Disney Infidelity...

OK...so we cheated on our one true love (Disney) today...I guess I'd better explain.  While (at least in our opinion), Disney is the BEST thing going in Orlando, it is by no means the only game in town...and some of the other offerings here are also a lot of fun in their own way.  When we come down to Orlando, we typically spend all our time at Disney parks and on Disney property...but this trip decided to shake things up.  We haven't been to the Universal Parks or the Sea World parks since 2005 and 2006...and there are a number of fun things there we wanted to do again....as well as some new things that weren't there the last time we visited these parks (like the Harry Potter stuff and Sea World's new water park, Aquatica).  So, since we'd already been to Disney 4 times in the last 16 months, we decided that maybe this time we'd skip Disney parks (but still stay on resort property since we own two Disney Vacation Club, Disney's version of timeshares, properties and can stay for "free") and do the other parks.  It's blasphemous to true Disney fanatics, I know....but we succumbed to the forbidden fruit....and we had a pretty decent time!   Click "read more" below to hear about our day at the Universal Parks and see a lot of pictures.

We got up really early and headed over to the parks.  They open at 9am, but we had to pick up our "Express Passes" at will call (this is a special ticket you can pre-purchase that basically allows you to cut to the front of the line at many of the most popular attractions and, on crowded days, is a godsend because it keeps you from spending your whole day waiting in long, hot (and, depending on the showering habits and sweat glands of your fellow park guests----SMELLY...LOL) lines.  We anticipated crowds would be high since this weekend is a holiday weekend and is likely the last hurrah for many families since many schools start next week.  We were pleasantly surprised to find that the crowds were actually not bad today----early in the morning the Express Pass ended up being all but unnecessary, but by lunchtime it did cut what would be a 20 minute wait down to under 5....so we were able to do BOTH the Universal Parks (Universal Studios----their "movie themed" park that is more attractions and shows and Islands of Adventure----their amusement park this is all about the thrill rides and coasters)....and, in fact, we did both parks in about 8 hours....which was a record for us and allowed us time at the end of the day to come back to the resort and spend an hour so in the AMAZING pool here before getting changed and heading to Downtown Disney to eat at a new restaurant there called "Paridso 37" that serves Mexican style food and which we enjoyed very much!


OK...so on to talking about the Universal Parks and then posting some fun pictures for everyone.  The highlight of the parks is at Islands of Adventure----the new "World of Wizarding" Harry Potter themed section.  They have constructed the village of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts Express, and Hogwarts itself in a really fantastic facade that is very fun.  This part of the park was crazy busy...we literaly BOLTED there first thing to get on the major attraction, Harry Potter's Forbidden Journey ride.  Good thing, too, because we got on in about 10 minutes (throughout the day the wait grew to over an hour).  The queue for the ride and the exterior are amazing----great detail and huge...and inside there are talking portraits, a classroom that literally snows while you're waiting and tons of recognizable Harry Potter artifacts.  The ride itself is pretty fun, too and combines a motion simulator with large panoramic surround movie screens with animatronic characters.  (For those familiar with Disney attractions....imagine if "Soarin'" and "Dinasour" had a baby....that with a little bit of magic would be the Harry Potter ride! LOL).  Anyhow...here are some more pictures of the Harry Potter section of the park:

The statue that opens to the stairs to Dumbledore's office

The Sorting Hat---which talks as you go by.

Buckbeak---the Hippogriff---there is a mini-coaster themed around him and he sits in his next and squawks at you as you go by.

Jason & I in front of Hogwarts....it's HUGE behind us.

Now, the parks are not all about Harry Potter....although that is one of the more exciting new things we experienced.  There are a lot of fun rides at both Islands of Adventure and Universal....and one other thing that Islands definitely has going for it is theming/decorating.  Disney is, of course, expert at creating beautiful and realistic and magical settings....but Islands is right up there, as well.  The park is divided up into six distinct "lands"---Marvel Superheroes, Toon Town (think Sunday comics come to life), Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, Lost Continent (which has greek mythology kind of theme), & Dr. Seuss Landing.  Each of these areas of the park is decorated to the hilt and the park is really beautiful.  It still doesn't have the appeal for me and Jason that Disney does...but it's not a bad way to spend a day (especially when you can do most everything fun at both parks in one day and still be home to swim and eat!!).

Here's a few NON-Harry Potter pics from our day at Universal & Islands of Adventure.  Ejoy!!

In Jurassic Park---for a meal!

Jason at Marmaduke picture opp in Islands.

Jason in front of this crazy coaster we rode at Universal.

Our photo from the Men In Black ride (just like Buzz Lightyear for you Disney fans).

Jason on the Dr. Seuss Carousel

Me on the Dr. Seuss Carousel

Jason & I at the park entrance

OK...so hopefully you enjoyed some of those pics from our day at Universal.  Tomorrow...two sea world parks---Aquatica, Sea World's water slide park (don't expect many photos with us actually IN them....as that might require posting pics of us shirtless....and for our own self esteem that is not very likely! LOL)....and then in the evening we're heading over to traditional Sea World with Shamu and rides and all that excitement.  So one full day down and now 29 more to go!!!