Day 14: Final Universal Day

Our last full day in Orlando so we returned to our favourite spot of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. We were up early and walked to Universal again, it seems other people had the same idea as our lonesome walk was now shared with six other people. Not only did these ruin our final journey but the woman in front of us decided to light up and put us right in the line of second hand smoke. Thanks lady.

Once we got to our destination we headed straight for Hogwarts, but it was only 8:50 and so only early access people were being let through…that was us, once. My mind boggled at the thought of the hoards of people going in through the early access line when there was only 10 minutes until the actual line opened, not really taking full advantage!

When the masses were unleashed it was a sea of bodies all headed in one direction and upon reaching Hogwarts the line was already outside the castle and the line time showed as 45 minutes. We decided to sneak in the back way and boom, we were straight on the ride again. Result. Afterwards, smiles on our faces and the desire to watch the Harry Potter movies again, we splurged and bought Debora a shirt and a fully working Maurders Map! We’re going to need a display cabinet for when we get home.

Then we rode Flight of the Hippogriff, a really short rollercoaster where you get to see a hippogriff but only Hagrid’s house. Harry Potter Land really lacks Hagrid and Snape. It was then onto the water show of Posideon’s Fury which was fun and got us out of the really stifling heat. Finally a final trip on the Spider-Man ride before we headed over to Universal.

At Universal we were met with Bart and Lisa so we posed with them before heading towards Despicable Me. The line was 80 minutes long so we went straight to the shop where we met a minion for another photo op. We had two other ride photos that we needed to get for our photo card so we went on the Mummy ride and Men In Black: Alien Attack before heading to Krusty Burger for lunch.

After lunch it was a ride on the Simpson’s ride again – they really need to put the safety instructions in Spanish as the annoying people in front of us decided to use flash photography, but the ride was shaking them so much the pictures looked awful. Then we headed to more photo ops with Optimus Prime, Shrek and Donkey – who talks to you – and Doc. Brown! We had a fun little chat about him building time machines and where I was from, as I said goodbye, he pulled me aside and whispered “Hail Hydra” having obviously noticed my Captain America shirt. I then went on the Hollywood Rip, Ride and Rocket. This was really good but I didn’t get the video package of it – no one needs to see that.

Finally it was time to bid farewell to Universal. We had done everything, enjoyed our day, enjoyed our stay but will be happy not to have to use our feet again for a while…