Carroll Chronicles: Amusement Park Fun

We spent two full days of fun in Universal Studios and Universal's Islands of Adventure down in Orlando, Florida after our little beach excursion. This was a great side trip since we were already down in Florida and we had never been to Universal. It was hard not to compare this park to Disney World and they actually don't really compare. They're both very different and both are fun in their own way. I have posted a ton of pictures so feel free to just browse or just skip them altogether!

There are two parks that we visited and with the park hopper pass and a ticket to the Hogwart's Express we were able to switch parks anytime we wanted to. The highlight of both parks was the Harry Potter aspect. There was Hogsmeade in one of the parks and Diagon Alley in the other. It was literally like stepping into the pages of Harry Potter. The details in the architecture and all of the shops in the town were amazing. We enjoyed browsing through each of the store windows, finding little things right out of the book and movie. It was easy to get caught up in the whole Harry Potter world atmosphere and want to go to Hogwarts and find Harry Potter and all the crew! It just seemed so real!

This was the wand shop where we were able to go inside and watch someone being picked by their wand. What a magical experience! Easton browsed through the vast selection and wands and finally decided on getting the replica of the Harry Potter's wand. He got an interactive wand which meant he could use it throughout the park to perform magical spells and chants. You looked on the ground for gold inlaid medallions that signified the spot to perform a spell. You stood on the medallion, waved your wand in just the right way and something surprising and magical would happen!

There were so many wands to choose from...it was a very hard decision for Easton!

A stroll through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter wouldn't be complete without trying their famous Butterbeer. Easton LOVED it! He got the frozen version which was like a slush. It tried it and it was too sweet for me. It was like a very sweet juice that tasted like cream soda without the fizz and then their was a thick layer of cream on the top. I think Easton had four or five when it was all said and done! In this picture he is holding a container of pumpkin juice, another popular drink. We tried that as well and it tasted like a very cinnamon version of cold apple cider.

A picture with the conductor of the Hogwarts Express

Waiting to get on the Hogwarts Express to head over to London

Inside the train we could look out the window while the train was moving and see what adventure was going on outside....we saw Harry and the crew and all sorts of action packed drama being played out, all while we sat safe in our little train cabin.

We have arrived in London and then Diagon Alley. This place was seriously cool. Every shop had a theme. The window displays were all moving and cleverly done and the merchandise in the store was incredibly creative and fun. It was very tempting to buy every cool thing we saw, but we restrained ourselves!

This is a view of the main street in Diagon alley with shops on both sides of the street.

This sign says Mayhem this Way.....it led to the joke shop.

Notice the dragon on the top of the center building.....it would blow fire out of its mouth every ten minutes or so....quite impressive! You could feel the intense heat of the fire ball when it was spewing.

More selections of wands. These wand stores were always packed with scores of people trying to find the right wand. Children and adults as well purchased the wands and could be seen all over the park performing magical spells at just the right places. I think the purchase of wands must keep this park in business! Everyone was carrying a wand (except me).

During the afternoon of our first day in the park the sky just exploded with rain. Everyone scrambled to find a roof or awning to wait under. It rained for a long time and people just sat waiting, including us. Easton and I went exploring in some dark, cold alleys called Knockturn Alley. It was seriously dark and evil. After about an hour we braved getting wet, went to a store and bought cheap plastic rain ponchos and carried on. Rides were all shut down from the rain but we were still able to enjoy the park and went on some of the indoor rides.

Stephen waits for the rain to stop.....which NEVER did.

The purple double Decker Knight bus....

We ate dinner at a yummy seafood restaurant in the park that had an impressive aquarium full of colorful tropical fish. Throughout our entire dinner a blue fish that looked like Dori in the movie, Finding Nemo swam in circles around the tank. It was a seriously cookoo fish! It literally swam super fast around the tank the entire time we were there in the same path. You can see it to the left of Easton's head. We asked the server if the fish ever stopped swimming like a crazy fish and he said, "nope! He swims like that 24/7." What a funny little fish.

Walking out of the park at the end of our first day......

The second day in the park was extremely sunny and hot! Stephen's back was really hurting so he stayed in the hotel to rest and alleviate some of the pain. It was Easton and me taking on Universal again! We wanted to spend more time in Harry Potter world since we felt a little slighted from the rain yesterday. We started our day off by riding the Hulk....a massive, twisty-turny, upside loops four or five times intense roller coaster. It was a little extreme and we felt a little bit turned around when we got off. Easton loved it!

We headed back to Hogwarts to ride the two intense roller coasters, part of Dragon Challenge. Each dragon is a completely different ride that twist and loop at high speeds across the sky. The first one was so fast and intense. It went upside down in loops at least five times and did a few really crazy fast spiral loops. I was so done after the first dragon roller coaster. I told Easton he would have to do the other one without me. I waited in line with him for the second one and he convinced me that it was a milder ride with no upside down loops. I have always been a huge roller coaster fan so I decided that I would be OK since it didn't go upside down. UM......WRONG. We got on it and discovered that it went upside down as many times as the other one and it was just as crazy and intense. As I write this description it is making me nauseous just thinking about it! When we got off the second coaster I was done for....I became one of THOSE people. You know that ones that can't walk straight getting off the ride. My head would not stop spinning and I had to hang onto the way while we exited the ride. I just stood at the exit trying to get my self stabilized. I seriously felt awful. The intense heat and humidity were not helping my case any so I walked with Easton and found a place to just sit while he went on the next ride. I tried to find a shady spot to rest in and just shut out the world. I sipped water. When Easton came out we moved to the 3d Harry Potter roller coaster. I still couldn't go with him so I waited while he went on the ride. This time I sat at the opening of the ride which was a dark, air conditioned area that was just heavenly. I closed my eyes and I think I even napped a little. At one time one of the workers came up and asked me if I was OK. After Easton rode this new favorite ride of his three times, we decided we probably needed something to eat since it was way past lunchtime. A chocolate covered frozen banana sounded delightful so we sat and ate. Well folks, the chocolate covered frozen banana may have sounded delightful but my stomach didn't agree with that sentiment. I was quickly looking for the nearest trash can with three in my vicinity to choose from. Thinking quickly I chose the one furthest away from the crowd. Yes, I was that pathetic person at the amusement park that I always thought was bizarre. I instantly began to feel better after my moment with the trash can and was able to enjoy the rest of the day with Easton, but NO more roller coasters! We rode the Hogwarts Express over to London and spent a lot of time in Daigon Alley.....loved that place!