After postponing our Ultimate Florida Trip several times, we decided to take a Semi-Ultimate Florida Trip. :) The kids said they would rather go ahead and see Universal (their dream) even though masks were still required. We decided Disney and Discovery Cove needed to wait until the mask mandate was over.
Our prayers were answered when it was announced just a few days before our trip that Universal was loosening their rules and masks would only be required indoors and in line for rides. YAHOO!
Brittany is our Disney/Universal planner, and she managed to get us a promo where you buy two days and get two free, which meant we actually went to the park three different times. I'm very thankful we got to have that experience as cramming it all into one day (as it was on the original trip plan) we probably would have left feeling like we were rushed. Because of the several-day plan, we were able to leave the park at normal hours before we were completely exhausted. (Well, mostly... :) You will see we were still exhausted...)
As we came up with the new trip schedule, we decided to make sure to give each of us a "want" on the trip. Brad actually had on his bucket list to golf at a Disney course, so we were able to make that happen this trip!
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| Buster, arguably the most traveled Pound Puppy there is. ;) |
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Our hotel had cafeteria-style dining which was so convenient.
I loved all the beach touches and colors. |
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| Trying to teach Brad how to do a handstand. |
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| A little down time. |
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| The golf fans. ;) |
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| Loved "The Happiest Place On Turf"! |
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| Special touches. Brad actually loved his rental clubs! |
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| Happy to read and check out the scenery. |
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| Fun feature on the carts, it shows the yardage. |
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One of my mom-fan side gigs is checking for a lost ball even if the boys have given up.
When they are neon orange it sure helps! |
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| Worn-Out! |
After a quick rest, we headed off to check out Universal at night!
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| Woo hoo! Dream come true! |
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| Butterbeer and Hogwarts Express |
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Diagon Alley at night.
A bit sad the dragon was not breathing fire that night. |
The next day we got there bright and early!
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Wand shopping time!
These also are used around the park to do magic. |
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Note the sign on this pic...
Literally within 30 minutes or less of getting his wand, Makin was pulling his money out of his fanny pack to pay for something and accidentally dropped his wand. Thankfully this was in front of a Universal worker who quickly told us, "That's no problem, you get wand repairs for life!" So back we went and he got a fresh wand. |
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| A bit of the magic. |
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| I just love this ceiling. |
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| Fire-breathing dragon. |
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| The night bus. We loved the driver, who is on the other side. |
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The kids couldn't get this to work until I stepped in...
shouldn't be surprised they don't know how to work a rotary dial phone! |
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| Lunch at Three Broomsticks |
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| Butterbeer every day. |
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| Talking photos on the way into Hogwarts Castle. |
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| Honeydukes |
Day Two!
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| Checking out all the magic locations on the map while we wait to get in. |
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| On way into the bank ride. |
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| Had to try the butterbeer ice cream! |
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| The reality behind the fun...lines with masks. Blah! |
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| We always love a good show! |
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| Makin had saved up a lot for souvenirs and both boys love the game he picked out. |
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| This girl just laid down and fell asleep for a power nap. |
We loved our beach find location because of the activities included we could enjoy right there on the resort. Sadly it was not great beach weather, so the kids had to just stay on the edge so they were safe. They liked the waves hitting them and had fun as best they could. There was also a huge amount of seaweed on the shore...but what can you do? :)
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| Our favorite on-site restaurant. |
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| We saw lots of cargo ships, cruise ships and of course, tugboats! |
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| One of the boy's favorites was shuffleboard. |
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| Grapes and goldfish make a good lunch, right? |
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| It was fun spotting iguanas all over the grounds. |
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| Reality Check Pic...Lor was def grumpy by this point. :) |
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| So let's have some downtime with games and drawing! |
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| Yay for the huge chessboard! |
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| Oh how we love putt putt! |
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| Floor mosaic we thought was awesome. |
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| Yep, windsurfing weather for sure! |
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One of the kid's favorite memories of this trip will definitely be the coconut. They found it washed up on the beach and wanted to crack it open and of course, Brad said, "Yes! Let's do it!"
Brad and Makin tried the coconut milk and Makin is glad he can say he tried "wild coconut milk." |
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| One last game of chess before we leave. |
We are so thankful for this amazing trip!
