The 5 trips of My "Disney Free Year" - A Mermaid, A Buzz, A Boat and A Steak - 7/8

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Okay that picture was supposed to be of your happy glowing margarita, but I miscalculated my HTML. I think I'll keep it like that. Those birds probably don't get enough love, especially when technicolor tequila is nearby!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Marrakesh actually isn't that bad. I'm a complete and utter pansy when it comes to spices, so I would think you might be okay.

Ticker envy. That's the first time I've heard that before. Trust me, after that last ticker ends, I think it will be a while for me.

La Cava is one of my must do's! I love the blue glowing margarita! Good choice.

Hmm.... DH keeps wanting to try Marrakesh, I think it's going on the list for next time...

I'm seriously twitching for another trip, I'm so jealous that you have so many trips planned!

What did we do before the Cava? It is so wonderful. Though I have to say, next time I'll be going back to my blood orange margarita. The blue one was good, but if I want a glowing drink, I'd rather have a Magical Star. Wow. I realized that I'm becoming a glowing drink snob.

Your fountian "run-by" made me giggle! I have a few photos like that!

We are going to stop by Cava del Tequila in Sept, my DH saw a photo of something you can order there, it was about 5 little drinks, kinda like samples maybe? He wanted to try that.


SO, DTD or not DTD, that is the question!

Haha. It's like your brain is sending conflicting messages - must get to bus and ohhh pretty! Makes for some funny pictures!

Ahh yes, the margarita flight! We have tasted it's yumminess!

If memory serves me correctly (and it usually does when regarding yummy drinks ) I believe the flavors are Passion Fruit, Prickly Pear, Avocado, Cucumber, and Jalapeno margaritas

I liked the jalapeno and avocado the best. Though the blood orange is by far my favorite. Wow, I'm not at all addicted to the Cava...

Oh that is DEFINITELY an Epcot must-do!!!!! Especially since it's glowing. That's even more Epcot-y and futuristic!

See, I'm too much of a sucker for Illuminations to be all strategic like you. I'd be there at probably the farthest point, happily singing along to "We Go On" until it was time for the crazy-long hike to the busses (the only time my bus to my resort wasn't practically in Key West was when we were going to AKL for dinner. The VERY FIRST bus stop. I was quite jealous, let me tell you!).

Okay that picture was supposed to be of your happy glowing margarita, but I miscalculated my HTML. I think I'll keep it like that. Those birds probably don't get enough love, especially when technicolor tequila is nearby!

Okay I laughed so freaking hard when I read your first comment. I went back checked to make sure I put the pictures in the right order and then wished I'd been as clever as you to say the birds were my "must-do" BTW I love "technicolor tequila"

Haha. I don't know why, but IllumiNations isn't my favorite. I feel like I need to give it a better chance, but personally I (gasp) find it kind of boring Maybe it's just because you're not the one singing "We Go On"

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

Um... is it the 2nd day yet? This is the 21st entry for THIS day!

After successfully outrunning the IllumiNations crowd, and making it back to OKW, we got back to the villa and decided to give our little piggies a well deserved soak.

We were kicking ourselves for not bringing our swimsuits - a trip to the hot tub would have been in order!

Ahhh this is the life!

After our soak, we decided that we were too tired to head to Downtown Disney, and decided to stay in.

I offered to walk over to the General Store to get some wine and dessert. About half way back I felt like I couldn't walk anymore. The once soothing little nubs on the bottom of my crocs now felt like dozens of tiny little knives jabbing into my feet with very step. I really wasn't sure I would make it.

I did, and I put the items on the counter and made a bee-line for the bed. Panic told me to grab my pillows, but I told her that wouldn't be possible. This train was on the path to the bed and it wasn't turning around. I was DONE!

Sorry to disapoint those that thought we might make it to DTD, but this is a wild as we got

She sweetly brought me pillows and wine and cookies, and, for lack of anything else on tv, we watched a few episodes of Good Luck Charlie on the Disney Channel. Yep. We're Klassy!

Um if you see the white chocolate chip cookie on your next trip – buy it! This was like the best ever. The regular chocolate chip was okay, but nothing like the white chocolate one!

Once I felt like my body could move again, I headed out to the sofa sleeper and finally went to sleep.

It was a hellova Disney Day!

 

[IheartDDuck]

OMG I love those cookies! I can't go without them now....

You guys had such an exciting evening. Sounds like me.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Haha. I don't know why, but IllumiNations isn't my favorite. I feel like I need to give it a better chance, but personally I (gasp) find it kind of boring Maybe it's just because you're not the one singing "We Go On"

Um, if I was the one crooning "We Go On" over the Epcot airwaves, I'm pretty sure that the show would have been cancelled in a week for lack of attendance. And that probably, inexplicably, would have led to other theme park catastrophes (such as the doors leading to the theater after the Maelstrom would NEVER OPEN, leaving you trapped on that little tiny island of Nordic storefronts).

This is why I don't sing. I do it so the people can walk briskly through the Norway video. (And also for the fact that I would definitely not make the American Idol top 5,000,000.)

I double-checked my picture linking this time! No more erroneous photos of underrepresented birds!!

Alright, so I distinctly remember a cookie that I am 97% sure was NOT made by Minnie in her Bake Shop that had white chocolate AND raspberry in it, and it was seriously awesome. I got it at Goofy's Candy Company, back around 2008.

(That was possibly one of the least helpful paragraphs I've Dis-ed. "I had a really great cookie 3 years ago! Okay, bye!")

Anyways, if they do still have that white chocolate raspberry cookie around, I highly recommend it. Especially since you already seem to like white chocolate!

 

[wdwgirl03]

haha, nothing wrong with watching Good Luck Charlie. I mean, you are in Disney World after all...no better place to watch the Disney Channel!

Mmm, those cookies look good. I will have to try one of those next time we're there.

 

[Caretames1]

What a way to end the day, Cookies! I had one of them there cookies and it was Good!

 

[Princess_K]

A good end to the day! I don't blame you for being pooped..think of all the walking you did! Hope you were recovered by the next day

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

OMG I love those cookies! I can't go without them now....

You guys had such an exciting evening. Sounds like me.

I was like "where have these cookies been all my life??" I can't believe I missed them up until now. I can't wait to go back and get me another one ... yummm.

Yep, we're two wild and crazy girls

Um, if I was the one crooning "We Go On" over the Epcot airwaves, I'm pretty sure that the show would have been cancelled in a week for lack of attendance. And that probably, inexplicably, would have led to other theme park catastrophes (such as the doors leading to the theater after the Maelstrom would NEVER OPEN, leaving you trapped on that little tiny island of Nordic storefronts).

This is why I don't sing. I do it so the people can walk briskly through the Norway video. (And also for the fact that I would definitely not make the American Idol top 5,000,000.)



I double-checked my picture linking this time! No more erroneous photos of underrepresented birds!!

Alright, so I distinctly remember a cookie that I am 97% sure was NOT made by Minnie in her Bake Shop that had white chocolate AND raspberry in it, and it was seriously awesome. I got it at Goofy's Candy Company, back around 2008.

(That was possibly one of the least helpful paragraphs I've Dis-ed. "I had a really great cookie 3 years ago! Okay, bye!")

Anyways, if they do still have that white chocolate raspberry cookie around, I highly recommend it. Especially since you already seem to like white chocolate!

too funny. I'm right there with you with the lack of a winging voice that other people would um...want... to hear And I profusely thank you for allowing the doors after Maelstrom to open, watching that video once every 5 years is enough for me thankyouverymuch!

though, if you said the birds were delicious, it would have been even funnier than the fact you stated they were on your "must do" list

Is it sad that I actually understood your unhelpful paragraph. I believe that I have tasted said good cookie as well. They're "domed" right. It is quite scrumptious and chewy. Mmmmm. I love cookies. I need a cookie monster smiley!

haha, nothing wrong with watching Good Luck Charlie. I mean, you are in Disney World after all...no better place to watch the Disney Channel!

Mmm, those cookies look good. I will have to try one of those next time we're there.

Very true, I felt less weird watching Good Luck Charlie at Disney than I do when I'm watching it by myself in my living room

The cookies are quite yummy. Definitely worth a try!

What a way to end the day, Cookies! I had one of them there cookies and it was Good!

Mmmm... cookies. I think I need one now!

A good end to the day! I don't blame you for being pooped..think of all the walking you did! Hope you were recovered by the next day

During the day, I kept getting mad at myself that we weren't doing enough, and were wasting too much time I really couldn't understand why we were so exhausted. Now that I'm reliving it... I'm like woah !

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

When my alarm went off at 6:30, I actually pressed the snooze button. I was still wiped out. We showered and packed up our belongings and were heading out the door by 7:45.

We were feeling spry enough to walk to Olivias, though it took us a little longer than it normally would have.

Yay we made it!

This place reminded me of a place I would go for breakfast with my grandpa.

We were seated right away with no reservation. Panic got the Conch Flats Omelet (yum! though the potatoes were weird it was like breakfast potato salad)

and I got the banana bread french toast (also yum!)

I was worried, because I’d read that it was less than a notch above an Applebee’s. And though I don’t think I’d go out of my way to eat there, actually my only complaint is that the wouldn't give us the Annual Pass discount because it was mothers day.

Okay rant ahead get off now if you're afraid....

Are you kidding me? We got discounts on Christmas eve and Christmas day, but you're not going to give me a lousy 10% off because it's mother's day. I love my mother and all but let's be real, Mothers day isn't exactly the most real holiday to begin with. It just got me mad. On top of that, we didn't get a carnation either. They were giving them to moms. What about us non moms, I mean if your not going to give us a discount at least give us a friggin flower. I mean even the DIS gives me a flower when I want see

Maybe it's because I've got the "I want a baby" bug reeeeeeeeeal bad, or maybe I was just cranky because it was our last day and I was sore, or maybe I'm just a witch (or something that rhymes with it at least) but it really stuck in my craw.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

That's funny you just posted a review of Olivias, I was contemplating a breakfast there for our next trip. But I doubt we'd be staying at OKW, and since you said it's not worth going nuts for, now I'm not so sure.

(On the same subject, I just showed DBF the picture of your french toast:

Me: Banana bread french toast
DBF: Oooh. What's that little cup on the side?
Me: I don't know. Powdered sugar.
DBF: OOOooooOOOOooooOOO!!! Really???
Me: No, wait. It's whipped cream.
DBF: Oh.
Me: I bet you could ask for a cup of powdered sugar.
DBF: No. You'd gotten my hopes up.



Ugh, that's lame that your discount wasn't accepted AND you didn't get a flower. Here's one anyways.

 

[onelilspark]

I'm with you, I don't understand why you don't get the discounts on Mother's Day.

 

[Caretames1]

Well, that sucks. Here's a for each of ya!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

That's funny you just posted a review of Olivias, I was contemplating a breakfast there for our next trip. But I doubt we'd be staying at OKW, and since you said it's not worth going nuts for, now I'm not so sure.

(On the same subject, I just showed DBF the picture of your french toast:

Me: Banana bread french toast
DBF: Oooh. What's that little cup on the side?
Me: I don't know. Powdered sugar.
DBF: OOOooooOOOOooooOOO!!! Really???
Me: No, wait. It's whipped cream.
DBF: Oh.
Me: I bet you could ask for a cup of powdered sugar.
DBF: No. You'd gotten my hopes up.



Ugh, that's lame that your discount wasn't accepted AND you didn't get a flower. Here's one anyways.

It was whipped cream, sorry wingnut! But it was actual whipped cream and not Cool Whip is that counts for anything.

Hmmm.... The food was good, I mean when I was writing this I stopped to think and I could remember the taste of the french toast, so that right there should say something. I wasn't impressed by the atmosphere or service, so that may cloud my judgment. Since you'll be staying close, it might be worth the 2 boat rides.

Thanks for the flower!

I'm with you, I don't understand why you don't get the discounts on Mother's Day.

Thanks, I know it seems silly to rant over what would amount to $4, but it's the principal. I mean talk about being cheap, I wonder if they allow discounts on flag day

Well, that sucks. Here's a for each of ya!

Thanks!

 

[not_Joanna_eggs]

We finished breakfast with a few minutes to spare, so we out to wait for the ME.

And (as happened the last time we were at OKW) we waited

And waited

And waited.

I started getting concerned that we missed it, given my luck. We were supposed to catch the 9:10 bus, and it was well after 9:30.

Apparently, there was some kind of marathon or something (what I'm not sure because the Everest Challenge was the night before) that was blocking the main roads, so everything was running super late.

Fine by me. I hate how early the Magical Express gets you to the airport.

All too soon, we were boarding the ME.

And slowly waiving goodbye to WDW.

It was slower than usual. We had to go through downtown.

A few last pictures for the road.

Finally, Goodbye WDW!

By 10:30 we were pulling into the terminal.

We took our time getting to the security line and used the oldest trick in the Disney
Book and looked left. Did you know there are two entrances to the security line? I do now. The one further to the left has a ton less people, because people just go into the first line they see.

We got through security pretty quickly, but we needed to take separate trams to get to our gates. Panic's flight left about 30 minutes before mine, so I decided to ride with her to spend some more time with her.

Bye Bye Panic!

Once her flight started boarding, I hopped back on the tram, and then onto the correct tram to make it to my gate.

I boarded the plane and of course Disney had put me in the very last row. Eeeeww..
But there was a family that was spread all over the plane, so I offered to let the mother and daughter sit next to each other, which earned me a move to row 30 instead of 31.

We were about 45 minutes late getting out of Orlando, which meant we were a
bit late getting into Atlanta. I had a pretty tight turnaround, and I have bad luck in
Atlanta, so I knew I was in for a challenge.

The family behind me was worried too, and I told them to be prepared to run
because my experience in Atlanta is that the first flight is always late, the 2nd flight
is on time, but 2 terminals away and at the very end of the terminal.

So I get to the person telling people where their connections are, and sure enough, 2
terminals away, as far away from the tram as you can get. I heard the family behind
me be directed to the gate across from ours.

Seriously universe. Why do you hate me so?

I ran, and made it to my gate just as they were boarding my zone. The flight home
was uneventful, and DH came and picked me up. We went out for dinner, and then
headed home and had a great night of watching movies and chillaxing!

 

[Caretames1]

Thats is the saddest thing I've ever read! I mean really, leaving Disney is the worst ending of a TR.

jk

So, when's the next trip?

 

[onelilspark]

I ran to my gate in DC the other month...I thought I had 10 minutes to make the flight. I had 20. (I still would have ran.) But they started boarding late. So I looked like a moron. It was a nice time.

 

[Princess_K]

I'm sad another TR has come to an end! Are there any others to look forward to?

 

[portobello_rd]

i feel like i have been reading non stop trip reports from you and ive loved it (albeit jealous) so hopefully i have something to look forward too soon! i will have to DIS stalk you to keep up! thanks for taking the type to post everything!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Booo I'm sad your TR is over!!

Ugh, I hate having to do the run through the airport. One time when we were leaving to go to Disney, the line through security was indescribably and ridiculously long, and we ended up having to run to the gate with our shoes in our hands. We made it though!

Great TR, as usual!