The ABC's of a BSN Celebration! Trip Wrap up; Final Thoughts (7/11)

[Steppesister]

Enjoy your trip!
And... mum's the word.
(Not that I FB much anyway.)

I did!!! It was absolutely lovely. Different, but very nice.

 

[Steppesister]

Ooh...the dole whip. Mmmm. It's the closest the WDW folks have gotten to Heaven.

I've become a defector. IMHO, the Lime is bomb and the Kakamora (coconut) a close second.

WHAT????? Blasphemy!

I know. I was sad.

Okay....time to start a ban Mickey campaign.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Well, I *think* that means amazing or fantastic, so you may be right....I may be crazy

That's what it means.

Sorrynotsorry you did. Wish I could take good pictures on pirates.

It's a tough one without a fast lens. (wide ap)

He's trying to buy back good favor for taking away our pineapple upside down cake, huh?

Well, he did replace it with the Kakamora, so there IS that....

Wait! Feisty. Efficient. Lazy. Is that even possible in one person? I often use efficient and lazy to describe my work with computers...I consider it more efficient if I can make the computer do it.

Yes, it is.

I use a few words to describe my work with computers too. Inept, frustrating, what the fu...... ?!

I thought it was chocolate.

White "chocolate" is categorically NOT chocolate.

 

[Steppesister]

Hope you're having a great time!!

I was! I did!

If it's not too much trouble?

An AP would be nice.

On a serious note, I did read that there is some news in that dept and that some old ones are being honored.

If that's coffee underneath there, maybe best for YOU.

Mmmm, espresso.

Sheesh. Just cause he's hiding, doesn't mean he should be beaten.

Oops!! Going back to fix.

What's an Afogado? It translates to "drowned".
(Saw what a Wake Up Call was from Google.)

Gelato "drowned" in espresso. Going on my must eats every trip now.

Coffee, coffee, everywhere...

Um, yes.

 

[Steppesister]

The Affogado looks really good! Also really like the hidden Mickey.

Hope you're having a great trip!

HI There!!!

I did have a lovely trip with all kinds of "different" for me.

It's a new item that just made the "Favorites" List. Sooooo good!!!! The CM that made it was so proud to be getting to make/serve the Hidden Mickey snack. Their overall enthusiasm was very endearing and refreshing the last couple of trips.

 

[Steppesister]

The bad news is that I accidentally deleted the last part of it. I'll post what I did get, but sigh.... silly me.

 

[Steppesister]

View attachment 571207
Are you checking out your new trailer because that is what I think the 2nd picture is? Do I see the celebratory woo hoo in the reflection?

No, unfortunately this isn't mine. It belongs to a friend and her outdoor kitchen/bar was built in. I however put this on my "I'm gonna do that too to mine!" List

I got a new owner photo I'll post in a bit.

 

[Steppesister]

That's what it looks like, but I'm also puzzled...I've never seen one open to or pointing to the outside.

Yes, some rigs have them built in/factory included. I have a space that will accommodate and I'll likely get one installed/built into mine too. Outdoor gatherings are VERY common in the RV world and I LOVE to host a party!

 

[Steppesister]

So a fairly big trailer, then!


But not that big.

It's the largest 5th wheel at the park and nearly as much square footage as the large motorhomes. I think it'll be ample space to have as a 2nd home for doing my travel nursing contracts down there.

That makes sense! As long as you can get the cabinets cheaply, plumbing the sink would probably be the biggest expense.

There are tons of redo places I think I can pick up stuff from. But you're right, the plumbing and electric will have to be professionally done and probably a spendy item. But, between that and a bbq I think in the warmer times I can cut down on heating up the inside.

 

[Steppesister]

Wow! I'm so far behind that you've gone and returned from this trip!

But I AM posting slowly so you have time to catch up!! I saw you posted something too and will slowly make the rounds to catch up as I can over the next days.

I would probably end up giving up!

I can be very focused when I want to be.

For Silver??? Really????

Which made me wonder if it was a colossal scam or if they were platinum?

You did quite well! Very creative!

Thanks!

That was quite the adventure!

Steppe never misses an adventure!

 

[docsoliday1]

I've become a defector. IMHO, the Lime is bomb and the Kakamora (coconut) a close second

I like the lime, but not as much as the dole whip. Actually, I like it better without the sprite. Now, Kakamora and dole whip with rum and we're talking piba coloda baby!!! Woop woop!

I know. I was sad.

Heart broken. Devasted. That would be me.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater

But if said baby takes all of our money and said bathwater is from a solid gold bath tub, why not?

That's what it means

I knew that...was trying to give you a lead in. Epic fail.

It's a tough one without a fast lens. (wide ap)

I have one, but still haven't gotten good pics like you. Not for lack of trying.

Well, he did replace it with the Kakamora, so there IS that....

Mmm, coconut.

White "chocolate" is categorically NOT chocolate

But white chocolate is good and not wax.

Mmmm, espresso

If that's spelled Y U C K or P F F B B B T. Correct

Yes, some rigs have them built in/factory included. I have a space that will accommodate and I'll likely get one installed/built into mine too. Outdoor gatherings are VERY common in the RV world and I LOVE to host a party!

I've seen plenty of outdoor gatherings...just never saw an externally facing kitchen before. Cool

It's the largest 5th wheel at the park and nearly as much square footage as the large motorhomes. I think it'll be ample space to have as a 2nd home for doing my travel nursing contracts down there.

Wow! Guessing it has several slide outs. As big as large motor homes is pretty BIG. If you did plan to move it (I know you already said you're not), you'd need a hefty truck.

 

[Steppesister]

Okay, I've made a small bit of headway on catching up but need to lay down. If I haven't gotten to your thread yet, or I'm not on it, but you'd like me to be (in which case you'll need to send a PM with a link) I will. Just going to take a bit.

I think I left off with the food series, so will pick that up again! The good news is that the photos are edited.

 

[pkondz]

I'm finally home after a 2 week extravaganza that mostly wasn't. It was slow and painful, but the most perfect place to rest and recover.

Welcome back!

Tucson was gorgeous with the cactus in bloom

Glad you managed to get two trips in one.

After lugging all my camera gear cross-country (twice) I never even unzipped the bag. Not even once.

Well... shoot.

Or not........

I was! I did!

Good!

On a serious note, I did read that there is some news in that dept and that some old ones are being honored.

Oh, really. Well, that won't affect me as I cashed mine out as soon as I could. Glad I did, too.

Gelato "drowned" in espresso. Going on my must eats every trip now.

I'll give that one a hard pass.

The bad news is that I accidentally deleted the last part of it. I'll post what I did get, but sigh.... silly me.

Darn. Ah well.

It's the largest 5th wheel at the park and nearly as much square footage as the large motorhomes.

Really! Wow! Impressive!

I think it'll be ample space to have as a 2nd home for doing my travel nursing contracts down there.

Sounds like it!

 

[buzzrelly]

Hi Liesa! It's taken me a couple days, but I'm caught up!

No float, no cake. Did I mention you can’t get the cake anymore? Or at least right now, anyway.

I never did get the chance to try that soI hope they do bring it back soon.

I mean it!! I really only want HALF of a serving! It’s just me and I’m not that big of an eater.”

“Here ya go, Princess, and it’s “on Mickey” today.”

How sweet!

the Only, the BEST, Lime-flavour nestled softly into a Peter Pan Float. Did I ask for a half serving of this one? Nope.

That's the one I would have wante. Sadly, when we went a couple weeks ago I was barely eating and didn't get too many good snacks. The one thing I did enjoy was the pretzels (minus the cheese sauce) and they aren't something I normally try. Lime anything is my favorite so hopefully I'm eating better and those stick around for August.

Beat “Hidden Mickey” treat on property! View attachment 570649

What is it?

Here we gooooooooo!!!!!!

I'm finally home after a 2 week extravaganza that mostly wasn't. It was slow and painful, but the most perfect place to rest and recover. I learned a lot, had a nice time despite every aspect of a Disney vacation possible being different for me,

Welcome back! I feel like we may have had similar trips

Yes, I will do a TR but, as was the trip, it will be very different. After lugging all my camera gear cross-country (twice) I never even unzipped the bag. Not even once. The photos you get will be cell phone crap,

Well, my photos are always "cell phone crap," so I won't complain

 

[franandaj]

Friends,

If you are the praying type, I could use a bit right now. I have an appt this morning with the dermatologist and will be having a spot biopsied. Normally I wouldn't be too concerned, but this happens to be on my face near my eyebrow. Not very happy about a potential chunk being carved off right there.

Thanks to whoever see this.

Ugh. Another problem of being behind. I hope everything is OK.

I’ll take you, Dear Reader, on a photographical excursion to our favorite Magical Kingdom where 3 magical mountains thrill happy, screaming riders every day.

OK sounds fun!

And the first thing I notice and enjoy is the queue music. I searched quite a bit for the composer but ran out of time. I’m sure its discoverable, but one of you can do that.

Now back in 2009 at the D23 Expo, there was a presentation from a guy who wrote the music for all the Space Mountains around the World. He started in Anaheim and rode Space all night after the park closed. Then he (and his handler) got on a plane to Orlando. I think he got a few hours to sleep in the hotel room before they spent that night riding Space at MK.

Then they flew across the pond to Paris. I think he might have gotten a slightly longer break due to the timing of the flight, and park hours. But again he rode that Space all night. Evidently he took notes of all the twists and turns and sights, etc. As he rode each different mountain.

Finally they flew to Tokyo for his last Space Mtn. He said that it took an entire week to visit them all, not sure how long it took him to recover! But I'm not sure if it's the same soundtrack because that was almost 11 years ago when the presentation was given.

OK, someone probably beat me to it. I'm not reading the chatter, I googled it and it was Michael Giacchino! At the time I didn't know who he was, but he's written TONS of great soundtracks. We've played his music in band, he has lots of songs on my Disney Playlist. That was in 2005 they changed the soundtracks.

My favorite parts of this attraction are AFTER the coaster. I’m a sucker for diorama and these knock it out of the park! There are 3 scenes (maybe 4?) that you pass as you work your way out.

I rarely ride Space in MK, it's just too jerky. I've never noticed those scenes.

Splash- the mountain about to be transformed from something that, in my own humble opinion, is just fine the way it is.

I get both sides, but for me, I never ride it because every time I ride it I get soaked and I just don't like getting soaked.

And now my favorite of the 3 Mountains- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!

Yay! Thanks for the backstory! That's cute!

 

[franandaj]

Alison, given how little DIS time you get these days, it's seriously and honor and delight you choose to be here. That means a lot to me. :

I'm doing more DISing from my phone and less puzzles in the morning.

AndI never get sick. I haven't had anything flu-ish or even coldish for years. Instead I just can't move most of the time because I'm old and decrepit. I ate dirt as a kid, ate with my hands overseas, all that, and am very thankful for my robust immune system!

That's me too! I did all sorts of questionable stuff as a kid that parents would have been horrified today. We drank out of hoses, trudged through poison oak, fished for tadpoles in the creek, played with them as frogs when they grew up....

Fran on the other hand catches almost any bug within 100 feet of her.

I know!!!! People stay out late even IF the parks aren't open. I guess it probably comes down to staffing.

That's probably it.

how many of us actually spend much time at all in the Oasis area or go out of our way to see the 'Roos and Otters around the TOL?

Actually I do those every time! Since Fran has a hard time with most of the rides, the easy animals to get to are our favorites.

(Do you have any idea how hard it is to photograph that cheetah?!?! It's either laying down WAY far away from the jeeps in the shade or it's moving AND your jeep is moving. But, this is the best photo I've gotten of him/her? to date so happy even though it's a bit blury!)

That's an amazing shot! All of my pictures they are little specs in the far back near the fence.

So.... what animal is your favorite on the Safari? Or, is it one that is NOT on the Safari but somewhere else in the park? Let's see which animal gets the most love!!

The Naked Mole Rat. I just like the sound of that!

Otherwise it would be the Tigers on the walk in China.

 

[franandaj]

So the short answer is: YES! You don't need to be IN the park to make your RoTR ressie anymore. You just need to have a park reservation and valid ticket (obviously) and start pushing refresh at 6:55AM. When you see JOIN, be fast. That's it. You can try again at 1:00

I'm all down with it now! As you may have seen on my TR, except DL changed the 1PM to noon, probably something to do with the parkhopping after 1PM rule.

I am so envious of your getting to go to DLR. Kari texted the other day and mused that we should start planning a trip down there. Being as only open to Cali now, we'll have to wait, but I AM itching to go again someday.

I am so happy to be going back! In fact we are going today, but we have been having so much fun for the last four days, we both woke up this morning totally exhausted. That's why I've been able to catch up so much here. She is fast asleep. Soon Cali will open back up, but until then, no one can plan.

Nah, you did well at catching up. My goal is to put another couple chapters up before I disappear again for a couple of weeks.

Well then hopefully I will catch up soon!

I used to be so much better at formatting and making things all fancy and pretty. I just don't have that kind of time anymore.

I never did!

Yes, still the case. Maybe someone knows a hack or way, but I'm too old and dumb anymore.

Well you're there, so

I ROCKED the pilot last time!!!! Can't wait to share that chapter too!!

Maybe when I ride it with a group again, I will give pilot a shot.

Next chapter is all things eats!

I'll get there, later....

I'm too old school. I want a good old fashioned menu to peruse and meditate on. Hard to think really being distracted by scrolling up and down, up and down..... #notafanofqsmenus

We went to a swanky restaurant that had nice menus last night. It was so....normal!

OH me too!!! I'm just giddy for you!!

That I do get, but just open the bottle and take a whiff!! I'm telling you.... it's the truth!!!

What ride were we talking about?

Good question!! I wonder too, and don't know the year AKL opened. Huh!!

April 16, 2001.

Thank you! Now when was my trip? I'd have to look at the photo album. Yes it was so long ago I actually made albums!

 

[franandaj]

This chapter is an ode to the myriad of delicious snacks and assorted goodies

Sounds good to me!

Let’s start with the utterly regrettable CBR Avocado Toast that I had so long dreamed of for over a year.

I'm sorry this was disappointing for you. The idea of Avocado Toast never really appealed to me, although Fran has been eating it long before it was trendy.

What lacked in deliciousness in the CBR Avocado Toast, Woody’s Mexican-inspired Totchos more than made up for it.

Those look really good! We ended up there at breakfast and they didn't have them then.

but when I hit up a Disney $ixbucks, I’m partial to the Ham and Swiss Croissant.

I love a good Ham and Cheese Croissant but I don't think I've had one from there. I prefer cheddar over Swiss. Usually they are all sold out by the time I come rolling in.

I sauntered up to the counter with my plastic spoon ready and was dished up a most ample and delicious serving of Pineapple Dole Whip. No float, no cake. Did I mention you can’t get the cake anymore?

They had cake?

I was attracted to POTC where I sailed through a swashbuckling adventure on a private dinghy where I was free to slide back and forth taking photos at random

Nice photos on the ride!

In the nearby vicinity of #1 is the Sunshine Terrace where you can order up all things Orange,

Hmm...orange sounds good. Is this seasonal?

All that laziness worked up enough appetite for the third and final Citrus Soft Serve- the One, the Only, the BEST, Lime-flavour nestled softly into a Peter Pan Float.

That sounds really good! This one is seasonal right?

But I AM posting slowly so you have time to catch up!! I saw you posted something too and will slowly make the rounds to catch up as I can over the next days.

Hopefully with this post, I'm caught up here!

Which made me wonder if it was a colossal scam or if they were platinum?

That's entirely possible. Probably Platinum.

 

[Steppesister]

O is for: Open Wide!- Pt. 3 (AK Schnacks)​

Animal Kingdom is a great runner-up for “Best Schnacks Park” after EPCOT, but take away the Festivals, and it’d be a much closer 2nd. I just think it has a nice variety of non-traditional goodies that are out-of-the-theme-park-box, from Spiced Fries, to Eggrolls, to Mac and Cheese…..

Unfortunately, this trip ended up being sparse on the AK snack-a-thoning. I guess we just got too full in other places, or had bigger and better plans for later to load it up on $nacks, which, for me at least, can often sub out for a whole meal. However, what we did get was pretty good in general.

Let’s start with a refreshing drink from a very surprising place. Mary Ellen suggested we stop in at the Restaurantosaurus Lounge for some sips to have with our lunch. She was able to use her AP or TIW card (sorry can’t remember which) for a discount, but also went above and beyond and treated both Mik and me to a pretty stout, by Disney standards, cocktail. We all got different ones which made for quite a colorful array of liquid refreshment!!!

​

Tequilasaurus- tart margarita- Herradura reposado tequila, Bols creme de cassis, lime juice, and sweet-and-sour $14.00

Ferminted Fossil- minty mojito- Diplomatico Planas extra anejo Blanco rum, mint lime juice, and pure cane syrup topped with soda water $14.00

Primordial Booze- flavored lemonade- Three Olives blueberry vodka, Bols blue curacao and lemonade with juices of lemon and pomegranate $13.00

We all tasted each other’s, and I think all of us ended up happiest with the ones we’d ordered. One thing I am not so happy about with this Covid thing is that you can’t sip as you walk. It’s extremely inconvenient and drinks get warm and watered down if you plan to tote it to another location to finally get to it. Hope that changes SOOOOOONNNNNNN!!!!!!! The good news is as I write this there ARE some nice changes being made like temp scans being phased out and masks ok to be off now for photos! Which to me speaks of things returning to normal and this whole grossness being over. WOOT!

Anyway, our destination was Flame Tree. The kids have some good memories from there of birds swiping food from kids too little to effectively guard their plates, so Mik wanted to head there for lunch. She also informed me that Harambe Market sucked, which I tend to agree with. The last couple of times I’ve eaten there, the ribs, chicken, and sausages were dry as the Bone Yard sand. Luckily, we found a PERFECT table down by the water pond and our mobile order was done fairly quickly. I just adore eating down in that cooler area by the lovely water feature and that view!!! Who could get tired of that view of Everest over the lake?! It’s usually pretty clean and most of the tables have an umbrella to keep you cooler. And by this day, it was tolerably warm. It never did get even close to too warm on any day of this trip in January/early Feb though.

I don’t recall the BBQ pork-topped Mac and Cheese being on the menu before (at Flame Tree; 8 Spoons has always had it (but the Shrimp with Sweet Chili sauce is so much better!!!!!)) but here is in all its glory!!

​

Just look at that cheesy, melty, tangy-topped goodness! Capped with onion rings and slaw? HELLO! It was EASILY enough to feed all 3 of us, mostly because Mikki was a little oinker and also ordered the half BBQ Chicken as well. The chicken was super moist (raise your hand if you hate that word as much as I do, but find it comes in handy for things like oven-roasted chicken and your braline on a hot, summer day?) and really good. I honestly was very surprised at the quality and would totally get it again. Needless to say, the 3 of us came nowhere close to finishing this feast up. And it never ceases to amuse me in trying to capture the perfect shot of the Florida Chickens that hang out in this tranquil area.

​

One morning, we needed a quick breakfast, so I won’t go into great detail about the Ham and Swiss Croissant from $ixbucks we got. But I will go into great, and somewhat bitter, detail about the fact that: 1) Kusafiri’s was/is closed for their cinnamon rolls, and 2) I didn’t know I could get one across the path at Tamu Tamu Refreshments. I will not deny there may have been a fair amount of lamenting and gnashing of teeth.

While it is true that in NORMAL times AK has such a great variety of snicky-snacks, this Covid has wreaked a crappy havoc on that front. So many of the kiosks are zipped up and shuttered, and it’s no lie I have really missed my 8 Spoons the last 2 trips. Instead, I had to make do with the Y&Y Eggrolls which aren’t bad, but they aren’t memorable either except for the venue they are consumed in.

​

One afternoon, flying solo, I grabbed a Frozen Chai Latte and should have let well enough alone. But nooooo…. I let myself be upsold with not one, but 2 shots of Baileys to be dumped in for a RIDICULOUS extra $10 or $12 or so. I don’t even know, but the thing ended up costing me dang near $20 and the sad part? It was, while tasty enough, NOT WORTH IT!!! At all. I wasn’t watching and should have been like a hawk. Did they even put any in? To be honest, I’m not even sure. What a waste. With my giant splurge in hand, I toodled off for an order of eggrolls and found a seat right by the prayer flag “monument”. I had hoped for a sit-down table by the water, but everything was roped off and well… inconvenient. I used the time to catch up on my trip notes and make some calls. I really love those quiet, slow down moments to just enjoy the atmosphere, scenery, music and people watching. Even with for-the-most-part run-of-the-mill eggrolls, there just isn’t a place I enjoy quite as much.

​

Now, it’s YOUR TURN! Do you have a favorite memory of a food stop/meal in AK? A certain place that you always stop for a traditional snack or drink? Do tell!

Mine might be enjoying a quiet moment eating Kamal’s Fries on the “Red Chairs” gazing at the TOL during the projection show. I also have some amazing memories of chatting with loved ones at the Nomad over a good Pisco Sour. Another fond one was when I ran into @cinderkelly (not on the DIS anymore, I don’t think?) at Y&Y during the EPIC trip sitting at “MY” table. It was fun surprising her and giggling until my side hurt.


Now… go friends, make memories, enjoy life!

 

[Steppesister]

I like the lime, but not as much as the dole whip. Actually, I like it better without the sprite. Now, Kakamora and dole whip with rum and we're talking piba coloda baby!!! Woop woop!

Now you're talkin'!

Heart broken. Devasted. That would be me.

I miss that cake.

But if said baby takes all of our money and said bathwater is from a solid gold bath tub, why not?

You have a good point.

I knew that...was trying to give you a lead in. Epic fail.

Nah, I can be rather dense at times. Kind of like a neutron star.

But white chocolate is good and not wax.

White chocolate is icky. Goes straight to the trash.

If that's spelled Y U C K or P F F B B B T. Correct

No way! Coffee is life.

I've seen plenty of outdoor gatherings...just never saw an externally facing kitchen before. Cool

It is super cool. Now to figure out how to do it.

Wow! Guessing it has several slide outs. As big as large motor homes is pretty BIG. If you did plan to move it (I know you already said you're not), you'd need a hefty truck.

It has 3!!! THREE slideouts accommodating a Queen-sized bed, huge living room, and an entertainment center. Love how big it is!

 

[Steppesister]

Welcome back!

Thanks!

Glad you managed to get two trips in one.

The Tucson portion was very short, but I managed to get done what I wanted to so that's good!

Well... shoot.

Or not........

Nice. I see what you did there!

Oh, really. Well, that won't affect me as I cashed mine out as soon as I could. Glad I did, too.

I'm sure all Canadians are glad they did- well, those that did. But good things are happening in both countries and I think we're on the downhill-side of this thing. I have a good feeling- better than I did say 3 months ago!

I'll give that one a hard pass.

So yum-yums!

Really! Wow! Impressive!

When I turn it into my Epic She-Shack it'll be EVEN BETTER!