Five Guys Florida

Florida 2013 – Day 5 – Rain Rain Go Away!

After three days of parks, we decided to visit the Premium Outlets at the top of International Drive. We arrived enthusiastically early at 9.00 only to find the shops opened at 10.00 – but this gave us an opportunity to see what was on offer.

Unfortunately, Hotdog wasn’t feeling too well and had to make a dash to the men’s room. It turns out he took some laxative the night before and it was now having the desired effect! He returned about 10 minutes later pale as Casper and I thought we would have to return to the hotel. He also happened to pick the only restroom with two rather burly men fixing a leak! The expression on their faces when he exited the cubicle to wash his hands was one of wonder that someone could pass so much wind!

You can go mad buying stuff! There are some good deals, but we were only after trainers and tees. People dress differently on holiday – that t-shirt may look cool in Orlando, but could be a fashion disaster back home, so you have to be careful. Managed to get a pair of Nike running trainers each. Hotdog was tempted by the Levis – 2 pairs for $78 about £48. Back in UK 501’s are £75 a pair! (2013 Exchange rates)

Another lunch – another burger! Hotdog couldn’t wait to try Five Guys, which is fab and so glad they are coming to the UK (have since learned there is one in Covent Garden, London – YAY). Love the way the guy calls out – WE GOT TWO PATTIES! A pattern was beginning to emerge in Hotdogs holiday diet – he was slightly worried he’ll go home with a burger belly!

After lunch, it began to rain, and then rained really hard, so we made our way around the shops like we were walking on the outside ledge of a skyscraper. After a few hours of relentless downpour, we decided to call it a day. We had to run for the I-Ride shelter through deep puddles and were soaked through by the time the trolley arrived. Back at the hotel, the staff greeted us with much amusement.

The rain wasn’t easing and we spent the rest of the afternoon looking out of the window like miserable kids on a Sunday afternoon with nothing but Songs of Praise to look forward too. Eventually, the rain stopped, so we showered and dressed for dinner.

Tonight we decided to give Big Italy up the road a try. The food was OK – especially the pizza, however, we did have the most annoying waiter who insisted on rushing us. He actually brought the bill over before we finished our main course!

More rain is forecast for tomorrow so we decided on another day of shopping – this time undercover!

Accident on Internation Drive

Florida 2013 – Day 6 – Mall Millennia

Woke up at a reasonable time, Hotdog was still snoozing but soon woke once the coffee maker started its death howls as is gurgled out a fresh brew.

The traffic on International Drive was beginning to get busy and it wasn’t long before we heard police sirens. At the junction of International Drive and Universal Bv there appeared to be an accident involving a car, an SUV and a police car. In true American style, there were huge fire trucks, medics and at least 10 police cars. No one appeared to be injured and the whole event made the FOX35 evening news!

We love FOX35 in the morning as they can predict the weather to an inch of its life! The weather man would say “rainfall expected in 43 minutes” and he was usually spot on! More rain was forecast today, so we took a taxi to Mall Millennia.

This is a shopping Mall! A good mix of medium to high brand goods. Hotdog has been after a winter jacket for ages. He spotted an A&F jacket priced at $140 – but was reduced to $99 and then had a further reduction at the till to $74.54 including sales tax, about £46! Bargain, as this jacket would cost about £140 in the UK! Got a few bargains in Hollister, but we found their range disappointing. We hear you saying – two 40 somethings in Hollister? We love the vibe and their lounge pants! I wasn’t really interested in anything until I spotted a Ralph Lauren bag. This wasn’t on offer, however, the same bag in the UK retails for £280 – she bagged a bargain at £151.21!

Popped into Cheesecake Factory and bought a slice Snickers Bar Cheesecake… Took a taxi back to the hotel – chilled for a few hours and then headed out to dinner at TGI’s just off International Drive. TGI’s was a disappointment as we found the food sub par. Hotdog complained to the manager and his meal was removed from the bill. The service was OK, but as we said the food was poor.

Walked back to the hotel – luckily Hotdog still had his slice of Snickers Bar Cheesecake – it was yummo!

After two days of rain and shopping, we were desperate for some more park action!

SeaWorld Orlando

Florida 2013 – Day 7 – SeaWorld

The weather was still iffy, but we had to do something after two days of rain, shopping, more rain and even more shopping! The weather man on FOX35 said things were improving. Arrived at SeaWorld – spotted some black clouds, on impulse bought two ponchos, just in case!

I love SeaWorld – Hotdog wasn’t too sure! The 3D turtle experience, was cool and we liked watching the Dolphins. The Shamu show started in 10 mins – we jogged leisurely to a packed stadium. Made it to the show with a few minutes to spare. Show consisted of killer whales doing splashy stunts and that was it. Highly entertaining though. I cried at the end, which was a blessing in disguise as this topped up the water levels that were splashed over the edge by the orcas.

Made our way to kraken – the wait was 10 minutes. The ride was brilliant and we managed to keep eyes open for the whole experience. Spent several times contemplating Manta – it looks horrific – so we’re hoping to go back to finish off the stuff we missed later in the week.

The Journey to Atlantis looked OK but was actually quite scary – after the first drop, you think – is that it? Remember the impulse buy of ponchos? They become invaluable as we would have been soaked on this ride!

Lunch at Seafire Inn – the chicken pasta in creamy sauce, and fish and chips were good value at around $24 with drinks.

The Blue Horizon show was amazing – at one point Hotdog was asking Mrs Doughnut ‘permission for lip to wobble’! It wasn’t the dolphins that made Hotdog come over with this rush of emotion – for a brief moment he took his eyes of the show and looked around at the kids faces – pure joy!

Did a few other things around the park – including a visit to the South Pole – was excited to see the Polar Bear – who was less excited about us. The shark encounter is worth doing. We waited for 30 minutes for the new Antarctica ride, which was really cold and a bit disappointing. To our amusement, we spotted a thong on the floor on the wild ride side! It must be WILD!!! The penguin’s afterwards were fun to watch – apart from the smell!

Back at hotel around 6pm – so we decided to go to City Walk and Universal Studios for the light show and some food. Watched the 100 years of cinema light show – was ok. Headed to Lone Palm bar by the big lake for a few drinks, this bar is a great place to chill and people watch. The servers are great too, They poured a glass of wine, which wasn’t quiet a glass – so the bartender said he would get another bottle. Instead of topping up the glass he presented me with another full glass – now that is service! Also if you’re unsure of trying a draught beer ask the bartender and they’ll pour you a sample.

Decided on Hard Rock ORLANDO for dinner! The venue, food and service was amazing. Guess what we had? BURGERS!!! No chance of a wafer thin mint – we were truly stuffed.

Universal Halloween Horror Nights

Florida 2013 – Day 8 – Wet n Wild and HHN23

We decided to take a trip south, down International Drive on the iRide – basically to spot some places to eat. On our way back we stopped off at the ABC Liquor Store. This is a boozers paradise – and why not, we’re on holiday! Hotdog treated himself to a bottle of Kraken and I bought a bottle of coconut rum.

We dumped our booze haul back at the hotel and then popped over to Wet n Wild for a few hours before grabbing a sandwich from 7 eleven. Jumped in the shower and then walked over to universal for the last hour before Halloween Horror Nights lockdown. If you’re in the park before 5pm kick-out and have a Halloween Horror Nights ticket you are directed to a holding area. You’ll wait there until about 5.45 and hopefully get let into the park early – this will give you an advantage over the 6.30 park entry.

We were released into the zombies at around 5.45, which gave us a great start. Within an hour or so we did American Warewolf (terrifying) – The Walking Dead (brilliant) and La Llorona (scary) – all the houses had us jumping out of our skin. The Halloween Horror Nights are great fun, the atmosphere and the attention to detail is spot on. We would highly recommend this if you are visiting orlando between September and November. However, HHN isn’t wimps or kiddies!

Decided to try the Simpsons ride again – which we enjoyed more than the first time. Headed through the park full of zombies to get a beer – spotted the line for transformers was 10 minutes – you gotta do it. After Transformers we walked to Despicable Me with only 5 min wait, so we jumped in. Loved it more second time round!

Stopped off at Margaritaville for a few drinks, then decided to try Bubba Gump’s for dinner. The atmosphere is great as you can imagine. Our waiter would ask us questions about the film and Hotdog, who does a brilliant impression of Forrest answered all the questions correctly – such a swot! Hotdog ordered Jambalaya, which was gorgeous and I ordered Bubba’s After the Storm “Bucket of Boat Trash”, which was a little tricky, but I got there in the end.

Stuffed and shattered – we made our way back to the hotel for an early night!

USA Flag

Florida 2013 – Day 9 – A Bucket of Chicken!

Back to SeaWorld to do the bits we missed on the first visit. Manta had a 40 minute wait so we headed to Kraken, which was only ten minutes. This is a fab ride, poor old Hotdog was more nervous second time around. As we came off the ride we spotted the Sea Lions so headed over watch them – can’t believe how tame the birds are, though they are a bit of a menace stealing the Sea Lion’s fish!

Made our way to Clyde and Seamore take Pirate Island show – great fun! Get there early – the pre show act is ingeniously hilarious! The super cynical Hotdog was laughing his head off!

Grabbed a bite to eat before making our way to Blue Horizons! This was even better second time round as we arrived early, our seats were smack in the middle of the arena, about half way up. Cannot stress how getting in early gets you the best seats! After the show we walked over to Manta – 10 minutes – yay! This was the ride we were NOT looking forward to! A Scottish chap said, “Going up is the scary bit”, and he was right. Manta is a brilliant ride, we got off and went straight back on!!!

After Manta we went to the Aquarium – look out for the leafy Sea Dragon’s! Amazing how you can miss so much at SeaWorld! We managed to fit in all the bits we missed and do some rides twice. Our day was done, picked up some souvenirs and hopped on the reliable Superstar Shuttle back to the hotel.

Since arriving in Orlando we have been determined to have an all American KFC bucket meal! This is something we never do back home, and the problem was deciding which one? We ordered 12 piece, which included a stack of chicken, a box of wedges, three mac & cheese’s (despite asking for mac & cheese, corn on the cob and a slaw), and finally a box of buttermilk biscuits – weird!!! This badboy bucket of chicken and sides must have weighed 3 kilos – Hotdog walked back to the hotel like a proud father cradling a new born baby!

Far too much food! We were well and truly stuffed, so we settled in for the evening with the TV and poured a large Kraken.