S
SpottyDog
Guest
DAY THREE Monday 3.3.3
Woke at 4.18 (as usual, early in me hols) and couldnt sleep, so got up to have coffee and a quick browse on the boards. Switched on to PC and it said 2.50am !!! - the clock in the bedrooms fast!
Well I was up now, so decided to make a start on me trippy notes- well yer would wouldnt yer?
V got up around 5.30 and the kids around 6.30.
Out at 8, we saw a real slice of America Rush Hour and kids off to school. It was awful, all slow movin traffic and havin to give way to massive yeller buses. But we got to I-Drive without too much delay and it WAS nice to see a typical American day-to-day routine- as in, not the razmataz and sculpted scenes in the parks.
V was constantly impressed by the way they organize the school run and crossings etc. They really know how to protect their children.
We wanted to make a change for breakfast and decided to stop at somewhere different, maybe a Golden Coral or Sweet Tomatoes (the kids said there was no way they were goin anywhere with a name like that!) etc? We came in from Sandlake Road and Wet n Wild and Black Angus was straight ahead. We figured it had had decent or positive mentions without bein a headline venue so wed try that. It was good quality but not much choice not as much as were used to at Ponderosa or Sizzlers. We decided it wasnt one wed try again. Price wise it was about little higher than the more popular places- just under $40 with tip. But the kids were hungry in an hour.
We wanted to do the Nike Store to get our trainers before goin to SeaWorld but the stores dont open till 10 round here so I took V to see The Riu hotel where well be stayin in December. Didnt go in, just drove to it, saw it and back to Premium Outlets. Were sad like that.
Hit the Nike store but Gaz cant get his trainers yet coz hes got a blister (new school shoes just before we left). Julie managed to buy another couple of outfits because they were there and surprisingly one wasnt sky blue. More money gone from the beer budget so I thought wed better go somewhere that was already paid for and the beers free!
Into SeaWorld by 11am, we collected our Annual Passes for SW/Busch. Thought their method of photo ID rather than the hit or miss finger scan at MK was much better, and their AP is a plastic card rather than the worryingly flimsy WDW cardboard pass. (I know its plasticised and probably indestructible but doesnt feel the same or as safe)
V and Julie went to see the baby dolphins and me and The Boy headed for Krakken.
We decided to do front of line straight away coz it was fairly quiet and were on in 10 minutes.
Now some will know The Boy has a reputation of getting off these rides before they start but hes put in some major therapy and trainin at Alton Towers this year and is confident of getting round owt I sit him on. He did and was proud of himself. I was proud of him too. That first drop is even more invigorating (!?!) when theres nowt to catch yer if yer happen to fall out yer seat.
But God it was cold ! Its overcast today with a little breeze, which magnified to a mini-Siberian Gale while we wended our way around the twists and turns. We decided to leave the second turn till later. It was mainly for the cold but I didnt want to push me little lad after hed been so brave. Wed have plenty of time to do Krakken again.
We decided it was far too cold to get soaked by them with cannons at the bottom of Atlantis so gave that a postponed till later position in me mental plan. (Yes ,its laminated in their too)
We met V and Julie at Hospitality and I had me two beers in quick succession since I was drivin. Then went to Cirque De La Mer good and early to see the funny little man.
Not a good idea.
He cruelly picked me to be the Fat Bloke what gets taped up- which was nice (for the kids !)
If yerve seen it, I was the front right hand corner post the one he cant get the tape round (He wasnt tryin, Im quite slim really its me t shirts tucked into me Y Fronts that make uz look a little tubby). If yer havent seen it then I was still the front right hand corner post but you wont have a clue what Im on about.
This is one of the best free shows in Orlando for us and has different turns to the last time we saw it.
Marvellous ! Bravo ! Pick someone else next time!
Clyde and Seamore next, more for the mime artist pre-show but the main event gets funnier (more sarcastic and dead pan) every time we see it. Its not summat Id waste time on regularly coz to get there early to see the mime gadgy anall eats into nearly an hour, if not more but is a joy when we do go to see it. And its one of Julies favourites so I cant bypass it all the time.
We did Shamus show then we split up again so me and Gaz could have another go on Krakken and it was almost as cold in the bloomin middle. Not goin anywhere near Atlantis today!
Skipped over Shamus Show coz its losin a bit of its ooh and awhh for me. Still love to see the whales and that, but its becoming a little trend already that a lot of what were doin is been there, done that. Nowts ever as good as the first time and I dont want anyone reading this that hasnt seen summat to think owts not worth doin. It ALL is, Im just startin to understand why a lot of the regulars dont adopt me commando approach to their holider.
Once yerve done everything, yer can be a bit more choosy about what you want/need to do rather than my way of doin everything, just in case and that gives you time to sit around and waste yer bloomin holider!
Im in a bit of a turmoil already. The little planning General in me head wants to get on and do stuff and the reformed holider maker, villa dweller, is telling him manyana, manyana but I dont speak Welsh so havent cotonned on to his way of thinking yet.
(Oh and in case yer havent noticed Im mixin me tenses already nowt changed there then. Most of this was writ while I was havin this life-changin (or is that threatenin) change of pace of holider and some of it (the fil, phyl, phillo, mind stuff) is bein added after the event. You may be able to guess which bit is which but dont take the grammar or tense as a guide coz I was off the day they did that at school) Now you might think that bit was a writers explanation or apology for incorrect verbulation and gramatacisim (no, I dont think theyre real either but they sound good dont they) but they are of course me chosen way of not havin to go and rewrite the tense and timin of the bloomin drivel. Sort it out amongst yerselves.
Anyway, back to Sea World wed arranged to meet The Girls around the Dolphin pool for feedin time and got there to watch the dolphins playin around with each other and those at the poolside. Shame V and Julie missed that part, but they made up for it by buyin three cups of fish and had a great time doin the interaction thing. V found this cheap way of bein with a dolphin last year and coz Ive got the Silver Pass we get a $4 fish cup for only $3 or would have if Id been there to buy them! Were gonna have to sort out who gets the added-perks discount card next time, Im gonna have to be with her every time she buys owt now. Course it did occur that that might just stop her buyin stuff while Im not there but she sees it as a way of punishin uz to buy summat then parade how much I COULD have saved if I spent more time with her.
We spent a while round the dolphin pool- one of Julie and Vs favourite areas and it was 5.30 now. The plan was to stay till Shamu Rocks at 6.45 then head for Race Rock for tea. Me and Gaz had decided wed rather go there now coz we were hungry and cold(ish) mind it was still British Summer weather in shorts and t-shirt, just a bit chilly on yer shoulders and little fat knees.
First timers at Race Rock, I dont think our Julie will eat anywhere else now. We loved the place thanks Dave for the recommendation. Immediately impressed with the lay-out and feel of the venue cars hangin off the walls and ceilin, a great happenin atmosphere and middle-rock music at a proper volume so yer can sing along to embarrass yer kids.
V wanted to try the Explodin Onion and I said we should try summat different each rather than get one each.
GET ONE EACH !!! Have yer seen the size of them things ?
I ordered the spinach and mushroom egg-rolls and the kids asked for chicken strips. Our server, John, suggested we might struggle with all that food for starters (hed seen the onion!) so we dropped one of the chicken thingies.
Gaz isnt an adventurous bairn so he picked the plain burger for tea but Julies makes up for him and asked for the ribs and chicken combo. John raised his eyebrows again but we told him she could take on anyone in the room at eatin dinner.
V chose The Outlaw chicken in lemon and garlic and I had The King Best Angus NY Strip.
We all ate and picked at the onion but left half of it for John to take away or wed not have managed a mouthful of our main courses. The starters were great too but we could have left then and not ate till tomorrer afty well as long as Julie could munch on Pringles and stuff as she went along.
The main meals came and Gaz helped his sister with a rib or two and me and V left our veggies well alone to make room for the meat and me garlic mash.
I thought Gaz would have managed the desert but he passed it was never gonna happen for the rest of us!
Well back for desert another day.
Race Rock, the verdict? Not cheap ($115) but well worth it for the experience alone and the food was great well cooked and presented and lots of it. Our server John was superb I love good enthusiastic service in America so John got me all time record tip (I get a bit carried away with the joy and enthusiasm of me holider sometimes, and fall into the Orlando way of pretendin everythings real. On holider I pretend Im financially solvent)
An explodin Onion - Sorry, we'd eaten half of it before I thought to take the photy!
Back to Fat Towers and a long overdue conversation with Samuel Adams by far me favourite American.
V fell asleep on the couch, I nodded off at the PC a couple of times while Julie watched a little TV and played with Nicola and James keyboard. Just like bein at home!
Gaz went in the bath but God knows where hes met a girl here!
Bed by 10 and I woke at 3am real time coz I only look at me watch now. Got up to do this little piece around 4ish coz its morning and Im on holider. That laid back blokey in me heads not gonna win without a fight. (see, warned yer about the tenses)
Plan is Busch today but will check the forecast- which wasnt that good last night. A major part of Busch for us is the water rides so wont risk it if it might be as chilly as yesterday. (Thanks for the tip on the weather channel ,Dave)
Ill let yers know how we get on.
Don't mean to sound like the weathers awful or owt - just not hot yesterder that's all. One of them
"do I really want to get soaked and then slosh around in wet shorts and t shirt for a couple of hours?......Nah" days.
Corporate decision's been made to go Sizzlin for brekkie to make sure the kids take enough on board so we don't have to feed them again for a while. Then we're off to Epcot figurin the indoor stuff will be better if it gets 'iffy'.
7.29am, DaveSD signin off from a much better place,
PS DaveFM, V's startin to hanker after yer place for December now!
FAMILY SUMMARY
Black Angus D5 V5 G2 J2
SeaWorld AP collection D7 V8 G5 J5
Krakken D9 G10
Hospitality D9 V6 G J
Cirque de la Mer D8 V8 G10 J10
Clyde and Seamore D7 V8 G6 J9
Shamu Show D7 V8 G7 J7
Feedin Dolphins V10 G J10
SeaWorld overall D8 V9 G7 J10
Race Rock D10 V9 G8 J10
JULIES BIT
Nothing much to add I think Dad said it all. Im not sure whether my dad has already told you this already when Dad and Gaz went on kraken me and Mam went to see the key west dolphin show, the baby dolphins and the penguins.
I enjoyed feeding the dolphins the best and I cant wait to go back in November to do it again.
Julie's Baby Dolphin
Woke at 4.18 (as usual, early in me hols) and couldnt sleep, so got up to have coffee and a quick browse on the boards. Switched on to PC and it said 2.50am !!! - the clock in the bedrooms fast!
Well I was up now, so decided to make a start on me trippy notes- well yer would wouldnt yer?
V got up around 5.30 and the kids around 6.30.
Out at 8, we saw a real slice of America Rush Hour and kids off to school. It was awful, all slow movin traffic and havin to give way to massive yeller buses. But we got to I-Drive without too much delay and it WAS nice to see a typical American day-to-day routine- as in, not the razmataz and sculpted scenes in the parks.
V was constantly impressed by the way they organize the school run and crossings etc. They really know how to protect their children.
We wanted to make a change for breakfast and decided to stop at somewhere different, maybe a Golden Coral or Sweet Tomatoes (the kids said there was no way they were goin anywhere with a name like that!) etc? We came in from Sandlake Road and Wet n Wild and Black Angus was straight ahead. We figured it had had decent or positive mentions without bein a headline venue so wed try that. It was good quality but not much choice not as much as were used to at Ponderosa or Sizzlers. We decided it wasnt one wed try again. Price wise it was about little higher than the more popular places- just under $40 with tip. But the kids were hungry in an hour.
We wanted to do the Nike Store to get our trainers before goin to SeaWorld but the stores dont open till 10 round here so I took V to see The Riu hotel where well be stayin in December. Didnt go in, just drove to it, saw it and back to Premium Outlets. Were sad like that.
Hit the Nike store but Gaz cant get his trainers yet coz hes got a blister (new school shoes just before we left). Julie managed to buy another couple of outfits because they were there and surprisingly one wasnt sky blue. More money gone from the beer budget so I thought wed better go somewhere that was already paid for and the beers free!
Into SeaWorld by 11am, we collected our Annual Passes for SW/Busch. Thought their method of photo ID rather than the hit or miss finger scan at MK was much better, and their AP is a plastic card rather than the worryingly flimsy WDW cardboard pass. (I know its plasticised and probably indestructible but doesnt feel the same or as safe)
V and Julie went to see the baby dolphins and me and The Boy headed for Krakken.
We decided to do front of line straight away coz it was fairly quiet and were on in 10 minutes.
Now some will know The Boy has a reputation of getting off these rides before they start but hes put in some major therapy and trainin at Alton Towers this year and is confident of getting round owt I sit him on. He did and was proud of himself. I was proud of him too. That first drop is even more invigorating (!?!) when theres nowt to catch yer if yer happen to fall out yer seat.
But God it was cold ! Its overcast today with a little breeze, which magnified to a mini-Siberian Gale while we wended our way around the twists and turns. We decided to leave the second turn till later. It was mainly for the cold but I didnt want to push me little lad after hed been so brave. Wed have plenty of time to do Krakken again.
We decided it was far too cold to get soaked by them with cannons at the bottom of Atlantis so gave that a postponed till later position in me mental plan. (Yes ,its laminated in their too)
We met V and Julie at Hospitality and I had me two beers in quick succession since I was drivin. Then went to Cirque De La Mer good and early to see the funny little man.
Not a good idea.
He cruelly picked me to be the Fat Bloke what gets taped up- which was nice (for the kids !)
If yerve seen it, I was the front right hand corner post the one he cant get the tape round (He wasnt tryin, Im quite slim really its me t shirts tucked into me Y Fronts that make uz look a little tubby). If yer havent seen it then I was still the front right hand corner post but you wont have a clue what Im on about.
This is one of the best free shows in Orlando for us and has different turns to the last time we saw it.
Marvellous ! Bravo ! Pick someone else next time!
Clyde and Seamore next, more for the mime artist pre-show but the main event gets funnier (more sarcastic and dead pan) every time we see it. Its not summat Id waste time on regularly coz to get there early to see the mime gadgy anall eats into nearly an hour, if not more but is a joy when we do go to see it. And its one of Julies favourites so I cant bypass it all the time.
We did Shamus show then we split up again so me and Gaz could have another go on Krakken and it was almost as cold in the bloomin middle. Not goin anywhere near Atlantis today!
Skipped over Shamus Show coz its losin a bit of its ooh and awhh for me. Still love to see the whales and that, but its becoming a little trend already that a lot of what were doin is been there, done that. Nowts ever as good as the first time and I dont want anyone reading this that hasnt seen summat to think owts not worth doin. It ALL is, Im just startin to understand why a lot of the regulars dont adopt me commando approach to their holider.
Once yerve done everything, yer can be a bit more choosy about what you want/need to do rather than my way of doin everything, just in case and that gives you time to sit around and waste yer bloomin holider!
Im in a bit of a turmoil already. The little planning General in me head wants to get on and do stuff and the reformed holider maker, villa dweller, is telling him manyana, manyana but I dont speak Welsh so havent cotonned on to his way of thinking yet.
(Oh and in case yer havent noticed Im mixin me tenses already nowt changed there then. Most of this was writ while I was havin this life-changin (or is that threatenin) change of pace of holider and some of it (the fil, phyl, phillo, mind stuff) is bein added after the event. You may be able to guess which bit is which but dont take the grammar or tense as a guide coz I was off the day they did that at school) Now you might think that bit was a writers explanation or apology for incorrect verbulation and gramatacisim (no, I dont think theyre real either but they sound good dont they) but they are of course me chosen way of not havin to go and rewrite the tense and timin of the bloomin drivel. Sort it out amongst yerselves.
Anyway, back to Sea World wed arranged to meet The Girls around the Dolphin pool for feedin time and got there to watch the dolphins playin around with each other and those at the poolside. Shame V and Julie missed that part, but they made up for it by buyin three cups of fish and had a great time doin the interaction thing. V found this cheap way of bein with a dolphin last year and coz Ive got the Silver Pass we get a $4 fish cup for only $3 or would have if Id been there to buy them! Were gonna have to sort out who gets the added-perks discount card next time, Im gonna have to be with her every time she buys owt now. Course it did occur that that might just stop her buyin stuff while Im not there but she sees it as a way of punishin uz to buy summat then parade how much I COULD have saved if I spent more time with her.
We spent a while round the dolphin pool- one of Julie and Vs favourite areas and it was 5.30 now. The plan was to stay till Shamu Rocks at 6.45 then head for Race Rock for tea. Me and Gaz had decided wed rather go there now coz we were hungry and cold(ish) mind it was still British Summer weather in shorts and t-shirt, just a bit chilly on yer shoulders and little fat knees.
First timers at Race Rock, I dont think our Julie will eat anywhere else now. We loved the place thanks Dave for the recommendation. Immediately impressed with the lay-out and feel of the venue cars hangin off the walls and ceilin, a great happenin atmosphere and middle-rock music at a proper volume so yer can sing along to embarrass yer kids.
V wanted to try the Explodin Onion and I said we should try summat different each rather than get one each.
GET ONE EACH !!! Have yer seen the size of them things ?
I ordered the spinach and mushroom egg-rolls and the kids asked for chicken strips. Our server, John, suggested we might struggle with all that food for starters (hed seen the onion!) so we dropped one of the chicken thingies.
Gaz isnt an adventurous bairn so he picked the plain burger for tea but Julies makes up for him and asked for the ribs and chicken combo. John raised his eyebrows again but we told him she could take on anyone in the room at eatin dinner.
V chose The Outlaw chicken in lemon and garlic and I had The King Best Angus NY Strip.
We all ate and picked at the onion but left half of it for John to take away or wed not have managed a mouthful of our main courses. The starters were great too but we could have left then and not ate till tomorrer afty well as long as Julie could munch on Pringles and stuff as she went along.
The main meals came and Gaz helped his sister with a rib or two and me and V left our veggies well alone to make room for the meat and me garlic mash.
I thought Gaz would have managed the desert but he passed it was never gonna happen for the rest of us!
Well back for desert another day.
Race Rock, the verdict? Not cheap ($115) but well worth it for the experience alone and the food was great well cooked and presented and lots of it. Our server John was superb I love good enthusiastic service in America so John got me all time record tip (I get a bit carried away with the joy and enthusiasm of me holider sometimes, and fall into the Orlando way of pretendin everythings real. On holider I pretend Im financially solvent)
An explodin Onion - Sorry, we'd eaten half of it before I thought to take the photy!
Back to Fat Towers and a long overdue conversation with Samuel Adams by far me favourite American.
V fell asleep on the couch, I nodded off at the PC a couple of times while Julie watched a little TV and played with Nicola and James keyboard. Just like bein at home!
Gaz went in the bath but God knows where hes met a girl here!
Bed by 10 and I woke at 3am real time coz I only look at me watch now. Got up to do this little piece around 4ish coz its morning and Im on holider. That laid back blokey in me heads not gonna win without a fight. (see, warned yer about the tenses)
Plan is Busch today but will check the forecast- which wasnt that good last night. A major part of Busch for us is the water rides so wont risk it if it might be as chilly as yesterday. (Thanks for the tip on the weather channel ,Dave)
Ill let yers know how we get on.
Don't mean to sound like the weathers awful or owt - just not hot yesterder that's all. One of them
"do I really want to get soaked and then slosh around in wet shorts and t shirt for a couple of hours?......Nah" days.
Corporate decision's been made to go Sizzlin for brekkie to make sure the kids take enough on board so we don't have to feed them again for a while. Then we're off to Epcot figurin the indoor stuff will be better if it gets 'iffy'.
7.29am, DaveSD signin off from a much better place,
PS DaveFM, V's startin to hanker after yer place for December now!
FAMILY SUMMARY
Black Angus D5 V5 G2 J2
SeaWorld AP collection D7 V8 G5 J5
Krakken D9 G10
Hospitality D9 V6 G J
Cirque de la Mer D8 V8 G10 J10
Clyde and Seamore D7 V8 G6 J9
Shamu Show D7 V8 G7 J7
Feedin Dolphins V10 G J10
SeaWorld overall D8 V9 G7 J10
Race Rock D10 V9 G8 J10
JULIES BIT
Nothing much to add I think Dad said it all. Im not sure whether my dad has already told you this already when Dad and Gaz went on kraken me and Mam went to see the key west dolphin show, the baby dolphins and the penguins.
I enjoyed feeding the dolphins the best and I cant wait to go back in November to do it again.
This looks like something I will have to have a go at 
!! I'd have loved to have been there!
Exploding onions 
