We woke up at around 6am, which pleased us both as we had an action packed day. When we opened the curtains, wow did we have a view we were high up and overlooking the pool, in the distance we could see Harry Potter land and the roller coaster. It was a wonderful sight to wake up to and excited us even more.
After showering and checking the weather forecast we dressed and made our way to the boat dock as we had reservations for the Three Broomsticks at 8.30 and we were FINALLY going to meet, Wayne, Louise and children!
The boat journey was lovely, although a tad cold as it was not freezing, just cold today. As I have not been to Islands of Adventure before, everything was new to me and it was kind of exciting having to find our way to the Three Broomsticks, It took us about 20 mins to walk into Harry Potter land but it was great as there were very few people and we just looked around whilst walking.
Emily with her Hermione moustache
Well, what can I say about Harry Potter land, it was great and as it was a colder day, it made it all the more realistic. When we arrived there, we were two of only 20 or so people so were able to take video unhindered. We were the 2nd people into the Three Broomsticks for breakfast, but to be honest it was pretty basic and very cold in there. The food was nice but nothing special. The butterbeer was cream soda with a buttery taste have to say that it was a bit sweet for me but I liked it. Em and I played games trying to make moustaches of the froth just like Hermione does in the film! The place itself was good to see but I will not be going back as its just not worth the money.
Emily next to the famous Hogwarts Express
Within 20 mins we were out of there and wandering around HP land before the crowds arrived. I had called Louise and she was having traffic problems, so we just dawdled over to the Hulk where we would meet her.
Now, I am a complete wuss when it comes to rides, I do not do simulators and am not comfortable on many inside rides. Basically anything that plays mind tricks, I cannot handle. Well, Em and I were standing by the Hulk. Wih Em longing to do it, when, on impulse I said come on then lets do it. This was brave on two fronts for me as I had just eaten breakfast and I had no idea what this ride was.
After depositing our bags in the lockers, we made our way to the ride absolutely no wait at all. It was here that I started to bottle out. When I stepped onto the ride I said to Em that I couldnt do it as I hate strobe lights and I could see some at the beginning of the ride. I started to climb off when one of the attendants asked what was wrong and I told him about my strobe light fear. He was only a young guy but was marvellous and calmed me down by saying that you could always see daylight straight ahead and it only lasted for about 5 seconds. Well I took a deep breath and did it, mind you I was holding Ems hand at first well for the 1st 5 seconds as by then I had both hands firmly gripping my seat. I have to say that I absolutely loved this ride and was screaming and laughing all of the way around. I am soooo grateful to the really helpful ride attendant as he put me at ease and persuaded me to do the ride and this had an impact throughout my stay as I did a few more rides that I would not normally have done.
Anyway, in no time at all Louise and her family had arrived and Wayne took the daredevils of the party back onto the Hulk whilst Louise and I chatted like we had known each other for years oh the wonders of the DiS Forums!
After this we just ambled around the park, all chatting away. Em wanted to ride everything she could and Louises family were only too happy to oblige. Although the sun did come out now and again, it was chilly, so we braved Jurassic Park, with Louise children saying you dont get wet, just a splash now and again. Well we loved the ride, splashes and all more than the couple we were promised, and we were all a tad wet, but it dried quickly and we were soon heading towards yet another ride.
We decided to go back to Harry Potter land but it was packed by now, so we did the walk through the castle whilst the braver of the party went on the Forbidden Journey mad, mad, mad, but they loved it. We then went on Flight of the Hippogriff which we all liked, especially the little daredevil Keira, who is only 4!
After this ride, me being the big brave person that I now was, decided that I wanted to go on the Dragon Challenge, so Em, Cam and I set off, with Cam being the bravest of us all, absolutely nothing phased him on this ride and we all really enjoyed it, although it was far more intense than the Hulk. I could not have gone on again though!
During the time we were on the ride, Louise, Wayne and their other three children went back to the front of the park to replace their guest assistance card as the initial one had been thrown away when we came off the Hippogriff ride by one of the ride attendants oh joy!
We then trooped over to the Grinch that stole Christmas show and it was actually really sunny cue sunglasses on for both Louise and I! I didnt like the show much as the first bit seemed to go way over childrens heads as it was like a musical. It did get better towards the end, but it lacked the Disney sparkle.
After the show we decided to find somewhere to eat as we were all starving and it was quite late. This is usually easy, but finding something for little Keira to eat was a nightmare. Hardly anywhere did anything that was Gluten free and when we did find a place the food they gave her was bizarre, a beefburger and plain noodles. All the rest of us had really tasty, lovely looking dishes and I felt so sorry for Keira, but she seemed very used to this happening and just ploughed into it. Our server was great fun, but as Louise will attest to, the service was slow, slow, slow. I have to say that I was disgusted by how little choice there was in Universal for Keira to eat, they just dont seem to bother.
After a long, leisurely lunch Em and I needed to go back to the hotel for a snooze, so we said goodbye to the Bishops and went back to the hotel to collapse.
Well, this didnt happen as within 30 mins of getting into our hotel room, my friend Jan text that she and Toby had landed and would be with us soon.
Now, the park was closing at 7pm today so at 17.45 the 4 of us rushed back to Islands of Adventure for 1.15 hours of rides and guess what I did the Hulk in the dark, which is much, much scarier than during the day as theres fog around it and its very green! Em rode it twice, once with me and once with Jan, who proceeded to scream the whole way round. Toby was incredibly relieved that he was too short for this ride. Em and Toby then rode the Pteranodon Flyers, which looked brilliant, but you need to have a child with you to ride this and as we only had one child, Em got to ride. They loved this ride.
We then took ages to walk out of the park, photographing everything as we walked. We grabbed some food and then went back to the room to go and natter about the days events and go to bed as we were all shattered.
After showering and checking the weather forecast we dressed and made our way to the boat dock as we had reservations for the Three Broomsticks at 8.30 and we were FINALLY going to meet, Wayne, Louise and children!
The boat journey was lovely, although a tad cold as it was not freezing, just cold today. As I have not been to Islands of Adventure before, everything was new to me and it was kind of exciting having to find our way to the Three Broomsticks, It took us about 20 mins to walk into Harry Potter land but it was great as there were very few people and we just looked around whilst walking.
Emily with her Hermione moustache
Well, what can I say about Harry Potter land, it was great and as it was a colder day, it made it all the more realistic. When we arrived there, we were two of only 20 or so people so were able to take video unhindered. We were the 2nd people into the Three Broomsticks for breakfast, but to be honest it was pretty basic and very cold in there. The food was nice but nothing special. The butterbeer was cream soda with a buttery taste have to say that it was a bit sweet for me but I liked it. Em and I played games trying to make moustaches of the froth just like Hermione does in the film! The place itself was good to see but I will not be going back as its just not worth the money.
Emily next to the famous Hogwarts Express
Within 20 mins we were out of there and wandering around HP land before the crowds arrived. I had called Louise and she was having traffic problems, so we just dawdled over to the Hulk where we would meet her.
Now, I am a complete wuss when it comes to rides, I do not do simulators and am not comfortable on many inside rides. Basically anything that plays mind tricks, I cannot handle. Well, Em and I were standing by the Hulk. Wih Em longing to do it, when, on impulse I said come on then lets do it. This was brave on two fronts for me as I had just eaten breakfast and I had no idea what this ride was.
After depositing our bags in the lockers, we made our way to the ride absolutely no wait at all. It was here that I started to bottle out. When I stepped onto the ride I said to Em that I couldnt do it as I hate strobe lights and I could see some at the beginning of the ride. I started to climb off when one of the attendants asked what was wrong and I told him about my strobe light fear. He was only a young guy but was marvellous and calmed me down by saying that you could always see daylight straight ahead and it only lasted for about 5 seconds. Well I took a deep breath and did it, mind you I was holding Ems hand at first well for the 1st 5 seconds as by then I had both hands firmly gripping my seat. I have to say that I absolutely loved this ride and was screaming and laughing all of the way around. I am soooo grateful to the really helpful ride attendant as he put me at ease and persuaded me to do the ride and this had an impact throughout my stay as I did a few more rides that I would not normally have done.
Anyway, in no time at all Louise and her family had arrived and Wayne took the daredevils of the party back onto the Hulk whilst Louise and I chatted like we had known each other for years oh the wonders of the DiS Forums!
After this we just ambled around the park, all chatting away. Em wanted to ride everything she could and Louises family were only too happy to oblige. Although the sun did come out now and again, it was chilly, so we braved Jurassic Park, with Louise children saying you dont get wet, just a splash now and again. Well we loved the ride, splashes and all more than the couple we were promised, and we were all a tad wet, but it dried quickly and we were soon heading towards yet another ride.
We decided to go back to Harry Potter land but it was packed by now, so we did the walk through the castle whilst the braver of the party went on the Forbidden Journey mad, mad, mad, but they loved it. We then went on Flight of the Hippogriff which we all liked, especially the little daredevil Keira, who is only 4!
After this ride, me being the big brave person that I now was, decided that I wanted to go on the Dragon Challenge, so Em, Cam and I set off, with Cam being the bravest of us all, absolutely nothing phased him on this ride and we all really enjoyed it, although it was far more intense than the Hulk. I could not have gone on again though!
During the time we were on the ride, Louise, Wayne and their other three children went back to the front of the park to replace their guest assistance card as the initial one had been thrown away when we came off the Hippogriff ride by one of the ride attendants oh joy!
We then trooped over to the Grinch that stole Christmas show and it was actually really sunny cue sunglasses on for both Louise and I! I didnt like the show much as the first bit seemed to go way over childrens heads as it was like a musical. It did get better towards the end, but it lacked the Disney sparkle.
After the show we decided to find somewhere to eat as we were all starving and it was quite late. This is usually easy, but finding something for little Keira to eat was a nightmare. Hardly anywhere did anything that was Gluten free and when we did find a place the food they gave her was bizarre, a beefburger and plain noodles. All the rest of us had really tasty, lovely looking dishes and I felt so sorry for Keira, but she seemed very used to this happening and just ploughed into it. Our server was great fun, but as Louise will attest to, the service was slow, slow, slow. I have to say that I was disgusted by how little choice there was in Universal for Keira to eat, they just dont seem to bother.
After a long, leisurely lunch Em and I needed to go back to the hotel for a snooze, so we said goodbye to the Bishops and went back to the hotel to collapse.
Well, this didnt happen as within 30 mins of getting into our hotel room, my friend Jan text that she and Toby had landed and would be with us soon.
Now, the park was closing at 7pm today so at 17.45 the 4 of us rushed back to Islands of Adventure for 1.15 hours of rides and guess what I did the Hulk in the dark, which is much, much scarier than during the day as theres fog around it and its very green! Em rode it twice, once with me and once with Jan, who proceeded to scream the whole way round. Toby was incredibly relieved that he was too short for this ride. Em and Toby then rode the Pteranodon Flyers, which looked brilliant, but you need to have a child with you to ride this and as we only had one child, Em got to ride. They loved this ride.
We then took ages to walk out of the park, photographing everything as we walked. We grabbed some food and then went back to the room to go and natter about the days events and go to bed as we were all shattered.
