Vacation Paralyzation

It's getting to the point where we can book cheap last-minute vacations for our scheduled time off. And there's some pretty cheap deals out there. My problem? I'm burned out. All of a sudden those vacation ideas like NYC and DC aren't what I want. I don't want to have to think about travel or about itineraries. What I want is a cruise. But since we still don't have passports, that's out.

So...the beach?

Well, vacation is still far enough away that I don't know whether a Florida beach vacation on either coast is advisable. Damn oil spill!

And then I thought maybe we can find a cheap deal very locally, and have a Universal-Sea World staycation. We already have some Universal tickets, and Discovery Cove for 2 would still be cheaper than airfare anywhere else! Heck, I don't even WANT to swim with a dolphin. I just want to go snorkel and laze around and be take care of for the day!

Other than "out of the house," I don't know what Scott really wants. Maybe we can figure that out today.

Breaking News

BURBANK, Calif. - Spider-Man and Iron Man have a new boss: The Walt Disney
Co.

Disney announced this morning that it is buying Marvel Entertainment -- and the more than 5,000 Marvel characters.They include X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four and Thor.

"This is a great fit for us," Disney boss Bob Iger told CNBC this morning. He said the acquisition was a way to attract more boys.

(via Orlando Sentinel)

Well, the Pixar deal worked out quite well for Disney, so I imagine this will pay off as well. Marvel characters have had an amazing run in theaters recently, and I'm sure Disney is happy to get their hands on the rights.

Here's the part that I find fascinating: the most popular part of Universal's Islands of Adventure park is Marvel Superhero Island, featuring the Hulk coaster and the Spider Man simulator ride. Right off the bat, I would guess that every time someone buys a co-branded Universal/Marvel souvenir, my stock will reflect that.

Also, Universal is currently re-negotiating with Steven Spielberg regarding his stake in the parks. Will the same thing happen with the Marvel characters? Will IOA dump Marvel and end up with a completely re-themed land? Or will Disney continue to make a buck every day off a rival park?

Whatever happens, I think this means good things for my stock long-term!

Picture from Yesterday

Scott rides the Caro-Seuss-El at Islands of Adventure. There was an equally embarrassing photo of me, but I was terribly back-lit. That's a shame, because my "horse" was much cooler than Scott's!

Full Day

I had my annual visit to the girly doctor today (and was a little hurt that he didn't comment on my pink-on-pink knee socks). Nothing to report there.

After that fun was over, Scott and I went over to Universal. We finally got to try out the Simpsons ride (fun, but it made me a little nauseous). We did three rides in Islands of Adventure, and just the one on the Universal side because Men in Black went 101 right when we walked up. Oh well... we still had fun and got sore feet. :)

Then, trip trip to Publix to buy a pound of butter... and some other stuff. Scott's got cornbread in the oven, which means that Thanksgiving food preparation has officially begun. Mmm... gluttony...

Universal Fun

Scott and I went over to Universal Orlando today. We got rained on, I didn't have my ID (no booze for me), and we only rode a handful of rides. But we sure had a lot of fun! Here's some pictures from Scott's camera phone:

And here's the link to the album for Scott, so that he can change his darn myspace profile picture!