'Moon over the World: Our Dream Disneymoon (Dec. 16-23, 2010) Trip Report - COMPLETED!! 1/16 About This Page:

[Jessie092408]

What a great beginning, to both your Honeymoon (minus the blister) and your TR. Can't wait to read more. I loved the picture of you with the hat on at the Canada pavilion. Very cute!

[chezp]

What a wonderful start - I love the way Disney Cast Members stopped to congratulate you, that's one of the best things about Disney!

[Colexis Mom]

What a great first day!

[cubfancolleen]

Good start! Sorry to hear you had a less than stellar experience at Les Chefs. We ate years ago at Bistro de Paris and I still dream about that meal. But it's not a kid-friendly place. It's also a signature restaurant (so 2 table credits). When we ate at Les Chefs, I was disappointed because I expected it to be more like Bistro.

Hope your blister doesn't slow you down on day 2!

[MelissaSue]

Thanks for reading, everyone!!!

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Great start! I can't wait to hear all about your stay at the Contemporary!

Have you stayed there? I really loved the feeling of being right in the middle of all the action when we were in the tower, but the Garden Wing was really quiet, which was lovely. The pool area is so large that, even when it was full of kids playing and people in the pool, it seemed relaxing. It didn't have over-the-top, jaw-dropping theming like many of the other hotels we visited, but it was a great place to stay.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Great start to your Disneymoon, except for that nasty blister!

Ugh. It was HUGE!! It actually never popped, thank goodness. About 4 days after we got home, it reabsorbed, which is super gross, but I was glad.

Originally Posted by Jessie092408

What a great beginning, to both your Honeymoon (minus the blister) and your TR. Can't wait to read more. I loved the picture of you with the hat on at the Canada pavilion. Very cute!

Thanks, Jessie! We are "those" funny hat people. We didn't take too many in The World, though--too much else to do!!

Originally Posted by chezp

What a wonderful start - I love the way Disney Cast Members stopped to congratulate you, that's one of the best things about Disney!

It really was the best part of the whole trip, Cheryl! We met so many amazing people, tourists and cast members alike!

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Good start! Sorry to hear you had a less than stellar experience at Les Chefs. We ate years ago at Bistro de Paris and I still dream about that meal. But it's not a kid-friendly place. It's also a signature restaurant (so 2 table credits). When we ate at Les Chefs, I was disappointed because I expected it to be more like Bistro.

I will have to remember to consider Bistro de Paris next time. I think we'd go back to Les Chefs. Maybe it was a bad night in the kitchen. Or maybe our expectations were just too high--that definitely happened a couple of times on this trip.

[MelissaSue]

We were up bright and early, and once we were showered and our blisters were mole-skinned, we went off to Tusker House. I’d scheduled an early morning ADR so we would already be pretty deep in the park when the rope dropped.

The line was soooo long, but it moved fast, thank goodness. Our photo with Donald was fun, but we were super happy to get inside and let loose on the food. Breakfast was yummy and filling, we loved the POG juice, and the indoor/outdoor vibe of the buffet was really fun. (2 credits: $42.00)

I do have a complaint: we were seated out of the rotation of the characters and right next to a LARGE tour group (probably about 25 people). The characters were going through the big tables, then walking right by us … then basically going to the other side of the restaurant before coming back to us. As a result, we didn’t get to see all the characters, but we did get photos with Donald (before we were seated) and Mickey and Daisy (in the restaurant).

Anyway, it was a fun experience in a festive atmosphere, but I don’t think I’d do it again for just the two of us—definitely something more geared toward kids, we felt.

After breakfast, we were able to ride the safari twice. We got a ton of awesome photos and had a lot of fun. I'd never done this before, and it was very cool. I loved the storyline, even the second time, because it was slightly different with the different drivers.

Afterward, we walked the Pangani Forest Trail. Again, we took a million photos. The gorillas were insanely active—one of them actually ran at us but of course could not get anywhere near us because of the giant gully. I had a video of one of them tearing through his lunch sack, but the camera ate it, so all I have is this photo:

Here are a couple more of my favorites from the safari and nature walks:

Up Next: More Animal Kingdom and Meeting a Friend

[KandJluvdisney]

great start
congrats on the wedding
I hear you on the boarding for George - I am my parents dog-sitter when they go away
glad you were able to get to stay at the cr
sorry about le chefs
sounds like a great breakfast
the lunch there is awsome
hurry back with more please

[MelissaSue]

As we walked toward the Jungle Trek, we stopped for a couple of Photopass pictures. We had to work pretty hard to track down a photographer with some Simba magic in her camera … but we eventually found one!!

During our search, we also made a quick stop to gawk at DeVine!! She was so awesome! Rob would have totally walked right by if I hadn’t pointed her out, then we stepped back and watched others come across her. The shock on their faces! She was very beautiful and amazing, but the looks on our fellow travelers’ faces was the best part.

Once we were walked out, we split a Coke Float and sat for awhile. Eventually, we got up and walked over to Everest. We got a FP for later in the day, then went over and waited in the line, about 35 minutes.

Best. Roller. Coaster. Ever. I screamed my head off almost the entire time. When we walked off, Rob’s legs were shaky and he was breathless. AWESOME. I also really loved the prayer flags in the area. I took lots of photos, but this one is my favorite:

Soon after, it was time for our lunch ADR for Yak and Yeti. The food was good but there was just TOO MUCH of it! Rob had lettuce cups (over salted) and a Kobe burger (amazing). I had wonton soup (pretty standard) and baby back ribs (delish, but the serving was HUGE). For dessert we shared the fried wontons (heaven on a stick) and some sorbet (light and yummy). (2 credits: $92.43)

Overall, it was a great experience. We’d definitely go back, but we’d eat a lot less. Probably split the kobe burger and two orders of dessert wontons. Because you should eat what you want on vacation.

There were three awesome things about lunch: first was Rob’s brain freeze. He kept sucking the Yak Attack down too quickly and getting a headache like whoa. The second was Hector, our waiter. He was so happy and boisterous. He really made our day. Third was Steven, a long time friend of ours who lives in Florida. He arrived at the park while we were eating!

After lunch, we met up with Steven, and the three of us hit Everest again—us on our FPs and Steven in the single rider line. Another awesome ride. Steven had never been on it before, so it was a really fun experience.

After that, we headed over to DinoLand. I was so shocked by the carnival setting! Loved it. I would have liked to do more exploring, but the boys were in ride mode, so we went on Primeval Whirl.

Primeval Whirl was so fun. At the time, it was rough on the back, but in hindsight, I'd definitely do it again. And again. We also rode Dinosaur. I hated it. Too scary. Rob thought it was too reliant on shock value.

On our way out, we stopped in Chester and Hester's Shop, and I found the cutest sassy Minnie ears. (I'll post photos of them in the next entry.) I got so many compliments on them throughout the week—they must have been a new design because even cast members asked after them.

Ears on head, we made our way over to It’s Tough to be a Bug. I had been a little unsure about the show because I’d read mixed reviews, but it was really fun. In fact, on our way out, we all three agreed that we wished it had been longer!

The parade was already underway as we exited, and we were able to catch most of it as it drove by the Tree of Life on Discovery Island. I say “we,” but actually only Rob and Steven watched the parade. I noticed that my Figment pin was missing from my park bag, so I tried to retrace our steps to find it.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to locate it. (It's okay! I've already ordered a replacement from eBay.)

So sad … so here’s a funny photo to cheer us all up:

Up Next: Camp Minnie-Mickey

[MelissaSue]

Missed a photo from ITTBAB:

Back to the story: We’d pretty much done everything we wanted to do in the park, but I convinced the boys to head over to Camp Minnie-Mickey for some character meets, despite protestations that it was “for kids.” As we passed by the Festival of the Lion King line, I heard a cast member say that the show was starting in 5 minutes, so I hopped in line. So glad I did (and so glad the boys followed)!!

The show is really fun. Obviously, the story was disjointed, so you shouldn’t walk in without having seen the movie, but the performers were TOP NOTCH. I especially loved the Tumbler Monkeys and the four singers. And I was relieved to see that that boys enjoyed it, too—Steven must have taken a million photos and mini-videos.

THEN onto characters. We were able to get photos with Mickey, in a very nice Christmas sweater, and Santa Goofy. The Santa Goofy experience was sort of lackluster. The cast member in charge (didn’t get his name) was rude and the photographer took really crappy photos—Goofy’s head is up in all but one of them (so we’re posing with his chin) and they rushed us in and out too quickly. But we did get one really cute photo out of it!

With only about 15 minutes until park closing, we headed toward the exit. I made a quick stop at Guest Relations to check on my Figment pin, but no one had turned it in, so I got information for WDW Lost and Found, and we headed out.

Here it was time to say goodnight to Steven. He was headed to have dinner with some friends, and Rob and I were headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The bus ride was short, and the hotel is amazing! They were hosting a bell choir for the holidays, which was very soothing.

We had lots of great experiences talking with the cast members at the concierge desk as well as a cast member from South Africa who talked with Rob about American cartoons for about 15 minutes while I looked out over the savannah. The whole exchange was too funny—here we were, talking to someone who’d come all the way from South Africa, but all they could talk about was Phineas and Ferb and Courage the Cowardly Dog. Boys.

We shopped in the marketplace, hung out around the indoor fire pit and had some more Photopass photos taken in front of the big tree. After some time, our ADR for Boma was ripe, and we were promptly seated and given a beautiful card, signed by many of the servers in their home language. So fun!

We loved the décor and the setup of the buffet, but the food was for sure the best part! We especially loved the mealie bread, pap and butternut squash soup. Rob loved the curry soup, as well. We tried a little bit of everything, between the two of us, and left feeling very stuffed and happy. (2 credits: $78.80)

We bussed to the Magic Kingdom, then monorailed back to the Contemporary. As we arrived, the fireworks began, and we watched them from the observation deck behind Fantasia—beautiful. We’d never seen Holiday Wishes, so it was super special.

And then it was off to bed after writing some notes. A VERY full, VERY wonderful day.


Up Next: Day Three, Boardwalk Morning

[Colexis Mom]

Another great day with some great eats! Love the pictures!

[Cam22]

You all had a wonderful day at AK! all the pictures! Boma is one of my absolute favorite restaurants.

[disneyfreeeak]

sounds like a great day at the AK!

[ilovedisney247]

Sounds like a great day at AK! I love Festival of the Lion King! I too ordered too much food at Yak and Yeti in December . . . oopps! Everest is MY ride . . .everyone has their favorite, and up until this last trip I thought my ride was Soarin, and I still love it, but Everest is really the one I can't do without!

To answer you question, I stayed at the Contemporary in November, in the Garden Wing as well. My fake balcony opened up on the channel between Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. I loved the room--it was huge and well decorated. I slept with the sliding door open every night! I loved being so close to the Magic!

[chezp]

What a wonderful time at Animal Kingdom!

[MelissaSue]

Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

To answer you question, I stayed at the Contemporary in November, in the Garden Wing as well. My fake balcony opened up on the channel between Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. I loved the room--it was huge and well decorated. I slept with the sliding door open every night! I loved being so close to the Magic!

Heather, so awesome!! It is so quiet and peaceful out there. I wish it had been warm enough to sleep with the ‘balcony’ windows open, but we did keep them open in the afternoons while we were napping.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Another great day with some great eats! Love the pictures!

Thanks, Marnie! And thank you for updating the thread title!

Originally Posted by Cam22

You all had a wonderful day at AK! [IMG]file:///C:/Users/MOBSOR%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG]all the pictures! Boma is one of my absolute favorite restaurants. [IMG]file:///C:/Users/MOBSOR%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.gif[/IMG]

It was such a great day! We were totally wiped out by the end of it, but I wouldn't change a thing!