DEST EE 5K PTR - 19days Apr/May-(I'm BaaaaaCK!)

[wakica]

And now on to ...

DAY 12...

We are back to rope drop again only it won't be Disney, it will be rope drop for...

We LOOOOOVE Sea World but mostly b/c of the ride we will hit first which is...

So of COURSE that will be our first stop for the day! Then after we have ridden Manta we will ride...

Manta AGAIN of course!!!!!! I mean - have you TRIED this coaster out??? It is SO INCREDIBLE!!!! Not only does it give you a rush going down but it gives you a total rush going UP as well!!! Plus the way you ride it facing down gives it a whole different feel from other coasters.

Once we've ridden it again we will most likely ride....

BAHAHAHAHA!! yes - MANTA AGAIN!!!!! I'm guessing we'll try for 3 times right off the bat so we don't have to worry about lines later on - there just aren't enough rides in this park so the rides they do have are bound to have lines all day.

OK, so once we finally drag ourselves away from Manta which to be honest is on our TOP 3 coaster list for Orlando we will proceed in this order,

Krakken
Atlantis

and spend a few minutes inside the Atlantis ride area at the end do enjoy the cool shark tank....

Then we'll just relax and do whatever we want. We'll visit the Mantas, the Dolphins, and DEFINITELY the dolphin Nursery. We might catch one of the shows but it's not top on our priority since we've seen some already. DD and DH would LOVE to go to the Clyde & Seymour show JUST to watch the mime at the beginning of the show He's definitely a HOOT and if you go to the show be sure to get there early to watch him. TRUST ME!! You do NOT want to walk in just before show time b/c YOU will become the target of the Mime's entertaining show!!

We are VERY excited to watch this new show they opened this year...

DD loves Sea Turtles so it should be a good one and they have this all new state of the art 360 theater with the screen being all around you and above you! Here's a pic I found on it...

We are also hoping to do something like this...

but DD was hoping for the penguin experience and they have taken that one off the schedule for now to be replaced with a tour that covers the penguins only briefly and that takes you into other behind the scenes areas now. She mostly wanted the penguins so we'll see. I better make a choice soon though before it's too late. Maybe I'm already too late! Another problem with booking is that I won't book it if it interferes with the first few hours of the park day b/c that is STRICTLY for rides! We LOVE our rides

After SW we will head back for a relaxing time at the condo. Supper and some pool time most likely

UGH!!! I am stopping now thank goodness. DIS is seriously screwed up right now!!! It's SSOoooo slow AND I am even seeing the lag while typing up my messages. Sometimes the cursor disappears for a bit and the little smilies on the side stop moving. wow! Hope they get things fixed soon.

 

[Elleshoodat]

Darn, girl, now I want to go to SeaWorld! It's been years since I've been there -- years -- and I know both DH and DS would love it. DH has a conference in Orlando in June and I think it's on I-Drive, so maybe then...

Anyway, I can't wait to read all about your day there!

 

[MHTeacher]

Seaworld looks like so much fun! I haven't been there since I was a teenager. I keep saying that one trip we're going to go over there for the day.

 

[keishashadow]

thanksjust found out nikon's releasing D3200 middle of the month, should be a price drop for the current model woo hoo.

please make sure to post review of the turtle attraction when you get back, worried it might take away from the manatee exhibit.

 

[wakica]

Darn, girl, now I want to go to SeaWorld! It's been years since I've been there -- years -- and I know both DH and DS would love it. DH has a conference in Orlando in June and I think it's on I-Drive, so maybe then...

Anyway, I can't wait to read all about your day there!

Seaworld looks like so much fun! I haven't been there since I was a teenager. I keep saying that one trip we're going to go over there for the day.

Ya, you should definitely consider SeaWorld. We really love it. If you like coasters your SURE to fall in love with Manta!!! and if you like animals then there is definitely no reason to not like the place. It's SO cool to watch the baby dolphin in the nursery - i had to DRAG dd away from it b/c we were spending SO much time there. I think our last trip we spent a day there, then DD and DH went when I was down with a cold and then we went AGAIN for a bit. Not so many ride type attractions of course but definitely some really good things to do to keep you busy and happy.

thanksjust found out nikon's releasing D3200 middle of the month, should be a price drop for the current model woo hoo.

please make sure to post review of the turtle attraction when you get back, worried it might take away from the manatee exhibit.

Thats GREAT news!!! and i will DEFINITELY post on the Turtle show when we get back.

 

[wakica]

DAY 13 will be for..........

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

HAHA, I havn't the FOGGIEST idea!!!

At this point we just might need a total and completed DOWN day to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!! That wouldn't surprise me at all but knowing my DD and DH they will NOT want a day of nothingness - oh the joys of being the lazy one in a family of go getters. LOL. So our options are as follows...

WDW theme park visit - b/c we still have one day left on our tickets

AQUATICA water park again

SEA WORLD again

DTD/BOARDWALK if we didn't get that in yet

CONDO POOL

SHOPPING

so pretty much we could be just about anywhere on this day. Knowing me I might send those two go getters on their way and sit around relaxing all day - and of course catching up on my computer time


Yep - pretty boring entry. but a much needed quiet day.

 

[wakica]

Mmmmmmm!!! DOLE WHIPS!!

I found a recipe for fakey Dole Whips online so I wipped some up this week to celebrate how close we are to our trip

They are not the real thing that's for sure but I thought they were awefully yummy!! DD thought i should have added more sugar and DH didn't care for them but i think it's b/c of the pineapple juice I used for the floats which had no sugar added. Personally i like to keep it healthier and i found it plenty sweet so too bad for them.

The first day we had just the dole whip in a bowl and then after it froze longer we made Dole Whip Floats on the sencond day. I still have a little bit left too!!!! So I think I will enjoy that after lunch.

Here's a pic of our yummy Dole Whip Float. I had some strawberries so had to add one to the side of my cup. lol

and another just b/c it's such yummy goodness!!!

ANNNNDDDD, I've even included the link to where i found the recipe in case you are interested in trying it out yourself. it freezes pretty hard so it's nice to eat it a few hours after the whipping cream has been added but it's tastes just as good the next day - just a different consistency.

http://prudencepennywise.blogspot.ca/2011/03/dole-pineapple-whips-from-magic-kingdom.html


Now I'm off to pick up DD and go SHOPPING!!! Hoping to find her a swimsuit and sundress for the beach wedding.

Would be a great way to celebrate that we are only 3 weeks away from our trip today!!!

 

[ZehnJahren]

Wow, your trip is SO SOON. When I first started reading on your PTR, I thought it seemed so far away; now it's in less than a month!!

You're going to have a great time!

 

[GaRain]

That looks really tasty!!!
May have to try that recipe myself....
Oh we are less than a month away!!!

 

[cinderella crazy]

Yum! I had never tried a dole whip until our last trip and I am so sad that it took me that long. Those look so good! You've inspired me to make some before our trip!

 

[amazingact21]

Making your own Dole Whips sounds very cool! I'm definitely not skilled enough in the kitchen to attempt anything like that. Usually, when I get a Dole Whip craving, I just mix some vanilla ice cream with pineapple juice. Trust me when I say, just looking at your pictures of your Dole whips is better than mine!


Hope you all enjoy whatever game plan you decide on for day 13th. I like your suggestion the best....resting! But if that won't fly with your husband and daughter, than I'm sure you'll enjoy doing one of those other activities listed.

 

[wakica]

Wow, your trip is SO SOON. When I first started reading on your PTR, I thought it seemed so far away; now it's in less than a month!!

You're going to have a great time!

I KNOW!!! I'm at 19 days now!! I should have done my in the teens happy dance. lol

That looks really tasty!!!
May have to try that recipe myself....
Oh we are less than a month away!!!

DEFINITELY COOL! I can't beleive how close it's getting. You should try one - it was really easy but tastes best if eaten sooner rather than sitting for a day to freeze.

Yum! I had never tried a dole whip until our last trip and I am so sad that it took me that long. Those look so good! You've inspired me to make some before our trip!

Hope it works out good for you! ENJOY!!! Some people LOVE them and others just dont care for them.

Making your own Dole Whips sounds very cool! I'm definitely not skilled enough in the kitchen to attempt anything like that. Usually, when I get a Dole Whip craving, I just mix some vanilla ice cream with pineapple juice. Trust me when I say, just looking at your pictures of your Dole whips is better than mine!


Hope you all enjoy whatever game plan you decide on for day 13th. I like your suggestion the best....resting! But if that won't fly with your husband and daughter, than I'm sure you'll enjoy doing one of those other activities listed.

They are actually really easy to make. I even did it differently from the directions. I didn't have the large zip lock bags to freeze the pineapple slush in so I just used a bowl and would reach it out and stir it around from time to time.
I am really hoping they will be ready for a quiet day at this point. lol But toally prepared to do it on my own if need be.

 

[wakica]

on to...

DAY 14 PLANS!

Today will be another EARLY day b/c we want to do rope drop at...

It will be about an hour to get to Busch so in order to get there early we will really have to be on the ball in the morning. Good thing we've got an easy day planned the day before. I'm sure we'll probably have some breakfast foods packed the night before and clothes set out so we can just dress and go.

We need to be there early though to fill our coaster fix for the day! lol

Number one coaster goal in this park will be the amazing...

SHEIKRA!!!!!!

This coaster is a TOTAL RUSH!!!!! They take you to the edge of this HUUUGE drop and dangle you there for a second to anticipate the fall you are about to take and then ZOOOOOOMMMM!!!! Down you swish and it feels like your heading straight for the ground. Man!! It really tickles the funny bone!

Of course we'll do Sheikra a few times first thing b/c line ups will get REALLY bad at this ride.

Then we'll hit another really GREAT coaster called Montu and here's a pic of us on it last time...

this coaster has some really great loops and I love the dangling feet feel We'll do it once for sure and maybe dd will convince us to go a second time.

But we will want to keep moving b/c we want to try their newest coaster called Cheetah Hunt.

It doesn't look as amazing as the other two but definitely worth checking out. It looks quite unique don't you thiink?

The coasters we will SKIP are...

GWAZZI - I think it's the last wooden coaster in existence so I knew to avoid it b/c of my headaches and neck stiffness but DD and DH tried it and will NOT go on it again. It's totally BUMPY and not all that enjoyable in their opinion.


KUMBA - DD and DH may decide to do it in the end but I found it very head jerking and DH hit his ear on the side even after I had warned him to hold his head tight (he rode after us). I WILL PASS though.

SCORPION - meh! just didn't excite us when viewing it so we'll pass

We'll also pass on the milder coasters geared for the younger crowd.

Once we have the coasters out of the way we will move on to milder things

One of our favorite places last year (even though Discovery Cove bird aviary beats this experience hands down) is their bird area. We had SO much fun in here with the birds landing all over us and some of them fighting over the little container of food in our hand. Here are some pics of it...

Unfortunately I got pooped on but we had wet wipes along with us and there is a water fountain in there so it's no problem to clean up. Just be prepared for it. LOL.

DD also enjoyed the Jungala climbing area last time but she's not so sure about this time as she'll be a bit old for it. But we might take a peek at the animals in that area...

this is a neat viewing area so you feel like your right in with the beautiful white tigers...

We'll definitely check out some water rides to cool down. They have 3 I beleive but last time we just did one b/c the line ups were getting VERY long

That is DD and I in that splash. Too bad I don't have the pic of us all soaking wet after getting off to show. haha

and if the line ups for splash rides are too long we can always go to this spot to cool down...

It's at the bottom of Sheikra where the ride hits the water. You can see the giant wave coming in the first pic and this next one is mid splash. DD is in the pink hat...

We'll also take some time after lunch to cool down by watching a show. We aren't very big fans of Busch shows (or many shows at all actually) but we'll take some time to watch their new show called Iceplorations. It's sort of like a small cirque de soleil on ice from what i've seen...

Last year we had the pleasure of doing the giraffe safari experience which was GREAT!!! We really enjoyed feeding the giraffes but we won't be doing one this time due to the fact that we already will have done a 5K race, exotic car experience, and the backstage encounter with penguin time at Sea World.

All in all our day shouldn't be too long but with the drive there and back at the end of the day it'll be a tiring one anyway.

Finishing off with some pics of our giraffe feeding fun from last time.

Next up is WEDDING DAY!!!

 

[amazingact21]

Look like a long but fun day. I'm not a huge coaster person, so I've never been to Busch Gardens but it looks like coaster lovers will love it. My DH was looking over my shoulder as I was reading your post and he was talking about how much he enjoyed Sheikra. He said the part where you hang right before the drop is the best.

 

[wakica]

oh ya, it DEFINITELY is cool just being dangled there looking down and anticipating the drop. LOL It's a total Two thumbs up!!

 

[cinderella crazy]

Love the giraffe photos! What a fun experience. We haven't tried Busch Gardens yet but it looks like a lot of fun!

 

[PrincessV]

~sigh~

I'm totally missing Busch Gardens now! That's our "home" park (only 30-40 minutes away) and we've spent a lot of time there, but took this past year off to save money. May need to get passes again soon...

About Sheikra: Oh, how I loooooove that coaster! I'm normally not a big fan of steel coasters; I'm old school, wooden coasters all the way - and the rickety-er, the better, lol! But Sheikra changed all that.

I haven't been on Cheetah Chase yet, but it's gotten sort of a "meh" review from friends of mine. Not bad, but not... well, not Sheikra.

Sounds like a terrific day!

 

[wakica]

Love the giraffe photos! What a fun experience. We haven't tried Busch Gardens yet but it looks like a lot of fun!

We loved the giraffe safari!!! it's not outrageously expensive either - unless that's changed in the last few years. LOL.

~sigh~

I'm totally missing Busch Gardens now! That's our "home" park (only 30-40 minutes away) and we've spent a lot of time there, but took this past year off to save money. May need to get passes again soon...

About Sheikra: Oh, how I loooooove that coaster! I'm normally not a big fan of steel coasters; I'm old school, wooden coasters all the way - and the rickety-er, the better, lol! But Sheikra changed all that.

I haven't been on Cheetah Chase yet, but it's gotten sort of a "meh" review from friends of mine. Not bad, but not... well, not Sheikra.

Sounds like a terrific day!

Ooohhh! Your so lucky to be close by! I'd get annual passes to it just to go to the bird area. LOL they are such a hoot! Well, and of course for regular trips to SHEIKRA of course!! I can't beleive you like that wooden coaster!! haha, guess you like the bumpy ride. I'm a smooth coaster gal.
Good to know Cheetah hasn't gotten the best reviews. We won't worry about it if the line is long then.

 

[wakica]

Well, I think I'm JUST ABOUT done my shopping for the trip in 2 weeks and 3 days If I could just find a darn swimsuit!!!!!

I went shopping 3 times for dresses and came home with one each time that I was only mediocre happy with. I've since retruned one and bought another one so I'm at 4 trips and 4 dresses. LOL I am REALLY hoping the one I got today is the one so I can return the other 2 that I still have that I'm not completely happy with.

The newest one isn't beach coloured like I had hoped for but let's face it - I just don't do well with colorful stuff - which you'll see from my race day outfit. and it fits really nicely so I will model it for DH when he gets home and I will keep my fingers crossed that it's the ONE!!!

Anyway, I do have a pic to show though of my Race Day outfit Actually mine and DD's. Of course hers is WAY more exciting than mine - just like her runners and her dress too. Oh the joys of being a young un!! You'll see my outfit is rather bland coloured but it just seems no matter how much I try to get colour into my wardrobe I always fall back on the old faithfuls for red heads such as brown, black, grey, blue and some greens. I just feel best in neutral or earth tones so I apologize now that my outfit isn't that exciting.

Oh and I'm absolutely in LOVE with how thin my top is too - it isn't see through but it will be GREAT in hot weather bc of how thin it is.

DD is worried she'll lose me in the dark in my outfit so i said "that's ok - we can hold hands" I'm sure she'd DIE if I tried that.

OK, here are our RACE DAY OUTFITS....

 

[Nermel9]

Busch Gardens looks like so much fun, I've been to the one in VA but not the FL one, and I would love to go there sometime! I LOVE roller coasters, and the ones at BG look crazy! And you can FEED GIRAFFES there??? Wow, you know, I was thinking of doing a Universal day on our Fall trip, but if you can feed giraffes AND they have those sick roller coasters, BG might just win out! Thanks for sharing all of those awesome pics!