70 to Freezing in 7 hours. A Nov/Dec 2011 trip report. Updated 4/28

[petals]

You sure make me regret not squeezing in Sea World on our trip!

Good excuse to go back though

Awesome...ready for Universal fun!!!

Yup yup coming very soon.

 

[petals]

I was going to wait until I’d caught up on the DVD videos to do another trip update but one of them is dodgy so have to go back and find it plus waiting for my doggies to dry. I gave them a wash and they don’t really like it. I towel dried them a bit and then tied them up out in the sun so they can’t get dirty until the dry out properly. They’re funny though the pup hates baths and cried through it and is now out in the yard crying because he was washed… I’m sure if he could talk he’s saying why did you do that to me I thought you loved me lol!
Anyways I thought while I was waiting I’d start the next day in the trip report so:

Day 11, part 1:
Sunday, 4th December 2011

We got a lie in this morning until 9 (in Ireland my “lie in” is until 12 it’s funny what Florida does to you with the whole willingly getting up early!) and then got ready to go out. We had bought some things in the shop for breakfast so I had these yummies:

Then we headed out to the iride. Because we were staying on International drive we had to change from the red line iride to the green line at one of the stops but it’s all good because if you tell them on the bus they give you a transfer ticket so you don’t have to pay again for the next iride. We got off the iride at stop g4 and waved at our old hotel that we use to stay at with the dancers before starting our trek to our destination. Where were we going you ask?

Universal Studios! We walked through city walk me snapping pics as we went of course. Just as you got off the escalators into citywalk they were building this:

I was quite interested as to what it was meant to be so asked the security guard and he said it was going to be a new pitch and putt (or crazy/mini golf) area. I’m actually amazed because I was reading jenseib’s trip report and she has been to Universal more recently and has pictures of it all finished. I borrowed this from her trip report. Hope ya don’t mind Jen:

In Ireland when they start these building projects it’d take them at least three years to finish something like that! Anyways we headed in towards Universal Studios taking in the sites along the way:

We collected our tickets and browsed in through the shops and just took a slow wandering morning around the place. We didn’t really have a plan and there was really only two things we both wanted to see in Universal before the parade later so we just took it easy. I saw some characters but took sneak pics instead of queuing:

I love the pics where they spot you taking the sneak pic and pose or wave to your camera:

These giant floats were all around the park as well for the Macy’s holiday parade theme:

We took a stroll through the Holiday market but most of it wasn’t open yet:

There was one sweet stall open though. Lookie the Christmas yummies:

Momma wanted food then so we took a stroll over towards our favourite place to eat in Universal Studios while talking pics of all the floats along the way:

Richter’s is the place we normally eat. It’s cheap enough and food is nice. Inside it’s all themed to earth-quakes:

I got a cheese burger and fries:

And Momma got some form of chicken salad:

They had a new condiments section kind of like Pecos Bills where you can put lettuce, tomato and whatever else on the burgers. Two people in front of me in the queue were a bit cheeky though and asked if they could have a spare bowl “to divide their fries up for their kids” but then they went and made themselves a free salad at the condiments bar. I don’t think I’d be cheeky enough to do that.
Anyways random dog that needed a picture taken in Richter’s

Momma went back and got this giant apple pie as well:

Next up: A quick visit to Springfield.

 

[amandaw]

I haven't been to Universal in a few years so I'm excited to read all about your day there. Seems like when we do make it that way, we only go to Islands of Adventure.

Those Christmas treats are so cute & look yummy!

And the lunch looks really, really good, too!

 

[petals]

I haven't been to Universal in a few years so I'm excited to read all about your day there. Seems like when we do make it that way, we only go to Islands of Adventure.

We went to both. Looking back we prob could have done both in one day though because there isn't that many rides and stuff that we go on in either of those parks.

Those Christmas treats are so cute & look yummy!

And the lunch looks really, really good, too!

I didn't try any of those treats they did look cute though. The food is nice in Richters not as nice as maybe Pecos burgers but still good

 

[jenseib]

It's amazing how we go the same shot and how different it looks. Super cool.

And it's funny you ate at Richters because that as the place my friend told me to stay away from and Skip kept making comments about going there. Your burger does look good to me though.

 

[afwdwfan]

I always enjoy City Walk. Personally, I actually like it better than Downtown Disney.

I need to pay close attention to the details of your Universal day since we're going to be going there this December. I need to see what all the Christmas special events are!

 

[momabaarjo]

I wanted to try Richters...but instead I got Mel's . Oh how I want to go back...and your pictures are not helping matters!

 

[petals]

It's amazing how we go the same shot and how different it looks. Super cool.

I'm just amazed at how fast it was finished. Like I said in Ireland they'd do a bit then leave it for a month do another bit and it would take like three years to get something like that done! Florida it's a few months like!

And it's funny you ate at Richters because that as the place my friend told me to stay away from and Skip kept making comments about going there. Your burger does look good to me though.

We always eat there. It's not like table service good like but it fills a hole for a while away. We've never had a problem with it.

I always enjoy City Walk. Personally, I actually like it better than Downtown Disney.

I think City Walk is prob better for adults but then I've only been to the market side of Downtown Disney. There's alot of bars and restaurants in City Walk though and a few random shops that aren't themed towards the parks which also prob makes a nice change instead of having all the park merchandise in your face all the time.

I need to pay close attention to the details of your Universal day since we're going to be going there this December. I need to see what all the Christmas special events are!

I'd say look at the map in advance and see what you want to do ride wise because if you are going simply for the Christmas stuff you can do two parks in one day and save money. Looking back we should have done that because we don't do trill rides.

I wanted to try Richters...but instead I got Mel's . Oh how I want to go back...and your pictures are not helping matters!

Mel's looks interesting. It reminds me of a restaurant we have here called Eddie Rockets. I don't know if they are in U.S. Richters is simple fast food but the condiments section is a nice little add on they put in. They also actually had a drinks section that claimed there was over 100 soft drink choices in it and there was a staff member standing putting stickers on your cup so you didn't try get a free refill

 

[afwdwfan]

I'd say look at the map in advance and see what you want to do ride wise because if you are going simply for the Christmas stuff you can do two parks in one day and save money. Looking back we should have done that because we don't do trill rides.

I've spent enough time at Universal Studios over the years that I know the park very well. I actually made a couple of trips to Orlando between 2003 and 2007 and never stepped foot in Disney, but did go to Universal for a few days each time. Don't tell anybody here though, they might kick me out of the DIS. I haven't been to US since 2008. There are a few new additions that I need to check out, including the new coaster in US and the Harry Potter area in IOA. We're just planning 1 day for both parks, but we would like to catch some of the Christmas stuff they have going on.

 

[vleeth]

Did they have cheese sauce on the toppings bar?

 

[Caretames1]

I guess SW is the place to visit during the holidays! Nice whale shots.

I know that Kadence would enjoy seeing the Polar Express attraction, it's one of her fav movies. She just watched it last week, maybe to 100 degree temps had her hoping for winter.....


I would love to do US someday. Funny how you and Jen took almost the same shot. It was cool to see it start to finish!

 

[petals]

Firstly I'm watching news of Colorado over here. It's shocking. Hope all dis friends and their families in that area are safe and sound. Prayers are with all the victims.

I've spent enough time at Universal Studios over the years that I know the park very well. I actually made a couple of trips to Orlando between 2003 and 2007 and never stepped foot in Disney, but did go to Universal for a few days each time. Don't tell anybody here though, they might kick me out of the DIS. I haven't been to US since 2008. There are a few new additions that I need to check out, including the new coaster in US and the Harry Potter area in IOA. We're just planning 1 day for both parks, but we would like to catch some of the Christmas stuff they have going on.

It's totally doable in one day if you plan it well. Go to IOA first and aim to go to the first Grinchmas show. That was at 12 when I was there last year then the Macy's parade in US was at either 5 or 5.30 depending on the date and the Mannheim Steamroller was there some evenings after the parade. You can do everything else either before Grinchmas or between that and Macy's parade.

Did they have cheese sauce on the toppings bar?

I didn't actually notice. They did have a few sauces though.

I guess SW is the place to visit during the holidays! Nice whale shots.

Thanks. There was alot more going on there than i was expecting but it was well worth spending the full day in.

I know that Kadence would enjoy seeing the Polar Express attraction, it's one of her fav movies. She just watched it last week, maybe to 100 degree temps had her hoping for winter.....

Even the walk through on that the movie was good. You might want to cover her eyes at the beluga's though when you get to the animals because last twice I was there one was being very naughty!

I would love to do US someday. Funny how you and Jen took almost the same shot. It was cool to see it start to finish!

I know when I saw that on her trip report I couldn't believe how quickly it was finished. They've even added in Palm trees like. Seriously like Ireland you'd still be looking at the foundations of the whole thing now!


Now not dis related but I'm going to have a little rant because I can't say it on fb as someone might get offended but it really really annoys me over here when I ask media people for work ex and they're like oh no we can't because we're full or not talking people til september or whatever and then a week later people out of my class are like yay just got work ex in blah station for the week and it's the same station I've asked and got fobbed off with. That and the fact some of them were like oh yeah i was talking to this other person about you recently. Like stop talking about me and give me work!
Ok rant done

In other news though one of the shows I produce is getting podcasted now. If ya want to listen I'll send you a link

 

[petals]

RL non disney update: I was going to post this yesterday but thought i'd wait a few hours to see what happened. Some of you may remember in April I posted about a dancers job i was watching... they emailed again looking for a dancer and again no reply. Radio is same nobody replies to emails I think they should hire me just to reply to their emails if they're that busy

 

[jenseib]

RL non disney update: I was going to post this yesterday but thought i'd wait a few hours to see what happened. Some of you may remember in April I posted about a dancers job i was watching... they emailed again looking for a dancer and again no reply. Radio is same nobody replies to emails I think they should hire me just to reply to their emails if they're that busy

How frustrating!

 

[Caretames1]

Sorry I am the same way, even if the news isn't what I want to hear, I still want to know!

 

[afwdwfan]

RL non disney update: I was going to post this yesterday but thought i'd wait a few hours to see what happened. Some of you may remember in April I posted about a dancers job i was watching... they emailed again looking for a dancer and again no reply. Radio is same nobody replies to emails I think they should hire me just to reply to their emails if they're that busy

Been there done that. Bad enough having to jump through all kinds of hoops when you're looking for a job, but when they don't even have the courtesy to give you a straightforward yes or no, that's just rude and disrespectful.

I'm sure if you took that long to respond to one of their e-mails you'd be disqualified from consideration for a job without hesitation.

 

[petals]

How frustrating!

Sorry I am the same way, even if the news isn't what I want to hear, I still want to know!

Been there done that. Bad enough having to jump through all kinds of hoops when you're looking for a job, but when they don't even have the courtesy to give you a straightforward yes or no, that's just rude and disrespectful.

I'm sure if you took that long to respond to one of their e-mails you'd be disqualified from consideration for a job without hesitation.

Completely agree with you all. I mean how hard can it be to set up a group sorry but position has been filled mail

In other news I was in Dublin today for one of my radio shows and went along to the Disney store because I looking for pins and Vinyls to trade with someone and as I was walking up the street to the Disney store spotted these two:

 

[petals]

Day 11, part 2:

So we had just finished our food in Richter’s and we walked along towards the Jaws ride stopping along the way to look at the shops and games and I think we also stopped because Momma had a voucher for some sort of funnel cake and she wanted to see what it looked like. I snapped this while she was doing that:

After that we headed towards Springfield or the Simpsons area whichever and were pleasantly surprised to find even Krusty had a Santa hat:

We didn’t do the ride but I did take lots of pictures of the signs around the ride

The signs around the Simpsons ride all make fun out of those impossible fair ground games

I also went to the Kwik-e-mart where I did a bit of Christmas shopping for a friend who had wanted a Simpsons mug and of course took lots of pictures:

While I was exploring the Kwik-e-mart Momma was sitting on a bench beside the squishie machine:

and she had made a new friend:

And this one is totally random because it’s in the middle of all these pictures but seems to be from the morning but I’m guessing it’s because outside our hotel room window there was a tree where I used to watch the squirrels in the morning. I’m guessing I thought he was cute enough for a pic that morning and the picture got mixed up on photobucket!

Anyways Next up: I found a hidden Mickey in Universal!

 

[lovethattink]

Fun update at Universal. Now there's no Jaws. Can't wait to see your hidden Mickey.

I hope you hear back from job applications soon. Don't get discouraged, it seems to be the norm now not to get a reply. Even after interviews, it's rare to get a response.

 

[jenseib]

Love the Simpsons area. It is so fun. I never made it in the kwiki mat. I sure wish I did....
But how ironic. I was just editing Universal pictures and look!

I got one too!