Day 15 - 11 September 2016 - Ihop, chill'in and Manny's

So the last full day finally arrived, we had been meaning to go to Ihop for breakfast ever since we arrived so off we went on the last.  Ihop stands for International house of pancakes but as Jenny pointed out out how can it be international if it is not in the UK?  It was a very busy restaurant!

The menu has a fast array of items and combinations, all very tempting.  Our waitress -Tanya - was extremely helpful in getting our order right for us, although she completely baffled Simon with the list of ways he could have his egg's, he finished up with over easy sunny side up which was the only option he understood!!  The items came out randomly and very haphazardly, still we went away filled for the day ahead.

Vanilla shake

Over easy sunny side up

Banana pancakes

Hash brown, bacon and fruit

Crepes

After breakfast the rest of the day was spent "chilling" and relaxing around the house and pool.

Trudy had been in touch with the house owners Kim and Martyn, and they kindly invited us around to see their other property nearby and then our for dinner.  We went to Manny's chop house, with some of their other friends and children, for what could be described as a traditional steak house meal with a salad starter and not a vegetable in sight.

After the meal we went back to Kim & Martyn's for drinks late into the night...

The next day was leaving day, so we packed and wended our merry way back home, without too much drama - the flight departure was delayed by and hour but we made up the time and more because of a tail wind.

So that is our holiday's for the year, we all agreed we had a great time and that we would definitely go back to America again, but probably not the theme parks....

The end

Day 14 - 10 September 2016 - Simon's birthday & Hollywood Studios

Today was a special day..... it was Simon's 52nd birthday.

We have arrived!

We had fast passes booked at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the Beauty & the Beast show.

Weather wise, post Hurricane it has been really hot but it was especially hot and humid today. Having gained access to the park Jenny & I went off in search of a birthday 'button' (badge) for Simon which he wore with pride! All the 'cast members' kept wishing him a happy birthday which confused him at first, as to how they knew it was his birthday, but then he got used to wearing the badge. He even got sworn in by Mickey security and upgraded from visitor to junior security!

Simon proudly wearing his junior security badge

So, off we toddled and watched the Beauty and the Beast show which was really good. Jenny and I nearly went on the Tower of Terror but at the last minute chickened out....the screams coming from the ride were very loud!

Beauty & The Beast Show

Sunset Boulevard & Tower of Terror 

It was sooooo hot we decided to have an ice-cream and in usual Trafford style wandered aimlessly around the park looking for somewhere to get an ice-cream in the air conditioning. After about 45 minutes we gave up and just got one from the kiosk instead. It was now time for the Frozen sing along.  I have to confess to not being particularly enamoured at the thought of this show but at least I would get to be cool for 30 minutes. It actually turned out to be brilliant and definitely one not to miss for anyone thinking of going. At the end it turns into a bit of a foam party so make sure you put your electrical devices away or they will (along with yourself) get covered!!   The great movie ride was next........ this didn't have a big queue and we now know why! The one ride we did want to do was the Aerosmith roller coaster but the queues were too long and we couldn't be bothered to wait that long so we headed off to Toy Story mania instead...... this was a fun ride where you shoot targets as if you are in a fairground, you compete against the person sat next to you, in my case Simon. I probably should have let him win seeing as it was his birthday but never mind!

TGI Fridays' had been nominated as the restaurant of choice for Simon's birthday celebrations for two reasons. Firstly, Trudy could drive back as it was close so Simon could have a drink (or three) and secondly we were sick of eating burgers and hoped they're would be something different on the menu! We all enjoyed really nice food and service and went back to the villa and watched Top Gun (we know how to live it up!).

Starters Selfie

Birthday boy enjoying his Beer still sporting his badge

Day 14 - 10 September 2016 - Simon's birthday & Hollywood Studios

Today was a special day..... it was Simon's 52nd birthday.

We have arrived!

We had fast passes booked at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the Beauty & the Beast show.

Weather wise, post Hurricane it has been really hot but it was especially hot and humid today. Having gained access to the park Jenny & I went off in search of a birthday 'button' (badge) for Simon which he wore with pride! All the 'cast members' kept wishing him a happy birthday which confused him at first, as to how they knew it was his birthday, but then he got used to wearing the badge. He even got sworn in by Mickey security and upgraded from visitor to junior security!

Simon proudly wearing his junior security badge

So, off we toddled and watched the Beauty and the Beast show which was really good. Jenny and I nearly went on the Tower of Terror but at the last minute chickened out....the screams coming from the ride were very loud!

Beauty & The Beast Show

Sunset Boulevard & Tower of Terror 

It was sooooo hot we decided to have an ice-cream and in usual Trafford style wandered aimlessly around the park looking for somewhere to get an ice-cream in the air conditioning. After about 45 minutes we gave up and just got one from the kiosk instead. It was now time for the Frozen sing along.  I have to confess to not being particularly enamoured at the thought of this show but at least I would get to be cool for 30 minutes. It actually turned out to be brilliant and definitely one not to miss for anyone thinking of going. At the end it turns into a bit of a foam party so make sure you put your electrical devices away or they will (along with yourself) get covered!!   The great movie ride was next........ this didn't have a big queue and we now know why! The one ride we did want to do was the Aerosmith roller coaster but the queues were too long and we couldn't be bothered to wait that long so we headed off to Toy Story mania instead...... this was a fun ride where you shoot targets as if you are in a fairground, you compete against the person sat next to you, in my case Simon. I probably should have let him win seeing as it was his birthday but never mind!

TGI Fridays' had been nominated as the restaurant of choice for Simon's birthday celebrations for two reasons. Firstly, Trudy could drive back as it was close so Simon could have a drink (or three) and secondly we were sick of eating burgers and hoped they're would be something different on the menu! We all enjoyed really nice food and service and went back to the villa and watched Top Gun (we know how to live it up!).

Starters Selfie

Birthday boy enjoying his Beer still sporting his badge

Day 13 - 9 September 2016 - Universal and Kissimmee Rodeo

Being honest we are all starting to flag now and it would have been so easy to just have another pool day having planned to go to the rodeo in the evening. We did however want to make sure Jodie experienced the hulk rollercoaster and forbidden valley ride at Universal's Harry Potter world (omitted the first time due to a headache and fears of darkness respectively) so we all mustered up some enthusiasm from somewhere and off we trekked down the familiar route to International Drive. This holiday malarky is frankly quite exhausting!

We headed straight to the island of adventure and us girls went on the Hulk ride....... Simon wanted to get a photo and was designated bag holder (or was just too much of a wuss....you decide). This ride is one of my all time favourites for sure!

Our 'having fun' faces

The amazing Hulk Roller Coaster

Marilyn Monroe

The Dessert Foundry

We proceeded to the Harry Potter ride which Jodie was glad she didn't miss out, another triumph for universal studios, the queue is brilliant too, walking through the corridors and halls of Hogwarts, seeing the moving pictures who talk to each other, it all just adds to the magic. Simon headed off and enjoyed a pint in the Hogs Head!

With those ticked off the list we then decided we would quite like a milkshake and ended up at the 'Dessert Foundry'...........O M G!!! Well any hint dieting went out of the window here, Jodie had the biggest, creamiest milkshake I have ever seen and Simon & I shared (I know..........me..........sharing a dessert......who'd have thought!)  a cookies and cream ice-cream sundae. Jenny didn't fancy anything sweet so she had a Hot Dog afterwards on the way out.

Jodie's Marshmallow Milkshake

Cookies & Cream Sundae

Universal completed for the holiday we headed directly to the Kissimmee Rodeo which turned out to be one of the highlights of the holiday. First port of call........was obviously the bar, where we were greeted with great American hospitality, got some inside info from the bar maid, a country singer played live in the background and we just knew we were in for a real treat. I was a little concerned at the methods they use to make them buck and didn't realise that the horses were specifically bred to buck and training involves rewards (release of pressure) when the horse responds with the required action. Apparently most of the top 'broncers' are mares!!  Go figure!!

'Patrick' offered us a 'behind the scenes' tour. This involved them 'bringing in' the bulls from the main arena into the holding bays in preparation for the evenings bull riding. He explained that these Bulls were also specifically bred to buck and the pedigrees go way back for generations. The youngest Bull being 3 years old (which the kids under 14 rode!) the oldest 'K9' being 14 years of age but still going strong, this one had a bit of a reputation! It doesn't get much more rustic American than this.

One of the bulls

Watching them separate the animals

Patrick

The way they transport the horses was also fascinating and ranged from massive trailers to equine hamster cages!

Standard American trailer

So there we were, all set for an evening of Steak, beans & coleslaw (burgers for the girls), beer for Simon (and plenty of it seeing as Trudy was driving home!),bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping and probably one of the funniest things I have ever seen ever during the interval. They asked for all the kids under 12 to go into the arena to play a fun game. So... in they went... ranging from toddlers who could barely toddle to full up 12 year olds. They then proceeded to release 3 calves who had ribbons in their tails and the first 3 kids to bring back a ribbon each got $5 as a prize. I wished I'd have videoed it but I was too busy laughing!!! H&S would have had a field day in the UK.

Bull rider in action

Calf roping 

After the show had finished we retreated back to the bar, where the singer was still singing and enjoyed a couple more Beers before heading home. 

Day 12 - 8 September 2016 - Pool day & Disney Springs

So day 12 saw our laziest day so far....... a day by the pool followed by a trip to Burger King en route to Disney Springs.

Disney Springs was bustling with an array of shops, bars, restaurants and live performers, we even stumbled upon a Co-Op.  Kids turn into adults really young in America....... there was a balloon ride with tiered pricing for adults and kids. Anybody 10 or over is classed as an adult as opposed the the usual 12 year old adult for the majority of parks! With the exception of alcohol where you have to be 21!!!

After strolling around we headed home, not the most exciting but nice to have a day off!

Burger King

Add caption

We visited the Christmas shop!

Pete's Dragon made from Lego

Day 11 - Typhoon Lagoon revisited and Pier 60

In total contrast to our usual holiday style, we decided that we would get up and go for another visit to Typhoon Lagoon, this time we had had a plan! Our first visit (being a little lapsy-daysical) saw us arrive a little later than others which resulted in the only sun beds being available were those actually in the harsh sun (which for Trudy & Jenny who crisp up like bacon in a frying pan even with factor 50 on). So, on a mission, even beating the parking attendants and having to wait for the park to open its ropes up, we were there.......... and managed to find 4 beds in the shade.

We then applied plenty of sun cream and headed off for the slides before the queues got too big! We even managed to get Jodie on a couple of them (having convinced her there were no dark bits). Simon got all brave and did the vertical one....... but for some reason didn't want to do it a second time......oh how we laughed when we watched him at the top nearly bottle it, and then when he got to the bottom...... wishing he had done! We all then had a float around the lazy river before going back to the shady sun beds.... briefly. The bucket of ice-cream we devoured on the previous visit once again was on our 'to do' list so off we went ticked that one off the list. The girls then went off to Shark reef where you can swim with the sharks and other fish but soon came back when they realised how long the queue was. We called it a day and departed back to the villa so the girls could begin their 2 hour 'getting ready to go out procedure'.

The next thing we wanted to do was visit the beach, a quick google declared that the best sunsets in Florida took place at Pier 60 at Clearwater (which is technically mis-described as the sea was actually quite disgusting and very green)! Still the sand was white and nice.

We got there well before sunset, Simon declared he wanted to dine at Hooters (he's heard the food was supposed to be good there)....mmmmmmm not fooling anyone with that one Simey! However, the food was actually very good and the waitresses didn't disappoint either ;) 

Jodie was fretting that we were going to miss the sunset to which Simon and myself assured her it would take ages and we had plenty of time....... unfortunately Jodie was right and we did nearly end up missing it as once it started to go down, it went pretty quick!! We still managed to get a few nice pics though and had a bit of fun playing with sillouettes and reflections in the diminishing light.

Back on the beach front there were a selection of street shows with an escape artist who contorted himself out of a straight jacket which made us grimace and then on to a break dancing dip-hop dance act who were amazing. They were really entertaining and dragged Jodie up alongside other crowd participants to help in their 'finale' which involved one of the guys doing a twisty somersault thing over the top of them.