Princess Mindy's Mucho Fabuloso trip report! w/pics!!

[Princess Mindy]

Fasten your seatbelts and keep your hands and arms inside the carpet at all times! I'm going to take your on a magic carpet ride through one fabulous truly Disney magical week at the happiest place on earth!

The cast:
Me, Princess Mindy a princess going to her home and her castle! Cinderella schminderella!

Mom- a silly ol' bear. We'll call her Pooh

And of course what trip would be complete without

The time: September 2-9

The place: Swan the first half, AKL the second with free food!

And now..the saga begins.

 

[Princess Mindy]

Day 1: planes, automobiles and some fab food!

The day dawned beautiful and promising. I am prepared to leave behind the cozy 70 degree weather up her in Chicago for 7 days of scorching heat in the tropics! Normally I avoid hot weather like the plague-so why am I cosmically drawn to a place smack dap in the middle of heatwave central? That mouse can be pretty compelling! I wouldn't put myself through that for just anyone ya know!

A couple last minute checks of my packing list, and a check for the lists to my other lists (do you see a pattern developing here?) and I'm off to meet at the airport. She's flying in from Ohio and we'll be flying down to the happiest place on earth together! I'm so psyched at this point. I have been planning this trip since February-thats right, you heard correctly-February. Lets just say that this trip is long overdue in arriving. I love to plan-its almost as fun as actually going-but seven long months of anticipation is very wearying (is that a word? Oh well, Shakespeare made up his own words and nobody gave him a hard time) First the trip was only going to be 3 days. Then we decided to add one more night to the stay-to round it up you know. And then free dining came out. Well since we were only staying at the Swan we weren't eligible. SO we decided to add a couple days at a resort that was eligible. We were already spending the first half of the trip at a Deluxe, so we didn't want to downgrade for the 2nd half-that might be depressing. So we came up with the bright idea of the AKL. Not as expensive as the Poly, but not a mod like POR. Then there was a 3 night minimum to get the promotion. Therefore we ended up spending 7 excellently decadent nights at 2 of the most beautiful resorts ever.

But I digress. Hope I didn't lose anyone with my rambling.

I arrive at the airport around noon. After a quick breeze through the security (no big deal at all) I met up with at the gate and we were ready to begin our adventure!!

to be continued in another post-this one has started to take the form of a book. More to come!

 

[Princess Mindy]

And now Day 1 continues!!

So we arrive safe and sound in sunny Orlando. it it now almost 90 degrees and about ready to rain at any second. We whisk away from the gate and down to baggage claim, where Bob from Sunray is awaiting us, holding a cute little sign with my name. thought that the resort sent him. Umm...no not quite mom. Just a little fairy sprinkling her pixie dust around. I hadn't told her that we were being picked up in style. At which point it begins to POUR. Poor Bob got soaked rushing to the car, which he drove right up to the curb to avoid us getting wet. Oh thank you Bob-the pixie dust begins with you!

After a quick trip to the grocery store (it had stopped raining by now-gotta love Orlando) we were off to the House of Mouse!! I was so very excited. I had regressed about 20 years right there in the back seat of the SUV (deluxe of course).

And there it was. Just around the corner. The beautiful blue-green Swans peeking out from behind the trees to say hello and welcome. It was official-I was home.

We waltzed through the lobby, finally realizing that we were here at last to spend the most magical vacation ever. We were checked in by very friendly woman from Japan, who sent us off to our rooms with big smiles.
After a short walk we reach our room. It is beautiful. Its fabulous. And as I whisk open the curtains for a perfect lake side view I see....the back side of a building. If you lean really far to the right you can glimpse the water. At least thats what I think it was. Hard to tell. I bit my lower lip to hide my disappointment. The bellman was very nice about everything. He stayed in the room while I called the front desk and explained that this was not what the doctor ordered. Not even close. They checked their computers while I held my breath hoping against hope that they had another room. And the guy came back on and said...that he didn't. BUT he would have one tomorrow if we would like to move tomorrow. Well we're going to be here 4 nights, why not? So we said yes we'll move tomorrow and hung up, a little disappointed but still hopeful. The guy promised that it would be a very good room. We will have to wait until tomorrow to find out how true that really is.

We chill in the room a bit and then decide to do a little exploring .

These are some magnificently beautiful resorts. I was in awe of their splendor. Pushing the first little bump in the path to the back of my memory, I was ready to start living it up in the lap of luxury. First stop: Todd English's Blue Zoo.

Question: shall I put dining reviews here or would you rather not hear about those and have me post them on the dining reviews board instead?

 

[jaycns]

Put the dining reviews right in your trip report...I know they have their own board...but they are truly part of a trip and I love it when people don't just "cut out" the meal parts of their reports. I get the point of it (easy to find reviews when you need them in a flash) BUT...it would be like editing out the info about the resort and doing a resort only review...it works but it's all so great just smushed all together!!

I am LOVING your report so far! Keep it coming!!

 

[MomPlanner22]

I agree - dining in the TR. It's all part of the experience! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

More, please! Yes, definitely including dining and any pictures you took!

 

[NewOrleansLady]

Love your start so far...and please post the food reviews in the TR! That way I can image eating that delicious food

 

[MousekaMaddi]

keep it comming!

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Love it! Keep it coming! Love to see the pics!

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Wow! Those are beautiful pictures!

Yes, please include dining reviews here!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Nice pics, Minty! I'm loving it so far!

 

[OhMari]

I'm a mod on the Trip reports and I love reading about resturant reviews here. I haven't read about someone staying at the Swan in a long time. Can't wait to hear the rest.

 

[Princess Mindy]

By popular demand I will include the restaurant reviews here!!

So as I was saying, after a brief tour or the beautiful Dolphin, we decide we are just too hungry to wait for our 8pm reservation. I had originally thought that things would take a little longer to get settled and that we may want to swim, but since we are moving again the next day and its raining, the only thing left to concentrate on is our empty tummies!
We arrive at the restaurant at 7:30 and it doesn’t look too crowded so we ask to check in early. No problem at all. We are greeted with a smile and are escorted through an amazingly decorated Blue Zoo to our table, which just so happens to be by the window facing the lake. Ah..this is the life! No picture-sorry!! I was too much in a dream state at that time.

We are greeted promptly by our fabulous server who instantly made us feel at ease. She explained the menu and was very patient with any questions we had. On special the dancing fish was a sea bass, but not wanting to have to get out my dissecting tools, I decided to pass on the whole fish. Although it looked tasty!

After many long minutes of deliberation, I went with the Garlic Roasted Jumbo Shrimp - creamy polenta, fennel butter ($12.00) for our appetizer (I couldn’t get mom to try the oysters or the tuna tartare-she is so not adventurous!)

This dish is 3 huge garlic shrimps in this polenta and butter sauce and is a party in your mouth after the first bite! I didn’t take any pics because it was gone so fast! This shrimp was amazing! And the sauce went very well with the bread we were given at the beginning. Yum Yum! Needless to say we were very much looking forward to the next course.

Which was...


Wait for it..

For me, swordfish served with a seafood “paella” which had shrimp and scallops and other seafood in it. The swordfish has a sundried tomato puree next to it and a chorizo spread underneath. This dish was the most amazing bit of fish I’ve ever eaten. It was perfectly cooked and everything just fit so well with everything else on the plate. It may look small, but it was actually very filling too! A++!

For mom, she had a salmon dish with a beet spread underneath and a leek concoction underneath with potato pierogis. I had a small bite and it was very good, but in my opinion I got the better dish of the two. This was a very tasty beginning to a wonderful vacation!

We were actually quite stuffed at this point and almost skipped dessert! Thankfully our server saved us from this terrible mistake by pointing out the since it was my birthday (yes I did shamelessly put my birthday on every reservation) I could have a dessert on the house! Very excited I forgot about being full and snatched up that dessert menu!
Boy was it a good thing we did! We ordered a warm molten chocolate cake with chocolate lemongrass ganache inside and a lemon ice thing on the side. Pure chocolate decadence. The lemon and chocolate was a very interesting combination, sort or sweet and sour, but it was perfectly balanced and very tasty. It was so good I almost licked the plate, but I didn’t because it had such a nice message written on it:

The bill came somewhere around 80$ after tip, but in my opinion it was worth it just to splurge once. It was a wonderful experience and I would eat there again in a heartbeat! Tres delicious!

 

[jaycns]

THANK YOU for the update...OH YUM!! Please keep it coming!!

 

[Princess Mindy]

Day 2! A little Epcot, a little frustration, but the spa will take your cares away!

After a wonderful first day I woke up bright and early (and trust me, this isn't as easy as it sounds. I am NOT a morning person) ready to start my day at the parks! We had a full day planned, but thanks to Tour Guide Mike, I was ready and rearin' to go!

First let me say that I love the toiletries the Swan provides. You get oatmeal soap and some nice shampoo and conditioner (separate bottles). You also get a great aloe after sun lotion. Aren't they thoughtful?

So after basking in the bathroom for a minute, we head off to Epcot. I was
convinced it was quicker to walk there. After all, all the reports I've read said its just so close! So we head off-and we get lost. I mean there are NO signs telling you how to get there! So we end up walking all the way over to the Beach club before giving up and waiting for the boat. I was slightly miffed, but it quickly dissolved as I saw International Gateway looming before me.
We get off the boat and meander our way to soarin'. This ride was amazing. I love this ride so much. we would have liked to ride it one more time before we left, but we weren't able to fit it in. Nevertheless, at least we got to ride it just once. I highly recommend this ride for everyone. So cool! If you're in the front you really get the feeling of being out there with nothing between you and the ground/ocean but air!

Next was the living seas and Turtle Talk with Crush. This is so cute! I can't believe the genious of Disney to be able to have the audience talk and interact with crush! Very neat. One kid in the audience asked crush if he had a girlfriend. Crush replied that yes, he is taken. Her name is Shelly and shes his little turtle dove. Awww.

We checked out Journey into Imagination next. I love Figment, but I really miss Dreamfinder. Please please bring Dreamfinder back! Al in all, it was fun.

Let me just insert here that we didn't have to wait AT ALL for any of these rides. The whole week our longest wait was maybe 10 minutes. Love you Tour Guide Mike!

We finished up our Epcot morning by eating yummy chicken ceaser salads at Sunshine Seasons, and also some soups. I had a veggie gumbo which was awesome, and mom had a coconut ginger soup thing. She wasn't as excited about hers though. The salads were great.

It was getting late, (after some dithering here and there and so forth) so we headed back to the hotel to get our new room assignment and relax a bit. I decided that this time we would walk. After all I know how to get back right? Bad idea. It was a million degrees outside, I'm walking back in the beating sunlight, and I have just realized that the walk is a little longer than anticipated. Spells not happy camper. Boy was I grateful for the air conditioning when I got back. I probably looked like a lobster at this point. We get back to the hotel by around 1:30/2 or so and stumble to the front desk to greatfully accept our keys and change into our suits for some much needed pool time. Well the room isn't ready. From the sound of it, nothing has been done to finish our rooms at all. Now the heat crankiness kicks back in. I really did my best to be civil and explained that we really wanted our room. She told me she'd put a rush on it and would call me when it was done. Until then we could use the health club to change into our suits. Grr
But mom steered me away from the front desk before I embarassed myself by saying something I didn't mean (it would have been the heat talking) and we headed off to the health club and pool while I continued to grumble a little.

Then we get to the pool and everything gets better. The Grotto pool at the Swan/ Dolphin is wonderful. They have a waterfall and a slide and the pool was nice and cool.

I felt one million times better after a dip in this pool. I was rejuvenated, and I got my Disney spirit back. It worked wonders.

After the pool it was off to Mandara Spa in the Dolphin for some serious pampering. We both received the Ceremony of the Hands and Feet, which I must say, was sheer heaven.

We checked in and were sent to the beatiful relaxation room right away. This place is amazing! I was in awe.
(photo courtesy of Allears.net-I was too stunned to remember to take pictures!)

After getting some complimentary Tazo tea we were greeted by our fabulous technicians, whose names I really wish I remembered.

The pedicure was first. We soaked in a whirlpool foot bath for a while and enjoyed our tea, then we were treated to some really nice exfoliants, lotions and creams on our feet and lower legs. Then the pedicure and paint job (I got dark blue-yay blue!). This luxury and fabulousness lasted about an hour. Next we were whisked away to the manicure station. The same women took care of us again. They were both from the West Indies. They were so friendly and nice. We were treated to some more fabulous creams and the royal treatment on my hands, which really needed it-I type all day. It was so nice. This lasted about an hour as well. They took their time and made us feel like we were the only people in the world. It was fabulous.
we were escorted back to the relaxation room afterwards for drying, and I got to admire the place just a little more. It is so beautiful.
I had a wonderful experience here. I highly recommend Mandara spa to anyone who asks. I can't wait to go back and try different things!

Day 2 continues..

 

[Princess Mindy]

After the spa we checked back into the front desk of the Swan, our fingers crossed that our rooms were indeed ready. We walked back up to the same lady who helped us the last time and politely asked her about our room. After the pool and spa we were so laid back we were probably different people! She smiled and replied and said yea our room was ready and gave us our key and sent us on our way. To the wrong end of the resort. We ended up walking the length of it to find our room. Maybe it was her way of getting back at us. Who knows. But again I was so relaxed I was not about to let it bother me.
We make it to our room and immediately pull back the curtains to behold our view. Boy were we happy to see this:

Ahh much better!

We relax a bit more and then it is time for dinner in the Magic Kingdom and crystal palace! I love this meal (ate their last year) and it is always so much fun. We pile into the bus and off we go. It begins to rain about as soon as we get there, but I'm not discouraged. We skip down main street (figurativley) and snag a fastpass to Space Mountain before we head over for dinner. We clear the porch just as it began to pour. Was that good timing or what?

We ended up waiting about 20 minutes past our ADR time, which the hostess said was due to the rain. We didn't let it get us down, we were having a good time people watching and just soaking in the MK. This will always be my favorite park. The magic is just infectious!

We get seated at last and are greeted with confetti and streamers at our table! The hostess gives us birthday buttons to wear ( 's birthday was the 18th of August) and everyone is so friendly. The food is terrific, especially the alfredo chicken pasta and the desserts. Mmm mmm. I wish I had some right now.

the characters were Pooh, Eeyore (my personal favorite), Piglet and Tigger. All of them made it around to our table twice even though the restaurant was full. We got their autographs and pictures with them all. Here are a couple in all their glory. Note my incredibly red face. Thats an example of how flippin hot it was that day.

Mom and Tigger:

And the flowers greet us:

After we eat ourselves into a food coma we waddle out of CP and its almost time for spectromagic. Even though it was almost showtime, we were still able to secure a great place in frontierland-near liberty square. It was pretty nice. I must say that I love this parade. It is just awesome. Its amazing how they are able to illuminate everything so nicely.

Cindy's in there somewhere:

After spectro came Wishes. we booked it to a great spot which shall remain nameless where we were able to sit on a bench and behold the splendor. My pics didn't really turn out except for the one in post one, but it was a beautiful show and I really enjoyed it. A couple first timers were next to me and were asking about how it was before it started, and they were plesantly impressed by the show.

It was Extra Magic Hours, so we went back and used our FP to ride Space, and took a tour around Tomorrowland Transit Authority, but that was it for the rides. There were lines out the door and around the corner! No thank you to that! So we browsed a few stores and headed back to the bustop. This was the longest I would have to wait for a bus the entire trip. It was at least 20 minutes and since it was late and I was tired, it seemed like an eternity.

But we made it through and stumbled back into our great new room and collapsed into our heavenly beds, dreaming about tomorrow and what magic awaited us in the days ahead.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Your trip sounds fantastic! I forgot how beautiful the Swan and Dolphin is. The pool looks so clear! I'm loving those Pooh character flower topiaries! Adorable! I've never eaten at Crystal Palace, so it's nice to see pics from the place. Cute pic of you and your mom with the characters!

 

[paigevz]

I read Day One so far, and I've gotta say, you've made me want to try Blue Zoo! I never had any interest, but those dishes look so good, and the actual serving dishes are fascinatingly distinctive. That dessert looks so fab!

 

[paigevz]

I REALLY love the Crystal Palace too. That's one beautiful view. You take good pics. I like your trip report!!!!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Great report so far Mindy, making me really anxious to go!!! My time is getting closer.