The Real Housewives of WDW - 11/15: In Closing

[glennbo123]

You're welcome! Sorry it wasn't more thrilling.

Maybe, but it was what I would have guessed.

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Maybe, but it was what I would have guessed.

Mmmmmmmm wise in the ways of the mouse you are.

 

[Krisscot]

but.... I love that show!!! I would be willing to petition BRAVO for a WDW version of the show just if I can try out Now I totally will be reading! Can't wait!

 

[PrincessV]

Maybe, but it was what I would have guessed.

Mmmmmmmm wise in the ways of the mouse you are.

That, and The Mouse is utterly predictable.

but.... I love that show!!! I would be willing to petition BRAVO for a WDW version of the show just if I can try out Now I totally will be reading! Can't wait!

Thanks for joining in! Another update is on its way...

 

[PrincessV]

After our wonderful lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby, we all made our ways back to Kidani, in hopes of finally catching some pool time together.


It wasn’t looking great.


As I drove under the parking area, it began to sprinkle. The sky was full of clouds. I heard someone yell to their family that they thought the pool was about to close due to lightning.

I was madly texting back and forth with Tracy (T) and Lauralee (LL), as we all tried to make a decision: change and prep for the pool, or find some other entertainment for the afternoon???

T: Shut out of pool:30. Pool closed… cocktails anyone?
V: Sure!
T: I still see people heading over… screw it… let’s go!
T: Plan B… pouring a cocktail and kids to Community Hall, adults to library?
V: I don’t think we can leave them, can we?!
T: We can try. LOL!
V (to LL): Community hall and/or arcade. Meet us there?
T: Heading to the pool after all. See you there?
V: Really? Looks dicey but we’ll give it a shot!
V (to LL): Never mind; pool it is!

~ Note: I don’t normally have a text plan for my iPhone. I got one with 1500 texts included for the month of our trip. I think you can see why. ~


And Pool:30 it WAS! After all that back and forth-ing, we actually managed to get us all out there at the same time. It was still cloudy and sprinkling once in a while, but we were desperate.

The kids had a great time, splashing around in the splash n’ play area…

And the grown-ups had a great time, reading cheesy, pop culture magazines and imbibing a bit. I found another awesome new drink! A mango mojito, from the Kidani pool bar. I wouldn’t have thought to blend mango and mint, but it’s a winning combination, I must say. Yum!


THIS was what I’d been craving all vacation long… down time. No running to make a show. No sticking to a Plan to avoid lines. No rushing to make a dining reservation…

SCREEEEEECH!!!

Whoops.

Actually, we did have a dining reservation. At Narcoosee’s. For Leo and me. Our “special” dinner of the trip.

We could have made it, if we ditched the pool and rushed through showers and got dressed in record time. But neither of us cared enough to do any of that. We decided we’d really rather spend some more time hanging with our Friends Family and figure dinner out later. So we did! And it turned out to be one of our best WDW decisions ever.


After we’d all had enough pool time, we went our separate ways to clean up and carry on with our evenings. We’d all originally planned a Magic Kingdom night, but changed that to earlier in the trip, when Kate and the SharkB8’s were there. LL and family decided to stay in; I’m not sure now where T and family went.

But Leo and I, we decided we weren’t in the mood to drive anywhere. And I began mentally writing my letter to Disney, deriding them for their failure to place a counter service restaurant in Kidani. I had a reservation for Sanaa two nights later, but decided to give it a whirl anyway, hoping we might get in as a walk-up...

Best. Dining. Decision. EVER!!!


They had plenty of room for us – Sanaa was nearly empty. Which isn’t surprising; it’s not easy to find, located as it is behind and below the lobby. Also, I can see that the menu might not excite the masses. But. It excited the heck out of me! V loves Ethiopian and Indian cuisine, and Sanaa’s menu looked like a great fusion of the two, plus more.

Leo and I were quickly seated, at a window table with a fantastic view of the savanna. That was a really interesting experience – several animals came by during our meal and, I swear, seemed to take great interest in watching us eat!

Our service was the best of not only this trip, but almost every WDW trip I’ve had. Our server was able to recommend a delightful South African wine for me, based on my preferences, knew the menu enough to answer my questions with authority, and had impeccable timing; every course was delivered just as we were ready for it, hot and fresh. She was also exceedingly pleasant and just seemed to love her job. Actually, everyone there seemed to love what they were doing, a pleasant surprise in today’s WDW.

Everything sounded delicious, so I decided not to limit myself; I went for an appetizer, entrée AND dessert. I know!


I started with a special appetizer for the night, a scallop dish. It’s not on any menu I can find online, and I can’t really describe it, beyond “Yum!” It was far different from the Floribbean preparations I’m used to at home for scallops, and it was a nice departure.

For our main courses, Leo had the kids’ pizza, which he proclaimed “very good, but not quite so good as at Tutto.” I had the Slow Cooked in Gravy, pick two, entrée. I selected the chicken in red curry sauce and shrimp in green curry sauce, with Basmati rice.

Slap me thrice and hand me to my mama – it was absolutely divine! I very nearly cried, it was so good. The chicken just fell apart, it was so tender. The shrimp was cooked perfectly. The heat was just right – and I like my curry HOT! I honestly expected Sanaa’s menu to be dumbed down, only loosely approximating the cuisine it proclaimed to serve. I expected little authenticity, but hoped for at least a little flavor. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong. I was so pleased, that when our server asked how everything was, I fell all over myself telling her how good it was. Later, the manager came by and I very nearly blessed him for offering such a fantastic menu. He told me, and I’m passing this along to anyone considering Sanaa (and you should!), that their chef is happy to tweak menu items to the guest’s palate; if I wanted more or less heat, they would be happy to adjust for me. I thought my curries were perfect just the way they came to me, but I was impressed, nonetheless.

Leo and I lounged a bit after our entrees, me sipping my wine and looking out the window, he doing some drawing. We needed a little break before dessert and our server respected that. When dessert did some, it was the perfect ending to the meal: Leo had a chocolate cake that was out of this world, and I had the Orange-Sesame Cake. Wow. It was nothing like what I think of as “cake” – it wasn’t very sweet, and maybe a bit spicey. And sesame seeds? Really? Really. It was good, good, good and just right to complement the other flavors of my meal.

Folks, I can’t say enough about Sanaa. For less adventurous palates, they have plenty to please, too. And their desire to please the guest is like a bright beacon of hope on the dark sea of Disney Dining. I sure hope things stay that way in the future.



Despite taking half of my entrée in a to-go box, I was stuffed to the gills. Also, I was cold. The AC was cranking down there in Sanaa. So, as we passed by the Library on the way back tour room, and saw a crackling fire within, Leo and I were lured in - hook, line and sinker. Sure, it was, like, 1,000 degrees outside, but that fire felt wonderful, lol! Only at Disney.

We lounged there for about 15 minutes before walking back to our villa. Neither of us had any desire to go anywhere else, so we popped in a movie and settled in for an early night. It was nice to actually spend some time in the villa; I kind of felt like we were just breezing in and out of it up until then. It was very comfortable and a great place to spend an evening.

If only I could say as much for the bedroom. Remember how besotted I was with the mattress, bedding and pillows at the Yacht Club? Not so much at Kidani. The mattress was less plush and more bouncy. The sheets felt a little scratchy and no duvet, just the lumpy bedspread. The pillows? Sucked. I’d put my head down, and fall all the way down to the mattress. There had to be twenty of them on that bed, and not one felt good. Those six nights, I tried stacking them, fluffing them, turning them, punching them – all to no avail. I didn’t have a good night’s sleep the whole time at Kidani.

And lack of sleep makes for a cranky, somewhat intolerant V.

As you’ll soon see.

Next: GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!

 

[Stasieki]

Hooray for Pool-30. Loved the update. My mouth is watering now, too. I have got to talk DH into trying more of the more upscale dining Disney has. With our two small DD's we tend to do the character dining and buffets - blah.

 

[MagicShell]

That splash area looks like a lot of fun. I am glad you finally got some pool time, even though you had to deal with a little rain. It sounds like you had a nice evening, and you found a new favorite restaurant.

 

[jcc0621]

Love that you all got some pool time together but absolutely love that you and Leo were able to have your special dinner.

That view was amazing and Jim loves spicy food, so we may have to try this one the next time!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Argentinians? I think I saw more than a few tees from Argentina.

I was so glad you all finally got some pool:30...long overdue. And dinner sounds wonderful Too often we rush, rush, rush our way through our trips, trying desperately to get in as much as we can. But 15 minutes by the fire? Ahhh, delightful.

 

[PrincessAlways]

Pool 30!!! Sounds like a great time!
Wow...you really liked that meal at Sanaa!!!
Loved the fireplace! Like you said only at Disney in the heat of the summer!!
Are we about to hear of the cranky V?????? No....I can't believe that!

 

[Tracy161]

Woohoo, Pool:30 finally happened! So happy to hear your rave review of Sanaa, sounds like a place I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

 

[glennbo123]

Awesome! What a great vacation day! I'm so glad that you got to enjoy that great pool at Kidani (that water play area is so much fun for the kiddos) and that you loved Sanaa. The food is excellent there!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Let's see... if I remember correctly, we spent the evening in DTD, getting our 2nd dose of EoS. Yum!

And we concur, the beds were very bouncy.

I'm so glad you loved Sanaa. And I'm sorry we didn't say the last day to have dinner there with you guys.

 

[englishrose47]

My next solo trip Sanaa is on my list !!! You are not the first to say how good it is !!I don't usually like curry but I have studied their menu and their are lots I want to try!!

 

[Sooze]

I got one with 1500 texts included for the month of our trip. I think you can see why.

Yes, I can see why! Our phones get a REAL workout whenever we're in WDW, and we are only communicating with each other, not a whole gaggle of friends!!

The kids had a great time, splashing around in the splash n’ play area…

Love the pictures. So glad you were still able to hang at the pool!

But neither of us cared enough to do any of that. We decided we’d really rather spend some more time hanging with our Friends Family and figure dinner out later. So we did! And it turned out to be one of our best WDW decisions ever.

Ah, the joys of being frequent visitors. LOVE being able to do what feels right at the time, instead of killing ourselves to stick to a plan!

She was also exceedingly pleasant and just seemed to love her job. Actually, everyone there seemed to love what they were doing, a pleasant surprise in today’s WDW.

I hate that we have to say stuff like this, but I agree with you about the rarity of it... unfortunately...

Leo had the kids’ pizza,

Our boys and their pizza...

And sesame seeds? Really? Really. It was good, good, good and just right to complement the other flavors of my meal.

I'm glad you clarified that, because it really did not sound very good!

And lack of sleep makes for a cranky, somewhat intolerant V.

As you’ll soon see.

 

[AshClan]

Wow, V, that sounds like a delightful afternoon and evening. Way to go with the flow. I have often forced myself (and my crew) to leave some fun activity or another to make a "must do" ADR. You obviously made a great decision to ditch Narcoossee's and I'm so happy you still got a wonderful meal when you were ready for it!

Sanaa intrigues me, but I am a bit curry-phobic. I don't mind spicy, but I really hate curry. Just the smell of it can make me nauseous. So I've always avoided Indian restaurants. All that being said though, I love the idea of a REAL ethnic restaurant that isn't catering to the masses, and my curiousity may still get the better of me one of these days.

And YAY for staying in the villa and relaxing for the night. We all NEED to do this every once in a while at WDW. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves!! Sorry the beds weren't more comfy. If there is one place you really need a good refreshing night's sleep, it's Disney World!

 

[PrincessV]

With our two small DD's we tend to do the character dining and buffets - blah.

I hear ya - been there / done that! But that's what I love about Disney dining - that I can bring my kid, (who is fairly well-behaved but still 8, if you know what I mean) most anywhere. I get to enjoy some nice meals and he gets some opportunities to try out his table manners.

That splash area looks like a lot of fun. I am glad you finally got some pool time, even though you had to deal with a little rain. It sounds like you had a nice evening, and you found a new favorite restaurant.

We really did! It was the first one I booked for our next trip.

Love that you all got some pool time together but absolutely love that you and Leo were able to have your special dinner.

Thanks - it was really nice to spend a little one-on-one time with my boy!

That view was amazing and Jim loves spicy food, so we may have to try this one the next time!

Yes, you absolutely must!

Argentinians?

I'm thinking the same.

I was so glad you all finally got some pool:30...long overdue.

That it was. But we sure did miss you guys!

But 15 minutes by the fire? Ahhh, delightful.

Isn't that funny? It felt GOOD to do nothing at all for a bit.

Loved the fireplace! Like you said only at Disney in the heat of the summer!!

The Mouse never ceases to amaze me - really, a roaring(ish) fire in freaking July?!

Are we about to hear of the cranky V?????? No....I can't believe that!

Sadly, yes, yes we are.

Woohoo, Pool:30 finally happened! So happy to hear your rave review of Sanaa, sounds like a place I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

I don't think I've ever been so excited to swim in the rain, lol! Sanaa... what more can I say? Amazing.

Awesome! What a great vacation day! I'm so glad that you got to enjoy that great pool at Kidani (that water play area is so much fun for the kiddos) and that you loved Sanaa. The food is excellent there!

They did a bang-up job designing that water play area - the kids had a blast! And shoot, all this reminiscing about Sanaa is making my hungry...

Let's see... if I remember correctly, we spent the evening in DTD, getting our 2nd dose of EoS.

Did LL go there, too? I keep thinking she did, but mgiht be mixing that up with the next night.

And we concur, the beds were very bouncy.

I'm so glad you loved Sanaa. And I'm sorry we didn't say the last day to have dinner there with you guys.

Next time T, next time!

My next solo trip Sanaa is on my list !!! You are not the first to say how good it is !!I don't usually like curry but I have studied their menu and their are lots I want to try!!

Yay! They have so many good-sounding choices. And... I'll have yet another review soon.

Yes, I can see why! Our phones get a REAL workout whenever we're in WDW, and we are only communicating with each other, not a whole gaggle of friends!!

I think I used 500ish that week!

Ah, the joys of being frequent visitors. LOVE being able to do what feels right at the time, instead of killing ourselves to stick to a plan!

I hate that we have to say stuff like this, but I agree with you about the rarity of it... unfortunately...

It's sad, isn't it?

Our boys and their pizza...

LOL, right?!

Wow, V, that sounds like a delightful afternoon and evening. Way to go with the flow. I have often forced myself (and my crew) to leave some fun activity or another to make a "must do" ADR.

Yep, me too Ash. I'm so glad I didn't that night!

Sanaa intrigues me, but I am a bit curry-phobic. I don't mind spicy, but I really hate curry. Just the smell of it can make me nauseous.

Hmmm... I don't remember smelling curry in the air, but I wasn't paying attention, either. I'll definitely pay closer attention at our next visit and let you know - everything else there looks good, too!

And YAY for staying in the villa and relaxing for the night. We all NEED to do this every once in a while at WDW.

Yes, yes, yes! But it's HARD, right? I keep feeling like there's somewhere to go, something to do.

 

[jcc0621]

T - Trampolining at WDW

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Hey V!

Great update as always. I'm glad to hear pool thirty was not rained out.

Sanaa sounds like a great spot for a meal. I may have to try to work that in next time.

Whenever that may be.

 

[PrincessV]

Hey V!

Great update as always. I'm glad to hear pool thirty was not rained out.

Sanaa sounds like a great spot for a meal. I may have to try to work that in next time.

Whenever that may be.

Thanks GB! I hope "whenever" comes soon for you