Steve Carter/The Tifton Gazette
CNHI
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My buddy, Deven Davis, had never been to Orlando, and had always wanted to go. As all of you know I love Orlando and the theme parks.
So with that in mind, I began planning for a trip to Orlando back in May and June with Deven’s mom, Melissa. We timed it so we could go on Deven’s fall break from school.
Not wanting to disappoint Deven, I made the trip after being in a wreck two days before. We now know exactly how hard my head is, by the way.
After having had so much fun at the Downtown Disney Resort Hotels in 2009 on my last visit, I was able to get us a room for two nights at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista, another Downtown Disney Resort Hotel.
They are great places to stay, because the children in your party, as well as yourself (if you are a big kid at heart like me) can say, “I am spending the night at Disney World.”
Like the other Downtown Disney hotels, the Hilton offers complimentary shuttle service to the Disney parks, water parks and other attractions, a chance to purchase your Disney tickets at the hotel, a Disney merchandise store, the ability to book advance dining times for all the Disney resort dinner shows and restaurants, a discount booklet for the attractions at Downtown Disney and even though I don’t golf, you can also get advance tee times for the Walt Disney World golf courses at your Downtown Disney hotel.
The Hilton was awesome. We had a room that faced Downtown Disney, and you could even see the park fireworks for Epcot from a distance.
There were two swimming pools and a hot tub, Deven and I enjoyed that night, as well.
There are always discounts and deals on the Downtown Disney Resort Hotel website, www.downtowndisneyhotels.com. If you get a chance, you need to check it out.
I wanted this trip to include things that Deven and Melissa had never experienced, so on our first night in Orlando we went to Planet Hollywood to eat. It was loud and boisterous, and it also featured some of the greatest in Hollywood movie memorabilia.
Everyone in the office will tell you I am a big Beverly Hillbillies fan, and the Orlando Planet Hollywood has the Clampett truck. In other words, very cool for a nerd like me.
We only had one day park hopper tickets for Disney, so we tried to time it so we could go to the Hollywood Studios Saturday morning and to the Magic Kingdom Saturday evening.
Our first ride at Hollywood Studios was the Great Movie Ride. It was a great way for Deven to dip his toes into the Disney water.
The Great Movie Ride allows you to go through scenes in famous movies like Alien, Casablanca and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Deven kept looking over and asking his mom, “are you sure these are robots?” The characters are just that lifelike.
As it was in 2009 after it had first opened, the Toy Story Midway Mania was jammed, so, since we could not do the 90 minute wait, we made our way over to new Star Tours II ride.
On our way though we stopped in “New York.” Naturally, it’s not New York, but it is a city street designed to look like New York. It even includes the “Empire State Building” towering off in the distance.
I explained to Deven that movies and TV shows use those types of sets so they can film. It gave the illusion of being in New York City.
We finally made it over to Star Tours II and it was awesome. It is a completely different experience than before. Even though Deven and Melissa are not into Star Wars as I am, I think it was one of the favorite rides of the morning.
Deven does like Raiders of the Lost Ark, so we went over to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, which Deven loved. He even went down afterwards and got Indy’s autograph.
We closed out time at Hollywood Studios by going to the Muppets’ 3D movie show. It is perhaps the oldest attraction at Hollywood Studios, but Kermit and the guys never fail in giving me a smile.
After a mid-afternoon break at our comfortable room at the Hilton, we would later venture out to Magic Kingdom.
Deven kept wondering when we would see Cinderella’s Castle, and he seemed impressed when he finally did see it.
We were fortunate because we were one of the first to see the new addition at Pirates of the Caribbean, which were mermaids. The feature had just been added earlier in October.
Also, we were fortunate because we got to see one of the first shows of the revamped Country Bear Jamboree. Melissa had seen that when she was younger and wanted to see it again. The show is just as fun and hokey as ever, and even though he is “cool” I think Deven liked it deep down.
Melissa and Deven rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad together. I can’t handle roller coasters of any type.
Deven would later say that was his best part of the entire trip, screaming and hollering with his mom.
We closed out our time at the Magic Kingdom by doing Stitch’s Great Escape, which I loved, and Deven was left wondering how Stitch tickled his head.
Unfortunately for my manhood, Deven and Melissa both outscored me on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. I hope one day for a rematch.
Our final Disney attraction was the Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club. Mike from the movie is the host and you can text one of your jokes into the show for the comedians to use. I texted one Deven had told us earlier on the trip and it was picked, so it gave me something to tease Deven about.
In case you are wondering about the joke, here you go.
What is a vampire’s favorite holiday? Fangsgiving!
After enjoying our last night at the Hilton, we made it down for the hotel’s character breakfast. A great breakfast was enjoyed, while we were visited by Brer Bear, Brer Fox, Pluto and Minnie Mouse. It was awesome to get some close-up attention for Deven, as well as us grown-ups.
That was the last of our time at the Hilton as we made a move over to another great hotel Sunday, the Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista.
The Clarion is located right on Interstate 4, and is convenient for all of the attractions. There were two pools and a water play area for children. If you are fortunate like us, you can get rooms right off of the pools, as well.
Everyone was very friendly, and for an old man like me, the pillow top mattresses were heavenly.
They also have a convenient restaurant, which serves, among other things, an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, so you can go off to the parks with a full stomach.
Security guards also patrol all over the grounds, making you feel safe and secure.
For more information about the Clarion Inn Lake Buena Vista, go to http://clarionlbv-px.trvlclick.com/.
We made a simple day of it Sunday, only going to the Arabian Nights horse show. As usual, it rocked. Deven loved the horses, and Melissa loved the show. For more information on Arabian Nights. Go to http://www.arabian-nights.com.
After a good night’s sleep, we ventured off Monday morning to see Shamu and Sea World.
Even though the Shamu show is different now after the tragic death of one of the trainers, it was still very much a fun and entertaining show.
Deven loved walking through the sharks, it is still cool for an old guy like me, as well.
Clyde and Seamore’s show is still very cool, and it was the favorite of the day for Deven and Melissa. It is funny and it leaves you wondering how much work the trainers did to get Clyde and Seamore to do their show.
Being a single mom, Melissa naturally watches Deven like a hawk, but he wanted to ride Atlantis by himself, and Melissa agreed. Deven loved it and I think deep down Melissa loved giving Deven a little independence.
We finished our Sea World stay with the Pets Ahoy show, where pets that have been adopted from animal shelters around the country do a fun show with all of the tricks they have learned.
For more information about Sea World, go to http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-orlando.
Our weekend ended that evening with our supper at the Red Lobster located on International Drive. My friend Scott Youghn told us about the place, and his friend Allison Hart and her staff were great to three tired, weary travelers. I was tickled to see Scott, who just happened to be visiting, and it was fun telling someone in Orlando about Ocilla, and have that person actually know what I mean.
But check out that Red Lobster, a day that ends with cheese biscuits, is a great day.
