Mandymouse’s Best New Years Eve Ever Trip ~ Day 15

[mandymouse]

Travelling & Arriving
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14


Castmembers

Mandy (45) ~ Lover of Bahama Mama’s, Lapu Lapu’s & Epcot
Paul (43) ~ Loves Tower of Terror, Cars & Epcot
Kerry (17) ~ Loves to shop, shop and if she’s got time - shop
Becky (15) ~ Future Mrs. Joe Jonas
Bex (17) ~ Doesn’t know what she’s let herself in for

Saturday 10th January ‘09 Last Day & Going Home (High 78F)

We were all up around 7am. We got ready and finished the packing and we said ‘Goodbye’ to the Pop Century We got to the Virgin DownTown Disney check-in around 8.15am and it was already open (yay !!). There was only one family ahead of us, so after paying $10 each (as we had booked through Virgin Atlantic), we had our cases weighed and we were checked in and walking away with boarding cards in hand within 20 minutes

We left DisneyWorld and headed to SeaWorld to use our 2nd day free ticket. We went straight to Kraken, and we rode it 3 times. On our 2nd go, we had a bit of drama. A guy on the end of our row took out his camera on the long, slow ascent to the top. Next thing the ride came to a halt (at the highest point) and a very annoyed voice came over the tannoy asking everyone to put their stuff away, especially cameras !! Once everyone had put their hands up to show they weren’t holding anything, the ride continued (what a dipstick !!)

After Kraken we wandered into the Penguin and Shark Encounters and then we went on Wild Arctic. Goodness me, I haven’t been on this helicopter simulator for years, and boy was it bumpy, and once we ‘landed’ we went to see the beluga whales and the polar bears (it was blooming cold in there

)

After taking more photos, we went to see the dolphins at the Blue Horizons show. It was really good, but those parrots don’t half fly close to the audience

We left SeaWorld around 1ish, and we went to have dinner at Ponderosa again, then to kill a final hour we called into the Florida Mall (where yet more shopping was done)

We arrived back at Orlando International around 3.45pm and we returned the hire car

Security was a breeze, with thankfully no alarms going off. At gate 81 our flight was running 30 minutes late (now leaving at 7pm). We bought a few things from Duty Free, and within no time we were seated near the back of the plane ready for our journey home

The flight home was uneventful and the pilot made up the 30 minute delay. I think I had a pasta dish for dinner and I wasn’t impressed with the movies being shown, so I watched Dr. Who, twice (the one where Donna turns right and doesn’t meet the Dr. – I love that episode) and we all had a bit of a sleep too

We landed around 7am, and we didn’t have to wait long for our cases. We called the ‘Meet & Greet’ people and we met them 10 minutes later at Terminal 2 departures (oh how we wished we could’ve got straight back on a plane to go back)

The roads were quiet on the way home and I think we got back around 10am. We dropped Bex home (aww bless, her parents had really missed her) and we went home and went straight to bed for a couple of hours

Summary

We all had an absolutely fantastic time. The girls loved all the freedom they had, and they enjoyed spending their holiday with Bex. It was also great to meet up with lots of friends. As you know I had the ‘Best New Years Eve Ever !!’

We also enjoyed spending the whole 15 nights at Disney. It was great to use the Extra Magic Hours, especially during the busy Christmas/New Year week, and it was good to finally get rid of the memory of Tropical Storm Fay that forced us to miss so many rides last Summer

Me and Paul liked having our own room (as did the girls) and we really enjoyed having so much time to ourselves

Pop Century – We love this resort, and unless we win the lottery and are able to stay at The Polynesian, we will be very happy to come back here in the Summer

Virgin Atlantic – We had no problems with our flights, and we loved being bumped up onto an earlier flight on the way out. We’re using Virgin this Summer too

Meals – Along with the old favourites of Chef Mickey’s, O’Hana’s, Crystal Palace (which are always fun) and the Hard Rock Cafe, we really enjoyed visiting some new places. We loved T-Rex, Tutto Italia and trying the Japanese Steakhouse too. We’re still not sure which to choose for a nice meal for two out of Tutto Italia and Restaurant Marrakesh – but hopefully we’ll be able to afford both of them

Finally - Thank you for taking the time to read my trip reports and for leaving your little comments. It’s been lots of fun typing them up and reliving our great holiday. If you have any questions, then please don't hesitate to ask

Definitely Finally - Roll on August !!! and the Disney Wonder too !!!

 

[CustardTart]

Great trip report, Mandy! What an absolutely fab holiday and such a lovely way to celebrate NYE and all the birthdays... It's definitely made me want to go back asap - as if I needed any encouragement...

I also loved reading how you got on bringing an extra teenager - sadly, my youngest DS is too antisocial to 'share' but it seemed to work really well for you guys so I'll keep on encouraging...

Can't wait to read all about your upcoming August trip...

 

[Pinky166]

Thank you for sharing your trip with us Mandy.

I have loved reading along & can't believe you have finished yours before me! Looking forward to your next one.

 

[natalielongstaff]

Great trippies Mandy, thanks for posting them x

 

[jns]

Great report
Thanks for sharing

 

[silver apple]

Thanks for writing this. I'm new to reading this board, and thought your report was fab

 

[florida sun]

Mandy, as always your trip reports were brilliant to read, and the photos fantastic, I only have one complaint and that is that you still havent taken me with you, now as you let Kerry take a friend for her 18th birthday, do you think Paul will allow you to take me for your 21st birthday

Thanks for sharing hon

 

[Jets fan]

Thanks for sharing your holiday with us. You all seemed to have a brilliant time.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Thanks for sharing your trippie Mandy-i have really enjoyed it.x.

 

[Minniespal]

Mand ~ As always I've really enjoyed reading your trip reports. Thanks for taking the time to share them with us.

 

[traceycooper]

A great TR
Thanks for sharing

 

[irisheyes123]

Great Trip reports I enjoyed reading them all sounds like you all had a great fun time

 

[tennisfan]

Really enjoyed reading your TR Mandy. It was an awesome trip. Thanks for sharing

 

[Ware Bears]

Mandy, I've really enjoyed reading your reports, thanks for sharing.

 

[thelittlemermaid83]

Mandy thanks for sharing your trip, sounds like you had a awesome time.

 

[jjk]

great reports Mandy, thanks for sharing

 

[suzycute]

I loved reading all of your reports and seeing your pics too - thanks for posting!

 

[sandshal]

Thanks for sharing Mandy .... fabulous trip report as always.

Roll on August

Sharon

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks for taking the time to post all your reports, I have enjoyed reading them and so pleased you had a fantastic holiday.

We started having separate rooms from the lads last year and it is definitely the way to go. It is so nice to have your own space.

Has your eldest decided to go with you again the summer. I know you said this holiday was the last one you were telling her she had to go with you. I will be booking up for 2010 as soon as the brochures come out for Virgin and will be asking both my lads if they want to come with us or not. I hope they will.

 

[pampat]

Mandy,

Can't tell you how much I have enjoyed all your trippies. It's made our May holiday seem so much closer. And the pics are fab.

Pam