It was a big parks day. I rolled out of bed at 7, had some oatmeal, and threw on some clothes. We left the house at 7:45 to go to Animal Kingdom for the early opening. We got right on the Kilimanjaro Safari ride. It was still cool, so there didn’t seem to be as many animals roaming as usual. However we still saw bongos, rhinos, ostriches, wildebeests, wart hog, a beautiful male lion, an elephant, some cattle and antelope, and a few others.
Then we went on the Pangani Trail. We saw the usual wonderful animals. Two okapi were up close to the fence browsing on food. I love those animals. We saw a gerenuk (a very long-necked antelope) on its hind legs grazing on a tree. In the aviary a hammerkop was gathering sticks to build one of its huge nests. The gorillas were quite active this morning. Several were playing with large plastic canteens that the keepers must have put some treats in. We could see them shaking the canteens and sticking their fingers in the canteens to get the goodies out. And there were two large silver-backed gorillas prowling about. We love this trail.
We then left the park as hoards of people were coming in. We stopped by the RV to change clothes and then headed over to Epcot to meet Don and Marta. We spent the day there. Bill and Don got fast passes for Test Track and then went on Mission Space. We met them back at the Land and took the Land ride. We had lunch at Sunshine Seasons where I had a great chicken/chili/noodle soup. Then the guys went back to ride Test Track. Marta and I wandered through Innoventions West which is a variety of interactive areas sponsored by major companies. We found a great show called What is the Problem sponsored by Velcro. It was really cute and interesting. At the end we got a Velcro frog that we got to dress with Velcro clothing items and mouse ears.
We went on Spaceship Earth, and then Don and rode Soarin’. Then we wandered around the World Showcase. Bill got a Grand Marnier slushy which was wonderful. We went on around the World stopping to see the great acrobat show at China. Marta and Don were pooped by then and went on back to their hotel. Bill and I went to Morocco for dinner. It has been years since we went there, and it was quite enjoyable. We had an appetizer of mixture of cheese and kalamata olives served with tobouleh, red pepper sauce, and balsamic vinegar reduction with lavosh. I had Harira Soup - Traditional hearty soup flavored with tomatoes, lentils and lamb. For my entrée I had Couscous Royale - couscous with beef, chicken, and merguez (lamb sausage). We also had hot mint tea which was great. A belly dancer performed with a Moroccan band.
By then, we were tired, so we came on back to the RV to crash.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
SeaWorld
It was a beautiful day today. We went to Don and Marta’s hotel at 10:30 and went to SeaWorld. We hadn’t been there before, and it was a delightful day. First we went to the Shamu show with orca whales. They were trying something new with 7 whales, but they really screwed up. Two of the females were in heat, and the one male in the show was more interested in them than the show. We had several start-overs, and ended up with a 5 minute one whale show. Apparently the other two shows today were equally bad.
From there we went to the Clydesdale barn and looked at the horses. Then we had a lunch break at the Spice Mill Café which was pleasant. Next was the sea lion show which I thought was really cute. After that we wandered through the penguin encounter. In the puffin/murre enclosure, we saw a murre go nuts. He was literally flying across the water, diving, flying up out of the water, and then skimming back across the water. He looked like a duck on crack. Don and Marta went to the Pets Ahoy show while Bill and I went on the Journey to Atlantis log ride/roller coaster ride. That was fun, and we didn’t get too wet.
We met back up with Don and Marta and went to the dolphin show. That certainly wasn’t what I expected. It was more like a production of Cirque du Soleil O with dolphins. We then wandered through the manatee rescue exhibit and saw lots of manatee. They were all chowing down on lettuce. The stingray lagoon was cool. We could pet the stingray as they floated by. Bill bought some little fish that we all used to feed the ray. I put the fish between my fingers and my palm flat on the bottom of the pool. The ray would float over and suck the fish up. That felt really weird!!! Finally we stopped at the turtle/pelican point which was just okay. And last we had some ice cream before we headed out.
We drove to Cracker Barrel which is near Don and Marta’s hotel for dinner. I had breakfast which was good. Now we are at home, tired, and ready to rest!
From there we went to the Clydesdale barn and looked at the horses. Then we had a lunch break at the Spice Mill Café which was pleasant. Next was the sea lion show which I thought was really cute. After that we wandered through the penguin encounter. In the puffin/murre enclosure, we saw a murre go nuts. He was literally flying across the water, diving, flying up out of the water, and then skimming back across the water. He looked like a duck on crack. Don and Marta went to the Pets Ahoy show while Bill and I went on the Journey to Atlantis log ride/roller coaster ride. That was fun, and we didn’t get too wet.
We met back up with Don and Marta and went to the dolphin show. That certainly wasn’t what I expected. It was more like a production of Cirque du Soleil O with dolphins. We then wandered through the manatee rescue exhibit and saw lots of manatee. They were all chowing down on lettuce. The stingray lagoon was cool. We could pet the stingray as they floated by. Bill bought some little fish that we all used to feed the ray. I put the fish between my fingers and my palm flat on the bottom of the pool. The ray would float over and suck the fish up. That felt really weird!!! Finally we stopped at the turtle/pelican point which was just okay. And last we had some ice cream before we headed out.
We drove to Cracker Barrel which is near Don and Marta’s hotel for dinner. I had breakfast which was good. Now we are at home, tired, and ready to rest!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Epcot
It was a little warmer last night, but still cool. It tuned out to be a lovely day. We sat outside watching all of our birds: cardinals, tufted titmice, doves, blue jays, warblers, hawks, grackles, downy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers. We put out a little bit of bird seed in the morning which keeps they coming back, but not in horrendous droves.
We left the RV at noon to head over to Epcot for a 2pm lunch at the German Biergarten. There were lots of people in Epcot but it wasn’t overly crowded. We wandered through some shops in Italy until it was time to check in at Germany. We sat at a table for 8 with two other groups of people. They were quite pleasant, so we had a lovely lunch. They serve a buffet with Americanized German food, but it was a fairly decent. The show is also good with a Bavarian band that also plays the cowbells, a wood xylophone, and my favorite, the Alpenhorns. We were there for an hour and a half, which was fun.
Then we went to France. I wanted to see if anyone there knew what song they played in the “Impressions of France” movie in a couple of parts The harpist at Victoria and Albert’s played a similar tune, and when I asked him, he told me he thought I was referring to Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals”. So without expecting too much, I went to the entrance to the movie, asked, and lo and behold, the cast member actually had a print-out of all the songs in the movie. And it was Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals. I couldn’t believe this search ended so easily. I will have to download the song for my IPod.
We left the RV at noon to head over to Epcot for a 2pm lunch at the German Biergarten. There were lots of people in Epcot but it wasn’t overly crowded. We wandered through some shops in Italy until it was time to check in at Germany. We sat at a table for 8 with two other groups of people. They were quite pleasant, so we had a lovely lunch. They serve a buffet with Americanized German food, but it was a fairly decent. The show is also good with a Bavarian band that also plays the cowbells, a wood xylophone, and my favorite, the Alpenhorns. We were there for an hour and a half, which was fun.
Then we went to France. I wanted to see if anyone there knew what song they played in the “Impressions of France” movie in a couple of parts The harpist at Victoria and Albert’s played a similar tune, and when I asked him, he told me he thought I was referring to Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals”. So without expecting too much, I went to the entrance to the movie, asked, and lo and behold, the cast member actually had a print-out of all the songs in the movie. And it was Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals. I couldn’t believe this search ended so easily. I will have to download the song for my IPod.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Hollywood Studios and Ft Wilderness
It was a really cold night and morning. It didn’t get out of the 40s today, but at least it was sunny. We did some laundry this morning and stayed toasty and warm in the RV. At 2 we bundled up and drove to Hollywood Studios. We got some coffee and watched the new parade called Block Party. It was rather cute. Then it was time to head on over for our preview to the new attraction at Hollywood Studios called “The American Idol Experience”. We were able to get tickets online because we are annual pass holders. The official opening of this show is February 14.
I am not an American Idol fan, but this was a really good show/attraction. They have a pre-show where the warm-up guy and a cameraman pump up the audience. Then everyone files into a theater that is really tricked out like the setting for the TV show with lots of neon lights and bling. I was really impressed. They have Ryan Seacrest (the TV host) on film welcoming everyone. They also have other people I don’t know making guest appearances that are tied in to the show. There are 3 judges patterned after the judges on the TV show. And they had 3 contestants that auditioned today for a producer. They all had pretty good voices, and it really was a good show. Voting took place by punching numbers on the arm rest of our seats. I think this will be a really popular attraction once it opens to everyone.
We got a spicy cheese-filled pretzel and sat in the sun. On the way out, we stopped into a shop at the entrance that I had never been in before. It has autographed photos of actors, race car drivers, and other celebrities for sale along with original costumes from movies and TV shows. The most expensive was a $65,000 striped jacket that Dick Van Dyke wore in Mary Poppins. Rather interesting.
We had a nice quiet evening in the RV. We have one more night of freezing weather before it starts to warm up. I feel rather sorry for the few folks that are sleeping in tents here!
I am not an American Idol fan, but this was a really good show/attraction. They have a pre-show where the warm-up guy and a cameraman pump up the audience. Then everyone files into a theater that is really tricked out like the setting for the TV show with lots of neon lights and bling. I was really impressed. They have Ryan Seacrest (the TV host) on film welcoming everyone. They also have other people I don’t know making guest appearances that are tied in to the show. There are 3 judges patterned after the judges on the TV show. And they had 3 contestants that auditioned today for a producer. They all had pretty good voices, and it really was a good show. Voting took place by punching numbers on the arm rest of our seats. I think this will be a really popular attraction once it opens to everyone.
We got a spicy cheese-filled pretzel and sat in the sun. On the way out, we stopped into a shop at the entrance that I had never been in before. It has autographed photos of actors, race car drivers, and other celebrities for sale along with original costumes from movies and TV shows. The most expensive was a $65,000 striped jacket that Dick Van Dyke wore in Mary Poppins. Rather interesting.
We had a nice quiet evening in the RV. We have one more night of freezing weather before it starts to warm up. I feel rather sorry for the few folks that are sleeping in tents here!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Villages
We drove an hour and a half to The Villages to see my high school friends Don and Marta and Nancy and Bob. Marta and Don are staying at Nancy and Bob's home there. We had a nice visit and some good food. Now we are warm and toasty in the RV waiting for the big freeze that is to come tonight. Central Florida is bracing for one of the coldest February nights ever! Hopefully it will warm up by the weekend!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Universal and Victoria and Albert's
Today was the day of good eats! We left the RV at 8:30 to return to Universal Studios to do the Islands of Adventure park. The grounds were well done, but the rides left a bit to be desired. Bill went on the Hulk Roller Coaster by himself. Then we went on the Spider-Man ride which was a combination car ride and various screens and effects. Not a bad ride. Bill went on the Ripsaw Falls log ride and got soaked. It was too cold to get wet for me, so I passed. We wandered through the Jurassic Park section which was pretty but lacking in rides. We went through Poseidon’s Fury which was a walk through with various scenes. Loud but not too exciting.
Lunch was a real treat. We stopped in at a full-service restaurant called Mythos. The décor was tan rock, pillars, and a wall sculpture of Poseidon. I had a wonderful spinach, asparagus risotto with a tiny crab cake and tiny piece of steak. It was really good. Bill had a bowl of onion soup with 3 pork sliders on ciabatta bread. The dessert was really interesting. They had an array of ‘shots’, various desserts in tall, thin shot glasses for only $1.75 each. I got a caramel cream brulee and a chocolate sabayon. Bill got a carrot cake. They were not only cute, but delicious and just the right amount.
Finally we went through the Seuss area. That was the cutest thing I saw at Universal. The whole area was Dr. Seuss themed. We went on the elevated Seuss Trolley Train ride. That was fun as was The Cat in the Hat ride. Finally we went to an area called If I Ran the Zoo. It had lots of cute fiberglass Seuss characters and things to do.
We got home about 2:30 and I took a nap. I have had the sniffles, and I wanted to be in good shape for our dinner at Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Hotel. We got dressed up and arrived for our 8pm reservation. The service was quite pleasant if a bit overdone. Our two servers were Ann and John. Ann tried to get a hook to hold my purse, but my purse was too big, so I got a cassock next to the table to put my purse on. We were given fancy menus with our names printed on them. It is a fixed prix dinner with choices. The Amuse Bouche was a tray of 4 items including a lobster bisque, lobster in a vanilla butter sauce, a tiny scallop, and some teeny tiny rollup. For my first course I had tuna with Tat Soi salad and a cappuccino foam. Bill had smoked buffalo with an apple radish salad. The portions were very small but very good.
The second course I had grouper with artichokes, fennel, leeks, and iberico. Bill had scallops. The third course I went to the vegetarian menu and had mushroom tortellini with black truffles and assorted other mushrooms. Bill had duck 3 ways. For my entrée I had angus beef with kabocha squash and Italian chestnut sauce. Bill had veal tenderloin with hedgehog mushrooms and English peas. Next came a cheese course with stilton, piave vecchio and coach farm’s goat cheese. For dessert I had chocolate 3 ways: Peruvian chocolate ice cream and chocolate puff pastry, Kona chocolate soufflé, and Tanzanian chocolate mousse in the shape of a pyramid with a gold leaf star on top.
Coffee was brewed at the table in two glass bowls acting like a percolator. A harpist played throughout dinner. We knew we were escorted to restrooms, so we went before we arrived. Valet parking was free. It was a delightful meal, but the portions were all small enough that we truly didn’t feel stuffed when we finished! This was Bill’s Christmas present from me, and I think he was happy.
Lunch was a real treat. We stopped in at a full-service restaurant called Mythos. The décor was tan rock, pillars, and a wall sculpture of Poseidon. I had a wonderful spinach, asparagus risotto with a tiny crab cake and tiny piece of steak. It was really good. Bill had a bowl of onion soup with 3 pork sliders on ciabatta bread. The dessert was really interesting. They had an array of ‘shots’, various desserts in tall, thin shot glasses for only $1.75 each. I got a caramel cream brulee and a chocolate sabayon. Bill got a carrot cake. They were not only cute, but delicious and just the right amount.
Finally we went through the Seuss area. That was the cutest thing I saw at Universal. The whole area was Dr. Seuss themed. We went on the elevated Seuss Trolley Train ride. That was fun as was The Cat in the Hat ride. Finally we went to an area called If I Ran the Zoo. It had lots of cute fiberglass Seuss characters and things to do.
We got home about 2:30 and I took a nap. I have had the sniffles, and I wanted to be in good shape for our dinner at Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Hotel. We got dressed up and arrived for our 8pm reservation. The service was quite pleasant if a bit overdone. Our two servers were Ann and John. Ann tried to get a hook to hold my purse, but my purse was too big, so I got a cassock next to the table to put my purse on. We were given fancy menus with our names printed on them. It is a fixed prix dinner with choices. The Amuse Bouche was a tray of 4 items including a lobster bisque, lobster in a vanilla butter sauce, a tiny scallop, and some teeny tiny rollup. For my first course I had tuna with Tat Soi salad and a cappuccino foam. Bill had smoked buffalo with an apple radish salad. The portions were very small but very good.
The second course I had grouper with artichokes, fennel, leeks, and iberico. Bill had scallops. The third course I went to the vegetarian menu and had mushroom tortellini with black truffles and assorted other mushrooms. Bill had duck 3 ways. For my entrée I had angus beef with kabocha squash and Italian chestnut sauce. Bill had veal tenderloin with hedgehog mushrooms and English peas. Next came a cheese course with stilton, piave vecchio and coach farm’s goat cheese. For dessert I had chocolate 3 ways: Peruvian chocolate ice cream and chocolate puff pastry, Kona chocolate soufflé, and Tanzanian chocolate mousse in the shape of a pyramid with a gold leaf star on top.
Coffee was brewed at the table in two glass bowls acting like a percolator. A harpist played throughout dinner. We knew we were escorted to restrooms, so we went before we arrived. Valet parking was free. It was a delightful meal, but the portions were all small enough that we truly didn’t feel stuffed when we finished! This was Bill’s Christmas present from me, and I think he was happy.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Universal Studios
It was a cool but lovely day today. We were up early and out of the RV at 8 headed for Universal Studios for our first visit there. Universal has two parks right next to each other: the Studios and Islands of Adventure. The Studios are more like Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Islands is more of an amusement park. We went to the Studios today. We are so used to the huge parking lots that Disney has. Universal has several huge parking structures. We have read that when the park is crowded, getting out at closing time can be a real pain.
We bought an Express Pass, but with the crowds so small today, we really didn’t need it. It is not a bad park, but it certainly isn’t Disney. First we went to the Simpsons ride which was probably the best ride in the park. It is similar to Soarin’ at Disney in that one is in a car in front of an IMAX, but this takes you through a cartoon adventure. It really was fun. After we came out, Marge and Homer Simpson were in character costumes outside, so Bill took my photo with them.
We went through most of the rides at the park except for one heavy duty roller coaster. We had lunch at a food court, and I had some decent orange chicken, fried rice, and some excellent stir-fried veggies. We also liked the Horror Makeup Show. In the lobby was a display of The Creature of the Black Lagoon that actually mentioned my friend Ben Chapman who played the creature. The show itself had a makeup artist and his sidekick doing a comical presentation of different kinds of makeup. We were especially intrigued with a knife that appeared to cut an audience member’s arm, but it actually had a hole in the knife blade. There was a small Lucille Ball museum that was rather interesting. We left about 4:30.
I posted some more photos which can be see by clicking on the Disney 2009 link to the left.
We bought an Express Pass, but with the crowds so small today, we really didn’t need it. It is not a bad park, but it certainly isn’t Disney. First we went to the Simpsons ride which was probably the best ride in the park. It is similar to Soarin’ at Disney in that one is in a car in front of an IMAX, but this takes you through a cartoon adventure. It really was fun. After we came out, Marge and Homer Simpson were in character costumes outside, so Bill took my photo with them.
We went through most of the rides at the park except for one heavy duty roller coaster. We had lunch at a food court, and I had some decent orange chicken, fried rice, and some excellent stir-fried veggies. We also liked the Horror Makeup Show. In the lobby was a display of The Creature of the Black Lagoon that actually mentioned my friend Ben Chapman who played the creature. The show itself had a makeup artist and his sidekick doing a comical presentation of different kinds of makeup. We were especially intrigued with a knife that appeared to cut an audience member’s arm, but it actually had a hole in the knife blade. There was a small Lucille Ball museum that was rather interesting. We left about 4:30.
I posted some more photos which can be see by clicking on the Disney 2009 link to the left.
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