~ A Week in Orlando/Tampa ~
By:  Annette Garcia

	It had been a while.  Kids are grown and their priorities have shifted, so no Disney, right?  Wrong!  Grandkids are great, and when the opportunity presents itself doting Grandparents take advantage. 

	It started along the Gulf with a one-day stay in Tampa, which included lunch, on the beach, at the Rockaway Grill where we feasted on clams, and excellent seafood bisque.  All the while the 3 year old was getting antsy for something she has had very little experience with...the beach.  This of course became our first challenge; that of prying her fingers from, the sand, the ball, and the water.  

	Next stop, Orlando and all the amenities offered in and around Disney World.  We decided to stay in the Disney Resort area to take advantage of the onsite transportation.  A car was certainly not needed as buses run every 20 minutes until late to and from all Disney attractions and inter resort.  

	Downtown Disney, our first stop, is like a maxi Disney mall, divided into three sections. The Marketplace is aimed at the family and kids with stores such as the Mini-Lego Land, Poohs Corner, Restaurants, and even a children's amusement area with rides for the kids.  West side is for teens set with shops, movie theaters, and activities such as Disney Quest and Cirque Soliel.  Pleasure Island caters to the adult set with several indoor and outdoor bands, comedy clubs, shops and restaurants.  Fulton's Crab House is a replica of a riverboat, with excellent seafood and a price to match.

	Once outside the 500,000 acre Disney World resort area, Sea World is just up the street about 5 miles, home of Shamu as well as Klondike and Snow who are doing just fine (thank you very much).  Having fed the dolphins, pet the stingrays and clapped with the sea lions it was time to see Shamu.  The combination of the live action and the gigantic jumbotron showing the animals in their real environment was very educational.  Unless you are in the mood to get wet stay back of row 20 or you will be in the......"Splash Zone".  

	I think we all agreed that Animal Kingdom was the best.  For one thing, we were amazed at how many of the Disney characters were on hand. (We didn't see near as many at the Magic Kingdom)  The Kilamanjaro Safari was up close and personal, and the shows were fabulous.  In particular the Festival of the Lion King and Tarzan Rocks are not to be missed.

	Of course the most anticipated of all by any 3 year old is the Magic Kingdom.  Dumbo, Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, It's a Small World, and the Tea Cups were some of the favorites.   Of course for the adults there is always the Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain, two of my favorites.  And  to close the day at the Magic Kingdom is Tinker Bell and fireworks.

Highlights:		Animal Kingdom
			Sea World
			The Beach
			Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island/West Side
			Hangin' poolside
			Hotel Resorts
			Transportation
			Variety of places to go
Challenges:		I-4 detour do to forest fire
Days Inn at the Airport.....do not go there.
Crowds