All I can say is wonderful!!! It was the best trip we have ever taken to Disney.
One the first day we flew Air Tran from Bloomington to Orlando. The flight was on time, the weather cooperated and it was honestly enjoyable and I hate to fly. Upon arrival we were greeted by Your Ride and our driver Jim. He was extremely friendly, timely, safe and informative. The car was roomy, clean and comfortable. It only took about 20 minutes to get from the airport to our resort and there was even construction. While my DH checked us in we retrieved our luggage and enjoyed the lobby of the Boardwalk Inn. After check in we went straight to our room so we could unpack and go and find something to eat. The room was perfect. We were in the courtyard area, ground level and our patio looked right at the pool. As soon as we finished unpacking we hurried out to the Boardwalk and went to eat at ESPN Zone. Again all went well. there was no wait, our food was out in no time, the portions were very large and tasted wonderful and our waiter was very attentive. After our late lunch we headed for the quiet pool. It was as if it was our own private pool. Our family of four and one other sunbather were the only people there. Later in the evening we decided to clean up and go out onto the Boardwalk. Again no large crowds, great weather and Disney it was perfection. For dinner we ate at Boardwalk Pizzeria. The pizza, calzones and salads tasted great and hit the spot.
On day 2 my DH had his conference, the 2 teens slept in and I hit the Boardwalk for a morning of power walking, then went to the pool for a few laps. It was the most empowering morning I have had in a long time. As a matter of a fact it became a morning routine. When the girls finally woke and came out to the pool we ordered some fruit cups and muffins for a late breakfast. That afternoon we cleaned up and went around to the Magic Kingdom resorts and shopped the gift shops and took some great photos. We skipped lunch and had tea in the Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian. There we had finger sandwiches, tarts and pastries with our tea. Our waiter was Denis and he made the tea something we will never forget! He was so entertaining and helpful. When the DH was finished we went back to the hotel to swim a little more before our late dinner. Our dinner was at Ohana. The table where we sat over looked the lagoon where the Lagoon Parade was going on and fireworks were about to start at the Magic Kingdom. The food was wonderful (especially the pineapple and caramel sauce)!
Day 3 same morning routine and breakfast. For lunch we ran down to Boardwalk Pizzeria and picked up salads and waters to take back to the pool. Now this became our afternoon routine. We stayed at the pool till late afternoon. I decided that I wanted to run over to Epcot and the girls were going to work on homework. I took the talkabout (Motorola) and communicated them the entire time I was gone. The boats from the Boardwalk seemed interesting so that was how I got there. Once inside I decided that I was only interested in shopping around in the World Showcase. It was a little busy but not overly crowded. My purchases were in Mexico (bracelet), Japan (sushi and bamboo plant), Italy (wine and candies) and France (chocolate mousse and napoleons). When I got back to the room we decided to go and take photos around at the Epcot resorts. For dinner we went to Cape May Cafe. We didn't even have priority seating and got in within 10 minutes. The food was very good and all you can eat, our waiter was super and the Oreo Bon Bons are to die for!
On the 4th day same as day 2 and 3. We did however go over to the pool at the Yacht Club and asked if we could swim there. The cast Member was very helpful and said that it used to be that Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club could share pool but that there got to be so much pool hopping that now only Beach Club and Yacht Club guest with room keys and arm bands could use this pool. So we decided to try out the main Boardwalk pool. All I can say is I know where everyone was. We quickly retreated back to our quiet pool. In the afternoon we went to Market Place shops to pick up our souvenirs. We did all of our shopping at World of Disney (charms, cups, tee shirts, color books, pen, visor, postcards) and Sosa Cigars (cigars and tee shirt for DH). We had lunch at McDonald's (same old same old food but value meals are about $7). Our dinner tonight was at Beaches and Cream. We even had the Kitchen Sink (largest ice cream sundae I have ever seen).
Day 5 was the best! DH only had a 1/2 day in his conference. The girls woke early and we went right over to the Saratoga Spa (taxi transfer from Bell services). We enjoyed the whirlpool, sauna, steam room, manicures, pedicures, exercise room, showers and shaves. I have now done both spas at Disney and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Saratoga! It was total bliss!!! When we got back to the room DH was already at the pool. Our afternoon was the normal routine except we got corn dogs from the cart on the Boardwalk and had the pleasure of enjoying it with Dad! This was also our 22nd wedding anniversary. The girls went out on their own tonight to shop, eat and stroll on the Boardwalk. The DH and I went to Spoodles. The food was very good, our waiter was nice enough but it was very noisy and definitely not a good anniversary spot. So we went out onto the Boardwalk got dessert at Boardwalk Bakery, found a peaceful spot and just took in all of our wonderful surroundings. Next thing you know the fireworks started up and all was again perfect! later we all went for a late night swim.
This is our last real day at Disney and we wanted to take it all in. Morning was our normal routine. Afternoon was normal routine. At about 2 we went over to MGM. There were crowds but not the worst I have ever seen. We went on the Star Wars ride once (walked right on), Rock-n-Roller Coaster 4x's (again walked right on) and Tower of Terror once (again no wait). My only request were to eat at Prime Time Cafe and see the fireworks at MGM. Well, it was 4:45 and we had done everything we wanted to do and everyone was ready to go our reservations for dinner weren't till 6. So we went on over to see if we could get in sooner. Sure enough it was immediate seating. Again it was a great experience, the food was scrumptious and the smores are the best things since Oreo Bon Bons! Needless to say we didn't see the fireworks (seven times and no MGM fireworks)
! Instead we went to pack and swim.
We had to get up at 3am to be ready for our driver at 3:45. Jim was already out there waiting. We were at the airport in 15 minutes. Had breakfast at McDonalds and were on our plane headed home .
One the first day we flew Air Tran from Bloomington to Orlando. The flight was on time, the weather cooperated and it was honestly enjoyable and I hate to fly. Upon arrival we were greeted by Your Ride and our driver Jim. He was extremely friendly, timely, safe and informative. The car was roomy, clean and comfortable. It only took about 20 minutes to get from the airport to our resort and there was even construction. While my DH checked us in we retrieved our luggage and enjoyed the lobby of the Boardwalk Inn. After check in we went straight to our room so we could unpack and go and find something to eat. The room was perfect. We were in the courtyard area, ground level and our patio looked right at the pool. As soon as we finished unpacking we hurried out to the Boardwalk and went to eat at ESPN Zone. Again all went well. there was no wait, our food was out in no time, the portions were very large and tasted wonderful and our waiter was very attentive. After our late lunch we headed for the quiet pool. It was as if it was our own private pool. Our family of four and one other sunbather were the only people there. Later in the evening we decided to clean up and go out onto the Boardwalk. Again no large crowds, great weather and Disney it was perfection. For dinner we ate at Boardwalk Pizzeria. The pizza, calzones and salads tasted great and hit the spot.
On day 2 my DH had his conference, the 2 teens slept in and I hit the Boardwalk for a morning of power walking, then went to the pool for a few laps. It was the most empowering morning I have had in a long time. As a matter of a fact it became a morning routine. When the girls finally woke and came out to the pool we ordered some fruit cups and muffins for a late breakfast. That afternoon we cleaned up and went around to the Magic Kingdom resorts and shopped the gift shops and took some great photos. We skipped lunch and had tea in the Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian. There we had finger sandwiches, tarts and pastries with our tea. Our waiter was Denis and he made the tea something we will never forget! He was so entertaining and helpful. When the DH was finished we went back to the hotel to swim a little more before our late dinner. Our dinner was at Ohana. The table where we sat over looked the lagoon where the Lagoon Parade was going on and fireworks were about to start at the Magic Kingdom. The food was wonderful (especially the pineapple and caramel sauce)!
Day 3 same morning routine and breakfast. For lunch we ran down to Boardwalk Pizzeria and picked up salads and waters to take back to the pool. Now this became our afternoon routine. We stayed at the pool till late afternoon. I decided that I wanted to run over to Epcot and the girls were going to work on homework. I took the talkabout (Motorola) and communicated them the entire time I was gone. The boats from the Boardwalk seemed interesting so that was how I got there. Once inside I decided that I was only interested in shopping around in the World Showcase. It was a little busy but not overly crowded. My purchases were in Mexico (bracelet), Japan (sushi and bamboo plant), Italy (wine and candies) and France (chocolate mousse and napoleons). When I got back to the room we decided to go and take photos around at the Epcot resorts. For dinner we went to Cape May Cafe. We didn't even have priority seating and got in within 10 minutes. The food was very good and all you can eat, our waiter was super and the Oreo Bon Bons are to die for!
On the 4th day same as day 2 and 3. We did however go over to the pool at the Yacht Club and asked if we could swim there. The cast Member was very helpful and said that it used to be that Boardwalk, Beach Club and Yacht Club could share pool but that there got to be so much pool hopping that now only Beach Club and Yacht Club guest with room keys and arm bands could use this pool. So we decided to try out the main Boardwalk pool. All I can say is I know where everyone was. We quickly retreated back to our quiet pool. In the afternoon we went to Market Place shops to pick up our souvenirs. We did all of our shopping at World of Disney (charms, cups, tee shirts, color books, pen, visor, postcards) and Sosa Cigars (cigars and tee shirt for DH). We had lunch at McDonald's (same old same old food but value meals are about $7). Our dinner tonight was at Beaches and Cream. We even had the Kitchen Sink (largest ice cream sundae I have ever seen).
Day 5 was the best! DH only had a 1/2 day in his conference. The girls woke early and we went right over to the Saratoga Spa (taxi transfer from Bell services). We enjoyed the whirlpool, sauna, steam room, manicures, pedicures, exercise room, showers and shaves. I have now done both spas at Disney and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed Saratoga! It was total bliss!!! When we got back to the room DH was already at the pool. Our afternoon was the normal routine except we got corn dogs from the cart on the Boardwalk and had the pleasure of enjoying it with Dad! This was also our 22nd wedding anniversary. The girls went out on their own tonight to shop, eat and stroll on the Boardwalk. The DH and I went to Spoodles. The food was very good, our waiter was nice enough but it was very noisy and definitely not a good anniversary spot. So we went out onto the Boardwalk got dessert at Boardwalk Bakery, found a peaceful spot and just took in all of our wonderful surroundings. Next thing you know the fireworks started up and all was again perfect! later we all went for a late night swim.
This is our last real day at Disney and we wanted to take it all in. Morning was our normal routine. Afternoon was normal routine. At about 2 we went over to MGM. There were crowds but not the worst I have ever seen. We went on the Star Wars ride once (walked right on), Rock-n-Roller Coaster 4x's (again walked right on) and Tower of Terror once (again no wait). My only request were to eat at Prime Time Cafe and see the fireworks at MGM. Well, it was 4:45 and we had done everything we wanted to do and everyone was ready to go our reservations for dinner weren't till 6. So we went on over to see if we could get in sooner. Sure enough it was immediate seating. Again it was a great experience, the food was scrumptious and the smores are the best things since Oreo Bon Bons! Needless to say we didn't see the fireworks (seven times and no MGM fireworks)
! Instead we went to pack and swim. We had to get up at 3am to be ready for our driver at 3:45. Jim was already out there waiting. We were at the airport in 15 minutes. Had breakfast at McDonalds and were on our plane headed home
.
