Our family vacation was spent in "Sunsensational" Florida. I had a friend ask me if this is now a yearly thing. In a way it does appear that way as this is our 3rd consecutive trip to Florida.
As expected, the weather was beautiful and the skies were sunny and bright (unlike Utah). This is the first time we've traveled anywhere during Spring Break.... AND! it will be the last time. Sophie will just have to miss some school. The crowds were ridiculous and the lines never ending with a wait time of 185 mins for the more popular rides.
Aside from the gazillions of people everywhere, we all had a lot of fun! We really needed the diversion from work, school, homework, looking at houses, and to unthaw (especially for me).
Instead of me babbling about our trip, sometimes looking at photos depicts an aspect I would otherwise not be able to convey. So here goes:
Well, we didn't get in at the hotel we stayed at last time.
(I'll let hubby explain....lol)
(I'll let hubby explain....lol)
But this one was just as good, though I preferred the decor at
Oceana Palms right up the street.
Oceana Palms right up the street.
Master Bath
Master Closet
I love, love all the organizers which reminds me,
our next house will have my dream closet I've always wanted...
most likely with the help of IKEA.
Guest Bathroom
Kitchen with washer/dryer behind closed doors.
One thing about this particular hotel vs Oceana Palms,
they had a very nice waterslide, which Sophie enjoyed immensely.
The view of the Atlantic Ocean from our hotel room is so
spectacular and yes, warmer than the Pacific Ocean.
spectacular and yes, warmer than the Pacific Ocean.
Although temperatures were warmer than in Utah,
it was still not warm enough for me to go in the water,
especially the waterslide.
I really like to take a stroll on the beach, just taking in the scenery and
absorbing the smells, sounds... feeling the sand between my toes.
absorbing the smells, sounds... feeling the sand between my toes.
For me, it’s quite fun to look for different things in nature that
might see wash up on to the shore.
might see wash up on to the shore.
So, while walking with Soph and Vince, I saw a relatively big hole
in the sand and asked Sophie if she might know what animal made
that hole. Soph curiously looked at the hole and said,
“oooh....no, tell me." Vince then looked at the hole and said
"ohhh....hmmm, I see..... you mean like an umbrella pole?!?”
in the sand and asked Sophie if she might know what animal made
that hole. Soph curiously looked at the hole and said,
“oooh....no, tell me." Vince then looked at the hole and said
"ohhh....hmmm, I see..... you mean like an umbrella pole?!?”
Hubby: "Why are you taking a picture of that boat we're not on?"
Singer Island is not really an island but a peninsula.
It's 5 miles long and .5 mile wide, not too busy which is ideal for us.
It's 5 miles long and .5 mile wide, not too busy which is ideal for us.
Enjoying the nice weather, the views of Singer Island and the ocean!
No matter how many times I've done this,
I still enjoy looking at all the Butterflies at EPCOT.
I still enjoy looking at all the Butterflies at EPCOT.
Sophie and Me at EPCOT
I remember my Mom used to plant marigolds (flowers behind us) to keep
rattlesnakes away from our house. I'm not sure if there's any truth to that,
but the colors definitely matched her cheerful personality.
So whenever I see marigolds, it makes me think of Mom.
I remember my Mom used to plant marigolds (flowers behind us) to keep
rattlesnakes away from our house. I'm not sure if there's any truth to that,
but the colors definitely matched her cheerful personality.
So whenever I see marigolds, it makes me think of Mom.
Tutto Italia Restaurant at EPCOT
Want to see my review of this restaurant?
Go to www.tripadvisor.com
(Warning: some of the other reviews are not as favorable,
perhaps they were having an off day.)
Want to see my review of this restaurant?
Go to www.tripadvisor.com
(Warning: some of the other reviews are not as favorable,
perhaps they were having an off day.)
Disney's Hollywood Studios
While here we were able to accomplish most everything
we wanted to do, ride and see including The American Idol Experience.
I asked Sophie if she wanted to sing on the American Idol.
Her answer was exactly what I expected. "Noooo Waaaaay!!"
we wanted to do, ride and see including The American Idol Experience.
I asked Sophie if she wanted to sing on the American Idol.
Her answer was exactly what I expected. "Noooo Waaaaay!!"
Universal's Islands of Adventure
This park was actually quite fun!
I definitely want to return as we were not able to do everything we
wanted to do, ride and see, like the Harry Potter ride.
However, we were told that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
might be a little too scary for Sophie, especially because she was a
little afraid of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
I definitely want to return as we were not able to do everything we
wanted to do, ride and see, like the Harry Potter ride.
However, we were told that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
might be a little too scary for Sophie, especially because she was a
little afraid of The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
In her words she said, "It was too much in my face."
Above, Sophie and her Daddy walking thru The Cat in the Hat.
Vince and Sophie standing outside of Poseidon's Fury.
Even though you're standing up the entire time, I have to admit
it was pretty awesome! The special effects were pretty spectacular,
something I've never seen before. Sophie was a little afraid of this one too
because she said it was "waaay tooo hot with all the explosions
and waaay too cold with the wind and rain."
Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges
You will get soaked on this ride!!
Also, if you ride Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls.... You will get semi-soaked
especially if you're sitting in the the first 3 rows in the front, which is
where I ended up, then Sophie, then Vince ;o/
The 2 girls sitting in rows 4 and 5 actually wanted to get wet and didn't.
If I only knew that ahead of time I would have
gladly switched with them. But then hubby told me I would have ended
up sitting in row 3 anyway, while he and Sophie would have sat in rows 4 and 5 ;o/ ....Hah!
"Soph, smile...." Right before getting drenched on Popeye's ride.
Also, if you ride Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls.... You will get semi-soaked
especially if you're sitting in the the first 3 rows in the front, which is
where I ended up, then Sophie, then Vince ;o/
The 2 girls sitting in rows 4 and 5 actually wanted to get wet and didn't.
If I only knew that ahead of time I would have
gladly switched with them. But then hubby told me I would have ended
up sitting in row 3 anyway, while he and Sophie would have sat in rows 4 and 5 ;o/ ....Hah!
"Soph, smile...." Right before getting drenched on Popeye's ride.
All good things must come to an end... Miss Bee and VibesUp Teddy, placed carefully on Soph's bed by the hotel cleaning services.
Alright, that's all for now. Hope this gives you a glimpse what a wonderful time we had. And yes, we'll probably end up in Florida again for our next family vacation. I wouldn't be surprised if one day we buy a little hut there :D
