US/WDW Sep/Oct 2016...All Finished

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Oh my the extra trip on the resort bus! I would have done the same. I thought they all did the Kidani to Jambo jaunt. Glad you sorted out some breakfast your new choice looked good!

That naughty matthew on yiur trip. But like Alison said how neat you had the animals to look at. Imagine a resort without much view.. A car park..

I love your animal photos. I never tire of that at beloved Kidani.

How cool they had characters in the lobby! Nice touch. Like the rainy day parade.

Oh Boma yum! I bet that was nice. Good to hear the storm is coming to an end you can get out of jail on good behaviour soon!

 

[Steppesister]

However my WiFi wasn’t working to contact Boma and we were already 20 minutes late. When the bus pulled into Boardwalk, we decided to get off and switch gears. We stopped by concierge and she cancelled the Boma reservation so we wouldn’t incur the no show charge. I then logged on to MDE and booked Captain’s Grille for 9:25. We boarded the Friendship Boat to Yacht Club—breakfast saved.

I LOVE how Disney handled this whole situation. I've really only heard really great things about the customer service and professionalism.

At the ticket office, I got a refund for the Halloween party as well as Club Villain for Friday night. She was able to confirm that the whole property would be closed on Friday.

NICE!

picked up some emergency Cheetos

Well, heck yes. Always my go-to e-rations!

They were honoring evening reservations at Boma but also seating walk-ins in the Jiko dining space—Jiko kitchen was not open.

Great move on their part. I'm impressed.

Loved all of your animal photos. Yeah, I think AKL guests had a much better ride out than pretty much anywhere else.

 

[Flossbolna]

I am finally caught up (I think I had four or five days to read through...). I think if I ever travel to WDW during Hurricane season, I would make sure to stay at a resort with internal walkways. In case of inclement weather you can at least move around inside the resort and are not restricted to your own room for hours. The view of the animals certain was a great bonus!!

 

[Malia78]

I remember you posting on FB that the store sold out of everything. Was the Mara or Sanaa open!

Mara was open like normal--just don't think they could restock as quickly to meet demand. I think Sanaa was offering limited food but not the regular menu--more like boxed lunches.

I am proud of you!

I tried

I really want to do a Savannah View at Kidani, but right now we are in need to stretch our points

Totally understand the points thing--the couple times I've a needed a single night as a bookend, a studio is just fine. If my parents are traveling, then only a savanna view will do--particularly since half the appeal for my dad is sitting on the balcony with his kindle, communing with the animals.

I think you definitely ended up with one of the better options. I can never get enough of watching the animals and I love all your animal photos.

I love your animal photos. I never tire of that at beloved Kidani.

I think AKL guests had a much better ride out than pretty much anywhere else.

I would make sure to stay at a resort with internal walkways. In case of inclement weather you can at least move around inside the resort and are not restricted to your own room for hours.

Animal Kingdom Lodge certainly was one of the best hurricane lockdown resorts--the animals were definitely that extra touch that made it seem less like being grounded.

Planning to post the next update tonight...all the parks would open at 0800 to make up for Matthew's disruption.

 

[Steppesister]

Planning to post the next update tonight...all the parks would open at 0800 to make up for Matthew's disruption.

Nice! A little extra time! Looking forward to it!

 

[Malia78]

Saturday 8 Oct

To compensate for Hurricane Matthew's disruption, all the parks opened by 8:00 this morning so we tried catching the early Epcot bus to attempt Frozen Ever After standby. The bus arriving at 7:55 wasn’t a good sign. Even with hustling to Norway to arrive by 8:30, the standby line was 60 minutes—the ride isn’t worth that. The FP+ I did have for it was on Friday when the parks were closed. Oh well—it wasn’t going anywhere. I had ridden it in July and mom would be back next spring.

We hiked back to Starbucks where we had left dad. I got a 32 oz. strawberry refresher and parted ways with my parents. I had made them FP+ at the Studios while I attended a French Cheese Seminar in the Festival Center.
I am starting to understand the things I’ve read about Pam the moderator—I think she went through two glasses of wine before we got to the first cheese.

Our cheese plate consisted of goat, sheep, cow and blue cheese. My favorite was the goat (pictured). I don’t drink alcohol so my wine glass sat untouched. However since there appeared to be some Matthew related no-shows, I was able to procure a second cheese plate-with that, I felt like I got my value out of it.

The seminar ended around 1100—time for some real food. I started at the Islands of Caribbean kiosk where I ate the grouper and quesito. Really liked the sauce with the fish and the pastry was very sweet and filling.

I had two goals before meeting my parents at the International Gateway at 1:30---this led me towards Mexico. On the way, I bought a pineapple salsa pork slider from the Hawaii booth.

My first goal was to find the Remys I was still missing from my Hide and Squeak map. Because of Matthew, the Remy statues were moved inside the shops. This made them harder to find—bottom line, I failed in Mexico, forgot to look in the outpost and was already in Italy when I remembered, and then scoured Morocco with no luck. The store clerks certainly weren’t very helpful if they could even figure out what I was talking about.

Remy was a bust but I could still accomplish goal number two which was to purchase a necklace at the festival shop. The stand sold jewelry made from things like cantaloupe seeds, coffee beans, and orange peels. There were two necklaces I particularly liked-the clerk said one of them was the last in its color so I picked it up; with the annual pass discount, I thought it was a good way to use some Visa reward dollars. Not the best picture but grabbed one while I was unpacking.

Failed to mention that it was miserable hot so I picked up my favorite bubble tea in China—mango was the F&W festival flavor. I may also have stopped by Karamel Kuche…

I still had time before meeting my parents so I passed the IG and visited the Ireland booth for a non-alcoholic pumpkin chai and caramel shake to hold me over.

Chip and Dale were obviously up to mischief because as I was waiting on the bench, I was pelted by two acorns from the tree above...not nice boys...

Pretty soon a yellow boat docked and my parents appeared.

My dad was beat—I walked with him while mom walked ahead to the Canada booth line. Dad got two filets sans sauce and mom got the cheese soup with pretzel bread.

Since they’d used up their three FP+s, I could make a new one for Spaceship Earth on our way out. So stylin' in our future...

No rain break today—collapsed into the room after a quick resort mug refill. Chilled in the room for a while and then mom and I went to explore the pool area and soak our feet in the hot tub. Wandered to the border of the second kidani savanna where the okapi came real close to the fence. The hornbill was strutting around in front of us (a much bigger hornbill than Zazu); showing off according to the guide. No camera here because I was anticipating just going to the hot tub.

A cast member joined us—he said he likes to come there to relax in his off time. He is a stilt walker at Animal Kingdom—not in the shows, but as street entertainment. The time quickly approached for me to return to Epcot for the Party for the Senses so I said my good-byes. I didn’t get his name but I was going to solve that mystery and try to find him next time I was in AK (spoiler—Steppesister posted some great photos in her trip report already).

Arrived at Epcot with plenty of time to walk to the World Showplace—stopped in the Canada store to confirm the Remy--this meant that I only had to cheat on the last two ...

Checked in for PFTS to wait in a holding pen—allowed into the main showroom at 6:45. I had purchased reserved seating so I had my table of one. Luke was one of the servers and he kept me supplied with Diet Coke. Like the theme of the food, the entertainment was from Disney Springs—Raglan Road band and dancers, other street musical acts.

I didn’t eat as much as I should have considering the cost—a little intimidating on my own trying a new experience. Next time I will know the ropes…

Peking duck tacos from Morimoto and Art Smith shrimp and grits

Artisan cheese (because I love cheese)…

Cavatappi

Chicken mushroom remoulade (my favorite)…

Lobster roll

Desserts included Sprinkles cupcakes (yuck), brownie bites, banana foster crepes (favorite!), and chocolate mousse.

Took home a F&W wine glass and a DVC 25th Anniversary celebration glass.

The park stayed open until 10:00 so able to exit the park without the crowd crush.

While I was eating, my parents did a little jaunt over to Animal Kingdom apparently…random Bunnicula sighting.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Sounds like a fun packed day! Shsme the buses turned up late. I guess after staying in due to Matthew everyone was keen to get out. They should have sent more buses and eariier.

The cheese tasting looked great. I can't eat cheese but when I did goat was my favorite. Nice you got a second plate.

Pretty necklace. Nice to score the last one in that colour.

How cute your parents joiined you. Lovely photos. Love to talk to cast members so interesting the dufferent roles they do.

Dining for the senses sounds interesting! Glad you had a wonderful day.

 

[franandaj]

The cheese tasting looked quite nice. I will have to remember that for whenever we go back. Maybe 2018....

I've always wanted to do PFTS, but we've just never sprung for it. Again, maybe next time....your plates all looked delicious!

 

[Steppesister]

the standby line was 60 minutes—the ride isn’t worth that.

NO ride is worth that! Not one.

The stand sold jewelry made from things like cantaloupe seeds, coffee beans, and orange peels. There were two necklaces I particularly liked-the clerk said one of them was the last in its color so I picked it up; with the annual pass discount, I thought it was a good way to use some Visa reward dollars. Not the best picture but grabbed one while I was unpacking.

I drooled over those two and am kicking myself for not buying a coffee bean one. I think I'll go online and find them...

Dad got two filets sans sauce and mom got the cheese soup with pretzel bread.

I wish I'd tried the filet.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Even with hustling to Norway to arrive by 8:30, the standby line was 60 minutes—the ride isn’t worth that.

What a shame that this did not work out.

The FP+ I did have for it was on Friday when the parks were closed.

What a pain.

Our cheese plate consisted of goat, sheep, cow and blue cheese.

I love cheese, but there was too much blue cheese on that plate for my liking.

On the way, I bought a pineapple salsa pork slider from the Hawaii booth.

That was one of my favourites last year. Is it still essentially a full-size sandwich?

This made them harder to find—bottom line, I failed in Mexico, forgot to look in the outpost and was already in Italy when I remembered, and then scoured Morocco with no luck.

That is a shame that they were so hard to find.

The stand sold jewelry made from things like cantaloupe seeds, coffee beans, and orange peels. There were two necklaces I particularly liked-the clerk said one of them was the last in its color so I picked it up; with the annual pass discount, I thought it was a good way to use some Visa reward dollars. Not the best picture but grabbed one while I was unpacking.

That is a really unusual necklace.

The hornbill was strutting around in front of us

I did not even know that they had hornbills at Kidani.

The Party for the Senses looked amazing.

Corinna

 

[Malia78]

Sunday 9 Oct

We all got a little dressed up this morning for brunch at Narcoossee’s. We took the bus to MK and then the monorail to GF.

My mom loves the open and light aesthetic of this lobby compared to the dark heavy look of the Wilderness Lodge—we stayed here last year so she has fond memories of the place.

We were the first party seated in the restaurant. For my beverage, I chose a raspberry smoothie.

My meal consisted of the cheese plate, brioche French toast with spiced figs and pears (perfect fall flavors) and lobster egg benedict that mom and I shared. Mom’s plate is the shrimp and grits and dad has the crab dip and omelet.

The dessert trio was beautiful—lemon, chocolate and orange bar with a white chocolate Minnie Mouse. Our server brought out a second dessert in a box because I had to go—I think it was only one per table but he brought us a bonus.

The reason I had to take off so suddenly was because I had crazily decided that I could also go eat a multi-course French meal at Monsieur Paul’s. This would be the French Family Meal F&W event.

Leaving my parents to linger a little longer, I headed for the boat deck conveniently outside the restaurant. Arrived as the boat was docking—I was a little surprised to hear it was going to the Poly first but I was committed.

 

[Malia78]

The next key transfer was catching a Beach Club bus from MK so I could walk to France. Working my way upstream, I trekked to the empty bus bay and not two minutes later, a bus shows up. Awesome Beach Club bus timing! Construction was happening around Beach Club so the driver was a little lost. He initially turned up the wrong path and had to back up. Then he dropped us off at the far side of the parking lot by the villas. Having never been in this spot before, I wasn’t sure of the most direct route to the shore side. I ended up on a road on the outside of the property—when I spotted an open service door, I quickly made my move and slipped through. Still took some wandering before I found the lobby and was back on familiar ground. I headed off towards my final destination and arrived just in time to wait in a line for check-in.

I was seated with another solo diner-a woman I recognized from PFTS last night (my solo table was angled behind hers). There was a third place setting but no one else showed.

This 5 course meal lasted a solid 3 hours and I had some good dinner conversation with my table mate.

Didn’t drink this but very pretty…

As you might imagine, I didn’t clean my plate as I had eaten only a couple hours earlier. Also this was French food from a region I was not enamored with—missed the cream/butter, non-chocolate items. It was still good food though—left with a goodie bag containing a recipe book from the senior Monsieur Paul.

I stopped next door and picked up a Christmas gift for my mom—another Moroccan necklace made with orange peels. Rode the Friendship boat back across the lagoon—detoured along the walk to the entrance to grab a peanut butter and white chocolate mousse from the Chew booth. I love peanut butter desserts so this fit the bill.

More bus karma as it pulled up just when I got in line. Back in the room, I was greeted by the sound of our boisterous new balcony neighbors. Fortunately it must have just been first day excitement as I didn’t hear them again. I had plans to go to AK tonight but once I got to the room, the tiredness hit me and with two upcoming nights of MNSSHP, I decided some sleep was in order.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

How nice to get a brunch meal in. We love the light ambiance of GF also. You all look very smart and lovely. The food looks great love the white chocolate minnie!

How neat you got in Monsueir Paul also. Those courses looked so well presented and inviting.

You took some amazing close up photos of the animals this day I really enjoyed them! Best to rest up and save energy for the upcoming party.

 

[Steppesister]

OMG!! So much food!!! How do you stay so thin, Girl?!

Lots of yummy looking food there, and I love the animal photos. Just can't get enough of those, can you?

 

[Malia78]

Best to rest up and save energy for the upcoming party.

I get one trial run before my meet up with Leisa...

How do you stay so thin, Girl?!

Smoke and mirrors....

 

[franandaj]

I can't believe you went to Narcoosee's for Brunch and then had a French Lunch afterwards! That is way too much food.

I cringed a bit at the pictures you posted of the white chocolate statue in the lobby because I went back and looked at my photos from our December 2015 trip and they had the same sculpture. It made me wonder how long that has been there!

It seems that Le Creuset must have sponsored all the lunches and the main course was served in those little dishes for all of them. I got the same cookbook as well. I love Saucisson! I've only had it in France. The meal was very similar to the one that I had, just different proteins and such.

 

[Malia78]

Three and half more days left--gotta wrap this up..

Monday 10 October

This morning, mom and I were going to the Magic Kingdom. We arrived at the park with a couple hours before our first FP+ so we slowly meandered down Main Street. Thoroughly browsed the crystal shop---if I had a cool $3000 to drop…the Chernabog-Ava Maria piece was calling my name.

We walked through the castle and then veered left towards Liberty Square.

After visiting the Christmas shop, mom needed a snack so Nutella fruit waffle it was. She ate her half while I watched the Muppets.

Next was a round trip ride on the Liberty Belle.

My home away from vacation home...

Used our FP+ for Pirates—having been to DL in the last year, I’m reminded how I really like theirs better. At the Briar Patch shop, I was thrilled to find a new Splash Mountain print—I always like to find a new piece of artwork on each trip and I am always on the lookout for new, quality Song of the South items.

We still had time to kill before lunch so we boarded the train at the Splash station and rode the circuit plus the extra leg to Fantasyland station. Then we walked on over to our lunch destination—Be Our Guest.

We found seating in the Music Box room and each ordered onion soup and a Lemon Meringue cupcake to split.

Now it was time for our Splash FP+. We were in the first row—mom’s first time ever! Our bodies didn’t get wet but the whole front of our faces and heads sure did. We walked along the Frontierland walkway and lucked out with a rope side parade viewing spot-also happened to be a Maleficent fire-breathing location, though I didn’t get her flames on film here.

 

[Malia78]

Grand Marshall of the parade…

Final showdown…

We followed the parade to the entrance where I did catch Maleficent's last fiery blast.

Before parting ways with mom, I used our individual magic bands for FP+ with Talking Mickey and Tinkerbell.

Then she went back to the resort and I turned around to head back in for MNSSHP-the replacement from the party Hurricane Matthew washed out.

 

[Malia78]

Entered through the party turnstiles where I was given my bracelet and routed on the path behind Main Street. Having done my research, I knew to see Jack and Sally first. I was in line about 45 minutes early and even then there were maybe 40 folks ahead of me. Sure glad I didn’t come in later—line got ridiculous.

Leaving the pumpkin king behind, I headed towards Fantasyland, specifically Storybook Circus where I visited both Goofini and Donaldo in their circus tent.

It was now after 6:00 pm and I knew I wanted to see Cruella who was scheduled to come out at 7. I got comfortable on the wall to wait. Her exact location by the train station was vague and the cast member we asked ended up pointing us to the opposite side of the platform. So waited for her longer than necessary but I did make a new friend. This family who were also seeking Cruella came and sat near me. They had three young girls, all decked to the nines in costume. The youngest, Sadie (maybe 7?), just started chatting up storm. Well, we were instant friends. We waited in line together and Sadie just kept talking. It was cute and would lead to a surprise encounter later in the trip.

Before leaving Storybook Circus, I made the trick ‘r treat rounds under the big top.

I stopped for a photo by Gaston’s fountain after buying the party special cupcake, pumpkin spice.

Hit up a couple more trick ‘r treat trails, one in Fantasyland and then three in Tomorrowland. Before leaving, I stopped to discuss some villainous plans with Lotso.

I secured the perfect parade spot on Main Street a good 45 minutes early. I ate my cupcake while I waited. All was well until five minutes beforehand a family comes up to try and squeeze into the three inches of space between the tape line and my toes—sigh, annoying… Luckily I have big feet.

The headless horseman did his thing and then Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde came out with the dancing crew for a little fun on Main Street. Finally it was parade time!

Main Street opened up after the parade so it was a good chance for low photopass lines.

I did the string of 3 Halloween specialty shots—one of them didn’t turn out (eyes closed) so I would be attempting repeats at the next party. Grabbed the party exclusive Sorcerer’s card too.

I watched Celebrate the Magic and Hallowishes from the hub gardens. Having got a sense of the party, I decided to call it a night and tackle my other want-to-do’s at tomorrow’s party (which would also include a special DISmeet with Steppesister!).

 

[Steppesister]

I really love these dresses. But ummm.... those pants on the guys are just... weird. Just no.

You did really well on the character meets on this party day!! Good job!!

I wish I had known about the specialty photos. I think we'd have done them.