Newbie and the Geek Take Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando

If you’ve missed any of my previous trip report entries, shame on you! I’d put you in timeout but you’ve clearly suffered enough by not keeping up with the group. Go ahead and start reading, the links are readily available.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom posted Feb. 13th

Magic Kingdom posted Feb. 20th

Disney’s Hollywood Studios posted Feb. 23rd

Downtown Disney and More posted Feb. 27th

Epcot posted March 6th

Let it be known that this day would not have been possible without the generosity of my former classmate and former neighbor, James. He hooked us up with Park-to-Park tickets. The next time you’re here visiting (I’m talking to James), I will sing and dance for you at the end of the driveway just like the good old days.

We set course for adventure outside of Walt Disney World, specifically Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando. The 20 or so minute drive took us down I-4 and I pointed out a few things along the way, like the outlet mall, Sea World, and that I don’t like driving on I-4. I don’t know if these folks are locals or tourists or both but they don’t all seem to know where they’re going.

Upon arrival at the toll plaza, I wondered if my AAA Diamond Parking Pass would work. I knew it wouldn’t but a girl can have teeny tiny dreams. After parking, the epic adventure from the parking garage to the park entrance began with the escalator followed by walking then moving sidewalks then walking then a steep escalator then lots of walking thru…City Walk, over a bridge, a little more walking and finally, the main entrance. It is not a feet-friendly layout but we made it.

Since both parks were closing at 7 o’clock, we decided to carefully select which rides and shows to see in each park and aim just for those. The main objective was of course, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter thus we began at Islands of Adventure. Pretty pastels and bold colors in Seuss Landing caught Yoli’s attention and as she began to wander, I had to remind her that Harry was waiting and the Cat in the Hat would wait…by the gate…in a crate…with a plate.

The gigantic mythical creature at the entrance to The Lost Continent nearly made my friend jump up and down with glee. She thought we were entering The Wizarding World, the poor dear. Trudging on and pointing out what’s what that we weren’t going to do, we soon found ourselves in England. Like a stereotypical tourist, Yoli took photos of everything in sight, squealing with each shutter button compression. After running around snapping photos, I roped her into the line for Ollivanders wand shop, a quick show with very limited space. That was the longest line we encountered all day and it was much shorter than the wait times I saw in December 2011.

Up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Hogwarts Castle. Everyone must be in class.

Shopping was of course next on the list since we landed in a store. I bought some stationary for myself featuring a phoenix. Yoli got a new broom. No she didn’t, her old one flies just fine.
She did manage to buy a few other items though, like pins and postcards. We had the postcards stamped with the Hogsmeade owl post stamp. This is a freebie found just outside of Dervish & Banges. I kept telling Yoli to ride Dueling Dragons but she decided to forego any ride (such as roller coasters) that she can do at home to make the most of our limited time.

We did ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, of course. My equilibrium wasn’t 100% thrilled with my decision but I just telling myself I was having fun and to concentrate on the overall experience. I came off the ride a wee bit off balance and nauseated but as I would learn 2 months later, the sickly feeling in my throat came from Expedition Everest which moved a neck bone out of place. I love my chiropractor. Yoli was alright and loved the attraction from start to finish.

Pumpkin people are coming tonight. They’re gonna give you a terrible fright. Something, something, on Halloween night.

While visiting Harry Potter, we had lunch at Three Broomsticks (including Butter Beer), visited every gift shop, watched the Triwizard Spirit Rally, caught part of the Frog Choir, chatted up employees, and listened to Moaning Myrtle. I think hearing Myrtle in the restroom is hilarious and well-executed themeing. Yoli finds her annoying. However, she loved this section of the park so much that she said if we didn’t do anything else all day, she wouldn’t care. She was very happy. Awww. Well, we did do lots more so she became even happier.

We skipped The Lost Continent and went back to Seuss Landing. Here we had time to shop, of course, you always have to shop, ride the Caro-Seuss-El and insanely spin on The Cat in the Hat ride. Characters were out and about so we took photos of and with several. I like the Grinch. I don’t think Yoli has a favorite. She was ready to leave the park but I know she has a weakness for Spiderman and couldn’t let her leave without experiencing The Adventures of Spiderman, a 3D journey thru New York and escape from bad guys. I think Spidey’s in New York. My comic book knowledge is minimal at best. She met Spiderman and posed with him. Oh Peter Parker, if you only recalled what she did to you at Universal Studios years ago, you would have either run away or asked for her phone number. Don’t ask me. This site is rated G.

Time to move onto the next theme park. Luckily, Universal Orlando is right next door. We skipped anything that Universal Studios in California has and again carefully selected what to see and do. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is brand new so we became minions for a short while. It’s in the same building that housed Jimmy Neutron and The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera (I love Hanna-Barbera more than Disney. I want them to have a theme park. pouty face). It is also a simulator ride and I found it funny that I could totally tell we were in the same room only the vehicles had changed and the screen got bigger.

It sure isn’t your temple’s minyan.

The day consisted of Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue, Men in Black, E.T., Lucy – A Tribute, a glimpse of the parade, and my favorite store, Kwik-E-Mart. They carry the best gummy fruit snacks I’ve ever had. Hey, has anyone managed to keep their Interpanetary Passport from E.T.? You know, the card they swipe that has your first name attached. I want one.

Wolfman rocks Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue. He’s like a furry Jon Bon Jovi.

We actually wrapped up before 7 PM, calling it a successful day. I wanted to show Yoli a portion of International Drive just because we were right there and she might see something of interest. What caught her eye was Sweet Tomatoes, which I had coupons for back in the hotel room. Since we were hungry and still trying to check out I-drive, we decided to eat at Sweet Tomatoes near Walt Disney World without a coupon. That’s right, we are rebels. Not wealthy rebels but a few bucks wouldn’t break the bank. Sweet Tomatoes is the same as Soup Plantation on the West Coast which made a happy Yoli even happier.

Bonus material from Newbie and the Geek are only available on my Facebook page. I’m also on Twitter, my handle is lisano1.

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