SOOZE 10 year Anniversary Getaway.. All DONE!

[ncsjodi]

Hi Sooze!

 

[WDWBetsy]

Can either of you tell me your 'technique' from multi-quoting when you reply to someone?! I can do it, but it takes forever with lots of copy/pasting. I'm sure you have a shortcut? Thanks for hanging along with me. Sorry it's taking FOREVER to finish this sucker!

Sooze,

I just figured this out last week... see the Quote button? Click the "+ next to it for each post you want to reply to, then click Reply to Post on the left and it will allow you to do it.

 

[Sooze]

So we headed back to POR to relax and get cleaned up before our big dinner. For the first time this trip, it was actually warm enough to put on our suits and lounge by the pool. There was only one other family in our quiet pool, so I pulled up a chair, faced it directly toward the sun, and enjoyed every drop of radiation my skin could gather! It felt so good. Still too chilly for me to venture into the water, but Matt swam for a bit. I am disappointed that POR quiet pools don't have hot tubs.. maybe I'm spoiled with DVC, or maybe I just was able to take the time to notice they didn't have 'em....

We took showers, got pretty, and drove directly to the Contemporary. We were just itchin' to get to the California Grill, so we arrived quite early. We took some time to check out the new store on the concourse...

... and, of COURSE, we spent an enormous amount of time observing the new construction (AKA.. future DVC villas at CR!!)

wanna see closer?

We finally gave in and checked in way early for our 6pm ADRS. This actually worked out perfectly, because we were able to watch the sun set as we were waiting for the meal. We chilled in the 'lounge' area and met a CM from Indiana. I think she was trying to convince us to stay and dine in the lounge area, but the restaurant was empty...with LOTS of tables right near the windows.. so we said good bye and made our way to our window-side table!

The 'view' from the 'lounge':

The bar.. very quiet, but soon to be hoppin'!

Ahhhhh... yessssss.....

I think our waiter was OVER US when we ordered our drinks.... yesssir.. Diet Cokes all around!! He said, "No wine on your anniversary?" Nope.. sorry... neither one of us even like the taste!! He could see his once-large-tab shrinking before his eyes... poor guy!

Here are some shots Matt attempted to take of the sunset. These pictures do the scene absolutely no justice. It was breathtakingly beautiful.. the sun setting over the GF, with MK just to our right....

We ordered 3-cheese flatbread and field greens w/ apples, walnuts, and cranberry viniagrette.... out of this WORLD!!

For the main course, Matt had steak of some sort (DUH!) with potatos and green beans (Sorry, Michelle, I don't write down the technical names!!).

I had pork roast with mushrooms and goat cheese polenta... YUMILICIOUS!!

After a sllllooooowwww... relaxing... quiet... fabulous meal, we were ready for dessert. If you recall, I ordered a cake ahead of time. Our waiter brought it out just at the right time.... I was kinda disappointed in it, to tell you the truth. It was pretty, and all, but a tad boring IMHO... tell me what you think:

Oops... we took a bite before we took a picture!! Don't get me wrong, it was a nice cake.. Matt was truly surprised and full of admiration for me, the creator of the suprise! But the cake itself was dried out. Betty Crocker and I make a much better tasting cake! But Matt was happy and we had a wonderful time at CG!

The best part of this meal was that Matt's parents gave us a wad of cash for our anniversary.. we saved it away for the trip... and paid for our meal in CASH. Felt good to leave our poor credit cards alone for once, know what I mean?

We hung out for a while on the observation deck. The "Dream Along With Mickey" show was on and you could hear it all the way up on top of the CR! It was still a LONG while before Wishes, and was getting quite cold up there.... so we said goodbye to our favorite WDW fancy restaurant and headed down to the car for a change of clothes. Sure felt good to get back into our warm and comfy, park-roaming clothes.

We drove to the BWV to park this evening so we could end our LAST night with Illuminations, again.... We just can't get enough of it. On our walk over to International Gateway, we talked about our desire to take Matt's parents on vacation with us. They're the kind of people who would get up at the crack of dawn and sit on the Boardwalk with their coffee. They would just eat that atmosphere right on up! We MUST add more DVC points so we can bring them here and stay in a 2BR villa...

As we cruised the BW and comtemplated future things, we ran into this fun guy:

Once in Epcot, I sent Matt immediately to Mouse Gear to buy me a Mickey scarf. I have car-rider duty every day after school. I knew I was going home to a January Indiana... a warm piece of Mickey sounded like just the right souvenier. I wanted to jump on Test Track (which Matt wasn't interested in). All I have to say is, God bless the single rider line. Whoever thought of that is my hero!

I met another DVC couple in the car. We talked throught the ENTIRE ride, up to the barrier test. You can tell when 2 people have been to Disney a lot and can talk nonchallantly through a whole ride!

We staked out an Illuminations spot in front of another speaker. Different place than last night... so, we'll see!

Turned out to be not as good... we will definitely revisit the spot from the previous night... In front of Norway next to the flame and speaker. Loud music, clear view of the lagoon, benches to sit on while you wait... perfect!

We took another leisurely stroll around WS trying to soak up every single second again. We took the long way around and walked back to BW. Did we go home? Not on your life... it's our last night.. and sleep means getting to our leaving day faster!.

We headed to DTD to try to find a wind-pullover for Matt. He had tried to find one at Mouse Gear, but was told Team Mickey might have it.. nope... They didn't! But we were still able to extend our evening a bit more before driving back 'home' and crashing for the night. It amazes me how quickly I fall asleep when I'm there.... just exhausted, full, happy, and relaxed. LOVE IT!

Next up, our last day!! Our fabulous dining experience at Coral Reef... YES, I said CORAL REEF!!

 

[Sooze]

Hi Sooze!

HI!!!!!!

Sooze,

I just figured this out last week... see the Quote button? Click the "+ next to it for each post you want to reply to, then click Reply to Post on the left and it will allow you to do it.

I got that one... and can reply to people that way. But they take the original update, and stick in their own stuff into ONE post... does that make sense? Check out DisneyJo's response to me above... she took my update and took pieces out of it and responded to it... not sure if there's a faster way to do it than the way I know...

But thanks for the tip!!

 

[beckanoah]

Yay an update!

 

[jwwi]

I like your anniversary cake, esp in the picture with you and your husband. CG looks good, and I know it is a favorite of Michelle's. Someday............

I totally agree about the single rider line, love it.

 

[purplepeg]

we've never been to California Grill. It looks amazing! The sunset, oh wow! Thanks for sharing. I hate when you order a cake and it's dry. I usually manage to "choke it down" ice cream helps

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

I cannot wait for Cali Grill in September after seeing that. MMMM

sounds like a fun night.

 

[jordanyosh]

CA Grill and sunsets are a must aren't they? So glad you got to experience that, especially when celebrating such a special occasion.

Sorry about the cake. It's the thought.....you know the rest.

Food... Looks good.

I've heard of talking on attractions, but never on Test Track. Now THAT takes concentration....

Check Chapter 44 or 45 of my TR for some great pix that my cousin got of Illuminations. I think you'll enjoy them.

 

[pooksma]

Looks and sounds like you guys had a very special night. The photo of you and Matt at CG is beautiful-frame it!

Looking forward to hearing about CR.

 

[IluvXU]

Great update... I sure want to try the California Grill sometime, childless!

 

[Sooze]

Yay an update!

I KNOW! I feel the same way when I get one done!!

I like your anniversary cake, esp in the picture with you and your husband. CG looks good, and I know it is a favorite of Michelle's. Someday............

I totally agree about the single rider line, love it.

CG is excellent! DH and I are not restaurant experts, and usually avoid the 'fancier' places, but CG is right up our alley! We just love it.

Single rider line... YES!!

we've never been to California Grill. It looks amazing! The sunset, oh wow! Thanks for sharing. I hate when you order a cake and it's dry. I usually manage to "choke it down" ice cream helps

I never thought to ask for ice cream.. that would've helped a lot, for sure! And you are right, CG is amazing! The view is unbeatable!

great update and pics.

I cannot wait for Cali Grill in September after seeing that. MMMM

sounds like a fun night.

Can't wait to HEAR ABOUT your Cali Grill in September....

 

[Sooze]

Looks and sounds like you guys had a very special night. The photo of you and Matt at CG is beautiful-frame it!

Looking forward to hearing about CR.

I will definitely frame it, after I crop out our Diet Coke glasses and window flash!!

Great update... I sure want to try the California Grill sometime, childless!

I hope you get to someday! It's a beautiful place with delicious food!!

 

[PrincessV]

Can either of you tell me your 'technique' from multi-quoting when you reply to someone?! I can do it, but it takes forever with lots of copy/pasting. I'm sure you have a shortcut?

Well, it's not all that "short" but here's what I do...
I'll leave the original "

" and delete any original text I don't want to quote. Stick a [ /QUOTE] at the end of it (only take the space between the [ and / out) and add my reply. For the next part of original text I want to quote, I type [ QUOTE] in front of it (again, but without that space before the Q) and add the [ /QUOTE] at the end. Keep repeating for all quotes applicable to the same person and delete any text you don't want to quote.

And yet, I have no quotes for this reply! Just want to say I'm so glad you guys got to experience the CG sunset. I love this - one of my favorite things at WDW. What a perfect, lovely last night!

 

[MomofCKJ]

Oh that teen age boy pic is a riot! I am sure I made that face once or twice when I went with my parents when I was 14!

Kona looks great, will have to go sometime. I had Tonga Toast back on that when I was 14y old trip but have not since. So decadent!

Glad you enjoyed your Cali Grill dinner, we loved ours too. Sorry the cake wasn't all you hoped. I had a disappointing cake experience this trip too.

Looking forward to the rest!

Allyson

 

[Beana9802]

Great update Sooze!!!

 

[logansmummy]

subscribe

 

[DisneyJo]

This actually worked out perfectly, because we were able to watch the sun set as we were waiting for the meal.

Sounds beautiful and the photos were pretty

He said, "No wine on your anniversary?" Nope.. sorry... neither one of us even like the taste!! He could see his once-large-tab shrinking before his eyes... poor guy!

Poor guy

I had pork roast with mushrooms and goat cheese polenta... YUMILICIOUS!!

OMG look in the middle of the photo, the way the mushroom lies on the pork makes it look like a fish, well to me anyway

It was pretty, and all, but a tad boring IMHO... tell me what you think:

Your cakes are quite different to ours but yeah I've definitely seen fancier!

I got that one... and can reply to people that way. But they take the original update, and stick in their own stuff into ONE post... does that make sense? Check out DisneyJo's response to me above... she took my update and took pieces out of it and responded to it... not sure if there's a faster way to do it than the way I know...

I do it similar to V, I get the post I want to quote, delete all the bits I don't want, cut the final [/ quote] and paste it at the end of the first paragraph I want to quote. I then highlight my next paragraph and click the wrap in quotes button (right of the mountain button) and do that for each paragraph. You can also right silly things after the quote= bit, see above it doesn't say sooze but wants to know....... Hope some of that makes sense, once you get it it really is very quick

 

[momtoccc]

LOL - I thought the pork tenderloin looked like a fish too

 

[purplepeg]

I thought it was fish too