<b>Day 9 – Universal Studios and return to WDW</b>
Sunday 22nd May
Last day at Hard Rock today, and it’s hard to believe that we’ve been in Florida for a week now – the time has flown by, but we’ve also packed loads in.
We’re up around 7.30am and Helen nips down to the coffee shop and comes back with cereal for her and the kids, and a pastry for me. Manage to find the Spanish Grand Prix on the Speed channel on TV, so have that on in the background to keep an eye on at least while we’re packing. We’re done by around 10am, and lug the case and assorted bits and pieces down to the car before heading off to the Studios.
Emma spots Woody Woodpecker and wants to say hi once again, and I take Ryan on the Mummy. He seemed to enjoy it, but not keen to do it again straight away.
We meet up and then do Earthquake – love this, it’s so corny. The girl acting as the production assistant Loni is very good, and makes the show, and the Christopher Walken cameo is great too. Nice way to spend 20-25 mins. Once out we head to Jaws, which is even cornier. Next we head to Terminator which is actually pretty good when you sit down the front and can see the real-life action occurring in front of you. Lunch at the diner – burgers and chicken strips – then we head over to Fear Factor. Not seen this before, but it’s basically some stunts and some gruesome eating feats. Not your typical theme park fare by any means…good fun though.
Emma wants to visit the ball play area once again, while Ryan gets a few more goes at Men in Black, then we all meet up for the Animal show – Emma’s choice again. Not the best thing in the park, but she loved it.
Not sure what’s going on here
With that, we’re done with the Studios…lots of fun in general, and again, the FOTL passes were excellent. Walk back to HRH and take some last minute pictures.
So cool
Elvis is leaving the building – well, we are, anyway
We jump in the car and head to the Boardwalk, arriving around 4pm. Good news, our room is ready, bad news, none of our requests have been granted – instead of ground floor near elevator we’re on an upper floor, miles away. CM checking us in is particularly unhelpful, and we go to take a look at the room. Helen phones front desk and speaks to room assigner, and eventually they agree to move us tomorrow to a ground floor room.
Due to the room move we don’t unpack too much, but just grab the minimum for a one-night stay. Luckily we haven’t got any groceries at this point, so less to move I suppose. All this mucking around takes a while, so we have to step on it to make our reservation at the Turf Club over at Saratoga Springs. We haven’t been here before, and the menu looks great. I pick lobster burger and Helen has the lamb chops, both are very good, and the kids chicken breast and hot dog also get the thumbs up.
We haven’t really got any plans tonight, but decide to drive back to the Boardwalk and then get the bus to the Magic Kingdom for the nighttime parade and fireworks. As we walk inside and past the railway station we notice they are putting tape down to form a crosswalk and make a move for this spot. Result…prime location, and only 20 minutes or so to wait.
We follow the tail of the parade down Main Street and settle down to wait for Wishes in front of the castle. We also catch the show where the project photos taken around the park today onto the castle, which looks truly stunning, and our photos of this just don’t do it justice.
Watch parade from outside City Hall – great spot at the beginning of the route, and then after a quick whizz on the TTA we watch Wishes from in front of the castle.
Wishes itself is as magical as ever, and once it finishes a large section of the crowd heards towards the exit. We sit and let the traffic subside for a while then wander round to Buzz Lightyear which has a short 10 minute wait. As we exit this, Emma spots the Carousel of Progress and asks me to take her on it, which Ryan and Helen go back on Buzz.
Emma and I settle down inside, and just before the show starts a lady in the row behind touches me on the shoulder and offers Emma a glow-stick bracelet. Such a kind thing for a stranger to do, and Emma is very grateful.
After the show we all meet up again, and grab some ice cream before heading to the exit just as the second parade of the night is beginning.
The bus back to the Boardwalk seems to take ages, but we are finally home by midnight and straight to bed. I think the long days are starting to catch up with us a little now…maybe a lie-in tomorrow? I hope so…Zzzzzzz
Day 10 – Magic Kingdom and Boardwalk
Setting the Scene and Index
Sunday 22nd May
Last day at Hard Rock today, and it’s hard to believe that we’ve been in Florida for a week now – the time has flown by, but we’ve also packed loads in.
We’re up around 7.30am and Helen nips down to the coffee shop and comes back with cereal for her and the kids, and a pastry for me. Manage to find the Spanish Grand Prix on the Speed channel on TV, so have that on in the background to keep an eye on at least while we’re packing. We’re done by around 10am, and lug the case and assorted bits and pieces down to the car before heading off to the Studios.
Emma spots Woody Woodpecker and wants to say hi once again, and I take Ryan on the Mummy. He seemed to enjoy it, but not keen to do it again straight away.
We meet up and then do Earthquake – love this, it’s so corny. The girl acting as the production assistant Loni is very good, and makes the show, and the Christopher Walken cameo is great too. Nice way to spend 20-25 mins. Once out we head to Jaws, which is even cornier. Next we head to Terminator which is actually pretty good when you sit down the front and can see the real-life action occurring in front of you. Lunch at the diner – burgers and chicken strips – then we head over to Fear Factor. Not seen this before, but it’s basically some stunts and some gruesome eating feats. Not your typical theme park fare by any means…good fun though.
Emma wants to visit the ball play area once again, while Ryan gets a few more goes at Men in Black, then we all meet up for the Animal show – Emma’s choice again. Not the best thing in the park, but she loved it.
Not sure what’s going on here
With that, we’re done with the Studios…lots of fun in general, and again, the FOTL passes were excellent. Walk back to HRH and take some last minute pictures.
So cool
Elvis is leaving the building – well, we are, anyway
We jump in the car and head to the Boardwalk, arriving around 4pm. Good news, our room is ready, bad news, none of our requests have been granted – instead of ground floor near elevator we’re on an upper floor, miles away. CM checking us in is particularly unhelpful, and we go to take a look at the room. Helen phones front desk and speaks to room assigner, and eventually they agree to move us tomorrow to a ground floor room.
Due to the room move we don’t unpack too much, but just grab the minimum for a one-night stay. Luckily we haven’t got any groceries at this point, so less to move I suppose. All this mucking around takes a while, so we have to step on it to make our reservation at the Turf Club over at Saratoga Springs. We haven’t been here before, and the menu looks great. I pick lobster burger and Helen has the lamb chops, both are very good, and the kids chicken breast and hot dog also get the thumbs up.
We haven’t really got any plans tonight, but decide to drive back to the Boardwalk and then get the bus to the Magic Kingdom for the nighttime parade and fireworks. As we walk inside and past the railway station we notice they are putting tape down to form a crosswalk and make a move for this spot. Result…prime location, and only 20 minutes or so to wait.
We follow the tail of the parade down Main Street and settle down to wait for Wishes in front of the castle. We also catch the show where the project photos taken around the park today onto the castle, which looks truly stunning, and our photos of this just don’t do it justice.
Watch parade from outside City Hall – great spot at the beginning of the route, and then after a quick whizz on the TTA we watch Wishes from in front of the castle.
Wishes itself is as magical as ever, and once it finishes a large section of the crowd heards towards the exit. We sit and let the traffic subside for a while then wander round to Buzz Lightyear which has a short 10 minute wait. As we exit this, Emma spots the Carousel of Progress and asks me to take her on it, which Ryan and Helen go back on Buzz.
Emma and I settle down inside, and just before the show starts a lady in the row behind touches me on the shoulder and offers Emma a glow-stick bracelet. Such a kind thing for a stranger to do, and Emma is very grateful.
After the show we all meet up again, and grab some ice cream before heading to the exit just as the second parade of the night is beginning.
The bus back to the Boardwalk seems to take ages, but we are finally home by midnight and straight to bed. I think the long days are starting to catch up with us a little now…maybe a lie-in tomorrow? I hope so…Zzzzzzz
Day 10 – Magic Kingdom and Boardwalk
Setting the Scene and Index
