Welcome to Madam Tussaud’s, Orlando

Posted on December 27, 2015December 27, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Getting to the Orlando Eye was easy enough. They even had free parking! Once in the entertainment complex there were three attractions, Madam Tussaud’s, Sealife and The EYE.

I can’t remember the last time I went to a “Wax museum”. I think it was the House of Frankenstein in Lake George, NY when I was just a teenager. I suggested we do the attractions in the order of interest topping off the day with the ride on the EYE.

Turns out Madam Tussaud’s was the best! It was lots of fun.

The displays were all interactive so you could take pictures with everyone from Marilyn Monroe to ET.

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I got to dance with Michael Jackson

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and see how it felt to be a white house secretary while Joe and Obama looked on.

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There are photographers sprinkled about but they don’t bother you and since Joe and I both had cameras we hardly saw them at all. Of course when we first entered we had the “airboat” ride with attacking alligators. Act scared they said!

Madam Tussaud

The categories were things like “I will call it La Florida” with Juan Ponce de Leon.

Or People Change the World….Neil Armstrong…Martin Luther King

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Arts and Culture and Play Time

Music …Elvis and Michael

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Big Screen to Big Time…Oprah. Joe Loved Oprah.

A night at the Movies…We couldn’t get near John Travolta as Danny Zuko. All the “Pink Ladies” were lined up for their photo op.

Finally there was the A list with celebs like Will Smith, Leonardo Di Caprio, Brad and Angelina and more.

Tons of fun!

A Very Mickey Breakfast

Posted on December 23, 2015December 23, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Friday morning we were up bright and early. Joe had breakfast reservations for us at Trattoria on the Boardwalk.

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Joe had eggs but rounded out his breakfast with a Mickey Waffle.

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I decided to try the caramel apple pancake . I thought it would be similar to the Big apple pancake they have a Bickfords or like I make at home with apple slices through the pancake batter but I was wrong. These were a short stack of pancakes covered in hot cinnamon apples and caramel sauce. Real good but oh so sweet.

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I had hesitated about ordering a Mickey Waffle as I was afraid it would be too many carbs but I was glad for it as it cut the sweetness of the pancakes. Besides, calories don’t count on vacation, right?

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It was fun breakfast.

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After we ate we wandered through the Boardwalk shops and lobbies checking out those decorations and taking pictures.

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I think the elaborate chandelier was the best.

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Our plan was to spend the morning that way and then go to the Orlando Eye. Joe had coupons for combo tickets, buy a ticket for all 3 attractions, Madam Tussaud’s, Sealife and The Eye and get a 2nd ticket free. We did it online and it worked so soon it was time to head to downtown Orlando.

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Candlelight, France and Neil Patrick Harris

Posted on December 22, 2015December 22, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Charlie Brown: Isn’t there anyone, who knows what Christmas is all about?!

Linus: Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights please?

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And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men.

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That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.

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What do candlelight, France and Neil Patrick Harris have in common? Why Disney , of course. Lunch at Les Chef Da France and the Candlelight Processional.

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Imagine Linus’ narration with an extraordinary production of orchestra and choirs and you have the Disney Candlelight Processional.

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In our version Neil Patrick Harris has the role of Linus.

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The show is moving.

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It’s spectacular.

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The grand finale of the Hallelujah Chorus will bring you to your feet.

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Amazing, beautiful , not to be missed!

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Epcot 2015

Posted on December 20, 2015December 20, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Please understand that my plan for Disney was to spend one day at the Magic Kingdom to photograph decorations and hopefully get some shots I can use for Christmas cards.

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That was it. The rest of the time I planned to check out other venues like botanical gardens that I hadn’t been to before. I am not now and never have been a Mickey fanatic.

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Those plans got side tracked very quickly when I told my friend Joe that I was coming to Orlando in December. I booked the dates in March and that led to a continuous series of emails and phone calls with everything Joe wanted to do while I was in town. It pretty much revolved around the Disney parks.

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After much suggesting, pleading, assuming and just charging forward, Joe finally convinced me to book the Candlelight Processional with dinner. The two possible narrators while I was in Orlando were Neil Patrick Harris or Whoopie Goldberg . I enjoy both so it came down to when we could get a reservation. Dinner/show spots were all sold out so we settled on lunch/5 pm show. I booked Thursday because, I confess, I was doing this more to appease Joe than because I wanted to go so I wanted to get it over with. Thursday was the last night Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator. By having a 1:15 lunch reservation at Les Chefs de France it pretty much guaranteed we’d be spending the day at Epcot.

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Joe met me for breakfast at Kenzie’s and then we headed for the park. Epcot was beautiful as are all of the parks at Christmas. We enjoyed a few rides/shows before scrambling to make our reservation for lunch.

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We had a small two top (that’s restaurant speak for a table for 2) right next to the window so we could watch Father Christmas and other characters pass by. Lunch was acceptable. I’m just a plain and simple person when it comes to food so french cuisine is just “over the top”. Sometimes a grilled cheese should just be a grilled cheese.

I chose Les Chef de France because I wanted escargot but I’d just had that in New Orleans and it’s not an item I can eat every day. My favorite part was the dessert, puff pastry with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

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Joe had the mousse.

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Then with several hours to kill we went Soaring. This is a really popular ride and usually has long lines so I had never been on it before. All I can say is that it’s terrific. I hated to have it end. I guess it’s as close to flying as you’ll get unless you are one of those glider suit people.

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Kris Kringle was entertaining all comers with a series of Holiday Stories. He was funny even if he looked a bit intimidating.

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We followed up with a visit with Tigger and Poo Bear and then it was time to get in our seats for the main event.

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Love Poo Bear

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And Tigger!

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Mystic Dunes

Posted on December 16, 2015December 16, 2015 by Dusty Roads

Mystic Dunes turned out to be on the south side of Disney so several exits beyond my old friends at Cypress Point. Entering the grounds you have to go through a check point. As many places as I’ve stayed as a Diamond Resort Owner, I’ve never been in a gated community before. I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a good addition or a nuisance but the guard was very warm and friendly and gave me directions to the Welcome Center.

Easily one of the largest properties I’ve visited, Mystic Dunes is located on a “hill” I use the term loosely as I don’t think Florida has hills. Ok so it’s located on one of the highest elevations in the area and is over 600 acres. The grounds include a golf course, tropical landscaping, a nature preserve , 4 swimming pools, a clubhouse and restaurant.

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Diamond Resorts pride themselves on their friendly manner and over the years as the brand has developed I’ve watched this welcoming attitude grow but it was never more apparent than at Mystic Dunes.

When I walked into the Welcome Center I felt like Norm from Cheers where everybody knows your name. Well, they might not have known my name but they all said “Welcome Home” with wide smiles. The atmosphere was very warm and friendly! Check in was at 4 pm and I was early, yet they did not bat an eye. They issued my room key and handed over parking permits for me and for a guest.

My unit was a small single with the usual kitchen, washer & dryer, living room and bedroom. My voice echo’d because the only furnishings in the living room was the TV , a sofa bed and the coffee table.

When I mentioned my observation I was told it was because Diamond had only recently taken over the property and they were upgrading to bring all the units in line with their standards.

I was in a standard single, not the deluxe so they had not gotten to my unit level yet. Even so it was a perfectly nice unit and certainly suitable for my needs.