The Index

Sorry for the delay guys we’ve just moved house so as you can imagine its been pretty hectic! We are also off on our non-Disney holiday to Santorini on Saturday so it may be a couple of weeks before I’m back to update but stay with me, only a few more days to go



Day 13 - Blizzard Beach & Citywalk

Tuesday 2 February

After a good nights sleep we we up at 8 and out by 8.50.





We had slight concerns about our waterpark plans given it was so foggy! But we the weather did say this was going to be the warmest day for the rest of our trip and sunny from 12 so we persevered! Excited to go back to Disney!



Waterpark weather right?

We were doing a quick stop off at i-hop first though which was unbelievably our first trip there! Rich had never liked the name so until I had started reading trippies about it I wasn’t that fussed haha now I needed the International House of Pancakes in my life! We knew there was one right next to the Rosen where we stayed on our 2013 trip so we headed there. The fog really was ridiculous and we hoped we hadn’t made the wrong decision!



When we pulled up it was quite busy but we were lucky to get a booth right by the kitchen, which Richard liked as he could see the food prep.







I ordered coffee and Rich had an OJ. They were both nice and my coffee was never empty. We had signed up to IHOP before we went so we used our free voucher for pancakes – we were both pretty boring and had our staple of pancakes with a side of bacon and maple syrup. The service was really quick without making you feel rushed and we really enjoyed our food.





They weren’t too heavy but set us up well for our (hopefully) day of waterpark-ing. The bill came to $21.25 plus tip which we thought was pretty good.

We also donated $5 for a children’s charity that they were promoting, paid up and were on our way again, not before another stop at Walgreens next door for water and fruit. I saw this awesome blanket which I kind of regret not buying but the material was a little itchy!



I assume this is Star Wars related?!

By the time we were back in the car it was 10am which was slightly strange for us as we are normally park-opening type people but the weather was clearing at least which was a good sign. Through the Disney Arch and we were there for 10.15.



Magic Band back on

Now, we had done Blizzard Beach in 2012 when Typhoon Lagoon was shut for annual maintenance and ahead of this trip TL was supposed to be open whilst BB was refurbed. Unfortunately, Disney changed the timetable so we still haven’t go to TL – next time! Whilst on the topic our favourite water park is still Aquatica but the Disney ones are great for little ones.





We found sun loungers relatively easily and creamed up. The sun had properly come out by now and it was 28 degrees and sunny – phew! We spent a few minutes just enjoying the sun and we facetimed our parents to show them how sunny it was!

We headed straight for the Purple Slopes first doing all of those rides twice. We always enjoy the ones where you can race each other so all three of these were hits with us! The only problem with these are all the hills you have to climb to get to the top – certainly a work out for the legs!

Next up was the Red Slope which is the Runoff Rapids which we found a bit ‘meh’.

We slowed down the pace next and hoped into the lazy river near to the Red Slope exit. This was a nice sedate bob around on floats for us, enjoying the sun and ducking the little areas that were shooting water out where we could. Yes we were already soaked but they were freezing!



We did notice how many leaves were in the river which I suppose can’t be helped but were stuck all over us by the time we got out haha. The Lifeguards looked pretty busy with their nets doing what they could to grab the little things.

Jumping out after about half the way round we decided to risk our lives on the Chairlift to the top! Wow do these things feel slippy when you are in wet clothes and only a single bar to hold you in! It does give fab views of the park and that’s the only time we saw the kiddies area – that Ski Patrol area looks like great fun – shame they don’t let adults on it



Once we got to the top we took a few stills with the Go Pro of the view which was really pretty, then dodged Summit Plummet (wimp!) and Slush Gusher. We have at least done the latter before but those ridges really hurt your back so we skipped it this time.



Teamboat Springs was the only Green Slope to be had to we jumped in a raft with a few other randoms and were on our merry way. Those rafts are always good fun but always feel a bit strange sat there in your bikini trying not to stare directly at the people in front of you haha.



After this we decided to make the most of the wave pool and was lucky that the waves were on when we got in, so after commandeering a ring each we spent a good while just bobbing around. Rich got bored pretty quickly after that so he went off to ride more of the Purple Slopes! I met up with him and did a couple again before choosing to use the rest of my time to just get some more footage of him coming down the slides instead. I was done with my hill climbing for the day

After this we decided we had had enough so parked our bums back on our loungers to dry off a bit.



We had managed quite a bit and it was now 2pm. Despite our decent breakfast we were hungry so changed out of our wet clothes and then headed to Lottawatta lodge by the exit. I had the chicken nuggets meal and Rich had the chicken burger, this was despite the fact there was a turkey leg on the menu and he’d been complaining since we left Disney that he didn’t get a chance to try one! It came to $21.01 and we had our water that we had brought with us in the cooler.





This was tasty enough and hit the spot after a morning of swimming. Polished off quickly we dumped our bags in the car then headed to the Winter Summerland mini golf course, which is right next to Blizzard Beach’s entrance. This was the first time we had done a Disney mini golf course but I was so excited to give it a go as we’d played many a time on the I Drive courses and elsewhere. We are rubbish (well I certainly am) but its entertaining at least! You get a game a day on a Ultimate Ticket I believe as long as its before 4pm.





Only one side of the course was open – summer - but we didn’t mind and luckily most of it was shaded. We LOVED the course and really want to the do the other one near the Swan & Dolphin next time too, it was so well themed and had Christmas music playing out which is another of my obsessions as well as Disney so I was pretty happy.











Richard got some impressive holes in one and I, er, nearly got a hole in one. Go me. Apparently he won in the end but as I didn’t check the card I can’t verify that fact…..









They were opening the winter course when we were leaving so they must wait until they have a certain number of people I guess. There were a fair number of people here and we jumped a hole near to the start as there was a family of four ahead, we did ask them as otherwise we would have been chasing them down and waiting for them, they agreed but didn’t look too impressed. We were glad we did though as they never caught us up and we saw a few couples stuck behind them.

The car was properly Florida hot when we got back to it, it may sound a bit random but this was really nice given the poor weather we’d had at the start of the trip! Yay! It was 3.30 by this point so we decided to stop off at Walmart on Turkey Lake Road as that was only a few minutes from Cabana Bay. We picked up a few bits but it was mainly a water (we really get through the stuff!) and milk for our breakfasts. We also had to buy bowls and cutlery as they didn’t have any provided for in our hotel room. Unfortunately, the make up I was hoping to pick up (Elf and Flower based on Debidee’s recommendations) was mostly sold out again. This stuff is seriously popular! Or, I guess they don’t restock it often.

It was super quick getting back to the hotel via the ‘back’ entrance, which avoids having to dry right round the block to get into the car park. We did notice it was marked service entrance but lots of cars were using it and we never had an issue using it.

The next couple of hours were spent showering, relaxing and getting ready to head out again. I had wanted a nosy at the Portofino hotel (well all 3 deluxe really but we never did get to the Hard Rock Hotel) so we made the 6.30 mini van transfer to the Portofino by where the buses take you to the parks. They run every half hour which was a nice touch.







When we got there we didn’t really know where to go but once through the entrance we turned left and headed down to where the restaurants seemed to be and had a look at a few menus around the Italian-styled square. There was a singer too entertaining a few people sat outside. I imagine this area must have a nice buzz to it in the warmer months.







Nothing took our fancy for dinner and it all seemed quite expensive so when we saw the water taxi coming we jumped on it and was in city walk before we knew it at 7pm.









We headed straight into the NBC restaurant, you don’t even appreciate how big this place is until you head upstairs to the toilets – wow its big! We just had a seat at the bar and Rich spent quite a while choosing his beer of choice as the selection was mahoosive.









I ordered a Berry Cocktail and Rich eventually had the Dogfish. He really liked it in here which we knew he would, sports on lots of the screens and we could see some of the tables were actual games you could play! We glanced at the menu too which offered a huge selection and thought about eating there but we decided on the Hard Rock instead, which is a bit of a holiday staple too.

After finishing our yummy drinks we walked past the Universal globe and entrance for some nighttime photos.







Then straight round to the Hard Rock Café where we were seated straight away upstairs. They had a live singer on downstairs who was really really good and it had a great atmosphere, our server was also great fun.



I ordered my standard pickled tink which is basically a mix between a pina colada and a strawberry daiquiri. Its so delicious if you like creamy drinks and doesn’t taste too alcoholic. Unfortunately it isn’t often on their menus any more but they’ll always make it if you ask. Rich had a Sam Adams.



Richard ordered the legendary burger as he loves Hard Rock burgers and how they always a have a house speciality which is different at each Café. It was basically two burgers between a mac and cheese lawyer! I tried it and it was really food.



I had my usual – fajitas! This time going for the trio with prawns, chicken and beef. This was also really good. Thumbs up again for the Hard Rock.



We were too full for dessert as always although we saw lots of other people have them and they looked yummy.

We paid up the $60.07 plus tip and left and took a few more photos of Citywalk before heading back to the hotel. We were just so tired after a hectic but great 13 days! It is such an easy journey on the bus and we were back in our room about 9.30.

Another great day. I'm loving your report, thanks for writing it. 😀

I had the same problem hunting down ELF make up in Walmart in March! The stands were always completely ransacked! I got some eventually, on about our 6th trip lol.

Another great day, can't beat some HRH fajitas . Blizzard Beach looks good fun.

Enjoy your holiday in Santorini !

Looks like you had a great day! Fajitas look yum.

I don't think my husband has forgiven me for the fact that we didn't play minigolf last year - I think we'll definitely be having a couple of games on our next trip!

Those fajitas looks so good x

Great report. We still haven't visited iHop, but it's on the list for our next (6th) trip.

Great read! BB is shut when we go in oct/nov which is a shame as our kids have never been. Looking forward to cashing in my hard rock voucher now

Happy new home, I hope you're settling in.

What a fab day, from breakfast right through to dinner.

Have a great time on your non-Florida holiday.

Nice chilled day I love mini golf!

PBR looks wonderful. And I love Hard Rock for dinner.


Really enjoying your report,
TFS! Jo xx

Lovely relaxed day BB looked like fun and so did the mini golf. We have yet to have played a round!

Like the sound of your cocktail, food in Hard Rock looked good too xx