Holiday!

It's time for another family holiday - this time to sunny Menorca! Mind you, the weather here in England looks better than over there right now.

Anyway, I'll be back in a week (when the first thing I'll do is watch the midseason cliffhanger of Doctor Who). Hasta la vista!

Day 15 (and 16) - Home

Back home, safe, sound and somewhat weary. Yesterday, we wandered around the block around the hotel looking in the bargain gift shops and buying a few nibbles for the airport. Then just after lunch the bus (a better one than that that took us to the parks) took us to the airport.

Airport okay and they loaded us onto the plane early. Airplane was different type going back, smaller with much shorter leg space - very cramped. And the films were even the same ones as going out! Not very good. Thankfully, due to a brisk tail wind, we arrived 1hr 45mins early.

Once back and after waiting an age for our luggage, we got a taxi home and, because it was still early and dark, had a short sleep.

Overall, a very good holiday, if a little rushed and tiring on the feet.

Day 14 - IoA and Universal again

Decided to do Islands of Adventure and Universal again today. IoA was very busy - waited 80 mins for Hippogriff ride. Jimmy neutron ride broke down just before we went on. Bribed Hannah to go on Simpsons ride again - very good. Cold today.

Dinner was at IHOP again. now stuffed.

Tomorrow the bus comes for us at lunchtime to take us to the airport. Then its a long flight back home :(

Day 13 - Epcot again

This is a day late because we were back late on Thurs. We decided to stay late to catch the fireworks at Epcot. Got the 9.25 bus. Forecast was for rain all day but wasnt actually that bad until later. A little cold though.

Did Ellens Energy adventure, Test track and a few other things again and then headed around the World Showcase. Hannah did the Kim Possible quest thing for a while as well. Seem to take ages to get around this.

Ate at Electric umbrella and then saw Illuminations display. Very good but downwind of smoke. A minute after the end the heavens opened and it rained lots. Got late bus and went to bed.

Day Twelve - Late Magic Kingdom again

Today we decided to go to Magic Kingdom later after a lazy morning which Hannah spent in the pool. Then we got the bus at 11.50am. This set the record for the longest trip ever. Yes it was nearly empty but it took 2 hours to get to the park.

Once there we saw a couple of characters, got a fast pass for Big Thunder Mountain and then watched the parade (which wasnt rained off this time). Then we did BTM, buzz lightyear, space mountain, peoplemover, speedway, laugh floor and then ate at Starlight Cafe at MK.

It then started to rain and so we headed back on the bus which was better coming back. Tomorrow its set to rain and thunder alll day. :(

Day Eleven - Hollywood Studios

Day eleven saw us going to the final park we havent yet visited and the first rainy day here in Orlando. We got the early bus to Hollywood studios which is much better than the later one so we got there for opening. We then rushed for a fastpass for the Toy Story Mania ride which is very popular. We also tried the Tower of Terror which none of us liked - Hannah most of all.

Just before the 3pm parade the heavens opened and it threw it down. It sort of drizzled throughout most of the rest of the day.

For dinner we went to the Golden Corral which was okayish.

Day Ten - Universal Studios

Again we braved the old and packed shuttle bus and headed to Universal studios. First thing we tried was the new Simpsons ride which we thought Hannah would like because shes a big fan. Unfortunately it was too intense for her and she didnt like it - unlike us who thought it was one of the best rides here.

Instead Hannah really liked the ET ride - even though the film was out 20 years before she was born. She loved it so much we did it again and bought a cuddly ET. She also like the Jimmy Neutron ride, Woody's coaster and the Men in Black ride!

Then it was back to the hotel for a free beer before heading out to nearby Dennys again. Omelette and chocolate cake (not together) for me. Yes, for the first time we actually manage desserts. Our bellies much be getting bigger!

Together we may try another early start - we'll see how that goes.

Day Nine - Spooktacular Seaworld

Breakfast in the hotel and then the I-ride off to Seaworld for our "free" second day. It was Halloween today and Seaworld had its Spooktacular event on. This was brilliant with various characters, little shows and Hannah managed to get a metric tonne of candy. Seriously we had enough to last us until next Halloween. We also did some shows too.

Before the rush, we headed back on the iride and went to Giordanos for pizza. Excellent pizza and plenty of it. Other than at Seaworld, there didnt seem to be much trick or treating going on. Mind you we didnt walk down Intl Drive much this evening.

Again very hot and this holiday is turning out to be very tiring. I'm knackered.

Day Eight - Pool and Shop

After a late start we decided to head out for breakfast at Dennys. This was excellent, great service and much better than the hotel breakfast. Then we went back to the hotel and in the pool.

In the acternoon we headed to Festival Bay for some shopping and then to Prime again. Hannah bought another pin for the colection and she got some shoes. Then back on the i-ride to Walgreens for more suncream before trying to get into the Golden Corral. There was a big queue though and we'd had enough of queues so instead we headed to Perkins. Busy and service not great. Bit still full bellies!

Day Seven - Epcot

Epcot today. We got the the busy bus at 9.25 which was packed again and went around the houses before heading to Disney. By the time we got there it was mid morning so we decided to stay a little later.

Good job we did because Epcot was busy. Still, with a couple of good uses of fastpasses we got on Soaring and Test Track - both good. We also did Mission Earth, the Sea place, Figments imagination doodah and most of Future World and the lands. We missed out Ellens Energy adventure and one or two other things but we'll do that another day...

...Partially because we didnt really do the World Showcase area other than Mexico and Norway. Hannah did get given a pin to add to her small collection from a CM and we also bought a Figment one. Then at 8pm we headed back to the hotel before going to CiCis pizza for dinner. Now Im stuffed with pizza and ready for bed.

Day off again tomorrow I think.

Day Six - Seaworld

After a late start - which means a busy breakfast in the hotel lobby - we went and got the I-ride down to Seaworld. The I-ride bus was very busy and very slow - it took us about 50mins to get there.

Once at Seaworld we headed first to Wild Artic to cool off and then to the Shamu show. This wasn't as good as we remember but still entertaining. Best show was probably the dolphin show, followed closely by the cats and dogs show. Hannah liked the little Shamu coaster. It did feel all a bit of a rush though.

Heading on the green line I-ride we then went to the IHOP for dinner. Burger for me, some sort of vegetable crepe for Michelle and a kids breakfast for Hannah. After looking around a few tacky gift shops we headed back to the hotel. Blimey it was hot and humid again today though.

Day Five - Magic Kingdom

After the "rest" yesterday, today we headed out to Magic Kingdom. Early. Which is a bit of a rush to get the 7.25am bus. However we do get there when parks are emptyish and in time for the opening ceremony (which tbh is ok but not wonderful).

From there we went straight to Big Thunder Mountain - 3 times. Then we head around the park anticlockwise and do most of it, Hannah getting another pin for her little collection as we go. I even get to be Mike Wachoski (or however you spell it) in the Monsters Inc Laugh thingy.

At 6 we headed back on the old bus which went round the houses and had a burger and beer at the hotel abd a doughnut from Dunkin' Donuts. We may have to do MK later some other time to do the paradea and evening shows. But very hot and humid today.

Day Four - Pool and Shopping

Today we gave the theme parks a miss and instead had the hotel pool to ourselves in the morning, had a bite to eat for lunch in our room and then went to the Prime outlets at the north end of Intl drive to do some shopping. Daughter bought a lanyard and pin at the Disney outlet, wife bought some smellies from the Bath and Body Works and we also bought a few gifts (plus a very large icecream and brownie). Prime outlets has been done up since we were last here but although it looks better we don't think its improved.

For dinner we headed to good ol' Dennys and had a lovely meal. I had chopped steak, smothered in bbq sauce, onions, peppers whilst the other two had big breakfasts. Yum.

Tomorrow we might try Magic Kingdom.

Day Three - IoA

Today was Islands of Adventure. The shuttle bus was again a bit of a drama again. God knows how it made it it looked so old. And it was packed. Anyway the park to begin with seemed quite quiet but then it got busier. Harry Potter world was very busy.

This evening my daughter was feeling a bit worse for wear and ill. So we just had a small bite to eat in our room. Tomorrow we'll have a more restful day.

Day Two - Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom today.

We had got up early and were planning on getting the early shuttle bus but breakfast didn't start until 7am so we missed it. So we walked around the area a bit. By 9am I was worn out.

Shuttle bus was a bit of a farce. But eventually we got there. Did Expedition Everest for the first time (not sure about the backwards bit) as well as Primeval Whirl, Finding nemo, and the safari tours thing. Now just back from some dinner at Perkins and very tired.

Who knows what for tomorrow.

Day one - flight

I can see that my spelling isnt going to be up to much on this iPod. :)

Anyway after about 5 hrs restless sleep its now the start of our first "proper" day of our hols. But first more about yesterday. We got to the airport at 9am and were thru checkin and security in half an hour! Flight was sort of on time and generally ok. However after watching a movie, eating a meal and reading a little, you realise only 3 hrs has gone by with 6 left. My it takes ages!

We were then thru immigration and collected our luggage quickly. But then had to wait nearly an hour for our bus transport. First impressions of the hotel was that the lobby area was small - it reminded me of those dodgy motels you see in movies. Still the man behind the front desk seems friendly and our room is spacious and nice.

Not sure what we'll do today - Animal kingdom, go to the rep meeting thingy at Universal or collapse in a heap due to lack of sleep?

We're here in the US of A

We've made it to Florida! Very tired now as its 9:30pm here which is like after 2am. Everything ok, floght generally fine. More tomorrow ( maybe).

I'm off...

Well, from tomorrow I'm off on my jolly holidays to Florida for two weeks! I may post some rough, typo-filled notes whilst over there - if I have wi-fi access that is! I shall warn you now though that these notes may make very little sense other than to myself and may not appear at all if I'm busy trekking around the theme parks or stuffing myself with American portions of food. Hmmm, burgers...

I have ensured that I've set my BT Vision+ box to record the Sarah Jane Adventures next week as it stars the Doctor and a weird looking Jo Grant (or does Katy Manning look a little strange only to me?). And, of course, I'll be recording Merlin.

TTFN.

Testing...

Thought I'd try a test post from my iPod Touch to see how easy it is. And whether it actually works! This is all in preparation for a forthcoming trip to Florida and the Land of the Mouse-ears (ie. Walt Disney World) where I might post something. If i have a wireless connection, that is.

Anyway that's it for now. Heck I might even do some other posts about Merlin or Smallville or something. :)