Magic

J's turn not to feel like getting up and at 'em this time, so we were a party of three heading off reasonably early to AK, getting there a little before general entry, and in time for us all to go on Navi River, followed by a fairly short line for Flight of Passage. Then on to Safari where the lions were out this time, and even on the train to Rafiki's and the Affection Section for N to get up close and personal with the goats.

N and I enjoyed and wander through the Maharajah Jungle Trek, mostly marvelling at the theming, and spending some time together, but spotted the tigers too!

Nemo show perhaps still fun, but perhaps not what it once was - someone obviously told them to cut it in half, which seems a bit of a shame, but there you go.

Coming out of Nemo, it had started to rain, which was a bit of a surprise - first time this trip. So we took shelter in It's Tough to be a Bug, after which it had pretty much stopped, and it was time to head for home.

Main event of the day was in the evening - the opening game of the season for the Orlando Magics. Return trip for me and J, and first time for N! Magics cruised to a 30-point victory, we got more free t-shirts, and we generally soaked up the razzamatazz!

Keys

N&J up and away early today for their 'Keys to the Kingdom' fun and games at the Magic Kingdom by early Minnie Van, whilst Nan and I took it easy at the resort. By all accounts, lots of fun was had (but no pictures taken!).

Therefore, the best, and only, picture I can manage from today is from the dinner menu!

Billy

Delightfully late off the mark, followed by a trip (N, J and me) to the Vineland Premium Outlets for a second go at shopping. Tommy Bahama shirt for me, and then J and I cleaned up at CK requiring two fairly sizeable bags to pack it all in.

Back in time to collect Nan and transfer by Skyliner to Epcot and our early 'Eat to the Beat' dinner at the Rose and Crown. We were served by Roisin from Benfleet - who entertainingly had married someone from 'next door' Canada, and is relatively famous on TikTok. Scotch Egg to start all round, and sticky toffee pudding to finish all round, and a mixture of fish and chips, bangers and mash, and shepherd's pie for main.

But the real main event was Billy Ocean - all the way from Caribbean Queen to Suddenly!

Buccaneers

Road trip for J and me today to Tampa and a first - a chance to see an NFL game, finally completing the set of hockey, basketball, baseball and football.

Travel was straightforward (95% I4), parking easy (J had booked us lot 14 in advance), food ok (we had a free sample from the Publix zone outside before we went in, and then Jake had a pretty decent burger, whilst I insisted on having a 'foot-long' which was pretty average), stadium impressive (it has its own pirate ship), weather hot (I took advantage of the free - gloopy - sun lotion dispensers. Jake didn't), merchandise so so (I think J might be saving himself for Wednesday, but hey, we got free T-shirts!), and game very entertaining (even if the wrong team kicked the winning points with four seconds to go!).

Meanwhile, in Orlando, I am reliably informed that the new Cirque du Soleil 'Drawn to Life' is excellent!

To finish the day off, once we were all home, as I hadn't seen her all day, N and I went out for dinner together. We found Estefan's Kitchen, just off 192, and the food and the music were only bettered by the company.

 

Top

Reasonably early start to take advantage of our resort extra half hour in Hollywood, as a result of which we were able (three of us) to ride the ever-fun slinky dog, before getting into a not-too-long line (four of us) for TSM where, once again, I took the bronze medal.

Disappointing to report that two of our favourite places to get a drink and a pastry in the Studios no longer exist - no more 'Starring Rolls' and no more 'Writers' Stop', so, after a visit to see the Muppets (where the shop is closed also, and the whole area is looking a little unloved - time for a revamp perhaps - maybe it's bye-bye time Kermit?!) we found ourselves in Galaxy's Edge having a 'Ronto Wrap' for a late breakfast.

Plan formulated that Nan and N would stay at the Studios for a little longer (first stop Frozen singalong) whilst J and I would head back to the resort and then make a move for Top Golf where we had a booking.

Top Golf was exactly like Vegas, and lots of fun. As always, lots of talk about 'if only I could take some of these shots out onto the course...' and so on. We enjoyed aiming for the targets and playing virtual rounds. I even managed to sneak in a trip to B&N on the way back to the hotel.

Off to Springs for dinner, and to give the Boathouse another chance. It might be a while before we give it a third try. Food ok, but place generally noisy and chaotic. Shame really - could and should be much better. At least Nicky had a drink with a rubber duck in it!

MK

Refreshed from an easy day, J and I headed off early to MK to take full advantage of our extra 30 mins. Front row (apart from the preferred) in the parking, fairly chilly ferry, and then straight onto space mountain. Out and onto Buzz just before eight. I didn't do well. Into the queue for Seven Dwarves, where we only had to wait about 20 mins (love that ride) and then over to Big Thunder and Pirates, both of which were pretty much a walk on. About a 20 min wait for Jungle Cruise, at which point it was about 10 o'clock, we were six rides in, and it was time to head back over to Tomorrowland for our Tron boarding group.

We got row one.

It was awesome!

Brief stop in Main Street Starbucks for celebratory drink and pastry and that was MK done!

Sneaky trip out for some shopping in the afternoon, followed by evening dinner at Topolino's on the top floor of the Riviera.

Food good. Service and ambience average.

Wall

Thursday came and I hit the wall, needing to have a bit of a lazy day, so N&J headed off to Epcot for some fun, including a lightning lane ride on Guardians ("fun but done"), plus I'm sure there was a little bit of Food'n'Wine festival enjoyment as well.

Evening trip to Springs.