In keeping with Derek's re-transition into the Navy Reserve, we visited Orlando this week, from 12/10 to 12/17/2010. Our wonderful next-door neighbor Liz checked in on our cat while we were gone (thank you, Liz!). We decided to fulfill a promise to Grant at the same time, which is why we all went: we got Florida Resident three-day passes to Universal Orlando! Fortunately (depending on how you look at "fortunately,"), the weather was mixed: there were only three mostly-sunny and not-too-cold days in the trip, so it was easy to figure out what to do on any given day!

We used the Armed Forces Vacation Club to book for the week, and it was AWESOME, inexpensive and nice. Here's the 2BR condo we were booked into:

The park is set up so that you can choose one of two areas to visit, all are served by Universal's City Walk area with restaurants and clubs (no admission needed, but parking is $15):


Of course, it was all about the roller coasters and flume rides and VR-coaster combos, both at the original Universal Orlando...

and at the newer area, called Islands of Adventure (had a nice tower at the entrance):

Just inside, there was Poseidon's Fury (which was a little wet and a little pyrotechnic, but not exactly a "ride" -- Grant and Derek delight in greeting Poseidon):

Just to get a better idea of the beauty of that ride, here's somebody else's really nice picture of the evening appearance of Poseidon's Fury (I hope it displays):


Among the rowdier rides, there was The Hulk (under 2 gees, but pretty impressive at 67 mph):

and there were two more very exciting rides in the wonderful new area, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which Grant really enjoyed (the #1 Forbidden Journey and the #2 Dragon Challenge were the best rides, with FJ far out in front; even the line-waiting areas within the castle were extraordinary!):

Thank goodness they had People Dryers scattered around the water-ride areas of the Islands of Adventure; we went on the Jurassic Park River Adventure twice (had to get the rain ponchos; it was insane, with an excellent roller-coastery ending and a T-rex trying to eat you), and Grant and Derek went on Ripsaw Falls a few times -- I actually caught them coming into the final plunge in this shot! They are in the back:


But of course, it wasn't all insane thrill-rides; the WW of Harry Potter had a lovely reproduction-Hogsmeade in which to shop. Butterbeer was served in several locations (yummy! like a sarsaparilla float), and wands and other paraphernalia were available in the shops. Even Jurassic Park had a gentler side; the landscaping and decoration of Universal Orlando is very artistic:

and beside the lagoon, one can enjoy such Jurassic delicacies as churros:

(Here's Grant enjoying a churro with butterbeer).

Ah, well, that was a flurry of fun. Now, back to the catamaran! Surely there's a wastewater system that needs installing around here somewhere!