I Told You Driving Was Bad For Your Health! *2/2* NEW TRIP REPORT LINK P102

Celebrate Good Times

I know, I know. It's been over a month since I've done an update. That is a record. I hope I still have readers out there after my long hiatus. Tell me you're still out there. Please!

And I am still slowly catching up on everyone's TRs. If I haven't gotten to your yet please forgive me. Better yet, please remind me and PLEASE tell me if you've started a new TR in the past month that I am not subbed to!

Before I get on with my next update let me just say that we had a great time in Disney last month. But despite the fact that we had a longer than average trip, we never made it to Hollywood Studios. I know - its blasphemy. We had plans to go there on three separate occasions and each time something came up. The first time we bailed to go spend more time with Denny's family in Epcot, the second time we made a last minute decision to trade HS for a water park (which actually turned out to be a good trade), and the last time, well, yours truly ended up sick and had to miss some valuable park time. *sigh*

We also never made it to DTD and, more importantly, we ran out of time for a repeat visit to the Vera Bradley store. THAT was depressing.

On the other hand, we saw family, friends, and lots of DISers. We fully enjoyed F&W and we absolutely loved our little side trip to Saint Augustine. It's an awesome town. It was a pretty full vacation with not a lot of down time.

But you'll hear all about it soon enough. I need to finish this TR first.

In other news, eandesmom (Cynthia) made our ADRs for May! Thank you Cynthia. I am finally eating in the castle - so excited!

And - Denny and I decided to do a 5 (actually 6) night trip to Florida in February. Sort of an extended long weekend. But our first 3 (actually 4) nights will be in the Tampa Bay Region. We have never been to the Gulf Coast. So we will be flying there very late Thursday evening after work and then staying the next 3 nights at a VRBO rental in Tarpon Springs. It's super cute and once the owner confirms she received my deposit I'll post a picture. I figure we have almost 4 full days to play in the Tampa area.

As it turns out (conveniently) it is easier to fly home from Orlando (schedule and price wise), so we couldn't pass an opportunity to stay there for a couple nights. The decision was made even easier because we still have an annual pass. So yay! We will stay our final two nights at SSR, probably arriving late afternoon on Monday. Our flight leaves about 48 hours later. It's a short trip, but I think its just what we'll need to cure the winter blues. The more I read about the over abundance of activities on the Gulf Coast, the more I am sure we will not want to leave.

If anyone has an suggestions on "must sees", let me know. So far I am looking at a manatee kayak tour and a dolphin cruise on a catamaran.

Now back to this much ignored TR.

Celebrate Good Times!

We had spent a lovely morning at AK, picked up lunch at Chik-fil-a, waited out an extended summer shower, then got ready for a pre dinner drink.

Selfie



It was still raining off and on when we left the condo.

See



Passing by Old Town Kissimmee



No, it's not time to return to the airport yet.



We were going someplace I have always wanted to visit.



Where, you ask?

Look - A break in the rain





What town in Florida could possibly have such perfect houses?





If you guessed Celebration, you are correct.



We easily found a parking space. I can only imagine how cute this street would be if it wasn't raining.



5:30. Time for a cocktail.







Our destination? The Celebration Town Tavern.



Sheree (MnDisneygirl) told me about this place. What I remember most? They have cheap beer. Hey, that's important. I have my priorities people!



The beer was about $4.50 a glass. Gotta love that.



So I had two.

Why not?

The menu actually looked pretty good and it was tempting not to stay here for dinner. But I resisted.

To avoid drinking a third beer before dinner we decided to go walk around a bit before our dinner ADR.

The Celebration Inn wasn't too far away. Even though it was still a little drizzly, we decided to head there.













The entrance to the Celebration Inn



We (actually I) decided to go in and check out the lobby



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Crazy light fixture



We went out on the back deck





It looks like a got some rain on my lens. But that didn't stop me from taking pics.







I bet its really pretty out here when its NOT raining.







The only picture I have of the pool. It's pretty small. I was surprised. You know I'm all about the pools and this one just lacked.



Leaving. FYI - this hotel is now owned by Marriott and is now called the Bohemian Hotel.



Looking back towards the side of the hotel



A map



A last look at the waterfront







A store front on the way back to the car







Yes - there really IS a Wysteria lane in Celebration. Gotta love that!



I would love to return here in the nice weather. It's an adorable little town and I was hoping to eat at the Celebration Tavern during this past trip, but that's another thing that just didn't happen. I am still holding out hope though!

Once we got back in the car we headed to our dinner destination. Like I said, It was tempting to blow off our ADR and just eat at the Celebration Tavern, but I was hoping that Denny would enjoy my dinner pick for the evening.

Where to?

Any guesses?



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If you are thinking Raglan Road you are right on!. But, holy crap, the parking lot at DTD was PACKED! I almost regretted leaving Celebration right then and there. Denny dropped me off to go look for a parking space while I hung out in the crowded gift shop.







I've got to give Denny credit. He must have really hustled to get back to the restaurant because he parked REALLY far away.

Finally we were inside and seated.



This ceiling is so pretty!



We had a fairly good view of the stage except for those silly stairs.



The band was very good, but they didn't play very long. It was weird. Maybe they had been playing for awhile before we got there. I don't know.



The girls came up to dance, but all I got was a good picture of these total strangers. Not surprising since we WERE on the complete opposite of the room.

We were treated to some boy dancers. Nice.





Hmmm - what's this? Pink smoke or a blur of pink dancers?



So what did we eat?

I had the mussels. Yum!



And Denny must have decided that he needed some greens. Poor choice.



He started complaining almost immediately that it was summer and the tomatoes were not ripe. He even insisted I take one and try it. He was right. It sort of crunched in my mouth.

We have this rule. If you don't like your food you've got to speak up. It never helps to be dissatisfied. So he told the server his tomatoes were not ripe. and they ended up comping the salad.

We are not complainers and I think he felt bad, but he was really dissatisfied, so it was the right choice.

On the entrees.

Denny's fish



It was OK, but what do you expect when you order fish in an Irish restaurant. I tried to steer him to some of the other menu items, but he wasn't listening.

I had the portebello mushroom burger which came with a salad.



It was pretty good and what I was in the mood for that evening, so it fit the bill.

After dinner we started our long hike back to the car which ended up being down near Disney Quest.

It was a gorgeous evening and I ended up taking this picture on my phone and posting it on Facebook, so you know there was no editing involved.



With my regular camera






The balloon was up tonight and the line was rather long. I was a tad envious of the people enjoying the beautiful sunset up in the balloon.





Coming down



Walking by Planet Hollywood



I have better pictures of the balloon but they are not in photo bucket yet. All I can figure is I had a memory card change right about here.

So up next - the evening is still young so High Ho High Ho its off to the MK we go!



 
I need to look at all the pics on my laptop but you have me thinking.....maybe we should try out that balloon in May!
 

I need to look at all the pics on my laptop but you have me thinking.....maybe we should try out that balloon in May!

The balloon is super cool and there is a DVC discount if we go between 8:30 and 10 (I think). It's only $10 ! Well worth it and then operator was very easy on the eyes! ;)
 
Great update!

You won't believe it, but we have yet to make it to Celebration. :scared1: Such a beautiful little town. Love the hotel and restaurant you went to - I guess it will be on our list for 2015! :thumbsup2

Your review of RR was the second one I read lately - guess we really need to give it another try. :rolleyes1

The sunset is beautiful. Great photos!

You really have to go up in the balloon if you can. It is beautiful. We really have loved the few times we did it. (Ever so often the weather will not cooperate! :sad2:)

Oh, and thank you for taking a picture of our favourite Krispy Kreme shop! We will be back there first thing after we arrive in February. :rotfl2:
 
Still here! :wave2: I don't think you have to worry about everyone giving up on you. There's a lot of people behind around here, and I certainly fall into that category, so no worries.

Celebration looks like a nice little town. You got some good pictures, in spite of the rain.

I love Raglan Road......have had some great times and memorable experiences there! :woohoo: I agree, Denny's salad didn't look too good. I've never tried the mussels, but they do look pretty good! There are definitely some really good dishes on the menu. ::yes::

You better let me know if we are at Disney the same time so we can have a DIS meet. :thumbsup2
Oh, if we are ever going to be there at the same time I'm sure we will both know so we can run into each other at some point! With all the trips, sometimes I wonder if we've ever just missed each other and don't even realize it. :scratchin
 
Those sunset pictures are beautiful! :)

If you've never done the balloon ride, and it's you kind of thing, you should do it! It's definitely a Disney "bucket list" item. I'm afraid of heights so I'm not about to do it but Dale and Caitlin did it several years ago and really enjoyed it.

Thanks for the update :)
 
LOVE your sunset pictures.

Celebration looks super-cute. A place I've always wanted to visit, too. Someday!

I've never been to Raglan Road, either. I can't say your food descriptions made me feel like it's a must-do, though it does look like a fun spot.

Glad you're back, hope things are a little less crazy for you lately!
 
Congrats on a new Florida trip! When in May is your girls trip?

Both Celebration and that sunset looked beautiful!

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You'll love the Gulf Coast. It's absolutely beautiful. I live much farther north, but it's all great. The sand is like what you'd find on a Caribbean cruise, and the water is normally still as glass. It makes things like dolphin tours perfect.





Celebration looks like such a nice little town. Even with the drizzly rain, it seems like you enjoyed the walkways diner.



I agree about not enjoying a salad if the tomatoes aren't fresh. As someone who grew up growing my own, I'm a stickler about that, and I could tell from your photo they weren't any good. :sad2:
Your burger, though.....now that looked yummy. :rotfl:


What a night to be up in the balloon! That sunset looked gorgeous. :goodvibes
 
The balloon is super cool and there is a DVC discount if we go between 8:30 and 10 (I think). It's only $10 ! Well worth it and then operator was very easy on the eyes! ;)

Have you done it? I was thinking you hadn't. I would like to that's for sure. It is a maybe for us for the NYE trip but it could easily not happen as well.

Really neat balloon shots, looking forward to seeing more!

Love the Celebration pics and that tavern looks fabulous, I'd have been tempted to stay too!
 
Hi Mary Ellen! So happy to see an update! :)
Celebration looks so adorable, I'd like to see it for myself some day! Too bad about the rain. I bet the place would be so beautiful in the sunshine.
I guessed Raglan Rd! I keep saying that I have to get back there and it just never makes the list. Next time! Too bad about Denny's tomatoes, glad he spoke up.
What a sunset!! The pics with the balloon are amazing! Great scene!

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I need to look at all the pics on my laptop but you have me thinking.....maybe we should try out that balloon in May!




When we stayed at SSR, we could really see the balloon and it looks like a blast. :thumbsup2

Great update. Celebration looks like a cute little town, is it ran/owned/run by Disney? The sign looks very Disney.

Sorry RR wasn't great. We eat bad when we're there, gravy for all my friends. And Guinness, lots of Guinness. I had sangria cider that was pretty good too. We sat at the bar and loved it.

Beautiful sunset photos.​
 
Mary Ellen when it comes to Raglan Road there are sooo many great dishes , the It;s not bleedin' chowder , fish and chips , Kevins Ham, and many more , check out my Wher's my Suitcase thread for lots of pix and then of course they have the most delish dessrte EVAAH!!
 
Great update! Celebration looks so neat....I need to drive over there some of these days. I love Ragland Road but haven't been there in ages. Putting it on the short list for my next trip.

Jill in CO
 
I'm still here!!!!!!! :wave2:

I have added a PTR to the end of my TR.

Celebration looks like it would be an awesome place to visit. It looks like it had a lot of nice things to see.

Glad you are going to take a mid winter break. That is the same reason we go to Disney the last few days of January and the first week of February!
 
I've always wondered what Celebration was like. It was somewhere I wanted to move to, but it think the HOA is pretty strict.

Never have eaten at RR, but it looks interesting. Can't say I would like the mussels, not my thing at all.
 
Celebration is too cute! The pictures made me think of OKW.

Congrats on the February trip :cool1:
 
Welcome back! You have done a better job getting caught up than have I! :) I'm looking forward to hearing about your latest adventures and Dismeets. It IS hard to believe that you didn't step foot in DHS. Sounds like alternate plans were good though.

Celebration looks like a great place to visit. Celebration Inn, with the red stripped awning reminds me of YC for some reason.

We've only been to RR once and I'm a big fan of the live entertainment and the dessert. I need to go back and have a different entrée.

Awesome sunset photos at DTD!
 







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