Final Day at Sandy Ridge

Today started early as do all days with Ella and Sadie, but we didn’t get up to speed until we departed with a loaded car for the airport at 10:00 a.m. I suspect traffic in and around Orlando can get pretty gnarly, but so far we’ve totally dodged the bullet and if there’s been a traffic problem, it’s been going the other direction. So, after about 25 minutes we’d delivered the Whites to the airport and bid farewell and bon voyage. Their flight went without a hitch and I’m sure the little girls were happy to be back in their own rooms and beds. We spent some time at the Orlando Premium Outlet Mall before returning to Sandy Ridge for some quiet time and pre-packing before returning to Downtown Disney. By mid-afternoon, the thunderstorms had returned with more ferocity than yesterday and this time the showers remained for pretty much the rest of the day.

We’ve been very pleased with our Florida rental choice. It has been very convenient to Disney and has a good supermarket three minutes away. It was definitely larger than we needed, but we loved the pool and well appointed interior. At $1000 per week, the price was also right. So, we got to discover Downtown Disney in the evening. Despite the drizzle and impending deluge, the place was hopping. The World of Disney Store was packed as usual and instead of the parking lot clearing out, it was quickly filling up. We took in the 6:00 p.m. performance of La Nouba by the Cirque de Soleil. This is a first for us and it did not disappoint. The aerial acrobatics for which Cirque de Soleil are famous were amazing but there was much, much more, including a trio of little girls doing a routine with ropes and a wooden spool. I’m sorry I can’t describe this act any better. They were incredible!

Following the show, the rain continued but we had only a short walk to Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant for dinner. The crowds continued to descend on the Downtown, undaunted by the weather and the cacophony in the restaurant was deafening. The food was, however, great. With dinner over, so was the rain and we had an enjoyable stroll back to our car.

We’re pretty much packed, but will load the car in the morning and head off to the Atlantic coast as we begin our trek northward.