That Foo's Boo Is Incredible!!! - Jan 14 TR *THE END 7/19 Pg. 51*

[DaveinFallsChurch]

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I did not know that a Hoedown existed in Frontierland after all these trips! And even more so to admit that I have never noticed Tick Tock in the loading area!

I'm a big fan of Lefou's Brew! I was skeptical but once I tried it during October I was completely sold.

Bowling with food! My favorite! Takes my mind off the low score on the board.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Side note so you're aware of where my title comes from.

If you ever want to just crack up endlessly, go on YouTube, and search "Wisdom Teeth Removal". There's a litany of videos of people taping their family after they've had their wisdom teeth removed, and they are all doped up from the anesthesia. However, the best one has a girl proclaiming that she's a wizard. It's awesome, and here it is for you to watch. Enjoy.

Side note. My wisdom teeth need to be removed, and I have agreed to allow my Mom and BFF to film me upon my awakening to see what kind of gems we can get. I have no shame. And yes....I will share with you here if it's funny and worthwhile.


(Video)
I'M A WIZARD!!!!

Day 5 - Tuesday January 21, 2014

"I'm A Wizard!!!"

Today, we would travel to the dark side. To those who don't want to see anything related to the dark side, avert your eyes. For everyone else, join the ride. Sometimes it's fun to be bad.

We woke up a little later than originally planned this day. Mainly because my Mom had not been feeling well the day before, and I wanted her to sleep in a little bit. So I set the alarm for 7am and I started to get ready first.

Mom got up about 10 minutes after me, and Dad was up 10 minutes after Mom. Dad ate a hard boiled egg before we left (remember, we had 24 of them!).

Kathy. Avert your eyes. We were in Packer gear for the day.





My makeup was also Packer themed. I figured that since we were going to the dark side, I would try to stay neutral. You know, I didn't want any Disney shaming while I was there.



We had made the decision to get annual passes for Universal this time around. The reasons were fairly obvious. The price of a 1 day 2 park pass is almost $150. The annual was $290. Since we had three trips coming in a 12 month period, we figured we would capitalize and go three times this year. Plus, they have the expansion opening in the summer, and I want to definitely check that out.

Since valet is discounted with the AP, we decided to do that for the day.





Before heading into the park, we stopped at the Starbucks they have in Citywalk for some coffee and some breakfast. Mom opted for tea, because she still wasn't feeling the greatest.

We ate our breakfast quickly and took our coffee to go.



Island's of Adventure was clearly going to be our first stop. I was pretty excited, because Mom and Dad hadn't seen the Wizarding World of Harry Potter yet. I'd been three times a few years ago. But I was super thrilled for them to ride the Forbidden Journey.

First stop was.....

Guest Services!!!! To exchange our AP vouchers.

That was lickety split. I asked the (CM? Employee? What do they call them in Universal?) about Express Pass. We had been tossing around the idea of buying them for the day. She told us she didn't think it would be worth it on that day, so I took her advise and we opted out. It is extra money, so we were all for saving the extra.

The crowds were pretty light, so I figured we didn't need the Express Pass for the day.



Of course we were on our way to the Wizarding World first!





Almost there. When you want to get to the Harry Potter area, it seriously feels like it takes forever. Hahaha.

Finally!!!!



To commemorate the occasion, I told my parents to pose for a picture, since this was their first visit to the area.



Mom and Dad were immediately very impressed with the theming of the area. I have to say, every time I see it myself, it's extremely breathtaking.

Oh I would be visiting here later.



Our destination was clear.



I did not explain the attraction to Mom and Dad at all. I told them it was unlike anything they'd been on before, but I didn't want to give away too much, because I wanted them to be surprised by it in the same manner I was surprised by it the first time I rode.



Remember, it's OWL poop on the castle. It's all for theming's sake. Really.



You can tell from those two pictures that it was super bright outside that day, and rays of sun were just beaming into my pictures. Ca-razy!

The wait time was posted at 10 minutes, and we waited about that time.

Here is my one complaint about the Wizarding World area. Small. Small small small small small, cramped spaces. The stores are cramped, but the worst offender is the locker area. It's impossible. Impossible, actually doesn't even begin to explain what it feels like in there.

This is kind of what's it like. I would be the white cat with my feet up in the air.



The main issues I have with this? I have personal space issues. Seriously, I have big personal space issues. I deal with Disney as well as I can. But Universal and specifically WWoHP? It just makes my head spin.

This would be me. Except, I am indeed also a guru.



Once we got out of my personal space nightmare, we moved into the line.



Yeti wanted documentation that he was indeed along for the ride this time.





Continued in next post:

 

[smile4stamps]

Beautiful eyeshadow on this day! I LOVE it!!

I'm originally from WI so am a born and bred Packer's Fan... Ironically my husband is from CA but is a Bears fan! My fathers wonders at my choice!!

I haven't been to Universal since I was oh... maybe 16?!? Maybe this fall I will work in a day or two to go there!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Continued from previous post:

We continued to make our way through Hogwarts.



Fizzing Whizbees. Bam! We're in.



I really love this whole area.





Soon we were at the sorting hat!

Now, I have experience with this ride. I knew that it's risky wearing flip flops, so I would have to take them off and sit on them. I did that, because I don't like procrastinating. Having worked at Six Flags for quite a number of years, people who just move slow as molasses to get on rides just kills me. Especially with a moving platform! Those of you who have ridden Kali River Rapids...you know exactly what I'm talking about! What is it about getting on a ride while it's moving is so difficult for people?

So, I took my flips off before we were even on the platform, because this is a similar idea. The platform moves and you have to get on your ride vehicle while it moves.

I sit down, and the (CM? Associate? Person who works for Universal?), goes "where are your shoes?!"

Very calmly, I replied...."I'm sitting on them, because they're flip flops....."

He literally breathed a huge sigh of relief. I guess he thought I just chucked them off somewhere random. I just thought it was funny that he was so taken back about me doing what I was supposed to.

Go figure.

How did the ride go over?

Mom and Dad loved it. They were glad I didn't tell them much about the ride, so they were completely surprised by it. Pop said he understood why it's been getting the hype it has as an attraction. Mom did say that she understood though why people would get motion-sickness from it.

I sent Mom and Dad out into the park while I got the bags. We had to revisit this again.





We took the opportunity to wander through some of the stores at this point. I and warned Mom and Dad again that the stores were super small. Mom really just wanted to glance through them.





One thing I find disappointing in Universal is their candy. I had huge expectations for the candy they would be producing, and it disappointed me. We didn't buy any. What can I say, I'm a candy snob.

I wanted some Butterbeer, so we went into the Hogs Head Pub.



Mom was super excited.



No, Mom doesn't have huge man hands. That was the size of the Butterbeer we were given. Um, $7 for that sip? Absolutely ridiculous. I don't know if the girl served us in the wrong size, but I was seriously gipped. On the other hand, I find Butterbeer to be way too sweet, so the serving was actually just the right size. But still. Pretty chintzy Universal. Pretty chintzy.



I love that (CM? Guy? Dude dressed in Universal garb?) standing in the background, likely wondering what the heck I was doing taking a picture of my tiny butter beer.

Having had both now though, I have to say that I prefer LeFou's Brew. No, they do not even taste remotely similar, so you can't compare them. But Butterbeer is more candy like, and a bit sweeter than I'd like. Taste buds really do change when you stop eating all the crud.

After wandering around the WWoHP for a little while, we decided to move on into the rest of the park.

Mom loves the Seuss area, so we figure we would stop here. She still wasn't really feeling well, and I wanted to make sure she got on some things she could ride. I knew that if she wasn't feeling well, she would potentially sit out on some stuff.



Seuss Trolley in the Sky? Don't mind if I do.







This is kind of like the Peoplemover for me. We really enjoy it.











Hooray!



Up next: Hulk Smash!!!!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I did not know that a Hoedown existed in Frontierland after all these trips! And even more so to admit that I have never noticed Tick Tock in the loading area!

I'm a big fan of Lefou's Brew! I was skeptical but once I tried it during October I was completely sold.

Bowling with food! My favorite! Takes my mind off the low score on the board.

Oh believe me, I had no idea about it for quite some time either.

Well, I obviously pointed out some new things for you. Yay for me!

I was completely sold on it too. The small things that I dislike about it isn't enough to make me not drink it.

Yup, the food definitely took my mind off of my low score too.

Beautiful eyeshadow on this day! I LOVE it!!

I'm originally from WI so am a born and bred Packer's Fan... Ironically my husband is from CA but is a Bears fan! My fathers wonders at my choice!!

I haven't been to Universal since I was oh... maybe 16?!? Maybe this fall I will work in a day or two to go there!

You snuck in between my posts! Like a ninja!

Go Pack go!

Wait, he's from CA but a Bears fan? That's just.....odd. My father would also question my choice if I was involved with a Bears fan.

Definitely work in a there if you can.

 

[smile4stamps]

You snuck in between my posts! Like a ninja!

Go Pack go!

Wait, he's from CA but a Bears fan? That's just.....odd. My father would also question my choice if I was involved with a Bears fan.

Definitely work in a there if you can.

Yup! Sorry about that!!

Yes.. he became a Bears fan when they were good in the 80's (or early 90's??) and has been one since then. Gotta give him credit for sticking with them even when they S?$&.

Universal had never really pulled my attention because I have heard many rides are not size accommodating and the last thing I want to do is get there and have both of us not be able to ride everything we want.

 

[wiigirl]

Great update!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Oh LAWD can't wait for that video. Doped up little cucumber.

I have said some pretty bad things about Uni over the years (mostly in jest), but it's been a while since I've been there and I've heard they've REALLY improved their customer experience (acknowledged on no less that the DIS Unplugged). PLUS, that AP price is astounding. Honestly, I like Universal, so I'm really looking forward to the update.

I believe they're called Team Members there? I think. And wow, she didn't even try to upsell you the express. Things have changed.

Oh God the lockers.

at the Butterbeer size. It does look smaller than I remember. And more expensive. OK, clearly some things haven't changed, lol.

I still have yet to make a clear choice on a preference. I'll just go with I love both and move on.

 

[KatMark]

Thanks for the warning on the attire for the day. Mom and Dad too? Sad, sad day. Seriously, I've given up on the Bears. I'm now a Colts fan with my daughter-in-law (this became official when the Bears kept Cutler!).

Your eyeshadow is amazing.

Since it is highly unlikely that we will ever go back to Universal (unless grandkids appear at some point who want to go), I enjoy seeing the pictures of the different attractions/sections. Anything that remotely might give me motion sickness is off my list for sure.

$7 for that tiny little drink? Really?

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love Harry Potter and that would be the only thing that would bring me to Universal. I would love to try Butterbeer but $7 for a drink that doesn't contain alcohol is not acceptable.

 

[Dugette]

Neat to see Universal. I haven't been there in years - way before they had Harry Potter and such. Looks like fun!

 

[Poolrat]

Splitsville and Universal- 2 places I have yet to be. Well I have been to Universal but way before HP.

Sorry your mom wasn't feeling great. Looks like a blast of a day and light crowds to boot.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

Harry Potter was fantastic for sure. Small but really cool . The ride is something that has to be experienced.... you can't explain it...

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

That's too bad that Mom still wasn't feeling good... It sucks to be sick on vacation... And the weekends... And holidays...

We just booked our flight yesterday... We're headed to "the darkside" in October... With a side trip to Legoland... And we're staying at Universal's new resort Cabana Bay...

And if I'm lucky I'll get to go to Downtown Disney... What is it with my family and their avoidance of Disney???

 

[blklotus]

I LOVE that you went to Universal! My sister and I have been alternating Disney/Universal for the past 4 years. We're both giant HP nerds, so the Wizarding World is a must for us after the expansion opens! Pro tip: Frozen Butterbeer. I am NOT a fan of the plain ol' cold version. The frozen is a lot less sweet, though, Pro tip 2: Don't drink it RIGHT before getting on Forbidden Journey 3x in a row! I did that last time we were there and, as someone who DOESN'T get motion sickness, I felt like total poo after the third ride in a row. Also, the Hulk coaster is my FAVORITE ROLLER COASTER EVER! I could ride it all day (though not after a frozen butterbeer, see above).

 

[sweetpeaandevie]

hahahahhaha, thanks for the video......I was sitting here at work laughing my butt off. showed it to a couple co-workers------------------- (guess they didn't get it )

love the universal updates! My DH and I were gonna do it one day as our alone day (mom watching our kids) but not for $250!!!! now, we're going to food and wine instead

 

[PrincessCaitlin]

Looking at your pictures makes me even more excited to go to WWHOP this summer! I grew up reading all of the books and know I will totally geek out when I see it

 

[teekathepony]

YAY for the WWoHP! I love that place, I think they did a great job of it. I'm a personal space lover too, I can't get enough of it, so I definitely have issues with how cramped it is. I read once that they did that on purpose to make it more authentic.
Forbidden Journey is amazing. Really, really incredible. It's definitely not something you can describe! It's my favourite ride ever... I think. (My parents on the other hand, both got very sick on it! )
I left my flip flops on once and spent the whole ride with my toes clenched. I managed not to lose them, but I sat on them every time after! Too funny about the (CM?) so shocked that you did it right.
That is one tiny butterbeer... wow... I hope they didn't make them smaller, I love that stuff!
Sorry to hear your mom still wasn't feeling the greatest, I hope she gets feeling better soon!

 

[amazingact21]

Those have to be some of the tiniest cups I've seen. They're like, water cups, or something. I have heard, though, that butterbeer is super sweet, so I probably wouldn't drink more than that. But still...it's the principle of the matter.


Could you imagine what that worker on Forbidden Journey was thinking. "Does this girl really not have any shoes on?!? Who doesn't wear shoes? Why do I always get stuck dealing with the crazies...?"

 

[goofy kelli]

Your trip reports are so freaking hilarious!! I didn't realize you had started a new one so my morning has basically been filled with reading this latest report!

I'm pretty sure everyone wants to be adopted into your family; it would be a laugh a minute.

I would totally be interested in a Princess Half training trip report. I am going to be down there running as well for my first half marathon. It would be great to have as much motivation from other princesses as well!! Let us know if you start this!