Universal Islands of Adventure

Everyone gets up late again! Baths and showers etc and we leave the apartment by 9.50, and drive up I-Drive, taking Universal Boulevard, and into the parking area – and actually park at Spiderman 254. After the fun of Epcot I make a note of where we have parked!

 

Well Andy is very excited – there are quite a few big rides here – and he wants to do them all! We start off with Spiderman, which is a great simulator, with heat and water, oh and course of spidey! The wait was less than 30 minutes so not too bad.

Once that is finished Andy is desperate to go on the Hulk – which is a big (actually a very big!) roller coaster. Stef and I sit this one out – while Andy, Anita and Lauren join a very short queue (less than 10 mins!) and they go and ride.

Stef and I find where the photographs appear (yes you can buy photos of yourselves “enjoying” the ride), and wait for them. We are staring at the pictures, and when theirs comes up we see they are all laughing! They are still laughing when they come down the ramp – take one look at the photo, and laugh louder. Anita advises it was scary – but only at the top, where it appears to stop, and then drops you 200 feet! A part of me wishes I had gone with them – but fortunately that is only a very small part of me (probably my brain – that’s pretty small!).

We want to go on the Popeye ride, which is a great water one, but when we arrive in Toon Lagoon – where it is situated – the wait is 90 minutes. It is very hot – and quite a lot of the wait is out in the open! Not a lot of cover….

 

We continue to walk around, Andy eats a Churro, and we take on some drinks, and we arrive at the Jurassic Park ride. Only Lauren and I want to go on this ride – so we do. Most of the ride is fairly laid back – the odd dinosaur or two spitting water at you, as you travel around the park, and then there is a long climb up the hill, and into another section. Suddenly in front there is a Tyrannosaurus Rex who tries and bites but fortunately the boat we are in drops down in front of him. Then you realise that this is where the big drop is, maybe 60 feet into more water. I thought I was going to get soaked, but it was actually not that bad! A very good ride, although Atlantis at Seaworld is better!

We walk further round until we find the Lost Continent (although how it can be lost confuses me as it is listed on all the maps). This is the home of the Duelling Dragons, which is two roller coasters in one. One is fire and the other is ice – and at certain points they are only a foot apart! Again Andy, Anita and Lauren ride, Stef and I waiting again. Once again all enjoy it – although Anita admits to not having the seen the other roller coaster, during the ride.

As we continue around the park – the ride times are getting longer and longer, and it is very hot again today. We bypass most of the long rides.

We arrive in Seuss Landing, and go on the Cat in the Hat ride, which is a very silly ride. When we come out into the shop there are loads of silly hats and wigs – and of course we have to try them on. Would be rude not to.

Everyone decides that we are hungry, so look for somewhere to have lunch – and come across Confisco Grille. We look at the menu and yes there is something that even Lauren will eat! We get a table, and are served by a young lady called Lauren! I have a fillet steak, on a bed of garlic potatoes, with spinach and red onions, and Anita has a very large Fajita.

We are all enjoying our lunch, when we hear a lady on her phone. I use the word lady very loosely, because she is shouting into her phone. She has come off the street, and just sat down, not waited to be seated or anything. Her voice gets louder and louder, and she is yelling now “Shut up!” Lauren (server) asks her to be quieter, and she is slightly quieter but she appears to be very very drunk! She is looking at the menu as her phone conversation continues. Then gets up and leaves, nearly falling out of the door on her way out. Server Lauren looks a bit happier now. A good meal ruined by the drunken actions of someone else!

It was during this meal that we get the first murmurings of something that will haunt us for the rest of the holiday. Stef advises us exactly where in each park she has had a number two! Toilet humour at its best – or worst, whichever way you look at it. We also make up the three minute rule here – which means if you aren’t out in three minutes – we all know what you have done! Lauren goes off to the toilet, and takes about six minutes. Stef had followed her in, and done her business and was out well inside the three minute rule. When challenged all Lauren could say was that there was a queue! Only Stef knew better, and told us so. Lauren looked a bit embarrassed – probably like most of us would.

We walk on, and out of the park – to go and take a look at City Walk. We come across a stall where you can have caps made to order – or rather decorated to order. Andy wants one, so we fill in the form, and pay, and they say will be ready in about half an hour. We then decide to head back into Universal studios (perhaps to do the Jimmy Neutron ride again – what do you think!).

Yes its Jimmy Neutron, and then walk around to The Mummy Returns. Last time Stef had run off the ride – but this time she promised to go on with Andy. The other four go on the ride, while I sit down and have me a Bud light. Surprise, surprise we buy the picture from the ride – purely for Stef’s face – an absolute picture of horror!

We look at the time table and find that we have missed the Blues Brothers – one of Anita and My favs here! ?

We walk around, looking at ride times, and as we had missed out on Men in Black last time, we arrive there quickly – but the wait time is over an hour even now! Once again we decide not for us, and head back round the park, to go and collect Andy’s cap.

Jump into the car, and head for a Wal-Mart – as we have a shopping list to fill – and presents to buy. Socks and pants the order of the day for me – and an Ipod if they have one big enough, but no they don’t. Bras and shoes for the ladies, and obviously some food too – including crispy crème doughnuts!

We head back and unpack the car – and then have a light snack while discussing the presents that we have bought so far. We begin to sort them out – and boy they are already quite a lot. The two suitcases inside of the other one are going to come into play – big time!

Bed is calling, so one by one we all retire.