Category: Orlando

pet alliance of greater orlando

whbeebe

The Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando is the replacement for the ASPCA of Greater Orlando. My wife and I came across a little showing of the group while we were out and about Saturday. They’d set up in Bar Louie on Sand Lake. The group responsible for Pet Alliance has as one of its goals, total transparency as a non-profit. I also discovered that they’re now a no-kill shelter. That’s something I care deeply about. I was there only a few moments, but we purchased a few items, made a small donation, and I grabbed some four-footed photos.



I have a very strong attachment to my animals that carries over to those of other people. It’s why I’m attracted to organizations like Pet Alliance. Having pets makes me more human because it brings out the “better angles” of my nature. I am always saddened and horrified by stories of abuse against animals of all types. We humans have such a terrible and destructive power over all other creatures on this planet. As I grow older my desire to protect them as as much as possible grows stronger, especially from the indifferent and cruel parts of humanity. Both my grown girls have pets, and their partners have pets as well. They were born into, and grew up with pets in our household. My wife and I set a good example with a loving environment for both girls and Labs (as it was Labs we’ve had). It took hold with the girls.

Here’s to Pet Alliance’s success, now and forever in the future.

wet ‘n wild’s end is nigh

whbeebe

Wet ‘n Wild’s end is slowly approaching. Owned by Universal since 1998, Universal is planning to close this waterpark for good the end of this year. Wet ‘n Wild has had a remarkable run since first opening in 1977, when it was literally just about the only really big spot on International Drive, and I-Drive south of Sand Lake was a totally undeveloped two-lane road. Wet ‘n Wild has always been a busy spot, and continues to be a busy spot. It’s not like the crowds have dropped off; go there on any day and the parking lot is full and the park is full of people waiting to slip and slide down its various water rides.

Universal is currently building a new water park, Volcano Bay, next to it’s Cabana hotel (seen in the background) on Turkey Lake and Wallace Road. That’s at the Sand Lake exit on I-4, two exits west of the Wet ‘n Wild exit on I-4 and Kirkman. The claim is that Volcano Bay will open early 2017, which, if true, would have it open in the Spring. I have no idea how big it will be compared to Wet ‘n Wild. When it does open, and if it is as big an attraction as Wet ‘n Wild currently is, then the traffic coming through Turkey Lake, especially from the Sand Lake/Turkey Lake intersection will be horrific. Which is something like long-time residents such as myself aren’t happy to see; traffic is bad enough already.

Why Universal chose this layout is a mystery, at least to me. Wet n’ Wild is directly across from Universal Studios on I-4. They could have just as easily rebuilt Wet ‘n Wild and added a special bridge to link the main park with Wet ‘n Wild. Universal owns over 50 acres in that are that include Wet ‘n Wild, so I guess we’ll get to see what Universal has in store for the park once it’s close for good.