Friday 9th April (Good Friday)
Got up at 9:00 am (me). DH & DS got up a bit later. Headed for Cracker Barrel again only much later than previous - 11:00 am. I had my usual Cherry Pancake Sampler, while both DH & DS had Eggs in a Basket. DS's Apple Cider was served in a frozen glass. Using tickets I had bought before our trip, we decided to go to the Hard Rock Vault, and then do some shopping. HRV is at the Mercado on I-Drive. We all found it both interesting and entertaining. We were given our own guide just for the three of us - a 'writer' called Beauregarde (we could call him 'Beau'!). He certainly knew his stuff about the origins and history of rock. We spent about 2 hours there and thought it was very good if you were at all interested in rock music. We saw one of Prince's purple suits (the guy is tiny!!!), Madonna's dress from the 'Like a Virgin' video and some of Elvis's capes! We then went to Florida Mall - our favourite shopping mall over there. DS bought trainers from Foot Locker (and got $10 discount via the Entertainment Book), T-shirts, CDs and (from Circuit City across the road) his 'pride & joy' an Apple iPod - which he had been hoping to buy for months! I bought some cosmetics for my sister and a CD. DH bought a Tshirt and a jacket. We ate sundaes from Dairy Queen to keep us going through the afternoon (more discount via the Ent Book). Ate dinner at Olive Garden opposite the Mall. I didn't think it was as good as the one on I-Drive which we went to last year. DS got fed up with his pizza - it had far too much cheese on it. The air-con was too cold too! Called in at the supermarket on the way back to the condo and spotted the headlines in the local papers. A CM dressed as Tigger had been arrested and charged with 'molestation'.
Saturday 10th April (Easter Saturday)
Got up at 7:00 am to go to Boggy Creek Airboats - 50% off again due to Entertainment Book. Turning out to be good value for our $10. Arrived at East Lake Fish camp at 8:50 am hoping to get on the first ride of the day at 9:00 am and to then have breakfast - only to find that there was a school party there and the first rides were already underway and were booked up till 9:30am. Not enough time to get breakfast before the ride. 9:30 came and we got on the boats for the usual safety briefing. Really enjoyed the ride (as we have twice before) but only saw 2 gators (one adult, one baby). Had breakfast at the cafe (were starving by then) then thought about going to Gatorland again. We had been once - on our first trip - but decided not to bother.
Instead we went to have a look at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Very impressive - I would love to stay there sometime. The sight of people relaxing on sunbeds and enjoying a swim in the pool made us decide to go back to our resort (Windsor Palms) and to go to the pool there. However, it was so busy we could not get a sunbed or barely a space to put a towel down. Managed to have a nice cooling swim. Thought I'd try the jacuzzi but the water was hotter than a bath!
Back to the condo for showers and then we headed off in the car to downtown Orlando and the TD Waterhouse Center for the Orlando Magic v Detroit Pistons basketball game. Found the place OK and managed to park quite nearby. Lots of people around - everyone good-humoured - beautiful warm evening. Headed for the ticket office and picked up our 'will call' tickets without a hitch. We had booked on the internet via Ticketmaster.
Once inside I could not believe the number of food and drink outlets around the place. You could practically have anything to eat that you could think of! Despite all the crowds of people around, there were a surprisingly large number of empty seats. Another strange thing was that the floor inside the arena was sticky! Your feet stuck to it with every step! I can only assume it's so you don't slip and fall over. (and sue them!)
Loads of game, entertainment, cheerleaders dancing, time outs etc etc. 40 minutes of play turned out to take 3 hours! Magic lost. It was very drawn-out. Was amazed by the antics of the Magic mascot. He was very athletic and acrobatic - he put Fred the Red (our mascot at Old Trafford) to shame! Overall it was an experience which I'm glad I have had - but I wouldn't rush to go again. It took ages and ages to get out of downtown after the game - it was absolutely gridlocked. Drove to the Peabody Hotel on I-Drive and the wonderful B- Line Diner. DH had Chicken Pie, DS had Burger and I had Chicken Caesar Salad. Came to $54 with drinks. Got back to the condo at 11:00 pm. Had to do some washing - so got to bed late (again)!
Got up at 9:00 am (me). DH & DS got up a bit later. Headed for Cracker Barrel again only much later than previous - 11:00 am. I had my usual Cherry Pancake Sampler, while both DH & DS had Eggs in a Basket. DS's Apple Cider was served in a frozen glass. Using tickets I had bought before our trip, we decided to go to the Hard Rock Vault, and then do some shopping. HRV is at the Mercado on I-Drive. We all found it both interesting and entertaining. We were given our own guide just for the three of us - a 'writer' called Beauregarde (we could call him 'Beau'!). He certainly knew his stuff about the origins and history of rock. We spent about 2 hours there and thought it was very good if you were at all interested in rock music. We saw one of Prince's purple suits (the guy is tiny!!!), Madonna's dress from the 'Like a Virgin' video and some of Elvis's capes! We then went to Florida Mall - our favourite shopping mall over there. DS bought trainers from Foot Locker (and got $10 discount via the Entertainment Book), T-shirts, CDs and (from Circuit City across the road) his 'pride & joy' an Apple iPod - which he had been hoping to buy for months! I bought some cosmetics for my sister and a CD. DH bought a Tshirt and a jacket. We ate sundaes from Dairy Queen to keep us going through the afternoon (more discount via the Ent Book). Ate dinner at Olive Garden opposite the Mall. I didn't think it was as good as the one on I-Drive which we went to last year. DS got fed up with his pizza - it had far too much cheese on it. The air-con was too cold too! Called in at the supermarket on the way back to the condo and spotted the headlines in the local papers. A CM dressed as Tigger had been arrested and charged with 'molestation'.
Saturday 10th April (Easter Saturday)
Got up at 7:00 am to go to Boggy Creek Airboats - 50% off again due to Entertainment Book. Turning out to be good value for our $10. Arrived at East Lake Fish camp at 8:50 am hoping to get on the first ride of the day at 9:00 am and to then have breakfast - only to find that there was a school party there and the first rides were already underway and were booked up till 9:30am. Not enough time to get breakfast before the ride. 9:30 came and we got on the boats for the usual safety briefing. Really enjoyed the ride (as we have twice before) but only saw 2 gators (one adult, one baby). Had breakfast at the cafe (were starving by then) then thought about going to Gatorland again. We had been once - on our first trip - but decided not to bother.
Instead we went to have a look at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Very impressive - I would love to stay there sometime. The sight of people relaxing on sunbeds and enjoying a swim in the pool made us decide to go back to our resort (Windsor Palms) and to go to the pool there. However, it was so busy we could not get a sunbed or barely a space to put a towel down. Managed to have a nice cooling swim. Thought I'd try the jacuzzi but the water was hotter than a bath!
Back to the condo for showers and then we headed off in the car to downtown Orlando and the TD Waterhouse Center for the Orlando Magic v Detroit Pistons basketball game. Found the place OK and managed to park quite nearby. Lots of people around - everyone good-humoured - beautiful warm evening. Headed for the ticket office and picked up our 'will call' tickets without a hitch. We had booked on the internet via Ticketmaster.
Once inside I could not believe the number of food and drink outlets around the place. You could practically have anything to eat that you could think of! Despite all the crowds of people around, there were a surprisingly large number of empty seats. Another strange thing was that the floor inside the arena was sticky! Your feet stuck to it with every step! I can only assume it's so you don't slip and fall over. (and sue them!)
Loads of game, entertainment, cheerleaders dancing, time outs etc etc. 40 minutes of play turned out to take 3 hours! Magic lost. It was very drawn-out. Was amazed by the antics of the Magic mascot. He was very athletic and acrobatic - he put Fred the Red (our mascot at Old Trafford) to shame! Overall it was an experience which I'm glad I have had - but I wouldn't rush to go again. It took ages and ages to get out of downtown after the game - it was absolutely gridlocked. Drove to the Peabody Hotel on I-Drive and the wonderful B- Line Diner. DH had Chicken Pie, DS had Burger and I had Chicken Caesar Salad. Came to $54 with drinks. Got back to the condo at 11:00 pm. Had to do some washing - so got to bed late (again)!
