Right here’s a recap of day at Islands of Journey, together with Hogsmeade, Hagrid’s Bike Journey, Butterbeer, VelociCoaster, and household journey favorites.
After an early bedtime on arrival day, we have been prepared for our first full park day at Common Orlando: Islands of Journey! We determined to do exactly the 2 older parks on this journey as a result of 1) They have been near our lodge and didn’t require a bus 2) We solely acquired the Categorical Cross at these two parks and three) We solely actually had two days!
I additionally didn’t get the park-to-park tickets to 1) lower your expenses and a pair of) hold us from zig zagging backwards and forwards and simply give attention to one park at a time. This meant we didn’t get to journey the Hogwarts Categorical, however we didn’t even know to overlook it.
For those who missed my first submit about our journey, you may examine our keep at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, pool hopping, and arrival day right here: Common Orlando Arrival Day.
Island Of Journey Early Entry and Rope Drop Technique
One of many greatest perks of staying at Royal Pacific is Early Park Admission, which allow us to enter Islands of Journey earlier than the official park opening. The park opened at 9, so we acquired to go in at 8. Get up was round 6:30!
I went to Tuk Tuk Market within the lodge to choose up breakfast provisions, which grew to become our routine each morning. Espresso for me, fruit and yogurt, and normally a donut or two for the boys.
My uniform for the day was athletic garments, tennis sneakers, sun shades, visor, sunscreen, and a belt bag. Not cute, however extremely sensible. This ended up being our hottest and sweatiest day of the journey as a result of a lot of Islands of Journey is open air. For those who’re visiting in the summertime, hats and sunscreen are completely important.
What To Pack
We additionally packed a single backpack with snacks, sunscreen, water bottles, a tiny umbrella, and ponchos. Plus room for souvenirs. I acquired these collapsible water bottles to make the backpack as gentle as doable. They labored out nice! We stuffed them up at water fountains across the park. I additionally acquired these ponchos and these rain booties. We’re so glad we didn’t have to make use of them! A superb downside to have. I acquired the booties after my sneakers acquired socked at Hollywood Studios final time and it form of ruined my afternoon having soggy ft. I additionally put an AirTag and child wristband on Birch simply in case we acquired separated.
We arrived on the gates proper round 8:00 a.m. and headed straight for Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Bike Journey, which is normally the preferred journey within the park. After which… we realized it was delayed for technical difficulties. Ugh! Our complete morning revolved round attending to this journey early!
Hogwarts and the Forbidden Journey
Since Hagrid’s wasn’t working, we pivoted to the subsequent journey on our record: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey inside Hogwarts Citadel. This ended up being certainly one of my favourite rides of your complete journey!
The queue alone is unbelievable. You stroll by means of Hogwarts, passing acquainted places from the films together with school rooms, portraits, and Dumbledore’s workplace. The eye to element is unbelievable.
The journey itself is movement simulation and takes you flying by means of the citadel. You go nearly upsidedown at one level within the coaster-like chairs, however you by no means go quick. Birch admitted afterward that the large spiders and Dementors scared him just a little, however he was additionally proud that he rode it.
His official overview: “I cherished it. However I don’t wish to do it once more.”
Flight of the Hippogriff
Subsequent we rode Flight of the Hippogriff. Birch was hesitant to journey this one at first as a result of it appeared quick, and he mentioned he needed to do Baby Swap. However as soon as we acquired to the entrance of the road he modified his thoughts. Good factor as a result of it ended up being certainly one of his favourite rides of the day.
Exploring Hogsmeade
Earlier than the crowds actually constructed up, we spent a while wandering by means of Hogsmeade. The plan was to spend the morning there and the afternoon on the opposite rides within the park.
For his memento, Birch picked out an interactive wand, which you should use on the interactive spell places across the village in any respect three of the parks. We discovered it to be just a little difficult and there have been strains by the point the crowds picked up, but it surely was nonetheless enjoyable.
We additionally went into Honeydukes for a chocolate frog, which was far more concerning the expertise than consuming a stable block of chocolate on a scorching day was sensible : )
Hagrid’s Once more
Once we realized Hagrids was working, so did everybody else. Regardless of our Categorical Passes, we nonetheless waited over an hour within the scorching solar to journey. A part of the issue was that everybody lined up without delay, and the opposite half was that one of many trains was damaged so that they have been going slower than typical by means of the queue.
This was in all probability essentially the most irritating a part of the journey as a result of it ate up an enormous chunk of our morning and we have been so scorching and sweaty. Fortunately we had water, however anybody with out water or needing the toilet was out of luck! (The non-express line was apparently 2+ hours!)
That mentioned, the journey actually is implausible. As soon as we lastly acquired on, all of us agreed it was price using.
Baby Swap
After I first deliberate this journey I wasn’t positive how the rides would work with one mother or father and two children of various ages, however the Baby Swap choice was nice! That they had household rooms for me to attend with Birch whereas Mazen rode, and I acquired a particular ticket to journey after Mazen acquired again to attend with Birch. They have been actually accommodating.
Watching Harry Potter within the household room:
The one unfavorable was that Mazen gave me his cellphone for Hagrids, so we had no means of speaking. It took him so lengthy to undergo that we fearful he had exited the journey. We frantically went out and in of the journey exit 3 instances earlier than we discovered him ready within the household room. Lesson realized: take telephones with you always both in zip pockets or a belt bag! (What did we do earlier than telephones!?)
Lunch at Three Broomsticks
One factor we did proper was consuming lunch early. We walked into Three Broomsticks solely a 5 minute wait and located a desk instantly. I LOVED consuming lunch within the Harry Pottery institutions! I additionally cherished that they’d cell ordering that was tremendous simple and quick. Meals arrived at our desk inside 10 minutes. They’re very environment friendly!
I ordered the rotisserie rooster salad, which was surprisingly good. Birch acquired mac and cheese with grapes. Mazen ordered a loaded baked potato.
And naturally we lastly tried Butterbeer! I can verify the hype is actual. LOVED the frothy whipped cream-like topping.
Cranium Island: Kong
After lunch we headed towards Cranium Island: Reign of Kong. The underground entrance was actually scary, so Birch selected youngster swap for this too. Mazen acquired to journey, but it surely broke down proper when it was my flip! Oh effectively.
Spider-Man (a Birch favourite)
Subsequent up was The Wonderful Adventures of Spider-Man. This was a 3D journey in just a little automotive that moved on a observe. This ended up being certainly one of Birch’s favourite points of interest of the journey, and we did it twice. Surprisingly he was extra scared the second time by means of and closed his eyes till Spiderman rescued us.
Jurrasic Park + VelociCoaster
I took Birch to the Jurassic Park Discovery Middle playground, whereas Mazen and I took turns using Jurassic World VelociCoaster. He LOVED this playground, which had a treehouse with nets, and a community of slides and caves. The caves have been good and funky!
VelociCoaster was INCREDIBLE! The journey launches, twists, climbs, hangs you upside-down 5 ft over the water, and usually does issues that appear bodily unreasonable. The over-the-top drop was actually excessive. I screamed in worry and cherished it on the identical time.
I feel VelociCoaster might have formally changed each different coaster as my favourite of all time, beating out the Busch Gardens Pantheon!
Mazen didn’t used to love thrill rides, however he couldn’t cease speaking about this one. He’s now a serious thrill journey man.
Hulk, Storm Power, and Seuss Touchdown
After VelociCoaster, we headed into Marvel Tremendous Hero Island. Mazen and I used Baby Swap once more so we might journey The Unbelievable Hulk Coaster. Birch and I rode Storm Power Accelatron “teacups” whereas we waited on M.
From there we headed into Seuss Touchdown. The Cat within the Hat was cute, quirky, and air-conditioned, which was a promoting level by that stage of the afternoon.
We additionally rode the Excessive within the Sky Seuss Trolley Practice Experience, which ended up being one other Birch favourite. It gives a soothing journey above the land with nice views.
Again to the Lodge
By late afternoon we have been utterly exhausted. We hit 17,000 steps today and seven miles! We took the water taxi again to Royal Pacific and instantly headed for the pool. After spending many of the day outdoors, a swim felt wonderful.
Dinner at Jake’s American
Figuring out this was an enormous day, I believed we’d wish to keep on the lodge for dinner, so I didn’t make a reservation in CityWalk and we went to Jake’s American Bar inside Royal Pacific. The patio was quiet and beautiful.
Birch and I each acquired pizzas, and Mazen had a rooster sandwich. My greatest remorse of the journey was that I used to be a lot too full to order the S’mores skillet!
Up subsequent: Common Studios Florida, Diagon Alley, Gringotts, and much more films!
