"I Wanna See My Castle!" October 2013 TR *COMPLETE* **NEW TR LINK!!** 7/3

[kastoney]

Wow what great updates. I must plea ignorance when it comes to Universal but after reading this that may have to change. The rides look awesome and dare I say it more citing edge than Disney. The Harry potter section looked like movie sets. Hopefully Disney is taking notes for future expansion.

 

[Suziannie]

Day 1 Continued: Tuesday October 22nd

When I left off, we had just finished bringing our bags into our room at the Royal Pacific Resort and were ready to go exploring, and get something to eat. [/B][/I]

What a beautiful resort!!

 

[mandas08]

I havent read your last update but want to post on the others before I get anymore behind.

First: I know I have said it a million+ times but I just cant believe how big Paxton is. He is really growing up. Ok onto all my comments before I make you cry lol.

Your airport pics are super cute. So fun to watch little boys entertain themselves, you jsut never know what they will do next. Fountain fun. Every time Zavier sees a fountain we are sure to at least spend a few minutes admiring it.

I totally agree with you about staying in the same room. In the past we have stayed at Pop and AOA with Zavier and didnt think it was too bad. That is until we stayed a 2 bedroom condo on our last trip to Sea World. I think it is safe to say we will have a very hard time going back to sharing a room if we do. I love staying onsite, but now I'm thinking sharing a room is a deal breaker, it was so nice staying up watching Once Upon a Time and not tip toeing around.

A child swap room...that sounds like a cool idea. I love his review of "Too fast" cant wait to hear how he did with characters and other rides.

I totally love the "throwin up boy" story. Too funny.

 

[khertz]

Universal/IOA look like so much fun! We're going to have to make our Orlando trip at least a week long when we do decide to include them in our itinerary.

I love Minions but I can see why your DS may have been a little freaked out about it especially if you focus on that "blegh" expression and his freakishly spiky but sparse hair!

Can't wait to see SPRINGFIELD!!

It was tough making the decision to take away a day from Disney instead of adding a day for Universal, but in the end, it was totally worth it!

I think it was the expression that freaked him out, and then the way he moved since everything kind of moves at one time.

Wow what great updates. I must plea ignorance when it comes to Universal but after reading this that may have to change. The rides look awesome and dare I say it more citing edge than Disney. The Harry potter section looked like movie sets. Hopefully Disney is taking notes for future expansion.

I love Disney, don't get me wrong, but Universal totally wins when it comes to thrilling roller coasters (although I understand Disney's goal was never to make the most thrilling coasters), and motion simulators! WWoHP feels EXACTLY like you stepped into Hogsmeade from the movies. I really can't wait to see what they do with the Diagon Alley expansion at the Studios!

What a beautiful resort!!

It was really beautiful! I was so happy we spent the extra money to stay there, even if only for one night.

I havent read your last update but want to post on the others before I get anymore behind.

First: I know I have said it a million+ times but I just cant believe how big Paxton is. He is really growing up. Ok onto all my comments before I make you cry lol.

Your airport pics are super cute. So fun to watch little boys entertain themselves, you jsut never know what they will do next. Fountain fun. Every time Zavier sees a fountain we are sure to at least spend a few minutes admiring it.

I totally agree with you about staying in the same room. In the past we have stayed at Pop and AOA with Zavier and didnt think it was too bad. That is until we stayed a 2 bedroom condo on our last trip to Sea World. I think it is safe to say we will have a very hard time going back to sharing a room if we do. I love staying onsite, but now I'm thinking sharing a room is a deal breaker, it was so nice staying up watching Once Upon a Time and not tip toeing around.

A child swap room...that sounds like a cool idea. I love his review of "Too fast" cant wait to hear how he did with characters and other rides.

I totally love the "throwin up boy" story. Too funny.

I can't believe how big he is either! It's so fun playing with him and listening to him sing to himself when he plays, but there will always be that part of me that wishes he could stay a baby forever!

Yes, we have definitely gotten spoiled with separate spaces while on vacation!! It is so much harder to coordinate when we are forced to share a small space. I think the only way we could stay onsite again would be to rent DVC points or stay in an AOA suite! It's just too nice not to have to shut down for the night just because the kid is ready for bed.

I think it will be up in the next update or so, but I was REALLY surprised at some of the characters he had great interactions with!

 

[missangelalexis]

I am such a huge fan of Despicable Me and just love that ride! omgosh the video of DS meeting the minion, so cute!!I'm glad you were able to get a picture (And you met an awesome looking minion!)

I loved the Transformers ride and I'll admit I think I enjoyed it just a tad more than Spiderman too!

Poor DS just wanted to keep the 3d glasses!

 

[JessM]

You are getting me really excited to go to Universal on my next trip haha. I haven't been there since Despicable Me was put in or Transformers. They both sounds super fun!

I remember the Hanna Barbara ride but I never did it as Jimmy Neutron either.

Funny that he was so scared of the minion but I can't blame him, he does look a little intimidating in real life haha.

The first time I rode the Mummy I did not know it was a roller coaster, it made the ride so much fun!

 

[Imagineer5]

Great update - love the Despicable Me ride detail as that is the one we haven't been on yet.

We almost passed up the mummy ride too, because we rode the original one at Universal Studios Hollywood and I remember it was awful - luckily we DID go on it though (back in 2010 I think) and yes, amazing ride!

So nice to have family there to take Paxton so you can get in some adult rides together!

 

[afwdwfan]

There were more characters out, like Betty Boop, but no Simpsons, although we did get a picture of their camper.

Eventually we made it into the ride building, and it was decorated just like from the movie! Which, by the way, only DH, DS, and myself had seen out of our group. So I'm sure a lot of this attraction was lost on them, which is too bad because it's a great movie and an adorable and funny attraction!

I love the movie. I still haven't seen the second, but I can definitely understand how well it could translate to that kind of an attraction.

I only wish I knew about that non-moving seat thing so we could have checked it out...

They line you up into rows at this point. DS was entranced by the movie screens, and we had a hard time getting him to move forward!

I don't know what was on that screen but it must have been good.

So he made a wide arc to be sure to get a good look at him first, and got SO close, but then the minion moved and DS ran away! It was pretty hilarious, and I got it all on video.

Poor kid.

Then we come out, and the guys are nowhere to be found! After looking around confused for a second, I see DH waving at me from down the alleyway, waving me over because MEGATRON WAS OUT.

Priorities... it isn't every day that you get to meet a living, breathing, Decepticon.

By the time I walked down there, DH and Mitchell had already gotten in line because Megatron was going in and the TM had told them Optimus Prime was coming out next!

I was surprised by how interactive they were! We hung around for a second and watched him interact with other guests, and I cracked up laughing when he said in a very serious and prophetic voice, "NOW IS THE TIME..." long pause, "...for you to smile."

He talks?????

AWESOME!!!!

The only thing about it is I assume you apparently have to stay about 8 feet away from him by the way the pictures look? I'd want to walk up and give him a high 5 or something.

This ride was AMAZING. Like, in the way that the Spider-Man attraction is amazing with how it makes you feel like you are moving, falling, speeding, flying, etc., only with TRANSFORMERS, which no offense, Spidey, I love a lot more!! I am a huge fan of the movies, and this attraction was full of action and extremely well done!

Well... that settles it. At least if I have any say in the matter, I've got to see this myself. I've been looking forward to this attraction ever since I first heard about it being built at the other Universal park.

But it was still just as thrilling as I remembered! They did everything right with that roller coaster, and I don't even really like the movie.

It is a lot of fun! I really love that ride, but like you, didn't care much for the movie. In fact, if I remember correctly I think I turned the movie off like halfway through and never actually saw the whole thing.

So we walked down the alleyway to see which Transformer was out, and it was my favorite, BUMBLEBEE!!

"No, he didn't want to give the glasses back!"

Well, at least he wasn't traumatized by Shrek!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm joining! I was a little bit behind, but I'm caught up!

I love the pictures of the Royal Pacific. I've looked at staying there for a night before, but just haven't gotten around to it. Since we're DVC, I like to keep our trips as on the cheap as possible, so I tend to poo poo the idea when it comes to mind.

Those fish and chips look really good!

WWoHP is a sight to see, that's for sure. It was super exciting for me the first time I saw it. I'm taking my parents there for the first time in January, so I'm excited to see their faces.

What a nice DH letting you ride first! So sweet that he could see you bursting with excitement.

I love Despicable Me! Very excited to go on Minion Mayhem.

The Mummy is one of our must do's. It's such a great attraction. I just wish it was longer!

 

[khertz]

I am such a huge fan of Despicable Me and just love that ride! omgosh the video of DS meeting the minion, so cute!!I'm glad you were able to get a picture (And you met an awesome looking minion!)

I loved the Transformers ride and I'll admit I think I enjoyed it just a tad more than Spiderman too!

Poor DS just wanted to keep the 3d glasses!

The movie was so much cuter than I had been expecting, and the attraction was a great play on it! I just love Agnes, she is so adorable! The video still makes me crack up laughing every time I watch it. I have been showing people at work constantly since we got back!

He was so funny about those glasses! But we managed to make it sound really fun to return them in the bins for the rest of the trip, so no more meltdowns over 3D glasses.

You are getting me really excited to go to Universal on my next trip haha. I haven't been there since Despicable Me was put in or Transformers. They both sounds super fun!

I remember the Hanna Barbara ride but I never did it as Jimmy Neutron either.

Funny that he was so scared of the minion but I can't blame him, he does look a little intimidating in real life haha.

The first time I rode the Mummy I did not know it was a roller coaster, it made the ride so much fun!

All of the new stuff Universal has been putting in since my last trip there really just blew me away. They have done such a great job sprucing up the parks!

I think that was half the fun of my first Mummy ride too, having NO IDEA what to expect!

Great update - love the Despicable Me ride detail as that is the one we haven't been on yet.

We almost passed up the mummy ride too, because we rode the original one at Universal Studios Hollywood and I remember it was awful - luckily we DID go on it though (back in 2010 I think) and yes, amazing ride!

So nice to have family there to take Paxton so you can get in some adult rides together!

It's really great, and just FUN! I loved the movie and thought the attraction was adorable and funny.

I didn't realize the 2 Mummy rides were not the same! Never been to US Hollywood to compare, but I'm sure glad Florida got the better version.

Yes, that was probably the best day for having our family with us. We got to do everything we wanted that day, but may not have been able to had we needed to switch off for everything. Plus, it's just so nice to get to ride things together again sometimes! I know you know all about that!

I love the movie. I still haven't seen the second, but I can definitely understand how well it could translate to that kind of an attraction.

I only wish I knew about that non-moving seat thing so we could have checked it out...

Yeah I'm not so sure they would have told me had I not asked about it. I can't imagine why they wouldn't want people to know they have that capability??

I don't know what was on that screen but it must have been good.

I don't remember either, but I am pretty sure it was just Gru giving us instructions. All I know is I wish he paid attention to ME giving him instructions that well!!!




Priorities... it isn't every day that you get to meet a living, breathing, Decepticon.

EXACTLY! I knew they were in the park somewhere, but I wasn't sure where the meeting location was. Happy accident that we decided to use the restroom right there!




He talks?????

AWESOME!!!!

The only thing about it is I assume you apparently have to stay about 8 feet away from him by the way the pictures look? I'd want to walk up and give him a high 5 or something.

YES!! I was so surprised that they talk, but they DO! Well, except Bumblebee, he just plays music. It was really cool that they were so interactive, because then you realized these were not just statues to pose in front of. And yes, you did have to stay kind of far in front. There was a little pad to stand on for the picture. I don't think they were doing high 5's or hugs, but that would have been AWESOME.


Well... that settles it. At least if I have any say in the matter, I've got to see this myself. I've been looking forward to this attraction ever since I first heard about it being built at the other Universal park.

You will NOT regret that decision!!


It is a lot of fun! I really love that ride, but like you, didn't care much for the movie. In fact, if I remember correctly I think I turned the movie off like halfway through and never actually saw the whole thing.

I am pretty sure the ONLY reason I watched it was because we had made a list of all of the movies with attractions based off of them in the parks and wanted to watch them all before our '09 trip! It was pretty terrible, and I am not a fan of Brendan Frasier at all.




Well, at least he wasn't traumatized by Shrek!

So true! It had been awhile since I had done Shrek 3D so I was trying to remember if anything was exceptionally scary, but nope, he just wanted the glasses!

I'm joining! I was a little bit behind, but I'm caught up!

I love the pictures of the Royal Pacific. I've looked at staying there for a night before, but just haven't gotten around to it. Since we're DVC, I like to keep our trips as on the cheap as possible, so I tend to poo poo the idea when it comes to mind.

Those fish and chips look really good!

WWoHP is a sight to see, that's for sure. It was super exciting for me the first time I saw it. I'm taking my parents there for the first time in January, so I'm excited to see their faces.

What a nice DH letting you ride first! So sweet that he could see you bursting with excitement.

I love Despicable Me! Very excited to go on Minion Mayhem.

The Mummy is one of our must do's. It's such a great attraction. I just wish it was longer!

Thanks for joining!

I know exactly what you mean. We have Wyndham of course, not DVC, but when you are getting a "free" hotel stay, it is just so hard to part money to stay somewhere else, even for just a night! The Express Pass was nice, but like I said, we didn't really need it that time of year. But it was definitely worth it for the extra hour in WWoHP!

I definitely appreciated him letting me go first. I know he was excited about WWoHP and riding FJ too, but I think he could see that it truly affected me in such a positive way to be there experiencing everything there for the first time! I am more of a Harry Potter nerd than he is anyway. He has seen the movies and read the books, but I have read the books SO MANY TIMES!

Totally agree on Mummy! It is fantastic, but every time it ends I think to myself, "Wait, it's over already?!"

 

[Imagineer5]

So i have been meaning to ask you but keep forgetting. We have been thinking about getting into DVC (though a resale) for some time now, but I'm also looking at other options, specifically Bonnet Creek since the location is so great. I am looking at resales but obviously it is under a different system than disney so was wondering if you could link me to get an idea of how many points I'd need to purchase?

 

[khertz]

So i have been meaning to ask you but keep forgetting. We have been thinking about getting into DVC (though a resale) for some time now, but I'm also looking at other options, specifically Bonnet Creek since the location is so great. I am looking at resales but obviously it is under a different system than disney so was wondering if you could link me to get an idea of how many points I'd need to purchase?

This is a good question for my DH! Hopefully he will chime in? I can say, we have had 217,000 points for the past couple of years and we have had no problems getting a 1 bedroom unit for at least 2 weeks worth of vacation over the use year. Occasionally we have to borrow from the next year if we want to get more or bigger rooms or take a longer trip. We splurged this year and borrowed a lot from next year to do our Tennessee trip, then rent 2 2-bedroom units for us and our family on this past Disney trip.

 

[khertz]

Day 2 Continued: Wednesday October 23rd

After meeting up with the rest of the group, minus Katie & Mitchell, we went over to the brand new Springfield area to grab some lunch! DH was pretty excited about it, since he has always really loved The Simpsons. We were both intrigued by the idea of the different counter service locations all in the same place to offer variety, so we agreed in advance when planning the trip that we would definitely get over there for lunch to check everything out. DH really wanted to try a Flaming Moe, until he found out it was basically just orange soda with dry ice on the bottom to make it smoke. And that it is an $8 orange soda with dry ice on the bottom... So no Flaming Moe's for him!!

They really went all out with the themeing in this area! There was just so much to see. Lucky for you, my DH took the time to take as many photos of everything as he possibly could.

2-072 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-073 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-074 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-075 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-076 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-077 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-078 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

Although all of the restaurants are in the same building, there are multiple entrances with the different storefronts. Most of the others were closed, so we entered through Moe's.

2-079 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

I'm glad you asked, yes, I DID feel strange pushing my toddler in a stroller through a bar! After walking through Moe's you come to the actual CS area. Each restaurant is situated next to each other and you can go up to whichever counter you want to order from, then there is a central paying location to check out all of your food. I'll see if I can remember what everyone got...

My mom got a chicken wrap from Lisa's Teahouse of Horror. They were pre-packaged sandwiches with a couple of cold sides to go with it. DH and my dad both had Krusty burgers. DS had a pizza from Luigi's. My in-laws I think both had some kind of seafood combo from The Frying Dutchman. And I had a grilled chicken sandwich from Cletus' Chicken Shack.

Sadly, none of us had one of these bad boys.

2-080 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

For some reason, we only have this picture from inside the food pick up area.

2-081 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

We went out to find a seat in the dining room, which was not difficult at all considering it was only a little after 11 am. There is one huge wall with a gigantic mural of Springfield and one long bench seat running across it. We sat at one end of the long bench spread out over a couple of tables.

Our one and only true food picture of DH's Krusty burger with curly fries.

2-082 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

And one not-so-traditional food picture of DS with his pizza.

2-083 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

We ended up just getting him a regular pizza because a kids pizza was only $1 cheaper. It was pretty good quality for theme park pizza. Better than Disney's CS choices, for certain.

2-084 by disneymom1024, on Flickr
Part of the mural​

After lunch, we split up from the group. DH wanted to go take more pictures of Springfield (which you saw some of earlier in the post), so I took DS to check out Fievel's Playland. He has recently become familiar with Fievel and loves to watch the movie, so I figured this would be a hit.

There was a little bounce house that caught his eye and he wanted to go in. We took his shoes off and I got this one picture before he changed his mind and made me put his shoes back on.

2-086 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

Then there were some gigantic glasses nearby to check out that kept him interested for a few minutes.

2-087 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-088 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-089 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

We found a slide, and those are ALWAYS a hit, so of course he wanted to go down. And he did. Several times.

2-091 by disneymom1024, on Flickr


2-092 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

We found a huge jungle gym area but I was too worried about letting him go in by himself because he gets scared and starts crying for me to come get him, but some of those tunnels looked a little too small for me. So I got his attention back to the bounce house. And this time he actually wanted to go in! I thought this was a great idea until there were one too many times he came diving towards the opening and came a little too close to the sharp concrete edge with his head for me and I made him come out. I don't have many rules on vacation, but "No skull fractures" is definitely one of them!

2-093 by disneymom1024, on Flickr
​

Once DH came back to meet up with us, we decided the only thing we really wanted to do before we left was ride E.T.

2-094 by disneymom1024, on Flickr​

There wasn't much wait but we used our Express Pass anyway. DS was SO nervous walking through that queue. I can understand, it is pretty creepy and dark in there with all of the forest noises going on around you!

We were seated in the very front row of our bike, and immediately I was worried that he was going to freak out when E.T. popped up in the basket. But that didn't really seem to bother him. Just everything else did! He was SO NERVOUS the entire time! I had to sit really awkward to keep my arm around him to try to comfort him. I thought he would be better once we got to E.T.s planet and there were no more cop cars busting through bushes or loud noises. We tried pointing out all of E.T.'s friends that we had seen on the tv screens while waiting in line to distract him, but it wasn't helping much.

We get off the ride, and DS immediately proclaims how fun it was! And for the rest of the week, he would randomly talk about having fun finding E.T.'s friends. It was so strange, he seemed to HATE it as we were riding, but then he loved it! Go figure.

After we finished up on E.T., DH and I had a quick discussion about going to ride Men In Black before leaving, but we decided just to head out. We both really enjoy that ride but didn't feel like taking the time to child swap on it. So that ended our time in Universal Studios for the day! But don't worry, we still had plenty of fun awaiting us back at Islands of Adventure!

UP NEXT: "Welcome to Jurassic Park"

 

[missangelalexis]

The themeing in Springfield really is awesome! I love that you between all of you, you tried something from each QS place. I love all the pics of DS playing. So funny that he was scared of ET but really enjoyed it!

 

[Nermel9]

Wow Springfield looks amazing, I love your pictures! My DH and I are both huge Simpsons fans, so we really have to visit that area someday!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Love the Springfield photos! I didn't realize that all of the food joints are actually connected to each other with multiple entrances. Cool! And that pink donut with sprinkles look exactly like the ones Homer enjoys.

I think the last time I was at Universal was in 2001. Enjoyed E.T. and Men in Black even back then.

 

[MEK]

Hello to the girl with eagle eyes!

Seriously, I think all DISers need to know that you can spot anyone in a crowd. I was SO impressed with you observational skills!

Subbing now. I have been home for almost 3 weeks and I have sadly neglected the DIS boards, but I am happy to see your TR alive and well.

First, I have to say that Paxton is adorable, both in pictures and in person. And I can't believe how much he reminds me of my DS, Brian, when he was that age. That hair. The face. The mannerisms (like rolling on the seat at the airport). What a flash back.

Looking forward to getting caught up properly this weekend.

Wow - the RP room is really nice!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow, Springfield looks awesome!!!! I can't wait to see it in person. So much new stuff over at Universal. They're making it so hard for me to make fun of them.

Haha, no worries pushing your toddler through Moes. Bart and Lisa go in there all the time. No biggie.

Awww I still love the E.T ride. A few years back me and a buddy were in the queue and there is a point where "E.T." suddenly starts rustling in the bushes. Scared him half to death much to the amusement of a couple of older ladies in front of us. So needless to say, I can see how DS would be a little frightened in there.

 

[Imagineer5]

Thanks for the points info, I think i did find a chart but then i was looking at resales and the prices were ALL over the place - like one resale for 180000 points for $1500 and another one for 160000 points for like $18,000 - crazy. IDK. LOL

The playground looks like so much fun. One of these days we need to get to disney at the same time - Paxton and Aria would have a blast together. She has a bunch of "older" boys in her daycare and that's the age range she feels most comfortable playing with it seems.

What was the height requirement on ET? I didn't think Aria could ride that one though maybe I was just looking at IoA ones she can ride when I was deciding whether or not to do that one.

 

[kastoney]

Yummy? I think you are singlehandedly making me want to check out Universal. The Springfield area looks awesome. Though I have to ask can you actually get Duff beer? Don't think I could pass that up.

I must admit I had to google Feivel. I thought I recalled it from childhood but figured there was something more current I wasn't aware of. I must say I'm surprised they have something from such an old and not necessarily iconic movie, but it does look like an awesome play area for kids.