Life Updates/Trip #2 Changes
At the end of September, I left my aerospace engineering job. Lots of reasons went into this decision but I’m happy that I made my choice. I started working in the government sector on October 1st. It’s nice having a job that is a true 40 hour work week. Luckily, my two major trips that were planned (the November Trip and my September France) were discussed during the hiring process and even though I won’t have the vacation time to cover them, I can take them unpaid. Now I wouldn’t need to take a half day on November 1st and could leave that morning instead!
With having more time on my hands, I’m getting super excited for my November Trip. I even started packing…well, more so the suitcases are out. The only items in them are my ears, my swimsuit, the magic bands, our refillable mugs for Disney Springs, some alcohol and some of our standard RunDisney items like the mylar blankets.
I also finally purchased our express passes for Universal. Since our tickets were free and we want to do both parks in 1 day, this will make sure that happens. As Universal/Islands of Adventures trips tend to be very ride heavy days that are a bit more intense than what Disney does, I know there is no way I’m carrying a purse or bag to the parks. I’m planning on wearing a sparkle skirt with a longer top and at least one of us will have a lanyard w/ pouch so that our express passes can be easily accessed during the day.
We’ll probably start in Universal and then move to Islands of Adventures.
Universal Rides/Shows
Must Do:
Men In Black Alien Attack
Revenge of the Mummy
Simpsons Ride
Transformers: The Ride 3D
Harry Potter & the Escape from Gringotts
Fast & Furious - Supercharged
Possible:
Hogwarts Express: King’s Cross Station - which side we do will depend on which park we start with
Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
Shrek 4-D (Not sure if it will still be open then as I thought I heard a rumor it was closing}
E.T. Adventure - This has not aged well
Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon - I enjoyed this ride in July 2017 with my mother but I hated the queue situation. I felt it took entirely too long to get onto the ride with the express pass.
Skip:
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster - Too Old
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - Never again after the ride restraint snafu of 2014. I’m sure it was a one time thing but I’m good.
Islands of Adventure Rides/Shows
Must Do:
The High In the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride
The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
The Cat in the Hat
The Incredible Hulk Coaster
Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Possible:
Hogwarts Express: Hogsmeade Station - which side we do will depend on which park we start with
Flight of the Hippogriff
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Skip:
Storm Force Accelatron - Bleh on Teacups!
Caro-Seuss-el - Not our thing
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls - I don’t need to get soaked
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges - I don’t need to get soaked
Pteranodon Flyers - We won’t have a child with us
Doctor Doom’s Fearfall - Husband doesn’t enjoy these types of attractions and hasn’t been on Tower of Terror in years
Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey - We did this in Universal Hollywood in Jan 2017 and both felt rather ill afterwards. It could have been because of this being the last ride of the day and all the simulators got to us.