First Visit - Halloween 2013 - VelcroPooh's Trip Report

Yay!! I'm glad you had a great time!! I'm sorry that AK was a let down for you!

Days 1 - 4, Orange Beach - I will condense Orange Beach into one post, since I know you want me to move on to Disney! We were supposed to leave early Wednesday morning, Oct. 23rd. My hubby had taken the 22nd off and I was supposed to work to 5:00, and then home to pack. Didn't work out that way. He pestered me to death! All day, texting me, calling me....ha ha ha. He was trying to talk me into coming home and packing and heading out, driving half-way and stopping for the night and that way we would only have about a 3 to 3 1/2 hour drive the next morning. I reminded him we couldn't check in until 3:00 pm the next day. Finally, after I was accomplishing nothing at work, I ended up leaving work around 2:00. I came in and told him to call the hotel and see if we could get a room for tonight, and if I could get packed (he was done) and out of the house by 4:00, we could actually be there by 11 to 12.

Well he did, and they did so whirlwind packing and out of the house by 4:15! The drive was around 7 hours, so we literally just grabbed some fast food while driving and drove straight there. We gained an hour in time zone change, so we ended up arriving around 10:30 their time. The room was great. We had a balcony where we could see the ocean to our right (side of building) and everything was clean. It was the Hilton Garden Inn, directly on the beach. The college had negotiated a great rate for their graduates.

I just now noticed, I took no pictures of the hotel or room! And I also missed some great food porn...sorry.

We went to bed and I was up by 6:30 am. I got dressed and headed down to the beach, to let hubby sleep. It was so beautiful. There was literally only 2-3 other people on the beach. It was chilly, as the nights there were dropping into the high 40's and low 50's, but climbed quickly into the 70's every day we were there. I came back up after an hour or walking around and taking pics and hubby was just getting up. We both then headed back down, put our towels on a couple of pool chairs and took off walking down the beach, hunting for shells. It was so calm and peaceful. This became our routine. Up early, walk the beach, then lay down by the pool around 10. About 11:30 or 12:00 we would go up and shower, change and go play. Wednesday was the only day we had to actually play all day. Thursday and Friday were full of College grad stuff.

This little bird followed me all over the place that morning.

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Beach
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We decided to drive down to Pensacola and look for the restaurant that we had saw on the show "American Pickers". My hubby loves that show. So we drove about 30 minutes and found it. It's called "The Fish House". Oh it was really good.

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Appetizer - Seafood Flatbread. Shrimp, bay scallops, roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fire-roasted peppers and corn with ya-ya sauce.
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I had the seafood platter - Fried Oysters, fresh blackened tilapia and pecan crusted gulf shrimp. Hubs had the Grits A Ya Ya (their signature dish) - Spiced gulf shrimp, saute'd spinach, protobello mushrooms, applewood smoked bacon, garlic, shallots and cream over a bed of smoked gouda cheese grits.

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We came back, changed and walked the beach again at sunset.

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We spent a relaxing evening out by the pool and then went to bed around 10:00. The next morning, beach, pool, shower and change and we went to lunch at Lambert's. There are famous for their throwed rolls. Yes, they throw them at you! I forgot the food porn, but it is country cooking and tons of it. I had chicken and dumplings, with mashed potatoes and green beans. Hubs had ribs with slaw and fries. They also bring around to everyone pass-a-rounds every few minutes. Fried okra, black-eyed peas, cooked cabbage and fried potatoes. There was so much food I was dying!

We then attended his College open house and took a tour. They had refreshments and goodies for everyone. We spent until 5:00 there and then they hosted a reception on the beach for all those graduating and the alumni. We were there until about 8:00, with appetizers and drinks. The appetizers were ok, so we didn't eat much, so when we left, we went to a local bar/restaurant called Cottons. We both had crab cakes. The sauce was awesomeness.

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Friday morning we went to the beach and pool until 11:00 and then showered and dressed for his graduation at 2:00. It was held at the Orange Beach Center and was done really well. And here he is....my college grad!

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I took him for a graduation dinner at "Cosmos". This is the seafood restaurant everyone at the college recommended. Oh, it was to die for! I am a huge seafood fan, and this was the best seafood I have ever eaten. A little pricey, but we were dressed up and well worth it.

I had appetizers for dinner. Firecracker shrimp, crab cakes and fried shrimp sushi with cream cheese and asparagus. Hubby had the Pecan Redfish and shrimp, with Japanese breadcrumbs and topped with a Meuniere sauce, served over "dirty" risotto.

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We were there late, took a quick stroll on the beach and then had to pack. We were getting up early to drive to Disney!

Thanks! It wasn't really so much of a let-down as I just thought I would love it so much that I would want to go back another day. I really enjoyed the safari, and we got lucky and saw just about every animal. Everest? Umm....yeah...LOVED IT!

Food looks so yummy!! Did he graduate with any honors?

He did graduate with a 4.0 (Summa Cum Laude) but ran off and left his gold tassels in the room! The red, white and blue one is for being in Law Enforcement.

Great trip report so far! The food looks fantastic, especially the sushi and the grits...yummy! Congrats to your husband and I'm eagerly awaiting Disney TR!

Wow! What an awesome start! You must drive to Disney on an absolute high!!!!

Oh we did! Although the 8 hour drive seemed to take FOREVER because I was so anxious to be there!

Day 5 - Drive and arrival at Disney!

Ok, so I will probably drive ya'll nuts with this post, but I can't help it. I can only say that my husband outdid himself and started off my trip with a bang! Today, the only plan was to check in and then catch the boat over to DTD for the evening. We knew we wouldn't get there until late afternoon, so were not starting off the tickets until the next day.

We left around 7:00 am and at exactly 5:39 (due to stopping for lunch and losing the hour back to the time change), this was what I saw! OH OH...I AM HERE!

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So we found the resort very easily, thanks to my Tom-Tom-Sue-Sue and the signs, and within a few minutes, THIS!

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We stopped at the gate with the security, he looked at his little clipboard and said, "Welcome Home." I get it....I so get it now. Parked and in registration in a few minutes. No line and they processed us straight in and gave us our room number, KTTW cards, brochures and a map. We ended up in the Alligator Bayou, which I know some of you don't like, but I so wanted to be in that area. I know the mansions are nice, but I liked the trees and covered pathways versus the openness of the mansion landscaping. We were in 1716, first floor and I have to say, it was perfect. Right next to the pool, corner room and central between the South and West bus stop. We could be at either one in about 3 minutes.

Now, here's where I'm going to drive you bonkers with pictures. We get out first load of luggage out, and when we find the room...this is what I see:

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He opens the door and I could not believe all the surprises! I had roses and a framed declaration from Tinker Bell that I was officially a Princess. A tiara, a scepter, a sash, a tiara necklace, a compact mirror and perfume bottle, all from the Fairy Godmother. The tiara was nestled on a silk pillow and all three were in beautiful hat boxes! Oh he got MAJOR MAJOR brownie points for the rest of the week! Oh who am I kidding, he's still getting them!

what a great surpise to walk into. can't wait to hear about the rest of the trip.

Of course the big question is.... when are you going back?

Those surprises are AWESOME

What a thoughtful husband!

He gets Husband of the YEAR Award!

!!! W O W !!!

Wow! I had no idea of what Disney is capable of until I joined this forum. That is amazing and so thoughtful of your husband. Can't wait to read more.

OMG CHILLS!! How freaking amazing to walk into your room with all of that! Just magical

LOVE this! I need to make my fiance read this before our Honeymoon to get a little *hint hint* I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

Love it!! Everything is so pretty!! What an exciting thing to find!!

Your hubby is a keeper. What a super surprise for you, Princess Angela.

Somebody gets some Major brownie points for that ! Im surprised they did that the day you checked in though, they say they won't because they can never guarantee your room is ready or what room you are getting. Good job though to the Hubby!

Thanks! It was a wonderful surprise and now I've decided I'm going to have to make my spare bedroom into a Princess room so I can display all of it!

Mrhub, he said they told him that it was possible they could do it upon arrival since he told them we wouldn't be there until 5 or after. They said they would check and if POR could assign it by then, they would. Guess it worked out!

Mrhub, he said they told him that it was possible they could do it upon arrival since he told them we wouldn't be there until 5 or after. They said they would check and if POR could assign it by then, they would. Guess it worked out!