Orlando
We used our timeshare points to go to a resort in Four Corners, Fla., near Orlando during Braden’s spring break. We really liked the resort, as it had several pools, a beach, a mini waterpark and a couple of on-site restaurants. Plus, it was next to a grocery store and about a 10-min. drive to Disney World.
The trip started badly, though. We had an 8:40 a.m. Saturday flight, which meant we had to get the kids ready early in the morning. When we got to the gate, the attendant announced a mechanical delay. At the end, he announced a bird had hit the plane while it was grounded (we later learned this may be code for something more severe), and our flight was canceled.
Unfortunately, no other flights to O’Hare were available immediately. We had to get in a long line to get re-booked, and we ended up on another airline with a late afternoon departure. We then went home, and the kids were in good spirits (as soon as we got home, they started playing with their toys).
Our assigned seats weren’t next to each on the flight from Chicago to Orlando, so Brian kept returning to the gate until we got re-seated (Brian and Braden, Kristin and Carson). That flight was very, very long, due to a storm in Orlando that shut down the airport. Our plane circled Tampa, and the pilot warned we were going to have to land there due to a lack of fuel, but thankfully we were cleared to land in Orlando.
Kristin and the kids got the luggage while Brian stood in a 40-min. line to get the rental car. At least we got a free upgrade to an SUV, which took 20 min. to find because it was in the other rental car area.
After a 40-min. drive to the resort (plus a stop at 7-Eleven), we finally got to our condo just after midnight. We were really upset that we lost an entire day of vacation and the chance to go grocery shopping (the grocery store was closed on Easter Sunday, which led to a horrific shopping experience at Wal-Mart). However, we were pleased that the kids handled the stressful situation so well and without complaint.
We hid Easter eggs and then went to sleep. The kids had their own bedroom, and each had their own bed.
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We went to Disney World on Tuesday (Hollywood Studios) and Thursday (Animal Kingdom), Universal Studios CityWalk on Monday and Clearwater Beach (a hellish 3-hour drive due to a major car accident and a large volume of tourist traffic) on Wednesday. We spent almost half the day at the pool on Friday, our last full day. Here are some photos.
The Disney character lunch on Thursday was disappointing because it was super expensive, and neither Braden nor Carson wanted to take photos with Mickey, Goofy, etc. As we guessed, they did enjoy the safari ride.
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Fortunately, we had no issues on the trip home!