The Snarkiest Safari That Ever Sailed! An October 2018, Food & Wine Trip! Complete 4/26/19!!

[buzzrelly]

This made me sorry! I want to ride with you, @kastoney and everyone else who needs to grip the handles in May so I can laugh at you all!

Well I guess you are making our fast passes so make this one a priority! This will be fun!

I won't ride either. But I should at least go through the queue some time just to see it.

You should And in case you're wondering, taking the regular elevator down doesn't faze the CMs at all. There are lots of people doing it

Yeah...still doesn't help me. It's that dropping sensation in the pit of my stomach I don't like. There's a small part of my wants to try it, just to say I've conquered it once. But most of me is just fine not doing it.

I get it. It's definitely not for everybody. I will be totally fine if I never ride RnRC again.

Following along x

Thanks for reading!

That's great lol he's a keeper! Maybe I will get the nerve for 7DMT lol

Good luck! When is your trip? You'll have to come back and let us know how it goes!

Just found this TR, so joining in!
Really enjoying it so far!

Thanks for commenting!

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luved readin yer TR






T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

Thanks for reading! More to come…soon, I hope!

 

[disneyAndi14]

everyone else who needs to grip the handles in May so I can laugh at you all!

You will be laughing at me, I keep my feet firmly planted to the floor and grip the handles with a death like grip, haha! I am getting a little better but still can’t let go of my death grip!

 

[buzzrelly]

October 20, 2018
AS GOOD AS IT GETS

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After a busy couple of days, it was nice to just go back and enjoy our resort.​

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After relaxing in the room for a bit, we headed to our dinner ADR at Kona Cafe.
I got a filet and Mike got a burger…sorry I forgot to take a pic of the menu…​

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His definitely looks better than mine, but we both enjoyed our dinners. I don't think I would go out of my way to eat here,
but if you are staying on a monorail resort, it's a solid choice.​

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Just after we were seated, Mike had the brilliant idea to go put our name in on the Trader Sam's wait list.
Going inside TS's was on our bucket list for this trip, so this was a smart move.​

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Shortly after we were done with our dinner, we got the text that we could enter TS's. Now, the only other time we actually went into TS was last year, and we stood at the bar because there were no tables available. We didn't have much time to spend in there that time because we had an ADR at 'Ohana to get to anyway. But this time, we kind of wanted to sit and enjoy the atmosphere a little bit, but of course, all the tables were taken. We felt slightly awkward just kind of standing around waiting for a table, but luckily it didn't take very long before one opened up.​

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Now here's the terrible part. @kastoney , you may want to skip over this next part (I'm afraid I'll be exiled from your room in May). Mike ordered a Shrunken Zombie Head and I ordered…nothing ​

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As much as I love the atmosphere of TS's, there is literally nothing on their cute drink menu for me that doesn't have just gobs and gobs and gobs of sugar in it. You'll recall that even when we got our drinks that came with our mugs earlier in the week, Mike actually got both of the drinks, his and mine. I still enjoy going there and enjoying the atmosphere. I just wish they offered something like a Truly on their menu (I was SO happy to find this on a menu somewhere later in the trip ).​

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We didn't stay long there and gladly gave up our table to the next group of people standing around.
They seemed very happy to get it too ​

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We went back to change and hit the hot tub in the quiet pool. Before long, I heard HEA starting so I left Mike soaking
and went around front (back) to the beach to watch…​

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That's about as good as life gets there, folks. Standing on a beach in your bathing suit watching MK fireworks ​

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Obviously the view from there is not as good as seeing them from the MK,
but with no crowds to fight and just walking back to the pool after, it's heavenly.

I was a little sad because we were checking out of the Poly the next morning and moving to our next resort. I know this TR is moving at a snail's pace so I'll remind you that originally we were supposed to be going on a cruise at the end of this trip, but financially that wasn't in the cards for us this time. So with a couple extra days of vacation time, we decided to stay in WDW a little longer but there wasn't DVC availability anywhere except AKL (and even then I only got it by lucking out and having my wait list come through), so we were moving there the next day.

That's up next!​

 

[buzzrelly]

You will be laughing at me, I keep my feet firmly planted to the floor and grip the handles with a death like grip, haha! I am getting a little better but still can’t let go of my death grip!

Wouldn't it be fun if everyone from our EPIC trip filled up a whole elevator?! That would be the most amazing ride photo ever!

 

[ariane37]

Wouldn't it be fun if everyone from our EPIC trip filled up a whole elevator?! That would be the most amazing ride photo ever!

I love this idea!!!!!!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I hope we all hit ToT together, can we share a handle? Andi always laughs at me if the person next to me is using the handle, haha!

I agree with Kona, the food is alright, not great, but you can’t beat it when staying at a monorail resort!

We had an epic fail with TS this recent trip, I will tell you all about it in my TR!

 

[kastoney]

Glad to hear this tasted good because looking good it does not. We love Kona for breakfast, but have only done dinner once. If I remember we just did sushi, which wasn't the greatest, but their new menu does have me intrigued.

Just after we were seated, Mike had the brilliant idea to go put our name in on the Trader Sam's wait list.
Going inside TS's was on our bucket list for this trip, so this was a smart move.

Can you believe we've never been inside? We've actually only been once but it was full so we sat outside instead.

Now here's the terrible part. @kastoney , you may want to skip over this next part (I'm afraid I'll be exiled from your room in May). Mike ordered a Shrunken Zombie Head and I ordered…nothing

As much as I love the atmosphere of TS's, there is literally nothing on their cute drink menu for me that doesn't have just gobs and gobs and gobs of sugar in it.

Ok, I'll forgive you but just in the name of sugar. I'm not a fan of sugary drinks much either and recall when we did go to Trader Sams I had a hard time finding something to order. I think I ended up just getting a Mojito

That's about as good as life gets there, folks. Standing on a beach in your bathing suit watching MK fireworks ​

That truly is about as good as live gets, sans me in a bathing suit of course Sounds like you all had a truly perfect evening.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Now here's the terrible part. @kastoney , you may want to skip over this next part (I'm afraid I'll be exiled from your room in May). Mike ordered a Shrunken Zombie Head and I ordered…nothing

This made me chuckle a little bit.

 

[SweetSerenity]

Even if you didn't order anything, that still sounds like a wonderful evening.

 

[wdwnut61]

I don't think I would go out of my way to eat here,

Agreed we've only had dinner at Kona once and it was ok now breakfast on the other hand is a must do

Shortly after we were done with our dinner, we got the text that we could enter TS's.

We've never been inside TS either so where did you put your name in?

. Before long, I heard HEA starting so I left Mike soaking
and went around front (back) to the beach to watch…

That was my favorite part of staying at the Poly going out on the beach each night to watch the fireworks

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I love the colors of the fireworks reflecting off the water

 

[Jfsag123]

Caught up and having a great time reading your report. I know it’s from way back, but omg the story about Mike going to the airport when he was supposed to meet you at the resort so sounded like something my DH would do! I can empathize! Also, I think you’ve convinced me to add Extra Morning Magic at DHS to our trip this summer. And maybe to not be so desperate to try MNSSHP on a future trip, at least unless they make some changes. Looking forward to the AKL leg of your trip!

 

[buzzrelly]

I love this idea!!!!!!

We need to make this happen. I bet we could manage this if we went at RD.

I hope we all hit ToT together, can we share a handle? Andi always laughs at me if the person next to me is using the handle, haha!

I will definitely share my handle with you

We had an epic fail with TS this recent trip, I will tell you all about it in my TR!

Oh, no!

Glad to hear this tasted good because looking good it does not

Really? I just looked again and I guess you're right. Maybe it wasn't that good…honestly, I don't remember and don't take notes…tipsy or otherwise I did eat it though, so there's that

Can you believe we've never been inside? We've actually only been once but it was full so we sat outside instead.

I actually cannot believe that. It's really unique, at least for us. We don't have anything like that around here. If you go in before 8, Casey can go with you and I think she would get a kick out of it too

Ok, I'll forgive you but just in the name of sugar. I'm not a fan of sugary drinks much either and recall when we did go to Trader Sams I had a hard time finding something to order. I think I ended up just getting a Mojito

Do Mojitos not have a lot of sugar? Good thing you know all this stuff so I'm not just sitting there like a dud in May

That truly is about as good as live gets, sans me in a bathing suit of course

This made me chuckle a little bit.

I think I still have a room to stay in, phew!

Even if you didn't order anything, that still sounds like a wonderful evening.

It actually was

Agreed we've only had dinner at Kona once and it was ok now breakfast on the other hand is a must do

I've never been for breakfast We did try the Tonga Toast at Capn' Cook's last year and thought it was okay. Of course, they do not serve the strawberry sauce in there so I don't think it's as good.

We've never been inside TS either so where did you put your name in?

Do you know where the TS door is? If you walk in the Poly and walk to the left past the gift shop and bathrooms, there will be a door on the right. It's kind of hiding and doesn't look like much. If you go in, there's a hostess at a desk. She takes your name and phone number and will text when you can enter.

I love the colors of the fireworks reflecting off the water

Caught up and having a great time reading your report.

Thanks!

I know it’s from way back, but omg the story about Mike going to the airport when he was supposed to meet you at the resort so sounded like something my DH would do! I can empathize!

Sadly, you are not the only wife who's said that I think Mike listens to about HALF of what I tell him

Also, I think you’ve convinced me to add Extra Morning Magic at DHS to our trip this summer.

That was one of my favorite things this trip! We have it booked again for April and I can't wait to go with my mom and kids. I have thought about those after hours events too, but we tend to be early risers anyway so this just works better for us Your group seems to be early risers too. I think you'll really enjoy it

And maybe to not be so desperate to try MNSSHP on a future trip, at least unless they make some changes.

I kind of feel bad about this. MNSSHP used to be one of my favorite special events, and I do really love the parade and fireworks. I just don't understand why they oversell it so much

 

[missjackiemcg]

Just after we were seated, Mike had the brilliant idea to go put our name in on the Trader Sam's wait list.
Going inside TS's was on our bucket list for this trip, so this was a smart move. ​

We felt slightly awkward just kind of standing around waiting for a table, but luckily it didn't take very long before one opened up.

That is a genius idea!! I still haven't been to Trader Sam's either. The only time we went there were 40 people ahead of us on the list, so we didn't hang around.

That's about as good as life gets there, folks. Standing on a beach in your bathing suit watching MK fireworks ​

Sounds incredible!! Especially the part about strolling back to the pool instead of wrestling crowds out of the park.

Wouldn't it be fun if everyone from our EPIC trip filled up a whole elevator?! That would be the most amazing ride photo ever!

YES, PLEASE!!!!

 

[buzzrelly]

October 21, 2018
SPLASH MOUNTAIN FOR ONE


Check-out day

At least we weren't going home yet, but we were checking out of the amazing Poly.

We were heading back to the MK for the day but were not in a rush this morning.
Before we checked out of the room, we walked over to get some coffee and we found this guy all alone on the ground.

We sat him up on the rock and posed him for our pic and then left him there. I was hoping his owner had just dropped him and would realize it and come back for him soon.
If not, I'm sure someone else came along to give him a good home

It was another gorgeous morning and we sat and had our coffee before going back and packing up the room.

We stored everything except for the electronics in the car and then checked a bag with bell services to hold for the day.

By 11, we were hopping onto Monorail Black and on our way.

Not having too much planned was kind of nice and relaxing. We watched the Move It, Shake It Parade,

had our pp pic taken…

and then went in to watch some glass blowing. This is one of Mike's favorite things to do, and truthfully, I find it fascinating too. She was making a glass pumpkin that I sort of wanted but didn't end up getting for some reason

It was really cool how she attached the stem on top.

Of course I don't have a good picture of the finished product. Here's a lovely, blurry pic

Afterwards, I finally caught the show on the castle stage in its entirety…Friendship Fare?

This was adorable and I'm glad I stopped to watch. Mike got bored and wandered off somewhere.
We met up again after and headed over to the HM,

and then BTMR where I didn't make him wait in line with me again.
I'm not certain what he ended up doing, but I'm guessing they have benches in the MK too

We got into a little snit after that because when I made the FP reservations, I thought he would go on Splash Mountain with me as he had done in the past. I guess he has since decided that he doesn't like the drop of this ride either and wouldn't go on. I wouldn't really care but I wish he'd have told me before and I would have made the FP for something different. He said he didn't mind, but it bothered me. Plus, for me, SM is more fun with other people.
Despite all this, I rode by myself…wheee…

and then we went over to something I KNEW Mike would ride.

We ended up back at Pecos Bill's for lunch. I can't even remember if this was trip number 2 or 3,
but I got my favorite salad again and Mike got what looks like Fajitas?

Keeping with the relaxing theme of the day, we boarded the train in Frontierland,

and got off at Main Street station to exit the park.

We had gotten the room ready text and wanted to go get checked in and settled at AKL,
before going back to DS and having the MOST disappointing meal of this trip.

Where, you ask? That's coming up next!
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[missjackiemcg]

This is something we have never stopped to do!! Put it on my list!! It is an awfully cute pumpkin!

I really enjoyed the carefree wander kind of day we had in MK in June....WAY more than I would ever have thought possible!

Can't wait to hear how your worst meal ever is!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

The glass blowing is so cool.

 

[buzzrelly]

I still haven't been to Trader Sam's either. The only time we went there were 40 people ahead of us on the list, so we didn't hang around.

I think you have to get there really early. This worked out, but we were lucky to get a table after just a couple minutes.

This is something we have never stopped to do!! Put it on my list!! It is an awfully cute pumpkin!

It's perfect for a day of wandering

 

[SweetSerenity]

Poor little Stitch looks so sad and lost. Where is his Ohana?

Agreed about the glass. I'm always fascinated by the goods they sell in the store knowing someone just sat there and made them.

 

[ariane37]

We had an epic fail with TS this recent trip, I will tell you all about it in my TR!

This was pretty much us on our Thanksgiving trip last year, which everyone would know if I ever got around to doing my dining report!

Steve loves watching the glass blowers too, it is super cool. I always wonder how long it takes for them to learn their craft!

 

[buzzrelly]

This was pretty much us on our Thanksgiving trip last year, which everyone would know if I ever got around to doing my dining report!

You're too busy going on trips to write about them

I always wonder how long it takes for them to learn their craft!

We were the only ones there watching for a while and she offered to answer any questions we had. So of course, I asked her all of that and remember hardly anything she said. I do recall that she was an art major in college and then started learning glass-blowing and loved it.