900 Miles, 5 Parks, 2 Resorts, 6 ADR's, and 3 days of Celebration!!! Update 3/8/13

[jmskinner]

Looks like he really enjoyed himself. I am seeing some rides that weren't there the last time we were! You are right the parking lot is a zoo, very confusing!! My son loves the Joust. It's a cute ride.

Really??? Wow, I know there was a lot of construction when we were there. I know of one area going in, but holding off on that bit of news until later.

That Joust is cute, what a great idea.

 

[lovethattink]

There are so many creations that just weren't there the last time we were. The wolves, the camel. The boats can really bottleneck on a busy day. So often parents just send there kids and small kids sometimes have trouble figureing out how to get out of a jam. And the parents are on the sidelines trying to tell the kids how to turn the wheel. "No, your other left!"

Really??? Wow, I know there was a lot of construction when we were there. I know of one area going in, but holding off on that bit of news until later.

That Joust is cute, what a great idea.

I know!! The expansion is sooooo exciting!! We will have to renew our annual passes.

Can't wait to see driving school. Poor JJ had so much trouble the first couple times. They did assist him. Now I think he would be fine.

 

[tazdev3225]

Legoland looks like fun. They are something my grandkids have never been into. My son liked them when he was younger but I think he may be a little old for Legoland now.

 

[SimmerBaggins]

That park is pretty unique -- great pic of that wolf! Had you guys ever been there before?

It's kind of nostalgic, isn't it, when you realize your kid is "too big for that" -- and, they'll tell you or let you know. It only takes one time on the ride with a look on their face, and you know they'll never ride it again!

 

[jmskinner]

There are so many creations that just weren't there the last time we were. The wolves, the camel. The boats can really bottleneck on a busy day. So often parents just send there kids and small kids sometimes have trouble figureing out how to get out of a jam. And the parents are on the sidelines trying to tell the kids how to turn the wheel. "No, your other left!"







I know!! The expansion is sooooo exciting!! We will have to renew our annual passes.

Can't wait to see driving school. Poor JJ had so much trouble the first couple times. They did assist him. Now I think he would be fine.

The driving school was great! Hope JJ enjoys it next time. Reminds me of a little safety school we attended in elementary school, except we were on bicycles.

Legoland looks like fun. They are something my grandkids have never been into. My son liked them when he was younger but I think he may be a little old for Legoland now.

Your son may enjoy just seeing all the Lego sculptures. Jonas sure did!

 

[jmskinner]

That park is pretty unique -- great pic of that wolf! Had you guys ever been there before?

It's kind of nostalgic, isn't it, when you realize your kid is "too big for that" -- and, they'll tell you or let you know. It only takes one time on the ride with a look on their face, and you know they'll never ride it again!

Thought I clicked on your response to reply too, but guess I didn't per the Dis.

Vickie, Legoland opened in November after we left FL. I don't think Jacob will ever outgrow the park, but I think he realized some of the rides were too small for him. Isn't that the nice thing about WDW, you are never too big.

 

[angwill]

Legoland looks like an awsome park. I don't recognise anything from the old Cypress Gardens at all. My favorite of the lego statues is that huge dinosaur. I would be afraid to walk under it though for fear his neck would fall off and crush me. lol I am weird. I am really surprised they let people sit on the lego sculptures which is cool. Jacob does look super happy there. What age group is it for?

 

[thumperjr9]

We thought the parking lot was confusing too. We are so use to having CM's at the WDW lots show us were to park.

Also the Dragon ride was our 1st ride and I was surprised about the bag situation. I had a small crossbody bag and they told me I couldn't take it on. I wasn't crazy about leaving it unattended....I had my mom's new (kinda expensive) camera not to mention credit cards, money etc. As it turned out my poor DH couldn't fit on the ride because of his long legs. So he held my bag while my DS and I rode.

Did you hear the announcement about the Star Wars Miniland that is opening at Legoland in Nov.? Too bad they didn't have it when we were there in Aug. I bet both our DS's would love it!!

 

[thumperjr9]

Really??? Wow, I know there was a lot of construction when we were there. I know of one area going in, but holding off on that bit of news until later.

That Joust is cute, what a great idea.

Oh no, I just realized that I probably spilled the beans on the news of what they're adding.....sorry!!

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

My grandchildren would have loved that back in the day but they are too old now. Guess I will have to wait for great grandchildren.

Amazing how much fun we adults can have anywhere when we see through the eyes of a child. Seeing their excitement and happiness makes most anything interesting.

SG

 

[jmskinner]

Legoland looks like an awsome park. I don't recognise anything from the old Cypress Gardens at all. My favorite of the lego statues is that huge dinosaur. I would be afraid to walk under it though for fear his neck would fall off and crush me. lol I am weird. I am really surprised they let people sit on the lego sculptures which is cool. Jacob does look super happy there. What age group is it for?

I wanted to go to Cypress Gardens and sadly kept putting it off. Hopefully you will soon see some of the old Cypress Gardens in some of my shots. I'm hoping it is still the same.

Driving School was up to 13, so probably that is a good cutoff age. I did see a post that someone had asked if you could have weddings there and the parks response was that the park was for children younger than 10.

I think it is worth admission to just admire all the Lego designs.

We thought the parking lot was confusing too. We are so use to having CM's at the WDW lots show us were to park.

Also the Dragon ride was our 1st ride and I was surprised about the bag situation. I had a small crossbody bag and they told me I couldn't take it on. I wasn't crazy about leaving it unattended....I had my mom's new (kinda expensive) camera not to mention credit cards, money etc. As it turned out my poor DH couldn't fit on the ride because of his long legs. So he held my bag while my DS and I rode.

Did you hear the announcement about the Star Wars Miniland that is opening at Legoland in Nov.? Too bad they didn't have it when we were there in Aug. I bet both our DS's would love it!!

Oh no, I just realized that I probably spilled the beans on the news of what they're adding.....sorry!!

You sure did, but that is ok. Of course as soon as Jacob heard that he requested another trip.

I never stopped to read any of the warning signs for each ride but it would have been nice to have a big one warning you not to take your bag on the ride. Lockers like at Universal would be handy also. Guess they really want the rides to be just for the kids.

Sorry your DH didn't get to ride.

My grandchildren would have loved that back in the day but they are too old now. Guess I will have to wait for great grandchildren.

Amazing how much fun we adults can have anywhere when we see through the eyes of a child. Seeing their excitement and happiness makes most anything interesting.

SG

Hope you have lots of Greatgrandchildren soon so you can take them to the parks to enjoy their experiences. Can't wait for a first haircut at the barbershop.

I would really love to be able to take photographs of families on the rides, such as sitting in front of them on the rides to get those expressions. One of my favorite memories is sitting next to a young girl on Soarin'. When it started she was so scared, but once we got going she was "oohhing" and "awwwing" the whole way. Or the little boy scared on Splash and I told him I would let him know when the big drop was coming. He had a great time!

 

[jmskinner]

Jacob drove the boat very well, now it was time for the roads. We are only two years away from experiencing this for real, so we were interested to see how he would do.



There is a little video at the beginning and then they had their picture taken for a drivers license. Then it was off to the cars. The cutoff for the school was 13, so Jacob just made it.







Jonas and I were very surprised at how attentive Jacob was being. He even told other children that the light was green and they could go.



After driving school, it was flight school.


I managed to not get a pic of this coaster, but it is one of those that you hang underneath with your feet dangling. You know the ones that make you feel like you are flying. And like most coaster with harnesses like this, I highly recommend taking your earrings off, because they bang your head around so much. This was Jacob's first ride on a coaster like this and he didn't really seem to enjoy it.

By now we were starving and went looking for chicken nuggets for Jacob.






We checked one place out, but no luck. Then we found a place where you can build a Bionicle, oops, Hero Factory guy. Don't know why they changed the name.



While the boys were working on the HF's, I asked one of the associates if there were chicken nuggets anywhere, wasn't too happy to hear only at the front of the park. I told the boys and Jacob said he wasn't hungry at all. I checked out the map and noticed we were close to the gardens, so I went to take pics since I knew the boys wouldn't enjoy it that much.

Caught this guy up to no good on my way.


They might save the day!




Found my way into the gardens, wanted to get a pic of the entrance, but a family walked up same time as me and I could tell they were going to take awhile, so I went on my way.







I love these trees. I had seen one at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. (If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend you check it out.)





I previously worked in a building with a large palm tree inside. It's bloom always fascinated me because there would be a pod and then a bloom, never actually saw it open, we would come into work and there it would be. So now I always take pics of strange blooms and their pods.

 

[jmskinner]

I finally got a pic of the entrance, but that lady wouldn't move.


I texted Jonas and found where they were and then we stopped at a sandwich shop. I was little disappointed with the theming of the restaurant, nothing really except for some Lego art on the walls.



I think Jonas and I had some sort of sandwich, which were premade sitting in a fridge, so nothing special. Jacob wouldn't even eat ice cream or a cookie, so he really wasn't hungry.

We headed off to our next ride.



It was a wild mouse coaster. Jonas said he didn't really like them, but I always have.



Now, the bag setup for this one was really crazy. They wanted you to put your bag away, but you had to step around a gate where you get on the coaster, put your bag up and then get to your spot on the coaster. It was a really weird setup.




Next up was a water ride in boats that went in a circle and sprayed water. We never saw the ride actually work because they were changing riders when we got there, but Jacob wasn't interested, so we moved on.

Remember the wolf family, now we had foxes.








Next up...the most amazing Lego display! (Not surprising is it.)

 

[jmskinner]

Not going to say much here, just a picture tour of a fantastic Lego display that we could have spent the day looking at.

First up...Las Vegas






















Kennedy Space Center








More to come.

 

[jmskinner]

More of the huge Lego display.
























Miniature golf anyone?




DC

 

[tazdev3225]

Wow! I have really missed a lot never leaving Disney property. Those Lego displays are amazing. I will have to spend more time in Florida one day visiting other sites.

I love the gardens. One of my favorite past times is taking pictures of flowers and butterflies, together and separately. I love looking for unique flowers or angles.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

WOW, those Legos are amazing!!

 

[jmskinner]

New York










Daytona








This was one of those times I wish I had my other lenses since I couldn't zoom in and show all of the little details, but hopefully all of you will go sometime and check it out.

While we left this huge display, the ski show was going on. My boys didn't want to see it.

We headed to the front of the park, it was looking like rain and we had just about done it all.


The name of the portrait she is painting is "Legoland at night".



As you can see, Jonas wasn't the only one that was tired.


I thought this butterfly was beautiful


Jacob was enjoying himself so much he actually allowed for a character shot


Before heading out we stopped at the Factory to see how Legos are made.




I was a little disappointed with their Pick-a-brick selection


We were hoping they would have more than the Lego stores, but it wasn't meant to be.

We went through a few more shops, where I bought Jacob a Star Wars shirt. And it wasn't even Lego.

As we left, the rain started, so we had great timing. Parking lot was a little confusing leaving, just like entering.

Now, we made a detour on the way back to WDW. I had managed to lose the lens cap on this expensive lens I had rented. I knew of a camera shop near Legoland in Auburndale (think that is the name), so we stopped in there and got a new lenscap. I think the name of the shop is Wolfe Camera if you ever need anything, they are a great little shop.

We headed back to the resort for some food and to pack. Any guesses what we did the next day?

 

[jmskinner]

Wow! I have really missed a lot never leaving Disney property. Those Lego displays are amazing. I will have to spend more time in Florida one day visiting other sites.

I love the gardens. One of my favorite past times is taking pictures of flowers and butterflies, together and separately. I love looking for unique flowers or angles.

Busch Gardens is really beautiful park and I highly recommend the Ringling Museum. They have a beautiful Rose Garden, the home is just gorgeous and the art museum is fantastic.

I love taking pics of flowers too.

WOW, those Legos are amazing!!

They really are! I bet your little Princess would even enjoy them.

 

[lovethattink]

Great pics of Lego City. The miniature golf wasn't there the last time we were.

I second it, Busch Gardens is very nice. The Cheetah run is pretty cool. Those animals are amazing.

Haven't ever been to Ringlings, but one of the ladies in my Sunday School class is a housekeeper there and she has said some wonderful things about Ringling Museum.