22 Days at Bonnet Creek -Live Trip Report

Offer for AP holders in Oct is BOGOF on beer at Busch but one of us will be driving :)
I try drink more water, have been since I started my diet in Jan but I am not a fan of plain water, prefer something in it so usually end up ordering a diet coke.
In a few years we will get more benefits than we pay for AP's. We tied in to a price of $120/year for both BG & SW, $60/park for life.
That's a great deal.
We bring those little squeeze juice things sometimes to put in the water. I just walk up to counter and ask for a cup of water now in all the quick service places. The guys refuse to, no idea why.
We've just been on Kong single rider. So much better if you are on the end of a row. Think it's the best ride here. Even better than Higwarts Express. They have added express to Kong. That wasn't here last week.
 
I don't think we ever go in a park without asking for cups of iced water :)
I will have to try remember to take some juice concentrate, I get them from Home Bargains for about 50-60p a bottle, they were really expensive in Walmart last time I looked. We also like the lemon sachets (the ones they give you at Bonnet Creek) we still have a box here at home we brought back last trip.
 
Day 18 - Wednesday 24th August
We were exhausted after the heat of yesterday so I wasn't up till 9. Still made it down to the pool before anyone else as Bonnet Creek though. Have come to quite enjoy the pool at our building in the morning. Stayed about an hour then upstairs to see if anyone else up. Henry decided on the gym so we agreed to meet at tower 4 pool which was also completely empty. I assume this had something to do with the dark clouds looming in the distance. Just as David arrived, the thunder and lightening started. It was quite a show so instead of going back to the room we sat on the swings and watched with towels over us until the rain got too much. Sounds crazy but it was so nice for it to be raining after the heat the day before. Our plan today had been to go to lunch at Longhornes, then go carting then Universal. Well it looked like the rain was here to stay so we gave up on the go carts and just left it a little later getting to Longhornes. Excellent as always, must be our most consistently good restaurant in all the years we have been her, never had a bad meal. We all went for the $12.99 American steak dinner again. So much food, absolute bargain. When we came out side we were surprised to see it was brightening up so got on the I 4 and were at Universal within 20 minutes. Henry still hadn't been on Hulk so tried US first, huge queue and single rider was closed so we decided to just get the train over to IOA. On the way we saw the queue for King Kong was 90 minutes and surprised to see that there was an express line now, typical, wasn't there last week when we had express tickets. We walked past and then I said, I was just going to see if there was still a single rider line (the express line was going in the entrance that was single rider last week). Luckily there was and we we told to enter express and it would split further down. Express passes were checked with those little hand held machines a little further along but we stayed in the same line as them and were just told to stay to the right. We could easily have just joined the express line but felt wrong somehow. The group in front of us who were single riders didn't feel the same and joined the express queue. I'm so glad we stayed in single rider. We were on within 15 minutes and all in the same vehicle, but better than that we all had a seat at the end of a row. This meant the ride was so much better than last time. Far better view of what's going on. I won't spoil it for you but I loved it. It was a real bonus to get on as I didn't think we would.
So off to Howarts express and literally got straight on. I still love the train. Henry always tells me not to tell the other people in the carriage that I use to go to work on a train that had carriages that were just the same, but I can't help it. Usually people start talking to us as soon as they hear our accents, the London connection I assume. We were with a nice family and chatted the whole way. David went off to the American Express lounge for water and snacks, but really just to sit down in peace and quiet for 30 minutes. Henry and I got butter beers and made our way to MIB. We rode four times, Henry finally got over 600k, his PB. David met us and also went on. Then back to ride HP, single rider. Got on really quickly as something must have gone wrong with main queue as no one was coming through so two whole cars of single riders went straight through. Then transformers and finished the night in terminator. It had been a lovely afternoon, the weather was so much cooler than the day before.
We left at 8 and had a quick look at the big new chocolate restaurant, it's just opened and I can't remember the name. Looked good but none of the cakes, chocolates etc had prices so had to ask. $10 for a cupcake, seriously. $13 for a shake! Needless to say we didn't partake. A long walk back to the car. We're so glad to get home. Should have gone to bed early but Spy was on HBO so we all watched. We all had to be up early in the morning for GCSE results, so off to bed.
 


:cheer2:Hope the results were good. My dd just got hers and we all went to the local TGI Fridays to celebrate which was really good :cheer2:
 
Day 19 - Thursday 25th August
I don't think any on us slept well, Henry would be able to see GCSE results on line at 6.30am. I woke up at 6.40 and when I went in his room he was already awake and exam results checked. Thankfully, he did pretty well, A* for math, A for further maths, AB for science then 6 more B's and a C for German and RE. (That was the one exam while helping him to revise that I think I could have got an A* in, couldn't even answer the first question on a maths paper anymore) So 11 passes which we think is great. Of course on the news and in the papers you only hear about the kids who get 11 A*. Unfortunately this can mean that anyone without kids can see anything less than that as not very good. But Henry was very happy. He'll be taking maths, further maths, economics and Business for A'levels.
So as he was up so early we went for our first breakfast of the holiday at Toojays. Quite a drive but lovely. Only place we have ever gone for breakfast all the times we have been here.
Back at BC Henry realised that he was pretty tired so went back to bed till midday! Our favourite singer was at pool 4 so we got there for 1. It was a glorious day, a lovely breeze all afternoon. We took part in the Name that Groove quiz which we always enjoy. David and I came second with 55 out of 60. The team that beat us had 8 people in their team and only got two more points so that was consolation enough. Was the first day we had stayed at the resort all day and I really enjoyed it. We left around 5.30 and headed over to T Rex for dinner. Only reason really was I had $25 on our Landry card to spend and we were seeing a movie at 7. Food was just ok. Glad I had the $25 but bill still over $50 for three main courses.
Then we saw Mechanic Resurrection, Henry's choice of course. Couldn't really say no on results day. It was enjoyable enough. A few laugh out loud moments which we definitely weren't meant to be laughing at, pretty ridiculous.
So headed back home. Felt like a long day but was could to recharge our batteries by not doing much.
 
Day 20 - Friday 26h August
Up bright and early and at the gates of Aquatica for 8.45am. One of the first ones in. We usually go in the afternoon but it's been pretty busy so decided on a morning. Henry rode every slid before 10, I did a couple of them. Literally walk on everything. Then he did a couple again and spent another hour going round the lazy river and in the wave pool. Headed over to Steak n Shake for lunch which was good as always. Then back to BC and spent the rest of the afternoon at the main pool listening to the singer, a different one this time but he sang for three hours. Great weather again, much cooler and was actually quite windy, but I wasn't complaining. You can tell we are slowing down now!
Couldn't decide on dinner so at 7 made our way out of BC and while driving decided to try Olive Garden which we never have before. The food was good but at $75 I just had the feeling that I wish we just stayed at home and made a sandwich. Anyway you live and learn. Then off to Premium Outlest for the 4th time. I really am not a fan but the guys love going there. I ended up with a Kipling bag and purse so was glad I went.
So really enjoyed today again. Don't have much planned for last couple of days so hoping the weather is good and we can just relax by the pool.
 


Day 19 - Thursday 25th August
I don't think any on us slept well, Henry would be able to see GCSE results on line at 6.30am. I woke up at 6.40 and when I went in his room he was already awake and exam results checked. Thankfully, he did pretty well, A* for math, A for further maths, AB for science then 6 more B's and a C for German and RE. (That was the one exam while helping him to revise that I think I could have got an A* in, couldn't even answer the first question on a maths paper anymore) So 11 passes which we think is great. Of course on the news and in the papers you only hear about the kids who get 11 A*. Unfortunately this can mean that anyone without kids can see anything less than that as not very good. But Henry was very happy. He'll be taking maths, further maths, economics and Business for A'levels.
Well done Henry!
Having been thru it with Mathew I know how good those results are. We have gone thru GCSE's, A-Levels, Degree and now waiting for Masters grade(on course for a distinction upto his dissertation), we find out while we are on the Transatlantic cruise next month, the day we are in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Starts a PhD in October, doesn't seems 2 mins since those GCSE results.
 
Congrats to Henry :) He should feel very happy with himself!

Sounds so lovely, enjoy every second :goodvibes What a bonus...picking yourself up a bag and purse. I hope to treat myself to a new bag and purse in November....:ssst: Don't tell my husband though.
 
You are keeping me inspired for our relaxing trip. Still struggling I can't be 100miles a hour this trip . Your days sound perfect, not hectic but also not boring .
 
Congrats to Henry :) He should feel very happy with himself!

Sounds so lovely, enjoy every second :goodvibes What a bonus...picking yourself up a bag and purse. I hope to treat myself to a new bag and purse in November....:ssst: Don't tell my husband though.
Thank you.
My friend gave me dollars for my birthday specifically to get a bag. I have a bit of a weekends for Radley bags and really can't buy anymore. Bought a small Kipling one last year, perfect for holidays so got a big one this time which I can use when travelling.
 
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You are keeping me inspired for our relaxing trip. Still struggling I can't be 100miles a hour this trip . Your days sound perfect, not hectic but also not boring .
This is our 13th trip since 2005. In the beginning they were just crazy. Full on most days and then we would burn out. Definitely learnt to take it easier now but still feel like I should be doing something if we are in our room during the day. I end up down at the pool usually. Henry is at that age where his friends are the most important thing in his life and I must admit that it drives me a little crazy sometimes the amount of time he spends messaging. Thank goodness it doesn't cost anything. I guess I just think it's a waste to be on the phone all all the time when he could be doing other stuff, but he's 16.
Definitely haven't been bored atall on this holiday. The weather has been great, hardly any rain and not as humid as usual. Nice breeze some of the time too. I'm going to be sad to leave, especially as next year our family want to come but at Christmas so will be longer till we are here again than usual. Funny but I never wanted to go home even after three weeks. When we have been in the med, I'm usually quite happy to leave after a week.
 
Well done Henry!
Having been thru it with Mathew I know how good those results are. We have gone thru GCSE's, A-Levels, Degree and now waiting for Masters grade(on course for a distinction upto his dissertation), we find out while we are on the Transatlantic cruise next month, the day we are in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Starts a PhD in October, doesn't seems 2 mins since those GCSE results.
Thank you. I don't know where the times gone either. Henry was 5 when we first came. So many happy memories. Can't believe he'll be starting A levels in September. I hope he does well. Plan at the moment is math degree coupled with something like economics but who knows.
 
Day 21 - Saturday 27th August
A very quiet day today. Spent a couple of hours by the pool in the morning, weather just so lovely, very breezy. Popped over to Dinsy Springs for the 11.45 showing on Nine Lives. Henry actually suggested we see this. It was ok, glad we only paid $5. Back in time for the guys to watch the football. I sat and listened to my talking book at pool 4. Was quite busy. BC had seemed really quiet for the last few days but I guess lots of people now here for the weekend again. Even so, never have any issues getting a sun bed. The guys met me after the football. We headed over the main pool to listen to the singer, a new one I hadn't seen before and he was very good. Just so nice floating around the lazy river, or playing ball in the big pool ( we do that a lot). We enjoyed the ice cream social which they have every day, sundaes or floats for $3 or $2. Stayed till about 5.30, would have stayed longer but really poured with rain. Actually felt cold so headed back to the room. Was on the road by about 6.30 to Cheesecake Factory. Should have taken into account that it was a Saturday night and when we got there it was a 90 minute wait. We were all starving as we hadn't had lunch so decided we would just drive to Toojays. Glad we did, had an excellent meals as always and probably far cheaper than Cheescake Factory.
So back to BC, watched the fireworks and a bit of tv. Starting to have that sinking feeling about going home. Crazy I know after being here so long. We leave on Monday morning. In a way I'm glad we are on an early flight to New York (11.40am) so we can just get up and go. Unfortunately are then stuck there for 3.5 hours. Usually on the 6pm flight to Gatwick which is far better for us as we live 10 minutes from there. So will do my best to put it out of my head and enjoy the last day. We always finish off the holiday at aquatica and have been lucky and never been rained off, fingers crossed the same happened this year.
 
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Wow what a room upgrade I'm so please for you I'd have wet myself if it was me!!!!!!! Also congratulations to your son on his exam results. I like reading your trip reports as I am in onsite Disney bubble person but I really enjoy reading about a different way of doing Orlando.
 
Congratulations on Henry's fantastic exam results. An A* in Maths wow.

Really enjoyed all your updates like hearing about different places to eat and things to do.
 
Day 22 - Sunday 28th August
Our last full day. Was at the pool by 8.15am, didn't want to wast anytime today. Woke everyone up early, my excuse was that we needed to go to bed early! So they were both with me at the main pool by 10am. It was so lovely. We had coffees and frappes from the Starbucks on site. After an hour or so we decided to go to the Disney Golf. We played the fairways course. It was fun but the hottest I've been since I have been here. Thankfully I won so some consolation for feeling like I was melting. Then headed over to fun spot, and on the way got some smoothies from MacDonalds, first time we have been in one this trip, well didn't go in, actually my first time through a drive through ever.
It started to rain just as we got to Fun Spot but everything stayed open. So the guys went on the carts and some other ides which looked fun. Stayed for 90 minutes then straight to Aquatica to finish the day. It was packed but we were only there for the lazy river. It was so good to get in the water after a long day. Just went round and round until the thunder started and we had to get out. We didn't mind. It was actually freezing, well that might be an exxageration! Our clothes had got soaked at the bed so instead of goung straight to Longhornes we drove to BC to have a shower and change.
Our 4th visit to Longhornes was just as good as all the other times. We all had the American Dinner which is excellent. I completely forgot to use my $10 coupon which isn't like me, guess we were just having too much fun.
Back at BC Henry and I went for a swim and watched the Epcot fireworks from the pool which was pretty cool.
Then to bed. A great last day in Orlando.
 
A fun packed last day :goodvibes we have never been to Longhorns but after reading your report I might put it down to try. Which one do you visit?
 
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