April Showers Bring May Flowers & A Much Anticipated Disney Trip.NEW-BEST STEAK EVER!

[misscmac]

Congratulations on your graduation!! Can't wait to read more about your report. We are staying at POP for the first time in October so it will be great to get your take on the resort.

Melissa

Thanks for reading! We love POP - this was our 3rd stay there, and we will definitely stay there again in the future.

 

[misscmac]

OK, I am a horrible trip report writer! I only have it saved on my computer, which is extremely slow, so that hasn't been help either (not that I am making excuses). I have been working on the next update for a while and should have it posted by later tonight! Don't give up on me!

 

[stagemomx3]

should have it posted by later tonight! Don't give up on me!

 

[megveg]

OK, I am a horrible trip report writer! I only have it saved on my computer, which is extremely slow, so that hasn't been help either (not that I am making excuses). I have been working on the next update for a while and should have it posted by later tonight! Don't give up on me!

youre better than me! Im waiting for my photopass pictures and I feel terrible im making people wait!

 

[misscmac]

WEDNESDAY MAY 21

** Sidenote: Our Magic Your Way Package started today – the previous night’s stay was a room-only reservation

We had another early wake up call, though not as early so Tuesday morning’s (thank goodness!!). We had breakfast at Everything POP and made the very short drive to Seaworld – it took less than 15 minutes!

Our rental car:






I have not visited Seaworld since my first trip in 2002, so I was really excited. We arrived before they opened the parking lots so we waited in a short line of cars until they opened the gate at 8:30 AM.



We found our parking spot (nice and close!) and walked into the park. At 9:00 AM they played the National Anthem and officially opened the park. Justin made a beeline for Kraken, which he rode alone because I am a chicken:




On the walk in, I had been joking about how I didn’t want to ride Journey to Atlantis (again, I’m a chicken) and I kept saying that "maybe it would be closed". Well imagine my surprise when we walked by and it wasn’t working! They were experiencing “technical difficulties” and said they hoped to open later in the day. I felt a little bad – Justin was really looking forward to this ride and I felt as though I had cursed it!

We moved on to the activity that I had been wanting to do forever: feed the dolphins! I waited in a short line to buy my dolphins food – 3 stinky little fish! I believe that it was $4.00 for the fish. I found my spot on the ledge and a dolphin quickly came over because he could see the food tray in my hands (I was supposed to place it on the ledge – oops!)





The dolphins will swim towards you and wait, with their mouths wide open for you to throw the fish in. (There are some pesky birds who will lurk and wait for the right moment to swoop down and grab the fish from your hands so you have to be kind of quick!)

Next on my list of things to do was feed a stingray! Justin decided to join me this time so we bought a tray of fish to share. There were about 8 tiny fish in this tray – very different from the dolphin’s fish. The instructions said to hold the fish upright between your fingers. Then, you place your hand towards the bottom of the (shallow) pool and wait. Eventually a stingray will swim right over your hand and gently take the fish from you. The first time I had my hand it the water, I never saw the stingray approach me and was a little startled when I felt it touch my arm! They are sooo smooth – they almost feel a bit slimy too!

It was really hard to get a good picture of this – they swim around so quickly and blend in with the water:





After the stingrays were nice and full, we started walking towards our next attraction but were cut off by these guys, who were leisurely walking around the park:






Next up was the Sea Lion and otter show. This show was cute; the plot was not very memorable and it was filled with corny jokes but we enjoyed it anyway:







After the show we made our way back to Atlantis to see if it was up and running yet. Fortunately for Justin (and unfortunately for me) it was and the wait was only about 10 minutes or so! We hopped on and were in the last row (which I am very thankful for because the people in the front got SOAKED).

Here we are laughing after the big drop:



And going back up (this ride doesn’t end after the big drop!):




Afterwards we watched the Blue Horizons show:



We had worked up quite an appetite and it was time for lunch at The Voyager. Justin and I both got Caesar Salads at this cafeteria-style restaurant (other options were pizza, pasta, and BBQ chicken). After a good meal and a nice break from the heat, we were ready to see the rest of the park!

 

[askelton]

Cute picture of you two!

they played the National Anthem and officially opened the park. Justin made a beeline for Kraken, which he rode alone because I am a chicken:

I didn't realize that they play the National Anthem! Cool! Next time you're there, I'll ride with Justin. Roller coasters rock!

We moved on to the activity that I had been wanting to do forever: feed the dolphins! I waited in a short line to buy my dolphins food – 3 stinky little fish! I believe that it was $4.00 for the fish. I found my spot on the ledge and a dolphin quickly came over because he could see the food tray in my hands (I was supposed to place it on the ledge – oops!)

Have you been to Discovery Cove? Highly recommend it since you enjoyed the dolphins so much.

Next up was the Sea Lion and otter show. This show was cute; the plot was not very memorable and it was filled with corny jokes but we enjoyed it anyway:

Very cute show!

 

[Bloodhound]

Hi, I loved the Sea World pics....I want to go swimming with dolphins someday...we will be going to Sea World in So. Cali this Oct. I cant wait

 

[misscmac]

Cute picture of you two!


I didn't realize that they play the National Anthem! Cool! Next time you're there, I'll ride with Justin. Roller coasters rock!


Have you been to Discovery Cove? Highly recommend it since you enjoyed the dolphins so much.


Very cute show!

Hi, I loved the Sea World pics....I want to go swimming with dolphins someday...we will be going to Sea World in So. Cali this Oct. I cant wait

Thanks for hanging in there guys! My ultimate dream is to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove, but we didn't have the time or the cash to do it this trip, so I had to settle for feeding them Justin definitely needs a roller coaster buddy - I will go on some of them (like Rock N' Roller Coaster) but that was just too high for me!

 

[askelton]

My ultimate dream is to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove, but we didn't have the time or the cash to do it this trip,

I know it's expensive, but everything is included, all you can eat & drink. We were there from 9-5, made good use of free drinks! They do have a value season as well so maybe next time you can go!

 

[misscmac]

I know it's expensive, but everything is included, all you can eat & drink. We were there from 9-5, made good use of free drinks! They do have a value season as well so maybe next time you can go!

Ohhh I didn't know there was a value season! I will do it at some point - even if I have to go alone!

 

[misscmac]

WEDNESDAY MAY 21 (CONTINUED)

After we finished our lunch, our next stop was the Penguin Encounter. They are ADORABLE! This attraction is especially cool because you can view the penguins in and out of the water. It’s hard to get a good picture since we viewed the penguins from the moving sidewalk, but here was our attempt:



One of the things I really loved about Seaworld was the landscaping – the grounds of the park were gorgeous!







Next we went to see the “mascot” of Seaworld – Shamu! This was a great show. The whales are so beautiful:







We exited the show and came across these guys:



They are HUGE! And this was my favorite part:



The Dalmatian, just like in the Superbowl commercial! (Which was, by far, my favorite commercial of the night!)

Next, Justin’s Dad and I walked through the Arctic Trail, while he and his Mom went on the simulator ride ( I am not a fan of simulator rides ). I don’t have any pictures from this – there were a lot of people and the line to get in moved realllllyy slow, which surprised me seeing as how it was a walk-through attraction.

We were pretty much spent at this point. It was extremelllyyyy hot out and we had seen everything that we wanted to see. We made the long walk back to the car (which was steaming hot):



We got back to POP at around 2:30 PM and had just enough time to rest and freshen up before our dinner that night!

NEXT UP: Mama Melrose and a fierce game of Mini-Golf!

 

[LISAMWDW]

Good stuff! Keep it coming!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

More, please!

 

[askelton]

I absolutely love penguins! Have a collection and everything. The day we were there, I watched them for about an hour while everyone else went to do their own thing.

 

[misscmac]

Good stuff! Keep it coming!

Thanks!

More, please!

I am workin' on it!

I absolutely love penguins! Have a collection and everything. The day we were there, I watched them for about an hour while everyone else went to do their own thing.

They are adorable! I would've liked to stay longer, but I think the first day in the Florida heat had taken its toll (we came from chilly RI) and we were ready to head back for a nap!


Thanks for sticking around guys! This weekend has been reallllly busy but I will be working on the next section very soon!

 

[Bloodhound]

Thanks for hanging in there guys! My ultimate dream is to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove, but we didn't have the time or the cash to do it this trip, so I had to settle for feeding them Justin definitely needs a roller coaster buddy - I will go on some of them (like Rock N' Roller Coaster) but that was just too high for me!

Hi, I would have loved to ride the Rockin Roller Coaster but it was down being revamped when we were there Last Sept 07

 

[misscmac]

Hi, I would have loved to ride the Rockin Roller Coaster but it was down being revamped when we were there Last Sept 07

Bummer! It is a great ride - I almost didn't go on years ago because I was a chicken but was forced to by my brother Good thing he shamed me into going on!

 

[misscmac]

OK, so I reaalllllllyyy underestimated how time-consuming writing this trip report would be! We have been so busy with working (overtime ) and a friend's wedding this weekend, we have not had a spare second! Justin was the best man and had to fulfill all of his best man duties ( like writing an awesome speech ) and I have been working a little bit extra the past week or so, but I have another update (and I will maybe even post a few wedding pictures as an added bonus ).

 

[misscmac]

(STILL) WEDNESDAY MAY 21

So we napped and/or freshened up and hopped in the rental car for the last time. We filled up the gas tank and drove it back to the Swan. We took the ferry over to MGM…I mean Disney's Hollywood Studios . We had quite some time before our 5:10 PM reservation and decided to squeeze in a ride. According to the ride time board Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster only had a 20 minute wait or so, so we headed that way. Justin, his Mom, and I all rode and it was great!

Then we booked it over to Mama Melrose. We checked in and within 5 minutes we were being led to our seats:



It wasn’t until we were in the restaurant and had our menus that we realized we each got an appetizer, entrée, and dessert because of the Fantasmic Dinner Package. (Last time we did the Fantasmic Dinner Package at Hollywood & Vine, so it was just a buffet.) After much discussion and debate , we finally decided on 2 orders of Calamari, the Artisan Bread and Dips, and an order of vegetable soup for Justin’s Dad.

The Calamari was delicious! The breads were good – I am not a very adventurous eater so I wasn’t crazy about the dips (which were “arugula and chive pesto, sun-dried tomato, roasted vegetable and roasted garlic” according to allearsnet). There were no complaints about the soup, so I have to assume that it was good as well!

For his entrée, Justin ordered the Wood-Grilled Salmon basted with sun-dried tomato pesto over roasted vegetables:



He wasn’t crazy about the salmon – he didn’t like the sauce that they put on it.

I ordered the Wood-grilled Shrimp tossed with Pipette pasta with artichokes, peas, roasted red peppers in a basil and four cheese cream sauce:



I had been craving a dish like this since Justin had ordered something similar the night before. I thought it was pretty good – only a few pieces of shrimp in it (maybe 3?) but the cheese sauce was deliciouussssss ( I love cheese – hehe!). It was a huge portion and I did not come close to finishing it.

Finally, it was time for dessert! I ordered the chocolate gelato, and Justin ordered the tiramisu (which I would have ordered if he didn’t!).

Here’s the gelato:


It was delicious! I have a big sweet tooth and dessert is definitely my favorite part of the meal!

Justin’s tiramisu (which he so kindly shared with me):


Also delicious! We didn’t finish our desserts either – we were just too stuffed!

Overall I thought that Mama Melrose was good. I have heard many bad reviews on this restaurant, so I was a little worried. The service was a bit slow, but we were in no rush and our waiter was helpful and attentive. We thought the Fantasmic Dinner Package was almost too good a deal – waaaayy to much food for us, but it was very good!

We left the restaurant a couple of pounds heavier and went our separate ways. Justin’s parents were going to hang out at DHS and Justin and I were off to play golf at Fantasia Gardens! We took the boat back to the Swan/Dolphin stop and made the short walk over to the mini-golf area. We used our voucher from booking the vacation package, so we only had to pay 1 admission fee. The cast member informed us that the Fantasia Fairways course was more challenging than the Fantasia Gardens course and Justin was looking for a challenge so we picked the Fairways.

We walked over to the first hole and I loved it already:


Now let me warn you – the cast member was right. This course is extremely difficult. I think we both scored a “6” on the first hole, because that it the maximum they allow! We were second-guessing our decision to play this course, but stuck with it. Fortunately there were hardly any people playing this course so we weren’t waiting in lines (or holding anyone else up!).


Hopefully these pictures will give you an idea of the layout of the holes:




Bunny on the course:








Justin is extremely competitive, and it must have rubbed off on me a bit because we were both taking the game pretty seriously! After all 18 holes, we tallied up the scores. Can YOU guess who won?

 

[stagemomx3]

I'm guessing you won?

I suck at putt putt golf! Your dinner looked good.