Since we weren’t able to fly to Mexico this year, aka “The world has gone nuts over the virus,” and we needed to take a week or lose it with our timeshare, we opted for Florida. We limited our cargo to two of the four Patton grandkids, as four was just too many to handle. We ended up with Ethan and Tristan.
The picture is them going into Universal Studios, but this was not the only highlight. We also visited Siesta Key Beach and Kennedy Space Center. More pictures here.
Thursday
Left at 8am, got to Savannah around 5:30pm, stayed at Hyatt Place, courtesy of Jeff. Dinner at 5Guys.
Friday
Got to MagicTree aroun 3:30, dinner at Ponderosa.
Saturday
Down day, hung out at the pool. Hot dogs on the grill for dinner.
Sunday
Universal Studios
Paid $megabucks for tickets, and still had to pay $26 for parking. Rides:
- Minions
- Hollywood Rocket
- Soundstage 4D
- Revenge of the Mummy (x2)
- Transformers
- Fast and Furious
- Men in Black
- Mummy (again)
- Leicester Square Station (fire breathing dragon)
- Gringott’s Ride
While waiting, I saw a pretty good street show of Blue Brothers. Great sax and singing. Rain around 3:30, rides shut down, and we left. Dinner at Ponderosa.
Tristan realized that their express tickets were only good for one day. Called Universal, but they had no sympathy. Had to buy 2 more tickets for more $megabucks.
Monday
Universal Studios. Rides:
- Hulk (x4)
- Dr. Doom’s Fearfall
- Spiderman
- Skull Island
- Velociraptor (x2)
Dinner from Cici’s Pizza (not very good).
Tuesday
Met Jill for lunch. Salmon at Jeremiah’s. Dinner at Ponderosa.
Wednesday
Decided not to go to Clearwater Beach, as reviews said it was crowded and hard to find parking. So, we opted for Siesta Key in Sarasota. Parking was free, and I had a handicapped placard, so was able to park close. Lots of people, but the beach is so large, finding a sport to site was not hard at all. Trip took about 2 hours each way, lots of backups on the interstates both ways.
Dinner from KFC.
Thursday
Kennedy Space Center:
- US Astronaut Hall of Fame (great IMAX show)
- Rocket Garden
- Saturn V Rocket Display
- Atlantis Space Shuttle
- Shuttle Launch Experience
Dinner from Sakura
Friday
Left around 9:30am, got to Florence around 5pm. Dinner at Don Jose, very good food.
Saturday
Got home around 4:30pm