Day 1 in Orlando ( day 10 post 109)

[dc1964]

Not got to Olive garden yet, only 5pm here, got the free beer to drink first at Hotel. will report on Olive garden later

some more pictures.

The Simpsons ride at Universal

New Harry Potter looks Good

Pool at Hawthorn suites

Itis very Tiring been on Holiday

 

[rpbert1]

Maybe it was to many free beers LOL

 

[wayneg]

Certainly looks like too many free beers

I once lost my wallet at East Midlands airport with over £500 (in Euros) rang the airport from Amsterdam and someone had handed it in complete with money. I wanted to give them a reward but they left no contact address or number.

We were not impressed with Olive garden at LBV but really liked the new one at Hunters creek, never been to any other.

 

[disneyholic family]

Certainly looks like too many free beers

I once lost my wallet at East Midlands airport with over £500 (in Euros) rang the airport from Amsterdam and someone had handed it in complete with money. I wanted to give them a reward but they left no contact address or number.

We were not impressed with Olive garden at LBV but really liked the new one at Hunters creek, never been to any other.

very impressive!!

olive garden...i've never eaten at the one in LBV either, so i don't know how that one is....

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for the pictures, Harry Potter is going to be awesome.

I don't get that coaster at Universal, it's just totally against the whole theme of the park and more suited to IOA.

 

[disneyholic family]

Thanks for the pictures, Harry Potter is going to be awesome.

I don't get that coaster at Universal, it's just totally against the whole theme of the park and more suited to IOA.

i agree about the coaster....in fact, when i glanced at the picture, my brain sort of assumed it was IOA.....

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks for the update and photos.

 

[disneyholic family]

the harry potter area does look cool - looks like it will be worth at least one visit - and i say that as someone who's most definitely not a harry potter fan...(and not a universal fan either)...

 

[dc1964]

i agree about the coaster at Universal, it does look out of place, i guess they felt they need a new attraction to bring people back. Alot of the attractions at Universal are quite old now, twister, jaws, terminator are all a bit tired IMHO.
In the end it is all about making cash, how long till Disney build a huge rollercoaster at Magic Kingdom i wonder?

 

[wicket2005]

The good thing about Universal, because it has to compete against Disney, it does update/replace its ride quicker than Disney does. Disney tends to stay with old favourites with the odd new addition. Whereas Universal will take out a ride and replace it with a totally new one or introduce an up to date ride. I actually love the Universal and Islands parks over the Disney ones.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

i agree about the coaster at Universal, it does look out of place, i guess they felt they need a new attraction to bring people back. Alot of the attractions at Universal are quite old now, twister, jaws, terminator are all a bit tired IMHO.
In the end it is all about making cash, how long till Disney build a huge rollercoaster at Magic Kingdom i wonder?

I think all the parks could do more, Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom is in dire need of something new (in my opinion).

I agree about Universal but I would say on the whole they probably do at least as much as Disney do in providing new attractions, probably more. They just need to sort the opening times out now, rides that do not open till 11 is just plain crazy - I really need to stop droning on and on about this

That coaster though looks odd to say the least, glad I am not the only one who feels the same.

 

[stoneyloon]

Maybe it was to many free beers LOL

Sorry, that just doesn't make sense to me.

How can you get too many free beers?

 

[dc1964]

had a day at the beach today, surf was up and weather was fantastic, mid 80's.
on the way in we passed three crusie ships at Port Canaveral, a Disney cruise line, a carnival ship and a huge Royal Caribbean ( freedom of the seas). It really is great to see these great ships, DW took a photo so will upload soon.
had some lunch i a bar next to the beach, it is in Alan Shepherd park, called the sandbar, nice food, bar was full and there was a live band on.
stopped off on way home at our usual Millers ale house, it was very busy, loas of football matches on, how can anyone watch a gane that lasts for 4 hours and the teams keep changing ( offence and defence). Then back to the free bar at Hawthorn suites for a quick drink that lasted 2 hours. Now in room watching The wrestler on HBO before going out for a meal at Chilis (again). Hope weather is ok in UK.

 

[wicket2005]

Glad you had another lovely day. Weather here ok but supposed to be getting colder next week.

 

[T16GEM]

Love the pics! thanks for sharing.

I think you are all right about Universal building the new coaster to get people to go there - we actually enjoy the Universal parks but last trip we didn't visit as we thought we would save our money - knowing that we would go this time.
Harry Potter World will not interest me at all I don't think as I am not into that at all , but I will still go and have a look once that is open!

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Love the pics! thanks for sharing.

I think you are all right about Universal building the new coaster to get people to go there - we actually enjoy the Universal parks but last trip we didn't visit as we thought we would save our money - knowing that we would go this time.
Harry Potter World will not interest me at all I don't think as I am not into that at all , but I will still go and have a look once that is open!

Now we took the opposite view. we went to USF but did NOT go to WDW, not prepared to pay £600 for tickets then pay $14 a day to car park as the Disney staff we met at DTD were the most rude, unhelpful people we have ebver met, whilst the USF staff were great. We have decided there is more rthan enough to do in Florida without spending hge sumes of money for the Disney parks anymore, sad to say...

 

[wayneg]

We are same as Obi for our next trip, not prepared to pay for Disney. When we went last trip I maybe should have explored upgrading our 21 day passes to AP's, I know some have managed to do it, others haven't. I didn't try as I thought we were not going again within the year. Now we are I don't fancy paying $80 each to go into MK. We have AP's for Universal & IOA plus we might buy SW & Busch 2 year AP's again, only work out about £35 per park per year, cheaper than a 1 day ticket to Disney.
Back to Disney in August though, 21 day tix to get free DDP.

Sounds like Chilis & Millers profits will go down after you leave

 

[dc1964]

Now we took the opposite view. we went to USF but did NOT go to WDW, not prepared to pay £600 for tickets then pay $14 a day to car park as the Disney staff we met at DTD were the most rude, unhelpful people we have ebver met, whilst the USF staff were great. We have decided there is more rthan enough to do in Florida without spending hge sumes of money for the Disney parks anymore, sad to say...

I agree Obi, i visited DTD and thought that is was one huge money making excercise, but the shops were packed with willing volunteers, maybe it is a generational thing as well, Disney INHO apppeals to younger familes in general, it clearly is a fantastic place, brilliantly done but very expensive.

 

[dc1964]

Sounds like Chilis & Millers profits will go down after you leave

We r doing the best for the local economy,

Some pics of cruise ships taken from moving car

Cocoa Beach

 

[wayneg]

Freedom looks huge, just looked up the facts. Approx double the Disney ships Tonnage & passenger capacity.

Maiden Voyage: June 4, 2006
Passenger Capacity: 3,634 double occupancy
Godmother: Katherine Louise Calder
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Length: 1,112'
Max Beam: 126.64'
Draft: 28'
Cruising Speed: 21.6 knots