Springtime is the Best Time- Flower & Garden, a taste of Dapper Days and Earth Day -April 2024- Side Trip to Epic Opening Day

[vamassey1]

Love reading about EPIC Universe…pretty sure next time we go to Disney, my husband wants a side trip over there!

Dennis would like to go too but I don't know when he'll make it there.

 

[vamassey1]

Epic Opening Day-Isle of Berk Continued.

I left off with us walking into " The Untrainable Dragon". Once we were seated we had some time to look around and visit. We struck up a fun conversation with the people behind us. We had fun looking around at how much of the Mouse was represented by everyone. Just with our group of 4, we also had some Mouse on. I had my Mickey water bag, Robin had a Mickey backpack, A & A had their Mickey and Minnie shoes and a hat. It was hard to find someone without some Disney representation.

I don't want to spoil the show for anyone but it was really cute. The best part for me was when Hiccup entered by riding in on Toothless. We also saw Astrid and Stormfly and of course the Untrainable Dragon. If you get a chance to see it , do it.






And of course our Heroes.



We did some shopping after the show and I'm sure someone bought something but I can't remember. Here is another example of how many cool details were in the area. This was the moment that started it all. I really love how they did it in the live action movie.



This was also the time we actually had to wait in line for something. JP had told me I had to meet Toothless and I wasn't the only adult who wanted to do this. The line was showing 45 minutes when we got in line and I think we actually waited longer than that. It was a hot line with most of it being in the sun, but they did have fans going. There was an opportunity to meet 2 dragons if you were lucky depending on how the line was moving. Astrid and Stormfly was coming in and out as was Toothless and Hiccup. Hiccup was also alternating with another character I was not familiar with. We did luck out and get to visit with StormFly and Astrid. The character actors were really great and on spot as was the dragons. I was sporting my "All of My Friends are Dragons" shirt and StormFly was very happy to see she was on it, but I did have to tell her she was my favorite. I thinks she's a female dragon but I could be wrong.



After visiting with Astrid we moved over and waited in another line to see Toothless. We missed out on meeting with Hiccup but the Viking we did see was really in character. We were allowed to pet Toothless which was really cool. I had to send pictures to Michelle to show JP right away.



I do not regret waiting in the longest line we waited in all day for this.

After that line it was time for a bio break. I don't usually take photos in the restroom but this was a pretty cool mural.


This is another cool dragon that missed catching him doing his breath of ice I think it was.



Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

It was really great to see characters walking around interacting with the guests . A had gotten one of the Macaroni & Cheese cones so we were headed to the covered sitting area. I don't remember which one she got but she really liked it. I passed since I wasn't ready for more food yet. While we were in the area we came across the twins Ruffnut and Tuffnut. They were a hoot and picking at everyone. Tuffnut asked A why he had a rat on his head, not love for his Mickey hat. Here he is giving this poor guy a hard time for resting.

While we were leaving the covered area, A offered to take a family photo for a family in front of the dragon that was blowing ice. The picture didn't come out too good since Ruffnut and Tuffnutt interrupted her efforts.


We saw them several times and they were always stirring up some mischief.
These baby dragons were so cute.

We finally said a temporary goodbye to Isle of Berk and headed back out to our next portal.
Epic is so beautiful. I finally got a good photos of the Celestial area now that the crowds were dispersed. We had made a trek back to the lockers to put away our purchases from Berk.

This is the carousel with Helios in the background.


I think this is when A & A rode the carousel. Robin and I didn't ride, but we did take some time to rest and plan what to do next.

I'm stopping again. Any guesses on which portal we try out next?

 

[pkondz]

I didn't remember their home was called Berk either until I watched it again.

Now I know too.

Disney gets so much flack about pushing people to use Mobile Order but Universal pushes even harder.

Really! Hard to believe.

I would expect all of that on a regular burger so I wasn't surprised only ketchup was on it. I've had to deal with my share of picky kid's but they should have at least has some condiments offered on a station.

It's Universal's take on the shoulder pet.

Ah!

It's a box that has a mystery dragon inside. You don't' know what you get until you open it.

And again... Ah!

 

[pkondz]

We struck up a fun conversation with the people behind us.

Did they have dragons with them?

It was hard to find someone without some Disney representation.

Not too surprising.

Hmmm... I was gonna say "Much to Uni's chagrin".......
But then I thought: "Most people go to FL for Disney and then do Uni as an add on." I wonder how popular Uni would have been without the Mouse breaking the ice?

Cool!!

This was the moment that started it all. I really love how they did it in the live action movie.

But was only vaguely aware there was a live action movie.

JP had told me I had to meet Toothless and I wasn't the only adult who wanted to do this. The line was showing 45 minutes when we got in line and I think we actually waited longer than that.

Whoa! Long!

I was sporting my "All of My Friends are Dragons" shirt and StormFly was very happy to see she was on it, but I did have to tell her she was my favorite.

"Have to tell"... as in... she (she?) is not your fave dragon, but you just said so? Or you couldn't wait to tell her?

We were allowed to pet Toothless which was really cool.

That is cool! Surprised.

I had to send pictures to Michelle to show JP right away.

Another great shot.

This is another cool dragon that missed catching him doing his breath of ice I think it was.

That is cool.

Tuffnut asked A why he had a rat on his head, not love for his Mickey hat.

Here he is giving this poor guy a hard time for resting.

Any guesses on which portal we try out next?

I got this!
It's a portal in Epic!


This guessing game isn't so hard.

 

[missjackiemcg]

Jimmy totally missed the How to Train Your Dragon phase, so I'm unfamiliar with pretty much everything but Hiccup and Toothless!! However, it is very clear how much detail and thought went into this area of Epic. I bet your JP was SO excited to see your pictures!

 

[Steppesister]

I know absolutely nothing about HTTYD. Like at all. I think I could appreciate the theming but I also think 99% would be absolutely lost on me.

 

[amazingact21]

We had fun looking around at how much of the Mouse was represented by everyone. Just with our group of 4, we also had some Mouse on.

Evelyn kept a tally of how many Disney things she saw at Universal and then the opposite at WDW. I want to say her final number was in the 130s.

"All of My Friends are Dragons" shirt and StormFly was very happy to see she was on it, but I did have to tell her she was my favorite. I thinks she's a female dragon but I could be wrong.

Stormfly is a really cool dragon.

I do not regret waiting in the longest line we waited in all day for this.

This was the one thing I wasn't able to do at Epic and am bummed about. The interactions looked really cool and like they gave each family a good amount of time per visit.


That's wonderful that so many characters were roaming around and having amazing interactions with the guests. Sounds like it was an awesome time in Berk!


I'm going to guess you're headed to the Ministry portal next since it's the last big one you haven't done yet.

 

[vamassey1]

Did they have dragons with them?

No, they did not.

Hmmm... I was gonna say "Much to Uni's chagrin".......
But then I thought: "Most people go to FL for Disney and then do Uni as an add on." I wonder how popular Uni would have been without the Mouse breaking the ice?

This is very true.

"Have to tell"... as in... she (she?) is not your fave dragon, but you just said so? Or you couldn't wait to tell her?

Toothless is my favorite. Astrid warned me that Stormfly gets very upset if she hears she not the favorite.

Another great shot.

Thank you!

I got this!
It's a portal in Epic!

Yes, you are correct

 

[vamassey1]

Jimmy totally missed the How to Train Your Dragon phase, so I'm unfamiliar with pretty much everything but Hiccup and Toothless!! However, it is very clear how much detail and thought went into this area of Epic. I bet your JP was SO excited to see your pictures!

He was and he really want to go to Epic and Universal.

 

[vamassey1]

I know absolutely nothing about HTTYD. Like at all. I think I could appreciate the theming but I also think 99% would be absolutely lost on me.

HTTYD hit us while Danielle was young and then once again for JP. I think anyone can enjoy the details.

 

[vamassey1]

Evelyn kept a tally of how many Disney things she saw at Universal and then the opposite at WDW. I want to say her final number was in the 130s.

I thought about keeping a tally too.

I found that we saw a lot more Disney in Universal than we saw of Universal in Disney.

Stormfly is a really cool dragon.

Very Cool!

This was the one thing I wasn't able to do at Epic and am bummed about. The interactions looked really cool and like they gave each family a good amount of time per visit.

The interactions were fabulous. I'm so glad we did this.

That's wonderful that so many characters were roaming around and having amazing interactions with the guests. Sounds like it was an awesome time in Berk!

It really was, but we also had great interactions in the Ministry and Darkmoor area too.

I'm going to guess you're headed to the Ministry portal next since it's the last big one you haven't done yet.

And you would be correct.

 

[pkondz]

No, they did not.

Unfortunate

Toothless is my favorite. Astrid warned me that Stormfly gets very upset if she hears she not the favorite.

It is better to err on the side of caution than risk being devoured by an angry dragon.*



*Ancient Celtic proverb.**



**Or I made it up. One of those.

Yes, you are correct

 

[vamassey1]

It is better to err on the side of caution than risk being devoured by an angry dragon.*



*Ancient Celtic proverb.**



**Or I made it up. One of those.

Very wise of you!

It saved me.

 

[vamassey1]

Epic Opening Day- Ministry of Magic
We had now spent time in 2 of the portals and some time in Celestial Park so it was time to see another portal.
While A & A were riding Constellation Carousel we received a notice that the Battle at the Ministry was down once again, but they were offering tours of the ride. Sara had told us they do this when the ride is going to be down for awhile.
I'm going to add a little information here. Robin's sister and her husband's name both start with an A. I'm going to start adding a H next to the husband and W next to the wife (Robin's sister) so it won't be so confusing.

We decided we would head to Ministry of Magic portal. AH and Robin were the only ones who were even slightly interested in riding, but we all wanted to see it. AW and I both get motion sickness really easy. Danielle rode it during one of the cast previews and it made her sick, so I knew it would do a number on me.

The entrance portals are so cool. As you enter the portal you do not see the portal area from the entrance, only a small taste.


After you pass through the portal this is what greets you as you enter Paris.

You have to walk around the while brick wall to see more. You can go left or right. Once you're around the wall you see this, and it's very impressive.

You can see the Paris streets through the arch. I do want to mention that you don't have to pass through the portal to get in or out in this portal. You can take a walk way to the left of the arch to leave or enter the portal.
We did some looking around trying to decide what to do first. We ended up in K. Rammelle's Sweet Shop. We were on a Butterbeer quest and wanted to try the Butter Beer Caramel. We ended up getting one of those and one of another flavor. I know the other flavor was good but I can't remember what it was. We took both caramels and cut them into 4 pieces, so we could each have a taste. Everyone agreed that the Butterbeer flavor was the best.



That shop smelled so good!
We spent some more time just looking around. I didn't get any photos but they did have characters walking around. We saw a few of the French students and what might have been a Newt like character. He was walking around with a suitcase and mumbling to himself.




We did try to see Le Cirque Arcanus, but it was full for the next show which started in 30 minutes. We even tried to use our Express Pass but it was a no go. This was a very popular show.

Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

AH & AW had dinner with a friend and his wife the night before. The wife was a "friend"with Cosme Acajor the owner of the wand shop and they were hoping to see her. Let me just tell you she was fabulous. She was interacting with everyone but really called out AW and spent a lot of time with her showing her around and of course AW ended up buying a want. Cosme really knew the wants too. The shop itself is amazing.



We did a little more looking around and then headed to take a tour of the Ministry of Magic.
You start by entering the Metrofloo station and then go through the Floo Network.


There was a little bit of a line to go through the Floo, but it wasn't bad. I didn't get a picture but it was a really fun experience. Once you passed through the Ministry was so impressive. We just wondered around looking before getting in the ride queue.
Here are a few of the Floo portals.

So much to look at. This was the central area, looking up to the offices.



You can see where the line would wrap around the area over and over for the ride.

 

[vamassey1]

We left the central area and started making our way through the different areas. I can see where this would help keep people entertained while they waiting. There was so much to see.



These painting talked and moved.


Work lockers.

The case against Dolores.

And of course Dolores's office. I think this was the area where the line backed up. We really didn't have much of a line until here.



Continued in next post.

 

[vamassey1]

The cats in these pictures moved around and mewed.



The house elf moved and talked helping to entertain everyone.



We ended up back into the central area and exited in one of the Floo portals.


Back into the Metrofloo.

We were ready for a snack so we went to Cafe L'aire De La Sirene next. The Butterbeer crepes were calling to us.

It's beautiful outside and inside.


We ordered 2 of the crepes and a Creme Brulee. Everything was sooooo good.


Our sweet tooth was satisfied, so it was time to move on.
The arch is just as impressive when you exit.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

The theming of this whole park is fabulous! Epic really - guess that’s why they named it so

 

[buzzrelly]

We had fun looking around at how much of the Mouse was represented by everyone. Just with our group of 4, we also had some Mouse on. I had my Mickey water bag, Robin had a Mickey backpack, A & A had their Mickey and Minnie shoes and a hat. It was hard to find someone without some Disney representation.

I saw a Tik Tok where that dinosaur Blue was eating the Mickey ears off a girl's head! It was too funny!

I was sporting my "All of My Friends are Dragons" shirt and StormFly was very happy to see she was on it, but I did have to tell her she was my favorite. I thinks she's a female dragon but I could be wrong.

Very cute!

The entrance portals are so cool. As you enter the portal you do not see the portal area from the entrance, only a small taste.

That's really cool!

We ordered 2 of the crepes and a Creme Brulee. Everything was sooooo good.

Yum

I'll get to Epic someday! Looks really fun!