Just back, Cypress Harbour... things we did, etc.

[jdm]

Hi Everyone

We just got back and had a great time. I'm going to list some of the stuff we did and places we stayed and if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them if I can.

We stayed at Marriotts Cypress Harbour for a week and really enjoyed the resort.

We also stayed at Hard Rock for two days and were not overly impressed.

We went to:

Kennedy Space Center - lunch with the astronaut addmission
(loved it, and I'm not a big space enthusiast).

Sea World

Discovery Cove

Out of Control Magic / Comedy show at Wonderworks
(My family loved this show, laughed for 90 minutes!)

Typhoon Lagoon
(My kids chose this over our beach day!)

We ate at

Golden Corral (not on International - can't remember) enjoyed it

Golden Corral (on International - lousy)

Boston Lobster (OK good to get Lobster and steamers that we don't get in the Northwest)

Waffle House (Yuck)

Motown Cafe at Citywalk (fun atmoshpere, average food)

Sbarro's Pizza (Good as always)

Carrabba's (Italian joint that we stumbled across one night when staying at the Hard Rock) We loved this place! We'll definitely go back.

Let me know if I can answer any questions :~)

Jenn

 

[Harryo]

Glad you had great time. My family and I absolutely love Cypress Harbour. We have stayed there our last three trips to Orlando. How did you like Discovery Cove? DW and I are thinking of taking our three kids 12, 8 and 7 on our next trip in May. It's pretty expensive, is it worth the big bucks?

 

[jdm]

Yes, we felt it was worth the big bucks but it will be our last time for a while.

We did this last year for the first time. Our girls (then 8 & 10) swam with the dolphins and dh and I just got the snorkel package. We all loved our day here. The only down side I could say was- the kids did an afternoon dolphin swim and I was not prepared for the hard sell of the pictures and the time it would take up in the presenting and purchasing of them. It took a couple of hours, between their swim and then back to the hut to look at and order pictures and then standing in line to get them. Granted, they were once in a lifetime pictures but such a hassel and then the day was over.

Surprisingly, the one thing my kids wanted to do again this year was Discovery Cove WITHOUT the dolphin swim. They were thrilled to have done it once, but now wanted more time to snorkel and go the bird avairy etc. So, that's what we did. It is a very expensive day ($506 total for 4 without the dolphin swim) but if you figure in the meal, parking, and admission to Sea World it's really worth it. I think if they can afford it, that everyone should experience this place at least once.

One other thing I'd like to add.,,, it's a very expensive day and you want good weather. We went at an iffy time of year although a very busy week as far as Orlando goes. It was Presidents week and Daytona and the area was packed. I did not make our Discovery Cove reservation until the DAY before we went and knew the forcast was calling for 80 degrees. I know I took a risk but I just kept checking the availability calender (on their website) and they were showing open slots for the whole week. So, I waited and if the weather had been cold and rainy then we would not have done it. To me, it was worth the risk of missing out than to have a miserable day weather wise. So, although they say you should book months in advance, that simply is not the case all of the time.

Jenn