ShesAPirate
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2007
Sounds like you're having a wonderful time! Can't wait to read more 
ADP - Live From Disney World
- Thread starter ADP
- Start date
ADP
<marquee><font color=red>I'm a huggin' fool</marqu
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
We are actually staying in a savanna view room. I'm a DVC cheapskate because I don't like using points on the weekends; especially when I can get a great AP rate like I did for AKL this trip.
We did stay in an AKV DVC 1-bedroom unit back in October. We really loved the room and it was spacious. I've only seen pictures of the AKV studios. They do look smaller compared to the other DVC studios on property. I believe the reason the studios in Jambo House are smaller is because of the conversion from standard resort rooms to DVC studios. They didn't want to remove walls in order to make the studios bigger. The 1 bedroom units in Jambo are 2 standard resort rooms.
As you mentioned already the units in Kidani Village will be much larger. I should also mention I spoke with a couple DVC consultants who told me the water complex at Kidani Village has been "plused" meaning they made some modifications to it since the coneptual drawings. According to the consultants it will be larger than originally planned. They were using words like spectacular, fun, exciting, etc. It really made us excited about the Kidani Village in general.
ADP
<marquee><font color=red>I'm a huggin' fool</marqu
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
Saturday, April 5th
Hi Everybody!
We are back from our EPCOT and Hollywood Studios visits. Our day was cut a bit short do to some storms that are currently moving through the area.
We started this morning grabbing a light breakfast at the Mara before making our way to the bus depot. Something interesting I'd never seen at a resort bus depot happened this morning. There were 2 cast members at the bus depot interacting with kids in an unusual way. They had a box with secret holes. Inside the holes were mystery items like dinosaur fossils and other bones. The children had to try and guess what they were feeling. I asked one of the cast members when they started doing this and why. She replied "just recently and because some wait times for buses can be long this helps pass the time."
Here's a photo of the experience
We arrived at EPCOT just after the park opened. The topiaries at the entrance to Future World are larger than I expected. This years Flower & Garden festival theme is "Fun in the Sun", but I think it should have been "Bigger is not Necessarily Better." There are fewer topiaries this year than I remember in past years; however, the topiaries are much larger than I remember as well. Unfortunately, we never made it over to the Wonders of Life pavillion where the Flower & Garden festival acitivities take place.
Flower & Garden Program
Here are some shots of the topiaries
Beach Mickey & Minnie with Surfer Goofy
Here's me with beach volleyball Donald and Daisy Duck
Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
I should also mention the park looks beautiful. The flowers are very abundant and well placed. I especially loved the flower patterns and formations along the twin lakes between Future World and World Showcase.
Flowers bordering the lake
Pluto's dog house.
Probably my favorite Flower & Garden festival element is Minnie's Butterfly Garden. I really enjoy the number of butterflies in the garden/tent. They are some very pretty and unique butterflies as well. I don't know what it is, but when I'm in the garden/tent its leaves me with a very tranquill feeling.
Minnie's Butterfly Garden
Some of the attractions we experienced at EPCOT this morning were Figment, The Seas with Nemo & the Seas Aquarium. We also used fast passes for Soarin and Test Track. I should also mention we just missed dream fast passes from the Dream Squad. As were were exiting the tunnel from the Seas aquarium the Dream Squad just finished handing them out. In fact, I thought we were going to get them since we had exited the tunnel and then the Dream Squad member made the announcement of no more dream fast passes. But, no big deal since we already had fast passes for Soarin and Test Track.
Once we finished in Future World we began making our way around World Showcase. We rode the 3 Cabilleros starring Donald Duck. Once we finished the ride we were getting hungry. I wanted to try the Tangerine Cafe (counter service in the Morocco pavillion) while Kim and Anna chose the Liberty Inn (counter service in the America Pavillion).
The Tangerine Cafe is setup like a cafeteria. There are two lines left or right; however, only one was in operation today. I chose the chicken wrap with a side of Cous Cous, lentel bean salad and Baclava for dessert. All of the food was very spicy, but flavorful. I really enjoyed it. You will need an adventurous pallet for this food. I particularly liked the pita bread served with the chicken wrap.
Here's the food. It looks like a bomb went off in my chicken wrap
.
Anna, Kim and I met at the Morrocco pavillion and took the boat back to Future World to catch another ride on Test Track. Before riding Test Track we stopped in Mouse Gear (EPCOT's main souvenier shop). Anna found a sparkly silver backpack. When we went to purchase it the Cast Member behind the counter allowed Anna to ring up the sale. She walked her through how to scan it in, push the buttons on the cash register, and scan our credit card. She also received a magical moment certificate for helping out.
Photo of Anna behind the counter at Mouse Gear
Once we finished our ride at Test Track we decided it was time to walk through EPCOT's back entrance in World Showcase and take the boat to Hollywood Studios. We had a 5:00PM ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In plus we wanted to experience a few attractions before dinner.
It was really amazing how it worked out, but from the time we entered the boat to the time we arrived at the Studios it poured rain. When we got off the boat it stopped raining. The crowd at the Studios wasn't light, but not heavy either. I think the rain drove some guests away from the park. Our first stop would be Muppets 3-D, but on our way we got fast passes for Star Tours. I must say I really love the Muppets 3-D preshow. It maybe the best preshow on property. It always seems to pass the time well while waiting for the theater doors to open.
As we heaed for Star Tours I told Kim and Anna I wanted to head for the soon to be Pixar Place and snap a few photos. Kim and Anna went on Star Tours without me while I checked out Pixar Place, the arch entering Animation Courtyard, and the crowd on Hollywood Blvd.
Here are the photos.
The crowd on Hollywood Blvd this afternoon
The arch entering Animation Courtyard is still empty
The construction walls for Pixar Place are still up. I think it was Ronald Reagan who said "Mr. Gorbechav TEAR DOWN THESE WALLS!"
For those of you who don't already know the building (front facade) which will house Toy Story Mania and surrounding Pixar Place elements will be a replica of the Pixar headquarters in Emeryville, CA. I was even told the same style and color brick used at Pixar headquarters will be used at Pixar Place in DHS. A pretty Cool fact!
Here's a picture of the front entrance of Pixar's headquarters. The sign looks the same as a sign going up behind the walls at Pixar Place.
It was now time for our 5:00PM ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In. The theme of this restaurant is similar to an old fashioned outdoor drive-in movie complete with replica cars you actually dine in. There is one large movie screen that shows old horror clips from years past. There are also several movie posters throughout the lobby and inside the main dining area. It is a very unique dining experience. I should warn you the restaurant is very dark. I'm not sure if its so you can't see what you are eating or not... Walking around the restaurant can be dangerous so I would suggest remaining seated in your car.
I ordered the BBQ ribs with french fries and cole slaw. Kim had a grilled chicken sandwich with fruit. We all agreed our food was above average. We wouldn't call it spectacular, but it wasn't bad either. One note, if you wish to order from the lunch menu you may do so during dinner. The lunch menu is much different than the dinner menu. For dessert Kim had the cheescake and I had a chocolate tart which was just ok. I only had 2 bites and left the rest.
Here are some photos from our dining experience.
Front enterance sign
Lobby poster signage
The car you dine in. I was dining shot gun in the back seat.
My plate of food. The BBQ Ribs.
While we were dining it was raining outside. As we were about to exit Sci-Fi it was still raining, but it appeared to be slowing down. Lucky for us it did slow down. We were able to walk to the bus depot, hop the bus back to AKL and call it a night. After I finish this report I'll be heading back down to Victoria Falls in hopes to catch the end of the 2nd NCAA National Semifinal game.
Thanks for following along everyone.
Next Up:
Checking in to Old Key West
Another trip to Hollywood Studios
Another trip to EPCOT
Dinner @ Tutto Italia (Italy Pavillion)
Hi Everybody!
We are back from our EPCOT and Hollywood Studios visits. Our day was cut a bit short do to some storms that are currently moving through the area.
We started this morning grabbing a light breakfast at the Mara before making our way to the bus depot. Something interesting I'd never seen at a resort bus depot happened this morning. There were 2 cast members at the bus depot interacting with kids in an unusual way. They had a box with secret holes. Inside the holes were mystery items like dinosaur fossils and other bones. The children had to try and guess what they were feeling. I asked one of the cast members when they started doing this and why. She replied "just recently and because some wait times for buses can be long this helps pass the time."
Here's a photo of the experience
We arrived at EPCOT just after the park opened. The topiaries at the entrance to Future World are larger than I expected. This years Flower & Garden festival theme is "Fun in the Sun", but I think it should have been "Bigger is not Necessarily Better." There are fewer topiaries this year than I remember in past years; however, the topiaries are much larger than I remember as well. Unfortunately, we never made it over to the Wonders of Life pavillion where the Flower & Garden festival acitivities take place.
Flower & Garden Program
Here are some shots of the topiaries
Beach Mickey & Minnie with Surfer Goofy
Here's me with beach volleyball Donald and Daisy Duck
Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
I should also mention the park looks beautiful. The flowers are very abundant and well placed. I especially loved the flower patterns and formations along the twin lakes between Future World and World Showcase.
Flowers bordering the lake
Pluto's dog house.
Probably my favorite Flower & Garden festival element is Minnie's Butterfly Garden. I really enjoy the number of butterflies in the garden/tent. They are some very pretty and unique butterflies as well. I don't know what it is, but when I'm in the garden/tent its leaves me with a very tranquill feeling.
Minnie's Butterfly Garden
Some of the attractions we experienced at EPCOT this morning were Figment, The Seas with Nemo & the Seas Aquarium. We also used fast passes for Soarin and Test Track. I should also mention we just missed dream fast passes from the Dream Squad. As were were exiting the tunnel from the Seas aquarium the Dream Squad just finished handing them out. In fact, I thought we were going to get them since we had exited the tunnel and then the Dream Squad member made the announcement of no more dream fast passes. But, no big deal since we already had fast passes for Soarin and Test Track.
Once we finished in Future World we began making our way around World Showcase. We rode the 3 Cabilleros starring Donald Duck. Once we finished the ride we were getting hungry. I wanted to try the Tangerine Cafe (counter service in the Morocco pavillion) while Kim and Anna chose the Liberty Inn (counter service in the America Pavillion).
The Tangerine Cafe is setup like a cafeteria. There are two lines left or right; however, only one was in operation today. I chose the chicken wrap with a side of Cous Cous, lentel bean salad and Baclava for dessert. All of the food was very spicy, but flavorful. I really enjoyed it. You will need an adventurous pallet for this food. I particularly liked the pita bread served with the chicken wrap.
Here's the food. It looks like a bomb went off in my chicken wrap
Anna, Kim and I met at the Morrocco pavillion and took the boat back to Future World to catch another ride on Test Track. Before riding Test Track we stopped in Mouse Gear (EPCOT's main souvenier shop). Anna found a sparkly silver backpack. When we went to purchase it the Cast Member behind the counter allowed Anna to ring up the sale. She walked her through how to scan it in, push the buttons on the cash register, and scan our credit card. She also received a magical moment certificate for helping out.
Photo of Anna behind the counter at Mouse Gear
Once we finished our ride at Test Track we decided it was time to walk through EPCOT's back entrance in World Showcase and take the boat to Hollywood Studios. We had a 5:00PM ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In plus we wanted to experience a few attractions before dinner.
It was really amazing how it worked out, but from the time we entered the boat to the time we arrived at the Studios it poured rain. When we got off the boat it stopped raining. The crowd at the Studios wasn't light, but not heavy either. I think the rain drove some guests away from the park. Our first stop would be Muppets 3-D, but on our way we got fast passes for Star Tours. I must say I really love the Muppets 3-D preshow. It maybe the best preshow on property. It always seems to pass the time well while waiting for the theater doors to open.
As we heaed for Star Tours I told Kim and Anna I wanted to head for the soon to be Pixar Place and snap a few photos. Kim and Anna went on Star Tours without me while I checked out Pixar Place, the arch entering Animation Courtyard, and the crowd on Hollywood Blvd.
Here are the photos.
The crowd on Hollywood Blvd this afternoon
The arch entering Animation Courtyard is still empty
The construction walls for Pixar Place are still up. I think it was Ronald Reagan who said "Mr. Gorbechav TEAR DOWN THESE WALLS!"
For those of you who don't already know the building (front facade) which will house Toy Story Mania and surrounding Pixar Place elements will be a replica of the Pixar headquarters in Emeryville, CA. I was even told the same style and color brick used at Pixar headquarters will be used at Pixar Place in DHS. A pretty Cool fact!
Here's a picture of the front entrance of Pixar's headquarters. The sign looks the same as a sign going up behind the walls at Pixar Place.
It was now time for our 5:00PM ADR at Sci-Fi Dine In. The theme of this restaurant is similar to an old fashioned outdoor drive-in movie complete with replica cars you actually dine in. There is one large movie screen that shows old horror clips from years past. There are also several movie posters throughout the lobby and inside the main dining area. It is a very unique dining experience. I should warn you the restaurant is very dark. I'm not sure if its so you can't see what you are eating or not...
Walking around the restaurant can be dangerous so I would suggest remaining seated in your car. I ordered the BBQ ribs with french fries and cole slaw. Kim had a grilled chicken sandwich with fruit. We all agreed our food was above average. We wouldn't call it spectacular, but it wasn't bad either. One note, if you wish to order from the lunch menu you may do so during dinner. The lunch menu is much different than the dinner menu. For dessert Kim had the cheescake and I had a chocolate tart which was just ok. I only had 2 bites and left the rest.
Here are some photos from our dining experience.
Front enterance sign
Lobby poster signage
The car you dine in. I was dining shot gun in the back seat.
My plate of food. The BBQ Ribs.
While we were dining it was raining outside. As we were about to exit Sci-Fi it was still raining, but it appeared to be slowing down. Lucky for us it did slow down. We were able to walk to the bus depot, hop the bus back to AKL and call it a night. After I finish this report I'll be heading back down to Victoria Falls in hopes to catch the end of the 2nd NCAA National Semifinal game.
Thanks for following along everyone.
Next Up:
Checking in to Old Key West
Another trip to Hollywood Studios
Another trip to EPCOT
Dinner @ Tutto Italia (Italy Pavillion)
prettypixie
Dznydva
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2003
"Our waitress found out it was Anna's B-Day yesterday and she brought her out a very unusual birthday card. This card looked funny to me because it did not have the icon of the 4th Disney World park, the Animal Kingdom. The 3 others were there, but not the Tree of Life. I asked her about that and she said it was an old card. It was made before the Animal Kingdom was built."
DD received that same card 3 years ago!!!
Great live TR, keep it coming!
DD received that same card 3 years ago!!!
Great live TR, keep it coming!
ADP
<marquee><font color=red>I'm a huggin' fool</marqu
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
40 degrees in April!?
Bring on the Pod Cruise! Yikes! More snow. Snowmen in April just doesn't seem right.
Thanks!
Enjoy Boma. I'm sure its just as good as Tusker House.
Hi Betsy. Glad to see you over here. It was a pleasure meeting your family at the meet a few weeks ago. We need to get another planned soon.So glad I found your live report, ADP! It's a great read.
You're definitely making me more excited about our return to AKL. Love all the pics.
Please pass on a belated Happy Birthday to Anna for us! Cute braids - she's so pretty.
I enjoy doing these reports simply so other DISers can get a little Disney World fix and to reflect on the day we just experienced. Glad you are enjoying it!ADP, thanks for the update!! I'm loving this trip report!! The live ones are great. I think they read better because everything is still fresh in your head!!
hayanyujah847
It looks like a ton of fun!
- Joined
- May 9, 2007
Interesting pix of the Pixar signage, that's the first time I'm seeing that. I am loving following along at your stay @ AKL as we are having our first stay there in October~! Keep it comin'!
PrincessBelle39
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2007
Sounds like your having a fantastic time. I'm so envious. Only 2 1/2 years until our next trip. I love the idea of a live report. I can almost pretend that I'm there also.
ADP
<marquee><font color=red>I'm a huggin' fool</marqu
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2006
Good morning everybody!
We are checking out of AKL this morning and will be checking into to Old Key West later. But, first we are heading over to Hollywood Studios to do a couple of attractions. We'll probably be grabbing counter service lunch at the Backlot Express.
Later, we will be taking the boat back over to EPCOT and touring the rest of World Showcase. We have dinner reservations at Tutto Italia.
The weather is a tad more overcast this morning, but still pretty nice. It is also a bit cooler this morning than previous mornings.
Another report is coming later on this evening.
We are checking out of AKL this morning and will be checking into to Old Key West later. But, first we are heading over to Hollywood Studios to do a couple of attractions. We'll probably be grabbing counter service lunch at the Backlot Express.
Later, we will be taking the boat back over to EPCOT and touring the rest of World Showcase. We have dinner reservations at Tutto Italia.
The weather is a tad more overcast this morning, but still pretty nice. It is also a bit cooler this morning than previous mornings.
Another report is coming later on this evening.
Launchpad11B
<font color=blue>DW thinks he's a <i>Manly Man</i>
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2007
Great live TR ADP.
We love AKL. Your updates are awesome. I can't wait to hear about Tutto Italia. Have a great day!
We love AKL. Your updates are awesome. I can't wait to hear about Tutto Italia. Have a great day!beachwarmer
<font color=deeppink>Thanks very much for the extr
- Joined
- May 12, 2000
Thanks so much for the pictures. The grass looks so green and the flowers so bright......so much different from the white snow I see.
Thanks again for the live trip report. It is fun to read. Enjoy your day today at the Studios and Epcot.
Thanks again for the live trip report. It is fun to read. Enjoy your day today at the Studios and Epcot.
robertgp124
DIS Addict
- Joined
- May 19, 2003
Thanks, ADP. This is such a neat thread. I look for your updates every time I come to the site. It's as entertaining as the blog!
IWISHFORDISNEY
<font color=darkorchid>Cant get enough of the mous
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2004
Thanks for the update. I cant wait to hear about Tutu Italia (sp) and see some pics of OKW my boss always tells me to stay there. I will be curious to hear all about it. Have a fun day!!
CdnDisneyLuvr
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2008
How are the crowds?
calypso*a*go-go
<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis-sponsor/" targ
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2003
Great trip report Aaron!!! We got back late last night and I've been catching up on all the pages I missed. Hope you enjoy OKW as much as we did during our last visit.
alaskanmommy
Alaskan Disney Fanatic
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2006
Sounds like another great day!! Nice report and keep it up!! BTW, love Anna's facepaint!! 
mommyceratops
<font color=red>Covets Clown School<br><font color
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2006
Thanks for doing this!!
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