The summary
Well - where do I start?
At the beginning I suppose (Duh!)
The Flight
Lovely seats - sunshine upper was great - I would be tempted to try Sunshine premium if I could afford to next time. It really got us off to a good start to the holiday. The return was only marred by the baggage delay at Gatwick and the fact that we were flying in the wrong direction!
The Villa
The first one was poor but the second one was fantastic. Travel City have waived the cost and refunded our money for the upgrade with a letter of apology.
I would not hesitate to use TCD again. Despite problems that we have encountered during our last two visits to Orlando - Travel City have been very helpful and the value that they offer for those of us who so desperately want to go to see Mickey but can't necessarily afford it (Who can?) is - in my opinion - extremely good.
Thanks to George - the Regal Palms Manager who did his level best to make sure we were happy with our stay at his wonderful site.
The Weather
Mixed - but mainly lovely sunny days.
Lucky - VERY VERY LUCKY to have missed Katrina!
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to those who were not so fortunate as to have been by-passed by what turned out to be the most devastating storm we could have imagined.
Last year we were directly in the path of Hurricane Francis as it passed over Orlando so we have a good idea of how frightening these events can be.
The Parks
Pretty quiet really - we didn't have to queue too long for anything.
Islands of Adventure I felt a bit disappointed with - as a couple of the attractions which I was particularly looking forward to were closed for refurbishment.
Also - the closing times being so early kind of "Squashes" the days and forces more of a rush to get around the attractions. I guess last year with just the four of us we didn't notice as much because we were going at "break-neck" speed! This year we slowed down as we had others to consider and it seemed as though we were missing out things at times.
Universal Studios
Very good - a very different atmosphere to Disney but a really fun place. Shrek was worth the entry fee alone IMHO.
Epcot was great - we had three evenings and two mornings here and enjoyed them all.
Animal Kingdom - we didn't really get to grips with this park this year. Unfortunately time did not allow for a second visit.
MGM very good - we didn't ride R'n'R or the Tower this year - again - too little time (and too many shopping expeditions!).
Magic Kingdom still has to be the best for getting you in the "Disney Mood". Wishes is absolutely not to be missed.
The Rides
Soarin' - brilliant - close to being my favourite now.
Spiderman - brilliant - so different to the others.
Shrek 4D - brilliant - needed two or three visits to fully appreciate the effects.
Splash Mountain - still is the representation to me of what Disney is all about - fun - fast - and friendly - all at the same time.
The Food
On Site
Boma - still a firm favourite - maybe because we stayed at AKL last time - it seemed like "coming home to dinner" for us.
50's Prime Time Diner - the best "fun" meal we had during the holiday. We all loved this place and would recommend a meal here to everyone.
The Rose & Crown - very good meal and the best seats in the house. Superb evening.
Chef Mickey's character breakfast - again - brilliant. Good selection of food and excellent character interaction.
Off Site
Taco Bell - a real "find" for us. Just a shame we didn't discover this earlier.
Golden Corral - by far the best buffet.
McDonald's - you know what you are going to get (apart from the McGriddles!) and when you just need something quick and easy it's the best place to stop.
International House Of Pancakes is still one of my favourites. The food is great, the staff are generally very hospitable and the value for money is astounding.
Memories
Well - so many really - but - it was great to be able to go back again with Joyce & Cyril. We had a fantastic time. I hope that they enjoyed it as much as we did and were able to take pleasure in seeing their grandchildren having the time of their lives.
I know that I've taken the "Mickey Mouse" out of them in these reports but I wouldn't have missed their company for the world.
Hannah and Ricky loved having them with us and it gave the holiday a completely different dimension to last years.
This is the place to go with family - it's a holiday that lets you spend every waking hour with each other and with so much to see and do - you just want it to continue forever.
For me - it's the look you catch on the faces of your family during those moments when they are enthralled by what they are seeing and feeling. Whether its the thrills of a ride or the emotions of one of the fantastic shows.
That - coupled with being able to give your undivided attention to your children for a full two weeks without interruption.
Those moments are priceless.
It's the most difficult thing to do - to take your eyes off the things that are happening in front of you - but the reward is seeing the pleasure on the faces of your family.
Thank you for putting up with my nonsense throughout these reports - I hope that they may have entertained and informed in some small way and many thanks to all of you for your kind replies.
Any remarks or comments - either implied or factual - are intended to be fun and tongue in cheek. If I have offended anyone in any way then I apologise (Yeah right....LOL!)
For those of you who didn't believe that Joyce was part of a huge drug smuggling ring........ HERE'S THE PROOF......
These are the photo's that are my own favourites and I hope you will excuse my indulgence one more time.....
Say please....!
Go on Pluto - get him boy!
Oops.....well how would have thought that would happen?
Aahhh..............
The Tikki Room
What do you mean "take that rubber ring off" - thats my stomach!
Cheeeese and chips......
Who's for second's....?
Until 2007 - I bid you farewell and Im off to lay on my security blanket ..
See ya
Florry.
.
Well - where do I start?
At the beginning I suppose (Duh!)
The Flight
Lovely seats - sunshine upper was great - I would be tempted to try Sunshine premium if I could afford to next time. It really got us off to a good start to the holiday. The return was only marred by the baggage delay at Gatwick and the fact that we were flying in the wrong direction!
The Villa
The first one was poor but the second one was fantastic. Travel City have waived the cost and refunded our money for the upgrade with a letter of apology.
I would not hesitate to use TCD again. Despite problems that we have encountered during our last two visits to Orlando - Travel City have been very helpful and the value that they offer for those of us who so desperately want to go to see Mickey but can't necessarily afford it (Who can?) is - in my opinion - extremely good.
Thanks to George - the Regal Palms Manager who did his level best to make sure we were happy with our stay at his wonderful site.
The Weather
Mixed - but mainly lovely sunny days.
Lucky - VERY VERY LUCKY to have missed Katrina!
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to those who were not so fortunate as to have been by-passed by what turned out to be the most devastating storm we could have imagined.
Last year we were directly in the path of Hurricane Francis as it passed over Orlando so we have a good idea of how frightening these events can be.
The Parks
Pretty quiet really - we didn't have to queue too long for anything.
Islands of Adventure I felt a bit disappointed with - as a couple of the attractions which I was particularly looking forward to were closed for refurbishment.
Also - the closing times being so early kind of "Squashes" the days and forces more of a rush to get around the attractions. I guess last year with just the four of us we didn't notice as much because we were going at "break-neck" speed! This year we slowed down as we had others to consider and it seemed as though we were missing out things at times.
Universal Studios
Very good - a very different atmosphere to Disney but a really fun place. Shrek was worth the entry fee alone IMHO.
Epcot was great - we had three evenings and two mornings here and enjoyed them all.
Animal Kingdom - we didn't really get to grips with this park this year. Unfortunately time did not allow for a second visit.
MGM very good - we didn't ride R'n'R or the Tower this year - again - too little time (and too many shopping expeditions!).
Magic Kingdom still has to be the best for getting you in the "Disney Mood". Wishes is absolutely not to be missed.
The Rides
Soarin' - brilliant - close to being my favourite now.
Spiderman - brilliant - so different to the others.
Shrek 4D - brilliant - needed two or three visits to fully appreciate the effects.
Splash Mountain - still is the representation to me of what Disney is all about - fun - fast - and friendly - all at the same time.
The Food
On Site
Boma - still a firm favourite - maybe because we stayed at AKL last time - it seemed like "coming home to dinner" for us.
50's Prime Time Diner - the best "fun" meal we had during the holiday. We all loved this place and would recommend a meal here to everyone.
The Rose & Crown - very good meal and the best seats in the house. Superb evening.
Chef Mickey's character breakfast - again - brilliant. Good selection of food and excellent character interaction.
Off Site
Taco Bell - a real "find" for us. Just a shame we didn't discover this earlier.
Golden Corral - by far the best buffet.
McDonald's - you know what you are going to get (apart from the McGriddles!) and when you just need something quick and easy it's the best place to stop.
International House Of Pancakes is still one of my favourites. The food is great, the staff are generally very hospitable and the value for money is astounding.
Memories
Well - so many really - but - it was great to be able to go back again with Joyce & Cyril. We had a fantastic time. I hope that they enjoyed it as much as we did and were able to take pleasure in seeing their grandchildren having the time of their lives.
I know that I've taken the "Mickey Mouse" out of them in these reports but I wouldn't have missed their company for the world.
Hannah and Ricky loved having them with us and it gave the holiday a completely different dimension to last years.
This is the place to go with family - it's a holiday that lets you spend every waking hour with each other and with so much to see and do - you just want it to continue forever.
For me - it's the look you catch on the faces of your family during those moments when they are enthralled by what they are seeing and feeling. Whether its the thrills of a ride or the emotions of one of the fantastic shows.
That - coupled with being able to give your undivided attention to your children for a full two weeks without interruption.
Those moments are priceless.
It's the most difficult thing to do - to take your eyes off the things that are happening in front of you - but the reward is seeing the pleasure on the faces of your family.
Thank you for putting up with my nonsense throughout these reports - I hope that they may have entertained and informed in some small way and many thanks to all of you for your kind replies.
Any remarks or comments - either implied or factual - are intended to be fun and tongue in cheek. If I have offended anyone in any way then I apologise (Yeah right....LOL!)
For those of you who didn't believe that Joyce was part of a huge drug smuggling ring........ HERE'S THE PROOF......
These are the photo's that are my own favourites and I hope you will excuse my indulgence one more time.....
Say please....!
Go on Pluto - get him boy!
Oops.....well how would have thought that would happen?
Aahhh..............
The Tikki Room
What do you mean "take that rubber ring off" - thats my stomach!
Cheeeese and chips......
Who's for second's....?
Until 2007 - I bid you farewell and Im off to lay on my security blanket ..
See ya
Florry.
.
I only hope my trip is half as good as yours 
....Love the pics....Your kids are so lucky to have such a fantastic dad. 
Heres to many more,
