As mentioned previously Julie has planned the itinerary for this holiday, and as yet there is no sign of a rest day so we struggle on with the relentless punishing schedule. Up at 6.30, fruit and yogurt followed by toast and OJ in the room and then pack up the essentials like theme park tickets and cameras and hop into the motor.
Short journey to Hollywood Studios to arrive in plenty of time for the park opening
There is now a separate entrance in each park for Annual Pass Holders so we don't have to bother with the long lines at the park entrance but as it's only 8.45 we are held on the main thoroughfare in the park. I'm not sure why the Americans are so incapable of using a kettle or even a microwave but it always amazes me how many of them need to have a coffee so soon after entering a theme park. The jostling and pushing to get to Starbucks rivals the mad frenzy to get to Toy Story Mania as the park opens up properly at 9 and the dash commences.
We easily keep pace with hordes of rude South Americans and obese Yanks and are soon riding Toy Story Mania with only a 10 minute wait and for once I actually beat, no THRASH, Julie - no gloating but a real warm inner glow ! We have fastpasses for the major rides but decide to have our photos taken and then head to Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror.
It's obvious fairly early that the park is busy and with all of the construction work for the new lands and closed rides, the waits are soon up to well over an hours so the fast passes really are essential.
We easily keep pace with hordes of rude South Americans and obese Yanks and are soon riding Toy Story Mania with only a 10 minute wait and for once I actually beat, no THRASH, Julie - no gloating but a real warm inner glow ! We have fastpasses for the major rides but decide to have our photos taken and then head to Rock n Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror.
It's obvious fairly early that the park is busy and with all of the construction work for the new lands and closed rides, the waits are soon up to well over an hours so the fast passes really are essential.
We do One Man's Dream, which has pretty much disappeared and there is very little Disney memorabilia on display, the area is also used as a meet and greet for Moana and that has the biggest line. It's a bit of a shame as the history of Disney was always very interesting. At the end of the One Mans Dream exhibition there is an extended pre release showing of Beauty and the Beast which looked amazing. Might even be worth a visit to the pictures to see, but then again no we shall just wait for the internet gods to deliver !!
We finish our half day at the park with some Star Wars stuff, the ride, a meet and greet with Kylo and then watch a bit of the show, which we will catch in full later in the holidays. It's then back to the room to pick up the Bahama Breeze voucher, which someone forgot and the off to the restaurant for lunch. BB is one of my favourites and it doesn't disappoint with firecracker shrimp and fish tacos providing a very tasty experience. Server was a bit OTT but friendly enough. Meal was very reasonably priced, especially with a $10 coupon
We finish our half day at the park with some Star Wars stuff, the ride, a meet and greet with Kylo and then watch a bit of the show, which we will catch in full later in the holidays. It's then back to the room to pick up the Bahama Breeze voucher, which someone forgot and the off to the restaurant for lunch. BB is one of my favourites and it doesn't disappoint with firecracker shrimp and fish tacos providing a very tasty experience. Server was a bit OTT but friendly enough. Meal was very reasonably priced, especially with a $10 coupon
We head back to the room for a couple of minutes (might have been hours but it felt like minutes) rest and then it's back on the road and Universal Studios to catch the Mardi Gras parade. This time there are no ticketing issues and we are safely into the park. We ride Minnion Mayhem and then go single rider for Rip Ride Rocket and then make the mistake of going to the new, not yet opened, Jimmy Fallon Ride. We wait for about an hour and despite their being some top notch entertainment pre ride, the whole experience is under whelming. It doesn't help not knowing who Jimmy is and also never having been to New York but when push comes to shove it's another 3d ride staring at a big screen. We then ride the Mummy before staking out a spot for the parade.
Unfortunately for us the parade goes completely the opposite direction to where we are standing so we have to wait 1/2 hour until it comes back around but it's a fun parade and Julie collects quite a few beads from the floats. Once the parade is finished we head back to the hotel via Flippers pizza.
We have one scary moment when I attempt to turn onto the wrong side of the road due to the car next to me doing the same !! Our pizza is great but the server Carlos is the worst we have ever encountered. He just isn't on the same planet as the rest of us. We don't trust Carlos with my credit card so dig out the cash to pay for the meal. We still leave the customary tip but the service was comical. Once back into the room its a quick drink and then night night
Unfortunately for us the parade goes completely the opposite direction to where we are standing so we have to wait 1/2 hour until it comes back around but it's a fun parade and Julie collects quite a few beads from the floats. Once the parade is finished we head back to the hotel via Flippers pizza.
We have one scary moment when I attempt to turn onto the wrong side of the road due to the car next to me doing the same !! Our pizza is great but the server Carlos is the worst we have ever encountered. He just isn't on the same planet as the rest of us. We don't trust Carlos with my credit card so dig out the cash to pay for the meal. We still leave the customary tip but the service was comical. Once back into the room its a quick drink and then night night