The next day was to be our very 1st trip to Universal Studios. I kind of felt like a Disney traitor. We bought those $86.00
(what a deal, we thought!) tickets that were good for unlimited visits for the whole week. We figured we would spend at least 4 days at this awesome park
. We were all very excited because we had never been and the little video clips on the Universal Studio’s website left us with eager anticipation for the real thing. We watched those clips so many times that and got our hopes up for the most amazing park ever only to realize, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IS NOT DISNEYWORLD, I REPEAT, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS IS NOT DISNEYWORLD!
Well lets start with the good news, Universal is empty for almost the 1st 2 hours the park is open. No lines, no waiting and no opening ceremonies like Disney world, you just walk in. I liked the no lines part but missed all the fanfare. The park itself was visually incredible but the attraction did not live up to our expectations.
Most rides did not have the magical touch of Disney. We boarded the Jaws attraction with great anticipation. My oldest two joined me, one on each side of me, cowering in fear (they went on willingly) and got off saying that wasn’t scary. Actually it was kind of cheesy. I would even venture to say it was cheesier than the Jungle ride, who knew that was possible
? I won’t give you a blow by blow of our disappointment
of each ride because I think you get the picture. I never realized how the little things at Disney make such a difference. We stopped for lunch and the girls at the fast food joint conversed over our heads in Spanish and waited on us when they were ready (I wasn’t feeling the love there) We didn’t get the hop to it service we’ve grown accustomed to, I think we’ve become
spoiled! We weren’t greeted with enthusiasm upon entering each attraction. Although, I must say we did experience some Universal magic
at the Barney attraction, I was very impressed with the show and all the people who worked there. However, I have sworn on my most excellent promise to never, never, ever mention that my 9 year old son went to the Barney show and have managed to keep that promise thus far. But sometimes when the little pre-teen attitude sneaks in I threaten him that maybe just maybe if he doesn’t lose the attitude I might accidentally slip and mention his visit with Barney. Not that I would but I just can’t resist to zing him a little. We also enjoyed the E.T ride, it was cute and it was nice in cool because the line was inside.
We decide that because it is so empty we won’t go back for a nap and swim break and just finish the whole park today. Big, big mistake
, we wound up at the back of the park when we hit the wall. No-one wanted to see anything else but nobody had the strength to make it back to the car and the heat and sun
were brutal. I really thought one of us was going to drop. The walk back to the car felt like the 8th day of a 7 day hike through Death Valley. DH pushes the carriage, I pull DS #2 along while he was crying
and DS #3makes it on his own. While we were walking I was thinking that I should be a better person and go to church more because if this is how hot Hell feels, I want to cover all my bases and make sure I don’t wind up there. Actually, I’m just kidding, we try to go to church regularly and to be thankful for all we have and have made a concerted effort not to be lazy about it. Especially since I made a deal with God that if DS#2’s cystic fibrosis test came back negative that I would go all summer, it was negative
and we did.
We eventually make it to the moving sidewalks
that take you to the parking garage and DS#2 and DS#1 sat on the moving sidewalk, I felt like sitting also but was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stand up again. DH had the carriage and couldn’t ride the moving sidewalk, he complains and I inform that sometimes you have to make sacrifices and then I laugh. Well, too bad for him, he could have pulled crying DS#2 along and I would have pushed the carriage but he picked the carriage. Maybe he’ll choose more wisely next time! Yeah, we found the car and head back to our Beach Club Villa. We were never so happy to hear our Disney friends
say welcome home and nobody even mentioned pushing the button.
We rested, swam for a couple of hours and then got the kitchen sink for dinner and didn’t even come close to putting a dent in it. We watched the Epcot fireworks from our balcony and everyone passes out!
Today is a sad day
. Today it is freezing and rainy in MA
, I've never been in December
!
or so I think:
