Day 5 - The Titanic Experience

We were supposed to get rain on Thursday and Friday so we planned activities that would take us indoors. As it turned out, the weather cooperated enough that when it did rain, we were either in the car or under cover.

Since the previous 3 days had been so full of walking on pavement while park hopping, being outside all day, bustling in crowds and generally just wearing ourselves completely out, we decided this should be more of a relaxing day. We got up when we woke up, and not a minute before. Since we didn't have to be anywhere by a certain time, we took our time getting ready to leave, so it was probably close to noon before we left the condo.

Since our condo, which was the Hilton Grand Vacations Club at Sea World, was located just down the street from Sea World and Discovery Cove, we were also located very close to International Parkway, or "I Drive" as the locals call it, which is loaded with hotels, the convention center, restaurants, stores and Titanic, the Experience.

After the tour, we ate a late lunch at Chili's on "I Drive", then drove into Orlando, where we stopped off at a Russian bakery, then went on to the White Wolf Cafe, which was a restaurant featured on Rachael Ray's Food Network TV show $40 a Day. We sat outside under the awning behind the front sidewalk at a rough granite slab table and just enjoyed our time together. The temperature was perfect, and as we sat, we watched as a thunder shower came through. As there was no wind and the rain wasn't heavy, it was a very enjoyable experience.

The covered porch wasn't very deep. Taylor and I sat on the bench with our backs to the glass windows of the restaurant. The table had a bench seat on the other side which is obscured by the railing with potted flowers. I stood on the sidewalk out front to take the picture after it quit raining. There was an unoccupied table on either side of us, then 3 tables on the other side of the entrance, so we pretty much had the space to ourselves.

I took this picture from my seat next to Taylor of the little antique shop across the street from the cafe. You can see the clouds and the wet street from the storm that had just passed.

As we drove back to the condo, the rain started again, but it had quit raining by the time we pulled into the parking lot, so as it turned out, we never needed our umbrellas.

Next time, Day 6 - Kennedy Space Center.

Day 4 - Discovery Cove

Before I start, Please note that I have added a flickr site for additional pictures as a link on the right side of the page. I've exceeded my limit of space for the month of April, but I do have all the pictures from Disney World posted, and will add pictures from Epcot and Discovery Cove in May.

Wednesday morning...a start to another beautiful day in Florida. Since Discovery Cove was open between 8 and 9:00 for check in and scheduling of the dolphin experience on a first come, first serve basis, we had to get up before 8:00 to get to the park by 8:30. We were able to time our check in so that we were able to have our dolphin experience after the day warmed up and just before lunch. The one thing that worked in our advantage was that the park was less than a mile down the street from our condo, so the travel time was non existent. Now I had originally thought the price per ticket was a little steep, but the ticket price is all inclusive for the day (you'll see all that's included as you read) including parking, not to mention it includes a free pass to Sea World as often as you want to go over the next 7 days, so it ends up being pretty reasonable.

After checking in, scheduling our dolphin experience and checking out the tree sloth held by a park staff member in the lobby, we entered the park for our complimentary photo (code for security photo) and a complimentary breakfast of pastries, yogurt, fruit and milk or juice.

We then visited the gift shops for some souvenir hunting, then picked up our wet suit, goggles, snorkel and sun screen. That's right, they provided the sun screen as well. This way they knew that even the sun screen worn by the guests in the dolphin habitat was safe for the animals. We still had plenty of time before our dolphin encounter, so we ventured to the sting ray lagoon, where we could get into the water with and touch the stingrays. We purchased a few underwater cameras, (so we were able to leave our expensive digital cameras at the condo) and I took one into stingray lagoon with me.

After stingray lagoon, we spent a little time in the bird aviary before making our way back for our dolphin encounter, which lasted about 45 minutes and included all kinds of petting, rubbing, kissing, feeding and riding (the dolphin).

The photo's were all taken by a photographer who was in the water with us. It was the high light of the day, and an experience I would highly recommend and love to do again.

Cutest picture of the bunch, don't you think? I married a beautiful woman.

After swimming with the dolphin, we had a lunch of grilled salmon, potatoes and salad (which again was complimentary along with anything we wanted to drink throughout the day), we plopped down on a couple of lawn chairs on the beach of the dolphin habitat and took about a 30 minute nap to end the day.

Before leaving the park, we returned our wet suit and mask, took a hot shower (they had body soap, shampoo and conditioner provided in dispensers in each shower) removed our personal items from the locker provided to us at the start of the day and went back to the condo for the evening.

Next time...Day 5 - Titanic the Experience, and Dinner near downtown Orlando.

Day 3 - Epcot

Tuesday we made our way to Epcot.

Now I remember Epcot from when I went in the 80's, and I have to say I was a little dissappointed in it to start out. Everything changed in the buildings around spaceship earth (The big ball in the above picture for those who haven't had a chance to visit Epcot). You couldn't take a direct path to anything!! We had to go the long way around buildings, as the direct route was blocked off for one reason or another. It was also the warmest day of the week, so we were sweating it out for a little bit. After lunch in Mexico...

the first (or last depending on where you start) country in the ring of countries, we checked out a couple of the buildings around spaceship earth, and rode 3 rides (Imagination, Land and Spaceship earth.) We then started a treck around the ring of countries, which circumvents a large lagoon or small lake.

We ate dinner at Morrocco, which was one of the best meals of the week (I can now say I've had roast Lamb).

After dinner, we continued around the ring of countries all the way back to Mexico. We then backtracked to Italy to watch arguably the best firework and pirotechnic display I've ever seen. At one point, there was a small barge, made exclusively for burning as much fuel as quickly as possible!! The burning barge put out so much heat we could feel it from the shore, which was at least 300+ yards away!! It was like a giant blow torch!

At some points, fireworks would launch from the shore in front of our seat, as well as other points around the lake, leaving a trail of sparks in their wake, of which we had a tail end view.

After the show, like in Disney, we headed for the exit, where I took one final picture of spaceship earth before we boarded the tram to our car. By this time we were about ready for a break. First however, was to come the day that we were looking forward to more than any other day of our honeymoon...Stay tuned for Day 4 - Discovery Cove, and our swim with the dolphins.

Day 2: Disney World

Monday just turned out to be the perfect day. I woke up before my wife, as I already know will be typical, took a shower, fixed breakfast and sat on the screened-in covered patio with breakfast, coffee and paper in hand. The mornings were beautiful every day in Florida. By the time I was finished, I woke up Taylor, and after a shower, we were off to Disney. Parking was quick (Sea World should take a lesson) and after a short tram ride we rode the ferry boat across the lake and disembarked at the entrance of Magic Kingdom.

We started the day looking thru some of the shops up and down main street Disney, eating some lunch along the way.

Circling back towards the entrance, we decided that since we planned to stay at the park until almost closing so we could see the fireworks, we should probably scout out where we were going to eat dinner. Outside Information services, we learned that the main restaurants were full, but were told to go ahead and try to make a reservation in the event someone canceled. Did I mentioned that it was a perfect day? As it turns out, we lucked out, and there was an empty spot at Liberty Tree Character Dinner and Dining.

We then worked our way down the shops on the other side of main street, made our way thru and around the castle and walked thru most of the park.

We decided to see the presentation in The Hall of Presidents, which I still remember from my visit in the early 80's as they had just added President Regan. To catch everyone up to speed, the presentation starts out on screens that follow the curve of the front of the theater, giving a quick history of the start of our nation. The screens then lift into the ceiling to reveal the 43 life size anima tronic presidents, some standing and some sitting. Each president was named in order from Washington to Bush, and as the president was named, he would be spotted, and the president would give a nod to the audience. Some of the presidents spoke, such as Lincoln and Bush, and if you watched others would nod or wiggle a foot as the program progressed. Those who talked even went so far as to stand up out of their chair when they spoke, even using their arms to push up out of the chair, and would then sit back down when finished. It was very much like what I remembered.

We also rode The Pirates of the Caribbean, which was also very much like I remembered, with a few additions from the movie.

They added an anima tronic Jack Sparrow in a few scenes, and one especially cool touch was the addition of a smoke screen that looked like a water fall that the cars passed thru, and on the smoke was projected the talking image of Davey Jones.

We eventually made our way back to the shops, as we had scouted out the souvenir we wanted to purchase, then made our way to dinner, where we took pictures of each other with the various Disney characters who came around to our table.

After dinner, we scoped out a spot on Main Street and watched the fireworks around Cinderella's castle (which were set to music), then afterward, made our way towards the entrance where the Spectromagic parade began. Every float and character was covered with lights.

After having ridden the ferry boat to the park entrance, we left via the monorail, rode the tram to our parking area, and made our way back to the condo to wind down and get some sleep in preparation for...Day 3...Epcot.

Day one pictures

There is just so much to share, I'm going to have to do it in parts one day at a time. First however, click here to see a photo montage of the wedding and reception.

Day 1: Travel Day

No pictures here, I left the camera in the room, but thanks to my Mother-in Law, we stayed at the Gaylord Texan. Once we were safely ensconced in our room, we ate dinner (again) as we were sent leftovers from the reception and talked about how well the entire day went. We also worried that since we didn't do a reception line we had missed visiting with people at the reception. I think I hit everyone, but I highly doubt it. She had the same feeling, so if we missed you and you were at the reception...oops, I'm sorry about that. Just know that I'm glad you made it to share the day with us. It meant a lot, especially those who traveled so far to get there.

Eventually we got to sleep and the next morning after checkout and before our flight we walked around the Gaylord. If you haven't had a chance, stop by if your in the area. The center part is huge and is set up as if you are outside!! It's awesome. There are little souvenir shops, restaurants, lounges, a water fall and stream, and so forth.

The flight was late taking off, so by the time we landed, picked up our luggage, made it to the rental car and drove to the condo, it was after dark even with daylight savings time.

We stayed in a very nice condo that was decorated in a cabana style, thanks to my parents who allowed us to use their time share week this year, which included a full kitchen, living area with big screen TV, master suite with a king size bed, jacuzzi, shower and separate vanities, and a screened in patio that had access both from the family room and the master bedroom. There was an entire part we didn't use except when stealing clean towels or using the restroom if needed.

Taken from the front door/entry, the kitchen is to the right, followed by the 6 person dining room area and table, with the family room beyond. To my left is an entry to the master bath, followed by the entry to the master bedroom.

Family room and door to patio. The big screen TV is out of picture to the left.

Dining area with kitchen beyond. The door to the left leads to another room with a queen size bed 2 person table, love seat with coffee table and TV, smaller screened porch, wet bar with small frig, and private bath. The door on the right is a linen closet, in front of that out of frame is the door to the master bedroom, and in the entry across from our suitcases to the right you can just see the start of the short hall with the door to the master bath.

In the mornings, I would get up, take a shower, make coffee and breakfast, then come out here and eat with my bible or paper in hand. As Taylor needs more sleep than I, she would often wake up about the time I finished, so I would make her coffee and toast and bring it to her as she got ready for the day. Not much of a view out there because of the wall, but it did serve for a little privacy from the golf course on the other side.

This picture was taken from about the foot of the bed in the master bedroom (The TV for the master bedroom can be seen reflected in the mirror.) Across from the jacuzzi tub just out of frame is one of the two vanities. Thru the door on the other side of the tub is the rest of the bathroom, where part of the other vanity can be seen, with the shower to the right. Looking closely, the very edge of the shower can be seen before it is blocked by the door frame.

Next time, Day 2...Disney World!!!

Back to the grind stone

Greetings from the other side...It's now back to the grind stone, and the adjustment to married life now begins.The wedding and reception went great and was simply a wonderful experience. I haven't listened to the Audio CD of the wedding as of yet, but I will soon. I know there are a few family members who want a copy, so I will see what I can do on that front. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the wedding and reception photo's and video.

Though there were a few things that went wrong during the reception, such as never receiving the toss bouquet, not having transportation from the parking lot to the reception hall for the older guests as promised, not having paved parking as promised (we all had to park in and walk thru the field to the reception hall, which make the lack of the promised golf carts for the older guests even more aggravating), and so forth,it didn't affect the overall experience, and all ended well. I'll post some pictures of the honeymoon when I get them loaded on the computer, but the quick run down of the week is as follows:

Monday - Disney World with a character dinner, night parade and fireworks

Tuesday - Epcot with fireworks

Wednesday - Discovery Cove and swimming with dolphins

Thursday - Titanic, The Experience, followed by dinner at a restaurant featured on Rachel Rae's $40/day

Friday - Kennedy Space Center and Downtown Disney

Saturday - Sea World

Needless to say, we had a lot of fun. I'll elaborate more later when I post the pictures.

Hope all is well with everyone (Glad to see your doing better this week Nathan...)

Until next time...

00:00:00 = Wedding Day

Well, it's finally here...the wedding day. I've never actually wigged out, but I can tell I'm a little stressed, as I am lacking in patience. I hope everyone understands. Anyway, the rehearsal went well last night, and the rehearsal dinner @ Bucca di Beppo was a smashing success. Everyone raved about the food, and a good time was had by all. I made the rounds about the room a couple of times, trying to visit with everyone there, and grab a few bites of dinner between the laps. The Princess Room was next to ours, and my little niece, who is about 2 1/2, showed up in Taylor's arms with a tiara and a little plastic wand with a star at the end. She was adorable. I hope someone got a picture. I know I didn't get everyone introduced to everyone else, so for those I missed, or didn't get to talk to much, sorry about that. There were a lot of people.

On the way home from the dinner, we ran into some traffic, as there had been a fatality accident on HWY 75, and they had shut down the freeway. We did eventually make it home thanks to the back roads, and I made it to bed by about 1:30, and surprisingly, slept very well.

This morning I woke up at about 7:45, fed and played with the dog, had the dog wake up Chad, who is a long time friend from where we grew up, and made our way to IHOP for a big breakfast. I've now packed, and it's about 2:30 and time for me to shower, shave and dress. Still no nerves. I guess I just know that this is the right decision, and though there will be some rough times, we are both committed for the duration, and there will be many more times of good. There is nothing that can happen that we can't work out together with God, for without God, nothing is possible. He is the ever important third strand that will hold our marriage together for all time.

I'll be sure to post some pictures after we get back.

See you all on the other side...