Orlando Florida Day 12 - Aquatica & Ford Garage Grill

Day 12 and once again we gave the kids an option of what they wanted to do. I think they were all still a bit theme parked out and thus it was a resounding vote for another water park day. The only one we had not tried yet was Aquatica which Michael advised us wasn't all that. But I had a quick google the night before and in the pictures in didn't look too bad with plenty of slides, wave pools, rapid river, lazy river, dolphin show, fish tunnel etc. So we decided to go.

We actually had a really good day. Aquatica seems a bit more open and not as big as Volcano Bay which means you can let the kids of the leash a bit more without worrying every 5 min. This water park was also a lot quieter than Volcano Bay and Typhoon Lagoon meaning we got to go on every single water slide. Even the one by the entrance which shoots you through a glass tube in the dolpinarium. 

The lazy rive also gives you two routes to take. One goes through the dolphin tank and the other goes through a tropical fish tank. Early in the day the sun was super strong as always and so messing around in the water park was really good for keeping cool, until you had to walk on the concrete floor which at times was worse than walking on hot coals. So much so I ended up giving Holly piggy backs.

In the evening we went to a really cool restaurant called the Ford Grill. The food was the standard US stuff of burgers, steaks, mac cheese, fries etc but it is the surroundings that made it special. Old Ford cars everything, fuel pumps as door handles, spare wheels as sinks, oil barrels as urinals, rags and circlips for napkins etc.etc.

Day 12 and another water park day at Aquatica.

Plenty of slides and an empty park meant a fun day.

Water fall over the lazy river.

Tina and H at Aquatica.

Another impressive water feature/fountain.

Beach boy Brandon.

Ouch, ouch, ouch the floor is hot.

Coming out of once of the dozens of water slides.

Joshua and Brandon head for the empty wave pool.

Some of the water slides in the background.

H certainly enjoys a water park.

Waves are not as good as Typhoon Lagoon, but still good fun.

Plenty and plenty of different assorted slides to ride in Aquatica.

Can you see us in the back of this picture?

And out comes Tina and H.

Lazy river time.

View across Orlando from on top of one of the water slides.

Me and the kids had several races down this and I can claim to be undefeated champ!

Head first and trying to catch me at the bottom.

Pays to have some mass on this one, no good for Holly's light bodyweight.

Holly having fun on the rapid river.

And Josh.

And Tina.

Through the fish tank tunnel on the lazy river.

Joshua relaxing in the sun.

As usual Holly preferred running around the lazy river rather than relaxing.

Some of the views from the lazy river.

Under the waterfall.

Back in the tunnel.

No sun cream, no sun burn, just going browner and browner. Lucky git.

Where as we all have to seek shade every now and then.

The sun was even too much for Tina as times.

More fun in the big pool, a little busier later in the day.

Tina chilling whilst I keep an eye on the kids in the wave pool.

This slide was good fun.

Me and my Princess.

Just every now and then they all play together nicely.

And at times like this you just stand back and enjoy them playing well.

Brandon doing some sort of funny sideways dive in to a wave.

The concrete got so hot Holly decided to dip her feet in the fountain.

And her hands, her head......

Towards he end of the day Holly played in here whilst the boys went off together.

Spot a Holly.

Waiting for Holly to pop out.

There she is.

Looks like water went up her nose.

Brandon getting a super soaking.

And again.

H waiting for another water slide.

Me and H in the fish tunnel.

And another one.

We really enjoyed our day at Aquatica.

Joshua burning a few layers of skin off of his feet.

Watching the little dolphin show.

These are very rare Commerson dolphins which are an unusual black and white.

Dinner at the Ford Garage Grill.

A couple of beautiful old Fords parked outside.

Just immaculate.

Me with one of the old Fords.

Me at the Ford Garage Grill.

How cool, fuel pump door handles.

Inside is another old Ford hanging from the ceiling.

A rag and circlip for a napkin.

The burgers came branded with "Ford Garage".

Just how cool are the sinks in the restrooms.

I even had to take a picture of the unique urinals at which point Brandon shouts "put your camera away in the gents you pedo!".

The cars lit up later in the evening.

Couldn't get away from work even in America. PS no criticizing the shirt as it is one Mum bought me.

Well worth a visit if you are looking for somewhere different to eat.