They Don't Eat Hash Browns in Princessland - May 14 COMPLETE! 2/8 pg. 73

[kastoney]

Woohoo crazy papadon is back. Should have known he wouldn't be gone for long.

I had no idea they had an abc commissary at universal too ; ) don't tell nbc

Glad to see your back on the good side. I'm gonna vote drinks, I mean dinner, are at raglan tonight.

 

[MEK]

February of next year, I should be the proud owner of a Princess Half medal. Yay! So exciting! And yet so terrifying at the same time!

I can totally relate to this!

So - I totally understand your rant about Universal which is why I have only been there twice and not since Nick was in 4th grade. I really DO have to go back, but the feel is just NOT the same.. It's not. You're right - they are two different things. Like apples and oranges.

That being said, you TOTALLY owned that duff beer in a mug hat!

Your parents continue to crack me up over and over!

Love the shirt.

I want to guess Raglan road for dinner but I'm going with EOS!

 

[CaseFace5]

Great update! I love that shirt!! I can't stop giggling thinking about it.

I'm bummed to hear you didn't like Transformers. I will say though I am happy it is like Spiderman because I was thinking it was more like Minion Mayham or Shrek and I wouldn't have liked that. We are going next March and BF only wants to go for the Transformers ride.. so I'm sure we will be riding a few times.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

I know where we went for dinner..... All I will say it was very, very delicious

 

[Wood Nymph]

I love Harry Potter and would go to Universal just to see it. I've never been there before. But now I am bummed to think that Forbidden Journey is a motion sick ride. I suppose that the new Gingott's ride is just as bad. I guess I'll just have to have a frozen Butterbeer instead.

I love your Pinocchio shirt. Is that another Hot Topic shirt? It is really cute on you.

 

[tazdev3225]

Caught up.

I am not a huge fan of Universal. We did go in December and went through both sides by 4 PM. I did like the Harry Potter area and would go back to see the new additions but other than that it doesn't hold my attention. It could be because I am not able to go on most thrill rides between motion sickness and a bad back. Maybe when we take the kids again, my oldest DGS would have fun there.

 

[amazingact21]

I completely agree with you on the Universal/Disney arguement. Why can we not have both and just be happy? While, yeah, I like Disney more, that doesn't mean I dislike universal. I mean, I love ice cream, but I wouldn't turn down pie if given a plate.
However, it's good to know Transformers is pretty much Spider-man with Autobots. I guess if I can only ever get to one of them I'll know what the other attraction was meant to be like.


Awesome hat. And very fitting for flip cup.



I haven't been in the running store at DTD yet, but we have something similar in my town owned by a local couple, and it's amazing. Alex made a special trip over there before his deployment just so he could give them his business.
And I know what you mean about it being expensive. Alex and I both run, and he needs new shoes about every 5 months since that's part of his career. Makes me wanna cry a little bit.


Hmm, Raglan Road for dinner?

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Catching up again, per the norm!

YAY the Dark Side! I think this is the first Universal update I've read since I've been sooo YAYAYAY!

Forbidden Journey is most definitely the best attraction I've ever been on. I mean, my heart belongs to Disney attractions, but in terms of technicalities, Forbidden Journey is AWESOME! And honestly, the wait times are a bit deceiving. My one time riding it, the wait time said 90 minutes, but we literally waited half of that, which was still long, but it's a long queue so nbd

OMG, I never even knew Spidey had been updated. Not that it would have made a difference since it was my first time this past June, but the 3D on that ride is unreal. I can only imagine what it was before. Wow. And that's so funny how the Universal Team Members gave you a hard time for your shirt. It really is SOOO funny so I'm not surprised they shrugged it off for that reason lol

Ugh, the Minion Mayhem waits are RIDICULOUS and SOOOO not worth it either. That ride is such a let down IMO. It's super cute and funny, but not worth an hour long wait, no siree.

Although I tend to compare that too subconsciously, I really don't like to and I totally agree with what you're saying (although I never rode Transformers... I didn't really have much interest). Universal and Disney are very separate entities. Universal pretty much swooped in to cater to an audience that Disney could not and it's been pretty evident since Universal is mostly thrill rides then they have HHN too, which is a stark contrast from Disney's tamer fare and MNSSHP. Also, I hate how the argument is about attractions alone most of the time. Ugh, whatever. Haters gonna hate and that's the end of it for the Disney v. Universal argument.

BTW, are you going to take Joaquin to Universal when you bring him back? Just curious because I really want to see his reaction to Transformers

Oh Diagon Alley just looks so so so so perfect, even from the outside. I want to visit it so bad, especially since I barely missed the opening. *sigh*

to getting Cold Stone! That stinks about the whole valet issue. Geez, why couldn't the guy just let you pay in cash and not have to lengthen the whole process?

I'm loving the shirt you chose for DTD! The Blue Fairy does not get enough appreciation anymore. :/ I never even knew DTD had the living statues. Huh, I must check that out next time.

Can't wait to hear where you ended up eating (my guess would be either Raglan Road (though I think you might have already been there) or Wolfgang Puck)!

 

[mamaboogie]

Just finished reading! And loved it!

What a lot of fun! And so many amazing Disney clothes (I am craving some of the Star Wars leggings sooooooo badly!)

I am totally amazed by the range of goofy faces your family can pull! Can't wait to read more

 

[IheartDDuck]

I LOVE Fit2Run... and I agree on the prices of good running gear. I have to get new shoes VERY soon (I have WAY too many miles on the ones I'm training in right now), and I always go to Fit2Run, they always take their time in making sure I get the right shoe for my gait and comfort. I'm not looking forward to spending the money I need to, but it's absolutely worth it!

Hmmmm... is Raglan Road the dinner destination?!

The general prices of running gear is crazy to me. Like, I totally get shoes. They're so important. But everything else? Meh.

We shall see what the dinner destination is.

Awesome updates!! I totally read the earlier ones but never commented, WHOOPS!

I am super excited for all the universal stuff in Sept!! Obviously the HP stuff the most, but considering I have seen NONE of the rest of it, I'm excited for some new adventures! And glad we planned 2 days there! Now I just have to figure out what I can ride! Bahahaha!

Yay for target adventures! And ice cream!!

And Imma guess you're doing Ragland rd for dinner?

No worries dear. I have totally done that before.

I'm so excited to see the new stuff in November. Aaaaahhh!!!

We'll see what the dinner plans are.

Yay more updates! I'm loving the look of the Diagon Alley façade! Yeah, Universal food is not the best, but we found a couple of places that were good; Finnegan's Bar and Grill and one that was in the Citywalk bit. Ah Cold stone! A fond memory of working at summer camp. Loving the Pinocchio shirt. Looking forward to more!

I love how it looks too. I'm really looking forward to being able to explore it in November.

Finnegan's, I'll have to remember that.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Love the updates! Like the tour through Universal. Lunch may have been disappointing, but that ice cream looks pretty yummy right about now...

The ice cream was definitely a high point! I never have Cold Stone, it's such a treat to have it.

Looks like there are more rides than I thought that my boys could do if Transformers is the same as Spiderman which is the same as Dinosaur don't know why that is funny to me, it just is. Maybe we'll take a trip to the dark side next year.

Hahahaha, yup. You basically got it right. LOL

Your Mom got ripped off on that salad, it looks like a dollar salad from Mcdonalds

Cool hat, though I don't know what flip cup is.

It totally looks like a dollar salad, doesn't it? It was such a disappointment.

Wait....you don't know what flip cup is!? Such a shame. I'll educate you. See the link below. Generally though you play with a long row of people.

Jimmy Fallon Flip Cup

Cold Stone.....

I think the expense of run gear is what has kept me from running as much as I use to. I'm so excited for you and the half, I've been talking about doing the princess half for about 3 or 4 years now meanwhile I don't think I could even run a 5k anymore

Can't wait to see where dinner is...

I don't spend a lot on running gear myself. I reserve that for shoes, but everything else normally comes from Old Navy and stuff.

Minion Mayhem is definitely an improvement over the old Jimmy Neutron ride I think. Such a cute ride.

Wow 15 minutes for Transformers?? I hope I'm that lucky. Honestly, I am looking forward to it even if it is a clone (because it's a clone of one heck of a ride, lol) and even though I'm really not a Transformers fan. It's funny that I never really heard much about it being ground breaking, but I also have no doubt some would call it that.

You are so very right Danielle and I am the exact same way. These are two very different things (Uni and Disney) that just happen to operate in the same space. And besides, why can't we like both? In my world, you can like one without destroying the other. But of course Disney is the one that will always have my heart.

Why am I not surprised you do flip cup?

Ooh, looking forward to seeing Springfield in person too. Lots of new stuff since I was there last.

It is an improvement over Jimmy Neutron. We definitely enjoyed Minion Mayhem, just not worth the 60 minutes that the wait normally is.

Hey, who knows why the wait was only 15 minutes that day, but I wasn't about to say no to it.

YES! They're just different to me. I can't compare them to each other.

Hehehe, does my reputation precede me then with flip cup? Of course I play flip cup!

 

[IheartDDuck]

First off. LOVE the shirt!

I think the updated version of Spidey is vastly improved. Not that it was bad before but it's much crisper.

It really was so much crisper than it had been before. I was very impressed.

Hmmn.

I agree, and disagree all at the same time.

I would probably put Transformers, and Spidey both in the E ticket category. I'd rank them equal to say, Soarin'. To me comparing them to the coasters is an apples to oranges thing (as is Disney to Universal, plenty of room for both). If I had to stack rank "like" rides at both, Forbidden Journey would win hands down, followed by the rest.

Then again there are a number of Disney rides considered E that I'd probably put as solid D's. So kinda depends on what you are comparing to. As a general rule I don't bother comparing. My kids do, but then again they are obsessed with coasters. Universal does have more thrill rides so there is that, and at a certain age, that's a pretty big draw. Disney killer? Give me a break. LOL!

As a whole I'm such a pain in the butt in regards to what I consider to be an E-Ticket, that's why I categorized it as such. LOL. Disney says some things are E-Ticket that I really don't think are either. Completely agree on comparing them to coasters is not possible. The rides are too different. And I also agree on Forbidden Journey. That attraction for me is just on another level.

I don't bother comparing either, which is why I get so frustrated. I enjoy Universal, but it's just a different place for me. It's not Disney. And Disney is not Universal.

I completely agree. It is just like Spidey. Except a bit better we thought. Could have been simply that it was new to us versus not.

We enjoyed it a lot, it's a fun ride. But not groundbreaking.

We were just talking about this yesterday. Why isn't there a Krusty Krab and a Chum Bucket?

Richters is BORING. Although the fries weren't bad. Universal totally fails in the food department and is rather nightmarish for the gluten free.

UGH on the valet fiasco.

Richters was just absolutely icky to me. They do fail in the food department. I couldn't IMAGINE the gluten free component.

I have not been to Universal Orlando, but do want to visit primarily for HP. Everything else would just be gravy.

It's definitely worth visiting for HP. Very well themed and the rides are first class.

Dying to try the Minion Ride at some point!! I definitely wouldn't wait an hour for it, though.

LOL love that Team Member (TM?) photobombing.

I am totally with ya on the Disney/Universal hoopla. I almost went on that exact rant to a girl at my work hahaha. Universal does a lot of things well, but Disney is pure magic and always will be for me.

Diagon Alley is gorgeous, though.

COLDSTONE!!! I totally want some now. BRB gonna go con my mom into taking me tomorrow.

It's so cute! Not worth an hour, but a fun ride.

Yup, we'll start calling them TM's.

They're just not comparable to me. That's the frustration that I have. I enjoy them both dangit, and I should be allowed to!

LOL. Did you get some Coldstone?

 

[IheartDDuck]

I cannot WAIT for Universal! I haven't been since I was a teenager!

I am going to buy your shirt. I'm sorry. I have to own it, and wear it to 1900 PF.

What a great pair of updates. I am so looking forward to our trip, while reading about yours. Love seeing you with your parents. Thanks for making me excited!

I'll be rooting you on for the Princess. I'm going to do it as soon as I can; I am so excited to live that experience through you and the other TR-ers on this board. I can't wait to do it myself!

It's a lot of fun! You'll have a great time.

It's Cakeworthy, but I'm not sure they have it anymore! They make limited edition stuff.

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the Princess and scared of it at the same time.

Great updates Danielle !! I am going to Universal again next year prolly in September !! I had heard to avoid Richter Burger's so have never tried it and you about sewed up OFF the list No Richter Burgers for me !!!

Yay for going back to Universal! Definitely avoid Richter's the food is not great. The Springfield area is good though.

I fell behind too, but now I'm all caught up!

Hey, I don't subscribe to the no sleep in Disney rule either. Resting is the best. Marie and I have a resort day scheduled for September (not a full day either) but I think I'll enjoy it.

Yeah, I want to feel like I've had a great vacation, not that I'm exhausted when I come home.

Marie also shares your Pop's e-mail checking. She just doesn't like to fall behind. I'm with you. If I'm off, I'm off.

Mmm the Bakery looks delicious.

Flashback picture ftw!

Ooh, I like all the PP pictures.

I just try to avoid the emails, because if I start to look at them, I'm afraid I'll get sucked in and then it's all downhill from there.

I wish I liked margaritas, so that I could try them because I keep hearing good things about them.

Geez, if you can't even put in your pin should you be drinking the wine

I'm not surprised you won. Good for you You are obviously a pro.

The thing about margaritas is actually finding one you like. I'm not always a fan of all of them. The ones in Disney are just particularly yummy.

Hahaha. Yup, apparently I was keying the pin in completely wrong. Oh what a day.

I am cracking up over your puffs of glitter though.

Ooh the Dark Side. Skipping over HP stuff though as I'm going in September and I don't want to spoil it even though it's been out for ages.

I'm not even in on the Universal vs Disney stuff as I've never been to Universal so I can't even have an opinion.

The Simpsons area looks great.

Mmmm Coldstone. i can't even. I want it so much.

And I have no clue where you're going to be eating but I hope it's yummy.

I'm not kidding, the puffs of glitter were a highlight of the day.

You're going to have a great time at Universal. The HP stuff is awesome.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Woah! I'm super behind and i'm so sorry! I wrote a lot of stuff down...so yeah sorry about that too.

Thanks to you I now have the 'Sunglasses at Night' song stuck in my head...

No worries! I was totally behind on yours too. Life man, it just gets in the way.

Hahaha. Don't you love it when you get a song stuck in your head?

Ooh the gratin does look tasty.

your dad reaching out towards the camera

OMG! Your kindergarten cop gif!!! Now i'll be on the lookout for Clint...but slyly though as DH will be with my...where my sunglasses at?

Love straw fight shenanigans. I used to annoy DH in the car with this. He hated it/me so much!

The gratin is so good! I highly recommend it AND it's there all the time!!

Clint is a cutie. I'm totally going to have my eyes open for him on my next trip too.

My Mom was always one for straw fights. She'll still do it at random times.

Hi to Popadonson!

I think if I went to WDW once or twice a year, I may take a relaxation day. It's so hard to even fathom the idea though with so much fun around! I think our relaxation day is DTD. So sad.

Lovely picture of the Imagination Pavillion! It slightly blinded me for a sec.

We used to be much more hard core with our trips too, and then we started going more often, so we could take a relaxed approach.

Cool butterfly magic shots!

I love the cucumber margarita too! Very refreshing.

the inebriated cat face. Love!

PUFFS OF GLITTER!!! LMAO! Oh no you di'int!

I'll get to US one day...just like i'm gonna take that relaxation day at WDW

The cucumber margarita is one of my favorites. You're right, it's so refreshing.

Hahahaha. Girl, I totally did. Puffs of glitter.

Yay for updates!! Can't wait to see what the green shorts are for. We skipped the Transformer ride as it just didn't call to me. That's pretty lame it is just a copy of Spiderman. Not to say Transformers and Spiderman are gender specific, but if they were going to copy Spiderman, why not make it a My Little Pony version?! I could get on board (literally) with that!

I loved your Pinocchio shirt! I forget about him sometimes.

You would think running would be the cheapest sport, no gym membership required! But I own two pairs of running shoes, three running jackets (one with a light built in for night running), gloves, several headbands......And don't get me started on my Skort collection

I am going to guess...Ragland Road?

OMG, a My Little Pony version? That would seriously be amazing and epic all at the same time.

You're so right. Running is not cheap. I am amazed by the number of shirts stuff that I go through! Because I'm tossing so much stuff in the laundry on a regular basis and washing and washing and washing......

Fun updates! I agree that people shouldn't compare Universal to Disney. I feel the same way when people complain about Disneyland not being as good as WDW. They are all different so why not just see them as the unique places they are ?

For your DTD dinner I will have to guess Raglan Road?

They definitely shouldn't compare. They're both great and have their plusses and their minuses.

Hmmmm. We'll see.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I agree, Transformers is pretty much identical to Spiderman, though I still love both rides! And I also agree that the food is seriously lacking at Universal

Great pics in Springfield, love the hat!

We enjoyed both of them too. And the food. Ugh. Just gross. They can do better than that.

I totally need to get that hat.

I agree with this 100%!! Every minute of every day doesn't need to be magical to make it a great vacation! It's a person's attitude that makes a difference, if they expect perfection every second, it ain't gonna happen and there will be disappointment.

No it definitely doesn't. I've had some trips with plenty of non-magical moments, but they were still great trips! It's definitely the attitude that makes it.

Finally coming out of lurkdom. We went to Universal for the first time last year. We rode Minion Mayhem first, then Transformers (not even the 15 minute waits you all had, but we were there at opening). We really liked the Minion ride. The kids liked Transformers, I was more, "It is ok, but not a must do."

We ate at Finnegan's. It was deserted at lunchtime, so we were kind of scared. I know I don't have the popular view, but it was our best meal of the trip (8 days Disney, 2 days Universal). We even went to Raglan Road later on that week, and didn't love it as much as Finnegan's (but that had more to do that we were seated next to the huge table in the bar section and they had 10 really drunk men at Raglan).

We went on Spiderman just as we were leaving for the day, and of the two rides (Spidey and Transformers), I thought Spidey was better.

I am excited to hear your reviews of the new Harry Potter stuff when you go in November. We have to wait a couple of years until we head back there.

Love your TR.

I'm glad you decided to come out and comment!

I'm definitely going to have to remember Finnegan's then! You're the second person to recommend it, so I'll have to keep it in mind for my trip in November.

I'm super excited to see the new HP stuff.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Let me start off with this. You can have a partner in Flippy Cup:



What a fun update. Although I am not a fan of Universal, I don't understand all the back and forth picking on of the parks. As you are said, Disney is Disney and Universal is Universal. You could say that Great America does things better too (don't know if that is true as we've not been in over 18 years, but you get my point).

I love the pics of Mom and Dad waiting to get on Transformer.

And your Dad trying to eat the donut....

Cute outfit as you made your way to DTD.

I'm going to guess you were going to Raglan Road.

OMG! Best flip cup partner ever!!!!!!

Completely agree on that. And you're actually right on Great America (or parks like them). They kill on coasters. And that's for the coaster folks out there, which I am as well. But to compare everything just doesn't work.

Pop doing anything is just always humorous. Of course he was trying to "eat" the donut.

whoa, whoa, whoa ... wait a minute ... you saw people complaining about something on THE INTERNET!!!!!

I do agree that Disney and US are different animals and you can't really compare and no reason you can't like both. I do think with HP that US has gone more after the Disney level of detail and immersion and also, while still behind, the level of pride the team members that work there have is closer to Disney CMs so that is probably why people are making the comparison more now.

Plus, I don't care how cool Optimus Prime is - it's not the same as getting to meet Mickey Mouse!

Love the hat - definitely a good flip cup hat! That brings back memories of college and playing it one year at our formal - with guys in suits and girls in fancy dresses. You know, classy flip cup .... like, flip goblet or something

I know right?! Who would have thought people would complain online. Just preposterous.

They definitely have gotten better on immersion, and I do think they can continue to excel in that area. My frustration are the groups of people that after US opened Harry Potter, and then Disney subsequently releases something, they keep comparing it to HP. And nothing Disney has done lately is good enough. They're just not the same to me. Forbidden Journey is a great attraction, but Disney would have NEVER made that! It's way to intense and in your face. Not for Disney's demographic to me. But that's just my opinion.

Wow, flip goblet. That's some fancy schmancy stuff there! We just wear ridiculous hats. One time I had to wear the biggest sombrero ever. That makes it particularly difficult.

Springfield looks like fun! Last time we were there we only went to IoA and I wasn't that impressed, I think I need to revisit Universal again.

AND YAY TO COLDSTONE. I am lacktose intolerant but I HAPPILY suffer for that amazingness.

That sucks that the valet's couldn't get their life together, but at least you weren't trapped at universal for hours and hours and hours and hours.

And good luck in next year's run! Wahoo!

Universal is definitely more fleshed out now too on both sides. IOA is still a little sparse with the rides, but the Universal side has a lot more.

Coldstone is sooooooooo good!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to the half marathon, even though it's terrifying too.

 

[IheartDDuck]

I knew I had seen that hat before !! I am with you Kathy Raglan Road all the way!!!

That hat is awesome!

We'll see if that's where we end up.

Woohoo crazy papadon is back. Should have known he wouldn't be gone for long.

I had no idea they had an abc commissary at universal too ; ) don't tell nbc

Glad to see your back on the good side. I'm gonna vote drinks, I mean dinner, are at raglan tonight.

Yup, he only disappears for a little while. Eventually he'll come back out to play.

Hahahaha. I actually don't mind ABC commissary that much! This was definitely worse.

I can totally relate to this!

So - I totally understand your rant about Universal which is why I have only been there twice and not since Nick was in 4th grade. I really DO have to go back, but the feel is just NOT the same.. It's not. You're right - they are two different things. Like apples and oranges.

That being said, you TOTALLY owned that duff beer in a mug hat!

Your parents continue to crack me up over and over!

Love the shirt.

I want to guess Raglan road for dinner but I'm going with EOS!

I know, its a terrifying idea the half! EEEEEEEEEPPPPPP!

They are definitely not the same for me. I don't understand why people even bother comparing them to each other.

That hat is so me, right?!

Ooooohhhh, being different than everyone else huh?

 

[IheartDDuck]

Great update! I love that shirt!! I can't stop giggling thinking about it.

I'm bummed to hear you didn't like Transformers. I will say though I am happy it is like Spiderman because I was thinking it was more like Minion Mayham or Shrek and I wouldn't have liked that. We are going next March and BF only wants to go for the Transformers ride.. so I'm sure we will be riding a few times.

That shirt is too funny. I was cleaning up today and doing some closet reorganizing, pulled it out, and totally chuckled.

We did like Transformers. I should have explained that better. My disappointment is with the online community for saying it's such a great creative ride, when it's a clone. We did like it a lot though.

I know where we went for dinner..... All I will say it was very, very delicious

I would certainly hope you know! Unless you suffered from short term memory loss.

I love Harry Potter and would go to Universal just to see it. I've never been there before. But now I am bummed to think that Forbidden Journey is a motion sick ride. I suppose that the new Gingott's ride is just as bad. I guess I'll just have to have a frozen Butterbeer instead.

I love your Pinocchio shirt. Is that another Hot Topic shirt? It is really cute on you.

I have to tell you honestly, it definitely is a ride that can cause motion sickness. It's pretty intense. Even I have had a few moments on the ride with my stomach, like a little flutter, and I have a stomach of steel.

It definitely is another Hot Topic shirt.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Caught up.

I am not a huge fan of Universal. We did go in December and went through both sides by 4 PM. I did like the Harry Potter area and would go back to see the new additions but other than that it doesn't hold my attention. It could be because I am not able to go on most thrill rides between motion sickness and a bad back. Maybe when we take the kids again, my oldest DGS would have fun there.

You can definitely do both parks in one day if you go during a less crowded time of year. Although I think with the addition of Diagon Alley, that might get harder.

I completely agree with you on the Universal/Disney arguement. Why can we not have both and just be happy? While, yeah, I like Disney more, that doesn't mean I dislike universal. I mean, I love ice cream, but I wouldn't turn down pie if given a plate.
However, it's good to know Transformers is pretty much Spider-man with Autobots. I guess if I can only ever get to one of them I'll know what the other attraction was meant to be like.

I like your ice cream and pie comparison. So true. That's how I feel about Universal and Disney.

Yup, they are virtually the same ride. Now hopefully some day you'll get to ride one or both of them.

Awesome hat. And very fitting for flip cup.



I haven't been in the running store at DTD yet, but we have something similar in my town owned by a local couple, and it's amazing. Alex made a special trip over there before his deployment just so he could give them his business.
And I know what you mean about it being expensive. Alex and I both run, and he needs new shoes about every 5 months since that's part of his career. Makes me wanna cry a little bit.


Hmm, Raglan Road for dinner?

It's a great flip cup hat, isn't it?

I like that store at DTD. We have a similar store in our area too, I've just not gone yet. I know if I go in there I'll spend a ton of money!

Catching up again, per the norm!

YAY the Dark Side! I think this is the first Universal update I've read since I've been sooo YAYAYAY!

Makes it totally different when you've been there recently, doesn't it?

Forbidden Journey is most definitely the best attraction I've ever been on. I mean, my heart belongs to Disney attractions, but in terms of technicalities, Forbidden Journey is AWESOME! And honestly, the wait times are a bit deceiving. My one time riding it, the wait time said 90 minutes, but we literally waited half of that, which was still long, but it's a long queue so nbd

It really is an amazing attraction, I agree. There isn't anything like it at the moment. The line is normally shorter than they say too, which is nice.

OMG, I never even knew Spidey had been updated. Not that it would have made a difference since it was my first time this past June, but the 3D on that ride is unreal. I can only imagine what it was before. Wow. And that's so funny how the Universal Team Members gave you a hard time for your shirt. It really is SOOO funny so I'm not surprised they shrugged it off for that reason lol

Yup, it had been updated fairly recently too. It's so crisp now in comparison to what it used to look like. That 3D on it was not the greatest before, so it's a huge improvement!

Ugh, the Minion Mayhem waits are RIDICULOUS and SOOOO not worth it either. That ride is such a let down IMO. It's super cute and funny, but not worth an hour long wait, no siree.

Although I tend to compare that too subconsciously, I really don't like to and I totally agree with what you're saying (although I never rode Transformers... I didn't really have much interest). Universal and Disney are very separate entities. Universal pretty much swooped in to cater to an audience that Disney could not and it's been pretty evident since Universal is mostly thrill rides then they have HHN too, which is a stark contrast from Disney's tamer fare and MNSSHP. Also, I hate how the argument is about attractions alone most of the time. Ugh, whatever. Haters gonna hate and that's the end of it for the Disney v. Universal argument.

I've totally compared them in the past too, and I just don't do it anymore, because I know that they're not the same. Disney has a specific demographic. They will cater to that, and that's cool.

BTW, are you going to take Joaquin to Universal when you bring him back? Just curious because I really want to see his reaction to Transformers

Oh Diagon Alley just looks so so so so perfect, even from the outside. I want to visit it so bad, especially since I barely missed the opening. *sigh*

We haven't decided yet if we're going to take him to Universal in February yet. There are four kids along this time, and I don't think there's enough to keep them busy. Add to the fact that we have some pansies among us.

You totally did just miss the opening!

to getting Cold Stone! That stinks about the whole valet issue. Geez, why couldn't the guy just let you pay in cash and not have to lengthen the whole process?

I'm loving the shirt you chose for DTD! The Blue Fairy does not get enough appreciation anymore. :/ I never even knew DTD had the living statues. Huh, I must check that out next time.

Can't wait to hear where you ended up eating (my guess would be either Raglan Road (though I think you might have already been there) or Wolfgang Puck)!

It was so annoying! Like lady, just let him give us the $15 in cash! It's all good. But nope. Had to do it the hard way.

That shirt is lovely, I'm so glad I got it.

They do have living statues on the West Side and Pleasure Island! They're pretty cool and have a few different ones.

Just finished reading! And loved it!

What a lot of fun! And so many amazing Disney clothes (I am craving some of the Star Wars leggings sooooooo badly!)

I am totally amazed by the range of goofy faces your family can pull! Can't wait to read more

Glad you're enjoying it so far!

I am fortunate to have a lot of awesome Disney clothes. It's basically what I spend money on. I don't buy much else anymore.

 

[Dugette]

Great updates, as usual. Can't say too much on Universal, since I haven't been there for so long. Cool to see, though. The only thing I keep thinking is: thank goodness your mom got some Coldstone to make up for that sad little salad!