- Joined
- Feb 6, 2000
- Messages
- 30,834
Cast of characters: Mom (77yo), myself (42yo), and two late arriving family friends, Jane, a friend who grew up with Mom (they've known each other 70 years), and John a Retired USAF Colonel and Jane's traveling companion. They're from San Diego.
I'll try to keep the daily reports short, hitting the highlights.
Day 1 - Wednesday May 30th
Our Delta flight left San Antonio on time at 5:30am, we made our connection in Atlanta, and arrived at MCO about 11:25am. I picked a white Lumina from the Emerald Aisle, and headed to OKW. Our studio wasn't ready when we arrived, so we decided to drive over to DD and have lunch at RFC. We couldn't find a parking place, so went back to OKW and ate at Olivia's. My hamburger was delicious, but Mom's grilled chicken salad was so over seasoned you couldn't taste the chicken (yuck). After lunch our room was ready, so we checked in and went shopping at Publix for breakfast items, fruit, and laundry soap.
Day 2 - Thursday May 31
We awoke, showered and dressed. We had coffee and breakfast in the studio, then drove over to Epcot, renewed our APs, rented a wheelchair and entered the park. The flowers were looking a little distressed from the heat, but the displays for the Flower & Garden show were beautiful. I finally talked Mom into going on Test Track, so we headed over to get a Fastpass. We hadn't used one before, as they were still a fairly new thing during our last visit a year ago (we usually go down twice a year, since buying into DVC in 1992, but that's a long story this year...I banked points to bring a group down, then they canceled...Grrrrr.)
We had enough time before our assigned Fastpass time to see Universe of Energy and Body Wars, plus browse at the flowers and shops. Fastpass is wonderful for 'Must Do' attractions. Mom loved Test Track. She doesn't mind fast, but doesn't like high speed drops like on most coasters. We had lunch at the Land Pavilion food court. We both ordered a veggie wrap and soup. The veggie wraps are huge, and two people could easily split one. The vegetable soup was wonderful. The rest of the afternoon we went on attractions in Future World and a couple of countries. The Norway boat ride was down for some minor rehab (painting the queue) and would re-open the following week. By then, the weather was getting pretty hot, so we decided to head back to the resort (since we usually stay at least 9 days, we take our time to enjoy it and don't feel 'pushed' to see everything). We stopped at the Fountain View Cafe for some coffee, tiramisu and coconut flan on the way out. Mmmmm. We had a light supper at Perkin's in Crossroads.
Day 3 - Friday June 1
We drove over to the Studios that morning. I made a PS at Brown Derby for lunch. It was Gay Day at the Studios, but there were lots of traditional families there, the lines were short, except for Little Mermaid, and we got a Fastpass. I still haven't talked Mom into TOT or RRC. We both ordered the Grouper at Brown Derby for lunch, it was wonderful. We had never been to the Drew Carey Sound Show. I'd read so many complaints about it on these boards that I wanted to see it at least once before Disney decides to close it. I liked it better than I thought I would, it was a good demonstration of sound technology. Mom liked it, too. When the weather turned hot again, we headed back for the room. We ate fruit for supper. I commented to Mom that I'd expected the Studios to be more crowded for Gay Day...she gave me a blank look. She hadn't even noticed it, everyone just blended into the crowd.
Day 4 - Saturday June 2
Normally, I'd head over to the MK for Gay Day, but we wanted to do the Food Among the Flowers brunch, and our guests, who would be arriving that night, did not want attend. So we drove to EPCOT, rode Test Track again, and headed to the Odyssey restaurant. I read on the restaurant board that many folks were canceling because the food and presentation was different from last year, but I kept our ressies. It was fantastic, we both liked it even better than last year. There was still a huge variety of foods, but they were not presented in 'regions' like last year. The entertainment consisted of a live harp performance. Those that canceled made a big mistake. After spending the better part of the day at EPCOT, we headed back to the room to get a break before picking Jane & John up at the airport. We had a late sandwich at Perkin's.
I didn't have any idea where the United gates were, so I parked near Delta, since both were in Terminal 2...big mistake...United's gates are a long trek from Delta's. Their flight arrived on time at 10:22pm from LAX. Once we got them checked in, we hit the sack to get an early start the next day.
Day 5 - Sunday June 3
Since John, the only Catholic in our group, wanted to get an early start rather than go to mass at the Poly, we went to Perkin's for breakfast to avoid Olivia's character meal. After eating, we headed to Cypress Gardens, near Winter Haven. It was HOT, HOT, HOT there. Their boats were shut down due to lack of water. We wandered around some of the gardens and topiaries, and watched the ski show, road the sky ride, walked through the butterfly house, and saw the alligators, wallabies, and deer. Then we had some apple cobbler and ice cream. By that time, we were all roasting, since there was no breeze at all. We decided to leave early. Cypress Gardens may be nice in the cooler weather, but is unbearable in breezeless muggy early summer.
Before leaving home, I had made a 7pm PS at Jiko at AKL, based on the stunning reviews from these boards. We were NOT disappointed, the food was fantastic, as was the African wine. Mom & I split the duck spring rolls as an appetizer, I had wine, she had a specialty drink. For her entree, she chose the sea bass wrapped in banana leaf with asparagus puree. I had the tenderloin served over Swiss mac & cheese. She enjoyed her bass, and I have to say, it was probably the best steak I have ever eaten. I prefer mine medium well, and most places either under or over cook it. It was perfect the first time, quite an achievement considering it was pretty thick cut. For dessert Mom had the cardamon chocolate candies, and I chose the apple cake. Do not miss this restaurant!! It was about $120 for the two of us, but well worth it. Allow a full two hours to fully relax and enjoy.
I'll try to keep the daily reports short, hitting the highlights.
Day 1 - Wednesday May 30th
Our Delta flight left San Antonio on time at 5:30am, we made our connection in Atlanta, and arrived at MCO about 11:25am. I picked a white Lumina from the Emerald Aisle, and headed to OKW. Our studio wasn't ready when we arrived, so we decided to drive over to DD and have lunch at RFC. We couldn't find a parking place, so went back to OKW and ate at Olivia's. My hamburger was delicious, but Mom's grilled chicken salad was so over seasoned you couldn't taste the chicken (yuck). After lunch our room was ready, so we checked in and went shopping at Publix for breakfast items, fruit, and laundry soap.
Day 2 - Thursday May 31
We awoke, showered and dressed. We had coffee and breakfast in the studio, then drove over to Epcot, renewed our APs, rented a wheelchair and entered the park. The flowers were looking a little distressed from the heat, but the displays for the Flower & Garden show were beautiful. I finally talked Mom into going on Test Track, so we headed over to get a Fastpass. We hadn't used one before, as they were still a fairly new thing during our last visit a year ago (we usually go down twice a year, since buying into DVC in 1992, but that's a long story this year...I banked points to bring a group down, then they canceled...Grrrrr.)
We had enough time before our assigned Fastpass time to see Universe of Energy and Body Wars, plus browse at the flowers and shops. Fastpass is wonderful for 'Must Do' attractions. Mom loved Test Track. She doesn't mind fast, but doesn't like high speed drops like on most coasters. We had lunch at the Land Pavilion food court. We both ordered a veggie wrap and soup. The veggie wraps are huge, and two people could easily split one. The vegetable soup was wonderful. The rest of the afternoon we went on attractions in Future World and a couple of countries. The Norway boat ride was down for some minor rehab (painting the queue) and would re-open the following week. By then, the weather was getting pretty hot, so we decided to head back to the resort (since we usually stay at least 9 days, we take our time to enjoy it and don't feel 'pushed' to see everything). We stopped at the Fountain View Cafe for some coffee, tiramisu and coconut flan on the way out. Mmmmm. We had a light supper at Perkin's in Crossroads.
Day 3 - Friday June 1
We drove over to the Studios that morning. I made a PS at Brown Derby for lunch. It was Gay Day at the Studios, but there were lots of traditional families there, the lines were short, except for Little Mermaid, and we got a Fastpass. I still haven't talked Mom into TOT or RRC. We both ordered the Grouper at Brown Derby for lunch, it was wonderful. We had never been to the Drew Carey Sound Show. I'd read so many complaints about it on these boards that I wanted to see it at least once before Disney decides to close it. I liked it better than I thought I would, it was a good demonstration of sound technology. Mom liked it, too. When the weather turned hot again, we headed back for the room. We ate fruit for supper. I commented to Mom that I'd expected the Studios to be more crowded for Gay Day...she gave me a blank look. She hadn't even noticed it, everyone just blended into the crowd.
Day 4 - Saturday June 2
Normally, I'd head over to the MK for Gay Day, but we wanted to do the Food Among the Flowers brunch, and our guests, who would be arriving that night, did not want attend. So we drove to EPCOT, rode Test Track again, and headed to the Odyssey restaurant. I read on the restaurant board that many folks were canceling because the food and presentation was different from last year, but I kept our ressies. It was fantastic, we both liked it even better than last year. There was still a huge variety of foods, but they were not presented in 'regions' like last year. The entertainment consisted of a live harp performance. Those that canceled made a big mistake. After spending the better part of the day at EPCOT, we headed back to the room to get a break before picking Jane & John up at the airport. We had a late sandwich at Perkin's.
I didn't have any idea where the United gates were, so I parked near Delta, since both were in Terminal 2...big mistake...United's gates are a long trek from Delta's. Their flight arrived on time at 10:22pm from LAX. Once we got them checked in, we hit the sack to get an early start the next day.
Day 5 - Sunday June 3
Since John, the only Catholic in our group, wanted to get an early start rather than go to mass at the Poly, we went to Perkin's for breakfast to avoid Olivia's character meal. After eating, we headed to Cypress Gardens, near Winter Haven. It was HOT, HOT, HOT there. Their boats were shut down due to lack of water. We wandered around some of the gardens and topiaries, and watched the ski show, road the sky ride, walked through the butterfly house, and saw the alligators, wallabies, and deer. Then we had some apple cobbler and ice cream. By that time, we were all roasting, since there was no breeze at all. We decided to leave early. Cypress Gardens may be nice in the cooler weather, but is unbearable in breezeless muggy early summer.
Before leaving home, I had made a 7pm PS at Jiko at AKL, based on the stunning reviews from these boards. We were NOT disappointed, the food was fantastic, as was the African wine. Mom & I split the duck spring rolls as an appetizer, I had wine, she had a specialty drink. For her entree, she chose the sea bass wrapped in banana leaf with asparagus puree. I had the tenderloin served over Swiss mac & cheese. She enjoyed her bass, and I have to say, it was probably the best steak I have ever eaten. I prefer mine medium well, and most places either under or over cook it. It was perfect the first time, quite an achievement considering it was pretty thick cut. For dessert Mom had the cardamon chocolate candies, and I chose the apple cake. Do not miss this restaurant!! It was about $120 for the two of us, but well worth it. Allow a full two hours to fully relax and enjoy.
