After yesterday’s football disappointment, we woke with at least we had the pleasure of knowing that our rivals down the road were the only team in the country without a win this season and long may that last (spoiler it didn’t).
Our plan today was to enjoy some more of the glorious Floridian weather before heading out to Disney Springs late morning. I even managed to start a new book called ‘The Couple in the Cabin’, which started well.
Neil and I both had a try at fixing the TV in the lounge which for some reason or other had started turning itself on and then off again continuously all by itself. It was almost like it was possessed. In the end the only way we found to stop it was to pull out the plug. I called the villa’s management company who deemed it not to be an emergency and to call back on Monday, which I thought was poor (not that they wouldn’t come out on a Sunday but the fact I would have to phone them again).
At 11.15am we were in the car and drove to the Disney Springs surface car park. It is so much easier getting in through security parking here and feels much quicker. We parked in the ‘Watermelon’ lot. Since our last visit a week ago, Christmas had arrived here with the lovely decorations Christmas Tree trail.
Our plan to have a leisurely stroll and look round soon took effect as Karen fetched herself a coffee from Starbucks and we sat behind the store overlooking the Lake. Neil joined us with the news that the Football Shirt shop was selling our rivals shirts which displeased me greatly.
It was here that we learned that Barry & Ellie had made their decision of the choice of venue for their wedding in 2026 which Karen got very excited about.
All of Disney Springs was very busy as we made our way slowly to the Earl of Sandwich store at the other end of the complex for lunch. I was told off for calling it an expensive version of Subway. We used the Groupon for here I had bought back in July which meant combined with the 10% off we got from the Christmas Tree map we ended up getting 3 sandwiches for the price of 2.
I had the Chicken Caesar Wrap which was large, filling and very good. I was also moaned at for quickly being the one to volunteer to find a table outside whilst Karen & Neil had to wait quite a long time in the queue inside. My argument was that as I was paying, I should at least get some privileges.
We sat a while before walking over to the Ghirardelli store where to compound things, Karen & Neil again went and queued whilst I waited for a table. To be fair, getting a table is much trickier here and sometimes you must pounce like a Ninja to grab one. Also, Karen & Neil were not sure what they wanted to order until they were in the store. My ninja skills resulted in securing a table although to Karen’s chagrin one without a parasol for shade.
The ice creams Karen & I had (Neil had a milk shake sundae) were lovely but stupidly priced. The frozen custard from Shake Shack we had previously was just as nice and half the price, so this may have been the last Ghirardelli for a while.
After another sojourn in the sun, we started a slow walk back. Karen & Neil had a look round the Lego store which is one of the places I also like to go in, but not enough if it involves a queuing system to get in.
The next proper stop for us all was when Neil joined the queue for the Gideons cookie store. Whilst we were waiting, I walked the not inconsiderable distance to get Karen another coffee from a now very busy Starbucks store. She had managed to drink much of it before Neil returned triumphantly with his stash of cookies.
After a look around the Coca Cola massive store where Neil finally managed to purchase a bottle of the elusive ‘Oreo’ favoured Coke he had been keeping an eye out for, we went back to the car.
On the way back to the villa we diverted to the Animal Kingdom Lodge where we parked and went for a walk to have a look around and see the animals. This would be my preferred way of doing a safari. Having a room with a balcony where the food is laid out below so that they giraffes and zebras come to you, rather than having to be up at 3am, driven for miles and perhaps seeing something in the distance if you are lucky. Combine that with a behind the scenes tour at the Animal Kingdom Park and you cover all bases and get to see the big 5 in style and luxury. I know they are not ‘in the wild’ but then on safari most animals are in ‘reserves’ for their own protection which are just parks at the end of the day – just much bigger. Also, there is no way I would get Karen sleeping in tents with lions and other creatures roaming around no matter how luxurious they are or however many guards there may be.
After this we decided to go straight to dinner rather than going back to the villa and heading out again. We headed back to the Lazy Dog restaurant and as we were earlier today got seated straight away. The food was more expensive than we have been paying but it was at least different types of food. Neil had the Bison Meatloaf (which I tried and had a nice ‘gamey’ twang to it. I went for the Campfire Pot Roast which was very nice. We all enjoyed it and said we would definitely eat her again on our next trip.
Our last stop was at the Target on the opposite side of the road. This was to get ‘Christmas Pyjamas’ for everyone. It took far longer than it should for Karen to decided which ones and which sizes. Neil point blank refused to participate and said he would rather spend Christmas alone than being forced to wear them. They were not as cheap as we had hoped so will have to do for more than one Christmas!
In the villa after another failed attempt to fix the TV in the lounge with a mind of its own, I moved the one in from our bedroom into the lounge instead. We all watched some more Shark Tank whilst eating parts of the Gideons cookie haul. They were so good. It is weird that the added salt to the mix that gives them an added ‘je ne sais quoi’.
By 10.30am I was tired and went to bed leaving Karen watching TV again as usual.
