Day 4 Universal Studios Island of Adventure

We packed up our belongings and checked out of the Nick. Back at Universal, we parked at King Kong section, Donovin was sure this was a good sign! Again, we got the map and decided to just follow it around the park. We started off at Poseidon's Fury show. It was ok, a lot of standing. You stood in line, you stood the entire show, I was worried our feet would hurt before we even started in on the park. Next stop was Harry Potter, but it was SO crowded! I made the decision to just skip the area and go back at the end. I was scared that I made the wrong decision, but my thought was there were a lot of school groups there, they had to leave sometime, right. And that sometime, I was guessing would be before us, so I took the chance. Would I regret it? Jurrasic Park was next, and I admit, I got scared! (But so did Dominic). We did Dudly Do Rights Rip Saw Falls, it was a really long line, but well worth it, as it was hot out. Popey's Bilge Rat Barges was next, since we were wet anyway. We all got wet, but there were a few girls from a school group on our raft and they were soaked! Lunch time we found ourselves at the Comic Strip Cafe. Typical park food, not bad, not great. But hit the spot. The Amazing Spiderman 3D ride was next, this turned out to be hubby's favorite. So now we are down to whether I made the right decision or not. Harry Potter time. My decision paid off, it wasn't as croweded, it still had a lot of people in the area, but not like that morning. I just want to say here, that I absolutely LOVED the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It felt like we were really there. Amazing. I give so much credit to the artist who made the movie come to life. First we rode the Dragon Challenge, then Dominic and I rode the Flight of the Hippogriff. Finally, Harry Potter and the Fobidden Journey. Hands down, all time favorite ride of any theme park I have ever been to. Just going through the line was amazing in itself. The pictures came to life, just like the movie. Dumbledors office and the turning staircase were exact. Again, it was just like being at Hogwarts. The ride was unbelieveable. I wasn't sure how it was going to go, whether it was a 3D ride, or roller coaster, I just never knew or thought to find out. Which made it all that much more fun. We had to put our bags in lockers, but they told us the ride didn't go upside down. At times it felt like it would. It was a 3D/Roller Coaster/4D ride all in one! If that makes any sense. It was a little scary too!! Especially when the dementors came out. If we had had time, I would have ridden it again, at least once more, but we had to go. What a perfect ride to end the day with, and our vacation in Orlando.

We hopped in the car and started our way to Cape Canaveral. The drive was about an hour, a very easy ride. We saw some neat birds, a field of cows , more birds and a couple of wild pigs. Check-in at the Country Inn and Suites was a breeze and they had my FE items that I mailed ahead of time. We hung out in the room for a bit, of course Donovin got some popcorn and we turned in for the night.

Day 3 Universal Studios

We arrived at Universal just after the park opened, and to Donovin's joy, we got to park in the King Kong area. He is a BIG King Kong fan! We headed to the Jimmy Newtron ride first, only to find out it was closed. We then decided to take the park map and just follow it around, and it worked out great. We went on Twister, Revenge of the Mummy, Disaster, Jaws (yep, it's still around! I LOVE this cheesy ride!) We ate at Louie's Pizza, I don't know if I was just really hungry or if it was just really good. But it was the best pizza I have had at any theme park. Next was Men in Black and The Simpsons Ride. The Simpsons Ride was the kids favorite. I have to say it was a great ride. I love the simulated rides like that, hubby on the other hand, no so much. Next, ET's Adventure. I forgot that that ride is geared towards little children. A nice break, and had A/C and no line, but not one I would do again. Terminator 2 in 3D and last but not least, Rip Rocket Roller Coaster. You could pick the music you wanted to listen to while you rode. Donovin and I both chose You Can't Touch This. The lines were not bad, the weather was hot but not unbearable. We went back to the Nick to swim for a bit, the we decided to brave Walmart again (crazy, I know). We enjoyed the Nick hotel, but were looking forward to our next adventure!

Day 2 - Sea World / Willow Tree Cafe

We arrived at Sea World about 1/2 hour after the gates opened. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. After a few pictures quick pictures we went through the Dolphin Nursery and Shark Encounter. Then we went for The Kracken! One of two roller coasters. We had to wait a few minutes for the ride to open, but it was worth the wait. It was a lot of fun, as Donovin said "that was AWESOME!". After the Kracken we got a little wet on the Journey to Atlantis ride. We headed over to the other side of the park to wait for One Ocean, the killer whale show to start. It was a beautiful show and one not to miss. We sat in the splash zone, Donovin and I were pretty wet, but somehow the splashes missed Dominic and Bert! The virtual ride Wild Artic was next, the boys and I found that fun, Bert felt a little motion sick on that one. Next, the Sea Lion and Otter Show which is a hoot. Get there early and watch the Mime greeting everyone as they arrive, he had us all laughing! Dominic and I decided to try the Manta roller coaster. It lays you flat facing the ground as if you were a Manta Ray. We only rode it once! The G-forces were pretty extreme, and at the end you stayed laying face down until you were fully into the station, even when the ride wasn't moving. I was ready to get out of that position, it was not comfortable. Once was enough and we were satisfied that we said we went on it. Since there was no line at the Kraken, Dom and I decided to ride it again. And then again. It was getting late at this point, and we still had a dinner to get to. So we wrapped up our day, saying goodbye to the alligators and headed back to the hotel to rest up and clean up for our dinner later that night.

Dinner at the Willow Tree Cafe in Sanford, Florida. We were invited there by an old friend of Bert's who he was in the Air Force with while stationed in Germany. Rusty, along with his wife Martha and their friend Wayne recommended this place as it served authentic German food and beer, which was the beer they drank when they were stationed in Germany. Let me say this was a WONDERFUL time. We all loved it, including Dominic and Donovin! Dominic ordered wienerschnitzel, just so he could say he did but he ended up liking it. I did try his and it was very good. All the food that we had was fabulous, I just don't remember what it all was! But really, beside the great company we had, the entertainment was what topped the night. I recommend anyone visiting the area go to the Willow Tree Cafe, Thur - Sun, if just for the entertainment. There was a "two-man-band" and they sang German songs and played a variety of instruments the entire time we were there (about 4 hours). This was such a wonderful night, and made it to the top of our enjoyment list. The photos and videos don't do the night justice, but again, if your in the area you should really try to make it to the Willow Tree Cafe!

DAY 1 - Florida Vacation May 21-29, 2011

Day 1: After months of planning the day finally arrived. Our flight from Portland to Orland was nonstop on AirTran, which arrived 30 minutes early! Unfortunately we used that extra time going back and forth trying to get our rental car. Apparently you have to stop at the counter inside the terminal before going to the rental car area, although all signs pointed out to the car area. Not a big deal, and at least we did that during "extra" time and not on "vacation" time! So on to the Nickelodeon Hotel.



Not a bad hotel, very clean and the staff was great. But we felt that we were not there enough to enjoy it, so we probably would not stay there again. If you have young children who need down time, it would be great. We forced ourselves to use the pool because we paid to stay there. That night we ventured out to Walmart to buy snacks and such. To put that trip in one word, NIGHTMARE! It was the craziest Walmart I have ever been in. Throw in the fact that I had been up early, traveled all day and was now in 90 degree heat after leaving 50 degrees and rain for weeks. It had to be done, but I couldn't wait to get out of that store.

Niagara Falls 2010

It was a hard decision as to where to stay in Niagara. I did a lot of research for this trip, and went back and forth as to which side to stay on. Most research led me to the Canadian side. It had more to do, better view, etc. I decided to split the trip, a few days on the American side (I also wanted to help our economy in my own small way) and a few days on the Canadian side, and I have to say it worked out perfectly. I LOVED the American side and when/if we go again, I would spend more time there. There wasn't a lot of nightlife or gimmik shops, it was more of a park setting, which is what Niagara Falls is, a state park. The grounds were beautiful, and you got closer to the falls then on the Canadian side. On the Canadian side, there was a lot more people, crowds, noise, lights, shops and it was a lot more expensive! We were surprised as the cost of food/beverages, which was about double, then on the American side. If we were not staying at the Great Wolf Lodge, I would have been miserable. It was a little ways out from the falls, which also meant it was away from all the distractions. And all those distractions took away from the beauty of the falls. My two cents, the American side, hands down, the best side for visiting Niagara Falls. We traveled by car from Portland to Niagara Falls, staying about half way at Howe Caverns, NY. Where we visited, of course, Howe Caverns. Here are just a few pics, the first one are the boys outside of the entrance of Howe Caverns, the Howe Caverns motocycle built for them by Orange County Choppers. OCC actually made two of them for the owner of Howe Caverns, one on display and one that he rides. Then the boys down in the cavern. It was really a neat place to visit, there was a small river that ran underground and we actually took a boat ride through part of the cavern.

This is the view outside of our hotel room on the American side of Niagara Falls. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, and I would stay there again. Wonderful staff, walking distance to everything, indoor pool. It had everything we needed.

American side Niagara Falls Park

The Aquarium......can you tell my guys have a thing with sharks!

Cave of the winds, this was a blast (no pun intended)! Maid of the Mist, awesome fun!

We met this band at the Hard Rock Cafe, they were the winners of a local radio contest, which sent them over to London to open for Paul McCartney. I can't remember the bands name, I'll have to ask my kids?

Onto the Canadian side, we stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge in Ontario. I absolutely love Great Wolf Lodge. We have only stayed at two, here and Williamsburg, VA, and loved them both. Very clean all over, rooms are nice, staff is very friendly. And the water park is quite large, you don't feel too crowded.

Canadian side of the falls....

These pictures were taken from a stop on our way to the Canadian side.

The family portrait.

Oh yeah, my new camera!

Well, I've actually spent some money this weekend and ordered a new camera! And as hard as it was to buy it (I HATE spending money on something just for me) and going a little over budget (ok, it was a lot over budget, but don't tell my hubby! I'll make up the difference using grocery coupons so send some my way!) I am very excited to get it! I've been tracking it and right now it is somewhere in Ohio. It is a Nikon, my favorite brand. I received a Nikon from my parents when we got married. It was a point and shoot, and took film. I took the most wonderful memories with that camera. Most of my childrens pics, my favorite pics, were with that camera. I was devistated when it couldn't be fixed for the last time. After the Nikon, I've had other point and shoot digital cameras like Canon and Kodak, but I never felt as good about those pictures as I ever did over that Nikon. Although the Canon did me well on the Road Trip from Vegas to Colorado a few years back. But this time I went all out and bought a Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera! And I will be determened to use it to it's full potential and might even take a class or two. I can't wait, so be prepared to see some pictures soon. The tracking says it should be here by Friday!

Fish Extender

I am still working on our Disney Fish Extenders (FE). This will be our first time joining in. A Fish Extender is a "mailbox" type item that you hang outside of your stateroom. They are usually homemade and are called Fish Extenders because that is what they are hung on, a fish. (Well, a fish on the Magic and Wonder, I think a seahorse on the Dream). On the Disboard, you join in on the FE with fellow cruisers that are on the same cruise as you. I've heard that on some FE's you get the list of all that are joined in and you can give to whoever you want to how many you want. There could be quite a few on this list. On our cruise, a wonderful person has offered to provide us all with a spread sheet of the names/ages/sex of those joined, and a date we exchange and it is with only one other cabin, so you don't have to bring a lot of FE items. They can be big or small, store bought or home made, whatever you feel you want to do. I plan on trying to do something homemade and go to a local candy shop and by chocolate from Maine. Who doesn't like chocolate?! I will post pics of the FE when I get it done. Our trip feels so far away, but it will come up quick!