Mandymouse's Crafty Week in WDW for Hubby's 50th (Jan '15)

[Sweet Pea UK]

Great update x

 

[Tony Bush]

And what did I say about your trippies Mandy ?????

Looks like you're having a fab time..
Tony

 

[dolphingirl47]

This looks like another very busy day. I only ever had the Rosa Regale from the wine shop. I did not know that it was available elsewhere, too. I do have to make the point to try one of the Grey Goose Slushies in October.

Corinna

 

[Chilly]

Did you get charge for cancelling your ADR with less than 24 hours notice?

Love the Kate Spade bag.

 

[mandymouse]

I love how on holiday you can just eat and drink whenever you feel like it, even if it's midnight and you feel like a breakfast

It's nice that you split up and meet again with the girls. This year we are taking our nephew for his first visit and I know my daughter is wanting them to go off and then meet us later, a bit of independence!

Great update x

And what did I say about your trippies Mandy ?????

Looks like you're having a fab time..
Tony

This looks like another very busy day. I only ever had the Rosa Regale from the wine shop. I did not know that it was available elsewhere, too. I do have to make the point to try one of the Grey Goose Slushies in October.

Corinna

Did you get charge for cancelling your ADR with less than 24 hours notice?

Love the Kate Spade bag.

Thanks for taking the time to leave your comments everyone

No Claire, I don't believe we were charged

 

[mandymouse]

Wednesday 14th January

Today it was early EMH at Animal Kingdom. We weren't too bothered about being there for opening, so we just arranged for everyone to be ready for 7.45am

It wasn't that busy at the park, and although we had made FP+ on-line, we didn't need to use them and we rode our three favourite rides

First stop was Expedition Everest, there was hardly a line, so we rode this 3 times. Next we went on Dinosaur, and as we were all hungry, we stopped at Pizzafari for a breakfast platter

The wait line for Kilamanjari Safari was 20 minutes, and as we still had 40 minutes till our FP, we just stood in line. There were plenty of animals out and about, but the ride itself seemed shorter and I missed the whole trying to catch the poachers and Little Red part

We took some photos then headed towards the exit. Animal Kingdom isn't one of our favourite parks, and it has been a good 3 years since we were here last. The place seemed tired with so much boarded up, and I have always disliked the 'fair' part of Dinoland. I doubt we'll be much of a hurry to come back

So we exited the park and as it was only going to be a high of 17c, we decided to head to the Premium Outlets at the top of International Drive

We had a good look round, then on the way back to the Pop we stopped off at Super Target and Bargain World

We dropped off our shopping and got ready for our late afternoon/evening plans. We dropped the girls at DownTown Disney as they were going to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner, doing some shopping and heading to Disney Quest. As for me & Paul, we had a 7.30pm ADR at Tutto Italia

We caught the bus to Epcot and took a slow saunter up to World Showcase as our legs were seriously tired and aching from all the walking we'd done. We ordered a Carlsberg and White Zinfandel in Norway, had some curried pockets and egg rolls in China, a glass of Liebfraumilch in Germany, then had a couple of Rosa Regales in Italy before checking in at the restaurant

It had been a few years since our last meal here, and it didn't disappoint. We ordered a Pomegranate Cosmopolitan each, then we both had minestrone soup, Paul had lasagne and I had pollo al forno. To finish off I had a tiramisu (is there really any other desserts necessary in Italy ? Lol) and Paul had vanilla gelato. It was all very nice

After dinner Paul set his camera and tripod up in Italy to photograph IllumiNations, and he got some lovely pics

We really were flagging tonight, so slowly walked towards the buses via MouseGear and it was straight to bed for us

 

[ukintheus]

Haven't been on here in forever, and saw this post lurking out there!!! Fun part about going off season is the low crowds. Bad part is the weather, although it looks like you got some nice days in there. I was glad to see that Paul did eventually buy something for himself, there was a lot of shopping going on!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have much the same feeling about Animal Kingdom apart from that I don't share your love for Expedition Everest. I used to love the Christmas decorations at Animal Kingdom, but with Camp Minnie Mickey gone, the majority of the decorations will be gone as well. Dinner looked lovely and the photos from Illuminations are stunning.

Corinna

 

[Chilly]

Fabulous fireworks photos

 

[pampat]

We, as a family, all feel exactly the same way about Animal Kingdom. No idea why, but it just isn't 'magical'.

Enjoying the updates as always.

Pam

 

[RDP]

Great TR, Loving it!

 

[mandymouse]

Haven't been on here in forever, and saw this post lurking out there!!! Fun part about going off season is the low crowds. Bad part is the weather, although it looks like you got some nice days in there. I was glad to see that Paul did eventually buy something for himself, there was a lot of shopping going on!!

Hey Jenny, I was going to let you know about this thread when I finished it

I have much the same feeling about Animal Kingdom apart from that I don't share your love for Expedition Everest. I used to love the Christmas decorations at Animal Kingdom, but with Camp Minnie Mickey gone, the majority of the decorations will be gone as well. Dinner looked lovely and the photos from Illuminations are stunning.

Corinna

I miss Camp Minnie Mickey too Corinna

Fabulous fireworks photos

Thanks Claire

We, as a family, all feel exactly the same way about Animal Kingdom. No idea why, but it just isn't 'magical'.

Enjoying the updates as always.

Pam

Thanks Pam, I can't see us being that bothered about the new Avatar part when it's built either as we haven't seen the movie

Great TR, Loving it!

Thank you

 

[mandymouse]

Thursday 15th January

We were all up around 7am and ready for 8.15am as we were off to the Magic Kingdom this morning

We drove again today, as we were planning on leaving later that morning to head to the Mall at Millenia and lunch at the Cheesecake Factory

We parked in the Simba parking lot and took the tram to the TTA. As it was a lot cooler today, most people (including us) took the Monorail over to the park. We arrived at 8.55am and the park was already open. As our first FP+ wasn't or 15 minutes, the girl got their faces painted again, then we rode the Seven Dwarfs mine train

Next we went to watch Mickey's PhilharMagic (I love this), then it was time for our next FP for the Haunted Mansion

As we wandered through Liberty Square I had a look around the Christmas Shoppe, and as Tiana was in the garden behind the shop, the girls had a photo with her

Even though it was rather chilly today, I just had to have a Pineapple Float as I wasn't sure if we'd have time to come back this trip

As the girls were planning to come back later today, they were happy to leave for the Mall at Millenia. First stop was lunch at the Cheesecake Factory

We ordered some soft drinks and some buffalo wings, then Paul & I ordered the Shepherds Pie, Kerry had a chicken burger and Becky had a huge steak with fries and onion rings

We were all so full afterwards, but I can't come to the Cheesecake Factory and not have a piece of cheesecake, so I ordered a key lime one

All the food was lovely, and I can't wait to come back in September (though since typing up this report in January, I'm not sure when we'll be able to fit this in on our next trip, we'll have to wait and see, but it still remains one of my favourite restaurants)

After dinner we had a good look around the shops. Kerry bought some jewellery from Michael Kors, and also saw a lovely clutch bag that we later went back to get her for her birthday at the end of January (what a kind mum I am)

Chocolate and chocolate strawberries were bought in Godiva, and Paul bought some gadget from the Microsoft store (yes another I hear you cry - lol)

We headed back to the Pop to chill then me and Paul got ready for an evening at DownTown Disney and perhaps a drinky around the Monorail resorts, and the girls headed off to the Magic Kingdom

We took the bus to DTD and had a good look around the shops, we didn't see anything we really wanted and as we headed West Side, we called in at T-Rex then Raglan Road for a drink

After wandering round the shops we then walked back to the bus station. Due to all the construction going on at DTD there is only one bus station in operation and that's the one at the Rainforest Café end of the area

It was drizzling with rain and we really couldn't be bothered to head to the Monorail resorts, so we caught the bus to the Art of Animation resort, as we fancied trying some of their Indian dishes in the food court. I had buttered chicken and Paul had a tandoori dish. It was all very nice, especially as you can have proper plates, knives and forks, which we don't get that at the Pop Century

We had a Mai Tai from the pool bar then walked back to the Pop over the bridge. We had a Mai Tai there and ran into the girls who had had a nice evening in MK

Then it was time for bed

 

[stephensmum]

Love the girls painted faces, they look so pretty.

 

[dolphingirl47]

This was another very busy day. I love the Cheesecake Factory, too. Looks like you had another successful shopping day and your evening looked like a lot of fun.

Corinna

 

[mandymouse]

Friday 16th January

Once again we all started to stir around 7am and after showers and getting ready we left around 8.30am and drove to Epcot

First stop was the Character Spot to see Mickey, Goofy and Minnie, and as it was quiet in there, we had lots of nice photos taken with them

Next we rode Test Track which we all found disappointing as we preferred the old version, but we had plenty of laughs when I put my hood up for the outside bit, you may scoff, but my hair was perfect afterwards I was in need of a coffee, so while the girls got some pastries from The Land, Paul and I grabbed a couple of skinny lattes from Starbucks, then we joined them in The Land









As our FP+ time for Soarin' had come round we rode that next then wandered over to Future World. Our plan was to have a mini feast in China as we had so many quick service credits left. It was all lovely, I just hate that you have to order desserts when you know you won't eat them



















After lunch we set off for the Florida Mall for one last shop, and even though we were full from our feast, we still walked around the food court to try the samples (you just have to don't you ? )

Our last shopping stop was at Best Buys where Paul finally bought a GoPro with his birthday money that he had been humming and harring about all week

Once back at the Pop I put some washing on as we had one last lie by the pool, then made a start on the packing

The girls were heading back to the MK tonight, and we were going to Epcot

We took the bus to Epcot and on our way the girls messaged us to say they would catch up with us as the Magic Kingdom was so busy (it was the start of the Martin Luther King Day weekend)

We stopped at the Rose & Crown first where I had a glass of wine and Paul had a Stella. While checking out the drinks menu I found that they served Rosa Regale here so while we waited for the girls, I had one







When Kerry & Becky arrived, we ordered them a drink and they got their drivers licence ID's out ready, but the bar man said he needed a copy of their passports too (is this something new ??). Luckily Paul had photographed them on his phone for when he did on-line check in before we left, and the bar man was happy with that

After our drinkies we wandered over to Japan where we had various curries to try out (got to love this dining plan malarkey)



After dinner the girls headed back to the Pop to start packing

We had a drink in Italy and Germany then took the bus back to our resort

We shared a tuna sandwich and chips and had one last Mai Tai before heading to bed

 

[Tony Bush]

The id seems to be quite random. Our DS was not id checked anywhere on our last trip except for in Sanaa, where they insisted on the passport photocopy. They would not take his drivers Licence. Luckily DW had copies of our passports in her bag

 

[dolphingirl47]

I can't believe that this is already the last day. Time has just flown by. This looks like another nice day. I just read an article today about changes to the Disney Dining Plan and from tomorrow you can substitute any eligible snack, provided it’s within the same transaction.

I have to say I would not have expected Rosa Regale at the Rose and Crown.

Corinna

 

[mandymouse]

The id seems to be quite random. Our DS was not id checked anywhere on our last trip except for in Sanaa, where they insisted on the passport photocopy. They would not take his drivers Licence. Luckily DW had copies of our passports in her bag

This must be something new, at least my girls know now ready for their trip in September

I can't believe that this is already the last day. Time has just flown by. This looks like another nice day. I just read an article today about changes to the Disney Dining Plan and from tomorrow you can substitute any eligible snack, provided it’s within the same transaction.

I have to say I would not have expected Rosa Regale at the Rose and Crown.

Corinna

Yes I was pleasantly surprised about the Rose Regale at the Rose & Crown too, just shocked I hadn't know before now

I see you've got your next trip sorted now Corinna, any cruises planned too ?

 

[mandymouse]

Saturday 17th January

Once we had showered, got ready and finished our packing, we drove to Virgin DTD check-in. It was only 8.15am, and it was totally empty. Within minutes we had our luggage taken off us and were walking away with our boarding cards

We decided to spend our last day in Disney Hollywood Studios. Earlier we had an email to say our first FP+ had been cancelled (which was for Toy Story Mania), so we rode RNRC instead

Throughout the morning we rode ToT, had pastries and coffee at Starring Rolls, watched Muppets 3D, rode Star Tours, had lunch at the Backlot Express and watched One Mans Dream

We left around 1.30pm and finished our time in WDW at DTD. We had a good look around and did one last bit of shopping before sadly leaving for the airport. We dropped the car off at the rental garage and after a quick wander around the shops we headed air-side. Paul and I grabbed a skinny latte and cake from Starbucks, and when the guy asked for our names .. we ended up with Pandy (pfft ! I don't get that kind of treatment at Costa )

Our plane (Jersey Girl) was on time, 6.45pm, and boarding began an hour before. We had some of the seats of two at the rear or the plane, so were onboard pretty early. The Captain announced the flight would be 7 hours and 16 minutes long

I was so tired, and quickly dozed after a Bailey's and bag of pretzels. Unfortunately I didn't get into a deep sleep at all and felt I saw every hour

We landed at 7am after a rather bumpy flight home, and were greeted by a near hour wait to get through passport control (note to self, get a passport with a chip in it so I can use the fast lane)

So what can I say about this trip ? Well what a laugh we all had. We haven't been away with our girls for over 3 years and to be honest were thrilled when they agreed to come with us to celebrate their dad's 50th. It was a shame it poured on Paul's actual birthday, but we still had a great time, and we were very lucky on a few days with the weather. I really hope we get to do another family holiday in the near future. So now the countdown begins to mine & Paul's next back2back cruises in September, and the girls are back in WDW with their friends in September too (we get to meet up with them on our last day) ... Bring it on !!!

Thanks again for reading along