Where the magic happens…. Disney

Our time in Vegas had come to an end Chris and Sam headed back to Hawaii for a couple of days before heading home. Mum and I left for Orlando at 5pm after one last buffet lunch with Charlie and Megan at the Paris Paris.

Charlie, Megan, Sarah and Dan were due to fly overnight and arrive at 10am. We all met again at the Royal Caribbean Resort and were delight that we had been upgraded to a beach view room complete with hammocks (no time to try them and Charlie couldn’t get in it anyway). 
Sarah Dan mum and I headed out to Epcot around 3pm for a look at this park, the Disney World shuttle buses make getting around a breeze.  Mum and I walked as long as were could and decided to head home about 6pm before the rains came. Dan and Sare got soaked waiting to get their pictures taken with some character and came home looking like drowned rats.  After a short nap (well Charlie and Megs had a long nap) we decided to walk over to the main resort building for late dinner (9.30pm).  Everyone pretty tired by this time.  
Day 2 we set off to Magic Kingdom Park, mum and I decided to head out later in the day so we could stick it through to the end and the fireworks. We were able to get a really great viewing area for the Disney Character parade, although it was really hot at the time of the parade, thankfully it cooled down a bit later on. The others that had set off early to the park then went home in middle of the the day for sleeps. They all appeared back in time for the parade and the final show of the night. We located an excellent viewing area at about 5.30 pm and set up to wait it out until the fireworks the others joined us later and took advantage of the great spot we had secured.

It was decided (not sure who’s bright idea it was) to go to the Animal Kingdom park at opening at 9am so that we could do the animals safari ride while the animals were still active in the cooler hours. This was as great this time as it was last time. Everyone enjoyed this and we saw loads of animals. Then it was time to do the ‘ It tough to be a bug’ 3D show this too was every good as I remember and the first timers were surprised by the interactive parts of this attraction.

Mum and I then took in the Lion King show before heading home for a well earned rest. The other finished some of the rides and headed home via the water park where they swam for awhile.
Everyone getting pretty tired by this time but we were all keen for a steak dinner so we headed to Downtown Disney to locate a restaurent meal of some description, everyone done with burger, chicken strips and fries. After survy a couple of the information staff Sarah established that Paridso was the place to eat, this we did after a half hour wait for the table. The food was good and everyone enjoyed their meal. The salad dressing was a highlight although if you asked Charlie it would have been his filet mignon.
Day 4 saw Mum and I headed to the Hilton near Downtown Disney to collect our rental car and set to New York (more on that later).  The others had their final park to see which was the Universal Studios, this I think may have been their favourite park with Animal Kingdom a close second. All in all everyone enjoyed the Disney World experience but everyone looking forward easier days ahead with little or NO walking.


 Dan drove Sarah, Megs and Charlie to Miami where they checked into the Fontainebleau for the next few days of lots of relaxing and swimming planned before they fly to New York.

Flying in and the birthday dinner…

Flying(Qantas) via Hawaii proved to be a good move, flight was over in no time at all, dinner after boarding then slept until breakfast time just before landing. We had a 3 hours stopover and after clearing customs we collected the bags checking them through for our next flight. Time for a coffee and bit of a walk around before we boarded for the next leg to Los Angeles, another uneventful flight apart for about half an hour of mild turbulence we landed at LAX at 9pm US time. I am starting to understand how LAX works now and we were able to locate the shuttle pickup area pretty quickly. Within an hour of landing we were in our hotel ordering a room service dinner.

Day two found us up early our flight to Las Vegas set to take off at 8.30am we calmly and without hassle made our way through checkin and security. We had breakfast before heading to our gate and boarded shortly after. We were seated next to a very nice Las Vegas preacher he was interesting and interested in Australia’s housing, economy and the cost fuel etc. He owned a modern six bedroom home in North Las Vegas worth half as much as our new unit.

Home for next 4 nights

After landing and a short cab ride we arrived at the Trump International hotel. Room 2623 was to be our home for the next few days and what a home it is!!

View from our room

We headed down to meet others arriving via limo at about 3pm. Sarah had a rough flight due to feeling miserable with a cold (made worse by everyone else sleeping so peacefully) but the others were ok (due to all the sleep, benefits of being shift-workers I guess)

Not an every day breakfast

We skipped dinner and turned in for an early night, decided in buffet breakfast at the Bellagio, I over indulged on the biscuits and gravy and the bacon. I love the bacon here and definitely no lunch needed.

We met Dan and Sarah and headed to the North Premium Outlet mall (suppose to be the best of the two $14 approx. cab ride). We made couple of purchase but Dan did very well after making do with no new clothes for ages so he could buy whole new wardrobe on this trip, he has made a good start on day one.

It reached 105F at 4.30pm with more on the way each day of our stay. Heat not worrying us even with the humidity due to evening thunderstorms threatening.

 

At 4pm Kim from Cake Designs delivered the cake I ordered before leaving Australia, it was perfect and Charlie was blown away.

The Birthday Dinner

The plan was to meet near Bellagio Buffet at 5pm, lucky for us Charlie had VIP status (This what happens when you book a penthouse apparently) which allowed us to use the express line (good thing as the other line snaked all around the casino) after being seat the eating began, just imagine every thing you like to eat and more, thats the Bellagio Buffet all for $36 per head. One word SENSATIONAL. The staff made a cake out of carrot cake slices and sang happy birthday for Charlie, he was embarrassed but every join in the fun.

Facts and Figures:
Flight 1 – Qantas QF3 good flight great meals 9 hours 45 mins
Flight 2 – American AA2592 food for sale – chicken salad very good $10.00 free drinks. No checked baggage charge
Hotel 1 – Hacienda Hotel and Conference Centre, $80 with $26 for two rib dinners, free shuttle to and from airport – other eating places nearby and suits for stopovers- Suited our needs
Flight 3 – Southwest – only airline not to charge for checked bags
Hotel 2 – Trump International five star booked through hotwire.com average $99.00 per night. Plenty of Pluses and just one Minus they do charge a resort fee of $25 per day which includes wifi, pool and day spa access. (not sure if it is optional)

89 – the number of time Charlie was carded for ID.
45 – the number times the staff member wished him happy birthday and said “aren’t you lucky you came today” as if it wouldn’t be planned

He had a dream…..

How is it? Sarah is the only one who
looks the same

A 14-year-old had a dream seven years ago to return to Las Vegas to celebrate his 21st birthday.

They acted the goat
for the whole trip

Who said dreams don’t come true if you keep dreaming. Here we sit waiting for our flight to the so long ago dreamed about celebration.

Charlie is a lot younger and
the parents a lot thinner
Charlie is lucky to have so many of his family and friends making the journey to celebrate his 21st.
To those at home they will not be forgotten with a Skype party to mark the occasion.

Sarah meets Jerry

The planning gets serious now….

Mum and I are booked to leave Australia on the 1st August. We are flying Qantas via Hawaii (first visit for both  of us) although stopover time does not allow for any sight-seeing, it will be fun to fly in and out just the same.

All travellers in our party are arriving in Las Vegas on 2nd August ready to celebrate Charlie’s 21st birthday on the 3rd August.

With only 26 days before we leave I am starting to get bookings sorted at least for the couple main things. Disney World in florida booked and I will book the Vegas section of the trip later this week. We are staying at the Caribbean in DisneyWorld (kids wanted to stay here – we stayed there 7 years ago when we took them).

Planning has begun for 2012 Trip

Oh what a year, wedding (Sarah and Dan) in May, a new home in Parramatta, and trip to Las Vegas for Charlie’s 21st then to Niagara Falls (promised mum I take her if she had knees done – new knees installed and ready to travel).

The rough plan is;
1st August Fly Los Angeles via Hawaii
2nd August August arrive Las Vegas (for Charlie’s 21st)
6th August Orlando -Walt Disney World
10th  August Drive Orlando to Washington
12th Arrive Washington DC
14th August Train to New York
19th August driving through NY State, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine – Includes Niagara Falls
3rd Sept August Return Car JFK
4th Sept Fly Home

Looking for suggested things to see and do in the above mentioned places.  Also love to hear any recommendations for the places to see and places to eat.

Our Last Week

We have arrived back in Abilene from our wonderful Aspen trip. We are spending this week enjoying the family and getting our gear sorted for the trip home. A few more gifts to secure then its back to Dallas to catch our flight home Saturday.

We feel very fortunate to have had such a wonderful holiday with so many highlights and great experiences.

We are now looking forward to heading home to see family and and catch up with friends. Oh I almost forgot… and get back to work.

House hunting is on the agenda as we have to find a new home in the first few weeks,  the owner of our unit wants to move back in at the end of our lease (got this news the day before we left home). We will stay in North Parramatta so unit hunting will begin day one.

Ian is keen to get back to work after his enforced three month layoff.  The rest has done him the world of good and he is really motivated about the future and looking forward to getting back in the game.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have read and provided such great feedback on this blog. The main purpose of the blog is to record our holiday notes but it is fun to be able to share this with family, friends and anyone who is interested in my ramblings.

Until we hit the road again…..au revoir

Events from home we have to catch up on are included in this post……

Aspen Colorado

We set of for Aspen from Dallas on Saturday the afternoon. We stayed overnight in Amarillo Texas home of the US Quarter Horse Head Quarters and Museum.

Leonie and Scott booked us a very nice a condominium  in Aspen Colorado.

The Prospector is located on very close to the mall area and is so well situated. No need to use the car as everything is well within walking distance.

We crossed Independence Pass which has an elevation of 12000+ feet and was spectacular to say the least.

We really love Aspen and it has swept aside the great things we have seen and done over the past few weeks and become the highlight of our trip. I really hope we get a chance to return here again some time. This is one place you could come in any season and it would be different each time.

 While we were staying in Aspen Stage 2 of the USA Pro Cycle Challenge finished in Aspen. We walked down to the finish and watched the riders come in. Cadel Evans came in with the leaders and is well placed going into the 3rd stage. It was a fantastic to see world class cyclists in action.

A once in a lifetime chance for us. Who would have thought Cadel Evans and David Beckham in the same trip.

As pictures speak louder than words I am going to fill this post with some of the beautiful scenery in and around Aspen.

Tomorrow our peaceful holiday in the mountains ends and we head home via Santa Fe New Mexico.

The Aspen Gondola gave Lee and I a great opportunity to look down on Aspen from a great height.  It was so peaceful riding to the summit and down again

The last leg….driving

We turned our heads for home…well for Dallas anyway. We had decided to have long days and get back in a couple of days. We set out from Lexington and headed for Springfield Missouri.


We drove through St Louis and saw the arch from the road but decided against stopping as the storm clouds were building. We didn’t get caught in the storm but it sure came down after we settled into the hotel for the night.

After and early breakfast we headed for Tulsa via a small town in Kansas just so we could tick another state off the list. We were only in the state for about 30 miles but we have been there. Our Hyatt hotel was really nice and we had very nice meal in the grill in the hotel.

Up again early for the final run into Dallas we had a good deal at the Westin Hotel in the Galleria district, in fact the hotel was attached to and part of the Galleria shops.

After checking in i set about finding someone to cut my hair and do my nails. Both chores checked off we headed to Kelly (Ian’s niece) and Chris’ to catch up with the family.

We headed to Babes for a fried chicken dinner (one of Ian’s favourite places to eat in Dallas) it was all he remembered and regretted his over indulgence all night …AGAIN

We returned our trusty little ford focus to the hire company and waited for Scott and Leonie to collect us. Breakfast at Old West in old Grapevine

Stats:

29 days
5075 miles 8167 kms
10 tanks of gas averaging $30 per tank
23 nights in La Quinta includes 5 free nights we earned) ave $80 per night
1 night Econo Lodge Portland Maine $45 (hotwire.com)
3 nights 4 Star Hyatt Columbus Ohio $68 per night (hotwire.com)
1 night 4 Star Hyatt Tulsa $48 (hotwire.com)
1 night 4 Star Westin  Dallas $58 (hotwire.com)

Most states visited in one day
Portland, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York State

Favourite Cities
New York
Boston
Niagara
Nashville

Favourite States
Kentucky
Texas
Massachusetts

Other highlights
Niagara Falls
Three Chimneys Stud Farm tour Kentucky
Paddleboat ride in Mississippi
Ohio State Fair
Carriage ride in Central Park New York