Everything but Disney Day 5 - Islands of Adventure + Friendly’s

[dixonsontour]

Everything but Disney Tuesday 18th October 2012 Islands of Adventure + Friendly’s

We were awake at 7.45 am – adjusted at last.

Had breakfast in the room – bagels/english muffins.

Today was Islands of Adventure, our first time here since 2003 and DD’s first visit. Parking was $15.

We arrived at 9.30am, the park was very quiet except harry potter land. I bought DD a ‘Thing 1’ top – was $15.95 plus tax for the size age 5/6.

There were just a few groups in from a disabled children’s charity so as long as you avoided these groups – they all lined up together for rides – all rides were a walk on.

Plan was to do everything we wanted to except harry potter today and we did.

A tropical storm was threatening which probably kept the crowds very low. We expected it to throw it down in the afternoon – it never did in the end. When we left for lunch Forbidden journey had a posted wait of only 15 mins on the boards near the entrance.

We did spiderman twice as the first time it wasn’t working properly, Jurassic park and pteranodon flyers – which were a big hit with DD.

We did walk through harry potter area to get to Seuss landing – as you walked in it was like argh this is where everyone is as it looked really busy.

DD had a good time in the Seuss area – went on the train ride, carousel, red fish blue fish several times – cat in the hat was closed.

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At this point it was lunchtime and looked as though it was going to rain soon. We decided to go to citi walk for lunch and ate at Margaritaville. Cost $38 plus tip.

I had a coupon off orlandocoupons.com for a free margarita for myself and DH (limit was 1 coupon per person NOT per table)

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We then went to premium outlets at the top of I drive which was super busy. I think people had decided to have a shopping day with the tropical storm prediction.

DD got some ugg boots at the ugg outlet store for $95 inc tax. They are a uk size 1 – orchid pink with sparkly sole. Very limited selection of kids uggs – just had 4 pairs of these and luckily one pair was DD’s size.

DH got a polo top for $10 in the Disney character outlet.

We headed down International drive and stopped for tea at Friendly’s. I had the $11.99 deal – chicken strips, coke, and ice cream sundae. DH had $9.99 deal – chicken melt with fries, coke and a sundae(he paid a couple of dollars more to have a fancier kitkat sundae). DD had a kids meal. I had a coupon for a free kids meal and used that.

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We went back ‘home’ for a bit then popped out later to The Loop, Kissimmee. Had a look in TJ Maxx and DH popped into Best buy.

Weather was hot 80 degrees but cloudy- i’ve put in my notes it was spitting with rain a bit but I can’t remember that. The threatened tropical storm missed Orlando in the end.

 

[dixonsontour]

 

[DISWolves]

Our first and only encounter with pteranodon flyers, was a 45 minute wait and I could not believe how short the ride was. Having approached from the front, we didn't realise it only did a small circuit
Looking at the stormy skies in your pics, I can see why the park was quiet.
Desserts look good in Friendly's

 

[Chilly]

Harry Potter does seem to draw the crowds away from the rest of the park.