manchurianbrownbear
<font color=green>Not very concise<br><font color=
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2002
- Messages
- 1,160
Here are several highlights, very few lowlights and some general observations from our recent trip to WDW, October 30 November 6.
Our party consisted of me DW, DS12, DS8, DD7, DD4, FIL, MIL and on the last day of the trip, BIL, SIL and niece, age 2.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
This was our down day. Once again we were not up at the crack of dawn. We had a PS for brunch at Boma in AK Lodge around 10am. AK Lodge was very impressive. After brunch we spent a few minutes in the rocking chairs on one of the viewing balconies. We didnt see any animals; too late in the morning, but it was still like looking out on another world. Or maybe just another continent!
Brunch at Boma was very good. Forgive me for not remembering a lot of specifics, but my favorites were the juice, which was a combination of fruit juices, the breakfast pizza and a couple traditional African dishes that were served right next to the pizza. There was a wide variety brunch selections youd find at most any brunch in the U.S. like bacon, eggs, pancakes, but I tried to sample everything that was a little more exotic.
I took the three younger kids to the pool when we returned and then most of us took a short nap in the room before heading to Down Town Disney around 2pm. As with a lot of things, shopping with four kids can be a challenge. Especially at World of Disney (and a few of the other stores in DTD) where all the kids see hundreds of things, but none of them are looking the same thing, or are even in the same part of the store!
Princess Crowns, character bean-bags and die cast replicas of cars from various rides were most popular. We also picked up the obligatory Christmas ornament, refrigerator magnet, post cards,etc
That evening the men headed to the ESPN club to watch the good guys (Vikings) play the bad guys (packers), and the ladies opted for dinner in the food court and back to the room for an earlier bedtime.
There was a long line at ESPN when we arrived around 6:30 but as the 4:00 (eastern) games finished up, it emptied pretty fast.
I had forgotten how generous the portions are at ESPN! We ordered two appetizers; the wings and the Macho Nachos and that probably would have been enough for me, FIL, and DS12 & DS8, but we ordered entrees as well. DS8 wanted the big hot dog and thankfully I convinced him to share with me. We ordered the hot dog with chili and it was REALLY big. Over eating combined with the very unfortunate outcome of the game led to minor gastric distress!
It was a little after midnight when I made it too bed and I was a little concerned about getting enough sleep. At this point let me remind anyone who may be staying at one of the All-Stars, when youre talking on the deck outside the rooms, the people in the rooms can hear you very clearly! We had neighbors check in earlier that night and carried on a loud conversation until after 1am. Being a very non-confrontational person, I resisted the temptation to stick my head out and ask them to keep it down. For our family, the All-Stars work very, but as I laid awake that night I couldnt help but think that probably wouldnt be happening at other resorts.
Our party consisted of me DW, DS12, DS8, DD7, DD4, FIL, MIL and on the last day of the trip, BIL, SIL and niece, age 2.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
This was our down day. Once again we were not up at the crack of dawn. We had a PS for brunch at Boma in AK Lodge around 10am. AK Lodge was very impressive. After brunch we spent a few minutes in the rocking chairs on one of the viewing balconies. We didnt see any animals; too late in the morning, but it was still like looking out on another world. Or maybe just another continent!
Brunch at Boma was very good. Forgive me for not remembering a lot of specifics, but my favorites were the juice, which was a combination of fruit juices, the breakfast pizza and a couple traditional African dishes that were served right next to the pizza. There was a wide variety brunch selections youd find at most any brunch in the U.S. like bacon, eggs, pancakes, but I tried to sample everything that was a little more exotic.
I took the three younger kids to the pool when we returned and then most of us took a short nap in the room before heading to Down Town Disney around 2pm. As with a lot of things, shopping with four kids can be a challenge. Especially at World of Disney (and a few of the other stores in DTD) where all the kids see hundreds of things, but none of them are looking the same thing, or are even in the same part of the store!
Princess Crowns, character bean-bags and die cast replicas of cars from various rides were most popular. We also picked up the obligatory Christmas ornament, refrigerator magnet, post cards,etc
That evening the men headed to the ESPN club to watch the good guys (Vikings) play the bad guys (packers), and the ladies opted for dinner in the food court and back to the room for an earlier bedtime.
There was a long line at ESPN when we arrived around 6:30 but as the 4:00 (eastern) games finished up, it emptied pretty fast.
I had forgotten how generous the portions are at ESPN! We ordered two appetizers; the wings and the Macho Nachos and that probably would have been enough for me, FIL, and DS12 & DS8, but we ordered entrees as well. DS8 wanted the big hot dog and thankfully I convinced him to share with me. We ordered the hot dog with chili and it was REALLY big. Over eating combined with the very unfortunate outcome of the game led to minor gastric distress!
It was a little after midnight when I made it too bed and I was a little concerned about getting enough sleep. At this point let me remind anyone who may be staying at one of the All-Stars, when youre talking on the deck outside the rooms, the people in the rooms can hear you very clearly! We had neighbors check in earlier that night and carried on a loud conversation until after 1am. Being a very non-confrontational person, I resisted the temptation to stick my head out and ask them to keep it down. For our family, the All-Stars work very, but as I laid awake that night I couldnt help but think that probably wouldnt be happening at other resorts.
