Libby's 2009 Trip - Day 8

[Dimplenose]

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7


Libby’s Trip 2009

Monday August 3rd

Once again I was awake early. (I slept really badly as I was dreaming about my Nan who passed away 5 years ago.) We got dressed and finished packing our overnight bag as today we are going to Universal Studios.
I toyed with a lot of scenarios for our trip to US before settling on keeping our rooms at ASMu and having an extra room at Royal Pacific Resort for one night (slightly dearer but heaps less hassle than checking out and back in again and almost the same price as buying Universal express passes for 4 of us for 2 days.)

We had breakfast at ASMu before putting our bag in the car and heading off to Universal Studios. I feel very sneaky doing this, as if I’m running away from home!

The route to US is “interesting” as DH is set on using the Satnav but we do get there and self park. We take a ticket on entering the car park and the rates seem extremely high just for the privilege of parking at our hotel (but I had thought we’d need to pay the day rate plus the overnight rate when we just needed to pay the overnight rate.)

We went to check in. On our previous trip we were very lucky and were assigned a room at 10am. This time they said they’d phone when the room was ready but DH had left his phone in the safe at ASMu so we were told to call back at 4pm but we were given room keys so we could access the front of line entrances to the rides.

We now had to get our tickets. I’d bought them online before we left home and thought we’d have to get them at the parks but there was a “will call” machine in the lobby which made getting them very quick and easy.

We left our bags in the car and head for Islands of Adventure. There was a very long queue for the water taxi so we decide to walk. It took us 10 minutes at a brisk pace. Just before we leave the path to get to the parks there is a bag search. That must be a really lonely job for most of the day.

Once in IOA we head for the Spiderman ride. We’ve been waiting 4 years to do this again and it is as good as we remember. We then have a good look in the Marvel Comic shop but are not inspired to buy anything. (DS had wanted to replace a keyring that he bought 4 years ago but all the designs have changed and there is nothing that takes his fancy.) As we leave we see some Superheroes arrive by quadbike.



DH and DS want to ride the Hulk so DD and I arrange to meet them later and go off to find a drink. We don’t have much luck finding a drink. The kiosks look open, but nowhere is serving. In the end we give up and just refill our water bottles before returning to find the boys. Therre isn’t really a good place to wait that is out of the sun so we are glad that we soon see them coming off the ride.

We’re glad to leave the Marvel area – there is only so much noise I can take!

The boys ride Duelling Dragons and DD finally manages to buy some Coke. We all then go to see the Sinbad show. This is a very poor stunt show, I have no idea what the plot was as I couldn’t hear the story but it involved a lot of swinging about on ropes and running around. The man playing Sinbad seemed a little old for the role and the one playing his sidekick (no idea who the character was meant to be) looked like the actor who played Much in the Robin Hood TV programme.

Once we were out in the sun again the heat really hit us. There is very little shade at US and very little attempt to reduce the effects of the sun apart from the occasional mister fan.

We saw some of the building work for Harry Potter. I think it is going to be impressive. For some reason there seemed to be a railway bridge in mid-air. I hope I’ll get the chance to come back to see it some day.



We decide to go to Circus McGurkas for lunch. There is a short queue but the meal deal is causing it to move very, very slowly as the server and then the cashier explain to each customer what they are entitled to. While we eat we see the train come through the restaurant.



On our past two visits this attraction wasn’t working so after lunch we make this our first ride. It’s quite fun but feels much shorter than it looks. As we are getting off the ride there is an announcement that the ride is closing due to inclement weather – but it’s still a beautiful day.



Next we go to the Cat in the Hat. I think this is a deceptively violent ride with a lot of spinning but we enjoy it. WE spend a lot of time looking in the gift shops and then decide to head to the hotel.

This time I want to take the water taxi but this too is closed due to inclement weather. The boatman explains that if there is lightning within 5 miles of US then they shut down any rides or attractions that may become dangerous. So we walk back.

It’s now 3:30pm and I go to see if there is a room ready. No luck – I’m sure that we were left to very last because we were not contactable. We buy ice creams and sit outside by the pool for half an hour.



At 4pm our room is finally ready and we get our belongings and head to the 6th floor.

The room is beautiful but the view is of the motorway and multi-storey car park. If we look straight down we can see the gardens. (I suppose that is the “Garden View”) Despite the view we cannot hear a thing.



We reset the air conditioning from “fridge” to “pleasant” and settle down for a rest. It’s already been a long day not least because the heat at IOA was absolutely draining.

We’d planned to go back to IOA and do the wet rides now that we can put our valuables and video camera in the safe but by 5pm the mystery storm is directly overhead and it is raining heavily.

I sat by the window and watch a steady stream of cars leaving the car park. At least the TV is good. It is a much nicer set than at ASMu with a much better selection of channels (but then it is a more luxurious hotel!)
After an hour we decide the rain is light enough to make our way back to City Walk to find some tea. (There are still no boats running).

DD asks if we can eat at the NBA restaurant. We’ve eaten here before and enjoyed the food (and to be honest I’m glad that DD is actually showing an interest in the food for once) so we’re happy to agree. I’m surprised at how quiet the restaurant is. The meal is very nice – I have salmon on a very garlicky pasta. We watch basketball on TV while we eat.



After our meal we have a look in the shop (there are a lot of very tall men shopping here.)

We think we’ve got enough time to go and ride Jurassic Park so we yomp back to IOA. It’s nice and cool now but still spitting slightly with rain. Jurassic Park is running and we get on a half empty ride. I do like this ride. After we have ridden we notice a rainbow so hopefully the weather is improving for this evening.



Now it’s nearly time for the park to close so we head over to Universal Studios to see the evening show.

On our way between parks we notice the new roller coaster in a little fenced off area. It’s running without passengers which I think is a bit mean to tantalise them (I’ve no intention of riding it) like that. I’m also surprised that it doesn’t go further into City Walk from everything I’ve read I though we’d be able to walk under it.

We still have a little time before the show. DD and I are quite happy to mooch around the shops to kill time but as we have FOTL DH and DS decide to ride the Mummy and then do Jaws in the dark.



Just before the show starts we all meet up again and wait by the lagoon for it to start. It’s still raining a little and the crowds are rather thin on the ground so we get a good view.



The show was very nice (not spectacular) and we enjoyed watching the clips and seeing how many films we could name.

As we are leaving the park we stumble across the Back to the Future props of the De l’orean and the train. This makes DSs day as it is his all time favourite film. (As a toddler it took us a long time to realise why he used to run around with long sticks shouting “chicken!”)

Once again we walk back to the hotel. I write some postcards and watch the view from the window. I can now see an illuminate Ferris wheel in the distance. We watch some TV before settling down for the night.

[Snowy-girls]

Hi Libby,have just read all your previous days to your trippy and i am really enjoying it .Great pics as well.
I also can't handle staying in Marvel for too long with the noise .Were really looking forward to Harry Potter world when we return in 2011 .
Can't wait too read more.x.

[tony64]

Hi Libby
Sounds like your plan worked out well so far.
We are thinking of doing this next year, Harry Potter will make the front of the line pass a must have.

[suzycute]

Sounds like you had a good day despite the heat. Staying at RPR is on my agenda for next year!

[Pegasus928]

Sounds like our families have some similar tastes for a few things.
DW hates Cat in the Hat for the same reasons as you. It is just too violent and is probably responsible for a lot of whiplash injuries

We also love NBA for food. We tried it for the first time in Feb and made sure we went back a few dyas later. We also have it scheduled in for Oct. so I hope it hasn't changed at all.

I think the pic of the rainbow is really cool - the way that it looks as if it is coming out of the top of the water ride. And I have always thought it would be cool if they had a 'dress up' shop near where they have the old 50's motor cars near the Mummy ride. I would love to go in and get dressed up as Al Capone or someone then come out and have my photo taken next to one of those cars. Maybe I should suggest it next time I am there

[jamjar84]

Another good TR, you're right Marvel seems to be too 'noisy' it's nice to go to the back of IOA where it's more relaxing.

[wicket2005]

Another lovely day. We left the RPR on that day, we were in the plane when that storm was going off waiting on the tarmac.

[SusanEllen]

Congratulations on getting the rainbow shot. They're not easy to capture.

[Lizzy Lemon]

That's the day we flew home, we spent the morning in MK and it was baking hot. Do you mind me asking how much is overnight parking in US hotels. Thinking about HRH again next year but this time with a car! Is it me or do others think its not on to charge hotel guests parking fees? It seems commonplace in USA but if you are spending the night there seems a bit much.

[Dimplenose]

I think it was $15 +tax (I still can't get used to the plus tax for everything!)

[Ware Bears]

We went to Universal for the first time last trip and managed OK by getting there for opening and also because we're wimps and don't do scary rides but decided when we do go back we'll stay onsite for FOTL, I would have liked to do Shrek and Spiderman again.

Originally Posted by Lizzy Lemon

Is it me or do others think its not on to charge hotel guests parking fees? It seems commonplace in USA but if you are spending the night there seems a bit much.

I can understand charging non-residents but not people who are staying there.

[cap'njack.]

Sounds like a great plan of moving for a night...something to consider if the FOL pass is still a perk when I finally get to visit again.

[jockey]

Great day

[irongirlof12]

fab day the room looks really plush

[florida sun]

Lovely room, and a great report