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Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Universal Studios was flipping AWESOME Florida pt. 3

Let's get right into the recap shall we? It was Universal Studios day but first, a trip to another outlet mall. Why? Well, when we checked into the hotel, they gave us an envelope with a coupon book and a $25 gift card for the mall. YES, they gave me a gift card for the outlet mall, just for staying at their hotel! It's like they looked into my soul and saw what made me happy.

Kev decided to pass on another day of shopping and I went on my own. I walked around for a while trying to decide what to use my card on. I finally decided on these 2 shirts from the Loft.


I liked the metallic designs, especially the gold pineapples. They were bogo and with after my card, I think I ended up paying $3 for them. I think they'll be super cute for the summer and I can wear them to work with a cardigan over top.

After I finished, I went back to get Kev and we headed to the park! It was raining all morning and stopped as soon as we got there.


I was super excited to go to Universal and see the Wizarding Wold of Harry Potter. I'm not an obsessive Harry Potter fan but I'd heard it was AMAZING. disclaimer, it WAS.

On our way to Harry Potter land, I got distracted at the Sponge Bob store.


I had to pose with Patrick.

Then I found the pineapple under the sea and Gary was there. Of course I needed to get a picture,


As we made out way through the park, we ended up in Springfield. Seriously, they did an AWESOME job in Simpsons land


Kev found a Homer Simpson donut. We could have also eaten at Moe's but decided to wait a little longer for real lunch.


It looks like Chief Wiggum had an accident.


We didn't eat at Moe's, but we did pose for a picture with Barney.



I really can't say enough about the Simpsons section, again, not a huge fan, I'm more of a Family Guy kinda gal but it was so well done. All of the shops were fantastic and even that giant pink donut was pretty tasty.

Finally we ended up in "London" and walked through the brick wall into Diagon Alley. I thought I took more pictures but I guess I was just walking around oggling everything.



We spent a good 2 hours just in that section. We were in all the shops, and went to the wand selection show. I didn't have a chance of being chosen when I saw all the little kids in there but it was still a blast. I didn't end up with a wand but I saw a lot of people who did.

They have these interactive wands that you can purchase and there are places all throughout Harry Potter land where you could wave your wand and special things happened. If you're planning on going and have kids, they'll want one and it will set you back $49. Budget now.

After hearing so much about it, Kev and I split a glass of Butterbeer. No alcohol folks, but that -ish was tasty! It was kinda like a butterscotch cookie soda. So yummy and I heard the frozen one was even better.


What else, I had a picture taken at Gringotts and I went on the ride.


Kev doesn't do rides so the ones I did, I went on as a single rider. The lines were shorter and I still got the entire experience. I don't care if I sit with 3 random people for 3 minutes.

The Escape from Gringotts Ride was one of the most amazing things I'd ever seen. Seriously, it had a little roller coaster and the 3D story was fantastic, complete with a fire breathing dragon. If you go to Universal, you HAVE to go.


He breathed fire. 

After all of that we were hungry and went to the Leaky Cauldron for some lunch.


Then we wandered around the rest of the park and I rode a few more rides. I went on the Mummy, the Transformers and the Simpsons rides. All great. One of the strange things I noticed was that on every ride (except the Simpsons) I had water thrown on me. Just a little but WTH? I didn't go to a water park,(water parks are gross) I intended to stay dry. 

Loved, loved, loved Universal. I would go back in a minute. 

We went back to the hotel to shower and change, because we had plans to go to Rising Star that night. Rising Star is a karaoke bar that has a full band, complete with back up singers. How could we not??

Before singing, we needed dinner. After much debate, we ended up at the Hard Rock Cafe. I'm pretty sure I haven't been to the Hard Rock in 15 years. I didn't realize that they still existed. Surprisingly, nothing had changed. I might have stepped back in time while we were there.

The hostess seated us under the Bon Jovi memoribelia. I don't know how she knew, but she did.


I don't know that a shirt worn at a golf event is an acceptable shirt to hang on the wall. Can we get something a little more iconc?


Ooooo Slippery When Wet platinum album.


I had a club sandwich and onion rings. It seemed appropriate. Definitely something I would have eaten in 2000.

Finally we were off to Rising Star! I sang "I Will Survive" and Kev did "You May Be Right"


I could get used to a full band behind me. 

It was a really long day but so much fun! I think I logged 20,000 steps that day. By the end of the night, I was definitely looking forward to my bed.

Day 4 and Epcot coming up tomorrow!

Linking up!




3 comments:

  1. Oh how fun! I haven't been to Universal in years and I know so much has changed! Um yes to a $25 gift card to the mall, love the shirts you got!

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  2. Oh my gosh... I want to go to Harry Potter world SOOOO bad!!!
    Good to know how much the wands cost. I have to have one when I go... its a MUST

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    Replies
    1. IT WAS AMAZING!!! Really, one of the best things I've ever seen! We didn't get the park hopper pass which meant we only stayed in Diagon Alley and didn't go to Hogwarts. Next time I'd take a day and go to each.

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