the previous day is HERE

Day 6 Monday 17 November
Rain, more rain , Disneys Yacht Club and Shula's Steakhouse

We didn’t have the greatest nights sleep – all that rich food and wine and perhaps now a little nervousness that the Big Day was fast approaching.

So we were up early and watched the depressing weather forecast for the next few days, rain, cold and generally like November at home. Trying to be stoic about it, we convinced ourselves that the interpretation of cold was likely to be over egged – after all, on our first day we had been in shorts but we had seen Orlando natives in puffa jackets as they had declared it cold.

Sadly, it was indeed cold, no it was jeffing freezing. But that was still to come.

After all that planning, the bleddy weather was set to ruin everything and I must confess to having a bridezilla melt down – you know, holiday ruined, wedding ruined, end of the world stuff. Andy helpfully reminded me that even my Dibb like powers of planning don’t extend to the weather so can I just get over it ! Yeah, that helps.


We finished the packing for the next few days and I got my journal up to date. The original plan had been to arrive in Epcot at lunchtime, we had an ADR at Beaches and Cream and the plan said lounging by the pool, evening fast passes at Epcot, stroll round Boardwalk taking in evening sunshine.

I had already cancelled the ADR the night before on realising it just wasn’t going to be a nice day and somehow sundaes on a freezing afternoon didn’t appeal to us.

Instead we decided to head out to Florida Mall so I could get a quote on some new glasses and get a manicure while Andy could hit up a few more trainer stores as he hadn’t set foot ( no pun intended) in one for ooh, maybe 18 hours . The Mall didn’t open till 10 so there was no real rush and we set off at 1030, with our cases lined up ready for us to pop back and pick up later. I was going to notify reception our room was empty but the queue was so long I didn’t bother – and it was all ok anyway.

We set off at 1030 and arrived at a very empty Mall.

I went to Lenscrafters for a quote and after picking myself up off the floor from their $1000 offer on a new pair of bins, I decided maybe Glasses Direct aren’t so bad after all ( new pair just came, under £200) .

It really was way more than I had expected but I accept I have a strong prescription and am fussy on the extras like lens thickness. They also said the glasses had to be sent away due to the prescription and would take 10-14 days so not ideal when we were leaving in 7.

A bit dejected I walked over to Signature nails and had a French Manicure – it took 25 minutes and cost $35 . For $10 more I could have had the pedicure but I wasn’t fussed – I hate my feet at the best of times !

I was really pleased with them and it was nice to have a bit of pampering



Andy returned , shockingly empty handed, and we didn’t really fancy mooching about so we nipped to the foodcourt for a nice early lunch – it was deserted which meant no rugby scrum for a table

I went for a Five Guys



Andy had a Philly Cheesesteak Sub and loaded fries from Charleys





It was $13 each for our meals and they were hot, fresh and very tasty.

Back to the Rosen Inn to get our cases and it was starting to get really cloudy – it was probably around 1 pm now and we had really just been killing time until we could check in at the Yacht Club. So where else , but off to the Outlets – it started to rain quite heavily but we had to go as Andy had seemingly run out of underwear ( really? After all that shopping? The day before the wedding you realise you have no socks ?)

So , some words were exchanged and I think I opted to sit in the car while he made a mad dash – he had also reserved some items at Lacoste so he picked those up as well ( some sweaters at $31 each)

And then it really started raining



But he hadn’t picked up the blessed undies so it was a stop back at the Kissimmee Tommy Hilfiger outlet and $44 later with multitudinous pairs of appropriate garments, we were on our way to the Yacht Club.

We had to stop for fuel and it rained some more and we were beginning to wonder if an Ark might be more suited to the journey than our minivan





And by now I had a full monk on – I almost cried. And then I thought of Kaylie (kblackman) as her wedding was this afternoon in an hour or so and I could have cried for her too. As we got closer and the rain eased we both said that we hoped they had managed to get their wedding in the dry .

It wasn’t looking any better as we got closer



As we pulled up to the gates it seemed to ease and we had a nice personal welcome from the security guy.

Andy dropped me and the cases at reception and went off to park the car. The cases were picked up by the porters and a helpful CM called Mark came over to take our check in details.

The process is very efficient as the gatehouse must update the system as soon as you pass through as the CM addressed me by name straightaway .

We had a brief chat and he asked me where my “ husband” was , so I laughed and said, “ oh that’s not till tomorrow” and he then said, “ yes, we see it’s a special day for you so we have a special surprise, we have upgraded you to Concierge level”.

Ah, I was a bit speechless and the grey clouds and rain didn’t seem quite so horrid now.

I spent a few minutes chatting to the CM about our plans and Andy arrived a bit damp from hotfooting it across the car park and he was really impressed and pleased to hear about the upgrade.

So off we went up to the 5th floor where we had another lovely CM who got us our strawberry champagne , Happily ever after badges, and checked us in – it was all a bit of a blur to be honest trying to take in everything that she said but in a few minutes we had our magic bands ( I cant believe how much Andy liked these, I thought he would think they were naff but he loved them ) and were off to our room. Bit of a trek down the most polar corridor ever ( brrrr).




And waiting for us was the most brilliant room
























On a sunny day, this must be a wonderful view – it was lovely as it was but must be so blissful on a warm evening









We were both totally blown away by the upgrade and thrilled with the room. The only downer was that the torrential rain was back so there was no way that any evening strolling around the Boardwalk or into Epcot to use our Fastpasses was going to happen.

We waited about 30 minutes for our cases before I rang down and was told you had to call your cases up , they don’t automatically send them , so 5 minutes later they arrived and we laid out the outfits for the next day

It was about 5pm now so we headed to the lounge for a pre dinner drink – a lovely glass of wine for me and a couple of beers for Andy and I had a couple of snacks ( purely for “ research purposes”).

Surreptitious lounge photos on my ipad – hence v poor quality !







So the snacks were – pigs in blankets, peanut butter and jelly to spread on the bread , a cheese and spinach filo parcel and a tabbouleh salad

Very nice.

It soon filled up and we observed a number of things :

1. The CMs regularly replenish food so there was no need to pile the plates high and then leave half of it ( just sheer gluttonous wastefulness and it happened a lot)

2. Children putting their fingers into everything first to try it isn’t terribly appealing for everyone else

3. Same children barrelling around the room and crashing into people ( mostly Andy who at 6’4” is obviously not very visible to small people ) and also into tables with great gusto. It was like a toddlers tea party – and that’s ok , if its what you expected. But we hadn’t and it spoiled the ambience a little to be honest.

4. We were very noticeably the only non US occupants of the lounge on all the occasions we were in there – we never heard anyone else say please or thank you to the CMs- in fact, what we heard was quite often just plain rude with CMs being spoken down to in a manner that really wasn’t very nice.

Maybe that’s just a cultural difference as “ Can I get xx over here” , or “ can you fetch me” etc is how they tended to speak, but just with no please at the end or a thank you afterwards.

I am officially old fashioned.

We chatted to quite a few of the CMs and they were really lovely – we did wonder how they must feel if that’s how they are treated on a daily basis. Being club level doesn’t mean you leave your manners in the lobby !

Anyhoo, almost time for dinner and again no romantic stroll over to the Swan , instead a short taxi hop for $5 .

The first thing that struck me in the Swan lobby was an overwhelming smell of chlorine from this



Its an impressive lobby and on the way out we loved seeing the colour changing lights outside

We spotted Shulas and made our way in

This had got great reviews so we were really looking forward to it - I had read that it was a business dress type of restuarant - we had decided to go in smart dress and were a bit put off on arrival that lots of people seemed to be in jeans and shorts - however we noticed that they seemed to take couples/ people more dressed up out to the quieter back rooms so maybe we werent so overdressed after all



It is a quite dark restaurant to navigate around



I thought the pics were going to be a disaster but the servers said that flash photography would be fine

The menu is extensive - they leave this ball on your table until the order has been taken



We had a pair of servers - they were excellent , recommending that we share sides based on the portion sizes and the fact that we were British , which we thought was quite funny.

They wheeled over the trolley and explained each of the cuts of steak - personally i think it would look more appealing in its presentation without the random potato



After making our choices and declining a starter ( we were told bread would come immediately and I wanted room for dessert) , the hot sourdough bread arrived - it was heavenly



And then the main event - some of the best steaks I think we have ever had

Andy went for the 22oz ribeye , cooked rare ( but warm pink rather than cold middle pink)



I went for the 10 oz filet with some bearnaise sauce



We shared sides of mash ( sooooo creamy) and sauteed mushrooms



Sorry the white on white doesnt work so well !

Andy had a couple of Stella Cidres and I had a lovely crisp ice cold Pinot Grigio

When the steaks arrive, they ask you to cut in to it and they shine a tiny flashlight on your dinner and ask if its cooked to your liking.

The steaks were out of this world - and completely spoiled us for the rest of the holiday - mine just fell off the fork it was so tender and Andy, who is a huge ribeye fan, said it was one of the juiciest he has ever tasted

Only a spoonful of mash and mushrooms were left

Room to squeeze in a small dessert of key lime pie



Sorry about the glare again , this was so refreshing , that little bit of tartness but a buttery crumbly base. Yum Yum

We declined coffee and after dinner drinks as they were complimentary back at Concierge level in the Yacht Club so Andy availed himself of a Brandy or two when we got back there .

We felt the bill was pretty good for what had been a truly fine dining experience



I think we rounded this up to $200 as the service had been so good

Fabulous meal and put the Yachtsman rather in the shade the next day.

We would both come back here without hestitation.

There were no cabs when we came out but a very kind concierge offered to drive us round in a hotel pool car – really thoughtful and on the way he was asking us all about the UK and how he didn’t have a passport and really wanted to travel someday – we noticed that a few times, people would ask us about our travels and then say they had never left the US or got a passport.

He was a lovely chap and wished us well for the rest of the holiday.

We made our way up to the lounge again for a nightcap – Andy got chatting to Jean, the chap serving the night time drinks , he was a really great guy and became quite generous with Andy’s portions !

I also sampled a couple of desserts, purely for research purposes of course



One was a caramel apple concoction and the other a jelly/mousse combo that I suspect I thought was a pannacotta. They were both nice .

We didn’t stay long – bit tired after a broken nights sleep last night and I was keen to get everything ready for tomorrow.

I decorated the room a little and took some photos of our things – one of the things I was regretting by now was not having booked a photographer as some of their shots of accessories really make the pics so special , so I had a go at doing my own – they are better than all the ones with us in !



















As we thought we would be busy in the morning we sat and opened all our cards as well which was lovely . I think we were both fast asleep by about half ten – big day tomorrow . EEEEEEEKKKKKKKK

And the big day is HERE

First off I totally get what your saying about the weather! This was my birthday and we were going to have a lovely slow walk round epcot before my birthday dinner. It ended up being a dash in and out avoiding the massive down pours.

Now the yacht club what amazing service, your room is beautiful and your wedding outfits hanging up look so cute! I love all your little accessory pictures they look fab.

Your dinner looks so good. Wishing we had booked that place for one night I hadn't even realised that was there.

Can not wait to hear all about your big day tomorrow xx

Hey Amanda! Wow, what a day of contrasts. It looked SO SO miserable early on. I am so glad Disney managed to turn it round for you!

I am really looking forward to hearing all about the big day - eeek!

What an fablous pre-day. So glad you got upgraded.

REALLY looking forward to tomorrow's report x

Hi Amanda.
That room looks amazing, I just love the Boardwalk area.
Really enjoying reading along, really nice photos, the food looks yummy!
Hope the new job is going well, how long did you say the commute is? I saw a post about audio books, I have downloaded one to give it a try at night.
Can't wait for the big days report

Wow how fantastic of Disney such a fantastic upgrade. The room looked lovely I like all of your wedding stuff.

I know what you mean about the weather, I felt exactly the same all that planning but the weather is the one thing you have no control over

Looking forward to reading about the big day xx

Yikes, the weather looks and sounds horrid. Yay to the upgrade though, room looks fab. Beautiful view from your window.

Dinner sounds lovely. I don't remember ever seeing a bad review of Shula's.

Looking forward to reading about your big day!

It really was a lovely surprise and they looked after us so well
Big day coming up in a second !

Oh it was such a rubbish day with the weather wasnt it The Yacht Club was superb and we loved everything about our stay there . Shulas is right up there on our all time best meals list - it was just simple and delicious and served perfectly.


Hi Rachel , yep , definitely highs and lows today - from now on in the weather was a pretty big low

Hi Klare , the Boardwalk is great isnt it, I like it there too.
I start the new job on Monday - its a 3 hour commute each way but Ive got my head around that now and have my time all planned out .
I just finished writing up the wedding day - it will be on very soon

thanks Julia, they were great to treat us so well. The room was lovely and I am glad I took some bits and pieces - I think with no guests we had to do something to make it feel a bit " weddingy" !
Yeah the weather was not great and I am sad that it was grey and overcast but Andy says it gives us a unique memory of the day !


Shulas is fab - we want to try the Burger place sometime.
The room was brill and even in the miserable weather , it was a spectacular view. We were very lucky.

Ah the big day -