"MAY INCLUDE RUM"..14 NIGHTS SAPPHIRE FALLS.. MAY `19 TRIP REPORT

[angryduck71]

OH -- also, Davy and I went to our local Yard House restaurant the other day before seeing Hamilton. It was awful that day (we had to send back Davy's meal) and LOUD. First time I ate there I LOVED it... now... hmmm... so, you may not have missed much....

 

[macraven]

Schumi I have been behind in this trip report and started reading it at 1:00 today

I had to take screen shots of some of the posts so I could go back and look at the pictures and what was written again later

A lot to read and remember after you write more
I don’t want to skip a thing!

I got caught up after two hours later and ready for more now

 

[schumigirl]

LOL -- see my email to you about my NYC trip. I am the same way!



Um, picture of you guys are a must! Plus, you know I NEED my Tom smiles! <3

Yep, I`d love to laze the morning away one day....but doubt it`ll ever happen...….

Oh I`ll keep them in ...…......it`s our vacation pictures...…..

 

[schumigirl]

OH -- also, Davy and I went to our local Yard House restaurant the other day before seeing Hamilton. It was awful that day (we had to send back Davy's meal) and LOUD. First time I ate there I LOVED it... now... hmmm... so, you may not have missed much....

Oh what a shame Davy`s meal was not so good. They do seem to be ultra loud restaurants in general for some reason. I doubt we`ll go back anytime soon......

Yes, I was glad we ended up in Jake`s and then SW...….much nicer evening......

 

[schumigirl]

Schumi I have been behind in this trip report and started reading it at 1:00 today

I had to take screen shots of some of the posts so I could go back and look at the pictures and what was written again later

A lot to read and remember after you write more
I don’t want to skip a thing!

I got caught up after two hours later and ready for more now

Thanks mac...….

I`m glad you`re all caught up......yes, there is a lot to read.....lol......more coming up soon and not much of this one to go now.....

I`m looking forward to starting the September trip report soon after......always glad to see you`re enjoying it......

 

[schumigirl]

Going into Potter areas are always breathtaking......we love the whole park not just Potter, but there is something extra special about how they have themed this to perfection. No doubt, it is perfection. Even if you haven't read the books or seen the films, I`m sure there must be some who haven't, but you can`t help but be impressed.

I do think it`s funny when at times Tom takes pictures and you can see folks looking up to see what he is taking....and it usually starts a conversation of some sort. And that`s one thing I love about the parks....folks are always keen to chat, whether it`s in line or just wandering around, most like to have a little conversation. And most people are fascinating to talk to....again, whether it`s just about where their from or a story about how their trip came about.....we love it.

Tom was taking the whole building that encompasses the Leaky Cauldron exterior.....and reminded us of the couple who didn't know it was there till we pointed it out to them...….and of course more recently the two ladies who stood outside the entrance to DA with a map and asked us if there was anything worth seeing behind the entrance!!! And she was serious......although we don't plan much if we are going anywhere, we do at least the minimum of research, but somewhere like here, I`d expect folks to know at least where DA is!!!

When you walk through those bricks and hear them as if they are moving to let you enter like Hagrid did in the movie, there is something extra special about the entrance......

It really does transport you to Diagon Alley.....and it is resplendent in it`s magnificence.

There`s nothing quite like it, and much as though I love Hogsmeade, this really does take your breath away.

And we time it nicely for the dragon to emit it`s plume of flame just as we walk in...…..I love how folks love to capture this event every single time. And the other thing we do notice still happens, is the emotion on some people`s faces....you can see the love and awe in many faces and not just children....fully grown adults have been seen with tears streaming down their face as they enter this area. And no hiding it.....they are overcome with that raw emotion for something they obviously love so much.

I`ve said many times, we are fans of Potter, books and movies, but not as fanatic as many. I don't own a wand or a cloak, and don`t plan to either, but I can still feel a little overwhelmed when we are in these areas at times. Especially when they play the original theme tune around us. It is special.


Although I do question the vibrancy of this pink colour…….I feel a little nauseous every time I see it...….

I guess everyone had gone the other way......we were in no rush to do anything today, and fully planned to just wander around and get some pictures and just enjoy the park without any rushing around, not that we do anyway, but, you know what I mean......this was a slow meander.

There isn't a single thing that`s not impressive in the Potter areas, and this giant door impresses me as I walked past it twice when this place first opened and never saw it...….really, never saw it......I remember saying to one of the TM.....What huge door......lol...…

The Hopping Pot serves various alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks.....and somewhere we do come into on a HHN for a break from the heat, as it is cooler in here.....but you can get a cold drink too. We`ve had the orange and the lemonade and they are both very nice.....we don't tend to get any alcohol from here....it`s usually too hot for us!!!

And here you can meet Death......

The Beedle of the Bard is a story of three brothers who do meet death......there is more to the story, so it`s worth a watch if you`re in the area when they perform this and they do perform it regularly throughout the day.

We`ve seen the show many, many times and now we don't stop to see it, but of course when death pops his head out.....well, you`ve got to take a picture of him!!!!

We don't go into the Money Exchange today, but it is worth a visit if you haven't ever been in......the head goblin makes you very welcome!!!!

You can purchase real money you can spend in Potter areas.....kids do love it......and for $20 you get $20 in Gringotts money..... it`s a cute store and it is fun with the goblin.

We pop our items in the locker again, which today are fairly quiet.....and head into the EP line for Gringotts....I think next trip we will do another walk through the regular line just to take pictures as we haven't done it in a while....but today, it`s the EP line. We noticed the regular line was reasonably long, so we weren't walking through today.

And it is fun as always...….for screens it`s not a bad ride and once you pass the little drop, that's not really a drop......it kinda swooshes you around instead of throwing you around....we like this ride a lot!!!

Once outside we both feel the increase in heat today......it is glorious though...…..

I love this whistling kettle...….

We didn't go into Florean Fortescues nor the Fountain of Fair Fortune....that's a lot of F`s to type...…..as of our visit, so not sure if it`s changed, they are no longer selling ice cream in cups. I don't like the cones so doubt I`ll get another ice cream if they don't start selling them again.....

There`s nothing quite like eating out of a cup......or on occasions a tub of Ben & Jerry`s...…...the whole tub

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We like ice cream!!!!

Details like the permanently smoking chimney are tiny details, but so impressive when out altogether with the whole theme...…

Next up.....Knockturn Alley and Leaky Cauldron...…..

 

[J'aime Paris]

One of my favorite treats from The Hopping Pot were the Walker's Cheese and Onion crisps!!

And I cannot find them in my area back at home, so I was bummed.
But they replaced them with Kettle Chips a few years ago...BOO!!!

 

[schumigirl]

One of my favorite treats from The Hopping Pot were the Walker's Cheese and Onion crisps!!

And I cannot find them in my area back at home, so I was bummed.
But they replaced them with Kettle Chips a few years ago...BOO!!!

Tom loves Cheese and Onion Walkers crisps ......I`m more a prawn cocktail or salt and vinegar flavour from Walkers.....

Now Lays I love the Barbecue flavours (all of them) and sour cream and onion.....lush!!!!

I hate kettle crisps......too hard!!!

 

[Tink2Day]

Loving the Potter pictures!
Dreaming of getting back to Universal some time soon.

 

[schumigirl]

Loving the Potter pictures!
Dreaming of getting back to Universal some time soon.

Thanks......Tom got some great shots!

You will.......I’m sure you will..........and it’ll be fabulous!!!

 

[Pumpkin1172]

Loving the pictures!!!! That sandwich that Tom has looked absolutely divine. I just a good sandwich or burger!!! Your food porn pictures are always great to see.
Your final day at the park looks to be spectacular with those glorious blue skies!

 

[schumigirl]

Loving the pictures!!!! That sandwich that Tom has looked absolutely divine. I just a good sandwich or burger!!! Your food porn pictures are always great to see.
Your final day at the park looks to be spectacular with those glorious blue skies!

It was a good sandwich!! He is a bit of a sandwich fan......often would like one for dinner! Oh yeah......love some good food pics!

It was such a beautiful day.....we love seeing those perfect blue skies.....I’m glad you like the pictures.....

 

[Lynne G]

Always those pictures of the Potter area make me smile. And what nice weather you were having. Picture of the dragon never gets old either.

Thanks for the update.

 

[Minnie17]

Well caught up finally! Haven’t been getting my notifications for whatever reason. I had to chuckle at the pic in front of the purple brick potter wall, with you and your purse. The only thing I think about is the Macy’s lady questioning if you knew how much your bag costs. I complimented a lady once on her purse and she went on to tell me she purchased it at so and so boutique and I would never be able to afford it. EXCUSE ME? Unfortunately I was at work and couldn’t say what I would have liked to (just because I work doesn’t mean I can’t spend a little money on a purse/bag). People like the Macy’s lady need to readjust their reality.


Anyways loving your report!!!!

 

[schumigirl]

Always those pictures of the Potter area make me smile. And what nice weather you were having. Picture of the dragon never gets old either.

Thanks for the update.

I love dragon pictures too!!

The weather was stunning......we never expected it to be so beautiful.....and the Potter areas are stunning to photograph!

Glad you’re enjoying it Lynne.......

 

[schumigirl]

Well caught up finally! Haven’t been getting my notifications for whatever reason. I had to chuckle at the pic in front of the purple brick potter wall, with you and your purse. The only thing I think about is the Macy’s lady questioning if you knew how much your bag costs. I complimented a lady once on her purse and she went on to tell me she purchased it at so and so boutique and I would never be able to afford it. EXCUSE ME? Unfortunately I was at work and couldn’t say what I would have liked to (just because I work doesn’t mean I can’t spend a little money on a purse/bag). People like the Macy’s lady need to readjust their reality.


Anyways loving your report!!!!

Always glad to see you.......and glad you’re all caught up!!!

How rude of the lady to say that to you!! It’s quite shocking when someone is so blatant really........you certainly can’t judge a book by its cover......and I try not to do that ever! Oh I can imagine what you wanted to say to that woman......I was the same, but decided to take the high ground......although wished later I’d said something more.......lol......

I’m sometimes amazed at what people say with no thought sometimes....

But, glad you’re enjoying it......

 

[keishashadow]

Seeing your pics wondering if you are psyched as to the ghostbusters house?

@keishashadow posted a picture a while back of one almost in her back yard!! Huge thing it was too........

Have had a few black bears , longs as the lions & tigers don’t follow I’m good

Although this is where I discovered I hate paper straws. I went through three and then still had to ask for another...…..next trip I`m bringing my own plastic straws...…...paper ones are no use for iced drinks, they just disintegrate...…..

Perhaps I should hug a few more trees but the cynic in me wonders if it’s all a ploy to get people to purchase a permanent metal straw when in the parks/restaurants.

My PC familly & friends encouraged me to try a noodle & licorice stick, umm ew.

I had to take screen shots of some of the posts so I could go back and look at the pictures and what was written again later

Screenshot, akin to a pic can last forever. Smart way to skim then go back and review the content.

 

[schumigirl]

Seeing your pics wondering if you are psyched as to the ghostbusters house?
Have had a few black bears , longs as the lions & tigers don’t follow I’m good


Perhaps I should hug a few more trees but the cynic in me wonders if it’s all a ploy to get people to purchase a permanent metal straw when in the parks/restaurants.

My PC familly & friends encouraged me to try a noodle & licorice stick, umm ew.


Screenshot, akin to a pic can last forever. Smart way to skim then go back and review the content.

SO excited for Ghostbusters!!!!! One of my favourite movies ever.....the original not the awful remake with the girls!!! Funnily enough I called to buy our HHN tickets today (yay) and the agent mentioned Ghostbusters being announced before I had seen it......I was delighted to hear the news....although it was hardly a secret I know.....but all the same....it`ll be a popular house for sure!!!!

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Oh there`s enough professional tree huggers around Janet.....Lord help us from the sanctimonious, being cynical is just being realistic.....Yep, I`m bringing my own plastic straws in September.....metal straws are horrible and paper ones completely useless.......token gesture on all these companies parts. So many other things with plastics that they make money on they won`t get rid of.....

Yes, screen shots are forever!

 

[Pumpkin1172]

I just want to weigh in on those dang paper straws

EEEEEWWWWW We have a few establishments that have jumped on that wagon here in Santa land. They are just gross and disgusting once they start to break down. I think there are way more other things that are pollluting the oceans than straws!!!!

I don't see the biggest offending countries of ocean pollution doing things like this to cut back on their plastics that seem to find its way to the ocean.

Personally, we try to recycle where and when I can. We compost, recycle anything that can be recycled. I use cloth bags for all my grocery shopping ( even putting produce and meat products into their own separate cloth bags to launder later ) I even have these neat stretchable reusable plastic film for over top of glass to use for food in the fridge. I have very few plastic dishes in my home...and recycle any that do come in. Alright...getting off my soap box now lol. It just makes me fume when we talk about what we do to cut back on our carbon foot print and see many people who preach it, and tell us all what we need to do...but they don't practice what they preach....I'm looking at you Lenoardo DeCaprio, Jane Fonda and MANY MANY others. Alright...getting off now...before I start another rant!!!!!

 

[Disney Addicted]

We are so dull at times. We really are......when we like a dish, no, I should say really love a dish we tend to order it whenever we go in that place...…..and in Jake`s the Crawfish Chowder is one of those dishes we can`t resist...….

I disagree. Just because you tend to order the same dish does not mean you are dull. There's nothing wrong with knowing what you like and sticking with a meal that you enjoy!

Tom was taking the whole building that encompasses the Leaky Cauldron exterior.....and reminded us of the couple who didn't know it was there till we pointed it out to them...….and of course more recently the two ladies who stood outside the entrance to DA with a map and asked us if there was anything worth seeing behind the entrance!!! And she was serious......although we don't plan much if we are going anywhere, we do at least the minimum of research, but somewhere like here, I`d expect folks to know at least where DA is!!!

Oh my gosh I'm afraid that will probably be me too. As much as I try to research before going somewhere, I'm not good with maps or directions. I'll be the one walking back and forth muttering, "I know it's here somewhere. I read about it on DIS darn it!".