ELFINJOJO'S DREAM adventure across the pond. Completed 4/20/2011

[Elfinjojo]

Oh my gosh, I love Bubba Gump Shrimp Co! We're planning on eating there the night before our cruise Do you know if they accept reservations at that location?

We tried to make a reservation for the earliest evening time available when we first arrived in the morning, but they said to just roll up around 6 to be sure of getting in after that they take your name and give you an approximate time to come back, they used to take you name and a favourite film title and call out that title when your table was ready - don't know if they still do that as we just took their advice and rolled on up for 6pm and sat right down.

Hope you get a meal there and have a louisiana lemonade for me - yumm

 

[MomsOf2boys]

No! what did I miss?
.

Moaning Myrtle is heard in both the boys and girls bathrooms. Kind of freaky for those who are not HP fans!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

We didn't see Scooby and Shaggy ever! Very cool! We did have Popeye and Olive Oil hang around our brood for a while... Popeye kept getting the boys to arm wrestle with him for Olive Oil's attentions. Olive Oil was quite the flirt with the teen boys. We did not eat at Bubba Gumps as I was outvoted. The pictures look wonderful so maybe next time I will win or let everyone go their separate ways for dinner.

 

[OrcaPotter]

Just an FYI for future visits, but you don't have to ride Forbidden Journey to see the castle. They have a "walking tour" option that allows you to walk the queue without riding. When you enter the castle, just ask a team member for the walking tour and they'll direct you. Even if you love the ride (as I do) it's nice to do, as you get to oogle and stare and take photos without being pushed along!

 

[tigger2on]

Yay!! Subscribing

 

[Jennifer48]

So sorry you didn't get to ride the Forbidden Journey. I really need to get to WWoHP at some point!

That is some dessert!!

 

[Elfinjojo]

Moaning Myrtle is heard in both the boys and girls bathrooms. Kind of freaky for those who are not HP fans!

Wow! Holly would have loved that, she does a cracking impression of Myrtle

We didn't see Scooby and Shaggy ever! Very cool! We did have Popeye and Olive Oil hang around our brood for a while... Popeye kept getting the boys to arm wrestle with him for Olive Oil's attentions. Olive Oil was quite the flirt with the teen boys. We did not eat at Bubba Gumps as I was outvoted. The pictures look wonderful so maybe next time I will win or let everyone go their separate ways for dinner.

We got to see Scooby and Shaggy driving in the Mystery machine earlier in the day. Evan called out to Shaggy and he responded - made Evan's day! As for Bubba Gumps - show them my pics - they will want to eat there then!

Just an FYI for future visits, but you don't have to ride Forbidden Journey to see the castle. They have a "walking tour" option that allows you to walk the queue without riding. When you enter the castle, just ask a team member for the walking tour and they'll direct you. Even if you love the ride (as I do) it's nice to do, as you get to oogle and stare and take photos without being pushed along!

Oh you are kidding me - I wish I knew that before hand

So sorry you didn't get to ride the Forbidden Journey. I really need to get to WWoHP at some point!

That is some dessert!!

Between the two children and Rob the three of them couldn't even finish half - I am not an Ice-cream eater so I couldn't help

 

[OrcaPotter]

Oh you are kidding me - I wish I knew that before hand

Yeah, it's not something they advertise (probably to keep the crowds low?) but it makes sense. It would be a crime otherwise for those who are unable to ride to miss out on all the awesome details inside. I took my parents through and they loved it It'll give you something to look forward to the next time you visit!

 

[jenseib]

WOW!!! That food looks amazing! I might have to think about finding a way to eat there. Do you have to pay for parking if you just want to go there and eat? If not, maybe we'll hit that up.

 

[binks]

Great report, can't wait form more!

 

[Elfinjojo]

WOW!!! That food looks amazing! I might have to think about finding a way to eat there. Do you have to pay for parking if you just want to go there and eat? If not, maybe we'll hit that up.

I think you might still have to pay for the parking, but there are lots of stores there too so it might be worth extending the trip for that to get your moneys worth out of the parking $13 I think it was for a car!

 

[Elfinjojo]

We awake this morning to glorious sunshine and head out to the nearest IHOP for breakfast, something of a real treat for us. We don't have pancake places like this back home. Holly and Evan both had the baby cakes(with Rob and I eating their eggs and bacon), I had the stuffed french toast combo with warm apple and cinnamon topping and actually I can't remember what Rob had but it came with never ending pancakes LOL

After a hearty eat it was time to head to Seaworld. We decided to purchase the two park ticket so that we could save some money on Busch gardens tomorrow Queues here were short and it was quiet, but then I think the park hadn't been open long as we were able to park right across from the entrance this time(last time we had to park in Aquatica carparking lot and be bussed back!!)

A chance to Meet Shamu

First stop, Rob rides the Manta Ray as the queue is non-existant, we switch on walkie-talkies and the kids and I go off to explore and will meet up with him when he finishes playing
We head over to the ray pool for feeding time

Holly and Evan have a go

but were very wary about doing it and because they were being eyed up by these

a very kind park assistant came to show them how to feed them properly before the birds got the fish

Next it was playtime for the Dolphins. Holly loves Dolphins and this is the first time that we have come to the states and NOT been for a swim over in Discovery cove with them, so Holly was desperate to see them and maybe get to interact with them, but alas they would not come too close to play.


Rob catches up with us and we head down to the underwater viewing area.


more in next post....

 

[Elfinjojo]

The weather is really hotting up now - lovely, just what we needed after leaving freezing temperatures back home

We head over to see the Manatee next. I love these huge but graceful creatures, I could watch them drift around all day!


Then comes the highlight of the day and the main reason we came

Time for the show, but first we stake our claim to the front of the queue to get good seats OUT OF THE SPLASH ZONE.

Our very first experience of the Belive show was three years ago when we did sit in the splash zone - after telling the children we wouldn;t get wet, well they got the shock of their life and so did Rob's camera - never to work again - it was shamu'd as the kids now retell the story
Time for the show

What a great show but what a shame that the trainers no longer get in the water with them , but I can understand why!

Time for an ice-cream and some drinks before having a wander over to the other side of the park to feed the sharks but another fun show to see first

This crazy clown was really having some fun woth the audience prior to the show starting

Lots of fun and frolicks

Now Holly could wander thru the aquarium and come and feed the sharks - her favourite creature of all - she has even adopted a great white shark called "cut tail"

Now its My turn to go play on the coasters except only one is running today so the Manta it is! Great fun but I have been on wilder ones back home!

The rest of the afternoon is spent meandering round the park, looking at the wildlife before heading back to the hotel via Pizza hut for dinner
Here is our lovely room

Along with the menagerie of snimals that have joined us on the trip

The Owls and the pink fluffball - Pygmy Puffs are from Hogwarts yesterday and the shark is Evan's shopping from Seaword - Holly got a seahorse mood change necklace. Amongst them all are a bunny and an elephant that have travelled from the uk with us.

Oh boy am I ready for bed tonight - to Dream of the Dream

Next - will we get the storms that we had the last time we went to Busch gardens?

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

Subscribing... Great report!

 

[jenseib]

I love the Pygmy Puffs and owls. Boy it is making me regret that decision NOT to go to IOA this time around. I want a pygmy puff for myself !!!
Next trip for sure!!!!
Did you feed the dolphins at Seaworld? That is something I would like to do. Is there special times for that? I don't think we wil leven get to the park till about 1 PM the way things look right now.

 

[Timon]

Great report Can't wait to hear about the Dream

 

[SoonerGirl]

We sat in the splash zone one time at a Shamu show, that water is so cold we'll never do that again! That's too bad that your camera got ruined.

I didn't realize that the trainers didn't get into the water with them anymore, it's been a few years since we've been to Sea World. I'm sure that takes away from the show, but like you said, it's understandable.

 

[Elfinjojo]

I love the Pygmy Puffs and owls. Boy it is making me regret that decision NOT to go to IOA this time around. I want a pygmy puff for myself !!!
Next trip for sure!!!!

If you don't get to IOA, head to the airport to the Universal shop, they have them there!

Did you feed the dolphins at Seaworld? That is something I would like to do. Is there special times for that? I don't think we wil leven get to the park till about 1 PM the way things look right now.

We didn't feed the Dolphins this time. They do have set times and there are two or three sessions thru the day I believe.

We sat in the splash zone one time at a Shamu show, that water is so cold we'll never do that again! That's too bad that your camera got ruined.

We had bad luck that year with all Cameras. After the first got shamu'd Rob bought another, but that also broke - we think due to humidity - it kept seizing up on the zoom lense and misting over constantly. Rob bought a third and we were ok with that one - made for an expensive set of holiday memories

I didn't realize that the trainers didn't get into the water with them anymore, it's been a few years since we've been to Sea World. I'm sure that takes away from the show, but like you said, it's understandable.

I think it was due to a drowning incedent that invoved a trainer and a whale that brought about the changes to the trainers interaction with the Whales but the show in essence is the same.

 

[praisehisname]

Love the report so far; looking forward to more!

 

[podsnel]

What a great day at Seaworld!! We have been there, but it was years ago before the kids- I would really like to take them, though- I think next year when we are in Orlando for a good, lengthy visit. The show with the Seals & otters was my favorite- so funny!!