Newport Beach: Part 5

Balboa Pier was a fun place to explore. There were a good number of restaurants within walking distance. However, we learned that seating is very limited. Our large group would take up most of the seats. So carryout is a good idea! We ate at Great Mex and did take out at Mint Thai Cuisine. Both were good, and I really enjoyed the Thai food.

We were near the "Fun Zone", which had lots of little shops and the Ferris wheel. We got some smashed souvenir pennies for the kids. P1 surprised us by riding the Ferris wheel twice, and P2 refused to go on it.

At the end of the pier is Ruby's Diner. So we got shakes one night, and the kids gobbled it up like little birds.

We visited the candy shop and left with a great big bag of candy. They had every possible flavor of salt water taffy. P1 carried the bag, and P2 threw a fit because she didn't get a bag. So we had to go back and ask for a second bag.

 

P1 had the best beach outfit. A Thomas hat, Mickey sunglasses, TMNT rash guard, and Jake swim shorts. On the day we did Universal Studios, PE took the kids to a mall. They had a Disney store, a Lego store, and this really neat toy store called Puzzle Zoo. Disney had a 50% off sale going on, so they kids came home with a few more toys. P2 found a stuffed Jake and Izzy and wouldn't let go of them. P1 got a Good Dinosaur set, and Dad got a Lion Guard set. We went back the next day, so the kids could show me all the great toys.

 Throwing pennies into the fountain:

PE wanted to get some ice cream, so we found this awesome deli for lunch: Hans' Homemade Ice Cream & Deli. It was definitely a local's place since all the customers seemed to know each other and the staff. Their sandwiches were good, and their ice cream was even better!

The kids always had something to do and someone to play with at the beach house. They were quite attached to Grandma and Grandpa, and would get very upset if they weren't there.

On our last day, we played some beach volleyball. P1 had a lot of fun hitting the ball.

This was our beach house for the week. We had the middle level of the house.

All in all, it was a pretty good trip. We made it home without any car trouble, yay!

Newport Beach: Part 4

On one of the days, I went with my parents and siblings to Harry Potter World in Universal Studios. PE stayed home with the kids since he doesn't like Harry Potter, and the kids know nothing about it. (And it is expensive!!!)

Hogsmeade was packed! There were too many people everywhere. It was hard to look in stores because of all the people. Zonko's was disappointing, it was basically just one wall in Honeydukes Sweetshop. Honeydukes was decent, but pricey and too many customers!!! I did buy a chocolate frog ($11), and 2 bottles of pumpkin juice ($15) to bring home. I liked the pumpkin juice; it tasted like an apple cider, but with pumpkin in it.

Ollivanders Shop was a fun experience. I had read that you had to wait in line to experience the wand shop, because they take a group of 20 or so at a time and choose one of you to do a wand fitting. I found the place to wait, but as we found the back of the line, we began to think that it most be for the Hogwarts ride. But alas, the line was really that long just to go into the wand shop. They did a good job though, and it was fun to watch. After the experience, they funnel you into the actual wand store where you can buy your own for a mere $50.  They are really neat wands though, and you can get a character's specific wand like Hermione's. It was fun to go through and look at all the different wands.

Harry Potter World only has 2 rides. So we got in line for the "Forbidden Journey." It is the one that takes you through Hogwarts. We found the line, and it didn't seem too bad. After being outside for 30-40 minutes, we finally made it into the castle! And we were funneled into the mad house that is the locker room. Apparently you couldn't take any bags with you on the ride, so everyone had to find a locker. I have never been more claustrophobic in my life. The lockers were pretty high tech, they used your fingerprint to unlock your locker. But honestly, it was absolutely horrible.

Once we survived the locker room, we were pointed in the direction of the ride. We were almost there, yay! And then we ran into the line, and had to wait some more. And then we made it around the next corner, and found more line. And then we made it into the next room, and found more line. It was torturous! 

We finally made it back into the castle (a good portion of the line was outside in the herbology greenhouse). And in the castle was more line. But the castle was a little bit more interesting. The photographs actually moved and talked. Harry, Ron, and Hermione talked to you in one room, and the visual effects were quite good.

I was convinced that there was no way in the world that this ride would be worth the wait. But it actually surprised me, and I loved the ride. It was fantastic, and the 3D was extremely well done.

We ate at The Three Broomsticks. We had to wait in line just to be able to get inside. And once inside, we got to wait in line again. Finally we were able to order, and the cheapest plate was $14. Yikes! And then we waited in line to pick up our food, and then we waited in line to be seated. I had a frozen butterbeer and it was pretty good. The fish and chips were decent, and the dessert was delicious! I had the sticky toffee pudding, and it was amazing!

The Flight of the Hippogriff was a decent little roller coaster ride, although once again, the line was super long.

Honestly, I was disappointed in Harry Potter World. But to be fair, I think I would have liked it much better if it hadn't been so crowded.

However, I really enjoyed the rest of Universal Studios. It is definitely worth a visit in your lifetime. The Studio Tours was my favorite. It was fun to see where they make movies, and the 3D experiences while on the tour were outstanding. Absolutely incredible.

I'm glad that I went, but all the 3D rides gave me a headache by the end of the day. I don't think it is as kid friendly as Disneyland, but definitely good for teens+. I feel like Disneyland is a little bit better bang for your buck. And Disneyland is always fun to visit again. So while it was fun, I don't think I need to go back to Universal Studios anytime soon.