Where y'all frum?

A most common question, it seems. Yesterday and today, clerks in stores, cashiers, gas attendants, it seemed everyone wanted to know if "Y'all on vacation?" and "Where y'all from?" Angie asked me why it was so obvious that we were not local. Well, Angie, perhaps it's the heat rash bumps and sun burn blisters across my chest. Then again, maybe it's the fact that between Colin's shoulders and my nose, we are peeling enough skin to make a purse and matching wallet. Or maybe it has something to do with how we get in the car, making sure our red hot backs don't rub against the seat. Or maybe it has something to do with the fact that when something touches us accidentally, we whimper and cry because our sun burns, freshly acquired at the beach yesterday, still have that shiny and new feeling? But, I could be wrong...

Universal - so not Disney

What a difference! We spent about 6 hours at Universal Islands of Adventure today, and it may have been because we were theme-parked out, but we all noticed a difference between the Disney and non-Disney parks. From the crowds - much younger, lots of unaccompanied teenagers (Sarah said she was shoved far more today than any other day) to the staff, who looked miserable and unhappy to be there and their customer service did not redeem them any. Saving graces today were some absolutely mind blowing rides. From the Dueling Dragons coaster, the Dudley Do Rite Ripsaw Falls which was the best flume ride I had ever been on in my life and the River Raft ride that we all agreed was better, oh-so-much better than Disney's, we had some very great ride experiences.
The best thing of all - Thing 1 and Thing 2. Live and in person.

A beer, a margarita and we're Soarin' at Epcot

We organized our adventures at Epcot around the fast passes for Epcot's two headline attractions, Soarin' and Test Track. The first adventure we had was in a Clamobile, through a Nemo adventure and into a beautiful aquarium. What was, for me, so fantastic that after so many jam packed days of rides and water slides and more rides, the kids and adults alike were enamoured with the fish in beautifully lit aquariums, The manta ray tanks had us all crouching down for a closer look and though I didn't see the turtle, I hear it was quite spectacular.
Soarin' was, simply, amazing. We all walked off thrilled, having loved every second, just as Brooke had promised, as she had done the ride before. Surrounded by a breathtaking film, suspended in the air over the movie and the wind blowing across your face made for a spectacular sensory experience. As we meandered through the world showcase, taking in a beer in the UK and some pastry in France, we had to quicken our pace to get to Test Track, the other Epcot headliner. After experiencing some great motor action, we headed off for a great dinner in Mexico, and then some fantastic fireworks. Overall, a fantastic day.

Tanya? Have you ever been on this ride? Is it SCARY?

My, how we've evolved over the week. All the kids at the beginning of our adventure were a bit unaware of what Disney had in store for them. The Freight Factor was at times, a bit much for them. They tried using the old "bathroom" tactic, but quickly realized that Tanya would insist they go on. Wrapping their fingers around the railing of the ride rarely worked, finger prying is not against my better judgement. But, there were never any tears. Abigail's favorite line of the week is the title of our blog today. On every ride, this was her ultimate question. After a few days, I finally recognized that she wasn't actually scared, but that's the way she described her feeling, her flopping stomach and vivid imagination for what was yet to come. But, we are in the land where imagination is great, welcome, encouraged and certainly prompted along by all the visual stimuli that Disney so readily provides.
So, we've changed the word "scared" to "full of excitement and anticipation". I don't think Abby at any time said she was scared... though I did hear "lame" once...

Hollywood Studios - What was your favorite?

Was it the Rock 'n' Rollercoaster, which launched you at G5 forces into a series of turns and twists. Was it the Tower of Terror, with it's great Twilight Zone themed pre-show? Maybe it was the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, with that handsome stunt double and amazing stunts? For Colin, even though he said Indiana Jones was his favorite, I venture to say by the look of this photo that he had an OK time at Star Wars, too! The car stunt show was surprisingly good, especially since we saw it at the end of the day. Thankfully it was loud and exciting, the stunt drivers had amazing skills and Angie got a great picture of a stunt woman on fire. She was hot stuff for sure!
My personal best surprise was the Great Movie Ride. In a little bus going through all the old favorite movie sets was, well, great! Although an early day today, we were all ready for some away-from-the-park time! On our little $20 BBQ we grilled some steaks and then sat and chatted about our favorites. As the gang tucks in this evening, I can barely contain my excitement for Epcot tomorrow!

What makes a great vacation?

Yesterday the group split up - 7 of us went off to experience Wet & Wild - a non-Disney water park that was, in a word, excellent! Sarah, Vanessa & I took Abigail and Colin on water slide after water slide, enjoying no line ups and fast water. After a long float in the lazy river, Abigail and Colin tested their strength on an inflated rubber balloon (picture a gigantic beach ball cut in half) where they had to climb up the slippery wet side using only a rope and their will to reach the top, only to the slide down the side and be dumped into a pool of water at the base. Ralph, Sarah and I went on the Brain Drain (enough said) and ice cream was a must by the end of our little adventure. Erin, Brooke, Ayla and Angie went off to ride the Everest coaster at Animal Kingdom so many times they are convinced that they have become one with Yeti. And still after that exhausting half-day (a full day by normal people's standards!) we whisked the girls off to the Bippity Boppity Boutique, where they had hair, nails and make-up done to complete the transformation into complete Princess-dom! Then off we went to Bergamo's, an Italian restaurant where the food was terrible, the service not-so-hot, but all the waiters sang. Yup. Opera and Broadway! Of course, dinner conversation was made up of which songs we could request that they might know! By the time we rolled the bus back home again, it was near 11 p.m., the kids were completely exhausted, Colin asleep in the car, and the adults were so tired we didn't even say goodnight to each other. All this to say - I'm not sure what makes a good vacation for others, but for me it's seeing the girls feel like real princesses, hearing my friends laugh, seeing my husband get in touch with his inner child and, of course, having ice cream every day.

Discovering Flordia - The Outlet Mall

Much to the enjoyment of all, we had a morning off today. I think we all needed it, with Colin crawling out of bed finally at 10, and none of us really getting it together before noon! Some of us headed out to the outlet mall, while Angie and the kids stayed home and played in the pool. All Day. Colin is slowly discovering the joys of swimming and playing at the water. Hopefully when we head to Cocoa Beach in a few days, we'll show him how to float in the salt water. As I type this, I can hear Colin and Vanessa whispering softly about their day, about their experiences past and those to come. I remember what an impression traveling left on me when I was young. I can only hope the attention of these adults and the experiences we encourage them to have leave the same sort of positive marks on their beings.
Water Park tomorrow! And the Bippity Boppity Boutique! And Bergamo's for dinner!
Stay tuned...