"Can I see your pins?" 12 Days of Disney Fun: Oct. 2011 3/13 It's the end.

[DisneyCrafter]

Ugh, that's been happening to me too the past couple of days! Last night, I actually had the DIS open on Safari and Opera, and whichever one would open first, I'd read a TR and post...it was a little insane. Tonight seems to be a bit better, but it's still really slow! And I need to reply to comments on my TR, and I feel like it's going to take forever when I am going to try to post! Ugh!

Dude, everyone is going next October. I picked the wrong October to go. Maybe I'll go again next year, little solo trip!

I had a lot of trouble with DIS loading in general earlier this week. So far it's been okay today.

You should go in October!!!! I'd love to do a DIS meet with you!

Aww, I'll miss you by a week! We're there October 13-20

It just took me 4 re-loads to be able to write this reply. And it'll probably be at least a couple more to post it. Annoying!

Another October trip would be awesome!

Aww! Who knows, honestly. We change our dates a lot before we book.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I haven't had much DIS time this week, but luckily I have some time this morning.

Looks like MNSSHP was crowded! I had read that about a lot of the parties & was worried for MVMCP but luckily we either went early enough (we were at the 2nd party) or it just isn't as popular because our party wasn't crowded at all.

And it was certainly crowded on the 40th! Sorry about the bus situation... I've read plenty of complaints about the buses from the Epcot resorts. Luckily we didn't have any trouble with buses when we were at BWV last month but when I was at BWI with my friend last year, we had a couple long waits for buses.

Can't wait to hear about your visit to the dark side!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I haven't had much DIS time this week, but luckily I have some time this morning.

Looks like MNSSHP was crowded! I had read that about a lot of the parties & was worried for MVMCP but luckily we either went early enough (we were at the 2nd party) or it just isn't as popular because our party wasn't crowded at all.

And it was certainly crowded on the 40th! Sorry about the bus situation... I've read plenty of complaints about the buses from the Epcot resorts. Luckily we didn't have any trouble with buses when we were at BWV last month but when I was at BWI with my friend last year, we had a couple long waits for buses.

Can't wait to hear about your visit to the dark side!

The dark side...

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Sunday, October 2 or as DisMomAmy pointed out, our “visit to the dark side”! ​

We were in the lobby of the Dolphin around 730a.m. We bought some coffee and a couple of muffins while we waited for the car rental desk to open. As soon as we saw someone behind the desk, we bolted over and within minutes we had our car! (I wish I remember to take a picture of it, it was a PT Cruiser!)

The GPS actually worked! (GASP!) We were at Universal within about 15-20 minutes.

The garage was so EMPTY! We had to wait around 15 minutes before we could enter the park as it didn’t open until 9a.m. As soon as it did open, we were through and heading towards The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! It is allllllll the way in the back of the park. (Remember that for later.)

Finally, we’re there!

We didn’t really ooh and ahh when we entered the area as I wanted to get to Hogwart’s castle ASAP.

They did an IMPECABLE job on the theme in the castle. We should have gone slower and took pictures, though. The wait for the ride? There was no wait, it was a walk-on. Want to know how it was? NEVER AGAIN! Holy motion sickness! You are literally thrown around. (It’s no wonder some larger guests won’t fit, they can’t make all the seats wider because smaller people might fall out or bang your head on the sides!) It goes between a video clip and then real-life objects. Closing my eyes didn’t work nor did keeping them open. I just remember hoping to God that it was going to end soon so I could get OFF before I tossed my cookies!

As soon as we disembarked, I headed for a seating area and stayed put for over 45 minutes until I felt well-enough to get up and move around.
This is where we sat. It actually was a pretty neat area, there were clocks and “owls”.

We then decided to go through the shops and we saw that we could send postcards that have an owl post stamp. (Not a postage stamp, just the red stamp that the post office usually puts on there.) We found the postcards and purchased one. I then inquired about getting a stamp. Well, if I wanted to buy a package of Harry Potter themed stamps I could purchase them right there. Um, I just want one! Those? Oh, there’s a machine-AT THE FRONT OF THE PARK! Bummer!

We went into Honeydukes and purchased some candy (including a chocolate wand for DSIL). We sent that to the front of the park so we didn’t have to worry about it melting.

We decided at this point that now was as good of a time as any to walk back to the front of the park for that stamp.

When we got back to the WWoHP, we walked around and explored a little.

It’s kind of disappointing that you can’t really go into any of the shops (they’re fake) but the they did a good job of portraying everything correctly. Honestly, I expected it to be a little “grander”. Don’t get me wrong it is pretty spectacular but on TV they make the area seem so large and it’s really not. I’m glad we visited but I’m not eager to get back.

We couldn’t leave the area without getting a butterbeer! Frozen, please! YUM!!!

It was lunch time at this point so we popped into the Three Broomsticks. Greg’s chicken dish was delicious but my Shepard’s Pie was BLECH. Instant potatoes and sloppy joe mixed with some frozen veggies-or at least I’m pretty sure that’s what it was.

After lunch we headed out of WWoHP and were ready to explore the rest of the park!

Up next: The rest of IoA and Universal Studios! (Paid to watch TV???)

 

[Joyciemc]

Sorry to hear that you felt so ill after Forbidden Journey! I don't get motion sickness, but I can definitely see how the ride would be a problem for those that do!

I agree that the whole Harry Potter area isn't as big as they make it seem, and it doesn't take long to take it all in.
The stores that aren't real still have some pretty cool window displays, though!

 

[smile4stamps]

Thanks for sharing about the WWOHP! I honestly have no interest in going to Universal. Both hubby and I are Pooh sized and his concern over fitting into rides was a major reason he didn't want to go to WDW the first time. I have heard that Universal is not so forgiving and hubby would never forgive me if I put him in that situation of not fitting.

 

[mfolco]

Subbing! Sooo curious on your experience at Universal. DH and I went about 10 years ago and have not gone back since. Its fine, IF we had never gone to Disney - something about US is just off to us. The lines don't move as well, the rides seem a little disappointing, and the food is nowhere near as good.

BUT I keep wondering if we should go back because of HP.... I'm a fan (DH is not) ... we do Disney twice a year - is it worth giving up a Dis day for a US day????

Great TR!!! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Uh oh... I hope my DH doesn't get motion sick on Forbidden Journey!

Sorry you weren't as impressed as you'd hoped but I'm glad to hear the crowds weren't there that day.

Can't wait to see what else you did on the dark side.

 

[partyof2]

Joining in.

The first time I rid Forbidden Journey I felt so, so sick; it took my stomach about an hour to settle afterwards. I hadn't had a proper breakfast that day as we'd been in such a rush to ride it before the wait time rocketed, I plucked up the courage to ride again later in my trip and made sure I had something more substantial to eat and I loved it. It's up there with my favourite rides. I hope you give it another bash if you ever visit Universal again!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Sorry to hear that you felt so ill after Forbidden Journey! I don't get motion sickness, but I can definitely see how the ride would be a problem for those that do!

I agree that the whole Harry Potter area isn't as big as they make it seem, and it doesn't take long to take it all in.
The stores that aren't real still have some pretty cool window displays, though!

Oh, I loved the window displays! I think that maybe those small details (like Hermione's dress in that one window) weren't as impressive to me b/c a couple (few???) years ago a Harry Potter display came to the Museum of Science and Industry here in Chicago and there it was filled with all sorts of props from the movie. It was really neat!

Thanks for sharing about the WWOHP! I honestly have no interest in going to Universal. Both hubby and I are Pooh sized and his concern over fitting into rides was a major reason he didn't want to go to WDW the first time. I have heard that Universal is not so forgiving and hubby would never forgive me if I put him in that situation of not fitting.

As you can see from the pictures, my hubby and I are larger as well (me more so than him now that he's lost quite a bit of weight) and I can tell you that I JUST fit into the seat. If it would have been a couple inches smaller I wouldn't have been able to ride. In fact they asked DH and I to switch seats so that I was on the end. (I guess the ones on the end are bigger.)

I'll share more about Universal in general (and more about rides) once I do my next post.

Subbing! Sooo curious on your experience at Universal. DH and I went about 10 years ago and have not gone back since. Its fine, IF we had never gone to Disney - something about US is just off to us. The lines don't move as well, the rides seem a little disappointing, and the food is nowhere near as good.

BUT I keep wondering if we should go back because of HP.... I'm a fan (DH is not) ... we do Disney twice a year - is it worth giving up a Dis day for a US day????

Great TR!!! Can't wait to hear more!

I know EXACTLY how you feel! There is no comparison to Disney and Universal. I don't even understand how people can say they like Universal better?!

If you're only interested in WWoHP, go for the morning. You can be back to WDW by the afternoon. If you don't usually rent a car, do so for the day. Get to IoA right when it opens, spend a couple hours in WWoHP and then leave. I know that seems like a big waste of money but the rest of IoA and all of Universal leave A LOT to be desired. (Go to the outlet malls to get cheap Disney World merchandise and get lunch afterword while you still have the car.)

Uh oh... I hope my DH doesn't get motion sick on Forbidden Journey!

Sorry you weren't as impressed as you'd hoped but I'm glad to hear the crowds weren't there that day.

Can't wait to see what else you did on the dark side.

Can your DH ride Mission Space? I rode on green back in 2006 and I still felt a little woozy. I'm fine on every other Disney ride, however. (Well, I haven't done Star Tours.) DH gets mild motion sickness and even he didn't feel very well after riding the Forbidden Journey.

Joining in.

The first time I rid Forbidden Journey I felt so, so sick; it took my stomach about an hour to settle afterwards. I hadn't had a proper breakfast that day as we'd been in such a rush to ride it before the wait time rocketed, I plucked up the courage to ride again later in my trip and made sure I had something more substantial to eat and I loved it. It's up there with my favourite rides. I hope you give it another bash if you ever visit Universal again!

I'm so happy to have new readers!

I'm worried that if I do have something more in my stomach, it will for sure come up! Who knows, I say never again now but maybe (if we ever do go back to Universal) I will ride it again. Maybe. A BIG maybe.

 

[Eastern]

Thanks for posting your US experience. DH really wants to see HP but I don't want to disrupt our Disney schedule. I didn't consider just doing it for 1 day but now I am thinking about it as we will probably be renting a car for the week (or driving, with these dumb airfare prices).

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Thanks for posting your US experience. DH really wants to see HP but I don't want to disrupt our Disney schedule. I didn't consider just doing it for 1 day but now I am thinking about it as we will probably be renting a car for the week (or driving, with these dumb airfare prices).

You're welcome.We left Universal around 3pm or so and that was after visiting both parks. (Granted we didn't ride a lot of things.) I think one day is plenty!

 

[leslie826]

Joining in! I'm enjoying your TR so far! And I reaaaallllly want a carrot cake cookie right about now. I was wondering if you'd be able to tell me a little more about your new job? I'd love to work from home, and my background is in education so what you described intrigues me. If you get a minute to send me a PM, I'd really appreciate it! Sorry to go so far off topic. Looking forward to the rest of the report!!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Joining in! I'm enjoying your TR so far! And I reaaaallllly want a carrot cake cookie right about now. I was wondering if you'd be able to tell me a little more about your new job? I'd love to work from home, and my background is in education so what you described intrigues me. If you get a minute to send me a PM, I'd really appreciate it! Sorry to go so far off topic. Looking forward to the rest of the report!!

Next time I get the carrot cake cookie, I'm using a fork and knife!

Could you PM me your email address? I'm better at communicating back and forth through email rather than the PMs.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Sunday, October 2 (Cont.):

When I last left off, we had just left WwoHP and we’re ready to explore the rest of the park. I hadn’t really made a touring plan for this day. I just thought we’d walk through the park and see what caught our eyes.

We approached the Jurassic Park water ride and decided to get in line. It was a ton of fun and I like it so much better than Dinosaur in AK (IMO). We did get pretty soaked, though. There was one point in the ride where I made fun of Greg b/c a dinosaur spit water in his face but not 30 seconds later a dinosaur did the same to me! LOL Who showed who?!

Once we got off the ride I noticed I had a text message from my dad letting me know that my brother had been in a car accident. I immediately called him to get the details. My brother and 2 friends were out cruising through the farm roads near my dad’s house (my parent’s live in a town that is surrounded by a pretty rural area) and were hit by a car. My brother got knocked out and broke his arm and his friend that was sitting behind him was knocked out and had to get stitches in his face. The friend sitting in the passenger seat was okay because the car had impacted on the driver’s side rear tire. My brother got really lucky! After settling down from that news, we continued to tour the park.

Actually, we just ended up walking right on through the rest of the park as nothing really interested us. I just don’t care to ride Spiderman or the Hulk. To me, IoA was just a step up from Six Flags and ten steps down from Disney World.

I actually didn’t even really want to go to Universal but Greg wanted to ride the Simpsons attraction so we trekked over there.

My first impression was okay. They had the Simpsons characters out for a meet & greet but unfortunately they weren’t letting anyone else in the line.

We headed toward the Shrek movie but once I saw the sign about motion sickness I opted out and Greg decided he didn’t want to go, either. After the Forbidden Journey I wasn’t taking any chances!

So instead, we headed toward the Simpsons attraction and that is when I started to notice just how deserted the parked look. I’m not talking about the crowds at the park, either. There were SO MANY food stands closed. I was not impressed.

Greg got in line and the wait time said 15 minutes. Not bad.

I decided to find somewhere to get a sweet treat and I eventually decided on a root beer float. It was pretty generic but I enjoyed it while I waited and waited and waited for Greg. 45 minutes later he appeared! Man, that was a long 15 minutes!!!

We walked through the park and didn’t end up riding anything else at this park either.

We were, however, paid $15 each to watch an episode of the Office and complete a survey afterward. Score! It’s some area they have that gathers people’s opinions on new shows and even though the Office isn’t new I think they wanted opinions on how it might do without Steve Carrell.

We left pretty much right after that. I just wasn’t in the mood to be at Universal anymore. It just doesn’t compare to Disney World. There are not enough attractions that interest me there. I know probably some of you are thinking that it was a waste of $$ to go and only ride a few attractions but the main reason we went to Universal was to see the WWoHP and we also redeemed our debit card reward points for a free day in Universal (for both of us) so we actually didn’t pay to get into the park. If our future children love Dr. Seuss, Harry Potter or comic book heroes we may go back. Until then, we’ll stick with what we know we love, Disney World!

Up Next: I realllllllllly hate the GPS and Downtown Disney!

 

[SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE]

I have such vivid memories of the Jurrasic Park ride from when I was younger. It was actually the reason that I never rode Splash Mountain until recently. I was told it was just a little drop, and it was a lot bigger than I was anticipating. I was terrified!

I agree with you about IoA. I wasn't super impressed with it either since I don't like the big trill rides. I prefer Universal and the fun movie attractions.

 

[smile4stamps]

Thank you for cementing in my mind not to bother with Universal!!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I have such vivid memories of the Jurrasic Park ride from when I was younger. It was actually the reason that I never rode Splash Mountain until recently. I was told it was just a little drop, and it was a lot bigger than I was anticipating. I was terrified!

I agree with you about IoA. I wasn't super impressed with it either since I don't like the big trill rides. I prefer Universal and the fun movie attractions.

I have to admit, that drop on Jurassic Park is quite thrilling!

I wasn't impressed with Universal, either. It just seemed so deserted.

Thank you for cementing in my mind not to bother with Universal!!

Just stick to Disney World!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I'm still here everybody! I worked the past 2 weekends at the library and I put off getting my hours in for my writing job until the last minute on the last invoice -so I was VERY busy last week! I'm sure everyone here on the DIS is busy themselves with the holidays coming up! From this coming Friday evening-Sunday evening we have 7 parties to attend! Yes, you read that correctly!

I promise this TR is not deserted! Just hold tight and I will get another update going just as soon as I have time!

~*~Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!~*~​

 

[DisMomAmy]

Not quite as busy as you with 7 parties but still very busy with the holidays! I got an update done on my TR yesterday but I'm behind on most of my subscriptions. Hope you have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!