wilma-bride
<<This space intentionally blank>>
- 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 21 Sep 05 A visit from the Doctor, Universal Studios and the Quest for Dora
I woke several times in the night again, due to the fact that my right eye was really sore. It had been itchy and sore the day before but I put it down to the air conditioning. However, when I looked in the mirror, my eye was really swollen and I could hardly open it. At 6, I woke DH and told him that I thought I might need to see a Doctor. DH phoned reception, who gave him the phone number of a call-out facility. I phoned there and spoke to a nurse, who took some details and told me another nurse would phone me back at about 8, to say when the Doctor would be able to get out to see me. I could see our plans for the day going down the drain so quickly began to run through the alternative options. We decided if the Doctor had been before 10, we would still go to Universal. If not, we would go to Sea World and do Universal later in the week.
The decision was made when a nurse phoned to tell us the Doctor would be with us between 8 and 8:30. She duly arrived about 10 minutes later and, after a thorough examination, diagnosed an eye infection and gave me a tube of ointment, to be applied 4 times a day. She was very nice, extremely thorough and expensive!!! Its a good job I was sitting down when she presented me with a bill for $200. DH handed over his credit card, in exchange for the ointment, a copy of the diagnosis and a form for the insurance company. I immediately went to put some ointment on my eye and off we went to catch the shuttle bus to Universal. We arrived shortly after 9 so were quite pleased that we hadnt really lost any time. Our main objective today was to do Earthquake as we hadnt managed it last time so we headed straight there, only to find out it didnt open till 10. We got a cup of tea and a Danish across the road and sat down to wait. For those of you who havent experienced this, I wont give too much away except to say that its in 2 parts. Part 1 was pretty lame but the second part was great we were both pretty impressed with this. This done, it was over to Men In Black for the re-match. Last year, DH couldnt work out how I was getting over 300, 000 when he was only getting 50 or 60, 000. Having shared the tips with him, he was now keen to prove that he was worthy of the tile Galaxy Defender. We rode MIB twice thoroughly enjoyable. I really could stay on this ride all day.
We decided to give BTTF a miss, as I really jarred my neck on this last year. It was almost time for the first Fear Factor Live of the day so we decided to see if it was any good. I quite enjoyed this but I was nearly sick when the guys from the audience had to do the food challenge. For anyone whos seen this, do you know whether what goes into the drink is really what they say it is. I cant possibly see how it can be but I must admit, it looked very convincing.
After Fear Factor, we decided to go and get something to eat. On the way, we stop to watch the Street Beatz break-dancing group. They were really talented and had drawn a great crowd, although I was a bit put off by the fact that they were desperately trying to sell their merchandise at every opportunity. So, off to lunch. We were going to try Mels Drive-in, which was supposed to re-open today, but it was still closed so Café La Bamba it was. We shared a chicken platter, which consisted of two quarters of chicken, fries and a drink. It was nice but not fantastic. Are we the only ones who struggle to find somewhere decent to eat at Universal?
After lunch, we head to Production Central for another first Jimmy Neutron. This was a cool ride, which Im sure the kids must love but I have to admit it is the only ride Ive been on that actually made me feel a bit sick. The bubbles were a great effect though.
After exiting Jimmy Neutron, we spot the boy himself and Dora the Explorer posing for pictures so, of course, I have to get a picture for DS, who worships Dora. We spot the Rugrats at the same time and get a couple of snaps of them too. We then decide to see the Terminator 2 3-D show, which is still amazing. I just love the way they mix the actors with the 3D effects. After Terminator, it was off to the Horror Make-up Show. This was another first for us and was extremely funny. We will definitely watch this again.
Time was marching on and the last Blues Brothers show was about to start so we head off to watch this. Although Elwood was the same guy as last time, Jake was played by someone different ho wasnt quite as good as the guy we saw last year. Its still a great show though and guaranteed to get us singing and dancing in the street with complete abandon.
Blues Brothers over, we head back to MIB and ride 3 times in a row, each time joining the single rider line and walking straight on, ending up next to each other in the same car every time. This really is a great tip and you dont have to wait through the first bit in the holding area either.
After MIB, we head back to The Mummy. Although the wait time is shown at 40 minutes we decide to wait as we both love this ride and dont want to leave without having been on it. However, the wait time is probably only 15 minutes so it wasnt as bad as we thought. The guys who work on this ride are hilarious they really get into the part and had us in stitches.
When we exit, there are some Mummy guys on stilts theyre really spooky and stare right at you. As we walk off down the road, one of them follows us and its quite scary. DH is laughing as Im running around, trying to get away from him as hes striding after me.
As its nearing closing time, we head for the Nick stuff store, on the Quest for Dora. We purchase a massive soft Dora doll for DS (its almost as big as him) and a talking backpack for his birthday in November (if you dont know Dora, you wont know what I mean by the talking backpack but, rest assured, I reckon were going to be the best Mummy and Daddy in the world when he opens it on his birthday).
So, weighed down by the massive Dora, we exit the park and head for the bus pick-up point. I am feeling a bit stupid carrying this doll so, in an effort to prove I am stupid, I amuse myself by jiggling her arm, pretending she is waving to everyone we pass. Needless to say, I get a lot of strange looks although a few people did wave back.
On the bus, we discuss dinner and agree that we will definitely try Chilis tonight. Ever since I first read about it in Anzs trip reports, Ive wanted to go and tonight was to be the night. We also talk about the plan for tomorrow and Friday as we intend to spend the next two days at Disney and the shuttle times to/from the hotel arent that great, we decide we will try to book a room for one night at one of the Value resorts. As soon as we get back, I phone Disney and ten minutes later, we have a room for tomorrow night at Pop Century. Another first for this trip our first time staying on-site. I feel strangely excited.
At 8:30, showered and changed, we head down to Chilis, which is just a short walk from the Holiday Inn. Our server, Joe, was great. He was very chatty and, no sooner, had we finished a drink than hed brought us another. We ordered the Boneless Buffalo Wings and Cheese Sticks to start. They arrived really quickly but, unfortunately, I didnt like either. The wings were far too spicy for me I hate to think what the really hot ones are like and the cheese sticks just werent to my taste. I had the chicken strips for main and DH had a crispy chicken salad with a honey and ginger dressing (at least I think thats what it was). Anyway, the chicken strips were delicious and DH announced that the salad was absolutely gorgeous, the best salad hed ever had. We finish off with the warm chocolate cake to share well, actually, it wasnt to share. DH didnt want a dessert until he saw it, then he managed to polish off half of it. But, to be honest, I couldnt have eaten it all myself even though it was lovely, there was loads of it. The check was a very reasonable $37 (with tip, $45).
We took the short stroll back to the hotel, stopping at the supermarket for some Diet Cokes, and were in bed by 11, after packing an overnight bag for tomorrow.
I fall asleep while DH is still watching telly and dream of being attacked by giant Doras.
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 21 Sep 05 A visit from the Doctor, Universal Studios and the Quest for Dora
I woke several times in the night again, due to the fact that my right eye was really sore. It had been itchy and sore the day before but I put it down to the air conditioning. However, when I looked in the mirror, my eye was really swollen and I could hardly open it. At 6, I woke DH and told him that I thought I might need to see a Doctor. DH phoned reception, who gave him the phone number of a call-out facility. I phoned there and spoke to a nurse, who took some details and told me another nurse would phone me back at about 8, to say when the Doctor would be able to get out to see me. I could see our plans for the day going down the drain so quickly began to run through the alternative options. We decided if the Doctor had been before 10, we would still go to Universal. If not, we would go to Sea World and do Universal later in the week.
The decision was made when a nurse phoned to tell us the Doctor would be with us between 8 and 8:30. She duly arrived about 10 minutes later and, after a thorough examination, diagnosed an eye infection and gave me a tube of ointment, to be applied 4 times a day. She was very nice, extremely thorough and expensive!!! Its a good job I was sitting down when she presented me with a bill for $200. DH handed over his credit card, in exchange for the ointment, a copy of the diagnosis and a form for the insurance company. I immediately went to put some ointment on my eye and off we went to catch the shuttle bus to Universal. We arrived shortly after 9 so were quite pleased that we hadnt really lost any time. Our main objective today was to do Earthquake as we hadnt managed it last time so we headed straight there, only to find out it didnt open till 10. We got a cup of tea and a Danish across the road and sat down to wait. For those of you who havent experienced this, I wont give too much away except to say that its in 2 parts. Part 1 was pretty lame but the second part was great we were both pretty impressed with this. This done, it was over to Men In Black for the re-match. Last year, DH couldnt work out how I was getting over 300, 000 when he was only getting 50 or 60, 000. Having shared the tips with him, he was now keen to prove that he was worthy of the tile Galaxy Defender. We rode MIB twice thoroughly enjoyable. I really could stay on this ride all day.
We decided to give BTTF a miss, as I really jarred my neck on this last year. It was almost time for the first Fear Factor Live of the day so we decided to see if it was any good. I quite enjoyed this but I was nearly sick when the guys from the audience had to do the food challenge. For anyone whos seen this, do you know whether what goes into the drink is really what they say it is. I cant possibly see how it can be but I must admit, it looked very convincing.
After Fear Factor, we decided to go and get something to eat. On the way, we stop to watch the Street Beatz break-dancing group. They were really talented and had drawn a great crowd, although I was a bit put off by the fact that they were desperately trying to sell their merchandise at every opportunity. So, off to lunch. We were going to try Mels Drive-in, which was supposed to re-open today, but it was still closed so Café La Bamba it was. We shared a chicken platter, which consisted of two quarters of chicken, fries and a drink. It was nice but not fantastic. Are we the only ones who struggle to find somewhere decent to eat at Universal?
After lunch, we head to Production Central for another first Jimmy Neutron. This was a cool ride, which Im sure the kids must love but I have to admit it is the only ride Ive been on that actually made me feel a bit sick. The bubbles were a great effect though.
After exiting Jimmy Neutron, we spot the boy himself and Dora the Explorer posing for pictures so, of course, I have to get a picture for DS, who worships Dora. We spot the Rugrats at the same time and get a couple of snaps of them too. We then decide to see the Terminator 2 3-D show, which is still amazing. I just love the way they mix the actors with the 3D effects. After Terminator, it was off to the Horror Make-up Show. This was another first for us and was extremely funny. We will definitely watch this again.
Time was marching on and the last Blues Brothers show was about to start so we head off to watch this. Although Elwood was the same guy as last time, Jake was played by someone different ho wasnt quite as good as the guy we saw last year. Its still a great show though and guaranteed to get us singing and dancing in the street with complete abandon.
Blues Brothers over, we head back to MIB and ride 3 times in a row, each time joining the single rider line and walking straight on, ending up next to each other in the same car every time. This really is a great tip and you dont have to wait through the first bit in the holding area either.
After MIB, we head back to The Mummy. Although the wait time is shown at 40 minutes we decide to wait as we both love this ride and dont want to leave without having been on it. However, the wait time is probably only 15 minutes so it wasnt as bad as we thought. The guys who work on this ride are hilarious they really get into the part and had us in stitches.
When we exit, there are some Mummy guys on stilts theyre really spooky and stare right at you. As we walk off down the road, one of them follows us and its quite scary. DH is laughing as Im running around, trying to get away from him as hes striding after me.
As its nearing closing time, we head for the Nick stuff store, on the Quest for Dora. We purchase a massive soft Dora doll for DS (its almost as big as him) and a talking backpack for his birthday in November (if you dont know Dora, you wont know what I mean by the talking backpack but, rest assured, I reckon were going to be the best Mummy and Daddy in the world when he opens it on his birthday).
So, weighed down by the massive Dora, we exit the park and head for the bus pick-up point. I am feeling a bit stupid carrying this doll so, in an effort to prove I am stupid, I amuse myself by jiggling her arm, pretending she is waving to everyone we pass. Needless to say, I get a lot of strange looks although a few people did wave back.
On the bus, we discuss dinner and agree that we will definitely try Chilis tonight. Ever since I first read about it in Anzs trip reports, Ive wanted to go and tonight was to be the night. We also talk about the plan for tomorrow and Friday as we intend to spend the next two days at Disney and the shuttle times to/from the hotel arent that great, we decide we will try to book a room for one night at one of the Value resorts. As soon as we get back, I phone Disney and ten minutes later, we have a room for tomorrow night at Pop Century. Another first for this trip our first time staying on-site. I feel strangely excited.
At 8:30, showered and changed, we head down to Chilis, which is just a short walk from the Holiday Inn. Our server, Joe, was great. He was very chatty and, no sooner, had we finished a drink than hed brought us another. We ordered the Boneless Buffalo Wings and Cheese Sticks to start. They arrived really quickly but, unfortunately, I didnt like either. The wings were far too spicy for me I hate to think what the really hot ones are like and the cheese sticks just werent to my taste. I had the chicken strips for main and DH had a crispy chicken salad with a honey and ginger dressing (at least I think thats what it was). Anyway, the chicken strips were delicious and DH announced that the salad was absolutely gorgeous, the best salad hed ever had. We finish off with the warm chocolate cake to share well, actually, it wasnt to share. DH didnt want a dessert until he saw it, then he managed to polish off half of it. But, to be honest, I couldnt have eaten it all myself even though it was lovely, there was loads of it. The check was a very reasonable $37 (with tip, $45).
We took the short stroll back to the hotel, stopping at the supermarket for some Diet Cokes, and were in bed by 11, after packing an overnight bag for tomorrow.
I fall asleep while DH is still watching telly and dream of being attacked by giant Doras.
which was really funny.
How cool, my kids would love this, now if only I can get one shipped over in time...
