JohnnySharp2
No man stands as tall as when he stoops to help a
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2005
- Messages
- 7,913
Hi all,
Returned from our 11th trip this morning.
Great time as always, stayed at a villa at Indian Creek, ideal for easy access to the 192/I4.
Still major roadworks all over, quite often tailbacks on the I4 up to the US27 - didn't really affect us where we were staying.
The Kissimmee exit off the I4 going west - 64B - is still open, going East it is shut so use exit 65.
Food wise, Outback restaurant still great - actually had a really good KFC too, quite surprised much nicer than here in the UK, dissapointed with the breakfast at the nearby Ponderosa, food/price was ok but there was leftovers all over the floor, tables supported by folded napkins etc, just didn't feel clean.
The one near south I drive is much better.
Used the Publix at Orange Lake for groceries etc
Weather a bit dissapointing, mostly cloudy ideal for theme parks but would have liked a bit more sun for our rest days.
Quite cold in the morning's the first week we were there and actually affected our Discovery Cove trip. Our 'slot' was 12pm but we didn't get into the water till 1.30pm due to a thunderstorm. The water was quite cold and our son Joshua had had enough after a little while (he is autistic). He liked touching the Dolphin, Cindy, and the staff were brilliant, we were just unlucky with the weather.
Theme parks got much busier over the Easter weekend, Joshua had a fantastic time particularly on the Woody Coaster and the Popeye Barges at Universal - still his favourite park.
We got an Express pass from Guest Services for disabled use, which meant we got through the back door on a few rides, only downside is you have to renew it each day you visit.
Not really bothered what rides we get on, just tend to make sure Joshua is sorted and anything else is a bonus for us.
We bought the Annual Pass as we are going again in August, saved lots of money on purchases around the parks and not having to pay car parking fees.
The gate price for the 5 day Flexi Ticket is actually dearer than the Annual.
One thing that has definitely got worse is the standard of driving, we have been loads of times now but while the cars are easy to drive and the navigation still ok, thanks to my wife!!, you need to be much more careful.
Driving whilst using the mobile appears to be mandatory, in fact the use of the phone whilst waiting for a ride, paying for an item of clothing and riding Shrek (yes someone was on the phone !!!!!!)....just never seen so many people on the mobile generally.
Some great evenings at Old Town, met loads of really friendly people - parking as always at weekends not easy, even with our disabled badge.
Quite a lot of turbulence on the flight home, down the east coast of America, sums up the recent bad weather generally. Anyone who flies with Virgin from Manchester will probably know that the current 747-200 Island Lady is being replaced in May by a newer 747-400 plane.
IL is actually being sold to a Russian Airline, just in case you ever visit Moscow
As usual very impressed by Virgin, we got our usual bulkhead seats both ways, a little bit slow checking in at Downtown Disney, we got there quite early.
Plenty of shopping, usual stuff cuddly toys for Joshua, handbags for Julie and Tommy Bahama shirts for me.
Returned from our 11th trip this morning.
Great time as always, stayed at a villa at Indian Creek, ideal for easy access to the 192/I4.
Still major roadworks all over, quite often tailbacks on the I4 up to the US27 - didn't really affect us where we were staying.
The Kissimmee exit off the I4 going west - 64B - is still open, going East it is shut so use exit 65.
Food wise, Outback restaurant still great - actually had a really good KFC too, quite surprised much nicer than here in the UK, dissapointed with the breakfast at the nearby Ponderosa, food/price was ok but there was leftovers all over the floor, tables supported by folded napkins etc, just didn't feel clean.
The one near south I drive is much better.
Used the Publix at Orange Lake for groceries etc
Weather a bit dissapointing, mostly cloudy ideal for theme parks but would have liked a bit more sun for our rest days.
Quite cold in the morning's the first week we were there and actually affected our Discovery Cove trip. Our 'slot' was 12pm but we didn't get into the water till 1.30pm due to a thunderstorm. The water was quite cold and our son Joshua had had enough after a little while (he is autistic). He liked touching the Dolphin, Cindy, and the staff were brilliant, we were just unlucky with the weather.
Theme parks got much busier over the Easter weekend, Joshua had a fantastic time particularly on the Woody Coaster and the Popeye Barges at Universal - still his favourite park.
We got an Express pass from Guest Services for disabled use, which meant we got through the back door on a few rides, only downside is you have to renew it each day you visit.
Not really bothered what rides we get on, just tend to make sure Joshua is sorted and anything else is a bonus for us.
We bought the Annual Pass as we are going again in August, saved lots of money on purchases around the parks and not having to pay car parking fees.
The gate price for the 5 day Flexi Ticket is actually dearer than the Annual.
One thing that has definitely got worse is the standard of driving, we have been loads of times now but while the cars are easy to drive and the navigation still ok, thanks to my wife!!, you need to be much more careful.
Driving whilst using the mobile appears to be mandatory, in fact the use of the phone whilst waiting for a ride, paying for an item of clothing and riding Shrek (yes someone was on the phone !!!!!!)....just never seen so many people on the mobile generally.
Some great evenings at Old Town, met loads of really friendly people - parking as always at weekends not easy, even with our disabled badge.
Quite a lot of turbulence on the flight home, down the east coast of America, sums up the recent bad weather generally. Anyone who flies with Virgin from Manchester will probably know that the current 747-200 Island Lady is being replaced in May by a newer 747-400 plane.
IL is actually being sold to a Russian Airline, just in case you ever visit Moscow

As usual very impressed by Virgin, we got our usual bulkhead seats both ways, a little bit slow checking in at Downtown Disney, we got there quite early.
Plenty of shopping, usual stuff cuddly toys for Joshua, handbags for Julie and Tommy Bahama shirts for me.