The Griswolds at Wallyworld

Today and yesterday we've been enjoying the things to do here

at Disneyworld.

Yesterday we went to Epcot.

We started the day with a bus that runs inside the campground and took us

to the depot where we switched to the bus that would take us to Epcot.

About 20 minutes total travel time and we were at the gate…  not bad.

Once inside we did a few of the attractions…  the lines were not long at all.

Our longest wait was about 20 minutes.

For the more popular attractions we had taken advantage of "Fast Pass" where you can

pre-reserve a time slot - show up at that time and not have to wait on line.

Our favorite of the day was Soarin a simulator type attraction where you feel as if you

are flying in an ultralight over many scenic areas of California.

Kate liked it so much that maybe…  just maybe… we'll have to get an ultralight.

Since I'm a pilot it's not as crazy as it sounds.

Heading over to the World Showcase we started our 

Round the World Photo Shoot.

We had Mittagessen (lunch) in Germany.

We had Ice Cream Cones in France.

While eating our cones we noticed this family…

Everyone was on their cell phones.

The kids were playing games on the phones.

We thought… hummmm  come to Disneyworld to play games on the cell phone.

As a Resort Guest (the campground is part of the "Resort") we had unlimited

use of all the transportation modes…  Water, Bus, & Monorail.

We've been taking advantage of this efficient system since we arrived.

On the way out of Epcot we took one more shot.

Last night for dinner we went to the Artist Point Restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge.

It required a short (7 minute) boat ride from the beach here.

The Restaurant features the foods of the Pacific Northwest - Salmon on a Plank

being their signature dish.

Not being real fish lovers we both opted for the Fillet.

First was the Smokey Portbello Soup.

With Shiitakes, Chive Oil and Sourdough Croutons.

It was delicious!

(sorry about the photos - used the iPhone in low light)

Next was the fillet.

Tender, medium rare and perfectly cooked.

Served with Root Vegetable Silk, Kale Fondue, Marble Potatoes, 

Broccoflower, crispy Shallots, Vidalia Onion-Cabernet Demi-glace, 

and Horseradish-Boursin Cheese Compound Butter.

It was heavenly.

It was the best meal that we've had since we dined in Napa.

I finished up with a berry cobble with homemade black berry ice cream

and Kate had the Vanilla Bean Creme Brule Trio.

We both had French Press Coffees.

Then a short boat ride back to the Ft Wilderness Marina placed us on the dock

just in time to watch the nightly fireworks show across the lake at

the Magic Kingdom.   The fireworks are accompanied by music and are in sync.

The perfect end to a great night.

This morning we were back on the road at 9am - this time catching the bus

over to Disney Hollywood Studios.

We had a couple of venues that we wanted to hit and then planned on just

winging it and seeing what the day brought forth.

One of our plans… much to Kates chagrin - was Tower of Terror

We would up riding the Rock & Roll Roller Coaster instead…

A metal coaster with several inverted sections.

Kate kept her eyes closed and was a tad under the weather when we got 

off so I thought it best to forego the Tower and its 10 story drops!

Soon she was back to her usual self and striking a pose in front of this Caddie.

We enjoyed several more attractions…  we especially like the simulator type

rides both in Epcot (Soarin) and here in Hollywood (Star Wars)

After a quick lunch we decided to hit the transportation system and visit some of the

resort properties.   Each one has a different theme and we thought it would be fun.

We jumped a bus to Epcot where we caught the Monorail to the Transportation Center.

From there we jumped a Riverboat to Magic Kingdom.

From Magic Kingdom we hopped a water launch over to the Grand Floridian Resort with

continuing service to the South Seas Resort.

At the South Seas we got in the spirit and had some Mai Tai's and Pina Colada's

at the Tiki Bar by the Pool.   Pretty Nice!

(Hey - it's 5 O'clock Somewhere)

After touring the property and seeing the hotel we headed back toward the Marina

to catch another ferry.

We stopped for this shot with the pool behind us.

You can see the Magic Kingdom Castle off in the distance between us.

Walking around the pool you can go thru this tunnel where a waterfall cascades.

Really nice place.

I thought I'd show you a few of the different ferries.

This one took us from Magic Kingdom to the South Seas Resort on the far

side of the Lagoon.   Just in the distance you can see some of the Grand Floridian Resort

This is the one that eventually took us from Magic Kingdom back to

Fort Wilderness - the Campground.

Again - The Grand Floridian is in the Background.

This one is running between the Contemporary Resort and Magic Kingdom.

The Contemporary Resort is a stop on the Monorail route.

It actually runs thru the hotel.

At the top of the Contemporary is the California Grill Restaurant.

One of the finest restaurants in Disney World.

You can have an upscale dinner while watching the fireworks.

We had actually scored one of the very hard to obtain reservations during the fireworks,

but have decided that we just need to give our waistline a rest.

We realized today that one could actually come to Disney, stay in a Resort Property, 

and really have a grand time visiting the other resorts..   hitting the bars, pools, and restaurants,

without ever actually setting foot in the theme parks.

If you are not visiting Disney with Rug Rats the parks lose a lot of their appeal.

We might come back here to do just that.

I'm sure we will cause I've put it on my ever growing list.

Well tomorrow we are back on the road.

I have to say we had a great time.

It actually felt like a real vacation for two days.

A couple of days of Fantasy, food and fun.