Fall Trip to Universal Studios and Sea World

Just a little behind on photos...

At the end of September/beginning of October, we enjoyed a fun trip to Universal Studios and Sea World.  It was a first for our family!  At first, it felt strange to be flying to Florida and not to Disney World, but Universal Studios and Sea World were a nice change of pace for our family.

My seatmate

Kieran enjoying the pool at our hotel, Loews Portofino Bay.

Showing off their body paint after dinner

On the first full day, we took the water taxi to Universal's Islands of Adventure. 

First stop was The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Cole enjoying his first butterbeer

Hogwarts Express in the very bright sun

Fun on the Caro-Seuss-el

Kieran wasn't a fan of One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish after it started spraying us with water.

Waiting for Spiderman

Practicing

Spiderman and my superheroes

Lunch at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade

Hogwarts in the background

Watching the superheroes arrive

Heading back to the hotel after a fun first day

The next day, we went to Universal Studios.

Despicable Me Minion Mayhem

Curt and Caden rode this crazy rollercoaster. After we returned from our trip, the rollercoaster got stuck in the straight vertical position for nearly three hours. So glad that didn't happen while my guys were on it. I wouldn't have handled that very well!   

part of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Watching the craziness

Transformers: The Ride 3D--a definite favorite

With Megatron

Kieran hiding from the Transformers

With Optimus Prime

The car from Back to the Future

Cole and Kieran in Fievel's Playland

This week, Kieran asked when we could go back and ride Woody Woodpecker's rollercoaster. Someday...

My boys love these ball play areas. They could hang out in them for hours. Nice chance to sit back and relax!

Waiting to meet Spongebob

Made Cole's day!

Kieran gave in and took a nap...We had to wake him up for the character parade.

The clouds were threatening rain, but thankfully it held off.

Caught Bumblebee before heading back to the hotel

Our day at Sea World

Waiting for the Shamu Show

Back for another full day at Island's of Adventure

At the entrance to Hogsmeade, Wizarding World of Harry Potter

We convinced Cole to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. It's quite the ride! I had to close my eyes some because it was a little nauseating. Cole wasn't a fan of the dragons, but he thought the quidditch match was cool. It was very cool to walk through Hogwarts!

Flight of the Hippogriff was a favorite for all of the boys.

Can we go again?!

Enjoying yet another tasty butterbeer

Outside of Mythos, where we ate a delicious lunch

Kieran enjoying some one-on-one time with a few Dr. Seuss characters

Finishing another super fun day

On our last morning, we went to a character breakfast before we had to pack up and head to the airport.

The big boys were good sports posing with Diego for Kieran's sake.

Kieran taking a much-needed snooze on the flight home.

Some photos of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for my fellow Harry Potter fans

Hogwarts

Owl Post

Hogsmeade

Ollivanders

Quidditch set

Chocolate frogs for sale

Zonkos

Dervish and Banges

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is very well done. Really brought the books to life. New attractions are set to open this summer. We will have to return someday. It was a very fun getaway, busy and tiring but not as much as Disney. The weather was perfect. Our hotel and its pool and restaurants were great. It was so nice to take the water taxi to the theme parks every morning. The boys are ready to go back, especially Kieran who cannot understand why we cannot go back "in three days."