The NeverEnding Trip Report: 39 Parts and Counting (7/9 MK Day 2 & TL! LOTSA PICS!!)

[PISCESANGEL]

subscribing!

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Eagerly waiting an update!!!!!!

 

[PinkPrincessZ]

 

[scottny]

 

[LoveTwoTravel]

Hi Hayley,

Your trip reports and photos are wonderful. They really capture the "magic" of WDW. Thanks for sharing! Please keep them coming for all of your visits!

I tried to PM you to ask if you would please email me the itinerary card(s) template(s) that you used, but was unable to. Maybe b/c I am a new member???

Anyway, will you upload them or help me to figure out how I can send you my email addy (without my posting it here)?

Thanks so very much!

 

[cjsteiger]

I finally caught up on your TR. I love hearing all about U/IOA as my husband wants to do those on this trip too. What I wouldn't give to be able to have 3 weeks. I guess I could if I went in the summer but I won't do that one again.

I PM'd you so I could get a copy of the itinary cards. WHat an awesome idea? My hubby thinks I'm nuts as our trip is not for 10 months but hey you have to start sometime.

LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The helicopter pics. I really want to do that someday!!

Keep up the good work on your TR.

I can relate about the having to get this TR done before the next trip. I do that with my Scrapbooks. I have to get working on my 2007 book before we go in 2009 and now that I found the DIS boards I'll have to do a PTR and a TR too next year!!

Cheryl

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

I hope everyone who PM'd me got your itinerary cards! If not, PM me and I'll try to resend again - for some reason the DIS doesn't always email me when I have new PMs so I may have missed it

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Sorry this has been a long time coming!! But finally we have reached:

SeaWorld!

Today, we were both quite excited as we were headed to SeaWorld!!

Els had been waiting for this day FOREVER, well since I had told him about his birthday present, as he was finally going to get to do something he had wanted to do for a long time.

Up once again bright and early, we got changed into comfortable clothes since we would be at SeaWorld until late tonight. We caught the I Trolley down and again felt a bit jealous when some people came on asking which stop they got off for WDW – but never mind, we would be onsite in just a few days!

The I Trolley took us almost right to the entrance of SeaWorld, and we felt privileged to go through the special Discovery Cove entrance where there was no queue, and the cutest little old man checking our bags. I was really looking forward to this park for some reason, I thought it would be really cool. The first thing we saw when we got into the park was Shamu!! Well, not the real Shamu, but the cuddly version! There was absolutely no queue since SeaWorld had just opened so I jumped in line myself – the TM looking after him waved me over with a cheery, come on you big kid! And I got a photo with Shamu!

We walked over to the information desks inside the park and checked in for Els’ animal experience later in the day. That done, I definitely knew where I wanted to go to first – see the manatees! This was something I was really looking forward to in Florida! I had hoped we could go and swim in Crystal River with the manatees, but short on time and funds we had to give it a miss.

We followed the path around and arrived at the Stingray Pool first – we had a quick look here but I was so fidgety to see the manatees! We bypassed the Dolphin feeding area completely since we didn’t really want to buy the fish, as we were going to swim with them in couple of days anyway! We kept on going and soon I could see the manatee area! This place is really quiet first thing as I bet everyone goes for the Shamu area or to ride Kraken. I loved seeing the manatees – they are so cute and peaceful. I took loads of photos here and filmed them a lot. I was really happy to see the Manatee store and I told Els we’d have to come back here before we left tonight!!

Manatee with only one flipper

Me with a manatee - I swear, he came up to me whilst I was sitting there!

Grudgingly I left the manatee area and carried on going down the path. We reached the Journey to Atlantis but agreed we wouldn’t go on since we were going to the Makahiki Luau tonight and we didn’t want to go all soaked and frizzy hair!

BUT wild dogs couldn’t keep us away from Kraken, so we stuck our bag in a locker and headed for the ride! We were expecting to queue quite a bit for this ride but were very surprised to find almost no line at all and we were straight on. This ride rocks! Awesome, awesome ride! It feels like you’re going straight in the lake, and the twists and turns are just great! One of the top 10 coasters I’ve been on!

We rode a couple of times more since our bag was in the locker anyway, before moving onto the next attraction. We came across the Penguin bit and went to have a look at that since Els really loves penguins! They were all so cute and funny! One thing I was concerned about though was the amount of penguins to the small space – but then again I know nothing about penguins and I am sure SeaWorld take excellent care of them.

 

[hayanyujah847]

It's about time for an update!!! I commend you for keeping on as I quit before I even started my TR! lol!

Sea World looks like a bunch of fun! One of these days, we'll get over there. The pic with Shamu is oh~so~cute!!!

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

It's taking me ages I will be gone again before I finish this one... I'm not even in Disney World yet! D'oh!

I loved SeaWorld... really chilled out park compared to the rest of them!

 

[scottny]

great update and pics.

 

[Nicole786]

I'm trying to get over to Sea World!! If i don't go before my trip, i'll try and add a day just to get over there!! I saw a deal online that says if you book with a Howard Johnson for at least 2 nights you get 2 tickets free! Pretty good deal to me, so we'll see how it works out!

Did you see the new Manta coaster Sea World is gonna build??

 

[biscuitgirl]

I PM'd you about the itinerary cards! They look great! Loving your updates by the way!

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

Your trip report has made me add Sea World to our itinerary. We live in Ohio and had Sea World here for years and years. I'd been so many times that I didn't think that I'd want to visit again but reading this has made me want to go back!!!!!

Thanks too for sending the itinerary cards. I finally finished mine the other day. I downloaded the Waltograph font and added that too!

Your templates were awesome!!! Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[askelton]

Loved your update. We haven't been to Sea World in a while, but it looks like we need to go back soon! I also love penguins and could sit for hours watching them. They are so cute!

​

 

[MouseFan Down Under]

Hello Hayley

I just caught up on your trip report and it is fabulous! You and Els make such a cute couple!

I will be sure to keep a look out for you both when I am there in September! I will be at Pop from 31 August to 9 September.

And no, you are not the only one who goes into food stores and buys stuff that isn't usually available to you....I can barely get out of the airport when I land in LAX to start the shopping process! Even the chewing gum is different!!! And I can't wait to get me some of that Ben & Jerry's ice-cream chunky moneky ...I've been craving it since my last trip!

Looking forward to the next update.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Gah! I keep forgetting to post up here! I have the second part of SeaWorld, Wet'n'Wild and Discovery Cove all written up now! Never mind, here is SeaWorld Part 2: The One With All The Sharks and Hawaiians - Day 8.2

We waited near the big Polar Bear for a while, to catch some shade whilst we waited for a Team Member to pick Els up for his Shark Dive. If you choose to do this, you can’t miss it, just stand under the sign:

We had all the documents ready, and had prepared a special bag for Els with dry shorts, a small towel, and a plastic bag to put his wet things in! I had taken my camera and purse out so I could take photos of him.

The Team Member came through the doors and checked our documents, etc. and we found out Els would be sharing with a younger boy, also from the UK. I waved goodbye to him, and was told to meet him back here at a certain time. What would I do in SeaWorld on my own for over an hour?!

My Hour:
I was told they’d be in the water in about 30mins, so I decided to snoop around the Wild Arctic shop for a while. Nope, nothing to interest me here. I moved on over to try and see Shamu in his tank, but he wasn’t there. This wasn’t going so well. Walking as slowly as possible, I made my way over to the Predators area where the sharks were. Good – another shop here. Taking my time to look over everything. I selected a really cool SeaWorld shark frame for Els, so that he could put a photo of him doing his shark dive in it later on. I must have taken longer in that store than I’d thought, as when I decided to go through the shark tunnel to see where Els would be diving, I could see one of them getting into the tank from above! So I raced back around to the check-in desk of the Shark’s Underwater Grill restaurant, and explained that I had someone doing the shark dive. The family who were with the younger boy had just gone in before me.

I did feel bad here for the people eating in the restaurant as I thought I was blocking their view, but then again, I had paid a bit for his shark dive and I wanted to see him do it! We waited right near the glass and saw both of them getting in the cage. Once it started moving, I began taking photos straight away – I wanted to get as many as possible as I had no idea how much would turn out or how good they would be. I couldn’t use flash because of the glass and I do not have a steady hand, so I just hoped for the best! I also did a little filming with the digital camera.

The cage moves along the top of the tunnel, stops halfway, goes to the end of the tunnel, then does the same thing on the return journey. I’d say they were in the water for a good 20mins. It was amazing how close the sharks came up to them and how big they were! I got really excited when Els spotted me and waved, as there is a bit of a distance between the restaurant and the cage.

You can see his face in this one!

I took as many photos as I could before the battery ran out. Once I could see them start to get our of the cage, I started to make my way slowly back to the Wild Arctic. I think I may have gone through the attraction again, and browsed a bit more in the store, just in case they sold a bit more manatee stuff! I took a seat on the edge of a kerb outside the ‘backstage doors’ to wait for Els to come out. It was boiling hot and I must have waited 10mins on that kerb – I was just dying for some suntan lotion! He finally came out with the TM, and she thanked them both and told them where to go to collect their photos afterwards, as well as giving them both a ‘shark pack’. We said goodbye to the other family, and went on our way. I could tell he had loved it just from looking at his face!

Els’ Hour:
(Disclaimer: This is quite brief as I’m trying to get it out of him as he’s trying to play his Xbox360)
They walked to a small chalet type building backstage, where they were sat in a room filled with shark photos. Here, the TM gave them a talk about sharks, and they both got to touch a shark’s jaw and shark’s skin which the TM then explained to them about.

After the talk, they were both taken into a room to get wetsuits, shoes and gloves; and put them on in a changing room, which also had showers, sinks and lockers to put your stuff in. At this point they were both given a partially frozen bottle of water as it was extremely hot out, especially in wetsuits!

They were put in a sort of mini golf cart and taken to the Shark exhibit through the back door. The TM showed them around the backstage bit of the exhibit and took them along a walkway which went over the top of the shark tank. Then it was time for the final piece of kit! They were taken down some steps which eased them into a small pool area, which was gated off from the main shark tank. He said the water was freezing, but not as cold as the Ray Pool in Discovery Cove! At this point they got their photo taken in front of the cage and the helmets (it’s this photo that’s in the frame now). They had to go on their knees and put their head into the helmet, before they were taught how to stand and move with it on. The helmet was really heavy, but they were told that it would not weigh as much in the water.

Then, it was shark dive time so they both got into the diving cage! He really enjoyed the shark dive! The sharks looked even bigger when they were up that close, and he swore that one certain shark kept baring its teeth every time it came near him!

Once the dive was over, they got out of the cage, were taken back to the original building to shower and change, before being let out back into the real world!

Once we had both been slathered in suntan lotion again, Els could not stop talking about the shark dive. He thought it was just amazing! He showed me the shark book and the t-shirt he’d got, and told me all about it. He was desperate to see the photos I’d taken of his dive, but since the battery on the camera had died, he’d just have to wait until tonight. I gave him the shark frame I’d just bought, and he was pretty chuffed with it!

We both walked back to the Predators area as he wanted to see the shark tunnel he’d gone through, as we walked through, we could see some more people getting into the cage.

Oh! I forgot to mention earlier that we’d had lunch! I don’t have a photo as I was trying to conserve the camera’s battery, but we had lunch in Mango Joe’s. We both had fajitas – I had mixed and Els had steak. I queued for quite a bit, but the food was all fresh as you can see it being cooked. The chicken was really good, but I wouldn’t have the steak again as it was really chewy and just sort of stuck in your throat. I would go there again though, but would order just chicken next time!

It was probably about 3.30ish now, and since there wouldn’t be another Blue Horizons or Seamore and Clyde show today, we decided we’d go back and do Kraken again! I think we must have done this another 3 times, and this time queuing to sit in the front row, which was absolutely awesome!

We walked back to the Manatee area for another look around here, and so I could buy some stuff in the store. I bought a magnetic notepad, a keyring (which is now broken), a ‘teddy’ magnet, and a manatee mug and cuddly toy – all manatee stuff of course. I would have bought the biggest manatee if my suitcase allowed it!

With all my manatee booty in tow, we walked back around the park to do the bits we had missed again, or skimmed over. We stayed at the ray pool for a bit, and went to collect Els’ shark photos from the desk near the entrance. They take a photo of you in your wetsuit just in front of the cage – you do have to pay for this however.

We both desperately needed a drink, so I bought us a big Shamu sipper cup full of Sprite. We should have bought it earlier in the day really, but I knew we’d be back later in the week, and it was worth it IMO just to get the cup! We sat down quite near to the Seafire Inn where the Luau was going to take place. Once we saw a family go in, we went up ourselves and queued to get our ticket. We showed our confirmation to the guy at check-in and he gave us a little paper slip which showed where we were sitting. We moved on to get our drink, I chose the cocktail while Els got a bud light, and we sat down for them to call us in. When there were quite a few people in, some of the dancers came out in their costumes and gave out Leis which was quite cool.

Soon we were led to sit, and the servers sit you by the number/letter on your ticket. Since we had booked pretty far in advance, we were sat in the centre table at the front. We had a family of 4 on one side, and a lovely couple from Florida on the other who were celebrating their wedding anniversary. This couple was just so nice and we chatted to them throughout the show, Els was having a few beers with the guy and we were having so much fun! It’s so cool when you get someone like that at your table! The family of 4 were nice too, but just a bit strange. During the bit were they teach the younger kids to hula on stage the mother got up and did it, but the family just sat there in silence whilst she did it. It was hilarious to see her there with 5 and 6 year olds!

The food was delicious! Much better than I’d imagined! I’m afraid I have no photos, but we had island salad, Mahi Mahi in pina colada sauce (which was superb and I’m not a ‘fish person’), Hawaiian Chicken, Polynesian Style Spare Ribs, Polynesian Fried Rice and Stir Fried Vegetable Medley. We finished with the Big Kahuna, which I can’t quite remember what it was, but I think it was very nice!

The show was really good – lots of singing, dancing, narrating, and things like fire throwing. We both really enjoyed it, it was a fantastic night and we would go again.

When we left it was quite late, so we said goodbye to the couple from Florida and started making our way to catch the I Trolley, both in a ridiculously good mood. A few people who came to the stop after us said that the Shamu Rocks show had been cancelled tonight as the whales were just not cooperating, so I was really glad I hadn’t chosen tonight to see the show!

After we got back to the Sheraton, we uploaded our photos from the day onto the laptop, and Els got straight on SeaWorld’s website to see if there were any spaces for the Shark Dive left whilst we were still on I Drive as he wanted to do it again! But sadly, there weren’t!

An awesome day – I had really enjoyed myself at SeaWorld!

Next Up: Wet'n'Wild

 

[KristinAnne]

I've been lurking through most of your report, but I'll come out of hiding now! It looks like you're having such a good time. Your reports are great! I've been following along on your dining report too!

 

[RachelNinja]

Absolutely love your TR! Especially the photos! Well, maybe minus the sharks part ... haha, absolutely terrifies me! But I love the aerial views of Orlando. Those are great and photos that I would think the majority of us never get to see. Very unique! Can't wait for the next installment.

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Wet’n’Wild!

We were originally meant to go to Wet’n’Wild in our first week, but as you may recall from our live trippie, Els burnt his scalp a little bit and we didn’t want to risk that worsening, so we just swapped it with our shopping day instead.

From passing Wet’n’Wild every day – it was more or less right opposite our hotel – we could see that it was relatively quiet-ish first thing, got very busy during the day, and it was quiet again in the evenings. So we decided we would try and go first thing when it opened in order to beat the queues.

We got there, and it was really quiet. We got in no problem with our Universal Tickets (which also included WW) and headed off to find a locker. If I remember correctly, when you pay for a locker they assign you a locker number. If I had chosen my own, I definitely would have chosen closer to where we were sitting! Our locker wasn’t facing the pool, and was sort of near the entrance, so we chose the closest seats we could find and dumped our towels, sunscreen, etc. down there.

Okay, slides before they started to get busy. We headed straight for Disco H2O round the back of the park where there was already a queue forming. We queued for quite a while on this one, despite the park having just opened, for at least a good 20 minutes. That is the one thing I hate about water parks – standing there for ages in the boiling sun, on metal stairs/walkways, in a bikini with your wobbly bits on show to everyone. However, we LOVED Disco H2O! It was sooo much fun with all the lights and music. I would have loved to go on again but by this time the queue was huge so we gave it a miss. This is definitely one of the most popular rides in the park so get to it early! Instead we ran up the steps next to it and went on The Surge which was good, but not as good as H2O!

Having had enough of the queuing already and wanting some swimming, we went to the locker and grabbed our new underwater camera, and headed for the Lazy River. We went around about twice, having fun splashing about and taking some photos of each other with the new camera.

We also headed into the Surf Pool for some obligatory photos in front of the Wet’n’Wild sign.

Deciding we should do at least some slides, we tried to find one without much of a queue. I fancied Bubba Tub but that had a huge queue for a 2 minute ride.

Bubba Tub

Els really wanted to go on Bomb Bay and Der Stuka so off we went towards the huge slides. It seemed like there was a massive queue for them, but the queue from Brain Wash is on the same stairwell.

Brainwash, Bomb Bay and Der Stuka

Bomb Bay and Der Stuka

Brainwash, Bomb Bay and Der Stuka

When we got to the top there was absolutely no queue to go on either of them. I turned to Els and told him they had to be really scary if there was no queue to go on! I chose Der Stuka and Els went off towards Bomb Bay. I was really nervous and almost chickened out altogether. It’s that bit at the top where you have to push yourself off the slide – eek!

Well I made it down in one piece and waited for Els who was a couple of seconds behind me. He had the biggest look of shock on his face. Well, from below, Bomb Bay and Der Stuka look like exactly the same slide and we thought they were both the push-yourself-off type slide, but boy were we wrong!! Els was really confused when the slide attendant at the top told him to get into the tube, before he’d got a chance to think about it, the floor had pulled away and he was hurtling down the slide. The look on his face was hilarious!

I maintained that Der Stuka was the scariest since you had to drum up the courage to push yourself off. Of course Els disagreed and made us go up again, this time me on Bomb Bay and him on Der Stuka. True, Bomb Bay was scary, but you were down that slide before you know it – I still think Der Stuka is the scariest!!

We decided now was the time to get lunch, so off we went to the Surf Grill. I could have sworn I had a photo of this, but apparently I don’t. I think we had 2 cheeseburgers and fries and 2 Sprites. It was good, just normal fare you would expect to find in a waterpark.

Against common sense, we decide to go for another dip in the main pool. It was really starting to get busy now, and the queues for the slides were huge. We’re not really waterpark people anyway, I love slides where you get to go down together in a rubber tube, but I’m just as happy in the lazy river… this from a thrill ride junkie!!

We decided to just dry off and leave Wet’n’Wild around 2pm. The queue for the lockers was now huge. I would definitely recommend going early in the morning before the crowds get there. On the way back to the Sheraton, we popped into the Walgreens in Visitor’s Circle to grab a few things. We bought another bottle of the Coppertone Sports suntan lotion spray as we had used a lot of the one we’d bought in Walmart, as well as a few supplies like cotton buds and the like. I bought a huge blue slurpee which I happily drank on the way back to the hotel.

I have a bit of a blank in my memory here, as I’m not sure whether we went to the Sheraton pool or just chilled out for the rest of the day!

Dinner tonight was Denny’s (again!) We were going to go to Red Lobster over the road, but when we got there the waiting time was around 30-40mins. We were really hungry, so we just hopped back over the road to good ol’ Denny’s. Will be in my dining report

We were really excited for tomorrow, so decided we would get a good night’s sleep. We were finally going to Discovery Cove!!

Next up: Discovery Cove!