wilma-bride
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- Joined
- Jul 13, 2005
- Messages
- 22,681
Sunday 3rd November
As arranged, we met up with Wendy and Rich at Orchid Lounge this morning. After a brief drink and snack, we set off for Islands of Adventure. It was a beautiful morning so we decided to walk. The early night had done us all good and we were in high spirits.
We entered the park a little after 8am and walked round to the right, taking the shortcut through Seuss Landing, towards Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Since it was early, the Wizarding World was pretty empty and we had an opportunity to get some train pictures.
We decided to head straight to Forbidden Journey, in the hope of getting a couple of rides in before the crowds started to build. Unfortunately our plans were somewhat scuppered as the ride was experiencing technical difficulties and there was quite a lengthy line. It did give us a great opportunity to fully experience everything in the queuing area though. It is so dark, its pretty difficult to get any good pictures but I love the fact that I always see something new when walking through here.
It took us about 25 minutes to get on the ride so we decided not to re-ride. Everybody enjoyed it though as usual, I had to cover my eyes at the spider part.
Daniel, Wendy, Sian and Gary then went on Flight of the Hippogriff while Rich and I waited.
Then, since there was a short-ish line for Ollivanders and wed never been inside, we decided to have a go. To be perfectly honest, I thought it was a bit naff. It was very dark and difficult to really see what is going on. I cant believe people wait so long for it. We are quite happy to have seen it once and wont be wasting any time in the future on it.
After Ollivanders, we decided to go our separate ways for a little while, to give Wendy and Rich the chance to look around some of the shops and properly explore the area.
We headed to Honeydukes and Zonkos, where Daniel and Sian both bought Pygmy Puffs. They do a very cute routine where they ring a bell and do a naming ceremony. Daniel called his Fluffy.
After a little while, we met up with Wendy and Rich again, outside the Hogs Head, then proceeded inside to buy Butterbeer. This was Sians first taste and I dont think she was particularly impressed. It is growing on me though I actually preferred it this time.
Not sure what Wendy and Rich thought of it but they seem quite happy.
We had bought a Chocolate Cauldron Cake in Honeydukes and tried to split it between us but it proved pretty messy so Sian and Daniel shared it instead.
There was still plenty to see and Wendy and Rich had to drive back to Atlanta later in the day so we decided to move on and explore the rest of the park. Although it was a glorious day, none of us really wanted to get wet so we bypassed Jurassic Park River Adventure.
Wendy tried to gently encourage Daniel to play in the fountains at Toon Lagoon.
We had some fun with the cartoon captions in Toon Lagoon.
In Marvel Super Hero Island, the kids spotted Wolverine and had to get a picture.
We rode the Hulk but it give me (and Wendy, if I recall) a bit of a headache. I found it quite bumpy this time. Hmmm, maybe Im getting old, I just cant handle those thrill rides like I used to.
Moving on into Seuss Landing, we spotted Woody Woodpecker and had to get another picture.
There was just time for some Cat in the Hat art
and some elephant bum humour
before it was time for lunch.
We were somewhat amazed to discover that the Green Eggs and Ham café was open. In the 10 years weve been visiting Orlando, weve never seen it actually open for business. So, of course we had to give it a try.
And the verdict? As Wendy very poetically put it I will eat them in a park, I will eat them before dark, I will eat green eggs and ham, and I even like them, Sam-I-Am!
Unfortunately, it was time now for Wendy and Rich to bid us farewell before leaving for the long drive back to Atlanta. Having spent a massive amount of time with them over the past 9 days, it was very sad for us to say goodbye, although I guess they were probably more than happy to see the back of us and enjoy some time to themselves. We are very happy that they will be joining us in Orlando for a few days on our upcoming October trip they must be gluttons for punishment
As arranged, we met up with Wendy and Rich at Orchid Lounge this morning. After a brief drink and snack, we set off for Islands of Adventure. It was a beautiful morning so we decided to walk. The early night had done us all good and we were in high spirits.
We entered the park a little after 8am and walked round to the right, taking the shortcut through Seuss Landing, towards Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Since it was early, the Wizarding World was pretty empty and we had an opportunity to get some train pictures.
We decided to head straight to Forbidden Journey, in the hope of getting a couple of rides in before the crowds started to build. Unfortunately our plans were somewhat scuppered as the ride was experiencing technical difficulties and there was quite a lengthy line. It did give us a great opportunity to fully experience everything in the queuing area though. It is so dark, its pretty difficult to get any good pictures but I love the fact that I always see something new when walking through here.
It took us about 25 minutes to get on the ride so we decided not to re-ride. Everybody enjoyed it though as usual, I had to cover my eyes at the spider part.
Daniel, Wendy, Sian and Gary then went on Flight of the Hippogriff while Rich and I waited.
Then, since there was a short-ish line for Ollivanders and wed never been inside, we decided to have a go. To be perfectly honest, I thought it was a bit naff. It was very dark and difficult to really see what is going on. I cant believe people wait so long for it. We are quite happy to have seen it once and wont be wasting any time in the future on it.
After Ollivanders, we decided to go our separate ways for a little while, to give Wendy and Rich the chance to look around some of the shops and properly explore the area.
We headed to Honeydukes and Zonkos, where Daniel and Sian both bought Pygmy Puffs. They do a very cute routine where they ring a bell and do a naming ceremony. Daniel called his Fluffy.
After a little while, we met up with Wendy and Rich again, outside the Hogs Head, then proceeded inside to buy Butterbeer. This was Sians first taste and I dont think she was particularly impressed. It is growing on me though I actually preferred it this time.
Not sure what Wendy and Rich thought of it but they seem quite happy.
We had bought a Chocolate Cauldron Cake in Honeydukes and tried to split it between us but it proved pretty messy so Sian and Daniel shared it instead.
There was still plenty to see and Wendy and Rich had to drive back to Atlanta later in the day so we decided to move on and explore the rest of the park. Although it was a glorious day, none of us really wanted to get wet so we bypassed Jurassic Park River Adventure.
Wendy tried to gently encourage Daniel to play in the fountains at Toon Lagoon.
We had some fun with the cartoon captions in Toon Lagoon.
In Marvel Super Hero Island, the kids spotted Wolverine and had to get a picture.
We rode the Hulk but it give me (and Wendy, if I recall) a bit of a headache. I found it quite bumpy this time. Hmmm, maybe Im getting old, I just cant handle those thrill rides like I used to.
Moving on into Seuss Landing, we spotted Woody Woodpecker and had to get another picture.
There was just time for some Cat in the Hat art
and some elephant bum humour
before it was time for lunch.
We were somewhat amazed to discover that the Green Eggs and Ham café was open. In the 10 years weve been visiting Orlando, weve never seen it actually open for business. So, of course we had to give it a try.
And the verdict? As Wendy very poetically put it I will eat them in a park, I will eat them before dark, I will eat green eggs and ham, and I even like them, Sam-I-Am!
Unfortunately, it was time now for Wendy and Rich to bid us farewell before leaving for the long drive back to Atlanta. Having spent a massive amount of time with them over the past 9 days, it was very sad for us to say goodbye, although I guess they were probably more than happy to see the back of us and enjoy some time to themselves. We are very happy that they will be joining us in Orlando for a few days on our upcoming October trip they must be gluttons for punishment
Hope we get to meet you again one day.
