The evening that school ended (May 31st) we headed to the airport to fly to Florida. Once there we planned to meet up with the Owens and the Eddingtons. This was a trip we tentatively planned before our move to CA. Once the dust settled from our move we decided to go ahead with our plans. We are so glad that we could still make it work and create all these fun memories with them. I have to give Kristen all of the credit for planning this trip and for helping us to navigate the various activities since she has done them before. She is wonderful!
First Evening and Day 1
The airport
We had a layover and took our second flight in the middle of the night.
When we got to Florida, we rested, got breakfast at Denny's and hit some shops. . .
. . .as well as a playground.
We found a beach to play at until we realized we needed to head north to Daytona Beach to meet our group.
In the evening the kids got to play with their friends while the moms went shopping for groceries and supplies.
Day 2 was Sunday so we found a ward that met at a decent time and went. This is the view from our condo balcony. Pretty sweet accommodations! Kristen set us up so comfortably.
It was also Sterling's Birthday. We were happy to celebrate with friends. He got some fun presents before we left. He has especially enjoyed his hover board.
We sure love this fun, smart, lovable kid!
On Day 3 we focused on Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park.
Here we are approaching the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The school of Hogwarts was so fun! There were talking paintings, objects from the book, cool statues, holograms, ghosts, and much more that we observed while waiting for our ride!
This is the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. You got to zoom through and around the castle where you got to encounter dragons, dementors, a quidditch match, etc.
I love this photo with Stan, Julie, and Josh Eddington! They are such great people, and so fun to talk and be with!
Then we got to ride the Flight of the Hippogriff, one of my favorites.
Photo bombing Sterling. . .RASCAL!
Afterwards we checked out Olivanders wand shop, and Honey Dukes candy shop.
Then we moved on to the Jurassic Park River Adventure, Camp Jurassic, Pteranodon Flyers, and Jurassic Park Discovery Center
This is the final drop. Christian and I only wanted to ride this once, but it wasn't bad. We went to Camp Jurassic while the others rode it again.
Water wars
Next we headed to Skull Island:Reign of Kong where we got to ride through the jungle of King Kong and see a fight between Kong and dinosaurs.
Next was the Amazing Adventures of Spider-man, the Incredible Hulk roller coaster, and the Storm Force Accelatron. It is amazing how they can make it feel like you are in the middle of a battle between comic book heroes and villains!
Storm Force Accelatron is like the Tea cups ride at Disney World. Chistian and I really enjoyed this one while the others went on the Hulk Roller Coaster.
Next we headed to the Mystic Fountain, Poseidon's Fury, and Mythos Restaurant
The rest of the afternoon we visited other areas we each liked. Here is Christian at Seuss Landing.
We spent more time in Harry Potter World, we got to try Butterbeer which tastes like butterscotch rootbeer cream soda. It was so tasty, especially frosted on this hot summer day.
In the evening we got to see the show outside the castle. It was fun.
On day 4 we focused on the traditional Universal Studios Theme Park
We started at Race Through New York, starring Jimmy Fallon which literally felt like you were driving and flying through New York. It was pretty cool!
Then we hit Revenge of the Mummy
I loved this moment when Kristen rode with me while Christian waited with Matt. She is such a good friend to me! I love all the good times we have together. I also love that sometimes she pushes me out of my comfort zone to try things that intimidate me, though they aren't too much.
This was a cool looking guy that was outside the Mummy. We enjoyed watching him walk on stilts and also a Marilyn Monroe and 4 singers group that sang classics. I told Ivan this should be his next job. The singers reminded me of Annie and all the fun singing she is doing with Denver Dolls.
Next we went to Shrek and the others went to the Rip, Ride, Rocket roller coaster.
After that we went to Harry Potter and the Escape From Gringotts bank ride. It was so cool! Again there was so much detail to enjoy from the re-creations that waiting in line was a pleasure. Check out the goblins that moved.
Next we went to King's Cross Station to take the train to the other park for lunch. Here Sterling is walking through "Platform 9 3/4".
Inside the train it looks like you are passing the countryside as you ride and that the dementors come to attack the train as well.
Here we are at Diagon Alley
We ate lunch at the Three Broomsticks or Hog's Head I can't remember which now. We also got to try Pumpkin Juice which tasted like apple/pumpkin cider. Yum!
We enjoyed checking out the Knight Bus . . .
. . .and the phone booth that is a portal to the Ministry of Magic. Matt and I wondered if the kids could make a phone call on a traditional pay phone like this one since they only know cell phones.
In the afternoon we visited the Despicable Me, Transformers, and Woody Woodpecker's Kid zone.
We also did ET, Men in Black Alien Attack, and Fast and Furious.
In the evening I took Christian to Simpson's play land. We enjoyed the ride that circled high above the ground giving a beautiful view of the park.
Finally there was an evening lights and music Cinematic Celebration. It was so colorful and beautiful. From our vantage point we couldn't see all the movie images that were projected onto the water, but it was magnificent anyway.
It was a full day of Fun! This was our 2nd day of walking most of the day. We decided to make the next day a beach day to rest our legs and feet.
Day 5 was all beach, pool, games, and movies. Relaxing!
These colorful shelled critters would burrow down in the sand after the waves would bring them in.
Day 6 was a mix of the two theme parks. We started at Universal Studios.
I took Christian to Fievels Playland,Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster, Simpson's Playground, and Curious George Playground while the rest of the group hit rides like Rip, Ride, Rocket, and other favorites. He loved the playgrounds, water slide and making friends.
For lunch we went to Finnegan's Bar and Grill
Then we headed for the Harry Potter Train (King's Cross) to ride over to the other park.
Christian finally lost his bothersome loose tooth. Here he is being affectionate and playful.
Here we are again at King's Cross and Platform 9 3/4
We were able to ride the Harry Potter rides from day 4, as well as many others
Christian and I got to explore more of the shops in Diagon Alley. Here we are in the book shop and the Olivander's (wand shop).
Here we are in Honey Dukes Candy shop. There were so many fun Harry Potter treats like chocolate frogs, Fizzing Whizbees, Chocolate wands, Bertie Bott's Every flavor jelly beans and of course all the traditional pretty candies. We only purchased a few small gummies and lemon drops because everything was SOOOO pricey. Christian was pretty happy since I didn't buy him anything the first time we visited on day 3.
Side note: He clearly needed a hair cut! :) Just focus on the cool candy!
Next I took him to Seussland and Matt took over half way through.
Here is another fun bakery/treat shop
Meanwhile the rest of the gang rode the Fear Fall where it drops from a tall height between 2 towers and the Hulk Roller Coaster.
Then we all got back together, left Islands of Adventure, and went back to Universal Studios.
Matt Smith stayed with Christian for a bit while I took the oldest 5 kids to explore the shops of Hogsmeade . The creativity was so much fun in these shops! This is the jokes shop. Eve is holding up an Extendable Ear (used for eavesdropping in Harry Potter).
Love Potion for the girls
The Quidditch shop
the pet shop for magical animals
And we got to have some more Butterbeer to end our evening.
Here is a picture outside of Transformers as we passed. It was cool to see them move and talk!
We enjoyed watching the lights display again, this time with the right perspective. It was pretty awesome! Afterward we all enjoyed the music and danced a bit on the lawns. It was a perfect summer night!
As we moved toward the exit we enjoyed the fancy cars and souvenir shops
And we got a group shot with the Owens.
It was a very memorable day!
Day 7 was spent swimming at the beach and at the condo's pool. We also enjoyed lots of card games, some video games for the boys and Harry Potter movies. As you can see by the lack of pictures it was a relaxing day!
Day 8 we gathered all our stuff and flew home. The few pictures I have of the day are these. Play hard, rest well! Glad I got all these neck pillows for our travels!
The kids were great travelers!
We are so grateful to Kristen for all her hard work! She planned the accommodations, the food, the itinerary, everything! We have so many wonderful memories because of her! What a wonderful friend she is to us! We feel so blessed and happy!
