Mike Jones
<font color=993300>....nothing clever to say... ju
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 1,372
Previous Days:
Part 1 - Pre-trip, The Journey & First Afternoon in NY
Day 2, New York
Day 3, New York
Day 4, Orlando!
Day 5, Orlando!
DAY 6 THURSDAY 4TH MAY 2006.
We rise at 5.50am, intentionally, so we can take a walk around the BW lake before the Bakery opens at 6.30. Its still dark, of course, but the views of the lights and imminent sunrise are lovely. There are few people around, and those that are out are jogging around the lake.
Its probably about a mile or so, and we land at the Bakery spot on 6.30. We choose a breakfast sandwich for me (like an egg burger, and a bit greasy to be honest) and Amanda has a breakfast burrito (much the same, with more cheese and in a wrap.) With 2 coffees the damage is $12.
Its light now and more people start to appear around the walkway. More joggers join, although some of them are doing little better than Peter Kays Dad sketch lots of puffing and blowing but around 1.5 mph!
We finish our brekkie at the Bakery tables outside and head back to the room. Amandas heel and toe are causing her some problems she has a few cracks in the skin so we need to get some cream later.
We shower and I sit on the balcony to catch up on my notes. The sun is rising behind us, lighting up the hotels and MGMs Tower of Terror in front. Its going to be hot again today.
We leave at 7.45, have a chat to Paul at the valet station, and head off to Goodings at Marketplace where we find some stuff to treat Amandas feet. Then its roof off, I4 east towards Orlando, and we are parking up at Seaworld by 8.40. There arent many people here today, so far, and the car lots are empty. They admit us to the Village area at 8.45, and we stand at the rope drop nearest the rides, chatting to a Cast Member, (full of enthusiasm for the new Killer whale show, Believe, which is in rehearsal later today) until they raise the flag and sing the national anthem at 900am. Then its full speed ahead, dump the bag in a locker and straight to Kraken
where the CM tells us theres a technical delay and it wont open for 15 minutes. Groan.. a middle-aged couple from Congleton are behind us they came yesterday and the guy loves the rides. His wife will do Atlantis, she says, but not the coaster. We are admitted at 915 sharp, and dash to the front row!
Wonderful coaster this we ride again, twice, in the back row, and then walk round to Atlantis
... Ive only done this once before and got pretty soaked, but am let off with a mild splashing today! (Leaving so soon? I think not!)
We make our way back towards the entrance and Key West, where we mess with the stingrays (oi, put it back in the water please!) and Amanda catches a sneaky pic of me updating my notes
.and then on to feed the dolphins
its busy here though, and we soon move on.
We start heading towards the Dolphin Stadium for the first show at 11.00, but were over early, (10.20) so we divert to the Waterfront to kill some time. This recently finished area looks fantastic, but on closer inspection adds little to the visitors essential itinerary except more opportunities to spend $$$ inside the park. Weve not yet tried the eateries here, but the shops sell more or less the same stuff you can find in 50 other places at SW. The Pearl Divers are briefly entertaining though, and we watch as they seed the tank with oysters for the day ahead.
We are close to the entrance village again (and my, doesnt it feel dated next to the Waterfront?) so we pop into the Cypress Bakery for coffees to drink during the dolphin show. We have another Aussie moment when a lady behind us in the line says to Amanda: I love your accent! Are you from Austrailia? Doh! Im wearing a cork-ringed hat and carrying a boomerang next year!
We walk the short distance to the Stadium. Clyde & Seymour has just kicked out, so the walkways are bustling. I love the pre-show entertainment at C & S, but have tired of the show, so we intend to skip it this visit.
The Dolphin Stadium has had an obvious rehash, with sexy looking steelwork projecting almost coaster-like above the stage and the water. Should be good. the guide says something like its a fusion of the animals, actors, acrobats and birds well, itll either be brilliant or appalling!
Well its great! Most wont have seen it yet, so no detail, but it works brilliantly! The dolphins and false killer whales mix with the performers and birds to produce a very entertaining half hour.
We leave, satisfied, and after a restroom stop, walk across the boardwalk bridge to Mango Joes, near Shamu, for an early lunch of combo fajitas and fries, c. $19. We sit on the lakeside patio in hot sunshine to eat. Lovely! Theres a little activity on the lake, with a team of three guys practising water ski stunts, although Ive not seen a proper show staged on the water for several years now.
Were close to the Wild Arctic now, and there doesnt seem to be any line for the simulator, so we enter. This is very dated, in my opinion, similar to Star Tours, a rough and bumpy affair, but more fun than walking. The actual base itself is very well themed, but theres little to see today no polar bears, although we watch some trainers for a day visitors swimming with beluga whales. In the next tank is a huge walrus, looking bored.
We stroll around the lake (12.45 now) to the Nautilus Theatre for the 1pm showing of Oddyssea, a decent, mini version of Cirque du Soleil on a budget. The pre-show is a laugh, having an actor mixing with the audience.
Out at 130, and its HOT! We do a quick tour of Shark Encounter on the way to the Shamu Stadium at 1.40 for the rehearsal of the new show, Believe.
Part 1 - Pre-trip, The Journey & First Afternoon in NY
Day 2, New York
Day 3, New York
Day 4, Orlando!
Day 5, Orlando!
DAY 6 THURSDAY 4TH MAY 2006.
We rise at 5.50am, intentionally, so we can take a walk around the BW lake before the Bakery opens at 6.30. Its still dark, of course, but the views of the lights and imminent sunrise are lovely. There are few people around, and those that are out are jogging around the lake.
Its probably about a mile or so, and we land at the Bakery spot on 6.30. We choose a breakfast sandwich for me (like an egg burger, and a bit greasy to be honest) and Amanda has a breakfast burrito (much the same, with more cheese and in a wrap.) With 2 coffees the damage is $12.
Its light now and more people start to appear around the walkway. More joggers join, although some of them are doing little better than Peter Kays Dad sketch lots of puffing and blowing but around 1.5 mph!
We finish our brekkie at the Bakery tables outside and head back to the room. Amandas heel and toe are causing her some problems she has a few cracks in the skin so we need to get some cream later.
We shower and I sit on the balcony to catch up on my notes. The sun is rising behind us, lighting up the hotels and MGMs Tower of Terror in front. Its going to be hot again today.
We leave at 7.45, have a chat to Paul at the valet station, and head off to Goodings at Marketplace where we find some stuff to treat Amandas feet. Then its roof off, I4 east towards Orlando, and we are parking up at Seaworld by 8.40. There arent many people here today, so far, and the car lots are empty. They admit us to the Village area at 8.45, and we stand at the rope drop nearest the rides, chatting to a Cast Member, (full of enthusiasm for the new Killer whale show, Believe, which is in rehearsal later today) until they raise the flag and sing the national anthem at 900am. Then its full speed ahead, dump the bag in a locker and straight to Kraken
where the CM tells us theres a technical delay and it wont open for 15 minutes. Groan.. a middle-aged couple from Congleton are behind us they came yesterday and the guy loves the rides. His wife will do Atlantis, she says, but not the coaster. We are admitted at 915 sharp, and dash to the front row!
Wonderful coaster this we ride again, twice, in the back row, and then walk round to Atlantis
... Ive only done this once before and got pretty soaked, but am let off with a mild splashing today! (Leaving so soon? I think not!)
We make our way back towards the entrance and Key West, where we mess with the stingrays (oi, put it back in the water please!) and Amanda catches a sneaky pic of me updating my notes
.and then on to feed the dolphins
its busy here though, and we soon move on.
We start heading towards the Dolphin Stadium for the first show at 11.00, but were over early, (10.20) so we divert to the Waterfront to kill some time. This recently finished area looks fantastic, but on closer inspection adds little to the visitors essential itinerary except more opportunities to spend $$$ inside the park. Weve not yet tried the eateries here, but the shops sell more or less the same stuff you can find in 50 other places at SW. The Pearl Divers are briefly entertaining though, and we watch as they seed the tank with oysters for the day ahead.
We are close to the entrance village again (and my, doesnt it feel dated next to the Waterfront?) so we pop into the Cypress Bakery for coffees to drink during the dolphin show. We have another Aussie moment when a lady behind us in the line says to Amanda: I love your accent! Are you from Austrailia? Doh! Im wearing a cork-ringed hat and carrying a boomerang next year!
We walk the short distance to the Stadium. Clyde & Seymour has just kicked out, so the walkways are bustling. I love the pre-show entertainment at C & S, but have tired of the show, so we intend to skip it this visit.
The Dolphin Stadium has had an obvious rehash, with sexy looking steelwork projecting almost coaster-like above the stage and the water. Should be good. the guide says something like its a fusion of the animals, actors, acrobats and birds well, itll either be brilliant or appalling!
Well its great! Most wont have seen it yet, so no detail, but it works brilliantly! The dolphins and false killer whales mix with the performers and birds to produce a very entertaining half hour.
We leave, satisfied, and after a restroom stop, walk across the boardwalk bridge to Mango Joes, near Shamu, for an early lunch of combo fajitas and fries, c. $19. We sit on the lakeside patio in hot sunshine to eat. Lovely! Theres a little activity on the lake, with a team of three guys practising water ski stunts, although Ive not seen a proper show staged on the water for several years now.
Were close to the Wild Arctic now, and there doesnt seem to be any line for the simulator, so we enter. This is very dated, in my opinion, similar to Star Tours, a rough and bumpy affair, but more fun than walking. The actual base itself is very well themed, but theres little to see today no polar bears, although we watch some trainers for a day visitors swimming with beluga whales. In the next tank is a huge walrus, looking bored.
We stroll around the lake (12.45 now) to the Nautilus Theatre for the 1pm showing of Oddyssea, a decent, mini version of Cirque du Soleil on a budget. The pre-show is a laugh, having an actor mixing with the audience.
Out at 130, and its HOT! We do a quick tour of Shark Encounter on the way to the Shamu Stadium at 1.40 for the rehearsal of the new show, Believe.
