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Wanted: Your trip reports!<br><font color=00cc22>I
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- Jul 1, 2003
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Day 4
August 5
Woke up (yep you guessed it) at 8:45. Opened up the curtains and tried waking the girls. I was antsy since this was our last full day. I wanted to make the most of it. They did finally get up and we all had breakfast in the room then headed out down the walking path to IOA arriving at 10:40.
DH rode the Hulk with a 5 minute wait while the kids and I rode Spiderman. We sat in the back row this time and I actually liked it a little better. I could look around more and see more of what was going on. Anyway, it doesn't really matter where you sit on this ride. It's the most amazing ride I have ever been on. I have been telling everyone at home that they must save their money and get down to Orlando to ride this ride. It will be an extra added bonus to enjoy all the other great attractions while there. When we walked out of Spiderman, all the Super Hero characters were out signing autographs. DS was thrilled because his main objective for the day was getting autographs. First was the Hulk. He was big and green (LOL) and for some reason DS was too scared to ask him for his autograph. Next we saw Dr. Doom who looked very menacing. In the photo I took, he has his arm around DD's neck and she is pretending to be choking. Then we approached the Green Goblin who was jumping and lurching at people. The kids thought he was pretty funny. Another great picture. Next we saw Captain America who talked with the kids for a bit while signing autographs. We then headed over to Seuss Landing.
We first ran into the Grinch who was hanging around a trash can. He and Sam I Am were stationed very close together. While we were waiting to see the Grinch, he and Sam I Am stole someone's wheelchair! The Grinch hopped in and Sam I Am pushed him down the street. They brought it right back of course. The kids thought that was wildly funny. We took pictures of the kids with the Grinch. He looked sly as he leaned over on the garbage can. Next I HAD to have my photo taken with him. We stared each other down for awhile stepping side to side checking each other out then he just threw up his hands like "whatever" so I did the same thing as DH snapped the photo. Too funny. When I returned home, one of my friends said we should have had the whole family get in the photo so we could use them as Christmas cards. I thought this was an excellent idea and cannot believe I did not think of that. Yet another reason we will HAVE to return to Universal soon. After the Grinch, we took photos of the kids with Sam I Am and the Cat in the Hat. DS got autographs too. The Cat in the Hat ride was next on our agenda. We had to wait a short time only because the ride was down. DH sat that one out. The kids and I thought it was a cute, fun ride. I have always loved the book and since the ride is the story in the book, I found it quite enjoyable. The kids then rode One Fish, Two Fish. I told them about listening to what the ride says so they wouldn't get wet, but did they listen?They did get a little wet but they really didn't mind. They were laughing and saying they wished they had known to listen to what the ride said so they would not have gotten squirted with water. Do any words come out of my mouth when I talk?
We then headed into Poseiden's Fury not knowing what to expect. We were in bad spots in each room and were unable to see most of what was going on. In fact we were the last ones to walk through the tunnel of water. The good news was we were the first ones out when the show was over. Actually I would love to see the show again and hopefully have a better viewing position. The kids don't share my desire to see it again but DH does. So yet another reason to return to Universal soon. Hey! Maybe we can come without the kids! Ok, I am dreaming. We walked over to Sinbad at 12:25 and they were letting the Express Line in for the 12:45 show. They were scanning cards here and it was taking forever for some reason. By the time we entered the venue, the regular line was coming in and filling up the seats. I really don't know where the best seats would be for this show. We sat beside and to the right of the ship that is in the audience. We had a great view of the action there and of most of the show. Some action taking place on the left of the stage was hard to see due to the ship blocking our view. All in all we enjoyed this show. Lots of action, explosions, and water splashing. A swashbuckling good time!
After the show, we headed to Mythos for lunch. I was determined to eat there after reading the reviews here. I had the Cedar Planked Bay of Fundy Salmon with balsamic citrus butter sauce and smoked cheddar potato tart for $17.50. This was absolutely the best meal I had while at Universal. It was certainly the most succulent piece of fish, or any meat for that matter, I have ever had. I wish I was having that for dinner tonight. DH had the Wood Oven Pizza of the Day which was also very tasty. It was a thin crust pizza with a delightful blend of cheeses, spinach, portobello mushrooms, onions and probably something else that I can't remember because I was too busy enjoying my salmon. DS had the Neutronic Crispy Chicken Fingers. This was a most unusual children's offering. What's unusual about chicken fingers you ask? These were covered in sprinkles....you know like the colored sprinkles you get on ice cream. Actually they weren't sweet nor did they have any taste. It was just very funny to look at. DD had the kids cheese pizza which was quite tasty for just a plain ole cheese pizza. I don't know how much our bill was as the kids and I departed to look at the view from the deck of the restaurant.
Now, most intelligent people would not leave this restaurant where they consumed a heavy meal and immediately ride a roller coaster that turns you upside down and twists you around in all directions. Of course that's exactly what we did. We walked right up to the Express Line for Dueling Dragons. DH and DD got in line to ride Fire. I waited with the other 2 kids in the Baby Swap room. If you are going to do the baby swap, decide if you are going to ride Fire or Ice ahead of time because you have to wait in different areas depending on which one you are riding. They rode in the front seat which DH said was awesome. He talked about how close Ice was and how it really looked as though you were going to crash into them several times on the ride. DD rode with me when it was my turn. We were in the middle of the train and couldn't see all the near collisions, but it was a great ride. I wanted to do Ice next, but the kids who weren't riding were getting bored so we decided to move on to something they could do. Yet another reason to return to IOA soon. We next rode the Flying Unicorn 3 times. The kids all loved this coaster. For the express line, you did have to pass by the regular line to get on the ride. We got some odd looks when walking right on for the 2nd and 3rd rides.
DS was really wanting Spiderman's and some other superhero autographs so he and I headed back to Marvel Super Hero Island. The girls wanted to go swimming so DH took them back to the hotel. On our way through Seuss Landing, we spotted Woody Woodpecker just standing there by himself. DS got his autograph and had his picture made with Woody. Woody posed using DS's head as an arm rest. When we got to the super heroes, we were told they were getting ready to leave but would be back shortly. DS was disappointed since the X-Men were there and he missed it. We were directed to the shop where Spiderman was so we hustled in there. No one was in line so DS got his autograph then the photographer took a photo and I took a couple also. Spidey left right after that. We got some pictures of them all riding down the street. Dr. Doom was leading the parade shooting people with water. We shopped a little and DS got several souvenir pennies. He loves those and they are a pretty cheap souvenir at 51 cents a piece so I oblige. By this time, the afternoon storm was blowing in so DS and I walked back to the RPR. Of course the girls did not get to go swimming, but we all rested and packed up a bit since we had to leave the next day.
When the weather cleared a bit, we headed out for shopping at Citywalk. The girls still had money to burn. We hit most of the shops and then decided it was time for dinner. We walked up to Margaritaville where they were telling everyone there would be an hour wait. DH flashed his room key and asked about priority seating. We were then told that it would be a 30 minute wait. Some guy was walking by and heard that and asked if the wait time had been changed since they were just told it would be 1 hour. The host said, "Oh that's just for him. For you it will still be an hour." DH got a kick out of that. It made us feel like VIP's. LOL
We wandered into the Margaritaville store to do some shopping. I still needed a t-shirt and had decided that was the place I wanted one from. Our pager went off in 10 minutes and we were seated in the same booth we had been in a few days before. There were people walking around on stilts making balloon hats. The kids thought this was great. DD and her friend had the super friendly girl on stilts make them twisty hats. DS got a shark fin hat which was really neat. I got a parrot hat. DH told her to surprise him. She made him devil horns. We all loved that! I did have the cheeseburger in paradise this time and it was just as the song says...lettuce and tomato, french fried potatoes, a big kosher pickle. The Heinz 57 is on the table. I did not have a cold draft beer because I was drinking a margarita instead. The kids had chicken and burgers as usual. We were disappointed the volcano did not erupt while we were there this time. After dinner, we wandered around in our goofy balloon hats and did some more shopping. A man bumped into DD's friend and knocked her hat off and it popped. The kids eventually decided they were tired and wanted to go swimming. We boarded the water taxi back to the RPR. DD still had her hat on so when the water taxi started moving forward, it flew off and into the water. I gave her my parrot hat. We had the same driver (I forgot to get his name but it was an older gentleman) we had on our first day there. On both trips, he told a story of how the sea plane in the lagoon at RPR was a Navy seaplane in WWII and how RPR had come to acquire it. He also told a little ghost story about it. I won't ruin it for those of you who might get the same driver someday. He seems to enjoy telling it.
We were surprised when walking by the pool to find no one in it. We asked a lifeguard if the pool was open and he said that it was closed due to someone having an "accident." Whaaaaaa!! Our last night and no swimming! Oh well. We watched the fireworks from the room again and tried to get the kids in bed early so maybe we could run over to a park or go swimming in the morning before checking out. They were hyped up and did not go to sleep until sometime between 11-12. Oh well...we tried.
Next up....The Morning of Check-out and Final Thoughts!
August 5
Woke up (yep you guessed it) at 8:45. Opened up the curtains and tried waking the girls. I was antsy since this was our last full day. I wanted to make the most of it. They did finally get up and we all had breakfast in the room then headed out down the walking path to IOA arriving at 10:40.
DH rode the Hulk with a 5 minute wait while the kids and I rode Spiderman. We sat in the back row this time and I actually liked it a little better. I could look around more and see more of what was going on. Anyway, it doesn't really matter where you sit on this ride. It's the most amazing ride I have ever been on. I have been telling everyone at home that they must save their money and get down to Orlando to ride this ride. It will be an extra added bonus to enjoy all the other great attractions while there. When we walked out of Spiderman, all the Super Hero characters were out signing autographs. DS was thrilled because his main objective for the day was getting autographs. First was the Hulk. He was big and green (LOL) and for some reason DS was too scared to ask him for his autograph. Next we saw Dr. Doom who looked very menacing. In the photo I took, he has his arm around DD's neck and she is pretending to be choking. Then we approached the Green Goblin who was jumping and lurching at people. The kids thought he was pretty funny. Another great picture. Next we saw Captain America who talked with the kids for a bit while signing autographs. We then headed over to Seuss Landing.
We first ran into the Grinch who was hanging around a trash can. He and Sam I Am were stationed very close together. While we were waiting to see the Grinch, he and Sam I Am stole someone's wheelchair! The Grinch hopped in and Sam I Am pushed him down the street. They brought it right back of course. The kids thought that was wildly funny. We took pictures of the kids with the Grinch. He looked sly as he leaned over on the garbage can. Next I HAD to have my photo taken with him. We stared each other down for awhile stepping side to side checking each other out then he just threw up his hands like "whatever" so I did the same thing as DH snapped the photo. Too funny. When I returned home, one of my friends said we should have had the whole family get in the photo so we could use them as Christmas cards. I thought this was an excellent idea and cannot believe I did not think of that. Yet another reason we will HAVE to return to Universal soon. After the Grinch, we took photos of the kids with Sam I Am and the Cat in the Hat. DS got autographs too. The Cat in the Hat ride was next on our agenda. We had to wait a short time only because the ride was down. DH sat that one out. The kids and I thought it was a cute, fun ride. I have always loved the book and since the ride is the story in the book, I found it quite enjoyable. The kids then rode One Fish, Two Fish. I told them about listening to what the ride says so they wouldn't get wet, but did they listen?They did get a little wet but they really didn't mind. They were laughing and saying they wished they had known to listen to what the ride said so they would not have gotten squirted with water. Do any words come out of my mouth when I talk?
We then headed into Poseiden's Fury not knowing what to expect. We were in bad spots in each room and were unable to see most of what was going on. In fact we were the last ones to walk through the tunnel of water. The good news was we were the first ones out when the show was over. Actually I would love to see the show again and hopefully have a better viewing position. The kids don't share my desire to see it again but DH does. So yet another reason to return to Universal soon. Hey! Maybe we can come without the kids! Ok, I am dreaming. We walked over to Sinbad at 12:25 and they were letting the Express Line in for the 12:45 show. They were scanning cards here and it was taking forever for some reason. By the time we entered the venue, the regular line was coming in and filling up the seats. I really don't know where the best seats would be for this show. We sat beside and to the right of the ship that is in the audience. We had a great view of the action there and of most of the show. Some action taking place on the left of the stage was hard to see due to the ship blocking our view. All in all we enjoyed this show. Lots of action, explosions, and water splashing. A swashbuckling good time!
After the show, we headed to Mythos for lunch. I was determined to eat there after reading the reviews here. I had the Cedar Planked Bay of Fundy Salmon with balsamic citrus butter sauce and smoked cheddar potato tart for $17.50. This was absolutely the best meal I had while at Universal. It was certainly the most succulent piece of fish, or any meat for that matter, I have ever had. I wish I was having that for dinner tonight. DH had the Wood Oven Pizza of the Day which was also very tasty. It was a thin crust pizza with a delightful blend of cheeses, spinach, portobello mushrooms, onions and probably something else that I can't remember because I was too busy enjoying my salmon. DS had the Neutronic Crispy Chicken Fingers. This was a most unusual children's offering. What's unusual about chicken fingers you ask? These were covered in sprinkles....you know like the colored sprinkles you get on ice cream. Actually they weren't sweet nor did they have any taste. It was just very funny to look at. DD had the kids cheese pizza which was quite tasty for just a plain ole cheese pizza. I don't know how much our bill was as the kids and I departed to look at the view from the deck of the restaurant.
Now, most intelligent people would not leave this restaurant where they consumed a heavy meal and immediately ride a roller coaster that turns you upside down and twists you around in all directions. Of course that's exactly what we did. We walked right up to the Express Line for Dueling Dragons. DH and DD got in line to ride Fire. I waited with the other 2 kids in the Baby Swap room. If you are going to do the baby swap, decide if you are going to ride Fire or Ice ahead of time because you have to wait in different areas depending on which one you are riding. They rode in the front seat which DH said was awesome. He talked about how close Ice was and how it really looked as though you were going to crash into them several times on the ride. DD rode with me when it was my turn. We were in the middle of the train and couldn't see all the near collisions, but it was a great ride. I wanted to do Ice next, but the kids who weren't riding were getting bored so we decided to move on to something they could do. Yet another reason to return to IOA soon. We next rode the Flying Unicorn 3 times. The kids all loved this coaster. For the express line, you did have to pass by the regular line to get on the ride. We got some odd looks when walking right on for the 2nd and 3rd rides.
DS was really wanting Spiderman's and some other superhero autographs so he and I headed back to Marvel Super Hero Island. The girls wanted to go swimming so DH took them back to the hotel. On our way through Seuss Landing, we spotted Woody Woodpecker just standing there by himself. DS got his autograph and had his picture made with Woody. Woody posed using DS's head as an arm rest. When we got to the super heroes, we were told they were getting ready to leave but would be back shortly. DS was disappointed since the X-Men were there and he missed it. We were directed to the shop where Spiderman was so we hustled in there. No one was in line so DS got his autograph then the photographer took a photo and I took a couple also. Spidey left right after that. We got some pictures of them all riding down the street. Dr. Doom was leading the parade shooting people with water. We shopped a little and DS got several souvenir pennies. He loves those and they are a pretty cheap souvenir at 51 cents a piece so I oblige. By this time, the afternoon storm was blowing in so DS and I walked back to the RPR. Of course the girls did not get to go swimming, but we all rested and packed up a bit since we had to leave the next day.
When the weather cleared a bit, we headed out for shopping at Citywalk. The girls still had money to burn. We hit most of the shops and then decided it was time for dinner. We walked up to Margaritaville where they were telling everyone there would be an hour wait. DH flashed his room key and asked about priority seating. We were then told that it would be a 30 minute wait. Some guy was walking by and heard that and asked if the wait time had been changed since they were just told it would be 1 hour. The host said, "Oh that's just for him. For you it will still be an hour." DH got a kick out of that. It made us feel like VIP's. LOL
We wandered into the Margaritaville store to do some shopping. I still needed a t-shirt and had decided that was the place I wanted one from. Our pager went off in 10 minutes and we were seated in the same booth we had been in a few days before. There were people walking around on stilts making balloon hats. The kids thought this was great. DD and her friend had the super friendly girl on stilts make them twisty hats. DS got a shark fin hat which was really neat. I got a parrot hat. DH told her to surprise him. She made him devil horns. We all loved that! I did have the cheeseburger in paradise this time and it was just as the song says...lettuce and tomato, french fried potatoes, a big kosher pickle. The Heinz 57 is on the table. I did not have a cold draft beer because I was drinking a margarita instead. The kids had chicken and burgers as usual. We were disappointed the volcano did not erupt while we were there this time. After dinner, we wandered around in our goofy balloon hats and did some more shopping. A man bumped into DD's friend and knocked her hat off and it popped. The kids eventually decided they were tired and wanted to go swimming. We boarded the water taxi back to the RPR. DD still had her hat on so when the water taxi started moving forward, it flew off and into the water. I gave her my parrot hat. We had the same driver (I forgot to get his name but it was an older gentleman) we had on our first day there. On both trips, he told a story of how the sea plane in the lagoon at RPR was a Navy seaplane in WWII and how RPR had come to acquire it. He also told a little ghost story about it. I won't ruin it for those of you who might get the same driver someday. He seems to enjoy telling it.
We were surprised when walking by the pool to find no one in it. We asked a lifeguard if the pool was open and he said that it was closed due to someone having an "accident." Whaaaaaa!! Our last night and no swimming! Oh well. We watched the fireworks from the room again and tried to get the kids in bed early so maybe we could run over to a park or go swimming in the morning before checking out. They were hyped up and did not go to sleep until sometime between 11-12. Oh well...we tried.
Next up....The Morning of Check-out and Final Thoughts!
