Where Pixie-Dusted Birthday Dreams Come True! A July Trip Report! PTR Link! Pg. 116

[xoktenox]

Ok I'm finally all caught up, it's been a crazyyyy past couple of weeks and I feel so behind As long as there are no more unforseen laptop problems, I am in for the rest of the ride now

I'm really excited to hear about the Taste of Africa street party. I had forgotten it ended on the 24th and I think we were there late on the 26th...I was wondering what time it was starting and then I looked at the sign and realized it wasn't going on that night! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Hope you're having a great weekend, Jackie

 

[MegansMom]

That Frozen Chai looks SOOOOOOOOOO good! What was in it?!?!?!?! Can't wait to hear about your other adventures upon your return!

 

[Charleston Princess]

LOL Expedition Doom...that's a priceless name!! A smart mom you are, holding all the stuff, bribery, I wonder if Connor will ever get you back on that ride LOL!! Glad the family didn't get eaten by the Yeti!!

I couldn't help but think that offering a present and to hold everything was a stroke of genius!

Hmmmmm...I would so love a frozen Chai right now!! Someone on the DIS once said they were like Christmas in a cup (was that you?) well they were right it is yummy spiced goodness and I will partake in another one next time I'm there!!!

I think it was Brookelizabeth that called it Christmas in a cup -- she was so right!

Yak and Yeti is a wonderful meal! I'm glad you had a good time there!!!!

Can't wait for your Taste of Africa reviews!!

The food was delicious! I really enjoyed my shrimp lo mein!

I am totally down with the ditching the family at the last minute on EE. I get the worst anxiety when I think about riding coasters. Of course, Ryan dislikes thrill rides more than I do so it's my job to go when the kids are interested.

I am lucky that Charles loves those kinds of rides, and I get a few moments of quiet time.

How did you guys like the meal at Yak & Yeti? did the fried green beans live up to the hype? We have that planned for our upcoming trip and while I am excited about eating there I do wonder if it is really hype-worthy.

It was our second time eating there, and we had a good meal. The fried green beans were very tasty, and the sauce they served with them was delicious.

I've never seen the woven leaf animals before. Is that something new in AK? It looks totally amazing and makes such a great souvenir! What a sweet CM! Such a little thing for him to do, but it makes such a big impact. Those are my favorite kinds of treats!

I had never seen them before -- it was very cool! Connor refuses to throw it away, and it is all dried out now. LOL!

I seem to remember the day that Connor told me EE was an evil ride. He seems to have gotten over that! What a guy! So glad he got a snow kitty to go with his Yeti, Baylor has yet to ride again....

Connor became quite the daredevil on this trip.

I hope you enjoy your Taste of Africa as much as we did!

We did! We did!

I had lost track of what time of day it was so I was sure that you were off in search of a Lost on Safari for your drink of choice! Maybe later!!

It was so hot I wanted something that wouldn't dehydrate me.

I am still on the fence on EE. Not sure I can do it.

I've done it once -- it's the steep drop at the end that gets me.

Great idea to do Kali last. I have only been on it once and got totally soaked!

Really looking forward to the Taste of Africa!

I took lots of pictures! One of my favorite pictures of the trip was taken at the Taste of Africa.

What? No Everest for you on this trip? Maybe next time.......

Maybe...

Oh that frozen Chai looks wonderful!! I will have to try one of those next trip.

It was very good! Next time, though, I think I will try and remember to pack regular straws because I hate those paper straws there.

Aw you did not ride EE. I love that ride but I enjoy riding everything. Although at Universal next year it might be a different story. I think I will use your method & say I will hold everything & my guys can do the rides. I don't mind any Disney ride but those big coasters that go straight down..NO!!

I am so not a thrill ride person.

Expedition Doom. I love it!!

It's exactly how I was feeling towards it.

Ahhh, Chelsea is a girl after my own heart noticing the different light fixtures.

I totally thought of you while I was snapping pictures of those lights.

Too funny that you bribed Connor to ride EE...and I love the new name...Expedition Doom!

I am a big believer in whatever it takes!

Wow...that frozen Chai looks delicious! I may have to get one of those next time!

It was sooo good! I will definitely be getting another one the next time we are at Animal Kingdom!

Your meals looked huge, but fantastic!

They were huge. Although I ate and ate, at the end of the meal it didn't look like I had touched my lo mein.

YAY for Chelsea getting pixie dusted at Kali...very cool that you would have the opportunity to ride again!

We were very excited about getting those FPs.

Can't wait to hear about Taste of Africa!

It was so much fun!

I have to catch up! The first week of school was exhausting, but I finally have time for the DIS now

No matter how long we have been teaching that first week always does us in, doesn't it?

I hope Connor had a terrific birthday!!!
Looks like everyone had a great time at the DISmeet.

He did have a great birthday -- nothing like those three-day celebrations!

The DIS meet was a lot of fun!

I would have done the same thing to get out of riding EE
Y&Y is so yummy!
Connor's fish is adorable.

Every year I think I will have the nerve to ride and I always chicken out.

first off...Sending Birthday wishes to Connor...hope he had a great one!


2nd...very cool Dismeet!

very cool...you guys have had some great CM moments on this trip......did they say Happy Bird-day?...I remember them saying that to the twins when we were there for their b-days in '05

Thank you! Connor had a wonderful birthday!

The DIS meet was great!

The Royal Anandapur Tea Company is over towards Yak and Yeti on that pathway in Asia.

We did have fantastic CM moments! Chelsea loved all of it!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Both of the fish are cute.

Thank you!

The food at Yak and Yeti looks tasty, I will need to try it the next time we go to AK. All the pictures and talk of food reminds me it is about lunch time. Unfortunately there is nothing that looks that good in my kitchen. I guess we will have to go out to eat. I will blame the Dis. for my craving. Have a good birthday and family weekend.

I have that problem a lot when I am on the DIS! Food at my house never looks as appetizing as the food at Disney.

Okay I am here now !!!

Welcome, Rosie!!! So glad to have you here!

Great update now I have to go back and catch up

There are links in the second post!

Once again I love the pictures of the details you always get.

Thanks! I could spend all day at Animal Kingdom just wandering around and taking pictures.

And that drinks looks so refreshing, something else to put on my list.

It might be my new favorite drink at Animal Kingdom!

I really like EE but after my experience in Feb I might have to skip out on it in the future. Don't feel bad you missed it.

I rode it once back in 2007, and it seems to have been enough for me.

Lunch looks fabulous, but wait no desert? We loved the deserts there. I'm still dreaming of the mango pie.

We were so stuffed we couldn't even think about dessert!

Kali is the best way to end your time there. A change of clothes are usually called for after that ride.

The very first time we rode Kali we didn't get wet, but every time since then we have been absolutely soaked!

For some reason I envisioned you getting a Yak Attack. But the frozen chai is good too. Eating fried green beans counts as a serving of your veggies for the day, right?

Oh, I totally counted those green beans as vegetables. LOL! I had planned on getting a drink that morning/afternoon, but it was just too hot.

I think you were a fine sherpa. The holding of stuff is the cheif resposibility. I am secetly hoping that we cannot get an early ADR for Tusker House so that I can fit Yak and Yeti in to our plans. Yummo!

I do think being a holder of stuff is very important. Yak and Yeti is very good, but we also love Tusker House -- that is a tough call.

Well, that's really cool! Is this something new? I've never noticed it before!

Wonderful to get that birthday pixiedust!


Kathy

We had never noticed it before, either, so I am not sure if it is new or not. Connor was so proud of it. He still has the dried out husk in his room.

Expedition Doom!! I was wondering if you would be joining them....I suppose someone has to have sherpa duties!! Although there is room for everything on the tea trains

Shhhh...don't tell my family that.

Lunch looks good....have never eaten there but I am sure it was pleasant to get into some ac and take a rest....but elwwwwww on the lady brushing her hair!!! That is just gross!!
VERY interested in your Taste of Africa!

Tracy

We love any restaurant that boasts AC at the Animal Kingdom. Wasn't that gross that she was brushing her hair at her table.

Oh, I'm so in love with the frozen chai! It's my favorite drink ever!! I cannot believe I have to wait a year to get another one . Love the fish made out of leaves. Cool find.

I was in love with that Frozen Chai as well! It was just what I needed as I strolled around and waited on the rest of the family. Connor was very pleased with his fish.

Well I am up to chapter 9 !!!

My DGD lost her cell phone on the bus back to POP!!Of course she was a wreak and tearful etc !!But shortly after Judy received a call from someone who had found it !1They scrolled thru the numbers and found MOM!!!!!We met them in the lobby later that night and the phone was restored to Steph !!

Oh, thank goodness your DGD's phone was found -- it is just the worst feeling ever to discover something like that missing.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I don't know which one sounds/looks best!
I have only eaten at the counter service; not in Yak & Yeti.

It was all very good -- I tasted everyone else's for comparison purposes. LOL!

Since I have only been through the FP line of Everest, I want to go through the full queue sometime just for pictures.

I am sure you would get great pictures in that queue!

I had one chance to be a part of that on the 9th, and I just didn't have it in me. I stayed back with Bella. Wonder if they'll have it again next year? We're thinking of not going until late July, though, so it might still not work out.

I hope they do it again next year because it was a lot of fun!

Sherpa code of honor. I love that!

Manners are an amazing thing. I was at an industry luncheon this week and while the speaker was still speaking, but after lunch had been served, the woman next to me whips out a compact and touches up her face powder and lipstick.

Hey lady, I'd like fresh gloss too but I'm not going to do it here!

I just know my mom would have died if I ever tried pulling something like that when I was growing up, so I wouldn't even dream of doing it now.

Anyhooo.

Very smart negotiating on your part and a snow kitty, how cute is that!

I have a picture of it for the end of the day.

Happy belated Birthday to Conor!!!!!!!

Not belated at all -- today is his actual birthday -- Friday was the start of the festivities with his friend party.

I enjoyed reading your Trip Report and was glad to read that Chelsea had gotten her camera back. Unfortunately I know that there is not a lot of kind people in this world who would return a camera to their owners (or in this case, lost and found).

Thanks! I think knowing that we may have never seen that camera again made me even more grateful when it was found.

For your next trip, you should really ride Everest. It LOOKS bad, but really isn't. If you can do Big Thounder Mountain Railroad @ Magic Kingdom you can definiately do Everest. It only LOOKS bad (LOOKS is the key word). I was scared the first time I went on it, but after I did It wasn't that bad.

I rode Everest back in 2007. I am such a chicken at heart when it comes to rides. I even brace myself for the drop on POTC. LOL!

I'm here finally.. better late then never I suppose! pff.. this will take be a while to catch up. But I'm glad I finally joined- idk how I missed you starting this.. but I've been so busy the last month. Anywho.. I'm EXCITED. there is soo much for me to read already!!

Hi, Jen!!! Welcome!!! Yes, lots to read -- there are chapter links at the beginning.

I have never ridden EE either. I always chicken out at the last minute.

Yep! I was bound and determined to ride it this time, but then all those screams and the racing trains did me in.

I can't believe you didn't ride EE! But I guess a sherpa has to do what a sherpa has to do!

Love Connor's fish!

Yes, I was ready to take any out I could. Connor loved his fish. It came all the way home with us.

Happy Birthday, Connor!

Have a great day!

Thank you, MeMom! I think he had a lot of fun today -- it started with chocolate doughnuts this morning and after a day full of fun and presents ended with cake and ice cream!

Said it on Facebook but I'll say it here, happy birthday Connor!!!!

Thank you, TK! I can't believe my little man is eleven!

Love the last update, that slushy chai is soooo good, huh? I would have totally been offering to hold everything as well. Roller coaster chick I am not.

Roller Coaster Chick -- nope, that's not me, either!

Lunch looks incredible, those portions are huge! This is one restaurant I still have yet to try and it looks really good. I can't get over the plant animal, that is so cool.

If you aren't on the dining plan when you do finally try Yak and Yeti, consider splitting portions -- they are huge! We thought the fish made out of leaves was super neat, too!

Happy BDAY Connor!!! Seems like they had a blast at the party! What a good Mom you are

Thanks! I think the boys had a lot of fun, and they were all very well-behaved which made it so much easier on Charles and me to have a good time, too.

GREAT update! I got a little nervous about Everest this year too. Your lunch looked awesome! Can't wait to try Y&Y!

Everest is very daunting to me. Well, all the thrill rides are actually. You will enjoy Yak and Yeti! Great atmosphere and good food!

Happy Bday Conner!!!!!! : yoda:

Thank you!

I love the Kali River Rapids but we kind of cheat when we go on >
I bring those cheap poncho's that you get at the dollar store. Put on one before we go on the ride then put ion back in a zip lock bag and save it in case we want to go again. More then one person on the ride has said man I wish I had thought of that. They would make a killing if they sold them before the ride on a little cart

That is a very good idea! My problem is I hate carrying lots of things around, so the whole carrying ponchos is out. If Disney sold cheap ones at the ride entrance, I would be all about it.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh the sly Sherpa you. The supreme sacrifice of holding all the gear while others ride. You don't fool me.
Judging by the way you had your head down during Dinosaur skipping it may have been for the best.

You know me too well. When weighing the choices of plunging to my death on a runaway train or strolling through Asia with a Frozen Chai in my hand and all by myself, I jumped at the whole "I will carry everyone's stuff" angle. LOL!

NEXT time you need to get a little closer. You know you can go through the queue and use the "chicken exit" by the single rider entrance to get out. This way you have the journey but without the altitude sickness.

I did ride it in 2007, so I was able to enjoy the queue. It is a wonderful piece of Imagineering!

Ok I'm finally all caught up, it's been a crazyyyy past couple of weeks and I feel so behind As long as there are no more unforseen laptop problems, I am in for the rest of the ride now

I know the feeling behind thing! Me too!

I'm really excited to hear about the Taste of Africa street party. I had forgotten it ended on the 24th and I think we were there late on the 26th...I was wondering what time it was starting and then I looked at the sign and realized it wasn't going on that night! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Hope you're having a great weekend, Jackie

Ah, that stinks that you missed the Taste of Africa! It was very neat!

Thanks! I did, but now it is Sunday night. Hope you had a good weekend, too, Kristen!

That Frozen Chai looks SOOOOOOOOOO good! What was in it?!?!?!?! Can't wait to hear about your other adventures upon your return!

I couldn't begin to tell you what was in it except it was frozen, had a tea base, and maybe some vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon...It was very good, though!

 

[eandesmom]

I have a picture of it for the end of the day.

oh good! I was slightly bummed not to see the snow kitty

Not belated at all -- today is his actual birthday -- Friday was the start of the festivities with his friend party.

Which looked adorable and so much fun!

I rode Everest back in 2007. I am such a chicken at heart when it comes to rides. I even brace myself for the drop on POTC. LOL!

it's so funny, my whole family braces themselves for that and we've got some thrill junkies in the bunch.

Yes, I was ready to take any out I could. Connor loved his fish. It came all the way home with us.

that fish (both of them) was adorable!

Thank you, TK! I can't believe my little man is eleven!

I don't know why but it always surprises me that Conor and Evan are the same age. Conor just seems so much....sweeter!

 

[Charleston Princess]

oh good! I was slightly bummed not to see the snow kitty

I will post the picture at the end of Day Three -- believe it or not, it was the only souvenir we bought on our Animal Kingdom day!

Which looked adorable and so much fun!

It was a lot of fun! The boys were very well-behaved -- they were loud, but I think that is to be expected with a bunch of fifth grade boys.

it's so funny, my whole family braces themselves for that and we've got some thrill junkies in the bunch.

There may have even been times where I have buried my head right before the plunge. LOL!

that fish (both of them) was adorable!

I thought it was so neat -- I love those little unexpected moments at Disney. I was a little bummed that I had missed watching her weave the fish since I was getting fast passes for the safari, but I enjoyed hearing the story when I met back up with the gang.

I don't know why but it always surprises me that Conor and Evan are the same age. Connor just seems so much....sweeter!

I think Connor and Evan would have a great time together.

Connor is my empathetic child -- he is always very concerned with making sure everyone else is happy and not upset about anything. Although I will say he has his moments where he is full of attitude -- usually when he has been told no -- no one in my family seems to be able to deal with that very well.

 

[englishrose47]

I am now up to chapter 12 !!! With all your shopping expertize did you see any of those "bands "the kids wear now ??????

Just wanted to tell you that growing up the English Football team we supported was Norwich!!Up the Canaries

 

[If U Had Wings]

Is the holding of the party goods one of those things they teach you in mom school? That would explain alot. My mom's been using that trip for years.

I definitely need to try one of those frozen chi's on my trip. It looks delicious!

 

[kate_wdw]

It was a great time! I highly recommend getting a meet together!

How adorable! What a great favor!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Wow, I go away for a weekend and miss a great update AND Connor's birthday?? OOPS!
Hope he had a great weekend - I believe in extending birthdays as long as possible too!
I totally was going to get the frozen chai this time around but we ended up skipping AK all together!! Next trip for sure! And I'd love to try Yak & Yeti (trying to get over the Yak in the name!). The counter service was not so impressive to me.
Score on the FP pixie dust! I'm anxious to hear about the Taste of Africa. if it were still going on when we were there, I might have changed some plans to check it out.

 

[*dreamit*doit*]

Hi Jackie! Hope Connor had a great bday weekend!!

I was about a week behind here so I just got caught up. So glad you guys had a nice time at the Cupcake Meet! The picture of Chelsea holding Bella is so cute!

Great AK update. for Pixie dusted FP's!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am now up to chapter 12 !!! With all your shopping expertize did you see any of those "bands "the kids wear now ??????

Anita was kind enough to send us some before we left. They are a huge hit with my two.

Just wanted to tell you that growing up the English Football team we supported was Norwich!!Up the Canaries

Charles loves the English leagues -- he even had to subscribe to one of those cable channels that shows the English Premier League.

Is the holding of the party goods one of those things they teach you in mom school? That would explain alot. My mom's been using that trip for years.

It works like a charm because no one ever really wants to take all their stuff on rides.

I definitely need to try one of those frozen chi's on my trip. It looks delicious!

I highly recommend it!

How adorable! What a great favor!

We thought so, too, and they were delicious! I keep meaning to head over to the bakery where she ordered them to get some more of their iced sugar cookies.

Wow, I go away for a weekend and miss a great update AND Connor's birthday?? OOPS!
Hope he had a great weekend - I believe in extending birthdays as long as possible too!

He did! I will probably post some pictures mid-week of all his festivities.

I totally was going to get the frozen chai this time around but we ended up skipping AK all together!! Next trip for sure! And I'd love to try Yak & Yeti (trying to get over the Yak in the name!). The counter service was not so impressive to me.

Yes, the frozen chai must go on your next-time list!

Score on the FP pixie dust! I'm anxious to hear about the Taste of Africa. if it were still going on when we were there, I might have changed some plans to check it out.

It was very well done, but it will probably still be a couple of Africa updates away -- I always take a lot of pictures in that section of the park.

Hi Jackie! Hope Connor had a great bday weekend!!

He did -- thank you so much!

I was about a week behind here so I just got caught up. So glad you guys had a nice time at the Cupcake Meet! The picture of Chelsea holding Bella is so cute!

Thanks! Yes, we did have a great time at the Cupcake Meet! It was lots of fun seeing and meeting everyone!

Great AK update. for Pixie dusted FP's!!

We were very excited! It seemed like Chelsea got a little bit of birthday Pixie Dust each day!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

I am now up to chapter 12 !!! With all your shopping expertize did you see any of those "bands "the kids wear now ??????

Just wanted to tell you that growing up the English Football team we supported was Norwich!!Up the Canaries

Go to Target! They have the entire Disney line in the toy dept!

 

[DWGal210]

First of all, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CONNOR!!!!!

Your AK day looks like fun! I want to hit up Yak & Yeti this time for lunch - but those portions ARE large! I'll have to keep that in mind, for sure.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I'm late, so Happy Belated Birthday Connor! From the updates I saw on Facebook it looks like both your parties with friends and family were all a bunch of fun! Glad you had a wonderful weekend celebrating!

Yak & Yeti look sooooooooooo yummy! It's on the list for next trip! I just might have to get those fried green beans.

You made quite the sacrifice in skipping EE to hold everyone's gear.

I'm looking forward to your review of the party! I hope it's something they decide to bring back again and again!

 

[Cat0727]

I've fallen behind, but Happy Belated Birthday to Connor!

I've heard such good things about Yak & Yeti, and your pictures made my mouth water! The food looks so yummy!

The frozen chai is definitely on my sister's "next-time" list. She loves the ones from Starbucks.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Happy belated birthday to Connor!
I guess the Sherpa had alot of duties that called her away from the dreaded EE adventure! EE is my newest fav, but I try to find ways out of TOT!
Glad you enjoyed your lunch! We loved our early dinner at Y&Y too - we were able to walk in without ADRs - I'm so glad we did - it will be a "must do again" for sure!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Go to Target! They have the entire Disney line in the toy dept!

Speaking of which, I really need to head to Target soon -- I bet all of their Halloween stuff is out.

First of all, HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY CONNOR!!!!!

Thanks, Katie!

Your AK day looks like fun! I want to hit up Yak & Yeti this time for lunch - but those portions ARE large! I'll have to keep that in mind, for sure.

We did have a lot of fun on our AK day, and there is more fun to come! Yes, the portions are huge at Yak and Yeti!

I'm late, so Happy Belated Birthday Connor! From the updates I saw on Facebook it looks like both your parties with friends and family were all a bunch of fun! Glad you had a wonderful weekend celebrating!

Thanks, Brook! We did have a lot of fun celebrating Connor's birthday -- it was hard to go back to real world stuff yesterday and leave all the partying behind.

Yak & Yeti look sooooooooooo yummy! It's on the list for next trip! I just might have to get those fried green beans.

They were very tasty.

You made quite the sacrifice in skipping EE to hold everyone's gear.

That's just the kind of person I am.

I'm looking forward to your review of the party! I hope it's something they decide to bring back again and again!

Me too because it was quite fun!

I've fallen behind, but Happy Belated Birthday to Connor!

Thanks!

I've heard such good things about Yak & Yeti, and your pictures made my mouth water! The food looks so yummy!

It was, and I am a sucker for shrimp lo mein!

The frozen chai is definitely on my sister's "next-time" list. She loves the ones from Starbucks.

Oh, I need to try the one at Starbucks sometime -- right now it is pumpkin latte season, so that's my drink of choice.

Happy belated birthday to Connor!
I guess the Sherpa had alot of duties that called her away from the dreaded EE adventure! EE is my newest fav, but I try to find ways out of TOT!
Glad you enjoyed your lunch! We loved our early dinner at Y&Y too - we were able to walk in without ADRs - I'm so glad we did - it will be a "must do again" for sure!

Thanks, Tammie! Yes, a Sherpa must never shirk her duties of holding the gear. Yak and Yeti was very good!