FL CA AZ NV UT NM CO. Conclusions on completion of Vacation.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by Pep

Nice little trip up to flight of fantasy for you and Dan then back for a GC not been for one of them since 2016. I believe there's only one left in the Area
Your last trip to Orlando looked quite successful anyway. I'm sure you've made many a happy memory there as a family. You probably feel you've done it to death and you certainly have done more in the area than myself. Anyway l look forward to following along with you future travels wherever they may take you including your upcoming trip to SE Asia.

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That is very thoughtful and kind, Pep.

Yes, we have progressively overdosed on the area and now find the disadvantages (queueing, traffic congestion and relentless gouging of money, excessive tip expectations) , outweighing the advantages.

I fully understand why a family with young Children who have not ‘overdone it on previous visits) can get a great WDW vacation, even at £600pp for a 14 day ticket. We were in our time, that family group. I could never reconcile myself with Genie plus, Lightning Lane, Disney food prices etc etc as I simply do not see value. A 14 night ‘Full on’, Direct flight in School Hols, On site, Disney and Universal vacation for 4 whilst getting on all the rides must be in excess of £20k right now and that is around £10k more than what I value it at.

Universal? My kids have done it to death.

DC Ultimates? We have now taken that position on 12 visits. The Food and Locker Prices are ludicrous and AQ, SW, BG, whilst investing in new rides, appear understaffed by apathetic employees, with many stalls etc, shut.

We are most definitely ‘out’ on Orlando and possibly (but not definitely) ‘out’ on the rest of Florida.

We are very much looking forward to SE Asia and this may in itself have contributed towards our issues with the Orlando area. It is a different type of vacation entirely, far more cultural and may set a pattern for the future. We shall see!

Not including our forthcoming, these are my remaining, bucket list aims.

1. A Cruise of either the Caribbean or Hawaii. My only ‘cruises’ have been in Grey Ships with black numbers on the side and guns sprouting out. Mandie has never sailed further than to the Isle of Wight.

2. Egypt. To see the new Cairo Museum, Cruise the Nile to Karnak and finish with some Snorkelling at Sharm or similar.

3. Croatia N to S as a driving tour.

4. Malta as I was born there, but have never returned.

5. Northern Cyprus (I lived in the South for 2 years).

6. Possibly AI in Mexico, but with some Temple visits.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by Sandraoh40

It’s been great reading along. Definitely a trip of two half’s! Enjoy your last day and safe flight home.

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Thankyou, Sarah. I would see it more as a vacation of a great three quarters and a far too familiar final quarter.

We have learned a lot about ourselves and will take that knowledge with us when looking to future vacations (just Mandie and I). It is not always wise (in our case), to revisit old haunts and certainly not repeatedly.

The above paragraph pretty much now rules us out of California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Washington DC, New York, Florida, Southern Cyprus, Rome, Sorrento etc etc.

Time for new things!

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by ClaireNJ

Awww great last final day ever in Orlando 😭I’m honoured you thought of me at GC, still not a bad price really
They do lush desserts we haven’t been for a few years but usually go for breakfast until one year saw a kid being sick then his parents still stayed & carried on 😳🤢
He was probably being told to get his fill of the buffet
We have pencilled in Mount Dora I’m off to Google Rainbow river
Have a safe flight back, bet you can’t wait to see your new home 🏠

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The Desserts in GC are ok… but full of preservatives. I can also, no longer look at GC as a ‘cheap’ option.

You will find a link to Rainbow River, through my trip reports at the bottom of this post. It is post #77 on page 8 of the 2019 one.

I will be seeing our new extension in just over 24 hours!

[ClaireNJ]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

The Desserts in GC are ok… but full of preservatives. I can also, no longer look at GC as a ‘cheap’ option.

You will find a link to Rainbow River, through my trip reports at the bottom of this post. It is post #77 on page 8 of the 2019 one.

I will be seeing our new extension in just over 24 hours!

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Good morning I’ve had a Google looks good but 100 miles from Orlando not sure if Dave will want to drive that far on his restful holiday 🙈
I’ve had a nice lemon cake this morning just for you 😋😋
Obviously went gym first though

You’ve got a few hours left to squeeze a cake in

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by Zomax25

I suspect my partner would love Kermit’s. That said he’s already got a day in KC and I am hoping we can fit in the Valiant too and I suspect a third museum would mean mutiny from the teenagers in the party 😅

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In my opinion, Valiant Air Command is now, far superior to Kermit’s place, given that 9/10 of Kermit’s huge collection is no longer available to view.

Valiant Air Command is a big collection and with very helpful staff. A highlight for us was to actually sit in the cockpit of a B52 Bomber.

It is also worth noting that Valiant Air Command is just a small diversion, if you are also going to Cape Kennedy.

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by ginwithaslice

Another great report, thanks for taking the time to post! Safe travels home.

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It ain’t finished yet…. We are going to go out with a bang today!

Something that many Dibbers have mentioned, but that very few have done.

[TractorBoy]

Interesting trip, a lot most definitely not my cup of tea but we are all different and that's what makes the world go round!

Shame you didn't make more use of the national park ticket you purchased, especially with all the national parks in Utah and Arizona.

Dan is a trooper though, being towed round another aircraft museum. Bet he needed a few beers after that visit!

Safe flight home!

[cornishfrogboy]

Originally Posted by TractorBoy

Interesting trip, a lot most definitely not my cup of tea but we are all different and that's what makes the world go round!

Shame you didn't make more use of the national park ticket you purchased, especially with all the national parks in Utah and Arizona.

Dan is a trooper though, being towed round another aircraft museum. Bet he needed a few beers after that visit!

Safe flight home!

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I have a confession to make with the excellent, National Parks Annual Pass. We lost it just after Mesa Verde!
Perhaps lost is to strong a word… we simply don’t know where it is.

With vacations, it is perhaps worth considering that whilst most have demanding jobs that leave them absolutely exhausted and seeking relaxation on any vacation, we are the other way round.

Mandie and I do the same, mundane, boring, repetitive job that we could be competent at whilst standing on our heads. The only work related decision that I have to make is whether to bring in a packed lunch or use the canteen. The only relief being that we chat with some interesting patients whilst they wait for their scan. I am mentally numbed after my previous, very demanding occupations (Helicopter Technician in the Army and Detective in the Police), finding the planning and execution of seemingly complex vacations, a challenging Hobby to contrast with my job, where I am hardly expected to be able to read or write! I relax at work… and work on my vacations! 😃.

[Disney Planning]

Your last day ever in Orlando…. who knows you might venture back at some point 😊

[Pep]

Originally Posted by cornishfrogboy

That is very thoughtful and kind, Pep.

Yes, we have progressively overdosed on the area and now find the disadvantages (queueing, traffic congestion and relentless gouging of money, excessive tip expectations) , outweighing the advantages.

I fully understand why a family with young Children who have not ‘overdone it on previous visits) can get a great WDW vacation, even at £600pp for a 14 day ticket. We were in our time, that family group. I could never reconcile myself with Genie plus, Lightning Lane, Disney food prices etc etc as I simply do not see value. A 14 night ‘Full on’, Direct flight in School Hols, On site, Disney and Universal vacation for 4 whilst getting on all the rides must be in excess of £20k right now and that is around £10k more than what I value it at.

Universal? My kids have done it to death.

DC Ultimates? We have now taken that position on 12 visits. The Food and Locker Prices are ludicrous and AQ, SW, BG, whilst investing in new rides, appear understaffed by apathetic employees, with many stalls etc, shut.

We are most definitely ‘out’ on Orlando and possibly (but not definitely) ‘out’ on the rest of Florida.

We are very much looking forward to SE Asia and this may in itself have contributed towards our issues with the Orlando area. It is a different type of vacation entirely, far more cultural and may set a pattern for the future. We shall see!

Not including our forthcoming, these are my remaining, bucket list aims.

1. A Cruise of either the Caribbean or Hawaii. My only ‘cruises’ have been in Grey Ships with black numbers on the side and guns sprouting out. Mandie has never sailed further than to the Isle of Wight.

2. Egypt. To see the new Cairo Museum, Cruise the Nile to Karnak and finish with some Snorkelling at Sharm or similar.

3. Croatia N to S as a driving tour.

4. Malta as I was born there, but have never returned.

5. Northern Cyprus (I lived in the South for 2 years).

6. Possibly AI in Mexico, but with some Temple visits.

See more...

That looks like a fantastic travel bucket list CFB