Trip Report - Canadave & family to WDW- Day 12 - Eat, swim and shop!!!

[Canadave]

The CAST: DD1 (Brittany, 15 yrs. old), DD2 (Emily, 11 yrs. old), DW (Marylynn, let's just say early 40's) and myself (Dave,same)

Friday Feb.6/04

Today was to be a 'non-park' day...forecast of 85 and sunny !!

We all had some extra sleep, but as with all good plans...with so many things to do at WDW...and so many things we haven't done yet...I had thought it would be neat to go mini golfing or (as a special surprise treat) to rent some water-mice and race around the lake in front of Magic Kingdom...was not to be...DD's just wanted to swim and sunbathe...it had been a long week, so we figured it was better to just go with the flow

DW and I thought this might be a good opportunity to try out a different restaurant for lunch. The girls were happy to grab something from the food court and we booked a ps for Olivia's in the Old Key West resort for just the two of us.

We arrived at OKW a little early and took a brief look around the resort...very nice...clean...relaxing atmosphere...the pictures of all the DVC families was a nice touch.

We were one of the first guests of the day at Olivia's and we were seated very quickly...we had a server-in-training (accompanied by a seasoned server)...Olivia's has a laid back atmosphere...the kind that makes you take a deep breath and remind yourself that you're on vacation...love the fan system on the ceiling...DW had a bowl of soup and the blue lump crab cake with Darjeeling tea (with a special something added) and I had the Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich (along with some fancy adult beverage)...DW had some mango pie for dessert...tough choice, mango or key lime...the food was served quickly and well presented...the server-in-training had some minor problems, but were quickly and more than adequately taken care of by the main server...we both thoroughly enjoyed our meal and DW was very pleased that the water for her tea was piping hot (it drives her crazy when restaurants serve tea with luke warm water)...overall we'd rate Olivia's at 4 1/2 stars out of 5....service - 4 of 5...food - 5 stars...price - 4 stars...and atmosphere - 5 stars...we'd love to go back there for dinner. Not sure if the kids would have liked it as much as we did...but it was nice to have some 'couple' time. As we were heading to the van, panic struck...my keys were missing...and we only have one set!...we traced our steps since our arrival and finally ended up back at Olivia's...I walked to the podium and there was 3 of the servers, smiling, with my keys dangling from one women's hands... ...OK, time to head back to the hotel

We met up with the girls at the bowling pin pool. DW sunbathed while I had some fun in the pool with DDs.

At 3:00, we got ready for an evening Downtown...went to Planet Hollywood for dinner...crowded and loud!...there were quite a few of the dance teams there...we were all still pretty full from lunch...the DD's had a shake and a smoothie and the 3 girls shared some appetizers while I had the shrimp club sandwich and some of their leftovers...now we were overstuffed!...even with a doggie bag.

With full tummies, we slowly headed over to the Marketplace...actually, we drove over so that the car would be closer to make loading all the souvenirs a little easier ...as usual, we walked around to all the stores before going on the buying spree...among the loot, DD2 picked up a 'princess' picture frame that was too cute and a t-shirt...DD1 grabbed a t-shirt and some links for her Zoppini bracelet...and although we had said that we were only going to get a few souvenirs ...ya, right ... we picked up a Disney CD, a photo album, beach towels, a picture frame, a golf shirt and a tie for me, and a bunch of 'hidden Mickey' dinner ware (we found that the paint on the inexpensive plastic bowls, lunch plates and cups have started to peel off quickly since we have used them )... the wine goblets and plates were a little more expensive, but were a clear acrylic-type material with colourful 'hidden Mickeys' built into them...unfortunately we only bought 4 of each...DW is so mad because she wanted a set of 8 plates and wine glasses...don't ask me why she didn't just buy them then ...we also bought other things...too many to remember ...but it was so much fun...

...finally, we were all shopped out...tomorrow is our last day at WDW...MK, of course, was our destination......we did a little packing before bed...we needed to get some rest and be up bright and early...MK

 

[Susan--Ontario]

We've eaten at Olivia's two years ago and we absolutely loved it. Our neighbour from home was working in the kitchen there at the time and so we got to see her. The food was good and we too loved the cottage feel to the restaurant. We are going to stay at this resort in November.

I also like to go to MK on our last day. It's always sad though when you pull away from either the monorail station or the boat dock for the last time.

Glad to see we're not the only shopping freaks when we head to DTD. A few years ago we bought a set of Mickey cutlery for 4. When my sister went back a few months later we had her pick us up another set of 4. My DH also wondered why I didn't buy it the first time. I guess your DW and I must be money conscious??Great reports. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Debbie]

Originally posted by Susan--Ontario
We are going to stay at this resort in November.

Uhhh. does this mean that you have finally made that decision?

This is one resort on my list of "gonna do this before I die" list. I think that OKW sounds delightful! So sad that your reports are almost done.

 

[hockey mom]

I love those relaxing days. Just a thought but if you want me to try and return those plates I can.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Oh, Olivia's sound nice! I'll have to add that to my "list".

Are those clear acrylic goblets the ones with coloured marble-like Mickey heads embedded? Glad you mentioned about the painted-on Mickey heads because I was thinking of getting those, next time. I'm glad now that I decided I'd spent enough money on our March Break trip and didn't buy them!

Sounds like you had a wonderful relaxing day!

 

[DisneyLisa]

Sounds like a nice relaxing day. I bought some of those wine glasses...a few years ago they were a frosted solid colour and I like them better, but in October I bought 4 of the new style ones you described (they have pewter stems right?). I like to use them by the pool and people always comment on how pretty they are. When they realize those are Mickey heads on them they always say "should have known" LOL. People just don't understand...except everyone here right.

Thanks for another great report.

 

[Canadave]

TimNDansMom & DisneyLisa...yes, the goblets are the ones that are clear acrylic (with colourful hidden Mickeys) with a pewter wine stem...Marylynn has used them for company a lot since we got back...we get the same subtle rolled eyes from everyone all the time...and you're right about how some "people just don't understand"...we get "that look" all the time

hockey mom...thanks for your offer, but I think replacements will just do the same, so we'll just live with them...they weren't real expensive, but we were expecting a little better. Also, I've sent you a PM

 

[maryliz]

What a wonderful day you had I've often come home from WDW thinking "I should have bought that". Never again ... if I want it, I'm buying it. Luckily it seems like someone from the family is always going, so if I didn't buy something, I've had them pick it up for me.

We always do MK on our last day too. It's always sad when we hear "por favor mantengan se alejado de las puertas" for the very last time on the monorail. I suspect I'll be shedding some tears for your last day's report

Mary Liz