We Don't Play Nice With Others. (Complete!)

[teekathepony]

I'm with you...Halloween isn't high on my list (unless I'm at Disney). Happy Birthday ladies (again).
Same, I do like the way Disney does it (fun>frightening)


There was absolutely no issue with the wait; we still had time for our next FP+ time and no need to get there right at the beginning of it.
I'm glad it wasn't an issue.

Wendy, you are simply too sweet. Thank you; we so thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and Johnny and getting a little time in with you. As for the scene, although I'd welcome anyone who wanted to wander to my TR, I'm not at that day yet (two more updates or so before that), but I couldn't tell you what scene we got. I have no idea who any of those people/creatures are in Star Wars.
I was very happy we overlapped and made time to meet up. I hope our paths will cross again some day!

Food getting in the way of our time together.
I know, what's with that?

I couldn't think of any "little" girl I'd rather give it to. I can't find mine...I think it is still in my suitcase.
I had mine on display in my room in the condo for the rest of the trip, now it's safely in a scrapbook.

Disney magic at it's best right there with the cupcakes. How very sweet.
It was very sweet, I love that about Disney so much.

We never did get on it before it closed.
That's too bad! Spoiler: Same happened for us with Maelstrom.

I'm so sorry you don't like it. As you know, it is my all-time favorite.
I wish I liked it more. I love thrill rides that go forward... but I just can't stand dropping!!

Oh, I never saw that Lumiere. If I had, I would have bought it for Des to add to her Beauty & The Beast collection as her Christmas gift. Maybe it will still be there for next year. Yes, our men tend to get us what we want.
I had seen a picture of him before my trip and thought, "I need that!" but just not for $50, not this trip anyway. I might save up for him for next year -- like you say, if it's there! Ahh husbands who spoil us.

Oh yes...the rain....again!
Again is right!

That's too bad.
It really was, but what can you do?

At least you got a great ride.
We did, we love that one.

I have to say the pizza there isn't too bad for Florida pizza.
I really like it, and Johnny actually loves it! It's in his top 5 favourite pizzas.

I am so jealous. Although I didn't know Rob until he started posting on this current TR of mine, he sounds like a great guy and I would have loved to have met him.
I wish I had thought to set it all up at once so that we could all meet together. Some day you'll have to cross his path, statistically it's likely!

I would say overall (after the ticket fiasco) not a bad day.

Agreed. It turned into a wonderful Disney day!

 

[teekathepony]

HAHAHAHA, I choose to do the birthdays AND Halloween.
I'm just glad it's over now and I can concentrate on CHRISTMAS!!

Yeah ok, so rub it in that I missed out on that DISmeet. I'm absolutely convinced I walked right passed Mark out front (perhaps waiting for you) on my way to finding the Frozen Sing-A-Long.
I know, I should have thought to arrange it so we all met at the same time!

I am so happy you had this meet though. So great that you even got to do a ride as well. DISmeets rule!
They do, they really do. Especially when they're on a ride!

You know I don't think I've ever eaten at the Backlot. I think every time it's just too busy.
It was busy there that day too, I still have no idea how we found a table for 8!

Aww how great about the free cupcakes. Always awesome to show new folks the extra special things that come with a Disney trip (especially if you stay around long enough to see it ).
Hah, well that's the kicker isn't it? Ahhhh anyway, yes they did get to see some of it at least!

Nice that you got in one last Backlot tour before the closure. I also love going through the "working area" with the clothing etc. and always wish the tram would slow down, or better yet, stop.
Same. I want to watch them making the costumes and props!

That is still so sad to me that D11 didn't ge that last RnRC ride.
It totally broke my heart. I still think about that sometimes. She was SUCH a trooper though, she never whined or complained about anything!

YAY IT'S ME!!!!! Yes, while a non Disney DISmeet is unique in its own right, there is nothing like a REAL Disney DISmeet. And yeah, we DID talk a while.
It IS you!! And yes, totally agreed, it's always better in Disney.

And even better we got to ride TSMM which I never would have gotten to do otherwise. And Thank You for your kind words Wendy. The feeling is very much mutual

TSM was fun that evening. I forgot to mention how we were escorted in the wheelchair entrance. I had forgotten that detail until right now!

 

[MEK]

Yours is the first TR I've read since getting home and I picked a great update to read - WOW - not one, but two DIS meets on the same day and with two of my favorite DISers.

I have had the pleasure of meeting KatMark before. They are absolutely lovely! And I would love to meet Rob some day (and you and Johnny, of course, since we have a habit of just missing each other).

How very lovely of that couple to give up their frozen cupcakes. Yum!

I wish I had gotten to see the Backlot tour one more time.

Great day at HS. I didm not know you were terrified of ToT. It actually took me a long time to get over my fear of this ride. Last trip I met up with Podsnel and she told me just to put my hands over my head. It worked. It was so much more fun and not as scary as trying to pull myself into my seat.

 

[khaleesi]

Oh wow, I can't believe they lost your parents' luggage too!! Sheesh.

I'll bet those old Disney videos are a lot of fun to look at!!! And what a great gift!

Hmmm... on my family trip we would up leaving DHS really early, too. But it was because my family planned a surprise birthday party for me and my brother. I'm guessing that wasn't the case here? LOL.

That's so sweet that Kathy gave you the Olaf. I think I'm going to make my own to take to San Antonio with me!!

Buffalo chicken nuggets sound yummy!! I love how all of a sudden buffalo-flavored everything is so popular!!! My food is the only place I enjoy the heat... haha. And of course, the whole "Buffalo" thing just makes me happy!

 

[WDWaddictt]

Joining in...

Sorry for your start of this trip! I can't believe they lost your suitcase and wasn't giving you proper customer service. Awful!

I understand how hard it is to travel with other family members. We traveled with my mom this trip and let me tell you it will be a while before we go with her again!

 

[natebenma]

Hi everyone!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I actually don't like Halloween, so I prefer to celebrate Queenofallthings and natebenma's birthdays instead.

Happy birthday ladies!!

I know you don't really love Halloween, so I'm glad I can help make it better by giving you something to be happy about. Denny, too! MEK's DH was born on Halloween as well.

Thanks for the shoutout!




What a great update!

Love, love, love the 2 DISmeets you had, and what makes a fun familiar ride even better? Riding with DISfriends!

I haven't eaten at Backlot Express. Had a close call. All of the group I was chaperoning during Nate's class trip ate there and I took off to get Fast Passes for Tower of Terror and had a solo lunch at Starring Rolls.

We may end up there in June for Ben's trip. I have heard good things about the Buffalo chicken nuggets, so I'm glad to hear you say Johnny's were good.

That was super nice of the family who gave the cupcakes to the kids!

At least you had separate vehicles so that you could stay past 5 pm. THAT would have been annoying.

 

[eandesmom]

Gah. You still don't have your luggage, left late and people wanted to leave at 5pm??????? But, you got the cowboy!!!!!!

 

[teekathepony]

Yours is the first TR I've read since getting home and I picked a great update to read - WOW - not one, but two DIS meets on the same day and with two of my favorite DISers.
Welcome home! And now I feel special! It was great having two Dismeets in one day -- a really big feat for me since I had only ever had one before that!

I have had the pleasure of meeting KatMark before. They are absolutely lovely! And I would love to meet Rob some day (and you and Johnny, of course, since we have a habit of just missing each other).
Some day you and I will end up there at the same time (I hope!!) Johnny and I usually end up there in either September (if we're on a budget) or November (for the Christmas decorations) and you seem to land there in October for your anniversary/Denny's birthday! But someday it's going to work out.

How very lovely of that couple to give up their frozen cupcakes. Yum!
It was very nice of them to pass along the pixie dust!

I wish I had gotten to see the Backlot tour one more time.
I was glad we got to. It's never been high on my list of favourites, so I'm ok seeing it go, but still. Nostalgia and all that.

Great day at HS. I didm not know you were terrified of ToT. It actually took me a long time to get over my fear of this ride. Last trip I met up with Podsnel and she told me just to put my hands over my head. It worked. It was so much more fun and not as scary as trying to pull myself into my seat.
I was always afraid of it before I tried it, but then when I finally got brave enough to try it, I hated it anyway! I can understand that, hands up being better, but I can't say I'll ever get the chance to try!

Oh wow, I can't believe they lost your parents' luggage too!! Sheesh.
Yup. Great track record, eh?

I'll bet those old Disney videos are a lot of fun to look at!!! And what a great gift!
Oh yes, it's really interesting to see what's changed and what really hasn't!

Hmmm... on my family trip we would up leaving DHS really early, too. But it was because my family planned a surprise birthday party for me and my brother. I'm guessing that wasn't the case here? LOL.
Aww that's really sweet! No, that wasn't the case here. The case was beer and a seat by the pool were calling.

That's so sweet that Kathy gave you the Olaf. I think I'm going to make my own to take to San Antonio with me!!
Haha yes! Good idea. Channel Elsa and try to think cold thoughts.

Buffalo chicken nuggets sound yummy!! I love how all of a sudden buffalo-flavored everything is so popular!!! My food is the only place I enjoy the heat... haha. And of course, the whole "Buffalo" thing just makes me happy!
Hahaha I was thinking about those Buffalo Tim Hortons pictures you posted on Facebook the other day and the Buffalo donut. Anyway, yes Johnny really liked those chicken strips. I on the other hand, am the ultimate spice wimp! Pepper is too spicy for me!

Joining in...
to my little corner of the Dis!!

Sorry for your start of this trip! I can't believe they lost your suitcase and wasn't giving you proper customer service. Awful!
Oh the customer service was terrible, no one actually wanted to track down the luggage so they just kept saying they didn't know where it was.

I understand how hard it is to travel with other family members. We traveled with my mom this trip and let me tell you it will be a while before we go with her again!

Yep, I get that. Johnny and I kind of made a promise at the end of the trip to only ever go just the two of us from now on. I'm sure some time down the road we'll forget that and do it again.

 

[teekathepony]

I know you don't really love Halloween, so I'm glad I can help make it better by giving you something to be happy about. Denny, too! MEK's DH was born on Halloween as well.

Thanks for the shoutout!


Oh yes! I forgot Denny shared the day too.


What a great update!

Love, love, love the 2 DISmeets you had, and what makes a fun familiar ride even better? Riding with DISfriends!
Agreed, and especially when it's x2! Very fun.

I haven't eaten at Backlot Express. Had a close call. All of the group I was chaperoning during Nate's class trip ate there and I took off to get Fast Passes for Tower of Terror and had a solo lunch at Starring Rolls.

We may end up there in June for Ben's trip. I have heard good things about the Buffalo chicken nuggets, so I'm glad to hear you say Johnny's were good.
Oh yes, I remember that story. It's not bad, but always busy and not a whole lot of seating. We always seem to end up there because Johnny loves those buffalo chicken strips.

That was super nice of the family who gave the cupcakes to the kids!
I loved that, especially for the first timers in my family to see what people are like in Disney.

At least you had separate vehicles so that you could stay past 5 pm. THAT would have been annoying.
Agreed!! Originally we had two cars -- then it wouldn't have worked out at all because the 6 who went back would have needed both! (Although to be fair, Rob did offer us a drive back if we got stranded! )

Gah. You still don't have your luggage, left late and people wanted to leave at 5pm??????? But, you got the cowboy!!!!!!

Cynthia, you summed it up perfectly! Haha even the "Gah." perfectly describes how I was feeling. But yes, we did get the cowboy! That was fun!

 

[amazingact21]

2 DISmeets in one update? I love it! how great that you got to see two wonderful DISers at the same park on the same day. AND got to ride two attractions with them.



I hear ya on ToT. I love that there's someone else on the DIS that does not see the appeal of that ride. I mean, it's downright terrifying.


That was a really cool Lumiere. Not sure if it was 50 dollars cool,though.


Aw, poor PrincessD11. That really was a decent wait time for a coaster. What can you do....


At least they got some free Frozen cupcakes!

 

[teekathepony]

Hi everyone!

How's everyone doing? Anyone on the East Coast getting hit with this crazy storm?? Since Saturday we've had very high winds, thunderstorms, torrential rain, and about 20 (68f) degrees. And it's still going! Could be worse -- New Brunswick (our neighbour province) got snow instead of rain!

My parents' trip is not going very well. Their Orlando portion was over Saturday and they had a short overnight cruise booked to take them to the Bahamas for a week. When they got there they were informed that their cruise ship was in for repairs and they were stranded! They did end up getting a ferry over but apparently it was a rough ride.

Not my family's year for good luck on trips...

Anyway they're there now and having a lovely time.

I wanted to pop by and do a quick update while I have a little time. It will probably only be a short one for now, but I kind of want to get this done. Have you ever had a trip that you didn't really care to re-live? This is mine and I'm going to go through this report faster than usual so...

Here we go.

Chapter 5: "HOW DO I GET IN???"

A little disclaimer: This chapter is about the new Harry Potter section of Universal Studios and if you want to keep anything a surprise for yourself, you might want to skip it.

Tuesday, September 22

Another day, same routine.

Up crazy early due to very loud kitchen tap and insistent early risers who must make coffee. Get ready and agree on a time to leave. Leave over one hour later than the agreed upon time.

A little background: Johnny and I only had a one day Universal park to park ticket. The rest of the family had two days. I am a Harry Potter nerd. I needed to make sure I got to see all the new section has to offer on my one trip there, so we would be getting in the park and going straight there. Everyone was welcome to follow, but if that plan wasn't suitable for them, then we would separate.

Everyone understood and agreed. Of course we all needed to get what we wanted out of this trip! Of course there was no need to stick closely together!

We had made it clear to everyone before the trip. Harry Potter was my priority, and we were going to do this park our way and make the most of our limited time. If we went different ways, we'd meet up at the exit on our way to dinner.

Fastforward.

IMG_3686 by teekathepony, on Flickr

We got to the park, got our tickets, got through the gates...

had to wait for the rest of the family.

They got through and we started down the street...

had to wait again as they needed to rent a locker.

Got the locker! Let's go! Start toward Harry Potter...

wait! They all need to stop at the washrooms.

It was over two hours after park opening at this point and I had really wanted to be there for opening. I admit to being beyond frustrated. We finally started walking in the right direction. Johnny told his mother that we were just going to go straigt to the new HP and they could meet up with us there. She insisted that they were coming with us. We started walking again. We looked back at one point and they were nowhere to be seen, so we just kept going, assuming that they were going to split up and meet later.

Finally We got there.

Or at least the map said we should be there.

I couldn't see anything that looked Harry Potterish!

It should be on my left but that's just some brick building... washrooms or something.

What's that, on the right?

IMG_3692 by teekathepony, on Flickr

Anyone familiar with HP knows this -- it's the Knight Bus! This means we must be here! But HOW DO I GET IN!!??

Again, if you know HP you'll get what I mean when I say that the concealed entrance was the BEST THING EVER!!

I took a step back and looked again.

IMG_3690 by teekathepony, on Flickr

OMG! The brick building that I assumed was nothing but washrooms is actually King's Cross, the entrance to Harry Potter! HOLY COW they did that right!!

Walking in was easy and you are immediately bombarded with the awesomeness of Harry Potter.

IMG_3694 by teekathepony, on Flickr

IMG_3697 by teekathepony, on Flickr

Amazing. Just absolutely blew me away. I was in Diagon Alley!

We had somewhere to be.

IMG_3698 by teekathepony, on Flickr

The new ride! Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts!

It had a long wait (I grumbled a little, would have been shorter if I'd been there two hours earlier...) but we knew we had to ride it no matter what. It was priority #1 and we hopped in line (I'm trying to remember... I think it was 45 minutes.)

I'll leave it there for now since it's almost time to start doing actual work for the day.

Up next: Carts, Trains, and flying Benches.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Haha, while you may not want to relive the trip, it did provide some pretty excellent stories, so there's that.

Oh dear, definitely not the start to the day you wanted, that's for sure. Oy.

Oh yeah, they really nailed this. The "hidden" entrance was so mind blowing. And WOOHOO GRINGOTTS!!!!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

oh man---what a rough start to the day! I admit, I would have ditched everyone at the bathroom stop....

we haven't been to universal in YEARS! I am so excited by all the harry potter pictures! can't wait to see what you think of the ride!

 

[LuvEeyore]

Hi everyone!

How's everyone doing? Anyone on the East Coast getting hit with this crazy storm?? Since Saturday we've had very high winds, thunderstorms, torrential rain, and about 20 (68f) degrees. And it's still going! Could be worse -- New Brunswick (our neighbour province) got snow instead of rain!
Saturday evening we had rain and a lot of wind. Knocked over chairs and trashcans on the carport. I know Sunday and today have been windy, but I haven't cared, been in bed with a sinus infection.

My parents' trip is not going very well. Their Orlando portion was over Saturday and they had a short overnight cruise booked to take them to the Bahamas for a week. When they got there they were informed that their cruise ship was in for repairs and they were stranded! They did end up getting a ferry over but apparently it was a rough ride.
Hope they enjoy their Bahamas portion and get home safely
Not my family's year for good luck on trips...
Mine's going to start 2015 bad if I don't have any PTO left

Anyway they're there now and having a lovely time.

I wanted to pop by and do a quick update while I have a little time. It will probably only be a short one for now, but I kind of want to get this done. Have you ever had a trip that you didn't really care to re-live? This is mine and I'm going to go through this report faster than usual so...

Here we go.

Chapter 5: "HOW DO I GET IN???"

A little disclaimer: This chapter is about the new Harry Potter section of Universal Studios and if you want to keep anything a surprise for yourself, you might want to skip it.

Tuesday, September 22

Another day, same routine.

Up crazy early due to very loud kitchen tap and insistent early risers who must make coffee. Get ready and agree on a time to leave. Leave over one hour later than the agreed upon time.

A little background: Johnny and I only had a one day Universal park to park ticket. The rest of the family had two days. I am a Harry Potter nerd. I needed to make sure I got to see all the new section has to offer on my one trip there, so we would be getting in the park and going straight there. Everyone was welcome to follow, but if that plan wasn't suitable for them, then we would separate.

Everyone understood and agreed. Of course we all needed to get what we wanted out of this trip! Of course there was no need to stick closely together!
Okay folks, get with the Plan!! Drives me crazy when you agree to something then no effort is made to adher to the plan

We had made it clear to everyone before the trip. Harry Potter was my priority, and we were going to do this park our way and make the most of our limited time. If we went different ways, we'd meet up at the exit on our way to dinner.

Fastforward.

IMG_3686 by teekathepony, on Flickr

We got to the park, got our tickets, got through the gates...

had to wait for the rest of the family.

They got through and we started down the street...

had to wait again as they needed to rent a locker.

Got the locker! Let's go! Start toward Harry Potter...

wait! They all need to stop at the washrooms.

It was over two hours after park opening at this point and I had really wanted to be there for opening. I admit to being beyond frustrated. We finally started walking in the right direction. Johnny told his mother that we were just going to go straigt to the new HP and they could meet up with us there. She insisted that they were coming with us. We started walking again. We looked back at one point and they were nowhere to be seen, so we just kept going, assuming that they were going to split up and meet later.

Finally We got there.

Or at least the map said we should be there.

I couldn't see anything that looked Harry Potterish!

It should be on my left but that's just some brick building... washrooms or something.

What's that, on the right?

IMG_3692 by teekathepony, on Flickr

Anyone familiar with HP knows this -- it's the Knight Bus! This means we must be here! But HOW DO I GET IN!!??

Again, if you know HP you'll get what I mean when I say that the concealed entrance was the BEST THING EVER!!

I took a step back and looked again.

IMG_3690 by teekathepony, on Flickr

OMG! The brick building that I assumed was nothing but washrooms is actually King's Cross, the entrance to Harry Potter! HOLY COW they did that right!!
Can't wait to see that in January. We are going to be their Jan 2-3, 2015 staying at RPR onsite and have a 2 day park to park ticket just for Harry Potter especially Hogwarts express.

The express pass that comes with the room wont help here but it will in other places in the parks.
Walking in was easy and you are immediately bombarded with the awesomeness of Harry Potter.

IMG_3694 by teekathepony, on Flickr

IMG_3697 by teekathepony, on Flickr

Amazing. Just absolutely blew me away. I was in Diagon Alley!

We had somewhere to be.

IMG_3698 by teekathepony, on Flickr
The new ride! Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts!

It had a long wait (I grumbled a little, would have been shorter if I'd been there two hours earlier...) but we knew we had to ride it no matter what. It was priority #1 and we hopped in line (I'm trying to remember... I think it was 45 minutes.)

I'll leave it there for now since it's almost time to start doing actual work for the day.

Up next: Carts, Trains, and flying Benches.

Great update!! Waiting patientlyor trying too

 

[amazingact21]

I can't even read your update without cringing a little. I think all of us DIS trip reporters are planners at heart and any one of us would be dismayed at getting such a late start. For the second day in a row. On an occasion when you have limited time and a greatly anticipated goal in mind.
Sorry that it was going that way.


But, man oh man, it all looks so amazing!!! I'm very jealous.

 

[teekathepony]

Haha, while you may not want to relive the trip, it did provide some pretty excellent stories, so there's that.
Oh man, I definitely have stories to tell. Some day over a coffee perhaps you'll get more than the internet will see. (Speaking of which, tentatively heading to Halifax in about two weeks. Just sayin!)

Oh dear, definitely not the start to the day you wanted, that's for sure. Oy.
Nope. Much too slow for my liking.

Oh yeah, they really nailed this. The "hidden" entrance was so mind blowing. And WOOHOO GRINGOTTS!!!!
Oh yes. I mean, for a second I was getting frustrated -- where the heck was it?? But then I remembered I'm a muggle and it's not supposed to be easy for me to find.

oh man---what a rough start to the day! I admit, I would have ditched everyone at the bathroom stop....
We almost did... I wouldn't have waited for them at the ticket counter if it weren't for MIL saying "Wait for us, we're coming with you!"

we haven't been to universal in YEARS! I am so excited by all the harry potter pictures! can't wait to see what you think of the ride!
I'm not too much a Universal fan, but I can't deny, they absolutely nailed the Harry Potter bits and I love it.

Okay folks, get with the Plan!! Drives me crazy when you agree to something then no effort is made to adher to the plan
I knowwww, like why did we bother talking this over??

Can't wait to see that in January. We are going to be their Jan 2-3, 2015 staying at RPR onsite and have a 2 day park to park ticket just for Harry Potter especially Hogwarts express.

The express pass that comes with the room wont help here but it will in other places in the parks.
It really is amazing, so very well done. The Hogwarts express is basically my favourite thing ever. It's too bad you can't use the express pass in any of the Harry Potter rides (although as a non-express pass user here it was probably better for me! Lol)

Great update!! Waiting patientlyor trying too

I'll have more coming soon, I'm excited to share the Harry Potter details!

 

[teekathepony]

I can't even read your update without cringing a little. I think all of us DIS trip reporters are planners at heart and any one of us would be dismayed at getting such a late start. For the second day in a row. On an occasion when you have limited time and a greatly anticipated goal in mind.
Sorry that it was going that way.


But, man oh man, it all looks so amazing!!! I'm very jealous.

We are aren't we? That's why most of us are here, we're all a similar personality type that includes some degree of control isssues. Getting to the park two hours after park opening, especially where we only had a one day ticket broke my heart a little.
Diagon Alley (when we finally got there) was so worth it. Really, truely amazing.

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

We were at Universal a couple weeks ago and couldn't find the entrance to Diagon Alley either... But once we did, boy did we feel stupid!!!

We stayed at a Universal resort so we were able to enter the park at 7am... And by the time we walked back to Diagon Alley there was already a 30 minute wait...

I can't wait to hear what you think of the Diagon Alley ride and the ride in Harry's castle at Islands of Adventure (if you rode that one too)...

We loved one and not so much love for the other...

And did you ride the train from Universal to Islands of Adventure??? That was way cool too!!!

I'm not a Harry Potter fan so I don't remember the names of everything, but I still enjoyed his areas in both parks...

 

[nanhol]

I'm following along & looking forward to your review of Diagon Alley & the Gringott's Ride. We'll be visiting next summer for my birthday, and your review is helping me control my impulses to invite family & friends to join us!

 

[KatMark]

Your family needs to all get a free 10 day vacation somewhere after all these travel woes these last couple months. I am glad your parents are now enjoying themselves.

I also think you and Johnny need a redo ALL by yourselves. It just seems the family wasn't keeping up with the "pre-arranged" plans. And it is a shame that you had a longer wait because you didn't get there when you wanted to.

I know nothing about Harry Potter (started to watch it once and didn't care for it and never read a book), but you seem to be quite in awe of how you got in and how much fun you were going to have.