Labor Day Weekend 2014 at Universal – Day 2

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Last night we decided to get up early and ride Escape from Gringotts again. Why not? So this morning started much like yesterday with the walk to Universal Studios from our hotel and the Early Park Admission line back through London, Diagon Alley, and the ride itself.

It was a little more crowded today so it took a little longer to get through the line, but the ride is still worth it. After checking out a little more of Diagon Alley and enjoying an early morning butterbeer, we left London to check out the rest of Universal Studios.

The whole Springfield area back by the Simpsons ride was new since our last visit. It’s mostly food (and mmmm, beer): Krusty Burger, Moe’s, Duff, etc. My daughter and I had doughnuts for breakfast from Lard Lad (including the iconic pink frosted with sprinkles). We rode E.T. and were disappointed that they no longer enter your name for E.T. to say at the end of the ride. The new Transformers ride was pretty cool too (although when it comes right down to it, it’s the same as Spider-Man just with a different theme). Shrek is still fun, although that older 3D movie technology just hurts my eyes and looks blurry.

We wanted to go back to Islands of Adventure, but rather than take the Hogwarts Express again (like yesterday) we decided to walk through CityWalk and ended up at Margaritaville for lunch. Despite the fact that I had a margarita at dinner last night I ordered a flight of margaritas, which were great (when in Rome, right?).

Today, karma caught up to us … or, rather, the rain did. Shortly after getting into Islands of Adventure, dark clouds started quickly rolling in. Then the rain started. Just a sprinkle at first, but then a good pouring. We were prepared, of course, with ponchos and umbrellas, so for the most part we kept dry (except for our feet). We ended up huddling under a roof in Hogsmeade for a bit before decided to go ride the Forbidden Journey ride in Hogwarts Castle instead (why not wait in line inside, right?). There’s no Express for that ride, but we were in no hurry and the wait was listed as only 45 minutes. By the time we got out of the ride, it was blue skies and sunny again (and humid!).

After catching the Sinbad stunt show we started walking back to our hotel since we had dinner reservations over at Universal Studios and wanted to freshen up first (and change into drier clothes where necessary). From CityWalk we caught the water taxi back to Portofino Bay, changed, and then took the taxi back to Universal.

Dinner was at Finnegan’s Bar and Grill where (once again, when in Rome!) I got a flight of Irish beers. I don’t usually drink a lot of Guiness but the mixes (like a Black Velvet) were pretty good. The food was pretty good as well, although our waitress wasn’t great. It’s never good when she makes excuses as soon as you sit down (“I’m so swamped tonight”).

After dinner we rode Disaster! (I love Christopher Walken) and then checked out Diagon Alley at night. Watching the dragon atop Gringotts breath fire at night is pretty cool (and it’s fun to see everyone clap and cheer every time it happens, every 10 minutes).

Then we snagged some seats along the central lagoon for Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular -100 Years of Movie Memories night show. While not as spectacular as some of Disney’s night shows, the descending water projection screens (and obligatory narration by Morgan Freeman) along with some fireworks made for an enjoyable end to the day.

 

 

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