Going Downtown

Sarah had planned a tad more shopping for this morning as we ambled down to Downtown Disney. There was method in our madness as we knew that with all the construction work it was difficult to park there at the moment as Disney rebrand this area.  Yes there was a lot of work going on and I am sure it will look great when it is finished but we managed to park without too many problems at all.  Perhaps because we were there at about 10.30 just as some of the shops were opening.

We hadn't come to buy anything in particular so another time to chillax and walk along by the lake looking at the water taxis and all the other sights that I have read about.

 Cirque Du Soleil 

 House of Blues

 The Disney Balloon

 View Across the Lake

 Raglan Road

And more of these will be appearing on a street near you.

A lovely walk there this morning even with the hoardings up.  Sarah decided she loved the colour they were painted - a pastel green.

Finally we arrived at the shops where we needed to have a little splurge....... Basin to start with.  I bought some body cream here last year and it was lovely so bought a little more to top up supplies.  By the time we had finished sniffing and smelling and made our purchases we had two bored looking male folk with us.

Next stops was the Disney store.   I love looking around these.  They make our Disney stores look very poor indeed.  Daniel left the place with a mug in the design of Mickey's trousers....Sarah left with a t shirt and I left with another pin......just to add to my collection.  In the summer the Disney shops are always our place of refuge from the summer heat because of the air conditioning or at least that is what we tell each other...... Perhaps not so.

Ice cream at Ghiradelli's was next on the agenda.  This morning's choice was Sea Salted Caramel Sundae and a Butterscotch Sundae.

 You could actually taste the salt in the caramel - delicious and amazingly Sarah could hardly finish hers today which was a real surprise.
Well worth a visit!

After filling our faces another little walk was needed.

Straight across to the Lego Store where a few purchases of some Lego key rings were made. Nothing too expensive today as Sarah and Daniel have slightly grown out of the need for Lego but not too old to have a Lego key ring or two.  I do like the creatures outside of the store and love the dragon.

Time to go back to the villa for a swim and some lunch with our purchases so we meandered back around the lake.

 Some of the construction work going on along the lakeside.

Water taxis resumed today.

And soon enough we found our car and came back for our swim......... and a dip in the spa to warm ourselves up as there was a bit of a chill in the air today....

They still love playing in water - nothing changes.

A celebratory meal out at Texas de Brazil

Well this was Daniel's choice of restaurant and one we wouldn't do very often as it is not the cheapest option by any means but what an experience.  We had visited a restaurant like this previously when we were on holiday in Mexico, where they let you choose a salad and then the meat is brought to you on a large sword and you are served directly at your table.  Stas was our waiter for the evening and he could not have been anymore attentive. Excellent experience from start to finish.  However the meat comes rare or medium not well done.  Saying that they will cook it for you if you request your meat to be more than medium.

 The little card is turned from green to red when you choose to eat.  Service is excellent with many of the meat servers coming around with an excellent choice of meat.

 The salad bar with a wide selection of salads to start

                         Creme Brulee which was absolutely gorgeous                  

 And a very thick and filling cheesecake.

Martin's face on receipt of the bill

We all agreed that it was a fantastic experience and we are thinking about returning when we arrive back in Florida next August.

Away to meet the animals

Today was a date with the Animals in Animal Kingdom and we could have a lie in this morning as our first fast pass wasn't until 10.15 when we were due to go off on safari........ Love the safari for the photos and the talk about the different animals.  If you get out there a bit earlier then the animals are out and about before their day of lazing in the sunshine begins.  I wouldn't say they were exactly active but they amble a little quicker in the early part of the day.

So with a little lie in behind us we were ready to leave about 9.30 and we found our way without any help from the SAT nav.  Sarah and I directed beautifully reading the signs along the way.....  Car park was very light really if compared to the summer and we even ventured out on a walk from the car to the park, something we only think of in moments of madness in the summer due to the humidity.

We were welcomed by a very pleasant bag checker who even zipped the bags up for me. Very kind indeed.  Bag checkers into the park come in two kinds...... officious or friendly.... prefer the friendly ones, just makes my day.

Soon we were off on our adventure through into the land of Africa and into Harambe and off......... Excellent guide through the African heartland.

 A mud bath is always good first thing in the morning before your day begins, great for the complexion.

 A little lazing in the sunshine before the busy day starts.

 Young 'un have a clean up before the visitors turn up.

 Snap chat! Crocodile style

 Just looking around to see what the day brings. Motley looking crew in that jeep.

 Come near me and you will feel the sharp end of my horns.

 Getting away from mum before she sees what we are up to.

 We need to spread our wings for our true colours to show.

 And you think I am moving?

 Surveying the land around me. Blending in beautifully.

Style Queen of the Savannah.

Now after our safari we headed for Asia for our ride on Kali Kali rapids but they were having some technical difficulties.  So surely it must be time for some brunch.  Whats wrong with Teriyaki beef and honey chicken at 11am?  

 Honeyed chicken and this was delicious.

I think it was well received as there were empty plates all around.

We went off to do Dinosaur and then en route back to Kali Kali we popped into "It's a bugs Life".  An excellent presentation by Flick yet again but it was ever so funny watching some of the reactions from other people especially when the bugs "leave the theatre".  Well never seen so many people leave their seats so quickly as the bugs rush past their legs!!!!

Finally we had our ride on Kali Kali and the moans and the groans from Daniel about getting wet and being made to go on it!  Yes he did get wet but Martin got drenched and didn't we know about it for the rest of the time there.  Moan, moan,moan......... What did he expect on a water ride?

 Before

After 

Well in order to keep them from moaning needed to go and get some Mickey ice creams along the way.

You can see the extent of the drenching in these photos and it was quite funny......... It was hardly cold but oh my goodness you would have thought it was freezing.   He had to stand in the sun to dry off before he went on Everest, I just sat playing Words with Friends whilst they did this as couldn't quite get into the idea of doing Everest - the mine train was enough for me.......

We decided that we would go home, have a swim and then perhaps go off to do a little more shopping before our meal out this evening......... However the moaning became a little more extreme and more drying off was needed along the way so I just had to go and do some finger excercise using a  certain person's credit card to help my ears.  A little purchase or two was made along the way.

Then a little more shopping along the way this evening because the zip broke on my rucksack and I needed something a little more secure.