^^^Brad, I would like to think that it was just an off night. We went back a few days later for lunch (Which we will talk about in a later posting) and it was great.
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Thu, 03/04/2010 - 23:43
Thu, 03/04/2010 - 23:56
Annie wrote:
Your days always sound so wonderful -- relaxing, fun, and refreshing. Thank you so much for the fantastic report; reading makes me feel like I'm on vacation.Was your Sum of All Thrills experience wild or mild?! Would love to hear more about it. Also, did you make your Piggy Bank goal?? I think that's a great little game; looking forward to trying it out.
Your meal at Chefs sounds delish. Is Vettelover fluent in French?!
Annie: sorry I must have missed this post earlier, I did not mean to ignore you. As far as the sum of all thrills we made it mild, as my quad bypass precludes any "Wild" rides. as far as the piggy bank adventure goes we did make our goal but just barely. As far as my being fluent in French sadly the answer is no, I used to speak French much better than I do now, but as the old saying goes, If you don't use it you loose it. Not having anyone to speak it with has caused me to forget much. I can still read it well and get the meaning, but I find myself searching for the proper words to speak it.
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Fri, 03/05/2010 - 01:02
Brad wrote:
Vettelover wrote:
Dinner reservations were at 5 at Whispering Canyon Cafe. We've eaten there before and enjoyed it, But this time, both of us were disappointed, not only in the food but the atmosphere. Had the Canyon Skillet-neither of us was impressed, BBQ Ribs were very, very fatty, brisket tough, pulled pork-not much flavor, just a little smokey. Even dessert was just ok. VL had Kahlua Choc Cake-good. I had Bourbon Pecan Pie w/choc sauce, plenty of pecans, but no flavor, even the bourbon couldn't help, didn't finish it and I'm not one to leave any dessert behind. I don't know if the guests weren't into it, but there wasn't much participation from them or CMs, only 1 little horse parade for the kids and no yelling for ketchup, etc.
Well, back to AKL for the night, there is a tornado watch in effect until 3 a.m.We've never been for dinner. Is it off your recommendation list, or do you think they were just having an off night?
We've always had a good experience at Whispering Canyon, better for dinner in terms of fun and the food has always been good for us. We always get the Canyon Skillet because we both love BBQ. That and I think they have the best cornbread on the PLANET....I always make sure to save room for the cornbread...I'd rather have that than a dessert!! It's always been moist and deliciously sweet - not too sweet, but just right
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2017 AKL-Jambo House (May)
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2016 Old Key West (Aug)
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2005 All Star Sports (Jul)
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Fri, 03/05/2010 - 06:01
Vettelover wrote:
Annie wrote:Your days always sound so wonderful -- relaxing, fun, and refreshing. Thank you so much for the fantastic report; reading makes me feel like I'm on vacation.Was your Sum of All Thrills experience wild or mild?! Would love to hear more about it. Also, did you make your Piggy Bank goal?? I think that's a great little game; looking forward to trying it out.
Your meal at Chefs sounds delish. Is Vettelover fluent in French?!
Annie: sorry I must have missed this post earlier, I did not mean to ignore you. As far as the sum of all thrills we made it mild, as my quad bypass precludes any "Wild" rides. as far as the piggy bank adventure goes we did make our goal but just barely. As far as my being fluent in French sadly the answer is no, I used to speak French much better than I do now, but as the old saying goes, If you don't use it you loose it. Not having anyone to speak it with has caused me to forget much. I can still read it well and get the meaning, but I find myself searching for the proper words to speak it.
No problem, Vettelover! I spoke French for a very little while there, myself, and have lost most of it. It helped when I lived in a French-speaking country in college, but I'm always surprised with how well I got around speaking no French at all.
Was the mild version of the Sum of All Thrills a good one?
Fri, 03/05/2010 - 06:02
milliehubbard wrote:
We've always had a good experience at Whispering Canyon, better for dinner in terms of fun and the food has always been good for us. We always get the Canyon Skillet because we both love BBQ. That and I think they have the best cornbread on the PLANET....I always make sure to save room for the cornbread...I'd rather have that than a dessert!! It's always been moist and deliciously sweet - not too sweet, but just right
YUM cornbread. I don't think I've ever had the WCC cornbread. I'll have to put it on my food bucket list.
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 02:07
BACK TO THE WORLD-THE NEXT INSTALLMENT!
Friday, Jan 22nd, and the drought on the savannah is over!!! The clouds opened up that morning and the WATERWORKS began. VL & I decided to try the breakfast buffet at BOMA-VERY GOOD-typical breakfast fare as well as African inspired dishes, something for everyone. If you don't like the weather, wait a minute, by mid morning it was warm & sunny. Took the bus to DHS and hurried to get a Fast Pass for Toy Story Mania, YEAH!!! Our return time was 12:15-1:15. Took a little walk around the area, until our turn. Has anyone ever seen the Dancing Desk Lamp? You have to look up, across from Toy Story & next to Barrel of Monkeys? Look for a black door, the lamp comes out and dances and then disappears. We only saw it once. Finally its our turn fot TSM, LOTS of FUN! I started out in the lead, but VL beat me 89,000 to 58,000. I thought we did ok, but then you see some lil kid with a score of 3 MILLION and feel really inadequate.
About 3 PM, I convinced VL to watch American Idol Experience, at the least it would be a chance to sit down. Turned out to be more enjoyable than he thought it would be. People who want to audition for the AIE get to the park around 9 AM and audition then 3 contestants are selected for each show (shows are at 12,1,2,3,4,5 & 6). The audience gets to vote for their favorite and the winner from each show competes in the finale at 7PM, that winner gets a Golden Fast Pass to go to the front of the line at a REAL Idol Audition. The winner from the show we voted on was Lana Wakefield, a nurse who just happens to moonlight in a band "Cardiac Jack & the Arrests", sang Midnight Train to GA-Great voice. VL agreed to go back to the 7 o'clock finale after dinner.
Had reservations for 5:30 at Sci-Fi Drive In. Had never eaten there before, probably won't again. You are seated in cars just like at a drive in, but share your car with others guests. We were seated in the rear seat of a car occupied by 3 adults and 1 child. Even though we enjoy kids, we don't like being stared at the whole time. Will continue tomorrow time for us "old folks to go hit the sack. 4:30AM comes EARLY!!
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Mon, 03/08/2010 - 03:43
Rain in the morning is the worst. It cuts out the best part of the park day for us. I'd much rather have rain in the afternoon, when we're probably taking a nap anyway.
Mon, 03/08/2010 - 16:03
What?! 4:30 AM? Is it already your leaving day and you need to catch a plane?
I hear ya on not wanting to be stared at the whole time! That was our experience, too, the last time we were at Sci Fi. Maybe kids are weirded out that there are strangers in the "car" with them...
I really like your review of AIE. Was it hard to get into the show? Long lines? What about at the finale show? I think I'd really like to try this, but feel I'd have to "plan" to wait in long lines. Ugh!
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 00:13
Annie, Re: Sci-Fi, Not only did the child turn & stare the whole time, her dad didn't have much influence over her-he would tell her to turn around ( approx 10 times) & eat & she ignored him and GOD FORBID her mother would interupt her converation to pay her child any attention. Combine the staring with the extremely low lighting and you begin to get anxious cause you can't see the menu and the CM is waiting to take your order and you just want to get it over with and get out of there.
RE: AIE, VL & I didn't have a long wait to get into the show. The first show we went to was @3 pm and just walked in and took our seats. It depends on the timing though, shows are on the hour, if you go there just after a show has begun then you will have to wait. We would guess that you could arrive about 15 min before a show starts and walk right in w/o waiting. Arriving between say 3 & 3:30, will have you waiting. Now the wait can also be an experience as the crew filming it comes out and tries to get the crowd into it with questions, dancing, etc. The crew also selects a child and asks that child to recite something like: John Doe, you are my American Idol! and give the thumbs up. The whole thing is filmed and played back during the AI show.
I also forgot to tell you that there are 3 judges for each show, and the judges do alternate. The 3 judges for the finale were not the same ones for the 3 o'clock show. The finalists that we watched were: Andy Velo-sang country "I like it,I love it"-he was VERRRY GOOOD! Lana Wakefield-whom I mentioned earlier, Sammi Wareham-from England-sang Donna Summer's Hot Stuff-She was excellent, but then again she performs in England and was here on vacation. SHE WON. The rest of the contestants were good, had a 14 yr old girl who was good but needed more work, a male singer who would be better in a boy band and an 18 yr old girl who is a theatrical singer (her name is Kelly, but she is called "Bow Head" by her friends because she wears BOWS IN HER HAIR! AW, I never would have guessed.
On to day 8 of our trip-Tried to toast VL's bagels this morning, but toaster wasn't working. Let concierge desk know about it on our way out to DTD. MUCH TOO WINDY FOR "CHARACTERS IN FLIGHT".
Had a hot dog at Wetzels Pretzels-Big Fat Greasy hot dog wrapped in pretzel dough, liked the pretzel dough.
Walked to Design a Tee, where you can design a tee shirt, disappointed with limited dsigns, I wanted to put DAISY DUCK on a shirt, but she isn't even an option! Then bought ornaments at "Days of Christmas" to be shipped home.
Went into a new store "Little MisMatch" They have socks, boots, flip flops, etc that are mismatched. they are cute, but I can pull out a left & right shoe/sock from my closet that don't match and it won't cost me a penny.
We headed back to AKL to change for our 5:35 dinner at JIKO.
When VL went to the desk to let them know we were there for our reservation, he was asked if he was staying at AKL and asked for our room #. Then we were seated in the African Sunset area and our server (Eduardo from Chile) explained a bit about the restaurant and took our order. To our surprise, we were each brought a bowl of soup, compliments of the chef. It was Curried Cauliflower Soup (which wasn't on the menu) Surprisingly GOOD!
Then for our appetizers-"Taste of Africa" Naan, Lavash and 1 other Bread all baked in house w/dipping sauces (Pesto, Kalamatta Olive & a Hot Chile Sauce).
Then there was the house bread that is brought to your table.
VL had the Filet Mignon over mac & cheese w/wine sauce (not Kraft mac& cheese either) It was a gourmet mac & cheese.
I had Pork Loin w/Braised Cabbage & Bacon w/Crispy Potatoes (they were itty bitty things) . Both meals were excellent!
For dessert: VL had Apple Tart w/Cinnamon Ice Cream & Vanilla Sauce.
I had Pistachio Creme Brulee w/Pistachio Biscotti, also Vanilla Boos Boos Tea w/spot of Milk (actually had 3 cups) Eduardo kept bringing them & I kept drinking them. He also kept bringing me Ice Tea (3), waters (2) & VL had 2 cokes. I was ready to float away.
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Tue, 03/09/2010 - 05:15
Wow, wow, wow! The food writing on this thread is killing me. Everything sounds SO wonderful. Jiko is a masterpiece. I love that restaurant.
You're pretty hilarious in this one, Mrs. VL. I love the Bows in her Hair section 
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Tue, 03/09/2010 - 14:48
I love the info on the AIE. It really does sound like a lot of fun.
Too bad about the design-a-tee. I know Disney was really touting this as something that could make Pleasure Island even better than it used to be. Sounds like that's not the case. I DO get annoyed that Disney's "customize your own" stuff tends to be very limited in designs. And it always seems to look cheap in the end. I like the embroidered customization, but t-shirts tend to just look bad.
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May 2008 CSR 
Tue, 03/09/2010 - 20:18
Another great day in the World...besides the staring kid. That's the worst!
I just love Jiko; it would take me along time to get tired of that place!!
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:35
Vettelover wrote:
Then for our appetizers-"Taste of Africa" Naan, Lavash and 1 other Bread all baked in house w/dipping sauces (Pesto, Kalamatta Olive & a Hot Chile Sauce).
Then there was the house bread that is brought to your table.
VL had the Filet Mignon over mac & cheese w/wine sauce (not Kraft mac& cheese either) It was a gourmet mac & cheese.
I had Pork Loin w/Braised Cabbage & Bacon w/Crispy Potatoes (they were itty bitty things) . Both meals were excellent!
For dessert: VL had Apple Tart w/Cinnamon Ice Cream & Vanilla Sauce.
I had Pistachio Creme Brulee w/Pistachio Biscott
Going to keep reading this over and over until lunch time 
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May 2008 CSR
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 02:16
OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR. 
In that time I've been to Disney twice. 
You need to take a typing class.
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Mon, 03/15/2010 - 02:17
chriskre wrote:
OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR.In that time I've been to Disney twice.
You need to take a typing class.
Were you one of those people who took forever to do their book reports in school?
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My second home is SSR.
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 05:38
chriskre wrote:
chriskre wrote:OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR.In that time I've been to Disney twice.
You need to take a typing class.
Were you one of those people who took forever to do their book reports in school?
You should see MY trip reports! The one from September 2008 isn't even done yet!! 
I'm the biggest procrastinator in the bunch.
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 05:39
chriskre wrote:
chriskre wrote:OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR.In that time I've been to Disney twice.
You need to take a typing class.
Were you one of those people who took forever to do their book reports in school?
Quality takes time! Besides the longer they take, the longer I can live vicariously. No idea when I'll be back there!
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 10:57
chriskre wrote:
chriskre wrote:OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR.In that time I've been to Disney twice.
You need to take a typing class.
Were you one of those people who took forever to do their book reports in school?
So sorry, I did not realize that there were time limitations and constraints on how long it should take to finish a trip report. I USED to check out another forum and stopped because of the negative and sarcastic comments that were always posted and it looks like it's spreading. I will check out the adult learning classes in my area to see is they offer typing classes and so will my wife. As far as the book reports they were not my strong points in school BUT I did excell in lunch and recess. As for being to WDW twice since my return if I lived as close as you I may go that often too but since I do not, I have OTHER interests to fill in my time and they do not include sitting in front of the computer typing slowly. Enough said!!!
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Mon, 03/15/2010 - 14:41
I don't know if I could handle more frequent posts, VL -- the incredible descriptions of food always make me miss WDW like nothing else!!
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[/url]
2010 Beach Club Resort
2005 Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2007 Wilderness Lodge
2008 Animal Kingdom Lodge
2009 CBR/Polynesian
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 14:42
Vettelover wrote:
chriskre wrote:chriskre wrote:OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR.In that time I've been to Disney twice.
You need to take a typing class.
Were you one of those people who took forever to do their book reports in school?
So sorry, I did not realize that there were time limitations and constraints on how long it should take to finish a trip report. I USED to check out another forum and stopped because of the negative and sarcastic comments that were always posted and it looks like it's spreading. I will check out the adult learning classes in my area to see is they offer typing classes and so will my wife. As far as the book reports they were not my strong points in school BUT I did excell in lunch and recess. As for being to WDW twice since my return if I lived as close as you I may go that often too but since I do not, I have OTHER interests to fill in my time and they do not include sitting in front of the computer typing slowly. Enough said!!!
I know what you mean about other negative boards . . . that is part of why I don't really go around online as much anymore. I got sick of having to put up with it when I am trying to escape and talk about things I love.
On another note, I am LOVING your trip report. The detail you are putting into makes me feel like I am there. Since it has been about a year and a hlaf since we were last there and will probably be at least another year and a half until we get there again, living vicariously through others is something that makes me smile. I love the stories and pictures people bring to the table. I have the disney itch and this is my only way to scratch it . . lol. Thank VL and everyone else!
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 22:44
aglassslipper17 wrote:
On another note, I am LOVING your trip report. The detail you are putting into makes me feel like I am there. Since it has been about a year and a hlaf since we were last there and will probably be at least another year and a half until we get there again, living vicariously through others is something that makes me smile. I love the stories and pictures people bring to the table. I have the disney itch and this is my only way to scratch it . . lol. Thank VL and everyone else!
I hear that! I think I've read every single trip report here and on MousePlanet about ten times over I always look for the grown-ups only or the solo ones, too -- they so interesting, and they have so many great ideas.
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May 2008 CSR
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 23:12
Now back to our trip report-
Sunday, Jan 24-Got our new toaster and it WORKED! After Bfast, I called DTD's "Characters in Flight", but still too windy for the balloon ride. VL & I then headed to AK for the AM. Very windy again, had to avoid more falling leaves/small branches, But did get to see DEVINE! We Love watching her, VL took some nice pics of her. Grabbed a quick lunch of pork egg rolls at Yak & Yeti counter service. Began to rain as we left the park @ 1PM (we had to get back to the resort to watch the superbowl playoff games). Grabbed 2 bacon cheese burgers & zebra domes from Mara to take back to our studio.
Monday,Jan 25-Rained overnight, skies were gray, temps in the 60s- another good laundry day-one thing I enjoy about laundry day? The people you meet in the laundry room-met a woman from Hampshire in the UK, a couple from Boston area who began their stay at Kidani Village, but it wasn't handicapped accessible, so they were moved to Jambo House.
VL watched CMs release Pelicans onto the savanna from little pet carrier type cages. Grabbed fruit cup & watermelon for lunch to keep us going until 5:30 dinner at the Garden Grill.
Headed to EPCOT @ 2 and picked up fast pass for Test Track (return time was 3:45-4:45) then went to Innoventions to "Sum of All Thrills" to create another bobsled ride, this one was named "Northern Slider" and a little wilder than the our first one "Polar Snowflake" (with a wimpy name like that It could only be a mild ride!
Anyway dinner at the Garden Grill was surprisingly good!! The restaurant rotates slowly while you are eating ,never even feel it move. This is a character dinner with Mickey, Chip & Dale, Pluto & Minnie.
Dinner consisted of:
Roast Turkey w/Apple Cornbread Stuffing &
Cranberry/Orange Relish
Salt/Pepper Crusted Flank Steak w/Mashed Taters
Herb Crusted Mahi Mahi , actually very good, like a flaky white fish
w/Seasonal Veggies
Also Salad w/Vinagrette Dressing & Bacon Bits & Oatmeal Rolls w/Maple Butter (neither of us tasted maple though)
Desert was a DELICIOUS Blueberry Buckle w/Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream MMMMM MMMM GOOOOD!
After dinner VL & I took a boat ride over to Germany to pick up the gifts we had picked out for our meeting w/Mrhub & Scrappy on the 28th.
More later! BYE!
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Tue, 03/16/2010 - 00:43
admin wrote:
chriskre wrote:chriskre wrote:OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR.In that time I've been to Disney twice.
You need to take a typing class.
Were you one of those people who took forever to do their book reports in school?
You should see MY trip reports! The one from September 2008 isn't even done yet!!
I gotta whip you guys into shape.
Haven't you guys ever heard of a live TR?
Go visit Mouseowners and learn please.
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Tue, 03/16/2010 - 00:45
Vettelover wrote:
chriskre wrote:chriskre wrote:OMG Vettelover. I see it took you over a month to do this TR.In that time I've been to Disney twice.
You need to take a typing class.
Were you one of those people who took forever to do their book reports in school?
So sorry, I did not realize that there were time limitations and constraints on how long it should take to finish a trip report. I USED to check out another forum and stopped because of the negative and sarcastic comments that were always posted and it looks like it's spreading. I will check out the adult learning classes in my area to see is they offer typing classes and so will my wife. As far as the book reports they were not my strong points in school BUT I did excell in lunch and recess. As for being to WDW twice since my return if I lived as close as you I may go that often too but since I do not, I have OTHER interests to fill in my time and they do not include sitting in front of the computer typing slowly. Enough said!!!
Sorry, didn't mean to insult you just jerking your chain.
Hope you're not mad.
Really, I'm sorry. __________________
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My second home is SSR.
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 00:51
I'm a bit of a procrastinator myself so I understand and yes you are right, living so close to Orlando makes it a requirement for me to keep up with the TR's or they pile up one on another.
I have to admit you do take more time to describe the details than I do. I just snap pictures as I'm a bit lazy myself. Keep up the good work. I can learn patience.
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Tue, 03/16/2010 - 03:31
chriskre wrote:
I can learn patience.
Once you do, can you teach me?! I'm not at all being patient while waiting for my next WDW trip!!
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May 2008 CSR
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 03:35
Vettelover wrote:
Headed to EPCOT @ 2 and picked up fast pass for Test Track (return time was 3:45-4:45) then went to Innoventions to "Sum of All Thrills" to create another bobsled ride, this one was named "Northern Slider" and a little wilder than the our first one "Polar Snowflake" (with a wimpy name like that It could only be a mild ride!
"Polar Snowflake" is hilarious! So glad you guys went back for Northern Slider!
Were you all primed to watch the Olympics when you got home after all of the bobsled rides??
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May 2008 CSR
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 22:21
Vettelover wrote:
Anyway dinner at the Garden Grill was surprisingly good!! The restaurant rotates slowly while you are eating ,never even feel it move. This is a character dinner with Mickey, Chip & Dale, Pluto & Minnie.
Did it make a full revolution in the time you were there?
Tue, 03/16/2010 - 22:30
^^^ cdub, It did not make a full revolution, almost but not quite.
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Tue, 03/16/2010 - 22:43
I always like to go ride Living With The Land after eating at Garden Grill so I can see all the "scenes" from below. I wonder if it's still under refurb...