Disney/Universal trip review

[CurlyQ284]

On Friday the 11th I picked up my son from school "for a doctor's appointment", brought him home and surprised him. I'm a big Harry Potter fan, he is getting into it so I had a bunch of Hogwarts letters dangling from the ceiling and a big white owl balloon with a custom Hogwarts letters with his name on it. He read it and was super confused, so we had to tell him we were going to Disney and Universal and leaving for the airport in 30 minutes. The trip was planned during his birthday week. He didn't have a big reaction he was kind of in shock lol. The trip was me, H, DS10, SD20, SD21, SD21s boyfriend, and my SIL and BIL who live in central Florida were going to drive down and join us. SIL was with us the whole time, BIL came for the last 2 days at Universal. We aren't frequent Disney visitors, we took SDs in 2012 (I was 19 weeks pregnant), and BIL and SIL have never been before.

We stayed at a themed AirBnB because we had a large group and rented a minivan. I bought our tickets with Genie+ before they stopped allowing it for the whole trip. SIL and SD20 had to stay up until midnight to buy their Genie+ because their tickets were purchased later, it kind of sucked for them to stay up so late.

DAY 1: Magic Kingdom
My family is late to everything we did not arrive for rope drop anywhere this week but I lied to my H about the time the parks opened and we got there later than I would like but about 10 min after park open which is a huge win for him. We went straight to Pirates of the Caribbean, my favorite. Then Haunted Mansion (Genie+). DS is a bit of a scaredy cat, he did NOT want to be in there. He covered his eyes for most of it. At the end of the day he said it was his favorite ride, this makes zero sense lol. After that we went to Mickey's Philharmonic, I was uninterested in shows but my H wanted to see it and I LOVED it. Then we went to get the DAS pass for DS (ADHD). While we were in line the big kids texted and said they were going to space mountain. We didn't end up getting to do it, so I'm bummed about that. We got the pass and then got a spot on the curb for the parade.

After that we met up with the big kids for lunch at Columbia Harbor House. Really enjoyed my lobster roll and the quiet upstairs! Then we went to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (DAS). DS ended up freaking out as we were getting on and didnt want to go, so I took him off. I was really bummed but he ended up getting a little braver as the week went on. We did Little Mermaid after that, then went over to do Buzz Light-year, and Monsters Inc (we all agreed this was kinda boring). We ran over to Thunder Mountain Railroad for our Genie+ time but it was closed down. We split up for some shopping/snacking until fireworks. They were amazing but I felt like all the projection was a bit much. After that we went to Jungle Cruise in the dark, then went home. It was our longest day and I wish we planned 2 days at MK, we did not get to do everything we wanted.

FAVORITE RIDE OF THE DAY: Mixed vote - Pirates/Haunted Mansion/Space Mountain

[CurlyQ284]

DAY 2: Animal Kingdom
This was everyone's favorite park and best day.
When we arrived, the line was short for the Everest coaster so I told H and the big kids to go ahead and run over there and DS and I would make our way back there to meet them when they got off.

After his freakout at 7 Dwarves I thought maybe if he watched a YouTube video of the ride, maybe he would be less scared so we sat on a bench and watched a video of DINOSAUR. He said he wanted to do it so after we met H and the big kids we headed across the bridge towards DINOSAUR, on our way there was a small boat parade that had Timone and Pumba on a boat, the kid and dog from UP, and I think Chip and Dale on another boat with some fun music playing. We kept walking and saw Kevin the Snipe from Up and DS got SO EXCITED and we took a picture. Then the DINOSAUR ride, we got on and it was way more intense than it seemed in the video. I thought DS would freak out but he said he loved it, success!

After that we walked over to Avatar Na'vi River Journey (Genie+). The Pandora section of the park was INCREDIBLE. We took so many pictures of the floating mountains and the area before getting on the ride and we were all pretty amazed with the ride as well. It looks SO REAL! After that we had lunch at Satu'li Canteen and got some Avatar food, everyone liked their meal including DS who got th cheeseburger pods.

Next we did the Kilimanjaro Safari which was fun. DS loves animals so he enjoyed this a lot. After that we did the Gorilla trail, DS discovered the Wilderness Explorer Map and then wanted to get all the badges to go with it, if I had known ahead of time we could have built that into the day so he only got a handful unfortunately. After that we split up for a bit and wandered a bit around the Africa section. I got a Dole Whip with rum, some of the big kids got a pita somewhere near the Lion King that they did not stop raving about the rest of the trip, I don't know where they got it but I'm jealous I didn't get one! We saw a street performers show with some guys singing/dancing/doing acrobatic and gymnastic stuff and it was pretty awesome! Next up was the Lion King show which was also incredible. I remembered it from when we took SDs before but they didn't remember. Everyone really enjoyed it.

Next was our DAS time for the Avatar Flight of Passage. This ended up being everyone's favorite ride of the whole week. If you haven't been on it, you are in a room with these contraptions that you sit on like a motorcycle and a padded bar comes up behind you to hold you in place. Then it's a virtual reality ride like you're riding a Banshee on Pandora. IT WAS AMAZING. I wish I could do it over and over again. It REALLY feels like you're flying.

It was dark by then so we took more pictures around Pandora then made our way to the Kali River Rapids. This was SDs favorite last time we went and I remember getting soaked so we put on our ponchos. BIL wasn't there that day and SIL and SDs boyfriends didn't want to go so it was just us 5 and it felt really special. No one else was in line, we got straight on it. It was decorated with Christmas lights so I'm glad we went at night. We laughed hysterically the entire ride and at the end, DS asked to go again and they let us stay buckled in so we rode it a second time. It was one of my top experiences.

FAVORITE RIDE OF THE DAY: Pandora Flight of Passage - also voted best ride of the whole trip. 
FAVORITE FOOD PARK: This was voted best food by the group, we loved every thing we ate and it was all very different not your typical theme park food but we also didn't go to Epcot this time

[CurlyQ284]

DAY 3: Hollywood Studios

BIL and SD20 did not join us this day.
We had to be there super early for an 8:25 reservation at Sa'vis Workshop to build a lightsaber. I mentioned my husband is notoriously late, I was STRESSED about this. He ended up dropping us off and then went to park the car while we ran through the park. It was tough to find because everything is written in Star Wars language but we made it and even had time to wait. Everyone else entered the park then so I reserved our DAS time for Rise of the Resistance while we waited then got to enter the workshop. This experience was one of my other top moments, even though I had to pay a fortune for it. They just increased the price to $250 right before we got there, and then they ask if you want a stand for it for $30 ugh. DS picked the Peace and Justice hilt/parts. He had been saying he was going to choose a blue crystal but when they held out the tray he picked purple (I knew he would!). They have one cast member assisting 2 builders. DS and the kid next to us were the only kids in the room, everyone else was an adult superfan I think. The whole experience was so fun and I could tell DS was pretty immersed in it and loving every second of it. When all the lightsabers turned on, I almost cried from the look on his face. It was worth the $300 lol.

Then we met up with the group and got some coffee, bathroom trips etc. I'm a diet coke addict and SD21 bought me one at the coffee stand and I LOVE how in theme it is (pic below). DS bought a porg attachment with his money for the end of the lightsaber then we went to Rise of the Resistance. This ride was so fun and realistic! I was super impressed and I have no clue how they made it look like pieces of the walls and ceiling were getting blown off when the stormtroopers shot at us.

After this we went to Star Tours and it was really fun. Then SD21, boyfriend and SIL went to their reservation at Ogas Cantina. I wasn't able to get a reservation for all of us so we went in two groups. Boyfriend got a flight and everyone started chanting when they brought it and he thought he had to chug it so he did, the video is pretty funny. He bought the flight, so now he can drink from Bantha teeth at home. SD got the Fuzzy Taun Taun and SIL got a beer I think? While they did that the three of us had lunch at Docking Bay 7. It was alright, not great. I would probably go to Woody's Lunchbox instead if we go back. After lunch we went to Smugglers Run. H and SD21 were pilots, boyfriend and DS were the gunners, and SIL and I were engineers. When we started H turned around to take a video of all of us and the ship started to crash so his video is a glimpse of us and then everyone yelling either DAD!!!! Or SIL and I yelling his name 😂 That was a lot of fun, we really enjoyed that ride.

Next we went to Slinky Dog (Genie+) and DS was brave enough to get on and he said it was his favorite ride at HS so that was a step up!

Next up was our reservation at Ogas. DS didn't really want to be there, he felt awkward about sharing a table with strangers. I got a YubNub which was alright, H got the Fuzzy Taun Taun. We walked around and took some pictures with the robot DJ. Then H got a Jedi Mind Trick to go and I got a Fuzzy Taun Taun to go, he also bought a porg cup. Everyone in the group liked the Fuzzy Taun Taun the best. DS had a Blurggfire and was meh about it. The three kids in the other family at the table got a Hyperdrive and they seemed pretty happy with it.

Last was Toy Story Mania which was fun, and then we got pop tarts at Woody's Lunchbox on the way out. We left around 3:30 to try to make ourselves rest.

FAVORITE RIDE OF THE DAY: We all agreed Rise was the best ride of the day, except DS who liked SlinkyDog best.



I need to go to sleep, will add in Universal tomorrow!

[CurlyQ284]

DAY 4: Universal

I'm a Harry Potter fan, so this was my big day. SD21 bought me Harry Potter Minnie Ears, I wore them both days at Universal. This was the first day BIL joined us, so we had the whole group. SD21 and her boyfriend chose to only do one day at Universal, the rest of us did 2. We had Express Pass for today only, and park hopper. We split up into two groups because they wanted to get all their priorities done. They went straight to VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure because it's not Express Pass eligible. I wanted to take DS through Harry Potter in the same way Harry went through the wizarding world so we went to Universal and started making our way to Diagon Alley. We stopped to jump on Fast and the Furious on the way because there was no wait. Then we got to Kings Cross. I had DS dial the number in the phone booth to reach the Ministry of Magic, we saw Kreacher in the window at Grimmauld Place and took some photos with the Knight Bus driver before going through the brick wall and INTO THE MAGIC. Right after we walked in, the dragon breathed fire which startled DS and H at the time. I came to WWHP in 2016 for a HP event, but H had only seen Hogsmeade/the castle from our 2012 visit before this side of the park was built.

We went to Olivanders to get DSs wand, he was not chosen by Olivander, another kid with a birthday button was chosen We walked around Diagon Alley a while, into the shops and things then went on the Gringotts Ride. I had forgotten how intense this ride was and did not think there would be an issue until we got to the ride itself and I remembered it was a roller coaster not just a virtual ride. I figured it was too late so I just crossed my fingers and prayed DS wouldn't freak out. He was super nervous but after we got off he said he loved it! SUCCESS!

After that we had lunch at Leaky Cauldron. The food was not great. I think the breakfast is better at Leaky Cauldron and 3 Broomsticks, I would have preferred to eat somewhere else because I wasn't in the mood for British food but DS wanted to eat there so we went and it was meh. Then we got ice cream at Florean's, I got chocolate chili and sticky toffee pudding. H got chocolate chili only and couldn't finish it because it was too spicy for him (should have had a second flavor). DS got chocolate and salted caramel I think. We made plans to meet the big kids in front of Revenge of the Mummy for the parade at 5, so we decided to make our way to the rest of Universal. We went on Transformers, Race through New York with Jimmy Fallon, Despicable Me, and then ET. The rides were all ok. I really could go to Universal for Harry Potter only and be happy. The virtual stuff gets to be a bit much after a while. ET was way outdated, I think it's time to close it down.

We met the big kids, and then SD21 was upset because they had done everything except for Dr. Seuss which is the section she most wanted to see, and no time for shopping. So we didn't end up seeing the parade (BIL got upset about that). We went to Kings Cross, took a video of everyone going through Platform 9 3/4 and then rode the train to Hogsmeade. When we got there, there was a huge crush of people and we couldn't get through. I didn't know it, but there was a projection show on the Hogwarts Castle. DS21 and boyfriend got upset because they couldn't get through to go to Dr. Seuss, I guess they eventually made it there but we stood around and waited for the show. IT WAS AMAZING and I cried. Hogsmeade was covered in snow and Christmas lights and it was extra magical. Then we went on the Forbidden Journey at the castle. Again, forgot it was intense, but DS loved it so it turned out ok. Thank god because I was here for Harry Potter.

We all regrouped for our reservation at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium as a celebration for DSs 10th birthday (on the 16th) and SDs 20th birthday (the 29th). The food was really good, we ended up splitting milkshakes and the characters from the Chocolate Emporium (Professor Penelope and her robot JAcques) came around to the tables and did a bit. It was hilarious, she kept making Jacques guess how old DS and SD were and he kept saying "thirty two and a half" then she screamed at the top of her lungs "DESSERTS!!!!!" and scared the bar tenders half to death. The kids were mortified by all the attention but it was all pretty funny. This was a late night, we didn't get back to the house until around 11.

FAVORITE RIDE OF THE DAY: Escape from Gringotts and the Forbidden Journey, the big kids also really liked Return of the Mummy which we did not get to.  Honorable mention to Jimmy Fallon's ride, nobody was excited for that one except H but everyone had a good time on it.

[CurlyQ284]

Day 5: Universal

Last day at the parks! We aimed for a relaxing day cause we were exhausted. We got there around 10 and planned to leave around 4. We stopped at Voodoo Donuts at City Walk on our way in because we heard from park employees the day before that it was awesome. DS and I don't like donuts but everyone else was pretty happy. H got a maple bacon donut and ended up getting more on the way out in the evening. SD20 wanted to go to The Today Show for avocado toast so we made another breakfast stop then went to Kings Cross to take the train to Islands of Adventure/Hogsmeade again. We tried Olivanders again, DS still wasn't chosen SD20 didn't go on the castle ride with us, she was trying to get on Hagrid's Motorbike coaster before the park closed the night before and didn't get on it so we did the castle again and I'm glad we did because we didn't see the whole castle the night before, they closed sections since the line was low so we got to see all the castle things on our way through the line. After that DS had to go to the bathroom and he came out excited because he heard Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom! It was across from Olivanders and I saw there wasn't a line so I grabbed him and we got in line in the front. They placed us at the bottom of the stairs where Olivander comes down and THIS TIME HE WAS CHOSEN! I took a video of the whole thing, then I realized he was going to want the wand that chose him even though we bought Lupin's wand the day before. I couldn't say no, so I shucked out $75 because what are the odds that the special edition 2022 wand chose him? LOL

After that we made our way to Fire Eater's Grill for lunch and had some pitas. I was bummed that the hummus side came with carrots and celery, I wanted carbs! Next we went to Poseidon's Fury. DS is really into Greek Mythology and I wanted to make sure we did this one and it's not what I expected at all. It's kind of an interactive show more than a ride. You're guided from room to room and there are special effects to simulate a battle between the gods. At one point there was a walkway going through a spinning cylinder of water, I have NO CLUE how they did that it was pretty amazing. After that we made our way to Jurassic Park River Adventure. In 2012 and in 2016 this ride was closed. So I have been trying to get on this damn thing for 10 years. IT WAS OPEN! It was a fun ride, basically a Splash Mountain type ride with scary dinosaurs. Then we did Spider Man which was alright, but by then I was kind of over the virtual rides and starting to feel sick. Last we walked through Dr. Seuss world, it was starting to get dark again so it was lit up for Christmas and very festive. We did some shopping there and then called it a night.

FAVORITE RIDE OF THE DAY: Jurassic Park River Ride

We spent the next few days at my ILs house and it was nice to get some relaxation time!

[CurlyQ284]

Overall comments: The DAS pass was much less stressful than Genie +. I get popups and news stories about Disney now because of all my search history and it looks like FastPass used to be like the DAS pass and they may bring that back. I hope they do, it was so much easier. We needed more time at Magic Kingdom, and a rest day in the middle but that wasn't possible without making MIL upset for spending less time at their house at the end so we had to power through.

We really didn't need the Express Pass at Universal this time of year, on most of the rides the lanes merged before we even had to stop in line so it didn't make a difference. Universal is in need of some updating, some of the virtual rides look outdated. I am bummed we didn't get to King Kong and Return of the Mummy and I forgot to take DS down Nockturn Alley at the Harry Potter section.

I was surprised the big kids preferred Disney over Universal, I thought they would like the big thrill rides better but they said the parks are better quality. I agree, with the exception of Harry Potter/Dr Seuss which I think are done really well and they need to just overhaul the rest of the park (LOL). I believe they are adding a Nintendo World and that will probably be really good.

I'm wanting to go back again, and H says I'm crazy so we will see who wins.

[freshsqueezed]

CurlyQ284 Do you think the Genie+ is worthwhile to add if you also have a DAS pass assuming we would be doing most rides altogether as a family?

[CurlyQ284]

Dec 2, 2022 12:31:01 GMT -5 freshsqueezed said:

CurlyQ284 Do you think the Genie+ is worthwhile to add if you also have a DAS pass assuming we would be doing most rides altogether as a family?

Probably not, the DAS pass is a little more flexible. It tells you when to go to that ride and you can go anytime after, you can't miss your window.

We were in a few situations with Genie+ where we were running to make our window lol. That plus the annoyance of having to stay up until midnight to purchase, I wouldn't do it now (we bought our Genie + before they eliminated the advanced purchase).

DAS allows for a max of 6 people though, so if you have more than 6 I would get the Genie+ for the extra person so you can kind of time it to stick together. We did that for Flight of Passage, I bought the ILL and then used DAS for everyone else in our group so we all went on it together.