Well, that didn't go just quite as planned ..... an Aug/Sept 17 Update 07/12

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Day 11, September 01

Off the boat and on with the party - part 3

Didn’t take long and we had arrived at the park, scanned our Magic Bands and been given our wristbands and off we went into the park.


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They made party guests take the usually closed walkway to the right of the entrance, where we picked up our treat bags and our first treats. Once inside we were thinking about what to do first and since we were already close to Tomorrowland we were headed that way. Teresa and Mick went to ride Space Mountain, while the rest of us went on the Peoplemover.
When we got off they had started to open the treat stations and we went to collect a few ones before hitting Buzz Lightyear and then heading towards Fantasyland.

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We made sure to hit every treat station along the way and stopped in the Big Top Tent as it had started to drizzle. But not even a drizzle could stop us from riding Dumbo.

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Time just flew by having fun and walking around laughing and collecting treats and riding some more rides. They had to push back the fireworks because of rain, but we did not mind and rode the Mine Train in our ponchos. After it had stopped raining we just made it to Fantasyland, behind the castle to watch the fireworks from there.
They were just going off overhead and it was an awesome spot to watch, especially as there were just a few people there. We were criss crossing the park and taking it all in, laughing all the way and finally made it in time to watch the second parade.

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There was still time to fit in a few more rides and a few more treat stations, but all too soon the evening came to an end and it was time to say goodbye to our friends and head back to our resort, where we fell in bed.

To be continued ........
 
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Day 12, September 02

Tired and feeling not too well - part 1

Having had to get up early and play at the party had left its mark on us.
We were tired and slept in. Only around 9.30am did we make it out of bed and we just grabbed some of the snacks for breakfast,

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before we got out the door and down to the car to drive to Disney Springs.

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Things had changed quite a bit since we had last been the year before, so we strolled around a bit, popped in and out of the different shops and spent quite a bit of time exploring. Around midday we decided to try the Polite Pig for lunch.
We had seen the menu and photos of some food items and it looked really tasty.
So we headed over there and found the line out the door.
We were not quite sure if we should get in line, but since we could see the line moving pretty fast, we did. Soon we were at the register and placed our order. To our big surprise it was pretty easy to find a table,

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we placed our number and Tom went for some drinks and some of their sauces,

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while I guarded the table and nursed the head cold that I had brought home from the Dream. Tom had only sat down for a minute or two when the food arrived. Not knowing what to expect we had opted for two sandwiches,

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the Smoked & Fried Chicken Sandwich, Sweet and Smoky BBQ, Duke's Mayo, Pickles and Romaine Slaw with a Pickle Spear and a

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USDA Prime Brisket Sandwich with Pimento Cheese, Lil' John's BBQ, Pickled Jalapeños and Crispy Onions, served with a Pickle Spear and a side of

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Crispy Brussels Sprouts in a Whiskey-caramel. They both were so good and we were pretty sure that we would return to the restaurant. Unfortunately I was developing a headache and the heavens were opening up again, so we decided to just head back to the resort. Thankfully we had parked in the garage that is just next to the Polite Pig, so we hot footed it over, got into the car and off we went.
We were super lucky as we got to the resort just before the rain had gotten there and we made it to the room.
I was very tired and had a nap, while Tom checked up on things on the internet and watched a little TV.
When I got up again it was late afternoon and we both did not feel like going to a park any more. But what to do with the evening?
Well, why not find a nice place to have dinner at. So on to the app we went to find a restaurant. We were very surprised to find quite a few options and decided on Jiko.
It just left us enough time to shower, get into suitable clothes and out the door we went.
It is quite a drive to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, but we made it with a tiny bit of time to spare, parked the car and hiked to the resort and restaurant. We signed in and were told that they were running a bit behind and would we just wait.
We sure did.
About 10 minutes later we were led to our table and handed a menu. And then we were on our own. It took quite some time for a server to get to our table. He offered us some hot towels, which were lovely and we placed our order. A little later the server brought

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some nice rolls and some butter. We had decided on sharing a starter and it took quite some time until it hit our table, but we finally got to enjoy the

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Brick Oven-cooked Red Shrimp, Congolese Pili Pili Butter, Maize-fried Okra, Avocado and Peppadews.
It was more than enough for us to share and something that you don’t get every day.
We were pretty pleased with the food, but the air conditioning let me feel my cold again and even though I had a jacket I was shivering.
Again, it took some time until the plate was cleared away and our main courses were served.
And maybe it just felt longer because I was feeling cold, but then finally we were served our main courses. Tom had ordered the

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Mrouzia-style Moroccan Lamb Tagine, Parsnip silk, root spinach, medjool date smoor and a pomegranate glaze. I hadn’t felt like some heavy meat, so I had ordered the

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Maize-crusted Halibut, with Vegetables of the moment and tomato-butter sauce, which was really really nice and light enough. Once we were finished with our main courses we were ready for the bill and heading outside where it was warmer, but instead of the bill the server brought us

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two lovely cookies and told us that the bill would come a little later as they were having problems with the computers and applying the annual passholder discount. But finally we were presented our bill, settled it and off we went.
We walked outside to warm up a bit and watched the animals for a while before heading back inside, checking out the store and then heading for the car and driving back to the resort. We walked along Cresent Lake, as it was such a nice evening and we had been inside quite a bit that day, but after about half an hour we gave in and headed back to our room, where I went right to bed because I was so tired.

To be continued ........
 


Yassss!!! We need to plan your retirement trip too!

Jill in CO
 


It looks like I am getting back into the swing of things. :goodvibes
Winter here has been LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG and cold, we just are no longer used to it being that way and it really got to me (must be my age ;))

but .........

a few things have happened in the meantime.

Let me explain.

When we returned home from our extended 2018 vacation it was "kind of" set in stone that we would not be able to return to WDW in 2019. I have signed up for a year off work (in 2020/2021), which will be paid for as I am currently on only 2/3s of my salery (for two years) then have a year off. So spending money, especially on expensive US vacations was cut. Well, we both were good with it, as it would give me a year off.

And then Disney comes up with a Free DDP, early in the new year.

Guess what ..... one afternoon I jokingly went to check how much it would cost us going to a value resort.

And oh wait .........

this would be in the budget.
So the penny pinching started and after some time we took the plunge

and

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again this summer!

:jumping1: party: :jumping1: party: :jumping1: party: :jumping1:

Please stay tuned for our plans so far (need to return to work for a conference, but will post at least the first part this evening)

 
Wow! So glad you will be able to have a trip in 2019.
I always look forward to reading about you and Tom's adventures!
 
Hi! I'm a long-time lurker on your trip reports. I just wanted to say I'm thrilled for you that you'll be taking a Disney vacation this year! Can't wait to hear more!
 
Woot woot! I need details!!!

Jill in CO

Details coming soon. Just got home from work/school. :scared1:

Wow! So glad you will be able to have a trip in 2019.
I always look forward to reading about you and Tom's adventures!

Thank you! We were over the moon, once we were sure we would be able to go. And thanks for sticking with me and still reading my TRs. :goodvibes

Hi! I'm a long-time lurker on your trip reports. I just wanted to say I'm thrilled for you that you'll be taking a Disney vacation this year! Can't wait to hear more!

Welcome! I just LOVE it when a lurker comes out of lurkdome. I really like to know my readers.
And thank you for being as excited as we are for having another trip on the horizon. I am counting the days .........
:bounce:
 
So, let's have a look at what we have planned so far ..........

As I mentioned earlier we booked a 14 night Free quick service package at Pop Century. I immediately started exploring quick service restaurants and found lots that looked interesting. We then decided that we both would pick ONE table service restaurant as a special treat. Guess what, we had a hard time deciding.

I then started to look for flights and discovered that returning after the initial 14 nights was way more expensive than staying a few more nights. So I started looking at how many DVC points I was willing to borrow from 2020. (I had spent all of our banked and recent points and had even borrowed all of 2019 points for last years vacation so borrowing from 2020 was the only option)
Well, long story short - I booked and modified and cancelled and rebooked and modified and we ended up with 2 more nights at AoA in a Little Mermaid room (always wanted to try that and moving from Pop to AoA should be easy) followed by three nights at BLT and three nights at BCV in a standard view room (you need to be close to Epcot if you are hoping for an early start of F&W).
Little did we know that Star Wars GE would fall within our vacation.

And then we decided to upgrade from quick service to the regular DDP. (For just 600$ more, 28 table service meals seemed to be a no brainer!)

But let's start with what we have planned so far.
Or at least for the first few days .......... (and as with anything Disney - things are subject to change)

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Day 1

Leave home at 8, fly out of home town at 10am

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and arrive at MCO at 5.50pm (including a 6 hour time change)

Immigration

Pick up rental car

Check in at Pop Century resort (Free Dining package)

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Have dinner at either Pop Century or Wolfgang Puck’s Express (depending on time of check in and/or level of tiredness)

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Day 2

It has been a tradition to start off a vacation at the Magic Kingdom, so this is where we intend to head after breakfast at the resort.

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We will have lunch at Be Our Guest

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in the early afternoon and after that we intend to leave and do some offsite shopping before heading over to Epcot for the rest of the afternoon.

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Plans are to take the Monorail back to the Magic Kingdom and have a drink at the Top of the World Lounge

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before watching the fireworks from the deck.

And after the fireworks we can still grab a bite to eat from Contempo Cafe if we feel like it.


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Day 3

We hope to sleep in a bit before heading back to the Magic Kingdom again.

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Around noon we will enjoy the Festival of Fantasy Parade Lunch Dining Package

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at Tony’s Town Square.

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And after watching the parade we will return to the resort for some rest time.

In the late afternoon we hope to make our way to the Animal Kingdom

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for a ride or two and Pizzafari Family Style Dinner, which we enjoyed a lot last year.

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Okay, need to go and "borrow" some more pics from the internet. I'll be back with more planning details soon.
 
Hmmm, counting remaining vacation days for the year.......

Jill in CO
 
Nice that you are getting to come back before you expected. We just booked our airfare for October and there is no room for an extra trip. :sad2:

Maybe we can coordinate your retirement trip!
 
I wish! But I'm burning 2 weeks in September for the WBTA but I'm going to see if I can swing a long weekend. :)

Jill in CO

Love that you could make it work for the long weekend! Looking forward to have a lot of fun!:grouphug:party:

Nice that you are getting to come back before you expected. We just booked our airfare for October and there is no room for an extra trip. :sad2:

Maybe we can coordinate your retirement trip!

Well, it took a lot of Maths to be able to do it, but it will work. Wish you two could be there too, but I very well understand that you have other plans and we will definitely meet up with Jill and hopefully Pamela, JJ and Michelle and family as well ........ and we upgraded our QS DDP to regular dining, so we will have lots of yummy food coming our way. :rotfl2:
 

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