An even earlier start to the day today to try and get closer to the front of the line. We arrived about 7am and only a couple in front of us, although we had trouble with the fingerprints when entering which delayed us a bit. That said, we were onto Hagrid’s Motorcycle Adventure ride much quicker today.
Having ridden it, Mark & TJ went to ride it again and the girls and I headed to Jurassic Park for Velocicoaster – on entry to that part of the park the sign said there was a 15 minute wait but by the time we got to the ride, there was a delay so we were in a holding pattern. There weren’t too many in front of us, so once it started up we were through quickly. We had a second ride on Velocicoaster before meeting the boys. They had skipped the second ride on Hagrid’s as the queue was just too big so they went for a coffee instead.
Back at Harry Potter World we found the train station and caught the Hogwart’s Express to King’s Cross (aka, Universal Orlando). The train ride is very well done with a video playing through the windows so it looks like you’re actually going through the countryside.
On arrival into Kings Cross Station and Diagon Alley we rode the Happy Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride. Again the theming is excellent. We had a wander around Diagon Alley and a look in the various shops before heading out into the rest of the park.
TJ loved the fast and furious ride – a 3D “party bus ride” through LA but it didn’t do anything for me. Time for a quick Starbucks coffee break to refresh. The weather had definitely warmed up so jackets were becoming a bit of a nuisance but it was cold at 7am so we needed them then.
We rode the Revenge of the Mummy, which was quite different than the LA ride and I would say not as good. Next up Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster – this literally has a vertical slow rise up and then a fast down and loop. You get to choose your own music to listen to on the ride. TJ talked himself into doing it and luckily the queue using our express pass was really fast so there wasn’t too much time for him to talk himself out of it. He loved it! And so we repeated it. Greer wanted a third ride but TJ and Sophia weren’t keen – I can’t say I was particularly keen either as it felt like any brain cells I had left have been shaken out of me ? but I agreed to do it one last time.
Transformers was next, another 3D ride – the effects are done really well but again not my ride – TJ loved it – I feel a pattern here ?. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem followed – not immersive at all and very jerky. We walked around to the Men in Black Alien Attack ride and realized we had misplaced Greer’s VIP card.
I wasn’t bothered about doing the ride and neither were the girls so we left the boys to it and walked back to the hotel via Starbucks for a quick bite of lunch. The boys also rode the Simpsons ride before coming back to join us.
At the hotel we quickly got the card reissued (happens all the time apparently) and headed to the pool complex for a swim and relax for the afternoon. Greer, in particular, had a fun time on the slide – I didn’t see her for a long time. That was, until she stepped on a bee ? and no, the bee didn’t enjoy it either! Mark tried to get the lifeguard to provide some cream but they best they said they could do was a bandaid or gauze. He was not impressed – fortunately she is not allergic and there was no issue.
We went back to our room and packed everything up before heading home for dinner, washing and an early night.
