Trip report

[stephensmum]

Looks like a great first evening

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Sounds like the perfect start to the holiday

 

[Tony Bush]

following along

 

[thestevied]

Day 1 (full day anyway!!)

MK

Up early today and at the bus stop by 8am. Caught the bus at about 8.15 and we were at MK by 8.30. We'd planned to see the opening show so this was perfect for us. Show started about 8.40, just after bag check. It's become kind of a tradition now. MK on the first day and always catch the opening show. Geeky but I love it. We love it!! We had three fastpasses but only ended up using one. That one was for seven dwarves mine train. On the plus side this was possibly the smoothest roller coaster I'd ever been on. Plus the theming inside the mines was pretty impressive. On the down side it was very short. No way I'd have waited 70 minutes. Also a lot of the queuing is outside. Enjoyable, but we won't rush for it again.
The second and third FASTPASS we never used. By 1pm we had eaten at cosmic rays (not on the fastpass this year so trying not to overspend on food) and we were just too worn out to do anything else.
So we got the bus back to the dolphin and went straight for a swim. We love the pool here, and the cabana bar and grill is great. We had a few beers/cocktails by the pool and are now having a freshen up and relaxing in the room.
It's EMH tonight at Hollywood studios so the plan is to get there for 6 or 7 and do a few rides and catch fantasmic. It's open to 11 so should be a fun evening. The weather so far has been great. Hot but not above 30 and no rain so far. Fingers crossed it continues but it's still early. Gonna have a little nap before the studios!!

 

[thestevied]

 

[thestevied]

I love Donald Duck, so this really made me laugh....

 

[stephensmum]

Thanks for doing the live trip report. Is it your first stay at the dolphin.? Were thinking about it fot next year.

 

[thestevied]

It's our third time here. I'd recommend it. It's not on the disney dining plan and you can't charge purchases in parks to the room but other than that it's the same. And if you like epcot or Hollywood studios the location is perfect.

 

[thestevied]

Well we made hollywood studios tonight, but didn't make fantasmic. Again, just ran out of energy. We did star tours (which I absolutely love since the update!) and then ate a snack at backlot express. After that we went tower of terror and then headed towards toy story mania. We didn't realise though that when the fireworks are on for frozen you can't walk past the sorcerers hat, so we had to wait and watch them (which were very impressive) and then it was a bit of a crazy bundle for toy story as there was about 1000 people all trying to get over there at once. On top of that everyone was having their magic band checked as it was now EMH so only hotel guests could get to the rides! Not an experience I'd like to have again but toy story is sways a favourite. Also squeezed in rock n roller coaster before heading back to the hotel. Finished the evening of with a huge caramel apple sundae that I didn't need but we are on holiday...

 

[I_Heart_MK]

Looks delicious! How's the weather? Any sunshine or still solid rain? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some pool weather for next week!

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Love the look of that sundae

 

[Julia Ann]

Enjoying your report. I don't know why but as soon as I read "we have arrived" i get a massive smile and butterflies in my tummy....and I don't even know you I think I just remember how exciting "touch down" in the hotel is

Have a great time

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

We shared a pulled pork sandwich, chilli cheese fries and buffalo wings.

Can I ask where did you get the sandwich and chips as they sound like something I'd defo like to try when we arrive

 

[thestevied]

Can I ask where did you get the sandwich and chips as they sound like something I'd defo like to try when we arrive

On Boardwalk there's a couple of kiosks with table and chairs next to where you can sit and eat looking out over the lake. Got them from there. It was really quick and easy. Ideal for the first night

 

[thestevied]

Enjoying your report. I don't know why but as soon as I read "we have arrived" i get a massive smile and butterflies in my tummy....and I don't even know you I think I just remember how exciting "touch down" in the hotel is Have a great time

thanks a lot. And yeah, I love that feeling! It's months of excitement and counting down being released!!

 

[thestevied]

Looks delicious! How's the weather? Any sunshine or still solid rain? I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some pool weather for next week!

Today was the first rain we've had. About an hour in the afternoon of heavy rain, followed by a couple of hours of light drizzle. The first two days were pure sun.

 

[thestevied]

Day 2.

Off to animal kingdom today. Although this is always the park I get least excited about, it has some good rides and I always enjoy the safari. We started with the safari and got some great shots of the lions. It seemed bumpier than ever, but maybe that's just because I'm now older... We headed towards our other favourite rides next, dinosaur, triceratops spin and then expedition Everest. Expedition Everest broke down just as we sat in it so we never actually got to ride it. They gave out fastpasses to everyone though, so I'm sure we'll make it back. We had lunch at the yak and yeti window, which was surprisingly good. By this time it had started to warm up so we headed back to the hotel. As we're staying at the dolphin we thought we'd try the Fantasia crazy golf on the way back, which is right opposite the hotel and free for guests with 14 day disney passes. This was great fun but it got soooo hot. An hour out in the sun with little shade is too much so we went straight back to our room for a shower.
Feeling fresher we got a taxi to the outlets at lake Buena vista and made our usual purchase of trainers and clothes. We Hadn't been there before so it made a nice change and was closer than the mall on I drive.
Just got back from dinner at ESPN. This was ok. Very loud as they were filming and episode of ESPN on monday night football but all in all a good night. Now having a relaxing night back in the room

 

[dixonsontour]

Great start to your hols

 

[pickers1982]

Always wanted to eat in espn, watch sport and have a cold beer and for some reason i ve never got round to doing it even staying on the boardwalk!

 

[thestevied]

Day 3 - epcot

Always my favourite day! Not really sure why but I love epcot. I've grown fonder off it as I've got older and now it's my number 1. Was EMH this morning, so by 10am we had done soarin, test track, mission space and the finding nemo ride. We then spent a good hour in mouse gears which is maybe out favourite shop in disney. We both spent well on stuff for us and also gifts for back home. Had a basket each, so got it shipped back to resort.
It was now 11am so went over to world showcase and ate at Mexico. Shared a nachos and frozen pomegranate margarita. Both were absolutely delicious. The margarita was very strong! As food and wine was on we are at a few kiosks whilst walking around the world showcase. We had roasted bratwurst from Germany, waffle with chocolate ganache from Belgium and salted caramel creme brûlée from France. These were all really good. We've done food and wine before and really love it. We're big foodies and being able to do this at epcot is bliss. Resting now before going back to Epcot for dinner at food and wine. Will aim to work through plenty more kiosks and do more shopping as well!!