Firrst day in a park... and funnily enough we were not even in a Disney ppark.
With my guest entries I cannot take people in on block-out days. This first week Mum and Kate are here is completely a block-out week, apart from Epcot where we are going tomorrow.
SSo we made our way to Universal. They have two parks here- but Kate was excited to see Hogsmeade from Harry Potter- so we only entered into the park named Island of Adventures.
With my guest entries I cannot take people in on block-out days. This first week Mum and Kate are here is completely a block-out week, apart from Epcot where we are going tomorrow.
SSo we made our way to Universal. They have two parks here- but Kate was excited to see Hogsmeade from Harry Potter- so we only entered into the park named Island of Adventures.
We all got badges to mark the special day. They lett us each write on it what we were celebrating. We had got them as it was Mum and Kate's first visit- so Kate and I wrote out the descriptions along those lines. Mum on the other hand- the joker that she is, decided it was a day to Celebrate herself!
WWe took most of our photos throughout the day on Mum or Kate's cameras- so I don't have very many at this stage. I will try and get copies from them at a later date and will maybe add a blog of pics.
Our first stop in Hogsmeade was TThe Forbidden Journey ride in Hogwarts castle. Some of you may know Mum had a bad experience with Space Mountain last time- but she seemed willing to come and try the Harry Potter ride. We went in single rider to avoid the 75 minute wait. I love this ride, Kate seemed to enjoy it, Mum 'hated it'. But she did it! Doesn't need to ever do it again now as she knows what it is like! We got a photo of the pic tthey take in the ride- but Mum requested we didn't show it to anyone! She wasn't looking impressed. She said she spent some of the ride worrying about my shoes falling off! I had taken them off and was sitting on them.
Our first stop in Hogsmeade was TThe Forbidden Journey ride in Hogwarts castle. Some of you may know Mum had a bad experience with Space Mountain last time- but she seemed willing to come and try the Harry Potter ride. We went in single rider to avoid the 75 minute wait. I love this ride, Kate seemed to enjoy it, Mum 'hated it'. But she did it! Doesn't need to ever do it again now as she knows what it is like! We got a photo of the pic tthey take in the ride- but Mum requested we didn't show it to anyone! She wasn't looking impressed. She said she spent some of the ride worrying about my shoes falling off! I had taken them off and was sitting on them.
Next Kate and I decided we would go on Dueling Dragons. Mum sat this one out as it was a rollercoaster and she would have hated it more than the one before! We were almost at the front when the ride went down. We were told we could come back later and use the express lane. Good deal.
We thought we would have an early lunch and beat the crowds. We dined at The Three Broomsticks and Mum and Kate shared a Butter Beer while I had some Pumpkin FIzz.
After eating we looked arond HoneyDukes- the sweet shop, and then joined the line for the Olivander's wand display. We played charades on my phone in the line.
We didn't buy any wands- but it was fun to see others have their wands choose them.
We thought we would have an early lunch and beat the crowds. We dined at The Three Broomsticks and Mum and Kate shared a Butter Beer while I had some Pumpkin FIzz.
After eating we looked arond HoneyDukes- the sweet shop, and then joined the line for the Olivander's wand display. We played charades on my phone in the line.
We didn't buy any wands- but it was fun to see others have their wands choose them.
We went back and did Dueling Dragons while Mum waited with the Owls. Great ride, I'm so pleased Kate loved it.
Next stop- the Dr Seuss village called Seuss Landinng. Such a gorgeous and cleverly created area. It looks like you have walked into one of the books. We did the Sneetches ride which takes you in a wee train over the top of the buildings and rides in this area.
We also looked in a few shops in this area as the merchandise is so clever. Very hard to not spend a ton of money. Kate and I did get Thing1 and Thing2 pressed pennies though. Very sweet.
Next stop- the Dr Seuss village called Seuss Landinng. Such a gorgeous and cleverly created area. It looks like you have walked into one of the books. We did the Sneetches ride which takes you in a wee train over the top of the buildings and rides in this area.
We also looked in a few shops in this area as the merchandise is so clever. Very hard to not spend a ton of money. Kate and I did get Thing1 and Thing2 pressed pennies though. Very sweet.
We wandered through the Marvel comics area and llooked in a few shops but didn't go on any rides as the lines were a little too long. We made it to Toon Lagoon instead where we sat down for a museli bar before going on the river rafts adventure.
We got on Popeye and Blutos Bilge-Rat Barges. Golly Goodness Mum and I were drenched. Kate was soaked too- but the seats Mum and I sat in seemed to have been the worst! We had gallons and gallons of water poured over us, thrown at usfrom behind etc. We were in fits of laughter the whole way through the ride!
We then ventured further through the park and went on the Jurassic Park ride. I'm not sure how- but Mum ended up in the line with us too! She has been super brave today and it has shocked both Kate and I. On the final leg of the ride you come down a drop and splash into a pool of water at the bottom. We were still wet from the previous ride, but this came at us straight in the face as well as all other angles. Once more we were drenched. Mum was making us laugh so much, she turned to the man next to her- a complete stranger- and said "It's even in my KNICKERS!". He was a little shocked but found it hilarious too!
We walked back through Hogsmeade to the Cat in the Hat ride. Very sweet and much more to Mum's liking according to her!
We then ventured further through the park and went on the Jurassic Park ride. I'm not sure how- but Mum ended up in the line with us too! She has been super brave today and it has shocked both Kate and I. On the final leg of the ride you come down a drop and splash into a pool of water at the bottom. We were still wet from the previous ride, but this came at us straight in the face as well as all other angles. Once more we were drenched. Mum was making us laugh so much, she turned to the man next to her- a complete stranger- and said "It's even in my KNICKERS!". He was a little shocked but found it hilarious too!
We walked back through Hogsmeade to the Cat in the Hat ride. Very sweet and much more to Mum's liking according to her!
Kate and I then decided we wanted to go on the Hulk Rollercoaster. We asked Mum if she would care to join us, but she wasn't having a bar of it! She rested her legs while we got through the line and on and off the ride in miracle time. As we were going around the coaster we were yelling our "BELYNDA", "HI MUM". She didn't seem to hear us though.
It was then to the Christmas shop where we picked up a decoration or two. And then to Bubba Gump for dinner.
It was then to the Christmas shop where we picked up a decoration or two. And then to Bubba Gump for dinner.
Another amazing day with two amazing ladies. They bring out the best in me.
I have been spoilt with my beautiful family.
Tomorrow we will be entering a Disney Park: Epcot.
I have been spoilt with my beautiful family.
Tomorrow we will be entering a Disney Park: Epcot.