A Ton of Fun in 2021: Week 43 Recap

This week we had to power through Monday and Tuesday after school to head to the most magical place! Teaching classes went so slow, as I'm sure work and school for the kids went too, but eventually we made it to Cincinnati to fly down to Orlando. On the way there, we admired God's masterpiece in the sky.  So beautiful. We flew out on Frontier airlines and checked into our hotel around 11:30 p.m. Since the next morning we would be up early to head to Epcot, we tried to get to sleep quickly. 

Wednesday we got up and put on our matching shirts. We ordered them for our last trip, but they didn't arrive in time so we finally got to wear them. Maw and Paw were able to come on this trip too.  I was suppose to be at two conferences that were in Orlando and Tampa this week, but both were moved to virtual, so I could do both! Worked out perfectly. We were most excited to ride the new Ratatouille ride, which Jeremy got in the queue at 7 a.m. so we could ride around 3 p.m. It was amazing. It ranks up there with Fast Track and Soarin' at Epcot. Definitely a must do at the park. Kids don't like Epcot the most because we love to walk around the countries and eat and drink, and that's surely not a favorite of theirs. They endured, but Isaac loved the Ratatouille chef hat that lit up, yet it was only at the front of the park and we left through the boardwalk entrance. Ended up we couldn't get it anywhere on Disney property...so now it's on his Christmas list. The other noteworthy part of Epcot was the show at the end. It was over the top amazing. Everyone was tired, and the kids were ready to go back to the hotel, so not sure they enjoyed it as much as the adults.

Thursday we headed to Magic Kingdom. We had a game plan to conquer the park, but shortly into the day nearly directly in front of the castle, we stopped to take some pictures. That's when the melt down on the kids end came to head and Jeremy went off.  Nothing more magically than a dad losing his shit in front of the castle! Besides the rides (especially Space Mountain and Splash Mountain - opposite ends of the park) the best part of MK is the show on the castle. The technology and electronics combined with a flying tinker bell and fireworks make it the most magical thing you'll ever see. We've discussed several times that our kids are outgrowing MK, but it's the tradition that keep it coming back. This year is also Disney's 50th year celebration, making everything even more over the top awesome. 

Friday was Hollywood. We specifically chose this park for today since it's my least favorite and I had to stay back at the hotel for 3 hours presenting at the conferences that I was scheduled to present in-person, but was now virtual. I presented at PRSA's Educator's Academy and ABC international conference too.  What were the chances that I would have two separate conferences and have a 10, 11, and noon session? Apparently really good. When I was finished, I checked us out of our hotel and met up with the rest at Hollywood.  Jeremy and Olivia had waited in line for Rise of Resistance Star Wars ride. It was a 2 hour wait that turned into nearly a 3 hour wait when it broke down and they let 1 regular line person in to every 9 in the fast pass line. This was because the new thing (started the day we got there) was the Genie FP lane. You have to pay $15 per person for the genie line and $30 per person for this ride. Jeremy had not paid extra, so they were in the regular line. I'm sure losing it with patience! Olivia had to pee so bad that during one of the rooms they had to tell a park worker (Storm Trooper) and he luckily took them out of line to the employee bathrooms and brought them back. Funniest part he asked Olivia what color the soap was when she came out and said good when she answered correctly. It was his way to make sure she washed her hands!  When they returned to line, and eventually made their way to the ride, both raved on how cool it was. We once again closed down the park and had to head back to our original DoubleTree hotel in downtown Disney to get our luggage before heading over to the DoubleTree at the entrance of Universal. Maw and Paw spent a couple hours on bench at Hollywood while we all ran around. I think we are wearing them out. 

The kids have never been to Universal Studios. We were most excited for Olivia (and me) to see Harry Potter world. We didn't get park hoppers, which prevented us from riding the train between the parks, but Oh M GEE. Harry Potter land didn't disappoint. After the incredibly long lines the last three days at Disney, we were pleasantly surprised by the very short waits at Universal. The roller coaster rides were the bomb. The 3-D rides were amazing. But HP world was beyond fantastic. Everyone rode the first ride HP and the Escape from Gringotts was so neat. Walking in line wasn't bad because there was something to see in every room. The ride was so fun. Then everyone else was ready to move on and Olivia and I asked to stay behind. We had a wand from the Zigenbusch's who let us borrow their's. We did spells, drank Butter Beer, and tried on a Slytherin robe that I was easily talked into buying- customized with her name! We all enjoyed our first day at Universal so much, but was sad to exit by 6 p.m. so they could have their Halloween Nights people in during the evening hours. We went back and ate at TGI Fridays that was right next door to our hotel. Then I took the kiddos down to the pool for an evening swim before heading to bed. 

Sunday we were back at Universal, this time at Island of Adventure side. It was forecasted to rain today, so we tried to get in as many rides as we could in the morning. The roller coasters were so fun and we got on two right away. Then we headed back to the King Kong ride before it started to be overcast. Then Isaac talked us all onto the log water ride. Are you kidding me? We all got so drenched we had to stand in those family dryer's for $5 to try to dry out! Drowned Rats. When we headed to HP land and wanted to ride the rides, we went on the first one and Maw lost her thinking when it leaned you back and swooped you around through Forbidden Journey. Maw and Paw decided to pass on the Hagrids Motorcycles. Those were amazing and had an unexpected surprise that was so cool that made it unforgettable. Again we finished up early and headed back to Jimmy Buffets for volcano nachos for dinner. YUM. 

Monday was a wasted day. If we had to do it again we would have flown out first thing in the morning, but since our flights were late, we went back down to the shops outside of Universal. Maw's feet were killing her, so we ended up finding out there was a bus that left our hotel and took up the mile down the street to the entrance. That helped a bit. We ate at the sports restaurant and sat at a table that was a Foosball table. Kids were entertained.  Then we headed over the movie theater and watched Ron's Gone Wrong, a movie about a bot that was damaged, but the kiddo loved it. Reminded us somewhat of Isaac and made Jeremy and I cry. LOL. When we were finished we headed back to the hotel to get our luggage to head to the airport. All and all a super successful trip. Expensive as heck doing two parks instead of one, but overall the memories were made!

Here is the Snapfish Album of pictures if you want to live through them all. 

14 Days of Summer- Universal Studios

Universal Fun

Oh baby, Hot! Hot! Hot! Did I forget to mention how hot it is here? If you haven’t read the previous Day 15 or Day 14 posts, please do. I complain about the heat in those posts as well!

Universal Studios. Jeremy and I visited here on our first vacation together back in 2002. It’s been awhile. Things have grown and parks have split. Tickets have gotten more expensive. Instead of buying park hoppers to visit all their parks, we chose to do one- Universal Studios. Isaac really wanted to go on the Minion ride (thanks again to advertising on Nickelodeon!) so we chose that park. Additionally, he loves Spongebob Squarepants, so double bonus attending Universal Studios.

We got to park and within minutes of walking in we see the 90 minutes wait for Minions ride. We get in line that is totally outside and HOT. Did I mention it was hot outside? Lol. Sweat dripping, Isaac begged for a water. Jeremy was super dad and jumped out of line an hour into our wait and brought back three drinks and a pretzel. Fast forward an hour later and in a shade under two hours we were experiencing the one and only Minion ride. Olivia said she didn’t like the 4-D experience and took off her glasses moments after starting. Isaac loved it, but said he didn’t need to wait again in line. LOL. Good buddy. Instead he chose Bob, the $30 plush, to take home. Yes, you read that right. $30 for ANOTHER stuffed animal. (insert my rolling eyes!)

We spent the next few hours back in the kid land, complete with character meet and greets that you can see in the picture below. The kiddos loved it. Jeremy commented on how different this trip was than 2002! Jeremy loved the Barney show- Not. We did enjoy anything in the AC though!

Olivia and I really enjoyed the Men In Black ride because it spun you around as you zapped aliens. Transformers ride was also a hit, although Olivia took off her glasses so she wasn’t scared. Isaac giggled throughout the entire ride trying to get away from the evil transformer. He loved the screeching tires as our movable carts felt as if we were truly speeding away. The parade was cute and I love the picture of Olivia and Edith interacting. It was adorable. We are pretty sure that she wanted Olivia to come out and dance with her, but her handler said no. Plus the characters loved Isaac’s minion Bob. Too cute!

We ended the day with the craziest rollercoaster the park had. The boys waited an hour in line and Olivia and I hung out in the AC child/parent swap area. When the boys finished going on the ride, Isaac got to ride back-to-back, as he got to go again with me! Great deal for me- an hour of AC then an immediate rollercoaster ride. Sweet!

Leaving the park was the wildest part of the entire day. Universal needs some lessons from Disney here. The parks all released at the same time so thousands of people funneled out of the parks at the same time. It was insane. We got an Uber and the kids were cashed out within minutes into the ride. All-in-all another great day.

15 Days of Summer- Legoland Waterpark

Splish Splash...Having a Blast!

 

Well yesterday rocked. So much fun but HOT. We were totally looking forward to having passes to the waterpark today at Legoland. The forecast was again going to be a unbearable, so we were looking forward to the waterpark cooling us off.





We entered the park around 11 in the morning and it wasn't too busy. By 2 p.m. it was packed. As soon as we entered, Isaac and Jeremy took off for the large waterslide. So impressed that little man has no fear of going on these. Check out the video below. I didn't catch it until he was halfway down, but wow.  Crazy.

Olivia, on the other hand, prefers the water works splash zone. It's so fun, but she has no fear of ever being lost. DRIVES.ME.NUTS. So I chase her around throughout the thing, but she went down one of the slides and then doesn't wait on me. I tried to find her in the millions of kids that are racing through. Ten minutes goes by and no Olivia. I begin to freak. I locate a lifeguard. He kindly tells me to just keep looking and if she doesn't come back in five minutes he'll blow the whistle.  Five minutes goes by. He blows the whistle to indicate to the other guards she's missing. I want to throw up. Seriously, where is she? As the other guard is walking toward me, her Olivia comes down a slide. Still no clue that she's missing and I've been freaking out. I alert the guards and then walk her over to the chairs and give her yet another lecture of how she can't run off. I'm telling you, this girl is going to be the death of me!

Besides this scare within being there the first half hour, it was a great afternoon. Olivia loved doing the tube slides with us. We all enjoyed the wave pool and lazy river. The day ended around 6 p.m. and the waterpark closed. We packed up the rental car and headed the hour drive back to Orlando to head to Universal tomorrow.

16 Days of Summer- Legoland Park

Build it and they will come

It took us longer than normal to figure out where we wanted to vacation at with the kiddos this summer. It wasn't until about a month ago we found airline tickets for really cheap to Orlando. We could always go for Disney, but decided since we had never done Legoland or Universal, this might be our opportunity to do so. With tickets in hand and a forecast in the 100s, our 2017 summer vacation lead to Florida.

Holy hotness. I mean drip off you standing hotness. I now understand why people don't do this. Lines were short because it was too damn hot. Ok, that's my vent session on that.

Legoland. Located an hour away from Orlando, this is super cute and totally built for kids. When I'm impressed by bathrooms at an amusement park, it get's my automatic stamp of approval. The parking entrance needs some work in efficiency, but other than that it was a fantastic park.

So. many. things. made. out. of. legos! Even the birds walking into the park in the grass were made out of legos. Jeremy and I were impressed with miniland- entire cities made out of legos. The attention to detail was amazing. Whoever has the patience to sit and do those for hours is my superhero.

This was our first trip to Legoland and the kiddos had a great time. From obtaining their "driving license" just like nick jr. advertises (the whole reason we are here!) to rollercoasters to Olivia picking out a new princess lego set, it had it all. We shut down the park (it closed at 7) and ended with a few water rides. Because we are cheap, we didn't eat in the park and instead headed to Outback on the way back to our hotel. We'll be back tomorrow for the waterpark. Stay tuned.