Cheers to Character Cavalcades, Cocktails and Celebrations! 2/1 3 HUGE ANNOUNCEMENTS!!!

[KathyM2]

Here to follow along on your latest adventures! Will be living vicariously for a while!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

It's the free & reduced price I'm going to miss.

I know, right!!!! Next thing, Disney will charge for fireworks when and if they come back...

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Here to follow along on your latest adventures! Will be living vicariously for a while!!

Hi Kathy!
Thank you for joining in. It was a good trip with great friends.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Again, Joe and I made the poor choice of booking the first flight out, which is always super early.

We always book the first flight out when going to WDW because the plane sits at Midway overnight and usually leaves on time. But it does make for an early bedtime.

We decided to go with Budget this time as it was $150 cheaper than National (who we usually rent with). BIG MISTAKE!!!

We rented from Budget in Denver once and never again. The car was fine but the additional charges they sneak in more than doubled the original quoted price.

 

[wendypooh22]

What a fun first day!! Sorry about the rental car issues. We normally just use Hertz and although they are more expensive, we have been very pleased with their service.

Our original 10:20 am flight was changed to 8 am. We decided that instead of having to wake up at 3 am to get ready and drive to the airport, we are staying at a hotel near the airport that offers a free shuttle. I will be too excited to sleep, but not having to wake up and stress about the drive to LAX will be worth the extra night in a hotel.

I look forward to following along on your magical vacation!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

What a fun first day!! Sorry about the rental car issues. We normally just use Hertz and although they are more expensive, we have been very pleased with their service.

Our original 10:20 am flight was changed to 8 am. We decided that instead of having to wake up at 3 am to get ready and drive to the airport, we are staying at a hotel near the airport that offers a free shuttle. I will be too excited to sleep, but not having to wake up and stress about the drive to LAX will be worth the extra night in a hotel.

Thank you for joining in!
We normally rent with National. Budget just had such a good deal that we thought we'd change it up a bit. Yep, bad choice, and back to National.
The problem is that Midway Airport isn't in the best area and the hotel pickings are slim.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

We spent the rest of the day in St Pete visiting with family. We made a stop at Mazzaros (an Italian grocery store complete with bakery and coffee bar) for a coffee, did some shopping, and ended the day with Joe's mom's homemade pizzas. She made 3 different pizzas, all delicious. Seriously, this lady should have opened a restaurant. But, epic fail, no pics of her masterpieces...

Saturday, we finally got to see Julie, Todd, and Gia, after 6 very long months. Joe and I have missed them all terribly and it felt so good to finally spend time with them. We ended up at The Pier in downtown St Pete and had lunch at a spot called Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. The food was wonderful and we had a corner table facing Tampa Bay. It was the perfect place for lunch.

We started with drinks and Joe had a mojito and I had a spicy margarita. Both were light and refreshing. I have been on a bit of a spicy drink kick and this one hit the spot. Joe and I split the Ahi tuna appetizer. That too was a perfect choice. For our entree, Joe and I split the lobster roll with a side of fresh fruit. This was such a good option. The roll was buttery and flakey with tons of fresh lobster meat with a light mayo mixed in. It was pure Heaven and Joe and I ate every bite. Gia even tried it and claimed it yummy.

After lunch, we walked around The Pier a little more with my sister and her family and enjoyed the beautiful day. There may have been a few selfies taken (but not of me). There was not a cloud in the sky and although it was warm, Joe and I enjoyed the time outside.

Next up, We're going to Disney World!!!

 

[suse66]

I am just like you and always book the early flights. Then I wake up at 3 am thinking why did I did that??? I do love the extra Disney time though. Lunch looks awesome and I am so happy that you got to see Gia!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

I am just like you and always book the early flights. Then I wake up at 3 am thinking why did I did that??? I do love the extra Disney time though. Lunch looks awesome and I am so happy that you got to see Gia!

Like so many others that haven't gotten to spend time with family and friends because of this stupid virus, seeing her finally felt so good!!!!

 

[annie170]

I always book the early flights too. I love having almost a full day ahead when you land, but the lack of sleep generally shows up within a day or two.

That's too bad about the Budget rental cars. My husband travels a lot for his job and says he has the best luck with Avis and Hertz. They're more expensive, but solid service and his company is paying for it. He tries to avoid Dollar and Budget.

That's fun that you were able to spend a couple days with family before heading to Disney.

 

[CruellaNY]

We ended up at The Pier in downtown St Pete and had lunch at a spot called Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille. The food was wonderful and we had a corner table facing Tampa Bay. It was the perfect place for lunch.

That sounds lovely!

So good to see pictures of a happy and smiling Gia And nice selfies lol. I still like taking those early flights even though I curse myself when I wake up but it's nice when you land before 11!

 

[Wood Nymph]

Like so many others that haven't gotten to spend time with family and friends because of this stupid virus, seeing her finally felt so good!!!!

Gia looks very happy to see you, too.

 

[chiisai]

Your title drew me in. I read a lot of Randy Wayne White’s novels long ago and I was trying to figure out why that restaurant name was soooo familiar to me. Finally figured it out seeing the picture! I am now going to have to take a visit myself.

I am enjoying reading about your travels!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

That's fun that you were able to spend a couple days with family before heading to Disney.

Yes, it was. We really enjoyed spending that time with family.

So good to see pictures of a happy and smiling Gia And nice selfies lol. I still like taking those early flights even though I curse myself when I wake up but it's nice when you land before 11!

She was so naughty this trip, lol!
I curse myself every time I have to wake up for those flights. I'll be doing it again in 3 weeks. Sigh.

Gia looks very happy to see you, too.

It was a super sweet reunion.

Your title drew me in. I read a lot of Randy Wayne White’s novels long ago and I was trying to figure out why that restaurant name was soooo familiar to me. Finally figured it out seeing the picture! I am now going to have to take a visit myself.

I am enjoying reading about your travels!

Thank you so much. It was a good trip!!! I already miss my friends.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

We're Going to Disney World...
"Live" Update #1

 

[eliseisawkward]

I'm not going to lie...It's anything but pleasant. We actually tried to change our October flight from Friday morning to Thursday night, but SW was going to charge us an additional $1000. Yep, NO THANK YOU!

An additional $1000?!???? I see why you might stick with the early flight.


So nice that you got to see your family and spend time with them after being away so long. I certainly miss my family members that I haven’t been able to see yet this year.

Looking forward to your time at Disney!!!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Looking forward to your time at Disney!!!

It was a really good trip and I can't wait to share it with everyone!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Great start to your trip. Naughty or not Gia's smile is just precious and you are clearly the favourite auntie and uncle. The Thai food looks great though to be honest any restaurant food looks amazing to me right now! It's been almost 7 months since I've eaten out or had takeaway/or had a drink so you'd think I'd be a waif by now but no, thanks to inactivity and steroids etc, I am pretty much exactly what I weighed at the start of March grrr! Mind you can you imagine what I'd be like if I'd been doing my usual wining and dining
Sorry the car stank. That is not good

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Great start to your trip. Naughty or not Gia's smile is just precious and you are clearly the favourite auntie and uncle. The Thai food looks great though to be honest any restaurant food looks amazing to me right now! It's been almost 7 months since I've eaten out or had takeaway/or had a drink so you'd think I'd be a waif by now but no, thanks to inactivity and steroids etc, I am pretty much exactly what I weighed at the start of March grrr! Mind you can you imagine what I'd be like if I'd been doing my usual wining and dining
Sorry the car stank. That is not good

Gia was so naughty this trip, lol!
The Thai place is amazing and hoping to go back in a few weeks.
I've gained 10lbs during this COVID nonsense, lol!

 

[Jenny Sanders]

We're on our way to Disney World!!!!

Today was Disney day, but first, we had to pick Gia up. She lives about 10 minutes from Joe's parents and we were excited to get the show on the road, quite literally. I think we were at her house by 845 am. We got her in her car seat, loaded up the car with her bags, said goodbye to her parents, and were on the road before 9. Which means, we were in Disney by 1030, lots of time to shop before brunch at Wine Bar George. And, that's exactly what we did.

We parked the car in the orange garage (that was a bit of a cluster). Just an FYI, the lime garage opens later in the afternoon, and surface parking and valet remain closed. We walked around World of Disney and Gia picked out a few things. Then, we walked over to WBG. We had a bit of a wait but were soon escorted upstairs to our table.

Joe and I started with drinks. Joe had The Hoot, ginger beer, creme de cassis, and Hooten Young American whiskey. I had the Frozcato - Dole Whip, Mimosa made with Dole Whip pineapple Moscato, pineapple, and Prosecco. These were so good and the perfect way to start brunch. As far as food options go, Joe and I split the Crispy Mac & Cheese Bites, tomato nage, pecorino and the Burrata, avocado, bacon, ciabatta. These were delicious, but the burrata was the star of the show. This was one of the best things I have ever eaten. @CruellaNY ordered it in July and I was having some serious regret that I didn't order it too. Well, now it was my turn. This was creamy mozzarella cheese goodness and so extremely flavorful with the avocado, tomatoes, and candied bacon. Yum!!! I am currently salivating for it...Oh, the best part of this meal was that I finally got to meet George Miliotes (owner of WBG). He was so gracious and kind and I even got to take a picture with him. How cool is that!!!!

After brunch, it started to rain a little so we decided to head out of Disney Springs. Besides, we had another reservation to get to...Hey, we needed some dessert and I had the perfect placed booked!!!

Next up, Beaches and Cream. Yay!