Thanks. Here is the report:
Our Trip Report
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This is my first time at typing a trip report, so please bear with me.
We left for Florida on Saturday, September 1, leaving for the airport for our 7 a.m. flight at 4:45 a.m. (our oldest son drove us to the airport). Our flight took off on time and landed about six minutes late as we took a slightly different route due to some turbulent weather (good thing...I hate flying and don't like turbulence). We got our luggage and picked up our rental car. We were at the Coronado Springs Resort at noon. We checked in and I was given a birthday button and balloons. Our room wasn't ready so we went to the Pepper Market and had lunch (DH had the turkey sandwich and I had the ceasar salad...both were very good; we passed on desert because we were having dinner at Emeril's at City Walk at Universal at 5:30 p.m. It started to storm so we browsed in the store. Our room was ready and so we went to unpack. We were in the Casitas building, Room 5113, with a view of the Lago Dorado Lake, just as we had requested. We took a walk around the grounds, took a quick dip int he pool and then went to Emeril's for our dinner (outstanding food!). We then went to Fantasia Miniature Golf and took advantage of our one free round of golf. Now, I'll try to do an outline of each day at Disney (and will try to be brief):
Sunday, September 2: Slept until 8:00 a.m. and showered and went and got breakfast at the store and my Cappuccino at the Pepper Market. Went to the quiet pool for three hours; took showers and headed to our first day at the Magic Kingdom. We had lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern (DH had the Pilgrim's Feast and the Butter Grilled Pound Cake and I had the Turkey Panini and Chocoliate Liberation Cake...very good); we proceeded to Hall of Presidents, Enchanted Tiki Birds (bring back the old version!), Aladdin (there was no line and they said Happy Birthday Princess Kathy when we disembarked), Jungle Cruise; then we got Fast Pass for Splash Mountain, went on Big Thunder Mountain, then on Splash Mountain; then off to It's a Small World, back to Pirates of the Caribbean (everything else in Fantasyland was a zoo and PofC had been down earlier). We took a rest and I had my first popcorn. Walked to Tomorrowland and got wrist bands for Extra Magic Hours and DH got a smoothie. We walked around for a while. We ended up in Fantasyland just before Wishes started and rode Snow White (where I was deemed an Honorary Princess and was "pixie dusted", Cinderella's Carousel. We had dinner at Columbia Harbour House (DH had Anchors Aweigh and Apple Crisp and DW had Fried Fish Basket and Chocolate Cake). Walked over to Splash Mountain but line was 90 minutes; went back to Fantasyland and rode It's a Small World and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. By this time we were exhausted and it was crowded, so we left to go back to CSR around 12:00.
Monday, September 3: Got up at 6:30 and showered; went to Pepper Market for my Cappuccino (I'm a big Cappuccino drinker). Drove to Animal Kingdom. We got Fast Pass for Expedition Everest and then rode Expedition Everest; walked over to Dinoland and rode Dinosaur (there was no line) and then Primeval Whirl. Walked to Africa and got fast pass for Kilimanjara Safari and got an apple for me and watermelon for DH. Walked back to Expedition Everest and rode that. We then rode Kilimanjara Safari--it seemed all animals were out this day and we got lots and lots of great close up pictures. While we were on the Safari, my bosses wife called and I called her back when we got off. Turns out my boss was back in the hospital due to a fever and chills after his quadruple bypass surgery...they were running tests (he is now home and doing better). We went to the Flame Tree Barbecue for lunch--DH and I both had the barbequed pork sandwich and DH had the Key Lime Pie and I had the chocolate cake. The sandwiches were delicious and I loved the beans (my husband refused to eat them); Went and saw It's Tough to Be a Bug and enjoyed it as much as always; went back to CSR and went to the pool for two hours; showered and drove to MGM around 4:30. Rode the Great Movie Ride and then had 5:15 p.m. ADR at Mama Melrose. DH had the Chicken Parmesan and tirimisu and I had the 4 Cheese Flat Bread Pizza and Cappuccino (they brought me a piece of cheesecake with a birthday candle and sang to me). We then went and saw the Muppets 4-D, rode Star Tours, Tower of Terror (sat in front row...best attraction at MGM). Walked through stores and went to see the 10:00 showing of Fantasmic...our favorite show at all of Disney; had popcorn and water and walked leisurely around whle the crowds thinned and then back to CSR so we could get up again at 6:30 the next morning for Extra Magic Hour (morning) at Epcot.
Tuesday, September 4: Breakfast in room; went to Epcot at 8:00 a.m. for Extra Magic Hours. Got Fast Pass for Soarin' and rode Soarin' went to Test Track, DH rode Mission: Space (I refuse to ever go on this ride again!); back to Soarin' to use Fast Pass, did Living with the Land, The Seas with Nemo & Friends. Walked over to World Showcase for 11:40 ADR at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for lunch. DH had the Braised Lamb and I had the Traditional Kjottkake...he loved his and I hated mine (except for the potatos). Went on Maelstrom and watched the film afterwards. Went back to Future World and rode Journaey Into Imagination. Left Epcot and went to Premium Outlet Mall where we did a lot of souvenir shopping (got same t-shirts they had at the parks for $10 or more less at the outlet store). Went back to CSR to relax and I took long, hot bath. Went to Cape May Cafe for 7:00 p.m. ADR and enjoyed the buffet as much as we did last time; again, they sang happy birthday to me. We went to Downtown Disney Marketplace and did some more shopping. Back to CSR and bed at 11:30.
Wednesday, September 5: We took a day off from Disney. Went to the Waffle House for breakfast (our favorite breakfast place ANYWHERE). drove to Tampa Bay and went to Busch Gardens. The place was EMPTY. We did all the animal exhibits and most of the rides and were done by 2:00. We left and drove to Treasure Island, Florida. Had dinner at the Friendly Fisherman Restaurant (something like that) and had an excellent meal--DH had grouper and I had snow crab legs. We walked along the boardwalk and then went to the beach (Gulf of Mexico side) and walked in the water/sand for about an hour just to relax. Drove back to CSR and decided to take a leisurely swim in the quiet pool. Unfortunately, the pool was not quiet...a lot of little kids screaming with no adults to be found. We left after 20 minutes.
Thursday, September 6: Up at 6:00 a.m., shower and Cappuccino. At the MK for 8:00 a.m. Extra Magic Hours. We rode Dumbo, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Peter Pan, Mad Tea Party, Space Mountain (and got Fast Pass), Buzz Lightyear and the TTA (the Wedway People Mover to us). Went to Crystal Palace for 9:20 ADR with my favorite characters. They dectorated our table with little Mickey glitter, ribbons and a flower wand for my birthday. The food was excellent, as always, but we were only able to see Eeyore for a picture as it was very busy and we did not want to hog the table for those still waiting. I collected allt he Mickey glitter (it really wasn't glitter...it was shiny Mickey Heads...in a plastic baggie I had in my pouch and throughout the trip I would give a little to a little girl or a little boy that were waiting in line with us and told them it was pixie dust; it was "magical" to see their faces light up to think that they had received Pixie Dust). Went to the Camera Center as I needed a new disc for our camera. In the process of purchasing that, the CM informed me I had a phone call and it was Goofy singing Happy Birthday to me (I felt really silly being that I am turning 50!). We were headed back to Tomorrowland when I realized I had misplaced my room key card. We went to City Hall and they immediately called CSR to have my old one cancelled so no one could use it for purchases, etc. and issued me a ticket so I could get fast passes throughout the day, etc. I told them I had lost my fast pass for Space Mountain along with the key. DH showed him his fast pass and they gave me a new one and then gave us 10 extra fast passes that could be used for any ride throughout our stay at the MK. That was a very nice gesture on their part. We went back to Tomorrowland and went to see Monsters Inc Laugh Floor (my DH loved it...I thought it was "okay"). We then walked to Mickey's Toon Town and had our picture taken with Mickey. We rode the train to Frontierland (and my DH got into a spray water bottle fight with the little boy in front of us...they had a blast). We rode Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain and then Pirates and Aladdin. Watched the 3:00 p.m. parade (Dopey stopped by me and squeezed my hand) and I got a pat on the back from Tigger. We went back to Tomorrowland and rode Space Mountain and th TTQA again. Browsed some stores before our 4:30 ADR at the Plaza Restaurant (DH had the Reuben and Chocolate Shake and I had the Turkey Club and Hot Fudge Sundae). This is one of our favorite places to eat and I still don't think a lot of people know about it. From there we went back to Fantasyland and we rode The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh again (we used a Fast Pass and the CM gave the Fast Pass back and said "Happy Birthday...use this again at another ride), Snow White, Mickey's PhilharMagic, It's a Small World, Big Thunder Moutain and Splash Mountain (where we used Fast Pass). Then we were exhausted and headed back to the hotel around 9:30.
Friday, September 7: I slept until 7:30 and had an appointment for an 8:00 a.m. aromatherapy massage at the Health Club at the CSR (boy did that feel good after all the walking during the week). DH went to the Dig Site Pool and I met him there. We hung out at the pool and in the hot tub for three hours. We arrived at Epcot at 12:30 for our 1:30 ADR at LeCellier. We rode Journey Into Imagination and then walked over to World Showcase. While we were walking over it started to drizzle. By the time we got seated at LeCellier and others came in after us, it had started to pour and they were quite wet. DH had the Cheddar Cheese Soup, the Barbequed Prime Rib Sandwich and the creme Brulee Sampler; I had the Cheddar Cheese Soup (outstanding!), the 5 oz. Filet Mignon over Cream Cheese Mashed Potatos and the Chocolate on Chocolate Whiskey Cake. Everything was excellent and our favorite meal by far at all of the Parks. We walked around the grounds in Canada and went and saw the new film which we really enjoyed. We then proceeded to walk through each country and visited the shops, artifacts, watched films (if applicable). We saw Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore in the Toy Shop in the United Kingdom and had our picture taken with them. We stopped and listened to the Voices of Liberty singers at American Adventure. When we walked in to watch the presentation at American Adventure, I was wished a Happy Birthday by the CM and asked where I was from. I told him the Chicago area and he informed me that someone had been trying to call me. He gave me the phone and again Goofy sang Happy Birthday to me. We saw the World Showcase Players perform Romeo & Edna in Italy and they were quite good. My husband had a beer on our stop in Germany; we watched the PRC's Puyang Acrobatics Center performers perform (they were excellent). We got wristbands for Extra Magic Hours. Believe it or not, we both had a taste for a cheeseburger and shared one at Libery Inn and DH had fruit cup for dessert and I had the chocolate cake (which seemed to be days old so I also went and had popcorn). We watched Illuminations and then headed for Future World where we rode Soarin' twice, watched Circle of Life, rode Journey Into Imagination, the Seas with Nemo and Friends and back to Soarin' again. We went back to our hotel at midnight to get a little rest before our last full day at Disney.
Saturday, September 8: Took shower and went to Pepper Market for breakfast. DH and I both had the waffles and split an order of bacon (the waffles were very good, I thought the bacon was a little undercooked...I like mine crisp). Went to Epcot for the first half of the day and rode Soarin' twice, Test Track, DH did Mission Space again, Universiy of Energy, Journey Into Imagination and The Seas with Nemo & Friends. We went to Mouse Gear and bought me a t-shirt. Left Epcot at 11:45 for the Magic Kingdom for the second half of the day. Stopped at the Emporium and got our "matching t-shirts and some Mickey Mouse socks for hubby and a Mickey Mouse necklace for me). Went to Pinocchio Village Haus for lunch. DH had the Italian Sub and Apple Slices and chocolate cake and I had the turkey panini, chips and chocolate cake (the food was very good for "fast food"). We walked to Adventureland and found DH's Mickey Hawaiian shirt in his size. We went to see the Tiki Birds again, rode Magic Carpet of Alladin, Pireates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, It's a Small World, Snow White, saw Mickey's PhilharMagic, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. We started to walk to Tomorrowland and got smoothies as it started to rain. While we were having our smoothies, the skies opened up and the thunder and lightening put on a show of their own. It went on for an hour and 15 minutes and the park was only open until 6:00 that night as it was due to a private event (the Nights of Joy) so we left at 4:15 and went back to the CSR. We packed for our trip home tomorrow and then went to the Port Orleans Riverside for our 8:00 ADR at Boatwright Dining Hall. While we waited outside for our beeper to go off, we saw a woman who was transporting from the boat to the dock fall out of her wheelchair as she tried to get up the ramp they had laid out--not sure what happened after that because our beeper went off for dinner. DH had the salad and prime rib and pecan pie; I had the shrimp cocktail and the Prime Rib and chocolate cake (can you tell I like chocolate cake?). I have to say this was the worse meal we had on the entire trip. We did not like the place at all. It was way too loud with the bar right next door and you couldn't even hear yourself think; the food was lousy. We will definitely not go back there again. We went to the Winter Summerland to play Minature Golf because none of the parks were open past 8:00 (with the exception of World Showcase). Went back to CSR and finished packing and went to bed around 11:00 to get up for our showers and to get to the airport for our flight home.
Sunday, September 9: We got up at 7:30 and took our showers and loaded up the car. Took a walk around the grounds on our final morning and then went to Waffle House. Dropped off the rental car and got to our gate for our flight back to Chicago. Our flight was on time and landed early. We were home by 2:00 that afternoon. When we got home, we saw my brother's van in our driveway, but not my father's car (he had been staying at our house while we were gone to take care of our dog). We knew it wasn't in the garage because our two cars were in the garage so we assumed he was having car problems again. Unfortunately, when we got in the house and finished giving and getting kisses from Cookie (our dog) welcoming us home, we found out that my dad had been in car accident on Friday and that his car was totaled. He was taken to the hospital for examination for minor chest pains from the seat belt binding him in the car and, luckily, the other driver was uninjured. Dad was released immediately. He has decided it is past time for him to stop driving after this incident which scared him a great deal. He doesn't want to take another chance and risk seriously injuring someone or worse. The accident was his fault and he is just grateful that no one was seriously injured.
We had a great time on our trip and couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my upcoming 50th birthday and my successful breast cancer surgery. We can't wait to hopefully go back next year for our 25th wedding anniversary.
I will try to post a few pictures later, but I'm not sure that I know how...but I'll try.
Thanks for reading. And for those of you with upcoming trips, have a blast at this most magical place. We sure did!
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Kathy and Mark
1975 -- Howard Johnson (Disney Village)
1982 -- Contemporary
1984 -- Contemporary
1987 -- Contemporary
1989 -- Polynesian
1990 -- Polynesian
1996 -- Contemporary
1997 -- Coronado
1998 -- Coronado
2000 -- All Star Sports and Coronado
2003 -- Coronado (DH 50th B-day celebration)
2004 -- Polynesian
2006 -- Coronado
2007 -- Coronado (my 50th B-day celebration)
2008 -- Polynesian (hopefully, for our 25th wedding anniversary)
and make that trip for your 25th!
