Well, I waited for the entire report to be posted before responding. I just got done with reading 8 pages of what should be a NY Times Bestseller! It was a a great story and worth staying up to read. I do apologize for never responding to when I was mentioned on page 3. I was hibernating during Winter Break
It is really sad to read of all those little things that happened on your vacation that tried to dampen it, but of course in the end failed! You both got sick, which is my BIGGEST fear when on vacation. You are in a strange place where you don't know anybody. Luckily, you both recovered and were able to sleep it off. I also feel terrible about your pick-pocketing incident. It really comes as a culture shock that you can NEVER let your guard down, even in Disney World. I do hope that you tried to at least fill out a police report with the Sheriff's department.
As for dining, you made a very interesting point about California Grill. We ate there on our last night of our 2008 vacation. I had ordered the Chicken and thought it was one of the best meals that I had eaten in my life. My family had ordered something else, but they all thought the food was good, but not worth the price. As for getting a better steak, I would HIGHLY recommend going to Le Cellier. I have, to this day only eaten one other steak that has been to that level and it was at this fancy steakhouse in Canada. I believe the steak we all ate at Le Cellier was the Kansas City Strip Steak.
As for the limo, I am actually surprised that you didn't take a rental car for your length of stay. It is always nice to have that chauffeur service, but I sometimes personally question the cost worthiness of it. The reason I would say rental, is that you are able to come and go as you please with going off property. It might have actually, in your case, been a money saver between all the cabs, the daily rental, and the limo service.
I really enjoyed Mousekedude's special romantic treat. That really seems like something that could make for a really fun day in the park. It might even help you appreciate and enjoy the park in a whole new perspective since you are being a mini detective. I am jealous that you got to meet the Boilers and Matt Hotchberg while you were there. It feels like there was a subsonic members meet and I missed it. However, I have been lucky enough to meet and talk with a couple of other members on this board. It really does feel like we are all a big family and have known each other all of our lives.
Finally, couldn't help but notice, but your parents left on a Cruise Line bus, but you stated that was a Magical Express. Was it just Mears not having enough Magical Express buses and sending that or did they take a cruise?
