The system its self is straight forward just really trying to have plenty of small change ready as you approach the Booths. however, some people have chanced either going through the Express Lane or avoided paying at the small unmanned Throw in payment Booths thinking because they are in a Hire car they will not have to pay. Well, the Hire car companies do have everyones Credit card details and not only are they charging the Toll amounts they are charging the fines and  charges imposed to your Credit Card even when you have left Florida.

We have been told that you are “let off” for one or two mishaps but there is no guarantee that this is the case.

A lot of Hire cars are now equipped with their own Express sensor on their windscreens and you can pay a fee to activate this when you pick up your car that allows you to use the Express lanes.

For frequent and visitors who are staying a little longer you can purchase your own sensor which attaches to your car, for approximately $25.00 (Publix & CVS Chemists) which you need to top up as you please. It also gives you a discount on each Booth’s normal fee, usually betweem 5% & 10%. You can also buy a stick on Pass for approximately $5.00 which gives you the option of paying as much as you do use the Express Lanes, also with the discounts.

These methods may help some visitors but the main thing is be very careful that you do Pay at All Booths, one way or another, as the Fines and Charges may be added to your final Car Hire account.

A Very Happy New Year to All Silver Creek Visitors.

Mary & Larry Phillips

We boarded the plane and were sat a few rows from the front. After a short while we noticed a young woman in the front row leaning over the aisle to attend to an older man and at the same time a passenger in another seat was alerting the stewardess to the to the now clearly unwell passenger.

It turned out he was her father who’s name was Sam (Samuel)

Sam had the appearance of continually fainting and she was attempting to keep him awake.

After a period of a few minutes the stewardess announced that due to his condition she would not be continuing with the drinks service until she had attended to him.

It was at this point that everyone on the plane became aware of the total lack of conversation and apart from engine noise total silence.

This activity had taken place in less than 10 minutes.

Over the PA system the stewardess asked ‘THE’ question ‘was their a doctor or a nurse on board’.

It seamed no one on the aircraft moved for a long time; in fact it can only have been a few seconds.

The stewardess stood to the side of Sam with her back to the rest of the passengers.

I told Carol that I would check with the stewardess if there were anything I could do to help. As my offer of help (and the fact that I was a Firefighter from the UK) left my lips I could sense and see the relief on the stewardess face.

Almost instantaneously I found myself in front of Sam medical Oxygen in one hand a first aid kit in the other administering first aid.

I spent most of the remainder of the flight which seemed to last forever in a cold sweat. At one point the stewardess asked me if I thought the pilot needed to divert the plane and my cold sweat turned into a hot sweat.

Sam remained conscious for the remainder of the flight. It turned out he had several medical conditions resulting from a previous heart attack and was taking numerous medicines and drugs to compensate and regulate his condition. As we landed Sam improved and it was suspected that the pressurised interior of the aircraft was the cause of the problem.

We landed in Toronto and I spent the first 2 hours of our visit to Canada filling in medical forms for the paramedics.

We spent the remainder of our time in the airport almost in silence and both Carol and I heaved a huge sigh of relief as we left the airport. We needed a holiday.

 On the tips of the wings are cameras and still photos or a DVD can be purchased after your flight. They are of a superb quality and you also get the negatives if you want to have them enlarged. A 15 minute flight costs $240 but the actual time is about 1/2 hour that you are in the plane, from taxeing to take off and landing. Of course If you are very brave then why not go for the 30 - 60 minute aerobatics flight where you can actually control the plane to do loops and rolls. What a great photo that would be, upside down at the controls with an aerial view of Kissimmee above you. Awesome !!! The “pilots shop”  is always worth a visit. They have shirts, hats and lots of memorabilia there. You can even buy “Warbird bucks” $100 to give as a present towards that special persons dream flight.

Warbird Adventures used to be known as “Flying Tigers” but in 2004 Hurricane Charley came along and put paid to that and Kissimmee Air museum was formed in its place. Opening times are from 9.00 to 17.00, 6-7 days a week but it does depend on the season so check before you go. You can just turn up but it is “First come, first served” Telephone number 407-870-7366.

My husband and I have watched these planes flying over our villa for the last few years and he has been mesmerised by them so guess what I have bought him for his 60th next year. Boy will he be thrilled.

We bought our tickets in advance and printed them off at home. That saved some time at the gates.

We entered the park to be met with different street zones that were not only scary but amusing as well. There were also six haunted houses to visit. Meet Cleaver was our favourite.

My wife has never screamed so much - she nearly lost her voice. The ticket also let us visit on two nights so we did not have to worry too much about getting in all the houses on one night as there was some queuing.

All in all a scary halloween in the heat of Florida at 80 degrees.

Well worth the trip

9067 International Drive, Orlando, FL32819

Open daily 9.00am until midnight

Easily recognisable as the ‘Upside Down House’ on International Drive, Wonderworks contains over 100 interactive exhibits.

With opening hours until midnight, this is a fun family attraction that can be enjoyed when the theme parks close, or after a day lazing in the sun.

Entry to Wonderworks is through a revolving tunnel that transports you theoretically upside down to begin your experience.

The exhibits begin with the Earthquake Simulator which recreates a 5.3 earthquake, followed by the Hurricane Simulator. Also enjoy the Global VR which simulates the virtual combat of a Desert War.

Then take the controls of the Discovery Space Shuttle or an F14 and F18 fighter jet, and discover the skills and techniques required to fly them.

Here, there are also photo opportunities with life size replicas of an Astronaut Space Suit and Mercury Capsule.

Much fun can be had in the Bubble Lab where there are a variety of fun, gigantic bubble-making tools.  Then lay on the Bed of Nails and feel 3500 sharp nails rise under you, or press into the 40,000 pins on the Wonderwall and create a 3D impression of your entire body.

In the Virtual Sports section, play virtual basketball, soccer or air hockey.

The Wonder Coaster is not for the feint hearted.  This simulator rolls 360o, up, down, backwards, forwards and any which way it can.  Riders must be 48” tall. 

Negotiating each level via the stairway, introduces the many mysterious pictures that will bring you to a standstill trying to figure them out.

On the top floor is the arcade and prize shop. 

The café is located on the 1st floor, and offers a variety of pizza, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, French fries, soft pretzels, popcorn, ice cream and drinks.     

The Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show

Voted as the best dinner show for 2009, this is an impressive, interactive, entertaining and extremely funny dinner show, containing magic, impersonations and improvised comedy.

Ticket price includes unlimited fresh cheese and pepperoni pizza, salad, popcorn and unlimited wine, beer, soda and dessert.

Show times are 6.00pm Sunday to Saturday, with an extra performance at 8.00pm on a Saturday.

Lazer Tag

Wear a technology enriched vest, and outplay, outlast and outshoot your opponents in the huge maze.

Prices (2009)                           Child (4-12)/Over 65’s             Adults

Wonderworks                                      $14.95                                     $19.95

Lazer Tag (One game)              $  4.95                                     $  4.95

The Outta Control Dinner Show            $16.95                                     $24.95

    (Dinner Show Only)

Magic Combo                                      $28.95                                     $38.95

    (Wonderworks & Dinner Show)

Lazer Combo                                       $17.95                                     $22.95

    (Wonderworks & 1 Lazer Tag Game)

Ultimate Combo                                   $29.95                                     $39.95

Discount coupons for $1.50 off Wonderworks admission and $1.50 off The Outta Control Dinner Show are available from Wonderworks own website!  Visit www.wonderworksonline.com

Parking

Parking is directly behind Wonderworks, in the Pointe Orlando parking Garage.  The fees range from $2.00-$6.00 per car.