We have to give a big thank you to my Mom's friend and ours too, Cynthia and her husband, for giving us a week at their timeshare in Orlando as a gift. While we were in Oregon when my Mom passed she asked us when the kids got out of school and when we were moving so she could book us a week to take a break from everything and relax as a family. So very sweet and thoughtful of her. Boy was the timing right! It was all getting to be a lot at once. It was nice to just relax and not think about all the paperwork and stuff I am still working on with my Mom's stuff or the craziness of moving. It really was the first time since before February that I actually relaxed. We all had a wonderful time. The resort was wonderful and amazing and we got a military special for Universal Studios buy one day get 2 days free. We are Harry Potter fans and have wanted to get the kids there for that for years. So, we binged re-watched all 8 movies in the two weeks before going and Paige read all the books the month ahead. That being said this is a long post with lots of pictures for my kids to remember. Must not forget all Harry Potter! There's also other pics of rides and the resort and Father's Day. The Harry Potter stuff was truly amazing!! Ok ok sorry for nerding out on ya! ;)
What do you do when you are ready to swim and the pool gets closed because of lighting? Fill up the huge jetted tub of course!
Ok here we go, "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"!!!
The first ride "Escape from Gringott's Bank". It was so amazing I think we rode it 5 times over the three days.
It all looked so real, this was just waiting in line. Of course they had all the moving newspapers and talking pictures! So cool!
Next was to Ollivander's to pick out wands.
They have all the characters's wands or you can pick your own. Then there are interactive or non interactive ones. Paige picked Hermione's interactive, SimonDumbledore's non interactive and Nixon Harry Potter's interactive. The interactive you can use around the parks with a map and activate spells/magic.
Walking up to Grimmauld's place
If you wait a few minutes you will see Kreacher peek out the window. Paige found that out online as a hidden thing along with 2 extra spells/magic spots not listed on the maps.
The Night Bus. You can't see in the picture but the talking head is hanging and talking in the window.
Calling the Ministry of Magic
Stopped for some Butterbeer and lunch at the Leaky Cauldron! We also ate at The Three Broom Sticks another day.
Diagon Alley! The Dragon on top of Gringott's Bank breaths fire every half hour.
All the Diagon Alley shops including Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Watching one of the stories from Beedle the Bard.
Off to the Hogwarts Express to head over to Hogsmeade!
Going through the wall at 9 3/4
Even Hedwig was sitting there ready to go!
What happens when you have red hair and go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Everyone calls you a Weasley. All the Characters working there would call Paige Miss Weasley. Or on the train when they came to our car they said wow there are a lot of Weasley relations in here.
The train goes between both parks and is a different experience each way. Really cool how they did it like Harry, Hermione and Ron were right outside your car or the Dementors.
Hogwarts! Which is the ride "The forbidden journey of Harry Potter" we also rode that one about 5 times too! Just Amazing! Makes you feel like you are in the movie.
More Butterbeer in Hogsmeade!
Hogsmeade lit up at night.
Hogwarts Castle at night.
The Dragon breathing fire, man was it hot when under it!
We found the twin disappearing cabinet at Borgin and Burke's.
Inside Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Watching another story from Beedle the Bard.
Ok on to other non Harry Potter stuff!
The boys enjoyed this raft ride a couple times!
Ate at Moe's from the Simpson's show and our greeter who seated us found out we were military and gave us this huge classic pink Simpson's doughnut as a thank you! It tasted wonderful, as a giant pink doughnut should! Very sweet of him.
We found SpongeBob's place!
Done with Universal now onto other stuff
We met up with my best friend from middle and high school, Kim and her family, for dinner. It was great to see them. We last saw them 4 years ago on our way to GTMO.
Pool time. The boys had fun and Nixon ended up throwing the football with some boys he met.
So relaxing to just sit by the pool
Even Miss Paige enjoyed the pool!
Our unit was on the 6th floor overlooking the pool and grounds and it was screened it. Tim and I left our door open each night and enjoyed the breeze and sounds of the fountains.
Father's Day
We took Tim to a Brazilian Rodizzo Steak House for lunch. He loved one in Seattle and has always wanted to go back to one since then.
Then we walked across the bridge from our place to the Premiere Outlet Stores.
Then hung out by the pool at night
Then enjoyed the game and computer rooms for a while.
It was a great relaxing Fun filled Father's Day!
We headed back home the next morning.
Now we have one week left here, the movers come on Monday and we leave for TN on Friday. Hard to leave Beaufort! Pray for us this week with all the good byes, being packed up, cleaning and the 14 hour car ride with all our stuff in 2 cars with 5 of us and 2 cats! We are keeping air mattresses to camp out in the house on both ends while stuff is packed up and then delivered.
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