Day 3
Thursday, June 3.
I asked Davy whether he wanted to sleep in or go early again to get to Hagrid's (or, go to early entry on the Universal side). Davy said he'd like to do Hagrid's again. We had to drop our luggage off at the lobby as today we were moving to the Disney side later in the afternoon.
We got to the parks about the same time but this time were a little farther back. As we were sitting there, there was a family behind us who knew nothing about the parks. I heard, “Why isn’t this park doing early entry? Where do we go first? How do you get there?” I helped this poor family and they seemed grateful. Meanwhile, Davy was just chillin':
View attachment 582744
Right before gates opened, I told Davy to take our backpack and hustle to the lockers for Hagrid's as he has longer legs and moves much faster. I'd meet him in front of the ride. He was shocked when I was there. "Mom, you're faster than I thought!" LOL. We had a bit of a wait today, but not much. One mom was cutting through the line saying, "my son is up there." I MAY have said something like, "my son is better. He waits for me." Davy then said, "well, you actually move too!" LOL. We can be evil when we want to be....I did see a lot of that -- one person gets in line and the other catches up. I mean, if it's a long line and someone went to the bathroom, sure... but, this was something else. Anyway, I felt a little motion sick this time on the ride. But, it was still fun. I felt kind of like I was motion sick all day but not too bad. I think I was just hungry.
When we got off, Velocicoaster was open! With a small wait (30 minutes). We decided to do single rider to make it even shorter.
View attachment 582571
"Look out kid behind you!"
I sat by a dad who was with his two boys. The two boys were arguing and didn't want to sit with each other but Dad convinced them to and he sat by me. He had been on the ride before and warned me it gets REALLY FAST in the middle. Boy, howdie, did it! I took off my glasses for this ride. I THINK you see velociraptors at some point on the ride itself, but between the speed, my lack of sight, and trying to keep my stomach in my body, I didn't see them. Davy THINKS he did but even he isn't sure.
Davy, meanwhile, sat by a grandma who had been on the ride multiple times. She LOVED it. Davy got off and it even got to him. He said, "yet, that granny was LOVING IT! Why aren't we like her? She's VELOCIGRANNY!" Thus, we deemed this nice lady VelociGranny. I'm really hoping she happens to read this. We referred to her throughout the trip and her awesomeness. <3
Next up, Davy wanted to stop in Honeydukes for some candy to eat on Hogwarts Express. I am never one to say no to chocolate! We grabbed some stuff and then took the train over to Universal and Davy commented that it was better going the other way. We decided to make it a point to go back the other way too.
We rode Mummy. Love it! Then, Davy wanted to do Fallon again with me (why does he love this so much?). I was still feeling a little motion sick so I kept my eyes closed the whole time (didn't help). Then, he wanted to do Rip Rockit Ride. Man... I was NOT feeling it, but he begged. We both played "I Will Survive" (Carole!). It wasn't so bad on my motion sickness.
Then we headed to Gringotts.... and we were passing the Fast and the Furious ride talking about how everyone says it's horrible and we've never ridden it... so, we decided we had to try it once. We joked how it was so atmospheric ... better than Harry Potter area and Galaxy's Edge (NOT!). We actually had a lot of fun making fun of it. I will say, there are two little areas where some live folks tell jokes with the "stars" on screen. That was pretty funny honestly. But, the ride itself -- STINKO. But, we had so much fun at how awful it was, it kind of was a highlight of our trip that we still talk about. So, glad we tried it! And... we'll likely never do it again but will mention our one try every time we pass by it.
Went on Gringott's again. Yay! Around this time, a mom with a kid who looked about 8 asked if the ride was scary... I said not really... but I'm used to my fearless kid who wanted to ride the Hulk at age 3 or 4. I asked the kid if he'd seen the movies. He had. I said, "well, Voldemort DOES make an appearance..." He said, "then, nope. Not riding it. I HATE that guy." Davy and I chuckled at that. Again, I'm so lucky as my kid wants to ride everything and always has (except for Tower of Terror -- wasn't afraid of the drop, just the story! That was when he was 4 or 5. It's one of his favorites now!) I'm not sure if I'd be one of those parents who begs their kid to ride something he doesn't want to (he's usually begging me). We had one big instance later of that right behind us....
Anyway, moving on, Davy tried one other time to call Ministry of Magic a couple of years ago, said it didn't work and that was that. Well, today, he tried again.... and then I saw this:
View attachment 582575
View attachment 582576
... and then, heard this, "Help Mom! You're old! How do I use a rotary phone?" BAWAHAHAHAHA. I almost barricaded him in there. Anyway, I taught him how (today's kids!). Now I know why it "didn't work" last time. So, he finally heard the message from the Ministry of Magic. And, he almost got spanked for the first time in his life.
We made it to Platform 9 and 3/4. There he goes!
View attachment 582573
View attachment 582574
We finally got to experience this trip what Davy thinks is the "best ride" on the train.
Davy decided to ride Hulk. I declined. Last time we rode, although it had be refurbished and "smoother," it knocked both of our heads around. Davy said this time it did not. He's also now much taller -- and taller than me now. I'm wondering if that made the difference?
I had reserved lunch at The Kitchen at HRH. We took the boat there. I had eaten there many years ago and loved it. I had their signature hamburger this time and I think it's the best one I have ever eaten. LOVED IT. I can't remember what Davy had but he just thought it was OK. We then walked back to PBR to grab a Lyft to the Animal Kingdom Villas....where I was destined to go head to head with grumpy grandpa.
I'm not sure whether to just include the Disney side here, or post a link here and do the report on the Disney side... I'll try to figure that out today... or tomorrow...