The ABC's of a FALL Trip with Friends, Food, Wine, and a Conference- I is for: Iconic Attractions; I Saw Them All (1/2)

[disneyAndi14]

I love Dahlia lounge so much! I have always had good drinks and appetizers there. Also the service has been amazing each time I have visited!
Susan and I had the corn dip at 3 Bridges and loved it!
Awww soon we meet up for our Big Fat Plan! Excited to read more!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a perfect way to end the day! Both the food and view look gorgeous and what’s not to love about a sangria flight

 

[Wood Nymph]

Today, one of them was taking a little swimmy-swim around the pool looking for munchies to enjoy.

That's a really good view of the hippo. We usually see a murky pond and a back end of the hippo.

But, you can’t beat the view, even if there are pesky duck and egret beggars there.

From there, the last thing we wanted to do was walk on the Maharaja Trail and see if we could see the baby tiger.

We finally saw the baby tiger last September. The mother and son were being playful, although the son wanted to play more than she did.

I didn’t want to be to far off when our table was texted so we went down the space-age elevator and walked over the lake back to Three Bridges.

I think that sharing a margarita flight and appetizers is the way to go at this restaurant. But it isn't easy to get to if you aren't staying at the resort.

 

[buzzrelly]

Caught up! I actually wasn't as far behind as I feared I might be! I love Three Bridges though I've only been once and that was too long ago. I need to get back for the sangria flight! Hope you had a wonderful holidya and I'm glad you were able to get out and see your kids!

 

[Steppesister]

I love Dahlia lounge so much! I have always had good drinks and appetizers there. Also the service has been amazing each time I have visited!
Susan and I had the corn dip at 3 Bridges and loved it!
Awww soon we meet up for our Big Fat Plan! Excited to read more!

It's SUCH a great lounge. Everything about it is top notch. Classy but not stuffy and great food!

Yes, we are! Just a couple more updates first.

 

[Steppesister]

That's a really good view of the hippo. We usually see a murky pond and a back end of the hippo.

I think it's the best one I've had!

Knowing how disgusting hippos actually are, I'd say they must spend ENORMOUS amounts of time filtering out the poo and keeping it clean.

We finally saw the baby tiger last September. The mother and son were being playful, although the son wanted to play more than she did.

It's been tough to catch him, I think. I've been a couple times with no luck. I think he's slated to be re-homed soon.

I think that sharing a margarita flight and appetizers is the way to go at this restaurant. But it isn't easy to get to if you aren't staying at the resort.

I think so too. It was too much food, even split, but was glad to have the leftovers for brekkie!

 

[Steppesister]

Caught up! I actually wasn't as far behind as I feared I might be! I love Three Bridges though I've only been once and that was too long ago. I need to get back for the sangria flight! Hope you had a wonderful holidya and I'm glad you were able to get out and see your kids!

I'm pretty slow at this Trip Reporting business. LOL! So hopefully it's easy to catch back up. Especially with the holidays and stuff.

I think Jaleo also has a sangria flight too if getting to the Coronado is tough. Might be easier to get into as well. WAY louder though.

 

[Steppesister]

What a perfect way to end the day! Both the food and view look gorgeous and what’s not to love about a sangria flight

It was bliss! It's a really nice outdoor lounge and not too loud or crowded. Sangria flights are awesome. I like to try a variety of things and this is a good way to do it.

 

[pkondz]

I did decide at the last minute to book a flight to Oregon to see the "kids" who live in the PNW.

That's nice. Glad you got to spend some time with your kids over the holidays.

At least I've gotten to re-charge a bit.

Even better.

My pictures show that Lori and I chose to wander the Gorilla Falls Trails before our Safari with LL's.
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Was that taken before the Safari? My memory tells me that the okapis are only seen on the Safari ride. I could be wrong. It's been a while.

a small crowd was gathered near one of the tortoise enclosures. She was digging a nice hole her herself as she was about to lay eggs.

That's kinda cool.

I’d never noticed this little bucket and washboard fountain

I don't remember seeing that, either.

Today, one of them was taking a little swimmy-swim around the pool looking for munchies to enjoy.

So... did you know hippos don't swim? They lightly push off the bottom, but don't swim.
This photo reminded me of that as you can clearly see the feet on the bottom.

If you read my Africa TR, I mentioned that the Disney’s rendition of an Africa safari is a decently good re-creation.

there is no other thrill that can come quite as close to an apex predator being 6 feet away from you and your open-air safari truck.

I would think not!!

Kelly's tree!

Wouldn’t it be cool to just sit back in a rocking chair and watch the DisneyWorld go by?

I’d love to step out my door and be able to go on a walk along the trails or zip over to watch Tam Tam Congo for a while with a Bloody Mary in hand at the Dawa.

You could wish for worse things.

To be really honest, I wasn’t completely wowed by these like I was a few years ago when I first had them. They did away with the multiple tasty sauces and now you’re stuck with regular ketchup and a mayo-based sauce.

Yeah... I'm really sad that they got rid of the choice of dips. I wonder why? Probably because people enjoyed them. Can't have that.

But, you can’t beat the view, even if there are pesky duck and egret beggars there.

I think the birds actually make it more fun.

I sometimes forget how incredible the TOL is. In just that photo, you can easily see half a dozen animals without even really trying!

Sometimes you're full of pep... other times you're just draggin'...

Nice shot!

Alfred and his bird-wife had a brood of babies and they are now housed in the bat enclosure as Alfred, the Great Argus Pheasant, gets aggressive and attacks them.

Not exactly father-of-the-year material, there.

On the way out, I snagged myself another Backside of Water- #3! Ah, the thrill of the Backside of Water Hunt.

I suggested we walk over the to Dahlia Lounge just so I could show Lori so that’s what we did...
I love this lounge so much.

I've never been there, but know others have commented similarly.

the Ham and Cheese Bocadillo: Jamon Serrano, Manchego Cheese, Roasted Garlic Aïoli, Honey, Toasted Baguette- $14 is to die for!

That sounds good!

I took Lori out to the outdoor balcony seating and she was decidedly NOT about that. Turns out she has a pretty bad fear of heights and didn’t want to take in the beautiful night view of Orlando.

Whoops!

walked over the lake back to Three Bridges.

Huh. Last time someone did that was about 2,000 years ago.

By the way, you won’t find that name on the actual building. Instead, "Vista del Lago" graces the side of the restaurant.

Actually, it looks like it says "Villa Del Lago".

I asked about that, and the only explanation was that they “just never got it changed”. So, basically, Disney is a lot like me.

Signature Sangria Flight: Includes tastings of four signature sangrias- $21

Hello!

Nice shot of you and cool flight presentation.

The trio of dips and chips came out next and I about died and went to Heaven when I got to the corn one. YUM!!

Interesting. I'd think that'd be my least favourite... but who knows until you try it!

Yum! It’s a tossup which is tastier for brekkie: Italian or Mexican. I do both fairly regularly.

Pass the Corn Flakes.

 

[Steppesister]

I is for: Iconic Attractions; I Saw Them All​

Today was the last day of our conference and I chose to head to the pool for my personal, quiet learning venue. I chose the Pain Management Track and listened until about 10:00. Lori went back to the Coronado Conference rooms where she bounced back and forth between Cardiology and Pain Management. At 10:00 I got too chilly to just be sitting so went to find her after I traded out my laptop for my park bag. I switched over to the cardiology room for the last hour as well and then we both went to the room, grabbed our stuff, and checked out.

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It took fooooooooooooooorever…. The line was quite long, but while we waited, I got my bags stashed with Luggage Services for their transfer to AKL. Had I known…. Duh, duh, dummm…..

With the receipt I needed to get my company reimbursement for the conference, we gave a last hug good-bye and I took off for the bus stop. The rest of my afternoon was planned for MK as I hadn’t walked down the middle of Main Street, USA yet. I arrived a few minutes before noon and stopped, as I always do, for the Dapper Dans. It was wonderful hearing their super silly dad jokes and happy Disney songs with the Deagan Organ Chimes they play. Yes, I had to look that up, but heck, that’s one of the things I like about Disney… I always seem to learn something new.

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From there I walked a bit further up the middle of Main Street somehow managing to stay out of the tracks narrowly missing a chance for a lucrative lawsuit. (Did anyone else read that idiotic headline the other day?)

(Hey, Uncle Walt!)​

Again, I stopped for yet another one of the best musical acts Disney has to offer- the Casey’s Corner Pianist. I was so, so hoping it would be Grayson, one of the newest Legendary Cast Members to get his Blue Name Tag. HUZZAH!!! I hung around for a good 15 minutes or so and loved every single minute. Just splendid live music.

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I had several hours before Caroline and I would meet up at Beak and Barrel, and I had a few attractions I wanted to see before then. Let’s see what I got done!

Having just heard Grayson play his rendition of Grim Grinning Ghosts, how fitting that my first LL was for HM and I was there easily before 1:00. With no wait at all, I was frolicking with the Happy Haunts and seriously contemplated becoming the 1,000th, but let my Ghost Host escort me out letting him know I’d be back after I could retire with a comfortable 401K as I’m pretty sure their constant partying isn’t free. Someday…

(^^ BEST sight gag EVER!)​

Are you ready?

(I doubt it was (ready))​

For lunch!


Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries: Chicken nuggets tossed in hot sauce-honey served with New Orleans olive relish and Cajun-spiced sweet potato fries- $9.99

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I’d read about a new, at least to me, offering for a quick service meal. This quite large beauty can be found at Golden Oak Outpost and was absolutely fantastic! I also got the:

Honey-Lavender Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee with honey-lavender cold foam, honeycomb toffee, and a sugar candy piece- $6.29

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And why not? I used one of QS meals on our DDP. Total was $17.99 which I thought was a pretty good and hearty use of a credit! I really, really enjoyed this meal. If you don’t like green olive tapenade you can ask for them to leave this off. But it sure does add a unique spin on a QS food and it’s nice to have another flavorful option.

The Cold Brew was decent, not overly sweet, but nicely flavored with the touch of lavender and honey, I could have easily done without the fako whipped cream and its calories but it did make for a very pretty drink. I certainly needed the late morning pick-me-up; we all know how Disney can sometimes mean sore legs, long days, and empty bank accounts.

I took my time over my lunch people watching and just generally enjoying the moments of downtime with no responsibility or rush. But my next LL was in its window and off to POTC I trotted. Oddly, I don’t have a single photo, but know I used it.


Yo, Ho. (No, it never gets old.)


What I do have photos of is the Swiss Family Treehouse. Last time I was in the park it was all covered up and in the middle “a big refurb” so I was excited to see what fantastical things were done.

There was nothing fantastical or even remotely new, at least that I could find, done to it at all. Perhaps it was just a cleanup? Regardless, I always enjoy a stroll through the treetops where masterful ingenuity, family warmth, and human resilience withstood the test of time. Such a wonderfully spun story by Johann Wyss!

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The treehouse certainly inspired me as did Small World where I sailed next. Instead of dealing with the ridonculous wait, I fiddle-faddled another LL (thanks Mammoth Club!) and was on in 5.

It makes my heart sing (I’ll bet you are too now ) when I pay homage to my heritages including France, England, Scotland, and Belgium. I also smiled as we floated by some of my favorite vacation destinations including Italy, Tanzania, Australia, and Bali!!!

(You know it's busy when... pssst, it only get worse. Way worse.)





(Venice)


(Bali and Thailand)


(East Africa)


(The Australian Outback)​

It was 2:00 and I’d gotten 2 music sets in, a fair bit of mindless, but happy wandering, and 3 attractions. Did I mention lunch too? Mmm, it was tasty!!

I ended up having just enough time for one more attraction before my Tiana’s Bayou LL expired so I threw caution to the wind and joined Pooh and Friends for their very blustery day. The heffalumps wreaked their usual havok, Pooh raided the hunny again, and we all celebrated a birthday just for fun. Hooray!!!

( A "smackerel", I need me one of those)



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Tiana’s Bayou was a place of celebration too, but that’ll have to wait for next time when we ride Mama Odie’s Magical Mushroom Express for an all-together different kind of weird.

 

[Steppesister]

That's nice. Glad you got to spend some time with your kids over the holidays.

A little anyways.

Was that taken before the Safari? My memory tells me that the okapis are only seen on the Safari ride. I could be wrong. It's been a while

You may very well be right. I *think* it was in the trails part of the camera roll, but could be wrong?

I don't remember seeing that, either.

I wonder if it's newer? Huh!

So... did you know hippos don't swim? They lightly push off the bottom, but don't swim.
This photo reminded me of that as you can clearly see the feet on the bottom.

I did know that! They kind of "bounce along". My mom saw hippos in a pool once like this and she thinks it's like watching them "do a ballet".

Kelly's tree!

Yes!! @buzzrelly

You could wish for worse things.

True.

I could start with more nights of not enough sleep?

More patients in a day?

Yeah... I'm really sad that they got rid of the choice of dips. I wonder why? Probably because people enjoyed them. Can't have that.

Probably. Anything to save $10 a day.

I think the birds actually make it more fun.

They kinda do. They sure give the kids some fun too!

I sometimes forget how incredible the TOL is. In just that photo, you can easily see half a dozen animals without even really trying!

It is. I honestly think it's one of the top 5 or so too-often-over-looked "attractions" in the parks.

Sometimes you're full of pep... other times you're just draggin'...

Me after work.

Draggin'.

Hard.

Not exactly father-of-the-year material, there.

Silly Alfred!

Whoops!

Wheeeee....

Huh. Last time someone did that was about 2,000 years ago.

Ohhhh, nice one!

Actually, it looks like it says "Villa Del Lago".

Actually, you are right!

Nice shot of you and cool flight presentation.

Thanks and yes! Very fun way to serve them plus saves space on the table.

Interesting. I'd think that'd be my least favourite... but who knows until you try it!

It was kind of sweet and savory. Quite good!

Pass the Corn Flakes.

Don't get me wrong. I like those too. And steel cut oats, and french toast. But leftovers are my go-to.

 

[pkondz]

Today was the last day of our conference

Bet that was nice to be done with.

while we waited, I got my bags stashed with Luggage Services for their transfer to AKL. Had I known…. Duh, duh, dummm…..

You forgot to tell them "No smashing, please."

The rest of my afternoon was planned for MK as I hadn’t walked down the middle of Main Street, USA yet.

Not yet?!?

Just... how?

I arrived a few minutes before noon and stopped, as I always do, for the Dapper Dans.

An absolute must.

the Deagan Organ Chimes they play.

Had no idea they were called... well... anything.

(Did anyone else read that idiotic headline the other day?)

I did not. But have now. Found this interesting:

Disney often files an initial response that may include denying the allegations, asserting that it exercised reasonable care, or arguing that the condition was open and obvious to guests.

Yeah... no kidding. She probably sues when she falls off of curbs, too.

Again, I stopped for yet another one of the best musical acts Disney has to offer- the Casey’s Corner Pianist

Another absolute must.

Just splendid live music.

Great song choice!

Having just heard Grayson play his rendition of Grim Grinning Ghosts, how fitting that my first LL was for HM

Pretty much had to at that point.

With no wait at all, I was frolicking with the Happy Haunts

Nice.

seriously contemplated becoming the 1,000th, but let my Ghost Host escort me out letting him know I’d be back after I could retire with a comfortable 401K as I’m pretty sure their constant partying isn’t free. Someday…

They don't actually allow people to be #1,000. They vacuum that up when it happens.

Unique shot!

Really good capture, in the dark.

(^^ BEST sight gag EVER!)

Erm... I don't get it? Is it something about "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings?"

(I doubt it was (ready))

Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries: Chicken nuggets tossed in hot sauce-honey served with New Orleans olive relish and Cajun-spiced sweet potato fries- $9.99

Not a fan of sweet potato fries, but the rest sounds really good!

we all know how Disney can sometimes mean sore legs, long days, and empty bank accounts.

What? This is a thing? Who knew?

Yo, Ho. (No, it never gets old.)

Regardless, I always enjoy a stroll through the treetops where masterful ingenuity, family warmth, and human resilience withstood the test of time.

I know it doesn't get a ton of love, but I always enjoy popping in once in a while.

The treehouse certainly inspired me as did Small World where I sailed next.

It'd inspire me to jab a sharp stick in my ears...

It makes my heart sing (I’ll bet you are too now )

Nope! I'm deliberately not thinking about it.
LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LAAAAAA!!!!

(You know it's busy when... pssst, it only get worse. Way worse.)

Yes. You actually have to ride it.

Goat looks like he just discovered what's in goat stew.

(The Australian Outback)

That dingo stole that baby.

The heffalumps wreaked their usual havok, Pooh raided the hunny again, and we all celebrated a birthday just for fun. Hooray!!!

( A "smackerel", I need me one of those)

Holy mackerel!

 

[pkondz]

A little anyways.

Better than not at all.

I wonder if it's newer? Huh!

No idea. I may have not noticed, or forgotten. It's been a while.

I did know that! They kind of "bounce along". My mom saw hippos in a pool once like this and she thinks it's like watching them "do a ballet".

More patients in a day?

Somedays, I could use more patience.

Probably. Anything to save $10 a day.

It is. I honestly think it's one of the top 5 or so too-often-over-looked "attractions" in the parks.

I can see that.

Many don't.

Very fun way to serve them plus saves space on the table.

I never thought of that!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries: Chicken nuggets tossed in hot sauce-honey served with New Orleans olive relish and Cajun-spiced sweet potato fries- $9.99

It's a very orange meal. You made great use of a DDP credit.

What I do have photos of is the Swiss Family Treehouse.

It needed a cleaning. It is pretty dirty when we went through it a couple years ago.

I threw caution to the wind and joined Pooh and Friends for their very blustery day.

We will ride this one occasionally. They need more rides like this at WDW. We found a bunch of these types of rides at Disneyland. Snow White's Scary adventures, or whatever it's called, was my favorite at DL.

 

[disneyAndi14]

We tried the chicken and sweet potato fries at Golden Oak Post on a previous trip and really enjoyed this as well!
This was a one of the few non party days so MK does get quite busy! I remember how busy the evening was. Wall to wall people! I’m glad you made use of LL this day! I will only ride IASW if it is a walk on! Haha

 

[missjackiemcg]

I walked a bit further up the middle of Main Street somehow managing to stay out of the tracks narrowly missing a chance for a lucrative lawsuit. (Did anyone else read that idiotic headline the other day?)

I mentioned this every day of our Christmas/NYE trip as we walked down Main Street, USA! "Don't twist your ankle, Jimmy! We're not suing Uncle Walt!"

 

[buzzrelly]

I got my bags stashed with Luggage Services for their transfer to AKL. Had I known…. Duh, duh, dummm…..

Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Potato Fries: Chicken nuggets tossed in hot sauce-honey served with New Orleans olive relish and Cajun-spiced sweet potato fries- $9.99


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Ooooo...that looks good. I didn't make any ADRs for our upcoming trip this month because we don't want to have to be anywhere at a certain time so this might fit into that plan very well!