Seaworld (Day 8)

The Short Of It.

We had dinner booked in Seaworld for today so headed out for some breakfast to IHOP before heading off. Had a debate about me ditching Seaworld and attending the Walking Dead conference instead but as we had reservations and it was already after midday after we finished breakfast, opted against it and went with Seaworld instead. As we got there, it started bucketing down, which was a little earlier in the day than usual. After ten minutes it stopped and never really rained again for the whole day. Result. Actually it was absolutely roasting - one of the hottest days yet - so maybe a little rain would’ve been welcome. Headed to the Dolphin and Bird show which was cool, but time was pressing on and by the time we got some drinks - and failing at the penguin ride - it was time to go to dinner already. Buffet style dinner and the food was top quality. We then got ringside (well poolside) seats to see the killer whales do some tricks and learn all about how they are trained - Ann was mesmerized. Little cloudy after dinner, so we ended up leaving for The Florida Mall to do some shopping for the last few hours of the day. We did really well, well sorry, the kids did really well (again), dont think we seen inside anything other than toy shops! We went home and opened up all the toys. Awesome :) Magic Kingdom: The Return tomorrow and mum and dads first time around, should be good…

Decisions, decisions…

Reservations for dinner booked with “Shamu” later for in the day (Shamu being a big killer whale in Seaworld). It was something Ann has always wanted to do and we weren’t planning to leave for the park until later so headed on down to IHOP for brekkie (though it was more in time for lunch). We started seeing road signs for the Walker Stalker convention which was on this weekend in Orlando and had loads of people from The Walking Dead and other Scifi & Horror TV shows, including Norman Reedus and Steven Yeun. Started talking about changing plans for me to go, while we waited an age on getting a table. Tickets were only around 30 quid for the day with free child entry and the most awesome Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet from Lost) was going to be there to do a panel. To be honest, there were VIP packages for different stars and I would gladly have paid the £200 to get a VIP pass and photo op with her - she is just the best and I was really gutted when she SPOILER ALERT died in Lost (though Ann if you’re reading this of course YOU’RE THE BEST ok? ;) x) Anyway, couldn’t get in contact with Seaworld to change our dining plan and so was happy to stick with the original plan. If I’d have known about it sooner or we didn’t have a set plan, things may have been different. So finally got a table and ordered a Turkey Avocado Benedict - it was pretty sweet (sweet as in cool, not sugar-y), but service was pretty poor as it was so busy (whats wrong with getting good service for breakfast here, that’s been twice now…). Then received the check (I mean bill, jeez its only been a week and I’m asking where the ‘restrooms’ are - shoot me now). I got a little blindsided by the server and she added a fairly substantial service charge automatically, which was paid but in hindsight it would have been a lot less due to the service we received. so little bit raging at myself for not catching that one. I don’t have a problem with tipping, but when its added like that and they’re a little reluctant to let you know, its just wrong.

Whales & Dolphins, Whales & Dolphins YEAH!

We were originally going to grab the bus due to the proximity of the the hotel to the park, but ended up using the car and with what transpired it ended up being the best choice. Had to get ga..PETROL for the car and was absolutely stunned at how inexpensive it is. We worked it out at around 45p a litre, compared to around £1.15+ back home - CRAAAZY MAN!

As we approached Seaworld, which was like 10 minutes away from our hotel, it began to thunder and rain pretty hard, so we contemplated whether to stay or just have a day shopping. The clouds didn’t look that bad so we stayed, and the rain never came to bother us again :)

After checking in regarding our reservations we headed to the Dolphin show, which had a multitude of dolphins doing tricks as well as an array exotic birds and high wire stunts and acrobatics (by people, not birds, though the people were dressed up as birds). Great show, especially the dolphins, well except for the guy who asked me to move along one from where I was sitting and ended up winning a silver and gold watch. Hey man, that was my seat! NOT COOL! And where is wee Robert when you need him?

It was getting so hot when we exited that everyone seemed to be feeling it. Grabbed some refillable drinks and due to time went to get in another ride in before dinner (time absolutely flew in today). It was Empire Of The Penguin, where we follow Puck, a wee fuzzy baby penguin tryint to make his way in the world. We got through the queue and just as we were about to board or board it shut down. Oh no, poor puck (Grace said he would be ok as she saw baby penguin tracks leading away from the ride :) Dinner was imminent so we could wait and had to exit the ride, MAN, I was looking forward to that! Did get to see some real penguins on our way out, which kinda made up for it, a little.

So dinner, long check in line then got our photo taken which was a nice touch. We were seated in a private enclosure where we would have our meal then watch a show, learning about the Killer Whales and getting up close and personal (well near enough, there was an inch thick plate glass between us and the Orcas. Food was amazing, loads of salad, pork, steak, veggies and even quinoa (though everyone else though it was cous cous at first - had to be THAT guy and tell them in wasn’t :P). Kids also had a choice of mac & cheese and chicken nuggets which pleased Robert as he came back with 13 of the things piled on his plate (even though he has been well warned about food waste. amd he polished them off just to prove me wrong anyway :). Oh aye and there was unlimited beer and wine too - woot (s'ok coz Ann was driving ;) :). They had a dessert section too, which I vowed not to go near, but ended up finishing off Graces chocolate fudge cake which she struggled with and ultimately I struggled with. Trainers came out then with the Killers (the whales, not the band) and proceeded doing tricks (the killer whales, not the trainers) and telling us all about how they look after them. It was brilliant and Ann really loved it :)

We then made the choice to head to the Mall again as the heat earlier in the day had had us drained and we were all pretty stuffed from dinner. So yup, we left with only doing one attraction in Seaworld and missing Manta - my personal fave. We’ve got unlimited tickets and as its really close to 'home’ we know we could nip back anytime, so werent too bothered about leaving.

The Florida Mall or Toys R Us & Game Stop

Headed out to The Florida Mall, a mostly indoors shopping complex which seemed to have more variety but with some slightly higher price tags than the Outlets we went to earlier in the week. First stop, Toys R Us and Robert found some Skylanders he didn’t have, Hallelujah - hes been on the look out since he got here and was so excited. Gracie picked up some Shopkins, an Anna and Elsa closet and a My Little Pony. The boys then told her they would buy her an extra present each which was so brilliant of them - as much as they fight and argue, its things like these that make you feel proud. We picked up some Lego and Pokemon cards for PG before leaving for the next shop. Gamestop. More new exclusive Skylanders, which were 2 for 1. Robert really couldn’t contain himself. The boy in the shop then pointed out some more offers and that was him done! They also threw in a few freebies like posters and told up which type of game would and wouldn’t work in the UK back home - great shop though Robert might have us bankrupt if we go back at a later time. Priced up the Canon 5D, just for kicks, y'know :) before meeting back up with my mum and dad who left earlier to do their own thing. Headed home and spent the next hour opening up all the toys. Long day!