More Florida

So if Legoland was Alex's favorite park in Florida, Universal Studios was Grace's (and mine, too).  I think if we ever did an Orlando trip again we would maybe blow off Disney properties and go to both of the Universal ones.  We only did the Islands of Adventure, mainly because we needed to make sure we went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Alex wasn't in a great mood that day, so most of the photos I have are of Grace.

We went straight to Harry Potter, and Grace was greeted by the conductor for the Hogwarts Express.

 

 I was so impressed with the detail given to the entire area.  The snow on the roofs in Hogsmeade was wonderful - almost making you forget it was an August day in Florida.

 The Hogwarts castle which houses the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.  Fantastic ride, but it FREAKED Alex out.  Enough so that I felt bad about taking him on it afterward! 

 If the Hogsmeade detail was cool, the Forbidden Journey detail was amazing.  Here is one of the Mandrake plants you pass by while waiting in line.

 While he didn't care about the Harry Potter stuff, Alex loved all the Marvel Hero things.  Unfortunately most of the Marvel-based rides were way too big for him.  

 The Dr. Seuss area was fun too - Grace's second favorite area after the Harry Potter part.  Alex even cheered up some.

 The Lorax area was really big since the movie had recently come out.

 Truffula trees!

 

Grace is always game for chasing down a costumed character to get her picture with them.  Alex, not so much.

 

 Grace and I decided to ride the Harry Potter ride one more time before leaving because it was so awesome.  And we had to stop and try a butterbeer before we left.  It wasn't too bad - butterscotchy ginger ale with a foamy top.

This sign cracked us up.  This specific one is from the Harry Potter ride, but they used the bottom portion of it for any ride applicable.  We thought the cartoon of the guy barfing over the side of the boat was funny!