[katieb]

A little of our two day trip to Universal/IOA. We got the children up early yesterday to tell them that not only were we going to Universal /IOA but that we were also checking in to The Hard Rock Hotel for the night. Which apart from being very cool in itself would also mean that we would have the universal express passes that come with it for both days!! We booked this some time ago but kept it as a surprise for the children. Needless to say it went down very well. So I had packed the night before and we set off, checked in and hit Universal. We had a great time. On our last trip when my son was not quite tall enough to ride the Rip Ride Rockit coaster I promised to try it with him when he was tall enough. However before the trip I really didn't think I could do it. It's one huge coaster! As soon as we entered the park he reminded me of my promise. (while I'm turning green at the thought of it!) So he doesn't want to do it without me and I say I really don't want to but I will do it for you. He says he's not doing it as he doesn't want me to do it just for him! My own fault and a lesson learned! He soon cheers up and enjoys the park. Later in the day we pass by the Rockit and it's only a 15 minute wait. Well I've been watching this coaster all day and have decided by now that it doesn't look so bad and actually looks quite fun so I ask him if he will come on with me . He jumps at it , so I take him and DD on the Rockit. It was brilliant! We loved it so much we went straight back on for another ride leaving my patient husband and youngest waiting. We had a great day. The hotel lived up to expectations and the children loved the pool. Universal Studios today was also a great day though we were a little jaded and the weather was very hot. DS John rode the Hulk today for the first time and was impressed but he says the Rockit is his favourite , with the Hulk second and his beloved Rock n Roller Coaster now in third place. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was lots of fun. We had a fab time and I will put it all in my trip report. The only thing about these parks is their express pass system which doesn't seem right at all. It was cheaper for us to stay in a hotel and get two days worth of express pass included than pay extra. The express passes seem very expensive and the regular lines seem very long. Not great in the heat. Very unfair when you it with the fast pass system Disney has. on a lighter note though, my daughter left her camera in a rest room in the middle of the day. When she noticed she didn't have it it was late in the day and we thought we probably wouldn't see it again but when we went to lost and found it had been handed in. There are some good people out there! We have scheduled in a down day tomorrow as we knew we would be a little theme parked out! (would you believe it!) So a quiet one with some chilling out around the pool. Epcot on Monday. Thank you guys for reading along.