Florida Sun + 1 Back To The Magic Day 3

[florida sun]

Sunday 29th October 2006

Cast of Characters:

Sue - 44 - (Thinks she's 24) Chief Planner, Worrier, and Yo Yo Dieter.

Vicki - 16 - (Thinks she's 26) - Emo,Thrill Ride Seeker and Mums Best Friend.



I cant believe it, at 7.30am we are both wide awake, and didnt get to sleep until 3.00, I'm thinking we may pay for this later on.

The plan today was to go to the Magic Kingdom, but as we have had a very late arrival we intened on staying close to home today and change our minds and decide to go to our favorite park ever.....Epcot. We are also meeting my friend/boss and her family at the California Grill tonight, so we dont want to be too tired.

Draw open the curtains to see a wonderfully sunny day outside, and the best thing of all although when we got here last night we thought we didnt have a very nice view, now we could see much better and was really excited that right in front of us, although some distance off, we could see the Castle and the Contemporary, and to the left of us we had a brilliant view of the top of Expedition Everest. Things are getting better and better.

View of MK to the front

View of EE to the left

We start off by checking out the hotel and first we take the escalator(yes this place is so big it has escalators) to Pikabu to grab some breakfast, there are lots of choices but to Vickis dismay no Mickey waffles Anyway we have two small childrens breakfast platters as we really are not that hungry. We also buy 2 Swan/Dolphin refillable mugs at $10 each and fill up with coffee for me (which by the way is Starbucks woo hoo) and fanta for Vicki. It is here I spot the place that I know I will be coming to nearly every day....the Krispy Kreme Counter and woo what a choice, I pick up a Iced glazed one with Cream inside, blooming lovely.

We then move out and around to the pool areas, which I have to say Im really really impressed with, they look lovely and convince myself we will be using this a lot, unfortunatly we later found out that the pools close at 9pm sharp each evening, so we wont be using them as much as we would have liked, as we love to have a swim in the pool after a hard day at the parks.

Im suitably impressed by the Swan/Dolphin resort even though its going to take me 2 weeks to figure my way around.

Paddle Boats at the Dolphin

Beach Area at The Dolphin

Main Pool Area

Lap Pool and Cabana

We go back inside to ask about transportation, and told that there are boats to both Epcot and MGM at the boat dock at the rear and the bus stop for all the others at the front. We pick up some park maps, find out about the pools and decide to take the boat over to Epcot.

Me In The Lobby

Vicki Going Down The Escalator

View of The Boardwalk On The Way To The Boat Dock.

Now you can walk to Epcot from here and I would imagine to be honest that it would be quicker than taking the boat as the boat stops at Yacht and Beach Club and then the Boardwalk first, but as we want to try it all, we opt this morning for the boat.

After a short and very plesent journey we arrive at Epcot First time to use our passes and we just cant wait. As we walk in through the back at International Gateway we see our first characters, Snow White and Dopey, Aww, Im back, Im really really back.

We walk over to Future World and grab fastpasses for Soarin then go and check out Test Track which is a walk on, so we ride it , get off and ride again. We then head over to the new Nemo ride which is very very cute and very well done, riding in your peach coloured clamshell buggies. Its now time for our fastpass for Soarin and last year we were really lucky with each ride we rode we had the top row, this time however we were in the bottom row and what a difference all those dangling feet make, cant believe when they made that ride they couldnt do something about that, maybe a larger gap between rows, I dont know?? However we still love it and still feel as though my feet as going to swish through the water, great ride.

From here we go to Vickis favorite place innoventions, not sure which side im on but its the one where you have to race your robot, I didnt do this last year but Vicki did and said it was great fun, so I thought I would give it a go. After a slow start, a lot of running,puffing and panting and being told off by a cast member for taking my flip flops off I realised that was just a practice. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!! No I have to do it all again I was probably the oldest one there but what the hell in for a penny I thought, and guess what ...Yes I won the race woo hoo!!! However I didnt come anywhere in the best dressed robot, may have to pick a designer gear one next time

By now we were starving again and it was just pass 3 oclock, we had a quick trip over to world showcase and a little look around the food and wine festival, which looked brilliant, we will be coming back loads more times, so didnt want to eat anything to much as we didnt want to ruin our meal tonight, so settled on a fish and chips to share from the UK with a nice galss of larger for me and Fanta for Vicki.

We decided to walk back to the Dolphin to see if we could actually beat the boat and yes we did by a long way, however the boat will serve us well when our feet and weary bones are tired.

 

[florida sun]

Got showered and changed and headed out at about 5.30 to catch the bus to the Magic Kingdom and then the monorail to the Contemporary to meet Claire and family who were staying at the Grand Floridain. Now just a small moan here but the bus at the Dolphin to all the parks, first picks up at the Dolphin, then goes to the Swan then onto the Boardwalk,and then on to the Yacht/Beach club, by the time it did that we had been on the bus for about 15mins and it was heaving,and were about 1 mile from where we first started, this was repeated throughout our stay unfortunatly and really put us off wanting to take the bus anywhere. There are an amazing amount of people at all of these resorts and one bus per park, although frequent, for all of them seemed crazy to me.

Anyway we finally arrived at the monorail and were the only ones on the station and were asked if we would like to ride up front with the driver, woo hoo,our first real day and a treat already, we were given our co pilots licence and away we went.

We arrived with plenty of time to spare and made our way up to the 2nd floor lobby to await Claire and family, it was'nt long before they were there and after giving Olivia her Birthday present it was up in the elevator to the top floor and California Grill. We were asked if we would like a drink while we were waiting for our table and Claire and I had a vodka and coke, and my goodness it was strong, woo hoo. After about 20 mins our table was ready. None of us wanted starters so this was was we had:

ME:Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Goat Cheese Polenta, Cremini Mushrooms, Zinfandel Glaze and Sage $24

Vicki:Spit-roasted Chicken with summer vegetable couscous salad, and spanish chorizo vinaigrette $23

Claire:Sauteed Golden Tilefish with fennel-red pepper compote, cranberry beans and chardonnay butter sauce $28

Neil:Oak-fired Beef Filet with Boniato Mashed Potatoes, Blue Lake beans, and Teriyaki Barbecue Sauce $35.00

Olivia had pizza from the childrens menu,
We then went and watched Wishes from the viewing deck, it was Hallowishes and I was surprised at this as I thought it was only for MNSSHP,but we enjoyed it all the same, although it had got quite cold out there. Back in for Dessert:

for dessert we had:
me and Claire had:Cherries, Chocolate, Cherries- warm valrhona chocolate cake with molten center, bing cherry ice cream and cherry sauce $10

Neil and Vicki had:Honey Crunch Cake - vanilla sponge cake, whipped sweet cream, nectarines, and peach tea gelee $10
Olivia had Ice Cream.

We also had a bottle of wine, and finished off the night with a Baileys. We had a fabulous time and the food was wonderful, and it was great meeting up with them. They paid the bill, I have no idea how much it came to as it was a thank you to me for booking all of their ADR's for them.

We arrived back at the Dolphin a little after 11.30 and was shattered, I really fancied a starbucks coffee but the walk down to the lobby was to daunting, so I made do with a bottle of water.

Had a fantastic first real day and cant wait for tomorrow.

Day 4: Meeting Kaylee, Alan and Joseph for Breakfast at Donalds,Expedition Everest, MNSSHP.

 

[jen_uk]

Great trippie! I think you have put me off staying at the Dolphin next year now tho!

 

[florida sun]

Great trippie! I think you have put me off staying at the Dolphin next year now tho!

Oh sorry Jen, I hope I havent, as Ive said before the Location more than makes up for it, but it is a very big place and just doesnt have the Disney touches that I love at the Pop and the AllStars. That said the hotel itself is lovely, very big, very clean, and great service. If they could just sort out the bus and the pools closing early it really would be 5 star in my opinion. There are wonderful dining areas there and Pickabu is open 24 hours so that you can always get a bite to eat and a drink no matter what the time. There are 5 pools and if you happen to request a room nearer to the pools and lobby, Im sure the trek wouldnt be so bad.

For the amount of time we actually spent in the room, I would still say to give it a go as its well worth it and does offer some fantastic rates for the actual location.

I suppose what Im saying really is that if it meant I could afford to go to such a lovely location again, then the Dolphin would still be on my list of places to go. Hope that makes sense.

Thanks for reading

 

[Minniespal]

Another lovely day Sue ~ Enjoyed reading your review of the CG. We have an ADR for next year, looking forward to showing Tom the delights of the CG.

 

[prue]

sue, I am really enjoying your trippie. What is so lovely is your close relationship with vicki. Me and my mum are still best friends and I hope to be as close with my thirteen year old as you are with yours. so far so good!! thanks,

prue

 

[florida sun]

sue, I am really enjoying your trippie. What is so lovely is your close relationship with vicki. Me and my mum are still best friends and I hope to be as close with my thirteen year old as you are with yours. so far so good!! thanks,

prue

Aww thank you Prue hope you continue to enjoy the reports, many thanks

 

[mandymouse]

Another great trippie Sue, and your photos are lovely too. It sounds like you really enjoyed the California Grill

 

[ely3857]

Lovely day Sue, Vicki is very lucky to have a mum like you and i'm sure she appreciates the holidays and memories your providing for her



Jodie

 

[KayleeUK]

Great day! I know what you mean about those buses!!!

I so love walking to MGM and Epcot

 

[Strommie]

What a lovely day I am extremely close to my mum too, and I am 33. We do things together all the time, and are going to New York together for the 3rd time in April Vicki is very lucky
California Grill sounds great

 

[natalielongstaff]

i thought the pics of the dolphin looked great

 

[AlanUK]

Another great day Sue I know all about the speed of the boats and the fluctuating quality of the buses for the EPCOT resorts

 

[KAC2005]

Great trip repot!

Kathryn

 

[Ware Bears]

A lovely first day Sue

 

[Mrs Night-Train]

Sue, isn't it nice when you do something like that and it is appreciated!! John booked everything for our trip this year, and made all the ADR's, and rang Virgin when we found out about the pool at All Star Movies being closed, and booked the taxi to take us to and from the airport, and did all the driving when we were there. And I planned the itinerary from start to finish. When we arrived back in Coleraine, we didn't even get as much as a thank you from the so called friends who went with us, let alone being treated to a meal. And that's all we did want, for them to say they appreciated what John had done. But it just lets us know what they are really like!! Oh well, it won't happen again!

Sorry to go a little off topic, but just had to say it.

Great trip reports by the way Sue!!! Looking forward to the rest. At the minute you're doing better that John, he has only managed day 2!!

 

[carolfoy]

A lovely day Sue, and great pics thanks, I must admit I'd be devastated if the pool shut at 9, I think that's very bad planning on their part, We managed a small look at the Swan this year and although it looks impressive I think the bus and pool deal would put me off a bit

 

[arieljasmine]

A fantastic first day, Sue, and how magical to get to co-pilot the monorail The CF sounds lovely, and the Dolphin looks great too, though I think that bus system would do my head in!

ArielJasmine

 

[florida sun]

Sue, isn't it nice when you do something like that and it is appreciated!! John booked everything for our trip this year, and made all the ADR's, and rang Virgin when we found out about the pool at All Star Movies being closed, and booked the taxi to take us to and from the airport, and did all the driving when we were there. And I planned the itinerary from start to finish. When we arrived back in Coleraine, we didn't even get as much as a thank you from the so called friends who went with us, let alone being treated to a meal. And that's all we did want, for them to say they appreciated what John had done. But it just lets us know what they are really like!! Oh well, it won't happen again!

Sorry to go a little off topic, but just had to say it.

Great trip reports by the way Sue!!! Looking forward to the rest. At the minute you're doing better that John, he has only managed day 2!!

Laura, what a shame, a thank you costs nothing at all, does it. We were very pleased as Claire had insisted I could pick where we went for the meal, of course I said no need at first,but she insisted. As it was their first time in Florida, they had no idea how to book anything or where to go, so I did them a great plan and booked everything for them, I was just pleased for them that it all went to plan, and of course extremly grateful for a lovely lovely meal and wonderful night out with them.

They must have enjoyed it as they have booked to go back in April.

 

[angel659]

What a great day. I love Epcot. The food and wine festival is great. Its a pity we wont see if next yr.