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

[natebenma]

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.

I did go over and read about your experience at the Poly- I'm glad they were able to work it all out to your satisfaction!

Do you think there was a problem because people were able to get to Florida from all over, but it was difficult for anyone from the east coast to get out? There must have been a bunch of overbookings. I think travel from New England and New York are pretty busy during this past week since schools have not started up in a lot of cities.

I'm glad your son was able to ride Hulk! I think both of my sons are now tall enough to ride everything, but Ben is still pretty hesitant to do a few of the more extreme rides.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I did go over and read about your experience at the Poly- I'm glad they were able to work it all out to your satisfaction!

Do you think there was a problem because people were able to get to Florida from all over, but it was difficult for anyone from the east coast to get out? There must have been a bunch of overbookings. I think travel from New England and New York are pretty busy during this past week since schools have not started up in a lot of cities.

I'm glad your son was able to ride Hulk! I think both of my sons are now tall enough to ride everything, but Ben is still pretty hesitant to do a few of the more extreme rides.

I don't think they were overbooked. We were even able to stay in the same room. It was the cards and 1st CM that was the problem. So I am really glad they fixed it!
My DS 10 is my daredevil!!! No fear in that kid. He tried to ride Rip Ride Rockit too but it broke down and never made it back.
My DS 14 is so afraid of heights and doesn't do extreme rides. He did do RnR once or twice on our first couple of trips. (I'm sure b/c of the awesome music and he can't see what's coming ). He won't do it any more b/c he knows better.

 

[bubba's mom]

Hulk = ...altho, seems to be getting rougher over the years.... (still love it tho!)

I have that picture you are looking for...I just have to find it I will get it to you....

eta: so far, this is the only 1 I can find. Will have to have DH go thru older pix...the laptop I'm on was new last year after vacation, so all the pix on here are from summer of last year and newer....

 

[natebenma]

Hulk = ...altho, seems to be getting rougher over the years.... (still love it tho!)

I have that picture you are looking for...I just have to find it I will get it to you....

eta: so far, this is the only 1 I can find. Will have to have DH go thru older pix...the laptop I'm on was new last year after vacation, so all the pix on here are from summer of last year and newer....

Thanks, although I didn't intend for you to put a lot of work into it! Not that important if it will take you too much time.

But I knew you must have it somewhere!

 

[bubba's mom]

Thanks, although I didn't intend for you to put a lot of work into it! Not that important if it will take you too much time.

But I knew you must have it somewhere!

oh it's here...somewhere...I know it! Just not on MY computer....and I don't touch DH's... (can't be accused of messin anything up then )

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Hey Dee,
You probably won't see this until the morning, but I have an interview tomorrow @ 9:00 and need all the prayers I can get.
I was laid off last June. I'm a teacher and apparently with the economy the way it is it's been really difficult to even get interviews b/c I have too much experience and nobody wants to pay me. Wish me luck. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[natebenma]

Hey Dee,
You probably won't see this until the morning, but I have an interview tomorrow @ 9:00 and need all the prayers I can get.
I was laid off last June. I'm a teacher and apparently with the economy the way it is it's been really difficult to even get interviews b/c I have too much experience and nobody wants to pay me. Wish me luck. I'll let you know how it goes.

Just heading up to bed, but I did see this and I am sending luck and prayers your way!!! Good luck and I hope you have some good news to share with us soon!

Dee

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Just heading up to bed, but I did see this and I am sending luck and prayers your way!!! Good luck and I hope you have some good news to share with us soon!

Dee

Thanks Dee!
I think it went well but I won't find out for a while b/c she now has to post the position for 2 wks. UGH!!! I will keep you posted.

Deb

 

[aprilisis]

I love that photo you got from the top of Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls! I hope that Jurassic Park River Adventure was open for you guys- I love that ride.

 

[jenneth79]

Silly camera, finding its way out of your bag again and taking great pictures....

Hulk looks super fun, though don't those nets always make you a little worried? I know they are just for catching stray glasses and hats...but when you're hanging up in the air, you just wonder.... do they catch people too? Yeah, I have a love/hate relationship wtih roller coasters. Or is it love/fear?

 

[eandesmom]

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???

You did tell me, that's just WRONG!

Your update really makes me want to go on Ripsaw Falls next time...whenever that is. I the Hulk, one of our favorites (well, for those who will get on it which is only 4 our of 6 and 2 of them passed it up the first time lol).

 

[natebenma]

Thanks Dee!
I think it went well but I won't find out for a while b/c she now has to post the position for 2 wks. UGH!!! I will keep you posted.

Deb

I'm so glad to hear it went well. Hope to hear great news from you soon! It will be a tough couple of weeks of waiting.

I love that photo you got from the top of Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls! I hope that Jurassic Park River Adventure was open for you guys- I love that ride.

Thanks! I love trying to get a photo at the Top of the Drop at rides like Ripsaw and Splash!!! The toughest one so far for me has been Tower of Terror- trying to get a picture in the split second between when the doors open and the drop begins.

I'll try to get to my JP update today.

Silly camera, finding its way out of your bag again and taking great pictures....

Hulk looks super fun, though don't those nets always make you a little worried? I know they are just for catching stray glasses and hats...but when you're hanging up in the air, you just wonder.... do they catch people too? Yeah, I have a love/hate relationship wtih roller coasters. Or is it love/fear?

I have owned many naughty cameras throughout my life. When I was 12 years old, I had a Kodak that was almost confiscated when it took a very prohibited picture in a very large pale colored residence in a certain country's capital city.

OK, wasn't worried about those nets until you just brought it up! Now I am!

You did tell me, that's just WRONG!

Your update really makes me want to go on Ripsaw Falls next time...whenever that is. I the Hulk, one of our favorites (well, for those who will get on it which is only 4 our of 6 and 2 of them passed it up the first time lol).

I like the theming on Splash Mountain better although you may not... (Shoot the Bear!), but the drop is a little better on Ripsaw. Ripsaw is a wetter ride.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I'm so glad to hear it went well. Hope to hear great news from you soon! It will be a tough couple of weeks of waiting.

Yes the waiting game- NOT fun!! I hope they don't wait that long. She told me she wants to get someone in there ASAP so the transition for the kids will be easier. We'll see.
Deb
Can't wait to hear about JP. Last year the boys went on it- I didn't. I don't remember why ( maybe I didn't feel like getting wet). DS 14 came off scared to death. DS 10 loved it. We didn't make it there this year.

 

[natebenma]

On our first visit to IoA on Tuesday, Jurassic Park River Adventure was broken down. We were really bummed out because this was the ride Ben was most looking forward to, and the rest of us were excited about it too. We checked at least 4 times that day and none of the TMs were able to tell us when it would open! So today we approached the ride with crossed fingers.

The ride was up and running!!!

I already included the description of the ride in a previous update, but I will repeat it here.

Jurassic Park River Adventure- Escape the jaws of a T-rex on a river raft.
(Note, YOU are the ones on the river raft. Not the dinosaur. Although that would be cool to see!)

Think AK's Dinosaur meets Splash Mountain


This is another ride where I had read reports that taking photos was discouraged. But I didn’t hear any announcements until we got into the containment building.

Ben is at school as I write this update, so I will do my best to identify the Dinosaur species and when he gets home, I will have him edit in the correct names!


Ride 1:

Ultrasaurus?

Baby Stegosaurus

Something’s gone wrong!!!

A bunch of people had their cameras out and a disembodied voice boomed through the building

“Put away your cameras!”

Quick snap:

Ride 2:

Hadrosaur?

Compys! (Compsygnathus)

This time, no announcement about cameras…

Note- these are taken from a ride over-look spot:

Well, that sure worked up a thirst!


Next: Is there a Gringott’s branch around here? The boys want MORE butterbeer!

 

[natebenma]

Yes the waiting game- NOT fun!! I hope they don't wait that long. She told me she wants to get someone in there ASAP so the transition for the kids will be easier. We'll see.
Deb
Can't wait to hear about JP. Last year the boys went on it- I didn't. I don't remember why ( maybe I didn't feel like getting wet). DS 14 came off scared to death. DS 10 loved it. We didn't make it there this year.

You posted while I was writing!

I'm sure they will try to get the teacher into class as soon as they can. I hope it is you!!!

 

[bookgirl]

Ultrasaurus?

VEGGIESAURUS LEX, VEGGIESAURUS!

my nephews next favourite movie when they were 6 (a close second to Van Helsing and Hellboy, did I mention I was the cool Aunt)

 

[natebenma]

VEGGIESAURUS LEX, VEGGIESAURUS!

my nephews next favourite movie when they were 6 (a close second to Van Helsing and Hellboy, did I mention I was the cool Aunt)

One of our favorites, too!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'm so glad that the Jurassic Park attraction was open this time! I am sure that Ben was thrilled. Hunter is such a Jurassic Park fan and has all of the movies so I am sure that he would love the ride.

 

[natebenma]

I'm so glad that the Jurassic Park attraction was open this time! I am sure that Ben was thrilled. Hunter is such a Jurassic Park fan and has all of the movies so I am sure that he would love the ride.

The theming of Jurassic Park land is really incredible. The entry gates look just like they do in the movie. The Discovery Center is really well done too. The little show where we attended a "lecture" featuring a full sized Triceratops was cool. The ride is a lot of fun!

Yes, Hunter would love it!

PS- has he read the book? Jurassic Park is one of my all time favorites. As much as I love the movie, the book blows it away! Really kept me at the edge of my seat and there is some fun, neat science.

 

[mickeystoontown]

The theming of Jurassic Park land is really incredible. The entry gates look just like they do in the movie. The Discovery Center is really well done too. The little show where we attended a "lecture" featuring a full sized Triceratops was cool. The ride is a lot of fun!

Yes, Hunter would love it!

PS- has he read the book? Jurassic Park is one of my all time favorites. As much as I love the movie, the book blows it away! Really kept me at the edge of my seat and there is some fun, neat science.

I forgot to mention that I'm a pretty big fan of the Jurassic Park movies myself. I'm still contemplating going to Universal for a day during our upcoming trip and I know that we'd want to visit the Jurassic Park section of the park.

Hunter did not inherit my love of reading. It's like pulling teeth to make the boy read anything. Me, on the other hand, will read anything....even the ingredient list on the side of a box of cereal if that's all that's handy.