Monday, May 4th: part 3
Refueled and recharged from our Three Broomsticks lunch, we poked around Hogsmeade for a while longer (there is just
so much to look at there…..the little details always amaze us!) then we continued our circle around the lagoon, making our way toward Seuss Landing. We meandered slowly through the Lost Continent, but other than snapping a quick pic of this guy….
…..we didn’t stay very long in that section (but we would be back again later in the week, where we’d devote a little more time to some of the finer features this specific “Island” had to offer).
A small aside….has anyone ever watched the Muppet’s Christmas Carol? It’s a holiday favourite of ours, and we watch it ever single year without fail. The statue above reminds me of Ebenezer Scrooge’s Headmaster….and every single time I see it, the first thing through my head is “It’s the American Way!”.
Anyhoo, onward to Seuss Landing. I love this particular area off the park: it’s bright and colourful and
fun. It makes me feel like a big kid, and in a way that I don’t have to make any apologies
.
Dr. Seuss was a huge part of my childhood, and an integral part of Jake’s too. Even with that kiddo all grown up, I can still recite some of those books by heart…..you can’t read something 1000 times and not have it permanently etched in your brain for all of eternity. Universal has captured the essence of those books so beautifully in this area, down to every last colourful detail.
Our first stop was the Caro-Seuss-El, and even Steve (good sport that he is) joined me for a ride. I am always happy to see the multitude of adults in this section of the park that just let their inner child loose and join in the fun (with their children in tow, or like Steve and I….just themselves, children at heart
).
Just as we exited from our ride on the Caro-Seuss-El, we spotted the Cat in the Hat moseying over for a meet and greet next to his ride. We couldn’t pass up the chance for another character pic!
And then.... as we were waiting behind a couple of other families to meet the Cat in the Hat, we saw the Grinch and Sam I Am come strolling out and set up to meet visitors just on the other side of One Fish Two Fish. So, we went there next!
The Grinch was especially playful, tickling the tops of our heads and making everyone laugh with his crazy antics.
After making the acquaintance of characters, we opted for a ride on the High in the Sky Trolley Train. I was a little disappointed that we didn’t go through Circus McGirkus Café Stupendous (and confession time: I didn’t realize, before today, that the two different tracks on opposite sides of the loading area take you on two totally separate loops….I just assumed the trains ran along the same track at staggered intervals). Even without the tour through the gigantic circus tent, though, the ride was fun as always (albeit enough to make me almost faint, in places…..I don’t know why, but the heights always get me, especially as the train turns on the track over the water in the center lagoon) and the views of Seuss Landing were spectacular.
We were pleased to see another Photoconnect opportunity in the Trolley Train queue, so as we made our way through, we took the time to stop for a picture on the Star Card:
Next up was a ride on One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. Adults? Who?
Us?
The only other ride we hadn’t done was Cat in the Hat, which Steve HATED on our first trip to IOA three years go. I swear, when he has nightmares in the darkness of night, the spinning of that ride is smack dab among the horror he’s enduring. Seriously, he despised that ride. Today, we opted to skip it (even though relatively recent reports said that the incessant spinning has been tamed substantially) but I vowed to ride it later in the week…..probably while Steve waits contentedly outside….when we return for another day of fun at Islands of Adventure.
Instead of a spin on the Cat on the Hat, we toured a couple of the bright and colourful gift shops that are scattered throughout Seuss Landing.
I was sorely tempted to buy a pair of Thing 1 and Thing 2 t-shirts for the big guy and I, but talked myself out of it. Steve would have happily worn them on our next park day….he’s such a good sport about that kind of stuff….but honestly, other than on our trips to Universal, I couldn’t see myself wearing it at home (and thrifty girl that I am, the fun for a day didn’t seem to justify the cost). I did love the Mother of All Things t’s, but since I only have a singular Thing and not at least two to warrant the plural of the shirt, it didn’t really seem fitting. 10 years from now (and hopefully not a day sooner) perhaps I’ll be able to buy the Grandmother of All Things shirt when I tour with Jake and his future brood.
By the time were finished up in Seuss Landing, we had worked off enough of our lunch to have made room for a sinful, sweet snack. Steve had spied a tantalizing array of cheesecake (his most coveted indulgence) at the Beverly Hills Boulangerie the day prior, and speculated as we passed by Croissant Moon Bakery in Port of Entry upon our arrival that they, too, probably offered similar treats there. So that, not surprisingly, is where we headed.
Deciding what to have here was almost as difficult as deciding on a name for Jake when he made his way into the world way back in 1996. So many options….so many good choices…..but only room for two. Their cakes (cheese and cheese-less), cookies, dessert bars, squares, and funnel cakes all looked spectacular. I think we may have drooled a little on their display cases as we perused the selection
.
Eventually, Steve made his executive decision and ordered the caramel cheesecake (not a surprise….I knew he would pick a cheesecake of one variety or another, the only question was which flavour) and I had a Napoleon bar.
I am going to use schumigirl’s phraseology here, because (a) I just love saying the word and (b) it describes our selections so very perfectly.
They were
LUSH. Oh. My. God
. I hated to even offer Steve a bite of my Napoleon bar, because I wanted every last calorie and crumb for myself (for the record, though, my love and devotion eventually won over my selfish tendencies, and I gave him a generous taste of that sweet pastry wonderfulness……I will consider that selfless act as falling into the latter half of the “For better or for worse” vows that we pledged 22 years prior…..sharing has never been so hard in my life!!).
The cost of our snack totaled $8.50 including tax and our AP discount. We shared a cold bottle of water (free with our AP entitlements) and then Steve bought a bottle of milk once his cheesecake bit the dust.
Wheeeeeeeeeeee!
Were we on a sugar high when that was said and done. Steve was feeling like a Super Hero himself, so we headed back to the Marvel area hoping to catch a meet and greet with some of the characters that make that part of the park their home. And score! Our timing was awesome, because who was out and about? None other than the gigantic Dr. Doom. Even better, there was a Photoconnect photographer there too
.
Pictures like this always make me smile. There’s not too many folks who make Steve look small, but Dr. Doom is enormous. I would love to see the person underneath that costume. I bet he has even more trouble finding shoes to fit his big feet than Steve does!
With caramel cheesecake coursing through his veins and a chance encounter with Dr. Doom adding a little spark of awesomeness to his afternoon, Steve suddenly announced he had some important business to care of. I thought perhaps he was ready for another ride on the Hulk (to which he gave me the
“are you out of your MIND?” look, considering the amount of cheesecake and milk that was currently swirling around his stomach) but no, he headed in the opposite direction…..all the way through Marvel to the spot just before Toon Lagoon where the carnival style games are featured.
Earlier in our day, as we were on our way to Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls, he had spotted HUGE Minions at the strong man game. He turned to me then and said
“I am going to win you one of those before the end of this trip”.
Mmm, hmm
. Sure.
The Minions (and the other options for prizes at IOA’s strong man game…..NBA teddy bears a few other choices) were much more substantial items, in my opinion, than the stuffed Duff merchandise at the Sledgehomer game in Springfield. It had to be harder to win at this location. The man was just setting himself up to be disappointed.
Despite my assurances that I was more than thrilled with the Lisa and Santa’s Little Helper that he won me the day prior, he was not to be deterred. His wife loved Minions, and he was going to win one. Plain and simple.
He paid the attendant the $5 fee, and she handed him a hammer. Swing #1, with all the power of the cheesecake exuded, yielded him a mid-90’s score
. This was not going to be easy.
Gina, hold my hat. And keys. And wallet. And lanyard.
Swing #2 was a tad better at 97, but still not a winner. So close
. And he was giving it all he had.
He turns to me and says,
Don’t worry, you’re not leaving here without a Minion. (Did I look worried?
) A tiny group had clustered around the game at this point, as a few folks in the vicinity had seem him come so very close on his first two swings. He had a small cheering section assembled when he wound up for that final attempt, which came crashing down amidst a huge yowl of energy that I think even surprised Steve. Lol, did that sound really come from him??
DING! 100! Winner!!!
And that, my friends, is how Bob the Minion officially joined our family
.
By this point in the day, once again the excitement, the fresh air, the sunshine, the culinary indulgences, and all the walking was starting to take their toll. And again, we were smart enough to listen to our own internal cues and know that it was soon time to call it a day (as far as our park activities were concerned) and leave the rest of our must-do’s until later in the week. We had nothing but time at our disposal, so there was no rush to cram anything else in. Ah, we love the beauty of a Universal vacation!
Making our way through Marvel again on our way back to the park entrance, Steve topped off an already incredible day with a chance meeting with the Green Goblin who was dashing from guest to guest, wreaking havoc and hardly standing still long enough for a photo to be captured. I swear that the person who plays this character must be fed a steady diet of Red Bull.
He dang near pushed my limit, though, when he took his leather belt and gave poor Bob a good lashing. Nobody, not even the Green Goblin, has permission to assault my Minion! Steve thought it was great that he was so “in character”. I resisted the urge to kick him in the shins
.
On our way out of the park, one of the Photoconnect photographers was excited to see us walking with our arms wrapped around Steve’s prize. She called out to Steve and said,
WOW, did you win that for your wife? Way to go! with genuine enthusiasm, and then motioned us over so she could take some photos of our special moment. She took several pics of us here, including a few “fun” ones with us each holding Bob’s hands, and I have to say…..I loved the backdrop. It was the perfect location for photos!
Eventually, we made our way out of the park, through CityWalk, back to the car, and down the I4 to the resort. We made Bob comfy in the back seat, but he insisted on wearing Steve's hat:
Back inside the villa, I called my mom for a quick chat (making sure all was well on her end of the world, and keeping her abreast of the excitement of our day), and Steve grabbed a nap on the sofa. Once we were ready, we headed off to dinner….it would be Steve’s pick tonight.
Red Robin, and the end of our Monday, is next.
). 
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That does stink about RRR though.. Seems like he took it all in stride though.
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) we freshened up and headed out in search of our evening meal. Since I had chosen Finnegan’s the night before, I insisted that Steve pick this evening’s venue...just to keep things fair. I don’t like to make ALL the vacation decisions.
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