2015 April Vacation - Orlando, Florida - Day 2:

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE:

Even though this is vacation we were up early and out the door by 8:30 so that we could get to the parks as close to opening time as possible.  When we opened the front door to get into the van, we were greeted by these two guys.  We had some extra bread that we tossed their way and we were off for our first day.  The plan was to start over in Islands of Adventure and finish by taking the Hogwarts Express to the Universal Studios side and check out Diagon Alley!

Van is parked and we are ready to head through CityWalk to the park entrance!

Wearing his new Harry Potter shirt for our visit to Hogwarts!

Ready for Marvel Super Hero Island!

Shaun too!

GG and Omi are ready to go!

Grammy too!

Universal Orlando!

Let's get this party started!

Uncle Dave ready and rocking his fanny!

Our first order of business was to head over to Hogwarts!  We wanted to make sure we hit up the castle before it got too busy.  We were able to get right on and the ones who stayed behind were able to ride the Hippogriff coaster a few times!

One of Shaun's favorite rides in case you couldn't tell!

After our first trip to Hogwarts for the day it was time to venture over to Jurassic Park.  I skipped the River Adventure this time around since the Hogwarts ride made me feel a bit queasy.  I was a little surprised since the first time I rode it two years ago, I felt fine.  I gave Melissa my underwater point and shoot to take on the ride and I set up over by the drop to get pictures of the boat coming down.  I think we captured some good moments on this ride!

Uncle David is ready for the adventure!

Woah!

Soaked!

But so fun!

Melissa's River Selfie!

We were super proud of Shaun for giving this one a shot!  I don't think he'd ride it again, but he tried it!

After some time in Jurassic Park we headed to Toon Lagoon and hit up their version of the log flume called Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls!  This one is a favorite of mine, even though their is a big drop.  I like a good ride that soaks you!

Just a little wet!

Having a little more fun in Toon Lagoon with the comic strip captions!

Grandmas with Olive Oyl

After Toon Lagoon, we had lunch over in Marvel Super Hero Island and hit up the Superman ride.  A favorite from our first adventures there two years ago and just as much a hit this time!  Shaun even gave it a try and while again it wasn't his favorite, I was proud of him for trying!

We then made our way over to Seuss Landing, a section that is meant more for Evan and Shaun (who are not as adventurous when it comes to rides)!

Waiting to ride the Seuss Train.

Then at last, what I have been waiting for most of all during this trip and the reason we purchased Park to Park tickets this time, it was time to ride the Hogwarts Express and head over to Kings Cross Station!

Waiting for the train!

The rest of us at the station!

It was a lot of fun, but I could also see Charlie's point that the cost to add park to park just to ride the train might not have been worth it.  I do think it was nice to have the flexibility to go back and forth this time instead of having to spend all our time on one side.  I would do it again (assuming I could convince the Doc!)

The boys found some cool cars featured in the new Fast 7 movie!

It was a great day at Universal but we are tired and ready to go home!

First day at the parks = SUCCESS!