No need to use the Rennervate Spell this Christmas..update 5/11

[jcc0621]

So glad he finally got picked

Enjoy your spring break. We Will be here waiting when you return

 

[natebenma]

Yeah!!! I am so happy for Boo (and you) that he was picked in the wand shop.

We didn't buy wands for the kids when we were at IoA, but shortly after we returned, Ben started asking for one. It was near the top of his Christmas list, so a Dumbledore was beneath our tree this year.

I hope you have an enjoyable break and trip! Safe travels to you and your family.

Look forward to reading more when you return.

 

[wakica]

awe!!! I'm so glad it worked out and he got picked!!!!! Made it all worth the wait right??? I hope! lol. but maybe I'll learn differently after your next installment.

 

[momabaarjo]

Decisions of a Teenage Tightwad​

As we make our way to Hogwarts we encounter a new crazy queue that was not their yesterday at this time, apparently IOA is REALLY expecting huge crowds later in the day. At 7:45 am the wait time for Forbidden Journey is at 30 minutes, and happily we decide that it is time to ride so we get in this weird line that makes you walk snake twice across the bridge going into Jurassic Park in the roped line until you finally make it to the front gates of Hogwarts. This crazy line gives us some great shots of Hogwarts this morning.

1st Time in Line for Olivanders

2nd Time in Line for Olivanders

Queuing Up for Forbidden Journey

As we enter into Hogwarts today we have to use those EVIL lockers provided for by IOA (actually I think the lockers must be close relatives to the dementors). This is first experience with the lockers for this trip, and sadly it will not be the last either. We push our way into the already filled room (okay, yes pushing because there is so many people that there is no way around not pushing) and make our way over to one of the computers, but of course there is someone in front of us who has no clue how to work the machine, so I go about explaining and helping him through the process.

TIP: If you are carrying your phone with you or camera take a picture of your locker (or have something to write your number one), trust me you may think you can remember a simple 3 digit number but with the crowds and excitement of the upcoming ride, chances are you will forget it. I have seen it happen, and come close myself of forgetting.​

With our bags safely stowed we head back to the line area with my intention for us to use the single rider line, but Ab and Boo want to go through the castle again (thank goodness the wait time is only 30 minutes). As we emerge from the tunnel area, I see that the queuing system outside is again different the day before

with more twists and turns made by more chains and ropes and like yesterday the next 30 minutes is filled with snaking our way through the line with barely any standing time and before we know it time to ride. After the ride we decide to spend some time looking around Filch’s Emporium of Confiscated Goods.

Ab can’t find Spectrespecs and she has her heart set on buying a pair so we decide to track down a CM to help us locate a pair. Guess what, they are back in Dervish and Banges (yes, we were just there). So like a good mother we go back to Dervish and Banges where search once again unsuccessfully till we flag down a CM who points us to the display…of paper ones.

YUCK, Ab decides that she is not wasting her money on those and decides she wants a scarf and looks through the display. She can’t decide which house, because she loves both Slytherin and Gryffindor.

After many minutes (and my toe tapping) ahe decides she wants to go back to Filch's and get a Hogwarts scarf,

so back we go to Filch's. While at Filch’s I spot the Christmas ornaments and have Ab and Boo pick out an ornament for themselves and Goo,

after which Ab decides to stand and stare at the scarves trying to make up her mind what she wants to do after she realizes the Hogwarts scarves are not very long. Frustrated I get in line and by the ornaments thinking she will quickly get in line with me.

But no, we are dealing with a teenage tightwad. She is still standing staring at the scarves when I make my way back to her when she decides she is getting neither! UGH, so we have the talk…okay, the frustrated mom talking to the not listening teenage daughter talk. Not getting anywhere I decide to look around some more and find picture frames

and pick out one for myself and get back in line where Ab finally joins me with a Hogwarts scarf. While in line we now notice that the once partially filled gift shop is now overflowing with people. After our purchase the two decide it is time for butter beer and we make our way back down into Hogsmeade feeling like fish swimming upstream, but before we do I take a moment to get a picture of the two of them in front of Hogswarts.

As we are about to get in line for butter beer, my teenage daughter decides that she wants to get a Gryffindor scarf inside Dervish and Banges…UGH! She slips into the gift shop to and somehow during this time I manage to lose Boo.

 

[momabaarjo]

So glad he finally got picked

Me too, I was really not wanting to spend 2 more mornings trying!

Enjoy your spring break. We Will be here waiting when you return

Yeah!!! I am so happy for Boo (and you) that he was picked in the wand shop.

We didn't buy wands for the kids when we were at IoA, but shortly after we returned, Ben started asking for one. It was near the top of his Christmas list, so a Dumbledore was beneath our tree this year.

Goo keeps telling me that we need to go back to USO everytime he sees the commericals so that he can get picked by a wand!

I hope you have an enjoyable break and trip! Safe travels to you and your family.

Look forward to reading more when you return.

awe!!! I'm so glad it worked out and he got picked!!!!! Made it all worth the wait right??? I hope! lol. but maybe I'll learn differently after your next installment.

Oh it was well worth the wait and effort for him to get picked too...

 

[wakica]

oh no!!! you LOST him???? ugh. don't kids KNOW not to wander off? I guess there is just TOO much eye candy tempting them in the parks and they just cannot focus on what's right. lol
Im confident this will turn out ok or.... you wouldn't be writing this at all

 

[natebenma]

Welcome back! What beautiful pictures of the castle, once again. I love how you took the same perspective at slightly different times of the early morning.

We didn't spend much time in the gift shops. I don't tolerate shopping and my family doesn't really like to shop either, and it is kind of a shame since the ones in Wizarding World are so very cool. But crowded!

I suppose it is too late to remind you (or Ab) that most of the same stuff is available for purchase in the port of entry on your way out.

Where's Boo?!?

No fault of your own or even his for not being able to find him with all of those crowds and so much to see. Hope you find him quick. Does he know your cell phone number?

 

[momabaarjo]

A Case of Child Abuse​

Yes, I admit I lost my son. I honestly thought he was standing with me while I was venting my frustration with my indecisive teenage daughter in the streets of Hogsmeade. So in a panic I try to call him on his cell, guess what he left it back at the hotel that morning! Thinking that maybe he continued onto the butter beer cart, I look there just as Ab is emerging with her second scarf out of Dervish and Banges and I race back to her wanting to know if Boo went in the store with her…ah, no (insert teenage girl voice). I think by now I am in full panic because the streets are wall to wall people and I forgot to put a meeting plan into place in case we got separated that morning. I stand there in the middle of the street turning round and round hoping that I see him at some turn, when Ab in her teenage disgust voice says there he is and points to the line in Diagon Alley for the entrance to Dervish and Banges.

Relief floods over me as I make my way over to him to drag him out of the line and give him the what for. Apparently he tried to slip into Dervish and Banges with Ab and was stopped by the CM and directed to the line for the store, which he got in line for thinking that it would go fast and he would catch up to Ab. He also pointed out that he knew where I was all the time…yes he was watching me the whole time I was in panic mode. Frustration, panic, relief…I need a butter beer! But before I get one, since we are practically standing in the entrance to the Dragon’s Challenge, I decide to ask if anyone wants to ride…

I am not sure if it is because Ab senses by frustration with her and she is trying to make it up with me, or if is is Boo feeling sorry for “getting” lost…whatever the reason behind it, they decide they will ride the Dragon Challenge with me. I probably stood there shocked for a few minutes, I am not sure…but they said YES! So I quickly push them into the Hogsmeade station

where I shove our belongings into one of those evil lockers and rush them through the archway. As we make our way to the loading area we take some time for pictures

Notice the crowd behind...​

and to look at the banners (okay I am trying to advert their attention away from the ride so no one will chicken out).

Following the path we find

Backside of Hagrid's Hut

From here we enter into the tower,

where we find the Tri-Wizard Challenge Cup.

Farther along the queue it is time to make our decision

Chinese Fireball (more aggressive coaster) or Hungarian Horntail​

and the moment Boo decides to chicken out! Yes he had a complete melt down (full scale with yelling and almost tears) right as we are to make our decision on which dragon to ride! Being the good mother that I am, I will not let him back out. After all he has come this far, he can do it. Right!? He starts screaming at me as I push him down the stairs (and yes, I am ignoring all the stares and looks, and pushing my child down the stairs). I continue to push him to the loading area and promise him that we are taking the easy coaster side and that he can sit in the middle...he keeps telling me that he will wait in child swap, which my reply was I have no idea where child swap is. Thank goodness we have the express pass, because I was able to basically push him onto the ride and before he knew it the ride was over.

​

​

 

[momabaarjo]

oh no!!! you LOST him???? ugh. don't kids KNOW not to wander off? I guess there is just TOO much eye candy tempting them in the parks and they just cannot focus on what's right. lol
Im confident this will turn out ok or.... you wouldn't be writing this at all

Sadly I can't say he wandered off...it just goes back to my ds who CANNOT listen...or has selective hearing!

Welcome back! What beautiful pictures of the castle, once again. I love how you took the same perspective at slightly different times of the early morning.

We didn't spend much time in the gift shops. I don't tolerate shopping and my family doesn't really like to shop either, and it is kind of a shame since the ones in Wizarding World are so very cool. But crowded!

If you get there early enough you can enjoy the shops without crowds...a nice pay off for rising early! Or if you prefer stay late and the shops clear out right before closing. The shops are so worth exploring every little nook and craney...there is so much theming!

I suppose it is too late to remind you (or Ab) that most of the same stuff is available for purchase in the port of entry on your way out.



Where's Boo?!?

No fault of your own or even his for not being able to find him with all of those crowds and so much to see. Hope you find him quick. Does he know your cell phone number?

 

[momabaarjo]

Mother Knows Best​

We unload and I ask him if he is still alive. Beaming from ear to ear he wants to know if we can ride again (see mother does know best) after we get some butter beer of course. We stand for a few moments outside of the unloading area and watch the ride, he can’t believe he rode it and liked it.

We head back to the lockers and get our things and walk across the road towards the butter beer cart that has a LONG, LONG, LONG line and the kids groan with the thought of standing in that line…but mom knows best right (and she knows a secret to avoiding that line). We make our way around the line and enter into Hog’s Head Tavern,

where there is NO LINE for butter beer and I quickly order a round of butter beer for all (frozen of course) and then take the kids out the back into a quiet and empty courtyard/picnic area that has a wonderful view of Hogwarts.

We spend the next 15 or so minutes enjoying Hogwarts and deciding what to do next. The kids decide that they have done everything they wanted today in WWofHP and are ready to move on, of course that means Seuss Landing. As we leave WWofHP it is about 10:00 am and we notice that people are now being directed towards the stand by line entrance by Jurassic Park to enter…meaning WWofHP has reached capacity. We make our way quickly through the Lost Continent, not stopping but once we make it into Seuss Landing it is a whole different story as my kids are in the gift shop cycle and we spend time in each shop once again. Ab decides on a pair of Thing 1 & Thing 2 for her and one of her best friends. Boo doesn’t buy anything but is enjoying the looking. As we make it to the other end of Seuss Landing, Boo of course has to ride

but Ab is having nothing to do with this ride today. He ends up riding it a couple of times, since he has the express pass and it is walk on (for everyone else the wait is 45 minutes). We finally drag him off the ride and decide that it is time to get something to eat, and I need to call and check on Goo and Jeff. Of course, Ab already knows what she wants to eat…

Yes Cinnabon! We each get a roll (hey it is vacation I will walk it off, right) and find a nice table next to the Hulk

where of course I start in doing by best to convince them to ride with me…after all I reminded them that they rode the Dragon Challenge and liked it…remember mom knows best! So will I convince them?

 

[wakica]

YAYYYYY!!!! I'm SO glad you got them on Dragon Challenge Even if it DID take a teensy bit of convincing LOL I hope the same applies for Hulk but I'm going to take a guess at not. haha. I LOOOVE coasters and DD and DH ADORE Hulk but I find it B.U.M.P.Y!!!! I like my coasters smoooothe.

Great update and I'm so excited that i know where to get the butterbeer.

 

[natebenma]

I love that you all rode Dragon Challenge! Even if it was under duress for some of your group. For my 10 year old it was one and done for that ride, but my teenager liked it a lot.

Another advantage of getting your Butterbeer at Hogshead is that they will give you a discount if you show your AAA card (BB at HH, AAA), but they won't give you the discount at the carts.

I really like your detailed pictures. The shot of your kids with the Cinnabons at the Hulk is great, and I love the perspective of all of the Dragon Challenge pictures. I totally missed seeing the Dragon Egg clues when we went through the line (missed the TriWizard Cup, too).

 

[mercydisney]

Because of your trip reports and your kiddos riding on Dragon Challenge I will do the unimaginable in my little world and ride DRAGON CHALLENGE!!!

My kids ......

Thank you for posting your trip reports. I look forward to reading them!!

 

[momabaarjo]

YAYYYYY!!!! I'm SO glad you got them on Dragon Challenge Even if it DID take a teensy bit of convincing

officially join the ranks of one of those parents...but sometimes we know our kids and what they can handle better than the kids themselves!

LOL I hope the same applies for Hulk but I'm going to take a guess at not. haha. I LOOOVE coasters and DD and DH ADORE Hulk but I find it B.U.M.P.Y!!!! I like my coasters smoooothe.

Great update and I'm so excited that i know where to get the butterbeer.

There is a huge cart set up near 3 Broomsticks, but if the line is long head into Hog's Head...it has AC and if the back patio is empty it is a great place to get away and just stare in awe of Hogwarts!

I love that you all rode Dragon Challenge! Even if it was under duress for some of your group. For my 10 year old it was one and done for that ride, but my teenager liked it a lot.

I was pretty happy myself...

Another advantage of getting your Butterbeer at Hogshead is that they will give you a discount if you show your AAA card (BB at HH, AAA), but they won't give you the discount at the carts.

Great tip!

I really like your detailed pictures. The shot of your kids with the Cinnabons at the Hulk is great, and I love the perspective of all of the Dragon Challenge pictures. I totally missed seeing the Dragon Egg clues when we went through the line (missed the TriWizard Cup, too).

I about missed it all has my son was turning into a chicken and I was rushing them towards the loading area...the Mermaid eggs were cool!

Because of your trip reports and your kiddos riding on Dragon Challenge I will do the unimaginable in my little world and ride DRAGON CHALLENGE!!!

YAY! It really is not a bad coaster, I think I like the hanging/legs dangling ones better...they seem a lot smoother and easier on the old neck!

My kids ......

Thank you for posting your trip reports. I look forward to reading them!!

Your so welcome...I am sorry that I am not cranking them out very fast...I way too many pictures and I am a perfectionist about resizing them...which takes forever on photobucket some days!

 

[natebenma]

Your so welcome...I am sorry that I am not cranking them out very fast...I way too many pictures and I am a perfectionist about resizing them...which takes forever on photobucket some days!

Are you copying most of your pictures into PB in the size you want? I didn't learn until my second trip report that you could add them all at a smaller size. Have you uploaded all of your photos already or are you doing it update by update?


Here are the directions- my apologies if this info is not helpful:

Upload all of your pictures into Photobucket in Large, not Full-size, format

 

[momabaarjo]

Port of Exit​

There is something about the Dragon Challenge being hidden until you are on it and then just sitting and watching the Hulk scream past you. Of course, I could not get them on it! I call Jeff and Goo had just gotten up, had him in the tub and thinks that he will be okay to go in awhile, looks like my touring plans for the rest of the day are about to get back on schedule. We finish up our cinnabons and head into the Port of Entry where once again we are in every gift store.

My favorite stop was the Christmas Store, where I bought Abigail a 2nd ornament of the Grinch with her name on it (I know she is spoiled...but once we get to the Christmas store in DTD, the boys will get a special one too).

We go across to the large merchandise store where Boo tells me he likes shopping in the Port of Entry the best. Why? I ask. Because they have a lot of the Harry Potter stuff here and we don’t have to fight the crowds in the small stores. And yes, those darn scarves…all of them are here in 1 place, he let Ab know it!

Ab and Boo are ready to tour USO, but before we can do that we have to get Goo and Jeff so we head back, and yes, on foot , no water taxi. Along the way we find these plants…which we all decided had to where Dr. Seuss got his inspiration.

When we finally make it back up to the hotel room I find Goo laying in bed watching cartoons…looks like he is feeling lots better so I set about trying to get him dressed and Jeff out the door for we have a whole new park to explore! Since USO is on the opposite end of City Walk I agree to the water taxi, which of course got a rounding applause.

Looking at this picture now of Goo waiting for the water taxi, I should have known we were pushing our luck and he and Jeff should have stayed behind. But, I wanted us to be together as a family enjoying the parks not part of us sitting in the hotel room and the ones out having fun filling guilty. But hindsight is 20/20.

We make our way to USO and through the gates...

Where should we go first?

 

[momabaarjo]

Are you copying most of your pictures into PB in the size you want? I didn't learn until my second trip report that you could add them all at a smaller size. Have you uploaded all of your photos already or are you doing it update by update?


Here are the directions- my apologies if this info is not helpful:

Upload all of your pictures into Photobucket in Large, not Full-size, format

Cool...thank you I am going to play around with this tonight!

 

[momabaarjo]

Magic...Mirror...on...the wa...​

By this time all touring plans I had for this day are basically out the window, and I really am trying to be OKAY with that, so thinking of what is close that Goo would enjoy and would be the least taxing on him, I decide Shrek...

and with the Express pass we find that we have very little wait time for the next show. We make our way into the staging area and are situated near the back where it is very hard to hear or see what is going on, especially if you are a little guy so I pick Goo up and hold him.

I have to say here that I hate all of the Universal “show” attractions staging areas. They try and pack the entire audience into the area and it is just uncomfortable and disorganized. There has to be a better way to get you into the story line.

Worse than the pre show is then getting into the auditorm itself, total chaos…come on people everyone will get a seat.

Goo is excited that as we walk in we get a pair of 3D glasses, but Boo wants to know why they are 3D and the sign says that this is a 4D attraction.

Farquaad: [Slowly and dramatically to the looking glass] Magic... mirror... on... the wa...
Gingerbread Man: DON'T TELL HIM ANYTHING!
​

I tell him just to wait and he will find out. We make our way to a seat and sit down in antipcation as to what is going to happen next. What happened next was lots of giggles of delight and many more groans at the puns. As we leave the show, Boo announces that he gets it…not only is the screen 3D but all the special effects around him make it 4D. He is impressed. Goo seems to be handling it alright when we get back out on the street so I consult the map and schedule as what to do next…yes, my touring plan is pretty much out the door because I am trying to keep things easy for Goo. I notice on the schedule that the Monster Make Up Show is set to start in 30 minutes and think that would be a good choice for him, but first we have to make it past...

 

[momabaarjo]

I’ll Be Back​

So I decided next up on our touring plan would be Monster Make Up Show, but first we had to get past Terminator and through Beverly Hills

which sounds easy…but I since by first trip I have raved about how great the Terminator Show was and then Jeff let the boys watch Terminator (no judging, it was a total dad thing with no mom knowledge until after the fact). Of course Boo spots

and tells Goo, who wants to go right now and see the show. I know that we don’t have time to see the show and get to the make up show so I promise Goo…”I’ll be back.” Of course not feeling 100% and then mom telling you later makes a little guy a little more whiny than usual. Sidetracking him we look at the stars on sidewalk and go about trying name what they did.

Oh...my Dynasty teen age years...

It was a pretty fun game while it lasted…it lasted until Ab and Boo decide they want a snack (apparently a glass of butter beer and a Cinnabon were not enough for both breakfast and lunch, go figure).

While I waited for them to get something I took a few pictures of Beverly Hills.

We made it to the end of Beverly Hills...After the snack attack we end up at the theater for the Monster Make Up Show

where Ab, Jeff and Boo go about looking in all the display cases while Goo and I go and sit on the floor (which I am glad we did because I did not like what I glanced at in the display cases as we passed by, not some place I would recommend small children in...these are selective pictures that are not too scary).

I gave him a little sip of sprite that we had gotten at the snack cart... I should have known what would happen about 5 minutes later

 

[wakica]

uh oh