Christmas - a Universal Experience...

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As far as Christmas goes this was different...kids woke up around 8am and into the gifts around the fibre optic glow in the dark authentic Christmas tree...only thing missing is the odour of pine sap and sprinkle of pine needles!

Despite it being very low key on the gift front the kids were more than happy.

Had decided on a Christmas brunch of waffles and pancakes with fresh berries, bacon, chorizo (sort of) sausage and the likes. Now at home this is a regular weekend event with everything made from scratch. Not really set up for that here as kitchen not brilliant on utensils and no raw ingredients (all sold in bulk and really don't see us getting through 5 lbs of flour in 10 days) so did the 'when in Rome' thing and bought 'pre made' waffles and 'pre made' pancakes. Now they looked okay and basically the waffles were quite acceptable if gently toasted but the pancakes!!! Well these could double as man hole covers - not because of size but solely because they were 'solid' enough to pass as cast iron - three or four together would make a nice traffic island. Berries were awesome and a good change from home as they are so affordable here.

The weather was good so early afternoon we took a deep breath, punted long, and headed for Universal Studios...just not sure what to expect. Well, pleasantly surprised. Yes, it was busy, but not uncomfortably so and a good day for just wandering through some of the back of the park, New York, San Francisco-Amity as well as doing some new attractions as well as revisiting the favourites from the last visit.

For new attractions went into the Shrek 4-D movie. This was really, really good and 3-D (4-D) at a new level. Story line is that Lord Farquahar has come back as a ghost to take Fiona as his 'ghost wife' and kidnaps her which leads to a chase by Shrek and Donkey. The 3-D is interactive, one example is that at one point hundreds of animated spiders drop down all around you at eye level and then suddenly all drop out of sight on the floor. As soon as this happens something is activated in your seat which makes it feel as if lots of these spiders are now crawling up your legs. Not scary, just really funny and even Caitlin thought it was great. This movie is about 15 minutes and again, its just brilliant and very funny.

The other attraction we did for the first time today was 'Jaws'...this was real old school but again really good. Fires, explosions, sharks coming out of the water and trying to capsize the boat...good fun and Caitlin loved it but Reubs thought it was abit tame. This was our longest wait for anything so far and was around 30 minutes so the queue thing has not been nearly as bad as anticipated.

Also re-did Men In Black (really clever) ET (great for the kids and nostalgia for the olds) and Jimmy Neutron (Kids love it, Dad can take it or leave it...especially third time through).

Kids insisted on having a crack at this arcade style game in Amity despite dad's warning that it was all a con. As a result of that 'con', Reuben now has a two and half foot Bulldog in gridiron uniform and Caitlin has a purple parrot about the size of a small car...so much for small items to save room for the packing.... What the hell, its Christmas and they had a blast.

By 7 pm it had been a long, long day for the little cherubs and they faded fast so we evac-ed out back to the car park - a good 20 minute walk and made the drive home. Found the right way out and onto the right motorway (I4) but got hooked in accident traffic so took around 30 minutes to get back.

Kids fed (they were famished) showered and in bed!

For a Christmas experience this was a oncer - this is a day that should be spent with family and friends, no matter the work and preparation involved in that. Will also miss this year our normal Boxing Day tradition...will look forward to picking it up next year.

Will sign off now as the soft rainbow neon hues cast from the Taiwan made fibre optic Christmas tree reflect annoyingly in the laptop screen...yep, its been a good day...but it ain't the kind of Christmas we would want every year. Its a oncer...

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Photos

Wandering around Universal..
..beautiful weather. Quite good just to wander and see what else is around the park..

Scooby doo..
Kids love Scooby doo..

Starbucks - New York..
..New York, Universal Studios Florida obviously..peppermint mocha is a little different, but okay.

Caitlin wanted this...
A huge lollipop caught Caitlins eye..

Arcade game..
First one to shoot their target enough to burst the balloon wins a really 'neat' stuffed toy...oh, joy!!

The 'trophies'
..an owl and a bulldog..

Guess which attraction?
..in Amity, just before going on the 'Jaws' cruise..

A queue...
..probably the longest queue to date but even so not much more than 30 minutes and always moving..

MIB bound..
..Men In Black complex behind. This is very cleverly done and a real laugh..

Some flags...
..just to show how glorious the weather was..

Comments

[Poppa]

Catchup
Just caught up on Christmas Eve / Day events and can understand your comments - it would have been something different but not the same as being at home with family and friends however it is a great experience for the kids. Sorry we missed you today - yours was engaged and we were on mobile in the car so will possibly limit contact to blogs until we get home. Mum has updated you on our last 2 days - all very good and with nice folks. Have enjoyed your daily updates, video and pics. Keep enjoying your time away and by the looks of thing R and C certainly are. Loadsaluv Dad

[Jacqui]

hi happy Christmas to you all, glad you had a good time. Jacqui

[Heather & Noel]

"Holiday"
These daily reports amuse and entertain us, and are a delight to read. So glad you are having such an interesting and varied holiday. You must need an extra case now for all the shoes!!!!!!! Keep having fun, Heather & Noel.