Thursday 3rd November

We got on our plane to fly to Orlando, we watched movies and chatted on our flight. We landed in Orlando and met up with Kirstine who drove us to our amazing villa! It was so lovely; we had a look round and can’t wait to try the pool and watch movies in the cinema! We settled into our rooms and got something to eat, then retired to bed as we were exhausted, it had been a long day.

Friday 4th November

We woke up early as we were still on UK time! We had breakfast and headed to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.  It was fabulous, we first went to watch ‘It’s a Bugs Life’, we laughed and ducked during the show, it was a great start! We then went to Pandora to ride on the Na’vi River Journey, it was very magical and pretty. After a delicious lunch we headed out on safari to see all the different animals. Some of us went on Expedition Everest, the rollercoaster was so much fun! We enjoyed tea and ice creams before heading to see The Festival of the Lion King. By then we were all exhausted, so we decided it was time to head back to the villa for a delicious dinner, before watching Happy Feet in the cinema with popcorn, what a fabulous day!

Saturday 5th November

Today we drove to Wild Florida to go on an airboat ride, it was amazing! We all loved zooming on top of the water and spotting the alligators, we were lucky enough to see a pair of Bald Eagles too. We then went to wander round the park and see all the animals. We first went to a talk on alligators where they showed us all the things they could get one of the clever alligators to do... I certainly wouldn’t want his job or be brave enough to get in the water with the alligator! We had a turn at holding an alligator too and Robert even held a snake! We then looked at the other animals such as racoons, sloths, an albino alligator, bob cat, and a massive owl. Then we headed to the petting zoo where we could feed the goats. After shopping it was time to head back to the villa to enjoy dinner and a movie in the cinema!

Sunday 6th November

Today was a chill day. After our delicious American breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and maple syrup, we swam in the pool and enjoyed the hot tub. Robert enjoyed cleaning the pool, Jo enjoyed a swim and then relaxed in the sun, she was determined to go home with a tan! Andy and Elaine were fish, swimming up and down in the hot tub while Robert kept his eye on them all from his comfy chair. After our delicious American style lunch (Robert wasn’t sure about the corn bread but everyone else loved it), we all went to the shops for some gifts and souvenirs. Then it was off to the ice cream shop! Yum yum! 

Monday 7th November

Today we went to Universal Island of Adventures and had an amazing day. First Robert, Andy and Natalie went on the big Hulk rollercoaster ride whilst Jo, John and Elaine went on the Popeye & Pluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges and got completely soaked; everyone laughed! Some of the group went on Skull Island, then it was on to Jurassic Park River Adventure. Later on, we made our way to Hogsmead where we could see Hogwarts Castle and ride the Hogwarts Express! We screamed as we were chased by the spiders and dementors on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, we all had a brilliant day!

Tuesday 8th November

Today we visited Magic Kingdom, our first ride of the day was Jungle Cruise, then it was off to Splash Mountain for some and the Enchanted Tiki Room for others! Then it was time to brave Big Thunder Mountain and grab some ice cream, before watching the fabulous parade. Robert was very exited to get a high five from Dale whilst Jo had a hug from Pluto! We enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh ride, Peter Pan, and Mickey’s PhilharMagic. It then started to rain so we hit the shops before heading back to the villa, we all had a fabulous day!

Wednesday 9th November

This morning we enjoyed swimming in the pool and relaxing in the jacuzzi. Storms are forecast so we decided to go to the shops to get some gifts and souvenirs before watching Mamma Mia in the cinema with some popcorn.

Thursday 10th November

Today we had strong winds and rain, it was the first hurricane in Florida in November for 40 years. Luckily for us it wasn’t too bad, and we didn’t really notice. The parks were closed so we stayed at home watching movies, that evening we even went in the pool as it had blown over!

Friday 11th November

After breakfast we headed to Universal Studios theme park. We had an amazing day watching the stunt show from the Bourne movies, The ET ride, The Simpsons ride, and the Fast and Furious collection. We also found time to explore Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter section, looking in all the shops and the weird and wonderful things for sale! The ET ride seemed to be the most popular with everyone, it was a great day out together. 

Saturday 12th November

Today we went to Hollywood Studios to see the shows, some people went to watch the sing-along Frozen show, whilst others went on the star tours ride, everyone enjoyed the Muppets show and the Mickey and Minnie’s holiday fun film! We enjoyed ice creams and looking round the shops getting lots of souvenirs. The Indiana Jones stunt show was also brilliant! We then went back to the villa for an afternoon swim in the pool before watching Despicable Me 2 with popcorn.

Sunday 13th November

After breakfast, we headed to the local gift shops to get lots of gifts and souvenirs to take home. There was a quick stop off at Starbucks, then we headed back to the villa for lunch. We enjoyed a dip in the pool and jacuzzi before heading out to Trader Sam’s bar to see the Disney firework display at Magic Kingdom, it was such an amazing experience!

Monday 14th November

After a welcome lie in we went swimming in the pool and relaxed in the jacuzzi, then after lunch we headed to Epcot, we enjoyed the rides like Soring, Living with the Land, Planet Earth, Mission to Mars and Imagination with Figment! We looked round the shops before walking round the world and seeing all the different places. Then it was time for our dinner with Chip n’ Dale, it was fabulous to see them and have our picture taken with Mickey and Pluto too, we even got to meet Goofy! The evening was finished off watching the magical light, music, and firework show ‘Harmonious’, before heading back to the villa for some well-earned rest!

Tuesday 15th November

The holiday has flown by, and we can’t believe that today is our last full day! After a relaxing morning of swimming and sorting our packing, we headed back to Hollywood Studios where we looked round the shops. Jo, Elaine, John, and Kirstine enjoyed the Beauty and the Beast show whilst Jack, Natalie, Andy, and Robert all went up into space on the Rise of the Resistance, where they were captured by the Storm Troopers before escaping! After dinner at the Backlot, we all made our way to watch Fantasmic, which Jo said was the cherry on the cake and a great way to finish a fabulous holiday!

Wednesday 16th November

We have had an amazing holiday, Jo said she has enjoyed Animal Kingdom the most and the Universal Studios Bourne Show, Elaine has loved it all, as did Andy! Robert and John couldn’t decide what they enjoyed the most. Everyone was sad to go home and looking forward to coming back to Florida again soon, what a fabulous holiday with Options!