Thursday 22nd October
Today - Seaworld.
We were up and out a little later than we had hoped but it seemed that everyone was happy to take it easy this morning so we didn't rush things.
We were at the park by about 10.30 and by the time we had bought tickets we were heading for our first ride of the day - Kraken.
This is one of the only coasters that DW can do due to her having had spinal surgery 4 years ago. This is by far one of the smoothest rides in any of the parks so she makes the most of it when she is there. DS was adamant all the way there that he was going to do it - which really surprised us as he is not a fan of these things at all. He got all the way to the front then changed his mind. He was so upset with himself that he just burst into tears and went to wait with Grandma. When we got down the first thing he asked was 'Are you dissappointed with me' - which really tugged at the heart strings. He so wanted to do this to make us proud of him (his words not ours) and no matter how many times we told him we were already proud of him - especially since he had done BTM at MK - it didn't matter. I just said to him 'Are you dissappointed in me when I don't do the spinning rides' (I really hate those) and he replied 'No' 'There you go then' He seemed to brighten up and began to accept that not everyone likes every ride.
After this we went on Manta. WOW. This ride exceeded all expectations. Even DW went on it from the start - which worried me a little as the position couldn't have been good for her - but she said it was fine and wanted to do it again straight away
By this time though we had to go for our reservation for Dine with Shamu. We turned up and got a complimentary photo and drink before being shown to our table. The fact that there were 8 in our group meant we had a pool side table so we sat the smallest ones nearest the pool due to the fact that they have smaller clothes on so would dry out quicker.
Our server explained the buffet, asked if we wanted any more drinks then 'subtley' mentioned that the tip wasn't included in the package price that we had already paid.
The food - in our opinion - wasn't that great. Luke warm and very limited choice - but at the end of the day we were not there for that. We were there to see the orcas up close.
Once the show had finished in the main arena 2 of the Shamus (they are all called Shamu but each has a different first name) came through and came up close to the wall. My only complaint about this was that we were given no warning about when anything was about to happen - so by the time we had turned our cameras the right way it had been and gone
We left here to go all the way across the park to go and watch the Seamore & Clyde show which, in my opinion, was as good as the reviews on here. The mime artist before the show starts had all the of us in hysterics and I would pay to see a show of him on his own.
After doing a few other bits and pieces it was time to go and watch Believe and we were lucky enough to get a seat dead centre in the soak zone - well if we were going to get wet we might as well get wet in style.
We then went and got another go on Manta, at DW request, before heading for the exit. We got our tickets validated for a return trip as there was still a lot we didn't manage to get in.
After a quick trip to the villa to get freshened up and changed we were back out again to Old Town for bike night. Grandma and DS decided to drop out and stay at the villa and Sis and BIL had arranged to meet some friends of theirs there so we split up and went our seperate ways, making our own way home when we had done.
After grabbing a pizza on the way home we were settled in for the night ready for another busy day tomorrow. It was supposed to be a rest day but once again the group had decided to fit in a trip to Universal Studios instead.
Did you manage to get him on any of the coasters at IoA?
)
