Ocarina's (Possibly Romantic but Probably Not) Birthday Trip - Two Weeks to Go!

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 13:58

ocarina

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Ocarina's (Possibly Romantic but Probably Not) Birthday Trip - Two Weeks to Go!

We just got our Mickey Mail and it's officially two weeks to go! Well, two weeks from RIGHT NOW we will be at our hotel at the Port Orleans Riverside (and probably having a snooze).

It's been very sunny here in the UK and yesterday I got EPICALLY sunburnt in the sun, so I know I will need a hat and lots of sunblock for Orlando! Am trying to think of what else I am needing to bring! Have I got everything?! Arrgh!

We've also had a bit of a fiddle with plans and possibly cancelled out V&A (well, I haven't cancelled it yet, am holding on to it until I really really know we can't do it - I am possibly getting some birthday money from family, but am struggling right now to justify the cost just on our budget at the mo - completely forgot that you guys don't quote your tax on menus plus the tip will be huge I imagine!! : )...

Aaanyway! Plans so far:

Day 1 (8th May)
Get to Port Orleans Riverside in the late afternoon - maybe have a nap then a walk around the grounds and a quick-service dinner in the evening? Or just crash out and snooze til the next day....

9th May
Epcot Chill Day
Lunch at Katsura Grill or food festival snacks?
Possibly meeting a fellow board member for a margarita in the afternoon!
Dinner at Le Cellier then see how tired we are

10th May
More Epcot
I want to pick a pearl in Japan (I know, I am silly...)
Had to cancel our dinner as it was in the middle of the fireworks and now we have a booking to see the fireworks from the Italy Pavillion, which is nice! Don't know what we will do for dinner - maybe just see if we get a walk in when we are hungry? Extra magic hours that evening at Epcot, so maybe we will have a nice walk around the world and have a chilled time.

11th May
Animal Kingdom!
Lunch at the Flame Tree BBQ.
La Nouba in the evening!
We haven't made a dining reservation this evening as not really sure what time we will be out of Animal Kingdom - any recommendations at the Animal Kingdom or Downtown Disney?

12th May
Magic Kingdom
Plan is to get in a bit later, have lunch at Columbia Harbour House and stay til 1am!
Dinner at Tonys Town Square, then watching the electric parade at 11pm and trying not to get swept out of the park with the crowds!

13th May
Water parks then Flying Fish Cafe at 8pm for dinner!
Maybe pop into Hollywood Studios after, since its extra magic til 12am - is that do able?

14th May
My Birthday!
I am so torn between going completely berserk at Hollywood Studios and having a big ride-filled day, or going to one of the spas and having myself pampered?
Anyway, it's either V&A that evening, or Shulas Steak House at 8pm (if we do Shulas we can stay at the park longer, if V&A itll be a spa thing as the booking is at 5:30 and we will have to get dressed up and things... it's tricky.)
Steak and rides or fine dining and spa?! Aaargh!

15th and 16th
Universal Studios

17th
Star Wars Weekend at Hollywood Studios!
Lunch at the Sci Fi Dine in Theatre
Dinner at Hollywood Brown Derby

18th
Open Day
Dinner at Yachtsman Steak House

19th
Another Open Day

20th
Water Parks! (Whichever we didn't do before)
Jiko for Dinner.

21st
Last Full Day
No segway tour, sadly - but Narcossees in the evening and fingers crossed for a fireworks seat!

22nd
Downtown Disney then flight home

So there we go!
Any thoughts, tips, ideas? x

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 14:07

Kristen K.

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ocarina wrote:

10th May
More Epcot
I want to pick a pearl in Japan (I know, I am silly...)
Had to cancel our dinner as it was in the middle of the fireworks and now we have a booking to see the fireworks from the Italy Pavillion, which is nice! Don't know what we will do for dinner - maybe just see if we get a walk in when we are hungry? Extra magic hours that evening at Epcot, so maybe we will have a nice walk around the world and have a chilled time.

If you would like to be near Italy, Tutto Gusto Wine Bar is walk in only and has a food menu as well as wine.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/07/10/guest-review-tutto-gusto-in-epcots-italy-pavilion/

http://allears.net/menu/menu_ttg.htm

Wed, 04/24/2013 - 14:11

Allie

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Yak & Yeti is my recommendation for dinner at AK! I've said it a million times before and I'll say it again: I absolutely loved this place!

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January 2020 Trip Report - Riviera Resort
June 2019 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach & Saratoga Springs
October 2018 Trip Report - Contemporary Resort
July 2018 - All Star Movies
April 2018 Trip Report - Art of Animation
Jan 2018 Trip Report - Port Orleans Riverside and Animal Kingdom Lodge
Nov 2017 Trip Report - Boardwalk Villas
Feb 2017 Trip Report - Port Orleans French Quarter
Apr 2016 Trip Report - Pop Century
Dec 2015 Trip Report - All Star Sports & Saratoga Springs
Sept 2014 Trip Report - Coronado Springs
Oct 2012 Trip Report - Caribbean Beach Resort

Wed, 04/24/2013 - 14:18

nsaunier

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ocarina wrote:

steak and rides or fine dining and spa?! Aaargh!

I'd say go for the steak and rides. The spa is something you can do close to home. When I go on vacation I try to do everything that I cant do at home. Your trip sounds awesome!! You must be getting VERY excited! Cant wait to hear all about it when you get back!!!

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 14:37

RobynPrincess

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Ah noooo! The only sunshine we get all year and you get burnt! Oopsy! Hope it's not too painful. Easy to forget sun cream here as its so rarely sunny

The plan looks awesome! You could go back to the resort after AK and get dressed for la nouba and then get dinner in DTD somewhere nearby?

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 14:40

Miss Mikki

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ocarina wrote:

It's been very sunny here in the UK and yesterday I got EPICALLY sunburnt in the sun

I live in the North West UK. It is cold and raining and we are expecting a frost on Friday. We still had our heating on yesterday! No chance of sunburn in this part of UK! LOL

We love POR. Our flights from the UK tend to get in to Orlando mid afternoon. We get to the resort around 5pm. After check in, we go for a swim if the weather is OK, a swim is so nice after long flight, then we shower, change, unpack and get the boat to DTD. We have an alcoholic drink outside the House of Blues, listen to the live music there, and then get something to eat. We get the boat back to the resort and crash, normally around 9pm (which is 2am UK time!) just our little check-in day tradition. I definitely recommend the boat trip to DTD though, it is really nice.

I also got a pearl from Japan on our wedding trip. It is really nice and a fun thing to do.

Have a wonderful trip

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 15:01

ocarina

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Kristen K. wrote:

ocarina wrote:
10th May
More Epcot
I want to pick a pearl in Japan (I know, I am silly...)
Had to cancel our dinner as it was in the middle of the fireworks and now we have a booking to see the fireworks from the Italy Pavillion, which is nice! Don't know what we will do for dinner - maybe just see if we get a walk in when we are hungry? Extra magic hours that evening at Epcot, so maybe we will have a nice walk around the world and have a chilled time.

If you would like to be near Italy, Tutto Gusto Wine Bar is walk in only and has a food menu as well as wine.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/07/10/guest-review-tutto-gusto-in-epcots-italy-pavilion/

http://allears.net/menu/menu_ttg.htm

Ooh, Tutto Gusto looks amazing! Yes - that's a fab idea, we will go there and then catch Illuminations after! Thank you Kristen

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 15:07

ocarina

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Allie wrote:

Yak & Yeti is my recommendation for dinner at AK! I've said it a million times before and I'll say it again: I absolutely loved this place!

Ooh yes - I was looking at some photos and the review here and it looks fantastic! Good idea

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 15:08

ocarina

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nsaunier wrote:

ocarina wrote:
steak and rides or fine dining and spa?! Aaargh!

I'd say go for the steak and rides. The spa is something you can do close to home. When I go on vacation I try to do everything that I cant do at home. Your trip sounds awesome!! You must be getting VERY excited! Cant wait to hear all about it when you get back!!!

Yeah, I think you are right (and it's cheaper! Think of all the steak I could have instead... ) ! We got free fastpasses from Disney when they cancelled one of our tours, so it could be a good day to really go for it.

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 15:11

ocarina

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RobynPrincess wrote:

Ah noooo! The only sunshine we get all year and you get burnt! Oopsy! Hope it's not too painful. Easy to forget sun cream here as its so rarely sunny

The plan looks awesome! You could go back to the resort after AK and get dressed for la nouba and then get dinner in DTD somewhere nearby?

I know! I was epically stupid and sat in our locals beer garden in the middle of the day, then was confused at how a ginger like me could end up so epically frazzled

Yeah - I think we will try and dress up a bit for La Nouba and then maybe get a walk in. But Yak and Yeki sounds good, too! It just depends on how long we spend at AK - I've never been before so I've no idea

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 15:15

ocarina

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Miss Mikki wrote:

ocarina wrote:

It's been very sunny here in the UK and yesterday I got EPICALLY sunburnt in the sun

I live in the North West UK. It is cold and raining and we are expecting a frost on Friday. We still had our heating on yesterday! No chance of sunburn in this part of UK! LOL

We love POR. Our flights from the UK tend to get in to Orlando mid afternoon. We get to the resort around 5pm. After check in, we go for a swim if the weather is OK, a swim is so nice after long flight, then we shower, change, unpack and get the boat to DTD. We have an alcoholic drink outside the House of Blues, listen to the live music there, and then get something to eat. We get the boat back to the resort and crash, normally around 9pm (which is 2am UK time!) just our little check-in day tradition. I definitely recommend the boat trip to DTD though, it is really nice.

I also got a pearl from Japan on our wedding trip. It is really nice and a fun thing to do.

Have a wonderful trip

Oh! Sorry Miss Mikki for rubbing it in We are near Peterborough, more south! It's been gorgeous - but today its back to normal

That's a brill idea and I think we are actually on the same timeish flight (gets in about 3:35pm local time?) - so it might be fun to give it a go! Hopefully our flight won't be too stressful and we won't be too frazzled by the time we get to POR!

Thank you I am so excited - but why won't time go quicker! I want to go NOW!

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 15:19

Skunk

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Tutto Gusto is our new favorite spot in the World Showcase. Having lunch there on the 9th. Good paninis and wine!

Wed, 04/24/2013 - 16:00

ocarina

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Skunk wrote:

Tutto Gusto is our new favorite spot in the World Showcase. Having lunch there on the 9th. Good paninis and wine!

Oooh it looks really brill! Well, that's settled then!

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 20:54

Becks534

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Are all the Italian CM's naturally gorgeous or is it my imagination?! Kristen K - remember the Angel Gabriel at Via Napoli?

Wed, 04/24/2013 - 21:23

ocarina

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Becks534 wrote:

Are all the Italian CM's naturally gorgeous or is it my imagination?! Kristen K - remember the Angel Gabriel at Via Napoli?

Oooh hang on - am I going to have to lurk around Italy the whole trip?

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Wed, 04/24/2013 - 21:57

RobynPrincess

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Becks534 wrote:

Are all the Italian CM's naturally gorgeous or is it my imagination?! Kristen K - remember the Angel Gabriel at Via Napoli?

Omg! Yes! They are stunning! I always blush at least once walking through Italy lol

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Thu, 04/25/2013 - 02:09

dewingedpixie

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Becks534 wrote:

Are all the Italian CM's naturally gorgeous or is it my imagination?! Kristen K - remember the Angel Gabriel at Via Napoli?

All italians are beautiful I should know I am one. My family has so many beautiful people in it.

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Thu, 04/25/2013 - 02:27

taratru

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I love Yak and Yeti, so that's definitely my top rec at AK. Also, I did pick a pearl two years ago...so much fun! And now I have a pretty pearl ring.

You are going to have so much fun!!!

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Thu, 04/25/2013 - 14:04

Kristen K.

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Becks534 wrote:

Are all the Italian CM's naturally gorgeous or is it my imagination?! Kristen K - remember the Angel Gabriel at Via Napoli?

Oh my god... Gabriel was so stunning! And such a sharp dresser, no costuming department put that together. Too Die! I do think that it's just an Italian thing.

Thu, 04/25/2013 - 22:34

JoAnn C

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Kristen K. wrote:

Becks534 wrote:
Are all the Italian CM's naturally gorgeous or is it my imagination?! Kristen K - remember the Angel Gabriel at Via Napoli?

Oh my god... Gabriel was so stunning! And such a sharp dresser, no costuming department put that together. Too Die! I do think that it's just an Italian thing.

I agree, he's easy on the eyes. Taken at Tutto Italia in 2011.

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Thu, 04/25/2013 - 23:28

PirateGirl

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OMG I hope he is there when I have dinner at Tutto Italia.

Fri, 04/26/2013 - 13:08

disneydoc

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Yes, he is very cute. However, these days the cute young people all fall into the category of "same age as my daughter/son," and therefore could be my child.

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Fri, 04/26/2013 - 17:15

Kristen K.

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disneydoc wrote:

Yes, he is very cute. However, these days the cute young people all fall into the category of "same age as my daughter/son," and therefore could be my child.

Oh... no worries there. The manager on duty when we were at Via Napoli was a very handsome and gregarious Italian gentleman that was a little older (mid 50's I would guess). He was just as wonderful.

Fri, 04/26/2013 - 20:26

PirateGirl

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Yeah they may be old enough to be my kids but there is no harm in drooling I mean looking.

Fri, 05/03/2013 - 10:07

ocarina

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Less than a week to go! Eeek! So excited!!

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Fri, 05/03/2013 - 14:22

Allie

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Wohoo!

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Fri, 05/03/2013 - 20:20

PirateGirl

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Fri, 05/03/2013 - 21:00

mimi

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Wishing you a very safe journey - and I'm sure you'll have an absolutely super fabulous time!!!!
(Happy early Birthday!!)

Mon, 05/06/2013 - 01:26

JMUDukz

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ocarina wrote:

I know! I was epically stupid and sat in our locals beer garden in the middle of the day, then was confused at how a ginger like me could end up so epically frazzled

This sounds like a PERFECT way to spend a day!! I'm jealous, though you do have my sympathy on the sunburn!! Those things HURT!!

What did you decide on V&A? I'm rooting for you to choose to go, so we can live vicariously through you!!

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Mon, 05/06/2013 - 09:26

MrHub

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Yes , are you ready, have you sorted everything out? And most importantly do you have that gift card packed?

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Mon, 05/06/2013 - 09:39

Sally-Ann

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Happy early birthday greetings, hope you have a fantastic magical time Are you still doing V&A? Thought you had decided to do something else instead??

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