Our Magical WDW Adventure -24 Days of Food and Fun-Updated 3/8 -Come Join Us

[ariel2007]

The One After The First Magical Week

Since we have come to the end of our first week I thought I would look back at my pre-trippie and see how we were going with those questions. A few of them were for Disney and as we haven't been yet I haven't included them.

Will we ride all our top rides?
Looking at the parks we have done so far here is the answer:

Seaworld:
Kraken
Journey to Atlantis
Sea Lions Tonight - but then we knew we wouldn't beforehand

Busch Gardens:
My absolute favorite: Sheikra ~ Nick: Montu
Rhino Rally and - we went on Rhino Rally but the water part was closed so we didn't do it all
Congo River Rapids


Will we try all our 'Must try' snacks and what will we think of them?
As of yet we haven't tried any... but there is still plenty of time, don't worry



Will Nick ride the 'dreaded' Sheikra?
I am pleased to say he was a very brave boy and did ride Sheikra. Having been on it has it changed his opinion? "It was all good apart from looking over the edge. It scared the 'poo' out of me."
Would he ride it again.... "Maybe"... Result


Will we have enough room in our suitcases to bring back everything we buy?
At this stage I am thinking NO. We have pretty much filled the spare case already and have only been here a week. We haven't even visited Disney yet and that will be where we get most of our souvenirs and gifts... looks like we will have to invest in another suitcase for sure


How many shot glasses will I return with?
Well after the first week the total currently looks like this

So not too many... I wonder what it will look like next week


Will this be the most Magical WDW Adventure EVER?
Well its only the end of the first week so I cant say for sure yet, but if this week is anything to go by there is no doubt it will be

 

[LastLookAtTheCastle]

Loving your report! 24 days in Florida!?? Sign me up!

I'm an Anglophile (studied in England, and visited two other times, and honeymooned in Scotland) so even though I don't live in Florida, how about we switch? You move to the states, and I'll move there? Deal?

 

[heaven2dc]

subbing - have to go home now from work and am only on page 2 so have lots of reading to catch up tonight - sounds like fun so far!

 

[manntra]

Hiya,thanks for your kind words, glad you are enjoying it .

I didn't know they played BBC in America, how funny. Nick and I love Top Gear, as do most people, it is so popular over here. Its one of Nick's favorite TV programmes, I always get him the DVD's and books for christmas and birthdays and also Clarkson, May and Hammond's books. Clarkson often gets in trouble over here, hes always saying the wrong things, he loves to be controversial but is sooooo funny . Richard Hammond only recently recovered from a major crash, he nearly died when he was test driving a new car for Top Gear and it rolled at some stupidly high speed. He was very lucky that he was only left with a few scratches but was in intensive care for some time.

I see its not long till you go, I am so jealous. Are you staying at AKL villa's?

Well, it is actually called BBC America so I am sure it is way different...Actually I have it on at work right now with the hyper cleaning Kim and Aggie!
Oh yes I love all of the Top Gear guys, especially the little Hammond!! He is adorable and Jeremy and Richard are sooo mean to James but it is funny...Captain Slow! I think a lot of ours is cut out here (said so on their site.) but I will take what I can get! I was going to get one of my brothers a Stig shirt for his birthday but I totally forgot! Oops.
Yes only 72 more days...we are staying for one week in a 2 bedroom at the AKV...first time as DVC owner and so excited! I am taking my 12 year old niece (third time in 3 years) and two of my nephews, one aged 16 and the other 14, first time for both!
Can't wait for more, and I think I might head over to The Outback for dinner tonight as your food looks soooo good!

 

[lmillercrew]

I love reading your TR! You put so much detail in all of your days. Can't wait to read about your Disney adventures. I love your shot glasses. I especially like the one with the metal manatee's. (can't remember where you got that one from)
Keep up the good work and I'll be waiting patiently to hear more

 

[OC_stacylace]

I had never heard about that state park or manatee swim until reading your TR! I think I'm always so focused on WDW, that I forget all about the other amazing things to see. Reading all of your adventures, it's hard not to plan my own trip of a lifetime. I can't wait to see what you did in WDW! It's so fun for me to compare what others do, and perhaps pick up a tip or two as well!

Thanks for all the hard work!

 

[retiredkid]

great update and pics. The manatee swim looks fab.
and the texas de brazil looks like a must do for us next time. Yummy!!

 

[ariel2007]

Loving your report! 24 days in Florida!?? Sign me up!

I'm an Anglophile (studied in England, and visited two other times, and honeymooned in Scotland) so even though I don't live in Florida, how about we switch? You move to the states, and I'll move there? Deal?

Yes I'm up for that, I would love to live in the States. I just want a big house, with a pool, and not to far from the sea... oh and near to some good restaurants, and a big Walmart... and not to far from WDW of course. I dont ask for much

subbing - have to go home now from work and am only on page 2 so have lots of reading to catch up tonight - sounds like fun so far!

Yes another subscriber, welcome . Thats what work is for isn't it, catching up on trippies

Well, it is actually called BBC America so I am sure it is way different...Actually I have it on at work right now with the hyper cleaning Kim and Aggie!
Oh yes I love all of the Top Gear guys, especially the little Hammond!! He is adorable and Jeremy and Richard are sooo mean to James but it is funny...Captain Slow! I think a lot of ours is cut out here (said so on their site.) but I will take what I can get! I was going to get one of my brothers a Stig shirt for his birthday but I totally forgot! Oops.
Yes only 72 more days...we are staying for one week in a 2 bedroom at the AKV...first time as DVC owner and so excited! I am taking my 12 year old niece (third time in 3 years) and two of my nephews, one aged 16 and the other 14, first time for both!
Can't wait for more, and I think I might head over to The Outback for dinner tonight as your food looks soooo good!

Oh a Stig shirt, that sounds cool

Firstly I am so jealous you are a DVC member, I want to join so bad, it looks so amazing. And AKV, you are so lucky, they look like they will be gorgeous. We stayed at AKL last time and loved the place, it is so beautiful. I'm sure you will have a brilliant time . And secondly I'm so jealous you get to go so often, I want to go every year, stupid big ocean coming between us

Do you live near an Outback then... how jealous are you trying to make me here

I love reading your TR! You put so much detail in all of your days. Can't wait to read about your Disney adventures. I love your shot glasses. I especially like the one with the metal manatee's. (can't remember where you got that one from)
Keep up the good work and I'll be waiting patiently to hear more

Thank you, glad to see you are still with me

The metal one was from the shop where we did the manatee swim from. I have no idea what it was called, it was a strange place really. It was a wetsuit and camping gear shop that sold lots of manatee related items and ran manatee tours and had a pool to teach scuba... it was quite random

I had never heard about that state park or manatee swim until reading your TR! I think I'm always so focused on WDW, that I forget all about the other amazing things to see. Reading all of your adventures, it's hard not to plan my own trip of a lifetime. I can't wait to see what you did in WDW! It's so fun for me to compare what others do, and perhaps pick up a tip or two as well!

Thanks for all the hard work!

Thank you for reading .
I'm glad your getting some tips, I got lots from trippies before I went, its what helped me make this trip extra special. I found so many good things to do and just couldn't narrow it down so we ended up doing it all.

great update and pics. The manatee swim looks fab.
and the texas de brazil looks like a must do for us next time. Yummy!!

Thanks .
You should definitely go to Texas de Brazil, it is so good. Its a little more expensive than some of the other restaurants but definitely worth every penny.

 

[ariel2007]

Day 7 ~ The One With The Blue Men

We were up at 6am today as we had to get ready, finish packing, and finish tidying the villa and then get to the Royal Pacific to check-in and have breakfast before heading to Universal. I got up and jumped in the pool. I had a quick swim, I couldn’t resist one last swim in our own pool and it was so warm now, it was lovely. Nick wouldn’t join me though as he was being a chicken. I then jumped in the shower, got dressed and finished the last few bits of packing. We aimed to leave at 7 but by the time we had checked and double checked we had everything, had finished tidying everything up, put the towels and sheets in the wash baskets, the dishes in the dishwasher etc it was 7.30. We said goodbye to the villa, took a few last photo’s and then had to drag Piggles away from his fun and games.

It was quite sad as we left but we were so excited about staying at the Royal Pacific and going to Universal it soon passed. After a wrong turn in which we were headed West towards Tampa not East towards Universal we eventually arrived at Royal Pacific.

Arriving at the Royal Pacific:

We checked in, our room wasn’t ready but then we weren’t expecting it to be at 7.45am. We were given our room cards so we could get front of line in the parks and made a reservation for Mythos for lunch the next day. We then went down to Islands Dining Room for breakfast, I had read good reports about this place so was excited to try it. We were seated straight away on a nice table in the corner and our server got us some coffee and juice and took our order. We both choose to have the buffet, and glad we did because it was really good. There wasn’t a huge selection but it was all really good quality and very tasty. There was a fruit bar with melon, strawberries, pineapple, fruit compotes, yogurts and cereal, a pastry bit with croissants, cinnamon whirls and sweet pastries and then in the centre there was all the hot food, applewood smoked bacon, sausages, scrambled egg, potatoes, pancakes, biscuits and more. There was also a made-to-order omelette and egg station and a bit with juice. We had the hot food first and the potatoes and omelette were especially good although it was all good. Then I had some fruit which was all really tasty. We were brought plenty of coffee which was strong but good and I had some mango juice which was so yummy. It was a bit more expensive than other breakfast buffets but was really good quality and it was really nice to try it.

After breakfast we went to the boat dock and caught the boat to CityWalk. We walked over to Universal Studios, stopping to get some photo’s in front of the globe along the way.

We finally got to go through the gates and into the Studio’s, we both love it here so it was so nice to be back. We went to the shop first and got some passholders to keep our room cards in, they were definitely worth the money as they made it so easy to show our passes at rides.
We started with Shrek as it was right in front of us. We were in the pre-show room within a few minutes, we even got to see Scooby Doo and friends as we waited. The pre-show is funny but it is always so cramped in their so we were relieved to finally go into the show. We both love this show, it is so clever how they do all the effects and it fits perfectly with the film. The only downside is it takes quite a long time to do even though there was no queue. We then headed over to the new Simpsons Ride as we weren’t sure if they did front of line. The walk over was really nice, it was really quiet and we walked past all the old fashion buildings which look so good. And there was marching band too which were really good.

The Simpson's ride did do FOL which was good and within 5 minutes we were on. The waiting area for the ride is really good. There is a little pre-show and all around the room is different stands (the idea is you are in Krustyland) with little TV screens in which the characters talk through. It is really bright and fun in there.

 

[ariel2007]

... Continued from above.


The ride itself is set in little cars which move round as you follow the Simpsons as they are testing a new ride at Krustyland. Unfortunately Sideshow Bob has come to ruin the ride and so you get hurtled around as things keep getting blown up and crashing. The ride was really good and very clever, quite different to the other rides they have. It was a very bumpy however so I had to cling on to my bag for dear life as we crashed through Krustyland. After the Simpsons we went in the shop and got some pictures.

Then went over to Men In Black. Nick was really looking forward to this as we never managed to do it last time as it had huge queues. We walked straight on, past all the queues with the express passes, it was so good not to have to queue. We got into our MIB car and went off to fight all the aliens. The ride was really good, although I’m always rubbish at hitting the targets I love the interactive rides like this where you get to do something. The first time I got 186,000 and Nick got 168,000, although I did push the red button and he didn’t so technically without that Nick would have definitely won which was about right.

Nick's best MIB impression:

We walked round to Amityville and went on Jaws. Again we walked right on the ride and we had a good skipper who helped save us from being shark bait.

After Jaws I was really thirsty, it was so hot today so we went and grabbed a lemonade from a stall and sat by Chez Alcatraz overlooking the water. Unfortunately Chez Alcatraz itself wasn’t open but sitting there brought back memories of when we were there in August 2006, it was a really hot and busy day and we decided to grab and frozen drink from Chez Alcatraz. As we sat there overlooking the water there was music playing gently in the background and it felt a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the park.

Leaving Amityville:

Enjoying our drinks outside Chez Alcatraz:

Streets of New York:

We had a rest for 10 minutes and then went on Disaster, an updated version of Earthquake. We couldn’t really tell much different, although the beginning was a lot more funny and memorable. The subway part seemed exactly the same though although I could be wrong as I didn’t take that much notice last time. After Disaster we were walking to the Mummy and the Blues Brothers was just starting. It was perfect timing as we had wanted to see this and there wasn’t many people around so we got a pretty good view. The show was good, lots of dancing and singing, the guy on the sax is especially good. Nick was glad he got to film it as we didn’t get to see it all last time and it is one of his favorite films.

We then went and chucked our stuff in the locker and jumped straight on the Mummy. The Front of Line for this was really good as it had its own line right up to the ride itself and we were loaded straight away. The ride was really, really good, it is full of surprises and is so well themed. It has so many good ride elements, I love when it goes backwards and the fire bit. Unfortunately I lost my watch on it, I checked with the ride attendant but it hadn’t been handed in. When we came off we rode again straight away as we loved it so much.
After the Mummy we went and got some photo’s on the streets of New York and then went on Twister, I love watching the film bit at the beginning, it really sets the theme well. I had never watched the film before I went on this but after 3 trips of going on it I had to watch it and it was really good, and also reminds me of Christmas when I saw it. And now the ride makes more sense too.

 

[ariel2007]

... Continued from above.

After Twister we grabbed a frozen margarita and walked over to Mel’s Diner.

We got a table, the setting is so cool in Mel’s, I love the little juke boxes on the tables. I went up and ordered, we only wanted a light lunch as we were having an early tea so I got us chilli cheese fries each and some onion rings to share. It was all good and cheap too.

We then went outside and watched the little show they have outside the diner for 5 minutes before walking back to Men In Black.

The cool Hollywood sign pictures:

We rode again, this time Nick pressed the button too but I managed to beat him. I got 267,000 and he only got 148,000, he of course claimed his gun was broken but I know the truth.
By this time we had done everything we wanted to do so decided to head back to the hotel to check-in. We did a bit of shopping in the main shop first and then headed to the boat dock in City Walk to get the boat back.

Once back at the resort we got our room number and I went to the room whilst Nick got the rest of the luggage from the car. The bellhop came and dropped our bags off and explained everything we needed to know about the hotel. The room was lovely, nice and spacious with 2 double beds a table and chairs by the window, a big unit with the tv and a coffee maker and coffee and then a separate sink area and bathroom. There were some nice toiletries and all the furnishings were dark wood and tropical, it was really nice. The best bit however was the view, right out over the pool, the river and the RPR plane were in the distance and then we could see right to IOA with the Hulk, Dr Dooms and Ripsaw Rapids all in perfect view. It was great definitely worth the extra money.

 

[ariel2007]

... Continued from above.

After admiring the view for a while I surprised Nick with the confirmation for the Blue Man Group for that evening. He was really excited as he had been on about seeing it for ages, and I was quite impressed I had managed to keep it a secret as he always busts me.

We got ready for dinner and headed down to the boat dock but decided to walk. It only took about 10 minutes and was all by the river, it was a nice walk and got us ready for dinner. We checked in for our 5pm reservation at Margaritaville, although we probably didn’t need it as it wasn’t that full. It was quite funny because when I phoned up to make the reservation Nick asked why it was so early, especially since we had originally discussed to have it at about 7pm. I was going to say thats all they had left but I really can’t lie and just told him I thought that was a good time... I think he brought it. We were seated straight away and both ordered margaritas, Nick had the Big Rita and I had a frozen Who’s To Blame with a float of mango tequila on the side. Both were very good and very strong and we got them both in souvenir glasses. We skipped starters and went straight for mains and both had the ribs in the South Pacific sauce with fries. The meal was very good although the ribs were slightly fatty for me as I am very fussy when it comes to meat. I also had a Big Rita as it looked so good but we couldn’t fit in any dessert although they sounded good.

Opps I forgot to take food pictures but here is some other Margaritaville pics:

After paying the bill we went and picked up our tickets for the Blue Man Group. We had some time to spare before the show so went and had a look in the Hard Rock Shop. We brought a few pins and joined their All Access Club as we like to visit the different Hard Rock’s, especially the one in London. We then headed to CityWalk to look in the Surf Shop as we brought some good stuff in there last time. We were quite restrained though and didn’t buy anything, although Nick was desperate to get more Oakleys, I swear he is addicted to them. It was now gone 7pm so we walked back over to the Aquos Theatre which is next to Universal, for the Blue Man Group. We were seated and our seats were brilliant, we were in the front row of the second section. When I booked I could choose literally any seats but the first four rows, or section one, is the poncho section so thought the second section would be better. We had lots of leg room and were dead in the middle, it was a perfect view. We got a drink each, a sprite for Nick and frozen margarita for me and some popcorn to share. When we had entered the theatre we were given some toilet roll and all around people had made hats and scarves and tops out of it... it was just the first sign of madness of what was to come. The show is really hard to describe, but basically is set around 3 men with blue faces and black body suits who don’t talk just communicate through expressions and music. The music in it is amazing, the men make music from random objects but it sounds amazing, the beats are really good and are further enhanced by a really good band. The 3 men play drums which spray fluorescent paint up, paint pictures from ink in the mouths, make music from pipes, pick on audience members for good interactive bits amongst other things. All of this is interspersed with voice overs and screens and boards with writing on to further enhance the communication. All of the acts are really basic, simple ideas but they make them so good and interesting. We both loved it, it is both entertaining (very funny) and very clever. I am so glad we went to see it and Nick was very thankful I took him.

When it finished we got a few souvenirs and walked back over to CityWalk. We got a caramel pecabon from Pecabon and then did some shopping in Margaritaville. We got another yummy frozen margarita each from the Margaritaville shack and sat on the chairs outside. It was a really nice warm night and there was a lovely atmosphere in CityWalk. Once we finished our drinks we walked back to the hotel along the river. Back in our room we had our Pecabon and sorted out our purchases before retiring to bed.

The yummy pecabon:

Some of todays purchases:

 

[lmillercrew]

Great update. I couldn't imagine putting myself in a wet suit, by the way. We want to take our kids to Universal, but I never want to take away from Disney time. I don't do roller coasters, so for me a day at a park like that consists of me sitting on a bench and everyone else on a ride. I know I'm going to have to suck it up and go there one day.

 

[TrueEeyore]

Wonderful update!!!! I get so excited when I see that you've updated!! You're not in very many pictures though, you should make Nick hold the camera once in awhile

That room view is awesome! Can't wait for more

 

[manntra]

Another great update with wonderful food pictures too! I loved all the Universal pictures...the Simpsons ride looked fun! I laughed right out loud of the picture of Nick in front of the Kwik-e-Mart! I have never been (yet) and I love MGM so I am thinking I might like it there too even though it is not Disney!
Mmmmm your food pictures...the chili fries! Yum and the pecabon whatever that is, I want one. Is it a cinnamon bun but with pecans? I am so smart ! Probably not even close! Yes there is an Outback about 5 or 10 minutes from my house, don't go there often although your pictures have convinced me to go soon.
I figure with the DVC I can go for one week a year, depending on when it is. Next year I want to go in early December for the lights and decorations, etc. I just HAVE to see that castle all decorated with the icicles!!
Almost forgot, back to the Top Gear...I have a Mini Cooper s so I am on Jeremy's "cool" board! Actually I have either checkered or British flag mirror caps that I can change out.... have to accessorize!

 

[retiredkid]

great update and pics!! We haven't been to Universal in years. We might just hafta go soon! The food pics are great...

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great updates, keep 'em coming!! Love all your pictures!

 

[ariel2007]

Great update. I couldn't imagine putting myself in a wet suit, by the way. We want to take our kids to Universal, but I never want to take away from Disney time. I don't do roller coasters, so for me a day at a park like that consists of me sitting on a bench and everyone else on a ride. I know I'm going to have to suck it up and go there one day.

You should definitely go to Universal, its a great park. A lot of people seem to think its like MGM but they are actually quite different. There isn't really many coasters at Universal, there mostly at Island's of Adventure, there more movie based shows and rides like Jaw's where you sit in a boat. The only one that is a coaster is The Mummy, the rest are mainly pretty tame (although The Simpson's ride is pretty bumpy).

Wonderful update!!!! I get so excited when I see that you've updated!! You're not in very many pictures though, you should make Nick hold the camera once in awhile

That room view is awesome! Can't wait for more

Hey Hun, glad you enjoyed the update. Hopefully another one should be up soon. I know what you mean about the pics, i'm always taking so many but have to make him take the camera and get some of me .

The view was so good, I was worried we would get a view of the back waterway or something as we are never very lucky with our rooms and views but it turned out great

Another great update with wonderful food pictures too! I loved all the Universal pictures...the Simpsons ride looked fun! I laughed right out loud of the picture of Nick in front of the Kwik-e-Mart! I have never been (yet) and I love MGM so I am thinking I might like it there too even though it is not Disney!
Mmmmm your food pictures...the chili fries! Yum and the pecabon whatever that is, I want one. Is it a cinnamon bun but with pecans? I am so smart ! Probably not even close! Yes there is an Outback about 5 or 10 minutes from my house, don't go there often although your pictures have convinced me to go soon.
I figure with the DVC I can go for one week a year, depending on when it is. Next year I want to go in early December for the lights and decorations, etc. I just HAVE to see that castle all decorated with the icicles!!
Almost forgot, back to the Top Gear...I have a Mini Cooper s so I am on Jeremy's "cool" board! Actually I have either checkered or British flag mirror caps that I can change out.... have to accessorize!

You should definitely go to Universal, it is really good. It isn't that much like MGM, although they are both based around movies, but is a great park.

The Pecabon is a cinnamon bun with pecans like you said, it also has a really yummy frosting on. It is so good but so filling too

I would so love to go to Disney at Christmas too. I want to see all the lights and decorations at all the different parks, it must be so magical at that time of year. We did go to Disneyland Paris whilst they had all their christmas decorations up and also saw a really cute christmas dinner show but its nowhere near on the scale of WDW.

Ah you have a mini-cooper, my little sister would be so jealous. She is so strange, she is only 11 and that is her absolute dream car. She talks about them loads and whenever she sees one she gets really excited. She thinks there better than Aston Martins and Porches... strange child

great update and pics!! We haven't been to Universal in years. We might just hafta go soon! The food pics are great...

Great updates, keep 'em coming!! Love all your pictures!

Thanks guys, next update up soon

 

[ariel2007]

Day 8 ~ The One With One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

We had set the alarm for 8am today but didn’t end up getting up till 8.50am as the bed was just so comfortable. We got up and ready, Nick made a coffee from the machine in the room and then we walked over to Island’s of Adventure. It was a lovely morning and really nice to walk along the grounds to IOA. At the security bit we were greeted by a really nice English man who had retired to Orlando a few years ago and is now working for Universal as security. He quite clearly loved his job and told us moving to Orlando was the best thing he ever did, he even gave us a website with information about all the visa’s and things you need to move over. He just tempted us further to make the move.

We got to IOA just after 10am, got some pictures in Port of Entry and headed straight to the Hulk.

The wait time was only about 5-10 minutes anyway but it was still great walking straight on, literally, we didn’t have to wait at all. It was quite different to the hour we waited last time, it was not nice in 100 degree heat with a hundred young Brazilian school kids shouting and chanting the whole time. The ride was so good, Nick enjoyed it much better this time as he hadn’t just eaten a huge Ponderosa buffet breakfast. Full of adrenaline we went straight to Dr Doom’s Freefall, a first time for Nick and one I hadn’t been on since 2005. The initial lift off was really intense, it shoots up so fast your stomach is left on the ground but the view from the top is amazing, all across the Universal grounds and beyond. It was a great ride and we both enjoyed it although we were glad we hadn’t had breakfast.

We then went on to Nick’s favourite, Spiderman. This ride is so clever, the mixture of 3D elements and moving around is so good. I saw a clip about how its done on a ride programme once and it is amazing how much detail and work went in to it, its incredible.

We walked through Toon Lagoon and Jurassic park, we didn’t do any of the rides yet as we didn’t want to be wet for dinner so just grabbed a slush drink and wandered round taking pictures.

We entered the Lost Continent and went to Dueling Dragons, a first for Nick as he still wasn’t feeling well after going on the Hulk last time. We rode the back of the Ice dragon first, we were straight on and the ride was great ride. We went straight back on again as soon as we came off, and this time rode the back of Fire dragon. Again it was very good, we both agreed this one was slightly better as the bits where you clash seem scarier and more noticeable.

Some Lost Continent pictures:

The talking fountain, its so funny:

It was now lunch time so we went to Mythos where we had a table booked. We had been wanting to try this for a while since we had found out it has won the Best Theme Park restaurant award. We were seated straight away and the restaurant was quite empty with only a few tables filled. The restaurant is really cool inside, like being inside a cave but with big faces carved on the walls, views of the rides from the big windows and a nice open kitchen.

Our server was very friendly and explained the menu and the specials. We ordered the special pizza to start as he made it sound so good. We weren’t disappointed it was so good, it was steak, red onion, red and yellow tomatoes topped off with pesto, it really worked well together and was absolutely delicious. We were also brought some really good bread, I don’t know what it was but it was good. Our mains were brought pretty quickly after that, I had the buffalo chicken wrap which had mash and vegetables in and was served with fries, it was really good but very filling and a little spicy. Nick had the bbq steak sandwich with fries which was really, really good, the bbq sauce was so nice.

The flatbread:

Nicks BBQ steak sandwich with fries:

My buffalo chicken wrap with fries:

Some pictures outside Mythos:

Continued below...

 

[ariel2007]

... Continued from above.

Both full and after a great meal with very good service we paid the bill and headed out to Dr Seuss land. We wondered round the ‘not so straight’ paths and I managed to persuade Nick to come on One Fish Two Fish with me. Well as soon as we got in the fish he was loving it. He had hold of the controller and wouldn’t let me have a go. Needless to say I made sure I had a go, typically just as I did was when we went through the water, and of course Nick blamed me.

Some Seuss Land pictures:

A little wet we headed back round clockwise again to ride the water
rides. First up was Bilge Rat Barges, we were straight on and off we went round the rapids. We both agree this is one of the best river rapid rides, its quite long and quite bumpy which adds to the fun and is also nicely themed. We came off the ride absolutely soaked, we had managed to hit nearly all the rapids backwards sending waves of water right over our heads, and it wasn’t particularly warm either. Very wet we headed over to Ripsaw Rapids, which surprisingly had a 75 minute wait time, all the other rides had no more than 10-15minutes, not even The Hulk. Luckily for us we were straight on and in for another soaking. Even thought this was one of Sophie and my favorite rides I couldn’t really remember what happened on it. It is again quite a long ride, which is probably good after a 75 minute wait, and I kept waiting for the drop but it didn’t come when I expected it. By the time the drop came I was already soaked again, the drop itself didn’t get me that wet, it was the people spraying up and the little drops that did the damage. The drop is so good, its quite steep and when it goes under the bridge its quite scary. We took some more pictures round Toon Lagoon, I absolutely love this land, its so creative with all the big cartoons are so cool.

Ripsaw Rapids:

Bilge Rat Barges:

Round to the Jurassic Park River Adventure and on straight away, a bit different to the long, hot wait from last time again with a bazillion Brazilian tour groups chanting “Amoya” constantly for an hour. Nick kept saying that we wouldn’t get that wet but just as we were drying off we got a big splash again. The ride is quite relaxing, especially when it is nice and hot outside. I was enjoying going along seeing the dinosaurs, until things started going wrong and we met the horrible t-rex, but luckily we got back safely and only half soaked.

We carried on walking round and stopped at the Water Hole for a drink, something that was becoming a bit of a tradition at IOA. Nick had a normal pina colada and I had one with Malibu in which we drunk in a quiet corner while drying off in the sun.

After our little rest we went to the Lost Continent to get a top for Sophie I had seen earlier. We walked back round anti-clockwise to Bilge Rats again. Another great ride, although we had just started drying off and we got soaked again. We had one last ride on the Hulk, which Nick now loved, and then walked back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel we had a look in the shops, unfortunately they had no hotel-themed shot glasses or fridge magnets which was both annoying and strange as they seem to sell them everywhere else. Back in the room I called home but Mum was out so I had a chat with Sophie who had been watching the You Tube video of the SeaWorld trainer being attacked. She is so interested in weird things like that, at home she loves to watch Big Cat Diaries and when bits with lions eating antelopes come on Mum tries to turn it over. Sophie will just turn to her and say “Its just nature Mum”, she is so funny.

We then went down to the pool to chill for a bit. We got some chairs next to the spa and went in the pool for a bit. The pool was lovely and warm and felt so tropical surrounded by palm trees in the nice hot sun. We got some nice cocktails and sat in the sun relaxing and reading which was nice for a change for a bit. The only downside was there was some rude man who decided to sit with his feet in the hot tub and smoke a cigar. You could smell it even from the pool and it really wasn’t pleasant when we were trying to relax. He was there smoking away for ages and even made a comment to some kids who were already in there that “there is another hot tub you know”, how rude and inconsiderate. We did go in the hot tub but it was too hot and we only stayed for a bit as we couldn’t bare it. We had another swim to cool back down again and then went back to the room for a few hours.

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