Today we actually had our first proper full day of chilling, and it was much needed. The girls and Steve all stayed asleep until 8.30am which is unheard of (well, for the girls. I’m pretty sure with his talent for sleep that Steve could have lasted until at least lunch time!) We had a slow and steady get ready. The small one put in her order for Mickey waffles and bacon, so Steve set off to The Mara to collect them for her. We’ve not had many breakfasts here at all, mainly because we’ve left the hotel before it’s even open! We then got ready and went down to the pool for a lazy morning of water games, sticker books and top trumps. I even managed to read some of my book for the first time since we got here (I remember the days where I used to bring 7 books for a week long holiday!) It is so hot though that I spent most of the time in the shade. Hats off to those people who can sit out it the sun here for hours on end, but I just don’t have the stamina! I literally feel as though my skin is cooking (although the amount of sweat pouring from me means at least it is being basted well so would be a moist meal!)
Around 2 o’clock we packed up to come to the room and get ready to go to Disney Springs, which was great timing as just as we were leaving the pool closed due to a storm. The plan was to meet my parents for tea at Raglan Road, before having a quick look around and heading back for an early night. We got showered and changed and were ready earlier than planned so I stayed in the room to get a few more bits packed, and the girls went to say goodbye to one of the cast members, Skylar, who they befriended on a previous trip. She is so lovely and spent ages talking to Polly about her school public speaking competition, which Polly was chuffed to bits about.
We got the bus (which was running late, again!) to Disney Springs and arrived at Raglan Road at the right time for our meal with my mum and dad already there waiting for us. We always like to visit here on our trips. It’s a really fun place with live Irish music and dancers, and the food is always really good too. The girls were really hoping to see Emma, who is one of the dancers they met a few years ago. She always makes a fuss of them and they love seeing her, so when she turned up at our table, they were so happy. She chatted for a while and then told the girls she’d come and get them for the children’s’ dance later. They love this part of the night as they get to do a short Irish dance on the stage before receiving a certificate. I remember Winnie doing it when she had not long since started walking confidently, so it always brings back lovely memories (she wasn’t too tiny…she didn’t walk until she was nearly 2! I think she was too happy to be carried around and nothing much has changed!!)
After tea we set off to buy some sweet gifts for our nieces from Goofy’s Candy Company. However, Winnie got distracted firstly by a Toy Story Alien photo prop (that child and her photos!) and then, obviously by the shops where she somehow ended up managing to get some new Lego which meant we had to be fair and get Polly a Pooh bear she’d fallen in love with! So much for the one new toy policy!
We finally managed to make our way to the sweet shop. We quickly chose gifts and paid for them with the power of the dining plan, but just as we were breathing a sigh of relief at being able to make an easy escape, the girls saw a sign stating that you can design your own treat and have it made up as a snack credit (sometimes I think life was easier when they couldn’t read!) We then spent another 10 minutes re-queuing as the non-existent queue from 2 minutes ago was now practically out of the door, and a further 10 minutes waiting for their treats to be made up (so much for the hasty escape!). Basically you choose one of 4 base snacks (gingerbread man, marshmallows, rice crispy treat or apple) then the chocolate dip you’d like (white, milk or dark), the sprinkles you want (loads of choices but Polly chose cinnamon sugar and Winnie opted for crushed Oreos) and the chocolate drizzle (again, white, milk or plain). You get to watch them being made through the glass panel, and then your name is called when they are ready to collect. The girls loved it and it was a really fun use of snack credits (which we’ve almost used up!)
We couldn’t face the prospect of another potential 30-minute wait for a bus, so after saying goodbye to my olds decided to get a Lyft ($10 and it picks you up just out of the back of Earl of Sandwich so minimal walking. That’ll do nicely! Anything to help my poor cankles through the last few days!) The girls did their usual thing of running ahead to hide in the room although it’s not the best game as they always hide either under the bed or in the shower (choices are somewhat limited I suppose) but this time as we approached we heard an excited squeal and they rushed back out to tell us there was something on the bed. It turns out that the lovely Skylar had sent gifts to the room for them along with a beautiful note about how much she enjoyed seeing them. We are so incredibly blessed to have met some of the most wonderful people here who genuinely make the world a better place for those around them.
Only one more full day before we move to Grand Floridian for the end of our amazing trip.
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 