Friday - last morning, evening flight home

It appears the weather matched our mood today, overcast with a bit of rain.  We packed the last remaining bits and bobs into the cases and headed out just before 10.  We decided to do Perkins for breakfast.  Maybe not the best suggestion as although the restaurant didn't look full I'm guessing they didn't have full staff in as we waited ages for a table, and then quite a while for food.  Whilst it was OK, was not our best breakfast this trip.

With a quick stop at Walmart for some last minute candy/medicine supplies we headed off up the i4 to Top Golf again.  The shops were certainly busy this morning, we think because of Black Friday, and the outlet mall as seen from the i4 was heaving, with cars parked on all the grass verges for about a mile round the centre.

We had another hour and a golf playing various versions of top golf before heading to the airport.

With a last minute stop (nearly forgot) to top up the fuel we arrived at the airport just after 3 for our 6.10 flight.  We dropped off the car and headed into the airport where we were quickly through bag drop, a short wait for security then through to the departure area. We ate at Shake Shack in the airport.

Bit late for the car photo but here it is ... Kia Telluride

The flight unfortunately got delayed just after they announced the first groups to board.  There was a navigation fault that needed a new spare part and needed testing before the plane could fly.  We finally boarded and took off just after 9pm.

Thursday - Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was always planned to be a resting day at the villa. Being Thanksgiving, we are avoiding the parks as we believe they will be busy. Other attractions like Top Golf/crazy golf are all closed along with supermarkets, stores and restaurants.

We had our normal croissants, crackers, ham and cheese for breakfast, then spent the day relaxing in and around the pool.  We also had fun playing pool in the garage.

Around 5pm we got ourselves sorted and headed out to hopefully find dinner.  It was quite strange driving around with everything closed and all the car parks empty.  Having looked online at a number of restaurants Ruby Tuesdays was claiming to be open, "so you don't have to cook on Thanksgiving".  The only one around here is about 20 miles north at Clermont.  We had everything crossed but were doubtful when we saw everything else closed including McDonalds and petrol stations. 

We needn't have worried they were open and quiet when we arrived. We had a lovely dinner (forgot photos tonight).  Keith had teriyaki salmon, Sarah had ribeye, ribs and shrimp, Stephen a burger and I had a pound of shrimp - half grilled in garlic butter and have breadcrumbs.  Sarah and I had cocktails, keith a beer for $1 (it was happy hour) and Stephen a lemonade as he was driving, much like he's done for most of the holiday!

We headed back to the villa a little sad that it was our last evening.  The kids had a last swim before we headed indoors to pack and do online check-in.

We watched Jeff Dunham's new Christmas special before heading to bed. 

Wednesday - Pool and SeaWorld

With an evening visit to SeaWorld planned, we had the rest of the day to relax and soak up some more Florida sunshine. We started with breakfast at the nearby IHOP, then back to sit by the pool and swim.  

We got to SeaWorld around 5pm and our first stop was Penguin Trek, the only ride that hadn't been open when we visited last week. This is another new ride for the park, a great family coaster with lots if fast twists and turns.

The others decided to head off to ride Mako and others. I really wanted to see the Manatees, so left they to their riding for a while and went to view some animals in my own.  It was a beautiful warm evening wandering the park admiring all the Christmas lights.

Rejoining the others we went off to do Ice Breaker and Pipeline, both of which, sadly, were not running this evening. 

Sarah and I chose to watch the Orca show while Keith and Stephen went to ride Manta and Kraken.

We met up again to re-ride Mako a couple of times and then Sarah and Stephen ran back for a final ride on Penguin Trek.  With the time now 9 o'clock and with the park closing we walked back to rntrance, watching the fireworks as we did.  A quick look round the shops and we were then heading back to the car.

Because it was late we decided on Wendy's for food.

By the time we got back to the villa, past the I4 and 192 traffic it was nearly 10.45. Shattered we we soon in

Tuesday - Top Golf

Yay, we had a lie in! After a late-ish breakfast in the villa, Keith and I nipped to the local shopping park to Rack Room Shoes as he was still hoping to grab another pair of trainers. Nothing took his fancy so we returned to the villa to plan the rest of the day.  We stopped on the way to fuel the car up.

Petrol prices

Keith, Sarah and Stephen were keen to give Top Golf a try. They like to play at home and were interested to see if it was different at all. As it was at the top end of International Drive it meant we would be in the right location for our planned evening at SeaWorld. 

Traffic, as always around here nowadays, was busy but we made it.  This is a 3 tiered Top Golf but we ended up in the lower floor.  The first difference us you pay for a time in your bay rather than per game.  The next difference was the type of games you could choose to play, from the original to Mario or Angry Birds themed games.  We decided on a 90 minute slot which gave them plenty of time to try a few different games.  Drinks were served in the bays, we could have had food too but didn't. Had nice comfy outdoor chairs to sit on too. You pay your server at the end of your time for the amount of time you've played and any refreshments.  We loved the experience here and might return if we have time. It also helped that Tuesday's are half price for the bay time!

View towards Fun Spot on I Drive. Star flyer, sling shot and big wheel

View from top floor bays

We headed next to Applebee's (restaurant) for a late lunch.  We order 2 starters a sampler and a loaded nachos plus some waffle fries (forgot to take photos).  Stephen was starting to feel unwell and didn't really eat much.  He had some paracetamol in the hopes it would alleviate his temperature changes and tiredness but in the end we decided to abandon our Seaworld plans and instead headed back to the villa.  

The traffic was horrendous, a couple of accidents had caused large queues on a number of roads and it took us quite a while to get home.  We did stop at a restaurant on the 192 for a toilet break for Stephen and Sarah and I decided to go into the tat gift shop next door for a look around.

Back home and we had a a fun hour or so playing pool against each other.

Stephen was now feeling a little better and wanted some food.  Keith and Sarah decided they'd like something else too, so they ordered a chicken burger meal to share, and Stephen a burger meal from our local Applebee's and then Stephen and Sarah drove round to collect it.

After they'd eaten, Keith and I popped to Publix to stock up on milk etc.

Not the day we planned exactly, but still loads of fun, Top Golf certainly exceeded our expectations. Weather has been hot today, probably felt like the hottest day so far although still around 27 degrees same as the last couple of days. 

We expect tomorrow's plan will change too niw, we will probably drop our return to Busch Gardensand swap for Seaworld.  Not really a problem as we managed to do all the rides after dark last week.

Step count only 3000 ish today! 

 

Monday - shopping /relaxing

After breakfast at the villa of croissants we headed to the Premium Outlet Mall hoping the car parks might be quieter than when we tried on Friday.  Alas, not. We ended up parking in the multi story which cost us $12.  I'm sure this car park used to be free! 

We spent a couple of hours or more here, mainly in the shoe/trainer shops, with Keith, Sarah and I buying trainers.  Stephen wasn't so lucky in what he was looking for.  I also bought a couple of Kipling bags and a purse and Keith got another polo shirt.

Back to the car and the boys dropped Sarah and I off at Disney Springs.  

Needing some lunch first, we started with a shared entree at House of Blues of a brisket sandwich and fries.

We then spent far longer than anticipated perusing the Disney merchandise but we were very restrained with only a couple of small ornaments purchased.  Sarah was however tempted into buying a make up Box from Sophora.

We loved looking at the different themed Christmas trees around the shopping areas.

After realising we had run out of time to do a planned trip to at least one of the Disney hotels to view the Christmas decorations, we found somewhere to sit in the setting sunshine and had a dole whip floater to share.

The boys had gone back to the villa, stopping to get a subway on the way.  They spent the Afternoon relaxing by the pool and swimming.

They picked us up again from Disney Springs just after 6 and we decided to play our second game of crazy golf at Congo River before dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings where we all ordered far to much food!! 

Shattered big kids!

Steps today 12100