Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW *July 2013 Trip Report Link*

[natebenma]

So glad to have you here!

You guys did a TON at Universal! I agree with you about Shrek, by the time we saw it we were so over 3D things it wasn't even funny. Same thing with the Jimmy Neutron ride. Clearly they made such an impression I forgot to even mention them in my TR. That lunch looks good, I wish we'd gone there instead of the Italian place. FOTLP pass saves a trip if you ask me, if you are going during peak times like you did.

We didn't even bother with Jimmy Neutron, although it was open while we were there (it is now "seasonal" and is going to be converted to a Despicable Me attraction).

The very funny thing about lunch is that I was looking for the Italian place you ate at, based on the description in your post! But I didn't know exactly where it was, and we were HUNGRY and had to eat NOW! We were really pleased with the meal.

I have a funny story about this. When we wre there last summer, Eric picked up a hat for his best friend, a Gryffindor hat. Turns out Raven claw is his favorite house. Both Eric and his friend are in a gifted kids program, called Highly Capable. His friends comment was "Ravenclaw is the hi-cap of Hogwarts"




That is funny!


LOVE the title! that's a riot. Your crowds look similar to what we say on our first day at IOA but never ran into the timed entry issue, how stressful. You are SUCH a rule breaker with the photos!!!!!!!!!!!! Traveling light makes it so much easier though.

We had the release of DHP2 while we were there, and a fan convention, so that may have contributed to the crowds.


I don't know about you but I find myself troubled that all the Hallows still are out there. I know in the movie he breaks the wand but that's not what happens in the book....

Spoiler Alert:


I hate that Harry didn't repair his wand with the Elder wand in the movie.


Interesting that you decided to do Sea World in 2 parts. Is it that close to Universal?

No, Sea World is not that close, about 20 minutes. I think trying to squeeze it all in one day would have been too much, especially trying to fit in the shows. But it was costly getting to and from- $20-ish per leg of travel, so $80 overall for our two visits.


I still can't get over the fact you didn't eat with Jimmy.

I know, I'm still not sure how that happened (didn't happen?), but that will be covered in my very next chapter!

 

[natebenma]

I was a couple of updates behind. You had me smiling with your Dr. Seuss type rhymes. Too bad the boys didn't want to check out more of Seuss Landing but I can kinda understand why since it looked like it was geared more towards younger kids.

Oh the pictures of Sea World brought back memories of our visit there. I love love love Sea World but John is just so-so about it so we haven't been back. Your pictures of the whales are great!

Glad you enjoyed my rhymes. I had fun writing them and it really captured what went down in Seussland!

Thanks for the nice comments about the pictures. In the past my photos of the Shamu show have not come out well at all, but we had a great location, and my camera performed really well.

 

[eandesmom]

So glad to have you here!


I know, I'm still not sure how that happened (didn't happen?), but that will be covered in my very next chapter!

I'm with you on the spoiler, really left it in an odd spot they way they did it in the movie. And for those who haven't read the book, (aka Jeff) the way they handled (or didn't) the resurrection stone confused the heck out of him.

 

[Queila]

I haven't visited Sea World since 1997 but ater reading your entry I have ti out it down as a priority for our next trip!!! So many new things!

Thank you for posting.
Q

 

[Queila]

AND the Dr Seuss land looks amazing!! Too bad you did not get to do too many of the rides. The Cat in the Hat is Bea's favorite book!

 

[Marlton Mom]

Your Trip reports are more addicting than Tela Novelas!

Marlton Mom

 

[wdwgirl03]

Great updates! I like your HP shirt. And you gotta love those chocolate frogs.

I am jealous...you guys hit pretty much every theme park in Orlando in one trip! I love Sea World. Did you see the story about the new baby dolphin? Now I really want to go back to see her! So cute.

 

[PirateMommy]

Love the trip report so far, but I've got a practical question for you since I'll be at IOA in six days!!

How did you manage the photos of the queue for Forbidden Journey? Does your camera fit in your picket? I thought I had read that no bags were allowed on the rides there, and I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to get photos. You have some great quality shots (especially from up high when you *cough* weren't taking photos).

And did you try the lockers out at all (for storing bags/cameras)?

 

[andylcq]

I will coming soon

 

[natebenma]

I'm with you on the spoiler, really left it in an odd spot they way they did it in the movie. And for those who haven't read the book, (aka Jeff) the way they handled (or didn't) the resurrection stone confused the heck out of him.

For the most part, I was very impressed with the movie and how closely it followed the book, but there were a few places where the differences bothered me. I didn't like where he found what he found in the RoR- in book 6 when Harry is hiding his book, the item is mentioned (although we don't know what it is) as being on the head/bust of an old wizard- so he has actually seen it before.

I continue to be blown away that J.K. had so much foreshadowing in what seemed to be minor details in all of the books- things that came back and were important in the end.

 

[natebenma]

I haven't visited Sea World since 1997 but ater reading your entry I have ti out it down as a priority for our next trip!!! So many new things!

Thank you for posting.
Q

AND the Dr Seuss land looks amazing!! Too bad you did not get to do too many of the rides. The Cat in the Hat is Bea's favorite book!

Beatriz would definitely love Sea World!!! We were last there in 2004, so the boys were 7 and 4. Good ages.

Universal/IoA is a more mature park. Having some knowledge of the movies is nice, but not essential, and there are really a lot of things for big kids only, so although Seussland would definitely appeal to Beatriz, I don't think she would enjoy the rest of the parks at this time.

I love the Cat in the Hat, too, but this was not a battle to be fought on this trip.

 

[natebenma]

Your Trip reports are more addicting than Tela Novelas!

Marlton Mom

Gracias!

Great updates! I like your HP shirt. And you gotta love those chocolate frogs.

I am jealous...you guys hit pretty much every theme park in Orlando in one trip! I love Sea World. Did you see the story about the new baby dolphin? Now I really want to go back to see her! So cute.

This was definitely a "best of" kind of trip. Adding MK to our plans was definitely the right thing to do.

I saw the headlines about the baby dolphin, but haven't read the article yet. Bet she is cute!!!

I think we may go on a local whale watch on Friday if my DH takes the day off. I purchased discount tickets from one of those groupon type sites a few months ago, so we are going sometime this summer.

 

[natebenma]

Love the trip report so far, but I've got a practical question for you since I'll be at IOA in six days!!

How did you manage the photos of the queue for Forbidden Journey? Does your camera fit in your picket? I thought I had read that no bags were allowed on the rides there, and I've been trying to figure out how I'm going to get photos. You have some great quality shots (especially from up high when you *cough* weren't taking photos).

And did you try the lockers out at all (for storing bags/cameras)?

Did I PM you with the draft of my Top 10 Universal Tips yet? I sent it to a few people who will be going in the next week or so, but I had to delete the PM I sent because I am at my PM limit- so I don't remember who got the list.

We used the locker system once, at Men in Black, but we did not use the lockers at Forbidden Journey at all. I have a point and shoot that fit into my fanny pack, so that is how I was able to take the pictures.

What you can do if you have a bulkier camera that won't fit in your pocket or fanny pack- Stow away your stuff in the locker (yuck). Go through the queue of FJ. You will preview the items in the castle, making a mental note of what you want to photograph. Ride the ride. Retrieve your camera. Go through the Castle Tour line- this takes you on the same path as the queue line, but you can go at your own pace, with camera in hand. I think the main thing you don't see is the Sorting Hat, since this is at the end, right before you board the ride. Some TMs may let you go and see it if you ask, but it depends on the TM.

What photo???

The other issue you may run into is what to do with your camera on wet rides. My camera is submersible, so it is not an issue. I am not sure if there are lockers, free or otherwise, at Dudley DoRight Rip Saw Falls and Bluto and Popeyes Bilge Rat Barges, but you may need to make accomodations for your camera here too- possibly Ziploc bag in whatever size is necessary.

 

[natebenma]

I will coming soon

When and where?

 

[DrMomof3]

Love your Sea World pics!!!
Most of these theme parks hire a garbage sorter to collect the recycling. Too many people make mistakes with recycling so it all has to be sorted anyway. Disney got rid of recycling bins at one point because they were paying a garbage sorting service anyway but too many people complained (because they assumed that Disney wasn't recycling) so they put them back in.

Amanda

 

[natebenma]

Love your Sea World pics!!!
Most of these theme parks hire a garbage sorter to collect the recycling. Too many people make mistakes with recycling so it all has to be sorted anyway. Disney got rid of recycling bins at one point because they were paying a garbage sorting service anyway but too many people complained (because they assumed that Disney wasn't recycling) so they put them back in.

Amanda

Thank you for that info. It makes me feel much better, because we did toss a couple of water bottles.

I will stop "trashing" Sea World!

 

[aprilisis]

My goodness, I was behind! I love your Sea World photos! I can't wait to read more. I am interested to hear what you thought of Manta.

 

[PirateMommy]

Did I PM you with the draft of my Top 10 Universal Tips yet? I sent it to a few people who will be going in the next week or so, but I had to delete the PM I sent because I am at my PM limit- so I don't remember who got the list.

We used the locker system once, at Men in Black, but we did not use the lockers at Forbidden Journey at all. I have a point and shoot that fit into my fanny pack, so that is how I was able to take the pictures.

What you can do if you have a bulkier camera that won't fit in your pocket or fanny pack- Stow away your stuff in the locker (yuck). Go through the queue of FJ. You will preview the items in the castle, making a mental note of what you want to photograph. Ride the ride. Retrieve your camera. Go through the Castle Tour line- this takes you on the same path as the queue line, but you can go at your own pace, with camera in hand. I think the main thing you don't see is the Sorting Hat, since this is at the end, right before you board the ride. Some TMs may let you go and see it if you ask, but it depends on the TM.

What photo???

The other issue you may run into is what to do with your camera on wet rides. My camera is submersible, so it is not an issue. I am not sure if there are lockers, free or otherwise, at Dudley DoRight Rip Saw Falls and Bluto and Popeyes Bilge Rat Barges, but you may need to make accomodations for your camera here too- possibly Ziploc bag in whatever size is necessary.

No, I haven't seen the draft of your Universal Top 10 Tips yet, and I'd love a copy if you don't mind.

Thanks for the camera advice. I can see I'll have to bring several cameras along with me to Universal. Hmm... I might break down and bring a backpack after all, especially since I've got a 5 year old who will be sitting out some rides so the other adult can hopefully hang onto the bag then. He's JUST tall enough for Forbidden Journey, though, 1/2 an inch over with his sneakers on, thank goodness. We've been measuring the boys almost daily!

 

[bubba's mom]

Love your Sea World pics!!!
Most of these theme parks hire a garbage sorter to collect the recycling. Too many people make mistakes with recycling so it all has to be sorted anyway. Disney got rid of recycling bins at one point because they were paying a garbage sorting service anyway but too many people complained (because they assumed that Disney wasn't recycling) so they put them back in.

Amanda

That's good to know. That would bother me too...I recycle just about everything!

 

[natebenma]

My goodness, I was behind! I love your Sea World photos! I can't wait to read more. I am interested to hear what you thought of Manta.

Thanks for the nice comments about the photos.

Manta will be coming up on Thursday of our trip week (we are almost finished with Tuesday)

No, I haven't seen the draft of your Universal Top 10 Tips yet, and I'd love a copy if you don't mind.

Thanks for the camera advice. I can see I'll have to bring several cameras along with me to Universal. Hmm... I might break down and bring a backpack after all, especially since I've got a 5 year old who will be sitting out some rides so the other adult can hopefully hang onto the bag then. He's JUST tall enough for Forbidden Journey, though, 1/2 an inch over with his sneakers on, thank goodness. We've been measuring the boys almost daily!

PM sent

I love my Canon Powershot- it is a simple point and shoot, but I am happy with the pictures I get and since it is waterproof, it almost never leaves my wrist!

Yes, the adult/childswap is another way to handle the storage of a backpack. I'm not sure exactly how the child swap works at Universal, I'm sure you can find the info on the Universal theme park threads.

That's good to know. That would bother me too...I recycle just about everything!

I am a psychotic recycler!