I went to a Land of Dreams to see an Ogre and a Donkey. There were Trolls. I saw a light show over the water and on the Castle. I saw a Epic Model.

[Robo56]

Saturday, June 22nd continued

I woke up about 6 pm the rain was gone and the sun was shining again. My plan was to head over to see the Cinesational Symphonic show over the Lagoon at Universal Studios.

I looked at the weather on my phone and the heat and humidity was not going to abate much after the rain.



The show was supposed to be at 9 pm when the park closes. So I did not have to be in hurry to get to the park.

I got ready and left my room about 7:15 pm. I walked out of the airconditioning into the heat and humidity. It was not as intense as it had been earlier in the day and the some of the heat would lesson when the sun went down.

I’am used to the Florida heat, but couple that with walking a few miles in it and it will wear you down easily and dehydrate you. So stay well hydrated and take breaks from the sun and heat.

There were only a few people waiting for the Water Taxi and we did not have to wait long until one appeared.

After getting to CityWalk I thought about getting a lite super. I have eaten at Today Cafe in the Studios a couple of times during the break from UMH Tour. There are some nice options there so I decided that would be my choice.



Once in the park I went to Today Cafe and there was hardly anyone there.

They always have a nice looking dessert display, but it was no where as nice as what they have on display for HHN.




Here is the menu.

 

[Robo56]

 

[Robo56]

I chose the Chicken Pesto Flatbread. It was pretty good, but I did pick off all the cloves of garlic. I like garlic, but there was a bit to much on the flatbread.



I have had the Bull and the Bears and the 30 Rock Midtowner sandwiches. Both were good and easily shared with two people.

I had a couple of slices of the flat bread and some of my diet soda and I was ready to go.

I wanted to go over to DreamWorks Land for a refreshing dessert before the show.

The show is on until August 25th.


I walked over to the entrance of DreamWorks and the sign was lit up.




I looked around a little. Shrek’s Swamp Hut was pretty in the evening light.


I had a look again at King Harold’s Swamp




I saw a YouTuber talking about stepping on certain Lilly pads and making the Frog croaking sound of a Budweiser commercial from the 90’s. Sure enough he did it. I have to laugh at the things people find to come up with in the parks. It sounds like the frogs are saying Bud-Wei-Ser.


My next stop was the Troll Boom Box to order my Poppy-licious lemonade ice cream.


I walked back to the area that was set aside for AP holders for the show.

This is the area that you walk up a few steps to little ways from the Crepe stand.

It was packed full of people who were waiting for the show. There was no where to stand in that area unless you blocked the view of someone who had probably been there an hour waiting for the show. I was not going to do that. So I walked around to the area that has steps that go down closer to the water and there were people crowed in that area also.

I wondered around the side area on the bottom closet to the water.

You are not going to be able to see anything much of the show that is over the water unless you are standing in that AP area that has a bump out. That area of the Lagoon which is closer to Transformers end of the Lagoon. That section is unobstructed by trees, lights and speakers.

Not sure how much the few people across the Lagoon were able to appreciate the show by looking at the show from the backside.

 

[Robo56]

You can see the drone displays easily in the sky above the Lagoon.
I had seen a story of a person who was at a gas station somewhere not far from Universal who saw the drone display of the Stay-Puft Marshmellow Man in the sky.






I decided to leave before the show was over to try and make it to the show on the Castle at IOA.

I walked through the store for a cool off and when I came out the other side the masses had already made it the exit gate and were heading to IOA.

I decided to call it a night and head for the Water taxi. The line for the Water Taxi for SF was very long. So I decided to walk. I can’t stand in one place very long do to back and leg issues so I figured it would be more comfortable moving.

I stopped for a few pictures on the way. I have eaten at the Toothesome Chocolate Emporium over the years. It was awesome the first year it opened then it went down hill on food and service after couple of years. After being burned on those two issues a few times I gave up on it and have not been back for a meal. I have stopped In from time to time and picked up some chocolates, but that is it.


Stopped along the path for a photo of the Royal Pacific Airways plane on the water along the path.


There were a number of other folks that were walking the path to the resorts too. I was a tired and sweaty mess for sure. It was hot and humid. Thankfully there was an occasional breeze My positive thought was that this was at least a 4 to 5 pound excessive fluid loss walk back to the resort, I was glad I had hydrated well all evening.

I have made this walk before in nice weather and it is a hike back to SF but not bad when it is a bit cooler.

Once I reached Sapphire Falls and walked through doors and the AC it was wonderful.

I went to my room and showered and got ready for bed. I had some ice water and called hubby to tell him about my day.

Then it was time to go to sleep. I think it was about midnight when my head hit the pillow and I was out.



To be continued

 

[nouvellefleur]

I'm really enjoying this in-depth trip report!

I love Today Cafe, their sandwiches are really fresh and tasty. I have to say, the cauliflower crust flatbread isn't very photogenic but how nice to hear it was more appetizing than it looks.

 

[macraven]

I am blown away with all the details you share with the readers which delights all that read your reports!

You are a super star in your reports.

 

[Robo56]

I'm really enjoying this in-depth trip report!

Thank you, I’am so glad to have you reading along.

I love Today Cafe, their sandwiches are really fresh and tasty. I have to say, the cauliflower crust flatbread isn't very photogenic but how nice to hear it was more appetizing than it looks.

You are right, they do have some nice sandwiches. They usually have a really good fruit tart, but I did not see it there this time.

I am blown away with all the details you share with the readers which delights all that read your reports!

Thank you Mac, It is great to have you reading along. I’am always glad to share information that helps anyone with their trips to Universal.

You are a super star in your reports.

That is so nice of you to say that.

 

[macraven]

You are a very gifted writer!

 

[Robo56]

Sunday, June 23rd

I was up early even though I did not get to bed until late. I took a nice warm shower to get the old bones moving, Then I got ready and out the door I went.


It was to early for the boats to be running yet this morning as I looked over at the Water Taxi area.


On my walk over to Aventura the moon was still high in the sky.




Once I arrived at the Starbucks that is located in Aventura Lobby there were only a couple of early risers like myself in line.

I ordered the potato, cheddar and chive bakes, everything bagel and a chocolate cream cold brew. Although the potato bakes don’t look very appealing they were pretty tasty.



I took my time and enjoyed my breakfast. I was in no hurry this morning.

I was going to be meeting my older sister D for lunch at the Cheesecake Factory for lunch today. She lives in Harmony, Florida and when I’am in Orlando we try and meet for a meal.

After breakfast I returned to my room and my room had been serviced already. The maids do a wonderful job.

I had spoken to my granddaughter M a couple days ago and she told me her hubby L’s birthday would be at the end of the month. I also remembered their 3rd anniversary was going to be the day after I got home. I asked if there was anything L wanted for his birthday. She helped me with a few ideas.

I had sometime to do a little looking for a couple of cards, a gift and gift card. So I decided to drive over to the Target on Daryl Carter Pkwy. This is not far from Sapphire Falls.

This particular Target is what I would call a tourist Target. It is busy and not set up like a normal Greatland Target.

When I arrived at Target I found my cards and gift cards and then went over to the electronics dept and the Apple AirPods I was looking for the birthday gift were on sale. What are the chances of that. The nice young man that helped me said they only had two left and he went and retrieved one for me and I checked out and was on my way.

I looked at my watch and it was already 11 am and I was supposed to meet my sister D at the Cheesecake Factory at Mall at Millenia at 11:30 so I needed to get moving. It seemed as though time was flying this morning.

There is a Cheesecake Factory right across the street from this Target. There is a large shopping center with a number of different stores and the Cheesecake Factory sets off in the back to the right. I have eaten at this Cheesecake Factory before and it is very good. Also it is not as busy as the Cheesecake Factory at the Mall.

I reached the Mall at 11:30 and found a parking space. My sister was already seated and we had a light lunch and the nicest visit. My sister D is two years older them me and we are both in our 60’s. As we get older we for sure value the time we have together even more.

It seemed like time flew as we talked and before we knew it we were hugging goodbye.

When we came out of the restaurant it was pretty hot.

I decided to take a drive by Portofino and see what the progress of the outside construction was from the road.

It looks like the plastic and scaffolding has been removed from the East Wing and the main building and now the paint scaffolding is concentrated on the West Wing. There is still a lot of protective barriers in the Piazza.

Construction was going on when we were there last September, but no where near as large a scale as this. The completion is projected to be in December or sooner if weather permits.

All the older resorts are going to eventually have to have a spruce up inside and out from time to time.

It will look nice when it is completed.

I will be staying at Portofino in September for HHN. It is my favorite Resort or what I call my home resort. They have the nicest folks who work there, I look forward to my upcoming stay in September.

 

[Robo56]

It was already 4:30 pm by the time I got back to the Resort.

I took a quick shower and got into some comfy clothes. I called my hubby and took a little snooze.

I wanted to rest up as I was planning to go to see the Hogarts Always light display on Hogwarts Castle.

I started getting ready to leave about 7:15 pm and out the door I went to catch the Water Taxi over to CityWalk.

After arriving at CityWalk I headed over to Islands of Adventure. It was not busy at all entering the park. The masses were leaving after a hot day in the parks and only a few of us were entering.

The Hogwarts Always light show on the Castle is supposed to be playing until August 25th.

I have always enjoyed taking photos of Hogwarts Castle. I think everyone does.



















It was so nice to be able to appreciate all the details with the windows lit up inside the Castle and the lights shining on the spires as the evening started approaching.

 

[Robo56]

It was about 8:55 pm when the show started. The show is every 20-25 minutes until last show close to 10 pm when the park closes.









The show was quintessential Harry Potter. Starting with the delivery of Harry’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.










The bricks separating for Hagrid and Harry at the entrance of Diagon Alley.

 

[Robo56]

Globus Mundi the Travel Agency of the Wizarding World.




Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes






King’s Cross Stations and the Hogwarts Express.













To be continued

 

[Robo56]

You are a very gifted writer!

Thank you Mac. That is so kind of you to say that. I’am so glad you are enjoying the report.

 

[macraven]

I enjoy all your reports!

 

[Robo56]

I enjoy all your reports!

Thank you Mac.

 

[schumigirl]

Had a free afternoon and finally sat down to read what you`ve written so far Robbie.

I admit I have skipped by some of the newer stuff, I have avoided some spoilers but thoroughly enjoed what you`ve done so far.

And lovely to read of your family time, it is indeed precious. And I do like the look of the cheddar and chive bakes from Aventura, I`d give them a bash.

Nice pics along the way too

 

[Robo56]

Had a free afternoon and finally sat down to read what you`ve written so far Robbie.

I admit I have skipped by some of the newer stuff, I have avoided some spoilers but thoroughly enjoed what you`ve done so far.

And lovely to read of your family time, it is indeed precious. And I do like the look of the cheddar and chive bakes from Aventura, I`d give them a bash.

Nice pics along the way too

Thank you Carole, I’am so happy you are along for the report. After all you are the one who inspired me a few years ago to start writing reports about my trips to Universal.

I have always enjoyed reading your trip reports. Your reports are full of wonderful pictures and great information on your trips to Universal and the side trips you make while there.

You will like visiting The Epic Universe preview center and DreamWorks Land.

Yes, I think you would like the cheddar and chive bakes.

I think you will also like one of the Troll Poppy-Licious lemonade ice creams in DreamWorks Land. So good.

Your trip will be here before you know it and you will be able to experience all the new things going on at Universal.

 

[keishashadow]

I missed this, caught up

The flight crew are getting better about catching the folks who are doing that.

It’s a need, not a want. They need to monitor it

Candles

I’ve not had good luck with the two candle tin as to scent being a bit too faint for my liking. Could be the ones I selected. What do you think about them?

The how to Train your Dragon Park looks like it will be a lot of fun for the little ones.

More than few late 20’s - early 30’s that are excited about revisiting toothless

There was some nice new Minion merchandise that a sweet little fella I know is going to love for his 5th birthday in September.

He’s a lucky little guy

Wow, so many photos. Thanks for another good read.

 

[macraven]

Good night and sweet dreams for all the homies.

 

[Robo56]

Sunday, June 23 continued