Hi everyone! I have not fallen off the face of the earth, been abducted by aliens, or surrendered to the zombies. Nope…. alive and well and currently in Orlando Florida with College son Justin. 😀
We landed here on Thursday morning after the worst flight of my life (do not book Spirit airlines – LONG story) and proceeded to eat at a wonderful restaurant for lunch called Dexter’s in Winter Park Florida which really thanks to great food, a wonderful waiter, and a beautiful day – really turned our poor experience earlier to the positive.
We then went and found our hotel at 5:00 pm, walked around the area we were in and watched Rock Of Ages (I had seen it, Justin had not).
On Friday – we spent the entire day at Universal Studios Orlando and WOW!!! Harry Potter World was all I imagined it would be!
We spent most of out time in Harry Potter world and we went on all the rides and LOVED the Forbidden Journey ride which simulates that you are riding on a broom following Harry which when I type it sounds lame to even me but is not – TRUST ME. This ride was fantastic!!! We went on it two times in a row and then had to take a break as it made us a bit dizzy. 😀
We explored the rest of the two Universal Studios all day – had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and after a few purchases – I now have a super cool Harry Potter mug to go next to my books, we left the park at 7:30 pm. Awesome day.
Today, shortly here actually, we are packing up from out hotel and driving out of Florida and into Georgia to spend the weekend with my Navy Son. Things should slow down once we get there, I should be able to read a bit and we will fly back to Minnesota on Monday.
So that is where I am and what I am doing. I am linking these pics to Alyce’s Saturday Snapshot. Hope you will stop over there and see everyone else posting what awesome pics are in their life. 🙂
Book Journey 
Except for the stinky flight, it sounds like you’ve had a great time!!!
We are having a really good time!
the Harry Potter theme park sounds like so much fun! I’m glad you are enjoying your vacation!
Thanks Christina!
At least you got here when the weather warmed up. Hope you’re having a great time!
I did, it has been nice and warm 🙂
Forget about your miserable flight; the rest seems awesome.
I have been having a great time Diane – the flight was a real damper but my boys have been awesome 😉
Have a great time, Sheila!
Thank you Mary 🙂
Ah, some flights can be so horrendous! The last flight I took to Vegas (four years ago!) was enough to put me off flying for a long while.
What great shots, though; and it looks like you had a lot of fun.
Did you like Rock of Ages? I was pondering watching it this weekend.
I had missed your Morning Meanderings…and wondered where you were!
Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
We had some very rude employees of the airline, UGH. We even called customer service but they did not care… after looking on line I see they have a reputation for such poor service.
That looks like SO much fun!!!
It really was 🙂
Thanks Jennifer 😉
I just did a blog post on this!!!! http://loveatfirstbook.com/2012/10/11/book-thought-immersed-in-potter-orlando-edition/
We even have almost the exact same entrance photo (which I’m sure a ton of people also have)!
I love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! And wasn’t the inside of the castle amazing???? It’s such a cool place to wander around and enjoy!
Awesome! You know I have to go and check it out 😉 It was fantastic! We are planning to go again next year.
Sounds like so much fun!
It is!
Sure sounds like a lot of fun:)
It was 😉
We had a blast 🙂
Wow. It looks like you had a fabulous time. What a handsome son!
Here’s my Saturday Snapshot. Hope you will stop by.
Thanks 😉
That looks like a really fun day! Great pictures!
Lisa @ Alive on the Shelves
Sure 😉
I have heard nothing but BAD things about Spirit airlines! Sadly flying has become a necessary evil. Your trip looks fantastic though, so that makes up for the trouble getting there. Breathe in some warm air for me, we’re freezing here!
Leslie I was so angry, they treated us so poorly and I was almost in tears how rude they were. My son will be calling Orbitz who we booked through and I am not looking forward to going home on a Spirit flight on Monday. HORRIBLE Experience.
I would love to go to Harry Potter World – I’m excited to hear that it lived up to your expectations! I’m curious what happened with the flight, and hope your flight home is better.
I hope the flight home is better too Alyce. I do not usually complain so openly about things or places but we treated so awful that I will be telling everyone to not use them…. we were not the only ones offended.
I attended Rollins College in Winter Park – I love that area! I really hope I can move back someday.
It is a beautiful area Alicia!
Oh man, what fun! And that grits and eggs breakfast does indeed look yummy.
It sounds like such a weird combination but the waiter said it was his favorite and well.. we were hungry 😀
I would never fly Spirit!!! Other than that horrible experience, it sounds like you’re having a terrific time and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend time other than with your boys!! Loving the pictures and the big smiles on your face!
We are having a very good time Staci 🙂 Thanks.
I am so jealous right now!!! I have been really wanting to go to the world of Harry Potter! Some day! In the meantime, I will live vicariously through your pictures!!
Enjoy the rest of your tip and safe travels on your way home!
Thanks Tif! 😀
We would love to take the boys to Orlando beofre they get too old for it. We thought we had to do it soon! But seeing how much fun your college-aged son is having, makes me realise we still have a few more years up our sleeve!!
You still have lots of time – there were plenty of teens and older there are well as couples in their 30’s 40’s and 50’s+ without kids. It is an ageless park. 😀
I would go back to Universal Studios just to spend a day in Harry Potter World 🙂 Great photos!
Its well worth it Patty there is plenty to do all day in that park alone 😀
Looks like you are having a great time! Orlando and especially Universal Studios, is a great place to visit!
It was so much fun Martha 😀
Wow! Looks like you’re having a great time. 🙂 Safe travels!
Thank you 🙂
That sounds fantastic! Nice to do such a thing with your son, even if he’s not strictly the Potter age anymore.
LOL…. I am not the Potter age either and I was excited as he was 😀 It was fun to see the mix of ages there, many older than me without kids 😉
Judith Justin and I have been Potter geeks for years 😀 Every Christmas we have to watch at least one of the movies 😀
So cool- Harry Potter World! I’m so adding that to my bucket list!!! xx
Oh good – you totally should… its like walking into the movie!
Fun photos of a fun trip! So glad you’re having a good time.
Gah!! So jealous!! 😀 I love all these pictures!
Amanda I know how much you love Harry…. I though of you too! Wish you could have been there. We are going to go next year same time…. 🙂
Just showed this to d’daughter (Potterhead!) Renewed resolve to visit 🙂
Sounds really amazing! I’m not super into amusement parks but I definitely want to visit this one 🙂 I’m so jealous!
A good lunch can overcome a lot of ills. That grits dish looks intriguing, I had to google tilapia as I’d never heard of that. Harry Potter world looks fun, I haven’t read the books, so hadn’t heard of butter beer, but would give it a go if I ever found myself there.