Well in 2008 I was in Orlando twice... by this time I had become better at planning our travels to Disney...
We had started out our trip in May with a drive to Myrtle Beach for 3 days - more about that later...
We drove from Myrtle Beach to Orlando on Saturday morning and arrive in Orlando sometime in the afternoon.. it was nice to be able to take a trip and break it up like that.
Any who.. we stayed at our Time Share - Westgate Lakes on Turkey Lake Road - for the week...
It was me, my husband, his brother and my daughter.
My brother in law managed to get free passes to Disney - a single day hopper pass... so this was hard to plan...Which park would we see then which park would we hop too...
We decided on Animal Kingdom cause my brother in law had not been there before... once we entered we always head to the left - going to the right kinda brings you to the kids area and well if we went there first we would be stuck for sure.
The first attraction was the Festival of the Lion King! That is one amazing show, the singing, the dancing .. its just amazing. Everyone should see it! From there we got to see Mickey & Minnie of course... this is a great place to find them. We got to see Its tough to be a bug which scares my little girl but she stuck it out anyway... Then we caught up with Goofy and Pluto! Two dogs one talks the other doesn't. Go figure... My husband then drags me on the Dinosaur ride... we had never done it... let me tell you I was so scared! I am a big chicken... then they take pictures at the end of the ride so there was evidence! ... lol... Never again...
With the hopper pass we then rode over to Hollywood studios... we jumped on the Tower of Terror - this was a great ride - I like this better then that Dinosaur ride - Then the Areosmith ride which was indoors and different... and walked around... We got to eat at the Sci Fi diner - almost all the seats in there look like cars from the 60s - well we didn't get one cause the wait was a very long time we sat at a round sparkly table. We wanted to see Fantasmic which is supposed to be big.... well dinner at the diner took a little longer then expected. They tell you to get to the arena 30 minutes early and its no joke. That place gets packed quickly. We were running from one end of the park to the other. Let me tell you we were so out of breath ... to top it off by the time we got there there was standing room only. The show was amazing, but could be scary to the young ones. You get to see all the princesses, basically them as couples.. I loved it and would see it again. Well the only benefit being in the standing room section was that we were the first to leave the arena!
By then the park was closing... we got to take some pictures in front of the hat with the ears glowing... and left...
The next day we played mini golf at the resort which was cute but not as amazing as the mini golf places in Florida. We also tried to use the paddle boat.. now get this... my brother in law is kinda BIG and my husband is almost up there and the boat felt a little low. I was afraid, lol... but it was something to do. We also took a trip to St Pete to visit family.
One night we decided to have dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. which is located in City Walk at Universal Studios... I love Bubba Gump! They have the most amazing shrimp dishes! After dinner we decided to check out Disney Board Walk - there you can see the Disney vacation club rooms.. which are nice and decent but we already have a timeshare and well getting another is not an option right now. At night we checked out Downtown Disney... they were building a new restaurant near the Lego store. We had an appointment at the Bibbidi Boppiti Boutique - cause we were going to the Pirate and Princess party at the Magic Kingdom!
This was a special event open only to a certain amount of people... they actually close the park early and kick everyone out. Let me tell you this is the best time to experience the park as its totally empty and the wait time on rides is down to like 5 minutes! Upon entry they put these green bands on our wrist... there was the amazing red drapes at the entry under the train station. There were welcome signs all over the place. We got to see some more princesses - especially Princess Minnie and Princess Daisy. When it got dark we had some great seats to see the Parade, it was slow moving but there were all the Princesses on floats and then there were Pirates! We even got to see Tinkerbell! It was a first for them... she was great... I think I was more excited then my daughter. When they had the fire works they had some funny things going on... you heard the fairy's from sleeping beauty say - pink, no blue, no pink, no blue and the fire works would change colors at the same time... Disney is so magical I love it!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Orlando FL
Where have Ive been the most... Orlando FL...
The first time I ever went to Orlando I was about 12 years old. Do I remember it, not too much.. I remember going to Seaworld and my mom leaving my brother and myself in the interactive water area for kids. She told us not to get wet but what kid listens to their mothers? We were soaked when she returned. I remember losing my luggage when we came home because her boyfriend at the time didnt get us to the airport in time. I was so mad.
But in the past few years Ive gone quiet a few times.
The first time I went to Orlando was Septober 2001 (Septober is Last week of Sept thru the First week of October) It was my first real vacation as an adult. I went with my then boyfriend and his brother. We left on a Tuesday night, we drove all night and arrived 1st in Tampa Florida - he had family there. We stayed in Tampa for a few days. I got to take a ride on a small boat - that was a first. I loved it. He and I left his brother in Tampa with the family and drove to Orlando. We stayed about a week in Orlando. It was my first time so I didnt know where to go and what to see.
He finally decided on Universal Studios and Island and Adventures. We also went to Seaworld. Island of Adventures was great. The Hulk Ride was amazing... it shoots you out without you knowing what was going to happen. We had no idea what to expect. I was totally shocked and I love thrill rides. Spiderman was very cool... MIB ride was the best.. shooting aliens but can be scary. Jaws scared me as I am scared of anything like that. Twister was very interesting. Dueling Dragons was SOOOO amazing. Two coasters ridding together - we went on that one a few times. Popeye's water ride - you will get soaked on that ride! Jurassic Park area - well scared the crap out of me... told you I am afraid of Jaws, Dinosaurs and a few other things... lol
We also walked along International Drive - we stopped at Wonderworks - which is a scientific type place - lots of experiments and fun. We also checked out Ripleys. When you go there and try to do the tongue trick, dont be fooled - youll see why.. lol
While we were there he got suckered into purchasing a timeshare - at the time I felt it was a waste of money and now with our family I feel its great.
We went back to Orlando in April 2004 as a family. Thats two adults and three kids. We stayed at the timeshare. My youngest was 8 months at the time what could she remember? At the timeshare we had a 2 bedroom condo. It was fantastic with 3 kids. We cooked meals and saved a ton of money. While there we visited Seaworld again - make sure you see the Clyde and Seamore show. We played MiniGolf at the Pirates Cove. They checked out Ripleys and Wonderworks. Universal Studios was also on the list. The boys loved it. My youngest was on her first Carousel.
We got to go to Wet N Wild - It was their first time there... we all loved it.
Again we went October 2006 - this time we went to Disney. Again as a family we drove down - we left on a friday from NY and arrive in Orlando about 3pm the next day. It was a long drive. This time we took some friends with us. We stayed at the time share again - very convenient.
Our first time in Disney - we went to the Magic Kingdom - Animal Kingdom - both Water Parks and Disney Quest. Since it was our first time we had no idea what to expect. Since it was October the park was decorated for Halloween. We were able to get on some rides but not much as we had no idea what to do, lol... We did search the whole park or what we thought was the whole park. We kept looking for a Princess but didnt find a one. We were disappointed. Lucky it was Halloween! Apparently that night was the Pirate and Princess Party so the park was closing at 7pm.. while we were leaving - people were coming in. They were all dressed up! We stopped a Cinderella and begged her to take pictuers with my little girl, it made her day.
At Animal Kingdom we got to see Pocahontas and The Festival of the Lion King - thats a show I would see over and over. We actually missed the first few minutes but it was an amazing show. We finally got to see Mickey! Minne, Goofy and Donald were also there. Flick was another surprise!... We started to fall for Disney.
I went down again in March 2007 with my sister and her son. We took the kids to downtown Disney and found the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She loves dressing up and this was amazing, the did her hair with twist's and she got color all over her hair. She also got a sash - then it was on to the Magic Kingdom again! We got to see the Parade with all the lights.. wow that was amazing. Everyone called her Princess and bowed to her... it was so cute! The second park we hit was Universal Studios were my nephew got to see Lighting McQueen and Mater. Honey I shrunk the kids lot was a big hit with the kids. We saw power rangers and bear in the big blue house. We had also hit one of the water parks.
More Orlando to Come...
The first time I ever went to Orlando I was about 12 years old. Do I remember it, not too much.. I remember going to Seaworld and my mom leaving my brother and myself in the interactive water area for kids. She told us not to get wet but what kid listens to their mothers? We were soaked when she returned. I remember losing my luggage when we came home because her boyfriend at the time didnt get us to the airport in time. I was so mad.
But in the past few years Ive gone quiet a few times.
The first time I went to Orlando was Septober 2001 (Septober is Last week of Sept thru the First week of October) It was my first real vacation as an adult. I went with my then boyfriend and his brother. We left on a Tuesday night, we drove all night and arrived 1st in Tampa Florida - he had family there. We stayed in Tampa for a few days. I got to take a ride on a small boat - that was a first. I loved it. He and I left his brother in Tampa with the family and drove to Orlando. We stayed about a week in Orlando. It was my first time so I didnt know where to go and what to see.
He finally decided on Universal Studios and Island and Adventures. We also went to Seaworld. Island of Adventures was great. The Hulk Ride was amazing... it shoots you out without you knowing what was going to happen. We had no idea what to expect. I was totally shocked and I love thrill rides. Spiderman was very cool... MIB ride was the best.. shooting aliens but can be scary. Jaws scared me as I am scared of anything like that. Twister was very interesting. Dueling Dragons was SOOOO amazing. Two coasters ridding together - we went on that one a few times. Popeye's water ride - you will get soaked on that ride! Jurassic Park area - well scared the crap out of me... told you I am afraid of Jaws, Dinosaurs and a few other things... lol
We also walked along International Drive - we stopped at Wonderworks - which is a scientific type place - lots of experiments and fun. We also checked out Ripleys. When you go there and try to do the tongue trick, dont be fooled - youll see why.. lol
While we were there he got suckered into purchasing a timeshare - at the time I felt it was a waste of money and now with our family I feel its great.
We went back to Orlando in April 2004 as a family. Thats two adults and three kids. We stayed at the timeshare. My youngest was 8 months at the time what could she remember? At the timeshare we had a 2 bedroom condo. It was fantastic with 3 kids. We cooked meals and saved a ton of money. While there we visited Seaworld again - make sure you see the Clyde and Seamore show. We played MiniGolf at the Pirates Cove. They checked out Ripleys and Wonderworks. Universal Studios was also on the list. The boys loved it. My youngest was on her first Carousel.
We got to go to Wet N Wild - It was their first time there... we all loved it.
Again we went October 2006 - this time we went to Disney. Again as a family we drove down - we left on a friday from NY and arrive in Orlando about 3pm the next day. It was a long drive. This time we took some friends with us. We stayed at the time share again - very convenient.
Our first time in Disney - we went to the Magic Kingdom - Animal Kingdom - both Water Parks and Disney Quest. Since it was our first time we had no idea what to expect. Since it was October the park was decorated for Halloween. We were able to get on some rides but not much as we had no idea what to do, lol... We did search the whole park or what we thought was the whole park. We kept looking for a Princess but didnt find a one. We were disappointed. Lucky it was Halloween! Apparently that night was the Pirate and Princess Party so the park was closing at 7pm.. while we were leaving - people were coming in. They were all dressed up! We stopped a Cinderella and begged her to take pictuers with my little girl, it made her day.
At Animal Kingdom we got to see Pocahontas and The Festival of the Lion King - thats a show I would see over and over. We actually missed the first few minutes but it was an amazing show. We finally got to see Mickey! Minne, Goofy and Donald were also there. Flick was another surprise!... We started to fall for Disney.
I went down again in March 2007 with my sister and her son. We took the kids to downtown Disney and found the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She loves dressing up and this was amazing, the did her hair with twist's and she got color all over her hair. She also got a sash - then it was on to the Magic Kingdom again! We got to see the Parade with all the lights.. wow that was amazing. Everyone called her Princess and bowed to her... it was so cute! The second park we hit was Universal Studios were my nephew got to see Lighting McQueen and Mater. Honey I shrunk the kids lot was a big hit with the kids. We saw power rangers and bear in the big blue house. We had also hit one of the water parks.
More Orlando to Come...
Places Id like to go before I die
Everyone has said it before - Id like to visit this place before I die, even it its just for a day.
Where are places youd like to visit?
Here is my list: Williamsburg VA, Hollywood CA, Hawaii, Miami FL, Alaska, Barbados, Bermuda, USVI, Cancun, Puerto Rico, Cayman Island, Greece, Italy, Spain, Egypt.... and more..
Places Ive been: Orlando FL, Tampa FL, Fayetteville NC, ST Paul MN, Anaheim CA, Dallas TX, Memphis TN, Nashville, Hershey PA, Myrtle Beach SC, NYC, Boston MA, Salem MA, Atlanta GA, Bahamas, ST John New Bruswisk Canada, Washington DC, Fort Wayne IN, Key West Fl, Daytona Beach FL...,
I will break down all my adventures for each location...
Where are places youd like to visit?
Here is my list: Williamsburg VA, Hollywood CA, Hawaii, Miami FL, Alaska, Barbados, Bermuda, USVI, Cancun, Puerto Rico, Cayman Island, Greece, Italy, Spain, Egypt.... and more..
Places Ive been: Orlando FL, Tampa FL, Fayetteville NC, ST Paul MN, Anaheim CA, Dallas TX, Memphis TN, Nashville, Hershey PA, Myrtle Beach SC, NYC, Boston MA, Salem MA, Atlanta GA, Bahamas, ST John New Bruswisk Canada, Washington DC, Fort Wayne IN, Key West Fl, Daytona Beach FL...,
I will break down all my adventures for each location...
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