-Hope-
Always dreaming of adventure...
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2009
- Messages
- 2,968
Hi everyone!
We have just returned from a short but jam-packed trip to Orlando. We spent a day at Legoland and 3 (well 2 3/4 really) days at UO. We didn't have much down time, we didn't have much sleep but we did have LOTS OF FUN!
For such a short trip we really spent a long time prepping and planning. If you're interested in our movie days and planning you can read all about it in my long and rambling PTR. But for now, on to the trip report!
For this trip we opted not to stay onsite but instead at a partner hotel so we could take advantage of the free dining UO was offering during our dates. We arrived in Orlando on September 21 and spent 4 nights at the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando. It was a nice room (though I never did get any pics) with modern updates and furnishings, it was clean and the mattresses were comfortable. However, we only had full size beds so that was a definite drawback. The pool looked lovely but we never had the opportunity to check it out- too much rain and not enough time.
Since we weren't staying onsite and we flew in we also rented a car. I found a great deal through Hotwire and loved the freedom of having the car. We relied solely on WDW transportation on our previous trip and I'll NEVER go that route again. This was much more relaxing and allowed us to take advantage of a few hours of downtime without spending it all on or waiting for a bus.
There were four of us along for this trip...
That's me, Hope, on the far left, next to DS14, Jace, followed by DD13, Kya and finally my mom, Bobbi on the far right. DH traveled to WDW with us in 2010 and HATED it. He opted not to do another theme park vacation with us so we invited my mom along instead.
(My dad also chose not to come along though he'd have been more than welcome. But since he'd never taken us to a theme park as kids, always expressing his disdain, I didn't think he would.)
A little more about each of us...
Kya is my funny, smart, kind-hearted 13yo daughter. She loves her friends, her family, animals, British TV and embraces her geeky side while still loving pop culture, make-up and fashion. I love that she doesn't feel the need to pigeon hole herself into typical teen stereotypes and just loves what she loves.
Jace on the other on the other hand fully embraces his geeky-gamer self (And I love that too! He knows who he is and is okay with that. ) He spends a lot of time on his own or chatting with friends online but he also loves spending time with his family. He's sarcastic, a bit awkward and has a very kind heart.
My mom, Bobbi, is still young at heart but her body doesn't always agree. She has vertigo and a back injury that prevented her from riding a lot of rides. (Hence the comment that led to my TR title- more on that later!) She would wistfully look at every roller coaster we passed but she didn't let it get her down- she enjoyed what she could and was just happy to be there, having fun with her grandkids. She is generous to a fault and loves her family fiercely and while she drives me crazy at times, when push comes to shove I know she loves us unconditionally and we could count on her for anything.
And that brings us to me, Hope. I'm a 38yo homeschooling mamma. I teach Adult Education a few nights a week and also substitute teach occasionally. My kids get their geeky genes from me- I warn you, don't start a conversation with me about Doctor Who, Buffy or Lord of the Rings. You may not escape! In addition to my love of The Doctor and Samwise I am also crazy in love with my hubby of 18 years. The above pic (the only one I have by myself from this trip) is one I had Kya snap with my phone so I could text him.
If you clicked on that link for my PTR you'll also notice that I ramble on and talk a lot. This TR will be longer than the one or two posts that are typical here on the darkside of the boards... that's for me as much as it is for you. This is my record of our trip and I want to remember every detail. If you're up for that then
We have just returned from a short but jam-packed trip to Orlando. We spent a day at Legoland and 3 (well 2 3/4 really) days at UO. We didn't have much down time, we didn't have much sleep but we did have LOTS OF FUN!
For such a short trip we really spent a long time prepping and planning. If you're interested in our movie days and planning you can read all about it in my long and rambling PTR. But for now, on to the trip report!
For this trip we opted not to stay onsite but instead at a partner hotel so we could take advantage of the free dining UO was offering during our dates. We arrived in Orlando on September 21 and spent 4 nights at the Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando. It was a nice room (though I never did get any pics) with modern updates and furnishings, it was clean and the mattresses were comfortable. However, we only had full size beds so that was a definite drawback. The pool looked lovely but we never had the opportunity to check it out- too much rain and not enough time.
Since we weren't staying onsite and we flew in we also rented a car. I found a great deal through Hotwire and loved the freedom of having the car. We relied solely on WDW transportation on our previous trip and I'll NEVER go that route again. This was much more relaxing and allowed us to take advantage of a few hours of downtime without spending it all on or waiting for a bus.
There were four of us along for this trip...
That's me, Hope, on the far left, next to DS14, Jace, followed by DD13, Kya and finally my mom, Bobbi on the far right. DH traveled to WDW with us in 2010 and HATED it. He opted not to do another theme park vacation with us so we invited my mom along instead.
(My dad also chose not to come along though he'd have been more than welcome. But since he'd never taken us to a theme park as kids, always expressing his disdain, I didn't think he would.)
A little more about each of us...
Kya is my funny, smart, kind-hearted 13yo daughter. She loves her friends, her family, animals, British TV and embraces her geeky side while still loving pop culture, make-up and fashion. I love that she doesn't feel the need to pigeon hole herself into typical teen stereotypes and just loves what she loves.
Jace on the other on the other hand fully embraces his geeky-gamer self (And I love that too! He knows who he is and is okay with that. ) He spends a lot of time on his own or chatting with friends online but he also loves spending time with his family. He's sarcastic, a bit awkward and has a very kind heart.
My mom, Bobbi, is still young at heart but her body doesn't always agree. She has vertigo and a back injury that prevented her from riding a lot of rides. (Hence the comment that led to my TR title- more on that later!) She would wistfully look at every roller coaster we passed but she didn't let it get her down- she enjoyed what she could and was just happy to be there, having fun with her grandkids. She is generous to a fault and loves her family fiercely and while she drives me crazy at times, when push comes to shove I know she loves us unconditionally and we could count on her for anything.
And that brings us to me, Hope. I'm a 38yo homeschooling mamma. I teach Adult Education a few nights a week and also substitute teach occasionally. My kids get their geeky genes from me- I warn you, don't start a conversation with me about Doctor Who, Buffy or Lord of the Rings. You may not escape! In addition to my love of The Doctor and Samwise I am also crazy in love with my hubby of 18 years. The above pic (the only one I have by myself from this trip) is one I had Kya snap with my phone so I could text him.
If you clicked on that link for my PTR you'll also notice that I ramble on and talk a lot. This TR will be longer than the one or two posts that are typical here on the darkside of the boards... that's for me as much as it is for you. This is my record of our trip and I want to remember every detail. If you're up for that then