A Salute to AK but mostly Dinosaur! TR 9/5-9/14/24! New TR link**

[Steppesister]

Not me! (And imagine my surprise to be mentioned in this post, lol!) No Disney trips on the horizon for me...

Well bummer! I’d have loved to meet and see you!!

 

[disneyAndi14]

I think it was very smart of Universal to have boat transportation from their resorts to their park.

It is a wonderful relaxing way to get to the parks!

Jaws is a great movie. The book is excellent, too. There are always things in a book that don't translate well to the screen.

I usually always read the book and agree the movie is never quite as good. I never read Jaws, maybe that is why the movie is so great to me!

Stinky neighbors are the pits. We had a very smelly guy near at Fantasmic in Sept 2023. It really ruined the show for us, especially for my sister-in-law. I don't think we will ever be able to get her back there again.

Literally the pits, haha It was bad, Andi got the brunt of it she did try to move closer to me. It was not pleasant!

The parade is awesome. I love the floats.

I loved it. First parade other than the “special Holiday one” that I would stay and watch at Universal!

I just learned about a play you might be interested in seeing (if it is ever produced near you.) It is called "The Shark is Broken" and it is about the making of Jaws. The 3 characters in the play are Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, and Roy Scheider. A friend just worked on it and recommended it. The 3 characters are sitting on the boat, waiting for the mechanical shark to want to work, and talking about their lives.

Wow! I would love this! Yes, I guess Bruce the mechanical shark had a lot of problems! I read that is why we do t see the shark until later in the movie, but little did Spielberg know this was a great thing! The suspense was off the charts and part of the reason Jaws is such an amazing movie!

 

[disneyAndi14]

So much fun you've posted about!

Ahh Thank you I am trying to get this TR finished before my next trip!

I had no idea they had this! How fun!

I’m so excited to see Hogwarts at night with the castle show sipping my hot butter beer a Potter super fan’s dream!!

I'm sure of that! Really excited to try this place out; the menu looks so good!

You will love it!

If the weather is crappy, I may head to resorts to see what they have out for holiday decorations. But yep, pool, drinks, a book.... Ahhhh!

So far the weather looks awesome, hope it stays that way!

Always great to try new places! I'm hoping the weather is cooperative and there is some outside seating. If not, looking forward to the menu anyway! Lots of good stuff on there.

I would love to sit outside if they ace that available

SAY WHAT?! This sounds amazing! Although have no idea what or where it is! Do tell!

This is a really fun bar. It is themed at Halloween and Christmas. It is on the upper level on City walk

YES!! Never seen that before!

This menagerie makes my heart sing!

Such a fun group! Sad to miss Ariane, and Kari won't arrive now until the 8th. I hope Sue can join in and it'll be nice to see @irene_dsc (it is her, correct?)

Irene is a childhood friend of Susan’s from PEI she loves Disney and travels quite often with her son. Susan just told me she won’t be coming now due to her son’s schedule for moving. Sue is @Wood Nymph correct? I would love to say hi and meet her!

If you don't end up at your other dinner, I'd love to see you guys at EPCOT since I'll be there. A pre-show sip somewhere?

We sure will, we need to skip out of the dinner a little early to make our Epcot plans! I’m so excited to see Epcot at night!

YUM!! Those sound great!

The food at Bar Riva is delicious!

What a colossal mess. Glad it got worked out but what a pita.

It really was! It was hard waiting around during the internet down time! I’m glad they found us a different room.

Super looking forward to our meal at Frontera!

I love it here! Underrated in my opinion

uper is. I plan to use it for my pool hopping day(s).

Love the boat transportation at Universal! Plus they play Sweet Caroline

 

[Wood Nymph]

Sue is @Wood Nymph correct?

That's me! I love meeting the people on the Dis forums.

 

[eliseisawkward]

HHN look like so much fun!! I can’t believe the girls did all the houses twice in one night!!

Chuckling that the smelly person made a big enough impression to make your report. That must have been some smell!!

 

[pkondz]

We spent some time talking to a very nice CM at the valet area for BWI.

Who then started screaming at you when you said you were leaving the bubble for US.

He is a super fan of the HHN event so he was really excited for us to be spending two nights at the scary event.

Or maybe not, then.

We had an AP rate for a Bayview room.

Oh! I didn't know you could use the AP for rooms.

Well… we got to the room and this is what we saw, Ugh! our window was completely covered with an opaque paint barrier. It was not good.

Nope!

We went and sat in the lobby and it took over an hour to get the Internet back up and running.

Oy...

He did have a standard room without painting going on outside and offered to take $40.00 off a night since I had paid for the bay view.

Glad you were able to get something better... and with a (partial) refund, too.

We added EP (express pass) to both nights.

How much more is the EP for HHN?

Nice photo of you, but... I love that glass!

That looks huge!!

certain places this week are 20% off for Passholder Appreciation days.

Even better!

It was still light out which I do like for some of the scare zones, makes it less scary for me!

Last year Andi and I found out our eyes didn’t adjust well to the very dark houses when it is still light out. I literally felt blind last year in the first few houses and it wasn’t as enjoyable.

Ah! This is good info.

Here are characters from Blum House productions like Megan, The Black phone, and The Purge.

Have seen none of those. I haven't watched a horror flic in... years. Decades?

Cracks me up how Andi is smiling in all these shots.

We also walked through Diagon Alley and the Death Eaters were out

Cool!

Our average wait time was under 15 minutes with the EP, a couple more popular houses were maybe 15-20 minutes for us. The houses stand by lines all posted 50-90 minutes.

That's pretty good. I wouldn't have guessed you'd do that well.

The scariest house was Insidious with Tip toe through the tulips playing in the background!

ohhh... So that's why you had that as your chapter title.

We had brought our refillable cup from last year and just that week the big wigs at Universal said don’t accept these anymore to all the bartenders! Such a bummer because the cups had been refillable up to the week we got there. So no more using last year’s mug from now on.

Bummer.

We had finished all 10 houses around 11:00pm.

Quick!

you could add EP unlimited to your EP

That's for unlimited returns to attractions, yes? Otherwise you're limited to only one visit. Like the rides. Yes?

The girls stayed and did all 10 houses again.

The Vodoo Donuts hit the spot.

Breakfast of champions!

(Couch potato champions, but still... champions.)

We got ready and headed to the boat launch. Such a lovely way to travel to the parks!

I love the boat transpo at US.

We decided to do Villians Con. It is a shooter style attraction. You are on a conveyor belt system with a heavy gun and you shoot at things, lol

New? Never heard of it.

I don’t know how little ones hold up these big old guns not that kind, lol

It was very cool and it had props and nods to Jaws! My favorite all time movie ever!!

Did not know this!

We moved on to ET next. Kait loved this ride! I knew she would.

How could she not?

I saw the animal actor show was starting so we decided to watch this.

Such a good show.

It was a good spot except the lady next to Andi had terrible body odor and she kept raising her arm up to wave at the actors in the parade.

Ew...

There also was a couple other floats I wasn’t as familiar with, I think Sing with a pig? and Kung Fu Panda.

Looks like a really good parade.

 

[disneyAndi14]

Oh! I didn't know you could use the AP for rooms.

Yes and they have some good discounts!

Glad you were able to get something better... and with a (partial) refund, too.

Same, I was happy with a window we could see out of, haha

How much more is the EP for HHN?

It is not cheap. 139.99 per person per day! Really worth it for us since we just had 2 nights

Nice photo of you, but... I love that glass!

I love the margarita glasses here and the margaritas!

Ah! This is good info.

Last year the first few houses it was awful. I could t see anything and had to hold onto Andi for dear life, haha It is better to wait until darkness starts so you can see better in the houses.

Have seen none of those. I haven't watched a horror flic in... years. Decades?

I really haven’t seen any of them either, lol. Andi usually gives me a synopsis of the movies where the characters are from!

Cracks me up how Andi is smiling in all these shots.

I know, she loved it!

That's pretty good. I wouldn't have guessed you'd do that well.

It is really worth it, we would just have to choose the houses we wanted to do because the lines are long and it is so much standing and walking! I bet you can only average 5-6 houses a night unless you stay until 2am probably thins out around midnight.

ohhh... So that's why you had that as your chapter title.

Yes, that song has a whole different meaning when you go into the Insidious house and watch the movies. Again I haven’t seen any of these movies!

That's for unlimited returns to attractions, yes? Otherwise you're limited to only one visit. Like the rides. Yes?

It is a good deal to add on because yes US only sells the EP for 1 time in each house. You can only add on this unlimited later in the evening if crowds are not crazy!

Breakfast of champions!

(Couch potato champions, but still... champions.)

I will take

New? Never heard of it.

Yes it replaced the Shrek 4D ride. I liked that better. The new attraction is Minions based like you are at a Comic-Con convention

How could she not?

Right? E T is the best!

Such a good show.

I really enjoyed this and it has been years since I had done this. The animals are really fun to watch

Looks like a really good parade.

Best parade at US in a long time!

 

[pkondz]

Yes and they have some good discounts!

Had no idea. Then again, I don’t think I’ve ever gone twice in a year?

It is not cheap. 139.99 per person per day! Really worth it for us since we just had 2 nights

I’d do that. I’d probably only have a similar one or two nights.

Last year the first few houses it was awful. I could t see anything and had to hold onto Andi for dear life, haha

I can see Andi jumping and you going “What?!? What?!?”

I really haven’t seen any of them either, lol. Andi usually gives me a synopsis of the movies where the characters are from!

I’ll need to borrow her, then.

It is a good deal to add on because yes US only sells the EP for 1 time in each house. You can only add on this unlimited later in the evening if crowds are not crazy!

Worth it for the girls.

I will take

Yes it replaced the Shrek 4D ride. I liked that better. The new attraction is Minions based like you are at a Comic-Con convention

Then… did they remove the other minions ride?

Right? E T is the best!

 

[disneyAndi14]

HHN look like so much fun!! I can’t believe the girls did all the houses twice in one night!!

Chuckling that the smelly person made a big enough impression to make your report. That must have been some smell!!

It really was. I can’t believe I do the houses. I have been such a scaredy cat
I really love this event! The houses are amazing!
The lady was ripe and it was a good thing the parade was really good because we would have left!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Then… did they remove the other minions ride?

No it is still there, just added a whole Minion block! A Minion cafe and bakery shop with the two rides!

I’d do that. I’d probably only have a similar one or two nights.

The EP is really worth it! I wouldn’t do the event without it!

 

[disneyAndi14]

“Mom you almost got us kicked out”

Our plan was similar to the night before. We spent time during the first few hours checking out the other photo op areas and the scare zone we missed last night.


Demon Queens was the scare zone we had missed the night before.

These scar actors were from a couple houses and the other two from scare zones.

The Principal of the school from the house Major Sweets Candy Factory

A Goblin from Goblin’s Feast (my favorite house)

The punk rock skeleton was on some of the HHN t-shirts and walking around one of the scare zones!

This weird creature lady was part of the Swamp zombies?

We got a couple of drinks and put some in the last year’s mug so we had the two mugs. As we were walking to one of the houses, two young people (like early 20’s)came up to us and asked the girls for their IDs. I asked are you for real? I actually thought they were joking because they were so young but no they were legitimate. They thought I was letting the girls drink alcohol underage because we had the two cups? I don’t know but after the fact Andi was like mom you could have got us kicked out. She thought because I questioned them I could have got us kicked out. I truly thought it was a joke or they were going to steal the girls IDs when they showed the ID. Haha I was wrong.

Other than that, we had a great night once again.

We had a twisted tater with seasoned salt, these are yummy.

I tried this chocolate Cherry cake dessert and really liked it


We did all 10 houses with the EP again. I think we finished all the houses and had a few drinks and snacks by 11:30pm. The girls were tired out after the marathon night prior so they decided to call it quits with me.

It was hot and humid with occasional light rain again this evening. The rain felt good with the oppressive heat. We had a wonderful time at this year’s event and will be back in 2025!

We took the boat back and called it a night!

Stay tuned for our last full day Friday the 13th!

 

[Wood Nymph]

As we were walking to one of the houses, two young people (like early 20’s)came up to us and asked the girls for their IDs. I asked are you for real?

Were these undercover security people? I would have questioned who these people were if they weren't dressed in official Universal CM clothes, too.

 

[pkondz]

No it is still there, just added a whole Minion block! A Minion cafe and bakery shop with the two rides!

Huh!

Obviously a return visit is in order for me.

Mom you almost got us kicked out”

Suitably terrifying.

As we were walking to one of the houses, two young people (like early 20’s)came up to us and asked the girls for their IDs. I asked are you for real? I actually thought they were joking because they were so young but no they were legitimate. They thought I was letting the girls drink alcohol underage because we had the two cups?

How would they know? Did they watch you order alcohol and then split it? It could've been water.

I don’t know but after the fact Andi was like mom you could have got us kicked out.

She thought because I questioned them I could have got us kicked out.

Ah, youth.

We had a twisted tater with seasoned salt, these are yummy.

Dang that looks good. I've seen them here and there, but never had one.

We did all 10 houses with the EP again.

Were these undercover security people? I would have questioned who these people were if they weren't dressed in official Universal CM clothes, too.

Now that is a very good point!

 

[suse66]

Well bummer! I’d have loved to meet and see you!!

Yes, the Irene we were discussing is a friend of mine from PEI who now lives in Houston.

That's me! I love meeting the people on the Dis forums.

Sue is awesome! I am quite sure I talked her ear off when we met up. She is a very easy person to get to know.

We got a couple of drinks and put some in the last year’s mug so we had the two mugs. As we were walking to one of the houses, two young people (like early 20’s)came up to us and asked the girls for their IDs. I asked are you for real? I actually thought they were joking because they were so young but no they were legitimate. They thought I was letting the girls drink alcohol underage because we had the two cups? I don’t know but after the fact Andi was like mom you could have got us kicked out. She thought because I questioned them I could have got us kicked out. I truly thought it was a joke or they were going to steal the girls IDs when they showed the ID. Haha I was wrong.

So weird! Were they in uniform? I mean Andi and Kait look young but not under 21 young.

We had a twisted tater with seasoned salt, these are yummy.

I think these look so delicious!

 

[disneyAndi14]

Were these undercover security people? I would have questioned who these people were if they weren't dressed in official Universal CM clothes, too.

I guess so, they were in HHN t-shirts and shorts. I guess they wanted to look like young event attendees! I still have no idea why they targeted us! Very weird.

Obviously a return visit is in order for me.

It sure is! You need a Christmas trip like the beginning of December so you could meet up with Liesa, myself, and Susan!

Suitably terrifying.

It is amazing how much time and effort goes into the scare actors makeup and costumes. It was a really good idea to check out the scare zones in daylight

How would they know? Did they watch you order alcohol and then split it? It could've been water.

They were not around when we ordered our drinks, just came up to us in the Simpsons area as we made our way to our first house of the evening. It was weird and of course questioning them was called for. I thought they would steal the girls wallet or something!

Dang that looks good. I've seen them here and there, but never had one.

Delicious treat. Last year the twisted taters were at Mardi Gras as well!

Now that is a very good point!

They were definitely in disguise. It still bothers me, lol

Yes, the Irene we were discussing is a friend of mine from PEI who now lives in Houston.

Irene and her son are so much fun, we will definitely miss seeing them this trip!

Sue is awesome! I am quite sure I talked her ear off when we met up. She is a very easy person to get to know.

I would love to me you Sue! I hope we get to say hi on the Skyliner crawl!

So weird! Were they in uniform? I mean Andi and Kait look young but not under 21 young.

Totally in disguise. They had HHN shirts on and looked like young people hanging out at the event

I think these look so delicious!

The twisted taters are so good. Something very simple is so delicious

 

[disneyAndi14]

Hello Everyone!

I am very sad to hear my beloved Muppet experience is closing!
Another favorite of mine is leaving! First Dinosaur now Muppets!
I do not ride RnRc so having a Muppet overlay is lost on me!
I could cry
The Muppets has so many memories for Andi and I with all our mother/daughter trips! We never missed this attraction!
I remember the first time we found the key under the mat!
Muppet Courtyard will be greatly missed by this Dis Veteran!

 

[pkondz]

It sure is! You need a Christmas trip like the beginning of December so you could meet up with Liesa, myself, and Susan!

That would sure be nice, but it’s not to be I’m afraid. Farthest trip I see in my future right now is to work. Or the grocery store.

It is amazing how much time and effort goes into the scare actors makeup and costumes. It was a really good idea to check out the scare zones in daylight

Because… you could see them better? Or be less scared??

They were not around when we ordered our drinks, just came up to us in the Simpsons area as we made our way to our first house of the evening. It was weird and of course questioning them was called for. I thought they would steal the girls wallet or something!

Very odd. How would they prove they had alcohol? Take a sip of their drink?

am very sad to hear my beloved Muppet experience is closing!

Nooooo

do not ride RnRc so having a Muppet overlay is lost on me!

Even worse.

 

[disneyAndi14]

That would sure be nice, but it’s not to be I’m afraid. Farthest trip I see in my future right now is to work. Or the grocery store.

Haha doesn’t sound like much of a vacation!

Because… you could see them better? Or be less scared??

Yes definitely could see all the displays and actors. At night it is more crowded and hard to really see everything

Very odd. How would they prove they had alcohol? Take a sip of their drink?

It was odd! Maybe they were new barely teen cops strutting their stuff

Nooooo

It is really sad! There are so many areas they could put the movie, like Vacation fun theater or Launch Bay, ghost town over there!

 

[disneyAndi14]

“If I ran the circus”

It was 9/13/24. Friday the 13th today and our last full day at USO and in Florida.

Once again we didn’t rush, we got ready and ate the rest of our donuts and bananas.

The plan was to visit both parks. We went down to the boat launch and took the boat to Citywalk.

It was a nice and relaxing ride. Here we are looking bright and chipper for the day.

We headed to Universal Studios first. Our plan was to check out the new Halloween tribute store.

We walked through the store and this is the Ghostbusters shirt that I bought. I really liked the shape and size of this one.

We didn’t think the tribute store was anything great this year compared to last year. It was amazing last year. This one was meant to be a graffiti subway area?


The Halloween treats in the dessert case did look tempting. We did not buy any at this time.


We headed out and went into the store that has Frankenstein and the bride of Frankenstein. I love the store.

We decided to see the horror makeup show. This is in the lobby area before entering the show.


Follow me to the next post…..

 

[disneyAndi14]

If I ran the Circus

It has been a while since we have done this and it would be Kait‘s first time. We took a few pictures before we went in.

We enjoyed the show so much. The actors are great and the audience participation was really good this time.


I definitely recommend seeing the show while you are at Universal.

Next we headed to ET, a favorite of ours.

After ET, we went and did Men in Black before we headed to Kings Crossing.

Our plan was to take the Hogwarts Express to islands of adventure.

Kait really liked experiencing the Hogwarts express for the first time.

Once we arrived, the plan was to head into Seuss Landing. On the way, fountain was talking and making jokes with people, as you passed by.

Honestly, I think this was the first time I have ever seen the fountain talking.
We went into Seuss Landing and we rode the trolley in the sky, which I love.



We also rode cat in the hat.

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