I’m on vacation! Woo hoo!
That’s my vacation dance.
It’s only a quick getaway (a long weekend, really), but it’s enough to have me jumping for joy. Sometimes a quick getaway is all it takes.
I’m traveling with the wonderful folks at Hilton HHonors and experiencing one of Hilton HHonors new Great Getaways with two other bloggers.
If you like what you see over the next fews days, then head on over to the Hilton HHonors Great Getaway Giveaway for your chance to win a Great Getaway of your own. Hilton HHonors is giving a Great Getaway away every couple of weeks between now and August 4th. Just click here, vote for your favorite trip, and enter your email address for your chance to win.
Each giveaway has its own theme:
- Adventure: June 24 – July 7, 2013
- Culture: July 8 – July 21, 2013
- Food/Wine: July 22 – August 4, 2013
Since we’re smack dab in the middle of the “Adventure” giveaway, we’re experiencing an adventure getaway this weekend. That adventure getaway brought us all the way to the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at Sea World in Orlando.
I know, I traveled far for this trip. 😉 I have to give mad props to Hilton HHonors for sending a town car all the way to Tampa to bring me to Orlando.
(photo stolen from @LisaSamples)
Man, that ride goes so much faster when someone else is driving and you don’t have a dog climbing all over you. I just sat in the back of the car for an hour and a half and got some uninterrupted work done on my laptop. It was bliss.
The welcome staff at the Hilton Grand Vacations Suites at Sea World were amazing. They checked me in and politely watched my luggage as I ran to the onsite deli and ordered a turkey sandwich to bring back to my room.
p.s. AWESOME sandwich. LOVE that they had Boars Head and the sandwich was made fresh as I waited. Love that.
Once I had my sandwich, I took a golf cart to my building and walked into a room that was bigger than my first apartment.
I’m in a one bedroom suite that comes with a full kitchen
Living Room
King size bed
Jacuzzi
Humongous bathroom
and a view!
Hello, Sea World. Nice to see you.
I finished my sandwich and met the rest of the crew for our first adventure of our adventure trip: Sea World, of course!
By then the typical afternoon showers had started to roll in, but we weren’t going to let that stop us. It was a nothing a super cool poncho couldn’t handle.
My buddies for the weekend: Lisa, Meghan, Anthony, and Karissa
We started our Sea World adventure with the Behind the Scenes Tour
It was a 90 minute guided tour of what goes on behind the scenes at Sea World.
We were taken to the onsite hospital area where Sea World was currently caring for turtles, manatees, and dolphins. We also learned a little bit on what goes into rescuing these animals, caring for them, and releasing them back into the wild.
Next we hopped on the bus and headed to the shark area.
That’s where we learned there are over 400 varieties of sharks out there (they’re discovering more and more every year) and had the chance to pet a “pup.”
The cutest baby shark I’ve ever seen!
Then we moved onto the polar bear exhibit…
And met Julie the penguin.
He (yes, Julie is a he) was the sweetest.
Once the tour wrapped up, it was time to hit some rides.
I talked the gang onto Manta (one of my favorite roller coaster since you lay down) and had a blast. Maybe it’s the connection with Busch Gardens, but Sea World randomly has some pretty awesome roller coasters.
When my tummy started rumbling, we stopped at snack stand for something to nibble on. I was so happy to see the Sabra hummus cups for sale. They were ridiculously overpriced, but a way better option than a churro or butter drenched popcorn.
Shamu!!
I really wanted to ride the new Empire of the Penguins ride in Antarctica, but the wait was too long and they didn’t have a Quick Queue line set up. Boo. Maybe next time…
For dinner, we dined with the sharks at Sharks Underwater Grill in the back of the park.
This fella was definitely eyeing my plate all night.
I started with a glass of cab sav
And a really yummy garlic herb roll.
The table split a few appetizers
I ordered the catch of the day, which was a haddock served with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes.
The whole meal was pretty good. Nothing outrageously amazing, but pretty decent considering it’s located in the back of a theme park.
My favorite part of the meal was dessert. Obviously.
You can’t go wrong with a brownie sundae. 😉
We ended the night with a Shamu themed dance party.
And the vacation dancing continues 😉
Heyyyy sexy ladies!
No theme park night would be complete without fireworks.
And with that we called it a night. Now i’m lounged out on this big, comfy bed ready to pass the heck out. Tomorrow will be another adventure-filled day full of fun surprises – I can’t wait!
What kind of getaway would you choose? Relaxing, adventure, culture, or food?
*Hilton HHonors is covering all my expenses for this trip. As always, all opinions are my own.
I would LOVE a Costa Rica or Whistler trip!
Sheena recently posted..Time to rock Seattle!
Ever since I was little I always, always, ALWAYS wanted to go to Sea World!
Mary recently posted..Respect and support
Definitely relaxing all the way!
That behind the scenes tour looked amazing!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats recently posted..Naturopath Update
Relaxing I think. I need a getaway! Do you get to experience all the getaways? Or just this one since it’s so close?
Angela recently posted..Weekend Inspiration
Just this one, but it would be amazing to experience all of them!
Looks likes you’re having a lot of fun! I loveeeed sea world when I went in 5th grade. I would loveeeee to go again. I love animals
Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen recently posted..Weekly Workouts 6/23-6/29
THAT.ROOM! It looks bigger than nearly every apartment I’ve ever had! Glad you’re having fun! 😉
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Follow Me!
Looks like you had a great time. We totally just stayed at that same resort last weekend. Our drive there was a bit longer though (coming in from Atlanta). We really enjoyed the stay at the Hilton Grand Vacations at Sea World. My kids are a bit older 11 and 13 and so we choose to visit the Universal Orlando theme parks while we were there. Sea World next time for sure. I think the next getaway I would like to do is a relaxing one or a destination marathon followed by relaxation, along with good food and drinks.
Wow, that room is bigger than my apartment! Looks like you are having a great time!
egb recently posted..Summer in the City
Fun! I haven’t been to SeaWorld in forever.. looks like a good time 🙂
Taryn recently posted..June Favorites
Hard choice! Probably Adventure or Relaxation but my husband would be culture without a doubt. Sounds fun! I wonder if they offer anything like that way up here in VA! 🙂
Sara@RunningInPinkProject recently posted..Staying Healthy On the Water
Ooh that’s a tough one- probably food though 🙂 Enjoy your adventure!
Ashley recently posted..Foodie Penpal Reveal!
How about a relaxing food adventure 😉
Rachael @ Pizza, Run, Repeatza recently posted..Still a Struggle. Always Will Be.
Woooo vacation!!! Looks like you’re having an absolute blast!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted..Thursday Thoughts on Friday
Dang girl, how did you score a deal with these guys?! I’ve been voting since the giveaway started…fingers crossed I’ll win the one I want, but probably not. Here’s to wishful thinking!
Melissa @TryingtoHeal recently posted..Side Notes: Mirrors
That little penguin melts my heart. I LOVE theme parks and adventure so I think a mix of that and relaxation would be a great vacation!
How much fun! I LOVE your outfit too!
Kayla @ Fit Life Forward recently posted..On Vacation
Summer?? wohoo! have fun meghan!
Julia Shanon recently posted..Freedom of Apartment Living
SO glad you get vacation – you’ve been working hard! Have a blast! Today is my first day of vacation, too, and I can’t wait to relax :).
Megan (The Lyons’ Share) recently posted..Refreshing Summer Side Salad
I love a mix of all of them – hence the reason we chose Turkey! I love your outfit by the way! Can’t wait to hear all about it on Sunday! 🙂
ash bear recently posted..Ain’t No Party Like A Long Run Party
What about the ironman training?
I did a long ride before I left yesterday and plan to do my long run on Sunday. I’m taking Saturday as a rest day.
A couple months ago I went to my local zoo to see the penguin exhibit for the first time (it’s relatively new). They were so much fun to watch swim.
That brownie sundae looks awesome!
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted..Weekly Workouts
How fun!! Looks like you are having a blast!! I have been following your blog for awhile now.. I love to see the interesting but simple twists you put on go-to meals ideas! I recently was diagnosed with Celiac disease and have had trouble finding the diet that makes me “feel my best”, but I love getting inspiration from your blog! Thanks for writing.
Emily recently posted..I Can’t Believe It’s Not Rice
How fun!! Looks like you are having a blast!! I have been following your blog for awhile now.. I love to see the interesting but simple twists you put on go-to meals ideas! I recently was diagnosed with Celiac disease and have had trouble finding the diet that makes me “feel my best”, but I love getting inspiration from your blog! Thanks for writing.
Emily recently posted..I Can’t Believe It’s Not Rice
Penguins are so silly! And so entertaining to watch!
Most of our trips are adventure related — hiking, mountain biking, 14er summits, etc. I get a little bored with “relaxation vacations”.
Hey thanks heaps for sharing the photographs – obviously had a great time on vacation. Always great to do something special on a vacation rather than just chilling out
ahh you’re in orlando! 🙂 i have yet to go to seaworld and i’ve been here for over a month!
Sarah recently posted..Cady Way Trail
You have to go and ride Manta! I’d say it’s one of my Top 3 favorite roller coasters of all time!
You should watch the documentary Black Fish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OEjYquyjcg
It premiered at Sundance last year and was amazing. I know Seaworld does a lot of good work with habitat rehabilitation but this documentary made me never want to go to a Seaworld.
I would totally do food. 😉
The Many Thoughts of a Reader recently posted..Discussion — Beach Music by Pat Conroy
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