Portugal1000
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
Cant believe we are back three weeks already.. Some of you probably read my live trip report but I have had a lot of time to think about our highs and low so here goes. Stayed three weeks from 11th August. Will start with lows as I am struggling to think of any.
Holiday originally started out with 15 of us going but friends and family just couldn't afford it which was really sad. Felt a bit guilty. We missed them all.
Immigration at MCO - now I am usually so happy to be alive after a flight (scared of flying) that I don't care about the queue but this one even tested me. We were literally the first people off the plane as we had back row upstairs but we still waited well over an hour to get through. There simply weren't enough booths open and several planes arrived at once. I couldn't help thinking that it was somehow being done to make a point somehow, probably being paranoid, but the people who got off the plane behind us must have waited for hours. One man was pleading with an immigration officer to let his wife go through as she just couldn't stand any longer. There were so many elderly people in the queue, it was pretty awful.
Driving - I love driving in Florida but I have developed a bit of a phobia about driving on the freeway. This really does limit me now as my husband doesn't drive and I can't face driving to the beach which is a shame as we loved it last year. Just too many trucks. Also, why do drivers speed up over there when they see you indicating o change lane. One guy nearly drove me off the road and I could turn off where I wanted and had to do a massive loop of the Disney network to get back again.
Raglan Road - Awful meal, terrible in fact. Fish and chips for three of us, think I had fifteen small chips and a piece of Birds Eye frozen fish. Over $70. Only Disney restaurant we went to and then cancelled the others as we realise now that offsite so much better.
That's it for the lows, hardly worth mentioning.
Highs
Virgin Flights - Last two years have flown indirect and loved American Airlines last year but decided on Direct this year as didn't see any indirect deals. Really impressed with Virgin. We had back row and front row of economy upstairs on way out. Drinks constantly refilled, good food. Flight landed early. PE on way back, again all good.
Wyndham Bonnet Creek -Really can't say enough good things about this place. Part of me is glad is hasn't caught on over here, kinda nice being in a minority. So many people asked where we were from when they heard our accents, literally random people while floating in the lazy river or in the lifts. Always said something nice about England. Rooms are so good, no noise, but my favourite thing is just being able to walk around the resort, relax at one if the many pools, take part in the activities, especially all the different quizzes. The location is great. Just don't understand why everyone doesn't stay here!!
Aquatica - Our favourite water park, just love being there. Went four times, not busy nearer the end of holiday. Always have our last full day here and the three of us just go round and round the lazy river to finish off our holiday. My one regret is that I dint get one of those Go Pro camera. Everyone seemed to have one in the lazy river, definitely getting one next year.
Discovery Cove - Third year we have been and only park we get to at opening and stay till closing. Just a love relaxing day, well worth the money.
Restaurants - we love eating out on holiday but definitely prefer the offsite restaurants to Disney ones. Had some fantastic meals and special mention to Longhornes, Cheesecake Factory, Carrabba's, Toojays and Bosphorus which was the new one we tried and was fantastic. Had a Travelzoo voucher so great value. Next door to Toojays and we were kicking ourselves that we didn't go before.
Fun Spot - Had a $75 gift card from ATD. Never been before but my son and husband absolutely loved the go carts. Never seen my son concentrate on something so much. We went twice but will go more next year. Always thought it would be an awful place but if you have teenagers then I would give it a go.
Universal - stayed one night at PBH which was great and a total of four days at the two parks. Didn't go to Disney this year and didn't miss it atall. Loved everything about Universal, growing on me more and more. Can't wait to go back next year and see King Kong.
And Finally, being able to spend time just as a family with no interruptions. Our son is 15 and I know this won't last forever but as long as he wants to come on holiday with us, I am going to make the most of it.
Holiday originally started out with 15 of us going but friends and family just couldn't afford it which was really sad. Felt a bit guilty. We missed them all.
Immigration at MCO - now I am usually so happy to be alive after a flight (scared of flying) that I don't care about the queue but this one even tested me. We were literally the first people off the plane as we had back row upstairs but we still waited well over an hour to get through. There simply weren't enough booths open and several planes arrived at once. I couldn't help thinking that it was somehow being done to make a point somehow, probably being paranoid, but the people who got off the plane behind us must have waited for hours. One man was pleading with an immigration officer to let his wife go through as she just couldn't stand any longer. There were so many elderly people in the queue, it was pretty awful.
Driving - I love driving in Florida but I have developed a bit of a phobia about driving on the freeway. This really does limit me now as my husband doesn't drive and I can't face driving to the beach which is a shame as we loved it last year. Just too many trucks. Also, why do drivers speed up over there when they see you indicating o change lane. One guy nearly drove me off the road and I could turn off where I wanted and had to do a massive loop of the Disney network to get back again.
Raglan Road - Awful meal, terrible in fact. Fish and chips for three of us, think I had fifteen small chips and a piece of Birds Eye frozen fish. Over $70. Only Disney restaurant we went to and then cancelled the others as we realise now that offsite so much better.
That's it for the lows, hardly worth mentioning.
Highs
Virgin Flights - Last two years have flown indirect and loved American Airlines last year but decided on Direct this year as didn't see any indirect deals. Really impressed with Virgin. We had back row and front row of economy upstairs on way out. Drinks constantly refilled, good food. Flight landed early. PE on way back, again all good.
Wyndham Bonnet Creek -Really can't say enough good things about this place. Part of me is glad is hasn't caught on over here, kinda nice being in a minority. So many people asked where we were from when they heard our accents, literally random people while floating in the lazy river or in the lifts. Always said something nice about England. Rooms are so good, no noise, but my favourite thing is just being able to walk around the resort, relax at one if the many pools, take part in the activities, especially all the different quizzes. The location is great. Just don't understand why everyone doesn't stay here!!
Aquatica - Our favourite water park, just love being there. Went four times, not busy nearer the end of holiday. Always have our last full day here and the three of us just go round and round the lazy river to finish off our holiday. My one regret is that I dint get one of those Go Pro camera. Everyone seemed to have one in the lazy river, definitely getting one next year.
Discovery Cove - Third year we have been and only park we get to at opening and stay till closing. Just a love relaxing day, well worth the money.
Restaurants - we love eating out on holiday but definitely prefer the offsite restaurants to Disney ones. Had some fantastic meals and special mention to Longhornes, Cheesecake Factory, Carrabba's, Toojays and Bosphorus which was the new one we tried and was fantastic. Had a Travelzoo voucher so great value. Next door to Toojays and we were kicking ourselves that we didn't go before.
Fun Spot - Had a $75 gift card from ATD. Never been before but my son and husband absolutely loved the go carts. Never seen my son concentrate on something so much. We went twice but will go more next year. Always thought it would be an awful place but if you have teenagers then I would give it a go.
Universal - stayed one night at PBH which was great and a total of four days at the two parks. Didn't go to Disney this year and didn't miss it atall. Loved everything about Universal, growing on me more and more. Can't wait to go back next year and see King Kong.
And Finally, being able to spend time just as a family with no interruptions. Our son is 15 and I know this won't last forever but as long as he wants to come on holiday with us, I am going to make the most of it.
Really Sorry to jump in.
