15 Years of Magic- see the page 6 for more pics and page 7 for more!
- Thread starter goodferry
- Start date
I'm glad you guys are enjoying the report, it's fun to do!
Anyway, after some more free drinks from the lounge, we headed to the boat to MGM. The captain noticed our Pittsburgh Steelers shirts and talked football the whole trip, so Matt didn't notice that we could be walking faster than this, I was just glad to be sitting.
Once inside I dragged Matt over to another Photopass guy who took about a hundred pictures, Matt was just thrilled. Didn't we have enough pictures of us together yet? Wait until we get to Thursday!
We were both still feeling a little bummed about the whole engine blowing up incident, so we headed to the Rock N Roller Coaster and got a fast pass, then we saw that there was no stand by line because the ride had been broken down this afternoon and had just started up. So we got on and rode two more times, no wait. We never did end up using the fast passes later on that evening.
Matt was so thrilled that I liked his favorite ride so much that he cheered up and put the whole engine thing behind him. We strolled (when I say stroll, you know that is what I wish we were doing, we were actually walking about 5 mph) over to Mama Melrose. It is really tucked out of the way, if we hadn't eaten at Pizza Planet earlier and noticed it then, I might have had a hard time finding it.
We were five minutes early, so they took our names and I sat at the counter to watch the chefs make flat bread while Matt ran to the restroom. He comes out and his face is bright red and he is laughing hysterically. He had accidently used the ladies room. He thought it strange when there were no urinals ( I have no idea if that is the correct spelling) but he didn't figure it out until he saw the little machine selling feminine products. I told you he wasn't fit for polite society.
Our table was ready as we were both still laughing about the poor woman in the next stall who must have wondered why that other woman had such hairy legs and how she peed when her feet were facing the toilet.
We had a very nice waitress who explained the menu carefully to us and said not to worry if we saw something we might like but didn't care for one of the ingredients, they would be more than happy to accomodate us. Matt was glad to hear that because he was eyeing a seafood pasta dish that had calamari in it and he doesn't care for calamari. So he ordered it and I got the Penne a la Vodka, we got a flat bread and we both ordered the wine flight. I enjoyed it, he didn't. I don't know why he ordered it, he doesn't really like wine.
Anyway, this seemed like a good time to take his picture.
He didn't think so. I told him I just needed proof to show his mom that he was sitting in a restaurant with his hat on (that drives her nuts)
We both really enjoyed our dinners, and it was a nice break from all the protein I had been eating lately. For dinner Matt had the Rigotta Cheesecake and I had some warm chocolate cake which was awesome. Matt said his was just ok. I thought I had read that they only offered Tiramisu with the dining package, so I was excited since I don't care for Tiramisu.
After dinner, we still had a while until we had to sit for Fantasmic, so we shopped. We got Zoe all the potatoe head pieces we could find and got her a Mr. Potatoe Head on the way home, it was a huge hit, she loved it!
We found our way to our seats for Fantasmic, which required walking about 100 miles. It was our first time seeing the show, so we were both excited.
I was glad that we did the dining package, it meant we didn't have to arrive so early to get a seat, and what do we hate? Waiting and lines. The show was good, not as good as Wishes and Illuminations, but I know the kids will like this one, probably they will like this one the best.
The crowd leaving after Fantasmic was unreal, so we decided to walk back to the boardwalk. So we strolled along the path (and when I say stroll, what do I mean?) It is a nice walk, but I kept looking for alligators. Matt had an ulterior motive for making me speed walk to the boardwalk. If we hurried we would get to the lounge before they closed and he could get a beer.
So we get to the resort, hop on the elevator. I need to stop at the room to put my stuff down, so he leaves me and says to meet him there. Well of course, I am right behind him because it only takes a second to set my stuff down. I come around the corner to the lounge just in time to see him jump around the corner and yell "HEY" to the staff. They jumped, desserts went flying. They were all hysterical laughing. From here on out they loved us, or either that or they were afraid of us, hard to tell.
So Matt got his free beer, and I got a glass of wine and we had a couple of awesome little cheesecakes (the ones that didn't go flying) and we sat on our balcony to relax. We were able to see Wishes from our room, so we enjoyed that and then we remembered the game was still on.
So we watch the second half of the football game and watched the Steelers win and called home to check in. Overall, it was a good day.
So what did we learn today? The Friendship boats are very slow and hot, but better than walking; breakfast goes faster without four kids in tow; I can no longer be trusted with Fast Passes; the Rock N' Roller coaster is AWESOME; Pizza Planet, YUK, Mama Melrose, YUM; no matter how much we wished it would not happen, something blew up; Matt will do anything for his baby girl, even pose with characters and he must be escorted to the bathroom like a five year old; the whole picture thing is getting a little old; Fantasmic is good but not great; the Steelers rock and free drinks are still good.
Anyway, after some more free drinks from the lounge, we headed to the boat to MGM. The captain noticed our Pittsburgh Steelers shirts and talked football the whole trip, so Matt didn't notice that we could be walking faster than this, I was just glad to be sitting.
Once inside I dragged Matt over to another Photopass guy who took about a hundred pictures, Matt was just thrilled. Didn't we have enough pictures of us together yet? Wait until we get to Thursday!
We were both still feeling a little bummed about the whole engine blowing up incident, so we headed to the Rock N Roller Coaster and got a fast pass, then we saw that there was no stand by line because the ride had been broken down this afternoon and had just started up. So we got on and rode two more times, no wait. We never did end up using the fast passes later on that evening.
Matt was so thrilled that I liked his favorite ride so much that he cheered up and put the whole engine thing behind him. We strolled (when I say stroll, you know that is what I wish we were doing, we were actually walking about 5 mph) over to Mama Melrose. It is really tucked out of the way, if we hadn't eaten at Pizza Planet earlier and noticed it then, I might have had a hard time finding it.
We were five minutes early, so they took our names and I sat at the counter to watch the chefs make flat bread while Matt ran to the restroom. He comes out and his face is bright red and he is laughing hysterically. He had accidently used the ladies room. He thought it strange when there were no urinals ( I have no idea if that is the correct spelling) but he didn't figure it out until he saw the little machine selling feminine products. I told you he wasn't fit for polite society.
Our table was ready as we were both still laughing about the poor woman in the next stall who must have wondered why that other woman had such hairy legs and how she peed when her feet were facing the toilet.
We had a very nice waitress who explained the menu carefully to us and said not to worry if we saw something we might like but didn't care for one of the ingredients, they would be more than happy to accomodate us. Matt was glad to hear that because he was eyeing a seafood pasta dish that had calamari in it and he doesn't care for calamari. So he ordered it and I got the Penne a la Vodka, we got a flat bread and we both ordered the wine flight. I enjoyed it, he didn't. I don't know why he ordered it, he doesn't really like wine.
Anyway, this seemed like a good time to take his picture.
He didn't think so. I told him I just needed proof to show his mom that he was sitting in a restaurant with his hat on (that drives her nuts)
We both really enjoyed our dinners, and it was a nice break from all the protein I had been eating lately. For dinner Matt had the Rigotta Cheesecake and I had some warm chocolate cake which was awesome. Matt said his was just ok. I thought I had read that they only offered Tiramisu with the dining package, so I was excited since I don't care for Tiramisu.
After dinner, we still had a while until we had to sit for Fantasmic, so we shopped. We got Zoe all the potatoe head pieces we could find and got her a Mr. Potatoe Head on the way home, it was a huge hit, she loved it!
We found our way to our seats for Fantasmic, which required walking about 100 miles. It was our first time seeing the show, so we were both excited.
I was glad that we did the dining package, it meant we didn't have to arrive so early to get a seat, and what do we hate? Waiting and lines. The show was good, not as good as Wishes and Illuminations, but I know the kids will like this one, probably they will like this one the best.
The crowd leaving after Fantasmic was unreal, so we decided to walk back to the boardwalk. So we strolled along the path (and when I say stroll, what do I mean?) It is a nice walk, but I kept looking for alligators. Matt had an ulterior motive for making me speed walk to the boardwalk. If we hurried we would get to the lounge before they closed and he could get a beer.
So we get to the resort, hop on the elevator. I need to stop at the room to put my stuff down, so he leaves me and says to meet him there. Well of course, I am right behind him because it only takes a second to set my stuff down. I come around the corner to the lounge just in time to see him jump around the corner and yell "HEY" to the staff. They jumped, desserts went flying. They were all hysterical laughing. From here on out they loved us, or either that or they were afraid of us, hard to tell.
So Matt got his free beer, and I got a glass of wine and we had a couple of awesome little cheesecakes (the ones that didn't go flying) and we sat on our balcony to relax. We were able to see Wishes from our room, so we enjoyed that and then we remembered the game was still on.
So we watch the second half of the football game and watched the Steelers win and called home to check in. Overall, it was a good day.
So what did we learn today? The Friendship boats are very slow and hot, but better than walking; breakfast goes faster without four kids in tow; I can no longer be trusted with Fast Passes; the Rock N' Roller coaster is AWESOME; Pizza Planet, YUK, Mama Melrose, YUM; no matter how much we wished it would not happen, something blew up; Matt will do anything for his baby girl, even pose with characters and he must be escorted to the bathroom like a five year old; the whole picture thing is getting a little old; Fantasmic is good but not great; the Steelers rock and free drinks are still good.
It gives me a nice break from work 
christinou
<font color=teal>Is now a Tag Fairy believer and i
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2002
- Messages
- 2,240
Thank you those trip reports are great, boy just going with hubby sounds great......
Ron from Michigan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 5,938
Were tired of waiting for the next part. POST IT NOW !!!!!
I remembered something IMPORTANT I forgot to mention to you about our day at MGM. As we strolled (at 5 mph) through MGM, there was a helicopter flying overhead. So Matt says, " I am surprised you don't see more news helicopters and that sort of thing". Being the good Diser that I am, I knew the answer to that, "Because the airspace of Disney is restricted" He gives me that look, the same look he gave me when I told him Tink really flew from the castle. The "you are full of s*** look" "You don't know" he says. I simply told him what I had read here and he rolled his eyes. Don't roll your eyes at a red head I will go to the ends of the earth to proove you wrong. I let it go. For now.
OK, it's Tuesday August 16th now and it's our actual anniversary
Like my son Zack says every year on his birthday "Yeah we made it!"
We had big plans today. Unfortunately (what the hell was I thinking) these big plans involved us getting up pretty early because we had to be at the MK at 8:30 am for our Keys to the Kingdom. Hindsight being what it is, I should have scheduled a rest day here and let us sleep in. Matt desparately wanted to do this tour, though, and I am glad we did! The view our our window that morning gives you an idea how hot, humid and hazy it was out.
We were getting ready to leave, and Matt was teasing me about the 10 pairs of shoes I had brought with me for the trip. "Keep it up buddy" I responded "and I will make you ride IASW again" "IASW isn't the same anymore" he responds "The Mexican's took all the good dolls and put them on that boat ride in Epcot."
Do you see what I put up with? Lucky for him he is really cute, cause I don't know if I could have put up with the bad jokes all these years if it weren't for his looks
Anyway, after being assured by every member of the concierge staff that we would LOVE the tour, we left for the bus stop, getting there just as the 7:30 bus did. We were at the gates of MK about 10 minutes before opening for guests with tours/breakfast reservations. It was neat to see the MK before it was packed, so we took some more pictures since we didn't have to be at Guest Relations until 8:30.
After we checked in for our tour, we were given bottles of water and told to wait in the courtyard. Oh goody, more time to chase lizards.
For those who don't know, the Keys to the Kingdom Tour is a backstage and onstage tour of the Magic Kingdom, it lasts about 5 1/2 hours and it is awesome. The tour includes lunch at the Columia Harbour House and a special pin. You go on two rides in the course of the tour and you go back stage and into the underground tunnel system.
We had a tour guide named Brick who was very funny and smart and knew a lot about Walt, his beliefs and his legacy. He had worked for Disney for more than 15 years and he knew EVERYTHING. He knew about Tink and how she flew (shoot a look at Matt who rolls his eyes, he knows he is wrong) and he knew that the airspace over Disney was restricted (another look at Matt). Seriously, even if you ARE NOT a huge disney fan (who isn't?) you would love this tour.
Thursday morning before we left, we brought Brick a special pin, if you want to know what it was you will have to go visit him. He works in City Hall behind the desk there and he does tours. If he needs his memory jogged, the pin was in referance to the Haunted Mansion.
Anyway, when we returned from the tour, guess who was in the lizard's courtyard meeting guests?
I convinced Matt that this would be the LAST time I made him pose with a character this trip, and it was our anniversary, so he agreed.
It was really hot today, and although Brick did an excellant job of keeping us in the shade or air when he could, it was just too hot to be outside. So after the tour, we left MK and headed back to the BWI. As we were walking to the bus stop, we noticed that the bus was already at our stop, so we started running. She had already started out and stopped the bus in the middle of the road so we could board when she saw us running. Of course, as a red head, my face gets really red with any exhertion at all, so she probably thought I was having a heart attack.
We were back in the room thirty seconds when my cell phone rang. It was Tony, Holly was in a car accident and he needed to get some tires so he could get her car going again and could he get them on our account until he got paid. Talk about giving me a heart attack. Luckily, she was ok and the baby was ok, but Tony was pretty shook up. I assured him it was fine to get the tires and told him sit down a few minutes, he was still upset about the blown engine and now this!
Well, part two of Tuesday will have to wait until later or in the morning, since I really need to clean up dinner. Up next? The Yachtsman Steakhouse, the Breathless and a surprise delivery.
OK, it's Tuesday August 16th now and it's our actual anniversary
Like my son Zack says every year on his birthday "Yeah we made it!"We had big plans today. Unfortunately (what the hell was I thinking) these big plans involved us getting up pretty early because we had to be at the MK at 8:30 am for our Keys to the Kingdom. Hindsight being what it is, I should have scheduled a rest day here and let us sleep in. Matt desparately wanted to do this tour, though, and I am glad we did! The view our our window that morning gives you an idea how hot, humid and hazy it was out.
We were getting ready to leave, and Matt was teasing me about the 10 pairs of shoes I had brought with me for the trip. "Keep it up buddy" I responded "and I will make you ride IASW again" "IASW isn't the same anymore" he responds "The Mexican's took all the good dolls and put them on that boat ride in Epcot."
Do you see what I put up with? Lucky for him he is really cute, cause I don't know if I could have put up with the bad jokes all these years if it weren't for his looks
Anyway, after being assured by every member of the concierge staff that we would LOVE the tour, we left for the bus stop, getting there just as the 7:30 bus did. We were at the gates of MK about 10 minutes before opening for guests with tours/breakfast reservations. It was neat to see the MK before it was packed, so we took some more pictures since we didn't have to be at Guest Relations until 8:30.
After we checked in for our tour, we were given bottles of water and told to wait in the courtyard. Oh goody, more time to chase lizards.
For those who don't know, the Keys to the Kingdom Tour is a backstage and onstage tour of the Magic Kingdom, it lasts about 5 1/2 hours and it is awesome. The tour includes lunch at the Columia Harbour House and a special pin. You go on two rides in the course of the tour and you go back stage and into the underground tunnel system.
We had a tour guide named Brick who was very funny and smart and knew a lot about Walt, his beliefs and his legacy. He had worked for Disney for more than 15 years and he knew EVERYTHING. He knew about Tink and how she flew (shoot a look at Matt who rolls his eyes, he knows he is wrong) and he knew that the airspace over Disney was restricted (another look at Matt). Seriously, even if you ARE NOT a huge disney fan (who isn't?) you would love this tour.
Thursday morning before we left, we brought Brick a special pin, if you want to know what it was you will have to go visit him. He works in City Hall behind the desk there and he does tours. If he needs his memory jogged, the pin was in referance to the Haunted Mansion.
Anyway, when we returned from the tour, guess who was in the lizard's courtyard meeting guests?
I convinced Matt that this would be the LAST time I made him pose with a character this trip, and it was our anniversary, so he agreed.
It was really hot today, and although Brick did an excellant job of keeping us in the shade or air when he could, it was just too hot to be outside. So after the tour, we left MK and headed back to the BWI. As we were walking to the bus stop, we noticed that the bus was already at our stop, so we started running. She had already started out and stopped the bus in the middle of the road so we could board when she saw us running. Of course, as a red head, my face gets really red with any exhertion at all, so she probably thought I was having a heart attack.
We were back in the room thirty seconds when my cell phone rang. It was Tony, Holly was in a car accident and he needed to get some tires so he could get her car going again and could he get them on our account until he got paid. Talk about giving me a heart attack. Luckily, she was ok and the baby was ok, but Tony was pretty shook up. I assured him it was fine to get the tires and told him sit down a few minutes, he was still upset about the blown engine and now this!
Well, part two of Tuesday will have to wait until later or in the morning, since I really need to clean up dinner. Up next? The Yachtsman Steakhouse, the Breathless and a surprise delivery.
undertheseas
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 16, 2004
- Messages
- 1,302
Goodferry get those kids to bed and get your butt back here, I'm dying to know what happens!!! Did Holly have her baby? Does Tony handle the car blow up? DId your anniversary dinner surpass your wedding day Taco Bell? (geez it sounds like a soap opera 
)
)
wdwr
<font color=blue>My friends call me She-ra, I don'
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2005
- Messages
- 1,290
OK you got me. I'm hooked. I am posting a message JUST so I can be notified of more posts. 
I feel like I am there with you as I read this thread.
I have the KTTK tour on Sept 5...maybe I will get the same guide! Woot!
Well I am off to bed in hopes of cutting down some of the wait time until your next post.
wdwr
I feel like I am there with you as I read this thread.
I have the KTTK tour on Sept 5...maybe I will get the same guide! Woot!
Well I am off to bed in hopes of cutting down some of the wait time until your next post.
wdwr
Your trip reports rock. Love them. Please post fast, tell your four little lovelies that your cyber friends need another installment of The Speedwalker and His Wife's First Ever Alone Trip to Disney!
Hurry, hurry hurry...
Hurry, hurry hurry...
You know, I should be exercising, but here I am at 6 am typing instead 
OK, our dinner at the Yachtsman was not until 6:30 and by 4 or so we had swam, rested, showered and Matt had gone and gotten one of his free drinks, and we had had some champagne, so we decided to walk over to Epcot for a while and stroll around Epcot (it only takes us three minutes to get the whole way around, so we may even have time to stop for a ride or two)
We walked out the front doors and onto the Boardwalk and quickly nixed that idea. It was like walking into a furnace, it was the worst we had felt it all week. So instead of Epcot, we ended up at the ESPN Club.
It is a neat place, but doesn't come close to the one in Baltimore where you could spend eight hours and not see everything. We both had a drink and talked and watched a football game for a while before deciding to go back to the hotel since it was evening appetizer time and we hadn't been there for that all week.
There were two hot appetizers this evening, I believe from Flying Fish and they were incredible. One was a little wrap with a seafood filling that was really, really good, and the other was a little quiche that was also really good. We didn't eat too much since we knew we had a big dinner tonight.
We left around 5:45 for the Yachtsman, figuring we would stroll around and check out SAB for potential future visits. SAB is very cool, but I think I would be pretty nervous with the younger two there. They can all swim (except for the baby, of course) very well, they do swim team and all, but I would be nervous. It is very large and I don't know how you could keep track of them, especially if it was crowded, which it was not when we were there. I don't think there would be any relaxing in a lounge chair while the kids enjoy a swim. That said, the older two would LOVE it, I think.
We went inside and walked throught the lobby of the Yacht Club, it's very quiet and subdued. The Boardwalk has an adult feel to it, but also a touch of whimsy which the Yacht Club does not have.
We decided to check in just as a wedding party was checking in, and we were brought to our table almost immediately. It smells so good in there! The steaks looked incredible, so we were both looking forward to our dinners.
I was surprised by the decor, it is the first Disney resort restaurant I have eaten in that felt like a hotel restaurant, I don't know what I expected, but it was very ordinary.
Remember that wedding party I mentioned? They were seated at a large table almost next to us, it was like we were in their wedding party, so we heard the toast and saw the kissing every time someone hit their spoon on their glass, it was fun. Several times Matt had to keep me from hitting my glass with the spoon.
Our server was Candace and she was very sweet and attentive. She looked just like that Carrie girl who won American Idol. Matt had the Lobster Bisque and I had a Tomatoe and Buffalo Mozzerella appetizer. Both were good, but not wonderful. So I took a picture. Matt threatened my life it I didn't put the camera away.
We both had a glass of wine and the Filet and Lobster tail dinner with smashed potatoes. Both of our dinners were good, the filets were very tender and the lobster tail was huge, but with bread crumbs on top, which I have never seen before. I didn't mind the bread crumbs, but Matt did.
Next they took our dessert order, which we ordered to go because we just were too full. Now I knew that I had a surprise coming, so when they brought our desserts out in little boxes, I started to worry. Matt (not knowing about the surprise, I guess that's why it's called a surprise, huh?) says to the server, "look, now we have wedding cake, you don't have any flowers back there do you?" We all laughed and I announced I had to use the restroom.
I ran up to the front desk and reminded them about my little surprise and ran back to the table with the excuse that there was a line and I just wanted to wash my hands, so I could wait. A line to wash your hands? I think the free drinks are starting to affect his ability to reason because he didn't even question that.
So a few minutes later, Candace comes out looking a little shaken up, with my special delivery.
...and this
So now our anniversary is complete, cake, flower, wedding party, I did it! No Taco Bell, no crappy brownie and cheap champagne. I was totally unfazed by the fact that the cake was frozen because they had put it in the freezer when the Boardwalk Bakery delivered it the day before and then forgotten about it. It wasn't so much about the actual taste of the cake, which was still pretty ok, as it was about the symbol of the wedding cake we forgot about the first time around.
Our dinner was good, but not excellant, like you would expect for the price
. It didn't bother us since we were on the dining plan.
After dinner, we still had a little bit before we had to meet the Breathless driver at the Yacht Club marina, so we walked through the Beach Club a bit. It was more to our liking, with kids running about and a warmer feeling. So that took about three minutes since we didn't stroll so much as run. So back out we go to the walkway along the marina. We watched a number of families struggling to make it up the bridge from the Boardwalk to the YC/BC. That was when we decided we didn't need to rent a surrey bike. Two families, while we watched, had to get out and push.
Even though it was early, I went over and checked in at the marina for our cruise. It took just a minute, and our driver, Mike was there and ready to go, so we did! He offered us the option of sitting in the back back or in the seat behind him, so we chose the seat behind him.
This was awesome, it is definitely the way to watch Illuminations. Before the fireworks, he drove us around the canals around MGM and the dolphin and the lake in front of the Boardwalk several times and then brought the boat, which is absolutely beautiful, to the front of the line of all the pontoon boats and gave us the perfect view. Before hand, he had told us his interpretation of the story of Illuminations and told us visual cues to look for as the story unfolded, it was cool to watch it keeping that story in mind. Illuminations was beautiful and longer than I remembered it.
Back in the boat, Mike said he would take us around and "show us what she could do" and did he ever! That boat is really fast, we zipped around the lake and up and down the canal, then back over to MGM to watch the end of Fantasmic where Mickey pops out of the top of the mountain. The entire ride (except during Illuminations) he had a soundtrack of love songs playing, and when we were done, he gave us a copy, which was very sweet and a nice souvenier of our anniversary.
Remember how Matt made me put the camera away? I forgot to take a picture of the Breathless, this is the only one I took
Our plan tonight was to go out to PI or Jellyrolls, but we were both exhausted from the heat, so we headed back to the Boardwalk and off to bed.
So, what did we learn today? Keys to the Kingdom is fun and everyone should do it, just maybe not at 8:30 am on their anniversary , poor Tony is not having a good week; it's hot in Florida, hot enough to change your plans sometimes; SAB is huge and cool and a parent's nightmare; the Yacht Club is beautiful but a little stiff for us, the Beach Club is more our style; the Breathless is beautiful and fun and the best way to watch Illuminations without a crowd when you leave; the free drinks are still good but they are affecting Matt's ability to reason; wedding cake, even frozen and 15 years late, is awesome.
OK, our dinner at the Yachtsman was not until 6:30 and by 4 or so we had swam, rested, showered and Matt had gone and gotten one of his free drinks, and we had had some champagne, so we decided to walk over to Epcot for a while and stroll around Epcot (it only takes us three minutes to get the whole way around, so we may even have time to stop for a ride or two)
We walked out the front doors and onto the Boardwalk and quickly nixed that idea. It was like walking into a furnace, it was the worst we had felt it all week. So instead of Epcot, we ended up at the ESPN Club.
It is a neat place, but doesn't come close to the one in Baltimore where you could spend eight hours and not see everything. We both had a drink and talked and watched a football game for a while before deciding to go back to the hotel since it was evening appetizer time and we hadn't been there for that all week.
There were two hot appetizers this evening, I believe from Flying Fish and they were incredible. One was a little wrap with a seafood filling that was really, really good, and the other was a little quiche that was also really good. We didn't eat too much since we knew we had a big dinner tonight.
We left around 5:45 for the Yachtsman, figuring we would stroll around and check out SAB for potential future visits. SAB is very cool, but I think I would be pretty nervous with the younger two there. They can all swim (except for the baby, of course) very well, they do swim team and all, but I would be nervous. It is very large and I don't know how you could keep track of them, especially if it was crowded, which it was not when we were there. I don't think there would be any relaxing in a lounge chair while the kids enjoy a swim. That said, the older two would LOVE it, I think.
We went inside and walked throught the lobby of the Yacht Club, it's very quiet and subdued. The Boardwalk has an adult feel to it, but also a touch of whimsy which the Yacht Club does not have.
We decided to check in just as a wedding party was checking in, and we were brought to our table almost immediately. It smells so good in there! The steaks looked incredible, so we were both looking forward to our dinners.
I was surprised by the decor, it is the first Disney resort restaurant I have eaten in that felt like a hotel restaurant, I don't know what I expected, but it was very ordinary.
Remember that wedding party I mentioned? They were seated at a large table almost next to us, it was like we were in their wedding party, so we heard the toast and saw the kissing every time someone hit their spoon on their glass, it was fun. Several times Matt had to keep me from hitting my glass with the spoon.
Our server was Candace and she was very sweet and attentive. She looked just like that Carrie girl who won American Idol. Matt had the Lobster Bisque and I had a Tomatoe and Buffalo Mozzerella appetizer. Both were good, but not wonderful. So I took a picture. Matt threatened my life it I didn't put the camera away.
We both had a glass of wine and the Filet and Lobster tail dinner with smashed potatoes. Both of our dinners were good, the filets were very tender and the lobster tail was huge, but with bread crumbs on top, which I have never seen before. I didn't mind the bread crumbs, but Matt did.
Next they took our dessert order, which we ordered to go because we just were too full. Now I knew that I had a surprise coming, so when they brought our desserts out in little boxes, I started to worry. Matt (not knowing about the surprise, I guess that's why it's called a surprise, huh?) says to the server, "look, now we have wedding cake, you don't have any flowers back there do you?" We all laughed and I announced I had to use the restroom.
I ran up to the front desk and reminded them about my little surprise and ran back to the table with the excuse that there was a line and I just wanted to wash my hands, so I could wait. A line to wash your hands? I think the free drinks are starting to affect his ability to reason because he didn't even question that.
So a few minutes later, Candace comes out looking a little shaken up, with my special delivery.
...and this
So now our anniversary is complete, cake, flower, wedding party, I did it! No Taco Bell, no crappy brownie and cheap champagne. I was totally unfazed by the fact that the cake was frozen because they had put it in the freezer when the Boardwalk Bakery delivered it the day before and then forgotten about it. It wasn't so much about the actual taste of the cake, which was still pretty ok, as it was about the symbol of the wedding cake we forgot about the first time around.
Our dinner was good, but not excellant, like you would expect for the price
. It didn't bother us since we were on the dining plan. After dinner, we still had a little bit before we had to meet the Breathless driver at the Yacht Club marina, so we walked through the Beach Club a bit. It was more to our liking, with kids running about and a warmer feeling. So that took about three minutes since we didn't stroll so much as run. So back out we go to the walkway along the marina. We watched a number of families struggling to make it up the bridge from the Boardwalk to the YC/BC. That was when we decided we didn't need to rent a surrey bike. Two families, while we watched, had to get out and push.
Even though it was early, I went over and checked in at the marina for our cruise. It took just a minute, and our driver, Mike was there and ready to go, so we did! He offered us the option of sitting in the back back or in the seat behind him, so we chose the seat behind him.
This was awesome, it is definitely the way to watch Illuminations. Before the fireworks, he drove us around the canals around MGM and the dolphin and the lake in front of the Boardwalk several times and then brought the boat, which is absolutely beautiful, to the front of the line of all the pontoon boats and gave us the perfect view. Before hand, he had told us his interpretation of the story of Illuminations and told us visual cues to look for as the story unfolded, it was cool to watch it keeping that story in mind. Illuminations was beautiful and longer than I remembered it.
Back in the boat, Mike said he would take us around and "show us what she could do" and did he ever! That boat is really fast, we zipped around the lake and up and down the canal, then back over to MGM to watch the end of Fantasmic where Mickey pops out of the top of the mountain. The entire ride (except during Illuminations) he had a soundtrack of love songs playing, and when we were done, he gave us a copy, which was very sweet and a nice souvenier of our anniversary.
Remember how Matt made me put the camera away? I forgot to take a picture of the Breathless, this is the only one I took
Our plan tonight was to go out to PI or Jellyrolls, but we were both exhausted from the heat, so we headed back to the Boardwalk and off to bed.
So, what did we learn today? Keys to the Kingdom is fun and everyone should do it, just maybe not at 8:30 am on their anniversary
, poor Tony is not having a good week; it's hot in Florida, hot enough to change your plans sometimes; SAB is huge and cool and a parent's nightmare; the Yacht Club is beautiful but a little stiff for us, the Beach Club is more our style; the Breathless is beautiful and fun and the best way to watch Illuminations without a crowd when you leave; the free drinks are still good but they are affecting Matt's ability to reason; wedding cake, even frozen and 15 years late, is awesome.
C'mon I'm waiting
SAB is Storm Along Bay, the pool system shared by the Yacht and Beach Club.
Wednesday 8/17
Today my itinerary said Animal Kingdom with the new Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour at 1 pm, my body said sleep, but Matt said no, he wanted to try Tour Guide Mike's AK tour, so we got up at 7:30, ate and were at the bus stop just as the AK bus pulled up. We go there about 20 minutes before opening. The talking tree was there talking with guests, so we did get to see him for a minute before they let us in 15 minutes in early. We could walk around the Oasis, but the crowds were held at the Tree of Life for the opening show, which was cute.
From there we had a great morning, we followed Tour Guide Mike's itinerary to the T and it was awesome, once again, no lines, not a lot of walking back and forth from one thing to another and lots of flexibility. We got to see Devine! I was so excited and surprised to see her given the heat. I took lots of pictures with my 35 mm camera, which I haven't gotten developed yet, so I will post them later.
We did ride the Kilamanjaro Safari ride, even though we would be taking our own private safari later, and it was ok. The sound system was broken on our bus, so we got to miss the whole poacher thing, which was OK with us because we had heard it a million times, but anyone on board who had never ridden before might have thought it was kind of a lame ride.
I, of course, got soaked on Kali River Rapids, which too was ok because it was so hot and we were walking so fast, the breeze coming off of Matt's feet dryed my clothes in minutes. We rode on Primevil Whirl for the first time and loved it! So much that we rode it again. Altogether we rode Kilamanjaro, Kali River, did both the walking paths in Africa and Asia, saw It's Tough to Be a Bug, rode Dinasoar, rode Primevil Whirl twice, sat and watched Devine for five minutes, went shopping and got the kids bracelets, watched the construction on Expedition Everest, had lunch and walked all through the trails on Discovery Island all before noon. Whew.
Lunch was at Tusker House. I had the chicken and Matt had the salmon, and both were really, really good and a good value, I thought. We waited around at the store where we were to meet our tour and left from there with one of the cm's who worked with the Hippos for our tour.
We were led backstage to a different kind of safari vehicle which had ac and windows on the bottom half, but was open on the top for pictures. We were shown around the backstage area, the barns where the animals were kept and told how the animals were brought in and assimilated to their new surroundings.
We learned about their feedings and how they kept the animals contained and controlled. It was a really cool tour, we went along the regular safari path, but would pull over and sit where the animals were when they could so we could get more pictures and learn more about the individual animals.
While I don't think the kids would have liked the Keys to the Kingdom tour because it would have been long for them, I think they would have enjoyed this tour and I may book it again for all of us in December. I would definitely do the 9 am instead of the 1 pm, though, because the animals are just sitting around for the most part at 1 pm.
Our tour was over at about 1:58 and we looked at our schedule, Festival of the Lion King started at 2:00, we decided to try to make it, and we did! We were brought in just as the show started, it was perfect timing. I missed the kids here too, Zoe (the baby) and Zack (10) really loved this show last time.
When we were done, a cm was pulling people in for the Pocohantus show, which we had never seen, so we went in just as it was starting. It was cute and I know Shelby (6) and Zoe will LOVE this when we come in December. Afterwards we were dead and decided to head back to the room. We were tired mostly from all the strolling, I think, more so than the heat, I didn't find it especially hot here. We thought it was hotter in Epcot.
All in all, we enjoyed our day in AK, definitely the latest we stayed in a park all day, and once again Tour Guide Mike was right on the money.
Ok, I am going to post this episode, and then I have to go to work, more to come later, including Beaches and Cream, a meltdown and another special delivery. I will add pictures tonight, because I still have to upload some of them.
Wednesday 8/17
Today my itinerary said Animal Kingdom with the new Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour at 1 pm, my body said sleep, but Matt said no, he wanted to try Tour Guide Mike's AK tour, so we got up at 7:30, ate and were at the bus stop just as the AK bus pulled up. We go there about 20 minutes before opening. The talking tree was there talking with guests, so we did get to see him for a minute before they let us in 15 minutes in early. We could walk around the Oasis, but the crowds were held at the Tree of Life for the opening show, which was cute.
From there we had a great morning, we followed Tour Guide Mike's itinerary to the T and it was awesome, once again, no lines, not a lot of walking back and forth from one thing to another and lots of flexibility. We got to see Devine! I was so excited and surprised to see her given the heat. I took lots of pictures with my 35 mm camera, which I haven't gotten developed yet, so I will post them later.
We did ride the Kilamanjaro Safari ride, even though we would be taking our own private safari later, and it was ok. The sound system was broken on our bus, so we got to miss the whole poacher thing, which was OK with us because we had heard it a million times, but anyone on board who had never ridden before might have thought it was kind of a lame ride.
I, of course, got soaked on Kali River Rapids, which too was ok because it was so hot and we were walking so fast, the breeze coming off of Matt's feet dryed my clothes in minutes. We rode on Primevil Whirl for the first time and loved it! So much that we rode it again. Altogether we rode Kilamanjaro, Kali River, did both the walking paths in Africa and Asia, saw It's Tough to Be a Bug, rode Dinasoar, rode Primevil Whirl twice, sat and watched Devine for five minutes, went shopping and got the kids bracelets, watched the construction on Expedition Everest, had lunch and walked all through the trails on Discovery Island all before noon. Whew.
Lunch was at Tusker House. I had the chicken and Matt had the salmon, and both were really, really good and a good value, I thought. We waited around at the store where we were to meet our tour and left from there with one of the cm's who worked with the Hippos for our tour.
We were led backstage to a different kind of safari vehicle which had ac and windows on the bottom half, but was open on the top for pictures. We were shown around the backstage area, the barns where the animals were kept and told how the animals were brought in and assimilated to their new surroundings.
We learned about their feedings and how they kept the animals contained and controlled. It was a really cool tour, we went along the regular safari path, but would pull over and sit where the animals were when they could so we could get more pictures and learn more about the individual animals.
While I don't think the kids would have liked the Keys to the Kingdom tour because it would have been long for them, I think they would have enjoyed this tour and I may book it again for all of us in December. I would definitely do the 9 am instead of the 1 pm, though, because the animals are just sitting around for the most part at 1 pm.
Our tour was over at about 1:58 and we looked at our schedule, Festival of the Lion King started at 2:00, we decided to try to make it, and we did! We were brought in just as the show started, it was perfect timing. I missed the kids here too, Zoe (the baby) and Zack (10) really loved this show last time.
When we were done, a cm was pulling people in for the Pocohantus show, which we had never seen, so we went in just as it was starting. It was cute and I know Shelby (6) and Zoe will LOVE this when we come in December. Afterwards we were dead and decided to head back to the room. We were tired mostly from all the strolling, I think, more so than the heat, I didn't find it especially hot here. We thought it was hotter in Epcot.
All in all, we enjoyed our day in AK, definitely the latest we stayed in a park all day, and once again Tour Guide Mike was right on the money.
Ok, I am going to post this episode, and then I have to go to work, more to come later, including Beaches and Cream, a meltdown and another special delivery. I will add pictures tonight, because I still have to upload some of them.
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