Universal Studios with the family

The sign above says "The Adventure Begins".
We flew from Knoxville to Orlando via Atlanta with no troubles.  We met up with family (the Harts, Mom and Dad and Jonathan's family)  at the Loew's Pacific Resort on the property of Universal---meaning just a water taxi ride away from the action.

Our hotel rooms were all together.  I'm sure a few of our neighbors weren't thrilled about the noise level.  We were so happy to be together.  Saying "see ya later" to my parents who are headed to Akra Ghana-Africa for a few months as service missionaries and taking medical equiptment and teaching classes on audiology (Dad). 

The first night we enjoyed a meal together- pool side. 

Gorgeous train and gingerbread village in main lobby of hotel. 

The fire lighting ceremony and hula lesson.  Coconut, pineapple, coconut-coconut pineapple-pineapple!

Oh yeah, it's still Christmas week....kind of forgot with the waterfountains, palm trees and warm weather.

 

The first morning we got a special treat- one of the first into the Universal Islands of Adventure park.  Hogwarts castle as the sun rises= way cool.  What was not so cool= how scared we were riding that ride inside the castle!!!!

Definately not expecting all of that!

Hogsmead, is an actual restaurant.  Looks exactly like the movie inside.

                                    Butter beer moustaches.  Really super foamy and tasty.

A little better shot of the castle and smiles-during the not crowded time. 

There was one fan of dinosaurs in the group.  Unfortunately was too tall to ride the swing ride and none of us were willing to get wet on the river raft ride....it was too cold that morning.

Someone got to meet Spiderman and have his photo taken for a comic book.  "I wish I was Spiderman" he said......"too bad nothing is real."  this comes after a rough year of finding out how many characters are not what he thought.....Santa, Toothfairy, oh too many to list.

The Spiderman ride was way fun- We did that one twice!

 

There was a wise one to make a shirt for a "Thing 3" and even 4! 

 

Suesslanding was just perfect for our age group.  One fish, two fish ride, carousel, cat in the hat spinner ride, above ground train....it was our favorite.

As you can see, the sun came out, jackets came off and in the distance you can see the "Universal" globe while we wait for our water taxi/ferry boat.

Oh yeah, out of order photo......we saw the live show of the Grinchmas.  Very cute, musically delightful and real "who" noses....

Cousins Marisa and Kayla with Tara and Emily enjoying a time of sitting after hours of not.

Jonathan, Diana and Simon-who was the star/entertainer of the trip.  There are some fantastic things that 3 year olds say.....and amazing abilities to sleep through earthquakes.

Day 2 we went to Universal Studios.  We were there when it opened.  It was rainy off and on....but, it kept the crowds away.

There were a few happy kids with tickets into the park.

The kids' favorite ride this day was Woody's train.  That's Jake with his arms straight up.  They rode this one about 6 times.  They had to stop when a kid (not any of ours) threw up on the train.  Yuck!  Time to move on.  My favorite was the ET ride....you sat on a bike and it really felt like you were flying!  Gently flying, not screeching through the sky like in Harry Potter world.

How much do we love Barney?  Not at all, but it was fun to pose like him.

Saw the amazing animal show with animals they use in movies.  The talking pug in Men in Black, the fluffy puppy in Proposal, the falcon they used in Harry Potter, more from Beverly Hills Chuaua.  So fun to see the talents of our four legged friends.  Our favorite was the pig who wore the sign, "I let the dogs out"

 

 

The EB from Hop-saw the whole gang of characters later on at the character parade.  Dora, Diego, the cast from Despicable Me (that ride was fun), Shrek (got spit on with that ride)The Lorax, Sponge Bob ...and others.  Men In Black was the best ride-shooting aliens with laser guns.  Uncle Jonathan was the "hunk" star in the Disaster movie they were filming. 

Half way through the day we need a break-and food.  Panda Express and TCBY!  Then hit the pool for some sunshine while some napped, others kept playing, waterballoon  toss, hula hoop contest, ping pong.  There was no time to sleep for those under 18!

beachball tossing and following cousin Simon!

These chocolate frogs are solid chocolate.  How did that heavy thing ever hop itself out Ron's traincar window?

After Despicable Me movie you get to boogie with a real Minion to "Boogie Fever"

After a break, we went back to see the Christmas parade with all the inflatables, bands, christmas performers. 

 

Day 3 was a repeat of Day 1 beginning at 6am (to beat the crowds again)  We crawled home about 1:30pm....kicked off shoes, dropped backpacks and fell asleep.  Some of us longer than others. (Personally it was a 3 hour nap).  We spent the evening together at dinner in the wok restaurant....where they cooked the food for you while you watched.

 

Then it was up at 5:30am to catch the plane home.  Wow, what a whirlwind trip.  Thanks again to all the family to make an effort to get together.  Best Wishes Mom and Dad in Africa. See you in August-or there about!