We're due more rain today so decided to try and get everything done before the downpours which are due around 2pm. We had a plan to visit four of the attractions - two happened to be adjacent to each other on one side of the park and the other two virtually directly opposite them across the park.
The car park was looking extremely busy when we arrived so we decided to see if we could get a Rapid Access Pass (which isn't the same thing as the Quick Queue, which carries a charge of $19 per person). The RAP is for guests with disabilities who can't wait in line for a long time. You take your printed ride sheet to the staff member managing the queues and if the wait is longer than 15 minutes, they write a return time on your sheet against the ride. This would have been very handy the ther day when we had to queue for the penguin exhibit. No problem getting the pass but as it turned out we didn't need it! We marched off to the first attraction - Wild Arctic. (Bernard and Harrison wanted to make this a brief visit to ensure they had time for a swim later at the villa, so no time to hang about!). We'd heard all about Johnny the polar bear the other day so I was keen to see him. Like the Mission: Space ride in Epcot, Wild Arctic offered two versions - mild walking or wild helicopter. Feeling adventurous we queued up in the helicopter line. It turned out to be a simulator a bit like Mission: Space but on a much bigger scale. There were several rows of seats so it wasn't at all claustrophobic. It did get a bit rough at times but with only a lap belt to secure you in place, it was clear that it wouldn't be as dramatic as the Mission: Space ride. Harrison did make a point of highlighting the information regarding those who shouldn't ride, however, as we're in the USA where everybody sues each other and they have to cover their backs, we chose to ignore the warnings! He decided to do most of the ride with his fingers in his ears. Not sure how noisy he thought the arctic was going to be but it helped him cope!
After we'd landed, we explored the arctic where we were supposed to see a walrus, Johnny the polar bear and a beluga whale. We didn't see the whale and Johnny was sleeping with his back to us (who could blame him!). There were two walruses in their pool so we watched them playing for a while.
We had half an hour to wait for the next Shamu show and as the stadium was directly next to the Wild Arctic exit, we decided to find some seats before it got too full. It was a good show but rather frustrating that people were entering the auditorium all through the show and blocking our view.
That cheeky bird thought he was the star of the show and stole fish out of the open blue containers on the stage!
The show finished just before 1pm and the sky was starting to look a bit grey. We made our way quickly to 'Journey to Atlantis' a log flume ride (once again ignoring the ride restrictions for Harrison and Bernard!)
As we passed by 'Manta' one of the rollercoasters, an announcement was being given over the tannoy. The ride had been temporarily closed due to inclement weather. We were unsure whether that would apply to Atlantis because it was predominantly an indoor ride. The queue to access the ride exceeded all queue lines so the pass was definitely needed here. We headed to the Quick Pass entrance and soon found out that all of the rides had been suspended with no information regarding when they may begin operating again. At this stage the storm was still brewing. We decided to visit our final attraction and then return to Atlantis weather permitting.
I'd been looking forward to 'Turtle Trek' and on entering the building we were greeted with a huge floor to ceiling aquarium filled with numerous species of fish and several sea turtles. It was a great distraction until the 360 3-D cinema was ready to admit us. The film documented a turtles life from hatching out of it's egg to fully grown adult and the dangers that it faced along the way. At the end there was a conservation message. Until now, Harrison has always refused to entertain anything 3-D. I didn't realise that this was a 3-D film until we were told to collect the glasses. It may have helped that they were yellow but he did wear them and watched the film (with his fingers in his ears again!) Bernard and I were really proud of this achievement because we know how anxious pitch black, an unknown film and 3-D effects make Harrison. I had to take a photograph of him recreating the pose:
We exited the attraction and passed by the open top of the aquarium where we could see, amongst several others, a huge sea turtle named Whitney:
Optimistically, we headed back to Atlantis but the ride was still not running. We took the opportunity to visit the penguin shop again and as we came out the reason for the ride suspensions became very obvious - a huge flash of lightning followed immediately by a massive clap of thunder and torrential rain! Everybody ran for cover (in the toilets) and even though it was only a few steps we were already quite wet. The torrential rain continued for about 10 minutes and as it eased off we put on jackets and made a run for the exit. It was quite an experience dodging the deep puddles and trying to pass as quickly as possible under the metal rollercoasters. By the time we left the park it was just English style, persistent rain.
We refuelled the car ready for tomorrow's journey back to the airport and picked up some lunch at the neighbouring Subway. I've never been in one before - so many choices to make!
We're currently back at the villa, just watched Djokovic defeat Tsonga for a place in the Wimbledon quarter finals and now Harrison is hassling me to go for another swim in the pool. I'd better go because Bernard is resting his eyes ;-)
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