What's new

Florida 2014: Day 26, Homecoming. COMPLETED

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 12, Magic Kingdom WDW

Time for another update, almost half way!

Wednesday 30th July: Day 13, Animal Kingdom WDW

We were to visit the fourth and final Walt Disney World park today, Animal Kingdom. I had been told it wasn't the best of the Disney parks, and we'd only be going the once. Overall I did enjoy the park but more of that soon.

We got up at 8am and we were on our way to the park at 9. We had a fast pass for Expedition Everest at 10 but there was a **** tonne of traffic on the way so we had to change it to later in the day. Interesting fact. Because the car park for Animal Kingdom isn't broken up into smaller car parks like the other 3 parks, the one at Animal Kingdom was just humungous! Seriously huge. But that's enough of that.

Queuing for the tram today was a free-for-all, it was really busy and we had to travel to the park separately but we soon enough arrived.

10475462_10203726853006209_6164671863534778705_n.jpg


I was straight away hit but the impressive green-ness of this place, it looked spectacular.

936675_10203726854486246_3889936379747660686_n.jpg


We headed straight for Expedition Everest and I took some pictures of this beautiful park on the way.

10349130_10203726856446295_3137896652451445931_n.jpg


10513535_10203726857886331_5729536361741385256_n.jpg

This is a monkey enclosure

10522659_10203726858566348_2285463641721817560_n.jpg


We eventually arrived and as we had changed our fast pass booking to late afternoon, we queued for the first ride.

10590428_10203726861326417_8773000905577552500_n.jpg


I really enjoyed the queue line, themed well, lots of artefacts as well as some facts about the Himalayas.

1609743_10203726862446445_8295133487260005621_n.jpg


10514735_10203726868606599_6909735230146149792_n.jpg


Given the name of the coaster, you can imagine that this ride is themed on climbing Everest, the world's tallest mountain. Expedition Everest broke a few world records when built, including largest scale model of the mountain and most expensive coaster ever built. It just looked spectacular.

10403719_10203726913847730_2314452084472865004_n.jpg


10568965_10203727009290116_1365961173475242657_n.jpg


10547464_10203726866926557_5875593775237151592_n.jpg


I, stupidly, didn't take a picture but the 'guard's carriage', i.e. the last truck in the train actually let off steam, it looked really cool.

10557382_10203726894567248_7651854645376681297_n.jpg


I had to take a selfie when we boarded after half hour of queuing. We sat front row.

1610776_10203726895807279_8771038885225292526_n.jpg


I really liked the lift hill section, it is just track leading up onto the mountain, no supports or anything, the ground was just a hundred or so feet below. You then actually go into the mountain before firing out of the top of the mountain, oh no! The track is missing! Being at the front we got some great views of the local area, you could see EPCOT in the distance as well as several Disney hotels. Suddenly you begin rushing backwards, really fast and it feels really relentless, I screamed because I'm in touch with my feminine side... It just felt ridiculously good, and really smooth too. You then enter a room with a yeti projected onto the wall and is tearing up the track, then comes the signature drop (of which I have posted a picture of from outside, above). It feels amazing, down and round, then you enter a fish bowl and gather pace become coming back round into the ride station. I loved it. It felt so good. So real. So relentless. Have an ORP.

10479723_10201497243991740_6116671214392136003_n.jpg


I just had to buy a t-shirt and a little yeti figurine with Mickey Mouse. It's fab!

Next up were the Kali River Rapids which we had fast passes for.

936662_10203726900007384_1717341558587356322_n.jpg


10577095_10203726911327667_1013387605652399312_n.jpg


I was expecting to get drenched but I was pleasantly surprised. I like water rides, but kind of can't see the point in getting absolutely obliterated by water. I was surprised about the lift hill being at the start of the rapids rather than at the end like most (if not all) other rapid rides I've ridden. It starts tame with very little splashing and a pleasant meander downstream. I had just commented how green Animal Kingdom was until we suddenly emerged from the trees into a 'deforested' area, that caught me by surprise. The complete juxtaposition between the two areas was amazing. Next came my first ever rapids ride drop! A nice sweeping curve with an impressive splash down. Was good fun. Overall, I think I enjoyed the Busch Gardens more, even if these were better themed, apart from the drop, nothing much else happened.

10496245_10203726913607724_2708527850479758213_o.jpg


It was time to pause for a drink and snack. I had a a Mickey Mouse pretzel. It was lovely but reeeeeeeaaaalllyyyy salty, like too salty.

10394040_10203726914367743_9071905910989351021_n.jpg


It was already time for our next fast pass on Kilimanjaro Safari.

10570542_10203726916447795_3670861188632460667_n.jpg


10580209_10203726917567823_3280741539462481238_n.jpg


I had been told to imagine Zufari...only 100000x better.

As the name would suggest...and as I have just mentioned Zufari...Kilimanjaro Safari is a safari! You start in the rainforest with hippos and birds and things...

10527301_10203726922087936_7630076394698753182_n.jpg


10527452_10203726929808129_5170598310707304342_n.jpg


10556402_10203726933488221_1525914391337876441_n.jpg

Dayyym dirteh gat'r

...suddenly the green goes, as do the tall trees, the bushes, and water...we were in the savannah. Here we had gazelle, cheetahs, giraffes etc.

10484408_10203726935488271_5620988968947357715_n.jpg


1910535_10203726938928357_4798500258135903354_n.jpg


10562977_10203726939288366_2942361099017686916_n.jpg


Oh...and termite hills!

10592873_10203726938888356_2609262116228118480_n.jpg


The next 'eco-system' was the jungle. Here we had elephants!

10378013_10203726948528597_1675295844255933142_n.jpg


10526096_10203726951168663_2612963982794766977_n.jpg

A baobab tree!

10341657_10203726951888681_6262547456493284951_n.jpg


10485885_10203726954728752_6083355206743006551_n.jpg


Oh, and the back end of a zebra.

10552551_10203726961048910_6863712132917971680_n.jpg


Our driver narrated throughout the journey. He was really witty, it was good fun. As far as being a safari goes, it really was exceptional, how it jumped through the completely different areas was amazing, it really is better than the uncharged Busch Gardens version. And of course, it is better than Zufari, of course it is! But Where Zufari wins points is it is just more of a ride than the average safari, and that's what I like about it. I'd like Kilimanjaro safari to add something to add that 'thrilling' aspect to the safari.

We then headed over to the Harambe Theatre for the Festival of the Lion King!

10441333_10203726965489021_380026994842356527_n.jpg


I'd really been looking forward to seeing this. I love the Lion King and had watched it so many times in my childhood. This show, too, was spectacular. So much running, jumping, flipping and flying, there was always something happening. Plus, as it was the Lion King, it had some of my childhood tunes, Can you Feel the Love Tonight?, Hakuna Matata, even Be Prepared which is such a good song. The size of the moving animals, the elephant, lion, warthog and giraffe were awesome. Have an influx of photos.

1622273_10203726973649225_5098382830887858185_n.jpg


10301944_10203726975209264_2960902441723569350_n.jpg


1622116_10203726977089311_8531195278036846167_n.jpg


10463046_10203726985009509_7007844225216661015_n.jpg


10352942_10203726977409319_4777502614079825094_n.jpg


1908387_10203726980569398_4153232914599442077_n.jpg


10568889_10203726987449570_1302309635697390637_n.jpg


There was fire at one point as well. That also makes a show fantastic.

We went to a nearby cafe after to have a muffin with a reeeealllllyyy sickly elephant thing.

10557471_10203726987889581_6860571549559198989_n.jpg


I wanted to get the Primeval Whirl creds next, so we headed over there. Primeval Whirl is a collection of two creds, Reverchon spinning coasters. Yay.

10577104_10203727002449945_4762791081197609231_n.jpg


10580109_10203727002769953_3971804446770602148_n.jpg


Quite unlike anything I had ridden at Disney so far. It was dirty, poorly themed, poorly run, it was just a bad experience. Thankfully, for the first side (on the left) we only queued 10 minutes. There was a severe lack of spin too, I suppose that isn't a terrible thing. The ride wasn't particularly rough, it was just dull and not at all enjoyable. But we had to queue up for the next side.

10363324_10203727006890056_3041154371534615079_n.jpg


The others went off to watch the Nemo show but I obviously had the cred to get, so we joined the queue again which had grown considerably since we last queued...it didn't take long until we found out why...one of the creds was shut, I had just ridden the left side so fingers crossed it was that. We got nearer the front and people were riding the left. The right side had broken down. NOOOOOOOO. I'd hoped by the time we got to the front it'd be open again but no such luck. My first spite of the trip, and we had to queue for it twice. To add insult injury we had to ride the **** awful left side twice. Ugh.

We headed back over to Expedition Everest to meet the others and to use our fast pass. Dan and I arrived early so we decided to join the single rider queue to get another ride in. I had the pleasure of sitting with some little brat, but it was either him or an old woman who would most likely have a bypass. I enjoyed this ride more though, it is much more forceful towards the back and even more enjoyable than the amazing ride I got on it earlier that day. Have an ORP.

1896895_10201497245031766_5204028648474009451_n.jpg


We met back up with the others and rode again using the fast pass. I sat with Mr. Stephen. I was right at the back now and it was even more forceful. I fricking LOVED it! And I REALLY wanted to whore it all day. To be fair, what I ACTUALLY wanted to do was to go back to Primeval Whirl and get the other cred but you can't have everything in life. Have an ORP anyway.

15411_10201497245351774_7008834834107066944_n.jpg


It was getting late and after yesterday's long day we were pretty knackered and had pretty much exhausted attractions at Animal Kingdom. We had a browse in the tat shop, I expect I spent too much but alas.

On the way out I took a selfie with Baloo.

10455045_10203727011170163_1913850869026366849_n.jpg


We went to TGIFriday's for tea. That was a **** experience.

10408769_10203727011210164_8758046870460337328_n.jpg


When the food arrived everything was cold. I got ribeye steak instead of sirloin! **** liberty. Dan got chicken and shrimp instead of chicken and steak and when he got it it was cooked medium rather than burnt to a crisp as he likes it. I have to say my steak was cooked perfectly, and despite the cold chips, I was quite content, with the complaining to staff, it was like dinner and a show! :lol:

10431671_10203727011450170_2729433144854737175_n.jpg


Once back at the villa we swam for a couple hours and not a great amount else. Ate crisps I expect.

Thanks very much for reading once again...if anyone still is ;) tomorrow we went to the Shopping mall and SeaWorld Orlando in the evening.
 

peep

CF Legend
Re: Florida 2014: Day 13, Animal Kingdom WDW

^Ha, yeah. I'd heard of this atrocity shortly after his trip, so I was prepared going into this trip report. As I told Jordan though.... reasons to go back!
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 13, Animal Kingdom WDW

I also meant to say the Bug's Life ride was shut so we didn't ride, It's Tough to be a Bug is it called?
 

nadroJ

CF Legend
Re: Florida 2014: Day 13, Animal Kingdom WDW

Oh my god so much to comment on!

Firstly, HOW AND WHY DID YOU MISS DINOSAUR OMG HOW DARE YOU! Like I literally can't believe you missed one of the best rides at WDW, it's actually kind of hilarious <3

Mickey Pretzels are my favourite WDW snack, so indulgent <3

That is a Nile Crocodile, not a gator.

The safari host was not witty, he was reading from a script =p

Festival of the Lion King is exceptional, such an amazing amazing enjoyable show. I'd be interested to see how different it is now that it lives in its own theatre as opposed to being shoved in a forgotten corner.

That muffin looks fab, I want it.

Lol, spite!

I don't get why you love Expedition Everest so much? As a dark ride it is amazing, fantastic theming, but as a coaster I've always found it really lacklustre?

Lol, Friday's spite <3

Seriously, no Dinosaur? WTF?!
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 13, Animal Kingdom WDW

nadroJ said:
Firstly, HOW AND WHY DID YOU MISS DINOSAUR OMG HOW DARE YOU! Like I literally can't believe you missed one of the best rides at WDW, it's actually kind of hilarious <3

I didn't know such a thing existed :p I still don't, I didn't know what was at Animal Kingdom really so I followed those that had been at least 4 times previous :p

nadroJ said:
Mickey Pretzels are my favourite WDW snack, so indulgent <3

They are amazing, especially with the hot cheese <3 I also really like the jalapeño ones, I had two in a row at Universal xD

nadroJ said:
That is a Nile Crocodile, not a gator.

Potato potato.

nadroJ said:
The safari host was not witty, he was reading from a script =p

Stop **** all over the Disney magic :p

nadroJ said:
Festival of the Lion King is exceptional, such an amazing amazing enjoyable show. I'd be interested to see how different it is now that it lives in its own theatre as opposed to being shoved in a forgotten corner.

I loved it, I loved how the seating was all facing the stage, all centred on it. I have some footage, I'll post it when I edit it and put it on YouTube but given this is 7 months ago, I wouldn't hold out much hope of me ever doing it :p

nadroJ said:
That muffin looks fab, I want it.

It was awful, so sickly, and the elephant, just vile vile vile.

nadroJ said:
Lol, spite!

Thank you for the sympathy, Jordan. Means a lot. <3

nadroJ said:
I don't get why you love Expedition Everest so much? As a dark ride it is amazing, fantastic theming, but as a coaster I've always found it really lacklustre?

I think the coaster on it's own might not be too great but the whole atmosphere of the whole thing just went so well, and it is a pretty decent cred too in my opinion, especially at the back where it is reasonably forceful, just a really really enjoyable ride. Loved it.

nadroJ said:
Lol, Friday's spite <3

Yeah...it wasn't the greatest meal...but I did enjoy my steak a lot.

nadroJ said:
Seriously, no Dinosaur? WTF?!

As Peep says...reasons to go back :p
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 13, Animal Kingdom WDW

Half way through now I think?

Thursday 31st July: Day 14, Mall and SeaWorld Orlando

Today was the day our SeaWorld/BGT ticket came to an end so the plan was to visit the mall in the early afternoon and head to SeaWorld in the evening to finish off what we didn't get to ride last time.

I got up before 9am expecting to be out by 10am...hahaha good one. I went for a swim, and was ready by 10am. 11.30am we left for the shopping Mall. We had some lunch as soon as we arrived. It was soooo tasty.

10416568_10203740035535764_7671597569220874316_n.jpg


I bought my first pair of Vans. They worked out at half the price than they are in Britian so a bargain. Dan, Mr. Stephen and I left the women to it and we went around some other shops. I found a pair of converse for $12! That's just £7...I bought two pairs. I also bought 2 Disney t-shirts at $10 each, and two other t=shirts at $30 the pair. I bought a couple other things. In total I spent an impressive $150...whoops. But I got some real nice stuff.

There was this pretty fab sweet shop too.

10569104_10203740035215756_1472221870350367072_n.jpg


We were due to meet the women at 15:00 to make our way over to SeaWorld. 17.00 and we were on our way to the theme park and we arrived just before 17.30.

10559804_10203740036615791_8185680957385026679_n.jpg


We headed straight for dinner in the pizza buffet place. It was so much better than Merlin's pizza pasta buffet with a better choice and tastier food.

10574365_10203740038735844_1763633817273368328_n.jpg


On the way to the restaurant I took some pictures of this pretty beautiful park.

10534448_10203740037935824_2231218114396283871_n.jpg


10525583_10203740037335809_2329070426590049046_n.jpg


10583999_10203740040535889_3418012156126564889_n.jpg


16683_10203740039775870_959622351940589634_n.jpg


My main ambition was to whore Manta and Kraken for the evening and squeeze in the Sealions Tonight show because I'd been told it was fab. The show starts at 20:00 but it is advised you arrive 45 minutes early to get a good seat. What was the time? Around 19:00. No rerides for me! So we headed over to Sealions Tonight. I took this fab pic of Manta on the way.

10409551_10203740044535989_4775672742942898971_n.jpg


So...Sealions Tonight. It was FAB!

10514736_10203740045176005_5456429894611982296_n.jpg


10454079_10203740047416061_3783733889384225797_o.jpg


1512620_10203740048376085_8746709974593359004_n.jpg


10497460_10203740050936149_3580683723573491657_o.jpg


10498135_10203740052136179_296432787291332610_o.jpg


It really was amazing, and so funny. The idea of the show is to pick fun at your typical day at SeaWorld. A sealion rode Kraken and he moved as if it was the coaster moving. The Shamu show was portrayed by the AMAZING mime trying to sort out the 4 rotating screens. Next he came dressed as a bird. He was hilarious. It was hilarious.

The show lasted half an hour so we had half an hour to get several rerides in on Kraken and Manta, hopefully one on Journey to Atlantis, also the Blue Horizons show, the tower would have been nice to do again. Lol.

We headed over to Kraken quickly, it was getting dark now, so at least I'd get to reride it in the dark.

1493331_10203740054816246_7852581523657041928_o.jpg


10561663_10203740055296258_152845420127897378_n.jpg


It was virtually walk on so we went back row. I wasn't a massive fan after my first ride but went into this ride with good spirits. Up the lift hill and over the first drop and OH MY GOD! It's sooooo good, so much better than my first ride, it isn't particularly forceful which is a shame but it is a genuinely really fab coaster, with so many different elements. Once done, as the ride was walk on, we decided to rush around again and reride. We rode middle this time, it feels, rather surprisingly, more forceful here and I loved it even more, it gained a place firmly in the higher end of my top 10. It's just beautiful.

We had 10 minutes to do the other rerides we wanted on Kraken, 5 or 6 on Manta, at least 1 on Journey to Atlantis, Blue Horizons show and the sky tower, but we had to settle with one ride on Manta so we rushed over to it. We made it just before the guy was gonna shut the queue line. I was happy we would be riding but sad I wouldn't get a reride. There were fish in the queue.

1796803_10203740058096328_6855239475026948018_o.jpg


10577187_10203740057336309_1651955681558901417_n.jpg


1620877_10203740059256357_1543656641978082275_n.jpg


We rode back row and it is just brilliant. So so much better than Air. The pretzel loop, the inversions, the flying, it had jumped up to third pushing Skeikra down to 4th. It was so forceful yet so comfortable and smooth. LOVE IT.

The park was now closed but we headed to the shop for me to spend yet more money. Another $40 odd haha.

It was time to say goodbye to SeaWorld. I honestly have to say it is the most beautiful theme park I have been to. It is just beautiful and serene.

On the way out I took an overjoyed, yet blurry selfie of me with the SeaWorld 50th anniversary sign.

10407679_10203740059976375_2262849578611636274_n.jpg


Have a not-so-blurry photo of just that.

10419497_10203740059936374_2487689478279153338_n.jpg


There was also some show going on at the exit.

15656_10203740061616416_8459353271296636471_n.jpg


10341658_10203740062496438_5089580061123964892_n.jpg


There was some hefty traffic on the I4 on the way back to the villa. The satnav said we'd get back just after 22:00 but roadworks had meant the three lane road was only operating one lane. Bare in mind Disney, SeaWorld and the Universal parks have vast amounts of people leaving at this time and you can imagine how ridiculously busy the road was. It was gone 23:00 before we got back. We were all knackered and thirsty when we got back. I went to bed almost straight away.

Thanks, once again, very much for reading. I hope you enjoyed up. Up next, EPCOT for the second time!
 

nadroJ

CF Legend
Re: Florida 2014: Day 14, Shopping Mall and SeaWorld Orlando

Really interesting to see Sea World in the dark, don't think I've ever done that! Actually looks really gorgeous <3

Lol that you guys hardly ever leave the house on time, it's so different to the strict 'up and out by 8am' regime my folks run when we visit!
 

Martyn B

CF Legend
Re: Florida 2014: Day 14, Shopping Mall and SeaWorld Orlando

Admittedly, I had never heard anything about Dinosaur until I spotted it in the park. And I think that's why I really enjoyed it, it was a complete surprise, I had no idea what it was!

And in your defence, it is pretty well hidden.

Douche.
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 14, Shopping Mall and SeaWorld Orlando

^I still don't even know what it is...anyway, onwards.

Friday 1st August: Day 15, EPCOT Centre

Pinch punch for the first of the month.

As we were planning on staying at EPCOT until closing for the fireworks, and due to last night's late night we had a little lie in but we still managed to get to EPCOT around 10:30 so pretty good going really. Have the compulsory ball photo.

10505407_10203740067336559_1606422993846274417_n.jpg


We took some photos in front of the impressive fountains.

10540546_10203740067376560_5168250597981931003_n.jpg


We headed over to The Land for our fast pass on Soarin'.

984182_10203740068416586_728172704237028699_n.jpg


This area really is beautiful.

10501641_10203740068696593_6571204092297851743_n.jpg


Soarin' had a 75 minute queue (BURRRDDDEEEENNNN) but we were lucky enough to have a fast pass. We sat front again, or top if you want to be technical. We were on the right this time though which I enjoyed even more than last time because you could really smell the smells of the ride like the oranges over the orange fields in California. I adore this ride, it is just amazing, but I think an upgrade with Florida and 3D effects would make it even better.

Next we went on to ride Living with the Land.

10565256_10203740068816596_9014697385945295250_n.jpg


It's all about how Man has learnt to use the land and live with the land over the last few thousand years. It's pretty decent and themed well. I'm surprised I didn't take any photos because there were some pretty good photo opportunities...I can only assume photography was prohibited.

10178150_10203740069136604_1436189555070504860_n.jpg

I like the little roofs

The ride culminates in huge greenhouses which were air conditioned to perfection, I can't imagine how stiflingly hot they'd be without the air con. In the greenhouses they have a colossal amount of all types of fruit and vegetables, herbs and plants, flowers and fish. It was really cool, tomato trees, in one tank the fish fertilise the water for the plants to drink whilst the fish eat the plants. It's completely self sufficient, and apart from regular disease testing, nothing is done to aid the system. I really likes this, you'd think 20 minutes of this would drag on, but it doesn't, it's just really interesting.

We decided ro have an early lunch at 11:45. We ate in The Land like last time and I had the same green thai curry thing.

10523872_10203740070136629_3849546802597171747_n.jpg


We headed over to Journey into Imagination with Figment which Dan loves.

10351837_10203740071296658_1144963156750877028_n.jpg


10565159_10203740071856672_473962364283491738_n.jpg


It was walk on, thankfully. The queue was pretty bright and colourful.

10559743_10203740073176705_5757266011111043588_n.jpg

I took this purely because I like Flubber, he was still alive at this point

10417550_10203740074056727_1352008563587272418_n.jpg


It has a decent throughput though. It is all about your senses. There are smells, lights, sounds. I can't lie, I left feeling a little disappointed. It just didn't 'do' anything. There was a bit of music, something smelly and some lights...big whoop. I liked how the ride ended with a sudden explosion of colour and the walls suddenly gave way to the station. These points were pretty cool, but apart from that, it was generally disappointing.

It was nearly time for our fast pass on Mission Space. On the way over to it we passed the Jammitors again. They're so fab, they really go at it and wear long trousers despite the immense Floridian sun.

Dan and I rode orange again because why wouldn't you? It's really good, I can't remember what 'part' I got to portray this time but it was different to the first. I love the spiny effects and how small the carriage becomes. It's great.

Once done, the five of us played this weird game. It is in an arcade on the side of the Mission Space building. There are two teams. You use your console to fix problems to make the coloured balls which can then help fix the problem. Sarah and I came joint first by fixing the most problems, Dan said he didn't like it...he lost ;).

We headed over to World Showcase next, I love it here. We headed over to Norway ready for our fast pass on Maelstrom.

10592870_10203740077136804_5527681186897576156_n.jpg


I enjoyed it more this time than the first time I rode but it still isn't anything special...it's really rather dull....just another boat ride not gonna lie. The Frozen re-theme will brighten the place up and hopefully improve it no end.

We headed back to Mexico for La Gran Fiesta Tour. I wanted to ride purely because Peep had announced that the League of Goons bonus round for August was double points on all water rides.

10439506_10203740077296808_4937319051610231365_n.jpg


10565211_10203740077856822_7436516552397058870_n.jpg


We then randomly left World Showcase to go and queue for an hour for Test Track, I'm not complaining though...I love that ride.

1919650_10203740078496838_3220058424333322814_n.jpg


Daniel made our car this time which got a score of 204 so not quite beating my 208 from our previous visit ;). I still loved this ride, it's just so good, and well thought out.

We headed back over to World Showcase and caught the boat over to Germany as we'd done half the area the visit before and didn't fancy walking all that way.

10590699_10203740078896848_4337679356059341741_n.jpg


We walked around until we arrived in France. I had some orange shaved ice. It was beaut.

1909756_10203740079416861_2947959281888173704_n.jpg


We watched this rather dull film called Impressions de France which lasted 18 minutes and shows you lots of views of France. It was alright...well, I didn't fall asleep this time.

995070_10203740082616941_5133820775007665769_n.jpg


10590564_10203740081496913_2634658447246273716_n.jpg


Once done I had a cookie, it was tasty.

10574265_10203740082336934_2006225703776050429_n.jpg

WITH A PLATE :O

I was wondering why there was no Eiffel Tower as it is France. When we left and started walking over a bridge, I turned around and saw it. It was at the back behind the buildings so you can't see it at street level.

995061_10203740082976950_2562690553749953353_n.jpg


On the bridge I took some nice photos of the gardens and the lake.

10565210_10203740084176980_7409105548985617875_n.jpg


10347715_10203740084336984_5818521568578331690_n.jpg


Up next was the United Kingdom! When we got there, the band 'British Revolution', was about to begin playing.

10434349_10203740085217006_4006661200837803017_n.jpg


They played some of the Who with Pinball Wizard, a song I love! They also played Pink Floyd, and finished off with a Beatles medley with The End, Revolution, Sgt. Pepper, Hey Jude and more. I loved it. I'm not quite sure they played The End and Revolution instead of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds and Let It Be, but who am I to judge? :p I took some footage, I'll post it if I ever get round to editing and put it on YouTube.

Once they'd finished we had a look round. The area is themed to a traditional English village/hamlet sort of place. They sold 'English' merchandise which you'd rarely see to be honest, Beatles stuff, Rolling Stones, t-shirts with the pub name on, even Wimbledon merchandise.

10527524_10203740086737044_1692802324920075378_n.jpg


10547473_10203740085857022_402734920911877227_n.jpg


10557170_10203740086777045_1007619391382781647_n.jpg


10523834_10203740088297083_1025639524516744197_n.jpg


They'd chucked every stereotypical British building facade which made it look a little tacky but I suppose the Americans know no different.

We went to the Rose & Crown pub next which felt nothing like a British pub. There was a vile woman singing awfully in the corner singing 'British' songs like Supercalifragelisticexpialidocious, there were also some drunks so maybe it was British after all. I was annoyed I could't have a pint though as the legal drinking age in Florida is a burdenous 21.

10537121_10203740088257082_1949445360893332686_n.jpg


10592949_10203740087577065_2312428774920320204_n.jpg


We had some chips from the fish and chip shop.

10592881_10203740089377110_313525060182011932_n.jpg

They were alright, not British though, too crunchy. We ate them in the park whilst watching British Revolution again. They played some different songs and finished with Bohemian Rhapsody.

1025386_10203740091257157_1711346413650679078_o.jpg


We then left the UK to go to Canada as they are next door to each other. We watched the Mill Stage Band. They had Canadian flags, and the maple leaf everywhere but they were wearing kilts. Do Canadians wear kilts? A Scottish-Canadian hybrid perhaps?

10474233_10203740091297158_4873009529399919553_n.jpg


10592695_10203740092377185_7745307554729083244_n.jpg


Apparently there is nothing to do in Canada so we moved on. I took some pictures of the lake first and of Canada.

10467092_10203740094777245_3251887749361214015_o.jpg


10525671_10203740096777295_3854537257493945256_n.jpg


10341982_10203740096057277_5973134139348043334_n.jpg


10514684_10203740094977250_3415182825799230385_n.jpg


That was World Showcase pretty much finished. I loved this area, it is just really really great and immersive.

Next we headed over to the Nemo ride called 'The Seas with Nemo and friends'.

10561838_10203740097097303_3945720361650499902_n.jpg


It was actually pretty cool. I recorded the whole thing. There were a series of fish tanks with the animated Nemo characters beamed up on to them, they looked really realistic as if they were actually there.

10556523_10203740101177405_6706301515886726568_n.jpg


10527320_10203740099337359_2754428587055801314_n.jpg


We had a look in the aquarium after which you go through after the ride. There were big-ass manatees which were so cool. Lots of fish too...which I suppose you'd expect in an aquarium.

1240032_10203740104177480_7016741436861330208_n.jpg


10592949_10203740104817496_3154614202190016812_n.jpg


10432951_10203740106737544_7331159687163050315_n.jpg


10314494_10203740109017601_4657866835782491339_n.jpg


That was it really for rides. It was now getting pretty dark so we headed over to World Showcase ready for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, a fire and fireworks show uniting all of the countries in World Showcase. For some reason we stood quite a way back from the front with some trees in the way...but oh well.

When the show started there was a HUGE fire ball and plenty of really cool fireworks...not quite those at Magic Kingdom but still really good. The massive globe looked really decent too, it was lit up with the world map and looked beautiful. Have some photos. There was plenty of fire.

10174827_10203740111577665_9121195715004048446_n.jpg


10494370_10203740112897698_6357795332866155262_o.jpg


10300771_10203740112297683_6979465809450504399_n.jpg


10572223_10203740115697768_2189560017963885081_o.jpg


1907391_10203740116217781_8035256069882440175_n.jpg


10417550_10203740117897823_2374604867471620320_n.jpg


10551563_10203740119577865_8165443806520516400_o.jpg


Purely as a fireworks display, they were probably more impressive than Magic Kingdom's if I'm being entirely honest, but the setting of Wishes and the music makes it a much more impressive show over all. I am surprised I don't have any photos of the immense fire...but it was difficult to see.

On the way out of the park I took some pics of the EPCOT ball lit up at night.

10580040_10203740122097928_8017681887393810188_n.jpg


I also took a selfie...oh lord.

10527300_10203740123177955_298298800791024723_n.jpg


Everyone wants to leave EPCOT once the show has finished so getting a tram and getting out of the park took a burdenously long amount of time but we eventually made it.

Thanks very much for reading, this took longer than I expected it to :p

Day 16 at Cirque du Soleil up soon. :)
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 15, EPCOT Centre

Three updates in three days? I must be bored.

Saturday 2nd August: Day 16, Cirque du Soleil

I had really been looking forward to this day for a very long time. I'd always wanted to see a Cirque du Soleil Our tickets were for the 9pm showing so we had most of the day to kill. For most of the morning we lounged around the villa and played beach ball. We left the villa at around 1pm to get to Downtown Disney.

10538067_10203753564433978_3292538915468720124_n.jpg


We had a dinner reservation at the T-Rex cafe at 3:30pm so we spent the time before shopping. I bought a Mickey plush toy and I'm so cool that I brought him down to uni with me and he sits on my shelf <3.

It was getting on for 3:30pm so we headed over to the T-Rex cafe after dumping the stuff off that we had bought.

10544328_10203753565754011_4904085753357955631_n.jpg


Even though we had a reservation we had to wait 15 minutes to be seated because it was so extremely busy, but my god, this place was amazing. There were dinosaurs everywhere as well as mammoths and fish and all sorts of stuff. The toilets had ammonites and trilobites and graptolites and nautiloids, it was soooooo amazing. Have some photos.

10568863_10203753578194322_1996882894035765848_n.jpg


10407233_10203753584954491_2432990355384994900_n.jpg


10538067_10203753586834538_2750289908203971832_n.jpg


10277461_10203753588194572_2431389306932810256_n.jpg


I had a gigantasaurus burger, it was a double burger, soooo big, I was so full I could hardly move.

10353552_10203753589674609_6993350454583696622_n.jpg


We also ordered a dessert to share...not that I could eat too much of it. They used dry ice to make it look like the volcano was erupting. It looked fab.

10526033_10203753592034668_7706972315981276812_n.jpg


I had a little of the chocolate brownie. It was very tasty but very sickly.

Once done we did a little more shopping before heading over to Disney Quest.

10534127_10203753564513980_381678964318639920_n.jpg


It's a huge arcade. Entrance is free with a valid Disney ticket, otherwise there is an entrance fee. Dan and I went straight for the human pinball which broke as soon as we got on it. We then did all sorts of things like NASCAR racing. We did a virtual reality thing where you wear goggles and it's like you're there. You fight off aliens and things. It's good but pretty dated, needs an upgrade.

There's also a ride where you can make your own coaster which can go upside down. Ours went upside down 8 times. Only two can ride at once so I rode twice, first with Sarah and then with Dan. We called it Wily Banshee.

10521117_10203753596754786_2750581625094062439_n.jpg


I came off feeling pretty queasy, I think on a coaster when you actually go upside down, the 'g' forces from the forward motion keeps your stomach in place rather than all over the place. 2 rides on this thing was certainly a bad idea.

We made our own song about my dog getting more dates than I do.

10565025_10203753596794787_78483012615832622_n.jpg


We also rode a raft simulator which I fell backwards on much to the amusements of others.

That was pretty much it. Time for Cirque du Soleil. I paid the extortionate price of $15 for a programme.

14922_10203753600754886_1993447737426213379_n.jpg


10580226_10203753601234898_206219506771156657_n.jpg


Once inside, clowns came out early (around 8:45pm), they hit people who were trying to get to their seats on the head, it was cool. Then at 9pm the show started. It was just so amazing. I'm not going to go into a great amount of detail of everything that happened, plus I have no photos as photography was prohibited. There was often so much happening it was hard to know where to look.

There was a tightrope action, weird yoyo things, all sorts of trapeze, bike stunts, it was **** amazing, one of the best shows I have ever seen. Wow wow wow. I really liked the clowns too, coming on every now and then to do something stupid and lighten the mood. Wow.

It finished dead on 10:30pm...and rather abruptly actually. We had to make our way through the heaving crowds of Downtown Disney.

10568983_10203753608235073_1734833158566105253_n.jpg

I think I took this before we went in but it fits here

To avoid the burdenous traffic that had extended our drive him by about an hour the last two nights we went a different way home which worked well as we got home pretty quick.

A short report today, thank you very much for reading once again!

Day 17 up soon, Fun Spot and Old Town!
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 16, Cirque du Soleil

Four updates in 4 days? Exam season must be approaching.

Sunday 3rd August: Day 17, Fun Spot USA and Old Town

This morning, for the first time, I was the one that delayed us :p I got up at 9am but stupidly laid back down and fell asleep again for another hour. Whoops. We left at 10am though and went to Sizzler for breakfast. The Maycocks had had a recommendation from a family friend saying Sizzler was much better than Golden Corral so we thought we'd give it a try.

Sizzler has a much smaller choice of food, plus you have to pay extra for drinks and they aren't refillable so not a good start.

10568992_10203753620995392_3778972405520178751_n.jpg


10537325_10203753620835388_3478608802115638367_n.jpg


The food, despite being lukewarm, was alright, but compared to Golden Corral the place sucked a serious amount of ass.

We then headed over to Old Town in Kissimmee for da credz!

10351654_10203753622395427_5455685193082153147_n.jpg


When we arrived we couldn't help but feel the place looked a little but shady, a little redneck ;). We headed down Old Town's main street. It looked rather like I'd imagine a traditional American Street in the mid-west might look...maybe.

10565025_10203753626715535_8538073074868687402_n.jpg


10525880_10203753626955541_546137610715392584_n.jpg


1377582_10203753630915640_2481010940583312502_n.jpg


There was a shop that sold rocks, minerals and fossils <3

10341938_10203753633235698_2984589157881903276_n.jpg


10563111_10203753634875739_6900953797017416258_n.jpg


The creds are at the end of the street but when we arrived it was dead and everything was closed.

10551054_10203753639595857_256933079636337173_n.jpg


We headed over to Fun Spot USA which is next door first anyway.

10537045_10203753650916140_7230947712152759295_n.jpg


We only wanted to ride the two creds, you top up a cred-it card with cred-it, $3 for the kiddie thing and $9 for the spinny thing. We rode the Kiddie Coaster first.

1623620_10203753670596632_1320207861740406673_n.jpg


It's slightly more substantial than it's equivalent at Fun Spot America but still a dull +1.

10527766_10203753669116595_6093290263703004898_n.jpg


I crammed myself in front row for the points. Nothing else to say on that front.

Next was the Spinning Coaster, Rockstar.

10479988_10203753680036868_5133081825374585490_n.jpg


936071_10203753683036943_4818903284633948915_n.jpg


10458171_10203753677436803_7010014546036942787_n.jpg


I was smooth and alright really. I was annoyed at the lack of spin though, there was nothing, surely that is the whole point in a spinning coaster?

On the way out I took some photos of the other things in the park that we didn't ride. You can see some now.

1546243_10203753677516805_5207164345885733391_n.jpg

We did consider riding this as we'd never done one before but eventually never got around to doing so

10570392_10203753667596557_5761134746294419681_n.jpg


10559890_10203753685837013_5067560636845207202_n.jpg


10502010_10203753685397002_310150501025991987_n.jpg


10427244_10203753685757011_3178011612165263195_n.jpg


On the way out I saw a rather large, scary looking bug. Anyone know what it is?

10552472_10203753651356151_5480389813714179090_n.jpg


We then headed back over to Old Town to find the rides were still shut. We asked someone who looked official when or even if they were opening. The rides don't open until 14:00 and it was now only midday. We decided to have a look around the Old Town shops and grab a drink while we waited.

We had a drink in a nice looking American-style diner and enjoyed some A&W's root beer.

14:00 finally arrived and we headed over to the rides. We bought our tokens, 8 for $8, that's $20 on creds today, woo and went over to the now-open Wacky Worm.

10580887_10203753697717310_4527388438465469267_o.jpg


10553415_10203753696797287_5219569094345598251_n.jpg


I sat front row and the seat was so **** hot, it really really hurt. I, for some unknown reason took a POV.

We then headed over to the 'big' cred, Windstorm.

994187_10203753702917440_7837732526152423423_n.jpg


It was still testing though and we had to queue 30 minutes before it opened (there were also doing some work to it). Now, standing out in the full heat of the midday Floridian sun, 40C, 100% humidity darn near killed me. It was **** diabolical. It started going round, it just looked awful. But still...do it for the cred.

Finally we were allowed on.

10576964_10203753700677384_1511277795881327151_n.jpg


10473517_10203753699557356_8223067942073038223_n.jpg


Apprehensively we boarded. I sat front. That was brave. The lift hill was jerky but not awful. The first drop is quite fun but after that it becomes just plain terrifying. There's a drop that isn't vertical but banks steeply and goes back on itself. Jesus Christ, it is just so terrifying. It is really painful too, although not particularly rough. The whole time it felt as if the track was banking but it wasn't, clearly the coaster was just coming off the tracks :p

After not too long, it was finally over. As we were leaving the ride op said as the three of us had queued for so long we could ride again for free. Yay. We did it again purely for the LoG points but I didn't enjoy it anymore. It was **** awful. I sat back row this time and it is a little more forceful...but still awful.

We were all hot and bothered now so decided to head back to the villa for a swim and sunbathe. Well, that's what I did :p

We went out for dinner. We were going to try and find another nearby TGIFriday's given the **** meal the other day so we wanted to try somewhere else but couldn't find one. Instead we went to a fajita Mexican buffet instead. Two buffets in one day is a personal record. It was so tasty and I ate so much food.

10556450_10203753704517480_429466218372669782_n.jpg


https://scontent-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot ... e=55893747[/img]

10178112_10203753704277474_1225778223062309821_n.jpg


I should say though, they have now been closed down because they haven't been paying taxes, but that's another story.

We went back to the villa and didn't do much else.

Thank you very much for reading once again. Up soon will be day 18, my first visit to Islands of Adventure. I couldn't wait!
 

nadroJ

CF Legend
Re: Florida 2014: Day 17, Fun Spot USA & Old Town

Old Town is DisGUSTan <//3 need the two kiddie creds though spite!

Sizzler is where we go when we visit Orlando, I always find the staff very pleasant and the food substantial. You missed an awesome chain steak restaurant across from the entrance to Old Town, it's called Logan's and its fab <3

No skycoaster I see ;)
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 17, Fun Spot USA & Old Town

^Nah, it was really expensive, I'd have happily done it though, but just not worth the cost.
 

peep

CF Legend
Re: Florida 2014: Day 17, Fun Spot USA & Old Town

Looks like you go to all the best food establishments ;)

Old town does look vile but I'll have to go there for the creds when I go back to Florida <//3

Look forward to hear what you have to say about Islands of Adventure. You missed out on Dinosaur, next you'll be telling us you missed out on Cat in the Hat.
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 17, Fun Spot USA & Old Town

peep said:
Looks like you go to all the best food establishments ;)

I love eating ****. It's one of my hobbies.

peep said:
Old town does look vile but I'll have to go there for the creds when I go back to Florida <//3

You might struggle as I believe they're gone now.

peep said:
Look forward to hear what you have to say about Islands of Adventure. You missed out on Dinosaur, next you'll be telling us you missed out on Cat in the Hat.

Erm.
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 17, Fun Spot USA & Old Town

So then, Day 18 it is!

Monday 4th August: Day 18, Islands of Adventure

I'd heard only good things about Islands of Adventure and was absolutely ecstatic about visiting. We had a painfully early start, Dan woke me up at 6.30am, joy, and I hadn't had the greatest night's sleep.

We left the villa by 7.30am and arrived at the entrance to Islands of Adventure 15 minutes after opening.

10532381_10203760982539426_2674553625417899463_n.jpg


I was instantly impressed by the park, you walk through an archway with 'The adventure begins' etched into it and walk into one of the most beautiful and immersive theme parks I have stepped into.

10494532_10203760986779532_1415206105581454862_n.jpg


10492292_10203760987179542_1302379229650636706_n.jpg


10580080_10203760999539851_7788579316518709464_n.jpg

Just look at how fab it looks

We headed straight over to The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman...

10552428_10203761028900585_5340600178837861556_n.jpg


...housed at the end of this stunningly colourful street.

10527477_10203761022180417_5351287673691025592_n.jpg


I was really looking forward to riding this. As we were quite early, the ride was walk on, so 3D glasses donned we took our seats...

10530696_10203761037300795_7654894315700740112_n.jpg


The ride starts amazingly with Spiderman jumping on the front of your car (well appears to) and the whole car jerks and wobbles to his movements on screen, it works amazingly. You then pass through room after room with the bad guy, Dr. Octopus, trying to kill us. He has a levitate gun that made the Statue of Liberty rise. It was eventually aimed at us, when he shoots it really feels like you're rising, the screens all move obviously, but there is wind as if you're moving up and the car wobbles slowly, it's amazing. A fireball is thrown at us which Spiderman catches and throws at the wall to a massive fire effect that's actually really hot. There's a water creature which obviously sprays water at you. You proceed to fall down to the Earth, just as Spiderman catches you (phew) and the ride comes to an end.

This ride. I cannot get across to you how amazing it is, it's the best non-coaster experience I've had on this trip so far, and even then, only Montu and White Lightning top it. And, as there was only a 5 minute queue we went round and rode it again. Amazing stuff.

We left the Maycock parents to have a coffee whilst we decided to go get a cred. Wooo, first up, The Incredible Hulk!

10457796_10203761048581077_6532343273744058822_n.jpg


I knew it had an accelerator, but that's about it, I went in with good spirits. It was virtually walk on too, we rode back row.

936072_10203761058221318_2304132116721342504_n.jpg


10516843_10203761070541626_702339002068408274_n.jpg


It is really good actually. The acceleration could be more powerful, but as it goes straight into an inversion, perhaps this is for the best. The first half is smoother than the second half, but no one could argue that gives it more character. It feels great and really quite forceful. For whatever reason, they've plonked the ride photo at the end of the coaster, when it is simply meandering and not really doing anything special. Can't quite see the logic here.

Obviously as it was walking we just had to have another ride. This time though, as we were walking though the entrance I had my camera out and was taking photos. There were some staff members at the entrance who told me I wasn't allowed to take loose articles on the coaster with me and I had to put them it (and my phone and wallet) in a locker. Ugh. I can understand why but nothing is ever loose when I go on a ride such as this. My camera and phone go into my camera case attached to my belt, and my wallet goes in Daniel's zip up pockets but whatever, they weren't having any of it and I had to go and trust one of the free lockers. Great.

This time it broke down for around 15 minutes in the queue line but it did eventually get back up and running. We rode 2nd row this time. It wasn't as forceful here, and less rough in the second too, overall though, I preferred it at the back. I took some generic pictures of Hulk once we got off.

10435640_10203761022100415_2692640388864334668_n.jpg


10568863_10203761018860334_4279120902234507886_n.jpg


11261_10203761010860134_5825948012559702092_n.jpg


As it had broken down the queue had built up considerably so we decided to head over to Doctor Doom's Fear Fall.

15384_10203761075061739_6907764688678283444_n.jpg


10592742_10203761074501725_9145175321226283556_n.jpg


With a drop of 185ft, at the time, I'd never ridden a shot/drop tower anywhere near this high, the tallest I'd ridden was probably Detonator at Thorpe Park, now it's Hurakan Condor at Port Aventura (283ft drop). As it was so high, and as I'm not a massive fan of these things I was slightly nervous but was looking forward to it all the same. The queue was only five minutes long.

1908042_10203761090502125_2195185981914662542_n.jpg


I was struggling to smile for selfies...

10553602_10203761108062564_8416164700628441699_n.jpg


And then the door opened...

10525722_10203761112942686_5236155669132252090_n.jpg


...so we took our seats. I was holding on for dear life...ready...and waiting...suddenly, woooooosh, I was pulled up with immense pace nearly 200ft into the air, I seem to remember myself screaming something along the lines of 'oh bother'. Then you're flung back down with no warning before back up again. I have to say, I did really enjoy it up until this point, really gets the adrenaline rushing...but then it kind of peters out and just goes up and down a bit before slowly sinking back to Earth. It had a really short cycle and even then only 2 or 3 really good forceful moments which lets the ride, overall, down.

We went and found Angela and Mr. Stephen and then decided to head over to guest services to beg them to let us ride Pteranodon Flyers without a child. The woman in there was unnecessarily patronising and passive aggressive over it all, smiling whilst looking at us saying 'it's a kids ride...', stupid bitch, we wanted the cred and adults were **** riding. Ugh. Needless to say, SPITE.

We then headed over to ride the first water ride of the day, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls.

10590417_10203761134583227_3249773138711811456_n.jpg


THIS is the water ride that I had seen in pictures many times and the one that I though Splash Mountain and Journey to Atlantis were before riding them. It just looked so fab.

1560733_10203761136303270_7217693548577221919_n.jpg


So cheesy and cartoony. I expected to get mildly moist so I left my camera, phone and wallet with Angela and headed over to the entrance. We queued for around 15 minutes, I sat front which seems to be a kind of tradition on flumes haha. I loved the queue line, so much colour, it was fabulously themed.

So, the ride, you first get moist when you pass through thick water vapour which is quite refreshing actually. You then go up a lift hill and splash down and get lightly splashed. There's another drop where you get even wetter, the water poured over the sides of our boat. We meandered around a little through the fab theming, it's so cartoony and higeldy pigeldy, I loved it, I really did. The major drop comes towards the end of the ride. Half way up the lift hill is a waterfall which luckily/unluckily (which ever way you want to look at it) switches off just before you go through it. At the top you turn and you go down one of two lanes (it alternates with each boat to increase capacity). The first part is ridiculously steep, you go under a house and into a huge splashdown with water spraying you from every direction. It's really really good, but any inch of you that was dry...now isn't. You get soaked.

As the queue wasn't too long we decided to ride again because why not?! This time we queued for a good thirty minutes but it was worth it. I sat back this time which allowed my shoes to get soaking after managing to stay largely dry in the last ride.

Once done I took some pictures of the beautiful ride.

10411263_10203761143743456_3104993718881159646_n.jpg


10347564_10203761154223718_1896722090820363649_n.jpg


I came off rather wet

10570321_10203761154623728_2943553574693656263_n.jpg


We were treated to some dipping dots, I had Oreo, they were amazing.

10557465_10203761156863784_4276258230560129742_n.jpg


We timed it badly because we then decided lunch should happen! We went to the Comic Strip Cafe (something like that anyway). I took some photos of the fab park on the way.

10559877_10203761128943086_9152110250960521472_n.jpg


10378542_10203761130983137_2184851218905260050_n.jpg


1919618_10203761132903185_6826983442806084609_n.jpg


Everyone wanted just chips but I was famished so had a chilli dog, it was so tasty.

1234340_10203761160303870_8585655360301228374_n.jpg


As we were already wet we decided to ride the Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. That's a mouthful. They are often quoted as being the world's wettest rapids. This should be fun!

I actually have no photographic evidence that I rode them on this day, but my diary says we did so we must have done. Just a few pointers on it then. We had to queue for a long half a hour, which was a hot and sweaty affair. We finally boarded and people in the raft had the genius idea of putting their shoes in the waterproof compartment. Genius! The first huge splash was Sarah's downfall, these rapids were extortionately rough but soooo cool! We splashed around some more with quite some pace and I seemed to stay relatively dry until I was the lucky sod who got to pass under the waterfall, much to the amusement of the other 9 riders who found me getting wettest of them all. Great.

Then we climbed a very long lift hill whilst getting randomly splashed by things at the side. At the end were the roughest rapids seen yet, a HUGE wave crashed over the wall of the raft right over me, I was then sat in a huge puddle for the rest of the ride. We passed under a few more waterfalls. There was no doubt that I got the wettest and as people got out of the raft they congratulated me on winning haha. Angela and Mr. Stephen saw my completely soaked self as an excuse to laugh, how rude.

But next...HOGSMEADE. YAYYYYYYY

10552380_10203761176664279_2447186216366575554_n.jpg


I absolutely could not wait to go to Hogsmeade. I'd been looking forward to seeing Hogwarts for so so long and there it was/

10341966_10203761216385272_7311059998718195296_n.jpg


1908025_10203761228145566_8768601173969912343_n.jpg


10391383_10203761399989862_8984368324174428433_n.jpg


10527482_10203761234785732_906678399186338502_n.jpg


The emotions did take hold for a little while. I was just loving it. We rode Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey first, I was really looking forward to it. You enter the castle at the bottom...

10522610_10203761431270644_3518770317279231556_n.jpg

It just looks so on point!

The queue line is amazing. It features the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom...(in the second year with Professor Lockhart I should add)

10580260_10203761593874709_3815832134828307912_n.jpg


10559679_10203761619115340_7941051791781547201_n.jpg


The statue found in the 3rd floor corridor that is out of bounds in the 1st film

10268478_10203761459991362_4105136401103850607_n.jpg


The greenhouses...

10524593_10203761488992087_9071727988564064477_n.jpg


The Griffon entrance to Dumbledore's office including the Pensieve

10593207_10203761528233068_1673748795763424167_n.jpg

Sherbet lemon

10547665_10203761556233768_2426565171942365907_n.jpg


The Fat Lady portrait, from the third year, as she is portrayed by Dawn French

1891053_10203761670596627_3737274902986358728_n.jpg


The Gryffindor Common Room

10514702_10203761701037388_7175782139987313943_n.jpg


And into a very blurry Great Hall where the ride starts

10568828_10203761726358021_3220009903554520990_n.jpg


Having deliberately never watched a POV, I didn't really know what the ride was or what it consisted of.

First off I have to say I am a massive Harry Potter fan...as is probably already evident from my detailed account of the queue line and I absolutely LOVED this ride. The idea is you are sat on a broomstick. You pass through the Chamber of Secrets, fly around the astronomy tower, the classrooms, you get chased by a dragon on your broomstick (just like in the 4th film), the dragon isn't just on the screens, it appears and breathes steam which is lit up red for the fire. It works so so well. You then arrive at the Quidditch pitch before the dement ors arrive (just like in the 3rd film), one jumps up from below really close to you, it's so surprising and works amazingly. It's so immersive and full of Harry Potter references which I just love love love. It was great to see that Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson had bothered to do the voices for this one because it worked so much better than the other voices in Escape fem Gringott's. It is easily my favourite dark ride, I **** loved it!

We next went over to Flight of the Hippogriff because I needed the cred, kind of a let down after Forbidden Journey.

1910263_10203761756718780_3265099499413884983_n.jpg


10538073_10203761731678154_5902927969177810895_n.jpg


We had to queue a burdenous 35 minutes for it. Ugh. It was alright, nothing more than a +1 really though.

10556360_10203761738678329_6863705855884697793_n.jpg

Yay, Hagrid's Hut!

10388184_10203761746358521_4116606378919398652_n.jpg


We then headed through a very busy Hogsmeade to Dragon Challenge, two, once-dueling, B&M inverts together.

10458637_10203761763438948_4729464209423446846_n.jpg


Back in the day they duelled, hence why they used to be called Duelling Dragons, but due to a couple of incidents, they no longer duel which is a shame.

10411236_10203761763278944_3945565448748131244_n.jpg


10570446_10203761766039013_3836210003104701043_n.jpg

Such a mess of twisted metal <3

It is themed to the dragon challenge in the Twiwizard Tournament and can find said theming.

10583829_10203761767279044_6551640450010296805_n.jpg


10563125_10203761767919060_9007335705854451714_n.jpg


Whilst walking through the immensely long queue line, I took a selfie with the distant castle.

10590671_10203761775079239_6368437159667690081_n.jpg


The Ford Anglia from the 2nd film was there.

10532508_10203761778519325_549878265703211147_n.jpg


There was also the Triwizard Cup too

10455322_10203761783239443_1148415190250348076_n.jpg


We queued for 10 minutes before. We rode the red side, Chinese Fireball first.

10513428_10203761794719730_4500585020678968900_n.jpg


10590555_10203761799879859_6512241801466784084_n.jpg


We went back row. The first drop is pretty good, and the rest of the coaster is really good as you'd expect from a B&M invert, plenty of force, some hang-time, not at all rough, just a really really enjoyable coaster. We rode again...

10360232_10203761800639878_6350108638207279802_n.jpg


And this time rode the blue side, Hungarian Horntail.

10547517_10203761809240093_5942286119026617723_n.jpg


My first B&M invert with a first drop that foes to the right rather than the left. OMG this ride is fantastic! I was expecting an alright ride like the Chinese Fireball side but it is so much better! So much more force, so much more happiness! I loved it. It's not as good as Montu and would slightly struggle next to Nemesis probably, but it is right up there. Love it!

On the way out we stopped to take some photos and video.

10527664_10203761812000162_2060061181110445038_n.jpg


10574371_10203761814320220_906233867144240879_n.jpg


We headed back to the Maycock's and enjoyed a nice Butterbeer. Love that stuff. Hope they do it at Universal Studios Japan when I go in September.

I wanted to buy a wand, I don't know why, but I really wanted an authentic wand so headed over to Ollivander's (quite why this is in Hogsmeade, I'm not 100%, should be in Diagon Alley) because I wanted to spend $37 on a stick of carved wood. It took around 20 minutes before I was allowed into the shop due to the queue and we were greeted by a rubbish actor who, I presume, was trying too hard to be just like how Jon Hurt portrayed Ollivander. The show lasted around 10 minutes and it's actually pretty good. A young lad was picked to get his wand 'chosen', (the wand chooses the wizard!). He waved the wand and shouted 'Lumos' before everything went dark before flickering light and a loud bang occurred. 'No, no, definitely not', said Ollivander. The second wand he waved and said 'Winguardiam Leviosa' which caused some shelved to collapse. Clearly he hadn't got the 'swish and flick' motion on point ;)

The third and final wand was 'his' wand. When he held it, warm orange lights came on and wind blew, just like when Harry gets his wand. The kid got scared, slammed the wand on the desk and ran to his mum. It was brilliantly funny. You are then lead into the shop where you can buy a wand. I was originally going to go for the wand of Bellatrix Lestrange but it looked awful so I went with Snape's instead which looked really nice.

Upon leaving and rejoining the Maycocks, I took some photos of the fab Hogsmede.

10570387_10203761762358921_6905063812290221388_n.jpg


10527748_10203761755718755_5626085872408687715_n.jpg


10593201_10203761817760306_8718128734905445189_n.jpg

The owls you can just about see sitting in the rafters moved, they were fab <3

On the way out of Hogsmeade I had a picture taken with the Hogwarts Express driver.

10536941_10203761821120390_6996100932992448450_n.jpg


He looked slightly odd...not as odd as the one a few days later but that's another story.

We saw the Hogsmeade station

10521756_10203761824760481_4092779835186345549_n.jpg


But we then left the delightful Hogsmeade and make our way back to the entrance. On the way we stopped off at the Dr. Seuss themed area and rode the Seuss Trolley Train Ride.

10559824_10203761836680779_682996998197946235_n.jpg


It's one of those rides, is it a cred? Isn't it a cred? But still, as coaster-count doesn't count it, neither do I. It's fun enough, a glorified monorail if you like, giving a bird's eye view of the land which also gave some excellent photo opportunities for the rest of the park.

10481717_10203761844480974_8995158211028891500_n.jpg


10482240_10203761846681029_5725658005199072010_n.jpg


10432952_10203761847001037_6187479713681634568_n.jpg


10516628_10203761853241193_4955379297477088045_n.jpg


10390979_10203761854321220_3525683584365738482_n.jpg

Burdenous tree. I shall call you Sue.

10559824_10203761856721280_2838315077872352783_n.jpg

I'm so happy with this picture <3

It was good fun. We headed to the shop on the way out. I bought a Universal Studious Florida t-shirt, reduced to just $15, I snapped it up.

We had a dinner reservation at the Hard Rock Cafe.

10592833_10203761860841383_1738817430426819118_n.jpg


I've only ever been to the London equivalent so was looking forward to this one...and getting the pint glass of course. I went a little healthier than usual and had a salmon steak. It was flaming delicious.

10537042_10203761864481474_2388783792739101607_n.jpg


Whilst we were there a HUGE storm broke out. Slightly intimate story coming up. I was using the facilities, i.e. I was having a ****, when suddenly a massive bang occurred and the whole building shook quite violently, I can only assume we were struck by lightning. It was quite scary. Needless to say, I didn't need a **** anymore!

1653727_10203761866841533_8705908758076173300_n.jpg


10533080_10203761869761606_1310264506984785896_n.jpg


I took a few pictures of the things inside, no where near as many as I took in London though...

10541911_10203761873681704_7142822010985244147_n.jpg


1908387_10203761870601627_6200967141917013308_n.jpg


We went to the shop where I got my pint glass. We then made our way throughout the (much lighter) rain to the car. On the way home the heavens opened again, and the lightening began again with a vengeance. It was great fun. I fell asleep on the way home and was only woken by the sound of rain on the windscreen. I love weather.

We just monged out back at the villa. Couldn't go swimming in the rain in case we got wet...or stuck by lightening.

Thanks so much for reading once again, quite a long addition this one.

The next day we went to Hollywood Studios in the evening so that will be up soon!
 

nadroJ

CF Legend
Re: Florida 2014: Day 18, Islands of Adventure

So you DIDN'T do Cat then? Jurassic Park River Adventure?
 

Jordanovichy

Credit Whore 2016
Re: Florida 2014: Day 18, Islands of Adventure

Just wait until my next day at Islands of Adventure. It's coming....
 
Top