wilma-bride
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- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
- Messages
- 22,681
Thursday 26th August
Frustratingly (but not unexpectedly or unusually) I was awake at 1am, 3.30am and 4.15am. Eventually, I gave up trying to sleep (its over-rated anyway) and got up. Since Gary was still snoozing away (how does he do it?), I made myself comfortable in the bathroom and wrote up my trip report notes so far.
Since on-site guests get into Islands of Adventure and, more importantly, Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour before off-site guests, we had an early start planned. It wasnt long before Sleeping Beauty woke that in-room tea maker was a godsend and got ready to face the day. By 7.30, we were stepping out into a glorious morning and onto the walking path to Islands of Adventure.
We had deliberately left bags in the room and brought only a camera so we wouldnt have to waste time getting a locker at Forbidden Journey. There was a steady stream of people entering the park by the time we arrived and we followed them anti-clockwise around to WWOHP, entering Hogsmeade next to the Hogwarts Express (I still havent managed to work out whether this is the back entrance or not)
We went straight to Forbidden Journey and, with it being so early, were able to walk straight through the castle and onto the ride. I must admit, I was a little disappointed with the ride. Im not sure whether I expected more since it had been so hyped-up or whether the giant spider put me off but, either way, I wasnt in any great rush to do it again. We did ride again, though, and took a more leisurely stroll through Hogwarts, taking photos of the queuing area as we went. I did comment to Gary that I wouldnt like to be in the line if it started all the way out in the greenhouse (of course, when we went in October, thats precisely where we did join the line and, boy, that was a loooooong wait).
Love these mandrake-type plants
Regardless of my opinion of the ride, I do think that the theming of the queue areas is amazing. So much attention to detail and, we were lucky enough the second time round, to be in the area where it snows at just the right time, which was fantastic.
After leaving Forbidden Journey, we took a quick trip on Flight of the Hippogriff. Previously the Flying Unicorn, we had only ever ridden this once as the queues were always horrendous for such a small coaster. However, with early entry and so few people around, the line was short so we took advantage. Plus, it is the only way you can get a really great view of Hagrids Hut.
From the Hippogriff to the Dragons Challenge, a favourite of ours.
Essentially this is exactly the same as when it was Duelling Dragon's with some minor changes to the queuing area.
With our room keys, we were able to get on the front of the Hungarian Horntail (blue) and the back of the Chinese Fireball (Red) before the crowds began to build up.
It was still quiet but people were beginning to arrive so we figured it was a good time to leave WWOHP.
We stopped for a bit of breakfast at Croissant Moon bakery.
We shared a ham, egg and cheese croissant and had a pastry each apple for me and cherry for Gary. We also shared a diet coke. With AP discount, it came to $11.75.
After catching up with some old friends Spiderman, Dr Doom and The Incredible Hulk coaster, we decided to head across to Universal. It was 10am.
Our mission at Universal was to ride Rip Ride Rockit since it had broken down the last time we were here (in October 2009) and, when it came back up, the wait was in excess of 100 minutes.
Luckily, there were hardly any lines this morning and the ride was running fine. We managed to ride twice I chose U Cant Touch This by MC Hammer and Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf as my tunes.
After RRR, we went on Revenge of the Mummy with no wait. I was absolutely loving the (technically not but really is as good as) front-of-the-line access to the rides.
The first Blues Brothers show of the day was just starting so we grabbed a cold drink and stopped to watch.
After shaking our tail feathers and singing our hearts out, we moved on to Men In Black. We rode twice, then went to The Simpsons. Neither of us are particularly fussed about this ride but thought we would take advantage while we were that side of the park. This was the longest wait we had in the whole 5 days we spent at IOA/Universal 20 minutes.
Bonus picture of my lovely DH
It was starting to get really hot by now and, since our tactic for August park touring is to try and leave the park by early afternoon, we grabbed a lemon slush and took a slow stroll back to RPR.
Continued in the next post...
Frustratingly (but not unexpectedly or unusually) I was awake at 1am, 3.30am and 4.15am. Eventually, I gave up trying to sleep (its over-rated anyway) and got up. Since Gary was still snoozing away (how does he do it?), I made myself comfortable in the bathroom and wrote up my trip report notes so far.
Since on-site guests get into Islands of Adventure and, more importantly, Wizarding World of Harry Potter an hour before off-site guests, we had an early start planned. It wasnt long before Sleeping Beauty woke that in-room tea maker was a godsend and got ready to face the day. By 7.30, we were stepping out into a glorious morning and onto the walking path to Islands of Adventure.
We had deliberately left bags in the room and brought only a camera so we wouldnt have to waste time getting a locker at Forbidden Journey. There was a steady stream of people entering the park by the time we arrived and we followed them anti-clockwise around to WWOHP, entering Hogsmeade next to the Hogwarts Express (I still havent managed to work out whether this is the back entrance or not)
We went straight to Forbidden Journey and, with it being so early, were able to walk straight through the castle and onto the ride. I must admit, I was a little disappointed with the ride. Im not sure whether I expected more since it had been so hyped-up or whether the giant spider put me off but, either way, I wasnt in any great rush to do it again. We did ride again, though, and took a more leisurely stroll through Hogwarts, taking photos of the queuing area as we went. I did comment to Gary that I wouldnt like to be in the line if it started all the way out in the greenhouse (of course, when we went in October, thats precisely where we did join the line and, boy, that was a loooooong wait).
Love these mandrake-type plants
Regardless of my opinion of the ride, I do think that the theming of the queue areas is amazing. So much attention to detail and, we were lucky enough the second time round, to be in the area where it snows at just the right time, which was fantastic.
After leaving Forbidden Journey, we took a quick trip on Flight of the Hippogriff. Previously the Flying Unicorn, we had only ever ridden this once as the queues were always horrendous for such a small coaster. However, with early entry and so few people around, the line was short so we took advantage. Plus, it is the only way you can get a really great view of Hagrids Hut.
From the Hippogriff to the Dragons Challenge, a favourite of ours.
Essentially this is exactly the same as when it was Duelling Dragon's with some minor changes to the queuing area.
With our room keys, we were able to get on the front of the Hungarian Horntail (blue) and the back of the Chinese Fireball (Red) before the crowds began to build up.
It was still quiet but people were beginning to arrive so we figured it was a good time to leave WWOHP.
We stopped for a bit of breakfast at Croissant Moon bakery.
We shared a ham, egg and cheese croissant and had a pastry each apple for me and cherry for Gary. We also shared a diet coke. With AP discount, it came to $11.75.
After catching up with some old friends Spiderman, Dr Doom and The Incredible Hulk coaster, we decided to head across to Universal. It was 10am.
Our mission at Universal was to ride Rip Ride Rockit since it had broken down the last time we were here (in October 2009) and, when it came back up, the wait was in excess of 100 minutes.
Luckily, there were hardly any lines this morning and the ride was running fine. We managed to ride twice I chose U Cant Touch This by MC Hammer and Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf as my tunes.
After RRR, we went on Revenge of the Mummy with no wait. I was absolutely loving the (technically not but really is as good as) front-of-the-line access to the rides.
The first Blues Brothers show of the day was just starting so we grabbed a cold drink and stopped to watch.
After shaking our tail feathers and singing our hearts out, we moved on to Men In Black. We rode twice, then went to The Simpsons. Neither of us are particularly fussed about this ride but thought we would take advantage while we were that side of the park. This was the longest wait we had in the whole 5 days we spent at IOA/Universal 20 minutes.
Bonus picture of my lovely DH
It was starting to get really hot by now and, since our tactic for August park touring is to try and leave the park by early afternoon, we grabbed a lemon slush and took a slow stroll back to RPR.
Continued in the next post...
)
IOA is our favourite park. Can't wait to go back and see Harry Potter.
FOTL is brilliant and will definitely be a bonus with Daniel this summer.
