There's Always Too Much Sauce - A July 2022 TR *Updated 3/23

[amazingact21]

I bet he saw lots of interesting names and foods. If he does TikTok HeyEROCK does Cajun name pronunciations that can be entertaining.

I LOVE BOILED CRAWFISH!!! I hope he does too.

I'll have to check him out and show Alex.

Having more adults to entertain really does help and when they're really little having more adults to hold them helps.

There's power in numbers, especially when it comes to babies. I'm sure if/when Gabriel makes his way to Disney for his 1st trip, it will be a family affair.

Love his reactions. I'm still debating trying to ride it next week. He may be braver than I.

Can't wait to see what you thought of the WWoHP.

 

[amazingact21]

We did! Even got some burgers on the bbq Matthew said it’s “typical back-to-school weather” . According to him the last sunny day was the day of his last exam in June and it rained all of July and August. Poor lad is unfortunately right. This week it has be hot ( for us) 26-30*c. Think it’s over come Sunday but it sure has been nice to sit outside reading my kindle

I watched a video about a British mom complaining about the heat wave now that the kids went back to school. It's a bit cruel, isn't it? Finally some decent weather for a bbq in the garden and the kids are stuck at school all day.

What are Texan winters like? Are they very cold?

People keep telling us it gets cold here, but we'll see. From what I understand, this part of the country doesn't get snow, just ice storms.

He really wants another summer trip to Florida and keeps telling us “I’ll just bring the steroids and take them and I’ll be fine” but I am not so sure. The dermatologist did say it s should lessen with each exposure and he has been really trying to get out there but we don’t get that many hot days and this week he’s back at school so not out in it so much. I am wary of spending such big bucks and then having last years disaster repeat itself even if we did have some good times. At the same time I would love to have an do- over as well. So hard being a responsible parent sometimes

That's a tough call. With the prices of Disney now, it would be a huge gamble to go again in the summer and have a repeat trip. But I am sure you all are desperate to get back and have a "make up" trip.
Maybe compromise with a Christmas visit? I know you get the grands every other holiday so maybe when it's your year you can all celebrate in the parks?

 

[amazingact21]

Alicia, it’s so nice to see you back! I feel like the boards are pretty quiet nowadays so it’s wonderful to see familiar faces. I’m excited to be planning a trip for next year (hopefully it will work out better than our attempt in May 2020! ),

Thank you, it's nice being back on the boards and sharing in Disney again. I agree, not as many people use forums as they used to, but I appreciate everyone who does. It's fun sharing in the excitement and trials that come with a Disney trip.

Hooray for an upcoming trip! That's so exciting! And there's so many new things to see and experience now. What time of year will you be going?

I love your humor as well as your realistic perspective of Disney travel with kids. Speaking of kids, I can’t believe how big your kids have become! I can’t wait to hear more about this trip as well as your future trips (wahoo on the annual passes!).

Thank you for the kind words! I've learned with having kids and moving so often and traveling overseas, you have to have a good sense of humor about life. Otherwise all the bumps and unexpected chaos can wear you down. (I say as I currently wait for a maintenance person to come evaluate the kids' bathroom exhaust fan, which apparently leaked water all over the floor in the middle of the night. )
It's hard to look back and remember the kids being so little nowadays. Landon is fully in the tween stage, and Evie is so independent she barely needs my help. And while that's a little sad to think about, on the other hand, I am loving this new era of parenthood. It's a great stage, especially when it comes to traveling to Disney.

 

[amazingact21]

July 16th Part 3:


When it’s your first visit to the Wizarding World and you’re a massive Harry Potter fan, there are a few things on your bucket list that you hope to accomplish. Try the treats, see the dragon, ride the Express…

And choose your wand.



The kids were very excited to see the characters’ wands and choose one for themselves. We began by taking them into Ollivander’s, where unlike every other parent with a child, Alex and I were desperately wishing one of them would not be chosen. (In case you weren’t aware, there’s a show that takes place where Ollivander picks somebody to have the “wand choose them.”)



It might sound crazy.

“What? You don’t want your kid to be picked for a show?”

No.

Not when we have two kids.

Alex and I knew, just knew, that if Landon or Evie were chosen, the other would be devastated.

“WHAT?! My [INSERT BROTHER OR SISTER HERE] got picked and not me?! Why didn’t I get to go up? It’s not fair. They ALWAYS get special treatment. Why am I the poor, deprived sibling that never gets anything cool?”



Multiple kid problems…


Fortunately, there was a teenage girl with a birthday button in our group that was selected, allowing my group to enjoy the performance without the stress.



Once Ollivander’s skit was complete, we were led into the shop where us and our fellow two hundred park goers were congregated.

It was madness!

There were people three, four rows deep, trying to look at the wands and browse the shelves.

Either Alex or Eddie picked Evie up and carried her out of fear of her getting trampled.



This was no way for two young magical kids to get a wand.

Time to regroup!

We fled outdoors, where Alex had the brilliant idea to ask Eddie if the little pop up shop by Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes was still around. It was more of a cart you could walk up to and purchase a wand, but it was better than the madness we just escaped.


The siblings in the group were confident it was still around, so Alex, Eddie, Leslie, and my mom took the kids in that direction. Isaac, Carly, and I headed towards the stage show area to sit down and decompress.

That was too many people for me, and I needed a minute to sit and relax.

Besides, I hate shopping.



After what felt like a lifetime, everyone returned to the group.

“What took so long?”

Alex rolled his eyes.

“Evie.”


Ah.

Say no more.



My darling daughter.

She is so great in so many areas.

But making a decision is not one of them.

When presented with so many choices, she completely froze.

She was torn on a few different wands (“mostly Death Eater ones” my mom pointed out) but eventually she went with the one that caught her eye from the beginning.




Victor Krum’s wand.


It has a hippogriff on the end.


Naturally.

I would have been more surprised if Evie hadn’t picked that one.



“Landon, what’d you get?”



“Can’t worry about the wand right now, Mom. There’s a map in the case!”



Isaac had never seen Landon when presented with any kind of documentation and was highly amused by his curiosity.

Need to distract my oldest? Find a brochure or a guide or even a sales advert to read. Kid loves to read.

(This actually came in handy last weekend. We took one of our cars to the carwash, and as we were paying, Landon read a sign that said birthday months get half off on washes. Thank you, Landon, for catching that fine print and saving us some money.)



Eventually, we convinced Landon to tear his eyes away from the paper. (“You can look at it later at home, bud.)



He went with Newt Scamander’s wand.

A good choice.



Shortly after returning with the wands, the Tale of the Three Brothers show began. My family had never seen it before, and it was one of the things I wanted to do this time in Universal.





It did not disappoint.





Such a fantastic retelling of what appeared in Deathly Hallows and something I think all HP fans should try and see when they are in the WWoHP.



Show finished, I corralled my group together and made everyone pose for some photos with their wands.







After all the shopping and entertainment, you would think my merry band of nine would be antsy to get on another attraction, right?

Not even close.


It was close to eleven o’clock, and all morning a fear had been tickling the back of my brain.

“How are we going to find somewhere to eat that seats nine people?”


I’ve gotten spoiled with my family of four.

Give us a little tabletop, and we’re good to go. Whatever’s available. No need for a booth, there’s only four of us!


But nine?
Alas, how was that going to work out?



So the minute we rolled into lunchtime, I started suggesting we go eat. I figured the earlier we get inside a restaurant, the better. If we waited until noon, we’d be cramming into corners and kids would be in laps.



Thankfully, nobody argued or disagreed with my proposal.

I like to think they saw sense in what I was saying.

It was probably more like everyone wanted someplace indoors to sit down.

And wanted butterbeer.



The butterbeer definitely helped.



Continued in Next Post:

 

[amazingact21]

Continued From Previous Post:



The Leaky Cauldron was inside Diagon Alley, so that’s where we all headed.

And hurray!

No wait!



Time for some British food.
(Did my sarcasm comes out in text? If not, let me tell you, I loved traveling all the way from England to pay triple the price for British pub fare. )



Five parties ordering their food was as chaotic as you can imagine. Especially since four people had Annual Passes and were trying to get my mom and my family the discount. That is one thing Universal has on Disney, though. Discounts on Quick Service food.


Eventually, everyone put in their order, and we were given one of the long tables in the main room to sit.


Perfect.


Buckbeack the Hippogriff even had a spot:






Because the kids had never Butterbeer before, and because Universal recently started selling Hot Butterbeer, Alex and I decided to get one of each version to let them try.

Butterbeer three ways!



Of course, it was at this time that all the excitement and hunger and noise and decision fatigue got to Evie, and she lost it. Poor girl completely broke down, and Alex had to take her outside for a bit.


In Evie’s world, there IS such a thing as too much fun.

I have to say, learning Evie’s limits has helped a tremendous amount with traveling to the parks. This past summer, I think Alex and I did really good with balancing Evie’s needs and it was probably one of her best park trips to date.



Back at the table, it was time to judge!

In true Evie form, she let her face do the telling:




The rankings stand as follows:

Landon – Frozen, Hot, then Cold.

Evie – Hot, Frozen, then Cold

Alex – Hot, Cold, then Frozen

Me – Frozen, Hot, Cold.



Alex loved, loved, loved the hot. He wishes he had ordered two.

Meanwhile, for me, nothing beats the frozen. It’s my favorite theme park snack. The perfect treat on a hot Florida day.



The food selections were far less important than the butterbeer business, as evidenced by my one photo from the experience.



That was my Toad in the Hole. It wasn’t bad, but I do remember the potatoes were very undercooked. Inedible, they were so hard.



The kids got Mac and Cheese and grapes, and I don’t remember what Alex got.

It was British food.

Good British food.

But still British food.





With lunch complete, Eddie and Leslie wanted to take the kids on Men in Black.

When leaving the Wizarding World, one must store all the wands:


We had just a few…



Alex’s backpack was way too large to fit in the free lockers, so I offered to stay back with everyone’s belongings.


Evie wasn’t the only one a little overwhelmed with such a large group.



Those ten minutes alone in the gift shop were quite restorative for me.

Unfortunately, the ride broke down while they were in the queue, so no blasting aliens for my kiddos.


It was back to London for us!


Not to spend more time in Diagon Alley, but to take the kids on the Hogwarts Express.


There was a thirty minute wait to board, but it was under cover so nobody was complaining.



The kids got to go through the vanishing platform:







There was a little bit of a curfuffle when it came time to line up for a coach. Not everyone could sit with Landon and Evie and watch them experience the ride, and it made a few people upset. Especially since some wanted Alex and I to go alone.


Sorry family. We birth the kiddos and make them eat their vegetables. We get to see their reaction.

One of the perks of making sure they’re growing up into good human beings.

It’s the trade-off.








Time to board!





Next Post: Where’d Your Cupcake Go?!

 

[piglet1979]

I have to say, learning Evie’s limits has helped a tremendous amount with traveling to the parks. This past summer, I think Alex and I did really good with balancing Evie’s needs and it was probably one of her best park trips to date.

I understand this. Elizabeth is not one that likes crowds or loud noises. She also really needs her down time. It has taken me years to understand this. Once I did, things got so much better. There were no more breakdowns or fighting.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

(Did my sarcasm comes out in text? If not, let me tell you, I loved traveling all the way from England to pay triple the price for British pub fare. )

It's not often reading the Dis actually makes me laugh out loud but this statement did make me chuckle!

Of course, it was at this time that all the excitement and hunger and noise and decision fatigue got to Evie, and she lost it. Poor girl completely broke down, and Alex had to take her outside for a bit.

Ach poor Evie

I have to say, learning Evie’s limits has helped a tremendous amount with traveling to the parks. This past summer, I think Alex and I did really good with balancing Evie’s needs and it was probably one of her best park trips to date.

It's so good when you get the hang of everyone's limitations. Makes for a much happier trip for all.

In true Evie form, she let her face do the telling:

That girl is priceless! I love her expressions!

That was my Toad in the Hole. It wasn’t bad, but I do remember the potatoes were very undercooked. Inedible, they were so hard.It's been a few years but oh how I love the HE

Sorry but that looks like a school dinner to me and there's NOTHING worse than an undercooked spud.

Those ten minutes alone in the gift shop were quite restorative for me.

Sometimes we all need 10 minutes to simply be and breathe.

the Hogwarts Express.

Love the HE!

Sorry family. We birth the kiddos and make them eat their vegetables. We get to see their reaction.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I love love the hot butter beer!
It is fun reading your US time since I just returned from there and we had so much fun there this trip!
I love Buckbeak! Yay Evie found a plush one, how fun!
I didn’t even know Victor Krum had a wand you could buy, very cool so many to choose from!

 

[vamassey1]

There's power in numbers, especially when it comes to babies. I'm sure if/when Gabriel makes his way to Disney for his 1st trip, it will be a family affair.

We're in the planning stages for a Mardi Gras trip right now.

Can't wait to see what you thought of the WWoHP.

Love it!!! Wish I had more time to spend there.

It might sound crazy.

“What? You don’t want your kid to be picked for a show?”

No.

Not when we have two kids.

Totally understand this.

That was too many people for me, and I needed a minute to sit and relax.

The whole HP area is very crowded.

Victor Krum’s wand.


It has a hippogriff on the end.

Perfect choice for her.

He went with Newt Scamander’s wand.

A good choice.

I love Newt1

Shortly after returning with the wands, the Tale of the Three Brothers show began. My family had never seen it before, and it was one of the things I wanted to do this time in Universal.

I didn't get a chance to see this. Maybe someday in the future.

Show finished, I corralled my group together and made everyone pose for some photos with their wands.

Cute photo!

The Leaky Cauldron was inside Diagon Alley, so that’s where we all headed.

And hurray!

No wait!

Lucky you! We weren't so lucky, so we didn't get any overpriced English food.

Meanwhile, for me, nothing beats the frozen. It’s my favorite theme park snack. The perfect treat on a hot Florida day.

I only had the frozen and it was cool and refreshing, just too sweet to finish it.

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Hooray for an upcoming trip! That's so exciting! And there's so many new things to see and experience now. What time of year will you be going?

We’re booked for late May next year and I’m VERY excited! I finally got my act together and started a pre-trip report - I’ll need help as so much has changed since I was last at Disney World!

Onto your update…

I’m glad both Landon and Evie were able to get the wands of their dreams! (And that you didn’t have to deal with a disappointed kiddo during the wand show!)

Despite several trips to WWoHP I’ve yet to see a stage show. (I’ve walked past one, but that’s not quite the same!) I’ll have to rectify that at some point.

Mmmm… butterbeer. My favorite is the frozen, although I do like the cold, too. The hot has never been available during my trips.

Sorry family. We birth the kiddos and make them eat their vegetables. We get to see their reaction.

YES! You put in the work, you get the rewards!

I look forward to hearing what Landon and Evie thought of the Hogwarts Express!

 

[amazingact21]

I understand this. Elizabeth is not one that likes crowds or loud noises. She also really needs her down time. It has taken me years to understand this. Once I did, things got so much better. There were no more breakdowns or fighting.

It can feel like you're "missing time" on vacation, but really, giving everyone the breaks they need helps tremendously!

It's not often reading the Dis actually makes me laugh out loud but this statement did make me chuckle!

I had to laugh that we were eating the same food we could get any day of the week back home!

That girl is priceless! I love her expressions!

We've tried to teach Evie how to have a poker face, but she just doesn't get it. Heaven help us when she's in a situation where she needs to be polite and mask her feelings. It won't end well!

there's NOTHING worse than an undercooked spud.

There really isn't!

 

[amazingact21]

I love love the hot butter beer!

I really want to visit US in the cooler months, because I can imagine sipping a hot butterbeer while strolling around the Wizarding World would be so much fun!

I love Buckbeak! Yay Evie found a plush one, how fun!

Watching everyone take turns carrying around that Buckbeak was hilarious. It was a pain to squish into the suitcase, but I'm glad Evie got it. She still plays with it.

I didn’t even know Victor Krum had a wand you could buy, very cool so many to choose from!

There's so many wands, it's almost too difficult to choose one.

We're in the planning stages for a Mardi Gras trip right now.

How exciting!

I only had the frozen and it was cool and refreshing, just too sweet to finish it.

Glad you were able to try one! That's my issue with the cold version; I think it's even sweeter than the frozen.

 

[amazingact21]

Despite several trips to WWoHP I’ve yet to see a stage show. (I’ve walked past one, but that’s not quite the same!) I’ll have to rectify that at some point.

The Three Brothers stage show is the only one I'd recommend people stop and see. While the others are enjoyable, this one is definitely the best.

My favorite is the frozen, although I do like the cold, too. The hot has never been available during my trips.

I'm so glad they released the hot one year round. It's worth giving it a try the next time your in Universal, even if it is really hot out.

I look forward to hearing what Landon and Evie thought of the Hogwarts Express!

They liked the express, but I don't think they were over enthused by it. To be honest, they were used to taking trains almost every weekend, and I think the novelty of a train had worn off.

 

[suse66]

During my break, my family moved from England to Texas. It was a long journey. A very long journey. For the month of June, Alex and I took the kids to Maryland and to Central Florida. For July, the kids and I hung out with my family in Northwest Florida while Alex attended a school for work. Finally, in August, we roadtripped to Texas, where we moved into a new house, got our belongings back, and the kids started a new school.

Just a little bit of change!

The transition back to America has been….rocky. Turns out when your kids and yourself have lived overseas for seven years there’s a learning curve to getting back into American culture. Every day it’s getting a little easier, though, and I have no doubt the kids will be comfortable in this (new to them) country in no time.

Especially for Evie who has pretty much lived abroad her whole life.

Landon and Evelyn wanted to try and “conquer” the parks and boy, did we try.

Love this photo!

My family’s life might have been turned completely upside down, with no home and no sense of place, but boy did we embrace the fun and have a memorable time.

I really hope I can buckle down and finish this 2022 trip report, so that I can get to this one.

Especially because Alex and I might have,

Maybe sort of,

Possibly,

Bought Annual Passes for ourselves when we were there.

Love that!!!

But really, it’s okay.

We’re going to need them next April, when both of us run the Springtime Surprise Challenge Weekend.


That’s right. I’m doing the races again. And I’m dragging the hubs along with me.


It didn’t take long for the Disney obsession to kick back in, did it?

Nope! But we similarly obsessed friends understand!

I know not everyone has chosen to continue on here. I respect and understand that. Trust me, I asked myself if I would return, but for those who have, I am here to read and share in our mutual love to Disney and trip reports.

I debated long and hard about returning but ultimately feel Corey and the team are taking the Dis in a positive new direction.

After we got off the ride, I asked the kids what they thought. Evie said she had a blast, and Landon replied: “I loved it! I kept my glasses off the whole time and closed my eyes, but it was great!”



Whatever works, kid.

Oh Landon! He made it work!

If Evie had to pick a favorite class at Hogwarts, it would definitely be Care of Magical Creatures.


So when Isaac led her into the Magical Menagerie store, Evie’s little heart filled with joy. She was everywhere at once, looking at the shelves filled, floor to ceiling, with stuffed creatures. Fluffies, Aragogs, Crookshanks!

And the best yet…

Buckbeak the Hippogriff in the….plush!!!

The cutest!

Back out in the Florida sun, my group spotted Hagrid’s motorbike with nobody around it. That meant only on thing.

Photo opportunity!

Awesome!

After what felt like a lifetime, everyone returned to the group.

“What took so long?”

Alex rolled his eyes.

“Evie.”


Ah.

Say no more.



My darling daughter.

She is so great in so many areas.

But making a decision is not one of them.

When presented with so many choices, she completely froze.

She was torn on a few different wands (“mostly Death Eater ones” my mom pointed out) but eventually she went with the one that caught her eye from the beginning.

Little love....it can get VERY overwhelming.

He went with Newt Scamander’s wand.

Love that!

Such a fantastic retelling of what appeared in Deathly Hallows and something I think all HP fans should try and see when they are in the WWoHP.

Will have to put this on my list for when I finally go to Universal.

There was a little bit of a curfuffle when it came time to line up for a coach. Not everyone could sit with Landon and Evie and watch them experience the ride, and it made a few people upset. Especially since some wanted Alex and I to go alone.


Sorry family. We birth the kiddos and make them eat their vegetables. We get to see their reaction.

One of the perks of making sure they’re growing up into good human beings.

It’s the trade-off.

Yup!

 

[amazingact21]

Especially for Evie who has pretty much lived abroad her whole life.

Slowly but surely she is getting settled. She has made a few friends, and she's started cheer which she seems to really love. I'm sure by this time next year, she will feel completely comfortable.

Will have to put this on my list for when I finally go to Universal.

I enjoy that the stage shows at Universal are ones you can walk up and catch as they are beginning. Sometimes, it can be a little hectic herding small kids into a large theater and keeping them entertained until a production like Finding Nemo begins. (Not that I'd trade them for anything, just commenting that it's a nice change.)

 

[amazingact21]

July 16th Part 4:


Leaving the dark and cool Hogwarts Express, my group was slapped in the face with overstimulation in Hogsmeade.

It was so hot!

It was so crowded!

It was so bright!



Friends, my family took one for the team and learned when NOT to be in that part of Islands of Adventure.


Ten out of ten, do NOT recommend being in Hogsmeade during a summer afternoon.


Especially if Hagrid’s is not running due to lightning in the area.




I definitely had to implement the buddy system here.

Everyone grab a hand!



Or a talon:



Not losing any hippogriffs today.



No one in my group of 9 had a clear destination in mind inside Hogsmeade. I’d like to say that this where the wheels fell off the wagon a little bit. I’m pretty sure I mentioned this already, but 9 people traveling together is a lot.

A lot.

The heat, the fatigue, the overstimulation began to creep in. I don’t think anybody had a bad day or afternoon. Buttttt….

Everyone had their moments from this point forward.


Tensions were a little high.



Because the Express exits near Honeydukes, Alex and I figured this would be a good time to show the kids the interior and let them get some Bertie Botts Every Flavor Jelly Beans.




Fortunately, Alex saw that Bertie Botts were an option in the Pick and Mix containers. So rather than spend 20 + dollars on a box, he scooped a small bit into a bag, and we ended up paying less than five dollars for them.

Hooray!



I love the colors of this store:




One day I’m going to try some of the treats. I think the jelly beans and chocolate frogs are the only desserts I’ve tasted. Carly absolutely loves the Fizzing Whizbys and buys a box to bring home every trip.



In addition to our purchase, my brother selected the Chocolate Witch’s Hat Cupcake from the counter.

Here’s a fun fact about my little bro:
He’s got the biggest sweet tooth I’ve ever seen.

There is no such thing as too much chocolate in his world. One of my favorite vacation stories involving him is one time, on a trip, my parents, him, and myself each ordered a dessert after dinner. My parents and I couldn’t finish ours. So Isaac ate his AND everyone else’s.

He was eleven!

So this cupcake didn’t stand a chance with Isaac:




One second I’m taking this photo of him with the treat, the next minute, it’s gone.

Poof.

Disappeared.

I turned around to put my camera down, and when I turned back, went, “Where’s the cupcake?”

“I ate it.”

It was at this declaration that Evie came up and yelled, “You ate it?! ALL OF IT?!”



Everyone else stopped playing on their phones and drinking waters and focused on the commotion.

Evie was baffled. “But Uncle Isaac, that cupcake was big. REALLY big.”

Isaac was unabashed.

“I didn’t eat the chocolate hat on top.”

I’m not sure Evie knows what a scoff is, but that’s certainly what she did.



To this day, my daughter is still in shock that her uncle can eat a large cupcake in less than a minute flat. It was one of those memories that stick out for everyone. When we recall this Universal trip, we dub it:

“The one where Uncle Isaac ate that chocolate cupcake and shocked his niece.”



The main reason the kids wanted to buy Jelly Beans was because they wanted everyone to randomly select one and see what they got.

The worst kind of surprise.

Will I get cotton candy or grass? Cherry or Earwax?

It was a terrifying game where someone was bound to lose.



The rules were you couldn’t look at what you were selecting, and you had to eat your first pick.

The kids went first.

No bad flavors.

Isaac and Carly….nothing crazy.

My mom. All good.

Leslie and Eddie. Also good.

Alex. A win.

Me.

A mellow fruit flavor.


Nobody got a bad flavor! Nine people, nine random pick and they were all good.

Talk about crazy odds.

Evie and Landon loved the game:



Having a large group like we did, it was a fun game to play. I recommend it if there are a lot of people in your party, and you want something to do that’s not riding attractions.



From that point on, my group (who were all sitting in the back area of the Three Broomsticks) continued to rest and hydrate and stay out of the sun. It was less crowded where we were, and we were all doing everything we could to combat the July weather.


Plus, a certain someone needed to sit down after his sugar rush:





Continued in Next Post:

 

[amazingact21]

Continued From Previous Post:



While everyone was lounging around, Carly was on the Universal app watching wait times. Eventually, the app refreshed and she saw that Hagrid’s was back online.

She told us that if there ever was a time to get in line, it was right now.

Go, go, go!



We made it all the way to Hagrid’s Hut before encountering the end of the line.




Which, for everyone who has ridden Hagrid’s, this was really good!

The wait, in total, was about an hour. And poor Evie. She was two inches shy of the height requirement.

She was so disappointed.



Her, Eddie, Leslie, and my mom waited in the Rider Swap room while the rest of us rode.


And oh my goodness.


This attraction is worth the hype.

It is amazing!

The special effects, the music, the thrill, the vehicles, everything about Hagrid’s is pure brilliance.

Hands down, my favorite attraction of all time. Even over Disney’s attractions.



I sat next to Alex on the ride (I sat in the sidecar.) and while I had watched ride videos and knew what to expect, Alex did not. That was the best part, listening to Alex experience all the surprises. When we got to the Devil’s Snare…his laugh from surprise was priceless.

Leslie was able to grab this photo of us riding:


Alex and I were in the 3rd row, Landon and Carly the 4th, and Isaac in the 5th.



Just thinking about Hagrid’s makes me wish I were back in Universal. Give me that and a frozen butterbeer and I’d call it a successful trip to the parks.



By the time all of us were off the ride, the group was really starting to flag. My mom had come across a snake, so she was none too pleased. Eddie had a headache. And Evie was upset she couldn’t ride Hagrid’s. Alex and I talked to Landon before we met back up with her and asked him to please not talk about how much fun it was.

But he was 9.

That didn’t happen.



Moods waning, my group decided to watch the Frog Acapella Show (I think Carly went and rode Forbidden Journey) and then start heading to dinner.


Not before we made a pit stop at this particular fountain, though:


In case anyone isn’t aware, there is a speaker here where someone talks to the guests as they come up to the water. When Landon was a preschooler, he had a blast here. He stayed and chatted with the fountain for close to fifteen minutes.

Eddie and Leslie were hoping to recreate the memory, but alas.

He was 9.

9 year olds are too cool to talk to fountains, in case you didn’t know.



Again…wheels. Wagon. By this point we were pushing the dang thing on its axles.

Hang in there, everyone!




Dinner this night was at Mythos.

Alex, myself, Eddie, and Leslie had talked beforehand and decided since we would be in the parks, we should try one of Universal’s signature restaurants.



The table we were sat at had an amazing view:




But that was about the only amazing thing about the restaurant.

Maybe we were all too tired to be openminded. Maybe with the heat we were more critical. Maybe we were too big a group to get a great dining experience.


Or maybe Mythos is just lackluster.



Between the nine of us, we all ordered most everything on the menu, and nobody was wowed by their dish. Heck, Leslie had to track our server down to get her food. It was seemingly forgotten.




I asked everyone afterwards if they’d eat here again and nobody said yes.

After dinner, we were all beat.




It was time to call it a day.

We had another Universal day the following morning, and we needed to get back home to rest up.




Up Next: What’s Happening to Your Wand?

 

[rdkeim]

Following along! I just love the way you describe your group, your day. 9 people is tough - all in all with the heat/crowds I think you had a pretty good day! When my grandson is a little older I hope he gets into reading the HP books. He'd be all over picking a wand and especially the map! Even though there were some tense moments, I'd say this was a good family bonding day that your kids will remember. Thanks for sharing!

 

[SimplyGoofy]

Isaac and I could be great friends. I adore dessert and am known as the person who always orders dessert (and sometimes orders two!).

(Funny story - on my first date with my husband we shared appetizers at one restaurant and then walked to another when we learned the first was out of dessert. (?!) I was astonished when he finished his dessert before I did… that never happens and was a good sign that he was a keeper. )

Hagrid’s looks SO fun! I don’t see us visiting Universal for a few more years so hopefully the lines won’t be as crazy. (Okay, this is unlikely, but a girl can hope!)

I’m sorry your meal wasn’t good. That’s always a bummer.

 

[vamassey1]

Ten out of ten, do NOT recommend being in Hogsmeade during a summer afternoon.

I agree. We hit here about lunch time and tried to eat here. No luck the line was way too long. I never really looked around Hogsmeade because we left to find food. When we came back close to closing time we went straight to ride Hagrid's.

It was at this declaration that Evie came up and yelled, “You ate it?! ALL OF IT?!”

She tells it like it is.

Nobody got a bad flavor! Nine people, nine random pick and they were all good.

Amazing!

We made it all the way to Hagrid’s Hut before encountering the end of the line.

Not bad. When we got in line and made it past this point, Danielle said we were doing really good. I think we waited 25 minutes, but it was close to closing time.

The wait, in total, was about an hour. And poor Evie. She was two inches shy of the height requirement.

She was so disappointed.

Poor Evie!

It is amazing!

Yes it was!

I sat next to Alex on the ride (I sat in the sidecar.) and while I had watched ride videos and knew what to expect, Alex did not. That was the best part, listening to Alex experience all the surprises. When we got to the Devil’s Snare…his laugh from surprise was priceless.

I had no idea what to expect and Danielle told the person seating us not to tell me anything. We were the front car. I was totally shocked.