Universal 2020: Day 3

The girls were too cute this morning, sleeping in their beds. 

Thankfully, with the low crowds we still made it to the park by opening.  We started this day at Islands of Adventure and specifically, Spiderman.  Again, LittleCGC was too short, but she had fun chasing this poor bird while waiting.

During this visit, every ride was different on their rider swapping procedure.  A few attractions were still using their rider swap rooms inside the attraction, but many just had you wait outside and then enter through the exit, single rider, or express pass line.

I guess at some point, we decided this was going to be the day for the water rides.  This park has two great water rides, but you definitely get soaked.  First up, was Dudley Do-Right Rip Saw Falls.

This log ride has the best double drop.

With the time it took for us to switch riders here, we decided to wait on the other water ride until after using our virtual line ticket at Hagrid's.  

I did feel a little guilty about riding this ride every day since both girls were too short, but it definitely was our favorite this trip.

While still in Hogsmeade, we decided to eat lunch at the Three Broomsticks, where LittleCJC actually ended up losing a tooth.

After lunch, we backtracked towards the water ride hitting up everything we rushed by earlier.  First stop, this photo opt in Jurassic Park.

We also stopped at the Raptor Encounter and met a baby dino.  At this time, Universal employees were not allowed to take photos using your camera, so Patrick opted to sit this one out to take the picture.

We finally made it back to Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges and discovered LittleCGC was out.

Of course, this worked out just fine as she was too small to ride anyway.

I know this video isn't much, but that waterfall is always the worst.  That video also is proof that both Patrick and I took a turn with LittleCJC, meaning we all got soaked.

Thankfully, in Florida during July, you dry pretty quickly.  LittleCJC was begging to ride Escape from Gringotts, so we agreed and made our way back to Hogsmeade so that we could take the Hogwarts Express back to London.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned yet, but during this time, every party had their own compartment which was very nice.

After our ride on Escape from Gringotts, LittleCJC had to perform a little magic.

We also decided it was time for some ice cream from Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour.

I love this video, because LittleCJC is so consumed by her ice cream that it was this moment that reminded me that she is still a little girl.

After our ice cream, the daily storm blew in so we covered the girls and made our way to Mummy the Ride.

This was another ride that even LittleCJC was too short for and the rider swap room wasn't being used so we played outside.

We wanted to check out more of the kid zone in this park, and the Barney show in particular, so we let the girls splash puddles all the way there.

We only caught this show once, but I'm so glad we did.  You'll see in this video that we were the only one's here during this pre-show.  Once inside, two other parties joined us.

I know I was focusing on LittleCGC, but I wished I had a little more of LittleCJC in that shot because it looks like she did a great turn there.

During the actual show, LittleCGC danced along the entire time.  Even LittleCJC loved watching her little sister.

After the show, we were able to take our picture with Barney.

I'm thinking the rain hung around this evening since we didn't ride the Woody Woodpecker junior coaster over here.  In fact, we only rode one other ride this evening, E.T.  This is actually the shortest height requirement between both parks and LittleCJC was tall enough.  Honestly, I didn't think she was, but thankfully the lady working at the final check area wanted to check her stating that she thought she looked tall enough.  It was close but she made it and so this became her first ride with a height requirement.

Honestly, this is the last photo I took this day, so I'm pretty sure we left the park and got some dinner at the hotel.  I think the tooth fairy also visited the hotel gift shop for a special Universal gift.

July 2020: Day 2, Universal

 This was our first day to start in the park, and we chose to start back at Universal Studios.  

Our girls had their maps out and they were ready to tell us where to go.  We were able to direct them a little, and we decided to travel to the right first so that we could ride the Simpsons ride first.  LittleCJC was excited to ride this one and neither Patrick or I were so we decided it was better to start the day with it while there wasn't a line.  Here's Patrick waiting with LittleCGC.

When we finished riding the Simpsons ride, we moved on to Men in Black.  We had to take turns riding both these rides as LittleCGC was not tall enough for either of them.

You know Mom had the best score!

We then made our way into Diagon Alley.  LittleCJC was excited to get a wand today.  It was the goal of the day, so we got on the wait list and were surprised that the wait wasn't too long.  While we waited, we tried the butterbeer ice cream.

Poor LittleCGC missed out on this snack.

 After a quick walk around the area, it was time for us to return to Olivanders.  At this time, the Olivander's experience was a private show.  Patrick and I had seen the show previously on our very first trip to the Wizarding World back in 2010, but watching your kid experience it was so neat.

I don't remember what wand was chosen for her, but I don't think it was the one we ended up with.  If you're unfamiliar, you are able to purchase the wand chosen for you, pick your own, or not even purchase any.  In the end, she purchased the Hermoine wand.  Of course, as soon as she had her wand we had to visit some magic locations.

We also had to take some pictures.

As we left Diagon Alley, we had to stop to see the Knight Bus.  The girls loved this, even if we couldn't get them to talk.

After this, we maybe rode Transformers, I don't remember, but I do know that we ended up taking a little snack break in an empty alleyway where we took shelter from a little rain storm.

I don't remember if we stopped to ride Jimmy Fallon's Race Through New York again or not, but we did stop to visit with Hashtag the Panda.

We then decided to take the time for Despicable Me, which ends in a fun dance party.

I believe we also decided to check out Shrek 4D at this time too.  This was actually pretty hilarious when the seats move to mimic the horse galloping, since so many seats were empty due to Covid restrictions it was a real loud moment from the chairs. We then decided to take a park break so that we could check into the Universal Hotel.  On our way out, we stopped for a few pictures.

I love how LittleCJC thought it would be funny to pretend to wipeout, but when LittleCGC tried to join, she actually fell.

We were able to check in to our new hotel, Endless Summer Surfside without any hassle.  These rooms are pretty big for a standard room and they have a crisp and modern feel.

We took some time unpacking and resting a bit.

Our timing was great as we were at the hotel during the daily rainstorm.  Once it stopped, we debated just staying at the hotel for the remainder of the day, but LittleCJC was determined that we needed to go back to the park.  So, we decided to test out the bus situation and we made our way back to the park.  At this time, the bus was empty, but due to Covid, they assigned a seating section as you entered.

Upon our return to the park, we entered Islands of Adventure where I got talked into riding the Jurassic Park River Adventure.

During the Covid times, Universal allowed guest to remove masks while on water rides.  I guess LittleCJC decided to leave her masks on, and thankfully, we didn't get too wet.  After our trip down the river, we made our way to Hogsmead where LittleCJC had to get another picture with the train now that she had her wand.

We decided to end our day on Flight of the Hippogriff.  LittleCGC was a little pouty about being too short to ride.

Thankfully, she found a little water to splash.

LittleCJC was happy with this final ride.

LittleCGC had to have her hands up just like her big sis.

If you're not familiar, this is the junior coaster in this area.

It was another great day!

Musical/Movie Project Week 23

 Musical Monday - Once on this Island (1990)

So, I had heard a lot about this one and I think I expected too much.  It was fine, but I really didn't get excited by any of it.  The story was a little strange and the music didn't impress me.  If I'm being honest, I've never cared a lot for shows performed on a circle stage.

Tune Tuesday - South Pacific (1958)

I'm pretty sure I've seen this one by a local high school production, and I thought I enjoyed it.  Unfortunately, I wasn't too impressed with the movie.  If I'm being honest the most memorable song for me is "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Out of my Hair" and while revisiting this show I've come to the conclusion that even that one isn't that great.

Wayback Wednesday - Once Upon a Time in the West (1969)

I didn't get to this one this week, but looking ahead I don't have anything on the schedule for next week.  I think maybe I caught a mistake where I had a movie on the list twice and I just erased the multiple but never filled the spot.  So, I think I'll try this one again next week.

Throwback Thursday - Free Willy (1993)

As a kid, I thought this movie was really good.  However, I have to admit this is one that I haven't really watched since I was a kid.  I guess that should have been my first clue that it wasn't an amazing movie.  I will say though, it was enjoyable enough to watch again.

Friday First - Pirates of Penzance (1983)

This musical came onto my radar in college when some of my fellow students talked about it on more than one occasion.  Well, I must say I started this movie twice and I tried getting all the way through it, but after needing to stop watching the second time I just didn't have any motivation to finish it.  I don't know if I'm just in a movie slump right now or if it's because my kids are home all day long driving me crazy every day, but I wasn't enjoying this movie either.

Seasonal Saturday - Pirates of the Caribbean (2003)

I liked this movie from the moment it was released.  I do think the series got a little crazier with each film, but I still stand by this one.  On this viewing, I was watching with LittleCJC and it was fun sharing this film with her.  Unfortunately, she did loose interest before the end of the movie.

Disney Diner - Moana (2016)