spookysarah
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2005
- Messages
- 612
This Isn’t Turkey!?! Part 7 Universal Studios and turning 30
If you have missed any days please see my Trip Report Index
Me, Sarah, 30 today!! – only adult planner
DH, Craig, 32 loves holidays, hates planning
DD, Holly, age 9 loves rides and hoping to try Kraken, loves planning
DD, Rowan, age 7 never been on any big rides, fearless (or so she says
Woohoo! I’m 30 today. Well to be truthful I’m not pleased to be 30 but at least the blow is softened by being in Florida.
My lovely Mum and Dad booked a night for us at Royal Pacific Resort and we are on the go reasonably early and check in at the hotel around 9.30am. The hotel looks fantastic. An oasis orcalm, with fountainsn dark wood everywhere and lots of lush green plant. Very nice indeed. Our room is not ready and I leave a mobile number for them to get in touch when our room is available. They also give us the all important room keys which act as our Front Of The Line passes for the next 2 days. Big WOOHOO!! We put our case into the hotel baggage area and were soon off to the parks.
We take the water taxi to Citywalk and then head to Universal Studios. Within minutes we are already making the most of FOTL as we join the queue for Shrek. We only have to wait for the next show and then it is our turn. Big thumbs up already.
Shrek was great fun. We had experienced the 3D version at home but this was far superior and a lot more fun. On exiting the ride we saw a sign saying Noble Steed this way and as we looked along the street we could see both Donkey and Shrek. I think we all walked over as fast as we could without running! Donkey was hilarious and a real charmer, LOL. He asked where we were from (Scotland) and then said Shrek is from Scotland and do we know any ogres? LOL We got a lovely photo with him and one with Shrek too.
Next ride just had to be Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast. Rowan loves Spongebob. Again FOTL got us into the very next show. This ride was quite good fun seeing all the characters and we all just loved the Birdie Song!! The best bit though was going to Bikini Bottom and seeing Spongebob and Co. Brilliant! I came off the ride feeling a bit iffy though. I can go on all the bigies but simulators make me queezy. My brain just tells me something’s not right. All this is forgotten though as we see Spongebob waiting for cuddles and photos. Rowan is smitten and tries to wrap her arms right around him.
Twister was next on this list. I was not sure what to expect despite seeing snippets on TV. There was quite a big build up to the actual Twister scene which I found a little disappointing. Not quite as ‘wow’ as I thought it was going to be but it was good all the same. Rowan was terrified, partially I think to the build up beforehand. Don’t think that will be her favourite of the day!
Trying to fit one more in before lunch we decided on The Mummy. Oh boy, I was so excited! You can’t take anything on this ride and can use the free lockers provided. What a palaver we had though. Just couldn’t get it to read my thumbprints so ended up with a PIN number to enter upon return. The queue area was very well themed but we hardly saw any of it as we zoomed along after showing our FOTL passes. We were on almost straight away.
I sat beside Rowan as she was a bit scared and then we were off. Man, this ride was AMAZING! I can’t describe how much fun it was. The story, all the Egyptian theme, fast launch forwards uphill – wow, going backwards, the fire… so much to enjoy and I was sure that once was not enough. Rowan did not enjoy the ride – it was all a bit too much. Holly and Craig loved it as much as I did.
Tummies were rumbling now so we headed to Richter’s Burger Co. The girls would rather have gone to the large sweetshop next door. My burger was OK – nothing special. Rowan had asked for a veggie burger and we were all amused to see that they are called ‘Garden’ burgers! $42.09 for us all.
We went to see Earthquake next which was enjoyed by all except Rowan. Oh dear, it sounds like we are dragging her kicking and screaming on to rides but it’s not like that, honest! She is keen to try them at least once but very quickly decides if they are on her Good or Bad list.
We found a really neat trick shot that you could set up using your own camera and the result is below. (The building that the 'shuttle' is on is the Back to the Future ride)
Look how close we got!!!
We decided to skip Jaws for now and headed to Men in Black. We needed to use the lockers again. This time Craig managed to get his finger (not thumb) to scan. Alrighty then, let’s blast some aliens!
Everyone loved this ride. It was fun, fun, fun. Craig got the highest score again despite me pushing the red button! Keen to beat Craig we went on again. Only a few minutes wait again. This time the girlies all beat Craig by pushing the red button but he has no idea how!!
Next up was a dream come true for Craig as we went on the back to the Future ride. This ride was not good for ma at all and I had to shut my eyes for a moment as I was getting dizzy. Everyone else loved it and Craig was a happy lad! Craig was also chuffed to buy a pair of sunglasses for only $15.93.
It was now around 4pm and I had not called my Mum yet. I went to ask at Guest Services about where to purchase a phone card but the kind lady working there let me use the phone for free. Mum was really pleased to hear from us and wished me a Happy Birthday. We had spoken before the holidays about trying to wave to Mum using the webcam at Citywalk. I asked her to fire up the PC and said we would stand outside for a few minutes from 4.20pm. We exited the park and stood facing the camera and waving ever now and again before the heavens opened and we ran for cover, LOL. As it turns out we had disappeared before she had looked at the screen and all she saw was rain!
Craig and Holly headed to Terminator2:3D while Rowan and I sneaked off for a hot fudge sundae. Mmmmmmm They both said they enjoyed the show but that it was very loud.
We headed back around the park where Holly and I went on The Mummy a second time. This time we were in the front row and it was even better!
We all headed round to Jaws and Craig, Holly and I really got into this yelling sahhhhhhhhaaarrrrkkkkk everytime we spotted a fin but Rowan was scared again. I’m beginning to think that she worries ‘what if this was real’ if that makes sense. Holly and Rowan played ‘Whack a Mole’ and Holly won a mini cushion. Cue 'Disney face' from Rowan!
Near to Back to the Future Craig and I stopped to have our photo taken as Shrek and Fiona. This cost us $40.42 and is our most talked about momento!
Here we are as Shrek and Fiona.
Next we went to see the Horror Make-Up Show. We sat right at the front and the girls were beside 2 other girls about their age. They giggled a lot. Rowan was aghast when they cut a lady’s arm and mortified when she was picked on during the show! LOL It was really great fun.
Last thing for today – and it’s been a long day – was to visit Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone. It was getting late and the girls loved riding the coaster in the dark. They also had great fun playing and loved the waterslide going on it quite a few times.
On the way out we discovered a sale store so we popped in and came out with 2 fleeces for just $12.99 plus tax each. Holly got Princess Fiona and Rowan, Spongebob. We also tried on some novelty hast - as you do.
And so ended my birthday and what a birthday to remember it was! All that was left to do was head back to the hotel absolutely knackered! The room we were allocated was very nice and we had our complimentary milk and cookies waiting as I had joind the Loews loyaly scheme. Think I had the best nights sleep ever. Zzzzzzz
Tomorrow - Islands of Adventure and making friends
If you have missed any days please see my Trip Report Index
Me, Sarah, 30 today!! – only adult planner
DH, Craig, 32 loves holidays, hates planning
DD, Holly, age 9 loves rides and hoping to try Kraken, loves planning
DD, Rowan, age 7 never been on any big rides, fearless (or so she says
Woohoo! I’m 30 today. Well to be truthful I’m not pleased to be 30 but at least the blow is softened by being in Florida.
My lovely Mum and Dad booked a night for us at Royal Pacific Resort and we are on the go reasonably early and check in at the hotel around 9.30am. The hotel looks fantastic. An oasis orcalm, with fountainsn dark wood everywhere and lots of lush green plant. Very nice indeed. Our room is not ready and I leave a mobile number for them to get in touch when our room is available. They also give us the all important room keys which act as our Front Of The Line passes for the next 2 days. Big WOOHOO!! We put our case into the hotel baggage area and were soon off to the parks.
We take the water taxi to Citywalk and then head to Universal Studios. Within minutes we are already making the most of FOTL as we join the queue for Shrek. We only have to wait for the next show and then it is our turn. Big thumbs up already.
Shrek was great fun. We had experienced the 3D version at home but this was far superior and a lot more fun. On exiting the ride we saw a sign saying Noble Steed this way and as we looked along the street we could see both Donkey and Shrek. I think we all walked over as fast as we could without running! Donkey was hilarious and a real charmer, LOL. He asked where we were from (Scotland) and then said Shrek is from Scotland and do we know any ogres? LOL We got a lovely photo with him and one with Shrek too.
Next ride just had to be Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast. Rowan loves Spongebob. Again FOTL got us into the very next show. This ride was quite good fun seeing all the characters and we all just loved the Birdie Song!! The best bit though was going to Bikini Bottom and seeing Spongebob and Co. Brilliant! I came off the ride feeling a bit iffy though. I can go on all the bigies but simulators make me queezy. My brain just tells me something’s not right. All this is forgotten though as we see Spongebob waiting for cuddles and photos. Rowan is smitten and tries to wrap her arms right around him.
Twister was next on this list. I was not sure what to expect despite seeing snippets on TV. There was quite a big build up to the actual Twister scene which I found a little disappointing. Not quite as ‘wow’ as I thought it was going to be but it was good all the same. Rowan was terrified, partially I think to the build up beforehand. Don’t think that will be her favourite of the day!
Trying to fit one more in before lunch we decided on The Mummy. Oh boy, I was so excited! You can’t take anything on this ride and can use the free lockers provided. What a palaver we had though. Just couldn’t get it to read my thumbprints so ended up with a PIN number to enter upon return. The queue area was very well themed but we hardly saw any of it as we zoomed along after showing our FOTL passes. We were on almost straight away.
I sat beside Rowan as she was a bit scared and then we were off. Man, this ride was AMAZING! I can’t describe how much fun it was. The story, all the Egyptian theme, fast launch forwards uphill – wow, going backwards, the fire… so much to enjoy and I was sure that once was not enough. Rowan did not enjoy the ride – it was all a bit too much. Holly and Craig loved it as much as I did.
Tummies were rumbling now so we headed to Richter’s Burger Co. The girls would rather have gone to the large sweetshop next door. My burger was OK – nothing special. Rowan had asked for a veggie burger and we were all amused to see that they are called ‘Garden’ burgers! $42.09 for us all.
We went to see Earthquake next which was enjoyed by all except Rowan. Oh dear, it sounds like we are dragging her kicking and screaming on to rides but it’s not like that, honest! She is keen to try them at least once but very quickly decides if they are on her Good or Bad list.
We found a really neat trick shot that you could set up using your own camera and the result is below. (The building that the 'shuttle' is on is the Back to the Future ride)
Look how close we got!!!
We decided to skip Jaws for now and headed to Men in Black. We needed to use the lockers again. This time Craig managed to get his finger (not thumb) to scan. Alrighty then, let’s blast some aliens!
Everyone loved this ride. It was fun, fun, fun. Craig got the highest score again despite me pushing the red button! Keen to beat Craig we went on again. Only a few minutes wait again. This time the girlies all beat Craig by pushing the red button but he has no idea how!!
Next up was a dream come true for Craig as we went on the back to the Future ride. This ride was not good for ma at all and I had to shut my eyes for a moment as I was getting dizzy. Everyone else loved it and Craig was a happy lad! Craig was also chuffed to buy a pair of sunglasses for only $15.93.
It was now around 4pm and I had not called my Mum yet. I went to ask at Guest Services about where to purchase a phone card but the kind lady working there let me use the phone for free. Mum was really pleased to hear from us and wished me a Happy Birthday. We had spoken before the holidays about trying to wave to Mum using the webcam at Citywalk. I asked her to fire up the PC and said we would stand outside for a few minutes from 4.20pm. We exited the park and stood facing the camera and waving ever now and again before the heavens opened and we ran for cover, LOL. As it turns out we had disappeared before she had looked at the screen and all she saw was rain!
Craig and Holly headed to Terminator2:3D while Rowan and I sneaked off for a hot fudge sundae. Mmmmmmm They both said they enjoyed the show but that it was very loud.
We headed back around the park where Holly and I went on The Mummy a second time. This time we were in the front row and it was even better!
We all headed round to Jaws and Craig, Holly and I really got into this yelling sahhhhhhhhaaarrrrkkkkk everytime we spotted a fin but Rowan was scared again. I’m beginning to think that she worries ‘what if this was real’ if that makes sense. Holly and Rowan played ‘Whack a Mole’ and Holly won a mini cushion. Cue 'Disney face' from Rowan!
Near to Back to the Future Craig and I stopped to have our photo taken as Shrek and Fiona. This cost us $40.42 and is our most talked about momento!
Here we are as Shrek and Fiona.
Next we went to see the Horror Make-Up Show. We sat right at the front and the girls were beside 2 other girls about their age. They giggled a lot. Rowan was aghast when they cut a lady’s arm and mortified when she was picked on during the show! LOL It was really great fun.
Last thing for today – and it’s been a long day – was to visit Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone. It was getting late and the girls loved riding the coaster in the dark. They also had great fun playing and loved the waterslide going on it quite a few times.
On the way out we discovered a sale store so we popped in and came out with 2 fleeces for just $12.99 plus tax each. Holly got Princess Fiona and Rowan, Spongebob. We also tried on some novelty hast - as you do.
And so ended my birthday and what a birthday to remember it was! All that was left to do was head back to the hotel absolutely knackered! The room we were allocated was very nice and we had our complimentary milk and cookies waiting as I had joind the Loews loyaly scheme. Think I had the best nights sleep ever. Zzzzzzz
Tomorrow - Islands of Adventure and making friends
: Those FOTL perks are fab...
