Turn Around and See What Happens -- It's Whoopi Time and that's a wrap 3/31; F&G add

[KatMark]

YUM~ dinner at Jiko looked delicious! I will take one of the steaks! There are so many restaurants we want to try too...we rarely do any repeats, other than CS. We do have CS faves that we repeat. Sunshine Seasons being #1 on that list!

The food was very good; but I do still have other places I want to try (including at least one two one in September). We like Sunshine Seasons for breakfast a lot.

What a run around you had to get those t-shirts! Can't wait to see what they look like!

I was so furious with the post office.


BTW~ I am sure I have said it before, but I have to say it again...those girls are just so beautiful!

I have to agree with you...they are beautiful.

Mmmm, I need to get back to Jiko some of these days. It is tasty!

We really enjoyed it and I am sure somewhere down the road we will go back. But I do prefer Yachtsman.

How grown up of the girls to be able to hang in the room alone why the adults had dinner!

I really felt they would be okay when Mary suggested it; they are good girls and we were just downstairs and a phone call away.

I love me some AKL! Nothing like waking up to zebras and giraffes! My friend's daughter is now an animal keep at AKL...she says its a lot of fun!

Jill in CO

Absolutely nothing like it. And I can't wait to be doing it again in just 36 days.

Between your Jiko pics and ScottNY's Restaurant Marrakesh pics in your updates this afternoon my 3 PM snack is just not cutting it!

Don't you hate when that happens?

I see that you'll be trying Via Napoli for the first time in Sep. We are trying it in March and I'm super excited for it!

Yes, we will. I have some issues with red sauces, but I'm sure there will be something I will find that I can eat. I'm more excited for the company that we will be having the meal with.

The creepy clown chair pics at the end of the updated are going to give me nightmares!

They really freak me out (along with that scary clown pool).

Jealous...

I'll be sure to post a pic on FB and maybe one here too.

Mmmmm.... A that thing... and some of those things... and a what's it. Looks delicious.

Seriously, I was too lazy to look up the menu and really couldn't remember what we ordered.

I'm glad Mary was looking out for you and your TR.

She's younger than me...she's quicker on her feet.

What else are the gift shops for?

Buying things?

Between those chairs and the creepy clown pool, I don't see how they get away charging a deluxe price at that resort. You'd think they'd be paying people to stay there.

I have to agree with you there. I think those chairs creep me out more than the pool.

The whole thing sounds like a pain in the rear, but I'm glad the BWV CM's took care of you and fixed it in the end. Even though it was a problem originally caused by a postal worker somewhere in Chicago.

It was a pain in the rear and very stressful. Gotta love Chicago federal employees--NOT!

I will... and you better like it!

Coming up soon. And spoiler alert...it gets a

Kathy Kathy Kathy, I don't understand why you couldn't give a description of your meals at Jiko. There was some bread, some spreads, some meat, veggies and dessert. See, now that wasn't so bad and I wasn't even there. Seriously, I don't think that we'll be trying Jiko any time soon because I'm a little leery of odd spices that I'm not familiar with.

Thanks, Lisa. I should have come to you for your help. I felt that way too and why it took us so long to go there. But I'm glad we did.

Thank goodness the package situated was worked out!

Thank goodness is right; just wish it hadn't cost me an arm and a leg.

The boardwalk looks so pretty with the Christmas decorations! I just love seeing all the beautiful decorations at all the resorts.

I reallyt hought they did a great job around the resort with the Christmas decorations (I thought the resorts did a better job than the parks this time around in some spots.

Dinner looks yum. I love the bread service. You know what's sad - Denny and I ate at Jiko and can't remember what I had. Denny had a chicken dish which was not good at all. I can't believe he didn't send it back.

We enjoyed it very much. Denny's like me...I wouldn't send my meal back at Sci Fi; I just didn't eat it.

Where the animals seen from the balcony in Mary's room? I absolutely loved that aspect of staying at AKL.

Yes, those were seen from the balcony of Mary's room. I can't wait to have my own view like that shortly (and then again in September).

 

[KatMark]

Kathy,
Love all the new picturse & updates (and about Jiko, we don't need much description, the pictures say alot themselves ). In December, we eat at Sanaa and really enjoyed it. Jiko is on our bucket list.

Sanaa is on my bucket list.

In the gift shop I thought "play" was going to be Mark sporting a hat or two, then I saw the girls in the adorable animal mickey ears. So cute!

Mark has been having trouble finding new hats, so he let the girls do it for him a lot on this trip.

What a fiasco on the T-shirts! Happy that it was resolved in the end; CMs at Disney overall are terrific.

I'm just glad we got the t-shirts. I have to agree...oversall the CM's are terrific at Disney (my worse experience was at the Wildnerness Lodge and a HUGE reason I have no desire to stay there).

I'll admit the chairs are a bit scary- but as one of the imagineers shares my son's name (Paul) on one of our trips I will venture over and take of pix of "his" chair and send it to him just for fun and tell him I bought it for his apartment!

No, they are a lot scary.

AKL has completely captured my heart, so beautiful! Especially with the Christmas decorations.

We fell in love with it the first time we stayed there (2010?) and are so excited to be staying there again.

I'm so nervous to try Jiko, but some day I really want to. I have a very boring taste preference! Lol but I'll take my chances some day. Looks tasty!

I'm exactly like you. I can tell you that the meat was very tasty and perfectly cooked! And the service was top-notch!

Beautiful boardwalk pics too, that's my next dream resort.

I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked the Boardwalk.

Glad you were able to get your shirts!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Me too...I was excited for us all to wear them on our Studios day.

OOOH! How frustrating. I have a lazy mailnman too. We have had several days of no mail over the holidays and winter storm days because he gives up at a certain point in the day and we are atthe end of the route. So wouldn't you think he would start with us the next day...nope. starts at the beginning and again we get missed. And then he never wants to get out of his truck and then back out of my drive so he delivers packages to my MIL next door because he can drive in a circle out her drive. of course she doesn't tell me...which I am sure is on purpose as I have told her time andtime again to let me know ASAP as many are work related and she doesn't. She'll tell Skip and then IF he picks it up it goes out to the barn and sits till her remembers. Everytime I call and ask her she says well I told Skip. I have told her time and time again that means nothing. It will never get to me and these are time sensitive things.
Sorry about my rant...but I know you pain!

Wow, that is nuts, Jen. And I don't blame you for your rant. Especially when it is work related. Have you gone to the main post office and complained? And what's with your MIL? Seriously, she needs to let you know right away.

Hi Kathy! I've fallen behind on everyone's TR (including my own!) but I'm finally catching up!

No worries, Ali. As you know, I was behind too (and then had no internet which really put me behind).

Funny story about the Jingle Jungle Parade... The regular Jammin' Jungle Parade is my FAVORITE. Besides, Boo To You, it's the only parade that I insist that we stop to watch on every trip. A few years ago, we went to Disney in December and I was excited for our AK day. I had no idea they changed the parade during the holiday season and I was DEVASTATED. Like WAY more than I should have been. I'm still scarred and Lumar still makes fun of me for it. He said I legitimately looked like I was going to cry!

Awww...when you are expecting something and they change it, of course you are going to be upset. I'm surrpised how many people are still upset over the switching of the evening parade at the MK!

Rafiki's Planet Watch is awesome! I actually got to MEET Rafiki there a couple of years ago which was really cool! We also did the Backstage Safari Tour once and got to talk to some of the CMs about the elephant herd they have there. They played recordings of noises that elephants make that can be heard by other elephants for miles...but the human ear can't pick them up because the decibels they use are so low. It was amazing and so much fun! I would love to do that tour again someday!

I think we are doing the Backstage Safari in September. Your wanting to do it again has me really pumped for it now.

Oh, Jiko.... We were supposed to eat there in 2010 and Lumar got sick so we canceled it and we opted for Sanaa this year instead. Your meal looks fantastic though! And I know we'll be back to AKL so we'll get to eat there at some point! I swear, I would live at the AKL if I could!

I would like at the AKL too (I'd pick that over the castle).


So glad to hear that your brother is doing well! Hopefully he's improving a bit more every day!

Tired and still sore, but the infection is getting much better. We're almost at the point that we can stop the antibiotic, I think.

When we were at the BWV, I said the EXACT SAME THING to Lumar about those creepy chairs! SO WEIRD!!!

They are very creepy; I had to look away.

You are not the only one with Post Office problems! I bought a Disney Dooney & Bourke Buttons Cosmetic Bag from a girl on the FB group. She sent me the confirmation information and the tracking number. I wasn't really paying much attention and the day it was scheduled to arrive came and went and I didn't even notice. Normally, when I receive a package through USPS, that doesn't fit in the mail box, they leave me one of those stupid orange notes. I never got one. Long story short, the post office marked off that it was delivered, even though I never got it. So I filed a claim with them (because it was insured) and they denied my claim stating "the tracking number you provided shows that your package was delivered." I was SO ANGRY!!! It was like they didn't even READ the claim! So a few weeks ago, I was expecting another package and I called my property manager to say I was expecting something and if she could stop the postman and ask him to leave it with her, I would appreciate it. She said "I'll try but the Post Office never leaves packages, only the orange notes. You have to go pick it up yourself if you're not home when they deliver." REALLY FUNNY considering as how my DDB was allegedly left at our door when they NEVER leave packages. I hate the USPS!! It's expensive but I almost always use FedEx because the USPS always screws something up! OK I'm done now!

They NEVER found your package? That is horrible. I am so sorry you didn't get your DDB.

I night have to try Jiko again. We just didn't care for it last time.

Do you remember what you had? I think you should give it another try. I try to give every establishment a second try (all but Whispering Canyon and Brown Derby I've given a second chance to).

That is great they were able to get the shirts for you.

They went above and beyond!

I LOVED Jiko! The first time I went they still had lavender ice cream on the menu, mmmmmm.

Hmmm...I don't think I've ever heard of Lavender Ice Cream. That sounds really interesting.

 

[KatMark]

Kathy, as usual, I look forward to seeing and reading about your TR's.

Thanks, Bob.

I agree with you about the AKL; the lobby is breathtaking and is my favorite in all WDW. As you know I originally had the AKL booked for our upcoming trip in June but with the discounts released by Disney I changed them up to the CR-CL. I just could not pass up the location to the MK and the monorail and have to admit I was concerned about the transportation at AKL... I'm hoping I didn't make a mistake.

Yes, I know you cahnged. I'm not a fan of the monorail (I avoid it at all costs), so I'm okay being further away.

As for Jiko; we ate there for the first time on our last trip in December. I found the service to be excellent and the food to be very good. It was not my favorite restaurant, but we are returning again in June. You did mention you will be going to the Flying Fish and Via Napoli for the first time. I was very impressed with the Flying Fish. It was our last night at Disney, we were tired, and we had a very late ADR. We arrived 90 minutes early and in spite of it being busy they accommodated us with only a 15 minute wait. The food was outstanding and we are returning again in June. As for Via Napoli, I enjoyed it but I just don't share the same enthusiasm so many here on the DIS seem to have for it. Carolyn did like the pizza she ordered, but I found the veal parmesian to be good, but not what I would call great. And the side of roasted potatoes was what I would call an odd side dish. Would I go back? Yes. Am I going back in June? No.

I thought you had told me you were eating there as well. I'm glad to hear the recommendation for Flying Fish...I'm really looking forward to it. I'm thinking I'm going with calamari and a salad to be safe at Via Napoli (Mark and I will be having this meal with Brenda and her husband and I know she's been there so she'll offer advice on the menu).

Again, love your trip report and extend a belated Happy Birthday to Mark.

Thank you!

The menu at Jiko hasn't really hit me, so it is still on my list of not done yet, but admittedly it will probably be awhile before it rises to the top. I still have quite a few higher on my list.

It's good; what is still higher on your list if I might ask?


How super that the CM was able to come through for you!

She was just the best!

the boardwalk looks so dreamy!!! <-- not a fan of that word but i am tired of using amazing... except for those chairs...

Dreamy is good; it really is a beautiful resort (except those chairs!).

The food looks.... Different. The steak looked yummy! Sorry you have a tool for a mail carrier. that seriously sucks. They should have ate the cost to fed ex the shirts!!! it was their fault!!! at least you had some wonderful CM who helped.. they are wonderful people

It was definitely different. But they did a good job of explaining what was being served. I thought of going back to the Post Office when we got home, but I just didn't want the hassle of dealing with them!

Can't wait to see what's next.

Breakfast coming up shortly.

 

[KatMark]

I miss that place. What a magical place to stay.

I do too...and can't wait to be back there very soon.

Whoa, getting exotic now!

My husband always yells at me that I need to try new stuff. This from a man who has worn the same style of pants for 30+ years.



I'm glad I could amuse you while you wait for the baby to come.

Even I figured that one out!

Smart donkey!

Oooh, Via Napoli!

I'm excited to finally try it.



Yep...that was me when my brother told me how much it was.

Those things are going to stalk somebody in that resort, sooner or later.

I think they would give me nightmares if I sat and looked at them long enough!

Nice to see somebody was interested in customer service!

Yes it was...and she was the best!

AKL is so beautiful at Christmas time!

It really is; we missed it last December so was happy to see it this time.

Jiko is one restaurant that has never been on my radar because I am so picky. I don't think I could find anything to eat there. That being said, your food looks delicious!

I have a feeling you are right on this one, Ariana.

I love that store at AKL because it has so many unique items you don't find at other stores.

It really does; it has become my favorite gift shop in all of Disney.

That's awful that your mail lady didn't deliver your package but I'm glad they let your brother pick it up and ship it too you despite the cost!

It took some argument from me, but they were finally agreeable.

Awesome service from the staff at BWI!

First class in my opinion.

I just love AKL, and it's even prettier decorated I bet. So glad you got the shirts Go BWI, and not loving the chairs..the rest of the place is amazing!

Jeanette, I agree with you. I find the AKL to be the prettiest resort in my opinion. I'm glad we got the shirts on time too. Yes, the BWV is amazing (minus the chairs and clown slide!).

I think the cold weather has permanently frozen my brain. I have been on here several times and forgot to reply.

No worries; I think the weather has frozen ALL of our brains.

I love Conservation Station but usually only go with the kids. My grandsons love creepy crawly critters.

I think Mark and I will skip it in September (want to be able to do a couple of shows and It's Tough to be a Bug), but I'm sure we will be visiting once or twice on the girls trip.

We skipped the parade this year. We actually got diverted down a wonderful little path so I'm happy we did.

What path was that?

Love the pics of AKL. I am staying there in May with a friend and really looking forward to it. I think my early morning wanderings will be a lot of fun. Jiko has never interested me but the food does look good. My husband has developed an allergy to a spice and we can't figure out what it is so I am sticking to things that we know for now. He almost ended up in the hospital on New Year's Eve with head to toe hives and a swollen tongue. It was a little scary but Benadryl worked thankfully. Of course stubborn man that he is he won't go to the doctor.

When in May are you going? Or did I already ask you this? I hope you find out what it is your husband is allergic too.

Glad your brother is doing better and you got your shirts. I think I am caught up now.

Thanks!

Kathy, I am so jealous!! You go on so many trips that I can't keep up with them AT ALL!!! Lucky duck

I have to say I've been very fortunate the last couple of years. Most of that is thanks to Mary for including me on her girls trips and then Mark and I having the AP's enables us to stop during his business trips.

This trip looks like it was so much fun!!! I have to admit I mainly just read the updates but I'm glad your brother is doing better.................

Thanks; the trip was great...too short, but great. Thanks...I'm glad he is doing better too.

and photobombed by Tigger!!!that one made me laugh...can't remember who said it. Looking forward to keeping up with this one hehehehe

Tigger can photobomb me any time.

 

[KatMark]

Nice updates Kat!

Thanks, Julie.

We've never been to Jiko -- mainly because our trips have been too short to fit it in, or we've had a baby/toddler, and it just seemed like too much trouble to get there and back. Next trip though!

I hope you and hubby can try it one of these trips. Definitely not a place for little ones in my opinion.

I think Jiko is a place that you either love or just like (can't imagine hate as a reaction but you never know.) I'm glad that you tried it. Looks like you had the short ribs and someone had the filet. I've had both and prefer the short ribs. That was so nice that they gave you a birthday treat.

I was right in between love/like. I liked it more than just a "like" if that makes sense. The short ribs...yes, that's what I had and I believe I got them because you recommended them. It was very nice of them to give me a birthday treat.

Wow! That's some frustration with the shirts. I'm glad that you finally received them after all that effort. (And shipping costs.)

It was all so aggravating because there was no excuse for it to have happened in the first place!

What a coincidence! We'll be at Via Napoli this summer.

You will? Oh my...what a coincidence? That is one of the meals we are most looking forward to.

Sounds like you three had a nice dinner at Jiko. I bet the girls enjoyed the "responsibility" of being on their own, yet still close by, for a little bit.

The girls really did; Avery liked having responsibility and Cayley was very cooperative that her sister was in charge.

Love the picture of the girls with the animal ears! So, so cute!!!

Aren't they?

Wow, what a pain with the shirt delivery! This was not a magical season for the shipping companies! I am so glad the BW CM was able to help you!

No, it was not a good season. But ours had no excuse...she is just lazy! I wrote a letter when I got home praising the BW CM!

One of my favorite gif shops on all of Disney property.

I'm with you, Caren. So much to see and such a variety!

My goodness, what a chore it was to get those t-shirts to you!

Yes it was; but it all turned out in the end and we all got to wear our shirts.

I am still enjoying reading along although I have been busy and not replying very much.

Judy, no worries. I hope all is okay with you.

That is CRAZY about the T Shirts! I am glad you got them but $60?????????? Ouch ouch and ouch.

Yes, it was a big ouch!

I'd seriously file a claim with them if you can, someway to get your $ back.

As I mentioned above, I thought of it, but I didn't want the hassle and the weather has been so bad, I've not wanted to leave the house.

I liked Jiko quite a bit. I didn't love it like I thought I would (and I love those spices) and I can't put my finger on why. I'd go back but there are other signatures I need to try first I think.

I'd go back too...but I still have signatures I want to try too...starting with Flying Fish in September (and we've still not done California Grill or Artist Point which are on my list.

 

[KatMark]

Finally! I am finally caught up on your tr. I'd get to a certain and have to stop and the next time I check, there would be 10 more pages!

Tess. Sorry...a lot of chatty people on here.

Anyway, looks like we are going to just miss each other in March. We are headed to Sarasota to catch some baseball and then a couple of days at Epcot for the flower & garden show, but it will be the week after you are there.

That's too bad...I would have loved to have met you. We had to go with the week that was cheapest airfare, etc., so the company didn't put up a stink!

We've never seen the parade at the AK. We did have a great visit there last September and want to go explore some more next trip, but I'm not a big parade watcher.

I can take or leave most parades, but this one is just different. You should give it a whirl once.

My son and his fiancé ate at Jiko and really liked it, but they are a bit more adventuresome than we are. It is on my to do list, but near the bottom.

Yes, I am definitely not the most "adventuresome" person out there.

Glad to hear good news about your brother. Hope the good news continues.

Thank you...me too.

One of these days we need to see the parade at AK. AK is our favorite park, but we've never seen but a few minutes of it. Parade time is when we catch the rides.

I hope you see the whole thing some day, Doris; it really is a great parade.

We haven't eastern at Jiko or Saana as my DH loves Boma ergo that's where we have dinner.

We are trying Boma for the first time for dinner this trip. I'm glad to hear your DH likes it.

I'm glad to hear that your brother is doing so much better! I hope that he continues to progress so well.

Thank you; he sounded good on the phone today.

Looks like you had a great dinner at Jiko. I know what you mean about going back though - there are so many great places to eat that some of them have to be put on the back burner.

Yes; we had to eliminate a few this upcoming trip because we wanted to try some new ones and go back to some we've not been in awhile. I think a month trip might help, what do you think?

Kathy, All caught up and love your dinner at Jiko. I am leery of the spices and some of the dishes so not sure when if ever that will make the to do list.

I suppose with sauces, you could ask them to hold. But some of the stuff already has the spices in it. It's a tough call...especially with your allergies.

Very glad the girls could have some dinner in the room and feel like they were on their own but have mary and you and Mark close by.

It worked out perfectly!

Behind again.
Only up to page 34. But have to tell you, I'm alone at 12:15 while the rest of the family sleeps, laughing out loud at these pictures and comments.

I'm glad you were alone. We wouldn't want the family wondering about you.

My comments.. Agree hate bats and rats and snakes for that matter.

It's funny that snakes don't bother me; must be that my brother had one when I still lived at home and I would actually hold the thing.

Happy belated bday to Mark. Love that you gave him his own Disney gift card. Sorry you had car problems.

He was being very stubborn on giving me a list. And since whenever we get gift cards, he never sees them, I thought he'd like one to call his own (but I did tell him to hide it from me ).

I agree no more whirl for this lady either.

I really thought I was going to "lose it."

Love the picture with Mark and the elephant.
Will readier tomorrow. Thanks for the great updates!

Thanks; Mark does love his elephants, can you tell?

Hi Kathy - just stopping by to say hi... I am sooooo far behind here. I keep hoping to get the time to catch up - but every time I log on, I get distracted. :/

D, please don't worry. I certainly understand with all you've had going on and the weather and all your sewing.

I hope Mark had a great birthday!

He did...thank you.

I hope everything else is going OK and you are staying warm!

D~

I'm not sure it's possible to stay warm these days, and I know you understand that.

All caught up finally Kathy!! I know I would love the bread sevice and dips , but I too am a little leery of strange spicing !! I didn't care for BOMA dinner buffet, but surprisinly LOVED Sanaa!!

Hi, Rosie. We've not done Boma or Sanaa yet; Boma will get off the bucket list this year though.

 

[tazdev3225]

I honestly don't know what path we took. We had just left Africa and I know we saw some Herons. I will be posting pics if I ever decide to update my TR again. It keeps getting lost on page 3 and I don't feel like searching for it all the time.

I'm going from May 18th to the 24th. If I can switch my plane home without a penalty my DH said to stay an extra day. Honestly he was really sweet to tell me that but I am sticking to my plans. That's Memorial Day weekend and my son normally has a cookout and since he now owns a house it might be nice.

I hope we can find out the allergy too or at least he'll talk to the doctor. He can be really stubborn at times.

 

[KatMark]

When I posted last I was off on what page I was up to, so today I spent most of my computer time reviewing what I had already read. But, I did come upon this, and want to say, I know there have probably been more updates between this one & the last post on this TR, but I hope they are all moving in a positive direction for you brother.

Now, back to catching up. lol

Thanks, sweetie. He's doing much better; now we just have to keep it that way.

Could this be right? AM I caught up? Just in time to DH will be home any minute & we have to run out to do errands, so very quickly...

Yay...glad you are caught up (do I dare do an update now? ).

We ate at Sanaa last trip & had what seems to be the same dips at least as Jiko. We enjoyed the dips & bread better than the meals. But, felt the same way as you, spices just are not to our taste.

I'm glad we tried it, and some of it was more tasty than other parts of it.

YAY for the cm's at BW. I love it there. We had decided to go back to OKW next trip, but seeing these pictures.. I don't know maybe back to BW. lol

That's a hard choice. I now love both resorts. But we chose BW for September because I'll be at OKW for eight days in May/June with teh girls.

We are very fortunate to have a wonderful Mailman, but the one that fills in when our is out, is terrible. envelopes ripped, cumbled, wet. I suppose mail delivery people is the luck of the draw. Sorry yours is lazy.
Happy the cm was so accomodating, but sorry it cost so much. How nice that she made the shirts for you all. Super sweet. Great idea donating in the name of your bosses. Where I used to work always had a collection & we in the office had to decide what to buy the owner for Christmas. I always said donate to a charity in his name. I was always out voted. I KNOW the owner would have loved this, because when he used to have Christmas party's he would do a collection for a local charity & match whatever people gave.
Also, I think it is a great idea for teachers, bus drivers, religious education teachers, etc. Anyway, great idea!!!

You think these people would be happy they have jobs!!! I like the idea of donating...I think people really appreciate it rather than another gift that will end up in a drawer or "regifted".

What a great plan to have the girls right upstairs at AKL! I might have to try that some trip so we can have a date night dinner!! I've been wanting to try Jiko (along with tons of other places!).

You should; your girls are older too and I'm sure they'd be fine.

Sorry about the mail t-shirt fiasco. I always feel bad when people have mail issues or bad mail carriers. My DH is a mailman and apparently he's one of the "good" ones! His people invited him to a neighborhood party one summer when he was made to switch routes and no longer was their mailman.
I'm glad you finally got them although at such a cost! Great CM!

We used to have a great mailman who left, then came back about five years later and remembered my kids by their name and asked about them. This woman is just snarly and lazy. to your hubby!

Boardwalk is a great resort (but for the creepy chairs)! I'm hoping we'll get to stay there one of our next trips.

I didn't think I'd like Boardwalk, but I really did. I hope you get to try it too.

Can't wait to hear where your breakfast is!

Coming up very soon.

Did Mark make it back from Philadelphia ok?

Yes, he did; he was about 20 mintues late on arrival, but he made it back. Thank you for asking.

Great photos from AKL! It always looks so pretty at Christmas. So nice that the adults were able to have a nice meal while the girls hung out in the room. I have looked over the Jiko menu, but I am such a picky eater I don't think I would like anything.....unless zebra domes are on the menu!

It was a nice, quiet adult dinner, and the girls did great. Would you believe I don't like the zebra domes?

I just finished reading your entire thread. (finally popped over from D~'s ptr) Took me a couple of days coming and going but it was so worth it. I'm loving your photos and DIS meets! Also, so glad your brother got a reprieve from that drastic surgery! I'll be praying for complete recovery!

Lois. Thank you so much for coming over from D's. I'm glad you are enjoying...makes me happy to hear. Thanks for the prayers for my brother.

Your Mark looks like he'd be a riot to hang out with! I love a man who doesn't mind releasing that inner child. It's so adorable. You two look so cute together! I'm glad he still has his job and that you'll be going back down to Florida in March. What part of Ohio does he go? I live in Ohio near the Akron area. He could always stop in for a home cooked meal if he's anywhere nearby. We have a couple of crazy hats he could wear.

My husband has a saying: "I may get older, but I refuse to grow up." He has the heart of a kid...always. I'm not sure where in Ohio he will be going...I'll have to ask him. I did ask him to wait and do it AFTER our Florida and his Vegas trip which would mean early April when hopefully we are done with all of this snow! And I'm sure he'd be delighted to try on the crazy hats.

I'm anxious to see the shirts and where you'll be for breakfast. Thanks for letting me tag along.

Breakfast coming up very shortly. Shirts will have to wait a few updates yet.

 

[KatMark]

I honestly don't know what path we took. We had just left Africa and I know we saw some Herons. I will be posting pics if I ever decide to update my TR again. It keeps getting lost on page 3 and I don't feel like searching for it all the time.

I'm going from May 18th to the 24th. If I can switch my plane home without a penalty my DH said to stay an extra day. Honestly he was really sweet to tell me that but I am sticking to my plans. That's Memorial Day weekend and my son normally has a cookout and since he now owns a house it might be nice.

I hope we can find out the allergy too or at least he'll talk to the doctor. He can be really stubborn at times.

Men are ALWAYS stubborn when it comes to going to doctors.

We will miss you; we don't arrive until the 29th (at the time we booked, we had to wait until the girls out of school and then Mary started home schooling; but we wanted to avoid Memorial Day weekend anyway).

Please tell me that I did not miss an update. I thought I had finally caught up on all of my threads.

 

[KatMark]

It is now Thursday, December 5. Okay, not really (although with the weather it could be...I feel like I've not really left my house except for work and shoveling in months!).

Mark and I were having a meal without the girls and Mary (the girls are NOT early risers).

We didn't want to eat with Princesses at Epcot (which is where we would be meeting Mary and the girls), we didn't want to go back to Cape May Cafe because it doesn't wow us anymore. So I suggested we try somewhere new.

I chose this place because 1) I wanted to see the resort which everyone said was one of the best to go look at during the holidays and 2) I had read Brenda's (emmysmommy) review of it a couple of times and she had only good things to say about it.

Now those of you who know me know that I don't care for the resort we were going to as a place to stay and after our horrible experience at dinner at the restaurant, a place you would not expect me to pick. But here we go...are you hungry?

We arrived here:





We entered the massive lobby and saw this beautiful tree:



We were early so we walked around a bit and I took some pictures:













It was then time to check in for our breakfast here:



Brenda had suggested we ask for Jeffro if we wanted a "quiet" breakfast as opposed to the shenannigans that normally go on at this restaurant. We were able to get Jeffro...who was a doll by the way, Brenda. I think there were only two other tables occupied the entire time we were at breakfast.



Andy, are you ready for what I ordered first?



Love the chairs:



I ordered a waffle, highly recommended by Brenda, with bacon. And this is what I got:



I was so happy to have a BIG Mickey waffle.

Mark had pancakes and bacon:



As well as cheese grits (yuck!):



I have to say that this was a fabulous breakfast and I am so glad we went. Jeffro was wonderful and I would ask for him again. And, yes, Andy, we will be back.

Jeffro graciously took a picture of Mark and I:



Continued in next post

 

[KatMark]

We took care of our tab and then decided to walk around the resort a bit more and take a few more pictures and hit the gift shop:























Funny story: when we exited the gift shop, a woman came up to me and asked if I was KatMark on the DIS? She said although she doesn't post, she reads my TR's and knew that we would be there at this time. We had a short little visit. I wish I could remember her name (Karen? Chris?). If you are reading...it really was a pleasure meeting you and thank you for stopping us.

Even the gatehouse was decorated.



The resort was beautifully done for Christmas, and I'm glad that we got a chance to see it. I still have no desire to stay there though...it reminds me of places in our neighboring state, Wisconsin, and it reminds me of the cold.


Up next, we head to Epcot and we hit some favorites

 

[tazdev3225]

I love this picture. Do you mind if I steal it? My dad loves buffaloes. It's actually embarrassing at times. He once knew a whole herd at a nearby farm by name.

That looks like a beautiful resort and WCC is on my list of places to try eventually. I'm just afraid if I take Jim there he will never leave.

I meant to multi quote but I think you were good on my TR. I updated today.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm glad to hear that your breakfast experience at Whispering Canyon was way different than you dinner there. Yay for Jeffro!

We had breakfast there a couple of trips ago and our waitress was in and out of character and not "full on" which we really liked. Too much of that puts me off.

 

[natebenma]

Thanks for taking us to the Wilderness Lodge. I don't really have a desire to stay there because location is the most important factor for me, although I hear really nice things about WL. My husband and I would love to walk around the resort, though, especially during the holidays.

Breakfast sounds nice. That's great that you were able to get Jeffro as your waiter.

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Ahhh~ you all are such YANKEES!!! Cheese Grits are fantastic!! I love grits any way, shape or form...but I am married to a yankee myself, and he doesn't like grits, either.

Glad you had a good breakfast experience. If I ever went to WDW at Christmas, I would want to stay at WL...for the same reasons you do not like it: it reminds me of cold and snow...and staying warm and cozy by the fire. Guess that is the southern girl in me... we don't get much snow or reasons to stay warm and cozy by the fire around here much. We have had our fair share of COLD this winter... but not enough snow to speak of.

So, you stay with Old Key West and I will take the WL, and we will meet up somewhere in the middle!

 

[petals]

I need to go back and catch up but luvin the pics of all the decorations. I miss Walt Disney World

 

[nowellsl]

I love Wilderness Lodge, but I feel the same way about the beach themed resorts - too much like home! I want something different when I'm on a trip! We visited the lodge a few days after you were there, the decorations are fantastic! I always love Fort Wilderness as well! Loved the pictures!

 

[dizneeat]

a visit to the WL! It's a nice resort, but the rooms are a bit on the dark side.
The resort is beautiful and your breakfast looks yummy. Mark's isn't so much up my street - I am not a fan of pancakes.

Yeah for an impromptu DIS meet! You are FAMOUS, Kathy!

 

[MEK]

Yum - O relaxing breakfast! Jeffro - I'll have to remember that.

The Wilderness Lodge is SO beautiful at Christmas. My favorite Christmas resort. But it definitely doesn't scream palm trees and Florida, does it?

I had someone post on my TR that they saw me at Jiko, but they didn't say anything. That's always odd when someone knows you but you have no clue who they are. Thumbs up for your impromptu DISmeet.

 

[KatMark]

I love this picture. Do you mind if I steal it? My dad loves buffaloes. It's actually embarrassing at times. He once knew a whole herd at a nearby farm by name.

Be my guest.