Orlando FL

Where have Ive been the most... Orlando FL...

The first time I ever went to Orlando I was about 12 years old. Do I remember it, not too much.. I remember going to Seaworld and my mom leaving my brother and myself in the interactive water area for kids. She told us not to get wet but what kid listens to their mothers? We were soaked when she returned. I remember losing my luggage when we came home because her boyfriend at the time didnt get us to the airport in time. I was so mad.

But in the past few years Ive gone quiet a few times.

The first time I went to Orlando was Septober 2001 (Septober is Last week of Sept thru the First week of October) It was my first real vacation as an adult. I went with my then boyfriend and his brother. We left on a Tuesday night, we drove all night and arrived 1st in Tampa Florida - he had family there. We stayed in Tampa for a few days. I got to take a ride on a small boat - that was a first. I loved it. He and I left his brother in Tampa with the family and drove to Orlando. We stayed about a week in Orlando. It was my first time so I didnt know where to go and what to see.

He finally decided on Universal Studios and Island and Adventures. We also went to Seaworld. Island of Adventures was great. The Hulk Ride was amazing... it shoots you out without you knowing what was going to happen. We had no idea what to expect. I was totally shocked and I love thrill rides. Spiderman was very cool... MIB ride was the best.. shooting aliens but can be scary. Jaws scared me as I am scared of anything like that. Twister was very interesting. Dueling Dragons was SOOOO amazing. Two coasters ridding together - we went on that one a few times. Popeye's water ride - you will get soaked on that ride! Jurassic Park area - well scared the crap out of me... told you I am afraid of Jaws, Dinosaurs and a few other things... lol

We also walked along International Drive - we stopped at Wonderworks - which is a scientific type place - lots of experiments and fun. We also checked out Ripleys. When you go there and try to do the tongue trick, dont be fooled - youll see why.. lol

While we were there he got suckered into purchasing a timeshare - at the time I felt it was a waste of money and now with our family I feel its great.

We went back to Orlando in April 2004 as a family. Thats two adults and three kids. We stayed at the timeshare. My youngest was 8 months at the time what could she remember? At the timeshare we had a 2 bedroom condo. It was fantastic with 3 kids. We cooked meals and saved a ton of money. While there we visited Seaworld again - make sure you see the Clyde and Seamore show. We played MiniGolf at the Pirates Cove. They checked out Ripleys and Wonderworks. Universal Studios was also on the list. The boys loved it. My youngest was on her first Carousel.
We got to go to Wet N Wild - It was their first time there... we all loved it.

Again we went October 2006 - this time we went to Disney. Again as a family we drove down - we left on a friday from NY and arrive in Orlando about 3pm the next day. It was a long drive. This time we took some friends with us. We stayed at the time share again - very convenient.

Our first time in Disney - we went to the Magic Kingdom - Animal Kingdom - both Water Parks and Disney Quest. Since it was our first time we had no idea what to expect. Since it was October the park was decorated for Halloween. We were able to get on some rides but not much as we had no idea what to do, lol... We did search the whole park or what we thought was the whole park. We kept looking for a Princess but didnt find a one. We were disappointed. Lucky it was Halloween! Apparently that night was the Pirate and Princess Party so the park was closing at 7pm.. while we were leaving - people were coming in. They were all dressed up! We stopped a Cinderella and begged her to take pictuers with my little girl, it made her day.

At Animal Kingdom we got to see Pocahontas and The Festival of the Lion King - thats a show I would see over and over. We actually missed the first few minutes but it was an amazing show. We finally got to see Mickey! Minne, Goofy and Donald were also there. Flick was another surprise!... We started to fall for Disney.

I went down again in March 2007 with my sister and her son. We took the kids to downtown Disney and found the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She loves dressing up and this was amazing, the did her hair with twist's and she got color all over her hair. She also got a sash - then it was on to the Magic Kingdom again! We got to see the Parade with all the lights.. wow that was amazing. Everyone called her Princess and bowed to her... it was so cute! The second park we hit was Universal Studios were my nephew got to see Lighting McQueen and Mater. Honey I shrunk the kids lot was a big hit with the kids. We saw power rangers and bear in the big blue house. We had also hit one of the water parks.

More Orlando to Come...