- March 26th, 2015, 9:30 pm
#74386
This past Sunday was my birthday and in usual fashion I was whisked away to an out of town destination. This year it was back to Orlando with some family. Originally we didn't plan to go out of town but my partner's cousin was getting married down there so we made a weekend out of it.
Friday March 20: Fun Spot America Orlando
I've been here once before in 2013 to ride White Lightning (the park's wooden coaster). I really enjoyed it and we needed something to do before check-in so we headed on over so I could get the other 2 credits.
First new credit was Freedom Flyer; a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster. It was the best of the 3 I've ridden (other's being @ Carowinds & Wild Adventures). It would be just wonderful if they would put these restraints on all of them. They are so comfortable and no head banging.
I must have been really relaxed at the thought of no headbanging from OTSRs...lol
Coaster Credit #76: Freedom Flyer
It was wonderful to walk off of one of these without a headache. I would say this is perhaps my 3rd favorite Vekoma after Nighthawk and Expedition Everest. After this ride I went for a spin on White Lightning before making my way around the rest of the park.
It was hot enough to get one too...
Coming Soon: Gator Spot. This will be an outdoor attraction to view various alligator species. They partnered with Gatorland to build it.
The world's 2nd tallest skycoaster (1st being at the sister park in Kissimmee). I didn't ride this time, but may in the future.
Spiderman's car could use a touch up...
...so could Snoopy's ice cream truck.
Sea Serpent; E&F Miler Industries family coaster. I had to get my whoring on...lol
Coaster Credit #77: Sea Serpent.
I had the coaster to myself as it made 2 trips around the course. I've worked it out now so that when I come to Carowinds in June, Fury325 will be #80 for me. (I still have to ride Carolina Cobra & Intimidator.)
Just recently opened is Space Invader; S&S Screamin' Swing.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I really love these. Visually it's not as thrilling as Barnstormer @ Dollywood (theme that is), but it's nice to have one here.
It was getting hot and we were getting hungry so we left to go see if we could check in a little early.
On the way we passed by Wet 'n Wild Orlando...
...and got a nice look at the Orlando Eye which opens in May.
We get to our hotel and the room isn't ready so we head across the street and have lunch at Wendy's and run in Walmart for a bit. Once the room is ready we head back over and check in and unpack. We didn't have much time to relax as we had to be in Lake Mary by 7 and that was about 25 miles north of where we were staying. Some folks may not think that would take long, but for seasoned travelers to Orlando you know it does. It only took us an hour and 10 minutes in stop and go traffic but we made it. The wedding was nice as was the venue (Noah's Event Venue).
Saturday, March 21: Seaworld Orlando
I've been a pass member with SWO/BGT since '07. We planned to go here with several family members (14 on top of us). I was able to get them 50% off tickets through my pass and they all were meeting us at the park.
Unfortunately for me I was dealing with a medical issue (kidney stone) all week. I was fine the day before at Fun Spot, but on the way to the wedding the night before the pain hit me hard. I had some pain meds and made it through the wedding and hoped I would be ok for Seaworld after a night's rest. Well to top it off my allergies kicked in full force and made it completely miserable so I was not able to stay at the park once I got everyone in. The family was aware that I might not make it, but I let them know in advance that a worst case scenario would be me showing up to get them in and go back to the hotel to rest. That's what happened.
All but 4 of them arrived when we did so I got them in while we waited for the rest. While waiting I was able to take some pictures and at least experience some exhibits with them...though I was really in bad shape. They all knew I had to feel bad to let a chance to ride coasters slip away from me.
My partner and some nephews and a niece went and rode Manta while I was still there. There was a 10 minute wait posted. They waited one train by the time they got to the station. Talk about feeling bummed. I would have gone but I was scared it would aggravate the pain.
Here's some of my nieces and nephews by Stingray Lagoon.
There's my grand nephew in orange showing no fear in trying to touch a stingray.
Not too much later I got the call that the rest of the family was at the gate so I headed back out to get them in. My cousins are ready to enjoy the day. Tho the youngest isn't quite sure of what to make of the park just yet.
After everything is squared away we all meet up at Journey to Atlantis and I'm really past ready to go. I hadn't eaten since the night before and the heat was making it all the more miserable for me. My partner was trying to see if I could make it a couple more hours but I was barely holding on as it was. So before we left we went and ate at Expedition Cafe in Antarctica so that way I could just relax when I got back to the room.
So long for now Seaworld....I shall return soon.
Once I get all settled back in my partner went back to the park and stayed until about 5. When they left there he called to see how I was doing. Since I was feeling a little better, he came and got me and we went to where the family was staying near Disney. I really wanted to see the place. It was a real nice townhome with private pool. I wouldn't mind staying there myself sometime. After we left there, he and I went to O'Charley's for dinner and then off to relax the rest of the night...outside of packing since we were leaving the next day.
Sunday, March 22....My birthday!
I woke up feeling a bit better so we went with our tentative plans to meet our nephew and his girlfriend at Fun Spot. It was his birthday as well.
Before meeting them at Fun Spot, we stopped at Firehouse Subs to get lunch. I took advantage of the free birthday sub.
Upon arrival at the park, this is the first ride of course: White Lightning. We couldn't get my nephew to ride, but his girlfriend and younger brother rode it. He just doesn't do coasters....BOOO! (LOL)
This really is a fantastic small wooden coaster. GCI got this right. It's actually my second favorite wooden after Thunderhead. It was also my credit #68 that I got in 2013 not too long after it opened.
Here's my nephew (Birthday!) and his girlfriend about to ride Freedom Flyer. He doesn't look quite as thrilled as she does. He only rode it because we made him get on it....lol I was sitting behind them. He had his eyes closed most of the time and she told him to open them and he started screaming....lol In the end he liked it, but wouldn't have ridden it without us being there.
After that they wanted to do the go karts. At first I wasn't planning to ride them and went to play skeeball in the arcade. When I came out I saw they were about to ride another so I decided to join them. This is the Commander track.
Zoom Zoom....lol
Despite the medical issues I had a nice time overall. Hopefully we can all go down there again soon and enjoy even more.
Friday March 20: Fun Spot America Orlando
I've been here once before in 2013 to ride White Lightning (the park's wooden coaster). I really enjoyed it and we needed something to do before check-in so we headed on over so I could get the other 2 credits.
First new credit was Freedom Flyer; a Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster. It was the best of the 3 I've ridden (other's being @ Carowinds & Wild Adventures). It would be just wonderful if they would put these restraints on all of them. They are so comfortable and no head banging.
I must have been really relaxed at the thought of no headbanging from OTSRs...lol
Coaster Credit #76: Freedom Flyer
It was wonderful to walk off of one of these without a headache. I would say this is perhaps my 3rd favorite Vekoma after Nighthawk and Expedition Everest. After this ride I went for a spin on White Lightning before making my way around the rest of the park.
It was hot enough to get one too...
Coming Soon: Gator Spot. This will be an outdoor attraction to view various alligator species. They partnered with Gatorland to build it.
The world's 2nd tallest skycoaster (1st being at the sister park in Kissimmee). I didn't ride this time, but may in the future.
Spiderman's car could use a touch up...
...so could Snoopy's ice cream truck.
Sea Serpent; E&F Miler Industries family coaster. I had to get my whoring on...lol
Coaster Credit #77: Sea Serpent.
I had the coaster to myself as it made 2 trips around the course. I've worked it out now so that when I come to Carowinds in June, Fury325 will be #80 for me. (I still have to ride Carolina Cobra & Intimidator.)
Just recently opened is Space Invader; S&S Screamin' Swing.
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
I really love these. Visually it's not as thrilling as Barnstormer @ Dollywood (theme that is), but it's nice to have one here.
It was getting hot and we were getting hungry so we left to go see if we could check in a little early.
On the way we passed by Wet 'n Wild Orlando...
...and got a nice look at the Orlando Eye which opens in May.
We get to our hotel and the room isn't ready so we head across the street and have lunch at Wendy's and run in Walmart for a bit. Once the room is ready we head back over and check in and unpack. We didn't have much time to relax as we had to be in Lake Mary by 7 and that was about 25 miles north of where we were staying. Some folks may not think that would take long, but for seasoned travelers to Orlando you know it does. It only took us an hour and 10 minutes in stop and go traffic but we made it. The wedding was nice as was the venue (Noah's Event Venue).
Saturday, March 21: Seaworld Orlando
I've been a pass member with SWO/BGT since '07. We planned to go here with several family members (14 on top of us). I was able to get them 50% off tickets through my pass and they all were meeting us at the park.
Unfortunately for me I was dealing with a medical issue (kidney stone) all week. I was fine the day before at Fun Spot, but on the way to the wedding the night before the pain hit me hard. I had some pain meds and made it through the wedding and hoped I would be ok for Seaworld after a night's rest. Well to top it off my allergies kicked in full force and made it completely miserable so I was not able to stay at the park once I got everyone in. The family was aware that I might not make it, but I let them know in advance that a worst case scenario would be me showing up to get them in and go back to the hotel to rest. That's what happened.
All but 4 of them arrived when we did so I got them in while we waited for the rest. While waiting I was able to take some pictures and at least experience some exhibits with them...though I was really in bad shape. They all knew I had to feel bad to let a chance to ride coasters slip away from me.
My partner and some nephews and a niece went and rode Manta while I was still there. There was a 10 minute wait posted. They waited one train by the time they got to the station. Talk about feeling bummed. I would have gone but I was scared it would aggravate the pain.
Here's some of my nieces and nephews by Stingray Lagoon.
There's my grand nephew in orange showing no fear in trying to touch a stingray.
Not too much later I got the call that the rest of the family was at the gate so I headed back out to get them in. My cousins are ready to enjoy the day. Tho the youngest isn't quite sure of what to make of the park just yet.
After everything is squared away we all meet up at Journey to Atlantis and I'm really past ready to go. I hadn't eaten since the night before and the heat was making it all the more miserable for me. My partner was trying to see if I could make it a couple more hours but I was barely holding on as it was. So before we left we went and ate at Expedition Cafe in Antarctica so that way I could just relax when I got back to the room.
So long for now Seaworld....I shall return soon.
Once I get all settled back in my partner went back to the park and stayed until about 5. When they left there he called to see how I was doing. Since I was feeling a little better, he came and got me and we went to where the family was staying near Disney. I really wanted to see the place. It was a real nice townhome with private pool. I wouldn't mind staying there myself sometime. After we left there, he and I went to O'Charley's for dinner and then off to relax the rest of the night...outside of packing since we were leaving the next day.
Sunday, March 22....My birthday!
I woke up feeling a bit better so we went with our tentative plans to meet our nephew and his girlfriend at Fun Spot. It was his birthday as well.
Before meeting them at Fun Spot, we stopped at Firehouse Subs to get lunch. I took advantage of the free birthday sub.
Upon arrival at the park, this is the first ride of course: White Lightning. We couldn't get my nephew to ride, but his girlfriend and younger brother rode it. He just doesn't do coasters....BOOO! (LOL)
This really is a fantastic small wooden coaster. GCI got this right. It's actually my second favorite wooden after Thunderhead. It was also my credit #68 that I got in 2013 not too long after it opened.
Here's my nephew (Birthday!) and his girlfriend about to ride Freedom Flyer. He doesn't look quite as thrilled as she does. He only rode it because we made him get on it....lol I was sitting behind them. He had his eyes closed most of the time and she told him to open them and he started screaming....lol In the end he liked it, but wouldn't have ridden it without us being there.
After that they wanted to do the go karts. At first I wasn't planning to ride them and went to play skeeball in the arcade. When I came out I saw they were about to ride another so I decided to join them. This is the Commander track.
Zoom Zoom....lol
Despite the medical issues I had a nice time overall. Hopefully we can all go down there again soon and enjoy even more.
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