S
SpottyDog
Guest
The short version ; full drivel here - Day 4 - An unusually normal day
Day 4 - An unusually normal day.
We were at Ponderosa for Julies next assault on the obstacle course that was her breakfast and a good time was had by all. About seven cups of coffee later, were off to Universal and arrive at the gates about 10am ,having got into the garage and parked without any delays (which is a first).
The line for Hannah Barbera (Js favourite) was posted at 20 minutes so I left Valerie and the kids in the line while I went to sort out Express Passes.
Terminator 3D (Vs favourite) was the priority with ET next and MIB as that was new to us. By the time I got back from me EP excursion, the family of doom were already on HB, so I missed that one. Our EP for T3D was for 10.50 to 11.50, so we killed the few minutes we had to wait by catching some video footage of the streets of Rodeo Drive and Hollywood Boulevard. I particularly enjoy the theming of the streets and mood of the soundtracks all over US and ,have to say, it beats MGM for overall mood wherever you are in the park. Just after 10.50 we headed through the EP gate for T3D dragging our Julie as we went. Youll know by now J has a deep seated fear of the unknown and we shielded her from this in 99 due to the nature of the show (noise wise). 2 years on, we figured she would be ok and it would be one of those once shes been in shell love it shows. Shed be fine. She didnt look fine as she cowered and sobbed her way through the line. She hated it. It was much louder than wed remembered. Great for us , not for Julie - BAD DAD- this is going to cost you !
.. We headed back over the bridge to use our ET EP first. While we could have joined the front of the line sooner, we took our time through the forest as I think this is one ride where the pre-show queuing meander is really atmospheric. Allocated our bicycle, we set off in the vain hope of helping ET get home against all the odds and against the nice policemen with guns. To our utter amazement, we made it, again, as we had last time we were here. The next amazed expression was the CM at the end of the ride ; Dont use that VC on this ride , Sir. Bit late, Pet. Its on me telly at home from now on. Next, we headed to MIB and stowed our gear in the lockers provided - nice system that. We loved the theming in MIB and particularly those little stick-insect aliens on their coffee break. On the ride, we didnt have a clue and spent the whole ride spinning towards oblivion as we blasted women and children with gay abandon - the baddies were never safer. We all loved this ride and vowed to pay attention next time in the vain hope of someone being the first in our family to score a point!
When we came out of MIB, it was raining for a change and we were so pleased we chose to come this week for our holiday of a lifetime. Me and V had our flimsy raincovers from 99 - coz I throw nowt away - and these served to keep the worst of the rain from us - the kids would rather throw themselves in the lake than wear one. I continued filming through Amity Avenue and into Embarcadero and left me happy band of rainwarriors sheltering as I braved the lashing rainfall to get EPs for Kong and Earthquake. The queues for EPs were almost worse now than the rides themselves and it took a while but was to be worth it. Once issued, the EPs were for only minutes later and we were soon in the warm shelter of Earthquakes pre-show assembly area, then we followed the lovely casting lady to our doom in the subway. Now, I did wonder if I was going to get blamed for dragging Julie onto this one, but as wed described it as like Catastrophe Canyon she was well up for it. Id forgotten how loud and dark this was and worried for me daughters sanity. Loved it! Laughed her head off all the way through - so thats coz it wasnt my idea then? Oh, and got some nice (but dark) footage in the subway - so that was nice.
Straight from EQ to Kong we raced round the EP walkway as all the rain shelterers looked at us in that wish Id thought of that way. Now I wasnt that bothered about this last time but it was, again, a Valerie favourite. As she doesnt do rides ,V particularly enjoys the rides at US which are more mini shows and Kong is one of the best examples of this. Now, I remember Mike saying in his report that his second Kong ride by far exceeded the first due to the difference in the CMs reactions and this was to be just the same for me. In 99, the driver didnt convey any real atmosphere to me but this time our chappy convinced us this was for real - WE WERE GOING TO DIE ! He was brilliant and really made the journey seem so lifelike (and when you think how corny the storyline is, thats no mean feat). I got a great video of the ride and you can still feel the terror in his voice. Thank YOU Sir, whoever you are. You are a testament to how to enjoy your job and make a difference to others along the way.
Out of Kong and it was hoying it down in epic proportions. I finished me video of the streets by sailing right round 54th Street and Park Avenue and we decided to try Alfred Hitchcock - The Art of Making Movies Show. I went to get us EPs for Alfred Hitchcock and Hannah-Barbera. Gary doesnt really like simulators so only me and J were to ride HB twice each. I despatched Gary with V to get EPs for Twister and T3D and me and the one who gets her own way went on one of me favourite rides. No-one told me to put the VC away during the preshow and I left it by me side until the last second on the ride. Ive now got a great momento of one of the best rides in the park - it takes me straight back to me youth.
When we came out of HB, V&G told us they couldnt get EPs for T3D or Twister as they were now closed. The line for the next show of Alfred Hitchcock was only 10 minutes so we decided to go then rather than wait for our EPs as this was for the next show after this one. Out of AH three minutes after our HB EP expired we were going to give up (no more EPs there either) when I thought Id just try. I explained to the CM that wed been in Hitch and it ran longer than we expected and we missed our HBs. No problem , come right in. He must have been trained at Disney! So me and J rode HB again and it was even better with both hands to hang on with!
JUNGLE JIM'S
..Out of the garage the road planners forgot, Ive never yet come out the lane that lets you go left straight onto International Boulevard, and have got lost every time I can think of. This time, I had a plan - just keep turning right until I get me bearings. Two rights and Im on the slip road for 14 West - so at least Im heading in the right direction. Visibility is not an option, and we drive by Braille. It was 5.40 and we decided to head straight for Crossroads and try Jungle Jims as wed been impressed so much by Mikes report of the place .At least we were in the car so long we dried off - which was nice. It seemed to ease off as we approached Crossroads and we eased into the car park just opposite JJs. As soon as I stopped the engine it started again. Hoying no longer does the quantity justice this was bucketfuls just aimed at us. Just getting the 15 yards from the car to JJs left us like the proverbial rodents who couldnt swim and went under the waves so many times they stopped breathing. We were a tad damp! Pondering the menu, V chose chicken strips as shed heard them recommended on the board and G went for Ole Standard (Burger and fries coz there was nothing else he fancied). J picked bacon and cheese supreme coz shes into extras on her burgers and likes the way the Americans do their bacon crispy. I knew what I was having coz I remembered Mikes account of babyback ribs. Now, I dont eat ribs at home (other than as appetisers at the chinese we go to) and was surprised to see the baby backs came in half portions. When the lovely server came back to get our order and I told her what Id just told you she said A whole portion? Way to go! Bemused as to why anyone would want to order a childrens portion in a restaurant, I just put it down to a difference in culture.
She asked whether I wanted a green salad or Caesars with that? Not being a great lettuce lover, I asked for the Caesars. Now I loved Roman history at school and weve got one of their walls up where I come from, but Id never heard of their salad so looked forward to trying a bit. The pretty server brought me this bowl of salad and it was enormous. It was a meal in itself and Im now a firm Caesar Salad fan! I gave half to V coz I knew it would seriously harm me chances of finishing me main course - and thats when I thought it was going to be a normal portion. When the meals came they were superb. The kids burgers were the biggest and best theyve had and V was well impressed with her chicken strips. My baby backed ribs? She brought me half a butchers freezer! They were hanging over the plate as she put it down in that Im pretty and I told you so way - all kaaki shorts and overflowing babybacked ribs! No wonder they do a half portion. It wasnt for kids it was for a family of four! Why would anyone want a whole salad for starters then this? I loved them. A bit greasy, but hey, this is America. I gave the kids a rib each, V had two , I looked at the fella at the next table and he said hed been there before and now just orders shrimp. Desert? you are seriously joking- JJs mustnt ever serve deserts, their main courses are soooo large. Mega recommendations all round. must do this again - lots.
Day 4 - An unusually normal day.
We were at Ponderosa for Julies next assault on the obstacle course that was her breakfast and a good time was had by all. About seven cups of coffee later, were off to Universal and arrive at the gates about 10am ,having got into the garage and parked without any delays (which is a first).
The line for Hannah Barbera (Js favourite) was posted at 20 minutes so I left Valerie and the kids in the line while I went to sort out Express Passes.
Terminator 3D (Vs favourite) was the priority with ET next and MIB as that was new to us. By the time I got back from me EP excursion, the family of doom were already on HB, so I missed that one. Our EP for T3D was for 10.50 to 11.50, so we killed the few minutes we had to wait by catching some video footage of the streets of Rodeo Drive and Hollywood Boulevard. I particularly enjoy the theming of the streets and mood of the soundtracks all over US and ,have to say, it beats MGM for overall mood wherever you are in the park. Just after 10.50 we headed through the EP gate for T3D dragging our Julie as we went. Youll know by now J has a deep seated fear of the unknown and we shielded her from this in 99 due to the nature of the show (noise wise). 2 years on, we figured she would be ok and it would be one of those once shes been in shell love it shows. Shed be fine. She didnt look fine as she cowered and sobbed her way through the line. She hated it. It was much louder than wed remembered. Great for us , not for Julie - BAD DAD- this is going to cost you !
.. We headed back over the bridge to use our ET EP first. While we could have joined the front of the line sooner, we took our time through the forest as I think this is one ride where the pre-show queuing meander is really atmospheric. Allocated our bicycle, we set off in the vain hope of helping ET get home against all the odds and against the nice policemen with guns. To our utter amazement, we made it, again, as we had last time we were here. The next amazed expression was the CM at the end of the ride ; Dont use that VC on this ride , Sir. Bit late, Pet. Its on me telly at home from now on. Next, we headed to MIB and stowed our gear in the lockers provided - nice system that. We loved the theming in MIB and particularly those little stick-insect aliens on their coffee break. On the ride, we didnt have a clue and spent the whole ride spinning towards oblivion as we blasted women and children with gay abandon - the baddies were never safer. We all loved this ride and vowed to pay attention next time in the vain hope of someone being the first in our family to score a point!
When we came out of MIB, it was raining for a change and we were so pleased we chose to come this week for our holiday of a lifetime. Me and V had our flimsy raincovers from 99 - coz I throw nowt away - and these served to keep the worst of the rain from us - the kids would rather throw themselves in the lake than wear one. I continued filming through Amity Avenue and into Embarcadero and left me happy band of rainwarriors sheltering as I braved the lashing rainfall to get EPs for Kong and Earthquake. The queues for EPs were almost worse now than the rides themselves and it took a while but was to be worth it. Once issued, the EPs were for only minutes later and we were soon in the warm shelter of Earthquakes pre-show assembly area, then we followed the lovely casting lady to our doom in the subway. Now, I did wonder if I was going to get blamed for dragging Julie onto this one, but as wed described it as like Catastrophe Canyon she was well up for it. Id forgotten how loud and dark this was and worried for me daughters sanity. Loved it! Laughed her head off all the way through - so thats coz it wasnt my idea then? Oh, and got some nice (but dark) footage in the subway - so that was nice.
Straight from EQ to Kong we raced round the EP walkway as all the rain shelterers looked at us in that wish Id thought of that way. Now I wasnt that bothered about this last time but it was, again, a Valerie favourite. As she doesnt do rides ,V particularly enjoys the rides at US which are more mini shows and Kong is one of the best examples of this. Now, I remember Mike saying in his report that his second Kong ride by far exceeded the first due to the difference in the CMs reactions and this was to be just the same for me. In 99, the driver didnt convey any real atmosphere to me but this time our chappy convinced us this was for real - WE WERE GOING TO DIE ! He was brilliant and really made the journey seem so lifelike (and when you think how corny the storyline is, thats no mean feat). I got a great video of the ride and you can still feel the terror in his voice. Thank YOU Sir, whoever you are. You are a testament to how to enjoy your job and make a difference to others along the way.
Out of Kong and it was hoying it down in epic proportions. I finished me video of the streets by sailing right round 54th Street and Park Avenue and we decided to try Alfred Hitchcock - The Art of Making Movies Show. I went to get us EPs for Alfred Hitchcock and Hannah-Barbera. Gary doesnt really like simulators so only me and J were to ride HB twice each. I despatched Gary with V to get EPs for Twister and T3D and me and the one who gets her own way went on one of me favourite rides. No-one told me to put the VC away during the preshow and I left it by me side until the last second on the ride. Ive now got a great momento of one of the best rides in the park - it takes me straight back to me youth.
When we came out of HB, V&G told us they couldnt get EPs for T3D or Twister as they were now closed. The line for the next show of Alfred Hitchcock was only 10 minutes so we decided to go then rather than wait for our EPs as this was for the next show after this one. Out of AH three minutes after our HB EP expired we were going to give up (no more EPs there either) when I thought Id just try. I explained to the CM that wed been in Hitch and it ran longer than we expected and we missed our HBs. No problem , come right in. He must have been trained at Disney! So me and J rode HB again and it was even better with both hands to hang on with!
JUNGLE JIM'S
..Out of the garage the road planners forgot, Ive never yet come out the lane that lets you go left straight onto International Boulevard, and have got lost every time I can think of. This time, I had a plan - just keep turning right until I get me bearings. Two rights and Im on the slip road for 14 West - so at least Im heading in the right direction. Visibility is not an option, and we drive by Braille. It was 5.40 and we decided to head straight for Crossroads and try Jungle Jims as wed been impressed so much by Mikes report of the place .At least we were in the car so long we dried off - which was nice. It seemed to ease off as we approached Crossroads and we eased into the car park just opposite JJs. As soon as I stopped the engine it started again. Hoying no longer does the quantity justice this was bucketfuls just aimed at us. Just getting the 15 yards from the car to JJs left us like the proverbial rodents who couldnt swim and went under the waves so many times they stopped breathing. We were a tad damp! Pondering the menu, V chose chicken strips as shed heard them recommended on the board and G went for Ole Standard (Burger and fries coz there was nothing else he fancied). J picked bacon and cheese supreme coz shes into extras on her burgers and likes the way the Americans do their bacon crispy. I knew what I was having coz I remembered Mikes account of babyback ribs. Now, I dont eat ribs at home (other than as appetisers at the chinese we go to) and was surprised to see the baby backs came in half portions. When the lovely server came back to get our order and I told her what Id just told you she said A whole portion? Way to go! Bemused as to why anyone would want to order a childrens portion in a restaurant, I just put it down to a difference in culture.
She asked whether I wanted a green salad or Caesars with that? Not being a great lettuce lover, I asked for the Caesars. Now I loved Roman history at school and weve got one of their walls up where I come from, but Id never heard of their salad so looked forward to trying a bit. The pretty server brought me this bowl of salad and it was enormous. It was a meal in itself and Im now a firm Caesar Salad fan! I gave half to V coz I knew it would seriously harm me chances of finishing me main course - and thats when I thought it was going to be a normal portion. When the meals came they were superb. The kids burgers were the biggest and best theyve had and V was well impressed with her chicken strips. My baby backed ribs? She brought me half a butchers freezer! They were hanging over the plate as she put it down in that Im pretty and I told you so way - all kaaki shorts and overflowing babybacked ribs! No wonder they do a half portion. It wasnt for kids it was for a family of four! Why would anyone want a whole salad for starters then this? I loved them. A bit greasy, but hey, this is America. I gave the kids a rib each, V had two , I looked at the fella at the next table and he said hed been there before and now just orders shrimp. Desert? you are seriously joking- JJs mustnt ever serve deserts, their main courses are soooo large. Mega recommendations all round. must do this again - lots.
