TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
Well the weather did not look good at all today. We really took our time getting ready before we headed up to the lounge for breakfast.
When we went in the first thing Melissa asked was how did we enjoy our meal last night!!! When we told her what happened she was so apologetic....told her it certainly wasn't her fault. She did call down and ask for an updated menu for Tchoup Chop to be sent up, so that was changed almost immediately. We stayed and chatted for a bit this morning, lounge was nice and quiet again today.
We finally decided to head out to the Florida Mall, not our favourite mall at all but we wanted some M&M`s.........gotta have priorities!! It was raining when we went out but not too heavy so we walked to the car and I drove, decided to valet park as it`s just a bit closer to the entrance. As soon as we walk into this Mall, I don`t know what it is, I just don`t like it.....it seems so much busier than the Mall at Millenia........I joked that there`s too many tourists there
Anyway we wander around and get our precious coconut M&M`s and discover they have a limited edition white chocolate one......oh my......anyone who knows me will know I adore white chocolate.....so I would have to get some of those as well....they were delicious and I knew we didn`t have them in the UK they would make a great pressie for a couple of friends. So we filled several bags with those and several of coconut.........I told Tom not to listen to the final cost when we paid......ouch!!! But they were lovely and some of them did make it home this year.
I got some nice costume jewellery in a little shop called Charming Charlie, they had lots of purpley stuff so I filled a little basket and got my friend some green stuff. Cheap as chips but looks really nice, and it makes ideal little fillers for gifts. Don`t really like the Macy`s here, it seems very disorganised and the perfume staff never leave you alone unlike the other one, so we decided to head to Mall at Millenia for some lunch.......someone wanted Linda`s Chocolate Fudge Cake......well it had been about 2 days since he had eaten it!!!!!
Got our car back and headed off, valet parked here again......I was getting used to doing this now........and went inside. I never tire of walking into this Mall, it`s so pretty, clean and never mobbed. Kyle went straight in and got his cake while we went upstairs and decide to eat at a place that sells wraps for a change, it was lovely.
I had Teriyaki Chicken with extra jalapenos and Tom got Philly sub, only took a pic of mine as Tom`s was gone in abut 10 seconds. It was lovely, very fresh produce in it, I would eat at this counter again if I can get past Firehouse Subs, they really are the best!!
After we ate we wandered downstairs. I didn`t like the plain covers in the Apple shop for iPads, so wandered into a store called Brookstone and saw they had some nice leather ones and it had a Bluetooth keyboard in it as well.....and more importantly I liked the color
It was probably more expensive than we should have paid for a cover, but I loved it so we just got it there and then. Decided then we had spent enough today so headed back to the hotel with our haul for the day. It seemed to be clearing up as we were driving back so decided to head to The Studios for rest of afternoon.
It was quite dull but still very hot when we got to the park, we still put some sun cream on.....just in case. Last thing we wanted to happen was to get sunburn after being so careful every other day. There was a few people heading in but not many so we got through in seconds and went straight for DM.........the regular queue was showing 45 minutes, Express was a proper walk on.....not one person in front of us. Did this twice then we said we were going to go on RRR. I knew Kyle was desperate to go on it, but he was so afraid of damaging his back. I could understand...we could tell him a million times he would be ok but it`s his back and no amount of reassurance can stop him worrying.......
Anyway he decided he wanted to have a go. I was so pleased he was going to try, and hoped we would get the front where it always seems smoother. Well we went in and there was no queue to speak of......so we got the front...Kyle and I together and Tom behind us. Tom and I did exchange some nervous glances as we got on the ride, but didn`t want Kyle to see we were a little worried as this ride can be rough so it was very natural to worry a little. Well we needn`t have.......it was silky smooth and he loved every second of it.......he got off with a huge grin on his face and said we were doing it again........That was what we hoped and prayed he would say coming off....when we watched the video back of the ride they laugh as you can see I never took my eyes off him the whole time.....that`s mother`s for you though!! We did this twice more and luckily got the front all 3 times.......it is such a good ride......we love the climb and when it`s smooth it`s amazing.
We headed around to The Mummy......it was a walk on too......it seemed so much faster this afternoon.....really fast......it was brilliant!! We did this about 4 times before my head started to get a bit woozy.......decide to go for caramel frappucino and water for Kyle before heading around to MIB and ET. We sat outside and just watched the park and the people in it.....everyone always looks so happy....well most people!!
We headed slowly around the park....we miss Amity!! I know it was a bit cheesy and some fairground type games but I liked it al the same. Although HP 2 looks amazing and we can`t wait to see it. So we get around to MIB and I go on once with them then decide to wait in the shop for them. I stood at the door...well to the side of the door as you enter the shop......it was raining again and I was in a little world of my own just watching everyone.....when a couple approached me, I think they were South American and asked if I could help them.....I said of course I would and he held up a park map and asked me where the Jurassic Park ride was as they couldn`t find it.....I explained that it was in the other park, they would have to go to IOA for that ride.......they said they only had a ticket for this park so what should they do....I said they should go to Guest Services and upgrade their ticket. They asked if this was going to be expensive and I explained they would pay the difference bla bla bla.....so they asked me where GS were.....so I showed them on the map where they should go. They thanked me very much and said I had been so helpful....then he looked at my lanyard and went off. At this point I realised....as did the woman who worked in the store who was stood close by.....I think they thought I was an employee just standing at the door. The woman laughed and said I should make a career out of it as I was so good.........I wondered if they tried to tell GS about a very helpful employee called Carole........
It was raining quite heavy now but didn`t last that long......so we went and did ET before heading out of the park back to the hotel. We just got wet......I couldn`t wear one of those ponchos.....they must make you boiling hot in those temps. We did get the boat as there was one there and were back in our room in no time.
We got showered and changed and headed up to the lounge for an hour before we went out. It was nice and quiet again. I didn`t look to see what the food was tonight as we just had a coffee. We were going to Outback Steakhouse tonight. It had been 2 years since we had been but wanted to try it again. One of the Club staff suggested we go to the one on Kirkman instead of the one we usually go to On Vineland Road LBV as it has more locals than tourists. We thought that was a good idea as we had not enjoyed our last visit.
So we got in the car and the rain was bouncing down with some thunder and lightning just for effect. It was only a few minutes by car and we were there. He was right. It was a nice place and not too busy so we got seated straight away. I ordered a glass of white, Tom had strawberry lemonade and kyle had his usual daiquiri
Kyle ordered chicken breast with teriyaki sauce, Tom had the Porterhouse mash and veg and I had filet, mash and veg
It was really lovely....our steaks were cooked perfectly but we still prefer Longhorn Steakhouse any day for some reason. We did have to have our check adjusted....they had charged me for 2 wines when I only had one and added a dessert?? Anyway, it was taken off with an apology and we left.
It was still raining and we had planned to go and play some mini golf but it was on for the night by the look of it. So drove back to hotel, Tom dropped us off and went and parked the car. We decided to go sit in Jake`s bar and have dessert. It was quiet in here tonight too so we got seated immediately. Kyle ordered 2....yes 2 flourless choc cake......he really did enjoy it last time....and they are quite small I suppose. Tom had 1 choc cake and I had a lemon curd meringue tart.......they were all lovely. We sat for a little while and chatted to the staff then realised it was getting late and I was yawning my head off.
We went upstairs and had a coffee. Kyle sat on my iPad, Tom went on his laptop and I watched some old movie while thinking our trip was getting perilously close to ending again. Very quickly pushed that thought to the back of my head and put tv off and went to sleep. They said they sat up for another hour or so chatting, but I never heard a peep so I knew I had been tired.
Planning a lazy day tomorrow I think.
Another great update...as usual.
.....well since you ask so nicely.....just for you, next day coming up 
........it's taking me a little longer than I hoped to finish, got a busy week ahead so maybe no updates till Friday or Saturday 
