Universal Orlando & Disney Vacation
We wandered back to the main area that held the Tree of Life.
We encountered this strapping young tree-swinger at one point, and Handan just had to have a picture with him!
But why should she have all the fun, right?
We headed towards Africa…
The big attraction we were looking forward to (besides the Avatar ride) was the Safari ride. It did not disappoint. I had my camera clicking almost non-stop. Here are some highlights from the safari and nature trail.
To escape the heat and have some food and drink, we found a quiet place called Nomad’s Bar & Lounge. Cool inside, with comfortable sofas and very few people – it was nirvana. We went back again later and relaxed on the deck while enjoying a few more drinks. This was our last stop of the day, and it was perfect.
Again, we left the park just before another deluge hit. It rained like crazy into the early evening. When it stopped, we stepped out and walked across the street into Disney Springs, a touristy area of restaurants and shops. Most of the restaurants had huge lines to get in. I had scoped out the area earlier in the day on Google Maps, and was interested in a seafood restaurant called The Boathouse right on the water. But having seen the lines for most of the restaurants and the absurd prices at others, I gave up on the idea. I told Handan as much.
“Let’s check it out, my babes. You never know.” She said.
“Ho-kay…” I said.
As we approached, I saw that there was no line. That could mean only one thing: prices through the roof. We stepped up to the menu posted outside.
Wow! The prices were totally normal! I asked the maĂ®tre d’ for a table. I was expecting a long wait. To my surprise and delight, they seated us right away, outside on the patio, overlooking the water. What a great place!
That was our last vacation photo. Well, actually, I did take one more when we were stranded on the plane at Orlando Airport waiting to take off during some severe thunderstorms.
A three-hour delay in Orlando translated into another three-hour delay in Washington DC. We finally rolled back into Glastonbury shortly after 1 am.
We all agreed that Universal topped Disney. To be fair, we didn’t visit Magic Kingdom or Epcot Center, but for our tastes, Universal was better. Would we do it again? Well, Handan and Barish would, that’s for sure, but while I enjoyed myself, I could do without the perpetual crowds and price-gouging, so I’d opt for something a little quieter and a little more laid back.
But who knows? Handan can be pretty persuasive when she wants to be…
Great vacation report!!! Kept my attention all the way through page 6. You are a great story teller, Loved Handan’s happy face.
Thank you so much, Jolee! There’s nothing better than Handan’s happy face!
Well, aside from the disaster of the hotel it seems like a pretty great vacation. đŸ™‚ I love the photos of Handan – the joy! đŸ™‚ I am sure that her happines was contagious to all the folks around.
Thank you, Claudine, it was a great vacation! Yes, Handan’s joy infects everyone around her!
I am not one to go on ‘themed’ holidays and I will be honest and hesitated to open your post, but, MAN! I am glad I did open it! It looks like you all had such a fun time! I sure know what the hotels from hell are all about. been to many of them! Your photos are really fun. The pelican one looks just like a painting!
You will need a holiday to get over your holiday now!
Cheers!
Thank you, Aletheia – I’m glad you opened it, too!
The joy on Handan’s face alone is reason to go back! Also, not many people can be that hot and sweaty and still take a great picture like she can! I agree that Universal is more fun than Disney but the attention to detail at both places is amazing! I think you could go back over and over again and still see new things. I really enjoyed reading your story and not once did I think about sneaking out the back door! Lol! I’m glad you had a good vacation!
Thank you so much, Giselle! You’re right about the detail at both parks – the engineering and artistry are breathtaking! And yes, I’d go back just to see the joy on Handan’s face!
i am going to say this again greg you should write novels, i either was laughing my butt off or was grinning from ear to ear or nodding my head and handan you should be the poster child of smiling joyfully, you were making me go aww at every photo, and barish don’t be upset at the teasing because my face looks exactly like your face did on every ride i get on and if y’all want to ever go again, go in january nothing like leaving in snow up to your butt and swimming in the pool in fla on the same day and of course it’s 5 degrees cooler lol i love, love this post xx ps the pics were amazing
Chris, I will one of these days. Just need to find a little more time! đŸ™‚
Yes, if we ever go again, it won’t be high summer. I imagine it would be really enjoyable with cooler temps and fewer people!
You are a great writer. If you ever write a book, please let me know, I would definitely buy it. I live in Florida and love it. But I’m on the other coast. A lot less commercial and more about nature. If you do come in the winter it will be cooler but with a lot more people also. Still it’s manageable.
It must be great to be with such an enthusiastic partner by your side. Your son looks like a fine young man also. Your family is what a great family is all about. Thanks for the blog.
Thank you so much, Marcia! I hear nothing but good things about Florida’s west coast. I think I’ll take the family there for a vacation in the near future. I know Handan doesn’t want to stay in CT forever (neither do I, for that matter), and the Florida climate suits her just fine, as it reminds her of Izmir. Maybe we’ll end up down there for good one of these years!
Entertaining and informative as ever! I love that you ground your rantings with balance and thought. And your praise is hearty and lavish. Thanks for sharing your family vacation with us!
Thank you so much, Derry! I tried not to come off too whiny or bitchy, so I guess I succeeded! đŸ™‚
I loved every minute of reading this Greg, I was 5 minutes late for a meeting too, just in case you wanted to know :D. And seeing Handan smile from ear to ear in almost every photo. Ah man so worth it!!!!