Back to the Vacation

I know much of this blog space has been devoted to the Wizarding World as the story of our fall break vacation has been told, but props must still be given to the 'rest' of the park, as well as our venture to the Atlantic seaboard.  So little by little, post by post, let me tell the tale.

Here is The Hard Rock Hotel, which was our resting place for the first and most exhausting days of the vacation.  It was quite nice and comfortable-(and music-themed, how apropos)-with some great conveniences that I'll share later.  As this picture shows, the hotel was located on a waterway, used to transport people to Universal. 

 Although the Samours are 'people' we often bypassed the boat as we couldn't wait to get to our destination.  Not to mention we love opportunities for exercise!  So whether walking or 'on a boat' the scenery was enjoyable as you moved toward your destination.  Here is Spenser ready to lead us on the path to fantastic fun.

Look, even Sienna can't contain her excitement over her surroundings!  She doesn't even mind having to walk!

After the brisk walk we arrive at the park entrance and the well-known symbol of Universal, the spinning globe.  Behind the globe is Universal City Walk, a fun shopping and entertainment area outside of the two parks (you know - just in case the amusements weren't stimulating enough). 

At the globe one must either walk into Universal Studios, or walk further down to access Islands of Adventure.  I've covered much of the Islands, so now it's time to document our fun in Universal Studios.  This park is set up like mini towns and movie sets.  They still have the Jaws attraction, a classic, but have added newer/hipper rides. One such ride happened to be one of Spenser's favorites - The Mummy.  The Mummy is an indoor and dark roller-coaster ride, and yes a thrill-a-minute.  If you can believe it - MOMMY even rode THE MUMMY (2x)!

How convenient that outside of the mummy ride was the stage for a Blues Brothers tribute band.  Well Rob couldn't contain his excitement as the Blues Brothers is one of his favorite movies and a reminder of his and Pat Burke's friendship.  Another cool thing for Rob?  Dancing with his daughter to the Blues Brothers in Universal Studios on a dream vacation!  Here they are!  (You can see the blues brothers and the singing waitress just over Sienna's head)

Not far from this location was a daring challenge for the boys - the Rip Rock it!  The boys seemed to become braver with each day and I can't believe some of the rides they were riding.  Here they are on their way to ride the scariest coaster in the park.

Here they are posing for one more picture before boarding.  See that red rail dropping from the sky?  That soon will be their sled!

And here they are flying down it, leaving their stomachs at the top!  You can see Spenser and Rob at the top of the picture.

Here they are on the corkscrew after they come back up from the drop (Rob's head is the one you can see in the second car, first row).

It was quite a chore trying to snap these photos as they whizzed by, but hey I did it.  Sienna was up for riding most rides, just not this one or the Hulk in Islands of Adventure.  She's smart like mommy.  Or shall I say a scaredy cat like mommy.  Other rides that all or some of us rode were:  Twister, Jaws, the Simpsons, Shrek, and E.T.

While on the subject of scary roller-coasters, here is Rob and Spenser on the Hulk, located in Islands of Adventure.  They rode it early in the morning and were the only ones on it.  Rob is the one in the yellow shirt.

Here is another picture that shows the twists and turns the coaster takes.  Is that crazy or what?

This is the view I like - can you see why?

Okay, that ends the Hulk segway.  Now back to Universal Studios.

While the rest of the family was getting their kicks on rides, I was nursing a headache but still managed to have some fun.  Here I am with some celebrities in the park.

The minions from 'Despicable Me', and

Lisa, Homer, and Bart Simpson.



We were so tired one night leaving the parks that we did actually ride the boat.

To end this post I think it fitting to share some of the reasons why we loved our hotel.

Sunny pool by day,

awesome dive-in movie at night,

yummy ice cream shop in the lobby,

and guitars.........we love guitars!

Our vacation rocked at the Hard Rock!

Turkey Thursday

Don't ya just love Thanksgiving?  I certainly do.  Let me count the ways:  days off work/school, eating to your heart's content, favorite thanksgiving foods, Rob's cooking, Sienna and Spenser helping, kokopelli's white zinfandel, turkey leftovers, crosswords, and the kick-off of christmas decorating and shopping. 

Thanksgiving duties are left up to the pro, which in this instance is Rob.  He cooks up a mean turkey and stuffing, so I just sit back and let him do his thing.  As the kids have gotten older, they have enjoyed pitching in with cracking eggs, cubing bread, chopping celery, beating potatoes, and putting in as much butter as they can while mom isn't looking.  Here's some proof of all that.

So what do I do while they work?  Well other than making sure the house is clean, the Arizona Republic provides me with the highest in entertainment on such a momentous holiday.  They call it Crossword Cornucopia.  I call it mental stimulation and fun at its finest.

Now that's what I call a crossword.  It's so big it's quite unwieldy, but I enjoy the challenge.  It's not done yet, but I hope to finish it.  Let's just call it a work in progress.

Here we are ready to enjoy the fruits of their/our labor.  Another fine holiday celebrated with a much beloved family.  All that's missing is you!

11/11/11

The EPIC finale to the Harry Potter story came out on dvd today, and in our household that is big news.  So Sienna and I headed out early this morning to purchase one with smiles on our faces.  And wouldn't you know it that Hoda and Kathie Lee were broadcasting live from the Wizarding World in Orlando to celebrate the storied release?  Those ladies may not be my favorite but I enjoyed seeing them in Hogwart's robes posed right in front of the same gates we passed through a few weeks ago!  Even more exciting was the fact that several of the actors were there to commemorate the dvd release and pay tribute to the films.  The actors that played Ron Weasley, Fred and George Weasley, Lucius Malfoy, Professor Flitwick, and Luna Lovegood were all in attendance, as well as David Heyman, the producer of all 8 films.  Oh well, I'll just have to settle for the fact that we reveled in that same location just a short time ago. But all this Deathly Hallows Part 2 dvd release talk reminded me that I've still got some Wizarding World blogs to finish.

I've already blogged about the rides and sights in the park and what's left to share are some pictures about what we (or I) couldn't resist buying.

Around Sienna's neck is a Gryffindor lanyard and in her hand is her wand from Ollivander's.  And below you will find - like daughter, like mother.

Other treats and trinkets included a Triwizarding Cup, chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts, a rain poncho, a Gryffindor hat, a polo (not pictured), postcards, and tumblers.  Sienna also got an authentic Hogwart's sweater and tie.

 

Here we are with Hogwarts in our hands!

If only we could fold it up, pack it into our suitcases, and bring it home to Arizona!