Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Orlando!

I mentioned in the last post that my sister Binky and I were invited to go to Orlando with our cousins! Their family has a condo down there, sooo free place to stay + reallllly wanting to go to harry potter world = YES, WE'D LOVE TO COME! 

After we all settled in, we went to Universal's City Walk. 




I couldn't wait to get to the parks! 


We went to Pat O's for some libations. 

Bink and Terrell


Me and Shelley


Walker (Terrell's fiancĂ©) and his friend Manson were with us as well. 


A little too much drumming with the glass.. busted. 


We had a little too much fun and were escorted out of the park. No joke. It's hilarious now, not so much then when the cops surrounded us and walked us to the exit. 

We made ourselves feel better with a little trip to 7-11 up the road. 


The next day, more of Terrell's friends arrived, and we headed to Disney! 

Walker, Terrell, Jenny, Manson, Danny, Lacey


I believe it was Lacey that brought these awesome ears for everyone! Cuzzie Minnie pic! 


First stop was MGM. I just love Disney! 


Naturally we had to check out the Tower of Terror. Walker's face!!! hahaha


Also had to jump on the Rockin' Roller Coaster. 




I had not been to the Pixar part of the park before. 


We waited in line forever for the Toy Story ride.


Manson and Mr. Potato Head


The ride was worth the wait! 


It was a game, in 3D, AND kept score! 


I lost to Binky. Wah wahhh. 


Terrell and Shelley


Sissies! 


Some scenery pics, shall we? 



Next up was Animal Kingdom! 


Almost successful selfie. 


Everest! 



Our favorite ride so far, so it got the Newman Clap (something our family does when we approve of anything). 


Jenny's face is hilarious!


And Walker never disappoints.. haha! 


Those are pics of the screen when you get off the ride, so they're not the best quality.

We liked this coaster so much, we did it again! 



It became a running joke to let Manson pose with random things and appear unimpressed. 



That night, Bink and I went to Epcot for the food and wine festival while everyone else went to the Magic Kingdom for the Halloween Nights event. They sold out of tickets, which is why Binky and I couldn't join. 


That was OK though, we ate ourselves through all the countries, and it was DELICIOUS! 


That night, Lacey and Danny got ENGAGED! How exciting! We celebrated a bit back at the condo, but went to bed a bit early because..

it was time for Harry Potter World!!!! EEEEE! 


Universal has two parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. What's tricky is Harry Potter World is part of both, so you have to buy tickets to both parks if you want to go to Diagon Alley or Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. How rude. We did that, along with buying the pass to get to the front of the lines, which explains the lanyards we're all wearing. I highly recommend this if you're not wanting to stand in line all day.

Cuzzies!


Binky and I laughed that Orlando included all the spots we had traveled to earlier in the year, including California (note the Beverly Hills sign below).


Oh Manson haha!


Made it to London! 



And Diagon Alley!!! EEEE! 





You could buy a wand and do magic in this part of the park! How cool is that?! 


Inside of Gringott's Bank. 


Got a group pic while we waited in line. 


The Fast Passes didn't apply to any of the Harry Potter rides, so we were in line here for a while. Luckily there was some pretty amazing things to look at. 







We had to shield Binky from some of the props because she hadn't finished all the books yet. 



We walked around Diagon Alley after the ride. I loved all the attention to detail. 








After that, we went to Platform 9 3/4 to go to Hogsmeade. There was a hologram wall you could walk through just like in the movies! 





Hedwig! 


We all sat in one car. 



This brought us to the Island of Adventures park. Isn't Hogsmeade awesome?! 



We ate at the Three Broomsticks.


I thought it was delicious! Note the turkey legs hahaha! 


I got chicken, of course. 



I also had to try butter beer. I got the frozen one, and it was delicious! 








Binky was dying to play quiditch. 




The dragon roller coasters were awesome, along with the Hogwarts ride. 


We went on the Jurassic Park ride, all thinking there would be just a little water.. 


Nope! Completely soaked! 


Wah wahhh! 



Since we were already soaked, we also went on the Dudley Doo Wright log ride, and got extra soaked. 

We then made our way to the super hero area, one of my favorites! This was spotted on the Spiderman ride.. I decided maybe it's OK to use comic sans since it's based on a comic strip.. but seeing the word advertising in that font surely seems like an oxymoron. 


We tended to get a pic whenever we put on the 3D glasses





So scary! 


The Hulk is one of my most all time favorite rides! 


Some of the group went back to the condo, so the cousins hung out in the park for a while longer. 


Last time we were here as a family, we got a pic in front of the cousins sign back there, so obviously we had to do it again! 


We went back to the Harry Potter area to ride some rides again. 





I took more pictures inside the ride this time. 


The pictures moved and talked just like in the movies! 


The sorting hat! 


For Ron and Harry, or personalized for me?? 



They put me in the store! 


Everyone will be proud to know I only bought a postcard! haha! 

Not sure who thought this design was a good idea.. 


We stayed until almost closing. That night we went out to eat to celebrate Lacey and Danny getting engaged! Sunday we took it easy and lounged about the condo before leaving Monday morning. I had so much fun with my fam jam and new friends!