DAY 14 WEDNESDAY
You know what? I really can't remember what time we got up today but it must have been quite early because we had picked up DS1 & DGF from the Travelodge and were at Typhoon Lagoon by 10.00. I must have finally relaxed! Either that or the last marble dropped out at Discovery Cove yesterday. If anyone finds it can you please keep it safe for me and I will collect it next year sorry what was that? collect what? Who are you talking to? Shut up and get on with the reports! OK ..
Once again - "experts" that we now are - we travel very light and are on the first slide before most people have even got their knickers off!
Family raft ride - Rubber ring rides - shark reef - lazy river - brilliant. I've swum so much in the last few days I really think that my feet are beginning to web and DW's skin has gone all wrinkly but that's probably down to old age though....SMACK!........OUCH!..........sorry!
We all have another laze in the river and surf in the wave pool before we leave the park in search of some lunch. Once again this proves to be a good decision as just as we exit the park we can hear thunder rumbling in the distance. I dont think it will be long before they close the park.
We decide on eating at the International House of Pancakes on the 192. This turned out to be a very good decision too as the meal is great. DW & DS1 had the IHOP Burger with onion rings, DGF had chicken salad, DS had the three cheese omelette, and DD had just ice cream! And me - I had the all day breakfast/pancake combo - including drinks - the bill came to $48.00!
We drop off DS1 & DGF at their hotel and head back to AKL. It's raining quite heavily now so we amuse ourselves with various forms of pastimes - DD glue's herself to the Disney channel, DS laptops on his laptop and me and DW stroll around the hotel grounds for a while before taking a nap. The weather channel is giving out a severe weather warning for various Floridian states and Orlando is one of the names that are mentioned. They are telling us that hurricane Francis is heading straight for us! It may turn before it actually hits land but if not then we are in big trouble as it has gathered pace and is now a category 3.
We have been hanging around for about 3 hours now and the boredom has started. You know all of those cute little habits that usually make you laugh and joke - suddenly start to become intensely annoying (think - National Lampoons European Vacation! the scene on the train!) - DS and DD are locked in a battle to see who can annoy the other most! Time to get out I think.
We saddle up "happy" and drive to Magic Kingdom - the theory being that if it's been raining for three hours then the park may be quiet. How right I was!
We walk through the gates at 6.00pm and every ride is a walk-on.
Space Mountain - Buzz Lightyear - Indy Speedway - Mickey's Filmharmagic - BTMR - Splash......WOW - what a great evening. The sun is making a last quick appearance before it finally sets for the night and there are really very few people around. We ride Splash again just for good measure and this time I manage to convince the others to strike a terrified "pose" as we go over the last hill (just before the big drop) as the camera takes your picture here. We stop at the photo booth and the picture is hilarious - have you seen that movie - Who Killed Woja Wabbit or something - where the "toon" dies and his eyes bulge right out of his head? - Well that's me! - So we make a purchase. It comes in a nice frame with Splash Mountain surround. $12.95.
Wishes has started as we walk back to Mainstreet so we pause to watch the end. On the way out Mickey is standing on the Mainstreet Station bridge waving goodbye to us - quite emotional really as we go home in two days and this is our farewell visit to the Magic Kingdom. I hate this feeling - all of the build-up - the planning - the excitement. We ride the boat back to the TTC in silence - gazing wistfully back at the Castle. Goodbye MK - I hope were back again soon.
"Happy" virtually drives us back to AKL - it's almost like he knows his way now!
More refills in the refillable mugs (free) and we sit for a while in the lobby. It feels like home to us now - the African vibes - the smell from Boma - the comfortable sofas. Just two more night sleeping here before we go back to reality! Oh well........
We are watching TV - well the TV is on but nobody is actually watching it - when I thought I heard someone say that the airports were closing! WHAT? No - that can't be right! I switch to Bay News 9 for an update and after what seemed like an age - they confirmed it - Sanford and MCO will close at midnight tomorrow due to the expected arrival of hurricane Francis! This storm has now been upgraded to a category 4!
I'm straight on the phone to TCD and the advice is to try to book another 3 x nights accommodation in your hotel "just in case so I do this immediately. I rush out the door to the lift down to the lobby rush back to the lift - rush back into the room - put on some clothes! - Rush back to the lift and down to the check in desk. The lady is very helpful and tells me that Disney are totally prepared for this and have stopped taking any bookings from 9.00pm tonight so that their existing guests can stay on - if necessary. She provisionally books Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for us. I wonder how much this is going to cost but can't pluck up the courage to ask at this stage - safety first - cost later I think.
We are all in a bit of a state of shock over this - it's not something you prepare for on holiday. DW phones home to tell her mother and I get the refillable mugs refilled (for free of course didnt I tell you that?). DW's mum is aware of Francis and is worried for us but we reassure her that we seem to be in safe hands where we are. A Cast Member tells us that we should not worry as Disney has tunnels under the hotel that lead to Animal Kingdom and if the storm comes right at us we will be escorted into these tunnels. I'm not so sure about DS1 & DGF though - their hotel is quite exposed up on the 192 - but the same CM tells us that if we are worried then they can come and crash in our room for a couple of nights. Now thats service for you - they are telling us everything that we want to hear - safe and sound.
We dont sleep well tonight - trying to think the situation through and listening to the Weather channels to find more information.
Sorry Bay News Nine Bloke - you're not such a "Muppet" after all!
Tomorrow was supposed to be Seaworld but I think we had better cancel this in favour of a visit to the TCD shop at LBV to see if we can either get an earlier flight or a short flight to another part of the US and then home from there. I'm supposed to be back at work on Sunday for goodness sake and I don't have any desire to sit and watch a hurricane pass overhead if I can avoid it.
Night all -
Not much sleep and not much dreaming tonight - just worrying.
ZZ zz
Just as a foot note at this point - all those of you that have got this far - WELL DONE! - don't worry - there's only 7 more to go!!!!
You know what? I really can't remember what time we got up today but it must have been quite early because we had picked up DS1 & DGF from the Travelodge and were at Typhoon Lagoon by 10.00. I must have finally relaxed! Either that or the last marble dropped out at Discovery Cove yesterday. If anyone finds it can you please keep it safe for me and I will collect it next year sorry what was that? collect what? Who are you talking to? Shut up and get on with the reports! OK ..
Once again - "experts" that we now are - we travel very light and are on the first slide before most people have even got their knickers off!
Family raft ride - Rubber ring rides - shark reef - lazy river - brilliant. I've swum so much in the last few days I really think that my feet are beginning to web and DW's skin has gone all wrinkly but that's probably down to old age though....SMACK!........OUCH!..........sorry!
We all have another laze in the river and surf in the wave pool before we leave the park in search of some lunch. Once again this proves to be a good decision as just as we exit the park we can hear thunder rumbling in the distance. I dont think it will be long before they close the park.
We decide on eating at the International House of Pancakes on the 192. This turned out to be a very good decision too as the meal is great. DW & DS1 had the IHOP Burger with onion rings, DGF had chicken salad, DS had the three cheese omelette, and DD had just ice cream! And me - I had the all day breakfast/pancake combo - including drinks - the bill came to $48.00!
We drop off DS1 & DGF at their hotel and head back to AKL. It's raining quite heavily now so we amuse ourselves with various forms of pastimes - DD glue's herself to the Disney channel, DS laptops on his laptop and me and DW stroll around the hotel grounds for a while before taking a nap. The weather channel is giving out a severe weather warning for various Floridian states and Orlando is one of the names that are mentioned. They are telling us that hurricane Francis is heading straight for us! It may turn before it actually hits land but if not then we are in big trouble as it has gathered pace and is now a category 3.
We have been hanging around for about 3 hours now and the boredom has started. You know all of those cute little habits that usually make you laugh and joke - suddenly start to become intensely annoying (think - National Lampoons European Vacation! the scene on the train!) - DS and DD are locked in a battle to see who can annoy the other most! Time to get out I think.
We saddle up "happy" and drive to Magic Kingdom - the theory being that if it's been raining for three hours then the park may be quiet. How right I was!
We walk through the gates at 6.00pm and every ride is a walk-on.
Space Mountain - Buzz Lightyear - Indy Speedway - Mickey's Filmharmagic - BTMR - Splash......WOW - what a great evening. The sun is making a last quick appearance before it finally sets for the night and there are really very few people around. We ride Splash again just for good measure and this time I manage to convince the others to strike a terrified "pose" as we go over the last hill (just before the big drop) as the camera takes your picture here. We stop at the photo booth and the picture is hilarious - have you seen that movie - Who Killed Woja Wabbit or something - where the "toon" dies and his eyes bulge right out of his head? - Well that's me! - So we make a purchase. It comes in a nice frame with Splash Mountain surround. $12.95.
Wishes has started as we walk back to Mainstreet so we pause to watch the end. On the way out Mickey is standing on the Mainstreet Station bridge waving goodbye to us - quite emotional really as we go home in two days and this is our farewell visit to the Magic Kingdom. I hate this feeling - all of the build-up - the planning - the excitement. We ride the boat back to the TTC in silence - gazing wistfully back at the Castle. Goodbye MK - I hope were back again soon.
"Happy" virtually drives us back to AKL - it's almost like he knows his way now!
More refills in the refillable mugs (free) and we sit for a while in the lobby. It feels like home to us now - the African vibes - the smell from Boma - the comfortable sofas. Just two more night sleeping here before we go back to reality! Oh well........
We are watching TV - well the TV is on but nobody is actually watching it - when I thought I heard someone say that the airports were closing! WHAT? No - that can't be right! I switch to Bay News 9 for an update and after what seemed like an age - they confirmed it - Sanford and MCO will close at midnight tomorrow due to the expected arrival of hurricane Francis! This storm has now been upgraded to a category 4!
I'm straight on the phone to TCD and the advice is to try to book another 3 x nights accommodation in your hotel "just in case so I do this immediately. I rush out the door to the lift down to the lobby rush back to the lift - rush back into the room - put on some clothes! - Rush back to the lift and down to the check in desk. The lady is very helpful and tells me that Disney are totally prepared for this and have stopped taking any bookings from 9.00pm tonight so that their existing guests can stay on - if necessary. She provisionally books Friday, Saturday and Sunday night for us. I wonder how much this is going to cost but can't pluck up the courage to ask at this stage - safety first - cost later I think.
We are all in a bit of a state of shock over this - it's not something you prepare for on holiday. DW phones home to tell her mother and I get the refillable mugs refilled (for free of course didnt I tell you that?). DW's mum is aware of Francis and is worried for us but we reassure her that we seem to be in safe hands where we are. A Cast Member tells us that we should not worry as Disney has tunnels under the hotel that lead to Animal Kingdom and if the storm comes right at us we will be escorted into these tunnels. I'm not so sure about DS1 & DGF though - their hotel is quite exposed up on the 192 - but the same CM tells us that if we are worried then they can come and crash in our room for a couple of nights. Now thats service for you - they are telling us everything that we want to hear - safe and sound.
We dont sleep well tonight - trying to think the situation through and listening to the Weather channels to find more information.
Sorry Bay News Nine Bloke - you're not such a "Muppet" after all!
Tomorrow was supposed to be Seaworld but I think we had better cancel this in favour of a visit to the TCD shop at LBV to see if we can either get an earlier flight or a short flight to another part of the US and then home from there. I'm supposed to be back at work on Sunday for goodness sake and I don't have any desire to sit and watch a hurricane pass overhead if I can avoid it.
Night all -
Not much sleep and not much dreaming tonight - just worrying.
ZZ zz
Just as a foot note at this point - all those of you that have got this far - WELL DONE! - don't worry - there's only 7 more to go!!!!
