Day 5 :: 11.19.24 :: Universal Studios

On Tuesday, while we were at Animal Kingdom, Roy and Hudson went to Universal Studios.  The focus of their time was the Harry Potter parts of the parks.  They had read all 7 books aloud and watched the movies together, so this adventure was the culmination to their Harry Potter experience.  

Waiting for the park to open.

Crowds were a bit smaller than at Disney.  There were actually there for the rope drop (which is what they call when the park officially opens).

They were told they don't make the entrance to Diagon Alley obvious.  Once you see this Knight Bus you are getting close.  In the books, Diagon Alley can only be seen by Wizards who know how to get in to it.

Entering Diagon Alley - the place where Harry Potter and his classmates do their back to school shopping.

Diagon Alley with Gringotts Bank in the back.

The Ukrainian Ironbelly Dragon on top of Gringotts Bank.  

Fire!

Entering the ride, Escape from Gringotts, inside the bank. 

Exploring other areas of Diagon Alley.

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes shop

After looking around Diagon Alley, they took the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade and the Hogwarts Castle.

After finding Platform 9 3/4, they got on the train. 

Enjoying the train ride.

Entering Hogsmeade (restaurants and shops where Harry and his friends spent their weekends)

Snow in Florida?

                           

They didn't take any pictures of this, but they went on a roller coaster called Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.  Roy and Hudson both said it was their favorite ride of the day.

They ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks, which included fish and chips and butterbeer (butterscotch soda).  

The Hogwarts Castle

After exploring Hogsmeade, they took some time to see other areas in the Universal Islands of Adventure Park.

Entering Jurassic Park World

Ready to ride the Velocicoaster and after riding the Velocicoaster.  Sounds like it was one of the biggest thrills of the day!  

                               A little nervous...                                                         Two thumbs up!

  

The Velocicoaster and Hogwarts from the other side of the park.

The Back to the Future car

 

Day 5 :: 11.19.24 :: Animal Kingdom

Our 3rd Disney park was Animal Kingdom, which is Disney's newest, yet smallest park. Roy and Hudson went to Animal Kingdom on Sunday (while the rest of us were at Hollywood Studios) and the girls (me, Ang, Greta and Ivy) went on Tuesday (while Roy and Hudson went to Universal Studios).  The boys did some park hopping so they could get to all 5 parks.  

Proof that they officially arrived at Animal Kingdom, with the Tree of Life in the background.  

Ready for rollercoaster Everest.

Pandora - The World of Avatar 

Waiting in line for Avatar - Flight of Passage.

Heading out on a Kilimanjaro Safari.

The wildlife was impressive. 

A girls group pic before entering Animal Kingdom. 

  

Roy and I went to Animal Kingdom (before we had kids) with Roy's parents and sister.  I remember seeing this tree near the entrance all decorated with the various animal heads and pieces.  

Officially marking our arrival too!  

We headed straight towards Africa (where we had a 9:30 brunch reservation) and enjoyed some live music.  

We dined at Tusker House Restaurant, 

It was a breakfast buffet, which was fun for something different from the other meals we did.  

At this character meal we got to meet Daisy, Donald, Goofy and Mickey. They each came to our table for a hug, picture and signed the girls autograph books.  

 

Every 30 minutes the characters would break out in dancing and clapping to an African song.  The energy was awesome, exciting and contagious. Meeting the characters up close was so special. The smiles on their faces are proof. 

 

Big smiles for Donald Duck!  

Ivy enjoying her Mickey Mouse waffles. She had been anticipating this moment. 

My favorite picture from the day...

Mickey Mouse signing the autograph books.  

Waiting in line (notice her giraffe shirt we picked out for Animal Kingdom day).  

It was our turn for a safari.  

More wildlife spotting...

 

Looking for lions...

Our turn to chase the Yeti on Mount Everest.  The queue for this ride was so cool and captivated Ivy's attention.  

The colorful flags of Nepal.  

Greta proudly wore her Minnie Mouse ears every single day, all day long.  

Our turn to check out Pandora...

The Na'vi Shaman in Na'vi River Journey is Disney's most expensive animatronic, costing around $10 million.  Here she is...

We took in the Festival of the Lion King show. It felt like being at the Broadway production. Greta even got asked to participate in the show. She walked a lap around the stage playing a musical shaker.  

 

We spotted Chip & Dale and waited patiently for our turn to greet the furry pals.  

Ang treated us to Mickey Mouse ice cream bars while we waited.  

Enjoying an iconic Disney treat.  

We saw Chip and Dale in Dino-Land, which is why there are dressed up like dinosaurs.  

A picture to document the day...

It was a sweet girls day at Animal Kingdom.  

We watched a 3D movie, It's Tough to be a Bug, underneath the Tree of Life.  It provided a cool view at dusk.  

The Christmas tree was all lit up as we were leaving the park.