Trip Report Our Journey to the Dark Side, plus a little bit of Disney...June 2018 **Completed**

We're back!!

Who: Me (Amy), the hubby (Brian), and our three kids, Logan (15), Lily (13), and Owen (10)
Where: Universal Orlando (Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Hard Rock Hotel) plus one day on Disney property
When: Sunday, June 10 - Saturday, June 16

I was bad and didn't take notes this trip, so my pics may need to speak for themselves at times!

Sunday, June 10
Brian and I got up at midnight to start getting ready. We had the kids up and ready and the car packed by a little after 1:00am. The drive was so much better this year than last! Some of it was that we chose to drive through the night, but we didn't hit any major construction either, which helped a lot. It was even smooth sailing through Atlanta!! We brought granola bars, Nutrigrain bars, OJ, and apple juice and ate breakfast while driving. We also packed lunch items and ate quickly at the Florida Welcome Center. We made it in plenty of time for OJ this year!
20180610_120855 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180610_121053 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

First sighting of Universal: Volcano Bay and Cabana Bay Beach Resort:
20180610_153119 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20180610_153129 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We pulled in about 3:30pm, so we made it in a little over 14 hours (took us closer to 17 last year!!).
20180610_153332 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[fractal]

Love all the pics of Volcano Bay! Looks like you had a blast and the Cabana really looks like a must do if you're going to spend a day there.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Love all the pics of Volcano Bay! Looks like you had a blast and the Cabana really looks like a must do if you're going to spend a day there.

Thanks! We really did have a great day! Would definitely rent a cabana again!

 

[DisneyMorgan]

All caught up! I'm glad the drive went much better this year. I hate how people are putting stickers on the welcome sign It reminds me of the Bahamas sign in Nassau. Ugh!

The Uni hotels look so nice! Maybe one day my family will do a dedicated Uni trip. Cody wants to go to HHN one year, so i'm sure it will happen. Yum Bubba Gump! I haven't been there since I went to San Fran in 2013 and now I want to go back!

Volcano Bay looks like so much fun! The cabana looks awesome!

Butterbeer I need to get back to Uni just for Harry Potter. Can't wait to read more about your trip!

 

[TheMouseFan]

All caught up! I'm glad the drive went much better this year. I hate how people are putting stickers on the welcome sign It reminds me of the Bahamas sign in Nassau. Ugh!

The Uni hotels look so nice! Maybe one day my family will do a dedicated Uni trip. Cody wants to go to HHN one year, so i'm sure it will happen. Yum Bubba Gump! I haven't been there since I went to San Fran in 2013 and now I want to go back!

Volcano Bay looks like so much fun! The cabana looks awesome!

Butterbeer I need to get back to Uni just for Harry Potter. Can't wait to read more about your trip!

Thanks! The stickers really bothered me too!
Bubba Gump's was delicious!
Volcano Bay was awesome! Definitely recommend a dedicated trip at least once!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Enjoying the report! Also very cool to see Volcano Bay and get some comparisons between it and the Disney water parks. Also like the looks of the room at Hard Rock? I know it's hard to tell without staying in each one, but how would you rate the location compared to Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific? Love everything in your pics of Cabana Bay. It's really too bad they don't get the express pass. Such a neat looking place to stay. Can't wait to read more

 

[TheMouseFan]

Enjoying the report! Also very cool to see Volcano Bay and get some comparisons between it and the Disney water parks. Also like the looks of the room at Hard Rock? I know it's hard to tell without staying in each one, but how would you rate the location compared to Portofino Bay and Royal Pacific? Love everything in your pics of Cabana Bay. It's really too bad they don't get the express pass. Such a neat looking place to stay. Can't wait to read more

Thanks for reading! We loved the location of Hard Rock. Literally, a 5-7 minute walk to US. We walked to Portofino one night just to see it, and it was a pretty decent walk. We decided to catch the water taxi back to the parks instead of walking. Royal Pacific is a little further than Hard Rock from the parks, but still a beautiful walk. It really is a shame that CB doesn't have Express passes. That is the only reason we probably won't stay there again!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Tuesday, June 12

We slept in a little this day and were up and ready to hit the parks a little after 9am. I absolutely love the walk from Hard Rock to CityWalk!
IMG_7743 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7744 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7745 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7746 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7747 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7748 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7749 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7750 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7751 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

We decided to start with Universal Studios today.
IMG_7752 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We stopped for a pic on the way in:
61399_061218_000511509 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

IMG_7754 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7755 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7756 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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The kids decided they wanted to do Minions first before the line got too long.
IMG_7758 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

A few pics while we were in line:
IMG_7759 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7760 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7762 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7763 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7764 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7765 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7766 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Meeting the Minions after the ride:
IMG_7768 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
61396_061218_000412377 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
61396_061218_000412392 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

Next up was Rip Ride Rockit for Logan, Lily, and myself.
IMG_7770 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7772 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
No ride photo this time. You can bring nothing with you, so I sent the photo card with Brian, then found out later that they don't even have a scanner there and will just give you a receipt that you have to enter on the website later, so I could have had access to the pic. Oh well, one more frustrating thing about Universal's Photo Pass!!
And Brian took Owen to ride Transformers.
IMG_7769 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then we made our way to The Mummy.
IMG_7773 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7774 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7775 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7776 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7777 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7778 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7779 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7780 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7781 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7782 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7783 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7784 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We love this ride!!
61403_061318_000035323 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
If you'll notice, the date says the 13th, even though we are clearly wearing the same clothes as the previous pics from the 12th!! Just a little bothersome! Also wasn't too thrilled that they didn't put Logan and Lily in a row next to us!

 

[TheMouseFan]

We rode the Jimmy Fallon ride next since it was close by.
IMG_7785 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7786 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7787 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7788 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

At least they have entertainment while you are waiting in line:
IMG_7789 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7791 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

Lunch was next. We were wanting to try some different places this year, so we went to Monsters Cafe.
IMG_7793 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7794 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7795 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7796 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7797 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We all had pizza. It was ok. Not great, but it was good and filling. We would eat here again!
IMG_7798 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

IMG_7799 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7800 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7801 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

We decided to all ride Transformers together next.
IMG_7802 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7803 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7804 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7805 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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IMG_7807 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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IMG_7811 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Nobody wanted to wait in line to meet him, so I had to crop some people out!
IMG_7812 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

I wanted to ride ET next, so we headed that way.
IMG_7813 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7814 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7815 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We came across these guys with no wait, so the kids humored me!
IMG_7821 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

IMG_7824 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7827 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7828 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7829 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7831 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7832 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7833 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

This ride has not aged well! It is cute, but no need to ever ride again!

 

[TheMouseFan]

We checked out the kids area since we totally skipped it last year.
IMG_7834 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7835 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7837 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Lily and Owen took a spin on this:
IMG_7838 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
They weren't impressed!!

IMG_7839 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then we stepped into the Spongebob store for the AC.
IMG_7841 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7842 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then we headed back to the main part of the park and saw this on the way:
IMG_7843 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

Per my suggestion, we decided as a group to go try the Simpson's ride next since we were planning to leave the park for an afternoon break, and then if it made anyone sick, they could relax in the room for awhile.
IMG_7844 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7845 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7846 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7847 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7848 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7849 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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20180612_133309 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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IMG_7859 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Luckily, everyone felt fine after the ride, but we still headed back to Hard Rock for a break!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Some pics on the way out:
IMG_7860 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7861 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7862 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7863 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7864 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7866 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7868 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7869 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7870 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7871 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7872 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7873 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7875 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7876 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7877 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7878 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7879 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7880 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

This was waiting for us when we got back. I'm assuming it was because we put we were celebrating our anniversary. The box had chocolates in it, but the kids inhaled them before I could take a pic!
IMG_7881 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

After our relaxing time back at Hard Rock, we were on a mission to ride Men in Black. I apparently only took one pic before we got to that area of the park!
IMG_7882 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then we were there:
IMG_7884 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7885 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7886 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7887 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7888 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7889 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7890 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

This one has the wrong date, too!
61403_061318_000035329 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

There was some sort of huge argument between the kids when we exited that had something to do with their scores. I don't even want to know what it was really about, but it really angered Brian and he said we were never riding a shooting game as a family again!

 

[TheMouseFan]

We had one more ride we wanted to be sure to do before heading to dinner, so we headed that way. I, of course, had to take some scenery pics on the way:
IMG_7891 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7892 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then we got distracted with some of the Harry Potter stuff. (as a side note, I was trying to be very conscientious about what the boys, and Logan in particular, wanted to do because Logan was sure we were going to spend all of our time in Diagon Ally and Hogsmeade for Lily, so we didn't even enter Diagon Alley that day!)
IMG_7893 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7895 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7896 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7897 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
(I do have a better picture of Kreacher later!)
IMG_7898 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7899 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7900 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7902 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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IMG_7908 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7911 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7912 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Logan really enjoyed this interaction, as the driver and the talking head were making fun of Lily big time. For being a Slytherin and just in general! It was pretty funny!!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Then we were off to Fast and Furious.
IMG_7914 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7915 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7916 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7920 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7921 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7922 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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IMG_7931 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7936 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We got through the two preshows (which were ridiculous in our opinion!), and as we were waiting to enter the ride, it went down and they said it could be 45 minutes before it was going again, so we left the line because we were hungry!!

 

[TheMouseFan]

We wanted to eat over in Islands of Adventure, so we made our way back to the Hogwarts Express.
IMG_7941 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7942 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Lily and Owen wanted to talk to the Ministry of Magic first.
IMG_7943 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Brian and Logan wanted nothing to do with that!
IMG_7946 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then it was finally time to catch the train!
IMG_7947 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Lily was too fast for me!
IMG_7952 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7953 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7954 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7955 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
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IMG_7962 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7963 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_7964 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We ended up riding with a gentleman who went to the same high school as Brian! We had a nice little chat while waiting for the train to leave!