March 3 - Magic Kingdom

When we started to visit the parks (yesterday) - the weather had dropped to low 70's so it was perfect weather to be at the various Disney parks.  But I will say....I don't think I will ever go without Fast Pass - best thing Disney came up with!!  There is a limit of 3 attractions reserved prior to being there.  After all 3 are done, you can get another Fast Pass (if available) one at a time.  So far, so good!

Kathy had set up FP for Monsters, Inc - Buzz Lightyear and Haunted Mansion.  Monsters, Inc - always so much fun because it deals with the audience - was even more fun this time because Tony got chosen as one of the "participants"...!!  Kathy was very good at Buzz Lightyear but I got my favorite numbers as my score so I was extremely happy!  Tony who sat alone in a 2 person car, worked both "guns" and looked very serious about it!  We were able to walk right up to The Carousel of Progress without a wait.

Lunch was at a place Dennis and Maria recommended and had taken Kathy & Tony. Pesco Bill! Located in Frontierland, it was busy.  Kathy suggested the loaded nachos and while she & Tony went to order, I went to save a table.  I thought I was going to have trouble but the place is huge and if you look beyond the outer fringes, there's plenty to chose from!  When they came back with our food, omigosh!  Because of the fixings bar..."load them up" is an understatement!  We were all very happy and once again, Tony left us after the meal.

Kathy and I went on to Winnie the Pooh, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Philharmagic and the People Mover. Yep...did the works!  Happy Campers!

Those fantastic nachos!

Haunted Mansion

Updated show...GREAT!!

Small World

Dole Whip Treat!

YIKES...didn't know I was holding Winnie that way!

People Mover

Kathy waiting for me...:)

Last pic of the day

March 2 - Animal Kingdom

Ahhhh....Animal Kingdom!  A funny inside story between me & Kathy!  Last year, when I had a 2 day pass and tried to figure which 2 parks to visit, Kathy advised me not to see AK...as she put it "a waste of time"!!  I had never been.  When it had first opened in 1998, Nikki and I tried for a visit but alas, we weren't able to because they closed for whatever problems they were having.

I was ready to listen to Kathy's advice but then the only park that I would be able to meet up with Nikki was AK.  What could Kathy say...except "it's up to you".  I said "Animal Kingdom".  But we saw Nikki very briefly and then Kathy who had set up all the fast passes...quickly whisked me through one attraction to another and pooh-poohing the ones she felt had no real entertainment value. We were done by 1pm!  And on our way back home when Nikki called to asked where were we so we could see a few things together!  Oh well...that's the way it goes.

 During the rest of Kathy & Tony's stay in Florida 2016 - their friends, Dennis & Maria showed them how to really enjoy Disney and in particular - AK!  From that moment on...I felt every time I spoke to Kathy, she had just visited AK!! Again! Harumphed!!  LOL!!

So this time...we were going to do it right and see as much as I wanted and she even agreed to stay for the new River of Lights show which is at night - folks!!  You know my sis...she doesn't venture out at night if she can help it!

Nikki kept insisting we HAD to try the ribs at AK.  Again...another thing Kathy doesn't do...buy food at Disney but this year, being an annual pass holder, she was allowed a 20% discount at certain things.  The Flame Tree BBQ was one and they serve ribs.  We were pleasantly surprised!  We ordered a chicken and rib combo and besides being delicious - it was a good amount of food!

Tony left us after the meal.  Kathy and I went to see about catching The Lion King and although we were going to make a pit stop at restrooms nearby, I noticed there were few people on line so I asked if we could try for it.  Next thing we know, we were led through another entrance, into the show which had already began and given 2 reserved seats!  Plop!  We were IN!!  Total VIP service...we were befuddled and flummoxed but LOVED it!!

The River of Lights is a new light show and only put on a few nights a week.  I think they're still working out the kinks.  In the meantime, because we knew seating could be limited, we lined up 3 hours before the show! Seems kind of crazy now but I'm glad we got to see it!

My kissing Winnie as she asked..:)

The great ribs and chicken!

River Of Lights

March 1, 2017

My first full day in Clermont.  And it was a hot 88 degrees day!  Apparently unseasonally warm and almost a record! There were no plans for a Disney park visit...thank goodness...way too hot to be wandering around.  Instead, I opted for some time at their "Royal Spa" pool.  The complex has 2 pools...one allows children...the other doesn't.  Not that I mind children but Kathy & Tony had never been to the "no children one" so it was a good opportunity.  The Royal Spa also has 2 pools, heated and unheated.

No one wanted to join me so Tony dropped me off and I happily enjoyed the sun & heat that I've been missing in NYC!  I even took a couple of dips.  Refreshing!

Kathy took me to BJ's and Aldi's for some breakfast foods I wanted for the rest of the week.

Our meal for the day was to Koy Wan - their favorite Hibachi Grill.  I didn't get there last year but it hit the spot this year!  And was as amazing as I remembered it!

C'mon...this is THE LIFE

This unheated pool has beautiful vistas!

Some sushi

Hibachi Grill

Dessert