Photo TR: Johnson's Weekend Getaway

Hey it was our 2nd anniversary this past weekend so why not head on down to Orlando and have some fun over the weekend. As always I like the pictures to do the talking so enjoy! I will be posting over the next day or so, so keep checking back.

Well, its time to be carried off to Islands of Adventure.

This woody was pretty sharp.

Leanne was not sure if she ever had this credit, but since we had those awesome hotel cards.....

Here is our on-ride photo for MiB.

They really do have the best safety instructional videos at these parks.

Here is my 2nd favorite attraction at Universal....Men in Black.

Elissa also made sure that Jaws remained closed as well.

It looks like Elissa has taken up graffiti.

Now there is my kind of woman.

Its always cool to see a little T & A at Universal.

Here is a picture of our on-ride photo of The Mummy. Yes all the effects were working that day.

We wanted to wish Soren a Happy Birthday before we ride our first coaster of the year.

It's still Christmas in Orlando I guess.

No Donkey tatoos....oh well.

They have computers with a 24 hour connection to Theme Park Review under this sign.

One of those new wait time signs at Universal Orlando, but we don't care beacuse we got unlimited Express passes.

This guy made a few wisecracks during our journey. He must be a former Jungle Cruise captain.

Our first water taxi credit.

Every 15 minutes there is a water taxi that takes you from your hotel to the theme parks.

Everyone was riding Dr. Doom's Fearfall instead of swimming.

It was a bit chilly that early afternoon. But wonderful weather to ride coasters in.

Best part about staying at an on-site hotel. You room keys are unlimited Express Passes.

This picture was hanging on our wall, just to remind you the name of the hotel we were staying in.

The tower with the flag on the top is the brand new Starflyer ride at Magical Midway.

I sure hope that this is the "good" tower.

Yep, looks pretty nice...Plus we got an extra discount because its Preferred Pass appreciation month.

It sure looked like a nice place...The Royal Pacific Resort.

This trip was the first time we ever stayed at one of Universal's on site hotels.

But Donkey is allowed to come along.

Sorry Libby, you still can not come along with us on our trips.

Great photos!

I know what you and Leanne did in the hotel room. *wink wink*

Ok onto Islands of Adventure...

Load and behold they are having R.H.P.S. showings at the Citiwalk theatre. There you go Julie.

We decided to go see Narnia after we stuffed ourselves.

The Tres Amigos. Yeah the food was good there.

We decided to give this place a try.

Time to go out and get something to eat.

Don't mess with Donkey.

Damn it Leanne. Stop calling the Grinch.

There are a few of these new signs all over IOA.

Yeah, Dudley Do-Right's is on the receiving end of an extensive rehab at the momnet.

Everyone's favorite section of IOA.

Smart Girl.

The debate still rages on...Is Fire or Ice the best coaster of Dueling Dragons?

The "evil" fountain was taking a nap while we walked by.

Please!!! Otherwise we will continue to eat elsewhere for lunch.

Please bring back your good items on your menu Mythos.

...Though he replaced me as Leanne's new companion. First Tigger, now the Grinch.

The Grinch was awesome today. Very cool...

Even though its those Driving Machines that have been M.I.A. since the park opened in 1999.

Finally IOA gets a new attraction for this year.

I think it may be true that the free express passes machines are closed for good.

Awww...It seemed that IOA decided it was too cold to be running the water effects on this ride.

We finally tried out the Storm teacup spinning ride.

Recently, The Incredible Hulk has been the most popular coaster discussed in the TPR chat room.

Just a few more weeks until our Expedition Everest Photo: TR.

Leanne wanted to give me a huge kiss. Yummmmy!

As soon as I got into the park I headed over to the candy store.

Great TR and pics! If I knew you were in town, I would have bopped over to IOA to say hello! Of course, I was in the throws of Garage Sale HELL on Saturday! (made $700!)

Hopefully see you at EE soon!

Great photos!

 

I know what you and Leanne did in the hotel room. *wink wink*

Um...eww! What's up with you being creepy recently? First the "I know what Elissa is giving Robb for his birthday *wink wink*" comment, now this. Creepy. I can't be the only one that feels this way.

By the way Erik, I knew that Universal had a live cast Rocky showing twice a month, but didn't learn that until I moved away from Orlando! And any time I have been back since, they haven't had a show while I was there Still hoping to catch one one day though!

-Julie

Well I finally got back to Sea World Orlando after about 20 years (in which I will post that retro PTR in a near future since I have pictures of it). I had no idea how much this park has changed for the better. I also had no idea how awesome Kraken was as well. Another top B&M coaster in Florida. Anyways onto pictures. Sea World...Part 1

I dunno if I am allowed to count this as a credit because it has the short roller coaster-type section.

Here is a portion of the coaster track section of the ride.

Looks like those cloaking devices are being used here as well.

In case you already forgot the name of the attraction.

It's now time to Journey...

Why does everyone have to try to mess with Kraken's eggs

Yes, I earned my #48 credit today.

Yes you are a cool coaster Kraken.

The final corkscrew caught me off guard.

Just about to go through the underground tunnel.

Yeah fun coaster!!

This coaster turned out to be really awesome.

Up we go into that blue Florida sky.

Where is everyone?

They even had one of those machines on the coaster itself.

As you can see, many people are using those cloaking devices.

Well anyways, I got a coaster credit to earn.

You can really get close to the dolphins here.

I ended up putting the turtle in his place.

Dang it Leanne, this "replacment of you husband" game, has to come to an end.

Let's go pet some sting rays.

Here is the Sea World map. We ended up buying the Platinum AP passes. Yes your stock went up by .0000363 Wally.

After 20 years, I finally made it back.

Donkey is ready for new experiences.

Oh why not, I can always change my first name to Jeff. Coaster credit #49

NOOOO!!! We can only have one Jeff "I count anything" Johnson on the site!!!

Although you do both have the same last name...perhaps a long lost brother situation???

Awesome pictures, I love Sea World Orlando!

Ok...Sea World Part 2. Honestly if I should not count Journey Into Atlantis as a credit, plus let me know because I am not really sure. I want to make sure if it is an honest credit (It really seems more like a water ride to me).

Did I tell you Kraken really is an awesome coaster yet?

The old Sky Tower almost looks brand new. Its the first ride attraction at Sea World.

We think that Sea World is a very nice park. So much better now!!

The Shamu Express coaster is going to be built behind this wall.

New Shamu show opening this spring.

No Wally, I do not have my Miller shirt on. Please call off you bear.

The arctic area was very neat...especially all the really cool polar bear video footage I captured.

I never experience airtime before on one of these ride until now. We also got slammed all around our Shamu seats as well.

This attraction features Shamu sized seating for everyone.

Oh no! It looks a lot like Star Tours.

Hmmm interesting, we deicded to do the ride.

We had no idea this existed, What is this place?

Shamus are cool!

The brand new killer whale that was born

1 1/2 months ago is with this group. I think the blob in the front.

Yeah...Killer Whale action!

Holy crap! We are really close to the splash zone!

Wally's boss decided to show up.

Another perk to having Platinum passes.

Recycled Beer Cans.

I guess since Sea World is owned by A-B, they have free beer samples as well.

Sea World also has a donkey.

For $14.95 you can have a diver go down a get you an oyster with a pearl. This little kid actually found a nice one. ($60 pearl inside)

The Kraken loading area, in case if you wondered what it looked like.

Yeah Sea Lions. We could have spent hours in this area.

Leanne loves penguins, so do I.

If you have not seen March of the Penguins yet, by all means please see it.

This was a new exhibit last time I came to Sea World.

Ok part 3 (my final post in this thread) of Sea World...sorry for all the pictures, but you know I rather have lots of pictures than writing.

We really had a great time, thanks for reading!!

I wonder how much a walrus weighs.

Oh dear, the seal is looking for a place to sit.

I could swear I heard someone yell "Vertical Loop" as the coaster passed by.

Anyone do this yet?

WoW! They really updated the Shark Encounter since my last visit.

We got to say hello to some of the acrobats.

This was a pretty cool show.

Well thanks SKy Tower, that was a lot of fun.

You do you see a really famous roller coaster off in the distance? I do.

Its now the longest coaster I have ridden.

Journey into Atlantis still looks pretty big.

That dirt clearing is where the new coaster credit is going to be built.

You can see our car from up here.

Lets see what Sea World looks like from 300 feet above the ground.

Wow, The Sky Tower is still an upcharge ride, at least its free for us.

Yeah, they sell some of the tacky salt water taffy. At least it features Gainesville on the box.

This is why Shamus get so big.

Leanne in Lolipop Land.

Lunch was pretty good.

You can find these A-B cards everywhere.

Yay!!! Fun times!!!! I really enjoyed your tr Erik!!

Excellent PTR! I really enjoyed reading it. I miss Sea World

What a great Photo TR, Erik! Have I ever said that I really like your PTR´s!? Anyway, it looks like you had a good time!

Thanks again for the birthday wishes! Now I have my own picture with y bisthday wish from Universal! That is so cool!

--Sören

I miss SeaWorld so much.

Great TR Erik. Looks like you guys really enjoyed your weekend together.

Cool pictures. It was 20 years ago this week that I last visited Sea World. We might go over there later this year, as Mary has never been there...

dt

Great TR! Could you see Everest from the top of the tower? I miss living in FL.. so sad.

Im glad Universal finally updated the wait time signs. Are they all over the park or is it just when you walk in?

Glad you guys had fun!

Eric

Great PTR you guys!! I love Sea World. And I especially love it when there are only 2 minute queues, in the summer for Kraken and Journey to Atlantis.

Great TR! Could you see Everest from the top of the tower? I miss living in FL.. so sad.

 

Im glad Universal finally updated the wait time signs. Are they all over the park or is it just when you walk in?

 

Glad you guys had fun!

 

Eric

You know I could not make out Everest from the Tower. I was able to see Spaceship Earth though. I guess EE was just too far. Oh about the signs they do not have them all over, just in a few places.

Great TR - U guys have made me sooo excited about going to Florida now!

Looks like you had a nice weekend. Thanks for reminding me that SeaWorld was getting another coaster, I almost forgot!

BTW, I know who was yelling "vertical loop" *wink wink*

(Yes, Julie, Barry is creepy, but not just lately)

I made a video of IOA on this trip...you can find the link below. Enjoy!

www.themeparkreview.net/erik/IOAErikJohnson.zip

Awesome TR! You almost made me fall out of my chair laughing with the "T & A" sign

Downloading the video now.

Like always, another great TR.

Did you like JTA? I've never really heard anything about it.

Erik, is that Starflyer open yet? I'd love to ride it if it's open by the time I arrive!

Erik, is that Starflyer open yet? I'd love to ride it if it's open by the time I arrive!

Yes it is, we saw it in operation while driving back home.

Like always, another great TR.

 

 

Did you like JTA? I've never really heard anything about it.

Yeah we thought it was pretty neat. Basically its another one of those boat/darkrides with some decent theming. It has a decent drop (in which you do not get very wet unlike the IOA one). Plus it has a short coaster section at the very end.