Homeward bound!

We are on our way home!  At the moment we are at the Los Angeles Airport waiting for our flight to Brisbane, having made the flight here from Orlando.  A long flight, but a longer one to come!  Hopefully we can sleep.

Great holiday!  Enjoyed every minute and I'm coming back in one piece!

Boggy Creek Air Boats, Shopping & Eating

This morning we went on an Air Boat ride (goes on top of the water at speed, a bit like a hovercraft I guess).  Really enjoyed it.  The scenery was great, and we saw a number of birds on the water.  Came home for lunch and then went to another Outlet Shopping Centre (they are everywhere in the US), and then to tea at Wood Grill Buffet (very yummy as Jordan would say).  A very enjoyable day.  Tomorrow we head for home, late afternoon.
Pictures:
(1)  The family before we went out on the water.
(2)  One of the birds we saw.
(3)  Me with a baby alligator.

Busch Gardens (2nd time)

Today we went to Busch Gardens - but left about 2.30 p.m.  I walked around most of the time, while the others went on rides.  I surprised the others by getting myself face-painted, which they found out when they met me later on in the morning (see photo).  We stopped for lunch at a restaurant called "Applebees" on the way and had a yummy lunch.  We arrived home about 5 p.m. and after an hour or so's rest, Jordan is going swimming at the complex here.

Pictures:
(1), (2) & (3) at Busch Gardens.
(4)  This one doesn't need any words!!!  (The rest of the family were quite embarrassed when we went out to lunch on the way home.)

Relaxing, Downtown Disney, shopping & swimming

Today was a bit of a mixture.  This morning Jordan and I stayed home while Wendy, Martin & Aimee went shopping.  After lunch, we went to Downtown Disney, looked around the shops and bought souvenirs.  Then went to a shoe shop (where the family bought shoes!) and to a very very large craft shop - I bought several things, and Wendy bought some scrapbooking paper.  Came home and relaxed for a while, then went to the Pirates' Plunge swimming pool at the complex here so that Jordan could have a swim, while the rest of us relaxed in lounges around the pool!  Tonight we have a night at home.
Pictures:
(1)  Downtown Disney - Mickey & Minnie.
(2)  Peter Pan flying through a shop in Downtown Disney.
(3)  Wendy ditto.
(4)  Mr Potato Head at Downtown Disney (there were 6 or 7 different Potato Heads!!),
(5)  Pirates' Plunge (the swimming pool at the complex here).
(6)  Jordan sliding down through the pirate ship at the pool.

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure (2nd visit)

This morning we made a 2nd visit to Islands of Adventure - weather was not quite so hot.  I went my own way around the theme park and managed to get a few more character pictures, while the others went on rides.  Also went to a Dr Seuss Show.  Then I met the rest of the family and we spent the afternoon with a 2nd visit to Universal Studios.  Again walked around on my own (while the family went on rides, etc.).  The day finished with a Parade at Universal Studios.  A very enjoyable day.
Pictures:
(1)  Me with Spiderman.
(2)  Me with Sam I Am.
(3)  Me with The Grinch.
(4)  Me with Lorax.
(5)  Me with Popeye.
(6)  Me with two superwomen (not sure of their names).
(7)  Me with Wolverine
(8)  Dr Seuss Show.
(9)  Me with Captain America.
(10)  Me with a minion.
(11)  Me with Lucille Ball & Marilyn Munroe.
(12)  Dora's float in the parade.

LEGOLAND - amazing!

Today we went to LEGOLAND - wow! really enjoyed looking at all the things made of Lego.  I have attached pictures of some.  We also had a photo taken with various characters.  Aimee and Jordan also went on a number of rides (I went on one ride, and also drove a boat on another).  After we got back home, Wendy, Martin, Aimee and Jordan went shopping for shoes, etc., which are considerably cheaper here than in Australia.
Pictures:
(1)  Me with Buddy.
(2)  Me with Cragger.
All others:  all these people, things, buildings, etc., are made from Lego.  Absolutely amazing!

Another rest day & shopping

A reasonably quiet day today.  The rest of the family went to Blizzard Beach (a Disney water theme park).  The photo shows Aimee and Jordan coming down one of the slides at the park.  When they arrived home, we went to an Outlet Shopping Centre that has 180 different shops (similar to Harbour Town I guess, but probably even a bit more upmarket than Harbour Town). 
Tomorrow we go to LEGOLAND - really looking forward to that. 

Magic Kingdom - more characters, colourful parades & fireworks

Lots of pictures this time!  And I left a lot out!
It was too late to do a blog when we got home last night, so although this is headed up Sunday, it is really Saturday's blog
In the morning the family went to Putt Putt again - I stayed behind this time.
In the afternoon we went back to Disney's Magic Kingdom and had a great time.  We met and had photos taken with many different characters - loved it.  Also saw the following shows:
    Move it!  Shake it!  Celebrate it!  Street Party  (around the courtyard in front of the fairytale castle - some of the characters left their floats and mingled with the crowds - Jordan joined in the dancing!).
    Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade  (with floats and characters throughout the Magic Kingdom).
    Main Street Electrical Parade (very impressive, at night - with all lighting turned off in the streets and buildings - and all floats decorated in thousands and thousands of glittering lights).
    Wishes night-time spectacular (with the fairytale castle lit up with all sorts of laser lights and pictures (creating a story).
    Celebrate the Magic (day-time musical featuring many of the characters) at the front of the fairytale castle. 
    Fireworks surrounding the fairytale castle (absolutely spectacular).

Didn't get home until very late, but well worth it - an excellent day!

Pictures:
(1)  Me with Merida (from the movie, "Brave").
(2)  With Cinderella.
(3)  With Princess Aurora.
(4)  With Arial (mermaid).
(5)  With Captain Hook.
(6)  With Rapunzel.
(7)  With Snow White.
(8)  With Gaston (from "Beauty & the Beast").
(9)  With Terrence Bear (or sometimes called "Shaker") from "Country Bears".
(10)  Mickey & Minnie Mouse at the "Celebrate the Magic" show.
(11)  One of the floats at the "Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade".
(12)  Minnie Mouse at the "Move it! Shake it! Celebrate it! Street Party"
(13)  Dale at the party.
(14)  Goofy at the party.
(15)  Mad Hatter at the party
(16)  The Genie (from "Aladdin").