Sunday 11 June 2017

Day Two Discovery Cove...


What we took with us in our rucksack today: 
*Mobile phone charger.
*Waterproof case for phone.
* Change of clothes.
*Discovery cove cup.

When entering Discovery cove the walk is so peaceful and care free.
Booking is a must and I would recommend to anyone to go. 
The price of the ticket weather you pay to swim with the dolphins or not, includes 14 consecutive  day tickets to Seaworld and Aquatica (you can also pay to upgrade and include Busch Gardens) with free car parking. I fyou choose to go with out discovery ticket passes it costs $18 - $20 a day.

Meet and greet with Lucy the sloth.
 Again this morning we were up super early and got to Discovery Cove for 8.15am. 
There is a buffet that is through out the day providing various foods for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The food is served from 8.30am - 4.30pm every day.
Not only is there a buffet restaurant there are snack area's  throughout the park which serve snacks and drinks.

First to be in the pool.
We ate breakfast and headed to the locker area's to get sun creamed up and to place the important things in the lockers. These are also free of charge. The sun cream is animal friendly and very thick to put on but works a treat. 

Once the water was tested and we were allowed into the lazy river there was no stopping us.
Bird aviaries here we come. 




Although I loved just sitting and floating and just relaxing through out the day. TJ started to get bored. ( There's only so many times a 9 year old child can go round the lazy river by himself).
After the first attempt to get TJ to come in the ray lagoon with me, where he freaked out really badly and ended up hurting my arms. We gave it a miss till he'd calmed down.



 After another trip around the lazy river it was lunch time.
Now this I've been looking forward to for months as I love their cheesecake and strawberries!

After Lunch there was lots more time to relax and venture around the whole park including a slow walk / swim over the reef. 


 Such an amazing day was had at Discovery Cove and we cannot wait to go again but until then I have so many brilliant memories that I won't be forgetting in a hurry.





Tuesday 6 June 2017

Day One, Our first full at Disney World


We took in the rucksack today: 

*Poncho's - always carry these no matter what the weather!
* Two frozen water bottles - yes you can get it free in the parks but you have to queue.
*Snacks in pots -strawberries and raspberries.
*Plasters. 
*Sun Cream. 
*Two Autograph books - carried ours in a zip lock bag in case it rained.
* Two sharpies Pens different colors.

Also made a note of where we parked and took a photo from the rear of the car (for the plate and car make and model for if we got lost). Trust me it's horrible if you get lost at Disney World car park!


 I don't think we've ever been so excited to be anywhere as much as we were today. TJ and I were up and out of the hotel room by 7am, arriving on Disney Property before anyone else! I think there were about 15 cars in the parking lot which all belonged to security or cast members i'm assuming.


We got to the parking lot before the ticket booths had opened and very naughtily skipped paying the entrance fee. $20 saved to buy a special treat for TJ for the day. 


  We parked near to the preferred parking area in the row 204 which worked out as being less then 100 steps to the little under pass.
 We slowly walked to bag check at the entrance of the monorail and boat dock area at the ticket and transportation centre. 
The security officers were still setting up for the day ahead. we chatted to a family of 6 that were originally from Utah and discussed the 9 hour flight from Gatwick to MCO compared to their 2 hour flight. It was nice chatting to them and whenev er we saw them throughout the day we'd wave and say hello to each other.

Before the Grand Floridian of the Lake and Contemporary Resort. 
Once through bag check we headed to the docks to be told the boats weren't open for another hour so we hopped on the monorail that goes to all the hotels.
The views from the monorail were lovely. 
The Grand Floridian and wedding chapel.
By the time we'd gotten to the park entrance scanned our wrist bans and took a few photos before the park opened there were around 5 families waiting along side us.
TJ found a nice shady spot near the maps and we relaxed for 10 minutes before being told that we could walk down Main Street USA. 
TJ and I skipped down Main Street to take a few selfies with no one else in the way of the castle, it actually brought tears to my eyes that we were finally here!
At this point of the morning we both decided we were hungry so I checked the Disney App to see if there were any spaces for breakfast at Crystal palace. I love This restaurant not only because of the all you can eat buffet but for the character meet and greet. 

Again we were among the first families in the park, which was brilliant as we were the third in line to be sat down at the restaurant. 
When you arrive be sure to get your autograph books and pens out ready as the characters will sign and take photo's . 
TJ had a home made atougraph book with each characters picture and name on so all that needed to be done was find the page and take the photograph.
Tigger is still the best character to meet in Crystal palace as he always seems the most energetic and interacts with bouncing and playing whist he is greeting guests.


After  eating we ventured our way to Adventure land to get to Pirates Of The Carribean, Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. I'd used the Disney App to book fast passes for Thunder Mountain, Speed way and Buzz Lightyears space blast rides. 
Managing to go on the busiest rides all before 11am is such an achievement in Magic Kingdom. So we were both really happy.
Taking time out from the hustle and bustle we queued for the transit authority ride which is so relaxing and noticed Buzz Lightyear signing autographs below - our next stop.

Our first evening in Orlando


We stayed at the Ramada Gateway on West Irlo Bronson Highway. Although not the most expensive or the best that money could buy, TJ and myself loved every minute of being there.
Check in went smoothly and so did finding our corner room. Expecting the room to be smaller then a postage stamp like all the English hotels, we were shocked to find our room had 4 rooms. Bathroom, wash area, bedroom and a kitchen area which consisted of a mini fridge (with a freezer), coffee machine and storage along with a dining room table.
The room was awesome and soon after we found we'd opened the cases blew up the pool toys and went into the pool to relax for a short while. 
Before I realized it was almost 9.30pm and our first day in Orlando was almost over.


Quick stop at the local Dollar tree to get the basics ( plastic bowls, bottles of water, spoons and a carton of milk). Dollar tree is about a 8 minute drive away making it easy to get to and even better when Super Target and Publix is opposite and next door.
Publix next to buy some snacks for the parks and basic food to eat in the room - of course Chips Ahoy original and m&m's were on my must have list.


Back to the pool again to eat in the warm air and bed.