disneyholic family
disney on my mind....
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you mean there's no elevator? how'd she manage?
We're here! Probably not a trip report
- Thread starter london75
- Start date
Elise79
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- Aug 17, 2006
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If the playground was between FW & WS near Canada it was left over from the Brave thing that finished last week. It was nice as they had shaded seats for the adults plus free wifi - sorry you missed it. I wish they would keep one year round really.
With regard to your over-cooked steaks - do you not send them back or tell your server? Over-cooked steak is a pet hate of mine and I always let them know so they can correct it.
OKW only has 3 buildings with elevators
I know I said I wouldn't write about yesterday but I just have to say California Grill, wow. We had possibly one of the nicest meals ever anywhere last night. We got there a little early and as I'd read the parking lot gets full went for valet which was a nice touch rather than drag the family in their dresses and nice shoes between parked cars. We checked in and they asked if we'd mind seating early if a table was available. I'd booked 9:10 to try and ensure we were seated for fireworks and it was 8:30 but said yes anyway making a mental note to have a starter.
We got paged straight away and were given a window seat with an absolutely perfect view. Ordered a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and sat back to admire the sky going dark over MK. I had the gnocchi followed by oak fired beef and Jo the rock shrimp salad followed by scallops. All was excellent but I particularly need to commend the steak. It was the most succulent, tender and tasty Filet I have ever had, it was a perfect cut, not a grisly, fatty or chewy bit on it, from beginning to end it was perfect and beautifully pink inside. I could have eaten it again!
We stayed to finish the bottle and watch the firework during desserts then our car was brought to us and we went home. What a tremendous night.
Hollywood Studios today and Mama Melrose which we always enjoy although think we've been spoilt now.
We got paged straight away and were given a window seat with an absolutely perfect view. Ordered a bottle of Veuve Clicquot and sat back to admire the sky going dark over MK. I had the gnocchi followed by oak fired beef and Jo the rock shrimp salad followed by scallops. All was excellent but I particularly need to commend the steak. It was the most succulent, tender and tasty Filet I have ever had, it was a perfect cut, not a grisly, fatty or chewy bit on it, from beginning to end it was perfect and beautifully pink inside. I could have eaten it again!
We stayed to finish the bottle and watch the firework during desserts then our car was brought to us and we went home. What a tremendous night.
Hollywood Studios today and Mama Melrose which we always enjoy although think we've been spoilt now.
Mrs Doubtfire
DIS Veteran
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- Feb 27, 2006
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So glad you enjoyed CG - we have been on Christmas Day (at night) a few times as a special treat and have always enjoyed it
You can tell it's nearing the end of the holiday as we're all sleeping in longer and doing less!
Day 9 - HS and Mama Melrose
As we had the 4 free fastpasses from the other day that expired on the 15th we did some shuffling and decided to go to Hollywood Studios on Sunday. Poppy has started being more adventurous in the last couple of days so we thought we'd get her on TSM to show her it's not at all scary. We had lunch at Mama Melrose which was nice enough but our waitress was younger and didn't have any rapport with the kids which was a shame as that used to be their favourite restaurant. I think I had steak again and Jo had the pork, both very tasty but I've got to stop having steak all the time lol.
A bit of rain set in and we decided to call it a day after riding TSM and getting Brazalianed on on more than one occasion (that's a new word to describe what happens when you're having a nice time somewhere when 14,000 15 year olds chanting, singing and generally being annoyingly young turn up and ruin your enjoyment). We set off for the villa and a swim but hadn't realised it had got so late in the afternoon so I took the girls for a quick swim while Jo stayed in and got ready to go out that evening.
We had decided earlier to got to DTD and choose the girls a princess dress which has also become an annual event. Unfortunately Daisy had completely ignored the basic rules I'd set at the pool as I was on my own with two of them like don't take arm bands off without telling me first and get out now means get out now etc so I had to make an issue of it and not get the dresses which set the tone for the evening. It's my fault they're spoilt really but I try to be fair about it. Anyway, after a nice meal in Wolfgang Puck Express again we wondered around a few shops, saw plenty we wanted to buy, got Brazilianed and went back home.
It was pretty late by now but Daisy's body clock is bonkers so she was wide awake and kept me awake too then woke me again at 5am! I got back to sleep and suddenly it was 10am...
Day 9 - HS and Mama Melrose
As we had the 4 free fastpasses from the other day that expired on the 15th we did some shuffling and decided to go to Hollywood Studios on Sunday. Poppy has started being more adventurous in the last couple of days so we thought we'd get her on TSM to show her it's not at all scary. We had lunch at Mama Melrose which was nice enough but our waitress was younger and didn't have any rapport with the kids which was a shame as that used to be their favourite restaurant. I think I had steak again and Jo had the pork, both very tasty but I've got to stop having steak all the time lol.
A bit of rain set in and we decided to call it a day after riding TSM and getting Brazalianed on on more than one occasion (that's a new word to describe what happens when you're having a nice time somewhere when 14,000 15 year olds chanting, singing and generally being annoyingly young turn up and ruin your enjoyment). We set off for the villa and a swim but hadn't realised it had got so late in the afternoon so I took the girls for a quick swim while Jo stayed in and got ready to go out that evening.
We had decided earlier to got to DTD and choose the girls a princess dress which has also become an annual event. Unfortunately Daisy had completely ignored the basic rules I'd set at the pool as I was on my own with two of them like don't take arm bands off without telling me first and get out now means get out now etc so I had to make an issue of it and not get the dresses which set the tone for the evening. It's my fault they're spoilt really but I try to be fair about it. Anyway, after a nice meal in Wolfgang Puck Express again we wondered around a few shops, saw plenty we wanted to buy, got Brazilianed and went back home.
It was pretty late by now but Daisy's body clock is bonkers so she was wide awake and kept me awake too then woke me again at 5am! I got back to sleep and suddenly it was 10am...
Day 10 - Quick Epcot and MK
..after sleeping in until 10 and sitting with a cup of tea until 10:30 I suddenly realised it was Coral Reef at 11:30 arrgh.
Cue a frantic quick wipe with a flannel of the kids and sling some clothes not hen head off in the car to Epcot. We're only going in for the meal so don't bother with all of the junk we usually take including camera which is nice but I really regret as we get given a cracking table by the aquarium and a ray sits watching us eat all the way through. Jo has Mahi Mahi which was very tasty and I have steak..again, really must try something other than steak lol. The kids do well with their meals and Daisy has finally started letting me chose her food as she always chooses macaroni cheese and gets disappointed when it's not exactly the right kind of orange muck she likes at Pinocchio's Village Haus!
After a cheeky Nemo and a trip through Innoventions to star in our own video game we head back to the villa and pool. Unfortunately the rain starts coming down but I decide to stay in, Jo hasn't actually go to the point of swimming yet and shelters under the canopy of the laundry (we're at the small pool at South Point) and there she stays while a massive storm passes about 3 miles away. The rain was spectacular bouncing off the water leading to splashes about 2 feet high over the surface. For some time we all persevere as it's freezing when you get out of the warm water into the hard rain but in the end even I have to concede it's not going to stop so I get the girls under cover and go back for the car to pick them up.
After all getting dry Jo is quite prepared to settle down for the evening (6PM) but knowing I'll regret having a nothing day when I'm back at week in a week's time I take the girls out to MK again for an evening out. We have a great time and get on loads of rides leaving just before fireworks.
We've done loads but really wish we had three weeks here. We're all just beginning to settle in and get into the flow. Maybe we'll do the whole summer thing next year.
Today is a nothing day but I'm going to get everyone up in a minute and go to Animal Kingdom I think, our first attempt was rained off and it's a shame not to safari at least once!
..after sleeping in until 10 and sitting with a cup of tea until 10:30 I suddenly realised it was Coral Reef at 11:30 arrgh.
Cue a frantic quick wipe with a flannel of the kids and sling some clothes not hen head off in the car to Epcot. We're only going in for the meal so don't bother with all of the junk we usually take including camera which is nice but I really regret as we get given a cracking table by the aquarium and a ray sits watching us eat all the way through. Jo has Mahi Mahi which was very tasty and I have steak..again, really must try something other than steak lol. The kids do well with their meals and Daisy has finally started letting me chose her food as she always chooses macaroni cheese and gets disappointed when it's not exactly the right kind of orange muck she likes at Pinocchio's Village Haus!
After a cheeky Nemo and a trip through Innoventions to star in our own video game we head back to the villa and pool. Unfortunately the rain starts coming down but I decide to stay in, Jo hasn't actually go to the point of swimming yet and shelters under the canopy of the laundry (we're at the small pool at South Point) and there she stays while a massive storm passes about 3 miles away. The rain was spectacular bouncing off the water leading to splashes about 2 feet high over the surface. For some time we all persevere as it's freezing when you get out of the warm water into the hard rain but in the end even I have to concede it's not going to stop so I get the girls under cover and go back for the car to pick them up.
After all getting dry Jo is quite prepared to settle down for the evening (6PM) but knowing I'll regret having a nothing day when I'm back at week in a week's time I take the girls out to MK again for an evening out. We have a great time and get on loads of rides leaving just before fireworks.
We've done loads but really wish we had three weeks here. We're all just beginning to settle in and get into the flow. Maybe we'll do the whole summer thing next year.
Today is a nothing day but I'm going to get everyone up in a minute and go to Animal Kingdom I think, our first attempt was rained off and it's a shame not to safari at least once!
dixonsontour
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- Apr 14, 2008
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Thanks for all the updates
Might as well finish the week now, at least it'll act as a diary for us and the kids!
Day 11 - Animal Kingdom
Well, I got up at 7am, got the family up at 8am and we went out for 9 which is impressive by recent standards. Although no-one wanted to get up, everyone was glad we did later in the day so I'm getting them up again today lol.
We went straight off to Animal Kingdom and started off up to Asia to get fast passes for Kali river rapids as we thought the girls might enjoy it. The fast pass time was for only 45 minutes time which was the same as the standby queue which was a bit awkward as we had to go and do something else and return in time which rules out shows. So we head off to Dinoland for Daisy to go on Primeval Whirl and I'd promised they could play those funfair games to win more rubbishy toys. I bought 6 tickets thinking it would take a few goes to win something but when we sat down, the CMs kept arranging it so that the girls just played each other. First Daisy won (2 tickets) then Poppy won (2 more) and we had 2 tickets left so the CM suggested we head to the dinosaur race course game which was empty. Daisy won and Poppy was great about it but looked a bit sad I suppose when I said we'd run out of tickets. Cue new CM winking at Poppy and in an obvious but pretend underhand way slipped her a toy too.
Now there is another reason I love Disney and I dislike Universal. I know Disney is expensive and all that but I never ever feel like the reason I'm at Disney is for them to extract my money. It always feels like a choice and one we generally make in fairness. Recent experiences of Universal (and we've not gone this year) are that if they can get one more dollar out of you, they'll try.
In truth, I've not missed the other parks at all this year. The kids have asked about sea world but I think if they remembered exactly what they like there it's mostly the playground!
We struggled a bit for somewhere to eat that satisfied every one ending up at the barbecue place but it was a reasonable meal although the girls ate nothing. I think their body clocks are shifted off as they were much hungrier later int he day. The one good thing was I got a 20% voucher off Disney merchandise before 12 noon in a handful of shops including World of Disney and the Emporium at MK so that should make it easier on the credit card getting dresses and present for nephews and nieces back home!
The weather appeared to be deteriorating and we'd planned on Downtown Disney and the cinema one day if it rained so we headed to AMC to watch Brave which was brilliant. We got some really comfy seats and there was loads of space as it was midday and the girls were great and didn't fall asleep which is testament to the film to be honest as they always fall asleep.
After a tour around the shops and another meal in Cookes where I had the battered sausages for a change (very nice) and the girls ate well, we called it a day and headed to the villa. I'd been planning on swimming as I can feel work approaching (they've even been emailing me the last few days!) but the evening passed, put a film on and played lego and before we knew it, it was bedtime.
Today is our second Teppan Edo trip but we'll probably spend the morning in MK and use that voucher.
Day 11 - Animal Kingdom
Well, I got up at 7am, got the family up at 8am and we went out for 9 which is impressive by recent standards. Although no-one wanted to get up, everyone was glad we did later in the day so I'm getting them up again today lol.
We went straight off to Animal Kingdom and started off up to Asia to get fast passes for Kali river rapids as we thought the girls might enjoy it. The fast pass time was for only 45 minutes time which was the same as the standby queue which was a bit awkward as we had to go and do something else and return in time which rules out shows. So we head off to Dinoland for Daisy to go on Primeval Whirl and I'd promised they could play those funfair games to win more rubbishy toys. I bought 6 tickets thinking it would take a few goes to win something but when we sat down, the CMs kept arranging it so that the girls just played each other. First Daisy won (2 tickets) then Poppy won (2 more) and we had 2 tickets left so the CM suggested we head to the dinosaur race course game which was empty. Daisy won and Poppy was great about it but looked a bit sad I suppose when I said we'd run out of tickets. Cue new CM winking at Poppy and in an obvious but pretend underhand way slipped her a toy too.
Now there is another reason I love Disney and I dislike Universal. I know Disney is expensive and all that but I never ever feel like the reason I'm at Disney is for them to extract my money. It always feels like a choice and one we generally make in fairness. Recent experiences of Universal (and we've not gone this year) are that if they can get one more dollar out of you, they'll try.
In truth, I've not missed the other parks at all this year. The kids have asked about sea world but I think if they remembered exactly what they like there it's mostly the playground!
We struggled a bit for somewhere to eat that satisfied every one ending up at the barbecue place but it was a reasonable meal although the girls ate nothing. I think their body clocks are shifted off as they were much hungrier later int he day. The one good thing was I got a 20% voucher off Disney merchandise before 12 noon in a handful of shops including World of Disney and the Emporium at MK so that should make it easier on the credit card getting dresses and present for nephews and nieces back home!
The weather appeared to be deteriorating and we'd planned on Downtown Disney and the cinema one day if it rained so we headed to AMC to watch Brave which was brilliant. We got some really comfy seats and there was loads of space as it was midday and the girls were great and didn't fall asleep which is testament to the film to be honest as they always fall asleep.
After a tour around the shops and another meal in Cookes where I had the battered sausages for a change (very nice) and the girls ate well, we called it a day and headed to the villa. I'd been planning on swimming as I can feel work approaching (they've even been emailing me the last few days!) but the evening passed, put a film on and played lego and before we knew it, it was bedtime.
Today is our second Teppan Edo trip but we'll probably spend the morning in MK and use that voucher.
dixonsontour
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Good news they are doing the 20% off again.
See it was fate you didn't buy the dresses the other day - 20% off two $65 dresses is not to be sniffed at.
See it was fate you didn't buy the dresses the other day - 20% off two $65 dresses is not to be sniffed at.
dixonsontour
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What dresses did the choose?
Daisy has a glittery Minnie Mouse and handbag and Poppy has the new Sleeping Beauty and tiara. We got other things too hence the $400. The 20% off was very timely.
They look very pretty in them, hoping they'll keep them nice for the last evening meal in 1900 Park Fare on Friday though!
queendisney
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- May 31, 2010
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so enjoying your TR..not long until we go and its really making me mega excited reading your report. How did you get the 20% voucher? Mind you if I had one I know for a fact that I would spend a lot more then If I didn't have one, if you get my meaning?!
so enjoying your TR..not long until we go and its really making me mega excited reading your report. How did you get the 20% voucher? Mind you if I had one I know for a fact that I would spend a lot more then If I didn't have one, if you get my meaning?!
It was just from buying lunch at the barbecue place in Animal Kingdom, it was on the end of the receipt. We ate quite early around 11:30 and sometimes that can be a factor but otherwise no idea why it was that day and that place. Not sure I noticed others getting them!
dixonsontour
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When we got a coupon a few years ago selected QS were giving them out - we got one at casey's in MK. Not heard of them doing it recently though.
They had to be used before 12 noon.
They had to be used before 12 noon.
Fantasia Sam
I've been here so much longer!
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- Feb 5, 2000
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Result!!
Can I just say that I am absolutely loving reading your report..... it sounds so idyllic yet fun that I can't believe that you're not there for 3 weeks either! You're so chilled... THIS is how a Disney vacation should be if possible... lots of pool time and chillaxing... I think you guys are all going to feel like you had a holiday when you come back which is a good thing given so many come back NEEDING a holiday to get over this one LOL
Ooooo yes save their dresses for 1900 Park Fare.
I cannot wait to see Brave!!!!
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