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Our second full day in Orlando we decide to head to the classic Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. After parking in one of the huge lots we took a small shuttle to the ticket booth where we picked up our tickets at the will call booth.
Then we boarded the iconic monorail for the short ride to the Magic Kingdom. After scanning our tickets and passing through the turnstiles we walked the short distance to the rotary in front of the castle. Here we found ourselves in the middle of a parade watching Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and several other notable characters from some of the most popular Disney movies like Toy Story and the Incredibles.
After escaping the rotary we headed over to Tomorrowland to catch a ride on Space Mountain. Unfortunately when we arrived it was being serviced and we would have to go back later. As an alternative we got in line for Stitch’s Great Escape. After waiting in line and told we were going to help with Level 1 Criminals a Level 3 arrived and we were ushered into a circular room where restraints held us in our seats. Next the room plunged into Darkness and the Level 3 Criminal Stitch escaped lockdown and teased the lasers designed to restrain him. I was not a fan of this ride. I thought it lacked a real ride feel and was more of a waste of time than anything else
Given that we got a late start we decided lunch would be our next stop. We ended up at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café where we had a pulled pork sandwich with fries and a soda. It was delicious and feeling satisfied we decided to see is Space Mountain was back up and running.
We headed over to the entrance and sure enough it was operating. We followed the path inside the relic of a ride illuminated by blue lights with windows looking out into space. Space Mountain was first opened in 1975 and has two roller coasters inside its roof. Alpha and Omega. Since we used our FastPasses we found ourselves at the loading dock of the Omega track. We boarded the bobsled style vehicle and I took a quick Selfie before the ride began. Then we found ourselves flying through space in the dark starry world. Space Mountain an oldie but a great ride in the dark.
Our next ride was Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. This ride reminded me of the Men In Black ride at Universal and was equally unexciting. As we made our way in the space vehicle we controlled the spinning of the ride via a joystick and used a laser guns to shot at aliens to score points. I am sure that this ride appeals to a younger audience but for adults it was a complete bore.
We decided to leave Tomorrowland since it was more of a Yesterland for us and headed over to Frontier land since we had another Fastpass for another oldie but goodie, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Originally opened in 1980 this ride. We made our way thought the frontier to the station building. After a short wait we train and the flash of a green lantern told us we were starting the ride.
Leaving the station, the trains immediately enter a dark tunnel and make a tight left hand turn before heading down a short straightaway during which the sounds of bats can be heard. The train then makes a slight right hand turn and climbs the first lift hill. At the top the train slows down and riders make a drop to the left, before making a right hand turn and going over two hops while passing under the second lift hill and second lift hill drop.
After going under the second lift hill drop the train makes a tight downwind spiral to the right into a short tunnel. Emerging from the tunnel, riders find themselves in the abandoned town of Tumbleweed. While passing through Tumbleweed, the track goes through several bunny hops, and the train seems to sway from side to side. After Tumbleweed, the trains pass through a short tunnel called Dave V. Jones Mine, then makes a left turn to climb the second lift hill. At the top, the train drops away to the left and crosses back under the lift hill as the trains rise up into a 540 degree downhill helix to the left, before going over another airtime hill before dropping back down. The trains make a right hand turn into a tunnel, and climb the third lift hill. An earthquake is in progress and the rocks seem ready to crush and bury the train. Cresting the lift hill, the trains exit into the daylight, and drop away to the left heading for the Rivers of America, before they make a left hand turn through a short tunnel, towards the boneyard and geysers before returning to the station. It was one of my favorite rides.
Sweltering in the heat we looked for an opportunity to cool down. Our last big adventure took us to the tropical shores of Hawaii’s Oahu Island and one of the attractions was the Dole Pavilion where we all got to enjoy some Dole Whip. Mickey must have gone too and decided that his park needed a little Hawaiian treat because we were thrilled to discover that we could get Dole Whip at Aloha Isle. With the sun beating down and all of us sweating from the heat it was nice to cool off with some nice refreshing Dole Whip.
Having cooled off with the Dole Whip we decided to explore the Swiss family Treehouse. From high up in the tree we were able to catch a good view of the park. The tree house isn’t a ride but a self-guided tour.
Just below the treehouse Jungle Cruise. It however had a very long line so we opted to check out the Enchanted Tiki Room. After settling into our bench seats were serenaded by the birds of the tropics in an animatronic exhibition. Originally opened in 1963 the cast of over 150 talking singing and dancing birds, flowers and other room details sing songs like The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room and Lets All Sing Like the Birdies Sing. I can see how these birds and this attraction might have caused a stir in 1963 but by today’s standards it serves as a place too cool off in the air-conditioned building. I did enjoy it and hope it sticks around for a while longer.
After exploring the Treehouse and being serenaded by the birds we decided to take a chance on the Jungle Cruise. This is another ride with a long history. It was first opened in 1971. After a quick introduction to the captain we make our way into the jungle past Inspiration Falls. We see Pygmies, a giant python before seeing the captains camp destroyed by gorillas. As we continue one ew find ourselves on the Nile where our captain introduced us to some elephants and hippos As we continue everything goes Asian and we find ourselves on the Mekong River and see earthquake destroyed temples and tigers and baboons and native head hunters. The ride is made amusing by the witty and sarcastic captain telling jokes pun after pun.
Next to catch our attention in Adventureland is the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This fun water themed ride starts off with visitors wandering the meanderin’ alleyways of a Spanish fortress before boarding a small barge for a high-seas adventure. We travel through a shadowy grotto and ghostly catacombs of pirated long past before rushing down a small water fall. It was a fun ride with lots of little details from the popular film franchise it’s named after.
Next we headed up to the Liberty Square portion of Magic Kingdom to the Haunted Mansion. Like many of the other rides in the park this one too opened many years ago in 1971. Built in a Dutch Gothic Revival architecture the mansion houses a fun ride. The waiting line had several things to keep those waiting amused such as the bookshelf where you could never have all the books pushed in to tombstones with funny inscriptions. Once on the ride visitors sat in a large chair omimover capable of holding a couple people. It worked its way through the haunted rooms meeting many of the mansions haunted residents.
After the scary Haunted Mansion we all decided to take a break and sit down to enjoy the Country Bear Jamboree. It was soon clear to me that this attraction was clearly focused on people from a different part of the country then were we were from. The troupe of dancing and singing bears sang songs that I had never heard before and many of the older guests sang along with them.
We headed back to Frontierland since we had an upcoming FastPass at Splash Mountain but decided after the lackluster Country Bear Jamboree a little action was necessary and enjoyed headed to Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain is a typical flume style ride based on characters from the Song of the South Disney movie. Riders board eight passenger logs. Next we ascend a life that takes us to a pond at the bottom of a big drop where we enter a barn where How Do You Do? Is played from speakers. We also pass by Br’er Bear’s cave before going down Slippin’ Falls. Next we enter the indoor portion of the ride where various animatronic animals continue to sing How Do You Do?. We pass through a couple more areas before we begin to ascend to the top of the ride. At the top the log plummets down a 52foot drop at a 45-degree angle reaching close to 40mph before we splash into the pool below.
We enjoyed the ride so much that we went back around for another go. After exiting Splash Mountain for the second time we headed over to Fantasyland and decided to ride one final attraction. We decided that the Barnstormer, a small roller coaster, would be the perfect ride to finish our day. It’s a designed to be a stunt plane in the Great Goofini’s daredevil act. The flying spectacle begins as we ascends to the top of a nearby wooden observation tower. Then, we rapidly swoop down and around the bustling barnyard, following the flight path made famous by The Grand Goofini. Dart around gentle bends, peel past trees and soar through the broken section of a nearby billboard before “landing” safely back inside the barn.
Exhausted from being on the go since landing in Orlando we decided to call it an early evening and headed home. Instead of taking the monorail back to the parkinglot we decided to hitch a ride on one of the two paddle boats going back and forth. It was a relaxing ride and we got to watch the sun begin to set. It was a nice finish to a great day at Disney.
Before leaving I took a few pictures with the castle for memories.
After returning to the room to shower and get ready for the day we decided that we would start our theme parks fun at Universal Studios. The ride to the park
from our resort was about 20 minutes. The highways were all clearly marked and easy to follow. When we arrived we paid our $17.00 and parked in the Cat in the Hat garage. After making our way past the huge rotating universal globe to the main gate and collecting our tickets from will call we passed through the turnstiles’ and found ourselves ready for the fun.
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem was our first stop. It was described as joining Gru, his daughters, and the mischievous minions on a 3D ride. In reality we were converted to minions by Gru and during our training by the girls things went awry. We helped the girls rescue Gru's present and at the end when our training finished we were accidentally converted back into humans. As our first ride it was a great way to start the fun. This 3D ride brought us into the animated world of Gru and his three girl’s. It was fun to feel like part of the movie.
Next we took it to the next level with Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Costing 45million to construct this roller coaster starts it's 1m 37 second ride with a 167ft accent to the top height of the coaster before “letting it rip” at a top speed of 65mph sending its riders hurdling back down its 3,800 ft of track to music personalized by the rider from a music selector located on the harness.
This is how the ride is described online: “Following the big drop, the train goes through a non-inverting loop (meaning that the train doesn't go through an inversion), which is nicknamed "The Double Tale". Then the train makes an upward right turn into one of the several mid-course brakes. It then drops back down going through a hole in a wall before entering a left upward helix. This section of the coaster is nicknamed "The Treble Clef". Next the train enters a quick element nicknamed, "The Jump Cut" which is similar to a non-inverting corkscrew. The train then drops back down before climbing back up into the second mid-course brakes. Following a small drop to the left, it travels straight before making a right turn, followed by a left, and then another right leading into the third set of mid-course brakes. Another drop is followed by the brakes leading into an s-bend/turn. The train then travels into an inclined loop, then the train enters the fourth set of brakes after going back up. Finally, the train drops back down, and goes over a small hill before entering the final brake run where the train enters the station and the riders song ends.”
Across the street from Despicable Me was Shrek 4-D is a continuation of Shrek’s story and is based in the kingdom of Dulac where the movie left off. While heading on their honey moon Queen Fiona is kidnapped by the ghost of Lord Farquaad and we join Shrek and Donkey in the race to save her from certain death if she plunges over the waterfall. In the course of the rescue they all find themselves trapped on the raft but are saved by Donkey's dragon girlfriend who finishes off lord Farquaad in a fireball. With order returned to the kingdom and lord Farquaad no more they resume with their honeymoon surrounded by friends.
Twister "Ride it Out" was our next stop and this interactive attraction puts you right in the middle of it all as they simulate an F5 Tornado. This ride was a bit of a disappointment. They did simulate a small tornado and I’m sure with safety concerns anything more powerful would have been impossible. I would have done something different to showcase the power of a tornado. I would have made a 3-D style ride with screens all around the passengers of a vehicle and simulate it getting sucked up into the vortex of a tornado. As the attraction is now you stand on a platform and watch a few flashes in the sky and a little tornado in the middle of a big room. This ride could have been much more amazing.
Here is how it’s described online: “The guests line up on a tiered observation platform under a corrugated metal roof, overlooking a simulated outdoor scene featuring a view of a rural drive-in theater and a diner at dusk as dark clouds roll overhead. Suddenly, a tree gets struck by lightning, scenes from The People Under the Stairs appear on the movie screen, sirens sound briefly, and winds in the room get stronger. A small light can be seen inside a house in the distance, as well as voices of a family getting into their storm cellar. A simulated tornado drops from the sky, and rain begins to fall. Guests are squirted with water from above. The tornado wrecks the drive-in screen, the diner, and a car, which causes a fireball to erupt. The roof of the observation platform also threatens to tear off. A cow, lifted by the wind, flies past the spectators. As the "storm" dies, the floor of the standing area lurches with a sudden drop, giving guests a final scare.”
After twister we went to Finnegan’s for lunch. We all had the chicken sandwich and each picked a milkshake. I had a banana split milkshake, Dan had chocolate and Chris an orange slush. The sandwiches were delicious and the meal was great until we had a visitor scurry past us on the wall. It was not a palmetto bug as the waitress explained without seeing it. It was clearly a cockroach and another 4 tables also saw it. The manager came over and took 10% off the bill and ushered us out the door as quickly as possible. The food was good but we won’t return after seeing the bugs. An exterminator once told me for each one you see there at 50 you don’t
When we left Finnegan’s John Belushi look alike was performing in the street. While the crowd formed we took the opportunity to get into The Mummy as quickly as possible. We left all our belonging in one of the many complimentary lockers and entered the line. The exterior of the building was the Museum of Antiquities with a film marquee showing a sequel called Revenge of the Mummy. With everyone watching the show outside we barely waited in line before we boarded the ride. We sat in mine cars and it moved along its track into Imhotep’s tomb where a film crew person partially wrapped like a mummy warns us to leave. "Are you insane?! Get out of here! The curse is real; this whole place is a trap! He is after your souls! Look for the medjai symbol. It's your only hope!" Before he could finish Imhotep silences him and tells us that with our souls he will rule for eternity.
The mine car quickly exits his tomb into a room filled with treasures. Here Imhotep appears in the sand and tempts us to serve him and be rewarded with riches or refuse and die. The mine car races out of this room at 45 MPH as he screams “your souls are mine” into an anti-chamber where scarab beetles pout out of the wall. The mine car shoots backwards to get away but Imhotep again appears and warns the riders that even the Medjai can’t save us.
Next we enter another chamber where the ceiling is engulfed in flames before finding ourselves rocketed into another room where a film crew member is in a control room. The lights flash on and off and the glass window shatters revealing Imhotep. He tells us to "Prepare to forfeit your souls! Death is only the beginning!" before the mine car plunges 39ft down and races through a Medjai symbol before traveling through a tunnel of flikering lights. Then we see a famous star of the film series Rick O’Connel played by Brendan saying "Hey, welcome back! hope you enjoyed yourself, I would have enjoyed this interview a lot better if I HAD MY CUP OF COFFEE!!!" Suddenly, a cape passes over the screen and Imhotep's arm offers Fraser a cup of coffee. As Fraser screams and falls back in his chair, the screen fades to black, while riders hear Imhotep roaring over Fraser's screams. Riders are then directed to exit through an actual unload station. At the exit of the ride, riders see a missing persons poster with a picture of Reggie on it.
The ride was so much fun we immediately went back in line and took a second turn enjoying Imhotep’s hospitality.
Next we moved along and saw Beetlejuice posing for pictures. Loving that movie as a kid I couldn’t resist getting my picture taken with him. While waiting to take my picture I realized that he was plugging his Monster Rock & Roll Revue that was about to start. We took out pictures and entered the areana. The Beetlejuice rock review was a great opportunity to sit back and relax as many of our favorite horror movie characters sang monster themed versions of popular songs
After relaxing and taking a seat at the Rock & Roll revue we moved on to Disaster. In disaster you participate (well select audience members) in the making of a motion picture action movie. I got recruited to participate as one of the three evil people. Once we were in the production set each of those people selected took their turn and had their portion taped. Next we moved down into a subway car where each and every person got to watch those selected and themselves integrated into the trailer for the move called Disaster.
Next we moved onto the live set of one of my favorite shows. Fear Factor Live was like a mild version of the original show and it was a lot of fun to watch. It started with four contestants who hung from a bar and the longest to hold on got an advantage and the option to select their partner. Next they competed as a pair to pick up and move some nasty thing into buckets. They again competed as a pair throwing rotten squid while suspended from the ceiling.
Next we went to MIB Alien Attack which was a disappointment as we road along through an alien infested area and attempted to shot and kill as many as we could. It was more of a kids ride then anything else. As you ride along in the glow in the dark attraction you are tasked with using the included laser gun to shoot as many aliens as possible and for each one you receive points.
Krustyland Simpsons Ride was another 3D style motion ride. Before getting on the ride the pre-show explains that villain Side Show Bob wants to kill Krusty and the Simpsons during the launch of the new ride. The Simpsons are forced on the ride and we road along with them. The theme park ride goes awry when Side Show Bob destroys the track with a wrecking ball and a super-sized Maggie destroys Springfield. Maggie appears again and in a chain reaction we find ourselves bounced into the stands of some show and we crash through and nearly fall to hell only to be saved by Prof Frink. As we surface Maggie thinking the ride is a pacifier sucks on our vehicle repeatedly before spitting us out sending us hurling towards the Simpson’s house much like the start of every Simpson’s episode.
After an exciting Simpson’s ride we went to a classic ride I remember as a kid. ET was just how I remembered it. We needed to help ET get back to his home to save his planet and it's people with his healing touch but had to avoid the white hazard suits of the NASA workers who wanted to capture and evaluate him. We all board our bicycles and are lead by ET on a while ride through the forest avoiding all the troubles along the way before being transported in a portal to the Green Planet. Once there we watch as ET’s healing touch returns the planet to its glory.
Next we moved onto another favorite childhood toy turned modern attraction. Transformers brought us right into the action as we road along and helped keep the allspark from Decepticon. In the end we used it to finish him off and save the planet. This ride was full of high action fun and
Horror makeup show brought guest makeup artist mark James to Orlando to show us some of the ways universal has been using makeup and props to scare people. It included some terrible humor but was entertaining anyhow
Terminator2 3-D Battle Across Time was my least favorite attraction. We visited Cyberdyne to see them unvail the t-70 Terminators only to be interrupted by John and Sarah Connor who warned us about the consequences of Skynet. They were followed by a t-1000 from the future and it was only with the help of the original Terminator played by Arnold Schwarzenegger are is John teleported to the furture where they infiltrate and destroy Skynet. And the T-1000000.
After a dismal Terminator attraction we got sucked into the Magic Shop Theatre. It was there we watched a very talented magician teach some cool tricks while trying to sell some magic kits. Everything from the red balls to levitation objects to the rigged deck of cards. I picked up the levitating kit. We will have to see how hard/easy it is to replicate.
We were all getting tired at this point and a bit hungry so we decided to hit up the three rides we likes most one last time before giving it up for the day. The three rides we returned to were Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Despicable Me: Minion Meyhem, and The Mummy.
After enjoying the day in the park we opted to head to Miller’s Orlando for a cold drink and a nice meal before crashing for the day back at the resort.
After visiting the Happiest Place on Earth we returned for our second day at Universal Studios Orlando’s Islands of Adventure. This is the park I was most eager to visit. It has many attractions based on several of my favorite movies.
After entering the park turnstiles and walking by the themed Port of Entry we made our way to the first big ride in Marvel’s Super Hero Island. Based on the popular comic book superhero The Incredible Hulk lived up to its name. Its first impressive feature is the 110 foot lift hill. We were launched at an advertised 40mph in 2 seconds before speeding through seven inversions. While racing around the 3,700ft track we reached top speeds of about 67 mph and you could feel the g-forces keeping you firmly in your restrained seat. The biggest drop was 105 ft and the ride dips below ground level a few times and spends most of its 2 minutes and 15 seconds high over the parks lagoon. It was a blast and if the line wasn’t so long I would have immediately gotten back in for a second time. Instead we opted to move on to the next attraction.
After a quick bite to eat Marvel Super Hero Dining where we grabbed a burger fries and a milkshake we were off to enjoy more of the park. We decided to enjoy The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man next. After winding through the offices of the Daily Bugle were we catch the reports that five Super-Villains led by Doctor Octopus have attached the city and are using an anti-gravity gun to steal notable landmarks like the Statue of Liberty.
After leaving Super Hero Island we made our way through the gates of Jurassic Park. They were just like the movie and it was amazing how quickly the environment changes from each section of the park. There aren’t too many rides for adults in this section of the park but the one big ride they do have is awesome. It’s called Jurassic Park River Adventure and like the name suggests it’s a water ride. 
The premise of the rise is that John Hammond was allowed to open a new park and you view the animals from the safety of the raft. Suddenly however we are bumped off course and into a restricted area of the park known as the Raptor Containment area where its power fences are down and the raptors are loose. Being hunted by the raptors we find ourselves looking at the terrifying jaws of a T-Rex and our only escape is the 85ft water fall. It’s known for the 1.5 million gallons of water that are used and when built its 85ft plunge was the largest theme park water decent ever constructed.
Next we grabbed our Nimbus 2000’s and flew over to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here we visited the village of Hogsmead where we enjoyed a nice cold refreshing Butter Beer before heading over to Hogwarts for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. Before even getting in line we used the free lockers in the dungeon to store our loose items and then made our way through the green house before entering the castle. Once inside we winded our way through the Hall of Talking Portraits, the Defense Against the Dark Arts class and even meet the sorting hat before taking our spots on the enchanted benches.
After a quick pep talk by Hermione we flew out of the castle from the Observatory and shot down to a quiditch match with Ron and Harry before being interrupted by dementors where we rush to get away following Harry. We escape only to meet Hagrid who has lost his pet Dragon. 
Before you know it we are being chased by Hagrids Hungarian Horntail. We narrowly escape by ducking into the Forbidden Forest where we encounter an Aragog. Hermione tried to help us escape and we just make it past a whomping Willow before being knocked into the Quiditch Pitch. As we try to get back to the castle our bench falls into the Chamber of Secrets through a hole and we are again chased by dementors. 
As we try to escape down the tunnels we pass by the skeleton of a long dead Basilisk. Again the dementors try to suck our souls but Harry saves us again and leads us over the Black lake to Hogwarts where we are thanked for our bravery. It was a great ride with mixed media that helped bring all the characters and all the details from the movie for each and every rider.
Needing a break from the fast paced rides we took a break to enjoy The Eight Voyage of Sinbad Stunt Show in the Lost Continent. It’s an action themed stunt show performed in an open air theatre. It’s the story of the beautiful Princess Amoura and the evil witch Miseria. We watch as Sinbad and his goofy sidekick Kabob attempt to rescue the princess from the evil witch. Sinbad battles her goons and her magic including a fiery plunge into the water below before triumphing and defeating the witch. It was a fun distraction and a chance to take a break from all the walking we had been doing.
We continued on through the park into Toon Land where we decided to take a ride on Dudley Do-Rights Rip Saw Falls. Another water ride but it appeared that people didn’t get too wet or so we thought. Set in the Canadian North Woods we stick with Dudley Do-Right and his faithful house to help save the fair Nell Fenwick who was kidnapped by Snidely Whiplash. Trapped in the saw mill it’s up to us to rescue her. We board a flume log and make our way to the mill before the conclusion sending us over the 75ft RipSaw Falls where we are blasted by water and soaked to the bone. 
