| Author |  Topic  | |
rosie
 4203 Posts
Joined: 14 May 2004
Status: offline |  Posted - 21 Sep 2005 : 01:06:43  
| Day 1 - Sept 2nd
Off to the airport this morning at 6.30am, as you may remember I do like to be early  . Yet another first for us, as we were traveling with only hand luggage this time, due to the fact that we arrive at MCO at the same time as my Mum and Aunt arrive at Sanford. So the theory was that with only hand luggage we would be through the airport in double quick time.......
The airport was surprisingly busy considering the kids had mostly all gone back to school today and the rest next week. There was obviously going to be a few empty seats in classrooms across the South East judging by the number of children.
Anyway, we had our usual breakfast in Frankie & Benny's, and while Al phoned into work I nipped into WHSmiths and picked up the new James Patterson and Jeffrey Deaver to read on holiday. Between you and me, this is a total waste of time as I never read more than a few pages on holiday, but hey ho, a few more points on my Smiths card. Also found a lovely pair of sandals, so bought them unbeknownst to Al and slipped them in to the already bulging hand luggage. After take off the chief stewardess announced that the entertainment system wasn't working..... So we had a 9 nine hour flight ahead with no TV or radio. I hardly ever watch the TV, but would miss listening to the radio. I usually listen to the classical channel and just chill out with a book.... or more likely fall asleep.
The flight passed with ease, the cabin crew were wonderful, they organized quizzes and games for both adults and children, and far from detracting from the flight, the lack of the TV actually enhanced it. 
We arrived in Orlando just in time for some spectacular lightning, but no rain. Now it was time to hit the ground running and get through immigration as quick as we could to get the car and go pick up Mum and my Aunt....
Now wouldn't you just know it, the one time we wanted to get through quickly (and the one and only time Al wouldn't let me bring any luggage) we were sat at the back of the plane so were almost last off, the immigration hall looked like the world and his wife had decided to visit Orlando today and it took us nearly 2 hours to get through and down to pick up the car. Now, far be it for me to say "I told you so" but I had left all my new villa purchases at home as Al had insisted that it would take too long to wait for the cases.... that's the last time I listen to him.
Once we got down to the Dollar desk to pick up the car we breezed through, and being almost last out the airport meant we got a Durango for our holiday, so, being late had a bonus. Now we could get everyone in one car if we were all going out to the same places.
On the road and up the 417 to Sanford to pick up Mum. We picked up a Sun pass a few trips ago, so stuck that in the windshield and hey presto, no more quarters to find for the toll booths.
Met Mum at Sanford, and wouldn't you know it, they got through and were waiting for us for nearly 2 hours... ho hum....
Loaded their luggage into the car and on the road again, back down the 417 to the house.
To say Mum and my Aunt were gob smacked when we arrived was an understatement; Mum promptly burst into tears and was hugging us both and gushing about the house. We dumped the cases and nipped up to Publix for some supplies. We were now so tired that we settled for some of their cooked chicken pieces, salad and fresh bread for dinner.
We sat out on the deck till 10pm then all drifted off to bed for an early night.
Day 2 - Sept 3rd
Woke to beautiful blue skies and the sound of Mum and Aunt Margaret splashing about in the pool. They had certainly made themselves at home. We decided to head to Magic Kingdom later in the day as Spectromagic and Wishes were on at 9pm, and since the old's wouldn't be rushing to queue up for Space Mountain (or any other rides they weren't sure of), we thought they might like to be introduced to an American "All you can eat" breakfast, followed by a trip to Wal-Mart.
This proved hugely popular and they were to frequent Wal-Mart on several more occasions during the holiday.... (What have I started here?  )
After 3 hours in Wal-Mart we managed to drag them out, promising to return later in the week. It was now time to get ready to go to MK and introduce them to the thing that brings us all here first time.... MICKEY MOUSE.
Well, by the time we were ready the heavens had opened. "Don't worry" I said, it's just the usual afternoon shower and will stop soon. We parked up at the Ticket and Transportation Center and climbed aboard the Monorail to MK.... still raining.... We went into the park and I said they might as well browse the shops till the rain eased. I had given them both poncho's to wear, and very fetching they looked to, but they kept them on for all of 10 minutes, as it was still hot despite the rain.
They wanted to go off on their own and explore so we left them and headed off to Tomorrowland and Space Mountain, agreeing to meet up again at 8.30 for the parade. Still raining......
The rain was now quite a bit more than just a passing shower, it doesn't bother us in the slightest so we carried on regardless, slipping off our shoes to walk in the now ankle deep puddles. But finally we gave in and sought shelter in one of the restaurants and sat out on the balcony overlooking the castle, drinking coffee and watching even the ducks heading for cover.
By 8.30 the rain was just beginning to ease so we took a slow walk over to where we were meeting Mum & Margaret. Oh, Mum's face was a picture. I walked over and asked how long they had been waiting there..... Her reply is unrepeatable on a family forum..."bleep bleep hours" We both fell about laughing at this, a 75 year old shouldn't know words like that, never mind use them in public 
So you can imagine how well my idea to just wait for the parade went down..... They were soaked to the skin and in no mood to sit on a wet pavement so we headed home.
Al & I couldn't stop laughing at them, and they were laughing too. Oh well, we'll just have to see the parade another night.
Of course by the time we were back indoors, the rain had vanished and it was lovely so have a guess what they did... they got changed and went straight in the pool.... Are they having a laugh, they had been moaning about all the rain and being soaked through and now they were straight back in the pool....
Day 3 - Sept 4th
We decided to take them to Celebration this morning for breakfast at the Market St Cafe, one of our fav's. There used to be a nice little market on a Sunday too, but it was no longer there, so we settled for breakfast and a stroll round the shops. They both adored Celebration and asked to come back again before the end of the holiday.
Now are you keeping up here, we've been 3 places in 2 days and so far they have wanted to go back to all of them. This was going to be an interesting logistical problem fitting it all in.....
They didn't want to do another Park today so we opted for Mall at Millenia. My Mum's shopping trips make me look like an amateur so we braced ourselves for it. We parked by JCPenney's and gave them 3 hours to do the top floor then agreed to meet and have lunch at The Cheesecake Factory.
3 hours later we met up and asked how they had got on.... Oh Lordy they hadn't got half way round the top floor yet. No one was hungry so we told them they could have another couple of hours and then the Mall would be closing as it was Sunday.
We wandered into Kirklands and I found a wonderful picture for the house, along with a lamp and a vase. Paid for them and left them for collection on our way out. We had finished long before the 2 hours was up, so went for a walk outside. When we met up again at 6pm Mum announced that she had rushed round the last few shops and would have to come back.....
Link to next report, thanks Tezz  http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_24441.asp |
Rosie
|
Edited by - rosie on 21 Sep 2005 20:23:26 | | Report this post to a moderator |
|
DiannaUK
 United Kingdom
1123 Posts
Joined: 27 Feb 2005
Status: offline | |
walden64
 United Kingdom
911 Posts
Joined: 31 Jan 2004
Status: offline | |
KarenScott
 United Kingdom
2478 Posts
Joined: 26 Jan 2004
Status: online | |
CERICROWLEY
 United Kingdom
3870 Posts
Joined: 14 May 2004
Status: online | |
Cruella DeVilla
 USA
10642 Posts
Joined: 18 May 2004
Status: offline | |
LiesaAnna
 United Kingdom
11849 Posts
Joined: 04 Sep 2004
Status: offline | |
Ray&Sarah
 United Kingdom
10599 Posts
Joined: 11 Nov 2003
Status: offline | |
CarolAnn
United Kingdom
4767 Posts
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Status: offline | Posted - 21 Sep 2005 : 08:39:34
| Crikey Rosie I am exhausted already I will need a holiday by the time I have finished reading your trip report in full!!! I will need a holiday!! Lucky we go in 3 weeks then  Bring on the rest of it I have some villa related jobs to do...but I will be back!! | | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
julieanne
 United Kingdom
2559 Posts
Joined: 21 Jun 2004
Status: offline | |
Macka
 United Kingdom
1349 Posts
Joined: 06 Sep 2005
Status: offline | Posted - 21 Sep 2005 : 09:48:18
| Yes ,great trip report Rosie, can't wait until the next installment
I really liked the bit about your Mom bursting into tears when she saw the villa if you know what I mean? Aawwww how nice is that to be a ble to do something so nice for your Mum?
| | Report this post to a moderator | goto top of page |
|
stabard
 3053 Posts
Joined: 31 Mar 2004
Status: offline | |
eagleydo
 United Kingdom
2092 Posts
Joined: 20 Aug 2004
Status: offline | |
Ruth
 United Kingdom
6708 Posts
Joined: 13 Feb 2002
Status: offline | |
| | Topic | |
Go to first unread post
And Mother came too
