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Big Mack
 United Kingdom
176 Posts
Joined: 27 Feb 2003
Status: offline |  Posted - 08 Oct 2004 : 14:19:03  
| Monday September 13th
After our exertions at Epcot yesterday we all had a nice long lie this morning. We spent the entire day by the pool, my kids seem to think they are some sort of fish as they refused to come out of the water except for essentials like getting fed and going to the loo! We also managed to get rid of the decrepit old scooter and got a nice new one in its place. I was much more confident that this one would last the distance.
It was a good day for my FIL, he suffered a stroke 12 years ago and has since had his leg amputated. However he was determined to get into the pool and so after a bit of help from myself he was happily bobbing around enjoying his first dip in 12 years! The kids managed to entice the rest of us in at some stage of the day to play with them. We didn’t need much persuading however as the heat was incredible and we were glad to cool off.
After a light breakfast and a light lunch we were all ready for something more substantial and so we got our gladrags on (clean shorts and tee shirts!!) and headed for Charlie’s Steakhouse.
Charlie’s is very nice inside, in fact we felt a little underdressed until I noticed most other people were in shorts and tee’s as well. We were shown to a lovely table and attended to very well by our server Eric. He obviously had a better memory than me as not once did he write anything down and everything arrived just as we had ordered. We had a laugh when my FIL pointed out that there were no fries on the menu (he and my daughter will not eat anything else) We explained to Eric and after a couple of minutes looking confused he suddenly declared “Oh, you want KIDDIES fries!” We all burst out laughing and ordered seven sides of kiddies fries.
After the most delicious steak I have ever tasted Eric brought the desert tray covered in enormous slabs of all manner of cakes. We all picked what we wanted and I confidently told the girls that it was just for show and that their actual portions would be smaller. Doh! (Homer style) Wrong again. Their eyes nearly popped when Eric came back with portions that looked even bigger than the ones he had shown us.(See below!)
We all made a valiant effort but some take out boxes were required and my chocolate cake kept me going for the rest of the trip.
(Charlie’s is very, very good and I did not have a better steak the whole holiday. However it is a bit pricey in comparison to other places and they do add 17% on automatically for parties of 6 or more.)
We headed back to the villa and I managed a couple of beers before hitting the hay feeling totally satisfied.
Tuesday September 14th
Islands of Adventure today, yippee! It was only going to be the five of us today as my in laws had opted not to go, instead they were going to relax by the pool and maybe venture out for a run in the new improved scooter!
We were up early and at IOA for it opening. We bypassed the Hulk as it looked a little extreme for first thing in the morning but I did plan to ride it later. As we walked passed it my kids got to meet Spiderman, which made my sons day, we then did the Spiderman ride. WOW! This ride was so cool, we all loved it. Doctor Doom was next except for my daughter who was not tall enough, its probably just as well as my son was not into this ride at all and came off in tears. He soon cheered up though when they got to meet loads of characters as we entered Toon Lagoon.
Many autographs and photos later we headed for a wacky looking ride called Ripsaw Falls. I eyed the dripping wet guests coming off and decided that I would video while the girls took the kids on it (Clever me eh?) Sure enough about 5 minutes later my family returned with not a dry bit of clothing on them, my kids were delighted, the girls were not. Somehow I am not as clever as I think because ten minutes later I was also drenched. (my kids are very persuasive!!)
We then headed for Bilge Rat Barges yet another water ride. A young lady in a lovely white trouser suit (which was now almost see through!!!) declared,”Don’t do it” but we figured why not? We were already soaked surely we could not get much wetter. Wrong again, there are definitely varying levels of wetness and as we left this ride the water was literally running off of us.
After a drying off period we headed to the Jurassic Park area where the first ride is…. Jurassic Park River Adventure. However we did not get very wet on this one at all. We all thought this ride was very well done, especially the bit with the T-rex at the end, I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who has not done it before, suffice to say it is a little scary which the imprint of my daughters fingers on my forearm will prove.
We then headed for Pteranodon Flyers, which is a gentle kids, ride in the Camp Jurassic area. This was the first time we had to wait in line, and after nearly 30 minutes the ride was a little disappointing and over in minutes.
Lost Continent and Duelling Dragons next. Everyone was either too small or bottled out and so only my wife and I rode this one. I told her it would be much better at the front and as there was only a small line for the front seats we opted to wait in it. Well, this was probably my single worst decision of the holiday, I was that ill that I cannot even remember if we rode the Fire or the Ice track. The coolest bit was when you think the two coasters are going to collide as they hurtle towards each other (being in the front made this 100 times worse) and then WOOOOOH! You are sent up and over in a loop. I do love roller coasters but sometimes they do not love me and this was definitely one of those occasions. I did manage to hold onto the contents of my stomach but I was unable to ride anything more than the bus home for the rest of the day. (Big girls blouse huh?)
The kids had fun in the Seuss Landing area for a while and then it was time to head home. I am afraid nothing on earth was getting me onto the Hulk, which is a shame because it does look awesome. Maybe next time?
Once at the villa we got changed and we all headed for Logan’s Roadhouse, which had been recommended by the owners of the villa. I really liked this place, there was no chance of feeling underdressed in here. Country music blared out and as K92 FM listeners we recognised a lot of them, the place was really busy and had a great atmosphere. I loved how they had a massive barrel of peanuts (monkey nuts to me) in the middle of the floor and you were encouraged to drop the shells onto the floor, in fact I think it is a rule! We had a very nice meal here, not to Charlie’s standards however the price reflects this and it was very good value.
Back at the villa, yes you guessed it, a couple of beers and then bed. I am getting a little predictable eh? However this was no ordinary night, tomorrow was Magic Kingdom day and we could hardly sleep for the excitement. 
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Ruth
 United Kingdom
6731 Posts
Joined: 13 Feb 2002
Status: offline | Posted - 08 Oct 2004 : 14:29:03
| Another great instalment, thanks Big Mack You have inspired me to go to IOA at Christmas as it is the only park we have never tried and it sounds fab |
Ruth
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Nostromo
 United Kingdom
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Status: offline | Posted - 08 Oct 2004 : 15:25:20
| quote:
Originally posted by Big Mack
Monday September 13th
A young lady in a lovely white trouser suit (which was now almost see through!!!) declared,”Don’t do it” and then WOOOOOH! (Big girls blouse huh?)it was very good value
However this was no ordinary night, could hardly sleep for the excitement.
I thought you might like to see a few excerpts from your report!!     . Sorry, couldn't resist it! Great Report. |
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Big Macks First Trip Part Five
