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Monday Sept. 24-We arrived at the All Star Music Resort about 10 am. We had come from spending a couple days at Cocoa Beach. I checked in
and was told the Calypso rooms -pool view that I requested were not ready yet. (She said that my fax was what got that room location for
us). This year we did something different. We bought 3 day-1park-1day passes. (Our vacation was totally changed because my son , who is in
the Navy, was supposed to join us, but at the last minute his leave was cancelled. We didn't know if we would stay the whole week because
I was really down about his not being there). The passes worked out great for us. The kids went to change into their swimsuits and spent some time
swimming. My husband & I shopped in the store and checked out the food court. I went to sit outside by the pool and I could see the
rooms being cleaned. I called and our rooms were ready. We unloaded the van and then took a bus to Epcot were we boarded the monorail and
took a ride. We switched to the resort monorail and my husband and son left us to go to the ESPN Club while my daughters & I went to the
Grand Floridian for the Garden View Tea. It was great. I really recommend it. We had finger sandwiches-cucumber & watercress, deviled
salmon, egg salad and chicken salad with almonds. We also had a fresh tomato tart. The choices of tea were great and everything was served
beautifully. After the sandwiches we had a raspberry tart and scone with jam and Devonshire Cream. (They were both delicious). Next came
our choice of 2 pastries. My oldest daughter & I chose a chocolate eclair and a cream puff shaped like a swan and filled with key lime
mousse.(That was the best!) My youngest daughter chose the swan and a raspberry torte. We had a great time. It was beautiful and relaxing
also.
We then shopped in the Grand Floridian and met the guys there. We checked out the new pool. (Very nice).
We took the monorail to the Contemporary to shop and then to the Polynesian to see their new pool. We had stayed there last year and
it's amazing to see the difference in the new pool now.
We went back to our resort and went swimming. We had dinner at the food court and then turned in.
Sept.25-Today we went to Epcot for early entry. We went to Test Track but they were having problems with it so we went to Spaceship
Earth. After that we went back to Test Track and it was working now so we road this a few times. (No lines) We went to Ice Station Cool
after this and then to the Living Seas.
We have been often enough that that was all my family cared to see in Future World so we went to World Showcase. It was just opening
so we toured Canada and then the United Kingdom. My daughters and husband had Fish & Chips at the Yorkshire County Fish Shoppe. After
that we skipped to Japan so that my son and I couls go to the Matsu NoMa Lounge for sushi. We toured Japan and then decided to go back to
the resort to swim.
After relaxing at the resort we returned to Epcot and started with a repeat of Test Track. We saw the butterfly garden and the
talking water fountains. (Thanks to the group for this) We shopped a little and then headed to Mexico. We road the ride there and then
went to Norway. My husband and daughters road the Maelstrom while my son and I bought Kringlas and Rice Creams for us all to split when
they were through. (I loved them both).
We then toured China, Germany (We peaked into the Biergarten and it smelled wonderful. I think we'll have to go there next time. If
anyone has any comments on that restaurant let me know.) and Italy. We toured our way around the lagoon stopping in France for dinner at
the Boulangerie Patisserie. It was delicious. We had the quiche, ham & cheese croissants, the fruit and cheese plate, a baguette and
wonderful pastries. We watched the people go by as we were eating. It was a good place for a counter service meal.
On our way out of the park we road Spaceship Earth again. After the ride we went into the Global Neighborhood and used the big family
phone to call our son. ( It was hard not having him there).
We returned to the resort and went swimming and then to bed.
Sept. 26-Today we went to MGM for early entry. We went straight to the Tower of Terror. (Our favorite ride). We road it 8 times. (Never
any line) We road the Great Movie ride after this and then went to the Millionaire Show. (That was better than I had even anticipated).
We went to the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Playground and then walked down New York Street. We road Star Tours and then headed over to the
50's Prime Time for our reservations.
The Prime Time is my absolute favorite restaurant. Last year we had a pretty sedate waitress, which was not as much fun as other
times, so this year we asked for an outgoing one. Our waiter was Mark and he was excellent. He corrected our elbows on the table and made
fun of us in many ways. I spilled gravy on my shirt ( I don't know how-I never do this) but he saw me and brought out a Little Mermaid
bib and put it on me. The couple at the next table were laughing at me and got in trouble for talking with their mouths full. If you've
never been this is a definite must do. It's great.
After lunch we went back to the Millionaire Show. My son made it to the hot seat. It was so much fun. He made it to the 4000 question.
He got a lanyard, 5 pins and a baseball cap. The cap is really nice. It says Who Wants to Be a Millionaire-Play It on the front and I Was
a Winner at Walt Disney World on the back. He was thrilled.
We left after this and went to the resort to swim. After swimming we returned to MGM and went back to Tower of Terror. We road this a
few more times (Never any wait) and then went shopping on Sunset & Hollywood Blvds.
We returned to the resort and had dinner at the food court and went swimming.
Sept. 27-Today was a relaxing day. The kids slept late so my husband and I went to the food court alone for breakfast. We walked around
the resort and did a little shopping at the gift shop. We woke the kids up and went to Downtown Disney. We went shopping there. (We
spent way too much) We then went to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch. For dessert we had the Sparkling Volcano. The dessert is supposed to
be served with a sparkler in it, but the waiter said that Disney won't allow it. (That's too bad because when I've eaten at the
Seattle Rainforest Cafe and it's a much better presentation).
The kids wanted to go back to the resort to swim so we headed back. My husband & I wanted to visit some other resorts. We left the
kids and went to Port Orleans the French Quarter. We looked around the resort then headed to Riverside. We liked the French Quarter so
much that we decided to see if we could move from the All Star to the French Quarter. We went to the front desk at the French Quarter and
asked about availability. There was plenty of availability but they could not give the code discount that I had used at the All Star. I
asked politely to speak to the manager to double check. She also said no. I thanked them and went to the pay phones around the corner and
called CRO. She said the code was available and that they would transfer my payment from the All Star to Port Orleans. By making that
call I paid $89 a night instead of $143.
We went back to the All Star and I checked out while he had the kids start packing up. We moved everything to Port Orleans and had a
great time there. We went swimming, spent time in the hot tob and had dinner at the food court.
Sept. 28-We went early to the Magic Kingdom for the breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table. We had a great time there. After breakfast
we went to Splash Mountain. It was so quiet there that when the ride was over the CM asked if we just wanted to stay on and ride again. We
did. We rode this a few times then went over to Big Thunder Mounatin Railroad and rode it a few times.
We headed to Adventureland and rode Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. We went to the Haunted Mansion and then walked through
Adventureland. Since my kids are getting a little older and we had ridden these rides many times we didn't do any of these rides or
Mickey's Toontown Fair. We went to Tomorrowland and saw the Carousel of Progress and rode Space Mountain a few times. We went to Casey's
Corner for lunch and then went to the Polynesian for desserts at the Kona Cafe. Between us we had the Kiddie Kones, the Apple Cobbler, the
Turtle Brownie Torte and the Kilauea Torte. (These desserts are presented so beautifully).
We returned to the Magic Kingdom and rode our favorites-Splash Mountain & Big Thunder Mountain Railroad-over and over. When we came
off of Splash Mountain one time we ran into Hulk Hogan. My kids were thrilled to see a celebrity. We got some pictures of him with Brer
Bear. We went to the Crystal Palace for dinner. It was a lot of fun. After dinner we shopped on Main Street and then headed back to Port
Orleans. We spent some time swimming and in the hot tub.
Sept. 29-Today was a day that we just relaxed and slept late. We spent the morning at the pool and then went to Downtown Disney for
more shopping. We returned to the resort and had lunch at the food court and then more swimming. We went to the room and looked through
all of our souvenirs. (How did we buy so much?)
After dinner at the food court we went to the Boardwalk and had Tiramisu at the Bakery. We walked along the Boardwalk and then took
the boat to the Yacht & Beach Clubs. We walked around there and then went back to our resort for more swimming and hot tub time.
Sept. 30-This was our last day here. (Always hard to leave). I woke up and requested delayed checkout. We had breakfast at the food
court. (The beignets are great). After breakfast we went to Riverside and rented a surrey bike. We had a great time with this. We then
went back to the French Quarter for swimming and some more time in the hot tub. (I met some very nice people there and enjoyed talking
to them). We relaxed by the pool also. We went to the room and packed up. We loaded the van and then checked out. While I was checking out
people were checking in. (What nerve-right in front of me. I envied them. I hate to leave). We went to the food court for lunch and then
to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's absolutely gorgeous. We walked all around the pool and checked out the restaurants and lobby areas. Of
course we did more shopping in their store. ( We can't help ourselves-we're shopaholics). We went back to Port Orleans for one
more walk around. We filled our mugs and bought beignets and Mickey Rice Krispie Treats for the road. We got in the van and drove off.
It's always hard to drive past the last of the brightly colored Disney signs.
It was a great trip even though I missed my son not being there. But hopefully he'll come next time. I've learned a lot from this
group and I appreciate all the advice. The codes were great, too. Thanks for everything.
I can't wait to go back. We've started planning already.
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