"I Show You How To Make..." (A December Trip Report)

[petals]

Joining in. Luvin the pics so far esp the music Xmas tree. I've enver heard of anyone in working Florida theme parks refusing a tip

 

[MeMom]

or "I so you how to make... zebra domes". And thus, the title of my trip report.

Don't let me miss out on this part!!!
Just kidding, of course, but I really did try to make zebra domes once, and I failed.

The trees are awesome! The top one is beautiful and the bottom one is fun. I did not even put one up in my house this year, knowing that I would be gone Christmas Eve until past the new year. I really enjoyed looking at all of the magnificent Disney trees throughout the trip.

 

[momabaarjo]

I so love the story behind your title...something that teenage girls can latch onto! I am so hoping that you make it to rope drop because I know what happens at HP as soon as everyone else is let in, but then again you were still facing before Christmas crowds so maybe it will be okay!

 

[swwake]

I am really enjoying your trip report! Love the title and your family sounds like tons of fun!

So glad you are along for the ride! The title really represents the vacation in so many ways, so I think it's PERFECT!

Gorgeous decorations.

Sad about the Rising Star.

With those two girls, I'm going to guess a no on the rope drop?

It was fun looking at the decorations. And not going to Rising Star wasn't a downer. We got to see the other resort and spend some time at HRH. Plus, it's a reason to go back when they're old enough!

My Dh would love the HRH he plays guitar and loves music! I will have to stay there one time with him! Next trip with them I will have to see Universal! I love all of the details... I didn't know that they did as many as Disney!

I'm loving all of the pictures too!

HRH is really cool. I didn't take pics of all of the memorabilia. My favorites were a wall dedicated to the Stones, and a jacket worn by Eddie Vedder.

I think US really tries to compete with Disney on many levels. (They miss, in my opinion, on customer experience.)

wow! Just love how the water taxi into Portofino photos look. So beautiful at night!!
I also like that stilt guy. How cool is that with light up pants too!

Loving your updates!
p.s. I really really doubt ya'll made a rope drop with two teens. We couldn't make one with just one teen!

That resort was absolutely stunning at night. And we saw so many stilts that night, between Margaritaville and Portofino.

I'm here! I'm Here!

Love the TR so far. The limo looked amazing!

I am interested in your views of Universal and HP world. We were there one day during our trip. It will be fun to compare

Yay! So glad you made it, Laura! The limo was fun. I think I made the right choice on that surprise. It was much appreciated.

Still here! Caught up and love the pictures from HRH and Portofino Bay! They are beautiful! Another reason still for us to continue frequenting Orlando!

Hoping to become 'more regular' on here again!

Yes, if you haven't been to Portofino Bay, I sure would visit. I am not sure we'd stay there because it's a little farther from the action. Maybe when we're older and more... ahem... quiet.

I'm here!

I just got your note that you started the TR today!

I'm all caught up and sooo happy that on top of everything, you went to the places we will go AND at the same time of the year! Go figure!

You know I would've read the TR anyways, as any old friend would... but it just makes this sooo exciting!

Glad you're here AnnieDanielle!

Joining in. Luvin the pics so far esp the music Xmas tree. I've enver heard of anyone in working Florida theme parks refusing a tip

So glad to have you! Isn't that weird that he wouldn't take a tip?

Don't let me miss out on this part!!!
Just kidding, of course, but I really did try to make zebra domes once, and I failed.

The trees are awesome! The top one is beautiful and the bottom one is fun. I did not even put one up in my house this year, knowing that I would be gone Christmas Eve until past the new year. I really enjoyed looking at all of the magnificent Disney trees throughout the trip.

MeMom! So glad (honored) that you're following. I might have to try to make some Zebra Domes myself one day. Don't they have Amarula? I wonder if you can get that anywhere.

I remember that you didn't put up a tree. I wouldn't have either!

On a side note, I caught the news about Aunt Joan. and prayers to your family.

I so love the story behind your title...something that teenage girls can latch onto! I am so hoping that you make it to rope drop because I know what happens at HP as soon as everyone else is let in, but then again you were still facing before Christmas crowds so maybe it will be okay!

Glad you like the story. We said "I show you how to make..." the whole trip!

 

[swwake]

Day 2, Part 1 (December 17)

It’s Saturday, and our first park day is finally here! Back when we planned our trip, we were going to stay 5 nights at the Polynesian. Then we got a whim and decided that if we’re going to be so close to Universal, the girls should see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. So we decided to add a night at the Hard Rock, to make it easier for us to get to WWoHP early, plus we got early entry (1 hour early) as resort guests, plus we got to use our room keys as Express Passes (like fast pass, but they are unlimited use) on all rides except two: Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter and Rip-Ride-Rockit roller coaster at Universal.

We collectively decided that we didn’t want to spend much more time at Universal than the day to see WWoHP, because our main purpose was Disney, but there were a couple of things we wanted to do at Universal Studios Orlando, so we got the 1-day park-to-park ticket.

My family does not like commando-style touring, and I learned long ago not to make many plans, and to keep the ones I make as loose as possible. Otherwise I get all stressed out when MY plans don’t materialize. So I had only made a few concrete plans for this trip. Mostly ADRs.

But we had no choice but to make this Saturday our Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Orlando day.

Islands of Adventure opened at 9am that day, and with our on-site stay, we were allowed early admission at 8am.

Because everyone knew I was adamant about getting going by 7:30am, it was surprisingly easy to get them up. I woke Katie up when I got up and she went to grab a light breakfast from the little grab-and-go she had scoped out the night before, while I showered and everyone else got moving. By 7:30 we were all packed up and ready to go.

We took our stuff down and checked it with bell services and started our walk over to IOA. Along the way, Katie spotted this Maserati in the HRH valet section. I think she declared it “hers”.

We had decided that if a water taxi was there when we arrived, we would take it, but otherwise, we’d just walk. And we did, very casually and in no rush. It was amusing to us how so many others were power-walking or even running past us.

There’s a bag check just outside of USO and CityWalk, so I guess that takes care of checking bags for both parks. It was nice not to get caught up in a big bag check like we see at WDW.

Arriving at USO (we had to pass the entrance to get to IOA)

When we got to the gate at 7:45, it was open and people were streaming in. Hundreds of people, all with one mission – to bee-line it over to Forbidden Journey.

Here’s a photo just inside the main gate.

And a windmill atop one of the buildings in the Port of Entry, which I thought was cool.

We passed by the entrance to the Seuss area of the park, where they do the Grinchmas celebration.

We followed the flow of traffic, but again, not in a huge hurry. I thought it was better for the girls to just take it all in around themselves. And it did turn out very cool when we waltzed (rather than ran full speed) up to the entrance of WWoHP and they could really take it in. It’s like the whole world opens up around you and suddenly you’re immersed in a J K Rowling book.

We stopped at the entrance and took a few photos.

(An interesting story about Katie’s shirt. She shares it with a group of girlfriends. They call it “the travel shirt”. They made it themselves and it fits all of them. When any of them travel, they pick a day (or more) and wear it, making sure to get a photograph where they are. I think this is a very cool concept.)

Again, we were amused at the people rushing by us. I can’t figure out what was so important. The line for FJ was very short, so I’m not sure the benefit of rushing.

None of the shops were open yet. Three Broomsticks was serving breakfast, but I believe it was only for the people who had purchased the Harry Potter Vacation Package. Here’s a photo of Three Broomsticks.

Funny, I never noticed the actual three broomsticks outside!

Our first goal was to get to Olivander’s. I thought this was more important, since they only take about 30 people at a time for a 10-20-minute show, and the wait can get quite long. I figured, being there an hour before the main crowds got there, we would have plenty of time to do Olivander’s first, then ride FJ at least once.

When we got to Olivander’s, there was already a line of about 30 people, so we would obviously be in the 2nd group to enter. But as we went to line up, someone mentioned that they wouldn’t open until 8:30. I think it was still just about 8 or 8:05 at this time. So we all decided to go ahead and ride Forbidden Journey.

Again, there was no huge rush, so we took some photos along the way. It’s amazing how well-done this section of the park is. I just love it.

More atmosphere photos

In most windows, including this one, there were animated objects. This one was a mandrake, the plant that screams. You could hear it screaming from outside, and it moved around.

Love the snowman with Hogwarts in the distance

And finally, Hogwarts!

And the wait time…

Are you KIDDING me??

Next up… Forbidden Journey – how was it? And back to Olivander’s

 

[veggiemama]

Yay Harry Potter day! You took some awesome photos! Mine did not turn out as well. My dear hubby had the camera that day and though he takes a lot of photos he does not always take 'artistic' photos, just snap shots.

Our HP day did not happen till almost the end of our trip so it will be a bit before I get to it in my TR but like you, we did not rush and our wait time for FJ was about the same.

Very curious about your reaction to the ride!

 

[spiroff.natasha]

Loving the report so far I did the College Program last year and even though I was there for five months I didn't make it to Universal/WWHP...still bummed about it! So it's great to see your pictures

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

I'm all caught up and loving your trip report.

 

[momabaarjo]

Yay...HP day! Sadly we had to rush because in a few short days after your HP day the crowd exploded!

What a cool idea about the travel shirts!

 

[shocky5]

Love the WWoHP. Another reason we still need to continue to travel to Orlando...

And the travel shirt is cool! I may pose that to my daughter... she and her friends love to make t-shirts and while some of them don't turn out so well, this is a great idea for summers, in particular. Very cute tradition.

You are just like Tammie... stop when we want to keep reading... can't wait to hear your thoughts on the FJ ride!

 

[FosterA]

Wow! great photos. I've never been all that interested in Harry Potter or even Universal but I'm sort of changing my mind after seeing your pics. I love that storefront with the screaming plant. How cool is that!

the traveling t-shirt is an awesome idea. I'm going to tell Allison about that!
can't wait for next update!

 

[MeMom]

I know not a thing about Harry Potter. I've never read one of the books nor seen one of the movies. Maybe if the girls get into them later, I will do that to keep up with them.

The travel shirt is a cute idea.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Love the update. It was a great tour!

We (kids and I) were into HP a couple of years ago. We watched the movies and dh and I took them to see the second to last at the theater. I was hoping they'd want to start reading the series soon.

One of these summers, I want to do it the way you did: add a night at the beginning of our trip to do Universal.

I like that you went early but took your time. I think when you go early to a park, it allows you to take your time!

Your daughter and her friends have a cool idea with the shirt! (Was it inspired by Sisterhood of Travelling Pants?) Do they put the pictures in a scrapbook? (I teach high school, and I love the awesome ways teen girls expres their friendship!)

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

 

[swwake]

Yay Harry Potter day! You took some awesome photos! Mine did not turn out as well. My dear hubby had the camera that day and though he takes a lot of photos he does not always take 'artistic' photos, just snap shots.

Our HP day did not happen till almost the end of our trip so it will be a bit before I get to it in my TR but like you, we did not rush and our wait time for FJ was about the same.

Very curious about your reaction to the ride!

Those are my photos mixed with some of Haley's. She has a really nice camera. I'll be interested in hearing about your HP day. Isn't a 10 minute wait time for FJ crazy? You never see that.

My DH and I rode FJ last September. So our reaction won't be a first-timer's. But I'll share the rest of the crew's.

Loving the report so far I did the College Program last year and even though I was there for five months I didn't make it to Universal/WWHP...still bummed about it! So it's great to see your pictures

Oh that's fun that you did the CP. My niece really wants to do that.

I'm all caught up and loving your trip report.

Yay! Thanks!!

Yay...HP day! Sadly we had to rush because in a few short days after your HP day the crowd exploded!

What a cool idea about the travel shirts!

Yeah, I guess the crowds were light on our day. Relatively speaking.

Love the WWoHP. Another reason we still need to continue to travel to Orlando...

And the travel shirt is cool! I may pose that to my daughter... she and her friends love to make t-shirts and while some of them don't turn out so well, this is a great idea for summers, in particular. Very cute tradition.

You are just like Tammie... stop when we want to keep reading... can't wait to hear your thoughts on the FJ ride!

I think the travel shirt is a cute idea too.
I love cliffhangers!

Wow! great photos. I've never been all that interested in Harry Potter or even Universal but I'm sort of changing my mind after seeing your pics. I love that storefront with the screaming plant. How cool is that!

the traveling t-shirt is an awesome idea. I'm going to tell Allison about that!
can't wait for next update!

I think it's worth going to IOA for 1 day just to see HP one time. Every storefront had something animated in it. Cool stuff.

I know not a thing about Harry Potter. I've never read one of the books nor seen one of the movies. Maybe if the girls get into them later, I will do that to keep up with them.

The travel shirt is a cute idea.

I think if you ever got to go to WWOHP, you would want to watch at least the first movie before going. It would all make more sense to you that way.

Love the update. It was a great tour!

We (kids and I) were into HP a couple of years ago. We watched the movies and dh and I took them to see the second to last at the theater. I was hoping they'd want to start reading the series soon.

One of these summers, I want to do it the way you did: add a night at the beginning of our trip to do Universal.

I like that you went early but took your time. I think when you go early to a park, it allows you to take your time!

Your daughter and her friends have a cool idea with the shirt! (Was it inspired by Sisterhood of Travelling Pants?) Do they put the pictures in a scrapbook? (I teach high school, and I love the awesome ways teen girls expres their friendship!)

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

Adding a night the first night is the way to go. It's not exactly Disney, so it gives you something to look forward to.

I am not sure where the girls got that idea. It is cool though, and even more meaningful now that they are all over the country at different colleges. I am not sure if they'll do a scrapbook, but they share them on Facebook.

 

[swwake]

Day 2, Part 2 (December 17)

We walked into Hogwarts Castle and prepared for our broomstick flight by stowing our bags. I like how they have this set up, but for first-timers, it’s a little confusing which direction to go.

The queue for the Forbidden Journey is designed to take about 40 minutes to get through, if you carefully examine everything around you, and see all of the pre-shows. It is all done so very well. The week after Christmas, Chris, Katie and I watched all of the Harry Potter movies again, in order. Watching them, it is amazing to see how close the WWoHP resembles the movies.

With a 10-minute wait, we pretty much just walked through the queue. There wasn’t much time to stop and take it all in. The girls really enjoyed seeing everything. I didn’t take many pictures this time, but I think I’ll show you some from our 2010 trip.

The greenhouse

It’s amazing how they made something so new look so worn.

Some of those screaming plants in the greenhouse (these didn’t scream, but I think they’re caged so they won’t hurt the visitors).

This is how they kept track of which house is in the lead.

I think it’s Slytherin (green), Ravenclaw (blue), Gryffindor (red) and Hufflepuff (yellow)

Since I’m not up to speed on my Harry Potter terminology, I’m not guessing at what this is.

I thought this tapestry was neat.

Then I noticed it in one of the movies after we got home.

The portrait room. Most of them moved and spoke.

Here’s the Headmaster’s Office, where Dumbledore welcomed us (briefly, since we walked through before he finished talking to us).

The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

I wish I had more pictures of this classroom, but I’m not sure they would have turned out. This is the room where Harry, Ron and Hermione come out from under the invisibility cloak and talk to us about how boring the upcoming lecture is and how we should instead skip school and go to a Quiddich match instead. What I love about this room is that they cast some spells, and it ends up snowing at one point. Unfortunately, we missed the snow this time because we were moving so quickly.

Finally, we approached the Sorting Hat.

I thought maybe the Hat would tell us which house we were assigned to, but alas, it didn’t. It just told us a few safety precautions as we approached our “enchanted benches”.

At last, we were about to climb aboard the actual ride. In 2010, Chris and I were absolutely floored by how this ride was done. It is pretty amazing.

Next, what did the girls and Joann think? And what were Chris’s and my “second” impressions of the Forbidden Journey ride?

 

[shocky5]

So what DID the girls and Joann think of this ride and what WERE your and Chris' second impressions of the ride???

 

[annmarieda]

OMG! I am not sure what happened. I WAS subscribed!!! Well, now that that is fixed... I am caught up...

So... Miyuki... OMG! I noticed the same thing. She repeats and it is so cute. "very nice" was a common phrase we heard the ONE time we got to see her. (not on this last trip)


Sorry that the girls would have been too young for Rising Start by the end of the night.


Portofino looked BEAUTIFUL!!!

I am glad your family went along with getting up for RD. I think that it is hard for those who do not like to be on a schedule. So

FJ looks amazing. Someday I might have to go back to US/IOA... but to be honest, I read the sign and FJ might be WAY too intense for me.

 

[FosterA]

I showed Allison your photos on here and now she's begging to go to Harry Potter land! Can't wait to hear more deets!

 

[veggiemama]

Great Photos! It was our first time in HP world so we did not know what to expect. I'll talk more about it in my TR but I remember the queue being really confusing at first and almost wishing there had been a bit of a wait because I feel like we missed so much going through the castle. I didn't even know that it snowed!! Wish we had been able to see that.

 

[tankgirl427]

Your photos and description make me curious to check out HP world one day, probably after they open one up in CA so not everyone goes to the one in FL.