Kennedy/Busch Gardens/Disney Springs/Medieval Times

Kennedy Space Centre

 This was very special day out. We took Uber rides there and back, with getting there far cheaper than the peak time return ride, not a lot you can do about it, but a little annoying to pay $50 there and $90 for the exact same ride back. Kennedy is everything you would expect and was a truly interesting day out. Whilst it is still very much a working environment, the whole site lends its self beautifully to past and present space exploration. We were advised to take the bus tour first, which we did, and saw the original launch pads amongst many other things. There is a lot to take in at Kennedy and I admit to being a little overwhelmed by the sheer volume of exhibits and reading. A lot of reading. The bus out to the launch site was swift and organised, coming back was a different story with a whole lot of people standing around waiting to return to the main exhibit halls, watching empty buses pass us without stopping. (reason unknown) This was the only part of the day that could have really spoilt things. As it happens, we were amongst the first to arrive at the pads. With none of us particularly astronaut or space obsessed, we very much enjoyed watching and seeing things, but didn`t particularly stress about reading every single article, just the bits that looked more appealing, so luckily for us we were at the very front of the long bus queue and only had to endure 2 empty buses before we boarded. There was very interesting talk about the actual rocket launch back indoors at the main entrance area. The very knowledgeable guide walked us the whole length of the rocket stopping at various points to explain the workings of the rocket, and was quite brilliant , right until he said "and then"...."and then"...."and then" the first 20 mins of the talk was great, but the last set of "and thens" was just a little too much information. We had been told about the good stuff, and I would have been happy to leave it there, but he droned (pardon the pun) on and on and on..zzzzz Please shh, let me go look at other stuff! I don`t want to elaborate too much on the tour of Kennedy because I really do think it is a place to go and see for yourself. It is respectful, interesting, informative and brain numbingly clever. There was a very short and exceedingly interesting video showing where they repeatedly suggested `anyone can cook` ..whoops, sorry, that`s Disney....`anyone can be a space scientist` and all my less than scientific brain could think was, I cannot even rewire a plug!

Busch Gardens

This was once a favourite park with a multitude of animal areas and easy to navigate theme park rides, but it is now another park leaning heavily towards rides and away from animals. As a non Florida or even American resident, my experiences of any parks are at sporadic intervals. What was so enjoyable in 2004 or 2016 is now the same ride but 20 years older. The rides are tired. The three biggest Kumba, Montu and Sheikra whilst still good rides, are becoming very headache inducing body vibrating bone shakers. This was made all the more evident by a singular ride on the new Phoenix Rising, a simple but great ride. We may have ridden others but far too many rides had downtime with weather also becoming our enemy. The savannah train frequently had 35 minute wait times, (why is there only one train?) The animals were mostly hiding in the shade, and the tigers had decided to sleep in. We may have seen a hippo but given the disgustingly filthy glass around the exhibits, it was hard to say. Like Seaworld, this is another park that needs a really good overhaul. Then it rained. Have you any idea what you can do at Busch Gardens when lightening is in the air, and rain strikes? Nothing. Nothing is what you can do! From 3pm until 7pm, we did nothing but wander aimlessly waiting until it was time to catch the bus home. I presume the painfully boring ice skating show may still run, good for a sleep if nothing else. Personally we were gobsmacked at the end of the day when our bus driver asked if we had seen the show, and then went on to say how much he loved it. We bit our tongues quickly as quite frankly it bored the pants off us. We will go back to Busch Gardens, but we will go back with the knowledge that it is not the animal orientated park that it used to be.

Disney Springs

For anyone who hasn`t been to Florida in the last 20 years, you would not recognise this area. The extensions and building here has been quite phenomenal. Very little is left of the original area, but the expansion is excellent. Still three areas, Marketplace, Dining, Shopping, but each area is much improved. Apart from the Rainforest cafe area. That has not changed one iota. We chose to spend a whole day at Disney Springs wandering at leisure, in preference to the short evening visits of previous holidays. It was nice feeling relaxed with time on our bunny paws to pause for coffee or snacks, meander slowly around the many shops, and work up an appetite for our chosen dining experience, somewhere new to us all, the Raglan Road Irish Bar later that evening. I cannot begin to list the sheer number of places where you could dine, but, do as we did, and follow DFB on You Tube for ideas. That is a superb vlog of all food Disney, and they really, really know their food. From that vlog we drank the best milkshakes, ate the most delicious cakes, sampled the very best chocolate, and would have queued for the best cookies in Orlando at Gideons Bakehouse had we not felt stuffed to the gills. We had to save room for the meal! The food choices at Disney Springs are just too many to mention. Ditto the shopping. Not mall size, but certainly a sufficient variety of shops to satisfy everyone from mums eyeing up a smart new outfit, dads at the Star Wars, Marvel, Coca Cola or maybe Lego Store? to the best Disney store around in which any child could find something to make them happy.

The only type of shopping that is missing, is a shop that could sell Disney T shirts, (or any kind of clothing) with characters other than Stitch. I got so fed up of every Disney souvenir and t shirt being Stitch related! Give me a shop with Pooh, Eeyore, Max from Tangled, Thumper, Oliver, Aristocats, Hercules, Tinkerbell, Goofy, Baloo or Nemo to name just a few, or what about the many quotes from the man himself. eg If you can dream it, you can do it. There are so many lovely t shirts being worn in the parks, but non are available in the immediate vicinity. As for the lack of cute vests? Middle of August and we could buy thick t shirts by the 1000s, but not one cute cool vest could we find! Come on Disney, keep up!

Raglan Road was our chosen venue to eat. Not a lot wrong with the place, but if you are going for the entertainment, make sure you request a table with a view of the stage. Our first table offer was in a room where we couldn`t even see the stage, never mind hear any music. The Irish girl singers were good. As were the dancers, but I couldn`t help thinking that these girls appeared a little fed up and seemed a little ` here we go again, stick on the false smiles girls`, It must be so so hard trying to muster up vibrant sparking enthusiasm multiple times per day, day in day out. Wonderful as they were, this is the type of act that would thrive in a loud, beer soaked bar of happy revellers, not as it is, casual drinkers and diners clapping briefly in between mouthfuls. Food was delicious by the way.

Medieval Times/Dinner Show.

I have seen this advertised so many times during my previous holidays in Orlando, that along with the other places I have not seen before, Gatorland, Kennedy for eg, I added this to the list of must do`s. Its a fairly short drive to the `castle` in which the show is housed, and looks quite fun with its flags and turrets. On entry you are given your appropriate coloured crown for the price you paid for your ticket and escorted into the main hall to wait for the call to be seated. There are many themed souvenirs available to purchase, but who really needs plastic tiaras, fake crowns, ornamental tankards or wooden swords? I did not see many purchases being made with most people giving the T.S. a cursory glance prior to heading to the bar for a pre show drink. The `King and Queen` wander around in their medieval costumes, talking in character, and generally giving the place an authentic feel. A call to the feast is announced with the tables being filled in an orderly fashion according to the six colours that represented the various knights. We were seated in the Green section. The show commenced and I have to say it was very enjoyable. Each table colour had its own Jester who tried to encourage his people to shout the loudest for their knight. Our table jester was a little half hearted, and we actually agreed with little B that the rather handsome Blue Knight would be getting a few additional cheers from us, rather than our weedy green knight. Jousting, sword fighting, horse displays were all very entertaining. The food served was hot, cooked and most enjoyable. Eaten with fingers of course maintaining the medieval theming. A little on the expensive side, but for an alternative evening out, we did enjoy it. A do once perhaps, but a good do once.