So we were now ½ way through the entire park and I had only been able to ride 3 kiddie rides thus far. This was not turning out to be the best day ever.
We sucked it up and made our way towards Toon Lagoon.
The first thing you come across is Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw falls, which is a water ride like Splash Mountain.
We were noticing that all of people coming off the ride were soaked to the bone. I originally wasnt planning on going on this ride because I didnt want to get too wet due to the chill in the air, but I was determined to go on at least one thrill ride while I was there. So Marsha and I proceeded to a cart that was selling ponchos and both purchased one.
Will, Victor, Valerie, Breanna, and I were first to ride. Marsha took Reya and Jayden to the Child-Swap area so we could trade off once our ride was over.
For those of you who have never been to IOA or Universal, they do the Child-Swap much differently then Disney does. . If your kids are too small or unwilling to go on a particular ride you want to experience, you can take advantage of the "child swap" program. Each ride and attraction has a child swap area where one member of your party can wait with the little ones while the rest of your party rides. Then as soon as they get off the ride, they can swap places and stay with the kids while the adults who sat out get their opportunity to enjoy the ride. You are able to take as many people as you want with you instead of just two like Disney Does. And one of the nice things about it also, is that the child swap rooms usually have toys or other things for kids to do while theyre waiting. As a matter of fact, Reya ended up gaining a boyfriend in one these child swap rooms. She was waiting with Marsha and made friends with this little boy. Long story short, they were flirting, he comes over gives her a kiss, then puts some Marti gra beads around her neck.
You would think those beads are worth a million dollars because she wouldn't take them off for the rest of the trip. You'll notice them in a LOT of pictures from here on out. It's the sweetest thing, she says they're from her prince.
Anyway
.. Luckily I wore my Poncho because everyone else was SOAKED! After I took my turn and traded places with Marsha I took Reya and Jayden over to Me Ship, the Olive This is pretty much exactly the same thing as Donalds boat in toon town at MK. I thought it would give Reya something to do. There was nobody else around, so she got to enjoy the boat all by herself. She loves slides, so this was her cup of tea.
While she was running around burning off steam and we were waiting for everyone else so be finished with the water ride, Jayden finally woke up, bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready to eat.
Once everyone met back up with us we decided it was time for lunch so we headed to "Comic Strip Cafe" which is a CS restaurant with a bunch of stuff to choose from. There was only two cashiers open and a huge line of people. It ended up taking 25 minutes to get through the line and to get the food.
So that would be my 9th complaint. ((why the heck do they only have 2 cashiers when they have 50 peole standing in line?))
I however didn't have to stand and wait in line because I went outside to find a table in the sun so the girls could dry off and so I could feed Jayden.
At least the girls were in good-spirits.
I ordered the chili-dog with fries and cheese sauce as did my DH. Reya had the chicken fingers with fries, Breanna had the fettacine Alfredo, Victor had the pizza, and I don't remember what the other two ordered. All I know is that everything was pretty disgusting and cold when we got it.
Which equals complaint #10!
After our very unpleasant meal we were headed over to Super-hero Island so we could ride SPIDERMAN. On our way out of the restaurant however I spotted a few employees wearing uniforms from the Jurassic Park area and asked them if they knew anything about the water ride and if it was up and running yet? And the answer was "Yes"
So we took a small detour and headed back to Jurassic park.
When we arrived it was only a 10 minute wait, so we hopped in line. Poor Will decided to stay back because he was getting a killer migraine, so he went to the child swap area with Reya and Jayden. This was a first for Marsha and the girls so I was super excited to see their reaction to the ride.
After we had boarded our raft, we heard one of the empolyees talking to the large family sitting in front of us in the first two rows. I guess the children weren't wearing their shoes and socks, so we couldn't proceed until they put them on. The father was a total jerk, who was acting like he didn't understand english and was giving the employee a hard time. So we had to sit there and wait for the drama to end before we could continue on our journey. I was SO happy once the boat started moving! But my happiness soon diminished after I realized that there was something STILL wrong with the ride!!! After you enter through the big wooden doors that open to "Jurassic Park" there are supposed to be all these animatronic dinosoaurs popping out of the water. But NOPE!! No dinosaours to be seen!
So that is complaint #11!
Anyway, I tried to enjoy the rest of the ride regardless of the lack of dinos! So our raft continued on and soon we were headed up the big incline. As we were at the very top of the hill, right as the TREX pops out from the ceiling, the ride Operator had to stop the ride, because the stupid jerk in front of us had his camera out and was trying to take pictures and or video. The operator gets on the entercom and tells the man to put away his camera and that the ride can't continue on until he does so. The guy was acting like he didn't hear ((and trust me I know he could hear and understand)) but still didn't put the camera away. After Marsha and I started yelling at him to put the stupid camera away he finally did and then we plumetted down the big hill. The reason this REALLY upset me was because it totally took away the full effect of coming up to the top of the hill, having the trex come out of the ceiling, and then racing down the hill. The trex was motionless because they had to stop the ride, so we didn't get to experience the ride the way it was meant to be. This would be complaint #12, but I can't hold that against IOA. So of course I won't count it.
After our disappointing ride was over, I convinced Will to at least try it, which he did. I made sure to take a photo of them coming down the hill. I hope his experience was a little better, but I didn't ask.
Once everyone was done with the ride we headed to Super Hero Island to ride my favorite ride. On the way, I thought this was a funny sign! The toon Lagoon area is loaded with photo ops, but right after I took this picture of Victor and Marsha my camera died. (Of course)
So I'll try to make the rest of this day quick since I don't have any more pictures.
Once we arrived to Super Hero Island and proceeded to Spider Man.... Guess what.................... Yep it was closed due to maintance.!
I was almost in tears by this time. We started talking and were thinking that we would just cut our losses and leave the park and go to MK for the rest of the day. But it was already 4:00 and they closed at 7:00, so we decided NOT too.
I had yet to ride the Hulk, so Victor and I got in line to ride. Will still had a headache so he didn't want to and Marsha doesn't like coasters so she stayed behind.
This is a pretty cool coaster, except it really knocks your head around. I'm starting to think that's why will had the headache that he did.
When we got off, Marsha mentioned that none of us were going to ride the Dr. Dooms freefall because while we were gone, she noticed nobody riding it and a bunch of billowing smoke coming from the top of it. ((yep another ride closed)) So this brings us to complaint 12 and 13!
I decided for the heck of it to see if Spider man was open yet, before we left. And Luckily it was. Unfortunately it was a 30 minute wait, but I didn't care because I love this ride. And since we could use the child swap I could go twice.
At least this ride didn't disappoint. I LOVE it and if you ever plan on going to IOA, it's a must.
After we rode Spider Man we went to Suess Landing once more so the kids could ride cat in the hat again. When we got there we discovered that the Trolley Ride was finally open so we were able to ride that as well.
We were actually sorta happy to leave when it was time. We had such an exhausting, disappointing day and just wanted to get back to the hotel to eat and relax.
To be continued......
Whenever we move back to the states (we're hoping for Cali or FL) we'll be going more often.
We've never ventured over to Universal/IOA and you certainly aren't making me want to either!
How adorable! 
I'm going to have to really watch that girls when she get's older. She's going to have all the boys knocking down the door. 
And Welcome!
We tried ignoring her as best as possible because we knew once she actually boarded the ride and realized there was nothing to be scared of she would stop.
((I know its off topic but I have a funny story)) Ill make it really quick
.
every inch of space was occupied. I was hyperventilating and sweating like a pig, gassy, and having contractions. So naturally I was freaking out and thinking that I was going to have my baby in that elevator. It took 30 minutes for the fire department to show up and pry open the doors for us all. ((This really isnt that long, but for me it seemed like hours)) So ever since then my fear of small spaces have intensified. So as you can imagine I had NO desire to go on MS.
