**This Relaxation Thing Looks GOOD On Us!-Our July 2012 Honeymoon**NEW TR LINK!!!!!!!

[CAStevens218]

Hi everybody! Merry Christmas from India! I will catch up on all of your posts when I get back after the new year and finish up the trip report as well! Tomorrow I will be at the Taj Mahal!!!

 

[happenin2you]

I just recently found you TR and I'm loving it! Your pictures are great! I hope you are having a blast in India and safe travels home. Your pictures of AKL are making me want to go back there so badly. My husband and I honeymooned there in 2008 and bought AKV DVC last year while celebrating our anniversary in Disneyland. I can't wait to get back there, but it probably won't be until 2015 We're going to Mexico this year, hopefully Europe next year, and that leaves WDW for 2015... vacation problems...

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Hope that you had an amazing experience in India!

I love how even though you guys are touring the parks, they still seem laid back. I need to learn to go with the flow more at the parks. If we want to just sit back and enjoy the view, why not?!

I want to go to Sea World. Maybe the next time we're in Orlando! I got to pet a sting ray at a zoo here in the suburbs, and it kind of freaked me out. They are cute, though!

 

[jc040404]

Hi everybody! Merry Christmas from India! I will catch up on all of your posts when I get back after the new year and finish up the trip report as well! Tomorrow I will be at the Taj Mahal!!!

How exciting!! I hope you might share some pics with us? Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

 

[CAStevens218]

Enjoying your TR!! The coasters at seaworld look fun, makes me want to go!

The Sea World coasters were sooo much fun! Totally worth a trip! We love that park, its beautiful! We are trying to decide if we want to do Sea World or Universal for our trip in Feb/March, and as much as I love Harry Potter I think I'm leaning toward Sea World right now!

Your pictures are really amazing! Make me feel like I'm there even more...

Thanks! I love taking pictures at Disney World!

I don't know if I've commented on your TR or not, but I have gone through it! You have a lot of really beautiful pictures! I love the Beach Club (hopefully we will stay there one day!). Your dress at the Cali Grill is beautiful

Thanks for reading!! I hope you get to stay at the Beach Club...we loved it! And thanks, I love that dress!!

All of the food you took pics of looks so yummy! Esp the Piccante oh and the cupcake

Loved the pic of Ben when he started whistling when you were taking pics - that sounds like something my husband would have done

That pizza at Via Napoli was sooo good! I love food pics!

Oh Ben...such a jokester. I WAS taking a long time though...

Finally caught up!! (and really hungry after all these pics!) Your pictures are just fabulous. I love some of these views! The flamingo pic is adorable, too. The Beach Club looks really nice.

Hope you're doing well & have a magical holiday!

Yay, glad to see you back on the Dis!

We loved the Beach Club and the whole EPCOT resort area...wish we could afford it every time!

I just recently found you TR and I'm loving it! Your pictures are great! I hope you are having a blast in India and safe travels home. Your pictures of AKL are making me want to go back there so badly. My husband and I honeymooned there in 2008 and bought AKV DVC last year while celebrating our anniversary in Disneyland. I can't wait to get back there, but it probably won't be until 2015 We're going to Mexico this year, hopefully Europe next year, and that leaves WDW for 2015... vacation problems...

Welcome, thanks for reading!

India was AMAZING! I will definitely share some pictures when I get them all organized!

We would LOVE to stay at AKL some day!

Mexico and Europe, how fun!

Hope that you had an amazing experience in India!

I love how even though you guys are touring the parks, they still seem laid back. I need to learn to go with the flow more at the parks. If we want to just sit back and enjoy the view, why not?!

I want to go to Sea World. Maybe the next time we're in Orlando! I got to pet a sting ray at a zoo here in the suburbs, and it kind of freaked me out. They are cute, though!

Thanks, India was so unbelievable AMAZING!

We try to keep it relaxed as much as possible. I think it helps that we go to rope drop and use fastpasses. We know what our favorites are by now, so that helps too. We don't try to do everything.

I highly recommend Sea World! We love it! And I love rays! Try feeding them if you havent...its such a strange feeling!

How exciting!! I hope you might share some pics with us? Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

I'm home! Got home after a 24 hour travel day yesterday (3 hours in India airport, 6 hours to Moscow, Russia, 5 hours in Moscow airport, 10 hours to JFK airport in NYC, 3 hours home). Phew, I am TIRED! I will DEFINITELY share pictures when I get them all organized!

 

[CAStevens218]

Hi everyone! I’m home from India! I will share some pictures once I get them all uploaded and organized! We had an AMAZING trip!

I hope everyone had wonderful holidays!

Anyway, back to July in Orlando!

I woke up around 830AM the next day and lounged around the room until about 10:30 or 11:00. At that point, I got up and got ready to head down to the pool. Ben stayed in the room to watch some football show that was on and promised to meet me as soon as it was over.

I headed downstairs, filled my mug, used a snack credit for one of those amazing coconut bars, and went to the pool. I snagged some good chairs and laid in the sun until Ben joined me at 11:45AM.

Love this view!


DSC02700 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

When Ben got there, we jumped in an swam around, enjoying the lazy river for a while. We also found a foosball table tucked away in a corner and had fun playing a few games.

Eventually, Ben decided to join in a volleyball game and I sat on a ledge nearby with my book. I normally like playing volleyball but there was a pretty intense guy playing in this game and I just know my lack of skills would have been stressful for him! HAHA! Ben had fun though!


DSC02701 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


DSC02702 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

When the game was over, we were able to borrow a ball from someone who was sitting near us, so we got to volley back and forth a play around for a bit!

Next, we decided to grab lunch at Hurricane Hannah’s. We both got burgers and fries. The burgers were huge and very good! We grabbed a table just outside the pool complex near the waterslide with a view of the walkway and the Boardwalk across the water. Great for people watching!

We both had ice cream for dessert, which we were able to go back and pick up after we finished with our meals. I had a Mickey Bar (can’t go wrong there!) and Ben had cookies and cream gelato, which was just okay.

We headed back into the pool for a while after that. I got all comfortable with my book on the ledge again and Ben was swimming around. He really wanted to play volleyball, but nobody had a game going and he couldn’t find anyone with a ball, so he went to the little poolside gift shop a bought one. As he was coming back, someone started a game, so he put his new ball by our chairs and joined in. So silly! It was okay though, it was a really cute Nemo beach ball and we made good use of it for the rest of the trip!

At about 4:15PM I decided to head back to the room to shower before we went to EPCOT for the night. Ben stayed at the pool for a while and would meet me in a bit to shower after me.

Of course, I took some photos as I walked to the room!

The décor at the Beach Club is so cute!


DSC02705 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

I called for towels when I got back to the room and they took about 15 minutes to arrive. As soon as they came I jumped in the shower, and when I got out I was greeted by Ben knocking on the door. The knocking was kind of sad and defeated, so I could tell he had been there a while. Turns out he had asked me to take his stuff with me when I left the pool…and that stuff included his room key. Since I had to wait for towels, I got in the shower later than he thought, so he was waiting out there for a while! Poor guy!

Ben jumped in the shower while I looked up our options for dinner. We had a Via Napoli reservation, but we had gone there on a whim the night before, so we wanted something different. We decided on an 830PM reservation at Les Chefs de France and headed on our way!

The first thing we did when we got to EPCOT was watch British Revolution. They are so much fun!


DSC02706 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


DSC02707 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

I love the UK pavilion…it’s so pretty!



DSC02708 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


DSC02708 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

I loved this mug! I ended up getting it as a gift for a friend!


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DSC02711 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

After the show was over, we continued walking and stopped for a soda and cookie at a stand somewhere between the UK and Canada.


DSC02711 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Looks good right? Nope. It was very hard and dry. Saddest cookie ever! Oh well, live and learn!

We caught some entertainment in Canada as we ate our snack.


DSC02712 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

And enjoyed the view!


DSC02713 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

We spent some time touring Canada, which was had never really done before. Their pavilion is very pretty and they have an adorable shop!


DSC02715 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


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We continued walking, intending to head over the Mexico to continue through the rest of the World Showcase. We ended up changing out plan and heading over to ride Nemo instead. We didn’t make the decision until we were about halfway to Mexico, so we got to enjoy the fountain on our way as well!


DSC02718 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


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Ben loves the sea gulls!


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DSC02723 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Nemo was a walk on, so we boarded our clam shell very quickly!


DSC02725 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

We skipped the aquariums after our ride since we had just been to Sea World. I really think EPCOTS aquarium displays could use a face lift. I LOVE aquariums and these just don’t do it for me. On the way out, I bought Ben a sea gull pin in the gift shop.

Continued in next post...

 

[CAStevens218]

...continued from previous post...

We decided to ride Space Ship Earth next, which was also a walk on.


DSC02732 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


DSC02739 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


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We decided to stay and play some games at the end of the ride. We always have a great time doing this!

This guy was NOT having a great time. Or maybe he was…who knows, maybe it was a really good nap!?!


DSC02749 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

First, we played a game that tested your reflexes, memory and hand-eye coordination.


DSC02750 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Then, we played a 3D one where you have to put together a skeleton.


DSC02755 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Then, we played out favorite! The one where you use the broom handle thing (definitely its technical name!) to drag energy to where it needs to go in the city.


DSC02756 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

When we were finished, it was time to head to France for our dinner reservation.


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There is always time for a photoshoot!


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It was a beautiful evening!


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We walked to France by way of Canada instead of going on the Mexico side as we originally planned because this way was quicker.


DSC02766 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

We arrived at Les Chefs de France and checked in.


DSC02771 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


DSC02772 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

It was busy in the waiting area, but we were seated within 5 minutes and got a great table in the second row from the windows.

This restaurant is very pretty, and the only downside was how close we were to the table next to us. We might as well have all sat together!

I really liked the feel of this restaurant. It is so warm and inviting with all the lights.


DSC02787 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Our waiter came and took our drink order, and when he brought them he also brought a nice baguette with butter. Yum!


DSC02774 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

For my dinner, I chose the prixe fixe menu. I had a salad and the macaroni and cheese.


DSC02777 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


DSC02782 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

The salad was good but had a little too much dressing for my liking. The macaroni and cheese a delicious! It was very creamy and the portion was huge!

Ben had the steak which he really enjoyed. In fact, he gobbled it right up before I could even steal a bite!


DSC02781 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

While we ate, we got to watch Illuminations out the window.


DSC02780 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

For dessert, I had the profiteroles and Ben has the strawberry cake. I thought mine was just okay. I’m not a big fan of ice cream soaked into my cakes or pies, which this reminded me of, so it didn’t work for me. Ben loved his dessert though!


DSC02786 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


DSC02785 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

As we were finished up our dinner, a solo diner nearby struck up a conversation. He highly recommended Jelly Rolls, which we intended to get to but unfortunately never made it! It is definitely on the list for the future!

After dinner, we strolled back to the Beach Club.


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We got comfortable in our room, watched the women’s gymnastics team win the team gold medal, and got to sleep around midnight.

It was a great, very relaxed day!

Up next: Our last full day

 

[jecskc]

I just discovered your TR and I love it !!! I know this one is almost over, but I hope you do another one when you go back. Can't wait to see how your last day was !! Thanks so much for sharing !!

 

[CAStevens218]

I just discovered your TR and I love it !!! I know this one is almost over, but I hope you do another one when you go back. Can't wait to see how your last day was !! Thanks so much for sharing !!

Yay, welcome, thanks for reading! I will definitely write another trip report for our next trip..I love reliving everything!

 

[disnmooner2013]

CAStevens218 I love your July 2012 honeymoon trip report. Can you please read my itinerary thread for our June 3013 disneymoon and post your thoughts and suggestions when you have a chance? I just want to make this honeymoon PERFECT as we only get one honeymoon. Here is the link to my thread below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3041090

 

[happenin2you]

So how is the British Revolution? What kind of stuff do they do? My husband is a huge Beatles fan and we panned two full days at epcot on our last trip and they both happened to be the British Invasion's days off... he was pretty bummed. Especially after we learned they were no longer going to be there. Maybe this new group will satisfy him.

 

[livsmom04]

I love that coffee mug! Where in Epcot did you get it?

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Lovely photos of the BC and Epcot! Les Chefs looks so good (I could eat some of that mac and cheese right now!)

 

[CAStevens218]

CAStevens218 I love your July 2012 honeymoon trip report. Can you please read my itinerary thread for our June 3013 disneymoon and post your thoughts and suggestions when you have a chance? I just want to make this honeymoon PERFECT as we only get one honeymoon. Here is the link to my thread below.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3041090

Thanks! I will definitely pop over and read your thread! Congrats on the wedding and honeymoon!!!!

So how is the British Revolution? What kind of stuff do they do? My husband is a huge Beatles fan and we panned two full days at epcot on our last trip and they both happened to be the British Invasion's days off... he was pretty bummed. Especially after we learned they were no longer going to be there. Maybe this new group will satisfy him.

They were a lot of fun! They played a lot of classics and were super high energy! I didn't realize they left...but I'm sure the new group will be just as fun!

I love that coffee mug! Where in Epcot did you get it?

I think I took this photo in the tea shop in England. I also saw it at World of Disney and the kitchen store in Downtown Disney.

Lovely photos of the BC and Epcot! Les Chefs looks so good (I could eat some of that mac and cheese right now!)

Thanks! That mac and cheese was awesome!!!!!!

 

[disnmooner2013]

Thanks so much CAStevens 218 for reading my itinerary and giving your suggestions.

 

[alegria14]

Congrats on your wedding and honeymoon! I really enjoyed reading your report - you guys look so happy! What a lovely newlywed couple!

I'm going to follow in your footsteps and honeymoon at POFQ next August, but I've been so worried about heavy summer crowds. From your TR, it looks like you managed to escape insane crowds - in some of your pictures, it looks like you have the place to yourselves!

How did you manage that in July! You give me hope! Any advice is welcome!

And congrats again - your report is making me really excited! Thanks for posting!

 

[CAStevens218]

Thanks so much CAStevens 218 for reading my itinerary and giving your suggestions.

No problem! I hope you have an amazing honeymoon!

Congrats on your wedding and honeymoon! I really enjoyed reading your report - you guys look so happy! What a lovely newlywed couple!

I'm going to follow in your footsteps and honeymoon at POFQ next August, but I've been so worried about heavy summer crowds. From your TR, it looks like you managed to escape insane crowds - in some of your pictures, it looks like you have the place to yourselves!

How did you manage that in July! You give me hope! Any advice is welcome!

And congrats again - your report is making me really excited! Thanks for posting!

Thank you!

It was definitely MUCH more crowded than any of our previous trips, which had all been in January and December. However, I think we made out pretty well crowd-wise by arriving at rope-drop, hitting big attractions first and using fastpass. We also beat the crowds and heat by taking lots of pool time!

I was worried about crowds before we went as well, but it definitely wasn't as unbearable as I went in expecting it to be. Have a good plan and use common sense and you will be just fine!! I hope you have a GREAT wedding and honeymoon!!!!!

 

[CAStevens218]

Today was our last full day, and I woke up at 8:00AM hoping for an early start in the pool. I left Ben to sleep and I got downstairs at 8:20AM. My first stop was the marketplace, where I filled my mug with iced tea and used a snack credit for a coconut bar. Love those things!

I made my way over to Stormalong Bay, arriving at 8:45AM….and found the pool closed. Hmmm. I figured it had to open soon, so I sat down at a table and relaxed and enjoyed my breakfast. I watched the lifeguards have their morning meeting….and still they didn’t open.


DSC02795 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

This guy was not letting ANYBODY get in before him!


DSC02794 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Oh well, I had a comfortable seat with a nice view, so I enjoyed eating and reading my book.


DSC02796 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

They finally opened Stormalong Bay around 9:45AM. People were CRAZY, lining up to run for the chairs they wanted. I waited for all of them to get through before I headed over to get my writstband and find a seat…which I found…right where I wanted to be…without lining up and running. Just saying.

One thing that was interesting was that they chose a family of the day and let them in first. They got a reserved table, but were also allowed to choose lounge chairs. That guy who was sitting in front of the gate there? NOT HAPPY when they chose the chairs he had been planning to claim!

Anyway, Ben told me later that he saw a sign that says Stormalong Bay opens at 10AM…that just seems so late to me!

I settled in on my lounge chair and enjoyed the sun for a while. Once I got hot, I went to go sit on a submerged ledge in the pool with my book. Heaven!!!

Ben came down at about 10:30AM, JUST as I was getting comfortable in the pool with my book. Ahh well. We had fun swimming around and playing with the beach ball he bought.

Sadly, about 20 minute after Ben got there, they closed the pool for weather. I guess there were some thunder and lightning storms in the area. They made everyone leave the pool area, so we went on the deck and found a table to sit at. I read my book and Ben went to the Marketplace to get breakfast (french toast sticks).

After about 20 minutes, Ben decided to go relax in the room. I stayed at our table with my book, hoping they would reopen the pool. It was cloudy, but I hadn’t seen any lightning or heard any thunder, so I was hopeful.

After another 20 minutes, I reallllyyy wanted to go to the room, change, and head to EPCOT, but we were dumb and had left our beach ball and towels on our chairs to save our spot…and I didn’t want to leave them.

They opened the pool after a 1 hour wait. I sent Ben a text to let him know we could go back in and got comfortable on my ledge with my book. When Ben came back down, we played with the beach ball and did the waterslide. That slide is so much fun!!

I started getting hungry, so I went to Hurricane Hannah’s for lunch. I had a turkey sandwich, fries and a Mickey bar. The sandwich was just okay…it had too much meat on it and it was that processed meat. Ick. I recommend the burgers there much more than that sandwich.

As I was coming back with my food, they closed the pool AGAIN for weather concerns. Ben and I got the same table as before and split the food. When we were finished, I checked the radar on my phone and it looked like a really big storm was coming, so we decided to go back to the room rather than waiting for the pool to reopen. We had spent enough time doing that already.

We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon watching tv, reading and doing some packing. At about 3:30PM we started our showers and got ready for dinner. We left the Beach Club at 4:30PM for our 5:05PM reservation at…’Ohana!

We drove to the Polynesian and arrived at 4:45PM. Yay for having a car! That would have take SO LONG using Disney transportation!

I LOVE the Polynesian! Everything is just so pretty here! And it smells amazing!


DSC02797 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

We spent a few minutes browsing the shops before checking in.


DSC02798 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

We checked in at 4:55PM and found a seat near the bar to wait to be called in. The Olympics were on while we waited, so we watched some archery and enjoyed the view.


DSC02799 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

We were seated at exactly 5:05PM, right when they opened. We were taken to our table, which unfortunately had no view of the outside, just of the restaurant.

The hostess grabbed bread on the way to the table, and we were sooo excited to eat it! That bread is so amazing! It’s warm with just a hint of sweetness. Yum!


DSC02800 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

The waiter took our drink orders and delivered them quickly. Shortly after, our salad arrived. This salad is so amazing. It is so crisp and refreshing.


DSC02801 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Before we had even taken a bite of salad, our potstickers and chicken wings arrived. And I think I had taken one bite when the noodles and broccoli came out soon after. This was a little too quick and overwhelming for our liking.

Still yummy though!


DSC02803 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

Last time, I had remembered having a little bit more time between dishes, AND I had remembered having a lot more time before the meat came. This time, it started coming around almost immediately.

Everything was very tasty, just as we remembered! We felt like they were rushing us along quite a bit, but I think the key here is to not let them do it. Take your time, eat at your own pace, and ask for more of what you want. Otherwise, they will have you in, stuffed and out before you even know what is happening!

When we didn’t think we could possibly eat another bite, it was time for this beauty!


DSC02804 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr

All in all, we really enjoyed our meal. I think the food was better the first time we went, but it was still really good! We DID feel rushed but, like I said, we just didn’t let it happen. Also, they had the lady who sings out for our whole meal…we usually enjoy things like that, but this was just too much and we found her kind of obnoxious to be honest. I think we will take a break from ‘Ohana for a bit because of the fact that they try to rush you…but it is definitely something everyone should try!

After our dinner, we spent a few minutes admiring the resort.


DSC02808 by CASDonnelly, on Flickr


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We drove back to the Beach Club when we were done, and made our way straight over to EPCOT. We had barely spent any time in the World Showcase yet, and that had been one of my main goals of the trip, so that was the plan for the evening!

Up Next: An evening travelling the world!

 

[livsmom04]

That guy guarding the entrance of the pool is funny! Although I can someone in my family doing that like my brother or even my daughter.

 

[heaven2dc]

Love relaxing days at the pool (or lazying in the room watching tv) especially on the last day! It really helps unwind after a full trip of taking all the Parks in (on our last trip, DS30 and DS19 stayed behind at the Community Hall at BWV to play ping pong instead of joining me and DS25 at Epcot).

I love your dress you wore to O'Hana! How pretty you look! We still haven't tried O'Hana yet (sort of hard when 3/4's of our family don't eat meat). Love the Polynesian Resort too - so pretty