3 Brits and 3 weeks at Disneys Grand Floridian (**Completed**)

[Sweet Pea UK]

What a lovely family you three make! It sounds like you have had a great time so far....with the exception of the Harry Potter ride being shut down.

Thats very kind of you to say. We are a very happy family. We had an amazing time. Hope you enjoy reading more.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Great 2nd day but how frustrating about HP! I think I will cry if its not working when we get there!

Thank you!! Meant to ask you -how did you find Saratoga Springs?? Its where we are headed next August

I will be able to tell you in 15 days!!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I will be able to tell you in 15 days!!!

Silly me - I thought you had already been!!! Have a FANTASTIC time!!!!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Wednesday 25th August 2010 – Day 4

I was awake at 6:30 today – getting better! I looked out of the window and it was dry!! Yippee!! I have to say the beds at Portofino Bay were sooooo comfy!!!

We decided that it was unnecessary to get to Islands of Adventure before 8am as you just have to wait and then everybody makes a run for it anyway!!

We decided to walk as it was such a nice day. It was really warm.

We hadn’t gone very far, well we had got to the Hard Rock Hotel and Amber said she would really like to go on a Rickshaw. We hopped on the next one to come passed and he took us all the way to the gate. I don’t know how they do that in the heat!! They must be so fit!!

We arrived dead on 8 and there was no where near as big a queue as yesterday. We made our way straight to the Forbidden Journey ride. It was working so we queued for about 10 minutes and then went on. It was great!! There is so much going on! Amber didn’t like it and spent the whole ride with her eyes shut.

When we came off we went and bought the photo – it was $25. I was shocked!!

Amber and Jonathan went on the Flight of the Hippogriff again and then we got some fruit and pretzels and sat in Hogsmeade to eat them.

We had a look in all the shops. The theming has to be seen to be believed!! Fantastic!!

We then went on the Trolley in the Sky ride, the Carousel and Cat in the Hat.

Jonathan and Amber went on One Fish, two Fish and got rather wet again!

We then decided to go over to Universal Studios as Amber was desperate to get on Hollywood Rip Ride RockIt. We kept telling her that we didn’t think she was tall enough but she wanted to check.

When we got to the Studios we had a drink and a cookie. It was very hot today. We then went to get measured on Rip Ride. We put Amber up against the stick and the attendant had her stand up straight and she tried to get a piece of paper between her head and the bar – it wouldn't go – she was on!!!! This now meant that me and Jonathan would have to go on and we really didn’t want to! The queue was 45 minutes so we put everything in the lockers and waited!

I was getting more and more nervous. When I got up the stairs and could actually see the boarding I didn’t think I could do it. I said “I can’t do it”. Amber said “It’s OK Mum, if you can’t, you can’t. Me and Dad will be OK”. I looked at poor Jonathan who by this stage was grey and couldn’t make him do it alone. Both of us like thrill rides but I think it was because this one went straight up we were apprehensive. Anyway it was now our turn to board so I just got on! I picked Gloria Gaynor “I will Survive” for my song. It was an amazing ride – Amber was fearless! We then went and looked at our DVD and photos – they were so funny!! We bought Ambers.

Jonathan said that the reason he was so frightned was because he was so concerned about Amber! She looked so small on the ride!

We then went on Twister and then got some lunch in the Richter burger place. It was surprisingly good!!

Jonathan went on the Mummy – fearless Amber didn’t fancy that one as it was in the dark.

We did Jaws next and then made our way round to the Simpsons. I loved the themeing of the ride but Simulator rides really make me feel sick. Jonathan felt the same, although Amber LOVED it!.

We decided to go back to the hotel so went and got the boat.

Once back I decided to have a little sleep and Jonathan and Amber went to the pool. When they came back we did the packing.

We then got ready and caught the boat back to CityWalk.

We walked round to the Hard Rock Café for dinner. I had the fajitas, Jonathan a Burger and Amber the Hot Dog. It was all OK.

We then all picked the Crème Brulee for dessert but this wasn’t good. It was really thick, not light like a proper crème brulee at all.

We paid the bill which was $70 including the tip (very good!) and went for a walk around.

Jonathan bought some shorts and Amber a bouncing ball on a string. We then got the boat back to the hotel and went back to our room.

Another enjoyable day!

Tomorrow I will upload Day 5 - we arrive at the Grand Floridian!!!!

 

[TiggerFan3590]

Enjoying your TR.... Can't wait for more....

 

[Purple Opal]

Subscribing

And THANK YOU for the Universal / Harry Potter photos!!

 

[klacey1]

So glad the lines were shorter this day! Ahh, I love thrill rides but Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit does look frightening-- that 90 degree launch looks terrifying! It's adorable that Amber was concerned about you and said you didn't have to ride with her!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Enjoying your TR.... Can't wait for more....

Thank you. Hope to have more up soon.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Subscribing

And THANK YOU for the Universal / Harry Potter photos!!

No problem about the photos - if I can keep you interested there will be more photos later on in the report when I go back with my parents!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

So glad the lines were shorter this day! Ahh, I love thrill rides but Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit does look frightening-- that 90 degree launch looks terrifying! It's adorable that Amber was concerned about you and said you didn't have to ride with her!

Amber is so cute like that. Although the lauch looks daunting it is an absolutely amazing ride!! You will love it!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Just thought I would post a quick update. The past few days have been manic!! Work has been so busy and then a friend of mine had a baby a couple of weeks ago and I had the bright idea to pop to Brighton for the day to see them. Well it was 4 hours drive there and 4 hours drive back! Quite a bit in a day! We were exhausted. Plus it was torrential rain for the whole journey. Worth it though baby "Betty" was so cute!!!

Amber started at Brownies tonight and has been getting loads of homework from school so we have been busy helping her.

Also I ordered my PhotoPass CD and a PhotoBook as soon as I got back and the book came last Wednesday so I am hoping that the CD comes really soon as it has pictures on I can use for the next day of the TR. I was so pleased with the book. I only used the photopass pics but it is so lovely.

I was abit surprised that they didn't come in the same envelope??

 

[DSNY4ever]

Rip Ride Rocket does look scary! So do you get to pick between a list of songs you want to hear while you ride or something? I am impressed you daughter went on that! I didn't even know Photo pass offered book, but we have never done photopass before.

Oh, you are so lucky to live in England, we went there this last April and loved everything! I thought I would sleep on our train rides and I never did because everything was so pretty.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I certainly don't blame you and your husband for being a bit afraid of riding Rip Rockets. It looks a bit intimidating to me!

It has been years since we've been to Universal Studios but your pictures are making me think we need to think about adding a day there next trip.

 

[jbbt]

Read your entire pre-trip report - loved it - and am now thoroughly enjoying this report!!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Rip Ride Rocket does look scary! So do you get to pick between a list of songs you want to hear while you ride or something? I am impressed you daughter went on that! I didn't even know Photo pass offered book, but we have never done photopass before.

Oh, you are so lucky to live in England, we went there this last April and loved everything! I thought I would sleep on our train rides and I never did because everything was so pretty.

It really was scary but good fun too With regards to picking the song there are 5 different genres with 6 songs in each. I think there is Country, Pop, Hip Hop/Rap; Vintage Rock; Modern and I can't remember the other!! "I will Survive" was a good choice!! Although Amber didn't pik hers it picked for her and it was a Country song and it sounded great - we have it on the DVD we bought of her on it!

You must do photopass - we had lovely photos this year - I will upload some pictures of the book to show you and hopefully the CD will be here! If it isn't here by SAturday I will carry on the TR without it - I am getting withfrawal symptoms!!

HOw funny about England - I think you are so lucky to live in America. Guess we always want what we can't have. Seriously though we do have a beautiful country with so much history!!! What parts did you visit? I bet you noticed a difference between our trains and yours

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

I certainly don't blame you and your husband for being a bit afraid of riding Rip Rockets. It looks a bit intimidating to me!

It has been years since we've been to Universal Studios but your pictures are making me think we need to think about adding a day there next trip.

Hi !! I do really love Universal - it has changed so much in recent years. I don't love it as much as Disney but I couldn't imagine going to Orlando and not spending a day over there.

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

Read your entire pre-trip report - loved it - and am now thoroughly enjoying this report!!!

Hi JBBT - Welcome

Really pleased that you liked my PTR and that you are enjoying this TR. I am writing more at present and relaly hope that the CD is here so I can get it uploaded!!!

 

[Sweet Pea UK]

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just got home and the Photopass CD has arrived!! Yippee!!!!!! Just uploading the photos onto my external hardrive, then popping out for tea and then .... I am going to get Day 5 added.

Grand Floridian, Typhoon Lagoon, Magic Kindom, Crystal Palace, Dessert Party here we come!! Stay Tuned!!

 

[Brae's Mom]

Sounds like you're off to a fabulous start. Your daughter is adorable!! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your vacation.

 

[disneybarbie]

yay for the Photo Pass CD arriving!

Looking forward to the next updates..


Emma x