My TR in photos

[Tashinwdw]

Hi everyone, been away 1 week now and it has already gone so quickly. I thought that most of my TR will be photos as I am not that great with words. The flight over with Qantas was really uncomfortable, I found I was able to sleep a little last time when we went Air New Zealand. No such luck this time. Arrived at LAX, picked up the car and drove to Las Vegas, this was my first time driving and I was mega stressed the whole time.


We stayed at Excalibur, was impressed, the rooms were rather big and roomy, we had to have two rooms and could not get adjoining ones, which sucked, but at least we were only a few doors away from each other. girls one room, boys the other. The down side - the smoke - yuk. And ppl bugging you all the time trying to sell stuff etc.



This and M&M world were a must for the kids, but they caught on quick after a trip to a walmart store (loved it) that they can get the same chocolates for cheaper.

 

[Tashinwdw]

It was the third time walking the strip that day and so only one of the kids tagged along with us.



We stayed a watched a few shows of the fountains, they were magical.







On the way back we decided to book the grand canyon helicopter tour. I must say my kids loved it, I had done the grand canyon south rim years ago and thought it was just magical. Had heard there was a difference from the west rim but thought it would still be ok. I was really disappointed. Didnt help I was feeling motion sickness the whole time. DH had come down with food poisoning so he was unable to make it and he was the one that really really wanted to do it. We couldnt get a refund for him. He was out of action for a few days and actually even now he is still not well.








We also went to the Titanic Exhibit and it was really good. We did the Tournament of Kings and everyone enjoyed that as well. It was just after that that DH got very ill so it put a damper on our other plans for vegas.

The flight from LV to Orlando was really ruff, even the flight attendants had to sit belted in most of the flight.
We are now in Orlando and this morning the kids have been in the pool. DH is sleeping to try and recover from the last four days. Once he is awake I think we will all enjoy the lazy river of Cabana Bay. I will post photos of the resort soon.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Love it! (The TR that is, no the fact that DH has been sick).

Have just subscribed and am looking forward to more.

What a beautiful family you have.

 

[dabecs]

Sorry to hear hubby is unwell, hope he has a good sleep and wakes up feeling good and ready to go

Thanks for bringing us along for the ride!

 

[OzCath]

Thanks for the updates tash. Hope hubby is on the mend.

 

[PrincessInOz]

YAY! An American TR.


Hope your DH was feeling better and that it didn't take you too long to recover as well.
Great looking family and nice to "see" you.

How long did it take you get over that stressed feeling of driving?

I was really interested to read your viewpoint about the West Rim of the GC. I've always wondered how it would compare if you've been to the South or North Rim. Thanks for sharing.

Looking forward to more.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

Despite feeling ick for the Canyon trip the pics you posted looked pretty good - interesting to hear your thoughts as we also have only seen the eastern rim. So sorry to hear DH got sick - guess lucky it wasn't all of you. Hope he start to feel better soon so you can enjoy WDW and looking forward to hearing how you enjoy Cabana Bay.

 

[newkie]

Sorry your DH isn't feeling well I hope he picks up soon and you can all enjoy your trip together.

I love your Las Vegas photos! I went there with my parents when I was 11, but I didn't appreciate it like I would as an adult. It's such a fascinating place!

 

[BecBennett]

You've got some beautiful photos!

Sorry your DH is feeling unwell, there's nothing worse than being sick on holidays

 

[losfp]

Nice pics!

Hope the illness passes quickly. I had a wicked bout of food poisoning in Christchurch a few years back - that was a rough few days. And it's never nice to get sick on holidays especially after all the waiting and saving up.

I really loved Vegas on our 2012 trip, and I would gladly go back. Wifey could take or leave it though. I thought it was surprisingly just how much you could do with a family that didn't involve drinking or gambling. We were there 6 nights and didn't even scratch the surface of what you can see there.

I agree about the smoke - it can be just blluuurrghhh. I made the decision to stay at a non-casino hotel - the Signature Suites about a block back from the strip and it worked out great. Not as convenient but it was extra quiet and peaceful.

Interesting comments about the grand canyon west heli tour. Sounds like people who haven't been to Grand Canyon National Park (ie: south rim or north rim) like it, while people who have been aren't that impressed. We didn't do it as we were already going to drive through Arizona and stop for a couple of nights at GC South.

 

[Tashinwdw]

Thanks everyone, DH is now feeling much better and we are enjoying our holiday.

YAY! An American TR.


How long did it take you get over that stressed feeling of driving?

I didnt get over it....... I guess I started to relax while on the open road but as soon as we got into Las Vegas I was megga stressed until we parked the car. For the rest of the time I got DH to drive.

 

[darrenf67]

Good trip report so far - I loved Vegas!

 

[Tashinwdw]

We love Cabana Bay Resort, I think the only thing we can complain about is that sometimes we can hear the neighbours and when it was the Labor Day weekend and it was busy here we could here ppl walking up and down the corridor when we were trying to sleep (thats when it was my turn for the fold out bed in the sitting area) I must add I am an extremely light sleeper, it takes me a lot to get to sleep and I wake up at the slightest movement and sound....so sharing a 2 room area with 6 makes for a very tired me

I have photos of the pool area somewhere but not sure where, will have to post them later, here are some of the resort area.

this is the sitting area, the door slides shut for privacy to the bedrooms


2 beds



Yes, that is a fire pit, and Yes, they have it going, even in the stinking heat of summer.......weird!

More to come........oh and the beds and pillows are really really soft. Its like sleeping on fairy floss.......I prefer harder mattresses though.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I love the retro styling of that room.

I'm so pleased your DH is feeling better.

 

[FlowerProwler]

Wow this looks amazing. I will be following along.

I am now seriously considerring adding in a few days in Vegas!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Glad your DH is feeling better.

CB looks decent. Pity about the noise.

 

[Tashinwdw]

We are really enjoying our stay at Cabana Bay, the 2 pool areas are great and the lazy river is irrisisstable, I remember ppl commenting on the universal hotel thread that the lazy river had no current, I think they pumped it up a bit because it is wonderful, you just float along, not effort needed at all. Now that the long weekend is over here, it is deserted. At times my kids are alone in the pool. They run movies at both pools at night and now there are only a handful of ppl each night. Its great!

We spent a day at Sea World and we did enjoy it but I guess our expectations were higher, we have been to sea world gold coast a few times and really love it there. I think we were expecting so much more at this one. The killer whales and the penguins definitely rate really high. They did have polar bears on the map but they dont have them, not sure why. We got a storm half way through the day but it was nice as the temp came down.



We didnt sit in the splash zone but as we are going again so I can meet up with my high school friend we plan on sitting in the splash zone then. I think it will be good getting the underwater view of the show.



The colours in the penguins were exquisite. They were really cute and it was rather amazing to see how far they shoot their poops. Gross! The penguin ride was nice, I went on the mild version as I cannot cope with anything spinning. I think if you are over this way and have a spare day you should definitely go.

 

[crazy Cat Lady]

Great trip report!

I'm with you, I didn't relax either as a passenger or as a driver!

 

[Montanabel]

Amazing photos! More please!

 

[Tashinwdw]

We arrived home yesterday and gosh, it is cold. I am sorting through the photos and will post some later today.