Thanks for the birthday wishes. Sorry everyone we kept this one kind of quiet. Just a little get away for the two of us for our birthdays.
Plans for the trip started in November when our waitlist at the Grand California Villas came through. When we first booked we couldn't get a couple of nights so we waitlisted and booked two nights at Paradise Pier on points. When our waitlist came through those became reservation points which means we couldn't use them at DVC resorts. We could however use them at other Disney resorts so we decided to book Port Orleans since we've never stayed there. Then we talked about other things we've never done which had us booking two nights at Universal Royal Pacific so we could do Harry Potter and the rest of Universal/Islands of Adventure. So here was our quick week in review:
Friday - left home about 7 am and drove to Dalton, GA. Great day and great ride.
Saturday - left Dalton early and got to Universal early afternoon. Royal Pacific is very nice and we got a great room but $$$ with extra for internet access and parking. I've been spoiled by DVC. This evening our only plan was to check out the resort and City Walk and find somewhere to eat. We walked over to City Walk (we could have also taken a water taxi) and had dinner at Margaritaville which was very good. Did a little bit of shopping and then back to the resort. Checked out their torch lighting ceremony (pretty lame but ok) and then off to bed.
Sunday - up bright and early to visit Harry Potter World. Staying onsite we got into Islands of Adventure and Harry Potter an hour early. We also got front of line access to make of the other attractions. Harry Potter is very cool. We didn't do the rides (motion rides are something neither of us do any more) but enjoyed the castle tour, had a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks and visited Honey Dukes. Oh and moaning Myrtle is in the bathroom too.
Rest of the day was split between the two parks which was enjoyable but we really aren't thrill ride people so a visit every couple of years will do us. Dinner this evening was at Emerill's Tchop Chop which was very very good.
Monday we left Universal but did something we've never done before and went to Gator World. Old school park and really a lot more fun than I was expecting. After that we stopped at the Prime Outlets, some quick grocery shopping at Publix and then to check in to the resort. We got a room on the second floor of one of the Mansions and actually had a really good location as a short walk over two bridges had us at the main part of the resort and the bus stops. We took the resorts river boat to Downtown Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Cafe. Another first for us and another good meal. After dinner we met up with Chris and Bob. It was great to see them and we are all excited about getting to sail together again and with all of you!
Tuesday was Mark's birthday and our first visit to a Disney park. We picked Epcot for the Flower and Garden festival which was one of our main reasons for the trip. Beautiful as always but oh the Spring Break crowds were a bit much for us especially when it seemed many of them had no idea what they were doing. I can't tell you how many times a group of 6 or more would just stop in front of us and block our way.
Since it was Mark's birthday he got to choose where we had dinner and his pick was The Wave at the Contemporary. Another great meal. We had also planned to visit the Magic Kingdom to see Wishes and The Main Street Electrical parade but quite frankly we were beat so back we went to the room where Mark had a birthday greeting from Minnie and Mickey waiting for him.
Wednesday we kind of slept in, then had breakfast at the resort and then headed out to the Magic Kingdom. Didn't have much planned and spent a nice couple of hours there before heading back to the resort. That night our dinner was in Epcot at Chef's de France and then to watch Illuminations. Dinner was good but not great. It seemed really rushed and Mark said his chicken was very dry. Seems like another casualty of the
DDP. After we found a nice bench by the Rose and Crown Pub and waited for Illuminations. We met two other couples there on of which were DVC and had some enjoyable chats about that. Illuminations as always was fantastic. We just sat on the bench for a good time after people watching. No sense rushing back to the bus to be crammed in. We took our time and got a much later bus that was full but not to standing point.
Thursday was my birthday. My wish for dinner was to go to Grills in Port Canaveral and watch the Dream sail as we'd be sailing on her 52 weeks to the day! So that morning we really didn't feel like going back to a park. We went offsite for breakfast at Chick fil A, then some shopping at Downtown Disney (didn't get much time to do that on Monday night) and some car care. We then got back to the resort and rented a pontoon boat for a nice cruise down the river and to Downtown Disney. So Mark took me on a cruise! We then headed out to Grills and got there about 4:30. It was packed and no chance of a table outside so we hung out on the part deck until the ship passed and then went in for dinner. The Dream is beautiful! Back at the resort it was sadly time to pack.
Friday came bright and early and we were on the road by 5 am. Our stop for the night was Franklin, TN to visit with family.
Then back on the road this morning. It was a great birthday spent with the man I love. Some old familiar things and some brand new things all of which were fun.
Do you already know of a foursome or your looking to see who all is interested? Because he sure is and would love to join you.
It is finally Gary Day!!!! 
Yea this sounds like a lot of fun!!
Been busy unpacking and doing laundry.
part is that my Grandma, to the above mentioned Grandpa, passed away about 7:50 last night. Which we all knew was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier. She was my last living Grandparent. She was 90 years old and lived a very long and happy life. I have been so fortunate to have known three of my Great Grandparents, all four of my Grandparents, and to have had one of them for as long as I did, is really amazing. 
