Some Firsts, Some Lasts -- Family Trip 5/12/2011-5/19/2011

[DEA]

How cute was that (and ingenious of your daughter!)!


oh...my...gosh you had me laughing so hard at your comment regarding Cinderella!! Great sense of humor

Thanks! Usually, about one joke in 400 actually turns out funny.

 

[EWL]

Howdy fellow Northern VA-er!

Thanks for such an awesome trip report and sharing the pix of your beautiful family. We are heading down next weekend for our 1st DVC trip and staying at AKV, first for 4 nights in a savannah view in Jambo, then 2 nights in a standard view at Kidani, so really enjoyed your comments. A few questions for you if you're willing...

...Hacienda de San Angel.

You mentioned you tried it-- what was the verdict? We've got an ADR there too...

Driving down, despite the investment of time and the high gas prices, leaves us with transportation options when we get to WDW, cash that we did not spend on airline tickets, and a decided lack of TSA searches and scans. All around, a nice win for us. So, this year, the plan was the same: Pick up the girls from school around 3:30pm, hit Dunkin' Donuts for some late-afternoon carbs, drive to somewhere in the Carolinas for dinner, put in one more DVD, and then have the girls wake up in Orlando, preferably as we pulled into the Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It worked last year, so why tinker with success.

OK, must admit, we have yet to try driving but I see it in our future. There are only 3 of us, but flights and cars definitely add up. I take it you drive all night-- how long does it end up taking you?

We spent most of the next couple of hours laughing, singing, and repeatedly asking ourselves why we had never done this. I loved it, my DW loved it, both girls loved it and still quote some of the jokes.

HDDR has become our "must do". It's good corny fun. And who can argue with free flowing sangria.

Now, for one of my best hints for a Disney freebie: Make an ADR at Tusker House between 1pm and 1:45pm, and you get priority seating for the 3:15 Finding Nemo show. No lines, seats down in front, and you were going to eat lunch anyway, right? This quickly became a tradition for us a couple of years ago.

Whoa-- just happens we've got a 1:05PM ADR there for lunch after the "Wild by Nature" Youth Education Series field trip that we're doing that morning... nice added bonus!!

Some people have referred to Tusker House as a "mini-Boma," but I like it better than Boma. In my mind, baklava > Zebra Dome. They also have some of the nicest CMs I've encountered at WDW. It speaks to good management. Also, they have the waiter with the loudest voice in the entire waitering profession. Listen the next time you go there. Actually, whether you listen or not, you will probably be able to hear him. Anyway, I find Tusker House to be one of the better 1TS restaurants at WDW.

Great to know, we are looking forward to trying it!

On the way, the girls ended up in a drum circle they had for kids in one of the rooms off the lobby.

Thanks for that tip, sounds like something that DD would want to check out!

Sorry for the interruption, but I was kidnapped and taken across the country to Disneyland by my wife for my birthday.

How awesome is that.

Following the wine tasting, we took advantage of another of my favorite WDW values: the Culinary Tour of Africa, where you get to visit Boma and Jiko, get a look at the items on offer, try one of the soups at Boma, and have the bread appetizer at Jiko, all for the low, low price of absolutely free. I would highly encourage you to do this if you find yourself at Jambo House at 4pm.

Great review of the wine tasting, though likely won't work for us this time-- but for the Culinary Tour do you need reservations of any sort? And how long does it take? Wondering if we might fit it in before our 5:15 ADR at Boma...

They also have excellent bathrooms on the main level, second only to the bathrooms outside of Sanaa as the best on WDW property. Aren't you glad that I do this research for you?

That is great info indeed!

 

[afwdwfan]

So, breakfast was a big hit, and I think we'll be heading back to Tusker House for breakfast in the future. It gets the My Family Seal of Approval.

Good to know! We'll be doing our first visit there in a few months!

We grabbed some lunch when we got back. I tried out Flame Tree BBQ for the first time thumbsup2)

That's another one that I intend to try for the first time... also a few hours after my first breakfast at Tusker House.

Following the wine tasting, we took advantage of another of my favorite WDW values: the Culinary Tour of Africa, where you get to visit Boma and Jiko, get a look at the items on offer, try one of the soups at Boma, and have the bread appetizer at Jiko, all for the low, low price of absolutely free. I would highly encourage you to do this if you find yourself at Jambo House at 4pm.

Free food????? How have I never heard of that before??????

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Just catching up now...and I have to say, I think I'd actually watch Cinderella 4: Judgment Day. Just sayin'.

 

[lbuzz52]

that wine tasting does sound like a bargain! glad that they could accomidate the girls!

 

[DEA]

Howdy fellow Northern VA-er!

Howdy!

Thanks for such an awesome trip report and sharing the pix of your beautiful family. We are heading down next weekend for our 1st DVC trip and staying at AKV, first for 4 nights in a savannah view in Jambo, then 2 nights in a standard view at Kidani, so really enjoyed your comments. A few questions for you if you're willing...



You mentioned you tried it-- what was the verdict? We've got an ADR there too...

Next installment...

OK, must admit, we have yet to try driving but I see it in our future. There are only 3 of us, but flights and cars definitely add up. I take it you drive all night-- how long does it end up taking you?

We left around 3pm and got to the greater AKL area around 7am, so about 16 hours, overnight driving, and a single, but long dinner stop and a few gas and bathroom stops.

HDDR has become our "must do". It's good corny fun. And who can argue with free flowing sangria.

Indeed. I think it's where their cheap beer goes to be drunk in quantity.

Whoa-- just happens we've got a 1:05PM ADR there for lunch after the "Wild by Nature" Youth Education Series field trip that we're doing that morning... nice added bonus!!

It's a nice perk. We waited in line our first year, in the rain, and use this trick to never, ever have to do that again.



Great to know, we are looking forward to trying it!

Thanks for that tip, sounds like something that DD would want to check out!



How awesome is that.



Great review of the wine tasting, though likely won't work for us this time-- but for the Culinary Tour do you need reservations of any sort? And how long does it take? Wondering if we might fit it in before our 5:15 ADR at Boma...

Nope, no reservations. Just show up at the Boma check-in desk at 4pm and tell them you're interested in the tour. As an added bonus, you get to check out the food before you eat dinner there.

That is great info indeed!

Glad you like it. I hope you have a wonderful upcoming trip!

 

[DEA]

Good to know! We'll be doing our first visit there in a few months!


That's another one that I intend to try for the first time... also a few hours after my first breakfast at Tusker House.


Free food????? How have I never heard of that before??????

I found out about the free food searching around for AKL info before we stayed there last year. It turned out to be better than I expected.

Just catching up now...and I have to say, I think I'd actually watch Cinderella 4: Judgment Day. Just sayin'.

It would certainly beat out other Disney direct-to-video releases. And appeal to a wider demographic.

that wine tasting does sound like a bargain! glad that they could accomidate the girls!

It was a nice touch, and I'm glad we checked with them in advance to make sure they could.

 

[DEA]

All good things must come to an end, and so it was with this year's family trip. We had one more day for a few more hours in the Magic Kingdom, some swimming, and then dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel, our last dinner, and a first for us.

We got to MK bright and early

And stopped by the Princess meet-and greet area, which was blissfully uncrowded:

Not sure what the younger child is doing there, but she seems to be properly respectful of Aurora.

Oh, plus we needed to see another Princess at a different location... and her beau:

There were few must-dos left at MK at this point, a little Pirates and a little walking around were enough to top off the Magic Kingdom Magic tanks.

Back to the pool for some more waterslide fun, and eventually we were ready to head to Epcot for dinner.

Usually, we go to Epcot in the morning, but it is quite a different type of place in the evening. It felt almost like an outdoor pedestrian mall as dusk approached. I really like that feel of the place. It's less theme park and more park park, but with all the amenities that Epcot has.

In looking at the Hacienda de San Angel menu, I was a little concerned. I wasn't so sure that the relatively small menu would meet my tastes, but I was certainly willing to give it a try. It was Mexican food, after all.

My DW and I split the Parradilla - Del Mar dinner. To give you an idea of how good it was, I ate the shrimp, and I really, really don't like shrimp. It was a fantastic main course, but the black beans were fairly amazing. So very good, all around. The queso fundido appetizer was also a very nice option. Our first visit, and I am already thinking about a repeat performance.

Back to the hotel for our final look at the Wishes fireworks for this trip, then sleep, and then up again for the ride home....

 

[DEA]

So, I promised some firsts and some lasts. First, the firsts:

1. Hoop Dee Doo Revue: An awesome time was had by all. This will be a new tradition for us.

2. Hacienda de San Angel: I was ready to be disappointed, but they really came through. I don't know if this is an every-time restaurant, but it will make for a good dinner option.

3. Donald's Safari Breakfast: Another Winner! This was a great way to start an AK day. It is almost reason enough for a second day in the Animal Kingdom.

4. Bay Lake Tower/DVC points Rental: This worked out from the renting DVC points point-of-view, not so much from the BLT angle. It's close to MK, sure, but it just isn't the place for us.

5. Soarin': Fantastic ride, and a fantastic reaction from the daughters. I will be running for FastPasses in the future. A lot.

6. Dolphin feeding at Sea World: Also a big hit. Next time, we will bring more cash.

And now, for some lasts:

1. BLT: As I said, it's just not the place for us.

2. Chef Mickey's: I think the girls might be moving away from this as a must-do meal.

3. 1900 Park Fare: This may lose its place in the rotation, as well. The stepsisters do put on an awesome show, though.

4. MK time. I think our MK time will dwindle, although the Fantasyland expansion might rope us back in. I don't think we'll do 3 MK days next time.


Thanks for the trip, WDW, and we'll see you again real soon.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Nice job on the TR, Eric. I haven't been to Hoop De Doo Revue in years, so it sounds like a return trip is in order. And I can't agree more about Soarin'. Great ride, and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

Looks like I'd better cross BLT off the list, too. Which is sad, because my wife really likes BLT's. Mmm...bacon...

 

[afwdwfan]

Great job, Eric! Well written TR. I'm a big fan of going to EPCOT in the evenings. DW and I enjoy sneaking over there and just wandering around WS with a cold drink in hand before or after dinner. The fact that there are so many great restaurants helps too. I'm glad you like La Hacienda. That was a contender that we considered making an ADR for, but ended up passing, just because we weren't sure how we would like it. I'm sure we'll get there eventually though.

I'm sorry BLT didn't turn out to be all that you wished for, but I'm glad the DVC rental worked out well for you. At least now you can say you got to experience BLT anyway.

 

[DEA]

Nice job on the TR, Eric. I haven't been to Hoop De Doo Revue in years, so it sounds like a return trip is in order. And I can't agree more about Soarin'. Great ride, and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

Looks like I'd better cross BLT off the list, too. Which is sad, because my wife really likes BLT's. Mmm...bacon...

Thanks! You will be pleased to know that my disliked of the BLT experience has not detracted from my love for the sandwich of the same name.

And, honestly, I think my BLT experience would have been a lot better had it not been for the horrible first impression of the staff guy there.

I think HDDR is definitely going to be a yearly tradition for us, assuming we keep going to WDW yearly.

Great job, Eric! Well written TR. I'm a big fan of going to EPCOT in the evenings. DW and I enjoy sneaking over there and just wandering around WS with a cold drink in hand before or after dinner. The fact that there are so many great restaurants helps too. I'm glad you like La Hacienda. That was a contender that we considered making an ADR for, but ended up passing, just because we weren't sure how we would like it. I'm sure we'll get there eventually though.

I'm sorry BLT didn't turn out to be all that you wished for, but I'm glad the DVC rental worked out well for you. At least now you can say you got to experience BLT anyway.

Thank you. I did like the DVC rental process enough to do it again, but this time I'm doing it right: AKL 1-bedroom.