Before the trip, Kev and I concurred on several occasions that, whilst we were each looking forward to experiencing "one another's" holidays, neither of us was expecting to change our points of view. There was never any doubt that being at the BoardWalk during the IF&WF would be fantastic and that definitely lived up to expectations. I suppose the big difference this split stay made to us was that, rather than mixing things up as we normally would, we almost had two separate holidays. For example, much as we both love it, we wouldn't normally shop on 3 consecutive days! And our Disney touring was a departure from our normal routine that first week knowing that we would be doing little else during the second.
I said all along that, ideally I would be doing things the other way around and, now I think about it, I haven't changed my feelings about that. Our second week onsite was
very full on with little down time and a week at the villa afterwards would have been lovely. I'm being very pedantic, though, as I wouldn't change anything about this particular trip. Had we done it differently, we might not have had some of the many magical moments. There were so many that I don't really know where to start:
The concerts at Reunion. Both were fantastic, but I enjoyed the second evening more. During the week or so in the run-up to the trip, I'd started to feel that having two consecutive evenings taken over by these concerts might prove to be a nuisance. Had Matt and I been there on our own, we may well have talked ourselves out of going, but I'm so glad we had the Stringer voice of reasoning to spur us on ("Don't be stupid, woman"). Since arriving home, we've seen the official video of the weekend which has brought back some happy memories. It's very good, too - apart from a couple of crazy women in the front row. Why anyone would show themselves up like that, I've no idea.
The Adventurers' Club. The Stringers had been threatening to drag us along here for years. They're all so enthusiastic about the place that there was a real danger of it being a disappointment. However, I managed to keep an open mind and my expectations in check. No amount of explication can begin to describe this unique experience. This may sound strange, but in hindsight I enjoyed it much better than I
thought I did at the time and I can't wait to go back. I'm convinced I'll enjoy it even more now that I 'get it'.
The golf. I always enjoy accompanying Matt around golf courses in Orlando. It's great fun to drive the cart in the Florida sun and have beer (and food if you want it) delivered to you. The Reunion courses, in particular, are quite spectacular. Tam and I had only intended to join the boys for a few holes, but, even though it was quite chilly, we enjoyed ourselves so much that we stayed for the entire round. The girls weren't too impressed at the prospect of being left alone at the villa for the best part of five hours, but there was not a murmour from them when we eventually returned. They really are two of the most charming young ladies you could hope to meet. I suppose you have to give the parents some credit.
Jellyrolls. A place I've wanted to visit for as long as I can remember. You really do need to be staying in the Epcot Resorts area to do this justice, IMHO. I love a good sing-a-long and I can't imagine ever tiring of this place (well, except at 2am, when I did tire of it and had to take myself off to bed. Anyone who knows me will be impressed - that's at least four hours after my normal 'crash' time).
Victoria & Albert's. I love eating out and there are many places in Orlando I really enjoy (so many that I have trouble deciding which to choose each trip), but this place really is head and shoulders above the rest. IMHO, there is a romanticised view of the WDW restaurants and there are a
lot which fall far short of the hype, but V&A's truly deserves its reputation.
Our girly day at Downtown Disney. Matt is very tolerant of my desire to visit every shop on WDW property
hug: ), but I'm always conscious that he's more than a bit bored. It was lovely to have an indulgent day with like-minded individuals. I think we spent 2 hours (it may have been more) in the World of
Disney store alone.
Narcoossee's. Again, a visit has long been on my 'to do' list, even though it gets mixed reviews. It was one of those evenings which just conspired to come together in a magical way. I can't quite put my finger on why that was and it's not something you can plan for or necessarily re-create (and neither should you try).
Halloween. I enjoyed all our trips to Epcot - it's my favourite park, the one where I feel most at one with the world, and I adore the IF&WF, but (as I mentioned on the Day 15 thread) our evening here for Halloween will be an enduring memory. Perfect.
Most of all, though, I have simply enjoyed being with wonderful friends. Kev and Tam both have a wicked sense of humour and there's never a dull moment. The nightly pool playing at the villa certainly elicited plenty of laughs. As I've mentioned many times before, India and Georgia are delightful, good-natured girls and a credit to Kev and Tam. It was wonderful, too, to meet Susan at last and, once again, to have reason to thank the internet, and the DIS in particular, for bringing such a fabulous person into our lives. Let me tell you, should you ever have the urge to spend a week with a complete stranger, Susan's your girl. She's the ultimate companion - intelligent, interesting, kind-hearted and fun. Last, but not least, my lovely husband, Matt. Apparently I give him a hard time. Well, if I do, it's only because he deserves it!
Kev - I know I speak for many people here in thanking you for the usual round of witty and engaging Trip Reports. We've got more reason than most to thank you, though, because they provide a permanent record of another wonderful holiday spent in the company of wonderful friends. Sycophantic interlude over.
