From no trip to celebrating 20 years together… planning it all in less than 100 days! UPDATED 6/30 About This Page:

[wheezie]

Acquatica looks fun!

Hope you have a great, safe trip to Scotland. I can't wait to read all about it.

[Colexis Mom]

More great pictures from Aquatica! Have a great time on your trip!

[disney_duke]

That one is a little more wild for me! Good to know, thank you!
Yes, I definitely appreciate that Disney keeps their parks more hidden. Makes it feel more exclusive. Well, except for Disneyland. Walt learned his mistake there!

Have a great time!

[cubfancolleen]

That looks like a fun water park, although I don't know that I'd choose it over Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.
Have a fantastic trip!!!

[clio]

Those water rides look scary to me. My idea of a water ride is a lazy river. The park is very pretty.
Years ago, my daughter worked at Sea World of Ohio at the Commerson's Dolphin area. They were her favorite as they were very friendly. She wasn't fond of the fish she sold for food , though.
Have a fun trip to Scotland.
Liz

[lindawdw]

Thanks for sharing all your pictures of the water park. It really looked like a lot of fun! It's always the best when you pull up to your Disney resort after being away at another theme park for the day. Disney just has the magic. Have a magical time in Scotland!!!

[KMB733]

Great pictures from Aquatica. I would have totally stayed away from the wave pool. After almost drowning in the one at Typhoon Lagoon, I steer clear of them!

Hope you have a great time in Scotland!!

[Cam22]

I'm not much into water parks as I don't really find them fun, but Aquatic looks like it would be lots of fun for those who enjoy that kind of thing.

[SuperDave]

Looked like a good time at Aquatica even though you didn't do any attractions. Just enjoying the exploring! Nice photos overall and especially the dolphins!

[PrincessSharon]

Just catching up again. I loved getting a chance to see Discovery Cove & Aquatica as I've never been to either park. Although if I ever do make it to Discovery Cove, I definitely won't be feeding birds. I'm kind of freaked out by the thought of a bird sitting on my head - whether or not it leaves anything behind.

[jenseib]

I just caught up too. I don't think I have ever seen black and white dolphins...they are so neat!

I am so glad you went on vacation and I didn't get too far behind...but I leave in less than a week and you will be back and then I will be so far behind when I get home. LOL. I'll live though.

I have been seeing your pictures on facebook and it looks like you are having a wonderful time.

[chezp]

Originally Posted by jenseib

I just caught up too. I don't think I have ever seen black and white dolphins...they are so neat!

I am so glad you went on vacation and I didn't get too far behind...but I leave in less than a week and you will be back and then I will be so far behind when I get home. LOL. I'll live though.

Yes, I suspect you will be a little behind when you return. I hope you have a wonderful time!

I have been seeing your pictures on facebook and it looks like you are having a wonderful time.

Oh we did - it was great fun!

[chezp]

Well, we're back from our road trip around Scotland, so it's now time to resume this trip report...

Saturday 4 March – part nine: “he’s going to miss the dock”

When we got back to the Wilderness Lodge, I headed into the Mercantile, as I wanted to use up a couple of our snack credits, so I got a Diet Coke (I know we have refillable mugs, but I couldn’t be bothered to go all the way down to the Geysir Point to refill them), and a rice krispie Mickey treat in the shape of an Easter egg, as I had the munchies. Wouldn’t you know it that as soon as we got back to the room, they disappeared?



When we got back to the villa, we put a load of washing on. Oh my goodness, it sounded like we were going to take off at one point! I tell you that washer is nowhere near as quiet as the ones in the BoardWalk. In fact, the variation between the different resorts has been interesting to say the least. We always thought of them as being relatively similar, but not a bit of it. They do have huge differences between each of them.

While working on the trip report, I decided to check my Fastpass choices for tomorrow, as I couldn’t remember them. I looked at our itinerary, and couldn’t see breakfast anywhere. Hmmm… a bit odd. Anyway, I couldn’t change my Fastpasses, so I went to investigate breakfast a bit more. Somehow, I’d managed to book it for 3 May! Wow, good catch!

Now here was a chance… what was available tomorrow? We were going to go to the Grand Floridian Café at 8:30am, but I figured as we’d be checking out, maybe we should make it a little later to give us a bit more time. I managed to find a reservation instead for 1900 Park Fare, and as we’re on the Dining Plan, that would make much more sense to do that while we’re on the Plan, and heck Mark always love the ugly sisters, so that should be fun.

The plan now is to go to Fantasia Gardens afterwards for a spell of miniature golf, as Mark asked earlier in our vacation if we’d be doing that, and I had to say but given we’ve done all the work we need to do, and the plans for tomorrow were never set in stone, why not go and do that?

As our reservation at the California Grill was at 7:40pm, we headed out just before 7:00pm. We’ve learnt now to allow a lot of time to get to our destination when we’re using Disney transportation – something to do with bad experiences with it in the past. Tonight’s would be interesting to say the least…

We walked down to the dock, and waited for the boat to arrive that was just pulling into the dock.



We watched it pull in, then we stood there with another guy, all saying “he’s going to miss the dock”, and sure enough he did. Ok, it’s a little breezy, these things happen. As the boat went further and further away from the dock, we were trying to work out whether or not he was turning it round, but apparently not. He came in for attempt number two, and that didn’t work out too well, although it was a lot closer than the first try. Finally, on attempt number three, he moored the boat… although it didn’t give us much confidence, as we’d soon be out with him… He had someone with him, and for a small boat like that, that’s not normal, so we figured he was training.

We stepped aboard, a bit apprehensive, and set off for Fort Wilderness, as you stop there, before getting to the Contemporary. On the way there, we literally did a zigzag through the water, which was a bit surreal, and we nicely managed to hit the wake from a larger boat, which I thought you always tried to avoid.

We managed to moor up first time, although we did give the dock a bit of a thud. The boat was packed after that, as it was literally completely filled up, with no room left to sit. It felt a lot heavier in the water, and I did wonder how our new captain would cope with this. We set off, and we seemed to be Ok, except at one point, we literally did a right turn in the water. From where I was sitting, I couldn’t see, but Mark told me it was because we were heading for the island!

Let’s just say when we got to the Contemporary, we were the first ones up and off the boat, as we wanted to be on dry land! Wow, that was certainly a thrill ride… not sure it’s one I wanted though Disney!

We headed over to the resort…



Now if you notice here there suddenly appear to be smears on the photos. I discovered when I got up to the California Grill that there was a mark on the lens, and I couldn’t get it off. Mark eventually did, but it literally must have happened as we came ashore, as the previous photos were all fine. Thank goodness that was a quick fix. I was mortified when I noticed that!

We checked in, and they asked us for an American cell phone number. I didn’t have it with me, as I was carrying my small clutch bag, and hadn’t put it in, so they send you straight up to the bar area to wait instead.

The only chairs we could find were at the bar, so we kind of had to order drinks before dinner, which we weren’t necessarily planning on doing.



The bar tender asked us once, but we were having a crisis with the camera at the time, and then after that, we had missed our slot a bit. Eventually, we got our orders in, literally just as they came to take us to the table! Mark stayed put to close that check off, while I headed over to the table. Disappointingly, it wasn’t one by Wishes, but it was still a window table with a perfect view of something much more important… towards Epcot, so we’d be able to see IllumiNations!



Anyway, Mark eventually made it over with our drinks. He had the modern old fashioned, made up of bullet rye, pure cane syrup, bitters, and luxardo cherries. He offered me a sip, and said I’d like it. I did ask if it had anything in it that I couldn’t have, and he said so I wasn’t too impressed when I saw the menu, but thankfully no problems…. Phew! However, it was absolutely disgusting. We’ve been together over 20 years, and how he thought in any way whatsoever I might like that, I do not know. Ugh!



At least I was happy with mine, which was a twisted Mai Tai, made with Mount Gay rum, crème de noyaux, orange juice, and pineapple juice with a splash of lime. It was just sweet enough for me.



Next: what a lovely touch!

[KMB733]

Thankfully Mark was able to get whatever was on the camera lens off the lens. Too bad you weren't able to get a table with a Wishes view, but at least you had a view of Illuminations.

[Tara O'Hara]

Your seating is superb at the Cali Grill! I hope you enjoy your meal!!