Again - sorry this is taking so long to post! I keep getting distracted!!
Day 5 - Wednesday 28th September 2011 - Discovery Cove and California Grill
Anyway - please let me tell you about the best day I have ever had...
I'd left off in my trip report where me and Scott had a sleepy night in eating a Wolfgang Puck take-out and watching some random American tv in bed. Not the worst way to spend a sleepy evening!
So we woke up early (about 8.00am) but having had an early night we were feeling very awake. Its always a bonus when you don't wake up tired when in Florida!!
We were spending today in Discovery Cove - this was a very last minute booking that I made on a whim. Somebody I know through work was talking really highly of it and convinced me to give it a try - I managed to keep it a secret from Scott until we were on the plane and he was looking forward to it too
Unfortunately, we had a bit of a struggle getting there - we decided to get the bus there but unfortunately we were waiting at the wrong stop in Downtown Disney for ages - so we ended up just getting a taxi - even though it wasn't too expensive if I were to recommend how to get there I would say get the Mears Shuttle - thats what I would do in future.
So we arrived and you drive through lovely trees and all of a sudden feel a million miles away from the highway. We joined a 5-10 minute queue to register when we were inside and also got a lanyard with a pass - this pass had a picture of you that they take, had some information where to meet for our dolphin swim and also had a mark that we were over 21 (so entitled to the alcohol - woop!!).
The first thing that really hit me as we walked in was how quiet the place was. Very peaceful
We decided to have breakfast first - I suppose I should mention for those that don't know all food and drink is included. so you don't need to carry around money or anything which is very handy.
I had some orange juice, and some hot breakfast items - i think there was scrambled eggs / bacon / perhaps a biscuit? There was a decent selection of breakfast food to start off the day anyway.
We then went to pick up our vests and put everything in our locker - then got two sun-loungers over by the lazy river.
We relaxed for a bit there then swam around the lazy river - the lazy river is a warm very gentle current around that you swim around. You can get off half way through to visit an aviary. We didn't go all the way around this as we didn't realise there was anymore than what we saw!! But we got to feed some birds in here which was pretty awesome.
After about an hour and a half of more lazy swimming and sunbathing it was time to get ready for the dolphin swim. We met at a cabana and filled in a form before being split in to groups of between 6 and 8.
The dolphin swim was amazing - the water is cold but because there is a big group you don't really have time to be a baby about it and you just walk right in. The whole experience lasted much, much longer than my initial expectation too - it didn't feel rushed to get another group in and although you are part of a group everybody gets a lot of interaction with the dolphin. You get to touch, kiss, fin-swim and do some tricks with the dolphins. They all then do some flips in the deeper part of the pool while you are all still in the water.
We bought the picture / video package as there is somebody taking video and pictures throughout the experience. It was very expensive but I'm glad we bought this.
We then decided to get lunch - there was so, so much choice for lunch. I think Scott had chicken tenders, a burger and fries. I can't remember what I had - there were salad options as well. There desserts were the usual carrot cake / chocolate cake options but were tasty.
After lunch, we went over by the other part of the park - which is the snorkelling lagoon. Again, we sunbathed for a while to let our meal go down - at this point I realised that there were frozen margaritas on offer at this side of the park - I had a few of these throughout the afternoon - nothing quite beats sunbathing in the Florida sunshine sipping a Margarita does it?
Anyway - we decided to go and check out the snorkelling pool. We went in to a little deeper than knee depth and must of spent a good 5 minutes getting the snorkel mask fixed up / tight enough / loosened - etc etc!! When we finally got ready we were like "I wonder how far in you have to swim til you get to where the fish are?"
Anybody who has been to Discovery Cove will know that the fish are literally already there!! I swear we both put our heads in the water at the same time and pretty much choked and came straight back out. You put your head in and literrally hundreds of fish were already at our feet and we had no idea - it was so funny!!
We composed ourselves and then went for a swim - this is amazing. If you are quite impressed by the swim in Typhoon Lagoon this will blow your mind - it was so amazing. We swam around and there were heaps of different types of fish and rays below and come so so close to you
Anyway after a couple of hours between snorkelling and sunbathing with frozen margaritas we decided to get organised to head back to the hotel to get ready for tonight (eep!)
There were taxis outside Discovery Cove so we got back to the hotel within 10 minutes. Had a shower and got all dressed up nice. We were going to California Grill in the Contemporary Hotel for a nice dinner and some cocktails.
We arrived at the check-in desk at California Grill and got to go in the elevator upstairs. The views from the restaurant really hit you when you first walk in - it's amazing! It was just starting to get dark when we arrived so we went to the balcony to see Magic Kingdom before it got dark. We were only out there a few minutes when our table was called.
We didn't get a table right beside a window, but it was almost in the corner of the restaurant (when you turn left as you go in) and in the middle. The way I was sitting though, I could still see the castle so I was very excited by this none-the-less!!
Especially as our table was covered with Mickey Sprinkles - this was quite cute - there was a table next to us whose kids were intrigued by the sprinkles so we scooped some up to put on there table too - shared some Disney magic
We ordered a couple of cocktails first - I opted for a French Martini (Skyy Vodka, Chambord, and Pineapple Juice with a splash of Roederer Sparkling Wine) and Scott went for a Ray-Ray (Mt Gay Rum, Licor 43, and Pineapple Juice with a splash Sweet-and-Sour) - both were really good but the French Martini was lovely - I drank these the rest of the evening - they went down really well.
We had some bread whilst looking at the menu.
To start, we shared two sushi rolls - the Spicy Kazan Roll and California Roll - both were amazingly yummy and as good as they are made out to be!!
For the main Scott went with the Teriyaki Fillet of Beef - WOW I had a taste of this and immediately wished that I had ordered this too - not that my meal wasn't great, it was - but I think anything would pale in comparison to this! And I'm not even the biggest lover of beef! Without a doubt I would order this when I come back to the California Grill.
I had the Duck Two-Ways. I love duck - this was really nice too - but like I say, in comparison to what Scott had, nothing comes close. I do feel a bit sorry for every other entree on the menu!
We had finished our entrees and Wishes was just about to start, so once our plates were cleared we went and got a spot on the balcony. We were all hugged up and watched the fireworks - what a view from there - it feels so exclusive too. They pipe in the music loud as well.
So we watched it through, I generally get quite taken aback / teary watching this - I just love it so much and it sums up everything I love about Disney! So at the end of the show, when the fireworks are all going off - I felt Scott move back and I looked around and he was down on one knee, holding up a ring-box and asked me to marry him!!
I was so taken aback and stunned and surprised - and started cryin (happy) tears!! As he was down on one knee there was a couple of people all like "wow - look!" etc - but it all just seemed blurred out and as cliche as it sounds it felt like it was just the two of us in this perfect moment - it was so sureall and exciting and amazing and every other possible happy emotion!
Of course I said yes (or maybe I just nodded - I was so speechless!!) and we just hugged for so so long, it was a truely magical moment and something I know I will never, ever forget. It was the most thoughtful, perfect proposal I could imagine
We stayed out on the balcony for a few minutes after everyone had left just to soak it all in. I can honestly say that I have never, ever been more happy.
Anyway we went back to our table and as we sat down so many people sitting around us were congratulating us and Scott had organised to have two glasses of champagne on the table.
He then told me about how he had asked my grandads permission before we had went to Florida - and that teared me up again that he would be so traditional like that. Then even more he had said that the ring he proposed with (whilst still a lovely ring) was just my 'temporary' ring and he had made an appointment at Tiffany's in London for when we got home for me to chose my ideal engagement ring - I know, he did so good!!!! I can 100% say I know how lucky I am
The waiter was so nice - as we had not ordered dessert yet it was now the last thing on our minds (we kept just saying "we're fiances! we're getting married!" OMG"). We ordered a lemon trio and chocolate valhrona cake with peanut butter. Genuinely it was like my two ideal desserts that were put in front of us but we were both just so excited that I literally had about 2 bites (I know, shocking!!) and couldn't really comment on them at all - I must go back and try this again! haha.
We got the cheque, and then went back out to the balcony before we left. I called my mum (of course! even though it was about 2/3am at home she had made Scott promise to call), then another amazing thing happened - the electrical water pagent parade started. We were the only ones out in the balcony and it was almost like a water parade just for us two
I imagine it was going back into where its kept after being out for Wishes - but it was lovely to watch as it was something neither of us had ever seen before.
Overall - California Grill is amazing, the food is great, the service is super, the cocktails are yummy and the view/atmosphere is incomparible.
We then went downstairs and played about in the gift shop in the Contemporary and then went to the bar in The Wave. Scott ordered a Mojito and I had a Key Lime Martini. Both were lovely and we were talking with the waiter. Who later on once we had finished our cocktails brought out two glasses of rose champagne to say congratulations from The Wave!! It was such a lovely sentiment (and lovely champagne!).
We decided by that point to make tracks back to the hotel, and got on the bus to Downtown Disney. We discovered the hillarity of Disney busses after-hours!! There were 3 couples on the bus, one couple going to Fort Wilderness, us going to Saratoga Springs and another going to All-Stars. The driver asked if we minded taking detours and rather than go to Downtown Disney , he would do direct stops to our hotel! Score! His banter was hillarious and it was such a bizarre but funny bus journey.
Then something else amazing happened (I know, right!!) - we drove past Magic Kingdom and they started testing the Christmas Lights on the castle - so we got to see the Castle all twinkling in it's Christmas Lights - again something we had never seen!!
And so concludes the best day ever!! A busy but amazing day that I can never get bored of talking about
Just sorry it took so long to put on the Disboards!!!
Coming Up... Day 6 - Animal Kingdom, Sanaa and Downtown Disney.
I need to get me one of those peanut butter cupcakes next time we are there as well. 
I can share your excitement as we too got engaged at WDW just this past October (in the Haunted Mansion!!) and I too have a beautiful Tiffany ring 
