After the late-night last night where we’d literally thrown the cases into the room and gone to bed, we spent some time this morning sorting things out and exploring the resort a bit more. When I packed up at AKL, I organised the cases so that one contained only things I knew we wouldn’t wear again this trip, and other things for Universal and the last part of the trip meaning we only had a small hand luggage and one actual case to leave out, and the rest we could stick under the bed. I find the packing/ unpacking the hardest part if split stays so this way it should be really quick at each of our next hotels. We got up and had breakfast at the quick service as the girls were really hungry, before heading to the pool. There doesn’t seem to be the same mad dash for beds here as there was at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is a good thing really as one of the cast members started talking up the girls on the way in and we were still with him 10 minutes later!!
The pool games start much earlier here that at AKL (they start around 12.30 here rather than 2pm) and so the girls played a few before we headed in to get changed. We’d decided to try the boat to Disney Springs as we didn’t get to use it last night, visit the Coca Cola store (something we’d promised Winnie but again missed due to the storm) then head to whichever MK resort the bus arrived for first for a quick tea before heading to Magic Kingdom.
We didn’t fit on the first boat that arrived so had to wait a bit, but only around 10 minutes. The boat ride was lovely, and the girls loved looking at the Treehouses we passed, but I’m the most impatient passenger ever and would have been better suited to a speedboat! Apparently relaxing is not my strongest quality!!We docked and then headed right across the Springs to the Coca Cola store. Disney Springs is brutal in the afternoon sunshine with virtually no shade (I’m sure it was designed like this on purpose to force you into shops to cool down and spend money!)
Luckily it was really cool inside the Coca Cola shop. We had a look around then headed to the roof for a cherry coke float and the Around the World sampler. I know Club Cool is essentially the same, but we never get round to it at the parks and thought it would be fun. The girls loved reading where each drink was from and trying them all, even though some were less than pleasant (they were definitely not fans of The Beverly whilst Steve and I didn’t mind it but hated the one that tasted of barbecue!) They then moved onto making cocktails of two flavours they thought would go well, and to their credit they did actually improve a few. The Beverley/ barbecue combo was not something I’d want to ever try again though!! We also met a lovely lady who came over to tell us how much she enjoys the blogs, which was really nice.
After the tasting session we headed to the bus stop and got there just as a Polynesian bus was arriving, so we hopped on (cue another Nana nap for Steve) and headed for tea at Captain Cooks as Polly wanted chicken wings (the Korean barbecue I ordered weren’t spicy enough apparently, so I had those, and she had the buffalo wings instead!) We then caught the monorail to head into Magic Kingdom. We’d originally planned to do the fireworks tonight, but after last nights late bedtime decided to play it by ear. It was obvious a storm was brewing so after a quick photo we headed for Hall of Presidents with what seemed like the whole of Magic Kingdom. 23 minutes and 200000 questions later, we exited the show to a torrential downpour and crazy thunder and lightning. After 5 minutes sheltering, we decided to stick our ponchos on and go for it. We asked the girls where they’d like to go and they chose Carousel of Progress, so we all set off on the long, wet journey.
Last time we were here one of Winnie’s biggest worries was flooding, and any rain sent her into full panic mode, but this time she absolutely loved the rain (although she did check the water was running into drains!) so we had a bit of a dance and a jump in some huge puddles on the way. Steve managed his second Nana nap of the evening and missed the refurbished final scene where John has had a glow up along with one too many glasses of Christmas sherry!
The storm had eased a bit, so we headed for People Mover. The girls were getting tired, and it was only 7.30 so we decided to call it a night as we still have chance to do the fireworks and want to enjoy them fully rather than being half asleep. A quick stop at the Plaza ice cream parlour and confectionary, and we were off on a bus that pulled up as soon as we got to the stop.
At the resort the girls got some bead necklaces as well as some wishing coins, so they made their wishes and were tucked up in bed before 9 ready for a few hours at Hollywood Studios in the morning.
Doodle & Peg Do Disney 