Fred and Wilma and the girls came too - Day 15

[wilma-bride]

Day 15 – The Final Countdown – Monday 23rd October

Cast:

Me – Joh, 33 – Secretly hoping Rea might ride at least one roller coaster
DH – Gary, 39 – Determined to enjoy a last ride on the ‘Hulk’
DD1 – Sian, 13 – I don’t like Spiderman!
DD2 – Rea, 12 – Hoping to get away with not riding any roller coasters

Well, today was our last full day and we were determined to enjoy it. We had another day at Islands of Adventure planned and a lunch date with Ian (Ollie) and Lynn.

After the usual morning routine, we left the hotel at 8:25 and got the shuttle to Universal. Headed straight for Islands of Adventure, where we entered the park just before 9.

First stop was Spiderman, where DD1 declared she still didn’t like it – what’s not to like?! Then me, DH and DD1 went on Dr Dooms a couple of times. I really love this ride, I just wish it lasted a bit longer. We doubled back towards Hulk and rode this a couple of times while DD2 waited. Feeling guilty that we’d been in the park for over an hour and Rea had only done one ride, we went over to Seuss Landing where the girls rode 1 Fish, 2 Fish a couple of times again and Rea met the Cat in the Hat.



We worked our way around the park to Duelling Dragons. Unfortunately, it broke down just as we got to the front so we decided to leave it a while and walked through to Jurassic Park. We went in the Discovery Centre, where we all took part in the Dinosaur Quiz (I won!) and spent some time admiring the massive dinosaurs.





We then walked back round to Mythos to meet Ian and Lynn. We were a bit early so sat outside and did a bit of people watching, before I recognised a couple walking towards us. Ian approached us and we did the introductions, then headed in to Mythos where Ian had made a reservation. We were seated straight away at a table in the back of the restaurant. We spent some time chatting while we perused the menus and before long the server took our order and brought us some of the lovely Rosemary and Potato bread. Mythos really is a firm favourite of mine and I would always choose to eat here on every visit to IOA. I suspect we’re probably missing out on other dining opportunities but, as you’ve probably learned by now, I’m a creature of habit

The food arrived pretty quickly and was delicious. Before we knew it, 2 hours had passed and we needed to make a move to catch our shuttle. We bid farewell to Ian and Lynn, having had a very pleasant lunch, and quickly headed back towards Seuss Landing where DH and I wanted to get a couple of Dr Seuss books for Daniel and the girls wanted to buy a rice crispy treat each. With minutes to spare, we left the park and power walked our way to the bus pick-up.

Back at the hotel, we got changed into our swimming gear and went down to the pool where, again, I fell asleep and the girls tried (again, unsuccessfully) to drown DH.

At 5, we went back up to the room, showered and changed and caught the I-Ride to the Outback Steakhouse for dinner. This was another first for us and the choice was pretty good. I decided to push the boat out and have a change from chicken (steps back in amazement!) so I ordered the pork chops with cinnamon apple and fries. DH opted for ribs and the girls decided to share a ribs and chicken combo.







The food was absolutely gorgeous (although Sian found it a little spicy for her taste) and the bill was pretty reasonable (sorry, can’t remember exactly how reasonable!) We left Outback and walked up to the little shopping area next door, where there were a couple of little gift shops and a large Publix. The girls wandered around the gift shop but it was obvious the lady was waiting to close so I hurried them along. They chose a couple of notebooks and pens each and went to pay. After they’d paid, the lady asked them to go with her and took them over to a little stand, where she picked out a Mickey Mouse purse and a Minnie Mouse purse, which she gave to them for free. What a lovely gesture.

We left and caught the I-Ride back to the hotel, where I started the horrible job of packing (whenever we pack to go home, it always reminds me of the old joke about how to get 2 elephants in a mini). Eventually, I gave up and went to bed, reasoning that we had plenty of time the next day as we had no plans to go anywhere.

Ollie, if you are reading this, I would just like to say how lovely it was to meet you and Lynn and thank you for a very pleasant lunch. By the way, I wouldn’t mind seeing how some of those pics came out that you took.

[ely3857]

Lovely lunch & lovely shop lady



Jodie

[natalielongstaff]

oooh those ribs look lovely joh i must stop reading these trippies the food pictures are too much

[jns]

another great day
we really love the Outback Steakhouse too

[Minniespal]

Another lovely day

[arieljasmine]

Another great day. That food looks fantastic. How sweet of the shop lady to give your girls purses

ArielJasmine

[mark&sue]

We love Mythos too. Wonderful last full day


Susan

[florida sun]

Fabulous food, Im sat here starving now

[Cyrano]

Shame that it is your last full day
Looks like you made the most of it