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Mar 21, 2013

Nerding Together – Family Fun at MegaCon

If you know me at all, you’ll know what a mega nerd I am and how our little family loves to geek out together. I mean, we named our son Dexter because of a cartoon in a lab coat! Quite literally, his first word was “geek.” (I have a crazy-cute video of it, and it remains a favorite anecdote!)

So given that he is a month old already, we knew we’d have to get started quickly if we wanted to have Daniel follow in the geektastic footsteps of his parents and older brother. And what better way to indoctrinate him into the highly discerning world of cosplay and fandom than to dress him up as a super hero and drag him to MegaCon 2013!?

All of my boys put on their Batman gladrags and we headed out to the convention center for a bit of family bonding over our shared love of all things nerd.

family geekery

In the heavy convention traffic, it took us more than an HOUR to reach our destination, despite the fact it SHOULD take only 20 minutes max. But once we were inside, it was like a whole new world. Everywhere you looked, there was every different kind of nerd. Sci Fi, Anime, Gaming, Comic Books, SteamPunk and everything under the sun!

Many folks came in intricate costumes. Others just wore T-shirts representing their affiliations. Some were “normal” with no sign of their inner geek (I fell into this category of attire – though, I assure you, my inner geek would make a big ol’ fangirl appearance!). The crowd was DENSE.

crowds

Some random photos:

A whole slew of Jawas fixing some droids. One of the jawas was interacting with Dexter, who thought he was AMAZING fun.

Mark had a “thing” for the Tinkerbell girl. Something about the pointy ears…

I really really wanted to buy a corset, but I knew I’d never be able to choose one!

We weren’t the only Batman enthusiasts in the arena!

For me, the realisation that I am a die-hard embarrassingly crazy stalker type when it comes to anyone dressed as Doctor Who. Yes, I am the type who asks to get photos with random everyday people who just happen to be dressed like a favorite fictional character… Witness my mortification… At least I was among like-minded folk, though, right?!

doctor who

At some point, though, I DID have to stop and give baby Daniel some sustenance. We headed to a secluded corner near a set of toilets so that I could nurse the poor hungry boy.

Even at a gathering of nerds, one can’t stop being a mother, after all!

We also came across the Micro Championship Wrestling group, which was… well… little people wrestling. They were offering free autographs when you bought any piece of merchandise. I felt quite sad for them, actually, even though I’m a huge wrestling fan.

mcw

As we made the rounds, both kids got some great comments from passersby about their outfits. Daniel even had a lady come up and ask to get a photo of him. He WAS super adorable, after all.

geeking

And as we made our way through a Star Wars themed booth, with loads of R2 units, we posed with the awesome R2D2 so Dan could have some geek street cred. But as I stood next to it, with a line of people behind me, the robot suddenly wolf whistled at me, and the crowd gave an appreciative cheer, while I stood around with a red face.

Quite fun, though!

scifi convention

All in all, it was a great day. We spent about 3 hours there, just walking around and enjoying ourselves. Not one second was spoiled by rude or obnoxious people. It was just about people having fun and being cool. I can’t wait to go back next year!

Here’s the Instagram stream of my day:

instagram megacon

Filed Under: HerFamily, HerGeeky · Tagged: batman, convention, days out, doctor who, family, fun, geeking, megacon, orlando, scifi

Mar 20, 2013

A Hollywood Afternoon

By Katie Vyktoriah · 2 Comments

Last Friday, Mark started work a bit earlier than usual, and as such he was able to stop work a bit earlier than normal. With the prospect of some extra time to spend together (as Dexter was at daycare), he suggested we take baby Daniel and head out to one of the parks. His suggestion? Hollywood Studios!

Hollywood Studios

Our last trips to Disney and Epcot had been great fun, but because we had no real game plan, Dex had been a bit of a hindrance. We’d had no idea how to keep him occupied and happy while we found things to do. So we figured exploring Hollywood Studios without him would give us a good idea on where things are so we could take him later on and be prepared.

hollywood studios mickey hat

It also gave us a bit of romantic alone time where we got to bring out our inner children. Even though we had Daniel with us, it felt like a bit of a respite from loud children. It was a beautiful sunny day, and for a couple of hours we just got to run around and do what we wanted.

At Hollywood Studios

Mark was really really keen to go on the Star Tours ride, so we headed there first. As we got to the entrance, we were handed a ticket which allowed one of us to ride and the other to wait with the baby and then enjoy a fast track ride afterward. So I told Mark to go first. The wait was only 20 minutes, and I was happy to just browse the gift shop while I waited for him to return. But after he left me to go stand in line, he came running back within a few minutes.

Star Tours

Apparently, he didn’t want to waste any of our time together, and standing in line for 20 minutes just seemed too long to him to be separated from me. Aww.

So I had a quick think and offered up the fast track ticket. I told him to just use it now and I would ride it next time we came. I had no burning desire to do so, and he clearly really wanted to go on it, so it only made sense to let him. He put up a short fuss, but at my insistence, he went. And had a wonderful time, I might add!

NYC at Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has some great backdrops, as well. Giant fake cities surround you, and only on close inspection do you realise that they are completely fake. We loved exploring New York City and San Francisco without leaving Orlando!

San Francisco at Hollywood Studios

NYC at Hollywood Studios

San Francisco at Hollywood Studios

And while the Star Tours was the only ride experienced, our fun was not limited. Just walking along, seeing what there was to see was great fun.

Radio Disney parade

Eventually, after passing a Disney Radio parade, we realised that the baby was quite hungry, so we found a bench, and I nursed him until it was time to go.

Passing strangers took great delight in guessing his age, and we took great delight in accepting compliments on his behalf. All in all, it was a lovely way to spend a Friday afternoon with two of the most important men in my life.

Filed Under: Daniel, HerFamily · Tagged: days out, disney, florida, hollywood studios, orlando

Sep 14, 2012

Makahiki Luau – A SeaWorld Birthday Treat

By Katie Vyktoriah · 2 Comments

As I’ve alluded to in recent posts, we had family staying with us a couple of weeks ago, and for over a week, we spent day after day going on exciting adventures. One of them was an evening at the Makahiki Luau at SeaWorld, a birthday treat for Mark’s mother’s 60th! And since Mark’s birthday was only a week or so previously, it was also a little treat for him!

I didn’t really know what to expect from such an experience. It was advertised as one of Orlando’s many dinner show options, and honestly, I probably wouldn’t have picked it myself. But Mark’s mom is a big fan of Hawaii and the Polynesian culture, and she was raring to go. And I’m SO glad we did, as it was an amazing night full of great food, fabulous entertainment and enough fun to even keep Dexter happy past his bed time!

A ticket to the show was separate from entry to the park, itself, but as we were allowed to arrive an hour early, we took advantage and had a little walk around SeaWorld to enjoy some of the sights. We had a quick stop at the dolphin nursery to enjoy the adorable dolphin babies who took great pleasure in splashing around and coming up close for a good look at their many admirers!

I enjoyed taking random photos of some of the flora and fauna, and I even snapped a cute photo of Mark and his mom.

Soon enough, though, it was time to head over to the restaurant. Upon arrival, we were greeted by two scantily clad hula dancers (one male, one female) who smiled warmly and welcomed us with silk flower leis. Even Dexter got one! We then were moved onward where ANOTHER set of hula babes stood next to us for a complimentary photo. It served as a really lovely souvenir of the night.

We were then offered a complimentary drink as we entered, and I was disappointed not to be able to have my free mai tai… but the whole pregnancy thing made it a bit of a no no. ;) We all settled for lemonade and made our way indoors.

Once in the main theatre, all of the tables were already set up with the starter course ready and waiting. A delicious salad, honey wheat rolls and butter, as well as pitchers of water or coke. As it is a dinner show, there is the possibility of having to sit with people you don’t know, but we were lucky and were put at a table by ourselves where we didn’t have to worry. We were also right next to the stage, which meant we had a great view of everything that went on.

As we dined and chatted, the entertainment began. First up were some gentle Hawaiian songs sung by a trio of old Polynesian men. Then, the Kahuna and his female counterpart came out to introduce a bit about their ways.

The entire evening was a swirl of colors, costumes, dancing and music. The cast obviously enjoyed themselves and loved their jobs, as they were all smiles the entire night, interacting with the audience and even posing for pictures when they could. The costumes were BREATHTAKING at t times, and the women and men were just so utterly gorgeous to watch.

At one point, they even came down and gathered up some of the children (and even a few of us adults!) and took us to the side to teach us a short hula dance. We then were sent on stage and led the whole audience in it!! Dexter had a great time taking part, even though I had to hold his hands and help guide him through the moves.

While all of this was going on, more food was being served, and all of it was utterly delicious! When I first heard the menu items, I didn’t know what I would pick, but it turned out I didn’t have to! We got a selection of everything!

Chef Selection of Fish in Pina Colada Sauce
Hawaiian Chicken
Polynesian-Style Barbecue Pork
Polynesian Fried Rice
Stir-Fried Vegetable Medley

The barbecue pork was especially delicious!

And then we were in for a treat with an amazing fire twirler! For this, they actually brought a sort of net around the stage to protect the audience from the VERY real fire that this most excellent man was playing with. Wrapping it around his body, throwing it in the air, and even using his feet to carry his fiery baton, it was pure pleasure to watch!

Our dessert, a selection of “Island Treats” went down pretty well, too!

And then it was time for the finale, which included all of the dancers, as well as a tiny child dancer in full costume, as well! It really was a spectacular event.

After the show was over, there were some of the cast members standing outside the theatre who were only too happy to pose for photos. I had hoped that Dexter would be brave enough to stand on his own, but he wanted mommy with him, as the beautiful hula girl was just too much for him to take in by himself. ;)

Obviously the boy has an appreciation for beautiful women already. Hehe.

Anyway, the night was a rousing success. Especially as partway into the show, they asked for all of those celebrating birthdays to stand up and be recognised, and each one was given another, more special lei to add to their collection. It really couldn’t have been a better way to mark the occasion, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Orlando.

Filed Under: HerFamily, HerPhotography, HerReviews · Tagged: dinner show, fun in orlando, hula girls, makahiki luau, orlando, sea world, seaworld orlando

Aug 16, 2012

Sunday at Sea World

By Katie Vyktoriah · 4 Comments

This past Sunday, we decided to meet up with one of my long lost high school friends and her adorable five month old son for a bit of a catch up. The agreed meeting place? Sea World Orlando. And what a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Sea World Sign

Upon our arrival, we had to stand in line to get our new season passes. Mark ordered them online so that we can go any time we want to. They are good for a year, and we were able to do it on a payment plan where we pay a little bit each month rather than a big lump sum. The plan we got also includes parking, which was great since it turned out to be $14 a day!

Once we’d got our passes (which didn’t take long at all!), we had to get our bag checked by security (it was full of snacks, bottles and diapers for Dexter) and then wait our turn to go through the turnstile. Inside, we waited for my friend, Lori, to show up so we could explore.

While we waited, we helped ourselves to one of the complimentary maps which had all the show times listed on it. Dexter took great pleasure in standing by himself searching the map for fun stuff to do.

Map Reader

Once Lori came through, we took her lead and went to go and see the dolphins. There are specific times when you can actually FEED the dolphins, but at the point we went through, they were just doing viewings. Still, it was great fun (though very crowded!), and Mark held Dexter at the water’s edge, where the amazing creatures came up to be petted and took turns leaping out of the water.

Watching Dolphins

Because it was so crowded, we decided to go inside where we could view the dolphins from underneath the water. It definitely helped that that area was air conditioned!

We had some amazing views of the dolphins up close, and Dexter was mesmerised by them, reaching out to try and touch them through the glass.

dolphins kissing

Dolphin Tank

Once we’d had enough time with the dolphins, we braved the 45 minute line to go and see the Turtle Trek, a three part experience where we got to see some amazing fish, turtles and manatees!

Dexter was again mesmerised watching the fish through the glass.

Fish Tank

At the end of the Turtle Trek is a giant 3D 360 degree movie experience where you get to follow the life of one turtle from hatching out of his egg to making it out to sea, with all of the dangers that that entails. From seagulls trying to eat them, to underwater pollution to being caught in fishing nets, it is a beautiful movie that everyone can enjoy. Dexter obviously wouldn’t keep his 3D glasses on, but Mark simply hefted him onto his shoulders, and the kid was hooked watching the entire room become one giant movie screen.

I must admit that I did end up crying my eyes out at the film. A combination of being sensitive to animal suffering and having raging pregnancy hormones meant I couldn’t keep the tears from falling hard and fast. Mark thought it was adorable.

Unfortunately the Turtle Trek experience is pretty hard if you have small children in tow, and it is even harder when you are pregnant and the heat is immense. As they didn’t allow strollers inside, poor Lori had to carry her baby the entire way, and though Dexter walked for much of it, there were times we had to carry him as well. Plus, given there was nowhere to sit down the whole way through and the nearly 60 minutes we were in there, it meant we were completely exhausted when it was over.

We decided then to get some lunch and a drink and have a sit in the shade for a bit.

As Mark went and sorted out refreshments, Lori and I sat with the kids and watched them do what babies do.

New Friends

By the time we’d eaten and had a bit of a rest, it was clear that us ladies were more than a little exhausted, and we decided it was best to call it a day. Mark was a little disappointed in leaving before we had a chance to see Shamu, but he quickly reminded himself that we have passes and can go ANY time we want.

We are looking forward to going back again soon, and this time we’ll have a better idea of what to expect. I can’t wait to see what other amazing sights there are to see within this beautiful oasis they call Sea World Orlando.