T and T do the triple - day 7 (Universal Studios and Dis meet)

[Latte Lover]

We are:

Tony, (DH – Tony64) age 44 - in charge of driving, collecting coffee and doughnuts for breakfast, running to get fast passes and generally stressing. This is his ninth trip.

Theresa (me), age 43 - in charge of the credit cards and plotting quickest routes to the shopping malls. This is my tenth trip.

Maddie (DD), age 19 - jointly in charge of where we eat, shop and play this trip. This is her seventh trip.

Callum (DS) age 18 - in charge of himself. This is his seventh trip.


Friday 29th August 2008

We were up VERY early today (Maddie made us) and we were at Universal Studios by 8.30. There were very few people waiting, but to our surprise we were allowed through the gates just a few minutes later and we headed straight for The Simpsons ride. It was very strange walking through a deserted park.

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We were the very first people on The Simpsons! The ride was fun, but I miss Back to the Future.

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The park was extremely quiet for the first hour or two. There was hardly anyone but us at the back of the park. We rode Men in Black twice (no queue at all), then bumped into MandyMouse and her family. We had a quick chat then went our separate ways as we were meeting up again later.

We went on The Mummy next (twice) and then Jimmy Neutron (no queues again), then stopped at Starbucks for coffee and cakes.

Terminator 2:3D was next and then we decided to have lunch at the International Food and Film Festival.
Maddie and Callum had pizza and Tony and I had stir-fried beef and orange chicken with rice. Not bad, and made a change from fries.

We wandered round to Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone next. I know it’s supposed to be for young children, but we really like the Nuthouse coaster so we had a quick go with all the little kiddies as there was no queue.


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Next, we took off our shoes and did lots of silly playing about in the water at Curious George Goes To Town. (It’s probably supposed to be for children too, but we weren’t the only adults there!).

We had a quick browse in the shops and I couldn’t resist buying a mini Donkey (from Shrek) bobblehead. I’m going to put him on the dashboard of my car so his head can bob.

At 3.30 we headed out of the park to Margaritaville in City Walk where we met up with Mandy (MandyMouse) and Rachel (JJK) and their families. It was fun to see them and talk Disney and I tried a Bahama Mama for the first time!
(Plus a Pina Colada or two).

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As Maddie and Callum were choosing where to eat this holiday, they decided on the IHOP for dinner, so we left City Walk and went back to the car. To our horror it was absolutely full of ants! Hundreds of really tiny black ones! We must have looked ridiculous as all four of us smacked and wacked at them with magazines. We must have squashed hundreds of them before finally getting in and driving off. For days afterwards, everytime we got in the car they would come running out of their hiding places and crawl on us.

We eventually got to the IHOP where I chose Ham and egg sandwich with hash browns, Tony chose philly cheese steak, Cal had ribs and Maddie had chicken strips and garlic bread. Tony and I shared our favourite dessert –the banana and caramel fried cheesecake, and Cal had a massive stack of chocolate chip pancakes, only half of which he could eat; the rest went home in a box. $62 plus tip.

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We were practically the only people in the IHOP and had the undivided attention of 3 servers. One of them was very chatty. He told us he also worked at Disney but was currently suspended! We were dying to know what for, but didn’t like to ask.

We stopped off at Walmart on the way home and yet more DVDs were bought along with essentials like cookies.

Tomorrow – another early start (that’s 3 in a row and I don’t like early) as we’re going to Epcot.

[Pinky166]

You are torturing me with all this food porn!!! Those choclate chip pancakes look scrummy! :tongue:

Sounds like a great day, looking forward to reading more. :goodvibes

[natalielongstaff]

now i want to know why he was suspended as well :rotfl2:

[Beth__WDW23/6/02]

Oh my how scrummy do those Pancakes look mmmmmmm :goodvibes
Sounds like another great day :thumbsup2

[mandymouse]

I couldn't believe how quiet Universal Studios was that day

It was lovely to meet you all, it's always nice to talk 'Disney' with people who don't think your bonkers :)

Another great day :thumbsup2

[SusanEllen]

I probably should vow NOT to read trip reports on my lunch break--at least, not yours! Maybe you could put a Yummy Food warning in the title. I have to say that the Bucklands have their priorities right to my way of thinking--all the good fun and food you can take, then on the way back home stop for cookies and bargain movies. It's like we're cousins.

[irongirlof12]

how nice to have the park to yourselves for a while :thumbsup2
not sure I would have got in the car with all those ants .

[Minniespal]

now i want to know why he was suspended as well :rotfl2:

Me too:thumbsup2

[UKDEB]

We were up VERY early today (Maddie made us) and we were at Universal Studios by 8.30. There were very few people waiting, but to our surprise we were allowed through the gates just a few minutes later and we headed straight for The Simpsons ride. It was very strange walking through a deserted park.
We've done that once or twice at Universal and found it very weird. At Disney, it's a good thing, but at Universal we couldn't wait for more people to arrive. It is a good opportunity to get some great photos, though.

I tried a Bahama Mama for the first time!
(Plus a Pina Colada or two).
Good girl! :thumbsup2

He told us he also worked at Disney but was currently suspended! We were dying to know what for, but didn’t like to ask.
You Bucklands are way too polite. Surely you've spent enough time with Matt for some of it to have rubbed off? :rotfl:

[Snowy-girls]

We can't wait to try The Simpsons next year,but i have a feeling i am also going to miss Back To The Future,i still miss Kongfrontation.
We love IHOP and i love there choc chip pancakes :thumbsup2 .x.

[jockey]

Great day and pics, that food looks yummy!:)

[jjk]

lovely day, it was great to meet you all :goodvibes

[Chilly]

I would have asked why he was suspended!

Those pancakes look so good.

[cazzie]

I must admit I would have asked why he had been suspended. :rotfl:

[mark&sue]

so empty at universal. your photo of the simpsons ride is great. how wonderful to have a dis meet up.

thanks again for the food photos. absolutely love them



susan

[florida sun]

Oh I have to stop reading these reports, that food is killing me:goodvibes

[KayleeUK]

I WANT those Chocolate Chip pancakes!!!

[wicket2005]

Another lovely report. I fancy trying IHOP too now after seeing those photos. How lovely to meet up with fellow DISers.

[Cyrano]

Don't like the sound of a car full of ants :headache:

[tennisfan]

I so want some of those chocolate chip pancakes. Another great day:thumbsup2