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KevinT
 United Kingdom
1643 Posts
Joined: 12 Sep 2003
Status: offline |  Posted - 30 May 2005 : 19:45:09  
| Having just completed my letter of complaint to the chairman of Excel Airlines about the standard of their service (More of which in
Flying section of forum) I must say that despite the journey problems
we really enjoyed the holiday itself.
It was a landmark birthday for my wife while we were there. Not allowed to say which(but somewhere between 49 and 51 )so we arranged a few things that I know she likes doing while we were there.
My mother in law usually travels with us. Her first request was to visit Old Town on Saturday night to see the Classic Car Cruise. Unusual request for a 75 year old !!  but she really enjoyed it. She declined the offer of a ride on the Skycoaster or the 0-200 racing cars but stood enthralled looking at the rows of gleaming cars and cheered and clapped as they cruised past. I love the atmosphere of Old Town and we had ribs at Damons and arranged for chair massages at the Spa .
First job on the Friday was to check out the house and sort out the few DIY jobs that every owner is faced with. You know ! the ones the MCs don't consider important like loose nut and bolts, wonky toilet seats etc. Not too many jobs this time as the MC had done a good job. Just the table and chairs on the dining set needed tightening up and the foot bar on a six month old breakfast bar stool had a weld broken.(Visions of a six foot - twenty stone individual hoisting himself up using the foot bar only ). Managed to find a really great welder just five minutes away who did the job in five minutes, Good as new!
On the Sunday I had booked Sunday Brunch at the Renaissance Hotel near Seaworld as my wife loves eating there. Now for anyone who has never been, this is a marathon eating session which needs careful training. Arriving about 11:30 am you munch your way steadily through 'til about 3pm. The waiter fills your champagne glass, fresh orange juice and water glasses (which get magically topped up every time you drink a quarter) and then you're off!! Starter
tables have every conceivable delight including Strawberry Soup, pastas, salads, fruits, crab claws and other shellfish all set out on tables with ice sculptures and carved vegetables like faces.
Eventually moving on to the main dishes, there was a full carvery
and dishes from all over the world with a huge variety of cooked meats and vegetables. Feeling just a litle bloated by now the dessert table loomed with every type of chocolate gateau , pie (including Key Lime etc)ice cream machine, cakes and a running chocolate fountain for dipping skewered strawbwerries and marshmallows in . By this time the stomach was starting to protest
but the tea, coffee, champagne and orange juice were still flowing.
While we ate , a small jazz combo came round the tables asking for requests. These guys seem to be able to play anything. Often they look surprised and say " Mmm - does that go something like this?"
And straight away you get a couple of verses of your request.
Next few days were taken up sorting out house requirements with the MC and doing a few small paintwork jobs and visiting shopping malls (to keep he management content!!) We also went one evening to the Boardwalk and walked around the lake , watching the fireworks from Epcot around 9pm.
Next small treat arranged was a visit to La Nouba. We never tire of seeing this Cirque de Soleil show, and this time was no exception. They seem to change the show every time we go. As a musician I am fascinated by the guys in the band who are split between two towers, three in one and four in the other, on different sides of the stage, but still manage to keep totally in time. The two singers have
amazing vocal ranges and I spend half my time watching them and missing some of the show. The big stars for me , however , are the small Chinese girls with the diablos. They seem to get more outstanding acrobatics packed into each show and always get a standing ovation at the end of the performance.
On the day of her birthday itself we arranged for afternoon tea at Disney's Grand Floridian which seems a very "English" event with
tea served in Royal Albert tea service with small sandwiches (crusts cut off of course!)and a variety of cakes or trifle. That completed , we had a walk to the wedding chapel where there was
a rehearsal going on for a wedding the following day. I have to say that the backdrop with a large chapel style window looking out over the lake with the Magic Kingdom Castle framed between the bride and groom is priceless. (Although Disney can obviously think of a price!! )
The next Sunday, my sister in law arranged a trip across to Clearwater with some friends of theirs who also live in Orlando.
The sun was quite strong , but there was a cool wind when we set off
and after a couple of hours on the incredibly white soft sand we were "done to a turn". Having underestimated the strength of the sun , I finished up a wonderful shade of lobster red 
All too soon we started running out of time - again!! On the final Tuesday we decided to go to Epcot as I had seen "Soarin!" advertised on the net so thought we would give it a try. Heading through the gates we went straight to Test Track for fastpasses then headed for the "Land". The "Soarin" queue was just 30 mins so we decided just to wait. The effect of sweeping over the California landscape( and seascape)is awesome. My wife , who is sometimes reluctant to try the rides was most enthusiastic and we decided to come back later in the day and ride it again. After using our fastpasses on Test Track (which incidentally broke down for 20 mins just before we got o the head of the queue!! ) we went to Mexico for lunch in the cantina and then walked around the various countries, calling in to the "American Experience" as I had never seen the show - although
a few years ago , on the backstage tour of Disney, we got to see underneath this exhibit and were told how it all works.
Final day there and we decided to take our grandnephew who is two to the Magic Kingdom. Although he lives in Orlando this was only his second visit there and his face was a picture. He has a thing about trains at the moment, and we took him on the one that goes around the whole site. Small World and the Enchanted Tiki House kept his attention well, but by 4pm he was starting to "nod off"
My sister in law decided to call a halt to the visit, go home and for the adults to return for the late fireworks and spectromagic
parade. Although we all felt tired , we decided that ,as it was the last day we would make the effort to return. And Boy! I'm glad we did. The fireworks and parade are definitely the best I have ever seen them, possibly due to the Disney 50th birthday celebrations, with loads of new displays and floats. A really amazing end to the holiday.
Back to earth with a bump the following day when I rang Sanford to check on the flight, which was 3.5 hours late. But thats another chapter (also under Flying on forum) and did not stop our enjoyment of our visit to the most magic place on earth
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Kevin
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KevinT
United Kingdom
1643 Posts
Joined: 12 Sep 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 30 May 2005 : 22:44:16
| Michelle
As Patti says there were lots of children of all ages there when we went. Not sure whether they have reduced prices for younger eaters. One good thing - although they normally charge on exit for parking your car, the car park ticket is stamped when you eat there , and
the charge is waived.
Liesa,
I'm just thirteen stone of skin and bones - (all that food going to waist) |
Kevin
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Newhomebuyer
 United Kingdom
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 United Kingdom
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Genie
 United Kingdom
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Status: offline | Posted - 31 May 2005 : 10:22:56
| | Great report Kevin, we haven't done the renaissance or Gaylord Plams or the Grand Floridian, all on our list of "to do's " there just doesn't seem to be enough time even though we seem to do less and less parks ! Oh well !! there's always next time. |
Jean
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KevinT
United Kingdom
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CarolAnn
United Kingdom
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Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 31 May 2005 : 13:23:22
| I know what you mean Kevin I find it very odd when some people say " oh we have done Florida and the parks!!" Like you guys, we always run out of time, there is always so much to do!! nEW places to try, old ones to revisit because there have been new things added ETC!! Your trip report was fabulous!! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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KevinT
United Kingdom
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kaysvacationvilla
 USA
1280 Posts
Joined: 08 Sep 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 31 May 2005 : 15:48:14
| Hi Kevin,
Glad you had a wonderful trip. I sure do know what you mean about time getting away, as every time we go we always seem to run out of time to do everything that we had intended too. Although, this last trip we did manage to make it to Busch Gardens for the 1st time. I had also wanted to get in airboat rides, but that never happened. Make sure you do make it to KSC on your next trip as we found it be one the high lights of our many trips. Great trip report! |
Kay
www.orlandovillas.com/villas/869.aspx
www.orlandovillas.com/villas/1184.aspx
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DisneyDreamer
 United Kingdom
410 Posts
Joined: 29 Mar 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 31 May 2005 : 21:23:02
| Everytime I go back I am armed with another list of 'to do's'.....mainly places to eat admittedly!!!
Just love reading trip reports...thank you for taking the time out to write it up  | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
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KevinT
United Kingdom
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KevinT
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Ray&Sarah
United Kingdom
10599 Posts
Joined: 11 Nov 2003
Status: offline | Posted - 31 May 2005 : 22:40:16
| | Do add Gaylord Palms to your list Kevin, we had a lovely meal there on our last trip, the company was pretty good too, we got to meet Rosie & Al and Tricia & Dave. |
Sarah
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Bad start but great holiday _ KevinT
