Solo and Unleashed!

[KatMark]

More great pictures at Universal!!!

Can't wait to see a picture of the new Princess.

 

[natebenma]

Glad you arrived at the Royal Pacific!

Thanks for all of the pictures of the room. We have stayed at the Portofino and the Hard Rock, but not the RPH and I haven't seen many pictures. I couldn't tell if the room had 1 bed and the pullout couch or two beds.

I like your lunch spot. You sure love your nachos, don't you!

 

[natebenma]

Love, Love, Love all of your pictures from Universal and Islands of Adventure.

We are going for 5 days in February, staying at the Hard Rock, to experience the Diagon Alley stuff (no Disney). I can't wait!

I didn't know Grimmauld Place was part of DA.

About half of the Simpsons area was open when we were there in 2013, but there is a lot of new stuff now.

Oh, no, bummer about the batteries in your camera!

How was the queue line for Gringotts up to the locker? I know you said there was some theming. Forbidden Journey has such a spectacular queue (except for the greenhouse).

I love the express pass too! Glad you got to go on Mummy (my favorite ride) and Transformers- you have to go on that when you have the chance because it goes down. A lot!

Do these steps lead to anything? Or are they just a good place to sit for a "spell"

I decided I needed a drink and when in a Wizarding World you should have a Wizarding drink…and for me that is Butterbeer.

I think not only should you have a Wizarding drink, you HAVE to. I don't think they sell soda/soft drinks in any of the Harry Potter areas per orders from JK Rowling.

 

[natebenma]

Congratulations to Paige and all of you for the new addition to the family!

Can't wait to hear all about Gracie and see some pictures.

 

[dolphingirl47]

The Hogwart's Express sounds amazing. How lucky that the wait time was so manageable at Forbidden Journey. I know that this is one ride I definitely can't do, but I fully intend to go through the line and then take the chicken exit.

Corinna

 

[jenseib]

It's almost 11PM and still no baby. She is taking her good ole time!

 

[JKSWonder]

It's almost 11PM and still no baby. She is taking her good ole time!

So exciting!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the pictures and details from the train ride forward. I cannot wait to go do this!

My sister is using our timeshare to go to Florida for her anniversary and debating about whether or not to go to Universal. She and her husband are serious HP fans, but their kids are too and they are not taking them. She feels the guilt. I told her get over it and go!

P.S. Her kids are 21 and 17! Parental guilt apparently continues for life. Perhaps you should warn Paige about that fact?

 

[mousetravel]

Enjoying your Universal Studios part! We've been considering going there on our next trip! One question, what would you compare the Harry Potter ride to? And how was it? (You know I'm a big ride chicken on some things, so was wondering)

And I am LOVING the pics on FB. Congratulations!!!!
Can't wait to hear more about the new baby!

 

[MEK]

Congrats on your new little princess grand baby. She's adorable!

So, question - when you went on FJ - you can actually get in line then put your stuff in a locker and then take your phone with you for pics? You did a great job getting pics of the queue. It looks super cool.

I also loved the pics (even with the guys in the way) from the train. Wow - what amazing theming! It really is impressive!

 

[jenseib]

Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother Jen!! Sending out positive vibes that everything goes well for Paige!

Thanks!

Alright, that settles it! I have to get to Universal, if only for the HP experience. It looks so well done! I know that my DH would want to go just for the sake of getting in all of the other rides.

It really is a fun set of parks. A lot of people overlook it because it is so close to Disney, but you can spend several days there and have a good time too.

More great pictures at Universal!!!

Can't wait to see a picture of the new Princess.

Thanks. I have been posting the Princess's photos on facebook and will try to load some off my camera and post here in the next day or two. Needless to say there has been very little sleep for us the last few days and I need to really go to bed and get some sleep!

Glad you arrived at the Royal Pacific!

Thanks for all of the pictures of the room. We have stayed at the Portofino and the Hard Rock, but not the RPH and I haven't seen many pictures. I couldn't tell if the room had 1 bed and the pullout couch or two beds.

I like your lunch spot. You sure love your nachos, don't you!

I had a King room with a pull out couch as well. I chose a king room because it was just going to be me by myself.

Nachos are always a good choice!

Love, Love, Love all of your pictures from Universal and Islands of Adventure.

Thanks

We are going for 5 days in February, staying at the Hard Rock, to experience the Diagon Alley stuff (no Disney). I can't wait!

That will be so much fun! I would love to have an extra trip to just spend more days there....but on site. We did a small trip there a few years ago off site and we really had a good time.

I didn't know Grimmauld Place was part of DA.

Technically it's not. But I think it's part of London, which is the outside area of Diagon Alley. But they also had Gregoviches wand shop in Diagon Alley and that is not really there either.


About half of the Simpsons area was open when we were there in 2013, but there is a lot of new stuff now.

Yes, In 2012 when we went it was a lot less and they added a bunch more. We went for a half day during out March trip, so I did see some of that stuff then too. Of course I haven't even gotten close to writing about that in that TR.


Oh, no, bummer about the batteries in your camera!

How was the queue line for Gringotts up to the locker? I know you said there was some theming. Forbidden Journey has such a spectacular queue (except for the greenhouse).

It's all outside basically. You go in through the bank entrance and out the back to a lot of queues outside. (hopefully they won't all be filled) It's not exciting at all out there really, but they do have a few poster type signs on the wall. When you go back in you will go down the hall again but then when you get to the entrance spot again they direct you outside to another spot to the lockers. When you come back from that, thats when you enter the bank teller area and all the other neat stuff. Yes, that area is great. It is dark so hard to get good pictures with a phone. LOL.

I love the express pass too! Glad you got to go on Mummy (my favorite ride) and Transformers- you have to go on that when you have the chance because it goes down. A lot!



Express pass is just super awesome. And when we were there last Spring Transformers was down then too. I heard that too, about it being down quite often. It's very similar to the Spiderman ride.


Do these steps lead to anything? Or are they just a good place to sit for a "spell"



I never went up them as there were always people sitting on them, but I think they go to no where....Love your pun!



I think not only should you have a Wizarding drink, you HAVE to. I don't think they sell soda/soft drinks in any of the Harry Potter areas per orders from JK Rowling.

I love the fact that they really immerse you into the whole story. I just really think they have done such amazing jobs with all the Harry Potter areas.

 

[jenseib]

Congratulations to Paige and all of you for the new addition to the family!

Can't wait to hear all about Gracie and see some pictures.

Thanks! I will try to get a picture or 2 up tomorrow. It still doesn't seem real. It's like we have a cute little play doll for a few days and then we have to give her back. She has the fattest cheeks ever.

The Hogwart's Express sounds amazing. How lucky that the wait time was so manageable at Forbidden Journey. I know that this is one ride I definitely can't do, but I fully intend to go through the line and then take the chicken exit.

Corinna

Yes, be sure to take a walk through the queue. I don't think this ride is that bad, but I guess it just depends on the person. But the inside queue is so fabulous.

So exciting!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the pictures and details from the train ride forward. I cannot wait to go do this!

The whole area is just so much fun!

My sister is using our timeshare to go to Florida for her anniversary and debating about whether or not to go to Universal. She and her husband are serious HP fans, but their kids are too and they are not taking them. She feels the guilt. I told her get over it and go!

P.S. Her kids are 21 and 17! Parental guilt apparently continues for life. Perhaps you should warn Paige about that fact?

Tell her to go anyways! She can take them back and then be more familiar with everything and see things she missed the first time around too.

Enjoying your Universal Studios part! We've been considering going there on our next trip! One question, what would you compare the Harry Potter ride to? And how was it? (You know I'm a big ride chicken on some things, so was wondering)

I honestly can't think of anything at Disney this compares to really. Both Harry Potter rides are just very different and original. I am guess though you may not like either. Perhaps watch some youtube videos of them to get at least a little familiar with them.

And I am LOVING the pics on FB. Congratulations!!!!
Can't wait to hear more about the new baby!

Thanks! It was a long 2 days, but we have a little baby burrito now!

Congrats on your new little princess grand baby. She's adorable!

Thanks, We kind of like her too!

So, question - when you went on FJ - you can actually get in line then put your stuff in a locker and then take your phone with you for pics? You did a great job getting pics of the queue. It looks super cool.

As long as you can secure it in a pocket. I had long shorts with big pockets in them so I put my point and shoot in one and my phone in the other. The lockers are free for so long and basically timed for the amount of time it should take from that point to the time you get off with some time to spare for anything unforseen. They don't want you holding anything while on the ride.

I also loved the pics (even with the guys in the way) from the train. Wow - what amazing theming! It really is impressive!

It really is amazing all they have done with this.

 

[jenseib]

Gracie Mae took her time coming to us and wasn't born till 1:05 AM this morning. Needless to say we had to ooh and ahhh over her a bit so I never got home till 3:30 this morning. And of course after a few hours sleep, I was back at the hospital this morning. Again after I picked up Claire from school. We are going to crash tonight for sure.
Gracie was 8 lbs and 6 oz and 22 inches long. She has the fattest cheeks ever and a cute double chin. She is really good and doesn't cry very much at all...though she is not found of a diaper change at this point.
The family will be coming home tomorrow and Paige can't wait to get in her own bed again.
Here are a couple of phone pictures...but if you are my facebook friend you have probably seen these along with 5 million others that my family and I have been posting today.





And who doesn't love a baby burrito.

 

[KatMark]

I've been enjoying all the pictures posted. Beautiful baby.

 

[jenseib]

I've been enjoying all the pictures posted. Beautiful baby.

Thanks!

 

[natebenma]

Congratulations again!!!

Those cheeks!!!

I can't remember- does Paige live close to you?

to all!

 

[jenseib]

Congratulations again!!!

Those cheeks!!!

I can't remember- does Paige live close to you?

to all!

She definitely is not lacking in the cheek department.
Paige doesn't live super close, but not that far either. She actually lives over the state line in Michigan now, but about 15-20 minutes is all probably.

 

[jenseib]

After my meal I strolled back outside.





I watch the girls perform a bit from afar and then headed on. I decided that with a full stomach I wasn’t going to ride the dueling dragons.



And of course on the bridge to Jurassic Park I had to get a picture of Hogwarts.







On to Jurassic Park.





Since time was limited, I just walked through the area.

















And that was my quick walk through Jurassic Park.

I next entered Toon Lagoon. Somewhere between these 2 areas the new King Kong area is going to be made. I am pretty excited to see what they do with this. I believe as you exit Jurassic Park area it will be to the right and back a little bit.

Toon Lagoon doesn’t have much in the way of rides and what they do have gets you VERY wet.









There are quite a few shops and things that are visually fun in this area too.

 

[jenseib]

Next is Marvel Super Hero Island.



And I was on a mission here too.





Spiderman is such a fun ride! It just amazes me how they do these kind of rides.

After the ride I needed to make some decisions. The parks were closing at 8:30 and it was now getting closer and closer to that time. I decided I wanted to head back to the Studios and look through Diagon Alley just a little more before the park closed. I made the circle back towards Hogsmeade…taking pictures along the way.

 

[JKSWonder]

Look at those CHEEKS! Paige clearly did a great job keeping that baby nourished. So sweet. Congratulations!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Congratulations on becoming a grandma. I hope you got some rest.

Corinna