We're here!

[starrysky]

Yesterday we took the boat from DHS to the swan and dolphin to get our tickets for the classic on Friday. Then we took the boat from there to the boardwalk. Had a walk around as we have never done that before. Really nice and very peaceful.
Then we took a walk over to Epcot as DH wanted to get some aftershave in the givenchy store and tequila from Mexico. We decided to have lunch in morocco as we were hungry. It was much better than last year and tasted much fresher.
We then had a slow stroll and sampled a couple of wines and DH had a small beer.
Once we were done with that we took the monorail over to the TTC to go to the poly just to have a look around. Got a yummy free cookie from a lovely lady that was giving them out around the lobby.
We then headed to DTD to catch up with a friend who works at House of Blues so that was lovely.
Quick trip back to the resort to change before dinner at the wave.
Dinner was excellent though if I had known most people would be dressed in park stuff I would not have bothered to change. Food was excellent DH had the flat iron steak with gratin potatoes ( he said the cheese used was a bit over powering) steak was tender and cooked the way he liked. I had the beef tenderloin which came with parsnip and potato mash with green beans. The tenderloin had been done with a salted herb coating which gave a nice flavour with out being salty.
Desert was a creamy indulgence for DH and an American flavours for me. Stand out from all the selections was my pumpkin bread pudding.
As you can see DH and I just like to wonder around we enjoy that we don't have to be bound by set times and even with not going on any rides we got a lot done.

 

[crabbie1]

Yesterday we took the boat from DHS to the swan and dolphin to get our tickets for the classic on Friday. Then we took the boat from there to the boardwalk. Had a walk around as we have never done that before. Really nice and very peaceful.
Then we took a walk over to Epcot as DH wanted to get some aftershave in the givenchy store and tequila from Mexico. We decided to have lunch in morocco as we were hungry. It was much better than last year and tasted much fresher.
We then had a slow stroll and sampled a couple of wines and DH had a small beer.
Once we were done with that we took the monorail over to the TTC to go to the poly just to have a look around. Got a yummy free cookie from a lovely lady that was giving them out around the lobby.
We then headed to DTD to catch up with a friend who works at House of Blues so that was lovely.
Quick trip back to the resort to change before dinner at the wave.
Dinner was excellent though if I had known most people would be dressed in park stuff I would not have bothered to change. Food was excellent DH had the flat iron steak with gratin potatoes ( he said the cheese used was a bit over powering) steak was tender and cooked the way he liked. I had the beef tenderloin which came with parsnip and potato mash with green beans. The tenderloin had been done with a salted herb coating which gave a nice flavour with out being salty.
Desert was a creamy indulgence for DH and an American flavours for me. Stand out from all the selections was my pumpkin bread pudding.
As you can see DH and I just like to wonder around we enjoy that we don't have to be bound by set times and even with not going on any rides we got a lot done.

Sounds great. Next year will be my first trip without DD11 so just me and DB. Feel sick thinking about it as have never been without her. There is so much I have not done and wanted to like keys to the kingdom so this will be the ideal time. I think the basic plan is great and Im definitely going to try the Wave this time. Did u like it? We stayed at BLT last time but I was ill so had to cancel it. You seem to be doing lots and moving parks which I am yet to try as well. Did you see any signs of the dvc villas at the poly? I really want to buy there but will probably be all sold out by next november/dec. anyway great to read. Hope the weathers good. Without going back to the beginning are you on the ddp or using ur TIW card and paying oop? We did the latter last time and found it really good getting the 20%off which covered the tip.

 

[starrysky]

Sounds great. Next year will be my first trip without DD11 so just me and DB. Feel sick thinking about it as have never been without her. There is so much I have not done and wanted to like keys to the kingdom so this will be the ideal time. I think the basic plan is great and Im definitely going to try the Wave this time. Did u like it? We stayed at BLT last time but I was ill so had to cancel it. You seem to be doing lots and moving parks which I am yet to try as well. Did you see any signs of the dvc villas at the poly? I really want to buy there but will probably be all sold out by next november/dec. anyway great to read. Hope the weathers good. Without going back to the beginning are you on the ddp or using ur TIW card and paying oop? We did the latter last time and found it really good getting the 20%off which covered the tip.

We really enjoyed the wave have eaten three times before so last night was the fourth.
I have not seen any thing at the poly yet but there is construction all over the place. Not intrusive just a lot of it.
We are on the quick service plan so just paying oop for the TS meals. We have not got many booked so it's not a big deal to pay oop.
We tend to hop around as we feel like it's not about going on the rides all the time for us we love to soak up the atmosphere. Tour wise DH is not very keen on tbh I think he feels it would spoil the magic. I think the only one he would like to do is the behind the seeds at Epcot.

Today we went shopping. We headed to DTD for breakfast at WGPE which was great and still one of the best deals on the QSP. After breakfast we hopped a taxi to the Florida mall and hit a few shops there. Once we were done at the mall we headed back via the outlet on Vineland ave. few more shops got some of our hard earned cash lol.
Taxi back to DTD and then bus back to the resort.
Tonight is dinner with friends so looking forward to that.

 

[edinburghlass]

We did a similar resort tour via DHS, Swan and Dolphin, boat to Boardwalk area, the Bakery for a snack before walking around then boat to Epcot and monorail to the Poly where we had lunch at Capt Cooks with a Dole Whip

The day we used our voucher for Characters in Flight we had breakfast after at WGPE, it was almost as good as their meatloaf for dinner

 

[starrysky]

So Thursday night was dinner at Boston lobster feast. It's ok food but it's not gourmet we all said we probably would not go back.
Yesterday we went to MK to do mostly shopping as we wanted some decorations from the Christmas shop that the one at DTD did not have. We grabbed lunch at CCH but it was very crowded. Really bugs me when people hog tables when they have not got food.
Last night we went over to the swan and dolphin for the food and wine classic. It was really good. Plenty of wines and a nice selection of food. Much more up market and also there were very few kids.
Today we are going to hit Epcot to finally sample the offerings there.

 

[starrysky]

Saturday was Epcot day and boy was it HOT and BUSY. We were there at a weekend last year and none of us remember it being so crowded. Lines for. Ost of the booths were crazy long. The one for the beer stall in Germany was looped around so many times must have been an hour wait.
We wanted tequila and sangrita so it took almost 45 mins to get into the tequila cave. When we left the line was out the door of the pavilion.
We had a great time but I honestly don't recall it ever being so buy.
Sunday was a lazy day with lunch at futons. Good service and food just wish we had just had a main course as we were stuffed after the starters.
Today was MK so we had fast passes booked. We hit the park just after 1pm after doing some laundry. The laundry at POFQ only takes credit cards now for payment.
The park was CRAZY busy and the lines for fast pass return were crazy. We went to pooh and waited over 20mins with a fast pass.
We got stuck inside the HM for almost 20mis but it was in the bit after the stretching room seemed to have been some sort of issue as there were maintenance people there.
After that we headed to buzz where we wait almost 45mins in the fast pass line. The excuse was that they had a lot of people in wheel chairs but to be honest all the fast pass lines have been super long at most of the rides it's not all down to that. We did stop a couple of times on the ride so DH and I maxed out our scores for the first time ever.
After that we went on the TTA, carousel of progress, tiki room and small world to kill time before or BOG ADR.
BOG is simpy stunning and the server we had that took us to our table and the one that took our orders were awesome. We both had the streak which was lovely and tender and the veg and fries were good. DH had the strawberry cupcake and I had the lemon both nice and not so huge to be hard to finish. We then had a look around the rest of the restaurant and had our photo taken with the beast. We got out just in time for the fire works. Stood on the bridge at BOG that is the best spot if you want to be surrounded they go off all around you and it was spectacular. We then had a quick ride on the voyage of the little mermaid before a slow walk back to the bus. Caught the end of the projection show on the castle as we were heading out which is cute.

 

[wayneg]

We left most parks early afternoon last week, lines worse than we get in August, certainly never had to wait in a Fastpass line in August which we had to a few times last week.
We went to Epcot 3 times while there, no way would I stand in some of the lines for a tiny portion of overpriced food or a tiny sample of drink. Only place I stood in line was Karens favourite stand in Mexico for a Margarita, stood there about 15 mins one evening. We only went in for the Eat to the Beat concerts and CS meals.

 

[Elise79]

We left most parks early afternoon last week, lines worse than we get in August, certainly never had to wait in a Fastpass line in August which we had to a few times last week. We went to Epcot 3 times while there, no way would I stand in some of the lines for a tiny portion of overpriced food or a tiny sample of drink. Only place I stood in line was Karens favourite stand in Mexico for a Margarita, stood there about 15 mins one evening. We only went in for the Eat to the Beat concerts and CS meals.

If Karen like margaritas she should try some from La Cava del tequila inside the Mexico pavilion - they make some really good ones

 

[edinburghlass]

We left most parks early afternoon last week, lines worse than we get in August, certainly never had to wait in a Fastpass line in August which we had to a few times last week.
We went to Epcot 3 times while there, no way would I stand in some of the lines for a tiny portion of overpriced food or a tiny sample of drink. Only place I stood in line was Karens favourite stand in Mexico for a Margarita, stood there about 15 mins one evening. We only went in for the Eat to the Beat concerts and CS meals.

I couldn't believe the pictures of the queues on easywdw and why people would actually stand in the line for so long?

We did enjoy the food stands at the Flower and Garden this year in May but the most people in lines would be half a dozen.

 

[bazzanoid]

Totally agree - we were at MK yesterday and having arrived at 9.15 and not got into the park till gone 10 thanks to queues at the ferry and monorail, we did little mermaid, had lunch at Be Our Guest at about half eleven then gave up and went home, it was stupid busy! Not had crowds like that anywhere for the rest of our stay so far, we've been slamming through an entire park in a morning including shops and photo taking, so this was an epic fail of a day as far as we're concerned.

By comparison last week we managed to cover both universal parks in one day including two rides on Forbidden Journey, multiple rides on Mummy and Rockit etc. Still, two weeks to go so hopefully we can grab MK on a quieter day at some point!

 

[starrysky]

If Karen like margaritas she should try some from La Cava del tequila inside the Mexico pavilion - they make some really good ones

The outside stand serves most of the same margaritas as the cava does but my lot wanted sangrita which only you get in the bar.
We used almost all of our snack credits on the samples.

 

[starrysky]

Today was Epcot we had fast pass for a couple of rides. We did soarin, Ellen, living with the land and Nemo. Overall it was VERY quiet in comparison to the last week and a bit. We did not get to the park until 1pm and fast pass for test track and soarin were all gone. However the longest waits were 60mins. It was way more what we are used to at this time of year.
A couple gave us fast passes they had spare which we then passed to another couple as we did not need them. We picked them as we overheard them taking to a CM and it was clearly the first time they had ever been. The look on their faces was priceless.
Lunch was sunshine seasons which again like last time was very good.
Soarin was good and I noticed no black lines or other things in the film but the scents were gone.
We did a sort of mini pack tonight to check what space we had left good news is I can do a tiny bit more shopping
Headed up to riverside for dinner and had the pasta which was good as always.
Still really hot but they said it's supposed to cool down in the next few days.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Sounds like you're having a great time.

How do you find POFQ compared to OKW? I see you've stayed at both resorts a couple of times. We've just returned from OKW and while we loved the resort, we found the buses a bit of a nightmare. We stayed at POFQ for two nights in 2011 and we really enjoyed the quaint feel.

 

[starrysky]

Sounds like you're having a great time. How do you find POFQ compared to OKW? I see you've stayed at both resorts a couple of times. We've just returned from OKW and while we loved the resort, we found the buses a bit of a nightmare. We stayed at POFQ for two nights in 2011 and we really enjoyed the quaint feel.

We found that our two visits to OKW were both good but yes the buses seemed to take forever to get around.
We might end up back at OKW next yard if we book again as POFQ seems to be sold out for the dates we want.
We love POFQ and find that the small size of the resort works well for us.

 

[Julia Ann]

Sounds like you are having a great time. So do you think it was mainly the weekend that was exceptionally busy?

 

[starrysky]

Sounds like you are having a great time. So do you think it was mainly the weekend that was exceptionally busy?

Not really it was all last week but it really ramped up at the weekend. Not stopped us from having a good time. As I said I was totally unsure about the fast pass plus but it has helped us out. I would like the option to select the time a bit better and I would like the option to book more than just one park per day which would suit our touring style better.

 

[starrysky]

Ok last few days have been a bit of a whirl wind. Went back to the outlet mall at Vineland. Couple more things bought so successful trip.
Back to animal kingdom today so lion king, safari (finally saw the zebra) and bug plus lunch in Dino land. Still not sure about Dino land it really does not feel right.
Took the bus from AK to DTD nice service but it drops you off all the way at the west end so it's a bit of a walk if you want to get back to the boat to POFQ
Tonight we have been packing up our things ready for an early trip to MK tomorrow before our bus takes us away from our happy place at 3:10pm
Think we are ok in terms of weight for the suitcases thank heavens we packed extra carry on bags lol.
Dinner tonight at Cali grill for our last night tradition. Looking forward to seeing the fireworks and what the re imagined restaurant looks like. Hoping the meal is better than last year. But as I said it's our tradition to go for our last night meal. If it's not good we will start a new tradition.

Anyone has any questions give me a shout.