The ABCs of a Very Merry Christmastime Land and Sea Adventure- M is for: Making the Most of a Morning Safari!

[Steppesister]

A is for: Allo! Bienvenue! Ciao!
(See what I did there?)​

Welcome to a brand-new trip! Let me introduce myself to those who may not know me: I go by steppesister around here, but I’ll answer to Liesa with a friendly smile. I’m a single, young-at-heart Kentucky transplant whose been to Disney (both coasts) many, many, many times, but this will be my first Land and Sea Adventure. I've been writing on the DIS since 2007 and should you be interested in my past TRs, you can find links in my signature. I am currently writing a detailed TR on my most recent travels to the Philippines, Bali, and several places in Australia. (Because Disney is very good at inspiring me to actually GO to the places that are romanticized in the parks.)

(Beautiful Bali!)​

I have 5 wonderful adult kids and a passel of grand-kiddlywinks with another on the way. My youngest and I travel together well so you may see her in some of those past TRs. I live in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, home to Bourbon, Corvettes, and Caves. We also have the worst drivers on the planet, and the number of fried chicken shops we have rivals the number of meth-heads in our hollers. All kidding aside, it’s a beautiful place to live and I do love it here. Almost as much as I love snow-birding in Tucson, Arizona when I can. This year, I probably won’t be heading there as I’ve gotta find a job somewhere.

These last 2 ½ years have been full with the completely life-consuming marathon of earning my Master’s in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner degree. I finally officially graduated last week and am now waiting to get my permission to sit the National Boards. (If anyone knows of a Primary Care or Internal Medicine Practice looking for an APRN, let me know!) When I’m not studying, I love to travel, enjoy photography, and spending time outdoors.

​

Ok, enough about me and back to the trip. Quite some time ago, my beautiful DISFriend @Malia78 contacted me and pitched the idea of a Disney Cruise to celebrate all of my hard work! To be fair, she’s been trying to get me to sail with her for years, but I just had other travel that I had my eyes on. This seemed like the perfect occasion to finally pull the trigger! I can't even remember when Karilynn and I first met IRL; it seems like we've been friends forever! I do know we went to the Pacific Northwest Mousemeet near Seattle at least twice. You know what's crazy?! My eldest son and his family are now living right down the street from her.

(No, we weren't having a Happily Ever After "in that way", but this was a hilarious moment in Disneyland nonetheless! )



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But enter another DISFriend, @disneyAndi14 . We have also been trying to cook up a trip that we could enjoy together, so I started doing some Disney math. (It’s what I do best.) She and another friend, @suse66 were going to be there just before this cruise and I thought it’d be fun to see if it’d work out to join in. Caroline invited me to room with her for a couple of nights and the planning took off from there. I met both of these beautiful ladies on the EPIC Girls trip several years ago and fell in love with them both.

(Caroline's in the middle and I sadly don't have a photo of Susan... yet. )
​

Being that I: 1) Already have a TR going that keeps me busy, 2) Am still spending a LOT of my days studying for my Board Exam, and 3) Am actively trying to go through the state licensing process, get my DEA license, find a job, and work a part-time RN job on weekends… I won’t update this PTR much until after I get back mid-December. But my tradition here on the DIS has always been to start every Trip Report off with a short PTR just to get the ball rolling so the actual TR already has the background built in. (This will just morph into the real TR once I return.)

I’ll leave off here for now and be back with more of the details next time. Until then, welcome aboard! Grab a sail-away glass of champagne and join me for a Very Merry Christmastime Land and Sea Adventure!

​

 

[Steppesister]

The PTR Chapters:

A is for: Allo! Bienvenue! Caio! (Up there ^^)

B is for: Basking By the Pool- Uni Plans

The REAL TR Chapters:

A is for: A Really Awesome Arrival!

B is for: Being Jolly at a Jingle Bell BAM!

C is for: Christmas Cruise Bound!

D is for: Dinner Disaster Followed by a Dip Into the Tipsy!

E is for: Eggs-eptional Brunch with Excellent Service!

F is for: Flora, Fauna, Food and FUN on Lookout Cay

G is for: Games and Grins on the Dream!

H is for: Harvesting Holiday Happenings at Sea

I is for: I'm Back in the Bubble!

J is for: A Jingle Bell-Style Jaunt Around WS

K is for: Killing Time with a Kaleidoscope of Trees and Cocoa!

L is for: Living Large at Animal Kingdom

 

[pkondz]

I’ll answer to Liesa with a friendly smile.

What would you answer to with a punch in the snoot??

this will be my first Land and Sea Adventure

I live in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, home to Bourbon, Corvettes, and Caves. We also have the worst drivers on the planet

I wonder if the two (corvettes and bad drivers) are connected.

the number of fried chicken shops we have rivals the number of meth-heads in our hollers.

I finally officially graduated last week

Again… congratulations!!!!

outdoors.

​

Lovely shot of you.

my beautiful DISFriend @Malia78

Hi Kari!

pitched the idea of a Disney Cruise to celebrate all of my hard work!

Good idea. You’ve earned it.

No, we weren't having a Happily Ever After "in that way", but this was a hilarious moment in Disneyland nonetheless! )

But enter another DISFriend, @disneyAndi14

Hi Caroline!

She and another friend, @suse66

Hi Susan !

 

[Malia78]

Quite some time ago, my beautiful DISFriend @Malia78 contacted me and pitched the idea of a Disney Cruise to celebrate all of my hard work!

Woohoo!! So excited to join as a supporting character...

Hi Kari!

Hi!!!!

 

[Steppesister]

What would you answer to with a punch in the snoot??

Hey )#($&&%!

I wonder if the two (corvettes and bad drivers) are connected.

No, the worst of them are in rice rockets and lifted pickups.

Again… congratulations!!!!

THANKS!

Lovely shot of you.

Thank you, I had a really wonderful photographer take some pro shots for me.

Good idea. You’ve earned it.

I've certainly worked very hard.

 

[Steppesister]

Woohoo!! So excited to join as a supporting character...

Feel free to add your own photos and story-telling any time your sweet little heart desires!

 

[pkondz]

Hey )#($&&%!

No, the worst of them are in rice rockets and lifted pickups.

Yuck.

I've certainly worked very hard.

 

[Steppesister]

B is for: Basking By the Pool
(Disclaimer: None of the photos in this chapter are mine.)​

The Land Portion- Pt. 1

It’s been a long, long time since my shadow has darkened the tracks of Main Street. Because my classes and program were so incredibly intense, I’ve had to take substantial amounts of time off of working and funds are becoming critically low. After this trip, I can’t plan anymore travel until I work a PRN RN job or land my FNP dream job, whichever comes first. So… consider this a last hurrah of sorts.

Now, onto a few specifics, because, honestly, that’s why you’re here right?

The trip starts early on Dec. 3rd, but not too stupid early. For me, it’s either a red-eye or a first flight out so I can have that extra day but not have to pay for an extra hotel night in Disney. I have also been known to sleep in my car or the airport floor just to save a buck. Because bucks saved on an extra hotel in your departure city equals more bucks for vacation schnacks! (My list is long!) My 9:20AM flight ain’t too bad at all, so no need for car camping or skeevy airport floor crashing.

I chose SWA because I anticipate a bit more baggage than I normally travel with. You might be asking yourself how much I normally travel with. Light’s my name and Lean’s my game. I just got back from a month in Asia and Australia with 2 carry-ons.

This puts me in Orlando at a cool 12:15PM. I’m liking this a lot! Caroline already had a reservation at Sapphire Falls which she graciously invited me to share! I really love this resort, and it will be my 2nd time there. I think I liked Portofino a little bit more and someday I’d like to stay at Royal Pacific but I do love Sapphire Falls a lot! YOUR TURN!! If you could stay at any Uni Resort which one would you choose and why??

I’d decided a long time ago to not go into the parks at Uni this trip to save some money. That makes me a little sad because I would love to craft some magic with my witchy wand. But… in trips past I’ve done some wicked pool hopping so that's how I'll spend my couple of days there. I mean, why not?! Uni makes it exceptionally easy to enjoy all of their amazing pools. So, that’s my plan, Stan. I’m going to park my porky hiney in a lounger and sip my afternoon away with a good book that has nothing to do with anything medical. Meanwhile, Caroline has plans to head to the parks for the Christmas decorations and do her own thing.

(The Royal Pacific Pool- my fave on property)
​

Plan B/ The Rain Escape: YOUR TURN! Have you ever seen the holiday resort decorations at Universal? If so, which ones did you enjoy most?

​

After our day, we’ll meet again to hit up Strongwater Tavern for dinner and I’m perfectly thrilled with this plan! I’ve never enjoyed their fare in the past and my mouth is already watering for:

Tequenos- $12.00; Queso fresco, sweet ham, puff pastry, roasted pepper sauce:

​

I’m sure we’ll toast to the beginning of a wonderful trip ahead of us!!!

Day 2 will be much the same. Lather, rinse, repeat. I do have a backup plan in case of rain, my friends. If I can’t park my lazy hind end in a poolside chair, I’ll cruise the party boats and check out the resort holiday decorations. I have no idea where we’ll end up for dinner but imagine it’ll be somewhere at City Walk. Big Fire Grill is looking pretty tantalizing, and I’ve not ever tried that one before. I’ve eaten at most of the other places there and have been generally pretty happy. Antijitos was unfortunately pretty loud, so I’d be less inclined to go back unless it was warm outside, and I could get a table on the patio. YOUR TURN! What's your favorite City Walk Place to eat and why?

​

And that rounds out the first part of my Very Merry Christmastime Land and Sea Adventure!

Until next time...

 

[Paulaparm]

Sounds like a great trip!
Congratulations on your official graduation! Kudos to you for all your hard work…now enjoy some well-deserved down time!

 

[pkondz]

I can’t plan anymore travel until I work a PRN RN job or land my FNP dream job, whichever comes first.

The egg.


The egg came first.

bucks saved on an extra hotel in your departure city equals more bucks for vacation schnacks! (My list is long!)

YOUR TURN!! If you could stay at any Uni Resort which one would you choose and why??

Easy. Helios.
That rooftop bar looks amazing and the dedicated theme park entrance is something that might make it a deal maker all on its own.

in trips past I’ve done some wicked pool hopping so that's how I'll spend my couple of days there. I mean, why not?! Uni makes it exceptionally easy to enjoy all of their amazing pools.

Sounds like fun.

YOUR TURN! What's your favorite City Walk Place to eat and why?

Hmmm... Toothsome is fun, but the food is just okay. Depending on how I feel I guess it's a toss up between Cowfish and Vivo.

 

[zanzibar138]

Here for the party Sounds like a great plan so far.

If you could stay at any Uni Resort which one would you choose and why??

We toyed with adding a couple of days at Universal to our trip. We probably would have gone with Sapphire Falls as well, although I also like the look of Royal Pacific.

I haven't had much experience with Universal. My ex and I spent one day at Universal Hollywood way back in 2011, before HP. Since then, I've only been to the one in Singapore, which is definitely a 'Universal lite' experience mostly involving rollercoasters.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Your Disney cruise sounds very luxurious. You deserve it after all the hard work you have done - for years!

We will be arriving on Dec 3rd via SWA, too. We are having a sister's trip, Dana's sister and my sister, and staying at POR until Sat. Dec 7th. I would love to meet up with you guys, but I don't know if it will work out.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I’m here, really excited for our stay at Universal!
I would say my favorite resort is Portofino Bay, they are remodeling over there right now. Sapphire Falls had a wonderful AP price and it is a place I have never stayed yet. I didn’t feel I needed the EP for what I want to do in the parks.
It is hard to pick a favorite restaurant. Strong Waters for the small bites is probably my favorite right now!
I have had the ham puffs and delicious
My favorite on Citywalk would be Antojitos or Vivo

 

[disneybob71]

B is for: Basking By the Pool
(Disclaimer: None of the photos in this chapter are mine.)​

The Land Portion- Pt. 1

It’s been a long, long time since my shadow has darkened the tracks of Main Street. Because my classes and program were so incredibly intense, I’ve had to take substantial amounts of time off of working and funds are becoming critically low. After this trip, I can’t plan anymore travel until I work a PRN RN job or land my FNP dream job, whichever comes first. So… consider this a last hurrah of sorts.

Now, onto a few specifics, because, honestly, that’s why you’re here right?

The trip starts early on Dec. 3rd, but not too stupid early. For me, it’s either a red-eye or a first flight out so I can have that extra day but not have to pay for an extra hotel night in Disney. I have also been known to sleep in my car or the airport floor just to save a buck. Because bucks saved on an extra hotel in your departure city equals more bucks for vacation schnacks! (My list is long!) My 9:20AM flight ain’t too bad at all, so no need for car camping or skeevy airport floor crashing.

I chose SWA because I anticipate a bit more baggage than I normally travel with. You might be asking yourself how much I normally travel with. Light’s my name and Lean’s my game. I just got back from a month in Asia and Australia with 2 carry-ons.

This puts me in Orlando at a cool 12:15PM. I’m liking this a lot! Caroline already had a reservation at Sapphire Falls which she graciously invited me to share! I really love this resort, and it will be my 2nd time there. I think I liked Portofino a little bit more and someday I’d like to stay at Royal Pacific but I do love Sapphire Falls a lot! YOUR TURN!! If you could stay at any Uni Resort which one would you choose and why??

I’d decided a long time ago to not go into the parks at Uni this trip to save some money. That makes me a little sad because I would love to craft some magic with my witchy wand. But… in trips past I’ve done some wicked pool hopping so that's how I'll spend my couple of days there. I mean, why not?! Uni makes it exceptionally easy to enjoy all of their amazing pools. So, that’s my plan, Stan. I’m going to park my porky hiney in a lounger and sip my afternoon away with a good book that has nothing to do with anything medical. Meanwhile, Caroline has plans to head to the parks for the Christmas decorations and do her own thing.

View attachment 906782
(The Royal Pacific Pool- my fave on property)
​

Plan B/ The Rain Escape: YOUR TURN! Have you ever seen the holiday resort decorations at Universal? If so, which ones did you enjoy most?

View attachment 906783​

After our day, we’ll meet again to hit up Strongwater Tavern for dinner and I’m perfectly thrilled with this plan! I’ve never enjoyed their fare in the past and my mouth is already watering for:

Tequenos- $12.00; Queso fresco, sweet ham, puff pastry, roasted pepper sauce:

View attachment 906780​

I’m sure we’ll toast to the beginning of a wonderful trip ahead of us!!!

Day 2 will be much the same. Lather, rinse, repeat. I do have a backup plan in case of rain, my friends. If I can’t park my lazy hind end in a poolside chair, I’ll cruise the party boats and check out the resort holiday decorations. I have no idea where we’ll end up for dinner but imagine it’ll be somewhere at City Walk. Big Fire Grill is looking pretty tantalizing, and I’ve not ever tried that one before. I’ve eaten at most of the other places there and have been generally pretty happy. Antijitos was unfortunately pretty loud, so I’d be less inclined to go back unless it was warm outside, and I could get a table on the patio. YOUR TURN! What's your favorite City Walk Place to eat and why?

View attachment 906781​

And that rounds out the first part of my Very Merry Christmastime Land and Sea Adventure!

Until next time...

I’m here, really excited for our stay at Universal!
I would say my favorite resort is Portofino Bay, they are remodeling over there right now. Sapphire Falls had a wonderful AP price and it is a place I have never stayed yet. I didn’t feel I needed the EP for what I want to do in the parks.
It is hard to pick a favorite restaurant. Strong Waters for the small bites is probably my favorite right now!
I have had the ham puffs and delicious
My favorite on Citywalk would be Antojitos or Vivo

I stayed at Royal Pacific about 7 years ago with my sister and brother in-law and 2 nephews. Very nice resort, but I got to sleep on the floor on a thin cot.

 

[Steppesister]

Sounds like a great trip!
Congratulations on your official graduation! Kudos to you for all your hard work…now enjoy some well-deserved down time!

As we get closer I'll post more of the plans and see what you think.

 

[Steppesister]

The egg.


The egg came first.

You sound so sure!

Easy. Helios.
That rooftop bar looks amazing and the dedicated theme park entrance is something that might make it a deal maker all on its own.

I've never heard of it! Looking now...

oooohhhh! WOW! That all sure looks fun! And yes, opulent and now that's on my list!

Hmmm... Toothsome is fun, but the food is just okay. Depending on how I feel I guess it's a toss up between Cowfish and Vivo.

Agreed! I liked Vivo the couple of times I've been there.

 

[Steppesister]

Here for the party Sounds like a great plan so far.

The Disney portion is coming up soon! Hopefully I'll be able to post again with that soon.

We toyed with adding a couple of days at Universal to our trip. We probably would have gone with Sapphire Falls as well, although I also like the look of Royal Pacific.

I haven't had much experience with Universal. My ex and I spent one day at Universal Hollywood way back in 2011, before HP. Since then, I've only been to the one in Singapore, which is definitely a 'Universal lite' experience mostly involving rollercoasters.

I'd love to stay there someday too!! Even if just for the pool!

If you like HP, you'll absolutely LOVE Uni; they've done a really whiz bang job on it with the theming for sure!

 

[Steppesister]

Your Disney cruise sounds very luxurious. You deserve it after all the hard work you have done - for years!

We will be arriving on Dec 3rd via SWA, too. We are having a sister's trip, Dana's sister and my sister, and staying at POR until Sat. Dec 7th. I would love to meet up with you guys, but I don't know if it will work out.

Sue!! Thank you! It's definitely been a long, tough road, but that's all behind me now. Huzzah!!

I'd love to visit with you again. I'll be over at Disney from the 5th-11th. Just let me know your park plans and we'll go from there!

 

[Steppesister]

I’m here, really excited for our stay at Universal!

Me too!!

I would say my favorite resort is Portofino Bay, they are remodeling over there right now. Sapphire Falls had a wonderful AP price and it is a place I have never stayed yet. I didn’t feel I needed the EP for what I want to do in the parks.

I loved Portofino's dining options a LOT! I've eaten at BICE! and absolutely adored my meal there. And you're right, for a low-key, less park-oriented stay the Sapphire is a great option.

It is hard to pick a favorite restaurant. Strong Waters for the small bites is probably my favorite right now!
I have had the ham puffs and delicious

Then I'll have chosen wisely!

My favorite on Citywalk would be Antojitos or Vivo

Both solid options. I can't remember what I tried at Antijitos but their margs are wonderful!

 

[Steppesister]

I stayed at Royal Pacific about 7 years ago with my sister and brother in-law and 2 nephews. Very nice resort, but I got to sleep on the floor on a thin cot.

I'm so glad you are here! I have seen you reading through my Australia TR and hoped you'd join along here too!

OH NO!!!! You definitely need a re-do!! The floor is no way to enjoy such a nice-looking resort!