Category: Travel

 

Today marks 20 years that Kevin and I have been married. Crazy right? But honestly it just gets better every year.

We were up early today and off to the Polynesian Resort.

to have breakfast at Ohana’s.

The food was delicious. Everything is served family style by your “cousin”, starting with pineapple coconut bread – which was oh, so yummy. This was followed by a fruit plate. Then the main plate (minus sausages and bacon for us) and Mickey waffles. Everything was delicious but the eggs and potatoes (seasoned with salt, pepper and sugar!!!!!) were outstanding.

Ohana’s is a character breakfast with Stitch….

Lilo, Mickey and Pluto….

Following breakfast we headed to the Florida Mall for a fun day (at least for us girls) of shopping.

First stop….

were we all made our very own bag of m&m’s. Love the wall of colour.

We visit quite a few stores…..

Had the girls Santa photos taken. Amy was such a good sport.

And we had a first golden spotting of the trrip (two in fact).

Lunch consisted of an amazing Peppermint Shake from Godiva and a rice salad from the food court.

More shopping…. another trip to Bath & Body Works….

New suitcases (bought for Germany and to transport our shopping home) from Macy’s…

A new build a bear for Amy and clothes for hippo for Christy.

And lastly a visit to Sephora.

I think Christy was glad when it was all over.

We headed back home for a short rest (we’d been at the mall from 10am – 3.30pm) before heading back out to the Grand Flordian Resort.We arrived just as the fireworks were going off at the Magic Kingdom.

Oh, boy, the lobby has to be seen to be believed. Just check out the size of the tree! And there was a live band playing.

We were here to have dinner at…

A character meal with Prince Charming, who was most charming and insisted on having a photo with me since it was my wedding anniversary.

We then met the lovely Cinderella…

and her step-sisters and step-Mum… who were rather funny….

  

I must admit my dinner doesn’t look much (and I served it on a kids Mickey plate just because I could) but everything was so delicious.

Desert was equally yummy but I didn’t eat too much of it.

After dinner we had a look around the resort and checked out the gingerbread house (so big it serves as a shop). We had wanted to buy some gingerbread but it was all covered in chocolate so we didn’t bother.

We finished our visit with a family photo in front of the tree.

We were up and out the door to EPCOT in time for opening again today. As we headed to Mission Space we saw that Test Track was open (official opening is not for a few more days) so we quickly headed over there.

This is been totally revamped since we were last here and you now start by designing your own vehicle. This is Kevin and Amy’s.

And this sparkly one was Christy’s design.

The ride is still pretty cool. The best part outside, is just the same. The girls loved it when the car went so fast and I’m pretty sure I’ve got some funny video of our hair going everywhere.

After this we went to Mission Space. Kevin and I opted for the green (less motion) mission. We’ve both done Red before and will never do it again. They don’t provide vomit bags for no reason.

However, one inside I had a panic attack at the enclosed space and wanted to get out. Luckily Kevin suggested I close my eyes, which I did while imaging outside spaces. Funny how things have changed – 8 years ago I wasn’t bothered by this at. Anyway, after a while I did open my eyes and the screen was showing things in the distance so I was able to watch and be okay. The girls loved the red ride and can’t understand what all the fuss was about.

We then headed to the Universe of Energy. Still cute but really does need an update. We actually thought that of quite a few of the attractions, esp. ones showing really antique computers.

By now World Showcase was open so we started our walk around the world. It was such a gorgeous day out and such a beautiful place.

Our first country was Mexico.

Where we had some sombrero fun. When I came to the USA as a child I really wanted one but wasn’t allowed (instead I got a stuffed poodle) so it’s a bit of family joke.

We went on the ride, which is a bit like a Small World.

Then outside we got to meet Donald!!

Next on our journey was Norway. It was so beautiful but I don’t seem to have many photos.

We rode Maelstrom (which I thought was a little lame) and Kevin bought this hat.

We had decided to try food from most countries, which we had desert first. Both of these Norwegian pastries were to die for. SOOO good.

We walked on to China, where we watched a movie about the country.

On our way to Germany we came across a man making these amazing glass ornaments. I bought this snowman and a mickey head (engraved with 2012).

Then Germany – can’t believe we’ll be in the real one in April. There was nothing vegetarian to eat here so we just browsed the shops…

and moved onto Italy. We did find pizza here but it was crazily expensive.

So we walked on to Japan.

where we managed to find some amazing udon noodles – which Amy and I shared. Kevin has sushi and Christy had some rice.

We continued our adventure to Morocco.

Aren’t all the building just amazing? You really do feel like you could be in the various countries.

Christy and I heard about how Moroccan’s celebrate their holidays and Christy even got some dance lessons.

Here we bought a falafel wrap to share. Yum. I’ve missed my falafels.

We also shared the almond baklava, which was SOOO good.

As we neared the end of our trip around the world we visited France – where we saw a movie about the country.

We would have bought a french pastry but the line was too long. We headed back to entrance, making a brief stop in the UK for Amy to buy some shirts for her friends.

I then had 15mins all to myself while the other three rode Spaceship Earth one last time. I have to confess I really did enjoy the peace of that 15mins :-).

We went home via the supermarket to pick up something for dinner. We got some spring rolls, potato bake and mashed sweet potato. It might not look too appetizing but it really did taste amazing.

After last nights very late night it was a very slow morning around here (though I was still up before 7am). I played on my laptop as one by one everyone woke up. Christy was up around 10am so I made french toast for the two of us. I had mine with a protein shake and some strawberries.

We then did a bit of “smashing” until it was time to head off to the Animal Kingdom around 12pm.

Of course, we had to catch the tram today as we were parked a bit further away from the front gate. Once inside we headed to Dinoland. Along with way I spotted Dibs – you might recall I fell in love with these last year at Disneyland.

We proceeded on to see Finding Nemo the musical.

While the music wasn’t anything outstanding (not like the usual Disney standard) I thought the puppetry and set was amazing. The girls enjoyed it but Kevin was unimpressed.

We were getting hungry by now so went to have lunch.

Amy and I had the vegetarian sub, which, although it doesn’t look much, was truly delicious. Would have been perfect on a healthier roll.

The girls were super keen to ride Dinosaur. It’s definitely not one of my fav. rides but the girls proceeded to ride a second time.

I really wanted to get the purple vegetarian t-shirt in the gift shop but they only had teen sizes. The shop assistant thought I might have more luck with the carnivore top!!!!!

Next up was Primeval Whirl…

which happened to break down while we were on it. We had to wait for a cast member to come and escort us off the ride. I guess if it had to happened it wasn’t a bad ride for it as it was outside in the fresh air.

We then had to proceed quickly and find a spot for the parade. We actually found the perfect spot and only had to wait 10mins.

The parade was good, but not great. Not as good as the one I’d last seen here, though I’m sure some of the lost sparkle is because the girls are older and not as mad for the characters as they once were.

After this we headed to Camp Minnie & Mickey…. where Christy and I got to meet Chip and Dale.

Before we went to see Festival of the Lion King, which was as good as we all remembered.

Everyone wanted to complete a ride on Primeval Whirl (not really sure why as it wasn’t that good) but we went back to Dinoland to do it in full this time. Christy loved it, Kevin & I not so much. Mabye we’re just getting too old.

It was 5.30pm now and we had a dinner reservation for 5.45pm which we were not going to be on time for so we left the park, stopping for a pic beside the Christmas tree…

then drove to….

We’ve stayed at the main lodge before but this time we headed to the villas. What a place. Just gorgeous.

We had a booking for Sanaa, which I thought was an African resturant, but it turned out to be more Indian.

It was an amazing place to eat. We were in one of the (hut) booths.

We started with some breads – which were oh, so yummy.

I then had the sampler – first two on the menu. It was okay but I didn’t eat much. Kevin loved his meal and Christy adored her pizza (made on naan bread). I’m still very glad we came here as the setting and bread made up for any shortcomings in the main meal (which was probably just bad choices on my behalf).

The girls and I were tired and wanted to head home but Kevin was keen to visit Walmart (and wanted to get a new shaver).

Amazing we all perked up once we walked in the stores. The girls were amazed by the size, not remembering from their last visit. And I was jealous when I saw the prebagged chopped kale.

We picked up a few groceries then explored the rest of the shop. Amy picked up some posters for her and her friends.

I really wanted to buy this wreath, but didn’t, and was even more jealous of all the Christmas goodies available to buy.

I did, however, indulge in some makeup buying. Not too much though as we’re still to visit Sephora. But look at those prices! We get so ripped off in Australia. $10 in Australia, $2.93 in the US!!!!

We finished here and headed home, tired but happy.