S
SpottyDog
Guest
Stripes On Tour
Previously on Spottys holiday
The night before
The Journey
Me first full day
Thered better not be any queues
We've time fer a coffee
Yesterday, we went to EPCOT
MGM
Wet n Wild & Bomas
Mornin campers! 5.30 in our foodcourt, good coffee and Mary Poppins singin Feed the Birds.
I like ASMu. Rough and ready, maybe, but its Disney in yer face all day. A real kids place which suits me perfectly. Animal Kingdom Lodge last night was as expected WOW!- but yer wouldnt dare let a kid wander alone there for fear they touched sumat. All Stars tells them Hey, this is Disney. Have fun.
Oh new song
Its a world of laughter a world of tears ..
Its a small world after all. Its a small world after all. Its a small world after all.
Its a small, small world.
So, yesterday.
We set off for I Drive and the kids were charged with the task of spottin a Sizzler or Golden Coral for breakfast. Weve only ever done Ponderosa and the general consensus seems to be that others are better NO! cried Julie!
We refine the search criteria to one on the right so we dont have to cross traffic twice and eventually end up at Sizzlers beside WnW, which we reckon must be the one Frances and Gary favoured. So that was a good omen.
M I C
K .E .Y.
M..O..U..S..E Sorry, yer just cant help joinin in here.
We walked into Sizzlers at 11.05 and saw straight away that breakfast finished at 11am, so we resigned ourselves to havin to choose from the lunch menu. The feller in front of us was orderin brekkie, so I asked if we were too late to order too.
No, breakfast is fine, Sir. So that was another plus.
We were immediately impressed with the brightness of the place and they had proper table and chairs, not them booths a fatlad struggles in and out of.
The cooked breakfast fare was very similar to Ponderosa, but so much better cooked. The cheese scrambled eggs were gorgeous. The sweet counter was marvellous too. The family favourite bein the carrot cake , which were sure was Hellemans. Me only miss was the sticky pink blancmange stuff I have at Ponderosa with me multi-coloured cheerios but Im sure that cant be good for uz, so no matter.
Another nice touch was our server. (I didnt get her name coz she wasnt as pretty as Shannon, and didnt have beer.) She came over at 11.30 and told us theyd be clearing the breakfast stuff in 5 minutes and for us to go and get any hot items wed want before then. If we wanted any cereals or sweet things after that just to ask and shed get them from the kitchen for us. So top marks and 20% for her then!
We finished and said our goodbyes. Sizzler is right next door to WnW and the big car park was almost empty. I asked the lady in a suit if we could leave the car here while we visit WnW? She smiled and said OK, but dont tell anyone I said so. So we did, but werent sure if that meant it was ok or if we were likely to get clamped or summat since she was gonna deny all knowledge of the conversation if interrogated.
Straight into WnW. The kids went to get changed while me and V set up base camp in front of the wave pool. It was sunny but cool so we decided to sit and read the papers. The kids ran from place to place and had a whale of a time, as always. They love the Disney parks, particularly Blizzard Beach, but, for rides, WnW is their favourite.
We sat and read and V chatted. I sat and read and tried to catch the odd word in every other sentence just so Id have a rough idea what she was on about if cornered. Seems she was looking forward to Bomas tonight and it was a Special day or summat. It was the first time shed mentioned it.
I thought youd forgotten, Dear.
I smiled, as I fondly remembered that day 21 years ago. Then frowned as I remembered Id only actually read about the 1:0 win over Aston Villa coz I couldnt go coz V had a party or summat.
I told her her pressie was back in the room on top of me Amber Bok crate and it seems she didnt get me anything. Never mind, I dont do celebratin apart from Sunderland wins and Maggie Thatcher getting sacked.
Papers read, and no-one to talk footie with, I regretted not bringin a walkman.
I dont do bored.
By 3 o clock I was pacin up and down. Boredom goes straight to me sleep glands and I was in danger of wastin some of me holiday snoring. We dragged the kids out of the pool and told them how bad they were, havin fun for so long when Dad was bored. If they didnt learn how to have fun quicker then thered be no more for the rest of the holiday!
Since we were so close, we decided to pop into Belz to see if there was anything different there wasnt. Still, it gave me the opportunity to storm ahead of the in me teeth gnashin huff mode. Our Gaz kept pace with uz. Hes a good lad, really.
Back to ASMu for 4.30, just time to iron some of the creases out of me Chinos, we got ready for Vs anniversary dinner.
She didnt ask, so I didnt give her the pressie.
AKL is just down the road from ASMu so we got there in no time. The atmosphere of the place hits you even in the car park.
Tall trees and ground plants put you in Africa and piped music as soon as yer step out the car sets the scene. The covered entrance is something the word impressive doesnt do justice to.
Into the building and .
WOW !
Yep, its posh. Yes, its Africa but yerll never understand what the place is really like from words and pictures. Yerve just got to go see it for yer self.
The overall impression it left me with was of a turn of the Century (last not this!), opulent safari lodge- which is what its supposed to be, I suppose. I assume its like what Kevs Adventurers Club must be like but on a grander scale. The perfectly polished floor, the sumptuous couches and artefacts all over it all spelt G.R.A.N.D.
Not as intimidatin (to a Durham lad) as the Yacht and Beach Club, just the overall feelin that rich folk live here. I can understand people spending a night or two here to savour the atmosphere and those without kids must find it a relaxin change of pace. But I dont come to Disney to relax, so ASMu will do for me.
We wandered around the savannah walkway and sat on one of the terraces, soakin in the feel of AKL. Dont get me wrong, I loved the place. It just wouldnt suit me low(ish) boredom threshold ,thats all.
Down into Bomas and were again impressed with the layout and menu. (And I know Im usin impressed all the time I just was!) One disappointment was that while our Greeter was South African, as were all the CMs around the menu entrance, our server (Joanne) was American. It just didnt seem right and lost some of the magic to the event.
Menu wise theres too much on offer to go through here. There was something for everyone, though.
Our J particularly liked the American corner where they did fries and chicken strips and meat balls so kids are catered for if you were worried it might not be for you and your family. I was surprised given what I said about it not bein a place for kids just how many littluns were there. Lots might be like us just there for the meal and a nosey around but many seemed to be guests so dont let my assumption of it not bein a kids venue put yer off stayin. Theres a great pool too.
The restaurant is all you can eat , help yerself fare and follers the standards of upstairs in wooden floors and quality furniture. Joanne went through the menu items and it all just flooded over our heads, there was so much. When we went to the stations we wished wed listened more intently coz the dishes werent particularly well marked so pickin a spoon of this and piece of that became an adventure in itself. There were servers that would explain the dish and that - but lads dont ask ,do we?
I went for the soup first and nearly didnt get to try anything else. One bowl of hot seafood gumbo followed by a vegetable soup then back for another gumbo. They were superb. I could have just eaten the gumbo and gone home happy. I was nearly full after the soups but decided to soldier on if only to preserve me sense of getting as much as I can for me money.
V particularly enjoyed the pork in coca cola sauce and the steak was lovely too although they only did pink or well done. We tried the African dishes but didnt really find anything we liked enough to get seconds.
V & J had to be dragged away from the sweet areas. These were very nice! Lots of little nibbles cakes and biscuits. Vs all time favourite was the pumpkin cheesecake she had three, but they were sophisticatedly small!
Joanne only qualified for 10% tip. Not just for bein American and not as pretty as Shannon, but for not really earnin her 10% TBH. It was self-service after all so all she had to do was explain the menu (that was ok) get our drinks order and replenish glasses and clear mucky plates as required. We had to ask for drinks for the kids after an age, we struggled to find a place for our next plates on occasion and she left me with no water for the last 15 minutes of me meal. This brings uz back to the whats a right tip debate. Joannes 10% (for politeness) was substantially more than our superb servers tip at Sizzlers 20%. I know I could have chosen to give the Sizzler lady more but Im not made of it yer kna!
And yes yer did read right- water! No beer till bedtime for the lad today- no wonder Im tetchy. V wont attempt to drive in the States (mind, the kids are relieved!) but Im determined to give her a go in a quiet area of the ASMu car park, at least.
(Dave, dont do it- Ive been to the end of yer memory and it wasnt the solution!)
So we were back home by 8ish and a beer at last!
J wanted to go swimming but Gaz wanted to go to Disney Quest. Id been away from beer for too long so that was never gonna happen!
V probably wanted her pressie but didnt mention it, so neither did I.
I did the flicky thing on the telly and found a made for TV movie V wanted to watch. So after only two beers the boredom molecules in me head put me to sleep.
7.10am now, so Ill go get them up coz theyll need to be out by 8 if they want breakfast.
Oh, and Ill give V her pressie. A Scorcerers pin instead of a card (coz I dont do cards) and a small Cinderellas Castle ornament.
Well, she didnt get me anything!
Forecast is for it to get into the 80s today. Not that I know what that means but it sounds hot.
See yer for coffee in the morning.
Previously on Spottys holiday
The night before
The Journey
Me first full day
Thered better not be any queues
We've time fer a coffee
Yesterday, we went to EPCOT
MGM
Wet n Wild & Bomas
Mornin campers! 5.30 in our foodcourt, good coffee and Mary Poppins singin Feed the Birds.
I like ASMu. Rough and ready, maybe, but its Disney in yer face all day. A real kids place which suits me perfectly. Animal Kingdom Lodge last night was as expected WOW!- but yer wouldnt dare let a kid wander alone there for fear they touched sumat. All Stars tells them Hey, this is Disney. Have fun.
Oh new song
Its a world of laughter a world of tears ..
Its a small world after all. Its a small world after all. Its a small world after all.
Its a small, small world.
So, yesterday.
We set off for I Drive and the kids were charged with the task of spottin a Sizzler or Golden Coral for breakfast. Weve only ever done Ponderosa and the general consensus seems to be that others are better NO! cried Julie!
We refine the search criteria to one on the right so we dont have to cross traffic twice and eventually end up at Sizzlers beside WnW, which we reckon must be the one Frances and Gary favoured. So that was a good omen.
M I C
K .E .Y.
M..O..U..S..E Sorry, yer just cant help joinin in here.
We walked into Sizzlers at 11.05 and saw straight away that breakfast finished at 11am, so we resigned ourselves to havin to choose from the lunch menu. The feller in front of us was orderin brekkie, so I asked if we were too late to order too.
No, breakfast is fine, Sir. So that was another plus.
We were immediately impressed with the brightness of the place and they had proper table and chairs, not them booths a fatlad struggles in and out of.
The cooked breakfast fare was very similar to Ponderosa, but so much better cooked. The cheese scrambled eggs were gorgeous. The sweet counter was marvellous too. The family favourite bein the carrot cake , which were sure was Hellemans. Me only miss was the sticky pink blancmange stuff I have at Ponderosa with me multi-coloured cheerios but Im sure that cant be good for uz, so no matter.
Another nice touch was our server. (I didnt get her name coz she wasnt as pretty as Shannon, and didnt have beer.) She came over at 11.30 and told us theyd be clearing the breakfast stuff in 5 minutes and for us to go and get any hot items wed want before then. If we wanted any cereals or sweet things after that just to ask and shed get them from the kitchen for us. So top marks and 20% for her then!
We finished and said our goodbyes. Sizzler is right next door to WnW and the big car park was almost empty. I asked the lady in a suit if we could leave the car here while we visit WnW? She smiled and said OK, but dont tell anyone I said so. So we did, but werent sure if that meant it was ok or if we were likely to get clamped or summat since she was gonna deny all knowledge of the conversation if interrogated.
Straight into WnW. The kids went to get changed while me and V set up base camp in front of the wave pool. It was sunny but cool so we decided to sit and read the papers. The kids ran from place to place and had a whale of a time, as always. They love the Disney parks, particularly Blizzard Beach, but, for rides, WnW is their favourite.
We sat and read and V chatted. I sat and read and tried to catch the odd word in every other sentence just so Id have a rough idea what she was on about if cornered. Seems she was looking forward to Bomas tonight and it was a Special day or summat. It was the first time shed mentioned it.
I thought youd forgotten, Dear.
I smiled, as I fondly remembered that day 21 years ago. Then frowned as I remembered Id only actually read about the 1:0 win over Aston Villa coz I couldnt go coz V had a party or summat.
I told her her pressie was back in the room on top of me Amber Bok crate and it seems she didnt get me anything. Never mind, I dont do celebratin apart from Sunderland wins and Maggie Thatcher getting sacked.
Papers read, and no-one to talk footie with, I regretted not bringin a walkman.
I dont do bored.
By 3 o clock I was pacin up and down. Boredom goes straight to me sleep glands and I was in danger of wastin some of me holiday snoring. We dragged the kids out of the pool and told them how bad they were, havin fun for so long when Dad was bored. If they didnt learn how to have fun quicker then thered be no more for the rest of the holiday!
Since we were so close, we decided to pop into Belz to see if there was anything different there wasnt. Still, it gave me the opportunity to storm ahead of the in me teeth gnashin huff mode. Our Gaz kept pace with uz. Hes a good lad, really.
Back to ASMu for 4.30, just time to iron some of the creases out of me Chinos, we got ready for Vs anniversary dinner.
She didnt ask, so I didnt give her the pressie.
AKL is just down the road from ASMu so we got there in no time. The atmosphere of the place hits you even in the car park.
Tall trees and ground plants put you in Africa and piped music as soon as yer step out the car sets the scene. The covered entrance is something the word impressive doesnt do justice to.
Into the building and .
WOW !
Yep, its posh. Yes, its Africa but yerll never understand what the place is really like from words and pictures. Yerve just got to go see it for yer self.
The overall impression it left me with was of a turn of the Century (last not this!), opulent safari lodge- which is what its supposed to be, I suppose. I assume its like what Kevs Adventurers Club must be like but on a grander scale. The perfectly polished floor, the sumptuous couches and artefacts all over it all spelt G.R.A.N.D.
Not as intimidatin (to a Durham lad) as the Yacht and Beach Club, just the overall feelin that rich folk live here. I can understand people spending a night or two here to savour the atmosphere and those without kids must find it a relaxin change of pace. But I dont come to Disney to relax, so ASMu will do for me.
We wandered around the savannah walkway and sat on one of the terraces, soakin in the feel of AKL. Dont get me wrong, I loved the place. It just wouldnt suit me low(ish) boredom threshold ,thats all.
Down into Bomas and were again impressed with the layout and menu. (And I know Im usin impressed all the time I just was!) One disappointment was that while our Greeter was South African, as were all the CMs around the menu entrance, our server (Joanne) was American. It just didnt seem right and lost some of the magic to the event.
Menu wise theres too much on offer to go through here. There was something for everyone, though.
Our J particularly liked the American corner where they did fries and chicken strips and meat balls so kids are catered for if you were worried it might not be for you and your family. I was surprised given what I said about it not bein a place for kids just how many littluns were there. Lots might be like us just there for the meal and a nosey around but many seemed to be guests so dont let my assumption of it not bein a kids venue put yer off stayin. Theres a great pool too.
The restaurant is all you can eat , help yerself fare and follers the standards of upstairs in wooden floors and quality furniture. Joanne went through the menu items and it all just flooded over our heads, there was so much. When we went to the stations we wished wed listened more intently coz the dishes werent particularly well marked so pickin a spoon of this and piece of that became an adventure in itself. There were servers that would explain the dish and that - but lads dont ask ,do we?
I went for the soup first and nearly didnt get to try anything else. One bowl of hot seafood gumbo followed by a vegetable soup then back for another gumbo. They were superb. I could have just eaten the gumbo and gone home happy. I was nearly full after the soups but decided to soldier on if only to preserve me sense of getting as much as I can for me money.
V particularly enjoyed the pork in coca cola sauce and the steak was lovely too although they only did pink or well done. We tried the African dishes but didnt really find anything we liked enough to get seconds.
V & J had to be dragged away from the sweet areas. These were very nice! Lots of little nibbles cakes and biscuits. Vs all time favourite was the pumpkin cheesecake she had three, but they were sophisticatedly small!
Joanne only qualified for 10% tip. Not just for bein American and not as pretty as Shannon, but for not really earnin her 10% TBH. It was self-service after all so all she had to do was explain the menu (that was ok) get our drinks order and replenish glasses and clear mucky plates as required. We had to ask for drinks for the kids after an age, we struggled to find a place for our next plates on occasion and she left me with no water for the last 15 minutes of me meal. This brings uz back to the whats a right tip debate. Joannes 10% (for politeness) was substantially more than our superb servers tip at Sizzlers 20%. I know I could have chosen to give the Sizzler lady more but Im not made of it yer kna!
And yes yer did read right- water! No beer till bedtime for the lad today- no wonder Im tetchy. V wont attempt to drive in the States (mind, the kids are relieved!) but Im determined to give her a go in a quiet area of the ASMu car park, at least.
(Dave, dont do it- Ive been to the end of yer memory and it wasnt the solution!)
So we were back home by 8ish and a beer at last!
J wanted to go swimming but Gaz wanted to go to Disney Quest. Id been away from beer for too long so that was never gonna happen!
V probably wanted her pressie but didnt mention it, so neither did I.
I did the flicky thing on the telly and found a made for TV movie V wanted to watch. So after only two beers the boredom molecules in me head put me to sleep.
7.10am now, so Ill go get them up coz theyll need to be out by 8 if they want breakfast.
Oh, and Ill give V her pressie. A Scorcerers pin instead of a card (coz I dont do cards) and a small Cinderellas Castle ornament.
Well, she didnt get me anything!
Forecast is for it to get into the 80s today. Not that I know what that means but it sounds hot.
See yer for coffee in the morning.
