Daytona week 1 continued
Sunday we tried to sleep in and were somewhat successful. After breakfast we drove down to Ponce Inlet Lighthouse - the tallest lighthouse in Florida (and still operational, although volunteer run) and climbed up (and down) all 203 stairs. I took a series of pix from the top which I hope to turn into an amazing panorama. Lunch was exceptionally good at a local dockside restaurant. We then went to the Marine Science Center where I learned releasing helium balloons is very bad for marine life. (When the balloons come down they are likely to land in the ocean, where they are mistaken for food, harming the animal which tries to eat it.)
Monday was the first early start as we all went to Walt Disney World. We enjoyed ourselves (although I think we spent just as much time in lines getting character autographs and pictures as waiting for rides), although I'm not sure it was $80 (each) worth. We did get picked for a "Disney Magic Experience" after riding Space Mountain and were taken back to the head of the line. It's a fun coaster.
Tuesday was another early 1.5 hour drive to Orlando, this time to Universal (which is two parks, requiring a $30 premium on top of the $80 ticket to visit both parks) with it's Harry Potter themed area. I have to admit, the Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade main street were very impressive. I also liked the fingerprint activated (free!) lockers for rides which you couldn't bring bags on (although they misfired when C used his finger). However, I have to say "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" is extremely intense and none of us had any desire to go on it again. (And it actually turned us off so we didn't go on "the Mummy" for fear it would be similar.) However, the stuff on the line journey through the castle is amazing. C also bought a wand (although he didn't wait in line for Olivanders, but got it at the adjacent shop), and K a Griffendor bag. We also had lunch at the Two Broomsticks and drank ButterBeer.
One problem with Universal, and to a lesser extent Disney, is they are Theme Parks. So the rides tend to be built around a theme. It's not enough to have a fun ride, you have to be immersed in the experience. So there's a lot of "dark rides" where you sit in a moving car and are shown stuff related to the ride's theme. We preferred the coasters. Hulk was good, although the cold zone would have been better if it was warmer. The Pteranodon Flyers had an interesting concept (suspended swinging seats) but is badly designed and wasn't anywhere near as smooth as Vortex so didn't really get that "flying" feel. The Dragon Challenge is good, especially the face-to-face loop - we all agreed the Chinese Fireball (left/red) was the better ride. But the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit was the best we rode (so we did it twice). It has an amazing vertical lift, a fast & smooth ride, and the ability to pick your own music.
Wednesday we went down to Kennedy Space Center. It's interesting to learn more about NASA and the US space program (like today was the last planned launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery). We listened to a presentation by an astronaut and rode in a simulated Shuttle launch.
Monday was the first early start as we all went to Walt Disney World. We enjoyed ourselves (although I think we spent just as much time in lines getting character autographs and pictures as waiting for rides), although I'm not sure it was $80 (each) worth. We did get picked for a "Disney Magic Experience" after riding Space Mountain and were taken back to the head of the line. It's a fun coaster.
Tuesday was another early 1.5 hour drive to Orlando, this time to Universal (which is two parks, requiring a $30 premium on top of the $80 ticket to visit both parks) with it's Harry Potter themed area. I have to admit, the Hogwarts castle and Hogsmeade main street were very impressive. I also liked the fingerprint activated (free!) lockers for rides which you couldn't bring bags on (although they misfired when C used his finger). However, I have to say "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" is extremely intense and none of us had any desire to go on it again. (And it actually turned us off so we didn't go on "the Mummy" for fear it would be similar.) However, the stuff on the line journey through the castle is amazing. C also bought a wand (although he didn't wait in line for Olivanders, but got it at the adjacent shop), and K a Griffendor bag. We also had lunch at the Two Broomsticks and drank ButterBeer.
One problem with Universal, and to a lesser extent Disney, is they are Theme Parks. So the rides tend to be built around a theme. It's not enough to have a fun ride, you have to be immersed in the experience. So there's a lot of "dark rides" where you sit in a moving car and are shown stuff related to the ride's theme. We preferred the coasters. Hulk was good, although the cold zone would have been better if it was warmer. The Pteranodon Flyers had an interesting concept (suspended swinging seats) but is badly designed and wasn't anywhere near as smooth as Vortex so didn't really get that "flying" feel. The Dragon Challenge is good, especially the face-to-face loop - we all agreed the Chinese Fireball (left/red) was the better ride. But the Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit was the best we rode (so we did it twice). It has an amazing vertical lift, a fast & smooth ride, and the ability to pick your own music.
Wednesday we went down to Kennedy Space Center. It's interesting to learn more about NASA and the US space program (like today was the last planned launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery). We listened to a presentation by an astronaut and rode in a simulated Shuttle launch.