2 Kids,2 Dogs,1200 Miles: 2 More Weeks in FL 2 - Finished with a Blast! P40

[afwdwfan]

Hey Andy, how'd the Colts do this year?

They got the number one draft pick... which is more than I can say for the Packers.

Your nemesis is the only one who truly has football bragging rights right now, so be careful what you want to start.

 

[middlepat]

Great update Barry!

I must admit this has given a new light to the mysteries of Gatorland. We may need to stop by there next time through.

Since I've been neglecting my Dis time lately I'm not going to go back an quote all the comments etc, but just know that as far as dumb stuff goes, your examples seem a bit tame. (of course, I can't comment on the list edited out but know you're not alone in some of those expoits.)

 

[FreezinRafiki]

They got the number one draft pick... which is more than I can say for the Packers.

15 times this year I got to celebrate a win. By the time the Colts starting winning, you were so depressed that they might have blown their chance at Luck that you couldn't even be happy!

Your nemesis is the only one who truly has football bragging rights right now, so be careful what you want to start.

I think he's still too hungover to start anything.

Great update Barry!

I must admit this has given a new light to the mysteries of Gatorland. We may need to stop by there next time through.

Thanks Brian!

Since I've been neglecting my Dis time lately I'm not going to go back an quote all the comments etc, but just know that as far as dumb stuff goes, your examples seem a bit tame. (of course, I can't comment on the list edited out but know you're not alone in some of those expoits.)

My legal team as advised me against commenting on several other items that may or may not have made the list.

 

[petals]

I loled at Bambi's sprinter stance. I would not have done that and I think my MOmma would have a heart attack if i even suggested it Fair play to yee for being brave enough

 

[that's nice]

Your nemesis is the only one who truly has football bragging rights right now, so be careful what you want to start.

I think he's still too hungover to start anything.

I've been quiet. Not boasting or anything.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I loled at Bambi's sprinter stance. I would not have done that and I think my MOmma would have a heart attack if i even suggested it Fair play to yee for being brave enough

Like I told other people - it was a thrill, but I never really felt in danger. Of course, I never let the kids get too far out of arms reach, just in case.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I've been quiet. Not boasting or anything.

That picture is OK, I guess. Mine might be a year old, but it has a belt. Which makes it soooo much cooler.

 

[afwdwfan]

That picture is OK, I guess. Mine might be a year old, but it has a belt. Which makes it soooo much cooler.

What's so cool about the discount double check?

 

[FreezinRafiki]

Wheeeeeeeeoooooo.

That as fun, wasn't it? Being 5 feet away from big ole gators, tossing them chunks of raw meat. Turning your back on them for a picture. It might be time to slow it down just a bit.

And luckily, just across the path from the gator feeding area is their Gatorland Express train, which was just pulling into the station. We wandered on up through the queue area and found just a few seats left, right in the front behind the engine.

The ride was nice - probably around 10-15 minutes to make a loop around the breeding marsh and along/behind the Rasslin Ring and boardwalk area. The driver had a microphone attached to the PA system in the cars. I could tell he was talking and giving all sorts of information about the park and the animals, but being right behind the engine, we couldn't hear a thing over the noise of it. Ocassinaly people behind us would sort of laugh/chuckle/groan, so I knew he was tellin' puns. And I missed them.

After the train ride, we decided to head over to the observation tower in the marsh to get a birds eye view of the area.

OK, well, maybe not THAT bird's eye view. I can pop up on my tippy toes and get that bird's view. Sigh. I guess W.C. Fields was right. Never work with children or animals.

As you can see, while I was dilly dallying taking pictures of the local flora and fawna, Bambi and Evan had ascended to the 2nd level of the tower already. Overachievers.

The top offered a wonderful view of area. And for as many gators as were still crowded over by the Line of Death waiting for other tasty looking tourists to throw them meat, others were still swimming around, waiting for one of those tasty looking birds to come for a little swim.

Then off to the south, we spotted this guy:

He was just sort of sitting there in the middle of the pond , almost like he was wait for some food to just drop out of the sky, right into his open mouth. Which might seem odd, until you look up and realize, "oh, he actually is sitting there in the middle of the pond, waiting for some food to just drop out of the sky, right into his open mouth."

Yes, for $70 you can ride Gatorland's new Screamin' Gator Zip Line. 5 lines totaling 1200 feet, and one 125 foot long suspension bridge, span the park. You zip over gators & crocs at up to 30 MPH, with nothing keeping you from them but a nylon harness and a steel cable. No, I didn't do it. Yes, I wanted to. The $70 seemed a bit steep to me at the time, but as I was fact checking their website for this TR, I see that also covered your park admission for the day. All of a sudden, that doesn't look too bad. What do you think, Bambi. Should we do this in August?

After checking out the observation tower for a little bit, we started heading down.

And all of a sudden, it hit my kids again...

That incessant need...

That burning desire...

That uncontrollable urge...

...to dance.

The gators were cute and all, but just not in that fuzzy, cuddly sort of way. Luckily, Gatorland also has a small petting zoo.

For a buck or two, you got a container full of goat pellets (no, the kind that goes in the front end, not the kind that comes out the back) to feed the animals. The coolest part about it was your container was actually an ice cream cone. After you finished feeding the pellets, you broke up the cone and feed that too! No waste! Environmentally friendly! Let's all hug trees!
Oh, sorry. I got a bit carried away there. But it really is a cool idea.

Along on down the boardwalk from the petting zoo, Gatorland had a little photo op set up. Madison and Evan begged to do it. Literally begged. "Pleeeeeeeease Daddy? Pleeeeeeeeeese Mommy?"

As soon as we gave in (yeah, we're suckers like that) Madison stopped and went dead silent. Then uttered the phrase that still gives her mother shivers to this day.

"But I get to hold the snake."

Have you ever seen a happier little girl than one with a snake wrapped around her neck? I didn't think so.

This one was just funny:

By now we had seen just about all of the park (They actually bill themselves as "Orlando's Best Half Day Attraction!"). There were a few other places that we didn't get to - the aviary, the flamingo pond, the snake & reptile show - but it was getting to be mid afternoon and it was getting hot. Florida in July - who would have thunk it? Well, unbeknownest to us, Gatorland has what they call the "Gator Gully Splash Park". We didn't bring any swimsuits along for the kids, but we did have a change of clothes in the van. So, to demonstrate to our kids just how cool we are as parents, we turned them loose and allowed them to play.

Madison, apparently, approved.

Now, do me a favor and look closely at these two photos. What Evan is demonstrating is a technique known as the "Nasty Little Brother" Turning the water gun on your sister...classic move!

After announcing "One more run through the tires" five or six times, we finally exited through the gift shop (shocker!) and out to the van. We changed the kids into dry clothes and headed back to Grandma & Grandpa's house.

UP NEXT: This day isn't over yet! The fun is just starting!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

What's so cool about the discount double check?

Have you seen the new ones with Clay Matthews and BJ Raji? Classic.

 

[afwdwfan]

Ocassinaly people behind us would sort of laugh/chuckle/groan, so I knew he was tellin' puns. And I missed them.

I'm surprised you didn't ride a second time, just so you could hear them.

As you can see, while I was dilly dallying taking pictures of the local flora and fawna, Bambi and Evan had ascended to the 2nd level of the tower already. Overachievers.

I don't know... were they overachievers, or did someone else underachieve?

Yes, for $70 you can ride Gatorland's new Screamin' Gator Zip Line. 5 lines totaling 1200 feet, and one 125 foot long suspension bridge, span the park. You zip over gators & crocs at up to 30 MPH, with nothing keeping you from them but a nylon harness and a steel cable. No, I didn't do it. Yes, I wanted to. The $70 seemed a bit steep to me at the time, but as I was fact checking their website for this TR, I see that also covered your park admission for the day. All of a sudden, that doesn't look too bad. What do you think, Bambi. Should we do this in August?

I did the Zip line they had set up for the Super Bowl last week... it was ok, but not all that exciting, IMO. Definitely wouldn't do a zip line for $70 unless it is across something incredibly scenic. If it gets you into the park though, I guess that makes it a little more reasonable though.

The look on his face cracks me up. This may be the best picture of the entire Trip Report.

I'd make sure to file this one near the Jasmine picture for future blackmail use.

(no, the kind that goes in the front end, not the kind that comes out the back)

I believe that this clarification proves that you truly do know your audience.

Have you ever seen a happier little girl than one with a snake wrapped around her neck? I didn't think so.

She does seem quite pleased with the arrangement.

If somebody put a snake on me like that, it would be a flying snake.

(They actually bill themselves as "Orlando's Best Half Day Attraction!")

No, that's Animal Kingdom.

Now, do me a favor and look closely at these two photos. What Evan is demonstrating is a technique known as the "Nasty Little Brother" Turning the water gun on your sister...classic move!

Have you ever been more proud of your son than that moment?

UP NEXT: This day isn't over yet! The fun is just starting!

Cool! I'm looking forward to seeing what's next!

 

[glennbo123]

Another great chapter Barry!

I'd love to be in the meetings where the folks at Gatorland come up with new ideas for stunts to offer the tourists. How about bungee jumping over a pond of gators?

That's actually a great idea to provide the goat pellets in an ice cream cone. I'll bet it was either Bubba or Cletus who came up with that. The sky's the limit for those two.

 

[preschoolmom]

What a great day! Thanks for sharing it with us!!! I can't wait to see what happens next!

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

This one was just funny:

That's hilarious, I love all of the sarcasm in this park!

I would definitely not want to be potential gator food in that zip line! That guy just looked too poised and ready!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

What's that big metal thing they're holding? I don't recall seeing that before.

I could tell he was talking and giving all sorts of information about the park and the animals, but being right behind the engine, we couldn't hear a thing over the noise of it. Ocassinaly people behind us would sort of laugh/chuckle/groan, so I knew he was tellin' puns. And I missed them.

Sounds like you had a prime seat to me.

As you can see, while I was dilly dallying taking pictures of the local flora and fawna, Bambi and Evan had ascended to the 2nd level of the tower already. Overachievers.

But why is she dangling him over the edge?

He was just sort of sitting there in the middle of the pond , almost like he was wait for some food to just drop out of the sky, right into his open mouth. Which might seem odd, until you look up and realize, "oh, he actually is sitting there in the middle of the pond, waiting for some food to just drop out of the sky, right into his open mouth."

The $70 seemed a bit steep to me at the time, but as I was fact checking their website for this TR, I see that also covered your park admission for the day. All of a sudden, that doesn't look too bad. What do you think, Bambi. Should we do this in August?

And all of a sudden, it hit my kids again...

That incessant need...

That burning desire...

That uncontrollable urge...

...to dance.

Everybody dance now! BUM-BUM-bumbum-BUM-BUM

It's not nice of the goat to make faces at Evan like that.

For a buck or two, you got a container full of goat pellets (no, the kind that goes in the front end, not the kind that comes out the back)

Whew! Had me worried there.

The coolest part about it was your container was actually an ice cream cone. After you finished feeding the pellets, you broke up the cone and feed that too! No waste! Environmentally friendly! Let's all hug trees!

Oh, sorry. I got a bit carried away there. But it really is a cool idea.

Until your kids eat the cone.

As soon as we gave in (yeah, we're suckers like that) Madison stopped and went dead silent. Then uttered the phrase that still gives her mother shivers to this day.

"But I get to hold the snake."

Awesome.

Have you ever seen a happier little girl than one with a snake wrapped around her neck? I didn't think so.

Can't say that I have, but it's not a common occurrence.

So, to demonstrate to our kids just how cool we are as parents, we turned them loose and allowed them to play.

(thumbs)

Now, do me a favor and look closely at these two photos. What Evan is demonstrating is a technique known as the "Nasty Little Brother" Turning the water gun on your sister...classic move!

(also thumbs)

 

[IheartDDuck]

That picture is OK, I guess. Mine might be a year old, but it has a belt. Which makes it soooo much cooler.

Best......picture......ever!

But I figured I'd share one I had. From last year, when I happened to be in WDW for the Superbowl and got to see Aaron in the parade.

Enjoy! Go Pack go!

 

[Poolrat]

And luckily, just across the path from the gator feeding area is their Gatorland Express train, which was just pulling into the station. We wandered on up through the queue area and found just a few seats left, right in the front behind the engine.

The ride was nice - probably around 10-15 minutes to make a loop around the breeding marsh and along/behind the Rasslin Ring and boardwalk area. The driver had a microphone attached to the PA system in the cars. I could tell he was talking and giving all sorts of information about the park and the animals, but being right behind the engine, we couldn't hear a thing over the noise of it. Ocassinaly people behind us would sort of laugh/chuckle/groan, so I knew he was tellin' puns. And I missed them.

Now you know why those seats were left.

He was just sort of sitting there in the middle of the pond , almost like he was wait for some food to just drop out of the sky, right into his open mouth. Which might seem odd, until you look up and realize, "oh, he actually is sitting there in the middle of the pond, waiting for some food to just drop out of the sky, right into his open mouth."

I laughed at this so hard. I think I even scrolled up and down a bit and laughed some more.

Bubba and Cletus sure have a great sense of humor.

"But I get to hold the snake."

Have you ever seen a happier little girl than one with a snake wrapped around her neck? I didn't think so.

I think it is great. Hmmm family trip to Gatorland. My DD would be all over holding the snake too.


Can't wait to hear what happens next.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

It might be time to slow it down just a bit.

That can’t be right…
I thought sure that it was time to step up to fire walking or the ever-popular Australian sport:
swimming with Box Jellies

And luckily, just across the path from the gator feeding area is their Gatorland Express train

Oooooo… that sounds dangerous.

I could tell he was talking and giving all sorts of information about the park and the animals, but being right behind the engine, we couldn't hear a thing over the noise of it.

<writing furiously>
“sit in the back of the train at Gatorland”…

OK, got it.

Ocassinaly people behind us would sort of laugh/chuckle/groan, so I knew he was tellin' puns. And I missed them.

That is a tragedy

W.C. Fields was right. Never work with children or animals.

I’ve seen that quite some where else recently… hummmmm… now where was it…

OH, I know! My TR



(go on… give it a click)

Cool! But I don’t know that it’s $70 worth of cool.

The $70 seemed a bit steep to me at the time, but as I was fact checking their website for this TR, I see that also covered your park admission for the day.

Ohhhhhhh.. Now I may reconsider it.

(no, the kind that goes in the front end, not the kind that comes out the back)

Glad you clarified that… considering whose TR this is, we’d have believed either possibility

The coolest part about it was your container was actually an ice cream cone. After you finished feeding the pellets, you broke up the cone and feed that too! No waste!

That actually is a great idea. No litter to pick up either.

Let's all hug trees!

There a bunch of ‘em over there in the Breading Swamp…
Help yourself.

Have you ever seen a happier little girl than one with a snake wrapped around her neck?

Nope.

I didn't think so.

And you thought correctly

Oh great… that extra fee at the bottom there pretty much prices me out of the caricature market.

(They actually bill themselves as "Orlando's Best Half Day Attraction!").

You gott’a love that kind of honesty.



And I do.

Florida in July - who would have thunk it?

Nothing amazing to me
(but I don’t live at the same latitudes as y’all

Well, unbeknownest to us, Gatorland has what they call the "Gator Gully Splash Park".

I didn’t beknownest it either.
(note to self… wear swim gear to Gatorland)

We didn't bring any swimsuits along for the kids, but we did have a change of clothes in the van. So, to demonstrate to our kids just how cool we are as parents, we turned them loose and allowed them to play.

That fact alone will make it so much more memorable to them.
Well played.

What Evan is demonstrating is a technique known as the "Nasty Little Brother" Turning the water gun on your sister...classic move!

Since she was already wet… it would have been a crime not to do it.
It was just her obligation to shoot back.

After announcing "One more run through the tires" five or six times…

Ahhhhhhh… memories

we finally exited through the gift shop (shocker!)

I’m shocked, SHOCKED…
to find that their stealing merchandising philosophy from Disney

 

[FreezinRafiki]

I'm surprised you didn't ride a second time, just so you could hear them.

Don't think that didn't cross my mind.

I don't know... were they overachievers, or did someone else underachieve?

I got that pretty bird picture, didn't I?

I did the Zip line they had set up for the Super Bowl last week... it was ok, but not all that exciting, IMO. Definitely wouldn't do a zip line for $70 unless it is across something incredibly scenic. If it gets you into the park though, I guess that makes it a little more reasonable though.

I'm sure it would have been more exciting if they brought some live alligators to Indianapolis. Was it a little chilly on the zip line?

The look on his face cracks me up. This may be the best picture of the entire Trip Report.

I'd make sure to file this one near the Jasmine picture for future blackmail use.

I've got quite a file going already. I really like this one where he got stuck in one of Madison's toy doll carriers.

I believe that this clarification proves that you truly do know your audience.

It's every good writer's job to know his audience. And to make fart jokes.

She does seem quite pleased with the arrangement.

Score one for the parents!

If somebody put a snake on me like that, it would be a flying snake.

I would think that a flying snake would be even scarier. But if it's flying away from you, I guess that would be OK.

No, that's Animal Kingdom.

Have you ever been more proud of your son than that moment?

Yup, but only until the time that he puts a frog in her underwear drawer.

Cool! I'm looking forward to seeing what's next!

Really? Not much going on a work, huh?

Another great chapter Barry!

Thanks Glenn!

I'd love to be in the meetings where the folks at Gatorland come up with new ideas for stunts to offer the tourists. How about bungee jumping over a pond of gators?

I have a feeling that a lot of Busch Light is consumed in those meetings.

That's actually a great idea to provide the goat pellets in an ice cream cone. I'll bet it was either Bubba or Cletus who came up with that. The sky's the limit for those two.

Extreme Kayaking! Can you cross the pond before the gators?

 

[FreezinRafiki]

What a great day! Thanks for sharing it with us!!! I can't wait to see what happens next!

Thanks for reading! When is your trip? If you have any Gatorland questions feel free to post them here or PM me.

That's hilarious, I love all of the sarcasm in this park!

Me too - and I'm sure I didn't get pictures of all of the signs either.

I would definitely not want to be potential gator food in that zip line! That guy just looked too poised and ready!

My plan, should I happen to fall, would be to land on the gator's back, surf board style, and ride him to shore. It's not a good plan, but it's the only think I've got right now.