Alligator Roadkill Was Just The Beginning!!! Updated 2nd May!!

[khertz]

Another non HP fan who has seen Wizarding World before me!!! However, it really increases my excitement and anticipation to see so many people who are not HP fans enjoy WWoHP so much! Only convinces me more (as if I needed convincing) that I am going to LOVE it! I'm glad to see you are trying the series out though. The movies are great, but the books are absolutely fantastic. Once I started reading them, I couldn't put them down. I think 1-5 were out when I started, so having to wait for 6 and 7 was painful. I don't know how people who started reading the first one from the very beginning could tolerate the waits between books!!!

Love your Marmaduke pictures. I will say without shame that I didn't understand that photo opportunity at all until one of my friends went with her kids and rotated the photo for her scrapbook.

 

[disneybarbie]

Great update! I can't believe how far you had to walk to get to Universal's entrance.. I think it's far enough for the main car park to the park entrances as it is

I'm also a non-Potter fan but thought the theming was good for the WWoHP area.. and agree with you on the Forbidden Journey ride, it did seem to be mostly screens, I was expecting more roller coaster!
When we went there last August, we marched around the lake to WWoHP first thing (it must be a mile, hehe) only to find out that FJ was closed! so we had to sprint back around the lake to Marvel Island and do rides there instead lol.


Btw that is great news about Disney casting! And I love the idea of a Wedding Singer musical.. it's one of my favourite movies


Emma x

 

[cheekypoppins]

ooohhh yeah I'd wanna befriend "John" too let us know how it goes

 

[marDgreen88]

Befriending *John* is a wonderful idea! I mean, it certainly wouldn't hurt anything. That must have been so crazy though... I totally would have thought the same thing!!! And your play sounds so fun! Congratulations on not being anonymous tree number three!

Hahahah we are in the same Harry Potter boat. I haven't read the books either... and I've seen like the same part of the first movie about six times on ABCFamily... but that's the extent of my knowledge on the subject. So I probably would have been a great companion for you that day. Besides the fact that I have no desire to go to Universal... but whatever. (Why am I talking so much?)

OMG... that's terrible! I mean a 30 minute walk is no big deal, but when you have no idea where you're going and it's Florida and it's summer... big deal. So sorry that happened! But so glad you made it!

 

[SoNotAPrincess]

You and "John" are destined to be buds...I can feel it! Congrats on getting a line in "The Wedding Singer!" Your action shot is awesome!

I haven't read the HP books either, but I've seen the movies...my niece and nephew would disown me if I hadn't. I haven't been to US in about a million years, but WWOHP looks pretty cool. Maybe someday!

OMG, I think I would've sat down and had a good cry if I had to walk that far in the melting Florida heat! Kudos to you guys for making it!

Love the Marmaduke photos, too...very cool!

 

[danimaroo]

Haha, I'm sorry, but I laughed at the sweat thing down your leg. I mean, obviously it is gross and whatnot but I'm telling you, in Disney, you just don't even care. Straightening hair goes out the window, looking decent and not super sweaty goes out the window... Clearly I could on over here. But either way, bummer and I'm sorry. That just sounds like a nightmare.

Hahahaha the DTD map fiasco is cracking me up. You guys were missing the best part of DTD, I'm sad for you guys! At least you figured it out though later for future trips, haha.

That sounds AWFUL walking to the front area from employee parking! I would have melted into a little puddle of water.

I'm a big HP fan, and at some point would like to check out WWoHP, as would Matt. If anything, I'd just want to try the Butterbeer!

I love the photos with Marmaduke, hahahaha.

 

[__disneygirl]

OMG @ THE DISNEY CASTING CALL.... fate. Destiny. (A horse.)

I *hate* when everyone knows each other and I don't know anyone! I always get stuck with a group who went to some fancy theatre school together and I have no idea what they are talking about...sigh... but I'm glad you are enjoying it beyond that! Your action shot is FABULOUS!!!!!! Congrats on your line! I would be dying with excitement!! You are so lucky! I can't wait to hear more about this!!

Oh my Gosh I can't believe you had to walk all that way in the sweltering heat... I would have fallen over.

Harry Potter means SO much to me... but I just can't get over to Universal. I DON'T WANNA LEAVE THE BUBBLE! I'm glad to hear you appreciated the theming even not being a huge fan. I would probably cry upon seeing it... someday!

 

[Mom&RN]

Loved the Disney casting call! I would have been freaking out. So great they want some of your kids for a show though. I would have been tempted to tell him that my dream job would be to work for Disney....

 

[SimplyGoofy]

That stinks about your LOOOOOONG walk to the entrance of Islands of Adventure! It's a hike and half from the regular parking lot, let alone if you have to walk around the entire Universal area! Yuck.

Isn't the theming of the Wizarding World incredible? I think you can get a lot out of it even if you haven't read the books. If you're a crazy person like me, however, that's read each of them several times... words do not even express how awesome it is to be dropped into the middle of the books.

I'm so glad you started reading the books, and even if it's a multi-year process, I highly recommend you keep it up! They get better and better as they move along!

Love the Marmaduke pictures, by the way.

 

[glennbo123]

Congrats to your students who might get a chance to audition for the Lion King...that's awesome!

We had a little trouble finding the entrance to IoA too, but we had a car so I feel very lucky after reading your story. It's kind of ironic when you think about it -- you drove across country, and then had to walk further than anyone just to get to the entrance.

 

[Aussiesalad]

Another non HP fan who has seen Wizarding World before me!!! However, it really increases my excitement and anticipation to see so many people who are not HP fans enjoy WWoHP so much! Only convinces me more (as if I needed convincing) that I am going to LOVE it! I'm glad to see you are trying the series out though. The movies are great, but the books are absolutely fantastic. Once I started reading them, I couldn't put them down. I think 1-5 were out when I started, so having to wait for 6 and 7 was painful. I don't know how people who started reading the first one from the very beginning could tolerate the waits between books!!!

Love your Marmaduke pictures. I will say without shame that I didn't understand that photo opportunity at all until one of my friends went with her kids and rotated the photo for her scrapbook.

I'm sorry I'm sorry! I feel bad as I've been 3 times now and even though I love it, I'm sure so much of the amazing theming is wasted on me and my lack of Potter knowledge! You really will LOVE it!!
I though the first two books were great! I just need to go on another long plane ride and knock out another few! I know what you mean though, those poor fans that had the grueling wait! It's much easier to get addicted to a series when it's near the end so you just have to play catch up.

That is so funny about Marmaduke!! I actually saw a lot of people bending sideways trying to take the photo that way, I don't think they realised that you can just turn around the photo afterwards

Great update! I can't believe how far you had to walk to get to Universal's entrance.. I think it's far enough for the main car park to the park entrances as it is

I know!! It is such a trek from the carpark anyway! Ugh that walk is not fun in the swampy summer!

I'm also a non-Potter fan but thought the theming was good for the WWoHP area.. and agree with you on the Forbidden Journey ride, it did seem to be mostly screens, I was expecting more roller coaster!
When we went there last August, we marched around the lake to WWoHP first thing (it must be a mile, hehe) only to find out that FJ was closed! so we had to sprint back around the lake to Marvel Island and do rides there instead lol.

I really wish I liked screens more but they just make me feel gross. Even still, it feels like a bit of a cop out when they use screens in a ride sometimes.
I'm looking forward to the Gringotts coaster when the expansion opens, that seems like more up my ally!
Oh no! You poor things! That would have been such a pain and it's not like you can grab a fastpass for later either! Running around that lake is quite the workout!

Btw that is great news about Disney casting! And I love the idea of a Wedding Singer musical.. it's one of my favourite movies

Emma x

I know! It is so exciting for the kids, even if none of them get picked it's such a great experience.
It is such a fun musical! The soundtrack is great and it is a hilarious script!!
It's one of my favourite movies too!

ooohhh yeah I'd wanna befriend "John" too let us know how it goes

Let's all befriend John!! Haha I will definitely keep you posted!!

Befriending *John* is a wonderful idea! I mean, it certainly wouldn't hurt anything. That must have been so crazy though... I totally would have thought the same thing!!! And your play sounds so fun! Congratulations on not being anonymous tree number three!

I know! It certainly can't hurt to have a Disney casting agent as a friend right?
It was CRAZY! In the moment my brain couldn't think of any other reason they would be calling. Thank you, I will ROCK my one line

Hahahah we are in the same Harry Potter boat. I haven't read the books either... and I've seen like the same part of the first movie about six times on ABCFamily... but that's the extent of my knowledge on the subject. So I probably would have been a great companion for you that day. Besides the fact that I have no desire to go to Universal... but whatever. (Why am I talking so much?)

Yessss! We should have done HP together because the whole time I felt so silly not knowing what ANYTHING was!!
You should go some time, it's no Disney but it really brings some pretty cool stuff to the table.
Yes stop talking so much...jk

OMG... that's terrible! I mean a 30 minute walk is no big deal, but when you have no idea where you're going and it's Florida and it's summer... big deal. So sorry that happened! But so glad you made it!

It felt like a 3 hour hike. It was SO AWFUL!!! I'm glad we made it too, and hey if I ever need to direct someone to the Universal staff parking...well I'll know which way to point them!

 

[Aussiesalad]

You and "John" are destined to be buds...I can feel it! Congrats on getting a line in "The Wedding Singer!" Your action shot is awesome!

I haven't read the HP books either, but I've seen the movies...my niece and nephew would disown me if I hadn't. I haven't been to US in about a million years, but WWOHP looks pretty cool. Maybe someday!

OMG, I think I would've sat down and had a good cry if I had to walk that far in the melting Florida heat! Kudos to you guys for making it!

Love the Marmaduke photos, too...very cool!

I know!! I can feel that we will be besties in no time!!
Thanks! I'm such a dork, probably more excited than the leads and all I have is the smallest line. Oh well!
Thanks! I wish I could show the kids actual shots, they are all so amazing doing flips and splits in the air.

WWOHP is really fantastic! Even for the non Potter obsessed!
I really enjoy going to Universal and usually go every trip.
I mean the mouse is my main man but I enjoy some other themeparks on the side without any guilt.

I'm not going to lie, I may have cried on that walk.

Thanks...he just wouldn't slow down!

Haha, I'm sorry, but I laughed at the sweat thing down your leg. I mean, obviously it is gross and whatnot but I'm telling you, in Disney, you just don't even care. Straightening hair goes out the window, looking decent and not super sweaty goes out the window... Clearly I could on over here. But either way, bummer and I'm sorry. That just sounds like a nightmare.

It was so disgusting!! I can't believe I slipped on my own sweat. UGH.
I don't even know why I bothered with the straightener or makeup but I guess it was my first time in the Florida summer heat so you live and learn. After this it was all about the extreme practical casual look

Hahahaha the DTD map fiasco is cracking me up. You guys were missing the best part of DTD, I'm sad for you guys! At least you figured it out though later for future trips, haha.

It was so silly! I can't believe I never noticed that I only had half a map!
Yes luckily I figured out and spent a whole morning exploring on my last trip with Darcy

That sounds AWFUL walking to the front area from employee parking! I would have melted into a little puddle of water.

A little puddle of sweat you mean...

I'm a big HP fan, and at some point would like to check out WWoHP, as would Matt. If anything, I'd just want to try the Butterbeer!

Butterbeer is DELICIOUS!!! Seriously you need to get there one of these trips!

I love the photos with Marmaduke, hahahaha.

Thanks! What a funny dog he is!!

OMG @ THE DISNEY CASTING CALL.... fate. Destiny. (A horse.)

YES!!! I should have said that to 'John'

I *hate* when everyone knows each other and I don't know anyone! I always get stuck with a group who went to some fancy theatre school together and I have no idea what they are talking about...sigh... but I'm glad you are enjoying it beyond that! Your action shot is FABULOUS!!!!!! Congrats on your line! I would be dying with excitement!! You are so lucky! I can't wait to hear more about this!!

Ugh I know! It's not like they are overly clicky people either, it's just that they all did they have all worked together before...except me.
It was a bit better tonight at rehearsal though...slowly getting less awkward
Thanks!! I am really good at jumping about half a foot off the ground. Someone should hire me for that!
I was so flippin excited when they gave me a scriptbook...such a nerd!
It's just been forever since I've been cast in anything so I'm so happy to just do anything!!

Oh my Gosh I can't believe you had to walk all that way in the sweltering heat... I would have fallen over.

Harry Potter means SO much to me... but I just can't get over to Universal. I DON'T WANNA LEAVE THE BUBBLE! I'm glad to hear you appreciated the theming even not being a huge fan. I would probably cry upon seeing it... someday!

It was so awful!! I think we stopped and sat on the ground when we were halfway there it was THAT muggy and hot!
You really need to get over there!! I mean it's not Disney but it's a great park and as much as I hate leaving the bubble, it feels sooooo great to drive back through those pearly gates

 

[Aussiesalad]

Loved the Disney casting call! I would have been freaking out. So great they want some of your kids for a show though. I would have been tempted to tell him that my dream job would be to work for Disney....

I seriously flipped out (quietly and professionally) and couldn't even process what was going on
I know! It such a great opportunity for them!
I will! Once I get the friendship ball rolling....

That stinks about your LOOOOOONG walk to the entrance of Islands of Adventure! It's a hike and half from the regular parking lot, let alone if you have to walk around the entire Universal area! Yuck.

Isn't the theming of the Wizarding World incredible? I think you can get a lot out of it even if you haven't read the books. If you're a crazy person like me, however, that's read each of them several times... words do not even express how awesome it is to be dropped into the middle of the books.

I'm so glad you started reading the books, and even if it's a multi-year process, I highly recommend you keep it up! They get better and better as they move along!

Love the Marmaduke pictures, by the way.

I know!! It was so long! I can't believe we thought that may have been an entrance though! Once we saw the real one we felt very silly!!
The parking lot there is crazy! Thank goodness for all those moving escalators!

The theming there is amazing! I really did enjoy myself and found myself getting transported to another world (even if I didn't know a whole lot about that world)
I will keep it up I really enjoyed the first two and next holiday I go on, I will read another two. I know I don't have to be on holidays to read but it seems I can get the whole book done without any interruptions that way.

Thanks!They are so fun! I love all the photo opps in Toon Lagoon!!

Congrats to your students who might get a chance to audition for the Lion King...that's awesome!

Thanks! Even if they don't get cast it is such an exciting opportunity! We have some pretty talented kids though so heres hoping!

We had a little trouble finding the entrance to IoA too, but we had a car so I feel very lucky after reading your story. It's kind of ironic when you think about it -- you drove across country, and then had to walk further than anyone just to get to the entrance.

A whole lot of things seemed ironic on this trip! It really felt like we were being punk'd or something! Just too much ridiculousness for reality!!

 

[mrsmoku]

Loving your review!!!! You write very well and it's a very entertaining review!

I can't believe you made that drive for Disneyworld!! I'm so jealous! My husband and I made the drive from San Francisco to Mobile, AL (you went right through this little gem of a town on the 10) so we have some similar stories (dear god, does Texas EVER end!?)!!!! Oh what fun!

Can't wait for the rest!

 

[Aussiesalad]

Loving your review!!!! You write very well and it's a very entertaining review!

I can't believe you made that drive for Disneyworld!! I'm so jealous! My husband and I made the drive from San Francisco to Mobile, AL (you went right through this little gem of a town on the 10) so we have some similar stories (dear god, does Texas EVER end!?)!!!! Oh what fun!

Can't wait for the rest!

Welcome!!! And thank you so much!!

Haha it was soooooo long!! Oh wow that is so funny!! I remember driving through Mobile! TEXAS NEVER ENDS!!!! I can imagine that you would have some similar stories. Driving the whole of 10 is definitely a roadtrip and a half!

Can't wait to tell the rest, including the painful trek home

 

[Aussiesalad]

So before I start this update, here is the latest on the 'John' becoming a friend front.
We have emailed twice in the last week and his last one included a smiley....which translates to almost being best friends forever.
I know at least one of our kids has a callback for the Lion King so hopefully that encourages the friendship to bloom even more so!
​

Chapter 17

Where Is My Shoe??? And OUR HEADS ARE EXPLODINGGGGG!!!


After exploring WWOHP we decided it would be a good idea to ride one of the water rides to cool down....

Then we decided it would be an even better idea to ride ALL the water rides to cool down.

First off we hit Jurrasic Park.

Such a fun raft ride, just exploring the wonderful Dinosaur island…what could possibly go wrong?

Well aside from that TREX on the loose...and the massively huge drop...

We sat in the back row on Jurrasic Park and got ready to get our splash on.
Aaaaand none of us really got too wet. It was more a splash to the face and arms. A light spray if you will.
It’s a real gamble that ride to whether or not you will get wet.

Next we hit up Duddly Do Rights Rip Saw Falls which is kind of their version of Splash… it has quite an odd theme and a fairly patchy storyline which involves a train and some pretty intense revenge but whose judging. It's a little strange but nowhere near as strange as Journey to Atlantis at Sea World, now that ride hurts my brain.

I love the drop at the end and how you go ‘underground’ momentarily!

Once again… slightly splashed on this.
Everyone else was walking out pretty wet but for some reason the water distribution gods were sparing us.

The last water ride in that section is Popeye & Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges so we headed over to that next.
Now every single person walking out the exit was looking absolutely drenched so we figured we would have to get wet on this one!

We boarded the raft with a nice looking family who were all smiley and friendly and a stark contrast to our Kali River companions.
For starters they actually let Tim put his bag in the middle dry compartment!!
Well Tim took his backpack and shoes off, put the shoes inside the backpack and quickly shoved them in there before the other family could even protest.
Bek and I laughed at how cautious Tim was being after the Kali drenching.
The family introduced themselves we had the standard 'Are you guys ready to get wet?' conversation that you have with strangers on a water ride. Awkwardly laughing as the dad of the group usually makes some 'What? Is this a water ride? joke.
The parents told the kids to watch out for Grandma and Grandpa as they would be watching from the last bridge with the video camera. It was cute, or so we thought.

We rounded the first corner and it became quite apparent that yes…yes we would be getting very wet!

You see the barge ride is probably the most drenching water ride I have ever been on.

First of all there is exorbandent amount of water canons that can be fired off by guests.
It is actually RIDICULOUS how many there were!
We approached the first batch of canons and lo and behold there was our new friends’ Grandparents…. standing next to a water canon…. fingers on the trigger.

How cute? Look at them shooting their grandkids with the water canons.

Awhhh.

Nope.

The raft rotated at just the right moment and a thick stream of water blasted Tim, Bek and I in the faces.

The whole family roared with laughter, as did Grandpa and Grandma….

At least we were nice and wet already!

The rest of the rapids course was very intense.
The pattern seems to go
Wall of water
Canon
Bigger Wall of water
Canons
BIGGEST WALL OF WATER AND A MILLION CANONS!!!!!!!!!!

Not my picture, all of mine looked too tame and didn't show how incredibly drenched you got!

We reached the unloading platform and exited the ride.
All of us making that squelching noise with our shoes. Well except Tim who was waddling along barefoot.

People were literally wringing out their clothing at the exit.

SOGGY!

It was like we had jumped into a lake fully clothed!

I know I am the queen of oversharing but seriously I really wished that I had packed an extra pair of underwear and socks.

Bek and I took off our soaking socks and slung them over our shoulders as we walked in the sun towards our next ride.

Tim sat down momentarily and took out his… shoe?

His bag had been half open and somehow his shoe had fallen out in the whole kerfuffle of getting out of the raft. Tim looked up and hollered 'WHERE'S MY SHOEE??????"
(This was 'hollered' in Warrrrthaaawwwg guy style, as it had fast become our favourite style of hollering)

Back we ran, and hopped, towards the loading area where Tim squeezed past everyone with him Tim-ish charm and somehow located his shoe which was patiently waiting for him with a employee. Good little shoe!

Now the whole trip we had been complaining about the heat and humidity (as I'm sure you have noticed) and the severeity of the weather in general. Somehow despite all of this it still took forever to dry after this soaking. It really makes NO SENSE!!! I mean when it’s that hot you should really dry immediately. Apparently not!

We lined up for the Hulk next,

We walked very slowly to the end of the line and then even opted to wait for the front row because we weren't dry and we didn’t want to be the soaking wet people that made the seats all soggy for the next rider.
So we waited …and waited and got on

Not long enough apparently

We were those people who made the seats all wet.

After Hulk we decided to ‘hop’ across to Universal Studios to ride the highly anticpated Rip Ride Rockit.

We had heard so much about this ride and could not wait to ride it!
I mean the vertical lift hill and the ‘pick your own music’ feature looked unreal.
Who doesn’t like picking their own music for a super fun looking rollercoaster….

NO ONE!

Exactly!

The line was over an hour for RRR so we lined up in single rider line which was only 25 minutes.
One thing about the queue for RRR is they play the most annoying promo for the ride ever. Whoever designed them needs to just stop, just stop forever.

(update on my last trip with Darcy, they have replaced the queue video. Thank you my friend for taking my advice)

We finally got to the front of the line and loaded all in the same train, just different cars.
You get about 30 seconds to scroll through and pick your song.
I panicked and picked ‘Paralyzer’ by Fingers 11??? WHAT??
I honestly don’t know why, my head wasn't thinking clearly and I couldn’t figure out how to go back so I was stuck with it. I have nothing against that song but it really wasn't in my top 20.
The first hill was so scary but so wonderfully amazing, nothing like staring straight up at the sky as you get pulled slowly towards it.

Unfortunatly that was all that we found cool.

We went over the first hill and our heads started getting bashed around immediately.
It was pretty much THE MOST PAINFUL RIDE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!!
It felt like my head was in a blender full of rocks and there was nothing I could do about it!
I hurt so bad that I started closing my eyes and praying for it to be over about halfway through.

Why do you hate me RRR??? Why??

Finally my prayers were answered and it was over.
I ran towards the exit and grabbed Bek and Tim. I could tell by the look in their teary eyes and their messed up shaken heads that they had experienced the same terror that I had. We retrieved our bags from the locker and rummaged through them immediately on a painkiller hunt. Luckily Tim had the goods so we downed some paracetamol and water and looked for some suitable ground to collapse on.

NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!

(spoiler, somehow stuff happened and I rode it again in September)

Next

How To Kiss A Cow and How Not To Flirt
​

 

[khertz]

Oh my gosh, you guys got SOAKED!!! The humidity is probably the reason you didn't dry off quickly despite the heat and the sun. When the air is full of water, it is not that helpful in drying you off. It is so miserable, I basically become a recluse in summer to avoid that humidity!

I was not impressed with my one experience on RRR either. After listening to that horribly annoying video for over 100 minutes and deciding which song I was going to pick, I got on the ride and didn't have time to pick my song so I ended up with their default song, which was AWFUL. And it is a really rough ride. Have not been back on it since, and that was right after it opened that we rode it.

Great update!

 

[wiigirl]

Just caught up on your TR....awesome!

 

[glennbo123]

So before I start this update, here is the latest on the 'John' becoming a friend front.
We have emailed twice in the last week and his last one included a smiley....which translates to almost being best friends forever.
I know at least one of our kids has a callback for the Lion King so hopefully that encourages the friendship to bloom even more so!
​

​

Yay!

The family introduced themselves we had the standard 'Are you guys ready to get wet?' conversation that you have with strangers on a water ride. Awkwardly laughing as the dad of the group usually makes some 'What? Is this a water ride? joke.

Oh nuts. That's exactly what I would've said.

How cute? Look at them shooting their grandkids with the water canons.

Awhhh.

Nope.

The raft rotated at just the right moment and a thick stream of water blasted Tim, Bek and I in the faces.

How cute! Not.

I know I am the queen of oversharing but seriously I really wished that I had packed an extra pair of underwear and socks.

The word "socks" makes me blush.

Bek and I took off our soaking socks and slung them over our shoulders as we walked in the sun towards our next ride.

Your socks?!

We lined up for the Hulk next,

I loved the Hulk ride. Had to wait too long for it, but loved it nonetheless.

Great chapter Sally!

 

[disneybarbie]

Another fun update!

I got soaked through on Dudley Do Right and Popeye's Rafts last summer... and on Jurassic Park I have to close my eyes really tightly on that last drop because I'm always scared the spray will make me lose a contact lense hehe
I also wasn't keen on RRR... and I picked 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor for my song! that vertical launch was terrifying, definitely not my kind of coaster.
Very impressed you went on it again in on your next trip!



Emma x