Fantastic Florida!
We stayed in a beautiful villa in Highgate Park which is situated approx 10 minutes from Disney. We had bought all our theme park tickets before we went as the prices are much better if bought in the UK. We had planned something for almost everyday which is quite a lot to pack in and we could have really done with three weeks so we could have a few days just relaxing in between the Theme Parks.
We visited all the Disney Parks - Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Blizzard Beach. They are all fantastic. Some of our favourite attractions were in Hollwood Studios - The Tower of Terror - a heartpumping adventure where you are sitting in an old hotel lift which breaks down and sends you plummeting down 13 floors into the dark emptiness of the twilight zone! Another was the Rock & Rollercoaster in which the rock band Aerosmith invite you along for the ride in their super stretch limo. This ride goes from 0 - 60 mph in 2.4 seconds! Then you are thrown into the darkness whilst the music is pumping. The "Dude looks like a lady" song was very fitting considering how loud my husband was screaming! Also in Hollywood Studios was the new attraction - The American Idol Experience where you get to be an audience member for a real live show! Three contestants are brave enough to perform in the hopes of getting through to the final and the audience decide their fate by voting on their key pads.
We also visited Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, here you can experience the Hulk Coaster which I have to admit I was not brave enough to go on. You'll see what I mean when you visit yourself, my 10 year old daughter Laura however is a rollercoasting maniac and went on this ride dragging my husband John along. They both said it was fantastic and couldn't decide which was the best between this and the Duelling Dragons ride which is also in Islands of Adventure.
In Universal the fantastic Simpsons Ride is a simulator ride which sends you into the prime time cartoon. The Evil Side Show Bob captures your vehicle which you are sharing with the Simpson family. The day is saved by the most unlikely member of the Simpson Family. We all loved this ride and I'm sure you will too!
Sea World and Busch Gardens are my personal favourites as you get up close and personal with some of the most beautiful creatures of the sea and the jungle.
The Shamu Show at Sea World really is out of this world but be warned - if you are daft enough to sit in the soak zone - you really DO get soaked! At Busch Gardens we experienced a real safari trip called the Rhino Rally which changes into the Rhino Raft. Have a look at my pictures to see some of the fantastic animals we were lucky enough to see. My favourite picture being a little Turtle sitting on top of a big old crocodile's head. I think he thought this was the safest place to stay!
All the waterparks were fantastic but my favourite was the newest called Aquatica, the lazy river wasn't so lazy there as the current was really strong and you need all your strength to get out. Wet 'n' Wild has a great family slide called "Disco H2O" - you all sit together in a raft and plummet into the darkness where the disco begins but then you are swirled around and sucked down a plughole and shot out the other side! Great fun!
In the evening we ate out most nights and tried quite a few restaurants along the 192 highway off the Interstate 4. Our outright favourite was The LongHorn SteakHouse, I would definitely recommend you visit if you can.
Overall a family holiday of a lifetime and our definite favourite holiday so far!