I forgot to mention, and should before I change my signature icons, we did make it to Orlando last August.
Friday I skipped work to clean the house (nobody has a happy vacation if wife isn't happy) and make sure everything was ready. DW came home from work a little early to shower and change while I loaded the luggage. Then, in the car and about to leave the driveway, I tempted fate.
DW tells me to wait - she forgot jackets.
I said we don't need jackets - all we'll see are showers, and who wants a jacket when it's 90 and humid?
DW gives in, we go to the airport.
A short drive, short flight to Seattle, and 90 minute layover then we're boarding for ORLANDO!
Saturday morning everybody shocked me. We're in Orlando! Disney! Let's hit the Magic Kingdom! Everybody but me instead wanted to SLEEP! While they slept I drove to Daytona and enjoyed the ocean a little.
Sunday we had other commitments so I had to wait until Monday to go to the parks.
Monday we spent a good, but very hot, day at the Animal Kingdom. An interesting park with a lot to learn and a few good rides, but no desire to return. That evening, after the park closed, we went to the store to buy some food and water, just in case the weather forecast held.
Tuesday morning we were introduced to Tropical Storm Fay, which had intensified overnight. Fortunately the parks were open, so we went to the Magic Kingdom. If you ever have the chance to visit a theme park during a tropical storm, do it. Most tourists were afraid of getting wet, so lines were almost nonexistent. All rides were open and we were able to get on everything we wanted.
Wednesday morning Fay hadn't moved off like cyclones normally do. We went to Epcot and, by late morning, I had finally joined the rest of my family in wearing ponchos. I doubt my wife will ever let me live down the jacket thing. Epcot is a great park during a storm - almost everything is indoors, so lightning will not close most of the attractions.
Thursday was the last full day of Fay, and we went to Hollywood Studios. The park was more crowded then the last several days, but we were still able to do everything we wanted. My DS, 6, really believed we had gone into space on the Star Wars ride!
Friday we went back to the Magic Kingdom for one more ride on all the classic rides. This day the storm was leaving and we started getting sun breaks. It was fun, and it was the first night we were at the park for a fireworks show - the other shows had been canceled for weather.
Saturday was the only day we used our park hopper passes, hitting the big roller coasters one last time before heading to the airport for a 6:30 flight home. We had lines, sun, and the full heat of August in Florida, so we only hit two coasters before leaving.
Lessons learned: One week of vacation is too short, tropical storms make the weather in August a lot more bearable, never talk DW out of raincoats, and don't spend the money on park hopper passes. We never went into more than one park per day, so the money was wasted.
Next year we will be back in Orlando for a week before our cruise. The plan will be Sea World, Universal Studios, Bush Gardens, one or two WDW days, then the Kennedy Space Center before the cruise. If I can pull it off, I also want to visit Ginnie Springs for some cave diving.
(Sadly, I don't think cheesesteaks will fit in our luggage, though...)
think of the poor wee fish.....
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Mackie
) Although we will have been married for 3 years - this is actually our honeymoon too!
It is irritating. Of course, when you add on the weight of being that tall and liking to brew and drink beer, there you have it.
