I knew that I wouldn't get much rest on our vacation and Madi delivered. Between her keeping us up for hours screaming and Pedro's snoring the rest of the time, I was pretty zombified.
Note: Hershey Lodge must have the rooms sound proofed because we didn't hear anything from our next door or upstairs neighbors and we didn't receive any complaints to shut up. Cool.
To be fair, Madi handled the four hour drive well and adapted to the hotel room, admirably. She doesn't sleep well, that's the norm.
Anyhoo, Lily wanted to do more than we were able to do and I felt bad. But my main goal for the trip was survival. I'm sure you can play mini golf almost anywhere in the world. Anyway she did get one swim in and managed to swim on her back halfway across the pool. I need to get her swimming lessons. Pedro is adamant that he wants to teach her to swim but she's almost 8 and still can't swim. By the time I was 7 or 9, can't remember, I was taking the life saver tests. I was failed on the last one, probably because I was so young. At least that's what people told me. Imagine a scrawny 90 lb ten year old swimming out to save you. :)
Anyway, room service really saved our asses. You could order from all of the restaurants. Even the bar. And I didn't think the prices were that bad. My sirloin steak was maybe a little more than I'd normally pay but OMG it was a beautiful cut. I almost didn't need a knife to cut it and no fat to speak of. I'm not sure my sirloin and their sirloin are the same thing. NOT COMPLAINING!
So I guess I should own up. When we first got to the room, I told Pedro that Lily and I were going to scope out the hotel. What I really meant was, I'm heading to the bar and having my first martini. Lily complained about the noise (there really wasn't any) and said it was probably because it was her first time in a bar. Thanks for that. It was really just part of the lobby. I did put my foot down and refused to let her sit at the bar, after she'd climbed up on a stool. I have SOME standards. And I got her a shirley temple to shut her up. I mean, for a treat.
There were fun moments. I ordered a balloon treat for Madi. She got 4 balloons and a humongous candy bar to weigh them down. Only two balloons made it back to Virginia. Next time I'll get it for her the first day we're there. She's taken one of them everywhere with her today. Including the dentist. That was fun. But her teeth look good, no cavities and no issues he could see. We got some fluoride painted on her teeth after they were cleaned. I think I'm lucky that she loves her fruit and veggies. Yes she loves candy too but she doesn't hold out for it. She'll happily steal lettuce from our salads and can't get enough raw sugar snaps. You know? We are very lucky.
Oh right, balloons. So I should've done that earlier but oh well. So Hershey Park is pretty huge. I didn't make it to the Midway America side. My feet were crying. Well, everything was by the end of the day.
Pedro took the girls back to the hotel around 4 and that's when I grabbed my fast pass. The last one. Oh boy. I've always kind of hated those people who cut in line when you've waited an hour for the ride. But hells bells, I could've maybe ridden two coasters in an hour, maybe. This allowed me to hit all of the nine major ones in 90 minutes, give or take. I didn't do the two in the Midway side because they were over there and because they looked like old school rides. Maybe I was wrong. I'm kind of more into the crazy twirly rides.
So the fast pass. At Hershey, you pay $50 per person and the pass allows you to ride one roller coaster an hour. They open up like 10 to 10:45, etc. NOW because I got mine at the end of the day, I didn't have to wait for any of them to open NOR was I constrained by a time limit. Like you have to ride the 10am coaster by 10:45 or you lose out. Do you see what I'm saying? I totally scored. I mean, don't count on doing that because they do sell out. I happened to fluke out. And I wouldn't want to be there all day waiting for the rides to open up. Seriously, it was meant to be. :)
Anyway, most people gave me the hairy eyeball when I was escorted to my seat. I feel ya. I hate those assholes too. But I was that asshole. lol!
So the first tide was Sky Rush, or something. Bear in mind I was trying to do this as quickly as possible. The rides kind of blended together. It was one of the rides that you can't have anything loose on, so I had everything stuff in my pockets. Usually with the fast pass you are stuffed in the middle row but they put me at the back. Everyone knows it's a little wilder at the back. Sweet murgatroid. Almost immediately I felt like my phone was slipping out of my pocket so I let go to shove my hand in my pocket. Well, the g forces were so strong that even me, teutonic brick house that I am, was being flung about in my seat. To try to counter the forces I tucked my legs under the seat and cross them and encountered sharp metal. Anyway, I stopped bleeding pretty quickly but my legs are still bruised. Also, I felt half undressed when I got off the ride. My shirt had gone up and my shorts down. Good grief. I mean, it was a great ride but it was something else.
There was another ride that takes off I swear you go zero to sixty in two seconds. I didn't know. I didn't know about any of these rides. So I'm looking to see where the next ride is and all of a sudden I can't even turn my head as we're rocketing up the track. I mean, holy crap. Can't they warn you?
Phew.
So there was the Great Bear which was loads of fun. Twirling one way then the other. The Comet was kind of boring. Sorry. There was one where you go forwards and backwards. That was fun. But the last one I did was Fahrenheit. OMG I put that pic on facebook. You go straight up then loop in a bit so you're going a little upside down on the way down. I screamed so hard. And laughed. That is a great ride. I couldn't stop laughing.
So in addition to my bruises and scabs, I'm hoarse. Oh poor Sonia. Having fun and cutting in line. lol I'm so surprised by how sore I am. I saw a bunch of bruises under my arms too. Damn. I am glad that I did this because if I've learned anything in life it's that you don't know what the future holds so carpe diem. And it just so happened that everything worked in my favor. And I tried to play it smart. Didn't eat much. Favored smoothies over solid foods. So I kept everyone hydrated and moving.
Oh and you can rent strollers there. I thought $17 for a double wide was a good deal. They have nice high handles too, which Pedro appreciated. Oh and we made Madi walk a lot. She actually slept through the night last night. I'm sure she's as tired as we are. :) Oh and we did make Madi go on one ride: Tea cups. hahahahaha She hated it. Lily was busy twirling the cup and Madi was trying just as hard to stop her. It was hilarious. Madi liked the zoo and seeing the fish and birds. They had a couple of wolves and some sleepy black bears. A shit-ton of geese. Good grief. They have stations set up at different parts of the park where you can pay for dried corn and feed the geese. Pedro and Lily did this and he said they are lazy bastards that wait for food to be thrown at them. I told them I'd see them at Thanksgiving. WHAT?
Since it's Hershey Park (and lodge) chocolate is featured in almost everything. Shampoo and conditioner? Cocoa bean. Everyone walks around smelling and smelling like chocolate. Lily and I walked outside one time and they must have had the factory fired up because all we could smell was chocolate. I'm sure you get the idea.
So here's the spoiler: They make macadamia nut kisses!!! I had no idea. They don't make them in PA, but don't think I'm not going to order some from Hawaii. I'll bet they're awesome.
I only have four martini glasses. Pedro helped me out. He discovered that drinking a martini in one gulp helps you sleep. *eyeroll*
Lily needs me to help her play her game. So I'd better go parent or something. :)
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