Mandymouse's Trippy Part 1 ~ Food & Wine Festival Frolics

[mandymouse]

Castmembers

Mandy & Paul

Thursday 21st October 2010

After a busy day of appointments, cleaning, packing and a few tears as we said goodbye to the girls, we left home at approximately 8.30pm for the 1 1/2 hour drive up to Manchester Airport

We'd only been on the road 10 minutes when out of nowhere Paul asked if I had printed off the agreement for our car hire We pulled over and I checked my paperwork. I had the evoucher, but not the agreement, so back home we trekked

After printing it off, we jumped back in the car, and thankfully we had an uneventful drive up the M6. We arrived at The Radisson around 10.30pm, and checked in. Our room on the 7th floor apparantly had a Maritime theme, which wasn't as nice as the lovely Italian themed room that we had in June, but we didn't really take much notice as all we had time for was a quick drink in the bar before heading to bed

Friday 22nd October '10

I was up first around 6.20am, and after a quick shower, a heart attack from the hotel's fire alarm going off and generally getting ready we left the room around 7am

Paul had already checked his Virgin app on his Iphone, so we already knew that the 10.25am flight to Orlando was now delayed till 11.45am

We had already checked in on-line the day before, so went straight to the bag drop off line and within no time we had handed over our bags and were heading up the escalator to security. All was well there, and we headed air side. First stop was breakfast at Frankie & Benny's, and it was delish. I had omelette and beans and Paul had a New England Breakfast all washed down with a cup of tea. As we were in no hurry, we stayed for another cuppa

After breakfast we wandered around all the shops, and we bought some sandwiches, crisps and drinks for our flight, as we tend to avoid Virgin's cullinary delights these days

We then chilled in one of the lounges till our gate opened

The plane started boarding around 11am and our row was called 1/2 an hour later. We boarded Hot Lips, and as the attendant handed out the bags to all the kids, a little boy made me laugh out loud when he innocently asked her if it was his parachute

The plane took off just before midday and the pilot announced that due to 'lumpy' weather out in the Atlantic, we would be flying right up to Greenland, then quite far inland over Toronto and Lake Ontario which would add even more time to our flight

Anyway, the flight was very smooth. We both watched Toy Story 3, and Paul also watched the A Team

We enjoyed a couple of drinkies, and I had my turkey & cranberry sandwiches, though Paul decided to give the Sweet & Sour chicken a go

We landed at MCO around 4pm, and were shortly off the plane, then we joined the new lining system at Immigration (one long line that weaved in and out) which moved pretty quickly

Our cases were already going around the carousel once we were through immigration, and I had spotted my pink holdall at one point, then it was gone. Thankfully I saw someone put it on their trolley and was able to ask for it back (bless him, he was very apologetic)

We carried our luggage through the airport and went to choose our mid size SUV, and we were driving out of the airport at 5pm

We arrived at the Pop Century 1/2 an hour later and we were chuffed that there was no line at check in, so within no time we were heading to our room in the 90's block with our park tickets and dining plan on our room key (# 9340)

After emptying our cases and quickly getting changed we caught the bus to Epcot as we were meeting up with Claire L for a drinky in the UK Pavillion. We grabbed a lager and Bacardi & diet coke and found her sitting by the cross and we wandered around the back where the British Invasion would soon be playing

We had a lovely chat to Claire and her friend (sorry I can't remember his name Claire ), and they stayed to watch the end of the show and we went in search of some food

We had dinner in Japan, 2 Japanese Curries, 2 cookies, a coke and a bottle of water, and it was all very nice

After dinner we stood by the Teppan Edo and watched IllumiNations so Paul could take some photos. After the fireworks had finished, we took a slow walk around taking more photos

A bus was waiting when we got back to the bus station, and before long we were in bed fast asleep, as it had been a long day

 

[mandymouse]

Saturday 23rd October '10 ~ High 87F

We slept quite well, and I woke up around 5.45am. I got up at 6.30am and got showered and caught up with my diary

Today it was morning EMH's at Disney Hollywood Studios. Our plan was to ride RockNRollerCoaster first, but it was down all morning, so we got Fastpasses for Tower of Terror and joined the standby line too, then we got off and rode it again

We wandered around the park, got photopass photos taken and saw Lightning McQueen & Mater and Buzz & Woody and had a quick snack of a couple of fruit bowls. We used our FP for ToT and as it was getting lovely and warm we went back to the Pop Century to chill by the pool

We were starting to feel a little hungry, so we went to the Pop Foodcourt for some lunch. I had beef & brocolli, cookie & water, and Paul had cheeseburger, fries, cookie & coke, which was all very nice

After lunch we jumped back in the car and took off for the Mall at Millenia, as we only had 1 week to buy the things on the girls presents lists Today we were after a little (and I mean little) silver necklace from Tiffany's for Kerry. We found it straight away, and I made a note to buy a magnifying glass so it could be seen

We also found a top in PacSun for Kerry, but we couldn't find anything for Becky today

Once back at the room we got changed and caught the bus back to DHS for our 4.15pm ADR at Mama Melrose

As we had the dining plan, we decided to try a couple of new places for us, and Mama Melrose was one of them. As we were a little early for our ADR, we got a photo with Mr & Mrs Incredible, then we wandered to the restaurant

We ordered a Bellini and a Stella, then started with Mama's Antipasto for two. For our mains, I had Chicken Pipette and Paul had Oven Baked Chicken alla Parmigiana. We had another drink, then for dessert I had Mama's Tiramisu, which was a little disappointing as I love Tiramisu, and this was more like an ice-cream/cream/coffee concoction, and Paul had Crema Limone which he enjoyed

We really enjoyed our first visit to Mama Melrose, and I think it cost us about $60 for the starters, drinks and tip

After dinner we went to another first for us, the Tune In Lounge where we stopped off for one drink. I had a fruity martini which was far too sweet for me and Paul had another Stella

We left the park and took the Friendship Boat up to Epcot. It was really busy due to the Food & Wine Festival (I hadn't seen crowds like that since Christmas). We had a drink in the Rose & Crown, then took a slow wander through Canada towards Mexico.

On our way I met Duffy Bear, then we carried on to Italy (yay ! Rosa Regale time), then Germany for a glass of wine, we left the park as IllumiNations started via MouseGear (of course ), then caught the bus back to the Pop and enjoyed a Captain's Mai Tai at Petal's Pool bar before heading to bed

 

[disney_princess_85]

Another TR from Mandy!

Great start and fab pics. Looking forward to more.

 

[PJB71]

Great start Mandy

You have some lovely photos

Looking forward to reading more

 

[mandymouse]

Sunday 24th October '10 ~ High 88F

There were no morning EMH's today, so we had a bit of a lie in and got to Epcot for normal 9am opening

First stop was Test Track, where we picked up a FP and rode it too. Next we met up with the characters at the Character Connection, where we met Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy

Next stop was The Land where we picked up FP's for Soarin' (which we didn't use) and we grabbed a couple of fruitbowls, a water and orange juice using 4 snack credits

We decided to use our TT FP next, but we got a little side tracked and wandered up to the World Showcase entrance taking photos. I bought a Duffy Bear and a sailor outfit for him then me, Paul & Duffy rode Test Track

Our feet were beginning to hurt so we drove back to the Pop Century. We had lunch at the foodcourt, I had chicken penne alfredo, and Paul had a bacon burger with fries, we both had a cookie and we got a bottle of water and coke too

We spent a relaxing hour or so by the pool, then got ready and back in the car and went to the Florida Mall and Festival Bay in search of more pressies for the girls (I haven't written down what we bought, but I have a feeling that we bought something else for Kerry, but we still couldn't find anything for Bek)

Once back from shopping, we chatted to the girls on Skype for a while then we got ready for an evening in Epcot. We caught the bus, and once at World Showcase I found my fave stand at the F&WF .. the Desserts & Champagne stand, where I had my first Rosé Imperial (Mmmmm). Paul grabbed a beer in Mexico, then we enjoyed a couple of samosa pockets in China. We had a quick drink in Germany, and a Rosa Regale & Asti in Italy before heading to our ADR at Tutto Italia

I ordered a Pomegranate Cosmopolitan and Paul had a Moretti, then I started with the Minestrone soup, and Paul had Melon with Parma Ham. For our mains, I had Petto di Pollo and Paul had Lasagne.

We ordered another drink and I finished off with a de-lic-ious Tiramisu and Paul had a lemony cheesecake. It was a really nice meal, the food was lovely, and the service was great too, and we never felt rushed either (which we have done in the past)

As we left the restauarant IllumiNations started, so we legged it out of the park, and a bus was there waiting for us

Back at the Pop we had a nightcap and then it was time for beddy byes

 

[mandymouse]

Monday 25th October '10 ~ High 89F

We were up, ready and arriving at Animal Kingdom at 8am for morning EMH's

It was really quiet, we picked up FP's for Expedition Everest and rode it twice

We then wandered over to Dinoland where we rode Triceratops Spin and then Dinosaur

We wandered around the park popping into the shops and taking photos. We had some fun photos taken with Lilo & Stitch as there was no-one else in the line. Stitch was pretending to sulk as he wanted us to take a photo of just him, and as I went to take one, Lilo stuck her hand in the way, it was cute spending some silly time with them

We used our FP on Expedition Everest (which was still very quiet) and then we called into Harambe for some fruit bowls and juice before heading to Camp Minnie~Mickey where we had some photos taken with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald

We left the park and drove to Wal-Mart to pick up some vino for the BBQ we were going to tonight at Jules & Ian's tree house villa

When we got back we had some lunch at the Pop foodcourt, then enjoyed an hour by the pool

We chatted to Bek on Skype for a while then caught the bus to DownTown Disney

I bought a couple of Christmas decorations and a cute toy for my friend.

We called in at a deserted T-Rex for a couple of drinkies (yay ! bring on the Paleo Cosmo Cottontinis !!) and some onion rings, then we wandered over to the West Side to look in the shops

After having a good look around, we caught the water taxi over to the Tree House Villas, where Ian and Jules met us at the dock then took us to their tree house

We were shortly joined by Karen (CustardTart) and Richard, and we spent a fun evening drinking, eating and a right good laugh too

Me, Paul, Karen & Richard left around 11.30pm and caught the bus back to Saratoga Springs where Karen & Richard went to ring for a taxi, and Paul & me caught another bus to DTD then to the Pop Century

We had such a great evening, and I'm sure I was asleep the moment my head hit the pillow

 

[Jordanblackpool]

Great trip report so far....although reading it is making me want a drink or 5!!!

 

[Linda67]

Great start to your trip report

Sooo looking forward to reading more

 

[Chilly]

Great TR Mandy, those Illuminations photos from day 1 are excellent.

 

[saratogagirl]

What a lovely start, I am loving all the pics.

We had a brilliant night didnt we, did we have the usual pic of Paul and Ian sharing a kiss? lol

 

[Goofysmate]

Great Start Mandy . Firework pic's are 1st class .

 

[jen_uk]

Fab holiday so far

 

[sandym]

Great report so far Mandy Thanks for sharing

 

[princess jackson]

Great report

 

[katiec]

Great trippie yet again

 

[mark&sue]

wonderful start to your trippy Mandy. Loving all the drinky photos. lovely to see the treehouse too.

Hope we remember to go to the Tune In too

Looking forward to more


susan

 

[Sapper383]

Great Trip report Mandy, can't wait for the rest

 

[Cruisin]

I'm loving your trip report as usual Mandy.

Makes me really really want to go to the parks again.

Can't wait to read some more.

Do you think you will have the cruise report all done by Friday morning

No pressure of course

 

[mandymouse]

Tuesday 26th October '10 ~ High 89F

We were up around 7.20am and we got ready and left the room around 8.20 to catch the bus to the Magic Kingdom

First stop was Splash Mountain, but it was down, so we rode Big Thunder Mountain which was a walk on. Next stop was Pirates of the Caribbean (again a walk on), then we wandered through Adventureland. As we neared the castle Paul suggested asking if there was a table available at the Crystal Palace for breakfast as it was very quiet outside, and there was

Our pager went off after a minute or two and we were shown to our table, and even inside it was only half full

There weren't any characters around, so we headed straight to the buffet to get some omelettes freshly made. I had a vegetarian one and Paul had the Ultimate, then we grabbed some more food from the buffet

After a couple of trips to the buffet the characters started to come round. We saw Eeyore, Piglet, Pooh and Tigger, then we left after leaving our server her tip (got to love this dining plan lark )

We took some photos and had some photopass pics taken, then we rode Buzz Lightyear (where I whopped Paul's butt again ), then the TTA and Mickey's PhilharMagic

We left the park via the shops where Paul bought me some sunnies with sparkly Mickey heads on them, then we caught the bus back to the Pop

We lay by the pool for an hour or so, and I did some washing too

Once showered and changed we jumped in the car and drove to the Florida Mall where we finally bought a few things for Becky

When we got back we got changed for dinner and caught the bus to Epcot (yes again ) then headed up to World Showcase.

I started with a Rosé Imperial from the Champagne stand and Paul had a beer from Mexico. Next stop was Italy for a Rosa Regale and Asti, then around 7.30pm we checked in at Teppan Edo

This was our first visit here, and we really enjoyed it

We started with a Tokyo Sunset cocktail each, then when our chef arrived we ordered steak and chicken. It was lots of fun watching the chef cooking our food. He made a volcano from an onion and he'd throw bits of food all over the place. Along with our chicken & steak we had onions, noodles, rice, aubergines and several dips, and it was all very nice

To finish I had ginger cake and Paul had ice-cream along with another cocktail each

We loved this meal, and we will definitely eat here again

IllumiNations had just finished as we left the restaurant, so we followed the crowds out. The line for the bus was unbelievable, we finally got on the 6th bus though thankfully the buses came quickly

We had one last nightcap at the Pool bar, then it was time for bed

 

[cannp123165]

Yay! I was hoping you would write a trip report Mandy! Great installments so far.