Day 19

Penultimate (full) day here on hols and still loving it. Little bit of a crammed agenda ahead but we’re highly motivated to just power through - the impending weekend will be a monstrous three week holiday induced hangover, but hey that’s still a wee while away yet :P (I know I’m really just kidding myself on saying that, but still).

Just one day has passed and I’m already missing the chap on the door from my dad with a Starbucks. It’s a real struggle getting up this far in but Ann was up and made me a coffee in our room (it’s a half-decent filter at least and it gave me enough energy to open my eyes and fall in the shower). No brekkie, up, changed, swimming stuff in the car and onto our first stop: The Orlando Eye! (like the London Eye but more Orlando-y). This was part of a triple ticket which contained Madame Tussaud’s & Sea Life (which we’ve already attended), all part of a new attraction package sitting on I-drive. Had a pretty pathetic 4D movie to kick off then into our cabin. Patrick was a little reluctant but Grace and Robert were dancing about. The sights were good, nice clear day, BUUUUT the attractions in Orlando (Universal & Disney mainly), weren’t too clear so all you see are mostly hotels and other buildings. We were a little bit disappointed in all honesty (it was still good, but expected better). Out of the three attractions, Sea Life was actually the best (which I thought would be the worst). In each of the attractions, they take some forced photos at the start which they then try to sell you them all packaged up in a souvenir book at over inflated costs at the end. I can see the merit in it, from a business point of view, but they really try too hard and it didn’t really work for us at all.

Believe it. Or not.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not up next, one that Patrick has really wanted to do since last time. He’s had the books for the last few years and really thrives on the oddities and other interesting things within. Now we get to see them in real life! :) Ripley’s was there when I was younger and remember it vaguely. It’s a museum or curiosities, so Grace was less than interested, but the rest of us found it quite fascinating at some parts and really disgusted at others. We learned stuff about the tallest man that ever lived, optical illusions, shrunken heads, two headed animals, the iron maiden (the torture device not the band) and lots of other weird and wonderful things. It was good and yet another thing ticked off our list.

Getting a little hungry by that point and with Aquatica up next we decided to grab some lunch. Ann had wanted to try Taco Bell since we got here, so that was a good a place as any, plus I love Mexican food :). We got a XXL Burrito, two tacos, a stuffed taco wrap, a filled taco bowl, plain Nachos (for GG) and loaded Nachos plus drinks for less than $30 (considering Mickey D’s was $35 the previous night which was less food, we had a winner).

Aquatica wasn’t originally on the cards but we thought we’d fit it in as we missed it the other week and the kids really love the water. Gracie kept saying we’d been there before, which we hadn’t but was pretty freaky to see what she had actually described was there when we arrived :| Hashtag spookykid. We were doing quite good for time too, few hours at a water park, with the weather forecast to be fairly decent would be quite relaxing prior to dinner and fireworks tonight. Minimal stuff in the park, so no base-camp or loungers to find, just our trunks, costumes and footwear with us (footwear was a definite requirement, the ground was boiling at the parks - a lesson learned from last time). We went on the first lazy river and as I was getting in a ring with GG, my sunglasses fell off. I’d only had them for 24 hours (as PG cracked my previous ones by constantly dropping them). Not having much luck with sunnies atm and it was a bright day! Spoke to the attendant in the off chance he spotted them or someone picked them up and continued along the river. It took us through an underwater tunnel where we could see these beautiful black and white dolphins - it was awesome! They also had a huge fish tank with lots of different fish, which was still cool but a little less impressive. We then walked around the park for a bit, hit another ‘not-so-lazy’ river (i.e. it was fast), played in a huge kids play-park then hit the big pool for some waves. Big water park, though after a few hours we were ready to go home (we being me and Ann, the kids would probably have stayed there till we were ready to fly home on Friday). We checked at guest services on our way out to check if my sunglasses were there and THEY WERE! WOOT! So I didn’t have to take Patrick’s new pair which I bought him (which were really a second pair for me anyway :).

Best day ever!

Hooters for dinner. My choice of course, and with that my lifelong dining ambition has been fulfilled! :P Resisted the temptation for obvious classic one liners such as 'I’ll have the full rack please!’ or 'Oh you have chicken wings, I’m actually more of a breasts kinda guy…’ :P Went for the Mahi Brioche Sandwich, and Ann went for the unlimited chicken wings. They have 17 wing sauces and even if you dont order wings you can still order some for whatever you have. The hottest one on the menu please miss, The Triple Dog Dare. Challenge accepted! :)

> Marisa (our lovely server): And what would you like to drink?
>
> Me: One adult Pepsi, one kids root beer, two kids Pepsi’s and Ill have a Corona thanks.
>
> Marisa:Can I see some ID?
>
> Me: O_O
>
> Me:Yeah sure, here you go…

I was asked for ID two years ago when I was here (not in this restaurant) and it caused an almighty palaver that I made sure for this trip I always carried some with me. Id never been officially asked yet, though I have had some looks. I really dont know why. Anyway, here I am ordering food and drinks, finding it difficult enough to keep eye contact and you ask me for ID, way to kill a guy’s ego, Marisa! ;)

The food was actually pretty damn excellent and the hot sauce, probably the second hottest I’ve had (the first being the stuff on the ghost chili burger from The Mint, Coatbridge), was IMMENSE! Ann managed two rounds of chicken wings & curly fries, with Grace, Robert and Patrick helping her out a little before calling it a day. Managed to squeeze in some Key Lime (one of my favourites) and share it with the girls (my girls, not those girls… aaaand Ill stop right there).

Hooters. My new favourite place… :)

Last stop was Hollywood studios for the Fantasmic nighttime show. We’d actually planned to do some rides but we took a little longer getting ready earlier so by the time we got to the park, it was time to go straight to the attraction. Quick stop in at Hollywood Tower Of Terror’s gift shop for more Wonderground art - eventually didn’t purchase anything, but will definitely check it out online when I’m back.

Fantasmic!

Anyway, this is one of the most recommended night time shows and as soon as it kicks off you can see why. Not just a fireworks or light show, they project these images onto some kind of translucent screen (which looks like a waterfall) and the results are spectacular! Mixed in are loads of different characters acting out a show, on land and in water, not to mention a huge freaking dragon (think it was maybe Maleficent, in dragon form) who shot an actual fireball and lit up the arena. The best part for me was when they played Grieg - In The Hall Of The Mountain King, one of my favourite classical pieces, truly was mind-blowing stuff (and I thought just sitting in Hooters had some great views ;).

Leaving for the car, we caught the tail end of the Frozen Fireworks at Hollywood (which ran alongside Fantasmic so we missed the start). Even from a distance, we had a great view and the fireworks were pretty great. Smiley faces and love hearts burst brightly in the air to the tune of For The First Time In Forever and the Let It Go finale. Grace was loving them, and not just because it was Frozen themed either. We have fireworks booked in at Magic Kingdom for our last night tomorrow night so this was a very good taster of what was to come. Now to bed, so I can dream about being brought unlimited plates of chicken wings by busty girls wearing bright orange hotpants! :P

PS.For Ann. I hope you like today’s blog - please don’t read any of the stuff about the Hooters girls x

PPS.For Ann. Hi again :) If you did read that stuff (which I really told you not to read), then know that I only really liked them for their hot sauce. And also, please choose a suitable (not too expensive) gift because you are just the best! Thanks x

PPPS. For Ann. Also, if I’m still sleeping when you read this in the morning, please don’t throw cold water on me x