1 crazy family+2 resorts+5 parks+1 snake+1 surprise=A Mickeystoontown report 4/3x2

[mickeystoontown]

A few minutes after we got into the room, a trainer arrived and the whales went right up to him. Of course they did, he had food:



He pointed in our direction and the whales came over for a photo-op:



We stood there and watched for a while longer but decided to continue on so that some others could take our spot. From what I could remember from our visit long ago, the next section should have been the polar bear exhibit. But, when we looked into the enclosure, it looked like this:



Not a pee-wa-diddle site of the polar bears. Apparently, they were gone. I wondered if they had moved them to the new penguin exhibit but there was no one around to ask so we moved on.

In the next section, we saw a humongous and I’m talking HUMONGOUS walrus. It was massive but yet hard to take pictures of:







The walrus would swim up to the window at a fast speed, duck it’s head and then rub it’s entire body along the glass. It was neat and kinda scary at the same time. Oooh, he’s so gonna break that glass! Hunter took a video of the walrus since the cameras weren’t working well with the lighting. Tune out our Southern drawl and my silly “I wonder if that scratches his back” comment but DO listen to the rubbing of the walrus on the glass (the video is sideways and I don't know how to fix it):




He would do that over and over and over again and each time, the rubbing noise would reverberate in the room. Some of the kids (and some adults) would squeal when he got to the window. Again, we moved on so that others could watch the massive walrus do his swim, duck, rub move.

Once outside, we weren’t sure what we wanted to do. We were thinking that we were just about done for the day. We hadn’t done everything that the park had to offer but we had accomplished what we came for.....seeing the whales. So far, other than the penguin that John won, we didn’t have anything but pictures to prove that we had been to Sea World. We figured it was a good time to look for a souvenir and, because it was hot out, something to drink.

A quick look at the map showed that there were some shops back toward the front of the park and there were some snack stations as well. Pictures taken during our walk:




Look who provides the boats at Sea World:


Others were on their way out of the park too:



The snack shop that we stopped at said that they didn’t take the dining plan but directed us to the BBQ place where we met up with lovethattink and her family so we headed that way. It was a nice restaurant and they had a nice looking buffet set up. Hunter spied a large slice of chocolate cake and some chicken nuggets and fries. I figured why not get them since we were on the plan anyway. I also spotted slices of watermelon and got one for us to share.

The chicken nuggets and fries were served in this cute box:


The slice of cake was big and it was so chocolatey:



My watermelon:



Remember the penguin that John won? Here he is peeking out of my backsack:



**Up next: Not sure what the next chapter will be titled so I’m leaving it ______for now.

 

[lovethattink]

Mama got to see more whales! I love the Wild Arctic. That's too bad about the rude boys and lack of chaperones doing their job. In October when we last did that attraction, they weren't showing the movie either.

Love the pic of the Beluga up close. That walrus is a character. Did he swim upside down too?

How did you like the chocolate cake? Dh and Grumpy don't care for it because it's cherry flavored in it.

Hunter is famous.

 

[MEK]

I love that Walrus clip. That was awesome!

I am really liking Seaworld. It looks like a great place to visit. What a pretty park.

So glad momma had a great day!

 

[PhoenixStrength]

I love the Arctic section! Don't worry too much about missing the video. It's cute, but more just pretending you are getting in a helicopter and flying up to the Arctic, then you come out of the theater into the Arctic exhibits. The video pales in comparison to Soarin'!

You got some good shots of the Belugas! That room is a bit darker so it's harder to get clear shots of them. Too bad the Polar Bears weren't there. The walrus is cool though, with his routine that brings him close to guests.

I'm not a huge chocolate fan, but that cake looks delicious if you love chocolate. And the penguin peeking out of your bag is adorable.

 

[jenseib]

Hunter is driving those boats with his new license.
Sounds like a lot has been happening on the home front since I last read, but I am glad things are calming down. Has work practices changed yet then at John's job? I hope it gets all straightened out fast.

it looks like you guys sat at about the same spot we did for the whale show too.
They are just so beautiful. But don't make the mistake I did and research them after the fact. You will feel depressed about how the whales we obtained originally. It's amazing how many of the whales still are one captured in the wild. Yes they have babies now, but I was shocked at how many they had captured over the years ...and how many died till they could figure out how to care for them properly.

I have to ask. We obviously watch Duck Dynasty. We have seen one episode several times and it was just on again the other day. It is when the A/C goes out and they have Mountainman come to repair it. They says something along the lines that mountainman is the only AC repairman in 100 miles. I really find that hard to believe? Thats not true is it?

 

[teekathepony]

Awwww I LOVE the beluga whales! They look so incredibly gentle and friendly!
Having that giant walrus coming straight at the glass would be a little nerve wracking, also pretty cool though. Amazing how those giant creatures move so slick through the water
That chocolate cake looks so delicious... *Drool!*

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Loved the update! Loving the photos as well. We didn't go to the whale show last year. Don't know what those kids were thinking, but they just weren't into it the day we were there. I bet we didn't spend more than 6 hours at Sea World and they wanted to go. (it was really HOT, so that may have had something to do with it)

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[melnbil]

Great update! Love the walrus.

No hurry on the directions, we have a little while before we go.

 

[KatMark]

OOOOh....more whales. I listened to the video with the walrus...that was very cool.

I love polar bears, but often wonder why they have them in states where it gets really hot, even if indoors?

Love the little box Hunter's lunch came in.

 

[shan23877]

Sounds like a great day at Sea world! I'm so glad Mama got to see the whales! Great pictures!

 

[Britard]

Looks like you guys had a great Sea World day! I am amazed that you got the Beluga whale picture-they never came that close for us. Maybe we will have to go back when they are feeding them.

 

[Caretames1]

We missed the polar bears when we went! I didn't even see them on the map.

Those beluga whales are so cute! They look like they are smiling!

 

[Kaykool101]

Oh, what fun! I love the belugas. They are my favorite. I could stand and watch them for hours. I am gald you are enjoying your day at Sea World.

 

[DisFanAmI]

Congrats to Hunter! My daughter got her license this summer too. Now I worry all the time!

I'm glad to hear that your husband had an opportunity to talk things out with his boss. Phew!

And most importantly, our 2014 trips will overlap! We are there 5/21-5/28! I'd be honored if you'd be my first Dis meet!

 

[rndmr2]

Wrote out this reply last night but I had computer issues, here's another stab at it:

I remember the Wild Arctic exhibit from when I was there in 2004. The "Helicopter" tour is in a "Star Tours" type ride vehicle. I love that exhibit, the Beluga Whales are so neat but too bad you didn't get to see the Polar Bears.

 

[natebenma]

Once again, I must thank you for your chapter links because that is the only possible way for me to keep up!



I loved your postings about the Shamu show. How great that your mom saw her first whales. And those are some amazing, acrobatic creatures!

Your pictures from the show are FANTASTIC!!! I especially love the ones showing them splashing.

Really nice picture of the Beluga whale and I'm glad the walrus gave you quite a show.

You probably didn't miss much by not seeing the Wild Arctic movie. The only thing I remember from the movie was a typo in the subtitles- use of insure instead of ensure. I couldn't get past that and wanted to offer my services as a proof-reader.

 

[francis6306]

Awe… you almost had me crying with the story about John's upbringing and his job and then getting his job back… I hope everything works out well for you guys!

Mama got to see her Whales! YAY!!!!

My girls would LOVE that box with the chicken and fries. Who am I kidding… Catie would have loved just the "fret fwies!" That kid won't eat a THING if she sees fries on the table! I have started baking sweet potato fries when we are at home, because at least that way, I know the "fret fwies" have some sort of good-for-you aspect to them, because she eats them up!

 

[GrammyJudy]

Just got back from 4 wonderful, relaxing days in Wells Beach Maine with my daughter and 2 grandson's. So I finally caught up with your tr. Glad you had such a good day at SeaWorld.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I've been swamped at work and at home but I had a minute to find my driving directions once we hit Interstate 75. A couple of you had requested our driving directions. This route takes us right by all of the orange groves, the Citrus Tower and through part of Kissimmee. To us, it's much better than taking the tollroad and missing out on all the neat Disney signs and icons:

These directions take us straight to Caribbean Beach Resort. If you are staying at one of the other resorts, you'll turn onto World Drive and then follow the signage to your resort:

17. Merge onto I-75 S via EXIT 296A toward Tampa. (go 106.66 miles)

18. Take the SR-44 exit, EXIT 329, toward Wildwood/Inverness. (go 0.38 miles)

19. Keep left to take the ramp toward Wildwood/Leesburg/The Villages. (go 0.02 miles)

20. Turn left onto SR-44 E. - SUBWAY is on the corner (go 12.04 miles)

21. Turn right onto SR-44. - SR-44 is 0.1 miles past Weber Ave - If you are on W Main St and reach Park Center St you've gone about 0.1 miles too far (go 2.29 miles)

22. Turn right onto S 14th St/US-27 S/SR-25 S. Continue to follow US-27 S. - US-27 S is just past Lynch Ave - Walgreens is on the corner - If you are on SR-44 and reach Pasa del Norte St you've gone about 0.1 miles too far (go 36.72 miles)

23. Merge onto US-192 E/SR-530 E toward Disney World/Kissimmee. (go 7.14 miles)

24. Take the ramp toward Disney World. (go 0.26 miles)

25. Merge onto World Dr. (go 0.29 miles)

26. Take the exit toward Wide World of Sports/Hollywood Studios/Animal Kingdom. (go 0.71 miles)

27. Keep right to take the Osceola Pkwy East ramp toward Wide World of Sports/Florida's Turnpike. (go 0.4 miles)

28. Merge onto Osceola Pky. (go 0.45 miles)

29. Turn left onto Victory Way. (go 0.94 miles)

30. Take the 3rd right (Gate access required). - 0.2 miles past Century Dr - If you reach E Buena Vista Dr you've gone about 0.3 miles too far (go 0.05 miles)

31. Turn right onto Sea Breeze Dr. (go 0.27 miles)

32. Turn left onto Cayman Way. (go 0.23 miles)

33. 900 CAYMAN WAY is on the left. - If you reach E Buena Vista Dr you've gone about 0.8 miles too far (go 0 miles) -------------------------------------------------- B) 900 Cayman Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-8411 US