"I Show You How To Make..." (A December Trip Report)

[swwake]

Side Story - Trip Report Title

Before we go further, I thought I'd explain the title of this trip report, since we won't get to it until Day 4 of our trip.

On our Epcot day, we got to watch a little bit of Miyuki at the Japan pavilion. If you haven't heard of her, Miyuki is a candy artist who makes beautiful animals from a taffy-like candy. This was the first time any of us had seen her, and she and her work are quite fascinating.

After watching Miyuki for awhile, I got tickled that she repeated the same phrases over and over. For example, she would say (I'm going to try to spell this out phonetically so you can sort-of hear it) "I so you how to make...Florida flamingo" or "I so you how to make... pretty panda". When she finished and item she would hold it up and say "it so nice!"

So that became one of the catch phrases of our trip. From that point on, when we were in line, eating dinner, or just hanging out, one of us would say "I so you how to make...Buzz Lightyear" or "I so you how to make... zebra domes". And thus, the title of my trip report.

With each installment, "I show you how to make... (insert topic here)". I hope you enjoy!

Next up... I stole some pics from Haley's Facebook, so I'll add them here, backtracking a little, until we catch back up to our dinner at Margaritaville.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Cute story ! I've seen her .. but never stopped to watch .. I'll keep an eye out next trip (if my guys will stand still long enough !).

 

[Monknmom]

That's a cute story! On both days in Epcot we never got to see her, but I wanted to. My in-laws talk like that my little brother in law and I laugh about it all of the time (he's the only one that grew up here)! I have wondered though- does she let people take those home?

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

We had just missed her that day we practically ran into your husband!

 

[swwake]

Cute story ! I've seen her .. but never stopped to watch .. I'll keep an eye out next trip (if my guys will stand still long enough !).

Oh she's very interesting to watch. I figured people may wonder why I named my trip report what I did.

That's a cute story! On both days in Epcot we never got to see her, but I wanted to. My in-laws talk like that my little brother in law and I laugh about it all of the time (he's the only one that grew up here)! I have wondered though- does she let people take those home?

Try to see her when you get back. It's worth the time to watch her. She used to give the candy to people watching, but I think the board of health made Disney stop letting her sometime in 2010.

We had just missed her that day we practically ran into your husband!

Aww darn! She is worth seeing! I think you texted me right as I was walking away from her and the group was heading over to Morocco.

 

[swwake]

Ok let’s catch up to where we are now with some of Haley’s photos.

Here is a photo of the cute backpack Haley wore the whole trip. Aside from her hair, she also got many compliments on the backpack. She had ordered it from a lady on Etsy.

Haley in the limousine, drinking invisible champagne.

The really cool fountain outside the Hard Rock Hotel

A pretty pic outside the HRH

Haley is a huge Beatles fan (as is her father, who bears a striking resemblance to Paul McCartney). Here’s a sign inside the HRH

This is the tree inside the HRH lobby, which I loved and forgot to take a photo of. Thankfully, Haley had her camera.

Decorations on the tree close-up

Now, we’re all caught up and can finally find out what happened at CityWalk with Haley and karaoke in the next installment.

 

[Heva2015]

I'm in...

 

[FosterA]

whew!! Glad you explained the trip title...I was very curious how that tied in.

Jealous!! I wanted to see that candy lady.
I also love love the guitar fountain pic.

 

[DerangedChipmunk]

I'm in too. Can't wait to see how your trip unfolds!

 

[swwake]

whew!! Glad you explained the trip title...I was very curious how that tied in.

Jealous!! I wanted to see that candy lady.
I also love love the guitar fountain pic.

Yes, when you go back, try to make time to see the candy lady! Isn't that fountain cool?

I'm in...

I'm in too. Can't wait to see how your trip unfolds!

both of you! I love having readers!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Susan, I love the ornaments on that tree!

Yeah I wish we could have watched her too. We caught the end of the drums going while I was trying to text to meet you!

 

[swwake]

Susan, I love the ornaments on that tree!

Yeah I wish we could have watched her too. We caught the end of the drums going while I was trying to text to meet you!

I thought that tree was pretty well done.

Next time, make sure you get to see Miyuki. She's worth it for just a few minutes.

 

[swwake]

Day 1, Part 4 (December 16)

When we left Margaritaville, we decided to walk around CityWalk and show the girls the various clubs, etc. I remembered that when we were there in 2010, the karaoke club (Rising Star) was a 16-and-up club and most of the others (except maybe the Groove) were 18-and-up. So we thought that, with our party passes in hand (which came with our Universal Vacation Packages), we would at least be able to go to Rising Star.

We walked in the semi-circle, past Latin Quarter (which we noticed includes churrascaria dining), The Groove, Pat O’Briens and City Jazz. While the rest of the group was checking out Bob Marley’s, I approached the doorman at Rising Star and asked him about the minimum age. It was still early, and he said that at 10pm, all of the clubs would become 21-and-over.

We were a little disappointed, but that was ok. We were tired from travel and would find something else to do. We continued around the bend and stopped into Hart & Huntington tattoo parlor. We saw a man getting a chest tattoo (that does not look fun), and talked about what we would get if we were ever to get a tattoo. We kinda like Hart & Huntington because we’re Supercross fans and Carey Hart has the dirt bike connection.

We shopped just a little more, and I think Joann picked up a thing or two at one of the jewelry kiosks. Then we decided to go check out the Portofino Bay Resort.

A photo as we left CityWalk

The water taxis at Universal are very nice at night when the weather is mild. We took a water taxi over to Portofino Bay. The arrival by water was spectacular.

This resort is just beautiful.

There was a large Christmas tree out on the plaza.

And as we walked by, the carolers were out as part of the holiday celebration.

There were also stilt-walkers.

We weren’t in any hurry, so we strolled inside to look for the lobby. This was a fountain close to the main lobby.

Some photos in the hallways

This was out in an atrium outside a conference room where there was a corporate event. They had it set up as a dessert bar. I thought it was very pretty.

The main tree in the center of the lobby

And while we were exploring, the carolers made their way inside to the tree.

And one of the smaller trees

We thought this resort was beautiful and might consider staying there one day, but right now, we like the liveliness and energy of the Hard Rock better. The Portofino Bay felt a little deserted.

We decided to walk back to the Hard Rock (a very short walk), rather than taking the water taxi. I guess I did in fact take a couple of pictures of their lobby tree that I loved so much.

Back at the HRH, we grabbed a cocktail at the Velvet Room and explored the hotel a little. We walked out and around the pool, which is very nice. As I expected, the girls got a kick out of the music memorabilia. Katie spent some time in the little grab-and-go market, planning her breakfast for the next day. Haley and Joann shopped in the little HRH shop.

Then we all went up to our room, got ourselves situated, and relaxed for an early evening in bed.

Next up… Our first and only rope drop morning. My family is NOT a rope drop family. Would we make it?

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I am really enjoying your trip report! Love the title and your family sounds like tons of fun!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Gorgeous decorations.

Sad about the Rising Star.

With those two girls, I'm going to guess a no on the rope drop?

 

[Monknmom]

My Dh would love the HRH he plays guitar and loves music! I will have to stay there one time with him! Next trip with them I will have to see Universal! I love all of the details... I didn't know that they did as many as Disney!

I'm loving all of the pictures too!

 

[FosterA]

wow! Just love how the water taxi into Portofino photos look. So beautiful at night!!
I also like that stilt guy. How cool is that with light up pants too!

Loving your updates!
p.s. I really really doubt ya'll made a rope drop with two teens. We couldn't make one with just one teen!

 

[veggiemama]

I'm here! I'm Here!

Love the TR so far. The limo looked amazing!

I am interested in your views of Universal and HP world. We were there one day during our trip. It will be fun to compare

 

[shocky5]

Still here! Caught up and love the pictures from HRH and Portofino Bay! They are beautiful! Another reason still for us to continue frequenting Orlando!

Hoping to become 'more regular' on here again!

 

[AnnieDan_Artlover]

I'm here!

I just got your note that you started the TR today!

I'm all caught up and sooo happy that on top of everything, you went to the places we will go AND at the same time of the year! Go figure!

You know I would've read the TR anyways, as any old friend would... but it just makes this sooo exciting!