Disneydoc's Thanksgiving 2013 trip!

Yep, they rock. It does make you ill to see the things you paid full price for cut in half but you never know what will go there.

Sitting in front of a fire in the Kidani library waiting for the tour of Sanaa! Overcast outside, a few animals out the window, Christmas carols sung by African singers.....life is good.

I don't think I can help here - not familiar with how to get to the airport. But the outlet I go to is fairly close to exit 58 off of I4, if that helps.

Happy Thanksgiving from the World! Misty looking morning out there, but the Florida sun usually takes care of that. A nice pot of coffee is brewing on the counter right beside those cute AKL animal tiles over the sink. Waking up in Disney is the best.

Yesterday was awesome. That cold weather that my home state is reporting did make it here, but it took the humid hot stuff away, thankfully. Crisp weather, Mickey sweatshirts all over, scarves, coffee and hot chocolate in everyone's hands, a general "holiday" feeling. I love it. It does make me want to buy every sweatshirt I see, and every mug, and every fleece throw, and every holiday decoration....but I have resisted for the most part (but the vacation is not over yet).

I started out using my 3 FPs for Animal Kingdom. The safari was first, and the animals were totally all out there. A Masai giraffe (the one with the irregular spots) was leisurely strolling on one of the roads, and my truck patiently waited for him/her to "find an exit ramp," as the hilarious CM put it. I think the animals must relish this cool weather too - that hot humid stuff is rough!

Another shout out for the FP plus system. I have made and changed them using my iphone multiple times. It is so awesome to be in the que for one, and move the time up for your next one. I have not waited for any amount of time this entire trip.

My other two FP priorities for AK are Lion King and Nemo. I am so excited, because the NY Broadway production of Lion King is coming to Atlanta!!!! I used a FP for Nemo that Am, then strolled around a bit, rode back to the lodge to eat in my room (a 5 minute ride total, including walking in the lodge), and pushed my last FP to later in the afternoon so I could go over to Epcot/HS.

I did notice yesterday that the crowds are beginning to roll in for the holiday. The first two days of this week were nice and light, as they were last year too. Lots of families taking pictures in front of that amazing Jambo House Christmas tree. I stop and gawk every time I walk through that lobby.

So after lunch I did ride the bus (no problems with those by the way) over to Epcot, and strolled through, across the BW, to HS in search of one of those holiday cupcakes from Starring Rolls - the one Kristen showed us, and also on the Disney Food Blog. SCORE!!! I went straight to it, with a back up plan of other places in the park that would have it should it be sold out, and told the CM that I had come all the way over here just for that cupcake. She said "well, here, then - enjoy!" and would not take my money!!!!!! I could NOT believe it. I sat out in the pretty sun and enjoyed every single bite of that maple frosting and pumpkin cake, and saved the Mickey chocolate for later.

After cruising around the park some more (and oogling the Jim Shore figures to pick out the one I want "next time") I exited to enjoy the walk back to Epcot. Can you guys tell I like to walk? I take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the World this way. I stand and look. It is so amazing here. Lots of other folks were enjoying the walk too - it was such a nice crisp day for it. LOVE Fall in the World.

Reentered Epcot via the International Gateway and popped into the Twinings Tea store in England. They have a sale going, and have Christmas blend and Winter Spice chamomile teas. HAD to have some, and it sure was good later that night back in the room. Very cozy.

Then back to the AKL to drop off my tea and hoof over to Kidani for the Cultural Tour of Sanaa. They do this every day at 4 PM, by the way, and I highly recommend it. They take you through the restaurant, and show you the items displayed, what significance the arrangement may have in African culture, etc, and the best part - you get a naan bread service for free at the end!!! I know, it is spicy for this girl, but I loved the chance to taste it. The oniony flavored bread was delicious, even without any of the side dips, the crispy bread was spicy but good, and I loved the chutney and the "white" dipping sauce. The green stuff was incredibly spicy, but tasty. They even gave me a to go box, so I have some to enjoy today. Decided not to go overboard on it, just in case.

Note: I now really appreciate what I am seeing around AKL more because of these tours. It inspires me to spring for the tours at the parks and other resorts too that may offer them (Boardwalk used to, no?) - it just enhances my experience and connects me to the "magic" even more. I won't give away the secrets, but the lights out in front of Kidani mean something, the word "kidani" means something, the butterflies that you see beside all the proverbs around the property mean something....the word "sanaa" means something....take the tour to find the answers!!!

And also, I now think I want to stay at Kidani. I thought in past trips that I would not like it, as Jambo is so magnificent, but I love the more intimate feel of the place, and have changed my mind after the tours. The CMs make it wonderful too. Very homey.

I am going to try to also see one of the talks in the evening by a CM that uses video to talk about the animals. We will see - I may be in the parks more in the evenings from here on out, as the Christmas stuff is about to kick in!

After Sanaa, I put the leftovers back in my fridge, and caught a bus back to AK for Lion King. I must say the that park is beautiful and peaceful at night! The Christmas lights were all around, very quiet, and I strolled around before coming back "home" to make some dinner and settle in for the evening for some veggies and yogurt in my room. Jambo is the kind of place that you do not feel the need to rush in and out of - unlike how I felt at Boardwalk.

So this AM? I do have FPs for HS today....there is a pumpkin cheesecake at Sunshine Seasons that might need my attention, and lots of other gingerbread options coming out today. Who knows....

Enjoy your turkey day everyone!

Yes it has warmed up nicely! A beautiful Thanksgiving Day.

No kidding! I just had some a while ago and thought I had better walk over here to HS to offset at least a few of those calories. I see that cheesecake in my future before leaving Orlando.

Last day at AKL (one more sleep)

So how often can you sit in your bed and see reticulated giraffe? That's what I am doing right now. I have fallen in love with giraffes this trip. I tried on some giraffe ears like crazycatperson's hubby, but they kinda squeeze my head - would end up with a headache if I wore them a lot. I may have to get a stuffed or carved giraffe, though...

It ended up being SO COLD yesterday! The temp was 38 degrees in the AM! I threw in the towel by around 6 PM and came back to the nice warm lodge. I had a FP for Fantasmic but could not see the metal seats and wind, especially after just doing LMA. Brrrrrrrrr.

Which worked out great - I had a quick dinner in my villa and then went down to the program with a CM at 7:30. He was from South Africa like so many of the AKL CMs are, and told us about the geography and animals of his country. So good! I love how Disney has stuff for Grownups too.

Earlier in the day I got my very first Chase Disney Visa free picture in Epcot! Good grief, I have read about Mr. Hub getting these but never did it. I got to hug Minnie (who loved my Minnie sweatshirt) and Pluto, and have a pic for one of my kids for Christmas. Soooooo I now will go again today and for my next two days, to collect 4 of these - I have 4 grown kids, but they still fight over stuff.

Had a piece of pumpkin cheesecake in The Land to DIE for.....FYI they were serving a holiday turkey and dressing plate there too! It also had mashed potatoes and green beans and I think cranberry stuff. I just passes that right up for the cheesecake. Must have priorities!

Another really nice discovery over in HS - they have a new singer in Little Mermaid that is spot on. Whew. I had to stop going in there last trip because the poor girl just could not come up that 1/8 of a pitch needed to be in tune. It just hurt. But we are good now.

I also walked through and all around the BW, Beach Club, and Yacht Club lobbies. The Yacht Club has that pretty little miniature Christmas town display. The BW had a booth set up and were selling treats - hey Mr. Hub, they have gingerbread with the dark chocolate there, but not like the GF shingles. however I did not see that carousel (gingerbread?) yet that I saw last year. Might be too early.

So today? I am pumped because today is the first day of Epcot's holidays around the world in the WS. I want to see those storytellers and maybe catch a glimpse of the Candlelight Processional. I decided not to buy a ticket to that this year, as I see so many magnificent things like this in Atlanta in my work with the Atlanta Symphony.

Headed over to MK this AM for some FPs.....happy Black Friday everyone! Be safe!

Moving to Saratoga Springs!

Well, I have now learned that while it is kinda neat to experience 2 resorts in one trip, I think I prefer to stay put! It takes away from my relaxing time! However, it was really smoothe and painless to move. I chose not to use bell services, even though I know they would move it all for me. I wanted to condense my stuff down to one smaller bag (ok, and a few other ones too) for the last (sniff) 2 nights.

So I lingered about as long as I could at Jambo, then looked behind me at that tree as I left. I drove over to SS about 10:30 not expecting the room to be ready. TONS of people checking in. And since having my request of Congress Park was not important because the sidewalk to DTD is closed, I took first available. Bingo, instant room in Carousel. Very nice, and last bus stop out of the park too!

So I am going out this AM to hoof around SS a bit. It is very nice and quiet here. Love that. It is also super nice to be able to park your car so close to your room - unlike the long walk from BWV and AKL to your room. I will remember that.

Yesterday I explored Epcot and more of those holidays around the world things. The day before I actually got to see Gary Sinise and the Candlelight Processional from the sidewalk right in front of the theater! Nice! Canada has a music group instead of their Santa this year. I also saw the 3 kings in Mexico for the first time.

Used a FP last night for Fantasmic, but I think that if you want a center seat now you have to buy a dinner package. Even FP folks were way on the outer banks. Then another spin around those Osborne lights. Amazing.

I did treat myself to my first ADR of the trip - lunch at my favorite place, Teppan Edo. Got the veggie dish this time, and it was just the right amount of food. Yummy! Then a pumpkin muffin from Writer's Stop later - gotta love a discount on food!

I have taken some pics with my phone. As usual they are not as good as the ones you all post, but I will try to upload them when I get home. Next trip I think I will bring my camera and carry it for some character pics!

Tonight is my very first MVMCP! So excited. Off to explore.....

Well guys, I have to go home. The party was awesome....will post all about the rest of the trip, and some concluding thoughts, when I get on the other side of that Atlanta traffic and safely home! It's been a great trip!!!!