Washington DC, Blue Ridge Mountains, Coasters (5 new parks) and more
Pre Trip info
Day 1 - Travel Day
Day 2 - Washington DC
Day 3 - More Washington
Day 4 - Six Flags America
Day 5 - Kings Dominion
Day 6 - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Day 7 - Blue Ridge Mountains
Day 8 - Mountains to Charlotte/Carowinds
Day 9 - Carowinds
Day 10 - Journey to Atlanta
Day 11 - Six Flags over Georgia
Day 12 - the long drive south to Orlando
Day 13 - in the villa
Day 14 - Swimming, golf, shopping and cheesecake
Day 15 - Swimming and rain!!
Day 16 - Spiders and more rain!! (Wekiwa State Park)
Day 17 - SeaWorld
Day 18 - Girls and Boys
Day 19 - Busch Gardens
Day 20 - Relaxing
Day 21 - SeaWorld part 2
Day 22 - Last full day, golf and relaxing
Day 23 - Going home :(
For our food report from our 2015 trip please click tab at the top of the page
Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts
Wednesday, 19 August 2015
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
2015 Day 23 - Going home :(
Well, the day finally arrived, time to leave and head home.
We need to be out of the villa by 10am. We set our alarms for 8 and after a quick cup of tea, finish the packing, strip the beds and put on the first load of washing.
The cleaners arrive just as we are leaving and we say a sad goodbye to a really lovely villa.
We head up to Idrive. Our flight isn't til 4.30pm so we had decided to play some golf, have a meal at Dennys and then head to the airport.
The humidity was very high this morning and we were soon perspiring our way around 18 holes of mini golf at Pirates Cove. The sun was out and we found ourselves moving from one shady spot to another as we waited for a family in front of us. We have, as always, really enjoyed our mini golf in Orlando.
Feeling hot and hungry now, we pulled into the nearest Denny's. Unfortunately they were queuing out of the door and obviously waiting for tables so we decided to miss that and head up Sand Lake Road towards the airport and find something enroute. We eventually settled on TGI Fridays.
There was no putting it off after that, we were on our way home and headed to the airport. We dropped off the car and quickly checked our bags in (we had done online check in last night). We were fast tracked through security - no idea why - and onto the monorail to the terminal.
By the time we had had a drink and got changed into our travel clothes it was nearly time for boarding.
First flight was from Orlando to Newark. Plane had on demand entertainment which I wasn't expecting, so the 3 hour flight was soon over and our landing into Newark gave us some stunning, and tantalising, views of the New York Skyline, with WTC1 and Statue of Liberty easily visible in the late afternoon sun.
We had less than 2 hours here, just enough time to grab some food and we were boarding our next flight for Heathrow. Take off out of Newark was equally spectacular as we were rewarded with a night view of the Skyline and the surrounding areas.
All flights were smooth and ontime. No problems at all with United on any flights.
We were quickly off the plane at Heathrow and after a bit of a queue at immigration, we collected our cases and walked out to the car park where Purple Parking had our own car waiting for us. Perfect, we love Meet and Greet parking, so easy.
So now for the jet lag and holiday blues, we have had a truly memorable holiday with lots of new experiences. Will try and add photos soon. Thanks for reading.
Click here for trip index
We need to be out of the villa by 10am. We set our alarms for 8 and after a quick cup of tea, finish the packing, strip the beds and put on the first load of washing.
The cleaners arrive just as we are leaving and we say a sad goodbye to a really lovely villa.
We head up to Idrive. Our flight isn't til 4.30pm so we had decided to play some golf, have a meal at Dennys and then head to the airport.
The humidity was very high this morning and we were soon perspiring our way around 18 holes of mini golf at Pirates Cove. The sun was out and we found ourselves moving from one shady spot to another as we waited for a family in front of us. We have, as always, really enjoyed our mini golf in Orlando.
Feeling hot and hungry now, we pulled into the nearest Denny's. Unfortunately they were queuing out of the door and obviously waiting for tables so we decided to miss that and head up Sand Lake Road towards the airport and find something enroute. We eventually settled on TGI Fridays.
There was no putting it off after that, we were on our way home and headed to the airport. We dropped off the car and quickly checked our bags in (we had done online check in last night). We were fast tracked through security - no idea why - and onto the monorail to the terminal.
By the time we had had a drink and got changed into our travel clothes it was nearly time for boarding.
First flight was from Orlando to Newark. Plane had on demand entertainment which I wasn't expecting, so the 3 hour flight was soon over and our landing into Newark gave us some stunning, and tantalising, views of the New York Skyline, with WTC1 and Statue of Liberty easily visible in the late afternoon sun.
We had less than 2 hours here, just enough time to grab some food and we were boarding our next flight for Heathrow. Take off out of Newark was equally spectacular as we were rewarded with a night view of the Skyline and the surrounding areas.
All flights were smooth and ontime. No problems at all with United on any flights.
We were quickly off the plane at Heathrow and after a bit of a queue at immigration, we collected our cases and walked out to the car park where Purple Parking had our own car waiting for us. Perfect, we love Meet and Greet parking, so easy.
So now for the jet lag and holiday blues, we have had a truly memorable holiday with lots of new experiences. Will try and add photos soon. Thanks for reading.
Click here for trip index
Sunday, 9 August 2015
2015 Day 22 - last full day, golf and relax
Well it's finally here, the last full day of our trip. We weren't in a hurry this morning, so after a bit of a lie in we got ready and went to Perkins for breakfast.
No parks planned for today, but we had decided to play some more golf. We went to a pirate themed one one the 192. Not been here before. They had some unusual holes! Had a good laugh.
We went back to the villa after golf and decided to have a game of pool before starting to pack the suitcases. We had a lot of trainers(sneakers) to fit in!
With the cases nearly packed we thought we deserved a swim so spent the next couple of hours in the pool enjoying the sunshine.
Difficult decision today was where to eat on our last night. In the end we all chose our top 3 choices and the only restaurant to feature on everyone's list was Ruby Tuesday. I know we went last night too but it was a great decision, the food was again fantastic, not too busy and good service.
Back in the villa we had another pool competition. Stephen has got quite good at it!
We have also checked in online, so thats it, tomorrow we fly home!
Click here for trip index
No parks planned for today, but we had decided to play some more golf. We went to a pirate themed one one the 192. Not been here before. They had some unusual holes! Had a good laugh.
 |
| ball is in mid flight across the gap not actually in the water hazard!! |
We went back to the villa after golf and decided to have a game of pool before starting to pack the suitcases. We had a lot of trainers(sneakers) to fit in!
With the cases nearly packed we thought we deserved a swim so spent the next couple of hours in the pool enjoying the sunshine.
Difficult decision today was where to eat on our last night. In the end we all chose our top 3 choices and the only restaurant to feature on everyone's list was Ruby Tuesday. I know we went last night too but it was a great decision, the food was again fantastic, not too busy and good service.
Back in the villa we had another pool competition. Stephen has got quite good at it!
We have also checked in online, so thats it, tomorrow we fly home!
Click here for trip index
Saturday, 8 August 2015
2015 Day 21 - Seaworld
A return visit to Seaworld today meant another early start as we wanted to be there close to park opening at 9am.
We grabbed some ham and cheese rolls, from supplies we'd picked up at Target last night and were soon on our way and made it to the parking lot by 9.15.
Our main aim today was to ride the coaster Kraken as it was closed when we went on Monday, and it is one of Stephen's favourite rides. As it wasn't due to open til 10, the others went on Manta first while I went for drinks in the refillable mugs we'd got from Busch Gardens. By the time I got back they had just finished their ride so we walked in over towards Kraken to wait for it opening.
We were on quite quickly and Stephen was happy!
We hadn't managed to do the Pets Ahoy show on Monday so this was a must today. The air was really warm and humid today (read very sweaty!) so it was nice to be indoors for a while. Same show as the last couple of visits but still enjoyable.
When we came back out it was cloudy and we soon found out the coasters were closed due to inclement weather! To pass the time we walked through the aquarium near Manra with the rays and seahorses.
With the weather clearing again the boys decided to wait for the rides to reopen while Sarah and I choose to watch the Shamu show. Because quite a lot of attractions were shut because of the weather the show was quite busy but we got a good spot over to the left side of the pool and really enjoyed the show.
We met this gorgeous sloth as we left the Shamu stadium. By the time we got back to the boys they had ridden Kraken 3 more times! We were going to do Journey to Atlantis, but with an 80 minute queue time that wasn't happening! We went to the ray pool for a look before deciding to head home. It was nearly 2 o'clock and by the looks of the sky a larger storm was brewing. We had only been back in the car for 5 minutes before the rain, thunder and lightning started. Good timing!
Driving back past the Lake Buena Vista Outlets I decided I needed a 2nd pair of trainers so we stopped quickly while I went and got some. Back down on the 192 we thought we'd try Wendy's for lunch. Good for fast food, similar to burger king/kfc.
The storm was now easing so we went back to the villa to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool and having a swim.
We spent some time trying to decide which restaurants to go to for our last 2 nights, Keith found a Ruby Tuesday, bit off the main tourist track, but an excellent choice. Superb food and not busy, may end up back there tomorrow!
Keith was obviously missing his regular fix of B&Q and the Home Depot across from the restaurant was calling him!! Stephen sat in the car - not interested but the rest of us went for a wander. Looked just like B&Q.
A nice relaxing day finished off blogging and reading under the lanai, lovely warm evening.
Click here for trip index
We grabbed some ham and cheese rolls, from supplies we'd picked up at Target last night and were soon on our way and made it to the parking lot by 9.15.
Our main aim today was to ride the coaster Kraken as it was closed when we went on Monday, and it is one of Stephen's favourite rides. As it wasn't due to open til 10, the others went on Manta first while I went for drinks in the refillable mugs we'd got from Busch Gardens. By the time I got back they had just finished their ride so we walked in over towards Kraken to wait for it opening.
We were on quite quickly and Stephen was happy!
We hadn't managed to do the Pets Ahoy show on Monday so this was a must today. The air was really warm and humid today (read very sweaty!) so it was nice to be indoors for a while. Same show as the last couple of visits but still enjoyable.
When we came back out it was cloudy and we soon found out the coasters were closed due to inclement weather! To pass the time we walked through the aquarium near Manra with the rays and seahorses.
With the weather clearing again the boys decided to wait for the rides to reopen while Sarah and I choose to watch the Shamu show. Because quite a lot of attractions were shut because of the weather the show was quite busy but we got a good spot over to the left side of the pool and really enjoyed the show.
 |
| Sloth - want one :) |
Driving back past the Lake Buena Vista Outlets I decided I needed a 2nd pair of trainers so we stopped quickly while I went and got some. Back down on the 192 we thought we'd try Wendy's for lunch. Good for fast food, similar to burger king/kfc.
The storm was now easing so we went back to the villa to spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool and having a swim.
We spent some time trying to decide which restaurants to go to for our last 2 nights, Keith found a Ruby Tuesday, bit off the main tourist track, but an excellent choice. Superb food and not busy, may end up back there tomorrow!
Keith was obviously missing his regular fix of B&Q and the Home Depot across from the restaurant was calling him!! Stephen sat in the car - not interested but the rest of us went for a wander. Looked just like B&Q.
A nice relaxing day finished off blogging and reading under the lanai, lovely warm evening.
Click here for trip index
Friday, 7 August 2015
2015 Day 20 - Relax!
A lovely lie in this morning, cup of tea in bed, looking out at the sunshine. We got up about 9.45 and thought we'd better have a think about what everyone wanted to do before our holiday ends. Before Sarah could join us Stephen said he fancied going to Ponderosa for breakfast. Great idea! So we quickly got ready and drove to the 192 for our nearest one. Being a bit late, the restaurant was quiet and we had soon filled up on eggs - bendict and scrambled, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hash browns, jello, cakes, cookies ... sorry Dad are we making you hungry? ;)
Having discussed over breakfast what each of us wanted to do, we drove back to the villa and left the boys to play some pool and relax in pool! I drove (oohh! first time driving on my own!) back to the 192 to Walmart and Target for some girly retail therapy. We didn't actually spend much, Sarah got some pj's ready for uni, we went 'home' and joined the boys for a swim. It was another very hot day, mid 90s feeling over 100.
After their Karting the other day we had promised Stephen another go when it was dry in the bigger karts. So we spent an hour or so back at the kart track.
The circuit was quite busy but they loved it. We watched some people feeding the alligators and then went to the shopping mall as Keith was thinking 1 pair of trainers wasn't enough.
Loaded with more trainers, we collected the kids from the cafe where we had left them having some drinks and went in search of dinner. We had passed a place called Hurricane Grill and Wings which looked ok.
Inside was large and airy with a beachy theme. We all ordered wings, Stephen and I have 10 boneless, Keith and Sarah had 10 large boned wings. There were soo many differrnt flavours/sauces to choose from and each meal could have 2 flavours (ours included hot teriyaki, medium buffalo, ginger and soy, honey barbecue and normal teriyaki. Loads of food and very nice altho Stephen's hot teriyaki was a bit too spicy - would stick to milder sauces if we did it again. Meals were large and we all struggled to finish.
We dropped the kids back home and Keith and I went shopping, he fancied a mooch round Target, I wanted Michaels craft shop and I thought he might like a look round Best Buy. All 3 were at Posner Park on the I4/US27 junction. Best Buy, it turned out, was a bit like Currys, but quite interesting to see the differences especially in kitchen and laundry appliances to the UK.
Back at the villa, Stephen and I sat by the pool, internetting, it was still really warm, and listening to the frog chorus. Keith and Sarah watched some tv.
Click here for trip index
Having discussed over breakfast what each of us wanted to do, we drove back to the villa and left the boys to play some pool and relax in pool! I drove (oohh! first time driving on my own!) back to the 192 to Walmart and Target for some girly retail therapy. We didn't actually spend much, Sarah got some pj's ready for uni, we went 'home' and joined the boys for a swim. It was another very hot day, mid 90s feeling over 100.
 |
| Not one to leave his sister in peace for long ! |
 |
| No reaction?? - time for Sharkman ! |
 |
| Payback! |
After their Karting the other day we had promised Stephen another go when it was dry in the bigger karts. So we spent an hour or so back at the kart track.
Loaded with more trainers, we collected the kids from the cafe where we had left them having some drinks and went in search of dinner. We had passed a place called Hurricane Grill and Wings which looked ok.
Inside was large and airy with a beachy theme. We all ordered wings, Stephen and I have 10 boneless, Keith and Sarah had 10 large boned wings. There were soo many differrnt flavours/sauces to choose from and each meal could have 2 flavours (ours included hot teriyaki, medium buffalo, ginger and soy, honey barbecue and normal teriyaki. Loads of food and very nice altho Stephen's hot teriyaki was a bit too spicy - would stick to milder sauces if we did it again. Meals were large and we all struggled to finish.
We dropped the kids back home and Keith and I went shopping, he fancied a mooch round Target, I wanted Michaels craft shop and I thought he might like a look round Best Buy. All 3 were at Posner Park on the I4/US27 junction. Best Buy, it turned out, was a bit like Currys, but quite interesting to see the differences especially in kitchen and laundry appliances to the UK.
Back at the villa, Stephen and I sat by the pool, internetting, it was still really warm, and listening to the frog chorus. Keith and Sarah watched some tv.
Click here for trip index
Thursday, 6 August 2015
2015 Day 19 - Busch Gardens
Early rise this morning, with ham and cheese croissants made and loaded in the cool box we set of about 8.20 for Busch Gardens, Tampa.
The sun was back with a vengence today, forecast to be 91
f.
We arrived about 9.40, just 10 minutes after park opening. Unfortunately a sign at the entrance told us that one of the coasters, Cheetah Hunt, wasn't open today :(
We headed instead for Montu and were on the ride in about 10 minutes. Still one of my favourite rides.
Wanting to get the coasters done before the crowds got too big we went over to Sheikra only to find it was closed and would probably stay that way for an hour or two! Not going well with coasters then! Kumba however was running, so after a quick walk to the far end of the park, the others rode while I tried to find some breeze and shade. It was getting really hot.
The parks new ride, Falcons Fury, was an hour's wait, so we got some drinks and sat inside in the air conditioning! Sarah stayed in the cool while the rest of us rode Sand Serpent (a half hr wait). After meeting up with Sarah we went over to watch the Pets Ahoy show, now in a lovely air conditioned theatre - perfect.
We were really struggling with the heat and queues today, Keith and I joined a 35 min queue for Falcons Fury but gave up after about 10 mins, met with the kids and walked back through the park, stopping to look at some of the animals on the way - tigers, orangutang etc.
We brought some nectar and fed the lorikeets - one if our must do's - then went to feed the kangaroos but the staff member told us they weren't showing any interest in food so we didn't get any. Indeed they were all just stretched out in the shade!
With a 45 min wait for Sheikra, we thought about looking at some more animals or gijng on the train ride, but the heat was just too much, so after a quick shop we left the park about half 3 and headed back to Orlando. The car temp was reading 95°, the car computer was saying 91 feels like 101!!!
Driving through a heavy rain storm, we decided to have an early dinner at Longhorns. Not as good as our previous visit, but ok.
We went back to the villa and spent the next hour messing about in the pool before we headed back to the 192 for our last night of Congo River Golf!
Not a bad day but slightly disappointing not to have done more rides, would have been easier if a little cooler, we may have found queue waiting easier, but never mind, I'm sure they'll ge a next time!
Click here for trip index
The sun was back with a vengence today, forecast to be 91
f.
We arrived about 9.40, just 10 minutes after park opening. Unfortunately a sign at the entrance told us that one of the coasters, Cheetah Hunt, wasn't open today :(
We headed instead for Montu and were on the ride in about 10 minutes. Still one of my favourite rides.
 |
| The cheetahs were already hiding from the sun at 10am! |
The parks new ride, Falcons Fury, was an hour's wait, so we got some drinks and sat inside in the air conditioning! Sarah stayed in the cool while the rest of us rode Sand Serpent (a half hr wait). After meeting up with Sarah we went over to watch the Pets Ahoy show, now in a lovely air conditioned theatre - perfect.
We were really struggling with the heat and queues today, Keith and I joined a 35 min queue for Falcons Fury but gave up after about 10 mins, met with the kids and walked back through the park, stopping to look at some of the animals on the way - tigers, orangutang etc.
We brought some nectar and fed the lorikeets - one if our must do's - then went to feed the kangaroos but the staff member told us they weren't showing any interest in food so we didn't get any. Indeed they were all just stretched out in the shade!
With a 45 min wait for Sheikra, we thought about looking at some more animals or gijng on the train ride, but the heat was just too much, so after a quick shop we left the park about half 3 and headed back to Orlando. The car temp was reading 95°, the car computer was saying 91 feels like 101!!!
Driving through a heavy rain storm, we decided to have an early dinner at Longhorns. Not as good as our previous visit, but ok.
We went back to the villa and spent the next hour messing about in the pool before we headed back to the 192 for our last night of Congo River Golf!
Not a bad day but slightly disappointing not to have done more rides, would have been easier if a little cooler, we may have found queue waiting easier, but never mind, I'm sure they'll ge a next time!
Click here for trip index
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)