Well, it had to come to an end some time

[Mrs Dazzle]

We're home - and did we have a great time. Got back to Gatwick 6.30 yesterday morning from Miami airport (yeuch, didn't like this airport, sorry to offend anyone who either works there or likes it ).

I will be compiling trip reports over the next few weeks, still a little sleepy cos loads of people were letting off fireworks till gone 10pm last night and Darryl and Katie were flat out at 8pm. Thought we did well to last that long, personally, given none of us sleep well on planes - read that as NO SLEEP AT ALL for me

Anyway, a quick list of Highs and Lows to go on with . . . .

HIGHS
HOTELS: (and we did stay in just a few!). In order of stay:

Gatwick Hilton for Twilight Check-in - great as always, so handy.

Sheraton Safari - great location, hotel fine for our base, (but full of convention guests - more in trip report).

Animal Kingdom Lodge - ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC, so pleased we decided to stay here for two nights and we loved every single moment of it.

Hard Rock - what a blast! And the front line access - made you feel like royalty.

Marco Island Hilton - loved this place too. We actually spent a whole week at this hotel (rather than hopping on our first week as above) - lovely hotel right on the beach, Marco Island gorgeous.

Cheeca Lodge, Florida Keys - What a disappointment. The resort itself was fantastic - but our room was very much in need of an immediate refubishment. Given this resort is included in The Most Luxurious Small Hotels in the World guide - not our room, sunshines! I did tell them and will be writing to Virgin to let them know, too.

THINGS WE DONE!

I guess this was the holiday of lots of 'firsts' for us - particularly Darryl and Katie who had not been down to the Keys and Everglades before.

Parks - great fun as usual, but first timers in Islands of Adventure and did we enjoy this. Have to admit to not being real thrill seeker coaster fans (well, I might be, just haven't plucked that final bit of courage out of my socks yet). Really wanted to go on Hulk, but when I stood and watched it by the water it seemed to go vertically up and loop, then again on the other side . . . ooh, maybe next time. Loved Jurassic Park - even Katie went on it again with me. MNSSHP - a real night to remember, loved every minute and walked on all the rides!! IllumiNations fireworks at Epcot - stunning; Stars and their Cars Parade at MGM..... and so much more.

There were loads more characters in the parks and Katie got 41 autographs in all - one happy bunny

Airboat ride in the Everglades - fantastic; snorkelling in the Keys - all I'd hoped for and so much more; feeding tarpon off the dock in the keys - wild ; visiting our friends in W Palm Beach - a lovely day, even managed to take all the right roads this time.

There's really so much to say, we've just downloaded some pictures from the newly acquired digital camera on to the PC so lots of memories to come over the next few days.

Only a couple of lows . . . . Cheeca Lodge room and having to come home (we even had two cracks at the Florida Lotto, but we're home so that tells you we didn't win!).

Anyone got any questions, fire away - I'll check back in later but for now I've got to fight my way into the utility room past all the washing, sob.

Glad to be back amongst all our friends though

 

[kazzie]

Hi,

Welcome back Pleased to hear you had such a great time.

We came back from Miami airport last Saturday and I didn't like it either. Shame about Cheeca Lodge,the resort we were in very close to you was Hawk's cay Resort,it was lovely.Cheeca Lodge is supposed to be exclusive isn't it? I read somewhere George Bush Snr.(I think it was ) holidays there.

 

[tracymiami]

cant wait to hear all about it.

I have some questions (you knew we would)

I take it you drove from Orlando to The Keys (correct me if i am wrong) what i wanted to know was how long did it take and was the stop off at the everglades easy because that is what we want to do. I have done the airboat ride before and it was a massive highlight of my holiday so i want martin to do it to.

We are planning to stay at the cheaspeak reasort in windley key was that quiet near to you. Saw the Cheeca Lodge and that was on my list so pleased you posted about it (sorry it was not all that). Is there much to do in The Keys.

Thanks again and hope you got some shut eye.

Take care hugs

T

 

[SpottyDog]

Oh,Annie It's such a downer when someone comes home coz we all know exactly how yer all feel.

Bring all yer pics and souvies to Gatesheed and we'll all be back there if only for a few minutes

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome home

Sorry to hear about Cheeca Lodge

Will you bring your photos to the Northern Meet Annie? I'd love to see them!

Come on! We can't wait to hear! Did Darryl go on Spiderman??????????????

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hi Tracy - Orlando to WK 4-4.5 hours, easy peasy drive on the old Turnpike then down the long and winding (straight really!) road down the Keys. The Cheasapeake was second on my list and I wish we'd gone there now!! If we'd been staying any longer than 2 nights at Cheeca I would have started complaining (and believe me I can complain like the best of the rest ).

The Chesapeake again is in a great location - but here's a few tips for things to do/places to eat (bearing in mind we were only there 2 nights!):

Everglades trip - Speedy Johnson's definitely recommended (if you need any other details, let me know cos somewhere in the pile of unpacking is a leaflet . . . I think!).

Feed the tarpons (massive fish) at Robbie's Marina (again I'll give you more info if needed). Great laugh.

We went snorkelling from Cheeca - fantastic. Scuba diving will be even better (you know, that's why I booked the extra 2 nights at cheeca, but then found out that you have to allow min of 48 hours after diving before flying . Never mind - next time . )

Dinner at The Outback at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Islamorada and at Gusto's again on Islamorada. Would highly recommend both. (just watch the quantities at Outback . . more will be revealed in trip report!).

Dave - surely you don't mean you really want us to bring ALL our souvenirs?? I collect everything, you know!!

 

[UKANGEL]

yes yes Annie, bring everything!!!
Glad you had a good time, and have to agree with you about HRH and front of the line access...wasn't it great!

 

[BevS97]

Hi Annie

so glad you had a good trip, and so sorry that you've had to come home.

we've also flown via Miami, and I have to agree it's pretty awful. the AKL is amazing isn't it! We just loved our stay there.

Bev

 

[squitty]

Welcome Home

I cant wait to hear more.

 

[Mazzy]

Welcome Back Annie!

Sounds like you had a brilliant time!

 

[Janice]

Welcome Home Annie, Darryl and Katie - sounds wonderful!

Looking forward to seeing pictures etc - we want them all!

 

[Hilary]

Welcome back!

Glad you had a great time, and I'd love to hear more when you get a chance as the Everglades are on our wish list for 2004!

 

[UKDEB]

Hi Annie,

Glad you all had a great trip. Sounds very different to ours as (once again ) we failed to stray far from the parks. Didn't make the beach again (which I can live with as I don't like sand!), but didn't get to Winter Park either, which I really wanted to do - got outvoted!

See you at Gateshead.