Aw yeah, Day 2. While we don’t officially embark or anything today, this is really where things start ramping up. On account of our friends and family start arriving AND we have our last sleep before we get on the sea.
Exciting stuff.
Let’s do this thing…
Our 2023 Disney Land and Sea Extravaganza: Day 2
So yeah, Day 2. Day 2 was the day everyone else was making their way to Florida. Which was super exciting. It was awesome that we ended up coming in a day before we initially expected because it made us feel like we were to welcome them to Florida.
LITERALLY THE HOTTEST PLACE EVER.
Welcome. Please remove your shoes. If they haven’t already melted to your foot.
But yeah, SO many people coming today. And the excitement hit us early on as we were sent pictures like this one. Of Sophia and Scarlett in their strollers at the airport.
And this one. Of Steve and Jack on the plane.
Oh and this one. Of cartoon Mr. T on a bicycle.
Yeah. It was an exciting day.
Anyways, though…they’ll all be here soon. Well except Mr. T.
He got no time for that jibba-jabba.
Meanwhile, down in Florida. Yes, it was hot. But it was a real pretty day.
The early morning consisted of us getting up, dressed, and packed since we were checking out. While the boys finished getting ready, Nickie and I took a walk down to the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista lobby café to grab coffees.
I went for a Nitro Cold Brew.
And while we had breakfast coming up in a little bit, that was at least like a half hour away. So we also grabbed a donut to split with the kids that obviously used all-natural coloring in its frosting.
And yeah, breakfast was in a little bit. You’ll actually see this a lot in this series of posts. There was a bunch of pre-breakfast breakfast happening up in here. Which is literally the definition of living your best life. Like if you look up “living your best life” in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of someone eating a Danish while they wait in line for pancakes.
When we got back up to the room, the boys were ready to go so we all had our little bit of donut, got our bags together, and brought them down to Bell Services to be watched for a couple hours while we went over to Disney Springs.
Once we were in Disney Springs, we still had about a half hour until our brunch at 10AM so we took our time walking over, stopping of course to take pictures along the way.
For you guys.
OK, fine. And for us too.
The boys wanted to get a picture in front of the Rainforest Café because we had recently watched these videos of these two guys who travelled all over the country visiting every Rainforest Café that was still in operation.
This guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA-bjpKvIw8
And this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7InqrH1TCI8
They’ve also visited every Margaritaville in the country.
These guys are the real heroes.
Nickie and I also stopped for a picture with Pooh.
Heh. Nickie is right next to it. She’s right next to the pooh.
At about five to ten, we arrived at our brunch destination – Raglan Road!
Ever been to Raglan Road?
No? Ewe’d love it.
At 10AM, the restaurant opened up and we were one of the first let inside.
If you haven’t been to Raglan Road, ewe’d love…oh I already made that joke. Well, anyways, Raglan Road is an Irish-themed pub and restaurant. And we have done brunch here before. And we have liked brunch here before. Hence why we booked it.
Here’s the menu.
We started with some drinks. And being that I was in an Irish pub and it was already 10AM, I went for a Guinness.
Nickie got a mimosa and the boys got some juices. And of course we toasted to the start of what was sure to be an incredible trip.
I also paired my beer with a coffee so I could at least pretend to be a normal person.
Now let’s get to the food.
They started us off with some bread and sweet Guiness dipping sauce. Which was delightful.
Myles and I also split an Irish Egg. Which is like a Scotch Egg, but I guess more drunk? On account of it’s a Guinness & Onion Sausage Crusted Egg with Bushmills Bacon Jam. And a Wholegrain Mustard Aioli. So I guess it wasn’t ALL alcohol. Which was a bummer.
Good stuff though. And thankfully, no one else at the table wanted anything to do with it. So it was all for me and Myles.
Onto the entrees!
For his main, Myles ordered the Irish Porker – Cider Glazed Pork Belly, Poached Eggs, Smoked Potatoes on Corn Puree, Wild Mushrooms, Spinach and Confit Tomatoes.
Owen got the Oh My, Pancake. Homemade Pancakes with Milk Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Ganache. This usually also comes with a Banana & Cashew Caramel Sauce. But this was Owen. So.
Dude is not nuts about nuts.
Nickie went in for the Stars & Scrumpet Breakfast, which Raglan Road describes as the best of US and Irish with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Crispy Breakfast Potatoes, and choice of Eggs on a Buttery Toasted Scrumpet.
Which Nickie seemed to like for the most part. Though I think she was more expecting a crumpet and not a scrumpet, which is a cross between a scone and a crumpet. So I think it was a little dry for her taste.
She says the same thing about Wes Anderson movies. Hey-oh!
Being that we were just in Ireland, I wanted to see how Raglan Road’s Full Irish stacked up. Raglan’s consisted of Cheshire Heritage Pork Irish Banger, Black & White Pudding, Bacon, Roasted Tomato, Mushrooms & Fried Eggs with Raglan’s Double Cooked Chips.
This was pretty good, you guys. I mean, based on my sample size of 1 actual Irish breakfast (it’s in this post if you wanna check it out) I ate in Ireland, this was deffo close. I mean, they offered different things here and there – this one had mushrooms, tomato, and potato and the one in Ireland had beans, brown bread, and more than one banger – but both were good.
All being said, I would have gladly traded in my tomato for beans but I did really like the addition of mushrooms here.
But yeah, a good breakfast overall. Raglan Road never disappoints. We typically would have ended our meal splitting some of their incredible Bread and Butter Pudding, but all of us were stuffed.
So we paid our bill and headed out into Disney Springs.
Before we headed to our main destination for the day today, we wanted to stop in at the Marketplace Co-Op.
And we did finally find some souvenirs to buy. So we were actually using a store in the way it was intended to be used.
Myles got a super cool new hat that will 100% not stay white for long.
And Nickie had been eyeing some new ears coming into this trip she thought she might want. We ended up seeing them at the Co-Op but she didn’t feel up to pulling the trigger yet so while she was in a different part of the store, I snuck back over and bought them without her knowing.
I mean, look at these things.
And look how cute she looks in them.
How could I NOT buy them. What kind of man would I be?
After we left the Co-Op, we made the walk back to the Wyndham to grab our bags and call up a Lyft to take us to our new destination. And yup, this Lyft had trivia too. So Owen insisted he sit in front this time.
Which was fun since now Myles and I could yell out the answers to the questions he was getting like he was doing when Nickie and I were in front.
We are all really nice to each other. I swear.
Within about 25 minutes or so, we reached our destination – get excited you guys!
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The Hyatt Regency!
…
…
No no. Wait. Look. This wasn’t any ordinary Hyatt Regency. This was the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport.
Right?
Huh?
How about that?
My point is this hotel is IN THE AIRPORT. Like literally inside it. If you’ve visited the Orlando International Airport, you’ve no doubt seen the balconies no one can use out in the terminal.
I don’t know. I mean I thought it was cool.
And everyone – well, mostly everyone but I will get to that later – we were travelling with were coming to stay at the same hotel tonight on the night before the cruise. Reason being that this hotel offered not only a shuttle to the cruise terminal but also a service where you could leave your bags in your room for someone to come take, bring to the ship, and leave at your stateroom.
Which was nice. On account of we had all kinds of bags happening.
Beaucoup bags.
At the check-in desk, the girl behind the counter told us our room wasn’t ready quite yet (which made sense, it was still pretty early) but if we wanted to pay an extra $30, we could upgrade to a room with a balcony facing outside that was ready now.
And I mean, we didn’t get that bread and butter pudding so we were rolling in it right now. Upgrade away, friendly counter lady.
Also soon after we checked in, we ran into the Marquados (Steve, Liz, Jack, and Lucy). And like, I was obviously excited about that because I took no pictures of said encounter.
I’m the best. At blogging.
We hopped in the elevator and up, up up…we went.
Thing had some Wonkavator vibes hardcore.
Oh and look. See? Airport.
The room itself was really nice. Felt very clean. Very comfortable.
And everyone loved the view from the balcony.
I thought it was a little plane.
Pretty soon after we got to our room, we learned the Pittmans (Steph, Mikey, Sophia, and Scarlett) had landed. And I mean, the benefit of being in a hotel INSIDE the airport? We could go meet them and help them with their bags.
Though they were flying into the new MCO Terminal C. And our hotel was between Terminals A and B. So….it was a little bit of an adventure. I mean it wasn’t that bad.
We took a tram. Of which I did take a picture but both Myles AND Owen are making weird faces in it. Like weirder than their normal weird faces. So I am gonna not post it.
I’ve learned respect!
And when we got off the tram, we had to walk through a parking garage.
Up some escalators.
And then it was just a quick jaunt across the Mountains of Moria.
And finally. There.
Look guys. It’s Sophia and Scarlett.
After we gathered up all the Pittmans’ bags, back to the Hyatt we went. While the Pittmans were checking in, I made use of the free cucumber and mint spa water in the Hyatt lobby.
I had traveled far and was in need of refreshment.
And we were back in our room by 1:30PM. The plan was to hit the pool, but it started raining pretty hard outside so we went back to the room to chill.
The TV in the room was of the smart variety so we hooked it up to cast some old Michael Kay cruise videos.
No no, NOT Michael Kay the sportscaster. Michael Kay, the vlogger who used to do these epic Disney trip vlogs but now voiceovers trips to convenience stores.
While we were watching Michael Kay, we came up with this game where we had to try and land balled up pieces of paper on the table coming out of the wall near the TV.
We called it the Land-Balled-Up-Pieces-of-Paper-on-the-Table-Coming-Out-of-the-Wall-Near-the-TV Game.
I’d explain the rules, but it was pretty complicated.
At around 3PM, the rain started clearing up so we made a plan with the Pittmans and the Marquados to hit the pool. But before that, I met Steve for a quick drink in the bar and then also a quick drink to bring to the pool.
Two quick drinks.
Or like, one long one I guess…time is a construct.
I got a Grey Goose martini dirty and Steve ordered a gin and tonic.
We enjoyed those first drinks at the bar, catching up, drinking drinks, eating olives. Vacationing pretty much.
For my to-go drink, I grabbed a Tito’s and Soda to bring to the pool. So the bartender put it in a plastic cup.
Which was smart. Because when I drink too much vodka, I get real throwy.
So the pool situation at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. We had heard tell of this rooftop pool but our expectations were tempered. I mean, it was an airport hotel.
Guys. Look at this pool situation.
I dunno. I was kind of surprised at how nice it was.
The water itself was a little warm but that seemed to be the thing from here on out. The fact that we now were in Florida and The Floor is Lava had gone from fun children’s game to harsh reality down there, all the pools felt like hot tubs.
And the hot tubs?
Well, they also felt like hot tubs. Temperature controlled and all.
But still, it was nice to just sit in the pool and sit. According to my photo timestamps, we spent about two hours at the pool. At one point, Nickie put in an Instacart order for some beer, wine, and snacks. Which felt so strange picking up outside the airport.
And even stranger carrying through the airport in a wet bathing suit. I feel like one person must have seen me in my bathing suit, water-splattered tank top, flip flops, carrying a 12-pack of Coors through the airport and been like, “the legends are true. Florida parties.”
Also, while we were at the pool, the Falzones (Tony, Larissa, and Mia) also landed. Which meant we were getting closer and closer to having us all together. This was legit excitetown you guys.
But I feel like maybe this is a spot where I should pause for some storytime.
So right. We had us, the Marquados, the Pittmans, and the Falzones either at the hotel or making their way there at this point. This left one last family we were waiting on – the O’Learys (Robyn, Terry, Jimmy, and Maryanne). They had spent the weekend at Universal and were intending on meeting us at the Hyatt for the night before the cruise.
Like everyone else.
However, when they arrived at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, the woman behind the desk informed them they didn’t have a reservation there. They were actually reserved at the Hyatt Place Orlando Airport, which was about 3 miles down the road.
Which was both sad and hilarious at the same time. Very Griswoldian.
So they were 3 miles away for the night and though we did toy with the idea of them coming over to our place for dinner and Terry comically asked if we would like to go to the Denny’s at his hotel, the plan was to meet them tomorrow at the cruise terminal in Port Canaveral.
Our group was almost whole today….tomorrow though. Look out you stupid ocean. We are coming.
Anyway. Like I said, we were at the pool for a couple hours. Which brought us close to dinner time. And this required some decision making.
Now, we could go to the restaurant in the hotel – McCoy’s – or we could make use of the fact we were in the airport and head to their food court which, incidentally, had one of the best fast food options of all-time in the history of mankind – Panda Express.
So I mean we all know Panda Express was the right choice.
I mean, right?
Well, actually, not all of us knew the truth. Nickie and the Falzones were not down with hopping aboard the ol’ P-da Express to FlavorTown and were instead going to get dinner at McCoy’s.
Because it’s….I don’t know…real food or whatever.
The rest of us, though? We were in the mood for panda.
Express.
Panda Express.
On account of I am pretty sure it’s illegal to eat actual panda.
I mean. I think?
Note to self. Check on that.
So yeah, Nickie and the Falzones went on to McCoy’s while me and the boys, Steve, Liz, Jack, and Lucy, and Steph (picking stuff up for her room) headed to the airport food court.
Look. See? Here are the Marquados now.
I should note both Jack and Lucy were getting McDonald’s. Steph was picking some McDonald’s up for the girls as well.
Which makes sense. Panda Express is definitely for a more refined palate.
Look how pretty.
And I mean, look at this presentation.
That was my meal there. My usual. Orange Chicken, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Chow Mein.
There is no other order.
We noticed earlier there was a nice set of tables up on a platform in the corner of the pool area. So the plan was to bring our food up to the pool to enjoy some orange chicken with a view.
And of course I packed beers in my backpack. Who do you think you’re talking to?
It was a nice chill dinner up on the patio. And duh. Yes, Panda Express was delicious.
While we were enjoying dinner, Mikey came down to hang out for a bit. When we finished dinner, the Marquados headed back to their room. Mikey and I and the kids went to check on Nickie and the Falzones at dinner. They hadn’t finished yet so the boys went off to the candy store while Mikey and I went to our own kind of candy store.
The bar is what I am saying to you now.
And yerp. I got another dirty martini.
We hung for a couple drinks while the boys finished up at the candy store and the Falz-ickies finished up with dinner. Mia wanted to try and sneak in some pool time (since they missed out on it earlier) so we all headed up to the rooms. While Mia and Larissa were in their room getting Mia pool-ready, the rest of us chillaxed in our room for a bit.
I love that autocorrect recognizes “chillax” as an actual word. We are evolving.
Once Mia was ready, we went down to the pool. As we went out into the pool, Mia (and Larissa) made pretty quick friends with this grandmother (Dawn) and her granddaughter (Allie), who were also going to be on the Wish.
So yeah, Mia went for a swim with Allie while Dawn sat with us, back again on the patio.
We stayed down there until around 10PM before going back up to the room to get our stuff ready for the morning and get to bed. Big day tomorrow and all. We goin on a boat, y’all.
But before going to bed, we watched a little more Michael Kay…
…and broke into the kids’ candy stash.
We also made sure our bags were tagged and we had everything we needed in our carry-ons for our first day on the ship.
And before finally going to bed, I took a couple moments out on the balcony, taking in the view, thinking about not only how fun the first couple days of our trip had been, but also what kind of fun we had to look forward to.
So that was Day 2. I know – kind of a weird day in that so many people were arriving and we spent most of the day at an airport hotel. But it was actually a super duper fun day.
Starting on Day 3 though? This trip really kicks into high gear. Not only do we finally embark on the Wish but we also are ALL together. Unless, of course, the O’Learys booked an Alaskan cruise on Royal Caribbean by accident. We shall see.
Hope you all enjoyed Day 2 – see you guys on Day 3!
Last post – Day 1
Next post – Day 3
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