This time we did it right! (Updated 3/2!)

[SwansLoveDisney]

I haven't seen the Dole Whip at DL, but UtahMama mentioned it in her TR !
It is apparently in AL - I will be on a quest for one next time!

That's good information to know!

The Dole Whip looks good, I didn't try one but will have to one day. I'm not a juice drinker but am certainly an icecream eater! I thought the doll display was really cool too. Can't exactly say I'm with you on the Splash drop! Making note of your raincoat/poncho idea.....

The ice cream is so good! You can get it without the juice.

Definitely try the raincoat/poncho thing! It was perfect.

Sorry to hear about your DH's grandma .

Great update, that baby is G o r g e o u s!! I love those cheeks, how lucky were you to get to spend time with him. I didn't get a dole whip either this trip . Hey, that is another reason to go back, right??

DH's grandma seems to be doing really well. Thanks for the hug!

Yep, always need another reason to go back. (Or not!)

Sorry I have been comment MIA lately. I'm all caught up now

That baby is the cutiest thing I have seen all dressed up in his pumpkin outfit. So wicked cute!

Sorry you had such a hard time with the busses to DTD but glad you made it on time. Can't wait to hear about your lunch!

The buses weren't too bad...just that one time.

Don't worry about being MIA...thanks for reading!

Just finished your whole trippie so far. Love your pics and Blaize is just adorable!! I really have to convince DH to stay at AKL sometime.

Thanks for reading!

AKL was awesome. I can't say enough about it.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

We all made it to Fulton’s Crab House in time for our 2:30 reservation, Sarah and I on the longest bus ride ever and Beth and Jason in the car. Sarah went into the bathroom to change immediately upon arrival. She asked Beth and Jason to bring her some clothes from AKL cuz she couldn’t stand her wet booty from Splash Mountain. Shoulda listened to her dear cousin!

Oh, this is Jason and I waiting for Beth and Sarah cuz they got held up looking at something. We were starving.

First, the server brought out some delicious crackers with crab cream cheese something or other. It was wonderful. Actually, I don’t know if it was so delicious or if we were just famished! Either way, it hit the spot.

Then came the daunting task of deciding what to order. Everything on the menu looked GREAT! After about 10 minutes, we had all made our decisions.

Jason had a crab cake dish,

Sarah had some weird Hawaiian fish (Wahoo, I think),

Beth had Tilapia,

and I had fish and chips.

I know, fish and chips…SO boring! There’s a story behind that…when we were at Epcot 2 nights before, I really wanted fish and chips in England. The line, however, was about 4 miles too long, so I never got them. I just couldn’t get them out of my head when I was looking at the menu at Fulton’s. So I broke down and ordered the fish and chips. And let me tell you, those were some darn good fish and chips!

Everyone LOVED their meal here. I highly recommend it. And to sweeten the deal, Sarah’s annual pass entitled us to a 20% discount on our whole bill! Perfect! More money for shopping.

After we finished lunch, we headed over to World of Disney. I never did end up getting that ring that I had fallen in love with. And now I regret that so much! Why didn’t I just buy it?!?! Oh well! Next time…

But I did get a very cute Mickey bracelet for my little sister (Big Brothers/Big Sisters). And you know what? I can not find that bracelet ANYWHERE. I feel so bad about that. I promised her a souvenir and I can’t find it. I think I am just going to buy something from the Disney Store and pass it off as being from Disney World. Is that terrible?

Sarah got some souvenirs for her (real) little brother and sister who will be going to Disney World in January. And she got a 10% discount at World of Disney with her A.P. So nice!

A transformers guy at DTD. I just saw the movie "Transformers" and I really liked it!

After lunch, we were all ready for a dip in the AKL pool. We had to try it at least once! We drove back to AKL in the car, avoiding the super long bus ride.

Back at AKL, we saw this two headed giraffe

A Watusi and Giraffe outside of our room

Sarah, Beth, Jason, and I changed into our swimsuits and headed down to the pool. It was not all that warm outside and we were all a little hesitant to get in the pool, so we decided that the best way to enter the pool would be on the waterslide.

So we went to find the way to the top of the slide. And it took us forever to find it! We almost chickened out by the time we found it. But eventually, we found it and had to fight our way through about 20 five to ten year olds to get on the slide.

One by one, we all entered the pool the quick way. It was so much fun! And the water wasn’t too cold! We swam for a couple minutes, then decided to hit up the hot tub. The first hot tub we found was jam-packed. We looked for the second one and there were not so many people in it, so everyone got in. I stayed in for about 3 minutes, then just let my feet dangle. I always feel like my insides are cooking in hot tubs. Yes, I have an overactive imagination. After about 15 minutes in the hot tub, we headed back to the water slide for another round. Immediately after the water slide, we went back into the hot tub. (Well, my feet went in anyway!)

After about 20 minutes this time, we got out and headed up to the rooms to shower and get ready for another evening at the Food and Wine Festival. Yay!

 

[mkluvsmickey]

Nice update and more great pics! Love the two headed giraffe!

 

[pierresgirl]

Hey Julie- you're doing a great job getting the installments up fast and I love how you're telling the story! Sounds like Fulton's is a hit. That giraffe picture is awesome! Was there any smell at AKL? As in..... animal smell? Also, how did the Bumble cream/anit-frizz serum work out for you? I know it was probably tough to use it in the humidity there but, overall do you like it?

 

[kaysmommie]

Great update and pics! I think I'm just going to go ahead and book AKL for our Nov/Dec of 2008 . I know the kids would love it too. DH would rather WL though.

 

[KathyRN137]

Your seafood lunch sounded so yummy! We may try for the villas at AKL in the future; it looks so beautiful and I know the kids would just love that pool!!

BTW, congrats on keeping your seat dry!!


Kathy

 

[MeMom]

Hey - Just checking in to see the new pictures. We just got back late last night. The Christmas decorationsa are pretty, but they didn't jump out at me nearly as much as the autumn decorations did last month. Main Street is pretty, and the castle with icy lights is beautiful, but it still didn't just scream at me like the orange and gold colors did in October. Pop Century had its big tree up, and it was pretty. All the resorts had their gift shop Christmas decor, but only one, Pop, had its big tree up. The guy at POFQ said they were putting it up the 20th, he thought, so I missed it. I hope to see lots more big trees in December.

I just walked by Fulton's two nights ago. I wish I could be walking by there right now. I've never eaten there, so it's still on our gotta do list. It's good to see the pictures to help decide what we want, but none of that looks like enough food for Trent!

 

[Disney owl]

thanks for sharing

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Great update, Julie! We had ADRs at Fultons but didn't want to leave AKL to go there - looks good. Love the "two-headed" giraffe. I think those are my buds from June. Young and playful!

BTW - I didn't notice any animal smell, except for hanging over the fence to watch the flamingo chicks hatch.

 

[jordanyosh]

Oh, this is Jason and I waiting for Beth and Sarah cuz they got held up looking at something. We were starving.

Another great pic. You definitely have the knack for funny pics.

I don't like seafood. I know..how can an Asian not love seafood. I'm the most atypical Asian I know. Loud, obnoxious, dumb, non-science loving, seafood hating Japanese/American.

 

[byoung]

Thanks for reporting.

 

[babieemelly]

Great update! Fulton's look delicious! My mom and I are vegetarians now but we do eat fish so I definitely have to add it to our list for next time. I love me some crab cakes!

I also think about my insides cooking every time I'm in a hot tub! And then I get all nervous and get out and just dangle my feet in. We don't need any well-done organs!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Nice update and more great pics! Love the two headed giraffe!

Thanks!

Hey Julie- you're doing a great job getting the installments up fast and I love how you're telling the story! Sounds like Fulton's is a hit. That giraffe picture is awesome! Was there any smell at AKL? As in..... animal smell? Also, how did the Bumble cream/anit-frizz serum work out for you? I know it was probably tough to use it in the humidity there but, overall do you like it?

Oh, Leyla, I LOVE the Bumble and Bumble stuff in Phoenix. In florida, however, forget it! My hair was a nightmare. I stopped trying after the first day.

I don't remember any smell at AKL. But I may have blocked it out cuz I was in love!

Great update and pics! I think I'm just going to go ahead and book AKL for our Nov/Dec of 2008 . I know the kids would love it too. DH would rather WL though.

Did you book it? It was awesome! You'll love it and so will the kids. And your DH will be a convert after you stay there!

Your seafood lunch sounded so yummy! We may try for the villas at AKL in the future; it looks so beautiful and I know the kids would just love that pool!!

BTW, congrats on keeping your seat dry!!


Kathy

You should definitely try AKL. I fell in love with it!

Hey - Just checking in to see the new pictures. We just got back late last night. The Christmas decorationsa are pretty, but they didn't jump out at me nearly as much as the autumn decorations did last month. Main Street is pretty, and the castle with icy lights is beautiful, but it still didn't just scream at me like the orange and gold colors did in October. Pop Century had its big tree up, and it was pretty. All the resorts had their gift shop Christmas decor, but only one, Pop, had its big tree up. The guy at POFQ said they were putting it up the 20th, he thought, so I missed it. I hope to see lots more big trees in December.

I just walked by Fulton's two nights ago. I wish I could be walking by there right now. I've never eaten there, so it's still on our gotta do list. It's good to see the pictures to help decide what we want, but none of that looks like enough food for Trent!

I think the lunch portions were pretty small. They were perfect for us, though!

thanks for sharing

Thanks for reading!

Great update, Julie! We had ADRs at Fultons but didn't want to leave AKL to go there - looks good. Love the "two-headed" giraffe. I think those are my buds from June. Young and playful!

BTW - I didn't notice any animal smell, except for hanging over the fence to watch the flamingo chicks hatch.

You saw flamingo chicks hatch?!? So cool!

You should try Fulton's..it was so good!

Another great pic. You definitely have the knack for funny pics.

I don't like seafood. I know..how can an Asian not love seafood. I'm the most atypical Asian I know. Loud, obnoxious, dumb, non-science loving, seafood hating Japanese/American.

If you like that pic, just wait till you see my MNSSHP pics! They make me laugh every time I look at them!

I'm a seafood convert...I used to hate it and I am making myself try everything. Slowly, the list of seafoods which I like is growing.

Are you sure you're Asian?

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

Thanks for reporting.

thanks for reading!

Great update! Fulton's look delicious! My mom and I are vegetarians now but we do eat fish so I definitely have to add it to our list for next time. I love me some crab cakes!

I also think about my insides cooking every time I'm in a hot tub! And then I get all nervous and get out and just dangle my feet in. We don't need any well-done organs!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

It's good to hear I'm not the only person who has hot tub paranoia!

Fulton's is a must-do if you love seafood!

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

When last I wrote, Beth, Jason, Sarah, and I were getting ready to head over to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We said good-bye to grandma and baby and drove over to Epcot.

The first order of business for us was Test Track. The stand-by line said it was a 45 minute wait. The single rider entrance said 10 minutes. Easy decision...single rider! After being warned by two cast members that our group would absolutely be separated, we forged on. Upon further investigation, we realized that the regular stand-by line was non-existent. So we quickly hopped out of that line and into the regular stand-by line.

Beth and Jason were in the front seat. Sarah and I were in the back seat. I was in the middle. Next to me, there was a woman who was about 35-40 years old who had never ridden before. Her head was on my shoulder the ENTIRE ride. She was so scared! I felt bad for her. But not bad enough that I didn't laugh a little! When the ride was over, I asked my neighbor "Wasn't that fun?" And she said "No way!" It was Sarah's first time also, and she loved it. Test Track is so much fun at night!

After Test Track, we headed over to Club Cool to trick Sarah into Beverly. Sadly, however, Club Cool was closed. We'll get her next time!

Then it was over to the Food and Wine Festival.

My notes on this evening are not so good because maybe I indulged in a little too much of the wine part of the F&WF.

Here are some pics:

I'm not sure what Beth is eating here, but it looks like she liked it!

Here's one of the delicious wines that I enjoyed!

I don't remember what food we had that night, but I assure you it was delicious!

We left Epcot during Illuminations and headed back to AKL. I asked at the front desk about the night viewing. They told us where to go and we headed over to the viewing spot.

The night viewing was absolutely the coolest thing we did at AKL. Not only was it incredible to see the animals through the night vision scope, but there was an animal keeper out there answering everyone's questions.

I had about four thousand questions for the animal keeper. Beth and Sarah also had a ton of questions. And the best part was that we were the only people there for the night viewing, so we had the animal keeper all to ourselves.

Some pics from night viewing (I used the night setting on my camera and the pics turned out pretty blurry cuz I didn't have a tripod.)

The night viewing ended at 11 and we headed over to the fire pit in the back yard. I LOVE sitting around that fire, rocking in a big old rocking chair, and relaxing after a long day.

At about midnight, we headed up to our rooms. Tomorrow would be our MGM day and I was so excited. MGM is my favorite!

 

[KathyRN137]

My notes on this evening are not so good because maybe I indulged in a little too much of the wine part of the F&WF.

LOL! Sounds like you had a great time! Love the Llama pic!

The night viewing and the fire pit sound wonderful.... you're really talking me into the AKL!

Kathy

Edited to say that I'm admiring your necklace... is it a photo locket??

 

[MAGICFOR2]

loved the update! Cute llama and rider I forgot all about the night viewing and the fire when we were there - another reason to go back!!!!

 

[disneyaddicted]

I am caught up, it was nice to have so much to read. Fultons sounds delicious. All of your food reports are of places i haven't been, so now that Is Boma's and Fulton's, I really need to book another trip.
I wasn't going to ride Splash Mountain, but if I use your dry booty method I should be ok. That was genius of you.

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

LOL! Sounds like you had a great time! Love the Llama pic!

The night viewing and the fire pit sound wonderful.... you're really talking me into the AKL!

Kathy

Edited to say that I'm admiring your necklace... is it a photo locket??

Thanks! The necklace is just an oval with pieces cut out. It's my favorite!

I am absolutely sure that you and your fam would LOVE akl!

loved the update! Cute camel and rider I forgot all about the night viewing and the fire when we were there - another reason to go back!!!!

You're right...another reason to go back!

I am caught up, it was nice to have so much to read. Fultons sounds delicious. All of your food reports are of places i haven't been, so now that Is Boma's and Fulton's, I really need to book another trip.
I wasn't going to ride Splash Mountain, but if I use your dry booty method I should be ok. That was genius of you.

Yes, Splash isn't a problem with the dry booty method!

I suggest you book that next trip now!

 

[lisaviolet]

I read your entire TR last night. Fantastic, feel like I"m there.

I have a request.....

Can I save your picture of De Vine on my computer? I saw her last trip and was mesmerized.

Thanks for entertaining us all,

Lisa