Off to Hogwarts...

Having already allotted most of my vacation time to the Summer Conservatory, the unfortunate mid-week timing of this year’s July Fourth holiday totally screwed me.  With only one vacation day to spare, I decided to take a long weekend directly following July 4 to join the rest of the Pineda clan in Orlando, FL.  Those bitches had already flown down Tuesday night and had been enjoying the sun, sand and Disney for several days. 

Unfortunately, my 42-year-old body decided to send me a farewell fuck you.  The week before my vacation, a large abscess formed directly in the crease of my left armpit.  Believe me, a large, painful, blood and puss-oozing hole in your body is not exactly conducive to travel.  Regardless, three emergency room visits and a dose of antibiotics later, I was on the tarmac with hydrogen peroxide and gauze pads in hand ready for my flight southward.

I’ve already made multiple visits to Disney but have never ventured to Universal Studios.  Since my time was limited, the family agreed to wait and visit Universal until I arrived.  Val’s brother recently relocated to Orlando and conveniently works at the park (repairing roller coasters!), so we were able to score some nice discounts and free admission. 

Here are the juicy highlights.

Entering Islands of Adventure, we made a beeline for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to beat the crowds.  Trish and I are ready to roll on the Hogwars Express.

Even with temperatures in the upper 90s, it's always snowy at Hogwarts.  Juan and I pose on the main street.

Trish and Val strike a pose in front of Hogwarts castle before getting in line.  The ride was amazing but a bit intense - 3D, live action robotics, animation and stereo sound all while moving around on a wild conveyor belt-style hanging pod.  We were all a bit nauseous exiting the ride and poor Juan was knocked out of commission for the rest of the day.  I guess we really are getting old.

Here I am rehydrating with a Butter Beer and Pumpkin Juice.  Delightful if a bit cloying and unfortunately, non-alcoholic.

Leaving Harry Potter's Wizarding World, we head into Jurassic Park.  Joey (Val's brother) is in the background doing his best T-Rex impersonation.  Pretty Scary.  Sadly, the Jurassic Park ride was closed for the day due to mechanical issues.

Juan and Val get some tongue from Krusty at the Simpsons Ride, another 3-D, simulator that left us reaching for the barf bags and dramamine.

With Juan dizzy and wobbling around the park, we decided to slow things down and hop on the Caro-Seuss-el.  Here, Val shows off the gymnastic prowess that I'm sure helped her woo Juan during their courtship.  How romantic.