Space Center

We stayed at the JW Marriott Downtown. Bryan got upgraded to a two bedroom suite. It was really nice. 

We spent most of Thursday at the Houston Space Center. I enjoyed many of the exhibits in the main visitor center, but was disappointed in the tram ride.

I thought we would tour the astronaut training facilities, but it just went out to a rocket graveyard and a building holding an old Saturn rocket. Plus we got drenched by a summer thunderstorm on the way back to the visitor center.

We had some delicious barbeque for dinner, then went to another Voodoo. This morning we flew back.

Houston

Bryan's job required him to work in downtown Houston for several weeks. Susan and I decided to fly out Wednesday morning for a long "weekend" and visit him and do some things around Houston. Once we got to Houston airport, we stopped at the Hard Rock for lunch. This was the 29th HRC I have visited.

From the airport we headed out to the San Jacinto Monument. San Jacinto was the battle site where the Republic of Texas won its independence from Mexico. I had tried to visit it before in December of 2017, but it was closed for the Christmas holiday.

There was a museum with a film and an elevator to the top of the monument, with views of the surrounding countryside.

After dinner with Bryan, we stopped at a Voodoo Doughnut for dessert. Voodoo, which originated in Portland, has been expanding into Colorado and Texas, and Bryan has been trying to visit all of their locations.

Cars Suite

Last night, we stayed in a Cars Suite at the Art of Animation Resort in Disney World. We stayed free courtesy of Disney, who is offering free stays all this summer to cast members in gratitude for working during the pandemic.

We rode the Skyliner over to the Caribbean Beach Resort, where we had dinner. The Art of Animation is a nice resort for young families.

It's mostly suite rooms, with well done theming and a nice pool. We had stayed there once before, back in 2013, but then we were in the Lion King area.

Velocicoaster

This week, Universal started annual passholder previews for its new roller coaster, Velocicoaster. Jennifer went with some friends on Monday. I attended this morning. Located in the Jurassic Park area of Islands of Adventure, this coaster is fast and has multiple inversions.

Besides thrills, it also has pretty good theming. There's video of the stars of Jurassic World giving safety instructions, and the queue goes through a velociraptor stable with animatronic dinosaurs.

Susan and I walked in through the Studios, and took the Harry Potter train to Islands of Adventure. We were only there a couple of hours; I would have loved to stay longer but most of the rides at Universal are too twisty or bumpy for Susan, and we had errands to run.

Myrtle Beach and Beaufort

This week Susan and I took another trip up to South Carolina. Besides visiting Charleston, we spent a day in Myrtle Beach, mostly walking around the Broadway at the Beach area.

We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe there. It was the 28th HRC I have visited.

On the way home we stopped in Beaufort to check out the downtown and visit the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park. We weren't too impressed with the park. Maybe it will be more interesting to visit when Covid restrictions are no longer in place.

Beaufort was nice though. We walked down to the river, and drove around a bit.

April in the parks

 

We spent another day at the Flower and Garden Festival last week. Besides the topiaries, we enjoyed the gardens and having some snacks and drinks at the festival booths. We also did a few attractions.

 

Work continues on the old Mousegear building. Currently Mousegear is being housed in the old Innoventions building that held the Electric Umbrella.

Jennifer spent several days visiting the parks with friends in early April. Yesterday she went to Universal. The new Jurassic Park coaster is almost complete.

Epcot Construction

While we enjoyed the Flower and Garden Festival, I also checked on the progress of construction at Epcot. Demolition of the old Innoventions West building in the center of Future World was almost complete.

And part of the new France expansion had been opened up - but just to allow access to the new restrooms.

While work on the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, which will replace the Universe of Energy attraction, continued.

They've also been adding barges in the center of the lagoon for the new fireworks show that will debut in the fall.