"MAY INCLUDE RUM"..14 NIGHTS SAPPHIRE FALLS.. MAY `19 TRIP REPORT

[schumigirl]

Have a nice trip to Scotland!

Thanks Lori....been lovely so far and we only got up here last night.......

 

[schumigirl]

I am holding my breath to hear the Pretty Woman story!!!!

Lol......I hope it doesn’t disappoint.......it wasn’t quite as bad as that I guess, but.....you know when something just makes you think of a scene from a movie........

 

[schumigirl]

enjoy the highlands, get your clan colors/plaid on

Admit i’m In the camp of not appreciating the night show @ studios. Nice it’s an option for those that do to enjoy it.

Will say i’ve Seen some ugliness at U as to accessible issues/designated spots for parades, etc. once firsts thrown, eek. To think it comes to that over a piece of turf on the curb is mind-boggling. Not that it’s a rarity at WDW either, sadly.

I don’t even know my tartan??? Lol.......guess I must revoke my Scottishness for admitting that!!!

I think we’ve been lucky at Universal in that the parades haven’t been chock full of people anytime we’ve watched any of them.....apart from one woman who was short and objected to me catching more beads than her at Mardi Gras....... but this was just rude.

Yes, I do remember lots of rude and hostile people back in 07/08 for the Disney parades.......wow....... I agree.....cannot imagine getting worked up about something like that........

 

[schumigirl]

Your food porn pictures!!!!! On my dog !!! I have the homer simpson drool happening when I see them lol.

Those pictures with the crystal clear BLUE skies wow They are truly beautiful. I love pictures with those blue blue blue skies!!!!

Have a great trip in Scotland. It sounds like an absolutely superb way to spend a few days

Lol.......drooling is allowed.........

Those pictures are so pretty.......a bit of blue sky and some amazing colours and you can’t go wrong! I’m glad you like them......

Thanks, we love it up here......don’t think I’d ever move back to Scotland, of course never say never, but we adore having some time up here now and again........

 

[schumigirl]

Have fun in Scotland! I have caught up once again, yay!

You really did get caught in the rain, wow, to bad you didn’t have a Pina Colada,

The drinks at SW look so delicious, I amazed how bartenders come up with combinations that don’t seem to go together and end up tasting good!

I’m enjoying all the pictures and the empty areas in the park, I hope it is like that for us!

Thanks Caroline,......this is one of the areas we love up here, so we do enjoy our visits when we can get up.

lol.......we were drenched!! And almost being side swiped by the trees even seemed funny somehow.......what else can you do but laugh! Although there are no pictures of us by the time we reached the RP......we did look as though we had jumped in the pool at that point........

Oh they do come up with some amazing drinks in there......and really know their stuff when it comes to run and mixing flavours and textures too with things like the egg white and ice cream........delicious!!!

I do hope you get some empty parks too.......it makes such a difference and so easy to navigate........

Glad you’re all caught up........

 

[Minnie17]

Scotland ! Enjoy but hurry back for those of us that are living vicariously through your trip reports .

 

[keishashadow]

I don’t even know my tartan??? Lol.......guess I must revoke my Scottishness for admitting that!!!

I think we’ve been lucky at Universal in that the parades haven’t been chock full of people anytime we’ve watched any of them.....apart from one woman who was short and objected to me catching more beads than her at Mardi Gras....... but this was just rude.

Lol, alls fair in love & war for Marci gras beads

DHs tartan isn’t especially appealing. Looked it up in IoA in that shop that sells knives

 

[buteraa]

Hi Carole, any chance of you doing a mini report of your trip to Scotland? I would love to see a few pictures of the area and hotel!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Finally managed to catch up, I hope you are having a lovely relaxing time in Scotland! I'm really enjoying your report. The heat is daunting but you managed it so well. I know you love it, but there's a point where it's just not comfortable and you have to decide you are having a good time. You always make that choice, and that's what makes coming along with you such a joy -- I always know I will read and feel uplifted when I'm done. Thank You!!

 

[I-4Bound]

Hope you are having fun in Scotland! Safe travels home!

 

[schumigirl]

Scotland ! Enjoy but hurry back for those of us that are living vicariously through your trip reports .

Thanks Minnie........

Having a lovely time and extended it by a couple of days.......friend had change of plans, in a different hotel now but getting to see family again too which is lovely.

Be back soon.......

 

[schumigirl]

Lol, alls fair in love & war for Marci gras beads

DHs tartan isn’t especially appealing. Looked it up in IoA in that shop that sells knives

Lol......how true!! Year before I had an almost 7 foot tall guy stood beside me.........he got most of them, but it’s plastic beads and hardly worth getting annoyed about, but some folks.........

Was that the greenish one??

 

[schumigirl]

Hi Carole, any chance of you doing a mini report of your trip to Scotland? I would love to see a few pictures of the area and hotel!

Hi buteraa.......

No, won’t be doing a mini trip report as it’s really been time with family and friends........we don’t take as many pictures in general when we’re here and no pictures at all of food over here ever.......

But, I will post a couple when when we get back......can’t post any of friends we were with but we do have a few of us on our own up there with some lovely backdrops........

 

[schumigirl]

Finally managed to catch up, I hope you are having a lovely relaxing time in Scotland! I'm really enjoying your report. The heat is daunting but you managed it so well. I know you love it, but there's a point where it's just not comfortable and you have to decide you are having a good time. You always make that choice, and that's what makes coming along with you such a joy -- I always know I will read and feel uplifted when I'm done. Thank You!!

Hi Maria.......

Thank you so much.......what lovely sentiments!!

Yes, having a wonderful break with plenty of family time and getting to spend time with friends from France we haven’t seen in a while......and weather had been glorious! Poor Tom even got sunburn yesterday on the back of his neck!

Yes, the heat was incredible some days and we were glad to leave and go cool down when we could!

And thank you again, I’m so glad to read you’re enjoying it.......will resume in a few days when I get back.........nice to see you again.....

 

[schumigirl]

Hope you are having fun in Scotland! Safe travels home!

Thanks Andrea.......we are enjoying our time up here........thankfully the weather has been gorgeous and to be the same next couple of days, so staying a little longer as friends plans changed slightly, so we moved areas......I miss the first hotel we were supposed to be staying in for the whole trip......but it was easier to move......family is closer here too.....

Should leave Sunday now.........hope everything is good with you.......

 

[schumigirl]

Hey everyone....

Back in the land of normality again. Had a wonderful trip up to Scotland, and as with most things it didn't quite go to our original plan.....but that`s ok, we tend to go with the flow with most things.

Our friends were here from France and she was working a little, so her location changed for some meetings, she works with the French Government, so we moved hotels instead of staying in the one place. It was lovely spending time with them and also seeing family too who are around a few areas up in Scotland.

We had beautiful weather and Tom`s sunburn is clearing up nicely....he got into trouble from Kyle for that as we are usually so careful......but we left Saturday morning very early as rain was forecast in Scotland, but down South was basking in heatwave temps.....so we did what all good lizards do......headed for the heat...……​

7 hours later we were home and sitting in the garden with temps in the 90`s...…...but it was a lovely trip and we were so glad we went. We never got to see Loch Ness this time again, so we think next year we`re going to go up there just for a week and mooch around a few places we haven't been to for a while…….

We don't take a huge amount of pictures and of course wouldn't post pics of those who we either can`t or don't want their pics online.....but we did manage one or two…...

Just a jumble of some of the places we stopped off at...….

Trip report will be back ongoing soon...if you`re still here.....glad to see you....

 

[jump00]

Hi Carole!!!! Luv your pictures of your mini vacation- thanks for sharing.
Such a beautiful country. So serene and peaceful

Brenda

 

[I-4Bound]

Gorgeous countryside! Welcome back!

 

[Minnie17]

Oh! Those pictures are incredible, putting Scotland on the list.

 

[schumigirl]

So, if I remember correctly, we had just left the Popeye area and we headed around to do Kong…...we first stopped and watched some folks getting wet on Ripsaw Falls......this has one of the best drops an any of the rides...….I actually prefer the drop on JP, but this one makes you feel as if you are zooming across at huge speeds...….and you do get soaked. This ride is very awkward to get in and out of the vehicle......good arm strength is an advantage......and there is a knack to getting in and out of it......slide your legs in and then sit down. Getting out, it`s just awkward.....push yourself up and out, I have poor arm strength so do find it a struggle at times, and I have seen Tom help haul me out.....lol.....quite the sight, but the ride is worth it.

The walkways aren't too busy today heading between Ripsaw and Kong......some days it can be daunting....but today it`s a comfortable walk with no one getting in your way...….

Kong is one of these rides that isn't a favourite, but one we do every time we are in this park....and one we wouldn't wait for to be honest. If the EP line is long, we don't bother.

The regular line is less than 10 minutes today, so we decide to go through that instead of the EP line, the TM said hardly anyone had gone in front of us right now.....so we thought we could get some pictures of the line as it had been a while since we had gone through the regular line....….

We wanted to take a picture at the entrance, so we took one of each other then one lady asked if she could take one of us both......as we stood, bearing in mind we were the only ones around, a woman and her friend appeared suddenly behind the lady, looked at us getting a picture taken and yelled, oh you have got to be kidding......we did tell her to just go past, but she seemed extremely irate for some reason...……

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The lady taking our picture burst out laughing as her reaction was a bit over the top......there was loads of room for her to get past..….and we continued with our picture taking swap...….​

The line is fairly interesting and we did get a little surprise in line this morning in the form of a TM...…….I like surprises, but some folks don't.....I hope they don't get rid of this little surprise in this line.....

We got straight on the ride, but we were in row 6......we much prefer the rows nearer the back, for us anyway......we did get over to the far side of the vehicle which again, we think it`s the best as you are closer to the real Kong that isn't computer generated at the end...….but it`s still ok and we do enjoy it.....but a one and done.

JP was a walk on and we don't go on today and I`m not sure why, I forget of there was a reason or if we just didn't feel like it.

Walking through the area that is being demolished for the new JP coaster is very odd......it`s so open now and feels very different...….I`m not a great fan of change to be honest, but this coaster will be phenomenal I`m positive of that!!!! But, it`s still sad to see all the greenery and trees around that looked so lush and added to the surroundings of the park disappear before our eyes.

And then you have the opposite...….the stark but welcoming sight of the Hogwarts Castle looms around the corner as you pass the JPVC......

Love this vision!!!!

I stay on the main path, but Tom braves walking past the smoking area to get some pictures of the vehicle still on display down the route that used to take you to the front of the VC which was beautiful, but sadly one of the sacrifices for the development being undertaken by Universal. ...…

Again, the bridge is one of these places where it can be heaving......everyone is clamouring for that much sought after shot in front of the castle. We first look to the right where we see the rear of the 3Bs and the rear of the buildings of Hogsmeade......

The Castle itself I could bore for hours on it...….it is classic and identical in every detail to the image JK Rowling so vividly described in her books......

And to show those who say you can never move on the bridge so it`s not worth going...…...we have space!!!!

It`s quiet this morning......there are folks appearing as we stand today, but a very pleasant experience.

And you can see the Flight of the Hippogriff ride......it`s a little rough and ready and fairly short......but it`s enjoyable and you do see some cute little things like Hagrid`s Hut and some other ride appropriate scenes in there too.

We head in to do FJ and even the lockers are a pleasure this morning......we never have issues with them to be honest, we just go to the rear and there are usually a lot less people and plenty of room, but today we are in the second row to put our bag and camera in. Some days we walk through and just take a load of pictures, but today we want to ride and may go for a second ride if I feel ok after the first one, so camera is dropped off as it doesn't fit in Tom`s pockets. Although it did look quiet, as we weren't taking pictures we did go through the EP line....although if you haven't done the regular line, if it`s quiet some days it`s worth walking through that too. Of course EP is hard to not use when you have it, and for sure that`s us...….we use EP even if the line is 5 minutes, but some days we do like to revisit the regular line. ​

And the ride was fun!!!! The TM asks me if I mind sitting in the modified seat, I smile and tell her that's where I was going anyway. They do try and take care not to make it obvious what they`re doing as some folks are very sensitive to needing them.....of course they shouldn't be, but it`s nice TM try to be as discreet as possible. For me, I don't give it a second thought......I do fit on the regular seats, but it is tight, so the modified seat is a better option for me. And if I wear my Kipling multiple, I can keep that on and it doesn't affect the safety harness.

We are the only ones on this vehicle, the couple behind us that were supposed to be sitting with us, decided not to ride…...the lady sounded nervous as we kind of walked in together.....she was too scared, so they left through the chicken exit...…..I hope she did manage to get on another time.

This is simply a fun ride......yes, there are huge spiders and you do feel they are real as they are incredible...….but horrible!!!! The dementors and laying flat for a brief moment are my favourite parts of this ride....those and the feeling you are actually flying at a great height.....tremendous.

We only manage one ride today...…..it`s not that I felt queasy when I come off this ride, but sometimes just feel if I did it again, I`d possibly be bad...…..so it`s not worth ruining the rest of the day...….

Picking up our stuff from the lockers we headed back out into the now blazing heat...….wow.....in the space of maybe 20 minutes, the heat seemed to have gone up massively...….it was still early!!! But how beautiful are these parks!!!!

As we wander into Hogsmeade, we turn to get another shot of the castle......honestly, it is so beautiful...…..and I always love to say affectionately, it is the nicest castle in Florida!!!

There are a huge amount of Japanese tourists traversing around the snowman today...….they all seem to want to take a million shots of the same item...…..of course we wait, but eventually a man beside us tells them they need to let someone else have a go.....I`m being very general here, but any Japanese tourists we have encountered have always been the most polite of nations.....although we did run into one or two who weren't so polite in Scotland last week, but that's another story...…..I felt bad for them, but the man had waited a long time to get a picture with his daughter...…...Tom took some of them both together as it was just the two of them...….

We jumped in and got one before they headed back!!!!

The Owlery is quiet today looking down towards it...….usually it`s a very busy place where you can struggle to find a bench to sit on, and I have to say they are incredibly uncomfortable, but a delight when you need to sit down!!!!

This is a cool store.....many, many artifacts around and loads of items to purchase including robes and wands...…..you can spend a decent amount of time in the stores. Many folks complain they are too small, yes, but that's the way they were meant to be......they`re not Macys!! I love the detail and everything they have done within the stores. Very beautiful...…...

And of course the roofs are beautiful from any angle...…..I adore the Potter areas of the parks......and never get fed up wandering around here or in the other park too.

More Potter to come...…..