75 Pounds to Disneyland: Temptation Strikes

The continuing tales of one chunky Disney fan's personal quest to lose 80 pounds and visit Disneyland, in that order.  

See my first 80 Pounds to Disneyland post for all the details.

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The Disney Parks are both a great benefit and detriment to my weight loss.  They definitely give me a reason to be active and walk miles upon miles at a time, especially when my favorite rides are on the opposite ends of the park.  I don't mind exercise when I trick myself into doing it.

However, I also find something more than just exercise while walking these theme parks.  I'm forced to pass numerous restaurants, snack stands, and carts peddling the most decadent desserts and foods known to man.  Humongous cupcakes, massive sundays, french fries with unlimited cheese sauce, burgers topped with onion rings and bacon and grease, all these things tempt me as I try to improve myself.

80 Pounds to Disneyland

 

The continuing tales of one chunky Disney fan's personal quest to lose 80 pounds and visit Disneyland, in that order. 

Next Post: 75 Pounds to Disneyland: Temptation Strikes

There are two things that have retained their pull from my childhood and continue to influence my life.  One is a fascination with the Disney company.  The other is a fascination with food.  The former mostly just drains my wallet, but the latter has resulted in an ever-expanding waistline.  Late last year, I finally exceeded the 300 pound mark, obliterating any excuses that I hadn't gained that much since the last time I weighed myself.

The problem then became not how to lose weight, but rather how to keep myself motivated.  Saying I was going to stay active and eat healthier is easy enough.  Actually following through, as time to exercise shrank and the wonderfully tasty theme park food continued to call to me, was a far more difficult proposition.  I once shrank 60 pounds just by being too active to think about food, while interning one summer in London.  Once I returned home to the usual grind, my weight resumed its steady march upward.

Dave and Busted: Surviving Orlando's Faux Casino

Pictures courtesy of Dave & Buster's Official Website.

Arcades are dead.  As home video game systems and personal computers increased in power, the popularity of the neighborhood arcade quickly diminished.  Sure, you'll still see game rooms as part of larger entertainment complexes, or in malls and hotels to occupy bored kids.  However, the time of the independent, self-sustaining arcade has long passed.

There is one slight exception to the trend.  At some point in the last decade or so, entrepreneurs realized that redemption games, arcade machines that give tickets and prizes, still filled a niche that couldn't be replicated at home.  In fact, these devices fulfilled the same bad impulses that fuel the gambling desire.  Mix in some alcohol and the right atmosphere, and all of a sudden those adults that were raised on Chuck E. Cheese's are throwing away cash for a chance at a giant plush gorilla.

Quick Review: SeaWorld Orlando's Quick Queue

The same day I tried out SeaWorld's All-Day Dining Deal, I was also able to try out their Quick Queue front of line pass.  This is another quick review of the important details and what you need to know before you buy this extra option.

1.  Like Universal's Express Pass, and unlike Disney's current FASTPASS system, Quick Queue is an up-charge offering.  The standard Quick Queue costs $14.99 to $24.99, and only provides a single ride on each attraction.  The unlimited Quick Queue costs $19.99 to $34.99, and provides unlimited usage as long as it's not "abused."  Annual pass holders receive a discount when backed through the pass member website, otherwise prices vary based on season and holidays.

Creatures of Central Florida: Caribbean Flamingo

 Caribbean Flamingo

• Native(ish): While found primarily in South America and the Caribbean, small flocks will occasionally fly as far North as Florida
• Roseate Spoonbills are often mistaken for Caribbean Flamingos
• Spotted in captivity at SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
• Also known as the American Flamingo

Quick Review: Sea World's All-Day Dining Deal

Thanks to SeaWorld's August discount for annual pass holders, I was finally able to experience their All-Day Dining Deal.  Eventually, I'll do a detailed breakdown of its benefits versus Disney Dining Plans.  Until then, here's a quick review of my experience with All-Day Dining.

1. Dining discounts are available in park, but you can only purchase them at Guest Relations locations.  If you attempt to buy the Dining Deal at a dining location, you will be charged full price.

2. You're given a wristband that you must display every time you receive food.  The wristband is made from semi-water resistant paper, but is still somewhat flimsy.

Busch Gardens Tampa Announces the 13th Annual Howl-0-Scream

Images courtesy of the Howl-O-Scream official site.

Busch Gardens Tampa has released details and launched the website for their 2012 Howl-O-Scream event.  Like Universal, this event includes mazes, "scare zones" with roaming monsters, and shows all packaged to terrify guests.  This year's collection of horrors is themed "The Trickster's Garden," with the tagline "Unlock the Fears Inside."