Day 6 - Universal
And now for Universal. This was the main reason for my trip starting on a Thursday instead of Friday. I didn’t want to take a day away from Disney that I had planned, but I hadn’t been to Universal since 2013. Being a Harry Potter fan, not an obsessed fan but a fan nonetheless, I really wanted to see Diagon Alley.
I woke up around 7:30am and got my Lyft at 7:50am. There was a special promotion or deal when I booked it because it was only $16 each way while Uber was coming in closer to $25. My driver this morning was nice, if maybe a little chatty. He was telling me all of this information about Disney that I already knew, and sometimes he was wrong, but I just let him go on. I don’t feel the need to correct people if it doesn’t really matter.
We got to Universal around 8:20, and I was through security and walking into the park around 8:30. The Will Call kiosks were a little confusing, but I figured it out. People were waiting for the person at the computer with lots of kiosks open, so I waited for a bit before going over to a machine, then others realized they could do the same thing. Herd Mentality at its best.
I started at the Universal Studios side, and they were only letting in those with their early access. I had planned on stopping by Voodoo Donuts on the way in, but the line was really long. So I went to a place called Boulangerie that was inside the park. The line wasn’t long, but it took FOREVER. For just a couple of families in front of me. They were really dragging their feet. One person at a time instead of an assembly line. It was painful to watch. I chose a cherry turnover, which was really good. While not anything special or unique, it was quite tasty.
When I was done, I saw that people were being let in. I don’t know these parks well, so I just followed the crowd, as I assumed we’d all be heading to Diagon Alley. Sure enough, we were. I loved the entrance, how it was kind of hidden. So well done. The theming here really is top notch.
I went to Gringotts first, after taking in the sights. I went through the single rider line, which doesn’t allow you to really enjoy the inside of the “bank,” but I was able to see it. Being able to walk right on, though? Worth it. I was able to ride twice in the first thirty minutes, and I loved the ride!
At 9:30, I headed to Olivander’s. I’d never done this before, and it was cool, but I wasn’t really wowed. But it’s part of the Harry Potter experience. Probably cooler for kids. The shop was really interesting, though.
After browsing a few shops, I headed to the Hogwarts Express. This was something I was super excited for. I’ve been waiting since 7th Grade to take a ride on the Hogwarts Express. I started reading the books when only the first three were out. We were on the brink of the mania here in the States, but not quite there yet. I was 20 years old when the last one came out, so I was just a few years older than Harry each time I read one. We grew up together. And while I’m not super obsessed, I love these books so much.
The ride was really fun, but as a solo rider, I had to ride with another family. I found that kind of awkward. I wish I’d have asked for my own carriage, as the line was non existent. I walked right on, after taking some photos and trying to soak in King’s Cross.
Once in Hogsmeade, I found my way to the Forbidden Journey in Hogwarts.
I really love this ride, but after two turns on Gringotts and once on this, I was feeling a little woozy. I wanted an old fashioned ride, so I headed to Jurassic Park. I love Jurassic Park. The movie and the ride. This was one of the few non-Harry things I wanted to make sure and do. Sure enough, I waited less than five minutes for it. Score.
After that, I decided to head to the King Kong ride. I’d heard good things, but I have to say, this was probably the most miserable 40 minutes of the whole 10 day trip. The queue was long, the family in front of me was loud and the son had his phone on the brightest setting, so it was glaring in my eyes the whole time, while the queue itself was dark and dim. Then at one point, I guess there are people who jump out and scare you, so there was lots of screaming and people chattering. I hate being scared and don’t watch scary movies, so I was nervous the whole time. Just absolutely miserable for me. And I didn’t think the ride was worth it. Felt like a whole waste of time, but it was done. I got in line around 1040 and was done at 1120. Get me outta there! It really put me off trying other things around Universal, which is unfortunate.
So I walked back through Hogsmeade. A happier place for me. I stopped by Honeydukes and got a chocolate frog. I need to remind myself next time they aren’t worth the money. Even for the novelty of it. The chocolate isn’t that great and they are awkward to eat. Then I rode the Hogwarts Express back to Diagon Alley. I wanted to eat at the Leaky Cauldron since I’ve been to the Three Broomsticks a couple of times already. I’d already decided Universal isn’t for me and I was just going to concentrate on Harry Potter.
The ride back was also awkward with another family, but it was still cool. I went straight to the Leaky Cauldron when I got back as I was pretty hungry. I got the chicken sandwich, and I actually really liked it. I got it with the apple butter mayo on the side, as I don’t usually like mayo. The tomato on the sandwich just made it for me. I love tomatoes more than the average person. Next time, I’d request another one. Something about the way they were roasted. Yum!
I also got Frozen Butterbeer. I’d already decided on this trip that I was going to get what I wanted, even if it was more than I’d ideally like to spend. Because this was MY trip. And I was trying to make it as perfect as possible. And a perfect Harry Potter day includes Butterbeer. It was so refreshing on such a hot day.
After lunch, I went back to Olivander’s. I wanted McGonagall’s wand. Might be stupid to pay that much for something that just sits around my apartment, but I love McGonagall. And so I wanted it. No other explanation needed. Plus, I have her hat for my go-to Halloween costume, so I could theoretically put it to use at some point. I was also looking for something Hufflepuff, but I really didn’t like any of the shirts or things. But I did decide to get a couple of pins. Nothing else grabbed my eye, but I wanted something. So I got three, including a Hufflepuff one.
Then I felt like it was time to go. I was hot, I didn’t want my chocolate frog to melt, and I was lugging around this wand. But I did stop by ET first. I’d never ridden it for some reason, so I wanted to experience it. It was less than a ten minute wait, and I absolutely loved it. I like rides like that and Jurassic Park better than King Kong. I like the old fashioned stuff more than the newer stuff. But that’s just me. I’m glad I stopped for it, but when I was done, I was really done. Time to get back to Disney.
I left the park at 1:24, was in a Lyft by 1:32, and walking into the Contemporary at 1:57. Back in the Disney Bubble where I belong. And while I enjoyed Harry Potter, I doubt I’ll be spending any money on a two-park ticket in the near future. They’re going to have to add something new before I go back. It’s not going to be a regular thing.
Now that I was back in the bubble, I felt much better. For some reason, after a nice morning, my mood was a little off. I just felt weird, and I couldn’t pinpoint it. But I think it was that crazy bubble feeling. I wanted to go home. (Home = Contemporary)
I was so grateful that Mousekeeping was already there. Since it was 2pm, I wasn’t sure if they’d have come yet or not, and I really just wanted to relax. I headed downstairs to pick up a Times Guide and all the park maps. I like collecting the park maps each trip since things can change. I also filled up my mug with more Diet Coke, and went back to the room.
I read some, I called my mom, and I generally just hung out. It was really nice. And I hung out for three whole hours. I didn’t nap, but I didn’t feel the need to. While my ADR wasn’t until 7:00, my new plan was to leave at 5:00 for Disney Springs. The tank top I bought didn’t fit how I liked, so I wanted to exchange it. Then I’d go from Disney Springs to another resort for my ADR.
Thing is, this was the first time the bus wait times were down when I needed them. So I headed out at 5:00. The bus for Disney Springs was there when I walked outside, but by the time I got to the bus stop, it was pulling away. I just missed it. I had to wait 25 minutes for the next one. Oh well. My luck couldn’t hold out forever.
I finally left the Contemporary at 5:30 and was done at Disney Springs by 6:00. Waiting for another bus at 6:05 and it pulled in at 6:08. My luck returned. I was headed to the Beach Club for some much needed ice cream. The bus pulled in right at 6:30. ADR was at 7:00, so I had plenty of time.
This is where my grumpiness came back, albeit briefly. Luckily ice cream was in my near future. But after a sometimes-great-sometimes-not day at Universal, I just needed a good evening. But I got really confused at the Beach Club and couldn’t find my way to Beaches and Cream. In the lobby, I just saw their buffet to the right, so I went outside to get to B&C. Because of the storm, the pool was closed with the gates locked and I couldn’t get there. I went back inside, but still didn’t see a way. And instead of asking, like I should have, I was determined that there was a way to get there outside.
So I walked ALL THE WAY around the pool and ended up at the Yacht Club. Thoroughly grumpy and in great need of ice cream, I finally asked the person there if I could get to Beaches and Cream from there. She was so cheerful as she said absolutely and told me how. Taught me a lesson. Just ask.
I checked in at 6:45. (That’s how long it took me to find it!) I did have to wait a bit before being seated, but I was early. No biggie. I was probably seated right at my reservation time. I was pleasantly surprised that they put me at one of their tables for two instead of the bar.
Knowing that a full meal would fill me up too much for ice cream, I just ordered onion rings. They were average, but I freaking love onion rings. Even bad onion rings are good. My mood was already bouncing back. I love pretty much all deep fried delicacies.
Then came what I was really looking forward to. The No Way Jose. My love of peanut butter was duly rewarded for my long, tiring day. It was every bit as delicious as I’d hoped. The warm sauces were perfection over the cold ice cream. I tried very hard to finish, but it was hopeless. This was one of the two restaurants I went to that don’t offer a CM discount, but it was worth every penny. Next time, I’ll go back just for the ice cream.
Once I was done, I was much more easily able to find my way to the Beach Club lobby. My original plan was to walk to Epcot and use a FP at Soarin’. But it was starting to downpour, so I changed into my flip flops (I’d learned my lesson) and headed out to the bus stop.
I cancelled my Soarin’ FP, and hopped on a Magic Kingdom bus. One was waiting for me when I got there. Thing is, by the time we got to MK, the rain pretty much stopped. Epcot might not have been so bad. But I didn’t want a repeat of Hollywood Studios where I hung out in the rain for no reason.
Once at MK, though, my grumpiness came back a bit. I had to go through security to get to the Contemporary walkway. Luckily there was no line, but it was really frustrating. Determined not to get too grumpy, I made it back to my room by about 8:30 and spent the evening reading and just relaxing. I went to bed early with plans for Animal Kingdom in the morning!