Michael Myers returns..and so do we....19 Fabulous nights of HHN, RP & SF Sept/Oct 2018

[schumigirl]

Shameless post using my new laptop...…

Feels funny typing on a different one......and this one has a UK keyboard......used to have to change a few things around...….the @ and the " were swapped around on the US keyboard...…

But, loving it so far...…..

More trip report coming up soon...…..

 

[macraven]

Always a treat to read another portion of your past trip

And we are lucky that your next trip is coming month after next!

I’ll be entertained for hours reading about your delightful adventures

 

[schumigirl]

So, we were wandering around the whole Potter area just taking it all in as usual......there are so many things to see and capture, you really are spoiled for choice......and every single visit we always manage to capture an image or something else we have missed on previous visits...….

This spell below is cool to watch…..it seems to be a little testing for little ones to manage from what we`ve observed, but there is always a friendly witch close by to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it...…

Although we don't eat in The Leaky Cauldron, we always enjoy a wander around the restaurant, and I have to say everyone seems to enjoy the food there....it`s just not to our taste......but it is a lovely themed restaurant and staff are wonderful and stay in character the whole time...…and they do chat to you even if they see you aren't eating there, which is nice as some do like to wander in and just look around. You never feel pressured to order anything.

Again, so many wonderful touches and things you really have to look for at times...…

The cauldron is huge, and it`s somewhere you have to get a picture of...….

Looking up sometimes you see so much more...….all the luggage piled up is very reminiscent of the movie where they arrive to stay at the Leaky Cauldron......and again, theming is everything...…

We then head into Knockturn Alley, usually the way we exit...…..

We love this area......anything that is spooky or a little bit mysterious is right up my street......and this was done so incredibly well, it was amazing how they had captured the essence of Knockturn Alley...….as it was described in the books and successfully recreated in the movies...…

I did like the black and white look for this next picture......I have no idea what Tom did to make it this way, but I did like it a lot...…....

Borgin and Burkes is an amazing little shop......looks incredible from the front and inside has a plethora of objects to admire...……from the simple to the weird and wonderful...….

The claw has to be watched as it does clamp down fairly quickly, and first time I saw it, I did jump...….as you`re supposed to of course...….

There are so many things to look at in here.....and you really can spend a decent amount of time in here and there are load of tee shirts and mugs that are relatively normal to purchase...….I think we have almost every mug sold in here!!!

Once we had satisfied our curiosity and had a good look around we headed back outside, well into the back end of DA...……

Everyone takes pictures here, and trying to get them with no one in is quite difficult......most people will wait if you are capturing an image when it`s not too busy.....I know we are happy to wait when someone is taking pictures...….doesn't take long at all...….

We go outside into the sunshine and when you`ve been in Knockturn Alley you can forget how hot and sunny it is outside...…..and it is beautiful outside again...…

We decide it`s been such a long time since we`ve had ice cream from Florean Fortecue`s we`ll share one this morning...…..and of course such a decision takes a long time...….I`m not overly fond of the hard pack flavours…..when I previously tasted the clotted cream, it tasted of key lime pie, which although lovely, isn't clotted cream as we know it in the UK.

Tom said he`d be happy with anything except the marmalade one...….although Tom loves orange flavoured things, he hates marmalade with a passion......of course I love it!!!

I eventually went with the strawberries and cream soft serve...……we always get a cup as I don't like the wafer cones that ice cream gets served in......

And it was delicious!!! I had forgotten just how nice it was......we tended to stick to Ben & Jerry`s when we wanted ice cream in this park, but this was nice!! And it`s a big portion...….we shared this between us easily and didn't feel either of us had been short changed...…..

We stand outside and enjoy it in the shade of course...….the steps don't have many on them but the sun is beating right down on them, so we`d rather be in the shade and stand...…

We genuinely never tire of seeing and being around the visual pleasures of Diagon Alley...….and we surely must have every inch photographed now......but, weirdly as I said earlier, we always find something new every time we visit...…

More to come...…….

 

[schumigirl]

Always a treat to read another portion of your past trip

And we are lucky that your next trip is coming month after next!

I’ll be entertained for hours reading about your delightful adventures

Thanks mac...…

Always pleased to hear you`re enjoying reading along...…..

Yep, 4 weeks come Wednesday we`ll be starting the 5th adventure of the year to Orlando...….

 

[schumigirl]

We left the whole Potter area and headed back out the front of the park...….we usually go around and do MiB and ET as staples of our visits......but today we were heading out of the park for lunch...….so we went back round and had a wander in The Monsters Café...….not our favourite place and certainly wouldn't eat there but it has some impressive memorabilia around the place...….it`s quite cool. Such a shame the food is so poor in the place. It could be amazing.

We did stop in and have a quick ride of the The Mummy as we were passing.....there was a 15 minute wait for the regular line but we had no wait whatsoever for the EP line, and we did enjoy it again...…

Monsters Café was almost deserted, but it was still early I suppose......we did buy some water and had a wander around.....

I loved this fireplace!!! We have a real fireplace in one of our sitting rooms at home but I`d love this one...….Tom however doesn't like it as much, so not much hope of a copycat version for me...…

Whenever we wander around here we always remark that the old monsters genre would make a fantastic horror house one year.......the classic monsters were so scary to us when we were kids......Frankenstein, Dracula, Mummy and Werewolf might seem very basic by today`s standards, but they were terrifying and would still make an amazing themed house. It`s a shame they`ll probably never even consider doing anything like that...…..

We exited the park and were glad we had some more water......someone looked extremely unwell as we left the turnstiles.....we heard them say she was dehydrated......so easy to do in this heat. They were looking after her though.

Citywalk may not be the biggest or most exciting place, but it is beautiful......even more so at night of course, but just as photogenic during the day...….it suits us down to the ground!!

It really was a pretty view...….and boats tended to be fairly quiet during the day...….

We realized today we had never posed directly in front of the Universal globe.....not once since our first visit in 2007......we must rectify that one day when the three of us are there as a family...…

We didn't wait long for a boat today, and it was practically empty today going back to the hotel......and the boat ride is just as pretty as the walk, and less achy on the feet usually......we were ok today as we had only been in the parks for the morning...….one of the benefits of not spending all day or night in the parks at one time...…..although the parks aren't huge, you can still cover some miles walking around them...….

Toothsome is one of the newer additions to Citywalk…….it has a lovely theme and well worth visiting, but it had never thrilled us enough to go back. We had tried their chocolate and hadn't been impressed at all.....but it was a lovely restaurant and the merchandise was lovely. We missed NBA!!! Heck we still missed Nascar which was replaced by NBC……….some of us remember their best appetiser…….boogity boogity boogity shrimp!!!! I think it had three boogity`s!!!! Maybe it was only two...….but it was lovely!!!! Vicki, I know you remember it!!!!

This really is a beautiful way to get back home...….and the boat ride to Portofino the other direction is as pretty, and only slightly longer on the journey...…

We remember watching them prepare to move Jake`s plane from it`s original position on the other side of the lagoon when they were remodelling the waterway to make room for Sapphire Falls water taxi route to be designed...…...we were just glad they managed to find room and keep it as it is part of RPR.

Love this view too......Sapphire is just a gorgeous hotel......we were looking forward to moving over there later this week...…...again, can`t really choose our favourite between the two, which I never imagined I would say before we visited and stayed there...…but it really impressed us in many ways.

And the boat dock for RP……...so familiar...….you can usually see some turtles swimming around this little area as well as the ducks on occasion. Definitely feels like home as we pull in here anytime.

Next up......Yellow Dog Eats for lunch, and later a short but very sweet meet up!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Two wands up for the ice cream pictures Enjoy a good orange marmalade, on toast, never brave enough to try that version @ U.

Not sure which line had me smiling more: identifying your favorite biker or the honest assessment of F&F. Hey, we’re all family here.If they had rotten tomato ratings for amusement attractions, it would surely be head & shoulders on top of even of Mr Fallon’s mess. Wonder if those ride designers still have jobs? Lol

 

[I-4Bound]

Such a disappointment about that brisket. I've ordered brisket at just about every barbecue restaurant we've been to, but I've never tasted one as good as the brisket my brother makes at Christmas time. I have sort of given up searching!

 

[J'aime Paris]

Still enjoying every installment of your TR!
We had gone to Universal last year for DD's bday...when we had that fabulous meal at The Palm. (hoping next FL trip will be back to Uni)

This year was WDW, and we had fun! We always do, as long as we are together and on vacation, lol!
Here is our costume for the MNSSHP.

But I'll admit I longed for EP privileges that Universal resort guests get... many, many, many, times!!

 

[bobbie68]

Hi enjoying your report!!! The strawberries and cream looks really good. Liv and I usually get the butterbeer soft serve but may have to try that one next time. I agree with you we never get tired of being in DA. It is one of our favorite things to do there. I love that Liv calls it "home". I do enjoy the boat rides back to the resorts. The buses for the deluxe resorts not so much. Cabana has great bus service though. I hope to visit SF on one of visits it does look really nice.

Look forward to more....

 

[tink1957]

Yes Carole...I remember boogity, boogity shrimp quite fondly. It was my favorite ap at Citywalk. I still miss it and the blueberry pistachio crusted pork at Mythos.

I still haven't gone on F and F since i've yet to see a good review and most say that's 20 minutes of torture...no thanks.

Thanks for keeping us entertained...love reliving your trips with you

 

[Vicki Rickerd]

And the boat dock for RP……...so familiar...….you can usually see some turtles swimming around this little area as well as the ducks on occasion. Definitely feels like home as we pull in here anytime.

It's pictures and posts like this that make me want to stay there. You can feel the love you have for staying there in your posts. I know Portofino will be fine, but.... I'll keep checking for a price that will get me to stay here.

P.S - Lowes should really pay you for these posts. They are a better marketing tool than they could ever come up with.

 

[schumigirl]

Two wands up for the ice cream pictures Enjoy a good orange marmalade, on toast, never brave enough to try that version @ U.

Not sure which line had me smiling more: identifying your favorite biker or the honest assessment of F&F. Hey, we’re all family here.If they had rotten tomato ratings for amusement attractions, it would surely be head & shoulders on top of even of Mr Fallon’s mess. Wonder if those ride designers still have jobs? Lol

I`m going to try the orange marmalade one next visit...….won`t have to share that one!!! Kyle doesn't like marmalade either...…..

I wonder about the designers for those rides too!!! I heard they got them from Disney...…

Loved that biker dude!!

 

[schumigirl]

Such a disappointment about that brisket. I've ordered brisket at just about every barbecue restaurant we've been to, but I've never tasted one as good as the brisket my brother makes at Christmas time. I have sort of given up searching!

Oh I imagine your brothers will be divine!!!!

We have to wait till America, it`s not really a thing over here.....our brisket is very different......more like a plain cheap roast beef...….nothing like American brisket...….

You should see our corned beef

 

[schumigirl]

What the heck is up with the Dis today...….

Keeps going off!!!

 

[DisneyLifePapioNe]

What the heck is up with the Dis today...….

Keeps going off!!!

Last week or so seems funny?????

 

[schumigirl]

Still enjoying every installment of your TR!
We had gone to Universal last year for DD's bday...when we had that fabulous meal at The Palm. (hoping next FL trip will be back to Uni)

This year was WDW, and we had fun! We always do, as long as we are together and on vacation, lol!
Here is our costume for the MNSSHP.

But I'll admit I longed for EP privileges that Universal resort guests get... many, many, many, times!!

View attachment 362097

Love the outfits!!! I do like to see matching outfits...….

Yep, as long as we`re together we have fun......it`s what vacations are made of!!! Long may it continue.....

I do remember you enjoying that meal at the Palm...….it is a fabulous restaurant......we`ll be back in December as it was the first one Kyle requested to go to this upcoming trip...….

Will keep fingers crossed you do get back to Universal...….and The Palm!!!! Yes, you do get spoiled with the Unlimited EP...….love it!!!

I`m so glad you`re still enjoying reading along......always happy to read that......thank you

 

[schumigirl]

Hi enjoying your report!!! The strawberries and cream looks really good. Liv and I usually get the butterbeer soft serve but may have to try that one next time. I agree with you we never get tired of being in DA. It is one of our favorite things to do there. I love that Liv calls it "home". I do enjoy the boat rides back to the resorts. The buses for the deluxe resorts not so much. Cabana has great bus service though. I hope to visit SF on one of visits it does look really nice.

Look forward to more....

bobbie…..….

Glad to have you along!!

Yes, the strawberries and cream ice cream was lovely...….I didn't expect to like it as much as I did...…

SF is stunning...….it really is beautiful and the service is still as top notch as you would expect......yes, love the boats back after all the walking!!!

Hope you enjoy the rest of the report..…….

 

[schumigirl]

Yes Carole...I remember boogity, boogity shrimp quite fondly. It was my favorite ap at Citywalk. I still miss it and the blueberry pistachio crusted pork at Mythos.

I still haven't gone on F and F since i've yet to see a good review and most say that's 20 minutes of torture...no thanks.

Thanks for keeping us entertained...love reliving your trips with you

I knew you would remember that dish!!!! It was so tasty and although I would have liked it spicier, it was beautiful...….I never did try that pork dish, not sure why as it sounds so lovely...….

Did they replace with something with cranberries?? I forget...…..

Oh, don't waste your precious time on F&F...…….worst ride ever...…...and the fake family stuff is nauseating...

Glad you`re enjoying though Vicki...…...

 

[schumigirl]

It's pictures and posts like this that make me want to stay there. You can feel the love you have for staying there in your posts. I know Portofino will be fine, but.... I'll keep checking for a price that will get me to stay here.

P.S - Lowes should really pay you for these posts. They are a better marketing tool than they could ever come up with.

Aww Thank You Vicki...…..

You`ll honestly love Portofino...….I`d be surprised if you didn't...….it`s beautiful and honestly is just as laid back as RP...….although I still prefer RP, but I`m so biased...…lol...…..yes, keep checking you never know what will appear......keep my fingers crossed for you.....

We genuinely do love staying there, and I don't exaggerate when I mention how a lot of the staff are like family...….we`ve known some for years, and some we met quite recently, but with some people you just make a connection with......love keeping in touch with them till our next trip...…

lol...….yep, some people have told me that before...…

Glad you`re still enjoying the report...….

 

[schumigirl]

Last week or so seems funny?????

Yes, it`s been very odd..…..

I know when I`ve been typing the longer posts with a load of pictures, it cuts out and I have to reload and thankfully everything I have typed is still there!!!! I`d be gutted if 3 hours worth of work was gone!!!

But, last night and today were just hopeless trying to post...…..

Hope it`s fixed now...….