Getting super excited and slightly stressed at the same time! This time next week the family, minus poor Benny, will be in the air and on the way to LAX.
Itinerary
25th October – fly to Brisbane, to connect with a flight to LAX.
Hilton Garden Inn LAX/El Segundo
I’m hoping this flight will go smoothly, and we all get a few hours sleep to tide us through for the rest of the day in Los Angeles. It’s looking like a beautiful day, currently predicted at 76F (24°c) and partly cloudy. Our aim is to keep busy and to stay awake by being outside and keeping on moving. The plan is to drive to Santa Monica for breakfast, pick up phone SIM’s and wander along the beach. James is heading to ‘Hell in a cell’ WWE event later that night, while I’ll stay local to the hotel.
26th October – fly to Chicago (via Detroit)
ACME Hotel Company Chicago
Another early morning flight (7am EDT) and we don’t get in to Chicago until just before 4pm (CDT). Once we check in at ACME Hotel, we’re basically running to grab dinner (thinking Shake Shack) and head to the United Center to finally see our first NHL game! We’ll be seeing the Anaheim Ducks play against Chicago Blackhawks . If anyone can remember back to our honeymoon, the NHL had a lockout, which left both of us very disappointed that we were unable to attend a game. But, the great news is, we have managed to squeeze in seeing 3 whole games! Super, super excited!
27th October
Thinking of seeing the sights of Chicago today on the Hop On, Hop Off bus. We figure it’s probably the easiest way to get around with Jack.
28th October – fly to Pittsburgh
Cambria hotel & suites Pittsburgh
We leave Chicago at 2:15pm (CDT) and arrive in Pittsburgh 4:46pm (EDT). Travelling through multiple time zones through the trip will be interesting. Or damn right confusing by the end! Thank god for smartphones that should automatically correct themselves! Our aim for tonight is to find a bar, to enjoy watching another NHL game (Pittsburgh at Capitals).
29th October
Exploring Pittsburgh by day, and by night, yep, you guessed it, another NHL game! This one I’m excited about – James gets to see his beloved Pittsburgh Penguins, and we’re gonna be nice and close to the ice. Penguins are playing the Buffalo Sabres.
30th October – drive to Niagara Falls
Embassy Suites Niagara Falls
Leaving Pittsburgh early and driving out to Niagara Falls for just the night. We’re staying on the Canadian side and hopefully have a great view of the falls. I’m sure you’ll be seeing some photos appear either on here or on Facebook. We’re hoping that the Maid of the Mist (or similar) will be running, and the weather is kind. The long range forecast is predicting a cloudy day, with a top of 16°C and a low of 5°C.
31st October – fly from Buffalo to Orlando (via Atlanta)
Bluegreen Vacations Fountains
This is going to be a fairly long day. First we have to drive over the border, and head to Buffalo. Our flight leaves Buffalo around 11am (EDT) and arrives in Atlanta around 1pm (EDT). The connecting flight leaves before 2pm (EDT) and arrives in Orlando around 3:30pm (EDT). All things going well, we will be in the air for just over 3 hours and 40 minutes.
It is Halloween so we will most likely head out and see how Orlando celebrates this holiday.
1st, 2nd, 3rd November
Our plans for Orlando are a bit lacklustre at the minute. We’re definitely planning a trip to the Kennedy Space Center and we’ve been looking at which Disney Park we could get the most out of. I’m hoping for fantastic photo opportunities with Jack that we will cherish for a long time. Our accommodation is close to the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlet, and James had mentioned looking after Jack while I go shopping! This could be dangerous! I think after the busy start to our holiday, and with hopefully warmer weather, this could be our relaxing stage to our holiday!
4th November – drive to Miami
Bentley Hotel South Beach
We figured a night further down the coast wouldn’t go astray and James is keen to use his knowledge of Grand Theft Auto Vice City to prove that he can navigate around Miami!
5th November – fly to LAX
Magic Castle Hotel
We drive from Miami back to Orlando, for a late flight (7pm EST) to LAX, which will arrive after 9:30pm (PST).
6th November
We have plans to head to The Grove and Farmers Market during the day – if we haven’t managed to visit The Cheesecake Factory along our trip, we will be definitely going here for lunch. Oh and this time, I’ll be having one of those candy apples from the stall! My mouth is actually salivating thinking about it! We also have to squeeze in a visit to the LA Live precinct and the Yard House. There is a Woodchuck Raspberry Cider with my name on it! Hopefully it lives up to my memories from 3 years ago.
7th November – fly home, via Sydney
Our last day, and our last ice hockey game. This time we’re heading to the Staples Center to see the Florida Panthers take on the LA Kings. Our flight is just before 10pm. Last time we flew out around this time, I think I had a few drinks before leaving, and a few more on the plane, and strangely enough, I slept like a baby. I don’t think I’ll have the luxury of a few alcoholic beverages this time.
9th November – fly to Melbourne
We land in Sydney just before 8am, and our connecting flight will get us back to Melbourne around 11am.