Universal Studios Florida

Got in to Universal around 1pm after another late start. We hit the I Love Lucy tribute first, followed by some ice cream,  and a quick magic show. Magic show was a big hit with the kids. We ran through the SpongeBob Storepants store before heading to the water slide at Fievel's Playground. Both kids made some friends with boys from another young family. We moved on to the Curious George play area where the kids thoroughly soaked themselves for a good hour. Will also loved the ball room with the "guns" that shoot balls across the room. Christy and I took turns riding Men In Black, Twister, and The Mummy while the kids played and ate. The Mummy was our favorite. Men in Black was good as well. Twister was so bad (poorly done and maybe outdated) that I took Christy's advice and skipped it altogether. We scored a beer in the Simpsons area at the Duff Bar across the street from Moe's Tavern (which looks like an honest dive bar on the inside). We went through the San Francisco area but didn't stop at Ghirardelli (must do that on our last Universal day) and made our way to the new Harry Potter area, Diagon Alley. Diagon Alley had just opened up 3 days ago so it was crowded but not unbearable. We could still get around even with our giant stroller. The new ride did have a 300 minute wait at some points during the day. Planning to try the single rider line when we go back in a few days. Started wrapping up our day with a ride on the Hogwarts Express which takes you to Hogsmeade in the Islands of Adventure park. For the Hogwarts Express ride, they seat everyone in compartments matching those from the movie (no surprise). The compartment "window" is actually a screen showing the virtual ride. At different points during the ride you are chased by dementors and see, among other things, the Weasley car driving itself through the Dark Forest. You also hear the voices and see the moving shadows of the characters through the opaque glass on the compartment door and walls. I think this was Christy's favorite part of all the Harry Potter areas. Christy and I did a kid swap on Flight of the Hippogriff before the four of us got soaked on the Popeye water ride on the way out of the park. We picked up a little food for tomorrow on the way back to the hotel and called it a (good) day.