The next most popular thing to do on vacation is Shop!!   and we have every type of shopping that you can imagine.   From the big designer stores in Millenium Mall, to small individual boutiques and specialty shops in local downtowns, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste.  And while you’re out for the day shopping, what about a quick cup of coffee or a long leisurely lunch in one of our local restaurants.

If shopping does not appeal, then perhaps a sporting fixture would be more acceptable.  Did you bring your golf clubs?   If not, there are plenty of local courses where you can hire clubs and carts and play a round or two.

Perhaps you enjoy spectator sports rather than participating;  the Tampa Bay Rays, and the Tampa Buccaneers have their home bases here in Central Florida, and it’s not far to drive to see them play, whether you’re a baseball fan or an American football fan.  You can even find Cricket and Soccer being played.

Maybe you’d like to try your hand at sky-diving, or water-skiing, or fishing or off road four-wheeling or cycling.    If you’d like a more relaxing hobby, there’s swimming, walking ( lots of walking and biking trails in the area).  Cinemas showing the latest films, libraries with the latest books,  bookshops with coffee houses attached, antique stores, art galleries and museums;  the list is endless.   What is even better, is that no matter what time of year it is,  you can do all or any of these things.

Many of our smaller towns are off the beaten tourist track, but if you take the trouble to find them and explore, you will find fascinating insights into their history – you will learn of the hardships the first settlers faced, you can visit archeological sites showing where the Native Americans lived or alternatively  just sit on the welcoming rocking chairs that line Main Streets and watch the world go by.

If you want someone who will eat whatever you put in front of him
and never say it’s not quite as good as his mother’s

..then adopt a dog.

If you want someone always willing to go out, at any hour,
for as long and wherever you want …

…then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who will never touch the remote, doesn’t care
about football, and can sit next to you as you watch romantic movies

..then adopt a dog.

If you want someone who is content to get on your bed just to
warm your feet and whom you can push off if he snores

..then adopt a dog !

If you want someone who never criticizes what you do, doesn’t care
if you are pretty or ugly, fat or thin, young or old, who acts as if
every word you say is especially worthy of listening to, and loves
you unconditionally, perpetually ..

..then adopt a dog.

BUT, on the other hand, if you want someone who will never come
when you call, ignores you totally when you come home, leaves hair
all over the place, walks all over you, runs around all night and only
comes home to eat and sleep, and acts as if your entire existence
is solely to ensure his happiness ..,
.

.
.
.
..then adopt a cat!

Now be honest, you thought I was gonna say… marry a man, didn’t you?

Because this is her last week staying here in Central Florida with us, before she goes back to the UK and School, we wanted to give her a really special trip for her memory book, and this is what we chose to do.

A short ride along Highway 192 in Kissimmee took us to mile marker 10, where Helitours Orlando is situated.  Easily noticed from the road because of the helicopter parked on the side, there’s plenty of parking adjacent to the helicopter landing pad.  Using a Jet Bellranger four  seater helicopter, this company has been operating for 15 years or so .  The pilot was in the office when we walked through the door, and luckily was ready to go there and then.

Away we go

No time for her to get nervous or worried about this flight.   We were helped into our seats, and the front seat next to the pilot was given to our grand-daughter.   This is where the best views can be obtained.  We sat in the back, strapped ourselves in and donned our headphones, which are speech activated, so we were all able to converse with each other and with the pilot.   Our pilot was very experienced and obviously knew his stuff.  He told us he’d been a pilot for 22 years.   The helicopter was very comfortable, and once we had our headphones on, the engine noise was totally reduced.

The tour we had chosen to take was to fly over  Epcot, Caribbean Beach Resort, Hollywood Studios, the Swan and Dolphin,  and many other areas around the major attractions.    It is quite amazing just how much can be seen while flying at low speeds  in a helicopter.  Sights that you wouldn’t see in a small plane, are easily visible from the low levels of a sight seeing helicopter tour.

Whilst the people on the ground and in the resort areas looked like ants scurrying round, we were gently flying overhead in an air conditioned helicopter with a  knowledgeable pilot .  He pointed out many of the features of the resorts and parks that are not even visible from the ground.    Something that we were all amazed by were the number of lakes;  we all know there are lakes in our area, but from the air, you can see so many of them, and there seem to be many more than you can imagine.

what a view; Epcot in the distance

The views from this height were amazing.  In the first photo you can see Epcot in the distance, and the second photo shows the Town of Celebration from above.   I didn’t realise there was  a canal running around the town and out into the swamp land.   That’s what makes this helicopter tour so interesting;  you see things from the air that you simply didn’t know about.

Our grand-daughter was speechless, and remained that way for several hours, except for repeating Wow!   every time one of us asked her if she had enjoyed the tour.  I heartily agree with her, it was a Wow! trip, and well worth the cost

We all agreed that this had been a fantastic experience and not one of us wanted it to end.  Sadly all good things come to an end, but I’d love to do it again, and again……………..

We’re talking miniature golf here, and a challenge to all, young or old.    Your children will enjoy trying their skills at the Disney Fantasia Gardens;  you never know – you could have fun too!

We visited Fantasia Gardens the other weekend, and with a  15 year old , decided that the really young Fantasia course was going to be not quite so suitable as the Fairways course for slightly older players.  As “proper” golfers , we thought this was going to be real simple and we’d beat the pants off our younger companion!   There is a chalk board at the entrance showing the course record and the current top score of the day;  course record 47, score of the day 61.

Collecting our putters and balls ( a different colour golf ball  for each of us) we set off to the first tee.   That was the moment when we realised simple this  course is not!

Staring us in the face was the board showing the set up of the tee from the green, and the par 3 hole which was about 75 yards away.  Now, you may think 75 yards is not too far to putt a ball into a three inch wide hole.  But, the “course” to that hole was full of lumps and bumps;  more like a badly laid ski slope than a fairway.   Here they called them bunkers and sand traps.

Anyway we found that one not too bad , and after about 4 or five attempt the balls rolled successfully into the hole.   That gave us confidence for the next hole – again a par 3 hole with a slight dogleg.  This one wasn’t too bad, and so we continued onwards, through the course.  The course was getting longer too;  now we were trying to score on par 4 holes.  Actually we were gradually getting worse, or the course was!   I’m not quite sure which it was.  Of course, by now frustration was setting in, and the odd tantrum occurred;  luckily no clubs were thrown or balls lost.

We had great fun, simply laughing at our own foolish attempts to putt these balls into holes that were surrounded by hillocks and bunkers.  As a family we have played crazy golf on many of the local crazy golf courses, and enjoyed every one of the games.  This course required a bit more skill and decision making …………..  the players behind us were very serious about winning, even if we weren’t.

We did complete the course – it takes about an hour and half, depending on how many people are in front of you;  on the day we were there, it was busy, with many families on the Fantasia course, as well as the teenagers and their families on the Fairways course.

The Fairways course at Disney Fantasia Gardens is more demanding and is not for the younger children;  if you have little children, the Fantasia mini course is more suitable, having many of the Disney characters and music for their entertainment,  and is a smaller shorter course.   There is a drink vending machine half way round and a small shop selling Disney memorabilia at the front entrance.  Restrooms are also there at the front.  Entrance to the Fairways Course is $12.00 per adult.

For more information you can go to

Just so you know, no, we didn’t beat the day’s score of 61; we were beaten by our 15 year -  who scored 73 !

Certainly even on a mid week visit to watch the Disney Electrical Parade, a good many people were still there from the day, and the crowds were quite thick.   Small children were draped  over parent’s  shoulders, or asleep in their pushchairs;  their little faces flushed from the heat.

We wandered through some of the exhibits; one of my favourites is Cinderella’s castle; the interior walls of the archway are festooned with beautiful wall  paintings picked out with gold, azure and crimson, giving it a truly medieval feel.   This is just one of the examples of the artwork on those arched walls, and like myself, many guests were just standing and staring at the stunning artwork.    We all know just how creative the Disney imagineers can be, and this in particular is a prime example of their skills.

he time was getting closer for the Start of the Electrical Display Night Parade of Summer Nightastic, and crowds were already lining the streets of the Magic Kingdom.   One of the less populated spots to watch from is around the area of Frontier Land, so off we headed towards Splash Mountain.  Having found a suitable spot from which to watch , we settled in for a long wait.  It is best to find your place  and stay there, as the crowds make it difficult to see once the Parade starts, and the better viewing areas are already occupied by 7.30!

One of the interesting things that I noticed while waiting patiently, are the numbers of people being guided by the Disney helpers.   With the aid of lighted wants they were indicating the routes that visitors needed to take; and in doing so, were actually directing the foot traffic so that one side of the street was for those heading away from Frontier Land, and the other side was used for guests heading towards our area.

One of the other things I noticed is that to move visitors along, they play a large amount of marching band music; normally  without being in the position of people watching I would not have seen this, but marching music automatically makes people march in step to the cadences of the music; so not only do people have direction, they are also moving faster than an amble.    Very interesting, that!

Eventually the announcement that everyone was waiting for, came over the loudspeakers, and the lights were dimmed.   Excitement rose as the first characters dressed in lighted costumes came dancing along the street, followed by a selection of floats festooned in lights and colour.

Lots of photos were being taken, judging by the flash lights going off, and sometimes it was difficult to see every display in its entirety, due to the numbers of people crowding in front.  From Alice  in Wonderland to Captain Hook, from Cinderella to Pinocchio and Peter and the Dragon, they were all there in glorious techicoloured lights.  The larger floats were large indeed and towered over the audience so that everyone could see Cinderella waving from inside her coach, or Captain Hook on his ship, or Mickey Mouse perched high on his sparkling display. Smaller characters were dancing through the street between the displays, waving to the children in the audience.

The finale to our evening was the view and noise of the magnificent Firework Display that blossoms over the top of the Castle – and which can be seen from almost everywhere inside the Magic Kingdom.

On a swelteringly hot day, at 9 o’clock in the morning, we had to queue for at least half an hour, just to get up to Hogwarts.  The Harry Potter experience is actually at the very back end of Islands of Adventure, so it’s a long line of people wending its way through the whole of the park.

Once there, I have to admit, the structures are absolutely amazing.  From crooked chimney tops to icicles hanging from the snow covered roofs, this is a fantastic re-creation of JK Rowlings imaginative landscape. Photo opportunities abound, from the Hogwarts Express to the entrance to the Three Broomsticks.  But -  and it’s a big but, there was a 75 minute wait for any of the rides, and the queues for the Wand Shop and Owl Post shop were huge.  Because these two shops are so small inside, they restrict the numbers entering at any one time, and because they are linked, you can’t visit one without going through the other.

We did take the walking tour through  the school which is the alternative to the rides, and that was excellent.  From gloomy stone staircases to talking portraits on the walls, and a moving talking head of Dumbledore in his study, this was great.  We did enjoy this, and it was Cool inside!!!

Finally we went off and had a Butter Beer in the hostelry ($3.19 a glass)!

I’m hopeful that once the summer is over, the lines will get shorter and more guests can enjoy what is a stupendous theme.

We also visited the Disney Summer Nightastic show last week to watch the Electric Light Parade.  Again, it was very warm even at 7.00 p.m., and again very crowded.  Our car park row was 104, and for afficianados of the Disney car parks, you will realize that that’s at the end of the parking lot.

Walking up Main Street, I noticed that although many people were browsing the shops, the actual purchasing didn’t seem so busy.  I was very tempted by some of the Disney art  prints, but kept my purse firmly in my pocket.

The crowds were very thick around the main circle, so we walked quickly through the castle to see some of the wonderful art work on the interior walls, then back out to the Frontier Land, to spot a place where we could watch the Parade.

One of the odd things I noticed, and this is the first time I have actually stopped and people watched at Disney, is that when they want people to move faster , they use guides with wands to direct foot traffic , so that “going” moves along one half of the street and “coming” moves along the other half in the other direction.  They also play Marching music over the loudspeakers.  If you have ever listened to marching music, you will know that your instinct is to walk in cadence with the beat of the music.  It was very interesting psychology !

The parade itself was very good, and I did enjoy watching all the characters and their vehicles moving along.  I took some photos and even some video, so if anyone wants copies, just let me know.

Getting out was a nightmare though, I have to say.  The majority of the crowd was heading back towards Cinderella’s castle to watch the fireworks at 10.00 and getting through the various groups of pushchairs, toddlers, families and so on, got harder and harder as we neared the castle bridge.  Huge clumps of people were simply backing up as those in front of them were stopping to take photos or grab a place to watch the firework display .  We struggled onward to the main circle, as our intention was to get back to the exit. Luckily Kelly is a tall girl and we were able to keep her in sight as we swam through the throng.  Well before we reached Main street, we were stopped , along with many others who had the same idea as us, and directed by a Disney guide , sent off down one of the side streets,  Following the instructions we found ourselves backstage.  We had been sent out on a diverted path right round Main street, which apparently was totally blocked and at a standstill.  We re-entered the Main Street, just before the main exit, and from there were able to make our escape.

The LEGOLAND Florida park is going to be the 5th LEGOLAND park , and the largest to date, being 150 acres of exciting shows and rides.  One of the most interesting things that has come out of the discussions is that for those of us who enjoyed visiting the Botanical Gardens at Cypress Gardens, the gardens will remain as part of the new park.   So will the Mansion and the Water Ski Show that  many visitors to Central Florida are familiar with.   This is wonderful news for some of our more mature visitors who like to come to Central Florida during the winter and spring months.

LEGOLAND emphasize the interactivity of their parks, and certainly the plans for the Central Florida park are going to provide that for the small “Heroes” who are their target audience.  There will be nine different themed areas, called Blocks.   A Block is what they call the themed zones, and a Brick is the LEGO piece that children use for their creative constructions !

From the first area to the right of the Entrance, called The Beginning, children can go to Castle Hill, where there will be a Dragon Rollercoaster which apparently runs through the castle, onward to Fun Town, then to the  Land of Adventure,with its dinosaur theme,  onward to the City, where there is the Firehouse , Police Stations, Fire Engines and water pumping hoses.  The Imagination Zone is next on the list, and is where creativity takes first place.  A wild Coaster ride is next at the Xtreme block, and finally the children reach Miniland, which is especially designed for the younger end of the spectrum, with Gamesville, and Duplo,  slides and smaller rides.

There will be restaurants, and one of LEGOLAND‘s favourite menu items can be found – “granny fries”  – this is a snack comprising slices of apple,( the healthy option), dipped in sugar and cinnamon (uh, oh) and deep fried ( oh dear, there goes the healthy bit).  Apparently those who have tried them absolutely adore them.

LEGOLAND takes pride in offering good healthy food, so it is unlikely that you or your children will be served burgers, hot dogs or fries.

The planning also includes the BIG Shop where LEGO merchandise can be found, including some pieces unique to the Florida park.     There will  be a Factory Tour for those who are interested where you can see how the bricks are made and designs created.

If your children or grandchildren are between the ages of two and twelve, let them know that “Heroes are Wanted” at LEGOLAND Florida.

As a footnote, some of our Florida visitors may recall the 40 foot tall open air dome that sheltered part of the entrance area of the old Cypress Gardens.  That has now been dismantled, since it didn’t fit into the plans of the LEGOLAND Florida park,.  The contractor who was hired to dismantle and haul it away is a member of a local church  and when he asked if the church would like it, they replied that they would.  The 125 foot diameter dome was re-engineered and installed behind the church in Lakeland.  It now protects the arriving and departing congregation from the sun and the rain.

On a warm and sunny weekend in Florida’s summertime, the best place to be is in the water.  Whether you want to be in your own private swimming pool at your  Premier vacation rental home, or in a water park with friends and family, you will enjoy the pleasure of splashing and swimming .  There are many water parks here in Central Florida, and one of the latest is the attraction called Aquatica, close to Seaworld.  So, on a sunny Sunday, we took a trip to Aquatica to test the waters, so to speak.   The first thing to know is that you can take coolers into the park;  they have to be a certain size, about a 6 can size, but at least it means that you don’t have to spend a lot of money buying waters or cold drinks.  You can also buy an all you can eat ticket, whereby participants can go to the restaurant all day.  Some of the outstanding features of the entrance are the colourful carvings along the walkways.  Once through the entrance, it’s difficult to know which rides to choose first.  Probably most children will want to head straight for the highest rides; the latest is a twister of a ride through tubes and even round a big bowl before being ejected into the pool at the end.  The kids I saw kept coming back for more, and that’s one of the advantages of this water park.  Once inside, the whole palce is yours to play.   If the water coasters are not really your scene, then grab your beach bag, your sun cream and head for the beach umbrellas and sun loungers of the sandy beach and its pool.   Here you can while away your day, kids splashing round in the waters, you taking a cooling dip every so often.

If going to a water park makes a change from using your very own vacation home pool, there are plenty to choose from.  Aquatica is probably the latest in a long line of water parks that offer something for the whole family.

Whatever you choose to do on vacation, when it gets hot, the best way to cool off is to head for the water.  Beat the heat!

The Cherry Pocket Seafood and Steak shack is reached via back roads through citrus groves, and along side canals.  You’ll see cattle ranches and horse paddocks; you’ll drive along roads where both sides of the road has watery ditches and overhanging oaks.

Cherry Pocket

We entered the atmospheric and rustic dining room; the first notice we saw was the instruction that says No Whining, and we took in the decor , which is full of quirky items such as old numberplates from cars, stuffed fish, and many others too numerous to mention.  Greeted by a very friendly waitress we were shown to our table and handed the menu, which turned out to be the Cherry Pocket Times, a printed newspaper with articles about the origins of the Fishing Camp on the front and back pages and the extensive menu on the inside.

The bar ceiling itself is covered in currency notes, and again looks really quirky

cherry pocket

The Cherry Pocket Times  can be retained as a souvenir of your visit, and if you wanted to take home further proof of your dining experience, you can purchase one of Cherry Pockets’ very own T shirts, some of which have inventive messages on the back of them.  Cherry Pocket was originally an Oyster Bar and still sells oysters on the shell, so your T-shirt will have images of oysters on the front under the logo.   Hence the messages on the back of the shirts!

The experience of dining at Cherry Pocket, quite apart from the food, is the clientele.  This Fish camp Seafood and Steak Shack has been around for many years.  Situated on Lake Pierce, and reached through the back roads of Polk County, or by boat across the lake, it is a popular spot for locals and fishermen to eat and drink .  You will see genuine fishermen and native Floridians.  You might meet cowboys – we did, on one of the occasions we were out there.

Casual and laid back, staff are friendly, and if eating outside appeals to you , they have a deck and  tiki bar where you can sit and eat, while watching the alligators in the lake. Occasionally you’ll be treated to some impromptu music as a local fisherman may pick up a guitar and start to play.  Local alligators do apparently know the place well, and can be sometimes persuaded to lie on the boat ramp for photo opportunities.  There was a gator just offshore, but obviously we weren’t flavour of the month, so it didn’t come forward for us or our cameras.

When we first went to Cherry Pocket some years ago, there was no glass in the shack windows at all, just mesh screening, with sheets of polythene that could be rolled down if it rained.  They seem to have upgraded a little, and now there is glass in the window frames, but the floor and the tables are the wooden originals.

This is not the place to wear your best outfit and posh shoes;  it is still a working fish camp, so there are small rental shacks among the oak trees, and the paths are sand, not tarmac or concrete.  The boat ramp still has its fish cleaning shed and  the  original “dunny” or  ” outhouse” on The Hill, as it’s called, is still in use.  This is original Florida as it used to be, and is worth a short trip for a dining experience you’ll rarely find in “tourist land”

Follow my grand-daughter’s blogs about her vacation experiences too on http://jetsettingteen.blogspot.com

The Open House was designed to show how the former Cypress Gardens park will be transformed into LEGOLAND Florida, which will be the largest Legoland park to date.  The Florida park consists of 145 acres and will retain the original botanical gardens and water ski show.  Some of the existing rides that are age-appropriate will be kept and re-themed and the Mansion will be used for special events.

Winter Haven residents turned out in force and were welcomed by LEGOLAND staff who were on hand to answer any questions that arose from the displays.

I arrived at 3.45 p.m. for what was to be a 4.00p.m.  till 7.00p.m. Open House.  Thinking I would be early and be able to snap up an easy parking spot at the Orange Dome, which is one of Winter Haven’s landmarks, I was surprised  to find that the car park was already full and vehicles were being directed to park on the grass areas around the Dome.

Walking up to the main entrance were many people, adults and children, senior citizens and professionals , all of whom were queueing at the main entrance.  Television camera crews were wandering around with their cameras at the ready, and exactly at 4.00 p.m the doors were opened and we filed through.

Staff were on hand, giving out leaflets, and then everyone moved into the main hall of the Dome, to be greeted by the new LEGOLAND Florida logo.

Immediately the children, who are of course , the most knowledgeable about LEGO rushed across the hall to the Playland area, where tables were set up with the LEGO boards and bins of the building bricks.

I watched as one little girl spotted Thomas the Tank Engine and went across to hug  the model engine. 

A couple of boys looked in awe at the LEGO built  Darth Vader display standing towards the rear of the hall. And the copy in LEGO bricks of Rodin’s The Thinker drew some admiring glances and touches too.

One of the most interesting facets of the event, to me, anyway, was the fascination shown by the adults.  Around the outskirts  of the hall were TV screens showing what visitors to LEGOLAND could expect to see (obviously taken from othe LEGOLAND parks elsewhere in the world), and adults and children were standing spellbound, watching these demonstrations.

Many of the local visitors were able to see what changes or modifications will be made to the existing Cypress Gardens buildings, and Legoland staff were there to answer questions.  Such questions included when is the park due to open, what attractions will there be at the new park, how big will it be, what impact will it have on surrounding residential areas and roads.   Ons such question concerned the Lego store in Downtown Disney, and the answer was that while both give a great experience for children, the LEGO store is a Brand retail outlet, while LEGOLAND Florida will be a full- day theme park, with over 50 rides, shows  and attractions. There was huge applause when it was announced that the  Botanical Gardens would be retained.  Many of the older residents of the area have fond memories of the Gardens and were delighted to hear that they will remain a part of the Park.

John Jacobsen, managing director for Legoland Parks, was in fine form, wandering around the hall, talking to curious and concerned visitors  and then gave his introductory speech from the platform, answering questions from the floor afterwards.    I met with him and his Sales and Marketing Director, Kim Isemann, but it was really too busy to do anything but have a quick chat.  I also spoke  with Tom Patton, executive director of the Central Florida Development Council and Rodney Carson, Director of Economic development about the crowds  that they were seeing.  Tom was pleased that Legoland is getting the community involved so early.   He said, “It gives you an idea of what to expect when they get here officially” .  Certainly for close to three thousand people who turned up on a sweltering July afternoon to see what the future holds for Winter Haven and the area, this LEGOLAND Florida Open House provided some fine answers.   The new LEGOLAND Florida park is due to open in the fall of 2011.