Day 5 - Epcot rides and Magic

A belated post for day five, caused by a late finish. We had fastpasses for Soarin' so no prizes for guessing where we started the day. Who knows, it may be the last time that we will go Soarin' over California, as soon it'll be time to go Soarin' all around the world, not to mention the arrival of a third screen. I wonder if Patrick will be back to record a new introduction?

Anyway, as good as ever, with the pine and orange smells as delightful as ever, and we all ducked for the golf ball.

We still had our fastpass left over from the other day when Test Track broke down, so that was our next stop ..., but it was down again! So, we went left and to the 'Festival pavilion' as it seems to be officially known now (Horizons) and enjoyed the Ghiradellis display and the film about the making of the F&W festival.

By the time we came out, TT was back up and running, and so we were able to have our ride, and once done we were ready for more F&W time, and headed towards the World Showcase. Highlights included a return visit to the mussels and the beef bourguignon, and finding some Scottish haggis and some Canadian cheese soup. And we finished off with a waffle cone from the ice cream store in France.

Back at the hotel, we checked the route (I4 to 82B) and then the boys headed off to the Amway Center for the the Orlando v Oklahoma NBA game (the girls headed back to Epcot later in the evening for a meal at the French restaurant followed by Illuminations).

The game was fantastic. The Magics were up from the start, and by the beginning of the 4th quarter had an 18 point lead, but somehow Oklahoma fought back and tied the game with some amazing play in the final seconds. Then, in overtime, Oklahoma quickly went 5 points up, but the Magics wouldn't give up, and released a buzzer-beating 3-point shot with 0.1 second left to tie the game up again and take the game into a second overtime. Sadly, they couldn't quite repeat the feat, and the game ended up 139-136 to Oklahoma. So, whilst the home fans went away disappointed, as a spectacle, it was tremendous.

We were home just before 11, only a few minutes after the Epcot trip, after a very quick and easy exit from the 'Geico Garage' (parking garage connected by covered pedestrian bridge to the Amway which was about 100 yards from I4) and a 25 min drive home.

Day 4 - Resort and more

A non park day for some of us today, with a relaxing start followed by games at the resort - pool, table tennis, tennis and basketball. Jake and I discovered that playing tennis at lunchtime on a shade free court was something that could only be kept up for about 25 minutes before the urgent need for air conditioning.

As for this evening's activities, Nicky and I went out to LBVFS followed by a very nice meal at Olive Garden, whilst the rest of the party, has, we think, headed off to Epcot to enjoy some more sampling of the Food and Wine festival's treats, and the first (I presume there will be more) viewing of Illuminations of this holiday.

Day 3 - Studios and Millenia

Another wet day in Orlando, but hopefully the last of its kind for a long time. We started the day at the Studios, where the rain came down as we were walking from the car to the tram!

The first rain was only a shower, and so we were able to walk down the Studios' 'Main Street' (Sunset?) without getting wet, admiring the view of the Chinese Theatre unobstructed by a Sorceror's Hat. And it was to the Theatre that we were headed, to try out the updated Great Movie Ride. Turns out that the updates are fairly limited, mostly to get mentions in for TCM who are now the sponsors. Still, nice to see a new pre show film - we saw a bit with Errol Flynn being Robin Hood!

When we came out of the show, the heavens had well and truly opened, so we took refuge in the ABC Commissary and had a drink, before getting all poncho'd up and making a dash for Toy Story Mania where a fastpass time was awaiting us. Scoring-wise, I came mid table, and Nicky was relieved to retain her top billing, although it was only by a few thousand from Jake (175 to 172).

A new restaurant for us for lunch - the Brown Derby, and it was declared a success. Between us we had fifteen desserts (trios all round) so it can't have been bad.

We decided that was enough for the Studios, and so headed out and back to OKW, by which time the sun was out. After a break at 'home', we decided that our afternoon/evening trip out would be to the Mall at Millenia, where Jake stocked up on more trainers and clothes, and a particular highlight, Nicky secured her Apple Watch.

We picked up cheesecakes at the Factory before leaving, and after a very long drive home (overturned car on I4) enjoyed them back here.

Day 2 - Epcot and Outlet

We are getting into Florida time, or at least I am anyway, and we were out later than yesterday. Despite this, we were pretty much in the front row of the Epcot car park and had only a very short stroll in to the park. Not many photos were taken today (and all photos so far have been taken by phone - the actual camera has remained in the drawer in the hotel) as it was overcast and raining at times, and so we will save the Spaceship Earth, World Showcase, Monorail and Epcot gardens shots etc, for a sunnier day.

We were in the park in time for our first fastpass (albeit not at the beginning of the allotted hour) and so headed straight over for a ride with Nemo and Friends in the Living Seas. Next stop was decreed to be Club Cool so that Jake could introduce Nanny and Granddad to some of the new flavours, but we were there too soon - it only opened at 10.30, so we went for a quick browse in Mouse Gear until opening time.

Once we'd 'Beverley'd' and had our sugar rush of free samples we headed back towards the entrance via a look at the offerings at the pin station and a quick peruse in the art store, and then our second fastpass at Spaceship Earth so that Dame Judy could explain to us over the course of what seemed like just a few minutes of ride time how we evolved from cavemen into some guy (probably called Wozniak?) sat in a California garage inventing the home computer.

By now the World Showcase was open, and so that's where we headed, in a clockwise direction, and got stuck into the Food and Wine festival. I can't remember what we ate, but I know that it started with some mac 'n' cheese before we even arrived in Mexico, and ended in France with some beef bourguignon and several creme brulees! (A more detailed and exact analysis can be obtained from Nanny's notebook upon request.)

So, we didn't quite manage to eat our way around the world, but we decided that we needed to take a pause, and besides which, we had our final fastpass to consider, and the window was closing, so we headed over to Test Track, left Nanny sat outside, and headed through the fastpass check with 8 minutes to spare. Sadly, we only made it as far as designing our cars before the announcement came around to say that the ride was experiencing technical difficulties and we were escorted out of the emergency exit. However, we did get another fastpass which is good for use any time up until the end of the month, so we should be ok to get on another time.

After Epcot, we made our way to Walgreens (driving past Springs and admiring the combination of progress / building works / roadworks / chaos that it is at the moment) for various holiday essentials (yes - I have chocolate malty balls!) before going to Premium on Vineland.

Jake and I both did well out of the trip to the shops. Jake cleaned up at the Nike store and has a load of new basketball gear - shoes, socks, shorts and jacket, whilst I have new shirts from Polo. Strangely they have changed their sizing - no more classic/custom fits, and as a result I seem to have shrunk by half an inch of neck measurement - weird! Also Nanny got a new watch from the Skagen store (which has appeared at the Vineland Premium next to Nike where the Fudge Kitchen used to be).

Once shopping was complete, it was time for tea, and as we were nearby we went to the Outback Steakhouse, and introduced Nanny and Granddad to the joys of the blooming onion!

Back home, and Jake is enjoying watching the first game of the new NBA season on the TV - getting into the mood for later this week and our trip to see the Magic.

Right, now that I have got the photos uploading I can share a couple. Here's one from yesterday at MK, and one from today's enjoyment of the Food and Wine festival.

Day 1 - MK and Springs

And so to our first full day. As always, we were up at a fairly early hour, some having got more sleep than others. However, we weren't out all that early, and were probably on the bus to MK at around 8 o'clock, meaning that by the time we got into the park itself, the morning EMH was already part way through.

In any case, I wasn't in a mountain-ish frame of mind (a bit cold-ified) and so after castle photos on Main Street, the first ride of the day was Buzz Lightyear. Jake came out victorious. Then, as it was a walk on, we couldn't resist a quick trip on the TTA before heading along to New Fantasyland where there was time for a pastry and a drink before our first fastpass ride of the day on the Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

Back to 'Old' Fantasyland, and in to Philharmagic, where I am convinced that the film has been through a bit of editing - must to some research to see whether my suspicions are correct, and then through to Liberty Square for a ride on the Paddle Steamer on the Rivers of America.

We decided to have an early lunch, and tried out the Tortuga Tavern (new for us) in Adventureland. Got a thumbs up for the pulled pork sandwich. After lunch our second fastpass time had arrived for a trip on the Jungle Cruise, and I have the photos of the back side of water to prove it.

Last stop before leaving Adventureland was for dole whip, which took a little longer than expected as they've moved where they are sold, but it was worth doubling back to track them down, and then it was back down Main Street and the bus back to OKW for a rest.

A couple of hours of recharging at the hotel, and we took the SSC ferry to Disney Springs (as we are still learning to call it) and had a wander around, marvelling at what's new, and what is clearly still to come, before dinner at Raglan Road.

Arrived

Here we are all unpacked and arrived at OKW. Flight went smoothly, airport transfer fine, groceries waiting for us on arrival.

Time for bed and off to a park tomorrow.