Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW *July 2013 Trip Report Link*

[natebenma]

I saw the movie but don't think they go into detail about Dumbledore's sister.
It was really good though! Have fun.

Did you say you have to have a kid less than 54" w/ you on the pteronodon flyers ride?
Ben looks taller than 54"?
We didn't do that ride last year b/c line was too long and I was the only one who wanted to go on it.

I rechecked my guide book- it looks like the limit is actually under 56 inches of height. Just measured Ben and he squeaks in under the limit at 55 inches! It would appear this year was our only chance to enjoy this ride!

 

[ARmom30]

Originally, I though Dumbledore's sister was a squib, but then my research showed she just chose not to use her magical powers.

I still have not seen DHP2, does the movie go into that storyline at all?

I think we are going Tuesday since the weather is supposed to be not so great here.

I finally got to watch Part 2 last Friday night. Arianna is in the movie , but they don't explain what happened to her.

Great views from the the top of The Olive!

 

[jenneth79]

Sounds like a great day, minus the closed rides! Boooooo.....

Why do you think they are so strict about picture taking in general? Just worried about people dropping cameras or do they want to keep the rides in the "dark" so people will ride them to find out what they look like?

 

[aprilisis]

You have a ton of great photos! I love that viewpoint from Olive's ship. Jurassic Park river adventure was closed when I was there in May, too. I was totally bummed out that I missed it. I love that ride!

 

[natebenma]

I finally got to watch Part 2 last Friday night. Arianna is in the movie , but they don't explain what happened to her.

Great views from the the top of The Olive!

Yes, you really get a great vantage point of the park up there. And the water cannons kept everyone else engaged while I was up there snapping away.

Sounds like a great day, minus the closed rides! Boooooo.....

Why do you think they are so strict about picture taking in general? Just worried about people dropping cameras or do they want to keep the rides in the "dark" so people will ride them to find out what they look like?

I don't know why they are so strict about the pictures, but I do know I have never been tempted to purchase a ride photo when I have a camera in front of my face...

You have a ton of great photos! I love that viewpoint from Olive's ship. Jurassic Park river adventure was closed when I was there in May, too. I was totally bummed out that I missed it. I love that ride!

We still have a few more visits to IoA planned for this trip, so maybe our luck will change!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I was a couple of updates behind. Your comparisons of the Universal attractions to the Disney attractions are helping me immensely. You know I'm a detail person so every little detail you post, I'm tucking away just in case we venture over to Universal next trip.

I had no idea that Universal restaurants would give you a AAA discount. Another good fact to tuck away for future reference.

Even though I have never read nor watched anything Harry Potter related, your pictures make me want to visit that section of the park so badly. I know that Hunter would absolutely love it.

Too bad that the Jurassic Park section wasn't open so that you could hit it up early in the day. I can hardly wait to see it all.

 

[bubba's mom]

You had to know I'd come looking for your report

I'm glad you didn't get lost on the shortcut. It is very easy, just explaining it is a little confusing....

I can't believe you got to sit next to the fish in Lombards! I've been trying to score a seat there for a couple of years! Maybe someday....

Have I mentioned that the Front of the Line for resort guests really ROCKS???

We walked onto rides while others were waiting an hour or more, out in the heat for a 3 minute ride or attraction. Disney does a much better job airconditioning their queues.

Ahhh...but that is Universal's ploy to get you to stay onsite I go on vacation to have fun and relax...not stand in hour-long lines!

The Potter party you had looks awesome. Looks like you did a great job! I'm sure he loved it and everyone had a good time!

Sounds like you really enjoyed Universal. And, I'm glad. Universal gets a bad rap...mostly because "it's not Disney". But it's really a nice park with nice perks.

I look forward to more....

 

[shannn]

It looks like y'all had a great time. It was actually chilly in march when we were there so we skipped all the wet rides. I think we missed some fun!!

 

[WsPrincess]

I finally got to see the last Harry Potter movie and while I loved it, we saw it in 3D (which I am so glad we did), I am a book person. I just like the extra details in books! I am loving this trip report.

 

[natebenma]

I was a couple of updates behind. Your comparisons of the Universal attractions to the Disney attractions are helping me immensely. You know I'm a detail person so every little detail you post, I'm tucking away just in case we venture over to Universal next trip.

I had no idea that Universal restaurants would give you a AAA discount. Another good fact to tuck away for future reference.

Even though I have never read nor watched anything Harry Potter related, your pictures make me want to visit that section of the park so badly. I know that Hunter would absolutely love it.

Too bad that the Jurassic Park section wasn't open so that you could hit it up early in the day. I can hardly wait to see it all.

I'm glad you are finding the comparisons helpful! At the end of my report, I will be posting my top Universal tips, so that may be something you would be interested in.

Has Hunter read the books or seen the movies? It is definitely an engrossing saga with amazing detail and imagination.

Just finished watching Deathly Hallows Part 1 tonight in preparation for FINALLY seeing DHP2 tomorrow.

You had to know I'd come looking for your report

I'm glad you didn't get lost on the shortcut. It is very easy, just explaining it is a little confusing....

I can't believe you got to sit next to the fish in Lombards! I've been trying to score a seat there for a couple of years! Maybe someday....

Welcome Barb!!!

I am so glad you came over from the "Dark Side" and posted here! Your shortcut from the Portofino to City Walk was great!!! But I was so afraid I wouldn't "get it" and I would lead my family astray. I took your directions and pasted in your photos into a one-page word document and we had no problems at all!

We loved the table at Lombards!!!


Ahhh...but that is Universal's ploy to get you to stay onsite I go on vacation to have fun and relax...not stand in hour-long lines!

The Potter party you had looks awesome. Looks like you did a great job! I'm sure he loved it and everyone had a good time!

Sounds like you really enjoyed Universal. And, I'm glad. Universal gets a bad rap...mostly because "it's not Disney". But it's really a nice park with nice perks.

I look forward to more....

Thanks!

It looks like y'all had a great time. It was actually chilly in march when we were there so we skipped all the wet rides. I think we missed some fun!!

I love the wet rides! It was plenty hot enough for us to enjoy them

I finally got to see the last Harry Potter movie and while I loved it, we saw it in 3D (which I am so glad we did), I am a book person. I just like the extra details in books! I am loving this trip report.

Yes, I found even watching DHP1 tonight, that I was explaining some of the backstory from the book to my family. I'm guessing the final movie doesn't delve into the big rivalry between Grindewald and Dumbledore and I'm sure there is a whole lot else that is missing. But everyone says the movie is amazing. Can't wait to see it tomorrow!

 

[mnmrmustard]

Hiya! Jumping in late but really enjoyed catching up. The resort looked nice but I agree as far as not enjoying the "fancy" resorts as much as the "fun" resorts

We're kind of doing tandem TRs even though my trip was back in April. I'm currently posting our transition from IoA to Universal proper on our second day at the Universal parks. I took LOADS of pics in Hogwarts in case you want to wax nostalgic again

Love your sense of humor, nearly fell out of my chair on the "Olive my love" Zeppelin reference

We felt the same way about Shrek, once was enough. And we had seen the T-2 experience back in 2002 and weren't drawn back in to see it again. Mummy ride rocks though, what a kick, aye?

Nice shots on Ripsaw Falls, we missed both of the big wet rides when we were there. I hope Jurassic Park opens up before y'all have to move on. That is the ride that I got seriously yelled at for having my camera out. "You, in the second row, put away the camera NOW!!!" What goobers

I look forward to seeing and hearing more about your adventures. And if you don't mind a little photo overload check out my TR

 

[natebenma]

Hiya! Jumping in late but really enjoyed catching up. The resort looked nice but I agree as far as not enjoying the "fancy" resorts as much as the "fun" resorts

We're kind of doing tandem TRs even though my trip was back in April. I'm currently posting our transition from IoA to Universal proper on our second day at the Universal parks. I took LOADS of pics in Hogwarts in case you want to wax nostalgic again

Love your sense of humor, nearly fell out of my chair on the "Olive my love" Zeppelin reference

We felt the same way about Shrek, once was enough. And we had seen the T-2 experience back in 2002 and weren't drawn back in to see it again. Mummy ride rocks though, what a kick, aye?

Nice shots on Ripsaw Falls, we missed both of the big wet rides when we were there. I hope Jurassic Park opens up before y'all have to move on. That is the ride that I got seriously yelled at for having my camera out. "You, in the second row, put away the camera NOW!!!" What goobers

I look forward to seeing and hearing more about your adventures. And if you don't mind a little photo overload check out my TR

Thanks for joining in! Not so late. We are still on the morning of our first full day and still have 3 more days of fun and photos.

I just apparated over to your report. AWESOME photos! You captured a lot of stuff I missed.

 

[natebenma]

Stuck at the barrier to Platform 9 ¾ (where I learn I am the victim of a time-turner) and we get some much needed magic

At this point, we decided to split up. Ben wanted to explore more of Jurassic Park and Nate was in the mood for more thrills. Mark and Nate crossed over into WWoHP to ride on Dragon Challenge again. We plan on meeting up in 30-40 minutes.

I wanted to try out the Pteranodon Flyers, but instead we went down this path:

We happened upon a show- a naturalist gives a lecture/demonstration about the care of Sarah, a triceratops.

After the show, one of the TMs offered to take a picture of Ben and me with Sarah.

When that was over, we spent a little time at the JP Discovery Center. This is a great recreation of the welcome center from the movie.

I think you get a dinos-eye view from this scope

Stuck at the barrier to Station 9 ¾ (where I learn I am the victim of a time-turner) and we get some much needed magic


Since it is getting close to the meeting time with Mark and Nate, Ben and I make our way over to the path to WWoHP. This is the point where things begin to go terribly wrong. There is a rope across the path, manned by TMs who are explaining that Harry Potter World is too full right now and we need a timed ticket to get in. I explain that the rest of my family is already there and I have plans to meet them.

I am directed to go to the place where you need to get the timed ticket. It is back where we just came from, past the Discovery Center and is really hard to find – I have to ask two different TMs how to get there.

I have a choice of times so I pick 10:40 to 11:40, since my watch says it is 11:20.

I return to the person at the gate, present my ticket, and she tells me it is not time yet. But it is 11:20, I insist! See my watch! No, it is only 10:20! Somehow my watch got set ahead an hour! It happened sometime before yesterday, because my times were off all day yesterday, too.

At this point I am in a panic. I am supposed to meet up with Mark and Nate NOW. I can’t get in for 20 more minutes. As I mentioned earlier, none of us has phones because we knew we were riding wet rides today. I explain to Ben why we can’t go yet and I start pacing back and forth nervously, as the woman at rope tells everyone who approaches about the timed tickets.

At one point, there is a break in the traffic, the woman takes pity on me and unlatches the rope and implores us to “Go! Quickly!”

Thanks, Inez!!!


Continued in next post

 

[natebenma]

I give this lunch 3 Broomsticks

Back in the Wizarding World, I find Mark and Nate at our meeting spot (near the Public Conveniences, aka Rest Rooms). By the way, Moaning Myrtle does indeed haunt both the Mens and Ladies Rooms.

In the time we have been apart, Mark and Nate rode Dragon Challenge- Blue and waited in line for 20 minutes here-

To purchase two chilled butterbeers.

Who spots the 3 muggle mistakes???



1) You can purchase butterbeer at the Hog’s Head tavern, with minimal waiting
2) Get a 10% AAA discount at Hog’s Head or 3 Broomsticks
3) Should have got the frozen!

It is only 10:30 in the morning (although it feels like 11:30!) and our breakfast was small, so we are all very hungry at this point. Don’t know what time the 3 Broomsticks opens for lunch, but we went in to check, and SCORE! It’s lunchtime!

ETA: You order your food at a register (and you sign your credit card receipt with a quill pen- my DH loved this, but I didn't get a picture). After you get your food, a host/hostess helps you to find an empty table. This is a great system (Disney also uses this system at places like Pecos Bills and Pinocchio's Whatever House)


We ordered two fish and chips plates and one chicken/rib combo plate. We also got one frozen butterbeer, one regular and a pumpkin juice.

The food was all pretty tasty. Even the corn was ok- we are typically corn snobs and only like fresh corn steamed at home. We never like corn in
restaurants- it is always too chewy, but this was edible.

We learned that we prefer the frozen butterbeer to the regular and we were pleasantly surprised that we liked the pumpkin juice (on tap). Pumpkin is an odd flavor in a drink, very savory, but we really liked it. Apparently there is a fizzy version too, but we never did try that.

I guess I was too occupied with the food to notice the shadows of the house elves and owls that go by on the walls and windows while you are eating.

We popped into Honeydukes for a quick look around, but man, was it crowded in there! Ben really wanted to purchase some Bertie Botts here, but there was no way I was going to wait in what was probably a 30-45 minute line to buy some candy! (which tastes like dirt and vomit)

That was probably the most disappointing thing about the Wizarding World. The shops had so much to see and such exquisite detail, but it was too darned crowded to appreciate it.


After lunch, we took another Flight of the Hippogriff, afterwards Hogsmeade was uber-crowded, so we decided to get out of there.

Continued in next post

 

[bubba's mom]

I had a feeling this year at WWoHP would still be just as crowded as it was last year

While I'm sad we didn't go to UO this year, I'm not upset about missing early entry at WWoHP. I don't miss getting up at 6am on vacation at all!

Enjoying your report

 

[natebenma]

Rude Rude Fountain!

There’s not much we wanted to do in The Lost Continent. Well, I wanted to eat at Mythos, but since we just finished lunch, now was not the time.

There are two major attractions, Poseidon’s Fury (Special-effects filled adventure) and The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show (Spectacular live stunt show) but none of us were interested.

But Ben did want to visit the Mystic Fountain- Match wits with the talking squirting fountain. I envisioned an interactive experience like Crush’s Turtle Talk (which we have never done)

We found the fountain and Ben went over to talk to it. Nothing! It gave him the silent treatment.

So he started to walk away and the fountain squirted a jet of water at him. And laughed, I think. Ben was not pleased!

We were out of there!

Next up: Tune in Thursday for some classic children's literature:

Oh, The Places we DIDN'T Go!!!

 

[natebenma]

I had a feeling this year at WWoHP would still be just as crowded as it was last year

While I'm sad we didn't go to UO this year, I'm not upset about missing early entry at WWoHP. I don't miss getting up at 6am on vacation at all!

Enjoying your report

The early entry was fine, but after that, WW did get crazy. Not to mention that we were there during the Leaky Con fan convention and for the premier of the final movie (we didn't attend). You probably heard that the people who attended the premier at City Walk were invited to WWoHP from 3 am to 5 am after the movie. We were there just a couple of hours later!

I don't mind getting up early- we are all early risers- but I really didn't like missing out on the club lounge breakfast on the early mornings.

Thanks again for your kind feedback!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm really enjoying your updates! I wish the WWoHP weren't so tiny and crowded but maybe by the time we get there, the crowds will have died down.

Amanda

 

[mkoerner]

Thank you again for this report! We are learning so many great things about IOA. Can't wait!!

 

[wdwgirl03]

More great Universal updates. My one sister prefers the frozen butterbeer too. I got the regular one and liked it but the frozen one is definitely not as sweet. I agree about the stores. I get that JK Rowling wanted to keep it authentic by having them be smaller but they were SO tiny! We had to wait in line half an hour to get into one of them! I remember feeling bad for the people who work there. I could not handle working in a place so crowded all day.