Universal Studios Orlando

The boys and I met Amy at the airport yesterday after she returned from Phoenix and flew down to Orlando for a night break.  We arrived at Loews Sapphire Falls at a time to check in and head down to the water taxi to go to City Walk for dinner.  We decided on Antojitos for some Mexican.  Good meal topped off with the boys being blown away by the mariachi band.  It had been a long day so we were back on the boat early to get to the hotel.

We had an early start to get to Universal Studios as they allow resort guests in an hour before everyone else  After a stop at Starbucks and Voodoo Donuts for breakfast we were in the park by 8.30am.

B&L Voodoo Doughnuts

We decided on Universal instead of Disneyworld, as we chose Harry Potter over Star Wars, so like most people we were in the gates and headed to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  We walked passed Kings Cross Station but the non-descript entrance meant we straight past where we needed to be and had to resort to the map to find our way.  But once we found it -WOW!  This place is ridiculous.  B is the big fan, and if my mind (not really into it) was blown, I can only imagine what was going through his head.  While we weren't in Ollivander's, we let the boys pick a wand each, which can be used throughout the Harry Potter worlds to cast spells.  They didn't know which wand was which but B picked Harry Potter's and L ended up with Dumbledore's (after rejecting Voldemort's).  At certain area's you wave the wand, say the spell and different things will happen (a water fountain goes off, things move - it's pretty brilliant).  We walked up Diagon Alley to our first ride, Escape From Gringott's.  This simulator 3D ride takes you to the depths of the bank while spells are cast on you, dragons attack and lightning is cast at you by the characters.  It was so lifelike and fun.  We're all hooked.  After looking through Horizint Alley and Nocturn Alley left Harry Potter to explore the rest of the park.

 B, Mom & L @ Diagon Alley

 B, L & Mom

Knockturn Alley

At L's request we went over to Springfield.  We went on the Simpson's Ride (another simulator) which was a blast, then B and I went on Kang & Kodos' Twirl n Hurl.  After a couple of obligatory photos with Bart & Lisa,and at Moe's Tavern it was already lunchtime.

An old man makes his family meet his heroes

We walked back over to Harry Potter to have lunch at The Leaky Cauldron.  Again I can't get over the detail in this place.  Here we had our first Butterbeer.  Sweet mother of sugar!  Creaming soda topped with whipped butter/cream.  Sharing one was great.  The second was too much sweetness for us.  We did another quick walk around to cast a few more spells, and while L and I were in the restroom, Mom and B got to see the dragon on top of Gringott's fire up.  Everyone was pretty buzzed after that, L & I had no idea what was going on.

We headed over to the ET ride after lunch.  We need something gentle after eating and this was just the ticket.  I vaguely remember going on this 20 years ago when I was here with Reggae, Marie, Cousin Suz & Kim.  The ride itself if a great reflection on the movie, but is definitely showing it's age in relation to what else is in the park.

As a change of pace we went on Transformers.  Like most rides here, a simulator.  It was a pretty wild ride.  Very loud and shaky and the 3D effects again were fantastic.  I know at the boys age I'd have shit myself on that ride, but they held their own and were still ready for more. 

On to Shrek 4D for, again, a gentler ride.  A fun story that saw the seats shake a little, a couple of 3D effects and of course 4D being some splashed water and remnants from Donkey's sneeze.  A great one for the kids.

For some reason L wanted to go on Jimmy Fallon's Race Through New York, so off we went.  I'm not sure if it was too busy because we were waved through the Express Lane and were on the ride straight away.  Again you watch a big screen as you race Jimmy Fallon around New York in 3D.  All the landmarks are there, as well as a gut-turning trip to the moon and back.  It ended up being L's favorite ride of the stay.

That ride broke Mom, so while she rested, the boys and I went on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem.  This was another fun ride, especially for the boys.  It also allowed us to stay out the Florida shower until the ride was over.  

Our last ride was the Men In Black Alien Attack at the back of the park, but not before we stopped at an ice cream shop near where we had seen the Mystery Machine parked.  Again Mom bailed on this ride and the boys and I had a blast chasing and shooting aliens, only to be zapped by the memory eraser at the end.  We'll have to get the boys to see the movie - I thought it was great.

Something from our generation

We were spent!  It was too early for dinner, so we went back to the hotel for a bit before, mistakenly (we had underestimated how tired the boys were) going back to the City Walk for a great Italian dinner at VIVO.

What an amazing day!  I was totally under prepared for how much fun I'd have.  And Amy loved it and the boys just had the best time.  But boy does it take it out of you.  I don't remember much from visiting here 20 years ago without looking at an old diary (see the blog on 17 June 2000).  I believe this is because only Men In Black & ET remain from that visit.  It's a completely different place.

I expect we'll all sleep well tonight.  Get ready Islands of Adventure - we'll see you tomorrow.