Hurray, the sun is back!
Today Sarah and I had planned a day away from the boys. We had planned a while ago to have a day shopping at Downtown Disney, as we weren't visiting any Disney parks, then using Disney transport to go and look at some of the resorts.
After breakfast at Perkins, Keith and Stephen dropped us off at the Downtown Disney parking garage. There is lots of construction going on here, they have the new bowling and cinemas, multistorey car parks, and lots of other building work.
We spent an hour or two wandering the shops and spending before taking the free water taxi to Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.
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| Lego Statues outside LegoShop and Downtown Disney |
It was about 15 min trips through the lovely waterways. We 'landed' at the French Quarter and after a wander round we found a cafe andgot a couple of drinks and sat in the shade and put on our sunscreen while we had our drinks. We walked along the river and into Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Very different to French Quarter and the one we both preferred.
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| Port Orleans French Quarter |
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| Port Orleans Riverside |
From there we took the Disney bus via Animal Kingdom to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Wow, we were both amazed at this hotel, photos really don't do it justice. The theming, inside and out were fantastic. We wandered through the lobby and lounge area and out to the viewing area where we watched some antelope and wild bore. We could also see giraffes and zebra. Stunning setting.
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| Animal Kingdom Lodge - stunning Hotel Lobby! |
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| Savannah Viewing Deck - would love to wake up to this view |
From the front of the hotel, we caught another bus this time to Magic Kingdom. The bus stops right outside the turnstiles and a short walk from the boat jetty. We joined a couple of other groups waiting for the boat to Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts. We stayed on board at the Grand Floridian, we were running out of time as we had agreed to meet the boys at 5.30, and instead got off at the second stop. The Polynesian is again brilliantly themed, with a beautiful beach and views of the top of the castle at Magic Kingdom.
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| Monorail at Magic Kingdom |
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| Boat trip to Polynesian via Grand Floridian |
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| Grand Floridian boat dock area and hotel |
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| Front of Grand Floridian (from bus) |
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| Boat from Magic Kingdom to Polynesian (Contempory Resort in background) |
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| Polynesian beach |
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| Magic Kingdom view of the castle from Polynesian beach |
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| Polynesian entrance |
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| Polynesian Boat dock |
We sat on the terrace near the swimming pools and had a mickey ice cream sandwich and Mickey cake to share before finding another bus to take us back to Downtown Disney.
We both agreed it was a lovely way to spend a day, a shame we didn't fit in more resorts, would like to have done Art of Animation, and a few others. But it was lovely and relaxing and great to see some of the resorts.
We found the boys and went back to the car. After dropping us off this morning they had parked the car and then spent a few hours in Disney Quest. I think they had quite a bit of competitive fun, playing all the games, before heading back to the villa for some pool.
Because time was going on we went west on the 192 to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner. Fab meal, Sarah has discovered a liking for steak! Keith had a beer with dinner so I drove home!
Shattered we went back to the villa and watch a bit of tv before bed. Early start tomorow for Busch Gardens.
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