WDW Day 2

Sunday, August 16

Highlights: Epcot, Whispering Canyon Cafe

Up early on a weekend to head to Epcot Center. One of my favorites. We took the bus to the park for Extra Magic Hours and started at Future World. We made sure to head to Spaceship Earth first because it had been refurbished and I cannot remember the last time we actually rode it. We enjoyed the end when our photos got placed on cartoons that we could email to ourselves. Then we scooped up fast passes for Test Track but headed to Soarin'. I do love that ride but didn't wear flip-flops so the wind couldn't blow through my toes. The scents and the breeze are my favorite parts of that ride. 

Then we headed back to the other side of Future World and did Energy, Mission Space, and by that time, our fast passes were ready for Test Track. We were done with all of Future World that we cared about by 1 p.m. and were shocked. So then we traveled to the countries, which I love.

We started from Mexico but just viewed the countries from the outside because we were starving. My Dad said we never ate lunch in the countries and decided on China for our midday meal (I would have chosen the Electric Umbrella if anyone asked me, but have to branch out). I ordered the vegetable stir-fry and was very displeased. Tofu lovers would be happy with this dish but I think tofu tastes like a dish sponge so I was not a fan. Good thing Mom got a funnel cake in the U.S. and AR got a Grand Marnier smoothy in France. I mooched off of both. My Dad actually saw a friend of his from back in NY while in France. What are the chances? The only country attraction we partook in was America and we saw the Voices of Liberty while we waited for the show to begin. They can make some crazy faces while singing but have very beautiful and powerful voices. I enjoy their rendition of Oh Susanna when they make banjo noises with their mouths. It is great. Then the American Adventure show made me get a little misty, especially when I saw the images of 9-11. Good thing it was dark in there or I would have been made fun of. 

After America, we walked through the other countries and did a little shopping. We stopped at the Rose & Crown, of course. I love it there. I ordered a Cider & Black because I love Strongbow, TK ordered a Black & Tan, and UG, CG, and Dad ordered beers. We never eat there, but we do drink! After we finished our beers, we headed to Innoventions to see if the characters were there for our Disney Visa photo shoot, and THEY WERE! We took pictures with Mickey and Pluto, and they even made TK get down on one knee like he was proposing to me ... again. He was embarrassed. Then we left the park to return to our resort.

After relaxing for a little bit, we got ready for dinner and headed to the Wilderness Lodge. I had never been there but knew exactly what I wanted to see when I walked in: the humongous fireplace, Humphrey the Bear at the bottom of the totem pole so I could rub his nose, and the Fire Rock Geyser. I checked in at the podium and waited forever, but that just meant I had enough time to sightsee and to build my ravenous hunger. After sitting on a rocking chair in front of the fireplace for a bit, TK and I took a walk to see the geyser and it went off just two minutes after we got over there. I felt kind of lucky. The Wilderness Lodge is just immense and amazing. It is a huge atrium with wood carvings, dark fabrics, and a rock formation pool. If I had the money, I would choose to stay there. Then, my pager went off.

We ordered our drinks, which came in a mason jar, and the skillet. It began with a bowl of salad, cole slaw, and cornbread. The salad had a wonderfully tart vinaigrette dressing that I really enjoyed. Then they brought the big bowl of meat. It had pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and chicken. The pulled pork was my favorite and the ribs weren't messy enough for me. The skillet also came with beans and mashed potatoes. TK is a mashed potato aficionado and he thought they were some of the best he has ever had. Then the games began. CG asked for one too many sodas so the waitress brought him a huge jug of Coke Zero. Then he tossed AM's fork on the floor and the waitress brought over a huge wooden fork. We were cracking up but were prepared for the antics. After we filled our bellies and said, "see y'all" to the Wilderness Lodge, we returned to our room and played cards well into the night. Tomorrow we are going fishing.

Disney Trip Report

It has been a week and a half since I returned from Florida and Walt Disney World. It just went too fast because we only stayed for eight days. We had a great time and laughed a lot. Read on to find out what we did every day. Here is my first installment...

Participants:

TK = My husband

Mom

Dad

AR = Aunt Rosie

UG = Uncle George

CG = Cousin George
AA = Aunt Annie
AM = Aunt Marie

Saturday, August 15

Highlights: Saratoga Springs, Turf Club, Jellyrolls

Our flight was pretty early to Orlando so when we arrived it was about 11 a.m. We went on the Magical Express and left our bags for the ME to collect for us. We headed straight to Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to check in and see when our room would be ready. None of our family was there yet. Our room was not ready so we decided to go to the Artist's Palette and have lunch. I had the Toga Wrap and New England Clam Chowder. The chowder was watery but the wrap was delicious, so I made a mental note that if we had to eat lunch at the resort again, I would repeat this experience. We purchased the refillable mugs, which we bought at a discount because my Dad is a Tables in Wonderland dining discount cardholder. Big plus! 

Another big plus was the appearance of Coke Zero as a choice of beverage. Then we changed into our bathing suits, which we wisely stowed in our carry-ons, and enjoyed the High Rock Springs main pool. It is a rocky zero-entry pool with a slide. I went down the slide and my dad waited for me at the end. All of the other parents were gathered around waiting to see their children come down and here I came, almost 30 years old. It was fun though! Then my mother and I took a dip in the jacuzzi. TK wouldn't go in the pool because he was relaxing, so he decided we should get a drink up at the pool bar. Then Dad told us that UG and AR arrived, so we headed back to the lobby to greet them. They were able to get their room and I was able to transfer mine and TK's tickets to our room key so we only had to carry around one card. So, we waited for our room to be ready in UG and AR's room. We got to see what our two-bedroom suite looked like and I listened to my iPod chock full of Disney songs while I sat on the balcony. 

We finally got our room and our luggage so we could get ready to go to our dinner reservation at Turf Club Bar & Grill, which was located in our resort. At dinner, I shared the steamed mussels and tomato bisque appetizer with TK. It had the right amount of tang and creaminess, and the goat cheese was a great touch. For my entree, I had prime rib which was very moist and Yukon mashed potatoes which were tasty. After dinner, TK and I ordered the apple pie dessert and then we headed to Jellyrolls at the Boardwalk Resort. It is a dueling pianos bar where the audience can request songs and sing along to well-known tunes. TK kept telling me to request ridiculous songs like One by Metallica and Bawitaba by Kid Rock. I had just arrived at Disney so, I decided to wait a little while before being embarrassed. They played the Unicorn Dance song and everyone got up like they knew the words and the dance but, I just improvised. A bunch of my family members ordered some Sex on the Beach drink that was 32 ounces and looked like it came in a bucket. I just ordered a few Blue Moons. When they discovered the drink was too sweet, they kept pouring it into my AM's cup when she wasn't looking. She wondered how her drink was so full and walked in a zig-zag to the bathroom as we giggled watching her. So the jokes and antics began ...We went "home" soon after I had scream-sang to enough songs to give TK a headache. We were ready to get to the parks the next day with Epcot first on the list.