Trip to Universal Studios, Orlando. Sept 2010

The brand new in 2010 Harry Potter attraction. It was a whole village just like in the movie, and we walked through the school and rode on a 4-D ride which felt like we were riding on our own broom.

Inside the Harry Potter castle. The pictures moved and were talking to eachother like in the movie. This was the 'line' to the ride...pretty cool.

The World's Largest McDonalds. This place has Chuck E Cheese beat, hands down. You could order the normal food, but also a whole other menu was available including pastas, deli sandwiches, and gourmet desserts. We sat in the massaging chairs and watched tv while Avery played in the play land.

Little tiny Avery getting swallowed by the big hotel bed. We got 3 nights free in the Rosen Plaza, a really nice 4 star hotel...we got spoiled a little bit.

The entrance to Universal Studios. We spent a day at each of their 2 parks. Was a blast, but very hot and sweaty...and we went on a water ride first thing in the morning, and didn't bring dry clothes. Note for next time.

"Poseidon's Fury" attraction inside Universal. Inside it felt like we were walking through old ruins and we were Indiana Jones' sidekicks. An amazing show unfolded, as we walked under a cylindrical waterfall that was flowing over top of us, amazing pyrotechnics and holograms, and moments of pitch darkness. Needless to say, this was Avery's least favorite. He clung to my neck with his face buried in my shoulder the whole time crying. Poor kid...but the only way out was to go through it!

Simpson's land inside Universal, another new attraction. This one was near and dear to Chris' heart, as he grew up watching and memorizing every Simpson's episode.

This Ride took you into Joyland, and then they section you off into your own little room, where you are guided into a rollercoaster car. Although it was just a 4-D movie screen in front of us, it felt exactly like we were in the cartoon on a real rollercoaster with the Simpsons. What amazing creative talent this place has to create such 'real' feeling rides! We loved this one.

Ha! Chris got caught by the 'cops'.

As is my way, I got a "deal" on a vacation to Orlando so we went in September to show Avery a real amusement park. We spent 2 days at Universal, and went to Ripley's Believe it or Not museum. One night we ate at Cuba Libre, an upscale Cuban restaurant down the street from our hotel. It was our splurge since we brown-bagged it everywhere else that we could. This place had the most amazing french-toast-like bread, and some great cooked platanos (large bananas). We came home broke, but happy. :)