Trip Report The Big Fat Liars Thanksgiving Report!

Happy (belated) New Year to all! We've been back for two months and I am FINALLY getting started on this TR. December was an absolutely crazy (in a good way!) month for me professionally and after a short Christmas/New Years break January was nuts too! I am back to having some free evenings (instead of getting home from the Bronx after 1:00am night after night during tech week...) so I've been uploading my photos to a third party site so they're easy to post here.

Speaking of photos, I've decided to do a different kind of TR this time. Instead of writing huge paragraphs with pictures in between, I'm going to be mostly posting photos with captions as necessary. I took SOOOOO many photos this time (looking through them two months later I'm really not sure why I felt the need to document some of these things. And before you ask, I didn't even drink that much on this trip so it's not that!) so that's what I want to focus on.

Here is the PTR: The "we're big fat liars who couldn't stay away for even six months" pre-trip report

And finally, here is a huge block of tags. I tried to put them in alphabetical order so I didn't tag anyone twice so I'm sorry if I meant to tag you and the computer ate the tag! You're still welcome to follow of course! As usual, if you don't want to read I'm not offended and please feel free to ignore.

@21stamps @ajrwdwgirl @Beastly74 @betty rose @BuddyThomas @C.FERNIE @Ciara @Courtney6682 @dclfan @DimpledDevil18 @disneypearl @DisneyShe @Doc Disney @docdebbi @DonnaOnTheRocks @epcotisbest @figmentfan423 @FlaggNL @fractal @Gabe1 @geebee721 @jrogue @LisaBelle @littleroo @lostpro9het @maelstrom98 @mcstensrud @Mickey2422 @Mindy16 @minnie2000 @MinnieM123 @prfctlyximprct @samantha788 @ScarletBegonias @sheriffwoody @TheMouseFan @Tiggerish @Tom @Tony the Tigger @Tuvalu @wdisney9000 @WDWDarling @WDW74

 

[bee]

Day 4, cont.

Finally the traffic ahead of us cleared and we were moving again!

Balloon!

Almost there, like Tiana!

I tried to get a video/gif of our entrance but alas, the shade was down too far.

I should mention here that when we left MCO, the driver announced that our stops would be, "French Quarter, Riverside, and Sarasota Springs." Yes, Sarasota. I thought certainly he must have been joking the first time...but then he said it again. SARASOTA SPRINGS.

I couldn't be bothered for long because soon we were pulling into:

YAY FIRST STOP!!!

So close!!!

Here we are!

I should also mention that we never received a room text. We arrived at POFQ around 1:00 so we decided to check in just in case our room was ready.

Loved the garland detail! The CM who checked us in was Susan and her nametag said Bayonne, NJ, which is just a few towns away from where we live. We asked her about it and told her where we live and she...really didn't care at all, haha. Oh well! Our room was ready so we headed that way!

Lobby

This has happened before: as soon as we checked in with a CM we got the text.

Finally here!!!

My kind of street

Uh, what is this in the elevator? It reminds me of those colorful sticky toys I used to get from 25 cent toy machines in the grocery store as a kid.

 

[bee]

Day 4, cont.

We found building 7 and as we approached our room we were greeted with this LOVELY sight:

Just for us?? You shouldn't have!!!

A closer inspection of the MagicBand reader revealed this:

Our bands worked, even though Mickey was missing.

Once inside we quickly forgot about the issues outside, though.

The room was full of lovely details and rich colors (although it's hard to tell from my phone camera pics!).

And of course...

Woohoo!

After taking a few moments to settle in, we went on a quest to find lunch. We thought maybe the bags full of linens would be gone by now...

But it was not to be.

But at least M noticed the cover to the MB reader on the ground and easily popped it back on!

 

[Tuvalu]

Your DME wait/check in/ride beat ours from October in terms of crowds and frustration.

One of the beds in your room was missing the runner.....perhaps it was in one of the lovely bags outside your room door?

 

[sheriffwoody]

Yeah, there is serious competition this year! But he'll get it eventually, if not now. Is there a special acronym for those who also have a Pulitzer and a MacArthur grant? PEMGOT? GEMPOT? TOPGEM?

Glad you're enjoying! You should definitely try to work in an Il Mulino dinner on a future trip, especially since you guys are fond of staying in the Boardwalk area.

Oh good point! There are so many restaurants in that area that we want to try. We'll get to them all someday!

Also that DME line . I luckily have never seen it so long. That would get me sooooo frustrated. Glad your wait wasn't longer than it was and that you kept your spirits up. You're a better person than me! haha

 

[WDW74]

Late to the party (as usual). Thx for the tag !

 

[bee]

Your DME wait/check in/ride beat ours from October in terms of crowds and frustration.

One of the beds in your room was missing the runner.....perhaps it was in one of the lovely bags outside your room door?

We were lucky compared to those around us, as you can see from the photo of our empty line and their jam-packed lines. If that had been our first DME experience I don't think we would have ever done it again.

Oh good point! There are so many restaurants in that area that we want to try. We'll get to them all someday!

Also that DME line . I luckily have never seen it so long. That would get me sooooo frustrated. Glad your wait wasn't longer than it was and that you kept your spirits up. You're a better person than me! haha

Same! We have our favorites but we still have more to try!

Haha! We were just like "at least we don't have whiny kids with us, and we brought snacks, and we are able to stand for half hour with no problems..." We've had similar total waits before but most of the time was spent after the initial checkin. Again, I'm glad that wasn't our first experience or we might never do it again.

Late to the party (as usual). Thx for the tag !

Welcome to the party!

 

[lostpro9het]

But at least M noticed the cover to the MB reader on the ground and easily popped it back on!

You should have sent Disney a bill for services rendered...

 

[bee]

One of the beds in your room was missing the runner.....perhaps it was in one of the lovely bags outside your room door?

Hahah! I didn't even notice that (or if I did I quickly un-noticed it).

You should have sent Disney a bill for services rendered...

Darn, do you think it's too late? Hahah!

 

[mcstensrud]

Ooooh thanks for more kitty pics!
Don't ya just love going to MCO and not leaving?
Nice catch by Tuvalu, I too didn't notice?
Following along.

 

[Ciara]

LOVE the GIF's

Lobby of POFQ looks different than i remember! Could just be the angle

 

[bee]

PS M is reading along as I post my TR. I keep telling her she should make an account so she can get alerts about my thread and post her own thoughts as well...

 

[bee]

Ooooh thanks for more kitty pics!
Don't ya just love going to MCO and not leaving?
Nice catch by Tuvalu, I too didn't notice?
Following along.

Thanks for following! @Tuvalu catches all!

LOVE the GIF's

Lobby of POFQ looks different than i remember! Could just be the angle

Thanks! It could also be the lighting? IIRC it was way brighter in there than my phone camera could capture.

 

[bee]

Day 4, cont.

We were both hungry and, after checking out the menu at the POFQ food court, decided we would have better options at the PORS food court. So we started a leisurely stroll in that direction...

An alligator warning sign

Anyone else play Pokeymans? This was the first time I saw a Ditto, but I've since caught two

We ordered some kind of veggie sandwich with a side of coleslaw.

It was okay. Nothing special and we've had much better veggie meals at other QS locations in WDW.

We had plenty of time until our next scheduled plan, so we decided to take whatever park bus came next. It ended up being...

Epcot!!!

Construction along the way

Moanaaaa! Make waaaay, make waaaay!

Hello, my beautiful favorite park!

It was almost physically painful not to get on the entrance line

At some point we had learned that Disney Visa holders get 20% off at Joffrey's Coffee kiosks. Guess what's in front of the Epcot entrance? A JOFFREY'S COFFEE KIOSK!! (I know plenty of people don't like the coffee from Joffrey's but we both enjoy it.) So we had to get...

This was some sort of holiday flavored latte. I think it had white chocolate and...other stuff? It was good!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I like Joffery's Coffee, it is much better than Starbucks (at least to me). And I really like stopping at that kiosk for a coffee and doughnut while I'm waiting for the park to open.

 

[LisaBelle]

WOW! The DME line was insane! I agree with you that if that had been my first DME experience it would probably be my last.
What a shame that you were welcomed with dirty linens and a broken Magic Band reader. Luckily it sounds like the room made up for it. The Riverside Resorts always look so picturesque. I will have to visit some time even if I don't stay there. I'd love to try the beignets.

PS M is reading along as I post my TR. I keep telling her she should make an account so she can get alerts about my thread and post her own thoughts as well...

I agree! It would be fun to hear her thoughts! Come on M! Make an account!

 

[bee]

I like Joffery's Coffee, it is much better than Starbucks (at least to me). And I really like stopping at that kiosk for a coffee and doughnut while I'm waiting for the park to open.

I agree about Joffrey's vs. Starbucks. I don't think I've ever visited a Starbucks in the World. Even if I liked them the same I would pick Joffrey's because I can get Starbucks any old time.

WOW! The DME line was insane! I agree with you that if that had been my first DME experience it would probably be my last.
What a shame that you were welcomed with dirty linens and a broken Magic Band reader. Luckily it sounds like the room made up for it. The Riverside Resorts always look so picturesque. I will have to visit some time even if I don't stay there. I'd love to try the beignets.

I agree! It would be fun to hear her thoughts! Come on M! Make an account!

Yes, you must visit both Riverside and French Quarter and you MUST try the beignets!!

I don't know if M has read as far as where I posted about her making an account. If you're reading, dear...HINT HINT.

 

[bee]

Day 4, cont.

As we enjoyed our latte we decided that next we wanted to resort hop the monorail loop. First we needed to get to the Epcot monorail. It wasn't long before we were boarding and seeing...

I didn't realize Lynx buses came this close to MK.

MK gates!

Rather than transfer to the resort loop, we decided to walk to our next destination...

The Poly, of course!

We only recently (like in late 2015?) discovered the walkway from the TTC to the Poly.

<3 those Poly Plants!

Ferry (plus new alligator fence)

So jelly of anyone who ever got/gets to stay in one of these (looking at you, @lostpro9het!)

Eventually we arrived at the Great Ceremonial House.

Tree!

Wreath!

As I mentioned before, we checked out the gift shops everywhere we went looking for earrings and Mad Tea Party mugs. There were a few earrings to consider but we didn't find the mugs at the Poly. I decided to wait until we had seen a few more stores and we left empty-handed. But not before...

The obligatory Dole Whip!!

To get to the monorail for our next stop, we took the elevator...

Which was full of dead bugs?!?!?

 

[bee]

Day 4, cont.

If you know the monorail loop, you know our next stop was...

The Gluten Free! Er, Grand Floridian!

Views from the monorail

Love the grounds here.

I found it quite difficult to get a nice photo of the tree with the lighting and my phone camera. But you have all seen gorgeous photos by actual photographers so you know how it really looks.

Just a few of the things that make the Grand...so Grand!

We checked the shops here but couldn't find the mugs. The jewelry selection was about the same as anywhere and I decided to just wait for the Contemporary in case they had something unique. So we hopped back on the monorail...

...and soon found ourselves exiting at the CR.

We stopped at Bay View Gifts and checked out the earrings situation. We saw a lot of the things we'd seen before, but then M spotted these:

And I knew they were the ones for me!

The CM who checked us out was from Texas, where I was born and where my parents and most of my extended family live. Here hometown is about an hour away from where my parents and brother live. *cut "it's a small world"*

It was time for a celebratory beverage! We wanted to try Outer Rim for the views, but alas, some kind of sport game was on TV and there were no tables. Instead we went downstairs to The Wave lounge.

Organic beer flight

All gone!

If anyone is curious, these were the descriptions.

 

[bee]

Day 4, cont.

On our way out of the Contemporary we stopped for some "Spa Water."

Though it is always tempting to run across the street and take the shortcut to the MK bus stop, we went the safe/long way.

It was a beautiful day!

I think this trip was our first time seeing the changing bus signs. Bonjour!

We sat all the way in the front of the bus!

Back at POFQ!

We made our way toward building 7...

The sky was so colorful! My photos don't do it justice.

What a lovely view!

I love the architectural details here.

Oops, blurry!

 

[bee]

Day 4, cont.

We spent a few moments resting in the room before heading to the bus stop.

Some kids were watching a movie outside. I think it was The Lion King.

We waited.
And waited.
And waited.
And waited some more.

Finally, after what was definitely longer than the supposed "every 20 minutes" wait, an AK bus showed up.

And then we stopped at Riverside! Grrrrr! Time was very tight and even though we had allowed the recommended 1.5 hours for traveling from resort to resort there was no way we would make it in time. We exited at Riverside and called an Uber to go directly to AKL.

On our way

We were worried we wouldn't make it in time for our 7:40 reservation. We pulled up to the door of the AKL lobby at...

We rushed downstairs to the Boma checkin and arrived just in time. The hostess took my cell number so I could receive a text when our table was ready.

Note the time of the text. That was quick!

Our server was Steve and he was excellent. We each had a glass of water and iced tea (hooray for soft drinks being included!). We started with some soups...

Carrot ginger and lentil something. They were both delicious and I could have eaten more but I decided only to get seconds of anything after I had tried a bit of everything.

Brussels sprouts, peanut rice, fried plantain, and...couscous?? I don't remember exactly what the stuff under the bread is, but all of this was great!

Paper straws!

A (blurry) plate of salads. Curried pasta salad, lentil, couscous, watermelon, and in the center is a slaw I believe. My favorite was the watermelon but I could have eaten more of any of these, except the curried pasta salad. The first couple of bites were good but after that it was too mayonnaise-y and not curry-y enough for my taste.

This must have been my plate whereas the above similar one was M's. I had to get a bit of the kids' mac and cheese.

Some very fresh hummuses and pita

I think the only savoury item we went back for was the fried plantains. We were just too full to eat anything else and HAD to save some room for dessert.

The first plate with one of everything (except the Kenyan coffee tart because M got this plate and she knew we couldn't share just one if coffee is involved!)

I liked everything at least somewhat, and we saved just enough room to get a few favorites on a second plate. The zebra domes seem to be quite polarizing. Did we love them or hate them?

Loved them!

Seriously, I could have eaten WAAAY more of these...that is, if I physically could have!!

You may know from my previous reports that we've eaten breakfast at Boma twice but have been hesitant to try dinner because of the jump in price, and being afraid there wouldn't be enough veggie options for us. We finally made the leap, and we loved it! There were PLENTY of choices including a variety of protein sources (we weren't just eating veggie salads all night!) and, though we would probably still pick breakfast over dinner, we would certainly come back to Boma for dinner. We didn't have any AP or TiW discounts this trip ( ) but Boma does have a 10% Disney Visa discount.