Universal/Hard Rock Trip Day 2 - with pictures!

TigerLilly's Mom

<font color=FF99FF>Victim of a drive-by tagging!
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We woke up bright and early and ready for our first full day at the parks.

We headed downstairs to get breakfast. We were going to try The Kitchen for breakfast, but nobody was very hungry so we decided to get a quick bite at Emack and Bolio's. We got three donuts, a large fruit cup, and two medium coffees. It was around $14 and we did this every morning of our trip.

We had planned on doing US in the morning, but as we approached we saw hundreds of cheerleaders standing outside the entrance :earseek: New plan: IOA. We made the quick walk over and were soon strolling through Port Of Entry. I LOVE walking through this area.

We decided to go to Suess Landing first - Tatum's favorite place. We stopped at If I Ran The Zoo first. We had missed this on our last trip. The kids had a ball!!! There were all kinds of interactive activities, and this place was deserted. I think everyone headed over to The Hulk first.

We then proceeded to The Cat In The Hat, another classic. Outside the gift shop, we all pose with Horton's Egg. This is a favorite book of ours and we have read it so many times, I think we have it memorized.

We decide to do One Fish, Two Fish, only after being told that the water is not turned on. It was sunny, but still morning and a bit chilly. Then over to the Carol-Suess-El and some browsing in the gift shops.

We head over to Superhero Island and do Spiderman as a family. During this trip, on most of our Spiderman rides, the heat element wasn't working, and sometimes the water element wasn't working either :confused: Then we took turns going on the Hulk with Chandler and Storm Force with Tatum.

We had a bit of time before the characters came in on their four wheelers, so we grabbed a snack and looked through the gift shops. In the Wolverine gift shop, Tatum was looking at Spiderman washcloths, when who should walk up to her but....Spiderman!!! It was shocking and funny. She just stared at him with amazement:earseek: while he told her how she could "fight" with the washcloths if she had two. By this time, Chandler had wandered over and he asked them if they had gone on his ride and if they knew how to shoot webs. We got a really great picture (Thanks Spiderman), take a look!

By this time, it was time for the Superhero's to ride in on their vehicles. We got pictures with Wolverine and the two girls (I don't know their names, but the girl in the white was really hot!), and also with Captain America.

We walked through Toon Lagoon, and over to Jurassic Park. Chandler wanted to do the climbing wall and he almost reached the bell. Parents were acting so ridiculous here, yelling at their kids "Come on, put your foot there, no there!! Come on, higher, let's go!". I felt bad for some of these kids and saw one girl walk away crying.

We got in line for the River Adventure. Tatum didn't want to go, and didn't want to get wet, but we all talked her into it. After the big drop, I looked over and she was silently crying. Not a great Mommy moment for me.:guilty:

We cheered her up by going to Camp Jurassic. We absolutely love this place. We made it a habit to go about 20 minutes before the park was closing. It would be dark and empty and we would run around like crazy. These ropes are a great work out!! And the lava caves are so cool. What a great place to play hide and seek. A note to parents - several times while the kids were running around, we would lay on the ropes and look at the moon while we rested, very romantic and highly recommended :love2: .

We ran over to Sinbad because I thought the next show was starting but I was wrong!! We missed this again on our trip, bummer!! Also, the talking fountain was never awake we went by, so we missed this also.

We did the Flying Unicorn a couple times, this coaster has a lot of zip and we all love it! We skipped Posiedian this trip also, I like it, but it is not a favorite.

It was about time for a late lunch, so we headed to everyone's favorite - Margaritaville!! It was delicious as always. Chandler had a cheeseburger in paradise (of course), Tatum had spaghetti, Steve had a fish sandwich and I had a crab cake sandwich. Yummy.

We decided to head back to the hotel to rest before Mardi Gras. Tatum got a hair wrap and the kids swam in the pool, while Mom and Dad had a few drinks! I had many "Love Potion Number Nine" by the pool this trip and they are so good!

We headed over to US for Mardi Gras about 6:30. We found a good spot by the Little Jester's area by Mel's. Not right in the LJA, but a ways down the road. Steve and I took turns going to get drinks and food while the others saved the spots. There were TONS of drink booths set up and it was hard to find food. But, we did manage to find some pizza slices and nachos.

The parade was great and my kids went CRAZY for the beads!! They all got quite a few, and I'm a bit worried about when they grow up, as they already know how to party!!! The floats were great, but my pictures came out horrible, sorry. Also, a lot of the people in the parade but not on the floats, were great at interacting with you and coming up to say "Hi". A really cute girl came right up to Chandler and started talking him up, LOL He was quite impressed!:lovestruc

We slowly headed back, and when we reached the HRH parking lot, the kids pointed out that Spiderman must be staying there too, because there is his car!!!! I took a picture if y'all want to check it out. Finally, off to bed - it has been a long day!!

Stayed for Day 3.....Here are the pictures for day 2: http://www.amazon.ofoto.com/ShareLa...t_signin=BrowsePhotos.jsp?showSlide=true&Ux=1
 
Great pics! Glad you stayed away from the Hurricanes this trip!
 
Hi Jodie,
Your trip is coming right up!!! I'll be waiting for your trip report!
 
Sounds so great off to check those photos out now:jester:
 

Great report and FABULOUS pictures!! What cute kids! They ought to get you guys to be in a Universal commercial!! Thanks for taking the time to share it all with us.

Nan
 
I was at IOA that same morning, and I was very disappointed that One Fish Two Fish was running without the water effects. It wasn't that cold, crazy Floridians.

Also, with my limited experience, the water effects confuse me on Spiderman. A lot of the times I feel nothing, but sometimes I get quite a bit of water dumped on me, I think it depends on where you sit. BUT, this past Saturday (the day you went), was the very first time I felt the Hydroman water effect towards the end of the ride.
 
Tigerlilly's mom-

Great report and lovely pictures! I cannot wait to get back to Universal myself. I have to agree. As I saw your pictures, I kept thinking "her kids are so cute..."

The best picture is the one of Tatum with the guy at the HRH at the hair wrap station. She looks like a little model.

Thank you for sharing your report with us!
 
Awww, thanks Spidey! I wish I could remember his name, he was great and the other guy that was wrapping hair was super too, so if anyone wants a hair wrap, check out the HRH pool!

I be on to day 3 in the am, but these reports are making me depressed I don't have a trip planned. I'll live vicariously through everyone else.
 
I am really enjoying your reports and pictures. Your children are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!
 














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