Infinitus/Universal Studios TripTips and Observations, with no real spoilers

[amanuensis1]

Tips/observations for Universal Studios, day 1: Islands of Adventure, pt 1

-Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is one of those rides that makes me say, "AGAIN!" as soon as it's done. This may or may not be a good idea; the second time through the motion sickness hit me and I had to nix my plans of both Butterbeer and Duelling Dragons immediately after, and fabularasa, who had had plenty of the ride after trip one, got to have the last laugh.

-Again, for HP and the FJ: if you are like me and wear loose, comfortable slides on your feet, either 1) take them off when they seat you and tuck them between your back and the seat, or 2) ask the attendants for some rubber bands so you can lasso your shoes on. (No, I'm serious, they have them and it works.) Taking your shoes off and leaving them in a locker at the start is, I'm told, a no-go because you aren't allowed to walk through the whole pre-show line barefoot. But I spent the first go-through holding my dangling feet at an acute angle so my shoes wouldn't slide off and be lost somewhere in the ride's depths.

-Pumpkin Juice is DELICIOUS. Omigod, a mouthful hits you with gentle cinnamon/ginger/allspice mix awash on a pumpkin mouthfeel, and then ends on an apple finish. I so wish I could take home a sixpack of this.

-You will thank me if you skip Flight of the Hippogriff. Seriously, it's too intense for little ones, like the beginning of a good rollercoaster ride, but it's like TWELVE SECONDS LONG. Who is this for?

-Leaving HP-land: you can get a surprisingly delicious chicken caesar salad at Circus McGurkus; they mix it up right when you order it and they cut up an actual hot fried boneless chicken breast and top your salad with it. Nice change from those prepackaged jobs you find too often.

-fabularasa and I have decided that so far our favorite ride in the park (we haven't done many yet) is the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. Seriously, I could just stay on that thing all day, looking at the view from above.

-Adults cannot go on the Pteranodon Flyers (another aerial view ride) at all unless they are accompanying a small child. So either bring a small child with you or create a nanny service on the spot, or don't bother.

More later!

Comments

[annephoenix.livejournal.com]

I am jealous!
.... and you forgot the 'kidnap a small child' option for your final point, which is actually clearly the most reasonable solution to the problem.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I decided I wanted as few references to child endangerment in my journal as I could get. :D

[pushdragon.livejournal.com]

Oh! Out of all of that, it's your description of the pumpkin juice that makes me long to be there ...

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

When I try the butterbeer, I'll let you know how that is!

Butterbeer

[jenna-thorn.livejournal.com]

The butterbeer (at least the frozen one) comes with an optional topping to simulate a white head of foam. It's not quite whipped slightly runny marshmallow creme, but it's not far off, either. The butterbeer itself is pretty good, if a trifle sweet.

You can ask for no topping and if I have the opportunity to have another, I will.

On the other hand, your description of the pumpkin juice is such that I think I'll be having that instead.

Mythos is actually a nice restaurant. Service is polite, though food speed is a little leaisurely. It was air-conditioned, though, so we didn't mind sitting for a bit.

Re: Butterbeer

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I'll try the butterbeer with the full treatment first and see; thanks for the suggestion!

Yeah, we thought we might try Mythos for a meal in the heat of the day and enjoy the decor. ^_^

Re: Butterbeer

[jenna-thorn.livejournal.com]

According to our waitress, it's much easier to get reservations now that Hogsmeade has opened. Himself had tried several times and this last trip was his first sucess.

FYI/FYE: The mushroom flatbread was most tasty, my fish tacos were okay but not inspired, the kid's crab sliders were full of filler breading and disappointing, but the watermelon tomato compote that came with his and mine was an aquired taste. He wrinkled his nose, Himself took a bite and handed it over; I ate both of them, nom, and wanted more. As far as entrees, though, Himself won. He got the steak with truffle puree and I rolled my eyes at the pretentious description, but it was delicious - beat my fish with shredded cabbage hands down.

Let me know how you liked what you get. Himself insists on indulging on vacation, and even with walking regimens before vacation, we tend to find a sit-down restaurant for a late lunch to avoid dinner crowds and the heat of the day. So I suspect we'll be there again eventually (though not any time soon, I'm afraid.)

Re: Butterbeer

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I love talking food, so, I'll be sure to let you know what we do! I'm the type who likes to get a salad from one place, a main dish from another, and ice cream from the stand further down, so, counter service makes me happy.

Re: Butterbeer

[jenna-thorn.livejournal.com]

Oh, I so hear you.

Best RenFaire ever, I went with a guy who wasn't good for me in any way, but had a better paying job and a hollow leg, so we walked around the fair and he bought one of every foodstuff and I had one bite of everything he bought. That's really usually all I want, one bite. Of course, after one bite of turkey leg, one bite of apple dumpling, one bite of chicken onna stick, one bite of gyro, one bite of frozen orange...urp. He couldn't understand why I didn't want anything to eat. I did.

But getting in and sitting down with a nice glass of ice water for an hour is nice, all on its own.

[stanharding.livejournal.com]

I was there a couple of years ago - loved the Hulk rollercoaster and (much to my surprise) the Spider-Man ride.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I can't wait for the Spider-Man ride! Everyone says it's one of the best amusement rides ever created.

[jenna-thorn.livejournal.com]

It was until they put up Forbidden Journey. 8-)

If the motion sickness hits again, find soemthing not on screen to focus on, I tend to drop my eyes to the lower right side and find a seat bolt or something. I was okay on HP, but Spiderman (on our first trip) was right after lunch and I got a bit whirled about halfway through.

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I know that sometimes closing one's eyes helps, but I was all "Darnit, I want to SEE this! It's cool! I'll just have to put up with queasiness after." And, yeah, I'd rather go on an empty stomach, despite all those helpful "Oh, it's actually better if you eat something" suggestions. They don't work for me.

[logospilgrim.livejournal.com]

I shall skip the rides altogether and stick with Pumpkin Juice ;-)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Professor, please do be cautious of the heat! If you're planning to be dressed in your robes, there are plenty of air-conditioned areas to linger in. ^_^

[logospilgrim.livejournal.com]

God bless you for your kindness, most beloved! I shall only be going to the WWoHP during the Night of a Thousand Wizards, and I am hoping that it will be somewhat cooler then... I shall be wearing a coat that Kambriel made for me (basically, a fitted cassock with Snape sleeve buttons!); she used a lighter material for it, black rayon, so I think I shall be all right, but it is good to know that there are places where one can refresh oneself :-)

I am really looking forward to seeing you!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

Me too! (And frozen Butterbeer will help the cooling process too. ^_^ )

[sra-danvers.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review! I would love to be there!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

If you do go at some point, remember the tips! :D

[glockgal.livejournal.com]

THEY SHOULD MARKET THE PUMPKIN JUICE, SRSLY!! Maybe if it picks up in popularity, they will? *fingers crossed*

This review fascinates me so far. Moar please! *claps*

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I don't know if I want the pumpkin juice marketed or if it makes it all the more special just having it here. --Nah, to heck with that, I want it marketed! :D

[themostepotente.livejournal.com]

How crowded was the park? Long waits?

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

We went in with the before-hours, staying-at-the-hotel crowd, which meant HP and the FJ was a walk-on both times. Then, being one of the staying-at-the-hotel crowd, that meant we got to use our passes to jump to the head of the line on everything else. But there wasn't a lot we wanted to do that was open, since we were feeling shy of wild rides at that time and preferred to see a show or two, but shows weren't going until noon. And we were only there until about noonish, and that's when the crowds were certainly starting to pick up. So it's hard for me to judge so far, sorry!

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

You and Fab together? Ooooh jealous me.

I think it's rotten there are rides you can't do without a child! Woe!

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

I KNOW WE MISS YOUUUUU.

I'm fine with rides that are only for children--like, they won't accommodate anyone over X height/weight, but, if they do accommodate adults, why not let them on? I tell ya.

[mariannec.livejournal.com]

I want to go so bad, but I'll have to wait till autumn or next spring.

Lucky you :D

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

The atmosphere of it is just lovely, no lie.

[aome.livejournal.com]

My daughters (age 6 and 8) ADORED the Flight of the Hippogriff. My husband and I are not Big Thrill Seekers (like you, it seems) but he can tolerate the smaller coasters better than I can, so he took them on three times, and enjoyed it. So - I guess we just happened to hit the target niche. "We" meaning "everyone but me". But I didn't mind watching.

Don't remember Thing 1 and Thing 2 having voices, so did not notice any change. We all loved ALL the Seuss rides, although my husband wasn't too keen on getting wet on Red Fish, Blue Fish.

Pteranodon Flyers was SO not worth it. We stood in line 45 minutes (for new definitions of "30" that was claimed) for a 45-second ride that was, well, pretty much akin to your view for Hippogriff: astoundingly intense for a little-kids' ride. It's super-high, goes surprisingly fast, and swings a LOT. WTF?

Frozen Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice FTW!

(I'm Plumeria, btw.)

[amanuensis1.livejournal.com]

We stood in line 45 minutes (for new definitions of "30" that was claimed)

Just so you know, this line cracked me up no end. Oh, I know those "30"s all too well!