wilma-bride
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- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
- Messages
- 22,681
Fred and Wilma Second Time Around 19-26 Sep 05
CAST
Me Joh (32) Chief (well, only) planner, lover of thrill rides, impatient and exciteable
DH Gary (38) Chief photographer, also lover of thrill rides and mad about Tigger!
Day 2 20 Sep 05 - Islands of Adventure and a Darn Good Soaking
After being awake every hour from about 1am onwards, I finally give up and get out of bed at 5:30. Armed with my Sudoku book and a pillow, I take up residence on the bathroom floor, so as not to disturb DH. An hour later and Ive decided its time DH is up and about. Why is it that he can always manage to sleep, no matter what the circumstances? Having turned on the lights and made sufficient noise to rouse DH, I hop into the shower. By 7:45, we are both showered and dressed, ready for our day at IOA.
When we venture outside, Im disappointed to see its very overcast but DH reminds me that most mornings started out like this last year. We stop in the lobby to get DHs essential cup of tea, buy I-Ride passes and book the shuttle to Universal/IOA for 9am. Outside, we wait patiently for the Shuttle bus to take us to IOA. It arrives on time, at 8:45, and we hop aboard. Despite having been told we had to book it in advance and have passes for it, the driver doesnt ask for them.
After the short 10 minute journey to Universal, we take the usual route up the escalators and along the moving walkways, feeling the excitement rising. DH is smiling and I swear hes a bit excited (although he would refute this I dont do excited). We stop at Cinnabon for some Cinnamon Stix, which we share, and another cup of tea for DH and we sit for a while watching the people walking past. Everyone looks like theyre in a real hurry, which we cant understand as its only 8:15 and the parks dont open until 9.
We make our way to the entrance to IOA and exchange our vouchers for our 7-day 2-park tickets, then join the small queue at the gates. Shortly after, we are allowed in. We head straight for the Hulk, only to find the lockers have moved since last year which confuses us slightly. Lockers found and loose items deposited, we head on up to the Hulk. We ride it 3 times it would have been a walk-on except twice we chose to wait for the front. DH and I decided last year that the front is definitely the best way to experience this ride. Its fantastic.
After Hulk, its round to Doctor Doom, which is advertising no wait time. I think we actually waited about 10 minutes the first time and 5 the second time.
Then its off to Spiderman. Again, its a walk-on and we also do this twice. As its still quite cloudy and not particularly hot yet, we decide not to do any water rides just yet, so we double back to head into Seuss Landing. I stop and take a couple of pictures on the way. Hang on! The camera is telling me the Flash Card is full. Strange. DH made sure all the cards were empty before we came that was job number two on his long list of things to do (remember from the Getting there report). But Ive only taken 3 pictures I cant quite understand it. DH explains that hes probably accidentally forgotten to delete a film he had on the Flash Card so thats what is taking up all the memory. I wait for the apology but, no, apparently its my fault for leaving the spare cards in the hotel. Now, I am ashamed to admit (again) that I sort-of lost it. Not sure whether it was something to do with him blaming me or the fact that he accused me of only wanting to take pictures for my stupid trip reports. Anyway, I stormed off and left him, not wanting to row with him in the middle of IOA.
Having smoked a couple of cigarettes and calmed down, I tried to find him but he wasnt where I left him. Then the heavens opened. It absolutely tipped it down for a good 20 minutes, during which time Im sheltering and trying to look out for DH. Eventually, the rain eases up. Not wanting to wander too far in case DH is looking for me, I wander aimlessly for a few minutes and finally spot him at the entrance to Seuss Landing. He wanders over, tells me theres no wait for Duelling Dragons (no wonder I couldnt find him if hed gone that far!) and suggests that we were both wrong. I agree (even though I know it was HIS fault) and we make friends.
We walk round to Duelling Dragons to take advantage of no wait time and ride four times (front of Ice, back of Ice, front of Fire and back of Fire). Front of Ice, we both agree, is the best. We walk back through to Seuss Landing and do the Cat in the Hat ride and watch the reading of Green Eggs and Ham, where I spot Laphin from the DIS (dressed up as Green Eggs guy) at least I assume its him. By this time, were getting a bit peckish so we decide an early lunch is in order. I persuade DH that we should eat at Mythos, so we head back to the Lost Continent. We wait a few minutes for it to open and then head inside. I really love everything about this place. The theming is great, the food is superb and its nice to sit by the window and look out over the lagoon.
DH has the Mythos Burger and a Vanilla Shake (which, incidentally, was absolutely delicious) and I have the Chicken Club sandwich and a Diet Coke. Although we are both full, we decide we can manage a dessert between us so opt for the Warm Banana Chocolate Gooey Pudding. This is definitely warm, banana-ey, chocolatey and gooey but neither of us particularly like it. The texture made it seem like it wasnt cooked properly and it was very rich. But it looked beautiful and I did manage to take a picture (by erasing a picture Id taken of the Hulk earlier).
Lunch over, we paid the bill (approx $35 inc tip) and took a slow walk round, through Seuss Landing and Marvel Super Hero Island, to Toon Lagoon, where DH decided that it would be a good idea to get wet now. I did question the logic of this, seeing as it had been raining on and off all morning, but DH pointed out that it was still hot enough to dry off so we deposited our bags, glasses etc. in a locker and off we went.
We rode Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls (15 minute wait), Jurassic Park River Adventure (30 minute wait) and Popeye and Blutos Bilge-Rat Barges (15 minute wait). I can honestly say that, after the combination of all three, I did not have single square millimetre of clothing that wasnt soaking wet. We retrieved our stuff from the locker and decided to walk around a bit to dry off. But then, guess what, it started raining. We sheltered for a while and then thought What the Hell, were already wet and started walking again. I have to admit, I was actually cold now and my feet were starting to rub a bit on my trainers so I suggested to DH that we catch the 4:15 shuttle bus back to the hotel. He agreed but on the basis that we rode the Hulk and Spiderman once more before we went. And the deal was done. We did wait 20 minutes for the Hulk and, obviously, didnt wait for the front. Spiderman was a walk-on again.
Finally, cold, wet and tired, we headed for the bus station to catch the shuttle back to the hotel. I dont think the driver wanted to let us on (we really were soaking still) but she did and we shivered in the air conditioning all the way back to the hotel. I hopped straight in the shower, feeling much warmer when I came out and DH followed suit. We then lay on the bed for a while, watching telly and trying to decide where to go for dinner. We were torn between wanting to try somewhere new and wanting to go back to one of the places wed enjoyed last time. So, we settled for Uno Chicago, which we HAD been to before but agreed that we would eat at Chillis tomorrow.
We caught the I-Ride trolley and arrived at Uno Chicago at about 7:30. We were seated straight away and our server took our order very quickly. DH opted for the baby back ribs and I chose a small margherita pizza with a side order of fries. The drinks came quickly but the rest of it was terrible. DHs meal arrived long before mine, my pizza arrived without the side of fries and, by the time the fries had arrived, both DH and I had finished the rest of our food. The server apologised and said she wouldnt charge us for them as it was their mistake, which was good of her. We then sat for about half an hour before she arrived with the check. DH told her we wanted to order dessert so she took the dessert order and took the check away. However, more than half an hour passed and we hadnt got our desserts. DH had also asked for another Diet Coke, which hadnt materialised either so we asked her to cancel the order, bring the check back and we paid and left. We were both disappointed as wed eaten here twice last year and both times we couldnt fault either the food or the service. This time the food was good but the service was sadly lacking.
We decided to walk part of the way back to the hotel but ended up walking all the way, which took almost an hour. We arrive back, watch Shall we dance (which, incidentally, was a great film) and then go to sleep.
I dream of water, water everywhere!!
CAST
Me Joh (32) Chief (well, only) planner, lover of thrill rides, impatient and exciteable
DH Gary (38) Chief photographer, also lover of thrill rides and mad about Tigger!
Day 2 20 Sep 05 - Islands of Adventure and a Darn Good Soaking
After being awake every hour from about 1am onwards, I finally give up and get out of bed at 5:30. Armed with my Sudoku book and a pillow, I take up residence on the bathroom floor, so as not to disturb DH. An hour later and Ive decided its time DH is up and about. Why is it that he can always manage to sleep, no matter what the circumstances? Having turned on the lights and made sufficient noise to rouse DH, I hop into the shower. By 7:45, we are both showered and dressed, ready for our day at IOA.
When we venture outside, Im disappointed to see its very overcast but DH reminds me that most mornings started out like this last year. We stop in the lobby to get DHs essential cup of tea, buy I-Ride passes and book the shuttle to Universal/IOA for 9am. Outside, we wait patiently for the Shuttle bus to take us to IOA. It arrives on time, at 8:45, and we hop aboard. Despite having been told we had to book it in advance and have passes for it, the driver doesnt ask for them.
After the short 10 minute journey to Universal, we take the usual route up the escalators and along the moving walkways, feeling the excitement rising. DH is smiling and I swear hes a bit excited (although he would refute this I dont do excited). We stop at Cinnabon for some Cinnamon Stix, which we share, and another cup of tea for DH and we sit for a while watching the people walking past. Everyone looks like theyre in a real hurry, which we cant understand as its only 8:15 and the parks dont open until 9.
We make our way to the entrance to IOA and exchange our vouchers for our 7-day 2-park tickets, then join the small queue at the gates. Shortly after, we are allowed in. We head straight for the Hulk, only to find the lockers have moved since last year which confuses us slightly. Lockers found and loose items deposited, we head on up to the Hulk. We ride it 3 times it would have been a walk-on except twice we chose to wait for the front. DH and I decided last year that the front is definitely the best way to experience this ride. Its fantastic.
After Hulk, its round to Doctor Doom, which is advertising no wait time. I think we actually waited about 10 minutes the first time and 5 the second time.
Then its off to Spiderman. Again, its a walk-on and we also do this twice. As its still quite cloudy and not particularly hot yet, we decide not to do any water rides just yet, so we double back to head into Seuss Landing. I stop and take a couple of pictures on the way. Hang on! The camera is telling me the Flash Card is full. Strange. DH made sure all the cards were empty before we came that was job number two on his long list of things to do (remember from the Getting there report). But Ive only taken 3 pictures I cant quite understand it. DH explains that hes probably accidentally forgotten to delete a film he had on the Flash Card so thats what is taking up all the memory. I wait for the apology but, no, apparently its my fault for leaving the spare cards in the hotel. Now, I am ashamed to admit (again) that I sort-of lost it. Not sure whether it was something to do with him blaming me or the fact that he accused me of only wanting to take pictures for my stupid trip reports. Anyway, I stormed off and left him, not wanting to row with him in the middle of IOA.
Having smoked a couple of cigarettes and calmed down, I tried to find him but he wasnt where I left him. Then the heavens opened. It absolutely tipped it down for a good 20 minutes, during which time Im sheltering and trying to look out for DH. Eventually, the rain eases up. Not wanting to wander too far in case DH is looking for me, I wander aimlessly for a few minutes and finally spot him at the entrance to Seuss Landing. He wanders over, tells me theres no wait for Duelling Dragons (no wonder I couldnt find him if hed gone that far!) and suggests that we were both wrong. I agree (even though I know it was HIS fault) and we make friends.
We walk round to Duelling Dragons to take advantage of no wait time and ride four times (front of Ice, back of Ice, front of Fire and back of Fire). Front of Ice, we both agree, is the best. We walk back through to Seuss Landing and do the Cat in the Hat ride and watch the reading of Green Eggs and Ham, where I spot Laphin from the DIS (dressed up as Green Eggs guy) at least I assume its him. By this time, were getting a bit peckish so we decide an early lunch is in order. I persuade DH that we should eat at Mythos, so we head back to the Lost Continent. We wait a few minutes for it to open and then head inside. I really love everything about this place. The theming is great, the food is superb and its nice to sit by the window and look out over the lagoon.
DH has the Mythos Burger and a Vanilla Shake (which, incidentally, was absolutely delicious) and I have the Chicken Club sandwich and a Diet Coke. Although we are both full, we decide we can manage a dessert between us so opt for the Warm Banana Chocolate Gooey Pudding. This is definitely warm, banana-ey, chocolatey and gooey but neither of us particularly like it. The texture made it seem like it wasnt cooked properly and it was very rich. But it looked beautiful and I did manage to take a picture (by erasing a picture Id taken of the Hulk earlier).
Lunch over, we paid the bill (approx $35 inc tip) and took a slow walk round, through Seuss Landing and Marvel Super Hero Island, to Toon Lagoon, where DH decided that it would be a good idea to get wet now. I did question the logic of this, seeing as it had been raining on and off all morning, but DH pointed out that it was still hot enough to dry off so we deposited our bags, glasses etc. in a locker and off we went.
We rode Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls (15 minute wait), Jurassic Park River Adventure (30 minute wait) and Popeye and Blutos Bilge-Rat Barges (15 minute wait). I can honestly say that, after the combination of all three, I did not have single square millimetre of clothing that wasnt soaking wet. We retrieved our stuff from the locker and decided to walk around a bit to dry off. But then, guess what, it started raining. We sheltered for a while and then thought What the Hell, were already wet and started walking again. I have to admit, I was actually cold now and my feet were starting to rub a bit on my trainers so I suggested to DH that we catch the 4:15 shuttle bus back to the hotel. He agreed but on the basis that we rode the Hulk and Spiderman once more before we went. And the deal was done. We did wait 20 minutes for the Hulk and, obviously, didnt wait for the front. Spiderman was a walk-on again.
Finally, cold, wet and tired, we headed for the bus station to catch the shuttle back to the hotel. I dont think the driver wanted to let us on (we really were soaking still) but she did and we shivered in the air conditioning all the way back to the hotel. I hopped straight in the shower, feeling much warmer when I came out and DH followed suit. We then lay on the bed for a while, watching telly and trying to decide where to go for dinner. We were torn between wanting to try somewhere new and wanting to go back to one of the places wed enjoyed last time. So, we settled for Uno Chicago, which we HAD been to before but agreed that we would eat at Chillis tomorrow.
We caught the I-Ride trolley and arrived at Uno Chicago at about 7:30. We were seated straight away and our server took our order very quickly. DH opted for the baby back ribs and I chose a small margherita pizza with a side order of fries. The drinks came quickly but the rest of it was terrible. DHs meal arrived long before mine, my pizza arrived without the side of fries and, by the time the fries had arrived, both DH and I had finished the rest of our food. The server apologised and said she wouldnt charge us for them as it was their mistake, which was good of her. We then sat for about half an hour before she arrived with the check. DH told her we wanted to order dessert so she took the dessert order and took the check away. However, more than half an hour passed and we hadnt got our desserts. DH had also asked for another Diet Coke, which hadnt materialised either so we asked her to cancel the order, bring the check back and we paid and left. We were both disappointed as wed eaten here twice last year and both times we couldnt fault either the food or the service. This time the food was good but the service was sadly lacking.
We decided to walk part of the way back to the hotel but ended up walking all the way, which took almost an hour. We arrive back, watch Shall we dance (which, incidentally, was a great film) and then go to sleep.
I dream of water, water everywhere!!
Nice to see you made up with a thrill ride though 
