August 16, 2016 - Elisa's Disney Bookings and Tanya Leaves for London

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Disney Bookings

HAPPY TUESDAY!

And I bet it's a most happy day for Tanya as she departs for her Magical Anniversary Trip today.

Her first stop will be London and I'll be right there beside her (or should I say, above her, if you are reading this from a cell phone) to feature lots of great information and fun facts about the exciting European cities she will be visiting!!

As for me, I want to share with you some bookings I took care of this week, for our Family Reunion Disney Trip this Fall.

It's definitely been a while since Tanya's gang and mine have been together on a travel excursion.

Last trip we took together was our amazing Yellowstone -Grand Teton National Parks Road Trip in April 2015.

Definitely one of the funnest cousins adventures we've had together!  

But we are due for another, and this time it will be in Orlando!  That's right folks - it's going to be a bit of a family reunion and during my most favorite month of the year to visit Disney World - October!!

Our two gangs are going to be romping through the parks and eating our way through the annual Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

Additionally, it happens to be the birthday month for two of us cousins - your's truly and Cosette!
So, there will be lots of excuses to celebrate.

This trip is going to be a little different.

First of all, we will be together on and off, whereas our other travels have pretty much had us together 24/7.

My girlies and I will be getting in later and leaving earlier than our west-coast based family members and throughout our few day getaway, we will be sharing 2-full days together.

You see, Tanya's gang will be making two local visits that my gang has passed on - The Kennedy Space Center and Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios.

My dear daughters were less interested in leaving Disney World and considering we ventured to Universal in February of 2015, we opted to create an itinerary solely based in and around the Disney parks and our hotel.

Cinderella's Castle, Walt Disney World (Feb 2015) (c)travelincousins.com

On all of our prior trips to Disney World, we've always managed to hit all four parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

However, we decided that we are only going to two of them this time - Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  Both of these we will be enjoying with our beloved cousins.

February 2015 (c)travelincousins.com

Additionally, we decided that we will spend two days "around" the parks in Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney) and at the Boardwalk of the Disney Boardwalk Villas to ride bikes, have some great food and watch the Epcot Fireworks across the lake.

Boardwalk at the Disney Boardwalk Villas (c)orlandoattractions.com

Of course, my girls are always into a relaxing day set aside for pool time and no agenda - so we will have one of those days as well.

As of today, we have our airline tickets, and tickets to a new special event at Disney Parks as of 2016, Wishes Fireworks Dessert Display.

Gianna and Mom on Speedway - Feb. 2015 (c)travelincousins.com

My kids were totally stoked for this!! This special event takes place on the Tomorrowland Terrace and provides an unforgettable view of fireworks over Cinderella's Castle while indulging in a decadent dessert experience. 

Lots of themed desserts are there for the taking,  prepared daily by the Disney pastry chef, as well as a variety of seasonal fruits and cheeses.

Disney Fireworks & Dessert (c) disneyworld.disney.go.com)

The bountiful buffet of tempting treats includes such favorites as:
Chocolate-dipped strawberries
Disney character-themed cupcakes
Chocolate mousse
Ice cream

YUM!!!!!!!!​

​Speaking of food, we had a great lunch yesterday with my Aunt Ro in Astoria at
​MP Taverna.

MP Taverna, Astoria, Queens (c)travelincousins.com)

At MP Taverna in Astoria

I really enjoyed our meal! This place was a great find on the part of Aunt Ro - I'll be doing a Foodie Friday review in the weeks to come.

What I can say now is...I have lost a great deal of weight in the past few months and this picture does me NO JUSTICE.  

Unfortunately, it's the only picture that we had of all 4 of us.

Secondly, the food was DEELISH!!!!

​Here's a preview of the good eats we had...

Tomato, Cucumber & Feta Salad with Grilled Chicken (c)travelincousins.com

Walnut & Parsnip Cake with Maple-Walnut Ice Cream (c)travelincousins.com

It was another HOT day, but it was good to get out and have a nice lunch.  I was truly shocked to find out that my kids and Aunt Ro had a major LIKE in common -- they are both serious Big Brother fans!!

I sat through a good portion of lunch listening to them thoroughly enjoy a deep discussion about this television show, the specific characters, and the rules and regulations, while I had no idea what it all meant.  lol

Fortunately, my aunt was kind enough to explain to me what the show was really about and why it has such intrigue and is addicting to those who watch it.  I'm not sure I will watch it, but, at least I get it now.

So, while Tanya is leaving on her trip today, I'll be heading out to the barn so the kiddies can ride today.

Here's to a great one - Cheers!

-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
DEPARTING TODAY FOR: MAGICAL ANNIVERSARY TRIP: LONDON

It's a Travel Day, Up up and away

​Greetings from the road. We are onboard the shuttle and heading for the airport!

Everything is all packed and loaded up - or at least we hope it is...
But since I made my list and checked it twice (more like a few dozen times) I'm pretty sure it's all there.
​

Let me tell you a bit about yesterday and last night -  which as it turns out was one really long day.

T'was our anniversary and the last day before our trip.

It was a busy one that's for sure. But it had seemed that everything was going smoothly and that I was taking care of all those last minute odds and ends.

Which meant running around all over town, filling the cupboards and fridge till they were about ready to burst and then came the wrapping of gifts as well as the opening of gifts - I always enjoy this part!!

New camera for the trip (c)travelincousins.com

Say cheese! (c)travelincousins.com

Dave is such a sweet gift giver that he even delights me with anniversary stocking stuffers!

Then came dinner time and getting the kids to choir rehearsal. 

As mentioned earlier, our reservations were at Roy's based on recommendations from a vegan friend of mine. 
Luckily I was in touch with the manager before our visit and he assured me that the chef would prepare a meal that would delight us!!

Sounded good to me.

Upon our arrival to the restaurant it seemed that the staff was all aware of our special dietary needs, and the chef had even come out of the kitchen to greet us.

The only issue was that while he was at our table, he had also asked us for suggestions as to what to make!!

Fear had set in.

As his wheels were turning, I located the photographs and menu that my friend had raved over (in hope of jogging his memory), but by this time the chef had already had a game plan and as each course arrived to our table we were happily surprised.

Vegetable Rolls (c)travelincousins.com

Tofu Steak with a Miso Glaze (c)travelincousins.com

Fruit Sorbet Trio (c)travelincousins.com

After the meal, the chef came back out to ask how everything was, he had even suggested that our meal was better than that of my friends.

Now it was my turn to rave!

Anniversary dinner (c)travelincousins.com

And another present! (c)travelincousins.com

Once I got home, I had given Dave a few gifts of his own and then the remainder of the night was spent consoling my dear sweet baby Cosette who was getting sad that I was leaving.

I'll be back soon my love!

When I do get back we'll only have a few weeks before taking off once again when the kids and I venture back to NYC and then to Florida for a Family Reunion Disney Parks adventure that we are totally stoked Elisa and the gals will be coming down for.
This will be our first time going to Disney together and the first cousins trip in 2016.
​
But for now, I'm gonna focus on Europe!!

For the next few days, I'll be reporting LIVE from London giving you the Full Scoop about our trip.

I'll bid you farewell for the day. Be sure to come back and visit us tomorrow,
​-T