Just back.... a few highlights

[Sue F UK]

Flew back in yesterday (with a delay...see other thread)

I will endeavour to come up with a trip report in due course but in the meantime a few high and low points:

Highlights:
We did:

'Wishes' at MK: I really wasn't expecting much difference from Fantasy in the Sky but boy was I wrong. We watched from the Plaza Cafe terrace (as recommended on the Dis) and were awestruck. DH and I both left with tears in our eyes and is is most definately the BEST display I have ever seen (even better than my all time fave, Illuminations!) YOU MUST SEE THIS!! We went twice!!

Mission Space: Awesome. DD (8) and I went on this as DH doesn't 'do' simulators. I thought the sickness warnings were a bit OTT (they even have sick bags in the ride!) but we thought it was fantastic. You really can feel the 'G' Force as you take off. A bit wobbly when we got off though and I wouldn't recommend lunch straight after.

Orlando Magic Basketball. DH booked tickets before we went and, I really wasn't looking forward to it but we had a great time. We met up with friends and, even though we were right at the back, we had a great view. The atmosphere was great with loads of kids there and plenty to keep everyone entertained. I wouldn't make it a must do but would definately go back again.

Cirque Du Soleil: What can I say?! 'Fantastic but a little strange' covers it. I would like to go back again though as there was so much going on we missed alot of the detail.

Disney Quest: A fun few hours which we all really enjoyed but the constant music got on my nerves in the end.


We ate:
Whispering Canyon Cafe: Great atmosphere and service - DH had to dance and sing 'My little Buttercup'. The food was forgettable though.

Boma: Loved visiting AK and glad we went early to have a good look round. I liked Boma but DH didn't enjoy the food, a bit to unusual for his tastes. DD just ate Mac N Cheese.

Crystal Palace at MK: Great character interaction and fab food - what more can you ask for?

Teppanyaki in Japan at Epcot: Lovely food and beautifully cooked and presented in front of us by the chef. Only downside was that we shared with a family from New Jersey who ate like a herd of cows!!

Jungle Jims: Nice place but we went at the wrong time and had to eat in the bar. Food was OK.

Nascar Cafe: We went early and were seated on our own at the far side of the restaurant so it took 15 minutes for the waiter to see us! He apologised and when the food came DH's catfish was raw!! Sent it back and it was another 15 minutes before we got his meal!! Another apology and 10% discount off the bill but it spoiled the meal.


Lowlights:
Winter Park. We were looking forward to visiting here but got lost, took two hours to find the 'upmarket shopping area with scenic boat tour'. Which turned out to be one street in the middle of a suburb. We booked the boat tour and the heavens opened so couldn't do it!! In the end we cut our losses and went to Mall at Millennia instead.

Magic Mining Co.(192): Not a restaurant I'd recommend. We expected more themeing inside and were disappointed. The golf was a bit rubbish too.

The weather was a bit grim with cloud most days. It was colder than we expected with only one real day of sunshine when we rushed to Blizzard Beach!!

Bahama Breeze: Tried twice to eat here but both times were a 90 minute wait time. This place is becoming a victim of it's own sucess.

Will be happy to answer any questions.

 

[vernon]

Sue I presume you didn't get into Bahama Breeze ( or did you and you decided it wasn't worth the wait?). I've found the Crossroads/Lt Lake Bryant area branch doesn't have the long wait time that you get at the I-Drive outlet. Or are they both subject to long waits now?

Welcome home by the way, hope it's not too hot for you here

 

[Sue F UK]

Hi Vernon,

The Lake Buena Vista Bahama Breeze was just as bad, unfortunately as DH had his heart set on it that night. We ended up at Pizza Uno at Crossroads and had a very nice meal with only a 10 minute wait for a table.

Thanks for the welcome. I'ts B****y freezing !!!

 

[Scotfan]

We're just back too, have to agree with you on Mission Space and Wishes - superb. What time did you try to get into Bahama Breeze? we walked into the one at LBV at 5.45 and were seated immediately.
The new Outback up past Dixie Sampede was very good too, 10 min wait on a Saturday at 6pm ish.
Pebbles was Fab but pricey, we had a 20% off voucher which made it more reasonable.
Bahama Breeze was the best however.

We were probably at Blizzard Beach the same day as you, it was pretty cold other days wasnt it.

 

[KayleeUK]

Welcome Back

Looking forward to a full trip report

Wishes is magical isn't it - best fireworks ever according to DH

 

[uktigger]

hi sue
can you tell me what millennia mall was like i was thinking of going there when we go in octoberwe are not hiring a car but i was going to book this with virgin it's about £20 per person and we are 2 ad 2 kids i would love to hear your info on this place

thanks eve

 

[UKDEB]

Sorry to hear about your Winter Park fiasco. We went in January and had the most fantastic time. The weather was fabulous, we had a lovely lunch in one of the Park Avenue eateries and I could have stayed on that boat all day - absolute bliss. **SIGHS**

Bahama Breeze had been on our 'to do' list for years and we eventually got around to it in October 2002 (the I-Drive one). I was <i>majorly</i> disappointed. Trying to get a drink at the outside bar during <i>our</i> 90 minute wait was nigh-on impossible and the food was mediocre. Still, you probably need to go and make up your own minds.

 

[wendym]

uktigger
Mall of millenia is gorgeous but no way is it worth £40 plus! It is also rather upscale although there is a Macy's. How about hiring a car for the day - the rates at the moment are very low. Then you could please yourself how long you spend there and also visit other places.
Wendy

 

[Sue F UK]

I agree with Wendy, Mall at Millennia is nice but, to be honest we only went because they have a Cheesecake Factory, my most favourite restaurant of all time!! (We were even prepared to wait 60 minutes - worth every minute!) The day we went the Mall was packed to capacity - it was the Saturday of Presidents Day weekend and also Valentines day! Think of your local shopping centre the week before Xmas and you will know what I mean.

We have been when it was quieter and had a nice 'window shop' but there aren't many bargains to be had here, too upscale.

I would have thought that, if your Hotel does a shuttle bus to Universal it would cost a lot less than £40 to get a taxi from there as the Mall is the next junction along the I4 - less than 2 miles. Might be worth considering this option if you fancy it rather than booking an excursion.

BTW, Scotfan we tried to get into Bahama Breeze at around 8.30pm so the trick is obviously to go early. A lesson learned! We were at Blizzard beach Thursday 12th Feb, it was the only day of sun that week.

 

[RUSHBURY]

Hi

""Orlando Magic Basketball. DH booked tickets before we went""

Can you please let me know where you booked tickets from. I tried before but no luck.

Thanks Helen

 

[Scotfan]

Yes Blizzard beach, thursday, we had a lovely day in the sun parked on loungers by the tweenies ski patrol bit.

 

[Hilary]

Welcome back!

I can't wait to see Wishes

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome back Sue !

I agree that it is amazing how different Wishes is to the previous Fantasy In The Sky. How they come up with so many unique firework displays is amazing! For us, we liked it as much as others tht have gone before and those that are still going. (Sorcery In The Sky in MGM was a truly excellent display too).

Shame about Winter Park - I agree it is difficult finding everything at first but we have enjoyed going there for a day.

MS takes people in different ways - my son and husband ride the biggest rides everywhere and have no ill effects whatsoever but they did not feel good after MS. My son was disappointed with the ride and he'd beem looking forward to it so much.

 

[Sue F UK]

Helen, we booked out tickets through Ticketmaster.com (make sure you log on to .com and not .co.uk and then just do a search for Orlando Magic) You can pay by your credit card and just pick up the tickets from the 'will call' booth at the Waterhouse Centre where they play.

Have a great time.

Scotfan: Guess where we were sitting!!! I bet we were neighbours!!

 

[uktigger]

hi sue,wendy
thanks for that we are staying at all star's so don't have a shuttle bus(i don't think they do anyway)dh was gonna hire a car for a day or 2 when he does i might give this a go but if he don't looks like i'll have to stick to the belz and premium outlet
anyway thank you for your help

eve

 

[cjc]

we have also just returned - as you say the weather was a little disappointing and probably all at B Beach on the same day - Tues 10th if I recall when the weather was best.

We went to the Millenia Mall - if you are looking for expensive boutiques/shops then this is the place. If you want outlet shops and bargains then visit the Belz etc. We found loads of stuff at Gap outlet with 50% off - excellent

Mission Space and Wishes - again they were brilliant.
Also like Jimmy Neutron and Shrek at Universal.
If you are planning on Universal then STAY ONSITE. We stayed at Royal Pacific which was excellent and FOTL is the best - Walking straight on to Jaws/Shrek/etc and by passing queues of 45 mins plus!!!

CJ

 

[wendy_uk]

Looks like you had a good time too. We could of also been at Blizzard beach the same day as you. Must say tho the weather over tho is much warmer than it is here lol.