Florida Easter 2016

Annual Florida Trip 2016

On 24th March this year immediately after my last official day in work upon my retirement, I went on a two week vacation to Florida with Jodie, Scott, Ava and Della.  We stayed at the Travel Lodge at Heathrow airport the night before flying to Charlotte in time to pick up a connecting flight to Orlando International airport.

Upon arrival at Orlando, we picked up what would prove to be the best hire vehicle we have had in over 15 years of travelling to this destination.  It was a Chrysler Town & Country with every extra imaginable.

We then travelled to what was to be our home for the next two weeks, a beautiful 4 bedroom villa with swimming pool on a gated community off the 192 in Kissimmee. Cumbrian Lakes, it really was a great place to stay with a lake just a few yards from our fenced swimming pool and every amenity available inside the villa.  There were pleasant walks around the lakes and we were only a short drive away from a multitude of restaurants and all of the Theme Parks.

The first park we visited was SeaWorld with exciting rides and a spectacular show involving dolphins, colourful birds and accomplished gymnasts and swimmers.  The SeaWorld people are really trying to do something about their image, tarnished so badly in recent times.

We tended to spend as much time around the villa as possible in between more arduous days spent at Theme Parks and shopping malls and it was during one of these that we became aware of a ten foot alligator living in the lake just a few metres away from us.  We became very watchful after that, always checking before venturing on any of our walks.

At the kids request we visited a ‘Mermaid Show’ at Witchy Watchy Springs. The girls loved it and it was interesting learning about its history of famous visitors such as Elvis Presley.

My favourite parks however were the Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure.  Lots of white knuckle rides, Dr. Doom’s Fearfall being the pick of the rides for me, although none of the others would come on it with me. There were also some great water rides where we really got soaked through.  Every item of clothing that we were wearing was saturated.  ‘Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges’ has always been and still is our all-time favourite

Both of these parks have been taken over by the Harry Potter phenomenon with magnificent buildings and rides, but they are so popular that these areas are always very, very crowded and there are long waits for the rides.

Apart from the shopping, Jodie’s favorite day was when we went to the Disney Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios) where she could ride what has always been her particular favorite, ‘The Hollywood Tower Hotel.  It never fails to thrill us.

Our only disappointment was the day we drove to Tampa to visit Bush Gardens After a two hour drive and just a couple of rides, the park was closed because of a thunder storm coming in.  We then drove home in the worst weather conditions we have ever experienced over there.

Once again Scott and I were delighted to be eating at such places as Chilli’s, Longhorn Steak House, The Olive Garden and all of the other restaurants we have become fond of over the years.

Jodie and I had great times shopping.  I never tire of Florida Mall, Buena Vista Stores, The Mall at Millennia and the Premium Outlets.  Once again my wardrobe has expanded at not a very great cost, although I had to leave four pairs of shoes over there that I took out with me, as there was no room in my case with all of the new stuff.

All in all a great couple of weeks spent in familiar surroundings.  All over too quickly but I am sure we will be back soon.