A Grand Dream of a Honeymoon - June 2011

[lilsqueakrr]

Thanks girl, we're okay right now. Just getting some heavy rain at times. It's not supposed to really hit until later tonight/early tomorrow. =[ Hopefully I can sleep thru it all so I don't get all nervous and crazy! lol.

I love the update on AK! It's so naturally beautiful! Kilamanjaro is my fav!

 

[disneybarbie]

.........

We seemed to be going against the crowd, people were streaming into the park! I like to leave around lunchtime when this is happening.
Just as we were approaching the Rain Forest Café at the entrance to the park, Steve noticed a group in front of us with a Cast Member… the Dad was very tall…. And we realised it was Kobe Bryant and his family again!! What are the chances of seeing the same celebrity in WDW two days running - it seemed he wasn’t getting noticed as much as the night before in Magic Kingdom.. as we headed to the turnstiles, the CM was taking Kobe & his family backstage into the Rain Forest Café.


There was a bus to the Grand Floridian sat waiting for us a the bus stop – and no one was on it! I guessed the bus would go to Blizzard Beach next – which it did, so we decided to hop off there and play a round of mini golf at Winter Summerland.

The CM there was so lovely – he noticed our honeymoon gift card when I paid (plus we got 50% off with Annual Pass discount!) and congratulated us – and said we’d have to come back every anniversary to play mini golf here.

We’ve only been to Winter Summerland once before, so this time we did the ‘sand’ course rather than the ‘snow’ course – apparently they are about equal in trickiness, different to Fantasia Gardens where the fairways course is so much harder!

We bought two bottles of water from a vending machine here too – it was the hottest part of the day and I had been told to keep drinking, didn’t want a repeat of the night before!

Steve won, as usual! But we had a really nice hour there – it was so quiet, hardly anyone around.
As we left, a Cast Member handed us mini candy canes – which we ate while we waited for the bus back to the Grand Floridian.


Once back at the resort, we stopped at the concierge desk to borrow some dvds from the library. These are complimentary – hundreds to choose from! Most are Disney, obviously, but there are also Touchstone and Miramax films, Disney’s other labels.
We picked Toy Story 2, and popped up to the lounge to get some cans of diet coke (a fridge was filled with soda all day long!) and some sugar cookies.

We had two voicemails when we got back to the room – one was from Mickey & Minnie, wishing us a happy honeymoon …. And the other from Victoria & Albert's, where we were eating the next night! I rang the restaurant back, the CM wanted to check if I was taking Steve’s surname (?) and if we had any food allergies – I mentioned that I have a slight allergy to nuts, it’s not life-threatening, but I don’t feel great if I eat them! So she made a note to tell the chef.

We settled down to watch the film – I think I napped through most of it as I woke up when Wheezie was singing ‘You got a friend in me’ at the end!


Then the phone rang again, and it was the front desk.. they said they had a delivery for me, so should they bring it up?

Sure enough, in a few minutes there was a knock on the door.. and I was presented with this!

Champagne, chocolates, cookies, champagne flutes, a Tinkerbell ornament & a personalised picture signed by Mickey & Minnie!

And an even bigger surprise, when I opened the card.. it was from….

My husband!!!


The night before when I’d been getting ready for dinner, Steve popped out the room while I was in the shower, and went to talk to a CM on the concierge desk – he said that he wanted to do something as a surprise for his wife, and could they help? So the CM had got in touch with the Disney Florist and they’d arranged for this to be delivered the next day.

(Meanwhile.. when I got out the shower, Steve was missing! I looked all around the huge room: in the cupboards, under the beds, out on the balcony.. thinking he was hiding from me! Then I decided he must have gone back to get more snacks from the lounge – which is where he’d told me he’d been when he did get back…. So sneaky!)

It was such a lovely gift – he said that he really liked all the surprises I plan for him on our trips to Disney, and wanted to do something for me!

We put the champagne in the fridge, and decided to open the bottle that we’d got on the plane (which was fairly well travelled by now.. it had come from London, to Animal Kingdom Lodge.. to the Bahamas… and now back to Disney World!)

Tonight we had a dining reservation at Nine Dragons in Epcot at 7pm, so we decided to get ready and head to the park a little earlier.



We hopped on the monorail to the Ticket & Transportation Centre – and had a carriage all to ourselves!

Past the Magic Kingdom….

Through the Contemporary…

And the to the TTC to get our next monorail to Epcot – it turned out to be the Tronorail!

..........

 

[disneybarbie]

.....

Once in the park, we wandered through Future World towards World Showcase..

Stopping to look at the amazing floral displays for Cars 2!

Mater is one of my favourite Pixar characters..

We took the ‘long way’ around the lagoon to China – soaking up all the atmosphere in World Showcase.

We were a bit early for our ADR at Nine Dragons, but were seated immediately – this was one of the restaurants Steve had asked to go to, I know it’s not one of the most popular in Epcot, but we both enjoyed the meal – and it was really good value, three courses for around $25 each.

The place mats had symbols on them for us to try writing in Chinese!

For appetisers I had chicken consommé with dumplings, and Steve had hot & sour soup - then we shared honey sesame chicken & canton pepper beef.

We had desserts as they were included – Steve had ginger icecream and I had strawberry & red bean icecream.. they were both really good! Funny that we probably wouldn’t have tried them unless it had been a set menu.


After dinner, we went to Mexico…

And rode the Gran Fiesta Tour, there was no line at all.

We wandered around the lagoon towards Canada, stopping at one of the refreshment stands to get a bottle of water for me & an espresso for Steve.

As we got the UK pavilion, we could just hear the band finishing up their set – it was a shame we’d missed them as we’d wanted to see the new group (think they’re called the British Invasion?)

It was about 8.30pm, so we found a nice spot on the bridge between France & the UK to watch Illuminations.

We noticed the pontoon boats sailing under the bridge below, which made us think about our illuminations cruise we had done two years ago with Steve’s family and my DIS friends Jenny & Vinnie (when it had been their honeymoon!).
We also noticed a larger boat that had a bar onboard, and people were eating dinner on there! I wondered if this was something the Swan and Dolphin did?

........

 

[disneybarbie]

.......

Illuminations was spectacular, as always!

We’d picked this spot on the bridge as Steve had suggested we get the boat over to the Studios once Epcot closed – it was extra magic hours there that night and we love riding Tower of Terror when it’s dark!

However when we got out to the boat dock, the queue from the Friendship was already huge – so we decided to walk over to the Yacht Club dock and catch it from there.

I love walking around Crescent Lake, it really does feel like a ‘home’ as our DVC resort is Boardwalk Villas!

When we got near the Yacht Club, we realised we were walking quite a bit faster than the boat was travelling – and agreed just to walk all the way to the Studios, it’s a really nice route along the canal. I almost wish I’d worn a pedometer that day as we must have done quite a lot of miles!

Once at the Studios, we walked down Hollywood Boulevard and made a right onto Sunset Boulevard…

It was so busy there as people were lined up for Fantasmic, the line was crazy! I really like that show but unless we have a dining package, I don’t think I’d wait for over an hour to see it.

We had to wait in line about 30 minutes to check into the Hollywood Tower Hotel – but it was quite nice to walk around the gardens outside first.. very spooky!

After the Tower of Terror, we went to check the wait times on the board – Star Tours was only 10 minutes so we went there – excited to check out the new attraction.

We loved the new attraction! The 3D effects are amazing, love the queue line and that the story changes every time you ride it.

It was about 11pm by this point, Toy Story Midway Mania and Rock n’ Roller Coaster had over 60 minutes waits, and we knew we’d be back at the park later in the week, so we headed home to the Grand Floridian.

Once back in our room, I noticed some rose petals on the floor in the entrance way.. and remembered that the Disney Florist fairies had visited!

Our room looked beautiful – real rose petals scattered everywhere, and candles (electric ones!) flickering.

There were chocolates on our pillows, and personalised white towels on the bed.

A dozen red roses in a vase, a signed picture from Mickey & Minnie, and a basket of spa products.

Steve loved the surprise! It was funny that we’d both planned something for the other on the same day.


We’d had such a great day, we’d done so much – three parks in a day plus mini golf, but it hadn’t felt busy or rushed at all!




Coming up tomorrow… Magic Kingdom, Couples Massage and an incredible meal at Victoria & Albert’s.

 

[Leshaface]

Wow, GREAT updates!

You guys are absolutely adorable! I love all the little surprises that you do for each other. That is definitely love

Have you tried any of the spa products yet? I've always wanted to get one of those baskets for myself...and maybe DH could share if he was nice

Sounds like you had a great day. Can't wait to hear about V&A's! I've always wanted to go there!

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Wow! What an amazing first full day! So sweet of Steve to plan that surprise for you when you are so used to doing all the planning. (I know the feeling!). You must have been so surprised! And love how he wanted to make sure you were hydrated all day!

(“flash photography? I wouldn’t – it alters the homing signal and that’s not good… )

LOL! We quote preshows all the time, including Dinosaur! "We're in!"

And I love this picture....one of those little things most people don't pick up on but on those slats it says, "When in Florida, be sure to visit Epcot!"

 

[Dream426]

What great updates. It makes me want to be there right now. I miss it...haha Love the surprises you both did for each other. That was very sweet. Disney's Florist did such a nice job decorating your room with rose petals.

 

[disneybarbie]

Thanks girl, we're okay right now. Just getting some heavy rain at times. It's not supposed to really hit until later tonight/early tomorrow. =[ Hopefully I can sleep thru it all so I don't get all nervous and crazy! lol.

I love the update on AK! It's so naturally beautiful! Kilamanjaro is my fav!

I hope you can sleep through it - we moan about the weather so much in England , but things like this hurricane make me appreciate how bad it can really be - please stay safe & don't get too scared!

We love Kilimanjaro safari too .. no matter how many times we ride it, DH has to take so many photos! I think it's great of Disney to create it, as Walt always wanted the Jungle Cruise to have real animals.. and the Imagineers actually made it happen!

Wow, GREAT updates!

You guys are absolutely adorable! I love all the little surprises that you do for each other. That is definitely love

Have you tried any of the spa products yet? I've always wanted to get one of those baskets for myself...and maybe DH could share if he was nice

Sounds like you had a great day. Can't wait to hear about V&A's! I've always wanted to go there!

Thank you! lol I've not used the spa products yet.. I have them all on display in our bathroom for now, but it all smells so nice
V&A's was fabulous, it was almost a shame that we'd been to Remy's just a few nights before.. both being the utmost amazing Disney restaurants!

Wow! What an amazing first full day! So sweet of Steve to plan that surprise for you when you are so used to doing all the planning. (I know the feeling!). You must have been so surprised! And love how he wanted to make sure you were hydrated all day!

LOL! We quote preshows all the time, including Dinosaur! "We're in!"

And I love this picture....one of those little things most people don't pick up on but on those slats it says, "When in Florida, be sure to visit Epcot!"

Hi Nikki! are you guys doing ok with the weather? saw your suitcase all packed ready on facebook yesterday lol - you know, I think I saw that sign about Epcot in dinoland on your TR? I was deliberately looking for it when we were there and pointed it out to Steve (he appreciates my Disney-geekiness when we're there and I can point out things like that!) .. shame the last couple signs aren't clear in my picture!

Steve was so sweet, he kept saying that day "do you feel ok? .. are you sure? ... do you want me to stop asking if you're ok?!"

I think our favourite attraction to quote is the Muppets 3D show! I can't say "forever" without repeating it like Gonzo.. - I like in Dinosaur pre-show too when there's the sock-puppet dino and it says "Helllooooo there!"

What great updates. It makes me want to be there right now. I miss it...haha Love the surprises you both did for each other. That was very sweet. Disney's Florist did such a nice job decorating your room with rose petals.

Thank you! looking through all these photos make me want to be there right now too! Especially as my parents have been there this week.. I've had several Skype calls and texts from the World

I was so impressed by the Disney Florist - loved how quickly they'd helped out Steve when he'd phoned up, and with the in-room celebration I'd arranged! It was a little pricey but worth every penny, I'd seen from Stefy's TR how fabulous it looked too



Emma x

 

[Dream426]

Thank you! looking through all these photos make me want to be there right now too! Especially as my parents have been there this week.. I've had several Skype calls and texts from the World

I was so impressed by the Disney Florist - loved how quickly they'd helped out Steve when he'd phoned up, and with the in-room celebration I'd arranged! It was a little pricey but worth every penny, I'd seen from Stefy's TR how fabulous it looked too



Emma x

Everything at Disney is pricey but so worth every penny...haha It is the only place where I don't really look at the price and just let go. I can't help it. Disney does a great job of getting people to spend there money and be ok with it.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

Hi Nikki! are you guys doing ok with the weather? saw your suitcase all packed ready on facebook yesterday lol - you know, I think I saw that sign about Epcot in dinoland on your TR? I was deliberately looking for it when we were there and pointed it out to Steve (he appreciates my Disney-geekiness when we're there and I can point out things like that!) .. shame the last couple signs aren't clear in my picture!

Steve was so sweet, he kept saying that day "do you feel ok? .. are you sure? ... do you want me to stop asking if you're ok?!"

I think our favourite attraction to quote is the Muppets 3D show! I can't say "forever" without repeating it like Gonzo.. - I like in Dinosaur pre-show too when there's the sock-puppet dino and it says "Helllooooo there!"

Emma x

Yes! I definitely have a pic of that sign so I'm sure it was in one of my TRs!

We are good with the weather right now. Just raining a lot. It's supposed to get bad overnight...I'm not sure I'm going to sleep at all. Want to be ready, just in case!

I'm mostly worried about the tree outside falling into my living room so I've moved all my albums and other things I especially don't want ruined and put them in the back room. I also have a ladder since we're on the second floor and if that tree does fall, it will block our way out. I also have a suitcase with a few days worth of clothes in my car.

Totally overreacting!!! But I'm scared!!

 

[Leshaface]

Yes! I definitely have a pic of that sign so I'm sure it was in one of my TRs!

We are good with the weather right now. Just raining a lot. It's supposed to get bad overnight...I'm not sure I'm going to sleep at all. Want to be ready, just in case!

I'm mostly worried about the tree outside falling into my living room so I've moved all my albums and other things I especially don't want ruined and put them in the back room. I also have a ladder since we're on the second floor and if that tree does fall, it will block our way out. I also have a suitcase with a few days worth of clothes in my car.

Totally overreacting!!! But I'm scared!!

Sending some pixie dust your way Hope all goes well over there

LOVE your pics in your sig, BTW!

 

[Missyrose]

.......

Our room looked beautiful – real rose petals scattered everywhere, and candles (electric ones!) flickering.

There were chocolates on our pillows, and personalised white towels on the bed.

A dozen red roses in a vase, a signed picture from Mickey & Minnie, and a basket of spa products.

Steve loved the surprise! It was funny that we’d both planned something for the other on the same day.

I loved how you both surprised each other (and on the same day no less!).

I also really like your newly acquired laid-back touring style. I'm attempting a little of that myself in October. Usually we're pretty commando when it comes to touring but this time since A)We're staying at a Disney resort for the first time and B)We'll be back to Disney again in March, I'm hoping to take things a bit slower and maybe even take afternoon breaks back at the Poly to enjoy the resort.

Can't wait to hear how V&A is!

 

[Stefy]

Looks like you had a really great relaxed day

That was so sweet of Steve to surprise you Love the From Mickey and Minnie with Love. There's so much to look at isn't there, its like its never ending. Disney Florist are so amazing

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

What an amazing day! I am always so impressed when people make it to three parks in one day! We really are one park a day people, I have decided. I consider it quite an accomplishment if we make it to two in one day!

I like your go with the flow attitude, too! I would like to be able to take a trip like that, but I am such a planner it would be very hard for me!

Awww, I love all of the surprises! How sweet of Steve! My father actually sent Miguel and I the same package that he got for you for our "one week anniversary"! I love the signed picture from Minnie and Mickey.

 

[cdotla]

Hey Emma...I have finally had a chance to read your full report, start to finish in one sitting. And thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This trip sounds absolutely fabulous...I could not imagine a better way to celebrate the start of your new life together as husband and wife.

You look so amazing in all of those photos...I don't know how you do it with all of the FL heat and humidity!

I have LOVED your report, and can't wait to read more!

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

LOVE the animal pictures! They are great! Looks like you saw a lot!

 

[Self_resqing_princz]

.......

Once back in our room, I noticed some rose petals on the floor in the entrance way.. and remembered that the Disney Florist fairies had visited!

Our room looked beautiful – real rose petals scattered everywhere, and candles (electric ones!) flickering.

There were chocolates on our pillows, and personalised white towels on the bed.

A dozen red roses in a vase, a signed picture from Mickey & Minnie, and a basket of spa products.

Steve loved the surprise! It was funny that we’d both planned something for the other on the same day.

I'm not going to lie, my eyes did get a little watery... your report is like reading a Nicholas Sparks book! The heart made of flower pedals is SO PRECIOUS! I love the sweet little things you guys do for each other! *sigh*

 

[disneybarbie]

I loved how you both surprised each other (and on the same day no less!).

I also really like your newly acquired laid-back touring style. I'm attempting a little of that myself in October. Usually we're pretty commando when it comes to touring but this time since A)We're staying at a Disney resort for the first time and B)We'll be back to Disney again in March, I'm hoping to take things a bit slower and maybe even take afternoon breaks back at the Poly to enjoy the resort.

Can't wait to hear how V&A is!

Hi! yes it was quite a change for us to slow down a bit this trip when touring the parks - although I do keep thinking since we've been back "oh we didn't do that ride.. or that show.." never mind, there's always next trip!

Looks like you had a really great relaxed day

That was so sweet of Steve to surprise you Love the From Mickey and Minnie with Love. There's so much to look at isn't there, its like its never ending. Disney Florist are so amazing

Hi Stefy! I was so pleased with the inroom celebration - the florist really did a great job of displaying it all around our big room, oh and mouse-keeping still left us pillow chocolates that evening, but put them by the coffee maker rather than on the bed lol

What an amazing day! I am always so impressed when people make it to three parks in one day! We really are one park a day people, I have decided. I consider it quite an accomplishment if we make it to two in one day!

I like your go with the flow attitude, too! I would like to be able to take a trip like that, but I am such a planner it would be very hard for me!

Awww, I love all of the surprises! How sweet of Steve! My father actually sent Miguel and I the same package that he got for you for our "one week anniversary"! I love the signed picture from Minnie and Mickey.

Hi Courtney! I was really surprised we made it to all four parks within 24 hours of being at WDW! And yet didn't feel like we were rushing around - three parks is rare for us too but I did like Steve's idea of popping over to DHS after Illuminations

Really love the package that Steve got me, my sister sent us a similar one a few years ago.. so now we have four of the Mickey-printed champagne flutes (which all survived the plane journey home!)

Hey Emma...I have finally had a chance to read your full report, start to finish in one sitting. And thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This trip sounds absolutely fabulous...I could not imagine a better way to celebrate the start of your new life together as husband and wife.

You look so amazing in all of those photos...I don't know how you do it with all of the FL heat and humidity!

I have LOVED your report, and can't wait to read more!

Thank you for joining in Trish! - I'm really enjoying reliving the trip by writing all about it, so many memories - it was an amazing trip from start to finish
and lol thank you for the compliment, usually my hair doesn't like the humidity at all but it was pretty well behaved this trip!

LOVE the animal pictures! They are great! Looks like you saw a lot!

I'm not going to lie, my eyes did get a little watery... your report is like reading a Nicholas Sparks book! The heart made of flower pedals is SO PRECIOUS! I love the sweet little things you guys do for each other! *sigh*

Thank you so much! we did have a really great safari at AK that day, so many animals around
The room looked beautiful when we got back that night! I was impressed it was realy rose petals too.. I ended up scooping them all off the bed and floor and putting them in the ice bucket for a few days until they started to die!



Emma x

 

[Tracy161]

How sweet (and funny!) that you both planned surprises for each other on the same day!!! Can't believe how much you accomplished that day and still had time to relax!

 

[ronnmel]

I thought I had posted a reply to the latest updates, but I guess not. I think I might have been reading it when my cable went out.

That fainting episode was scary! I was already a bit worried about getting dehydrated myself, I'm glad I did not read this before going.

It's great how you visited three parks in one day AND went mini-golfing, yet it does not feel rushed at all!