This time last week we were just getting back home from the holiday of a lifetime in Orlando, Florida. We had an amazing time and it’s hopefully a trip that we’ll all remember for the rest of our lives. I certainly took enough photos to remind us of it!
The husband and I went on some fab, far flung holidays pre-kids and travelling is one of our favourite things. It’s what gets us through those long, boring days at work! We’re both big Disney fans and have been daydreaming about a family holiday to Florida since before we even had a family.
After a lot of saving and planning we headed off to America at the end of July. We chose to book everything ourselves rather than a package deal – I blogged recently about booking your own holiday if you want to see my tips on doing the same.
The flight to Orlando is between 8-9 hours and we were quite apprehensive on how Little H would cope. We’ve only done 2 & a half hours to Spain with her previously. In the end there was no need to worry, she was a little star. We had packed her Trunki full of goodies, and she spent most of the time playing with her toys and watching films.
I’ll write some separate posts about Disney, Universal and Orlando in general otherwise this will end up a very long blog post, but here’s a brief account of what we got up to and some photos…
Disney world
The main thing we wanted to do was visit Disney World. We visited all of the Disney Parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, as well as Blizzard Beach.
One of Little H’s main aims was to meet all of her favourite characters and we definitely managed that! It was lovely seeing her little face when she met the Princesses and Mickey & Minnie, she was totally star struck.
There was a lot of walking and queuing, all in 35 degree heat or more, but Little H was a trooper and there wasn’t actually too much moaning from her.
We only managed to see the fireworks twice – once at the Magic Kingdom and once at Epcot, Little H was just way too shattered to stay up until 10pm. And so were we if I’m honest!
We went on all the rides that we wanted to – we persuaded Little H to go on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder mountain at Magic Kingdom but she was not keen at all. Though saying that she had no fear when it came to the water slides at Blizzard Beach – we had to persuade her that she was much too small to go on this ridiculously high one:
Universal
We were quite surprised that Universal was by far the busiest park out of them all. The queues were much longer than at any of the Disney Parks.
It was nice to have a change from Disney though and see attractions from other favourite films and shows such as Harry Potter, Despicable Me and The Simpsons.
I want to write a blog post for the Potter fans amongst you, so will keep the details about our visit to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter a secret for now.
Shopping
It goes without saying that we spent a lot of money at Disney, Little H was well and truly spoiled. We also visited The Florida Mall – easily the biggest shopping mall that I have ever seen. If it’s not at The Florida Mall it doesn’t exist.
We also stopped at some of the outlets, though they were very busy and as it was all outside it was far too hot to do much shopping. You know it’s hot when I say it’s too hot to shop! There were some fantastic bargains though and I’m still kicking myself for not getting a Michael Kors bag for just over £100!
Eating
Although we had a villa with a fully equipped kitchen we ate out almost every night. I don’t know about you but I definitely don’t want to be cooking and washing up on holiday.
We ate at the parks most lunchtimes, but for dinner we went to some restaurants near to where we were staying. The portions weren’t as big as I remember them being a few years back, but there was still much more than you get at home. Prices were very reasonable and we found that the kids meals cost next to nothing. That plus the continuous free drink refills meant that we didn’t spend anywhere near as much on food as we expected.
We really liked Orlando, everyone was so happy and friendly everywhere we went. The weather was fantastic, mid 30s every day and it only rained a few times. I will never get bored of looking up and seeing palm trees and blue skies!
In all we had an absolutely fantastic holiday, definitely the holiday of a lifetime. We did everything that we wanted to do and Little H had great fun. We definitely want to return when she’s bigger to see more of Florida such as the Kennedy Space Centre and Miami.
Unfortunately we’re back to rubbish English weather, grumpy people and work now – we’re already trying to decide where to go next year!
If you liked this post look out for more Disney and Universal posts coming over the next few weeks!
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Very difficult to write a short blog about such an amazing place. I want to go back!!! #DreamTeam
I am so pleased I saw this post. We are trying to go 2018 and am already overwhelmed with the options. I went as a child but I know it is all so much bigger now! Sounds like you had an amazing time. X Kathy
Yay how exciting! If you need any advice give me a shout 🙂 Will be doing a post with some Disney tips soon! xx
Holidays are so important and it sounds as if you absolutely made the most of it! Lovely. Alison x #DreamTeam
Ah I’m so jealous! I’m desperate to take the kids to Orlando x #dreamteam
Looks amazing, I’d love to take the kids to Florida one day!! 🙂 #sharingthebloglove
We can’t wait to take our girls to Disneyworld, we are saving already for it. We just need Holly to be a bit older to appreciate it, but also don’t want Alice to be too old that she no longer loves the magic of it. It looks like you had a wonderful time and I have been wondering about doing a villa like we do on other holidays or going to the disney hotel. So much to think about with a holiday like this. Thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove Laura x
I think H being 5 was the youngest to take, any younger and the walking would just be too much. I’m half way through a post about Disney and villa vs hotel so that might help you!
Wow! I so want to go to Disneyworld. It’s not something we have planned to do yet with LB, but it’s something that I have always wanted to experience when I was little, and don’t want her to miss out on. It sounds like your days were jam packed! Looking forward to finding out more about what you got up to. Thank you for linking up to the #DreamTeam xx
My childhood holidays to Disneyworld are some of my absolute favourite memories – this brought it all back! My husband is not so keen having never been, but I think I’ve talked him round. Just waiting until we have kids who I feel are the right age to really get the most out of it. We went first when I was 10 I think and my sister 8, but I don’t think I can wait that long! My son is only 2 at the moment! Thanks so much for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Aah hope you get to go soon! We should really have waited another year or 2 but were both too impatient!
ahhhh so jealous!! I want to go to Disney!!!!!
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
Sounds like you had a fabulous holiday. Holidays are definitely where memories are made 🙂
#FamilyFun
Looks like you had a brilliant time!
That is a great round up of your holiday! You have loads more posts to get written on it now though. I’m a disney fan but my other half isnt (i don’t know how that happened!). I hope to go one day too. Maybe just Paris for the time being, definately one day, I am sure if I bang on about enough and then get the kids involved too Dave will want to go!! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
We went t Florida a few years ago (pre kids but either my partners then 12 year old) oh my goodness it was amazing one of my best holidays. I cannot wait to take my two. We’ve debated going next year but they’ll still only be 2 and 3 so thinking the flight my be a little too much. Also I’d like them to remember it. Glad you had a good time I’ll look forward to hearing more about it in your others posts. Thanks so much for sharing at #familyfun xx
We went to Orlando for our honeymoon in 2012 and this just brought back all the memories! I can’t wait to take our boys when they’re a bit bigger!
Hope you get to take them one day, it’s even more fun when you have kids to take! 🙂
Yay!! So fun!! Glad you found the link up!! My Disney heart loves this whole post!! And you are so right about the lines at Universal. I am not sure if they are really any more crowded, or is Disney just has the line thing down to a science, but either way I always feel like the Universal lines are SO MUCH longer. Glad you had a wonderful time!!