Trip Report "Dreams Really Can Come True" 6/1/09-6/8/09 - COMPLETED 7/19 - Page 31 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I woke up very early this day because I was anticipating my massage and I wanted to take some time to photograph our beautiful resort alone. We had been here for just about a week, but we hadn’t really explored. I’m not really a morning person, but the rare times I do get up with the sun I like it a lot. My reservation at Zahanati Spa was at 8am so I took some time to walk around the resort.
hidden mickey in the carpet
morning through the lobby window
There are so many pictures of the beautiful lobby ceiling, but here is one of the amazing plaques or inlays in the floor. The detail is incredible. There are 3 or 4 different ones, all beautiful.
There are displays of jewelry and other artwork in sitting areas, by elevators and alcoves. I'm running out of room for pictures, but I'll post them in "Photos" on PassPorter. (Note - I just figured out photobucket )
continues…
I finished up my photo safari and headed over to the fitness center. DH had been there earlier in the week to work out and said it was nice. When I got there, there were a lot of people in there working out. I was kind of surprised – it was 8am on Sunday morning ! There are a lot of machines and weights, but I think there's a 20 min limit when it’s busy. I was taken back right away and shown the locker room and showers. I was impressed – it was nice back there too. The robe just fit (I wrote that b/c I’m a size 18 – I just lost almost 20lbs, so I’m okay saying this. I know some pooh-sized folks like me might get nervous in locker room/spa settings.) I still felt a little uncomfortable sitting on the bench waiting, as men had to walk past the ladies locker room to their area.
I was called in a few minutes. I wish I could remember my therapist’s name. I think it was Ann, but I’m probably wrong. I had chosen the aromatherapy massage, so I got to pick my oil out of 3 different scents – I chose the lavender. The massage rooms are very close to the fitness room so you can hear people working out. That would be my only complaint, but once the door was shut and the New Age music was playing, it wasn’t too bad. Ann was quiet and had strong hands – perfect. I don’t like chatting when I’m getting the kinks worked out. My 50 minutes went quickly and Ann brought me water. It would have been nice to have a place to rehydrate and relax after my massage, but this wasn’t the Vista Spa, you know what I mean? I took advantage of the showers (there’s soap and towels, etc). It was overall, very nice - I was relaxed, feeling fine and smelling good. Price = $105, not including tip. We would use the fitness center again to work out, but for a massage, I might try the Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs, for full spa pampering.
I went back to the room to relax for a few minutes, and the boys enjoyed the balcony and watching the one lonely giraffe out there.
Boma Breakfast mini-review:
Our ADR for breakfast at Boma was at 10am. It was like night and day – ha ha. Our server Carla, was nice and brought us the legendary weak Disney coffee, and the equally legendary delicious fruit juice – do they still call it Frunch? Everything was delicious and the omelet that DH got rivaled any omelet Cracker Barrel could ever come up with. We sampled almost everything and it was all good. I particularly liked the bobotie, the African stewed tomatoes, and the french toast. There was also this fruit salad that was like fruit in a yogurt mixture. I wish I could remember the name, but it was yummy. DH and the boys were stuffed and happy, so I can officially give Boma for breakfast two thumbs up. We will definitely eat here again! I only have the receipt with the zeros on it, so I can’t remember what it cost. It was pretty expensive, but on the DDP! In fact, Carla circled the “0 TBLSVC CPN REMA” and even put a star by it. That was a little depressing, but we knew it was coming .
We went back up to the room to get ready to go out. I did some half-hearted packing, as tonight was our last night. We had decided to go back to DTD and see UP at the AMC there. It was drizzling a bit by the time we got there. 4 tix for the 3D show = $42.00! (not including popcorn, etc) It was a great movie – I won’t spoil it for you here except to say it was different from other Pixar movies, in a good way. I half expected it to be in a huge theater, but we were in a kind of small one and it was packed. You could hear the thunder outside of the theater and I was glad we were inside, still enjoying Disney in a different way. It was seeing a Disney movie in Disney!
After the movie, we headed straight to Legoland, do not stop at Go, etc. (I know it’s not called that, but that’s what we called it ) We spent a good amount of time there and the kids really enjoyed themselves. There were a lot of other kids having a good time. The highlight was the races – the competition was fierce! These kids are serious.
DH7 filling up his cup at the Pick-a-Brick Wall.
Score: He bought a Lego “separator” that is used to separate bricks without biting them! The CM was so nice – he took his cup and packed it with even more Legos, then taped it shut. You could tell that he really liked his job .
We just walked around after that, doing some window shopping. I don’t know why we didn’t go into that many stores, we were just basically strolling along, taking pictures and videotaping. Oh yeah – I had left my souvenir list in the room and we were going to come back again in the morning before we left. I was tempted to try some pin trading at the PT station, but those guys over there looked liked the “real deal”. I didn’t think they wanted any pins that I had so I passed it by. I wanted to go into the Days of Christmas, so I spent a while in there while the boys went over to Goofy’s Candy Co.
I emerged after a while, blinking at the daylight – just kidding. Christmas is my favorite holiday and I could have spent even more time in there! I made a mental list of what I wanted to get tomorrow and headed out to get some candy. I should have went ahead and bought my stuff – why put off til tomorrow what you could do today, etc… They were happy to go back in the candy store with me. I was literally overwhelmed by the place! I instantly forgot what I wanted. I wandered around and settled on a marshmallow on-a-stick treat - cheap and satisfying.
We were getting hungry by then – amazingly, DH had gotten the boys to save the cotton candy they got for later (after only having just a little). We had House of Blues rezzies at 5:30pm (it was around 4:30 then) but DH wasn’t in the mood for another sit-down restaurant. We saw the Golden Arches and headed over. We were in there for about 45 seconds until we saw the prices. $8 for a McDonald’s combo – no way! Our other option was the Mara . We still had 1 CS each left and the next day was up in the air, so back to AKL we went.
The kids got the cheeseburger and pepperoni pizza, DH got – what else – the bacon double cheeseburger, and I tried the chicken and corn flatbread with “zough” drizzle (I think it was pesto). The flavor was pretty good, but a bit dry. I wish they could have put more sauce on it and called it “pizza”.
Pawprint brownie
Our resort package came with the 30 min free card at Pumbaa’s Fun and Games arcade. I hate to say it, but the arcade may be in the “top 5 most fun things at Disney” list for them . The 30 minutes went quick. We will definitely schedule a little more arcade time next trip (but not too much!)
Greate update!! That would be fun to see a Disney movie at Disney! Love the pick-a-brick wall...I just hopped over to my "Things to do in October" list and put that on there.
Hey...you can post your pictures to Photobucket and then just past the "img..." code line into the text of your TR where you want the picture to show up and it will. (I must admit, I didn't know it until I wrote my TR and it's kind of magic ) Then you can have a lot more pictures because they are not actually on passporters, just a like to the picture.
That must have been so neat to see UP while at Disney.
Boma for breakfast sounded delish.
Glad your boys finally got their legos.
I hate to see your TR coming to a close. It has been so much fun seeing your trip through your pics and descriptions. Makes me wish I was leaving in the morning!
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Sounds like a great day! I really am going to have to try Boma for breakfast because of all the great reviews. I also a bit sad that your trip and this report are getting very close to over.
Greate update!! That would be fun to see a Disney movie at Disney! Love the pick-a-brick wall...I just hopped over to my "Things to do in October" list and put that on there.
Lego will be opening an imagination center near us soon. I'm in trouble!
Hey...you can post your pictures to Photobucket and then just past the "img..." code line into the text of your TR where you want the picture to show up and it will. (I must admit, I didn't know it until I wrote my TR and it's kind of magic ) Then you can have a lot more pictures because they are not actually on passporters, just a like to the picture.
I'm nervous, but I'll try it. Youse guys might be in for it!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
That must have been so neat to see UP while at Disney.
Boma for breakfast sounded delish.
Glad your boys finally got their legos.
I hate to see your TR coming to a close. It has been so much fun seeing your trip through your pics and descriptions. Makes me wish I was leaving in the morning!
You'll be there soon (is your reunion at Disney?)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cam22
Sounds like a great day! I really am going to have to try Boma for breakfast because of all the great reviews. I also a bit sad that your trip and this report are getting very close to over.
Up is such a terrific movie! So sweet!
I know! The Up characters were at DHS while we were there, but we missed them.
oh no, not the last night! packing to go home is always depressing. I hate that part and have tried to start getting things together the day before so that we can enjoy our last night in the world!
__________________
Teresa
Sammy 5 years and Peyton 15 months - September 2013
Great updates, sorry to hear it's almost over. You said you didn't know what you would do when you were done with this TR, well - - - the only logical thing is to start planning the NEXT trip!!
Just catching up again. I hear you on the Villains store (but they used to be better - not great, mind you, but better than what's there now). And after reading about so many great meals in a row, I'm hungry! Your massage sounded very relaxing (congrats on the weight loss BTW ). I'm not a massage person, so I've never visited any of the spas at WDW. But I still like hearing about them!
__________________
Mickey's so happy to see me back, he can barely contain himself!
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
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and headed over to the fitness center. DH had been there earlier in the week to work out and said it was nice. When I got there, there were a lot of people in there working out. I was kind of surprised – it was 8am on Sunday morning 
! There are a lot of machines and weights, but I think there's a 20 min limit when it’s busy. I was taken back right away and shown the locker room and showers. I was impressed – it was nice back there too. The robe just fit (I wrote that b/c I’m a size 18 – I just lost almost 20lbs, so I’m okay saying this. I know some pooh-sized folks like me might get nervous in locker room/spa settings.) I still felt a little uncomfortable sitting on the bench waiting, as men had to walk past the ladies locker room to their area.
My 50 minutes went quickly and Ann brought me water. It would have been nice to have a place to rehydrate and relax after my massage, but this wasn’t the Vista Spa, you know what I mean? 
I took advantage of the showers (there’s soap and towels, etc). It was overall, very nice - I was relaxed, feeling fine and smelling good. Price = $105, not including tip. We would use the fitness center again to work out, but for a massage, I might try the Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs, for full spa pampering.
and the omelet that DH got rivaled any omelet Cracker Barrel could ever come up with. We sampled almost everything and it was all good. I particularly liked the bobotie, the African stewed tomatoes, and the french toast. There was also this fruit salad that was like fruit in a yogurt mixture. I wish I could remember the name, but it was yummy. DH and the boys were stuffed and happy, so I can officially give Boma for breakfast two thumbs up. 
.
.
Pawprint brownie
. The 30 minutes went quick. We will definitely schedule a little more arcade time next trip (but not too much!)
Liz 
PassPorter Guide Author
Teresa
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