Orlando 19 February - 27 February
2004
(competition win!)
(competition win!)
Thursday 19th February
Set off down to our Travelodge near Macclesfield and arrived
about 4.30pm. Went for our evening meal at the J D Wetherspoons in Macclesfield
and then had an early night before our even earlier start in the morning.
Friday 20th February
Got up at 5.50am and headed for Manchester Airport. Dropped
the car off at the Premier Car Park and then checked in at Terminal 1. Finally
boarded the plane and took off ¾ hour late at 10.00am. We watched 3 film
(School of Rock, Looney Tunes – Back In Action and Matchstick Men) and an
episode of Friends. We were served a meal of chicken bake, peas and sweetcorn,
roll and butter, cheese and crackers and a lemon sponge with a cup of tea. We
also had a quick snack of orange juice, blackcurrant muffin and tea just before
we landed. We arrived at 6.30pm British time and 1.30pm Florida time. Got our
car and found our hotel (Days Inn Lakeside) and checked in before going to Popeye’s Chicken and
Biscuit Diner. We then bought a phone card in Walgreen’s and phoned home. Jim
and I went for a drink at the Tiki Bar before nipping to the 7/11 for lager
coke and water.
Saturday 21st February
Got up at 7.00am and had showers before heading down for our
All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet in the hotel. We then visited the local library
to use the internet. After that we went back to our hotel and spent a relaxing
afternoon swimming and sunbathing by the heated pool. (It was so warm it was
like swimming in a hot bath!)
We got changed and went for our evening meal at 5.00pm. We tried the McDonald’s opposite our hotel as it serves Italian bistro dishes as well as the usual fast food. Jim and I had a chicken panini and a philly steak panini between us and Ross had the usual McDonald’s fayre! We then went for a drive down International Drive to check out the shops and the restaurants for breakfast tomorrow. We then went to Walmart so I could stock up on lace, ribbon and embroidery threads. Arrived back at our hotel at 10.00pm and played cribbage with Ross.
We got changed and went for our evening meal at 5.00pm. We tried the McDonald’s opposite our hotel as it serves Italian bistro dishes as well as the usual fast food. Jim and I had a chicken panini and a philly steak panini between us and Ross had the usual McDonald’s fayre! We then went for a drive down International Drive to check out the shops and the restaurants for breakfast tomorrow. We then went to Walmart so I could stock up on lace, ribbon and embroidery threads. Arrived back at our hotel at 10.00pm and played cribbage with Ross.
Sunday 22nd February
Had an All-U-Can-Eat breakfast at the Ponderosa, then set
off for the Flea Market on Highway 192.
Managed to buy Gran’s necklace and bracelet eventually. We then had a round of Adventure Golf (Ross and I beat Jim by 1 stroke)
and then headed back to the hotel to spend the rest of the afternoon at the pool. When we returned to our room the red light was flashing on our telephone to tell us we had a message. It was a voicemail from Roy (an American friend) to say he was in town and would we like to meet up for dinner. We phoned his number back and made arrangements. He came over to our hotel and we took him to the Ponderosa. We had a long and interesting conversation over dinner and then returned to our hotel and said goodbye to Roy. He told us he might be able to get us free tickets to Busch Gardens and Sea World but would phone us tomorrow to let us know. We had a couple of cans of lager and played cards before going to bed.
Managed to buy Gran’s necklace and bracelet eventually. We then had a round of Adventure Golf (Ross and I beat Jim by 1 stroke)
and then headed back to the hotel to spend the rest of the afternoon at the pool. When we returned to our room the red light was flashing on our telephone to tell us we had a message. It was a voicemail from Roy (an American friend) to say he was in town and would we like to meet up for dinner. We phoned his number back and made arrangements. He came over to our hotel and we took him to the Ponderosa. We had a long and interesting conversation over dinner and then returned to our hotel and said goodbye to Roy. He told us he might be able to get us free tickets to Busch Gardens and Sea World but would phone us tomorrow to let us know. We had a couple of cans of lager and played cards before going to bed.
Monday 23rd February
Got up and had showers. Had breakfast in the McDonald’s on
International Drive and then booked an hours internet time in the library. We
then went back to International Drive and took the plunge and had our first
ride in a helicopter. The pilot flew us over the I4 past Wet and Wild and
Universal Studios and then back down International Drive. It was a very
memorable experience, especially when we turned to come back down International
Drive.
After we landed we went to the Official Visitors Centre to pick up a few leaflets before visiting Festival Bay – a new shopping mall which has opened since the last time we were here.
Then it was on to the Belz Outlet Shops where we had a meal in Subway. We came back to the hotel and spent some time at the pool. We then changed and phoned Roy. He has managed to get us free tickets for both Busch Gardens and Sea World – wonderful. We went back to the library to access the internet again, called at a few shops on the way home and had a complimentary coffee in Publix then bought a pack of 3 Haagen-Das Double Caramel Bars on the way out – delicious!
After we landed we went to the Official Visitors Centre to pick up a few leaflets before visiting Festival Bay – a new shopping mall which has opened since the last time we were here.
Then it was on to the Belz Outlet Shops where we had a meal in Subway. We came back to the hotel and spent some time at the pool. We then changed and phoned Roy. He has managed to get us free tickets for both Busch Gardens and Sea World – wonderful. We went back to the library to access the internet again, called at a few shops on the way home and had a complimentary coffee in Publix then bought a pack of 3 Haagen-Das Double Caramel Bars on the way out – delicious!
Tuesday 24th February
Got up at 7.45am and had our All-U-Can-Eat breakfast at the
Ponderosa. After phoning Gran, we set off for Busch Gardens. The weather was
overcast but warm when we arrived and we spent about an hour walking about
looking at the animals before boarding the steam train which took us round the
park.
When we stopped at the Stanleyville train stop the heavens opened, so we got off and sheltered in the station. The rain continued for quite a long time so we made a run for it when it went off a bit. We went to see the 4D show of the Haunted Lighthouse and got sprayed twice and felt “rats” round our legs – very realistic! When we came out we stopped off to see a brass band play before making our way to the Bird Show.
We saw all kinds of parrots, a vulture, a condor and a flamingo. We then saw a rock and roll show before calling it a day as it was still raining. We made a dash for the exit and then the trailer took us back to the parking lot. Drove home in the pouring rain. Had our evening meal in Burger King on International Drive, where one customer had plugged his lap-top into the mains supply at the side of his table and was working away on his computer! We paid a quick visit to the library to access the internet before returning to our hotel.
When we stopped at the Stanleyville train stop the heavens opened, so we got off and sheltered in the station. The rain continued for quite a long time so we made a run for it when it went off a bit. We went to see the 4D show of the Haunted Lighthouse and got sprayed twice and felt “rats” round our legs – very realistic! When we came out we stopped off to see a brass band play before making our way to the Bird Show.
We saw all kinds of parrots, a vulture, a condor and a flamingo. We then saw a rock and roll show before calling it a day as it was still raining. We made a dash for the exit and then the trailer took us back to the parking lot. Drove home in the pouring rain. Had our evening meal in Burger King on International Drive, where one customer had plugged his lap-top into the mains supply at the side of his table and was working away on his computer! We paid a quick visit to the library to access the internet before returning to our hotel.
Wednesday 25th February
Got up and had showers before going for an All-U-Can-Eat
breakfast buffet at the Great Western. Had a quick visit to the library for the
internet before dropping Ross off at the “play all day” arcade.
Went to see the hotel that Kenneth will be staying at in the summer and had a look round it. We then went to the Premier Outlets for a look round the shops. Jim bought trainers and I bought socks for Scott and myself. Picked Ross up at 6.00pm and headed off to Sanford Greyhound Stadium. Arrived in time for the first race and ordered our meal. Had a few winners but lost overall on the night. Filled up with petrol on the way home.
Went to see the hotel that Kenneth will be staying at in the summer and had a look round it. We then went to the Premier Outlets for a look round the shops. Jim bought trainers and I bought socks for Scott and myself. Picked Ross up at 6.00pm and headed off to Sanford Greyhound Stadium. Arrived in time for the first race and ordered our meal. Had a few winners but lost overall on the night. Filled up with petrol on the way home.
Thursday 26th February
Got up and had an All-U-Can-Eat breakfast at the Ponderosa.
We then headed off to Sea World. First stop was Shamu the Killer Whale’s show,
then we went to the Wild Arctic on a simulated helicopter ride – very realistic!
We then walked past seals, walruses, polar bears and beluga whales before emerging out into the sunshine again. We then made our way across to the Nautilus Theatre to see “Odyssey” – a spectacular “underwater” circus – brilliant.
We then had a walk round the “Shark Encounter” before going to see the Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island Show. (Sealion, otter and walrus)
It started to rain so we visited a few gift shops until it stopped. Watched 3 guys dressed as chefs playing dustbins and pots & pans.
We then made our way to the dolphin show via a trip round the Tropical Reef. Got caught in a rain shower on the way there. The dolphins and the false killer whales put on a great show.
We then went over to the Shamu Rocks America Show – also brilliant.
Next we visited the penguin enclosure where it snows all the time!
After that it was time for the fireworks at the waterfront. They didn’t last long but were very spectacular.
Then it was time to go home. We got a carry out meal for Ross from Subway and for ourselves from McDonalds. Watched Super Millionaire on TV.
then we went to the Wild Arctic on a simulated helicopter ride – very realistic!
We then walked past seals, walruses, polar bears and beluga whales before emerging out into the sunshine again. We then made our way across to the Nautilus Theatre to see “Odyssey” – a spectacular “underwater” circus – brilliant.
We then had a walk round the “Shark Encounter” before going to see the Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island Show. (Sealion, otter and walrus)
It started to rain so we visited a few gift shops until it stopped. Watched 3 guys dressed as chefs playing dustbins and pots & pans.
We then made our way to the dolphin show via a trip round the Tropical Reef. Got caught in a rain shower on the way there. The dolphins and the false killer whales put on a great show.
We then went over to the Shamu Rocks America Show – also brilliant.
Next we visited the penguin enclosure where it snows all the time!
After that it was time for the fireworks at the waterfront. They didn’t last long but were very spectacular.
Then it was time to go home. We got a carry out meal for Ross from Subway and for ourselves from McDonalds. Watched Super Millionaire on TV.
Friday 27th February
Got up and had showers before packing our cases. Visited the
library for one last time before having our last All-U-Can-Eat breakfast in the
Great Western and heading off up the I4 to the airport. Handed our car back in
and checked in the luggage. The flight was an hour late taking off and we’d
just taxied onto the runway when the captain announced that the crew hadn’t had
their passports handed back to them so we had to go back to the departure gate
again. We all had TV screens in the back of our seats and one channel on them
was a camera view of the runway so we could see ourselves taking off!! – very
surreal. We watched a film called Good Boy and then an episode of My Family.
Had our meal of beef with roast potatoes and vegetables, roll and butter,
chocolate dessert, cheese and crackers and tea. After a sleep we were served
fresh orange juice, banana muffin and tea before landing at 5.40am. We were
taken by bus to the arrivals hall and it took over an hour for our luggage to
come through. Terrible. Eventually got to where our car was parked and had to
scrape the ice and snow off it before we set off home.
