Day 2 - November 16th
Well, this was the day I planned on making a camera day out of, the one where I would take all my pictures and videos, as I had used Day 1 to just experience Diagon Allley (and UO again). Let's get this off of my chest in the beginning...I didn't clear up my memory card. Ran out of storage before we hit the gates, and I didn't bring my spare.
Anyway, we got up again, bright and early! J and I were ready to go at 7:15 and with an encouraging push, Mom and M joined us shortly after. We got to the park around 5-10 minutes after Early Admission began and - you guessed it - ran straight back to EFG. We weren't messing around with our new favorite attraction.
We drew nearer to the majestic white bank, close enough to feel the fire, hear the roar...and see the wait time of 10 minutes. 10 MINUTES!! So we almost walked straight through the queue, which included a much clearer hallway this time around when picking up 3D glasses. J and I took the spiral stairs up to the loading platform, with Mom and M waiting outside for us. They are quite lame. After another thrilling decent into the depths of Gringotts, J and I were ready for the rest of the day. Nothing like a dragon to wake you up! Also, I'll mention that this time, we were seated in the back row of the second car, a.k.a. row 6. We found this a lot more fun and thrilling, especially at the part where *slight spoiler* you tilt forward. We got more of a rush and sense of danger...so much fun!
After we departed the bank, there was a 40 minute wait and it was still around 8:40 am. So the gang decided to head back to the front to ride DM, one that we hadn't been on yet in our years at the park. The lines are always so drastically long, and when we showed up with EPA and the draw of EFG, there was only a 5 minute wait for the momentarily forgotten attraction. Well, not forgotten, but more like put on hold...I wish I put it on hold for longer. In it's own right, DM is a great attraction with spectacular and immersive visuals...but even this one was too much for me. I closed my eyes, I admit it. Just wanted it to be over. But Mom and M were on the verge of death...and I mean that as a lighthearted phrase. They were going to make it out just fine, but they didn't know that at the moment. J on the other hand, somehow absolutely loved it. So the ride can go either way...I'm not discouraging you, just giving a fair warning; it's great and fun, but sometimes not for everyone!
The four of us sat on a bench outside the DM store for about 10 minutes, gathering composure. Some needed longer than others, so J and I left the adults to go on RRR, a 5 minute wait. Yeah right. We ran through the chain-link line, zoomed up the steps and got directly onto the next coaster car. I pulled the lap bar across and instantly put on my song - "Stronger", Kanye West. Yep, love it or hate it, I do Kanye every time. I often find that I'm signing in the ride video. In fact, that's the only way I keep cool during the ascent. I'm not scared of flips, or coasters, or dropping hundreds of feet, but that vertical launch always scares the daylights out of me. I have to hang on for dear life. But once we are at the top of the hill, I loosen up and forget that it even happened. It's go time!
We walked right back onto Rockit and claimed front row. "Stronger", scary ascent, fantastic ride, scenic views, and we are back on the ground in no time, and this time feeling lightheaded again. We meet Mom and M and grab breakfast at Beverly Hills Boulangerie, right near the entrance to the park. I don't eat much for breakfast unless it's home cooked, so I just munch on a croissant while the others have bagels and I believe an egg. Can't remember, plus I wasn't feeling great. Anyway, I sat down while the others waited in line. While looking down at my phone, a hand goes over my screen. I look up and there is Curious George giving me his undivided attention, moments before he goes out for a photo op. Pretty cool. I ask him if he's "curious" about my twitter feed that he interrupted, give him a high five, and he's on his way. It was a fun little moment and nobody even saw it happen, believe me I asked: "Hey, did you guys see that with Curious George??" I got 3 "no"'s to that question.
After breakfast, Mom wanted to find something that her and M could do with us. We stopped by E.T. but for some reason it wasn't open yet, and there were people already queued up. We passed and went to MiB, a 10 minute wait that was really much less. Mom and M can do this one, as it is similar to Buzz Lightyear in Magic Kingdom and they can partake in it. I think the physical engagement chases away sickness. I didn't take a note of the scores but I ended up winning. My family still doesn't know about the red button and so they always marvel at my score. They'll figure it out one day...
Sticking with our wide loop around Studios, we get back to London, where we board the Hogwarts Express to take a trip to IoA. When we arrive, we can't pass up a 15 minute wait for FJ. J and I fly with Harry and Co. through peril and come out with smiles on our faces. Those Gryffindors must worship us by now, with all the times that we've helped them win!
We strolled back through LC and Seuss to Marvel Island, where J and I would finally ride Hulk. It was a 20 minute wait, but again, it ended up shorter than that. We sat in the 6th row and got ready. We took off - I love that launch - and then things took a turn for the worst. We don't know what happened. J and I really don't. But when we got off of Hulk, are heads were pounding and we've never gotten that frizzled by that coaster. We didn't enjoy it, which really is sad.
Don't let kids read this next part, because it's not proper behavior...but I'm 18 so I condoned it. J and I didn't have phones and couldn't find Mom when we got off the ride, but we decided to wonder off alone and go on DDFF. It was a 10 minute wait, what's the worst that could happen. We launched up the tower, and dropped back down in no time. We searched the arcade, walked through Marvel Island, and eventually came back to the Hulk. No sign of our Mom or M. Hulk was 5 minutes...we said why not, we'll give it another try. J figured we should distance ourselves from the back. I believe we sat in the 4th row, but it was to no avail. We still couldn't get on board with Hulk this trip. But don't let Banner know or he may get angry with us...and you know what that means!!
After disembarking the coaster for a second time, we spotted Mom. She forgot that we didn't have our phones and she was getting really nervous. So to any kids who already didn't head my warning: don't go off. Stay where your guardian last knew you to be until they find you, even if it takes 10 minutes. Like I said, the lines move faster than they say, so Mom thought she would be back before we got off. She wasn't and that's where things went a little wrong...Sorry, Mom!
Around 12:30, with everyone back together and J and I not feeling well from Hulk, we decided to take a break again. Plus, it was Sunday, which means NFL football for M and I. Big fans, and his team never plays on TV at home, but they were down in FL. So we made a plan to hang at the hotel until M and I went to Hooters for lunch and the games.
We'll be back in the parks in no time!