Trip Report "The Best Disney Trip EVER"

Hello, hello everyone!! A warm welcome to everyone reading--I'm so glad you're here!!

WHEN: Tuesday, November 5th - Tuesday, November 12th

WHERE: I think you know us well enough by now!!

WHO: I'm sure you know most of us(don't worry--I'm not going to confuse you all like I did in June;)). In case you don't though, there's me, my nephew J, & my sister E. Besides us usual 3 Musketeers, E's husband/J's dad/my BIL joined us for the fun!! To keep confusion to a minimum for this TR I will refer to him as JSR.
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You could also call us "The Red Family". When E asked J what color MB he wanted he said that he wanted red & that we should all get that color so we could be "The Red Family". I know you can't see E's but trust me, her's was red also.

Looking forward to reliving "The Best Disney Trip EVER" with you all!!

Tuesday, November 5th

The plan was to leave E & JSR's at 7:00. I went to work for 5:30 to get a few last minute things done--also so that I could say to my boss that I was only off for 7 days, not 8. He teases me that "vacations are 7 days not 8". After doing some work & him teasing me a bit I was off on my merry way!! I got to their house only to find out that JSR was still packing!!:jawdrop: E was not thrilled in the least. He must have been close to being done though b/c we were only delayed a few minutes.

Then came the next delay. It was Election Day and E & JSR wanted to due their civic duty. I sat in the car with J & we talked Disney while we waited.
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And, in typical Pittsburgh fashion, it was raining.
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Rush hour traffic + heavy rain = a slow commute to the airport. I don't know what it is with this town but it seems like no one can drive in the rain around here. Trust me, we get more than our fair share of it so you think people would be used to it.
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As we were waiting to check our luggage in the woman behind us noticed our luggage tags & said that she was going to Disney also and was staying at Caribbean Beach. She asked if this was our first time going which prompted JSR to throw in a few digs about us & the frequency of our trips. I think he's just jealous ;)
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The Southwest agent was slower than molasses but after 10 minutes or so it was our turn.
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JSR made fun of me all week b/c of this. I had two suitcases. The small one weighed 20 lbs & this one was 36.5. He kept saying, "How did you manage to bring 56 lbs. of clothes?" As it turned out, due to his last minute packing there were quite a few things that he forgot so I told him at least I didn't have that problem. He also told me not to tell E about what he had forgot b/c he didn't want to hear her say "I told you so".
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E went to park the car while the J's & I proceeded to security. But wait, I couldn't go just yet. For whatever reason the Southwest agent left one of the suitcases behind. After unsuccessfully trying to get his attention for about 5 minutes I finally interrupted him & asked him to please put it on the belt. I was getting nervous that it would somehow get forgotten. He looked at me with a surprised look on his face & said he didn't notice it there. Really??
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On the "monorail" we go!!
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Darstarr

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
This might sound bizarre but I love the bus terminals at MK-esp. at night. I love them all lit up. To me they are quaint & charming. I was excited to have an aerial view of them.
Samesies!!!

Didn’t know there were multiple types of parsley 🤷🏻‍♀️ but hopefully that will help you in any future tabbouleh making endeavors.
Italian flat leaf
And tabbouleh is soooo good !

@riverside many years ago we ate at Boma and they had some white bean hummus I was addicted to. Turns out, they didnt make it they bought it😮And they had some in the Mara for sale with the ingredients list. I ate the hummus and saved the ingredient list and got to work when I got home. After several tries and scoring some sour salt, I came pretty darn close. So yummy!!!
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH

E took a few pics of J & I(and Fago) while we waited.
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After my previous experience with this oil for the bread(🤢) I made sure to take @Tuvalu's advice & ask for butter also. I was the only one to eat it though. E & JSR loved the oil!!
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All mine!!
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J got a bowl of chicken noodle soup.
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He was looking out the window as the castle lit up. He was so excited!! Pardon my blurry photo.
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Here's the kids menu.
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I got the Fonduta Tortelloni. It was very good but very rich. E got the same.
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JSR got the Poulet Rouge Chicken. He enjoyed it.
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riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH

Some more TIW savings!!
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Dinner was good but nowhere near what Jiko was the night before. We headed to MK via the walkway.
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It felt so weird not going to the POR stop.
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A bus was there in no time!! I know it's blurry but see the lady in the picture? Between her & her husband they had a double stroller, a regular stroller & 3 very young children(there was a set of twins in the mix). The mom was trying to carry 2 of the kids along with her backpack etc. while helping the oldest one walk while her husband carried the strollers. E asked if she could help her.....
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.....so she told E her daughters name & handed her over!!
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E told me later that she didn't mind helping in the least bit & you're at Disney so you should feel safe but she said she didn't know if she would feel comfortable handing over her kid to a total stranger--even just for a few seconds.
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When we got back to AKL I went to the front desk to inquire about my missing TE paperwork. The response I got from the CM was, "It looks like you never gave us your flight information." :rolleyes: Umm, yes I did. I think Disney must have screwed up when I called back to add R to the reservation. My best guess is that they lost my return flight info then. But, she stood very firm & said that I never gave it. OK, then. I wasn't going to argue with her but seriously, this wasn't my first rodeo.

After my scolding for not have set up my TE properly(can you sense my sarcasm??) I decided I needed a drink--or two. Not having a single clue as to what to order I asked the bartendress for some advice & she suggested the Cederberg Butettraube.
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And how about this embarrassing moment?? After she gives me my first drink she asks me how long I plan on staying for. My response, "I'm not sure. Probably for a few.":facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: Then it hits me, she wasn't asking how long I was going to be staying at the bar for, she wanted to know how long I was staying at AKL for. I was so embarrassed!!
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I definitely needed a 2nd one after that!!
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I met up with E & we sat by the fire for a bit before we went to bed.
 

Matt and Kelly

Well-Known Member
I have always wanted try California Grill, but we just never get around to it.
And yes you can go to any general practitioner but when you need to be sent out to a specialist it’s all referral based or who can get you in the quickest. I’m always so interested about the differences in what people pay for things! Our gas right now is 1.03 per litre which is not too bad cause in the summer it was at 1.20$. Plus our alcohol prices are crazy! That’s what Matt gets excited for when we are in the states. Also the prices of houses. We can go on forever and then throw in Disney lol. Sooo are you in Disney next week?! Lol
Kelly
 

MickeyCB

Well-Known Member
But, she stood very firm & said that I never gave it. OK, then. I wasn't going to argue with her but seriously, this wasn't my first rodeo.
Seriously miss CM?!:mad:
And how about this embarrassing moment?? After she gives me my first drink she asks me how long I plan on staying for. My response, "I'm not sure. Probably for a few.":facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: Then it hits me, she wasn't asking how long I was going to be staying at the bar for, she wanted to know how long I was staying at AKL for. I was so embarrassed!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣....for a few....it's been a long day, you know?!
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
@slipperalwaysfits
Ahhhh, MAN! You should not be blamed for the lack of a Tragical Express notice! I hope they make it up to you in a great way! :banghead:
Nope--belittlement was all I got!!
One of our favorites, but when it's crowded; the waiting area can be rough.
Yes--I agree!
I bet your wallet is relieved he didn't find anything amazing, like a car at the Pittsburgh airport! ;)
Very relieved. Of course at the Pittsburgh airport it's $10 one day & $5 the next. I still don't get that!!
Awesome shot! Happy to see the Dragon back in it's rightful place!
Me too!!
 

lindawdw

Well-Known Member
Loved all your updates! Your drinks and food at Captain Cooks looked so good! I know I've said this before but you're such a wonderful Aunt to J! The lines to get back into MK to replace the keychain were crazy but all that construction that was going on made it look even more congested I'm sure. You were so lucky to get such a great window seat looking of the MK (or Disney World ;) ) at CG! We tend to go up there at 5:00 pm for a drink of wine just to take in the view and then head down to The Wave for dinner since the prices are less expensive and we enjoy the menu there more.
 
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slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
He was looking out the window as the castle lit up. He was so excited!!

Awwwwwwwww, the magic of being a kid. I am still impressed with the view when I go to CG. I love the food at CG but lately, it hasn't been worth the price, IMO. We may go this fall just for pizza and wine.

But, she stood very firm & said that I never gave it. OK, then. I wasn't going to argue with her but seriously, this wasn't my first rodeo.

That is way frustrating! :mad: I see why the CM was frustrated but it's supposed to be a "yes" for every guest. That said, the CM's see millions of guests a week, so I can understand how they get grumpy, but I'm sorry you got the brunt of it!

Very relieved. Of course at the Pittsburgh airport it's $10 one day & $5 the next. I still don't get that!!

Talk about a hard-to-budget day!


As for the wine at AKL, it may be pricey; but it's so fun to have different wines/drinks than you can get at home; so it's worth the price for me!
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
Finally, a clear explanation of how this (new-ish) GoodRX really works to lower prices -- advertisers. Like you said, it may be a bit of trade-off with possible follow up from vendors or marketers, but again, you' saved $100.
I am happy & agree with you until.......
Yesterday morning-New Year's Day-at 6:10 I received a telemarketing text message!! I was up b/c I had to work early but still--that was a bit much!! I am used to getting telemarketing calls but never at the hour. I guess my info is already out there!!:banghead:
Just a quick update on GoodRX--& maybe it's not fair to put the blame on them but interesting how I've never received texts at that hour prior to it(like I mentioned above) & get this one....
2:38 this morning my phone was ringing. The only person who's ever called me at that hour is our alarm company for work to tell me the alarm is going off. So immediately I jump up & start grabbing clothes while going to answer the phone knowing that I'm going to have to go to work. I looked at the phone---wrong.
Here's who was calling:
+962 7 7271 6497
Jordan

That would be Jordan--as in the country. I looked up the calling code & it is +962.

I couldn't fall back to sleep for an hour. Now I'm really questioning if it is worth it.

Per my notes it looks like it was busier than I expected. I don’t think it bothered me too much because I was just in and out for a few hours before the party.
Makes sense!!
Remember how I was saving my precious last Coconut Macaroon from Boardwalk? I ate it about a week after buying it, and... Not that great either, it was dry and hard! 😭
I'm starting to think that Disney treats have zero preservatives in them!! What a bummer😞
S'mores square... ohhh the temptation to try this treat is strong 🤔
It's excellent--just make sure you eat it right away!!
Italian flat leaf
And tabbouleh is soooo good !

@riverside many years ago we ate at Boma and they had some white bean hummus I was addicted to. Turns out, they didnt make it they bought it😮And they had some in the Mara for sale with the ingredients list. I ate the hummus and saved the ingredient list and got to work when I got home. After several tries and scoring some sour salt, I came pretty darn close. So yummy!!!
Is Italian flat leaf another variety?? Who knew parsley could be so confusing😜

I'm surprised that they didn't make it there! That's great that you mastered it!! Maybe you could help me with the tabbouleh!!
J has excellent taste! LOL I bought that same keychain! :cool:
How neat!! He was really excited with it & was super bummed when it broke. He didn't even have it an hour!! I guess he got a defective one!
I have always wanted try California Grill, but we just never get around to it.
And yes you can go to any general practitioner but when you need to be sent out to a specialist it’s all referral based or who can get you in the quickest. I’m always so interested about the differences in what people pay for things! Our gas right now is 1.03 per litre which is not too bad cause in the summer it was at 1.20$. Plus our alcohol prices are crazy! That’s what Matt gets excited for when we are in the states. Also the prices of houses. We can go on forever and then throw in Disney lol. Sooo are you in Disney next week?! Lol
Kelly
I like it but it's not a favorite. There's a handful of restaurants that I would pick over it. But, it's definitely something to try at least once!

I find this so interesting. It doesn't work this way with all insurances here but with mine you don't need a referral to see a specialist. I've had insurance plans in the past that your general practitioner would have to refer you if they felt it necessary to go. Getting appointments with specialists(esp. the good ones) can be very tough. One year in March we had a really bad snow & I was lucky I made it to work much less try to get to my yearly neurologist appointment. When I called to cancel & reschedule the earliest he could see me was October!!

I really wish I was going to be!! I would love to meet you & cheer you on!! We'll be there the following week but we're not arriving until Friday☹
Seriously miss CM?!:mad:
I know--right??
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣....for a few....it's been a long day, you know?!
I can be such an airhead sometimes!!
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
Loved all your updates! Your drinks and food at Captain Cooks looked so good! I know I've said this before but you're such a wonderful Aunt to J! The lines to get back into MK to replace the keychain were crazy but all that construction that was going on made it look even more congested I'm sure. You were so lucky to get such a great window seat looking of the MK (or Disney World ;) ) at CG! We tend to go up there at 5:00 pm for a drink of wine just to take in the view and then head down to The Wave for dinner since the prices are less expensive and we enjoy the menu there more.
The food at Captain Cook's was excellent!! I wouldn't hesitate to eat there again. Yes, the lines were crazy but I knew that was the only place we would be guaranteed to get another one. I'm glad we did though b/c we were able to be there for the flag retreat then. I was excited to get a window seat--esp. after seeing how excited J was!! I was more than excited to see the bus area!! This was E, JSR & J's first time there so that was extra nice to have that view!! So, you can go to the bar just to get a drink? I have to get to The Wave one of these days. I've had reservations there twice & have cancelled them both times.
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
Awwwwwwwww, the magic of being a kid. I am still impressed with the view when I go to CG. I love the food at CG but lately, it hasn't been worth the price, IMO. We may go this fall just for pizza and wine.
The view is great!! The menu doesn't really excite me. Now the sampler platter at 50's is another story!!
That is way frustrating! :mad: I see why the CM was frustrated but it's supposed to be a "yes" for every guest. That said, the CM's see millions of guests a week, so I can understand how they get grumpy, but I'm sorry you got the brunt of it!
IMO(from running a business) she should have said "I'm sorry. I have no clue how that happened but let me straighten this out for you", instead of accusing me of not giving the information. Whether she thought I was right or wrong she shouldn't have given her "opinion" of what she thought "happened". And furthermore, every experience I've had with DME is they ask you to verify your hotel info then ask for your arriving then departing flight info. I think a red flag would have went up in my head if I wasn't asked that after all these visits!!
Talk about a hard-to-budget day!


As for the wine at AKL, it may be pricey; but it's so fun to have different wines/drinks than you can get at home; so it's worth the price for me!
You're not kidding!!

Yes--I was really excited about that!!
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
ack! Sad to hear that you are getting calls at crazy times of the day. I still think it's worth saving $100 dollars... just start putting those numbers on block!
It is a lot of money so it probably is worth the aggravation. The issue I've found with blocking numbers is that they start using different ones then!! What a pain they are!!
 

amjt660

Premium Member
Would I be correct in assuming that you can go to any hospital/doctor you want then? Not like here where you're restricted based on what kind of insurance you have?
This is from my experience so others in Canada might have a different tale to tell

First step is to find a family doctor - which is very challenging in some areas of the country

the family doctor can them refer you to specialists

if you do not have a family doctor walk in clinics and emergency room doctors can refer you as well

But you cannot just call up an opgyn or an orthopedic surgeon on your own and ask for an appointment

hope that helps

Max
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
This is from my experience so others in Canada might have a different tale to tell

First step is to find a family doctor - which is very challenging in some areas of the country

the family doctor can them refer you to specialists

if you do not have a family doctor walk in clinics and emergency room doctors can refer you as well

But you cannot just call up an opgyn or an orthopedic surgeon on your own and ask for an appointment

hope that helps

Max
Yes! Indeed it does!! Thanks!!
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH

I was up early to make some coffee & sit on the balcony to enjoy the animals. The only problem was.....there wasn't any!!
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I'll admit I was a bit disappointed.
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The family next to me were out on their balcony also. I heard the little boy say, "There's no animals out so why does it smell like poop". I got a chuckle out of that one!
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I gave up & got ready for breakfast!!
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This was a first for me. E & JSR had been there before but for dinner.
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We were seated right on time for our 8:30 reservation.
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I thought the salt & pepper shakers were fun!
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I can't comment on anything at this station b/c I didn't try any of it.
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Now the tater tots on the other hand:hungry::hungry::hungry: They were as good as the ones at Tusker House!!
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The Scrambled Eggs with Goat Cheese and Chives....oh my word!! I have never had scrambled eggs as good as this in my whole life!! They were absolutely AMAZING!!
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slipperalwaysfits

Well-Known Member
The family next to me were out on their balcony also. I heard the little boy say, "There's no animals out so why does it smell like poop". I got a chuckle out of that one!

That's hilarious! I've heard they move the animals over from AK to hang out near the lodge. You'd think Morning time would be a key time to have the animals over there because of all the people on their balconies....

The Scrambled Eggs with Goat Cheese and Chives....oh my word!! I have never had scrambled eggs as good as this in my whole life!! They were absolutely AMAZING!!

BOMA is one of our all-time favorite Breakfast places! It's so similar to Tusker House, we usually end up there (TH) instead of Boma, since we don't stay at AKL. I do love those eggs with cheese and chives, though!! How many days until my next trip..... :banghead:
 

riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH

I was super excited to see the African Spiced Corned Beef Hash. They used to have it at Tusker House but the last few times I ate there they haven't.
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I tried a little of the Turkey Bobotie but I wasn't a fan.
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My first plate. That salad in the center is some kind of fruit salad. It was soooo good!!
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I repeated my favorites for my second plate. JSR told me to try the turkey with that sauce on it. I can't remember what the name of it was but it had a little spice to it & it was excellent!!
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We all enjoyed our breakfast. I know I've mentioned I'm not a breakfast person but this place could change that for me!! Tusker House was always my favorite breakfast on property but this just took the #1 spot!!
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Since this is my last receipt for the trip I figured I'd fill you in on what our TIW savings vs AP savings were. So, if we would have used our AP discount we would have saved $117.33 on qualifying purchases. With TIW we saved $307.75. Throw in the $150.00 fee & that brings our savings to $157.75. To me it was a winner!! And we still have it for another year!! We will more than get our monies worth out of it!! We should have got this a long time ago!!

After breakfast we walked through the gift shop. I bought this blanket for my sister M.
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Looks like there was a little drama but I don't know what.
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J was enjoying these!!
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I went back to my room in the hopes of seeing some animals but that was a negative.
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Finally!!:)
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riverside

Premium Member
Original Poster
That's hilarious! I've heard they move the animals over from AK to hang out near the lodge. You'd think Morning time would be a key time to have the animals over there because of all the people on their balconies....
I agree!!
BOMA is one of our all-time favorite Breakfast places! It's so similar to Tusker House, we usually end up there (TH) instead of Boma, since we don't stay at AKL. I do love those eggs with cheese and chives, though!! How many days until my next trip..... :banghead:
I can't say enough about those eggs!! JSR really enjoyed them also!! As I'm typing this I'm thinking we should get a reservation there for our next trip!!
 

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