A date with Mickey
I had booked non stop Virgin Atlantic flights, from Manchester. Experience had taught me that travelling with kids, on a 9 hour flight, I needed as much entertainment as I could get. Boy...I was not wrong. We each had our own seat back TV’s. The boys had been given their own Virgin K -id satchel which was filled with tons of stuff. We were on our way!!!
Upon arrival, Orlando International airport was surprisingly easy enough to navigate through. After the necessary lengthy queue for border control, everything else was literally plain sailing. I had pre booked a car with Alamo. We could pick from a selection, we chose a Chrysler Voyager, which was an absolute dream to drive.
Never having driven in the US before, I admit I was quite apprehensive. But, my worries were unfounded, I had booked a GPS and with that, it was only 1/2 hour before we were handed our keys to our Condo.
I had purposely not gone for a Villa. Having stayed in a beautiful villa here about 12 years ago, I had decided that this time, I wanted to have 'Villa' facilities, within a complex. After weeks of research I finally chose the Vista Cay complex, on Universal Boulevard. 5 mins to Universal Orlando, 15 mins to the Disney parks.
WOW....is the only word I can describe the luxurious condo we were given. A fabulous 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom 'Watervilla' overlooking the lake and pool area. We could not believe our luck!!
So for 2 weeks, we were living in absolute extreme comfort, with the added bonus of laundry facilities, hence no washing was brought home. I can think of nothing better than coming home from a long day in the parks and just chilling either in front of a huge 50inch plasma screen, enjoying the veranda and the fabulous view of the lake and Orlando, or relaxing in the Jacuzzi, whilst the kids play in the large pool.
THE PARKS....well what can I say. This holiday is not for the faint hearted. The Americans do nothing by halves and I can honestly say, that there is actually something here for everyone. My boys are really not that interested in the characters, they wanted the rides. The bigger, the better. I remember back in 1997, my husband going on ''Summit the Plummit'' in Blizzard Beach. The longest, fastest water slide in the world. Well here I was 12 years later, stood at the bottom of it, whilst my 9 and 7 year olds, were having a competition with their Dad on who could come down the fastest. I think Lewis (9) managed 56 MPH, Daniel (7) managed 52MPH and their Dad managed 56 MPH. Not bad going!!!
We had a fantastic time on holiday. One we wish to repeat in a couple of years. If you're thinking of going, please don't hesitate to pick up the phone or drop me an email.
If you have any questions then just let me know,
Louise