The Crazy Old Maurice Trip May 2015 Pre Trip *The final update. Twilight check in.*

[ronnieroobs]

Great start! We are going in October 2015 so following with interest.

[WileyCoyote]

Fab start, so much exciting planning to do. We found waiting for the buses a pain , it was a bit feast or famine some days . Looking forward to watching your plans unfold .

[gjdjud]

Originally Posted by ronnieroobs

Great start! We are going in October 2015 so following with interest.

See more...

Thanks for reading!

Originally Posted by WileyCoyote

Fab start, so much exciting planning to do. We found waiting for the buses a pain , it was a bit feast or famine some days . Looking forward to watching your plans unfold .

See more...

Thanks!I'm planning on catching up with your report soon as well.

[gjdjud]

Part 2 up.

[gjdjud]

Part 2 planning madness



The Plan


Hi again,

Hopefully you've read part 1 and know who we are, when and where we are going. If not read part 1 HERE or my previous trip report HERE.

The Plan: WARNING: not to be read people who like things to be spur of the moment with little or no planning. Yes it early but I'm a planner. I can't help it. What I'm hoping by doing this early is that anyone reading can point out anything I've forgotten about or not mentioned or if you think it's too much. PLEASE FEEL FREE to give your views.

So on with the plan of what we will be doing. This plan is very much a work in progress. I have even bought myself a white board! This plan will change, has changed and will change again so I won't give a final itinerary until a little while before we go.

I will point out I will be doing a separate part dedicated to dining and ADR's which will be a big part of this trip so a few little mentions here and there on this part but much more on these later on when my ADR's are finalised.

So we have 17 nights, 6 Disney parks, 2 Universal parks, Seaworld, Aquatica and Busch Gardens to fit in as well the obligatory shopping trips (boo). I thought it would be easy to arrange and organise but it's been a bit like doing a Rubix Cube with a blindfold on.
Actually think Christopher Walken and Robert De Niro playing Russian Roulette with the Viet Cong screaming "Di Di Mau!" at them.




Some parks we want to go to twice, others once and others maybe 3 times. It's a bit of a mindscramble. Add in dining, Wishes, Fantasmic, Illuminations, Fastpass+ at 60 days out, a possible Star Wars weekend (YES!) an overnight Universal stay and pool/rest times. The eagle eyed will also have spotted in part 1 that both girls have birthdays while we are there as well. So much to consider. Someone needs to invent a mathematical algorithm to make this possible.




One things for certain we are going to need some Forest Gump style comfortable shoes.



Right, massive deep breath. A tentative plan of water parks being counted as rest days followed later in the day by one of the evening events makes sense. Magic Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios will get several visits. Epcot will be split in two. We will have one dedicated day at Future World and on a separate day, with a late afternoon start (after a water park as outlined above) for the World Showcase (personally my least favourite area) with dinner and Illuminations. Typhoon Lagoon will be one part day followed by the Magic Kingdom for dinner and Wishes. Blizzard Beach will be again another part day followed by dinner and Fantasmic. Animal Kingdom, Seaworld and Busch Gardens will have their own 1 dedicated days as we will do these only once. Aquatica, again a part day followed by maybe one of the Disney dinner shows. A day each at Universal Studios and Island Of Adventure sandwiched between a night at the Hard Rock Hotel. I'm guessing I better allow a shopping day as well. Are you with me? As I'm lost. It's such a juggling act. I have to consider Marian and Den as well in case it's all too much. At least this time we have a car so it should cut down on all the waiting around.

Day by day.

Arrival day. Sunday 10th

After arriving late on the Sunday evening I don't think much will happen as I'm sure we will be fairly knackered, stressed out if last time is anything to go by. Maybe a bit of a mosey around and a counter service meal but we will play this one by ear. You never know we could be wild and head out to DTD (Springs).

Monday 11th

I'm sure we will be up fairly early. I hoping not 4am. The plan will be for me to go off on my Todd for a walk to the Buena Vista Palace Hotel to collect the hire car when Alamo opens at 8am. I'm hoping this won't be a case of me siting outside waiting for some spotty Herbert to show up and open up. Once the car has been collected I'll collect the others and then we will head off for a buffet breakfast somewhere before heading off to Walmart. They will no doubt be going wild in the aisles (no Dale Winton I hope).




Kelly has just informed me while reading this (checking that I've put nothing inappropriate) that WE WILL BE going here first day AND last day and she won't be rushed. Add in Evie Mae's tantrums first light and last light and it's kind of put me off going on holiday at all.

Living the dream on that one for our first day aren't we! I promised Kelly we'd have an easier first day. We need supplies, they all want to go so we may as well kill two birds with one stone. Once that misery ends it will be back to Saratoga Springs for a restful, rest of the day by the pool. Early meal somewhere at DTD (Springs) a mooch around there, maybe some Disney Quest and then back to the resort. I'm hoping the leisurely day will make us all raring to go for Tuesday when the real action starts.

Tuesday 12th

Lily Belle's 6th birthday. Hollywood Studios.



Preferably it would be Magic Kingdom on our first day but we are thinking about something special for Lily's birthday and there can be only one thing for her. An ADR at Hollywood and Vine for a character meal with Sofia and Doc McStuffin. I'm hoping to keep this a surprise.

We plan on spending much more time at Hollywood Studios this time. I'm hoping the girls both do Jedi Training but so far are unreceptive to that idea. I don't get it. I'd give my right **** for a chance to do this. If you see a story about a 39 year old man being escorted away by security. Guilty as charged. Obviously Toy Story Mania is on the list. (Ps. I don't let the kids win. Only joking! Or am I?) I'm hoping the others will come on the Tower Of Terror but I'm not sure. Single rider for me on Rock n Roll Rollercoaster. #findmeaRNRbuddyatDHS. We didn't see the Indiana Jones or the stunt show car thingy that I forget the name of. The girls love the new Muppet films so that's a must as well. Star Tours for everyone whether they like it or not. The plan is whole day until were beat. We will be coming back here a couple of times.

Wednesday 13th

Magic Kingdom for rope drop and a full day.



Controversial that's it's the not our first park but see above about Lily Belle's birthday. Emphasis will be on Fantasyland as this was half built last time. Enchanted Tales, the new Ariel ride, 7d Mine train, Its A Small World (Nanny's favourite) and Peter Pan. High on the list will be Fastpasses to meet Anna and Elsa. (I'm already worrying about getting them!) Again we will be coming several times to Magic Kingdom. Dinner will be Table service somewhere.

Thursday 14th

Blizzard Beach as a bit of rest day.



The plan will be us being here for opening until about 2-3pm. Back to SSR for a rest and then back to Hollywood studios for dinner somewhere on the Fantasmic package, maybe a cheeky Fastpass or two followed by Fantasmic.



We loved Fantasmic last time and it's very high on the list again. (Note to self, ear defenders for the girls!)

Friday 15th

This will be our only day at Seaworld.



Arriving at opening and staying until we've had enough. Single rider Manta and Kraken have my name on them. #findmearidebuddyatseaworld. This doesn't have the same appeal for me as the other parks. I found the Shamu show last time a little dull. Still there are some other shows we haven't seen like the dolphin one ( sorry don't know the name) and Seymour and Clyde. The girls will enjoy feeding the dolphins again. (note to self, don't make Evie Mae go on Journey To Atlantis like we did last time!) Potentially offsite dinner and maybe a little outlet shopping as well as judging by last time we were done with Seaworld by 3pm. (another note to self, don't let Den persuade us to go to Ponderosa afterwards.)

Saturday 16th

Epcot.



Full day at Future world with an early ADR at Akershus. All the usual suspects like Test Track and Soarin. I'm looking forward to seeing Gary Sinise in Mission Space. I just hope I'm not the bloody navigator again! I felt we neglected this part of Epcot last time so there will be plenty for us to see here. I'm really embarrassed to say I've been twice to Epcot (not counting when I was a kid) and I've never been inside Spaceship Earth. Too much to mention that we haven't done here so hoping we make the most of our day here. No World Showcase until later in the holiday.

Sunday 17th

Animal Kingdom for our one and only full day here.



Early Tusker House ADR. Really looking forward to the Safari and all the shows like Lion King, Nemo and It's Tough To Be A Bug. Again a little neglected last time so plenty to see on the Animal side of things. I know some people don't like Animal Kingdom, I like the atmosphere here. (note to self, don't let Evie go on Dinosaur!) Probably be just me,Billy No Mates, on Expedition Everest. #bemyfriendonEEatAK. Not a late night as early start next day.

Monday 18th-Tuesday 19th



Early start to check in at Hard Rock Hotel for our 1 night stay. Collect our FOLP passes. Not decided which park we will do first yet but it will be full days at both. So much to do here. New Harry Potter, Transformers and Minion Mayhem. The girls love Despicable Me and the minions so really looking forward to this. New Simpsons area, Hulk, Spiderman, Rip Ride Rocket and Hogwarts, Dragon Challenge. We missed so much here last time. We will have dinner somewhere on Citiwalk that first night. Back to SSR on Tuesday evening. ** Update*** Stop Off at Teaks Neighbourhood Bar and Grill before returning to SSR.

Wednesday 20th

Aquatica until mid afternoon.



Not been here before so really looking forward to this. I don't know too much about Aquatica so will be doing a little more research on this.

This will be followed by a rest at SSR and then late afternoon off to Epcot World Showcase with Dinner and illuminations.



My least favourite bit but I'd like to give it more of a go and I'm hoping we get more out of it. We may do Agent P with the girls to make it more exciting for them. Again embarrassed to say we've not seen Illuminations before so were looking forward to that.

Thursday 21st.

Our 1 day at Busch Gardens.



I can't wait for this. I'm hoping everyone gets as much out of this day as I plan on doing! I love big thrill rides but none of the others do. Sheikra is my favourite. Hoping I have the cojones to do the Falcons Fury! Cheetah Hunt wasn't built last time we went so looking forward to that. I may purchase the quick queue as well so everyone isn't waiting around to much. I feel a it guilty about this park but Kelly says they are happy to see all the animals. She is worried I will be missing out by doing all the rides by myself. #findmeafriendforbusch. Early start and a full day here until we've had enough. Toying with the idea of detour to Manny's Chophouse on the way back.

Friday 22nd

Evie Mae's 8th birthday. I've asked Evie for her input for this day as it's her special day. She has made the excellent choice of Typhoon Lagoon to start the day. We both had such a good time in the wave pool last time.



Again back to SSR in the afternoon. And then back to the Magic Kingdom for a birthday dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table followed by Wishes. That sounds like a pretty spectacular 8th birthday!





Saturday 23rd

Hollywood Studios. I'm hoping this will be a Star Wars weekend!



Going by previous years it will be. I can't wait for this. Again it's a bit selfish of me wanting to go as I'm the only Star Wars fan. Hoping the others will enjoy as well. Expecting it to be busy. So here until we've had enough and maybe then off to DTD (Springs) for the evening.#makingthemgoagainsththeirwill

Sunday 24th.

I think this will be pretty busy as it's Memorial Day weekend. Probably the only day we don't make any definitive plans until we are there. (That makes me nervous and uncomfortable) Got a great meal planned for the evening. It involves a giant Porterhouse steak.

Monday 25th

A designated shopping day (boo). It could be the Florida Mall but maybe outlet stores. Chin up and get on with it man! I could surprise myself and make a few purchases. (probably at the food court). Hoping Kelly will spend her money on herself and not on the girls as they are loaded and have mo'money than us. This will be followed in the evening by our first try of a Disney Dinner show possibly Hoop De Do ADR's Review.

Tuesday 26th

Our last full day can only be the Magic Kingdom.

It's going to be everything we haven't done and maybe a little bit more of what we've already done. Plenty meet and greets. Monsters Inc Laughter Floor(MILF) is a must, all the Mountain rides and so on and so forth. All day with maybe a pool/packing break before returning back to MK for maybe Be Our Guest and Wishes in the evening. As I'm writing this is dawns on me that to me we seem a little MK lite. Could be back to the drawing board.

Wednesday 27th.

Departure day (a Darth Vader style Nooooooooo! )



DTD Virgin check in, car hire return and making use of our time before heading back to the UK. Not sure if we'd do a park that day. I'm too nervous about getting delayed and missing the plane!

So that's the plan. It will probably all go out the window. Things like DisneyQuest, Mini golf, Cinema and even possibly Cirque Du Soleil if it's on. I'm sure more shopping will have to have to be squeezed in somewhere! I don't know how we are going to do this all without collapsing. A good soldier leaves no one behind. I'm sorry but the weak will be left.

Thanks for reading and PLEASE feel free to point out flaws or anything we've missed in plenty of time so I can change it.

Coming soon. Part 3 Fat Fighters. Battle Of The Bulge.

George.

[gjdjud]

Part 3

Fat Fighters: Battle Of The Buldge!

Hi again. This will be the last part for a while until nearer when I start booking my adr's.

So I've saved the money, I've booked, I've got a rough plan and I'm starting to slowly save for spends. Now its time for the bit I've been dreading. The pre Florida diet!

I'm not going to lie, I'm not in the best of shape. I'm not exactly like this but if I'm not careful then I will!



I plan on being more like this.



(although without the smoking, been years now.)

I really want to get myself into better shape with so many water parks to go to. I don't want to be one of those fellas with their gut hanging over the top of their shorts or even worse, the bloke that walks round holding his gut in. So in effect walking around holding his breath.



I think the best thing will be a combo of diet and exercise. The good news is that I suck at both. By doing updates on here I hope it gives me a little more motivation.

Before last Christmas I did start jogging which was a massive thing for me. Over a month or two I got fairly good and somehow against all my expectations I was running an hour doing 6-7k runs. If you knew me then this was a big thing. I was also trying to swim as well but got fed up with how busy it was and the lane discipline etiquette in a swimming pool. Also why does every man over 50 enjoy standing buck naked chatting while dressing?(I'm thinking Cocoon again).

Unfortunatly I wasnt able to keep it up. I used to go first thing in the morning very early, (for some reason I'm unable to run after work). I then got really busy at work and the motivation to get up in the morning disappeared and so did the running. Its now been a few months so any fitness and weight loss has vanished. Weight has come back with a vengence. So some how I've got to find a way to start again but as I'm writing this I'd rather pull my finger nails out. A big mistake I made before was that I didn't weigh myself so I couldn't tell the benefits.

The other battle will be the eating. I enjoy eating crap basically. Kelly over the last few months as well has developed a real talent for making cakes.



Not bad eh?

This was one was my birthday cake.



So battle commences soon. Date to begin is May 27th, the day after the bank holiday.It will be worth it in the end I hope and no shorts over the belly button for me!

Wish me luck and I will post updates!

**UPDATE** Its now September 19th and I've lost 2 stone since I started the diet on May 27th.

Part 4 in the upcoming months.

Thanks for reading.

George

[Taffy1959]

It all sounds great so far looking forward to reading more

[Helen0705]

Everything sounds fab !
Your birthday cake looked amazing

[gjdjud]

Originally Posted by Taffy1959

It all sounds great so far looking forward to reading more

See more...

Thanks for reading

Originally Posted by Helen0705

Everything sounds fab !
Your birthday cake looked amazing

See more...

Thanks for reading it was amazing. All done in secret as well!

[lottie89]

Great pre-trippy and plans - your daughters are adorable! You are going two days after we get back, so while I'm in the depths of the holiday blues you'll be packing!

Love the name too!