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

[nrod]

Hi Ellen,

Sorry I haven't been posting, I've been reading right along, but I don't always sign in...anyway, the rain that day was incredible wasn't it? We were in AK that day and didn't see too much as it started raining shortly after lunch (and we spent what seemed like HOURS in the boneyard with two crazy boys ). We did everything we could find that was indoors - my boys LOVED ITTBAB. And my husband DID put on his poncho, I couldn't believe it! One of the trees actually fell down near the bus stop during the rain. Sounds like you guys made the best of it! I thought the same thing about Via Napoli - we have such good Italian near us, it always seems like a waste to go to an italian-themed restaurant. However, we did like the new CS in Mexico. Everything we had was delicious! And I am so mad at myself for not getting to the slushie cart in France - the first day the line was a mile long and our second day we had just gotten a beer in Canada. And it was too hot to run back to France, so we just decided to get another drink in Germany instead.

 

[podsnel]

So what did I do when we were in for the duration at Jambo House?

I took a little tour. There is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much to see in Jambo, that i didn't even see it all! Of course, the animals, but the art? The displays? A woman dressed as Tinkerbelle going off to MNSSHP? (Poor thing!! She was going to FREEZE!) Endless amounts of entertainment- or at least enough for a good hour.

The pool in the rain-

Tonight's happy hour offerings-

I started out just walking through the hallways on the lower floors-

Looking through the glass-

Then I looked in one of the alcoves-

Ok- this one? We need more men like THEM!

Then back to see what was outside- I mean OUTSIDE. Every hallway has a staircase, and some are outside....

Art at the end of a hallway-well, it's at the end AND middle of EVERY hallway, art is EVERYWHERE you turn at AKL-

ANd then, the best outdoor staircase, i thought the variety of animals here was pretty peaceable-

I stood there for a while, enjoying the view all to myself, before I started my walk back to the lobby. On the way, I met a woman who was saying how bad she felt for the giraffes, and how they were all frantically trying to get out of the rain, it must be so awful to get wet like that.


I openly laughed at what she said. Is that wrong? Should we take up a collection and buy them all umbrella hats because getting a little wet is so distressful to them? Sorry!

Who doesn't love this bridge?

Looking into BOMA-

I ended up in the store, go figure-

LOVE these-

When I got back to our room, I was happy to see the sun was making it's BEST effort to come out-

There were even a couple of people making the best of the night and they were getting in the pool. For me, it was time to shower(I know I said I did before, but Actually I did now. Such an important detail! ). And head down to our final night's dinner- at JIKO!

FWIW, I really, really enjoyed this time, getting to "know" the resort- AKV offers so much beyond comfy beds!! It is a truly beautiful, educational place!

 

[englishrose47]

Ellen have you no mercy !!! I think the Giraffes should get all the ponchos the guys don't want to wear!!!

Great pix of AKL again!!!

 

[podsnel]

We were a few minutes early for our 8pm ADR at Jiko- so we grabbed our pager, and walked outside....

After a while, we decided to go in and have a seat at the small bar to wait. We met a truly lovely couple from California who was there waiting as well.
We talked a little about wine, and the wife reminded me about Pinotage- it is a grape that is ONLY grown in South Africa- and, ohhhhhh....it is soooooo delicious! So, we ordered the same bottle as them, and spent probably the next half an hour chatting with them, while we waited and waited for our tables.

See, the problem, you know, is the rain.

When it REALLY, REALLY rains, everyone goes back to their hotel- and looks for ADRs at their hotel's restaurant(s). And Disney says, "Why, yes, of course we have a table at 8 pm for you" to as many people as they can. So when people like us, who booked our 8pm tables 6 months ago show up, well...we just HAVE TO wait at the bar! Til 9 or so! It's only fair!

Good thing we liked that couple so much- because the time (and the wine) FLEW by with them!

I am so sorry I don't have their photo! I do, however have their address....somewhere.....

We were FINALLY seated...and can I just say....this meal was ABSOTIVELY worth the wait. We were given an amuse bouche, no idea now what it was, but I know we both liked it very much-

Then some bread...THANK THE LORD...to soak up the wine....

For an app, I had Grilled Wild Boar Tenderloin with Mealie Pap,Chakalaka,White truffle oil & micro cilantro-

CHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM! FABULOSITY, BABY!!! This is new on the menu, and we both loved it. Pods was ordered to order Kalamata Olive Flatbread with LAura Chenel Goat Cheese. I have had this before, and i knew Pods would love it-

Which, he did! I have to mention our server- she was the sweetest, sweetest, sweetest server we have EVER had- actually, she was in the Mgmt training program, and I hope Disney sends her to the top- she was EXTREMELY magical and Disney-ish.

For dinner, I had roasted lamb loin with heirloom tomato chickpea salad, bacon viniagrette, and Kottumbari relish (no idea what that is. But it all tasted yummy!).

Pods wondered what to get, and I said their most famous thing is the filet with mac n cheese. I don't get it, but maybe he would.

Great steak, but wherrrrrrrrrrre's the cheese? Hey- that's what I always think when I have had it! So the CM of the century comes over yet AGAIN to smile and see if we are happy with our dinners. And being that I am oh, say, 10 or 12 bottles of red wine in at this point, I tell her it'a all delicious, but- wherrrrrrrrrrre's the cheese with that mac? It's almost like it evaporates or something when they put the filet on top. Is it heat lamps? Does it cook the cheese into the macaroni? Well, sweetest girl that she was, she went back to the kitchen and brought out a great BIG bowl of the stuff, un-meated up, for us to try. Because, she said, at Jiko, they are allllllll about the mac-n-cheese. They all think it's the creamiest in the world, and just adore it to pieces.

And I have to say, it's pri-tay, pri-tay, pretty good right from the pot!

Although right after we left, like, a week later, the mac was no more. Which (and I know this is ridiculous) I feel responsible for. Do ya think if I kept my mouth shut, it would still be on the menu?? Was I complainer number-straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back and the chef said "THAT'S IT! NO MORE MAC & CHEESE FOR YOU!" as he stormed out of work that night? I guess we'll never know....but I hope all you beef eaters out there like potato gratin & broccolini, because that's what's for dinner now.

Here's an amazingly accurate shot of Jiko that night, as I saw it-

Somehow, I did get a clearer photo, too-

And now, back to reality-

A photo before we go-

And that Cali couple stopped by our table to say good-bye, and give us their email, in case I ever actually DO find someone who wants to go to Disneyland with me, she said she would love to hook up! And AGAIN I took no picture! DUH!

It did take a loooooong time to sit down, but all is forgiven because we had enjoyed another steller dining experience in WDW, and in the end, that's all that matters.

Up next- Dude! SURF'S UP at Victoria Falls!

 

[pinkpixie0920]

Hi! I posted on your dismom's thread a while back but do not think I had a chance to post on this TR yet. Your trip looks fabulous. We ate at Jiko in October and the mac n cheese was gone. I complained to the waiter and he said you can still get it with the filet because it is still on the kids menu. He told me the new chef who is from California Grill I think? said that he did not want to do the filet with mac anymore. So if you are ever back there and you want to get the filet with mac you just have to ask and they will do it.

 

[podsnel]

Now, smarter people would have gone to bed at this point. But us? Well, we're not smarter people! So we went up to our local watering hole- Victoria Falls. On the way....

Pretty lamp on the bar!

HAve I mentioned the clientele every night at this bar?

Men. Always. Men. All of them friendly, all of them strangers, all of them taking a break from their wives, their girlfriends, their kids, their families....Men. I learned alot of conference people stay here, too. I met several men who were either at a conference themselves, or were with someone else who was attending the conference. But whether they were here on somebody else's dime or their own, they were all alike in one way- they were a happy, happy bunch. Loved the Lodge. Enjoying Disney. Would definitely come back. Men from all over the place. Kind of neat. Anyway....my favorite men at the bar were actually behind it-

Here's one-

Here's the other-

Here's us-

Here's them-

Great bartenders, with great and funny stories to tell, kind of like Laurel & Hardy, Abbott & Costello, Lucy & Ethel.....we had a blast hanging out with them. The guy at the bar next to us? He was a DUDE! A DUDE who just flew in from HAWAII!!!!! A SURFER DUDE!!! What a friendly, cool guy to hang out with- he helped make the night end in the best possible way- with a lot of great stories about Hawaii, and surfing, and, well...just more laughs all around!

Oops- for some reason I posted when i wasn't done. No idea what happened there!

We stayed until closing at midnight, we were having so much fun.

Then we said a final goodnight to our friends, wished them happy trails and all that, and went up to our room-

But we STILL didn't go to bed- because....we put on our bathing suits and went in the hot tub. Which I have to say....was VERY HOT!! OUCH!!! So we didn't last too long in there, but when we were done, we were glad we had gone in, on our last night, before going to bed-

It was the PERFECT last night of vacation!!

In the morning, we would be golfing at the Palm....but would that big ol storm let us??? Up next...

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

It is such a wonder that you always end up meeting new people EVERYWHERE YOU GO!! And they are ALWAYS the nicest, sweetest, funniest people you've ever met! I think it's the alcohol..........

 

[dallastxcpa]

It is such a wonder that you always end up meeting new people EVERYWHERE YOU GO!! And they are ALWAYS the nicest, sweetest, funniest people you've ever met! I think it's the alcohol..........

Seriously though Ellen; I hope one day our trips overlap. It would be great to meet you and Pods. I am sad that this trip is nearing it's end but, I am looking forward to your next trip report too.

 

[WannaBeADisMom]

It is such a wonder that you always end up meeting new people EVERYWHERE YOU GO!! And they are ALWAYS the nicest, sweetest, funniest people you've ever met! I think it's the alcohol..........

No comment!!!

 

[karajeboo]

I'd love to- lunch? Or cancel the bar hopping and go there instead? Right now this is what is booked-
Fri- dinner Tutto's at 6:35
Sat-Bkfst Kouzzina 9am, Sanaa 6:35 pm (followed by running through AK to EE for night time rides!)
Sun- tea at 2, Bar Hop/App Hop Blue Zoo, Kimono's, Compass & Ale
Mon-7:05 Flying Fish
Tues- nothing yet- before we leave.

Let me know what you'd like to do......

Monday early lunch??? Since dinner is a little later that night?

 

[rentayenta]

Of course- all desserts are calorie/fat & carb free in WDW- EVERYONE knows THAT!!

Love that- poncho up... men are SO STUPID!!! Ponchos are SEXY!!

Wet, soggy man = not hot.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Sounds like you had a great last night. Unfortunately my DH is a beer guy so I never get to order wine by the bottle. The chocolates look awfully yummy.

 

[CRdisMom]

Never been too Disneyland?? Well that's where the next dismoms should go....lol. I've been once. The year before they opened California Adventure. I am still trying to get my head around how the crammed that in the tight space but that is another trip.

Eating courses like Jikko is the only way to eat I have learned...it absorbs the wine! Damn staying off site! We didn't enjoy too many cocktails together on our last trip because of staying off site.

lunch on Monday could be in Mexico that way we won't interupt the bar hopping.

 

[CRdisMom]

Monday early lunch??? Since dinner is a little later that night?

it is like you live in FL again kara--3 tickers?

 

[angmom]

Beautiful pics of AKL...dinner at Jiko looks delish! When we go to WDW every year we always get an adjoining room with my mom and dad so my husband and I can sneak out at night for some adult beverages sans kiddos - you have given me so many ideas as to where we can go!

PS - It really is a small world- we have gone to WFP since it was just Dr T. - my dad was one of his first patients. Dr Wagner has been my doctor since she joined the practice and I was pretty young - now she takes care of my daughter, son and husband! Love them!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

There are lots of nice trails in the park.There is an easy one at Sugarlands which is at the Park welcome center. Go there & get a trail map that will tell you which trails are easy & which are the hardest.

A nice driving trail is the Roaring Fork Nature Trail. Bears have been spotted there quite a lot this past season. Thanksgiving can be warm or pretty cold there.

 

[podsnel]

happy to see that list

I'm so glad!! I wish we had one more night- for one more restaurant....

Hi Ellen,

Sorry I haven't been posting, I've been reading right along, but I don't always sign in...anyway, the rain that day was incredible wasn't it? We were in AK that day and didn't see too much as it started raining shortly after lunch (and we spent what seemed like HOURS in the boneyard with two crazy boys ). We did everything we could find that was indoors - my boys LOVED ITTBAB. And my husband DID put on his poncho, I couldn't believe it! One of the trees actually fell down near the bus stop during the rain. Sounds like you guys made the best of it! I thought the same thing about Via Napoli - we have such good Italian near us, it always seems like a waste to go to an italian-themed restaurant. However, we did like the new CS in Mexico. Everything we had was delicious! And I am so mad at myself for not getting to the slushie cart in France - the first day the line was a mile long and our second day we had just gotten a beer in Canada. And it was too hot to run back to France, so we just decided to get another drink in Germany instead.

Hi Nancy! That afternoon rain WAS intense- there was that tropical storm/hurricane coming in- the next day was supposed to be worse, remember? Yikes about the tree- I hope no one was hurt! We have many trees down here in our town from all the rain & wind the other night- did you see on the news? One fell, knocked down electrical wires, which burned through the ground to the gas line and then ignited the gas. Loads of people lost power- they even lost it at my kids' middle school for a brief period. What a mess!!

Sounds like you had a great vacation!! Don't worry about the slushie- you always need a reason to go back to WDW, and you can just add slushie to the list!

Ellen have you no mercy !!! I think the Giraffes should get all the ponchos the guys don't want to wear!!!

Great pix of AKL again!!!

Very funny, Rosie!! Good one!

Hi! I posted on your dismom's thread a while back but do not think I had a chance to post on this TR yet. Your trip looks fabulous. We ate at Jiko in October and the mac n cheese was gone. I complained to the waiter and he said you can still get it with the filet because it is still on the kids menu. He told me the new chef who is from California Grill I think? said that he did not want to do the filet with mac anymore. So if you are ever back there and you want to get the filet with mac you just have to ask and they will do it.

Hi there!! I do know they switched alot of chefs around this September at WDW- and I also read that you can still get the m&c if you want it with your filet. I thought the food at jiko was better than I remembered it from my last visit, which was in May 2009, so I was happy about that. That new app I had, the wild boar, was TDF. REALLY amazing!! Thanks!

 

[podsnel]

It is such a wonder that you always end up meeting new people EVERYWHERE YOU GO!! And they are ALWAYS the nicest, sweetest, funniest people you've ever met! I think it's the alcohol..........

Seriously though Ellen; I hope one day our trips overlap. It would be great to meet you and Pods. I am sad that this trip is nearing it's end but, I am looking forward to your next trip report too.

No comment!!!

Just what are you all trying to say?

FWIW, I only mention the people worth mentioning, that will add to the story- and usually I DO think those people are the BEST! in some way. I guess...I just like to talk to everybody and find out what their story is. It's what makes my world go 'round! And it's NOT just because of the alcohol- I'm like this all the time, even in the morning when I'm drinking coffee and in the afternoon when I'm drinking iced tea. So THERE!

Monday early lunch??? Since dinner is a little later that night?

I will do it today- should I push dinner to 8?

Wet, soggy man = not hot.

Sounds like you had a great last night. Unfortunately my DH is a beer guy so I never get to order wine by the bottle. The chocolates look awfully yummy.

I wonder if they would let you bring the rest of a bottle back to your room? And chocolates on the pillow at night make you feel...

Never been too Disneyland?? Well that's where the next dismoms should go....lol. I've been once. The year before they opened California Adventure. I am still trying to get my head around how the crammed that in the tight space but that is another trip.

Eating courses like Jikko is the only way to eat I have learned...it absorbs the wine! Damn staying off site! We didn't enjoy too many cocktails together on our last trip because of staying off site.

lunch on Monday could be in Mexico that way we won't interupt the bar hopping.

DISmoms have no interest in DL- I've asked. I was supposed to go last year with a friend, but she backed out. But we can talk about it on this trip....

And don't worry- we'll make up for the lack of beverages on your last trip on our trip....

it is like you live in FL again kara--3 tickers?

YAY on the CRUISE TICKER!!!

Beautiful pics of AKL...dinner at Jiko looks delish! When we go to WDW every year we always get an adjoining room with my mom and dad so my husband and I can sneak out at night for some adult beverages sans kiddos - you have given me so many ideas as to where we can go!

PS - It really is a small world- we have gone to WFP since it was just Dr T. - my dad was one of his first patients. Dr Wagner has been my doctor since she joined the practice and I was pretty young - now she takes care of my daughter, son and husband! Love them!

That is an EXCELLENT way to go to WDW- with Grandparents in the next room- good for you! You'll have to let me know if VF is all men, all the time, when you go-

Claudia Wagner is my friend's sister- that's why we went to that practice when we moved here 16 years ago! It is THE practice now- hard to get into, everyone loves them. Amazing your dad was one of Dr. T's first patients- he is consistently one of the best DRs in the state- he is AWESOME...he really listens to his patients, doesn't he? I will be switching my boys over when they age out of the pediatrician....which is going to come all too soon for my oldest who is turning 17 in June... And yes, it is a small world.

There are lots of nice trails in the park.There is an easy one at Sugarlands which is at the Park welcome center. Go there & get a trail map that will tell you which trails are easy & which are the hardest.

A nice driving trail is the Roaring Fork Nature Trail. Bears have been spotted there quite a lot this past season. Thanksgiving can be warm or pretty cold there.

Thank-you SO MUCH!!! We will hopefully be able to check them out!

 

[karajeboo]

it is like you live in FL again kara--3 tickers?

Oh, I wish!!! But yes, three trips next year ain't too shabby I guess......


Ellen, I don't think dinner is a problem. If we do an 11 or 12 lunch, we can snack in WS in the afternoon. And like Laura said, we need something to absorb the other festivities in WS..... That Lonnie always gets in trouble.... jus sayin..... Or was it Joan???? Bring that rosary girlfriend, we're gonna need it!!!

 

[podsnel]

Oh, I wish!!! But yes, three trips next year ain't too shabby I guess......


Ellen, I don't think dinner is a problem. If we do an 11 or 12 lunch, we can snack in WS in the afternoon. And like Laura said, we need something to absorb the other festivities in WS..... That Lonnie always gets in trouble.... jus sayin..... Or was it Joan???? Bring that rosary girlfriend, we're gonna need it!!!

Just got off the phone with them- they are only open for dinner. What do you want to do? They open at 4:00- we could go fo Ritas and apps, then push FF to 8 or so....what do you think, all you DISmoms that actually read this TR???