March 2006
Me 34 (Cyclops)
DW 25 (Phoenix)
DD 4 (Rogue)
DS 3 (Wolverine)
Day 4 - Thursday 2nd March
The adjustment to US time difference is a slow one. We are all up, washed and ready by 8am. Checking the weather again, its will be up to 77 today. I also noted the daily TERROR ALERT: ELEVATED. Elevated since yesterday? I dont worry knowing we have people like Jack Bauer around.
Purely by habit (already) we find ourselves on Ponderosa (again) all of us having the usual breakfast. I throw caution into the wind and state boldly well have dinner somewhere else. We passed Sweet Tomatoes on the way to Blez/Prime the other day so thats easy for us to get to, nice straight drive for DW. This place has been mentioned on the DIS a few times, so I thought we should check it out.
The adventure continues as we walk towards Universal Orlando. Yes, we actually walk! A little break from Disney today. Last time we stayed, we did not use a car and walked, so we knew it was quite close. We (I) chose Islands of Adventure today. The Spider-man ride is our first port of call. Its early 9.20 and the park is quiet. DS is measured a lot. He is 41 so passes most of the thrill rides. The official wait time is 10 minutes, but in reality its about 5. DS and DD have slight nerves about the ride, but like wearing the glasses. DS loves Spider-man before coming over to the U.S. so I really hope he enjoys this. I do love this ride but took even more pleasure seeing DS react to it. He jumped when Spidey arrives on the car, then grabs me for life and looks away when Doc Octopus attacks us. The ride finishes and everyone had a good time. Both kids look a little shook up, but both want to go back.
Walking around, the kids buggy comes to a sudden stop as DS puts he feet on the ground and shouts NO! I ask whats wrong, as he looks worried. I dont want to see the dinosaurs! he sobs pointing at the huge Jurassic Park wooden doors. A quick explanation about how there are no more dinosaurs and its all just pretend calms he as we go on our way.
We arrive at Dr Seuss Island and spend a few hours here. Mainly in the splash area where the kids have a great time as I sit for a while drinking a coffee. Its 77 and very sunny, but I do need this coffee after riding Cat in the Hat twice. Its back to Spidey and a few shops before we head on our way out. Nice easy day here today, the park was quiet. Spring Break seems not to have exploded yet!
Were all in the pool at 5.30. This is such a great way to recharge I cannot believe I ignored the pool for so many holidays! By 6.30 were ready to eat. Im actually looking forward to eating some pasta and salad after having streak and fries every day.
Were on the road and head up I-drive. The sun is setting as we see Sweet Tomatoes in front of us. DW takes a right on S Kirkman Road and taking the slip road on the left. Then our world falls apart!
Id just like to remind you this was our first time with a car, only our fourth day and we were still getting use to the US road system
We suddenly found ourselves driving in the I-4. At this time, we did not realize it WAS the I-4, so DW started to panic. We presumed the left at Kirkman would take us behind Sweet Tomatoes. Oh boy, were we wrong! DW freaks out, shouting which way should she go like I know! After a quick turn who-knows-where we hit a tollbooth and are on a very long road to nowhere. DW becomes the She-Hulk. Toll Booths really seem to set her off for some reason. I note a sign saying were heading towards Miami, but decline to mention it. (Always wanted to go, Only 200+ miles away!) We are driving for hours. 10 minutes in real time, but its dark, were lost and hungry so it feels like hours. A service station is a few miles ahead. Well just pull in there and go back the way we came. I say, trying to calm down DW. A few minutes later (feels MUCH longer!) we pull in at the service station and I ask for directions. The guys at the service station smile and hand me a printed up How-to-get-back-to piece of paper from a pile. Lost tourists are common round these parts then?
Back on the road again, I study the directions like an exam. We see a tollbooth, so I explain were close to I-drive (total guess on my part, but I was trying to be the calming voice of reason here!) We took a few turns, then I realised I gave the wrong instructions for a turn. I just kept quiet. Shes just starting to calm down, why spoil things I then spot the Sheraton Studio City Hotel standing out like a lighthouse! Eureka! Pointing this out calms DWs nerves and we drive towards it. A few minutes later we are back safely on I-drive. Still hungry, we head to Ponderosa and tonight I dont complain about the place. Im just happy were there and not on the highway to Miami!
Were soon tucked up in our hotel room. Kids asleep, DW not long behind. A bit of TV then Im asleep.
NEXT Talking donkeys and losing Patrick.
Me 34 (Cyclops)
DW 25 (Phoenix)
DD 4 (Rogue)
DS 3 (Wolverine)
Day 4 - Thursday 2nd March
The adjustment to US time difference is a slow one. We are all up, washed and ready by 8am. Checking the weather again, its will be up to 77 today. I also noted the daily TERROR ALERT: ELEVATED. Elevated since yesterday? I dont worry knowing we have people like Jack Bauer around.
Purely by habit (already) we find ourselves on Ponderosa (again) all of us having the usual breakfast. I throw caution into the wind and state boldly well have dinner somewhere else. We passed Sweet Tomatoes on the way to Blez/Prime the other day so thats easy for us to get to, nice straight drive for DW. This place has been mentioned on the DIS a few times, so I thought we should check it out.
The adventure continues as we walk towards Universal Orlando. Yes, we actually walk! A little break from Disney today. Last time we stayed, we did not use a car and walked, so we knew it was quite close. We (I) chose Islands of Adventure today. The Spider-man ride is our first port of call. Its early 9.20 and the park is quiet. DS is measured a lot. He is 41 so passes most of the thrill rides. The official wait time is 10 minutes, but in reality its about 5. DS and DD have slight nerves about the ride, but like wearing the glasses. DS loves Spider-man before coming over to the U.S. so I really hope he enjoys this. I do love this ride but took even more pleasure seeing DS react to it. He jumped when Spidey arrives on the car, then grabs me for life and looks away when Doc Octopus attacks us. The ride finishes and everyone had a good time. Both kids look a little shook up, but both want to go back.
Walking around, the kids buggy comes to a sudden stop as DS puts he feet on the ground and shouts NO! I ask whats wrong, as he looks worried. I dont want to see the dinosaurs! he sobs pointing at the huge Jurassic Park wooden doors. A quick explanation about how there are no more dinosaurs and its all just pretend calms he as we go on our way.
We arrive at Dr Seuss Island and spend a few hours here. Mainly in the splash area where the kids have a great time as I sit for a while drinking a coffee. Its 77 and very sunny, but I do need this coffee after riding Cat in the Hat twice. Its back to Spidey and a few shops before we head on our way out. Nice easy day here today, the park was quiet. Spring Break seems not to have exploded yet!
Were all in the pool at 5.30. This is such a great way to recharge I cannot believe I ignored the pool for so many holidays! By 6.30 were ready to eat. Im actually looking forward to eating some pasta and salad after having streak and fries every day.
Were on the road and head up I-drive. The sun is setting as we see Sweet Tomatoes in front of us. DW takes a right on S Kirkman Road and taking the slip road on the left. Then our world falls apart!
Id just like to remind you this was our first time with a car, only our fourth day and we were still getting use to the US road system
We suddenly found ourselves driving in the I-4. At this time, we did not realize it WAS the I-4, so DW started to panic. We presumed the left at Kirkman would take us behind Sweet Tomatoes. Oh boy, were we wrong! DW freaks out, shouting which way should she go like I know! After a quick turn who-knows-where we hit a tollbooth and are on a very long road to nowhere. DW becomes the She-Hulk. Toll Booths really seem to set her off for some reason. I note a sign saying were heading towards Miami, but decline to mention it. (Always wanted to go, Only 200+ miles away!) We are driving for hours. 10 minutes in real time, but its dark, were lost and hungry so it feels like hours. A service station is a few miles ahead. Well just pull in there and go back the way we came. I say, trying to calm down DW. A few minutes later (feels MUCH longer!) we pull in at the service station and I ask for directions. The guys at the service station smile and hand me a printed up How-to-get-back-to piece of paper from a pile. Lost tourists are common round these parts then?
Back on the road again, I study the directions like an exam. We see a tollbooth, so I explain were close to I-drive (total guess on my part, but I was trying to be the calming voice of reason here!) We took a few turns, then I realised I gave the wrong instructions for a turn. I just kept quiet. Shes just starting to calm down, why spoil things I then spot the Sheraton Studio City Hotel standing out like a lighthouse! Eureka! Pointing this out calms DWs nerves and we drive towards it. A few minutes later we are back safely on I-drive. Still hungry, we head to Ponderosa and tonight I dont complain about the place. Im just happy were there and not on the highway to Miami!
Were soon tucked up in our hotel room. Kids asleep, DW not long behind. A bit of TV then Im asleep.
NEXT Talking donkeys and losing Patrick.
) at navigating than I am, this leads to alot of 'roof hitting' by myself as I take yet another wrong turn at df instruction!!
