Heather, Nolan, Frank, Cousin Sue, Roger and HaleyMore Disney world trip highlights
Friday after spending the day at the hospital on Thursday we went for another day to Epcot. We enjoyed this park very much and it was nice that the kids got lots of time to explore things on their own. Haley found lots of things to do that would satisfy her independent study requirements and Nolan found lots of things to interest him too. We especially liked Club Cool where you could go in and help yourself to samples of drinks from around the world. This became our meeting point. We returned to the room about 6 and Frank and I went out and had a wonderful splurge dinner at Boston Lobster. After the first couple of days we decided that driving to the park daily was really the way to go. We paid the 12 dollars, but we very much made up for it in savings by eating off park.
On Saturday we returned to the Hollywood Studios. We cut Nolan loose and Frank, Haley and I went to the “school of animation” we learned to draw Minnie and Tinkerbell. That was really a lot of fun. We stayed for Phantasmic. It was different from Disneyland as they have created a stage just for it.
We ended up staying another night at the Residence Inn. We couldn’t get the Rabies vaccination in Manatee County, so we got up early on Sunday and got the vaccine at the original hospital. As soon a I get home, I need to call the hospital in Modesto to make sure he can get third shot on Christmas day.
We were in and out of there in about 45 minutes – very good. The night before, Frank had me play a game – what are the good things that came out of having to stay in Orlando an extra night. 1. we paid less for the room in Orlando than we would have in Bradenton – especially since they comped us half. 2. We stayed in the same room and didn’t have to move. 3. we all had our own beds again. 4. we didn’t have to worry about how late we stayed at the park on Saturday night. 5. We would be able to see the drive to Bradenton – instead of driving it in the dark. 6. another free breakfast.
So, afer we left the hospital we headed out to Bradenton. We arrived at Frank’s cousin’s house about 12ish and were warmly welcomed by Sue and her new husband Roger. After a great lunch we headed over to Myaka State Park – the oldest and most diverse state park in Florida. We looked for gators – but with no luck. We did walk a canopy walk up in the trees and up a huge 7 or 8 story tower to look several miles all around the area. It was beautiful. In fact, here we are where the ranger told us to go look for the big king daddy alligator. I know it didn't seem very safe to me either!!
Friday after spending the day at the hospital on Thursday we went for another day to Epcot. We enjoyed this park very much and it was nice that the kids got lots of time to explore things on their own. Haley found lots of things to do that would satisfy her independent study requirements and Nolan found lots of things to interest him too. We especially liked Club Cool where you could go in and help yourself to samples of drinks from around the world. This became our meeting point. We returned to the room about 6 and Frank and I went out and had a wonderful splurge dinner at Boston Lobster. After the first couple of days we decided that driving to the park daily was really the way to go. We paid the 12 dollars, but we very much made up for it in savings by eating off park.
On Saturday we returned to the Hollywood Studios. We cut Nolan loose and Frank, Haley and I went to the “school of animation” we learned to draw Minnie and Tinkerbell. That was really a lot of fun. We stayed for Phantasmic. It was different from Disneyland as they have created a stage just for it.
We ended up staying another night at the Residence Inn. We couldn’t get the Rabies vaccination in Manatee County, so we got up early on Sunday and got the vaccine at the original hospital. As soon a I get home, I need to call the hospital in Modesto to make sure he can get third shot on Christmas day.
We were in and out of there in about 45 minutes – very good. The night before, Frank had me play a game – what are the good things that came out of having to stay in Orlando an extra night. 1. we paid less for the room in Orlando than we would have in Bradenton – especially since they comped us half. 2. We stayed in the same room and didn’t have to move. 3. we all had our own beds again. 4. we didn’t have to worry about how late we stayed at the park on Saturday night. 5. We would be able to see the drive to Bradenton – instead of driving it in the dark. 6. another free breakfast.
So, afer we left the hospital we headed out to Bradenton. We arrived at Frank’s cousin’s house about 12ish and were warmly welcomed by Sue and her new husband Roger. After a great lunch we headed over to Myaka State Park – the oldest and most diverse state park in Florida. We looked for gators – but with no luck. We did walk a canopy walk up in the trees and up a huge 7 or 8 story tower to look several miles all around the area. It was beautiful. In fact, here we are where the ranger told us to go look for the big king daddy alligator. I know it didn't seem very safe to me either!!
After going back to their place and resting up a while with good family chat, Roger and Sue took us out to a really cool place called the Roaring 20’s. It is like the old Pizza and Pipes, but with much better food! They had a wonderful Wurlitzer Oregan played by a real pro. Later we found out that the Wurlitzer was out of the Paramount theater in Oakland, California. Imagine that!
We went back to their place and talked to the wee hours about family history and pictures that Sue’s father had compiled over the years. Sue sent us home with all of the wonderful pictures and compilation of her father’s years of work on the family history. I’m telling you it was a geneologist’s dream!! In fact now that I am actually home it is hard not to plow right into it and put it all out all over the dining room table! She also gave Frank his grandfather’s pocket watch. The only thing that could possibly have made the evening better was if her father could have joined us to tell us all about his extensive research in person!
We had a nice room at the Holiday Inn Express in Bradenton and got a bit of sleep. It wasn’t as easy to sleep really well in two double beds as it was with a king and two queens, but we made due. It’s not so hard when you are really tired!!
We went back over to Sue and Roger’s in the morning and visited with them for a bit more before heading back to Orlando. We arrived at the Magic Kingdom about 4:00 pm and jumped on a ride and Haley bought her hat and saw Country Bears and the Laugh Factory and headed over to the airport. Pam- what a great idea to drop off our car the night before and stay near the airport. We did just that – Frank made it in the nick of time not to get charged for an extra day. He even got the Payless shuttle driver to drop him off at the Marriott instead of go to the airport and wait for the hotel shuttle! Of course, the Marriott upgraded “elite Frank” and everybody was happy to get a little free snack and have a bed to themselves again. Sadly, we had to leave before the free concierge breakfast began, but we picked up a bagel for everybody at the airport and ate on the plane. We have even convinced them that a bit of Bodin’s sourdough bread will tide them over until we get home to Modesto. That way we can get some cheap Chinese food!
All in all it was a really great trip. I am really looking forward to getting home and finishing up the few loose ends I have for Christmas. But we are all relaxed and happy and have had a really good time. It really felt like a once in a lifetime event!
Comments
Luv,
Beth