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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Orlando - Downtown Disney


Downtown Disney – When we came to Orlando 2 years ago in the summertime, we took the kids to Downtown Disney in the afternoon.  It was very hot and the kids weren’t really interested in anything there was there to do.  We had something to eat at Bongo’s that time – I really liked it.  Bongo’s is owned by Gloria Estefan.  In reviews I had read, it said that some people go to Epcot and think that’s as good as going to Europe; some go to Bongo’s and think this is Cuban food.  I have eaten at Versailles in Miami and other Cuban restaurants in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, all excellent.  I also had a great experience eating at Bongo’s as well, so…..

This time around, we went to Downtown Disney in the evening.  It was March 16th, the day before St. Patrick’s Day.  Raglan Road, the Irish-esque pub and restaurant there, had a whole block party going on – several Irish bands, step dancers, etc.  – we had so much fun!  We had dinner at Raglan Road – now, our hotel is in Kissimmee, so we were spoiled by all the cheap (but tasty) chain restaurants that are on Irlo Bronson Road in Kissimmee.  At first we had a bit of “sticker shock” with the Disney-style prices at Raglan Road.  A man we met at our resort said it well, “with Disney, you pay an arm and a leg, but they do it right.”  That is so true. 

We did some shopping.  I first went into a store called Basin.  They sell bath salts, bath bombs (drop into your tub for a fizzy and wonderful smelling bath), lotion, lip balm, etc.  I bought a bath bomb to use back at the resort in our giant spa tub.  I next went to Bliss, which is owned by Wet Seal.  Lots of shorts that were way too tiny, but some nice maxi dresses and tops, decent prices.  The store within Raglan Road had some nice Irish-themed stuff.  You can type your family name into the computer and it pulls up your family crest and some history of your family’s name in Ireland.  The sample on display at the counter was Sullivan, my mother’s family name.  They had a perfume called Inis, which you find in every gift shop in Ireland – just smelling it took me back.  I bought my husband a lapel pin with his family name and crest – loves it, he’s been wearing it every day.

My older son loves bowling.  There is a bowling alley called Splitsville in Downtown Disney.  The cost is $20 per person, per hour. (Disney prices J) Since my younger son most likely wouldn’t be into bowling but would enjoy the action and people watching, we decided my older son and husband would be the ones to bowl for one hour, so $40.  It was worth it.  Disney quality – lots of fun and great service! 

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