UPDATED: The start of a TR - slowly writing blog, new posts up

[ehsmum]

Better late then never, here is the next post!

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2010/11/orlando-day-12.html

 

[PrincessInOz]

The character meet and greet pictures are great! You all looked like you were having a blast.

I am so-oo definitely going to have to stay at Universal NEXT time

Thanks again for sharing.

 

[shushh]

Was wondering where you've been! Your posts have been getting us more excited about Universal. It really has taken a back seat compared to our focus on WDW.

 

[Travel Mum]

Your posts have been getting us more excited about Universal. It really has taken a back seat compared to our focus on WDW.

Yes, me too! The Universal parks were really just an afterthought from WDW for us but now, I'm very excited that we will be doing there and think I'll keep our 3 nights that I've booked onsite rather than reduce it to the tricky 1 night/2 days Express pass plan.

 

[battymum]

I too am really looking forward to universal, actually due to the ages of my kids I am concerned we are spending too much time at Disney, I am considering taking a day at Busch Gardens for some thrill rides. Although at $75 each, not a cheap day.

I am extremely dissappointed to learn that Halloween Horror Night is not going to be on when we are there on October 2nd,

 

[ehsmum]

I'm back! Not that I've been anywhere exciting, just been really busy with the end of the school year, Christmas, kids being home etc. And we got a new puppy so it's like having a newborn here!

Anyway, I'm determined to finish my blog this week. I've posted about our break in NC but that's nothing exciting

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-bern-nc-days-1-3.html

and our first day in Vegas

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2011/01/las-vegas-nv-day-1.html

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great updates as always.

Yes, it always surprises me to find out how close LV airport is to the strip....and it seems to get closer with every trip!
I'm not surprised that you only just made it to the CdS show....walking in LV is not as easy as it seems. Too many people, too many sights and too many casinos that seem close together; but are not!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[ehsmum]

Thanks for reading, Princess .

The Strip was ridiculous! We could see where we wanted to be but we just couldn't get there. It could take an hour to cross the road!

 

[Mum from oz]

I've been waiting for an update!

Las Vegas looks great! I'll have to go there "next time"

I would have been freaking out on that plane! Glad you made it safely.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Not sure where you tried to cross the Strip..

.. If I recall correctly, that skybridge from NYNY across the road is no shortcut...it took us through about 4 casinos before we got across.

 

[ehsmum]

I've been waiting for an update!

Las Vegas looks great! I'll have to go there "next time"

I would have been freaking out on that plane! Glad you made it safely.

Sorry for being so slack. I'm on the homeward stretch so hopefully I'll get it finished this week .

Not sure where you tried to cross the Strip..

.. If I recall correctly, that skybridge from NYNY across the road is no shortcut...it took us through about 4 casinos before we got across.

We were past NYNY bridge as we were at Outback which was on the MGM side, before the Miracle Mile. We had 45 minutes and could see the Mirage so we thought we could just cross the road and be there but it wasn't that easy!

 

[Jade+3]

Yay, more updates.

Love the pool area at MGM. You should try crossing the roads with a stroller! We had to find all the elevators at the skybridges, and of course they were not always operational. I had actually forgotten how frustrating that was.

 

[ehsmum]

Vegas would be a nightmare with a stroller!!

Next post:

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2011/01/las-vegas-nv-day-2-and-grand-canyon.html

 

[PrincessInOz]

Everybody....wind your windows down or pop the soft top....and sing it with me...

If you ever plan to motor west
Travel my way, take the highway that is best
Got my kicks...on route 66


...Don't forget winona,
Kingman, barstow, san bernandino

Oooh....Sorry! Thought I was in an American section of the Boards...




Great update ehsmum! I love the Route 66 pictures. It must have been boiling in the canyon if your daughter thought that Hoover Dam was the hottest place on earth!

 

[Jade+3]

What a day. No wonder you were too tired to take a photo!

 

[ehsmum]

We sang that song most of the day! :lol: I think it was 116F, so around 47C. Yes, pretty darn hot!

Next post:

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2011/01/las-vegas-nv-day-3.html

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ahhh Vegas! Where else can you go from Paris to Italy on foot (hours!) in the same time it takes you to travel from the real Paris to Italy by train (hours!)....less by plane?

I love your picture of the jelly belly statue. Did you find out how many beans were used to make her?

Out of curiosity...how much are they charging now for a gondola ride?

 

[ehsmum]

No, we didn't think to ask about the jelly beans!

The gondola was $16 pp maximum 4 per boat, so it would have cost us $64 for one gondola and have one person miss out or $80 for two boats. But it was late and it was a long wait so we didn't bother.

If I ever go back to Vegas (which is doubtful) I'd do things very differently. I'd make sure we had everything booked in advance, I wouldn't go over a weekend and I'd leave a couple of hours before I had to be anywhere!!

 

[ehsmum]

Oh and I also wouldn't go in the middle of summer again. The heat really was unbearable.

 

[ehsmum]

Next post:

http://clare-usa2010.blogspot.com/2011/01/san-francisco-ca-day-1.html