Well here we go again...
Pre-trip?
I don't know...
Pre-trip?
I don't know...
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Trip Report englanddg's Getting a bit Enthusiastic Escapade...
- Thread starter englanddg
- Start date
And, one last chance to do Hulk. Wait time was 10 minutes.
Nope. Zero interest.
So, we kept walking towards Seuss Landing.
I had some stuff to pick up. My souvaniers for her family.
She wanted to sit outside.
As we walked, we talked about the rides. She commented how small they all look now. Well, they are the same size kiddo. You got bigger.
She didn’t want to ride any of them though.
We saw the Cat in the Hat and the Things, Sam
I Am and the Grinch.
And, I noticed, for the first time, the Grinch’s footprints!
“They have always been there Dad!”
Ok...
We also said hello to the Onceler.
It is interesting how nice this area is, but how little interest she has in it. This was her favorite place before.
(sigh)
The years, how they pass.
Nope. Zero interest.
So, we kept walking towards Seuss Landing.
I had some stuff to pick up. My souvaniers for her family.
She wanted to sit outside.
As we walked, we talked about the rides. She commented how small they all look now. Well, they are the same size kiddo. You got bigger.
She didn’t want to ride any of them though.
We saw the Cat in the Hat and the Things, Sam
I Am and the Grinch.
And, I noticed, for the first time, the Grinch’s footprints!
“They have always been there Dad!”
Ok...
We also said hello to the Onceler.
It is interesting how nice this area is, but how little interest she has in it. This was her favorite place before.
(sigh)
The years, how they pass.
As we wandered onwards, something caught her eye.
Poseidon!
She didn’t remember this. I told her I didn’t remember it either. I mean, I know we have attempted it twice, but the line for this one is always a beast.
The first time we made it halfway through and she decided she had to use the restroom, so we left and didn’t come back.
The second time, I remember making it as far as the little staging room.
But, strangely, Indont remember anything after that.
I know it is some sort of show.
Given our experience with lines so far, we agreed to give it a chance!
I don’t know how a queue can be interesting and boring at the same time, but Poseidan’s pulls it off!
Soon we were in the first show room, however.
Yeah, neither one of us remember this at all.
The opening is...cute. Sortof kitch, but that’s ok.
Then they take you into the second room, after the spell is cast trapping you in the ruins and releasing the Demon Magdov (or something silly sounding like that).
This next scene actually impressed me. They have a spinning whirlpool you walk through.
This effect should be used more!
But, the rest of the show is...not as great. The effects were impressive, I am sure, in their day. Even hold up ok now. And, they make use of early water screens.
But, the movie they play is just so campy...I couldn’t help but laugh.
It reminded me of some really bad 80s fantasy films...
The opening and closing of the show is neat though...I won’t spoil what they do (in the dark), but it is neat.
After that...we were done with Poseidon’s. We will skip that in the future...
The outside facade is cool though!
Poseidon!
She didn’t remember this. I told her I didn’t remember it either. I mean, I know we have attempted it twice, but the line for this one is always a beast.
The first time we made it halfway through and she decided she had to use the restroom, so we left and didn’t come back.
The second time, I remember making it as far as the little staging room.
But, strangely, Indont remember anything after that.
I know it is some sort of show.
Given our experience with lines so far, we agreed to give it a chance!
I don’t know how a queue can be interesting and boring at the same time, but Poseidan’s pulls it off!
Soon we were in the first show room, however.
Yeah, neither one of us remember this at all.
The opening is...cute. Sortof kitch, but that’s ok.
Then they take you into the second room, after the spell is cast trapping you in the ruins and releasing the Demon Magdov (or something silly sounding like that).
This next scene actually impressed me. They have a spinning whirlpool you walk through.
This effect should be used more!
But, the rest of the show is...not as great. The effects were impressive, I am sure, in their day. Even hold up ok now. And, they make use of early water screens.
But, the movie they play is just so campy...I couldn’t help but laugh.
It reminded me of some really bad 80s fantasy films...
The opening and closing of the show is neat though...I won’t spoil what they do (in the dark), but it is neat.
After that...we were done with Poseidon’s. We will skip that in the future...
The outside facade is cool though!
After this she was ready to head to London!
I really do wonder what they are building back there!
This is becoming a theme, but...no wait again!
The kid doesn’t understand why I am so flummoxed by this.
On the train she donned her robe.
Commuting to work at the Ministry, office of Dumbledores Army!
I really do wonder what they are building back there!
This is becoming a theme, but...no wait again!
The kid doesn’t understand why I am so flummoxed by this.
On the train she donned her robe.
Commuting to work at the Ministry, office of Dumbledores Army!
If only all commutes were so easy!
This actually reminded me of a sort of “pretend” I would play at Epcot growing up.
That I actually lived in that world.
The kiddo has said repeatedly she wishes she could be like Harry Potter “except for the whole dead parents thing”.
It occurred to me, just then, watched her walk through Kings Cross that this is the sort of mental “Pretend” she is doing.
Very cute.
We peered into Diagon, and I thought that would be our first stop. But, she had other plans. She wanted to do Despicable Me!
So, we headed off that way.
Along the path we ran into a mug filling station that was being stocked.
Several years back when these were new I remember contributing to a thread on this forum what the insides of these looked like (I knew very well).
Well, now you can get a clear look at one.
I wanted a coffee, so we popped into Starbucks.
The kid decided she wanted a chocolate chunk muffin. Ok!
Except, they were out. So, she decided on a cake pop.
Cookie Dough...
And Double Chocolate.
This actually reminded me of a sort of “pretend” I would play at Epcot growing up.
That I actually lived in that world.
The kiddo has said repeatedly she wishes she could be like Harry Potter “except for the whole dead parents thing”.
It occurred to me, just then, watched her walk through Kings Cross that this is the sort of mental “Pretend” she is doing.
Very cute.
We peered into Diagon, and I thought that would be our first stop. But, she had other plans. She wanted to do Despicable Me!
So, we headed off that way.
Along the path we ran into a mug filling station that was being stocked.
Several years back when these were new I remember contributing to a thread on this forum what the insides of these looked like (I knew very well).
Well, now you can get a clear look at one.
I wanted a coffee, so we popped into Starbucks.
The kid decided she wanted a chocolate chunk muffin. Ok!
Except, they were out. So, she decided on a cake pop.
Cookie Dough...
And Double Chocolate.
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The cookie dough looked good enough that I got one as well!
But...it wasn’t. It wasn’t good at all!
The chocolate one was though!
I downed out the dry and unsatisfying cookie dough with my coffee.
And we were off!
Along the path we ran into Bumblebee.
And, the kiddo liked him so much, she wanted to say hi!
We thought about waiting for Megatron, but decided it wasn’t worth it. The kid saw the same face painter station, and indulged again. But, Gru awaits!
This attraction had one of the longer waits at 20 minutes, but that still is not bad.
I love this queue, even though it is rather simple. The videos are funny, and the staging areas are filled with fun stuff to look at.
The first time we rode this, I had never seen the movie, so the kid had to explain it all to me.
Now, it is up there as one of my top feel good animation films. It is just fun!
But...it wasn’t. It wasn’t good at all!
The chocolate one was though!
I downed out the dry and unsatisfying cookie dough with my coffee.
And we were off!
Along the path we ran into Bumblebee.
And, the kiddo liked him so much, she wanted to say hi!
We thought about waiting for Megatron, but decided it wasn’t worth it. The kid saw the same face painter station, and indulged again. But, Gru awaits!
This attraction had one of the longer waits at 20 minutes, but that still is not bad.
I love this queue, even though it is rather simple. The videos are funny, and the staging areas are filled with fun stuff to look at.
The first time we rode this, I had never seen the movie, so the kid had to explain it all to me.
Now, it is up there as one of my top feel good animation films. It is just fun!
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The show is incredibly fun.
And, afterwards, there is a dance party. Boogie fever!
But, the kid was more miffed that the Minion that is normally out here dancing...was not.
We still enjoyed it. But, she had another mission.
An area of the park we had not yet hit. So, we wandered past Chuckie again...
And, henkid again indicated interest in the Halloween Horror Nights.
Next year, I think...
We rounded the corner and there was our first stop. ET!
And, this wasn’t a short wait. This was literally a walk on.
I had trouble getting pictures of the queue, which we had never seen in full because of our previous Express Passes. Thee are actually some pretty neat things back there!
I love the Speak N Spell. I asked the kid if she knew what that was. “Old” was her reply.
Ok...smarty pants!
The ride was...creepy. I don’t know how I got it in my head that it was “cute” or “sweet”.
The beginning is fine enough, but once you make it to ETs home planet, things get strange...fast.
The kid noticed this too, and the third friend of ET (the girl) looked flat out scary. Like a crazy porcelain doll mated with a mushroom.
I don’t know if this is some overlay thing they do for Horror Nights, but...the kicker was when ET “said” our names at the end.
I don’t remember this, though it could have been there...but, if this is Universals answer to some of the personalized stuff that Magicbands can do...it is a fail.
After that, I asked her if she wanted to go on Barney.
She rejected me. But, was interested in looking (but not playing) at Feivel.
This was the first ride she ever did on her own. She doesn’t comprehend how I was standing at the bottom biting my nails until she appeared through the hole in that slide...
In the very back of this area is the Curious George playground, which is really neat. But, as expected, she had no interest in it.
Back in the day, peeling her away from this area was a chore!
And, afterwards, there is a dance party. Boogie fever!
But, the kid was more miffed that the Minion that is normally out here dancing...was not.
We still enjoyed it. But, she had another mission.
An area of the park we had not yet hit. So, we wandered past Chuckie again...
And, henkid again indicated interest in the Halloween Horror Nights.
Next year, I think...
We rounded the corner and there was our first stop. ET!
And, this wasn’t a short wait. This was literally a walk on.
I had trouble getting pictures of the queue, which we had never seen in full because of our previous Express Passes. Thee are actually some pretty neat things back there!
I love the Speak N Spell. I asked the kid if she knew what that was. “Old” was her reply.
Ok...smarty pants!
The ride was...creepy. I don’t know how I got it in my head that it was “cute” or “sweet”.
The beginning is fine enough, but once you make it to ETs home planet, things get strange...fast.
The kid noticed this too, and the third friend of ET (the girl) looked flat out scary. Like a crazy porcelain doll mated with a mushroom.
I don’t know if this is some overlay thing they do for Horror Nights, but...the kicker was when ET “said” our names at the end.
I don’t remember this, though it could have been there...but, if this is Universals answer to some of the personalized stuff that Magicbands can do...it is a fail.
After that, I asked her if she wanted to go on Barney.
She rejected me. But, was interested in looking (but not playing) at Feivel.
This was the first ride she ever did on her own. She doesn’t comprehend how I was standing at the bottom biting my nails until she appeared through the hole in that slide...
In the very back of this area is the Curious George playground, which is really neat. But, as expected, she had no interest in it.
Back in the day, peeling her away from this area was a chore!
But there was one thing that caught her attention.
“I don’t remember it being this small!”
It was a fun ride. Cute little coaster. I still prefer Goofy, but...it is interesting how these little coasters imprint on you. As we went down the hills she did the Woody laugh like when she was younger.
I had a similar coaster, at Kings Dominion, which was my “first” coaster, called Scooby Doo. Nothing like this one, but, when we would go down every hill me (and I assume a lot of other kids) would yell “Scooby Dooby Dooooooooooo”.
As we exited I again asked if she wanted to see Barney?
Nothing but an ice cold glare as a response.
We passed out of the area and I spotted these two beauties.
“Why is Back to the Future here?”
Because the Simpsons ride used to be Back to the Future.
“They replaced Back to the Future with
Simpson’s!?”
Yes. Yes they did.
I was hoping to make it to the taco truck...those tacos had been calling my name, but the kid ordered a reverse course because, by her reckoning, it was faster to get to the next stop if we travel along the water through Central Park.
Ok.
As we walked, Chariots of Fire by Vangelis came on. She knows it as the “slow mo race song”, and mimicked it. Too funny.
I explained what it was and she was genuinely surprised. “You mean that was really a serious movie? I thought it was for comedy...”
Nah, they just parody it because the movie was so successful at the time. Vangelis also did the soundtrack for Carl Sagan’s Cosmos.
“Carl who?”
(sigh)
So, we kept walking.
“I don’t remember it being this small!”
It was a fun ride. Cute little coaster. I still prefer Goofy, but...it is interesting how these little coasters imprint on you. As we went down the hills she did the Woody laugh like when she was younger.
I had a similar coaster, at Kings Dominion, which was my “first” coaster, called Scooby Doo. Nothing like this one, but, when we would go down every hill me (and I assume a lot of other kids) would yell “Scooby Dooby Dooooooooooo”.
As we exited I again asked if she wanted to see Barney?
Nothing but an ice cold glare as a response.
We passed out of the area and I spotted these two beauties.
“Why is Back to the Future here?”
Because the Simpsons ride used to be Back to the Future.
“They replaced Back to the Future with
Simpson’s!?”
Yes. Yes they did.
I was hoping to make it to the taco truck...those tacos had been calling my name, but the kid ordered a reverse course because, by her reckoning, it was faster to get to the next stop if we travel along the water through Central Park.
Ok.
As we walked, Chariots of Fire by Vangelis came on. She knows it as the “slow mo race song”, and mimicked it. Too funny.
I explained what it was and she was genuinely surprised. “You mean that was really a serious movie? I thought it was for comedy...”
Nah, they just parody it because the movie was so successful at the time. Vangelis also did the soundtrack for Carl Sagan’s Cosmos.
“Carl who?”
(sigh)
So, we kept walking.
And soon we were zooming through the streets of LA again.
She loves this ride.
She wants that car at age 16. I told her she better get mowing, then. That is a lot of lawns!
Another ice cold glare.
The preshow actors were significantly better tonight than before. They played off each other and were very, very funny.
After that, she wanted to head to Diagon.
But, we had something important to do first! Thanks @DisSplash for mentioning this! I didn’t know it existed!
She...didn’t know how to operate a rotary phone.
(feels old)
The Ministry was closed at this time, so
we went inside.
She loves this ride.
She wants that car at age 16. I told her she better get mowing, then. That is a lot of lawns!
Another ice cold glare.
The preshow actors were significantly better tonight than before. They played off each other and were very, very funny.
After that, she wanted to head to Diagon.
But, we had something important to do first! Thanks @DisSplash for mentioning this! I didn’t know it existed!
She...didn’t know how to operate a rotary phone.
(feels old)
The Ministry was closed at this time, so
we went inside.
Diagon is amazing at night. The first time we saw it was when it was dark, the year it opened. I know the area pretty well now, but that first time I felt disoriented. I was amazed how they were able to tuck in little side alleys and depth to the facades to lend the place such visual depth.
That feeling hasn’t changed, even though I no longer feel lost there. Absolutely brilliant execution by Universal.
The kiddo wanted to go visit the Goblins one last time, and with a wait time of 10 minutes, who am I to say no?
In the queue they ran out of 3D glasses, which caused some confusion. But, it seems that towards closing they keep the stash upstairs near the ride loading.
This was also a literal walk on. We have had a lot of “near walk on” rides, but this and ET were full walk on. It confused the kid when she told the loader our party number, we advanced and stopped at the yellow line, only to have another CM wave us onto the ride!
One last trip through the vaults. The kid finds the “safest place in the world” joke hilarious.
And we said goodbye to Diagon.
But not before I picked up a Pumpkin Pasty (and she got a chocolate wand, and some other Potter treats for her sister and family back home).
That feeling hasn’t changed, even though I no longer feel lost there. Absolutely brilliant execution by Universal.
The kiddo wanted to go visit the Goblins one last time, and with a wait time of 10 minutes, who am I to say no?
In the queue they ran out of 3D glasses, which caused some confusion. But, it seems that towards closing they keep the stash upstairs near the ride loading.
This was also a literal walk on. We have had a lot of “near walk on” rides, but this and ET were full walk on. It confused the kid when she told the loader our party number, we advanced and stopped at the yellow line, only to have another CM wave us onto the ride!
One last trip through the vaults. The kid finds the “safest place in the world” joke hilarious.
And we said goodbye to Diagon.
But not before I picked up a Pumpkin Pasty (and she got a chocolate wand, and some other Potter treats for her sister and family back home).
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Rista1313
Well-Known Member
I haven't been to universal in over 24 years, but they did the name thing on the ET ride back then. Pre-magic band. I don't remember much about the ride, other than the names at the end, and that you get on bicycles at the beginning.
With no line, we debated doing the ride again, but we needed to catch our train because I purchased those shirts earlier, and had to pick them up from IoA.
I think I mentioned this earlier, but the front of the Park package pickup at IoA is only within the park. At Uni, it has a window outside the park.
I wish they would replicate that...
So, off to Kings Cross.
As we walked I munched my Pasty. It was a tasty Pasty. (My kid groaned at that, but I found it clever)
Another empty commute. I slowed down a bit to enjoy the surroundings, which annoyed my kid. “We need to catch the traiiiinn!”
I tried to slow her down to catch a picture of her going through Platform 9 3/4, but I was too slow.
I passed through and she was nowhere to be seen...I found her waiting by Hedwig with her hands on her hips, tapping her toe.
Ok, kiddo. I get it.
Outside of another foiled Dementor attack, the ride was uneventful. Our cabin mates included an older teen (maybe 15) all done up in Hufflepuff attire. He and the kid had a full conversation about all things Potter as we rode. My kid was very proud she was on the last book! (I hadn’t realized she never finished the series...bet she will as soon as she gets home!)
The park was now closed officially, but t appeared they were still letting people board Hogwarts.
I offered the kiddo, but she declined. “It is a good ride, but not as fun as Grungotts. Plus, the spider and dementor like me too much!”
Ok, kiddo.
So, we walked leisurely around the back of the park. The crowds had mostly dispersed, so it was calm. We chatted about various things and enjoyed the attractions at night.
We happened upon the raptor paddocks. We had forgotten those were there. When we passed them we were caught up in the thrall of the tour group and walked right by without notice!
“Maybe next time!”, chimed the kid.
Certainly.
We passed Kong, which is stunning at night. This picture doesn’t do it justice.
And Rip Saw...fun as always.
I think I mentioned this earlier, but the front of the Park package pickup at IoA is only within the park. At Uni, it has a window outside the park.
I wish they would replicate that...
So, off to Kings Cross.
As we walked I munched my Pasty. It was a tasty Pasty. (My kid groaned at that, but I found it clever)
Another empty commute. I slowed down a bit to enjoy the surroundings, which annoyed my kid. “We need to catch the traiiiinn!”
I tried to slow her down to catch a picture of her going through Platform 9 3/4, but I was too slow.
I passed through and she was nowhere to be seen...I found her waiting by Hedwig with her hands on her hips, tapping her toe.
Ok, kiddo. I get it.
Outside of another foiled Dementor attack, the ride was uneventful. Our cabin mates included an older teen (maybe 15) all done up in Hufflepuff attire. He and the kid had a full conversation about all things Potter as we rode. My kid was very proud she was on the last book! (I hadn’t realized she never finished the series...bet she will as soon as she gets home!)
The park was now closed officially, but t appeared they were still letting people board Hogwarts.
I offered the kiddo, but she declined. “It is a good ride, but not as fun as Grungotts. Plus, the spider and dementor like me too much!”
Ok, kiddo.
So, we walked leisurely around the back of the park. The crowds had mostly dispersed, so it was calm. We chatted about various things and enjoyed the attractions at night.
We happened upon the raptor paddocks. We had forgotten those were there. When we passed them we were caught up in the thrall of the tour group and walked right by without notice!
“Maybe next time!”, chimed the kid.
Certainly.
We passed Kong, which is stunning at night. This picture doesn’t do it justice.
And Rip Saw...fun as always.
And we said goodbye...
On our way out, Bubba the Shrimp was meeting people. The child declared him “strange”.
I suppose so. He is a very anatomically correct shrimp...
We passed an ESCOT bus on the way out. I think this is a local transit company that has been in business here for a very long time. The name and logo (and it’s similarity to a far more renowned local theme park) is familiar to me.
The Lyft was a bit tricky to catch, because the place was mobbed. We walked all the way to the end of the loading zone though, and a quick call to the driver to find him in the mess, and we were off!
An uneventful ride back to the hotel. I got us some dinner. Nuggets for her, and a chicken cordeon bleu for me.
It was...a lot of food! I almost got the soup and quiche. I should have. I couldn’t finish this massive sandwich!
It was pretty good, though.
I started to organize our room as she took a shower. I have no idea how I am going to fit all these things into her return bag. Good thing I asked her mom to have her bring the bigger bag! (I got my kid a luggage set two years ago for the European trip, and it came with a huge bag that would work domestic, and international, but we couldn’t take on the Chunnel....so she had a smaller bag for that...since then, though, it has become her go to bag.)
I mentioned earlier that we got a free Invisibility Cloak. Here is a picture.
Do you see it?
It is a cute little trick. You inflate the gift bag a little and make a big deal of pulling it out of the bag.
I asked the kid what she wanted to do tomorrow. She, had no ideas. I offered Sea World. She...declined.
Ok.
Well, if you leave the planning up to me, you never know what will happen!
Next up - Plant the Seeds, and they will Grow!
On our way out, Bubba the Shrimp was meeting people. The child declared him “strange”.
I suppose so. He is a very anatomically correct shrimp...
We passed an ESCOT bus on the way out. I think this is a local transit company that has been in business here for a very long time. The name and logo (and it’s similarity to a far more renowned local theme park) is familiar to me.
The Lyft was a bit tricky to catch, because the place was mobbed. We walked all the way to the end of the loading zone though, and a quick call to the driver to find him in the mess, and we were off!
An uneventful ride back to the hotel. I got us some dinner. Nuggets for her, and a chicken cordeon bleu for me.
It was...a lot of food! I almost got the soup and quiche. I should have. I couldn’t finish this massive sandwich!
It was pretty good, though.
I started to organize our room as she took a shower. I have no idea how I am going to fit all these things into her return bag. Good thing I asked her mom to have her bring the bigger bag! (I got my kid a luggage set two years ago for the European trip, and it came with a huge bag that would work domestic, and international, but we couldn’t take on the Chunnel....so she had a smaller bag for that...since then, though, it has become her go to bag.)
I mentioned earlier that we got a free Invisibility Cloak. Here is a picture.
Do you see it?
It is a cute little trick. You inflate the gift bag a little and make a big deal of pulling it out of the bag.
I asked the kid what she wanted to do tomorrow. She, had no ideas. I offered Sea World. She...declined.
Ok.
Well, if you leave the planning up to me, you never know what will happen!
Next up - Plant the Seeds, and they will Grow!
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Now that you mention it, I seem to recall that too.
Still creepy!
They need to update that ride...
Day 8 - You Seed Goodbye, and I Seed Hello
I let the kid sleep in this morning. TWO
Walks around Hourglass!
I noticed that someone overnight, I am guessing one of the visiting football players who checked in yesterday, thought that Mr. Potato Head needed a hat!
The kiddo and I ate leftovers out of the fridge. Neither of us was very hungry. I had the leftover bagel and she had some grapes and the milk and orange juice we had left over.
She took a long bath and washed her hair...but it was ok. We have had a long week.
I continued packing, did some laundry, and caught up on work to get ready for next week (which appears will be very busy for me).
When she was done, she asked what we were going to do?
Well, I had plans!
As we entered Epcot, the lines were crazier than before. Hard to imagine waiting 25 minutes for Spaceship Earth! (even though we have done it many, many times).
“What are we doing?”, she asked.
You will see!
We wandered back to the land to check in for our tour.
“You were able to get it!?!”
She was so excited. Behind the Seeds!
In reality, it wasn’t difficult at all. They run it all day every 45 minutes or so, and the cost, $25 a head, is very reasonable.
I had actually called that morning to book it as I walked the lake. They couldn’t book same day, but confirmed openings for the time slot we wanted.
We had a short wait, so decided to hop over to Sunshine Seasons and get a snack.
The kid got a muffin and another Orange Juice.
I just got water and a banana. I have never been much of a water drinker...soda for me. But, as I get older I find I actually really like the stuff!
And, on our way back we got trapped by another tour group!
I let the kid sleep in this morning. TWO
Walks around Hourglass!
I noticed that someone overnight, I am guessing one of the visiting football players who checked in yesterday, thought that Mr. Potato Head needed a hat!
The kiddo and I ate leftovers out of the fridge. Neither of us was very hungry. I had the leftover bagel and she had some grapes and the milk and orange juice we had left over.
She took a long bath and washed her hair...but it was ok. We have had a long week.
I continued packing, did some laundry, and caught up on work to get ready for next week (which appears will be very busy for me).
When she was done, she asked what we were going to do?
Well, I had plans!
As we entered Epcot, the lines were crazier than before. Hard to imagine waiting 25 minutes for Spaceship Earth! (even though we have done it many, many times).
“What are we doing?”, she asked.
You will see!
We wandered back to the land to check in for our tour.
“You were able to get it!?!”
She was so excited. Behind the Seeds!
In reality, it wasn’t difficult at all. They run it all day every 45 minutes or so, and the cost, $25 a head, is very reasonable.
I had actually called that morning to book it as I walked the lake. They couldn’t book same day, but confirmed openings for the time slot we wanted.
We had a short wait, so decided to hop over to Sunshine Seasons and get a snack.
The kid got a muffin and another Orange Juice.
I just got water and a banana. I have never been much of a water drinker...soda for me. But, as I get older I find I actually really like the stuff!
And, on our way back we got trapped by another tour group!
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DisSplash
Well-Known Member
Loved following you both along during your visit to Uni - you covered quite a bit of ground both days! Also, I am very jealous that you got to call the Ministry of Magic, but glad I could help there! I swear that will be the first thing I do next time we go there.
I will admit that landing on ET’s planet during that ride was a bit of a trip - I even overheard my son say “what the ...?” when we saw it for the first time (a hilarious memory). But I love the 80’s- ness of the whole attraction (complete with an 80’s version of Stephen Spielberg to send you off). I am probably just showing my age with this ride. I was also just so happy that it was not another screen!
I will admit that landing on ET’s planet during that ride was a bit of a trip - I even overheard my son say “what the ...?” when we saw it for the first time (a hilarious memory). But I love the 80’s- ness of the whole attraction (complete with an 80’s version of Stephen Spielberg to send you off). I am probably just showing my age with this ride. I was also just so happy that it was not another screen!
It is neat in that respect, yeah.
I seem to recall there was some comic or cartoon that had ET and his friends, and I am sure when I rode it as a kid, it made more sense to me.
But, without that context, now it is just...strange. Strange in a good and fun way.
But...strange none the less!
But we made it. We were paired with three other couples, and were led to a Cast Only door to the right of the Soarin exit.
A short walk and we were in the Pest Control exhibit. Here we learned about how they control pests in three ways. I don’t remember the three ways (should have taken notes), but none of them involved pesticides.
The most interesting way was the point of the exhibit. They breed tiny hornets to eat tiny flies. It is interesting because the hornets seek out the flies and embed their eggs into the fly larvae.
I will spare you the details if you haven’t figured out what happens next, but let’s just say the fly doesn’t make it past the teenage years.
This came complete with a video of the process, which the kid found facinating.
She has shied away from engineering and software as she has gotten older (outside of python coding she does to customize Minecraft), as much as I have tried to encourage her.
But, she takes a real interest in biology. That is a good sign!
STEM, baby, STEM!
I find biology interesting, but fail miserably at it in practice. It was the hardest class I took in both high school and college.
Next we saw the USDA partner research lab. You see the other side of it towards the end of the ride.
We learned some really interesting facts about how they germinate the “Mickey Gardens”, including that they dip them in bleach and sterile water before packaging because the agar gel (what you used in high school biology to grow cultures) will excite any bacteria found on the seedlings.
The purple light also has a purpose.
Plants crave light, but only those bands of the spectrum. So, if you intensify those, it encourages seedling growth.
So no, those lights aren’t just for show!
Interesting!
Next stop was inside the greenhouse proper.
This is the last part of the boat ride. The kid waved at some passers by as we learned this was the “science and test” section of the Greenhouse.
Most of the systems here are fairly easy to figure out.
They consist of a series is stacked pots or the tubes. Water goes in the top, filters down, and is collected at the bottom to be recycled.
But, I did get an answer to one that had always intrigued me. The exposed roots that twist around the tracks.
As they pass around the back, their roots are misted. It seems the plants really like this.
We were told, though, that the turning (not conveyer, but how the plants twist as they move) is just for show.
“It just looks cooler”
Then we met Stanley.
(leans forward with a concerned look)
“Who’s Stanley?”
(10 points to Gryffendor for whomever gets that reference!)
Turns out, Stanley is a plant.
A fern native to Hawaii that likes to give “high fives”.
This is actually a defense mechanism. When an insect lands on the leaves, Stanley literally moves them.
Very neat!
A short walk and we were in the Pest Control exhibit. Here we learned about how they control pests in three ways. I don’t remember the three ways (should have taken notes), but none of them involved pesticides.
The most interesting way was the point of the exhibit. They breed tiny hornets to eat tiny flies. It is interesting because the hornets seek out the flies and embed their eggs into the fly larvae.
I will spare you the details if you haven’t figured out what happens next, but let’s just say the fly doesn’t make it past the teenage years.
This came complete with a video of the process, which the kid found facinating.
She has shied away from engineering and software as she has gotten older (outside of python coding she does to customize Minecraft), as much as I have tried to encourage her.
But, she takes a real interest in biology. That is a good sign!
STEM, baby, STEM!
I find biology interesting, but fail miserably at it in practice. It was the hardest class I took in both high school and college.
Next we saw the USDA partner research lab. You see the other side of it towards the end of the ride.
We learned some really interesting facts about how they germinate the “Mickey Gardens”, including that they dip them in bleach and sterile water before packaging because the agar gel (what you used in high school biology to grow cultures) will excite any bacteria found on the seedlings.
The purple light also has a purpose.
Plants crave light, but only those bands of the spectrum. So, if you intensify those, it encourages seedling growth.
So no, those lights aren’t just for show!
Interesting!
Next stop was inside the greenhouse proper.
This is the last part of the boat ride. The kid waved at some passers by as we learned this was the “science and test” section of the Greenhouse.
Most of the systems here are fairly easy to figure out.
They consist of a series is stacked pots or the tubes. Water goes in the top, filters down, and is collected at the bottom to be recycled.
But, I did get an answer to one that had always intrigued me. The exposed roots that twist around the tracks.
As they pass around the back, their roots are misted. It seems the plants really like this.
We were told, though, that the turning (not conveyer, but how the plants twist as they move) is just for show.
“It just looks cooler”
Then we met Stanley.
(leans forward with a concerned look)
“Who’s Stanley?”
(10 points to Gryffendor for whomever gets that reference!)
Turns out, Stanley is a plant.
A fern native to Hawaii that likes to give “high fives”.
This is actually a defense mechanism. When an insect lands on the leaves, Stanley literally moves them.
Very neat!
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Next we were shown the hydroponics. This works really well, we were told, for broad leaf plants.
Basically, you mix the fertilizer with water and fill a fish tank. You use a standard bubbler to aerate the water. You germinate the seeds in some foam (I forget the name, but it is that fertilized foam I have seen at Home Depot), and when the seedlings have sprouted, transfer them.
It is recommended that you keep the fish tank (or other container, she showed us a 20 gallon planter doing the same thing with a much larger plant!), dark, because the fertilized water, when exposed to sun, will encourage algae growth...
I might try this with my basil when I get back!
We were taken into the next section of the greenhouse. Here is a tomato plant that holds two world records. It is that tomato tree you see to the left on the ride. (not the one in my picture!).
This plant holds the record as the largest single tomato plant in the world.
It also holds the record for the largest single harvest off a single tomato plant, at 32,000 tomatoes.
Wha?!
They have a system here where they “train” the tomato vine to grow in a large circle. Very cool.
We got to sample some cucumbers, very tasty! And, she showed off the mold used to create the Mickey Cucumbers!
It seems, however, that the cucumbers in the mold create so much pressure as they build up water, they sometimes will snap the molds!
So, they don’t make as many Mickey cucumbers as they used to...
And then some melons. Really, really large melons.
40 lb ones in fact. By hanging them like that, the melons actually tend to grow consistently round. Well, except for one that seems to be the black sheep of the crop, that is curved like a pickle.
They aren’t sure why...but when he harvests, they are going to try and figure it out!
We also learned that the sand “soil” isn’t just for show. It goes down at least 4 feet, pure sand. Sand is easier, actually, to grow in, as you can built tubing that directs the fertilized water straight at the roots of the plants, and the plants get it all, instead of soil sucking some of it up and retaining it.
But, it also brings with it these little microscopic worms that attack the roots. Disney hasn’t figured out how to get rid of them, yet. So, they just manage around them, basically trying to “starve” them out through crop rotation. For example, Swiss Chard is not on the menu for these worms, so they cycle Swiss Chard around the greenhouse as a result.
So, now you know, when you ride the ride, why they have seemingly random spots of Swiss Chard!
We also got to see the lettuce display, where I got to ask a question that was always bothering me. How do they harvest it!?
Well, from the back, it makes more sense. Each one of these “gutters” can be removed by a team of two pretty easily. There is a rather wide pathway between the two racks.
But, from the ride, I couldn’t figure it out!
Now I know!
Basically, you mix the fertilizer with water and fill a fish tank. You use a standard bubbler to aerate the water. You germinate the seeds in some foam (I forget the name, but it is that fertilized foam I have seen at Home Depot), and when the seedlings have sprouted, transfer them.
It is recommended that you keep the fish tank (or other container, she showed us a 20 gallon planter doing the same thing with a much larger plant!), dark, because the fertilized water, when exposed to sun, will encourage algae growth...
I might try this with my basil when I get back!
We were taken into the next section of the greenhouse. Here is a tomato plant that holds two world records. It is that tomato tree you see to the left on the ride. (not the one in my picture!).
This plant holds the record as the largest single tomato plant in the world.
It also holds the record for the largest single harvest off a single tomato plant, at 32,000 tomatoes.
Wha?!
They have a system here where they “train” the tomato vine to grow in a large circle. Very cool.
We got to sample some cucumbers, very tasty! And, she showed off the mold used to create the Mickey Cucumbers!
It seems, however, that the cucumbers in the mold create so much pressure as they build up water, they sometimes will snap the molds!
So, they don’t make as many Mickey cucumbers as they used to...
And then some melons. Really, really large melons.
40 lb ones in fact. By hanging them like that, the melons actually tend to grow consistently round. Well, except for one that seems to be the black sheep of the crop, that is curved like a pickle.
They aren’t sure why...but when he harvests, they are going to try and figure it out!
We also learned that the sand “soil” isn’t just for show. It goes down at least 4 feet, pure sand. Sand is easier, actually, to grow in, as you can built tubing that directs the fertilized water straight at the roots of the plants, and the plants get it all, instead of soil sucking some of it up and retaining it.
But, it also brings with it these little microscopic worms that attack the roots. Disney hasn’t figured out how to get rid of them, yet. So, they just manage around them, basically trying to “starve” them out through crop rotation. For example, Swiss Chard is not on the menu for these worms, so they cycle Swiss Chard around the greenhouse as a result.
So, now you know, when you ride the ride, why they have seemingly random spots of Swiss Chard!
We also got to see the lettuce display, where I got to ask a question that was always bothering me. How do they harvest it!?
Well, from the back, it makes more sense. Each one of these “gutters” can be removed by a team of two pretty easily. There is a rather wide pathway between the two racks.
But, from the ride, I couldn’t figure it out!
Now I know!
It is so peaceful in here. I really recommend this tour if you have the chance!
We found out that the black/gray grate you see behind all the plants on the ride is actually a mesh webbing that they trickle water through to control the temperature and humidity of the greenhouses.
Neat!
We saw some plants. The kid knew about the cherries though, and whispered to me
“Should I ask about cat poo coffee?”
No...no you shouldn’t!
If you aren’t aware, there are these cats in S. America that will eat the coffee cherries, but can’t digest the beans. The beans are collected (imagine that litter box duty!), cleaned and roasted, and sold for like $200 a cup!
Fancy!
After that we saw the snake peppers, which are good when green, but nasty goo when red!
We rounded the corner and were handed a 9 lb Lemon!
These never caught on commercially, partially because it takes them up to 2 years to ripen!
That’s a long wait for some Lemonaide!
The kid was fully engaged throughout, asking questions and standing right next to the guide to catch every word.
She found this particular plant extremely funny as her sister’s nickname is “Buddha”.
So, around the corner. What is that smell!?
We found out that the black/gray grate you see behind all the plants on the ride is actually a mesh webbing that they trickle water through to control the temperature and humidity of the greenhouses.
Neat!
We saw some plants. The kid knew about the cherries though, and whispered to me
“Should I ask about cat poo coffee?”
No...no you shouldn’t!
If you aren’t aware, there are these cats in S. America that will eat the coffee cherries, but can’t digest the beans. The beans are collected (imagine that litter box duty!), cleaned and roasted, and sold for like $200 a cup!
Fancy!
After that we saw the snake peppers, which are good when green, but nasty goo when red!
We rounded the corner and were handed a 9 lb Lemon!
These never caught on commercially, partially because it takes them up to 2 years to ripen!
That’s a long wait for some Lemonaide!
The kid was fully engaged throughout, asking questions and standing right next to the guide to catch every word.
She found this particular plant extremely funny as her sister’s nickname is “Buddha”.
So, around the corner. What is that smell!?
Oh. Fish!
We started with the freshwater shrimp (prawns). They are huge! They may be hard to spot on the ride, and even if you do see them, it may not register why they are kept in such empty tanks...
They are territorial. Very territorial.
The claws on the male can grow to several inches long, and can cut another shrimp in half at the right angle.
This seems to happen often, so they keep the shrimp in rather low density to try and avoid this.
They did, however, have a female shrimp “go rogue” recently and turn into a serial killer (the guides words, not mine!). They would come in each morning to a new....rather grusome, surprise.
It took a while for them to isolate the shrimp, expecting one of the alpha males.
Nope.
They have her in isolation in the back now.
Who would’ve thought? I will never look at those tubes the same way again!
We passed the large catfish tank, and we learned that the albino catfish we all have seen, aren’t really albino. I forget the term, but only their skin fails to produce pigment. Their inner organs still do. So, instead of red eyes, they have black eyes like normal catfish.
Then we came to the hybrid tilapia.
Tasty tasty fish! And, it was feeding time. She asked for volunteers, and the kiddo’s arm shot up like a pop up spooker from the Haunted Mansion graveyard!
The fish went absolutely nuts!
Then we journeyed into the final room (which is the first room on the ride), the “jungle”.
This is the largest and most hot/humid of all the environments. And, there are interesting things here too!
We started with the freshwater shrimp (prawns). They are huge! They may be hard to spot on the ride, and even if you do see them, it may not register why they are kept in such empty tanks...
They are territorial. Very territorial.
The claws on the male can grow to several inches long, and can cut another shrimp in half at the right angle.
This seems to happen often, so they keep the shrimp in rather low density to try and avoid this.
They did, however, have a female shrimp “go rogue” recently and turn into a serial killer (the guides words, not mine!). They would come in each morning to a new....rather grusome, surprise.
It took a while for them to isolate the shrimp, expecting one of the alpha males.
Nope.
They have her in isolation in the back now.
Who would’ve thought? I will never look at those tubes the same way again!
We passed the large catfish tank, and we learned that the albino catfish we all have seen, aren’t really albino. I forget the term, but only their skin fails to produce pigment. Their inner organs still do. So, instead of red eyes, they have black eyes like normal catfish.
Then we came to the hybrid tilapia.
Tasty tasty fish! And, it was feeding time. She asked for volunteers, and the kiddo’s arm shot up like a pop up spooker from the Haunted Mansion graveyard!
The fish went absolutely nuts!
Then we journeyed into the final room (which is the first room on the ride), the “jungle”.
This is the largest and most hot/humid of all the environments. And, there are interesting things here too!