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

[natebenma]

ahhh...home...

Why all of a sudden can't you slide w/ the camera? I don't believe that rule is posted at the top?

You forgot to mention one of the best things about that pool.


Heated.

I don't know what was up with that!!! I certainly think it was a lot safer for me to hold the camera on the way down (no way would I let go) than to send it off alone. Whatever!

I did not know the pool was heated! In July, even? Cause that's when you usually go, right? I thought it was a really good temp, a little cool so it was refreshing. I don't like a pool that is too warm.

 

[bubba's mom]

I did not know the pool was heated! In July, even? Cause that's when you usually go, right? I thought it was a really good temp, a little cool so it was refreshing. I don't like a pool that is too warm.

Yes it is heated...even then. (there ya go...learned your something 'new' for today...got it out of the way early! ) ....and yes...we are normally July folk!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Sounds like you guys had a nice time at the pool. I've definitely got to look into getting a waterproof camera so that I can take the neat pool pictures like you.

 

[natebenma]

Yes it is heated...even then. (there ya go...learned your something 'new' for today...got it out of the way early! ) ....and yes...we are normally July folk!

Thanks for the info. It was the first "new" thing I learned today. Just got back from work with lots more new knowledge. I work at a historical farm and Farmer Jim showed us all of the antique tools we have and explained what they do.

So I will return the favor and tell you that a singletree is like a trailer hitch for a horse. See if you can work that into conversation sometime soon!

Sounds like you guys had a nice time at the pool. I've definitely got to look into getting a waterproof camera so that I can take the neat pool pictures like you.

Thanks!!! I LOVE having a waterproof camera. When I am on vacation, it never leaves my wrist! I don't have to worry about it getting stolen when I go into the pool or ocean.

 

[jenneth79]

Thanks!!! I LOVE having a waterproof camera. When I am on vacation, it never leaves my wrist! I don't have to worry about it getting stolen when I go into the pool or ocean.

Which camera did you get? We just got a Kodak Sport (I think that's what it is called...) but it's going on its "maiden voyage" this year at Disney...hoping it holds up well!

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks for the info. It was the first "new" thing I learned today. Just got back from work with lots more new knowledge. I work at a historical farm and Farmer Jim showed us all of the antique tools we have and explained what they do.

So I will return the favor and tell you that a singletree is like a trailer hitch for a horse. See if you can work that into conversation sometime soon!

Thanks!!! I LOVE having a waterproof camera. When I am on vacation, it never leaves my wrist! I don't have to worry about it getting stolen when I go into the pool or ocean.

uuhh.... how to work that into a conversation today....hhhmmm....

Which camera did you get? We just got a Kodak Sport (I think that's what it is called...) but it's going on its "maiden voyage" this year at Disney...hoping it holds up well!

did you get the Kodak PlaySport videocamera? I got my DH one for Father's Day and we just used it in July on vacation (in the pool and ocean). It was GREAT!

 

[natebenma]

Which camera did you get? We just got a Kodak Sport (I think that's what it is called...) but it's going on its "maiden voyage" this year at Disney...hoping it holds up well!

My camera is a Canon Powershot D10, 12 megapixels. It is rated to 33 feet underwater. It is a point and shoot and I am pretty pleased with the pictures I get. I have had it for about a year and a half and it has been to Disney, Washington DC, Mexico (decent snorkeling pictures and video), our most recent Florida trip and to the beach and to waterparks.

Takes video too.

I have also owned two Olympus Stylus Tough Cameras. One lasted about 18 months and the other one never worked right following the first time I plunged it into the water.

The Olympus was more compact, so it was easier to put into my pocket and it was also much easier to take panoramic picture, but other than those two things, the Canon blows the Olympus away.

uuhh.... how to work that into a conversation today....hhhmmm....

What do you call an oak that isn't engaged yet?


did you get the Kodak PlaySport videocamera? I got my DH one for Father's Day and we just used it in July on vacation (in the pool and ocean). It was GREAT!

Does the Kodak PlaySport take photos and video or just video?

 

[jenneth79]

did you get the Kodak PlaySport videocamera? I got my DH one for Father's Day and we just used it in July on vacation (in the pool and ocean). It was GREAT!

No, we just got the EasyShare Sport.... I think it might take short videos, but it's just a small point and shoot.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hi Dee!
Back from our trip. It's so depressing!!! We had a fabulous time. Our flight home was supposed to be Sunday thanks to Irene we had to stay 2 more days. Oh well don't mind being stranded in Disney.
I need to catch up on this trip report before I can begin to tell you all about mine.

 

[bubba's mom]

i get it! SINGLETREE!! ta-da..

Does the Kodak PlaySport take photos and video or just video?

My water camera is the Fuji point & shoot. It's okay. The PlaySport takes HD video and still pix...altho, you can't take a pic while video recording. Takes awesome video (wait till I get to port on trippie )

No, we just got the EasyShare Sport.... I think it might take short videos, but it's just a small point and shoot.

ah..I thought you got the videocamera...I know which camera you are talking about

 

[eandesmom]

all caught up on your watery adventures at Sea World and in the pool, both look like you had a ton of fun. Funny, I never thought of Sea World for coasters..I may have to put going there on the list for the next family trip.

 

[MommyMissy]

I stumbled on your TR today and just had to tell you that I am loving it! One of these days I will make it to the WWoHP!!!

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Hi Dee-
Back from our fantastic trip. We chased the hurricane home and finally have power back! What great updates. SeaWorld looks amazing!

Hope you faired well in the storm
Pam

 

[natebenma]

all caught up on your watery adventures at Sea World and in the pool, both look like you had a ton of fun. Funny, I never thought of Sea World for coasters..I may have to put going there on the list for the next family trip.

The two coasters were pretty cool, but I certainly wouldn't base a trip to SW on that alone. You can buy an express pass sort of thing (I didn't look into the details), but spoiled folks, like my family, didn't enjoy not having FP or FoTL at SW.

It is so hard to fit in all the fun available on a visit to Orlando! Did you hear that I never even made it to eat at Margaritaville???

I stumbled on your TR today and just had to tell you that I am loving it! One of these days I will make it to the WWoHP!!!

THANK YOU so much!!!

WWoHP is incredible and what really amazes me is how this one addition to the Universal family has dramatically changed so many people's vacation plans. I have been reading a lot of TRs and posts from Disney loyalists who never considered Universal/IoA until Harry's arrival.

Hi Dee-
Back from our fantastic trip. We chased the hurricane home and finally have power back! What great updates. SeaWorld looks amazing!

Hope you faired well in the storm
Pam

Glad to hear you had a great trip! Will you be writing about it?

I am so sorry that you arrived home to/through Irene's wrath. Being without electricity is so frustrating! You are powerless (literally and figuratively) to do anything to fix it! Did you lose food in your refrigerator/freezer? It is incredible how long it took for so many people to be restored!

We didn't do too badly- lost power for around 6 hours.

Thanks for checking in!

 

[natebenma]

Well, it seems like it has been YEARS since my family last visited Islands of Adventure. Actually it has only been about 48 hours.

Since leaving IoA on Tuesday, we have been to Sea World, City Walk, Magic Kingdom and back to Sea World. After our swim, we boarded the resort boat from Portofino to City Walk and continued on to Islands of Adventure.

Nate had not been on the Hulk coaster yet, and Ben did not want to ride, so we split up with plans to meet at Jurassic Park River Adventure. We hoped it would finally be open after striking out on Tuesday.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster- Feel the rage on a high-speed roller coaster rampage

Think Rock-n-Roller Coaster without the music and Steven Tyler replaced by a big angry green dude. Like RNR, there is a high speed takeoff at the beginning of the ride.

Here is an interesting note from the Universal Orlando 2011 travel guide:

The initial thrust of this ride consumes so much power that, if the needed electricity were drawn directly from Orlando’s electric supply, lights across town would dim every time the coaster launched. So Universal draws power at a steady rate from the city’s power grid and stores it in a huge flywheel hidden in the greenish building by the Inland Sea labeled Power Supply. This enables them to get the power needed for that first heart-stopping effect without inconveniencing their neighbors.

Mark and Nate rode Hulk a couple of times- LOVED it!


After splitting up, I discovered the really cool picture spot between Marvel Super Hero Island and Seuss Landing. In the rush to get to Harry Potter land on our first morning, I totally missed it. I would have skipped it anyway then, but I was really happy to find this today. When you enter IoA through the Point of Entry if you keep walking straight until you hit the lake, you will be there. I think there is a step or two, like a sunken living room in a house.

I am hoping that bubba’smom has a picture of the picture spot.

There was nobody else there!!!

After our photo shoot, Ben and I walked through Toon Lagoon on our way to Jurassic Park. There are some really cute photo opportunities here.

We decided to ride Ripsaw Falls. Once again, my camera managed to find its way out of my pack during the ride.

It was ok that we got a little wet, because we were hoping to get a little wetter at our next destination.

Next up: When Dinosaurs FINALLY Ruled the Earth!

 

[Queila]

That Hulk roller coaster sounds AMAZING! When I was a teenager I used to love roller coasters and be completely fearless. Nowadays, not so much.

Q

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hi Dee
I posted that I was back on Thurs. (pg. 30) but I don't think you saw it b/c I know you would have replied.
Deb

 

[natebenma]

Hi Dee!
Back from our trip. It's so depressing!!! We had a fabulous time. Our flight home was supposed to be Sunday thanks to Irene we had to stay 2 more days. Oh well don't mind being stranded in Disney.
I need to catch up on this trip report before I can begin to tell you all about mine.

Hi Dee
I posted that I was back on Thurs. (pg. 30) but I don't think you saw it b/c I know you would have replied.
Deb

Hi Deb!

OOPs!!! Sorry about that. You know, I did see your post, and I thought I had replied, but based on the time you posted, I think I was getting Ben ready to head out to the theatre. He is going to be in a production of Robin Hood and Thursday night was the read through of the script.

Welcome back!!! I can't wait to hear about your trip. Let me know if you are going to be writing a trip report, or if you want to post details here, you are certainly welcome to do that!

I'm glad you had a great time!!! Yes, I can think of worse things than being stuck at Disney, although it can potentially throw a monkey wrench into work/school schedules.

I heard there were around 12,000 flights cancelled along the east coast!!! A friend of mine was supposed to come home on Sunday and was "stranded" at the Wilderness Lodge until Wed. Another poster to the Beach Club thread was supposed to fly out either Sunday or Monday, but couldn't get a flight back home to Boston until the following Saturday! They needed to be back so they rented a car to return home.

Hope all was ok when you returned home. Did you lose power at all? We lost power for around 6 hours on Sunday.

 

[natebenma]

That Hulk roller coaster sounds AMAZING! When I was a teenager I used to love roller coasters and be completely fearless. Nowadays, not so much.

Q

Doesn't Hulk look cool!

Even a couple of years ago, Nate would not have tried this ride, but he is fearless now! You will have to check back to see if I get a chance to ride this or how many more times Nate will try it.

I have heard people describe the take off as literally taking your breath away.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

We only had one little problem at the Poly with extending the trip a couple of days. It was a nightmare b/c as you can imagine lots of people were doing the same thing. I wrote a small book the other day on the Poly thread if you wanna read about it. Disney did take care of the situation though
My DS 10 was so excited about being tall enough to ride Hulk this year last year he was bummed. He rode it I think 4 or 5 times. I did do it ONCE. That was enough for me!!!! I love RnR and after riding Hulk it seemed like a baby coaster. LOL
We were able to get the only flight left on Tues. morning. Thank God b/c we would have been driving home too the next flight after that was Sat.
My kids don't start school til this Thurs. and unfortunately I'm laid off and DH could work from computer so we could have stayed longer if needed.