This morning I woke up just as the ship was pulling up to the terminal in Port Canaveral. I’m always so impressed at easy they make docking look.
My just-out-of-bed-still-in-my-jammies-shadow.
At 6.30am we made sure everyone was awake and met at 7am for breakfast in… you guessed it… the Park Cafe…
For our last bagel with apricot cream cheese.
After breakfast it was back to our cabin to collect the remaining bags and check we hadn’t left anything behind, then it was time to say farewell to Oasis of the Seas.
After clearing customs, picking up our luggage, getting a lift in the car park and then finding, and packing, our car, it was back on the road for the hour long drive to Orlando.
It went quickly and before we knew it we were arriving at the Hard Rock Hotel.
We got checked in. Unfortunately our room wasn’t yet ready but we were able to get our express passes…
and head on over to the parks. We opted to walk the first day…
and just 5mins later Universal City Walk came into view.
By 10am we had entered Islands of Adventure. It was SO HOT and HUMID today. Not pleasant at all.
The first ride was Hulk. After having trouble getting a locker, Kevin decided just to sit this one out since he’s not a big fan anyway. Like with a lot of rides here, Thee had to transfer to a wheelchair and I pushed her.
I’d forgotten how fun this ride is and it was longer than I remembered. Once was enough though so I must be getting old :-).
Then the kids and I did Storm Force – Kevin gets sick on ride like this.
Then Christy and Kevin rode Doctor Doom’s Fear Fall.
Before we all went on Spiderman. I really like this one too.
Time to meet Captain America.
and take a photo with Hawkeye (Athena’s favourite).
By now we were getting a little hungry and, not being able to get a reservation for Mythos, we decided on the Confisco Grill.
This was a new place for us but we all had a delicious meal. Kevin and I both had a really yummy salad – but I forgot to take a photo.
With fuller tummies we headed into Seuss Landing.
Where we rode The Cat in the Hat (cute ride)…
and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish…where we all got quite wet…
Before waiting in line to see Grinchmas…
This was a really cute show, one we’d not seen before.
And we all agreed the dog was the star of the show :-).
Time to ride the Suess Trolley – which I don’t think we’ve ever done before. Cute but very short.
Then we re-enacted this photo from our first trip in 1999. Athena was then 9 months old.
Then in 2004. Athena was 5 and Christy was 3.
In 2012, Athena was 13 (forgot to get a photo with Christy).
Then 2016. Athena is now almost 18 and Christy is 15.
We were finished with our touring for the day but Kevin desperately wanted a frozen Butterbeer so we headed into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter…
and all got a frozen Butterbeer. So good on such a hot day.
Then it was back to the hotel around 3.30pm. Thee rode the scooter back and the rest of us caught the boat.
We collected our room keys and headed to our room. It is lovely. We ended up booking a deluxe room so we’d have extra space for the four nights and get a sofa bed for Christy (so the kids didn’t have to share – Thee is a very messy sleeper).
We didn’t unpack but got our luggage sorted before Kevin and I went out to do some laundry.
While the washing cycle was on we went to check out the pool.
Love that iced lemon water and plain water is provided for free.
After switching the clothes to the dryer we headed back to the pool (with the kids) for a swim and spa. The pool was a little cool now as the temperature had finally dropped (a little) but the spa was lovely and warm, and we ended up having a nice chat with another couple in the spa (or whatever it is called over here).
Back in the room the kids showered and we all got dressed again and went back poolside to have dinner at the Beachclub.
Kevin ordered himself a fancy cocktail.
and shared this huge plate of nachos with me for dinner.
So delicious. After dinner it was back to our room for an early night since we had to be up again at 6.30am for our Early Entry Morning.
You are much braver than I am Libby, I am fearful of roller coasters. Such a fun keepsake to re-create the same photo on every trip. Athena was a cute baby. My daughter can’t wait to see the Marvel area of IOA.