OBLIGATORY TRAVELER

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Category: Florida

  • “Lounging” Around Disney-Round 1

    “Lounging” Around Disney-Round 1

    Over the past few years, I’ve developed an appreciation for a well-made cocktail. That appreciation seeded an admiration for the settings that serve cocktails. Whether it’s a beach bar, a historic pub with brick walls and old wood, or a swanky rooftop lounge, it’s one of life’s  pleasures to nurse a drink in a terrific…

  • Off Property Disney World-Staying at The Point Hotel

    Off Property Disney World-Staying at The Point Hotel

    One of the biggest decisions when planning an Orlando trip is whether to stay, “on property,” or, “off property.”  There are pros and cons to both, and as the choices in Orlando are endless, picking where to stay can be a daunting task.  Our reasons for staying off property this trip- The friends we went…

  • 3 Favorite Non-Wizarding World Things at Universal Orlando

    3 Favorite Non-Wizarding World Things at Universal Orlando

    It’s no secret, that many people visit Universal Orlando specifically to see The Wizarding World, but Universal has plenty of fun to offer outside of the wands and Butterbeer. Meeting Characters Meeting characters at Disney World is an important part of the experience for most guests, but Universal has it’s fair share of characters too.…

  • 5 Favorite Things-The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

    5 Favorite Things-The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

    I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I’ve read the books more than once. I saw the Order of the Phoenix movie five times in the theater, and The Half-Blood Prince six times in the theater. I’ve attended various Harry Potter themed events, creating outfits for the occasion. So although I already visited once, I…

  • Living My Steampunk Dream at Toothsome-Universal Orlando

    Living My Steampunk Dream at Toothsome-Universal Orlando

    I’m so glad that Universal Orlando took a trend/genre that fizzled, and made it is sizzle once again.

  • The Florida Botanical Gardens

    The Florida Botanical Gardens

    It’s often a travel dilemma. What to do when you have a night flight home? Not being a full time traveler, I don’t bring work with me on trips, so a full day keeping busy in an airport lounge isn’t the best option. I didn’t want to choose an activity that either takes all day…

  • Busch Gardens-Tampa

    Busch Gardens-Tampa

    The scene plays out over and over at Busch Gardens-Tampa. The excited youngster approaches the measuring stick, only to receive crushing disappointment. They are too short to ride the coaster. The youngster passes a longing gaze at the drops and loops and says, “Isn’t there anything here I can ride?” As a former obsessive player…

  • Staying at Plantation on Crystal River and their Sunset Cruise-Florida

    Staying at Plantation on Crystal River and their Sunset Cruise-Florida

    Standing at the edge of Plantation on Crystal River, I watch as the sunset transforms the sky into a cheeky shade of purple. I notice something bobbing in the water. With each bob whatever it is moves closer to where I stand. At first I think it’s a manatee, but it’s a bit too agile.…

  • Rainbow Springs State Park and Swampy’s-Florida

    Rainbow Springs State Park and Swampy’s-Florida

    The Practice of Patience When I was a kid and got impatient, my mom would sing the Have Patience song. It was some high level Manchurian Candidate mind work, because to this day, if I’m waiting in line, and I get impatient, that song pops into my head. We walk up to the entrance window at…