Matt's 18th Birthday trip - Now Live

[wayneg]

Thank you all for the Birthday wishes. We had a great day today.
Matt woke to find the room decorated with banners & balloons on his bed, he then had to try focus to open cards. Lots of money, both Dollars & Pounds. We gave him a cheque along with a savings account from his Grandma, they will help him thru University.

We also got a few Vinylmations incl Happy Birthday.

He then opened an envelope with this inside

This took him 600ft above Bay Lake, he looked down on MK and over to Epcot.

Lucy & Lily made a Cookie & Lolly arrangement

After parasailing we went into MK til mid afternoon, lunch at Harbour House then swim for a couple of hours.
Whatever Matt does Lilly copies.

 

[wayneg]

This evening Matt chose Grand Floridian Cafe for his Birthday meal. He couldn't have chosen anywhere better. From having one of our worst dining experiences yesterday we had one of our best today. Our server, Ben was as good as it gets, nothing was too much trouble, when he gave us the menu we voiced our disaproval of the parmasan fries being removed from the menu. He said he would go talk to chef and see what he could do, thankfully someone in the kitchen had worked there 10 years and knew how they made them.
Ben interacted well with Lily, playing animal noises with each other.
Dessert time, we had arranged for a Mickey cake, Ben also added a candle and we all sang Happy Birthday, the whole restaurant joined in with the singing and clapping.
We opted not to have dessert but we ended up bringing home a boxed fondue for Matt and the rest of us brought home a chocolate Mickey each.
At the end of the meal Matt asked if he could have his 21st Birthday there.
Book for sale in GF shop

 

[jtlover]

Happy birthday Matt looks like a great day

Loving the photo above of the 3 of you.

 

[Elise79]

I was wondering about the parasailing! Glad he had a good day mind you how can you not there!

 

[Linda67]

What a wonderful way to spend Matt's 18th Birthday

I was in a dodgy nightclub in Derby for my 18th, not quite the same thing

 

[disneyholic family]

wow!!! looks like a spectacular meal!!!!
i love that mickey cake!!

GF Cafe never fails....great service, great food!!

Wayne, you should have been an event planner!!! it's clearly your calling!!!!!!!
but i guess that's sort of what you do as a florist too!!
amazing amazing amazing!!!!!!!

 

[miss_bell]

Happy Belated Birthday Matt, what an amazing birthday. Hope you enjoy the rest of the holiday as much as your birthday.

em x

 

[zippy99]

Looks like Matt had an amazing time. The food, the parasailing and that cake!!

And how funny that all your pictures of Matt's 18th appear on the 18th page of this thread!

Look forward to more updates - cannot quite believe we'll be there in just over 3 weeks - I can feel the magic!

 

[jen_uk]

Happy Birthday Matt, glad you had a lovely day!!

 

[alibeau]

What beautiful photo's

Will drop some hints when our LO's are nearer that age (only a decade to go), it would be a good excuse for another trip (not that we need one!!).....

Ali

 

[UKDEB]

Happy Birthday Matt! (And also my DH!)

Belated birthday wishes to Mike!

And how funny that all your pictures of Matt's 18th appear on the 18th page of this thread!

Excellent!

I had a little tear when I read the note about the parasailing. Not really sure why because it would be my worst nightmare. I do like the Mickey parachute, though. I also grizzled a bit when I read about the restaurant joining in with the singing and clapping. I could weep over the parmesan fries, too, but for a completely different reason! #mighthavetomakemesome

 

[queendisney]

wow...Matt certainly looked like he had a great time. Lily is so cute.

Also really loved Matts 'Mouse' T-shirt. Did he get it at Disney this year?

 

[dixonsontour]

Looks like a great day

 

[casinocolin]

I was in a London nightclub for my 18th.

If Matt gets his wish to spend his 21st at the GF at least he will be able to celebrate it this time with alcohol.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

It all looks so wonderful and what a lovely cake

 

[queendisney]

I was in a London nightclub for my 18th.

If Matt gets his wish to spend his 21st at the GF at least he will be able to celebrate it this time with alcohol.

Blimey, I can't even remember what I did or where I went for my 18th it was that long ago

Can't think of anyway better to celebrate a birthday then WDW.

 

[wayneg]

Also really loved Matts 'Mouse' T-shirt. Did he get it at Disney this year?

He has had it a few years, bought it when Disney were selling them off (I would never pay Disney's prices for Tshirts)
Every time he wears it he gets CM's commenting.

I was in a London nightclub for my 18th.

If Matt gets his wish to spend his 21st at the GF at least he will be able to celebrate it this time with alcohol.

He will if he is drinking by then, can't get him to try it but I was the same at his age. Maybe University will change him.

 

[wayneg]

Tonight I am taking the lazy route and linking to Matt's Blog for pics and details.
Been to Manny's this evening had a few beers, got back and a few vodkas so a little tired.

Day started with Tusker house breakfast, as I have said before we don't really eat breakfast but did it for Lily, 5 adults and 1 child = over $200, I will never understand anyone paying those prices for breakfast.

Dinner at Manny's was very good, excellent steaks cooked to perfection (overcooked last time I ate there) $110 for 6 of us & $20 tip.

By pool this afternoon met Paulh, great to meet up at last.

Link to today http://mathewgillings.wordpress.com/2012/07/28/day-10-animal-kingdom/

Link to Matts Birthday blog. http://mathewgillings.wordpress.com/2012/07/27/day-9-parasailing-magic-kingdom-birthday/

 

[disneyholic family]

thanks for the link!

the food at manny's looks really good ...
how long does it take to drive there?

 

[wayneg]

thanks for the link!

the food at manny's looks really good ...
how long does it take to drive there?

Last time I was very underwhelmed with Manny's, this time felt it was worth the trip. Its about 30 mins drive from OKW. Not sure how far down I4 (10miles?) then 8 miles on Hwy 27. Really easy drive.