Saturday 6th December 2008

Universal Time

Today we headed for Universal Studios.

We are taking our time in the morning, so we only arrived there just after 11am. Needless to say that we were almost at the end of the parking strip. It's not usual for us to end up in ET.

On the way down to the park we stopped off at the cinema to see what's on there. We decided to try and see the new bond film that's still being shown here. It started at 20:30 which should be fine for the parade that starts as Universal today.

However, our plans were thrown up in the air when we got into the park and discovered that as the parade starts today, it wasn't starting until 7pm. Too close to get something to eat and get to the cinema.

Still Keeping Warm

Temperatures today were slightly down from yesterday, but still nicely warm. So we took our time wandering around the park. I'm still finding it hard to see Christmas decorations when it's so warm and sunny.

We did most of the rides as normal, although with is being Saturday, the crowds were up a little on a normal week day, so the queue at the Simpsons ride was a little too long to wait for (30 to 45 minutes). We did take advantage of a couple of single rider queues on MIB, both times skipping the lines and ending up in the same car!

Parade Time

As night fell, the temperature started to drop. Linda immediately began to feel the cold so we were forced into the Universal shop (literally forced, I tell you) so we could get her something to keep warm. Mission accomplished, we were off to the kerb-side to stake our place in the lines for the parade.

We actually got a good spot for once, although away from the tree area (which is mainly VIP today). The participants were having some issues with the large floats as the wind was getting up a little. However, aside from one motor float almost mounting the kerb as it tried to take a tight corner, we saw no mishaps.

The above picture is a little misty as by the time Santa had arrived - so has a short shower! Our first rain this holiday.

As we'd predicted, no time for the film after we came out of having something to eat (in fact it was gone 10pm!)

Straight home instead.