Taggin' along with the hubs-Aug 18-22, 2010---NEW 9/9 FINAL THOUGHTS & BREAKING NEWS!

[Tracy161]

What a fabulous day of shopping, and what great finds you came upon! I love your wristlet! I'm happy you chose Earl of Sandwich, that is one of my FAVORITE places in DTD!

 

[Disneygrl36]

First, thanks for allowing me to use some of your pics the next time I update the CSR site.

I love your photos of DTD and your wonderful goodies. That is the wristlet I want...it goes with my new bag.

I can't wait to hear about Jiko...it is one of the few signature restaurants we have ever given serious thought to trying.

You are welcome! Let me know when you put them up so I can go look. I looked at the bag with the tassels too but just couldn't bring myself to spend that much on a purse, but I am loving my wristlet. You should really try Jiko. It's one of my favs.

That isn't a bad price, I think we can swing it! I would probably buy the purple one since it is my favorite color! They better still have it when we get there. I hope we do another trip together! One day...

I would love to do another trip with you guys!

What a fabulous day of shopping, and what great finds you came upon! I love your wristlet! I'm happy you chose Earl of Sandwich, that is one of my FAVORITE places in DTD!

Once I found a seat & started sipping on that frozen lemonade I was very happy with my choice of going to Earl too!

 

[Disneygrl36]

So after our pool time, we relaxed a bit & then got ready for our evening out. When we found out about this trip, we decided to wait & celebrate our anniversary with a special dinner during the trip. Our anniversary was August 9th & I cooked a meal at home. I wanted California Grill so we could watch the fireworks over Magic Kingdom, but at the time we found out the trip was for sure a go, the ADR's for California Grill were long gone. So, we picked one of our other favorites, Jiko.

From CSR it was not far to the Animal Kingdom Lodge at all. We parked the car & walked into Jambo house & I must say that no matter how many times I walk in that lobby I still have a jaw drop moment. We went to check in at Jiko & were told they were running a bit behind on reservations. We were given our pager & went towards the savannahs to see what we could see.

We only got as far as the flamingos & the pager went off. So we returned & were seated at a nice table by the window.

Our server came over & he was great. He told us about all the specials & took our order for a glass of pinotage which we had enjoyed the last time we were at Jiko. If you like wine, definetly try one of the South African wines to complement your dinner at Jiko. They have the largest South African wine list outside of South Africa in the world.

Soon we had the wonderful bread with the spiced butter to enjoy while waiting for our appetizers.

We had the seasonal salad which had peaches, walnuts & blue cheese---Yummy! & the delicious olive flatbread!

I was torn by what to order for dinner.....I love the maize crusted halibut but I had eaten fish the previous 2 nights, so I went with the filet with mac & cheese as did Eric. It did not disappoint........so good!

Our waiter took our picture which turned out pretty good!

A manager type person came over at some point to ask how our meal was & if we were celebrating anything & we told her our anniversary. I was thinking maybe we might get some pixie dust but alas nothing special, but that was OK because the meal was tremendous on it's own. Our waiter brought the dessert menu but we were just too full. So happy & with full bellies, we walked back to the car & headed back to CSR.

We had debated doing many different things after dinner, but in the end decided to head back to CSR & check out Rix's Lounge because it looked like a cool place.

We both ordered margaritas....Eric had a cactus pear I think & I got a southern something.

Eric didn't like his that much, but mine was very tasty.

Well, the conference party was wrapping up as we got there so we got treated to watching the conventioneers kicking up their heels & it was quite entertaining. They had a DJ & he was playing a great mix of music. I know I was doing some dancing in my chair. I wish we had a place like this close to home, because it had a great vibe.
Here's a little video......I got out the camera way too early....I should have waited until later when it really got going.

Let me just tell you, when bankers go away to conferences, they are a pretty wild group. We were going to finish up our last drink & go dance, but then one of the Harland people came over to talk to Eric....he was quite "happy" by this point & it made for some entertaining conversation. We talked with him for quite some time & by then, it was heading towards midnight so we decided to head on back to the room. It was a great evening & we really enjoyed celebrating our anniversary late at WDW!!!!!

 

[Aburns8]

That stinks there was no magic given to you at dinner! I put on all my ADR's that it was our anniversary, so we will see how it goes. Next trip we will have to eat at Jiko. It does look yummy!

 

[SoonerGirl]

What a great day! EoS, along with unsupervised shopping, followed by a dip in the pool, followed by a wonderful dinner at Jiko! Sounds heavenly

 

[hill6]

Great trip report. DH and I have done the Backstage Magic twice (2001 and 2009). Glad to know that they have added AK to it. They did cut out some other stuff that was pretty neat though to fit it in.

Our 2009 tour was a lot different than the one in 2001. Will have to wait a year or two more for more changes to do it again.

 

[Disneygrl36]

That stinks there was no magic given to you at dinner! I put on all my ADR's that it was our anniversary, so we will see how it goes. Next trip we will have to eat at Jiko. It does look yummy!

I know when she asked I just knew we would get some pixie dust but oh well.
Jiko is top-notch & I just love going to AKL!

What a great day! EoS, along with unsupervised shopping, followed by a dip in the pool, followed by a wonderful dinner at Jiko! Sounds heavenly

It was an absolutely wonderful day!!!!!

Great trip report. DH and I have done the Backstage Magic twice (2001 and 2009). Glad to know that they have added AK to it. They did cut out some other stuff that was pretty neat though to fit it in.

Our 2009 tour was a lot different than the one in 2001. Will have to wait a year or two more for more changes to do it again.

Debbie glad you decided to join me. I think it's cool that they change the tour up......that means I will definetly have to do it again in the future!

 

[Tracy161]

Your dinner and appetizers looked amazing! I have never been to Jiko... actually, I have never been to AKL at all!!! My list of "must eat heres" is rapidly growing...

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Loved the rest of your tour! I just love to see how those topiaries are created! Your dinner at Jiko looks just scrumptious!

D-street was really cute & sold me on trying out the vinylmations.
It was a very sad day when they decided to close the AC & the rest of the PI clubs....... I'm still not sure what they were thinking.
I am loving my D&B wristlet. It was funny she gave me a whole pile to look at & choose the one I wanted. I probably could have gotten a more perfect one, but I wanted to make sure I had one that you could see the WDW & DL words.

I was so dissappointed that AC closed just before our last trip. It looked so fun! I read somewhere that they were going to open a high end resort/water park type thing in that area, but they are probably waiting for he economy to get better. On 2nd thought, they are building the mega expensive housing area, so it might not be too long. Not on our budget at this time! I didn't know anything about vinylmations - they look kind of Japanese. Cute!

Hmm who would have thought bankers would have so much fun! What happens at WDW stays at WDW?

 

[Disneygrl36]

Your dinner and appetizers looked amazing! I have never been to Jiko... actually, I have never been to AKL at all!!! My list of "must eat heres" is rapidly growing...

I know I have been to WDW lots of time & I still have a list!

Loved the rest of your tour! I just love to see how those topiaries are created! Your dinner at Jiko looks just scrumptious!

I was so dissappointed that AC closed just before our last trip. It looked so fun! I read somewhere that they were going to open a high end resort/water park type thing in that area, but they are probably waiting for he economy to get better. On 2nd thought, they are building the mega expensive housing area, so it might not be too long. Not on our budget at this time! I didn't know anything about vinylmations - they look kind of Japanese. Cute!

Hmm who would have thought bankers would have so much fun! What happens at WDW stays at WDW?

That tour was soooooo great!
Hmmmmmmm I hadn't heard that about a water park or resort taking PI's place.
I have tried to resist the vinylmations but they really are cute.
I know bankers are usually uptight...........I'm betting there were lots of hangovers the next morning.

 

[Disneygrl36]

So I slept in Saturday morning while Eric went off to his meetings. The conference was only until noon so the plan was to eat lunch somewhere close to Magic Kingdom & then hit MK with our after 2pm conference tickets that I had bought a couple of days before.

I ate a nutri grain bar in the room & looked for where we could eat lunch. We thought Amanda who was going into MK with us might enjoy seeing the Grand Floridian so I made us an ADR for Grand Floridian Cafe at 12:30 (Eric's time frame not mine). He texted me back & said better make it 12:45 so I changed it thinking I probably should do 1 or 1:15 but went with 12:45.

I did get out & walk around some more that morning after getting bored with being in the room & antsy to be getting to MK.

I needed to go back over to the pool because all my pool pictures were really early in the morning so the water wasn't turned on & flowing down the pyramid.
Cute pavement design in pool area

Pretty flowers

Another pretty view across the lake

I also hung out in the hammock for a few minutes......but it was too hot to stay there long.

Then I went back to the room & read until Eric finally showed up around 12:20! He quickly changed his clothes, we picked up Amanda at her room & then were off to the bus stop. We made it to the bus stop at MK & then it started to pour the rain. We had to don the ponchos I had brought just to get across to the resort monorail station. We finally arrived at the Grand Floridian after 1 but luckily the GF Cafe was still able to take us for lunch-we just had to wait a few minutes.

I had never noticed these great details in the floor before.

I had the mushroom soup to start & it was delicious.

Eric had a strawberry salad.

I had the cobb salad for my lunch....it was good but needed a little more dressing & I like my salads light on dressing so that's saying something for me.

Eric had crab cakes.

Beautiful flowers in lobby....

Up next.......playing in the MK

 

[Disneygrl36]

So after a nice lunch & enjoying the good vibes at the Grand, we headed onto the monorail with our next stop being Magic Kingdom.
It was raining so we donned our ponchos & forged ahead to Tomorrowland. The last we had been to MK Space Moutain was down for refurb. Amanda & her husband has also been last fall & she didn't get to ride SM either. So, our first order of business was getting a fast pass for SM. Then, we decided to take a ride on Buzz....the stand by line was only 15 minutes. Amanda didn't ride Buzz on her previous trip so I told Eric to ride with her so he could help her figure the game out.

I took some pictures when I should have been shooting at targets, but I still did the best I have ever done, so maybe I should always ride alone.

We went to the shop by Stitch next where I found a Hidden Mickey.

Then we went to the Laugh Floor--another thing Amanda & her DH didn't do......guess they aren't DISer's huh? Not sure how people miss so much stuff when touring at WDW.

She's watching always watching......

It was funny & Amanda really liked it & I liked knowing we were showing her a better way to do WDW so that next time she comes, maybe she will get to see more.
Next up was a ride on the TTA & you can see in this picture that I bought myself some ears!

I like this one taken from TTA.

Then we scream/laughed our way through space.

Finished with what we wanted to do in Tomorrowland, we headed to Fantasyland......we wanted to do Peter Pan, but the wait time was 45 minutes & fast pass return would have been during our dinner ADR so we bypassed it to head to the Haunted Mansion which Amanda had also not done. While we were in line, we saw some shocking parenting! A boy around 7-8 was crying & trying to keep his Mom from getting in line. You could tell he was scared of the Haunted Mansion. Mom was getting mad & saying you are going on this ride because we have done everything you wanted to do. Dad yells out really loudly to the Mom....."Just beat the sh%& out of him. WOW!!!!!! The Mom I think finally did just take the child over to the side to wait while Dad & their friends went on to ride. YIKES! Bet little Jimmie will have fond memories of his day at the Magic Kingdom.

Then we decided to visit the presidents because we hit the timing just right.

Then we yo-ho'd with some scruvy pirates.

Up next.........rain, dinner & will the parade go on oh my????????

 

[SoonerGirl]

That mushroom soup you had at the GFC looked really good! Sorry you had such a crazy ordeal getting there though, must be something about that restaurant - we had an awful time getting there for our ADR too

A boy around 7-8 was crying & trying to keep his Mom from getting in line. You could tell he was scared of the Haunted Mansion. Mom was getting mad & saying you are going on this ride because we have done everything you wanted to do. Dad yells out really loudly to the Mom....."Just beat the sh%& out of him.

Nice

Hope you don't miss the parade!

 

[heaven2dc]

That's great that you got to show Amanda some new attractions! I can't believe that mother and father My kids would have had to hold me back from saying something (but really, what could you say? ) I hope the rain lets up for the rest of your day!

 

[Tracy161]

Disney brings out the best in people a lot, but I really hate to see when the opposite happens. What a shame! To think, being at Disney and seeing that horrible parenting, yuck! I've seen similar exchanges myself and it breaks my heart! But... it's easy to look around and catch a lot of wonderful experiences going on too!

I'm glad you showed Amanda some new attractions... how has she never been on Haunted Mansion!?

Can't wait to hear about dinner!

 

[KatMark]

Love the updates, Melanie. We've only been to Rix once and it was just Mark and I the one time we went. You must have gotten the crazy convention while we got the dull convention.

Your photos of CSR are just great...I love them.

Looks like you guys had a great time at MK with Amanda.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

i really need to get a steak like that with macs and that sauce under it, it looked very very good.

when i was looking at your hidden mickeyphoto i kept looking the small areas of the picture for it, didnt hit me for a while that it was the BIG mickey that was pretty much the whole picture

wow some parenting huh.

 

[Aburns8]

How could you visit the MK and not go on the Haunted Mansion ride ? That is the oddest thing I have ever heard! Sounds like another good day!

 

[Disneygrl36]

That mushroom soup you had at the GFC looked really good! Sorry you had such a crazy ordeal getting there though, must be something about that restaurant - we had an awful time getting there for our ADR too
Nice

Hope you don't miss the parade!

I remembered your adventure while we were trying to get to the GF cafe.....that is the only bad thing about Disney transportation is trying to get from resort to resort can take forever.
I was soooo worried about the parade being cancelled......that was the main reason we went to MK.

That's great that you got to show Amanda some new attractions! I can't believe that mother and father My kids would have had to hold me back from saying something (but really, what could you say? ) I hope the rain lets up for the rest of your day!

I know that parenting was atrocious. I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. It got really quiet while he was yelling like it freaked everyone around them out.

Disney brings out the best in people a lot, but I really hate to see when the opposite happens. What a shame! To think, being at Disney and seeing that horrible parenting, yuck! I've seen similar exchanges myself and it breaks my heart! But... it's easy to look around and catch a lot of wonderful experiences going on too!

I'm glad you showed Amanda some new attractions... how has she never been on Haunted Mansion!?

Can't wait to hear about dinner!

I agree....it is great when people are touched by the pixie dust & happy, but when you see the opposite it is disturbing.
I have no idea why they didn't go on HM?

Love the updates, Melanie. We've only been to Rix once and it was just Mark and I the one time we went. You must have gotten the crazy convention while we got the dull convention.

Your photos of CSR are just great...I love them.

Looks like you guys had a great time at MK with Amanda.

Rix was alot of fun that night. I would definetly go back & if you like margaritas I would recommend the one I had.....it was a southern something margartia.
I'm so glad you like my CSR pictures considering it's your "home".

i really need to get a steak like that with macs and that sauce under it, it looked very very good.

when i was looking at your hidden mickeyphoto i kept looking the small areas of the picture for it, didnt hit me for a while that it was the BIG mickey that was pretty much the whole picture

wow some parenting huh.

That is such a yummy steak!!!!
about the Hidden Mickey.
The parenting was just ........well I just don't have enough words for how bad it was.

How could you visit the MK and not go on the Haunted Mansion ride ? That is the oddest thing I have ever heard! Sounds like another good day!

I know, I know. We kept saying how about we do ______ & she kept saying oh yeah that would be great because we didn't do that when we were here.

 

[Disneygrl36]

After our ride with the pirates, we donned our ponchos again cause it was raining again & headed off to Main Street as Amanda wanted to do some shopping. We wandered around the shops some & then headed over to check in for our 7:10 Plaza ADR.

We were able to wait under an umbrella which was nice.

I think we waited about 15 minutes before our pager went off & during that time it stopped raining.
The Plaza is a small but really quaint restaurant.

We all got cheeseburgers which were delicious! I really think this place has some of the best burgers on property.

For dessert, Amanda had a sundae, Eric had the brownie sundae with chocolate ice cream & I had the most yummy chocolate milkshake ever!

After dinner, we went in search of a viewing spot for the parade.

Main Street & the hub were pretty crowded, but we got a pretty good spot in front of Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square.
This band played before the parade. I really liked their costumes & who doesn't like a rousing rendition of Eye of the Tiger?

Before long, the lights dimmed & the music started & I could feel happy tears welling in my eyes. Woooohooo, we were at the Magic Kingdom & getting to see the Main Street Electrical Parade. I was so happy the rain had stopped & I was getting to see this parade that I have so many fond memories of seeing as a child.
I like the new Tink Float

Then came the cutest train ever! Not sure how I missed Mickey & Minnie...I think I was too excited.

And the cute little bugs.....I love those bugs!

Then Alice & Co with the White Rabbit leading the way...

I like the turtles hat being at such a jaunty angle

Who R U??????????

Love the frog scoring a bug!

And the cutest caterpillar legs!

Cont in next post.....