Day 4 - "Murphy's Law - oh yes, that DEFINITELY should be my middle name! This is my second try at this update but I don't remember what the original title was....hmmmm, I'm thinkin' something about going to a non-Disney park and there MAY be a bit of confiscated Pixie Dust involved....we'll work out the kinks LATER...oh, and BTW, THIS COOK'S ON STRIKE TONIGHT!"
....since we are all early risers [for the most part], we are eager and anxious to be on our way to a park - the cloudless sky promises to bring us MORE heat and humidity (seriously, are you surprised?). We have our sights on US/IoA; our quest today is the newest thrill ride, Rip Ride Rockit, the cheesy [but hip] counterpart to DHS's Rock'n'Roller Coaster:
...every definition of a THRILL RIDE from the get-go, and YES, that IS straight UP...
....after consuming assorted breakfast goodies and two full pots of coffee, we once again, bid adieu to Jean and Maureen....hey, who am I to begrudge someone wanting to sleep in on their vacay?

They promise to meet up with us later at US ( tune in later to see how THAT works out) and we are out the door, car hood pointing in a northeast direction, headed straight for Universal Blvd. After parking in the Spiderman section:
Move outta the way - WE'VE got a ride to conquer! . . .*sigh* my men...
...we hurriedly approached Rip Ride Rockit; of course, I am now in a zombie-like state, an automaton aimlessly wandering in the locker area, while my family eagerly joins the queue to patiently await their turn at 'thrill-ride frenzy'....this queue turns out to be endless and definitely NOT for the faint-of-heart - it is simply sensory overload, what with the in-your-face-music blaring and the screams of the helpless ride-goers overhead as they seemingly appear to be spillled from the safety of their harnesses over the unsuspecting crowd below:
....only to be headed for the second leg of their harried and relentless journey:
....after waiting for what seemed to be an eternity:
...we were finally buckled and secured, our own personal song choice activated and ready to climb that first tall 'hump'...boy oh boy, you have no idea how straight STRAIGHT is until you experience it!

The jury is still out on this attraction, but I must say it did leave me with my heart in my throat (or mebbe that was just the last vestige of a strawberry Pop Tart) as we soared in and out of a building:
...and up and around and back and forth...I will say that I think it's a really cool idea that they placed personal video cameras in front of each rider so that you can purchase a video memory, along with your musical selection...
....we then decided to enjoy
Twister once again [don't stand in front, if you know what's good for you! ] and walked further along,
...reaching our next destination,
The Revenge of the Mummy ride:
[courtesy of the Orlando Informer]
......I STILL don't know what all the hoopla is about (my sister RAVES about this ride!) but I thought I'd give it another shot....mehhhh

although I will say this much about this attraction: the queue is pretty rad - however, I didn't appreciate that my family and by-standers were getting a good chuckle out of me practically JUMPING out of my skin when I put my hand in the wall 'opening' when I tried to grab the 'jewel'....

scared the CARP outta me!
[...continued on Page 45 - Post #669...]