Back home

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Well we landed back in Manchester on the 1st January after a lovely holiday - we flew out on the 11th.

The flights were as good as they will ever be (for someone who doesn't particularly enjoy flying) and we returned PE (thanks to M+M) so did have a bit more room on the return journey.

We stayed for 11 nights at CSR and were put in a top floor, corner room - so it was reasonably quiet and we all managed to sleep well as the beds were very comfy. My DD loved the pool area and toasted marshmallows a couple of nights.

The parks lines were all good and we managed to get on everything we wanted at each of the parks.

The weather was kind to us this time (in 2010 it was freezing!) and we managed to go to BB and get round the pool a few times.

On the 22nd we moved offsite to a 3br Townhome at Emerald Island. Another quiet area and I enjoyed the extra space and not having to share the bathroom!

The crowds noticeably ramped up around and after Christmas, but by this time we definitely had a lazy approach and were not planning on getting on too much. Christmas Eve we went in MK around 6pm and ate at the Park Plaza - it was heaving. After the fireworks the crowds really thinned out and we walked on POTC, TM and all the rides such as Dumbo in the new circus area. We even met all the characters and there was only 1 other family in there

We ate at O'Hanas on Christmas Day and watched the fireworks again from the beach - a CM in the shop told us that MK was closed by 10 that morning - but we had stayed away and gone to the crazy golf at BB and visited WL.

We took a trip to the Blue Spring state park and did a 2 hour boat trip to see the wildlife - we all enjoyed this. We also went to Clermont (not our type of place as it turns out) and Old Kissimmee for a few hours. We also shared an illuminations cruise on the 23rd and it was great to see the illuminations this way. Visited SW and BG - love both parks and my DD & DH got very wet on the rides at Busch.

Ate plenty - at places such as the Ale House, Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, Planet Hollywood, Trails End etc.... At Sweet Tomatoes the cashier gave us a BOGOF discount even though we didn't have a coupon - I must look in need!!

On our last day we packed and went to Celebration for a few hours, taking a lovely walk round the lakes. As we were walking my DH asked me if I had noticed anything at the side of us - it was only an alligator literally within arms reach. I quickly run off telling him to take a picture to show my mum and dad DH said he has never seen me move so fast!

So a great time was had by all and it's a shame we had to fly back - Happy New Year everyone

 

[monica23535]

Glad you had a great time


I've seen alligators in Celebration too, which is why I wont go too close to the water!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Sounds like you had an amazing time

Cant wait to see "the gaitor pic"

 

[buzz242]

Sounds like a great trip, we love Sweet Tomatoes

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Yes we had a great time thanks - not sure about the picture as I have never loaded one before

 

[Old Swan]

Welcome Home. Sounds like a fab Christmas

How was Old Kissimmee? We have been planning our days for next trip and thought about a wander around. Worth a trip?

 

[bee86]

Welcome back!! Sounds like a fab trip

How did you find CSR??

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Welcome Home. Sounds like a fab Christmas

How was Old Kissimmee? We have been planning our days for next trip and thought about a wander around. Worth a trip?

We enjoyed our few hours - it is basically just one street with different shops, cafes etc. My DH managed to buy something from the hardware store, a local recommended one of the restaurants we were looking at and there is a nice place to get a smoothie (my dds pleasure!) We then went to the lake front and parked there - they are currently building some new pavillions from the look of it and it should be nice when finished. We were there for 3 weeks so I enjoyed doing something different

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Welcome back!! Sounds like a fab trip

How did you find CSR??

We all enjoyed CSR. I prefer the extra space and quiet of your own home but did appreciate the bendfits of the hotel! We found the beds to be very comfy and our room was quiet - we were in a top floor corner room (Casitas). The hotel is landscaped beautifully and it is nice to walk round the lake or enjoy a cup of coffee or drink at the lakeside.

The pool area is really nice - with a spa, table tennis, beach volleyball court and children's playground. It wasn't too far a walk for us. They play games in an afternoon and toast marshmallows each night. There is also a film showed and you get a schedule on arrival.

At the quiet pools there are also laundry facilities - the machines were $2 per use.

El Centro was about a 10 minute walk for us - but my DH used to go and get drinks in the morning while we were getting up. We would then drop by in the car to refill on our way out. We used the bus service only once so I can't comment on it really.

We didn't eat at PM - although we got a takeaway pizza one night to have with a beer at the lake. It was freshly cooked and very nice.

If there is anything specific you want to know please ask