7. Thursday – Downtown Disney

marias

Mouseketeer
Joined
May 11, 2004
Messages
121
The Team:
DH: Long suffering one (42)
DD: Beautiful, amusing and very so slightly stroppy (9 going on 19)
MIL: Sexagenarian
FIL: Sexagenarian
Me: Planner, worrier, pessimist (35 – almost)

Now this one was another new one and what a surprise, the atmosphere was so relaxed, the shops were lovely and it was great wandering round the lake area. We could have spent a fortune but decided that as we were going to use the Downtown Disney check-in service provided by Virgin we would wait, well except for a sneaky Xmas decoration that I couldn’t resist. Back at the villa MIL and FIL return from their trip and we head out to the Ponderosa for tea. We end the day playing charades around the pool with a nice cup of tea/glass of vino.

Friday – Magic Kingdom, the return
Today we decided to do all the things still outstanding from the first visit and to find the elusive Mickey (which if I’d read the book properly would know to go to the Judges tent in Toontown). Anyway first up is Mickey’s ‘Philharmagic’ – no queue and a really brilliant show, followed by a fastpass collection for Peter Pan and a medium sized queue for Winnie the Pooh. By now DD is really into the swing of things so we head over to Toontown to meet Mickey and get that all-important autograph and official photo – if there was only one photo to buy (if only J) then this would be it. From here we have a brief stop at the paint shop for DD’s face to be transformed into a magical unicorn and then we head to collect fastpass for Buzz. With just over an hour to kill we have hot dogs and a browse in the shops.
Now before we went we were unsure whether DD would really enjoy the rides but Buzz proved she was a theme park enthusiast, much as we pleaded for her to stop spinning the car, she was having none of it and we twirled harder and faster. Needless to say my score was pretty dismal!
By this time it was so hot we decided to call it a day and started to head towards the gates, calling in on Main Street for a final shop. Now so far DD had spent her holiday money on quite grown up things which would remind her of the vacation. But we were astounded when she decided she would like her portrait drawn, not least because it would mean sitting still for half an hour. Now DD has never been known to stay still for longer than a few minutes (even when asleep) and here she was offering to be statuesqueJ. We had to wait about 30 minutes so go off in search of t-shirts. When we got back Main Street was gearing up for the parade so whilst DD remained perfectly still we enjoyed the parade for the second time in comfort (no crowds, a bench to ourselves and a drink in hand - lovely). The portrait was lovely and we were all really pleased (joint venture). At this point I remember on the Dis boards someone posting about their Wishes CD so we head off in search of one.
We return home, hot and tired but having had a fantastic day equal in satisfaction to the first. We decide on Red Lobster for tea (we had been before 12 years ago) and wanted to see if things had changed. We all went for the ultimate feast (except DD – who chose macaroni and cheese on the proviso that she could sample something from everyone – cheeky eh!). The food was fantastic and with a £15 per head conversion it was great value.

Maria princess:
 
Loving your reports. Off for more...
 

I enjoyed your report again. :) The portrait will be a lasting reminder of your daughter at 9 years old. We had a caricature done of our kids at Busch Gardens, the artist caught their facial expressions extremely well. I have it hanging up in the kitchen, it always makes me smile. They were only 9 and 7 at the time, now big lads of 16 and 14.
 
How strange, we have the portrait of DD in the kitchen also - when i walk through from the dining room it always brings back lovely memories :cloud9:
 
Really enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.
 














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