little crummy that they won't let Donald sign books. You pay a lot for those experiences and I am sure you don't want to stand in line after you already saw him earlier in the day!

 

[basketkat]

Breakfast before the park opens is always fun!!! I LOVE how great they are with food allergies at Disney World. My youngest is severely allergic to milk. Most people who don't have food allergies don't get it...they say "so she's lactose intolerant??" or "so she just can't have milk or cheese" sigh...no it's a lot more than just that!

But that's one of the reason's I love Disney...they get it...and won't poison her on her vacation. No one wants to deal with that while at the happiest place on earth!

I love all of your pictures...it looks like a fabulous breakfast!

 

[leslie826]

I LOVE your son's smile. Adorable! I would have bought the Donald pics too...they are great!! Really enjoying your TR.

 

[mrssmith06]

Oh yeah you did great on the DxDP for Day 4!

Love the TH update! Looks fun. I'm planning to do that in March, so excited!

 

[disneylovin24]

I'm drooling over the pics of the mickey waffles!!!

 

[ADS2508]

I have been lurking on your trip report for awhile, and just wanted to say I am enjoying it. My DH and I are going to AKL CL with the Deluxe dining plan at the end of August and have ADR's at several of the places you ate at. I planned out all of our ADRs, because my DH wanted to have sit down meals to serve as breaks in the park (why we went with the deluxe plan) and now he is complaining that everything is overly scheduled and asking if we can cancel if we don't feel like going. They just don't understand all the work it takes.