We Shared a SWW...and more! Done...At Home! (10/17)

[SimmerBaggins]

I am joining in a bit late Going to catch up with your trip now

Welcome!! My TR is a little slower than yours...

 

[SimmerBaggins]

As we were getting prepared to find out where our room was, the lady behind the counter leaned over and whispered to me that there would be something special in the room for Robert for his birthday, later. That was SO EXCITING!! (isn't that funny??)

We were told our room would be over to the left of the concierge bar. As we looked over, we realized: we could have the same exact room as last year!! This is because we asked for a savanna view...you aren't guaranteed a savanna view in Concierge, but they try.

And what do you know: IT WAS THE SAME ROOM!!

Amazingly...we didn't take any pictures of this room right off the bat, so I am using some from last year.

Here's where the room was:

We got our folder with our name on it!

Kind of weird to see the exact same room again!

This room is a converted handicapped room, which means the bathroom doors were sliding doors.

The shower was very open and kind of plain, but very helpful, if you needed it.

The savanna view was very paltry compared to our Kadani view, with the rooftop overshading the balcony:

Once we were settled, the girls got their swimsuits on and went to check out the pool; DH and I relaxed...what adventures awaited us?

 

[gallmcduck]

All caught up. Dual reporting was great really enjoyed it. Oh conceirge lovely can't wait to read about it

 

[SimmerBaggins]

All caught up. Dual reporting was great really enjoyed it. Oh conceirge lovely can't wait to read about it

Thanks! We loved being up on that concierge floor -- but I missed our second bathroom...!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

We were up, not so early for our 2nd Epcot day! I don't remember how long it took us (my memory is fading fast) to get ready, but we grabbed some good breakfast from the concierge counter and we were good to go.

No more LONG walks down the corridor to the bus stop -- this was an easy walk to the elevator, down through the shop and out the doors to the bus stop down the sidewalk. We always took that shortcut, especially when we were coming back out of the heat.

I was cheerful, for some reason.

Either my mood affected them, or theirs affected ours.

It was a beautiful day for Epcot!

One of the first things we did -- Mission Space! I was a little worried about this right, and was sure going to go with the "weak" version. No one else was feeling very brave, either.

Yup. That's our entrance.

I LOVE this aspect! They really put you in the scenario!

The kids watch this thing spin, but they don't have an appreciation for how spectacular this concept was in the Space Odyssey 2001 movie, and the subsequent movie (can't remember what it was called). They just like how, if you were on it, you'd be upside down at the table after a while.

Now, I took this picture because this sight bugged me -- someone should really figure out how to clean between this glass, because the bored fingers in this line have made some dust-free edges.

I know....

Okay. I got this one.

This one threw me off guard!!

The "other" people. You go, iron-stomachs.

Anxiety sets in...

Cool suits.

Our door! I drooled a bit in the hallway, when our mission briefer kept following us around and reassuring us. I love Gary Sinise...

We were excited about our roles in the mission, and played them up!!

Well...most of us did.

It seemed short, like before, but we had a great time squealing over it like silly girls. Most of us, that is.

 

[TinksThree]

Here's where the room was:

I just love AKL! It is so pretty!

The view may have been paltry but I count it as pretty awesome if I could sit on the balcony and wathc the giraffes!! Giraffes are my favorite!!

We were up, not so early for our 2nd Epcot day! I don't remember how long it took us (my memory is fading fast) to get ready, but we grabbed some good breakfast from the concierge counter and we were good to go.

I am finding my memory is fading fast as well! i am so glad I wrote some things down on my way home or else my TR would say "I think we may have done this"!


I was cheerful, for some reason.

You were at Disney and staying concierge! That would make me cheerful!!

Either my mood affected them, or theirs affected ours.

But this could definitely affect you as well! Nice to see some smiles in the morning!!

It was a beautiful day for Epcot!

I just have to say this because I am having withdrawals right now, but even a hurricane would be a "beautiful day at Epcot" for me!!

Mission Space was so much fun! But I have only done the green side. the kids went ont he orange side and they may never go green again!!! I am just too scared I will be sick the rest of the day!

 

[jmskinner]

Too funny about getting the same room you had before. Could you tell that it had aged a little bit?

You know I am the same way about Mission: Space. Jonas and Jacob love the Orange side, but I won't try it. My fingers and toes tingle on the green side.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Mission Space was so much fun! But I have only done the green side. the kids went ont he orange side and they may never go green again!!! I am just too scared I will be sick the rest of the day!

I am the same way -- once I get sick from a ride, it takes me over an hour to get over it...I try eating, drinking, resting...nothing helps! So, why ruin my day with a ride, when I can ride the wimpy side?

Too funny about getting the same room you had before. Could you tell that it had aged a little bit?

You know I am the same way about Mission: Space. Jonas and Jacob love the Orange side, but I won't try it. My fingers and toes tingle on the green side.

You know, that room looked just the same. I've heard about other DVC resorts where furniture and stuff starts looking torn up, ragged, etc., but these rooms have very heavy, durable furniture. The only thing I don't like about the room is the sliding door for the one bathroom.

I am glad you mentioned the tingling on the ride -- when I was on the F-16, my arms felt like they were going to sleep! I don't feel anything on the Mission Space green side, though.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

When we got off the MS ride, the girls were gung-ho to do the racing space game. They got some spots together down at the front.

But, as Jordan indicates, they didn't win...

Next up: POSTCARDS from SSSSSppppaaaaaaccccceeee!!!

If you've never done it, it's really cute. I was laughing pretty hard at their little scene.

We had grabbed some FPs for Test Track, so we headed around the west side of the park. I saw these purple martin birdhouses, and the nesters. It's funny, but I wouldn't know a purple martin away from these houses...they tend to look like other birds, to me.

My family was hungry. My DD had decided she wanted to eat at Lotus Blossom Cafe. The problem was, we had eaten there the last two times we've been to WDW, and I didn't care for the food. In fact, last year, I swore I would not ever eat there again. The other problem was, it was her turn to decide where to eat, and I didn't want to take away her wish. So. Here comes the strange thing -- something I think very few people ever do! I left my family at the cafe in line, and told them I would go find something else and come back to eat it with them.

The little CS place in Mexico was "down" -- they had set up a little place along the sidewalk, and the line was LONG to get a plate of nachos. Well, I didn't come to World Showcase from San Antonio to eat a plate of nachos. I didn't know of someplace that sold a hot lunch in Norway. So, the next place to go? Germany.

If you happen to have a map of World Showcase on you, take a look at that walk. It was FAR LONGER than I had anticipated. But I was determined not to call it quits, so I walked in the heat to Sommerfest, and bought some sausage and a Black Forest Cake slice.

And carried it ALL THE WAY back to the Chinese restaurant.

I don't think anyone was really happy with me.

The vestige of my Black Forest cake...it was pretty decent. I preferred it to the "bean" ice cream that everyone else had.

Figuring out where else to go...

We were going...to Mexico!!

 

[mermaid764]

Awesome updates!

It looks like it was great weather for epcot and i'm glad to hear the green side of MS looks like so much fun since that's definitely the side we will be doing.

Can't wait to hear more

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Awesome updates!

It looks like it was great weather for epcot and i'm glad to hear the green side of MS looks like so much fun since that's definitely the side we will be doing.

Can't wait to hear more

I kept thinking that because we went in June, it would seem "cooler" -- It's like you go from one cool spot, to another! But yes, no rain, very sunny.

And, personally -- I don't think you'll miss a thing on the green side, other than -- some green around the gills!!!

I wonder if someone has spelled out the ride difference somewhere?

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Seeing as Natalie's family is from Mexico, she was really excited to visit the Mexico area. We listened to the Mariachi band (in the previous picture) as we came back to visit -- they were really good! For some reason, that music can really get my pulse-rate up when they get BUSY!!

We made our way up the pyramid. What you have to appreciate here is that at the authentic Mexican pyramids, you normally aren't allowed to walk up them.

These animals ARE fantastic -- the detail on them is amazing. You can't just walk into a tourist market and find such quality in Mexico, so you have to give a little leeway to the fact that they want SO MUCH MONEY for these things.

Yeah. Um, look but don't ---!! Too late. Yeah, just put it back...carefully...

Natalie has a great camera personality!!

One more close-up, if you aren't tired of them. Loved the zebra.

I don't know if we'll ever eat in the restaurant in here, but I really like the ambiance.

We decided to go on the ride, of course! I like to speak some Spanish to the CMs here...although, why should they be surprised that I speak Spanish, just because I look like a gringa?

Who is this dude?

Los Muertos!!

IASW invaded Mexico! (hey, why just Mexico??)

These little banderas are found in a lot of the Mexican restaurants here in San Antonio.

Sorry that I haven't included much about Donald -- my pictures don't turn out very well with him and the little film. It's very cute, though! OHHH!! I forgot -- this was DONALD's BIRTHDAY!! This very day!!

Fiesta time!

This was an exciting moment for all of us -- Natalie's family's hometown is in this picture -- Pachuca!!

We left the ride, and wandered a round for a bit. The girls had pretty much spent all their money, though.

What would we do, next?

 

[cjnix29]

Really enjoying your trip report, although I have no idea how you survive moving hotel rooms so often! but love your pics of AKL. My son really wants to stay there, but we keep getting distracted by the shiny things in other resorts! LOL Also...can't help thinking every time I see a picture of Natalie how much she looks like Miranda Cosgrove...from Nick's ICarly. Keep the updates coming!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Really enjoying your trip report, although I have no idea how you survive moving hotel rooms so often! but love your pics of AKL. My son really wants to stay there, but we keep getting distracted by the shiny things in other resorts! LOL Also...can't help thinking every time I see a picture of Natalie how much she looks like Miranda Cosgrove...from Nick's ICarly. Keep the updates coming!

I think we just tried not to make much of a "mess" with our stuff -- and prepack the night before! Each morning, we left our bags with the staff and were excited about the next hotel!

And we love AKL -- Jambo House and Kadani Village are VERY different, though!

(someone did tell Natalie once that she looked like Miranda!! )

 

[jmskinner]

Oops, I read this on my phone and forgot to come back and respond. Sorry to be so late.

I love those animal figures there at Mexico, but you are right, EXPENSIVE. And then I don't know where I would put the thing. Doesn't really go with anything in the house.

Not sure where you are heading yet, but I know you will eventually end up in Italy, right?

 

[stepdisney]

More Pleeeezzzzz! Enjoying your TR. We leave in 2 more days!!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

Oops, I read this on my phone and forgot to come back and respond. Sorry to be so late.

I love those animal figures there at Mexico, but you are right, EXPENSIVE. And then I don't know where I would put the thing. Doesn't really go with anything in the house.

Not sure where you are heading yet, but I know you will eventually end up in Italy, right?

All our times to go to Mexico, we have NEVER seen such quality work and prices. We do have some stuff from South Africa scattered around our house, so that's why I looked at the zebra.

...I think we had some FPs burning in our pockets...!

 

[SimmerBaggins]

More Pleeeezzzzz! Enjoying your TR. We leave in 2 more days!!

Awesome -- this means tomorrow!!! Thanks for joining my TR!

I was hoping to get to something today... don't know if I'll get to it.

Best wishes on your trip, and be sure to share with us!

 

[TinksThree]

Our internet was down and boy did I get behind!!

I love going into the Mexican pavilion and looking around the market! But I really REALLY love going to the one in San Antonio!!! It is probably cheesy to locals (I don't know) but we love going and wandering around!! Those little animals were so cute!! But they are pricey....

I wish we could have made it into Mexico and ride the boat but Keith was too spent! Maybe next time!!

And the food...I have not eaten at the Chinese CS but I smell it and it smells just like all of the buffets around here which turns me off!! I love Chinese food but not necessarily the buffets! Sorry they got upset with you about not eating the food from there....

 

[SimmerBaggins]

It's been a while, so I don't remember why we went to the OTHER side of the WORLD showcase...to do -- Kim Possible!

Jordan looked at these pictures the other day and said that she remembers that she and Natalie weren't happy with each other...but like her mom, she doesn't remember why!

Looking at this picture, I can tell my DD is not happy. I think I knew that...but what can you do? I figured they'd get over it.

Looking at this scene, it's easy to imagine yourself as being rich, and deciding to take your little motorboat for a spin...

Little duck-ducks!!

I love art, so this little place is one of my faves...even though I don't particularly care for France. But...what can you say? France had a lot of good things they gave the world.

I really didn't have to show this, but once I found Monet, I was happy.

The kitty came out to play!!!

The way this sits out in the open, I'm surprised no one ever tries to take a picture or two...I was tempted.

The reason we kind of hung around was that we were waiting for the kids to finish their Kim Possible thing -- I was happy to just snoop around!! This was my kind of relaxation!

Hmmm...shops to look around in!!

I was on my way. "Honey, I'm going to check out these French shops...you can wait out here for me."

So, into the snooty shops I went. I have an affinity for perfume, especially Givenchy Very Irresistible (and those like it) -- I wanted to take pictures, but the snooty CMs followed me around. If not physically, then with their eyes. I guess I looked suspect.

I walked outside to the other side, and found the girls.

See the shop across from them? The word "Vins" is of particular interest...it's a wine shop! We walked in and my husband looked...and looked...lots of things to see and buy...but we were on a budget and bought nothing.

This is the pastry shop, but we didn't buy anything here, either.

The girls finished their Kim Possible game and decided not to do another. We were hot, and I was trying to think of an indoor activity we had never done before. Now that I think about it, I should have gone to America, but we didn't. Any guesses?