Now having said that next trip we book will have direct flights. Basically we lost 2 days of vacation to travel and lay overs and it amounted to long exhausting days. Especially the initial day.
We left on Monday April 28th, up at 6am to get ready, pack our vehicle and be across the city at my hubby's parents for an 8am cab pick up. We checked in and plane left at about 10:30am. There was a 30 minute delay. Once in Toronto there was yet another delay so the 5hr lay over turned into more of a 6hr lay over. By the time we arrived in Florida, got our rental van, bags and made it to the resort and checked in it was 2am Florida time. We were all bagged.
We stayed at Tiki Liki resort. It was nice enough but wasn't as nice as our previous accommodations at Calypso Cay Resort. We found Calypso much better stocked, bright, clean and very close to everything. Tiki Liki was a bit further though still in close proximity to everything. We ended up with a 2 bedroom condo. Hubby's parents stayed in the master room and our girls had the other room and my hubs and I took the hide-a-bed. Initially they put us in a condo that faced the parking lot despite the fact the resort was empty. That was very disappointing. At 2am we just wanted sleep but the next morning we went to inquire about a condo facing the pool. They moved us...with a charge of $65 for cleaning since we stayed the night in the initial condo. The condo's were not upgraded as some of the rooms had been that we saw on trip advisor. They were old and tired looking and we had issues with the toilets and sink faucets. Our condo faced the pool that was open until midnight. With teens we wanted to face the pool in the event we were making dinner so we could still see the girls. Due to evening weather we never used the pool at the end of the day. Bummer.
Our first day, Tuesday started off beautiful, slightly over cast, warm...we were loving it. We slept in a bit, got up and then headed for more of a brunch/lunch stopping at Cracker Barrel. We had never been there before. It wasn't bad. Interesting place. After lunch we went to Walmart to grab food for packing lunches for the park and our first few meals. I cannot get over how cheap things are down there in comparison. Stocked up and having gotten our park tickets there as well being cheaper than many places we were headed back to the resort. We unpacked...and it started raining...pouring...lightening...so we relaxed. Our intention of BBQing went out the door so we decided to head out and about and check out an Outlet mall. I love the outlet malls down there. Great deals! The mall is open to the outdoors so we had to run between stores in the rain but the cool rain felt nice. After some great buys, we grabbed a bite to eat at the food court and headed back to pack lunch and hit the hay....
Wednesday morning was yet again beautiful, slightly overcast but nice and warm. We all felt like we were likely adjusting to the difference in temperatures. We were up at 7am to get ready and be out the door early to be at the park just before opening at 9am. Our initial park we decided to hit based on crowd calender was Island of Adventures and Universal Studios. We got a 1 day park hopper pass since we'd been at Universal before and saw most of that park. Before even paying for parking and while waiting in the line up of cars a lady ran over to our van, knocked on the window and passed us a paid parking pass. Talk about wow....we were all dumbfounded...thanked her and wondered why us. What a feel good and what a wonderful woman! Made our day, special act of kindness.
Island of Adventures was really cool. The Harry Potter area was amazing and very well done. My girls loved it. I'd say we were all in awe and really took it in. My youngest got herself a wand and my oldest got a Butter Beer which she just had to have. Butter Beer is yummy...I stole a sip or two. We did most of the rides in Island of Adventures loving the roller coasters...especially the Dueling Dragons and Hulk! At Universal we of course did the Mummy ride which we all loved the time before. We also did the Minion ride and Transformers. Awesome!!! They are must. It was sad to see that Jaws is no more. My youngest did pose beside the hanging Jaws this time, but alas...no Jaws ride. Boo!!! I heard they also closed King Kong and are going to be closing ET! Say it ain't so!! We bailed at about 6pm from the parks. The skies were dark and threatening and it was good that we did when we did as they opened up and poured. Good timing.
The downpour prevented us from once again doing our BBQ so we fried burgers in a pan and then went out to check out a gift shop for deals on Disney stuff and TJ Max. Much like Winners and found ourselves a few more great deals, but nadda at the first gift shop. We called it a night around midnight. I cannot believe how late stores stay open! Again a good thing for those trying to pack lots in, in a short time.
Thursday we were once again up bright and early and off to Epcot. It was a beautiful morning, blue skies, a few clouds. Great start! We got parking right up close with no need to jump a tram to the front. Lines moved smooth and we were in right off the hop. I was sad that the pavilions were closed until 11am. Our plan was to hit them first while it was still cool and before our afternoon Fast Passes. Instead we turned back, purchased Magic bands and grabbed a star bucks drink. Magic bands are so much easier than pulling out the cards. I highly recommend them and they are good for 2yrs I believe...so we can reload them if we return within 2yrs, no need to purchase more. While killing time we jumped in line for Soarin which was a hit again. It's amazing what they can do with technology now. I really felt as though we were soaring through the skies. Last time we were at Epcot we went in the evening and did dinner with the princesses in Norway and watched the fireworks. We didn't get further than China in the Pavilion and only went on Soarin, Mission to Mars and the boat in Norway. This time we did Test Track...(<--a must!) Living off the Land (informative), visited with Crush for a few laughs. We walked the pavillion later in the day. My hubs and I tried beers in Germany, I had a Grapefruit beer and he had a Pilsner I believe. I enjoyed mine... we also purchased a Cow Bell in Germany and a blown glass mickey ornament for our tree. We always buy ornaments on our trips. The day ended around 5pm once again and before rain...again! Unreal this time that we had so much. Thankfully we were able to BBQ our steaks. The BBQ's...were few and far between and not close in proximity to our condo...which was a bit of a let down. It didn't pour like nights before but was a constant drizzle. We still managed a quick walk around to check out the sites at the resort, stop at the arcade and chase frogs.
Friday we again woke bright and early to head to the Magic Kingdom. Skies were not blue and we wondered how the day would go. Our hopes upon leaving the resort were that many would put off visiting this park due to the possibility of rain...GPS had been good to us up until this trip...we ended up detouring through back country roads and got more of a scenic tour. In the end it worked out and we got to see some really nice family communities...hmmm got us thinking...how wonderful would it be to live in Florida? Le Sigh... We still made it to Magic Kingdom around 9am. Instead of taking the ferry across as we had our previous trip 4 years ago we opted for the tram. We piled into it like cows onto a slotter truck. I was amazed again with how well set up the parks are. So efficient. We really didn't have any waits...for parking, or tram or to get into parks.... very well thought out! Perhaps it's because of when we went. In any case it was a smooth process. Once inside the park we ventured towards the Haunted Mansion. This is a favorite for my girls. On pinterest we had seen Disney Secrets to look for, ask for ect...it must be either outdated OR for California as they do not hand out maps at the Safari ride or death certificates at the Haunted Mansion. The girls were a bit choked. As we left the Haunted Mansion it began to sprinkle to we headed for cover and went on the Safari ride. We were dry until we got off...then it poured! Hint... pre purchase ponchos in advance of parks!! They are $$$ at the park. We found this out but now have cool Disney Ponchos. We ended up wearing them all day as it rained all day. I guess it was a good thing though as we made it from open to close at the park. If it had been hot we may have left early. We got in a lot and tried Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain this time. The rain did not dampen our parade but did cancel the Disney parades. :( We also didn't see any characters which was too bad because my youngest bought an autograph book.
2 hours before the firework display we took cover at the train Station with an amazing view of the castle...and it was covered. While waiting we witnessed the most beautiful proposal... as the lights turned on the surrounding buildings and night came, the rain was drizzling a young man got down in the middle of the square and proposed. She said yes and everyone cheered. So super romantic! Then not long after while in the confectionery shop with my hubby an employee asked for everyones attention, then introduced a little girl and asked that everyone sing Happy Birthday to her. There was at least 100 people packed into the shop and everyone stopped to sing. The little girl and her mother were blown away. It was a moment I was happy to be a part of, a moment I will remember. The little girls day was made. Magic Kingdom really is a place of happy. Thankfully the rain lightened up so we still got to see the Electric parade and then the fantastic show on the castle and fireworks. I think we all teared up...happy tears. It was breath taking and magical! I am so glad we stayed despite the rain. We saw the fireworks at Epcot 4yrs before but they are nothing compared to Magic Kingdom.
After Magic Kingdom we headed home...and being midnight..there was little sitting up to visit. We were all bagged...3 days of parks, walking and long day of travel...we planned nadda for the following day.
Saturday we slept in, sat in PJ's on the deck, enjoyed some sun...it was a day of a lot of nothing. The girls went to the Arcade but aside from that we did some laundry, sat around enjoying drinks and then hit Chuy's for dinner. If you haven't been there...GO!! NOM NOM NOM their creamy jalapeno dip is to die for...seriously amazing. We all loved it and bought some to bring home to enjoy for the following days. They added 2 bags of their thing tortilla chips at no charge. The dip doubles as a super salad dressing. I immediately pinned Chuy's jalapeno dressing on Pinterest when we got back and will be attempting to make it...fingers crossed that it tastes the same or we will be returning on another trip just for Chuy's in the near future.
Sunday was another lax day...we took it easy and did a bit more Outlet shopping. I love outlets! I think I already said that. Haha. This shopping mall wasn't as busy and much larger. The hit for me was Forever 21 where I got a few really nice shirts and a dress. I'm not typically a dress person but really liked this one. Great get! We did Sonic for dinner. My oldest daughter had asked all week to go to Sonic since we didn't find one last visit. Luckily this time it was right by the mall. We all enjoyed the shakes but could and would pass on the meal next time. I had Coconut Cream Pie...I'd have it again!
Tuesday we were up at 3am to head to the airport. We had about a 40 minute drive and had to return the rental so we left the condo at 4am and made it to the airport and returned the car in perfect time to check in for 5am. After grabbing breakfast we took it easy and thankfully our plane was on time this time around. The first plane to Toronto was fairly smooth, however there was a bit of a scare when a young man sitting near an exit door went a little nuts. I'm pretty sure he had some form of a mental disorder as he was screaming, thrashing around and trying to bite his father. His parents and the flight crew moved him to the back and calmed him but it sure sent a bit of an adrenaline rush through the plane, especially when he reached for the exit door while in flight. I've never experienced anything like it and I hope to never again. We had a quick lay over and then boarded to return to Calgary.
It was sad to be home. Such a difference in weather. I missed our pets and right away our sitter let us know our poodle hurt his foot. He wasn't sure if it was a nail he might have stepped on after having had our roof redone or just what. Turned out he broke a toe nail clear off to the quick. His toe was a bit swollen and he was running a fever so it was off to the vet. We did urine test at the time too since he's been peeing. Meds, a cone, and urine test/culture and we were home...exhausted too.
I'm already thinking of our next trip and where it might take us...so many places we'd like to go. Perhaps we'll go check out Disneyland...or Hawaii...who knows. All I know is...I cannot wait to travel again!
