12 Days in Florida -- Disney World and Marco Island

[KatMark]

Mark and his hats could be a thread all its own!

I read your post to Mark and he said "I better try on more hats next year."

Okay, I'll finish the rest of our visit to the Poly and the MK and the ride to Marco Island tomorrow. I'm wiped out...stayed up to watch the Packers/Vikings game last night and it was on past my bedtime. Although a diehard Bears fan, I LOVE Brett Favre and had to watch him play against his former team.

Night everyone.

 

[KatMark]

Part II Tuesday, September 22

So we got on the monorail and went over to the Poly to just walk around outside and stop in the gift shop (I have an old, dear friend who loves Tigger and I was having a hard time finding him anything that I knew he didn't have from my previous gifts; I finally found this adorable Tigger with a clock in his tail for his desk at his office).

I only took a few snapshots at the Poly:

Waiting for the monorail to go back to the MK:

So we got back on the monorail to go back to the MK:

We walked through the gates and we saw Chip and Dale with NO one around them:

Some nice ladies walking by asked if we'd like a picture together (how sweet...I do this all of the time but seldom do we get asked ):

The Band was going by as we started over toward The Plaza:

We arrived at The Plaza, checked in and sat outside until they had our table ready (we were a few minutes early). We waited less than five minutes when our beeper went off and we were escorted to our table.

Mark and I decided to both have the Plaza Club Sandwich, but I made him order his with chips and I got the fries (I love their chips, but I also love their fries--I think they are the best fries in all of Disney -- and I wanted some of both):

Mark wanted chocolate ice cream for dessert and I wanted my Hot Fudge Sundae--minus the whip cream and cherry (they gave me extra Hot Fudge ).

We paid the bill and made a quick run to the bathroom and then heard that the parade was going to start so we decided to stick around and see it before we left to drive to Marco (we'd not seen the new parade up to this point). I ran over to get my popcorn for the road and then met Mark back at the tables outside of the Plaza to watch the parade.

Continued in next post.

 

[KatMark]

We didn't have a front row seat to the parade but we could see quite a bit going on. Here are some pictures I took as the parade passed.

This one was taken for Mark--can you tell why?

As we sat watching the parade and I watched the eyes light up of the young kids, I decided to continue with something I had done last year when my dad died...a new tradition.

My dad always bought the kids a balloon wherever we went--Disney, the zoo, Six Flags, etc. So last year, I bought a balloon and presented it to a young child. I tried explaining to the parents last year why I was doing it, but being that my dad had died only three weeks before that, I was having a hard time through the tears getting it out so my darling Mark had to explain. This year, I bought another balloon and as we were walking down Main Street and arrived right before you can turn left or right to exit, I found a little girl in a stroller; I stopped her parents and said, "Excuse me, but could you spare me a minute." I explained the story and they were very touched and asked me what my dad's name was and said they would say a prayer for him, etc.; they had their little girl get out of the stroller to give me a hug for the balloon. I'm sure that little girl had no idea what was going on, but I left with a good feeling and I blew a kiss up to heaven as we left the MK.

I saw this last year and thought it was so neat:

We took the Ferry Boat to the TTC and I took a picture of the new Bay Lakes Tower. No offense to anyone, but I don't care for it. It looks like any office building I could see in downtown Chicago where I work and I just am not into the "fancy" resorts. But...that's just me:

Mark's and my last picture together at Disney this year:

We took the tram to the car and started our drive to Marco Island.

And this is the sign I hate the most at Disney:

I'll do Marco Island tonight (I thought I had started uploading those pictures but I hadn't).

 

[heaven2dc]

Aww.....I can't believe your trip is over (at least the WDW portion) I loved all of your pics (esp of the hats - really cute!). That was truly a sweet thing you did giving the balloon to that little girl - I can imagine how bittersweet it was for you and a truly wonderful tradition in memory of your dad Looks like you had a great time at WDW and can't wait to see photopass pics and your Marco Island pics!

 

[karibritt01]

I love the story about the balloon... what a wonderful tradition! I'm glad your WDW portion of the trip was so magical. Can't wait to read about Marco Island.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Morning Kathy,

I was several updates behind but you know my family health issues so I know you'll forgive me. I can't believe that your time at Disney went sooooo fast! You got some really great pictures and I especially love the ones of the Magic Kingdom all done up in orange. I teared up when you bought the balloon for the little girl. How sweet!

Looking forward to reading all about Marco Island.

Have a great day, Lisa

 

[Amy&Dan]

Oh Kathy, the balloon thing is so sweet and it made me cry! Even though time does heal a bit, it never really gets that much easier does it? I am just so glad you and Mark go to go, you guys need a much longer trip next time! I can't wait to read about Marco Island, that is where we took my mom for her 70th birthday so its really special to me!

 

[KatMark]

Aww.....I can't believe your trip is over (at least the WDW portion) I loved all of your pics (esp of the hats - really cute!). That was truly a sweet thing you did giving the balloon to that little girl - I can imagine how bittersweet it was for you and a truly wonderful tradition in memory of your dad Looks like you had a great time at WDW and can't wait to see photopass pics and your Marco Island pics!

Thanks...I'm glad you enjoyed. My husband is truly a kid at heart and has a blast doing silly things at Disney.

I love the story about the balloon... what a wonderful tradition! I'm glad your WDW portion of the trip was so magical. Can't wait to read about Marco Island.

Thanks, Kari.

Morning Kathy,

I was several updates behind but you know my family health issues so I know you'll forgive me. I can't believe that your time at Disney went sooooo fast! You got some really great pictures and I especially love the ones of the Magic Kingdom all done up in orange. I teared up when you bought the balloon for the little girl. How sweet!

Looking forward to reading all about Marco Island.

Have a great day, Lisa

You know that I totally understand. How is mama? And how is BIL doing (I've not been able to get over to your report today)? I'm glad you are enujoying. Yes, the Disney part went WAY too fast...but at the end of the report (after Marco Island) you'll see our night at Downtown Disney and our breakfast at Boma before going to the airport.

Oh Kathy, the balloon thing is so sweet and it made me cry! Even though time does heal a bit, it never really gets that much easier does it? I am just so glad you and Mark go to go, you guys need a much longer trip next time! I can't wait to read about Marco Island, that is where we took my mom for her 70th birthday so its really special to me!

Thanks, Amy. I didn't mean to make you cry...but you and I shared a similar story last year and I know you know how I feel.

Marco was beautiful and we loved it. I promise to get on it tonight.

 

[Elevationist]

Thank you for sharing such a personal moment with us, Kathy. What you've done with the balloons last year and this, it is truly moving. I am certain your father smiles down from heaven at your lovely, selfless tribute to his memory.

Albeit brief, it looks like you and Mark had a really wonderful visit home! I hope you'll be back at WDW and CSR soon!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Aww, I am sorry to see your WDW TR end.....the pics are so wonderful, Kathy...that last one with you and Mark brought tears when I read it was your last picture at Disney this year. I am so, so happy you were able to go afterall - what a special trip.

And now on to Marco Island!!! Looking forward to reading all about it.

 

[rie'smom]

Part II -- Monday, September 21

I had been telling Mark before the trip about this School Bread that everyone talks about and so he decided that we should try it. He liked it a lot and he is not a big fan of coconut; I took one bite and didn't care for it all (I personally hate coconut and I hate any kind of pastry that has gooey stuff inside of it).

Loving the trip report!!!! Great pictures. I have never heard of school bread before and because I LOVE coconut, I will have to try this in a few weeks. Thanks for the heads up!

Mark and his hats could be a thread all its own!

Hey Kat, you're right! Kat MArk Kat, next trip, we need a Mark's hats trip report!!!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

WOW!!! More great days!!!
It looks like I need to watch the parade, since my DUMBO is in it!

And I'm at the balloon story, even though I knew it was coming this time! So sweet!

I agree with TigerKat, we need a Mark's Hat Tr next time!

Can't wait to hear about Marco Island!

 

[TigerKat]

Girl, you've got me in tears now. I think the balloon tradition is a great one, I do something with balloons in honor of my parents as well.

I agree, the fries at The Plaza are THE BEST!

 

[KatMark]

Aww.....I can't believe your trip is over (at least the WDW portion) I loved all of your pics (esp of the hats - really cute!). That was truly a sweet thing you did giving the balloon to that little girl - I can imagine how bittersweet it was for you and a truly wonderful tradition in memory of your dad Looks like you had a great time at WDW and can't wait to see photopass pics and your Marco Island pics!

Thanks. We did have a great time. I was amazed how much we got done...but like I said--no lines!

I love the story about the balloon... what a wonderful tradition! I'm glad your WDW portion of the trip was so magical. Can't wait to read about Marco Island.

Part 1 coming up tonight on Marco.

Thank you for sharing such a personal moment with us, Kathy. What you've done with the balloons last year and this, it is truly moving. I am certain your father smiles down from heaven at your lovely, selfless tribute to his memory.

Albeit brief, it looks like you and Mark had a really wonderful visit home! I hope you'll be back at WDW and CSR soon!

We had a great visit home...but we always do. CSR has always been good to and for us.

I agree...I think Dad was smiling down and saying "I raised my little girl well."

Aww, I am sorry to see your WDW TR end.....the pics are so wonderful, Kathy...that last one with you and Mark brought tears when I read it was your last picture at Disney this year. I am so, so happy you were able to go afterall - what a special trip.

And now on to Marco Island!!! Looking forward to reading all about it.

Will start Marco Island tonight and hopefully get a couple of days up right away.

Loving the trip report!!!! Great pictures. I have never heard of school bread before and because I LOVE coconut, I will have to try this in a few weeks. Thanks for the heads up!


Hey Kat, you're right! Kat MArk Kat, next trip, we need a Mark's hats
trip report!!!

I can't believe you never heard of School Bread. If you like coconut, you will probably enjoy.

Mark's Hats Trip Report is getting awfully popular.

WOW!!! More great days!!!
It looks like I need to watch the parade, since my DUMBO is in it!

And I'm at the balloon story, even though I knew it was coming this time! So sweet!

I agree with TigerKat, we need a Mark's Hat Tr next time!

Can't wait to hear about Marco Island!

You and Mark would get along great...he does love his Dumbo. He was watching a special on public television last night about elephants.

Girl, you've got me in tears now. I think the balloon tradition is a great one, I do something with balloons in honor of my parents as well.

I agree, the fries at The Plaza are THE BEST!

I don't know what they do with their fries at The Plaza--but YUM YUM YUM!

 

[Sorcerer Fan]

All I can say is WOW! what a fantasic report so far
I'm so glad your stay at WDW/CSR was so magical
I have to agree with the others, loving Mark and his hats.... definitely needs to be part of all future reports

Now I'm off to play catch-up on your dining review

 

[Amy&Dan]

Ahh, school bread. Sorry you didn't like it, but for sure if you don't like coconut or cream filled pastries, it would be a no go!

You are also right about the Plaza fries, no idea why but they are so dellish. I am glad you guys went to Sci Fi, that's our favorite.

Can't wait to hear about Marco, I haven't been in four years so it will be nice to see some recent photos.

 

[KatMark]

Marco Island -- September 22 until the a.m. of September 28

We arrived in Marco Island around 8:30 at night. We found the condo, a beautiful two-bedroom, two-bath condo on the second floor. We brought up our luggage, checked to see what type of groceries, toiletries, etc., we might need and went to the Publix. When we got Mark made a PBJ sandwich so that he could take his pill; while he was eating, I unpacked and then went to sit on the patio and just relax for awhile.

I took a few pictures of inside the condo:

We went to bed early because it had been a long day in the heat/humidity and the long drive to Marco Island without stopping.

On Wednesday, we got up around 9:00 -- we decided not to set an alarm for a day. We had breakfast on the patio of the condo. We saw dolphins every morning while sitting on the patio. Unfortunately, they were too far away for me to get a picture.

Views from the patio:

We then went down to the pool. There were two pools--one a tad larger than the other--the larger one was by the tennis court and the smaller one near the furthest building and overlooking the water. We had the pool all to ourselves (this would be the way it was the entire time we were there with the exception of one day when one lady came down for an hour and the day we had the bird in the pool--more on that later).

We spent several hours at the pool.

We then had lunch back on the patio and then went to the other pool. We saw this bird on the way to the pool:

Some of the flowers on the property:

We went to a place for dinner called Captain Brien's. It was okay...but overpriced.

Mark and I got a beer and took a walk on the dock to look at the big fish and watch for dolphins.

On Thursday, the day was the same as Wednesday. Pool and then lunch on the patio and then back to the pool. We went to dinner at the Sand Bar which turned out to be our favorite meal of the trip in Marco.

Every night we were there, it would pour around 7:00 and then stop and then pour again around 9:00 at night. Every morning, there would be puddles like this outside the patio window with these birds:

Continued in next post.

 

[KatMark]

Marco Island continued:

On Friday and Saturday, we went to the beach. It is about a 15-minute walk from the condo, but because it was so hot and humid, we decided to drive and park the car.

Some photos from the beach:

And these were the Saturday photos on the beach:

Mark's favorite bird:

Friday night we went to CJ's on the Bay--a very good restaurant and we saw dolphins swimming while we sat outside to eat.

On Saturday, we went to Breakfast Plus--not bad, reasonable prices--but I preferred Waffle House.

In the afternoon, we got to meet the Food Queen of the DIS, Nicki (of MickeyNicki). We had hoped to have lunch one day but she had a family situation and so we decided to meet at the Starbucks for coffee before Mark and I went to dinner:

We talked and laughed for over 90 minutes. You really would have thought we had known each other forver and had not just met in person and had only talked here on the DIS. We had a blast and I was sorry to see the time end. We are hoping to meet Nicki & Todd (her husand) next year for the Food & Wine Festival by pushing our trip back a couple of weeks.

We went to dinner at the Snook Inn. Mark's meal ws really good; I had fried scallops--the scallops themselves were good but the breading tasted like it had sat in oil for 24 hours--greasy as all sin. YUK.

On Sunday, we did the pool by the condo rather than go to the beach. I only went for awhile as I had to clean the condo, do the laundry, etc.

As I mentioned earlier, we had the pool to ourselves except for an hour with one woman and one day with a bird. Here's the bird (hope you can see him...Mark went very quietly through the water and got very close to him and he never moved):

On his way back upstairs from the pool (I was already upstairs having cleaned and did laundry and showered), Mark saw the following:

An iguana -- which he had seen at the pool the day before and a manatee in the water right by the dock.

We went to Dinner at Cocomos Grill -- very good food and not very expensive.

A few more pictures from around the condo property:

Bed was by 10:30 as we were leaving Marco around 7:30 on Monday morning to head back to Orlando.

As much as we love Disney, it was really nice being able to relax for five days and just chill; I was able to read a full book without too many interruptions, got to see dolphins and manatee in their natural habitat. It really was very nice and it is a beautiful area of Florida.

Next installment -- back in Orlando, Downtown Disney on Monday night and another DIS meeting and breakfast at Boma on Tuesday and another DIS meeting

 

[TigerKat]

Your Marco Island pics are awesome, especially the ones with Nick!

 

[Panotchr]

Gotta say... I love the " Old Guys Rock " shirt. And the pictures are so good. I grew up in Florida and would love to be back there again. We used to swim with the manatees at a state park in Florida called Blue Springs. It was so neat. Lots of years ago, though.

I love, love, love the TR. xoxoxo