NewfieFan's "I haven't done a TR in a while" TR!

Where have I been? That's a good question! We had two wonderful trips to the World last year and I didn't report those to you guys... I know, for shame! Life kind of got in the way a lot and well, mostly I was just slack!
I'll refresh your memory a little... we took a trip in Sept. '10 and we were smack in the middle of a building a house. You can read all about it here http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/newfiefans-long-overdue-sept-tr.725069/
It was on that trip when we bought into DVC. Well I'm happy to report it was a good decision for us. We used our points for two trips last year and stayed at Kidani Village both times. I picked Kidani mainly b/c it requires less points and we were trying to stretch them out over two trips. We ended up falling in love with Kidani and now I can't imagine staying anywhere else.
So this is actually our third time staying in Kidani and it did not disappoint!
Our trip began on April 15th. We tried a different flight this time around, we took an afternoon flight from St. John's which got us into Orlando around 11pm. We left our home at around 6:30 am to make the four and half hour drive to the airport. One car ride, two flights, and two stopovers, later we arrived in MCO! We arrived at Kidani and got to our room somewhere around 12:30am local time (which is actually 2am for us). So, if you're keeping track that was around 18hrs. of traveling. The bed at Kidani never looked so good! The kids however were surprisingly upbeat and asked if the pool was open. Ummmm, NO!

Disney 2012 007 by NewfieFan, on Flickr


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Home SWEET home!

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We rented a studio standard view

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The kids begged to see the pool so I took them for a quick walk through the lobby and down to the pool.
An empty night time lobby...

Disney 2012 024 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Needless to say it was bedtime at this point. I'm not even sure if we changed our clothes or just fell on the bed and crashed!
The next morning I woke refreshed and quite happy to be waking up in Kidani. We were a little bummed when we got our room assignment the night before b/c we were quite a distance from the lobby. The last two times we've been fairly lucky b/c our room hasn't been too far from the pool and lobby. I suppose I could have asked if they had anything closer but we were so tired that we just wanted to get to our room... wherever that may be. As mentioned we had standard view booked but when I threw open the curtains and stepped out on my balcony this is what I saw...
Hello Okapi!

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Here's the view we had of the Pembe Savannah...

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I guess because we were on the edge of the Savannah they don't consider it "savannah view" but yet we had an excellent view of the savannah! Before this trip I couldn't imagine why anyone would pay extra (either with points or money) for savannah view. There's lots of public areas off the lobby to view the animals and there's a lookout on the savannah as well. And who spends time in their room looking at animals? Well, apparently we do! If I was in the room I was on my balcony looking at animals and taking pictures. I would wake up early just to see what the animals were "up to"! So yeah, if you like viewing animals - savannah view is totally worth it!
After I dragged myself away from the balcony I started unpacking and getting the kids ready for breakfast. We took the lovely walk over to Jambo House and had breakfast at the Mara.

She was very insistant that Mickey Ears must be worn to breakfast...

Disney 2012 034 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Mmmmm, Mickey Waffle! How I missed you!

Disney 2012 035 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

 

[lebeau]

Don't worry. Cupcakes or no, there will be drama on the trip report. It's the one thing you can be certain of. Typically, Mindy stops speaking to me before we board the ME shuttle. Although the cupcake thing seems to have blown over for the time being, there's still a 50/50 chance she'll get mad about it once we're there. You just never know.

I was reading your TR when Kara got home from her swim lessons. She was very excited to see the BBB pictures. I'm guessing Anna is wearing an Ariel dress, but Kara saw purple and declared it a Rapunzel dress. She said she wanted to be Rapunzel too.

We're big Turtle Talk fans. It's always a hit.

 

[Dawg4Mickey]

Loving the trip report. We are going for the first time in August, and we booked the BBB for both of my nieces. Seeing those pics were awesome, and I cannot wait to take them and see the magic they do with them. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

 

[HopLow]

Great TR!! Princess Anna's BBB experience is just too cute. I'm so jealous they didn't have that when I was a kid - I would have been alllll about the pink hair extensions and glitter!

That's a crazy long trip you guys have to make to get to WDW!!!!! Your kids must be angels to make it through all those hours of travelling - kudos to you!

 

[Ariel484]

OMG...a hornet flew in her mouth?! *faint* I would have been sobbing if that were me!

Did you get a new camera? Fabulous pictures! The ones of SSE are really nice.

Love the Disney Art...the F&G print is too cute. I need to convince my husband that we need some Disney Art at home. Or just buy it anyway. Either way!

Hmm...that's the 3rd or 4th good review I've seen of both Garden Grill and Liberty Tree Tavern recently. Neither have ever really been on our radar before, but I might need to add them to the list!

What a great experience at BBB! I had no idea that they did the whole Princess of the Day/get made over in the front of the store thing. How fun! You're right, whoever decided to put a station in the window of World od Disney is a marketing genius.

Love Crush! Yes, it's aimed at little kids, but it's just so fun!

And I think you're on the right track with limiting the pop...I used to have 1-2 cans DAILY and let's face it, that just cannot be good for one's health! Now I'm down to 1-2 per month and maybe 1 per day at WDW.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

When I went to Turtle Talk two years ago, I fell in love with Finding Nemo all over again. It was great!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Great trip report so far! You're kids are too darn cute!

And don't worry, maybe Anna will be like me who even at 23 years old is obsessed with the Princesses...heck I think I like them more now than I did when I was younger!! I think it would be so much fun to do BBB!!! So heres to many more years of Princesses! I particularly like to meet the Princesses when their princes are around as well (boy do I really miss that look around smiley!)

So happy that she got to be the Princess of the Day! I never realized they had girls sit in that front window! Just thought it was there for decorations!

Love your view of the savannah! I would love to stay at AKL one day! Will be going over to dinner there at Boma for the first time in September this year so very excited to see it all!

And out of the 14 times I've been to WDW I don't think I've ever taken the time to stop and do Turtle Talk with Crush. I have just never been a fan of the Seas..especially now with Nemo and tend to overloook it. But I might just have to stop by!!!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Awesome trip report! I remember reading that AKL standard view rooms often have partial views of the savannahs... so you are proof this does happen!

It's also great to see good reviews of LTT and Garden Grill. I was so on the fence about booking these...but all of these positive reviews are making me happy we did. Looks like you guys had really good character interacation at Garden Grill.

What a fun BBB experience! She looks so happy!!!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[NewfieFan]

Are you still with me? Good!
After The Seas it was time to look for food. It was a unanimous vote for Sunshine Seasons!
The salmon I had...

Disney 2012 232 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

And for dessert a chocolare raspberry cupcake...

Disney 2012 234 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

We decided not to stay for Illuminations, it had been a long day for the kids and we wanted to get up early again tomorrow morning. But first a quick stop in Mouse Gears...

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I took one more picture of dolly before she went to sleep (I wondered if the fake hair would fall out of place)!

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Well the next morning not a hair moved out of place!
On our way to DHS...

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[NewfieFan]

I did the mad dash to TSMM for FPs and then we stopped for a Photopass pic...

Photo0048FourBySix by NewfieFan, on Flickr

We headed down Sunset Boulevard... and this is where the morning went wrong, so very wrong! Before the trip the kids had built themselves up to ride ToT with mommy, it was all they had talked about! Well, on our way Aidan freaks out and changes his mind (so he stays with dad) and I continue on with Miss Anna, all the while she's saying in a whispered voice that she's scared. As soon as I enter the queue Aidan comes running up to me because he's changed his mind again. Ok, whatever! Anyways, with every step we take the kids are getting more and more freaked out. I would have taken them out but I knew they really wanted to ride it and I knew they would be fine once on the ride. Well, after the preshow they are both in full on panic mode! Anna is now crying and I think Aidan was praying! Good grief, what have I become!?! A random father in the queue is now comforting my daughter (he had a daughter the same age) and even one of the CMs asked, "Is she going to be alright ma'am?" I put them on the ride (not my proudest moment) and besides for asking about a million questions each they didn't make too much of a fuss at all. There was no screaming and crying... just closed eyes and the squeezing of hands! When the ride was over, Aidan says, "That's it!?!" But if asked are they ever going on it again I get a very strong "No!" from both of them! Up until this point I always thought the ToT was a fun ride... it's the first time I can honestly say I was filled with terror! Needless to say mommy will NEVER ride with them again!!! As soon as we got off the ride I think Pete could see the pain in my face. There was nothing to explain... I just said, "Never again!"

One picture for the memory book, right!?! (Aidan is showing you all his scared face and Anna looks like nothing is wrong in the world - kids, you gotta love 'em!)

Disney 2012 242 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

Well, mommy needed some alone time after that experience so I went over to RnR coaster. I hopped in the single rider queue... how did I not know about this!?! The single rider line is Disney's best kept secret (not DVC)! It sucks to have to ride alone on a lot of these rides but it's awesome to not have to wait!

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Two of my favorite rides (without children, of course)!

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It was time for a morning snack and Starring Rolls Cafe never disappoints. The cupcakes looked good but I needed something a little lighter. The fruit tart was just the thing (originally we bought one to share but we ended up getting another because it was so good)...

Disney 2012 247 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

I had promised the kids a new pin if they rode ToT (do you think they deserved it!?!), so it was over to everyone's favorite hat to pin shop!
Which one do you pick?

Disney 2012 250 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

 

[Steve-B]

I had promised the kids a new pin if they rode ToT (do you think they deserved it!?!)

Well, you didn't say they had to enjoy it . . .

 

[NewfieFan]

I love Turtle Talk with Crush! I am hoping my son will sit through it this year and will be into it. At three and a half I think it is so much fun. The hubby and I have seen it and I totally agree we have found ourselves with tears rolling down our face from time to time....

I love your pics of the Flower and Garden festivals! That is always one of my favorite times of year down at the world. Well of the times I have been down there that is.

I think the kids really enjoyed it this time because they could get a lot of the jokes. I'm sure your 3 yr old will get a kick out of it!
I love the F&G festival too but I'm not a gardener... I don't have a green thumb to save my life! However I do enjoy looking and taking pictures.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I give those kiddos credit for not crying or freaking out on ToT. I cried the first time I went on it and I was 12!! lol

That fruit tart looks super delish but I just cannot pass up a cupcake when we got there. Seriously, I think about the red velvet cheesecake cupcake at least 1 or 2 times daily... It's quite sad really... lol

 

[NewfieFan]

Don't worry. Cupcakes or no, there will be drama on the trip report. It's the one thing you can be certain of. Typically, Mindy stops speaking to me before we board the ME shuttle. Although the cupcake thing seems to have blown over for the time being, there's still a 50/50 chance she'll get mad about it once we're there. You just never know.

I was reading your TR when Kara got home from her swim lessons. She was very excited to see the BBB pictures. I'm guessing Anna is wearing an Ariel dress, but Kara saw purple and declared it a Rapunzel dress. She said she wanted to be Rapunzel too.

We're big Turtle Talk fans. It's always a hit.

You're a good man lebeau! I can't wait to see your TR and see your girlies all dolled up... I know they're going to be cute! Yeah, it was an Ariel dress that I bought at Toys r us. It was expensive (almost as expensive as the ones in Disney) but I liked that it was long. Anna is quite tall for her age and it's hard to find dress up clothes that fits her.

Loving the trip report. We are going for the first time in August, and we booked the BBB for both of my nieces. Seeing those pics were awesome, and I cannot wait to take them and see the magic they do with them. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

Thanks! I'm sure your nieces will have a wonderful time!

Great TR!! Princess Anna's BBB experience is just too cute. I'm so jealous they didn't have that when I was a kid - I would have been alllll about the pink hair extensions and glitter!

That's a crazy long trip you guys have to make to get to WDW!!!!! Your kids must be angels to make it through all those hours of travelling - kudos to you!

(I would have been all over pink hair and glitter too when I was little!) Yes, it's a crazy long trip but we're use to it now! The kids are certainly not angels but I have to admit they are good little travelers. But they've also been doing this trek since they were 14 mths and 3 years of age!
Thanks for reading!

 

[NewfieFan]

OMG...a hornet flew in her mouth?! *faint* I would have been sobbing if that were me!

Did you get a new camera? Fabulous pictures! The ones of SSE are really nice.

Love the Disney Art...the F&G print is too cute. I need to convince my husband that we need some Disney Art at home. Or just buy it anyway. Either way!

Hmm...that's the 3rd or 4th good review I've seen of both Garden Grill and Liberty Tree Tavern recently. Neither have ever really been on our radar before, but I might need to add them to the list!

What a great experience at BBB! I had no idea that they did the whole Princess of the Day/get made over in the front of the store thing. How fun! You're right, whoever decided to put a station in the window of World od Disney is a marketing genius.

Love Crush! Yes, it's aimed at little kids, but it's just so fun!

And I think you're on the right track with limiting the pop...I used to have 1-2 cans DAILY and let's face it, that just cannot be good for one's health! Now I'm down to 1-2 per month and maybe 1 per day at WDW.

I was staying calm so as not to freak Anna out even more (but on the inside I was screaming)!

Yes, I did get a new camera. It's just a point and shoot but I think I'm quite happy with it. It's the new Canon PowerShot Elph 320HS, it had everything I was looking for in a P&S but it had the touch panel technology screen (think iphone/ipod). There wasn't a lot of good reviews for other cameras with the same touch panel but I went ahead and bought the camera anyway. It took a bit of getting use to (it's a different touch needed than what you use for an iphone) but now I'm fine with it. I showed it to one of the guys working in Future Shop and he said it was way better than the older touch panel cameras currently on the market. The camera was so new it wasn't in stores in Canada, I had to order it online from Canon directly. Anyways, if anyone is in the market for a great compact camera I highly recommend this one!

Everybody needs some Disney art, right!?!

I would put both those restaurants on a future "to try" list!

I didn't know about the Princess of the Day thing either... it was a complete shock for me (not to mention for Anna). Glad she got to experience it though!

I can't say anything about the pop... I drink more than I should myself!

Thanks for reading!

When I went to Turtle Talk two years ago, I fell in love with Finding Nemo all over again. It was great!

I love Nemo anyway and I think The Seas is great now! (Do I have to give up my Epcot fan card?)

Great trip report so far! You're kids are too darn cute!

And don't worry, maybe Anna will be like me who even at 23 years old is obsessed with the Princesses...heck I think I like them more now than I did when I was younger!! I think it would be so much fun to do BBB!!! So heres to many more years of Princesses! I particularly like to meet the Princesses when their princes are around as well (boy do I really miss that look around smiley!)

So happy that she got to be the Princess of the Day! I never realized they had girls sit in that front window! Just thought it was there for decorations!

Love your view of the savannah! I would love to stay at AKL one day! Will be going over to dinner there at Boma for the first time in September this year so very excited to see it all!

And out of the 14 times I've been to WDW I don't think I've ever taken the time to stop and do Turtle Talk with Crush. I have just never been a fan of the Seas..especially now with Nemo and tend to overloook it. But I might just have to stop by!!!

Thanks!
I hope she never grows out of princesses but I know the day might come!

Yay Boma! Have a great time in Sept. (when are you going?)

As mentioned above I like The Seas with Nemo... but yes, you should see Turtle Talk at least once (hopefully you'll get the "good" Crush).

Awesome trip report! I remember reading that AKL standard view rooms often have partial views of the savannahs... so you are proof this does happen!

It's also great to see good reviews of LTT and Garden Grill. I was so on the fence about booking these...but all of these positive reviews are making me happy we did. Looks like you guys had really good character interacation at Garden Grill.

What a fun BBB experience! She looks so happy!!!

Can't wait to read more!

I had no idea there were partial savannah view rooms. I figured you either saw it or you didn't!

I hope you enjoy your meals there as well!
Thanks!

 

[NewfieFan]

Well, you didn't say they had to enjoyit . . .

There will be fine print attached to the next promise!
*Children must not freak out even before they get on the ride and a calm manner is required prior to boarding any attraction. If mommy becomes stressed due to behaviour in the queue... all promises are null and void!

I give those kiddos credit for not crying or freaking out on ToT. I cried the first time I went on it and I was 12!! lol

That fruit tart looks super delish but I just cannot pass up a cupcake when we got there. Seriously, I think about the red velvet cheesecake cupcake at least 1 or 2 times daily... It's quite sad really... lol

I knew they would be fine on the ride... they just had themselves worked into a frenzy before they even saw the ride! If Dumbo had been at the end of that queue it wouldn't have mattered at that point - they were stressed!!!

Oh, trust me I love a good cupcake! And yes, I've had the red velvet there - delish! But I think I was stressed out from the mornings events and couldn't handle the thought of a heavy cupcake. The tart was really good... and I'm not a tart person!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

I give those kiddos credit for not crying or freaking out on ToT. I cried the first time I went on it and I was 12!! lol

That fruit tart looks super delish but I just cannot pass up a cupcake when we got there. Seriously, I think about the red velvet cheesecake cupcake at least 1 or 2 times daily... It's quite sad really... lol

Heck, Im in my 40s and would cry on TOT LOL, the kids were ALOT braver than I am!! Kudos!!!!!!!

 

[lebeau]

I can totally relate to your ToT story. Josie had a freak-out on Soarin' last trip. I was so sure she could handle it. But the illusion was too real for her. She immediately thought we were actually suspended over the Pacific and freaked out. I spent the entire ride comforting her (which was especially tragic since it was the only time I ever rode it). There was also a very nice older woman sitting to Josie's right who helped calm her down. She kept her head down the rest of the ride and was okay, but I was counting down the seconds till it was over.

I never force Josie onto a ride. But I do encourage her to try things I think she's ready for. Then I usually keep up the chatter to emphasize how much fun we're all having and to keep her mind off anything that might trigger a freak-out. It usually works. If she rides the same ride with her mom, she'll freak out because Mindy is nervous too.

Bribes happen a lot. I am not proud, but they have a 100% success rate. Yesterday completely out of the blue, Josie told me she might, just maybe ride Splash Mountain with me. I said that would make me very happy. She said, "Then maybe you'll buy me something from the gift shop?"

 

[LeCellier.Lover]

And for dessert a chocolare raspberry cupcake...

Disney 2012 234 by NewfieFan, on Flickr

OMG! This cupcake looks delicious! Please tell me it was? Haha!

As for ToT I can totally relate to your kids! My brother is now 20 and I am 18. When we were younger you could NEVER get us on that ride. My parents were the parents, like yourself, that tried to pull them on anyways because they knew it was a fun ride! Well they could never get us on the ride like you were able to do with your kids. One time I guess we were crying and freaking out so bad that a CM told my brother and I "It's ok not to ride.. Mickey would NEVER make you want to do something that you don't want to do!" and I guess she gave my parents the NASTIEST glare. Yeah I was good friends with that "chicken out" elevator. Haha! My parents were SO mad at my brother and I after that....
Then I went with my friends and our families when I was a freshman in high school and they forced me on it! Literally don't remember anything from that morning I was so terrified.. But now I'm in love with ToT and it is one of my favorite rides at Disney (same for my brother!).

 

[foreverbelle]

I commend them, even if it was incredibly scary-I probably cried the first time myself-they stuck it out, as did you. Both of you guys deserve made props for that one. Even if they never ride it again, they went on and did it. Quite an accomplishment if you ask me. Though maybe I should check back in in ten years, we shall see if they have changed their minds.

Ah yes I love the single rider line. I do it all the time with Everest when the hubs doesn't want to go, and offers to watch little man.

And I am impressed that her hair remained intact...Bravo!

 

[NewfieFan]

Heck, Im in my 40s and would cry on TOT LOL, the kids were ALOT braver than I am!! Kudos!!!!!!!

They were brave... after they made it through the queue!

I can totally relate to your ToT story. Josie had a freak-out on Soarin' last trip. I was so sure she could handle it. But the illusion was too real for her. She immediately thought we were actually suspended over the Pacific and freaked out. I spent the entire ride comforting her (which was especially tragic since it was the only time I ever rode it). There was also a very nice older woman sitting to Josie's right who helped calm her down. She kept her head down the rest of the ride and was okay, but I was counting down the seconds till it was over.

I never force Josie onto a ride. But I do encourage her to try things I think she's ready for. Then I usually keep up the chatter to emphasize how much fun we're all having and to keep her mind off anything that might trigger a freak-out. It usually works. If she rides the same ride with her mom, she'll freak out because Mindy is nervous too.

Bribes happen a lot. I am not proud, but they have a 100% success rate. Yesterday completely out of the blue, Josie told me she might, just maybe ride Splash Mountain with me. I said that would make me very happy. She said, "Then maybe you'll buy me something from the gift shop?"

Yes, I have been known to throw a bride or two around at a time. I don't like to make a habit of it... but it happens. (Josie sounds like a smart kid!)
It's hard when kids get stressed on rides/attractions. As a parent I can only enjoy it if the kids are enjoying it.
I was trying to show the kids cool things in the queue but it wasn't really working at that point! Oh well, live and learn!

OMG! This cupcake looks delicious! Please tell me it was? Haha!

As for ToT I can totally relate to your kids! My brother is now 20 and I am 18. When we were younger you could NEVER get us on that ride. My parents were the parents, like yourself, that tried to pull them on anyways because they knew it was a fun ride! Well they could never get us on the ride like you were able to do with your kids. One time I guess we were crying and freaking out so bad that a CM told my brother and I "It's ok not to ride.. Mickey would NEVER make you want to do something that you don't want to do!" and I guess she gave my parents the NASTIEST glare. Yeah I was good friends with that "chicken out" elevator. Haha! My parents were SO mad at my brother and I after that....
Then I went with my friends and our families when I was a freshman in high school and they forced me on it! Literally don't remember anything from that morning I was so terrified.. But now I'm in love with ToT and it is one of my favorite rides at Disney (same for my brother!).

The cupcake was really good but as usual it was too much for me to eat by myself. The dark chocolate cupcake went well with the raspberry flavored icing and there was some sort of raspberry filling in it as well.
I don't usually drag my kids on anything, I would never force them on a ride that they didn't want to go on. I encourage them to step outside their comfort level but never to the point of forcing screaming kids on a ride. The only reason I kept pushing for them to get on this ride was b/c it was something they really wanted to do. And I knew they would be disappointed if they chickened out. But I learned my lesson.. if children want to get on a ride they have to behave themselves in the queue as well. If they cry or say they're scared then they'll be leaving the queue in the future.
I love ToT but I only ever experienced it as an adult!

I commend them, even if it was incredibly scary-I probably cried the first time myself-they stuck it out, as did you. Both of you guys deserve made props for that one. Even if they never ride it again, they went on and did it. Quite an accomplishment if you ask me. Though maybe I should check back in in ten years, we shall see if they have changed their minds.

Ah yes I love the single rider line. I do it all the time with Everest when the hubs doesn't want to go, and offers to watch little man.

And I am impressed that her hair remained intact...Bravo!

If you talk to them now they will respond with big smiles on their faces and tell you all about the time they rode ToT.

Single rider line is awesome!

This is the second time we've done the BBB and both times the hair has lasted for two days (we get our money's worth).