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.

After our huge and satisfying meal at Boma, we needed to chill for a bit at AKL. So we took our time getting upstairs and stopped to admire the decor on the way.

Oops, dark indoor lighting+phone camera=blurry photos

We were actually a bit chilly (68 degrees feels cold in Florida but I have all the windows of our apartment open today because it's in the 40s and I want some fresh air!) so we sat by the fire pit on the third (?) floor.

An alligator they missed when they were getting rid of all the alligators on property!

Could it BEE??

Our feet! M's are in white and mine are in grey.

After a few minutes of relaxing by the fire we went outside and hopped on whatever bus came next, which happened to be to Hollywood Studios. We got there just in time to see a bit of Illuminations* from the bus stop!

And then we saw a bit of Fantasmic*

We got on an empty POFQ bus.

Since we were staying at POFQ I had to try a Sazerac at some point during our trip. I obviously liked it. And no, the photo isn't blurry because I was SOOOO drunk lol.

I thought of you, @Tuvalu!

On our way back to building 7 we stopped to admire some holiday window decorations.

Back in the room, I remembered that the Disney shopping app is a thing, and there was a free shipping promotion, so I ordered:

I didn't figure out until later that the app still thinks I'm an AP! I thought there was a Black Friday discount or something. Don't take me to jail, Disney!

And with that we called it a night.

*Correct me if I'm wrong on what these shows were. It seemed logical based on where they were coming from and the timing but it's hard to tell!

 

[bee]

Day 5: Sunday, November 27

We had plans for a late breakfast today so we started with some in-room coffee.

It can't be the last full day already!

The best park to connect to our intended destination would have bee DHS...

...but apparently that wasn't happening, so once again, thanks to sketchy bus service, we had to use Uber.

It ended up being okay because we met an interesting driver who had recently moved from Jersey City (a few towns away from us). He is an author called AP Ri'Chard and writes thriller novels: http://www.thrillentertainmentgroup.com/aprichard.html

He dropped us off at the Boardwalk and we enjoyed the grounds on the way to breakfast.

We had arrived!

We checked in about fifteen minutes early and used the restrooms at Abracadabar (they share bathrooms). I knew we wouldn't be back at Abracadabar on this trip so I took several photos.

I looks really fun and I hope we get the chance to go during drinking hours!

We went back to the Trattoria lobby where we overheard some guests complaining, "It's so cold outside!"

 

[MinnieM123]

The zebra domes seem to be quite polarizing. Did we love them or hate them?

Love them!! You can also get them at The Mara (their QS restaurant). They were located over in the refrigerator cases against the wall, in a plastic container. Can't remember whether 4 or 6 were inside, but they were yummy!!! (They don't always list zebra domes on the menu, but they were there last May when I went to WDW. They also have something called a zebra cupcake--never tried one of those.)

 

[coachwnh]

Most sushi places are ok as long as I ask them to skip the soy sauce(gluten)

Most "better" sushi restaurants have gluten free soy sauce. GF is getting so much better!!!!!!

 

[Tuvalu]

I MUST have those castle earrings!!!!
Boma's Kenyan coffee domes are da bomb!!!! Coming up in my TR!
Thanks for the Rue D'Baga shout out.

 

[Figgy1]

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'm jealous my dh didn't read mine. It may have something to do with being reminded of our food and drink bill

 

[bee]

Love them!! You can also get them at The Mara (their QS restaurant). They were located over in the refrigerator cases against the wall, in a plastic container. Can't remember whether 4 or 6 were inside, but they were yummy!!! (They don't always list zebra domes on the menu, but they were there last May when I went to WDW. They also have something called a zebra cupcake--never tried one of those.)

We may have to make a stop at The Mara next time!

I MUST have those castle earrings!!!!
Boma's Kenyan coffee domes are da bomb!!!! Coming up in my TR!
Thanks for the Rue D'Baga shout out.

I get compliments every time I wear them! Although a few people have mistaken them for churches /:

If a dessert involves coffee I am pretty much guaranteed to like it!

And you're welcome!

I'm jealous my dh didn't read mine. It may have something to do with being reminded of our food and drink bill

Hahaha, that would do it I'm sure!!

I'm out of town for a few days for an audition so expect the next update around Sunday. It's strange (and a bit sad!) to be traveling A) to NOT Disney and B) without M

 

[Figgy1]

We may have to make a stop at The Mara next time!


I get compliments every time I wear them! Although a few people have mistaken them for churches /:

If a dessert involves coffee I am pretty much guaranteed to like it!

And you're welcome!


Hahaha, that would do it I'm sure!!

I'm out of town for a few days for an audition so expect the next update around Sunday. It's strange (and a bit sad!) to be traveling A) to NOT Disney and B) without M

Break a leg

 

[DonnaOnTheRocks]

Love Trattoria al Forno! It was one of my favorite meals last trip, I will have to try breakfast there soon!

 

[bee]

Break a leg

Thanks, Figgy!

Love Trattoria al Forno! It was one of my favorite meals last trip, I will have to try breakfast there soon!

Yes, and you'd better get in before they convert it to a character breakfast.

 

[bee]

Day 5, cont.

We waited until just around our reservation time to be seated.

We admired the flooring in the waiting area.

And the reception area.

The restaurant is a Pokestop!

...as is this...statue?

We were soon seated, and greeted by our server Jacky from Puerto Rico. OBVIOUSLY we started with the press pot.

While we waited we checked movie times for the Disney Springs AMC...and bought tickets! This was something new for us as we've never seen a movie while in Disney.

Soon our food arrived:

Poached eggs with polenta and tomato gravy (hold the sausage) for me...

...and waffle with espresso mascarpone creme (scrambled eggs instead of sausage) for M.

Feeling stuffed from breakfast, we took a stroll along the Boardwalk.

(Oh yeah, I forgot the reason I took this was because of the JESUS in the sky)

What's happening here?

BIRB

We walked down to the bus stops to catch a bus to Disney Springs.

People that can still read analog clocks, what's wrong with this picture??

We watched as bus after bus came for NOT Disney Springs...

FINALLY!!! It took over half an hour!

But we had to stop at the Swan and Dolphin first. Good thing we weren't in a rush or anything.

Finally almost there!

 

[bee]

Day 5, cont.

This whole "Disney Springs" business was very foreign to us.

Are those...much improved bus lanes??

What is this fancy restroom?

Are we even still in WDW?

We did a bit of window shopping.

Swans!

And fancy toothpaste?

Pretty fountain!

It was almost time for our movie! We picked up our tickets here...

...but soon realized we were in the wrong AMC. We made our way to the correct building...

...and found our theater.

Even though we had eaten a late breakfast, we had room for popcorn!

What did we see, you ask? Moana again, of course!

I liked it even more the second time! I can't wait for the DVD release next month!!!

It's not a Downtown Dis-errrr, Disney Springs visit without a stop at Basin.

We bought four new shampoo bars.

In Disney dessert first is always allowed! The natural choice was Ghirardelli for some espresso ice cream!

BUT THEY WERE OUT OF ESPRESSO ICE CREAM

So we wade our way back toward the fancy new stuff. I could help but chuckle at...

B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co.!!!

We stopped in Uniqlo, where I found a new running jacket. I am currently training for a 5K and needed something warmer for NJ winter. The jacket has a zipper pocket where I can keep my keys and whatnot while I'm running. One of my dreams is to do a Disney race one day.

Creepy mannequins!

At Uniqlo, a CM named Clifford was extremely helpful. I had a gift card with a few dollars on it and a Disney Visa reward card with a few dollars left, and apparently it was kind of complicated for him to scan both (he had to keep pressing a lot of buttons to make it work soo...it seemed hard?) but he didn't get annoyed with me at all even though I had a complicated situation.

With new jacket in hand, we had a bit of time before dinner...just enough time for some alternative dessert first!

 

[Tuvalu]

Disney seems to enjoy spending money on fancy bathrooms. New attractions, not so much.

 

[bee]

Day 5, cont.

Since we didn't get to have our Ghirardelli ice cream ( ) we tried Amorette's. There were so many choices! We went with...

The Mickey Mousse!

We had a brief conversation with a manager who was from New York. You may have noticed but we love talking to CMs who are from places we've lived.

We also shared a late afternoon latte.

This store is really cute.

It was almost time for dinner! We headed in that direction.

We still have yet to try Raglan Road. It will happen one day!

The "Springs" part of Disney Springs is certainly pretty!

 

[bee]

Day 5, cont.

Finally it was time for our dinner reservation at Frontera Cocina! We had tried one of Rick Bayless' other restaurants in Chicago and were so excited to try this one!

At checkin the hostess asked if we had an allergies; we told her no allergies but we're both vegetarian and she noted it on the reservation for our server. Soon we were seated, and our server Paola greeted us. She told us which items were veggie-safe and which could be modified for us.

I ordered the "Play With Fire." M wasn't in a tequila mood so she just had a sip of mine.

My drink was quite tasty. But for a drink with the word "fire" in the name I was expecting much more heat than this had.

We decided to split the guacamole verde.

This was a very fresh and flavorful guac. I am picky when it comes to avocados and I totally approved. The chips were on the thicker side and had a delicious crunch.

M ordered the Mushroom Torta.

And I went with the Zucchini and Poblano Rajas Tostada.

While we waited for our entrees we had time to admire the vibrant decor of the restaurant.

M's Torta (sandwich)

And my Tostados

At some point I ordered another drink, but I was in the mood for a classic margarita.

Mmmmm!

Overall our experience at Frontera Cocina was excellent. Paola was wonderful about explaining the menu and accommodating our needs. The drinks were high quality (though I wouldn't get Play With Fire and expect much spice) and the guacamole was fresh and tasty. Both of our entrees were great and I appreciated the variety of choices. I would definitely eat there again.

 

[LisaBelle]

We stopped in Uniqlo, where I found a new running jacket. I am currently training for a 5K and needed something warmer for NJ winter. The jacket has a zipper pocket where I can keep my keys and whatnot while I'm running. One of my dreams is to do a Disney race one day.

You should definitely do a Disney race! I loved every minute of the Princess 5K. Hands down one of my favorite experiences ever! I would run another Disney race in a heartbeat!

 

[bee]

Day 5, cont.

After dinner we waddled over to the new bus stops. A bus came soon and, as we were driving back to POFQ, we saw a bit of the drone show out of the bus windows.

(although you can barely tell in this photo!)

Soon we were back at our resort for the night.

Personally I don't have much of an opinion on the food court redesign. I guess it's a bit black compared with the old, larger-than-life masks and whatnot. I heard they have added some more big, colorful pieces recently.

Another movie

Horsies!

 

[bee]

Day 5, cont.

We arrived back at building 7...

...and saw a boat go by in the dark!

Ghirardelli may not have had our ice cream, but at least they had...

...FREE SAMPLES!!!

We watched some Food Network.

But despite chocolate and mousse, our ice cream craving had not subsided. So back down to Sassagoula Floatworks we went!

Did they have ice cream? Of course!

Yes, that's a beignet and chocolate ice cream sundae, complete with whipped cream and hot fudge!

It was a winning combination. My only complaint is that, between the beignets below and hot fudge above, the ice cream itself melted pretty quickly. We shared one bowl and I don't think a single person could eat this fast enough alone.

Neato umbrellas

We stopped by the gift shop on our way back to the room...

...and witnessed a horse and carriage ride.

Back in the room we watched the cutest show on Food Network called Clash of the Grandmas.

And with that, we called it a night.

 

[Figgy1]

Disney seems to enjoy spending money on fancy bathrooms. New attractions, not so much.

Like Rapunzel's tower Although the one's near Frostom were quite nice

 

[samantha788]

Enjoying your report!! I love seeing all of your adventures around WDW without actually going into the parks! I want to find the time to do that.
You've also left me wanting that beignet sundae, play with fire margarita and jiko wine tasting haha
And love seeing POFQ all dressed up for the holidays!
We must be neighbors because bayonne & jersey city are all a couple towns from me too