Florida Day 1 - Universal Studios

This summer we decided we wanted to take the kids to Orlando again before the end of the year.  James had some extra vacation time and we thought all of the kids were at great ages to enjoy all of the parks.  Our original plan was to just do Universal Studios and Legoland, but we decided that we couldn't do Orlando without doing at least some Disney!  I'm so glad we did because, although the other parks were fun, Disney does it best!

On the first day we went to Universal Studios Island of Adventure and Universal Studios.  The boys were so pumped up to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, so we headed there first.  Luckily, we beat the crowd and were able to ride the rides without much of a wait.  The world was a great replica and the boys loved every minute of it.  Nolan chose a "real" Harry Potter wand as his one souvenir for the vacation and Ethan got to try Butter Beer!

Entering the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Hogwart's Express

Riding the roller coaster 

So real looking

Butter Beer!

Hogwart's

Grandpa and Grandma showing Lydia the dinosaur

On the Jurassic Park ride

Ethan got a little wet on the ride!

Lydia sliding on Popeye's boat

And now James and the boys are soaked...

Where we ate lunch

Nolan and Ethan with Cyclops from X-Men 

Lydia with Storm and Rogue from X-Men

Grandma and Nolan on the Spider Man ride

Seuss Landing was decked out for Christmas

Ready for the new Despicable Me ride

Gru from Despicable Me

The girls from Despicable Me

Waiting for the parade to start...

with drinks, of course!

Macy's Holiday parade

The Mystery Machine!

Santa!

HUGE margarita