In Search of Sunshine Day 13 - Orlando

Today was our last full day at this hotel, and also the first time we got soaked in a storm.

After the long lie in - this gets later and later as the holiday goes on, we set off to see the bits of Sea World we missed the other day, with the intention of calling in at Lake Buena Vista Outlets and Ice cream at Ghiardellis beside the lake at Disney Marketplace.

We arrived at Sea World in scorching temperatures, and left soaked through to the skin. In between I went on the Manta rollercoaster, which I have to say was one of the best and worst Ive ever been on. Its a fantastic ride apart from the loop that you hit upside down and backwards. The four of us the row, three of whom were big strapping American men, squealed like children. Definitely worth a wait - but we just do single rider now, much faster and its not like you can have a conversation or anything during the ride.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BolCQDIqCFM&w=500&h=305]

The other ride I loved and hated was Sheikra at Busch Gardens, where we will be going next week. That's more a 'teetering over the edge for like half an hour' scared.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFZ_hve5K2s&w=500&h=305]

Anyway, thought you might like to join in the fun of the parks, hope you enjoyed these two clips, although you dont get the adrenaline rush while sitting on the sofa!

We watched the Sealion and Otter show, more for the mime Pirate at the beginning as people enter the stadium. Every time I wish I had taken a vid of it, so funny. Here is one someone else took.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TenXbwN_DsI&w=500&h=305]

It was as we approached the kids play zone that we were aware of in imminent storm, they had closed the massive climbing net thing and the pirate ship water park. Shame as we had hoped Alexander would have had a good run around in there to burn off some energy. The wind picked up and the thunder rumbled. We decided to call it a day and started to walk towards the exit.

It began with 10p sized drops, then more and more until it was torrential. Not put off by a bit of rain, we braved the puddles and sploshed our way round the park. One of the advantages of wearing Crocs (as I do) Is that your shoes are dry as soon as your feet are, unlike the three pairs of trainers that are still drying out in the car at the moment.

Downpour

After a quick stop back at the hotel to get changed, we set off for ice cream, but saw that the new 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' film was out and so I volunteered to take him to see it. Unfortunately it was about to start so we had to miss out on ice cream. We did however eat a full bucket of popcorn and drink a bucket sized Diet Coke. The film was ok, not as good as the previous one, but was funny in parts. Saw some good trailers for films due out in the next few months too.

Final stop tonight was 'Anthony's Stone Baked Pizza'. Looked a great place, nice atmosphere, but the pizza's were disappointing and expensive - although they did have loads of screens showing todays Olympic highlights, US coverage only of course. Won't be going back there though.

While Alexander had a final splash in the pool, I bunged some washing in and went to sit out and supervise until they were done. Everything nice and clean and ready for packing tomorrow. Can't believe it is almost two weeks since we set off to Manchester airport.

 

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