February 2021
Where We Stayed: Margaritaville Resort Orlando Cottages
Saturday, February 19, Arrival + EPCOT
Mike and I had been planning this trip with the kids for almost a year. And OMG it was finally happening! We left Oshkosh just as an awful snow squall was rolling through. If we would have left 20 minutes later than we did, we may not have made it to Milwaukee. We absolutely lucked out and were so grateful! We stopped for dinner at the Milwaukee Burger Company and then headed to the Home2 by the airport. The kids enjoyed massive cube cheese curds, Mike enjoyed a beer that tasted like alcoholic orange juice, and we all dreaded setting our alarms for 3:30am!
We all woke up at 2:45am, got dressed, and headed for the airport for our early 5:30am flight. The place was de-iced and we were on our way! Our flight was smooth, picking up the rental car was smooth – but wow did we have a lot of luggage. Mike used his jenga/Tetris skills to expertly pack the SUV.
The kids were thrilled to be in warm weather – it was the happiest I’ve ever seen S. We drove to Margaritaville and did some shopping in their gift shop. Our cottage still wasn’t ready, so we had lunch and drinks at the Salty Rim and then made tie dye shirts, which was the resort activity of the moment. We got the call that our cottage – located at 7968 Shaker St. – was ready! WHOO! It was an adorable blue cottage and we immediately ran inside to choose bedrooms and bathrooms. We settled in and the kids immediately hopped into the pool. They are 100% water babies.
Our condo/cottage was a 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom with a kitchen, private pool on the 1st floor and a wet bar and patio on the 3rd floor. The entire thing was cheaper than the cost of two Disney resort hotel rooms. I would stay at Margaritaville again in a heartbeat.
After the kids swam for a bit, we headed off to WalMart to pick up our grocery order and shop for a few odds and ends. Pro tip: order your groceries ahead of time. Your future TIRED self will thank you.
The kids crashed and burned shortly after we got back from WalMart. I made a bagel and cream cheese and then Mike dropped me off at EPCOT. I went to EPCOT solo because I wanted to see their 50th anniversary show featuring the Rainbow Connection on the big ol’ ball (aka Spaceship Earth) and because the Festival of Arts was going on. And because, you know, I love EPCOT.
I did a little shopping (purchased a ceramic sugar skull in “Mexico”, as I do on every Disney trip), took a lot of photos, and enjoyed some alone time. I watched the show on Spaceship Earth three times, then called Mike to come and pick me up. I was exhausted and couldn’t wait to crash into my soft, fluffy bed.
We all look and feel better on vacation, AMIRTE?
Time to settle into our cottage! Everything was soothing turquoise blue.
My beautiful and relaxing and private third-floor bedroom. SWOON.
There was also a full living room on the third floor.
My Loungefly backpacks were ready for their week ahead. Lean into the fun!
It’s the cutest “neighborhood” of colorful cottages.
We loved browsing the 90s airbrushed t-shirt shop in WalMart.
The cutest pool boy.
EPCOT!
Isn’t she pretty?
I’m obsessed.
The look of pure exhaustion.
