BLDY&McGoos FloridaWedMoon 2013 - Day 14 - Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach & Olive Garden

[BLDY&McGoo]

Day 14 – November 20th 2013 – Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach & Olive Garden

Today we were up at a decent time again ready to make the most of our last full day before heading home tomorrow. We packed our bags for the day, including our swimming stuff for later and took the Sherbeth road entrance to Animal Kingdom



We parked up in Dinosaur 32 ($15.00) just after 10am and were pleased to see the park was nowhere near as busy as it had been the other day, busy but at least we could actually move without being trampled!





Our only real missions for this morning were to have a ride on Everest and watch the Lion King show so we took it slow and enjoyed our walk round. We stopped to look at the monkeys along the way but hurried along to find the yeti who after a 10 minute let us visit him and say goodbye. 





We wandered along and had some time to kill so headed onto the Dinosaur ride which displayed a 10 minute wait. We had both done this in 2009 but forgot how violent of a ride it was so probably won’t be doing it again anytime soon. Scott’s knees got a few bangs as we went round corners and I had to hold on pretty tight so I didn’t whack the girl next to me. Neither of us looked very impressed!



It was only half 11 but we were both rather peckish so nipped into Restaurantosaurus to find some lunch!
I went for a hotdog & fries (was meant to have macaroni cheese on top but I asked for it on the side) and Scott had a Bacon Cheese Angus Burger. ($19.18)
We didn’t get drinks as had drunk far too much fizz over the last two weeks so stuck to water that we had with us. It wasn’t amazing but nice and hot and filled our tummies.


 
We took our selves off towards the Lion King stadium and waited in line for about 10 minutes before they began to let everyone in.
We were only a few benches away from the front in the Pumba section but I was annoyed as the benches were only half full, despite everyone being told to move over to their right to make room for others. Some people can be so selfish!
The show was as good as ever, the singing is just so fantastic and the acrobats are amazing, the tumble Monkeys are definitely my faves =]



After the show finished we decided we would head out of the park, we had wanted to go to Aquatica as it had been closed when we had tried to go the other day but changed our minds last minute and thought we would go to Blizzard Beach instead to save us driving and paying extra parking costs. We grabbed some photopass photos on our way out by the tree.






Knowing it was our last full day today we were in mixed emotions about how we felt about our time here. We loved it and enjoyed everything we had done, including our wedding obviously, but we both felt that because this had been our 3rd visit since 2009 we had slightly out done some of the parks which meant we felt they weren’t quite as good value for money for us anymore and we would like to visit other places and have a holiday every year instead of every two years.
We discussed this on our way over to Blizzard Beach and although I knew not coming back for a few years was the right thing for us, I shed a few tears over the fact I had to admit it out loud. Scott was very careful in the words he used to explain how he felt as he knew that I would take it to heart but we both agreed that we wouldn’t return for a while. We loved Florida for a million reasons but we don’t wish to go on a budget and therefore the financial cost of it is huge compared to other destinations.
We decided that we would maybe come back for our 4th or 5th wedding anniversary but perhaps have a week in Orlando and a week in Miami or on a cruise instead to break our time up a bit which I think would be a sensible alternative.

We hadn’t not enjoyed our holiday, boring was definitely the wrong word to us but we had outgrown the place and had got very complacent about missing rides as we had done them before and didn’t want to wait 10 minutes which is reality is nothing.
We soon pulled up at Blizzard beach and we had a little laugh in the car about me being such a sop! What can I say I’m a Girl!
Crying and emotional moment out the way we headed in for a splash!

A small locker purchased today as we didn’t have much with us so paid $8 (Plus $5 that gets returned) and went to get changed.
We were soon in the water, frolicking and photo taking as we usually did. Today was warm but the park was quieter than before so it was nice and relaxing.





We went on Teamboat springs and were paired up with another young couple they didn’t speak English so we didn’t converse in anyway however I saw far more of the bloke than I really wanted. He was wearing really short red swim shorts but they clearly had no netting so as he was sat cross legged it all fell about and came into my view!
I looked away and smirked and he adjusted his shorts a little so I’m not sure if he noticed but it did make me giggle. As we got off we noticed the girls bikini top wasn’t tied properly either so it may have ended up an embarrassing day for them both =]






We spent a good just over 2 hours here today and were pleased we had come back, It was our favourite waterpark by far. We aren’t big Typhoon Lagoon fans and will never ever return to WetnWild so we were between BB & AQ. Aquatica is good but mainly for the rapids whereas the rides here are better!

Scott changed his shorts and put his t shirt and shoes on however I stayed wrapped in my towels once again, what was the point in me getting dressed when I would have a shower at home =P

We were very hungry as had eaten our lunch earlier so quickly washed and dressed for our last evening meal of the holiday. We had really enjoyed all of our Olive Garden meals so headed back there again tonight.

We were seated in a booth straight away and were soon tucking into our salad, soup and breadsticks. Creatures of habit as always!
We ordered the lasagne Frittas for our starter as we still had a valid voucher on my phone. & I had the cheese Raveoli with Marinara sauce whilst Scott had his chicken alfredo again.







As always the food was delicious, I ate about half of mine and took the rest home in a box and the server brought some extra breadsticks over for me to take too.
We paid up our bill of $36.33 (Left $45) and went for one last trip to Walmart.

We hadn’t got too much room in the suitcases left however I had saved some room for scrapbooking supplies and had to pick up a few last bits. We spent $55.76 in total but got all the bits we needed.
We then headed home for the mammoth task that was packing!
I had packed a few bits over the last few days but I squeezed the rest of it all in and put the last load of washing in so we didn’t have any dirty clothes to take home with us; one of the huge benefits of staying in a condo with a laundry room!

Costs For the Day
Food – $64.18
Shopping – $55.76
Misc (Parking/Petrol/Lockers) - $23.00
Total - $142.92
Running Total Spends So Far - $4813.76

[Redrach1903]

A great last full day, glad you got the stuff done you wanted in AK

Aww I feel your sadness at your decision not to go back for a while I'm sure it will make the next time even more special though!

x

[Milner]

Great day.

[Guest]

We made the decision to wait a few years in between trips as dare I say it had all become a bit samey, but when we went back it was the best trip we'd had.

[Guest]

Awh great pics great read , post more soon !

[yellowrose78]

Another fab day!

[Glee Fan]

Aww, last full days can be upsetting but as you say there are plenty of other places to go and see.

Love the waterpark shots!

[juliab]

Glad you managed to get back to AK, you had a lovely full last day. There are so many other places to visit, it will just make it more special when you do return to Florida

[Bobsledwheels]

Very sad decision when you decide not to go back for a while!

Still a lovely day though and love the waterpark pics! xx