Disneydoc's First Thanksgiving at Kidani

Monday AM - sure is more fun waking up here than at home on a work day, no?

We got an awesome break on the weather yesterday - the sun came out for most of it. Warmed it all up, but that is why we layer when coming to WDW in the fall & winter. Just peeled that jacket off and tied it around my waist!

I left MK after The Plaza yesterday and rode the monorail attraction to Epcot. Stood by for Spaceship Earth - pretty fast as I am here to tell you they were ALL at the MK. Walked the WShowcase and stopped for that awesome French acrobat guy. Saw the end of the Italian flags - will catch that later. Noted where the various fun holiday stuff will be so I can catch them on Friday and Saturday. Bring on the gingerbread!

I can never resist the Voices of Liberty, and they had several new pieces this time. Continued on over toward HS via the BW - too nice a day not to cruise around, foot be damned!

I just love that relaxing walk between BW and HS. I took it nice and slow and soaked in the sights and sounds of WDW - those are the things I miss when between trips - the sound of kids in the pool, the smell of the BW bakery - too many to name all over the world.
Stopped in the store on the BW to pick up a power snack piece of fruit - they had no bananas (cue the song) but did have some gorgeous pink grapefruits. Got one, of course with my AP discount, and ate it on Sunset Blvd in HS.

Then it was Muppets time! They were playing the Muppet Christmas Carol music all over this area. After this I browsed around the stores and wandered back to look for Wandering Oakens. The CMs were telling us that we were the last group before the Osbourne Lights began - what timing again! I was on the Streets of America for the first run of the evening!

They were amazing as usual - I love people watching as much as the attraction itself. First timers just gawk - I remember that OMG feeling. But it still gives me chills.

I decided to call it a night after that and head back to AKL for some dinner at The Mara. After my tastings of Boma and Jiko ( will do Sanaa again later this trip) I felt adventurous and got the African Stew over basanti rice. OMG - delicious, and very filling. Huge plate - I ate about a third of it and was stuffed. Guess what I am having for lunch today? Love those DVC villas with fridge and microwave.

Sorry no.pic but the stew deserves a description - beef, chicken, ham, succotash, medium spices, white basanti rice. Highly recommend. And under $10 too.

I remembered little containers of pumpkin cheesecake at this resort last Thanksgiving and they are here again - but 25 cents more. I will get one (or more) while here.

Really enjoying those exercise pants I bought to wear instead of jeans - so comfy and light, but warm too. Seems like that is the Disney uniform for lots of folks I see in the parks. Another bonus - they show every bulge so I am more conscious of those high calorie choices. I still eat them but try to spread them out so they do not make ME spread out more!

Had great bus experiences all day yesterday - I do love the convenience of it. Also bought the rest of my set of dishes yesterday at MK - got the salad plates and bowls of the white set with black Mickey in the center. I bought just the dinner plates last year and realized that they will stop making them if I do not complete the set. Used one of those 20 percent coupons, saved nearly $16, had them sent here to Kidani where I can pick them up today and take them to my car. How cool is that? I think I have my family trained to just give me Disney gift cards - with Starbucks a close second.

So now off to Monday. Going to drive offsite (gasp) to the character outlet off Vineland for some scavenging & maybe a little Christmas shopping.

Later friends!

Waiting for Crush- did not need fast passes for Future World stuff. Found a tree topper at character warehouse for my "Disney only" tree but nothing else I really wanted. Got some socks at Nike and a pair of shorts on the clearance rack- it is 85 today! I took those out of my suitcase the day before I left. Sigh.

Had an amazing salad at Puck at DTD - found a parking place believe it or not. More later!

Cool factoid - you get an AP discount on bottled soda at merchandise kiosks! More money for fun stuff.

Hey all - nabbed FPs for AK this AM - will update later! Rain predicted all day today - but we will see. Yesterday was about perfect.

Happened up on the DVC Merry Mixer in Epcot - free cookie (which became my dinner), a beautiful pewter DVC ornament, and some apple cider.

Yes! Got in, got cookie, got juice, got ornament, walked around, got out!

Sopping wet at AK! Got safari in before the rain - waiting for Lion King - they opened early to shelter us from lightening! Shoes soaked!

Seems to be letting up but looks like steady rain all day. No worries - made it to Nemo on standby - changed all of my AK fast passes to indoor stuff at MK this afternoon. Will hit Flametree for a smoked chicken salad after this show - another trip first. Have enjoyed these new counter service places - very fresh and table service quality food too. Since I order a lot of salads this works well for me.

I also looked at Morocco quick service - Tangeriene? The vegetarian dish looks great- is it very spicy? I figure if I can do the African stew at Mara I may be OK.

Got myself an awesome coffee scoop for 20 percent off. Did not tell you about the Vera Bradley cosmetic bag I got at DTD yesterday with the rest of my gift card from DBF.

Looked for a key chain for a friend at Mouse Gear but no luck .

Oops - show time!

Got the smoked turkey sandwich at Flame Tree to go - back to the room for dry clothes and a cup of Twinings Christmas Tea! Will save half the sandwich for dinner because I also had my first Mickey ice cream bar - Thumbs way up on that!

Dried out now and off to MK - rain holding off for now. This AM was literally a flash flood.

Word: ALWAYS bring 2 pairs of shoes and lots of socks.

Well, the temp is going down and is supposed to get down to the 40s later in the week! I have to bring my whole closet inNovember - you never know!

Headed over to Epcot and probably HS later. A 4 park day is not unusual for me if the rain will hold off - we will see. I cannot resist a spin around WS and maybe over for Osbourne again.....with Starbucks for the walk over.

Wednesday AM - so much for the warm weather! If you are coming down you had better pack some warm stuff too - 55 and rainy now with 42 as a low tonight! And it was 85 2 days ago!

I am shooting for Welcome Home Wednesday on the Boardwalk at 2 PM - with some HS or Epcot before. HS was a no go last night - walked over and it started raining. Just hopped the bus back to AKL. Just as well, as my foot is sore - surprise!

This chilly day might be a good time for touring resorts. Hmmm. Park crowds were really light yesterday - did not really need my FPs except for Peter Pan.

My past experience is that the Thanksgiving crowd comes in today, and the after holiday folks start Friday!

Might be a good day to enjoy one of those free movies that DVC folks can get from the gift shop to watch too if I could make myself sit still - I usually get one every night to fall asleep to. but African Cats was great - love Disney Nature.

If I cannot sit still I will ride boats, buses, and monorails. Great fun!

So out for now - more later!

Beauty & the Beast!

And it looks like it will warm up again over the weekend!

Had a small child's plate of salmon & green beans at Sunshine Seasons then hoofed over for a pumpkin cupcake with maple icing at Starring Rolls before the show. Now off to Mermaid and I will be VERY careful in there!

Just got a call from my kids dad that his dad passed away yesterday on a sad note. Thankful that I will make the funeral on Monday or Tuesday. He was a very special & loving man. And so grateful that our formerly fractured family can love each other now.