Fifth Trip of First Around the “World” - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Oct. 27th Animals and Dinosaurs
Thank you Hurricane Sandy for making it cold!!!! B-R-R-R!!!! No KRR for me today. There were some people saying, “ This is Florida where is the hot? “ It wasn’t fun waiting for a bus but it didn’t stop us from going to Animal Kingdom today either.
Before I start today’s report, I have to tell you something funny. Yesterday Jeremy and I were together on Star Tours when he says, “ Hope you don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not glad you hurt your knee but like the benefits we get from it(my using a scooter/getting in on rides faster). At some point today, Wayne(who was not with us when Jeremy said it) said almost the same word for word.
Now back to the regularly planned trip report--- Our first attraction for the day was Kilmanjaro Safaris. More Disney Magic----- since I was on a scooter we board in a different area. No one else came on the truck so I thought we would stop and pick up some others but we had our own private tour for the three of us. We love seeing animals so close. We saw a small herd of zebra!!! We still didn’t get to see a good view of a lion. There were lots of animals out today.
We decided since we were close to do the Pangani Trail where you see bats, meerkats and gorillas. At this point we needed to head up to the front of the park since we had lunch ADR at Rainforest Café(first time for AK restaurant). Food was really good. They let you share a Volcano cake or pick an individual dessert on the DP. I wanted to share but Wayne and Jeremy wanted individual so we went with each our own.
Next stop, Dinosaur, but we wanted some time between lunch before doing so we did the Oasis area and Maharajah Jungle Trek. My camera died just as we got to the tigers so no pictures today (same rechargeable batteries that died Thurs. during fireworks. I realized they were not able to hold charge anymore so they got thrown out). The camera worked fine the rest of our trip once I recharged all other batteries. I also carried a one time use camera just in case.
Now on to Dinosaur where we had front row seating. Oh so much better than the back row!! But it was so dark. I don’t remember it being so dark when we rode it in 2001. I remember seeing more scenery and other dinosaurs. I have no desire to go on it again as it is now.
At some point we did Tough To Be A Bug where Jeremy got the biggest laugh at me jumping out of my seat. Of course I won’t ruin it for anyone by saying what happened. I the show and think it is fun but it can be scary for small children and people who don’t like bugs.
Another 1st for us was to see FOLK. I thought the boys would not want to sit through the show so we never went. Jeremy loved it. Lesson: Always go to something once !!I can't believe what we have missed!! No pictures today. We do come back on Nov.1 so maybe we can do it again and get pictures.
The end of another full day in the parks so back to the resort for some rest.
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Sunday, Oct. 28th Dining and more at the Polynesian
This was a no parks day for us. We went to church in Kissimmee where a friend of Wayne preaches(he was out of town on Wednesday).
Our lunch was at Kona Café(another 1st ) for 1:30. This was not a good restaurant for us as a family especially with one who has trouble with many spices and seasonings plus add to it the meat Wayne ordered wasn’t fixed like he requested. I honestly tried to show him what was on the menu before I even made our ADR. I don’t want to keep someone from trying Kona, I am glad we tried it so we know now what we like or don’t like. I was flustered or I might have asked if the steak salad could be fixed with the meat plain.
After lunch, it was off to the laundry for me. I decided it was easier to do laundry than pack enough clothes for 2 weeks. The cost isn’t much different than at home laundries. You should have seen me trying to put the key card in, open the door and back the scooter up to get inside the laundry(ran over my foot doing it! )
I have trouble deciding what gives me the relaxed feeling when you are at the Poly. The music and water sounds are so soothing but there just seems to be a more relaxed air. It is like you step into a different world and leave all the craziness behind. You feel you have come to the islands with all the plants, statues and décor. It’s Disney magic at its best!!! This has been DREAM come true/once in a lifetime stay. A vacation to remember memories, if we never get to stay here again.
Wednesday, Oct. 31 O’hana
We had dinner reservation at 5 PM for O’hana(another first time experience). The food was . The chicken, broccoli, noodles and pork were all excellent. I am not a big shrimp lover and didn’t care for it. The steak was a little chewy.
Our table was close enough to watch some of the chefs cooking. I didn’t watch much since I was busy eating the food. The coconut race and hula dance by the kids was fun to watch as well.
I have never been a fan of restaurant bread pudding(it always seems to be drier than I like) but here it was the best I’ve ever had. I am afraid nothing will ever be good enough now!!!!
One thing we learned: Don’t have plans afterwards. We had to kind of rush through our meal since we had made plans. O’hana dining is better taking your time.
Sorry that Kona was just not for you! But it sounds like O'hana was terrific.
Yes it was, I had to waddle to my scooter I ate so much. DH didn't like it as much as other restaurants but he did eat some of the vetables. The caesar salad at lunch upset him the rest of the day.
We didn’t even stop to eat breakfast(Wayne did since he ate only a little at lunch and no supper) since I was still full from supper(late one). We got up and got a quicker start.
When we arrived at the park before WS was open, so our first stop was Soarin’(and it looked like a lot of other people had the same idea.) The wait was around 40 minutes, figured that would be as good as it would get so we got in line. This was another one of our firsts(and Wayne’s last). I will probably be shot if Wayne ever sees this account!! I have to when I think about our taking off(Jeremy is seated between us and I hear Wayne(DH) yelling, I don’t like this!! I don’t like this ride at all!!!! I was trying to keep myself from panic since I have a fear of heights!!! Once take off was over, he said he actually enjoyed the scenery and at the time I really felt bad for him. He hates takeoffs on planes too.
Back on solid ground, we decide to head back to The Seas and see if the Clammobiles are in working order. They were! What happened to the
sharks? I really missed seeing them and so many other fish.
Now that WS is open, we head to Mexico, do the boat ride where I had some trouble getting into the boat with my knee problems(I learned to step on the seat first then go to the flooron the next boat ride) and looking through the shops. Wayne was really hoping to find calendars from the countries to have as souvenirs. He didn’t find any except a Disney calendar. He did order them from online.
In Norway, we rode Maelstrom. I took a neat picture from the boat out the hole over looking Norway). In China, we arrived just as the acobats were going to perform so we watched the show. This was a first time for us to see them. After the show, we went to see Reflections of China.
Our lunch reservation was at the Biergarten and we were early so we shopped around. I was able to buy Wayne some sugar-free carmels and myself some soft carmels. We enjoyed eating with other familes from the US. The one family had eaten here before and was telling us about what foods to expect. I found the food to be very good and filling. Since it was chilly that day, I ordered hot tea to drink and they bring a small caddy(of about 4 flavored teas). I was able to try Darjeeling which was a first for me and not a planned 1st. We were to early for the band to play(I tried to get the guys to stick around)
Off to Italy where we came upon Sergio, the Italian juggler so we watched him perform. Jeremy wanted to see the statues in the Italian garden but we never could find the entrance.
In the American adventure, we wanted to see the show but had to wait a little bit. So we sat outside(warmed up a little by then) and found the kiosk where funnel cakes were sold(had to pay OOP since they were able to take room key charges). They let us in and we heard Voices of Liberty sing before going in for the show. They are very good.
We were unable to see the candy girl work, she was on vacation but we did get to see the Taiko drummers. Loved their little comedy intermingled with their playing. I found an outfit here, in China and Morocco as well for my mom’s Christmas presents.
We watched the movie about France then headed to Boulangerie Patisserie for this is one of Wayne’s favorite places. For me, it’s what do I choose? what to choose? Decsions? decsions!!!!
In United Kingdom, my main goal was to try the Fish and Chips and am I glad I did it(wish I had tried harder other years to find the shop). We actually at this point considered staying to watch IllumiNations but decided we were cold enough and didn’t want to wait for it. We headed back to the Poly after a full day with WS and shopping. This is the first time , I feel we did a good job covering this area and not having to rush.
We did try to find the gardens where the living statues are located but couldn't find the entrance.
Jeremy really wanted to see them again(he was 5 years old when he saw them last).
It was such a nice, leisurely paced day for us. I wished I had found an international snack to try at the F&WF. May next time, We were all so full being on the dining plan-- next time I thi\nk we will pass on the dining plan.
Sounds like a lovely day! I'm not sure what statues or gardens you are talking about in the Italy Pavilion--but I can tell you that much of it changed when they added the second restaurant--so it may be that what you were looking for is no longer there!
Sounds like a lovely day! I'm not sure what statues or gardens you are talking about in the Italy Pavilion--but I can tell you that much of it changed when they added the second restaurant--so it may be that what you were looking for is no longer there!
It was a lovely day, we got to see and do so much we haven't done before and didn't feel rushed at all. The statues are the ones where it is a living person who is the statue. I didn't think about a change because of the restaurant but that would explain why no entrance was found.
We decided to take the ferryboat over to MK so we headed to the TTC to catch it. We got there the just before the set sail. It was a nippy ride over!!!
First stop for us was to go on Pirates of the Caribbean since we missed it our first time at MK. First time we have been on the updated version with Captain Jack Sparrow. I it and wish we could have gone again but… so much to do and so little time(as Willy Wonka is want to say). We hit the Jungle Cruise, Jeremy went on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad(have a picture of the train he’s on!!)
We head over to Liberty Square to be close to our lunch place, we have time to do the Riverboat. The walkway along the water is something new or I have never discovered it before. What a beautiful
walk and the flowers along there were so pretty(I took a picture hoping to ask a friend if she knows what they might be).
Liberty Tree Tavern was a hit with the three of us and we want to keep it on our list of “Do this one again”. Loved the décor, the food, and the service too. I did groan when I saw the sign saying bathrooms upstairs but I was bold enough to ask if they had a handicapped one and was rewarded with a yes(just around the corner from our table—found out after I took the long way to get there. )
A wise decision on Jeremy’s part to wait until later to do the Mad teacups so Wayne ask to do It A Small World. I was actually able to take pictures inside this time. On to the teacups and yes I braved the teacups with my sea bands and did wonderfully until I went to get off—I felt like I was still moving!! It was gone by the time I took 2/3 steps. NO
At this point, we headed over to Tomorrowland, we did Monsters,Inc Laugh Floor, and Carousel of Progress. Then Jeremy and I went on Buzz Lightyear’s and Stitch’s Close Encounter(IMO—it’s lame). Wayne did the Peoplemover(TTA) and Jeremy did Tomorrowland Speedway and AstroOrbiter by himself.
Our last stop had to be the Main St. bakery for our breakfast on Friday
and we were pushing the time since the park closed at 7 PM.
As we were leaving, I realized this would be our last visit for this trip so I stopped on Main St. to take one last look at the Castle. I got teary-eyed just saying goodbye.
UP NEXT: Oct. 31st What did we do—mini-golf, DHS or both?
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This was probably our most enjoyable day on our trip. No problems with restaurants, or crowds or anything. We have decided LTT is a keeper for one of our restaurants. The food is more to our liking that some of the other fancier places.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nemo125
Sounds like a great trip so far!
It was such a great trip. We have a few snags here and there but Jeremy and I want to go back. Wayne is not " into" Disney as much as I am but has some favorites he likes and goes with us. The biggest thing is finding TS restaurants where he has something to eat(not the adventuresome type with food).
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There were some people saying, “ This is Florida where is the hot? “ It wasn’t fun waiting for a bus but it didn’t stop us from going to Animal Kingdom today either.
We love seeing animals so close. We saw a small herd of zebra!!! 
We still didn’t get to see a good view of a lion. There were lots of animals out today. 
(same rechargeable batteries that died Thurs. during fireworks. I realized they were not able to hold charge anymore so they got thrown out). The camera worked fine the rest of our trip once I recharged all other batteries. I also carried a one time use camera just in case. 
But it was so dark. I don’t remember it being so dark when we rode it in 2001. I remember seeing more scenery and other dinosaurs. I have no desire to go on it again as it is now. 
the show and think it is fun but it can be scary for small children and people who don’t like bugs.
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This has been DREAM come true/once in a lifetime stay. A vacation to remember memories, if we never get to stay here again. 
. The chicken, broccoli, noodles and pork were all excellent. I am not a big shrimp lover and didn’t care for it. The steak was a little chewy. 
But it sounds like O'hana was terrific. 
I was trying to keep myself from panic since I have a fear of heights!!! Once take off was over, he said he actually enjoyed the scenery and at the time I really felt bad for him. He hates takeoffs on planes too.
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