Hometime & Holiday Wrapup

THE END IS NEAR!

Actually its here, this time tomorrow morning well be back in Coatbridge, in bed snoring our little heads off, in all likelihood. This is just a wee summary and a few notes about how our holiday went and quite probably the last long entry in the blog, save for a possible photo/video mash up next week (thank God, you say ;)

Theme Parks

The main crux of the holiday (and probably anyone who actually visits here). Yeah no relaxing by the pool or beach or whatever here, it was a full course of various theme parks, sprawled across the two weeks we were here. Each of them had their own characteristics and nuances, each of them brilliant in there own way (with some key exceptions). So didnt get that much time to relax but would I would do it again in a heartbeat if I had the chance. The queues weren’t actually that bad (better than expected and the kids coped really well with them for the most part). I think the longest we waited was for Transformers with was about 90-100 minutes (worth every minute of it) and probably only because it was a new ride.

Food

I’ve managed to get through the holiday without having a single burger or pancake and tried a few new things (always like that). Food was one of the things I was looking forward to on this trip and it was good. They make things so big though and seem to serve cheese and mayo with everything, its hard to escape. Due to which Ill need to get back to eating a little healthier and getting in some exercise when I get back (I never did find that elusive hotel gym :P).

Weather

First week was great, not really any rain and we got a little sunburn at the waterparks (which wasnt so good). The second week was a little cooler and rained a lot more, though didnt have any impact to our enjoyment in the slightest, sometimes we were glad to cool off!

Coffee

One of the vivid memories I have from when I was here as a teenager was that my dad always got up early each morning (he’s always up early) and did a coffee run and was more or less the same this time around. The room did have a coffee machine but the coffee out of those big polystyrene Dunkin’ Donuts cup tasted all the sweeter (not that I take sugar, Im a straight up black man, ah erm not that Im black just ach you know what I mean ;)

Shoes

Wouldn’t have got far without my sports sandals or PDQ’s as I called them for short (that’s the brand I think). Wore them everyday near enough - we averaged about 5-6 miles walking per day and about 81 miles overall, according to my iPhone app and never had an one issue. Going to miss wearing them (and also the freedom of not having any socks but that’s by the by).

Peas & Queues

Right Scotland these Americans kinda put us to shame when it comes to manners and general etiquette (myself included). When did we stop using please and thank you and you’re welcome (which is said with such conviction too?) Ok I know it’s a service industry here, but even other visitors or residents are that polite it makes me a little sad we aren’t (just generalising here, we’re still nice enough in our own way, some more than others). Even giving up you seat on the bus, holding doors open and keeping the place free from litter is just so commonplace here and it’s widely apparent we don’t do enough of it (or do it at all). But they so also have their fair share of morons so I’m not quite ready to ditch my homeland quite yet!

During the war…

Everywhere we went, everything we ate, everything we ever did, Patrick’s friends apparently did but better. He got an iPad, his friend got two, he got a Harry Potter Wand, his friend already had them all… There was never anything we did that one of Patrick’s friends hadn’t done, now I’m not sure if he suffers from congenital lying or he is the most naive seven year old in the world but it started to become the in-joke of the holiday and we teased him well for it (well if you can’t tease your own kids, you can’t really call yourself proper parents can you? ;)

Parents

My mum and dad have been absolutely tremendous, helping with the kids all the time and buying lots of things for us and the kids (when they really shouldn’t have). Was brilliant to have them experience it with us and we probably wouldn’t have had a great a time without them.

Missing you x

There’s only been one thing I’ve really missed back home. One thing I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. Thought that some time away might have helped but its worse than ever. Every time I close my eyes I see her, her gorgeous curves, the way she stands there so cool and completely unaware of you gazing intently in anticipation…

Until you switch her on - yup my Xbox is pretty special, can’t wait to see her when I get back ;)

Wrap

Seriously though we’ve all had an amazing time and its going to take a while to adjust back in (just as it normally does with any holiday I suppose). Definitely covered most of the things we set out to do and more (we skipped out on some water parks though mainly due to the weather) and as the cliché goes (and I hate clichés) think I need another holiday to get over this one.

Here are some comments and favourites bits from the troops…

Patrick

What he said about the holiday: It’s been a really good and I liked Magic Kingdom the best, now can I have the iPad back?

Favourite Day: Magic Kingdom

Favourite Ride: Pirates of the Caribbean.

Favourite Meal: Teriyaki Glazed Salmon (Perkins)

Least Favourite Moment: Buses!

Robert

What he said about the holiday: It’s been very good.

Favourite Day: Magic Kingdom

Favourite Ride: Flight Of The Hippogriff

Favourite Meal: Chocolate covered strawberries (Golden Corral)

Least Favourite Moment: Nothing!

Grace

What she said about the holiday: (She just looks at me and smiles)

Favourite Day: (She just looks at me and smiles)

Favourite Ride: Disney Junior (from what i can gather)

Favourite Meal: Candyfloss (Golden Corral)

Least Favourite Moment: (She just looks at me and smiles)

Ann

What she said about the holiday: Loved it! But don’t do buses!

Favourite Day: Sea World

Favourite Ride: Harry Potter

Favourite meal: Shrimp Tacos (Chilli’s)

Least Favourite Moment: Buses!

Mum

What she said about the holiday: Had a wonderful time being here with the family and kids and loved every minute of it.

Favourite Day: Magic Kingdom

Favourite Ride: The Lion King (Animal Kingdom)

Favourite Meal: Oriental Chicken (Millers Alehouse)

Least Favourite Moment: Buses!

Dad

What he said about the holiday: Great to take the grandchildren after taking my own children after so many years. It was great to see their faces when they seen the different parks.

Favourite Day: Islands Of Adventure

Favourite Ride: Harry Potter

Favourite Meal: Kickin’ Chickin (Perkins)

Least Favourite Moment: Buses!

And lastly to me, (as if I haven’t said enough already)

Its been intense to say the least but well worth the wait and already trying to work out the feasibility of getting back in the next few years. My favourite park was Magic Kingdom, the place still has all the magic and emotion that I remember from when I was young. However Harry Potter in Islands of Adventure was probably the best ride Ive ever been on. I loved the Tuna Tacos from Fat Fish Blue (one of the things I really wanted to try (thanks Dexter Morgan!) Ah and my last favourite moment, missing out on Hoot… oh em the trip to Legoland ;)

Gerry G, Over and Out!