It is nearly time for our second trip to Florida, this one is billed as our 'last big family holiday' before our eldest son George leaves our nest (or doesnt come with us anymore) for those who don't remember, he was quite grumpy about hanging out with us last time, followed by an announcement that he was NEVER coming on holiday with us again. So, here we are three years later, and its a miracle - George is coming too! Yay! Probably because his girlfriend is also joining us, (and he is not such a grumpy teenager anymore) phew.
Who are we?
Me, Loopy by name, loopy by nature, I am 45, I work for a cruise line, and I love wine. I have been winding the kids up by waking them marching like a stormtrooper, or playing its a small world really loudly! They love it.
My hubby, 59, Terry - who works on an Oil Rig in Norway. We are celbrating his 60th birthday while out there, and also our 20th wedding anniversary.
George, 18, and his lovely girlfriend, Bethany-Rose - her first time to Disney, and USA, she loves Mermaids, and Sephora.
And the baby, Harry, 13. Harry doesnt share food.
Last time we went to Orlando, my nanna gave us money towards our trip, we were extremely close, she wanted us to enjoy it while she could share in it all, as she had enjoyed many trips to the US herself. Bless her heart, I miss her terribly! Her she is, my nanna, 'crazy daisy'
This time, we are on more of a budget, and worse, we have NO DINING PLAN! Eeek! I have made so many
ADR's I almost considered setting up a Go Fund Me account just for our food! ('Fund me fat in florida' sprang to mind)
When I sit and calculate what we might need, I feel faint. We have
ADR's at BOG! YAk & Yeti, 'Ohana, Flying Fish, Narcoossees, Sci Fi Dine in, Garden Grill and Crystal palace. Offsite - Bahama Breeze, my favourite, Maggianos, Millers, Cheesecake factory, Outback and Longhorns.
We are staying 16 nights at the Marriott Lakeshore Reserve, near Grande Lakes, I have rented points from a timeshare owner, praying that works out, and we dont end up needing a tent. Looks like a nice resort though -
Our flights - well, we originally booked a flydrive via Virgin, always wanted to try it out, having only flown BA, but, it was a staggering £1400 cheaper to fly Thomas Cook, so Thomas Cook it is! We are not on an Air Tanker, and have premium economy so it seems like a sensible idea to the new budget concious me. More money for FOOD!
We have tickets for Disney, and Universal, with an overnight at RPR for the early entry and express passes. George and Bethany are going to have a mini moon that night, while we go back to Marriott.
Have purchased lots of essential items using tips from you lovely Dibbers - Kipling bag
Luggage labels -
Planning to eat lots of this -
And this - (not technically food is it)
And very excited about dinner here -
All washed down with this! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I have planned so much, my family hate me, I am already having nightmares about forgetting stuff, and I am nowhere near getting 'Finner' as I had hoped, I think I am subconciously stretching my stomach ready for the trip!
This trip report is mostly for my mum, and Bethanys mum, and for me to look back on, but will be lovely if some of you follow along. 💜🙋