A Vacation for Nerds

On Saturday I caught AirTran’s direct flight to Orlando from the Branson Airport to participate in the nerdiest vacation yet – a visit to Universal Studio’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I had been craving for a real life taste of my favorite fantasy world, and this was the perfect time of the year to go.  With the newest Harry Potter movie set to release in few weeks everyone was in high Harry Potter craze mode. 

One of my greatest dreams in life was the moment in which I would stand in line waiting to be sorted into a my chosen Hogwarts house.  Just the mere thought of the sorting hat yelping out “Hufflepuff”, or perhaps “Ravenclaw,” made my knees weak.  And indeed Saturday was the day in which all of my dreams came true… well partially true.  I let a witch place the hat on my head, and I waited in sheer delight and anticipation for the results.  To my disbelief I was placed in Slytherin. It may take me awhile to get used to being an evil Prince of Darkness.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter may have made my nerd dreams come true, but there is plenty of stuff to do for those who don’t fantasize about belonging in JK Rowling’s fantasy world.  For those who like to get their thrills and more, the theme park offers stimulating rides. With my new evil persona I took to the rides like any Prince of the Darkness would; I relished in the fear of others.  Harry Potters Forbidden Journey, a fantastic roller coaster and more, caused most people to get their greatest scare and of course me my greatest enjoyment.

With so much else to do in Orlando I may just have to stay for awhile longer.  But with cheap and non-stop flights I may just have to come out here every weekend.

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Gulf Coast Fun

Before the seasonal flights to Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi stop on Branson AirExpress till spring 2011 I decided to take one last voyage to the warm beach.  I know that once winter hits I will have to rely on my memories from this trip to make it through the bitter cold.  The first thing I did was enjoy some nice Gulf Coast style seafood.  I ate my body’s weight in crab, shrimp, and lobster and sat basking and digesting in the warm sun. 

Following my delicious (and overly filling meal) I headed to the beach, but I was too distracted by the glitter and glitz of Gulfport’s casinos to make it straight there.  I ended up at the Hard Rock Casino which was like a huge Hard Rock Café with gambling.  And let me just say that casino=mega awesome.  I spent time playing some slots and looking at the numerous rock memorabilia exhibits.   After awhile I realized it was time to get my beach on.  I took a short walk from the casino to the beach front and once again took in the warm gulf sun.  I better lay out there forever to get enough warmth to make it through my Missouri winter.

Try to make it to Gulfport before the seasonal flights end!  Check out the schedule and prices here.

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