Day 10: Universal & Islands: THE RETURN

Summary: Got up later than normal and got ready to head to Universal & Islands today. Minions ride to start followed by several others we didn’t manage to do last week so was pretty good to get them in and means the day is slightly different from previous. Bubba Gumps for dinner and all the shrimp followed by a quick Forbidden Journey and finally Hagrids - AT NIGHT! which was truly epic!

Got up at 10am, what a feeling to get a good night sleep! Took our time this morning get up and ready and hit Universal about 12. Will likely be heading to Bubba Gumps for dinner tonight so got my Bubba Gumps T-shirt on for the occasion.

BANANA!

Minions Mayhem first. This is a ride were you get turned into a minion. Theres a big build up to the ride, t’s so funny. We’re big fans of The Office so hearing Steve Carell as Gru is weird. And as you enter its smells like bananas! Simulator ride, very funny and enjoyable.

Overall: 8

After that, Rip Ride Rockit and it was only 25 mins - crazy! Me Robert and Grace went on it. It’s strange I have a fear of heights and these rides would always have been an issue for me, but doesn’t really bother me now. Darude Sanstorm again for the track selection although Robert seen a guy put in a secret PIN and after some research found that there was a secret ride hack to get access to about 70 songs!!! Considering they went from 30 to 5 songs last year this is a game changer. Next time we’re here is Saturday and a new song will definitely be on the cards.

Overall: 8.5

Say my name

We got a return time for the mummy, and went across the park to go on ET in the meantime. Do you know what E.T. is short for? He’s only got little legs! :D At the start of the ride you give your name so ET can say goodbye to you at the end. Today my name is Geraldo. They have majorly revamped this ride since last time and it’s super smooth. The visuals and scenes are also really vibrant and makes a big difference to the overall experience. I didn’t quite catch ET saying my name but did hear Robert and Ann’s name. Thoroughly enjoyable nostalgia esp for a ride that’s been here since 1990 (that’s over 30 years ago for us Gen X’ers).

Overall: 8

The Revenge of the Mummy next. This was closed last time and Ann couldnt remember it last time we went on it (she said we have never been on it, but my memory begs to differ). Grace and Robert haven’t been on this either, so first time for them. Great dark roller coaster, with lots of special effects and it’s pretty scary. My 6yo niece went on this last week so probably not that scary tbf.

Overall: 8

Autobots, roll out! We needed to stop the Decepticons from getting the All Spark in Transformers after the Mummy. Very similar ride to Spider-Man at Islands, a simulator ride with 4D effects though this seems to have less physical effects and more digital on screen effects. It’s a tough call to pick a winner from the two, Spidey might slight edge it due to the theme though.

Overall: 8

Men in Black next. I think my gun was broken last time so getting a second chance would give me a chance at redemption. It was a hot one today and when entering the building, its just hit you with a cold blast of air. It happens on most rides and feels amazing. Anyway we get in the cart and get locked and loaded to shoot some aliens, and Ann won with 149,000 to my 107,500 - must’ve been my gun on the blink again :P

Overall: 7

Waiting on Gringotts at Diagon Alley, we decided to grab a Duff Beer for me and a Lard Lad donut for everyone else, in this heat, the beer was glorious! Got a pic with Robert and the donut as we’d got one with him before, it will be good to compare them both (when Im able to find it).

Gringotts was last up before dinner. The bugs that plagued us last week on this ride seemed to have been fixed so it was more enjoyable today. Also seems to matter where you sit, we were at the back this time and just felt a better ride overall.

Overall 8.5

Life is like a box of chocolates

Bubba Gumps for dinner and it’s next to the park so we didn't really need to go very far at all. Mostly seafood, the choice was between shrimp, shrimp or more shrimp. Got a flowery cocktail as you get to keep the cup but it was probably more Ann’s cup of tea. So yeah everyone got some sort of shrimp dish I opted for a medley of coconut, fried and tempura shrimp with various dips and halved it with Patrick who went for the Po Boy. Grace went for a 1lb of shrimp, like a full buckets worth, the girl likes her shellfish! She also got a box of chocolates in a commemorative tin which you keep and the rest of us shared a key lime pie which is one of my favourites.

After dinner with an hour left at Islands, we darted towards Hogsmeade to try and get a final ride or two in to close off the day. While waiting for Hagrid’s and pretty much ignoring the wonderful light show at Hogwarts (and drone show over at Universal) we popped into Forbidden Journey. I could ride this all the time it’s fantastic.

Overall: 9

Last but not least

When we exited we seen the remnants of the light show and Hogwarts lit all up at night, it looks amazing. With 30 minutes to park closure we queued up for our last ride of the day, Hagrid’s. As we waited in the queue we could see people leave and then shortly after an announcement saying that the ride was temporarily down. Boooo! It was nearly closing time so probably wouldnt have got on it, we decided to wait anyway as it was still before 10. After 10 minutes we heard that the ride was back open again, huzzah! And then after another 5 it was temporarily closed again. This doesnt do well for your anxiety, let me tell you! But at just after 10, the line started moving again and we finally got the chance to ride! And at night it’s such a different experience. Hagrid’s bike headlamp is on as are the taillights. You also dont get to see very far ahead of you, which can be a good or bad thing! And I swear it seemed to go even faster than normal. This ride is so so good and even Robert said he was contemplating upping his score to a 10.

Overall: 9.5

A thoroughly satisfying end to a packed day even though we started off a little later than normal. The walk back through the park with all of the night lights was beautiful. Well try and catch the drone show on our last day at these parks on Sat, and pretty much do the same again.

Up early to Virtual Queue Guardians at Epcot tomorrow, can wait to ride that one again either!

Todays Stats

- Step Count: 19k
- Starred Rides: Hagrid’s, Rip Ride Rockit
- Total steps: 181.4k
- Total miles: 77.1 miles