The ABC's of a BSN Celebration! Trip Wrap up; Final Thoughts (7/11)

[Steppesister]

Hah, silly me. Wrong forum!

 

[pkondz]

Ugh! CE’s. Blech!

 

[CruellaNY]

Just did a quick read through to catch up! I had to comment on Jaleo because it's a new super fave of ours now. I did not think I'd like it; the menu didn't appeal to me at all when they first opened. Then for our trip last Sept. Melinda suggested going there and even though Jenny and I were skeptical we said "eh, we'll give it a go!" And OMG! Fantastic! We went back for Valentine's Day last month! Between the 6 of us we've had lots of the same dishes that you guys tried; that Endive salad is so delicious and refreshing and those PATATAS!!!

And Endivias con Queso de Cabra y Naranjas- Endives, goat cheese, oranges and almonds

Patatas Bravas- A Jaleo favorite: fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli

 

[disneyAndi14]

I know the getting to DS can be a pain, but thanks for the tip on going to Saratoga and which stop to get off at. I have thought about that a few times.

Jaleo sounds like a really good place to go with friends so you can spend a long meal conversing and enjoying the company.

The food really looks good, the ham omg, I can’t imagine spending that much for those 3 little slices. It must be delicious and nothing like our good ole smoked ham.

The shrimp, look yummy. I do love shrimp! Bubba Gump has nothing on me, lol

Andi would not like it there, even though she is Spanish major. Haha

Thanks for the thorough review, I really enjoyed, especially after working and coming home very hungry

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Catching up again...

Up at 6:00, showered, dressed, and otherwise readied, our fingers were twitchy and poised over the "Join" buttons at precisely 6:58 where we proceeded to push hard refreshes for a solid 2 minutes. Our prowess paid off and we scored 2 tidy Boarding Passes in Group 4.

Nice work! I rarely see anyone get a number in the single digits.

Mik was the faster of us and within literally 3 seconds, they were gone. All of them. So, traveler beware, this is going to be a stressful 2 minutes if getting on Rise is on your Must-do list.

Ugh. I really, really hope that system has changed by the time we visit again. I'd hate to plan a whole trip and then miss out on the ride.

Here’s where we got quite possibly the #1 tip of the trip, and it came from none other than our Lyft driver. The parking lot doesn’t open until 30 minutes before park opening and the Ride Share drop off isn’t available until park opening. That was NOT going to do it for our eager little hearts. Instead he suggested, we get dropped off at the Beach Club Resort and make the quick walk from there. That way we’d beat ALL the crowds. Little did we know how overly accurate this would be.

Good stuff! Clearly the driver was a Disney expert.

​

Beautiful shot.

We could have done it twice with a 30-minute wait (yep, those folks who rode the ‘Liner or drove ended up two steps behind us, the Early Risers!)

Heh. Suckers!

It was here, however, that I gave my daughter a sound spanking by winning by tens of thousands over her. It was a glorious victory and I wasted no opportunity to revel in my triumph by making sure to rub it in a few more times.

It's what you do.

Finally, we go onto our train and took our crazy spin through Cartoon World which I will admit was really, really fun and well done. Each scene was unique and the trackless ride system is always a blast.

I'm glad to hear that! Of course, anything would have been an improvement over the Great Movie Ride.

For a while now, Animal Kingdom has been that haven of beauty and tranquility for me.

I can see that.

It wasn’t always that way at AK.

Yeah, the park has grown on me over time, too.

By the time we headed to AK for the first time this trip, Mary Ellen had joined us.

Hi Mary Ellen!

Now…. I think I made an astonishing discovery and I am probably the only person that may think this, but here it goes: The sparkly underground cave scene with the glowing shrooms and Woodsprites? They pipe in a scent during that segment. And I am 100% positive that it’s the Disney shampoo scent. For reals.

Huh. I don't recall any scent when I rode. I was probably too visually overwhelmed.

I had to make a confession to MEK. I left her mittens on FOP. (I hadn't discovered it until I was well off the ride and past Satuli.) Sigh... my silly forgetful brain.

D'oh!

Another gorgeous shot!

After we were seated well within eyeshot of the show kitchen, we QR scanned the menus. Sorry. I’m not a fan, man. I want to be able to see the whole thing at a time and not have the experience remind me I’d old as dirt and can’t see anymore.

Yeah, I"m venturing into grumpy old man territory here, too. I don't like squinting at my phone.

If you want weird, different, bordering on bizarre, this is the choice for you too!

Well, I'm off to the Homecomin' cafe!

My very first introduction to Jaleo was ushered in with this little tidbit:

​

Mmmm...snot on a spoon.

I’ve had acorn-fed ham before once while visiting Magdalene in Germany ( @Flossbolna ), an experience I will never in my lifetime forget. This brought back incredible memories of the ultimate in hospitality offered to us that night back in 2010. This ham is the equivalent to authentic Japanese Wagyu in the Beef World.

Huh. Did not know that at all.

Would I return? Definitely yes! Not every trip, but this one’s a keeper.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it! Man, that was a lot of food.

 

[Malia78]

Photos from the water would have been great, but maybe not quite as sharp either. Hmmm...

Don't regret this option--the boats aren't currently running...

 

[Steppesister]

Hey All,

So, circumstances have come up that I'll be going back again (I know, I know....) 4/20-4/24. Kari and I are looking for another lady or two who would want to share our AoA room to make the trip more affordable. The total cost to you would be $349 or $261 for all four nights depending on if we have 3 or 4 in the room. Please let us know ASAP if anyone would want to share this with us. It's a Little Mermaid room to keep the cost down. I know this is short notice, but exciting nonetheless.

 

[pkondz]

Kari and I are looking for another lady or two who would want to share our AoA room to make the trip more affordable.

Whelp! That leaves me out!

know this is short notice, but exciting nonetheless.

Happy for you guys.

 

[Steppesister]

I hadn't realized Jaleo was tapas! That's one of dh and my favorite types of restaurants for a fun night out.

It is! And so yummy too!! I hope you can get there and try it someday! I think it'd be worth your time.

 

[Steppesister]

I'm just now reading, but wanted to say that you are moving to my neck of the woods! If you have any questions- I'm happy to help. I worked at The Medical Center many moons ago and have lived within 45 minutes of BG for most of my life. Welcome!

OH WOW!!! How exciting!! I 100% will reach out as I know more! I would love to find and ASC to work at or a PACU somewhere within 30 minutes of BG. My DILs family lives in Summer Shade so I visit there on occasion. My move is still some months out, but I am getting super excited for sure!

 

[Steppesister]

Very interesting dinner. Not sure this would be for me but some of the dishes did sound good.

It was super interesting and so delicious! It is, I'll admit, a more adventuous place though.

Your pictures of DTD are beautiful! I'm sorry it was such a long walk to get there. I really hoping the transportation gets better soon.

Aw, thanks Vanessa! It was really ok, had it been a warm summer evening it'd been more enjoyable for sure, but until things get back to normal, transportaition is going to stink.

 

[Steppesister]

I used to do a lot of it. Actually... I skied to work all the time (in winter.)

That's something you don't hear very often!

Huh. I don't recall what the last ones I saw were.

I went in the store last time too and man there is some fun stuff in there!

<clink!>

Why thank you!

Good guess.

To quote someone I know, I could be wrong; I often am.

 

[Steppesister]

Just did a quick read through to catch up! I had to comment on Jaleo because it's a new super fave of ours now. I did not think I'd like it; the menu didn't appeal to me at all when they first opened. Then for our trip last Sept. Melinda suggested going there and even though Jenny and I were skeptical we said "eh, we'll give it a go!" And OMG! Fantastic! We went back for Valentine's Day last month! Between the 6 of us we've had lots of the same dishes that you guys tried; that Endive salad is so delicious and refreshing and those PATATAS!!!

Welcome back! I could eat those taters all day long and more. Sooooo good! Everything I had was so good with loads of flavor. I'm glad you 3 went nad had such a blast! Nom, nom, nom!!

 

[Steppesister]

I know the getting to DS can be a pain, but thanks for the tip on going to Saratoga and which stop to get off at. I have thought about that a few times.

The only faster way to get there is go by Lyft and ask them pretty please to take you to the Lime Garage. They get busted on weekends, but ours said a week night he'd do it. Otherwise, you get dropped off WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY far away by the Christmas store.

Jaleo sounds like a really good place to go with friends so you can spend a long meal conversing and enjoying the company.

Yes, most definitely!! It's THAT kind of place!!

The food really looks good, the ham omg, I can’t imagine spending that much for those 3 little slices. It must be delicious and nothing like our good ole smoked ham.

It was soooooooo creamy and smoky and good. Loved it!

The shrimp, look yummy. I do love shrimp! Bubba Gump has nothing on me, lol

So good cooked in all that olive oil and garlic. My 3 favorite food groups!

Andi would not like it there, even though she is Spanish major. Haha

LOL!!! It's definitely not a place most Americans are used to for sure.

Thanks for the thorough review, I really enjoyed, especially after working and coming home very hungry

You're most welcome! It was a fun place to go AND a fun chapter to write!

 

[Steppesister]

Nice work! I rarely see anyone get a number in the single digits.

It was definitely fist pump worthy!

Ugh. I really, really hope that system has changed by the time we visit again. I'd hate to plan a whole trip and then miss out on the ride.

Yeah, it can sure leave some folks super disappointed. I totally understand that and would be myself. It's not a make or break for me but do get it!

Good stuff! Clearly the driver was a Disney expert.

Absolutely!!

Beautiful shot.

Thanks!

It's what you do.

I can't be on the "Good Parent List" if I don't.

I'm glad to hear that! Of course, anything would have been an improvement over the Great Movie Ride.

I....I... I just have no words....

Yeah, the park has grown on me over time, too.

So much more filled out. Makes a huge difference.

Huh. I don't recall any scent when I rode. I was probably too visually overwhelmed.

I'll give you that it is a visually stunning ride! Far more than Soarin' by a long shot.

Yeah, I"m venturing into grumpy old man territory here, too. I don't like squinting at my phone.

Not every change makes sense OR is a good one. You can't order what you can't see.

Well, I'm off to the Homecomin' cafe!

Mmmm...snot on a spoon.

I know it looks it, but honestly it wasn't. It was actually a lot more "watery"; more odd than anything I've ever eaten before.

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it! Man, that was a lot of food.

We did it justice for sure.

 

[Steppesister]

Don't regret this option--the boats aren't currently running...

PHew!! Good to know and helps to make sense out of why the CMs directing the buses from MK said to go that way.

 

[Steppesister]

Whelp! That leaves me out!

Happy for you guys.

LOL!! Sorry!

 

[pkondz]

That's something you don't hear very often!

Nope! Not even for most people up here.

Why thank you!

Don't thank me too much. Better than <clink> would be the soft rustle of a crisp bill.

To quote someone I know, I could be wrong; I often am.

What kind of numbskull would say that??

 

[vamassey1]

Hey All,

So, circumstances have come up that I'll be going back again (I know, I know....) 4/20-4/24. Kari and I are looking for another lady or two who would want to share our AoA room to make the trip more affordable. The total cost to you would be $349 or $261 for all four nights depending on if we have 3 or 4 in the room. Please let us know ASAP if anyone would want to share this with us. It's a Little Mermaid room to keep the cost down. I know this is short notice, but exciting nonetheless.

How exciting! I really did give this some thought but we'll be there the very next weekend for Danielle's graduation trip.

 

[pkondz]

How exciting! I really did give this some thought but we'll be there the very next weekend for Danielle's graduation trip.

You say that like you can't go earlier than the rest of them.