DAY 7 FRIDAY 27th OCTOBER 2006
The dining review for this day can be found here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1296346
The Cast:
Heather the trouble and strife er, I mean my dear wife (mad about Winnie-the-Pooh)
Daniel my 15 year old son (mad about Jack Skellington)
Rhiannon my 13 year old daughter (mad about Tinkerbell)
El Tel Me, so old I need to be carbon-dated (just mad in general)
The plan for today is to head back to Universal Studios this time to do Islands of Adventure. This is a big day for me - I used to be a roller coaster chicken (I was dropped on my head or something when I was a nipper) but I have been gradually building up to full size, mega loop coasters. At the ripe old age of 44, today is the day Im planning to graduate. (My DS thinks its pathetic and I probably agree!) After IOA, we are scheduled to head back to Epcot because it is an EMH evening for resort guests. Weve also got an ADR at the Teppanyaki Dining Room for 8pm.
Well the pattern seems to be holding true now the kids get up late and we then have a CS or snack credit breakfast at Mara. At least it was better than yesterday we got to Universal at around 10:15 rather than mid-day.
As IOA hasnt changed at all since our last visit we decided to head back to Universal Studios for the rest of the morning to do a few rides there before doing IOA.
First up at US was the Revenge of the Mummy. We loved this yesterday (despite it nearly putting my back out). We had a ride photo held on their system and thought wed ride again and take the best of the two photos. Well, the thing decided to break down. Most of the queue moved on to seek their thrills elsewhere but a small band of us stuck it out at the head of the queue. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The CM (or Universal equivalent) gave us lots of info about the ride, including hidden things to look out for e.g. a hidden King Kong behind the pop-up mummies (the building used to house Kongfrontation). The ride got going again and the front of the queue got on. It left just El Tel & Co in the queue. This meant that we got the next vehicle all to ourselves. It made an interesting ride photo but we look a little sad on our own (and looking at the photo, I obviously can't see the terrifying drop that the others can).
We then headed over to Earthquake. I still like this ride despite having gone on it a fair number of times now. Im impressed how they manage to do it time and time again (thats the engineer in me I guess). Universal seem to have it in for my spine today though ouch!
We made towards the entrance but not before taking in the Horror Make-Up Show. There was a wait for the next show so we decided to take a look inside the Magic Shop opposite. We had a nice little magic show laid on for us ok it was a sales pitch I know but very good. It was successful too because I bought a couple of tricks I love my magic, even the non-Disney branded stuff.
Daniel, Rhiannon and I then went into the horror make up show (not Heathers cup of tea too scary / gory). Well it wasnt that scary or gory, in fact it was hilarious; an absolute riot. If you havent done this Id recommend it especially if you are in need of a quick sit-down and a good laugh. Be warned, they like audience participation.
We then strolled round to Islands of Adventure at around 12:30. On our first trip to Florida in 2000, I thought Id like this park least (remember my roller coaster chicken credentials) but it turned out to be a lot of fun. We passed the Hard Rock Cafe en-route.
The entrance area to IOA is pretty well themed almost Disney standards. I took a number of photos as we walked through it. You may remember from Day 2 that by a one-in-a-million chance my contact lens popped out and it was trodden on. Well make that two-in-a-million as I was snapping away the damn thing did it again (I must have nudged the corner of it with the viewfinder). You cant imagine the panic that ensued. Fortunately it was daylight and the crowds were light and we managed to deflect those heading our way. One of the staff helped, but it was eagle-eyed Daniel who found it thankfully intact. I was neurotic about the thing after that!
Having rinsed my contact lens in a drinking fountain yes I know it isnt recommended we carried on to the Hulk. Well this was going to be my roller-coaster day .but it wasnt going to start with this green monster. Heather and Daniel rode it whilst Rhiannon and I snuck into the nearby pizza restaurant and ordered lunch for us all.
After lunch Daniel, Rhiannon and I rode Spiderman 3D. I love this ride. Heather doesnt so she sat it out it gives her motion sickness. I always find it odd that she can handle coasters but not simulators or Imaxes.
We headed round to our favourite rapids ride in existence Popeye and Blutos Bilge Rat Barges (sorry Kali River Rapids). It was closed! Fortunately the closure looked temporary so we moved on round to Jurassic Park to ride the JP River Adventure. Rhiannon wasnt sure about this ride so it was her turn to sit it out. Strangely, Daniel was a bit nervous about riding it too Mr Coaster Addict was getting cold feet! However, he did ride it with Heather and me we all got nicely wet (a speciality of IOA). It may be a long drop but I dont rate this against Splash Mountain (the best flume ride in existence though Dudley Do-Right has a better drop).
We then headed back to the Popeye ride. Yippee, it was now open and the queue was short. We hopped on and had a riot of a time. Got thoroughly soaked of course but thats the fun. Its great to look at the raging torrent ahead or the jets of water and guess who is going to cop it next but it is so unpredictable it is likely to be you. Keep your mouth shut or you will drown. They ought to Disney-theme this and move it to MK. Daniel rode just the once because his undies got soaked, but the rest of us rode twice.
Heather and Rhiannon had the foresight to bring a changed of clothes, which they changed into whilst Daniel and I squidged round to .Fire and Ice. Gulp! I've been slowly working up to the really hairy coasters on every trip. Last time I got as far as Space Mountain, and Scorpion and Python at Busch Gardens. I rode RNRC at DLRP last year, so this year was time for the big stuff - this was the moment of truth. I was bleedin' terrified but I was determined to take the opportunity this time round. Daniel suggested Fire and Ice as a good start point for this. We got to the front of the line and I was all hyped up (hyperventilating, that is). Fire was out of action so we had to ride Ice. I strapped myself in and gritted my teeth. My, what a wonderful view from the top! My, what a long way down! Whooooooooah! Well, the ride was 'interesting' but not too bad. I was somewhat dizzy at the end and had to sit down for a bit, but I was very pleased to have done it.
We then lined up for Poseidons Fury. For some reason Heather had got a bit shaken up by Ice so she decided to sit this one out she thought it would be pants anyway. Well she was wrong. This was surprisingly effective. Brilliant effects even if the guide was a bit corny. In fact the audience gave it a spontaneous round of applause at the end. Dont dismiss this one (though feel free to steer well clear of The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad we did this time).
It was geeting near to my planned time to go (we had to get to Epcot for our ADR at the Teppanyaki Dining Room). Daniel was pestering me to go on Hulk but I really wasnt sure after the way Ice had mixed me up I had to drive soon. Also there was a 40 minute queue and that would mean we might be late for our ADR.
Anyway it was Heathers turn to do Doctor Dooms Fearfall. This was the object of a long-running (but friendly) dispute between Heather and Daniel. Heather has ridden TOT on our last trip, Daniel had not. Daniel had ridden DDFF, Heather had not. They both reckoned their ride was scarier. (My money was on Daniel.) Of course Rhiannon and I sat this one out purely for reasons of abject fear. Heather was a little reluctant to admit it, but Daniel won the argument.
We left IOA and drove to Epcot. We got there in plenty of time so I would have had time to queue for and ride Hulk after all if Id really wanted to.
As we got there early, Heather decided to have a short rest in the car whilst the kids and I did a few unplanned rides at Epcot.
I love Epcot and was so glad to be back (almost a week into the holiday). The traditional starting point is Spaceship Earth. The line was nice and short we walked straight on. For some reason I didnt enjoy it as much this year I would normally ride it multiple times, but not this year. Maybe I miss the AT&T announcement at the end I wouldnt have thought so.
Next ride was one of the new ones (only just opened) The Seas with Nemo and Friends. We love the film (in fact all of the Pixar films). I though this was very well done. Especially at the end where it looks like Nemo and friends are swimming with real fish.
The line for Turtle Talk with Crush was too long wed save that for another day so we headed over to Japan to meet Heather and have our dinner. Just in time as it had started to drizzle.
We had a 20 minute wait so we looked around the Mitsukoshi Department Store. This turned out to be a bit of a mistake as it became a magnet for us every time we went to World Showcase afterwards. Daniel got obsessed with all things Japanese and Zen. The Teppanyaki Dining Room itself was very good the kids really liked it (I was so worried they wouldnt). Ill post a report on this meal in the Dining Reviews forum in due course.
After our meal we went outside. The drizzle had stopped, thankfully. Heather was tired so went of to catch a bus back to AKL. The kids and I decided to make the most of the EMH, so headed off to Future World. We took a long time ambling through World Showcase so it was getting quite late by the time we got to Future World.
Looking at the queuing times we decided to ride Soarin. We had a chuckle at the ride instruction video especially these little beauties
and 
. We got strapped in and away we went. What a fabulous ride. I liked the little details like the wind in your hair and the smell of pine and orange groves. I also loved the ride music it fitted the ride. Disney are so good with the musical side of things.
We had about an hour of EMH to go, so we could have fitted in more rides, but the kids were completely whacked (me too if I were honest). It had been a long, fun day so we headed back to the car, AKL and bed.
Day 8 100% Epcot
Link back to Day 6 - Universal Studios:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1286953
The dining review for this day can be found here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1296346
The Cast:
Heather the trouble and strife er, I mean my dear wife (mad about Winnie-the-Pooh)
Daniel my 15 year old son (mad about Jack Skellington)
Rhiannon my 13 year old daughter (mad about Tinkerbell)
El Tel Me, so old I need to be carbon-dated (just mad in general)
The plan for today is to head back to Universal Studios this time to do Islands of Adventure. This is a big day for me - I used to be a roller coaster chicken (I was dropped on my head or something when I was a nipper) but I have been gradually building up to full size, mega loop coasters. At the ripe old age of 44, today is the day Im planning to graduate. (My DS thinks its pathetic and I probably agree!) After IOA, we are scheduled to head back to Epcot because it is an EMH evening for resort guests. Weve also got an ADR at the Teppanyaki Dining Room for 8pm.
Well the pattern seems to be holding true now the kids get up late and we then have a CS or snack credit breakfast at Mara. At least it was better than yesterday we got to Universal at around 10:15 rather than mid-day.
As IOA hasnt changed at all since our last visit we decided to head back to Universal Studios for the rest of the morning to do a few rides there before doing IOA.
First up at US was the Revenge of the Mummy. We loved this yesterday (despite it nearly putting my back out). We had a ride photo held on their system and thought wed ride again and take the best of the two photos. Well, the thing decided to break down. Most of the queue moved on to seek their thrills elsewhere but a small band of us stuck it out at the head of the queue. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The CM (or Universal equivalent) gave us lots of info about the ride, including hidden things to look out for e.g. a hidden King Kong behind the pop-up mummies (the building used to house Kongfrontation). The ride got going again and the front of the queue got on. It left just El Tel & Co in the queue. This meant that we got the next vehicle all to ourselves. It made an interesting ride photo but we look a little sad on our own (and looking at the photo, I obviously can't see the terrifying drop that the others can).
We then headed over to Earthquake. I still like this ride despite having gone on it a fair number of times now. Im impressed how they manage to do it time and time again (thats the engineer in me I guess). Universal seem to have it in for my spine today though ouch!
We made towards the entrance but not before taking in the Horror Make-Up Show. There was a wait for the next show so we decided to take a look inside the Magic Shop opposite. We had a nice little magic show laid on for us ok it was a sales pitch I know but very good. It was successful too because I bought a couple of tricks I love my magic, even the non-Disney branded stuff.
Daniel, Rhiannon and I then went into the horror make up show (not Heathers cup of tea too scary / gory). Well it wasnt that scary or gory, in fact it was hilarious; an absolute riot. If you havent done this Id recommend it especially if you are in need of a quick sit-down and a good laugh. Be warned, they like audience participation.
We then strolled round to Islands of Adventure at around 12:30. On our first trip to Florida in 2000, I thought Id like this park least (remember my roller coaster chicken credentials) but it turned out to be a lot of fun. We passed the Hard Rock Cafe en-route.
The entrance area to IOA is pretty well themed almost Disney standards. I took a number of photos as we walked through it. You may remember from Day 2 that by a one-in-a-million chance my contact lens popped out and it was trodden on. Well make that two-in-a-million as I was snapping away the damn thing did it again (I must have nudged the corner of it with the viewfinder). You cant imagine the panic that ensued. Fortunately it was daylight and the crowds were light and we managed to deflect those heading our way. One of the staff helped, but it was eagle-eyed Daniel who found it thankfully intact. I was neurotic about the thing after that!
Having rinsed my contact lens in a drinking fountain yes I know it isnt recommended we carried on to the Hulk. Well this was going to be my roller-coaster day .but it wasnt going to start with this green monster. Heather and Daniel rode it whilst Rhiannon and I snuck into the nearby pizza restaurant and ordered lunch for us all.
After lunch Daniel, Rhiannon and I rode Spiderman 3D. I love this ride. Heather doesnt so she sat it out it gives her motion sickness. I always find it odd that she can handle coasters but not simulators or Imaxes.
We headed round to our favourite rapids ride in existence Popeye and Blutos Bilge Rat Barges (sorry Kali River Rapids). It was closed! Fortunately the closure looked temporary so we moved on round to Jurassic Park to ride the JP River Adventure. Rhiannon wasnt sure about this ride so it was her turn to sit it out. Strangely, Daniel was a bit nervous about riding it too Mr Coaster Addict was getting cold feet! However, he did ride it with Heather and me we all got nicely wet (a speciality of IOA). It may be a long drop but I dont rate this against Splash Mountain (the best flume ride in existence though Dudley Do-Right has a better drop).
We then headed back to the Popeye ride. Yippee, it was now open and the queue was short. We hopped on and had a riot of a time. Got thoroughly soaked of course but thats the fun. Its great to look at the raging torrent ahead or the jets of water and guess who is going to cop it next but it is so unpredictable it is likely to be you. Keep your mouth shut or you will drown. They ought to Disney-theme this and move it to MK. Daniel rode just the once because his undies got soaked, but the rest of us rode twice.
Heather and Rhiannon had the foresight to bring a changed of clothes, which they changed into whilst Daniel and I squidged round to .Fire and Ice. Gulp! I've been slowly working up to the really hairy coasters on every trip. Last time I got as far as Space Mountain, and Scorpion and Python at Busch Gardens. I rode RNRC at DLRP last year, so this year was time for the big stuff - this was the moment of truth. I was bleedin' terrified but I was determined to take the opportunity this time round. Daniel suggested Fire and Ice as a good start point for this. We got to the front of the line and I was all hyped up (hyperventilating, that is). Fire was out of action so we had to ride Ice. I strapped myself in and gritted my teeth. My, what a wonderful view from the top! My, what a long way down! Whooooooooah! Well, the ride was 'interesting' but not too bad. I was somewhat dizzy at the end and had to sit down for a bit, but I was very pleased to have done it.
We then lined up for Poseidons Fury. For some reason Heather had got a bit shaken up by Ice so she decided to sit this one out she thought it would be pants anyway. Well she was wrong. This was surprisingly effective. Brilliant effects even if the guide was a bit corny. In fact the audience gave it a spontaneous round of applause at the end. Dont dismiss this one (though feel free to steer well clear of The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad we did this time).
It was geeting near to my planned time to go (we had to get to Epcot for our ADR at the Teppanyaki Dining Room). Daniel was pestering me to go on Hulk but I really wasnt sure after the way Ice had mixed me up I had to drive soon. Also there was a 40 minute queue and that would mean we might be late for our ADR.
Anyway it was Heathers turn to do Doctor Dooms Fearfall. This was the object of a long-running (but friendly) dispute between Heather and Daniel. Heather has ridden TOT on our last trip, Daniel had not. Daniel had ridden DDFF, Heather had not. They both reckoned their ride was scarier. (My money was on Daniel.) Of course Rhiannon and I sat this one out purely for reasons of abject fear. Heather was a little reluctant to admit it, but Daniel won the argument.
We left IOA and drove to Epcot. We got there in plenty of time so I would have had time to queue for and ride Hulk after all if Id really wanted to.
As we got there early, Heather decided to have a short rest in the car whilst the kids and I did a few unplanned rides at Epcot.
I love Epcot and was so glad to be back (almost a week into the holiday). The traditional starting point is Spaceship Earth. The line was nice and short we walked straight on. For some reason I didnt enjoy it as much this year I would normally ride it multiple times, but not this year. Maybe I miss the AT&T announcement at the end I wouldnt have thought so.
Next ride was one of the new ones (only just opened) The Seas with Nemo and Friends. We love the film (in fact all of the Pixar films). I though this was very well done. Especially at the end where it looks like Nemo and friends are swimming with real fish.
The line for Turtle Talk with Crush was too long wed save that for another day so we headed over to Japan to meet Heather and have our dinner. Just in time as it had started to drizzle.
We had a 20 minute wait so we looked around the Mitsukoshi Department Store. This turned out to be a bit of a mistake as it became a magnet for us every time we went to World Showcase afterwards. Daniel got obsessed with all things Japanese and Zen. The Teppanyaki Dining Room itself was very good the kids really liked it (I was so worried they wouldnt). Ill post a report on this meal in the Dining Reviews forum in due course.
After our meal we went outside. The drizzle had stopped, thankfully. Heather was tired so went of to catch a bus back to AKL. The kids and I decided to make the most of the EMH, so headed off to Future World. We took a long time ambling through World Showcase so it was getting quite late by the time we got to Future World.
Looking at the queuing times we decided to ride Soarin. We had a chuckle at the ride instruction video especially these little beauties
and . We got strapped in and away we went. What a fabulous ride. I liked the little details like the wind in your hair and the smell of pine and orange groves. I also loved the ride music it fitted the ride. Disney are so good with the musical side of things.We had about an hour of EMH to go, so we could have fitted in more rides, but the kids were completely whacked (me too if I were honest). It had been a long, fun day so we headed back to the car, AKL and bed.
Day 8 100% Epcot
Link back to Day 6 - Universal Studios:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1286953
your review gave me a lot to look forward too
