PTR: A Spring Fling on the Dark Side ...2 Muggles Celebrate in Diagon Alley!

[macraven]

4 more days.


just wait until you only have 1 more day.
you will suddenly remember you have lots more to do at the last minute.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I love the build up but the last few days always see me a bit anxious - just because there always seems so much to finalise, especially when it's for 3 weeks. I never feel like I'm on holiday until I get off the plane in Orlando. Then I know I haven't forgot the tickets or passports! Looking forward to your updates and glad you are feeling better

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Yay.......this week!!!!! Woohoo.......

Definitely planning on going on the Eye and hopefully trying out a couple of the restaurants there.......Sugar Factory for one..........but I`ll only have one of my fellows with me this year.......DS isn`t coming. He has University commitments that have to take precedence this year.......not looking forward to him not coming with us. He`s fine about it.......it`s me that`s not....lol

I hear you on travelling without the kiddo.....with Jake not coming along for the first time ever, I admit I'm suffering a wee bit of maternal anxiety. He, of course, isn't worried in the slightest. Me? I'm feeling a terrible amount of guilt (don't know why.....he had the opportunity, as always, to come along, but chose to stay and work now that he's out of school for the summer and an rack up the hours). Its just a rather odd place to be in right now.....glee over our departure date roaring up so quickly (and our first adult trip alone since our honeymoon), and despair over leaving my child behind (yes, he's 19 and very capable....yet, for some strange reason, it goes against every mother instinct I have).

I guess its a growing opportunity for all of us.

Sugar Factory is one I hadn't heard about yet. I am going to do a little more research and see what that one is all about!

4 more days.

just wait until you only have 1 more day.
you will suddenly remember you have lots more to do at the last minute.

Ugh....I hope I have it all under control by Wednesday! The reminder checklist that I made over the last month has been a huge help. I've been ticking things off left, right, and center this weekend, and pretty much everything is done. We did the last of our shopping today (new beach towels, and new sandals for my big Steve...found a pair in a men's size 14 wide at our local mall ), and the packing is 99% completed too. My travel binder is all in order (except for our boarding passes which we can't print until Thursday a.m..), I will pick up our US money from the bank mid-week, and I will add the US travel pack to our cell phone when we're on the road to Syracuse. Except for last minute cleaning, laundry and plant-watering (which we'll do Thursday morning before we depart).....I think we're making headway!

I love the build up but the last few days always see me a bit anxious - just because there always seems so much to finalise, especially when it's for 3 weeks. I never feel like I'm on holiday until I get off the plane in Orlando. Then I know I haven't forgot the tickets or passports! Looking forward to your updates and glad you are feeling better

Thank you! The cough is still hanging on, but the congestion and blahs have remedied themselves quite well. I have also managed a couple of consecutive fitful nights' sleep which have me feeling like a new woman .

Leaving for such a long span of time sure makes a difference......for only a little more than a week, there's definitely less to fret about before we leave. That said, I always worry about forgetting the passports too, and end up checking my purse a dozen times before we arrive at the border.

That's always when we start to relax...once we've crossed into the US and get the welcome text from AT&T .

 

[Monykalyn]

4 days!! And glad to hear you are feeling better. Was looking over our Universal plans and trying to get a rough idea of where to eat those days. The only one for sure is Mythos. Thinking something on Citywalk on checkout day (only doing an overnighter for EE and EP). So I am looking forward to your eating adventures lol! I have ~42 days before Diagon Alley-trying to hold off re-reading the HP books til closer to trip so details are fresher and I can really see things in "real life".

 

[sk8jdgca]

It is so soon!

 

[ArwenMarie]

So glad you are feeling better, thank goodness! I wonder what you had. It almost sounds like a flu?

Have a fun week doing your last-minute preparations!

 

[macraven]

the last days before a trip are killers........


gina, it is getting closer!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

4 days!! And glad to hear you are feeling better. Was looking over our Universal plans and trying to get a rough idea of where to eat those days. The only one for sure is Mythos. Thinking something on Citywalk on checkout day (only doing an overnighter for EE and EP). So I am looking forward to your eating adventures lol! I have ~42 days before Diagon Alley-trying to hold off re-reading the HP books til closer to trip so details are fresher and I can really see things in "real life".

Mythos is the one meal I'm kind of on the fence about. I hope its as good as other people have suggested. We'll give it a whirl once, and see how we like it. I don't know why, but I'm just not 100% certain the food is going to appeal. Yes, I'm a fussy beast .

It is so soon!

Thank the Lord! Work is driving me nutty today, and my patience is ...um....rather thin .

So glad you are feeling better, thank goodness! I wonder what you had. It almost sounds like a flu?

Have a fun week doing your last-minute preparations!

I am thinking it must have been a bronchial infection, or something similar. I still have the raspy voice and cough (though the latter is improving a little every day), but the mucous production has declined dramatically. My nose is starting to heal (it was raw and sore for a while, all that blowing!) and my throat is less sore (for a while, it felt like someone was slashing it with knives). If I continue to improve this much over the next few days, I will be in great shape to board that plane on Friday morning.

I am subscribing to the Power of Positive Thinking. Only good healthy thoughts!

the last days before a trip are killers........

gina, it is getting closer!!

Got a few more things done today. Picked up our US cash from the bank. Finished off our travel binder (printed our Millers Ale House and Sweet Tomatoes coupons ). Sent Facebook messages to my neighbours to give them our away dates, and they gave me their cells to give to Jake in the event he has an issue and needs some hands-on assistance while we're gone. Sent in a reminder to our Regional Branch Manager about my vacation dates so he knows not to harass me via email while we're away (not that I'd answer him anyway, but heck....I don't even want to read about work while I'm in the sunny south!).

Two more work days. Three more days till we're out the door.



I'm watching the weather like a hawk, and praying for sunshine . It's looking promising so far!

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/united-states/florida/orlando

 

[livingthedream]

Was just watching the exchange rate, and our dollar is up a bit today. Although I know it still probably hurt to pay the exchange rate, it is certainly better today than it was a couple of weeks ago! So, yes, the Power of Positive Thinking!

And I would give anything to be away right now, so I will live vicariously through your run up to the trip!

Hope everything is smooth sailing from here on out - have fun!!

ETA - I just noticed on our ticker that its exactly four months til we leave! Now I am excited!!

 

[macraven]

Gina, i know you read about the ones that love mythos.
last 2 years i only went there to eat due to being with others that insisted on going there.

it has not wowed me the past 2 times.

 

[pcstang]

Woohoo! Have a great time! Looks like you will just miss all this crappy weather we have been having in the SE. Had tornadoes here Saturday and school had been cancelled for tomorrow as well. Lots of people without power here. Underground utilities in our area though so we are good. Anyway, have fun! We are tminus 28 days and counting.

 

[JaxDad]

Hi Gina I just wanted to stop by one last time and wish you and your husband an absolutely wonderful vacation! I look forward to the trip report!

 

[Lynne G]

Yeah, count me as one that thought Mythos was ok, but not one we'd repeat. Not our kinda food and it was so cold in there, I had to go outside in the August heat to warm up. But, the place is neat to look at and we had a nice waiter.

Oooh, the hours countdown coming shortly!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Well have a great trip Gina & Steve. Nearly there!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Was just watching the exchange rate, and our dollar is up a bit today. Although I know it still probably hurt to pay the exchange rate, it is certainly better today than it was a couple of weeks ago! So, yes, the Power of Positive Thinking!

And I would give anything to be away right now, so I will live vicariously through your run up to the trip!

Hope everything is smooth sailing from here on out - have fun!!

ETA - I just noticed on our ticker that its exactly four months til we leave! Now I am excited!!

A big woohoo on the exchange rate......that might just equate to a little extra retail therapy on this trip! And just four months to go for you now? Those last few months go FAST. It will be here before you know it!

Gina, i know you read about the ones that love mythos.
last 2 years i only went there to eat due to being with others that insisted on going there.

it has not wowed me the past 2 times.

Considering your experience at the Universal parks, I take your feedback very, very seriously. Thanks mac .

We're thinking of switching up the plans and go to Confisco's instead......we'll decide on the fly, depending on how we're feeling that day (one of the things I love about Universal! Last minute changes are no big deal). Mythos is so visually appealing.....but I'm just not sure about the menu choices.

Woohoo! Have a great time! Looks like you will just miss all this crappy weather we have been having in the SE. Had tornadoes here Saturday and school had been cancelled for tomorrow as well. Lots of people without power here. Underground utilities in our area though so we are good. Anyway, have fun! We are tminus 28 days and counting.

Tornados terrify me.....I can't imagine. Stay safe!!

28 days .....you'll just be getting ready to depart by the time we're getting settled in back home!

Hi Gina I just wanted to stop by one last time and wish you and your husband an absolutely wonderful vacation! I look forward to the trip report!

Thanks JaxDad!

Yeah, count me as one that thought Mythos was ok, but not one we'd repeat. Not our kinda food and it was so cold in there, I had to go outside in the August heat to warm up. But, the place is neat to look at and we had a nice waiter.

Oooh, the hours countdown coming shortly!

You were no fan of Mythos, either? Hmmm.....definitely considering Confisco now instead . Have you ever dined there, Lynne? What did you think?

Well have a great trip Gina & Steve. Nearly there!

Thanks, my friend!

 

[schumigirl]

2 days.......yay.........

I'll be the voice for Mythos Gina........always gotta be one.........

We much preferred it to Confisco Grill last year..........previously it was the other way around. CG just didn't feel the same last year......service was still good but food tasted odd at times.....Pad Thai was like Parmesan........that's not right.......and they got our order mixed up a few times.......we do plan to try it again this year........

We've eaten loads of times at both over the years but if I had to pick one it would be Mythos............but really if CG is top of their game......you won't go wrong with either.........

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

2 days.......yay.........

I'll be the voice for Mythos Gina........always gotta be one.........

We much preferred it to Confisco Grill last year..........previously it was the other way around. CG just didn't feel the same last year......service was still good but food tasted odd at times.....Pad Thai was like Parmesan........that's not right.......and they got our order mixed up a few times.......we do plan to try it again this year........

We've eaten loads of times at both over the years but if I had to pick one it would be Mythos............but really if CG is top of their game......you won't go wrong with either.........

See....that's the kind of reassurance I needed!! Thank you shumi .

Really, if that's all I have to fret about with only 48 hours until departure, I'm in excellent shape .

And speaking of being in excellent shape, my voice/throat appear to be back to normal and my cough is just barely there. Nothing more than a minor tickle on occasion. The sun is shining, there is warmth in the air, and we're all packed but the last minute can't-pack-until-we're-on-our-way-out-the-door kind of stuff. I may even get a chance to relax tonight!

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'll put in a good word for Mythos too One of our favorites in Orlando, I wouldn't go to UOR without eating there at least once. I always get the pad thai with chicken. I forget what my husband gets but he has always liked it. Even my kids eat their food there, which is a near-miracle they are so picky. Plus the interior is really neat, something to see. The desserts are good too.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I'll put in a good word for Mythos too One of our favorites in Orlando, I wouldn't go to UOR without eating there at least once. I always get the pad thai with chicken. I forget what my husband gets but he has always liked it. Even my kids eat their food there, which is a near-miracle they are so picky. Plus the interior is really neat, something to see. The desserts are good too.

The decor.....that's really the big draw for me. The photos just look so incredible!

Thanks for the positive feedback, I appreciate the first hand reports . It really is sounding like both Mythos and Confiscos will be good choices....so perhaps we'll leave it up to fate. If one is too busy to seat us, we can always try the other .

 

[Princess Leia]

Hope you have a great trip. Glad you are feeling a lot better. Have fun!