DAY 16 - FRIDAY
The phone is ringing at 7.00am - it's the MIL. She is tracking Francis at home in the UK and it's not looking good - we are projected to be right in the path - a direct hit! All flights to and from Florida are now officially cancelled until further notice. I bet there are thousands of poor disappointed people at the UK airports right now. I can't help but to feel for them and their families. I feel lucky somehow - we have had our holiday. We have had a great time and are now just waiting to go home - whereas - there are people who have just arrived into this situation are unable to even start their holiday let alone the worry of the impending storm. I actually have a work colleague who is also in Orlando - he came out on the same flight as DS1 & DGF. I will have to give him a ring later.
We are going to try for one last park before the storm arrives - Seaworld.
We pack the clan into "Happy" - pick up DS1 & DGF from their hotel and drive up International Drive South towards Seaworld. There's not much traffic about this morning - I think most people are ether leaving town or "battening down the hatches" in readiness of Francis.
The car park at Seaworld is virtually empty and we stroll in without any fuss. Straight to the dolphin arena to feed flipper and his mates.
I purchase the "smelly fish bits" from the shop and distribute them among the family but before I can get the video camera out - Flipper and his mates have swallowed the lot! OK - try again - this time I request that they wait until I have my camera ready! Too late - before I can say "Stop!" DD has "done the lot" again. Oh I give up! I concentrate on DW's attempt to feed them and just as the dolphin comes out of the water to take the fish - DD pushes past to see and I get a great shot of the back of her head. I throw an "artistic strop" and swear never to bring my children out with me ever again! The thought also crosses my mind about taking DD to feed the sharks! ..... We move on!
We move round to the underwater viewing chamber and get some great views of the baby dolphin with its mother. Then we also get a very close up insight into the dolphins' mating habits! Quick exit and leave the lady to explain that one to a group of school kids. DD is very amused! I keep quiet for fear of being asked a question or twelve from DS! How? What? When? Where? Why? - Dunno - Dunno - Dunno - Dunno - Dunno.......
Moving on.......
Both DS's & DGF ride Kraken (OK - I bottled out!) and then we all go on Atlantis - this is the first time for us all - this ride was broken during our previous visit to Orlando. Very good ride but boy - do I get soaked! (Yes I do - thanks for asking!) Not by the water from the big drop - it was those pesky fountains at the end! Not funny! Well I suppose it was really but at the time......well....you know! I have to do the DW waddle (legs akimbo stylie). I can't see her laughing on the outside but I'm pretty sure what she's thinking. Something about knickers and a hand dryer - I suspect!
We go to watch the Shamu Show which is all a bit weird. The whales are playing up a bit and won't do as they're told. I wonder if they are "spooked" by the storm coming. They say that some animals can sense when there is trouble brewing - Oh all right - I know that a whale is just a big fish but it's the same thing isn't it?
Polar expedition next - again - a first for us all. I really don't remember too much about this attraction but I think it was OK. I am half enjoying the day but I can't stop thinking about what the next few days will bring. I feel responsible for the safety of our whole party but this hurricane is not something I can claim to have any experience of. It's very difficult to know what to do for the best. I wonder if I should have pursued the route of trying to get out of Florida by another means. Too late now - hope this is not something that I will regret later.
The Clyde & Seymour show is next. I thought that the bloke "taking the Mickey" out of the arriving guests was better than the actual show itself. He was really good.
We indulge in a couple of free beers at the hospitality suite before a walk through the Clydesdale Hamlet and another feeding session at the Sea lion enclosure (I refuse to film this out of principle!)
After DS1 picks up his photos from the shop we take one last walk around the Tropical Reef before we leave the park. There are not many people left in the park now and it feels a little strange - talk about "the quiet before the storm!"
We drive down to Wal-Mat on the Osceola Parkway to get some supplies but the store is half empty already. Sonic is closed (we were going to get a snack while we were there) and the shelves are pretty depleted. So we grab what we need and call in to IHOP for dinner. I can't help but be amazed at the prices in this place. The service is great too - I think this is now officially my favourite restaurant. All the usual faire and under $50 for all six of us!
DS1 & DGF are dropped off at their hotel and we drive "Home" to AKL.
We swim/laptop/watch TV and snooze (depending on age) and catch up on the latest weather reports. The news isn't good - Francis is getting closer and stronger as every hour passes. I'm worried about DS1 & DGF staying in their hotel up on the 192 - it's a bit exposed up there and the staff in their hotel doesnt seem as "On the ball" as the Disney people. Mind you - if it comes to a choice between being trapped in a small room with us lot for 48 hours or sitting out the storm on their own in the peace and quiet of their own hotel room then - well - I might actually go join them!
I'm watching that bloke on the weather channel and he's now saying that there is another storm following Francis! What's up with this weather? I know that it's the hurricane season but that doesn't mean that they all have to hit Florida does it?
Not sure what we are going to do tomorrow. I guess we should be able to go out in the morning but I think that there is going to be a curfew in the afternoon.
Disney has confirmed that all of their parks will be closed tomorrow and Sunday. This must be costing them a fortune in lost revenue. Mind you - if we do get a direct hit then the damage in the parks could be colossal. Apparently the staff are busy tonight - taking down anything that may get blown down and putting as much of their property under cover as possible. There is so much that you don't think about in situations like this - you hear it on the news but don't really know about the real cost to the people who are caught up in catastrophes like this.
I get the (Free) coffees in the refillable mugs - good job we bought these wasn't it?
We go to bed but I find it very difficult to sleep - worry I suppose.
Night all -
I don't really dream tonight but during one or two naps I wake with a jolt - who keeps stealing my fish?
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz
The phone is ringing at 7.00am - it's the MIL. She is tracking Francis at home in the UK and it's not looking good - we are projected to be right in the path - a direct hit! All flights to and from Florida are now officially cancelled until further notice. I bet there are thousands of poor disappointed people at the UK airports right now. I can't help but to feel for them and their families. I feel lucky somehow - we have had our holiday. We have had a great time and are now just waiting to go home - whereas - there are people who have just arrived into this situation are unable to even start their holiday let alone the worry of the impending storm. I actually have a work colleague who is also in Orlando - he came out on the same flight as DS1 & DGF. I will have to give him a ring later.
We are going to try for one last park before the storm arrives - Seaworld.
We pack the clan into "Happy" - pick up DS1 & DGF from their hotel and drive up International Drive South towards Seaworld. There's not much traffic about this morning - I think most people are ether leaving town or "battening down the hatches" in readiness of Francis.
The car park at Seaworld is virtually empty and we stroll in without any fuss. Straight to the dolphin arena to feed flipper and his mates.
I purchase the "smelly fish bits" from the shop and distribute them among the family but before I can get the video camera out - Flipper and his mates have swallowed the lot! OK - try again - this time I request that they wait until I have my camera ready! Too late - before I can say "Stop!" DD has "done the lot" again. Oh I give up! I concentrate on DW's attempt to feed them and just as the dolphin comes out of the water to take the fish - DD pushes past to see and I get a great shot of the back of her head. I throw an "artistic strop" and swear never to bring my children out with me ever again! The thought also crosses my mind about taking DD to feed the sharks! ..... We move on!
We move round to the underwater viewing chamber and get some great views of the baby dolphin with its mother. Then we also get a very close up insight into the dolphins' mating habits! Quick exit and leave the lady to explain that one to a group of school kids. DD is very amused! I keep quiet for fear of being asked a question or twelve from DS! How? What? When? Where? Why? - Dunno - Dunno - Dunno - Dunno - Dunno.......
Moving on.......
Both DS's & DGF ride Kraken (OK - I bottled out!) and then we all go on Atlantis - this is the first time for us all - this ride was broken during our previous visit to Orlando. Very good ride but boy - do I get soaked! (Yes I do - thanks for asking!) Not by the water from the big drop - it was those pesky fountains at the end! Not funny! Well I suppose it was really but at the time......well....you know! I have to do the DW waddle (legs akimbo stylie). I can't see her laughing on the outside but I'm pretty sure what she's thinking. Something about knickers and a hand dryer - I suspect!
We go to watch the Shamu Show which is all a bit weird. The whales are playing up a bit and won't do as they're told. I wonder if they are "spooked" by the storm coming. They say that some animals can sense when there is trouble brewing - Oh all right - I know that a whale is just a big fish but it's the same thing isn't it?
Polar expedition next - again - a first for us all. I really don't remember too much about this attraction but I think it was OK. I am half enjoying the day but I can't stop thinking about what the next few days will bring. I feel responsible for the safety of our whole party but this hurricane is not something I can claim to have any experience of. It's very difficult to know what to do for the best. I wonder if I should have pursued the route of trying to get out of Florida by another means. Too late now - hope this is not something that I will regret later.
The Clyde & Seymour show is next. I thought that the bloke "taking the Mickey" out of the arriving guests was better than the actual show itself. He was really good.
We indulge in a couple of free beers at the hospitality suite before a walk through the Clydesdale Hamlet and another feeding session at the Sea lion enclosure (I refuse to film this out of principle!)
After DS1 picks up his photos from the shop we take one last walk around the Tropical Reef before we leave the park. There are not many people left in the park now and it feels a little strange - talk about "the quiet before the storm!"
We drive down to Wal-Mat on the Osceola Parkway to get some supplies but the store is half empty already. Sonic is closed (we were going to get a snack while we were there) and the shelves are pretty depleted. So we grab what we need and call in to IHOP for dinner. I can't help but be amazed at the prices in this place. The service is great too - I think this is now officially my favourite restaurant. All the usual faire and under $50 for all six of us!
DS1 & DGF are dropped off at their hotel and we drive "Home" to AKL.
We swim/laptop/watch TV and snooze (depending on age) and catch up on the latest weather reports. The news isn't good - Francis is getting closer and stronger as every hour passes. I'm worried about DS1 & DGF staying in their hotel up on the 192 - it's a bit exposed up there and the staff in their hotel doesnt seem as "On the ball" as the Disney people. Mind you - if it comes to a choice between being trapped in a small room with us lot for 48 hours or sitting out the storm on their own in the peace and quiet of their own hotel room then - well - I might actually go join them!
I'm watching that bloke on the weather channel and he's now saying that there is another storm following Francis! What's up with this weather? I know that it's the hurricane season but that doesn't mean that they all have to hit Florida does it?
Not sure what we are going to do tomorrow. I guess we should be able to go out in the morning but I think that there is going to be a curfew in the afternoon.
Disney has confirmed that all of their parks will be closed tomorrow and Sunday. This must be costing them a fortune in lost revenue. Mind you - if we do get a direct hit then the damage in the parks could be colossal. Apparently the staff are busy tonight - taking down anything that may get blown down and putting as much of their property under cover as possible. There is so much that you don't think about in situations like this - you hear it on the news but don't really know about the real cost to the people who are caught up in catastrophes like this.
I get the (Free) coffees in the refillable mugs - good job we bought these wasn't it?
We go to bed but I find it very difficult to sleep - worry I suppose.
Night all -
I don't really dream tonight but during one or two naps I wake with a jolt - who keeps stealing my fish?
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz
