Day 15 – Star Wars Weekend part 2, BW and Epcot
Saturday 28th May
Slower start to today after the last few early mornings. We have one full day left at the Boardwalk and are going to make the most of the resort today. I take the kids swimming for an hour while Helen starts a bit of packing and begins organising the bags for the cruise
Mid-morning and we set off to the Studios to see the Star Wars Motorcade. We sit in the wrong location to begin with, as this year celebs are unloaded at the Sorcerer’s Hat. Not an improvement on previous years, as it was a complete scrum – hope they go back to the old way in future and let everyone throughout the parade route get to see everything. Highlight of the parade was seeing Anthony Daniels aka C-3PO in his gold ‘showbiz’ jacket to remind everyone of his alter-ego.
We get the boat back to the Boardwalk and join the queue at the ESPN club for a table to see the Champion’s League final. About 15 minutes before the game is due to start a table opens up…and it’s directly in front of the main screen, prime location. Order nachos – a massive portion, supposedly for 2, but would feed 6. I get an order of ribs, also big enough for entire family. Kids had usual burger and hot dog, and Helen got a pulled pork sandwich. Food all very good, but it looked like we’d hardly touched it by the end.
As a Man Utd fan the match was less memorable, though we did enjoy plenty of good natured banter with the many Barcelona fans who seemed to appear out of nowhere today Match was decent, and while we lost, it was nice to watch it with my son in these surroundings. He was disappointed, but got over it very quickly afterwards…the joys of being 8 years old.
Back to the room to have a little rest / nap, and then wandered into Epcot at 6pm to finally find Duffy the Bear. Ryan and Emma both interested to meet him and got some lovely interactions and photos. Ryan debates getting a Duffy with the money he’s saved, but I think he talks himself out of it by suggesting he’s a bit old for it…shame that the teddy bear days have gone. I remember when his toy chest had dozens of Disney characters, and he would line them all up on his bed. That said, he is still a character loving little boy at heart as these pictures show.
We get ice creams and then a quick Kim Possible adventure while listening to the band in the UK. Set seemed to be exactly the same as the previous time we saw them…not a good sign, and to be honest I’ll be surprised if they last as long as the British Invasion.
Quick photo in case they’re not there next time
Stroll through World Showcase, taking in boats rides in Norway and Mexico, then find lovely spot in Morocco by the friendship boat dock to watch illuminations. One negative for me is the increasing number of prime viewing locations that continue to be either roped off or set aside with portable conifers. If things continue at the same rate then in 5 years I’m sure we’ll be watching the show from the car park!
After the show we walk back to the Beach Club as the movie tonight is Tangled and kids both want to see it. Helen goes back to room after a while to finish the packing while I sit with the kids till the end as they watch and build sandcastles. Love the film, it really is sweet with a good story and songs, and the best non-Pixar movie they’ve done for some years in my opinion.
Back to the room and it’s into the bath with Emma, while Ryan and I go for a late swim at the main pool. Lovely and refreshing at this time of night, and we get to hear the end of Fantasmic and see the final fireworks from the mountain.
5 mins in the hot tub as we start to bid the Boardwalk farewell for another trip. I do love this place, and have many happy memories of it. Swimming with Ryan this evening reminded me of bringing him here for his first birthday, 7 years ago, when my mum accompanied us. It truly is my ‘happy place’ and I feel relaxed here more than anywhere else at WDW.
Time for bed…tomorrow, the cruise adventure begins….apologies in advance for the number of photos!
Day 16 – Port Canaveral and Welcome Aboard
Setting the Scene and Index
Saturday 28th May
Slower start to today after the last few early mornings. We have one full day left at the Boardwalk and are going to make the most of the resort today. I take the kids swimming for an hour while Helen starts a bit of packing and begins organising the bags for the cruise
Mid-morning and we set off to the Studios to see the Star Wars Motorcade. We sit in the wrong location to begin with, as this year celebs are unloaded at the Sorcerer’s Hat. Not an improvement on previous years, as it was a complete scrum – hope they go back to the old way in future and let everyone throughout the parade route get to see everything. Highlight of the parade was seeing Anthony Daniels aka C-3PO in his gold ‘showbiz’ jacket to remind everyone of his alter-ego.
We get the boat back to the Boardwalk and join the queue at the ESPN club for a table to see the Champion’s League final. About 15 minutes before the game is due to start a table opens up…and it’s directly in front of the main screen, prime location. Order nachos – a massive portion, supposedly for 2, but would feed 6. I get an order of ribs, also big enough for entire family. Kids had usual burger and hot dog, and Helen got a pulled pork sandwich. Food all very good, but it looked like we’d hardly touched it by the end.
As a Man Utd fan the match was less memorable, though we did enjoy plenty of good natured banter with the many Barcelona fans who seemed to appear out of nowhere today
Match was decent, and while we lost, it was nice to watch it with my son in these surroundings. He was disappointed, but got over it very quickly afterwards…the joys of being 8 years old.Back to the room to have a little rest / nap, and then wandered into Epcot at 6pm to finally find Duffy the Bear. Ryan and Emma both interested to meet him and got some lovely interactions and photos. Ryan debates getting a Duffy with the money he’s saved, but I think he talks himself out of it by suggesting he’s a bit old for it…shame that the teddy bear days have gone. I remember when his toy chest had dozens of Disney characters, and he would line them all up on his bed. That said, he is still a character loving little boy at heart as these pictures show.
We get ice creams and then a quick Kim Possible adventure while listening to the band in the UK. Set seemed to be exactly the same as the previous time we saw them…not a good sign, and to be honest I’ll be surprised if they last as long as the British Invasion.
Quick photo in case they’re not there next time
Stroll through World Showcase, taking in boats rides in Norway and Mexico, then find lovely spot in Morocco by the friendship boat dock to watch illuminations. One negative for me is the increasing number of prime viewing locations that continue to be either roped off or set aside with portable conifers. If things continue at the same rate then in 5 years I’m sure we’ll be watching the show from the car park!
After the show we walk back to the Beach Club as the movie tonight is Tangled and kids both want to see it. Helen goes back to room after a while to finish the packing while I sit with the kids till the end as they watch and build sandcastles. Love the film, it really is sweet with a good story and songs, and the best non-Pixar movie they’ve done for some years in my opinion.
Back to the room and it’s into the bath with Emma, while Ryan and I go for a late swim at the main pool. Lovely and refreshing at this time of night, and we get to hear the end of Fantasmic and see the final fireworks from the mountain.
5 mins in the hot tub as we start to bid the Boardwalk farewell for another trip. I do love this place, and have many happy memories of it. Swimming with Ryan this evening reminded me of bringing him here for his first birthday, 7 years ago, when my mum accompanied us. It truly is my ‘happy place’ and I feel relaxed here more than anywhere else at WDW.
Time for bed…tomorrow, the cruise adventure begins….apologies in advance for the number of photos!
Day 16 – Port Canaveral and Welcome Aboard
Setting the Scene and Index
