mandymouse
Bahama Mama Time !!
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2003
- Messages
- 72,440
Trip Report Tues 11th May Sun 29th May 2005
Shopping
If there is one thing that my family likes doing then its shopping, we love it. Kerry looks for anything and everything with Tinkerbell on it, Becky likes Stitch/Pluto/Mickey/Chip & Dale (alright everything Disney), Hubby likes a bargain and t-shirts with surfing logos and I go for Mickey or Goofy stuff. So here are a few of the places we went to.
World of Disney
I love this shop (well who wouldnt), its a huge Disney Shop. I waited till the end of my holiday and did a big shop for souvenirs for friends and family and even some Christmas presents for the girls and because we had Annual Passes, I got 10% off. As I walked around the parks I made mental notes of things that I liked so that I could get them there with the AP discount.
MouseGear
This is probably my fave shop in the whole of WDW, its not as big as the World of Disney, but I like the way it is set out and it also sells Epcot merchandise, I bought a lovely top there and wore it to death and it faded a little when it had been washed, so DH bought me another for Xmas (isnt he great ?)
Lake Buena Vista Outlet
We only visited it once, the Character Corner shop has moved to right to the back of the place. We didnt buy anything from here.
Premium Outlet
We went a few times and it was always busy. This place seems to have taken over from the Belz Mall. I bought a few things from the Disney Outlet store there, and would you believe my Secret Santa present for this year (so count me in again Kaylee) there were quite a lot of bargains, especially clothes that had been on sale in the Parks this past Christmas. I like this Outlet as there is a wide range of stores, and there is also a reasonable food court. Only downside is that with it being outside, youre not escaping to an air conditioned mall.
Belz Mall
We visited the Belz Mall twice, as always we went into both of the malls, and bought some bargains from the Character Corner stores there especially some cheap pins that the girls could trade with the CMs back in WDW. DH bought some trainers there and Becky bought some very nice Skechers trainers. We noticed that quite a few of the stores were closed and that the carousel had been removed (which is quite sad as Ive got fond memories of the girls on it when they were younger). But the outlet was always very quiet when we were there, I believe it is due to close soon, which is a shame as it was a good place to escape the heat.
Florida Mall
I think we went to the Florida Mall twice, I like the food court here as you can walk around it and get free samples of the lovely Chinese food there (yum,yum). The shops are modern and there are a few New Look type of stores there which is great when youve got two girls. We didnt buy much, but Becky did get a nice 101 Dalmatians T-shirt from the Disney Store.
Wal-Mart
No trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to Wal-Mart. We visited both the one by the Florida Mall and the one on the 192. During our first week we found the new Wal-Mart that had been built just down the road from the Lake Buena Vista Outlets, it just had a sign saying Opening Soon. As we passed during our 2nd week (on the way to the one on the 192) we noticed that it had just opened. I must say that it is a really nice store, still big, but nice and new. It had a huge camera area with loads of machines to download your photos, we had our photos done there and we were very pleased with them. It had the usual Disney T-Shirts and souvenirs (at half the price of souvenirs at WDW). The good thing is that it is about half the distance from WDW than the one on the 192, so it will be very popular with the tourists (and will be very handy for those having to use taxis).
BTW the roadworks are still ongoing by Medieval Times/Wal-Mart on the 192.
Dining
I cant believe it, but we only ate away from WDW once (apart from the odd snack at a shopping centre). Most of the time we ate at the All Star Sports Food Court, whichever park we were at that day, or the McDonalds at Down Town Disney or the one near the All Stars. But on one occasion we ate at the Ponderosa on the 192. We had a really nice entrée (we all had chicken or steak) and then you can help yourself to the all-you-can-eat buffet, we always leave here full and there is always a good selection of food. We had a great meal.
Last Day/Coming Home
It was so sad leaving the All Stars Sports at 8am, so that we could do Down Town Disney Check-In with Virgin. We arrived about 8.15am and there was already quite a line. It opened at 8.30am and we finally walked away with our boarding cards at 9.30am. It may be a nuisance to have to leave early, but at least you have peace of mind that your cases are safe and sorted.
We decided to have a last visit to Epcot, we got our fastpass for Soarin, had breakfast, then went on Mission:Space. We went back to Soarin and got a FP for Test Track. We walked around World Showcase and had lunch in China. Although we were at a Disney park, it was never far from our minds that we were going home and we just felt like we were killing time. We saw Dopey in Germany and Mushu in China, we had choccy in the UK and rode Test Track.
We were leaving Epcot when we realised that we hadnt been on the monorail all holiday, so we hopped aboard the monorail to the TTC and then rode it back to Epcot.
We were going to kill a bit of time at the Florida Mall, when old Brain of Britain (ME) decides that I want to buy the girls some fake tattoos for the Summer (should we have one), so we belt down to MGM Studios (were theyd bought some before), we only had an hour before we had to leave, and as MGM was having another Star Wars Weekend, the place was packed. The girls chose a couple of tattoos each and we just had time for a quick drink then it was time to go.
We got to the airport, and having seen the huge line at check-in, we were relieved that wed done DTD check-in. We had a quick look around the shops, I bought hubby a T-Shirt from Ron Jons and then we had our last McDonalds in the USA.
Going through security went quickly, and we boarded the tram to our gate. We walked around the duty free area and I bought my dad a bottle of rum (see drinking runs in the family LOL). We started boarding around 7pm, and the flight left at 7.45pm. Once again we sat at the back of the plane in 2 rows of 2 seats, the girls were fed first as theyd had kids meals ordered and as were at the rear of the plane we were fed first. I had a vegetarian dish and Paul had b-b-q chicken, and we finished quite quickly. As the girls had already finished, we put their food trays on top of ours .and then, it happened .. we went through the most awful turbulence that I have ever known. The air stewards had to rush the trolleys away, and they were bashing into the passengers, Paul & I were holding onto our tables and 2 lots of trays for dear life. The plane bobbed up and down and food was flying off peoples trays and it lasted about 15 minutes. Im usually calm through a bit of turbulence, but this scared me, the girls were getting upset and I couldnt get to them. Finally it all calmed down and the air stewards were all smiles again. Unfortunately every time we went through a small bit of turbulence after that, I was worried that it was going to get bad. Anyway, I watched The Aviator and fell asleep during the last 15 minutes and we all got a couple of hours of kip. The next morning the pilot announces his apologies for the little bit of turbulence due to being kept at a low altitude by the US air authorities resulting in us clipping some clouds.
We landed about 8.30am, and went through customs and collected our cases in no time (I wish it was like this is the US). We then went to have breakfast at the Wetherspoons pub in the airport (very nice) and then we picked up our car, and 3 hours later we were home.
Summary
You would think that after 8 visits to WDW, and 3 Disney cruises, that things would start to get a bit stale, but it doesnt, this was THE BEST holiday we have ever had. The cruise was fantastic and everyone wants to do a 7 night cruise (whether its a 7 night or a back to back 3 & 4 night I dont know, Ill just have to start saving), the girls loved the cruise as they had so much freedom that they wouldnt of had at home. We never tire of WDW and we were really pleased at how much we had enjoyed Universal this time.
Result
WE MUST GO BACK !!!!! 
Shopping
If there is one thing that my family likes doing then its shopping, we love it. Kerry looks for anything and everything with Tinkerbell on it, Becky likes Stitch/Pluto/Mickey/Chip & Dale (alright everything Disney), Hubby likes a bargain and t-shirts with surfing logos and I go for Mickey or Goofy stuff. So here are a few of the places we went to.
World of Disney
I love this shop (well who wouldnt), its a huge Disney Shop. I waited till the end of my holiday and did a big shop for souvenirs for friends and family and even some Christmas presents for the girls and because we had Annual Passes, I got 10% off. As I walked around the parks I made mental notes of things that I liked so that I could get them there with the AP discount.
MouseGear
This is probably my fave shop in the whole of WDW, its not as big as the World of Disney, but I like the way it is set out and it also sells Epcot merchandise, I bought a lovely top there and wore it to death and it faded a little when it had been washed, so DH bought me another for Xmas (isnt he great ?)
Lake Buena Vista Outlet
We only visited it once, the Character Corner shop has moved to right to the back of the place. We didnt buy anything from here.
Premium Outlet
We went a few times and it was always busy. This place seems to have taken over from the Belz Mall. I bought a few things from the Disney Outlet store there, and would you believe my Secret Santa present for this year (so count me in again Kaylee) there were quite a lot of bargains, especially clothes that had been on sale in the Parks this past Christmas. I like this Outlet as there is a wide range of stores, and there is also a reasonable food court. Only downside is that with it being outside, youre not escaping to an air conditioned mall.
Belz Mall
We visited the Belz Mall twice, as always we went into both of the malls, and bought some bargains from the Character Corner stores there especially some cheap pins that the girls could trade with the CMs back in WDW. DH bought some trainers there and Becky bought some very nice Skechers trainers. We noticed that quite a few of the stores were closed and that the carousel had been removed (which is quite sad as Ive got fond memories of the girls on it when they were younger). But the outlet was always very quiet when we were there, I believe it is due to close soon, which is a shame as it was a good place to escape the heat.
Florida Mall
I think we went to the Florida Mall twice, I like the food court here as you can walk around it and get free samples of the lovely Chinese food there (yum,yum). The shops are modern and there are a few New Look type of stores there which is great when youve got two girls. We didnt buy much, but Becky did get a nice 101 Dalmatians T-shirt from the Disney Store.
Wal-Mart
No trip to Orlando is complete without a visit to Wal-Mart. We visited both the one by the Florida Mall and the one on the 192. During our first week we found the new Wal-Mart that had been built just down the road from the Lake Buena Vista Outlets, it just had a sign saying Opening Soon. As we passed during our 2nd week (on the way to the one on the 192) we noticed that it had just opened. I must say that it is a really nice store, still big, but nice and new. It had a huge camera area with loads of machines to download your photos, we had our photos done there and we were very pleased with them. It had the usual Disney T-Shirts and souvenirs (at half the price of souvenirs at WDW). The good thing is that it is about half the distance from WDW than the one on the 192, so it will be very popular with the tourists (and will be very handy for those having to use taxis).
BTW the roadworks are still ongoing by Medieval Times/Wal-Mart on the 192.
Dining
I cant believe it, but we only ate away from WDW once (apart from the odd snack at a shopping centre). Most of the time we ate at the All Star Sports Food Court, whichever park we were at that day, or the McDonalds at Down Town Disney or the one near the All Stars. But on one occasion we ate at the Ponderosa on the 192. We had a really nice entrée (we all had chicken or steak) and then you can help yourself to the all-you-can-eat buffet, we always leave here full and there is always a good selection of food. We had a great meal.
Last Day/Coming Home
It was so sad leaving the All Stars Sports at 8am, so that we could do Down Town Disney Check-In with Virgin. We arrived about 8.15am and there was already quite a line. It opened at 8.30am and we finally walked away with our boarding cards at 9.30am. It may be a nuisance to have to leave early, but at least you have peace of mind that your cases are safe and sorted.
We decided to have a last visit to Epcot, we got our fastpass for Soarin, had breakfast, then went on Mission:Space. We went back to Soarin and got a FP for Test Track. We walked around World Showcase and had lunch in China. Although we were at a Disney park, it was never far from our minds that we were going home and we just felt like we were killing time. We saw Dopey in Germany and Mushu in China, we had choccy in the UK and rode Test Track.
We were leaving Epcot when we realised that we hadnt been on the monorail all holiday, so we hopped aboard the monorail to the TTC and then rode it back to Epcot.
We were going to kill a bit of time at the Florida Mall, when old Brain of Britain (ME) decides that I want to buy the girls some fake tattoos for the Summer (should we have one), so we belt down to MGM Studios (were theyd bought some before), we only had an hour before we had to leave, and as MGM was having another Star Wars Weekend, the place was packed. The girls chose a couple of tattoos each and we just had time for a quick drink then it was time to go.
We got to the airport, and having seen the huge line at check-in, we were relieved that wed done DTD check-in. We had a quick look around the shops, I bought hubby a T-Shirt from Ron Jons and then we had our last McDonalds in the USA.
Going through security went quickly, and we boarded the tram to our gate. We walked around the duty free area and I bought my dad a bottle of rum (see drinking runs in the family LOL). We started boarding around 7pm, and the flight left at 7.45pm. Once again we sat at the back of the plane in 2 rows of 2 seats, the girls were fed first as theyd had kids meals ordered and as were at the rear of the plane we were fed first. I had a vegetarian dish and Paul had b-b-q chicken, and we finished quite quickly. As the girls had already finished, we put their food trays on top of ours .and then, it happened .. we went through the most awful turbulence that I have ever known. The air stewards had to rush the trolleys away, and they were bashing into the passengers, Paul & I were holding onto our tables and 2 lots of trays for dear life. The plane bobbed up and down and food was flying off peoples trays and it lasted about 15 minutes. Im usually calm through a bit of turbulence, but this scared me, the girls were getting upset and I couldnt get to them. Finally it all calmed down and the air stewards were all smiles again. Unfortunately every time we went through a small bit of turbulence after that, I was worried that it was going to get bad. Anyway, I watched The Aviator and fell asleep during the last 15 minutes and we all got a couple of hours of kip. The next morning the pilot announces his apologies for the little bit of turbulence due to being kept at a low altitude by the US air authorities resulting in us clipping some clouds.
We landed about 8.30am, and went through customs and collected our cases in no time (I wish it was like this is the US). We then went to have breakfast at the Wetherspoons pub in the airport (very nice) and then we picked up our car, and 3 hours later we were home.
Summary
You would think that after 8 visits to WDW, and 3 Disney cruises, that things would start to get a bit stale, but it doesnt, this was THE BEST holiday we have ever had. The cruise was fantastic and everyone wants to do a 7 night cruise (whether its a 7 night or a back to back 3 & 4 night I dont know, Ill just have to start saving), the girls loved the cruise as they had so much freedom that they wouldnt of had at home. We never tire of WDW and we were really pleased at how much we had enjoyed Universal this time.
Result
WE MUST GO BACK !!!!! 
...I think we are going to try and sit at the back as we are not bothered about getting off the plane first. 
it sounds great tho
