Who Says a Platypus Doesn't Do Much?

[tyandskyesmom]

The alarm went off at 5am...and we got up. I showered first them got Tyler up and then Skye. We stopped and filled up our mugs in the food court.



We were on a bus by 6:30am. The driver took us straight to the Poly.







We headed inside and it was early due to our ride straight here again. We had a 7:30am ADR for Kona Cafe so we had a while to wait so we took some pictures around the Poly.











We played some WAR...



We watched as they set up for Ohana's greeting. While we were there, one of the men gave us all leis.​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

At 7:30am exactly, we were the first ones seated. We were in the first row on the right side of the walk way as you come in.







Our waitress came quickly and too our drink order.



Ty had the Mega Berry Smoothies (raspberry puree and nonfact yogurt blended with Odwalia berries Go Mega), Skye had pineapple juice, and I had Lilikoi Juice (passion fruit, orange and guava blend) .

When she came back we ordered our food and Jackie (our waitress) brought out butter, katchup, and syrup...



Skye had Minnie's French Toast (rolled in cinnamon sugar)...



It was good, fresh, hot french toast.

Tyler ordered the Big Kahuna (French toast, Pancakes topped with Pineapple sauce and Macadamia Nut Butter, eggs, home fried potatoes, ham, bacon, and sausage)...



...but he ordered it with everything on the side. Skye snagged the ham, I ate the sausage, we all shared the bacon, Skye and I had some of the potatoes, Tyler ate all the eggs, the french toast and some of the pancakes. It was all very good and lots of food. It is definately enough to share.

I had the Tonga Toast (banana stuffed sourdough bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with Strawberry Compote and your choice of ham, bacon, or sausage) with ham....



I couldn't resist! And it was really good...with and without the strawberry compote. Very sweet though! As much as they coudl see the sugar on the tiast, I could not get the kids to taste it though...they would have liked it I think!

Our total was $30.96 but we paid 2 adult and 1 kid's credit.

We went into this meal worried...after our last visit here we were sure hoping we were not in for a long ordeal but we were taken very well this time and we were our of them by 8:12am.

Breakfast is definately something we would return for!​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So we were on a bus to Disney's Hollywood Studios by 8:30am.

We got to the gates...





...and were let in up to the rope.



It was crazy packed as usual! Skye and I snuck up towards the front or the line through the stores on the right hand side. Actually, we were looking around and enjoying the air conditioning becasue it was already horribly hot! And Tyler had our passes and squeezed his way up to the front of the crowd to wait for the rope drop.

After the show, they releaased the crowd and we all took off. Tyler was in the front of the crowd and we were just going to meet him over there.





When we got to near the Brown Derby things were starting to not look so good. Things were slowing down. When we rounded the corner, we couldn't believe our eyes! The line for fast passes was all the way back to the enterance for Voyage of the Little Mermaid and it doubled back on itself at least halfway back and it was still growing! So we kept walking trying to find Tyler. As we got closer, he called to see where we were. He was the second one at a machine and was just heading back our way. So we kept walking. We left the stroller over there and were hoping to make the stand-by line but you know what??? It was all the way back to the Backlot Tour and it doubled back about half way on itself too!!! Crazy!

So we just kept walking! At least we knew we'd ride once today!







And we foound ourselves here...









...for our first of many...we really loved it! ​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We rode Star Tours three times before we tore ourselves away. We went to Hoth and the Death Star, Kasyyki and the underwater world, and Kasyyki and the Death Star...or that is at least what I was told...I honestly couldn't tell you where we were. But it was a lot of fun!



So we headed back towards our stroller after getting fast passes for Star Tours for later...





We used out fast passes for Toy Story Mania...















​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I meant to get a lot done updated this weekend by my heart is just not in it....

This morning we had to put our first baby to sleep. She just turned 14 last month...we have had her since she was 10 weeks old and she was the perfect dog! She was our child, our protector, our guard, or confidant, our playmate, our sister, our best friend.

Both the kids have had her since they were born. She and I sat here while I was pregnant and Lou was working all night or after when Lou was still working overnights but I was nurses a sleepless baby.

She was always to play catch with Tyler where no one else could. Or to go with him into the dark when he was scared. She was always with us as we barbecued or to go for a walk or a ride.

The house seems so empty already even though she really couldn't do much lately. She enjoyed her last day out in the yard yesterday. She loved the snow and were supposed to get some tomorrow...

I've been crying all day and Tyler cried himself out after about three hours straight this morning.

I hope we made her as happy as she has made us and that she was met by Beaker and Homer (our two cats we had when she came to lube with us) and they are all happy and healthy and not in anymore pain.

And we have to bury her soon...

We love you Dakota and miss you already!
I just don't know how we are going to fill that hole she has left.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Ok...so I think I can continue now...

So after our great ride through Toy Story Mania, Skye and I headed towards our lunch ADR while Tyler went to see if he could get more fast passes for Star Tours.



He always seems to catch Skyler!



A view towards Gertie.

Skye wishes she lived here...



We took our time and had a nice walk over. It was not crowded anywhere but by Toy Story Mania. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.

It was extremely hot though. We were sweating! And we don't like ot sweat!

Tyler ended up getting his additional fast passes for Star Tours. He was hoping to ride to all destinations. I think we ended up going to the same places but in different combinations. But it was fun hooping and trying to guess where were were going.​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So we checked in at for our 11am lunch at...





We hung our in the living room for about 15 minutes becaue they were not seating yet...











Skye's foot picture of the day...



Now we have been here before but Skye was not born yet and Tyler was really young so he did not remember it. And the teasing thing is not really my thing and sometimes the kids get oddly shy, which is why we have hesitated over the years. Will we like it this time?

We were one of the first seated for the day and we got the kitchen that we have seen in commercials! It was right as you walk into the dining area on the corner.



We were brought our menus and we ordered our drinks. And made our one mistake of the meal...WE FORGOT ABOUT MILK SHAKES!!!! I so wanted to try the PB&J shake!





Tyler had decided he was not that hungry so we decided to share one adult meal...and it was a good decision. Skye, however, was willing to eat whatever was put in front of her! ​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We were brought silverwae and napkins and Cousin Cooper said "you know what to do" and walked away...and the kids looked dumbfounded...we don't do that at home! She really, they didn't. So I told them they better figure it out before he came back or who knows what will happen. So they did their version of setting the table and when Cousin Cooper returned, he told them they did ok but some things were wrong...and he made them correct it.

For appetizers, Tyler was not interested in anything except onion rings but those are only for a party of two so we could not get them since he was not using a credit. So I opted for Aunt Annie's Seafood Salad (Lump Blue Crab, Bay Scallops, and Shrimp tossed in Citrus Vinaigrette served on seasonal Greens)...



And I was glad I did! It was fresh and cold. It was a ton of seafood and I ate almost all of it. The kids took a little of the seafood but not much.

Skye ordered Chicken Noodle Soup...



She said it was just as good as the other soups she had had. Our cousin (laughed at her for wanting a fork to eat her soup with.

She also ordered the Macaroni & Cheese with fries...



It was her favorite kind of mac & cheese because it was very soupy so she could dip her fries in the cheese. Our cousin said, I suppose you want a spoon for your mac & cheese to right?" and she smile and said "Yes" in all seriousness! He cracked up. Then he teased her throughout the whole meal about eating so slowly. He complained that he was going to need a union break before she finished!

Tyler finished his coke somewhere in here and asked for another. Cousin Cooper brought him our two and said "Here...this is #2 and # 3 and if you get to #3 it will turn into #1!" The kids thought he was hilarious!

Tyler and I shared the Sampling of Mom's Favorite Recipes (Crispy-fried Chicken, Fork Tender Pot Roast, and Traditional Meatloaf with all the fixings)...



Tyler, of course, took the fried chicken...and I had the rest! It was all really good! I cannot pick my favorite...in fact, I hope they keep the sample platter on the menu becasue it was a great way to not have to decide! I think I licked hte plate...which made Tyler happy because he was afraid I woudl not finish my greens or something and he'd end up being punished for it becasue he was sharing with me. Another reason we were not in a hurry to return was becasue the food was just ok for us...well, not this time...it was wonderful...and we are super glad i decided to do this one. it will probably make the list from now on! Food was great and the kids thought it was great fun!

So for dessert, Tyler and I shared the Dad's Brownie Sundae (Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream, Hot Fudge, and Caramel topping)...



WOW! What more could you ask for! It was fun to look at and to eat!

Skye had the Ice-Cream Sundae (it was make-your-own just like she likes it but it did not say that on the menu!)...



During dessert, our cousin was waiting on another table of older teens/young adults in the room next door and was giving them a real hard time. The kids thought it was so funny! Then he sat down in a booth where he could see us still but was about 15 feet away and was watching them and us. He'd yell to us to ask if we needed anything else. And by this time, Tyler was working on him...so he said he needed another coke...so our cousin yells to another cousin to get us some refills (because he's on a union break) or he's telling mom...so they fought back and forth for a while...while the kids laughed.

Our total for the meal was $53.19 and we left a $10.00 tip. We out of there at 11:43 so while we had a great time, the meal was not a super long one yet felt just right in timing. Cousin Cooper was great and I'd recommend you request him if you like doing that kind of thing. He was just into it enough to make us happy. Don't know if that is his thing or if he just read us well enough to know that that was the level of entertainment we would enjoy but whatever it was, he was great. We never felt neglected nor did we feel overly uncomfortable.


We will definately return to 50s Prime Time...we really loved it...food and service!​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So after our filling lunch at 50s Prime Time we made our way over to The Great Movie Ride.











We love The Great Movie Ride! And it was a nice way to spend our after meal time. When we got out of there we headed over to see who was meeting in the Animation building.







And I remembered about Animation Academy! We have never done that and the kids knew nothing about it. As soon as I told them about it, of course they wanted to do it. A group just got taken in and they were taking people for the next class. So we jumped in. They only take a certain amount of people so they can all fit in the room and have drawing desks. We waited about 25 minutes. The kids were getting antsy and I was dosing on and off. And it got crowded in that little space they corral you into. But they wanted to wait.





When it was finally our turn, we went in.



We were given a choice of three or four characters to draw and Pooh wha the winner. Tyler got discouraged early on becasue he did not pay attention...so he stopped drawing and moped a little. Skye and I finished...


​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

And it was so much fun the wanted to do it again! And luckily, they were still corralling people for the show after the one that just went in after us...so we waited!

And we all paid attention this time and we all drew and we all came away with pictures...of...TIGGER...







And thus began Tyler's need for his souvinear...a book to show you how to draw Disney Characters...I managed to get him to agree to not get it until llater in the trip but he did eventually get it...and it has been used many times since!

And then we headed back to Star Tours!





We used our two fast passes for some more great rides. Skye loves when (and I am going to sound real not Star Wars savy here!) we pulled into a stop and the pointy thing goes through the window and the little guy yells at C3P0 and he snaps back...I'll have to ask her what he says becasue hse was reciting it all evening...it was pretty funny!​

 

[mousetravel]

Love all your updates & pictures!
I had to go back a few pages, though and get caught up. I got behind on my favorite TR's here lately (even gotten behind on my own...). Everything's been crazy busy!

I hope we get a chance to see the new Pooh ride que on our upcoming trip. It looks really neat!

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Love all your updates & pictures!
I had to go back a few pages, though and get caught up. I got behind on my favorite TR's here lately (even gotten behind on my own...). Everything's been crazy busy!

I hope we get a chance to see the new Pooh ride que on our upcoming trip. It looks really neat!

Can't wait to hear more!

Glad to have you back! I know wat you mean... I am having a hard enough time getting my own TR done let alone keeping up with the ones I was following...

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So after our two trips to Hoth and the Death Star (or so I am told) it was time to head out.







And the sky was starting to look a little scary! You can see it in the last picture.

We walked over to the boat dock and there was one waiting for us...in fact the captain yelled over that if we hurried we'd make this trip...so we hurried!

First we stopped at the Swan and Dolphin.







Then over to the Yacht and Beach Clubs...





See that sky again???

Skye had fallen asleep on the way over...





Before heading over to...​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Before reaching...







And our destination for the evening...



But it was not time for dinner yet...so what are we to do???​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So we arrived at the Boardwalk a tad early so we walked around and checked out the Boardwalk grounds and just as we got to the pool area (which Tyler was excited to check out because of his love of anything elephant!) the sky opened up and the lightening started. Everyone was kicked out of the pool area. Really it surprised me how little people were there to start with. I mean, that is the main thing that keeps up going back to mostly values...if I am spending thayt much money for a hotel, I want to be there to enjoy it. Well, to each their own I guess!

So we walked over to the Boardwalk Bakery to check out what they had. No one else was there. Usually that place is crowded! SO the kids checked it out and of course wanted everything. When I finally convinced them that we shoudl just share something because dinner was coming up soon, we decided on An Oreo Cupcake and a Smart Water.



The cupcake was really cold but that was perfect for us...it was still so humid out! I did not record the cost but I believe it was about $8.50. And it was a good 2 snack credits spent...mmmmm....is all I need to say!

We walked back towards the pool area and found a rocker under the porch cover. We tried to sit there and eat the cupcake but we gave up since it was so incredible humid outside. So we headed inside te lobby to find somewhere to sit and cool off before our dinner and eat our snack. We ended up in an upstairs hallway where there was a small couch by doors going outside and the elevators. It was a little awkward but what else could we do. We split out snack and then Skye and I went to the bathroom to freshen up for dinner. When we were done, Tyler went. Not the most ideal situation but we did what we needed to. In the whole time we were there we only saw two other people...and it poured the whole time too.

At about 5:15pm we headed downstairs and out to Flying Fish for our 5:30pm dinner reservation.





We sat in the entrance waiting for them to start seating.



The bathrooms here are shared with the store next door. That's kind of odd to me but I guess it's better than not having access to one at all right?

At exactly 5:30pm we were seated at a table just far enough into the restaurant to be comfortable.





And we were given our menus...



We loved the flying fish...





Our waiter was Bob and he was wonderful. He encouraged the kids to tell him what they wanted and he'd have it made for them. He explained what things were very well. And he delivered what was ordered! Another great waiter!

Bob brought our bread and butter...



...and took our orders.​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So after we were all decided and Bob took our orders, we started on our appetizers.

Skye ordered the Seasonal Fruit Skewer and Honey Yogurt...



It was perfect. It looked and tasted like fresh picked, cut fruit. Not like it had been sitting around waiting for someone to order it. She ate it all!

Tyler ordered the Crispy Rice-Crusted Maine Lobster (Fragrantly spiced Florida Rock Shrimp and Asian Vegetables with a sheelfish, coconut, giner and lemongrass broth)...



He does like Lobster but it has only been plain steamed lobster tails not breaded in anything or on top of anything else. But, he wanted to try it and who am I to stop progress?

He did eat a little of it but I think I ended up with most of it. It was really good and something I wold not normally order at home. However, I think I might in the future at Flying Fish! And it was a really pretty dish in it's presentation with all the colors.

I went with the Our Signature Flying Fish Cafe "Crispy Maine Coast Jonah Crab Cake" (Savory Vegetable Slaw, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis, and Ancho Chile Rémoulade)...



...and while pretty, if I had not had Tyler's appetizer to occupy me, I would have been disappointed. I love a crab cake. Usually, I don't even mind one stuffed with filler...which this one wasn't but it wastoo over done for me. Like dry overdone, not crispy over done. I don't know if that is the way it was supposed to be or not but it was not my favorite crab cake of the trip. In fact, I left some on my place...GASP!!!!

For her entree, Skye ordered Bowl of Mickey Pasta (with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese)



...with everything on the side. My kids eat noodles like other people eat popcorn so pasta it was! And it was apparently very good!

Tyler ordered Our Signature Flying Fish Café "Char-crusted Certified Black Angus New York Strip Steak" (Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Pole Beans, young carrots, and bermuda onions with an applewood-smoked bacon mustard seed vinaigrette and Classic Sauce Foyot)



...medium rare and plain. And with fries. A lot of awesomly good fries. And even though they are not in the picture, he did get the carrots and Skye snagged them both...she loved them. Generally neither one of them eats cooked carrots but these were just soft on the outside and still had a bite to them and they looked like fresh baby carrots with the green top and everything...so she loved them and declared them the best carrots ever! Tyler loved his steak...it was perfectly medium rare, exactly as he likes 'em. And he loved the presentation on his plate witht he steak seperate from the fries and the ton of fries in a deep frying basket. He ate all the steak and most of the fries.

I had Our Signature Flying Fish Café "Potato-wrapped Red Snapper" (Leek Fondue with a Veal Glace, Red Wine, and Cassis Butter)...



Loved the fishy bowl!



I had been kicking myself for not ordering it the last time we were here. And I was very happy with my entree. I don't know how they get that potato to do that but it was really a great "breading" for the snapper. The fish was kept moist and yummy...and the sause...oh, the sauce...it just made the whole dish. Without it, it was good but with it, it was really, really good! I am afraid that this is one of those places I will never get to try anything else off of the menu...although a lot intrigues me about it! The kids both tried a piece of the fish, not the potato or the sauce, and liked it but both were so happy with their choices, no one bugged me for mine! Definately a better choice than last time (I had some The Land grown talapia with pumpkin seeds and stuff).

For dessert, Skye had the Mickey's Chocolate Puzzle (white chocolate puzzle, sugar paints, creamy-topped chocolate cupcake)...



Which she loved. but I don't know how much eating she did as she was busy painting the puzzle until she discovered she could paint herself...



Pretty isn't she???

Tyler had the Dessert Trio...



...which is no longer on the menu so I will try to remember what it was. It was a play on carnival food we were told. So starting form the right is a hamburger with fries and ketchup. It was like a peanut butter and chocolate whoopie pie with donut like fries and a raspberry sauce ketchup. Next is a respberry bitters popcicle...it was very sour, and Bob had warned us about that before hand! It was fun and had good flavor once you got past the sour but even the kids (who would eat Sour Patch Kids all day) thought it was too sour! and the last item, on the left, was a popcorn ice cream with caramel and caralem corn on the top. It was really good and the clear favorite! I really likes the PB&C hamburger too but not as much as that popcorn ice cream...and I generally don't even like popcorn that much. It was definatelty a fun and creative dessert!

I had a Strawberry cheesecake thing...



This was really pretty...we loved seeing it. It was almost hard to eat it! But we did. I think the kids grapped the sugar decoration...it was like a flat sucker. It was really a great dessert. Everything went together perfectly. there was none of it left...except maybe wheat thingy!

We had another awesome meal here. Next time we will have to bring Lou back. the only thing I wish was different is that it were a little easier to get to...but then I guess, it'd be crowded all the time like a lot of the other venues.

When all was said and done, we spent $166.75 on dinner and left a $30.00tip. And it was well worth our 4 adult and 2 kid's meal credits!

We will definatley be back...and next time it will make the "must do" list not the "if we can squeeze it in" list!​

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So Skye took her goodie bag that had some of her pasta and her dessert in it (and I don't think she ever ate it)...



...but she loved the bag! Go figure!?!?!

So we headed to towards the boat dock and waited for a boat back to Disney's Hollywood Studios.







While we were there and Tyler is trying to act all cool becasue the cute teenage looking "hot" girl was standing in front of us acting indifferent to the whole Disney experience (and she was alone even though she looked to be maybe 15 at most!) a bee decides to love Tyler's shorts...

And nothing he could do...and still look cool...would get it to leave. So I am crying I am laughing so hard and he is trying to get it to go away without stinging him while still looking cool and not like a girly man and Skye is trying to help but that does not make you look very manly to have your baby sisten swating at your crotch area...and what do I do...well, I gotta get a picture!!!!



So now, I am crying I am laughing so hard while pointing my camera at my son's crotch trying to capture the hilarity of the moment. I don't know if you guys are getting it or not but boy did I have a good laugh. Any of those things on their own (the bee, the girl, being cool) would no thave been funny or that unusual but all put together at the end of a long hot day...well, it was hilarious!

And the girl did not even show she noticed any of it so he could have just avoided the whole thing and done something embarrassing to get the bee to leave. Just re-living it, has made me giggle...no tears but there was a giggle!

While we waited it was getting darker and by the time we arrived at Disney's Hollywood Studios, it was pretty dark.



Love that pic of Tower of Terror...just makes it look spookier!



See he made it though the bee thing!



This is from our vantage point in the line for All-Star Movies out in the parking lot.




The line was not long tonight becasue the part was just getting close to closing so people were not yet leaving in droves so we waitied just a little and were soon on a bus "home".

When we got there we filled our mugs and walked to our room.







Since it was so early and we had a long, hot day we all decided we wanted to go to the pool. So we changed and headed down. There were a lot of other people there and Lilo & Stitch was on the movie screen by the pool. If you were in the right part of the pool you could watch the movie while in the water. Tyler found some of the kids he played with last time and the hung out and Skye and I hung out. It did not take long for us to tire out, maybe an hour or so becasue we did not even get to the end of the movie.

We headed back upstairs and changed for bed...it did not take long for all of us to be out for the night!​

 

[dismagiclover]

Love the evening at the Boardwalk! That is our home DVC resort so it always makes me happy to see pictures of it! The story of the hot teenage girl and the bee is pretty funny! Wonder if she noticed.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Love the evening at the Boardwalk! That is our home DVC resort so it always makes me happy to see pictures of it! The story of the hot teenage girl and the bee is pretty funny! Wonder if she noticed.

We love the Boardwalk area...in fact we have had reservations there a couple of times and then end up cancelling because I just cannot see spending that kind of money and not being there...maybe someday!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Ok...how fo I post a reply the regular way? Did I miss something or am I just a moron???