DisneyJen
<font color=FF66FF>Chairs the "Keep the Park Game
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2001
- Messages
- 2,035
Players: DH, 40, who after 17 years of marriage has learned that visiting WDW is part of our yearly family vacation plan. Me, DisneyJen, who has loved WDW since first stepping on property in 1972. Our DD, who is 9, stayed home with my parents since this trip was partly a Christmas shopping trip.
Background: We own DVC and are now at the point where we are deciding if we should add more points at DVC or add a week via Marriott's Vacation Club. Dear friends of ours own three weeks at Marriott and since they referred us we were able to stay at the Marriott Grande Vista for a very reasonable rate if we sat through a presentation, which we wanted to since we are in the fact-finding stage.
Todays Theme: Its a small world
We woke to another picture perfect day. We took enjoyed our coffee and Danish on the balcony overlooking the golf course while discussing how we would spend the day.
The only item on itinerary for the day was meeting friends of ours who live in Orlando for drinks at 5 and dinner at 5:30 at the California Grill at the Contemporary.
We decided to head over to EPCOT around 10:30 and then have an early lunch at ESPN on the Boardwalk. We valet parked at the Boardwalk, strolled to International Gateway. We headed over to the play in Imagination works since Journey is closed. We then wandered around the Land and Living Seas. We both commented on how empty the park felt.
We then hit the shops one last time and worked our way back to the Gateway. We stopped by Rose and Crown for a pint to go. This was the first time ever that we were told that we had to finish our beer before exiting the park. So, we sat on one of the benches in the shade and chatted while we complied with the rule.
We then caught the boat to the Boardwalk. We were seated right away at ESPN. We split an order of hot wings. I had the Chicken Caesar Salad - Romaine hearts and garlic croutons with Caesar Dressing and chilled chicken breast and DH had The Slider Burger - A 1/2 Pound Burger with cheddar on a Sourdough Bun with fries.
We walked around the Boardwalk for a while, and then headed back to the room for a nap and to get ready for dinner.
We met our friends, who are both former cast members, at 5 p.m. We watched a rain shower sweep over the Grand Floridian and then Magic Kingdom while we caught up on the last year over drinks. At 5:30 we were seated at the most perfect table right next to the window with a head on view of the Magic Kingdom.
Our dear friends started with the Gorgonzola Bruschetta with grilled mushroom salad. I had the Winter Greens with cabernet vinaigrette and Parmesan toast and DH had Roasted Sweet Potato Soup - with truffle essence.
For entrees DH and DF had the Tamarind Barbeque Beef Filet - with buttered escarole and crushed Yukon golds. I had the Basil Crusted Salmon - with herb dumplings, root vegetables and zinfandel syrup, which was okay. I probably should have had the pork, which is one of my favorite dishes at CG. Our other DF had the Charcoal Roasted Venison Tenderloin - Cannelini beans cassoulet.
We finished dinner just as the fireworks started over Magic Kingdom. We had the most wonderful view and could hear the soundtrack perfectly.
After dinner we all had coffee. DH and DF had the Lemon Meringue Pie Soufflé and our other DF had the Butterscotch Crème Brule and almond biscotti. I shared the soufflé with DH and it was fabulous!
We then called it an evening since DH and I had to pack and head back to TPA for our flight home.
Background: We own DVC and are now at the point where we are deciding if we should add more points at DVC or add a week via Marriott's Vacation Club. Dear friends of ours own three weeks at Marriott and since they referred us we were able to stay at the Marriott Grande Vista for a very reasonable rate if we sat through a presentation, which we wanted to since we are in the fact-finding stage.
Todays Theme: Its a small world
We woke to another picture perfect day. We took enjoyed our coffee and Danish on the balcony overlooking the golf course while discussing how we would spend the day.
The only item on itinerary for the day was meeting friends of ours who live in Orlando for drinks at 5 and dinner at 5:30 at the California Grill at the Contemporary.
We decided to head over to EPCOT around 10:30 and then have an early lunch at ESPN on the Boardwalk. We valet parked at the Boardwalk, strolled to International Gateway. We headed over to the play in Imagination works since Journey is closed. We then wandered around the Land and Living Seas. We both commented on how empty the park felt.
We then hit the shops one last time and worked our way back to the Gateway. We stopped by Rose and Crown for a pint to go. This was the first time ever that we were told that we had to finish our beer before exiting the park. So, we sat on one of the benches in the shade and chatted while we complied with the rule.
We then caught the boat to the Boardwalk. We were seated right away at ESPN. We split an order of hot wings. I had the Chicken Caesar Salad - Romaine hearts and garlic croutons with Caesar Dressing and chilled chicken breast and DH had The Slider Burger - A 1/2 Pound Burger with cheddar on a Sourdough Bun with fries.
We walked around the Boardwalk for a while, and then headed back to the room for a nap and to get ready for dinner.
We met our friends, who are both former cast members, at 5 p.m. We watched a rain shower sweep over the Grand Floridian and then Magic Kingdom while we caught up on the last year over drinks. At 5:30 we were seated at the most perfect table right next to the window with a head on view of the Magic Kingdom.
Our dear friends started with the Gorgonzola Bruschetta with grilled mushroom salad. I had the Winter Greens with cabernet vinaigrette and Parmesan toast and DH had Roasted Sweet Potato Soup - with truffle essence.
For entrees DH and DF had the Tamarind Barbeque Beef Filet - with buttered escarole and crushed Yukon golds. I had the Basil Crusted Salmon - with herb dumplings, root vegetables and zinfandel syrup, which was okay. I probably should have had the pork, which is one of my favorite dishes at CG. Our other DF had the Charcoal Roasted Venison Tenderloin - Cannelini beans cassoulet.
We finished dinner just as the fireworks started over Magic Kingdom. We had the most wonderful view and could hear the soundtrack perfectly.
After dinner we all had coffee. DH and DF had the Lemon Meringue Pie Soufflé and our other DF had the Butterscotch Crème Brule and almond biscotti. I shared the soufflé with DH and it was fabulous!
We then called it an evening since DH and I had to pack and head back to TPA for our flight home.
