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beansideAfter a loooong day of driving, most of it in the rain, finally pulled into our driveway at 7:09pm, putting an end to an amazing vacation. The drive home was easily my least favorite part of the vacation. It seemed to take forever, and the weather was not good. Especially the last hour and a half, coming through DC in the dark and rain sucked. It was hard to see the lines and I was driving like an old lady, trying to be safe. But we made it!
Today, I have to return the rental car, which was an absolutely wonderful Nissan Rogue that was as comfortable as it could possibly be. It fit all our luggage with ease, and drove like a charm. Then, I will go over to visit dad in the hospital. Now we shall switch over to planning for Jess' laparoscopic look-see.
I didn't really talk about our last night in the Magic Kingdom, since I was a little freaked out about Dad. We went to the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort, which is a lovely resort, but not to my taste theming wise. With the threat of storms, and my not wanting to be on the monorail during one, we took a Minnie Van through Lyft. These are big SUVs that are red with white polkadots. I loved them. The cast member drivers were just as friendly and personable as humanly possible. We got there super early and browsed through the gift shops for a while, before we parked ourselves on a sofa and relaxed for a while.
Finally, I checked in, and they called our table. We were whisked up through the elevator to the 15th floor. The restaurant is lovely, and we got a table with a stellar view of the castle. When I checked in, I said that we were celebrating our 10 year anniversary, and the hostess wanted to know our secret. I said patience, and Jess said liking your partner helps.
The food was amazing. I started with the beef wontons, and practically licked the plate. Jess got the duck l'orange pizza, which was *huge*. It could have been their entree. While we were waiting for our main course, it was time for fireworks. I switched over next to Jess on the bench seat, and we both wibbled our way through the presentation. My Waterloo is the main theme, "You Are The Magic" and Jess' is "How Far I'll Go," from Moana. Either way, we were both teary by the end, knowing it was our last time seeing this specific show, since a new one is coming in April.
Entrees were timed to come after the fireworks, and Jess had a frankly obscenely good pork tenderloin, and I had the stellar filet. I ate every bite on that plate. Jess couldn't quite finish the pork belly. Then, it was onto dessert. Jess ordered the Grand Marinier creme brûlée, and I got the five bites dessert, which was tiny portions of five desserts they've had at the Grill during it's 50 years. My favorite was the honeycomb crunch, which was delicious. As we started dessert, our waiter appeared with two glasses of Champagne to celebrate our anniversary. It was a sweet bit of pixie dust, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Then, another Minnie Van later, we were back at our resort and too full to move.
Things I would do differently next trip? Not a whole lot. Probably would pay the extra to rent the scooter at the park, because taking it on transportation is kind of a pain in the ass. Everything is incredibly accessible, but it's still a lot.
All in all, it was amazing, the most magical and best vacation, and I want to go back in a few years.
I cried leaving the resort a little bit. It was such a carefree week, and I really enjoyed that. Only having obligation to each other and what we wanted to do was a heady feeling.
Okay, going to go get more coffee. (I miss the resort Nespresso machine.). Everyone have the best Monday you can possibly have.
Today, I have to return the rental car, which was an absolutely wonderful Nissan Rogue that was as comfortable as it could possibly be. It fit all our luggage with ease, and drove like a charm. Then, I will go over to visit dad in the hospital. Now we shall switch over to planning for Jess' laparoscopic look-see.
I didn't really talk about our last night in the Magic Kingdom, since I was a little freaked out about Dad. We went to the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort, which is a lovely resort, but not to my taste theming wise. With the threat of storms, and my not wanting to be on the monorail during one, we took a Minnie Van through Lyft. These are big SUVs that are red with white polkadots. I loved them. The cast member drivers were just as friendly and personable as humanly possible. We got there super early and browsed through the gift shops for a while, before we parked ourselves on a sofa and relaxed for a while.
Finally, I checked in, and they called our table. We were whisked up through the elevator to the 15th floor. The restaurant is lovely, and we got a table with a stellar view of the castle. When I checked in, I said that we were celebrating our 10 year anniversary, and the hostess wanted to know our secret. I said patience, and Jess said liking your partner helps.
The food was amazing. I started with the beef wontons, and practically licked the plate. Jess got the duck l'orange pizza, which was *huge*. It could have been their entree. While we were waiting for our main course, it was time for fireworks. I switched over next to Jess on the bench seat, and we both wibbled our way through the presentation. My Waterloo is the main theme, "You Are The Magic" and Jess' is "How Far I'll Go," from Moana. Either way, we were both teary by the end, knowing it was our last time seeing this specific show, since a new one is coming in April.
Entrees were timed to come after the fireworks, and Jess had a frankly obscenely good pork tenderloin, and I had the stellar filet. I ate every bite on that plate. Jess couldn't quite finish the pork belly. Then, it was onto dessert. Jess ordered the Grand Marinier creme brûlée, and I got the five bites dessert, which was tiny portions of five desserts they've had at the Grill during it's 50 years. My favorite was the honeycomb crunch, which was delicious. As we started dessert, our waiter appeared with two glasses of Champagne to celebrate our anniversary. It was a sweet bit of pixie dust, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Then, another Minnie Van later, we were back at our resort and too full to move.
Things I would do differently next trip? Not a whole lot. Probably would pay the extra to rent the scooter at the park, because taking it on transportation is kind of a pain in the ass. Everything is incredibly accessible, but it's still a lot.
All in all, it was amazing, the most magical and best vacation, and I want to go back in a few years.
I cried leaving the resort a little bit. It was such a carefree week, and I really enjoyed that. Only having obligation to each other and what we wanted to do was a heady feeling.
Okay, going to go get more coffee. (I miss the resort Nespresso machine.). Everyone have the best Monday you can possibly have.
no subject
Date: 2023-02-13 02:49 pm (UTC)Aren’t the Minnie vans adorable?
I think there’s some sort of universal principle at work because it does always seem to be raining when we leave, like a physical manifestation recognizing the return to the real world.
no subject
Date: 2023-02-13 03:04 pm (UTC)I loved the Minnie Van's! And our two drivers were absolutely the sweetest things. I was averaging at least two cast compliments a day while we were there.
The rain was not welcome, I've gotta say, but we managed.
no subject
Date: 2023-02-13 06:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-02-14 12:14 am (UTC)