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

[Steppesister]

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

After our jaunt around the WS, we went back to the room, and I took a nice, hot bath. Baths are life. #provemewrong My feet already hurt a bit, and I needed a rest. Besides it wasn’t all that warm. Eventually, at 6:15, the call of Disney Entertainment washed over me and off I semi-trotted back to the VERY close bus stop. If you’ll recall, I was upgraded to a preferred room in not only the closest building to Music Hall, but one of the closest rooms as well.

The destination was locked in for The Springs- I had unfinished business to take care of. The whole place was poppin’ with masses of people. More people, in fact, than I had patience. Pulling up my big girl pants and with great care to subdue the rising Karen who might spout off at someone stopping in the middle of the pathway, I stopped in at Arribas Bros. for my Tree Map. It was do or die with this quest as I had no idea if I’d be back at The Springs again this trip. To stay warm, I booked it to the far end of the venue (as best I could with crowded walkways), over by Cirque, to somewhat start over in my Tree Quest. As a Bonafide “Completist”, with a side of OCD, I had to go in order.

I won’t share photos of the trees I’d already gotten with Kari when we were there for Summer House, and for the sake of brevity, I’ll simply give you a montage of the remaining trees in the Hunt… LOVE the detailing of the ornaments!

Behold:

1) The Haunted Mansion Tree- (I got more photos of this one than the others because I liked it maybe most; the details were so cool!)

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2) Annual Passholders Tree: (Boring)

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3) Princess and the Frog Tree:

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4) The Nightmare Before Christmas: My 2nd favorite

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5) Guardians of the Galaxy:

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6) The Lion King Tree:

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7) Cocoa Tree:

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8) Disney Treasure: (Weird, but okay ; Christmas Tree Stroll channels its inner Rose Parade)

​

An hour of bobbing and weaving around a slow-moving crowd was starting to make me grumpy. It was hard to move and get to places, especially if you had an agenda and goals. It was time to knock off another thing on the evening's to-do list which I’d actually planned to do with Kari. But she had to leave for the airport in the middle of the night and wanted to get at least a little sleep; I was on my own for this one.

Hopping in line for Jock’s, I was told that the wait was going to be about 30 minutes. I was cold to be sure, but not cold enough to give up altogether.

​

Hoping the odds of an over-inflated wait estimate were in my favor, I stuck it out and was seated on the patio at the bar within 20. Not bad!

(
(Mmm, watered down Disney cocktails)


(The festive inside)​

There were parties of 2 to my right and left and it was fun seeing their small plate orders come out as I perused the cocktail menu. Seriously the presentation of The Hangar Bar’s Christmas goodies was really well done. Very whimsical and fun! Had I not gotten overly full at EPCOT earlier and knowing my drink order was MORE than ample to fill me up, I passed. However, they were fun to admire.

(Aren't those ham and cheese trees CUTE?!) ​

I’d looked at the options at Jock’s before the trip on DFB and was pretty sure I’d get the cocoa sampler. I did. Ask me if it was fantastic! (Okay, okay, I now you're dying to know!)

​

It was! Of the 3, I loved the peanut butter whiskey one the best (on the right). Oh man, this trio was the most decadent, filling, so super scrumptious offering. I did not quite finish the last one, the peppermint white chocolate (in the middle), because by then not only was I full, but was concerned that the insulin runners might have a hard time getting to me through the pathway loiterers. Besides, it was just so cloying and I don’t care for white chocolate in general.

Licking the last bits of whipped cream mustache, I headed out to endure a bit more of the aimlessly wandering crowd. In the end, I did find my last few trees, took their photos, and put my cute little sticker on the sticker board. With the glee of a 2-year-old who has successfully earned an M&M for using the potty, I fought my way back to Aribas Bros. and claimed my “prize”. I guess when you “play for free”, you are aptly “rewarded”. Thousands of these now take up space in our landfills.

​

The last couple of trees...

9) The Toy Story Tree:

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10) Mickey and Minnie Tree:

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11) Encanto Tree:

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I had zero other business at The Springs and by 8:37 was back on a bus for one more errand.

If you remember, I had left a bag of food (non-fridged) goodies at All Stars Sports where we’d stayed before the cruise. Ships won’t let you board with food, so I had to either throw it away or store it. Luckily, Sports was incredibly kind and helpful and told me, “No problem! Leave it here and it’ll be waiting when you get back!”. When I got there, I had my bag within 2 minutes and asked the Luggage folks how far it’d be to walk over to Music. “Walk?”, they said. “Nah, I think we can get you there. Let me talk to my manager. Just wait inside”

Within 5 minutes, someone from behind the desk says, we have a car that “just happens” to be going that way <wink wink>, hop on into the van over there (under the port cochere) and we’ll get you there. Holy cow, guys! I got a private ride back to Music and was literally in bed by 9:00. And that wraps up Day 6 of my Very Merrytime Land and Sea Vacation.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

What a great day you had and to finish up with a private ride back to Music is just perfect especially after a busy DS evening jostling through all the people.
Love the Christmas trees but then again I love Christmas decorations in all their forms.
I really wanted to eat everything on Jock’s small plates menu. It all sounded so tasty. The hot chocolate looked very rich and indulgent. I’m not surprised you couldn’t finish it all.

 

[buzzrelly]

Hello, Liesa!! It's taken me days but I am finally about as caught up as I can be!

First, I am so sorry about your dad's passing. I'm struggling lately with my parents aging and it just makes me so sad , yet I know how lucky I am to still have them both around

Second, Congratulations on becoming an APRN! Good for you! I don't know how you did all that and traveled like you did!!

The Christmas cruise looked so fun! I've done Halloween on the WISH but I've never been on DCL for Christmas...may have to try it soon!

Loving all the Christmas pics! I think I just missed seeing you down there last December I'm trying to figure out my December plans now and we are tentatively thinking 12/9-12/14. We will definitely be doing a MVMCP but will probably skip Jollywood Nights as we've been the last two years and unless they add to it we don't need to go again!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love the Coco tree, my favorite in so many ways
We skipped DS totally in March, the crowds there the last few times I have been told me to take a break from there.
I may go in May for a quick stroll but I have been so many times if I skip a few trips I’m fine with that!
Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar at Christmas is definitely delightful. I still love the Cool Headed Monkey drink with the big ole pretzel there!

 

[Wood Nymph]

I’d looked at the options at Jock’s before the trip on DFB and was pretty sure I’d get the cocoa sampler. I did. Ask me if it was fantastic! (Okay, okay, I now you're dying to know!)

The cocoa sampler looks delicious. We used to go to the Hangar Bar but lately it hasn't appealed to us. They also stopped serving a Singapore Sling - a drink that I used to drink in the 70's.

 

[Steppesister]

What a great day you had and to finish up with a private ride back to Music is just perfect especially after a busy DS evening jostling through all the people.
Love the Christmas trees but then again I love Christmas decorations in all their forms.
I really wanted to eat everything on Jock’s small plates menu. It all sounded so tasty. The hot chocolate looked very rich and indulgent. I’m not surprised you couldn’t finish it all.

I can't even believe they did that for me! Maybe it came down to a safety thing? It was cold so maybe they felt sorry for me, but any way you slice it, it was a little piece of Disney Magic!

I really enjoyed going from tree to tree and seeing the specially made ornaments for each tree. Very creative and well thought out.

I agree. I wished I had an eating-buddy with me to pig out even more, but I'm honestly a super small eater and I'd probably not have even been able to finish one. I think if I hadn't have ordered Garden Grocer food for my breakfasts, I'd have gotten the ham and cheese trees and saved it for breakfast. Next time!

Yes, just too much sugar for one sitting. At least for me.

 

[Steppesister]

Hello, Liesa!! It's taken me days but I am finally about as caught up as I can be!

First, I am so sorry about your dad's passing. I'm struggling lately with my parents aging and it just makes me so sad , yet I know how lucky I am to still have them both around

Second, Congratulations on becoming an APRN! Good for you! I don't know how you did all that and traveled like you did!!

The Christmas cruise looked so fun! I've done Halloween on the WISH but I've never been on DCL for Christmas...may have to try it soon!

Loving all the Christmas pics! I think I just missed seeing you down there last December I'm trying to figure out my December plans now and we are tentatively thinking 12/9-12/14. We will definitely be doing a MVMCP but will probably skip Jollywood Nights as we've been the last two years and unless they add to it we don't need to go again!

It's so wonderful you joined in, Kelly! This TR is still quite "young" so lots more to come. Although, honestly, I'm super slow at getting chapters up. Life is so busy. I start seeing my own patients on Tuesday (I want to throw up even just saying that) and I fear my weekends will be full of charting for a while until I'm more fluid with what I'm doing.

The whole ordeal of Dad having a stroke and then making the lucid, conscious decision to withdraw nutrition was agonizing. My sisters and I did total care for him for the last 2 1/2 weeks of his life which was both a blessing and very difficult. He went on his own terms with his family gathered around him. Thank you for your condolences. Enjoy the beautiful time you have with your folks; life is uncertain and at times fragile as you well know with your own work.

It was a long road and countless hours of study and clinical. Oddly, I feel both prepared and unprepared. Clinical decision making is only half the job- administrative workarounds for reimbursement is the other half and more BSh!t side of the work. UGH. I worked super hard to finish my courses ahead of time (14 hour days most days of the week plus working travel gigs in PACU) so I could still do my trips. Not easy but doable.

I really loved the ways that DCL made the Merrytime Cruises so special. Loads of beautiful decorations and characters in costumes made it all so fun!

Yes, we did just miss each other. My whole trip was pushed back by a week due to the funeral and family obligations. It ended up being exactly what it was meant to be and I carry no grudges or hard feelings- life is what life will be. But I was sad to have missed so many of my friends that week. No grudges but definite sadness. I am going with Caroline in October and will see Mary Ellen and Marv and Pat (I don't think you know any of them, maybe they were off the DIS by the time you started posting?) so some DISFriend time can be made up for.

I've heard that Jollywood nights has improved a TON from the prior 2 years. I read they they added a LOT to the mix for shows, have improved the timing and flow of things and added some extra offerings. A lot of folks said they were really happy with the additions from the years prior.

 

[Steppesister]

I love the Coco tree, my favorite in so many ways
We skipped DS totally in March, the crowds there the last few times I have been told me to take a break from there.
I may go in May for a quick stroll but I have been so many times if I skip a few trips I’m fine with that!
Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar at Christmas is definitely delightful. I still love the Cool Headed Monkey drink with the big ole pretzel there!

I really love that movie in general! The music alone makes it a really wonderful film. But the story line makes it even better!

I keep hearing that the crowd levels are steadily increasing and honestly, it really made it a super bummer being there having to move so slowly to get anywhere. I do love the love music acts and will sit and listen but it's becoming less attractive to me each time I go. Really, the only reason(s) I went this time were: The Tree Stroll and to try 2 new restaurants (Spoiler: I do end up there one more time later in the trip for another meal. )

I have my Cool-headed Monkey cup too; Need to break it out and have a Saturday afternoon cocktail today- You've inspired me!

 

[Steppesister]

The cocoa sampler looks delicious. We used to go to the Hangar Bar but lately it hasn't appealed to us. They also stopped serving a Singapore Sling - a drink that I used to drink in the 70's.

Delicious and rich! I love the Hangar Bar for the theming for sure! The whole backstory of Jock and the SEA is so cool to me. I like the waterfront venue too on a hot day!

Hmmm, looking up that cocktail now:

30 ml gin 15 ml cherry liqueur 7.5 ml Cointreau 7.5 ml DOM Bénédictine 120 ml fresh pineapple juice 15 ml fresh lime juice 10 ml Grenadine 1 dash Angostura bitters

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a hurricane glass.

Okay, that sounds AMAZING!!!! WOW!

 

[pkondz]

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

Okay!

Baths are life. #provemewrong

#shesnotwrong

If you’ll recall, I was upgraded to a preferred room in not only the closest building to Music Hall, but one of the closest rooms as well.

I remember getting a room like that. I even filmed my walk from the bus back to the room. Was under 30 seconds.

Pulling up my big girl pants and with great care to subdue the rising Karen who might spout off at someone stopping in the middle of the pathway,

As a Bonafide “Completist”, with a side of OCD, I had to go in order.

The Haunted Mansion Tree

I need that.

But not sure if for Christmas or Halloween... hmmm...

2) Annual Passholders Tree: (Boring)

Very. And not surprising.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: My 2nd favorite

Me too.

Cocoa Tree:

Like this one too.

An hour of bobbing and weaving around a slow-moving crowd was starting to make me grumpy.

I stuck it out and was seated on the patio at the bar within 20. Not bad!

Not too bad. Not sure if I would've waited... but not bad.

(
(Mmm, watered down Disney cocktails)

Watered down, maybe, but... you ordered four cocktails??

(The festive inside)

Fun.

You had me at "Hot Chocolate Flight"

Oh man, this trio was the most decadent, filling, so super scrumptious offering.

by then not only was I full, but was concerned that the insulin runners might have a hard time getting to me through the pathway loiterers.

Licking the last bits of whipped cream mustache,

Thanks for that visual!

With the glee of a 2-year-old who has successfully earned an M&M for using the potty,

I guess when you “play for free”, you are aptly “rewarded”. Thousands of these now take up space in our landfills.

You didn't bring it home and frame it?

asked the Luggage folks how far it’d be to walk over to Music. “Walk?”, they said. “Nah, I think we can get you there. Let me talk to my manager. Just wait inside”

Wow! Nice little friendly perk, there.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I wished I had an eating-buddy with me to pig out even more,

Eating buddies are definitely my kind of buddy. I live with 3 adult men ( youngest son officially an adult since January) and they don’t share food!! Ever!! Greedy gorbs that they are!!

I think if I hadn't have ordered Garden Grocer food for my breakfasts, I'd have gotten the ham and cheese trees and saved it for breakfast. Next time!

That’s the good thing about Disney trips- there’s always a next time

 

[Steppesister]

L is for: Living Large at Animal Kingdom​

Having gotten a decent night’s sleep in my UPGRADED room at Sports, I was up at 6:00. I didn’t hear one peep from Kari as she slipped out the door sometime during the night to catch her flight home and was sad to know she was gone- she is perfect company to be around. I am generally a no muss, no fuss sort of girl, so throwing some clothes on that I set out the night before and getting my park bag packed ahead of time helped me get up and out FAST… zooomy-zoom!!I brushed me teeth, grabbed my brekkie out of the fridge, scooped up the bag, and off I went hitting the bus stop at 6:28. Winner, winner chicken dinner, Baby!

For those of you who do some of your own food, here's an idea that worked out great! I brought some granola from home and had GG deliver a few yogurts. Lo and behold, if you put the few tablespoons of granola in the bottom of a room paper coffee cup, then stick the yogurt on top, the lid will fit perfectly. Obviously, it's gotta be that particular size of yogurt. Just add a spoon from the food court on the way to the bus and voila!

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A Pre-Dawn Departure!

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While I have bragging rights to being first on the bus from Sports, I was NOT first in line at security at the park entrance. The folks from AKL or Coronado were probably those lucky folks. Regardless, I was standing in the crisp morning air waiting for security to start waving us through when I was suddenly very aware that a familiar, and extraordinarily annoying, voice was somewhere behind me. Yep, the same blabbermouth from the ship’s Trivia Game AND Tour somehow found a way to become a cling-on yet again. Just… HOW?! Same loud chatter that would. Not. Stop.

(I was not amused; annoyed in fact. I know, I know, just let it go... sigh, I am trying to not let stuff like this bug me.)​

After about 9 years of know-it-all jabbering to her friend about every Imagineering detail ever imagined, security let us through, and my sour attitude was instantly repaid with a swift kick of Karma. I was flagged for extra screening for the umbrella I’d stashed in my bag not knowing that the new advice for NOT getting flagged at Disney Security is to take umbrellas and sunglasses cases out of bags. I never made that mistake again this trip. (I simply left the umbrella behind in the room henceforth, so there. Take that!)

Anyway, this Noob mistake cost me precious time and utterly WRECKED my RD mojo and strategy. Crap. Kicking it into as high of a gear as this old broad has in her, I booked it for FOP and by the time I got there I had to wait a full 20 minutes. I was NOT amused. At all. I shouldn’t complain, it could have been worse. A lot worse. Like when you ARE first in line at RD and 7DMT and PP are down and you end up having to do WtP first. Okay, where was I? Right, about to have a Sivako moment atop a Banshee. Did I have a giant grin on my face for the whole 4-minute ride? Yeah. Did the cave scene still smell like Disney shampoo. Yeah.

Uuuhhhh, it was fun! (IYKYK)

​

The obvious next move is over to It’s a Small Navi Journey. I love this ride a lot. Like a lot. I adore the sound track, so much so that I will even play it now and then at home for some Zen Time. I love the exoticness of the music, the soft cool hues of purple and blue, the implicit peacefulness of the Navi culture. I love how it completely transports the rider to a totally different environment and world.

​

Time to find other adventures....

On the way to said adventures:

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Leaving Pandora behind, I made my way to yet another completely far-away, foreign, and altogether different culture- that of Anandapur representing Nepal and other nebulous Asian locales. It was still fairly early, so the crowds were still non-existent. Therefore, I was the only one who happened to catch some turtle action and wondered how many people have ever gotten to see the shelled couple getting’ it on. Can you feel the love today…

(THE LOOK ON HER FACE!!!!!! (Are you done yet, Frank?!)


(Fred, moves along sensing a missed opportunity)
​

After a few minutes, I realized that turtles do everything sloooooooooooooooowly so moved along for my scheduled Yeti-trekking expedition. The SR line came through again for a zero-wait time. I did indeed find a Yeti who was, as usual, misbehaving.

​

By then, I was pretty hungry. As I started to prowl for some supplemental brekkie fare, I came across a sandwich board at Drinkwallah. The Pancake Sammie did sound intriguing with the guava jam and besides this was a perfect place to grab my morning cuppa. I went ahead and gave it a shot and took my fare over to the exceptionally beautiful, tranquil, completely empty Flame Tree seating area to enjoy the entire place by the pond to myself. It was absolute bliss. This area is truly one of my very favorite places to find respite in all of the Disney parks. Sadly, the sandwich just wasn't all that good. I ate about 1/3 of it along with my granola and yogurt and chucked the rest on the way to the safari a few minutes later.

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Along the way, I enjoyed a few of the too-often-passed-over details of this amazing park.

(Can you just picture the little tyke walking his bike to the neighborhood bodega or school?)

He must have been on his way to school!!! Who knew there was a map to the local Anandapur School District?!! I love, love, love when I spot new details I've never seen before!

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This chapter is already too wordy and long and I’ve only made it to breakfast! Oy! Sorry, Friends. There’s just so much packed into a Disney Day. I’ll pick it up next time in which I take a spin on Simba 1 and The Eastern Star Railway.

 

[Steppesister]

I remember getting a room like that. I even filmed my walk from the bus back to the room. Was under 30 seconds.

I remember that. That was quite a while ago!

I need that.

But not sure if for Christmas or Halloween... hmmm...

That's what's so great about it! It could go either way and be perfect!

Hey, it's a portrait of me at Disney Springs.... and AK the next morning.

Not too bad. Not sure if I would've waited... but not bad.

Jock's is most definitely worth a 20 minute wait!

Watered down, maybe, but... you ordered four cocktails??

No, those were up for serving, I just thought the grouping was colorful and a nice photo opp.

Thanks for that visual!

>slurp>

You didn't bring it home and frame it?

LOL! No, I don't think it even made it home.

Wow! Nice little friendly perk, there.

I sure thought so!! WOW is right!

 

[Steppesister]

Eating buddies are definitely my kind of buddy. I live with 3 adult men ( youngest son officially an adult since January) and they don’t share food!! Ever!! Greedy gorbs that they are!!

That’s the good thing about Disney trips- there’s always a next time

Yes, greedy indeed! I don't think they'd make the ideal EPCOT Festival snack-sharers.

And yes, always another opportunity to have a re-do!

 

[Wood Nymph]

the new advice for NOT getting flagged at Disney Security is to take umbrellas and sunglasses cases out of bags.

What is worse is to know the rule about umbrellas and then forget that you have one.

Like when you ARE first in line at RD and 7DMT and PP are down and you end up having to do WtP first.

That is super annoying. The one time I bought MPLL for MK was a morning when almost all the top rides were down.

I went ahead and gave it a shot and took my fare over to the exceptionally beautiful, tranquil, completely empty Flame Tree seating area to enjoy the entire place by the pond to myself. It was absolute bliss. This area is truly one of my very favorite places to find respite in all of the Disney parks.

Your yogurt and granola idea is genius! Too bad the pancake sandwich wasn't better.

The Flame Tree seating area is the best seating area in the park. The view is great.

 

[franandaj]

Wow! I'm behind! A lot has been going lately so.....I'm keeping up the best that I can.

The best option (perhaps only option?) was The Enchanted Garden.

Yes, the "get off the ship" breakfast has only one option and it's not that great. I think I'm about to cover that one on my TR and wrap it up.

We decided to self-disembark with our own luggage as we were in a huge hurry.

I've never done that. Now that it's just me, perhaps I could give it a shot, but I'm too lazy. I prefer to let the ship handle my luggage.

Had I known it would take a solid 20 minutes for a ride to arrive, I’d have ordered it while still in line to get off the ship.

Yeah, I'm sure that the ride shares are very busy when the ships come into port.

For more money you can upgrade to Premium and that includes the lounge where you can pay even more for drinks. I don’t get that, but apparently, it’s the vibe some folks want.

Depending on the cost, I might do it. I like being bougie!

Looking back, if I ever book another Bright Line, the 9:25 train might not be the best option for coming off a cruise. However, the price difference was pretty sizeable (like $40 more?) and the next train was later at 11:30ish and that sucks a full 2 hours off Disney time. Pros and cons, Folks….

Yeah, 9:25 is pretty early. You never know what's going to happen when getting off a cruise.

For a hefty price you could order snacks and drinks, and I chuckled at the party across from me who ordered not one, not two, but three rounds of travel fortitude. $$$$$$$

Yeah, I kinda get that. But I'm finding I like to remember what's happening in my life nowadays.

Trust me, this trek is far less tedious by rail rather than by car and before we knew it we were on our way from the station at MCO to All Stars Sports in another Uber and in our room by 1:15.

That's good to know. We're not getting off a cruise, but we will be traveling from Ft. Lauderdale to WDW, but stopping at Vero. I can't wait to see that!

they upgraded me to a preferred room RIGHT next to the Hall! It was literally a 30-second walk from the Food Court and buses to my corner room in the Calypso Section. It was also right by the pool and laundry as well. SCORE!!

Nice! Score!

First stop was at the Favorites of Festivals Past where I loaded up on the Reuben Croquettes

Those were so good!

Normally, the few plant-based Festival items I've gotten in the past have been really good, but this was just super salty and the texture was off.

I just avoid plant-based food, unless it really is supposed to be plant based. Like salads, or other meatless dishes. I don't like substituting "fake" meat for real meat. I don't mind vegan and vegetarian foods, but use real ingredients that come from nature, not man made stuff.

OK. Gets back down off of soap box.

Just as we got back to the path towards WS, I glanced behind me and was treated to this glorious view

Beautiful! A full rainbow!

OK, will have to catch up with the rest later! Busy day today!

 

[Steppesister]

What is worse is to know the rule about umbrellas and then forget that you have one.

D'oh!!! : Yeah.... that too.

That is super annoying. The one time I bought MPLL for MK was a morning when almost all the top rides were down.

Ugh, that's terrible. I wish they'd offer an anytime compensation or something. That just doesn't seem right.

Your yogurt and granola idea is genius! Too bad the pancake sandwich wasn't better.

The Flame Tree seating area is the best seating area in the park. The view is great.

I wished it'd been better too! I mean, it wasn't horrible, just not really good either. Now that I know about Satuli's breakfast options I'll probably head there instead.

It is the best! That view is really something!

 

[Steppesister]

Wow! I'm behind! A lot has been going lately so.....I'm keeping up the best that I can.

Starting tomorrow and onwards, life is going to take a DRASTIC turn for me too- I start to see my own patients on Tuesday and anticipate LOADS of evening and weekend charting at least for a while. I'm hoping I'll still have time to be here much.

I also started my Africa TR and that will be a lot to add to the mix.

Yes, the "get off the ship" breakfast has only one option and it's not that great. I think I'm about to cover that one on my TR and wrap it up.

I wasn't impressed. At all.

I've never done that. Now that it's just me, perhaps I could give it a shot, but I'm too lazy. I prefer to let the ship handle my luggage.

I get that. But with a tight schedule and antsiness to get to Disney, I wanted to rush it all and not have to wait around.

Yeah, I'm sure that the ride shares are very busy when the ships come into port.

Next time I'll order ahead of time a bit further out. Hard to really plan though, I guess.

Depending on the cost, I might do it. I like being bougie!

Honestly, I'm not sure that the lounge alone is really worth it. The seats on the train were already super nice in coach.

Yeah, 9:25 is pretty early. You never know what's going to happen when getting off a cruise.

We took a gamble and won---- this time. I wouldn't recommend it.

Yeah, I kinda get that. But I'm finding I like to remember what's happening in my life nowadays.

Except when you're in a mixology with Jill.

That's good to know. We're not getting off a cruise, but we will be traveling from Ft. Lauderdale to WDW, but stopping at Vero. I can't wait to see that!

OH, that will be so fun!! I've yet to see Vero or Hilton Head.

Those were so good!

I loved them paired with the thousand island dip!

I just avoid plant-based food, unless it really is supposed to be plant based. Like salads, or other meatless dishes. I don't like substituting "fake" meat for real meat. I don't mind vegan and vegetarian foods, but use real ingredients that come from nature, not man made stuff.

Agreed!! I have to laugh when you compare ingredient lists from just meat (or even tofu) to "healthy vegetarian option" that are marketed to the vegan. The latter has about 25 chemicals that you can't even pronounce and usually taste like crap. In this case, though, they had me at "tamale". I should have known better.

 

[Steppesister]

Someone asked (looking at you @franandaj ) if I put a link to my AFRICA TR here.

The answer is yes.... just now.


Steppes in Africa, One Letter at a Time

 

[franandaj]

I’ve come to learn in my advanced age and recent onset of fickle attitudes that mood often drives the bus rather than obstinate, arbitrary rule-following.

I've never had a hard and fast rule about which way to go, but perhaps that's because I often enter from the International Gateway (staying at BCV) and usually have a plan of attack for the food booths rather than a rule of which way to travel.

When we hit Japan, Kari stopped for something on her list- The Mochi Donut Wrap:

Huh, I don't think I saw that one. It wasn't on my list.

The next photo I have is from Germany where I worked hard to overcome Karamell Kuche’s tantalizing temptation.

I can't believe that I didn't get anything from Karamel Kuche on the last trip! Have to fix that in October.

This year, the offerings were decidedly meh.

I liked the Fried Rice.....

The last photo I have of WS was from Norway where I snagged Olaf #2.

Was there an Olaf Hunt? I didn't even realize that!

We made sure to snicker at Disney’s new attempt at clandestine naughty bits- perhaps an Imagineering response to having to remove its counterpart from Morocco.

Do you mean those two tall pillars on either edge of the photo? I googled and saw what was removed!

The new job is starting to a bit stressful as I near the day I start to see my own patients.

I hope things have smoothed out for you. I was definitely behind!