11 September – Seaworld – Ponderosa and chill

I wake at about 7.30 to an empty bed again Pat is already up as "Mr Snorry Head" had once again turned up in the night, so she wasn't able to stay in the same room. Nothing new there!

After the tea and coffee to get the day started, we decide to go to SeaWorld today. Quick showers and into the car. Set the Sat Nav but it is telling us to turn right at entrance of Fountains when we know SeaWorld is left – so ignore it! It soon realises the error of its ways! Ha ha. We arrive at the parking kiosk, show the disabled badge and get a blue tag placed on the windscreen. We are directed to close to the park entrance, park the car, and get out. One quick ciggy and then to the first queue of the day to go through the security checks.

Then into the second queue to actually get in the park – I think we kind of pushed in a bit – but hey it is allowed sometimes (hypocrite! – ED). We look at the map and work out that we will be at the dolphin show area in about 5 minutes and the show starts in about 10. It's almost perfect timing by us. So, we move over and sit down ready. The show itself is not as good as the last time as there is no acrobatics or diving involved. A bit like a cut-down version I would suppose.

After the slight disappointment, we decide to go on the ride Escape to Atlantis. We follow the route and then get diverted into the disabled queue, which is just us! One of the boats arrives we are helped on and ride on our own! We do get wet but not as bad as we had got the last time we rode it!

Off the ride, back into the wheelchair, and head out looking for the next part of the day for us. Wanted to go on the Antartica ride – but the queue here is over an hour! We walk slightly back on ourselves and arrive at the roller coaster called Krakken. Now in all the times I have been in Florida (this is my seventh time here) I have never been on a large roller coaster. My job is normally to hold peoples' bags while they ride! Now Pat loves them – and last time we had missed them out – but this time I thought it was only fair to offer to ride with her (she obviously can't ride on her own!). The queue is only five minutes! Woo hoo I think I should say but the frightened part of me is not so sure.

So, I get to ride on my first ever big coaster and thoroughly enjoy it although I am scared. I guess that is part of the fun side of the coaster rides – the fear gives it the oomph! I think Pat is quite impressed with me riding with her. The "ride" pictures are put on a plastic card to view later, which should make our decision over which ones we want printed (at a cost I might add!). So now I have the coaster bug – we move towards the second one here in SeaWorld.

 

We arrive at Mako, billed as Orlando's tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster. Again, the queue here is short – showing 5 minutes but it's actually about 7 by the time we get to the ride itself. It again is quite enjoyable though thank God I hadn't eaten previously! When we got off the ride, and my tummy tells me it is relaxed, we then have loads of fun trying to add piccies to the plastic card. We end up having to request help, which is provided with a smile. I really want a picture as proof for my kids that I had faced my fears.

 

 

We look at the map and decide to take in the Shamu show. Once again it is a beautiful show – so peaceful and both of us are trying to take pictures. I get a few – but most if mine are of splash. Pat is more successful, as usual! It is quite sad that the first few times I saw this show the trainers were in the water with the orcas, which of course is not the case now!

We sit and wait for the crowds to move off first, and as we get out, we are right outside Wild Artic and being so close thought, we should take the ride (even though it's not a roller coaster ha ha). However again queues are far too long, as everyone that had seen Shamu heads straight here as it is so close!

As everywhere here in SeaWorld now seems to be getting busier and busier, we decide to head off for food but going via the photoplace, to view and perhaps purchase a piccie or two. When we view them none of them are particularly great and at $20 a pop we decide that as they are not that good we will leave them.

Now the food places at SeaWorld aren't great and we want a decent meal so both of us think the same name – Ponderosa! Find the open restaurant in the Sat Nav – and off we go, arriving fairly quickly - well we were actually quite close!

Our server is not as good as last time, he looked put out when we asked for a table – as opposed to the booth which he had offered us. The booth is not practical when you have a wheelchair! We are placed in an area away from most of the patrons. The food is great again it’s just a shame about the service – aka Mr Misery!

Out of the restaurant, into the car and take a brave decision as we decide to drive home without the use of the Sat Nav. Funnily enough, we get back in one piece and by a very direct route! Having said that our luck runs out as there are still no disabled parking bays back at the Fountains. Boo hoo I hear you say…..

We go upstairs for a tea and a coke and as it is still early and very sunny, it would be a shame to waste it – so go down poolside. As we get out into the open, we realise it's not just sunny but very hot too, so hot in fact first stop is going to be the pool. After a quick, but very refreshing dip, we sit and read, but the temperature is getting to us. I go to get an Icee for Pat to find that they stop serving them poolside at 4 p.m. and it's almost half past – and the attendant suggests a fruit drink at the bar. Pat decides she doesn't want anything, but I grab a beer! (no change there – ED).

The temperature remains really hot and I almost laugh watching Pat drip on the floor with her sweat, not that she was melting she isn't the wicked witch of the west is she?. No surprise she now wants a drink. So, get her a coke and some paper serviettes to wipe the sweat with and another beer for me! It is now almost 6 p.m.and still very hot, although it is beginning to darken in the sky.

We head back up to the room, and while I make a tea, Pat runs herself a bath. She tries the spa bath again and there is no joy – so I will need to report it – as it is not funny! We have a chat and decide that tomorrow we will celebrate my birthday in Islands of Adventure – means I might get to ride another couple of coasters well at least one – Hulk!

Another tea and we retry King Fu Panda 3 - we actually manage to both stay awake until the end although truthfully the first one was so much better– and then settle down, a little more reading and lights out and sleep.