Vernon and Harry's Excellent WDW Adventure!

Vernon and Harry's Excellent WDW Adventure: Day 1

Greetings from the Boardwalk! We drove 10 hours, flying down I-75 and the turnpike, and got here) just after 5. Checked into our excellent room (we have a view of the Eiffel tower from our balcony. Then we strolled over to Italy for Dinner at L'Originale Alfredo di Roma. Vern had the chicken, I had the veal scallopini. Excellent! This was our first time there. The pleasant surprise (besides the food and Giuseppe our waiter) was that it wasn't some stuffy quiet place. It was rocking fun! They had a little ensemble with an accordian player that went from table to table, and all the wait staff joined in the singing (as well as some of us more boisterous customers.) After stuffing ourselves, we still found room for Tiramisu (Vern) and cannoli (me). YUM! Then we waddled out front and got the best view of Illuminations ever. Now we are unpacking (and I'm watching the UGA game.) More tomorrow.
 
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hcswingfield

hcswingfield

Active Member
Original Poster
First full day - Disney Studios.

We started the day early, looking out our balcony at the Spaceship Earth still lit up as the day dawned. Breakfast at Spoodles. Our server, Susanah, was gracious enough to bring us extra plates so Vern could have half my poached eggs with sausage and I could have half his fruit plate. As always with Spoodles, it was excellent.

Today was MGM-Studios day. The park was not crowded. We were able to ride TOT and RnR over and over. We ran into our friend Stanley from Birmingham, whom we did not know was down here, and also ran into and introduced ourselves to the MJ family group. What fun!

I'm celebrating my birthday early this week, so Vern got me a button. Almost every cast member wished me happy birthday, and the line cast members at RnR arranged for Goofy to call me and sing Happy Birthday.

I got free dessert at Mama Melrose (after I had the shrimp and 4 cheese pasta and Vern had the chicken on olive bread). Our server Kathleen sang happy birthday. She did a great job making our lunch special.

We also had a great server for dinner at Brown Derby. Andrea was quite fun, and again I got serenaded. The arugula salad with spiced pecan and mandarin orange slices was great (we both had that). Vern had the half chicken roasted with cashew and currant pilaf. He gave me a taste. Incredible! I had the grouper, which was also quite tasty. Besides my free dessert, we each had the New Age Decadence non-dairy no sugar added chocolate cake. To die for!

We rode ToT and RnR a couple of more times, bought some Christmas ornaments, and headed back to the Boardwalk to watch the season opener of Desperate Housewives which starts in 10 minutes!

Tomorrow - Magic Kingdom!
 
MSTINKHERBELL01

MSTINKHERBELL01

New Member
My partner and I are getting super excited for our trip...reading your report! Seems like you're having a magical time! Can't wait to read more!!!!!:wave:
 
hcswingfield

hcswingfield

Active Member
Original Poster
Post script - during the first commercial break of Desperate Housewives, we watched the finale of Illuminations from our balcony. Way magical!:sohappy:
 
hcswingfield

hcswingfield

Active Member
Original Poster
Monday, Magic Kingdom and more...

First one thing I forgot from MGM from yesterday: Journey of the Little Mermaid now qualifies as a water attraction. The "misting" that was supposed to occur when you went under the sea was more like a drenching. Huge drops of water like a thunderstorm!!!

Today was Magic Kingdom day. After all the rich food yesterday, we had a light breakfast of bran muffins and bananas from the Bellevue room at the Boardwalk, served cheerfully by Kay.

While waiting for the park to open at MK, DisneyBunny and her family spotted my WDWMagic T-shirt and came over to say hello and pose for photographs. The park was a little hot and crowded, but not too bad. We had our haircuts first thing, with color gel and Mickey glitter (much larger than the glitter pixie dust we got last time). Again we ran into friends from Birmingham unexpectedly, this time our friend Jennifer and her mother. Rode Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear several times, tried the astro orbiter for the first time in many trips, and took the obligatory turn on the TTA. Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow...

Decided to skip Stitch today, and headed to Fantasyland for Philharmagic and Small World. SW was much more pleasant than our trip last May. No one behind us yelling at Brandon the entire ride this time.

While in line for Splash Mountain, we heard a new mistake in phrasing: "Super Energy---And Beyond!!!" We were in the front of our car and got a welcome cooling soaking.

Lunch at Plaza Cafe, we each got terrific club sandwiches served by Peggy, who was delightful. We had the no sugar added ice cream for dessert, Vern got the vanilla chocolate swirl and I got butter pecan. Yummy! For dinner we monorailed over to the Polynesian, and had a real feast at Kona Cafe, served by a really funny and friendly cast member named Debi. Vern had the coconut crusted chicken, and I had the salmon. Both were excellent.

After dinner we got to ride in the front of the monorail to Epcot. We rode spaceship earth on our way through the park, then went back to the resort to wash the color gel out of our hair and watch illuminations from our balcony.

Here is a link to a few of our photographs. The shorter gentleman at MGM is our friend Stanley we ran into yesterday, and the petite blonde woman is Disneybunny from this morning.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=9lpw765.ahp5b94t&Uy=9ebj5f&Ux=0

Tomorrow, the Animal Kingdom!
 
hcswingfield

hcswingfield

Active Member
Original Poster
Tuesday: AK, singalong in the pool, more

Today started off to be our day at AK, but we got spontaneous in mid-day and changed plans. First the photos, including close-ups of the tree of life, some wildlife, some street performbers, a shot of EE, view from our balcony, and more shots of the Boardwalk.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=9lpw765.6ge5ajel&Uy=-f1titr&Ux=0

Did a slow stroll through some of the back paths at AK, caught some wildlife we don't usually take time to see. Saw Festival of the Lion King. One of the principals ("The Gift") was missing, but the other three covered well. The singing was the best of many performances of this show we have seen. Happened by the bird show just as it was starting, so went in. What a fun show, that we usually bypass. Had lunch at Pizzafari (or as I kept calling it, "Pete's Safari"). The hot Italian sandwiches were delicious. And even though the park was crowded, there were plenty of places to sit. We recommend this restaurant!

After lunch we rode the Kilimanjaro Safari, then decided it was WAY too hot and crowded in the park. Even though we had intended to stay through EMH, we went back to the Boardwalk for a swim. The PA was playing a CD of Disney classic tunes, and almost everyone in the pool started singing along. It was great fun! Then we went to MGM, got the last available table at Hollywood and Vine, and pigged out. This is a great buffet!!!!

Lightning nearby threatened to cancel Fantasmic, but the show did go on. It still seems fresh and new, and never ceases to amaze.

Walked back to the resort and sat out on the Boardwalk watching the people, the street performers, and the fireworks from Illuminations over the roof of the resort. We really love the atmosphere here, and plan to stay here again and again.

That's all for today. Tomorrow we go back to MK. till then...
 
tigsmom

tigsmom

Well-Known Member
Great report & the pictures... :sohappy:

We stayed at the Boardwalk ourselves last month; our room was just to the right (on the top floor) above the Flying Fish (the one next to the one in your photo). We love the area & the hotel, but my family didn't really enjoy the food offerings- they are kind of picky.

You sound as if your trip was a great success and I can't wait to read the rest! :wave:
 
Cinderella Fan

Cinderella Fan

New Member
Sounds like you are having a great time! I, too, love the Boardwalk. If you ever get a chance to stay in one of the "Garden Suites", do so. They are amazing rooms. 2 stories, great bathrooms, and some have private balconies that overlook the privacy pool.

Keep having fun and don't forget to share to details! I look forward to reading more....:wave:

62 more days until the Boardwalk!!!:xmas:
 
BeachClubVillas

BeachClubVillas

Well-Known Member
I'm glad you guys are having so much fun. I have to tell you, your pictures are absolutely amazing! I have never seen such great quality and clarity. And the color! I could go on and on. I can't wait to hear more.

The pics of the Boardwalk are making me homesick for the Beach Club though :cry:
 
hcswingfield

hcswingfield

Active Member
Original Poster
BeachClubVillas said:
I'm glad you guys are having so much fun. I have to tell you, your pictures are absolutely amazing! I have never seen such great quality and clarity. And the color! I could go on and on. I can't wait to hear more.

The pics of the Boardwalk are making me homesick for the Beach Club though :cry:
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Thanks! I have a Kodak DX 7590 with loading dock. I love how it makes my photos look. You are welcome to order prints of any of the photos just by clicking on the link on the web site they are posted on. Kodak/Ofoto does a great job with the prints, at reasonable prices.
 
hcswingfield

hcswingfield

Active Member
Original Poster
Wednesday marathon MK day

Once again, after a light breakfast from Bellevue, we made it to MK in time for the opening show. This time, instead of racing straight to tomorrowland for Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear, we went to Fantasy land instead and were able to quickly ride Snow White, Peter Pan, Poo, the teacups and Dumbo before the lines got long. Usually by the time we get to that part of the park all those rides have 40 minute waits.

Had a great ride on the Jungle Cruise and Big Thunder Mountain while the morning was still fairly cool, then took the boat to the Grand Floridian for lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe. The Grand Sandwich (I think it's called that) with ham, turkey, bacon and a boursin cheese sauce was incredibly good. On our waiter Joe's recommendation we both had that, and then shared 3 of the mini-desserts.

Arriving back at MK, I was delighted to find Michal working at the barbershop, with not much of a wait. He was able to remedy the bad haircut I got on Monday, and give me tips on how to get the rest of the yellow out of my hair. I didn't realize how bad the cut was on Monday, since I didn't see it until after the gel was in, and couldn't tell with all the spiking that it was cut to look like someone put a bowl on my head. I was also not told that the new gel is likely to stick to white hair. Thank goodness I got yellow, and not a more unnatural color. Michal graciously refused to let me pay for his hard work in fixing the cut to make it look presentable. He is a real hero in my eyes!

After a fun afternoon in the park, we walked to the Contemporary for dinner at the concourse steakhouse. While our service from Ellen was great, and the filets were superb, the restaurant tends to shake every time a monorail goes through the building, which we both found somewhat disturbing. Since we didn't finish dinner until 7, we decided to stay there and watch the MK fireworks from the 4th floor viewing platform. Great choice! The same music from the park is piped in, the view is spectacular, and there is comfortable seating with no pushing or shoving. Interestingly, the show tonight was the Halloween show, even though it wasn't a Halloween party night. It's a terrific show, and tonight's was enlivened by a lightning display in the distance beyond the castle.

We went back to the MK for EMH, but I pooped out and didn't stay long. Vernon is still there, more power to him.

Tomorrow we go back to MGM in the morning, and then to Epcot for EMH there. I'm hoping we take a mid day break in the resort pool so I can last longer in the evening.

Till tomorrow...
 
hcswingfield

hcswingfield

Active Member
Original Poster
tigsmom said:
I read somewhere that they were testing the halloween fireworks a couple of days this week. How did it look?
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From where we were at the Contemporary, it looked really good. Lots of scary ghosts and goblins going up the side of the castle along with the fireworks. Good music, too.
 

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