The Golden Girls Do Disney! ~ FINISHED!!

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Love your reports Elin! Can't wait to see how this trip unfolded and all the fun you had.

 

[MA pigletfan]

I AM so in! Can't wait to hear about your adventures Elin!

 

[PNO4TE]

I promise to do "something" with this report this weekend! I uploaded all my photos to Photobucket this afternoon while I was at work, so I do have pictures!

 

[Tammi67]

I guess promises truly are made to be broken.

 

[PNO4TE]

I guess promises truly are made to be broken.

I am REALLY working on it!!! I am still uploading photos. PhotoBucket and I are arguing a LOT these days.

 

[wendypooh]

Welcome Home Sweetie............... I'm glad you girls had a good time........... waiting patiently for the pics.............

 

[heaven2dc]

I wanted to say Howdy Neighbor before I read the TR (I'm only on page 2). I can't believe I missed your TR - I live in Stafford but work in Fredericksburg. My kids and I are finally visiting WDW as a family this November and it will be my 4th trip (my youngest 2 have never gone so I'm really excited to see how they like WDW).

Back in February 2008 a friend and I went for 3 nights/4 days and had so much fun. It was her first trip and she was originally going along so that I wouldn't have to go alone but I planned each day so that we hit the highlights at each park plus got to go to the Luau at Polynesian and had fun. I can't wait to read all of your TR and am so happy you got to share the magic with your friends (my daughter is always trying to get me to go out more and meet new people - esp those interested in Disney since I'm such a fanatic about it lol).

Now back to reading...

OMG - I just fastforwarded to page 5 and saw where you zoomed in on the red brick building on the corner and it is where I work!! How coincidental is that!!

 

[PNO4TE]

I wanted to say Howdy Neighbor before I read the TR (I'm only on page 2). I can't believe I missed your TR - I live in Stafford but work in Fredericksburg. My kids and I are finally visiting WDW as a family this November and it will be my 4th trip (my youngest 2 have never gone so I'm really excited to see how they like WDW).

Back in February 2008 a friend and I went for 3 nights/4 days and had so much fun. It was her first trip and she was originally going along so that I wouldn't have to go alone but I planned each day so that we hit the highlights at each park plus got to go to the Luau at Polynesian and had fun. I can't wait to read all of your TR and am so happy you got to share the magic with your friends (my daughter is always trying to get me to go out more and meet new people - esp those interested in Disney since I'm such a fanatic about it lol).

Now back to reading...

OMG - I just fastforwarded to page 5 and saw where you zoomed in on the red brick building on the corner and it is where I work!! How coincidental is that!!

Do you work at Heritage??? I am at Yamaha Music School right down the street! So are the other Golden Girls. Small world indeed!

 

[PNO4TE]

Nackie picked me up at 10:15 AM and we slowed down just enough so Ann could jump in the van! We were off and our trips to DCA and then to Orlando were uneventful. We sat together and played Scrabble on Ann's Nintendo DS throughout the whole flight! Magical Express whisked us to AKL in fairly quick time. There were two other stops: CBR to drop off a team of dancers for the World Competition being held this same weekend, and Pop Century for a family reunion that seemed very unhappy that they didn't have the bus to themselves!

We went into Bell Services since the CL check-in podium was not set up outside. We had a terrific "guide" CM named Bob who took us up to the Club Lounge. Another Robert took care of checking us in while we grabbed a snack and something to drink.

We had three rooms next to one another on Kudu Trail. There were lots of animals the whole time we were there.

We spent a little time around the resort and found people willing to photograph three silly ladies!

First night's dinner was at Jiko.

We had Oscar as our server and the food and wine was outstanding!

I had a glass of Warwick Estate Three Cape Ladies (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage and Shiraz) and Ann and Nackie found a new wine they loved: Cederberg Wine Cellars Bukettraube (sweet-ish white... think muscat and Riesling).

Cucumber, Tomato & Red Onion Salad with Arugula, Cottage Cheese and Watermelon Vinaigrette

Roasted Beet Salad with Smoked Bacon, Goat Cheese, Shallot, Marmalade and Sherry Vinaigrette

Maize Crusted Halibut with Vegetable of the Moment and Tomato-Butter Sauce

Kejenou Spiced West African Seafood Stew with Whitefish, Shrimp and Mussels

Roasted Lamb Loin with Herbed Couscous, Sun-Dried Cherries and Red Curry Sauce

We opted for coffee, cordials and dessert in the lounge.

And danced with the owl mask and costume on the wall:

When we got back to our rooms, the beds had been turned down and the lovely chocolates had been left. Additionally I found a thank-you gift basket from Nackie:

There was more fruit in there than the three of us could finish in the three days we were there. It was enormous. But it was so nice to have her think of me!

We were tired and knew we had a long couple of days ahead of us, so we turned in before midnight and dreamed about the adventures ahead of us!

 

[CPer'sMom]

Elin,

Great pictures! Looks like that new camera is working for you Jiko is always a wonderful way to start a trip!

__________________
Nancy

 

[swwake]

Hooray! An update! I am now so excited for AKL CL looking at your pictures. Y'all 3 are such cute little ladies in those big ole chairs! I love how you had your wine, then went dancing with Owl man!

 

[tiggrbaby]

What a wonderful start! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[RachelTori]

Great start, Elin! The trip has begun!!! I love the pictures!

 

[TigerKat]

Great start, I do love JIKO, everything looked so good!

 

[Tammi67]

I love how a 70-something woman has a Nintendo DS! Who said they are only for kids?!

You all look so happy together. Can't wait for more!

 

[Me&3]

Elin Joining in can't wait for more pictures.

 

[mommykds]

Great start! Looking forward to more.

 

[PNO4TE]

Elin,

Great pictures! Looks like that new camera is working for you Jiko is always a wonderful way to start a trip!

I am very happy with the camera, Nancy! Ann has a Panasonic much like the one I had before the new Kodak and her pictures, for the most part, turned out like I had suspected mine would before the new purchase. I think it will be a good, long-term camera for me!

Hooray! An update! I am now so excited for AKL CL looking at your pictures. Y'all 3 are such cute little ladies in those big ole chairs! I love how you had your wine, then went dancing with Owl man!

Thanks, Sue! We found many fun things to do in the midst of the every day things we all tend to take for granted. This was a good trip for me since I got to see it through two new sets of eyes, too!

What a wonderful start! Looking forward to reading more!

Thank you!

Great start, Elin! The trip has begun!!! I love the pictures!

Thanks, Laura. I am pleased with most of my photos too. I hope you will like your new camera as much!

By the way, I don't know if you noticed or not, but our family Christmas is going to be at AKL-CL. I am definitely spoiled now. We booked at rack rate this weekend and Kristin is going to try to book the bounceback offer when she arrives on Thursday. I never know if CL will be available for that or not!

Great start, I do love JIKO, everything looked so good!

I was glad we had a good meal that evening, Kat. Our last trip to Jiko was less than perfect. This was good enough to prompt me to suggest we give it another try at Christmas!

I love how a 70-something woman has a Nintendo DS! Who said they are only for kids?!

You all look so happy together. Can't wait for more!

Ann and her DH bought their DSs a few years ago to play Brain Age! She has moved onto other puzzle games too. She converted me. I came home and bought one for myself. I now have Solitaire, Bejeweled Twist, Scrabble, Jewel Miner and Pass the Pigs to play when I have a free minute!

Elin Joining in can't wait for more pictures.

They are coming, I promise!

Great start! Looking forward to more.

Thanks, Anne Marie! There will be more. I just have to carve out time to write more!

 

[KristineN]

I really miss AKV.....your pictures look great!!

 

[Tammi67]

By the way, I don't know if you noticed or not, but our family Christmas is going to be at AKL-CL. I am definitely spoiled now. We booked at rack rate this weekend and Kristin is going to try to book the bounceback offer when she arrives on Thursday. I never know if CL will be available for that or not!

I'm hooked on CL too! Unfortunately without being a DVC owner at AKL it's nearly impossible for me to book it with points. I guess that just means I need to buy into AKL!