Another Amazing Adventure - Day 15 - 17th April 2016

[Nimbus]

Our final day in Orlando before flying back to the UK in the afternoon.

We had thought about visiting a park during the morning but, as we'd have to be back to CBR by 12pm midday to pick up our cases, we decided it was too much of a rush. Instead we had a relaxing breakfast in Centertown...

Here's a view inside the main building at CBR looking at the "info desk" and the quick service area beyond.

Looking towards the soda fountain area in the QS area.

After finishing our packing and handing our suitcases to Bell Services for them to keep until later, we sat around CBR resting and enjoying the view and the weather.

Above is a 'lighthouse' where you can hire cycles and boats.

Another view of CBR.

CBR has a number of purple martin houses dotted around the lake. During the holiday, we were lucky enough to be around when a CM was checking up on the nesting birds inside and the CM gave a little talk. We also saw some recently hatched chicks inside the houses (apparently the parent birds don't mind).

Lots of beaches.

(Sadly, the beach edges are now roped off)

Eventually, it was time to go and wait for the Magical Express bus back to the airport.

The internal shuttle bus took ages to come and when we arrived at Custom House (the check-out building) the Magical Express bus was already there. Plus Bell Services took ages to get our cases out of storage - so I'm afraid I didn't give them a tip this time (I would usually). I have to say, I don't like rushing and so I felt a bit flustered as we finally got our cases loaded onto the bus.

This time the bus back to MCO was a proper Disney bus and showed Disney videos on the screens. This bus was much better than the one we'd had on the way to CBR two weeks ago.

We soon arrived at the airport and checked in at the Thomas Cook desk.

We'd arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare and so had a look around the shops first - the Disney Earport store, Universal shop, etc. We also had a bite to eat before eventually braving the long queue at security.

Once across to the gate via the monorail, we got a coffee from the Starbucks there and waited for our flight to arrive. Again, I found that I quite liked MCO; it's not too busy and there's more to do and see than at Sanford.

Our plane was a bit delayed and it seemed to take the ground crew ages to clean it. There was a bit of an amusing moment when the woman on the tannoy was blaming the aircrew for the delay whilst the aircrew were sat near us waiting until the ground crew had finished and they were allowed to go on the plane. They sat there shrugging their shoulders basically saying, "Nothing to do with us, folks".

Anyway, after a bit of a wait, we boarded and soon we were flying back to Manchester.

Sadly, the movies on board were the same as the ones on the outward journey. And, as always, I couldn't get comfortable enough to get any sleep. Other than that, the flight was ok and the food was half decent for once.

Another wonderful holiday in Orlando had come to an end. We'd had a fantastic time at the parks and the weather was very good - warm but not too hot and hardly any rain (other than that evening at Hollywood Studios when it threw it down).

By the end we still had quite a few meal and snack credits left. Of course, we used some to get a few packets of sweets for friends (and ourselves!) but we still didn't use them all. We'd spent just under $200 on taxis (admittedly, Uber would've been cheaper) and just over $200 on our two character meals. And we probably spent around $200 on other meals at Universal and Seaworld and maybe $150 on other things. Our food and gifts at Disney were paid using the DDP and $200 gift card we'd received for "free".

We're not sure when we'll be back. Hannah is now heading towards her GCSEs. Going at Easter or Christmas holidays will be busy and summer is a bit too hot for us. It also feels all a bit too... familiar to us. I think we could do with a break for a few years and maybe return when there are some significant additions to the parks - like Avatarland at AK and Toy Story land at HS.

We'll see. Until then... TTFN.

[Floridaagogo]

The dreaded last day 😢

[app]

New Photo Added by Nimbus - 28 Jun 16 9:36 PM.

[Jake71]

Last day is the worst, just wish you could click your heels 3 times and be home. I like MCO too, definitely better than Sanford.

I've really enjoyed your report, thanks so much for sharing.

[mick]

A good last day thank you for taking the time to do your photo trippie I have enjoyed following along

Joan

[JenD1]

Last day boo! Loved photos of CBR Thanks for sharing your wonderful holiday.😊

[nasty]

Loved reading your report. Thanks for sharing. Until next time ...

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by Floridaagogo

The dreaded last day 😢

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I know.

Originally Posted by Jake71

Last day is the worst, just wish you could click your heels 3 times and be home. I like MCO too, definitely better than Sanford.

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It surprised me. I thought MCO was going to be horribly busy and far too large but actually it wasn't bad at all. Immigration took a little longer but not terribly long.

Originally Posted by Jake71

I've really enjoyed your report, thanks so much for sharing.

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Originally Posted by mick

A good last day thank you for taking the time to do your photo trippie I have enjoyed following along

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Originally Posted by JenD1

Last day boo! Loved photos of CBR Thanks for sharing your wonderful holiday.😊

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Originally Posted by nasty

Loved reading your report. Thanks for sharing. Until next time ...

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Thanks everyone!

[dixonsontour]

I've enjoyed reading a long thanks for posting

[Alien]

Reading your report now, as I recall you saying summer is little too hot after one of your vacations. I was wondering if you changed your mind

Trying to decide our plans for next year as my son is getting older (he will be 11) and figuring out when is best to go to suit his education/vacations doesn't seem to match with the crowds and and weather preference!

Great report. Did you decide when will you be back? It's much easier to decide when kids are under 10.