Jimmy's not as huge Florida trip

jimmycoasterman · #1 06-15-2003, 02:38 PM

To begin, I didn't think until around a week before the trip I would get a chance to stop at any parks on my week-long vacation. It was a "famiy trip" and that meant not all what I enjoyed, and some of what the parents enjoyed. The main part of the trip was not Orlando; we were only stopping there on the way back to Atlanta. And there was no guarenteeing we would go to a theme park; we might just arrive late at a hotel; and continue the drive early the next morning.
So..... we set out.

The TR will be like this: short summaries of the days I was on vacation not at IOA or Sea World; and summaries of those trips. Hopefully it will help people not just going to IOA or Sea World, but also traveling to the keys or through Florida.

DAY 1

The boring parents, annoying brother and I set out in the rented Dodge Caravan for the Keys. The plan was drive to Cocoa Beach; and stay overnight, then go to *ugh* Kennedy Space Center the next morning.

To give some background, the annoying brother I have is a genius. And loves nothing more than visiting frickin museums everywhere we go. And while they are mostly interesting; they get old.

So anyway, we drove. And drove. And drove. There was nothing to look at. Couldn't see the beach. Lots of trees. The same trees I saw at home. Realized I forgot my CD's. The one CD is my CD player got old. Started panicking. Quickly stole annoying brother's gameboy. Mastered Super Mario. WAS BORED OUT OF MY MIND. Finally arrived at some tiny hotel. Unpacked some stuff. Normal vacation crap.

Went to sleep.

DAY 2

Woke up. Wished I didn't have to endure another car ride. But first headed to Kennedy Space Center.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Actually, not too bad. First headed out to the IMAX movie. BUT it started before we got there and they wouldn't let us in. Went on a huge bus-tour. Actually, pretty interesting.

First stop was the Shuttle Assembly Building. The thing is massive. If I remember right, it's the 3rd largest building in the world in terms of volume. I mean massive. Cool to look at for a while, but got old quick. Next bus stop was a viewpoint to look at the Shuttle Assembly Building, and also the launch pads. Actually more interesting. We were able to see the parts of the shuttle pad, like tanks for liquid hydrogen and oxygen. How you liquefy hydrogen or oxygen, I'm not sure. Anyway, you could also see these giant machines (I don't remember their names) that carried the entire space shuttle from the assembly area to the launch pad. Keep in mind the shuttle weighs over 200 tons. Massive, massive, machines.

The final stop was the Apollo/ Saturn V Center, which was incredible. We waited outside a bit, and then went in for the movie. It gave a brief explanation of Sputnik, the USA's failed launches after Sputnik, and trying to reach the moon. It stressed the importance of Apollo 8, where we tried to circle the moon and land on earth.

We then moved to a room where it simulated the launch of the Apollo 8 rocket from the launch control room, which was pretty cool. Then we got to see the Saturn V rocket.

The only thing to say about it is HUGE. I had no idea. It's 365 ft. long, and maybe 100 ft. wide. Great stuff. Then there was a small line for "touch the moon" with a moon rock. It was, well, a rock. I decided I'm getting a rock, spray painting it with glow in the dark stuff, and charging people to touch. I'll say its from space. I would be rich. People are that stupid.

So anyways, then we drove further down to Key Largo, where we would be staying. Thanks to one of my dad's numerous connections, we were staying at the Ocean Reef Club for free. The club is pretty much where all the richest people in Florida live. The lowest price for a home and membership was $1.5 million. Crazy rich people. But anyway, extremely nice place.

Now here's my rant about rich people. They're crazy. They never have to live this club where they live. It's like their own sheltered society. They have a small movie theater, each one has a huge yacht, there are numerous five-star restaurants. Crazy, crazy, rich people.

So anyway, I settled down in an incredibly soft bed, and went to sleep.

Days 3,4, and 5 will be soon. Then the good stuff is day 6 and 7 which are the parks.

slipknot8527 · #2 06-15-2003, 08:58 PM

Whyd you say UGH about the Space center? Everything you said you mention, it was pretty cool or it was pretty interesting at the end. Was thart your before thought? kepp the TR going man! Hen we will cover ALL of Florida!

**Phil** · #3 06-15-2003, 09:00 PM

He probably said that because that is what he expected it to be.

Knoxville · #4 06-15-2003, 09:15 PM

Ocean Reef club is really nice. My friend took me and a buncha other friends there and we got to rent a golf cart. In the end one of my friends flipped the cart, but I didn't get hurt luckily. It's a cool place, but everyone acted all "Grey Poupon" like.

jimmycoasterman · #5 06-15-2003, 09:37 PM

Yeah if you visit, you get a cart for transportation. I said ugh because at first I thought it was going to be boring.

slipknot8527 · #6 06-16-2003, 07:53 AM

Keep it going, I am in the middle of finishing my day at IOA, soon to visit Kraken!

jimmycoasterman · #7 06-16-2003, 02:37 PM

A little of DAY 2 I forgot....

I left this out of day 2 so I'll put it here.
After we got back to the main center we had lunch at the usual ridiculous price, but the food was good. Afterwards, we went to see SpaceStation 3D Imax. It was really really well done. The 3D effects were incredible, especially on the launches. It described in detail to efforts on building the International Space Station. The only complaint was the narrarator (Tom Cruise), who although is a good actor, doesn't have a narrarating voice.

We then went outside, because they were supposed to launch a Mars Rover at 2:00. It immeadiately started pouring, and they announced the launch was cancelled. It was really too bad; I saw it two days later on TV and it would have been incredible to see in person.

We made a quick stop by the astronaut memorial, where the names of everyone who had died on a NASA mission had their name. It was a huge wall, and it was mostly blank. There were around 15 names, and there was room for around 100. A bit of a disapointment.

THEN I went to Key Largo and went to sleep.

so now that part is done so DAY 3

Woke up. Went back to sleep. For cross-country this summer, we are supposed to run 360-395 miles with a log every day. It started with running 15-17 miles a week, the longest run being 5 miles, then before school starts we will run 40+ miles a week, sometimes 10 miles in a day. So I got up and ran 4 miles in the blazing sun and terrible humidity. If you ever are inclined to run on vacation, don't do it in Florida.

Then it started to rain. For some reason in the keys, it must storm every day for at least 2 hours. Its like sunshine, storm, sunshine, storm. Annoying weather.

So we set out to John Pennecamp (sp?) State Park. If you were wondering, the only state park entirely underwater. Got snorkeling equipment and set out on a boat.

The coral reefs were amazing. It was my second time snorkeling, but I heard this place is among the best in the world. The snorkeling was incredible. Brightly colored fish everywhere, coral reefs, all sorts of stuff. So I swam about, took pictures with an underwater camera, and all those other snorkely (i just made that word up) things. Then I saw some huge barracuda. Stared at it. It opened its mouth. I noticed its huge teeth. Scary stuff. Then it swims not one foot under me down to greet another huge barracuda. That was around the time another snorkeler said "Hey, the water is warmer all of the sudden." Not really. But it was that scary. Later, I actually lost my contact while in the ocean, scooped it into my mask, swam back to the boat, put it in a glass of water, and put it back in. A small miracle I think.

Then as our boat pulled back onto the dock, it started raining again. So we headed back to the condos. It cleared up a bit, and before dinner, my Dad, brother and I set out for a "driving lesson" with the golf cart. It had seats in the front and back, and I was in the back. On the way to the empty parking lot where we would "practice", it starts pouring (again). I scrambled up to the front seat and we parked under a tree for around 15 minutes, waiting for the rain to let up. Unfortunately this tree was located near a puddle, and almost all of the passing cars splashed us. I rode on the dashboard and we drove through the rain back to the condo. Watched Game 7 of the Stanley Cup. Yelled at the TV. Watched the Devils win. Made insulting remarks about the Devils. Went to sleep.

DAY 4

Woke up. Ate breakfast at a really nice place in the Ocean Reef Club. Almost no one there. Wondered how the club makes any money off their resteraunts. We got in our "driving lessons", including nearly getting runned over while my little brother drove on the road.

Then we headed down to the pool and "island" at the hotel. The island was really for kids, so we hung out at the pool. Splashed around. Went back and changed for golf. The little brother decided he wanted to ride along, so I said I was 16 and drove my own cart.

The golf course was incredible. The course's condition was amazing. Then we found out why: the members pay a combined $1.25 million to use the golf course. Many of them only visit a week or two out of the year. Crazy, crazy, rich people. But I enjoyed their craziness while I played on their nice golf course. I am a terrible golf player. But its fun. I didn't even keep score. Hit some good shots, hit some bad shots. The most memorable moment was on hole #9, where I hit a great drive, maybe 220 yards (good for me) in the middle of the fairway. I was a little excited and slammed on the accerator as we went to our balls in our carts. I thought the wheels were straight, the wheel was totally straightened out. But I ended up going 10 ft. at a 45 degree angle into a water cooler thing. Fortunately, it didn't fall over. I just pushed it a little. With a little help, I put the cooler back (the thing weighed like 200 lbs.)

After finishing up the round, showered and went out to a nice dinner with the family of the man who got us in Ocean Reef. Extremely nice guy. Talked to his wife, 24 yr. old daughter. After hearing about and seeing the sister of their 15 yr. old, I wished desperately that she was not away at camp. Oh well. There's more fish in the sea.

Went back to the condo. Went to sleep.

this is really long so I'll do day 5 later.

slipknot8527 · #8 06-16-2003, 09:48 PM

Did you hit any coasters in this trip?!?!

ride6 · #9 06-16-2003, 10:08 PM

He's getting to that. He said it was on day 6 & 7.

Sounds like it wasn't AS miserable as some things.... I can really say i've had any "boring" vacations in the last few years. Luckly when we go camping up north it's on my grandparents land and we have QUADS!!!!!!! Ya hoo! And there's a great jump across the street (two-track dirt road

). I can catch about 3 foot of air on my little 80. It's great fun.

**Phil** · #10 06-17-2003, 10:12 AM

That club sounds really nice, that type of place would be my second choice to vacation at, after an amusement park of course. I'd really like to go golfing on a nice course like that.

AngryDax · #11 06-17-2003, 11:36 PM

Hell my summer vacation this year IS to a theme park..CP and KI...people think I am nuts to leave FL to go to Ohio for a vacation..LOL

slipknot8527 · #12 06-18-2003, 03:41 AM

Heh, if you wanna go on a vacation, you walk down the street. That rawks!

jimmycoasterman · #13 06-19-2003, 01:45 PM

I'm gonna get the non park stuff out of the way
DAY 5

Woke up. Hopped in the minivan again. The plan was to drive through the keys down the Key West and look around. Having heard many stories of various activities in Key West, I wasn't really looking forward to going there with my family.

So we drove through the islands over lots of water. Drove over the Seven-Mile Bridge. It was long. 7 Miles long in fact. Pretty boring though. It all looks the same after the 1st mile. Passed a statue of a dolphin. Woohoo! Talk about interesting. A statue of a dolphin. And its the most exciting thing in the town. Islands came, Islands, passed. I finished my latest Robert Ludlum book. (The Gemini Contenders, a pretty good one). Finally we got to Key West.

It looked, well, pretty normal. We parked by the pier, walked around and I didn't notice most of the stuff I had heard about (gay men everywhere, porno shops, etc.). Except a couple boating trips you could register where clothing was optional.

I didn't want to walk around the entire town, so we got a trolley thing where we could go around and get off places. We went through "historic" Key West, which was an aquarium and shipwreck museum. Got off on Duval street, which is the party place. Tons of bars, and such. The idea was to see the view at the top of a *gasp* 6-story hotel. It wasn't much of a view. I had seen that ocean the whole frickin day in the car. Got back on a different trolley. The driver was Louie, and he was the coolest. I sat away from my family, well, because I felt like it. He asked me what my name was and I told him my real name (which is not jimmy) it's actually Michael. So anyway I was talking to him and he stops the trolley. And over his megaphone shouts to these two hot teenage girls "Hey, you wanna free trolley ride? I got a friend back here, Michael, and you could sit it the back with him." It was pretty funny. OK maybe you had to be there. Then he talked about how one of the Presidents used to come down to Key West all the time and made some money a different way before pointing out "Truman's XXX Store" on Truman road.

We rode by Hemingway's old house. It looked like lots of other houses. Got off at the Southernmost Point in the Continental USA. There was a big thing that said southernmost point and everyone got their picture taken by it. Then we walked by the "southermost hotel" and "southernmost house" and noticed everywhere declared itself the southermost. There was a deli, the post office, ice cream shop, everything.

Then the trolley ride was over. We walked back to the car. Drove home. Key West was pretty fun. I'd definately reccomend doing a trolley company thing. There are like 4 to choose from.

And that sums up the Keys. Now onto the Good Stuff. later.

**Phil** · #14 06-19-2003, 11:32 PM

A lot of people that work as trolley drivers are funny. I know I've had some really good ones here in Chicago.

Lets get on to the good stuff now.

jimmycoasterman · #15 06-21-2003, 10:45 PM

Yes, here it comes- parks.

DAY 6

Woke up around 6, headed towards Orlando. Went through more toll booths. Got stuck in a little Miami morning traffic. Arrived in Orlando. Driving, driving, then I saw Kraken. Instant happiness. They really need to make a Master Card commercial for enthusiasts if they haven't already. Just watching it running gave me chills. Hey, I had been looking forward to this for the whole trip. I'll take coasters any day over a beach.

So we park a space away from preferred parking (saved 3 bucks). I headed straight towards Kraken, not knowing what to expect the lines to look like. I had heard they would be small, but I had no idea how small. I got there aroudn 12:30- wait time five minutes. Ran through the queue, looking briefly at the little quotes and drawings of the rumored beast. Went right up in the station and grabbed the back row. And off we went.

KRAKEN

A little bank down out of the station got my adrenaline flowing a bit already. Started up the hill, my anticipation growing. I started swinging my legs back and forth, the lift seemed huge. Finally the top. A little swing to the left and then we dropped. We hurtled towards the ground, and I got a little airtime. Straight up the massive vertical loop, I started "greying out" at the top. When my head cleared up I noticed the camera, and we suddenly swung into the dive loop. I made sure my restraints weren't extremely tight, and this was actually where I got the most airtime on the ride. Then a zero-g roll, followed by one of the two great cobra's I would ride on this trip. The brakes went on after the cobra (I don't really remember) and then we dived downwards, into another vertical loop. Then the flat spin corckscrew and blasting through Kraken's "lair". What a ride!

Ratings: 10 of 10! Incredible!

Walked back out, told the parents to sit, stay, and wait while I rode somemore. Noticed the Kraken by the enterance looked extremely, well, harmless. One of my few miniscule complaints. Rode again in the second row. Just as amazing, if not better. Waited ten minutes extra for the front, and had my best ride of the day.

Then the brother and parents pulled me away from the teal beast, and we headed towards Journey to Atlantis. I convinced the Mom (who wants nothing to do with thrill rides) that it was relaxing, and she might get a little wet. The wait was around 20 minutes, and I was hoping she missed the reoccuring places in the videos on the tv's where it showed the "You will get soaked!" and "Scarier! Wetter! Faster!". Went in the front row of our "boat". Watched some weird effects inside, then went out for a huge plunge I though "hey this isn't too wet". As we headed back inside "Atlantis" I heard the evil lady say "Not so fast". I knew we were dead. We went down a little drop, and that's actually where I got wettest. It just dropped us into the water, and water flooded over the front of the boat, drenching only me and the little brother. Went into the 2nd big drop with the more coaster-like aspects. Got a little wetter. Overall not the most thrilling ride, but quality stuff. 8/10.

Then the Mom asked where we wanted to go now, which I replied of course should be Kraken. Reluctantly they followed me back and waited while my brother and I rode twice more. It's a coaster I could ride all day. Unfortunately, the parents and brother actually wanted to see the animals at Sea World. So the animals will come soon.