You can take the girl out of Disney, BUT

[jenseib]

I am guessing I must’ve just put my camera away for most of Seuss Landing.

We got in line for the High in the Sky Trolley again. Today they had both trains going, so the plan was to ask to ride the other one because I was given the tip that both trains are different. Skip decided to sit this one out.

The line was MUCH longer today.

So we waited….and waited…and waited some more.

We came to a point where we just didn’t move at all. Finally an announcement came on that there were technical difficulties and it would be running soon. We decided to wait it out. But it really was taking a long time. The announcement came on 2 more times. Skip called wondering where we were. I told him we were about to leave the line as it was broke down. Soon the decision was made. The lady behind us mentioned that there were teenage looking kids trying to fix it….that doesn’t really sound all that safe to me. And watching them, it became clear, that none of them knew what they were doing.
So several of us left the line…and as we walked out, we saw a train leave….go figure…. BUT as we were looking for Skip, we heard another announcement that again it was broke down and would be fixed soon. I think they ended up closing it completely for a while so someone who knew what they were doing could come and work on it.

I don’t remember where Skip was, but I think he was fairly close to the entrance.

Claire voted for Cat in the Hat again and again, todays line was much longer. We waited it out and when we boarded, the TM’s made a big fuss over Claire’s dress again today. She loves that.
They did tell her to hold on to her pigmy puff so he didn’t fly out during the spins.
We had another great ride, but I can only do that once…it’s a bit to “spinney” for me.

We decided it was time to head over to the Studios. IoA was just a tad too busy today. We left with intentions of coming back later…hopefully when it was less crowded.

As we headed to the front we saw this.

I think one of them made the comment that he looked so real…..well that’s because he is. I had seen pictures of good Ole Spidey on my friend Jeanne’s facebook page. He was sitting on a counter and she said he had moved and scared the beegeesus out of her.
As I was talking the 1st picture…Spidey moved and gave me another pose. Skip and Claire also just about jumped out of their skin. LOL

I continued to take a few pictures on our way out.

Today we walked over to US on the side of the lake opposite of City Walk.

We went slowly. It was hot, and we were tired already, and just taking in the scenes. I think we actually sat down for a bit….most likely for a smoking pit stop.

We also watched this ride from outside…..scary stuff….

 

[wilma-bride]

I'm going to say it again - your pictures are a-may-zing!

So you didn't ride Rip Ride Rockit then I am hoping my 9-year old will ride it in August - he says he will but it's one thing saying it and another thing doing it. I remember when he was 4 and said he was gonna ride Splash, then when we got there he changed his mind. There was no persuading him. Now, of course, he loves it.

 

[brookelizabeth]

that's funny about Spiderman! Can you imagine sitting like that all day??? Ow.

I'd love to get on that roller coaster!

 

[jenseib]

I'm going to say it again - your pictures are a-may-zing!

So you didn't ride Rip Ride Rockit then I am hoping my 9-year old will ride it in August - he says he will but it's one thing saying it and another thing doing it. I remember when he was 4 and said he was gonna ride Splash, then when we got there he changed his mind. There was no persuading him. Now, of course, he loves it.

Thanks...
Nope...not for us.. Now my older DD would probably love it. I gave up on those bigger rides about 10 years ago...My body can't handle them anymore.

that's funny about Spiderman! Can you imagine sitting like that all day??? Ow.

I'd love to get on that roller coaster!

I think I would be so cramped up...and my nose would itch....because I know I can't itch it.

 

[wilma-bride]

that's funny about Spiderman! Can you imagine sitting like that all day??? Ow.

Even if I could get into that position in the first place, I'm not sure I'd ever be able to stand up again

 

[Caretames1]

That is exactly why I just can't go on rides at the county fair anymore. Last time we tried to go on a ride, 2 guys were trying to fix it. One so old, he was hold a part up an inch from his face to see it, and the young kid helping him just kept shrugging hi shoulders.

I think I would be so cramped up...and my nose would itch....because I know I can't itch it.

Even if I could get into that position in the first place, I'm not sure I'd ever be able to stand up again

I'd never get back off the floor!

 

[petals]

everytime I see that big shiny hard rock cafe sign my head goes I danced there

 

[jenseib]

Even if I could get into that position in the first place, I'm not sure I'd ever be able to stand up again

So true...I would definitely need help

That is exactly why I just can't go on rides at the county fair anymore. Last time we tried to go on a ride, 2 guys were trying to fix it. One so old, he was hold a part up an inch from his face to see it, and the young kid helping him just kept shrugging hi shoulders.







I'd never get back off the floor!

Carnival rides can be so scary.....

everytime I see that big shiny hard rock cafe sign my head goes I danced there

awesome!!!!

 

[jenseib]

We headed into Universal Studios and the crowd level was once again much less than IoA. We had also decided that we wouldn’t spend much time here today. Everyone was feeling a bit tired. Skip said he was going to go back for a nap today, and we both knew Claire needed one too. I agreed it actually sounded good….Are you shocked? I almost shocked myself with that decision. And even more shocking, Skip said he would get a taxi for Claire and him so I could stay, but I said, no, I was fine going back as well.

So…..we had a couple of things we wanted to do before leaving. ET was on my list. I knew that Claire would find it fun, and it had been many years since I rode it as well, but I remembered liking it. With that on our agenda, that was where we headed.

We didn’t get too far into the park and look who we see!

Skip kept telling me to get a picture of Shaggy, He just loved his look.

I tried to convince Claire to get her picture, but she refused. Finally Skip said he would, and then they told us they weren’t taking anyone else now as they had to leave for a little bit. Darn!

So onward we went.

We stopped and looked at the show time for the Terminator. I had seen it before….it was OK, and I wouldn’t be against seeing it again, but the timing was off right now, so we thought we would try to come back later. Claire didn’t like that idea at all for some reason. She has no clue what it is, but she was convinced it was something she wouldn’t like. We never did make it back, so I guess she won.

Skips feet were also hurting a lot this day, so we were moving fairly slowly.

We spotted ET.

A potty break was needed before we rode though. I want to mention that I was not impressed with most of the Universal bathrooms on property. They were not super clean…….not filthy, but needed some major work. You could also tell the older bathrooms from the newer ones. It was almost like they just let the older ones completely go and only maintained the newer ones. This is one area where Universal could take some lessons from Disney.

After the potty break a show was starting.

We sat and watched a few minutes of it….we now found out why Shaggy and Scooby had to leave.

Claire kept making comments that she didn’t know the man in the yellow hat was a real character. It doesn’t take much to impress her sometimes. LOL

 

[francis6306]

Boo to bad bathrooms. How were the shows at US/IOA?

 

[jenseib]

Boo to bad bathrooms. How were the shows at US/IOA?

We really didn't see any. I have seen a few in the past and they were good, but we just didn't have the time...and some of us (ahem Claire) wasn't feeling the show scene this time around.

 

[stephielela]

Your TR is getting me in the mood for my trip! I can't lie, I'm not as excited as I get for Disney, but seeing the pics you took is getting me there!

 

[dizneeat]

Just to chime in on the "show" portion. We have seen a few and while they are nice - they do NOT live up to Disney standards.

You didn't miss much on the Terminator thing either - you should THANK Claire, as it is LOUD and "dated".
Tom likes to watch it, but I am good at "missing" it.

 

[jenseib]

Your TR is getting me in the mood for my trip! I can't lie, I'm not as excited as I get for Disney, but seeing the pics you took is getting me there!

You'll have fun, don't worry. Go in with a good mind set.

Just to chime in on the "show" portion. We have seen a few and while they are nice - they do NOT live up to Disney standards.

You didn't miss much on the Terminator thing either - you should THANK Claire, as it is LOUD and "dated".
Tom likes to watch it, but I am good at "missing" it.

I think when I saw the Terminator it was pretty new to the park, it was neat, but I have heard from others it is really dated now.

 

[englishrose47]

Jen I am finally catching up on Universal Section !!! What a huge help this will be for September . Couple of things the refillable cup is good FOREVER!!!!!! I really want to eat at Three Broomsticks , I have to try the English Breakfast and YES I eat black pudding !!!Were your meals good ???

 

[natebenma]

Going back a few posts- the shops in Hogsmeade ARE way too small! I would have enjoyed spending time in Honeydukes and Zonkos, but I couldn't even more in there, so we left after a few minutes.

The pygmy puff Claire picked out was really cute!

Bummer that you didn't get a picture of Skip and Shaggy. That would have been epic!

 

[Kelly in NY]

Just read your TR and it's getting me ready for our first trip to us/ioa in a month. Tacked on two nights at HRH after a week at Disney. Kids are 10, 10 and just about 8. Would love to hear some of those tips you have like the richters burger one. I am sure te parks will be crowded as we will be there the thurs-sat right after July fourth. Hopefully staying on site will help with the lines.

Your pics are great! And Claire's outfits are adorable! Would love my daughter to wear stuff like that. And skip is too funny with that backpack!

Keep the TR coming. Looking forward to more.

 

[jenseib]

Jen I am finally catching up on Universal Section !!! What a huge help this will be for September . Couple of things the refillable cup is good FOREVER!!!!!! I really want to eat at Three Broomsticks , I have to try the English Breakfast and YES I eat black pudding !!!Were your meals good ???

Good to know about the mug. I just wasn't sure how it worked there or how strict they were.
I enjoyed our breakfast at 3 Broomsticks. Even though we got the boring American version. I would love to do lunch there too. I've seen pictures and it looks really good.

Going back a few posts- the shops in Hogsmeade ARE way too small! I would have enjoyed spending time in Honeydukes and Zonkos, but I couldn't even more in there, so we left after a few minutes.

The pygmy puff Claire picked out was really cute!

Bummer that you didn't get a picture of Skip and Shaggy. That would have been epic!

Yes, way too small. I was amazed at how small they made them. Hopefully when they add the Gringots section at US they make those shops bigger.
She loves her pigmy puff, but Puss-n-boots is still the favorite of the trip.
Shaggy was just so funny. Skip kept saying he looked like a stoner. Which I guess they probably were...traveling around in a van in the 70's... with no real job.....that pretty much makes you one.

Just read your TR and it's getting me ready for our first trip to us/ioa in a month. Tacked on two nights at HRH after a week at Disney. Kids are 10, 10 and just about 8. Would love to hear some of those tips you have like the richters burger one. I am sure te parks will be crowded as we will be there the thurs-sat right after July fourth. Hopefully staying on site will help with the lines.

Your pics are great! And Claire's outfits are adorable! Would love my daughter to wear stuff like that. And skip is too funny with that backpack!

Keep the TR coming. Looking forward to more.

Thanks for joining in. I am trying to include my tips as I write. Like going in through Filchs to get on Forbidden Journey is one I got. I was also told the Circus McGurkis (sp?) food wasn't all that great either.

I went on a quick rampage of shopping to find a few outfits for her that could be made in the short time we had till we left. I was lucky to find a couple of people who could sew and send fast. I have an outfit on order for our WDW trip in Nov. I can't wait to see it, but she said it would be about 6-8 weeks for that one. I also have been talking to a girl about getting a christmas themed shirt and skirt, the one who made the thing outfit. I think she has forgotten about me though, because she hasn't replied lately.
We actually tried on some of her costume dresses last night and many are borderline, so my guess is by Nov they won't fit. Now I need to think about whether to keep them or sell them.

 

[jenseib]

On to ET. Claire was a bit nervous about this because I mentioned that ET was an alien. I kept telling her he was a nice alien, but she didn’t want to believe me once again.

The queue is set up cute and the line was pretty much walk through and get on. Not much of a wait at all.

If I remember right there is a room for a preshow. (My memory is fading fast…I must be getting old)

We are each given a card and we have to tell a CM our name. At the end, ET will say good bye to you, but we couldn’t understand him. LOL.
Of course the people in front of us had names that were “strange” and the girl didn’t know what to type. I think she usually types them for sound, or just basic, spelling obviously doesn’t matter…..for instance you can spell Claire several different ways. But these names were probably NOT in the system.
Finally we got through and on our bikes…..The ride vehicle looks like a big bike and at times we have ET in our basket in the front.

We saved ET’s planet and all was good in the world again. I did try to listen for our good bye from ET. I think I heard Claire, but the rest we couldn’t tell. Claire declared that she loved it….Again Mom is right!

Our next destination was to be the Simpsons. We just loved that ride!
We took off and I knew we were going the wrong way, but Skip “swore” we could get through. I knew he was wrong, but I just let him lead and took pictures.

I asked Claire if she wanted to go on the woody woodpecker roller coaster, but she frowned on that one.

You can see good ole Woody on the front of the train….cute!

We came to a dead end in front of the Barney area. I didn’t even get to get close enough to peek because Claire said Barney was for babies and she wasn’t going near it. Not too many years ago, she was a huge Barney fan….my how we change.

When we turned around Skip wanted to get a drink and I decided it was Churro time. Claire and I snacked on it…we even let Skip have a few bites, but I think I ate most of it. I think this one tasted better today.

The line for the Simpsons was longer today. I think it was about 40 minutes. Skip was actually kind of happy. Now we could watch all the little cartoons while waiting. Honestly, it doesn’t seem that long when you are watching the little segments. And some are pretty funny.

I also caught up on facebook through my phone while in line.

Soon we were in the preshow room. A couple asked me to take their picture and I did, then she took ours…and we got photo-bombed!

She said “oh, it’s a bad picture, let me take another”. I think she must’ve noticed the extra family member. I think the 2nd picture was much worse. But photo-bomb guy is in the background laughing.

Again, we just loved watching the screens sit with the character waiting for his/her turn to talk.

Soon we were boarding our vehicle. We got the backseat this time. I noticed the motion much more in the back. So….if motion bothers you, try to get the front seat. I also hadn’t taken bonine either.
We enjoyed it again. Still a top ranking ride for us after round 2. Skip did say he noticed the motion this time too more, and it usually never bothers him.

 

[englishrose47]

Just loving all this Universal tips and tours !!!!