Day 14: Final Universal Day

Posted on May 21, 2014May 27, 2014 by Y2Neil

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…

Day 12: Universal in IMAX

Posted on May 19, 2014May 27, 2014 by Y2Neil

We made plans yesterday to see a movie at the AMC IMAX cinema and have a posh meal at one of the more fancier restaurants at City Walk. But we hadn’t planned on spending the whole day at Universal. We walked to the park and had some breakfast at Cinnabon, a large cinnamon bun which was very cinnamony, before heading into Islands of Adventure where we went on the Hulk coaster again. Debora conquered the Hulk for the second time! The ride photo was quite good so we inquired about buying it but were talked into buying the photocard. All ride and character photos for $50. This then sparked a panic of getting as many photos as we could before the day was out.

Tired out from photo snapping, we stopped for a drink at the Three Broomsticks. Lemonade for me, frozen butterbeer for Debora. The menu at the Three Broomsticks is traditionally British with cottage pie and fish and chips, but it’s still a mass fast food hall which is a shame, as that’s not British.

In Super Hero Square Debora was accosted by the Green Goblin and I bowed down to Doctor Doom. We then posed with Spider-Man – YAY – who we told about the Green Goblin outside so he ran off to fight them. We were able to get photos with all the other Marvel heroes in the park before heading down to the cinema where we saw Godzilla in 3D on an IMAX screen. The screen really wasn’t that huge and the chairs, despite being leather and reclining, weren’t that comfy. The film was OK although ended pretty strangely but we got to experience the American movie with people cheering at parts and applauding at others.

We made the mistake of buying a large popcorn/drink combo deal. The popcorn bucket was HUGE and you could get free refills on it which would have been great if the popcorn wasn’t horrible salty/cheese combo. Ugh.

Then we went to our reserved dinner date, our first meal without fries and the first with a tablecloth. I did a fine job of getting sauce on said tablecloth and my napkin. I did feel the meal was overpriced, but still tasty. As is tradition in America, all service was really quick, far too quick that you don’t really get a chance for your meal to settle.

Our day ended with more photo opportunities in Universal Studios and when we went to confirm all the photos – disaster! It appears that another families photos had been attached to my card. They were using my email address, somehow?! We managed to recover all our snaps and got them associated to another card, but we were a little worried for a moment there and moreso, who’s using my e-mail address?

We’re not playing the “how many comments can you get on your shirt” game anymore, as today Debora wore her new Doctor Who tardis dress. Everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE, commented on how awesome her dress was. People stopped her to ask where she got it, guess where – IN THIS VERY PARK! It got Debora rather embarrassed and me, really jealous.

Two days left, we’re Disneying tomorrow for more rides and photos and back at Universal on Tuesday. Our feet are still ruined.

Day 11: Premium Outlets, Mini Golf and Mardi Gras

Posted on May 18, 2014May 27, 2014 by Y2Neil

After yesterday’s late night, we were both surprised to find we slept in until around nine am! We woke up leisurely and dropped down to Ihop for breakfast. It was rammed in there but we weren’t waiting long for some strawberry and banana pancakes and a garden omelette. Debora couldn’t finish her iced coffee so we asked for it to go and the server gave her a whole new one at no extra charge.

We then walked down I-Drive looking for the Florida Mall but must have taken the wrong turn somewhere so backtracked our way to the nearest I-Ride stop. When we finally got to the shops, they were a little too pretentious for our liking. We’re not brand name or label people, so instead of shopping at Tommy Hilfiger or Lacoste, we spent most of our time in the Disney store. All these are “outlet” shops, which means they’re trying to get rid of damaged, defaced and old stock. There were ranges from 2012 in there and this really defective Animal from The Muppets.

Bored of shopping, we headed back to the hotel for a quick refresh before heading down to Universal Studios again. We booked our usual cab but it didn’t turn up, so I went into the hotel to ask them to call the company. They said “we have our own car company and you can hop in one just outside”, so we did. This was a ‘Town and Country’ cab, it didn’t have a meter inside so whilst we’ve been paying around $6 in every usual cab, this guy decided to charge us $10 when we got to the destination. Although, he asked us how much we were going to give him, when I said six, he then told us it was ten. Why the hell ask then?

First of all we booked our Sunday. Tickets to Godzilla in 3D IMAX and a meal at a posh restaurant. Then we went into Universal and ate at Krusty Burger, both opting for the Garden Burger which we were told (or warned) was vegetarian…yeah, we know. Inside the Simpsons food hall there are Simpsons clips playing on a loop, not long enough of a loop. We heard the same clips about five times!

We watched the Horror Make Up Show which could have featured more horror make up than just jokes and video clips before heading back out and going on the haunted mini golf course. Both Debora and I got hole in ones in this ghostly themed course which featured ghouls spitting water at you on one course.

Finally, we went back into Universal to watch their Mardi Gras parade, lots of floats and people on stilts throwing beads into the crowd. People went mental for those beads. We were able to get a couple but I nearly lost my sunglasses in the process! When we got back to the hotel we popped out for a twisty treat – soft ice cream – and then waited at the crossing for about five minutes before finally getting to bed.

Day 9: Sea World & Universal

Posted on May 16, 2014May 27, 2014 by Y2Neil

Last Thursday was our first full day in Orlando and we visited Sea World. One week later, we did the same. The last time ‘Journey To Atlantis’ was closed whilst we were queuing and this time it was down for maintenance. Another sign this was not the ride for us. We then were going to go on the Manta Ray ride but a pending thunder storm saw them close the attraction. Typical.

We watched the Shamu show again, from a safer distance this time, which was still just as good. Then we went to the Arctic section and saw some Beluga whales and then a really shabby and sad looking polar bear. He kept pacing the same route over and over, it was really sad to watch. We then saw the walrus who again looked really sad and was swimming in the same pattern. Not nice.

Then we went to the ‘Pets Ahoy’ which featured cats, dogs and other farm yard animals performing tricks. This was really fun and all the animals used in the show are rescue animals – hurrah! After, we got to pet the puppies which is always good.

Having spent a long time waiting and driving down to Sea World we took the I-Trolley back up to the hotel in the middle of the afternoon. Halfway through the journey, the driver had to change shifts so we were stuck in the bus station for ten minutes waiting for them to sort the next driver out.

After a recharge we went down to Islands of Adventure. It was due to close in an hour so we thought the lines would be quiet. It had just rained too and we were able to get on the Harry Potter and Spider-Man rides again with no wait times. I’m really loving Universal. We then hopped over to Universal Studios as the heavens opened and drenched us. We joined the queue for Despicable Me, a thirty minute wait but it dried us off. This ride was really violent, it bumped and shook you around in the car vigorously and I’m not sure it’s really suitable for little ones. Both Debora and I came off with sore necks.

We then walked around the park again as dusk settled, Universal by night really is beautiful. We went straight onto the Transformers ride again and saw a photo op with Optimus Prime. This isn’t a man in a silly costume, it’s an actual robot. Impressive! But the most important photo stop of the day was still to come. I think I might Gosling/Culkin this for years to come.

Then it was straight onto The Simpsons again, this time we were front row and it was a much better experience. Although it still needs some extra’s like a splash of water and some smells. We then picked up some Lard Lad Donuts and marvelled at the food court. It’s not just Krusty Burger but Luigi’s Pizza, Moes, a Lisa’s Healthy stop, Frying Dutchman and BumbleBee Man’s Tacos. Excellent.

We skipped by the Men In Black ride and pined a little over the Diagon Alley attraction that’s behind the fences. Finally bought some merch and headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow is Star Wars Friday and we need our rest!

Day 3: Universal & NXT

Posted on May 10, 2014May 27, 2014 by Y2Neil

I’m writing this on the morning of Day 4, we’re both shattered so this will be brief until I can complete it later.

We started the day by grabbing a pancake at the Ihop. Debora had some banana brioche and I had the New York Strawberry Cheesecake pancakes. Very tasty stuff. Breakfast have been the most expensive meals we’ve had so far though!

We decided to go see Universal Studios in the daylight this time. Again, it’s boiling hot, highs of 33 today, but thankfully the rides are mostly inside. Despicable Me had a long wait time so we decided to leave it until later, the line was still long later so we will go back to it next time we’re there. We are going back as we both saw some merch we liked.

The first ride we went on was Transformers. This happened to be the best of the day. In the world of motion simulators with 3D effects, this was by far the one that outshone the others – I hope Spidey can live up to it! We then went to Twister – very dated but still enjoyable. On the Disaster movie ride I was selected to be part of the volunteers who got filmed and spliced into a movie later. Much fun.

Men In Black was next, another rather dated ride but fun nonetheless. Then we were finally in Springfield. The time wasn’t on our side but the line for The Simpsons was short so we stopped there but will have to visit all the themed shops again later, like Moe’s, the Kwick-E-Mart and Krusty Burger. The Simpsons ride replaced the Back to the Future ride but it’s using exactly the same premise/machine and I didn’t think it did it as welll.

We saw some of Diagon Alley behind fences, it looks great and its a shame it’s not open! As the day drew to a close we went on Shrek 4D – yet another 3D in a dbox chair movie. Again, it’s probably had its day in the sun.

Then it was a quick trip to the hotel where we hopped in our cab and off to the middle of nowhere for NXT. Despite the tickets saying we could pick up at 5.30 they didn’t open the doors until 6.30. There was then no water other than a fountain and this really was like wrestling in a bingo hall.

Our taxi driver assured us we had to pay him in full, for both the outbound and return journey. I asked him how we knew he’d come back since he’d now been paid for both trips, but he promised he’d be back.

What added to the disappointment was the fact there was only two rows of chairs. When booking the tickets online it sounded so tempting to be sat front row in the “golden circle”, in reality, you could still be sitting in the second row, have exactly the same view, you just had a seat. There were more seats in rows around the entrance and on the opposite side of the ring but still.

The arena got quite packed, standing room only in fact and even that was probably over capacity. We were treated to a meet and greet before the show, but I didn’t recognise many people, hopefully they’ll be stars one day. I’m sure the Big Bambino will be, he has the look and the gimmick to succeed. The two people I did recognise were divas – Bailey and none other than the Divas Champion Paige. What a treat. We spoke to her and she said she thought we had to be British, we were so pale!

Aiden English was at the show – but he didn’t sing and was in tag action against The Ascension. What should have been a squash match was actually really long and English got some great offence on the go. The highlight however had to be Adam Rose! He came out, said his catchphrase, threw out some t-shirts and then left again, but still, fun!

About half way through the show some fans, dressed as bunnies entered. Everyone had a good laugh at them until they started misbehaving and were eventually thrown out – not sure what for. Adam Rose would then tweet that he hates it when bunnies turn bad.

After the show we waited outside for our ride back. We waited and waited…Eventually even the wrestlers were leaving – after being accosted by the groupies which we were now looking like we were! I tried calling but my phone wouldn’t work so we had to go to the general public. On our third attempt, we found someone willing to help us out and call a cab, but Siri appeared to be misbehaving and finding nothing but Mexican firms. Just as she found a local one, our driver turned up. Half an hour late. Thank you to the mystery helper, but damnit, had this been a bad night.