ORLANDO - MAY 1995 (competition win)
Wednesday 10 May
Arrived at Glasgow Airport at 6.30am and had to wait until
7.30am to check in. We were given seats 19 G & H and 20 G & H. We took
off at 10.00am and on arrival on board were given a little bag with toothbrush,
toothpaste, neck pillow, eyepatch and refreshing towel. In the seat pocket in
front was a set of head phones. Channels 1 and 2 are for in-flight video sound
and 3-12 are radio channels. At the moment we are watching and listening to
Jasper Carrott. We had a lovely meal at about midday. Scott and Ross had Jet
Cadet meals - burger, chips and peas, cheese & crackers, orange juice, mini
Fudge and tea. Jim and I had smoked salmon, chicken chasseur, potatoes and
peas, profiteroles, cheese & crackers and tea or coffee plus red or white
wine. So far we've had 2 complimentary soft drinks and an ice-cream before the
movie. Afternoon tea was sandwiches with fresh fruit and shortbread and pastry
cake. Filling out the immigration forms was like sitting "O" levels
all over again but we managed it! Now for the landing and the hassle of finding
our luggage and getting to our car - and then on to our hotel! We had a great
landing but it took ages for our luggage to come through and then an eternity
to get from here to there and here to there and here to there. We eventually
got to our hotel at about 6.00pm through a rain, thunder and lightning storm.
After a wrong turn which we managed to correct Ross wasn't feeling well so I
stayed with him in the room and unpacked whilst Jim and Scott went to get a
pizza and some throat pastilles. We went to bed about 9.00pm.
Thursday 11 May
We were up at about 5.30am this morning. After a great
breakfast we were late for the welcome meeting because we didn't realise it was
so far away. (We should have taken the car!) On the way back we stopped off at
an 18 hole crazy golf all about pirates - wonderful. We then bought a phone
card and phoned home just as a heavy shower came on. We sheltered at Burger
King and then visited a few shops on the way home for juice. You need a lot of
that here. We're now at the pool in blazing sunshine and Scott and Ross are
having a great time keeping cool in the pool.
Friday 12 May
After another lovely breakfast we set off for Sea World.
It's 92 degrees F today.
Saw all of Sea World's attractions and at 7.00pm returned to the Mercado Shopping Mall for a pizza and ice-cream before going to bed at 11.00pm - far too late for our early start at the Magic Kingdom tomorrow!
Saw all of Sea World's attractions and at 7.00pm returned to the Mercado Shopping Mall for a pizza and ice-cream before going to bed at 11.00pm - far too late for our early start at the Magic Kingdom tomorrow!
Saturday 13 May
Set off for the Magic Kingdom after another lovely
breakfast. We parked in Goofy 49 and then joined the first queue of many that
day. A sort of trailer took us to the monorail station and after that we
boarded the railroad train that took us round the perimeter to our first stop -
Fantasy Land. We saw Mickey's house and everything to do with him. Next came
our first big mistake. We joined the queue for Space Mountain! It took us
nearly an hour to get to the front of the queue and then we experienced a
journey of 2-3 minutes of sheer terror (as far as I was concerned!). I was never
so glad to get off a ride in all my life. It definitely put Scott and I off,
because we decided not to go on any of the other big rides.
We queued for about 15 minutes to see the Legend of the Lion King which was brilliant, then it was on to have a bite to eat and see the parade at 3.00pm. We then went back on the railroad and got off at Main Street USA and parade of floats all lit up with coloured flashing lights. The fireworks at 10.00pm were also spectacular and we were about to go home like everybody else when we wandered into Tomorrowland to avoid the crowds. There were no queues! We went on various leisurely rides all about time travel and dream flights but the best of all was 9 eye in the Metropolis Science Center who took us on a journey through time - twice! We eventually arrived back at 1.00am totally exhausted. (We all discovered a new invention today - a toilet that knows when you have finished and flushes itself and taps that come on when you put your hands underneath them - what will they think of next!).
We queued for about 15 minutes to see the Legend of the Lion King which was brilliant, then it was on to have a bite to eat and see the parade at 3.00pm. We then went back on the railroad and got off at Main Street USA and parade of floats all lit up with coloured flashing lights. The fireworks at 10.00pm were also spectacular and we were about to go home like everybody else when we wandered into Tomorrowland to avoid the crowds. There were no queues! We went on various leisurely rides all about time travel and dream flights but the best of all was 9 eye in the Metropolis Science Center who took us on a journey through time - twice! We eventually arrived back at 1.00am totally exhausted. (We all discovered a new invention today - a toilet that knows when you have finished and flushes itself and taps that come on when you put your hands underneath them - what will they think of next!).
Sunday 14 May
Had a long lie this morning and went for breakfast about
9.45am. Sat and wrote some postcards but still haven't found anywhere that
sells stamps at face value. Visited a chemist to stock up on my latest
medicinal needs! So far we've had to buy sore throat lozenges for the boys,
cough sweets for me, diarrhoea tablets for me and now insect bite cream. I've
got two huge bites on the bottom of my left leg which are really sore - I can
hardly walk and have to keep sitting down for a rest. We eventually got to
Gaterland at about 2.00pm - what a lot of alligators and crocodiles! We've seen
alligator wrestling, all different types of snakes and alligators being fed
pieces of chicken. They didn't jump very high for them as it's coming to the
end of their breeding time and also it's seemingly very hot for this time of
year - lucky us! Jim has taken the boys for a swamp walk while I have a rest.
We saw Gatorwrestling one more time before visiting the gift shop and heading home via Burger King.
We saw Gatorwrestling one more time before visiting the gift shop and heading home via Burger King.
Monday 15 May
Arrived at MGM Studios at about 10.30am. First we went on
the Great Movie Ride which took us through lots of different movie sets.
Next came the Muppet 3D Theatre which was brilliant - it seemed everything was right in front of you. Next we played in the Honey I Shrunk Kids Playground
before seeing the big Parade of Aladdin characters. Then it was into the Little Mermaid Show and then Beauty and The Beast - both very good. Next came the Backstage Studio Tour which took us behind the scenes of some famous movies. We stopped at Catastrophe Canyon which exploded and then a great torrent of water rushed down over it. Indiana Jones impressed us all with spectacular stunts. The Monster Sound Show gave Jim his big break in the movies - doing the sound effects for Chevy Chase and Martin Short in a 2.30 minute epic. Our next stop was the Magic of Disney Animation showing you the Disney artists at work and also a short film with Robin Williams all about animation - very funny. We finished off our day at a 24 hour McDonalds with built in play area for children, arcade games and a gift shop.
Next came the Muppet 3D Theatre which was brilliant - it seemed everything was right in front of you. Next we played in the Honey I Shrunk Kids Playground
before seeing the big Parade of Aladdin characters. Then it was into the Little Mermaid Show and then Beauty and The Beast - both very good. Next came the Backstage Studio Tour which took us behind the scenes of some famous movies. We stopped at Catastrophe Canyon which exploded and then a great torrent of water rushed down over it. Indiana Jones impressed us all with spectacular stunts. The Monster Sound Show gave Jim his big break in the movies - doing the sound effects for Chevy Chase and Martin Short in a 2.30 minute epic. Our next stop was the Magic of Disney Animation showing you the Disney artists at work and also a short film with Robin Williams all about animation - very funny. We finished off our day at a 24 hour McDonalds with built in play area for children, arcade games and a gift shop.
Tuesday 16 May
Arrived at EPCOT at 11.15am and went to Innoventions East and
discovered what life would be like in the future - all remote controlled. Next
came Universe of Energy where we rode in solar powered cars and saw dinosaurs
and different kinds of energy. After that Jim had to have 40 winks on a park
bench! The journey through the body in Wonders of Life was very turbulent
(still not as bad as Space Mountain!) Then we played with all the different
things that test your senses. The World of Motion took us from the invention of
the wheel to the launch of a space shuttle. Journey into the Imagination was
full of things to inspire your imagination from making a funny face to painting
a picture. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience was a 3D extravaganza starring Rick
Moranas and Eric Idle. The first trick was to imagine lots of mice running
about the theatre touching your legs - very realistic. Also a huge 3D snake and
your seat shaking about as if you've been lifted up. Once outside, the dancing
fountains and got soaking wet. The Land showed us the circle of life with the
Lion King characters and we stopped off for a baked potato for Jim and I and
ham sandwiches for the boys. Innoventions West was our next and final port of
call in Future World. Sega games and more sega games and face factory and video
telephones. At 9.00pm we went outside to see the laser and firework display -
totally out of this world. On the way out Spaceship Earth was lit up with
lasers to show the earth revolving. We also passed paving stones with tiny
lights in them that came on and off.
Wednesday 17 May
Set off for Busch Gardens at about 10.00am via the Thomson Shop to buy stamps. Arrived at 12.30pm after a quick stop at Polk City and a wrong turn off the Interstate highway. Saw a bird show first (after a trip round the Budweiser Brewery! - free samples included) then it was into the Land of the Dragons childrens play area and then on to the train for a tour round the park.
Set off for Busch Gardens at about 10.00am via the Thomson Shop to buy stamps. Arrived at 12.30pm after a quick stop at Polk City and a wrong turn off the Interstate highway. Saw a bird show first (after a trip round the Budweiser Brewery! - free samples included) then it was into the Land of the Dragons childrens play area and then on to the train for a tour round the park.
After the train came a cable car ride round the
park closely followed by rides on the Crazy Camel, Carousel Caravan, Aeroplanes
and The Sand Storm. Then it was time to go to the Moroccan Theatre for
Hollywood On Ice. The boys really enjoyed it - so much so that they both fell
asleep during it! Busch Gardens closed at 6.00pm so we set off back to Orlando.
We were home by 7.45pm and headed straight for McDonalds beside our hotel.
Thursday 18 May
Thursday 18 May
After a wrong turn we finally reached Universal Studios at
10.45am. We started off at Hanna-Barbara (simulated ride).
Next we watched animal actors - animals used in the movies (bird, chimp, dog and orang-utan). The Jaws ride wasn't as scary as what we thought it would be.
Then it was on to the Earthquake ride - very realistic.
After a walk round Caspar we had a tour round the Nickelodeon Studios followed by an amusing Production Studio Tram Tour. The Beetlejuice Rock'n'roll Graveyard Revue was very entertaining and after a quick look behind the scenes of Jurassic Park it was off to see the Wild, Wild, Wild West Stunt Show - very spectacular. Our final visit was E.T.'s Adventure - a ride on a bicycle through space. At 7.00pm we watched the Dynamic Nights Stuntacular - explosions everywhere. We lost our car momentarily in the car park and when we got back Jim took the boys for a swim in the pool. They said it was as warm as a bath. They were last out of the pool at 10.00pm when it closed.
Next we watched animal actors - animals used in the movies (bird, chimp, dog and orang-utan). The Jaws ride wasn't as scary as what we thought it would be.
Then it was on to the Earthquake ride - very realistic.
After a walk round Caspar we had a tour round the Nickelodeon Studios followed by an amusing Production Studio Tram Tour. The Beetlejuice Rock'n'roll Graveyard Revue was very entertaining and after a quick look behind the scenes of Jurassic Park it was off to see the Wild, Wild, Wild West Stunt Show - very spectacular. Our final visit was E.T.'s Adventure - a ride on a bicycle through space. At 7.00pm we watched the Dynamic Nights Stuntacular - explosions everywhere. We lost our car momentarily in the car park and when we got back Jim took the boys for a swim in the pool. They said it was as warm as a bath. They were last out of the pool at 10.00pm when it closed.
Friday 19 May
Had a lie in this morning and went to Denny's for breakfast.
The boys got placemats with puzzles and crayons and we had a lovely breakfast
with eggs over easy, sausages and bacon, and pancakes with maple syrup. Our
drinks were filled up as often as we liked. (Gran and Papa would have loved
that - an endless supply of tea!) We arrived at Kennedy Space Center at 12.45pm
and booked a film and a bus tour and then sat down and had some ice-cream of the future - Space Dots!
We saw a film called The Dream is Alive all about the take off, flight and landing of a space shuttle. Our bus tour took us to a building where we saw a simulation of Apollo 11 taking off on 20 July 1969. The bus then took us out to see the launch pads. Next launch is scheduled for 8 June. The bus then took us to see Saturn B Rocket which was used to launch the Apollo missions.
Then it was back to the main building for a trip inside the Explorer Space Shuttle.
Whilst we were looking at the giant size space mirror which records the names of all the astronauts who have died on duty, a torrential shower of rain came on and we had to run for cover. It turned into a hurricane but only lasted for a few minutes before the sun came out again. After a quick look round the space exhibition and gallery we set off back to the hotel. Had our evening meal in Burger King and then a quick drink in the hotel bar before retiring.
and booked a film and a bus tour and then sat down and had some ice-cream of the future - Space Dots!
We saw a film called The Dream is Alive all about the take off, flight and landing of a space shuttle. Our bus tour took us to a building where we saw a simulation of Apollo 11 taking off on 20 July 1969. The bus then took us out to see the launch pads. Next launch is scheduled for 8 June. The bus then took us to see Saturn B Rocket which was used to launch the Apollo missions.
Then it was back to the main building for a trip inside the Explorer Space Shuttle.
Whilst we were looking at the giant size space mirror which records the names of all the astronauts who have died on duty, a torrential shower of rain came on and we had to run for cover. It turned into a hurricane but only lasted for a few minutes before the sun came out again. After a quick look round the space exhibition and gallery we set off back to the hotel. Had our evening meal in Burger King and then a quick drink in the hotel bar before retiring.
Saturday 20 May
We had another torrential rain storm at 5.00am this morning
and the boys slept through it once again. Got up late and went to Sizzlers for
breakfast. All-U-Can Eat for $4.99 adults and $2.99 for children. We all made
pigs of ourselves with cereals, cooked breakfast, fruit, pastries, pancakes and
ice-cream. It was very cloudy and showery this morning and not quite so hot.
After a visit to Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum
and a game of adventure golf at Pirate's Cove
we retired to the pool at the hotel until 7.00pm. After showers we ventured across to Popeye's Chicken and Biscuit Restaurant for our evening meal. We had to stay longer than we normally would have due to a heavy downpour.
and a game of adventure golf at Pirate's Cove
we retired to the pool at the hotel until 7.00pm. After showers we ventured across to Popeye's Chicken and Biscuit Restaurant for our evening meal. We had to stay longer than we normally would have due to a heavy downpour.
Sunday 21 May
Had breakfast (All-U-Can Eat) at the Ponderosa and then
headed off for Daytona Beach. We parked on the beach for a charge of $5 and had
a great time splashing in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Little did we realise how sunburnt we were getting as there was a strong breeze keeping us cool. When we got back to Orlando we went to Wild Jack's for our evening meal. Jim and the boys went for a quick dip in the pool but it was a bit showery and windy so they came back up quite quickly. We all put loads of after-sun on and had an early night.
Little did we realise how sunburnt we were getting as there was a strong breeze keeping us cool. When we got back to Orlando we went to Wild Jack's for our evening meal. Jim and the boys went for a quick dip in the pool but it was a bit showery and windy so they came back up quite quickly. We all put loads of after-sun on and had an early night.
Monday 22 May
Had a bit of a long lie till 8.45am and went down to have
breakfast in the hotel. Then it we off for our second visit to Universal
Studios. We started off this time with Alfred Hitchcock's 3D Theatre - not as
scary as we thought. Then it was on to the Back To The Future Ride - very
realistic and bumpy. Next some computer and telephone technology at the
AT&T exhibition.
We all enjoyed Ghostbusters before seeing the Gory, Gruesome and Grotesque Horror Make-up Show - very gory. We had a look at the Hard Rock Cafe but decided not to stay for lunch as it was too expensive.
We had some hot dogs and hamburgers in Mel's Drive-In again before directing our own performance of Murder She Wrote.
Jim took the boys for another trip on E.T.'s Adventure whilst I watched the animal actors show again. We saw Beetlejuice for the second time at 6.00pm and finally we were the last to ride on Kongfrontation - not as scary as we thought it would be.
We all enjoyed Ghostbusters before seeing the Gory, Gruesome and Grotesque Horror Make-up Show - very gory. We had a look at the Hard Rock Cafe but decided not to stay for lunch as it was too expensive.
We had some hot dogs and hamburgers in Mel's Drive-In again before directing our own performance of Murder She Wrote.
Jim took the boys for another trip on E.T.'s Adventure whilst I watched the animal actors show again. We saw Beetlejuice for the second time at 6.00pm and finally we were the last to ride on Kongfrontation - not as scary as we thought it would be.
Tuesday 23 May
Arrive at EPCOT about 10.30am and headed straight for the
Living Seas. We saw all different kinds of tropical fish in Sea Base Alpha before
heading off to the World Showcase. We took a boat trip and landed at Morocco.
After a quick look round we went to Japan and then onto the USA where we
watched an animated film all about the history of the USA. Next we wandered
into Italy and then Germany, China, Norway and Mexico. We then got the monorail
to the Magic Kingdom and took the train ride to Frontierland. Our first ride
was It's A Small World - lots of different dolls of different nationalities all
singing and dancing. Next came Peter Pan's Flight Over London and then a ride
round Snow White's Adventures and then Toad of Toad Hall. After something to
eat we hit the Grand Prix racing cars. Jim went with Ross driving and I went
with Scott driving. Jim tried to take some video of Scott and I following but
I'm not sure if he got any. We then got the monorail back to EPCOT and went
straight into Spaceship Earth. It was a very good ride which took us right up
into the large ball shape which EPCOT is famous for. We then headed for Canada
where we saw a Circlevision 360 film all about the beauty of the country. We
then went to stand at a good spot for the illumination display. I had a quick
look at France and then took the boys round the UK. The illuminations and
fireworks at 9.00pm were spectacular - the perfect end to our holiday.
Wednesday 24 May
Got up and had breakfast at about 9.45am after packing up
all our luggage. The first stop was the car rental place to return the car and
then onto the airport by bus. After we got booked onto our flight we sat and
played cards in the terminal. Our flight took off at 4.15pm Orlando time. We
sat in seat numbers 24 & 25 A & B. After a drink we were served dinner
- prawn cocktail, meat, peas and potatoes, strawberry cake, cheese and
crackers, tea or coffee, white or red wine. The boys had fruit salad, burger
peas and chips, and a Snickers mini bar. The next meal that came round was
breakfast - cornflakes, roll, orange juice, Danish pastry, tea or coffee. Then
it was time to land - 5.20am British time. The end of a perfect holiday. Now -
I wonder if I've won any competitions whilst I've been away!