It's been 20 years since I've been to Orlando, but I remember some little things from Disney and Sea World. I remember Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World. I remember Shamu and the Sting Ray Lagoon, where you pet the fish. But everything else was new to me, particularly Epcot, which didn't yet exist in 1983. So Casey and I tackled Sea World, compliments of Brian, who met us at the ticket windows with free passes to the park. We quickly made our way to Kraken, the roller coaster, and after riding discussed whether it should be pronounced "CRACK-en," "CROC-en," or "CRAY-ken." I went with "CRACK-en" and Casey stood by "CROC-en" because it sounds more exotic. We then decided we needed our cameras and shot back to the hotel, which was across the street.

Upon our return, we visited with the animals � the flamingoes with their bobbing heads, the sea turtles, the parrots and toucans, the PENGUINS! The stately King Penguins and the young ones chasing each other, darting through the water like torpedoes. We walked through the shark tank and around back to the Budweiser Clydsdale stables (where Classic was happy to see us, if you know what I mean) and over to the seal and sea lion pool.

At 1:30 at the Key West Dolphin Stadium, Brian ran part of the show, donning the headset and talking to the audience as well as the dolphins � Starbuck, Orlando, a third whose name I forget, and Phil. Brian shot through the water, a dolphin pushing him along, its nose to his foot. Afterwards, he invited us behind the scenes and out to the lighthouse at the center of the stadium. There, we pet Phil in the water, commanded him to jump up and sping, and he flopped up onto the deck where we knelt for a photograph with him. His name isn't really Phil, Brian explained, that's just his stage name so that the names can remain consistent even if an animal dies or is taken out of the show. When that happens, people ask questions and are worried.

"They're like strippers!" Casey pointed out. "They have stage names!"

What this means, of course, is that the Shamu I saw in 1983 is probably not the same killer whale performing today.

We stopped to see the manatees � the "sea cows" � before leaving, but continued imitating the animals we'd seen � the moray eel, the king penguin, the under- and over-bite fish, the manatee and dolphins (awaiting, open-mouthed, for food). Leaving Sea World around 2:30, we were out at the pool by 3 and remained in the water and the sun until after 5, when we continued our tradition of wine & cheese before dinner.

After tapas � not traditional Spanish cuisine, just the idea of sharing different dishes � Casey and I went out with Brian and Laura to another one of Orlando's popular, colorful, brightly light outdoor chain restaurant/bars in a shopping center.

But nothing beats good beer and good friends, no matter where you are.