BOOM! EXPRESS! No Wait!! A UOR December 2019 TR *COMPLETE* 4/27 x2

Your little one actually did great. Some kids pitch fits from the minute they walk out the door and it never stops...she may have just had sensory overload but I still think your kids are adorable.
 
The pictures using the UO photographers are awesome
You did good having the photo pass
They all turned out fantastic!

I really like the photos they take, I just wish there were more photographers around the parks! We really tried to get our money's worth out of the package.

:love: :love: all the Christmas themes in the dark room!

The Hello Kitty pictures are so sweet!

We love the themed photos! We even used one of them for our Christmas card once we got home.

Meeting Hello Kitty hadn't been on any of our radars, but it was really perfect timing to see her right after getting the plush and DD was on a "Hallo" Kitty high!

Yay I'm glad you had a great Disney trip!!

:rotfl2: so much for no more stuffed animals!

Such cute pics of DD with "Hallo" Kitty!

The holiday backgrounds at the photo studio are cool! Lots of great family photos!

Moms may know best, but sometimes Dads just know when to get it right..and yours sure did by bringing back some ice cream for you!

I think we say no more stuffed animals EVERY vacation, and it never sticks!!

It was fun doing the photo studio photos. We even used one of the holiday ones for our Christmas card!

Man, that is just so true!!! Even as an adult with kids of my own, my dad knows when ice cream will do the trick!!

Your little one actually did great. Some kids pitch fits from the minute they walk out the door and it never stops...she may have just had sensory overload but I still think your kids are adorable.

I was so impressed with how well she did!! This was the only day where she was really tough to handle for most of the day. The rest of the time she did wonderfully, and she enjoyed everything we tried. Thanks!!!
 
Day 3: Sunday December 8th

This morning, there was no sleeping in for anyone! The kids did sneak downstairs to take over the sofa bed and watch TV for a little bit while my parents warmed up some breakfast for us.


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The reason for our early wake up time was so we could get on property early and check in for our one night at Royal Pacific Resort! Although we hadn’t had too much trouble getting on the rides we wanted to do thus far, we were definitely looking forward to those Unlimited Express Passes! Originally, the plan was going to be that just me and the kids would be staying in our room, and my parents were going to stay in theirs. DH insisted on staying at our Wyndham resort because he didn’t want to pay the parking fee for the minivan overnight. When my mom heard that was the plan, she insisted on paying the parking fee so DH could join us. He resisted taking the offer at first, but eventually agreed and threw together an overnight bag.

We were ready to head out around 7:30 am and drove straight to RPR to check in and get our keys to use as our EPs. We were beside each other checking in with two different TMs, and my dad leaned over to say the TM had upgraded them to a parlor suite that was only $99, so they were actually being refunded from the price they had paid for their original room. Once the TM realized we were together, she checked the computer and said there was another one available for $99 if we wanted it! The only catch was that it only had a sofa bed, but they said they could provide roll-away beds for the kids for no extra charge. We decided to go for it, and ended up SAVING $208! So even after encountering the unexpected expenses of buying the camera battery charger and the resort parking fee for one night, we still saved money!

Once we were all checked in and had our keys to use as our Express Passes, we went to check out the gingerbread house display they had in the lobby.


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And DS tried on some hats in the little gift shop.


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Then we were ready to make the walk over to the parks for some fun! Early Entry at Studios had already started, but we decided we’d go there first anyway and catch the tail end of it.


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While we were walking, I asked DD if she wanted her jacket because it was a little cool outside. DH was pushing her in the stroller, and she said she did want to put it on, and then yelled, “Stop the ride!” If you’ve eaten at Fast Food Boulevard, you might remember Bart yells that when he sneaks on to a roller coaster he’s too short for. It cracked me up that she was already quoting the Simpsons clips!

And again as we were crossing through CityWalk, she was repeating what DH had explained to her about Express Passes. Anytime we wanted to ride something, we could because “BOOM! Express! No Wait!” It was so cute hearing her repeat it.

We made it to Studios and went straight to Diagon Alley, but unfortunately for us, Gringotts was down. So instead, we walked around so the kids could do some magic.


As we were walking around, I spotted the photo studio, Shutterbuttons, and remembered we had a video there included with our photo package, so we decided to stop in.


All of the adults were given some of the thicker robes they sell in the parks to wear. The TM said DS should just wear the ones he already had on because the ones they had would probably be too big for him. DD was a little bummed that she didn’t get any, but thankfully no meltdowns were had. We all got wands to pose with also.


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Then it was time to record! We stood in front of the green screen, and the TM gave us rapid instructions for what to pretend we were doing, and how to pose. It was pretty chaotic, but SO FUN! We couldn’t stop laughing, and we had the best time! Once we were done, they said we could come back in a bit to pick up our DVD, so we headed back out into Diagon Alley to do some more magic, and we got to see the dragon in all her dragon glory.


We spent some time in Knockturn Alley, doing magic and checking out Borgin & Burkes. Eventually enough time passed that we were able to go pick up our DVD before heading out of the Wizarding World. Here’s the video we did.


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They also did a couple of still photos that weren’t included in our package that they offered us for purchase, but we decided not to get them.

We were ready to go ride something, so we headed towards Men In Black.


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DH decided to go get our cup activated for the day at the bakery in San Francisco (and found out it was already activated for the day, as I had mentioned in a previous update), then got an Icee from the cart across the way.


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UP NEXT: Twirlin' & Hurlin'
 


All caught up. Sorry DD was antsy during Mass and caused a long day to feel a bit longer. The parks can really take it out of you, and she sounds a lot like Evie in the fact that when she's had enough, she's had enough! 😆

Bummer Gringotts was down that morning, but you guys seemed to find plenty else to do. For some reason, I love the shot in front of MIB where DS has his head down and all you can see is Toothless. :rotfl:
 
We were beside each other checking in with two different TMs, and my dad leaned over to say the TM had upgraded them to a parlor suite that was only $99, so they were actually being refunded from the price they had paid for their original room. Once the TM realized we were together, she checked the computer and said there was another one available for $99 if we wanted it!

Wow that's awesome! I read someone else on the boards have this option given to them at check-in but otherwise I'd never heard of it before!

Anytime we wanted to ride something, we could because “BOOM! Express! No Wait!” It was so cute hearing her repeat it.

Omg how funny and adorable!
 
Awesome getting some savings on the rooms!

Sounds like it was a good start to the day!

Yes, saving all that money AND getting Express was the best start to the day!!

All caught up. Sorry DD was antsy during Mass and caused a long day to feel a bit longer. The parks can really take it out of you, and she sounds a lot like Evie in the fact that when she's had enough, she's had enough! 😆

Bummer Gringotts was down that morning, but you guys seemed to find plenty else to do. For some reason, I love the shot in front of MIB where DS has his head down and all you can see is Toothless. :rotfl:

YES! And she is so dramatic!! It's like the more I ask her to just at least be quiet, the louder she gets!!!

Haha That Toothless hat is something else. He really loves that thing! And it makes for very cute photos.

Wow that's awesome! I read someone else on the boards have this option given to them at check-in but otherwise I'd never heard of it before!

I hadn't either! I was a little jealous when my dad told me what kind of deal he was getting, I sure didn't expect that they would be able to offer it to us too!
 


Day 3 Continued: Sunday December 8th

Next we headed over to Springfield to take the kids on Kang and Kodos Twirl ‘n Hurl. I am pretty positive this was my first time ever on this ride! The kid wanted to ride with my parents, so DH and I had a spaceship to ourselves.


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The sun was a LITTLE bright!!


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DH and I took the kids on The Simpsons Ride after that, and I just prayed I wouldn’t regret it and feel sick to my stomach after riding. My parents wisely decided to sit out.


The kids had fun with the funhouse mirrors in the pre-show room.


Thankfully, it didn’t affect me as much as it has in the past, so I didn’t totally regret trying it! And DD thought it was hilarious, so she had a great time. I was glad I didn’t miss out on her reaction for her first ride on it.

When we came out, my parents were waiting for us, and we saw the Simpsons family was out, so we jumped in the short line to meet them.



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We found the last location we needed for our Tree Hunt in Studios park, so we stopped in to get another stamp and check out the tree.


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We stopped for our second Icee of the day before going back towards London so we could catch the Hogwarts Express over to IOA.


Our first stop was one of DS’s favorites, Forbidden Journey! My dad decided to join DH, DS and me on our ride while my mom sat out with DD.


We had so much fun, but it took FOREVER, to get our ride photo after, which was very frustrating.


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After that, we did Flight of the Hippogriff, then we were ready for some lunch. DH, the kids and I wanted Three Broomsticks. My parents weren’t interested in eating there again, so we split up.


I got my old favorite this time, the Shepherd’s Pie, DH went for fish & chips, and we got kids macaroni & cheese and chicken tenders meals and let them split both. We still had leftover drink credits from our May trip when we got the free dining plan, so DH got a bottle of gillywater with one of the credits, and of course, a frozen Butterbeer to share. We ate out on the back patio because the weather was absolutely beautiful.


After lunch, we agreed to meet up with my parents in Jurassic Park. Along the way, we spotted the T-Rex Encounter!


UP NEXT: Spider-Man Surprise
 
Next we headed over to Springfield to take the kids on Kang and Kodos Twirl ‘n Hurl. I am pretty positive this was my first time ever on this ride!

I've never gone on that either. The hurl part of the name always threw me off but it looks more like a Dumbo type than anything else?

DH and I took the kids on The Simpsons Ride after that, and I just prayed I wouldn’t regret it and feel sick to my stomach after riding.

This one always makes me sick too- I'm not sure why cause none of the other simulators do.

We still had leftover drink credits from our May trip when we got the free dining plan, so DH got a bottle of gillywater with one of the credits, and of course, a frozen Butterbeer to share.

It's great that you were able to save the credits!


My sister and I saw this happening in December and she was cracking up! It's adorable though.
 
Can't go wrong with lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Well, really, can't go wrong with frozen butterbeer. Everything is better with Butterbeer. :rotfl:

I didn't know Universal was doing a T-Rex encounter now. That looked so much less scarier than the raptor meet!
 
I've never gone on that either. The hurl part of the name always threw me off but it looks more like a Dumbo type than anything else?

Yes, it's just like Dumbo. I don't really get the name at all!

This one always makes me sick too- I'm not sure why cause none of the other simulators do.

I really can't pinpoint why the Simpsons ride is SO much worse than other motion simulators. I don't ever remember Back to the Future being that bad, and I don't think they changed the motion of the ride vehicle all that much.

It's great that you were able to save the credits!

The QS dining plan at Universal is kind of a pain, but it is nice that credits don't expire. As long as you can keep track of those dang cards, you can bring them back on future trips.

My sister and I saw this happening in December and she was cracking up! It's adorable though.

It was so cute!!

Sounds like a good time in Simpsons Land! Love the pic family pic!

Aww the little T-rex is so cute!

I don't often see the whole family (sans Maggie) out, so that was really cool!

Isn't it?! We laughed every time we saw them. DD was hesitant the first few times we saw them, but eventually wanted to try it.

Can't go wrong with lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Well, really, can't go wrong with frozen butterbeer. Everything is better with Butterbeer. :rotfl:

Isn't it though?! What I wouldn't give for a frozen one right about now!

I didn't know Universal was doing a T-Rex encounter now. That looked so much less scarier than the raptor meet!

As much as we love the Raptor Encounter, this was DEFINITELY more DD's speed!!
 
Day 3 Continued: Sunday December 8th

We got over to Reign of Kong after that. I was a little nervous by how DD would do with this. But I definitely wanted to ride while we had EP so that we could skip the scare-actor in the queue!



Looks like we got a strawberry Icee, but must have forgotten a pic. Oops!!


When it was over and I asked DD what she thought of it, she immediately said she didn’t like it. But at least she wasn’t crying. Then the lady in the row in front of us turned around and told DD how brave she had been, and DD abruptly changed her mind and said, “Okay, I liked it!” lol

As we headed towards Marvel Super-Hero Island, we stopped for another Icee, and DS got another pressed penny.



One of my mom’s favorite rides is Dr. Doom’s Fear Fall, and she had been begging DS to try it with her for the first time if he was tall enough. He was very hesitant, but finally agreed. DH joined my parents and DS to go ride that while DD and I decided to go do Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man instead.


DS loved it! They actually went on it twice while DD and I were riding Spider-Man. We got a big surprise of our own when we spotted Spider-Man hanging out in the Express line!


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After we met back up, we headed over to Seuss Landing. DH got us a snack and got our bucket filled with some Grinch popcorn while we made a bathroom stop with the kids.


Then we hit up Cat in the Hat.


Then we went on the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride.


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This was so perfect after our conversation about all the Daves!

When the ride is over, instead of passing through a gift shop, you pass through the sweets bakery, and my kids conned my parents into getting them each a cookie.


We grabbed a seat in the shade for the kids to have their snacks.


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Then DD decided to pose for us.


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Seconds after this photo was taken, she fell into the plant behind her. :rotfl:

Continued in next post...
 
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Day 3 Continued: Sunday December 8th

The Lorax was out meeting with no wait, so we got a hug and a photo.


And it was time for another Icee! Can’t let our cup stay empty long.


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We only had one stamp left, and we were ready to go back to Universal Studios, so we passed through the Universal Studios Store to get our last Tree Hunt stamp.


With our completed maps, we went over to Studios and headed straight to Minion Mayhem.


After another fun ride, we went over to the Christmas shop to turn in our maps and get our prize. We got to pick either a one-eyed or two-eyed Minion Christmas ornament.


We were going to head to Jimmy Fallon after that, but spotted one of DD’s favorites, King Julien from Madagascar, coming out so we followed. It seemed like throughout the day, they would have different performers and characters from the Christmas parade come out and do a quick little performance, so we grabbed a seat on the sidewalk to watch.


Then he went over to one of the side streets to take photos with people, so we went over so DD could get a picture.


After our pictures with King Julien, we continued on to where we were headed before and went to Jimmy Fallon.


When we came out, we spotted Hashtag the Panda up on the roof waving, and he started blowing kisses to DD.


We talked about going to ride Transformers, but it was 4:50 pm by then, and we wanted to catch the 5:30 pm Macy’s Holiday Parade near the beginning of the route, and it was already filling up. We ended up finding a patch of sidewalk in front of a bench, so we grabbed it. DH went to get us another Icee to share while we waited for the parade to start.


The guy sitting on one end of the bench sat there the entire time until just a few minutes before the parade started, then he got up to leave and told us we could sit there. I wonder why the heck he was sitting there so long?! My mom ended up taking the spot so she could rest. Soon enough, it was parade time!

UP NEXT: Universal's Holiday Parade
 
Sounds like both kids were brave that day!!

LOL I had to laugh at DD falling into the plants after her lil model pose!

Weird that that guy left his bench spot right before the parade! But worked out great for your mom!
 
Yes, it's just like Dumbo. I don't really get the name at all!

Good to know! I want to ride it next time now.

I really can't pinpoint why the Simpsons ride is SO much worse than other motion simulators. I don't ever remember Back to the Future being that bad, and I don't think they changed the motion of the ride vehicle all that much.

I don't know either!

But I definitely wanted to ride while we had EP so that we could skip the scare-actor in the queue!

Smart!

Then the lady in the row in front of us turned around and told DD how brave she had been, and DD abruptly changed her mind and said, “Okay, I liked it!” lol

:rotfl: :rotfl: How adorable! I like her spunk.

DH got us a snack and got our bucket filled with some Grinch popcorn while we made a bathroom stop with the kids.

Oo I never knew Grinch popcorn was a thing!

Seconds after this photo was taken, she fell into the plant behind her. :rotfl:

oh no :rotfl::rotfl:


Great picture!

The guy sitting on one end of the bench sat there the entire time until just a few minutes before the parade started, then he got up to leave and told us we could sit there. I wonder why the heck he was sitting there so long?! My mom ended up taking the spot so she could rest.

Weird but worked out great for your mom!
 
Sounds like both kids were brave that day!!

LOL I had to laugh at DD falling into the plants after her lil model pose!

Weird that that guy left his bench spot right before the parade! But worked out great for your mom!

I think seeing DD so brave for everything made DS realize he needed to step out of his comfort zone. Can't let his little sister show him up!!

We all got a good laugh out of that one. She is so dramatic!

It was super weird, but I know she appreciated it. She has a lot of back pain so I think sitting on the ground for awhile was not going to be ideal for her. This way she got to enjoy the whole parade.

I don't know either!

I hear that A LOT about this ride. It's definitely rough on the stomach!

:rotfl: :rotfl: How adorable! I like her spunk.

She makes me laugh ALL the time.

Oo I never knew Grinch popcorn was a thing!

It was new this year, I think. And basically just green salt so it was extra salty but SO delicious!

Weird but worked out great for your mom!

Yes, it did! I don't think she was loving the idea of sitting on the ground for the whole thing.
 
Day 3 Continued: Sunday December 8th

When I left off, we had found our spots on the curb (and my mom had been able to take over a spot on the bench after a guy who had been sitting there for about 30 minutes abandoned it just before parade time :confused3). Now it was time to get in the Christmas spirit with the Universal Holiday Parade Featuring Macy's!



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Continued in Next Post...
 
Day 8 Continued: Sunday December 8th


DD was a big fan of seeing Santa close out the parade!


Whew! That was such a fun parade to watch!

After the parade, we went across the street to Mel’s for some dinner.


Then we went on Transformers as we had planned on doing before the parade.


DD kept her glasses on for a change, and she said she loved it! I think it wasn’t as much coming out at her as some of the other 3D attractions, so it was a little easier for her to handle the full experience. When we came out, we saw all the lights were all shining, and the side streets looked beautiful!


We grabbed our final Icee of the night before going over to check out Mannheim Steamroller.


My dad found a creative way to hold DD up on his shoulders without killing his back and ruining anyone’s view.


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Continued in Next Post...
 
Day 3 Continued: Sunday December 8th

We only stayed for a couple of songs before the kids started getting restless, and that was no surprise to us. We had figured they wouldn’t stay interested for the entire show. The boat was appealing so we hopped on the next one that would take us over to RPR to finally check in to our room.


I just had a feeling when we checked in that morning that not everything was going to be ready, and I was right. When we arrived in the room, we found they had only brought one roll-away bed instead of 2 as requested. Plus they had said there was extra padding available for the sofa bed, but when we unfolded it that didn’t seem to be the case.

While we were getting ourselves and the kids bathed and ready for bed, we must have had to call for them to bring us more stuff at least 3 or 4 times, and most of the time it was the same poor lady bringing it to us. Lol First we had to request the extra bed, then more pillows and blankets because we didn’t find any extra stashed around the room and there weren’t enough for all of us, and then more padding for the sofa bed.

It definitely wasn’t the best or most comfortable night of sleep ever, and DD even rolled out of her bed and hit the floor at one point, but for only 1/3 of what we would have paid for a regular room, for one night it was worth it. We basically got 2 days of Unlimited Express Passes for 4 people for only $99, so one uncomfortable night’s sleep was worth it.

UP NEXT: Early Birds Get the Worms!
 

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