[JanetteP]

So we’re off for our second trip this year, having taken my eldest DS and his family in May. We had the most superb time, taking it easy with no Disney, and having a lovely stay 1 night stay at the Grand Plaza, which will definitely be repeated. We loved our meal at Madfish, a very short walk from the Grand Plaza (another Dibb recommendation), and cocktails watching the sunset at Bongo’s. We had a great time with our Orlando Eye tickets – what would I do without all these bargains I find on the Dibb – we had terrific fun at Madam Tussauds too. I’ve just upgraded to a Dibb passholder in recognition and support for all the lovely bargains and fabulous information I find on The Dibb.

A couple of photo’s from our May trip. I’ve converted my eldest dgs – who has informed his parents he doesn’t want to go anywhere on holiday except Florida with Nanette (all my Grandchildren call me Nanette instead of Janette or Nana/Grandma etc. as I don’t like to sound too old!).

I've lost a stone after seeing these pictures
Me and DGS - sitting down as I don't like heights! What was I thinking

And me and DH

The September/October trip is the big one, taking my youngest DS and his BFF Samantha for his Graduation. He’s just finishing a 1 year HE Diploma and a further 3 year degree in nursing, and will be taking up a post in October on our return. Josh last went to Florida in 2012, so a lot has changed, and I’m looking forward to spoiling him with lots of surprises. There are four of us on this trip, as our driver DH will be joining us.

This is Josh and Sam –

What a lovely couple, but not together, just best friends.

And this is where Josh spends all his spare time – his horse – Taz. I’ll be very happy when he starts earning some money as horses are not cheap!

Now, we’re not looking forward to leaving these 2 little beauties behind. I vowed never to have another dog, after losing my beloved Kayla and Bonnie, mother and daughter brown and tan Dobermanns. My heart felt like it had actually broken in 2. Then Josh was given the beautiful Asia (black and white) Chihuahua. Well – I fell in love. I’ve never had such a clever little girl. She was followed by the beautiful Rhana – a very special present for Josh. He’s always wanted to show – and he qualified her for Crufts this year and also for next year. We are very lucky that my Sister moves in to look after them and we get daily emails of their antics.

So flights are booked from EMA, my favourite airport, and I’m gutted that they won’t be flying from Nottingham next year. We paid £369 each including free luggage, and I’ve also booked extra legroom seats (£45 each) as I like to know where we are sitting. I’ve also paid an extra £10 each to have 5kg of luggage each for our return journey. We booked our flights in April, and the current price is £686 so glad I booked when I did. We would have loved to have booked PE – but the upgrade price was more than the flights! I bought our flights forward by 1 week to take advantage of the free luggage, but unfortunately, this had a negative impact on the ADR’s I’d already booked.

Update on the seats – I phoned Tui today as extra space seats were showing on the Tui flights page. So I’ve paid an extra £10 each and got row 10 inbound and outbound– so quick off the plane. These were not available when I first booked, only row 30 – and these have lots of legroom, but are next to the toilets which I don’t want. They did have PE outbound available, but wanted an extra £500 – erm – no thanks.

I have an intermediate SUV booked with Alamo Brits and hoping for a nice Santa Fe at Sanford – this is what we had last time with Alamo. Still tracking prices for this and will re-book if it gets cheaper.

I’ve only just got round to booking a villa, and I am extremely lucky to have got the same villa we stayed in on our May trip – so we’re staying at Lakeside Haven at Sunset Lakes, an absolutely beautiful villa, and in a great location – thank you John and Dorothy. I will never get tired of that view.

Now, for the first 5 nights, unbeknown to my DS, we are staying at AKL – I am so excited as we have stayed 1 night DVC at Kidani in the past, so really looking forward to surprising everyone. DH is not staying with us – he is going straight to the villa – but he will have the DDP and will be joining us for the lovely ADR’s I have booked. If you’re wondering why he isn’t stopping – well – he snores – and it would drive us all mad!

I’m putting in a Touring Plans request and hoping for a Kudu or Zebra upgraded room with a partial savannah – fingers crossed.
ADR’s that I’ve managed to get are as follows:-

29th September - Restaurantosaurus Dig Site Sundaes & Gourmet Burgers – 1st night – if we make it – I’ve done AK in the past on our first night, so hopefully no delays.

30th September – Blaze Pizza for lunch, and then Chef Art Smiths – really looking forward to eating here. We have a late booking though, so I’m hoping to get an earlier time.

1st October – Dluxe Burger for lunch. Dinner at Teppan Edo – cannot wait to see Josh & Sam here, as I know they think they won’t like it, but it’s our favourite place, and the grandchildren loved it when we took them.

2nd October BOG breakfast and Dinner at Chef’s De France – a new one for us.

3rd October 1900 Park Fayre Dinner – not sure whether we are going to like this or not, and contemplating booking Raglan Road instead. Will be reading Dibb reviews, as the one on DFB is not very good.

4th October BOG breakfast (trying to change to Lunch) OHanas – need to get an earlier booking here too. We enjoyed our meal very much here last year, and I’m hoping Josh and Sam enjoy watching the fireworks from the beach. Hoping to get a view like this again:-

Check out of AKL and all of us go to the villa.

Desperately trying to get our magic bands, but every time I’m on MDE I’m too late! So frustrating. I want Tinkerbell, Josh wants the Rainbow Mickey, Sam wants anything girly, and I want Darth Vader for DH. Fastpass date is approaching on 31st July, but hopefully it won’t impact on our dining plans

Saturday 5th October – Another surprise for DS - Up Close Dining with Shamu at Seaworld – not booked yet, and I’m sure it’s not as nice as Dine with Shamu which we’ve done in the past, but it needs to be done.

Sunday 6th October – Discovery Cove Swim. We booked 10 tickets on Blue Friday for our 2 trips with a huge saving – approximately £165 for Ultimate Swim tickets. It’s many years since Josh has done this, and Sam never has, so hope they enjoy the magic of this place. We will also be having the upgraded drinks package as we purchased our tickets last year before the changes – I have the email from DC to confirm this.

Monday 7th October – Today is shopping day. Sam has been saving really hard, and it will make a huge change to have a girl to shop with. Our plans are to eat at Steak N Shake and have a fabulous milkshake.

Tuesday 8th October – Busch Gardens today – lots of new rides since Josh’s last visit. Millers Ale House in the evening. My favourite selfies from our May trip of my dgs’s

Wednesday 9th October – Check in to one of the Universal Hotels. We upgraded mine and DH’s tickets to annual passes on our May trip. We also got Josh and Sam’s tickets with the Musement deal. Not sure which hotel we’re going to yet. Keeping an eye on annual pass prices, but really want Club Level – which isn’t coming up. The only hotel we haven’t tried is Portofino Bay, and this is the cheapest on the annual pass site. However, I do have a lot of Tesco vouchers to use, so still looking at which is the best deal. Also, this night is HHN – I know Josh would love it – so keeping an eye out for some good prices and we may do this also (as if we aren’t doing enough already!). We also have the Universal Photo Connect annual pass, another bargain find from The Dibb.

Update on this – I booked RPR with my Tesco vouchers, but then found out that renovations would still be taking place in the lobby area, so I’ve cancelled. Plan to book HRH once I have my Tesco vouchers refunded.

Thursday 10th October – early entry to Volcano Bay for the morning. Afternoon will be either US or IoA with our Express Passes, depending on which we do on our first day. We’ll be eating at Texas Roadhouse in the evening.

Friday 11th October –Typhoon Lagoon. Devenney’s Irish Bar for BOGOF fish and chips in the evening.

Saturday 12th October – Aquatica – last minute shopping in the evening and Cici’s Pizza.

Sunday 13th October – checkout and Steak n Shake on the way to Sanford.

Still to do:-

Book Up Close with Shamu
Book Universal Hotel
Book HHN tickets
Book fastpasses – 31st July
Check in online – 14th September

Hope you’ve enjoyed reading along, and I’d welcome any suggestions to improve some of our ADR’s – especially 1900 Park Fayre or Raglan Road.

I will attempt to do a trip report once back, I have no idea how anyone manages to do one whilst there, I think I'm going to be a bit busy on this trip.

TTFN. xx