TimNDansMom and Family's 2001 Summer Vacation - Part VII - Tonga Toast & Plan Change

TimNDansMom

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July 28

On Saturday morning Dan, DH and I hopped on a bus to the Magic Kingdom and from there caught the monorail over to the Kona Café for breakfast. I had read so much about Tonga Toast on the DIS, that I was determined to try it this trip. Tim decided that he wanted to stay around ASMu and went to the food court for his breakfast. I think he was enjoying his “freedom” thoroughly!

I was pleasantly surprised when we were seated immediately. I naturally assumed that the Kona Café would be busy, but maybe we “timed it right”. I ordered my Tonga Toast and DH decided to be adventuresome and ordered the same. Dan ordered the Big Kahuna. I must admit I had no idea what TT looked like, other than it had a banana filling, and I was quite curious, when it arrived, of what these rather thick slices of sour dough bread, covered in cinnamon and sugar would taste like. Well, I thought that it was rather good! Even DH enjoyed his, too! I preferred to have a bit of syrup on it, while DH liked his plain. After he had eaten the bacon he had chosen with his TT, he kept eyeing the large piece of ham I had with mine. I ended up sharing it with him! Dan enjoyed his breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage and pancakes, too.

Afterwards, we walked around the lobby and finally settled in the chairs beside the large garden downstairs to enjoy the atmosphere. Then we decided to go over to the Grand Floridian, since DH hadn’t been there this trip yet. I went into the GF gift shop and bought the 2001 WDW plate and the 30th Anniversary plate and then we decided to catch the boat over to MK rather than take the monorail. However, we were running short of time as DH had a golf game scheduled, so after waiting several minutes and still no boat, we disappointedly went back to catch the monorail.

I don’t really know how it all came about, maybe it was my constant “sighing” that we would have to leave WDW the next day, but when we got back to ASMu DH suggested that I call CRO and see what discounts might be available at any of the deluxe resorts. When the very nice CM told me that the preview rate was still available at AKL (I had read about it on the Internet), before I knew it, we were booked for 3 nights there, after we left ASMu the next day. I couldn’t believe it!! I never thought, when visiting AKL earlier in the week, that we’d actually end up staying there! The Disney magic was definitely at work here!

I had been wanting to go over to Dixie Landings (we had stayed there last July and November and LOVED it there and even though we stayed off-site in March, we still went there one night for dinner), so when DH returned from his golf game, we decided to go for dinner at The Colonel’s Cotton Mill food court. The kids had plans of their own at the ASMu’s arcade and went for their own dinners at ASMu’s food court. This charging privilege was working well for us!

DH and I caught the DTD bus and from there took the Sassagoula Ferry Boat over to DXL (when I remember, I call it Port Orlean’s “Riverside”) I must admit that a trip to Disney wouldn’t be complete without this boat trip and when we rounded the corner and Boatright’s came into view, it was like coming home. I really do love that resort! Since it was getting late and we wanted to make sure to catch the last boat at 11pm back, we headed straight for the food court for a bite to eat. It hadn’t changed a bit, I even saw a CM, who I have seen at each visit, still there! We observed that the new Port Orleans mugs were out, and almost everyone had one, but occasionally we still saw the old DXL’s mugs too. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a lot of time to walk around afterwards, and just managed to catch the last boat back to DTD. The boat stopped at Westside, this time, so we caught the bus back to ASMu from there. We didn’t mind the 15-20 minute wait for the bus, as we were enjoying the lovely evening.

The next morning I would have to pack everything up again, but we were moving to AKL!
 
Great trip report! How exciting to know that you would be going to the AKL! What a great deal you got! Can't wait to read the next installment! Thanks for Posting.
 
wow! how awesome - an extra three days! thanks for posting, looking forward to hearing about AKL
 

Julie, I'm going to try that "constant sighing" the day before we have to leave on our next trip down, I hope it works!! ;) You must have been so excited knowing that you were staying longer and at Animal Kingdom Lodge!

It's been years since I've had Tonga toast, I'll have to try it again, sounds yummy!

I'm staying DXL (PO-RS), for DisCon. This will be my third stay there. It really is a lovely resort, beautiful landscaping.

I'm glad you had such a "magical" day! :)

Thank you for your report.

Kim
 
Thanks for the trip reports, I keep checking to see if you've posted another one! Can't wait to hear about AKL!
Grover in Winnipeg
:smooth:
 














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