There's an App for That! iDisney, July-Aug 2009. New 12/3: DONE!

[Sooze]

V! I'm loving all of your pictures over on the Pic of the Day thread! Keep 'em coming!!

 

[PrincessV]

V! I'm loving all of your pictures over on the Pic of the Day thread! Keep 'em coming!!

Aw, thank you! I used to post my photos regularly on some Flickr groups and loved getting feedback - the POTD is making me want to start shooting and posting again!

 

[PrincessV]

App of the Day: Jirbo Match!

Another fun time-waster/ keep-the-kid-occupied game. And we needed it for this particular day. You’ll see. Anyway, Match is the iPhone’s version of the Memory game. I grabbed it for Leo, but had fun playing it myself, too!​

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back to the July/August trip report…

Ugh. The day I’d been dreading for nearly a year.

I can’t stand Animal Kingdom. It bothers me in so many ways, but the worst of it is the life-sucking, mind-numbing heat in that place. I’ll tolerate it in the cooler months, but for three years, I’ve sworn I’d not set foot in AK in August.




And for three years, T has talked me into AK in August. This was no exception.

T had a couple days of her trip scheduled for AK. I selected the one closest to the end of our trip to join The Waldos there, ensuring that no one would spend the entire trip hearing me whine about it. Heh heh.

I’d also explained clearly to all parties concerned that Leo and I would not be staying there past lunch. That we’d prefer to get out before lunch. And that if I got hot and cranky, we might leave 10 minutes after arrival.


And so the great AK day came. Leo and I gathered ourselves and headed out to the bus stop to meet The Waldos and take one last bus ride together in time for rope drop.

Only, less than half of The Waldos were there.

Rick, Debbie and their boys were accounted for. Where was T and gang???

“Sleeping in,” Rick informed me.

I asked that he repeat himself.

“Sleeping in, and then they’re going to the pool.”


THEY'RE WHAT?!?!?!?!

I couldn’t think of anything better than sleeping in and then diving in to Pool-Thirty. But I was at a bus stop, bound for freaking AK… in August!


T, you owe me BIG time. LY!



So we enjoyed a bus ride to AK with T’s brother and family and then went our separate ways once past the turnstiles. Along the way, I’d explained to Leo that we weren’t staying long, that we’d do the safari, see a few animals on a path, and get out. He was down with that.

And we were done.




Here’s the thing… in my book, Busch Gardens has Disney beat on the whole animal-watching experience by a lot. And Busch Gardens is more than an hour closer to our house than AK. I know there are plenty of AK-lovers, and I’m neither knocking nor mocking you; I just like to do my animal-watching in a certain way. And Disney’s ain’t it…

Whereas AK tends to feel crowded and there’s nearly always a lot of pushing and shoving in congested areas, BG has lots of wide open, airy walkways that allow folks to meander along or speed-walk without coming within 3 feet of each other.

Whereas AK feels like the surface of the sun in pretty much any month but February, BG has some kind of freaky air flow that makes the place feel 10 degrees cooler than the actual air temp. Except in winter, when it feels a comfortable 10 degrees warmer.

Whereas a wandering wildebeest can bring the entire AK safari to a grinding halt for 20 minutes, no such opportunities exist at BG.

Whereas the most one can usually see of a lion at AK is a flicking tail, BG has this:

Through which can be seen this:

or this:

In short, I love animals and want to view them at a leisurely pace, without fighting 30,00 other people to do so, in a “natural” environment with ample up-close viewing areas, minus the heat stroke.



By 10:15am we were headed back to the bus stop.

Bet you didn’t know that busses back to the resorts don’t start running until 11am. Neither did I.

Which is where Match, Tetris, Solitaire and Checkers on the iPhone came in handy. We'd been waiting at the SSR bus stop/ sauna for about 15 minutes when a CM came out of the little hut between bus stop rows. He explained that they don’t normally start picking up at the parks until 11am, but that he’d called for a bus for us. That was nice. But they should maybe have a SIGN with this information, don’t you think???

After a 40-ish minute wait, a bus finally arrived and we boarded for a quick trip back home to…

Old Key West?!

Yep, our driver turned right into OKW. And then the bus full of hot, cranky people erupted: “I thought this was the SSR bus?!” “Hey, you’re going to the wrong resort!” “Mommy, I need to go potty.”

Our driver, never missing a beat, got on the loudspeaker and announced that we’d be “taking a scenic route to Sarasota Springs, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!”

I resisted the urge, but a fellow rider corrected him – not “Sarasota,” “SARATOGA!”



Needless to say, I’d had it with the whole stupid morning and was more than ready to meet The Waldos for Pool-Thirty. We had a nice time swimming with our friends one last time. We were all headed home the next day and our plans didn’t involve any more meets before then. One thing about saying goodbye poolside – no one can tell you’re crying.

Leo and I dragged our sad selves back to the room to clean up, though; we had one last night and one more meet with some DIS friends before our vacation ended!




Our destination was Tutto Italia, where I was certain I’d be paying top dollar for mediocre Italian food. But first, I attempted to continue Leo’s Pics Around World Showcase:

Yeah. The pics stopped there.


Back to Tutto. I was really on the fence about this place. I’m half Italian and two generations from the boat, so I’ve experienced some good Italian cooking. I also live around the corner from a delicious little Italian shop that serves up the kind of food my great-grandmothers would be proud to serve. And… it’s cheap. Like, $5.99 for a 3-course dinner cheap. So looking at Tutto’s menu was disconcerting at best. “There is no way in hell I’m paying $24 for LASAGNA!” I’d thought to myself. Still, I’d heard some rave reviews and wanted to give it a try.

So Leo and I checked in and were quickly led to our table for two. Where we experienced the most impeccable service of which it’s been my very great pleasure to be the recipient at WDW! Our servers, there were several, were true pros; every item was set in exactly the right place and manner. Sipping my excellent glass of red wine, I noted that every single employee in the place was busy – there was not a one without something to do – yet there wasn’t a sense of being rushed through my meal in any way.

And the meal… oooooh, the meal! Divine. Taking T’s recommendation from her earlier visit to Tutto, I ordered the grilled salmon, served with roasted vegetables. Simple, no? No. And yes. I’d call it sophisticated. The fish was cooked to perfection, flaking delicately with nary a spot of dryness. The flavor was light and citrusy, but with the aroma of fresh herbs ascending as I brought fork to mouth. As for the vegetables, they were still crisp, but hot and with just enough seasoning to bring out their own, earthy flavors.

Am I waxing poetic about fish. You bet I am.

Leo’s pizza could feed the entirety of my family’s ancestral town in Sicily and it was made with the GOOD mozzarella. Rich. Creamy. Just enough sauce to keep things in place, but not so much as to overpower the flavors. Mmmmmm.

And then there was dessert… Gianduja - Chocolate Torta - chocolate and hazelnut torte with whipped cream and raspberry sauce.

O

M

G

Leo and I shared and it was still too much; we actually left some on the plate! Added to the bliss that is chocolate and hazelnut and raspberry was a cup of coffee. Real coffee. Not the brown water served at WDW’s establishments.

On top of all this deliciousness were the maître d’s. There were two working the dining room that night and they each checked with us, as well as every other table in the place, multiple times throughout the meal, ensuring that everything from the wine through dessert was well received. Both were also thoroughly charmed by Leo, who, I swear, looked a lot more than ¼ Italian in Tutto, lol! Frankly, I found him to be a tad grumpy that evening, but the maître d’s thought he was “adorable.”

After dessert, as I was enjoying a few more sips of coffee and Leo was drawing on his menu, one of the two maître d’s came over to chat some. He was an older gentleman and had moved from New York to take the job at Tutto. In NY, he’d run a restaurant for years after coming over from Italy. He asked if Leo and I were Italian and I gave him the scoop, and we wound up chatting for about ten minutes. It was very nice and not at all invasive, and I left Tutto not only satiated, but ready to book a vacation to my homeland.



During dinner, I’d texted back and forth with Michelle to plan our meeting spot; TheDISFamily had arrived! We quickly found them and caught up on the latest. At that point, we’d last seen them the previous October and it was so good to meet up again!

We mostly strolled and chatted… maybe not the best fodder for a scintillating TR, but a lovely way to finish off our final evening at WDW, in the company of good friends!

Eventually, we all headed over to the Boardwalk, where TheDISFamily was staying and where I was parked. It was a gorgeous sunset, and we took full advantage of it! Sadly, my camera in the hands of a passing stranger didn’t get the lighting right, but I still love the picture!

Michelle’s was much better – thank you!

I was tired. I thought Leo was tired.

But.

It was a full moon:

Leo decided he wanted desperately to go swimming at night before our trip ended. With no commitments the next morning save driving home, I figured “Why not?!” It was a beautiful night and I enjoyed a little reading whilst Leo played Pirates in the Grandstand pool.

When he suddenly became quiet and was seen to be sitting on a step, staring up at the sky, I determined the end had come and it was time for bed. We headed back to our room for one last night at our faux-Saratoga Springs.

Next: Parking lot ambush.

 

[jcc0621]

Only, less than half of The Waldos were there.

Rick, Debbie and their boys were accounted for. Where was T and gang???

“Sleeping in,” Rick informed me.

I asked that he repeat himself.

“Sleeping in, and then they’re going to the pool.”


THEY'RE WHAT?!?!?!?!

I couldn’t think of anything better than sleeping in and then diving in to Pool-Thirty. But I was at a bus stop, bound for freaking AK… in August!


T, you owe me BIG time. LY!

Oh, see I would have been ringing her phone unitl she woke up LY T I figure that's worth at least 1 Lapu!

Bet you didn’t know that busses back to the resorts don’t start running until 11am. Neither did I.

Nope..didn't know this. What the heck happens with someone who gets there and then realizes they left something back at their resort

. But they should maybe have a SIGN with this information, don’t you think???

Absolutely!

Next: Parking lot ambush.[/SIZE]

Uh oh!

 

[cmp1111]

And for three years, T has talked me into AK in August. This was no exception.

“Sleeping in,” Rick informed me.

I asked that he repeat himself.

“Sleeping in, and then they’re going to the pool.”


THEY'RE WHAT?!?!?!?!

I couldn’t think of anything better than sleeping in and then diving in to Pool-Thirty. But I was at a bus stop, bound for freaking AK… in August!

T!!!!

Our driver, never missing a beat, got on the loudspeaker and announced that we’d be “taking a scenic route to Sarasota Springs, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!”

I resisted the urge, but a fellow rider corrected him – not “Sarasota,” “SARATOGA!”

Oh, good.

One thing about saying goodbye poolside – no one can tell you’re crying.

But first, I attempted to continue Leo’s Pics Around World Showcase:

Yeah. The pics stopped there.

Am I waxing poetic about fish. You bet I am.

Sounds yum!

It was very nice and not at all invasive, and I left Tutto not only satiated, but ready to book a vacation to my homeland.

Sounds divine!!

Awesome!

 

[jess98ac]

It's already time for you to go home??!!!

BOOO!!!

 

[Hedy]

Glad you liked Tutto. At soempoint I will begin my dining reviews, where I found tofu at WDw not once, not twice, but thrice.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Look! There we are again! LOL! I wonder if we'll make it to a '3rd Time's a Charm' this year in DISmeets?! (That is, if you're not sick of us by now! ) I have to admit, I am woefully behind on your TR. Please forgive me. I promise to catch up...

BTW, Happy early Turkey Day! I hope you have a wonderful time next week! Jordan might be in Epcot during the day - text her if you wanna meet up. They actually gave her the day off! We're totally shocked. She's going to the work pot-luck Thanksgiving lunch in the back so she can visit everyone... and then she has a special dinner to go to.

Give the little man a hug for us, and tell him Brenna can't wait to do another Kim Possible mission with him!

Cheers!
Michelle

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

And for three years, T has talked me into AK in August. This was no exception.

Ahem. In my defense, I REALLY didn't think you'd actually go. Yeah, that's it. That sounds good to me.

“Sleeping in,” Rick informed me.

I asked that he repeat himself.

“Sleeping in, and then they’re going to the pool.”


THEY'RE WHAT?!?!?!?!

T, you owe me BIG time. LY!

How about a glass of Champagne in France, or a shot of Tequila in Mexico?

Old Key West?!

Yep, our driver turned right into OKW. And then the bus full of hot, cranky people erupted: “I thought this was the SSR bus?!” “Hey, you’re going to the wrong resort!” “Mommy, I need to go potty.”

Our driver, never missing a beat, got on the loudspeaker and announced that we’d be “taking a scenic route to Sarasota Springs, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!”

Needless to say, I’d had it with the whole stupid morning and was more than ready to meet The Waldos for Pool-Thirty. We had a nice time swimming with our friends one last time. We were all headed home the next day and our plans didn’t involve any more meets before then. One thing about saying goodbye poolside – no one can tell you’re crying.

OMG, that was the WORST day of "See you later" in the history of WDW trips.

I love it!

And the meal… oooooh, the meal! Divine. Taking T’s recommendation from her earlier visit to Tutto, I ordered the grilled salmon, served with roasted vegetables. Simple, no? No. And yes. I’d call it sophisticated. The fish was cooked to perfection, flaking delicately with nary a spot of dryness. The flavor was light and citrusy, but with the aroma of fresh herbs ascending as I brought fork to mouth. As for the vegetables, they were still crisp, but hot and with just enough seasoning to bring out their own, earthy flavors.

Am I waxing poetic about fish. You bet I am.

I think it's quickly become my favorite Epcot restaurant.

Hi DISFamily!

I'm so bummed I didn't get to spend more time with you all. Another time, I'm sure!

T!!!!

What? I drank the kinder, gentler kool-aid.

 

[DisneyJo]

I can't believe T stood you up outrageous AK is our least favourite park, not because of the heat but because of the attractions there, just not much we want to do!

How weird about the buses as Em and I definitely got a bus back to AKL from the MK in September and it was about 10am Plus I tell people if they want to get to AKL for a Boma brekkie to transfer at AK

Tutto sounds devine and how nice of the maitre d to chat with you!

More photos of DIS meets, you are getting good and I love the pirate Leo photos

 

[GreatBiscuit]

I can’t stand Animal Kingdom. It bothers me in so many ways, but the worst of it is the life-sucking, mind-numbing heat in that place. I’ll tolerate it in the cooler months, but for three years, I’ve sworn I’d not set foot in AK in August.

It aint such a hoot in June either!

Bet you didn’t know that busses back to the resorts don’t start running until 11am. Neither did I.

Doh!

Yep, our driver turned right into OKW. And then the bus full of hot, cranky people erupted: “I thought this was the SSR bus?!” “Hey, you’re going to the wrong resort!” “Mommy, I need to go potty.”

Our driver, never missing a beat, got on the loudspeaker and announced that we’d be “taking a scenic route to Sarasota Springs, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!”

I resisted the urge, but a fellow rider corrected him – not “Sarasota,” “SARATOGA!”

Maybe he was a misplaced Safari driver who didn’t stop in time for a wayward wildabeast and was sent to drive the resort bus instead, but since they didn’t let him out much, he wasn’t sure where to go or what the names of the resorts were.

Yeah. The pics stopped there.

And the meal… oooooh, the meal! Divine.

Am I waxing poetic about fish. You bet I am.

Michelle’s was much better – thank you!

Awesome Shot!

Leo decided he wanted desperately to go swimming at night before our trip ended. With no commitments the next morning save driving home, I figured “Why not?!” It was a beautiful night and I enjoyed a little reading whilst Leo played Pirates in the Grandstand pool.

Looks like he was having a blast swimming solo.

We headed back to our room for one last night at our faux-Saratoga Springs.

Last night!

 

[kbheap]

This is a great trip report! I can tell you I am totally dependant on my iphone as well. It is very helpful in the parks. BTW,your son is absolutely adorable.

 

[Sooze]

[Where was T and gang???

“Sleeping in,” Rick informed me.

I asked that he repeat himself.

“Sleeping in, and then they’re going to the pool.”


THEY'RE WHAT?!?!?!?!

I couldn’t think of anything better than sleeping in and then diving in to Pool-Thirty. But I was at a bus stop, bound for freaking AK… in August!

How hysterical!!! You're such a trooper for going anyway!

And we were done.

Nice.....

In short, I love animals and want to view them at a leisurely pace, without fighting 30,00 other people to do so, in a “natural” environment with ample up-close viewing areas, minus the heat stroke.

So, even tho I've never been to Busch Gardens, I can totally see what you mean. But do you guys ever go see the SHOWS at AK!?! I mean, FotLK and Nemo!??! They are worth every ounce of sweat and every moment of crowdedness, imho!

Bet you didn’t know that busses back to the resorts don’t start running until 11am. Neither did I.

I SO did not know that!! Thanks for the heads-up!

One thing about saying goodbye poolside – no one can tell you’re crying.

Awwwwwww... so sweet, V!

Yeah. The pics stopped there.

I am CRACKING up!!!

“There is no way in hell I’m paying $24 for LASAGNA!” I’d thought to myself. Still, I’d heard some rave reviews and wanted to give it a try.

What about the waiters being completely Italiany HOT?!!

I’d call it sophisticated. The fish was cooked to perfection, flaking delicately with nary a spot of dryness. The flavor was light and citrusy, but with the aroma of fresh herbs ascending as I brought fork to mouth. As for the vegetables, they were still crisp, but hot and with just enough seasoning to bring out their own, earthy flavors.

I don't think I could say anything this poetic if I tried. You go, V!!

Frankly, I found him to be a tad grumpy that evening, but the maître d’s thought he was “adorable.”

How could they NOT?! He is SO adorable!!

How special!! I sure miss that lady on these boards... where did she go?!

 

[askelton]

What a lovely dinner. We haven't been there yet but definitely sounds like we must.

 

[praisehisname]

Wow, your dinner sounds amazing! It's going on my list of must-trys. So sad you're trip is coming to an end...

 

[Phibbles]

Tutto is great. It is run by the Patina group who operate several fabulous restaurants here in NY/NJ. Been to a couple and they are all wonderful. This company really gets good food and good service.

 

[Stasieki]

I am sitting here at work and can taste that meal at Tutto. I can't wait to go back and eat there. We ate at Rose and Crown this last trip - I think once was enough for me. It was OK. So sad this trip report is coming to an end.

 

[PrincessV]

Oh, see I would have been ringing her phone unitl she woke up

I think I texted a few times.

What the heck happens with someone who gets there and then realizes they left something back at their resort

I had the same thought!

T!!!!

I know, right?!

It's already time for you to go home??!!!

BOOO!!!

Sadly, yes.

Glad you liked Tutto. At soempoint I will begin my dining reviews, where I found tofu at WDw not once, not twice, but thrice.

Thrice?! Where????

I wonder if we'll make it to a '3rd Time's a Charm' this year in DISmeets?!

I sure hope so!

(That is, if you're not sick of us by now! )

Never!

BTW, Happy early Turkey Day! I hope you have a wonderful time next week! Jordan might be in Epcot during the day - text her if you wanna meet up. They actually gave her the day off! We're totally shocked. She's going to the work pot-luck Thanksgiving lunch in the back so she can visit everyone... and then she has a special dinner to go to.

Give the little man a hug for us, and tell him Brenna can't wait to do another Kim Possible mission with him!

I'm absolutely checking in with Jordan next week. I'm having a hard time nailing down a Plan, and I think it's open to a lot of change anyway, but I'll find her! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Ahem. In my defense, I REALLY didn't think you'd actually go.

How about a glass of Champagne in France, or a shot of Tequila in Mexico?

Nah, we're good! But I'll meet you for both anyway!

How weird about the buses as Em and I definitely got a bus back to AKL from the MK in September and it was about 10am Plus I tell people if they want to get to AKL for a Boma brekkie to transfer at AK

I thought about exactly that scenario! Frankly, I think the guy was making it up.

Maybe he was a misplaced Safari driver who didn’t stop in time for a wayward wildabeast and was sent to drive the resort bus instead, but since they didn’t let him out much, he wasn’t sure where to go or what the names of the resorts were.

This is a great trip report! I can tell you I am totally dependant on my iphone as well. It is very helpful in the parks. BTW,your son is absolutely adorable.

Thank you so much!

So, even tho I've never been to Busch Gardens, I can totally see what you mean. But do you guys ever go see the SHOWS at AK!?! I mean, FotLK and Nemo!??!

We did see FOTLK and liked it a lot... but once was good. Leo so far as no interest in Nemo... he also never wants to see the movie anymore.

What about the waiters being completely Italiany HOT?!!

What a lovely dinner. We haven't been there yet but definitely sounds like we must.

As a local, you understand the meaning of this - I'd totally go there just for dinner... all the way from over here on the Gulf coast!

Wow, your dinner sounds amazing! It's going on my list of must-trys.

Sooo, sooo good!

Tutto is great. It is run by the Patina group who operate several fabulous restaurants here in NY/NJ. Been to a couple and they are all wonderful. This company really gets good food and good service.

I;d forgotten about that. I wonder if the maitre d' from NY worked for them there?

I am sitting here at work and can taste that meal at Tutto. I can't wait to go back and eat there. We ate at Rose and Crown this last trip - I think once was enough for me. It was OK.

I really like R&C... after a Black & Tan or three. I agree, there's nothing wrong with it, it's jut not spectacular. But Tutto?

 

[jordanyosh]

Tutto...our family had a similar experience there. Just wonderful.

A last night at the pool and alone at that....how nice!

I've heard about and see pictures of Busch Gardens Tampa. I'd love to go there someday. That said, AK is my favorite park....really. I know people hate it, but I love the theming. I've sweated through that park...even in February.

 

[PrincessAlways]

Who would've known about the buses not running back until 11am??????? Lesson learned!!

I've liked Tutto, but you still read bad reviews. Oh well.....