Florida, Part 1

We watched the landscape change into many different kinds of palm trees and drove along marshes and rivers to our first stop in Florida, which was in Daytona Beach.  We drove past the huge Nascar track on our way to a chocolate factory tour.  We saw them making all kinds of chocolates and confections.  We tried chocolate covered bacon (it was okay),  but we liked and bought a bag of chocolate covered potato chips.  We also made our own half pound box of our favorite nuts and creams, and it was so delicious! 

making Fall leaves

After stopping at a stand for some Florida oranges . . .

 

. . . we stopped at a B&B that cans its gourmet soups and took a tour and tasting.  We really liked the Cream of Broccoli and bought some, plus their famous Moon Soup (which was given to the astronauts).  

Next, we headed to Orlando.  We spent three days at theme parks and had a blast laughing through it all!

First we went to Universal's Islands of Adventure. We explored all of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, going on all the rides except the Dragon Challenge coaster, and browsing in all the shops of Hogsmeade.  We even heard Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom! We loved this world, I hope they build it in Hollywood! 

the Hippogriff ride

Hogwarts

from the candy store in Hogsmeade

We drank delicious Butter Beer,
 but weren't so fond of Pumpkin Juice



magic wands for sale

Triwizard Tournament visitors

 

We went on so many rides, like in Jurassic Park we went on the River Adventure and got splashed,

 

and we got soaked on Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges in Toon Lagoon, but it felt good on a hot day.  We also liked the new Adventures of Spiderman ride in Marvel Super Hero Island.

Having fun in Toon Lagoon

The next day we went to Disney World's Magic Kingdom.  It was fun to ride some familiar rides that are in Disneyland, and many different rides too. Cinderella's castle was so beautiful, especially at night.   And we finished our day with the Electrical Parade.

Cinderella's castle

We spent the next day at Epcot in Disney World.  The Space ride was fun in Future World, and we enjoyed the rides in Land, where they have a futuristic farm; and Sea where the aquarium is fantastic. At the World Showcase there was a Food and Wine festival happening.  It was so wonderful to eat the many different kinds of foods and desserts from many countries all over the world.  We enjoyed watching some of the films about the different countries too.

The next day we needed to rest after all that fun before heading south to the Miami area.