torsie24
Mummy to a perfect princess.
- Joined
- May 14, 2008
- Messages
- 13,224
A day offsite!
I had booked us the Dreams Unlimited tickets that included free Mears shuttle, the bus met us at the front of our hotel at about 8.50am. We waited for a while as a party was late, but then we were off (or we thought we were!
)
We then headed over to the All Stars where we stopped at each resort in turn letting on more people and the driver checked off passenger names in the slowest method possible. I did get to see the big maraccas though.
We finally arrived at Universal at about 10am, which was opening time, so we weren't far behind on time really. Plus it was pretty deserted all day! The HHN decorations were all in place, which was pretty cool.
Once in the park we headed straight to the Rip Ride Rocket, which said a 10 minute wait. We jumped in line (after putting our stuff in a locker or course) and made it as far as the top of the staircase where you get onto the loading platform when a train came into the station and just stopped. And didn't move forward so the riders could get off.
After a few minutes the annoucements started. We decided to wait a while, but after another 10-15 minutes nothing was happening and a staff member said that it was going to be a while, but couldn't tell us how long. We decided as we'd seen absolutely nothing else of the park that it wasn;t worth waiting.
We left the queue and headed out for an explore, and over to the Simpsons ride which was a walk on except for a wait in the little holding room bit.
I enjoyed the ride, but wasn't blown away by it. It kinda gave me a sore nack as I felt I was looking up the whole time.
Next up was MIB, which I thought was awesome. The queu area was so detailed too! Really good. And I got the winning score even though Jack pushed the red button!
Then we took the obligatory Jaws photos, I wish I had my one form when I was 7 here so I could scan it in!
Next up was Jaws, we were the only people in line and I was really scared we'd be the only people on the boat, but luckily they waited a minute or two and a few more people got on! We both enjoyed this and thought it was good fun.
Next up the Mummy:
There actually was abotu a 20 minute wait for this, all of this was spent with a really loud drunk couple in their 50's behind us stinking of cigarettes and drinking cocktails (it was still morning!) so I was whispering to Jack that I didn't want to be near them on he ride incase one of the threw up, and they both smelt awful, so being in line with them was pretty rough. Let alone having them screaming next to me. Luckily, they weren't allowed on the ride, which was a great relief to us and a few others around us.
We LOVED the Mummy. I think it's better than the LA version. Very fun.
Next on the Agenda was ET, as we had tried to ride it on the way to the Simpsons but it wasn't opening until 11. I though the line was pretty awesome, all through the forest. But the poor ride is really showing it's age. It was fun to hear him say our names though.
We headed back to HRRR to see if it was open, and took some photos etc on the way.
It was still closed, so all we could do was take pictures of it. We didn;t wactually see it running again all day.
Jack really wanted to go inside the Monster Cafe, but it was shut too. I think it was just too quiet that day for much of the park to be open.
We headed out to IOA, past the staff who take the photos as you go in who were screaming at the top of their lungs to get you to buy your picture. No thanks. We really weren't in Disney anymore.
We walked along to IOA, but had some photos with the globe on the way of course. (Which i can't find, so here is a much chubbier Jack with the Hollywood one) you get the idea though.
We loved the entrance area to IOA, was really fun.
First stop, for my Comic Book loving future husband was of course Marvel Island! We took a lot of photos:
I asked Jack if he wanted to ride the Hulk, but he's not a fan of going upside down, and although I used to love big coasters I can take them or leave them now, so we headed over to Spiderman as he was very excited to ride that having read a lot of great things about it before our trip.
There was no wait at all and we were both very impressed.
We then headed through to Toon Lagoon, but stopped to admire these guys on the way:
I offered Jack to follow them so he could have photos, as he passed up the chance in LA and regretted it, but he said no, so we headed into TL and went on the Barges first.......we got SOAKED.
I didn;t think we could get any wetter, so we decided we may aswell ride Ripsaw falls too as it was also a walk on.
Turns out we could get wetter!! I seriously believe if I had jumped into a swimming pool I wouldn't have been wetter than after those two rides!
We really enjoyed the barges, and thought they were a lot better than Kali, but the falls had a lot of broken effects and stuff and was very poor compared to Splash Mountain.
Next on the agenda was a drink, and then Jurassic Park. We both enjoyed the ride, but I prefer the Hollywood version, I think it has a lot more detail.
We spent a while in the Discovery Centre, and found out what I'd look like if my DNA was mixed with a Dinosaurs. It was pretty scary!
Then we played with the big dinos that you can move - they were fun.
Next up we walked around a bit more and noseyed at the HP construction:
We were really impressed with the building for Poseidon's Fury, but it was a long wait until the next show/ride so we took some photos and carried on.
Into Suess Landing. We enjoyed looking at all the crazy buildings and details here.
I bet little kids really love it too.
We were getting pretty hungry, so decided to head for some food, but not before we rode Spiderman one more time for Jack.
Then we headed out to Citywalk and after looking at a few of the places we settled on Margaritaville.
It was pretty empty insde, but we were very glad of the A/C and it meant we were served quickly. We shared Quesadillas to start. And then I had HUGE ribs (we don't get them like that in the UK so it deserved a photo!)
Jack had the Mexicali burger which he said was good. My ribs were very tasty and I managed well over half which I was very proud of. Jack of course got cheesecake for dessert as he can't turn down an opportunity for cheesecake.
After food we wondered whether to head back to a park, but we checked and HRRR didn't appear to be running yet, and we felt we'd done enough. SO we called Mears and let them know we'd get the bus in an hour and then browsed the shops.
I like a watch and a couple of bags, but didn't think the prices were that much better than at home, so kept my money for more Disney goodies instead. I don't think the Orlando citywalk is very good at all compared to the Hollywood one, it has far less stores and I was pretty disappointed with it.
Soon enough it was bus time so we headed back over the bridge, but Jack was getting a little jealous of my lanyard and the ease of which I could have FPs/KTTW on hand, so he bought himself a Venom one in the store at the car park entracey bit.
We had a little wait for our bus, but were soon aboard and heading back to WDW.
I kept my fingers crossed we wouldn't stop at Allstars first, and luckily we didn't but we did drop off at CBR and POFQ before heading home, Allstars were the last drop off I think.
We had had a pretty long day for us, and were planning a very busy one the next day, so we grabbed some burgers from the Mara and chilled out in the room and caught up with home. Before having an early night in readiness for EPCOT rope drop the next day!
I had booked us the Dreams Unlimited tickets that included free Mears shuttle, the bus met us at the front of our hotel at about 8.50am. We waited for a while as a party was late, but then we were off (or we thought we were!
)We then headed over to the All Stars where we stopped at each resort in turn letting on more people and the driver checked off passenger names in the slowest method possible. I did get to see the big maraccas though.
We finally arrived at Universal at about 10am, which was opening time, so we weren't far behind on time really. Plus it was pretty deserted all day! The HHN decorations were all in place, which was pretty cool.
Once in the park we headed straight to the Rip Ride Rocket, which said a 10 minute wait. We jumped in line (after putting our stuff in a locker or course) and made it as far as the top of the staircase where you get onto the loading platform when a train came into the station and just stopped. And didn't move forward so the riders could get off.
After a few minutes the annoucements started. We decided to wait a while, but after another 10-15 minutes nothing was happening and a staff member said that it was going to be a while, but couldn't tell us how long. We decided as we'd seen absolutely nothing else of the park that it wasn;t worth waiting.
We left the queue and headed out for an explore, and over to the Simpsons ride which was a walk on except for a wait in the little holding room bit.
I enjoyed the ride, but wasn't blown away by it. It kinda gave me a sore nack as I felt I was looking up the whole time.
Next up was MIB, which I thought was awesome. The queu area was so detailed too! Really good. And I got the winning score even though Jack pushed the red button!
Then we took the obligatory Jaws photos, I wish I had my one form when I was 7 here so I could scan it in!
Next up was Jaws, we were the only people in line and I was really scared we'd be the only people on the boat, but luckily they waited a minute or two and a few more people got on! We both enjoyed this and thought it was good fun.
Next up the Mummy:
There actually was abotu a 20 minute wait for this, all of this was spent with a really loud drunk couple in their 50's behind us stinking of cigarettes and drinking cocktails (it was still morning!) so I was whispering to Jack that I didn't want to be near them on he ride incase one of the threw up, and they both smelt awful, so being in line with them was pretty rough. Let alone having them screaming next to me. Luckily, they weren't allowed on the ride, which was a great relief to us and a few others around us.
We LOVED the Mummy. I think it's better than the LA version. Very fun.
Next on the Agenda was ET, as we had tried to ride it on the way to the Simpsons but it wasn't opening until 11. I though the line was pretty awesome, all through the forest. But the poor ride is really showing it's age. It was fun to hear him say our names though.
We headed back to HRRR to see if it was open, and took some photos etc on the way.
It was still closed, so all we could do was take pictures of it. We didn;t wactually see it running again all day.
Jack really wanted to go inside the Monster Cafe, but it was shut too. I think it was just too quiet that day for much of the park to be open.
We headed out to IOA, past the staff who take the photos as you go in who were screaming at the top of their lungs to get you to buy your picture. No thanks. We really weren't in Disney anymore.
We walked along to IOA, but had some photos with the globe on the way of course. (Which i can't find, so here is a much chubbier Jack with the Hollywood one) you get the idea though.
We loved the entrance area to IOA, was really fun.
First stop, for my Comic Book loving future husband was of course Marvel Island! We took a lot of photos:
I asked Jack if he wanted to ride the Hulk, but he's not a fan of going upside down, and although I used to love big coasters I can take them or leave them now, so we headed over to Spiderman as he was very excited to ride that having read a lot of great things about it before our trip.
There was no wait at all and we were both very impressed.
We then headed through to Toon Lagoon, but stopped to admire these guys on the way:
I offered Jack to follow them so he could have photos, as he passed up the chance in LA and regretted it, but he said no, so we headed into TL and went on the Barges first.......we got SOAKED.
I didn;t think we could get any wetter, so we decided we may aswell ride Ripsaw falls too as it was also a walk on.
Turns out we could get wetter!! I seriously believe if I had jumped into a swimming pool I wouldn't have been wetter than after those two rides!
We really enjoyed the barges, and thought they were a lot better than Kali, but the falls had a lot of broken effects and stuff and was very poor compared to Splash Mountain.
Next on the agenda was a drink, and then Jurassic Park. We both enjoyed the ride, but I prefer the Hollywood version, I think it has a lot more detail.
We spent a while in the Discovery Centre, and found out what I'd look like if my DNA was mixed with a Dinosaurs. It was pretty scary!
Then we played with the big dinos that you can move - they were fun.
Next up we walked around a bit more and noseyed at the HP construction:
We were really impressed with the building for Poseidon's Fury, but it was a long wait until the next show/ride so we took some photos and carried on.
Into Suess Landing.
We enjoyed looking at all the crazy buildings and details here.
I bet little kids really love it too.
We were getting pretty hungry, so decided to head for some food, but not before we rode Spiderman one more time for Jack.
Then we headed out to Citywalk and after looking at a few of the places we settled on Margaritaville.
It was pretty empty insde, but we were very glad of the A/C and it meant we were served quickly. We shared Quesadillas to start. And then I had HUGE ribs (we don't get them like that in the UK so it deserved a photo!)
Jack had the Mexicali burger which he said was good. My ribs were very tasty and I managed well over half which I was very proud of. Jack of course got cheesecake for dessert as he can't turn down an opportunity for cheesecake.
After food we wondered whether to head back to a park, but we checked and HRRR didn't appear to be running yet, and we felt we'd done enough. SO we called Mears and let them know we'd get the bus in an hour and then browsed the shops.
I like a watch and a couple of bags, but didn't think the prices were that much better than at home, so kept my money for more Disney goodies instead. I don't think the Orlando citywalk is very good at all compared to the Hollywood one, it has far less stores and I was pretty disappointed with it.
Soon enough it was bus time so we headed back over the bridge, but Jack was getting a little jealous of my lanyard and the ease of which I could have FPs/KTTW on hand, so he bought himself a Venom one in the store at the car park entracey bit.
We had a little wait for our bus, but were soon aboard and heading back to WDW.
I kept my fingers crossed we wouldn't stop at Allstars first, and luckily we didn't but we did drop off at CBR and POFQ before heading home, Allstars were the last drop off I think.
We had had a pretty long day for us, and were planning a very busy one the next day, so we grabbed some burgers from the Mara and chilled out in the room and caught up with home. Before having an early night in readiness for EPCOT rope drop the next day!
