The Battle For My Wallet IV: Return of the ZZUBs (Addendum, p.85; 07/12)
- Thread starter ZZUB
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Cindy's Mom
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Bumping, because 1) Zzub's report doesn't belong on page 2 and 2) maybe it will remind him that we're waiting.
ZZUB
Roll Tide, Mean It
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Chapter Sixteen: An Inconvenient Nap
Several chapters ago, when this Trip Report began, I described the wonder that is Tonga Toast. But that won’t stop me from talking about it some more.
My one regret? I didn’t take a picture of the Toast before I ate it.
If you’re reading this and you’re thinking to yourself, “what the heck is Tonga Toast?” You’re not alone. I didn’t always know about Tonga Toast either. In fact, before 2005, I’d never sampled it. A few years ago, I noticed people mentioning it in their trip reports and I wondered what it was. Frankly, it doesn’t sound all that good. What the heck is Tonga and why would I want it toasted?! That fact that it was served at the Polynesian made me think Tonga was some kind of fish. And I hate fish. Hate it. ZZUB is to fish what Hollywood is to Focus on the Family.
Fish is murder.
As with most things I don’t understand, I was hostile towards Tonga Toast for a long time. Then one day, someone described what it was. And I was intrigued. Turns out Tonga Toast is not fish at all. It’s Frenchtoast, Disney style. With cinnamon, bananas, and some other very good stuff.
In other words, it’s dessert you eat for breakfast.
Not unlike Frosted Cherry Poptarts. Only with bananas and cinnamon. And substantially more expensive. And better. Much, much better.
If you have not yet tasted Tonga Toast, make it a priority for your next visit. Or people will die.
Well. People are going to die anyway. It’s the natural order of things. Circle of Life. And all that crap. Just eat the freaking Toast and if you don’t love it, Disney will give you a full refund.
Ahem.
Now then. We fled the Magic Kingdom faster than teen vandals who’ve just left their graffiti art on the town’s water tower. Not that I've ever done that. But I hear things. We headed up the ramp to the Resort Monorail and I looked longingly at the Wilderness Lodge boat dock. I noted, again, how much closer it was. We hopped on the Monorail and three stops later we were disembarking at the Polynesian.
We walked into the hotel and headed towards Kona Cafe. We were about 20 minutes late for our reservation but no one seemed to mind. Except for me. I hate being late. For a meal. They seated us immediately and handed us some menus. My wife was ambivalent about the Toast because she’s not one for sweets at breakfast. She’s insane that way. She thinks breakfast should be protein and stuff. Lunatic. She was leaning towards eggs and toast until I begged her to try the Tonga Toast. Literally. I got down on my knees and begged her. The family sitting next to us thought I was proposing. Two people sent over a round of Orange Juice to celebrate.
Much like when I actually proposed to her, I wore down her resistance and she relented. She ordered the Toast as well. Once the waiter left, she leaned across the table, and said, “This better be worth it.”
Just like the day I proposed to her. I remember it well.
After an extraordinarily long period of time, the waiter finally brought our food. Seriously, so much time had passed that I wondered what was going on. Was the normal cook on vacation? Were they in the kitchen trying to figure out how to make the Toast. Or maybe they were trying to figure out how to tell us they were out of the Toast. Or maybe the cook had what I was going to have the next night at Teppanyaki and now he was “indisposed.” Or maybe, he had finished but they didn’t have any soap in the bathroom and he was going from bathroom to bathroom trying to find soap to wash his hands. Maybe he went to find Nemo? Something. It was a long time.
Finally the waiter came out with our Tonga Toast and it was every bit as good as I remembered it being. And as much as I was enjoying it. As much as I was savoring every bite, my wife was choking hers down. It was as if someone had just put a plate of kibble in front of da Schpup! (did I mention that His Royal Highness hates dog food? Does it surprise you that my much maligned but still cool as all get out dog has convinced us that his kibble tastes wike cwap?). She ate about half of the Toast, because she’s Mrs. ZZUB and she doesn’t like to waste.
She didn’t hate it. She made that clear. She just didn’t love it. For breakfast. She thought it was more of a dessert.
“It is a dessert!” I said. “That’s what makes it so brilliant. We’re eating it for breakfast!”
“Next time I’m getting eggs,” she said.
“Does that mean I can have the rest of yours?”
After our late breakfast, we explored the Great Ceremonial House. Except we didn’t witness any actual ceremonies, great or otherwise so we were a little disappointed. We wandered into the gift shop because I can’t help myself at Disney Resorts. I was under whelmed by the selection and surprised by how small the joint was. We didn’t buy anything and by this point my wife was getting tired. I suggested we just take a cab back to the Lodge, but she said she could handle a bit more walking. We Monorailed back to the MK and headed towards our boat. Not long after that we were back in our room.
We had no plan for the day.
Well, that’s not entirely true. We did have a plan for the day but that plan had long ago been abandoned. Discarded like so much garbage.
This was our Resort Day.
But we could not do any of the the things we planned to do on our Resort Day. We couldn’t rent surrey bikes and go the wrong way. We couldn’t go horseback riding. We couldn't even walk around. I was full on energy but my wife was on borrowed time. She needed a nap. So did my daughter.
I don’t nap at Disney.
I tried it once. Years ago. And the results were disastrous.
Now I don’t even try.
So while they bedded down in our very dark and deliciously cold room, I grabbed a bag of dirty clothes, a book, my mug and headed for the laundry. I didn’t need to do laundry but I felt weird not having something to do. It felt incredibly indulgent to just take my book and go read. I didn’t think I’d be able to relax. I needed a chore. Something to do. There’s another window into my world for you. I also took my phone in case my wife had a problem.
And because I have Tetris on it.
I headed first to the front desk because I knew I didn’t have enough change for the laundry. As I was waiting on a Cast Member to make change for me, I reckon I was trying to find something positive to fill my head. I was trying not to be disappointed that we were not spending the day riding bikes or horses. We weren’t even together. I was alone. Doing laundry. So I listened to the music as I stood there.
There’s music playing in the lobby. It's Lodge music, a collection of songs that pretty well captures the mood of a national park lodge. I liked the music a lot. I’m not at all musical but I enjoy music. It evokes memories for me, or haven’t I already told you that? The Lodge music reminded me that I was in Disney World at the Wilderness Lodge. I wasn’t at work.
From there, I headed down to the laundry which is near Roaring Fork. No one was in the laundry so I dumped our stuff into a washer, noted the time and headed out for some exploration. The Lodge is perfect for killing an afternoon. It’s the perfect place if you’ve got time on your hands and you don’t nap. After I filled up my mug I found some elevators by the laundry and rode up to the fifth floor. I walked along the long corridors and found a corner where you can see the top of the castle and the Monorail track. The people who have rooms in that area must have a neat view. I walked on and I found a few other little tucked-away alcoves and I thought how much fun it would be to play hide and seek at the Lodge.
I continued exploring several of the little alcoves and such, and then headed back downstairs and moved our clothes into the dryer. I noted the time again and headed back upstairs to a good looking chair I spotted on the fourth floor.
Right above the entrance to the Lodge, there is an alcove with a fireplace and some comfy furniture.
I plopped myself down in a soft chair and opened my book for a bit. I could hear the bustle of people down below coming into the Lodge, checking into the hotel. Even though we had only been there three days and still had four more to go, I was having a little Disneyfreude. We’d waited a long time for this trip. I wasn’t ready to think about it being over.
I considered again how much this was the trip of upended expectations. Nothing was what it was supposed to be. I chewed on this thought for a few minutes. Because I'm introspective and that's what I do, or hadn't you noticed that yet? I hashed it around in my head and chewed on some Goldfish I’d wisely brought with me for my afternoon alone. In my plan, my masterful and carefully crafted plan, I would never have spent time alone sitting in this alcove reading a book and drinking from my mug. Still I was grateful for it.
I let myself relax a bit and then I noticed my eyes were getting heavy. I closed up my fish, put down my book and leaned back in the chair, resting my head on the softness.
The Lodge music filled my mind as I drifted off to an unplanned sleep.
___________
Click Here for Chapter Seventeen
Several chapters ago, when this Trip Report began, I described the wonder that is Tonga Toast. But that won’t stop me from talking about it some more.
My one regret? I didn’t take a picture of the Toast before I ate it.
If you’re reading this and you’re thinking to yourself, “what the heck is Tonga Toast?” You’re not alone. I didn’t always know about Tonga Toast either. In fact, before 2005, I’d never sampled it. A few years ago, I noticed people mentioning it in their trip reports and I wondered what it was. Frankly, it doesn’t sound all that good. What the heck is Tonga and why would I want it toasted?! That fact that it was served at the Polynesian made me think Tonga was some kind of fish. And I hate fish. Hate it. ZZUB is to fish what Hollywood is to Focus on the Family.
Fish is murder.
As with most things I don’t understand, I was hostile towards Tonga Toast for a long time. Then one day, someone described what it was. And I was intrigued. Turns out Tonga Toast is not fish at all. It’s Frenchtoast, Disney style. With cinnamon, bananas, and some other very good stuff.
In other words, it’s dessert you eat for breakfast.
Not unlike Frosted Cherry Poptarts. Only with bananas and cinnamon. And substantially more expensive. And better. Much, much better.
If you have not yet tasted Tonga Toast, make it a priority for your next visit. Or people will die.
Well. People are going to die anyway. It’s the natural order of things. Circle of Life. And all that crap. Just eat the freaking Toast and if you don’t love it, Disney will give you a full refund.
Ahem.
Now then. We fled the Magic Kingdom faster than teen vandals who’ve just left their graffiti art on the town’s water tower. Not that I've ever done that. But I hear things. We headed up the ramp to the Resort Monorail and I looked longingly at the Wilderness Lodge boat dock. I noted, again, how much closer it was. We hopped on the Monorail and three stops later we were disembarking at the Polynesian.
We walked into the hotel and headed towards Kona Cafe. We were about 20 minutes late for our reservation but no one seemed to mind. Except for me. I hate being late. For a meal. They seated us immediately and handed us some menus. My wife was ambivalent about the Toast because she’s not one for sweets at breakfast. She’s insane that way. She thinks breakfast should be protein and stuff. Lunatic. She was leaning towards eggs and toast until I begged her to try the Tonga Toast. Literally. I got down on my knees and begged her. The family sitting next to us thought I was proposing. Two people sent over a round of Orange Juice to celebrate.
Much like when I actually proposed to her, I wore down her resistance and she relented. She ordered the Toast as well. Once the waiter left, she leaned across the table, and said, “This better be worth it.”
Just like the day I proposed to her. I remember it well.
After an extraordinarily long period of time, the waiter finally brought our food. Seriously, so much time had passed that I wondered what was going on. Was the normal cook on vacation? Were they in the kitchen trying to figure out how to make the Toast. Or maybe they were trying to figure out how to tell us they were out of the Toast. Or maybe the cook had what I was going to have the next night at Teppanyaki and now he was “indisposed.” Or maybe, he had finished but they didn’t have any soap in the bathroom and he was going from bathroom to bathroom trying to find soap to wash his hands. Maybe he went to find Nemo? Something. It was a long time.
Finally the waiter came out with our Tonga Toast and it was every bit as good as I remembered it being. And as much as I was enjoying it. As much as I was savoring every bite, my wife was choking hers down. It was as if someone had just put a plate of kibble in front of da Schpup! (did I mention that His Royal Highness hates dog food? Does it surprise you that my much maligned but still cool as all get out dog has convinced us that his kibble tastes wike cwap?). She ate about half of the Toast, because she’s Mrs. ZZUB and she doesn’t like to waste.
She didn’t hate it. She made that clear. She just didn’t love it. For breakfast. She thought it was more of a dessert.
“It is a dessert!” I said. “That’s what makes it so brilliant. We’re eating it for breakfast!”
“Next time I’m getting eggs,” she said.
“Does that mean I can have the rest of yours?”
After our late breakfast, we explored the Great Ceremonial House. Except we didn’t witness any actual ceremonies, great or otherwise so we were a little disappointed. We wandered into the gift shop because I can’t help myself at Disney Resorts. I was under whelmed by the selection and surprised by how small the joint was. We didn’t buy anything and by this point my wife was getting tired. I suggested we just take a cab back to the Lodge, but she said she could handle a bit more walking. We Monorailed back to the MK and headed towards our boat. Not long after that we were back in our room.
We had no plan for the day.
Well, that’s not entirely true. We did have a plan for the day but that plan had long ago been abandoned. Discarded like so much garbage.
This was our Resort Day.
But we could not do any of the the things we planned to do on our Resort Day. We couldn’t rent surrey bikes and go the wrong way. We couldn’t go horseback riding. We couldn't even walk around. I was full on energy but my wife was on borrowed time. She needed a nap. So did my daughter.
I don’t nap at Disney.
I tried it once. Years ago. And the results were disastrous.
Now I don’t even try.
So while they bedded down in our very dark and deliciously cold room, I grabbed a bag of dirty clothes, a book, my mug and headed for the laundry. I didn’t need to do laundry but I felt weird not having something to do. It felt incredibly indulgent to just take my book and go read. I didn’t think I’d be able to relax. I needed a chore. Something to do. There’s another window into my world for you. I also took my phone in case my wife had a problem.
And because I have Tetris on it.
I headed first to the front desk because I knew I didn’t have enough change for the laundry. As I was waiting on a Cast Member to make change for me, I reckon I was trying to find something positive to fill my head. I was trying not to be disappointed that we were not spending the day riding bikes or horses. We weren’t even together. I was alone. Doing laundry. So I listened to the music as I stood there.
There’s music playing in the lobby. It's Lodge music, a collection of songs that pretty well captures the mood of a national park lodge. I liked the music a lot. I’m not at all musical but I enjoy music. It evokes memories for me, or haven’t I already told you that? The Lodge music reminded me that I was in Disney World at the Wilderness Lodge. I wasn’t at work.
From there, I headed down to the laundry which is near Roaring Fork. No one was in the laundry so I dumped our stuff into a washer, noted the time and headed out for some exploration. The Lodge is perfect for killing an afternoon. It’s the perfect place if you’ve got time on your hands and you don’t nap. After I filled up my mug I found some elevators by the laundry and rode up to the fifth floor. I walked along the long corridors and found a corner where you can see the top of the castle and the Monorail track. The people who have rooms in that area must have a neat view. I walked on and I found a few other little tucked-away alcoves and I thought how much fun it would be to play hide and seek at the Lodge.
I continued exploring several of the little alcoves and such, and then headed back downstairs and moved our clothes into the dryer. I noted the time again and headed back upstairs to a good looking chair I spotted on the fourth floor.
Right above the entrance to the Lodge, there is an alcove with a fireplace and some comfy furniture.
I plopped myself down in a soft chair and opened my book for a bit. I could hear the bustle of people down below coming into the Lodge, checking into the hotel. Even though we had only been there three days and still had four more to go, I was having a little Disneyfreude. We’d waited a long time for this trip. I wasn’t ready to think about it being over.
I considered again how much this was the trip of upended expectations. Nothing was what it was supposed to be. I chewed on this thought for a few minutes. Because I'm introspective and that's what I do, or hadn't you noticed that yet? I hashed it around in my head and chewed on some Goldfish I’d wisely brought with me for my afternoon alone. In my plan, my masterful and carefully crafted plan, I would never have spent time alone sitting in this alcove reading a book and drinking from my mug. Still I was grateful for it.
I let myself relax a bit and then I noticed my eyes were getting heavy. I closed up my fish, put down my book and leaned back in the chair, resting my head on the softness.
The Lodge music filled my mind as I drifted off to an unplanned sleep.
___________
Click Here for Chapter Seventeen
kristinanderic
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2006
- Messages
- 608
Glad your back!
blue_river
<font color=coral>I do believe in fairies!<br><fon
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2006
- Messages
- 8,233
ZZUB said:
I don't like dessert for breakfast either but I'm going to remember this fact for my DH who lives on sweets!
ZZUB said:
I can't believe you fell asleep in public ........ ack. That would be my most embarrassing moment. I can just picture myself drooling or something nasty like that.
lexmelinda
<font color=blue>Has a Seussical googling DD<br><f
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2006
- Messages
- 3,361
Great job here, Toast boy! Lotsa laughs and side order of introspection....just what I like with my coffee. But then I haven't tried Tonga Toast.
I'll bet she did!
Here ya go. Before syrup. After syrup. You're right. Kinda makes me want to throw my oatmeal in the trash.
Alright already!!! Geez. I'll put it in the Word table for the next visit.
I'll bet she did! Teppanyaki....coming out of the Word table. Just like the Rose & Crud. My 180 day mark is coming up in a couple months. Do you think you'll get to "tomorrow" by then? Just wondering.
That was your plan all along, wasn't it?
I realize more and more why you don't want people to really know who you are.
I love those unplanned naps! Don't often get that much peace & quiet but maybe that's what makes it special.
/
EEyorelover22
I want to live in the Castle
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2002
- Messages
- 5,597
I had Tonga Toast last June thanks to you. Loved it! 
I love breakfast food and dessert so it was wonderful. 
I love breakfast food and dessert so it was wonderful. 
Maxie86
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
- Messages
- 1,684
Coming out of lurk mode to comment on the tonga toast. 
I love love love tonga toast, but I can only eat half of it, then I'm full for three days. Mrs ZZUB did well to eat half if she didn't love it. Oh, and I also fell asleep in public once in the rocking chairs on the porch of the BWI. Great TR, I look forward to your trips almost as much as my own. I know, sad isn't it, I need to get a life.
I love love love tonga toast, but I can only eat half of it, then I'm full for three days. Mrs ZZUB did well to eat half if she didn't love it. Oh, and I also fell asleep in public once in the rocking chairs on the porch of the BWI. Great TR, I look forward to your trips almost as much as my own. I know, sad isn't it, I need to get a life.
Kay7979
FANTASY NOVEL AUTHOR
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2004
- Messages
- 2,196
I have a delightful photo of a cinnamon-sugar-encrusted piece of banna-stuffed goodness aka Tonga Toast I could email you.
A few trips ago, when I told the waiter we come to Florida every year or two solely to have Tonga Toast at the Poly, he gave me the receipe. One of these days I'll make it, but it won't be quite the same without a pot of pressed Kona coffee along with it, the Kona Cafe atmosphere, the view of the gift shops beyond, and the musical sound of the waterfall in the lobby.
Frickles
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2005
- Messages
- 981
I can tell that this REALLY impressed you didn't it!
This one cracked me up! I don't either...but it sounds like you are about to eat those words!
nicolemarie
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2005
- Messages
- 804
ZZUB said:
I don't get it. Are you saying you don't like fish?
Exactly how did he convince you of this? Did he throw up in the middle of the living room and then clean it up himself? Or did he just come right out and tell you?
Ditto Mr. NM. He fell asleep once and was groggy and grumpy for the rest of the day. Never again, he said. Now he explores the resort and finds uber cool things for us to do in our spare time. If we actually had any.
What?!? This information is useless without room numbers!! I need the skinny, ZZUB.
This is one of the reasons you can't have down time in your Disney itenerary. It may cause you to be reflective.
But I guess reflective can be a good thing.
You know, ZZUB, there's a reason you have about three pages of responses for every installment you post. It's great writing. And a great way to spend my "coffee time".
Thanks for taking us there with you. I could picture you and your family as you went through the day.
Especially if I use these. NM
CampbellScot
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2006
- Messages
- 2,833
I ALWAYS get tuckered when sitting in front of a fire place after doing laundry...just like Xanax laundry and fireplace sitting is..not that I take Xanax...I just IMAGINE tha's what it would be like...and since I have lots of laundry to do AND a fireplace to sit in front of...I get to experience this Xanax like state often...
<-- that's what it looks like!
YAY fun installment...more please
thank you!
PS-do you ever worry that if you fall asleep in public you'll either snore really loud or someone will stick potato chips up your nose? I HATE that!
<-- that's what it looks like!YAY fun installment...more please
thank you!PS-do you ever worry that if you fall asleep in public you'll either snore really loud or someone will stick potato chips up your nose? I HATE that!
LaLa
Hangs with the Mensas
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2005
- Messages
- 2,096
ZZUB said:
This made me spew Nehi Peach on my monitor. Because it's FOFF and true.
Duly noted. We’ll have to make a special trip over to the Poly to do just that when we finally go back in the year 2016.
This could have easily been a line straight out of Seinfeld. So Costanza.
For some reason, this struck me funny. Mainly because I can just see you tip toeing around the Lodge hallway playing hide and seek while Mrs. ZZUB hides her face and counts. And I'm feeling a little guilt and shame for you both.
Uh huh. We’re not buying it. I've got a feeling that somewhere in the South there's a water tower with the following phrases spray painted on the side of it:
Disney Rules, Universal Drools
ZZUB wuz here
Reaganomics Rock!
For a Good Time Call 867-5309
So you fell asleep in the lobby while you were reading your book, huh? That's such an old fart thing to do. Speaking of which, how many toots did you count this time before you drifted off? Well, I honestly can’t wait to hear how this turned out. I’m making a prediction that if you woke up with your wallet and toup'e (was that apostrophe necessary?) missing and a mustache drawn on your face, the next chapter’s gonna make Thirteen pale in comparison.
But I really enjoyed it. Numb, my friend.
New England Eeyore
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2004
- Messages
- 5,079
Now that I've read yet another of your odes to Tonga Toast I have to ask, given your previous POR history, have you ever had the Banana Stuffed French Toast at Boatwright's? Because it is my Tonga Toast. I have not yet had Tonga Toast because I cannot pull myself away from the BSFT but as best I can figure it IS Tonga Toast, with Raspberry Sauce. Because what good is a dessert-breakfast without a fruit topping?
wdwdreamin2
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2006
- Messages
- 157
Thanks Zzub!
Nothing witty to say, just really appreciate the time you take on the entertainment of the Dis masses!!
Looking forward to more...
Nothing witty to say, just really appreciate the time you take on the entertainment of the Dis masses!!
Looking forward to more...
AshClan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2001
- Messages
- 1,814
I think this is a bit much. Personally, I think they only die if you skip the Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at the Main St. Bakery. But maybe that's just me.
Yeah, okay. Whatever you say Mr. Iger.
I liked that one. Kudos.
Seriously? Not even in the Hall of Presidents???
BORG.
Well, poo to all those southern belles and their smart aleck comments. I love Tetris.
You couldn't have pointed that out to me BEFORE we stayed at the Lodge? I mean, you said "lots of nice places to sit and read". I would have liked these specifics. Because you KNOW I would've really liked the fireplace and comfy furniture. Thanks for nothin'.
Well, nothin' except for another great installment.
MyKidsDad3
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2006
- Messages
- 101
I know of that spot at WL. It is a favorite of mine. There's also an area up there to sit at a table and write up some postcards. The Lodge is the best !
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