Nala and pride "Here we go again!" Final thoughts and COMPLETE! Updated 7/30
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Jillybean · 03-16-2006, 07:46 PM

That citrus swirl sounds right down my alley! Yum! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I'm a big creamsicle fan! I will definitely be trying one in May!

Jill

OCEANGRLLG · 03-18-2006, 11:01 AM

Just getting all caught up!!!! This TR is GREAT [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/applause.gif[/img]
You make me want to get back in a BAD way!!! Now just to get non-DH to say YES!!!!

MAria R · 03-18-2006, 03:44 PM

Great updates!!!!

Nala · 03-20-2006, 01:15 AM

Before I go forward, I must go back to our meet with the Incredibles. You see, when I go to WDW, something happens to my brain. It’s as if I forget to pack it for the trip. All rational thought and logic escapes me when on property. And I become rather, well, for lack of a better word, dingy. Like Edith Bunker dingy. This is always a source of entertainment for both Grumpy and me and often produces a good laugh.

The first of my Disney stupor moments occurred when we met the Incredibles. I looked at Kiara and said “Look honey, this is your Uncle Helen and Aunt Bob”.[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/foreheadslap.gif[/img] Helen caught it and started moving her finger back and forth between her and Bob and when I corrected myself she nodded her head in approval. Grumpy and I laughed at my error and it was then I realized my Disney dumbness was fully in place. And it was not the last of my dork moments during the trip.

However, while my brain may be left on the nightstand when it comes to certain things, my memory for weird details, people, places, things and events never leaves me. But that will come up later in the trip.

So, back to the WL we went and when we arrived at the room, Grumpy called bell service to see if our luggage had arrived. Sure enough it had and they said they would have it brought up. It arrived a few minutes later and Kiara wasted no time reuniting herself with her beloved Spiderman. After a few hugs and kisses, she proceeded to rummage through the luggage until she found the next coveted item. Her swimsuit. She also found Grumpy’s and threw it at him and said “Come on Dad, let’s go swim”. So off they went while I stayed in the room and began to unpack. They spent about an hour in the pool and returned to the room so Kiara could take a nap before dinner. I do not recall if that actually happened.

But what I do recall is that Grumpy was taking in the view from our balcony and suddenly called me out. Seems several CMs were in the Vice Presidential suite and out on the balcony. By the time I joined him, he had acquired their names, places of birth and half of their life history. There he was in all his glory. My darling husband, blessed with the gift of gab, but plagued by eating at a table with total strangers. Another one of life’s many mysteries. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Anyhow, I made my way to the balcony only to be there for a few seconds to hear some of the exchange between Grumpy and the two CMs and catch the tail end of the conversation about the suite, when he blurted out the unthinkable. “Can my wife come up for a tour? My jaw dropped, the male CM started stammering and attempted to find words and the female CM with him, looked at him for guidance. I on the other hand took immediate action by swatting Grumpy on the shoulder and telling him to hush up. I’m sure Grumpy could have talked them into giving me a tour, but there was no way I was going to do it. He then looked at me and said “What? Haven’t you always wanted to see it?” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

I ran back in the room, Grumpy bid good day to his two new friends and the three of us got ready for dinner. We headed down to the boat dock, took the small launch to the Contemporary and made our way to the Concourse Steakhouse.

We checked in and were seated within a few minutes But before we made it to our table, I noticed the wine selection in the case at the hostess stand. Coppola. They had Coppola! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] My absolute favorite wine (that I can afford). I pointed it out to Grumpy and he insisted we order a bottle with dinner. Our server greeted us and she was wonderful. She took our drink and appetizer order and disappeared. But before she did, the monorail whooshed by and Kiara was in awe.

Kiara’s mouth dropped open, she sucked in a huge breath, pointed to the monorail and said “Look, Dad, LOOK!!!!” The wine nor food had arrived yet, but already I knew this was going to be a great place to eat. Not only was the passing monorail a source of entertainment for Kiara, but it became one for Grumpy too. And it soon became one for me. Kiara had no interest in coloring on her kid’s menu, but Grumpy put one of the crayons to good use. He used it to make tick marks on a napkin to keep track of how many times Kiara said “Look, Dad, monorail” during our meal. By the time our wine arrived, he was up to three.

Our drinks arrived and shortly after that our appetizers followed. Grumpy had a salad, I had the French onion soup (or is it called Freedom onion soup now?) and we ordered a kiddie shrimp cocktail for Kiara. Second to Kiara’s obsessive love for water is her obsessive love for fish and seafood. (insert mental image of Darryl Hannah in Splash eating the lobster and you are right there with me) I thought she would be thrilled with this treat (it was peeled and everything so she didn’t have to wait for Mom to do it) but NOOOOO. She wanted my onion soup. What is it about kids at the dinner table always being like dogs and thinking what the other dog has is better? And so the battle began. Kiara snatched my soup and I snatched a few of her shrimp. And the only saving grace during our first course was the monorail. Every time it passed by, I snuck a bite of my soup as Kiara was distracted and exclaiming “Look, Dad, LOOK!” And Grumpy peacefully enjoyed his salad as he made tick marks on the napkin. Oh, well, it was his birthday after all.

Our main course came and I was grateful that Kiara had no interest in what was on my plate. Although I have no idea what she ordered (pizza maybe?) I do know what I had. The 14 oz. Chipotle Glazed Rib Eye, medium rare was perfect. Not quite as spicy as I would have liked, but still very good. And the best part was Kiara showed no interest in it, so this baby was all mine. Grumpy had the ribs and they must have been good, because I never heard a word out of him during our meal. But, he did manage to continue to make the tick marks on the napkin as the monorail passed by.

Grumpy and I managed to totally clean our plates and when Kiara’s was taken away from the table, hers was close to clean too. While neither Grumpy or I had no room for dessert, I did have something in mind for my baby. The Painter's Pallet .

Grumpy was a bit surprised that I ordered dessert for Kiara, but when it arrived at the table he understood why. This was the cutest thing! It really was nothing more than a large sugar cookie in the shape of a Mickey head, but what it came on and with made all the difference. It was served on a painter’s pallet with three colors of liquid frosting, some Mickey head sprinkles and a paint brush. Our server sat it down in front of Kiara and she was enthralled. She wasted no time picking up the paint brush and going to town on her creation.

Note to self: order the kid a Painter’s Pallet as an appetizer along with the shrimp cocktail. Then maybe I can have the Freedom onion soup to myself.

Kiara had a blast with this thing. She was totally engrossed and in deep contraction whilst she completed her masterpiece. I have never seen her so committed to a task. But even still, she never missed a monorail passing by. The “Look, Dad, LOOK!” count was completed at twenty-three by the time we left the table. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Of course, as I expected, Kiara never even took a single bite of her creation. But I couldn’t help getting a “to go” box to take it with us. And even though she didn’t eat any of it, it was worth every penny of the $3.99 we spent to give her so much entertainment. This meal and evening had been magical. And the Concourse Steakhouse is a place we will gladly return to. Any day, any time. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]

We headed down to the dock only to be held off from a ride back to the WL by the Pirate cruise. We were in no hurry to get back, so we enjoyed watching Peter Pan and the CMs dressed as pirates making their way off the boats. How fun this activity looked. This is something I will have to consider for future trips. The pirates and their “crew” finally cleared out and we were on a boat to the lodge. It felt good to get back in the room or come “home” and unwind after a magical day.

As we were relaxing in the room, we heard the music of the electrical water pageant begin and the three of us headed to the balcony to watch. From our upgraded view. I know Grumpy didn’t want to leave the AKL, but if I had asked, I am sure he would have said, at that moment at least, this was a great move. But, I didn’t ask. Instead I just stood there, admired the pageant on the lake in front of me and counted my blessings. Two of them were right there beside me.

We all turned in shortly thereafter to ready ourselves for yet another fun filled day at WDW.

simbarel · 03-20-2006, 01:29 AM

Nice update! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img] I woulda swatted my DH if we were in the same situation. Glad you enjoyed your meal at the CS, the cookie sounds fun! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

**Colexis Mom** · 03-20-2006, 05:39 AM

What a great night Nala [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

**LizardCop** · 03-20-2006, 05:53 AM

[b]Great TR!!!

I'd have been pushed over the rail, had it been me doing that [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]

More please???

lauren-roxy · 03-20-2006, 02:21 PM

Sounds like a really great dinner Nala!! My kids are famous for wanting my food too, although if I had ordered it for them originally, they wouldn't want it!! Can't wait to read more of your great report!!!

PrincessSharon · 03-20-2006, 02:29 PM

Great updates, Nala! You always find so much magic on your trips! That cookie dessert is such a great idea! Can't wait for more!

MAria R · 03-20-2006, 06:33 PM

I will have to get Antonio that cookie next trip sounds like it was neat.

Jillybean · 03-20-2006, 07:00 PM

Mary Devall would absolutely love that cookie! Great idea! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] I would love to try the Concourse Steakhouse - - sounds like great food and atmosphere and perfect location for WL!

Now what kind of Coppola wine did you have [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img] It's one of my favs too! I think we still have a bottle of it from our honeymoon.

Jill

luvnwdwgal · 03-20-2006, 07:57 PM

So glad you had such a wonderful time at the Concourse Steakhouse! It's always on our list! Looking forward to another installment! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]