8 Days Without the Kiddos – June 2014 Trip Report COMPLETED - Page 12 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I can only imagine how much you must be missing your kids. DH and I were only there for four days and on the day we were to leave we were actually excited to be getting on the ME bus to the airport. Don't get me wrong, we had an amazing trip but we couldn't wait to get home to our kids.
The French onion soup looks amazing!
I don't know that we were excited to leave, but we ready to see the kiddos. The soup was yummy.
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Originally Posted by Cam22
Sounds like a nice finish to this day at Epcot!
It was.
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Glad you enjoyed your meal at Les Chefs de France - even though not your favorite - it is nice to splurge every now and then. And I agree - I could eat just the French onion soup and bread from there all day - every day!!! My daughter - she could with the escargot!!!
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You just inspired me to make a lunch reservation at Chef's de France for DD and I next week. She tried escargot at F&WF a couple of years ago and has been dying to have it again. I think it will be perfect to celebrate her birthday
Glad you enjoyed your meal at Les Chefs de France - even though not your favorite - it is nice to splurge every now and then. And I agree - I could eat just the French onion soup and bread from there all day - every day!!! My daughter - she could with the escargot!!!
Yummy, wish I had some even today in this heat.
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Wednesday, June 11: Relaxing at Saratoga Springs, Downtown Disney
Wednesday, June 11: Relaxing at Saratoga Springs, Downtown Disney
Well we have spent the last three days going at full speed ahead. By now we are worn out and decided to take an unplanned day of relaxing at the resort. This would certainly play havoc with our plans, but just had to be done. This was to be a second day at Animal Kingdom. Of course there were still lots of things we had not done at AK, as we had only been there in the afternoon of our arrival date. Today we were going to see Nemo, ride Primeval Whirl and eat at Yak & Yeti table service. I was able to rebook our FP+ for Saturday, but we would not be able to get into Y&Y. So we sacrificed a lot for extra sleep and pool time.
It was well after 9:00 am when morning broke for either Candi or me. We were just so tired, so this extra time in bed was very much needed. We were in no hurry to get out of the bed. Even awake, we just layed there and watched tv for a while. Finally about 10, I drug myself from the comfort of the warm bed, put on some clothes and made the short walk up to the food court for something to drink, then headed back to the room.
By this time Candi was up and putting on her bathing suite. We were planning to spend a couple hours in the pool. After all it was mere feet from our front door, and had been calling our name all week. As we headed out, it started to sprinkle, but we pushed on. I would guess the temperature outside was in the low to mid 80’s, and the water did feel nice. We splashed around for a little while in the pool making friends.
Candi will talk to anyone, but the woman that joined us in the pool did not need much prodding to start chatting it up. As it turns out she and her husband were visiting for 14 days from the Middle East. They were actually from England, but working in Mumbai. She was a teacher and her husband “fixed faces” as she put it. I love hearing people with a heavy accent talk, and hers was very obvious. She was so nice and shared some very fun stories from their life and experiences.
They were DVC owners and did not even plan to go into the parks for another week, they were waiting on their daughter to join them. It must be nice to be able to vacation for two-weeks like that. We would run into them again at the pool later in the week.
We then moved on to spend some time in the hot tub. It was large and very warm and bubbly. Candi could not stay long, but I stayed for more than one cycle of motor. Then we spent some time just relaxing in the pool lounge chair.
We called and talked to the kids for a while. They were having a great time with their grandparents. By this time they had already gone to the Brookfield Zoo and to the park. They were headed to Legoland Discovery Center in Chicago the next afternoon. My boys are Lego crazy and were very excited.
It started to rain again, so we headed inside to get cleaned up. I think Candi had another soak in the Jacuzzi tub. It was around noon, but we were headed to Downtown Disney for the afternoon, so we had a purpose.
SSR is very close to DTD. As a matter of fact, you can actually see it, just over the lake. But we decided to ride the boat over. It was just a few minutes before the boat arrived to carry us over. It was such a nice ride until we got out of the canal, then we saw all the construction going on. It really made an impact on the shoreline.
We got off at the boatdock behind House of Blues and headed up in that direction. We were hungry, so that was top priority. We did not have and ADR and had not planned to eat something too expensive. In my mind we were headed to Earl of Sandwich, but Candi had other plans. As we headed down the road, Candi spotted the movie theatre.
She wanted to watch Maleficent, and when we were looking at the start times on the ticket kiosk, she realized this was a Fork & Dine Movie Theatre, so we got tickets and started looking for the entrance. As it turns out, this entrance is not really close. But we made it in time for our 1:15 showing. When we arrived, there were only a few people there. But when we bought our tickets, and picked our seats it was ¾ full.
We found our seats and pretty soon a waiter came and gave us a menu. I admit that we have never been to one of these type of movies before and had no idea how it worked. Our waiter was no help, he just dropped off the menu, took our drink order and ran off. Eventually he came back with two waters in hand and took our order. As the theatre was filling up, and the movie about to start or food arrived.
I am sorry for the quality of the pictures, and it was dark. However, you are not missing anything. It was not that great. We order two appetizers to share. An order of loaded nachos and a sampler. Our sampler was supposed to come with two dipping sauces and both were missing. I asked for them, but they never came and the food got cold as we waited. The waiter never came back until the end to bring the bill. I was not happy, and he was aggravated that I asked to speak to a manager. Our drinks were empty and never refilled, and our sauces never arrived, so I thought I had reason to be disappointed. Anyway, the manager resolved the issue and we headed out. It was a neat experience, but I think I do popcorn and a movie the next time.
I do have to say the movie was interesting. I have to bw honest, it was a little confusing. This was Disney’s story to start with. Why did they feel the need to completely change it.
We spent the rest of the afternoon headed toward the Marketplace. The construction zone makes this a pretty rough experience. You literally walk a mile with construction walls closing in. We are not huge shoppers, but we toured most of the shop starting at the Lego Store and worked our way down. Our only purchase was a Maleficent Rice Krispy Treat at Goofy’s Candy Shop.
Then we headed all the way back to the other end of DTD to the boat dock, but this time decided to walk along the boardwalk behind the restaurant's by the water. When we finally arrived at the dock, we were told the boats were not running because of the lightning. The captain said we could catch a bus behind the Market Place, but we were not going all the way back down there. So he said there was a path that lead by the parking lots on that end, it would lead through the golf course, and eventually end up back at the resort. The funny thing that we learned when we got there was that it emptied out right at the back door of our room. I think they were preparing for the car show that next weekend, and had a couple topiaries from Cars that I posed with.
We thought about dinner for a few minutes, but decided to just order pizza and have it delivered to the room. It was pretty good, but I forgot to take a picture. You will just have to use your imagination. It made for a nice relaxing evening in the room, and a great end to a relaxing non-park day. It was much needed as Thursday would be a full day at Magic Kingdom and dinner at Ohana.
sometimes those non-park relaxing days can be the best. Sorry the movie experience wasn't what you had hoped. I've thought about doing it but now I'm not so sure it is worth it.
I am loving reading your trip report. My husband and I will be there for 10 days in September, staying at Coronado. We'll definitely be planning a relaxing pool day. Sounds perfect!
Sometimes you just have to have a relaxing day in the midst of a Disney vacation.
Yes you do!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great relaxing day, other than the food at the movie! More please!
More will come soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by disny_luvr
It sounds like you had a great, relaxing day! We always have to have at least one down-day when at Disney.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts about 'Ohana.
I was so looking forward to Ohana, find out in a few days what we thought.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mommapants
sometimes those non-park relaxing days can be the best. Sorry the movie experience wasn't what you had hoped. I've thought about doing it but now I'm not so sure it is worth it.
Next time we will just stick with popcorn.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcc0313
Sounds like a fun day at Epcot, I loved the Dark Chocolate Caramel with Sea Salt from Germany, so delicious.
I have always enjoyed the short ribs at Chef de France, it looks like they are serving it with a different side now as it used to be noodles.
Your relaxing day at the resort and DTD sounds like the perfect way to get back some energy for your MK day tomorrow.
She may have asked to substitute with her meal, I am not sure. But the potatoes were yummy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MosyBliss
I am loving reading your trip report. My husband and I will be there for 10 days in September, staying at Coronado. We'll definitely be planning a relaxing pool day. Sounds perfect!
You will need it if you tour the way we do.
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What a great, relaxing day! Sounds like your kids were having a blast with their grandparents too.
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Oh they had a great time. I do not really think they cared where we were.
I think my kiddos get like that too - especially when they're being spoiled rotten by their grandparents
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My daughter - she could with the escargot!!! 
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