wilma-bride
<<This space intentionally blank>>
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
- Messages
- 22,681
Apologies for the delay (only about 8 months late 
) in posting this. Trouble is, once you've posted the final day, it brings home the reality that your trip has come to an end all over again 
CAST
Me Joh (32) Chief (well, only) planner, lover of thrill rides, impatient and exciteable
DH Gary (38) Chief photographer, also lover of thrill rides and mad about Tigger!
Day 7 26 Sep 05 IOA and Going Home
Today was the day Id been dreading (as we all do). We had decided we would go back to Islands of Adventure, partly because its our favourite park and partly because it would be easy to get back to the hotel from here, ready for our transport to the airport.
A bit of background: A few weeks before we were due to go away, I had read, on the Universal boards here on the DIS, about a guy who had just started working as one of the characters at IOA. He was playing Green Eggs Guy and said that if any DISers were around IOA over the next few weeks, we should stop by and say Hi. We hadnt seen him on our first visit so I didnt think wed get a chance but did say to DH we should keep an eye out for him today.
Again, we arrived at IOA in time for opening and stopped for the usual Cinnabon Sticks yum. Starting at the Hulk, we worked our way round riding the usual:
Hulk 3 times front, back, middle
Spiderman twice
Dr Doom twice
Duelling Dragons twice on each front and back on ice, front and back on fire
There were a lot of decorations up for Halloween Horror Nights, which was starting at the weekend and I couldnt help but get a bit more excited about the fact we would be here for Halloween next year.
Walking through Seuss Landing, we spotted a few of the characters and stopped to take some pictures. Thing 1 and Thing 2 were messing around and The Grinch was being very naughty, going into one of the shops and chucking around the cuddly Cat in the Hats
Then we spotted a tall, white character who I thought was Green Eggs Guy. I went over and said the secret message we had been given (so he would know I was a DISer). He jumped up and down with delight, ran off and beckoned for me to follow him. Wondering what he was doing, I walked over to where he was stood with the narrator from the Dr Seuss stories and they were having a conversation. Much to my surprise, the narrator walked behind a nearby stand, returning with some gold beads, which he gave to Guy who, in turn, placed them over my head. I was absolutely delighted and, ashamed to say, took great delight in passing kids saying Look, Mummy, why is she getting them beads. I want some too It really made my day yes, I know, Im easily pleased and the beads have since become my DS favourite toy. He takes them absolutely everywhere with him.
After having some pictures taken with Guy, we headed round to Mythos to have some lunch. I know I keep on about it but it really is my favourite theme park restaurant the food is delicious and the atmosphere is great.
Lunch over, it was (sadly) time to head back to the hotel and wait for our transfer to the airport.
We got a taxi back ($8 plus tip) and waited in the lobby. DH and I both took the opportunity to have a quick wash and change our t-shirts ready for the flight home.
Very soon, a taxi arrived (apparently, as we were the only ones being picked up, it was more economical for Virgin to send a taxi) and we hopped in and set off. The journey to the airport was quick and quiet, with both of us sad to be going home.
Check-in was very quick also but it took us almost an hour to get through security. I was pleased that my spare lighter hadnt been discovered at the bottom of my bag, although you cant smoke at Orlando International anyway.
We boarded and took off on time and the plane was half empty so we were told that we were welcome to move around. As soon as the seatbelt lights went off, DH immediately moved across to a row of 4 seats that were completely empty, made himself a makeshift bed and settled down to sleep. I can never sleep on the plane so I read for a bit, did some of my Sudoku and generally got bored and restless.
Landed on time at Gatwick, collected the luggage and then headed to the check-in area to see if we could get on an earlier flight back to Belfast. Unfortunately, EasyJet wanted £140 for the privilege so we opted to wait. Spent some time taking it in turns to doze on the seats upstairs and wander round the shops before checking in for our Belfast flight later that day.
Arrived back at Belfast International at 5.50 pm, tired and looking forward to seeing DS.
Final thoughts:
Would we go for a week again I would but DH wouldnt. If we did go for a week, I wouldnt make the mistake of trying to fit too much in. We both felt like we needed a holiday when we got back (Having said that, I have secretly booked for us to go for a week in Feb 07 for DHs 40th Birthday hope he wont be too disappointed lol)
Really glad that we got the chance to see Wishes this time around, however, theres still so much we havent seen or done. Its a good job were going back in October.
I still think September is the best time of year to go, although I was disappointed that we had such poor weather this time. That said, we were lucky we managed to avoid the hurricanes yet again.
) in posting this. Trouble is, once you've posted the final day, it brings home the reality that your trip has come to an end all over again CAST
Me Joh (32) Chief (well, only) planner, lover of thrill rides, impatient and exciteable
DH Gary (38) Chief photographer, also lover of thrill rides and mad about Tigger!
Day 7 26 Sep 05 IOA and Going Home
Today was the day Id been dreading (as we all do). We had decided we would go back to Islands of Adventure, partly because its our favourite park and partly because it would be easy to get back to the hotel from here, ready for our transport to the airport.
A bit of background: A few weeks before we were due to go away, I had read, on the Universal boards here on the DIS, about a guy who had just started working as one of the characters at IOA. He was playing Green Eggs Guy and said that if any DISers were around IOA over the next few weeks, we should stop by and say Hi. We hadnt seen him on our first visit so I didnt think wed get a chance but did say to DH we should keep an eye out for him today.
Again, we arrived at IOA in time for opening and stopped for the usual Cinnabon Sticks yum. Starting at the Hulk, we worked our way round riding the usual:
Hulk 3 times front, back, middle
Spiderman twice
Dr Doom twice
Duelling Dragons twice on each front and back on ice, front and back on fire
There were a lot of decorations up for Halloween Horror Nights, which was starting at the weekend and I couldnt help but get a bit more excited about the fact we would be here for Halloween next year.
Walking through Seuss Landing, we spotted a few of the characters and stopped to take some pictures. Thing 1 and Thing 2 were messing around and The Grinch was being very naughty, going into one of the shops and chucking around the cuddly Cat in the Hats
Then we spotted a tall, white character who I thought was Green Eggs Guy. I went over and said the secret message we had been given (so he would know I was a DISer). He jumped up and down with delight, ran off and beckoned for me to follow him. Wondering what he was doing, I walked over to where he was stood with the narrator from the Dr Seuss stories and they were having a conversation. Much to my surprise, the narrator walked behind a nearby stand, returning with some gold beads, which he gave to Guy who, in turn, placed them over my head. I was absolutely delighted and, ashamed to say, took great delight in passing kids saying Look, Mummy, why is she getting them beads. I want some too It really made my day yes, I know, Im easily pleased and the beads have since become my DS favourite toy. He takes them absolutely everywhere with him.
After having some pictures taken with Guy, we headed round to Mythos to have some lunch. I know I keep on about it but it really is my favourite theme park restaurant the food is delicious and the atmosphere is great.
Lunch over, it was (sadly) time to head back to the hotel and wait for our transfer to the airport.
We got a taxi back ($8 plus tip) and waited in the lobby. DH and I both took the opportunity to have a quick wash and change our t-shirts ready for the flight home.
Very soon, a taxi arrived (apparently, as we were the only ones being picked up, it was more economical for Virgin to send a taxi) and we hopped in and set off. The journey to the airport was quick and quiet, with both of us sad to be going home.
Check-in was very quick also but it took us almost an hour to get through security. I was pleased that my spare lighter hadnt been discovered at the bottom of my bag, although you cant smoke at Orlando International anyway.
We boarded and took off on time and the plane was half empty so we were told that we were welcome to move around. As soon as the seatbelt lights went off, DH immediately moved across to a row of 4 seats that were completely empty, made himself a makeshift bed and settled down to sleep. I can never sleep on the plane so I read for a bit, did some of my Sudoku and generally got bored and restless.
Landed on time at Gatwick, collected the luggage and then headed to the check-in area to see if we could get on an earlier flight back to Belfast. Unfortunately, EasyJet wanted £140 for the privilege so we opted to wait. Spent some time taking it in turns to doze on the seats upstairs and wander round the shops before checking in for our Belfast flight later that day.
Arrived back at Belfast International at 5.50 pm, tired and looking forward to seeing DS.
Final thoughts:
Would we go for a week again I would but DH wouldnt. If we did go for a week, I wouldnt make the mistake of trying to fit too much in. We both felt like we needed a holiday when we got back (Having said that, I have secretly booked for us to go for a week in Feb 07 for DHs 40th Birthday hope he wont be too disappointed lol)
Really glad that we got the chance to see Wishes this time around, however, theres still so much we havent seen or done. Its a good job were going back in October.
I still think September is the best time of year to go, although I was disappointed that we had such poor weather this time. That said, we were lucky we managed to avoid the hurricanes yet again.
