Trip Report featuring Fly Fly Eclipse and cousin

Flyfly_Eclipse

<font color=green>Manager of the DISBoard Ghostbus
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May 18, 2003
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Hey everyone! It's that time again! Time to read another one of my trip reports! lol

I had the pleasure of taking my favorite cousin (well, the one I get along with the most) to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. She has never been to the parks before nor ANY themepark! It was quite an experience, I must say. I'll share some of her opinions in this report as well.

August 7 & 8: Exploring, converting, and running
BONUS: Trip to Georgia...reflecting on our mini vacation to US/IOA
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I must admit that for a while I wasn't sure if things would work out. My cousin lives in Virginia now and getting her here in time to go two days to US/IOA was tricky. Both families schedueles were conflicting a bit and her stay was only 3 days. But we got our trip in and we had a blast!!

Thursday, AUGUST 7:

We picked up my cousin, Lacey, from my grandmother's house in Lakeland around 8:30 AM. We then took off and got to the park a little after opening.

Boy was it crowded! We started off in Islands of Adventure since we knew how busy it gets over there. We wanted Lacey to try Spidey before the line got too long. We got there in time for a 45 minute wait. While doing this, my mom went over to US to get express passes for Jimmy Neutron and Shrek.

Lacey LOVED Spiderman. She told me as soon as we got off "We have to do that again!!" Well, we called my mom's cell phone and we met at Hard Rock Cafe and walked together to US.

By this time is was closing in on 10:30AM. We got in line for Twister which proposed a 15 minute wait. I got in a saw it was a long line...too long for a person with a phobia of tornadoes to wait in!! :eek: So I looked at my watch after waiting for 5 to 10 minutes (safe to say the line wait wasn't accurate...) and decided to get in my spot for the Ghostbusters Show. I told them I'd save them a seat and left the line (with a bit of difficulty, might I add).

I bought a soda at a nearby concession and sat my belongings in my spot. I fiddled with my camcorder, after realizing it ate up one of my brand new VHS-C tapes. I wanted to record my cousin's first "Ghostbusters Show" viewing. :p So if she'd watch it, it would be how she remembered it. Aren't I thoughtful? lol

Well it was almost 15 minutes prior to the start when I saw my mother and cousin walking over. They sat down next to me and Lacey tried to figure out what this show was an why my mom and I were always smiling when it came to the show (we gave no hints about the show...but in the end she suspected something anyway). I told her "I just know you'll like it!!" And she gave me such a weird look.

The show started and as soon as Beetlejuice came on doing his thing, my cousin turned to my mom and whispered "You guys are easily amused!" But her thoughts changed as soon as she saw the Ghostbuster guys...as I expected.

Still, in the end, it wasn't her favorite show and couldn't believe I was (and still am) so obsessed with the show. We did Men in Black once or twice (though she isn't a fan of the ride).

We ate lunch at La Bamba Cafe. Directly afterwards I went over to the stage for the 2:00PM show. I heard some roaring thunder nearby, but nothing too close. A couple sprinkles here and there, but nothing I thought that wouldn't pass by. My mom and cousin were going to go on Earthquake as I "staked out" my spot. Lacey couldn't believe she was going to have to see the show again and was glad she wouldn't have to wait with me for the darn thing to start. A voice on the speakers announced there was a "brief delay" due to the pouring rain that occured minutes earlier and my mom took Lacey on Jimmy Neutron while I saved my spot in case they weren't back in time for the start.but after three announcements of a delay and staring the music over 4 times (they play 15 minutes before the show starts) the show was cancelled.

We decided to take advantage of this time to drive over to the Amerisuites hotel across the street and check in. As we waited in line, I stressed out as I watched the hands of the clock form 3:15PM. "I should BE THERE!!!!!" They wanted to check out our room and we headed back to Universal. Mom dropped us off at passenger parking (yes, my idea...any closer the better!!) and I took off to my cousin's surprise. Running through City Walk and dodging people and even a couple times of running INTO people (poor kid...looked like a deer in the headlights when he saw me coming), we made it JUST in time to get my spot...that is because people were standing a couple feet behind where I usually sit. I just went around them and sat down. lol Lacey just shook her head.

We did Back to the Future then and she LOVED it so much, Almost as much as Spiderman at IOA. My mom did MIB but the crowds were so bad, we were off of BTTF way before she was off of MIB...and she was in single riders line!!! We probably waited roughly 20 minutes for her.

Knowing I wouldn't be able to convince my cousin to see the Ghostbusters again, we decided to do Earthquake before we would see the Horror Makeup Show. The wait was short for Earthquake...we got there just as they were letting people in for the preshow.

We were near the time of the Horror Makeup Show. We were nervous that we would miss it...the last few shows had lines backing up past the doors of the building!!! So we were walking quickly. It was about 5:15PM or maybe a few minutes after and we walked past a guy with spikey hair with blonde tips. My cousin and I looked at him and at each other...it was a GHOSTBUSTER out of costume!!! :p Needless to say, we were impressed with this guy and realized their costumes do them no justice!!

We saw the Horror Makeup Show and she found it hysterical. We then ran over to use our two Shrek Express passes and Lacey thought it was OK. When we got off it was pouring. About 7:15PM by this time and we decided to leave the park and drove over to Denny's for dinner.

Denny's was a hoot. Lacey and my mom had to use the bathroom and we were TIRED...so everything was funny. Lacey thought our waiter was probably gay. He gave us some weird looks as we giggled a bit loudly. He gave another weird look to my mom when he caught her digging through the Bleu Cheese dressing looking for chunks. lol. And then, my cousin wanted a milkshake for dessert and wanted one to go. To her horror she worded it "What kind of shake do you have?" Thankfully, the guy didn't take it as it sounded to the 3 of us. We were pretty sad...pretty pathetic that evening.

We got back to the hotel and Lacey and I watched TV for the rest of the evening.

The hotel is very nice! I was worried because we have read some VERY negative reviews of the place on some other website. The reviews claimed the place was very dirty...and these reviews were written last month! When we went, the place was a bit small (compared to RPH...lol) though very clean. Kind of a pain to use the elevators. Not only did many people seem to use the elevator at the same time, but they were SLOW. It took practically 5 minutes to get to the 5 floor...taking almost an entire minute to just open the door when we arrived on the correct floor.

The room we got was a suite with two queen beds and a sleeper sofa. Lacey and I shared a bed and my mom got her own. It was nice and large with a desk and even a mini-kitchen with a microwave, fridge, and counterspace. We even found dishes in the cabinets!! We didn't get to use this much because we only stayed for one night, but it would be handy if we stayed longer.

Friday, AUGUST 8:

We awoke at 7:15AM...half an hour before we were planning on (Lacey doesn't sleep late), and we decided it was better to get up because we still had to load the car and grab something at the continental breakfast...not to mention getting to the park. I had yet to get to the park when it opened or earlier whenever I stay the night.

This time was the first. We got through the gate of IOA at 8:45AM and I decided today we would let Lacey go on her very first rollercoaster. Despite warnings people gave me about taking her on a big rollercoaster to start out on, I decided I'd take her on the Hulk first thing in the morning. She wasn't scared to try it, so I had little to worry. The wait was maybe about 10 minutes (yes, before the official "opening" of the park) and she loved it and wanted to go on again. So we did.

We were going to go on spiderman but it was closed down and we got Express passes. While waiting for the ride to open, Lacey and I ran over to Dueling Dragons. Thanks to whomever suggested the front row of Fire Dragon...I got the biggest thrill of my life!! Basing on my experience from the middle of the Dragon, I told my cousin it was probably similar in intensity as the Hulk. Boy, was I wrong! Being months and months since I have been on the dragons and NEVER being in the front row, I had no idea what even I was in for!! It was mad!! My cousin said "This was 10 times better than the Hulk!!!!" Though I love the launch...I'm almost tempted to say that too.

We then received a call from my mom who said that literally seconds after Lacey and I walked away from Spiderman, it opened. So we hurried over and used our passes. She forgot how intense this ride was and enjoyed it just as much as she did the day before.

We then rode the Hulk one last time and then ran over to US. It was almost 11AM and I wanted to get my spot for the Ghostbusters Show. Knowing my cousin didn't love it as much as I did (and do), I said she could do something with my mom while I saved my spot. Instead they joined me (SHE did it WILLINGLY!! Hmm...am I sensing a change in opinion of the show???). We watched the show and she admitted to REALLY liking the guy in the cowboy hat...especially after seeing him out of costume.

Lacey then wanted to stop by and buy some souvineers for her family. We were going to eat at Hard Rock Cafe after we rode Dueling Dragons. So I ran over to the direction of the restaurant as Lacey went into the store.

While waiting for Lacey, it starting pouring with no warning. My mom was with me and decided to run back to get Lacey. They got to Hard Rock Cafe about 10 minutes later...wet. I got the Boneless Bodacious Tenders in Heavy Metal (as usual) and my mom got them in the Tangy Barbeque (I wanted to try them and we were going to share). The BBQ was DELICIOUS! I might get that next time I go for a change! Either that, or ask to get half and half. Lacey got some nachos with some kind of spinach sauce or something and she admitted to me the other day she did not like it too much, but didn't want to tell my mom.

We then left and were going to go on Dueling Dragons when we heard a HUGE crack of thunder that was very unusual to my ears...

We decided to skip Dueling Dragons for now and ran over to catch the Horror Makeup Show. When the show was over, so was the storm.

We then ran over to do Dueling Dragons (Fire, front row) as my mom went to the car to drop off some things. It was a decent sized line. But well worth it!!

I checked my watch and knew it was almost the 30 minute mark before the show started. Thinking I would just get there 10 to 15 minutes earlier than my usual wait time, I began to walk over, but my cousin decided to linger in IOA to browse a few shops. I gave her my cell phone and showed her how to call my mom if she needed. My mom was to meet us for the 3:45PM show so I would have no problem meeting up, but wanted my cousin prepared if she got lost or something.

I sat down in my spot and saw my mom who said Lacey just called her to say she was heading over. Moments later the cell phone rang again and my mom said that Lacey didn't have her ticket to get in. I had forgotten she gave me her pass to hold onto so it didn't get ruined in her pocket...or lost. I gave it to my mom who met up with Lacey at the gate as I saved a spot for them.

After the show was over Lacey wanted to go on BTTF again and we ran over. We noticed a pretty long line (which I am surprised because this is the first time I saw it over 25 minutes, but I hadn't seen it this busy since last year...but Saturday was this bad too.). I got in line after a stop at the bathroom (since my lovely cousin flicked lemon slushie in my ear) and was in line for a good while when I looked at my watch. 4:30 PM! Whoops!! I had totally forgotten the last Ghostbusters Show was coming up and lost track of time!! In a very bad spot in line...with no way out but climbing under the rails divided each row, I attempted to get out as quickly as possible.

To my luck, I got out alright but still had to face getting there with a camera bag that kept sliding off my shoulder, a lemon slushie my cousin wanted me to take with me (too hold, I guess???) and a bright yellow seat cushion. Splashing myself with lemon slushie as I ran over to the stage, and nearly running into people (like yesterday...but thankfully this time I kept missing), I saw people sitting on the steps waiting for the show to start. So my spot was free. PHEW!! I sat down and watched as more people gathered on the stage.

The show started and just as the Ghostbusters came on, Lacey pops up out of nowhere and sits next to me and watches the show. My mom later said that Lacey had kept looking at her watch while in line for BTTF and asked if there was a chance they'd get out before 5:00. Hmm... :) (is she liking the show more now???).

Remembering where we saw the guy she liked, she wanted a picture of him out of costume, so we headed over to the spot and waited...and well, the car caught up with us and we had to wait for them to pass before we could continue. About 20 minutes later, I saw the guy who was walking with another FELLOW GHOSTBUSTER!! and OMG they are BOTH a lot cuter out of costume. Sadly, I had no guts and hid and ended up taking a picture of the back of their heads. Not exactly what my cousin wanted. But you see, these two guys were performing at every show we saw in these 2 days. Not only that, but, I will be going back soon...and often and they MIGHT recognize me...or if not ME then my large camera lens :eek: I seriously don't want to scare the guys and get banned from the show! I'd go insane!!! :eek:

So my cousin tells me I *have* to get a picture of the guys for her...but I dunno if I can!! When I was getting the autographs of the Ghostbusters last weekend, I had to have my mom practically shove me because I was so shy. LOL My mom almost got so fustrated with me because I nearly missed my oppurtunity (I DID say I was the last person there to get their autographs...).

Well, we left after that because nothing else interested us at that point. We got into the van and headed home. I put in my CD featuring the songs from the GB Show (LOL...yeah, that part of my fake news story was true...:o ) and my cousin leaned over and asked, "Can you make me a copy of that CD??" But of course!!

Saturday, AUGUST 9:

I made her a copy of the video I made the day before and a copy of the CD. But the following day would be when we'd head over to Georgia where we'd meet up with her parents who'd take her home.

That morning, we dropped off our film for one hour photo. Lacey kept asking me to get pictures of the guy in the cowboy hat and the guy in orange for her. I got doubles so she could have copies. We sat in the back of our van with a portable TV with a built-in VCR. Having a tape with 3 other Ghostbuster Shows I had recorded (OK OK that part was true too...) in addition to her tape, we ended up watching the show over 10 times. We then synchronized our CD players with the Ghostbuster Show music and "performed" some of the movements together. It really helped pass the time!!

We later then looked at the pictures again, but she had to hide her Ghostbuster pictures knowing her parents would probably "lecture" her if they saw them...(she claims her dad is overprotective and almost didn't let her go with us when he heard we were going to see a show with CUTE GUYS!!!)

Yes, that was yet another amusing trip. I, Fly Fly Eclipse, have converted another (and rather reluctant) female into a Ghostbusters Show fan. I think my job for the weekend is done. ;)
 
I'm glad you enjoyed the front row of fire. Next time ride in the front row of ice. The near collision with the stone wall is GREAT.
 
Thanks for sharing. I LOVE reading your reports!!!
 
Thanks for sharing ~ Wonderful reviews!!!!!!

Luv your Ghostbusters pix.
 

Great report, We were at US when you were there. Did you happen to see A guy wearing a kilt with white socks and construction boots. He was with a lady wearing a long flowery dress that looked like something out of the 50's. It was quite amusing, I even got a photo. Thanks for all your tips made our trip great.
 














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