A Birthday Trip without a Birthday - 2/16: Conclusion and Bonus Birthday Tea

[Poolrat]

If I remember, the Simpsons ride used to be the Back to the Future ride--same thing with a motion simulator open at the top. It was a lot of fun!

I seem to remember the same thing. Sadly the last time I was there was when it was the Back to the Future ride.

It is great seeing the area again. I liked MIB but it has been so long I can't really remember it except that it was like Buzz.

Yes ET was cute but also way on the other side and hard to get to unless you had little ones. There were some effects that I didn't realize until I read more about it after the fact. Like that he says your name. At first I didn't get the whole fact that they give you a card and ask your name only to take it up a couple of minutes later.


Where are we eating lunch?? Oh Wait, I rememebr Mythos right? What are we having?

 

[mom3sonstt]

Enjoying following along on your trip!

We have never been to Universal....I keep thinking "some day", but I can't see hubby ever leaving Disney property to go over there. He is less enthused with thrill rides, especially any spinny rides or simulators, than he used to be. So i guess I need to enjoy it through your report!

I have to say, although you didn't "get" what was going on - I got a chuckle out of the Mounds/Almond Joy jingle "game". My son had to stick his head in my room to see what I was laughing about. He doesn't remember the commercial, so he just rolled his eyes at me. I get that a lot

Isn't the Halloween parade itself almost worth the price of the ticket. It's my favorite! I went to the Halloween party this year too, there was lightning "in the area" so some of the outdoor rides were shut down. I wound up going to 2 trick or treat spots, went to watch the Villain Party....that got cancelled, then stuck around for the parade....which started late After that, I was so sore from standing for so long, I grabbed something at the bakery to have for breakfast the next morning, saw Mickey & Minnie, then went back to the room. But at least I saw the parade.

 

[Flossbolna]

Great Universal Update !!! Samantha is going to Europe this Summer as a Student Ambassador and one of the Countries is Germany!!! We will find out more later this month !!!!

Wow, that sounds like quite some adventure! Just get in touch if Samantha has any questions about Germany, Katharina and I will certainly try our best to help!

Fun update. I prefer MIB to Buzz but that may well be to being surrounded by boys who loved shooting at aliens. We went on it at least twice possibly 3 times. ET is cute but I think it's in a horrible location and sadly, a bit dated. I do like the movie so it makes me smile to go on it but not something I want to wait all that long for either. I'm not sure there is all that much to explore in the Hollywood area, I think most of the buildings are backs or parts of other rides but it is such a pretty pretty park of the park!

I think MiB might be something which I would appreciate more if I got to ride it a few more times.

The area where ET is is really very strange and I would have thought that this needed an update much more than Amity. But I guess it would have been the wrong side of the park.

I at least want to look at the windows in the Hollywood area. There was stuff in the windows, but we really just rushed through...

2015 for Gringotts huh, I'll have to file that away for reference! I can only imagine how cool a ride based on it would be.

Still a little bit away... I read somewhere that people were expecting an announcement in January, but so far nothing has happened. But they started working in Amity early this month.

We received some KitKat's from my brother for the kids (and Milka and Kinder) for the holidays...if it isn't all gone (I think it is) I might pick up a US kit kat and compare! I bet I'd like the German version better.

So, did you get to make that test?

 

[Flossbolna]

Magdalene I'm so glad you took this picture! We still have drive in diners like this here in Milwaukee. One is called Leon's and was the inspirational diner for Arnold's for the TV show Happy Days.

It's still around! But it's way on the other side of town and believe it or not I've never been!

A couple of other drive in's we have are Kitt's and Kops. Kopps has fabulos burgers! There custard is to die for! My favorite flavor is butter pecan... YUM! So if you're ever in Milwaukee we'll take a venture to these classic American sites.

http://www.kopps.com/

And a couple more really good places to get a burger here are Solly's, and Sobelman's (my personal favorite!)

http://www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com/


Here's a video from the travel channel regarding Solly's

http://www.travelchannel.com/video/wisconsins-buttery-burger-11816

Are you hungry yet?

Wendy, thanks for this!! I guess I will need to do some serious diner sightseeing when I am in Wisconsin!! Sightseeing reminds me that I have an email to reply to... I hope I will get that done soon!

Looks like fun, but if it's not your thing, no sense wasting time with it. Maybe it helps to have enjoyed the MIB movies?

I have enjoyed the MiB films, but it is a long time since I saw them. I kind of want to like this ride, maybe it was just that I am to stupid to figure it out on myself??

If I remember, the Simpsons ride used to be the Back to the Future ride--same thing with a motion simulator open at the top. It was a lot of fun!

I would have loved to see the Back to the Future ride, I loved those films as a teenager.

Very cute that the Simpsons shop was the Kwik-E-Mart.

Yes, It was really well done!

I love the movie, but I still remember the ride as being "meh".

I guess it more aimed at young girls...

All that before lunch? Nice work!

Yes, we were really very efficient!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I seem to remember the same thing. Sadly the last time I was there was when it was the Back to the Future ride.

You really ought to go there again! We had lots of fun that day!!

It is great seeing the area again. I liked MIB but it has been so long I can't really remember it except that it was like Buzz.

I was expecting a lot! A friend of mine here in Germany keeps telling me about how this is the best ride she has ever been on. So I really want to like it...

Yes ET was cute but also way on the other side and hard to get to unless you had little ones. There were some effects that I didn't realize until I read more about it after the fact. Like that he says your name. At first I didn't get the whole fact that they give you a card and ask your name only to take it up a couple of minutes later.

We didn't hear our names either, even though I knew that this was coming. And I was smart enough to tell them that my name was "Maggie" instead of telling them Magdalene which I am sure would have led to a lot of confusion... BUT just to be clear: Maggie is not at all an acceptable version of my name in any other circumstance!!!!

Where are we eating lunch?? Oh Wait, I rememebr Mythos right? What are we having?

I just realised that the next update is still not about lunch... But Mythos is right!

Enjoying following along on your trip!

We have never been to Universal....I keep thinking "some day", but I can't see hubby ever leaving Disney property to go over there. He is less enthused with thrill rides, especially any spinny rides or simulators, than he used to be. So i guess I need to enjoy it through your report!

Oh, there is a lot to explore at Universal besides the thrill rides!! You really should try to see it one day. Maybe one of the sons could take you over there? Has your DH seen the Potter movies? Maybe that could convince him?

I have to say, although you didn't "get" what was going on - I got a chuckle out of the Mounds/Almond Joy jingle "game". My son had to stick his head in my room to see what I was laughing about. He doesn't remember the commercial, so he just rolled his eyes at me. I get that a lot

I thought it was so funny how everyone kept going and I was just thinking: now they are all gone mad....

Isn't the Halloween parade itself almost worth the price of the ticket. It's my favorite! I went to the Halloween party this year too, there was lightning "in the area" so some of the outdoor rides were shut down. I wound up going to 2 trick or treat spots, went to watch the Villain Party....that got cancelled, then stuck around for the parade....which started late After that, I was so sore from standing for so long, I grabbed something at the bakery to have for breakfast the next morning, saw Mickey & Minnie, then went back to the room. But at least I saw the parade.

Sorry that you had such an abbreviated party experience!! The parade was truly wonderful, but what a shame that you missed the fireworks!

 

[Flossbolna]

Part 7: Back to the Islands and the Adventures

And then it was time to leave the Studios again to head back over to IoA. That's a picture from the walkway – where you don't have to go through bag check! I think I mentioned that before, but it was really great!

Once we arrived at IoA I had to take a few more pictures of the really beautiful Port of Entry area. We noted a few interesting decorations, like the “Open Arms Hotel”:

I think I will need to make sure to explore there a bit more next time...

We still had some time until our reservation at Mythos for lunch and therefore briefly looked into the Christmas Store which is in that area. Katharina was hoping to find a Simpsons Christmas ornament for Remy, her DH – the great Simpsons fan. I found some really cute looking Dr Seuss ornaments with the Grinch which I was very tempted to buy. But we decided that we would just return on our way out and did not want to carry breakable Christmas ornaments around with us...

So off we went towards the Lost Continent area and towards lunch, taking a few pictures along the way:

And the arriving at the Lost Continent. This is also a very pretty area, but we did not experience any attractions there. But it does look very nice!

And great dust bins:

And I will leave you here, I promise the next update will truly be about lunch finally (it seems like you all are only in this for the food....)

 

[eandesmom]

The area where ET is is really very strange and I would have thought that this needed an update much more than Amity. But I guess it would have been the wrong side of the park.

I agree about the updating, it's got some major flow issues back there I think but I guess it wouldn't work for a park to park connection.

So, did you get to make that test?

Sadly no, the chocolate vultures inhaled everything before I could try!


And no...it's not all about the food (although we do like food!)

 

[marvali]

She's Alive!!!!!

..my name was "Maggie" instead of telling them Magdalene which I am sure would have led to a lot of confusion... BUT just to be clear: Maggie is not at all an acceptable version of my name in any other circumstance!!!!

Oh, really....

BTW, you have more than just Wendy's email.........

 

[glennbo123]

Film? What's that?

 

[Poolrat]

We didn't hear our names either, even though I knew that this was coming. And I was smart enough to tell them that my name was "Maggie" instead of telling them Magdalene which I am sure would have led to a lot of confusion... BUT just to be clear: Maggie is not at all an acceptable version of my name in any other circumstance!!!!

Well Ok then Ma..... Nah I can't do it.

Part 7: Back to the Islands and the Adventures
And great dust bins:

And I will leave you here, I promise the next update will truly be about lunch finally (it seems like you all are only in this for the food....)

No we are in it for the dust bins too.

Film? What's that?

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

And then it was time to leave the Studios again to head back over to IoA. That's a picture from the walkway – where you don't have to go through bag check! I think I mentioned that before, but it was really great!

I believe you mentioned that this was a nice benefit...

But we decided that we would just return on our way out and did not want to carry breakable Christmas ornaments around with us...

Good call. The Hulk isn't kind to breakable things.

And the arriving at the Lost Continent. This is also a very pretty area, but we did not experience any attractions there. But it does look very nice!

What's with the carving of the guy vomiting on the ride?

 

[marvali]

Happy Birthday Katharina!! Hope you have a Magical Day!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I agree about the updating, it's got some major flow issues back there I think but I guess it wouldn't work for a park to park connection.

No, the Universal kiddie area is the furthest away from IoA. And I think they like to have Harry Potter in the back of both parks. Certainly helps at least some for crowd control!

Sadly no, the chocolate vultures inhaled everything before I could try!

Sorry that you live with chocolate vultures!! Talking about chocolate - I think I never told you that the coffee chocolate you brought me was indeed rather delicious!

She's Alive!!!!!

Yes, and I think I have once again given cause for the same exclamation once again. I have no idea where time has flown recently...

Oh, really....

Don't you dare!!!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Film? What's that?

Ah, you see this all part of the period theming!!

Well Ok then Ma..... Nah I can't do it.

just a warning what might happe if you did:

No we are in it for the dust bins too.

Yes! The dust bin picture was actually taken with you in mind!! Katharina and I talked about your love for dustbins and that you would love the IoA ones!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Good call. The Hulk isn't kind to breakable things.

Oh, no, certainly not!! That's why they make you use lockers before you are allowed to go and meet the Hulk!!

What's with the carving of the guy vomiting on the ride?

But seriously, I think the guy vomiting is still nicer to look at than this Brussels landmark:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...eken_Pis.jpg/397px-Bruxelles_Manneken_Pis.jpg

I only posted the link because some people might think this a bit too obvious, so click on it at your own risk! But I can assure you that here in Europe we consider it art...

Happy Birthday Katharina!! Hope you have a Magical Day!!!

I think she had a very nice day and managed to escape the bitter frost we are experiencing here at the moment!

 

[Flossbolna]

Part 8: Lunch – a mythical one?

They seemed to be very busy in the restaurant and we had to wait for about 10 minutes for our table. The we were lead to our table which was really nice. The restaurant does look very spectacular inside:

This is one of the very few places where I took pictures of the food. Katharina had some fish tacos because the dish she originally wanted was out:

She wasn't too fond of them, but said that this was more her personal taste than that they were generally bad.

I opted for a spinach salad with blueberries and blue cheese with beef:

The beef was excellent, it tasted like two small filets. I was very impressed that I got such nice meat with my salad. The salad itself was lacking dressing for my taste. But then I am someone who likes rather more than less dressing on my salad. I never understood how people could eat a salad without any dressing – I feel I could then eat grass.

Overall it was an ok meal, not extraordinary, but decent quality and it was not expensive at all. Katharina's fish tacos were $12.50 and my salad was $11.25. Unfortunately our server was rather slow and while we often enjoy leisurely meals this time we didn't, I think also because at some point we were just getting rather cold from sitting inside the air-conditioned room. However, it gave us the chance for a nice break. If you compare table service and counter service prices at Universal, table service isn't that much more expensive and I am glad that we had planned for that lunch. However, I think next time I might want to try a different place (even though the menus are slightly similar at all the table service restaurants).

Next: More about IoA

 

[-Hope-]

I've been lurking and thoroughly enjoying your TR but haven't commented up to this point. I just had to say thanks for this review of Mythos! I'm on the fence about taking the time for a TS meal in the parks or saving our touring time and having a nice meal at Citywalk. Mythos is the reason I keep coming back to park dining because it just looks so cool. Your review has me leaning toward Citywalk though which actually makes so much more sense overall.

 

[glennbo123]

But seriously, I think the guy vomiting is still nicer to look at than this Brussels landmark:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...eken_Pis.jpg/397px-Bruxelles_Manneken_Pis.jpg

I only posted the link because some people might think this a bit too obvious, so click on it at your own risk! But I can assure you that here in Europe we consider it art...

I've seen that. My Belgian brother (exchange student) made sure we saw it when we visited him way back in 1980.

I think she had a very nice day and managed to escape the bitter frost we are experiencing here at the moment!

I think you got our winter weather and we got yours this year. Some kind of weird mix-up.

Thanks for the review of Mythos!

 

[eandesmom]

My overall impression of Mythos was about the same. I'm glad we did it and nothing was bad, but not extraordinary either. I also had the fish tacos.

 

[jenbear123]

Nice review of Mythos. Although, I expected more from them based on their website and what I've read about them. The theming looks spectacular though.