Way Out Here, Eh? - A June 2019 TR *PTR Link Posted

Way way way back to your room upgrade - we had the same thing happen. We were so excited to be upgraded to Savannah view until we had to walk so far after being at the parks all day. A couple of times we rented a pool locker after eating breakfast at Mars to put our mugs on so we didn’t have to wall alllllll the way back and then they would be handy when we got back. Yes this is total laziness. Don’t ask what we did at CBR because of the multiple bus stops

Oh, that was a genius idea! Having to walk back to your room to drop off your mugs would have gotten really old, really quick. Nobody wants to trek a mile before a long day at the parks!
The sole reason my mom and I haven't stayed at CBR yet is because the size of the resort intimidates us. If the place is big enough to have multiple bus stops, my lazy butt is gonna hesitate staying there.


Landon is sure perceptive that you were at Disney without him! I've been wanting to try the Polite Pig, but I always end up somewhere else! Glad you got to enjoy an adult meal! Hooray for having your passes figured out!

I think Landon knows his parents well!
Getting to enjoy a meal at DS without the kids was a real treat.
 
I am finally back and starting to catch up on everyone's trip reports!

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Her glare isn’t reserved just for Disney; she breaks it out in front of the British Museum in London, as well. So much for a fun Saturday outing.
Poor Girl!

We walked.

And walked.

And walked.

Every minute or so Alex would call out: “Way out here, eh?”
I have heard this about AKL. But I guess it is an evil neccissary to get lots of rooms with views.

Alex gave me a hug. “Well, good news. For a few days you don’t have to be in Mom mode. You get to just be Alicia. On vacation with her husband.”
Isn't it hard to switch gears!!! it is so engrained into us!

Mind you, I loved playing Marco Polo with my wandering husband as much as the next guest. But being able to see into the different sections is so much easier now. Especially with my tall husband; he can actually find me in the crowds versus the messaging back and forth that was our lot in years past.
I’m a fan of the changes.
It's even better when you have kids! Wide aisle for strollers, and you can keep an eye on the kiddos ALOT easier.

“Where are we going?”
“Let’s go ahead and activate our tickets while we’re here.”
“Okay. But Guest Services isn’t over here anymore.”
“You sure?”
“Pretty.”
“Well, let’s just go check and see.”
:rolleyes2
Ugh. DH does this too and drives me CRAZY!!!

How much time have we lost in the parks over the years just from our kids eating their meals???

Anyone have that math?
I can only imagine. We have been in a many restaurants where we have people seated after us and leave before us.

My babies!

Evie was acting fine with the exception of her cough.
Good to hear she was doing ok. Hopefully that helped ease that worry.

“Where are you guys?”

Uhmmmm.

So before we left, we told Landon were going up to Minnesota to visit his Aunt and her new baby. Which was absolutely true.

I just happened to leave out the entire truth.

“Are you guys at Disney?”

“Why would you say that?”

Landon looked highly suspicious. I don’t know how, though. Behind me on the screen was a wall with artwork of the Springs, nothing overtly Disney. Nevertheless, he was studying the area hard.

I remember making eye contact with my mom and both of us raising our brows.

How did he know?!

He probably sensed it.


SOMEONE IS AT DISNEY WITHOUT ME!
OMG!!!! That is amazing! He had his spidey-sense on! he just knew!
 
I’m all caught up, yay!

I remember our room being a long walk from the lobby at AKL, we had a savanna view, this was awesome!

We tried Polite Pig for the first time this August!!

I do enjoy checking out the shops at DS at least 1x a trip

How nice for you and hubby to be kid free for awhile!
 
Sounds like a great day at DS despite ,or maybe even because of, the rain. So much fun dandering around the shops at your leisure and eating at the bar child-free. Much as we love them it’s good to have a break every now and again. Laughed when I saw that Landon had you sussed and love the FaceTime photos. Your babies are indeed gorgeous. :)
 


To be honest, I sort of hate needing to buy new clothes, and since my kids outgrow their stuff every season, I feel like I’m always in a store, buying them new socks or leggings without holes.

Ugh, the constant clothes shopping is such a hassle. I end up at the kids' clearance section every time I go into a store, just in case.

Without needing to ketchup another’s plate or cut a chicken strip into thirds or wipe down a messy face, we were finished with our meals in less than ten minutes!

Isn't it funny how even the little things are so much better on an adults-only trip? I mean, it turns out food tastes best when eaten warm, instead of after spending 5 minutes prepping everyone else's plates.
 
Hi, Alicia! Finally had a night to get on here and read, so wanted to catch up with you! Loving the report so far and so cool to have a couple DIS-meets mixed into it! Way back when, we stayed at AKL and had that same feeling of walking down an endless hallway, so I know what you mean. Also, how incredibly awesome that you had that kid-free WDW time together - it's true, becoming a parent does kind-of make you forget about who you were before that happened - and it's nice to reconnect with your "old self" sometimes. And eat meals that quickly too, haha! Glad your mom was happy to watch the kids, even with Evie sick - helps to know they're well cared for. That is impressive that Landon caught on to where you were! Good job, kid!
 
a classic Florida afternoon thunderstorm where the bottom dropped out of the sky and the wipers weren’t making a dent against the heavy raindrops.

I loved it.

Sigh... I miss them too. And I love Disney for that.

Don’t worry, everyone, the universe heard my prayers and delivered this in kind on our trip.

WOOT!

Shopping at Disney Springs is one hundred percent Alex’s red wagon. And while I wasn’t crazy about doing it, I wanted him to get his fill. I picked the resort, the ADRs, even the Fastpasses for our Adults Trip…the least I could do was allow him one hobby.

Always best to play give and take.

As I suspected, he had found a friendly Cast Member in the Photopass shop (NOT the guest services building) and was chatting away. I think they were looking at a map of Disney Springs and discussing the best route to get to…the Guest Services location.

LOL! Random wanderings around DTD is the BEST!

Alex loves hats and thought this one was nice, but he said it fit his head weird. Albeit, he’s got a giant head so it’s possible.

Is this where an appropriately timed "Fat Head" joke fits in?

“Want to sit here?”
“We can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because we have kids. Oh. Wait.”
We DIDN’T have kids. We were two adults. We could grab seats at the bar if we wanted.
“Heck yeah, let’s take them!”
:cheer2:

I love this!

And like any carefree adult on vacation….we ordered waters.

:rotfl2:
Going crazy at Disney Springs!

LOL! Easy now!.

I just happened to leave out the entire truth.

“Are you guys at Disney?”

“Why would you say that?”

Landon looked highly suspicious. I don’t know how, though. Behind me on the screen was a wall with artwork of the Springs, nothing overtly Disney. Nevertheless, he was studying the area hard.

I remember making eye contact with my mom and both of us raising our brows.

How did he know?!

He probably sensed it.


SOMEONE IS AT DISNEY WITHOUT ME!


:rotfl:
Man, that kid is extra! You've raised him right AND he has a Disney 6th Sense.
 


While driving, Alex was trying to ask me which Disney Springs parking garage dropped us off closest to the stores we wanted.

Man might as well have been asking the clock on the dashboard.

I had no idea.

Still don’t.

I have no idea either. Lord help us if we ever drive there.

The revamped Springs is still new and foreign to me.

I'm totally lost there now.

I know there’s been some debate over whether the changes they made to the interior are better, and while I think they took a lot of the “Disney” look out of the shops, man is it so much more accessible now!

I'm looking forward to seeing this for myself. The last time we went they were getting ready for the change over.

“Okay. But Guest Services isn’t over here anymore.”
“You sure?”
“Pretty.”
“Well, let’s just go check and see.”

I have no idea where the new guest services is either.

We DIDN’T have kids. We were two adults. We could grab seats at the bar if we wanted.
“Heck yeah, let’s take them!”
:cheer2:

:banana: It's amazing how easy eating is without kids, but guess what it can get boring too.

Landon kept looking at the screen and squinting his eyes.

“Where are you guys?”

Uh oh!

“Are you guys at Disney?”

Smart kid.

I don't like when people go to Disney without me either.

You've gotten off to a good start.
 
I can only imagine. We have been in a many restaurants where we have people seated after us and leave before us.

I never realized how quick meals were when Alex and I didn't have kids. We could pop into a bar, grab something really fast, then be on our way to a movie or show in no time. Now, going out for the dinner itself is the big ordeal. :rotfl2:


OMG!!!! That is amazing! He had his spidey-sense on! he just knew!

He knows his mother well and suspected I would sneak in some Disney time. Probably because he would've done the same thing if he were an adult.


I’m all caught up, yay!

I remember our room being a long walk from the lobby at AKL, we had a savanna view, this was awesome!

We tried Polite Pig for the first time this August!!

I do enjoy checking out the shops at DS at least 1x a trip

How nice for you and hubby to be kid free for awhile!

It's fun to go into the DS shops and take a peek around if you haven't been recently. You're bound to see something new on the shelves. I just think I go look through stuff a lot faster than Alex does, so I get bored and restless faster.



Sounds like a great day at DS despite ,or maybe even because of, the rain. So much fun dandering around the shops at your leisure and eating at the bar child-free. Much as we love them it’s good to have a break every now and again. Laughed when I saw that Landon had you sussed and love the FaceTime photos. Your babies are indeed gorgeous. :)

Even though walking around the DS shops wasn't my favorite use of time, it was nice to be able to do it without the kids for a change. Made me appreciate our time pre-kids a little more.
Landon was certainly on to me! Silly kid...



Ugh, the constant clothes shopping is such a hassle. I end up at the kids' clearance section every time I go into a store, just in case.

Isn't it funny how even the little things are so much better on an adults-only trip? I mean, it turns out food tastes best when eaten warm, instead of after spending 5 minutes prepping everyone else's plates.

I have been pretty fortunate in that I had friends in Germany with older girls, so Evie always received their hand me downs. And when Landon was younger, he was a very neat toddler and grew super slow, so I didn't have to buy him many new outfits. Now, though, he's finally hitting growth spurts and tearing through his jeans on the school playgrounds. We had to pull out the pants this week because it got chilly, and after this summer he only had 3 that still fit! Had to rush out to Primark that afternoon and grab him a few more pairs...


Hi, Alicia! Finally had a night to get on here and read, so wanted to catch up with you! Loving the report so far and so cool to have a couple DIS-meets mixed into it! Way back when, we stayed at AKL and had that same feeling of walking down an endless hallway, so I know what you mean. Also, how incredibly awesome that you had that kid-free WDW time together - it's true, becoming a parent does kind-of make you forget about who you were before that happened - and it's nice to reconnect with your "old self" sometimes. And eat meals that quickly too, haha! Glad your mom was happy to watch the kids, even with Evie sick - helps to know they're well cared for. That is impressive that Landon caught on to where you were! Good job, kid!

Good to see you back here! Do you think you'll write up a report or brief summary of your Alaskan cruise? I'd love to read about it. Very envious of all the various Disney adventures you have been able to partake in....Aulani, Alaskan Cruise, DLP. Such a wonderful way to see new places! (With the Disney experience included.)


I didn't realize I had forgotten what I was like pre-kids until I was away from them and had the time (and energy!) to give it thought.



Man, that kid is extra! You've raised him right AND he has a Disney 6th Sense.

He knows me well. :rotfl:
He might also have just been wishing he were there at the time. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up he will say: "A Cast Member."



:banana: It's amazing how easy eating is without kids, but guess what it can get boring too.

That is true. I used to plan dinners around right after Alex got home from work pre-kids, so we could both sit down and discuss our days. Have something to talk about, essentially. :rotfl: Nowadays, we barely get two words in with Landon talking about school and Evie spilling milk down her shirt and both of them fighting over who got the bigger dinner roll...
 
June 1st, 2019 Part 4:

All that ticket activation had worked up a sweet tooth. After salty fries and tangy barbecue, Alex and I needed sugary chocolate to cap off the light dinner.

Nearby, was Sprinkles.

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The line was out the door but seemed to be moving quickly, so we decided to wait it out and get ourselves a treat.


I got to pick and went with the dark chocolate with sprinkles.
(We were at a bakery called Sprinkles- of course we had to get one with sprinkles!)
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The two of us took our cupcake out to the back porch and ate it, both of us very surprised at how good the item turned out to be. In my notes, I wrote:
“THIS IS A FOUR DOLLAR CUPCAKE.”

Light, fluffy, and not too sweet the cupcake was perfect sharing size and worth every penny. I’d go back and order more again.



After our dessert, Alex and I walked down to the Pin Store and checked out the Annual Passholder exclusive items. I found some fun merchandise to look at but nothing worth buying.



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In hindsight, I should have gotten this pin. I find it so fitting for our relationship. We move around so much, and every time I go to Disney without Alex I miss him terribly. For me, there’s nothing better in the world than walking into a Disney park with my husband.
Without a doubt, my happy place.


I saw this and had to recognize my mild obsession with a phone game:

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*But what else is a mom supposed to do at two in the morning when their three year old wakes up and needs someone to sit with her while she falls back to sleep? Or in the dead of winter when it’s raining and it’s too wet to bring a book to the bus stop?
Just saying…*




Originally, I had made grand plans for Alex and I to go to the Edison and share appetizers and drinks at the bar. I really want to see this location, and Alex said he was willing to go even though he’s not a drinker, but all of a sudden I was tired.
My early morning wakeup, the stress of Evie’s cold, and the long drive had caught up with me.
The thought of a quiet walk around our resort was much more appealing than more congregating with the masses at Disney Springs. So I gave up our prime opportunity for a late night out on the town and headed out of the shopping area.

My college-aged self would have been mortified. Not even thirty years old and too tired for drinks and live entertainment.

For shame, older Alicia. For shame. :rotfl2:



Walking into the resort about twenty minutes later, Alex and I realized we were still feeling a little peckish. I had watched a vlog several months ago from the DIS that covered the veggie falafel dish at the Mara. It had looked really good, so I asked Alex if he would be willing to share a plate with me.

He would not.

:rotfl:


But because he loved me and knew I wanted to try it, he agreed.
Now, if this doesn’t show my husband’s love for me I don’t know what does. This dish contained everything my husband hates. Beans, hummus, olives, cucumbers…literally there was nothing he would ever order himself.
But he was a great man and let me have it.


We placed our order, grabbed an order of zebra domes, and a couple beers, then went and paid. The CM at the register asked for our I.D.

Ahhhh, that makes me feel slightly better about calling it a night at nine thirty. I also didn’t understand what she was asking at first. Living in Europe, that’s not a thing, especially with the legal age being 18.
It’s the little things that make me feel out of place in America now…



Alex waited inside for the food to be ready, while I took the rest of our items and sat down at a table outside. For a few minutes, I got the joy of people watching and observing the nighttime activity of the resort. Lots of guests were hanging out around and in the pool, dozens of families were meandering in and out of the Mara with their refillable mugs, and a handful of couples were sitting next to me, sipping on drinks and conversing.

Immediately, I wished for more time. Two nights was just going to be a tease. I needed a week at Animal Kingdom Lodge! Certainly more time than I gave myself to appreciate to the resort.

Alex found me at my table and gathered our meal into a big pile.
“I love this resort.”
“I know you do.”
“Why is this place so awesome?”
“Isn’t that the point?”
“Yeah, but it shouldn’t be this great. It’s not fair. I miss it already and we haven’t even left yet.”
“Let’s go, silly.”



We took our food back to our room and ate it on the balcony.

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The falafel balls were dry and crumbly, more than they should have been. I think that was because it was the end of the night and they were probably old, but even so they were still good.

I remember being so excited for these food items, because it was “normal” stuff for me. I mentioned it earlier, but back home my eating habits had changed drastically and I followed a mostly vegetarian/plant based menu. I still ate meat but only for about 3 meals a week, and during the previous week I had been at my parent’s house that all went out the window. I ate steak and chicken and very little leafy green vegetables.
So getting something old and familiar was a nice change.

I bring up the food topic once again, because it played a role in my Disney trip later.
Let’s just say, changing your eating habits on vacation is a horrible idea.



One of Alex’s favorite desserts on property are zebra domes, so he was very happy to split an order with me. In addition, one of the few beers he likes is Magic Hat # 9, which can be found at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
I think the stuff tastes absolutely disgusting.:laughing: It’s on my Least Favorite Beers ever list, so I went a different route and got the Tusker Beer:

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It was a brilliant choice! At 9 dollars, it was a hefty price to pay for a single bottle, but it was well worth the cost. I kept taking sips, going, “This is good. This is REALLY good.”

The bottle was finished before I was ready, and I turned to Alex and said, “I found my new favorite beer."
A few days later while at lunch with my sister and brother in-law, I mentioned trying the African beer and S. – who had been deployed in Africa – knew the company I was talking about.
“Ooooh! Tusker beer! Yeah, that’s a good one.”


So there you have it, two people’s recommendation for this drink. You can get it inside the DAK park, but I think I would go so far as to drive to Animal Kingdom Lodge and grab a bottle to enjoy while sitting at an animal lookout location.
New resort relaxation goal!


Up until this point, I hadn’t done any unpacking, so at almost eleven o’clock at night I pulled my suitcase out and went to grab my necessities. Then almost lost it when I found a note placed on top:

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Sweet Landon! Being the parent who is around him the most, I tend not to get as many affectionate notes or letters. Alex has a slew from deployments and work trips, but I just have the standard Mother’s Day cards. But now I’ve got this little gem. A sweet reminder that my kiddos do love their Mama. What else could a mom ask for?


Well then, before Alex and I could say Jambo! our arrival day at Walt Disney World was at a close. I did realize after making Alex suffer through the veggie dish that we could have hopped over to the Sannaa lounge and ordered the bread service. I had completely forgotten about it up until that point and kicked myself for the mistake. Squandered a good opportunity! Oh well....


It took a while to get into the vibe of being kid-less but that was to be expected. I’d figure it out with more Disney time.
Prost!

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Up Next…I’m Not Indecisive So I’ll Go
 
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Sweet Landon! Being the parent who is around him the most, I tend not to get as many affectionate notes or letters. Alex has a slew from deployments and work trips, but I just have the standard Mother’s Day cards. But now I’ve got this little gem. A sweet reminder that my kiddos do love their Mama. What else could a mom ask for?
So sweet! And it helps to hear it everyone once in awhile!

Well then, before Alex and I could say Jambo! our arrival day at Walt Disney World was at a close. I did realize after making Alex suffer through the veggie dish that we could have hopped over to the Sannaa lounge and ordered the bread service. I had completely forgotten about it up until that point and kicked myself for the mistake. Squandered a good opportunity! Oh well....
I hate that, when you think of something good like that when it is too late. Sannaa lounge, I might need to try and remember that for our adults only trip. I dream about that bread service!
 
Nearby, was Sprinkles.

We tried this for the first time last trip and I plan to go again.


So sweet!

Originally, I had made grand plans for Alex and I to go to the Edison and share appetizers and drinks at the bar. I really want to see this location, and Alex said he was willing to go even though he’s not a drinker, but all of a sudden I was tired.

I have adult plans for this too but I' m afraid I won't be able to stay up that late either.

For a few minutes, I got the joy of people watching and observing the nighttime activity of the resort. Lots of guests were hanging out around and in the pool, dozens of families were meandering in and out of the Mara with their refillable mugs, and a handful of couples were sitting next to me, sipping on drinks and conversing.

Sounds heavenly.

Let’s just say, changing your eating habits on vacation is a horrible idea.

This doesn't sound good.


:cloud9: He's such a sweet son.
 
Ah- I love the toasting picture at the end of your post! So happy that you got that time away together.
 
The two of us took our cupcake out to the back porch and ate it, both of us very surprised at how good the item turned out to be. In my notes, I wrote:
“THIS IS A FOUR DOLLAR CUPCAKE.”

Light, fluffy, and not too sweet the cupcake was perfect sharing size and worth every penny. I’d go back and order more again.
Yum! That looks delicious! I must finally check out Sprinkles in December. :)
In hindsight, I should have gotten this pin. I find it so fitting for our relationship. We move around so much, and every time I go to Disney without Alex I miss him terribly. For me, there’s nothing better in the world than walking into a Disney park with my husband.
Without a doubt, my happy place.
Love that pin so much too! I wish I had bought it to commemorate our anniversary trip!
Immediately, I wished for more time. Two nights was just going to be a tease. I needed a week at Animal Kingdom Lodge! Certainly more time than I gave myself to appreciate to the resort.

Alex found me at my table and gathered our meal into a big pile.
“I love this resort.”
“I know you do.”
“Why is this place so awesome?”
“Isn’t that the point?”
“Yeah, but it shouldn’t be this great. It’s not fair. I miss it already and we haven’t even left yet.”
“Let’s go, silly.”
I feel EXACTLY the same way about AKL!
The falafel balls were dry and crumbly, more than they should have been. I think that was because it was the end of the night and they were probably old, but even so they were still good.
I love that meal!
One of Alex’s favorite desserts on property are zebra domes, so he was very happy to split an order with me. In addition, one of the few beers he likes is Magic Hat # 9, which can be found at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
I think the stuff tastes absolutely disgusting.:laughing: It’s on my Least Favorite Beers ever list, so I went a different route and got the Tusker Beer:
Perfect!
Up until this point, I hadn’t done any unpacking, so at almost eleven o’clock at night I pulled my suitcase out and went to grab my necessities. Then almost lost it when I found a note placed on top:
:love: :love: :love: :love: :love: :love:
 
I saw this and had to recognize my mild obsession with a phone game:
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I have a very on and off relationship with that game!

Such a fun night at Disney Springs and the resort! I really want to stay at AKL one day, it sounds so amazing.

What a sweet note from Landon ❤
 
I got to pick and went with the dark chocolate with sprinkles. (We were at a bakery called Sprinkles- of course we had to get one with sprinkles!)

Yes 100% agreed.

In hindsight, I should have gotten this pin. I find it so fitting for our relationship. We move around so much, and every time I go to Disney without Alex I miss him terribly. For me, there’s nothing better in the world than walking into a Disney park with my husband.
Without a doubt, my happy place.

🥰 🥰 🥰

I saw this and had to recognize my mild obsession with a phone game:

I have a not-at-all-mild obsession with that game!

My college-aged self would have been mortified. Not even thirty years old and too tired for drinks and live entertainment.

:rotfl::rotfl:I feel this way so often!

So there you have it, two people’s recommendation for this drink.

Oo I'm not a huge beer drinker but I would like to try it now.


Aww :love::love:
 
Nothing wrong with heading back to the resort! Especially when there's zebra domes to be had :)

Aww what a sweet note from Landon!

It sounds like it was a great first adults only day!
 
That cupcake looks so good! It's always nice when an expensive cupcake lives up to its hype.

Despite missing out on the Edison (and Sanaa), it sounds like you had a lovely, low-key evening. I'm glad you had extra time to soak up the ambiance of AKL!

I love the note from Landon! So sweet. :goodvibes

I bring up the food topic once again, because it played a role in my Disney trip later.
Let’s just say, changing your eating habits on vacation is a horrible idea.

Oh, dear... :rolleyes:
 

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