So here it is. Finally. Last summer's trip to Orlando. Part I.
My six hour flight was finally over and I arrived just in time to surprise Parker, who was expecting someone much more exciting.
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I couldn't hold off Disney any longer so we drove over to Downtown Disney for some late lunch.
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Okay, I've seen a Mickey within the first two hours. I feel much better.
Later, we went to play minigolf at one of the WDW minigolf places.
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Dan was there and he totally kicked our asses.
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It was actually pretty fun. I'm not a hug fan of mini-golf, but I'd definitely do it again.
The best part, though, was being able to see this beauty from the course.
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Soon, my pet, soon.
Parker and I then headed back to the timeshare and just relaxed before our big day tomorrow.
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This was the view from our window. Freakin' awesome.
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The next day was an early start, as would be every day until the trip ended.
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And we arrived at our first park.
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Oh, I didn't know we could take a train in. Man, shoulda done that.
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Good old Hoggy-Warty.
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The park had just opened, so naturally the wait was already 2 hours.
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Worth it. Honestly, the ride was really awesome. I preferred the dark ride portions over the blurry simulator portions, but it was a really cool ride. Intense. Can't wait til California gets one of these.
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After Forbidden Journey, we strolled around Hogsmede and enjoyed the sights, the sounds, the...
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...tastes.
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This is the actual moment my tongue touched its first Butterbeer.
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"My god. It tastes like dreams."
Seriously, this is my new favorite drink. Pepsi used to reign supreme. No longer. A lot of people can't seem to take how sweet it is, but my motto has always been the sweeter the better.
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Whoa, talk about "pugly".
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This was quite clever, the ATM is themed to Gringotts. Bring us your muggle money!
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"Give me your magic!"
Parker was starting to get antsy, so we headed toward the rest of the park.
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We rode a couple rides and got some lunch at the Hard Rock.
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They ran out of water, so they just gave us some of the blue stuff they us in their toilet bowls.
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"I claim this burger in the name of Hardrochia!"
Full of meat and moxy, the coasters were calling our names!
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I wasn't too impressed with this one. It's pretty ordinary for being so weird looking.
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They use this net to catch any muggle money flying from the trains.
Seriously, though, give me a real coaster.
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That's what I'm talking about!
Rode Mummy like eight times in a row. Love Single Rider. Seriously a great ride and WAY more amazing than USH's Mummy. It's a crime they even share the same name.
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This park is so much better themed than USH, too.
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We met up with these two yokels. One of whom was wearing a shirt of an aaaaawwwwwsome ride.
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I'm so glad this is still here! It's so cheese!
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This was an awesome bit of nostalgia, it really was. As a kid I used to pretend my bike was the E.T. ride.
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Good god in heaven!!
Well I know what my nightmares will be like tonight.
The other three decided to take a break, so they all went away. I stayed at the park and enjoyed some alone time.
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Great Scott!
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Twister is really cool. Not much else to say.
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This is now a relic of an ancient time. I climbed aboard onto, what I now know as, my last ride on Jaws.
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"This is my BOOM stick!"
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No sharks here.
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Good gravy! That's the biggest one I ever...
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"Crap, the boss is gonna kill me."
That was fun. Goodbye, old friend.
I know it's lame, but I went to ride the kiddie coaster for the credit. I'm shameless.
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Looking back on these pictures, I think being alone was starting to get to me. There's definitely a point in which I chase around a pigeon.
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"C'mere, you!"
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"I'm gonna getcha!"
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"Heeya! Aww..."
I'll chalk it up to blood sugar being low or something, 'cause I was then on my way back to try another Butterbeer.
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Yes, yes. I know. You think it's too sweet. I think you're insane.
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Here's a tip, go get your butterbeer inside the Hog's Head as opposed to the huge line outdoors. It's air conditioned in here and the line is probably shorter.
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You sign your receipts with a "quill".
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This time I tried the frozen kind which, honestly, wasn't as good as the regular one. Still damn good, though. And the Three Broomsticks was nice, too.
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Butterbeer POV
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Another spin on Forbidden Journey was well worth it.
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A really impressive ride.
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"I directed Thor!"
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I just love the small touches they've included here.
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"Show me on the Tiny Dark Lord where he touched you."
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The sun was setting here at IOA and it was about time to head back.
It was my last chance to do so, so I got butterbeer number three and left.
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So long Universal!
Disney, you're next.
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"This is gonna be a long week."
Part II coming soon.