The Widow, Spinster, Missus and her Boy Toy celebrate new beginnings at WDW - Completed! 7/4

[pkondz]

When you have a short trip, definitely.

Even with a longer trip...
I mean... it's good to be home, but... for me, that also means it's back to work.

I don't think they did. I think Jenny was still feeling cruddy a week or two later.

Sorry to hear that.

I know the best one is your dad.

I'm wondering if I'll be able to go on that ride again, next time I go.
And I really don't know.

Folks have your affairs in order, like power bills in both names. They did actually finally refund the money but they issued the check to Fran. It took a few minutes at the bank to convince them to put the money in my account, but they eventually did it. Now it's gone! But my credit card balances are lower!

Ugh.
I feel your pain.

Thanks! I really don't think about my photos as much as I should. I'm just lucky that I come up with a few good ones!

Well they have most all the characters in topiary form since it's the "Epcot Flower and Garden Festival."

Good point.

Because the Concierge rooms are located within proximity to the lounge, most don't have a view since the lounge is closer to the front of the resort.

Makes sense.
Still seems a bit odd... but... I understand.

Yeah, it's really nice. I've been lucky enough to stay CL several times there.

I've never.
Do you think they have concierge at ASMu or POP?

 

[pkondz]

Well it seems like forever since I’ve been here.

I’ve had six rehearsals, two parades, and a concert. All within the span of two weeks.

Lots!!

You may not thing that’s a lot

Oh, no. I think that's quite a lot, actually.

Now I’m just chilling in Denver at Jill’s place so I have some time to catch up on things like Trip Reports, so expect some more updates while I’ve got downtime.

Ahhhhh.... there ya go. Hope you got your feet up!

We woke up that morning to find a text from Jenny that they made it home, and still felt terrible, and that it had to be covid. This freaked me out, because I’m still a “No”vid. I travel with Covid tests now, and I had one handy. Luckily it was negative.

Phew!
But... did Jenny take a test?

Disney's version of Africa has bacon! Unlike our experience.

I had to look it up. Where you were was predominantly (90%) Muslim. But Africa as a whole is majority Christian (49%) with Islam coming in at 42% and Traditional faiths at 8%.

Then we took the bus to AK. The line for the safari was substantially less than on Wednesday, I think we waited less than an hour.

I don't think I'd wait that long... but then again, I've become a line snob, so there's that.

Hippo out of water! Your the second TR I've read in as many days with a photo of a hippo out of the water.

Nature happens!

That giraffe needed this:

Good shot!

Awww...

Perfect caption.

 

[jedijill]

This baby elephant was born shortly before our visit, I was glad to have taken a picture of it.

Cora the baby elephant was adorable!

Jill in CO

 

[franandaj]

I'm feeling deja vu here!

So pretty! I really need to check out these WDW specific rides that are new since I was there

Wow! It's been a long time since you've been to WDW if you haven't seen this ride. Avatarland has been there for a while.....

Nice! How brilliant they had drinks and snacks at the ready!

Yes! They do rock the snacks!

Whoa! Hello people!

It was pretty crowded that day.

Def happy in this one! Well happy/scared?

I wasn't at all scared, but not sure about the expression.

Ouch, that would be hard after a long day of touring!

Yeah, the no seats was kind of a deal breaker.

Nahh, it doesn't go bad! your pasta creation looked good!

Thanks! It hit the spot!

20K in steps on 5 hours of sleep! That's quite a combo!

Onwards!!

Yeah yesterday was another challenge! While I didn't make so many steps I sure did my exertion on less then r hours sleep and waking up half the country away!

I'm thinking those pink flowers are pretty big, given the scale of everything

They're flowers made of other flowers, you know topiary.

this sort of thing is SO frustrating!

Yeah, it's finally resolved and even though they made the check to Fran, I was able to deposit it.

Did you try them both? Which was better?

Well I've had both and since I ordered the Gray Goose one that's the one I like most. Jill likes the Grand Marnier slushie. And that's OK, we can enjoy different beverages and still get along!

Yay, jets!

Yes! The tub was very nice! You'll have a similar one!

Super pretty!

Better sleep, even if broken hey!

Yup!

 

[franandaj]

I'm feeling a bit of deja vu here!

So pretty! I really need to check out these WDW specific rides that are new since I was there

Wow! If you haven't been since this ride opened, it has been a long time!

Nice! How brilliant they had drinks and snacks at the ready!

It was very handy!

Whoa! Hello people!

Pretty busy!

Def happy in this one! Well happy/scared?

Not scared....

Ouch, that would be hard after a long day of touring!

Yeah, I'm spoiled at home.

Nahh, it doesn't go bad! your pasta creation looked good!

It was pretty tasty.

20K in steps on 5 hours of sleep! That's quite a combo!

Onwards!!

I'm thinking those pink flowers are pretty big, given the scale of everything

They're also topiaries.....

this sort of thing is SO frustrating!

Sure is!

Did you try them both? Which was better?

I've had the Grand Marnier slushie before, I prefer the Grey Goose one. It's a little more tart.

Yay, jets!

It was a nice tub!

Super pretty!

Better sleep, even if broken hey!

Yup.

 

[franandaj]

I feel you on being busy! Sounds like you had a good time with everything going on though.

Yeah, and I'm still in the middle of it! I got last week off at Jill's. Marching band is done, and so is Jazz Band. Concert Band we have one more rehearsal and two concerts. I will be happy to be finished with it all for a little while.

If you ever go to South Africa - you can get bacon. One of the pizzas I ate back when I was in college was bacon and banana during my time down there.

South Africa is on the list, just not for a little while.

Seems like a nice and active safari! It's always nice to be able to see the babies once they are on the savannah!

It was a pretty good safari, we saw a nice mix of animals.

 

[franandaj]

Sure seems like a lot to me! Late nights and busy days!

Yeah, it's getting tiring....

Thank goodness! I wonder if I still have some tests...I actually wonder if you can still get them here for free- no idea actually

I have a ton of tests, they might be past their expiration date, but someone said they were still good.

Hehe this made me laugh!

I know!

I'm sure you will be enjoying some bevies on the balcony enjoying the animals

Absolutely!

I saw this pic and thought - the zebras are eating hay, not grass, then I was like - umm yeah, they live in a park

Hehe I bet a few people got a kick out of this!

Probably weirdos!

Where will you two head next....

Hopefully you'll see soon.....

 

[franandaj]

Even with a longer trip...
I mean... it's good to be home, but... for me, that also means it's back to work.

Well for me, I don't really ever stop working. As evidenced by the previous day on this TR when Edison turned off the power to my buildings.

I'm wondering if I'll be able to go on that ride again, next time I go.
And I really don't know.

Makes sense.
Still seems a bit odd... but... I understand.

Well Savannah view is one level you can book. Concierge is a separate one. At least for DVC. Perhaps if you are paying cash they give you a better view.

I've never.
Do you think they have concierge at ASMu or POP?

I seriously doubt it.

Oh, no. I think that's quite a lot, actually.

It sure feels like it.

Ahhhhh.... there ya go. Hope you got your feet up!

Well, no I caught up on computer busywork!

Phew!
But... did Jenny take a test?

No idea.....

I had to look it up. Where you were was predominantly (90%) Muslim. But Africa as a whole is majority Christian (49%) with Islam coming in at 42% and Traditional faiths at 8%.

Interesting statistics.

I don't think I'd wait that long... but then again, I've become a line snob, so there's that.

We didn't wait an hour, it was actually pretty quick.

Hippo out of water! Your the second TR I've read in as many days with a photo of a hippo out of the water.

Really? Is it that odd?

That giraffe needed this:

Perfect caption.

Thanks!

 

[pkondz]

Well for me, I don't really ever stop working. As evidenced by the previous day on this TR when Edison turned off the power to my buildings.

That's true. I guess you're always "on", even when you're on vacation.

Well Savannah view is one level you can book. Concierge is a separate one. At least for DVC. Perhaps if you are paying cash they give you a better view.

That's what I mean. You'd think that Concierge would be Savannah view.
I was surprised that it wasn't.

I seriously doubt it.

What would that be, I wonder... A room off in the corner of the resort property somewhere with a bowl of stale chips and room temperature sodas?

Really? Is it that odd?

I think so. Almost all the photos I see of them, they're fully or almost fully submerged.

 

[franandaj]

Cora the baby elephant was adorable!

I'm so glad I got a picture!

 

[franandaj]

That's true. I guess you're always "on", even when you're on vacation.

I even had to deal with stuff when I was in Europe....

That's what I mean. You'd think that Concierge would be Savannah view.
I was surprised that it wasn't.

Even at the Grand Californian not all Concierge rooms have great views. It's all about proximity to the lounge.

What would that be, I wonder... A room off in the corner of the resort property somewhere with a bowl of stale chips and room temperature sodas?

Sounds about right!

I think so. Almost all the photos I see of them, they're fully or almost fully submerged.

Huh. I'm pretty sure that I have some from previous trips where they are out of water.....

 

[franandaj]

After our safari, we headed over to Tiffins for our lunch reservation. I’d never been to this restaurant before. Fran always said that the menu was too weird for her, but I was always interested in trying it. There was unique artwork all over the walls.

We had been eating a lot all week, so in advance we had decided that we were just going to order appetizers.

But first we both ordered adult beverages, I had a glass of wine while Jill had a Lamu Libation.

I had the Charred Octopus appetizer, which was delicious!

Jill had the Pork Belly which she also said was fantastic.

For dessert we split the Orange and White Chocolate Creme Brulee, and I got a Keoki Coffee.

Then we headed out of the park and over to Epcot. We had purchased another ILL for Guardians and our time was coming up.

Disco Inferno for song on Guardians ride #4

Then we got some Starbucks because right about now, we needed a “pick me up.”

It was off to MK where we rode HM. I finally figured out where the camera was. Jill was checking to see if we were running late to see her niece and nephew march.

There was still plenty of time so we rode the carousel of Progress.

Next up! We got a parade to see!

 

[pkondz]

I even had to deal with stuff when I was in Europe....

No rest for the... landlord.

Even at the Grand Californian not all Concierge rooms have great views. It's all about proximity to the lounge.

Huh. I had no idea.

Huh. I'm pretty sure that I have some from previous trips where they are out of water.....

Maybe I'm wrong, then.

After our safari, we headed over to Tiffins for our lunch reservation. I’d never been to this restaurant before. Fran always said that the menu was too weird for her, but I was always interested in trying it. There was unique artwork all over the walls.

mmmm... Tiffins. Too bad Fran never wanted to go, I've always had good meals there.

We had been eating a lot all week, so in advance we had decided that we were just going to order appetizers.

But you missed out on the fish! (Unless you're squeamish about head on fish dishes.)

Jill had a Lamu Libation.

I think I've had that? I don't remember...

Nope. Looked it up. Not one, but two rums!

I had the Charred Octopus appetizer, which was delicious!

I know Sue-Lynn raves about this.

Jill had the Pork Belly which she also said was fantastic.

Must make a note, for next time I go.

For dessert we split the Orange and White Chocolate Creme Brulee

I'm usually too full for dessert... how was that?

Disco Inferno for song on Guardians ride #4

Burn, baby, burn...

You look like you're having fun, but Jill looks like she'd prefer being elsewhere.

It was off to MK where we rode HM.

Best. Ride. Ever.

Yes, I'll fight anyone on that.

Jill was checking to see if we were running late to see her niece and nephew march.

There was still plenty of time so we rode the carousel of Progress.

Nap time!

I'm kidding. I love this ride.

 

[jedijill]

The drink was very good and refreshing! More of a tiki style drink. I had to borrow Alison's stainless steel straw as I HATE paper straws!

Jill had the Pork Belly which she also said was fantastic.

This was VERY good and I had already planned to just order this and it was the right decision!

For dessert we split the Orange and White Chocolate Creme Brulee, and I got a Keoki Coffee.

This was very delicious but I'm glad we split it!

Then we got some Starbucks because right about now, we needed a “pick me up.”

I'm always up for a Starbucks pick me up! I also picked up another piece of the baumkuchen to take to my Dad.

t was off to MK where we rode HM. I finally figured out where the camera was. Jill was checking to see if we were running late to see her niece and nephew march.

I obviously pay zero attention to where cameras are on any ride!

Jill in CO

 

[DnA2010]

we headed over to Tiffins for our lunch reservation

You know, I don't think I've read much about this retaurant over the years

I had the Charred Octopus appetizer, which was delicious!

I haven't eaten octopus much...this looks nice, but I'd be nervous on it being rubbery

For dessert we split the Orange and White Chocolate Creme Brulee, and I got a Keoki Coffee.

That's a very thick? creme brulee- good?

Jill was checking to see if we were running late to see her niece and nephew march.

hehe I laughed at this one!

the carousel of Progress.

I really need to get back to WDW, I just don't know their rides that well


Onwards!

 

[franandaj]

No rest for the... landlord.

Nope.....and more sagas continue.....

mmmm... Tiffins. Too bad Fran never wanted to go, I've always had good meals there.

Yes, it was too bad, but at least I got to try it.

But you missed out on the fish! (Unless you're squeamish about head on fish dishes.)

I'm not, but Jill is. We were served that in Egypt and she didn't eat one bit of it.

I think I've had that? I don't remember...

Nope. Looked it up. Not one, but two rums!

Nope definitely not!

I know Sue-Lynn raves about this.

As she should, it's quite good.

I'm usually too full for dessert... how was that?

That's why we only went for the appetizers. I'm almost always too full for dessert when I eat a full entree.

You look like you're having fun, but Jill looks like she'd prefer being elsewhere.

Jill always has that somewhat constipated expression on her face in ride photos!

Best. Ride. Ever.

Yes, I'll fight anyone on that.

I can agree with that. I can't wait for ours to be up and running again.

Nap time!

I'm kidding. I love this ride.

It's a must at least once on every WDW trip!

 

[franandaj]

The drink was very good and refreshing! More of a tiki style drink. I had to borrow Alison's stainless steel straw as I HATE paper straws!

I just put two more metal straws in my purse today in case of paper straw problems!

This was VERY good and I had already planned to just order this and it was the right decision!

You can't go wrong with Pork Belly! We should have a pork belly appetizer the night I make dinner when you are in town next! I have some of that in the freezer that needs to be eaten.

This was very delicious but I'm glad we split it!

Yes, it was pretty rich, but just perfect for the two of us.

I'm always up for a Starbucks pick me up! I also picked up another piece of the baumkuchen to take to my Dad.

When we are doing that much walking, etc. I can always use an extra caffeine pick up!

I obviously pay zero attention to where cameras are on any ride!

 

[franandaj]

You know, I don't think I've read much about this retaurant over the years

Well, it's a Signature Restaurant and the menu is challenging, so not a lot of people actually make it there.

I haven't eaten octopus much...this looks nice, but I'd be nervous on it being rubbery

When it's prepared well, it's tender and not rubbery. When it's prepared poorly, it's tough and nasty.

That's a very thick? creme brulee- good?

It was very good!

hehe I laughed at this one!

Yeah, Jill pays zero attention to where the cameras are at!

I really need to get back to WDW, I just don't know their rides that well

You're just doing resort stays on your pre and post cruise stays, correct?

 

[franandaj]

 

[franandaj]