A LIVE Trip Report, 3/28-4/4, Spring Break Fun!! Completed :)

Ok so on a live update we are currently waiting to board our plane :( I didn't get a chance to post much the last two days but I will finish it out as we had a great last two days. But we are all tired and ready to sleep in our own beds :)
 
Look forward to hearing your final thoughts.........

Hope you had a safe trip home.
 
Ok! Second to last day, here we go. Miraculously we got to the park before 8. It was a pretty impressive feat considering I didn't wake up until 7am.

We decided to ride all our favorite rides today and do the water rides we hadn't had a chance to do.

We figured we'd start at the Studios and take the train over to IOA to ride the Forbidden Journey, but the boys begged to go to Diagon Alley so away we went. But first we needed a pic of my youngest with the restaurant that is named after him :)

20180403_080448_crop_626x784.jpg

Then is was off to spell cast. This was DS2's favorite:
20180403_082737-1612x1209.jpg

DS3's favorite was the lamp store. We left the hotel so quickly we didn't have breakfast so it was time for some snacks.

DH and I got a carrot cake pastry, the frosting was orange flavored and it was very yummy.
20180403_081613-1305x637.jpg

DS3 got no-melt mint ice-cream. It was very minty and good.
20180403_081539-1209x1612.jpg

DS2 got chocolate frogs
20180403_081559-1209x1612.jpg

And DS1 had a gourmet Carmel apple that he ate down to the stick, so it must have been good.
20180403_081553-1209x1612.jpg

Then one last stop to see the Knight bus. This guy is really funny and clever. This time they talked to Finn in parsel tongue.

20180403_085627-1209x1612.jpg
 
Last edited:


DS3's favorite ride is the Mummy so DS2, 3 and I went to ride the mummy, while my DH and DS1 rode Rip Ride Rocket, their favorite ride. We got lucky on the mummy and got the first row and when we got out Finn got some awesome pictures. Then we rode it a second time!
20180403_090429-1209x1612.jpg 20180403_091846-1209x1612.jpg

We rode this ride a lot over the next two days. It was practically a walk on with EP. We then met up with DS1 and DH at Starbucks. Most of us got frappuccinos except DS3 who got fresh fruit. We then strolled over to Simpson's land to get a big pink donut!! This pastry is very yummy and a great size for our family to share. And quite reasonably priced.

20180403_095943-1209x1612.jpg

DH and DS1 also got the first row in RRR, seems we were fairly lucky that morning.
 
After the donut we rode DS' favorite pick, the Simpson's Ride.

Going back in time I forgot our pics with the Jimmy Fallon Panda

20180403_093918-1209x1612.jpg

Then it was time to make our way over to IOA via the Hogwarts Express. The walk "through" the wall is quite clever.

20180403_105509-1612x1209.jpg

We have had to share the train car every trip due to large crowds, but it is still fun.

So our plan in IOA was simply to ride the two water rides we hadn't yet and then hit the hotel pool. First up was Dudley Do-rite Falls. Even I don't know these characters, but the ride was longer and more fun then I expected. Wait time said 35 min, with EP was had a 10 min wait.
20180403_113339-1612x1209.jpg
20180403_113519-1209x1612.jpg

We got a bit wet on this ride, but not too bad.

Then it was off to Bluto's Barges. Now on this ride we got WET. Uncomfortably wet. Our shoes and socks were soaked. But the ride was super fun and we planned to leave the park after this ride anyway so all was good!
20180403_120744-1209x1612.jpg 20180403_121131-1612x1209.jpg
 


We were able to quickly walk out, got lucky on boat timing to HRH and got back to our rooms in no time. The boys talked us into walking to the Portofino Bay pool. If anyone is curious it takes 10 min to walk (quite leisurely in flip flops) from HRH boat dock to the main Portofino pool.
20180403_131639-1612x1209.jpg

We were able to find seats with an umbrella as someone was leaving when we got there. Here was my view.
20180403_133603-1612x1209.jpg
We hung out for over 3 hours. I LOVE this pool. The server we had was awesome. We ordered some insanely big nachos. During our few hours there the pool staff came around and gave us complimentary cold grapes, mini smoothys and watermelon. The pool staff also hosted a game every hour. The boys had a lot of fun.
20180403_160614-1209x1612.jpg
20180403_160619-1209x1612.jpg
 
After chilling for the afternoon we wanted to head back to the park to see the lights on Hogwarts Castle.

I underestimated how many people would want to do the same. When we got to IOA the lines to get in were very, very long. It took over 15 min to get into the park which meant we missed the first Castle light show.

The first light show was at 8:30, it was then every 15 min until 9, then every 20 min with the last show at 9:40. We had to wait in a very large mob of people and saw the 9pm show. The show runs 6 or 7 min but it is fantastic and was worth the wait. But we noticed considerably less people at the 9:40 show so if you hate oppressive crowds wait until 9:40.

20180403_210222-1612x1209.jpg
20180403_210314-1612x1209.jpg 20180403_210514-1612x1209.jpg
 
After the 9am show DS1 agreed to ride the HP FJ ride. With EP we walked right on. In fact it was so quick we rode it a second time. IMO the best seat is the second one over. This is my favorite ride.

DH went with the younger two to cast spells. When DS1 and I got off the HP ride I noticed the Hippogriff coaster had a short wait as most were focused on the castle show so I called DH and he made his way over. We rode this ride 3 times in a row and once when the HP show was going on. This was a lot of fun!!!

We then grabbed some frozen butter beers and tried to take the train back but we missed it by one minute as it was 10:01

No matter, it was a quick walk back and it gave me an opportunity to buy a Christmas ornament, something I do on every trip.
 
Really enjoyed following along on your report - looks like you had an awesome trip. We got The Big Pink the last morning there and shared it for breakfast as a treat. Probably a good thing we didn't try it till the last day as we all thought it was pretty fantastic. Really good value for $5.99 (or $6.99?) too when it can be shared like that!
 
The Hogwarts castle lights are beautiful! Have to see them in May! Love the PBH pool! Stayed there a few years ago-lovely resort!
 
Your pictures are great.
Why don't you list some of them on the UO picture thread!

It is a thread of just showing pictures of universal properties without any chit chat.
 
Hi great report! Thanks for sharing. I love reading trip reports because I find that there is something new I can learn about the parks. I am glad you enjoyed HRH that is our usual hotel we really like it there, but trying something new this June. Last year I did one day of a live trip report then I couldn't continue I just had trouble finding the time. On this trip I am going to try and add more food pics. My trip reports usually lack that.
 
Just found your report - only right at the beginning so far but spotted something about a wand "repair" and was wondering what you meant by that.

Off to read more, enjoying it so far.
 
People exchange their wands at the potter shop when they no longer interact to do the spells

It’s called wand repair
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!





Top