Fred and Wilma - 'The Keys' to 'The World' Day 12

[wilma-bride]

Thursday 23rd August – Sunburn and Blue Men

Today was our last day before leaving for the final leg of our holiday, at Walt Disney World. Daniel wanted desperately to ride Rip Ride Rockit again and Gary and I were keen to ride Forbidden Journey, having skipped it on Tuesday.

So the plan for this morning was to get to Universal for early entry at 8am, then skip on over to Islands of Adventure before regular opening at 9.

It was a beautiful morning and, as we enjoyed the final early morning stroll to the parks, I felt confident that we might actually get some pool time this afternoon too.

Oh, what a beautiful morning



All went to plan and Gary and Daniel were among the first riders of the day on Rip Ride Rockit. I sat this one out but managed to get a great shot of the two of them, right at the front.

Rip..Ride..Rockit!



The park was still really quiet as we made our way to the exit and I snapped a couple of photos along the way

Despicable!



Are you as tall as 3 minions?



Over at Islands of Adventure, WWOHP was getting busy already.

Respect the Spell Limits



After ascertaining that Daniel definitely didn’t want to ride, Gary and I decided to try our luck with the single rider line. We were on fairly quickly but, to be honest, we would have been just as quick in the regular standby line. We met up with Daniel in Filch’s Emporium as arranged and decided to line our stomachs before getting a few more rides in.

The Lost Continent and Daniel



Cinnabon was our choice this morning. Gary and I opted for our usual Cinnabon Stix and I decided at the last minute to get a Center of the Roll, since I love the ooey, gooey middle bit of the cinnamon roll. Daniel wanted a Cinnamon Roll, although I rightly guessed he wouldn’t eat it all (it was nearly as big as his head!) With a chocolate milk for Daniel (as if there wasn’t enough sugar in the cinnamon roll) and a diet coke for Gary and I, the total came to $18.18.

Now that’s what you call a cinnamon roll



Sugary, cinnamony sticks of goodness



After breakfast, we rode Spiderman, Dr Doom’s Fearfall and Hulk and then decided to head back to the hotel and enjoy some time in the pool. The weather had been kind to us so far today and we hoped that we might actually manage to spend more than five minutes poolside.

Within an hour, we were happily ensconced on loungers and I was sipping my first Pacific Paradise.

Now I’m in Paradise





At around 1.30, Daniel’s body clock kicked in and he declared himself “a bit peckish”. Coincidentally, I was a bit thirsty so I ordered another Pacific Paradise and a kids’ chicken tenders meal. There was plenty for the three of us to share, just to keep the hunger at bay. Daniel wanted some ice-cream so he and Gary went to Bula ice-cream and returned with a 1-scoop sundae made with Cookies and Cream, hot fudge sauce and sprinkles. It was a decent portion of ice-cream at a very reasonable $3.73.

Ice cream heaven



The weather remained wonderful and we spent a very pleasant few hours by the pool. We got chatting to a group of friends, who had come down from St Augustine to celebrate one of their Birthdays. They were getting pretty drunk but they were happy and chatty and we spent quite a while talking to them. Most of them worked in Publix but one of the girls actually worked at the Marble Slab Creamery that we had visited just a few nights before. I feel a song coming on…

A little while later, Zoe and family turned up and we joined them in the water for a game of water polo (or actually something not resembling water polo at all). It was all very pleasant.

After a while, I noticed that Gary’s shoulders were getting quite pink and told him that he ought to put some suncream on. He called Daniel over and attempted to put some cream on him too. Daniel wanted none of it, insisting he was in the pool so much it wouldn’t matter. In hindsight, of course we should have insisted but he didn’t actually look to have caught the sun so we didn’t worry too much. Some of the lads from the group had caught the sun a bit so we gave them some sun cream as well. They were very grateful and kindly bought us a couple of drinks. We continued to enjoy the sun and chill by the pool, until we realised that we really ought to make a move if we were going to be ready in time to have dinner before tonight’s entertainment. We said farewell to our friends and went back up to the room. Within a very short space of time, it became obvious that we should have made more of an attempt to put cream on Daniel (and ourselves) as we were rapidly turning a very unattractive shade of lobster! Away from the fun of the pool, Daniel was feeling incredibly sorry for himself. I ran him a cool bath and he took respite in it for a while but soon started complaining again once he was out. We had some aloe gel for sunburn and put that on, which helped a little but poor Daniel really was quite badly sunburnt. I felt incredibly guilty (and a little bit sorry for myself as my legs and back were quite bad too). Daniel decided to have a lie down and within minutes he was asleep.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad a parent am I?



Gary and I both had cool showers and put some gel on and decided to have a nap as well. Before long, it was time for us to get dressed and leave as we had plans to eat at Margaritaville. It was difficult to find something for Daniel to put on as all his t-shirts were rubbing at his poor shoulders and I was tempted to put the kybosh on the evening and see if we could get a refund on our tickets but Gary said we would go for dinner and see how we were later.

We caught the boat to CityWalk and reached Margaritaville just as the heavens opened and the rain, which had kindly held off all afternoon, returned with a vengeance. We were a sorry sight that evening, I’m sure, with our glowing faces and I’m pretty sure that anybody standing within a few feet of us would have been able to feel the heat radiating from us.

We were seated straight away, upstairs but over near the windows so we couldn’t see any of the antics downstairs. When the ‘Margaritaville’ song came on for the first time, Daniel went over to the railing to have a look at what was going on but I was concerned he would annoy the people sat near there so called him back. I do really like Margaritaville but I just don’t think you get the full atmosphere when you’re seated upstairs. To be honest, none of us were really in the party spirit anyway so it was probably for the best.

Our server was a little slow and it took a while for her to take our drink order and, of course, we were all desperately in need of fluids. Gary and I both ordered diet cokes but Daniel just wanted water. We also decided to share an appetiser of teriyaki chicken bites. Daniel was given some Wikki Stix. We’d been given these at quite a few places we’d eaten at this trip and they were really useful for keeping a very impatient Daniel occupied until the food arrived.

Daniel and his Wikki Stix (note the radioactive glow)



Still smiling even though I’m crying inside



It’s a house!



By now, I was growing increasingly concerned about Daniel, who’d insisted he didn’t want anything to eat but Gary and I ordered and decided we’d persuade him to have something when our food arrived.

The appetiser took a while to come out and, when it did, we quickly polished it off. Daniel actually ate quite a lot and we asked him if he’d changed his mind and wanted to order an entrée. He said he was quite happy to share with us though. We’d barely finished the chicken bites when the mains arrived. Ribs for Gary and Teriyaki Chicken for me – an exact replica of the meals we’d had last time we were here.

Puts me in mind of Fred Flintstone



Chips AND rice



The food was really very nice but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the last time – probably because I wasn’t feeling 100%. I really didn’t want dessert but Daniel and Gary decided some ice-cream might help to cool them down a bit and ordered the Chocolate Hurricane. Unfortunately, I was in the bathroom when it arrived at the table and, by the time I returned, they had more or less finished it off. I managed to grab a quick snap of the devastation caused. Unfortunately, Daniel was unable to keep still long enough for me to take the photo – either that or he was worried his dad might sneak his spoon in while Daniel was looking at the camera.

No Dad, you are NOT having any more



When the boys had finished fighting over their dessert, we paid the check ($90 inc tip) and walked over to pick up our tickets for tonight’s entertainment.

Blue Man Group



Gary and I had seen Blue Man Group a few years before and had decided that Daniel would really enjoy it. As we were all feeling a little better after dinner, we decided we would go ahead and see the show as planned. I was pretty sure that the show would manage to take our mind off our discomfort.

Before going in to the theater, we bought a large diet coke and a churro ($6.50) and were seated with a few minutes to spare before the show started. We had great seats, in the second row of the non-splash zone so just a few rows back from the stage. We had a great view and I would definitely get these seats again. At one point during the show, the Blue Man group members leave the stage and make their way to the back of the theater, standing on the backs of the chairs. One of them came right over the top of me and put his hand on the top of my head. I was convinced my hair would be blue.

The show was great and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is a great mixture of music, comedy and entertainment. As predicted, Daniel absolutely loved it. And, as an added bonus, many parts of it were different to the previous show we’d seen so we were happy too.

When the show was over, we joined the massive groups of people waiting to get their picture with members of BMG but, with no organisation, people were just pushing and shoving and we were too tired and uncomfortable to get in the midst of it. Gary and Daniel did get their picture with the ‘skeleton’ band though.

BMG Band!



Blue Man Group – see it, it’s great!



It really was a great night and we couldn’t stop talking about it as we strolled slowly back through CityWalk. We were going to take the boat but it was a lovely evening and we quite fancied the walk.

I decided to try the ‘night’ setting on my camera but the pictures didn’t come out too well. I probably needed to have a tripod.

Studios Store



Margaritaville



Wasting away again



Back in the room, we plastered ourselves in more aloe gel and went straight to bed, although I don't think any of us slept particularly well.

[emmysmommy]

Oh how many times have I turned a bright shade of red from too much sun! And to make you feel better - we've not attended to Em several times in the sun as well and she's had the discomfort of sunburn as well. It happens so NO you are not a bad mom. Sounds like a hoot at the pool with all the fun and antics! Oh, and the lovely cocktails!

Glad to see that dinner and the show worked out and you enjoyed your evening.

[dixonsontour]

So easily done especially when in and out of the pool.

Great idea to give kids wiki sticks - DD has those on the plane to keep her occupied.

[irongirlof12]

Blimey didn't you all catch the sun, funny how you never feel it until later on ...been there and done that

Love the chairs outside margaritaville I would love a couple in my garden

[jockey]

Aww Joh pity about the sunburn tho it does happen easily

[Chilly]

Eeek sunburn sucks. I must go see the blueman group (if I ever get back to WDW that is).

[Linda67]

Ouch that sunburn looks painful!

We've all done it hun - the first time we ever went to Florida, Philip burnt the back of his legs really badly whilst on a fishing trip, couldn't wear anything other that really loose shorts for weeks (I am a bad wife!)

[sandshal]

Another fab couple of days Joh

Sharon xxxx

[LORNA ANN]

Poor Daniel he does have a rather nice glow about him ! I too have done this to my DS, it's the whole playing in water thing you don't see it till it's too late.
Apart from the sunburn it sounds like you had a good day. Looking forward to the next day .x

[tony64]

Great day in the end, glad the sunburn didn't ruin it for you.