Seuss Landing, a Whimsical Place (A Photo Essay)

When I was young, my mother used to tell me

"Julie, you were never a child. You were born a little old lady."

I took it as an insult, and it may have been intended that way; I don't know. Perhaps it was just my mother's way of summing up my empathic nature, in simpler words.

Whatever it was, I accepted it, and it wasn't until just a few years ago that I began "missing" my childhood and wishing I had one to remember.

That's the only explanation I can find, for loving this place: Seuss Landing, located in Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure in Orlando.

The first time I visited Islands, I went the opposite direction, but kept looking back in wonder at what I saw, and when we looped all the way around the park and found it in front of me, I was absolutely enchanted.

I've never visited the eating establishments here, for the most part, because no matter what you call them, it's still bad amusement park food that they serve. But I imagine that a child might find some magic in eating among such surroundings...

I did ride the trolley one time; not this time, because our time was short...

But how can you not love the colors and the names...?

The trolley ride takes you all around Seuss Landing... and though it's fit for children, it's still fun!

Who wouldn't want to visit this house?

The Caro-seuss-el is another thing I've not yet tried, here...

Though I did venture onto One fish two fish, once, with a four year-old granddaughter...

And the Cat in the Hat ride is quite (unexpectedly) fun.

How can you not love this?

This guy has taken some wear and tear from children climbing...

My husband loved this one, where you shoot water at the bathtub and this friend pops out.

I don't remember a Joe, but here's his photo all the same.

And the cow just went on and on...

It was obviously a place the kids loved. The first time I visited this little "park," a little girl in diapers came running up to me and threw herself into my arms, laughing...

I've always wanted to open a small cafe, serving up some of my specialty dishes...

Why couldn't it be here?

Ah, we can wish, can't we?

I think what I love best about Seuss Landing is that there are no mysteries here at all... just a world of fun.