Photo TR: Scarin' and Crusin' with TPR in Orlando

^Fitting it with those "overhead lapbars" (as seen on Movie World's Jimmy Neutron coaster) would've helped. At least your ears wouldn't get boxed on every turn.

It's good to see that Cypress Gardens now has management that 1) actually cares about the park and 2) has good plans for it. Everyone in the group seemed pleasantly surprised with how Legoland Florida turned out.

Really nice look at the park, Chuck. As a native Floridian, it really is a great feeling to see the results, and know that Cypress Gardens is in good hands!

Awesome TR Chuck! This looks like the perfect fit for a Legoland park. Nice to see they kept the charm and beauty of the gardens in tact as well. I really hope for the best with this endeavor as my kids love them some Legoland, and we are hoping to make a big Orlando/ Tampa vacation this year. Legoland would make a nice day away from the monster that is Disney.

^Sounds like a good plan, Guy--your kids should have a great time. Cypress Gardens provides a somewhat "exotic" setting for Legoland--a nice contrast with the other two I've visited (Windsor and Denmark).

Thanks for the TR! I used to go to Cypress Gardens every year as a kid. Great to see how they blended some of the classic elements of that park into a nicely done Legoland.

Very cool report! The girl at the lego factory with the blue shirt is named Renate.

^Thank you--I've edited the photo caption.

TPR first met Renate the day KT was born. Robb was taking a group of us to the park when he got the call that Ellisa was in labor. He was kind of like, is it ok if I leave you guys?

Renate gave us a really cool behind the scenes tour of the Lego factory.

TPR first met Renate the day KT was born. Robb was taking a group of us to the park when he got the call that Ellisa was in labor. He was kind of like, is it ok if I leave you guys?

 

Renate gave us a really cool behind the scenes tour of the Lego factory.

On the Legoland Florida visit Renate ran into Robb and Elissa and KT early in the day. Renate recognized Robb and family before they saw her, I think it may have been the first time that Renate had seen Robb since "Labor" day.

Thanks for the awesome photos Chuck. I still really want to check this place out. Its not helping that every time I walk into Publix, I see tickets on sale!

I am really looking forward to checking out this park in the near future. I think my last visit was in the late 70's or early 80's when the park was in its heyday.... before they started adding rides even.

One thing though...

Here's a better look at The Dragon--and the supermarket across the street (like the snake, it is not made of Legos).

That's not a supermarket. Bealls is a clothing store. And I've shopped at that particular one too!

^Fixed--thanks. And I didn't even notice the Super K Mart.

As if one amazing week wasn't enough, TPR spent another week cruising the Caribbean on the Freedom of the Seas out of Port Canaveral. And we were very fortunate in choosing that first week to spend in Orlando. A rather stubborn storm front was giving Florida a hard time--a storm that turned out to be much worse than the National Weather Service had predicted it would be. While were either hanging out at the TPR house or getting soaked snagging coaster credits at Sea World, the Freedom was sailing into very high seas, pouring rain, and strong winds. Passengers were confined to their cabins that evening, many windows were broken, and lots of merchandise (including the ship's alcohol) was lost.

Fortunately for us, most of the repair work was squared away by the time we boarded a week later. There was still some work to be done, but overall the ship was in excellent shape, and we avoided any major weather during our cruise (although we had to skip Grand Cayman due to high seas--it was too rough to tender into port).

I enjoy sea days quite a bit. The gentle rolling of the ship is relaxing, and you settle into a nice routine--most of which involves food and drink. Here's the first of series of photos of life at sea--we'll get to Labadee, Jamaica, and Cozumel later.

Many of you sharp-eyed individuals will note that this picture was not taken at Port Canaveral, but I wanted to show you the ship. So, we're actually starting in Labadee. We now return you to Port Canaveral.

Ah, the suite life! Lou has discovered her new Happy Place, . . .

. . . as have Robb . . .

. . . and Hanno.

The motley crew has assembled in the TPR suite, and is ready to pillage and plunder the Caribbean! Or to eat and drink a lot, whichever is easier.

Uh oh! The Disney Dream has us in her sights! She's going to ram!

Cape Canaveral off in the distance--more on this later.

Look like ZZ Top is in the cabin above us.

More of TPR's motley crew of scalawags and cutthroats.

Arr, if we weren't in such a hurry to be off, we'd be plunderin' that vessel right now!

And so we put our rudder to Port Canaveral.

William is about to become a victim of KT's infamous Death Drop off the top rope.

Anyone for breakfast with in a classy dining room?

Be sure to wear your finest formal attire, as Shrek is here. (Looks like he dislocated his elbow.)

Of course, Puss in Boots is always impeccably dressed.

Russ is always attracted to a pussy--in boots.

William, you better look behind you. I think Fiona is hungry.

A moody, erotic shot of Dan enjoying a whole plate of bacon, while Adam looks on longingly.

I do enjoy sea days . . .

. . . as does Robb.

Be careful, Lou! Sometimes, plants attack when they smell fear! Standby for a look at more of the ship.

Ahoy! Thar be slot machines, a disturbin' statue of a divin' wench, and cupcakes ahead!

Welcome to the Promenade, where you can eat, spend money, drink, spend money, eat some more . . .

What the hell is that?

I find her facial expressing a bit disturbing. I'm not sure why.

See that little place on the left? Our group spent a lot of time there, chowing down on pizza, balls of mozzarella, and marinated feta.

Yes, I know it's a "new era" and everything, but it just isn't right that James Bond went to Casino Royale to play Texas Hold'em. He plays baccarat, dammit!

Piers, why are you staying with the machine if it makes you feel so depressed?

Because it's in the "Siking Iea"? . . . Oh, I get it. Never mind.

"This machine is killin' me! This would never happen to James Bond because he plays baccarat!"

"You dropped a quarter in your what?"

Yes, TPR is going to decorate cupcakes. Oh, dear . . .

We had two classes. Our class was supposed to make a "cheeseburger and fries." This is what it's supposed to look like.

We were actually trusted with knives and sharp pointed sticks!

OK, mine's listing to starboard--but it tasted great!

The second group had a slightly more difficult artistic challenge.

An adorable puppy dog!

There is no great art without struggle.

In fact, some went mad!

But just look at all those puppy dogs!

"My dog is as kosher as a Hebrew National frank!"

And cupcakes are King Julian approved! That's all for now.

I'm impressed with the outcome of the cupcakes. Although I'm shocked that Joey Ray was able to concentrate on making food versus eating it.

Great photots, is it time for the next cruise yet!?!

Great photots, is it time for the next cruise yet!?!

Just give the word, woman.

Great job Chuck. I'm loving your updates.

I didn't see Robb make a cupcake. Was he banned from making one?

Robb was in the cheeseburger group, although he may have been banned from making doggie cupcakes.

Our first port of call was Labadee, which is part of Haiti. Royal Caribbean had a very nice facility here, if you're into shopping, eating, ziplining, alpine coasting, and wave running. I think TPR would say "yes" to all of that.

My god! Alien towel people have invaded the suite! And they can read!

This one looks a little belligerent.

The "Crwpt"? Who made this sign--Elmer Fudd?

"That's 'Crypt,' you miserable little worm."

Oops! Sorry D&D warrior-type woman!

As you can see, the Crypt is full of mystery.

Yes, those who dwell here perform arcane rituals only they can understand.

"I, Dr. Hectorstein, have created life in this shot glass! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!"

Robb, I think you may have had one too many Brain Hemorrhages.

Land ho! All crew make ready fer shore leave!

Labadee is quite pretty--no wonder pirates enjoyed plundering here from time to time.

Here's where we are. Hi Cuba!

Everybody remember where we parked.

So many options.

Why, there's even a special place just for Dave.

Our first stop is the Dragon's Tail alpine coaster. This is the first one I've ever been on, and it's a lot of fun.

I think the dragon looks better in my hat than I do.

"A-h-h-h-h . . . what're the words to 'The Lord's Prayer' again?"

Watch out for Shannon--she's Hell on Wheels! (Paid for by the producers of the new AMC series.)

Way up there is the Dragon's Breath Flight Line.

"Am I supposed to use the 'Full Torpedo' or 'Normal' position here? Crap, this is more confusing than the Kama Sutra!"

Here's the practice line. If your neck doesn't snap when you hit the blocks, you can try the longer one. More to come from Labadee.

Let's amble around Labadee a bit, shall we?

How about shopping for some native wares?

Here are some very Russ friendly souvenirs.

Good luck hacking through the jungle with those.

If you need some reminder about your inevitable mortality, they have just the statue for you.

This stuff is a bit more cheery.

Little do they these people know as they swim in these tranquil waters, that back on land . . .

. . . a titanic stuggle for survival is taking place! Such is the Cycle of Nature.

I have no idea what the story is behind these ruins. Perhaps Blackbeard contracted a social disease here and blew the place up in a fit of anger.

Tourists! Oh, wait. I am too. Never mind,

The daily Rum-and-Beer Parade is quite the crowd pleaser.

"Take a picture, then leave a tip, mon."

They sure are into dragons around here. (Yeah, I got nothin'. Sorry.)

Would you like to be alone with your pole?

Yep, it's a rock. It is, indeed, scenic.

I see you, Freedom of the Seas.

There be a scurvy band of cutthroats, sez I!

You know, all things considered, it could be worse.

Time to go. Goodbye, creepy looking head.

Aye, best keep a weather eye on them small craft. A shifty looking lot.

One last look at the zipline and alpine coaster.

Let go the lines! Up in the rigging you monkeys! It be time to set sail! More about the cruise later.

This is the theater where Ice Bat & I will be performing out new show KILLED BY DEATH, where we'll have audience participation in hilarious skits like "Swim With The Rabid Sharks" and "The Lava Is Not That Hot, Trust Me!". Tickets are selling fast!

I liked Labadee the time I was there. They've added the alpine coaster since then, so I'll have to check that out some time. The zip line was a lot of fun, and I kicked a wave! That was pretty awesome.

dt

^I kicked a wave on that zipline, too.

^I kicked a wave on that zipline, too.

look on the right to see where the wave was hit