Orlando, holiday within a holiday.

Track. When you wish upon a star. Cliff Edwards Disney Studio Chorus.
"Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age . And dreams are forever" Walt Disney.

Day 43.

 Had a lovely swim in the springs in the morning and then made our way into Orlando excited to meet up with Nain and Taid. Got some admin done, laundry and shopping and then made good use of the hotel internet and free services including popcorn before they even landed. As both Mari and Tim were pretty tired, we allowed them a fairly early night, but planned on throwing them straight in at the deep end with Epcot the following day.  

Day 44.

After a comfortable night spent in the Marriott carpark we got straight onto a buffet breakfast and were in Epcot before you could say jiminey cricket. We spent the morning in the world showcase, sneaking in some smuggled sandwiches in the USA section, and then went on the rides in the afternoon. They had the added bonus of a flower festival on and recreations of some of the charactors in floral form. We enjoyed a lovely Mexican meal, complete with erupting volcano and a birthday song for nain from the waiters, in the evening and it was good to get out of the heat for a bit.

We ambishiously stayed on for the fireworks and lasers at the end of the night which were brilliant too.  

Day 45.

 Nain and Taid came out to Wakiva Springs to visit us and we joined what seemed like the rest of Florida around the springs. Whilst becs and Tim went to get some bbq food the heavens opened and there was a mass exodus from the park.  We had a really lovely evening around the campfire.

 Day 46.  

We had an amazing day in Discovery Cove. It is a theme park owned by Seaworld but made to feel like an all-inclusive resort for the day. Almost unbelievably, we were able to snorkle with rays and tropical fish on a man made reef and feed birds from our hands and float through waterfalls. Even Solomon managed the waterfalls and Mari did some really good swimming until the free Margaritas and cooing over sol became the more appealing option. Had a pizza in the hotel that night and then made our way to the disney RV park. Sat up in total disbelief at the piped music coming off the river parade sound and light display. A chorus of bullfrogs joined in and it was the noisiest the wilderness has ever been.

  Day 47.

 Got the boat over to the Magic Kingdom and met Nain and Taid nice and early, keen and raring to go. A fantastic day again in the park jam-packed with charector encounters and rides.

Taid and becs had paid a visit to all of the big 3 rollercosters by nightfall and dylan even went on splash mountain too with a bit of encouragement.  Its all he has talked about since. It got pretty busy by the afternoon but we pushed on through enjoying some of the lesser known attractions such as the country bears jamboree "the ones that turn me on all turn me down..." and we found a total haven of an upstairs spot to escape for some food.

We finished off with the electric light parade and the fireworks which were incredible but all got a bit too much for dylan. Only Pete was still awake by the time the boat pulled back into the RV park.  

Day 48.

We took further advantage of the babysitting and taxi service on offer and hit Aquatica a new waterpark. It was a lovely day filled with lazy rivers and slides. One of the tubes even passed through a dolphin tank but it was difficult to appreciate them fully whilst moving so fast downhill with water going up your nose. Nain did a cracking job with solomon whilst Pete spent hours on the water playground and becs beat her dad, twice, down the water race track.

In the evening, we again benefitted from the babysitting and went to an cracking restaurant for a meal. Pete had swordfish and becs had buffalo. It was a real treat. Dylan watched fireworks with nain and taid and played on the playpark till late.

 Day 49

We spent the day in Seaworld which has changed beyond recognition since the 1990s with new areas and less emphasis on making the animals jump through hoops and more on multi media displays. Shamu now had an extended family and the dolphin display was topped off with astounding dives and acrobatics from humans. It was great. The mime artist dressed as a pirate at the beginning of the sea-lion and walrus show was also very entertaining as he generally mocked people whilst we waited for the show to start.

We went for a dennys meal afterwards with the worlds slowest waitress and then headed back to the RV park for a really enjoyable evening hosted by Chip n Dale, singing around the campfire. Those sneaky squirrels! Dale took a real shine to nain and there were some particularly funny moments when a real squirrel was stuck in the bin and they were trying to get him out. Marshmallows around the campfire, songs from a cowboy on a guitar and finally more fireworks and we were well and truly disneyed.  

Day 50.

  We had a lovely last day with nain and taid around the pool. Got some more laundry done, had the first mini jog since the calf pull, and nain got Sol to have quite a bit of milk from the bottle so very productive too. Taid was particularly enthralled when a girl got a nose bleed and the evidently very bored first aid team jumped into action.

There were at one stage no less than 9 people in attendance some of whom arrived by fire engine. Classic. We were really sad to say goodbye to nain and taid as they went off to the airport after what had been a totally fantastic week

. We left Orlando for the east coast and found a lovely County campground called Manatee Hammocks for the night.