Sydney to Los Angeles
Sept 15 2010
Flying on V Australia: Premium Economy
Staying @ Marriott Hotel LAX A very happy AustralianKaren leaving sydney
pre-flight drink...sparkling white wine..very nice
Premium economy
No lactose meal...ok fish
DH had the chessy thing...
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good entertainment....limited movies compared to Delta international flights
Happy DH that we made it...LAX waiting for hotel shuttle
Marriott Hotel @ Lax
Just to show pre shopping luggage....
DH at lunch after flying in...as you can see, was very excited
Lunch in LA...pleased note the chips that they seem to add to everything..ahh gota love the USA
V Australia Premium Economy
YES: Absolutely loved it, the service was fantastic, had a cabin attendant named Major and he was AWESOME....they served the wine in TUMBLERS....couldn't touch the seat in front with your knees, self serve bar, express baggage, priority boarding.
NO:The seats were firm but not too bad. Just take a pillow case and shove in a few V Aust pillows,and sit on the rug.
Marriott Hotel @ Lax:
YES:Good hotel, shuttle service, good location
After a breakfast from contempo cafe of deep fried yummy goodness, we decided to pool hop over to Wilderness Lodge
On the boat to Wilderness Lodge
Pool at Wilderness Lodge
The it was back to BLT to get changed for our lunch in Animal Kingdom at yak & yeti....a meal we enjoyed last year and wanted to do again.
But of course it rained so hard it hurt my head.....and animal kingdom is NOT the best park to be at in a torrential downpour..although it does empty the park rather quickly..
So off to yak and yeti we slosh....the foyer was jamed packed full of walk in's so a bit of a nightmare trying to check-in......but eventually we were seated and ordered....
tempura prawns..DH had the surf and turf..
Bit disappointed, but I had broken my cardinal rule..never try to repeat a great experience..only leads to disappointment.
Oh well...Onto the train we go
where we bumped into a few old friends..let your conscience be your guide
Make an effort to go out and check out the conservation station ....its a little known attraction but worth the effort, trains run every 10 minutes or so, and the themeing is great.
Did the safari, which once again impressed us and meandered back to the buses to get to Epcot for our Dinner at Coral reef...
Coral Reef @ Epcot
DH's dinner
My Chicken
Dessert
Coral Reef is always great for somewhere to eat with healthy food and entertainment. Nice meal had by all.
I really enjoy Epcot at night as the park is closing, you can sit with a drink and people watch as everyone scurrys out to try to beat the crowds, a great time to shop or just sit and listen to the park music.
Here's some shots the DH did of the Innovations fountain at Epcot
Good day had by all.....
##I too enjoy a good slide night...and a picture tells a thousand words..
So today was spent bumming around the pool at contemporary & the polynesian resort [ we love this idea of pool hopping] then tonight it's EMH at MK.
Poly quiet pool
Contemporary pool
A full day spent in the sun then requires a little "nanna" nap which seemed to last longer than the scheduled hour....
But after feeling refreshed and renewed, I attached our flag to the balcony
Had some dinner
such proud moments......anyway, got sorted and we saunted over to the Magic kingdom around 11 pm ish...all halloween decorations were up and it looked great
a quick ride on buzz
space mountain, haunted mansion etc etc.....then back home to Bay lake at 1.30 am...
One of my most favourite days at disney world...outlet shopping!!!!!
Anyway first off to magic kingdom for the morning
the worst thing was that this huge crane was working on the castle so every shot we got had it in it........
I had forgotten how hot and humid it got in WDW, luckily you cant see the sweat trickling down my back
crowds were light on, so we got to see and ride a fair bit...
we even did carousel of progress, something the DH hasn't done before..which he really enjoyed. [no accounting for taste]..
bailed before the parade and set off for the outlet stores
DH trying out the new cookie and cream ice cream..he does look a bit smug doesn't he...
Then after helping the US economy with our purchases...which we were very pleased with, although the Disney character store has stuff all in it, and not really reduced, so that was a tad disappointing...
anyway... dropped the stuff off, had a shower and then headed for Hollywood studios & star tours.
Rode it 3 times, the DH squealed like a teenage girl that was meeting Justin bebier..he loved it.
So after spending a bit of time doing MGM..sorry, Hollywood studios..we dragged our tired but star wars happy butts back to the clown car and headed on back to the ranch......still having enough energy to go for a dip in the contemporary pool....grabbing some snacks [I have to use my snack credits..really].
WDW- Down town Disney & MNSSHP- 20th September 2011.
So today is a combination of pool time, down-town Disney and then the big Mickey's not so scary Halloween party tonight....so pacing one selves is the key.
So off in the clown car we go..ok i just love putting in this picture
Heading straight for the giant disney store.....bought our "bits and bobs" which we got sent back to our resort...
then on to t rex
to order this
Yes we are embarrassed, yes we do have no shame..but God it tasted good, and the waffle fries are to die for..ok.. have a coronary for
T Rex gift shop...few bargains, nothing earth shattering.
Then staggering in the heat and with tummy's full of deep fried yummy yummy goodness we squeeze ourselve back into the clown car and head back to the big top...aka..BLT.
changed and packing refreshments we head for..The Pool!!!
So, after lounging all afternoon by the pool enjoying the sun and pool side entertainment we head off to prepare for...MNSSHP.
Now this year I have made an effort with our costumes, beating last years effort of...Nothing. So be nice, its the thought that counts.
Cheshire cat
crazy rabbit from AIW....
Welcome to your nightmare......you think the crowds are small???
yes they are.....
NOT!!!!!!!!!!
This line is of the happy people waiting for one or two lollies
but this is what I got.....
Not a proud moment, but hey, she filled up my bag at the end of the night...anyway.....
Dinner was had after rides were rode, stares were stared and lollies were sourced...
So overall great night, weather was hot, humid but clear and I scored at least 6kgs of lollies/chocolates etc....not bad!
WDW- Cinderella's castle lunch - Epcot- 21 September 2011
Now I have been waiting for 8 years to score a meal at Cindy's castle of broken dreams...oops jumping ahead I am....
So we start the day with me toddling down to contempo to get breakfast of the deep fried pre heated yummy Bounty meal...
please note there was more but hungry people need to eat....the in room coffee was ok, didn't drink that much as I was pacing myself to 10-20 diet cokes .. another story..
anyway...
Pool time
followed by "try out my new snorkle" time
and then try out underwater function on camera time
yes there is a pattern here...new camera = dodgy photos.
have to bail now...gym time..will finish this one about today...tomorrow....stay tuned
WDW- Cinderella's castle lunch - Epcot- 21 September 2011
Part 2.... Ok, so where was I up too......oh thats right, lounging by the pool..
So after tanning up to meet the princesses, we toddle back to our castle, shower and pretty up to meet them.
Leaving our clown car at home [ i just have to include the photo].....
we venture by foot to MK, walking along the path leading from Contempoary to MK........
Now remember its hot hot hot, the MK is nuts around lunch time anyway, and when you get within a mile of the castle you better be watching your feet, as small maurauding princesses are rampaging.
Not a relaxing way to start the experience, and then we had the nerve..I say the nerve of turning up 15 minutes early.
Side note: The DH wasnt too chuffed about going in the first place, I had dragged him from pool heaven, made him put on shoes and now he has to wait to even get in the place, oh and did I mention the small kids and heat.
Anyway, we seek shelter in the princess shop....I know, what the hell was I thinking, as if it wasnt traumatic enough on the poor boy already.
Finally, we go back and check in ....to then be corraled in another waiting room with 2 chairs and 100 people in a four by four space....can you see where this may be going.
After getting pic taken with Cindy
we are ushered into another parking spot, told to sit and then we wait again.....
Finally.........we are taken up the stairs [ after being told ladies loo isnt working up the top , so if nature calls I'd have to toddle back down to use the one on ground level]....can you hear him tutting about now...
To be seated in the castle....[insert trumpet blast here].
our view from our window seat
So we sit, we are excited...then this rude family of 8 rock up to sit next to me, the fat spanish dude nearly wipes me out with his backpack and then his fat butt...the mood rapidly disapears from then....they are loud, annoying and speaking spanish. Ok, I did get him back when he encroached in my space by stabbing him "accidently" in the butt with my wand...seriously, I could have clobbered him with it.And my DH, being ever so vigilant to the mood and feeling of his DW......so was getting agravated and annoyed as well.....
Oh well....we still had a nice meal...with a wand and a sword to take home
So back to the food.....
DH's meal
Mine
Dessert
So all in all, we had a fair time at cindy's.....food was great, server was fine ...just so crowded and loud.
Me meeting Snowy....
The princesses were awesome, they chatted to everyone, and made you feel special. They are so in character.They even made Dh blush..so really it was money well spent.
So now that I made the boy go thru this ordeal, i ask...what do you want to do now.....ok you guessed it..back to the pool.
The afternoon was spent de-stressing by the pool, having a nanna nap then getting ready for our meal at Epcot...Le Chefs de france..
Now I have RAVED about how great this place is to DH [ you can see whats going to happen cant you]....
My seafood meal
DH's duck which he said was fantastic
DH's dessert
Mine....
After waiting 25 minutes to be seated for a 8pm meal, he's hungry, tired, sunburnt and annoyed....but after the air con, the bread and a few glasses of water he was a happy man again.....
The service was typically french..they ignore you the first 15 minutes, insult you the next 30, then suck up the final 10.........although their short black was awesome and worth the bother.
So waiting til the fireworks finished, we meandered out, taking our time watching all the drunks try to walk straight, smelling the roses. Monorail back to Contemporary, quick snack @ contempo then a swim and bed.
Interesting day to say the least......travel, a great way to get to know your partner
WDW- MGM- POOL HOP TO BOARDWALK- MGM- 22 September 2011
So this morning we plot and scheme togeather as a couple for a change...and come up with a plan.
1.breakfast- food from contempo cafe
2.take clown car to MGM,park, get fastpasses then catch boat to boardwalk
3.find pool, swim, lunch
4.boat to mgm, more fastpasses
5.car to BLT, swim, shower, nanna nap etc
6.back to MGM for dinner @ 50's Prime time @ 7.50pm and do rides [ok, star wars]
And funny enough, the plan worked .........here are the photos....
Boardwalk quiet pool
Lunch
Boardwalk pool area
Safety before style
The OMG noisy Boardwalk pool
Eating funnel cake in the rain at MGM
Soaked but happy @ MGM
self explanitory
Rain storm from our balcony......are we going out in this?????yep!
Happy DH waiting for food at 50's prime time
Meatloaf, pulled pork, chicken etc....yummy deep fried goodness
Themeing was fantastic.....wish I was back in the 50's
Two very full and happy campers.....
So had a great day, bit sunburnt but hey.....
WDW- Resort hopping -Artist Point - MK - 23 September 2011
So today is spent catching the monorail to the 2 other monorail resorts : Polynesian & Grand Floridian.
Breakfast was at Kona Cafe @ Poly resort...a favourite of ours as they make great plunger coffee and a nice cooked breakfast for a decent price.
Aloha DH......
Ok, not the most attractive photo...but I'm so happy to get a decent coffee...finally...
My healthy breakfast
DH's Tonga toast
After breaky, we like to walk for a bit and check things out...so heres a few shots of the Poly resort
this was taken from a great little look out at poly, would be fantastic for a wedding.....or proposal.....or just to spend a quality moment with someone you love...
So onto the boat we get, on our way to the Grand...
A well fed and happy DH...
I have no idea what I am doing....something stupid most likely if true to form
So we arrive at the Grand, and I'm wanting to check grand cafe menu for later, do some shopping and try to use my snack credits....
Grand Floridian cafe...which we didn't end up eating at....next time
Foyer of grand, but it looks even better at Christmas..with a gingerbread house and everything..so make sure you go have a look...
So after spending a small fortune...the boutique stores are great.....we caught the monorail back to MK.......then walked back to the contemporary.
By then it was Nanna nap, packing & Pool time.
We had reservations for Artist point at 8pm, but tried to get them earlier using the automated phone reservation system.....if you have a strong Aussie accent.. don't bother..it doesn't understand you! Grrrrrrrrrr....
So, having 2 TS credits left each, we decided to try Artist Point...I was there in 2006 with my youngest and we enjoyed it.
The DH wasn't as easily impressed, he said he enjoyed 50's prime time better..oh well.......and i don't think we even took photos.....if I find them I'll down load them later..
So back to the resort & finalise packing as we were leaving tomorrow.....so sad.
Such a sad day..the day of departure...all the excitement and expectation is spent and now its just left to pay the bill and pile into you're little clown car and go.
here's a photo of the clown car
Just a quick side note..the best $4 I ever spent was paying the valet @ Contemporary to load our luggage into the above mentioned clown car....I wish I had videoed it...seriously funny.
Sorry no photos..but picture 4 LARGE suitcases, 2 back packs, 2 smaller bags....the DH was so embarrassed.....worth the cost of the trip I say
Anyway, went over to Captain cooks quick food place at Poly for breaky
Ok, so I had a burger........
DH had healthy yummy noodles...good for him
Its a self order place, so expect to wait if people have no idea what they doing....
So monorailing it to MK, we walk around saying goodbye to our favourite place... tommorowland
The crowds were heavier than we had seen, being a Saturday we were still surprised as we had enjoyed relatively no crowd conditions all week.
So, back to BLT to get our luggage, load/cram it into the clown car
and drive off to Tampa...
The trip was ....interesting....took about 1.25 hrs, 4 lane highways, speed limit..whatever.Hit a huge storm just at Tampa, we couldn't see 3 feet in front of us but did anyone slow down...HELL NO!!!! Thank god for our GPS.
So dropped off car, which by the way ran on fumes for the last 20 mile, and checked in with one of the nicest check in ladies at Delta
....hardly no line for security, the TSA agents were really friendly, my Aussie shirt helps...chatted about Sydney etc....
So off to the Delta lounge to wait for our flight
### check out my new coach backpack on the seat
Good flight, non-stop to LA...gotta love first class, and it had in seat entertainment so DH happy boy..great meal [no photos...] and we arrived 9 pm LA time...1 am orlando time...so caught shuttle to LAX Hilton, checked into hotel and slept the sleep of the dead.
Ok, so today we are leaving the LAX Hilton [which is awesome, and the beds are great, oh and so is the gym].
We have to meet the DCL bus to the port at the delta terminal at 10.30am, so catching a shuttle to the airport we arrive 30 min early and they are waiting for us...gotta love the mouse.
So off we go to the port.......
Arriving early, we walk straight in.....we are in a cat 5 balcony stateroom...but I had already asked DH on the bus..."what do you say we see if they have upgrades, and how much $$$ are you willing to pay"...he replied "sure, and $##".
So smiling as we check in I ask, and they said yes they have a few suites free, and its $$$$$...DH nearly has a heart attack [I'd always wanted to use a de-fib]......so we upgrade to a cat T concierge suite.....SCORE!!!!!!!
now I chose mid ship deck 8.....idiot, as I find out later...the damn thing is right under the kid pool & deck....sounded like a jumbo landing every time someone moved a chair......but that's later.
happy me
So you board first, they take you to the Cadillac lounge and look after you until the suite is ready....not like everyone else who has to bum it on deck..
This is where we met our concierge Alice from Italy...Alice you ROCK!!!!
So after eating and drinking we go for a wander, have a look around and finally its ready to see our suite....
So after squealing like a girl...and that was just DH...we go upstairs for our customary cocktail of the day...
So if you have sailed before you get castaway club gifts.....
So anyway, back down , get changed and then...to the pool!!!! But have to grab a quick snack first....
Then of course where do aussies tend to go...to the coffee shop...quiet cove..good coffee with soy...
and cake of course...
We are now at sea.......
ok, have to go have farewell drinks..but will be back to finish this one
Ok, where was I up too....oh thats right.
We had swum, had our coffee and moved suites.....I didnt mention that earlier did I.
The noise was so bad, the DH was threatening to jump ship, so Alice our fantastic concierge moved us to a spare 1 bed suite fwd on deck 8......so much quieter, and she saved me from tossing him a life ring.....
Oh, quick mention...shout out to a certain disser & crew who were standing next to us at cattle...I mean life boat drill.....so great to meet you & yours...now I can put face to "name".....
DH went off for a pedi, while I check out the gym....very nice, awesome equipment and great weight selection.
So, after finally tracking down our poor luggage...remember this is the 3rd room we have been allocated.....its 6.30pm and we need to frock up for 8.15 pm dinner....
Dinner tonight is at Titans
so sorry but that's it folks for the meal photos...I think we were too busy chatting to take happy snaps.......
But we did have a sneaky look in oceaneers club...for the youngens, so have a sticky at these...
so a great day was had...and gifts were always left on our table for when we came back
And finally, the most important piece of reading you will do on any cruise......
the cocktail list
Now as the title suggests, we are at sea. For those of you who haven't cruised, it goes something like this......
*The young kids + parental units are up and fed and at the kids clubs/hogging deck chairs by 9am
*the old are up, fed and hogging the deck chairs by 9am
*the hungover are in bed, dont bother looking for movement til 2pm
*the rest of us order room service breakfast around 10.30....then meander to the pool around 12, only to moan about the old sunburnt people asleep & hogging the deck chairs
You see what i mean about sea days.....the gym is full, the pool is full,the buffet is full, the tiny kiddy pool has been emptied twice before 10am due to "incidents of a hazardous nature".....note: its fun to watch the cleaning and re-filling...
I digress......anyway, sea day is all about getting your sea legs, trying out the spa treatments, enjoying the company of strangers in the tiny tiny pool and buying stuff.
Ok, we had booked a Palo Brunch for 11.30am......I wake sleeping beauty who was dreaming of his beloved clown car
I couldn't help myself......
So we get up, get dressed and get to Palo at 11.27am.......only to be TURNED AWAY.....OMG!!!!
the humiliation, the angst, the what the hell....
OK, so I was wearing a cookie monster T-shirt and denim shorts, but DH was wearing shoes , so what more do you want from us.
Dress regs.....hey mate , were Australian, and I left my dress thongs at home.
So after DH stops the eye bulgy thingy that only men can do when fighting for something he really didn't want to do in the first place.....he mentions we are in suite #####...and wow..shock horror ..there is an opening for whatever morning and time I desire....this is the same thing that was TOTALLY BOOKED UP on line a few days before.
So after booking for " when hell freezes over"...naaa.....the last morning....we tuck our docked Australian kelpie tails between our denim shorted thighs and make our way back to our suite to re think, re group and re gress to *****y year nine girls and the bugger grrrrr of dress codes.
Here's a photo of what we were wearing.......you be the judge
So we are now hungry, slightly embarrassed and did I mention hungry..so off to Parrot cay for lunch..
So then the afternoon was spent in the pool, working on those tans to torment others when we got home....ok, the DH goes red, he peals then goes white...but really, its the thought that counts.
Tequila tasting at 5pm.....nothing else needs to be said..
move along..nothing to see here.......
Tonight is the Golden Mickeys and Formal Night...we had done golden mickeys last cruise, so just opted to do formal dinner..any excuse to frock up.
Formal night Animators palate..
Ok, once again forgot to take pics of the food, and the colour show wasn't tonight, its tomorrow, so the dining room stayed black and white.....
Finished the evening with a stroll on deck under the Mexican moon....
Day at Sea- 27 September 2011
or :The day I was seasick
Yep, happens to us all when your tiny weeny clown ship is tossed around on huge billion million mile high waves.....so not my fault.
So after spending the morning hating my life, your life , the sea, the things that live in, under and on the sea...can you get the idea...I raise my fevered brow and stagger up on deck....ginger ale in hand. Thank you Alice, our trusty concierge....after a call from DH, 4 cans were in my fridge in 7 mins flat....WE LOVE YOU ALICE!!!!
We got to the pool just in time for the adult games...oh goody.....
But we were visited by chip and dale, or is it dale and chip????
So after watching grown adults embarrass themselves in the water for a $4 drink coupon [wardrobe malfunctions included....oh the humanity]...sorry no photos..and you know the saying, what is seen cannot be unseen, no matter how much you drink...
We now head to the part of the ship you never want to venture to without a damn good reason & an escape route already mapped out,and an understanding between yourselves..if separated, dont come back, just save yourself...
THE KIDDY POOL....
Mexican fiesta is on........
And here's the Piddly toddler pool being cleaned..again.... for those who are interested
top deck when everyone has gone down to get changed for 6pm seating
So since I was feeling a tad better, I thought I might try a light snack with ginger ale
then when we got back to the suite ..this was waiting
Dh chuffed off for a massage, so feeling a bit better I decided to order room service..please dont judge me..it was the sea air that made me do it
Yes,you saw it correctly, steak sandwich, tortillas..but i did order the DH a chicken salad with dressing on the side
So dinner tonight is again at animators..but the show is on so have to get there....
the meal was as follows
with a special guest appearance
Now shock horror, I wasn't feeling too great so toddled back to room & DH went and took some night shots.....a relaxing way to end his day.
Ok, so back to the boat after the excursion where we receive a lovely invitation to the Concierge cocktail party.....4pm Aft deck.
I do enjoy the extra's we are receiving.
And they promise that maybe a "special guest" will be there...so I'm in!
So we rock up, and guess who's there......
the food and cocktails were plentiful...just the way I like it
And, the carnival boat thhat was parked next door seemed to notice our "guest" so we had a large audience....dont they wish they chose Disney...
I wonder what character carnival has????..maybe it is a clown and he turned up in this...
So after enjoying one..or 4 cocktails...
We toddled off to get ready for dinner & Toy Story the musical....no photos as they don't allow photography in the theatre
[not that it stopped others from doing it...what part of NO PHOTOS do these people not understand....]
The musical was really well done, I quite enjoyed it, I think there was too much singing for DH's liking, but Musical in the title should have given that away ..
So I enjoyed it with my glow buzz light year drink..why should the kids get all the fun.
We decided to stay in our casual gear & eat at the buffet...beach blanket and just bum around taking photos and going for a swim....
Our suite as the days go on...looking like a Chinese laundry..for those who are curious
As always , we start the day with in room dining....
Pulling into Cabo was interesting because we didn't realise how dry the landscape was..we were expecting green....
and the water was an amazing colour......
Snorkelling @ Chileno Bay.....
So today was snorkelling, and having bought our own snorkel gear [great idea by the way and not too much hassle packing in bags]..
Disney also have a great system of port excursion prep....they get you into holding areas, sign you off, give you a sticker & character to follow and away you go...two by two across the gang plank.
These photos were taken with a tiny Sony digital underwater camera...awesome little thing
So after a great excursion, it was back to the boat in preparation for Pirates in the Caribbean night.....and we chose to eat in suite again, just enjoying the room service option to concierge...Parrot cay...
, smelling the roses. Monorail back to Contemporary, quick snack @ contempo then a swim and bed.
.........here are the photos....
who were standing next to us at cattle...I mean life boat drill.....so great to meet you & yours...now I can put face to "name".....
so toddled back to room & DH went and took some night shots.....a relaxing way to end his day.
