Diving at Living seas: a very cool experience for an experienced or inexperienced diver

I would consider myself a fairly experienced diver and living in central Florida has a lot of benefits for a scuba diver as it is an ideal location with its proximity to both coasts.  Not only that but the Florida Keys and the entire Caribbean are easily accessible for great diving adventures.  However, in my very back yard at Disney’s Epcot, I had the unique opportunity to go scuba diving in Living Seas Aquarium.  

The dive at Epcot offers a great experience for all levels of divers.  There was another couple with us from New York.  He was a seasoned diver and this was his 3rd dive at the Living Seas.  She had just become a certified scuba diver and they both absolutely loved the experience.  Many divers will never get the opportunity to experience all the different sea life the aquarium has to offer.  For a seasoned diver, it offers a truly unique experience.  In addition to all the incredible sea life, you get the opportunity to interact with the diners in the restaurant along with the other Epcot guests who are viewing the aquarium.  You become part of their entertainment!  Children in the restaurant were going crazy just to get a wave or a thumbs-up from us.  They would hold their hands up to the glass for you to do the same.   

The staff was very friendly, knowledgeable and extremely accommodating.  My friend Jason and I felt as if we were royalty the entire time we were there!  Disney has state-of-the-art equipment with over 65 species of marine life such as sharks, eagle rays and all sorts of tropical fish.  I feel like it was a great value for such an incredibly unique and enjoyable experience and would absolutely recommend it for any diver.

Training Day

According to NBC Universal, 114 million viewers tuned in for at least some Olympic action on NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, USA, Oxygen, Bravo or Telemundo during the 2008 Beijing Olympic games. Being a part of the reality television “voyeuristic generation”, I was immersed in the Olympics.  But, truth be told, I know that true “reality shows” are perfectly scripted, not always perfectly acted, usually contrived, edited, and re-edited, all for the purpose of tantalizing it’s viewers and increasing ratings.  But, the Olympics for me was true “reality” tv.  I was holding my breath at the moment Michael Phelps captured his eighth gold medal and garnered the title of holding the most gold medals won at a single Olympics.  I watched history made and witnessed the pure joy and pride of a nation celebrating such physical prowess and stamina.  I also witnessed a national disappointment when the USA Women’s track team dropped the baton in the relay and failed to win the sprint title at the Olympics. For me, athleticism is such an admirable quality.  To watch the strength, agility, and stamina of athletes who train and excel, whether it’s in sports, competitions, meets, or a game is such an incredible thrill.

The National Training Center in Clermont is a campus designed for athletes, teams, and individuals looking to train at a state-of the-art facility.  It is a 300-acre, sports, health, fitness and education campus with a  37,000 square foot training center. It features an aquatic center, fitness center, track and field complex, cross country course, multi-purpose athletic fields and softball/baseball quadraplex.  This complex hosts a variety of events, from triathlon camps and clinics, track and field meets and a variety of children’s events and programs.  The National Training Center combines sports and athletic facilities with a hospital, medical office building, community college, and a four-year university.  It is an amazing concept and attracts athletes from all over the world.

The Glenbrook Resort is a private pool vacation home property and only 10 minutes from the NTC, located in Clermont.  If you are in the Clermont area, why not sign up for one of the many classes offered at the NTC.  If you are a visiting athlete or team and want to experience a training facility like none other, feel free to contact the NTC.

Cirque Du Soleil Lives up to the Hype

After cleaning up from spaghetti night, I raced to get dressed as I was running late for the 8pm Cirque Du Soleil show I had bought tickets for.  I hopped in my rental car and sped through Windsor Hills Resort, going much faster then the mandated 15 mph!

All my worrying turned out to be wasted energy as it took me no time at all to get to the venue (which is in the Disney’s West Side) and I ended up arriving 30 minutes early for the show.  I grabbed a Bud Light and some popcorn and took my seat, watching two mimes entertain the crowd as we all anxiously awaited the curtain rising.  The mimes were fairly amusing, however I have a small fear (okay, a large fear) of mimes so I was a little uncomfortable especially as they inched closer and closer to my row targeting unsuspecting audience members to poke fun at!  Luckily they did not choose me to prey on so I was able to relax a little and laugh at the people that became victims of the two mime’s shenanigans.

After what seemed like hours, when in actuality it was less then 30 minutes, the curtain finally rose.  I cannot even begin to explain how amazing the show was.  There was so much going on at all times and I saw some amazing stunts, tricks, and talents.  From tight rope walkers to BMX bikers to people flying around on curtains to trampoline gymnasts there was never a dull moment.  Cirque has so much visual stimuli at all times that there was not one second of the show that I was bored or not entertained by.  I wish I could better verbalize how great the show was, but unless you have seen Cirque it is hard to grasp what it’s all about and words simply just don’t do it justice when trying to describe the actual experience

The show lasted around an hour and a half and when the curtains went down I felt like it had only been watching for 20 minutes – it went by so fast and I didn’t want it to end, I wanted to see more!  I will be honest; I initially thought that the 80 dollars I spent on the ticket was a little steep, but now having seen Cirque I believe that it is worth every penny.  So, as so many people advised me before, I will now give the same advice to those reading this:  Do NOT leave Orlando without seeing Cirque Du Soleil!

Jordan