Trip Report Day 9: 11/30/13

Rapunzel's Tower

Unfortunately, it was our last full day of fun at Walt Disney World, so we went back to the Magic Kingdom so Jax could get on some rides. We started out at the Main Street Bakery for breakfast and then we were able to get on the Tomorrowland Speedway, but Jax wasn't tall enough to ride. I thought he would be, but he still had like half an inch to go. He watched us drive around, but he was able to get on Dumbo, the new Journey with the Little Mermaid and the Mad Tea Party.

Since the park was not packed yet, we were able to grab lunch at Be Our Guest, which we were worried that we wouldn't be able visit this trip because of its popularity. The food was good, but the three dining rooms were the real draw. One was dark, one was lavish and the other had snow coming down outside the window. They did a great job with the theme of the restaurant and it really helped tell the story. They even had the Beast's rose in the corner of the dark room.

While Jax napped, we were able to go to the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents. When we were done, we enjoyed some sweet treats at the Sleepy Hollow and I had the Nutella Waffle Sandwich and HOLY SMOKES, it was good. The only thing that would have added to the deliciousness would be a little whipped cream. We headed back to the hotel because MK was really getting crowded and we were able to do what we wanted. The only rides I missed were Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad, but I know them and I'll make sure to hit them first on our next trip.

Be Our Guest Dining Room

At the hotel, I changed Jax into his bathing suit and Dad and I took him to the water play area by the pool. He had a great time splashing around and getting soaked until he started to get cold. We went back to the room so I could dry him off and change his clothes. I changed my clothes too and we went for a walk around the resort to see the animals on the savannah. Jax was more interested in the lights on the floor, but we had some time to kill, so we hung out in the lobby, watched cartoons for a little and then went back to the room to scoop everyone up.

Paige and Georgie drove their own cars to the hotel, so we drove over to Downtown Disney for our dinner reservation at Bongos. Parking was a nightmare, so we got dropped off at the entrance to Pleasure Island so that we would not miss our reservation time. I went straight to check us in, but they wanted to give us a table outside. It was cold and Jax was with us, so I refused that and told them that we would wait for the next available table indoors. Tom and I got a couple of cocktails and waited it out. So, 35 minutes later when our whole party joined us, we were seated. We got appetizers and entrees, but we wanted dessert elsewhere. Georgie got a pretty amazing dinner, but it ended up being $75. We were shocked, but when something says Market Price, well, it is not going to be cheap.

$75 Paella for Two

We hit the Lego Store afterward because I wanted to buy more of those cool keychains for people at home. Tom had Mom and I go into World of Disney when we were done to look for Vera Bradley bags, but they only had duffles left, and I already have one and Mom didn't want one. Everyone was ready to leave, so we did ... without a Gold Rush from Ghirardelli. No ice cream on this trip. No Classic Mickey Bars. Nothing! And, we are leaving tomorrow. Boo.

Trip Report Day 6: 11/27/13

Today, we woke up when we wanted and waited for my aunts to arrive. When they did, we were supposed to attend "Welcome Home Wednesday" for DVC members, but we didn't know it was in another hotel, so we decided to skip it and head to Downtown Disney for lunch.

We always love Earl of Sandwich, so that is where we started out. One time we even visited the Earl twice in one trip. The sandwiches are cheap and delicious. I think is where you can get your most inexpensive lunch on all of the property, but correct me if I'm wrong. We went shopping after lunch and Tom, Jax and I stopped into the Lego store for the first time. I always walk by it, but never shop. We ended up buying Jackson a Duplo Cars set and I found these really cool Lego figure keychains. We also popped by Raglan Road during their happy hour, but we were obviously pushing Jax in his stroller, so we took our beers to go and headed to West Side.

Fortunately, we were able to let Jax run around a little bit in a small area across from Candy Cauldron. By then, we all met up to discuss what our next plan was. I went shopping in Wet Seal really fast because there was a buy one, get one 70 percent off sale, so I had to stop in. I ended up buying a Mickey Mouse t-shirt and, since it was BOGO, I got a Biggie Smalls tank top (I thought it was pretty interesting). When I was done, I came out and Tom and Mom told me that they stopped into Splitsville to see if we could go there for dinner and bowling, but for 11 people, it would near $500 to do so. Also, we stopped into Paradiso 37 and they could seat us, but we all decided to head back to the resort for dinner.

My family wanted to have Chinese food delivered, so I got them the phone numbers. There was no way I would be eating Florida Chinese food, especially on vacation. No offense to Chinese food restaurants in Florida, but it is just not the same as New York Chinese food. Sorry. So, Tom and I decided that we would head downstairs to Sanaa for a little dinner date and some African fare. Our waitress at Sanaa was awesome. Her name was Stacey and she was from Boston, and I noticed it before she told me by the way she said garlic (gah-lic). She asked if we were from Boston too because we have accents, but we are from Lawn Guyland (Long Island). The meal broadened our horizons and we listened to Stacey's recommendations on almost everything. After dinner, we went back to the room and wrangled up some others to head down to the arcade for some Guitar Hero and air hockey to end the night.

WDW Day 7

Friday, August 21, 2009
Highlights: Disney's Hollywood Studios, House of Blues, Downtown Disney, Ghirardelli

The number one objective for Hollywood Studios was to ride Toy Story Mania before all the fast passes ran out. We entered the park and headed straight for the attraction in Pixar Place. There was an enormous line just to get fast passes and they limited it to one person per party to obtain them. Of course, that was me. Who else cares that much? So, fast passes were pocketed and some of us headed to Rockin' Rollercoaster to get it in early and the others rode the Great Movie Ride. I really love the speed of the initial blast off and the fact that the whole ride runs with a soundtrack. I wonder if "Love in an Elevator" is the only song that plays while you ride?? (Let me know.) It is my favorite coaster for that reason. Afterward, we went to Starring Rolls Cafe to grab a quick bite because us youngsters did not have breakfast. The chocolate muffin was yummo. Then we all headed to the Chronicles of Narnia attraction which was a big waste of time even though I like the movie. Then we decided to head through One Man's Dream that we all love because it reminds us where Walt Disney World came from and shows us the man behind all that makes us happy. The Magic of Disney Animation is a favorite too because I am an artist even though I do not play one on TV. I wanted to be a cartoonist when I was a kid and now I just do graphic design and draw here and there. We got to see a trailer for Disney's next animated feature, "The Princess and the Frog," and it looks good. I have a profound appreciation for the art of Disney. It is still a dream of mine to create for them. So, after dreaming and being awe-inspired, we headed to American Idol Experience to check out this new attraction. Of the three people that performed, the girl who won was the best. It was cool to vote and be closer to the process than you are at home. After the show we headed to Toy Story Mania to finally ride and it was awesome. We all had so much fun. Then we headed to Muppetvision 3-D and then to Pizza Planet for lunch. After lunch CG, TK and I tried to get on Rockin' Rollercoaster again and the parents all went to the Backlot Tour. Of course the wait was too long so, we enjoyed shakes at Min & Bill's. Finally, we decided to go back to the resort and the parents went to see the Beauty and the Beast show.

At the resort, we relaxed and then got ready for our dinner reservation at House of Blues. We took the bus to Downtown Disney and it started to pour so, we all put ponchos over our heads and made it to House of Blues with minimal damage to our ensembles. To begin, I had a Flirtarita and shared the crab and artichoke dip with Mom. Then for my entree I had a Cobb salad which was enormous. After dinner we trekked back through West Side, Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney until we got to the World of Disney Store. I really wanted to ride Characters in Flight but the weather would not permit it. While walking around the store aimlessly, I realized I didn't see anyone I was with and headed back to the room. We closed out the night by playing a little cards. The next day was going to be a free-for-all so there was no particular time we had to awaken.

WDW Day 4

Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Highlights: Saratoga Springs Spa, Downtown Disney, Spirit of Aloha Luau

It is a great feeling when you wake up in the morning and know you are headed to a spa to get pampered and have the ability to concentrate on your personal health and wellness. That is how Tuesday began. Mom, AR and I headed to the spa for our appointment to relax and revitalize and TK, Dad, UG and CG headed to play golf at Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Mom and AR were receiving the Disney Vacation Club package that included a massage, a facial, a pedicure and a manicure. I signed up for the Mystical Forest Therapy which included a massage and reflexology. We were shown to our lockers and changed into the robes and slippers provided for us. Then we went to the lounge to wait for our separate appointments. My massage was nice. She covered my back, neck and head. Then she started on the reflexology which focuses on your feet. I felt bad for Amanda, who was my masseuse because she had to rub my feet after a day at Epcot and a day at Typhoon Lagoon. My piggies were not looking or feeling their best. She used a special Mystical Forest Lotion that smelled like mint and a garden after it had rained. She even gave me the remainder in a little cup so I could use it for the next few days. After my services were done I went back to the locker room to wait for Mom and AR to finish. I knew it would be about an hour until they were done so I put my bathing suit on and enjoyed the sauna (so hot), steam room (could barely breathe) and the jacuzzi (lovely). I enjoyed each twice and showered before I went in the jacuzzi each time. Then I sat on a chaise lounge with a magazine about rich Floridians and pretended I could afford to visit the spa once a week. One can dream, especially in Disney. Finally the ladies were done and I showered for the last time, washed my hair, did my hair and got ready to go, using all of their complementary toiletries of course. Then we headed back to our respective rooms to drop off our bathing suits and prepare for a little visit to Downtown Disney.

We walked to Downtown Disney and stopped at the Earl of Sandwich for lunch first. I got the Hawaiian BBQ sandwich and it came with grilled chicken, ham, pineapple, cheddar cheese (because I hate Swiss) and barbecue sauce. It was sooooo delicious. I also got a Strongbow cider to wash it down because I just love that stuff. It was pretty inexpensive for the sandwich but I had to be crazy and add an alcoholic beverage and a bag of salt and vinegar potato chips to it so it got a little more pricey. Then we trolled around the shops and found ourselves heading into Ghirardelli for a little ice cream. We weren't hungry enough for a sundae so we all got cones and kept walking. I had Rocky Road and it had real mini-marshmallows in it. The only negative was that it started melting immediately after exiting the ice cream shop. It even dripped on my flip flops at one point. Oops!

When we returned to the room, the guys were already there and we all started to get ready for the luau. We were all decked out in Hawaiian gear. TK and I even had ensembles straight from our Hawaiian honeymoon. When we got to the Polynesian resort I was excited to cross an item off of my life list: Drink a cocktail out of an actual pineapple. They sell a drink at the Tambu Lounge in the Polynesian resort called Lapu Lapu that is served in a pineapple. TK and I bought one for everyone which cost us a small fortune (even with the Tables in Wonderland discount) and then we all headed to the luau pavilion. We received itchy yellow flower leis, which I inherited from the rest of my family because they couldn't take the itchiness around their necks, and took a family photo upon walking in. I completely loved the show and the food. The pineapple bread was so soft and sweet and the salad was so tart and tangy that I would have been content eating them all night but knew that the ribs were on their way. The ribs were moist and delicious, much better than the ribs we had prior at Whispering Canyon. We also had veggies, chicken and rice. I enjoyed the fact that the Bud Light was all you could drink and did just that. The dessert was a little volcano called a Kilauea Volcano Delight and a delight it was not. I was not a fan. The show was great though and I strategically went to the bathroom at the exact time they asked if there were any couples celebrating an anniversary. I have gotten pretty good at avoiding eye contact at attractions as to not get chosen to participate in any embarrassing stunts. CG actually called me on it during the luau but it still worked. I saw an actual Hawaiian luau in Maui on my honeymoon and enjoyed Disney's version slightly more. I mean it was amazing just being in Maui but Disney just made their luau more fun. So, after the luau and the numerous photos in front of the Polynesian foliage, we headed back to the room to get to bed before our next day at Animal Kingdom. Aloha!!