My Mobile Adventures *~*~*

UPDATED ON 11-01-2008
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If you have ideas for recreation activities in Tampa, please do leave a comment and tell me about it! .

Chez Bro, SIL and Nieceling are making their annual fall trip to Florida, and I’ll be joining them in Tampa for a long weekend.  I’m excited about Busch Gardens because they have opened a new section called “Jungala”, which looks really fun on the commercials.  I’m also going to look for something new to do in the area.  I don’t think Busch Gardens is a 4 day park, and we love the Aquarium but we’ve done it already.  Nieceling is 12, the rest of us are in our 40s.

UPDATE: We are now arriving on November 9th, so one less day.  They are coming from Disney and turns out the 9th is the day their annual passes are no longer good, so the 9th it is.

UPDATE TO THE UPDATE ON 11-01-2008:  They are now not arriving until the evening of Sunday November 9th.  NOW what am I going to do with my weekend, hmmm?

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My butt is draging due to this obnoxious cold.  I think a nice, easy day in the Animal Kingdom is in order.  No rides, just bummin’ around.  Yeah, that’s the ticket!

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It’s official – I’m sick!  Boy does this suck.  I let myself sleep late and now I’m going in search of brunch.  The sore throat is gone and now we are up to the part where you lie on one side and you get cement on that side of your face.  So you turn over and lie on the other side, and the cement slowly transfers itself to that side.  If you catch it at the right moment, just as it is crossing over, you can probably manage to expel it via Kleenex, but then more cement just comes to take its place.

Even though this pretty much sucks, I’m still going to the Magic Kingdom today.  I will probably take it very easy and just dig the atmosphere and sunshine.  It is 73* here in Orlando at the moment.  Hopefully the weather will remain pleasant.

OK, that’s it for now.  Brunch, and then Magic Kingdom.  See ya real soon!

© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.blogspot.com
The Gacking Owl at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Shhhhhh! I’m not here. I’m not blogging, cause it’s Blogless Thursday.

One of my nieces is actually blogging today. See, I remembered that there was video of the gacking owl that I mentioned the other day, but what I didn’t remember is that it was HER video of the gacking owl.

It’s about 4 minutes long, and the first minute or so is sideways – sorry! But a promise is a promise, so without further ado, I present – I mean, MY NIECE presents – The Gacking Owl at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
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Cloudy Day at Casa Ybel Resort
Sanibel Island, Florida

Casa Ybel is a resort at Middle Gulf Drive on Sanibel Island, Florida. I spent some time there this past weekend, under very dramatic skies.

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© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
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RED Stuff from Fort Myers Beach
as always, click the photos to see them bigger

When my buddy “Angel Wings” came into town a few weeks ago, it was my honor and privilege to pick her up from the airport and run her over to Sanibel Island, where she would spend a few whirlwind days making merry with some of her homegirls (party already in progress). But before we made the perilous crossing (aka, crossed the causeway to the island), AW wanted to stop off in Fort Myers Beach to get some shrimp. When we arrived at the Beach Seafood Market, I realized there was a bunch of RED STUFF in the form of signage, just waiting for me to immortalize it for RUBY TUESDAY posterity.

Here’s a handy reference, in case you want to stop for some shrimp, too. The address, as you can see, is 1101 Shrimp Boat Land. You take a left off Old San Carlos Blvd onto Main Street, which is just before the bridge that goes over to Estero, and then take a right onto Shrimp Boat Lane. They do pack the shrimp to travel. They roll the packages in layers of newspaper and you can buy a waterproof thermal-type little satchel to put ‘em in. AW already had one of those, but she was in such a rush packing to get outta Dodge, she forgot it, so she had to buy another. Well, next time she comes, she can take home TWO packages of Gulf shrimp!

So far, so good with our RED signs. Here’s one more. What’s wrong with this picture? I think it’s a pretty sad state of affairs when the sign maker does not know that “other” should be plural, and that “expense” is spelled with an “s”, not a “c”. Moreover, it would appear that the owners of the Beach Seafood Market don’t know how to spell “expense” either. If they knew how, they would not have put up the sign. Oh, and it gets better. There are MULTIPLE signs, all over the parking lot, all misspelled.

That’s my Ruby Tuesday for this week – RED Signs from Fort Myers Beach. I think I would like to go back there and just poke around taking photos for a while. It was really pretty down there, and there were a few shrimp boats on the water out in back of the Market building. I’ll have to figure out what time they are all in port, and go take photos of the whole fleet of shrimp boats (anyone else hear the voice of Forrest Gump in their heads – “But, Captain Day-un…..” – when they hear the phrase “shrimp boats”?).

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Technorati Tags: Fort Myers Beach, Florida, shrimp, Sanibel Island, Estero, Ruby Tuesday

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© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
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7 Things To Do In Walt Disney World On Halloween (except THAT!)

A few days ago, I posted Chez Bro’s sad tale of woe – What do you do when Disney’s Halloween party event is “all sold out”?. Chez Bro, SIL and Nieceling have been attending Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) on October 31st for several years, but this year they were not able to get tickets.

I’ve been scouring the internet since I heard, trying to come up with a list of things that they could try that would be amusing and fun, yet would not cost them the $150 per ticket that some evil Cretins sellers on eBay are asking. I did a lot of my research on AllEars.net and I also read posts on a few message boards and went through my own trip reports from years past. Here’s what I’ve come up with! Don’t forget – click the photos to be taken to larger versions of them for more detail.
1. TOUR THE RESORTS

One year that I was in the World during Halloween, I met someone for brunch at the Polynesian and found that there was a pumpkin carving contest going on at that resort! Apparently, the contest was open to both Cast Members and Guests. The resulting works of art were spread out on tables in the lobby and numbered. Ballots were provided, and anyone walking by could fill one out and drop it in the box. I voted for Captain Jack Sparrow!

When I arrived back at my own resort – I was staying at Port Orleans French Quarter that year – I found a flyer had been dropped on my desk in my room, announcing that there would be a costume parade and Trick or Treating around the resort that evening, followed by spooky stories and snacks around a campfire on Ol’ Man Island (there was a small fee for a smores kit).

I think probably most of the on-site Disney resorts are going to be planning similar activities for Halloween night. If you’re staying at a Disney resort, call the front desk and find out what sort of Halloween activities are scheduled. Ask which resorts are doing pumpkin-carving contests while you have them on the phone. You can then plan your evening around resort-hopping to see all the pumpkins, and even make reservations at one of the resort restaurants for dinner.

2. TAKE A STROLL DOWN THE BOARDWALK
Here’s a photo I snapped around Halloween one year. You know how they say “Welcome Home!” when you check into a Disney Vacation Club resort? Well I think some people take that VERY literally! They come prepared to decorate their balconies for Halloween. While I cannot picture myself stashing Halloween decorations in my luggage, to each their own. I know that a lot of people DO come prepared to decorate their doors and their windows, when it isn’t even Halloween. Far be it for me to squelch the spirit of Disney!

The Boardwalk is a fun place on a normal night. There’s a guy who does magic shows, a guy who plays a piano that he drives around on a bicycle (!), and a bunch of other “streetmosphere” type performers roaming around. You can rent a surrey – a bicycle built for four – and make a couple of loops around the lake. Of course, there are also dining and shopping opportunities, in addition to the fun. I think a pleasant evening can be had. And if you’re standing in the right spot, you might be able to see the fireworks from EPCOT at 9:00 PM. Speaking of fireworks…

3. THE VIEW FROM THE POLY BEACH
One year, my friends and I met up for an evening of fun at the Polynesian. First we had a few cocktails at the Tambu Lounge. We then proceeded to Ohana, where we had a delicious dinner and a few more cocktails. After dinner – nope, we were NOT done having cocktails! There’s a bar out by the pool, so we all trooped out there to enjoy the night in the company and camaraderie of friends. Well, lo and behold, it was a MNSSHP night over at the Magic Kingdom, and the Poly was piping in the music from the parade! As if that wasn’t enough – check out the view of the 360* fireworks from the Poly beach! We were so happy that we wandered out there; it was a real unexpected treat. Thanks to Coastal for use of the photo!

4. BOOK A FIREWORKS CRUISE
There are fireworks cruises that operate out of the Magic Kingdom Resorts (Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian). You pay a fee, get aboard, and get out to the lake to watch the show. Music is piped into the boat. Call 407-WDW-PLAY or press the “Information” button on your WDW hotel room phone to find out the details and make reservations. I hear it looks lovely from the lake.

5. TAKE A “FREE FIREWORKS CRUISE”
This one is a little risky, because the timing might not go your way. I read in someone’s trip report that you can take a boat from The Wilderness Lodge resort over to the Magic Kingdom, and if you get on at just the right time, you will be halfway across the lake when the fireworks start at the Magic Kingdom! They recommended that you find out what time the fireworks start and get on the boat no sooner than 15 minutes before the fireworks are scheduled to start. The writer even said that the boat seemed to slow down as they approached the dock at the Magic Kingdom; it was like the captain was trying to give the Guests aboard the boat an opportunity to finish watching before they had to all troop off.

6. TRY DOWNTOWN DISNEY
Alas, Pleasure Island is closed now, so one can no longer depend upon the clubs there to provide some entertainment. But I did read, again in someone’s trip report, that in years past, there were streetmosphere performers at Downtown Disney, and Trick or Treat opportunities at the shops and restaurants. Performers in the past included a magician and a witch. This is another case where I would call first – use the 407-WDW-PLAY number, or use the “Information” button from your Disney resort room phone. There may even be information available at the front desk in your Disney hotel.

Disney Halloween Costumes are available on Amazon.com and other places on the internet.  They are also available in most of the shops at Walt Disney World – chiefly, pirate and princess costumes – but they are really expensive.  A couple of years back, I looked at a Princess Jasmine costume for Nieceling and all told – tiara, jewelry, shoes, wig, costume – it was over $100!!!!  So here’s what I would try.  If you don’t want to schlep a costume with you in your luggage, you can find out what the lead time is for an internet order and time your order to have it delivered to your resort in time for your arrival.  Even if it arrives a couple of days ahead of your own arrival, you can call the resort and let them know that the package is coming and they will hold it for you.

CLICK for Disney Halloween Costumes from Amazon.Com

7. TRY FORT WILDERNESS
Ft Wilderness has hay rides/carriage rides each evening, along with the camp fire and sing-along plus classic Disney movie. Bring hot dogs, marshmallows and sticks or buy a smores kit once you get there. I’ve read reports that on Halloween, the hay ride or carriage ride might be themed with the very spooky story of the headless horseman… I also happen to know that the rides are sold out on Halloween night for this year. Here comes that number again, just because you don’t want to trust what some chick said on her blog – you want to get real information from Disney themselves. Call 407-WDW-PLAY to find out specific details about the evening activities at Fort Wilderness.

OK – that’s it. That’s all I got. Among these 7 things, there has to be SOMETHING that appeals to Chez Bro and da fam. Personally, I’m laying money on the free fireworks cruise. If anyone can pull that off, it’s Chez Bro. You’ve never seen him in action. Trust me, he could sell a stereo to a deaf man! If anyone can get that boat to leave the dock at just the right time to catch the MNSSHP fireworks, it’s him.

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The Scarlet Ibis at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

This is the scarlet ibis (pronounced: EYE-bis; click photo to enlarge). A native of South America, the scarlet ibis is also found in Trinidad and Tobago, where it is one of the birds featured on the national coat of arms.

The ibis is a wading bird, and most of them here in Florida are white with a long curving red bill. The presence of the scarlet variety in the wild here in Florida does not necessarily mean migration occurred – as Dr. Jerry Jackson of Florida Gulf Coast University explains, scarlet ibis eggs were brought to Florida and fostered by resident white ibises.

The scarlet ibis pictured above was photographed among a flock of white ibises at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida on 31 October 2004.

RELATED POSTS:

- Readers may remember that I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Jerry Jackson speak during a sunset cruise on Rookery Bay (Naples, Florida) this past spring. I got lots of video with Dr. Jackson speaking in the background. CLICK HERE for the Rookery Bay series of posts.

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Technorati Tags: scarlet ibis, water fowl, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Rookery Bay, Naples Florida, Florida, white ibis, Dr. Jerry Jackson, Florida Gulf Coast University, FGCU, With The Wild Things

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© Copyright 2008 Tink *~*~*
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Disney’s Halloween party is “all sold out”!

Chez Bro (the one I lived with while waiting for my house in Florida to be built) likes to spend his birthday, which is very close to Halloween, in Walt Disney World each year. And for the past 5 or 6 years, he’s been attending “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party” at the Magic Kingdom on or about October 31st. I’ve attended the party with them several times, and I enjoyed it.

A couple of days ago, Chez Bro and SIL sent up a distress signal last week that said, “Help, we can’t get tickets to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!” I don’t know the reason, but apparently MNSSHP on the night of October 31st has been sold out for months. This caught SIL by surprise, as she normally calls for tickets around this time each year. Here’s my theory – as the US dollar continues to tank against the Euro and various other global currencies, US vacation destinations such as Orlando become even more appealing to foreign visitors. And it’s not only the vacation that’s appealing. I’ve seen conversations about the exchange rate on Trip Advisor, and other posts there indicating that since the holiday gift-giving season will soon be upon us, the favorable exchange rate is also being leveraged at Orlando’s shopping outlets.

Good news for the Orlando economy, bad news for the availability of accommodations and special event tickets in the parks. SIL has seen lots of MNSSHP tickets on eBay – for $150 each! That’s just crazy. On the surface, one would be surprised that Disney is tolerating the resale of special events tickets for profit, but then again, the auctioning of these tickets for such exhorbitant prices only serves to bolster the air of exclusivity and desirability of entrance to the event. It’s not just about the price to enter the park on these nights. It’s about how much food, drink and merchandise gets sold once the guests are inside the gates. Supply is finite and demand is high, ergo the price will continue to skyrocket as long as people are foolish enough to pay.  
 

Whatever the reasons for the situation, it is what it is. Unless they want to pay $150 per ticket (they don’t), Chez Bro, SIL and Nieceling will need something else to do on Halloween in Walt Disney World. And so, I started to rattle off a number of things I could think of for them to do in order to celebrate the holiday without attending the party.

A post outlining these alternate Halloween activities is under construction and will appear within a few days. Stay tuned for “Things To Do AT Walt Disney World On Halloween (except THAT!)”