The Universal Experiance continues

Posted on February 15, 2012February 15, 2012 by Dusty Roads

After we finished the Harry Potter Ride we walked into Hogsmeade to explore the little Wizarding town. We skipped Olivander’s Wand Shop as there was a long line and we were all quite familiar with the scene that would be played out…everone knows “The wand chooses the wizard”.

At the Aviary the Stuffed Owls were animated and could be purchased as owl mail carriers. We had to check out the offerings at Honeydukes Sweetshop.

They were all there from Any Flavor Beans to Chocolate Frogs and Caldron Cakes.

We admired the Hogwart Express and saw the Wanted Poster for Sirius Black.

There were vendors offering Butterbeer all along the main street.

We slipped into The Three Broomsticks for a leisurely lunch. We were able to get a table on the back veranda where an umbrella shaded us from the sun. Hogsmeade had it all!

After lunch we started back to the remaining sections of the park. As soon as we left The Wizarding World we were winding through a middle eastern bazar. Then as we rounded a corner we spotted the Poseidon Adventure ( not the Shipwreck). It’s a walk-through experience, not truly a “ride” but it’s fun and interesting, definitely worth the short detour.

We had our eyes on Dr. Seuss land. There was Horton and the Cat in the Hat with Thing 1 and Thing 2. We took a ride on a small rollercoaster (clearly geared to small children) that told the story of the Star-bellied Sneetches.

The Cat in the Hat ride whirled and swirled as one might expect. Then it was time to find a cold bit of refreshment so we stopped to get a bite of ice cream and discuss what to do next.

We though about going back for one last ride with Harry but to be honest my blisters had blisters. I was about done for the day. I would have gladly camped out somewhere and let the others go play but they all said they were ready to wrap up too. So slowly we trudged (I limped) alllll the way back to the car. Joe, Tim and Saralyn were going out to dinner in Orlando but I had to take a pass.

Our busy schedule had done the “old lady” in. Back at the condo we reloaded Joe’s car and I crashed. It was about 3 hours later before I woke up and ordered a small pizza from the Pizza shop right on the premises.

My final thought/ recommendation …If you are only going to Universal like I did in 2010, you’ll have a great time. If you are going to both Disney and Universal, go to Universal first. Disney has set the bar really high and you will be less likely to notice the difference if you go to Universal first…you know the saying “You’ve tried the rest, now try the best”. Well Universal is the “rest” and Disney is the “Best.”

Is that Harry? Harry Potter?

Posted on February 13, 2012February 13, 2012 by Dusty Roads

It’s Day 2 and we’re all meeting up to have breakfast together before heading off to Universal Studios. I made sure to be up early so I could make a run to Walgreen’s before the others got here. I needed to get some big band aids to cover my big blisters. Hopefully that will get me through the walking we will have to do today.

When Joe and company arrived at my condo we put their luggage in my suite and then took my car to Shoney’s for the breakfast buffet. I’d never been to Shoney’s but I’d heard of it. I think it’s more of a southern chain. The buffet was quite varied and certainly filling. I think we all were fully fueled for the day.

Once we arrived at Universal and parked we had to make our way to the gates. It seems like you have to walk forever to get from Universal’s Parking area to the park. No busses, trams or trains here just the occasional moving sidewalk. Then another long walk through a section of push carts and vendors. Once the gates come in sight you prepare yourself to stand in line.

Entering the Islands of Adventure

The line wasn’t too bad. There was a gate attendant working the line taking out anyone paying with credit cards so it made the whole line move faster. I had a voucher for the 4 of us so we had to wait but once at the window I was treated very nicely and the ticketing process went smoothly and quickly. Islands of Adventure here we come.

Entering the Islands of Adventure

The big draw for us all was the Harry Potter Ride

First Glimpse of Hogwarts

and even though we wanted to make a bee line for it we did detour long enough to take the Spiderman ride.

Inside Spiderman attraction

It’s been updated since I was there in 2010. You really feel the heat! That’s all I’m going to say. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone who is planning a visit.

Good Guy or Villian?

Outside of Spiderman we passed a Super villian…I think he was a villan…signing autographs. Then the little comic section ..Gasoline Alley, Beetle Bailey and there was Boris and Natasha.

Those two villains from the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show are two of my favorites! There was also a Dudley Do-Right ride with a run-away log shooting down the flume.

A bronze Popeye was a popular spot for photos.

Popeye the Sailorman

Then we entered Jurassic Park but to our disappointment most of the attraction was shut down.

We lingered for a few photos but for the most part followed the winding path through the prehistoric era to enter the mystical world of Hogwarts and Harry Potter.

Any true Potter fan will feel their heart start beating faster when you first see the entry to Hogsmeade with its snow covered roofs and crooked chimneys with the majesty of the Castle that is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry looming over it all.

It may stand back but it is still the prime showcase of the attraction.

Today the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang and a young woman from Gryffindor are standing in the square between Hogswarts and Hogsmeade allowing the “muggles ” to take pictures with them.

We turned left and headed to the castle. It was time for THE RIDE.

I caused the first delay. Having been here before I knew we couldn’t bring any large objects but I had seen many people with Point and Shoot cameras so I had mine in a small shoulder bag. I was stopped at the gate told to put it in a locker. I tried to refuse but was told I couldn’t ride unless I left it behind. The lockers were packed with other people who were being forced to leave their belongings behind and only one attendant to assist. He was clearly overwhelmed.

First the computer said there were no open lockers. The when I saw one become available and grabbed it, the computer assigned me a different locker. I couldn’t reopen the one I’d snagged to get my bag back out. I had to wait for the harried attendant to get to me to cancel the previous transactions and let me request another locker. I don’t know how long it took but it seemed like forever, especially since my 3 friends refused to go one without me.

The line itself moved fairly quickly. As the horticulturist among us, Tim was appalled at the condition of the plants in the greenhouses that lead up to the castle. Once inside the queue moved almost too fast. You never got to see the scenes play out, from Dumbledor’s speech in his office to Harry, Hermione and Ron explaining what the ride was about. (Sneaking us muggles out of the castle to play Quidditch)

As we passed through the various halls the pictures on the walls moved and offered commentary and then we were there ; stepping onto the moving sidewalk and getting plunked quickly into a seat. In an instant an attendant was there locking you in with a heavy bar that really restricts your movements. I would think if you were prone to claustrophobia that about now you’d be going crazy but almost immediately after the lock down you’re off!

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You are swept up and away , twisting , turning and dodging. There are huge spiders and tons of dementors. You weave between the flailing branches of the Whomping Willow. You are riding a broom and dodging fire-breathing dragons, swooping over the spires of Hogwarts following close on Harry’s heels as he encourages you to keep up. And then as fast as it started it’s over.

In my case I staggered off the moving sidewalk and waited for my heart rate to come back to normal. Everyone else was off and as exhilarated as I . The exit took us back to the lockers where I retrieved my camera and we headed back to Hogsmeade to explore the little town and have some lunch.

Much better to eat after the ride…not before ! 🙂

2012 Week 6~ Photo of the Week

Posted on February 11, 2012February 11, 2012 by Dusty Roads

Narragansett Bay on a winter afternoon.

Taken from Beavertail Rd, Jamestown, RI

Electrical Water Pageant

Posted on February 10, 2012February 10, 2012 by Dusty Roads

This is one of the few times I didn’t have my camera with me so you’ll just have to use your imagination. I’d say close your eye and visualize but since this isn’t a recording that you can play it wouldn’t work very well.

We returned to the campground by taking a boat from the Magic Kingdom to the dock at the Wilderness Camp. We still needed to catch a bus to the parking lot. It’s a really big campground. They have actual campsites for RV’s and sites for tents as well as the cabins.

The bus dropped us off at the parking lot where we started our day oh so long ago. It seemed hard to believe that it was only one day. We’d done so much. I put my camera away in the trunk and everyone piled into my car. I wanted to see the cabin and that seemed the best way to handle it. There was only one parking space.

The cabin was really cute as you’d expect from anything Disney. It had a bedroom with two bunk beds and a full-sized bed. The living room had a pull down Murphy Bed that was also a full-sized bed so if you wanted to share it could sleep 6 people.

There was a kitchen and bathroom of course and a little table and chair set for meals. Joe told me the prices without his “Disney Discount” and I thought it was a bit pricey but of course, it’s Disney. It was very reasonable with his discount and if you had 4-6 people each sharing the cost it wouldn’t be bad either even without a discount.

We settled on our plans to meet up in the morning and then we all decided to take a walk back down to the beach. On the boat from the Magic Kingdom someone said they thought there was an “Electrical Boat Parade”. Since it was a question I decided not to lug my camera gear down plus it was dark and I didn’t have my tripod. It was a decision I would regret although just sitting back and enjoying the show was nice too.

There weren’t a lot of people at the beach so we were able to get nice beach lounge chairs to sit back and enjoy the evening. Lighting was minimal and it was very peaceful, especially after the noise and excitement of the day.

Briefly I thought I heard some music in the distance but it faded out and I went back to looking at the stars and enjoying the quiet night.

About 9:30 I saw a green dot or small ball moving from left to right across the lake. A Few moments later there was another. It was very quiet as I watched first one then another start across from the same area. Pretty soon they were strung out across the lake in front of us…just these small green lights. I joked that it was a pretty poor “Light Parade”. As usual I had to eat my words.

It was in fact the Parade and with a fanfare the music started and the first green dot burst into a dragon breathing fire. Each subsequent dot transformed into another brilliant visual display against the black lake. There was a whale spouting water, Dolphins jumping, an octopus and a turtle. A sea serpent with its many humps and a dinosaur munching water plants accompanied a chomping alligator as sea horses pulled Poseidon’s Chariot.

Then all at once the music changed to a Patriotic Medley of God Bless America, Yankee Doodle and You’re a Grand Old Flag and a flotilla of American flags and blinking stars replaced the animated creatures.

Too soon the lights blinked out and once again it was quiet and the green dots moved off down the lake.

It was a very short parade but it was spectacular. I wanted to go back the next night with my tripod to try to catch some of these images but Joe said they weren’t staying in the campground again.If you stay in the campground be sure you catch this parade. It’s wonderful! (Thanks to the wonder of the Internet I located some photos. The link to another page is below. I must give credit where credit is due. But I wish they were my pictures lol)

I found this link on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhzGVpyYGgo

Photos from http://www.allears.net/tp/ewp.htm

Evening Magic at the Magic Kingdom

Posted on February 8, 2012February 8, 2012 by Dusty Roads

By now you’d think that we’d have had enough of the Magic Kingdom but Joe wanted us to see the fireworks plus we still needed to get dinner.

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Everything in the Magic Kingdom was booked. Unless you had reservations you were out of luck. We finally ended up with hot dogs on Main St. ( They were very good hot dogs too) We started out sitting on the brick wall but someone finally gave up a table.

Joe spotted it first and I saw him take off at a run. He got there almost before the ladies were out of their seats but it was a good thing because there were other people right on his heels.

The table turned out to be a great seat for the Fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle too. After dinner and before the show Joe, Saralyn and Tim wanted to go shopping for souvenirs but we didn’t want to lose the table so I elected to stay put and guard our seats.

Good thing I did.

Before the fireworks was another show where pictures taken by the Disney photographers of people around the park are projected up onto Cinderella’s Castle. They seem to melt and shimmer as they change. I couldn’t make out the faces too well where we were seated. It was a bit far for my eyesight but it was still pretty and fascinating to watch.