WHAT A DIFFERENCE 6 MOS. MAKES (or how I learned to love MK) COMPLETE-WRAP-UP 12/29

[KatMark]

Oh good...I wasn't behind on your TR except to say congratulations on the AP's!

 

[tinacaplan]

I am trying very hard to keep up with this TR, but you know what they say about best intentions... oh well. I know you have all been eagerly awaiting my update about our dinner at Cape May.

I made tihs ADR because I had read so many great things about Cape May from so many people here on Dis. We had a good breakfast there back in February and it was conveniently located in our hotel, after all. I figured that at least one meal in our hotel wouldn’t be a bad idea.

We were seated right away, at a table right in front of the buffet. Our server was pleasant and quick with our drinks, so no complaints there.

I started with Caesar salad and some clam chowder:

The salad was good; crisp and not overly dressed.

Mark, on the other hand, went straight for the entrees:

Believe me, we are not heathens. Not sure why Mark had the crab legs on the table. We were both interested in the crab legs. Being a native New Englander, I grew up eating lobster. My dad worked part-time in a friend’s fish market on the weekends and great seafood was a part of my life growing up. Mark, on the other hand, is Jewish and only had lobster after hooking up with me. In any case, we had never had crab legs before and were eager to try them.

We quickly discovered we were not big fans. It was very difficult to get the meat out and when we did...well, it just seemed like a lot of work for not much pay off.

After my more straight forward plate, I decided to try the pasta and mussels:

They were good, but not memorable. Everything was pretty salty, although not disgustingly so. The one stand-out was the panko breaded mahi-mahi. If had known, I would have made a meal out of that and some corn bread.

And dessert..

I really wanted to like this meal. The restaraunt was loud and felt very hurried, not that anyone was rushing us, just that there was a lot of activity and it did not make for a relaxing meal. The food was O.K....not great, just OK. But, in the end, why do I always walk away from buffets with the strange feeling like everything tasted exactly the same? And it was very pricey...over a hundred bucks pricey. It was after this meal that it occurred to me that perhaps Disney buffets aren’t worth it without the dining plan, or unless you can eat your weight in crab legs!

After dinner, we decided to go for a stroll. It had rained while we were at dinner.
We walked over to the Yacht Club to check out their lobby.

This whole area is just so beautiful and I really liked the Yacht Club. It does feel much more quiet and elegant than the Beach Club and I love the red striped awnings. I will say this...within the next twenty four hours I would almost do something in the YC lobby that might have me banned forever...

But that evening we kept walking and made our way over to the arcade for a bit of skee ball.

We ended up in the BC gift shop, which Max had taken to calling a toy store because isn’t every single store in all of Disneyworld a toy store? Max was begging for a toy and we said he could pick something out. We were trying to guide him toward something small; I made the mistake of picking up the 40th anniversary commemorative tractor trailer set. Oops. Twenty bucks gone. Mark was annoyed that we were spoiling Max and buying him too many things. Not that he was wrong, of course.

We went back up to our room and I did manage to get a shot of our view, after all...

 

[KatMark]

Nice update, Tina. We had Cape May booked, but the price just was absolutely outrageous and we cancelled. Personally, we love crab legs and hate lobster, but being able to get all you can eat crab legs was not worth the price they asked (we can get all you can eat crab legs at a Chinese buffet in Naples with Nicki and Todd and for a LOT less money).

The pictures of your walk over to the Yacht Club are really pretty.

 

[natebenma]

We enjoy the Cape May, but we always do the dining plan, so it is a "good deal". My little one, who is not so little, WILL eat his weight in crab legs, clams and mussels! The only problem is we spend a lot of time helping him, so we don't get to eat as much.

I think I saw the panko Mahi on your plate and it looks really yummy. I think I missed that!

I love the pictures of your Yacht Club club stroll, too. So pretty.

Will you be getting a Tables in Wonderland card with your AP- more Disney math in your future to see if you can "save" more money by spending some.

 

[pinkxray]

Congrats on getting the AP It makes perfect sense and will make it much easier to plan a summer trip.

Cape May looks okay. I am not a fan of working for my food either. I haven't had crab legs since I lived with my parents and my mom would do the work for me. It doesn't help that DH is allergic to shellfish. If he had an allergic reaction at CMC he would have an excuse to never go back to Disney.

I can't wait to hear what happens in the YC lobby.

 

[tinacaplan]

Congratulations on getting an AP! Just remember to use it wisely, though I'm sure you'll get more use out of it than you think.

Thanks!

How fantastic is that!!! and how much you saved

That's the only reason why I did it... It sounds crazy and would probably only make sense to all of you.

Congrats on being a new AP holder! I love having an AP! I will be getting a new one in December and I intend to get three trips out of it. I seriously don't know why everyone doesn't just get one. If you plan you trips up to 11 months apart its a considerable savings. And a 40% discount makes it so worth it!

I'd love to get three trips out of mine...February, July, and possibly a weekend in the fall for Food and Wine? Who knows... All I know is that it more than paid for itself with just this discount.

Which leads me to my next conclusion, which is that I really need to buy DVC. But that's a ways off in the overall plan.

Congrats! Your savings sound great!

Thanks. I think I did pretty well.

Congratulations! Gotta love that Disney Math!

Oh....Disneymath... = Its just crazy.

Oh good...I wasn't behind on your TR except to say congratulations on the AP's!

Behind...on this TR? I wish it were possible....but I have been moving soooooo sloooowly.

 

[tinacaplan]

Nice update, Tina. We had Cape May booked, but the price just was absolutely outrageous and we cancelled. Personally, we love crab legs and hate lobster, but being able to get all you can eat crab legs was not worth the price they asked (we can get all you can eat crab legs at a Chinese buffet in Naples with Nicki and Todd and for a LOT less money).

The pictures of your walk over to the Yacht Club are really pretty.

I think you made the right choice, Kathy. It wasn't terrible, it really wasn't. And I can see how people like it. But...the price tag! YIKES!

Thanks...its so easy to take beautiful pictures there.

We enjoy the Cape May, but we always do the dining plan, so it is a "good deal". My little one, who is not so little, WILL eat his weight in crab legs, clams and mussels! The only problem is we spend a lot of time helping him, so we don't get to eat as much.

I think I saw the panko Mahi on your plate and it looks really yummy. I think I missed that!

I love the pictures of your Yacht Club club stroll, too. So pretty.

Will you be getting a Tables in Wonderland card with your AP- more Disney math in your future to see if you can "save" more money by spending some.

The mahi mahi was really good. That's part of the problem with buffets for me, though. I end up trying a bunch of stuff before I find what I really like.

The whole area is so gorgeous.

We're not doing a TIW card this time, as we're actually doing the DDP. If we go back without the dining plan, we probably won't get it because we'll just do more counter service.

Congrats on getting the AP It makes perfect sense and will make it much easier to plan a summer trip.

Cape May looks okay. I am not a fan of working for my food either. I haven't had crab legs since I lived with my parents and my mom would do the work for me. It doesn't help that DH is allergic to shellfish. If he had an allergic reaction at CMC he would have an excuse to never go back to Disney.

I can't wait to hear what happens in the YC lobby.

You are so close Diane! How excited are you?

I hope we're able to use the APs. I don't have to actually buy them until we go in February and I'll have a much better idea of whether or not we'll be able to go back in July at that point.

DH has a shellfish allergy? That's not fun at all.

As for the YC lobby...oh...not fun.

 

[amandaw]

Sorry your dinner wasn't quite what you were hoping it would be. I hate being disappointed at new restaurants.

Your YC pictures are very pretty.

 

[annmarieda]

We quickly discovered we were not big fans. It was very difficult to get the meat out and when we did...well, it just seemed like a lot of work for not much pay off.

EXACTLY my thoughts! I have never been to CM...but really doubt I will. I am not big on fish... and there are way to many other places in the world I want to eat. That being said, your food does look good.

And thanks for sharing the YC pics. I so love that resort. And... I am super curious as to what you may have done in the lobby?

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Ooooo... Cape May Cafe! Ever since I heard about the food options they have at night I've really wanted to go try it out. I'm a New Englander too, so I love my lobster, clam chowda ( ) and just anything seafood. Must take note of the Crab Legs, since I hate breaking lobsters open and if the crab legs aren't worth it, then I'll steer clear of them. I think those mussels are calling me anyway

The Yacht Club is so pretty, even with the rain. That's my dream resort. Only to be further taunted by more pictures. Just kidding hehehe And yeah, every store in Disney is really a toy store. Another reason why Disney is awesome

Can't wait to read more!

 

[tinacaplan]

We were up and out the door early for our 8 a.m. ADR at Tusker House. It was an auspicious start.

First off, I left my sunglasses in the room. My PRESCRIPTION sunglasses, so I had to go back and grab them, which I did. Bonus on the room change; we were super close to the lobby.

I get to AK, arguably the most photogenic park of them all and pull out my camera, only to discover that I had left my SD in the computer. Ooops. I knew I’d be able to get one somewhere in AK, except that NOTHING is open that early, except Tusker House, of course.

Needless to say, it wasn’t even eight a.m. and I was already a bit rattled. Max wasn’t having any of it, either. For the second day in a row, we had woken him up early (6:30 to make this reservation, because I always allow too much travel time and we’re always early) after going to bed later than he ever had in his whole short life. He was already squirmy and cranky. I was also beginning to wonder if he isn’t outgrowing his stroller, too. And when Max gets cranky, he quickly becomes an irrational little tyrant. So, did I notice the gentle mist gathered around the trunk of the Tree of Life? Did I stop to, figuratively, at least, smell the flowers? Oh, no. No, I didn’t.

Then there was the Brazilian tour group. Bless their hearts. But can someone explain this phenomomen to me? Why are they all from Brazil? Why must they travel en masse? Why must they walk so slowly? Why do they spontaneously break into cheers in their native language? Why do I feel as though I have been overtaken by an incredibly large wave, leaving me gasping for air on the beach, whenever I see one coming?

As I’ve said, Tusker House was the best character breakfast we had during the last trip. I had such fond recollections of the yummy food, delectable juice, and almost drinkable coffee. I raved for months like a lunatic about the bread pudding (dessert…for breakfast!).

And this time I was left wondering why I had been so excited for some tater tots (still good, but come on, they’re tater tots of the same type and flavor profile I can procure either at my local Sonic or, heck, here’s an idea…my own oven from a bag with an Ore Ida label!) and bread pudding. I’m not even a huge bread pudding fan. What the heck?

I had mealie pap, which I found oddly yummy. Of course, if you top just about anything with cheddar cheese, I’ll probably eat it. I had a biscuit with sausage gravy, something I enjoy sampling anytime I find myself south of the Mason-Dixon. Virtually unheard of in the northeast, so they’re exotic to me. I had a roommate in college who would get up every Sunday morning and roll out a batch of fresh biscuits like it was nothing. But I digress.

I had a slice of what was labeled as a leek and potato frittata. It was fine, but pretty bland for something that supposedly contained a member of the onion family. Max, predictably, had a Mickey waffles, some sausage, and some watermelon. We later returned to the buffet for dounts, which he took, but didn’t eat.

The character interaction was good.we actually remembered to bust out the autograph book Max had gotten as part of his Cars birthday gift. The characters were all cute in recognizing Mark and I for our anniversary. For something that had felt so special and magical in February, it didn’t quite stack up in July.

We exited Tusker House and waited by the rope they set up in front of the safari. I looked in vain for something to be open where I might purchase an SD card, but no luck.

We had about a fifteen minute wait and here’s where I’m just not the greatest parent of a pre-schooler ever. I have a hard time keeping Max entertained in these situations, we both do, and we often let him get bored. Too bored. Bored past the point of no return and now I’m frustrated about it bored. And then he starts to get cranky.

It was at approximately this point when I realized I hadn’t gotten by KTW card back. At first I was worried I had dropped it, as I had been carrying it around in my pocket. Not the brightest idea, but I had broken my lanyard pouch thing the day before, I’d yet to replace it, and I’ll do almost anything to get out of carrying a purse. (Weird…I know. I love purses. I think they’re beautiful. I just often find they aren’t all that functional. Kind of like high heels. But, again, I digress…)

Luckily, I remembered that I had used it to pay for breakfast and went back into Tusker House in a hurry. My server was lovely about it and gave me back my card. Phew!

Breakfast done…would our day improve? One of the things I love about coming to Disneyworld is that it can often seem for every moment of frustration, there is a bit pixie dust just around the corner to turn it all around. Wish life were that easy, but alas…

Onto the safari. I enjoyed it, although perhaps not as much as the first time I had seen it. The same animals were there, in more or less the same places, and they went through the same routine about saving the baby elephant. Now, Dear Disney, either beef up that whole story line or ditch it entirely, because it doesn’t really lend itself to repeat visits. Its not all that compelling really. Am I alone in this?

We did, however, get a great view of the lions actually…MOVING! I know..shocking. We got great views of the lion and the lioness. Very cool. Not that I got to take pictures of them, or anything, but still…very cool.

This ride was very “meh” for Max. It definitely reinforced my decision to stay at the Beach Club for this trip, over AKL. He isn’t a kid who is hugely interested in animals, to the point that he is sometimes afraid of them. Strange, since he loves dogs and we have our own. I also think that he has a hard time seeing over the sides of the truck and, because he needs to be independent much of the time, didn’t want to sit in either Mark and or my laps.

Was our day finally looking up? Will my next installment include pictures?

 

[amandaw]

You had me laughing about the biscuits & gravy thing! I have to say that while I love biscuits, I'm probably one of the few southerners who doesn't like the white gravy. My DH on the other hand, will eat the gravy by the spoonful without a biscuit just to gross me out....and because he loves it that much!

That's great that you knew exactly where you had left your KTW. I would've been in a complete panic. For me, though, it would've been DH's fault, since he's our card carrier during vacation.

I sure hope you were able to find an SD card for your camera. I would've been in tears!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Sorry to hear your day didn't start out very well. Darn Brazilian Tour Groups! At least you were going to a meal you had been looking forward to for awhile

Mmmm... Tusker House sounds so good. I haven't heard too much about the place, but it sounds really nice from what I do hear. Banana Pudding... mmmm... why does everything involving Disney and bananas sound good to me? I don't get it

Yeah, now that you mention it, I do agree a bit about changing up the storyline for Kilimanjaro. Though the animal experiences do change, you'll never know what'll happen with wild animals, but I think the whole storyline just ends the ride as a... "uhhh, okay, that's it?" It's just a dead end. :/

Can't wait to read more! Hopefully everything looks up from here on and out (and pictures are involved as well)

 

[Missyrose]

Sorry to hear your Cape May dinner wasn't spectacular, we're trying it in March. Luckily my DBF, his sister and their mom CAN eat their weight in crab legs, so maybe we'll feel a bit better about that steep price tag.

Tusker House seemed a bit better by comparison, though I hate vacation days that get off to a bad start. I hope your AK day gets better!

 

[KatMark]

Sorry your day did not start out right with forgetting the sunglasses and then the SIM card for the camera and then forgetting your KTTW card (luckily, you remembered you ahd used it at the restaurant). We've never eaten at Tusker House...we just can't give up our Crystal Palace.

Looking forward to hte next update and hope you find a SIM card soon.

 

[dizneeat]

I am catching up on all my threads and I am delighted at what I read on yours! You took my advice and got an AP!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations you are going to LOVE it. (You know that you get a 10% merchandise discount, do you ........ and you could get a TiW instead of the DDP too! )

I love that you stuck with the Contemporary, even though you had to change to the Garden Wing. We stayed in one of those rooms on the side where BLT now is on one of our earlier trips. You cannot beat being so close to the MK and I cannot wait for our stay at the tower either!
Ups, sorry, got sidetracked.

As for your AK day ....... I really hope it gets better, but I am sure there is some pixie dust coming your way.

 

[tinacaplan]

You had me laughing about the biscuits & gravy thing! I have to say that while I love biscuits, I'm probably one of the few southerners who doesn't like the white gravy. My DH on the other hand, will eat the gravy by the spoonful without a biscuit just to gross me out....and because he loves it that much!

Its all delicious, in my opinion.

That's great that you knew exactly where you had left your KTW. I would've been in a complete panic. For me, though, it would've been DH's fault, since he's our card carrier during vacation.

I sure hope you were able to find an SD card for your camera. I would've been in tears!

Luckily, it happened early enough that there was pretty much only one place it could have been and I happened to still be sitting more or less right in front of Tusker House, so it was pretty simple. But..sheesh...I was panicked for a moment.

And believe me, not having the SD card did nearly have me in tears...it just wasn't shaping up to be a good day.

Sorry to hear your Cape May dinner wasn't spectacular, we're trying it in March. Luckily my DBF, his sister and their mom CAN eat their weight in crab legs, so maybe we'll feel a bit better about that steep price tag.

Tusker House seemed a bit better by comparison, though I hate vacation days that get off to a bad start. I hope your AK day gets better!

Cape May was ok...just...well, I'm over buffets for the time being. And I still think the buffets are a great value if you're on the dining plan. Paying OOP, not so much, unless, of course, you really enjoy what's on the buffet.

Tusker House was good or, in the words of Judi Dench, "or so we thought..." Oooo...foreshadowing!

Sorry your day did not start out right with forgetting the sunglasses and then the SIM card for the camera and then forgetting your KTTW card (luckily, you remembered you ahd used it at the restaurant). We've never eaten at Tusker House...we just can't give up our Crystal Palace.

Looking forward to hte next update and hope you find a SIM card soon.

We were definitely not off to a good start that morning. Believe me, Kathy, by the time we're done with this day, not going to Tusker House will look even more attractive. Plus, we just didn't think the character interaction was all that great, either. Oh well.

This was certainly a day full of adventure, let's put it that way. And all the photos for this day are all set, resized, ready to go, so another update could happen pretty soon.

I am catching up on all my threads and I am delighted at what I read on yours! You took my advice and got an AP!!!!!!!!!!! congratulations you are going to LOVE it. (You know that you get a 10% merchandise discount, do you ........ and you could get a TiW instead of the DDP too! )

I love that you stuck with the Contemporary, even though you had to change to the Garden Wing. We stayed in one of those rooms on the side where BLT now is on one of our earlier trips. You cannot beat being so close to the MK and I cannot wait for our stay at the tower either!
Ups, sorry, got sidetracked.

As for your AK day ....... I really hope it gets better, but I am sure there is some pixie dust coming your way.

We don't think the TiW would be that helpful for us. If we weren't doing the DDP, we'd do more CS, so... but I think at some point it could be worth it. I went with the DDP so that our reservation could remain a package, instead of converting to a room only. I'd already paid quite a bit on the package and they would've had to refund me that and then I would have to put more money up to make sure I had that reservation. This seemed like the easier option and I can see with the meals we've got planned for this trip that the DDP might work in our favor.

I'm hopeful that perhaps we'll get back in July and maybe that I'll be able to take my mom down for a long weekend in October of next year for Food and Wine. How much fun would that be?

I'm actually quite happy to stay in the garden wing and would have made our reservation there, had it been an option when I first booked. Those rooms are among the least expensive deluxe rooms on property. The only thing available through Disney's site at that time were TPV rooms, which were not my first choice, mostly due to the price. I'm just not sure that a view is worth so much more money! Location within Disneyworld, amenities, even the rooms themselves...those are all reasons I'd pay more, but not for a view. Though it would be nice...

I'm quite happy with the way it worked out. We're staying at the Contemporary at a price that won't make me have a heart attack!

And yeah, our AK day sure could have used some serious pixie dust!

 

[glennbo123]

Oh boy, once your day starts going into a nosedive, it can be hard to pull out of it. I hope you get some pixie dust, and soon!

I agree with you on the safari ride....I wonder if there was some way they could mix it up a little?

 

[TinkerbellinNY6]

I have read your whole trip report to this point and think Max is adorable. I saw that you fly out of Hartford... Are you flying out of Bradley? I am considering flying out of Bradley on my next trip as I am getting really good flight prices.

I just stayed at the CR for the first time in May after wanting to stay there for a long time. i booked a TPV as a surprise for my mom and we absolutely loved it.

I can't wait to hear more about your trip!!

 

[MEK]

Tina - you sure made up for your lack of pictures with your wonderful writing. I do believe you were experiencing the Day 3 meltdown. Apparently it is a well known phenomenon among CM's. Somewhere around day 3 the lack of sleep and "hurry, hurry, hurry" combine to make a trying moment or two. Bummer about leaving your card in the room. You missed my Sept 2010 TR where I actually left my battery in the room. Or so I thought - only to go back and find it in my case. Yup - and I'm not even sure that was Day 3.

I hope your day gets better and Max starts to have some fun!