We decided to take our neice, Rachel, to Florida with us for half-term week as a belated 16th Birthday gift. When her older sister was 16 we had taken her to New York for a long weekend. As we now have the villa we gave Rachel the choice of the New York weekend or a week in Orlando and you can guess which one she chose! We have taken her to Florida twice before, once when she was 4 and again when she was 8 but obviously a lot had changed since then. She had armed herself with a very long list of things she wanted to do and off we went!
Saturday
Had an early start to drive down to Gatwick for our flight with BA. We did online check-in the night before but still like to get there with time to have breakfast and a look around the shops. First stop was Chez Gerard where we had a nice meal and then into the bookshop for stuff to read on the flight. Pottered around the rest of the shops until our flight was called (nice and promptly too!)
Arrived at MCO after a good flight and even managed to get through immigration and customs in quick time. Bit of a queue at the car rental but not too bad and we were soon on our way.
Stopped at Publix on Champions Gate to pick up some food/drink and then on to the villa. Ordered pizza delivery and unpacked while we were waiting for it. Tried to stay awake but only really managed till about 9.30pm and then we were all off to bed.
Sunday
Couldn't believe how cold it was today. Need jumper and fleece and still felt a bit cold! However it was bright and sunny and we quickly decided to head over to Universal Studios for the day. Rachel hadn't been here since she was 4 so only remembered a few things from it and there was also loads of stuff that just wasn't there then. We did all the rides and the shows - we all thought The Mummy was the best ride and whilst I love the Beetlejuice Graveyard Review, Philip & Rachel thought the Horror Make Up Show was the best (although Rachel was very relieved she didn't get picked from the audience to take part!)
In the evening we went over to the Portofino Bay Hotel for a look around. It certainly is lovely and we had dinner at Mamma Dellas which I would really recommend if you haven't tried it yet.
Monday
Another cold morning and the TV was saying that last night was the coldest in Florida since 1958! Again though bright and sunny and we headed to Epcot today. Philip and I gave Mission Space a miss this time as we both felt ill after it last year, however Rachel went on and loved it. I then went on Soarin' with Rachel and I have to say it was absolutely brilliant - you really did feel like you were flying over these wonderful places.
We spent the afternoon wandering around the World Showcase, finishing up at Chefs De France for dinner in the evening. Then back to the villa as everybody very tired and off to bed.
Tuesday
Weather much better today and TV prediciting it will get warmer each day now as the week progresses. Decided to go to Universal IOA today as felt we would be warm enough for the water rides and getting wet! have to say couldn't believe how quiet the park was. We were there for 9.00am and by 10.30am had been on The Hulk, Dr Doom's Fearfall, Spiderman, Jurassic Park River Ride and Popeye's Bilge Rat Barges! There were no queues at any of the rides and in fact at Jurassic Park we were the only people in our boat. The crowds did start to pick up at lunchtime but by then we had also done Duelling Dragons and the Posieden thing (sorry can't remember the name!) so we decided to move on to the Florida Mall for some retail therapy. Had a great afternoon around the shops and got some of the gift shopping out of the way.
In the evening went to Villa de Flora at Gaylord Palms for dinner. In all the rushing around we had forgotten it was Valentine's Day and thought we weren't going to get a table but they did let us in in the end. This was the first time we had been here, having heard loads of good reports about it, and I have to say it was really good. The
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