We arrived back yesterday at 7am after 16 fantastic days in Orlando. I hope to find time to write my trip report but in the meantime I thought Id share with you the highlights of our trip while its still fresh in my mind.
We flew Virgin on Friday 16th May and stayed in a lovely villa in Bass Lakes (just behind Walmart so convenient, must have spent hours in there!!)
We did all four Disney parks (Epcot and AK twice), Universal Studios and IOA, Sea World, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Quest and Discovery Cove.
Main highlight Discovery Cove. What a fantastic day! Although our third visit to Florida, it was our first trip to DC and a surprise for the kids. We all thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. The dolphin swim was pure magic, but also the coral reef and aviary were superb and we felt like special guests the whole day.
Best rides:
The Simpsons Ride (U.S.) it opened the day we flew out. Rode it several times and saw more jokes each time. Only draw back is the front row is much better than the back. Tall people have to sit in the front row and on one occasion I had to sit behind a large gentleman and had a severely restricted view.
Toy Story Mania (HS) again this was new while we were over there. A really clever and fun ride.
Everest (AK) I am a wimp when it comes to coasters but forced myself to do this one and I loved it! (Not keen on looking down on the steep climb up!)
The Mummy (US) Flushed with my new-found bravery, I tried this one too and enjoyed it.
Best shows:
Lion King (AK) I just love the music in this one.
Nemo (AK) A new one to us and I though it was very professional.
Blue Horizons and Shamu: Believe (SW). What can I say? such beautiful, intelligent creatures.
Fantasmic (HS) Missed it last visit so really appreciated it this time.
Best meal experience/worst meal experience:
Bomos (AKL) After getting advice from these forums, I went ahead and booked a dinner here. We all loved the lodge and explored a little before dinner. Treated ourselves to cocktails in the bar, then sat down to a lovely meal. Really good choice of interesting food. Unfortunately, by dessert I was feeling unwell and managed to embarrass myself by fainting in the middle of the restaurant.
The Disney staff were wonderful and called the paramedics. I was feeling even more embarrassed by then but after I passed out a second time I was taken to hospital as my heart rate was slow and blood pressure was low. To cut a long story short, after several worrying hours and numerous tests I was given the all clear and was able to go home. I felt awful for spoiling such a lovely evening for the family.
Other good meals we had were at Tony Romas and Macaroni Grill.
A poor meal was had at the Sizzlin Grill on the 192. There was a bad smell of dirty carpets and the food was average.
Another highlight A helicopter ride over Disney, an additional surprise for the kids
And a final highlight was seeing the shuttle launch on Saturday. We didnt drive over to the coast as we had heard horror stories about the traffic and didnt want to spend the last day of our holiday in the car. However, we watched the televised countdown on TV then rushed out side of our villa just in time to see the shuttle in the distance with the flames shooting behind it. It disappeared behind clouds for a few moments then reappeared in time for us to just make out the booster rockets being jettisoned. As the Americans would say it was awesome!
Sorry to go on (and on, and on!) but I wanted to share with people who may be interested. I return to work tomorrow and no-one there has been to Florida so I shall have to keep quiet in the interest of not boring everyone to death!
Ali
We flew Virgin on Friday 16th May and stayed in a lovely villa in Bass Lakes (just behind Walmart so convenient, must have spent hours in there!!)
We did all four Disney parks (Epcot and AK twice), Universal Studios and IOA, Sea World, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Quest and Discovery Cove.Main highlight Discovery Cove. What a fantastic day! Although our third visit to Florida, it was our first trip to DC and a surprise for the kids. We all thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. The dolphin swim was pure magic, but also the coral reef and aviary were superb and we felt like special guests the whole day.
Best rides:
The Simpsons Ride (U.S.) it opened the day we flew out. Rode it several times and saw more jokes each time. Only draw back is the front row is much better than the back. Tall people have to sit in the front row and on one occasion I had to sit behind a large gentleman and had a severely restricted view.
Toy Story Mania (HS) again this was new while we were over there. A really clever and fun ride.
Everest (AK) I am a wimp when it comes to coasters but forced myself to do this one and I loved it! (Not keen on looking down on the steep climb up!)
The Mummy (US) Flushed with my new-found bravery, I tried this one too and enjoyed it.
Best shows:
Lion King (AK) I just love the music in this one.
Nemo (AK) A new one to us and I though it was very professional.
Blue Horizons and Shamu: Believe (SW). What can I say? such beautiful, intelligent creatures.
Fantasmic (HS) Missed it last visit so really appreciated it this time.
Best meal experience/worst meal experience:
Bomos (AKL) After getting advice from these forums, I went ahead and booked a dinner here. We all loved the lodge and explored a little before dinner. Treated ourselves to cocktails in the bar, then sat down to a lovely meal. Really good choice of interesting food. Unfortunately, by dessert I was feeling unwell and managed to embarrass myself by fainting in the middle of the restaurant.
The Disney staff were wonderful and called the paramedics. I was feeling even more embarrassed by then but after I passed out a second time I was taken to hospital as my heart rate was slow and blood pressure was low. To cut a long story short, after several worrying hours and numerous tests I was given the all clear and was able to go home. I felt awful for spoiling such a lovely evening for the family. Other good meals we had were at Tony Romas and Macaroni Grill.
A poor meal was had at the Sizzlin Grill on the 192. There was a bad smell of dirty carpets and the food was average.
Another highlight A helicopter ride over Disney, an additional surprise for the kids
And a final highlight was seeing the shuttle launch on Saturday. We didnt drive over to the coast as we had heard horror stories about the traffic and didnt want to spend the last day of our holiday in the car. However, we watched the televised countdown on TV then rushed out side of our villa just in time to see the shuttle in the distance with the flames shooting behind it. It disappeared behind clouds for a few moments then reappeared in time for us to just make out the booster rockets being jettisoned. As the Americans would say it was awesome!
Sorry to go on (and on, and on!) but I wanted to share with people who may be interested. I return to work tomorrow and no-one there has been to Florida so I shall have to keep quiet in the interest of not boring everyone to death!
Ali
