Wednesday - Busch Gardens

Early start today!  Busch Gardens is about 70 miles away and we wanted to get there for park opening, 10am.  Keith and I shopped last night for some sandwich stuff, so we got up and made a cup of tea about 7.15 and I made up a load of rolls and sandwiches for eating in the car for breakfast. We also took crisps, cookies and dried fruit. (hmmm really healthy breakfast!).

Anyway parked the car about 9.40 and took the tram from the car park to the park entrance and waited for them to open the gates. 

First stop was Walkabout Way, we bought 3 pots of food and wandered in to feed the kangaroos.  They were sooooo cute.  I think we all wanted to take one home.  We all had a go at feeding them by hand.

Next stop was Lori's Landing where you buy a pot a nectar and take it into an aviary full of Lorikeets.  Once they see the nectar pots they come flying from all directions and land on you.  Chloe was a bit nervous to start with but soon got used to it.

After the birds the coasters were calling us !!!! so we headed for Sheikra.  (I think we have turned Chloe into a coaster freak!)  Sheikra is a 200 ft high dive coaster - all of us loved it and because there was no queue went straight back for a second ride!  Grandma and Grandad sat watching a group of school kids getting wet from the spray of the coaster.

Onwards again and Sarah, Chloe and Stephen decided to try the log flume while Stewart had a caricature drawn.

Animals next and we entered the new Jungala exhibit where we saw Orangutans, and tigers, the tiger exhibit was great there was even a part where you poked your head up into a glass turret to see right into the tiger enclosure.  Even more bizarre one of the tigers was sleeping right on top of the turret.

Another coaster next, Keith, Sarah, Chloe and Steve went on Kumba, a high speed twisting, looping coaster.  The queues were so small they decided to wait for front row seats.

We headed back to the front of the park to do the Exotic Bird Encounter via the Elephants (Chloe was amazed at these and didn't know she was going to be seeing them), Otters, Giant Tortoises and Alligator.  We thought this was going to be a bird show but it was just a photo op with some of the birds from a different show but it was good, there was 2 parrots, a cockatoo and an owl.

Another coaster - Gwazi, a wooden coaster which is extremely rough.  Chloe didn't like this one so much., although Stephen didn't mind and did reride it with Keith at the end of the day.

Of again and a walk through the Chimpanzee and Gorilla enclosures (didn't see any chimps - I think they were hiding from the sun - it had got very, VERY hot).  We were going to take the train around the Serengeti Plain to see the zebras and giraffes but the train was full so we went to Rhino Rally where Stephen got chosen to the be navigator (slight disappointment here as some of the ride area has been removed while they reshape the area for a new coaster next year).

My favourites at Busch Gardens next, the hippos, I love that you can go to an underwater viewing area and see the hippo swimming (although he was just lolling in the water not actually swimming).  Also saw some turtles in there.  Nearby was some sleeping hyenas too.

Train was still busy so time for more coasters - this time Montu a hanging coaster.  Again no queue so 2 rides for Keith, Sarah, Chloe and Steve.

We watched the Critter Castaway show, similar to the one we watched yesterday at SeaWorld. Some really cute cats and dogs. 

Another try for the train, we managed to get on but because it was getting to closing time it only took us to the next station so we only saw some of the animals from a distance, oh well never mind.  We were all really tired by now, the weather here has been very hot and sticky today (around 89F feeling like 94), so we decided to call it a day and instead spent a while in some of the shops to buy some Busch Gardens souvenirs.

After leaving the park we stopped off for dinner at Cracker Barrel (or Chuckit Bucket as Grandad called them).  Really nice food and very reasonable (that suited Dad!!!).

Back to the villa by 9 and time for a swim for Mum, Sarah, Chloe, Stephen and I before bed.

Tuesday - SeaWorld

Breakfast this morning was at Perkins, Chloe and Keith had a Perkins Scrambler, Bowl of scrambled egg mixed with breakfast potatoes and bacon, sausage or cheese.  Stew and I had Granny's Veg Omelette, Grandma had pancakes and Sarah and Stephen had Chicken biscuits with hash browns and eggs, Grandad had a mixed breakfast.

We got to Seaworld about 11. 

After a quick photo op with a Shamu and a stroke of a small snake we went on the rollercoaster Kraken, a floorless coaster with a first drop of 144ft (44m) and a top speed of 65mph.  All the kids loved it and re-rode it a bit later.  Next stop was Journey to Atlantis, a log flume type ride with a coaster section at the end.  We all got fairly wet apart from Stewart.  Mum and Dad sat these out but Dad and Stewart did Atlantis while the Keith and the kids redid Kraken.

We made our way over to the whale and dolphin theatre for the 1.30 show.   The shows starts with some dolphin acrobatics and moves on to include some divers and acrobats dressed in colourful clothes to represent parrots. 

Stephen was desparate to do Manta next so off we went.  Again Mum and Dad sat out (just as well really"). This was a really intense ride.  It is a flying coaster where you start the ride lying face down up the lift hill on a Manta shaped train.  It has loads of twists and loops.  Was worried Chloe like it, I could here her in the row behind as we set off saying "I don't like this!" but by the time we got off she was smiling and and they were all asking to go again.

After a second ride we went to join Mum and Dad in the Pets Ahoy show.  They have lots of cats and dogs, plus a rat, skunk and a pig doing lots of different tricks like skipping.

Next we went to the Dolphin feeding area but it was very busy and a bit too expensive so we just had a look and then went into the underwater viewing area..

Next stop was the Manatees (one of my favourites).  Another underwater viewing area was a great place to see the wonderful huge gentle creatures.

It was getting towards 5 now (we wanted to get to the Shamu stadium early as they had announced that the earlier show was completely full!) so we took a quick walk through the puffin and penguin encounter  and another stop to look at the sealions.

Needn't have worried, the Shamu stadium wasn't full.  The show was very good.  We were very glad we didn't sit in the splash zone as those people got absolutely soaked when the whales splashed their tails!!  Enjoyed the show more than I thought having seen it in the past with the trainers in the water, now they are not allowed in with the whales after the accident earlier in the year. 

Park closed at 6 which was just as well as we were all shattered and our feet ached.  Stopped at the shops near the entrance to buy some cuddly toys before heading back to the car.  Might have to squeeze in another quick visit to Seaworld as there were a couple of things we would like to have done and didn't get time today (think we should have got up earlier) like the shark encounter and the wild artic where the polar bears are.

Dinner tonight was at Pizza Hut.  3 enormous pizza between 8 was ample (few slices in a doggy bag ready for breakfast!!!!!)

Kids just gone to bed (10.15) after a swim in the pool.  Early start tomorrow as we are heading toTampa for Busch Gardens - more coasters - yippee!

Hear the weather has turned cold at home - shame!! hee hee.   Weather here is due to get hotter for the next couple of days (85+ feeling like 93+), Ohh err - today was hot and sticky!

Keep the comments coming.  Stephen loves the fact that Josh is following our progress (hope school isn't giving you too much homework Josh!).
Hello to April (Stew says you are reading too!)
Hi to Karen, Adam and Addison
If anyone else is reading - let us know! (don't want to think I'm wasting my time doing this!!)

Love to All

Monday - Islands of Adventure

Hi all, still on schedule, we have been to Islands of Adventure today.  Weather is still glorious (86F), no hint of any rain just blue sky.

Straight onto the BIG coasters this morning with 2 rides on Incredible Hulk, a launched coaster that all the kids loved!  Next was 2 rides on Spiderman, a 3d simulator ride where spiderman appears to jump onto your car and talk to you and together you save New York from the villains.  We even managed to get both Grandma and Grandad on this altho Grandma wasn't too keen.

We all did Jurassic Park, which is like a wide log flume round some dinosaurs before you get taken through a building where the Raptors have escaped and you get chased by a TRex.  After we told Grandma she wouldn't get wet they sat in the back row and got wet! oh dear!

We had some lunch while in the Jurassic Park area then we watched the Sinbad Stunt Show.  We also went in to see the Poseidon Adventure show and a couple of rides in Seuss Landing (Cat in the Hat!). 

Finally we headed to Hogwarts, where the kids did 3 rides on Dragon Challenge ( a multi looping hanging coaster) and a ride on Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey - this was excellent and lived up to all the hype!  Even managed to get Grandad on Harry Potter.  Also bought some Butterbeer which was quite nice (a bit sweet!).

It was then time to leave the park.  We had already decided to try The Cheesecake Factory for dinner tonight (thanks to recommendations on the internet!).  WOW, food was glorious, huge and good quality.  Would highly recommend a visit to anyone visiting.  Couldn't manage the cheesecake tho so we ordered 4 portions to take home!

stephen with his chocolate milkshake

while the girls had hot chocolate

Sarah, Stephen, Chloe and Stewart came home and jumped straight into the pool for an hour before heading for bed about 10.30,

Hope everyone well

Karen - where are you - no comments!

Sunday - EPCOT

Ok, bit behind with updates now, been busy!!!!!  Yesterday we had breakfast at the Golden Corral (or the Golden Carrot as Grandad calls it!, but then Grandad thought Cracker Barrell was Chuckit Buckit! :) )  Anyway we were a bit later than usual for breakfast so they were also serving lunch as well.  Made for an interesting breakfast/lunch buffet meal combined, pancakes and eggs with chicken, roast beef and roast ham!

After a good fill up we headed to EPCOT at approx 12.  We had a photo sesseion with Stitch

and then made our way to our first ride which was in the EPCOT ball, Spaceship Earth, where it shows you all about communication from early man all the way through to current day and into the future.  Had some cool effects where it took our photo and superimposed them onto a cartoon about our future!

Then it was more photos this time with Chip and Dale (while Keith and Dad went to get fast passes for Test Track).

More rides - Journey into Imagination with Figment and The Seas with Nemo and friends.  Then we went on a boat ride on "Living with the land" where you go through greenhouses showing experimental ways to grow fruit and veg and fish farming.  The we watch a film featuring the Lion King called the Circle of Life about humans polluting the earth.

We stopped at the EPCOT character spot to meet with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald while Keith and Stewart went to get more fast passes, this time for Soarin'.

After meeting all the characters we decided to ride Ellen's Energy Adventure which takes you back to the dinosaur age to learn where the energy we use today originated.  All very educational stuff! (fun as well tho).

Next stop was Mission Space for Keith and the kids. Queue lines were really quiet so they decided to try the non-spin version first (Stephen wouldn't ride the other one!) then Keith, Sarah and Chloe went on the really intense spinny one and loved it!

By now it was time for our fastpasses so we headed for Soarin' where you are "seated" in a hangglider and fly over oceans, ski resorts, golf courses, orange groves, Golden Gate bridge etc..  We followed this with Test Track, the kids love this ride as it takes you through some car test conditions, bumpy roads, skidding, temperature extremes and ends with a high speed run around the test track!

We decided not to stop for the fireworks tonight and instead headed home, stopping at the Ponderosa for dinner.  Then it was home to bed as we were all exhausted.

Airboat Ride and Outta Control Magic Show

After a slightly more leisurely start this morning we headed off to breakfast at the Ponderosa again and filled up with all you can eat Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, chicken nuggets!, muffins, cakes, jello, and more.

We then headed off to find where we were to meet Captain Harold and the airboats.  We pulled up into a little park area with a boat ramp and as we got out of the car one of the boats arrived on a trailer (Captain Jim).  We watched him launch the boat and the Mum, Dad, Stewart and Chloe got on with another couple and pulled a little way down the canal to let Captain Harold pull up who was returning with some other passengers.

After a quick safety talk we were off speeding down the canal and into the swampy areas of Lake Tohopekalia.  We skimmed over the lily pads and reeds and saw loads of wildlife including lots of Alligators (Mum's boat saw quite a big one swimming round their boat, grasshoppers, a turtle, and a really majestic bald eagle sitting in a nearby tree.  Mum's boat were watching him when he flew away.  Amazing site and feel quite lucky to have seen it. 

We stopped off at Walmart and a Target to do a bit of shopping and then went to Congo River golf.  It got quite hot while we were playing golf.  We split up and played different 18 hold courses.

We had a dinner show booked at Outta Control Magic Show at the Upsidedown house on International Drive.  We had unlimited salad and popcorn and pizza (it just kept coming!) plus unlimited beer, wine and soda.  The show was fantastic.  We really did laugh out loud, Dad was nearly falling off his chair laughing and ended up leaning on Sarah to support himself.  It was hilarious, we laughed soo much we ached.  It was more of a comedy show with a bit of magic thrown in with some audience participation.

A really enjoyable day!

Back to the Magic Kingdom

Keith had a really bad night but at least he wasn't actually sick.  We left him to sleep in this morning while we all had a lounge around the villa pool.  Mum and I sat in the Jacuzzi while the Sarah, Stephen, Chloe and Stew all played in the main pool with all the inflatables.  Luckily we had planned on breakfast at the villa anyway so we had that on the patio.

Keith decided to get up around 12 and come out with us for the rest of the day.  We stopped first at a Super Target (a huge sell anything superstore).  For lunch we had a Subway before heading off to the Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day.

We arrived at MK at about 4 and decided to split up for a few hours.  Mum, Dad, Chloe and Stewart headed off to the Tiki Rooms, Swiss Family Robinson Tree House and Liberty Bell Steam Ship, then Chloe and Stew did Space Mountain and Mum and Dad did Monsters Inc. 

Keith, Me and the kids went to Space Mountain but it had a technical fault so we got some fast passes for later, then we went on Stitch again.  Next was Monsters Inc Comedy Floor Show, very clever and very funny.

Then we walked to the other side of the park as Sarah and Stephen wanted to do Splash Mountain again.  We also got fast passes for Big Thunder Mountain.

We all met up again at 7 and redid Monsters Inc and then the 4 kids did Big Thunder Mountain.

We walked back to the centre in front of the castle and found a place to watch the Spectro Magic Parade.  There were loads of floats with characters and princesses etc it was really spectacular.  We then stayed where we were and waited for the Fireworks to start.

These really were awesome.   Really worth waiting up for.  Huge fireworks over the castle and tinkerbell flying from the turrets!  Awwww lovely !

At the end of the fireworks we headed with the rest of the crowds towards the exit and took the ferry back to the transportation centre, then we got the tram back to the car park.  Keith had gone back to the car earlier as he was exhausted and wasn't really bothered about the fireworks.  By the time we got back to the villa it was around half 11 and the kids were exhausted, so straight to bed.  Another really enjoyable day.  Looking forward to tomorrow's airboat ride.

Karen - Chloe is having a good time but is exhausted and can't keep up with such huge meals!!