Pods-n-El & The Love Bug(S)- September 24-29th,2010 at AKV Concierge! Updates 11/30

[podsnel]

Your golf prowess sounds like mine! I started playing this summer, so have not made par yet, but have come close.

I just love walking the course & being out with my sweetie.

I can't wait for you to start your TR of the cruise. From your pictures it looks fantastic!

Keep playing!! One day you'll be doin' the big happy dance on a Par hole just like I was- I wish Pods would learn to take pictures when it counts, but I just don't see that ever happening. I was jumpin' and cheering like crazy!!

"All the single riders! All the single riders! You gotta split UP!"

I am NOT a sandwich person AT ALL but I have to say, the picture of that sandwich looks sooooo yum!! I would probably go for the meatball sub because it's not really a "sandwich" but seeing pictures of always helps me and if I ever end up at EOS, I might just get "The Original!"

I've seen lots of pics of AKL but the ones in your last post are just beautiful! Really nice perspective. It reminds me so much of the Wilderness Lodge, which is my absolute favorite.

Yea- the single rider line is how Timmy, Tyler & I rode on this last trip to MAXIMIZE our RnRC time! It worked GREAT!!

I hope you do try EoS, it is excellent. Be sure to text me when you do- I want to know how it goes!!

And thanks for the compliment on my pics- it is so beautiful there, and I always feel like my photos really don't do it justice. It IS designed by the same architect as WL, which I'm sure you already know, and they do feel so similar. I think I'd like to stay at WL someday, that's the only one (besides GCV) that we haven't tried. Maybe if we go sometime in January- WL feels very wintery to me.

That's funny...we stayed in the exact same room. We thought the view was pretty good for CL. Can't wait to see more pictures. Also looking forward to your review of Via Napoli (I think you said you had ressies there).

That's funny! I thought it was a cool view, too. And yes, we had lunch at Via Napoli- on Tuesday, so it's coming up soon...

i need to hang out with you omg the food looks great both at the signature dinner and at EOS. yum.

I would love to golf again. i went once with my dad long ago and didnt think i would like it, ho windmills not trick shots LOL but omg it was fun and somewhat relaxing.. when your dad and brother arent telling you which way to stand/hold the club etc lol

JEALOUS of 3 back to back trips in line on the coaster, fun!

**so back to the shots on the cruise did anyone kick any trashcans... wait dont tell me suprize me LMAO**

Joan's cousin who works on RnRC says 3 rides is the max- you start to feel loopy. But I don't know- I didn't feel any loopier than usual!!

Trashcans? What? Someone's gonna have to explain that one to me....

Call thet MOJO in action 3 rides on RnC in 45 mins. !!!I agree EOS is awesome and the price ain't bad !!!!When on the ddp WPE is a better deal though and they also have awesome food !!!
Ellen can you tell me what Safaris would be available for non concierge or AKL guests !!As next year our FREE Trip we are looking at one that says safari and I don't know which it is !!

There is a new safari that is coming out, The Wild Africa Trek, that will be open to everyone- it is pretty expensive- http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm#wildafricadetails

Gotta love EOS, it is so tasty!

I love TOT, but you won't get me on that Aerosmith coaster. I love coasters, but I can't do the ones that flip me upside down.

That's a shame- I LOVE that ride, the music makes it GREAT!! Does going upside down freak you out? Or does it make you sick?

Hi Ellen!

I LOVE Basin!! It is my favorite store in DTD. That reminds me, I only have two bath bombs left, I need to go back to Disney for more! The ones with the hidden Mickey's are my favorite. Fantastic pics, love reading this TR. Can't wait to see more about your trip with the boys.

There are hidden Mickey ones? That's so cool!!

Congrats on riding RnR 3 times in 45 minutes. That is my all time favorite ride! Yeah, Yeah, do it like a Lady!

I really wish I could remember the names of the wines we drink. Sorry, but I don't have a memory when it comes to that. However, next time you are in France and go to the wine shop there is a Pinot Nior there it cost $5.63 a glass. In fact we buy a bottle before we leave to leave in our OL so it is there and ready for when we get to our room next time. I have a picture on my cell phone but can't read the name. Sorry.

Ya know, they don't play that song anymore- I really miss it! Now it's a montage of different songs- and "Dude" is not in the mix- which I think is a shame, because I think that song worked best- it's like the song "takes off" and so do you!! When I hear Dude on my ipod, I close my eyes and can feel like I'm on that ride.

It's really funny that prior to this year I was terrified on RnRC- but sucked it up and did it once every trip. Now I can't get enough!!

 

[CRdisMom]

RnRc is the bomb! beth and i rode it twice in a row. I can only imagine what 3 felt like. katie was bummed she couldn't go on it. crazy she could ride TOT

 

[podsnel]

After our RnRC marathon, we were ready for an equally cool dinner venue that would be worthy of our oh-so-hyper-coolness. What perfect planning that we were going to Blue Zoo, Todd English's WDW venue at the Dolphin. Really, this restaurant is BEAUTIFUL, and soooo modern. It was our first visit- in other recent WDW adult trips, I have never booked it because they didn't accept TIW, and well, it kind of felt foolish to go to a non- TIW restaurant when we could very easily use TIW at plenty of other places we wanted to try. But sometime this last year, a whole new slew of restaurants was added to TIW, Blue Zoo being among them. EXCELLENT!!

First, some bread-

Next, a Zooberry cocktail-

Ok, I could drink THOSE everyday with no complaints. Yummmmm....

I knew exactly what I was having for an app- Teppan Seared Jumbo Seared Scallops with braised beef short rib, silky cauliflower puree-

This is everything that is right about this restaurant. One of the BEST small plates EVAAAAARRRRRR!!!

And THIS is everything that is WRONG with this restaurant. I don't see it listed on any online menus, but I remember what it was because the server made a point of pronouncing it VERY CAREFULLY for us. Deconstructed OysteR Rockefeller. Did you get that? We didn't until it came out. I'll spell it again- deconstructed oysteR rockefeller. ta-daa-

Yep- there it is- a $14 oyster. Get your cameras out everyone!! Wouldn't want to miss THAT one. Here's Pods, contemplating getting $@%&!+! at Blue Zoo-

I believe that revelation calls for another zooberry, don't you?

On to our main course. We both ordered the same thing, with different fish. Simply fish, with Dijon mustard and crab sauce, with a lobster claw. Sorry, i don't remember which fish we had, but it was very yummy, even if the sauce was lukewarm at best. This was mine-

This was Pods'

Pods got a claw, and more. I got a knuckle. That's it. I was disappointed. I was REALLY looking forward to a claw. It's my favorite body part on those big red bugs. Some people like the tail- I like the claws. So we said something, and the waiter said he would bring me a claw- which he never did. But he did end up taking the zooberries off of our bill. And THAT proved to be a VERY GOOD THING. Why, you ask??

Hmmmmmm...what is the one teeny, tiny detail I had forgotten, or, at best, only vaguely remembered about Blue Zoo??? Ummmmmmmm....Oh yeah.








Bring your WALLET. Because they don't take the KTW card. You need CASH MONEY or a credit/debit card, to eat here. Uh-oh.......ANyone in the mood for a little DISHWASHING duty????

Like most people, when we are in the WDW bubble, we give up common, everyday things like carrying a credit card, cash, or half-a-brain. Fortunately, for who knows WHAT reason, DH had stuffed some moolah into his pants before leaving the oh-so-far-away hotel room at AKL which housed, among other things, his wallet.

He informed me we JUST made it- and that if it weren't for the server removing the 2 zooberries, we would have been $OL...my response?

Hysterical, crazy fits of the giggles. Which did not go over so well with my DH. But what can I say? It seems 2 zooberries made me absolutely GIDDY and GLEEFUL! And is that so awful....REALLY? We skeedaddled, taking a couple more pics before we left. The dancing fish-

The bar, which is where I will be having all my future visits at this establishment-

Bendy was RIGHT!! Just go for the apps and zooberries. And, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, bring your WALLET!!!!


Up next- Cammie!!! I finally GET IT!!! The Boardwalk ROCKS!!!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

The going upside down makes me ill No other rides do that to me.

 

[rentayenta]

Coffe cup full of not coffee.....so something we'd do.

Zooberry looks yum.

Looks like I will have to stroll into Basin when we are in Disneyland next month. I believe their DTD has one too. I love smelly soaps and things.

 

[hill6]

Hi Hill6!! Nice to meet you! Our morning flight is always 1592, I think anywhere from 7:30 to 8:30, usually. Glad you liked the description of our morning- for you, you could probably visualize the whole thing. UGH. That is an EXCELLENT tip about the parking- is it the parking where the short term parking is? That IS very convenient- definitely the way to go for us if we have a shorter trip with all of us (which we will have next year) where we would have to get a van. Thank-you so much for the tip!

I ran the whole thing through my head. Will get to experience it on Wednesday morning. We are on the 9 am flight this time. Almost booked the one that you had but opted for the later one so we didn't have to get up so early.

Yes it is the short term garage that connects right to the terminal. You have to get on the inner road to get there. We always miss it and have to loop back around.

 

[podsnel]

So, we left Blue Zoo, penniless, I suppose, and decided it was time to venture back to the world of KTW cards. I thought, Pods has never been to the BellVue Room, how about there? On the way...

We have only ever stayed at BWV one night, one time. I think that that is just not enough time to fall in love here, ESPECIALLY when you spend close to an hour on that first visit zig zagging through the hallways in search of your room. My good DISmom friend, Cammie loves the Boardwalk. And really? I have never understood why. Isn't that terrible? I just couldn't get past the fact that when i was there, I felt like a mouse in search of the cheese....it just felt like a maze to me, and that's all I could think of. Even though, I will fully admit, the interior is probably my most favorite of all the DVCs- I think the rooms, the common areas, all of it is spectacularly lovely. Just couldn't get past the initial shock of trying to wiggle my way around its massive halls. And I have never, ever seen the BDWK entertainment.

Until now.

Because on THIS night, I saw my very first bit of what the Boardwalk is. There was a magician doing a show. And it was awesome. And really, REALLY entertaining. We stood there enjoying his act for a good 1/2 an hour. I honestly could have watched him for a 1/2 an hour more. It was freakin' FANTASTIC!! Well, except for when this giant bald head magically appeared RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME after the first 10 minutes or so.

WHAT. A. JERK. Some people are sooooooo ignorant, aren't they? Anyway, squeezing between some people I took a couple pics-

That little girl? The CUTEST!! She needs to have her own show on the Disney Channel. You just could not take your eyes off of her. She had that "IT" factor in spades. So sunny and cheerful and sooo cute- that Magician couldn't have done better with Selena Gomez.

We both thought the show was great- and after it was finished, we went up to the BVL-

Which we both thoroughly enjoyed.

Ya know what cracks me up here? I have only ever been twice- and BOTH times, there were people sitting at the bar, discussing how the BWV was the only place they ever stayed because they loved it soooooo much. I just find that interesting, for some reason. Anyway, i'm SOLD! It IS all that, and I am REALLY excited I get to give it another shot in 6mos when we stay in a 2bdrm BW view villa. It'll be GREAT!!

We decided to grab a cab and go back to our home at AKV. On the way...

A quick visit to the Victoria Falls Lounge, and we were off to lala land

Up next- our last full day, we are going to EPCOT!

 

[anewmac]

i like the outside of the boardwalk but nothing more! and i dislike the swan and dolphin something about it just seems so .. blah LOL

I do love how you end your evenings!

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks for the info Ellen !!! I am not sure which tour they include but the New one sounds a little scarey with hanging over a cliffI am kinda thinking it is the one which includes breakfast BUTTTTTT we will see !!

Blue Zoo is NOT on my list anymore Ellen !!!!The portions looked minute !!!!!

Boardwalk is Gorgeous !!!!

 

[podsnel]

RnRc is the bomb! beth and i rode it twice in a row. I can only imagine what 3 felt like. katie was bummed she couldn't go on it. crazy she could ride TOT

We'll have to see how it goes in May- I would love to go for 5!! And WOW- Go Katie!! What a brave girl wanting to ride that!!

The going upside down makes me ill No other rides do that to me.

I'm so sorry- I have heard that from a lot of people, that they can do anything BUT go upside down.

Coffe cup full of not coffee.....so something we'd do.

Zooberry looks yum.

Looks like I will have to stroll into Basin when we are in Disneyland next month. I believe their DTD has one too. I love smelly soaps and things.

I KNEW I liked you, LOL!! And you will LOVE Basin!! It is SUCH a girly store!

I ran the whole thing through my head. Will get to experience it on Wednesday morning. We are on the 9 am flight this time. Almost booked the one that you had but opted for the later one so we didn't have to get up so early.

Yes it is the short term garage that connects right to the terminal. You have to get on the inner road to get there. We always miss it and have to loop back around.

Thanks for the tip- have a BLAST on your trip!!

i like the outside of the boardwalk but nothing more! and i dislike the swan and dolphin something about it just seems so .. blah LOL

I do love how you end your evenings!

Because we go to Lala land?

Thanks for the info Ellen !!! I am not sure which tour they include but the New one sounds a little scarey with hanging over a cliffI am kinda thinking it is the one which includes breakfast BUTTTTTT we will see !!

Blue Zoo is NOT on my list anymore Ellen !!!!The portions looked minute !!!!!

Boardwalk is Gorgeous !!!!

Just the oyster was a silly portion- the fish portion was generous, i thought. But I am only going back for drinks and aps from now on.

And, I think the only safari that is open for everyone IS the new one with the hiking- the sunrise is only if you are staying Concierge, and ONLY AKL Concierge. The Sunset (Wanyama) is only if you stay at AKL. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[MEK]

Nice fountain picture. Heck, they are all good - really artsy!

I will put the Bellvue lounge on my May list. I love the lobby of the boardwalk. It is so Jersey shore, circa Steele Pier. It reminds me of when I was 6 or 8 years old and my grandparents, who lived in South Jersey, would take me down there in the summer. Such a different era, but really cool.

You are right - that little girl was so cute. And some people really do have that 'it' factor. It shows right away.

 

[knewton64]

U R SOOOOOOOO RIGHT!


Those Jalapeno Margaritas (Epcot F&W) ROCK!


Thanks for the suggestion!



P.S. YYEESS.....after downing 2 of them on an empty stomach (with 4 hrs sleep I might add)...... I hopped scotched right on outta there and onto Soarin'


TTOOOO COOL! Sat on row one and lloovveeed every minute of it!



ok......gotta get caught up on yer tr!



T.T.F.N.

 

[podsnel]

We woke up on Tuesday morning, grabbed breakfast at the lounge, and then I decided to go down to workout in the gym- unfortunately, I was missing closed toed shoes (they were in my golf bag) and they DENIED me access. (FWIW, I came home and purchased a pair of Pumas to keep in my OL so this NEVER happens AGAIN!). With my non-workout out of the way, I went back up to the room- I noticed during my walk that they were taking some pics by the pool for something. An ad? Well, Disney propaganda, irregardless. When I got back to the room, I took a photo of it, although I REALLY should have used my zoom lens, don't ya think?

We waited for the bus...

Which came in a decent amount of time. Before ya know it, we were here-

It always cracks me up that people get on this huge line first thing- when we all know (well, I guess THEY don't know) that there will be NO line soon enough!

The new Mexican restaurants had just opened, and I was a little sad we wouldn't be trying it out this time-

We were trying out a different new restaurant today, the new Italian one.

I really wasn't missing the crowds that would be here when this opened up, well, maybe a little...

I had made 11:30 ADRs at Via Napoli, and we arrived before opening.

So we checked in and waited with alllllllllll the other early birds!

The pizza ovens are each named after Italian volcanos-

Soon we were seated, and presented with menus-

We decided we were in the mood for pasta. Pods decided to have Candele, with a sausage ragu-

I was having Lasagne Verde-

We also asked if we could have a salad, which on the menu said you could only order with the pizzas. But when I ordered it, the server was like of course you can have it! That's what it's for! Okay.....

I liked the salad the best- the pasta was very good- but, here's the BIG problem. I live in NJ. I can get Italian food in the next town at any of 5 different restaurants, that will be 1/2 the price and twice as good as what I've ever had in WDW. Plus, I live right outside of NYC. It's a dilemma. My DH is the same. And when I cook Italian, if I am following a recipe, I am cooking Marcella Hazan. And HER food KICKS BUTT! If you would like to see what REAL Italian food is, go buy her book, "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking". It is the Italian bible. Seriously, I have hundreds of cookbooks, but hers is one of mine that has been so loved, and so used, that it is stained on nearly every page. All of this adds up to ....we liked Via Napoli. It's beautiful. The pasta was good. I would like to go back with more of an appetite someday and more people to share with. But it is not the best Italian food I have ever tried. Some more pretty pics-

I forgot all about trying this- yet another reason to go back, the aqua frescas-

All my photos are crooked from this day- I think that's because I was TRYING to make them straight- when I'm not trying so hard, sometimes things come out a little bit better.

Up next- c'mon Honey!! Kim Possible needs our help- TWICE!!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

JEALOUS of all new Epcot pictures!!! I feel like I don't even know what World Showcase looks like anymore!! Mexico and Italy both look so different, even just from July and it makes me sad!! Why did they have to make all those major changes like a WEEK after we left!? I hate just missing something but WS is pretty major....to me, anyway!!

(Temper tantrum over....)

The Hacienda looks soooo inviting! I really hope we can eat there on our next trip, but with only 4 days AND the fact that we're going with Tom's DB, DSIL and DNephew, not sure we're going to be able to get it in.

BTW, I knew about Etna and Vesuvius....but Stromboli? Seriously?

 

[podsnel]

Nice fountain picture. Heck, they are all good - really artsy!

I will put the Bellvue lounge on my May list. I love the lobby of the boardwalk. It is so Jersey shore, circa Steele Pier. It reminds me of when I was 6 or 8 years old and my grandparents, who lived in South Jersey, would take me down there in the summer. Such a different era, but really cool.

You are right - that little girl was so cute. And some people really do have that 'it' factor. It shows right away.

Well, it REALLY showed on her. Every time she giggled it was like the whole world was giggling. She REALLy needs an agent- I think her name was Chelsea or Casey...

I know what you mean about the Steel Pier- I went there once when I was a babysitter on a day trip with the family I was on vacation with. It WAS like the BW. I am VERY much looking forward to that trip-

And thanks for complimenting the pics! I really appreciate it- I always wish I had the time to play with them like you do, you do such cool things with your photos. But i am trying to finish this and start the DCL trippie- not to mention we'll be going to Tennessee soon.

U R SOOOOOOOO RIGHT!


Those Jalapeno Margaritas (Epcot F&W) ROCK!


Thanks for the suggestion!



P.S. YYEESS.....after downing 2 of them on an empty stomach (with 4 hrs sleep I might add)...... I hopped scotched right on outta there and onto Soarin'


TTOOOO COOL! Sat on row one and lloovveeed every minute of it!



ok......gotta get caught up on yer tr!



T.T.F.N.

Awesome!! So glad you liked it!! The jalepeno is still my favorite. Do you know I didn't realize you weren't on the cruise until we were already on it? I asked someone where's that Knewton guy? And they said you cancelled in the summer. DUH me!!

I am glad you had fun in WDW- are you doing a TR?

 

[MEK]

OMG Ellen - I forgot that you are going to Pigeon forge for Thanksgiving. I hope you have a great time.

Your Via Napoli pictures are also beautiful. You really, really got some nice clear and well composed shots. Nice work!

Sorry the food wasn't that good, but the restaurant was beautiful. I can't wait to try it in May. I heard the pizza is very good.

You should have gone to the health club at Kidani. There is no one there checking footwear.

 

[dallastxcpa]

Ahhh the Boardwalk. It holds a special place for me because that is where we stayed when Dave & I got married. What is really scary though is it was prior to us owning DVC and I paid rack rate for a 2 bedroom. Although we did get 8 days for the price of 4 on a special. If I had only known that would have made a great down payment on points.

My favorite memory though was in 2004. Dave, me and his kids grabbed a bottle of wine and a couple of six packs of beer at the general store on the Boardwalk. We then spent the next two hours at one of the tables just talking, sipping and people watching. Sooooo much fun. It is the moments like that at Disney that are so special to me. The times when I just slow down and enjoy the scenery.

 

[anewmac]

im sure you have had better italian but for me it looks yummy right now lol

Oh and i meant i love that you end your days with a night cap LOL

 

[TarzansKat]

What a beautiful course! Golf is something I have always wanted to try, but haven't yet.

 

[TarzansKat]

EoS and Basin! Yum on both counts.