On a break from business meetings – not a shabby view of Universal Islands Of Adventure!
Tag Archives: Universal Islands of Adventure
Photo Friday: Tales of the vertical from Orlando, Florida
© Copyright 2011 | http://MyMobileAdventures.com | CLICK any photo for a larger view
Having just visited a few days ago, I saw the prompt for Photo Friday this morning and immediately realized there were several things at the Universal Orlando Resort that qualify for inclusion in a collection of “vertical” photos. Here we go!

ABOVE: Four Points by Sheraton hotel, right outside Universal Orlando Resort.

ABOVE: The tower outside Universal Islands of Adventure theme park

ABOVE: From across the lake in Jurassic Park, you can see the two towers that are otherwise known as Dr. Doom’s Fear Fall (no I have never and I ain’t ever gonna!)

ABOVE: This is ROCKIT! at Universal Studios. Note the VERTICAL drop. Yes, I have. No, I will NEVER AGAIN!
On our way home, we’ll stop in Downtown Disney
This was just a quick trip to pick up the Nieceling and bring her back to SW Florida with me. But that won’t stop us from dining with the Mouse 🙂
Park hopping at Universal Orlando
We want to do something at the Studios before we head back to Southwest Florida. I thik it will be The Mummy – single riders line, of course!
Mmmm, (butter) beer
Mine is the frosty variety. We have sought shade at a table behind the Three Broomsticks. I can’t believe I’m in a theme park in July!
On line for the Forbidden Journey
It’s going quickly, and we will do single rider line once inside
New baby born at Universal IOA
Baby velociraptor hatched before our eyes LOL
Up-shot in the rotunda
Imagine being a small forest creature, looking up in terror at the underside of a dinosaur’s jaw!
Obey the signs at IOA
No pushing sticks into ground with foot!
Cool-off shopportunity
Going to cool off inside while we wait to get into Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Harry Potter come-back time in one hour
They now have kiosks to get a ticket to come back and enter Hogsmeade at Islands Of Adventure. It looks VERY crowdwd in there!
Birds find the oddest places to nest
Check the nostrils!
Heading into Islands of Adventure
The barkers are telling everyone "Harry Potter to the right" – sure, ruin the "secret" shortcut LOL
Do not lose your car at Universal
It’s embarrassing! Shout out to my sistas….
Good morning, Orlando!
I like this hotel. It is right outside Universal Orlando and just across the street from Wet N Wild. There’s an IHOP next door and a Walgreens on the next corner. Also, you get an olfactory treat from "Eau du Four Points" wafting through the lobby, same as when you go to the Walt Disney World Swan and you get "Eau du Swan".
Finally, the hotel is free using Starwood Preferred Guest points. Free is good 🙂 If you want to know how you can stay free too, send me an email BellTinkR at gmail dot com.
[video] Safety Tips from the Sorting Hat
© Copyright 2011 | http://MyMobileAdventures.com
After long and careful consideration, I have determined that if I could be any character in the world of Harry Potter, I’d like to be The Sorting Hat. I would be able to look into people’s minds and hearts and help them to figure out where they belong (that’s my B.A. in psyche talking 😉 ). And I’d deliver the Sword of Godric to any true Gryffindor whenever they had a need for it.
[pullquote]You must be more than goblin sized; 48 inches tall…[/pullquote]OH – and between bouts of sorting and swording, I’d deliver safety reminders in the queue at “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”. Not a bad life, eh? 😉
There’s very low light in the queue, plus the least bit of conversation tends to bounce around the cavernous space, but I think if you listen carefully, you’ll be able to hear the entire spiel.
SUBSCRIBERS: if you don’t see a video below this sentence, then please click through to the blog http://MyMobileAdventures.com
CLICK to Subscribe by RSS
Click to Subscribe by email
“Baby” character craze gone wrong, Part deux
Spider Tot
Spider Tot
Does whatever a Spider Tot does
“Baby” character craze gone wrong
Baby Hulk
Heading out – it’s HOT
A few of us are gonna browse shops in CityWalk and all meet up for dinner later at Downtown Disney
Zax By-Pass
What happens when a North-Going Zax and a South-Going Zax meet
“everybody’s Favorite” – Fizzing Whizbees
We’re in Honeyduke’s. I’m not getting anything. I’m saving myself for a Mickey Bar.
Time to screeeeam at Islands Of Adventure
Visiting the Daily Bugle at Islands Of Adventure
20 minute wait? In the air conditioning? That’s inhumane
RAWR! Just passing through
The Jurrasic Prk River ride is down for rehab so we’re moving on
The incredible, non-melting snowman of Hogsmeade
You too can have your photo taken with the incredible non-melting snowman of Hogsmeade. But first, several dozen people must cross in front of you, pretending to duck in a grand but ineffective show of consideration that isn’t sufficient to avoid getting their head in your picture.
Whomped by a willow
Yes, the frogs actually sing
This is actually a cool little group
Something wicked this way comes
The Frog Choir is here to entertain us
Extra thumbs-up for lunch in Hogsmeade
You thought I was kidding about the ribs AGAIN, didn’t you? LOL!
I sense ribs in my future – Three Broomsticks!
Fire-breathing dragons!
I won’t do the ride but I do love the queue
Official Goblet Of Fire
The CM on duty says this was a prop in the film
I’m a Gryffindor – how about you?
I usually come our Gryffindor with Ravenclaw tendencies. How about you?
Pigs are flying at Hogwarts
Single rider line, here we come
The Big Fork at IoA
Stowing stuff at Islands of Adventure
Xxmwm
Upcoming Adventures: Flowers, Festivals, Walt and Wizards!
© Copyright 2011 Tink *~*~* | http://MyMobileAdventures.com
Friendship can be a motivator, a mover and a shaker. I am fortunate to be blessed with some really cool friends who’ve made adventurous plans for the month of May and they want me to tag along – w00t! Well you know my motto –Have Signal, Will Blog! Here’s what you can expect to see here at My Mobile Adventures *~*~* during the month of May:
The Edison-Ford Winter Estates
Fort Myers, Florida
My friend Christene is an avid Florida gardener who blogs at The Great Wall Of Lutz. She’ll be driving down to spend some much-needed vacation time on Sanibel Island. While she’s down this way, she’ll be indulging in her passion a bit by visiting some local gardens. Among her selections is the Edison-Ford Winter Estates, situated on the bank of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers. There, we’ll tour the beautiful gardens and check out a festive bromeliad event that’s about to begin starting May 1st. We’ll go during the week, though, to avoid crowds.
Naples Botanical Garden
Naples, Florida
About a half hour or so down the interstate (or down the Tamimami Trail/Route 41, take your pick) is the city of Naples, Florida. Naples can boast of several nature-related attractions, including the Corkscrew Swamp (on my “bucket list”) and Rookery Bay (been there, done that – check it out!). For this particular outing, Christene has selected the Naples Botanical Garden. I’ve checked out the map, and the place looks SWEET! Not only that, but our mutual friend Snowbird recently spent some time there and returned singing the praises of the place. I’m hoping this is a good time of year to visit and that there are lots of photo opportunities.
Walt Disney World – EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival
Orlando, Florida
Yep, I was just there, in February and in March. Yep, we’re going to do it again 🙂 This is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World. For years, I dreamed of going to EPCOT during the Flower and Garden Festival. When I finally got my chance, it became an annual habit that was broken only in the year I moved to Florida (the move stepped all over the Festival in a big way, timing-wise). I’m especially looking forward to all the amazing scents – gardenia, jasmine, magnolia and many more. But more importantly, I’m looking forward to some quality time with my “sistas”, an amazing collection of women, all of whom I am privileged to call “friend”. AND, all of whom have a penchant for the Grey Goose/Grand Marnier Slushie kiosk in EPCOT’s France, not to mention the tequila bar in Mexico. Happy times, straight ahead!
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Universal Orlando Resort
Yes, we were just here as well – ides of March, picked up Niece No. 1 at MCO and away we went for several days. This time, a couple of the “sistas” want to do only one day here, primarily to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I imagine there’s butterbeer in our future, and I know I’m kinda looking forward to the ribs at the Three Broomsticks again 😉 What can I say, I’m a creature of habit and when I find a habit that I like a lot, I stick with it! I’m happy to go for one day and hit the highlights – Spiderman, Jurassic Park, maybe The Hulk if they are feeling adventurous, and of course, the entire Hogsmeade/Hogwarts compound, complete with a turn on Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey as well as at least a walk through the queue for The Dragon Challenge. Should be a fun day!
*~*~* *~*~* *~*~* *~*~* *~*~*
So, it looks like May will be packed with mobile adventures. I need to get over the school hurdle first – it’s the end of the semester and I have papers to write. Guess I’d better get to it – SEE YA REAL SOON!
Click to Subscribe by email
Universal IOA Christmas store
We’re going to find some dinner and then rest up for a special adventure tomorrow. Nope, not Universal. Nope, not Disney. Nope, not even in Orlando! Stay tuned….
Sent from my Nokia N97
A VIDEO question about Universal Islands Of Adventure cuisine
A VIDEO question about Universal Islands Of Adventure cuisine, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.
Sent from my Nokia N97
Wizardly Wanderings
I think we require dinner
Sent from my Nokia N97
Crossing Into Jurassic Park
We rode the trolley with the Sneetches and now we want to see dinosaurs.
Sent from my Nokia N97
There may be new, DRY tshirts in our future
Standing in the sun did not help muchtoward drying off.
Sent from my Nokia N97
Dragon Challenge – I’m just the bag holder!
No feet-danglage for me!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Caro-Seussel at rest
Sent from my Nokia N97
Universal’s response to Duffy The Disney Bear
Sent from my Nokia N97
Dang. All I’ve got is muggle money
Sent from my Nokia N97
Dinner with a view of the castle
Hogwarts Castle, that is! We are at Three Broomsticks. And yes, I am having the ribs 🙂
Sent from my Nokia N97
Hogwarts at twilight
We’ve returned to Islands of Adventure for some evening fun
Sent from my Nokia N97
Seuss Landing Lit Up For the Night
Sent from my Nokia N97
The Man With The Yellow Hat Wuz Here
Sent from my Nokia N97
Woody is ma-rockin’ out
Sent from my Nokia N97
Stormforce Accellerator aka The Teacups
Twirly vehicles a la the Magic Kingdom’s teacups
Sent from my Nokia N97
Just hangin’ out
Sent from my Nokia N97
Croissant Moon lunch carnage
Half good food, half evil
Sent from my Nokia N97
We’re starting to be hungry
However, hunger must wait – the queue for Cat In The Hat is only 30 minutes!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Feline query in Seuss Landing
dr. seuss – you have to wonder what was going through his mind
Sent from my Nokia N97
Fun that is funny
We could all use some!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Paying a visit to Poseidon
When they expand The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I wonder what will happen to this BEAUTIFUL temple? I hope TPTB discover a way to repurpose it in some way. Would be a shame for it to be demoished, even to make way for Diagon Alley.
Sent from my Nokia N97
Because we’re all about adventure
Sent from my Nokia N97
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
© Copyright 2010 Tink *~*~*
Elementary school children participated in “Read Across America” today, in honor of the 107th birthday of Dr. Seuss. Here’s my personal birthday card to the good Dr. – some scenes (in slide show form) from Universal Islands of Adventure – Seuss Landing. [Subscribers: if you don’t see a slide show embedded in your subscription email, please come to the blog to view it. Thanks!]
CLICK to Subscribe by RSS
Click to Subscribe by email
Who does this guy think he’s kidding?
I know he’s secretly leading a tour group
Sent from my Nokia N97
Strange signage in the shrubbery
Sent from my Nokia N97
A famous hat – aerial view
Sent from my Nokia N97
Seuss Trash Can Art
Found some trash can art in the queue for Seuss Trolley Train Ride.
Sent from my Nokia N97
Crowds pour in and out of Hogwarts
Sent from my Nokia N97
My niece is up there, somewhere…
… with her feet dangling *shudder*
Sent from my Nokia N97
No you can’t come in here
And if you do we shall have to wipe your memory
Sent from my Nokia N97
Must be those flying pigs again
Love these signs a lot
Sent from my Nokia N97
Finally getting in to see Harry Potter
W00t! Our pass is good now!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Gotta get some gold
We’ve been on ONE ride. Yes, it’s THAT crowdwd. we highly recommend the single rider lne – much faster than the 75 minute wait on the regular line
Sent from my Nokia N97
Mythos mosaic mural
Cool mosaic on the floor of the waiting area at the Mythos restaurant in Universal Islands of Adventure
Sent from my Nokia N97
Still have an hour to go
We cannot get anywhere near Hogsmeade until an hour from now…
Sent from my Nokia N97
Wizarding World of Harry Potter is over capacity
They are handing out-window-of-time tickets just to get into that part of the park, never mind on the rides. we’re going to get some lunch.
Sent from my Nokia N97
I do not like them, Sam I Am
Sent from my Nokia N97
Shady waiting spot at Universal IOA
Found a abench in the shade to wait, near Guest Services.
it has now been about two hour since I got here and I am only barely inside the park gates.
I am not EVAH waiting on these people again (yeah I know, we’re related so it’s likely I will find myself waiting on them sometime again in the future. A girl can dream.)
Sent from my Nokia N97
Walking into IOA
Finally! Da Fam is REALLY slow today. i don’t know when I have ever beat them into a park like this before
Sent from my Nokia N97
The Islands of Adventure Port of Entry tower
Now we have to get a park ticket for our guest *groan* I wish they’d said something, I would have gone for the ticket while I was waiting
Sent from my Nokia N97
I’ll be back!
annual passes tend to burn a hole in one’s pocket 😉
Sent from my Nokia N97
Bye-bye, Seuss Landing
Unlike the naturalistic and understated holiday decor of Hogsmeade, every decoratable inch of Seuss Landing is wrapped with something sparkling and garrish. Each style has its place, but I prefer Hogsmeade 🙂
Sent from my Nokia N97
Stone steps on the way to Hagrid’s cottage
Hagrid’s cottage and the flying Ford Anglia are up there. This is the queue for the Dragoln Challenge
Sent from my Nokia N97
Can the Whomping Willow be far?
mr. weasley’s flying Ford Anglia
Sent from my Nokia N97
Public conveniences in Hogsmeade
Some of the nicest tile I’ve ever seen in a theme park "convenience". Moaning Myrtle gurgles by every now and again.
Sent from my Nokia N97
Hippogriff, comin’ through
Sitting in a round, pavillion-like alcove behind the Three Broomsticks, periodic, muffled screams can be heard as the Flight of the Hippogriff zooms past the rooftops of Hogsmeade. I can hjear the dragons roaring too 😉
Sent from my Nokia N97
My lunchtime view from The Three Broomsticks
Sent from my Nokia N97
Hearty lunch at The Three Broomsticks
The ribs taste good – just like days of yore, when this was The Enchanted Oak!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Just another day in Hogsmeade
The butterbeer vendor does a brisk business as those Champions who’ve accepted the Dragon Challenge go screaming by.
Sent from my Nokia N97
My teeth hurt just standing here
Thank goodness Hermione’s parents are dentists!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Honeyduke’s decks their door
Sent from my Nokia N97
Boughs of holly adorn Zonko’s
This is definitely a better time to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter than Halloween was! I can actually walk into the shops without waiting in a queue. Here we go into Zonko’s…
Sent from my Nokia N97
10 bucks each – root canal not included
Chocolate Frog and Every Flavor Beans from Honeyduke’s
Sent from my Nokia N97
Annoying baby mandrake [video]
Subscribers – if you do not see video, please click through to the blog MyMobileAdventures.com
Sent from my Nokia N97
I’m back! Now entering Hogsmeade
Sent from my Nokia N97
Hogwarts across the lake
I suppose that’s the lake the first yers cross by boat with Hagrid. I hope there aren’t any grindylows!
Sent from my Nokia N97
That flame looks good today
Chilly today in Orlando, even standing in full sun
Sent from my Nokia N97
Oh, that Grinch…
It’s Grinchmas! At Seuss Landing
Sent from my Nokia N97
Ah! Found Christmas at IoA :)
Helpful hint – if you want to get to Hogsmeade in a hurry, then ro right through Seuss Landing instead of left. here we go!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Heading into Universal Islands of Adventure – where’s Christmas?

Heading into Universal Islands of Adventure – where’s Christmas?, originally uploaded by Erin aka Tink*~*~*.
So far, no Christmas decorations, but IOA entrance is rockin’ the Christmas tunes
Sent from my Nokia N97
Think I’ll drop in on Harry Potter
The moving walkway exit is approaching. Please – watch your step!
Sent from my Nokia N97
Mythos at Islands of Adventure
© Copyright 2010 Tink *~*~*
http://MyMobileAdventures.com
The “Lost Continent” section of Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park has taken a hit to make way for the new “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” section. Casualties include:
- The Flying Unicorn, a kiddie roller coaster, which has now been re-themed as Flight of the Hippogriff
- The Enchanted Oak, a counter service restaurant that had the best ribs I’ve ever tasted on this entire planet, seems to have morphed into The Three Broomsticks – still counter service but with a decidedly English countryside twist to the menu
- “Fire and Ice”, the feet-dangling-Erin-terrorizing double roller coaster, as been re-themed to reflect the Dragon Challenge in the Triwizard Tournament, an event around which Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
was centered.
Still standing is the “Poseidon” themed section of the Lost Continent, including the award-winning Mythos restaurant. Inexplicably, I have always managed to miss dining at Mythos; one thing or another has prevented me from joining any of my friends and family there, thus far. So, if there is such a thing as a theme park “bucket list”, this would be on mine – lunch at Mythos. I have the feeling I’d better get to it sooner rather than later, before what remains of the Lost Continent becomes truly lost!


