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Last Night after having a bath to try and relieve some of the aches and pains in my legs, we started to watch the Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them Film. However we were so exhausted that, despite it only being 8.30 we drifted in and out of 10 minute bursts of sleep.
I gave up the ghost at about 10pm and headed to bed, Julie followed about 10 minutes later, both totally exhausted from a packed couple of days. So onto today, Sunday, god's day of rest and instead of chilling by the pool and recovering some energy we are heading off to Universal Studios.
But first things first, clearly what my aching limbs need right now is an early morning run, so at 6.30 I'm up and about and treading the streets around the hotel. This has the exact opposite of the effect I was hoping for and I limp back to the room with both of my knees and my Achilles aching. But upwards and onwards.
Breakfast consists of a bowl of fruit, some yogurt and some toast - get used to it this will be staple diet for 2 weeks. Throw in the occasional fruit juice, can of monster or green tea and that's it.
The plan for the day is Universal and we are soon on our way and arrive at the Car Park at about 8.30, in plenty of time for the 9 o'clock opening. Universal have increased their security , it's now very much like airport security, with x ray machines and metal detectors, but we are through in a timely manner and walk across to the entrance of the studios.
All is running smoothly and I'm in the park , I turn around to see Julie stuck at the gate and in discussions with the entrance guy. It turns out that Julie's ticket has black out dates and today is one of them. There is a concert on tonight and Julie's ticket doesn't allow entrance when there is a Mardi Gras concert taking place. ITINERARY FAILURE !! - and guess who prepared the itinerary - NOT ME !!
The ticket does allow admission to Islands of Adventure so we take the short walk across City Walk to the IOA turnstyle. And this time it's my turn . I can't get admissions because there needs to be 7 minutes between entering different parks - What a stupid rule - I have an annual pass so should be able to come and go as I please. After the embarrassment of refused entry I am eventually admitted 3.5 minutes later . A great start to the day. NOT !!
Last Night after having a bath to try and relieve some of the aches and pains in my legs, we started to watch the Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them Film. However we were so exhausted that, despite it only being 8.30 we drifted in and out of 10 minute bursts of sleep.
I gave up the ghost at about 10pm and headed to bed, Julie followed about 10 minutes later, both totally exhausted from a packed couple of days. So onto today, Sunday, god's day of rest and instead of chilling by the pool and recovering some energy we are heading off to Universal Studios.
But first things first, clearly what my aching limbs need right now is an early morning run, so at 6.30 I'm up and about and treading the streets around the hotel. This has the exact opposite of the effect I was hoping for and I limp back to the room with both of my knees and my Achilles aching. But upwards and onwards.
Breakfast consists of a bowl of fruit, some yogurt and some toast - get used to it this will be staple diet for 2 weeks. Throw in the occasional fruit juice, can of monster or green tea and that's it.
The plan for the day is Universal and we are soon on our way and arrive at the Car Park at about 8.30, in plenty of time for the 9 o'clock opening. Universal have increased their security , it's now very much like airport security, with x ray machines and metal detectors, but we are through in a timely manner and walk across to the entrance of the studios.
All is running smoothly and I'm in the park , I turn around to see Julie stuck at the gate and in discussions with the entrance guy. It turns out that Julie's ticket has black out dates and today is one of them. There is a concert on tonight and Julie's ticket doesn't allow entrance when there is a Mardi Gras concert taking place. ITINERARY FAILURE !! - and guess who prepared the itinerary - NOT ME !!
The ticket does allow admission to Islands of Adventure so we take the short walk across City Walk to the IOA turnstyle. And this time it's my turn . I can't get admissions because there needs to be 7 minutes between entering different parks - What a stupid rule - I have an annual pass so should be able to come and go as I please. After the embarrassment of refused entry I am eventually admitted 3.5 minutes later . A great start to the day. NOT !!
The park seems fairly quiet and as Kong is the newest attraction we decide to bypass our usual favorites and follow the crowds to Skull Island. We rode this a couple of times last year and weren't impressed, today we were in and out in 15 minutes and still not that impressed. It's too short and to be hones in reality it's just a big 3D movie. The themeing pre ride is good but overall I wouldn't stand in line for anything more than 30 minutes. Perhaps other people feel the same because there aren't that many people waiting
work our way around the park, missing out the water rides, weather is mid 70's but we don't fancy getting wet. We do all of the Harry Potter rides and I feel a little dizzy after being thrown around 3 times in a row but it's soon over, once we walk through the Poseidon's Adventure show (which is just dull). Next up Seuss landing and then we walk across to Hulk and Spiderman but the week-end lines are starting to build at it's almost lunch time so we give them a miss and head for lunch.
Short drive to Longhorn Steakhouse, one of my favorites, and it doesn't disappoint. I have a couple of Sam Adams and so Julie drives back to the hotel for a mid day break. Everything is aching so it's a walk to Walgreens for tablets and then ABC wines for some more pain relief. We have a few hours in the room and again watch Fantastic Beasts before it's back on the road for EPCOT.
Short drive to Longhorn Steakhouse, one of my favorites, and it doesn't disappoint. I have a couple of Sam Adams and so Julie drives back to the hotel for a mid day break. Everything is aching so it's a walk to Walgreens for tablets and then ABC wines for some more pain relief. We have a few hours in the room and again watch Fantastic Beasts before it's back on the road for EPCOT.
So despite being completely shattered we are heading back to another theme park. We are through security by 6pm and do a few quick rides before the Illuminations show at 9pm. We do Mission Space, Spaceship Earth, Figment, the Mexico boat ride and character meet and greet before heading into the fast pass area for Illuminations. It's about 20 to 9 and the temperature really has dropped but I'm only wearing a tee shirt so it's an unpleasant 20 minute wait until the show starts.
The fireworks are as good as ever and the chaos trying to get out afterwards is as manic but we are back in the room by 10pm where it's a bowl of cereal for tea and the tablets and then bed ... A long long day and we really are exhausted !!
The fireworks are as good as ever and the chaos trying to get out afterwards is as manic but we are back in the room by 10pm where it's a bowl of cereal for tea and the tablets and then bed ... A long long day and we really are exhausted !!