May the Force Be With Us: A Family Trip Report Summer 2021

The wet rides today messed up my live blogging groove! With wet pockets I have had to keep my phone in my sling bag (which I love by the way) to keep it dry.

Anyway, after JP we reported for our VQ at Hagrid’s and had an AMAZING ride. It’s probably my new favorite ride outside Disney. I’ll have to think about if it beats everything in Disney. Close.

DS9 chickened out so he didn’t ride. I think it was the right call and completely his choice.

We then rode Flight of the Hippogriff 3 times in a row! DD4 is our surprise thrill seeker! She loved it and wasn’t scared at all. I think when she’s tall enough she will ride anything. She’s barely 40 inches so we’ll see what she can do at Disney (most things based on height alone, just a matter of how she feels about it).

We then rode Forbidden Journey after waiting in the 20-minute standby queue to see the castle. DS9 loved it and rode a second time using my rider swap pass with DW. I sat out both times with DDs.

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Yikes…what did Ravenclaw do?

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The important thing is you are having the best time with that adorable family of yours! I love the constant smiles.

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I am part of Hufflepuff. We never get any love. Lol.

I see you found some eggs in the queue…did you locate a special egg that was part of the tri-wizard tournament?

I know it may be blasphemy, but Hagrid’s is definately one of my favourites of all time. Very immersive…it has the Dusney touch and is a smooth and thrilling ride. I love all the Easter eggs in the queue.

Glad you had a great day. Next time you will know to go on Blutos in your bathing suit and switch out of it after the ride! Lol

Flight of the hipppgrifth is definately a surprise hit with kids of all ages. I think we rode it 3 times in a row as well.

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Fellow Hufflepuff here! :raising_hand_woman:t4:

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We ended our visit to the parks today with the Hogwarts Express from IoA to King’s Cross. We then walked around USF looking for quick service that was still open. The only thing we found was Mel’s Diner, which I had read bad reviews for, but we were hungry and there was no wait so we went for it. The food was predictable (I’ve eaten at an actual Mel’s before and this wasn’t as good, but it was as good as I expected). The kids loved the frosty-style shakes and even ate some fries and onion rings (this is called a success with my kids :joy:).

Now headed back to the hotel for maybe a dip in the pool if it’s still open when we get there.

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Seriously in shock that my kids are still smiling after this long, hot day full of waiting! :joy: They complained plenty but they are troopers.

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This was my frustration when we visited UOR. We were so used to touring WDW with later hours and lots of dining options at all times, and the UOR dining shut down right as we started looking for dinner.

If we return to UOR, I would definitely make reservations so we will be forced to stop touring earlier and actually eat! :slight_smile:

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Glad you enjoyed Hagrids! How about that scenery going through the queue? Stunning. And a good view of Hogwarts too if I remember. Were you prepared for the drop?

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I agree with the food comments. Nothing spectacular or available in the parks and usually not open when you need it.

We typically plan one meal a day in city walk. That usually makes up for the lack of something good in the parks. Our favorites are cowfish, toothsome, and VIVO Italian.

I best strategy so far has been an in room breakfast or pickup from the takeout in the basement of HRH, some snaks around the parks throughout the day…like the Lardo donut at Moes…, and then an evening meal at city walk.

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Enjoy the pool at HRH. When we were there last, they were showing the jurrasic park movie at the side of the pool. You could watch and swim at the same time.

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Yikes. Way to traumatize the young kids! :t_rex:

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Yes I had read about the ride and even watched a POV when it first opened. (Haven’t done that for RotR yet!) But it was even better than I imagined.

Better than Jaws!

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We’re back at the hotel now. Rooms are spacious but not nearly as sprawling as our 2BR villa at Jambo, of course!

I’m exhausted! Volcano Bay is up tomorrow!

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Is it Friday yet? :crazy_face: :sweat_smile:

ENJOY VB!!!

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:rofl::rofl::rofl:

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I’m super excited for Friday and RotR! Also excited for the holiday weekend. While it does mean the parks will be busier, I’m also hoping everyone at my work stops emailing each other so I don’t have to spend as much time at night catching up on work emails! But honestly it’s been quiet, which is why I chose to go on vacation right now. Two weeks is a long time to be away though.

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You should give everyone on this thread your Disney Login for Friday. We can all try and snag you that BG! :rofl:

Enjoy VB!

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Yes it is a long time. Hard for anyone to get away while in peace that has on going job responsibilities! Especially a dependable employee like you!

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