Monday 15 July 2013

Reflecting

We're now on Monday morning. Mr G is away back to work. Yesterday morning I wakened about midnight and was up until about 1.30pm when I got a couple of hours sleep then went to bed at 9.30pm and got up at 6.20am. So quite happy to have sorted myself out. The minions, I mean the children had 15 hours sleep, went to bed and I have wakened them but both struggling. 

I've done a food shop, so plenty healthy food again. Although our meals were pretty healthy on the holiday. Just need to sort through all the park maps etc which I have brought home with us and what I brought home for friends. Presents have all been sorted out. Stuart and Dave our Minions are settling in well. We have Banana and Apples so they are over the moon. 

Next time we're considering going north of Orlando as our friends stay in Jacksonville, so would be fab to have another decent amount of time with them. But I think we have created memories. The photopass photo's are all edited. Just need some time to order the CD and then upload the many photos to costco to print off. 

Will ask the rest to do a Highs and Lows list and post it too

Sunday 14 July 2013

Friday 12th July 2013 - Saturday 13th July 2013

Friday morning arrives and I am wide awake at 3.30am. A friend has landed in Sarasota, so we viber each other to keep company. 

Once we were all up and dressed it was strip the beds, put the towels washing on as requested in the folder. We did a tidy up as best we could and then loaded up the car, did the last run round and headed out to a breakfast in IHOP. It was quite sad saying goodbye to the villa as it's been such a wonderful place to stay. 

Before we left I did check that the Glasgow flight had left on time and it had. The Manchester flight was running about 7 hours late. But because there were no delays we said we'd head to the airport once we'd had breakfast. 

We arrived at IHOP on the 192. What a busy place it is later in the morning from when we were there at silly O'clock. We will still seated right away. I chose to have have the pancake combo. It was pancakes with bacon and hash browns as I don't like eggs. Was a bit gutted to not be able to have wholewheat, so I had banana buttermilk pancakes this time. I loved the hashbrown as the potato was just perfect. I felt comfmortably full. Mr G chose the pancake combo but with the red velvet. They were very yummy as he kindly allowed me a taste. Would definitely try them again. The Boy chose to have 5 mini ones with bacon too. Lil Miss chose to have the chocolate chip stack but got rather full after just a few. We finished pretty quickly and as we left there was a queue out the door with people waiting to get in. 

We popped next door to the gift shop for a nose and to kill some time. Lil Miss needed the loo again, so Mr G took her in while I bought some last minute gifts. We then decided it would be a good idea to maybe head up the I4 to the airport. It was the first time I'd done such a drive in Florida, but it was easy and we were parking in the Budget spaces by 11.15am. We headed over to the terminal building to a delayed flight. 

I felt Thomas Cook let themselves down. I could hear this voice yelling that we should take any medication and stuff for an overnight stay out of our main bags and put them in our hand luggage. There was someone going through the queue with letters. The manchester flight was delayed until 10pm. No one came near us as the person going through the queue moved to the back and started speaking to the people entering the queue. We heard from someone else that the Glasgow flight had a 5 hour delay. When we reached the front for check in, I asked the staff for the letter and he was astounded we hadn't been given anything. He did check us in and confirmed our seat numbers were the same that we had booked. He then put all our baggage through. We'd paid for 25kilos and didn't need it. Our heaviest bag was 17kgs. The check in guy then disappeared and came back with some pieces of paper. He explained we would be getting refreshment vouchers for $12 each to use in the departure lounge. We headed through to security.

Now it's already been a bad start to the airport experience and it was about to get worse. Mr G and Lil Miss went through the scanner fine. Mr G usually beeps and despite wearing the same clothes as travelling out in, he didn't. I then went throught and the security man said "You're fine... Oh no you are a random!" and he starts shouting "random, random!" I'm panicking about The Boy as he's not gone through the scanner yet. The guy motions him throught and he catches up with Mr G and Lil Miss. Meanwhile I have to show my palms and be swabbed. Was trying to see what was going on at the machine but another guy was getting everyone mixed up and causing no end of confusion. I spy one of those machines you get on Uk Border Force and programmes like that and the wee card has been popped in the machine and it's beeped and turned red. My knees are shaking as the one who is getting everyone confused is demanding I stand in a certain place. But the guy who was swabbing me says "She's alright, the one in the wheelchair is the positive test!" I breathe a sigh of relief and then get my shoes back and somehow have hurt one of my fingers which has turned purple and is swelling! 

I'm more concerned about getting out of the little security bit that we get right on the escalator. Finally we're in the departure lounge. Mr G decides to see if there is availability in the Palm Lounge. It costs $100 but includes free drinks and 4 alcoholic drinks for me and Mr G. We were also able to use the vouchers in here. The only problem is the major lack of choice. I'm not a fan of chicken tenders or toasties as the bread is always white. I didn't fancy any of the meals really. But we got toasties for lunch. We decided to pool $24 for one meal and pay in cash and do the same later on for dinner. The good thing about the palm lounge is the free computers with internet access to keep an eye on the arrivals and departures and to contact family members back home. There was a cinema with various recent films on. A sports area with the TV. A games room with PS2's. A mini kiddie area with the disney channel. There was also a quiet area but it was very busy lol. 

Finally our flight had a flight time of 10.45pm. The manchester flight was not so lucky. When we left they had been issued with further vouchers and a flight time of 1am. 

Finally 10pm came and boarding started. The cabin crew were very friendly and did their best despite the delay and most of the passengers being shattered. Our meals weren't as good as on the way out. There was a choice of roast chicken which was very bland or beef which dh said the peppercorns burnt your mouth off. The vegetarian dish seemed to get moved around the dish and not eaten. I managed to get a bit of sleep. About 9.30am we received breakfast which was a blueberry muffin. It wasn't very appetising. Could have done with a bowl of cereal.

Finally we landed with no issues at 11.10am. Just a mere 6 hours and 20 minutes late. Immigration was very quick even although we'd nipped into the loo. Baggage felt like it took forever but we must have been quite quick. We were in the car with Mr G's dad by 11.50am. 

The good thing about coming home was we were able to unpack and put all the clothes right away in the drawers as we'd washed it all in the villa. I then jumped in the shower before we visited some friends. After a good old chippy for tea, I was in bed before 7pm. Unfortunately I only slept until Midnight. Mr G slept for 13 hours and the children were both 15 hours when we woke them up.

Thursday 11th July 2013

A lazy start to the morning. I sent Mr G to Bob Evans for Hotcakes. The pancakes were yum yum. Then we headed to attempt to find Boggy Creek Airboat Rides as we had free tickets from when we bought our park tickets. We headed along the 192, it was interesting to see how things were different along the side we haven't been along yet. We turned off at Boggy Creek Road and into Walgreens for a loo stop. Fortunately we asked for directions as we'd have gone the wrong way. 

We found it no bother once we were on the right road. The ticket office gave us a time 35 minutes away. The staff asked if they could muck about with the kids to do a photo. So we nipped into the restaurant and the loo for ice cream and drinks. Then we headed on to the airboat. We had fun with the ear defenders on. Then we swooshed through the water until we came to a quiet part. We could see an alligator nest and under the water was mama alligator. We stopped at a few other nests and to look at some birds too. It was quite cool swooshing through the reeds and plants. It felt like we were out there for more than 30 minutes. Captain Chris was very informative and able to answer questions with ease. 

When we stepped off the boat, we made sure we tipped our fabulous guide. Then we were ushered to the other part of the dock where we met a baby alligator and was told all about the conservation project to save the alligators from alligator farms where they are rescued from. We got some photo's taken and then we could buy them for a set amount. We bought the family pack and also our photo from earlier when we arrived. They were a nice memory for us as we had never done anything like this before.

Once we were finished, we headed back to Disney, and played the Fairway's golf at Fantasia Gardens. It is a regret that we didn't utilise this more earlier in the holiday. We made a cracking start and got held up by a family taking too long. So when we hit a part which had another further on hole, we may just have skipped it. Once we were finished it was time for a late lunch at Longhorns. But in typical style we got side tracked and ended up in the dollar tree, target and publix. It was then we had a problem with my fairfx card being blocked despite having plenty money on it grrrrr. Have had to email fairfx for help as unable to call them. 

Dinner in Longhorns was lovely and only cost $43. But had to pay it on my credit card grrr. So we headed home for wifi to work out the problem and email for help and for pool time before finishing packing.

So all washing done. Just the PJ's to go in the morning along with swim stuff. That's us almost finished here. I feel quite sad as we have had a fab time and it's been a great villa.

Thursday 11 July 2013

Wednesday 10th July 2013

Oh dear another grumpy morning from Groovee. So much so that I refused to get organised for blizzard beach. We forgot the water I'd frozen, the refillable cups, my iphone! But we had a great time at Blizzard Beach. Rode teamboat springs twice. Summit plummit didnt work and the queue was too long, but the kids did the little area and me and the boy did the lazy river. I loved sitting in a tube on the wave machine. It was so relaxing! We left about 12ish and played some golf at Summerland next door. I got bored by the 9th hole! The others loved it.

After golf we headed to the 192 to try out Bob Evans. Lil Miss had a burger, the boy had pasta and chips. Mr G had a sandwich and I had soup and salad. 

Then it was home to get packed and washings on etc. After some pool time, we had an argument as Lil Miss thought she hadn't done enough shopping. The boy wanted to go to the park. So Mr G took him to the park, then we went for some ice cream at Twisted Treats on the 192 which is shaped like an ice cream cone.

Then we popped to Premium outlets and bought a  samsonite bag for the boy going to camp in August. He also got a pair a vans! His sister didn't! 

Then it was home via the pizza shop and recycling and bins out! bag for the boy going to camp in August. He also got a pair a vans! His sister didn't! 

Then it was home via the pizza shop and recycling and bins out!

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Tuesday 9th July 2013

Oh it was a struggle to get up this morning. We were all tired but we managed out by 8.10am to get to Universal for 9am. Me and Lil Miss needed to do the Bag search, so Mr G and The Boy ran ahead and bought express passes. This allowed us to walk on rides again. Our first ride had to be Minion Mayhem. Its a simulator but it was fantastic. We really enjoyed it. Then it was time to meet a Minion and then Marg Simpson, before heading to ET. But we got sidetracked and did transformers. WOW that was an awesome ride. Then we managed to head to ET which was a must do!

As we've heard it's going to close, we had to make memories. Then we got a bit lost so the children rode the Woody's rollercoaster. I sat under one of those fan sprays cooling down as it was a hot day.

We headed round to Simpson Land taking in the new parts. Before meeting the Simpsons. We were in the line and I was wondering where Maggie was when Mr G said the same thing. Then it was onto The Simpsons Ride which was brilliant as well. Really really enjoyed that. And we moved on to Men In Black. For Mr G being the last shooting for points game, he wanted a clear out winner as we'd all won 1 game so far! Not quite sure what happened but I think I came last!

Then we planned to get a drink but ended up on Disaster which the children were wary off but actually enjoyed. When we came out of there, we headed across to the bakery. Key Lime Pie and Cheesecake for lunch with a fruit pot. Then we headed along to Shrek but got side tracked by The Mummy. Oooh having watched You Tube video's I was not looking forward to it but it wasn't as long as I expected. The photo is hilarious as my eyes are closed tight while my face is screwed up. 

We finally made it to Shrek but had a bit of a queue. It would have been a good place for a snooze if the chair hadn't kept moving, haha! Then Lil Miss and Mr G went on Rip it Rockit. They had a ball. So The Boy and I looked round the Minion store and then got a drink. We'd just found a seat when the others appeared back. They had video'ed their ride from the ride video which looked funny. 

We headed down to the photo store for our photo's before we headed to the car. We headed right to Berry Town Centre to have an Applebee's for an early dinner. It was a good choice menu and good service. The food was gorgeous. They even ran over to Publix for Oreos so Lil Miss could have a milkshake. The meal was reasonable at $58 for the 4 of us including drinks and tax. 

Then it was back to the villa for pool time. I did some washing and sorting to allow me to start packing. The packing hasn't happened but some great chill time has happened.

Monday 8th July 2013

Monday morning, Bright and Beautiful. So we headed to Typhoon Lagoon. We managed to find a shaded area near the toilets but also next to the beach party. So we only stayed 3 hours before heading back to the villa, but we had some quality bigger pool time in the wave pool and the lazy river and the family raft ride. The Boy liked the little slides by the wave pool. As we left, photo's with stitch were called for. 

We headed back to the villa and had left over chinese on the deck before getting set for some Fantasia Golf. We had great fun on the tradition crazy golf course. But it was busy with lots of other families choosing to do the same thing. Because we have the Ultimate Tickets, We were able to play for free. They have another course which is more like golf which we hope to return too.

After golf we headed to I-Drive to Sweet Tomatoes for dinner. Well that was the plan, we popped into Super Target and did a bit of clothes/toys/bag shopping before we finally got away to Sweet Tomatoes! The menu had changed so it wasn't as good as the last time as they had changed the soups but the rest was nice. Had a good baked potato with it's own toppings. Then it was over to Universal for Blue Man Group. 

As we were a bit early, we decided to wander round Universal Studio's to kill time.
It was such a warm night and lovely to wander about in. Then we headed over to the Theatre for the show. We were row P seats 16-19. This was an excellent view and very central. The show was fantastic and we really enjoyed it. Then it was home for bed.

Sunday 7th July 2013

Had a bit of a longer lie but I was up for 2 hours with a poorly Lil Miss. Got a good long shower, before our friends arrived to collect some things they'd left here. We thought we could go to the Premium Outlets but it wan't to be. They headed up to Jacksonville and we headed to crossroads. Lil Miss started complaining of being hungry and she looked very unwell. So we headed into Steak and Shake to eat. Hadn't realised it was like a sit in Wimpy than the fast food counter I expected. 

Ordered a burger which was lovely. Mr G had a burger with an egg on it. The children both chose hot dogs with no mustard. Was a very good meal and Lil Miss who had looked like death had a bit of colour in her. We popped next door to Winn Dixie. Lil Miss had sore ears so got some ear drops for her which helped and then milk/bread/fruit for the villa. 

Then I got the notion to go to Downtown Disney to see about seeing the minions. We bought tickets for later on and nipped back to the villa to drop off the food and get sorted before heading back down to DTD. 

We arrived parked easily at the westside, before getting food and then attempting to find a seat. It was very busy and we ended up in the front row with rocking seats. So when the people in the row behind left their row and leaned on our seats we moved! Film was excellent and very funny.

We wandered round DTD and bought some trinkets to take home and The Boy enjoyed the lego store. When we were finished we got the water taxi back to the westside before heading to H27. Had planned to go to Applebee's for tea but it was too busy to wait, so we popped into the Bamboo Wok and had a take away. The portions were huge and the food was good. The children had chicken noodle soup and no space for the chicken fried rice they ordered. Mr G got Pork with Mushrooms which was gorgeous and I had Shrimp with broccoli which was lovely. There was so much left over we left it for another day. Then we all fell into bed to sleep.