We got off the ship, went through customs and then boarded the bus to head back to the airport. Unfortunately, I may have told the driver the wrong place we were getting off the bus. Oops! So, they put our bags in a specific section under the bus based on where I said we were getting off. Once we got to the airport, the driver only allowed Travis off the bus, so he could make sure that he got off all of our luggage. Yes, we did give him a nice tip!
After arriving at the airport and meeting our next driver, we checked into our hotel and headed midday to Universal Orlando.
Grandma and Grandpa
Drew, Tina, Christopher and Lindsay
Trav, Jen, Parker, Conner and Calissa
The whole group!
First order of business was to rent a stroller. Drew asked if they had any specials for multiple days. They told him it would be cheaper for him to by a stroller at Walmart!
Here is the Rockin Roller Coaster. Yes, it goes straight up! Trav, Drew, Parker and I went on it. It was fun and we tried to go on it again another day, but it was closed down.
Taking a break.
We went on the Despicable Me ride ...
and became minions!
We felt almost guilty being at Universal with the superheroes, Dora, Despicable Me, etc. since we had just been with Disney.
We stayed until dark and then headed back to the Hotel.
Christopher and Lindsay fell asleep on the walk back.
We did not have a good experience at the hotel. After being on the brand new Disney Fantasy, we felt like we came crashing down to earth staying at the Doubletree Hilton. Our room was not clean (had those plastic clothes tags all over the floor, clothing stickers on the window, every time the air cycled on dust would blow out, we had a hole in the bedspread, bathroom clothesline was broken, etc.) and then I took my shoes off and realized the carpet was wet outside the bathroom. I told the person who came up to bring me a blanket about my concerns and they didn't seem to worry. They just brought me some towels to put on the floor to soak up the water. THEN, (if that's not enough) we had awful neighbors who were loud, foul mouthed, and drunk from about 11:45 pm - 6 am. We called down to the front desk twice during the night and security came up three times, but they were never asked to leave. It was an awful night of sleep and I was so upset the next morning that I went to the front desk and complained. Yes, my heart was beating super fast because that is not something I like to do, but I was so upset and sleep deprived that I did it! They apologized profusely and told us it there policy that the people are asked to leave on the 2nd trip up. They gave us a refund for that night and had a thorough cleaning done of our room. Things were much better when we got back that night, but still would not stay there again.
That day we left early so we could get some breakfast and then get to Harry Potter land before it got too busy.
Calissa and Grandma stopped to catch a wave on our way there.
There were decorating for Christmas as we walked through the park.
We found Harry Potter land! We waited in line for about an hour to ride the Harry Potter ride. It was neat to go through the castle (school, Hogwarts?) as we were waiting. (Can you tell I don't know much about Harry Potter?) The kids liked it. They had a really fast dragon roller coaster that we loved there as well. There were also lines to get into the stores! (Like an hour long line!) It was pretty crazy, but it was very well done! We also ran into some friends from Concord that we've known for years there. How crazy is that?
Tina was great and spent time with Lindsay, Christopher, Calissa, and Conner while the rest of us went on some of the bigger rides.
Jurassic Park ride.
Looking across the water at the rest of the park.
Dr. Seuss Land
That night before we left the park, Drew talked Parker into going on Rip Saw Falls (he didn't have to work very hard to convince him)>
It was getting pretty chilly and Parker didn't have a jacket, but they loved it so much they went twice!
They were crazy and Parker shivered the whole way home!
Our last day, we went to both parks and hit our favorites from the past two days.
Travis and Parker rode Hulk again. (I passed ... once was enough)
Calissa set off bombs.
We got chased by dinosaurs!
Calissa really wanted her picture taken under this sign. It really sums up our trip! We had a wonderful time and would love to go back soon!
It was a great 11 days, with 11 people!
