The most fantastic, magical things can happen ............... Day 03 Update/July 18

[dizneeat]

Thanks for giving me a heads-up about eating before I started reading!

My pleasure!

I LOOOOOOVE the simple lunches and dinners you have! Andrew and I had similar meals like that when we were in Australia because we stayed near a grocery store, all inspired by you guys!

It's so nice to have what the locals have, isn't it? And there are some yummy meats the Italians have. We usually shop at a small family run grocery store and they actually know us and we are greeted with hugs.

What else do you put in the tomato salad?

Just some salt and pepper, olive oil and a little lemon juice.

I'm DROOLING over those mussels. I love seafood.

They were so good, being so fresh. Thankfully we had a lot of yummy bread too, to mop up all the juices.

I'm had chocolate spread too. That stuff is DANGEROUS! I could eat the whole jar if I had less self-control. I bought it at a Foreigner's market in Beijing and haven't been able to find it in Canada yet

We grew up with Nutella and I still love it to this day, but this is a dark chocolate spread and it is delicious. I wish they would sell it here, but then, if we have used it all up, it will give us another reason to travel to Italy again.

Does it cost money to use those lounges and umbrellas on the beach? Or are they available for private use?

Yes, you have to rent those deck chairs and umbrellas. They don't come cheap either. But at the height of the season, which you can see, it was not, they are hard to come by.

I had just finished supper and surprisingly enough I had PIZA Veggies !! I loved the Minions on the beach

What a coincidence! I found those Minions on the beach really cute.

Sounds like you had a lovely relaxing time! It's funny (and I know I'm weird like this) but I can't eat the same things for any meals in a row.

It was a very relaxing short trip.
That is funny that you don't eat the same thing twice in a row. We often do that, as sometimes it is just not doable to just cook for the two of us. I don't meals that have been frozen, so we would rather have the same thing twice than freeze it. See, I am weird like that as well.

I don't understand the point of geocashing.

Neither did I for a long time, but it seems to be a really fun hobby. Tom has hidden some caches as well and it can become really exciting.

The B & C outing looks yummy! I have only had a No Way Jose sundae there and it was behind delicious with the warm peanut butter and hot fudge

It was such a fun afternoon spent with friends. We have tried some different ice-cream sundaes there and they are ALL yummy.

Fabulous to catch some more friends at MK that evening! I thought the same thing about the mine train the first few times I road it, but now it feels longer. I think the hype was so much that I was left feeling, 'that's it?' But now I enjoy it much more. The Laugh Floor is great!

We had only found out they would be at WDW a few days before we went, so it was such a lovely extra surprise.
To be honest, the mine train grew on us the more often we rode it. We still have to use the regular queue as I have heard that it is really cute. But somehow I cannot imagine staying in line for 90 minutes for that short a ride.
We have not done the Laugh Floor in a long time. Somehow the jokes are hard to understand for a foreigner sometimes. But this time it was really fun.

We tried Kidani for the first time last trip and loved it. We LOVE Jambo house so it was hard to try Kidani but I'm so glad we did.

We loved Jambo when we stayed at the Lodge. We have always wanted to go back and with hearing so many good things about Kidani I am more than happy we will have 4 nights there.

Those fried sardines look tasty! And all that delicious ice cream, I'm glad I had a good dinner before reading this one. Those beach loungers would be calling to me though.

Those sardines were SO good! We just put a drop of lemon juice on top and they melted in your mouth.
And I just love the ice-cream from the little shop that is right outside our hotel. It's so tasty.

 

[dizneeat]

The beach looks deserted. Is it still too cold for most guests?

It was just the start of the season and this was a "cold" weekend, many people had cancelled their stay because of the weather, but we were still able to get sunburned, so it was not too cold for us.
If you would go there in late June, July or August, that beach is FULL - people are squeezed together like sardines.

Looks like you found some nice goodies for your inside picnics!

We definitely did! We just love those indoor picnics, enjoying the local food.

I'm really enjoying your reports and have gone back to read some of your older ones.

Ah, thank you! It is nice to hear that you enjoy our adventures.

You may have convinced me that a Disney cruise needs to happen!!

Just one fair word of warning. Disney cruises can get very addictive.

That was a lot of pizza you had, but yes, there is always room for dessert!

Yes, I know pizza twice a day may sound a bit over the top, but we did it just so you had more pics of food. Honestly, we hadn't intended on having pizza twice, but the one we had for lunch was so yummy we could not resist a second helping a little later in the day!

Liquid dessert is never a bad thing............

Tom could not agree with you more!

Loved the pictures along the water. You had some wonderful places to walk for sure!!!

The beach looks so nice as long as it is so deserted. I just love how they put up the umbrellas and all the colours. Once the tourists fall in that changes!

Another fun weekend! I could live on wine and gelato!

Jill in CO

That's my kind of girl.

Wine, pizza, a beach...ice cream too...yep sign me up Karin!

What else could one want ...... guess we would get along VERY well.

 

[dizneeat]

Day 3, March 22

Gardens, rides and friends … - Part 1

The next morning we were up early again.

Not that we were not still tired, but we had to be inside Epcot by 8.45.
So after having showers and getting ready we had a quick sandwich breakfast and some “home-brewed” coffee before we grabbed our bags for the day and headed out towards Epcot. When we got to the International Gateway we found bag check open and working but people were still kept waiting at the scanners. There was a guy with a clipboard and I hoped it would have our name on it, so we walked up and he asked if we were there for breakfast.

No, we are going on a tour.

Then you have to wait.

But we are going on a tour.

We’ll open at nine.

But we need to sign in for the tour behind Spaceship Earth by 8.45.

Oh, you are going on a tour?

Then come on in.

We all laughed while we scanned our APs and then walked right into the park. Epcot is so peaceful in the early morning hours

without all those tourists. Don’t get me wrong, I am a tourist myself, but to see it so quiet and quaint gives it an extra special feeling.

We walked over to Canada

and further on towards the fountain and all the way admiring the lush flowers along the way.

When we approached the tip board a cast member walked towards us, asking if we were here for the Gardens of the World tour.
Yes, we were.
He introduced himself, then introduced the two other ladies that were on the tour with us, who later turned out to be cast members as well and they all worked for Adventures by Disney.
Then the cast member who we had talked to first asked it we wanted our photo taken with the Tour sign. Sure we wanted that, so he was nice enough to snap our photo

and then we all chatted for a while.

All the while, while we were waiting some cast members were blowing bubbles at the first few guests who had started to come in.

At about 5 to 9 our guide came by, introducing herself and telling us that she had always had her heart set on flowers and had had been educated in horticulture and now she worked in the Epcot horticulture team and did those tours. It was pretty interesting listening to her. Then we learned that a few more guests were signed up for the tour but had not made it yet and we would wait for them for a few more minutes.

To be continued ..........​

 

[GoofyFan1515]

No, we are going on a tour.

Then you have to wait.

But we are going on a tour.

We’ll open at nine.

But we need to sign in for the tour behind Spaceship Earth by 8.45.

Oh, you are going on a tour?

Then come on in.

But Ma'am, everyone standing here is planning to go on a tour once we open the place up.

Oh, THAT kind of TOUR.................

Epcot is so peaceful in the early morning hours

Totally agree! The best part about being in the parks early for sure.

At about 5 to 9 our guide came by, introducing herself and telling us that she had always had her heart set on flowers and had had been educated in horticulture and now she worked in the Epcot horticulture team and did those tours.

Well, at least you knew you were going to be in knowledgeable and good hands!

 

[Leshaface]

Fried Sardines?! I'd love to give those a try someday, I bet they are delicious!

Aw Calvin would LOVE this! He's a big minions fan (I actually allowed him to like something other than Disney )

How cool to see all these pavilions without people walking around. Super peaceful!

Great picture!

 

[EvilQueenT]

I'll have to look for my group in the background of your pics. We arrived two days before you and left 2 days before you.

 

[EvilQueenT]

We don't come from out of the country so I don't know if that makes a difference but when we do online check in as long as we have a credit card on file we just get a text message when our room is ready and what the room number is. We never go to the desk even to online check in line unless we have a question or problem. I soooo hate hearing how the online check in cast members treated you. Sooooooo not magical.

 

[dizneeat]

But Ma'am, everyone standing here is planning to go on a tour once we open the place up.

Oh, THAT kind of TOUR.................

Yes, that kind of tour - I even mentioned the name of the tour and he still would not give in. The "but we have to sign in at 8.45" finally did the trick.

Totally agree! The best part about being in the parks early for sure.

I wish you could go all the way around when it is so peaceful. At least during the tours you'll get to experience that.

Fried Sardines?! I'd love to give those a try someday, I bet they are delicious!

They were delicious! When Tom saw them at the fishmongers he was one happy bunny. You really have to try them some day, or better come to Italy with us and Tom can make them for you.

Aw Calvin would LOVE this! He's a big minions fan (I actually allowed him to like something other than Disney )

How cool to see all these pavilions without people walking around. Super peaceful!

It was awesome and we really enjoyed that it was so quiet all around. Gave it a totally different feel.

Great picture!

Thank you!

I'll have to look for my group in the background of your pics. We arrived two days before you and left 2 days before you.

Let me know if you "find" yourself in any of my photos. That would be great.

We don't come from out of the country so I don't know if that makes a difference but when we do online check in as long as we have a credit card on file we just get a text message when our room is ready and what the room number is. We never go to the desk even to online check in line unless we have a question or problem. I soooo hate hearing how the online check in cast members treated you. Sooooooo not magical.

It does make a huge difference if you come from out of the country. First off you need to pick up the Magic Bands, as they do not send them to other countries and then you need to let them know that they need to email you the room number as they will not text a "foreign" phone. So, yes, even with online check in, a visit to the front desk is in order.

 

[pas130]

Love the pictures, it always looks that much better empty Looking forward to seeing the tour pics Karin!

 

[Pinkocto]

That would have been very frustrating at having to convince the CM that you really actually needed to be in there before everyone else.

Sounds like you have a great tour guide. Looking forward to hearing about the tour.

 

[dizneeat]

Sorry it took a while for me to come back. I had a lot of planning to do and last week was one without any holidays. I am just not used to it any more, as every week in May had at least one holiday (day off).

Love the pictures, it always looks that much better empty Looking forward to seeing the tour pics Karin!

It was really sweet seeing it so empty and peaceful.

That would have been very frustrating at having to convince the CM that you really actually needed to be in there before everyone else.

Sounds like you have a great tour guide. Looking forward to hearing about the tour.

It was like a comedy. Us trying to explain, and he just not listening (or not getting it) until he finally "heard" what tour we were going to. Out tour guide was awesome, she was so knowledgeable and included everyone when she was talking about something.

 

[dizneeat]

Guess it is time to update a bit on the planning for our summer trip.

Two weeks ago I got a notification that our ESTA (immigration permission) is about to expire because our passports are going to expire end of June. So this was something we needed to tackle. So last week I made an appointment to get a new one, had photos taken yesterday and in a week from then we should have our new passports.

This summer's vacation is coming up fast!!!
Yesterday we were 12 weeks away from our Panama Canal cruise.
And today we were 60 days from check in into our first WDW hotel.
Needless to say that I did online check-in the minute I could

and

it was time for FP+.

FP+
on one hand I had been looking forward to it, but on the other hand I had been dreading it. We hold APs and after a few emails with Guest Services they convinced me that I was only going to get 7 days worth of FP+ because we had split our stay into several small portions, all of them on Disney property though.

Now today I was able to make them and

was able to make them for all 15 days of our vacation

So here we go ........
Let's start with some plans

Day 1

will see us travel to the US,

pick up a rental car and check in at Bay Lake Tower.

And soon it will be time to head to the Magic Kingdom to enjoy the first set of FP+

Jungle Cruise
BTMR
7DMT

before enjoying EMHs that day.
Guess we will be REAL tired, when we finally get to bed.

Day 2

We'll head over to the Comtempo Cafe for breakfast and after that over to the Magic Kingdom again
Time for another set of FP+

PoTC
BTMR
7DMT

Guess there will be a few other rides as well before having lunch, hopefully at Columbia Harbour House
and later in the afternoon the
Festival of Fantasy Parade is on our to do list.

After that we will go offline and do some shopping for essentials

We'll return to the MK later that day after dinner at Five Guys (missed it in March)

to enjoy the MSEP and Wishes

Day 3

We'll need to get out of bed early, as we want to head to the MK for morning EMH.

Since we don't have FP+ scheduled for the morning, we'll just see what we will be able to get onto.

Next on the agenda is an early lunch at BOG

before heading back to BLT and some pool time
In the afternoon we plan on riding the Monorail around and enjoying the resorts.

So far we are planning on an early Trader Sam/Captain Cooks dinner before making our way to the
DHS to enjoy FP+ for the day

Star Tours
ToT
TSMM

Hope to fit in a few more rides during EMH before heading back to BLT



So far we have the first 17 days down, so stay tuned for more planning tomorrow. (It's getting late here)

​

 

[dizneeat]

Day 4

Moving day

Hand over luggage to bell services to transport to Yacht Club

Head to MK for FP+ rides on

Peter Pan
7DMT
HM

Leave for lunch at The Boathouse

Look around Disney Springs

Head to Yacht Club to check in

pool time at Stormalong Bay

In the evening we share an Illuminations Cruise with some DISers

Day 5

More pool time at Stormalong Bay

Then over to the GF for Waterfront Brunch at Narcoossee's (thanks for the review Alison!)

Return to Yacht Club and play at Epcot with FP+

Spaceship Earth
Mission Space
Soarin

Day 6

Moving Day again
Hand over luggage to bell services to transport to Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani

Morning Pool time at Stormalong Bay

Visit Epcot for more FP+ rides

Mission Space
Soarin

Drive to Kidani

Check in

Head to Jiko to check in for
Wanyama Safari and dinner at Jiko

Enjoy rest of evening at the resort
​

 

[dizneeat]

Day 7

Today we will head to AK

we have FP+ for

Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Finding Nemo - the musical

while in the park we will have lunch at either Yak & Yeti/CS or Flametree

In the early afternoon return to Kidani to relax

Early dinner at Beaches & Cream including an ice-cream sundae

Spend the evening at Epcot and stay for Extra Magic Hours

Day 8

We'll head to Epcot in the morning

FP+ are for

Mission Space
Soarin
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival

Lunch might/will be offsite (Steak'n'shake, crabshack)

Dinner at The Wave

Maybe cocktails at the Top of the World Lounge for Fireworks

Spend Extra Magic Hours at MK

Day 9

Spend the morning at the resort

Pool time

Drive to Disney Springs to do some shopping and have lunch (Poutine, BBWolf, Aristocrepe)

Early dinner at Sanaa (might not keep this)

Evening at AK with FP+ rides

Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Jungle Book alive with Magic

​

 

[franandaj]

Wow! Those are some jam packed days! Lots of fun and good food!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 10

It's moving day - again!
Hand over luggage to bell services to transport to Old Key West

Shopping at Disney Springs

Lunch at Wolfgang Puck's Express

Check into Old Key West

Do some shopping

Spend evening at DHS
FP+ for

Muppet Vision 3D
TSM
ToT

Watch Star Wars fireworks

Stay for EMH

Day 11

Have breakfast at Olivia's (tradition)

Head to Epcot
FP+ for

The seas with Nemo and friends
Mission Space
Soarin

Grab lunch at Epcot

Pool time at OKW

Spend evening at DHS

Star Wars Dessert Party if offered

Day 12

California Grill Brunch at the Top

Visit MK
FP+ for

Jungle Cruise
7DMT
Splash Mountain

Stay for Festival of Fantasy Parade

Pool time at OKW

Spend evening at Epcot

​

 

[dizneeat]

Wow! Those are some jam packed days! Lots of fun and good food!

Thank you, Alison!
I really hope we can stick to those plans.

 

[Pinkocto]

This vacation is going to be amazing!!!!

 

[Poolrat]

In 2000 my friend and I wanted to return our Hertz car and we just could not find it, so in the end we waited at the airport for a Hertz shuttle and followed it to the rental area. Used up a lot of our nerves that day.

That is awesome. I know that didn't cross my mind but we were getting a little desperate.

So funny about trying to get in for the tour and the CM not having it at all. He must have had tour mixed up with tour....


Loved the long weekend in Italy. Sounds relaxing.

Oh My all the plans for this summer. I totally enjoyed reading them through I forgot to quote anything.

 

[rteetz]

Sounds like it's going to be an incredible trip!