Trip Report Will it ever stop raining? Our June 2017 trip

Hi, all!! I've finally had a chance to start going through my photos and thought I would get started on my trip report! For those of you not familiar, here is my pre-trip report:
Adventure is out there...June 2017
If you don't want to read the PTR, here is a brief synopsis before I get started:
Who: Me (Amy), DH (Brian), DS Logan (14), DD Lily (12), and DS Owen (9)
When: June 2-17, 2017
Where: Universal Studios (Hard Rock Hotel), Disney (Art of Animation), and SeaWorld

For those of you who followed along with the live portion of my PTR, I apologize that some of the photos will be the same. I'm too lazy to go back and remember which ones I used!

I experienced one of the longest days of my life on Friday, June 2!! We left Dayton, Ohio before 5am.

Neither one of us drinks coffee, but we definitely needed some caffeine to start our morning! We stopped for the best Coke in the world!!

McDonald's!!
We had a little delay in Cincinnati because I-75 was closed both directions and we had to take a little detour.
We waved @LisaBelle and @21stamps and any other Cinci friends as we finally drove over the bridge and entered Kentucky!

We made sure to get past Lexington before morning rush hour, and stopped in Richmond for breakfast.

The kids had never had Chick fil A for breakfast, so we had to correct that!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Cool shot! I love seeing the really dark clouds amid the sunshine!!


Our favorite Disney snack!

Thanks! Mine too!

Really like the shots of Epcot at sunset, dusk and night!

Really don't like how rude people can be.

Thanks! And I didn't even share the whole story, just gave a short synopsis!

 

[75disney]

We headed to The Living Seas to ride Nemo again and check out Turtle Talk with Crush.
IMG_5575 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5576 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5577 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5580 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Then we headed to The Land for our Soarin' FP+. Upon exiting, we stopped for these odd PhotoPass pics!
PhotoPass_Visiting_EPCOT_403534820220 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_EPCOT_403534988974 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_EPCOT_403535074034 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Next up was finding a spot for Illuminations!
IMG_5582 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5584 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5585 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5586 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5587 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5588 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We settled in and got a snack:
IMG_5589 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Every food pic that you post makes me so hungry! We get a Mickey pretzel every trip. Loved the sunset pictures.

 

[TheMouseFan]

Every food pic that you post makes me so hungry! We get a Mickey pretzel every trip. Loved the sunset pictures.

Sorry about that! And thanks!!

 

[TheMouseFan]

Thursday, June 15

Today we slept in a little, then caught a bus to DHS.
IMG_5696 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

From there, we took a Friendship Boat to the Boardwalk.
IMG_5697 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We were first in line, so we chose to sit on the back in the open air. It was a very pleasant ride!
IMG_5698 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5699 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5700 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5701 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5702 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5703 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5704 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5705 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5706 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5707 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

We made our way to Trattoria al Forno to check in for our breakfast. We waited forever to be seated, and I mean forever! I'm just glad we hadn't taken time from a park for this meal!
20170615_111906 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5708 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

When we were finally seated, they gave us a card with the characters signatures on it (they did also sign our autograph books though!) and an Adventure journal.
IMG_5709 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5711 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

They brought a frying pan full of pastries.
IMG_5710 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Each of us was able to choose between a fruit dish and a yogurt parfait. Unfortunately, they forgot to bring these before our main dishes, so we didn't get them until I asked for them as our food was being set in front of us!
IMG_5720 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5721 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Owen ordered the pancakes. The one was supposed to look like a fish, but it actually just looked like someone had taken bites out of it!
IMG_5716 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Logan and I ordered the blueberry pancakes. And Lily ordered them without the blueberries.
IMG_5717 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Brian got the calzone, but my pic didn't turn out!

I wasn't terribly impressed with the food! However, the character interaction was fantastic! Flynn was telling us that he thought Eric is a pirate. He kept saying, "we wants the redhead". It was very amusing! They all interacted with each other as well.
IMG_5713 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5715 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5722 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5723 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Rapunzel was excited about our shirts!
IMG_5725 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5728 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5729 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5733 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5735 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5736 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

We then walked over to Fantasia Gardens.
IMG_5738 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5739 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5740 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5741 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5742 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5743 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5744 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20170615_113911 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20170615_113918 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We chose to play the Gardens side.
IMG_5746 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5745 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5747 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Apparently, I didn't get a pic of hole 2! Oops!

IMG_5749 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5748 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5751 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

IMG_5748 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5753 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr



IMG_5750 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

IMG_5754 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5755 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5757 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5756 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5758 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5759 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5760 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5761 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5762 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5763 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5764 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5765 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5766 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5768 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20170615_124850 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5771 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5770 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5773 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5772 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

IMG_5774 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5775 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

It was hot, so that fountain definitely got played in by three children!!

IMG_5776 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5777 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5778 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Those buckets spill water! It happens as Brian and I were under them, then they wouldn't do it again while I stood there trying to get a picture! I finally got my pics when the people behind us were going through!
IMG_5781 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5782 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5779 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
20170615_130628 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5783 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5784 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

It was really hot, so we bought drinks and quickly headed for The Swan to take an AC break!!
IMG_5785 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[75disney]

I haven't been to Fantasia Gardens in years. Forgot how cute it was. Maybe we can make it there on our next trip. Cute character pics! And your food pics look way better than the boring chicken and potatoes dinner that I am making.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

love the HP pictures! I was wondering, did you go to #12 Grimmald Place? If you knock on the door, Kreacher will look out the window. It's awesome. I hope you tried it!
Also did Lily hear the birds tweeting in the vanishing cabinet in Knockturn alley? If you put your hand against it and hold it there, you will hear the bird inside.
just some neat things we did.
Thanks for the great pictures of one of our favorite places. We are with Lily on this; love, love universal's HP.

 

[Matt and Kelly]

That is one of our breakfasts that I'm most excited about. It's too bad the food wasn't to exciting. Good to know they still autographed your books as we are making homemade books with individual pages designed for each character. What a waste if they only handed out a card.

 

[TheMouseFan]

I haven't been to Fantasia Gardens in years. Forgot how cute it was. Maybe we can make it there on our next trip. Cute character pics! And your food pics look way better than the boring chicken and potatoes dinner that I am making.

Brian and I hadn't been to Fantasia Gardens since our honeymoon 19 years ago! I'd forgotten how cute it is too! We really enjoyed it except that there wasn't much shade!

 

[TheMouseFan]

That is one of our breakfasts that I'm most excited about. It's too bad the food wasn't to exciting. Good to know they still autographed your books as we are making homemade books with individual pages designed for each character. What a waste if they only handed out a card.

I'm really glad we got to experience it, but definitely not one we need to do again! Flynn and Rapunzel signed the same page, and we only had Eric sign since we had already seen Ariel multiple times, but he did sign so there would be room on the same page for Ariel. Just for your planning information!! Hope you guys have a fantastic trip!

 

[TheMouseFan]

love the HP pictures! I was wondering, did you go to #12 Grimmald Place? If you knock on the door, Kreacher will look out the window. It's awesome. I hope you tried it!
Also did Lily hear the birds tweeting in the vanishing cabinet in Knockturn alley? If you put your hand against it and hold it there, you will hear the bird inside.
just some neat things we did.
Thanks for the great pictures of one of our favorite places. We are with Lily on this; love, love universal's HP.

I forgot to have her go to #12 Grimmald Place! But she did see the vanishing cabinet! I'm making a list of things like that to remember to see next time! Thanks for reading!

 

[TheMouseFan]

After a potty break and a quick look in the gift shop, we hopped on a boat back to DHS.
IMG_5787 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_STUDIO_403535796308 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5788 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5789 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5790 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_STUDIO_403535744288 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We ducked into some stores to enjoy the AC, and hopped back outside when we heard the music for this:
IMG_5791 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5792 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5793 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5794 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

Then it was time for a stroll down Sunset Blvd for our next FP+.
IMG_5796 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5797 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5798 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5799 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5801 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5802 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5803 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5804 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

Nope, not ToT just yet!!
IMG_5805 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5806 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5807 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5808 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5809 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5810 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5811 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5812 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5813 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5814 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5815 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5816 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_STUDIO_403535930727 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
PhotoPass_Visiting_STUDIO_403535856075 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5817 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5819 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5820 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5821 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

We were getting a little hungry, so we headed over to Pizze Rizzo to get a light lunch. We ran into these guys again:
IMG_5822 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5823 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5826 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5827 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5828 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5829 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5830 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5831 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5832 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We poked our heads in here, but decided to eat outside.
IMG_5833 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5834 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5835 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We ordered a couple meat pizzas to share, and I can only imaging Lily ordered the mac and cheese!!
IMG_5836 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5837 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

I got some funny looks for taking pics of trash cans! Sorry some are blurry, I was trying to hurry and not get in anyone's way!
IMG_5838 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5839 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5840 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5842 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5843 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5844 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

Next up was a Star Tours FP+, so we headed that way.
IMG_5845 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5846 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5847 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5848 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5849 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5850 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

When we exited, it was raining. Imagine that!
I enjoyed this sign on the construction walls:
IMG_5854 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We decided to head here to get out of the rain:
IMG_5863 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5855 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5857 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

The kids thought this was cute:
IMG_5862 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We then headed to dinner, knowing we would wait a little since we would be early, but we wanted to get out of the rain.
IMG_5864 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5865 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5866 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5867 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

 

[TheMouseFan]

IMG_5869 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We ended up waiting maybe 10-15 minutes on the front porch before being called in.
PhotoPass_Visiting_STUDIO_402914494601 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

The photographer insisted I get in the pic with the kids, so then Donald wouldn't take no for an answer!
PhotoPass_Visiting_STUDIO_402914494604 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

The characters came around pretty quickly to see us.
IMG_5876 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5882 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5886 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5890 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5891 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr
IMG_5893 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

My first plate:
IMG_5883 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

Unfortunately, I never remember to take a pic of any subsequent plates, or anyone else's either!
Desserts:
IMG_5887 by Amy Clingner, on Flickr

We collected our Fantasmic! passes and were on our way!