Past the newlywed phase
weekend trip to WDW to bring back some magic
Cast: dh(39) and me (37) without the kids .
Joining dh at the tail end of his golf trip w/ BF in Orlando- we live in Tampa now and have decided to buy seasonal passes. Had cancelled a Dec trip w/ the kids to WDW after requiring $1000 in car repairs but since this is his one week of vacation we decided to spend some quality time. I have lupus and I know that sometimes living w/ me and my illness can be quite trying for my dh who is not used to the constant state of exhaustion I face. We have 2 dds, 8 & 5 so it is not easy living w/ the illness, working full time and being a mom and wife- usually my dh is most neglected as I prioritize my energy. We do not have days off together so a short trip like this where I can focus my energy on him is wonderful retreat for us both and needed respite for our marriage. We were married at the Disney Swan and thru my research I have become Disney obsessed ..
I was off from work the week dh was in orlando- originally I had planned to pamper myself. Instead I had pleurisy and was at the doctor and hospital getting IV antiobiotics. Not as energizing as I had hoped. But I was much better by Friday when I dropped our dog at our sitter- my coworker watches our dog during our weekend getaways and we watched his when he went away for the holidays. I then set off for the drive to The Grand Floridian where I had an ADR for the grand tea-solo. My masculine, athletic dh would never go with me for this so I figured that I would treat myself while he finished his last round of golf.
I was about 15 mins late for the ADR- too embarrassed to Valet park my 95 Grand Am at this hotel and it took a while to self park.
I checked in apologetically and was seated in about 15mins. I was next to a young girl with her Aunt and another female relative. And oh, goodness all I could hear was this girls voice throughout the experience.
The Server was charmingly attired in the Victorian garb of the GF and I chose to sit one the couch side of my small table. Although I tried to remember to sit up straight w/ correct posture- it was hard not to try to sink into the cushions.
I chose the Grand Tea offerings- I hadnt eaten in expectation of filling my face- and I was suitably hungry at this time. The tea was brought to me-a new fav that I had decided to try =Darjeeling- with a cute plush cozy to keep the pot warm after my first cup was poured. I truly enjoyed watching the straining of the tea leaves over the dainty Royal Albert cup. At this moment I truly felt like a Victorian matron who would be swept away into my horse drawn carriage after my tea rather than the woman who snuck her old car into self park. But hey- its fully paid for and because of that dh & I can allow ourselves these little luxuries.
I sipped my tea while the sparkling wine was brought to me. It was adorned with a plump strawberry. I nibbled at the berry and sipped the sparkling wine in a heady attempt to silence the echo of that young girls scratchy voice which droned on over the tea room(I believe that she is a local who will be returning for a birthday gathering w/ the aunt in mid april-so you may want to avoid the tea room at that time)
The plate of triangular sandwiches were brought to me at this time. There were four- a traditional watercress/cucumber, seafood, eggsalad and I think some kind of pate. I enjoyed the first two but not really the second two. There was also a slice of some sort of meat and a mini tart filled with a creamy cheese; I loved the cheese tart- but didnt try the meat.
A scone with fresh cream and jam was served next and this also had a raspberry tart. I enjoyed it all! And finshed off my sparkling wine. (Dh called in the interim on my cell and I made arrangements to meet him at his hotel in 90 mins- enough time for the wine effects to wear off)
I decided to take the advice of the server and ordered the trifle. It was very rich too much for more than a couple of bites. I should have followed my instincts and ordered the fresh strawberries w/ cream.
I used my DDE card so the meal was 19.50 instead of 25-
Ambiance A- ( the girl with that loud voice lowered the score- and I know I wasnt the only one who thought so as I was in the ladies room directly after my tea and two other ladies at the tea were discussing her and how she will give Fran Drescher some competition in the future.)
Food B+ Value B
Overall experience A- will absolutely return with my daughters when they mature.
After following directions for the wrong Radisson hotel I met up with dh nearly 2 hrs later. Should have re-registered at the wrong Radisson- worldgate is in serious need of refurbishment.
Luckily dh missed me enough that when he saw my car enter the parking lot he headed down to meet me. I was rather unnerved by the TattooConvention at the hotel. Leather and ink clad folks converged on me asking to see my paint until dh joined me and took me away.
We relaxed at the hotel till early evening then went to Chilis for dinner. Our usual fare met expectations and was probably our cheapest meal during the weekend
We spent some time exploring Celebration before returning to the hotel where we watched a movie on Starz- we wanted to get some rest before embarking on the parks.
Cast: dh(39) and me (37) without the kids .
Joining dh at the tail end of his golf trip w/ BF in Orlando- we live in Tampa now and have decided to buy seasonal passes. Had cancelled a Dec trip w/ the kids to WDW after requiring $1000 in car repairs but since this is his one week of vacation we decided to spend some quality time. I have lupus and I know that sometimes living w/ me and my illness can be quite trying for my dh who is not used to the constant state of exhaustion I face. We have 2 dds, 8 & 5 so it is not easy living w/ the illness, working full time and being a mom and wife- usually my dh is most neglected as I prioritize my energy. We do not have days off together so a short trip like this where I can focus my energy on him is wonderful retreat for us both and needed respite for our marriage. We were married at the Disney Swan and thru my research I have become Disney obsessed ..
I was off from work the week dh was in orlando- originally I had planned to pamper myself. Instead I had pleurisy and was at the doctor and hospital getting IV antiobiotics. Not as energizing as I had hoped. But I was much better by Friday when I dropped our dog at our sitter- my coworker watches our dog during our weekend getaways and we watched his when he went away for the holidays. I then set off for the drive to The Grand Floridian where I had an ADR for the grand tea-solo. My masculine, athletic dh would never go with me for this so I figured that I would treat myself while he finished his last round of golf.
I was about 15 mins late for the ADR- too embarrassed to Valet park my 95 Grand Am at this hotel and it took a while to self park.
I checked in apologetically and was seated in about 15mins. I was next to a young girl with her Aunt and another female relative. And oh, goodness all I could hear was this girls voice throughout the experience.
The Server was charmingly attired in the Victorian garb of the GF and I chose to sit one the couch side of my small table. Although I tried to remember to sit up straight w/ correct posture- it was hard not to try to sink into the cushions.
I chose the Grand Tea offerings- I hadnt eaten in expectation of filling my face- and I was suitably hungry at this time. The tea was brought to me-a new fav that I had decided to try =Darjeeling- with a cute plush cozy to keep the pot warm after my first cup was poured. I truly enjoyed watching the straining of the tea leaves over the dainty Royal Albert cup. At this moment I truly felt like a Victorian matron who would be swept away into my horse drawn carriage after my tea rather than the woman who snuck her old car into self park. But hey- its fully paid for and because of that dh & I can allow ourselves these little luxuries.
I sipped my tea while the sparkling wine was brought to me. It was adorned with a plump strawberry. I nibbled at the berry and sipped the sparkling wine in a heady attempt to silence the echo of that young girls scratchy voice which droned on over the tea room(I believe that she is a local who will be returning for a birthday gathering w/ the aunt in mid april-so you may want to avoid the tea room at that time)
The plate of triangular sandwiches were brought to me at this time. There were four- a traditional watercress/cucumber, seafood, eggsalad and I think some kind of pate. I enjoyed the first two but not really the second two. There was also a slice of some sort of meat and a mini tart filled with a creamy cheese; I loved the cheese tart- but didnt try the meat.
A scone with fresh cream and jam was served next and this also had a raspberry tart. I enjoyed it all! And finshed off my sparkling wine. (Dh called in the interim on my cell and I made arrangements to meet him at his hotel in 90 mins- enough time for the wine effects to wear off)
I decided to take the advice of the server and ordered the trifle. It was very rich too much for more than a couple of bites. I should have followed my instincts and ordered the fresh strawberries w/ cream.
I used my DDE card so the meal was 19.50 instead of 25-
Ambiance A- ( the girl with that loud voice lowered the score- and I know I wasnt the only one who thought so as I was in the ladies room directly after my tea and two other ladies at the tea were discussing her and how she will give Fran Drescher some competition in the future.)
Food B+ Value B
Overall experience A- will absolutely return with my daughters when they mature.
After following directions for the wrong Radisson hotel I met up with dh nearly 2 hrs later. Should have re-registered at the wrong Radisson- worldgate is in serious need of refurbishment.
Luckily dh missed me enough that when he saw my car enter the parking lot he headed down to meet me. I was rather unnerved by the TattooConvention at the hotel. Leather and ink clad folks converged on me asking to see my paint until dh joined me and took me away.
We relaxed at the hotel till early evening then went to Chilis for dinner. Our usual fare met expectations and was probably our cheapest meal during the weekend
We spent some time exploring Celebration before returning to the hotel where we watched a movie on Starz- we wanted to get some rest before embarking on the parks.
