Day one of our Orlando Vacation in Island of Adventure / Universal Studios.

We got up bright and early so we could beat the crowded lines at Universal Studios. First stop was Island of Adventure.

Since the Chief is a big Harry Potter fan we decided to go to that part of the park first. Even though we were there at 8:30 in the morning we still had to wait in line for one hour, and that was just to get in the Harry potter part of the park. As we were waiting in line we over heard the people behind us saying the line was eight hours long the night before. Once we got into the Harry Potter Park there were many things to see and do. We only saw two things in there. One of them was riding on the rollercoaster. The second was seeing the Hogwarts school. We waited in line for another hour to see that. I'm glad we did. It was worth the wait. The attention to detail was amazing. Just like the movies. We started walking through the castle and we passed the talking art work. They had the stair cases that didn't connect to give you the idea the stairs were moving. Then we passed the news paper with an article that moved. As we continued walking there bigger than life was Dumbledore, as real as could be. Then we came across Harry, Weasley and Armenia, talking about their adventures and the invisible cloak. Now we were ready to step on to the ride. Everything we just saw and heard lead up to us concluding the story on this amazing ride. It gave you a very real experience of flying, chasing, fighting and so much more. We were in the park for three and a half hours and only saw two things. It was so crowded and HOT, we decided to leave and put our express passes to work. We will try this park again in about three years when the hype dies down.

Dr Seuss is one of our favorite parts of the park. 

This is on top of the roof of the buildings.

The Chief and The Cisco Kid loves water rides. I stayed behind because I don't care for them, only because I don’t like feeling soggy all day. They came off that ride soaked, from head to toe.  

We did everything we wanted Islands of Adventure so now we were off to Universal Studios.  As we were walking over the band was playing.  We had to stop and enjoy some good music. 

Or first stop at Universal Studios was Twister.  The Cisco Kid loves to know all about Twisters.  This not only showed him all about tornados but the actually simulated one on this stage.  He Loved It!

We also enjoyed Jimmy Neutron, Disaster, The Simpsons, E.T. Curious George's Rollercoaster and water play area. After seeing everything we wanted, we decided to head back to the hotel and enjoy the cool refreshing pool.  

 

The Disney Hotels always have many activities going on throughout the day. Since we were at the park all day we were able to enjoy the evening activities. At 8:00 they showed an outdoor movie. The Princes and The Frog. At 9:30 there was a lighted boat show and at 10:00 the grand finally of fireworks. 

The boat show and the fireworks pictures were taken from our balcony.  We were so exhausted  from the heat and being at Universal all day, we went up to our room, got into our P.J's and relaxed.  We were so happy that we were able to see the lighted boat show and the fireworks from our balcony.  

Until tomorrow! The second day of our vacation.  Have a great evening.

Off to see Mickeys Ears at Disney and much more.

 Over the next few days you will see our last minute vacation. We thought we were not going to take a vacation this summer because of my husband’s job. But Tuesday the Chief came home and told me he was able to get a few days off. Since we didn't have much time to plan our trip, we knew that we were going to spend our time in Orlando Florida. I immediately went into high gear and started getting a room reserved for the weekend. We always stay on Disney's grounds at the Shades of Green, but because I was making reservations so late there was nothing available. The Shades of Green booking agent told us that all Disney resorts were offering military 40% off all rooms. I didn't want to get to excited they also might be booked. After finding several resorts were booked I tried one last time and had them check the Wilderness lodge. YES!!! They had a room!!! That made my day!!! I love staying on Disney’s grounds. This time around we are not going to any of the Disney parks. But staying at one of the Disney resorts is like being at Disney. They put on a show in its self. We decided this time around we were going to take advantage of some of the other parks in Orlando. We planned on going to Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Aquatica.

Our first sighting of Mickey Mouse!! The Cisco Kid noticed on our Navigation System the lake that looked like Mickey.

As the Chief was checking in The Cisco Kid and I decided to roam around the lobby.  This is a totem pole with all Disney Characters.   

They had a hot spring bubbling out of the lobby floor with a walking bridge going over it. 

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Everything in this lobby was so big and very rustic looking.  It really gave you the feeling you were in a great lodge in the west. 

We got to our room and The Cisco Kid was so excited about the bunk beds. He was on top of the world.

Every night the housekeepers left us a little towel animal.  So Cute!!

I was excited when I saw the view from our balcony.  We were on the sixth floor and now I was on top of the world.   

Since we were so tired from driving in and the Restaurant at the lodge looked so good we decided to eat there. We only had to wait about a half hour for a table. Time flew by because they had a very large table full of Lincoln Logs so the kids could build till their hearts content. 

 

A meal fit for a Cow Girl.  Pot roast with mashed potatoes and vegetable medley with peas yellow squash and carrots.  It was so good and the meat was so tender.  Loved It!!!!!

A meal fit for a Cow Boy. The Chief said this was awesome. It came with corn bread and the best salad.  The salad was so good I forgot to take a picture.   I tasted the beans and they were so delish!!!

It was a long day and we got done eating dinner around 8:30 p.m. so we were very tired.  We went straight to our room and enjoyed relaxing, because we knew the next day was Universal Studios and we were going to have another long day.  Until tomorrows post, the second part of our vacation. Have a great evening.                    

VyStar Kids Club

VyStar Credit Union just started a Kids Club to promote kids to save.  When you open a Kids Club interest bearing savings account they give the kids a book mark, place mat, ID card, a deposit booklet, three compartment bank, two tickets to Marineland, choice for a mailed statement or e-statement that the kids can access and the kids have access to the coin counting machine. 

 We found out about this on Saturday and we thought it was a great idea for The Cisco Kid to join. When we got home The Cisco Kid gathered up all his change and put it in his Fireman boot ready for deposit.

Yesterday when the Cisco Kid got out of vacation bible school we went to the bank to open a Kids Club Accounts. He had so much fun through the whole process. He acted like an adult. The Account representatives only wanted his birth certificate and SS card from me. Everything else she spoke directly to him. Asking him for his address, phone numbers, and then his favorite part was signing his name on the pad for signature conformation. Once he was done with all the paperwork, he took his fireman boot over to the coin counting machine and poured it in. He watched the machine tally his change and it gave him a receipt. He then took the receipt over to the Teller so she could deposit it into his new savings account.

We are waiting for the account representative.

The three compartment bank.  One compartment is for Sharing. The other compartment is for saving. The last compartment is for spending. 

The machine that counts change. 

He thought is was so cool to dump it all in the machine. 

       This is one of those life lessons. Hopefully he will grow up with a good sense of saving is better than spending.