S
SpottyDog
Guest
Stripes On Tour
Previously on Spottys holiday
1.The night before
2.The Journey
3.Me first full day
4.Thered better not be any queues
5.We've time fer a coffee
6.Yesterday, we went to EPCOT
7.MGM
8.Wet n Wild and Bomas
9.Kennedy
10. Chef Mickeys; Gatorland ; Boggy Creek and Disney Quest
I enjoyed our pint by the pool so much this afty I thought Id sit here with yer tonight and quickly bring yer up to date before goin to bed.
Its nice sittin here at night, just warm enough to sit and watch the kids splashin around without the locals looking at uz as if ahm off me head like they did last year when it was a bit nippy at night. The weathers getting hotter by the day and is a very nice change from last year and the first few days we were here this time.
We were at The Contemporary this morning for breakfast at Chef Mickeys. This has long been on Vs got to do list, so we did. To be honest the kids are getting a little old for character meals but she doesnt do much, bless her, so off we went.
We were there just in time for our 8am PS so didnt get time to look around the Contemporary but were impressed with the bit we saw first-off. Quickly seated, the atmosphere was just as V expected loads of kids full of noise and excitement. It really is a Disney place and we loved the childlike awe in the room. The food was buffet style and the same as wed experienced at H&V last year so we were all happy. Our table was in the elevated section near the windows overlooking Bay Lake and MK so that was a bonus. When a Monorail entered the station (on the floor above us) the platform our area was on shook which was nice.
If you can, ask for the table in the window that overlooks MK it looked fabulous. I went to get a photo once the family that had been eatin there left but another was soon in their place and I didnt want to intrude.
The characters were rushed off their feet I said the kids were excited and only had time to visit each table once in the hour we were there. But that was enough for us. V got to meet Mickey again and the kids looked suitably embarrassed as Mickey, then Minnie then Chip n Dale took time with them.
Once wed had our fill of the noise, as well as the food we took time to explore the resort . It again showed us how the other half lives. The pool and sun terrace particularly took Vs fancy and the Disney Store with its snow globe displays is well worth a visit if youre into Resort Hoppin. That said, we again confirmed that, though nice, wed never spend the extra to have these plush surroundings given the amount of time we spend in our home base when in Orlando.
We left around 9.30ish and headed for Gatorland. The kids werent happy. Gaz has a real fear of anything reptilian and we were takin him to see where they lived IN THE OPEN! Julie just didnt fancy it coz it looked dead borin and had no rides. They asked if they could stay home and go swimmin.
We considered their appeals for the thousandth time and still said NO!
So me happy band were bundled into the car and warned their attitudes could seriously affect their life-expectancy and off we went. To be honest this was another excursion I could take or leave but Id talked V out of it for the last two trips and had resolved to let her do more of the things she wanted to do this trip as we had more time.
All the maps Id researched prior to the trip were a little patchy but gave a rough idea where Id find Gatorland so it was hardly surprising that it took some finding. But find it we did and we were soon pullin into the dirt road car park alongside the concrete walls. The kids were well impressed.
We finally coaxed them out of the car and into the Land of Gators to find wed just missed the Gator Jumpin show, which impressed me no-end. The baby gators sunnin themselves in their pool were dead cute and Julie started to enjoy the day at last.
We wandered along the walkways and made our way to the Observation Tower high above the marsh and lake. It was quite tranquil and I enjoyed watchin the gators bask and float more than Id expected. But once youve watched them for 5 minutes youve seen all there is to see, so we moved on again. The tower was high enough to see over the tops of the trees that surround the marsh and it had been a pleasant surprise to see as far as the eye could see all around. A shock was that was there was nowt to see- but thats the real America, I reckon.
We made our way along the paths towards the crocodile enclosure to see the Crocodiles of the World presentation. The boy was laggin behind looking decidedly uneasy. He was scared stiff, poor bairn. It was only when we were half way down the path that I realised he wasnt happy wherever he stood. There were tall fences either side of him but he was convinced the crocs could get him there anyway. I showed me usual fatherly understandin and told him to drag himself together and catch up with us or wed leave him there to get eaten.
The Croc show was nowt special to be honest and The Boy just stood nervously waitin to evacuate the area.
We took them on the little train that skirted the park for some light relief but it didnt help coz it skirted the marsh and hes seen alligators on that there marsh.
The boy was reluctantly dragged into the Gator Wrestlin show mind, I did give him the option of goin to play with the snakes or just hang around on the path waitin for whatever jumped out of the lake and we all settled down to see what there was to see.
Id read loads of negative comments on this part of the show and wasnt that bothered meself but we had to see what there was to see in order to justify the cost etc.. Got to say it was surprisingly entertaining in a twee and easy sort of way. Nowt like I expected. The gators were so laid back I wondered if they were drugged. The blokey with his hand in the gators mouth did a canny job and the gator tried to bite his hand off which, if rehearsed, was well executed. Julie enjoyed the show and Gaz was particularly interested in the apathy the gators showed the human food. The gadgy in the middle of the ring assured him that gators only attacked if they thought people were food and would prefer to attack smaller prey. Gaz bucked up immediately and forgot his fear of owt with a tail for, oh, two hours. But thats comin later.
After the Gator Wrestlin show we decided it wasnt worth waitin for the Gator Jumperoo show as it wasnt for another 90 minutes and it wasnt half getting hot today. So we left the Land of the Gator and set off for Boggy Creek Airboats.
Well, if we thought Gatorland was well hidden, it made Boggy Creek like one of them orienteerin games. But we eventually found it. The kids wouldnt get out the car!
But youve just seen how docile them gators are.
Them were trained gators, these are wild and probably hungry. You two go, well ask Social Services to finish our education and get us better adult carers. Thank You!
The little **** , sorry, Darlings, wouldnt budge. They were genuinely scared. This alternative holiday experience lark was startin to wear me down- I hadnt been that keen meself, remember.
We (me and V) walked around the jetty and wondered what to do. We didnt fancy goin on the boat ride and leavin them in the car for an hour. Luckily it was in shade so would be cool(ish) but the camp site the airboats are on leaves a lot to be desired even for a thoughtless parent.
There was an airboat tied up at the jetty so I coaxed the kids to come and have a look. Havin showed them how far inside they could sit, away from the river etc, they finally agreed to come on the trip. God, its hard tryin to enjoy yerself with kids, isnt it?
We booked on the 2pm trip and sat at the back, even though Edgar, our driver/captain offered the kids a front row seat. Julie wasnt happy with the ear protectors coz it meant the engine made a lot of noise. Shed wished shed left them on when Edgar told the group he once had a gator jump on-board and was a bit quiet for the rest of the voyage.
Gaz enjoyed it much more than hed expected and is now scared of nowt as long as its dead, isnt within 20 yards of him and is separated from him by a twenty foot electrified fence.
The boat ride was a real joy and a worthwhile experience. V basked in the glory that is everything I choose is worthwhile and looked smug for days thereafter. Apparently were doin the nightfall boat ride next time.
It was so very hot when we got off the boat we decided to get a drink at the shop just over the car park. It must have been really hot when you consider that wed back at ASMu in half an hour and the kids could drown themselves in all that free pop (courtesy of their refillable mugs). Anyways, we wandered into the understated establishment and me mind was thrown back to Astrids report last year and the café she likened to summat out of Deliverance. She wasnt wrong! We took one look inside and decided the kids werent that thirsty after all!
Back to the pool by 3-30, and we had our earlier chat with a beer or two. Did I tell yer the kids sat in the room watchin Pepper Anne ?!!!
So we had our usual lunch come tea of burger and chilli or cheese fries and headed off to Disney Quest around 6ish. It was unusually busy but its normally later when we go. The kids loved it though, and we left them to explore/amuse themselves while we went for our DIS fix in the internet lounge. We spent an hour or two catchin up with everything that was happenin but couldnt post the expected hello from SD and V coz it just wouldnt accept our posts. Never mind, wed seen you all so felt happier for the chat. We left DQ around 9.30 coz it was too busy and weve got an early start tomorrer.
So, Im gonna finish this beer then hit the piller. Were off for our mini-break in the mornin. 2 nights at Clearwater Beach (another V idea, so itll be alright, but ah wouldnt admit that to her), visitin Busch on the way there and back.
Me next report should be from the Gulf of Mexico.(Ahm a bit excited ,really)
Previously on Spottys holiday
1.The night before
2.The Journey
3.Me first full day
4.Thered better not be any queues
5.We've time fer a coffee
6.Yesterday, we went to EPCOT
7.MGM
8.Wet n Wild and Bomas
9.Kennedy
10. Chef Mickeys; Gatorland ; Boggy Creek and Disney Quest
I enjoyed our pint by the pool so much this afty I thought Id sit here with yer tonight and quickly bring yer up to date before goin to bed.
Its nice sittin here at night, just warm enough to sit and watch the kids splashin around without the locals looking at uz as if ahm off me head like they did last year when it was a bit nippy at night. The weathers getting hotter by the day and is a very nice change from last year and the first few days we were here this time.
We were at The Contemporary this morning for breakfast at Chef Mickeys. This has long been on Vs got to do list, so we did. To be honest the kids are getting a little old for character meals but she doesnt do much, bless her, so off we went.
We were there just in time for our 8am PS so didnt get time to look around the Contemporary but were impressed with the bit we saw first-off. Quickly seated, the atmosphere was just as V expected loads of kids full of noise and excitement. It really is a Disney place and we loved the childlike awe in the room. The food was buffet style and the same as wed experienced at H&V last year so we were all happy. Our table was in the elevated section near the windows overlooking Bay Lake and MK so that was a bonus. When a Monorail entered the station (on the floor above us) the platform our area was on shook which was nice.
If you can, ask for the table in the window that overlooks MK it looked fabulous. I went to get a photo once the family that had been eatin there left but another was soon in their place and I didnt want to intrude.
The characters were rushed off their feet I said the kids were excited and only had time to visit each table once in the hour we were there. But that was enough for us. V got to meet Mickey again and the kids looked suitably embarrassed as Mickey, then Minnie then Chip n Dale took time with them.
Once wed had our fill of the noise, as well as the food we took time to explore the resort . It again showed us how the other half lives. The pool and sun terrace particularly took Vs fancy and the Disney Store with its snow globe displays is well worth a visit if youre into Resort Hoppin. That said, we again confirmed that, though nice, wed never spend the extra to have these plush surroundings given the amount of time we spend in our home base when in Orlando.
We left around 9.30ish and headed for Gatorland. The kids werent happy. Gaz has a real fear of anything reptilian and we were takin him to see where they lived IN THE OPEN! Julie just didnt fancy it coz it looked dead borin and had no rides. They asked if they could stay home and go swimmin.
We considered their appeals for the thousandth time and still said NO!
So me happy band were bundled into the car and warned their attitudes could seriously affect their life-expectancy and off we went. To be honest this was another excursion I could take or leave but Id talked V out of it for the last two trips and had resolved to let her do more of the things she wanted to do this trip as we had more time.
All the maps Id researched prior to the trip were a little patchy but gave a rough idea where Id find Gatorland so it was hardly surprising that it took some finding. But find it we did and we were soon pullin into the dirt road car park alongside the concrete walls. The kids were well impressed.
We finally coaxed them out of the car and into the Land of Gators to find wed just missed the Gator Jumpin show, which impressed me no-end. The baby gators sunnin themselves in their pool were dead cute and Julie started to enjoy the day at last.
We wandered along the walkways and made our way to the Observation Tower high above the marsh and lake. It was quite tranquil and I enjoyed watchin the gators bask and float more than Id expected. But once youve watched them for 5 minutes youve seen all there is to see, so we moved on again. The tower was high enough to see over the tops of the trees that surround the marsh and it had been a pleasant surprise to see as far as the eye could see all around. A shock was that was there was nowt to see- but thats the real America, I reckon.
We made our way along the paths towards the crocodile enclosure to see the Crocodiles of the World presentation. The boy was laggin behind looking decidedly uneasy. He was scared stiff, poor bairn. It was only when we were half way down the path that I realised he wasnt happy wherever he stood. There were tall fences either side of him but he was convinced the crocs could get him there anyway. I showed me usual fatherly understandin and told him to drag himself together and catch up with us or wed leave him there to get eaten.
The Croc show was nowt special to be honest and The Boy just stood nervously waitin to evacuate the area.
We took them on the little train that skirted the park for some light relief but it didnt help coz it skirted the marsh and hes seen alligators on that there marsh.
The boy was reluctantly dragged into the Gator Wrestlin show mind, I did give him the option of goin to play with the snakes or just hang around on the path waitin for whatever jumped out of the lake and we all settled down to see what there was to see.
Id read loads of negative comments on this part of the show and wasnt that bothered meself but we had to see what there was to see in order to justify the cost etc.. Got to say it was surprisingly entertaining in a twee and easy sort of way. Nowt like I expected. The gators were so laid back I wondered if they were drugged. The blokey with his hand in the gators mouth did a canny job and the gator tried to bite his hand off which, if rehearsed, was well executed. Julie enjoyed the show and Gaz was particularly interested in the apathy the gators showed the human food. The gadgy in the middle of the ring assured him that gators only attacked if they thought people were food and would prefer to attack smaller prey. Gaz bucked up immediately and forgot his fear of owt with a tail for, oh, two hours. But thats comin later.
After the Gator Wrestlin show we decided it wasnt worth waitin for the Gator Jumperoo show as it wasnt for another 90 minutes and it wasnt half getting hot today. So we left the Land of the Gator and set off for Boggy Creek Airboats.
Well, if we thought Gatorland was well hidden, it made Boggy Creek like one of them orienteerin games. But we eventually found it. The kids wouldnt get out the car!
But youve just seen how docile them gators are.
Them were trained gators, these are wild and probably hungry. You two go, well ask Social Services to finish our education and get us better adult carers. Thank You!
The little **** , sorry, Darlings, wouldnt budge. They were genuinely scared. This alternative holiday experience lark was startin to wear me down- I hadnt been that keen meself, remember.
We (me and V) walked around the jetty and wondered what to do. We didnt fancy goin on the boat ride and leavin them in the car for an hour. Luckily it was in shade so would be cool(ish) but the camp site the airboats are on leaves a lot to be desired even for a thoughtless parent.
There was an airboat tied up at the jetty so I coaxed the kids to come and have a look. Havin showed them how far inside they could sit, away from the river etc, they finally agreed to come on the trip. God, its hard tryin to enjoy yerself with kids, isnt it?
We booked on the 2pm trip and sat at the back, even though Edgar, our driver/captain offered the kids a front row seat. Julie wasnt happy with the ear protectors coz it meant the engine made a lot of noise. Shed wished shed left them on when Edgar told the group he once had a gator jump on-board and was a bit quiet for the rest of the voyage.
Gaz enjoyed it much more than hed expected and is now scared of nowt as long as its dead, isnt within 20 yards of him and is separated from him by a twenty foot electrified fence.
The boat ride was a real joy and a worthwhile experience. V basked in the glory that is everything I choose is worthwhile and looked smug for days thereafter. Apparently were doin the nightfall boat ride next time.
It was so very hot when we got off the boat we decided to get a drink at the shop just over the car park. It must have been really hot when you consider that wed back at ASMu in half an hour and the kids could drown themselves in all that free pop (courtesy of their refillable mugs). Anyways, we wandered into the understated establishment and me mind was thrown back to Astrids report last year and the café she likened to summat out of Deliverance. She wasnt wrong! We took one look inside and decided the kids werent that thirsty after all!
Back to the pool by 3-30, and we had our earlier chat with a beer or two. Did I tell yer the kids sat in the room watchin Pepper Anne ?!!!
So we had our usual lunch come tea of burger and chilli or cheese fries and headed off to Disney Quest around 6ish. It was unusually busy but its normally later when we go. The kids loved it though, and we left them to explore/amuse themselves while we went for our DIS fix in the internet lounge. We spent an hour or two catchin up with everything that was happenin but couldnt post the expected hello from SD and V coz it just wouldnt accept our posts. Never mind, wed seen you all so felt happier for the chat. We left DQ around 9.30 coz it was too busy and weve got an early start tomorrer.
So, Im gonna finish this beer then hit the piller. Were off for our mini-break in the mornin. 2 nights at Clearwater Beach (another V idea, so itll be alright, but ah wouldnt admit that to her), visitin Busch on the way there and back.
Me next report should be from the Gulf of Mexico.(Ahm a bit excited ,really)
