The Parks

Orlando was weird and wondrous. Weird in that high populous and excess affluence drove the creation of amusement theme parks that spawned the technology that created mind blowing multimedia sensory experiences to look at reality from an impossible perspective.

Weird in that these experiences are out of reach for many many people but were created for our amusement and someone is making a lot of money from it. I kept thinking of the solid gold toilet seat that belonged to the shah of Iran.

Weird in that we didn't mind it. We liked being in a safe, controlled, re-created world of simulated experiences even as I suspected we had put our brains on hold to take in a week of drone-like mindless existence. It was like we were drugged. I wanted to say, Yes master, yes master, but to who? That innocuous looking subterfuge with the ears?

Yet through it all, I couldn't help but admire the genius of the technology, the vision that went into building the parks, and the knowledge of what people need to unwind. I also felt the fish and animals were well taken care of, that their handlers and trainers cared about and were proud of their involvement with the animals.

So what did we get in exchange? A wonderful time with our family. We enjoyed being with each other. We appreciated the experiences simulated and real. There were no long line ups at any of the attractions. We had a good time.

First, we got on the plane and looked out the window when we flew above the clouds.


Here are The Boy, Kid1, and Kid2 perched in the window of the airport tram as it took us to the terminal to claim our luggage.


These crane-like birds and geckos milled about our resort at all times of the day.



Our motley crew under Mickey's hat at Disney's Hollywood Studios.


This is an all-stars boulevard, probably called the All-Star Boulevard. That tall building is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The Boy and I rode it and loved it.


A block party with performers dancing in the street.


Did you ever imagine mom at Disney wearing Mickey ears?


We visited Sea World. After my many attempts at capturing dolphins in the ocean on camera, I found them waiting for me at the dolphin nursery at Sea World.


These animals are trained to perform with humans. This is the Shamu Show with Shamu the whale.




There was a show called Blue Horizon. People, birds and fish performed together.



Real birds flew on command.


Of course we visited the penguins.


Under water view of duck feet for Kid1.


Photo op with candy cane. We are all in this photograph. So who took the picture? The other candy cane. The pair of them greeted visitors as they entered Busch Garden. The Budweiser beer people forked out for this park. It was very strange to see Christmas decorations and hear carols in warm weather, knowing the place will not snow on Christmas Day.


We saw lots of animals and pink flamingoes too.


Crocodiles lurking in the dark.


Here they are at Universal Studio.


Epcot at night.


Pooped party at the airport heading home.