The best present I received was.... I'm off to Orlando again! Super excited, as we're going around Halloween again for the 25th birthday of HHN. Not only that we're staying at Cabana Bay one week, and Disney's all start sports one week. Reaping all the benefits of transport early entry etc. And we have our own hire car again and I will be able to drive this holiday! For Christmas I bought Jamie a new camera for Vlogging, I will post the Youtube URL when we start Vlogging. Only 306 until we're back in favourite country, doing what we love!
Monday, 29 December 2014
Christmas!
Fist of all I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and you all got what you wanted and spent some time with your family and friends! To those who that work in the forces, emergency services, the care sector where your jobs are all 365 days a year 24 hours a day, thank you for hard work! Myself I work in the care sector but was very lucky to have Christmas off and spend it with my loved ones.
So Christmas kicked off in my household at 6am, where I went downstairs with my mum who was putting the turkey on whilst she was doing that I laid out everyones presents. Around 7:30 am the rest of my family woke and came downstairs, we all went to our stockings and opened those gifts first then to the main presents. This year my main presents were clothes as I need a new wardrobe as I've lost a bit of weight and not a lot of my clothes fit anymore. My partner bought me a nail kit storage box, as I have so many nail varnishes and tools my old box was getting a bit crowded.
After opening all our presents, we sat and watched a bit of TV then we went and got ready as Christmas lunch was being held at my house this year!
Around 1pm my auntie and uncle and my two cousins came around, we sat down for lunch and had prawn cocktail for starter or chicken and sweetcorn soup. Then for main I had your usual Christmas lunch, trying to be good at Christmas but I managed it not piling my plate nor did I have our usual bucks fizz I had some water with my meal! I even resisted temptation in not having any pudding, which i'm surprised at.
After lunch we sat down with all very full stomach's, we watched a couple of Christmas films. Around 4pm we went on walk with our dogs down to the local field near the tamar bridge, burning off some of them lunch calories!
After the walk my mum laid out a small spread that we could help ourselves too. My Partner came over in the evening, we sat and watched some films and some soaps.
I have really enjoyed this Christmas just being able to spend it with my family and having a nice day!
So Christmas kicked off in my household at 6am, where I went downstairs with my mum who was putting the turkey on whilst she was doing that I laid out everyones presents. Around 7:30 am the rest of my family woke and came downstairs, we all went to our stockings and opened those gifts first then to the main presents. This year my main presents were clothes as I need a new wardrobe as I've lost a bit of weight and not a lot of my clothes fit anymore. My partner bought me a nail kit storage box, as I have so many nail varnishes and tools my old box was getting a bit crowded.
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| Christmas Presents!! |
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| Me, Holly and my Mother! |
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| Me and Holly Ready for our Christmas Lunch! |
Around 1pm my auntie and uncle and my two cousins came around, we sat down for lunch and had prawn cocktail for starter or chicken and sweetcorn soup. Then for main I had your usual Christmas lunch, trying to be good at Christmas but I managed it not piling my plate nor did I have our usual bucks fizz I had some water with my meal! I even resisted temptation in not having any pudding, which i'm surprised at.
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| Me, Melanie Holly, Mother, Chloe and Gemma! Putting my selfie stick to good use. |
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| Christmas Lunch fun! |
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| Christmas walk selfie with Chloe! |
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| Me and Jamie! |
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| Christmas Snuggles! |
I have really enjoyed this Christmas just being able to spend it with my family and having a nice day!
That's my Christmas summed up!
Monday, 15 December 2014
Benefit Brow's
So today I treated myself and got my eyebrow's done at the Benefit Counter, I have to say it is by far the best treatment I have received. The lady doing my eyebrow's kept me informed throughout the whole process. First off she started off with tinting my eyebrow's, then she moved onto trimming my eyebrows, I think she was really shocked at how long my eyebrows were, after that was over, she moved onto Brow Mapping. Brow mapping they use the brow mapping tool and line it up with the inner corner of your nose and the inner corner of your eye. Then they make a mark using brow zings, this tells you where your eyebrow should start. Next they hold the next section of the brow mapping tool from the outside corner of your nose through the outer corner of your pupil and make another mark, this is to show where your arch should be! Finally they line up the outer corner of your nose with the outer corner of your eye and make the final mark, that is where the eyebrow should end. They then use brow zings to create your new and improved brow.
Before proceeding the lady showed me to make sure I agreed, which I did. Next up waxing, the waxing didn't hurt but I guess it vary from person to person with your own pain threshold. After she had done one brow she handed me the mirror to show me, my eyebrow looked ton's better already! She then proceeded to do my other eyebrow, after she finished waxing she handed me the mirror to show me the nearly finished eyebrows. After the waxing she applied gimme brow, then hey presto my new brows are finished!
I definitely recommend this, it was a pleasant experience and really informative! If you want any more information feel free to comment or message me.
Before proceeding the lady showed me to make sure I agreed, which I did. Next up waxing, the waxing didn't hurt but I guess it vary from person to person with your own pain threshold. After she had done one brow she handed me the mirror to show me, my eyebrow looked ton's better already! She then proceeded to do my other eyebrow, after she finished waxing she handed me the mirror to show me the nearly finished eyebrows. After the waxing she applied gimme brow, then hey presto my new brows are finished!
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| My eyebrow's before! |
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| And after! |
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| With discount I paid £14 for this! |
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| Medium/Deep shade, is what I bought |
I definitely recommend this, it was a pleasant experience and really informative! If you want any more information feel free to comment or message me.
Friday, 12 December 2014
December!
I'm actually looking forward to Christmas this year, due to having pretty much of the whole festive period off including New Years! With having Christmas off in my job role is pretty rare, I'm pretty lucky in starting a new place and being given it all off. With that I really want to get a Christmas Jumper this year, they've got a few nice one's in New Look that I'm keeping my eye on.
After finishing the studio tour we got our souvenir guides and headed on home! We stopped off at Bristol and went to TGI Friday's, which didn't impress me too much if i'm honest, then we got straight back on the road and headed home! I definitely recommend the studio tour, I've done the tour a few times now and each time it changes!
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| Where the Magic begins! |
So this weekend just gone me and Jamie took a day journey to Watford, to go and see Hogwarts in the Snow! We set off bright and early at 7:30am, we had one stop at Gordano Service station to swap driving. We arrived at Leavesdon just after 11:30 am, we parked up and walked to the studio's to get our tickets, automatically we noticed something was missing. The chess pieces had gone, not quite sure why? If anyone know's comment on the post, rather intrigued to know why they're not there at the minute!
After arriving we went and got some lunch in the cafe inside the studio, I had parsnip soup with toasted bread! It was lovely and Jamie had a tuna sandwich. After finishing our food, we took some photo's of the inside just before entering the main studio.
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| The Christmas tree in the Entrance of the studio's |
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| The Flying car from the Harry Potter Films |
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| Our tickets |
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| The Cupboard under the stairs |
We waited in the que for about 20 minutes, which wasn't too bad. We proceeded into the cinema, where we had our intro about the Studio. After that we went into the Great Hall, where all the Christmas decorations were out. The small and finest details were amazing, each time i've been i've gotten a different piece of information. This time was about the fire place and the crest at the back and how it was never seen much in the films due to having a roaring fire on most of the time.
After about 15 Minutes in The Great Hall we were asked to proceed to the next room due to the next tour coming in, which was fine and you are allowed back in if you didn't get to see everything! In the next part of the tour we came to the main bit, which is mainly set's, costume's, hair and make up!
After finishing up the first main sound stage, we proceeded outside to see some of the outside set's which include's some of Privet Drive, The Knight Bus, Hagrid's motorcycle, the Weasley's car etc. This is the only part of the tour you can eat and drink at, they have butter beer on sale if you so desire to have one! I haven't had one from the studio's but if it's anything to go by the one's they do in Orlando, I recommend trying one!
After finishing up and getting plenty of photo's from the outside set's, we head into the next sound stage. This sound stage consists of one of the model's of Hogwart's which was covered in snow!It also consists of Diagon alley, which also double's up as Hogsmead and multiple other set's I was told.
After finishing up in Diagon Alley, we went to the next room. Where the Hogwarts model was, it was covered in snow!
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| The Great Hall |
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| Hufflepuff's Christmas Crackers |
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| Slytherin Crackers! |
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| The Fire Place in The Great Hall |
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| Gryffindor |
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After about 15 Minutes in The Great Hall we were asked to proceed to the next room due to the next tour coming in, which was fine and you are allowed back in if you didn't get to see everything! In the next part of the tour we came to the main bit, which is mainly set's, costume's, hair and make up!
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| Gryffindor Common Room Set |
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| The Sorting Hat |
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| Potions Classroom |
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| This Set up was brilliant it showed how they done the snow in the films! |
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| The Weasley's House, The Burrow |
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| This is a new section in the studio tour, this is featuring the Dark Arts. You may recognise the hand from Borgin and Burke's |
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| Nagini is also new to the table, in which I haven't seen before! |
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| Right before the exit to the courtyard above the door is, Thomas Riddle's grave stone. Which I haven't seen before, but I think I was more observant this time! |
After finishing up the first main sound stage, we proceeded outside to see some of the outside set's which include's some of Privet Drive, The Knight Bus, Hagrid's motorcycle, the Weasley's car etc. This is the only part of the tour you can eat and drink at, they have butter beer on sale if you so desire to have one! I haven't had one from the studio's but if it's anything to go by the one's they do in Orlando, I recommend trying one!
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| The Knight Bus |
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| Number 4 Privet Drive |
After finishing up and getting plenty of photo's from the outside set's, we head into the next sound stage. This sound stage consists of one of the model's of Hogwart's which was covered in snow!It also consists of Diagon alley, which also double's up as Hogsmead and multiple other set's I was told.
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| Nearly headless Nick |
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| Mandrake Plant |
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| 3 out of the 4 dragons from The Goblet of Fire |
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| Basilisk Head |
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| Model of Gringotts Bank |
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| One of the tour guide's was showing us how the footprints were made, when Harry was wearing his invisibility cloak |
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| Florean Fortescue, not as good as the real deal in Orlando! |
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Back and settled
So i'm finally back from Florida, it's miserable over here. Now all I have is photo's and memories!
In my last post I got to day three, I did say i would try and keep you all updated but that clearly didn't happen, so i'll do it in this post!
Day four: We went to Discovery cove for a nice chilled out day, it was lovely weather and I did get a little burnt. Me and Jamie swam with dolphins, which we have done before, and loved, and we loved it again this year. Our swim was quite early on in the day so we had the rest of the day to chill out and explore, which we did we went to see the marmoset monkeys which were so cute! After seeing the marmoset's we went into the lazy river and just floated about for a while. Coming near to the end of the day we went to the aviary, this year I actually managed to get some birds to come and perch on my hand. Then two birds starting fighting on my head, which scared me luckily it didn't last long!
Day five: An early start at 9am for a day at Hollywood studio's, Arriving at Hollywood studio's before opening was manic, people everywhere. Once inside the park we went straight towards Toy Story's Midway Mania, as Jamie said it gets super busy and our fast passes weren't until later in the evening. After Midway Mania, we went and watched the voyage of the little mermaid. We then went to go and have some breakfast from a place which I can't for the life of me remember the name of. In the evening we watched Fantasmic! It was really good apart from getting a little cold in the evening.
Day Six: Another early start for 8 am because of the extra magic hours at Epcot. I'm not going to write too much about Epcot as it isn't one of the best parks in my opinion. We did watch the fireworks in the evening which were good, and we went around the world and tried a few bits from the food and wine festival! Apart from that I don't have much to say about Epcot.
Day Seven: Halfway through the holiday, how depressing! Today we headed for Blizzard Beach, which wasn't open last year due to Disney doing works on the park. All I can say about this park is that the wave pool was good, but not as good as Typhoon Lagoon and the lazy river was pretty fun! I didn't do many slides, that was Jamie's job! But all in all it was a lovely day to sit back and chill out. After heading back to the resort and freshening up we headed to Magic Kingdom for the evening to go and see Disney's Electrical Parade, which hasn't changed from last year if i'm honest.
Day Eleven: We're off to Busch Gardens, we arrived at Sea World to get the Shuttle bus down to Busch Gardens. We arrived at 11am, first stop was the Cheetah Hunt. I absolutely love this roller coaster, we did pretty much all of the rides in Busch Gardens apart from the rapids. I didn't fancy being soggy on the bus journey home. During our day at Busch Gardens we did the Serengeti Safari which is good fun. For those that don't know what it is, you go out on the back of a truck, and you get to see all different types of animals, then towards the end of the trip you get to feed the giraffe's, we had a little giraffe called Ruby. We were very lucky as there was only 3 groups on the back of the truck so we got some nice photo's taken! I highly recommend to anyone.
Day 12: Nearing the end of our holiday! A late morning lay in and we were supposed to be off to Aquatica but the weather wasn't great, so we decided to do our favourite park and that was Universal! First of all we went to the premium outlets and did some shopping, as it was our last chance too, after that we went to Universal for the rest of the day, where we stayed til just after 7pm for Universal's Cinematic Spectacular. Definite recommendation for anyone who's going to Orlando as it's and experience you can say you've done and seen. After we had finished at Universal we went to the other Premium Outlets to spend some dollars! We got a few little bits, and Jamie got his obligatory Ice Cream!
Day 13: Sun is shining, had another late morning and we're off to Aquatica! This water park and Typhoon Lagoon I would rate as the better water parks. Me and Jamie did all day dining for $15, where you could have as much as you wanted. Which we thought was pretty good, the rapid at Aquatica are not to be missed! A definite try out, grab a jacket and just float along the water.
In the evening, our final night in Orlando. We went to Downtown Disney and ate at Planet Hollywood, if you haven't tried this place already.. Go and do it! You will not regret it, especially the Cheese and bacon wedges. After our meal we went and did a bit of shopping and I got a few Christmas decorations!
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| Me pretending to be Snow White |
Day four: We went to Discovery cove for a nice chilled out day, it was lovely weather and I did get a little burnt. Me and Jamie swam with dolphins, which we have done before, and loved, and we loved it again this year. Our swim was quite early on in the day so we had the rest of the day to chill out and explore, which we did we went to see the marmoset monkeys which were so cute! After seeing the marmoset's we went into the lazy river and just floated about for a while. Coming near to the end of the day we went to the aviary, this year I actually managed to get some birds to come and perch on my hand. Then two birds starting fighting on my head, which scared me luckily it didn't last long!
Day five: An early start at 9am for a day at Hollywood studio's, Arriving at Hollywood studio's before opening was manic, people everywhere. Once inside the park we went straight towards Toy Story's Midway Mania, as Jamie said it gets super busy and our fast passes weren't until later in the evening. After Midway Mania, we went and watched the voyage of the little mermaid. We then went to go and have some breakfast from a place which I can't for the life of me remember the name of. In the evening we watched Fantasmic! It was really good apart from getting a little cold in the evening.
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| The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror |
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| Spaceship Earth |
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| Epcot Illumination fireworks |
Day Eight: Up bright and early again for a day at Seaworld, after arriving at Seaworld we headed for manta and rode that a couple of times. We rode pretty much all of the rides including the water rides which I hate. Finishing up the day we went to dine with Shamu after finishing it started looking cloudy and started spitting so we headed back to the resort!
Day Nine: A lovely lay in the first one on the holiday! Today we put back for a shopping day, we went to the premium outlets and Florida mall. Where we got lots of goodies! After finishing at the mall we headed to Walmart, which are 100% better than British supermarkets, so much variety! In the evening we headed to Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which was super fun. Although the lack of communication between cast members got a few people annoyed before the parade. Apart from that the hot coco and the cookies went down like a treat!
Day Ten: Not so much of an early morning as we were off to Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom was so busy due to it being a race day. First of we headed to DinoLand USA, it was quiet in this section so we went and did some of the attractions there. After riding primeval whirl we the headed to the Festival of The Lion King, which we had fast passes too. After the show had finished we went to do the rest of our fast passes! At 3pm we went and had lunch at Rainforest Cafe where I had a burger, which was huge! After our meal we headed back to the resort got changed into something a little warmer as the evenings were rather chilly and we headed back out to Hollywood Studio's to go and see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. It is nothing like I have seen before certainly better than the Christmas lights that you get here in the UK.
Day Nine: A lovely lay in the first one on the holiday! Today we put back for a shopping day, we went to the premium outlets and Florida mall. Where we got lots of goodies! After finishing at the mall we headed to Walmart, which are 100% better than British supermarkets, so much variety! In the evening we headed to Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which was super fun. Although the lack of communication between cast members got a few people annoyed before the parade. Apart from that the hot coco and the cookies went down like a treat!
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| Believe it or not this shopping was mostly's Jamie's |
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| Welcoming sign to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party |
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| Park Guide |
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| Main Street USA |
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| Anna and Elsa |
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| Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Parade |
Day Ten: Not so much of an early morning as we were off to Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom was so busy due to it being a race day. First of we headed to DinoLand USA, it was quiet in this section so we went and did some of the attractions there. After riding primeval whirl we the headed to the Festival of The Lion King, which we had fast passes too. After the show had finished we went to do the rest of our fast passes! At 3pm we went and had lunch at Rainforest Cafe where I had a burger, which was huge! After our meal we headed back to the resort got changed into something a little warmer as the evenings were rather chilly and we headed back out to Hollywood Studio's to go and see The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. It is nothing like I have seen before certainly better than the Christmas lights that you get here in the UK.
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| Animal Kingdom |
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| Animal Kingdom |
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| Animal Kingdom |
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| Last photo in front of the Sorcer's Hat |
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| The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights |
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| The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights |
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| The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights |
Day Eleven: We're off to Busch Gardens, we arrived at Sea World to get the Shuttle bus down to Busch Gardens. We arrived at 11am, first stop was the Cheetah Hunt. I absolutely love this roller coaster, we did pretty much all of the rides in Busch Gardens apart from the rapids. I didn't fancy being soggy on the bus journey home. During our day at Busch Gardens we did the Serengeti Safari which is good fun. For those that don't know what it is, you go out on the back of a truck, and you get to see all different types of animals, then towards the end of the trip you get to feed the giraffe's, we had a little giraffe called Ruby. We were very lucky as there was only 3 groups on the back of the truck so we got some nice photo's taken! I highly recommend to anyone.
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| Ruby, I love this Photo! |
In the evening it was a quick turnaround we arrived back at Sea World, where we had to drive back to our resort quickly changed then we headed to the Contemporary resort to Chef Mickey's for some character dining. Best bit of the night was where we had Donald Duck come to the table, he took my phone took a selfie and then uploaded it to instagram! For people who are going to Disney with young children I would recommend this experience, it's fun and interactive for the children, and gives them a chance to get the character's autographs without having to que up.
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| Me and Jamie! |
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| Feeding time! |
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| The Famous Selfie Donald Duck took! |
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| Me And Jamie At Chef Mickeys. |
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| Goblin, Inside Escape from Gringotts |
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| Everytime this would go, would scare the living daylights out of me! |
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| The Daily Prophet |
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| Absolutely love this station, so realistic, even had a busker! |
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| Hogwarts Castle |
Day 13: Sun is shining, had another late morning and we're off to Aquatica! This water park and Typhoon Lagoon I would rate as the better water parks. Me and Jamie did all day dining for $15, where you could have as much as you wanted. Which we thought was pretty good, the rapid at Aquatica are not to be missed! A definite try out, grab a jacket and just float along the water.
In the evening, our final night in Orlando. We went to Downtown Disney and ate at Planet Hollywood, if you haven't tried this place already.. Go and do it! You will not regret it, especially the Cheese and bacon wedges. After our meal we went and did a bit of shopping and I got a few Christmas decorations!
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| Final night in Orlando |
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| These are to die for! |
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| This was my main meal of Lasagna |
Day 14: All packed and ready to go, how depressing knowing we have to go back to the UK. We checked out our resort, and headed to Florida Mall to get a few last presents and to kill some time. After we headed to the Airport, we got through check in rather quickly which was good! After we had a bite to eat we went through security, which was relaxed compared to the security of coming over to America.. After we got through security we sat in the departures lounge waiting for our seat number to called out. It was time to say goodbye to Orlando, until next time! It was a great holiday and the memories will last a life time!
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